The Princeton union. [volume] (Princeton, Minn.) 1876-1976, 1891-08-13

pay my respects to your husband,
my heretofore acquaintance. = 7
But Q, Penelope, th'st look. sick and
sorry!''
II an helrtsicl, that's all,'' said
she. #
They could see in each other an
emotion which neither wished to ex-
press, and they stood thus long
time with tears in their eyes.
He does not treat zee we'll, Ihear, =
said Sir William in a low voice.
sMay God in Heaven forgive him;
but it is asking a great deal!"
Hush, hush!'' said she hastily.
"Nay, but | will speak what I may
honestly say" he answered. 81 am
not under yourroof, and my tongue
is free. Why didst not wait for me,
Penelope, or send to me a., more
overt letter? Iwould have Travelled
night and day to come"
."Too late, William; you must not
ask it" said she endeavoring to quiet
him as in old times. "My husband
just now is unwell. He will grow
better in day or two, maybe, You
must call again and see him before
you leave Casterbridee.''
AS she said this their eyes met.
Each were thinking of her lightsome
words about taking them in turn;
each thought that two-thirds of that
promise had been fulfilled. But, as
if it were unpleasant to her that this
recollection should have arisen, she
spoke again quickly; "Come again
in a day or two, when my husband
will be well enough to see you"
Sir William departed without en-
tering the house, and she returned to
Sir Johns chamber. He. rising from
his pillow, said, ''to whom hast thou
been talking, wife, in the courtyard?
l heard voices there
She hesitated, and he repeated the
question more impatiently.
II do not wish to tell you now, -
said she. .,
"But / WOOL know!''' said he.
Then she answered, "Sir William
Hervy." - ... IT, IT..
"By G.! I thought as much!''
cried Sir John, drops O: perspiration
standing on his white face. "Askulk-
ing villain! A sick mans ears are
keen, my lady. I heard that they
were lover-like tones, and he called
ZEE by your Christian name. These
be your intrigues my lady, when
am off my legs awhile!''
lon my honor" cried she, "you do
me a wrong. I swear I did not
know of his coming!'
''Swear as you WILL" said Sir John,
II don't believe 'ee.'' And with this
he haunted her and worked himself
into greater passion, which much
increased his illness. His lady sat
still, brooding. There was that up
on her face which had seldom been
there since her marriage, and she
seemed to think anew Of What she
had so lightly said in the days other
freedom, when her three lovers we're
one and all coveting; her hand. 81
began at the wrong end of Them
she murmured. "My God-that did
I!''
''What?' said he.
Nothing, said she. I spoke to
myself only
r. 1t Was something strange that
after this day she went about the
house with even a sadder face than
usual, her churlish husband grew
worse, and, what was more, to the
surprise of all, though to the regret
OF few. he died a fortnight later.
Sir William had not called upon him
as he had promised, having received
a private communication from Lady
Penelope, frankly informing him
that to do so would be inadvisa BILE bv
reason of her husbands temper.
Now when Sir John was gone and
bis remains carried to his family
burying place in another part of Eng
land, the lady began in. due time to
wonder whittier Sir William had he
taken himself But she had been
cured of precipitancy. if ever woman
were, and was prepared to wait her
whole lifetime a widow if the said
Sir William should not reappear.
Her life was now passed mostly with
IN the walls, or in Lromenading be-
tween the pleasaunce and the bowling
green, and she very seldom went
even SO far as the high road which
then skirted the grounds on The
north, though it has now, and for
many years, been diverted to the
south side. Her patience was. re-
warded, Gflove be in any case a re-
ward for one day, many months
after her second husbands death. a,
messenger arrived at her gate with
the Intelligence that Sir William
'dervy was again in Casterbidge and
would be glad to know if it were her
pleasure that he should wait upon
her.
1t need hardly be said that per-
mission was joyfully granted, and
within two hours her lover stood be-
fore her, a more thoughtful man than
formerly, but in all essential respects
the same man, generous, modest to
ditfidence, and sincere. The reserve
which womanly decorum threw over
her manner was but too obviously
artificial, and when he said. ..The
ways otProvidence are strange, "and