It is a gift that
is rarely offered, and it is only fair to say that the majority of men
and women are quite unfit to have it. Even a little prosperity (which
is usually mistaken for happiness) often proves too much for the mental
equilibrium, and one trembles to think what the recipient would do with
real happiness.
"I did not come here intending to tell you that," said Cornish, after a
pause.
They were seated now on the dry and driven sand, among the inequalities
of the tufted grass.
Dorothy glanced at him gravely, for his voice had been grave.
"I think I knew," she answered, with a sort of quiet exultation.
Happiness is the quietest of human states.
Cornish turned to look at her, and after a moment she met his eyes--for
an instant only.
"I came to tell you a very different story," he said, "and one which at
the moment seems to present insuperable difficulties. I can only show
you that I care for you by bringing trouble into your life--which is not
even original."
He broke off with a little, puzzled laugh. For he did not know how best
to tell her that her brother was a scoundrel. He sat making idle holes
in the sand with his stick.
"I am in a difficulty," he said at length--"so great a difficulty that
there seems to be only one way out of it. You must forget what I have
told you to-day, for I never meant to tell you until afterwards, if
ever. Forget it for some months until the malgamite works have ceased
to exist, and then, if I have the good fortune to be given an
opportunity, I will"--he paused--"I will mention myself again," he
concluded steadily.
Pages:
169
170
171
172
173
174
175
176
177
178
179
180
181
182
183
184
185
186
187
188
189
190
191
192
193