XV. EVIDENCE IN CHETWYND's FAVOUR.
I thought I should be required as an important witness in the inquiry which I understood is going on here,” said Emmeline, stepping quickly forward, “so I have come to give my evidence.”
“You are too late, my love,” said Lady Thicknesse. “The inquiry is over.”
“Has it ended satisfactorily?” asked Emmeline.
“Not to me,” replied Chetwynd. “Your cousin Scrope has endeavoured to show that if you had not intentionally been kept in the dark as to certain matters, you would not have entered into an engagement which he holds to be utterly unworthy of you. Nor has he acknowledged his error, though every assurance has been given him that he is mistaken.”
“Will my amiable but incredulous cousin accept my assurance to the same effect?” observed Emmeline. “He shakes his head, and declines to answer. He is, therefore, out of court. Nevertheless, I will tell him, and all who choose to listen to me, that Mr. Chetwynd Calverley has behaved in the most honourable manner, and has concealed nothing from me. I will also tell my proud cousin, and he may make what use he pleases of the information, that I have engaged myself to as good a gentleman as himself, and that nothing that he or any one else can say will induce me to break my promise.”
“Thank you, from my heart!” said Chetwynd.
“Now is your time to speak, if you have anything to say,” observed Emmeline to her cousin.
But Scrope shrugged his shoulders, and declined the challenge.
“Then I will tell you one thing, which you don't know, and, perhaps, won't believe when you are told it,” said Emmeline. “Chetwynd himself proposed to go through a period of probation before our engagement took place: and he readily agreed that the marriage should be deferred for a year. Will that content you?”