This eBook was produced by Tapio Riikonen
and David Widger
We have now arrived at that stage in this history when it is necessary tolook back on the interval in Lucretia's life,—between the death ofDalibard, and her reintroduction in the second portion of our tale.
One day, without previous notice or warning, Lucretia arrived at WilliamMainwaring's house; she was in the deep weeds of widowhood, and that garbof mourning sufficed to add Susan's tenderest commiseration to the warmthof her affectionate welcome. Lucretia appeared to have forgiven thepast, and to have conquered its more painful recollections; she wasgentle to Susan, though she rather suffered than returned her caresses;she was open and frank to William. Both felt inexpressibly grateful forher visit, the forgiveness it betokened, and the confidence it implied.At this time no condition could be more promising and prosperous thanthat of the young banker. From the first the most active partner in thebank, he had now virtually almost monopolized the business. The seniorpartner was old and infirm; the second had a bucolic turn, and was muchtaken up by the care of a large farm he had recently purchased; so thatMainwaring, more and more trusted and honoured, became the sole managingadministrator of the firm. Business throve in his able hands; and withpatient and steady perseverance there was little doubt but that, beforemiddle age was attained, his competence would have swelled into a fortunesufficient to justify him in realizing the secret dream of his heart,—the parliamentary representation of the town, in which he had alreadysecured the affection and esteem of the inhabitants.
It was not long before Lucretia detected the ambition William's industrybut partially concealed; it was not long before, with the ascendencynatural to her will and her talents, she began to exercise considerable,though unconscious, influence over a man in whom a thousand goodqualities and some great talents were unhappily accompanied by infirmpurpose and weak resolutions. The ordinary conversation of Lucretiaunsettled his mind and inflamed his vanity,—a conversation able,aspiring, full both of knowledge drawn from books and of that experienceof public men which her residence in Paris (whereon, with its new andgreater Charlemagne, the eyes of the world were turned) had added to heracquisitions in the lore of human life. Nothing more disturbs a mindlike William Mainwaring's than that species of eloquence which rebukesits patience in the present by inflaming all its hopes in the future.Lucretia had none of the charming babble of women, none of that tenderinterest in household details, in the minutiae of domestic life, whichrelaxes the intellect while softening the heart. Hard and vigorous, hersentences came forth in eternal appeal to the reason, or address to thesterner passions in which love has no share. Beside this strong thinker,poor Susan's sweet talk seemed frivolous and inane. Her soft hold uponMainwaring loosened. He ceased to consult her upon business; he began torepine that the partner of his lot could have little sympathy with hisdreams. More often and more bitterly now did his discontented glance, inhis way homeward, rove to the rooftops of the rural member for the town;more eagerly did he read the parliamentary debates; more heavily did hesigh at the thought of eloquence denied a vent, and ambition delayed inits career.
When arrived at this state of mind, Lucretia's conversation took a moreworldly, a more practical turn. Her knowledge of the speculators ofParis instructed her pictures of bold ingenuity creating sudden wealth;she