United States or Iran ? Vote for the TOP Country of the Week !
"Do you mean that you want to come in?" After a short pause Malling answered, "Yes." "I cannot let you in!" the voice above cried out lamentably. Then the window was shut very softly. Three days later Malling saw in the papers the news of the complete breakdown of Marcus Harding.
As he drew near he found people flowing toward the great church on foot, in cabs and carriages. Evidently Mr. Harding had attractive powers, and Malling began to wonder whether he would have any difficulty in obtaining the seat he wanted, in some corner from which he could get a good view both of the chancel and the pulpit. Were vergers "bribable"? What an ignoramus he was about church matters!
"About the sittings with Harding, no doubt." "That, perhaps, and something more." "But he told you nothing." "Directly." "Do you think he would be more or less likely to unbosom himself now than he was then?" "Less likely." "You might give me his address." Malling did so.
Malling considered desirable in every way. Instead of that Prudence had chosen for herself amongst her many suitors, and worst of all she had chosen an insignificant official in the Customs department. That to Hephzibah Malling was the worst blow of all. With proper motherly pride she had hoped that "her girl" would have married a "some one" in her own world.
But, then, you thought of the double as a living man, with all the sensations of a man?" "That was your fault," said Malling. "His fault!" said Lady Sophia, with a sort of latent sharpness, and laying an emphasis on the second word. "Certainly; for making the narrative so vital and human." He addressed himself again to the curate. "Did you not give to the double the attributes of a man?
Malling moved slowly on, and the rector was forced to accompany him. "It has occurred to me," he said, evading the point, "that possibly Henry Chichester might be induced to go out of your life." "Never by me! I should never have the strength to attempt compulsion with Chichester." "Some one else might tackle him." "Who?" cried out Mr. Harding. "Some man with authority."
As Malling thought over these parting words, he realized their wisdom and wondered at his own short-sightedness. He had sent his cards to Onslow Gardens after the luncheon with the Hardings. He wished now he had called and asked for Lady Sophia. But doubtless he would have an opportunity of being with her again. If she did not offer him one, he would make one for himself.
"It sickened me to the soul," she continued "the idea of a woman bidding a tender good night to an apparition." "I took it as a man," said Malling. They had all three, strangely, left the rector out of this discussion, and he seemed willing that it should be so.
Her eyes were fixed upon Chichester, who stood on the other side of the little room in a rigid attitude, with his eyes cast down, as if he could not bear to see the woman who had just entered. "I offer you my sympathy," Malling added. "Sympathy!" said Lady Sophia, with a sharp note in her voice suggestive of intense, almost febrile excitement. "Then didn't you know?"
But Loon Dyke Farm became intolerable to Hephzibah Malling after the ghastly tragedy of her son's death; and when Robb and Alice saw fit to marry, urged on to that risky experiment by the two older ladies, she insisted upon leasing the place to them on ridiculously easy terms. She would have given it to them only for their steady refusal to accept such a magnificent wedding gift from her.
Word Of The Day