Oh! she will never marry you if she sees this.""Then don't let her see it: and why take it to heart like that? Idon't trust to the word of a man who owns that his story is a thing he dares not sign his name to; at all events, I shall not put his word against yours.But it is best to understand one another in time.I am a plain man, but not a soft one.I should not be an easygoing husband like some I see about: I'd have no wasps round my honey; if my wife took a lover I would not lecture THE WOMAN--what is the use?--I'd kill THE MAN then and there, in-doors or out, as Iwould kill a snake.If she took another, I'd send him after the first, and so on till one killed me.""And serve the wretches right."
"Yes; but for my own sake I don't choose to marry a woman that loves any other man.So tell me the plain truth; come."Rose turned chill in her inside."I have no lover," she stammered.
"I have a young fool that comes and teases me: but it is no secret.
He is away, but why? he is on a sickbed, poor little fellow!""But your sister? She could not have a lover unknown to you.""I defy her.No, sir; I have not seen her speak three words to any young man except Monsieur Riviere this three years past.""That is enough;" and he tore the letter quietly to atoms.
Then Rose saw she could afford a little more candor."Understand me; I can't speak of what happened when I was a child.But if ever she had a girlish attachment, he has not followed it up, or surely Ishould have seen something of him all these years.""Of course.Oh! as for flirtations, let them pass: a lovely girl does not grow up without one or two whispering some nonsense into her ear.Why, I myself should have flirted no doubt; but I never had the time.Bonaparte gives you time to eat and drink, but not to sleep or flirt, and that reminds me I have fifty miles to ride, so good-by, sister-in-law, eh?""Adieu, brother-in-law."
Left alone, Rose had some misgivings.She had equivocated with one whose upright, candid nature ought to have protected him: but an enemy had accused Josephine; and it came so natural to shield her.
"Did he really think I would expose my own sister?" said she to herself, angrily.Was not this anger secret self-discontent?
"Well, love," said Josephine, demurely, "have you dismissed him?""No."
Josephine smiled feebly."It is easy to say 'say no;' but it is not so easy to say 'no,' especially when you feel you ought to say 'yes,' and have no wish either way except to give pleasure to others.""But I am not such skim milk as all that," replied Rose: "I have always a strong wish where you are concerned, and your happiness.Ihesitated whilst I was in doubt, but I doubt no longer: I have had a long talk with him.He has shown me his whole heart: he is the best, the noblest of creatures: he has no littleness or meanness.
And then he is a thorough man; I know that by his being the very opposite of a woman in his ways.Now you are a thorough woman, and so you will suit one another to a T.I have decided: so no more doubts, love; no more tears; no more disputes.We are all of one mind, and I do think I have secured your happiness.It will not come in a day, perhaps, but it will come.So then in one little fortnight you marry Monsieur Raynal.""What!" said Josephine, "you have actually settled that?""Yes."
"But are you sure I can make him as happy as he deserves?""Positive."
"I think so too; still"--
"It is settled, dear," said Rose soothingly.
"Oh, the comfort of that! you relieve me of a weight; you give me peace.I shall have duties; I shall do some good in the world.
They were all for it but you before, were they not?""Yes, and now I am strongest for it of them all.Josephine, it is settled."Josephine looked at her for a moment in silence, then said eagerly, "Bless you, dear Rose; you have saved your sister;" then, after a moment, in a very different voice, "O Camille! Camille! why have you deserted me?"And with this she fell to sobbing terribly.Rose wept on her neck, but said nothing.She too was a woman, and felt that this was the last despairing cry of love giving up a hopeless struggle.
They sat twined together in silence till Jacintha came to tell them it was close upon dinner-time; so then they hastened to dry their tears and wash their red eyes, for fear their mother should see what they had been at, and worry herself.
"Well, mademoiselle, these two consent; but what do you say? for after all, it is you I am courting, and not them.Have you the courage to venture on a rough soldier like me?"This delicate question was put point-blank before the three ladies.
"Sir," replied Josephine timidly, "I will be as frank, as straightforward as you are.I thank you for the honor you do me."Raynal looked perplexed.
"And does that mean 'yes' or 'no'?"
"Which you please," said Josephine, hanging her sweet head.
The wedding was fixed for that day fortnight.The next morning wardrobes were ransacked.The silk, muslin, and lace of their prosperous days were looked out: grave discussions were held over each work of art.Rose was active, busy, fussy.The baroness threw in the weight of her judgment and experience.
Josephine managed to smile whenever either Rose or the baroness looked at all fixedly at her.
So glided the peaceful days.So Josephine drifted towards the haven of wedlock.
