eloquence at Exeter Hall? I was so wrought up by the bare idea of such awful eventualities as these in connection with such a man, that I believe I should have rushed from my place of concealment, and implored him in the name of all the Ladies' Committees in London to explain himself—when I suddenly heard another voice in the room. It penetrated through the curtains; it was loud, it was bold, it was wanting in every female charm. The voice of Rachel Verinder.
'Why have you come up here, Godfrey?' she asked. 'Why didn't you go into the library?'
He laughed softly, and answered, 'Miss Clack is in the library.'
'Clack in the library!' She instantly seated herself on the ottoman in the back drawing-room. 'You are quite right, Godfrey. We had much better stop here.'
I had been in a burning fever, a moment since, and in some doubt what to do next. I became extremely cold now, and felt no doubt whatever. To show myself, after what I had heard, was impossible. To retreat—except into the fireplace—was equally out of the question. A martyrdom was before me. In justice to myself, I noiselessly arranged the curtains so that I could both see and hear. And then I met my martyrdom, with the spirit of a primitive Christian.
'Don't sit on the ottoman,' the young lady proceeded. 'Bring a chair, Godfrey. I like people to be opposite to me when I talk to them.'
He took the nearest seat. It was a low chair. He was very tall, and many sizes too large for it. I never saw his legs to such disadvantage before.
'Well?' she went on. 'What did you say to them?'
'Just what you said, dear Rachel, to me.'
'That mamma was not at all well to-day? And that I didn't quite like leaving her to go to the concert?'
'Those were the words. They were grieved to lose you at the concert, but they quite understood. All sent their love; and all expressed a cheering belief that Lady Verinder's indisposition would soon pass away.'
'YOU don't think it's serious, do you, Godfrey?'
'Far from it! In a few days, I feel quite sure, all will be well again.'
'I think so, too. I was a little frightened at first, but I think so too. It was very kind to go and make my excuses for me to people who are almost strangers to you. But why not have gone with them to the concert? It seems very hard that you should miss the music too.'
'Don't say that, Rachel! If you only knew how much happier I am—here, with you!'
He clasped his hands, and looked at her. In the position which he occupied, when he did that, he turned my way. Can words describe how I sickened when I noticed exactly the same pathetic expression on his face, which had charmed me when he was pleading for destitute millions of his fellow-creatures on the platform at Exeter Hall!
'It's hard to get over one's bad habits, Godfrey. But do try to get over the habit of paying compliments—do, to please me.'
'I never paid you a compliment, Rachel, in my life. Successful love may sometimes use the language of flattery, I admit. But hopeless love, dearest, always speaks the truth.'
He drew his chair close, and took her hand, when he said 'hopeless love.' There was a momentary silence. He, who thrilled everybody, had doubtless thrilled HER. I thought I now understood the words which had dropped from him when he was alone in the drawing-room, 'I'll do it to-day.' Alas! the most rigid propriety could hardly have failed to discover that he was doing it now.
'Have you forgotten what we agreed on, Godfrey, when you spoke to me in the country? We agreed that we were to be cousins, and nothing more.'
'I break the agreement, Rachel, every time I see you.'
'Then don't see me.'
'Quite useless! I break the agreement every time I think of you. Oh, Rachel! how kindly you told me, only the other day, that my place in your estimation was a higher place than it had ever been yet! Am I mad to build the hopes I do on those dear words? Am I mad to dream of some future day when your heart may soften to me? Don't tell me so, if I am! Leave me my delusion, dearest! I must have THAT to cherish, and to comfort me, if I have nothing else!'
