Yet whatever the value of taciturnity to a man among strangers, it is

apt to express more than talkativeness when he dwells among friends.

The countryman who is obliged to judge the time of day from changes in

external nature sees a thousand successive tints and traits in the

landscape which are never discerned by him who hears the regular chime

of a clock, because they are never in request. In like manner do we

use our eyes on our taciturn comrade. The infinitesimal movement of

muscle, curve, hair, and wrinkle, which when accompanied by a voice

goes unregarded, is watched and translated in the lack of it, till

virtually the whole surrounding circle of familiars is charged with the

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reserved one's moods and meanings.

This was the condition of affairs between Winterborne and his neighbors

after his stroke of ill-luck. He held his tongue; and they observed

him, and knew that he was discomposed.

Mr. Melbury, in his compunction, thought more of the matter than any

one else, except his daughter. Had Winterborne been going on in the

old fashion, Grace's father could have alluded to his disapproval of

the alliance every day with the greatest frankness; but to speak any

further on the subject he could not find it in his heart to do now. He

hoped that Giles would of his own accord make some final announcement

that he entirely withdrew his pretensions to Grace, and so get the

thing past and done with. For though Giles had in a measure acquiesced

in the wish of her family, he could make matters unpleasant if he chose

to work upon Grace; and hence, when Melbury saw the young man

approaching along the road one day, he kept friendliness and frigidity

exactly balanced in his eye till he could see whether Giles's manner

was presumptive or not.

His manner was that of a man who abandoned all claims. "I am glad to

meet ye, Mr. Melbury," he said, in a low voice, whose quality he

endeavored to make as practical as possible. "I am afraid I shall not

be able to keep that mare I bought, and as I don't care to sell her, I

should like--if you don't object--to give her to Miss Melbury. The

horse is very quiet, and would be quite safe for her."

Mr. Melbury was rather affected at this. "You sha'n't hurt your pocket

like that on our account, Giles. Grace shall have the horse, but I'll

pay you what you gave for her, and any expense you may have been put to

for her keep."

He would not hear of any other terms, and thus it was arranged. They

were now opposite Melbury's house, and the timber-merchant pressed

Winterborne to enter, Grace being out of the way.




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