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The Hoyden

Chapter 4 HOW THE HEART OF MAURICE GREW HOT WITHIN HIM, AND HOW HE PUT THE QUESTION TO THE TOUCH, AND HOW HE NEITHER LOST NOR WON.

Word Count: 2191    |    Released on: 01/12/2017

en with exquisite blooms, all white and red and yellow

nd-a large hand but beautiful. "It is my favouri

hing in her charming air of surprise jars upon him

kne

e you were

glance from under her long lashes, that-wha

her, the whole of the past year comes back to him. A strange year, fraught with gladness and deep pain-with fears and joys intense! What had it all me

or one so little led by kindly impulses, or rather for one who had so few kindly impulses to be led by; but everyone has a soft spot somewhere in his heart, an

ve her always carte blanche to do as she would with all that belonged to him. She made Marian Bethune's life for the first few months a burden to her, and then Ma

at her feet (one never does the real thing now, because it spoils one's trousers so), and offered his heart, and all the fortune still left to him af

e his belief was justified. She did love him, as she had never loved before, but not well enough to risk poverty again. She had seen enough of that in her first marriage, and in her degradation and misery had sworn a bitter oath to herself never again to marry, unless marriage should sweep her into the broad river of luxury and content. Had Maurice's financial affairs b

ed-she had said something that made him know she sometimes counted on his uncle's death. She would marry him then! She would not marry a poor man, however much

could desire death-the death of

he said-feared to step aboard his sinking ship. Where, then

fair, with large, deep, gleaming eyes. He tells himself he will

im, a soft red rosebud c

did know you were comi

le-just a little-prone to prying-especially of late; ever since the arrival of that s

with delicate fervour. "How

ther cold, unco

gives him a

says she; "yo

im-closer still;-and, laying her cheek against hi

by both arms, and holding her a little aw

e, smiling still, "between friends an

er graceful head, runs her lips lightly ac

s she true or false? But, howev

she; "how slow you are to ask

rian? I have asked

, and his eyes are bent on hers. Once a

autiful face. "Go on, go on," she says lightly. There is, perhaps, some defiance in her tone, but, if so, it only strengthens her for the fight. "I am your captive!"

arms, and lets her go, and stands well back fr

an? What is the object of this flat rebellion-this receding from her author

lipping her arm around his neck. "How have I vexed you? Who has

to tell me anyt

d I not tell you

e question, and one onl

modesty

you ma

denly she uplifts her graceful form, and, lazily clasping her arms behind her head, look

ps have grown into a

repeat my

me?" Her large eyes have grown quite full of tears. "Is my own happines

mine! Marry me, Mar

ulous now and her face very pale. "But h

he shortly. "We ar

one must

es on deliberately-"I have been thinking, too, and I have come to

for the on

no

, only selfish

should rule it. It rules me. You tell me-you are for ever telling me-that marriage with yo

lly," says she in

gards her

u would come abroad with me, I could carve out a fresh life for us-I c

ut his han

s she with deep agitation. "You

last words have chilled him to his heart's core. "

er eyes are downbent. Rylton's

then?" says

his? What has changed you? Your mother? Ah, I know it! She has set her heart on your marriage with this-th

e all the luxuries that women seem ready to sell their very souls for? Come, Marian, rose above it all. I am a poor man,

iled. She could wait-she would; and she is so sure of him. He is her own, her special property. Yes! she can afford to wait. Something must occur shortly to change the state of his a

r somewhat ro

says he, his tone even rougher

him. "Oh-darling, do not let your mother come between us! That girl-she will make you marry that girl. She has money, whereas I-what am I? A mere

is stern. "If she will deign to accept me. I have not so far,

you say tha

. His beautiful darling! He soothes her, caresses her, lets h

grief and love she had never so forgotten herself as to

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1 Chapter 1 HOW DIAMOND CUT DIAMOND, AND HOW THE SPARKS FLEW.2 Chapter 2 HOW MARGARET PLEADS FOR THE LITTLE HOYDEN, AND WITH WHAT ILL-SUCCESS.3 Chapter 3 HOW LADY RYLTON SAYS A FEW THINGS THAT WOULD HAVE BEEN BETTER LEFT UNSAID. HOW THE SCHEME IS LAID BEFORE SIR MAURICE, AND HOW HE REFUSES TO HAVE ANYTHING TO DO WITH IT.4 Chapter 4 HOW THE HEART OF MAURICE GREW HOT WITHIN HIM, AND HOW HE PUT THE QUESTION TO THE TOUCH, AND HOW HE NEITHER LOST NOR WON.5 Chapter 5 SHOWING HOW, WHEN PEOPLE DO CONGREGATE TOGETHER, MUCH KNOWLEDGE MAY BE FOUND, AND HOW THE LITTLE HOYDEN HAD SOME KIND THINGS SAID ABOUT HER.6 Chapter 6 HOW GAMES WERE PLAYED, OF SORTS ; AND HOW TITA WAS MUCH HARRIED, BUT HOW SHE BORE HERSELF VALIANTLY, AND HOW, NOT KNOWING OF HER VICTORIES, SHE WON ALL THROUGH.7 Chapter 7 HOW THE ARGUMENT GROWS HIGHER; AND HOW MARIAN LOSES HER TEMPER, AND HOW MARGARET OBJECTS TO THE RUIN OF ONE YOUNG LIFE.8 Chapter 8 HOW A STORM RAGED; AND HOW, WHEN A MAN AND WOMAN MET FACE TO FACE, THE VICTORY-FOR A WONDER-WENT TO THE MAN.9 Chapter 9 HOW MAURICE PLACES HIS LIFE IN THE HANDS OF THE HOYDEN, AND HOW SHE TELLS HIM MANY THINGS, AND DESIRES MANY THINGS OF HIM.10 Chapter 10 HOW MAURICE GIVES WAY TO TEMPER, AND HOW LADY RYLTON PLANTS A SHAFT OR TWO. AND HOW MARGARET SAYS A WORD IN SEASON, AND HOW IN RETURN COLONEL NEILSON SAYS A WORD TO HER.11 Chapter 11 HOW THE LAST DAY COMES, AND HOW SOME STRANGE WORDS ARE SAID BEFORE THE MARRIAGE IS ACCOMPLISHED; AND HOW MARION BETHUNE SCORES A POINT.12 Chapter 12 HOW TITA COMES BACK FROM HER HONEYMOON, AND HOW HER HUSBAND'S MOTHER TELLS HER OF CERTAIN THINGS THAT SHOULD HAVE BEEN LEFT UNTOLD.13 Chapter 13 HOW A YOUNG AND LOVELY NATURE TAKES A SHOCK MOST CRUELLY ADMINISTERED. AND HOW A DOWAGER TAKES A NEW NAME AS A DIRECT INSULT. AND HOW TITA DECLINES TO PROMISE ANYTHING.14 Chapter 14 HOW TITA COMES TO OAKDEAN, AND IS GLAD. AND HOW MAURICE CALLS TO HER, AND SHE PERFORMS AN ACROBATIC FEAT. AND HOW A DISCUSSION ARISES.15 Chapter 15 HOW TITA TELLS OF TWO STRANGE DREAMS, AND OF HOW THEY MOVED HER. AND HOW MAURICE SETS HIS SOUL ON ASKING A GUEST TO OAKDEAN; AND HOW HE GAINS HIS DESIRE.16 Chapter 16 HOW A DULL MORNING GIVES BIRTH TO A STRANGE AFTERNOON. AND HOW RYLTON'S EYES ARE WIDENED BY A FRIEND.17 Chapter 17 HOW TITA SUGGESTS A GAME OF BLIND MAN'S BUFF, AND WHAT COMES OF IT.18 Chapter 18 HOW TITA GETS A SCOLDING, AND HOW SHE REBELS AND ACCUSES SIR MAURICE OF BREACH OF CONTRACT.19 Chapter 19 HOW RYLTON'S HEART CONDEMNS HIM. AND HOW, AS HE WALKS, A SERPENT STINGS HIM. AND HOW HE IS RECOVERED OF HIS WOUND. AND HOW THE LITTLE RIFT IS MENDED-BUT WITH TOO FINE THREAD.20 Chapter 20 HOW TITA TAKES HIGH GROUND, AND HOW SHE BRINGS HER HUSBAND, OF ALL PEOPLE, TO HER FEET.21 Chapter 21 HOW EVERYONE GOES TO LADY WARBECK'S DANCE, AND HELPS TO MAKE IT A SUCCESS; AND HOW MANY CURIOUS THINGS ARE SAID AND DONE THERE.22 Chapter 22 HOW RYLTON ASKS HIS WIFE TO TREAD A MEASURE WITH HIM, AND HOW THE FATES WEAVE A LITTLE MESH FOR TITA'S PRETTY FEET.23 Chapter 23 HOW MARIAN FIGHTS FOR MASTERY; AND HOW THE BATTLE GOES; AND HOW CHANCE BEFRIENDS THE ENEMY.24 Chapter 24 HOW RYLTON MAKES A MOST DISHONOURABLE BET, AND HOW HE REPENTS OF IT; AND HOW, THOUGH HE WOULD HAVE WITHDRAWN FROM IT, HE FINDS HE CANNOT.25 Chapter 25 HOW TITA TOLD A SECRET TO TOM HESCOTT IN THE MOONLIGHT; AND HOW HE SOUGHT TO DISCOVER MANY THINGS, AND HOW HE WAS MOST INNOCENTLY BAFFLED.26 Chapter 26 HOW TITA LOOKS AT HERSELF IN THE GLASS AND WONDERS; AND HOW SHE DOES HER HAIR IN QUITE A NEW STYLE, AND GOES TO ASK SIR MAURICE WHAT HE THINKS OF IT; AND HOW HE ANSWERS HER.27 Chapter 27 No.2728 Chapter 28 No.2829 Chapter 29 No.2930 Chapter 30 No.3031 Chapter 31 No.3132 Chapter 32 No.3233 Chapter 33 No.3334 Chapter 34 No.3435 Chapter 35 No.3536 Chapter 36 No.3637 Chapter 37 No.3738 Chapter 38 No.3839 Chapter 39 No.3940 Chapter 40 No.4041 Chapter 41 No.4142 Chapter 42 No.4243 Chapter 43 No.4344 Chapter 44 No.4445 Chapter 45 No.4546 Chapter 46 No.4647 Chapter 47 No.4748 Chapter 48 No.4849 Chapter 49 No.4950 Chapter 50 No.5051 Chapter 51 No.5152 Chapter 52 No.5253 Chapter 53 No.5354 Chapter 54 No.5455 Chapter 55 HOW MINNIE HESCOTT GIVES TITA A HINT; AND LEARNS THAT HINTS MAY BE THROWN AWAY; AND HOW MARGARET'S SOUL IS GRIEVED.56 Chapter 56 HOW TITA COMMITS A GREAT FOLLY, THOUGH LITTLE IS THE SIN THAT LIES THEREIN. AND HOW MARGARET TRIES TO MAKE PEACE, AND WHAT COMES OF IT.57 Chapter 57 HOW MR. GOWER GROWS DARKLY MYSTERIOUS; AND HOW TITA HEARS OF THE ARRIVAL OF ANOTHER GUEST.58 Chapter 58 HOW TITA'S SOUL AT LAST IS STIRRED; AND HOW HER HAPPINESS IS THREATENED AND HERSELF SET AT NAUGHT; AND HOW MINNIE HESCOTT SPEAKS.