登陆注册
15452000000169

第169章 CHAPTER XXXIX.(2)

Well, I did, and very easy work it was--child's play to me that had wrought on a farm. He gave me six pounds a week for it. That's all the harm we did together; and, as for what we said, let me tell you a first-rate workman, like poor Mr. Henry, works very silently; that is where they beat us women. I am sure we often ground a dozen saws, and not a word, except upon the business. When we did talk, it was sure to be about you. Poor lad, the very last time we wrought together, I mind he said, 'Well done, Jael, that's good work; it brings me an inch nearer HER.' And I said, All the better, and I'd give him another hour or two every day if he liked. That very evening I took him his tea at seven o'clock. He was writing letters; one was to you. He was just addressing it. 'Good-night, Jael,' said he. 'You have been a good friend to her and me.'"

"Oh! did he say that? What became of that letter?"

"Upon my soul, he did; ay, and it was his last word to me in this world. But you are not of his mind, it seems. The people in the factory! I know they used to say we were sweethearts. You can't wonder at that; they didn't know about you, nor any of our secrets; and, of course, vulgar folk like them could not guess the sort of affection I had for poor Mr. Henry; but a lady like you should not go by their lights. Besides, I was always open with you. Once I had a different feeling for him: did I hide it from you? When I found he loved you, I set to work to cure myself. I did cure myself before your very eyes; and, after that, you ought to be ashamed of yourself to go and doubt me. There, now, I have made her cry."

Her own voice faltered a moment, and she said, with gentle dignity, "Well, I forgive you, for old kindness past; but I shall not sleep under this roof now. God bless you, and give you many happy days yet with this gentleman you are going to marry. Farewell."

She was actually going; but Grace caught her by the arm. "No, no, you shall not leave me so."

"Ay, but I will." And Jael's eyes, so mild in general, began to sparkle with anger, at being detained against her will; but, generous to the last, she made no use of her great strength to get clear from Grace.

"You will not go, if you are the woman you were. I believe your words, I believe your honest face, I implore your forgiveness. I am the most miserable creature in this world. Pray do not abandon me."

This appeal, made with piteous gestures and streaming eyes, overpowered Jael Dence, and soon they were seated, rocking together, and Grace pouring out her heart.

Jael then learned, to her dismay, that Grace's belief in Henry's falsehood was a main cause of this sudden marriage. Had she believed her Henry true, she would have mourned him, as a widow, two years at least.

The unhappy young lady lamented her precipitation, and the idea of marrying Mr. Coventry to-morrow became odious to her. She asked Jael wildly whether she should not be justified in putting an end to her life.

Jael consoled her all she could; and, at her request, slept in the same bed with her. Indeed she was afraid to leave her; for she was wild at times, and said she would prefer to be married to that dead hand people said was at the Town hall, and then thrown into one grave with it. "That's the bridal I long for," said she.

In the morning she was calmer, and told Jael she thought she was doing right.

"I shall be neither more nor less wretched for marrying this poor man," said she: "and I shall make two people happy; two people that deserve the sacrifice I make."

So, after all, the victim went calmly.

Early in the morning came a letter from Dr. Fynes. He was confined by gout, and sorry to say the ceremony he had hoped to perform must be done by his curate.

Now this curate was quite a stranger to Grace, and indeed to most people in Hillsborough. Dr. Fynes himself knew nothing about him except that he had come in answer to his inquiry for a curate, had brought good letters of recommendation, and had shown himself acquainted with the learned doctor's notes to Apollonius Rhodius; on which several grounds the doctor, who was himself a better scholar than a priest, had made him his curate, and had heard no complaints, except from a few puritanical souls. These he looked on as barbarians, and had calmly ignored them and their prejudices ever since he transferred his library from St. John's College, Cambridge, to St. Peter's Rectory, and that was thirty years ago.

This sudden substitute of an utter stranger for Dr. Fynes afflicted Grace Carden not a little, and her wedding-day began with a tear or two on that account. But, strange as it may appear, she lived to alter her mind, and to thank and bless Mr. Beresford for taking her old friend's place on that great occasion.

But while the bride dressed for church, and her bridemaids and friends drove up, events were taking place to deal with which I must retrograde a step.

Jael Dence having gone to Woodbine Villa, Mrs. Little and her brother dined tete-a-tete; and the first question she asked was, "Why where is Jael?"

"Don't you know? gone to Woodbine Villa. The wedding is to-morrow."

"What, my Jael gone to that girl's wedding!" And her eyes flashed with fire.

"Why not? I am going to it myself."

"I am sorry to hear you say so--very sorry."

"Why, she is my godchild. Would you have me affront her?"

"If she is your godchild, Henry is your nephew."

"Of course, and I did all I could to marry him to Grace; but, you see, he would he wiser than me."

"Dear Guy, my poor Henry was to blame for not accepting your generous offer; but that does not excuse this heartless, fickle girl."

Raby's sense of justice began to revolt. "My dear Edith, I can't bear to hear you speak so contemptuously of this poor girl, who has so nearly died for love of your son. She is one of the noblest, purest, most unselfish creatures I ever knew. Why judge so hastily?

But that is the way with you ladies; it must be the woman who is in the wrong. Men are gods, and women devils; that is your creed."

"Is HENRY going to marry another?"

"Not that I know of."

同类推荐
  • 介为舟禅师语录

    介为舟禅师语录

    本书为公版书,为不受著作权法限制的作家、艺术家及其它人士发布的作品,供广大读者阅读交流。
  • 云门匡真禅师广录

    云门匡真禅师广录

    本书为公版书,为不受著作权法限制的作家、艺术家及其它人士发布的作品,供广大读者阅读交流。
  • 抚黔纪略

    抚黔纪略

    本书为公版书,为不受著作权法限制的作家、艺术家及其它人士发布的作品,供广大读者阅读交流。
  • 北平录

    北平录

    本书为公版书,为不受著作权法限制的作家、艺术家及其它人士发布的作品,供广大读者阅读交流。
  • 星命总括

    星命总括

    本书为公版书,为不受著作权法限制的作家、艺术家及其它人士发布的作品,供广大读者阅读交流。
热门推荐
  • 莲蓬升瑞

    莲蓬升瑞

    他们是从小一起长大的挚友,他们一起经历了风花雪月的青梅竹马,又一起经历了腥风血雨的风云变幻,最终他们将一起走出一个怎样的世界?
  • 伪公主的无奈

    伪公主的无奈

    她原本是一个天真可爱的小女孩,她拥有世上最幸福的家庭,有疼爱她的家人,可是突然有一天,她的父母死了,十年后,她回来复仇了,复仇时,哥哥变成维护她的仇人了,她十年前其中一个好朋友告诉她,她并不是凝冰梦紫,但他的母亲与她的母亲却有很大的关系,她最爱的人因为误会她和她哥哥的原因背叛了她。、、
  • 新聊斋:公主孤晴

    新聊斋:公主孤晴

    我生前是一位得宠的公主,有二个男人为我爱得死去活来,直到我去世之后,我才知道,真正爱我的男人是谁;我才知道,我最爱的男人把我推上绝路,我又来阳世,我要为我的爱讨回公道,我要为爱我的男人偿还情债。
  • 葬爱君王

    葬爱君王

    顾烨是一家国际保全公司的总裁,却因自己喜欢的女人被害至死。他不敢相信自己的全心付出换来她和别人的赶尽杀绝,他死不明目,一双通红愤恨的眼眸一直盯着那两个害死他的人……当顾烨再睁开眼眸,已经身陷无尽屠戮的异世,在逃亡里,他再遇上惜日的索命仇敌,他杀仇敌,虐渣女,夺权利,断情绝爱,一步步成为绝世君王……
  • 奇门宝鉴御定

    奇门宝鉴御定

    本书为公版书,为不受著作权法限制的作家、艺术家及其它人士发布的作品,供广大读者阅读交流。
  • 福妻驾到

    福妻驾到

    现代饭店彪悍老板娘魂穿古代。不分是非的极品婆婆?三年未归生死不明的丈夫?心狠手辣的阴毒亲戚?贪婪而好色的地主老财?吃上顿没下顿的贫困宭境?不怕不怕,神仙相助,一技在手,天下我有!且看现代张悦娘,如何身带福气玩转古代,开面馆、收小弟、左纳财富,右傍美男,共绘幸福生活大好蓝图!!!!快本新书《天媒地聘》已经上架开始销售,只要3.99元即可将整本书抱回家,你还等什么哪,赶紧点击下面的直通车,享受乐乐精心为您准备的美食盛宴吧!)
  • 三界凌云之上

    三界凌云之上

    他是魔界的王阴界的皇如今转世到凡世竟然被正义剑士易大师圈养并变得心闪没有了丝毫的煞气,但是每到月圆都会阴气大胜然后失去控制。
  • 带着娇妻逆仙界

    带着娇妻逆仙界

    天不依我,我必逆天;佛不渡我,我自成魔。----------【新人新书,求收藏,拜谢】
  • 重活的岁月

    重活的岁月

    他们都老了吧,她们在哪里啊。有些故事还没讲完那就算了吧我们就这样各自奔天涯重活的岁月里,没有那些遗憾,我们会怎样?
  • 剩女待嫁记

    剩女待嫁记

    一个女人的使命不是事业有成,不是俯瞰众生,不是夺权争霸,而是嫁一个自己心爱的人,有一个自己的宝宝。