“My dear cousin, let it be settled between us,
then, that you frankly and without delay communicate
to Lionel the whole truth, so far as it is known to
us, and put it to him how best and most touchingly
to move Mr. Darrell towards her, of whom we hold him
to be the natural protector. I will write to
my uncle to return to England that he may assist us
in the same good work. Meanwhile, I shall have
only good tidings to communicate to Sophy in my new
hopes to discover her grandfather through Merle.”
Here, as the sun was setting, Lionel and Sophy came
in sight,—above their heads, the western
clouds bathed in gold and purple. Sophy, perceiving
George, bounded forwards, and reached his side, breathless.
Lionel Haughton
having lost his heart, it
is no longer A question of
what he will do with
it. But what will be done with it is A very
grave question indeed.
Lionel forestalled Lady Montfort in the delicate and
embarrassing subject which her cousin had urged her
to open. For while George, leading away Sophy,
informed her of his journey to Norwich, and his interview
with Merle, Lionel drew. Lady Montfort into
the house, and with much agitation, and in abrupt
hurried accents, implored her to withdraw the promise
which forbade him to inform his benefactor how and
where his time had been spent of late. He burst
forth with a declaration of that love with which Sophy
had inspired him, and which Lady Montfort could not
be but prepared to hear. “Nothing,”
said he, “but a respect for her more than filial
anxiety at this moment could have kept my heart thus
long silent. But that heart is so deeply pledged—so
utterly hers—that it has grown an ingratitude,
a disrespect—to my generous kinsman, to
conceal from him any longer the feelings which must
colour my whole future existence. Nor can I
say to her, ’Can you return my affection?—
will you listen to my vows?—will you accept
them at the altar?’—until I have
won, as I am sure to win, the approving consent of
my more than father.”
“You feel sure to win that consent, in spite
of the stain on her grandfather’s name?”
“When Darrell learns that, but for my poor father’s
fault, that name might be spotless now!—yes!
I am not Mr. Darrell’s son—the transmitter
of his line. I believe yet that he will form
new ties. By my mother’s side I have no
ancestors to boast of; and you have owned to me that
Sophy’s mother was of gentle birth. Alban
Morley told me, when I last saw him, that Darrell
wishes me to marry, and leaves me free to choose my
bride. Yes; I have no doubt of Mr. Darrell’s
consent. My dear mother will welcome to her
heart the prize so coveted by mine; and Charles Haughton’s
son will have a place at his hearth for the old age
of William Losely. Withdraw your interdict at
once, dearest Lady Montfort, and confide to me all
that you have hitherto left unexplained, but have
promised to reveal when the time came. The time
has come.”
