CHAPTER LI.
WHICH SHALL IT BE?
Paul Montague reached London on his return from Suffolk early on theMonday morning, and on the following day he wrote to Mrs. Hurtle. Ashe sat in his lodgings, thinking of his condition, he almost wishedthat he had taken Melmotte's offer and gone to Mexico. He might atany rate have endeavoured to promote the railway earnestly, and thenhave abandoned it if he found the whole thing false. In such case ofcourse he would never have seen Hetta Carbury again; but, as thingswere, of what use to him was his love,--of what use to him or to her?The kind of life of which he dreamed, such a life in England as wasthat of Roger Carbury, or, as such life would be, if Roger had a wifewhom he loved, seemed to be far beyond his reach. Nobody was likeRoger Carbury! Would it not be well that he should go away, and, ashe went, write to Hetta and bid her marry the best man that everlived in the world?
But the journey to Mexico was no longer open to him. He hadrepudiated the proposition and had quarrelled with Melmotte. It wasnecessary that he should immediately take some further step in regardto Mrs. Hurtle. Twice lately he had gone to Islington determined thathe would see that lady for the last time. Then he had taken her toLowestoft, and had been equally firm in his resolution that he wouldthere put an end to his present bonds. Now he had promised to goagain to Islington;--and was aware that if he failed to keep hispromise, she would come to him. In this way there would never be anend to it.
He would certainly go again, as he had promised,--if she should stillrequire it; but he would first try what a letter would do,--a plainunvarnished tale. Might it still be possible that a plain tale sentby post should have sufficient efficacy? This was his plain tale ashe now told it.
Tuesday, 2nd July, 1873.
MY DEAR MRS. HURTLE,--
I promised that I would go to you again in Islington, and so I will, if you still require it. But I think that such a meeting can be of no service to either of us. What is to be gained? I do not for a moment mean to justify my own conduct. It is not to be justified. When I met you on our journey hither from San Francisco, I was charmed with your genius, your beauty, and your character. They are now what I found them to be then. But circumstances have made our lives and temperaments so far different, that I am certain that, were we married, we should not make each other happy. Of course the fault was mine; but it is better to own that fault, and to take all the blame,--and the evil consequences, let them be what they may,--
to be shot, for instance, like the gentleman in Oregon,--
than to be married with the consciousness that even at the very moment of the ceremony, such marriage will be a matter of sorrow and repentance. As soon as my mind was made up on this I wrote to you. I can not,--I dare not,--blame you for the step you have since taken. But I can only adhere to the resolution I then expressed.
The first day I saw you here in London you asked me whether I was attached to another woman. I could answer you only by the truth. But I should not of my own accord have spoken to you of altered affections. It was after I had resolved to break my engagement with you that I first knew this girl. It was not because I had come to love her that I broke it. I have no grounds whatever for hoping that my love will lead to any results.
I have now told you as exactly as I can the condition of my mind. If it were possible for me in any way to compensate the injury I have done you,--or even to undergo retribution for it,--I would do so. But what compensation can be given, or what retribution can you exact? I think that our further meeting can avail nothing. But if, after this, you wish me to come again, I will come for the last time,--because I have promised.
Your most sincere friend,
PAUL MONTAGUE.
Mrs. Hurtle, as she read this, was torn in two ways. All that Paulhad written was in accordance with the words written by herself on ascrap of paper which she still kept in her own pocket. Those words,fairly transcribed on a sheet of note-paper, would be the mostgenerous and the fittest answer she could give. And she longed to begenerous. She had all a woman's natural desire to sacrifice herself.But the sacrifice which would have been most to her taste would havebeen of another kind. Had she found him ruined and penniless shewould have delighted to share with him all that she possessed. Hadshe found him a cripple, or blind, or miserably struck with somedisease, she would have stayed by him and have nursed him and givenhim comfort. Even had he been disgraced she would have fled with himto some far country and have pardoned all his faults. No sacrificewould have been too much for her that would have been accompanied bya feeling that he appreciated all that she was doing for him, andthat she was loved in return. But to sacrifice herself by going awayand never more being heard of, was too much for her! What woman canendure such sacrifice as that? To give up not only her love, but herwrath also;--that was too much for her! The idea of being tame wasterrible to her. Her life had not been very prosperous, but she waswhat she was because she had dared to protect herself by her ownspirit. Now, at last, should she succumb and be trodden on like aworm? Should she be weaker even than an English girl? Should sheallow him to have amused himself with her love, to have had "a goodtime," and then to roam away like a bee, while she was so dreadfullyscorched, so mutilated and punished! Had not her whole life beenopposed to the theory of such passive endurance? She took out thescrap of paper and read it; and, in spite of all, she felt that therewas a feminine softness in it that gratified her.
But no;--she could not send it. She could not even copy the words.And so she gave play to all her strongest feelings on the otherside,--being in truth torn in two directions. Then she sat herselfdown to her desk, and with rapid words, and flashing thoughts, wroteas follows:--
PAUL MONTAGUE,--
I have suffered many injuries, but of all injuries this is the worst and most unpardonable,--and the most unmanly. Surely there never was such a coward, never so false a liar. The poor wretch that I destroyed was mad with liquor and was only acting after his kind. Even Caradoc Hurtle never premeditated such wrong as this. What;--you are to bind yourself to me by the most solemn obligation that can join a man and a woman together, and then tell me,--when they have affected my whole life,--that they are to go for nothing, because they do not suit your view of things? On thinking over it, you find that an American wife would not make you so comfortable as some English girl;--and therefore it is all to go for nothing! I have no brother, no man near me;--or you would not dare to do this. You can not but be a coward.
You talk of compensation! Do you mean money? You do not dare to say so, but you must mean it. It is an insult the more. But as to retribution; yes. You shall suffer retribution. I desire you to come to me,--according to your promise,--and you will find me with a horsewhip in my hand. I will whip you till I have not a breath in my body. And then I will see what you will dare to do;--whether you will drag me into a court of law for the assault.
Yes; come. You shall come. And now you know the welcome you shall find. I will buy the whip while this is reaching you, and you shall find that I know how to choose such a weapon. I call upon you to come. But should you be afraid and break your promise, I will come to you. I will make London too hot to hold you;--and if I do not find you I will go with my story to every friend you have.
I have now told you as exactly as I can the condition of my mind.
WINIFRID HURTLE.
Having written this she again read the short note, and again gaveway to violent tears. But on that day she sent no letter. On thefollowing morning she wrote a third, and sent that. This was thethird letter:--
Yes. Come.
W. H.
This letter duly reached Paul Montague at his lodgings. He startedimmediately for Islington. He had now no desire to delay the meeting.He had at any rate taught her that his gentleness towards her,his going to the play with her, and drinking tea with her at Mrs.Pipkin's, and his journe
y with her to the sea, were not to be takenas evidence that he was gradually being conquered. He had declaredhis purpose plainly enough at Lowestoft,--and plainly enough in hislast letter. She had told him down at the hotel, that had she bychance have been armed at the moment, she would have shot him. Shecould arm herself now if she pleased;--but his real fear had not lainin that direction. The pang consisted in having to assure her that hewas resolved to do her wrong. The worst of that was now over.
The door was opened for him by Ruby, who by no means greeted him witha happy countenance. It was the second morning after the night of herimprisonment; and nothing had occurred to alleviate her woe. At thisvery moment her lover should have been in Liverpool, but he was, infact, abed in Welbeck Street. "Yes, sir; she's at home," said Ruby,with a baby in her arms and a little child hanging on to her dress."Don't pull so, Sally. Please, sir, is Sir Felix still in London?"Ruby had written to Sir Felix the very night of her imprisonment, buthad not as yet received any reply. Paul, whose mind was altogetherintent on his own troubles, declared that at present he knew nothingabout Sir Felix, and was then shown into Mrs. Hurtle's room.
The door was opened for him by Ruby.]
"So you have come," she said, without rising from her chair.
"Of course I came, when you desired it."
"I don't know why you should. My wishes do not seem to affect youmuch. Will you sit down there," she said, pointing to a seat at somedistance from herself. "So you think it would be best that you and Ishould never see each other again?" She was very calm; but it seemedto him that the quietness was assumed, and that at any moment itmight be converted into violence. He thought that there was that inher eye which seemed to foretell the spring of the wild-cat.
"I did think so certainly. What more can I say?"
"Oh, nothing; clearly nothing." Her voice was very low. "Why should agentleman trouble himself to say any more,--than that he has changedhis mind? Why make a fuss about such little things as a woman'slife, or a woman's heart?" Then she paused. "And having come, inconsequence of my unreasonable request, of course you are wise tohold your peace."
"I came because I promised."
"But you did not promise to speak;--did you?"
"What would you have me say?"
"Ah what! Am I to be so weak as to tell you now what I would haveyou say? Suppose you were to say, 'I am a gentleman, and a man of myword, and I repent me of my intended perfidy,' do you not think youmight get your release that way? Might it not be possible that Ishould reply that as your heart was gone from me, your hand mightgo after it;--that I scorned to be the wife of a man who did notwant me?" As she asked this she gradually raised her voice, and halflifted herself in her seat, stretching herself towards him.
"You might indeed," he replied, not well knowing what to say.
"But I should not. I at least will be true. I should take you,Paul,--still take you; with a confidence that I should yet win youto me by my devotion. I have still some kindness of feeling towardsyou,--none to that woman who is I suppose younger than I, andgentler, and a maid." She still looked as though she expected areply, but there was nothing to be said in answer to this. "Now thatyou are going to leave me, Paul, is there any advice you can give me,as to what I shall do next? I have given up every friend in the worldfor you. I have no home. Mrs. Pipkin's room here is more my home thanany other spot on the earth. I have all the world to choose from, butno reason whatever for a choice. I have my property. What shall I dowith it, Paul? If I could die and be no more heard of, you shouldbe welcome to it." There was no answer possible to all this. Thequestions were asked because there was no answer possible. "You mightat any rate advise me. Paul, you are in some degree responsible,--areyou not,--for my loneliness?"
"I am. But you know that I cannot answer your questions."
"You cannot wonder that I should be somewhat in doubt as to my futurelife. As far as I can see, I had better remain here. I do good at anyrate to Mrs. Pipkin. She went into hysterics yesterday when I spokeof leaving her. That woman, Paul, would starve in our country, and Ishall be desolate in this." Then she paused, and there was absolutesilence for a minute. "You thought my letter very short; did younot?"
"It said, I suppose, all you had to say."
"No, indeed. I did have much more to say. That was the third letterI wrote. Now you shall see the other two. I wrote three, and had tochoose which I would send you. I fancy that yours to me was easierwritten than either one of mine. You had no doubts, you know. I hadmany doubts. I could not send them all by post, together. But you maysee them all now. There is one. You may read that first. While I waswriting it, I was determined that that should go." Then she handedhim the sheet of paper which contained the threat of the horsewhip.
"I am glad you did not send that," he said.
"I meant it."
"But you have changed your mind?"
"Is there anything in it that seems to you to be unreasonable? Speakout and tell me."
"I am thinking of you, not of myself."
"Think of me, then. Is there anything said there which the usage towhich I have been subjected does not justify?"
"You ask me questions which I cannot answer. I do not think thatunder any provocation a woman should use a horsewhip."
"It is certainly more comfortable for gentlemen,--who amusethemselves,--that women should have that opinion. But, upon my word,I don't know what to say about that. As long as there are men tofight for women, it may be well to leave the fighting to the men.But when a woman has no one to help her, is she to bear everythingwithout turning upon those who ill-use her? Shall a woman be flayedalive because it is unfeminine in her to fight for her own skin?What is the good of being--feminine, as you call it? Have you askedyourself that? That men may be attracted, I should say. But if awoman finds that men only take advantage of her assumed weakness,shall she not throw it off? If she be treated as prey, shall she notfight as a beast of prey? Oh, no;--it is so unfeminine! I also, Paul,had thought of that. The charm of womanly weakness presented itselfto my mind in a soft moment,--and then I wrote this other letter. Youmay as well see them all." And so she handed him the scrap which hadbeen written at Lowestoft, and he read that also.
He could hardly finish it, because of the tears which filled hiseyes. But, having mastered its contents, he came across the room andthrew himself on his knees at her feet, sobbing. "I have not sent it,you know," she said. "I only show it you that you may see how my mindhas been at work."
"It hurts me more than the other," he replied.
"Nay, I would not hurt you,--not at this moment. Sometimes I feelthat I could tear you limb from limb, so great is my disappointment,so ungovernable my rage! Why,--why should I be such a victim? Whyshould life be an utter blank to me, while you have everything beforeyou? There, you have seen them all. Which will you have?"
"I cannot now take that other as the expression of your mind."
"But it will be when you have left me;--and was when you were with meat the sea-side. And it was so I felt when I got your first letter inSan Francisco. Why should you kneel there? You do not love me. A manshould kneel to a woman for love, not for pardon." But though shespoke thus, she put her hand upon his forehead, and pushed back hishair, and looked into his face. "I wonder whether that other womanloves you. I do not want an answer, Paul. I suppose you had bettergo." She took his hand and pressed it to her breast. "Tell me onething. When you spoke of--compensation, did you mean--money?"
"No; indeed no."
"I hope not;--I hope not that. Well, there;--go. You shall betroubled no more with Winifrid Hurtle." She took the sheet of paperwhich contained the threat of the horsewhip and tore it into scraps.
"And am I to keep the other?" he asked.
"No. For what purpose would you have it? To prove my weakness? Thatalso shall be destroyed." But she took it and restored it to herpocket-book.
"Good-bye, my friend," he said.
"Nay! This parting will not bear a farewell. Go, and let there be noot
her word spoken." And so he went.
As soon as the front door was closed behind him she rang the bell andbegged Ruby to ask Mrs. Pipkin to come to her. "Mrs. Pipkin," shesaid, as soon as the woman had entered the room; "everything is overbetween me and Mr. Montague." She was standing upright in the middleof the room, and as she spoke there was a smile on her face.
"Lord a' mercy," said Mrs. Pipkin, holding up both her hands.
"As I have told you that I was to be married to him, I think it rightnow to tell you that I'm not going to be married to him."
"And why not?--and he such a nice young man,--and quiet too."
"As to the why not, I don't know that I am prepared to speak aboutthat. But it is so. I was engaged to him."
"I'm well sure of that, Mrs. Hurtle."
"And now I'm no longer engaged to him. That's all."
"Dearie me! and you going down to Lowestoft with him, and all." Mrs.Pipkin could not bear to think that she should hear no more of suchan interesting story.
"We did go down to Lowestoft together, and we both came back,--nottogether. And there's an end of it."
"I'm sure it's not your fault, Mrs. Hurtle. When a marriage is to be,and doesn't come off, it never is the lady's fault."
"There's an end of it, Mrs. Pipkin. If you please, we won't sayanything more about it."
"And are you going to leave, ma'am?" said Mrs. Pipkin, prepared tohave her apron up to her eyes at a moment's notice. Where should sheget such another lodger as Mrs. Hurtle,--a lady who not only didnot inquire about victuals, but who was always suggesting that thechildren should eat this pudding or finish that pie, and who hadnever questioned an item in a bill since she had been in the house!
"We'll say nothing about that yet, Mrs. Pipkin." Then Mrs. Pipkingave utterance to so many assurances of sympathy and help that italmost seemed that she was prepared to guarantee to her lodgeranother lover in lieu of the one who was now dismissed.
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