第15章 THE THREE WOMEN(14)

He was quite a young man, and of the two properties, form and motion, the latter first attracted the eye in him.The grace of his movement was singular--it was the pantomimic expression of a lady-killing career.

Next came into notice the more material qualities, among which was a profuse crop of hair impending over the top of his face, lending to his forehead the high-cornered outline of an early Gothic shield;and a neck which was smooth and round as a cylinder.

The lower half of his figure was of light build.

Altogether he was one in whom no man would have seen anything to admire, and in whom no woman would have seen anything to dislike.

He discerned the young girl's form in the passage, and said, "Thomasin, then, has reached home.

How could you leave me in that way, darling?" And turning to Mrs.Yeobright--"It was useless to argue with her.

She would go, and go alone."

"But what's the meaning of it all?" demanded Mrs.Yeobright haughtily.

"Take a seat," said Wildeve, placing chairs for the two women.

"Well, it was a very stupid mistake, but such mistakes will happen.The license was useless at Anglebury.

It was made out for Budmouth, but as I didn't read it Iwasn't aware of that."

"But you had been staying at Anglebury?"

"No.I had been at Budmouth--till two days ago--and that was where I had intended to take her; but when I came to fetch her we decided upon Anglebury, forgetting that a new license would be necessary.

There was not time to get to Budmouth afterwards.""I think you are very much to blame," said Mrs.Yeobright.

"It was quite my fault we chose Anglebury," Thomasin pleaded.

"I proposed it because I was not known there.""I know so well that I am to blame that you need not remind me of it," replied Wildeve shortly.

"Such things don't happen for nothing," said the aunt.

"It is a great slight to me and my family; and when it gets known there will be a very unpleasant time for us.

How can she look her friends in the face tomorrow? It is a very great injury, and one I cannot easily forgive.

It may even reflect on her character."

"Nonsense," said Wildeve.

Thomasin's large eyes had flown from the face of one to the face of the other during this discussion, and she now said anxiously, "Will you allow me, Aunt, to talk it over alone with Damon for five minutes? Will you, Damon?""Certainly, dear," said Wildeve, "if your aunt will excuse us."He led her into an adjoining room, leaving Mrs.Yeobright by the fire.

As soon as they were alone, and the door closed, Thomasin said, turning up her pale, tearful face to him, "It is killing me, this, Damon! I did not mean to part from you in anger at Anglebury this morning;but I was frightened and hardly knew what I said.

I've not let Aunt know how much I suffered today; and it is so hard to command my face and voice, and to smile as if it were a slight thing to me; but I try to do so, that she may not be still more indignant with you.

I know you could not help it, dear, whatever Aunt may think.""She is very unpleasant."

"Yes," Thomasin murmured, "and I suppose I seem so now....Damon, what do you mean to do about me?""Do about you?"

"Yes.Those who don't like you whisper things which at moments make me doubt you.We mean to marry, I suppose, don't we?""Of course we do.We have only to go to Budmouth on Monday, and we marry at once.""Then do let us go!--O Damon, what you make me say!"She hid her face in her handkerchief."Here am I asking you to marry me, when by rights you ought to be on your knees imploring me, your cruel mistress, not to refuse you, and saying it would break your heart if I did.

I used to think it would be pretty and sweet like that;but how different!"

"Yes, real life is never at all like that.""But I don't care personally if it never takes place,"she added with a little dignity; "no, I can live without you.

It is Aunt I think of.She is so proud, and thinks so much of her family respectability, that she will be cut down with mortification if this story should get abroad before--it is done.My cousin Clym, too, will be much wounded.""Then he will be very unreasonable.In fact, you are all rather unreasonable."Thomasin coloured a little, and not with love.But whatever the momentary feeling which caused that flush in her, it went as it came, and she humbly said, "I never mean to be, if I can help it.I merely feel that you have my aunt to some extent in your power at last.""As a matter of justice it is almost due to me," said Wildeve.

"Think what I have gone through to win her consent;the insult that it is to any man to have the banns forbidden--the double insult to a man unlucky enough to be cursed with sensitiveness, and blue demons, and Heaven knows what, as I am.I can never forget those banns.

A harsher man would rejoice now in the power I have of turning upon your aunt by going no further in the business."She looked wistfully at him with her sorrowful eyes as he said those words, and her aspect showed that more than one person in the room could deplore the possession of sensitiveness.

Seeing that she was really suffering he seemed disturbed and added, "This is merely a reflection you know.

I have not the least intention to refuse to complete the marriage, Tamsie mine--I could not bear it.""You could not, I know!" said the fair girl, brightening.

"You, who cannot bear the sight of pain in even an insect, or any disagreeable sound, or unpleasant smell even, will not long cause pain to me and mine.""I will not, if I can help it."

"Your hand upon it, Damon."

He carelessly gave her his hand.

"Ah, by my crown, what's that?" he said suddenly.

There fell upon their ears the sound of numerous voices singing in front of the house.Among these, two made themselves prominent by their peculiarity: one was a very strong bass, the other a wheezy thin piping.

Thomasin recognized them as belonging to Timothy Fairway and Grandfer Cantle respectively.

"What does it mean--it is not skimmity-riding, I hope?"she said, with a frightened gaze at Wildeve.