east lynne-第19章

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o　calmness。

〃I　do　not　flirt！〃　she　said；　〃I　have　never　flirted。　I　leave　that〃and　she　could　not　wholly　suppress　in　tone　the　scorn　she　felt〃to　married　women；　though　it　seems　to　me　that　it　is　a　fault　less　venial　in　them　than　in　single　ones。　There　is　but　one　inmate　of　this　house　who　flirts；　so　far　as　I　have　seen　since　I　have　lived　in　it；　is　it　you　or　I；　Lady　Mount　Severn？〃

The　home　truth　told　on　her　ladyship。　She　turned　white　with　rage；　forgot　her　manners；　and；　raising　her　right　hand；　struck　Isabel　a　stinging　blow　upon　the　left　cheek。　Confused　and　terrified；　Isabel　stood　in　pain；　and　before　she　could　speak　or　act；　my　lady's　left　hand　was　raised　to　the　other　cheek；　and　a　blow　left　on　that。　Lady　Isabel　shivered　as　with　a　sudden　chill；　and　cried　outa　sharp；　quick　cry　covered　her　outraged　face；　and　sank　down　upon　the　dressing　chair。　Marvel　threw　up　her　hands　in　dismay；　and　William　Vane　could　not　have　burst　into　a　louder　roar　had　he　been　beaten　himself。　The　boyhe　was　of　a　sensitive　naturewas　frightened。

My　good　reader；　are　you　one　of　the　inexperienced　ones　who　borrow　notions　of　〃fashionable　life〃　from　the　novels　got　in　a　library；　taking　their　high…flown　contents　for　gospel；　and　religiously　believing　that　lords　and　ladies　live　upon　stilts；　speak；　eat；　move；　breathe；　by　the　rules　of　good…breeding　only？　Are　you　under　the　delusiontoo　many　are　that　the　days　of　dukes　and　duchesses　are　spent　discussing　〃pictures；　tastes；　Shakespeare；　and　the　musical　glasses？〃that　they　are　strung　on　polite　wires　of　silver；　and　can't　get　off　the　hinges；　never　giving　vent　to　angry　tempers；　to　words　unorthodox；　as　commonplace　mortals　do？　That　will　come　to　pass　when　the　Great　Creator　shall　see　fit　to　send　men　into　the　world　free　from　baneful　tempers；　evil　passions；　from　the　sins　bequeathed　from　the　fall　of　Adam。

Lady　Mount　Severn　finished　up　the　scene　by　boxing　William　for　his　noise；　jerked　him　out　of　the　room；　and　told　him　he　was　a　monkey。

Isabel　Vane　lived　through　the　livelong　night；　weeping　tears　of　anguish　and　indignation。　She　would　not　remain　at　Castle　Marlingwho　would；　after　so　great　an　outrage？　Yet　where　was　she　to　go？　Fifty　times　in　the　course　of　the　night　did　she　wish　that　she　was　laid　beside　her　father；　for　her　feelings　obtained　the　mastery　of　her　reason；　in　her　calm　moments　she　would　have　shrunk　from　the　idea　of　death　as　the　young　and　healthy　must　do。

She　rose　on　the　Saturday　morning　weak　and　languid；　the　effects　of　the　night　of　grief；　and　Marvel　brought　her　breakfast　up。　William　Vane　stole　into　her　room　afterward；　he　was　attached　to　her　in　a　remarkable　degree。

〃Mamma's　going　out；〃　he　exclaimed；　in　the　course　of　the　morning。　〃Look；　Isabel。〃

Isabel　went　to　the　window。　Lady　Mount　Severn　was　in　the　pony　carriage；　Francis　Levison　driving。

〃We　can　go　down　now；　Isabel；　nobody　will　be　there。〃

She　assented；　and　went　down　with　William；　but　scarcely　were　they　in　the　drawing…room　when　a　servant　entered　with　a　card　on　a　salver。

〃A　gentleman；　my　lady；　wishes　to　see　you。〃

〃To　see　me！〃　returned　Isabel；　in　surprise；　〃or　Lady　Mount　Severn？〃

〃He　asked　for　you；　my　lady。〃

She　took　up　the　card。　〃Mr。　Carlyle。〃　〃Oh！〃　she　uttered；　in　a　tone　of　joyful　surprise；　〃show　him　in。〃

It　is　curious；　nay；　appalling；　to　trace　the　thread　in　a　human　life；　how　the　most　trivial　occurrences　lead　to　the　great　events　of　existence；　bringing　forth　happiness　or　misery；　weal　or　woe。　A　client　of　Mr。　Carlyle's；　travelling　from　one　part　of　England　to　the　other；　was　arrested　by　illness　at　Castle　Marlinggrave　illness；　it　appeared　to　be；　inducing　fears　of　death。　He　had　not；　as　the　phrase　goes；　settled　his　affairs；　and　Mr。　Carlyle　was　telegraphed　for　in　haste；　to　make　his　will；　and　for　other　private　matters。　A　very　simple　occurrence　it　appeared　to　Mr。　Carlyle；　this　journey；　and　yet　it　was　destined　to　lead　to　events　that　would　end　only　with　his　own　life。

Mr。　Carlyle　entered；　unaffected　and　gentlemanly　as　ever；　with　his　noble　form；　his　attractive　face；　and　his　drooping　eyelids。　She　advanced　to　meet　him；　holding　out　her　hand；　her　countenance　betraying　her　pleasure。

〃This　is　indeed　unexpected；〃　she　exclaimed。　〃How　very　pleased　I　am　to　see　you。〃

〃Business　brought　me　yesterday　to　Castle　Marling。　I　could　not　leave　it　again　without　calling　on　you。　I　hear　that　Lord　Mount　Severn　is　absent。〃

〃He　is　in　France；〃　she　rejoined。　〃I　said　we　should　be　sure　to　meet　again；　do　you　remember；　Mr。　Carlyle？　You〃

Isabel　suddenly　stopped；　for　with　the　word　〃remember；〃　she　also　remembered　somethingthe　hundred　pound　noteand　what　she　was　saying　faltered　on　her　tongue。　Confused；　indeed；　grew　she：　for；　alas！　she　had　changed　and　partly　spent　it。　/How/　was　it　possible　to　ask　Lady　Mount　Severn　for　money？　And　the　earl　was　nearly　always　away。　Mr。　Carlyle　saw　her　embarrassment；　though　he　may　not　have　detected　its　cause。

〃What　a　fine　boy！〃　exclaimed　he；　looking　at　the　child。

〃It　is　Lord　Vane；〃　said　Isabel。

〃A　truthful；　earnest　spire；　I　am　sure；〃　he　continued；　gazing　at　his　open　countenance。　〃How　old　are　you；　my　little　man？〃

〃I　am　six；　sir；　and　my　brother　was　four。〃

Isabel　bent　over　the　childan　excuse　to　cover　her　perplexity。　〃You　do　not　know　this　gentleman；　William。　It　is　Mr。　Carlyle；　and　he　has　been　very　kind　to　me。〃

The　little　lord　had　turned　his　thoughtful　eyes　on　Mr。　Carlyle；　apparently　studying　his　countenance。　〃I　shall　like　you；　sir；　if　you　are　kind　to　Isabel。　Are　you　kind　to　her？〃

〃Very；　very　kind；〃　murmured　Lady　Isabel；　leaving　William；　and　turning　to　Mr。　Carlyle；　but　not　looking　at　him。　〃I　don't　know　what　to　say；　I　ought　to　thank　you。　I　did　not　intend　to　use　theto　use　it；　but　I　I〃

〃Hush！〃　he　interrupted；　laughing　at　her　confusion。　〃I　do　not　know　what　you　are　talking　of。　I　have　a　great　misfortune　to　break　to　you；　Lady　Isabel。〃

She　lifted　her　eyes　and　her　glowing　cheeks；　somewhat　aroused　from　her　own　thoughts。

〃Two　of　your　fish　are　dead。　The　gold　ones。〃

〃Are　they？〃

〃I　believe　it　was　the　frost　killed　them；　I　don't　know　what　else　it　could　have　been。　You　may　remember　those　bitter　days　we　had　in　January；　they　died　then。〃

〃You　are　very　good　to　take　care　of　them　all　this　while。　How　is　East　Lynne　looking？　Dear　East　Lynne！　Is　it　occupied？〃

〃Not　yet。　I　have　spent　some　money　upon　it；　and　it　repays　the　outlay。〃

The　excitement　of　his　arrival　had　worn　off；　and　she　was　looking　herself　again；　pale　and　sad；　he　could　not　help　observing　that　she　was　changed。

〃I　cannot　expect　to　look　so　well　at　Castle　Marling　as　I　did　at　East　Lynne；〃　she　answered。

〃I　trust　it　is　a　happy　home　to　you？〃　said　Mr。　Carlyle；　speaking　upon　impulse。

She　glanced　up　at　him　a　look　that　he　would　never　forget；　it　certainly　told　of　despair。　〃No；〃　she　said；　shaking　her　head；　〃it　is　a　miserable　home；　and　I　cannot　remain　in　it。　I　have　been　awake　all　night；　thinking　where　I　can　go；　but　I　cannot　tell；　I　have　not　a　friend　in　the　wide　world。〃

Never　let　people　talk　secrets　before　children；　for　be　assured　that　they　comprehend　a　vast　deal　more　than　is　expedient；　the　saying　〃that　little　pitchers　have　great　ears〃　is　wonderfully　true。　Lord　Vane　held　up　his　hand　to　Mr。　Carlyle；

〃Isabel　told　me　this　morning　that　she　should　go　away　from　us。　Shall　I　tell　you　why？　Mamma　beat　her　yesterday　when　she　was　angry。〃

〃Be　quiet；　William！〃　interrupted　Lady　Isabel；　her　face　in　a　flame。

〃Two　great　slaps　upon　her　cheeks；〃　continued　the　young　viscount；　〃and　Isabel　cried　so；　and　I　screamed；　and　then　mamma　hit　me。　But　boys　are　made　to　be　hit；　nurse　says　so。　Marvel　came　into　the　nursery　when　we　were　at　tea；　and　told　nurse　about　it。　She　says　Isabel's　too　good…　looking；　and　that's　why　mamma〃

Isabel　stopped　the　child's　tongue；　rang　a　peal　on　the　bell；　and　marched　him　to　the　door；　dispatching　him　to　the　nursery　by　the　servant　who　answered　it。

Mr。　Carlyle's　eyes　were　full　of　indignant　sympathy。　〃Can　this　be　true？〃　he　asked；　in　a　low　tone　when　she　returned　to　him。　〃You　do；　indeed；　want　a　friend。〃

〃I　must　bear　my　lot；〃　she　replied；　obeying　the　impulse　which　prompted　her　to　confide　in　Mr。　Carlyle；　〃at　least　till　Lord　Mount　Severn　returns。〃

〃And　then？〃

〃I　really　do　not　know；〃　she　said；　the　rebellious　tears　rising　faster　than　she　could　choke　them　down。　〃He　has　no　other　home　to　offer　me；　but　with　Lady　Mount　Severn　I　cannot　and　will　not　remain。　She　would　break　my　heart；　as　she　has　already　well…nigh　broken　my　spirit。　I　have　not　deserved　it　of　her；　Mr。　Carlyle。〃

〃No；　I　am　sure　you　have　not；〃　he　warmly　answered。　〃I　wish　I　could　help　you！　What　can　I　do？〃

〃You　can　do　nothing；〃　she　said。　〃What　can　any　one　do？〃

〃I　wish；　I　wish　I　could　help　you！〃　he　repeated。　〃East　Lynne　was　not；　take　it　for　all　in　all；　a　pleasant　home　to　you；　but　it　seems　you　changed　for　the　worse　when　you　left。〃

〃Not　a　pleasant　home？〃　she　echoed；　its　reminiscences　appearing　delightful　in　that　moment；　for　it　must　be　remembered　that　all　things　are　estimated　by　comparison。　〃Indeed　it　was；　I　may　never　have　so　pleasant　a　one　again。　Mr。　Carlyle；　do　not　disparage　East　Lynne　to　me！　Would　I　could　awake　and　find　the　last　few　months　but　a　hideous　dream！　that　I　could　find　my　dear　father　alive　again！that　we　were　still　living　peacefully　at　East　Lynne。　It　would　be　a　very　Eden　to　me　now。〃

What　was　Mr。　Carlyle　about　to　say？　What　emotion　was　it　that　agitated　his　countenance；　impeded　his　breath；　and　dyed　his　face　blood…red？　His　better　genius　was　surely　not　watching　over　him；　or　those　words　had　never　been　spoken。

〃There　is　but　one　way；〃　he　began；　taking　her　hand　and　nervously　playing　with　it；　probably　unconscious　that　he　did　so；　〃only　one　way　in　which　you　could　return　to　East　Lynne。　And　that　wayI　may　not　presume；　perhaps；　to　point　it　out。〃

She　looked　at　him　and　waited　for　an　explanation。

〃If　my　words　offend　you；　Lady　Isabel；　check　them；　as　their　presumption　deserves；　and　pardon　me。　May　Idare　Ioffer　you　to　return　to　East　Lynne　as　its　mistress？〃

She　did　not　comprehend　him　in　the　slightest　degree：　the　drift　of　his　meaning　never　dawned　upon　her。　〃Return　to　East　Lynne　as　its　mistress？〃　she　repeated；　in　bewilderment。

〃And　as　my　wife？〃

No　possibility　of　misunderstanding　him　now；　and　the　shock　and　surprise　were　great。　She　had　stood　there　by　Mr。　Carlyle's　side　conversing　confidentially　with　him；　esteeming　him　greatly；　feeling　as　if　he　were　her　truest　friend　on　earth；　clinging　to　him　in　her　heart　as　to　a　powerful　haven　of　refuge；　loving　him　almost　as　she　would　a　brother；　suffering　her　hand　to　remain　in　his。　/But　to　be　his　wife！/　the　idea　had　never　presented　itself　to　her　in　any　shape　until　this　moment；　and　her　mind's　first　emotion　was　one　of　entire　opposition；　her　first　movement　to　express　it；　as　she　essayed　to　withdraw　herself　and　her　hand　away　from　him。

But　not　so；　Mr。　Carlyle　did　not　suffer　it。　He　not　only　retained　that　hand；　but　took　the　other　also；　and　spoke；　now　the　ice　was　broken；　eloquent　words　of　love。　Not　unmeaning　phrases　of　rhapsody；　about　hearts　and　darts　and　dying　for　her；　such　as　somebody　else　might　have　given　utterance　to；　but　earnest…hearted　words　of　deep　tenderness；　calculated　to　win　upon　the　mind's　good　sense；　as　well　as　upon　the　ear　and　heart；　and　it　may　be　that；　had　her　imagination　not　been　filled　up　with　that　〃somebody　else；〃　she　would　have　said　〃Yes；〃　there　and　then。

They　were　suddenly　interrupted。　Lady　Mount　Severn　entered