She went so far, however, as to allow him,
when there was opportunity, to draw her into quiet corners, and
even to linger when the other guests were gone, and he had had
his full share of champagne. Once, indeed, they remained together
so long in the little conservatory, lighted only by an alabaster
lamp, pale as the moon in the dawning, that she had to unbolt the
door to let him out. This did not take place without coming to
the knowledge of both Mr. and Mrs. Redmain; but the former was
only afraid there was nothing in it, and was far from any wish to
control her; and Sepia herself was the in-formant of the latter.
To her she would make game of her foolish admirer, telling how,
on this and that occasion, it was all she could do to get rid of
him.
CHAPTER XXXII.
HONOR.
Having now gained a partial insight into Letty's new position,
Mary pondered what she could do to make life more of life to her.
Not many knew better than she that the only true way to help a
human heart is to lift it up; but she knew also that every kind
of loving aid tends more or less to that uplifting; and that, if
we can not do the great thing, we must be ready to do the small:
if we do not help in little things, how shall we be judged fit to
help in greater? We must help where we can, that we may help
where we can not. The first and the only thing she could for a
time think of, was, to secure for Letty, if possible, a share in
her husband's pleasures.
Pages:
352
353
354
355
356
357
358
359
360
361
362
363
364
365
366
367
368
369
370
371
372
373
374
375
376