east lynne-第20章

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　would　have　said　〃Yes；〃　there　and　then。

They　were　suddenly　interrupted。　Lady　Mount　Severn　entered；　and　took　in　the　scene　at　a　glance；　Mr。　Carlyle's　bent　attitude　of　devotion；　his　imprisonment　of　the　hands；　and　Isabel's　perplexed　and　blushing　countenance。　She　threw　up　her　head　and　her　little　inquisitive　nose；　and　stopped　short　on　the　carpet；　her　freezing　looks　demanded　an　explanation；　as　plainly　as　looks　can　do　it。　Mr。　Carlyle　turned　to　her；　and　by　way　of　sparing　Isabel；　proceeded　to　introduce　himself。　Isabel　had　just　presence　of　mind　left　to　name　her：　〃Lady　Mount　Severn。〃

〃I　am　sorry　that　Lord　Mount　Severn　should　be　absent；　to　whom　I　have　the　honor　of　being　known；〃　he　said。　〃I　am　Mr。　Carlyle。〃

〃I　have　heard　of　you；〃　replied　her　ladyship；　scanning　his　good　looks；　and　feeling　cross　that　his　homage　should　be　given　where　she　saw　it　was　given；　〃but　I　had　/not/　heard　that　you　and　Lady　Isabel　Vane　were　on　the　extraordinary　terms　of　intimacy　thatthat〃

〃Madam；〃　he　interrupted　as　he　handed　a　chair　to　her　ladyship　and　took　another　himself；　〃we　have　never　yet　been　on　terms　of　extraordinary　intimacy。　I　was　begging　the　Lady　Isabel　to　grant　that　we　may　be；　I　was　asking　her　to　become　my　wife。〃

The　avowal　was　as　a　shower　of　incense　to　the　countess；　and　her　ill　humor　melted　into　sunshine。　It　was　a　solution　to　her　great　difficulty；　a　loophole　by　which　she　might　get　rid　of　her　/bete　noire/；　the　hated　Isabel。　A　flush　of　gratification　lighted　her　face；　and　she　became　full　of　graciousness　to　Mr。　Carlyle。

〃How　very　grateful　Isabel　must　feel　to　you；〃　quoth　she。　〃I　speak　openly；　Mr。　Carlyle；　because　I　know　that　you　were　cognizant　of　the　unprotected　state　in　which　she　was　left　by　the　earl's　improvidence；　putting　marriage　for　her；　at　any　rate；　a　high　marriage；　nearly　out　of　the　question。　East　Lynne　is　a　beautiful　place；　I　have　heard。〃

〃For　its　size；　it　is　not　large；〃　replied　Mr。　Carlyle；　as　he　rose　for　Isabel　had　also　risen　and　was　coming　forward。

〃And　pray　what　is　Lady　Isabel's　answer？〃　quickly　asked　the　countess；　turning　to　her。

Not　to　her　did　Isabel　condescend　to　give　an　answer；　but　she　approached　Mr。　Carlyle；　and　spoke　in　a　low　tone。

〃Will　you　give　me　a　few　hours　for　consideration？〃

〃I　am　only　too　happy　that　you　should　accord　it　consideration；　for　it　speaks　to　me　of　hope；〃　was　his　reply；　as　he　opened　the　door　for　her　to　pass　out。　〃I　will　be　here　again　this　afternoon。〃

It　was　a　perplexing　debate　that　Lady　Isabel　held　with　herself　in　the　solitude　of　her　chamber；　whilst　Mr。　Carlyle　touched　upon　ways　and　means　to　Lady　Mount　Severn。　Isabel　was　little　more　than　a　child；　and　as　a　child　she　reasoned；　looking　neither　far　nor　deep：　the　shallow　palpable　aspect　of　affairs　alone　presenting　itself　to　her　view。　That　Mr。　Carlyle　was　not　of　rank　equal　to　her　own；　she　scarcely　remembered；　East　Lynne　seemed　a　very　fair　settlement　in　life；　and　in　point　of　size；　beauty　and　importance；　it　was　far　superior　to　the　house　she　was　now　in。　She　forgot　that　her　position　in　East　Lynne　as　Mr。　Carlyle's　wife　would　not　be　what　it　had　been　as　Lord　Mount　Severn's　daughter；　she　forgot　that　she　would　be　tied　to　a　quiet　house；　shut　out　from　the　great　world；　the　pomps　and　vanities　to　which　she　was　born。　She　liked　Mr。　Carlyle　much；　she　experienced　pleasure　in　conversing　with　him；　she　liked　to　be　with　him；　in　short；　but　for　that　other　ill…omened　fancy　which　had　crept　over　her；　there　would　have　been　danger　of　her　falling　in　love　with　Mr。　Carlyle。　And　oh！　to　be　removed　forever　from　the　bitter　dependence　on　Lady　Mount　SevernEast　Lynne　would　in　truth；　after　that；　seem　what　she　had　called　it：　Eden。

〃So　far　it　looks　favorable；〃　mentally　exclaimed　poor　Isabel；　〃but　there　is　the　other　side　of　the　question。　It　is　not　only　that　I　do　not　love　Mr。　Carlyle；　but　I　fear　I　do　love；　or　very　nearly　love；　Francis　Levison。　I　wish　/he/　would　ask　me　to　be　his　wife！or　that　I　had　never　seen　him。〃

Isabel's　soliloquy　was　interrupted　by　the　entrance　of　Mrs。　Levison　and　the　countess。　What　the　latter　had　said　to　the　old　lady　to　win　her　to　the　cause；　was　best　known　to　herself；　but　she　was　eloquent　in　it。　They　both　used　every　possible　argument　to　induce　her　to　accept　Mr。　Carlyle：　the　old　lady　declaring　that　she　had　never　been　introduced　to　any　one　she　was　so　much　taken　with；　and　Mrs。　Levison　was　incapable　of　asserting　what　was　not　true；　that　he　was　worth　a　dozen　empty…headed　men　of　the　great　world。

Isabel　listened；　now　swayed　one　way；　now　the　other；　and　when　afternoon　came；　her　head　was　aching　with　perplexity。　The　stumbling　block　that　she　could　not　get　over　was　Francis　Levison。　She　saw　Mr。　Carlyle　approach　from　her　window；　and　went　down　to　the　drawing…room；　not　in　the　least　knowing　what　her　answer　was　to　be；　a　shadowy　idea　was　presenting　itself；　that　she　would　ask　him　for　longer　time；　and　write　her　answer。

In　the　drawing…room　was　Francis　Levison；　and　her　heart　beat　wildly；　which　said　beating　might　have　convinced　her　that　she　ought　not　to　marry　another。

〃Where　have　you　been　hiding　yourself？〃　cried　he。　〃Did　you　hear　of　our　mishap　with　the　pony　carriage？〃

〃No；〃　was　her　answer。

〃I　was　driving　Emma　into　town。　The　pony　took　fright；　kicked；　plunged　and　went　down　upon　his　knees；　she　took　fright　in　turn；　got　out；　and　walked　back。　So　I　gave　the　brute　some　chastisement　and　a　race；　and　brought　him　to　the　stables；　getting　home　in　time　to　be　introduced　to　Mr。　Carlyle。　He　seems　an　out…and…out　good　fellow；　Isabel；　and　I　congratulate　you。〃

〃What！〃　she　uttered。

〃Don't　start。　We　are　all　in　the　family；　and　my　lady　told；　I　won't　betray　it　abroad。　She　says　East　Lynne　is　a　place　to　be　coveted；　I　wish　you　happiness；　Isabel。〃

〃Thank　you；〃　she　returned　in　a　sarcastic　tone；　though　her　throat　beat　and　her　lips　quivered。　〃You　are　premature　in　your　congratulations；　Captain　Levison。〃

〃Am　I？　Keep　my　good　wishes；　then；　till　the　right　man　comes。　I　am　beyond　the　pale　myself；　and　dare　not　think　of　entering　the　happy　state；〃　he　added；　in　a　pointed　tone。　〃I　have　indulged　dreams　of　it；　like　others；　but　I　cannot　afford　to　indulge　them　seriously；　a　poor　man；　with　uncertain　prospects　can　only　play　the　butterfly；　perhaps　to　his　life's　end。〃

He　quitted　the　room　as　he　spoke。　It　was　impossible　for　Isabel　to　misunderstand　him；　but　a　feeling　shot　across　her　mind；　for　the　first　time；　that　he　was　false　and　heartless。　One　of　the　servants　appeared；　showing　in　Mr。　Carlyle；　nothing　false　or　heartless　about　/him/。　He　closed　the　door；　and　approached　her；　but　she　did　not　speak；　and　her　lips　were　white　and　trembling。　Mr。　Carlyle　waited。

〃Well；〃　he　said　at　length；　in　a　gentle　tone；　〃have　you　decided　to　grant　my　prayer？〃

〃Yes。　But〃　She　could　not　go　on。　What　with　one　agitation　and　another；　she　had　difficulty　in　conquering　her　emotion。　〃ButI　was　going　to　tell　you〃

〃Presently；〃　he　whispered；　leading　her　to　a　sofa；　〃we　can　both　afford　to　wait　now。　Oh；　Isabel；　you　have　made　me　very　happy！〃

〃I　ought　to　tell　you；　I　must　tell　you；〃　she　began　again；　in　the　midst　of　hysterical　tears。　〃Though　I　have　said　'yes'　to　your　proposal；　I　do　notyet　It　has　come　upon　me　by　surprise；〃　she　stammered。　〃I　like　you　very　much；　I　esteem　and　respect　you；　but　I　do　not　love　you。〃

〃I　should　wonder　if　you　did。　But　you　will　let　me　earn　your　love；　Isabel？〃

〃Oh；　yes；〃　she　earnestly　answered。　〃I　hope　so。〃

He　drew　her　closer　to　him；　bent　his　face；　and　took　from　her　lips　his　first　kiss。　Isabel　was　passive；　she　supposed　he　had　gained　the　right　to　do　so。　〃My　dearest！　It　is　all　I　ask。〃



CHAPTER　XIII。

A　MOONLIGHT　WALK。

The　sensations　of　Mr。　Carlyle；　when　he　returned　to　West　Lynne；　were　much　like　those　of　an　Eton　boy；　who　knows　he　has　been　in　mischief；　and　dreads　detection。　Always　open　as　to　his　own　affairsfor　he　had　nothing　to　concealhe　yet　deemed　it　expedient　to　dissemble　now。　He　felt　that　his　sister　would　be　bitter　at　the　prospect　of　his　marrying；　instinct　had　taught　him　that；　years　past；　and　he　believed　that；　of　all　women；　the　most　objectionable　to　her　would　be　Lady　Isabel；　for　Miss　Carlyle　looked　to　the　useful；　and　had　neither　sympathy　nor　admiration　for　the　beautiful。　He　was　not　sure　but　she　might　be　capable　of　endeavoring　to　frustrate　the　marriage　should　news　of　it　reach　her　ears；　and　her　indomitable　will　had　caused　many　strange　things　in　her　life；　therefore；　you　will　not　blame　Mr。　Carlyle　for　observing　entire　reticence　as　to　his　future　plans。

A　family　of　the　name　of　Carew　had　been　about　taking　East　Lynne；　they　wished　to　rent　it；　furnished；　for　three　years。　Upon　some　of　the　minor　arrangements　they　and　Mr。　Carlyle　were　opposed；　but　the　latter　declined　to　give　way。　During　his　absence　at　Castle　Marling；　news　had　arrived　from　themthey　had　acceded　to　all　his　terms；　and　would　enter　upon　East　Lynne　as　soon　as　it　was　convenient。　Miss　Carlyle　was　full　of　congratulations；　it　was　off　their　hands；　she　said；　but　the　fist　letter　Mr。　Carlyle　wrote　wasto　decline　them。　He　did　not　tell　this　to　Miss　Carlyle。　The　final　touches　to　the　house　were　given；　preparatory　to　the　reception　of　its　inhabitants；　and　three　maids　and　two　men　servants　hired　and　sent　there；　upon　board　wages；　until　the　family　should　arrive。

One　evening　three　weeks　subsequent　to　Mr。　Carlyle's　visit　to　Castle　Marling；　Barbara　Hare　called　at　Miss　Carlyle's；　and　found　them　going　to　tea　much　earlier　than　usual。

〃We　dined　earlier；〃　said　Miss　Corny；　〃and　I　ordered　tea　as　soon　as　the　dinner　went　away。　Otherwise；　Archibald　would　have　taken　none。〃

〃I　am　as　well　without　tea。　And　I　have　a　mass　of　business　to　get　through　yet。〃

〃You　are　not　as　well　without　it；〃　cried　Miss　Corny；　〃and　I　don't　choose　you　should　go　without　it。　Take　off　your　bonnet；　Barbara。　He　does　things　like　nobody　else；　he　is　off　to　Castle　Marling　to…morrow；　and　never　could　open　his　lips　till　just　now　that　he　was　going。〃

〃Is　that　invalidBrewster；　or　whatever　his　name　islaid　up　at　Castle　Marling；　still？〃　exclaimed　Barbara。

〃He　is　still　there；〃　said　Mr。　Carlyle。

Barbara　sprang　up　the　moment　tea　was　over。

〃Dill　is　waiting　for　me　in　the　office；　and　I　have　some　hours'　work　before　me。　However；　I　suppose　you　won't　care　to　put　up　with　Peter's　attendance；　so　make　haste　with　your　bonnet；　Barbara。〃

She　took　his　arm；　and　they　walked　on；　Mr。　Carlyle　striking　the　hedge　and　the　grass　with　her　parasol。　Another　minute；　and　the　handle　was　in　two。

〃I　thought　you　would　do　it；〃　said　Barbara；　while　he　was　regarding　the　parasol　with　ludicrous　dismay。　〃Never　mind；　it　is　an　old　one。〃

〃I　will　bring　you　another　to　replace　it。　What　is　the　color？　Brown。　I　won't　forget。　Hold　the　relics　a　minute；　Barbara。〃

He　put　the　pieces　in　her　hand；　and　taking　out　a　note　case；　made　a　note　in　pencil。

〃What's　that　for？〃　she　inquired。

He　held　it　close　to　her　eyes；　that　she　might　discern　what　he　had　written：　〃Brown　parasol。　B。　H。〃

〃A　reminder　for　me；　Barbara；　in　case　I　forget。〃

Barbara's　eyes　detected　another　item　or　two　already　entered　in　the　note　case：　〃piano；〃　〃plate。〃

〃I　jot　down　the　things　as　they　occur　to　me；　that　I　must　get　in　London；〃　he　explained。　〃Otherwise　I　should　forget　half。〃

〃In　London？　I　thought　you　were　going　in　an　opposite　directionto　Castle　Marling？〃

It　was　a　slip　of　the　tongue；　but　Mr。　Carlyle　repaired　it。

〃I　may　probably　have　to　visit　London　as　well　as　Castle　Marling。　How　bright　the　moon　looks　rising