The Union and journal. [volume] (Biddeford, Me.) 1858-1882, 1870-01-07

hu VWnlnB tnat nave uegrnueu mySeiI 10 us
face. l can't do that-after what has passed be-
tween us-I can't do that! The shame Of Il
| would be nothing to him. But the shame Of II
| would be uncomfortable to me. m
Here was another Of the marked pcculiarities
In her character disclosing itself TO me without
reserve. Here was her sensitive horror Of the
bare contact with any thing mean, binding her
to every consideration Of what she owed to her.
self, huTying her into false position which
might compromise her In the estimation Of all
her friends Up to this time had been little
difhdcnt about the propriety Of the advice Ihad
given to her. But. after what she had inst said,
had no sort Of doubt that II was the best advice
that could have been offered; and felt no sort Of
hesitation in pressing Il on her again.
She only shook her head, and repeated her OBJ
lection In other words. '. Hr
He has been intimate enough with me to
ask me to be his wife. lie has stood high enough
In my estimation to obtain my consent. l can't
tell him to his face that he is the most contempt
ible Of living creatures, after that !
But, my dear Miss Rachel,'I demonstrated,
tits equally impossible for you TO tell him that
you withdraw from your engagement, without
giving some reason for It. u rr'r
Il shall say that have thought Il over, and
that am satisfied 1t will be best for both Of US
if we part" -
/. NO more than thati'
mo more ."
'Ilavc you thought Of what he may say, on
his sidel'
'He may say what he plcases.'
II was impossible not to admire her delicacy
and her resolution, and It was equally impos-
sible not to feel that she was putting herself In
H.. n S,~l L. A. nstI har
own position. reminded her that she would
be exposing herself to the most odious miscon-
struction Of her motives. you can't brave
private feeling
Il can,' she answered. Il have done II al
ready
what do you meanl'
you have forgotten the Moonstonc, Mr..
Bruf. Have I not braped public opinion, there,
with my own private reasons foriti'
Her answer sileuccd me for the moment. II
Get me trying to trace the explanation Of her
conduct, at the time Of the loss Of the Moon
stone, out Of the strange avewal which had
Just escaped her. I might perhaps have done
Il when l was younger. certainly couldn't
| do II now.
tried last remonstrance, before we returned
to the house. She was just rs immovablc as
ever. My mind was In strange conflict OF
feelings about her when left her that day.
She was obstinate she was wrong. She was
interesting she was admirable she was deeply
to be piticd. made her promise to write to me
the moment she had any news to send. And
went back to my business In London, with q
mind exceedingly i'll at ease.
On the evening of my return, before II was
possible for me To receive my promised letter,
| was surprised by visit from Mr.. Ablewhite
| the elder, and was informed that Mr.. Godfrey
had got his dismissal--and had accepted il
that very day.
With the view already took Of the case, the
bare fact stated in the words that have under
lined, revealed Mr.. Godfrey Ablewhitc's motive
for submission as plainly rs il ne had acknowl.
edgcd il himself He needed large sum OF
| money and he needed II by given time. Ra-
!, ,shel's income, which would have helpcd him "a
any thing else, would not help him here and
Rachel had accordingly released herself, without
encountcring moments serious opposition on
his part. III sm told that this is mere specula-
ton, ask, in my turn, What other theory will
account for his giving up marriage which
would have msintained him IN splendor for the
rest Of his lifei ,L
Any exultation might otherwise have felt to
the lucky turn which things had taken was
etiectually checked by what passed ut my inter-
view with old Mr.. Ablewhitc.
lie came, Of course, TO know whether l could
give him any explanation Of Miss Vcrinder's
extraordinary conduct. IL Is needless to say
that I was quite unable to afford him the in.
formation he wanted. The annoyance which |
thus inflicted, following on the irritation pro-
duccd by recent interview with his son, threw
Mr.. Ablewhite of his guard. Both his looks
looks aud his language convinced me that Miss
Verinder would find him mcrciless man to deal
with, when he Joined the ladies at Brighton
the next day. ....-..
had restless night, considering what /
ought to do next How my reflections ended,
and how thoroughly well founded my distrust
Of old Mr., Ablcwhitc proved to be arc items OF
information which (as am told) have already
been put tidily in their proper places by that
exemplary person, Miss Clack. have only to
add-in completion OF her narrativc-t that
Miss Verinder found a quiet and epose which
she sadly needed, poor thing, in my house at
Hampstead. She honorcd us by making long
stay. My wife and daughters were charmed
with her and, when the executors decided on
the appointment Of n new guardian, feel sim
cerc pride and pleasure in recording. that my
guest and my family parted like old friends, on
either side.
TO DE CONTINUED.