按键盘上方向键 ← 或 → 可快速上下翻页，按键盘上的 Enter 键可回到本书目录页，按键盘上方向键 ↑ 可回到本页顶部！
————未阅读完？加入书签已便下次继续阅读！
… Page 57…
THE HOUSE BEHIND THE CEDARS
your mother nothing at all？〃
Tryon had felt that it would be best to surprise his mother。 She would
need only to see Rena to approve of her； but she was so far prejudiced in
favor of Blanche Leary that it would be wisest to present the argument
after having announced the irrevocable conclusion。 Rena herself would
be a complete justification for the accomplished deed。
〃I think you ought to know； George；〃 continued Warwick； without
waiting for a reply to his question； 〃that my sister and I are not of an old
family； or a rich family； or a distinguished family； that she can bring you
nothing but herself； that we have no connections of which you could boast；
and no relatives to whom we should be glad to introduce you。 You must
take us for ourselves alonewe are new people。〃
〃My dear John；〃 replied the young man warmly； 〃there is a great deal
of nonsense about families。 If a man is noble and brave and strong； if a
woman is beautiful and good and true； what matters it about his or her
ancestry？ If an old family can give them these things； then it is valuable；
if they possess them without it； then of what use is it； except as a source of
empty pride； which they would be better without？ If all new families
were like yours； there would be no advantage in belonging to an old one。
All I care to know of Rowena's family is that she is your sister； and you'll
pardon me； old fellow； if I add that she hardly needs even you；she carries
the stamp of her descent upon her face and in her heart。〃
〃It makes me glad to hear you speak in that way；〃 returned Warwick；
delighted by the young man's breadth and earnestness。
〃Oh； I mean every word of it；〃 replied Tryon。 〃Ancestors； indeed； for
Rowena！ I will tell you a family secret； John； to prove how little I care
for ancestors。 My maternal great…great…grandfather； a hundred and fifty
years ago； was hanged； drawn； and quartered for stealing cattle across the
Scottish border。 How is that for a pedigree？ Behold in me the lineal
descendant of a felon！〃
Warwick felt much relieved at this avowal。 His own statement had
not touched the vital point involved； it had been at the best but a half…truth；
but Tryon's magnanimity would doubtless protect Rena from any close
inquiry concerning her past。 It even occurred to Warwick for a moment
57
… Page 58…
THE HOUSE BEHIND THE CEDARS
that he might safely disclose the secret to Tryon； but an appreciation of
certain facts of history and certain traits of human nature constrained him
to put the momentary thought aside。 It was a great relief； however； to
imagine that Tryon might think lightly of this thing that he need never
know。
〃Well； Rena；〃 he said to his sister when he went home at noon： 〃I've
sounded George。〃
〃What did he say？〃 she asked eagerly。
〃I told him we were people of no family； and that we had no relatives
that we were proud of。 He said he loved you for yourself； and would
never ask you about your ancestry。〃
〃Oh； I am so glad！〃 exclaimed Rena joyfully。 This report left her
very happy for about three hours； or until she began to analyze carefully
her brother's account of what had been said。 Warwick's statement had
not been specific；he had not told Tryon THE thing。 George's reply； in
turn； had been a mere generality。 The concrete fact that oppressed her
remained unrevealed； and her doubt was still unsatisfied。
Rena was occupied with this thought when her lover next came to see
her。 Tryon came up the sanded walk from the gate and spoke pleasantly
to the nurse； a good…looking yellow girl who was seated on the front steps；
playing with little Albert。 He took the boy from her arms； and she went
to call Miss Warwick。
Rena came out； followed by the nurse； who offered to take the child。
〃Never mind； Mimy； leave him with me；〃 said Tryon。
The nurse walked discreetly over into the garden； remaining within
call； but beyond the hearing of conversation in an ordinary tone。
〃Rena； darling；〃 said her lover； 〃when shall it be？ Surely you won't
ask me to wait a week。 Why； that's a lifetime！〃
Rena was struck by a brilliant idea。 She would test her lover。 Love
was a very powerful force； she had found it the greatest； grandest； sweetest
thing in the world。 Tryon had said that he loved her； he had said scarcely
anything else for several weeks； surely nothing else worth remembering。
She would test his love by a hypothetical question。
〃You say you love me；〃 she said； glancing at him with a sad
58
… Page 59…
THE HOUSE BEHIND THE CEDARS
thoughtfulness in her large dark eyes。 〃How much do you love me？〃
〃I love you all one can love。 True love has no degrees； it is all or
nothing！〃
〃Would you love me；〃 she asked； with an air of coquetry that masked
her concern； pointing toward the girl in the shrubbery； 〃if I were Albert's
nurse yonder？〃
〃If you were Albert's nurse；〃 he replied； with a joyous laugh； 〃he
would have to find another within a week； for within a week we should be
married。〃
The answer seemed to fit the question； but in fact； Tryon's mind and
Rena's did not meet。 That two intelligent persons should each attach a
different meaning to so simple a form of words as Rena's question was the
best ground for her misgiving with regard to the marriage。 But love
blinded her。 She was anxious to be convinced。 She interpreted the
meaning of his speech by her own thought and by the ardor of his glance；
and was satisfied with the answer。
〃And now； darling；〃 pleaded Tryon； 〃will you not fix the day that shall
make me happy？ I shall be ready to go away in three weeks。 Will you
go with me？〃
〃Yes；〃 she answered； in a tumult of joy。 She would never need to tell
him her secret now。 It would make no difference with him； so far as she
was concerned； and she had no right to reveal her brother's secret。 She
was willing to bury the past in forgetfulness； now that she knew it would
ha