Thus saying, he turned, and, wishing the baronet good morning, quitted
the house, ushered to the door by Mr. Tims; who, though still doubtful
as to the young stranger's wealth, followed him with a many a lowly
bow, fearful of losing, by any indiscretion, the sums that might
accrue from the good management of the Ridout business. Burrel, in the
mean time, took his way once more through the valley, musing, as he
went, upon his late interview with Sir Sidney Delaware, with somewhat
more deep and curious speculation than entered into the thoughts he
bestowed upon the old miser, of whose general character he was before
aware.
In the manner and tone of Sir Sidney Delaware, however, there was
something that he felt to be repulsive and unpleasant, which to
a man of Burrel's character, was extremely painful. His first
determination--if that can be called a determination, which, formed
upon impulse, does not last ten minutes--was to set out for London,
and forget that such a place as Emberton, or such a person as Sir
Sidney Delaware, was upon the face of the earth. Burrel, however to
use Sterne's expression, was a great motive-monger, but with this
peculiarity, that he was fully as fond of examining his own motives as
those of other people; and, in the present instance, the small still
voice whispered something about offended pride, which made him inquire
into his own heart a little more strictly.
He found, then, upon reflection, that however much he might fancy
himself perfectly indifferent, he was in fact angry, and the primary
cause of this anger was, as usual, mortified vanity. He, accustomed to
be courted and sought, to choose at will his acquaintances, and to
keep at arm's length all those he did not particularly like, by a cool
tone of indifference, which had something in it of scorn, had come out
of his stronghold, and, as he could not but acknowledge, had gone as
far as he well could, to seek the acquaintance of Sir Sidney Delaware.
That gentleman was evidently not disposed to give it him; and though
Burrel felt in some degree the motives which might and did actuate
him, yet, a knowledge of the degree of scorn which mingled with his
own coolness toward others, would not let him believe that some
portion of contempt did not also exist in the indifference with which
Sir Sidney Delaware treated his advances.
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.
Join the Discussion
Join the discussion
Sign in to leave a comment or review.
Sign InorCreate an account