Thomas Hardy - The Return of the Native.pdf - Bookstacks
Thomas Hardy - The Return of the Native.pdf - Bookstacks
Thomas Hardy - The Return of the Native.pdf - Bookstacks
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“Looks are not everything,” said <strong>the</strong> reddleman, noticing <strong>the</strong> glance. “<strong>The</strong>re’s many a calling that don’t<br />
bring in so much as mine, if it comes to money; and perhaps I am not so much worse <strong>of</strong>f than Wildeve.<br />
<strong>The</strong>re is nobody so poor as <strong>the</strong>se pr<strong>of</strong>essional fellows who have failed; and if you shouldn’t like my redness—well,<br />
I am not red by birth, you know; I only took to this business for a freak; and I might turn my<br />
hand to something else in good time.”<br />
“I am much obliged to you for your interest in my niece; but I fear <strong>the</strong>re would be objections. More than<br />
that, she is devoted to this man.”<br />
“True; or I shouldn’t have done what I have this morning.”<br />
“O<strong>the</strong>rwise <strong>the</strong>re would be no pain in <strong>the</strong> case, and you would not see me going to his house now. What<br />
was <strong>Thomas</strong>in’s answer when you told her <strong>of</strong> your feelings?”<br />
“She wrote that you would object to me; and o<strong>the</strong>r things.”<br />
“She was in a measure right. You must not take this unkindly: I merely state it as a truth. You have been<br />
good to her, and we do not forget it. But as she was unwilling on her own account to be your wife, that<br />
settles <strong>the</strong> point without my wishes being concerned.”<br />
“Yes. But <strong>the</strong>re is a difference between <strong>the</strong>n and now, ma’am. She is distressed now, and I have thought<br />
that if you were to talk to her about me, and think favourably <strong>of</strong> me yourself, <strong>the</strong>re might be a chance <strong>of</strong><br />
winning her round, and getting her quite independent <strong>of</strong> this Wildeve’s backward and forward play, and<br />
his not knowing whe<strong>the</strong>r he’ll have her or no.”<br />
Mrs. Yeobright shook her head. “<strong>Thomas</strong>in thinks, and I think with her, that she ought to be Wildeve’s<br />
wife, if she means to appear before <strong>the</strong> world without a slur upon her name. If <strong>the</strong>y marry soon, everybody<br />
will believe that an accident did really prevent <strong>the</strong> wedding. If not, it may cast a shade upon her character—at<br />
any rate make her ridiculous. In short, if it is anyhow possible <strong>the</strong>y must marry now.”<br />
“I thought that till half an hour ago. But, after all, why should her going <strong>of</strong>f with him to Anglebury for<br />
a few hours do her any harm? Anybody who knows how pure she is will feel any such thought to be quite<br />
unjust. I have been trying this morning to help on this marriage with Wildeve—yes, I, ma’am—in <strong>the</strong> belief<br />
that I ought to do it, because she was so wrapped up in him. But I much question if I was right, after all.<br />
However, nothing came <strong>of</strong> it. And now I <strong>of</strong>fer myself.”<br />
Mrs. Yeobright appeared disinclined to enter fur<strong>the</strong>r into <strong>the</strong> question. “I fear I must go on,” she said. “I<br />
do not see that anything else can be done.”<br />
And she went on. But though this conversation did not divert <strong>Thomas</strong>in’s aunt from her purposed interview<br />
with Wildeve, it made a considerable difference in her mode <strong>of</strong> conducting that interview. She<br />
thanked God for <strong>the</strong> weapon which <strong>the</strong> reddleman had put into her hands.<br />
Wildeve was at home when she reached <strong>the</strong> inn. He showed her silently into <strong>the</strong> parlour, and closed <strong>the</strong><br />
door. Mrs. Yeobright began—<br />
“I have thought it my duty to call today. A new proposal has been made to me, which has ra<strong>the</strong>r astonished<br />
me. It will affect <strong>Thomas</strong>in greatly; and I have decided that it should at least be mentioned to you.”<br />
“Yes? What is it?” he said civilly.<br />
“It is, <strong>of</strong> course, in reference to her future. You may not be aware that ano<strong>the</strong>r man has shown himself<br />
anxious to marry <strong>Thomas</strong>in. Now, though I have not encouraged him yet, I cannot conscientiously refuse<br />
him a chance any longer. I don’t wish to be short with you; but I must be fair to him and to her.”<br />
“Who is <strong>the</strong> man?” said Wildeve with surprise.<br />
“One who has been in love with her longer than she has with you. He proposed to her two years ago. At<br />
that time she refused him.”<br />
“Well?”<br />
“He has seen her lately, and has asked me for permission to pay his addresses to her. She may not refuse<br />
him twice.”<br />
“What is his name?”<br />
Mrs. Yeobright declined to say. “He is a man <strong>Thomas</strong>in likes,” she added, “and one whose constancy she<br />
respects at least. It seems to me that what she refused <strong>the</strong>n she would be glad to get now. She is much annoyed<br />
at her awkward position.”