"I know what they will be when we have met. Never fear, Alick. If she
were not married it might be serious, being so, I have no fears."
Then came a silence, till a halt at the last station before Bath roused
Alick again.
"Bessie," he said, in the low voice the stoppage permitted, "don't think
me unkind. I believe you have waited on purpose to leave me no time
for expostulation, and what I have said has sounded the more harsh in
consequence."
"No, Alick," she said, "you are a kind brother in all but the
constructions you put upon my doings. I think it would be better if
there were more difference between our ages. You are a young guardian,
over anxious, and often morbidly fanciful about me during your illness.
I think we shall be happier together when you no longer feel yourself
responsible."
"The tables turned," muttered Alick.
"I am prepared for misconstruction," added Bessie. "I know it will be
supposed to be the title; the estate it cannot be, for you know how poor
a property it is; but I do not mean to care for the world. Your opinion
is a different thing, and I thought you would have seen that I could
not be insensible to such dignified kindness, and the warmth of a nature
that many people think cold."
"I don't like set speeches, Bessie."
"Then believe me, Alick. May I not love the fine old man that has been
so kind to me?"
"I hope you do," said Alick, slowly.
"And you can't believe it? Not with Lady Temple before you and hers was
really an old man."
"Do not talk of her or Sir Stephen either. No, Bessie," he added more
calmly after a time, "I may be doing great injustice to you both, but I
must speak what it is my duty to say. Lord Keith is a hard, self-seeking
man, who has been harsh and grasping towards his family, and I verily
believe came here bent on marriage, only because his brother was no
longer under his tyranny. He may not be harsh to you, because he is past
his vigour, and if he really loves you, you have a power of governing;
but from what I know of you, I cannot believe in your loving him enough
to make such management much better than selfish manoeuvring. Therefore
I cannot think this marriage for your real welfare, or be other than
bitterly grieved at it. Do not answer, Bessie, but think this over, and
if at any time this evening you feel the least doubt of your happiness
in this matter, telegraph to me, and I will stop him."
"Indeed, Alick," she answered, without anger, "I believe you are very
anxious for my good."