"Treachery not to post up a list of all one's--"
"One's conquests?" said Bessie, snatching the word out of her brother's
mouth. "Did you ever hear a more ingenious intimation of the number one
has to boast?"
"Only in character," calmly returned Alick.
"But do not laugh," said Rachel, who had by this time collected herself;
"if this is so, it must be far too sad and melancholy to be laughed
about."
"So it is," said Alick, with a tone of feeling. "It has been a mournful
business from the first, and I do not see how it is to end."
"Why, I suppose Colonel Colin is his own master now," said Bessie; "and
if he has no objection I do not see who else can make any."
"There are people in the world who are what Tennyson calls 'selfless,'"
returned Alick.
"Then the objection comes from her?" said Rachel, anxiously.
"So saith Lady Temple," returned Bessie.
They were by this time in Mackarel Lane. Rachel would have given much to
have been able to turn back and look this strange news in the face,
but consciousness and fear of the construction that might be put on her
change of purpose forced her on, and in a few moments the three were in
the little parlour, where Ermine's station was now by the fire. There
could be no doubt, as Rachel owned to herself instantly, that there was
a change since she first had studied that face. The bright colouring,
and far more, the active intellect and lively spirit, had always
obviated any expression of pining or invalidism; but to the air
of cheerfulness was added a look of freshened health and thorough
happiness, that rendered the always striking features absolutely
beautiful; more so, perhaps, than in their earliest bloom; and the hair
and dress, though always neat, and still as simply arranged as possible,
had an indescribable air of care and taste that added to the effect of
grace and pleasantness, and made Rachel feel convinced in a moment that
the wonder would have been not in constancy to such a creature but in
inconstancy. The notion that any one could turn from that brilliant,
beaming, refined face to her own, struck her with a sudden humiliation.
There was plenty of conversation, and her voice was not immediately
wanted; indeed, she hardly attended to what was passing, and really
dreaded outstaying the brother and sister. When Ermine turned to her,
and asked after Lovedy Kelland in her new home, she replied like one in
a dream, then gathered herself up and answered to the point, but feeling
the restraint intolerable, soon rose to take leave.
"So soon?" said Ermine; "I have not seen you for a long time."
"I--I was afraid of being in the way," said Rachel, the first time
probably that such a fear had ever suggested itself to her, and blushing
as Ermine did not blush.