east lynne-第48章

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n　the　house。　He　replied　that　no　such　suspicion　had　ever　occurred　to　him。　He　placed　the　most　implicit　confidence　in　you；　and　would　have　trusted　you　with　the　creature　around　the　world；　aye；　with　any　one　else。〃

She　entwined　her　hands　one　within　the　other；　pressing　them　to　pain。　It　would　not　deaden　the　pain　at　her　heart。

〃Carlyle　told　me　he　had　been　unusually　occupied　during　the　stay　of　that　man。　Besides　his　customary　office　work；　his　time　was　taken　up　with　some　private　business　for　a　family　in　the　neighborhood；　and　he　had　repeatedly　to　see　them；　more　particularly　the　daughter；　after　office　hours。　Very　old　acquaintances　of　his；　he　said；　relatives　of　the　Carlyle　family；　and　he　was　as　anxious　about　the　secreta　painful　one　as　they　were。　This；　I　observed　to　him；　may　have　rendered　him　unobservant　to　what　was　passing　at　home。　He　told　me；　I　remember；　that　on　the　very　evening　of　thethe　catastrophe；　he　ought　to　have　gone　with　you　to　a　dinner　party；　but　most　important　circumstances　arose；　in　connection　with　the　affair；　which　obliged　him　to　meet　two　gentlemen　at　his　office；　and　to　receive　them　in　secret；　unknown　to　his　clerks。〃

〃Did　he　mention　the　name　of　the　family？〃　inquired　Lady　Isabel；　with　white　lips。

〃Yes；　he　did。　I　forgot　it；　though。　Rabbit！　Rabit！some　such　name　as　that。〃

〃Was　it　Hare？〃

〃That　was　itHare。　He　said　you　appeared　vexed　that　he　did　not　accompany　you　to　the　dinner；　and　seeing　that　he　intended　to　go　in　afterward；　but　was　prevented。　When　the　interview　was　over　in　his　office；　he　was　again　detained　at　Mrs。　Hare's　house；　and　by　business　as　impossible　to　avoid　as　the　other。〃

〃Important　business！〃　she　echoed；　giving　way　for　a　moment　to　the　bitterness　of　former　feelings。　〃He　was　promenading　in　their　garden　by　moonlight　with　BarbaraMiss　Hare。　I　saw　them　as　my　carriage　passed。〃

〃And　you　were　jealous　that　he　should　be　there！〃　exclaimed　Lord　Mount　Severn；　with　mocking　reproach；　as　he　detected　her　mood。　〃Listen！〃　he　whispered；　bending　his　head　toward　her。　〃While　you　may　have　thought；　as　your　present　tone　would　seem　to　intimate；　that　they　were　pacing　there　to　enjoy　each　other's　society；　know　that　theyCarlyle；　at　any　ratewas　pacing　the　walk　to　keep　guard。　One　was　within　that　house　for　a　short　half　hour's　interview　with　his　poor　motherone　who　lives　in　danger　of　the　scaffold；　to　which　his　own　father　would　be　the　first　to　deliver　him　up。　They　were　keeping　the　path　against　that　father　Carlyle　and　the　young　lady。　Of　all　the　nights　in　the　previous　seven　years；　that　one　only　saw　the　unhappy　son　at　home　for　a　half　hour's　meeting　with　his　mother　and　sister。　Carlyle；　in　the　grief　and　excitement　caused　by　your　conduct；　confided　so　much　to　me；　when　mentioning　what　kept　him　from　the　dinner　party。〃

Her　face　had　become　crimsoncrimson　at　her　past　lamentable　folly。　And　there　was　no　redemption！

〃But　he　was　always　with　Barbara　Hare；〃　she　murmured；　by　way　of　some　faint　excuse。

〃I　have　mentioned　so。　She　had　to　see　him　upon　this　affair；　her　mother　could　not；　for　it　was　obliged　to　be　kept　from　the　father。　And　so；　you　construed　business　interviews　into　assignations！〃　continued　Lord　Mount　Severn　with　cutting　derision。　〃I　had　given　you　credit　for　better　sense。　But　was　/this/　enough　to　hurl　you　on　the　step　you　took？　Surely　not。　You　must　have　yielded　in　the　persuasions　of　that　wicked　man。〃

〃It　is　all　over　now；〃　she　wailed。

〃Carlyle　was　true　and　faithful　to　you；　and　to　you　alone。　Few　women　have　the　chance　of　happiness；　in　their　married　life；　in　the　degree　that　you　had。　He　is　an　upright　and　good　man；　one　of　nature's　gentlemen；　one　that　England　may　be　proud　of　as　having　grown　upon　her　soil。　The　more　I　see　of　him；　the　greater　becomes　my　admiration　of　him；　and　of　his　thorough　honor。　Do　you　know　what　he　did　in　the　matter　of　the　damages？〃

She　shook　her　head。

〃He　did　not　wish　to　proceed　for　damages；　or　only　for　the　trifling　sum　demanded　by　law；　but　the　jury；　feeling　for　his　wrongs；　gave　unprecedently　heavy　ones。　Since　the　fellow　came　into　his　baronetcy　they　have　been　paid。　Carlyle　immediately　handed　them　over　to　the　county　hospital。　He　holds　the　apparently　obsolete　opinion　that　money　cannot　wipe　out　a　wife's　dishonor。〃

〃Let　us　close　those　topics〃　implored　the　poor　invalid。　〃I　acted　wickedly　and　madly；　and　have　the　consequences　to　bear　forever。　More　I　cannot　say。〃

〃Where　do　you　intend　to　fix　your　future　residence？〃　inquired　the　earl。

〃I　am　unable　to　tell。　I　shall　leave　this　town　as　soon　as　I　am　well　enough。〃

〃Aye。　It　cannot　be　pleasant　for　you　to　remain　under　the　eyes　of　its　inhabitants。　You　were　here　with　him；　were　you　not？〃

〃They　think　I　am　his　wife；〃　she　murmured。　〃The　servants　think　it。〃

〃That's　well；　so　far。　How　many　servants　have　you？〃

〃Two。　I　am　not　strong　enough　yet　to　do　much　myself；　so　am　obliged　to　keep　two；〃　she　continued；　as　if　in　apology　for　the　extravagance；　under　her　reduced　circumstances。　〃As　soon　as　ever　the　baby　can　walk；　I　shall　manage　to　do　with　one。〃

The　earl　looked　confounded。　〃The　baby！〃　he　uttered；　in　a　tone　of　astonishment　and　grief　painful　to　her　to　hear。　〃Isabel；　is　there　a　child？〃

Not　less　painful　was　her　own　emotion　as　she　hid　her　face。　Lord　Mount　Severn　rose　and　paced　the　room　with　striding　steps。

〃I　did　not　know　it！　I　did　not　know　it！　Wicked；　heartless　villain！　He　ought　to　have　married　you　before　its　birth。　Was　the　divorce　out　previously？〃　he　asked　stopping　short　in　his　strides　to　put　the　question。

〃Yes。〃

〃Coward！　Sneak！　May　good　men　shun　him　from　henceforth！　May　his　queen　refuse　to　receive　him！　You；　an　earl's　daughter！　Oh；　Isabel；　how　utterly　you　have　lost　yourself！〃

Lady　Isabel　started　from　her　chair　in　a　burst　of　hysterical　sobs；　her　hands　extended　beseechingly　toward　the　earl。　〃Spare　me！　Spare　me！　You　have　been　rending　my　heart　ever　since　you　came；　indeed　I　am　too　weak　to　bear　it。〃

The　earl；　in　truth；　had　been　betrayed　into　showing　more　of　his　sentiments　than　he　intended。　He　recalled　his　recollection。

〃Well；　well；　sit　down　again；　Isabel；〃　he　said；　putting　her　into　her　chair。　〃We　shall　go　to　the　point　I　chiefly　came　here　to　settle。　What　sum　will　it　take　you　to　live　upon？　Quietly；　as　of　course　you　would　now　wish　to　live；　but　comfortably。〃

〃I　will　not　accept　anything；〃　she　replied。　〃I　will　get　my　own　living。〃　And　the　earl's　irascibility　again　arose　at　the　speech。　He　spoke　in　a　sharp　tone。

〃Absurd；　Isabel！　Do　not　add　romantic　folly　to　your　own　mistakes。　Get　your　own　living；　indeed！　As　much　as　is　necessary　for　you　to　live　upon；　I　shall　supply。　No　remonstrance；　I　tell　you　I　am　acting　as　for　your　father。　Do　you　suppose　he　would　have　abandoned　you　to　starve　or　to　work？〃

The　allusion　touched　every　chord　within　her　bosom；　and　the　tears　fell　fast。　〃I　thought　I　could　get　my　living　by　teaching；〃　she　sobbed。

〃And　how　much　did　you　anticipate　the　teaching　would　bring　you　in？〃

〃Not　very　much；〃　she　listlessly　said。　〃A　hundred　a　year；　perhaps；　I　am　very　clever　at　music　and　singing。　That　sum　might　keep　us；　I　fancy；　even　if　I　only　went　out　by　the　day。〃

〃And　a　fine　'keep'　it　would　be！　You　shall　have　that　sum　every　quarter！〃

〃No；　no！　no；　no！　I　do　not　deserve　it；　I　could　not　accept　it；　I　have　forfeited　all　claim　to　assistance。〃

〃Not　to　mine。　Now；　it　is　of　no　use　to　excite　yourself；　my　mind　is　made　up。　I　never　willingly　forego　a　duty；　and　I　look　upon　this　not　only　as　a　duty；　but　as　an　imperative　one。　Upon　my　return；　I　shall　immediately　settle　four　hundred　upon　you；　and　you　can　draw　it　quarterly。〃

〃Then　half　that　sum；〃　she　reflected；　knowing　how　useless　it　was　to　contend　with　Lord　Mount　Severn　when　he　got　upon　the　stilts　of　〃duty。〃　〃Indeed；　two　hundred　a　year　will　be　ample；　it　will　seem　like　riches　to　me。〃

〃I　have　named　the　sum；　Isabel；　and　I　shall　not　make　it　less。　A　hundred　pounds　every　three　months　shall　be　paid　to　you；　dating　from　this　day。　This　does　not　count；〃　said　he；　laying　down　some　notes　on　the　table。

He　took　her　hand　within　his　in　token　of　farewell；　turned　and　was　gone。

And　Lady　Isabel　remained　in　her　chamber　alone。

Alone；　alone！　/Alone/　for　evermore！



CHAPTER　XXVII。

BARBARA'S　MISDOINGS。

A　sunny　afternoon　in　summer。　More　correctly　speaking；　it　may　be　said　a　summer's　evening；　for　the　bright　beams　were　already　slanting　athwart　the　substantial　garden　of　Mr。　Justice　Hare；　and　the　tea　hour；　seven；　was　passing。　Mr。　and　Mrs。　Hare　and　Barbara　were　seated　at　the　meal；　somehow；　meals　always　did　seem　in　process　at　Justice　Hare's；　if　it　was　not　breakfast；　it　was　luncheonif　it　was　not　luncheon；　it　was　dinner　if　it　was　not　dinner；　it　was　tea。　Barbara　sat　in　tears；　for　the　justice　was　giving　her　a　〃piece　of　his　mind；〃　and　poor　Mrs。　Hare　deferently　agreeing　with　her　husband；　as　she　would　have　done　had　he　proposed　to　set　the　house　on　fire　and　burn　her　up　in　it；　yet　sympathizing　with　Barbara；　moved　uneasily　in　her　chair。

〃You　do　it　for　the　purpose；　you　do　it　to　anger　me；〃　thundered　the　justice；　bringing　down　his　hand　on　the　tea…table　and　causing　the　cups　to　rattle。

〃No　I　don't；　papa；〃　sobbed　Barbara。

〃Then　why　/do/　you　do　it？〃

Barbara　was　silent。

〃No；　you　can't　answer；　you　have　nothing　to　urge。　What　is　the　matter；　pray；　with　Major　Thorn？　Come；　I　will　be　answered。〃

〃I　don't　like　him；〃　faltered　Barbara。

〃You　do　like　him；　you　are　telling　me　an　untruth。　You　have　liked　him　well　enough　whenever　he　has　been　here。〃

〃I　like　him　as　an　acquaintance；　papa；　not　as　a　husband。〃

〃Not　as　a　husband！〃　repeated　the　exasperated　justice。　〃Why；　bless　my　heart　and　body；　the　girl's　going　mad！　Not　as　a　husband！　Who　asked　you　to　like　him　as　a　husband　before　he　became　such？　Did　ever　you　hear　that　it　was　necessary　or　expedient；　or　becoming　for　a　young　lady　to　act　on　and　begin　to　'like'　a　gentleman　as　'her　husband？'　〃

Barbara　felt　a　little　bewildered。

〃Here's　the　whole　parish　saying　that　Barbara　Hare　can't　be　married；　that　nobody　will　have　her；　on　account　ofofof　that　cursed　stain　left　by；　I　won't　trust　myself　to　name　him；　I　should　go　too　far。　Now；　don't　you　think　that's　a　pretty　disgrace；　a　fine　state　of　things？〃

〃But　it　is　not　true；〃　said　Barbara；　〃people　do　ask　me。〃

〃But　what's　the　use　of　their　asking　when　you　say　'No？'　〃　raved　the　justice。　〃Is　that　the　way　to　let　the　parish　know　that　they　ask？　You　are　an　ungrateful；　rebellious；　self…willed　daughter；　and　you'll　never　be　otherwise。〃

Barbara's　tears　flowed　freely。　The　justice　gave　a　dash　at　the　bell　handle；　to　order　the　tea　things　carried　away；　and　after　their　removal　the　subject　was　renewed；　together　with　Barbara's　grief。　That　was　the　worst　of　Justice　Hare。　Let　him　seize　hold　of　a　grievance；　it　was　not　often　he　got　upon　a　real　one；　and　he　kept　on　at　it；　like　a　blacksmith　hammering　at　his　forge。　In　the　midst　of　a　stormy　oration；　tongue　and　hands　going　together；　Mr。　Carlyle　came　in。

Not　much　altered；　not　much。　A　year　and　three…quarters　had　gone　by　and　they　had　served　to　silver　his　hair　upon　the　temples。　His　manner；　too；　would　never　again　be　careless　and　light　as　it　once　had　been。　He　was　the　same　keen　man　of　business；　the　same　pleasant；　intelligent　companion；　the　generality　of　people　saw　no　change　in　him。　Barbara　rose　to　escape。

〃No；〃　said　Justice　Hare；　planting　himself　between　her　and　the　door；　〃that's　the　way　you　like　to　get　out　of　my　reach　when　I　am　talking　to　you。　You　won't　go；　so　sit