The Woodlanders

He related what he had learned of the new legal remedy. A subdued

tremulousness about the mouth was all the response that Winterborne

made; and Melbury added, "My boy, you shall have her yet--if you want

her." His feelings had gathered volume as he said this, and the

articulate sound of the old idea drowned his sight in mist.

"Are you sure--about this new law?" asked Winterborne, so disquieted by

a gigantic exultation which loomed alternately with fearful doubt that

he evaded the full acceptance of Melbury's last statement.

Melbury said that he had no manner of doubt, for since his talk with

Beaucock it had come into his mind that he had seen some time ago in

the weekly paper an allusion to such a legal change; but, having no

interest in those desperate remedies at the moment, he had passed it

over. "But I'm not going to let the matter rest doubtful for a single

day," he continued. "I am going to London. Beaucock will go with me,

and we shall get the best advice as soon as we possibly can. Beaucock

is a thorough lawyer--nothing the matter with him but a fiery palate.

I knew him as the stay and refuge of Sherton in knots of law at one

time."

Winterborne's replies were of the vaguest. The new possibility was

almost unthinkable by him at the moment. He was what was called at

Hintock "a solid-going fellow;" he maintained his abeyant mood, not

from want of reciprocity, but from a taciturn hesitancy, taught by life

as he knew it.

"But," continued the timber-merchant, a temporary crease or two of

anxiety supplementing those already established in his forehead by time

and care, "Grace is not at all well. Nothing constitutional, you know;

but she has been in a low, nervous state ever since that night of

fright. I don't doubt but that she will be all right soon....I wonder

how she is this evening?" He rose with the words, as if he had too long

forgotten her personality in the excitement of her previsioned career.

They had sat till the evening was beginning to dye the garden brown,

and now went towards Melbury's house, Giles a few steps in the rear of

his old friend, who was stimulated by the enthusiasm of the moment to

outstep the ordinary walking of Winterborne. He felt shy of entering

Grace's presence as her reconstituted lover--which was how her

father's manner would be sure to present him--before definite

information as to her future state was forthcoming; it seemed too

nearly like the act of those who rush in where angels fear to tread.