Part 17 (1/2)
Scott tried to cover her faults with the generosity of his love, but they were daily becoming more and more apparent. He began to think that the faults had always been there, and that for a time she had been enabled to hide them, and that now, in her weakness, she was unable to do so. The truth was she was simply showing out her nature, which she had deemed it prudent heretofore to conceal.
But she was a Wilmer now, and there was not so much necessity to exert herself to conceal them. She knew, as did others, that she dressed with exquisite taste, and that no lady pa.s.sed her on the street without a flattering comment. But aside from the outside adornments and fair face none ever thought of praising her. She was two years older than Scott, but she took great care that it should not be spoken of. Scott's family were highly esteemed, and he was called a talented man, and was wealthy. That was Irene's reason for wis.h.i.+ng to become a Wilmer. But though Irene grew more and more careless, and less fond of her own home, Scott tried to hide her faults from others, resolving to do his best to persuade her to give up some of her vain, trifling pleasures, and he would do all in his power to make her happy.
As Irene left the house Scott followed Paul to the library. Seating himself beside Paul, he said:
”Paul, I wish to give you some instruction in regard to a little business which I wish you to do for me. In the meantime I wish to ask you why you pa.s.s so little of your time in the library of late. Are you tired of your studies?”
”I have not left off my studies, Mr. Wilmer.”
”You do not come to the library as much as usual; why is it?”
Paul cast his eyes to the floor. At length he said in a tremulous voice:
”I study in my room.”
”That is a new freak, is it not? Do you prefer it?”
”No, sir.”
”Then why have you abandoned the habit of coming to the library?”
”I would rather not tell you.”
Scott looked searchingly at the boy for a moment and said:
”Paul, I think there is some reason why you have ceased to come to the library. It may be a good reason or a flimsy one; but there is a reason, and I wish to know it.”
”Mr. Wilmer, there is a reason, and a very good one; will not that satisfy you?”
”No; I must know what it is.”
”You have a right to know, but I would rather you did not.”
”Paul,” he said, ”you have been in my home for some time, and since you came you have never disobeyed me in any way, or deceived me by one act; will you begin it now?”
Paul was silent, and Scott continued:
”It may be a trivial matter, but I wish to know it.”
Paul paused a moment, and then as the tears dropped from his heavy lashes, he said:
”Mr. Wilmer, I do not care for myself, but I know it will grieve you.
It was Mrs. Wilmer who ordered me to stay away.”
”What! my mother?”
”No, sir; your wife.”