On the Monday evening, after tea, Mrs Prime came out to the cottage. It was that Monday on which Mrs Rowan and her daughter had left Baslehurst and had followed Luke up to London. She came out and sat with her mother and sister for about an hour, restraining herself with much discretion¹ from the saying of disagreeable things about her sister’s lover. She had heard that the Rowans had gone away, and she had also heard that it was probable that they would be no more seen in Baslehurst. Mr Prong had given it as his opinion that Luke would not trouble them again by his personal appearance among them. Under these circumstances Mrs Prime had thought that she might spare her sister. For had she said much about her own love affairs. She had never mentioned Mr Prong’s offer in Rachel’s presence; nor did she do so now. As long as Rachel remained in the room the conversation was very innocent and very uninteresting. For a few minutes the two widows were alone together, and then Mrs Prime gave her mother to understand that things were not yet quite arranged between herself and Mr Prong.

“You see, mother,” said Mrs Prime, “as this money has been committed to my charge, I do not think it can be right to let it go altogether out of my own hands.”

In answer to this Mrs Ray had uttered a word or two agreeing with her daughter, she was afraid to say much against Mr Prong — was afraid, indeed, to express any very strong opinion about this proposed marriage; but in her heart she would have been delighted to hear that the Prong alliance was to be abandoned. There was nothing in Mr Prong to recommend him to Mrs Ray.

“And is she going to marry him?” Rachel asked, as soon as her sister was gone.

“There’s nothing settled as yet. Dorothea wants to keep her money in her own hands.”

“I don’t think that can be right. If a woman is married the money should belong to the husband.”

“I suppose that’s what Mr Prong thinks — at any rate, there’s nothing settled. It seems to me that we know so little about him. He might go away any day to Australia, you know.”

“And did she say anything about — Mr Rowan?”

“Not a word, my dear.”

And that was all that was then said about Luke even between Rachel and her mother. How could they speak about him? Mrs Ray also believed that he would be no more seen in Baslehurst; and Rachel was well aware that such was her mother’s belief, although it had never been expressed. What could be said between them now — or ever afterwards — unless, indeed, Rowan should take some steps to make it necessary that his doings should be discussed?

分享到：