Hugh paused for a reply, and looked at them both. Elsie’s brow crimsoned, and she turned away. Dr. Hardcastle looked very grave, and remained silent.
“If you knew Miss Seabright personally you would admire her very much. She is the most superbly beautiful woman I ever saw—of the brunette order, I mean,” he added, bowing and smiling toward Mrs. Hardcastle, who averted her face with a heightened color. “Yes, she is certainly the most splendidly beautiful brunette I ever saw—and with a soul, too, more beautiful than its shrine.”
Still Elsie averted her head, and Dr. Hardcastle continued gravely silent.
“You do not answer me,” said Hugh perseveringly.
“Hugh, my dear boy, Elsie and myself love and admire you sufficiently. Do not insist upon our loving and admiring your friend, Miss Seabright. Under all the circumstances it is quite too great a task for human nature.”
“Yet,” said Hugh—and his voice faltered, and the tears swam in his eyes—“yet last week I was the instrument in the hands of Providence in setting a far greater task than that to human nature, sir! And not to nature, well-disciplined human nature like yours, but to young, ardent, impetuous human nature—and I saw, through tears and groans, and writhings of the spirit, that task accomplished. What should you think of a young girl endowed with great wealth, peerless beauty, graces and accomplishments—fitted in every way to adorn the highest circles of society—a girl, besides, of high self-appreciation—of great ambition—of adventurous enterprise—whose head and heart were busy with a hundred grand and glorious plans of life—what, I ask you, should you think of such a girl, in such circumstances, giving up her wealth, her rank, her splendid plans and prospects, her soul’s most cherished expectations and desires for the sake of simple, abstract justice?”
“I should think that such a noble girl was worthy of a king’s worship, or rather of a hero’s love. But it is impossible! No girl would ever do this,” said Dr. Hardcastle, turning and gazing at Hugh with wonder.
“Will you please to look over these documents,” said Hugh, drawing a packet of papers from his great-coat pocket and laying them on the table.
“The title deeds of Mount Calm, and legally conveyed to Alice Chester Garnet by Garnet Seabright!” exclaimed Dr. Hardcastle, examining them. Then he laid the documents down, squared himself round, placed his hands upon his knees, and, staring full into the face of Hugh, said: “Hugh! what the d——, I never swore in my life! Don’t make me begin now! But what the deuce does all this mean?”
“You see what it means. Miss Seabright, having come of age, and feeling that she has no just right to the Mount Calm estate, conveys it to its original owner, Mrs. Garnet!”