按键盘上方向键 ← 或 → 可快速上下翻页，按键盘上的 Enter 键可回到本书目录页，按键盘上方向键 ↑ 可回到本页顶部！
————未阅读完？加入书签已便下次继续阅读！
dread of it。 He argued； therefore； in his most provoking strain；
becoming more vexatious as the former annoyance was revived at finding
the impossibility of making Guy swerve from his purpose； while
additional mists of suspicion arose before him； making him imagine that
the whole objection was caused by Guy's dislike to submit to him； and a
fit of impatience of which Amy was the victim； nay； that his cousin
wanted to escape from his surveillance； and follow the beat of his
inclinations； and the whole heap of prejudices and half…refuted
accusations resumed their full ascendancy。 Never had his manner been
more vexatious； though without departing from the coolness which always
characterized it； but all the time； Guy； while firm and unmoved in
purpose； kept his temper perfectly； and apparently without effort。
Even Amabel glowed with indignation； at the assumption with which he
was striving to put her husband down； though she rejoiced to see its
entire failure： for some sensible argument； or some gay； lively； good…
humoured reply； was the utmost he could elicit。 Guy did not seem to be
in the least irritated or ruffled by the very behaviour which used to
cause him so many struggles。 Having once seriously said that he did
not think it right to run into danger； without adequate cause； he held
his position with so much ease； that he could afford to be playful； and
laugh at his own dread of infection； his changeableness； and credulity。
Never had temper been more entirely subdued； for surely if he could
bear this； he need never fear himself again。
So passed the hour； and Amabel was heartily glad when the debate was
closed by Arnaud's coming for orders。 Guy went with him； Amabel began
to collect her goods； and Philip； after a few moments' reflection；
spoke in the half…compassionate； half…patronizing manner with which he
used； now and then； to let fall a few crumbs of counsel or commendation
for silly little Amy。
'Well； Amy； you yielded very amiably； and that is the only way。 You
will always find it best to submit。'
He got no further in his intended warning against the dissipations of
Venice； for her eyes were fixed on him at first with a look of extreme
wonder。 Then her face assumed an expression of dignity； and gently；
but gravely； she said； 'I think you forget to whom you are speaking。'
The gentlemanlike instinct made him reply； 'I beg your pardon'and
there he stopped； as much taken by surprise as if a dove had flown in
his face。 He actually was confused； for in very truth； he had； after a
fashion； forgotten that she was Lady Morville； not the cousin Amy with
whom Guy's character might be freely discussed。 He had often presumed
as far with his aunt； but she； though always turning the conversation；
had never given him a rebuff。 Amabel had not done； and in her soft
voice； firmly； though not angrily； she spoke on。 'One thing I wish to
say； because we shall never speak on this subject again； and I was
always afraid of you before。 You have always misunderstood him； I
might almost say； chosen to misunderstand him。 You have tried his
temper more than any one； and never appreciated the struggles that have
subdued it。 It is not because I am his wife that I say thisindeed I
am not sure it becomes me to say it； yet I cannot bear that you should
not be told of it； because you think he acts out of enmity to you。 You
little know how your friendship has been his first desirehow he has
striven for ithow； after all you have done and written； he defended
you with all his might when those at home were angryhow he sought you
out on purpose to try to be real cordial friends'
Philip's face had grown rigid； and chiefly at the words； 'those at home
were angry。' 'It is not I that prevent that friendship；' said he： 'it
is his own want of openness。 My opinion has never changed。'
'No； I know it has never changed' said Amy； in a tone of sorrowful
displeasure。 'Whenever it does； you will be sorry you have judged him
so harshly。'
She left the room； and Philip held her in higher esteem。 He saw there
was spirit and substance beneath that soft girlish exterior； and hoped
she would better be able to endure the troubles which her precipitate
marriage was likely to cause her； but as to her husband； his combined
fickleness and obstinacy had only become more apparent than ever
fickleness in forsaking his purpose； obstinacy in adherence to his own
will。
Displeased and contemptuous； Philip was not softened by Guy's freedom
and openness of manner and desire to help him as far as their roads lay
together。 He was gracious only to Lady Morville； whom he treated with
kindness； intended to show that he was pleased with her for a reproof
which became her position well； though it could not hurt him。 Perhaps
she thought this amiability especially insufferable： for when she
arrived at Varenna her chief thought was that here they should be free
of him。
'Come； Philip；' said Guy； at that last moment； 'I wish you would think
better of it after all； and come with us to Milan。'
'Thank you； my mind is made up。'
'Well； mind you don't catch the fever： for I don't want the trouble of
nursing you。'
'Thank you； I hope to require no such services of my friends；' said
Philip； with a proud stem air； implying； 'I don't want you。'
'Good…bye； then；' said Guy。 Then remembering his promise to Laura； he
added； 'I wish we could have seen more of you。 They will be glad to
hear of you at Hollywell。 You have had one warm friend there all
along。'
He was touched for a moment by this kind speech； and his tone was less
grave and dignified。 'Remember me to them when you write；' he
answered； 'and tell Laura she must not wear herself out with her
studies。 Good…bye； Amy； I hope you will have a pleasant journey。'
The farewells were exchanged and the carriage drove off。 'Poor little
Amy！' said Philip to himself； 'how she is improved。 He has a sweet
little wife in her。 The fates have conspired to crown him with all man
can desire； and little marvel if he should abuse his advantages。 Poor
little Amy！ I have less hope than ever； since even her evident wishes
could not bend his determination in this trifle； but she is a good
little creature； happy in her blindness。 May it long continue！ It is
my uncle and aunt who are to be blamed。'
He set himself to ascend the mountain path； and they looked back；
watching the firm vigorous steps with which he climbed the hill side；
then stood to wave his hand to Amabel looking a perfect specimen of
health and activity。
'Just like himself；' said Amy； drawing so long a breath that Guy
smiled； but did not speak。
'Are you much vexed？' said she。
'I don't feel as if I had made the most of my opportunities。'
'Then if you have not； I can tell you who has。 What do you think of
his begin