The Charleston daily news. [volume] (Charleston, S.C.) 1865-1873, 1867-12-25
dispute. On the face of it, his conduct was in
comurehensiple. What did il mean

dispute. On the face of it, his conduct was in
COMPREHENSIVE. What did it mean
Seeking, under the surface, for the answer to
that question, and remembering that Obenrel-
ger was a man Of about his OVID age; also, that
Marguerite was, strictly. speaking, his half
niec0 only, Vendale asked himself, with q lovers
ready jealousy. whether he had q rival to fear, as
well as a guardian to conciliate. The thought
Just crossed his mind, and no more. The sense
Of NIarguerite's kiss still lingering on his cheek
reminded him gently that even the jealousy OF Q
moment was now a treason to her.
Or reflection, it seemed most likely that 0 per-
sonal motive OF another kind might suggest the
true explanation Of Obenrelzer's conduct. Mar
guerIte's grace and beauty were precious orna-
menss in that little household. They gavel 1t
q special social attraction and Q special social
importance. They armed Obenreizer with Q eer,
tain influence in reserve, which he could
always depend upon to make his house attrac-
tive, and which he might always bring more
or less to bear on the forwarding Of his W
private ends. Was he the sort OF o man to re-
sign such advantages as were here Implied,
without. obtaining the fullest possible compen-
sation for the loss? A connection by marriage
with Vendale offered him solid advantages, be-
yond all doubt. But there were hundreds OF
men in London with far greater power and lar
widsr influence than Vendale possessed. Was
it possible that this mans ambition secretly
looked higher than the highest prospects that
could be offered to him by the alliance now pro-
posed for his niece2 AS the question passed
thro ugh Vendale's mind, the man himself reap
pealed-to answer it, or not to answer it, as the
event might prove.
A marked change was visible IN Obenrelzer
when he resumed his place. His manner was
less assured, and there were plain traces about
his mouth Of recent agitation which had not
been successfully composed. Had he said some
thir &, referring either to Vendale or to himself,
whi'h had reused Marguerite's spirit, and which
had placed him, for the first time, face to face
with o resoIute assertion Of his niece's willp It
miaht or might not be. This was only certain
he looked Ike o man who had met with arepulse.
81 have spoken to my NIECE" he began. II
fnd, Mr.. vendale, that even your influence has
not entirely blinded her to the social objections
to your proposal"
the only result of your interview with Miss Oben-
~rei1er?"
A momentary fash leaped up through the
Ob,nreizor film.
"You are master Of the situation, :" he swer
ed, in a tone Of sardonic submission. "n you
t DO insist ton on my admitting M1 ting it, l Ii, DO admit adm I II IN
used to be- one, MIR. Vendale. You
have come between us, and her will IL
now yours. In my country, we know when
we are beaten, and submit with our best grace.
l submit with my best grace, on certsin condi-
tons. Let us revert to the statement OF your
pcVuul6lI pObltkOus L h6NO oh ObJGSeASh y JSot
my dear sir-a most amazing, q most audacious
obi ection, from o man in my position to . man
in yours"
"You have honored me by making Q proposal
for my niece's hand. For the present with BEST
thanks and respects), I beg to decline it."
"Why2"
because you are not rich enough"
The objection, as the speaker had foreseen,
took Vendale completely by surprise. For the
moment he was speechless.
''tYour income is fifteen hundred o year. pur-
sued Obeinreizer. Sin my miserable country |
should fall on my knees before yourincome, and
sa1, sWhat a pSrincely iortunep In wealthy
En- gland, I sit as 1 am, and say. "A modest in
dependence, dear sir; nothing more. Enough,
perhaps, for q wife in your own rank OF life, who
has nc social prejudices to conquer. Net more
than half enough for q wife who is o meanly-
born foreigner, and who has al YOU social pre- p
hurry you, she will have what you call uphill
work oft In taking her place at starting. Yes,
yes; this is not your view, but 1t remains, I'M
mOvably remains, my view for all that. For my
nl.ce's sake, l claim that this uphill work shall
be made as smooth as possible. Whatever
ought, in common justice. to be hers. Now.
tell me, Mr.. Vendale, on your fifteen mnd-
red q year can your wife have o house
in q fashionable qdarter, q footman. to
Open her door, o butler to wait at her taple,
and . carriage and horses to drive about it2 l
see the answer in your face-your face says no.
Very good. Tell me one more thing, and l have
done. Take the mass Of your educated, accom-
pl.shed and lovely countrywomen; is it, or is not,
the fact that q lady who has q house in a fash
ioaable quarter, a. footman to open her door, Q
butler to wait at her table, and Q carriage and
horses to drive about in, ID o lady who has
glined four steps in female estimation, at start
ing 7 Yes or no ?"
"Come to the point" said vendale. "You
vi W this question as q question Of terms. What
are your terms 2"
"The lowest terms, dear sir, on which You
can provide your wife with those four steps at
starting. Double your present income-tbe
most rigid economy cannot do it in England on
less. You said just now that you expected
greatly to increase the value Of your business.
TO work-and increase it I am q good devil
after all On the day when you satisfy me, by
plain proof, that your income has risen to three
thousand a year, ask me for my niece's hand
and it is yours"
MAY + inquire if you have mentioned this
arrangement to Miss 0benreizer l"
"Certainly. She has q last little morsel OF re-
gard still LETT for me, MIR. Vendale, which is not
yours yet; and she accepts my terms. In other
words, she submits to be guided by her guar
dian 8 regard for her welfare, and by her guar
dams superior knowledge Of the world" He