登陆注册
5291400000107

第107章 CHAPTER XXXVII.(2)

He relinquished his horse, and took Winterborne by the arm to a heap of rendlewood--as barked oak was here called--which lay under a privet-hedge.

"Giles," he said, when they had sat down upon the logs, "there's a new law in the land! Grace can be free quite easily. I only knew it by the merest accident. I might not have found it out for the next ten years. She can get rid of him--d'ye hear?--get rid of him. Think of that, my friend Giles!"

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.

A chill to counterbalance all the glowing promise of the day was prompt enough in coming. No sooner had he followed the timber- merchant in at the door than he heard Grammer inform him that Mrs.

Fitzpiers was still more unwell than she had been in the morning.

Old Dr. Jones being in the neighborhood they had called him in, and he had instantly directed them to get her to bed. They were not, however, to consider her illness serious--a feverish, nervous attack the result of recent events, was what she was suffering from, and she would doubtless be well in a few days.

Winterborne, therefore, did not remain, and his hope of seeing her that evening was disappointed. Even this aggravation of her morning condition did not greatly depress Melbury. He knew, he said, that his daughter's constitution was sound enough. It was only these domestic troubles that were pulling her down. Once free she would be blooming again. Melbury diagnosed rightly, as parents usually do.

He set out for London the next morning, Jones having paid another visit and assured him that he might leave home without uneasiness, especially on an errand of that sort, which would the sooner put an end to her suspense.

同类推荐
  • 司牧宝鉴

    司牧宝鉴

    本书为公版书,为不受著作权法限制的作家、艺术家及其它人士发布的作品,供广大读者阅读交流。汇聚授权电子版权。
  • 地藏菩萨十斋日

    地藏菩萨十斋日

    本书为公版书,为不受著作权法限制的作家、艺术家及其它人士发布的作品,供广大读者阅读交流。汇聚授权电子版权。
  • The Drums Of Jeopardy

    The Drums Of Jeopardy

    本书为公版书,为不受著作权法限制的作家、艺术家及其它人士发布的作品,供广大读者阅读交流。汇聚授权电子版权。
  • 参天台五台山记

    参天台五台山记

    本书为公版书,为不受著作权法限制的作家、艺术家及其它人士发布的作品,供广大读者阅读交流。汇聚授权电子版权。
  • 摩尼光佛教法仪

    摩尼光佛教法仪

    本书为公版书,为不受著作权法限制的作家、艺术家及其它人士发布的作品,供广大读者阅读交流。汇聚授权电子版权。
热门推荐
  • 巴黎圣母院(经典译林)

    巴黎圣母院(经典译林)

    《巴黎圣母院》以1482年路易十一治下的法国为背景,描述了吉卜赛女郎与圣母院教堂副主教弗洛罗、弃儿卡西莫多之间的纠葛,文采斐然,气势恢宏,人物的真、善、美和假、恶、丑皆被放大。长相奇丑、既聋且哑的卡西莫多有着一颗高尚纯洁的心。爱斯美拉达是美丽、纯洁的舞女,因不屈从圣母院教堂副主教弗洛罗的欲望,被他陷害致死。卡西莫多因失去心目中的偶像而绝望,愤怒地把弗洛罗从顶楼推下摔死,自己也到公墓,在爱斯美拉达的尸体旁自尽。
  • 樱满集的无限综漫

    樱满集的无限综漫

    新书《这就是我想要的重生吗》已发布,日常系二次元文
  • 西游之大商皇族

    西游之大商皇族

    西游起,封神逆!圣人不死,大盗不止。现代青年殷志强,疑似大商遗族,机缘巧合获得灵魂宝石,穿越到殷商末年。且看他如何搅乱西游,逆推封神!
  • 药师琉璃光如来消灾除难念诵仪轨

    药师琉璃光如来消灾除难念诵仪轨

    本书为公版书,为不受著作权法限制的作家、艺术家及其它人士发布的作品,供广大读者阅读交流。汇聚授权电子版权。
  • 吉恩的奇异冒险

    吉恩的奇异冒险

    那天,吉恩救下面前女孩的同时也让自己长久以来的冒险生活迎来了不知好坏的变化,在面对命运之前他们究竟会体验到怎样的生活?
  • 萌化九尾日常

    萌化九尾日常

    九尾醒来,打了个哈欠,印象中好像有一个灵魂融进了自己的身体。啊,管呢,继续睡。……然后九尾的意识就被取代。再次醒来,继承了九尾和宅男灵魂的小玖出世
  • 净土绀珠

    净土绀珠

    本书为公版书,为不受著作权法限制的作家、艺术家及其它人士发布的作品,供广大读者阅读交流。汇聚授权电子版权。
  • 顾先生家的影后又怂了

    顾先生家的影后又怂了

    一次醉酒,苏千歌惹上了帝都的“活阎王”顾衍辰。本以为道完歉就各回各家,各找各妈。却被这“活阎王”给缠上了,还被拉进民政局结婚。自从结婚后传闻中“活阎王”变身妻奴几乎每天都是:“老婆求亲亲,老婆就抱抱。”“顾衍辰你还有完没完啊!我要和你离婚”苏千歌对这面前卖萌的男人说道。“不行的,老婆钱归你,车子归你,房子归你,我也归你”“……”【甜宠,甜宠,甜宠。重要的事情说三遍!】
  • 带着空间养包子

    带着空间养包子

    萧筱醒来后发现,自己竟然在2012世界末日的时候存活了下来,还活蹦乱跳的,没死!这是个好现象,但是能不能告诉她,为神马会从21世纪蹦回几千年前?而且……就算是穿越,但也用不着“买一赠二”吧!!!这两个小包子到底是怎么回事?初来乍到,人生地不熟,一个女儿身带着两个小包子,身无分文,这……这日子还怎么过啊!!!站在野地里手里抱着两只粉嫩嫩咬着手指、流着口水的小包子,萧筱仰天长叹……初来乍到没关系,咱融入社会,人生地不熟,咱努力的让它熟,女儿身,也没关系,最近不是流行‘女扮男装’嘛!身无分文?咱——空间在手,吃穿不愁……但是,只有一条……觊觎我儿子者——杀!!!→_→————————————谢各位亲赠送礼物:泪雨蝶云送了5颗钻石s2s2s22009送了1朵鲜花ccf1984送了1朵鲜花waitrevert送了1颗钻石waitrevert送了1颗钻石————————————一对小包子由╭(╯3╰)╮叶鱼小盆友领养在移动手机阅读平台上使用的名称为《卖萌宝宝:带着妈咪找爹地》
  • 龙组之最强战力

    龙组之最强战力

    盘古创世,天地初开。女娲造物,万物初生。生灵繁衍,制度初启。人心不古,战争初始。怨声遍地。游魂初出。怨恨造魔,魔王初形。人间浩劫,魔王初现。天崩地裂,大地初陷。盘古重现,魔王初印。时光流逝,欲度数年。人心不惑,战争再起。魔王再现,苍穹瘫塌。女娲心善,炼石补天。魔王怨重,彩石有限。人间万物,唯吾所造。不忍尽毁,轮为荒芜。人心无情,女娲有情。玉焚补天,拯救苍生。魔王平息,补天功成。人间乐土,回归平静。战争纷乱,终于停息。国土各占,兴盛人间。燎原之草,永不除根。遇水滋养,卷土重生。数年平静,野心未死。争夺天下,枭雄四起......