"Surely you must have perceived that De Walden meant to insinuate that she and Annette Beauvais are the same person?" "Then he is a vile calumniator." "Not so: he is only a mistaken man." "But it seems you think he cannot be mistaken: he is an oracle!" "My love," replied I, "we had better not talk of De Walden." "You are right, Helen, quite right; for I am conscious of great irritation when I think of him: for I feel, I cannot but feel, how much more worthy of you he is than I am; and yet, foolish girl, you gave him up for me. O Helen! when I saw him, impatient of affront to you, step forward with that flashing eye, that commanding air, to seize the offending brute, though I could have stabbed him, I could also have embraced him; and I said within myself, 'And to this man Helen preferred me! How she must repent her folly now!'" "She never has repented, she never can repent it," said I, throwing myself upon his neck. "You know I took you with all your faults open to my view." "Yes: but you fancied love and you would reform them!" "I did--and I think we may do so still: but you must not let me fancy you do not love me, Seymour; if you do, I shall pine and mope, and become the object of your aversion." "Impossible! do you think I can ever dislike you, Helen?" "Is thy servant a dog that he should do this thing?" said I, returning his embrace. "I will hear no more of such horrible surmises: I have now outstaid my time." Then mounting his horse, he was out of sight in a moment. Soon after my mother appeared, and, to my surprise, unaccompanied by De Walden. "Where is our friend?" was my first salutation. "On the road to London." "London! And why?" "He had his reasons for going; and, as usual, they do honour both to his head and heart." "May I not know them?" "I would not tell them to all women under your circumstances; but I can trust you. He finds that he has not conquered his attachment; and that he cannot behold the affecting change in your appearance, and reflect on the cause, without feeling what his principles disapprove. Besides, he is afraid of getting involved in a quarrel with Pendarves, as, I suppose, you guess who this Lady Martindale is." "I do. Well, I am glad De Walden is gone; for I know Pendarves will rejoice." I then related to her my conversation with my husband; and I did it with so much cheerfulness, and such an evident revival of hope, that I imparted some of the feelings which I experienced; and my mother's heart was visibly softened towards Seymour, while she uttered, "Poor fellow! he does indeed justly judge himself: you did prefer the brilliant to the diamond. But where is he?" "Gone out with the party at the lodge on particular business; and will not return till night." On hearing this my mother's countenance fell; and kissing my cheek, she shook her head mournfully, and changed the conversation.