Two on a Tower

Swithin's midnight excursion to the tower in the cause of science led him

to oversleep himself, and when the brother and sister met at breakfast in

the morning he did not appear.

'Don't disturb him,--don't disturb him,' said Louis laconically.

'Hullo, Viviette, what are you reading there that makes you flame up so?' She was glancing over a letter that she had just opened, and at his words

looked up with misgiving.

The incident of the previous night left her in great doubt as to what her

bearing towards him ought to be. She had made no show of resenting his

conduct at the time, from a momentary supposition that he must know all

her secret; and afterwards, finding that he did not know it, it seemed

too late to affect indignation at his suspicions. So she preserved a

quiet neutrality. Even had she resolved on an artificial part she might

have forgotten to play it at this instant, the letter being of a kind to

banish previous considerations.

'It is a letter from Bishop Helmsdale,' she faltered.

'Well done! I hope for your sake it is an offer.' 'That's just what it is.' 'No,--surely?' said Louis, beginning a laugh of surprise.

'Yes,' she returned indifferently. 'You can read it, if you like.' 'I don't wish to pry into a communication of that sort.' 'Oh, you may read it,' she said, tossing the letter across to him.

Louis thereupon read as under:-'THE PALACE, MELCHESTER,

_June_ 28, 18--.

'MY DEAR LADY CONSTANTINE,

--During the two or three weeks that have

elapsed since I experienced the great pleasure of renewing my

acquaintance with you, the varied agitation of my feelings has clearly

proved that my only course is to address you by letter, and at once.

Whether the subject of my communication be acceptable to you or not, I

can at least assure you that to suppress it would be far less natural,

and upon the whole less advisable, than to speak out frankly, even if

afterwards I hold my peace for ever.

'The great change in my experience during the past year or two--the

change, that is, which has resulted from my advancement to a

bishopric--has frequently suggested to me, of late, that a

discontinuance in my domestic life of the solitude of past years was a

question which ought to be seriously contemplated. But whether I

should ever have contemplated it without the great good fortune of my

meeting with you is doubtful. However, the thing has been considered

at last, and without more ado I candidly ask if you would be willing

to give up your life at Welland, and relieve my household loneliness

here by becoming my wife.

'I am far from desiring to force a hurried decision on your part, and

will wait your good pleasure patiently, should you feel any

uncertainty at the moment as to the step. I am quite disqualified, by

habits and experience, for the delightful procedure of urging my suit

in the ardent terms which would be so appropriate towards such a lady,

and so expressive of my inmost feeling. In truth, a prosy cleric of

five-and-forty wants encouragement to make him eloquent. Of this,

however, I can assure you: that if admiration, esteem, and devotion

can compensate in any way for the lack of those qualities which might

be found to burn with more outward brightness in a younger man, those

it is in my power to bestow for the term of my earthly life. Your

steady adherence to church principles and your interest in

ecclesiastical polity (as was shown by your bright questioning on

those subjects during our morning walk round your grounds) have

indicated strongly to me the grace and appropriateness with which you

would fill the position of a bishop's wife, and how greatly you would

add to his reputation, should you be disposed to honour him with your

hand. Formerly there have been times when I was of opinion--and you

will rightly appreciate my candour in owning it--that a wife was an

impediment to a bishop's due activities; but constant observation has

convinced me that, far from this being the truth, a meet consort

infuses life into episcopal influence and teaching.

'Should you reply in the affirmative I will at once come to see you,

and with your permission will, among other things, show you a few

plain, practical rules which I have interested myself in drawing up

for our future guidance. Should you refuse to change your condition

on my account, your decision will, as I need hardly say, be a great

blow to me. In any event, I could not do less than I have done, after

giving the subject my full consideration. Even if there be a slight

deficiency of warmth on your part, my earnest hope is that a mind

comprehensive as yours will perceive the immense power for good that

you might exercise in the position in which a union with me would

place you, and allow that perception to weigh in determining your

answer.

'I remain, my dear Lady Constantine, with the highest respect and

affection,

--Yours always,

'C. MELCHESTER.'

Well, you will not have the foolhardiness to decline, now that the

question has actually been popped, I should hope,' said Louis, when he

had done reading.

'Certainly I shall,' she replied.

'You will really be such a flat, Viviette?' 'You speak without much compliment. I have not the least idea of accepting him.' 'Surely you will not let your infatuation for that young fellow carry you

so far, after my acquainting you with the shady side of his character?

You call yourself a religious woman, say your prayers out loud, follow up

the revived methods in church practice, and what not; and yet you can

think with partiality of a person who, far from having any religion in

him, breaks the most elementary commandments in the decalogue.' 'I cannot agree with you,' she said, turning her face askance, for she knew not how much of her brother's language was sincere, and how much assumed, the extent of his discoveries with regard to her secret ties

being a mystery. At moments she was disposed to declare the whole truth,

and have done with it. But she hesitated, and left the words unsaid; and

Louis continued his breakfast in silence.

When he had finished, and she had eaten little or nothing, he asked once

more, 'How do you intend to answer that letter? Here you are, the

poorest woman in the county, abandoned by people who used to be glad to

know you, and leading a life as dismal and dreary as a nun's, when an

opportunity is offered you of leaping at once into a leading position in

this part of England. Bishops are given to hospitality; you would be

welcomed everywhere. In short, your answer must be yes.' 'And yet it will be no,' she said, in a low voice. She had at length learnt, from the tone of her brother's latter remarks, that at any rate

he had no knowledge of her actual marriage, whatever indirect ties he

might suspect her guilty of.

Louis could restrain himself no longer at her answer. 'Then conduct your

affairs your own way. I know you to be leading a life that won't bear

investigation, and I'm hanged if I'll stay here any longer!' Saying which, Glanville jerked back his chair, and strode out of the

room. In less than a quarter of an hour, and before she had moved a step

from the table, she heard him leaving the house.