Could she have been
mistaken in Charles? And yet, why not? Had he not, as it were, abandoned
her ever since the occurrence of the family feud? and why should he have
done so unless there had been some reason for it? It was quite clear,
she thought, that, whatever revelation Woodward was about to make
concerning him, it was one which would occasion himself great pain
as his brother, and that nothing but the necessity of saving her from
unhappiness could force him to speak out. In fact, her mind was in a
tumult; she felt quite nervous--tremulous--afraid of some disclosure
that might destroy her hopes and her happiness, and make her wretched
for life.
On the next day Woodward made his appearance and found Alice by herself
in the drawing-room, as when he left her the day before. His countenance
seemed the very exponent of suffering and misery.
"Miss Goodwin," said he, "I have passed a period of the deepest anxiety
since I saw you last. You may, indeed, read what I have suffered, and
am suffering, in my face, for unfortunately it is a tell-tale upon my
heart; but I cannot help that, nor should I wish it to be otherwise.
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