‘I was carried away. I had not been much with women. And I think that emotion of one kind - I think it may predispose the mind to others.’
‘Why do some people say that we are not alike? We seem to be almost the same. But grief for a wife is a better emotion than excitement over money. Your second feelings had a nobler foundation and deserved success. But no wonder there are no secrets between us. I only have one secret left. But it shows me what it was for Clement, when his only secret was exposed.’
‘Are you going to tell me?’
‘Yes, I am, because it is proof that I have lost my feeling for Maria. I have already proposed to someone else.’
‘What?’ said Edgar, the fear in his tone bringing final content to his brother. ‘You have not had time. You were ill a few days after you left this house,’
‘Well, I proposed to her a few minutes after. You see that I lost my feeling for Maria very soon. And she refused me. Women do not seem to want me as the companion of their lives.’
‘Miss Griffin?’ said Edgar, with incredulity and perception.
‘How affection sharpens your wits! But you should have said: “I want you, Dudley.”’
‘I think -1 see that the sun is coming out.’
‘So we can go out and walk as we have all our lives. The only difference will be that I must lean on your arm. I have had to say it for you. Saying it in your way does not count. I said it in anyone’s way. I am the better of the two.’
‘I think you might for twenty minutes, for a quarter of an hour.’
The pair went out and walked on the path outside the house, and Justine, catching the sight from a window, rose with a cry and ran to fetch her brothers.
This electronic edition published in July 2011 by Bloomsbury Reader
Bloomsbury Reader is a division of Bloomsbury Publishing Plc, 50 Bedford Square, London WC1B 3DP
Copyright © Ivy Compton-Burnett
The moral right of the author has been asserted
All rights reserved
You may not copy, distribute, transmit, reproduce or otherwise
make available this publication (or any part of it) in any form, or by any means
(including without limitation electronic, digital, optical, mechanical, photocopying,
printing, recording or otherwise), without the prior written permission of the
publisher. Any person who does any unauthorised act in relation to this publication
may be liable to criminal prosecution and civil claims for damages
ISBN: 9781448204182
eISBN: 9781448203598
Visit www.bloomsburyreader.com to find out more about our authors and their books
You will find extracts, author interviews, author events and you can sign up for
newsletters to be the first to hear about our latest releases and special offers
A Family and a Fortune Page 29