"Suppose you go back to Dexter," he proceeded. "And suppose that the doctor's opinion exaggerates the peril in his case. What are you to do? The last time you saw him, you had the immense advantage of taking him by surprise. Those sensitive nerves of his gave way, and he betrayed the fear that you aroused in him.
Can you take him by surprise again? Not you! He is prepared for you now; and he will be on his guard. If you encounter nothing worse, you will have his cunning to deal with next. Are you his match at that? But for Lady Clarinda he would have hopelessly misled you on the subject of Mrs. Beauly."There was no answering this, either. I was foolish enough to try to answer it, for all that.
"He told me the truth so far as he knew it," I rejoined. "He really saw what he said he saw in the corridor at Gleninch.""He told you the truth," returned Mr. Playmore, "because he was cunning enough to see that the truth would help him in irritating your suspicions. You don't really believe that he shared your suspicions?""Why not?" I said. "He was as ignorant of what Mrs. Beauly was really doing on that night as I was--until I met Lady Clarinda.
It remains to be seen whether he will not be as much astonished as I was when I tell him what Lady Clarinda told me."This smart reply produced an effect which I had not anticipated.
To my surprise, Mr. Playmore abruptly dropped all further discussion on his side. He appeared to despair of convincing me, and he owned it indirectly in his next words.
"Will nothing that I can say to you," he asked, "induce you to think as I think in this matter?""I have not your ability or your experience, "I answered. "I am sorry to say I can't think as you think.""And you are really determined to see Miserrimus Dexter again?""I have engaged myself to see him again."
He waited a little, and thought over it.
"You have honored me by asking for my advice," he said. "Iearnestly advise you, Mrs. Eustace, to break your engagement. Igo even further than that--I _entreat_ you not to see Dexter again."Just what my mother-in-law had said! just what Benjamin and Major Fitz-David had said! They were all against me. And still I held out.
I wonder, when I look back at it, at my own obstinacy. I am almost ashamed to relate that I made Mr. Playmore no reply. He waited, still looking at me. I felt irritated by that fixed look.
I arose, and stood before him with my eyes on the floor.
He arose in his turn. He understood that the conference was over.
"Well, well," he said, with a kind of sad good-humor, "I suppose it is unreasonable of me to expect that a young woman like you should share any opinion with an o ld lawyer like me. Let me only remind you that our conversation must remain strictly confidential for the present; and then let us change the subject.
Is there anything that I can do for you? Are you alone in Edinburgh?""No. I am traveling with an old friend of mine, who has known me from childhood.""And do you stay here to-morrow?"
"I think so."
"Will you do me one favor? Will you think over what has passed between us, and will you come back to me in the morning?""Willingly, Mr. Playmore, if it is only to thank you again for your kindness."On that understanding we parted. He sighed--the cheerful man sighed, as he opened the door for me. Women are contradictory creatures. That sigh affected me more than all his arguments. Ifelt myself blush for my own head-strong resistance to him as Itook my leave and turned away into the street.