“’Ben provvide Natura al nostro stato
     Quando dell’ Alpi schermo
     Pose fra noi e la tedesca rabbis.”

“We are merely bondsmen to the re-establishment of the provisions of nature.”

“And we know we shall succeed!” said Emilia, permitting her antagonism to pass forth in irritable emphasis.

Lady Charlotte quickly left them, to run up to Georgiana.  She was not long in the house.  Emilia hung near Merthyr all day, and she was near him when the knock was heard which she could suppose to be Wilfrid’s, as it proved.  Wilfrid was ushered in to Georgiana.  Delicacy had prevented Merthyr from taking special notice to Emilia of Lady Charlotte’s visit, and he treated Wilfrid’s similarly, saying, “Georgey will send down word.”

“Only, don’t leave me till she does,” Emilia rejoined.

Her agitation laid her open to be misinterpreted.  It was increased when she saw him take a book and sit in the armchair between two lighted candles, calmly careless of her.  She did not actually define to herself that he should feel jealously, but his indifference was one extreme which provoked her instinct to imagine a necessity for the other.  Word came from Georgiana, and Emilia moved to the door.  “Remember, we dine half-an-hour earlier to-day, on account of the Cameron party,” was all that he uttered.  Emilia made an effort to go.  She felt herself as a ship sailing into perilous waters, without compass.  Why did he not speak tenderly?  Before Georgiana had revealed his love for her, she had been strong to see Wilfrid.  Now, the idea smote her softened heart that Wilfrid’s passion might engulf her if she had no word of sustainment from Merthyr.  She turned and flung herself at his feet, murmuring, “Say something to me.”  Merthyr divined this emotion to be a sort of foresight of remorse on her part:  he clasped the interwoven fingers of her hands, letting his eyes dwell upon hers.  The marvel of their not wavering or softening meaningly kept her speechless.  She rose with a strength not her own:  not comforted, and no longer speculating.  It was as if she had been eyeing a golden door shut fast, that might some day open, but was in itself precious to behold.  She arose with deep humbleness, which awakened new ideas of the nature of worth in her bosom.  She felt herself so low before this man who would not be played upon as an obsequious instrument—­who would not leap into ardour for her beauty!  Before that man upstairs how would she feel?  The question did not come to her.  She entered the room where he was, without a blush.  Her step was firm, and her face expressed a quiet gladness.  Georgiana stayed through the first commonplaces:  then they were alone.

CHAPTER LI