From what I surmise of Mr. Ham I believe him
capable of traducing you; of actually inventing charges against your
reputation.'
'Could he be so infamous? This is surely not possible.'
'But it is possible; and this is the man with whom my poor father,
who really has my interests at heart, would have me link my life. For
the past four years his wishes in this respect have been horribly
plain to me. Oh, it is very dreadful, Mr. Gray; and it will be still
worse for me now that you, my friend, must henceforth be estranged
from our house.'
'But you will not marry that man, Aster, dear?' He was looking
wistfully into her beautiful eyes.
'Oh, no; I shall never do it of my own free will.'
'Farewell, Aster. Though estranged from your father and your house,
fate may some time be kind enough to let me see you. Farewell.' And
taking her hand into his he raised it reverently, tenderly, to his
lips, and imprinted upon it a warm kiss. Then he arose, bowed and
went away. For many a bitter day afterwards he remembered the mute
misery in her look as he left the garden.
That evening Roland sought out an old Eton schoolfellow, whom he
found smoking on the lawn of his uncle's house.
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