V. Perplexity among Honest People

           Thomasinlookedasifquiteovercomebyheraunt’schangeofmanner.“Itmeansjustwhatitseemstomean:Iam—notmarried,”sherepliedfaintly.“Excuseme—forhumiliatingyou,Aunt,bythismishap—Iamsorryforit.ButIcannothelpit.”

           “Me?Thinkofyourselffirst.”

           “Itwasnobody’sfault.Whenwegottheretheparsonwouldn’tmarryusbecauseofsometriflingirregularityinthelicense.”

           “Whatirregularity?”

           “Idon’tknow.Mr.Wildevecanexplain.IdidnotthinkwhenIwentawaythismorningthatIshouldcomebacklikethis.”Itbeingdark,Thomasinallowedheremotiontoescapeherbythesilentwayoftears,whichcouldrolldownhercheekunseen.

           “Icouldalmostsaythatitservesyouright—ifIdidnotfeelthatyoudon’tdeserveit,”continuedMrs.Yeobright,who,possessingtwodistinctmoodsinclosecontiguity,agentlemoodandanangry,flewfromonetotheotherwithouttheleastwarning.“Remember,Thomasin,thisbusinesswasnoneofmyseeking;fromtheveryfirst,whenyoubegantofeelfoolishaboutthatman,Iwarnedyouhewouldnotmakeyouhappy.IfeltitsostronglythatIdidwhatIwouldneverhavebelievedmyselfcapableofdoing—stoodupinthechurch,andmademyselfthepublictalkforweeks.Buthavingonceconsented,Idon’tsubmittothesefancieswithoutgoodreason.Marryhimyoumustafterthis.”

           “DoyouthinkIwishtodootherwiseforonemoment?”saidThomasin,withaheavysigh.