Volume Iii Part 33 (2/2)
”I do forgive.” said Margaret; ”do not think that I blame you for all.
Grace was very wilful, and I ... made an idol and dashed myself nearly to pieces against it; my judgment was obscured and I also did wrong.”
”You are kind to say this--there is some justice in it; but I have never forgiven myself; I have ruined your life; what is there now to do? I have nothing in my power; I cannot make amends!”
”Have you not heard?” said Margaret, while a lovely colour stole into her face and made it still more beautiful; ”I have love offered me and I have love to give. Sir Albert....”
”Thank G.o.d!” he said, fervently, and, exhausted by his own emotion, he closed his eyes.
Margaret stood up and looked down upon him; the intensest pity for a man so lonely and so despairing filled her.
”Oh!” she said, in a low, penetrating voice, ”take comfort; I am weak and very full of faults, and I forgive. There is a Higher to look to, to ask forgiveness from. If I can forgive, who am like yourself----” she paused, frightened; watching his face, she saw an expression of agony pa.s.s over it.
”I will come again,” she said, hurriedly, and went to call his servant.
She waited late that night but only heard of his being better, and then went herself to rest.
Next day Mr. Stevens came, and remained talking to Mrs. Dorriman. Mr.
Sandford was much better, and they were to go and see Mrs. Dorriman's future home.
It was certainly an instance of there being two sides to every question.
Margaret, who had never driven far while at Renton, and who only knew the grimy streets outside Mr. Sandford's circ.u.mscribed grounds, was astonished to find herself driving out into the country, with a broad river full of s.h.i.+ps, life, colour, and movement. The carriage turned into a broad avenue of trees, and the grounds were well kept and large, the house charming and full of lovely things. Mrs. Dorriman was quite delighted with it all. She had a womanly element of loving good domestic arrangements, and thought she had never seen a house more conveniently planned or more thoroughly delightful. Even the smoke did not seem to penetrate so far as this abode of bliss, though Mr. Stevens, who was nothing if not honest, a.s.sured her it did under the influence of certain winds.
”You cannot expect otherwise so near a manufacturing town.”
”Then,” said Mrs. Dorriman, in so delighted a state of mind, and seeing everything so completely _couleur de rose_, ”before very long there will very likely not be any smoke, it will all be consumed,” a supposition proving clearly enough that she was unreasonably hopeful, since doing it is economical and is said to be easy, and is never done.
They were a little alarmed to see that the doctor was watching for their arrival.
”Mr. Sandford had rather a bad attack but is better again. He wishes to see you all if you will go to his room. If he is much agitated I have some drops I should like to give myself, so I will wait here, if you please.”
He said all this in a matter-of-fact tone, strangely different from the state of excitement poor Mrs. Dorriman was in.
”Does Mr. Sandford wish to see me?” asked Mr. Stevens.
”You were particularly mentioned,” answered the doctor.
Mr. Sandford was sitting in front of his writing-table, his right hand shading his face.
”I am sorry you have been ill, brother,” said Mrs. Dorriman, gently.
He took no notice, and did not raise his head.
”Is Christie here?” he asked.
There was a pause, and the three stood full of a suppressed agitation.
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