Part 10 (1/2)
”Madam, you possess an a.r.s.enal of mental reservations, and I doubt whether you can keep a promise.”
”I can be silent against my will, and even in defiance of my judgment.
Try me.”
”Then consider yourself on probation. Where is my hoax of a note?”
”Under your pillow, where you left it.”
His eyes twinkled, and his voice shook as with suppressed laughter.
”A woman's curiosity cost us Eden. My dear little lady, what did you discover in my anonymous letter?”
”That 'Ely Twiggs' is a terrible menace to your peace of mind.”
”Would you like a translation of that ugly occult phrase? It is merely a telegraphic cipher. You have conjured up a malignant chimera; rest a.s.sured it is only a dingy red-paper balloon, with a flickering taper inside. Good night. Pray allow no compunctious qualms to disturb the peace of your Methodist conscience.”
”No church is responsible for errors of its members, and I wish I could believe it possible that your Episcopal conscience will allow you a night of refres.h.i.+ng sleep. For my dear child's sake, I hoped you would confide in me, and I regret that you withhold the truth. Good night, sir.”
”Little foster-mother, remember your promise.”
He held out his hand, but she declined the overture and walked away.
”My Methodist promise will bear any weight laid on it.”
Without premonition, a sudden storm had swept over the city that night, and at two o'clock, when Eglah and Mr. Herriott went down the steps to enter their carriage, the stone pavement held tiny pools and rills of water.
”Wait, Eglah, your slippers will be soaked.”
”I can run across on tiptoe.”
”You shall not! Permit me.”
He stooped, lifted her from the lower step, and placed her on the cus.h.i.+oned seat.
”How strong you are!” she said, laughing, as he entered the carriage and sat down opposite, not beside her.
”Physically--yes. If my force of will equalled my nerves and muscles, I should be a much happier man.”
”Infirmity of will? You,--the most obstinate man I ever met! How little you know yourself!”
”You are so sure you read me aright, perhaps you understand why all the strength of my manhood has not saved me from staking my earthly hopes on a venture that may be fatal. Can you explain?”
”Is it some scientific scheme? Some theory that may prove a delusion?”
”It is simply the possibility that the woman I love will not give me her heart. Eglah, I have been patient. I wished you to see and know other men--to form your own ideal, to compare me with some more brilliant and attractive--before I asked for your love. Since the day I first saw you--a grieved child--at Nutwood, my heart has been entirely yours, and all my future is gilded with the hope of a home in which you will reign as my wife. I bring you the one unshared love of my life. May I have the blessed a.s.surance that you will accept it?”
For some seconds Eglah neither moved nor spoke; then she slipped down on her knees and laid her head on his hands, that were folded together.