第7章

Theweddingwentby,asgrandweddingsdo,withoutletorhindrance,accordingtotheapprovedpattern.ACabinetministerhonoureditwithhispresence,and,beingadistantrelationoftheBrabants,remainedforafewdaysafterthegrandoccasion.DuringthistimehebecameratherintimatewithRalphCorbet;manyoftheirtasteswereincommon.Ralphtookagreatinterestinthemannerofworkingoutpoliticalquestions;inthebalanceandstateofparties;andhadtherightappreciationoftheexactqualitiesonwhichtheministerpiquedhimself.Inreturn,thelatterwasalwaysonthelook-outforpromisingyoungmen,who,eitherbytheircapabilityofspeech-makingorarticle-writing,mightadvancetheviewsofhisparty.

RecognisingthepowershemostvaluedinRalph,hesparednopainstoattachhimtohisownpoliticalset.Whentheyseparated,itwaswiththefullunderstandingthattheyweretoseeagooddealofeachotherinLondon.

TheholidayRalphallowedhimselfwaspassingrapidlyaway;but,beforehereturnedtohischambersandhishardwork,hehadpromisedtospendafewmoredayswithEllinor;anditsuitedhimtogostraightfromtheduke\'stoFordBank.Heleftthecastlesoonafterbreakfast——theluxurious,elegantbreakfast,servedbydomesticswhoperformedtheirworkwiththeaccuracyandperfectionofmachines.

HearrivedatFordBankbeforetheman-servanthadquitefinishedthedirtierpartofhismorning\'swork,andhecametotheglass-doorinhisstripedcottonjacket,alittlesoiled,androllinguphisworkingapron.Ellinorwasnotyetstrongenoughtogetupandgooutandgatherflowersfortherooms,sothoseleftfromyesterdaywereratherfaded;inshort,thecontrastfromentirecompletenessandexquisitefreshnessofarrangementstruckforciblyuponRalph\'sperceptions,whichwerecriticalratherthanappreciative;and,ashisaffectionswerealwayssubduedtohisintellect,Ellinor\'slovelyfaceandgracefulfigureflyingtomeethimdidnotgainhisfullapproval,becauseherhairwasdressedinanold-fashionedway,herwaistwaseithertoolongortooshort,hersleevestoofullortootightforthestandardoffashiontowhichhiseyehadbeenaccustomedwhilescanningthebridesmaidsandvarioushighbornladiesatStokelyCastle.

But,ashehadalwayspiquedhimselfuponbeingabletoputononesideallsuperficialworldlinessinhischaseafterpower,itdidnotdoforhimtoshrinkfromseeingandfacingtheincompletenessofmoderatemeans.Onlymarriageuponmoderatemeanswasgraduallybecomingmoredistastefultohim.

NordidhissubsequentintercoursewithLordBolton,theCabinetministerbeforementioned,tendtoreconcilehimtoearlymatrimony.

AtLordBolton\'shousehemetpolishedandintellectualsociety,andallthatsmoothnessinministeringtothelowerwantsineatinganddrinkingwhichseemstoprovidethattherightthingshallalwaysbeattherightplaceattherighttime,sothatthewantofitshallneverimpedeforaninstantthefeastofwitorreason;while,ifhewenttothehousesofhisfriends,menofthesamecollegeandstandingashimself,whohadbeenseducedintoearlymarriages,hewasuncomfortablyawareofnumerousinconsistenciesandhitchesintheirmenages.Besides,theideaofthepossibledisgracethatmightbefallthefamilywithwhichhethoughtofallyinghimselfhauntedhimwiththetenacityandalsowiththeexaggerationofanightmare,wheneverhehadoverworkedhimselfinhissearchafteravailableandprofitableknowledge,orhadafitofindigestionaftertheexquisitedinnershewaslearningsowelltoappreciate.

Christmaswas,ofcourse,tobedevotedtohisownfamily;itwasanunavoidablenecessity,ashetoldEllinor,while,inreality,hewasbeginningtofindabsencefromhisbetrothedsomethingofarelief.

Yetthewranglingsandfollyofhishome,evenblessedbythepresenceofaLadyMaria,madehimlookforwardtoEasteratFordBankwithsomethingoftheoldpleasure.

Ellinor,withthefinetactwhichlovegives,haddiscoveredhisannoyanceatvariouslittleincongruitiesinthehouseholdatthetimeofhissecondvisitinthepreviousautumn,andhadlabouredtomakeallasperfectasshecouldbeforehisreturn.Butshehadmuchtostruggleagainst.Forthefirsttimeinherlifetherewasagreatwantofreadymoney;shecouldscarcelyobtaintheservants\'

wages;andthebillforthespringseedswasaheavyweightonherconscience.ForMissMonro\'smethodicalhabitshadtaughtherpupilgreatexactitudeastoallmoneymatters.

Thenherfather\'stemperhadbecomeveryuncertain.Heavoidedbeingalonewithherwheneverhepossiblycould;andtheconsciousnessofthis,andoftheterriblemutualsecretwhichwasthecauseofthisestrangement,werethereasonswhyEllinorneverrecoveredherprettyyouthfulbloomafterherillness.Ofcourseitwastothisthattheoutsideworldattributedherchangedappearance.Theywouldshaketheirheadsandsay,"Ah,poorMissWilkins!Whatalovelycreatureshewasbeforethatfever!"

Butyouthisyouth,andwillassertitselfinacertainelasticityofbodyandspirits;andattimesEllinorforgotthatfearfulnightforseveralhourstogether.Evenwhenherfather\'savertedeyebroughtitalloncemorebeforeher,shehadlearnttoformexcusesandpalliations,andtoregardMr.Dunster\'sdeathasonlytheconsequenceofanunfortunateaccident.Butshetriedtoputthemiserableremembranceentirelyoutofhermind;togoonfromdaytodaythinkingonlyoftheday,andhowtoarrangeitsoastocausetheleastirritationtoherfather.Shewouldsogladlyhavespokentohimontheonesubjectwhichovershadowedalltheirintercourse;

shefanciedthatbyspeakingshemighthavebeenabletobanishthephantom,orreduceitsterrortowhatshebelievedtobethedueproportion.Butherfatherwasevidentlydeterminedtoshowthathewasnevermoretobespokentoonthatsubject;andallshecoulddowastofollowhisleadontherareoccasionsthattheyfellintosomethingliketheoldconfidentialintercourse.Asyet,toher,hehadnevergivenwaytoanger;butbeforeherhehadoftenspokeninamannerwhichbothpainedandterrifiedher.Sometimeshiseyeinthemidstofhispassioncaughtonherfaceofaffrightanddismay,andthenhewouldstop,andmakesuchanefforttocontrolhimselfassometimesendedintears.Ellinordidnotunderstandthatboththesephaseswereowingtohisincreasinghabitofdrinkingmorethanheoughttohavedone.Shesetthemdownasthedirecteffectsofasorelyburdenedconscience;andstrovemoreandmoretoplanforhisdailylifeathome,howitshouldgoonwithoiledwheels,neitherajerknorajar.Itwasnowondershelookedwistful,andcareworn,andold.MissMonrowashergreatcomfort;thetotalunconsciousnessonthatlady\'spartofanythingbelowthesurface,andyetherfullanddelicaterecognitionofallthelittledailycaresandtrials,madehersympathymostvaluabletoEllinor,whiletherewasnoneedtofearthatitwouldevergiveMissMonrothatpowerofseeingintotheheartofthingswhichitfrequentlyconfersuponimaginativepeople,whoaredeeplyattachedtosomeoneinsorrow.

TherewasastrongbondbetweenEllinorandDixon,althoughtheyscarcelyeverexchangedawordsaveonthemostcommon-placesubjects;buttheirsilencewasbasedondifferentfeelingsfromthatwhichseparatedEllinorfromherfather.EllinorandDixoncouldnotspeakfreely,becausetheirheartswerefullofpityforthefaultymanwhomtheybothlovedsowell,andtriedsohardtorespect.

ThiswasthestateofthehouseholdtowhichRalphCorbetcamedownatEaster.HemighthavebeenknowninLondonasabrilliantdiner-

outbythistime;buthecouldnotaffordtothrowhislifeawayinfireworks;hecalculatedhisforces,andcondensedtheirpowerasmuchasmightbe,onlyvisitingwherehewaslikelytomeetmenwhocouldhelpinhisfuturecareer.HehadbeeninvitedtospendtheEastervacationatacertaincountryhousewhichwouldbefullofsuchhumanstepping-stones;andhedeclinedinordertokeephiswordtoEllinor,andgotoFordBank.Buthecouldnothelplookinguponhimselfalittleinthelightofamartyrtoduty;andperhapsthisviewofhisownmeritsmadehimchafeunderhisfuturefather-in-

law\'sirritabilityofmanner,whichnowshoweditselfeventohim.

Hefoundhimselfdistinctlyregrettingthathehadsufferedhimselftobeengagedsoearlyinlife;andhavingbecomeconsciousofthetemptationandnothavingrepelleditatonce,ofcourseitreturnedandreturned,andgraduallyobtainedthemasteryoverhim.WhatwastobegainedbykeepingtohisengagementwithEllinor?Heshouldhaveadelicatewifetolookafter,andevenmorethanthecommonadditionalexpensesofmarriedlife.Heshouldhaveafather-in-lawwhosecharacteratbesthadhadonlyalocalandprovincialrespectability,whichitwasnowdailylosingbyhabitswhichwerebothsensualandvulgarising;aman,too,whowasstrangelychangingfromjoyousgenialityintomoodysurliness.Besides,hedoubtedif,intheevidentchangeintheprosperityofthefamily,thefortunetobepaiddownontheoccasionofhismarriagetoEllinorcouldbeforthcoming.Andaboveall,andaroundall,therehoveredtheshadowofsomeunrevealeddisgrace,whichmightcometolightatanytimeandinvolvehiminit.Hethoughthehadprettywellascertainedthenatureofthispossibleshame,andhadlittledoubtitwouldturnouttobethatDunster\'sdisappearance,toAmericaorelsewhere,hadbeenanarrangedplanwithMr.Wilkins.AlthoughMr.RalphCorbetwascapableofsuspectinghimofthismeancrime(sofarremovedfromtheimpulsivecommissionofthepastsinwhichwasdragginghimdailylowerandlowerdown),itwasofakindthatwaspeculiarlydistastefultotheacutelawyer,whoforesawhowsuchbaseconductwouldtaintallwhosenameswereevermentioned,evenbychance,inconnectionwithit.Heusedtoliemiserablytossingonhissleeplessbed,turningoverthesethingsinthenightseason.Hewastormentedbyallthesethoughts;hewouldbitterlyregretthepasteventsthatconnectedhimwithEllinor,fromthedaywhenhefirstcametoreadwithMr.Nessuptothepresenttime.Butwhenhecamedowninthemorning,andsawthefadedEllinorflashintomomentarybeautyathisentranceintothedining-room,andwhensheblushinglydrewnearwiththeonesingleflowerfreshlygathered,whichithadbeenhercustomtoplaceinhisbutton-holewhenhecamedowntobreakfast,hefeltasifhisbetterselfwasstrongerthantemptation,andasifhemustbeanhonestmanandhonourablelover,evenagainsthiswish.

Asthedayworeonthetemptationgatheredstrength.Mr.Wilkinscamedown,andwhilehewasonthesceneEllinorseemedalwaysengrossedbyherfather,whoapparentlycaredlittleenoughforallherattentions.Thentherewasacomplainingofthefood,whichdidnotsuitthesicklypalateofamanwhohaddrunkhardthenightbefore;andpossiblythesecomplaintswereextendedtotheservants,andtheirincompletenessorincapacitywasthusbroughtprominentlybeforetheeyesofRalph,whowouldhavepreferredtoeatadrycrustinsilence,ortohavegonewithoutbreakfastaltogether,ifhecouldhavehadintellectualconversationofsomehighorder,tohavingthegreatestdaintieswiththeknowledgeofthecarerequiredintheirpreparationthuscoarselydiscussedbeforehim.Bythetimesuchbreakfastswerefinished,Ellinorlookedthirty,andherspiritsweregonefortheday.IthadbecomedifficultforRalphtocontracthismindtohersmalldomesticinterests,andshehadlittleelsetotalktohimabout,nowthatherespondedbutcurtlytoallherquestionsabouthimself,andwaswearyofprofessingalovewhichhewasceasingtofeel,inallthepassionatenothingswhichusuallymakeupsomuchoflovers\'talk.Thebooksshehadbeenreadingwereoldclassics,whoseplaceinliteraturenolongeradmittedofkeendiscussion;thepoorwhomshecaredforwereallverywellintheirway;and,iftheycouldhavebeenbroughtintoillustrateatheory,hearingaboutthemmighthavebeenofsomeuse;but,asitwas,itwassimplytiresometoheardayafterdayofBettyPalmer\'srheumatismandMrs.Kay\'sbaby\'sfits.Therewasnotalkingpoliticswithher,becauseshewassoignorantthatshealwaysagreedwitheverythinghesaid.

HeevengrewtofindluncheonandMissMonronotunpleasantvarietiestohismonotonoustete-a-tetes.Thencamethewalk,generallytothetowntofetchMr.Wilkinsfromhisoffice;andonceortwiceitwasprettyevidenthowhehadbeenemployinghishours.Onedayinparticularhiswalkwassounsteadyandhisspeechsothick,thatRalphcouldonlywonderhowitwasthatEllinordidnotperceivethecause;butshewastooopenlyanxiousabouttheheadacheofwhichherfathercomplainedtohavebeenatallawareofthepreviousself-

indulgencewhichmusthavebroughtiton.Thisveryafternoon,asill-luckwouldhaveit,theDukeofHintonandagentlemanwhomRalphhadmetintownatLordBolton\'srodeby,andrecognisedhim;sawRalphsupportingatipsymanwithsuchquietfriendlyinterestasmustshowallpassers-bythattheywerepreviousfriends.Mr.Corbetchafedandfumedinwardlyallthewayhomeafterthisunfortunateoccurrence;hewasinathoroughlyeviltemperbeforetheyreachedFordBank,buthehadtoomuchself-commandtoletthisbeveryapparent.Heturnedintotheshrubberypaths,leavingEllinortotakeherfatherintothequietnessofhisownroom,theretoliedownandshakeoffhisheadache.

Ralphwalkedalong,ruminatingingloomymoodastowhatwastobedone;howhecouldbestextricatehimselffromthemiserablerelationinwhichhehadplacedhimselfbygivingwaytoimpulse.Almostbeforehewasaware,alittlehandstolewithinhisfoldedarms,andEllinor\'ssweetsadeyeslookedintohis.

"Ihaveputpapadownforanhour\'srestbeforedinner,"saidshe.

"Hisheadseemstoacheterribly."

Ralphwassilentandunsympathising,tryingtonervehimselfuptobedisagreeable,butfindingitdifficultinthefaceofsuchsweettrust.

"Doyourememberourconversationlastautumn,Ellinor?"hebeganatlength.

Herheadsunk.Theywerenearagarden-seat,andshequietlysatdown,withoutspeaking.

"Aboutsomedisgracewhichyouthenfanciedhungoveryou?"Noanswer."Doesitstillhangoveryou?"

"Yes!"shewhispered,withaheavysigh.

"Andyourfatherknowsthis,ofcourse?"

"Yes!"again,inthesametone;andthensilence.

"Ithinkitisdoinghimharm,"atlengthRalphwenton,decidedly.

"Iamafraiditis,"shesaid,inalowtone.

"Iwishyouwouldtellmewhatitis,"hesaid,alittleimpatiently.

"Imightbeabletohelpyouaboutit."

"No!youcouldnot,"repliedEllinor."IwassorrytomyveryhearttotellyouwhatIdid;Ididnotwanthelp;allthatispast.ButI

wantedtoknowifyouthoughtthatapersonsituatedasIwas,wasjustifiedinmarryinganyoneignorantofwhatmighthappen,whatI

dohopeandtrustneverwill."

"ButifIdon\'tknowwhatyouarealludingtointhismysteriousway,youmustsee——don\'tyousee,love?——IaminthepositionoftheignorantmanwhomIthinkyousaidyoucouldnotfeelitrighttomarry.Whydon\'tyoutellmestraightoutwhatitis?"Hecouldnothelphisirritationbetrayingitselfinhistonesandmannerofspeaking.Shebentalittleforward,andlookedfullintohisface,asthoughtopiercetotheveryheart\'struthofhim.Thenshesaid,asquietlyasshehadeverspokeninherlife,——"Youwishtobreakoffourengagement?"

Hereddenedandgrewindignantinamoment."Whatnonsense!JustbecauseIaskaquestionandmakearemark!Ithinkyourillnessmusthavemadeyoufanciful,Ellinor.SurelynothingIsaiddeservessuchaninterpretation.Onthecontrary,haveInotshownthesincerityanddepthofmyaffectiontoyoubyclingingtoyouthrough——througheverything?"

Hewasgoingtosay"throughthewearyingoppositionofmyfamily,"

buthestoppedshort,forheknewthattheveryfactofhismother\'soppositionhadonlymadehimthemoredeterminedtohavehisownwayinthefirstinstance;andevennowhedidnotintendtoletout,whathehadconcealeduptothistime,thathisfriendsallregrettedhisimprudentengagement.

Ellinorsatsilentlygazingoutuponthemeadows,butseeingnothing.

Thensheputherhandintohis."Iquitetrustyou,Ralph.Iwaswrongtodoubt.IamafraidIhavegrownfancifulandsilly."

Hewasratherputtoitfortherightwords,forshehadpreciselydivinedthedimthoughtthathadovershadowedhismindwhenshehadlookedsointentlyathim.Buthecaressedher,andreassuredherwithfondwords,asincoherentaslovers\'wordsgenerallyare.

By-and-bytheysaunteredhomewards.Whentheyreachedthehouse,Ellinorlefthim,andflewuptoseehowherfatherwas.WhenRalphwentintohisownroomhewasvexedwithhimself,bothforwhathehadsaidandforwhathehadnotsaid.Hismentallook-outwasnotsatisfactory.

NeitherhenorMr.Wilkinswasingoodhumourwiththeworldingeneralatdinner-time,anditneedslittleinsuchcasestocondenseandturntheloweringtempersintooneparticulardirection.AslongasEllinorandMissMonrostayedinthedining-room,asortofmoodypeacehadbeenkeptup,theladiestalkingincessantlytoeachotheraboutthetrivialnothingsoftheirdailylife,withaninstinctiveconsciousnessthatiftheydidnotchatteron,somethingwouldbesaidbyoneofthegentlemenwhichwouldbedistastefultotheother.

AssoonasRalphhadshutthedoorbehindthem,Mr.Wilkinswenttothesideboard,andtookoutabottlewhichhadnotpreviouslymadeitsappearance.

"Havealittlecognac?"heasked,withanassumptionofcarelessness,ashepouredoutawine-glassful."It\'sacapitalthingfortheheadache;andthisnastyloweringweatherhasgivenmearackingheadacheallday."

"Iamsorryforit,"saidRalph,"forIwantedparticularlytospeaktoyouaboutbusiness——aboutmymarriage,infact."

"Well!speakaway,I\'masclear-headedasanyman,ifthat\'swhatyoumean."

Ralphbowed,alittlecontemptuously.

"WhatIwantedtosaywas,thatIamanxioustohaveallthingsarrangedformymarriageinAugust.Ellinorissomuchbetternow;

infact,sostrong,thatIthinkwemayreckonuponherstandingthechangetoaLondonlifeprettywell."

Mr.Wilkinsstaredathimratherblankly,butdidnotimmediatelyspeak.

"OfcourseImayhavethedeedsdrawnupinwhich,asbypreviousarrangement,youadvanceacertainportionofEllinor\'sfortuneforthepurposesthereintobeassigned;aswesettledlastyearwhenI

hopedtohavebeenmarriedinAugust?"

AthoughtflittedthroughMr.Wilkins\'sconfusedbrainthatheshouldfinditimpossibletoproducethethousandsrequiredwithouthavingrecoursetothemoneylenders,whowerealreadymakingdifficulties,andcharginghimusuriousinterestfortheadvancestheyhadlatelymade;andheunwiselytriedtoobtainadiminutioninthesumhehadoriginallyproposedtogiveEllinor."Unwisely,"becausehemighthavereadRalph\'scharacterbetterthantosupposehewouldeasilyconsenttoanydiminutionwithoutgoodandsufficientreasonbeinggiven;orwithoutsomepromiseofcompensatingadvantagesinthefutureforthepresentsacrificeaskedfromhim.ButperhapsMr.

Wilkins,dulledashewasbywinethoughthecouldallegeagoodandsufficientreason,forhesaid:

"Youmustnotbeharduponme,Ralph.Thatpromisewasmadebefore——

beforeIexactlyknewthestateofmyaffairs!"

"BeforeDunster\'sdisappearance,infact,"saidMr.Corbet,fixinghissteady,penetratingeyesonMr.Wilkins\'scountenance.

"Yes——exactly——beforeDunster\'s——"mumbledoutMr.Wilkins,redandconfused,andnotfinishinghissentence.

"Bytheway,"saidRalph(forwithcarefulcarelessnessofmannerhethoughthecouldextractsomethingoftherealnatureoftheimpendingdisgracefromhiscompanion,inthestateinwhichhethenwas;andifheonlyknewmoreaboutthisdangerhecouldguardagainstit;guardothers;perhapshimself)——"Bytheway,haveyoueverheardanythingofDunstersincehewentoffto——America,isn\'titthought?"

Hewasstartledbeyondhispowerofself-controlbytheinstantaneouschangeinMr.Wilkinswhichhisquestionproduced.Bothstartedup;

Mr.Wilkinswhite,shaking,andtryingtosaysomething,butunabletoformasensiblesentence.

"GoodGod!sir,whatisthematter?"saidRalph,alarmedatthesesignsofphysicalsuffering.

Mr.Wilkinssatdown,andrepelledhisnearerapproachwithoutspeaking.

"Itisnothing,onlythisheadachewhichshootsthroughmeattimes.

Don\'tlookatme,sir,inthatway.Itisveryunpleasanttofindanotherman\'seyesperpetuallyfixeduponyou."

"Ibegyourpardon,"saidRalph,coldly;hisshort-livedsympathy,thusrepulsed,givingwaytohiscuriosity.Buthewaitedforaminuteortwowithoutdaringtorenewtheconversationatthepointwheretheyhadstopped:whetherinterruptedbybodilyormentaldiscomfortonthepartofhiscompanionhewasnotquitesure.Whilehehesitatedhowtobeginagainonthesubject,Mr.Wilkinspulledthebottleofbrandytohimselfandfilledhisglassagain,tossingoffthespiritasifithadbeenwater.ThenhetriedtolookMr.

Corbetfullintheface,withastareaspertinaciousashecouldmakeit,butverydifferentfromthekeenobservantgazewhichwastryingtoreadhimthrough.

"Whatwerewetalkingabout?"saidRalph,atlength,withthemostnaturalairintheworld,justasifhehadreallybeenforgetfulofsomehalf-discussedsubjectofinterest.

"Ofwhatyou\'dad——ddealbetterholdyourtongueabout,"growledoutMr.Wilkins,inasurlythickvoice.

"Sir!"saidRalph,startingtohisfeetwithrealpassionatbeingsoaddressedby"Wilkinstheattorney."

"Yes,"continuedthelatter,"I\'llmanagemyownaffairs,andallowofnomeddlingandnoquestioning.Isaidsooncebefore,andIwasnotmindedandbadcameofit;andnowIsayitagain.Andifyou\'retocomehereandputimpertinentquestions,andstareatmeasyou\'vebeendoingthishalf-hourpast,why,thesooneryouleavethishousethebetter!"

Ralphhalfturnedtotakehimathisword,andgoatonce;butthenhe"gaveEllinoranotherchance,"ashewordeditinhisthoughts;

butitwasinnospiritofconciliationthathesaid:

"You\'vetakentoomuchofthatstuff,sir.Youdon\'tknowwhatyou\'resaying.Ifyoudid,Ishouldleaveyourhouseatonce,nevertoreturn."

"Youthinkso,doyou?"saidMr.Wilkins,tryingtostandup,andlookdignifiedandsober."Isay,sir,thatifyoueverventureagaintotalkandlookasyouhavedoneto-night,why,sir,Iwillringthebellandhaveyoushownthedoorbymyservants.Sonowyou\'rewarned,myfinefellow!"Hesatdown,laughingafoolishtipsylaughoftriumph.InanotherminutehisarmwasheldfirmlybutgentlybyRalph.

"Listen,Mr.Wilkins,"hesaid,inalowhoarsevoice."Youshallneverhavetosaytometwicewhatyouhavesaidto-night.

Henceforwardweareasstrangerstoeachother.AstoEllinor"——histonessoftenedalittle,andhesighedinspiteofhimself——"Idonotthinkweshouldhavebeenhappy.Ibelieveourengagementwasformedwhenweweretooyoungtoknowourownminds,butIwouldhavedonemydutyandkepttomyword;butyou,sir,haveyourselfseveredtheconnectionbetweenusbyyourinsolenceto-night.I,tobeturnedoutofyourhousebyyourservants!——I,aCorbetofWestley,whowouldnotsubmittosuchthreatsfromapeeroftherealm,lethimbeeversodrunk!"Hewasoutoftheroom,almostoutofthehouse,beforehehadspokenthelastwords.

Mr.Wilkinssatstill,firstfiercelyangry,thenastonished,andlastlydismayedintosobriety."Corbet,Corbet!Ralph!"hecalledinvain;thenhegotupandwenttothedoor,openedit,lookedintothefully-lightedhall;allwassoquiettherethathecouldhearthequietvoicesofthewomeninthedrawing-roomtalkingtogether.Hethoughtforamoment,wenttothehat-stand,andmissedRalph\'slow-

crownedstrawhat.

Thenhesatdownoncemoreinthedining-room,andendeavouredtomakeoutexactlywhathadpassed;buthecouldnotbelievethatMr.

Corbethadcometoanyenduringorfinalresolutiontobreakoffhisengagement,andhehadalmostreasonedhimselfbackintohisformerstateofindignationatimpertinenceandinjury,whenEllinorcamein,pale,hurried,andanxious.

"Papa!whatdoesthismean?"saidshe,puttinganopennoteintohishand.Hetookuphisglasses,buthishandshooksothathecouldhardlyread.ThenotewasfromtheParsonage,toEllinor;onlythreelinessentbyMr.Ness\'sservant,whohadcometofetchMr.Corbet\'sthings.HehadwrittenthreelineswithsomeconsiderationforEllinor,evenwhenhewasinhisfirstflushofangeragainstherfather,anditmustbeconfessedofreliefathisownfreedom,thusbroughtaboutbytheactofanother,andnotofhisownworkingout,whichpartlysavedhisconscience.Thenoteranthus:

"DEARELLINOR,——Wordshavepassedbetweenyourfatherandmewhichhaveobligedmetoleavehishouse,Ifear,nevertoreturntoit.I

willwritemorefullyto-morrow.Butdonotgrievetoomuch,forI

amnot,andneverhavebeen,goodenoughforyou.Godblessyou,mydearestNelly,thoughIcallyousoforthelasttime——R.C."

"Papa,whatisit?"Ellinorcried,claspingherhandstogether,asherfathersatsilent,vacantlygazingintothefire,afterfinishingthenote.

"Idon\'tknow!"saidhe,lookingupatherpiteously;"it\'stheworld,Ithink.Everythinggoeswrongwithmeandmine:itwentwrongbeforeTHATnight——soitcan\'tbethat,canit,Ellinor?"

"Oh,papa!"saidshe,kneelingdownbyhim,herfacehiddenonhisbreast.

Heputonearmlanguidlyroundher."IusedtoreadofOrestesandtheFuriesatEtonwhenIwasaboy,andIthoughtitwasallaheathenfiction.Poorlittlemotherlessgirl!"saidhe,layinghisotherhandonherhead,withthecaressinggesturehehadbeenaccustomedtousewhenshehadbeenalittlechild."Didyoulovehimsoverydearly,Nelly?"hewhispered,hischeekagainsther:

"forsomehowoflatehehasnotseemedtomegoodenoughforthee.

Hehasgotaninklingthatsomethinghasgonewrong,andhewasveryinquisitive——Imaysayhequestionedmeinarelentlesskindofway."

"Oh,papa,itwasmydoing,I\'mafraid.Isaidsomethinglongagoaboutpossibledisgrace."

Hepushedheraway;hestoodup,andlookedatherwiththeeyesdilated,halfinfear,halfinfierceness,ofananimalatbay;hedidnotheedthathisabruptmovementhadalmostthrownherprostrateontheground.

"You,Ellinor!You——you——"

"Oh,darlingfather,listen!"saidshe,creepingtohisknees,andclaspingthemwithherhands."Isaidit,asifitwereapossiblecase,ofsomeoneelse——lastAugust——butheimmediatelyappliedit,andaskedmeifitwasovermethedisgrace,orshame——Iforgetthewordsweused——hung;andwhatcouldIsay?"

"Anything——anythingtoputhimoffthescent.Godhelpme,Iamalostman,betrayedbymychild!"

Ellinorletgohisknees,andcoveredherface.Everyonestabbedatthatpoorheart.Inaminuteorsoherfatherspokeagain.

"Idon\'tmeanwhatIsay.Ioftendon\'tmeanitnow.Ellinor,youmustforgiveme,mychild!"Hestooped,andliftedherup,andsatdown,takingheronhisknee,andsmoothingherhairoffherhotforehead."Remember,child,howverymiserableIam,andhaveforgivenessforme.Hehadnone,andyethemusthaveseenIhadbeendrinking."

"Drinking,papa!"saidEllinor,raisingherhead,andlookingathimwithsorrowfulsurprise.

"Yes.Idrinknowtotryandforget,"saidhe,blushingandconfused.

"Oh,howmiserableweare!"criedEllinor,burstingintotears——"howverymiserable!ItseemsalmostasifGodhadforgottentocomfortus!"

"Hush!hush!"saidhe."Yourmothersaidonceshedidsopraythatyoumightgrowupreligious;youmustbereligious,child,becausesheprayedforitsooften.PoorLettice,howgladIamthatyouaredead!"Herehebegantocrylikeachild.Ellinorcomfortedhimwithkissesratherthanwords.Hepushedheraway,afterawhile,andsaid,sharply:"Howmuchdoesheknow?Imustmakesureofthat.Howmuchdidyoutellhim,Ellinor?"

"Nothing——nothing,indeed,papa,butwhatItoldyoujustnow!"

"Tellitmeagain——theexactwords!"

"Iwill,aswellasIcan;butitwaslastAugust.Ionlysaid,\'Wasitrightforawomantomarry,knowingthatdisgracehungoverher,andkeepingherloverinignoranceofit?\'"

"Thatwasall,youaresure?"

"Yes.Heimmediatelyappliedthecasetome——toourselves."

"Andheneverwantedtoknowwhatwasthenatureofthethreateneddisgrace?"

"Yes,hedid."

"Andyoutoldhim?"

"No,notawordmore.Hereferredtothesubjectagaintoday,intheshrubbery;butItoldhimnothingmore.Youquitebelieveme,don\'tyou,papa?"

Hepressedhertohim,butdidnotspeak.Thenhetookthenoteupagain,andreaditwithasmuchcareandattentionashecouldcollectinhisagitatedstateofmind.

"Nelly,"saidhe,atlength,"hesaystrue;heisnotgoodenoughforthee.Heshrinksfromthethoughtofthedisgrace.Thoumuststandalone,andbearthesinsofthyfather."

Heshooksomuchashesaidthis,thatEllinorhadtoputanysufferingofherownononeside,andtrytoconfineherthoughtstothenecessityofgettingherfatherimmediatelyuptobed.Shesatbyhimtillhewenttosleep,andshecouldleavehim,andgotoherownroom,toforgetfulnessandrest,ifshecouldfindthosepricelessblessings.

CHAPTERX.

Mr.CorbetwassowellknownattheParsonagebythetwooldservants,thathehadnodifficulty,onreachingit,afterhisdeparturefromFordBank,inhavingthesparebed-chambermadereadyforhim,lateasitwas,andintheabsenceofthemaster,whohadtakenalittleholiday,nowthatLentandEasterwereover,forthepurposeoffishing.Whilehisroomwasgettingready,Ralphsentforhisclothes,andbythesamemessengerhedespatchedthelittlenotetoEllinor.Buttherewastheletterhehadpromisedherinitstilltobewritten;anditwasalmosthisnight\'semploymenttosayenough,yetnottoomuch;for,asheexpressedittohimself,hewashalfwayoverthestream,anditwouldbefollytoturnback,forhehadgivennearlyasmuchpainbothtohimselfandEllinorbythistimeasheshoulddobymakingtheseparationfinal.Besides,afterMr.Wilkins\'sspeechesthatevening——buthewascandidenoughtoacknowledgethat,badandoffensiveastheyhadbeen,iftheyhadstoodalonetheymighthavebeencondoned.

Hisletterranasfollows:

"DEARESTELLINOR,fordearestyouare,andIthinkwilleverbe,myjudgmenthasconsentedtoastepwhichisgivingmegreatpain,greaterthanyouwillreadilybelieve.Iamconvincedthatitisbetterthatweshouldpart;forcircumstanceshaveoccurredsinceweformedourengagementwhich,althoughIamunawareoftheirexactnature,Icanseeweighheavilyuponyou,andhavemateriallyaffectedyourfather\'sbehaviour.Nay,Ithink,afterto-night,I

mayalmostsayhaveentirelyalteredhisfeelingstowardsme.WhatthesecircumstancesareIamignorant,anyfurtherthanthatIknowfromyourownadmission,thattheymayleadtosomefuturedisgrace.

Now,itmaybemyfault,itmaybeinmytemperament,tobeanxious,aboveallthingsearthly,toobtainandpossessahighreputation.I

canonlysaythatitisso,andleaveyoutoblamemeformyweaknessasmuchasyoulike.Butanythingthatmightcomeinbetweenmeandthisobjectwould,Iown,beilltoleratedbyme;theverydreadofsuchanobstacleinterveningwouldparalyseme.Ishouldbecomeirritable,and,deepasmyaffectionis,andalwaysmustbe,towardsyou,Icouldnotpromiseyouahappy,peacefullife.Ishouldbeperpetuallyhauntedbytheideaofwhatmighthappeninthewayofdiscoveryandshame.Iamthemoreconvincedofthisfrommyobservationofyourfather\'salteredcharacter——analterationwhichI

tracebacktothetimewhenIconjecturethatthesecretaffairstookplacetowhichyouhavealluded.Inshort,itisforyoursake,mydearEllinor,evenmorethanformyown,thatIfeelcompelledtoaffixafinalmeaningtothewordswhichyourfatheraddressedtomelastnight,whenhedesiredmetoleavehishouseforever.Godblessyou,myEllinor,forthelasttimemyEllinor.Trytoforgetassoonasyoucantheunfortunatetiewhichhasboundyouforatimetoonesounsuitable——IbelieveIoughttosaysounworthyofyou——

as——RALPHCORBET."

Ellinorwasmakingbreakfastwhenthisletterwasgivenher.

AccordingtothewontoftheservantsoftherespectivehouseholdsoftheParsonageandFordBank,themanaskediftherewasanyanswer.