But she had been annoyed by what she had
heard as to her friend. She knew that he of all men should keep
himself free from such follies. Those others had, as it were, a
right to make fools of themselves. It had seemed so natural that
the young men of her own class should dissipate their fortunes and
their reputations by every kind of extravagance! Her father had
done so, and she had never even ventured to hope that her brother
would not follow her father's example. But Tregear, if he gave way
to such follies as these, would soon fall headlong into a pit from
which there would be no escape. And if he did fall, she knew
herself well enough to be aware that she could not stifle, nor
even conceal the misery which this would occasion her. As long as
he stood well before the world she would be well able to assume
indifference. But were he to be precipitated into some bottomless
misfortunes then she could only throw herself after him. She could
see him marry, and smile,--and perhaps even like his wife. And
while he was doing so, she could also marry, and resolve that the
husband whom she took should be made to think he had a loving
wife.
Pages:
255
256
257
258
259
260
261
262
263
264
265
266
267
268
269
270
271
272
273
274
275
276
277
278
279