Part 99 (1/2)

Julia took the paper, and her eye fell on this short advertis.e.m.e.nt:

AILEEN AROON.--DISTRUST APPEARANCES.

Looking at her with some anxiety, they saw the paper give one sharp rustle in her hands, and then quiver a little. She bowed her head over it, and everything seemed to swim. But she never moved: they could neither of them see her face, she defended herself with the paper.

The letters cleared again, and, still hiding her face, she studied and studied the advertis.e.m.e.nt.

”Come, tell us what you think of it,” said Edward. ”Is it anything? or a mere coincidence?”

”It is a pure coincidence,” said Mrs. Dodd, with an admirable imitation of cool confidence.

Julia said nothing; but she now rose and put both arms round Edward's neck, and kissed him fervidly again and again, holding the newspaper tight all the time.

”There,” said Mrs. Dodd: ”see what you have done.”

”Oh, it is all right,” said Edward cheerfully. ”The British fireman is getting hugged no end. Why, what is the matter? have you got the hiccough, Ju?”

”No; no! You are a true brother. I knew all along that he would explain all if he was alive: and he is alive.” So saying she kissed the _'Tiser_ violently more than once; then fluttered away with it to her own room ashamed to show her joy, and yet not able to hide it.

Mrs. Dodd shook her head sorrowfully: and Edward began to look rueful, and doubt whether he had done wisely. I omit the discussion that followed. But the next time his duties permitted him to visit them Mrs.

Dodd showed him the _'Tiser_ in her turn, and with her pretty white taper finger, and such a look, pointed to the following advertis.e.m.e.nt:

AILEEN AROON.--I _do_ DISTRUST APPEARANCES. But if you ever loved me explain them at once. I have something for you from your dear sister.

”Poor simple girl,” said Mrs. Dodd, ”not to see that, if he could explain at all, he _would_ explain, not go advertising an enigma after acting a mystification. And to think of my innocent dove putting in that she had something for him from his sister; a mighty temptation for such a wretch!”

”It was wonderfully silly,” said Edward; ”and such a clever girl, too; but you ladies can't stick to one thing at a time; begging your pardon, mamma.”

Mrs. Dodd took no notice of this remark.

”To see her lower herself so!” she said. ”Oh, my son, I am mortified.”

And Mrs. Dodd leaned her cheek against Edward's, and sighed.

”Now don't you cry, mammy,” said he sorrowfully. ”I'll break every bone in his skin for your comfort.”

”Heaven forbid!” cried Mrs. Dodd anxiously; ”what, are you not aware she would hate you?”

”Hate me: her brother!”

”She would hate us all if we laid a finger on that wretch. Pray interfere no more, love; foolish child, talking to me about women, and it is plain you know nothing of their hearts: and a good thing _for_ you.” She then put on maternal authority (n.o.body could do it more easily) and solemnly forbade all violence.

He did not venture to contradict her now; but cherished his resolution all the more, and longed for the hour when he might take ”the Wretch” by the throat, and chastise him, the more publicly the better.

Now, the above incident that revealed Julia's real heart, which she had been hiding more or less all this time from those who could not sympathise with her, took eventually a turn unfavourable to ”the Wretch.” So he might well be called. Her great and settled fear had always been that Alfred was dead. Under the immediate influence of his father's cunning, she had for a moment believed he was false; but so true and loving a heart could not rest in that opinion. In true love so long as there is one grain of uncertainty, there is a world of faith and credulous ingenuity. So, as Alfred had never been seen since, as n.o.body could say he was married to another, there was a grain of uncertainty as to his unfaithfulness, and this her true heart magnified to a mountain.

But now matters wore another face. She was sure he had written the advertis.e.m.e.nt. Who but he, out of the few that take the words of any song to heart, admired Aileen Aroon? Who but he out of the three or four people who might possibly care for that old song, had appearances to explain away? And who but he knew they took in the _Morning Advertiser?_ She waited then for the explanation she had invited. She read the advertising column every day over and over.

Not a word more.

Then her womanly pride was deeply wounded. What, had she courted an explanation where most ladies would have listened to none; and courted it in vain!