CHAPTER XLVIII.

Te Aroha News, Volume VI, Issue 367, 11 May 1889, Page 6

CHAPTER XLVIII.

WHAT'S DO>T, CAN'T liX I'XDONE. A lovg silence ensued, broken only by the ticking ol the clock upon the chimneypiece. As Dennis Denver stood there, gazing at his wife's prostrate form, after a fashion he \aguely recognised how much t>he roust have suffered, and a feeling of compassion, not wholly free from penitence, stole over him. He felt that he was by no means blameless, and. to do him justice, as he listened to Dulcie s first despairing cry, a movement of genuine compunction took possession of him, and lie nilied her as much as he was capable of pityiig anybody. ' Dulcio,' ho said, presently, speaking in a mulllod, but cuiiously subdued, voice, 1 tell me exactly what were the circumstances preceding our marriage ? No wonder we were at cioss-pu> poses. ' Tims adjured, she told him all the events that had taken place. In tho intense excitement of the moment*>he completely forgot that it was her husband, the man she both feared and disliked, whom she was addressing, and, carried quite out of her customary reticence, poured forth her whole heart, describing with graphic force all ehe had endured. And ho listened to her story in abashed, nay, almost shamefaced, silence. Until an hour aero he had believed — or tried to believe — she did not deeply care for Bob, that her love wa« merely a silly, girlish fancy, and that preferring a life ot ease and luxury, she had deliberately married him with her eye? open ; andi with this notion ever present in his mind, almost unconsciously a certain sentiment of disrespect had tinged hi? thoughts when thinking of her, and had influenced his conduct. But now, when for the first time he heard how disgiacefully she had been entiapped, and recalled how often, even thus early in their wedded life, he had neglected and insulted her, a flush of shame lose to his brow, and he inwardly resolved to break with the old habits he was rapidly forming anew, and to lead a better, and if possible a purer life. • Dulcie,' ho said gravely, when at length she finished speakinsr, ' this is a bad business ; but what's done can't be undone, so chest- up like a sensible girl and look at the bright side of the picture.' Poor Dnlcic could not help feeling this was tar easier said than acted upon. Such advice no doubt was good, but oh ! how hard to follow ! Nevertheless a certain unwonted commiseration in tho tone** of his voice touched her to the quick. A little kindness went &o far, and was so unusual, that, at that moment &he felt more drawn towaids him than she had done since their lirst acquaintance. But her whole being still thrilled with disgust at the meanness and treachery of her mother's conduct. ' Oh !' she cried, c how could mamma be so dreadfully cruel, and tell such hateful gtories ? I have never done her any wrong that she should treat me like this. What was her object in spoiling my life and breaking my heart ?' The language she employed was unguarded. ' Tt's ridiculous talking in that absurdly exaggerated fashion,' ho paid, with a frown. ' Your mother has behaved badly, I admit ; but aftor all, there's not much harm dono, j and if you go on as you have begun, and I

keep your proper place, \ve shall end by being a model couple ; whilst everything that money can purchase is at your command. There !' with an air of conscious magnanimity ; ' I can't say more, can I ?' Dulcie felt far -very tar -from contented at the prospect thus held out, but some expression of gratitude seemed clearly expeetod in return. Would he never learn how lightly she esteemed luxury compared with happiness, or wealth as against love '' It did not seem likely. Their natures were too dissimilar. 'Thank j'ou,' she said, humbly. 'You are extremely kind, and though I am not a maid-?ervant, I shall certainly endeavour to keep my " proper place.'" Fancy Bob employing such an expression ! Was it not enough to rpake any woman rise up in arms, and fill her with rebellious thoughts ? ' That's right !' ho exclaimed. 'We shall get on like a house on lire, in ppite of this little t'ohtrei erupt.' ' I'll do my best, Dennip. I'll try and remember how much you also are to be pitied, in having had a girt palmed off upon you whom ypu believed was a willing bride, and who — ' breaking off abruptly. She meant, ' and who loved, another man, heart and soul ;' but she was gradually learning caution 'and checked herself in time. It \va<! no use offending him unnecessarily, and, with a half.ktifled sob, she once more buried her face among the velvet cushions There are' few men wholly insensibjo to feminine tears. As a rulo, not one man in a hundred can resist them. They produced a certain effect upon Dennis Denver, and, in an awkward^ tactless fashion, he tried to comfort her. \ After a bit she ceased crying, and, resolutely wiping away the tears, sain : ' Dennis, when do you intend leaving Paris and returning to Brnbazon'?' The question took him by surprise. Day by day he had drifted on, gradually resuming many of his old bachelor habits, 1 and, in the absence of any admirers to arouse his causeless jealousy, growing moie and more neglectful of the young girl he had so recently married. Only a short while ago, in answer to this interrogation, he would probably have flung bacis some coarse or savage reply ; but to-night his conscience pricked him for many deeds of which she remained in ignoiance, and he said : * I don't know, and what's more, fco tell you the truth I don'b much care,' ' I suppose that sooner or later we shall go home, shan't we V 1 Oh, yes, of course. We can leave whenever you like,' • When we get back to Brabazon, Dennis, there is one favour I wish to ask at your hands.' ' What is that ?' ' Why,' trembling with suppressed emo tion, ' you won't expect me to — to receive mamma or be civil to her V ' Bah ! Not be civil to your own mother ? You must, Dalcie. People will talk to infernally else.' ' I can't help that. If they chose to make remarks they are welcome to do &o.' ' Pooh ! we can't go spreading Tamily rows all o\er the country. It's such a deuced bad form.' 'I feel,' continued Dukie, indignantly, ignoring her husband's observation, ' that ( although she is my own mother, 1 never wish to sec her again, or have anything to do with her.' { Rubbish, Dulcie ! What good can it do ,you flying ofF in such a temper ? Your mother has not behaved worse than lots of worldly old ladies 1' could mention. Look at me,' raising himself up to his full height, and smiling loftily; ' I don't go into a passion about nothing at all.' ' No, perhaps not, because it co happens you got exactly what you wanted. That makes a mighty diflerence.' 'Well, and if you had got what you wanted — by which I suppose you mean Bob Morning ton — in what sort of a position would you have been ab ttie present moment?' ' I don'fc care twopence about position,' she answered warmly. 'Very likely; but people must eat, and depend upon it you are a long sight better off as Mrs Denver than Mrs Robert Mornington, on sixpence halfpenny a year.' ' That is a matter of opinion,' she retorted, beginning to grow hot again. 'Everybody does not think alike.' 'No, thank goodness ! The world would bo stocked with a precious set of fools if they weie all like you,' he rejoined with a sneer. "As for jour mot'.er — when you and 6he meet I mu&fc insisc — yea. insist,' raising his voice in the old authoiitative fashion — * that you behave decently.' His manner had re-assumed its customary selfish mastership, and j=he felt too utterly bruised and shaken in spiiit to offer a prolonged resistance. Weak as was his character, that strong, ill-regulated will possessed a stranye power of coercion, bending all those who caiiie in contact with it to its wi&hes. She thought for a second before saying, entreating^y : ' Oh ! please-, Dennis, if you don't mind, I'd — I'd rather never go back h-home again.' 4 Faugh ! Do you mean to say we are to become exiles, simply because you have taken up some silly revengeful spite against your mother ?' Any temporary gleam of kindliness had vanished. Nevertheless she admitted her husband had some reason on his side. ' Dennis, 'she said gently,going up to him and putting her little hand tremblingly on his arm, ' I am veiy sorry, for I know that I am not quite all you could wish ; but if,' dropping her voice to a pathetic whisper — ' if you will bear with me and have patience I—lI — I promise to impro\e in time.' Groat blinding tears stood in the dark, innocent eyes, and the sweet face looked up softly into his own with a sad, but beseeching, smile. Oh"! if he had but been capable of understanding 'hdr proud, yet tender and sensitive, disposition, he might possibly — even at the eleventh hour — have won her. Alas ! he was wholly unable to appreciateadvances which, if gracefully leceived, might have marked a new era in both their lives. And so the golden moments slip away, and our opportunities go by unrecognised. ' All right !' he answered brusquely, ' don't make another scene. We've had quito enough of the waterworks for one night. Turn off the tap, theie's a good sirl, and come along to bed.' , She never spoke a word, but, feeling any real communion of spirit between them impossible henceforth and for ever, quietly turned and left the room. Her heart was very sore within her, but, ignorant of the part he had played, she exonerated him, visiting the blame upon her mother. Until to-day, through all the steady misery of her daily life, the clashing tastes and opposite ideas, she had been uplifted and upborne by the thought of the good she had brought to others ; but now — when she learnt how cruelly she had been be brayed — every existing landmark of faith, honour, trust, and belief was felled to the ground. f