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asunder。 Take good heed of what I say。 Must。 I cancel the bond
between ye。 I reject you； and all of your kith and kin—all the false；
hollow； heartless stock。’
‘High words； sir；’ said Edward； scornfully。
‘Words of purpose and meaning； as you will find；’ replied the
other。 ‘Lay them to heart。’
‘Lay you then； these；’ said Edward。 ‘Your cold and sullen
temper； which chills every breast about you； which turns affection
into fear； and changes duty into dread； has forced us on this secret
course； repugnant to our nature and our wish； and far more
foreign； sir； to us than you。 I am not a false； a hollow； or a heartless
man； the character is yours； who poorly venture on these injurious
terms； against the truth； and under the shelter whereof I reminded
you just now。 You shall not cancel the bond between us。 I will not
abandon this pursuit。 I rely upon your niece’s truth and honour；
and set your influence at nought。 I leave her with a confidence in
her pure faith； which you will never weaken； and with no concern
but that I do not leave her in some gentler care。’
With that； he pressed her cold hand to his lips； and once more
encountering and returning Mr Haredale’s steady look； withdrew。
A few words to Joe as he mounted his horse sufficiently
explained what had passed； and renewed all that young
gentleman’s despondency with tenfold aggravation。 They rode
back to the Maypole without exchanging a syllable； and arrived at
the door with heavy hearts。
Old John； who had peeped from behind the red curtain as they
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rode up shouting for Hugh； was out directly； and said with great
importance as he held the young man’s stirrup；
‘He’s comfortable in bed—the best bed。 A thorough gentleman；
the smilingest； affablest gentleman I ever had to do with。’
‘Who； Willet？’ said Edward carelessly； as he dismounted。
‘Your worthy father； sir；’ replied John。 ‘Your honourable；
venerable father。’
‘What does he mean？’ said Edward； looking with a mixture of
alarm and doubt； at Joe。
‘What do you mean？’ said Joe。 ‘Don’t you see Mr Edward
doesn’t understand； father？’
‘Why； didn’t you know of it； sir？’ said John； opening his eyes
wide。 ‘How very singular！ Bless you； he’s been here ever since
noon to…day； and Mr Haredale has been having a long talk with
him； and hasn’t been gone an hour。’
‘My father； Willet！’
‘Yes； sir； he told me so—a handsome； slim； upright gentleman；
in green…and…gold。 In your old room up yonder； sir。 No doubt you
can go in； sir；’ said John； walking backwards into the road and
looking up at the window。 ‘He hasn’t put out his candles yet； I see。’
Edward glanced at the window also； and hastily murmuring
that he had changed his mind—forgotten something—and must
return to London； mounted his horse again and rode away； leaving
the Willets； father and son； looking at each other in mute
astonishment。
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Chapter 15
t noon next day； John Willet’s guest sat lingering over his
Abreakfast in his own home； surrounded by a variety of
comforts； which left the Maypole’s highest flight and
utmost stretch of accommodation at an infinite distance behind；
and suggested comparisons very much to the disadvantage and
disfavour of that venerable tavern。
In the broad old…fashioned window…seat—as capacious as many
modern sofas； and cushioned to serve the purpose of a luxurious
settee—in the broad old…fashioned window…seat of a roomy
chamber； Mr Chester lounged； very much at his ease； over a well…
furnished breakfast…table。 He had exchanged his riding…coat for a
handsome morning…gown； his boots for slippers； had been at great
pains to atone for the having been obliged to make his toilet when
he rose without the aid of dressing…case and tiring equipage； and；
having gradually forgotten through these means the discomforts of
an indifferent night and an early ride； was in a state of perfect
complacency； indolence； and satisfaction。
The situation in which he found himself； indeed； was
particularly favourable to the growth of these feelings； for； not to
mention the lazy influence of a late and lonely breakfast； with the
additional sedative of a newspaper； there was an air of repose
about his place of residence peculiar to itself； and which hangs
about it； even in these times； when it is more bustling and busy
than it was in days of yore。
There are； still； worse places than the Temple； on a sultry day；
for basking in the sun； or resting idly in the shade。 There is yet a
drowsiness in its courts； and a dreamy dulness in its trees and
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gardens； those who pace its lanes and squares may yet hear the
echoes of their footsteps on the sounding stones； and read upon its
gates； in passing from the tumult of the Strand or Fleet Street；
‘Who enters here leaves noise behind。’ There is still the plash of
falling water in fair Fountain Court； and there are yet nooks and
corners where dun…haunted students may look down from their
dusty garrets； on a vagrant ray of sunlight patching the shade of
the tall houses； and seldom troubled to reflect a passing stranger’s
form。 There is yet； in the Temple； something of a clerkly monkish
atmosphere； which public offices of law have not disturbed； and
even legal firms have failed to scare away。 In summer time； its
pumps suggest to thirsty idlers； springs cooler； and more
sparkling； and deeper than other wells； and as they trace the