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.
