Part 64 (1/2)
”What reason have you for doubting his affection?”
”He scarcely writes to me once a month, and then his letters are short and cold as icicles, and full of court gossip and fas.h.i.+on items, for which he knows I do not care a straw. Yesterday I received one,--the first I have had for three weeks,--and he requests me to defer our marriage at least six months longer, as he cannot possibly come over in May, the time appointed when he was here.”
She hid her face on her guardian's shoulder, and sobbed.
An expression of painful surprise and stern displeasure clouded Dr.
Grey's countenance, as he smoothed the hair away from the girl's throbbing temples.
”Calm yourself, Muriel. If Gerard has forfeited your confidence, he is unworthy of your tears. Do you apprehend that his indifference is merely the result of separation, or have you any cause to attribute it to interest in some other person?”
”That is a question I cannot answer.”
”Cannot, or will not?”
”I know nothing positively; but I fear something, which perhaps I ought not to mention.”
”Throw aside all hesitancy, and talk freely to me. If Granville is either fickle or dishonorable, you should rejoice that the discovery has been made in time to save you from life-long wretchedness.”
”If we were only married, I am sure I could win him back to me.”
”That is a fatal fallacy, that has wrecked the happiness of many women. If a lover grows indifferent, as a husband he will be cold, unkind, unendurable. If as a devoted fiancee you can not retain and strengthen his affection,--as a wife you would weary and repel him.
Have you answered the last letter?”
”No, sir.”
”My dear child, do you not consider me your best friend?”
”Certainly I do.”
”Then yield to my guidance, and follow my advice. Lose no time in writing to Mr. Granville, and cancel your engagement. Tell him he is free.”
”Oh, then I should lose him,--and happiness, forever!” wailed Muriel, clasping her hands almost despairingly.
”You have already lost his heart, and should be unwilling to retain him in fetters that must be galling.”
”Ah, Dr. Grey! it is very easy for you who never loved any one, to tell me, in that cold, business-like way, that I ought to set Gerard free; but you cannot realize what it costs to follow your counsel. Of course I know that in everything else you are much wiser than I, but persons who have no love affairs of their own are not the best judges of other people's. He is so dear to me, I believe it would kill me to give him up, and see him no more.”
”On the contrary, you would survive much greater misfortune than separation from a man who is unworthy of you. I cannot coerce, but simply counsel you in this matter, and should be glad to learn what your own decision is. Do you intend to wait until Gerard Granville explicitly requests you to release him from his engagement?”
She winced, and the tears gushed anew.
”Oh, you are cruel! You are heartless!”
”No, my dear Muriel; I am actuated by the truest affection for my little ward, and desire to s.n.a.t.c.h her from future humiliation. My knowledge of human nature is more extended, more profound than yours, but since you seem unwilling to avail yourself of my experience, it only remains for you to acquaint me with your determination. Are you willing to tell me the nature of your answer?”
”I intend to accede to Gerard's wish, and will defer the marriage until November; but in the meantime, I shall endeavor to win back his heart, which I believe has been artfully enticed from me.”
”By whom?”