Throwing a strong colour of earnestness into his mien he replied: ‘Bishop, Viviette is my only sister; I am her only brother and friend. I am alarmed for her health and state of mind. Hence I have come to consult you on this very matter that you have broached. I come absolutely without her knowledge, and I hope unconventionality may be excused in me on the score of my anxiety for her.’
‘Certainly. I trust that the prospect opened up by my proposal, combined with this other news, has not proved too much for her?’
‘My sister is distracted and distressed, Bishop Helmsdale. She wants comfort.’
‘Not distressed by my letter?’ said the Bishop, turning red. ‘Has it lowered me in her estimation?’
‘On the contrary; while your disinterested offer was uppermost in her mind she was a different woman. It is this other matter that oppresses her. The result upon her of the recent discovery with regard to the late Sir Blount Constantine is peculiar. To say that he ill-used her in his lifetime is to understate a truth. He has been dead now a considerable period; but this revival of his memory operates as a sort of terror upon her. Images of the manner of Sir Blount’s death are with her night and day, intensified by a hideous picture of the supposed scene, which was cruelly sent her. She dreads being alone. Nothing will restore my poor Viviette to her former cheerfulness but a distraction—a hope—a new prospect.’
‘That is precisely what acceptance of my offer would afford.’
‘Precisely,’ said Louis, with great respect. ‘But how to get her to avail herself of it, after once refusing you, is the difficulty, and my earnest problem.’
‘Then we are quite at one.’
‘We are. And it is to promote our wishes that I am come; since she will do nothing of herself.’
‘Then you can give me no hope of a reply to my second communication?’