Part 81 (2/2)
His next letter was addressed to Mr. Bertram. In this he did not go into the matter of their difference at all, but merely suggested that he should be allowed to call at Hadley--with the object of having an interview with Mr. Bertram himself.
”There,” said the old man, when he found himself alone with his granddaughter; ”read that.” And Caroline did read it. ”What am I to say to that?”
”What do you think you ought to say, sir?”
”I suppose I must see him. He'll bring an action against me else, for keeping his wife from him. Mind, I tell you, you'll have to go back to him.”
”No, sir! I shall not do that,” said Caroline, very quietly, with something almost like a smile on her face. And then she left him, and he wrote his answer to Sir Henry.
And then Sir Henry came down to Hadley. A day had been named, and Caroline was sore put to it to know how she might best keep out of the way. At last she persuaded her aunt to go up to London with her for the day. This they did, both of them fearing, as they got out of the train and returned to it, that they might unfortunately meet the man they so much dreaded. But fortune was not so malicious to them; and when they returned to Hadley they found that Sir Henry had also returned to London.
”He speaks very fair,” said Mr. Bertram, who sent for Caroline to come to him alone in the dining-room.
”Does he, sir?”
”He is very anxious that you should go back.”
”Ah, sir, I cannot do that.”
”He says you shall have the house in Eaton Square to yourself for the next three months.”
”I shall never go back to Eaton Square, sir.”
”Or he will take a small place for you anywhere at the sea-side that you may choose.”
”I shall want no place if you will allow me to remain here.”
”But he has all your money, you know--your fortune is now his.”
”Well, sir!”
”And what do you mean to do?”
”I will do what you bid me--except going back to him.”
The old man sat silent for awhile, and then again he spoke.
”Well, I don't suppose you know your own mind, as yet.”
”Oh, sir! indeed I do.”
”I say I suppose you don't. Don't interrupt me--I have suggested this: that you should remain here six months, and that then he should come again and see--”
”You, sir.”
”Well--see me, if I'm alive: at the end of that time you'll have to go back to him. Now, good-night.”
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