Part 82 (2/2)

He rose from his seat black with wrath.

Grace turned pale, and rang the bell in a moment.

The servant entered the room, just as Mr. Coventry knocked at the door.

”Not at home to anybody,” said she.

Mr. Coventry's voice was heard to say incredulously, ”Not at home?” Then he retired slowly, and did not leave the neighborhood. He had called at an hour when Grace was always at home.

Henry sat down, and said, ”Thank you, Grace.” But he looked very gloomy and disturbed.

She sat down too, and then they looked at each other.

Henry was the first to speak. ”We are both pupils of the good doctor.

Put yourself in my place. That man troubles our love, and makes my heavy heart a sore heart.”

The tears were in Grace's eyes. ”Dearest,” said she, ”I will not put myself in your place; you would lose by that, for I love you better than myself. Yes, it is unjust that you should be allowed to visit me but once a week, and he should visit me when he chooses. I a.s.sure you I have permitted his visits out of pure good-nature; and now I will put an end to them.”

She drew her desk toward her, and wrote to Mr. Coventry. It took her some little time. She handed Henry the letter to read. He took it in his hand; but hesitated. He inquired what would be the effect of it?

”That he will never visit me again till you and I are married, or engaged, and that is the same thing. Why don't you read it?”

”I don't know: it goes against me, somehow. Seems unmanly. I'll take your word for it.”

This charmed Grace. ”Ah,” said she, ”I have chosen right.”

Then he kissed her hands, and blessed her: and then she told him it was nothing; he was a goose, and had no idea what she would do for him; ”more than you would do for me, I know,” said she.

That he denied, and then she said she might perhaps put him to the proof some day.

They were so happy together, time slipped away unheeded. It was full three hours before Henry could tear himself away, though he knew he was wanted at the works; and he went out at the gate, glowing with happiness: and Coventry, who was ready to drop with the fatigue of walking and watching just above, saw him come out triumphant.

Then it was his turn to feel a deadly qualm. However, he waited a little longer, and then made his call.

”Not at home.”

Henry, on his way to the works, looked in on his mother, and told her how n.o.bly Grace had behaved.

Mrs. Little was pleased, and it smoothed down her maternal bristles, and made it much easier for her to carry out her design. For the first time since Mr. Carden had offended her by his cold-blooded treatment of her son, she called at Woodbine Villa.

Grace was at home to see her, and met her with a blus.h.i.+ng timidity, and piteous, wistful looks, not easy to misunderstand nor to resist.

They soon came to an understanding, and Mrs. Little told Grace what Dr.

Amboyne had promised to do, and represented to her how much better it would be for Henry to fall into his uncle Raby's views, than to engage in hopeless struggles like that in which Mr. Bolt and he had just been so signally defeated. ”And then, you know, my dear, you could marry next month--you two; that is to say, if YOU felt disposed: I will answer for Henry.”

Grace's red face and swimming eyes told how this shaft went home. In short, she made a coy promise that she would co-operate with Mrs. Little ”and,” said she, ”how lucky! he has almost promised to grant me the first favor I ask him. Well, I shall entreat him to be a good nephew, and do whatever dear Mr. Raby asks him. But of course I shall not say, and then if you do, you and I”--here the young lady cut her sentence very short.

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