第109章

The tragedy began quietly enough,and like many another talk,by the man's deft assertion of his superiority.Henry heard her arguing with the driver,stepped out and settled the fellow,who was inclined to be rude,and then led the way to some chairs on the lawn.Dolly,who had not been "told,"ran out with offers of tea.He refused them,and ordered her to wheel baby's perambulator away,as they desired to be alone.

"But the diddums can't listen;he isn't nine months old,"she pleaded.

"That's not what I was saying,"retorted her father-in-law.

Baby was wheeled out of earshot,and did not hear about the crisis till later years.It was now the turn of Margaret.

"Is it what we feared?"he asked.

"It is."

"Dear girl,"he began,"there is a troublesome business ahead of us,and nothing but the most absolute honesty and plain speech will see us through."Margaret bent her head."I am obliged to question you on subjects we'd both prefer to leave untouched.As you know,I am not one of your Bernard Shaws who consider nothing sacred.To speak as I must will pain me,but there are occasions--We are husband and wife,not children.I am a man of the world,and you are a most exceptional woman."All Margaret's senses forsook her.She blushed,and looked past him at the Six Hills,covered with spring herbage.

Noting her colour,he grew still more kind.

"I see that you feel as I felt when--My poor little wife!Oh,be brave!Just one or two questions,and I have done with you.Was your sister wearing a wedding-ring?"Margaret stammered a "No."

There was an appalling silence.

"Henry,I really came to ask a favour about Howards End.""One point at a time.I am now obliged to ask for the name of her seducer."She rose to her feet and held the chair between them.Her colour had ebbed,and she was grey.It did not displease him that she should receive his question thus.

"Take your time,"he counselled her."Remember that this is far worse for me than for you."She swayed;he feared she was going to faint.

Then speech came,and she said slowly:"Seducer?No;I do not know her seducer's name.""Would she not tell you?"

"I never even asked her who seduced her,"said Margaret,dwelling on the hateful word thoughtfully.

"That is singular."Then he changed his mind.

"Natural perhaps,dear girl,that you shouldn't ask.But until his name is known,nothing can be done.Sit down.How terrible it is to see you so upset!I knew you weren't fit for it.Iwish I hadn't taken you."

Margaret answered,"I like to stand,if you don't mind,for it gives me a pleasant view of the Six Hills.""As you like."

"Have you anything else to ask me,Henry?"

"Next you must tell me whether you have gathered anything.I have often noticed your insight,dear.I only wish my own was as good.You may have guessed something,even though your sister said nothing.The slightest hint would help us.""Who is 'we'?"

"I thought it best to ring up Charles."

"That was unnecessary,"said Margaret,growing warmer.

"This news will give Charles disproportionate pain.""He has at once gone to call on your brother.""That too was unnecessary."

"Let me explain,dear,how the matter stands.

You don't think that I and my son are other than gentlemen?It is in Helen's interests that we are acting.It is still not too late to save her name."Then Margaret hit out for the first time.

"Are we to make her seducer marry her?"she asked.

"If possible.Yes."

"But,Henry,suppose he turned out to be married already?One has heard of such cases.""In that case he must pay heavily for his misconduct,and be thrashed within an inch of his life."So her first blow missed.She was thankful of it.What had tempted her to imperil both of their lives?

Henry's obtuseness had saved her as well as himself.Exhausted with anger,she sat down again,blinking at him as he told her as much as he thought fit.At last she said:"May I ask you my question now?""Certainly,my dear."

"Tomorrow Helen goes to Munich--"

"Well,possibly she is right."

"Henry,let a lady finish.Tomorrow she goes;tonight,with your permission,she would like to sleep at Howards End."It was the crisis of his life.Again she would have recalled the words as soon as they were uttered.She had not led up to them with sufficient care.She longed to warn him that they were far more important than he supposed.She saw him weighing them,as if they were a business proposition.

"Why Howards End?"he said at last."Would she not be more comfortable,as I suggested,at the hotel?"Margaret hastened to give him reasons."It is an odd request,but you know what Helen is and what women in her state are."He frowned,and moved irritably."She has the idea that one night in your house would give her pleasure and do her good.I think she's right.Being one of those imaginative girls,the presence of all our books and furniture soothes her.This is a fact.It is the end of her girlhood.Her last words to me were,'A beautiful ending.'""She values the old furniture for sentimental reasons,in fact.""Exactly.You have quite understood.

It is her last hope of being with it."