CHAPTER XXXI

SHOWING HOW MAJOR GRANTLY RETURNED TO GUESTWICK

Grace, when she was left alone, threw herself upon the sofa, and hid her face in her hands.  She was weeping almost hysterically, and had been utterly dismayed and frightened by her lover’s impetuosity.  Things had gone after a fashion which her imagination had not painted to her as possible.  Surely she had the power to refuse the man if she pleased.  And yet she felt as she lay there weeping that she did in truth belong to him as part of his goods, and that her generosity had been foiled.  She had especially resolved that she would not confess any love to him.  She had made no such confession.  She had guarded herself against doing so with all the care which she knew how to use.  But he assumed the fact, and she had been unable to deny it.  Could she have lied to him, and sworn that she did not love him?  Could she have so perjured herself, even in support of her generosity?  Yes, she would have done so—­so she told herself—­if a moment had been given to her for thought.  She ought to have done so, and she blamed herself for being so little prepared for the occasion.  The lie would be useless now.  Indeed, she would have no opportunity for telling it; for of course she would not answer—­would not even read his letter.  Though he might know that she loved him, yet she would not be his wife.  He had forced her secret from her, but he could not force her to marry him.  She did love him, but he should never be disgraced by her love.

After a while she was able to think of his conduct, and she believed that she ought to be very angry with him.  He had taken her roughly in his arms, and had insulted her.  He had forced a kiss from her.  She had felt his arms warm and close and strong about her, and had not known whether she was in paradise or in purgatory.  She was very angry with him.  She would send back his letter to him without reading it—­without opening it, if that might be possible.  He had done that to her which nothing could justify.  But yet—­yet—­yet how dearly she loved him!  Was he not the prince of men?  He had behaved badly, of course; but had any man ever behaved so badly before in so divine a way?  Was it not a thousand pities that she should be driven to deny anything to a lover who so richly deserved everything that could be given to him?  He had kissed her hand as he let her go, and now, not knowing what she did, she kissed the spot on which she had felt his lips.  His arm had been round her waist, and the old frock which she wore should be kept by her for ever, because it had been so graced.