Volume I Part 31 (1/2)
Laura threw him a flas.h.i.+ng look.
”No!--there are people who have taken care of that!” she said.
Helbeck took no notice.
”It is known not only to ourselves,” he repeated steadily. ”It starts gossip. My sister is troubled. She asks you to put an end to this state of things, and she consults me, feeling that indeed we are all in some way concerned.”
”Oh, say at once that I have brought scandal on you all!” cried Laura.
”That of course is what Sister Angela and Father Bowles have been saying to Augustina. They are pleased to show the greatest anxiety about me--so much so, that they most kindly wish to relieve me of the charge of Augustina.--So I understand! But I fear I am neither docile nor grateful!--that I never shall be grateful----”
Helbeck interrupted.
”Let us come to that presently. I should like to finish my story. While my sister and I are consulting, trying to think of all that can be done to stop a foolish talk and undo an unlucky incident, this same young lady”--his voice took a cold clearness--”steals out by night to keep an appointment with this man, who has already done her so great a disservice. Now I should like to ask her, if all this is kind--is reasonable--is generous towards the persons with whom she is at present living--if such conduct is not”--he paused--”unwise towards herself--unjust towards others.”
His words came out with a strong and vibrating emphasis. Laura confronted him with crimson cheeks.
”I think that will do, Mr. Helbeck!” she cried. ”You have had your say.--Now just let me say this,--these people were my relations--I have no other kith and kin in the world.”
He made a quick step forward as though in distress. But she put up her hand.
”I want very much to say this, please. I knew perfectly well when I came here that you couldn't like the Masons--for many reasons.” Her voice broke again. ”You never liked Augustina's marriage--you weren't likely to want to see anything of papa's people. I didn't ask you to see them. All my standards and theirs are different from yours. But I prefer theirs--not yours! I have nothing to do with yours. I was brought up--well, to _hate_ yours--if one must tell the truth.”
She paused, half suffocated, her chest heaving. Helbeck's glance enveloped her--took in the contrast between her violent words and the shrinking delicacy of her small form. A great melting stole over the man's dark face. But he spoke dryly enough.
”I imagine the standards of Protestants and Catholics are pretty much alike in matters of this kind. But don't let us waste time any more over what has already happened. I should like, I confess, to plead with you as to the future.”
He looked at her kindly, even entreatingly. All through this scene she had been unwittingly, angrily conscious of his personal dignity and charm--a dignity that seemed to emerge in moments of heightened action or feeling, and to slip out of sight again under the absent hermit-manner of his ordinary life. She was smarting under his words--ready to concentrate a double pa.s.sion of resentment upon them, as soon as she should be alone and free to recall them. And yet----
”As to the future,” she said coldly. ”That is simple enough as far as one person is concerned. Hubert Mason is going to Froswick immediately, into business.”
”I am glad to hear it--it will be very much for his good.”
He stopped a moment, searching for the word of persuasion and conciliation.
”Miss Fountain!--if you imagine that certain incidents which happened here long before you came into this neighbourhood had anything to do with what I have been saying now, let me a.s.sure you--most earnestly--that it is not so! I recognise fully that with regard to a certain case--of which you may have heard--the Masons and their friends honestly believed that wrong and injustice had been done. They attempted personal violence. I can hardly be expected to think it argument! But I bear them no malice. I say this because you may have heard of something that happened three or four years ago--a row in the streets, when Father Bowles and I were set upon. It has never weighed with me in the slightest, and I could have shaken hands with old Mason--who was in the crowd, and refused to stop the stone throwing--the day after. As for Mrs. Mason”--he looked up with a smile--”if she could possibly have persuaded herself to come with her daughter and see you here, my welcome would not have been wanting. But, you know, she would as soon visit Gehenna! n.o.body could be more conscious than I, Miss Fountain, that this is a dreary house for a young lady to live in--and----”
The colour mounted into his face, but he did not shrink from what he meant to say.
”And you have made us all feel that you regard the practices and observances by which we try to fill and inspire our lives, as mere hateful folly and superst.i.tion!” He checked himself. ”Is that too strong?” he added, with a sudden eagerness. ”If so, I apologise for and withdraw it!”
Laura, for a moment, was speechless. Then she gathered her forces, and said, with a voice she in vain tried to compose:
”I think you exaggerate, Mr. Helbeck; at any rate, I hope you do. But the fact is, I--I ought not to have tried to bear it. Considering all that had happened at home--it was more than I had strength for! And perhaps--no good will come of going on with it--and it had better cease.
Mr. Helbeck!--if your Superior can really find a good nurse and companion at once, will you kindly communicate with her? I will go to Cambridge immediately, as soon as I can arrange with my friends. Augustina, no doubt, will come and stay with me somewhere at the sea, later on in the year.”
Helbeck had been listening to her--to the sharp determination of her voice--in total silence. He was leaning against the high mantelpiece, and his face was hidden from her. As she ceased to speak, he turned, and his mere aspect beat down the girl's anger in a moment. He shook his head sadly.
”Dr. MacBride stopped me on the bridge yesterday, as he was coming away from the house.”
Laura drew back. Her eyes fastened upon him.