She spoke
with very marked courtesy, but in tones that seemed to freeze as they
dropped one by one from her mouth.
"I trust, madam, you will do me the justice to believe I did not know Mr.
Vane was married?"
"I am sure of it!" said Mabel, warmly. "I feel you are as good as you are
gifted."
"Mrs. Vane, I am not!" said the other, almost sternly. "You are
deceived!"
"Then Heaven have mercy on me! No! I am not deceived, you pitied me. You
speak coldly now; but I know your face and your heart--you pity me!"
"I do respect, admire, and pity you," said Mrs. Woffington, sadly; "and I
could consent nevermore to communicate with your--with Mr. Vane."
"Ah!" cried Mabel; "Heaven will bless you! But will you give me back his
heart?"
"How can I do that?" said Mrs. Woffington, uneasily; she had not
bargained for this.
"The magnet can repel as well as attract. Can you not break your own
spell? What will his presence be to me, if his heart remain behind?"
"You ask much of me."
"Alas! I do."
"But I could do even this." She paused for breath. "And perhaps if you,
who have not only touched my heart, but won my respect, were to say to
me, 'Do so,' I should do it." Again she paused, and spoke with
difficulty; for the bitter struggle took away her breath. "Mr. Vane
thinks better of me than I deserve. I have--only--to make him believe
me--worthless--worse than I am--and he will drop me like an adder--and
love you better, far better--for having known--admired--and despised
Margaret Woffington.
Pages:
179
180
181
182
183
184
185
186
187
188
189
190
191
192
193
194
195
196
197
198
199
200
201
202
203