‘No; don’t say that dear, for I am sure the old people will be glad hereafter, to think that you did all you could to bring them together.’
Henry Hindes started.
‘“Hereafter?”’ he echoed; ‘what do you mean by “hereafter?”’
‘Nothing, my dearest, only you surely do not think the Cramptons will hold out for ever, do you? And, when they are reconciled to Jenny and we are all happy again, I am sure they will be pleased to remember (and so will she), that you were the first to try and bring them together.’
‘Oh, yes, yes! I see!’ replied her husband, as he passed his handkerchief over his brow.
‘Poor Mrs Crampton and Miss Bostock were over here this afternoon,’ continued Mrs Hindes. ‘They said they should go mad if they had no one to talk to about it. I don’t think they are half so angry with Jenny as her father is. Of course, they say she has been very naughty, and her papa is quite right not to forgive her in a hurry, but they evidently think in the long run, he will find he cannot live without her. “It would be ridiculous,” Mrs Crampton said, “and most wicked if they cast off their only child, however wrong she might be.” She is afraid it will be a long time before Mr Crampton forgives Mr Walcheren or consents to receive him at “The Cedars,” because of his being a Papist, but as for their darling, she declared if papa did not ask her up next week, she should go down to Dover to see her herself. I believe there is a great deal more in the old lady than we have given her credit for, Henry, and that she will have her own way in this matter, whatever her husband may say. But you are not feeling well, dear, surely? I never remember to have seen you look so white before. Are you sure that you made a good dinner in town? Or will you have a brandy-and-soda? You must have something, your looks quite frighten me.’
Mr Hindes pulled himself together and sat straight up on the sofa.
‘Don’t be a fool,’ he began, but, seeing the consternation which his rudeness evoked, he added, ‘don’t worry me, Hannah. This has been a very fatiguing day, and, I may say, a very distressing one into the bargain. I cannot look on this matter in the same bright light as you do. Mrs Crampton may be very brave and determined, but she has her match in her husband, and I never knew him to go from his word yet. And the girl inherits her determination from him. I do not believe she was from home when I called to-day. I believe I was denied on purpose. They anticipated my errand, naturally, and declined to have a scene, which there undoubtedly would have been if Mr Walcheren and I had been brought in contact. I believe the young man to be a regular scoundrel, and I should have told him so. After which, I suppose, I should never have spoken to either of them again.’
‘Oh, I don’t believe Jenny would really quarrel with you, whatever you said, Henry. She is too fond of you for that. She is an impetuous little creature and says a great deal more than she means, but she has often told me how highly she thinks of your friendship, and how she felt sure that, whatever happened, you would always stick by her and help her out of all her scrapes.’
‘There, there, hold your tongue, that will do!’ exclaimed her husband, as he rose and walked slowly towards the door. ‘I want to see my boy before I sleep to-night,’ and he took his way, closely followed by his wife, to the nursery.