By the way, said she, I was wondering what I had done with my sunshade. Now I remember having left it under this very tree. You stay here, she continued, disengaging herself from my arm, while I go under and see if I can find it.
No, said I, permit me to go for it.
Nonsense, replied my agile partner she had proved herself such in the galop just ended I shall go myself. I know the exact spot where I laid it on one of the great roots. Never mind; you stand here.
Saying this, she disappeared under the shadow of the Deodara .
I could not think of such a young creature venturing all alone into such a dismal-looking place; and, not heeding her remonstrance, I bent under the branches, and followed her in.
After groping about for some time, we failed to find the parasol.
Some of the servants may have taken it into the house? she said. No matter. I suppose it will turn up along with my hat and cloak.
We were about returning to the open lawn, when we saw coming, through the same break in the branches under which we had entered, a pair of promenaders like ourselves. Their errand we could not guess. Though ours had been innocent enough, it occurred to me that it might have a compromising appearance.
I cannot tell if my companion had the same thought; but, whether or no, we stood still, as if by a mutual instinct, waiting for the other pair to pass out again. We supposed they had stepped under the tree actuated by curiosity, or some other caprice that would soon be satisfied.
In this we were mistaken. Instead of immediately returning into the light, faint as it was, and only springing from the glimmer of a starlit sky, they stopped and entered into a conversation that promised to be somewhat protracted. At the first words, I could tell it was only the resumption of one that had already made some progress between them.
I know, said the gentleman, that you still bear him in your mind. Its no use telling me you never cared for him. I know better than that, Miss Mainwaring.
Indeed, do you? What a wonderful knowledge you have, Mr Nigel Harding! You know more than I ever did myself, and more than your brother, did too; else why should I have refused him. Surely that might convince you there was nothing between us at least, on my side there wasnt.
There was a short pause, as if the suitor was reflecting on what the lady had just said. My companion and I were puzzled as to what we should do. I knew it by the trembling of her arm, that spoke irresolution. By a similar sign I felt that we were agreed upon keeping silent, and hearing this strange dialogue to its termination. We had already heard enough to make discovering ourselves exceedingly awkward to say nothing of our own compromising position. We kept our place then, standing still like a couple of linked statues.
If that be true, rejoined Nigel Harding, who appeared to have brought his reasoning process to a satisfactory conclusion, and if also true that no other has your heart, may I ask, Miss Mainwaring, why you do not accept the offer I have laid before you? You have told me I think you have said as much that you could like me for a husband. Why not go farther, and say you will have me?
Because because Mr Nigel Harding, do you really wish to know the reason?
If I did not, I should not have spent twelve months in asking in pressing for it.
If you promise to be a good boy, then I will tell you.
I will promise anything. If it be a reason that I can remove, you may command me, and all the means in my power. My fortune I wont speak of that my life, my body, my soul, are all at your service.
The suitor spoke with a passionate enthusiasm I had not deemed him capable of.
I shall be candid, then, was the response, half-whispered, and tell you the exact truth. Two things stand between you and me, either of which may prevent us becoming man and wife. First, there is my mothers consent to be obtained; and without that I will not marry. To my dear mother I have given that promise sworn it. Second, there is your fathers consent ; without it I cannot marry you. I have equally sworn to that my mother exacting the oath. Much, therefore, as I may like you, Nigel Harding, you know I cannot perjure myself. Come! we have talked of this too often. Let us return to the dancing, or our absence may be remarked.
Saying this, she swept out from beneath the branches.
The foiled suitor made no attempt to detain her. The conditions could not
be answered, at least not then; and with a vague hope of being able at some future time to obtain better terms, he followed her back into the ball-room.
My companion and I, as soon as released, sauntered the same way. Not a word passed between us, as to what we had heard. To me it did not throw much new light either on the ways of the world or the character of Miss Mainwaring; but I could not help regretting the lesson of deception thus unavoidably communicated to the young creature on my arm, who might afterwards think of practising it on her own particular account!