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bird's wings！how like an angel's！ Yet so vile a thing as a bit
of birdlime subdues them utterly； and such was the fascinating
power of this mean man over this worthy woman。 She was a reader； a
thinker； a model of respectability； industry； and sense； a
businesswoman； keen and practical； could encounter sharp hands in
sharp trades； could buy or sell hogs； calves； or beasts with any
farmer or butcher in the country； yet no match for a cunning fool。
She had enshrined an idol in her heart； and that heart adored it；
and clung to it； though the superior head saw through it； dreaded
it； despised it。
No wonder three years of this had drawn a tell…tale wrinkle across
the polished brow。
Phoebe Dale had not received a letter for some days； that roused
her suspicion and stung her jealousy； she came up to London by fast
train； and down to Gravesend directly。
She had a thick veil that concealed her features； and with a little
inquiring and bribing； she soon found out that Mr。 Falcon was there
with a showy dogcart。 〃Ah！〃 thought Phoebe； 〃he has won a little
money at play or pigeon…shooting； so now he has no need of me。〃
She took the lodgings opposite him； but observed nothing till this
very morning； when she saw him throw off his dressing…gown all in a
hurry and fling on his coat。 She tied on her bonnet as rapidly；
and followed him； until she discovered the object of his pursuit。
It was a surprise to her； and a puzzle； to see another man step in；
as if to take her part。 But as Reginald still followed the
loitering pair； she followed Reginald； till he turned and found her
at his heels； white and lowering。
She confronted him in threatening silence for some time； during
which he prepared his defence。
〃So it is a LADY this time；〃 said she； in her low； rich voice；
sternly。
〃Is it？〃
〃Yes； and I should say she is bespokethat tall； fine…built
gentleman。 But I suppose you care no more for his feelings than
you do for mine。〃
〃Phoebe；〃 said the egotist； 〃I will not try to deceive you。 You
have often said you are my true friend。〃
〃And I think I have proved it。〃
〃That you have。 Well； then； be my true friend now。 I am in love
really in lovethis time。 You and I only torment each other； let
us part friends。 There are plenty of farmers in Essex that would
jump at you。 As for me； I'll tell you the truth； I have run
through every farthing； my estate mortgaged beyond its valuetwo
or three writs out against methat is why I slipped down here。 My
only chance is to marry Money。 Her father knows I have land； and
he knows nothing about the mortgages； she is his only daughter。
Don't stand in my way； that is a good girl； be my friend； as you
always were。 Hang it all； Phoebe； can't you say a word to a fellow
that is driven into a corner； instead of glaring at me like that？
There！ I know it is ungrateful； but what can a fellow do？ I must
live like a gentleman or else take a dose of prussic acid； you
don't want to drive me to that。 Why； you proposed to part； last
time； yourself。〃
She gave him one majestic； indescribable look； that made even his
callous heart quiver； and turned away。
Then the scamp admired her for despising him； and could not bear to
lose her。 He followed her； and put forth all those powers of
persuading and soothing； which had so often proved irresistible。
But this time it was in vain。 The insult was too savage； and his
egotism too brutal； for honeyed phrases to blind her。
After enduring it a long time with a silent shudder； she turned and
shook him fiercely off her like some poisonous reptile。
〃Do you want me to kill you？ I'd liever kill myself for loving
such a thing as THOU。 Go thy ways； man； and let me go mine。〃 In
her passion she dropped her cultivation for once； and went back to
the THOU and THEE of her grandam。
He colored up and looked spiteful enough； but he soon recovered his
cynical egotism； and went off whistling an operatic passage。
She crept to her lodgings； and buried her face in her pillow； and
rocked herself to and fro for hours in the bitterest agony the
heart can feel； groaning over her great affection wasted； flung
into the dirt。
While she was thus； she heard a little commotion。 She came to the
window and saw Falcon； exquisitely dressed； drive off in his
dogcart； attended by the acclamations of eight boys。 She saw at a
glance he was gone courting； her knees gave way under her； and；
such is the power of the mind； this stalwart girl lay weak as water
on the sofa； and had not the power to go home； though just then she
had but one wish； one hopeto see her idol's face no more； nor
hear his wheedling tongue； that had ruined her peace。
The exquisite Mr。 Falcon was received by Rosa Lusignan with a
certain tremor that flattered his hopes。 He told her； in charming
language； how he had admired her at first sight； then esteemed her；
then loved her。
She blushed and panted； and showed more than once a desire to
interrupt him； but was too polite。 She heard him out with rising
dismay； and he offered her his hand and heart。
But by this time she had made up her mind what to say。 〃O Mr。
Falcon！〃 she cried； 〃how can you speak to me in this way？ Why； I
am engaged。 Didn't you know？〃
〃No； I am sure you are not； or you would never have given me the
encouragement you have。〃
〃Oh； all engaged young ladies flirta little； and everybody here
knows I am engaged to Dr。 Staines。〃
〃Why； I never saw him here。〃
Rosa's tact was a quality that came and went； so she blushed； and
faltered out； 〃We had a little tiff； as lovers will。〃
〃And you did me the honor to select me as cat's…paw to bring him on
again。 Was not that rather heartless？〃
Rosa's fitful tact returned to her。
〃Oh； sir； do not think so ill of me。 I am not heartless； I am only
unwise； and you are so superior to the people about you； I could
not help appreciating you； and I thought you knew I was engaged；
and so I was less on my guard。 I hope I shall not lose your
esteem； though I have no right to anything more。 Ah！ I see by your
face I have behaved very ill： pray forgive me。〃
And with this she turned on the waters of the Nile； better known to
you； perhaps； as 〃crocodile tears。〃
Falcon was a gentleman on the surface； and knew he should only make
matters worse by quarrelling with her。 So he ground his teeth； and
said； 〃May your own heart never feel the pangs you have inflicted。
I shall love you and remember you till my dying day。〃
He bowed ceremoniously and left her。
〃Ay；〃 said he to himself； 〃I WILL remember you； you heartless jilt；
and the man you have jilted me for。 Staines is his dd name； is
it？〃
He drove back crestfallen； bitter； and； for once in his life；
heart…sick； and drew up at his lodgings。 Here he found attendants
waiting to receive him。
A sheriff's officer took his dogcart and horse under a judgment；
the disturbance this caused collected a tiny crowd； gaping and
grinning； and brought Phoebe's white face and eyes swollen with
weeping to the window。
Falcon saw her and brazened it out。 〃Take them；〃 said he； with an
oath。 〃I'll have a better turn…out by to…morrow； breakfast…time。〃