On the morning of the day when the guests were to depart Mrs. Aylmer,having spent a long and almost restless night, sent for Trevor to herroom. He entered unwillingly. He had begun to dislike his tete-a-tetewith Mrs. Aylmer very much.
"Now, my dear boy, just sit down and let us have a cosy chat," said theold lady.
Trevor stood near the open window.
"The day is so mild," he said, "that it is almost summer. Who wouldsuppose that we were close to December?"
"I have not sent for you, Maurice, to talk of the weather. I havesomething much more important to say."
"And what is that?" he asked.
"You remember our last conversation in this room?"
He knitted his brows.
"I remember it," he answered.
"I want to carry it on now; we have come to the second chapter."
"What do you mean by that?"
"Our last conversation was introductory. Now the story opens. You havebehaved very well, quite as well as I could have expected, during thetime that Sharstons and Sir John Wallis have stayed here."
"I am glad you are pleased with my behaviour; but in reality I did notbehave well: I mean according to your lights. I am just as much a rebelas ever."
"Maurice, my dear boy, try not to talk nonsense; try to look a littleahead. How old are you?"
"I shall be six-and-twenty early in the year."
"Quite a boy," said Mrs. Aylmer, in a slightly contemptuous voice. "Inten years you will be six-and-thirty, in twenty six-and-forty. In twentyyears from now you will much rejoice over what--what may not be quite toyour taste at the present moment, though why it should not be--Maurice,it is impossible, absolutely impossible, that you should not love thatsweet and beautiful girl."
"Which girl do you mean?" said Trevor.
"Don't prevaricate; you know perfectly well to whom I allude."
"Miss Sharston? She is far too good, far too sweet to have her namebandied between us. I decline to discuss her."
"You must discuss her. You can do so with all possible respect. KittySharston is to be your wife, Maurice."
"She will never be my wife," he replied. His tone was so firm, he stoodso upright as he spoke, his eyes were fixed so sternly, that just for amoment Mrs. Aylmer recognised that she had met her match.
"You refuse to do what I wish?" she said then slowly, "I who have doneall for you?"
"I refuse to do this. This is the final straw of all. No wealth is worthhaving at the price you offer. I will only marry the woman I love. Irespect, I admire, I reverence Miss Sharston; but I do not love her, nordoes she love me. It is sacrilege to talk of a marriage between us. If Ioffered she would refuse; it is not to be thought of; besides--"
"Why do you stop? Go on. It is just like your gratitude. How true arethe poet's words: 'Sharper than serpent's tooth!' But what is yourintention in the future?"
"Justice," he replied. "I cannot bear this. It troubles me more than Ican say. If you will not reinstate the girl who ought to be your heiressin her right position, I at least will do what I can for her. I willoffer her all I have."
"You! you!" Mrs. Aylmer now indeed turned pale. She rose from her seatand came a step nearer the young man.
"You are mad; you must be mad," she said. "What does this mean?"
"It means that I intend to propose for Florence Aylmer. Whether she willaccept me or not God only knows, but I love her."
"You told me a short time ago that you were not her lover."
"I had not then looked into my own heart. Now I find that I care for noone else. Her image fills my mind day and night; I am unhappy abouther--too unhappy to endure this state of things any longer."
"Do you think she will take you, a penniless man? Do you think you area good match for her or for any girl?"
"That has nothing to do with it. If she loves me she will accept allthat I can give her, and I can work for my living."
"I will not listen to another word of this. You have pained meinexpressibly."
"You gave me time to decide, and I have decided. If you will forgiveMiss Aylmer whatever she happened to do to displease you, if you willmake her joint heiress with me in your estates, then we will both serveyou and love you most faithfully and most truly; but if you will notgive her back her true position I at least will offer her all that a mancan offer--his heart, his worship, and all the talent he possesses. Ican work for my wife, and before God I shall be fifty times happier thanin my present position."
Mrs. Aylmer pointed to the door.
"I will not speak to you any more," she said. "This is disastrous,disgraceful! Go! Leave my presence!"