“Give yourself no trouble about that. I wish Harry to have masters for the
various branches he will study. It will teach him more of men and the
world generally, and prevent his being too much influenced by one style of
thinking.”
“But Mr. Sutherland is a very good tutor.”
“Yes. Very.”
To this there could be no reply but a question; and Mr. Arnold’s manner
not inviting one, the conversation was dropped.
Euphra gradually resumed her duties in the house, as far as great lameness
would permit. She continued to show a quiet and dignified reserve towards
Hugh. She made no attempts to fascinate him, and never avoided his look
when it chanced to meet hers. But although there was no reproach any more
than fascination in her eyes, Hugh’s always fell before hers. She walked
softly like Ahab, as if, now that Hugh knew, she, too, was ever conscious.
Her behaviour to Mrs. Elton and Lady Emily was likewise improved, but
apparently only from an increase of indifference. When the time came, and
they departed, she did not even appear to be much relieved.
Once she asked Hugh to help her with a passage of Dante, but betrayed no
memory of the past. His pleased haste to assist her, showed that he at
least, if fancy-free, was not memory-clear. She thanked him very gently
and truly, took up her book like a school-girl, and limped away. Hugh was
smitten to the heart. “If I could but do something for her!” thought he;
but there was nothing to be done. Although she had deserved it, somehow
her behaviour made him feel as if he had wronged her in ceasing to love
her.
One day, in the end of September, Mr. Arnold and Hugh were alone after
breakfast. Mr. Arnold spoke:
“Mr. Sutherland, I have altered my plans with regard to Harry. I wish him
to spend the winter in London.”
Hugh listened and waited. Mr. Arnold went on, after a slight pause:
“There I wish him to reap such advantages as are to be gained in the
metropolis. He has improved wonderfully under your instruction; and is
now, I think, to be benefited principally by a variety of teachers. I
therefore intend that he shall have masters for the different branches
which it is desirable he should study. Consequently I shall be compelled
to deny him your services, valuable as they have hitherto been.”
“Very well, Mr. Arnold,” said Mr. Sutherland, with the indifference of one
who feels himself ill-used. “When shall I take my leave of him?”
“Not before the middle of the next month, at the earliest. But I will
write you a cheque for your salary at once.”
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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