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If the Newburys drive those two apart they will have a murder of souls on their conscience. And if you talked to that woman this morning you know it as well as I!" Marcia faltered a little. "They could still meet as friends." "Yes, under the eyes of holy women! spying lest any impropriety occur! That's the proposal, I understand. Of all the vile and cold-blooded suggestions!
She remembered with a satisfaction which was half ashamed, that she who was always down at home to a half-past-eight breakfast, and was accustomed to walk a mile to church had insisted on breakfasting in her own room, on Sunday, under the Newburys' roof, and had quite enjoyed Lady William's surprised looks when they met at luncheon.
His face had darkened at the Newburys' name. As always, it had evoked the memory of two piteous graves. Then, as he got up from his chair, he said to Arthur: "I've fixed it up. Marion and I shall get married next month." The brothers looked a little embarrassed, though not at all surprised.
How could he? It was not right! not seemly! He thought with horror of the interview between her and Mrs. Betts his stainless Marcia, and that little besmirched woman, of whose life between the dissolution of her first marriage, and her meeting with Betts, the Newburys knew more than they wished to know, more, they believed, than Betts himself knew.
"Haven't other people as good a right to live their beliefs as you?" "Yes, so long as they don't destroy other people in the process. Even I am not anarchist enough for that." "Well," said Marcia, coolly, "the Newburys are making it disagreeable for Mr. and Mrs. Betts because they disapprove of them. And what else are you doing with mamma?" She threw a triumphant look at her brother.
His mind was really possessed by the Betts' story, and by the measures that might be taken Marcia or no Marcia! to rouse the country-side against the Newburys, and force them to bow to public opinion in the matter of this tragedy. He himself had seen the two people concerned, again, that morning a miserable sight! Neither of them had said anything further to him of their plans. Only Mrs.
Betts's letter was handed to the Coroner, who broke down in reading it. Coryston, who was sitting on the opposite side of the room, watched the countenances of the two Newburys while it was being read, with a frowning attention. When the evidence was over, and the jury had retired, Edward Newbury took his father to the carriage which was waiting.
How long had she known him? Since Christmas only? The Newburys and the Corystons were now neighbors indeed in the country; but it was not long since his father had inherited the old house of Hoddon Grey, and of the preceding three years Edward Newbury had spent nearly two in India. They had first met at a London dinner party; and their friendship, then begun, had ripened rapidly.
The supporters of the Newburys were many, for there were scores of persons on the Newbury estates who heartily sympathized with their point of view; but on the whole the defenders of the Betts marriage were more. The affair got into the newspapers, and a lecturer representing the "Rational Marriage Union" appeared from London, and addressed large and attentive audiences in the little towns.
An opening was ready; the Newburys guaranteed all expenses; and at last Betts himself seemed to be reconciled to the prospect of emigration, being now, as always, determined to stick to his marriage. Nobody wished to hurry him; he was considering the whole proposal; and in a week or two Newbury quite hoped that matters might be arranged.
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