按键盘上方向键 ← 或 → 可快速上下翻页，按键盘上的 Enter 键可回到本书目录页，按键盘上方向键 ↑ 可回到本页顶部！
————未阅读完？加入书签已便下次继续阅读！
〃You have observed it for my sake； sir？〃 said I； wondering how his
frank face could face it out so。
〃Yes！and Angela's；〃 said he。
I found the room reeling round in an uncertain way； like a labouring；
humming…top。 〃Explain yourself；〃 said I； holding on by one hand to an
arm…chair。
35
… Page 36…
THE HOLLY…TREETHREE BRANCHES
〃Dear old darling Charley！〃 returned Edwin； in his cordial manner；
〃consider！ When you were going on so happily with Angela； why should
I compromise you with the old gentleman by making you a party to our
engagement； and （after he had declined my proposals） to our secret
intention？ Surely it was better that you should be able honourably to say；
'He never took counsel with me； never told me； never breathed a word of
it。' If Angela suspected it； and showed me all the favour and support she
couldGod bless her for a precious creature and a priceless wife！I
couldn't help that。 Neither I nor Emmeline ever told her； any more than
we told you。 And for the same good reason； Charley； trust me； for the
same good reason； and no other upon earth！〃
Emmeline was Angela's cousin。 Lived with her。 Had been brought
up with her。 Was her father's ward。 Had property。
〃Emmeline is in the chaise； my dear Edwin！〃 said I； embracing him
with the greatest affection。
〃My good fellow！〃 said he； 〃do you suppose I should be going to
Gretna Green without her？〃
I ran out with Edwin； I opened the chaise door； I took Emmeline in my
arms； I folded her to my heart。 She was wrapped in soft white fur； like
the snowy landscape： but was warm； and young； and lovely。 I put their
leaders to with my own hands； I gave the boys a five… pound note apiece； I
cheered them as they drove away； I drove the other way myself as hard as
I could pelt。
I never went to Liverpool； I never went to America； I went straight
back to London； and I married Angela。 I have never until this time； even
to her； disclosed the secret of my character； and the mistrust and the
mistaken journey into which it led me。 When she； and they； and our eight
children and their sevenI mean Edwin and Emmeline's； whose oldest girl
is old enough now to wear white for herself； and to look very like her
mother in itcome to read these pages； as of course they will； I shall
hardly fail to be found out at last。 Never mind！ I can bear it。 I began at
the Holly…Tree； by idle accident； to associate the Christmas time of year
with human interest； and with some inquiry into； and some care for； the
36
… Page 37…
THE HOLLY…TREETHREE BRANCHES
lives of those by whom I find myself surrounded。 I hope that I am none
the worse for it； and that no one near me or afar off is the worse for it。
And I say； May the green Holly…Tree flourish； striking its roots deep into
our English ground； and having its germinating qualities carried by the
birds of Heaven all over the world！
37