Вершник без голови

Chapter 23

           Hehadcometoknowthathestoodbutlittlechanceofobtainingherconsent:forshehadtakenbutslightpainstoconcealherindifferencetohissuit.Trustingtothepeculiarinfluenceestablishedoverherfather,hehaddeterminedontakingnoslightdenial.

           Thesecircumstancesconsidered,itwasnotstrangethattheex-officerofvolunteers,whenstretcheduponasickbed,receivedlesssympathyfromhisrelativesthanmightotherwisehavebeenextendedtohim.

           Whiledreading,death—whichforalengthoftimeheactuallydid—hehadbecomealittlemoreamiabletothosearoundhim.Theagreeablemood,however,wasofshortcontinuance;and,onceassuredofrecovery,allthenaturalsavagenessofhisdispositionwasrestored,alongwiththeadditionalbitternessarisingfromhisrecentdiscomfiture.

           Ithadbeentheprideofhislifetoexhibithimselfasasuccessfulbully—themasterofeverycrowdthatmightgatheraroundhim.HecouldnolongerclaimthiscreditinTexas;andthethoughtharrowedhishearttoitsverycore.

           Tofigureasadefeatedmanbeforeallthewomenofthesettlement—aboveallintheeyesofherheadored,defeatedbyonewhomhesuspectedofbeinghisrivalinheraffections—amorenamelessadventurer—wastoomuchtobeenduredwithequanimity.Evenanordinarymanwouldhavebeenpainedbytheinfliction.Calhounwrithedunderit.

           Hehadnoideaofenduringit,asanordinarymanwouldhavedone.

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