She knew, also, although he had spoken no word to that effect, that that hour would probably separate them forever.
“Charles! Charles! my dear boy!” cried Lady Ruxley, in trembling tones, while tears rained over her wrinkled face, “I hoped you would stand this test of character nobly. I have always been proud of you, but God knows that I love you at this moment with a deeper love than ever before.”
“Dear aunt, surely you did not expect I should reject my brother?” he said, in surprise, then added, as he saw how affected she was: “Come, let me take you to a seat.”
He led her to a comfortable chair, and then, while Lord Dunforth and his party exchanged greetings with his brother, he went and stood once more before his mother.
“Mother,” he began, in low but firm tones, “I will not upbraid you for this cruel wrong, for I know that your own conscience will reprove you more sharply than I have the heart to do; but I wish it to be distinctly understood that Herbert and I are henceforth to live upon terms of equality. Whatever I have of this world’s goods that he can share, he shall share, and I bespeak for him in the future your tenderest love and care, and the respect and consideration of the entire household.”
Lady Randal could only reply by cries and sobs; she was utterly unnerved. The plottings of a lifetime had been brought to naught in an hour.
He then turned his attention to Mrs. Coolidge, who was sitting, sullen and crestfallen, near by.
“Madam,” he said, haughtily, “the carriage will be at your disposal at any hour you may see fit to name. I will see,” and a spasm of pain crossed his face, “that our friends are all notified that their presence here on Wednesday will not be acceptable, since, after the cruelties and deceptions brought to light to-day, I must decline the honor of your daughter’s hand and an alliance with your family.
“And, oh, Isabel!” he said, suddenly facing the nearly fainting girl, and almost unnerved himself, “may God forgive you for your part in this matter. I deemed you so good and true that I had built my strongest hopes upon spending a happy and useful life with you. The veil has been rudely torn from my eyes, but it is better now than later.”
“Forgive me—oh, forgive me!” she cried, with an agonized look; “the loss of your love and respect is more than I can bear.”