Society revenges itself cruelly upon those who break
its laws. Society will neither forget nor forgive my offence."
"I do not live for society, but for you, Paulina," replied Douglas,
passionately; "you are all the world to me. Let me never hear these
arguments again, unless you would have me think that you are weary of
me, and that you only want an excuse for getting rid of me."
"Weary of you!" exclaimed Paulina; "my friend, my benefactor. How can I
ever prove my gratitude for your goodness--your devotion?"
"By learning to love me a little," answered Douglas, tenderly.
"The lesson ought not to be difficult," Paulina murmured.
Could she do less than love this noble friend, this pure-minded and
unselfish adorer?
He came to her one day, accompanied by a solicitor; but before
introducing the man of law, he asked for a private interview with
Paulina, and in this interview gave her a new proof of his devotion.
"In thinking much of our position, dearest, I have been struck with a
sudden terror of the uncertainty of life. What would be your fate,
Paulina, if anything were to happen--if--well, if I were to die
suddenly, as men so often die in this high-pressure age, before
marriage had united our interests? What would be your fate, alone and
helpless, assailed once more by all the perplexities of poverty, and,
perhaps, subject to the mean spite of my cousin, Reginald Eversleigh,
who does not forgive me for having robbed him of his place in your
heart, little as he was worthy of your love?"
"Oh, Douglas!" exclaimed Paulina, "why do you imagine such things? Why
should death assail you?"
"Why, indeed, dearest," returned Douglas, with a smile.
Pages:
565
566
567
568
569
570
571
572
573
574
575
576
577
578
579
580
581
582
583
584
585
586
587
588
589