So much being arranged, the next thing was to put herself in the way of
learning the objectionable truths which she had persuaded herself
existed. This was rather an awkward point. How should she go to work? to
whom apply? who would be most likely to know, or, knowing, to impart
what Cornelia desired to hear? Aunt Margaret? But it was not certain
that she knew any thing about him more than the little Cornelia had
herself told her: if not useless, it would certainly be rash to make
inquiries of her, especially since it would have to be done by letter.
Aunt Margaret wouldn't do.
Her papa? No, no! that was quite out of the question. He might not
approve--he was old-fashioned--he wouldn't understand the necessity--he
might ask her disagreeable questions--and besides--no, he must be given
up.
But besides Aunt Margaret, and Professor Valeyon, who was there?
Cornelia was quite at a loss. To think of being obliged to give up the
whole explosion, merely for want of a match to touch off the powder,
that was unendurable! She would not give it up; she would let herself be
guided by circumstances; something would be sure to turn up that would
serve her purpose; she must be on the alert, that was all, and let
things take their course. One thing troubled her--the day of the wedding
was not much over two months distant! Every thing must be done before
then. It was to be hoped that things would take their course with a
reasonable degree of rapidity.
As regarded the favorable result to herself of Bressant's separation
from Sophie, Cornelia seems never to have entertained a doubt. That he
would fall into a state of despair, and of bitterness against all women,
herself included, she was unable, consistently with her confidence in
herself, to believe. Far more natural was it, that, finding Sophie no
longer could care for him, he would seek to repose and refresh his heart
elsewhere: and where so soon as with Cornelia? Indeed it was a mystery
to her how he had ever come to care for Sophie at all; and the reason of
the mystery was, that she had felt a movement of passion in him toward
herself. There was certainly not much similarity between the sisters,
and it was not strange that Cornelia should be inclined to doubt the
validity of her rival's claim to supremacy in Bressant's heart.
Her rival! The current of events had already carried Cornelia a
considerable distance beyond her position on the evening of her return
from New York, when she had excused her beautiful appearance, to
herself, by suggesting that it would not do for the husband of her
sister to detest her! That was sophistry, and it was sophistry that
served her now; but the subjects upon which she exercised it were
becoming hourly more and more ticklish. The woman of two weeks back
would have started and turned pale before the woman of to-day.