He has grown more reserved lately, has he?" asked the
baronet, whose suspicions were fed by every word his nephew uttered.
"Yes. I suppose he thinks I might take objection to his enthusiastic
admiration of Lady Eversleigh. Very absurd of him, is it not? For, of
course, my dear uncle, you cannot feel otherwise than proud when you
see your beautiful young wife surrounded by worshippers; and one
devotee more or less at the shrine can make little difference."
These words, carelessly spoken, galled Sir Oswald to the quick; but he
tried to conceal his pain, and parted from his nephew with affected
gaiety of spirit.
Alone in his own study, he pondered long and moodily over the events of
the day. He shrank from the society of his wife. Her tender words
irritated him; he began to think those soft and loving accents were
false. More than once he answered Honoria's anxious questions as to the
cause of his gloom with a harshness that terrified her. She saw that
her husband was changed, and knew not whence the change arose. And this
vagrant's nature was a proud one. Her own manner changed to the man who
had elevated her from the very mire to a position of splendour and
honour. She, too, became reserved, and a cruel breach yawned between
the husband and wife who, a few short days before, had been so happily
united.
Truly, Victor Carrington's schemes prospered.
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