CHAPTER XXXVIII
關燈
小
中
大
ytroubleHowardsEndforthisonenight.ItakehertoLondonto-morrow—”
“Doyouintendtosleepinadamphouse,too?”
“Shecannotbeleftalone.”
“That’squiteimpossible!Madness.YoumustbeheretomeetCharles.”
“IhavealreadytoldyouthatyourmessagetoCharleswasunnecessary,andIhavenodesiretomeethim.”
“Margaret—myMargaret.”
“WhathasthisbusinesstodowithCharles?Ifitconcernsmelittle,itconcernsyouless,andCharlesnotatall.”
“AsthefutureownerofHowardsEnd,”saidMr.Wilcoxarchinghisfingers,“IshouldsaythatitdidconcernCharles.”
“Inwhatway?WillHelen’sconditiondepreciatetheproperty?”
“Mydear,youareforgettingyourself.”
“Ithinkyouyourselfrecommendedplainspeaking.”
Theylookedateachotherinamazement.Theprecipicewasattheirfeetnow.
“Helencommandsmysympathy,”saidHenry.“Asyourhusband,IshalldoallforherthatIcan,andIhavenodoubtthatshewillprovemoresinnedagainstthansinning.ButIcannottreatherasifnothinghashappened.IshouldbefalsetomypositioninsocietyifIdid.”
Shecontrolledherselfforthelasttime.“No,letusgobacktoHelen’srequest,”shesaid.“Itisunreasonable,buttherequestofanunhappygirl.TomorrowshewillgotoGermany,andtroublesocietynolonger.To-nightsheaskstosleepinyouremptyhouse—ahousewhichyoudonotcareabout,andwhichyouhavenotoccupiedforoverayear.Mayshe?Willyougivemysisterleave?Willyouforgiveherasyouhopetobeforgiven,andasyouhaveactuallybeenforgiven?Forgiveherforonenightonly.Thatwillbeenough.”
“AsIhaveactuallybeenforgiven—?”
“NevermindforthemomentwhatImeanbythat,”saidMargaret.“Answermyquestion.”
Perhapssomehintofhermeaningdiddawnonhim.Ifso,heblotteditout.Straightfromhisfortressheanswered:“Iseemratherunaccommodating,butIhavesomeexperienceoflife,andknowhowonethingleadstoanother.Iamafraidthatyoursisterhadbettersleepatthehotel.Ihavemychildrenandthememoryofmydearwifetoconsider.Iamsorry,butseetha
