Part 45 (2/2)
Edward rose at daylight, and, dressing himself, went down and saddled his horse. Desiring Sampson to tell the intendant that he had gone over to the cottage and would return by the evening, he rode across the forest, and arrived just as they were sitting down to breakfast. His attempts to be cheerful before his sisters did not succeed, and they were all grieved to see him look so pale and haggard. As soon as breakfast was over, Edward made a sign, and he and Humphrey went out.
”What is the matter, my dear brother?” said Humphrey.
”I will tell you all. Listen to me,” replied Edward, who then gave him the detail of all that had pa.s.sed from the time he had walked out with Patience Heatherstone till he went to bed. ”Now, Humphrey, you know all; and what shall I do? remain there I can not!”
”If Patience Heatherstone had professed regard for you,” replied Humphrey, ”the affair had been simple enough. Her father could have no objections to the match; and he would at the same time have acquitted his conscience as to the retaining of the property: but you say she showed none.”
”She told me very calmly that she was sorry that I had said what I did.”
”But do women always mean what they say, brother?” said Humphrey.
”She does, at all events,” replied Edward; ”she is truth itself. No, I can not deceive myself. She feels a deep debt of grat.i.tude for the service I rendered her; and that prevented her from being more harsh in her reply than what she was.”
”But if she knew that you were Edward Beverley, do you not think it would make a difference in her?”
”And if it did, it would be too humiliating to think that I was only married for my rank and station.”
”But, considering you of mean birth, may she not have checked those feelings which she considered under the circ.u.mstances improper to indulge?”
”Where there is such a sense of propriety there can be little affection.”
”I know nothing about these things, Edward,” replied Humphrey; ”but I have been told that a woman's heart is not easily read; or if I have not been told it, I have read it or dreamed it.”
”What do you propose to do?”
”What I fear you will not approve of, Humphrey; it is to break up our establishment altogether. If the answer is favorable from the Misses Conynghame my sisters shall go to them; but that we had agreed upon already. Then for myself-I intend to go abroad, resume my name, and obtain employment in some foreign service. I will trust to the king for a.s.sisting me to that.”
”That is the worst part of it, Edward; but if your peace of mind depends upon it, I will not oppose it.”
”You, Humphrey, may come with me and share my fortunes, or do what you think more preferable.”
”I think then, Edward, that I shall not decide rashly. I must have remained here with Pablo if my sisters had gone to the Ladies Conynghame and you had remained with the intendant; I shall, therefore, till I hear from you, remain where I am, and shall be able to observe what is going on here, and let you know.”
”Be it so,” replied Edward; ”let me only see my sisters well placed, and I shall be off the next day. It is misery to remain there now.”
After some more conversation, Edward mounted his horse and returned to the intendant's. He did not arrive till late, for supper was on the table. The intendant gave him a letter for Mr. Chaloner, which was inclosed in one from Mr. Langton; and further informed Edward that news had arrived of the king having made his escape to France.
”Thank G.o.d for that!” exclaimed Edward. ”With your leave, sir, I will to-morrow deliver this letter to the party to whom it is addressed, as I know it to be of consequence.”
The intendant having given his consent, Edward retired without having exchanged a word with Patience or Clara beyond the usual civilities of the table.
The following morning, Edward, who had not slept an hour during the night, set off for Clara's cottage, and found Chaloner and Grenville still in bed. At the sound of his voice the door was opened, and he gave Chaloner the letter; the latter read it and then handed it to Edward. The Misses Conynghame were delighted at the idea of receiving the two daughters of Colonel Beverley, and would treat them as their own; they requested that they might be sent to London immediately, where the coach would meet them to convey them down to Lancas.h.i.+re. They begged to be kindly remembered to Captain Beverley, and to a.s.sure him that his sisters should be well cared for.
”I am much indebted to you, Chaloner,” said Edward; ”I will send my brother off with my sisters as soon as possible. You will soon think of returning to France; and if you will permit me, I will accompany you.”
”You, Edward! that will be delightful; but you had no idea of the kind when last we met. What has induced you to alter your mind?”
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