He Knew He Was Right | Page 9

what had occurred, it pained her to be told by Colonel Osborne that he
would make, specially on her behalf, a sacrifice of his political pride
which he would make for no other person living. And then, as he had
called her by her Christian name, as he had exacted the promise, there
had been a tone of affection in his voice that she had almost felt to be
too warm. But she gave the promise; and when he pressed her hand at
parting, she pressed his again, in token of gratitude for the kindness to
be done to her father and mother.
Immediately afterwards Colonel Osborne went away, and Mrs
Trevelyan was left alone in her drawing-room. She knew that her
husband was still downstairs, and listened for a moment to hear
whether he would now come up to her. And he, too, had heard the
Colonel's step as he went, and for a few moments had doubted whether
or no he would at once go to his wife. Though he believed himself to be
a man very firm of purpose, his mind had oscillated backwards and
forwards within the last quarter of an hour between those two purposes
of being round with his wife, and of begging her pardon for the words
which he had already spoken. He believed that he would best do his
duty by that plan of being round with her; but then it would be so much

pleasanter at any rate, so much easier, to beg her pardon. But of one
thing he was quite certain, he must by some means exclude Colonel
Osborne from his house. He could not live and continue to endure the
feelings which he had suffered while sitting downstairs at his desk,
with the knowledge that Colonel Osborne was closeted with his wife
upstairs. It might be that there was nothing in it. That his wife was
innocent he was quite sure. But nevertheless, he was himself so much
affected by some feeling which pervaded him in reference to this man,
that all his energy was destroyed., and his powers of mind and body
were paralysed. He could not, and would not, stand it. Rather than that,
he would follow Mr Poole, and take his wife to Naples. So resolving,
he put his hat on his head and walked out of the house. He would have
the advantage of the afternoon's consideration before he took either the
one step or the other.
As soon as he was gone Emily Trevelyan went upstairs to her baby.
She would not stir as long as there had been a chance of his coming to
her. She very much wished that he would come, and had made up her
mind, in spite of the fierceness of her assertion to her sister, to accept
any slightest hint at an apology which her husband might offer to her.
To this state of mind she was brought by the consciousness of having a
secret from him, and by a sense not of impropriety on her own part, but
of conduct which some people might have called improper in her mode
of parting from the man against whom her husband had warned her.
The warmth of that hand-pressing, and the affectionate tone in which
her name had been pronounced, and the promise made to her, softened
her heart towards her husband. Had he gone to her now and said a word
to her in gentleness all might have been made right. But he did not go
to her.
'If he chooses to be cross and sulky, he may be cross and sulky,' said
Mrs Trevelyan to herself as she went up to her baby.
'Has Louis been with you?' Nora asked, as soon as Mrs Fairfax had
brought her home.
'I have not seen him since you left me,' said Mrs Trevelyan.

'I suppose he went out before Colonel Osborne?'
'No, indeed. He waited till Colonel Osborne had gone, and then he went
himself; but he did not come near me. It is for him to judge of his own
conduct, but I must say that I think he is very foolish.'
This the young wife said in a tone which clearly indicated that she had
judged her husband's conduct, and had found it to be very foolish
indeed.
'Do you think that papa and mamma will really come?' said Nora,
changing the subject of conversation.
'How can I tell? How am I to know? After all that has passed I am
afraid to say a word lest I should be accused of doing wrong. But
remember this, Nora, you are not to speak of it to any one.'
'You will tell Louis?'
'No; I will tell no one.'
'Dear, dear Emily; pray do not keep anything secret from