I know you too well to be
deceived by that kind of thing--I could see how absent-minded you were
all dinner-time, in spite of your talk. You can't hoodwink an
affectionate sister."
"I don't wish to hoodwink you, my dear," Mr. Fenton answered quietly, "or
to affect a happiness which I do not feel, any more than I wish to make a
parade of my grief. It is natural for an Englishman to be reticent on
such matters; but I do not mind owning to you that Marian Nowell is
unforgotten by me, and that the loss of her will have an enduring
influence upon my life; and having said as much as that, Belle, I must
request that you will not expatiate any more upon this poor girl's breach
of faith. I have forgiven her long ago, and I shall always regard her as
the purest and dearest of women."
"What! you can hold her up as a paragon of perfection after she has
thrown you over in the most heartless manner? Upon my word, Gilbert, I
have no common patience with such folly. Your weakness in this affair
from first to last has been positively deplorable."
"I am sorry you disapprove of my conduct, Belle; but as it is not a very
pleasant subject, don't you think we may as well avoid it now and
henceforward?"
"O, very well, Gilbert," the lady exclaimed, with an offended air; "of
course, if you choose to exclude me from your confidence, I must submit;
but I do think it rather hard that your only sister should not he allowed
to speak of a business that concerns you so nearly.
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