CHAPTER XX

Margarethadoftenwonderedatthedisturbancethattakesplaceintheworld’swaters,whenLove,whoseemssotinyapebble,slipsin.WhomdoesLoveconcernbeyondthebelovedandthelover?Yethisimpactdelugesahundredshores.Nodoubtthedisturbanceisreallythespiritofthegenerations,welcomingthenewgeneration,andchafingagainsttheultimateFate,whoholdsalltheseasinthepalmofherhand.ButLovecannotunderstandthis.Hecannotcomprehendanother’sinfinityheisconsciousonlyofhisown—flyingsunbeam,fallingrose,pebblethatasksforonequietplungebelowthefrettinginterplayofspaceandtime.Heknowsthathewillsurviveattheendofthings,andbegatheredbyFateasajewelfromtheslime,andbehandedwithadmirationroundtheassemblyofthegods.“Mendidproducethis”theywillsay,and,saying,theywillgivemenimmortality.Butmeanwhile—whatagitationsmeanwhile!ThefoundationsofPropertyandProprietyarelaidbare,twinrocksFamilyPrideflounderstothesurface,puffingandblowingandrefusingtobecomfortedTheology,vaguelyascetic,getsupanastygroundswell.Thenthelawyersarearoused—coldbrood—andcreepoutoftheirholes.TheydowhattheycantheytidyupPropertyandPropriety,reassureTheologyandFamilyPride.Half-guineasarepouredonthetroubledwaters,thelawyerscreepback,and,ifallhasgonewell,LovejoinsonemanandwomantogetherinMatrimony. Margarethadexpectedthedisturbance,andwasnotirritatedbyit.Forasensitivewomanshehadsteadynerves,andcouldbearwiththeincongruousandthegrotesqueand,besides,therewasnothingexcessiveaboutherlove-affair.Good-humourwasthedominantnoteofherrelationswithMr.Wilcox,or,asImustnowcallhim,Henry.Henrydidnotencourageromance,andshewasnogirltofidgetforit.Anacquaintancehadbecomealover,mightbecomeahusband,butwouldretainallthatshehadnotedintheacquaintanceandlovemustconfirmanoldrelationratherthanrevealanewone. Inthisspiritshepromisedtomarryhim. HewasinSwanageonthemorrowbearingtheengagementring. TheygreetedoneanotherwithaheartycordialitythatimpressedAuntJuley.HenrydinedatTheBays,buthadengagedabedroomintheprincipalhotelhewasoneofthosemenwhoknowtheprincipalhotelbyinstinct.AfterdinnerheaskedMargaretifshewouldn’tcareforaturnontheParade.Sheaccepted,andcouldnotrepressalittletremoritwouldbeherfirstreallovescene.Butassheputonherhatsheburstoutlaughing.Lovewassounlikethearticleservedupinbooksthejoy,thoughgenuinewasdifferentthemysteryanunexpectedmystery.Foronething,Mr.Wilcoxstillseemedastranger. Foratimetheytalkedabouttheringthenshesaid:“DoyouremembertheEmbankmentatChelse