The Moonstone - Page 178/404

As the name of the Indian Diamond passed her lips, I saw a change come

over my admirable friend. His complexion deepened. He lost the

genial suavity of manner which is one of his greatest charms. A noble

indignation inspired his reply.

"They DO say it," he answered. "There are people who don't hesitate to

accuse Mr. Luker of telling a falsehood to serve some private interests

of his own. He has over and over again solemnly declared that, until

this scandal assailed him, he had never even heard of the Moonstone. And

these vile people reply, without a shadow of proof to justify them, He

has his reasons for concealment; we decline to believe him on his oath.

Shameful! shameful!"

Rachel looked at him very strangely--I can't well describe how--while he

was speaking. When he had done, she said, "Considering that Mr. Luker

is only a chance acquaintance of yours, you take up his cause, Godfrey,

rather warmly."

My gifted friend made her one of the most truly evangelical answers I

ever heard in my life.

"I hope, Rachel, I take up the cause of all oppressed people rather

warmly," he said.

The tone in which those words were spoken might have melted a stone.

But, oh dear, what is the hardness of stone? Nothing, compared to the

hardness of the unregenerate human heart! She sneered. I blush to record

it--she sneered at him to his face.

"Keep your noble sentiments for your Ladies' Committees, Godfrey. I am

certain that the scandal which has assailed Mr. Luker, has not spared

You."

Even my aunt's torpor was roused by those words.

"My dear Rachel," she remonstrated, "you have really no right to say

that!"

"I mean no harm, mamma--I mean good. Have a moment's patience with me,

and you will see."

She looked back at Mr. Godfrey, with what appeared to be a sudden pity

for him. She went the length--the very unladylike length--of taking him

by the hand.

"I am certain," she said, "that I have found out the true reason of your

unwillingness to speak of this matter before my mother and before me.

An unlucky accident has associated you in people's minds with Mr. Luker.

You have told me what scandal says of HIM. What does scandal say of

you?"

Even at the eleventh hour, dear Mr. Godfrey--always ready to return good

for evil--tried to spare her.

"Don't ask me!" he said. "It's better forgotten, Rachel--it is, indeed."

"I WILL hear it!" she cried out, fiercely, at the top of her voice.

"Tell her, Godfrey!" entreated my aunt. "Nothing can do her such harm as

your silence is doing now!"

Mr. Godfrey's fine eyes filled with tears. He cast one last appealing

look at her--and then he spoke the fatal words: "If you will have it, Rachel--scandal says that the Moonstone is in

pledge to Mr. Luker, and that I am the man who has pawned it."