Part 35 (1/2)
”Perhaps I needn't; or it may be there is more at the back of Madeline's mind than you think. One thing is clear to me, something has changed her, and I'm going to find out what it is; and by Jove! if--if----” and he clenched his fists savagely, and walked out of the room.
CHAPTER XXI
GERVASE SPEAKS HIS MIND
On New Year's Day Gervase felt determined, if possible, to bring matters to a head, and with this laudable purpose pulsing through every fibre of his body he made his way to the drawing-room where, he understood from his mother, Madeline was sitting alone. He found her, as he expected, intent on a book. She looked up with a bored expression when he entered, smiled rather wearily, but very sweetly, and then went on with her reading.
Gervase felt nettled and frowned darkly, but he had made up his mind not to be driven from his purpose by any indifference--pretended or genuine--on Madeline's part. For a whole week he had been beating the air and getting no nearer the goal of his desire; the time had now come when he would have an explicit answer. His worldly circ.u.mstances were desperate, and if Madeline failed him, he would have to exercise his wits in some other direction.
Moreover, the story of Madeline's adventure on the cliffs grew in importance and significance the longer he contemplated it. The fact that she and Rufus Sterne never met was nothing to the point. She might be eating her heart out in silence for all he knew. Girls did such foolish things. For good or ill he would have to find out how the land lay in that direction.
”Is your book very interesting, Madeline?” he asked, throwing himself into an easy chair near the fire.
”Rather so,” she answered, without looking up.
”You seem very fond of reading,” he said, after a brief pause.
”I am very fond of it.”
Another pause.
”Don't you think it is very hurtful to the eyes to read so much?” he said, edging his chair a little nearer to the couch on which she sat.
”Really, I have never thought of it.”
”But you ought to think of it, Madeline. The eyesight is most important.”
”I suppose it is.”
Another pause, during which Gervase threw a lump of wood on the grate.
Madeline went on reading, apparently oblivious of his presence.
”I can't understand how people can become so lost in a book,” Gervase said, a little petulantly.
”No?”
”No, I can't. It's beyond me.”
”Do you never read?”
”Sometimes, but not often. I've too much else to do. Besides, doesn't the Bible say that much reading is a weariness to the flesh?”
”Does it?”
”I don't know; but I've heard it somewhere, and it's true.”
”You've proved it?”