Yorkville enquirer. [volume] (Yorkville, S.C.) 1855-2006, 1877-01-18

necessitated to make any such demands upon
your kindness You have already given me
sufficient proof of your thoughtfulness to con-
vince me that it will leave me nothing to wish
for 5.g.,. W.. .m.,. r.f.
II trust that such may be the case," replied
the Earl. "Still, in case of an unintentional
omission on my part, it would crafty me to
think that you would remind me Of it. Are
you not willing to give me this evidence OF
your confidence in my. desire to make you
happy, or, If. not happy. at least satisfied in
your present sphere ?" J.. 81, E.'.'.'' . 80,
This was an extremely difficult question to
answer, for Geraldine felt that, under. the cir
cumstances, it would be moral impossibllity
for her ever to make any requess Of him what
ever. His tone, in addressing the inquiry to
her, had assumed more gentleness than be-
fore, and be now looked earnestly into her face,
as if trying to read her real sentiments there.
II do believe, my lord" she said, in a fal:
tering voice, sin your desire to make me hap
py; and must tell you that fully appre'
ciate the consideration you have just shown,
in placing me so entirely at liberty to follow
my own will. 1 only wish it we're in my
power to prove to you that am sensible OF
your kindness, but fear that it will be i'm
possible" s'. a..s :. 80 '.. - '''
"And why impossible?" asked the Earl.
because I am in such very difficult po-
sition here,"9 she replied, crimsoning, and
scarcely able to keep the tears from springing
into her eyes. "A position doubly humilla.
ting, from the fact that it was totally unsought
and undesired by me-" "'". e."s'
r"Unsought and undesired-yes, that l
know; but Why should it be humiliating r -
ut must always be humiliating, my lord, to
feel ones self burden upon another-to know
that ones presence is unwelcome, and that
circumstances exclude the possibility, or at
least the likelihood, Of any change being ef-
fected ofrelease being afforded to the one 80
unfortunately trammeled. l am aware that
you are entitled to greater degree Of sympa.
thy than I am, and can say from my heart
how deeply 1 regret the injury lat has been
inflicted upon you" -... 81 .'-" <... '''..'' J
II am not aware of any injury" gravely
responded the Earl. ."And though it would
be unworthy in noe to pretend to an enthusi-
asm which do not feel, and which, withyour
love of truth, might only inspire you with a
sentiment of contempt for me, yet l see no
cause Why We should make ourselves unhsp-
py over our situation. Many persons have
married, / do not doubt, without any better
reason than ourselves; and five do our duty
by each other-if am careful of your com.
fort, and treat you with due respect, and en-
deavor strictly to carry out.my marriage vow,
and you are willing to reciprocste my efforts,
our life may jog on easily enough after all.
Shall it be compact between us? We can
surely be friends, if nothing more" -.:.
He held out his hand to her as he spoke.
Geraldine, after momentary hesitation,
placed hers in it. He gave it a slight pres
sure, held it for an instant then gently let go
II shall keep the compact faithfully, my
lord" she said, rising from her seat, "and it
shall not be my fault if this bond Of friendship
between Us should in any way be weakened.
Have you finished all that you desired to say
to me, or is there yet something more? -.
ri have said all, believe" he replied, ris-
ing also, "and must thank you for the patience
with which you have listened to me. You
are no doubt anxious to retire, and I will de-
tain you no longer. Allow me to light you
up to your rooms; the staircase is rather
dark" .,... .....s.,. .... s. 1s,.... -.
.There is no occasion, thank you" said
Geraldine, holding out her hand for the candle
he had just lighted for her. ut will be Civ
ing you needless trouble, and"
"Pardon me-" he interrupted, as he led the
way toward the door II do not understand
that word, trouble, and in slight matters, like
this, must, at least, have my own way"
Geraldine made no further opposition, but
suffered him to precede her to the door of her
OOuuolr, Hue1o, P'oSi"6 '"o o"ouio III aSA
hand, he wished her good night, with the
same punctilious courtesy of manner, which
he had all along displayed, then returned with
measured steps, along the corridor, and down
the marble steps to the regions below. "..
Geraldine found herself alone in her apart
meuts, her maid-not supposing her pres
euce needed at 80 early an hour-being
still down stairs. She was glad of an inter.
val of solitude, in order to be able to reflect,
without interruption, on the interview from
which she had just been released. Her hus-
bands line of conduct, then, was plainly
mapped out. He had quietly made up his
mind to keep her at perpetual distance, and
while protesting to do this on her account, his
real motive, she bitterly thought, doubtless
sprang out of his dislike to her society. Well,
let it be so. After all, what right had she to
expect anything else I? She would requite
coldness with coldness, and show him that she
had no intention of becoming suppliant for
bis affection. Nor did she care to win his af-