Beulah - Page 86/348

She took his offered arm, and they proceeded to the study in

silence.

"Sit down." Dr. Hartwell pushed a chair toward her, and stood

looking her fully in the face. She did not shrink, and asked

unconcernedly: "Well, Guy, to what does all this preamble lead?"

"May, is the doctrine of future punishments laid down as orthodox,

in that elegantly gilded prayer-book you take with you in your

weekly pilgrimages to church?"

"Come, come, Guy; if you have no respect for religion yourself,

don't scoff at its observances in my presence. It is very unkind,

and I will not allow it." She rose, with an air of offended dignity.

"Scoff! You wrong me. Why, verily, your religion is too formidable

to suffer the thought. I tell you, sister mine, your creed is a

terrible one in my eyes." He looked at her with a smile of withering

scorn.

She grew restless under his impaling gaze, and he continued

mockingly: "From such creeds! such practice! Good Lord deliver us!"

She turned to go, but his hand fell heavily on her shoulder.

"I am acquainted with all that passed between Beulah and yourself

the evening she left my house. I was cognizant of the whole truth

before I left the city."

"Artful wretch! She is as false as contemptible!" muttered the

sister, through set teeth.

"Take care! Do not too hastily apply your own individual standard of

action to others. She does not dream that I am acquainted with the

truth, though doubtless she wonders that, knowing you so well, I

should not suspect it."

"Ah, guided by your favorite Mephistopheles, you wrapped the mantle

of invisibility about you, and heard it all. Eh?"

"No; Mephistopheles is not ubiquitous, and I left him at home here,

it seems, when I took that child to ride. It is difficult for me to

believe you are my sister! very difficult! It is the most

humiliating thought that could possibly be suggested to me. May, I

very nearly decided to send you and Pauline out into the world

without a dime!--without a cent!--just as I found you, and I may do

so yet--"

"You dare not! You dare not! You swore a solemn oath to the dying

that you would always provide for us! I am not afraid of your

breaking your vow!" cried Mrs. Chilton leaning heavily against the

table to support herself.

"You give me credit for too much nicety. I tell you I would break my

oath to-morrow--nay, to-night; for your duplicity cancels it--but

for that orphan you hate so cordially. She would never return if you

and Pauline suffered for the past. For her sake, and hers only, I

will still assist, support you; for have her here I will! if it cost

me life and fortune! I would send you off to the plantation, but

there are no educational advantages there for Pauline; and,

therefore, if Beulah returns, I have resolved to buy and give you a

separate home, wherever you may prefer. Stay here, you cannot and

shall not!"