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The Little Minister, a novel by James Matthew Barrie |
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Chapter XLI - Rintoui and Babbie--Break-down of the Defence of the Manse |
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_ "You dare to look me in the face!" They were Rintoul's words. Yet Babbie had only ventured to look up "It seems to be more than the man is capable of," he added sourly. "Do you think," Babbie exclaimed, taking fare, "that he is afraid "So it seems; but I will drag him into the light, wherever he is Lord Rintoul strode to the door, and the brake was off his tongue "Go," said Babbie coldly, "and shout and stamp through the house; "Where is he?" "He has gone to the Spittal to see you." "He knew I was on the hill." "He lost me in the darkness, and thought you had run away with me "Ha! So he is off to the Spittal to ask me to give you back to "To compel you," corrected Babbie. "Pooh!" said the earl nervously, "that was but mummery on the "It was a marriage." "With gypsies for witnesses. Their word would count for less than "I don't want to be saved. The marriage had witnesses no court "What witnesses?" "Mr. McKenzie and yourself." She heard his teeth meet. When next she looked at him, there were "I am so sorry," Babbie began in a broken voice; then stopped, "If you are sorry," the earl answered eagerly, "it is not yet too "Ah, but I don't pity myself." "Because this man has blinded you." "No, he has made me see." "This mummery on the hill--" "Why do you call it so? I believe God approved of that marriage, "God! I never heard the word on your lips before." "I know that." "It is his teaching, doubtless?" "Yes." "And he told you that to do to me as you have done was to be "No; he knows that it was so evil in God's sight that I shall "But he has done no wrong, so there is no punishment for him?" "It is true that he has done no wrong, but his punishment will be "That," said the earl, scoffing, "is not just." "It is just. He has accepted responsibility for my sins by "And what form is his punishment to take?" "For marrying me he will be driven from his church and dishonored Her sincerity was so obvious that the earl could no longer meet it "It is you I pity now," he said, looking wonderingly at her. "Do "If you knew him," Babbie answered, "you would not need to be told "And you had so little regard for me that you waited until the eve "I am not so bad as that," Babbie answered, and told him what had "And my voice was so horrible to you that it drove you to this?" "I--I love him so much." What more could Babbie answer? These words told him that, if love "Why could you not love me, Babbie?" said the earl sadly. "I have It was little he had done for her that was not selfish. Men are "Is it because I am too--old?" This was the only time he ever spoke of his age to her. "Oh no, it is not that," she replied hastily, "I love Mr. Dishart- "Have I not loved you always?" "Never," Babbie answered simply. "If you had, perhaps then I "Babbie," he exclaimed, "if ever man loved woman, and showed it by "No," Babbie said, "you don't understand what it is. Ah! I did not "If I don't know what it is, what is it?" he asked, almost humbly. "That is it," said Babbie. She gave him back his ring, and then he broke down pitifully. "There was nothing," he said wistfully, "in this wide world that "No," she answered. "What right have I to everything I cry for?" "You should never have had a care had you married me. That is "It is not. I want to share my husband's cares, as I expect him to "I would have humored you in everything." "You always did: as if a woman's mind were for laughing at, like a "You had your passions, too, Babbie. Yet did I ever chide you for "No, it was contempt. Oh," she cried passionately, "what have not Now, Jean's ear had been to the parlor keyhole for a time, but "It's Lord Rintoul and a party that has been catched in the rain, Thus the distracted servant thought to keep Margaret's mind at "Lord Rintoul!" exclaimed Margaret. "What a pity Gavin has missed Lord Rintoul having departed, Jean told Babbie how she had Very slowly Babbie climbed the stairs. I suppose she is the only "That is what some other person calls you," said Margaret archly. In the dim light a face that begged for pity was turned to "He does love you, Babbie?" she asked, suddenly doubtful. Babbie turned away her face, then shook her head. "But you love him?" Again Babbie shook her head. "Oh, my dear," cried Margaret, in distress, "if this is so, are She knew now that Babbie was crying, but she did not know why "There may be times," Babbie said, most woeful that she had not "You are wrong, Babbie," Margaret answered gravely; "if I know "It may be best for others." "Do you mean for one other?" Margaret asked, and the girl bowed "You do not understand." "I do not need to be told the circumstances to know this--that if Babbie turned impulsively to cast herself on the mercy of Gavin's "But I have been too inquisitive," Margaret began; whereupon "Your parents--" "I have had none since I was a child." "It is the more reason why I should be your friend," Margaret "You do not know what you are saying. You cannot be my friend." "Yes, dear, I love you already. You have a good face, Babbie, as Babbie could remain in the room no longer. She bade Margaret good- "Why did you not kiss me?" Margaret asked in surprise, but poor Of what occurred at the manse on the following day until I reached "I believe you had only a lover's quarrel with Lord Rintoul last It was in less than an hour after Margaret spoke thus tranquilly |