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I am quite sure that Mr. Northcott is very fond of you." "That is your opinion, Fan; but I would rather you found some other subject of conversation." "No doubt," said Mary, not disposed to let her off so easily; "but let me warn you first that unless you treat Mr. Northcott better in future there will be a split in the Cabinet, and Fan, I think, will be on my side."
She had listened with eyes cast down, slowly swinging the end of her sunshade over the green grass blades. "I do sympathise with you, Mr. Northcott," she returned, "but at the same time I scarcely think you ought to expect it, unless it be out of gratitude for your kindness to me." "Gratitude! It hurts me to hear that word. I am glad, however, that you sympathise, but why ought I not to expect it?
Do you imagine that we are so blind, Fan, as not to see how devoted Mr. Starbrow is to you?" The girl reddened and darted a look at Mary, who only smiled, observing strict neutrality. "You are wrong, Constance, and most unkind to say such a thing. You say it only to turn the conversation from yourself. No one noticed such a thing; but about Mr. Northcott it was quite different everybody saw it."
"There is your prototype in your family, Miss Northcott." "Do you think so?" she said. "I am afraid you are paying me a very bad compliment. Uncle Anthony was always considered the black sheep of the family." "Indeed," I answered; "my remark was an unfortunate one, then." "Oh, don't mind that," she said; "I always thought myself that he was worth all of them put together.
Last Sunday evening you went unsolicited." "You are mistaken," returned the other quietly. "I am not and never have been unkind. All the unkindness and the enmity, open and secret, has been on your side. That you know, mother. And I did not go unasked last Sunday. Do you wish to know why I went?" "Why did you go?" "Only to please Mr. Northcott, and because he asked me.
For weeks he lingered between life and death. The highest medical skill of Edinburgh was called in, and his vigorous constitution slowly got the better of his disease. I nursed him during this anxious time; but through all his wild delirium and ravings he never let a word escape him which explained the mystery connected with Miss Northcott.
Northcott to Constance letters full of friendliest feeling, no longer resented, and of some speculative matter; for these two had discovered an infinite number of deep questions that called for discussion. He had also expressed the intention of visiting Eyethorne shortly.
Northcott, who might have melted into thin air for all we have seen or heard of him lately, was also unhappy in his mind at this period. He loved, and yet when it had almost seemed to him that he had not loved in vain, partly from prudential motives and partly because his religion stood in the way of his desire, he had refrained from speaking.
You used occasionally to come to church, so that it can't be scruples of conscience that keep you away. As a rule, in London we always have a very fair sprinkling of agnostics in a congregation, and sometimes more than a sprinkling." "I am not an agnostic, Mr. Northcott, if I know what that word means. But let that pass.
She glanced round in the direction of Miss Northcott as she spoke, but the two were still chatting together near the window. Then she suddenly bent forward to me, with a look of intense earnestness upon her face, and said "Don't talk to me any more, please. She does not like it, and I shall suffer for it afterwards. Please, don't do it."
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