Літо
XII
Butifshecamebackatonce,andwasseenleadingherusuallife,theincidentwasreducedtoitstrueproportions,astheoutbreakofadrunkenoldmanfuriousatbeingsurprisedindisreputablecompany.PeoplewouldsaythatMr.Royallhadinsultedhiswardtojustifyhimself,andthesordidtalewouldfallintoitsplaceinthechronicleofhisobscuredebaucheries.
Charitysawtheforceoftheargument;butifsheacquiesceditwasnotsomuchbecauseofthatasbecauseitwasHarney’swish.SincethateveninginthedesertedhouseshecouldimaginenoreasonfordoingornotdoinganythingexceptthefactthatHarneywishedordidnotwishit.Allhertossingcontradictoryimpulsesweremergedinafatalisticacceptanceofhiswill.Itwasnotthatshefeltinhimanyascendancyofcharacter—thereweremomentsalreadywhensheknewshewasthestronger—butthatalltherestoflifehadbecomeamerecloudyrimaboutthecentralgloryoftheirpassion.Whenevershestoppedthinkingaboutthatforamomentshefeltasshesometimesdidafterlyingonthegrassandstaringuptoolongatthesky;hereyesweresofulloflightthateverythingaboutherwasablur.
EachtimethatMissHatchard,inthecourseofherperiodicalincursionsintothework-room,droppedanallusiontoheryoungcousin,thearchitect,theeffectwasthesameonCharity.Thehemlockgarlandshewaswearingfelltoherkneesandshesatinakindoftrance.ItwassomanifestlyabsurdthatMissHatchardshouldtalkofHarneyinthatfamiliarpossessiveway,asifshehadanyclaimonhim,orknewanythingabouthim.
