Not to Tom,
not to his mother, not to any living soul, would he utter a word
even resembling blame of the girl! He, at least, would carry
himself generously! Everything, though she had plunged his heart
in a pitcher of gall, should be done for her sake! She should go
to her lover, and leave blame behind her with him! His sole care
should be that the wind-bag should not collapse and slip out of
it, that he should actually marry her; and, as soon as he had
handed him over to her in safety, he would have done with her and
with all women for ever, except his mother! Not once more would
he speak to one of them in tone of friendship!
He looked at Tom full in the eyes, and made him no answer.
"If I don't find Letty this very morning," said Tom, "I shall
apply for a warrant to search your house: my uncle Rendall will
give me one."
Godfrey smiled a smile of scorn, turned from him as a wise man
turns from a fool, and went out of the gate.
He had just taken his horse from the boy and sent him off, when
he saw a young woman coming hurriedly across the road, from the
direction of Testbridge. Plainly she was on business of pressing
import. She came nearer, and he saw it was Mary Marston. The
moment she recognized Godfrey, she began to run to him; but, when
she came near enough to take notice of his mien, as he stood with
his foot in the stirrup, with no word of greeting or look of
reception, and inquiry only in every feature, her haste suddenly
dropped, her flushed face turned pale, and she stood still,
panting.
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