Part 118 (2/2)
”I don't know; how does everybody let everybody know things nowadays?
They advertise.”
”Of course they do--in the second column of 'The Times.'”
”You know best.” Then, after a moment's reflection, ”Wherever she is, she takes in the Hillsborough papers to see if there's anything about you in them.”
”Oh, do you think so?”
”Think so? I am sure of it. I put myself in her place.”
”Then I will advertise in 'The Times' and the Hillsborough papers.”
He went into the library and wrote several advertis.e.m.e.nts. This is the one Jael preferred:
”H. L. to G. C. I see you are right. There shall be no vengeance except what the law may give me, nor will I ever renew that request which offended you so justly. I will be patient.”
He had added an entreaty that she would communicate with him, but this Jael made him strike out. She thought that might make Grace suspect his sincerity. ”Time enough to put that in a month hence, if you don't hear from her.”
This was all I think worth recording in the interview between Jael and Henry, except that at parting he thanked her warmly, and said, ”May I give you one piece of advice in return? Mr. Richard Raby has fallen in love with you, and no wonder. If my heart was not full of Grace I should have fallen in love with you myself, you are so good and so beautiful; but he bears a bad character. You are wise in other people's affairs, pray don't be foolish in your own.”
”Thank you,” said Jael, a little dryly. ”I shall think twice before I give my affections to any young man.”
Henry had a word with his mother before he went, and begged her not to prepare disappointment for herself by trying to bring Jael and him together. ”Besides, she has taken a spite against me. To be sure it is not very deep; for she gave me good advice; and I advised her not to throw herself away on Dissolute d.i.c.k.”
Mrs. Little smiled knowingly and looked very much pleased, but she said nothing more just then. Henry Little returned to Hillsborough, and put his advertis.e.m.e.nt in ”The Times” and the Hillsborough journals.
Two days afterward Ransome called on him with the ”Hillsborough Liberal.” ”Is this yours?” said Ransome.
”Yes. I have reason to think she will write to me, if she sees it.”
”Would you mind giving me your reason?”
Little gave it, but with so much reticence, that no other man in Hillsborough but Ransome would have understood.
”Hum!” said he, ”I think I can do something with this.” A period of expectation succeeded, hopeful at first, and full of excitement; but weeks rolled on without a word from the fugitive, and Little's heart sickened with hope deferred. He often wished to consult Jael Dence again; he had a superst.i.tious belief in her sagacity. But the recollection of her cold manner deterred him. At last, however, impatience and the sense of desolation conquered, and he rode over to Raby Hall.
He found his uncle and his mother in the dining-room. Mr. Raby was walking about looking vexed, and even irritable.
The cause soon transpired. Dissolute d.i.c.k was at that moment in the drawing-room, making hot love to Jael Dence. He had wooed her ever since that fatal evening when she burst on society full-blown. Raby, too proud and generous to forbid his addresses, had nevertheless been always bitterly averse to them, and was now in a downright rage; for Mrs.
Little had just told him she felt sure he was actually proposing.
”Confound him!” said Henry, ”and I wanted so to speak to her.”
Raby gave him a most singular look, that struck him as odd at the time, and recurred to him afterward.
At last steps were heard overhead, and Dissolute d.i.c.k came down-stairs.
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