This etext was produced by David Widger <widger@cecomet.net> [NOTE: There is a short list of bookmarks, or pointers, at the end of the file for those who may wish to sample the author's ideas before making an entire meal of them. D.W.] BEAUCHAMP'S CAREER By George Meredith 1897 BOOK 5. XXXIV. THE FACE OF RENEE XXXV. THE RIDE IN THE WRONG DIRECTION XXXVI. PURSUIT OF THE APOLOGY OF MR. ROMFREY TO DR. SHRAPNEL XXXVII. CECILIA CONQUERED XXXVIII. LORD AVONLEY XXXIX. BETWEEN BEAUCHAMP AND CECILIA XL. A TRIAL OF HIM XLI. A LAME VICTORY CHAPTER XXXIV THE FACE OF RENEE Shortly before the ringing of the dinner-bell Rosamund knocked at Beauchamp's dressing-room door, the bearer of a telegram from Bevisham. He read it in one swift run of the eyes, and said: 'Come in, ma'am, I have something for you. Madame de Rouaillout sends you this.' Rosamund saw her name written in a French hand on the back of the card. 'You stay with us, Nevil?' 'To-night and to-morrow, perhaps. The danger seems to be over.' 'Has Dr. Shrapnel been in danger?' 'He has. If it's quite over now!' 'I declare to you, Nevil . . .' 'Listen to me, ma'am; I'm in the dark about this murderous business:--an old man, defenceless, harmless as a child!--but I know this, that you are somewhere in it.' 'Nevil, do you not guess at some one else?' 'He! yes, he! But Cecil Baskelett led no blind man to Dr. Shrapnel's gate.' 'Nevil, as I live, I knew nothing of it!' 'No, but you set fire to the train. You hated the old man, and you taught Mr. Romfrey to think that you had been insulted. I see it all. Now you must have the courage to tell him of your error. There's no other course for you. I mean to take Mr. Romfrey to Dr. Shrapnel, to save the honour of our family, as far as it can be saved.' 'What? Nevil!' exclaimed Rosamund, gaping. 'It seems little enough, ma'am. But he must go. I will have the apology spoken, and man to man.' 'But you would never tell your uncle that?' He laughed in his uncle's manner. 'But, Nevil, my dearest, forgive me, I think of you--why are the Halketts here? It is not entirely with Colonel Halkett's consent. It is your uncle's influence with him that gives you your chance. Do you not care to avail yourself of it? Ever since he heard Dr. Shrapnel's letter to you, Colonel Halkett has, I am sure, been tempted to confound you with him in his mind: ah! Nevil, but recollect that it is only Mr. Romfrey who can help to give you your Cecilia. There is no dispensing with him. Postpone your attempt to humiliate--I mean, that is, Oh! Nevil, whatever you intend to do to overcome your uncle, trust to time, be friends with him; be a little worldly! for her sake! to ensure her happiness!' Beauchamp obtained the information that his cousin Cecil had read out the letter of Dr. Shrapnel at Mount Laurels. The bell rang.