His distress was really genuine; and I felt for him. I could not better show my sympathy than by attending to his requests; and so, without a word, fell to the capital repast before me. For his part, he ate little or nothing; all his time was employed in watching me; and had I been wronged in the most atrocious manner, I don’t think his face could have expressed keener remorse.
“Pray,” said I, at last, “don’t allow a trifle like this to vex you.”
“My boy,” he answered, wiping his forehead with an immense pocket-handkerchief; “I am fifty-five years of age, and this is the very first occasion in my life on which a guest of mine has had reason to complain of the treatment he has received under my roof. Were you a stranger to me, the indignities that have been heaped upon you would be felt by me keenly enough; but you are my brother’s son, and have a particular claim upon our kindness. I consider that no apologies we can make ought to entitle us to your forgiveness.”
“You really judge the matter too seriously. If I had less conceit and more penetration, I should have seen at once that Theresa was acting a feigned part. But where is she? I don’t think she has breakfasted.”
“She is hiding her face for shame.”
“Please beg her not to do so.”
“She is the most extraordinary creature on the face of the earth,” he exclaimed. “What do you think was her reason for making such a donkey of herself? She has told me her story—and, as you have finished breakfast, you shall hear it.”
He pushed his chair from the table, and began to speak with great energy.
“She was under the impression that you had come here with the intention of making love to, and marrying her. I had previously told her exactly the nature of your uncle Tom’s scheme, and that I liked it, and should be well pleased to see it carried out. She heard me without offering a single remark. She asked no questions about you—but simply inquired when you were coming. And now she has confessed to me that she was determined not to be married to any man by contrivance. I knew she had a proud nature—but I never suspected she was so silly as to suppose that, unless she should really love you well enough to be your wife, I should wish her to marry you.”
“Ah!” I cried: “then her object was to disgust me.”