Elopement -- Fiction; Man-woman relationships -- Fiction; Married people -- Fiction; Triangles (Interpersonal relations) -- Fiction
There was a dance in the parlors, and Lawrence tried to watch the
dancers from his place on the veranda. When another hour, and yet
another, had gone, and the clocks had struck twelve, the man's heart
began to burn within him. It seemed to him also that one spot, on the
top of his head, was on fire. But he was no longer conscious of being
weak and ill. He believed he had never felt stronger in his life.
He ran up the stairs to his room; but when he had arrived there he
forgot what it was he had come for. He thought he said, "That cursed
woman!" below his breath.
He wished he could see Carolyn Ffolliott,--not see her to speak with
her, of course, but just look in her face. Just to look in her face
would strengthen and comfort him, he was sure.
With this thought in his mind he left the hotel and walked away in
the direction of Savin Hill. It was three miles there.
He did not expect to see Carolyn at this time of night, but the walk
would take up his mind, and he was stronger than he had been since
his illness. By the time he returned to the hotel perhaps Prudence
and Lord Maxwell would be back.
He had got over the ground rapidly. In a short time he had entered
the side gate which opened into the vegetable garden.
The brilliant starlight made it possible for him to see his way with
sufficient clearness; every yard of ground was familiar and dear to
him. He passed on slowly along the dew-wet path until he came to a
small space which was Carolyn's flower-garden; he knew she worked
in this spot with her own hands, digging and weeding, and that she
allowed here only her own especial favorites.
He stood a moment here. He could not distinguish the different
plants, but the warm night air brought out heavily the perfume of
heliotrope and mignonette. Carolyn used to be in the habit of wearing
every day a little bunch of these flowers. But then that time was a
thousand years ago.
Lawrence stepped carefully into the garden and peered about until he
found and gathered a sprig of each of these flowers. Holding them in
his hand, he went towards the house.
As he saw a light in the room that he knew was "Aunt Tishy's," he
began to fear that some one might be out in the grounds this lovely
evening, and come upon him. That would be a very awkward meeting for
him. But if he could happen to see Carolyn--
He walked on slowly. The turreted house towered up blackly. He
heard Mrs. Ffolliott's little terrier barking somewhere within
the building. He leaned against a tree that stood on the edge of
the lawn. He felt like an outcast. Where were all his dreams of
usefulness and happiness? He had an idea that he had been considered
what is called "a promising young man." And he had really meant to
do something. He smiled forlornly and tried to rouse himself. He
thought that his musing was like the musing of an old man. What an
inconceivable act of folly he had committed!
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
Reviews
Reviews
No reviews yet
Be the first to share your thoughts on this work.
Elsewhere in the archive
Join the Discussion
Join the discussion
Sign in to leave a comment or review.
Sign InorCreate an account