Dynevor Terrace, vol 2 | Page 6

for inflicting a tutor on him.'
'Has she had my letter? Does she know I am here?'
'Wait! All this settled, and luncheon being ready, down came my Lady,
and we played unconsciousness to our best ability. I must confess my
aunt beat us hollow! Isabel then left us to our conference, which we
conducted with the gravity of a tailor and an old woman making a
match in Brittany.'
'You came out with that valuable improvable freehold, the Terrace, I
suppose?'
'I told the mere facts! My aunt was rather grand about a grammar-
school; she said even a curacy would sound better, and she must talk it
over with Isabel. I gave your letter, conjuring her to let Isabel have it,
and though she declared that it was no kindness, and would put the
poor darling into needless perplexity, she was touched with my
forbearance, in not having given it before, when I had such an
opportunity. So she went away, and stayed a weary while: but when she
came, it was worth the waiting. She said Isabel was old enough to
know her own mind, and the attachment being so strong, and you so
unexceptionable, she did not think it possible to object: she had great
delight in seeing you made happy, and fulfilling the dictates of her own
heart, now that it could be done with moderate prudence. They go to
Scarborough in a fortnight, and you will be welcome there. There's for
you!'
'Louis, you are the best fellow living! But you said I was to see her at
once.'
'I asked, why wait for Scarborough?' and depicted you hovering
disconsolately round the precincts. Never mind, Jem, I did not make
you more ridiculous than human nature must needs paint a lover, and it
was all to melt her heart. I was starting off to fetch you, when I found
she was in great terror. She had never told the Mansells of the matter,
and they must be prepared. She cannot have it transpire while she is in
their house, and, in fact, is excessively afraid of Mr. Mansell, and wants
to tell her story by letter. Now, I think, considering all things, she has a
right to take her own way.'
'You said I was not to go without meeting her!'
'I had assented, and was devising how to march off my lunatic quietly,
when the feminine goodnatured heart that is in her began to relent, and

she looked up in my face with a smile, and said the poor dears were
really exemplary, and if Isabel should walk to the beach and should
meet any one there, she need know nothing about it.'
'What says Isabel?'
'She held up her stately head, and thought it would be a better return for
Mr. Mansell's kindness to tell him herself before leaving Beauchastel;
but Lady Conway entreated her not to be hasty, and protested that her
fears were of Mr. Mansell's displeasure with her for not having taken
better care of her--she dreaded a break, and so on,--till the end of it was,
that though we agree that prudence would carry us off to-morrow
morning, yet her ladyship will look the other way, if you happen to be
on the southern beach at eleven o'clock to- morrow morning. I suppose
you were very headlong and peremptory in your note, for I could not
imagine Isabel consenting to a secret tryste even so authorized.'
'I never asked for any such thing! I would not for worlds see her led to
do anything underhand.'
'She will honour you! That's right, Jem!'
'Neither as a clergyman, nor as a Dynevor, can I consent to trick even
those who have no claim to her duty!'
'Neither as a gentleman, nor as a human creature,' added Louis, in the
same tone. 'Shall I go back and give your answer?'
'No; you are walking lame enough already.'
'No matter for that.'
'To tell you the truth, I can't stand your being with her again, while I am
made a fool of by that woman. If I'm not to see her, I'll be off. I'll send
her a note; we will cross to Bickleypool, and start by the mail-train this
very night.'
Louis made no objection, and James hurried him into the little parlour,
where in ten minutes the note was dashed off:--
My Own Most Precious One!--(as, thanks to my most unselfish of
cousins, I may dare to call you,)--I regret my fervency and urgency for
an interview, since it led you to think I could purchase even such
happiness by a subterfuge unworthy of my calling, and an ill return of
the hospitality to which we owed our first meeting. We will meet when
I claim you in the face of