Sampson went on to say that he believed the poor man had gone flourishing
a razor; and Mrs. Dodd had said, "Yes, kill me, David: kill the mother of
your children," and never moved: which feminine, or in other words
irrational, behaviour had somehow disarmed him. But it would not happen
again: his sister had come; a sensible, resolute woman. She had signed
the order, and Osmond and he the certificates, and he was gone to a
private asylum. "Talking of that," said Sampson, rising suddenly, "I must
go and give them a word of comfort; for they are just breaking their
hearts at parting with him, poor things. I'll be back in an hour."
On his departure, Jane returned and made the tea in the dining-room: they
lived like that now.
Mr. Hardie took it from his favourite's lithe white hand, and smiled on
her: he should not have to go to a foreign land after all: who would
believe a madman if he should rave about his thousands ? He sipped his
tea luxuriously, and presently delivered himself thus, with bland
self-satisfaction:--
"My dear Alfred, some time ago you wished to marry a young lady without
fortune.
Pages:
523
524
525
526
527
528
529
530
531
532
533
534
535
536
537
538
539
540
541
542
543
544
545
546
547