east lynne-第42章

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ould　excuse　himself　by　lies；　lies　base　and　false　as　he　was；　from　accompanying　her　out；　on　purpose　to　pass　the　hours　with　Barbara　Hare！　Had　she　been　alone　in　the　carriage；　a　torrent　of　passion　had　probably　escaped　her。

She　leaned　back；　panting　in　her　emotion；　but　hiding　it　from　Captain　Levison。　As　they　came　opposite　to　Justice　Hare's　she　deliberately　bent　forward　and　scanned　the　garden　with　eager　eyes。

There；　in　the　bright　moonlight；　all　too　bright　and　clear；　slowly　paced　arm　in　arm；　and　drawn　close　to　each　other；　her　husband　and　Barbara　Hare。　With　a　choking　sob　that　could　no　longer　be　controlled　or　hidden；　Lady　Isabel　sunk　back　again。

He；　that　bold；　bad　man；　dared　to　put　his　arm　around　her；　to　draw　her　to　his　side；　to　whisper　that　/his/　love　was　left　to　her；　if　another's　was　withdrawn。　She　was　most　assuredly　out　of　her　senses　that　night；　or　she　never　would　have　listened。

A　jealous　woman　is　mad；　an　outraged　woman　is　doubly　mad；　and　the　ill…　fated　Lady　Isabel　truly　believed　that　every　sacred　feeling　which　ought　to　exist　between　man　and　wife　was　betrayed　by　Mr。　Carlyle。

〃Be　avenged　on　that　false　hound；　Isabel。　He　was　never　worthy　of　you。　Leave　your　life　of　misery；　and　come　to　happiness。〃

In　her　bitter　distress　and　wrath；　she　broke　into　a　storm　of　sobs。　Were　they　caused　by　passion　against　her　husband；　or　by　those　bold　and　shameless　words？　Alas！　Alas！　Francis　Levison　applied　himself　to　soothe　her　with　all　the　sweet　and　dangerous　sophistry　of　his　crafty　nature。

The　minutes　flew　on。　A　quarter　to　ten；　now　a　quarter　past　ten；　and　still　Richard　Hare　lingered　on　with　his　mother；　and　still　Mr。　Carlyle　and　Barbara　paced　patiently　the　garden　path。　At　half…past　ten　Richard　came　forth；　after　having　taken　his　last　farewell。　Then　came　Barbara's　tearful　farewell；　which　Mr。　Carlyle　witnessed；　and　then　a　hard　grasp　of　that　gentleman's　hand；　and　Richard　plunged　amidst　the　trees　to　depart　the　way　he　came。

〃Good　night；　Barbara；〃　said　Mr。　Carlyle。

〃Will　you　not　come　in　and　say　good　night　to　mamma？〃

〃Not　now；　it　is　late。　Tell　her　how　glad　I　am　things　have　gone　off　so　well。〃

He　started　off　at　a　strapping　pace　toward　his　home；　and　Barbara　leaned　on　the　gate　to　indulge　her　tears。　Not　a　soul　passed　to　interrupt　her；　and　the　justice　did　not　come。　What　could　have　become　of　him？　What　could　the　Buck's　Head　be　thinking　of；　to　retain　respectable　elderly　justices　from　their　beds；　who　ought　to　go　home　early　and　set　a　good　example　to　the　parish？　Barbara　knew；　the　next　day；　that　Justice　Hare；　with　a　few　more　gentlemen；　had　been　seduced　from　the　staid　old　inn　to　a　friend's　house；　to　an　entertainment　of　supper；　pipes；　and　whist；　two　tables；　penny　points；　and　it　was　between　twelve　and　one　ere　the　party　rose　from　the　fascination。　So　far；　wellas　it　happened。

Barbara　knew　not　how　long　she　lingered　at　the　gate；　ten　minutes　it　may　have　been。　Nobody　summoned　her。　Mrs。　Hare　was　indulging　her　grief　indoors；　giving　no　thought　to　Barbara；　and　the　justice　did　not　make　his　appearance。　Exceedingly　surprised　was　Barbara　to　hear　fast　footsteps；　and　to　find　that　they　were　Mr。　Carlyle's。

〃The　more　haste；　the　less　speed；　Barbara；〃　he　called　out　as　he　came　up。　〃I　had　got　half…way　home　and　have　had　to　come　back　again。　When　I　went　into　your　sitting…room；　I　left　a　small　parcel；　containing　a　parchment；　on　the　sideboard。　Will　you　get　it　for　me？〃

Barbara　ran　indoors　and　brought　forth　the　parcel；　and　Mr。　Carlyle；　with　a　brief　word　of　thanks；　sped　away　with　it。

She　leaned　on　the　gate　as　before；　the　ready　tears　flowing　again；　her　heart　was　aching　for　Richard；　it　was　aching　for　the　disappointment　the　night　had　brought　forth　respecting　Captain　Thorn。　Still　nobody　passed；　still　the　steps　of　her　father　were　not　heard；　and　Barbara　stayed　on。　Butwhat　was　that　figure　cowering　under　the　shade　of　the　hedge　at　a　distance；　and　seemingly；　watching　her？　Barbara　strained　her　eyes；　while　her　heart　beat　as　if　it　would　burst　its　bounds。　Surely；　surely；　it　was　her　brother？　What　had　he　ventured　back　for？

Richard　Hare　it　was。　When　fully　assured　that　Barbara　was　standing　there；　he　knew　the　justice　was　still　absent；　and　ventured　to　advance。　He　appeared　to　be　in　a　strange　state　of　emotionhis　breath　labored；　his　whole　frame　trembling。

〃Barbara！　Barbara！〃　he　called。　〃I　have　seen　Thorn。〃

Barbara　thought　him　demented。　〃I　know　you　saw　him；〃　she　slowly　said；　〃but　it　was　not　the　right　Thorn。〃

〃Not　he；〃　breathed　Richard；　〃and　not　the　gentleman　I　saw　to…night　in　Carlyle's　office。　I　have　seen　the　fellow　himself。　Why　to　you　stare　at　me　so；　Barbara？〃

Barbara　was　in　truth　scanning　his　face　keenly。　It　appeared　to　her　a　strange　tale　that　he　was　telling。

〃When　I　left　here；　I　cut　across　into　Bean　lane；　which　is　more　private　for　me　than　this　road；〃　proceeded　Richard。　〃Just　as　I　got　to　that　clump　of　treesyou　know　it；　BarbaraI　saw　somebody　coming　toward　me　from　a　distance。　I　stepped　back　behind　the　trunks　of　the　trees；　into　the　shade　of　the　hedge；　for　I　don't　care　to　be　met；　though　I　am　disguised。　He　came　along　the　middle　of　the　lane；　going　toward　West　Lynne；　and　I　looked　out　upon　him。　I　knew　him　long　before　he　was　abreast　of　me；　it　was　Thorn。〃　Barbara　made　no　comment；　she　was　digesting　the　news。

〃Every　drop　of　blood　within　me　began　to　tingle；　and　an　impulse　came　upon　me　to　spring　upon　him　and　accuse　him　of　the　murder　of　Hallijohn；〃　went　on　Richard；　in　the　same　excited　manner。　〃But　I　resisted　it；　or；　perhaps；　my　courage　failed。　One　of　the　reproaches　against　me　had　used　to　be　that　I　was　a　physical　coward；　you　know；　Barbara；〃　he　added；　in　a　tone　of　bitterness。　〃In　a　struggle；　Thorn　would　have　had　the　best　of　it；　he　is　taller　and　more　powerful　than　I；　and　might　have　battered　me　to　death。　A　man　who　can　commit　one　murder　won't　hesitate　at　a　second。〃

〃Richard；　do　you　think　you　could　have　been　deceived？〃　she　urged。　〃You　had　been　talking　of　Thorn；　and　your　thoughts　were；　naturally　bearing　upon　him。　Imagination〃

〃Be　still；　Barbara；〃　he　interrupted　in　a　tone　of　pain。　〃Imagination；　indeed！　Did　I　not　tell　you　he　was　stamped　here？〃　touching　his　breast。　〃Do　you　take　me　for　a　child；　or　an　imbecile；　that　I　should　fancy　I　see　Thorn　in　every　shadow；　or　meet　people　where　I　do　not？　He　had　his　hat　off；　as　if　he　had　been　walking　fast　and　had　got　hotfast　he　was　walking；　and　he　carried　the　hat　in　one　hand；　and　what　looked　like　a　small　parcel。　With　the　other　hand　he　was　pushing　the　hair　from　his　browin　this　waya　peculiar　way；〃　added　Richard；　slightly　lifting　his　own　hat　and　pushing　back　his　hair。　〃By　that　action　alone　I　should　have　known　him；　for　he　was　always　doing　it　in　the　old　days。　And　there　was　his　white　hand；　adorned　with　his　diamond　ring！　Barbara；　the　diamond　glittered　in　the　moonlight！〃

Richard's　voice　and　manner　were　singularly　earnest；　and　a　conviction　of　the　truth　of　his　assertion　flashed　over　his　sister。

〃I　saw　his　face　as　plainly　as　I　ever　saw　itevery　featurehe　is　scarcely　altered；　save　for　a　haggardness　in　his　cheeks　now。　Barbara；　you　need　not　doubt　me；　I　swear　it　was　Thorn！〃

She　grew　excited　as　he　was；　now　that　she　believed　the　news；　it　was　telling　upon　her；　reason　left　its　place　and　impulse　succeeded；　Barbara　did　not　wait　to　weigh　her　actions。

〃Richard！　Mr。　Carlyle　ought　to　know　this。　He　has　but　just　gone；　we　may　overtake　him；　if　we　try。〃

Forgetting　the　strange　appearances　it　would　haveher　flying　along　the　public　road　at　that　hour　of　the　nightshould　she　meet　any　who　knew　herforgetting　what　the　consequence　might　be；　did　Justice　Hare　return　and　find　her　absent；　Barbara　set　off　with　a　fleet　foot；　Richard　more　stealthily　following　herhis　eyes　cast　in　all　directions。　Fortunately　Barbara　wore　a　bonnet　and　mantle；　which　she　had　put　on　to　pace　the　garden　with　Mr。　Carlyle；　fortunately；　also；　the　road　was　remarkably　empty　of　passengers。　She　succeeded　in　reaching　Mr。　Carlyle　before　he　turned　into　East　Lynne　gates。

〃Barbara！〃　he　exclaimed　in　the　extreme　of　astonishment。　〃Barbara！〃

〃Archibald！　Archibald！　She　panted；　gasping　for　breath。　〃I　am　not　out　of　my　mindbut　do　come　and　speak　to　Richard！　He　has　just　seen　the　real　Thorn。〃

Mr。　Carlyle；　amazed　and　wondering；　turned　back。　They　got　over　the　field　stile；　nearly　opposite　the　gates；　drew　behind　the　hedge；　and　there　Richard　told　his　tale。　Mr。　Carlyle　did　not　appear　to　doubt　it；　as　Barbara　had　done；　perhaps　he　could　not；　in　the　face　of　Richard's　agitated　and　intense　earnestness。

〃I　am　sure　there　is　no　one　named　Thorn　in　the　neighborhood；　save　the　gentleman　you　saw　in　my　office　to…night；　Richard；〃　observed　Mr。　Carlyle；　after　some　deliberation。　〃It　is　very　strange。〃

〃He　may　be　staying　here　under　a　feigned　name；〃　replied　Richard。　〃There　can　be　no　mistake　that　it　was　Thorn　whom　I　have　just　met。〃

〃How　was　he　dressed？　As　a　gentleman？〃

〃Catch　him　dressing　as　anything　else；〃　returned　Richard。　〃He　was　in　an　evening　suit　of　black；　with　a　sort　of　thin　overcoat　thrown　on；　but　it　was　flung　back　at　the　shoulders；　and　I　distinctly　saw　his　clothes。　A　gray　alpaca；　it　looked　like。　As　I　have　told　Barbara；　I　should　have　known　him　by　this　action　of　the　hand；〃　imitating　it；　〃as　he　pushed　his　hair　off　his　forehead；　it　was　the　delicate　white　hand　of　the　days　gone　by；　Mr。　Carlyle；　it　was　the　flashing　of　the　diamond　ring！〃

Mr。　Carlyle　was　silent；　Barbara　also；　but　the　thoughts　of　both　were　busy。　〃Richard；〃　observed　the　former；　〃I　should　advise　you　to　remain　a　day　or　two　in　the　neighborhood；　and　look　out　for　this　man。　You　may　see　him　again；　and　may　track　him　home；　it　is　very　desirable　to　find　out　who　he　really　is　if　practicable。〃

〃But　the　danger？〃　urged　Richard。

〃Your　fears　magnify　that。　I　am　quite　certain　that　nobody　would　know　you　in　broad　daylight；　disguised　as　you　are　now。　So　many　years　have　flown　since；　that　people　have　forgotten　to　think　about　you；　Richard。〃

But　Richard　could　not　be　persuaded；　he　was　full　of　fears。　He　described　the　man　as　accurately　as　he　could　to　Mr。　Carlyle　and　Barbara；　and　told　them　/they/　must　look　out。　With　some　trouble；　Mr。　Carlyle　got　from　him　an　address　in　London；　to　which　he　might　write；　in　case　anything　turned　up；　and　Richard's　presence　should　be　necessary。　He　then　once　more　said　farewell；　and　quitted　them；　his　way　lying　past　East　Lynne。

〃And　now　to　see　you　back；　Barbara；〃　said　Mr。　Carlyle。

〃Indeed　you　shall　not　do　itlate　as　it　is；　and　tired　as　you　must　be。　I　came　here　alone；　Richard　did　not　keep　near　me。〃

〃I　cannot　help　your　having　come　here　alone；　but　you　may　rely　upon　it；　I　do　not　suffer　you　to　go　back　so。　Nonsense；　Barbara！　Allow　you　to　go　along　the　high　road　by　yourself　at　eleven　o'clock　at　night？　What　are　you　thinking　of？〃

He　gave　Barbara　his　arm；　and　they　pursued　their　way。　〃How　late　Lady　Isabel　will　think　you！〃　observed　Barbara。

〃I　don't　know　that　Lady　Isabel　has　returned　home　yet。　My　being　late　once　in　a　while　is　of　no　consequence。〃

Not　another　word　was　spoken；　save　by　Barbara。　〃Whatever　excuse　can　I　make；　should　papa　come　home？〃　Both　were　buried　in　their　own　reflections。　〃Thank　you　very　greatly；〃　she　said　as　they　reached　her　gate；　and　Mr。　Carlyle　finally　turned　away。　Barbara　stole　in；　and　found　the　coast　clear；　her　papa　had　not　arrived。

Lady　Isabel　was　in　her　dressing…room　when　Mr。　Carlyle　entered；　she　was　seated　at　a　table；　writing。　A　few　questions　as　to　her　evening's　visit；　whic