‘But not all,’ said Nora.
‘No; thank God; not all.’
’And if you are not married you might write
for a newspaper. At any rate, if I were you,
I should be very proud of my brother.’
‘Aunt Stanbury is not at all proud of her nephew,’
said Priscilla, as they entered the house.
A THIRD PARTY IS SO OBJECTIONABLE
Hugh Stanbury went in search of Trevelyan immediately
on his return to London, and found his friend at his
rooms in Lincoln’s Inn.
‘I have executed my commission,’ said
Hugh, endeavouring to speak of what he had done in
a cheery voice.
’I am much obliged to you, Stanbury very much;
but I do not know that I need trouble you to tell
me anything about it.’
‘And why not?’
‘I have learned it all from that man.’
‘What man?’
’From Bozzle. He has come back, and has
been with me, and has learned everything.’
’Look here, Trevelyan, when you asked me to
go down to Devonshire, you promised me that there
should be nothing more about Bozzle. I expect
you to put that rascal, and all that he has told you,
out of your head altogether. You are bound to
do so for my sake, and you will be very wise to do
so for your own.’
‘I was obliged to see him when he came.’
’Yes, and to pay him, I do not doubt. But
that is all done, and should be forgotten.’
’I can’t forget it. Is it true or
untrue that he found that man down there? Is
it true or untrue that my wife received Colonel Osborne
at your mother’s house? Is it true or untrue
that Colonel Osborne went down there with the express
object of seeing her? Is it true or untrue that
they had corresponded? It is nonsense to bid me
to forget all this. You might as well ask me
to forget that I had desired her neither to write
to him, nor to see him.’
‘If I understand the matter,’ said Trevelyan,
’you are incorrect in one of your assertions.’
‘In which?’
’You must excuse me if I am wrong, Trevelyan;
but I don’t think you ever did tell your wife
not to see this man, or not to write to him?’
‘I never told her! I don’t understand
what you mean.’
’Not in so many words. It is my belief
that she has endeavoured to obey implicitly every
clear instruction that you have given her.’
’You are wrong absolutely and altogether wrong.
Heaven and earth! Do you mean to tell me now,
after all that has taken place, that she did not know
my wishes?’
’I have not said that. But you, have chosen
to place her in such a position, that though your
word would go for much with her, she cannot bring
herself to respect your wishes.’
‘And you call that being dutiful and affectionate!’
’I call it human and reasonable; and I think
that it is compatible with duty and affection.
Have you consulted her wishes?’
