Маленька принцеса
The Other Side of the Wall
Consoleyourselfwiththefactthatwhensheisfoundyouhaveafortunetohandovertoher."
"WhywasInotmanenoughtostandmygroundwhenthingslookedblack?"Carrisfordgroanedinpetulantmisery."IbelieveIshouldhavestoodmygroundifIhadnotbeenresponsibleforotherpeople’smoneyaswellasmyown.PoorCrewehadputintotheschemeeverypennythatheowned.Hetrustedme—heLOVEDme.AndhediedthinkingIhadruinedhim—I—TomCarrisford,whoplayedcricketatEtonwithhim.Whatavillainhemusthavethoughtme!"
"Don’treproachyourselfsobitterly."
"Idon’treproachmyselfbecausethespeculationthreatenedtofail—Ireproachmyselfforlosingmycourage.Iranawaylikeaswindlerandathief,becauseIcouldnotfacemybestfriendandtellhimIhadruinedhimandhischild."
Thegood-heartedfatheroftheLargeFamilyputhishandonhisshouldercomfortingly.
"Youranawaybecauseyourbrainhadgivenwayunderthestrainofmentaltorture,"hesaid."Youwerehalfdeliriousalready.Ifyouhadnotbeenyouwouldhavestayedandfoughtitout.Youwereinahospital,strappeddowninbed,ravingwithbrainfever,twodaysafteryoulefttheplace.Rememberthat."
Carrisforddroppedhisforeheadinhishands.
"GoodGod!Yes,"hesaid."Iwasdrivenmadwithdreadandhorror.Ihadnotsleptforweeks.ThenightIstaggeredoutofmyhousealltheairseemedfullofhideousthingsmockingandmouthingatme."
"Thatisexplanationenoughinitself,"saidMr.Carmichael.
