‘I shall want to know what his defence has cost,’ said I; ‘I wish to pay.’
He nodded, and, pulling out his watch, said that he must go to business downstairs. I ran after him as he was leaving the room, and, grasping him by the arm, cried impetuously: ‘Uncle, do you believe Tom guilty?’
‘I’d not say so if I thought so,’ he answered looking at me, and I guessed by my feelings that my eyes sparkled and my cheeks were red. ‘Let me go, my girl. Everything passes, and to all of us comes a day when we discover that there is nothing under the sun which is worth a tear.’
I dropped my hand, and we walked out of the room. My aunt eyed me strenuously as I paced the floor. I could not sit, my heart was full of rage, and all the while a resolution was forming and hardening in me; indeed I caught myself thinking aloud, and often I’d halt with my hand clenched like one distraught. My aunt presently said:
‘Why not sit down, dear, and nurse your strength a little? You have been sorely tried. Cannot we arrange for another trip to the seaside?’
‘And leave——’ I cried, and broke short off and forced myself to say softly: ‘No, aunt.’
‘But what do you mean to do? I wish to act as a mother to you, Marian. I thank God you are not his wife.’
‘Don’t say that!’
‘But I must say it!’ she exclaimed, bridling. ‘It’s through me that you are not his wife, and I rejoice heartily that I advised you as I did. What! Would you, with your means and your beauty and your opportunities, be the wife of a convict?’
I felt the temper in me swelling into madness. I durst not stay, for I dreaded myself then, and flung out of the room, leaving her talking. I ran upstairs to put on my outdoor clothes, and when I returned my aunt was on the landing. She exclaimed that she had not meant what she said. I looked her earnestly in the face, for I did not believe her; but already my temper was gone. Ill-temper lives but a short time when there is great misery. I kissed her and thanked her for her kindness and love, and, telling her I must go home to look after things, I left the house.