When Mr Berners was left alone, he did not resume the reading of his
review. His heart became the prey of bitter-sweet reflections, made up
of gratified self-love and of severe self-reproach.
"That beautiful creature does care for me, and is pained by my
coldness! Ah! but I hope and trust she loves me only as a sister loves
a brother! She has no brother, poor child! And her heart must have some
one to lean on! I must be that one, for she has chosen me, and I will
not be so recreant to humanity as to reject her trust."
Then his conscience smote him. And he felt that he had shown more
tenderness for this lady than the occasion called for, or than his duty
warranted. He had called her "dear;" he had kissed her hand; he had
asked her if she loved him! And this in the face of all his late
protestations to his wife!
Lyon Berners was an honorable man and devotedly attached to his wife,
and he was shocked now at the recollection of how far he had been drawn
away from the strict line of duty by this lovely blonde!
But then he said to himself that he had only caressed and soothed Rosa
in a brotherly way; and that it was a great pity Sybil should be of such
a jealous and exacting nature, as to wish to prevent him from showing a
little brotherly love to this lovely and lonely lady.
And worried by these opposing thoughts and feelings, Lyon Berners left
his sofa and began to pace up and down the length of the drawing-room
floor.
In truth now, for the first time, the mischief was done! The siren had
at last ensnared him, in her distress and dishabille, with her tears and
tenderness, as she never had done in the full blaze of her adorned
beauty, or by the most entrancing strains of divine melody.
While Lyon Berners paced up and down the drawing-room floor, he seemed
to see again the tender, tearful gaze of her soft blue eyes upon him;
seemed to hear again the melting tones of her melodious voice pleading
with him: "How have I been so unhappy as to offend you, Mr. Berners?"
What a contrast this sweet humility of friendship with the fiery pride
of Sybil's love!
While he was almost involuntarily drawing this comparison, he heard the
wheels of the carriage that brought Sybil home roll up to the door and
stop.
From her morning drive through the bright and frosty air, Sybil entered
the drawing-room blooming, and glowing with health and happiness. For
since that full explanation with her husband, she had been very happy.
Lyon Berners hastened to meet her. And perhaps it was his secret and
painful consciousness of that little episode with Rosa, that caused him
to throw into his manner even more than his usual show of affection, as
he drew her to his bosom and kissed her fondly.