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All this went on sotto voce, and Uxmoor, out of good-breeding, entered into conversation with Miss Maitland and Vizard. Severne availed himself of this diversion, and fixed his eyes on Zoe with an air of gentle reproach, then took a letter out of his pocket, and handed it to Fanny. She read it, and gave it to Zoe. It was dated from "The Golden Star," Homburg.
"Why, child," said she, "surely, after this, you will not hesitate between this gentleman and a beggarly adventurer, who has nothing, not even the courage of a man. Turn your back on all such rubbish, and be the queen of the county. I'd be content to die to-morrow if I could see you Countess of Uxmoor." "You shall live, and see it, dear aunt," said Zoe, kissing her.
She leaned back and eyed him with steady and composed curiosity, as a zoologist studying a new specimen and all its little movements. They drove up to the Hall door, and Miss Gale was conducted to the drawing-room, where she found Lord Uxmoor and the two young ladies. Zoe shook hands with her. Fanny put a limp paw into hers, which made itself equally limp directly, so Fanny's dropped out.
He returned to her directly, and said, in most earnest, supplicating tones, "But will you ever forgive me?" "I will try." And so they parted. He went home at a great rate; for Miss Gale's insinuations had raised some fear in his breast. Meantime this is what had really passed between Zoe and Lord Uxmoor. Vizard went to his study, and Fanny retired at a signal from Zoe.
Nature is strong in them, and they are hungriest when the sun is high. At seven o'clock Zoe Vizard was seated at her desk trying to write to Lord Uxmoor. She sighed, she moaned, she began, and dropped the pen and hid her face. She became almost wild; and in that state she at last dashed off what follows: "DEAR LORD UXMOOR For pity's sake, forgive the mad words I said to you today.
Then Fanny tried personalities, the natural topic of the sex in general. "Miss Gale, which do you admire most, Lord Uxmoor or Mr. Severne?" "For their looks?" "Oh, of course." "Mr. Severne." "You don't admire beards, then?" "That depends. Where the mouth is well shaped and expressive, the beard spoils it. Where it is commonplace, the beard hides its defect, and gives a manly character.
However, one day he had a letter from Zoe, telling him that Lord Uxmoor was now urging her to name the day; but she had declined to do that, not knowing when it might suit him to be at Vizard Court. "But, dearest," said she, "mind, you are not to hurry home for me. I am very happy as I am, and I hope you will soon be as happy, love. She is a noble woman."
As some have an impulse to fling themselves from a height, she had one to give herself to Uxmoor, quietly, irrevocably, by three written words dispatched that night. But it was only an impulse. If she had written it, she would have torn it up. Presently a light thrill passed through her: she wore a sort of half-furtive, guilty look, and opened the window.
"Edward, will you grant me a favor?" "Can you ask?" "It is to have a little more confidence in one who Now you must obey me implicitly, and perhaps we may both be happier to-morrow night than we are to-night. Directly after breakfast take your hat and walk to Hillstoke. You can call on Miss Gale, if you like, and say something civil." "What! go and leave you alone with Lord Uxmoor?" "Yes."
Yet she drew back in dismay as the bull drew near: and she was right; for, in his agony and amazement, the unwieldy but sinewy brute leaped the five-barred gate, and cleared it all but the top rail; that he burst through, as if it had been paper, and dragged Uxmoor after him, and pulled him down, and tore him some yards along the hard road on his back, and bumped his head against a stone, and so got rid of him: then pounded away down the lane, snorting, and bellowing, and bleeding; the prong still stuck through his nostrils like a pin.
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