While speaking, Mrs. Wilson had taken the hand of Emily, and by her
looks and solemn manner she had succeeded in alarming her niece,
although Denbigh was yet furthest from the thoughts of Emily. The aunt
reached her a glass of water, and willing to get rid of the hateful
subject she continued, hurriedly, "Did you not notice the pocket-book
Francis gave to Mr. Denbigh?" Emily fixed her inquiring eyes on her
aunt, as the other added, "It was the one Mrs. Fitzgerald gave me to-
day." Something like an indefinite glimpse of the facts crossed the mind
of Emily; and as it most obviously involved a separation from Denbigh,
she sank lifeless into the extended arms of her aunt. This had been
anticipated by Mrs. Wilson, and a timely application of restoratives
soon brought her back to a consciousness of misery. Mrs. Wilson,
unwilling any one but herself should witness this first burst of grief,
succeeded in getting her niece to her own room and in bed. Emily made no
lamentations--shed no tears--asked no questions--her eye was fixed, and
every faculty appeared oppressed with the load on her heart. Mrs. Wilson
knew her situation too well to intrude with unseasonable consolation or
useless reflections, but sat patiently by her side, waiting anxiously
for the moment she could be of service. At length the uplifted eyes and
clasped hands of Emily assured her she had not forgotten herself or her
duty, and she was rewarded for her labor and forbearance by a flood of
tears. Emily was now able to listen to a more full statement of the
reasons her aunt had for believing in the guilt of Denbigh, and she felt
as if her heart was frozen up for ever, as the proofs followed each
other until they amounted to demonstration. As there was some indication
of fever from her agitated state of mind, her aunt required she should
remain in her room until morning; and Emily, feeling every way unequal
to a meeting with Denbigh, gladly assented. After ringing for her maid
to sit in the adjoining room, Mrs. Wilson went below, and announced to
the family the indisposition of her charge, and her desire to obtain a
little sleep. Denbigh looked anxious to inquire after the health of
Emily, but there was a restraint on all his actions, since the return of
his book, that persuaded Mrs. Wilson he apprehended that a detection of
his conduct had taken place. He did venture to ask when they were to
have the pleasure of seeing Miss Moseley again, hoping it would be that
evening, as he had fixed the morning for his departure; and when he
learnt that Emily had retired for the night, his anxiety was sensibly
increased, and he instantly withdrew. Mrs. Wilson was alone in the
drawing-room, and about to join her niece, as, Denbigh entered it with a
letter in his hand: he approached her with a diffident and constrained
manner, and commenced the following dialogue:
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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