It was too late now, however, to discuss this point any longer with
myself. I had acted so far upon a magnanimous resolve, which, though
doomed to cast a shadow upon my own personal lot, would flood another
life with the beauty and glory of a compensating sunshine.
"It is more blessed to give than to receive," I said, inwardly, and if
I persevere in this generous determination, though it engender
repeated acts of self-denial, I cannot but be recompensed in the end.
My new home and friends will distract me greatly from my broodings,
and by and by all these ephemeral sorrows will have passed away, as
young sorrows always do, leaving but a faint trace behind them.
"But, if Ernest Dalton be in love with Hortense de Beaumont," said the
little voice on the plaintiffs side, "why does he show you such signs
of preference as these; is that the course, of a truly honourable
man?"
"Surely!" said the defence "If I magnify evidences of a substantial
friendship into something more serious, that is not his
fault--besides, he may love me in a way, but he must love her
better--and, in any case, supposing he should love me best, if I offer
him no encouragement, if I even positively refuse him, Hortense's
happiness cannot but be ultimately benefited by it."
I arose, in a little while, and bathed my face, for the dinner-hour
was near, and I had to play my part for the last time, before the trio
below.
When I went down, they were already seated around the table, my
step-mother in solemn consciousness at one end, and her solicitous
brother looking meekly up at her from the other.
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