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'I can make no suggestion, said Roger, thinking how delightful it would be if Henrietta could remain with him; how objectionable it was that Henrietta should be taken to Caversham to meet the Melmottes. Poor Hetta herself could say nothing. She certainly did not wish to meet the Melmottes, nor did she wish to dine, alone, with her cousin Roger.
But then she thought so much more of the wolf! Wolves, she had taught herself to think, were more common than stalwart, honest-minded, wife-desirous men. "I wonder mother consented to take him," said Hetta, when they were in the little room together. "And why shouldn't she?" said Susan. "It will be a help." "Yes, it will be a little help," said Hetta.
And how had it come to pass that she in all her tenderness had rejected him when he had given her the chance of becoming his wife? When Hetta Carbury received that letter from her lover which was given to the reader some chapters back, it certainly did not tend in any way to alleviate her misery.
Things always do when they are kept over. Before tea that evening when he came down Mrs. Bell and Susan only were in the room. He knew Hetta for his foe, and therefore determined to use this occasion. "Miss Susan," he said, stammering somewhat, and blushing too, poor fool! "I have done a little drawing which I want you to accept," and he put his portfolio down on the table. "Oh!
She has lots of money, and lives all alone, and says whatever comes uppermost, and does what she pleases. She goes everywhere, and is up to everything. I always made up my mind I wouldn't be an old maid, but I declare I envy Hetta Houghton. But then she'd be nothing unless she had money. There'll be eight of us, and at this time of the year we dine at half-past seven, sharp.
'What a dreadful thing to say! Is there no subject in the world to interest you except that wretched young man? 'None other at all, said Hetta obstinately. 'What folly it is, I will not say only to speak like that, but to allow yourself to entertain such thoughts! 'How am I to control my thoughts?
'Yes; exactly. But what is to be the end of it? Is he to be allowed to ruin you and Hetta? It can't go on long. 'You wouldn't have me throw him over. 'I think he is throwing you over. And then it is so thoroughly dishonest, so ungentlemanlike! I don't understand how it goes on from day to day. I suppose you don't supply him with ready money? 'He has had a little. Roger frowned angrily.
'Look here, Hetta, he said. 'It is no good going on like this. I love Roger Carbury, as well as one man can love another. He is all that you say, and more. You hardly know how he denies himself, and how he thinks of everybody near him. He is a gentleman all round and every inch. He never lies. He never takes what is not his own. I believe he does love his neighbour as himself. 'Oh, Mr Montague!
It was from Paul Montague, and was written by him but a few hours after he had left his letter for Hetta with his own hands, at the door of her mother's house. Paul's letter to Roger was as follows: Though I know that you have cast me off from you I cannot write to you in any other way, as any other way would be untrue.
As he walked back to his lodgings he knew it would have been better for him to have had the interview over. But, at any rate, he could now think of Hetta Carbury, and the words he had spoken to her. Had he heard that declaration which she had made to her mother, he would have been able for the hour to have forgotten Mrs Hurtle.
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