Part 108 (1/2)
”Why not? I am going to it myself.”
”I am sorry to hear you say so--very sorry.”
”Why, she is my G.o.dchild. Would you have me affront her?”
”If she is your G.o.dchild, Henry is your nephew.”
”Of course, and I did all I could to marry him to Grace; but, you see, he would be wiser than me.”
”Dear Guy, my poor Henry was to blame for not accepting your generous offer; but that does not excuse this heartless, fickle girl.”
Raby's sense of justice began to revolt. ”My dear Edith, I can't bear to hear you speak so contemptuously of this poor girl, who has so nearly died for love of your son. She is one of the n.o.blest, purest, most unselfish creatures I ever knew. Why judge so hastily? But that is the way with you ladies; it must be the woman who is in the wrong. Men are G.o.ds, and women devils; that is your creed.”
”Is HENRY going to marry another?”
”Not that I know of.”
”Then what excuse can there be for her conduct? Does wrong become right, when this young lady does it? It is you who are prejudiced, not I. Her conduct is without excuse. I have written to her: she has replied, and has offered me no excuse. 'Forgive me,' she says, 'and forget me.' I shall never forgive her; and you must permit me to despise her for a few years before I forget her.”
”Well, don't excite yourself so. My poor Edith, some day or other you will be sorry you ever said a word against that amiable and most unfortunate girl.”
He said this so sadly and solemnly that Mrs. Little's anger fell directly, and they both sat silent a long time.
”Guy,” said Mrs. Little, ”tell me the truth. Has my son done anything wrong--anything rash? It was strange he should leave England without telling me. He told Dr. Amboyne. Oh, there is some mystery here. If I did not know you so well, I should say there is some deceit going on in this house. There IS--You hang your head. I cannot bear to give you pain, so I will ask you no more questions. But--”
There was a world of determination in that ”but.”
She retired early to bed; to bed, but not to rest.
In the silence of the night she recalled every thing, every look, every word that had seemed a little strange to her, and put them all together.
She could not sleep; vague misgivings crawled over her agitated mind.
At length she slumbered from sheer exhaustion. She rose early; yet, when she came down-stairs, Raby was just starting for Woodbine Villa.
Mrs. Little asked him to take her into Hillsborough. He looked uneasy, but complied, and, at her desire, set her down in the market-place of Hillsborough. As soon as he was out of sight she took a fly, and directed the driver to take her to Mr. Little's works. ”I mean,” said she, ”the works where Mr. Bayne is.”
She found Mr. Bayne in his counting-house, dressed in deep mourning.
He started at sight of her, and then she saw his eye fall with surprise on her gray dress.
”Mr. Bayne,” said she, ”I am come to ask you a question or two.”
”Be seated, madam,” said Bayne, reverently. ”I expected a visit from you or from your agent, and the accounts are all ready for your inspection.
I keep them as clear as possible.”
”I do not come here about accounts. My son has perfect confidence in you, and so have I.”
”Thank you, madam; thank you kindly. He did indeed honor me with his confidence, and with his friends.h.i.+p. I am sure he was more like a brother to me than an employer. Ah, madam! I shall never, never, see his fellow again.” And honest Bayne turned away with his hand to his eyes.
This seemed to Mrs. Little to be more than the occasion required, and did not tend to lessen her misgivings. However, she said gravely, ”Mr.