登陆注册
26259100000098

第98章 Chapter XLI. Make the Best of It.(2)

The serious embarrassments that surrounded him were thickening fast. His natural frank nature urged him to undeceive Herbert. If he followed his inclinations, in the near neighborhood of the hotel, who could say what disasters might not ensue, in his brother's present frame of mind? If he made the disclosure on their return to the house, he would be only running the same risk of consequences, after an interval of delay; and, if he remained silent, the march of events might, at any moment, lead to the discovery of what he had concealed. Add to this, that his confidence in Catherine had been rudely shaken. Having allowed herself to be entrapped into the deception proposed by her mother, and having thus far persevered in that deception, were the chances in favor of her revealing her true position--especially if she was disposed to encourage Bennydeck's suit? Randal's loyalty to Catherine hesitated to decide that serious question against the woman whom he had known, trusted, and admired for so many years. In any event, her second marriage would lead to one disastrous result. It would sooner or later come to Herbert's ears. In the meantime, after what Mrs. Presty had confessed, the cruel falsehood which had checked poor Kitty's natural inquiries raised an insuperable obstacle to a meeting between father and child.

If Randal shrank from the prospect which thus presented itself to him, in his relations with his brother, and if his thoughts reverted to Sydney Westerfield, other reasons for apprehension found their way into his mind.

He had promised to do his best toward persuading Catherine to grant Sydney an interview. To perform that promise appeared to be now simply impossible. Under the exasperating influence of a disappointment for which she was not prepared, it was hard to say what act of imprudence Sydney might not commit. Even the chance of successfully confiding her to Bennydeck's protection had lost something of its fair promise, since Randal's visit to Sydenham.

That the Captain would welcome his friend's daughter as affectionately as if she had been his own child, was not to be doubted for a moment. But that she would receive the same unremitting attention, while he was courting Catherine, which would have been offered to her under other circumstances, was not to be hoped. Be the results, however, what they might, Randal could see but one plain course before him now. He decided on hastening Sydney's introduction to Bennydeck, and on writing at once to prepare the Captain for that event.

Even this apparently ****** proceeding required examination in its different bearings, before he could begin his letter.

Would he be justified in alluding to the report which associated Bennydeck with Catherine? Considerations of delicacy seemed to forbid taking this liberty, even with an intimate friend. It was for the Captain to confirm what Mrs. Presty had said of him, if he thought it desirable to touch on the subject in his reply.

Besides, looking to Catherine's interest--and not forgetting how she had suffered--had Randal any right to regard with other than friendly feelings a second marriage, which united her to a man morally and intellectually the superior of her first husband?

What happier future could await her--especially if she justified Randal's past experience of all that was candid and truthful in her character--than to become his friend's wife?

Written under the modifying influence of these conclusions, his letter contained the few words that follow:

"I have news for you which I am sure you will be glad to hear.

Your old friend's daughter has abandoned her sinful, and has made sacrifices which prove the sincerity of her repentance.

Without entering into particulars which may be mercifully dismissed from notice, let me only assure you that I answer for Sydney Westerfield as being worthy of the fatherly interest which you feel in her. Shall I say that she may expect an early visit from you, when I see her to-morrow? I don't doubt that I am free already to do this; but it will encourage the poor girl, if I can speak with your authority."

He added Sydney's address in a postscript, and dispatched his letter that evening.

On the afternoon of the next day two letters were delivered to Randal, bearing the Sydenham postmark The first which he happened to take up was addressed to him in Mrs. Presty's handwriting. His opinion of this correspondent was expressed in prompt action--he threw the letter, unopened, into the waste-paper basket The next letter was from Bennydeck, written in the kindest terms, but containing no allusion to any contemplated change in his life. He would not be able (he wrote) to leave Sydenham for a day or two. No explanation of the cause of this delay followed. But it might, perhaps, be excusable to infer that the marriage had not yet been decided on, and that the Captain's proposals were still waiting for Catherine's reply.

Randal put the letter in his pocket and went at once to Sydney's lodgings.

同类推荐
热门推荐
  • 官拜五品:太子洗马

    官拜五品:太子洗马

    真想一板子拍死那个皇帝,自己堂堂女状元一枚,却被封了一个从五品的小官。五品就五品吧,关键是这官名还缺德的要死,居然叫“太子洗马”!你看人家榜眼和探花的品阶,不是员外郎就是监察使,众人前呼后拥好不威风呀。偏偏自己呢,享受了点政府福利还要被驿站的九品小官奚落一番……情节虚构,请勿模仿!
  • 神级山村少年

    神级山村少年

    精彩难叙,不做简介,只能说一切皆因真人秀变形计而开始。---------------------------------------------【推荐科幻之作《超级钢铁英雄》,蜘蛛侠般耐干,绿巨人般能打能扛。】
  • 我的相公辣眼睛

    我的相公辣眼睛

    穿越成一个瘸子,她认!但是穿越的老公是一个精分,这个锅她不背!充满王霸之气的退役特警云语,穿越到一个战五渣的小女子身上,最丧心病狂的是,新婚第二天被她丈夫直接丢到军营中去。老天给了她脸盲的bug,周围的人都长得一个样,怎么办?一开始他只是把她当宠物,但是不知何时,他的心竟然被这只小猫给拿走了!
  • 妖孽宝宝邪魅娘:爹爹哪里逃

    妖孽宝宝邪魅娘:爹爹哪里逃

    当现代令人闻风丧胆的佣兵主宰穿越到异界大陆,从现代的佣兵主宰哧地变成了另世人耻笑的绝世废材,而当这片大陆上无人不交头接耳的废物王爷遇上令世人耻笑的绝世废材大小姐;两个绝世废材会擦出怎样的火花?一晚上,女子正昏昏欲睡,突然察觉到一丝气息,女子猛的翻身坐起,如黄莺般动听的声音含着一抹冷冽:“谁?给本小姐滚出来。”门外闪过一道身影,眨眼间,便到了女子跟前,男子戴着月牙色的水晶面具,邪魅的声音缓缓吐出几个字:“给本王当解药。”
  • 迷失战争

    迷失战争

    飞鹰军事社区的一次军友聚会,却让几个骨干会员莫名其妙地穿越到了一个神的游戏世界中。在这个游戏中,他们只不过是几个毫不起眼的数据而已,而他们,却被强迫在这场游戏中浴血奋战,直到完成神的任务回到现实社会为止。从此之后,几个人不断穿梭在各个场景中,《珍珠港》、《兄弟连》、《拯救大兵瑞恩》……一个个血与火的世界正在等着他们,一场场生死攸关的战斗正在进行当中!没有奖励点数,没有支线剧情,更没有千奇百怪的高科技装备。这里有的不是吓死人不偿命的无限恐怖,这里有的只是充满枪林弹雨的迷失战争!喜欢本书的朋友可以加群:41476400。
  • 桃花谢,桃花烬

    桃花谢,桃花烬

    他的无意闯入,让她的心里泛起一丝波澜……他终于君临天下,却已物是人非
  • 名门少夫人

    名门少夫人

    亲眼目睹未婚夫跟妹妹出轨,她跑去酒吧买醉,却遇见了一个陌生人。遭陷害,丑事曝光,被退婚,他却出现说要娶她?结婚六月,她沉陷在他的温柔陷阱中,最终发现这一切只是他报复的手段!当腹中胎儿变成死婴,她才彻底醒悟:离开,是最好的解脱方式!
  • 蜗卒

    蜗卒

    陆凡从开始并不知道自己的责任有多大,他觉得他没有任何能力当救世主,但有时候,命运就是这么作弄人!为了让对自己很重要的人活下去,他不得不一次一次的拼下去!
  • 梦幻甜心

    梦幻甜心

    小学生茉子夏,在某天上学路上,发生了一段奇遇,闯进了甜心王国,开始了一段梦幻之旅。
  • 对EXO上了瘾

    对EXO上了瘾

    …………………………………………………………………………