While we were engaged upon this duty, it came on to
rain in a manner worthy of the tropics. The vault
reverberated; every gargoyle instantly poured its full
discharge; we waded back to the inn, ankle-deep in
IMPROMPTU brooks; and the rest of the afternoon sat
weatherbound, hearkening to the sonorous deluge. For
two hours I talked of indifferent matters, laboriously
feeding the conversation; for two hours my mind was
quite made up to do my duty instantly--and at each
particular instant I postponed it till the next. To
screw up my faltering courage, I called at dinner for
some sparkling wine. It proved, when it came, to be
detestable; I could not put it to my lips; and
Bellairs, who had as much palate as a weevil, was left
to finish it himself. Doubtless the wine flushed him;
doubtless he may have observed my embarrassment of the
afternoon; doubtless he was conscious that we were
approaching a crisis, and that that evening, if I did
not join with him, I must declare myself an open enemy.
At least he fled. Dinner was done; this was the time
when I had bound myself to break my silence; no more
delays were to be allowed, no more excuses received.
Pages:
476
477
478
479
480
481
482
483
484
485
486
487
488
489
490
491
492
493
494
495
496
497
498
499
500