第11章

'Thank God. Now, my dear boy, I can speak out more plainly. The young woman whose name I have heard is daughter to that Mr Crawley who is perpetual curate at Hogglestock. I knew that there could be nothing in it.'

'But there is something in it, sir.'

'What is there in it? Do not keep me in suspense, Henry. What is it you mean?'

'It is rather hard to be cross-questioned in this way on such a subject.

When you express yourself as thankful that there is nothing in the rumour, I am forced to stop you, as otherwise it is possible that hereafter you may say that I have deceived you.'

'But you don't mean to marry her?'

'I certainly do not pledge myself not to do so.'

'Do you mean to tell me, Henry, that you are in love with Miss Crawley?'

Then there was another pause, during which the archdeacon sat looking for an answer; but the major never said a word. 'Am I to suppose that you intend to lower yourself by marrying a young woman who cannot possibly have enjoyed any of the advantages of a lady's education? I say nothing of the imprudence of the thing; nothing of her own want of fortune; nothing of your having to maintain a whole family steeped in poverty; nothing of the debts and character of the father, upon whom, as I understand, at this moment there rests a grave suspicion of--of--of--what I'm afraid I must call downright theft.'

'Downright theft, certainly, if he were guilty.'

'I say nothing of that; but looking at the young woman herself--'

'She is simply the best educated girl whom it has ever been my lot to meet.'

'Henry, I have a right to expect that you will be honest with me.'

'I am honest with you.'

'Do you mean to ask this girl to marry you?'

'I do not think that you have any right to ask me that question, sir.'

'I have a right at any rate to tell you this, that if you so far disgrace yourself and me, I shall consider myself bound to withdraw from you all the sanction which would be conveyed by my --my--continued assistance.'

'Do you intend me to understand that you will stop my income?'

'Certainly I should.'

'Then, sir, I think you would behave to me most cruelly. You advised me to give up my profession.'

'Not in order that you might marry Grace Crawley.'

'I claim the privilege of a man of my age to do as I please in such a matter as marriage. Miss Crawley is a lady. Her father is a clergyman, as is mine. Her father's oldest friend is my uncle. There is nothing on earth against her except her poverty. I do not think I ever heard of such cruelty on a father's part.'

'Very well, Henry.'

'I have endeavoured to do my duty by you, sir, always; and by my mother.

You can treat me in this way, if you please, but it will not have any effect on my conduct. You can stop my allowance tomorrow, if you like it. I had not yet made up my mind to make an offer to Miss Crawley, but I shall do so tomorrow morning.'

This was very bad indeed, and the archdeacon was extremely unhappy. He was by no means at heart a cruel man. He loved his children dearly. If this disagreeable marriage were to take place, he would doubtless do exactly as his wife had predicted. He would not stop his son's income for a single quarter; and, though he went on telling himself that he would stop it, he knew in his own heart that any such severity was beyond his power. He was a generous man in money matters--having a dislike for poverty which was not generous--and for his own sake could not have endured to see a son of his in want. But he was terribly anxious to exercise the power which the use of the threat might give him. 'Henry,' he said, 'you are treating me badly, very badly. My anxiety has always been for the welfare of my children. Do you think that Miss Crawley would be a fitting sister-in-law for that dear girl upstairs?'

'Certainly I do, or for any other dear girl in the world; excepting that Griselda, who is not clever, would hardly be able to appreciate Miss Crawley, who is clever.'

'Griselda not clever! Good heavens!' Then there was another pause, and as the major said nothing, the father continued his entreaties. 'Pray, pray think of what my wishes are, and your mother's. You are not committed as yet. Pray think of us while there is time. I would rather double your income, if I saw you marry anyone that we could name here.'

'I have enough as it is, if I may only be allowed to know that it will not be capriciously withdrawn.' The archdeacon filled his glass unconsciously, and sipped his wine, while he thought what further he might say. Perhaps it might be better that he should say nothing further at the moment. The major, however, was indiscreet, and pushed the question. 'May I understand, sir, that you threat is withdrawn, and that my income is secure?'

'What, if you marry this girl?'

'Yes sir; will my income be continued to me if I marry Miss Crawley?'

'No, it will not.' Then the father got up hastily, pushed the decanter back angrily from his hand, and without saying another word walked away into the drawing-room. That evening at the rectory was gloomy. The archdeacon now and again said a word or two to his daughter, and his daughter answered him in monosyllables. The major sat apart moodily, and spoke to no one. Mrs Grantly, understanding well what had passed, knew that nothing could be done at the present moment to restore family comfort; so she sat by the fire and knitted. Exactly at ten they all went to bed.

'Dear Henry,' said the mother to her son the next morning; 'think much of yourself and of your child, and of us, before you take any great step in your life.'

'I will, mother,' said he. Then he went out and put on his wrapper, and got into his dog-cart, and drove himself to Silverbridge. He had not spoken to his father since they were in the dining-room on the previous evening. When he started, the marchioness had not yet come downstairs;but at eleven she breakfasted, and at twelve she also was taken away.

Poor Mrs Grantly had not had much comfort from her children's visits.