to
Jasper, who viewed it with very natural alarm. By reconciliation with
Guy Darrell, Jasper understood something solid and practical--not a mere
sentimental pardon, added to that paltry stipend of L700 a-year which
he had just obtained--but the restoration to all her rights and
expectancies of the heiress he had supposed himself to marry. He had
by no means relinquished the belief that sooner or later Darrell would
listen to the Voice of Nature, and settle all his fortune on his only
child. But then for the Voice of Nature to have fair play, it was clear
that there should be no other child to plead for. And if Darrell were
to marry again and to have sons, what a dreadful dilemma it would be for
the Voice of Nature! Jasper was not long in discovering that Caroline's
engagement was not less unwelcome to Mrs. Lyndsay than to himself,
and that she was disposed to connive at any means by which it might
be annulled. Matilda was first employed to weaken the bond it was so
desirable to sever. Matilda did not reproach, but she wept. She was sure
now that she should he an outcast--her children beggars. Mrs. Lyndsay
worked up this complaint with adroitest skill. Was Caroline sure that
it was not most dishonourable--most treacherous--to rob her own earliest
friend of the patrimony that would otherwise return to Matilda
with Darrell's pardon? This idea became exquisitely painful to the
high-spirited Caroline, but it could not counterpoise the conviction of
the greater pain she should occasion to the breast that so confided in
her faith, if that faith were broken. Step by step the intrigue against
the absent one proceeded. Mrs. Lyndsay thoroughly understood the art
of insinuating doubts. Guy Darrell, a man of the world, a cold-blooded
lawyer, a busy politician, he break his heart for a girl! No, it was
only the young, and especially the young when not remarkably clever, who
broke their hearts for such trifles. Montfort, indeed--there was a man
whose heart could be broken!--whose happiness could be blasted! Dear
Guy Darrell had been only moved, in his proposals, by generosity.
"Something, my dear child, in your own artless words and manner, that
made him fancy he had won your affections unknown to yourself!--an idea
that he was bound as a gentleman to speak out! Just like him. He has
that spirit of chivalry. But my belief is, that he is quite aware by
this time how foolish such a marriage would be, and would thank you
heartily if, at