"Wilkie Collins - The New Magdalen" - читать интересную книгу автора (Collins Wilkie)

Horace changed the subject.
"You blame me for being out of spirits," he said; "and you seem to think it is
because I am tired of my pleasant life at Mablethorpe House. I am not in the
least tired, Lady Janet." He looked toward the conservatory: the frown showed
itself on his face once more. "The truth is," he resumed, "I am not satisfied
with Grace Roseberry."
"What has Grace done?"
"She persists in prolonging our engagement. Nothing will persuade her to fix the
day for our marriage."
It was true! Mercy had been mad enough to listen to him, and to love him. But
Mercy was not vile enough to marry him under her false character, and in her
false name. Between three and four months had elapsed since Horace had been sent
home from the war, wounded, and had found the beautiful Englishwoman whom he had
befriended in France established at Mablethorpe House. Invited to become Lady
Janet's guest (he had passed his holidays as a school-boy under Lady Janet's
roof)--free to spend the idle time of his convalescence from morning to night in
Mercy's society--the impression originally produced on him in a French cottage
soon strengthened into love. Before the month was out Horace had declared
himself, and had discovered that he spoke to willing ears. From that moment it
was only a question of persisting long enough in the resolution to gain his
point. The marriage engagement was ratified--most reluctantly on the lady's
side--and there the further progress of Horace Holmcroft's suit came to an end.
Try as he might, he failed to persuade his betrothed wife to fix the day for the
marriage. There were no obstacles in her way. She had no near relations of her
own to consult. As a connection of Lady Janet's by marriage, Horace's mother and
sisters were ready to receive her with all the honors due to a new member of the
family. No pecuniary considerations made it necessary, in this case, to wait for
a favorable time. Horace was an only son; and he had succeeded to his father's
estate with an ample income to support it. On both sides alike there was
absolutely nothing to prevent the two young people from being married as soon as
the settlements could be drawn. And yet, to all appearance, here was a long
engagement in prospect, with no better reason than the lady's incomprehensible
perversity to explain the delay. "Can you account for Grace's conduct?" asked
Lady Janet. Her manner changed as she put the question. She looked and spoke
like a person who was perplexed and annoyed
"I hardly like to own it," Horace answered, "but I am afraid she has some motive
for deferring our marriage which she cannot confide either to you or to me."
Lady Janet started.
"What makes you think that?" she asked.
"I have once or twice caught her in tears. Every now and then--sometimes when
she is talking quite gayly--she suddenly changes color and becomes silent and
depressed. Just now, when she left the table (didn't you notice it?), she looked
at me in the strangest way--almost as if she was sorry for me. What do these
things mean?"
Horace's reply, instead of increasing Lady Janet's anxiety, seemed to relieve
it. He had observed nothing which she had not noticed herself. "You foolish
boy!" she said, "the meaning is plain enough. Grace has been out of health for
some time past. The doctor recommends change of air. I shall take her away with
me."
"It would be more to the purpose," Horace rejoined, "if I took her away with me.