Part 35 (1/2)
”But you love no one else. Tell me that again, Edith!”
She grew pale suddenly. Again she looked away from him over the sunlit slopes before her.
”I am a very selfish and heartless sort of girl, I am afraid,” she answered. ”I don't know that it is in me to love any one as I ought--certainly not as you love me. If you take me, you shall take me at my true value. I am not an angel--ah, no; the farthest in the world from it--the most selfish of the selfish. I like you very much; it is not hard to do that. To be your wife would be my highest honor, but still I must have time. Come to me to-morrow, Sir Victor, any time, and you shall have your answer. Don't say one word more until then.
Now let us go back.”
He bowed and offered his arm. She took it, and in profound silence they walked back. The one topic that filled him, heart and soul, strength and mind, was forbidden--it was simply impossible for him to speak of any other. For Edith, she walked calmly beside him--her mind a serene blank.
They reached Powyss Place--they entered the drawing-room. All were there--Trixy lying on a sofa, pale and interesting, Lady Helena beside her, Charley lounging in the recess of a sunny window. All eyes turned upon the newcomers, Trix's with suspicious jealousy. If Sir Victor were in love with herself, was not his fitting place by her side in this trying hour, instead of meandering about with Dithy? And what business had Dithy monopolizing another girl's lover?
”I think I shall ride ever to Drexel Court between this and dinner,”
Sir Victor said. ”I promised Hampton--”
Lady Helena laughed and interrupted:
”And Lady Gwendoline is there--I understand. Go by all means, Victor, and give Gwendoline my love. We shall expect you back to dinner.”
The young man colored like a girl. He glanced uneasily at Edith, but Miss Darrell had taken up a photograph book of literary celebrities, and was immersed therein.
Would she understand him, he wondered--would she know it was because he could not endure the suspense at home? How should he drag through all the long, heavy hours between this and to-morrow? And when to-morrow came, if her answer were _no_? He set his teeth at the thought--it could not be no--it _should_ not! She loved no one else--she must learn to love him.
Captain Hammond and Charley betook themselves to the billiard room.
Trixy turned her suspicious eyes upon her cousin.
”Where were you and Sir Victor all day, Edith?”
”I and Sir Victor have not been any where all day, Beatrix. During the last hour we have been walking in the grounds.”
”What were you talking about?”
”Many things,” Miss Darrell responded, promptly. ”The beauty of the prospect--the comfort of English homes, and the weather, of course. If I understood short-hand, and had been aware of your anxiety on the subject, I might have taken notes of our conversation for your benefit.”
”Did you talk of _me_?”
”I believe your name was mentioned.”
”Dith!” in a whisper, and raising herself on her elbow, ”did Sir Victor say any thing about--about--you know what”
”He did not say one word about being in love with you, or marrying you, if that is what you mean. Now please stop catechising, and let me look at the pictures.”
Twilight fell--dinner hour came; with it Sir Victor. He looked pale, anxious, tired. He answered all his aunt's inquiries about the Drexel family in the briefest possible manner. His over-fond aunt looked at him a little uneasily--he was so unlike himself, and presently drew him aside, after dinner, and spoke.
”Victor what is the matter? Are you ill?”
”Ill? No. My dear aunt,” smiling, ”don't wear that alarmed face--there is nothing the matter with me.”
”There is something the matter with you. You are pale, you are silent, you eat nothing. Victor, what is it?”
”I will tell you to-morrow,” he answered. ”Spare me until then. I am anxious, I admit, but not even to you can I tell why to-night. You shall know all about it to-morrow.”
No glimmer of the truth dawned upon her as she left him. She wondered what it could be, but she would not press him further.