To which Roger gravely replied that he was highly honoured, and had heard also of Miss Askam from the same friends. He perfectly appreciated the spirit which dictated this advance from her.
‘She would repair the wrong, if she could. Poor thing! She might as well try to sweep back the ocean with a besom.’
Then Gilbert said to him, ‘I had no opportunity of speaking to you the other morning, but I want to do so particularly. I have business to discuss with you. Will you meet me to-morrow morning in the reading-room in the town—say at twelve, or earlier if you like?’
‘Certainly. Twelve will suit me perfectly. It will no doubt be better that we should have a little talk.’
‘Thank you. I shall be punctual,’ said Gilbert, with the air of a man who is much obliged.
They parted, and Roger took his way to Mr. Dixon’s, where he had been bidden some time ago, to dine and spend the day; not because he felt any sudden desire for their society, or they for his, but because it was Christmas, and it is the proper thing to go and make merry with your friends and relations at that season. He had to go out once more to play at the evening service, except for which interval he spent most of his time in the company of his betrothed and her parents, with what results may be imagined. Ada was no more gracious, no more penitent to-day, than she had been yesterday. Roger’s conviction that a temporary separation would be good for the spiritual welfare of both became stronger. He imparted his idea to Mr. Dixon, in a private conversation with him, stating his reasons, and Mr. Dixon entirely agreed with him. They both brought heavy broadsides of common sense to bear upon the question, and neither of them could do more; neither of them could have understood, if some scatter-brained person had stepped forward, and assured them that to settle a question of that kind it was most desirable that to common sense should be joined a little of the much rarer and more precious quality of imagination. They saw facts, and they grappled with them in the very best way in which they knew how; and they were at one in the opinion that Ada, if left to herself a little, might come to a better mind.
On the following day, at noon, punctual to his appointment, Roger repaired to the reading-room in the town. There was no one there; it was holiday time, and people were otherwise amusing themselves. As he waited for Gilbert he could not but reflect how it was they came to meet thus.
‘He knows I wouldn’t set my foot inside Thorsgarth, and he knows, too, that he need never again darken the door of his brother; so we have to sneak into a public room, where there is neutral ground. It is an odious state of things, and I shall be glad to be out of it.’
He had not long to wait. Gilbert arrived directly afterwards, and looked pleased to see him.
‘I am much obliged to you for coming,’ began Gilbert. ‘It gives me hopes that I shall be successful in my errand.’