Prev | Current Page 328 | Next

Gissing, George, 1857-1903

"The Unclassed"

I only feel that your position must be a very difficult one.
But perhaps you had rather not speak of these things?"
"On the contrary. You are perfectly right, and the position is as
difficult as it well could be."
"You had made your choice, I suppose, before you knew Ida at all?"
"So far from that, I haven't even made it yet. I am not at all sure
that my chance of ever marrying Maud Enderby is not so utterly
remote, that t ought to put aside all thought of it. In that
case--"
"But this is a strange state of mind," said Julian, with a forced
laugh. "Is it possible to balance feelings in this way?"
"You, in my position, would have no doubt?"
"I don't know Miss Enderby," said Julian, reddening.
Waymark walked up and down the room, with his hands behind his back,
his brows bent. He had never told his friend anything of Ida's
earlier history; but now he felt half-tempted to let him know
everything. To do so, might possibly give him that additional motive
to a clear and speedy decision in the difficulties which grew ever
more pressing. Yet was it just to Ida to speak of these things even
to one who would certainly not repeat a word? Once or twice he all
but began, yet in the end a variety of motives kept him silent.


Pages:
316 317 318 319 320 321 322 323 324 325 326 327 328 329 330 331 332 333 334 335 336 337 338 339 340