east lynne-第39章

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Isabel　said　no　more；　she　caught　the　eyes　of　Francis　Levison　fixed　on　her　with　as　much　meaning；　compassionate　meaning；　as　they　dared　express。　She　clasped　her　hands　in　pain；　and　turned　again　to　the　window。

Barbara　was　slowly　walking　down　the　avenue；　Mr。　Carlyle　was　then　in　sight；　walking　quickly　up　it。　Lady　Isabel　saw　their　hands　meet　in　greeting。

〃Oh；　I　am　so　thankful　to　have　met　you！〃　Barbara　exclaimed　to　him；　impulsively。　〃I　actually　went　to　your　office　to…day；　and　I　have　been　now　to　your　house。　We　have　such　news！〃

〃Ay！　What？　About　Thorn？〃

〃No；　about　Richard；〃　replied　Barbara；　taking　the　scrap　of　paper　from　the　folds　of　her　dress。　〃This　came　to　me　this　morning　from　Anne。〃

Mr。　Carlyle　took　the　document；　and　Barbara　looked　over　him　whilst　he　read　it；　neither　of　them　thinking　that　Lady　Isabel's　jealous　eyes；　and　Captain　Levison's　evil　ones；　were　strained　upon　them　from　the　distant　windows。　Miss　Carlyle's　also；　for　the　matter　of　that。

〃Archibald；　it　seems　to　me　that　Providence　must　be　directing　him　hither　at　this　moment。　Our　suspicions　with　regard　to　Thorn　can　now　be　set　at　rest。　You　must　contrive　that　Richard　shall　see　him。　What　can　he　be　coming　again　for？〃

〃More　money；〃　was　the　supposition　of　Mr。　Carlyle。　〃Does　Mrs。　Hare　know　of　this？〃

〃She　does；　unfortunately。　I　opened　the　paper　before　her；　never　dreaming　it　was　connected　with　Richardpoor；　unhappy　Richard！and　not　to　be　guilty。〃

〃He　acted　as　though　he　were　guilty；　Barbara；　and　that　line　of　conduct　often　entails　as　much　trouble　as　real　guilt。〃

〃You　do　not　believe　him　guilty？〃　she　most　passionately　uttered。

〃I　do　not。　I　have　little　doubt　of　the　guilt　of　Thorn。〃

〃Oh；　if　it　could　but　be　brought　home　to　him！〃　returned　Barbara；　〃so　that　Richard　might　be　cleared　in　the　sight　of　day。　How　can　you　contrive　that　he　shall　see　Thorn？〃

〃I　cannot　tell；　I　must　think　it　over。　Let　me　know　the　instant　he　arrives；　Barbara。〃

〃Of　course　I　shall。　It　may　be　that　he　does　not　want　money；　that　his　errand　is　only　to　see　mamma。　He　was　always　so　fond　of　her。〃

〃I　must　leave　you；〃　said　Mr。　Carlyle；　taking　her　hand　in　token　of　farewell。　Then；　as　a　thought　occurred　to　him；　he　turned　and　walked　a　few　steps　with　her　without　releasing　it。　He　was　probably　unconscious　that　he　retained　it；　she　was　not。

〃You　know；　Barbara；　if　he　should　want　money；　and　it　be　not　convenient　to　Mrs。　Hare　to　supply　it　at　so　short　a　notice；　I　can　give　it　to　him；　as　I　did　before。〃

〃Thank　you；　thank　you；　Archibald。　Mamma　felt　sure　you　would。〃

She　lifted　her　eyes　to　his　with　an　expression　of　gratitude；　a　warmer　feeling　for　an　uncontrolled　moment　mingled　with　it。　Mr。　Carlyle　nodded　pleasantly；　and　then　set　off　toward　his　house　at　the　pace　of　a　steam　engine。

Two　minutes　in　his　dressing…room；　and　he　entered　the　drawing…room；　apologizing　for　keeping　them　waiting　dinner；　and　explaining　that　he　had　been　compelled　to　go　to　his　office　to　give　some　orders　subsequent　to　his　return　to　Lynneborough。　Lady　Isabel's　lips　were　pressed　together；　and　she　preserved　an　obstinate　silence。　Mr。　Carlyle；　in　his　unsuspicion；　did　not　notice　it。

〃What　did　Barbara　Hare　want？〃　demanded　Miss　Carlyle；　during　dinner。

〃She　wanted　to　see　me　on　business；〃　was　his　reply；　given　in　a　tone　that　certainly　did　not　invite　his　sister　to　pursue　the　subject。　〃Will　you　take　some　more　fish；　Isabel？〃

〃What　was　that　you　were　reading　over　with　her？〃　pursued　the　indefatigable　Miss　Corny。　〃It　looked　like　a　note。〃

〃Ah；　that　would　be　telling；〃　returned　Mr。　Carlyle；　willing　to　turn　it　off　with　gayety。　〃If　young　ladies　choose　to　make　me　party　to　their　love　letters；　I　cannot　betray　confidence；　you　know。〃

〃What　rubbish　Archibald！〃　quoth　she。　〃As　if　you　could　not　say　outright　what　Barbara　wants；　without　making　a　mystery　of　it。　And　she　seems　to　be　always　wanting　you　now。〃

Mr。　Carlyle　glanced　at　his　sister　a　quick；　peculiar　look；　it　seemed　to　her　to　speak　both　of　seriousness　and　warning。　Involuntarily　her　thoughtsand　her　fearsflew　back　to　the　past。

〃Archibald；　Archibald！〃　she　uttered；　repeating　the　name；　as　if　she　could　not　get　any　further　words　out　in　her　dread。　〃Ititis　never　that　old　affair　is　never　being　raked　up　again？〃

Now　Miss　Carlyle's　〃old　affair〃　referred　to　one　sole　and　sore　point　Richard　Hare；　and　so　Mr。　Carlyle　understood　it。　Lady　Isabel　unhappily　believing　that　any　〃old　affair〃　could　only　have　reference　to　the　bygone　loves　of　her　husband　and　Barbara。

〃You　will　oblige　me　by　going　on　with　your　dinner；　Cornelia；〃　gravely　responded　Mr。　Carlyle。　Thenassuming　a　more　laughing　tone〃I　tell　you　it　is　unreasonable　to　expect　me　to　betray　a　young　woman's　secrets；　although　she　may　choose　to　confide　them　professionally　to　me。　What　say　you；　Captain　Levison？〃

The　gentleman　addressed　bowed；　a　smile　of　mockery；　all　too　perceptible　to　Lady　Isabel；　on　his　lips。　And　Miss　Carlyle　bent　her　head　over　her　plate；　and　went　on　with　her　dinner　as　meek　as　any　lamb。

That　same　evening；　Lady　Isabel's　indignant　and　rebellious　heart　condescended　to　speak　of　it　when　alone　with　her　husband。

〃What　is　it　that　she　wants　with　you　so　much；　that　Barbara　Hare？〃

〃It　is　private　business；　Isabel。　She　has　to　bring　me　messages　from　her　mother。〃

〃Must　the　business　be　kept　from　me？〃

He　was　silent　for　a　moment；　considering　whether　he　might　tell　her。　But　it　was　impossible　he　could　speak；　even　to　his　wife；　of　the　suspicion　they　were　attaching　to　Captain　Thorn。　It　would　have　been　unfair　and　wrong；　neither　could　he　betray　that　a　secret　visit　was　expected　from　Richard。　To　no　one　in　the　world　could　he　betray　that；　however　safe　and　true。

〃It　would　not　make　you　the　happier　to　know　it；　Isabel。　There　is　a　dark　secret；　you　are　aware；　touching　the　Hare　family。　It　is　connected　with　that。〃

She　did　not　put　faith　in　a　word　of　the　reply。　She　believed　he　could　not　tell　her　because　her　feelings；　as　his　wife；　would　be　outraged　by　the　confession；　and　it　goaded　her　anger　into　recklessness。　Mr。　Carlyle；　on　his　part；　never　gave　a　thought　to　the　supposition　that　she　might　be　jealous；　he　had　believed　that　nonsense　at　an　end　years　ago。　He　was　perfectly　honorable　and　true；　strictly　faithful　to　his　wife；　giving　her　no　shadow　of　cause　or　reason　to　be　jealous　of　him；　and　being　a　practical；　matter…of…fact　man；　it　did　not　occur　to　him　that　she　could　be　so。

Lady　Isabel　was　sitting；　the　following　morning；　moody　and　out　of　sorts。　Captain　Levison；　who　had　accompanied　Mr。　Carlyle　in　the　most　friendly　manner　possible　to　the　park　gate　on　his　departure；　and　then　stolen　along　the　hedgewalk；　had　returned　to　Lady　Isabel　with　the　news　of　an　〃ardent〃　interview　with　Barbara；　who　had　been　watching　for　his　going　by　at　the　gate　of　the　grove。　She　sat；　sullenly　digesting　the　tidings；　when　a　note　was　brought　in。　It　proved　to　be　an　invitation　to　dinner　for　the　following　Tuesday；　at　a　Mrs。　Jefferson'sfor　Mr。　and　Lady　Isabel　Carlyle　and　Miss　Carlyle。

〃Do　you　go？〃　asked　Miss　Carlyle。

〃Yes；〃　replied　Isabel。　〃Mr。　Carlyle　and　I　both　want　a　change　of　some　sort；〃　she　added；　in　a　mocking　sort　of　spirit；　〃it　may　be　well　to　have　it；　if　only　for　an　evening。〃

In　truth　this　unhappy　jealousy；　this　distrust　of　her　husband；　appeared　to　have　altered　Lady　Isabel's　very　nature。

〃And　leave　Captain　Levison？〃　returned　Miss　Carlyle。

Lady　Isabel　went　over　to　her　desk；　making　no　reply。

〃What　will　you　do　with　him；　I　ask？〃　persisted　Miss　Carlyle。

〃He　can　remain　herehe　can　dine　by　himself。　Shall　I　accept　the　invitation　for　you？〃

〃No；　I　shall　not　go；〃　said　Miss　Carlyle。

〃Then；　in　that　case；　there　can　be　no　difficulty　in　regard　to　Captain　Levison；〃　coldly　spoke　Lady　Isabel。

〃I　don't　want　his　companyI　am　not　fond　of　it；〃　cried　Miss　Carlyle。　〃I　would　go　to　Mrs。　Jefferson's；　but　that　I　should　want　a　new　dress。〃

〃That's　easily　had；〃　said　Lady　Isabel。　〃I　shall　want　one　myself。〃

〃/You/　want　a　new　dress！〃　uttered　Miss　Carlyle。　〃Why；　you　have　a　dozen！〃

〃I　don't　know　that　I　could　count　a　dozen　in　all；〃　returned　Lady　Isabel；　chafing　at　the　remark；　and　the　continual　thwarting　put　upon　her　by　Miss　Carlyle；　which　had　latterly　seemed　more　than　hard　to　endure。　Petty　evils　are　more　difficult　to　support　than　great　ones；　take　notice。

Lady　Isabel　concluded　her　note；　folded；　sealed　it；　and　then　rang　the　bell。　As　the　man　left　the　room　with　it；　she　desired　that　Wilson　might　be　sent　to　her。

〃Is　it　this　morning；　Wilson；　that　the　dressmaker　comes　to　try　on　Miss　Isabel's　dress？〃　she　inquired。

Wilson　hesitated　and　stammered；　and　glanced　from　her　mistress　to　Miss　Carlyle。　The　latter　looked　up　from　her　work。

〃The　dressmaker's　not　coming；〃　spoke　she；　sharply。　〃I　countermanded　the　order　for　the　frock；　for　Isabel　does　not　require　it。〃

〃She　does　require　it；〃　answered　Lady　Isabel；　in　perhaps　the　most　displeased　tone　she　had　ever　used　to　Miss　Carlyle。　〃I　am　a　competent　judge　of　what　is　necessary　for　my　children。〃

〃She　no　more　requires　a　new　frock　than　that　table　requires　one；　or　that　you　require　the　one　you　are　longing　for；〃　stoically　persisted　Miss　Carlyle。　〃She　has　got　ever　so　many　lying　by；　and　her　striped　silk；　turned；　will　make　up　as　handsome　as　ever。〃

Wilson　backed　out　of　the　room　and　closed　the　door　softly；　but　her　mistress　caught　a　compassionate　look　directed　toward　her。　Her　heart　seemed　bursting　with　indignation　and　despair；　there　seemed　to　be　no　side　on　which　she　could　turn　for　refuge。　Pitied　by　her　own　servants！

She　reopened　her　desk　and　dashed　off　a　haughty；　peremptory　note　for　the　attendance　of　the　dressmaker　at　East　Lynne；　commanding　its　immediate　dispatch。

Miss　Corny　groaned　in　her　wrath。

〃You　will　be　sorry　for　not　listening　to　me；　ma'am；　when　your　husband　shall　be　brought　to　poverty。　He　works　like　a　horse　now；　and　with　all　his　slaving；　can　scarcely；　I　fear；　keep　expenses　down。〃

Poor　Lady　Isabel；　ever　sensitive；　began　to　think　they　might；　with　one　another；　be　spending　more　than　Mr。　Carlyle's　means　would　justify；　she　knew　their　expenses　were　heavy。　The　same　tale　had　been　dinned　into　her　ears　ever　since　she　married　him。　She　gave　up　in　that　moment　all　thought　of　the　new　dress　for　herself　and　for　Isabel；　but　her　spirit；　in　her　deep　unhappiness；　felt　sick　and　faint　within　her。

Wilson；　meanwhile；　had　flown　to　Joyce's　room；　and　was　exercising　her　dearly　beloved　tongue　in　an　exaggerated　account　of　the　matterhow　Miss　Carlyle　put　upon　my　lady；　and　had　forbidden　a　new　dress　to　her；　as　well　as　the　frock　to　Miss　Isabel。

And　yet　a　few　more　days　passed　on。



CHAPTER　XXIV。

RICHARD　HARE　AT　MR。　DILL'S　WINDOW。

Bright　was　the　moon　on　that　genial　Monday　night；　bright　was　the　evening　star；　as　they　shone　upon　a　solitary　wayfarer　who　walked　on　the　shady　side　of　the　road　with　his　head　down；　as　though　he　did　not　care　to　court　observation。　A　laborer；　apparently；　for　he　wore　a　smock…frock　and　had　hobnails　in　his　shoes；　but　his　whiskers　were　large　and　black；　quite　hiding　the　lower　part　of　his　face；　and　his　broad…brimmed　〃wide…　awake〃　came　far　over　his　brows。　He　drew　near　the　dwelling　of　Richard　Hare；　Esq。；　plunged　rapidly　over　some　palings；　after　looking　well　to　the　right　and　to　the　left；　into　a　field；　and　thence　over　the　side　wall　into　Mr。　Hare's　garden；　where　he　remained　amidst　the　thick　trees。

Now；　by　some　mischievous　spirit　of　intuition　or　contrariety；　Justice　Hare　was　spending　this　even