This eBook was produced by Tapio Riikonen
and David Widger
Dalibard had undertaken to get Lucretia from the house,—in fact, herapproaching marriage rendered necessary a communication with Mr.Parchmount, as executor to her uncle's will, relative to the transfer ofher portion; and she had asked Dalibard to accompany her thither; for herpride shrank from receiving the lawyer in the shabby parlour of theshabby lodging-house; she therefore, that evening, fixed the next day,before noon, for the visit. A carriage was hired for the occasion, andwhen it drove off, Mr. Fielden took his children a walk to Primrose Hill,and called, as was agreed, on Mainwaring by the way.
The carriage had scarcely rattled fifty yards through the street whenDalibard fixed his eyes with deep and solemn commiseration on Lucretia.Hitherto, with masterly art, he had kept aloof from direct explanationswith his pupil; he knew that she would distrust no one like himself. Theplot was now ripened, and it was time for the main agent to conduct thecatastrophe. The look was so expressive that Lucretia felt a chill ather heart, and could not, help exclaiming, "What has happened? You havesome terrible tidings to communicate!"
"I have indeed to say that which may, perhaps, cause you to hate meforever; as we hate those who report our afflictions. I must endurethis; I have struggled long between my indignation and my compassion.Rouse up your strong mind, and hear me. Mainwaring loves your sister!"
Lucretia uttered a cry that seemed scarcely to come from a human voice,—
"No, no!" she gasped out; "do not tell me. I will hear no more; I willnot believe you!"
With an inexpressible pity and softness in his tone, this man, whosecareer had given him such profound experience in the frailties of thehuman heart, continued: "I do not ask you to believe me, Lucretia; Iwould not now speak, if you had not the opportunity to convince yourself.Even those with whom you live are false to you; at this moment they havearranged all, for Mainwaring to steal, in your absence, to your sister.In a few moments more he will be with her; if you yourself would learnwhat passes between them, you have the power."
"I have—I have not—not—the courage; drive on—faster—faster."
Dalibard again was foiled. In this strange cowardice there was somethingso terrible, yet so touching, that it became sublime,—it was the graspof a drowning soul at the last plank.
"You are right perhaps," he said, after a pause; and wisely forbearingall taunt and resistance, he left the heart to its own workings.
Suddenly, Lucretia caught at the check-string. "Stop," she exclaimed,—"stop! I will not, I cannot, endure this suspense to last through alife! I will learn the worst. Bid him drive back."
"We must descend and walk; you forget we must enter unsuspected;" andDalibard, as the carriage stopped, opened the door and let down thesteps.
Lucretia recoiled, then pressing one hand to her heart, she descended,without touching the arm held out to her. Dalibard bade the coachmanwait, and they walked back to the house.
"Yes, he may see her," exclaimed Lucretia, her face brightening. "Ah,there you have not deceived me; I see your stratagem,—I despise it; Iknow she loves him; she has sought this interview. He is so mild andgentle, so fearful to give pain; he has consented, from pity,—that isall. Is he not pledged to me? He, so candid, so ingenuous! There mustbe truth somewhere in the world.