She then went on to tell the story of the finding of Harriet Brandt’s letters in Captain Pullen’s grate—and of the interview she had had with the girl that afternoon.
“She did not attempt to deny it,” continued Elinor. “On the contrary she declared that he had made love to her all the time he was at Heyst—that he had said she was the only woman who had ever touched his heart, and that no man with human feelings could be happy with such a cold, reserved nature as mine! And if you could see her letters to him, Margaret—I wish I had not given them to her, but she snatched them from my hand—they were too dreadful! I never read such letters from a woman to a man. I did not know they could be written.”
“But, Elinor, it strikes me that all this time, you have only heard one side of the question. What does it signify what Miss Brandt may say? The only thing of importance to you is, what Ralph will say.”
“But there were her letters—they told their own story! They were full of nothing but ‘dearests’ and ‘darlings,’ and reminders of how he had embraced her in one place, and what he had said to her in another—such letters as I could not write to a man, if it were to save my life!”
“I can quite understand that! Miss Brandt and you possess two totally different natures. And cannot you understand that a girl like that, half educated, wholly ignorant of the usages of society, with a passionate undeveloped nature and a bold spirit, might write as you have described her doing, against the wishes of the recipient of her letters? You say that Ralph threw her epistles in the grate just as they were. Does that look as if he valued them, or felt himself to be guilty concerning their reception?”
“But, Margaret, you know he did make himself conspicuous with the Gobellis and Miss Brandt at Heyst! I think everyone noticed their intimacy!”
“I noticed it also, and I was very sorry for it, but, Elinor, my dear, it was partly your own fault! You were so much opposed to the idea of your engagement to Ralph being made public, that I feared it might lead to some contretemps. And then,” she continued gently, “don’t be offended if I say that your reserve with him, and your objection to anything like love-making on his part is in itself calculated to drive a young man to society he cares less for!”
“But—but—still—I love him!” said poor Elinor, with a tremendous effort.
“I know you do,” replied Margaret, kissing her again, “and better and more faithfully, perhaps, than half the women who show their love so openly—yet, men are but men, Elinor, and as a rule they do not believe in the affection which is never expressed by caresses and fond words.”
“Well! whether I have been right or wrong, it is over now,” said Miss Leyton, “and Ralph can go to Miss Brandt or anyone else he chooses for amusement. I shall never stand in his way, but I cannot brook an affront, so I shall write and release him from his promise to me at once!”