Part 16 (1/2)
”Because it would expose you to a very severe rebuff.”
”Will you speak to him then? No; I'll do it.”
”No. If you did my father would immediately speak to me, and I should have to tell him what I am going to tell you.”
”Well. Out with it.”
”Do you suppose,” said Madelaine, once more turning her clear frank eyes upon the young man, and speaking with a quiet decision that startled him; ”do you suppose I could be so wanting in duty to those at home, so wanting in love to you, Harry, that I could consent to a marriage which would only mean fixing you permanently in your present thoughtless ways?
You talk like a foolish boy, and not like the Harry Vine whom I have always looked forward to being my protector through life.”
”Madelaine!”
”Let me finish, Harry, and tell what has been on my lips for months past, but which you have never given me the opportunity to say to you till now. I am younger by several years than you, but do you think I am so wanting in worldly experience that I am blind to your reckless folly, or the pain you are giving father and sister by your acts?”
”Why, Maddy,” he cried, in a voice full of vexation, which belied the mocking laugh upon his lips, ”I didn't think you could preach like that.”
”It is time to preach, Harry, when I see you so lost to self-respect, and find that you are ready to place yourself and the girl you wish to call wife, in a dependent position, instead of proudly and manfully making yourself your own master.”
”Well, this is pleasant,” cried Harry, as soon as he had recovered somewhat from his astonishment, ”and am I to understand that you throw me over?”
”No, Harry,” said Madelaine sadly, ”you are to understand that I care for you too much to encourage you in a weak folly.”
”A weak folly--to ask you what you have always expected I should ask!”
”Yes, to ask it at such a time when, after being placed in post after post by my father's help, and losing them one by one by your folly, you--”
”Oh, come, that will do,” cried the young man angrily; ”if it's to be like this it's a good job that we came to an explanation at once. So this is gentle, amiable, sweet-tempered Madelaine, eh! Hallo! You?”
He turned sharply, for during the latter part of the conversation they had been standing still, and Louise and Pradelle had come over a stretch of sand with their footsteps inaudible.
”It is quite time we returned, Madelaine,” said Louise gravely; and without another word the two girls walked away.
”'Pon my word,” cried Harry with a laugh, ”things are improving. Well, Vic, how did you get on?”
”How did I get on indeed!” cried Pradelle angrily. ”Look here, Harry Vine, are you playing square with me?”
”What do you mean?”
”What I say; are you honest, or have you been setting her against me?”
”Why you--no, I won't quarrel,” cried Harry.
”What did she say to you?”
”Say to me? I was never so snubbed in my life. Any one would think I had been the dirt under her feet; but I've not done yet. Her ladys.h.i.+p doesn't know me if she thinks I'm going to give up like that.”
”There, that'll do, Vic. No threats, please.”
”Oh, no; I'm not going to threaten. I can wait.”