Many thoughts passed through his mind during that ride, but only one
resolution obtained for itself a fixture there. He must now tell his
wife everything. He would not be so cruel as to let it remain untold
until a bailiff were at the door, ready to walk him off to the county
jail, or until the bed on which they slept was to be sold from under
them. Yes, he would tell her everything,--immediately, before his
resolution could again have faded away. He got off his horse in the
yard, and seeing his wife's maid at the kitchen door, desired her to
beg her mistress to come to him in the book-room. He would not allow
one half-hour to pass towards the waning of his purpose. If it be
ordained that a man shall drown, had he not better drown and have
done with it? Mrs. Robarts came to him in his room, reaching him in
time to touch his arm as he entered it. "Mary says you want me. I
have been gardening, and she caught me just as I came in."
"Yes, Fanny, I do want you. Sit down for a moment." And walking
across the room, he placed his whip in its proper place.
"Oh, Mark, is there anything the matter?"
"Yes, dearest; yes. Sit down, Fanny: I can talk to you better if you
will sit." But she, poor lady, did not wish to sit. He had hinted at
some misfortune, and therefore she felt a longing to stand by him and
cling to him.
Pages:
577
578
579
580
581
582
583
584
585
586
587
588
589
590
591
592
593
594
595
596
597
598
599
600
601