"Good morning," I said to the lady who sat beside me at breakfast. "You look well this morning."
She looked up quickly from her plate of toast. Her face flushed a little, but she did not reply for some moments. She had been looking out of the window when I spoke, and now turned away with an air of indifference. But it was evident that something about my remark had touched her.
"I am glad to hear you say so," said she, still avoiding my eye. "It is very good of you to notice me at all."
I laughed a little at her answer. It was too obvious, and too much like what I should have expected. But I was determined to go on with my conversation with her.
"Yes, indeed," continued I, "you do look well today. The sun has done your cheeks good."
Her color deepened a little. Then she looked down again upon her plate.
"Well!" said I, after a pause. "You don't seem quite yourself this morning. You are not ill?"
"No," replied she, slowly, and in a low tone, as if she were afraid of being overheard. "But I wish I could be alone. Do excuse me, please." And she rose abruptly and left the room.
I followed her with my eyes, and saw her mount the stairs. I thought nothing more of it until I found myself seated at dinner alone again.
Later, when I had finished eating that night, I felt a sudden desire to see the girl once more. So I got up and went into the parlor. There I found her alone, sitting by herself. As soon as she perceived me, she rose hastily and came toward me.
"Oh, sir!" she cried. "You must excuse me. I did not know you were here."
"Why, Miss Darnay," said I, smiling, "it is only myself. What can I do for you? Are you tired of your room?"
"No, sir," replied she, with a slight flush, and looking down. "But I cannot stay here longer than I can help. My uncle will come home directly, and I must leave this house."
"Then, pray to stay here awhile," I urged and gave a little chuckle.
"Your uncle's coming home from all the way London tonight, and he won't be here till late."
"Thank you, sir," she answered, with a sigh. "But I really cannot stay. I dare not. It would never do."
"My dear, why the sudden mishap? Have I troubled you in anyway? Please, do tell me if I have..." I implored.
"No, absolutely not sir!" she exclaimed. "You have been nothing but kind and sweet to me, it's just that... oh, I cannot say. But don't worry, I promise I shall not trouble you any further. I beg your pardon. Good evening." And she turned abruptly and walked swiftly from the room.
I was much puzzled at her manner, and decided to follow her. First, I took a hasty glance around the parlor to assure myself that everything was in place - they were as usual. Then, I saw that the door leading to the hall was open. I stepped out into the passage and there I found the lady standing in front of the open door of a room on the ground floor. She seemed agitated, and moved as if she were undecided whether or not to enter. I waited a moment, but she made no movement to enter. Then I said:
"Miss Darnay, I think you had better come in here. I will show you where you can sit down comfortably."
She glanced quickly at me, and then, with a half-frightened air, entered the room. It was a small chamber, with a single bedstead and table, and one window. I showed her how to get comfortable.
"Now," said I, "you needn't mind me. You can talk to me as freely as you choose. It is only myself you are talking to. If I am not wanted, I will go away."
She did not speak for a few moments. Then she said, in a low tone:
"Mr. Hartright, I cannot tell you how much I thank you for your kindness. I have not been treated with so much consideration since I came to live with my uncle in Sheffield."
"Is that all?" I asked. "What makes you so anxious to go away?"
"I have no friends here," she replied, in a whisper. "No one knows me. I am sure that they would laugh at me if they knew I lived with my uncle."
"Who would laugh?" I inquired.
"Surely there are many kind people living near here, who would make you welcome."
"There is not a soul whom I could trust," she replied. "And I dare not confide even in my uncle. He does not understand me. No one understands me. I wish I could die!"
"Die!" exclaimed I. "How can you wish to die? Have you not the most beautiful life imaginable before you? Think of the wide world before you, and all its beauties. Why, you have not seen half of it yet."
"Ah!" sighed she, "but I have seen enough of it already. I have seen the worst of it. And I am afraid to look forward."
"What do you mean?" I demanded.
"Oh, I dare not say more," she replied. "If I do, I shall be driven from this house. I have promised my uncle to keep silent, and I must obey him."
"Very well," said I, "we will talk of other things. Please, do pardon my outright intrusion now for what I am about to say might alarm you a little. So here it goes: My dear, I must tell you before you leave tonight, I do care a whole lot for you. You have gained my wholehearted admiration.
"Thank you," she murmured, faintly. "I am very grateful."
"And again, I apologize if this appears a little intrusive but, I think you are very beautiful." I whispered.
"Why thank you Mr Hartright. What a very kind thing to say." She replied with a warm smile on her face. "I also do care for you a lot and I think you as very handsome too" she replied "You have a fine figure, and a sweet face.
"Ha! A fine figure?" I exclaimed. "What a bizzare compliment to address a man with don't you think so?"
"Yes, sir," she replied. "It is a very fine figure. You have a fine leg, and a very nice pair of shoulders."
"Oh haha! Very well. I will receive your compliments with heart and love" I replied with a smile.
Ah yes, it was moments like these with Mrs Darnay that made me, at once, the most happiest and saddest of men. Happy, because I got to spend quality time with the one whom I truly love and sad, for I knew the time would come where she would leave me. Oh, how I wished she wouldn't part with me tonight, how I longed for just another month or two with her. Even just a day more - just one more day would've been of satisfaction to me...
but alas!
"May I ask you one question?" said she suddenly, breaking into my
reverie.
I gazed at her inquiringly: "Certainly my dear"
"Have you ever been married?" she enquired.
"I beg your pardon?" I said.
"I mean, have you ever wed?"
I stared at her blankly. "Wed? Why yes. Several years ago... Why'd you ask?" I responded.
"Oh! I thought you hadn't been married"
"Not married?" I repeated. Then I laughed. "You don't mean to say, my dear Miss Darnay, that you think of me as some old bachelor who could never tie the knot with a woman?"
"I'm sorry," she murmured quietly. "I did not mean anything. That is, I supposed - that is - "
"That is?" I implored.
She hesitated. In some way our glances met and met again, until they came to an understanding of sorts.
"I didn't think you were married," she said at last. "I was thinking of something else entirely."
She flushed a little. I saw she wanted to change the subject. But I had other thoughts in my head besides hers. I knew that she was uneasy, and wished to avoid making more awkward remarks. So I decided to change the subject:
"Let us talk of something more pleasant, Miss Darnay," I said, "and forget the past."
"All right," she said, smiling. "Let us talk about something pleasant."
And so that night, we spent hours cheerfully chatting. She told me of her family and friends. We laughed over old times which had passed, and looked at each other fondly when our smiles faded.
Suddenly I noticed that she started slightly as she heard the clock strike ten. I wondered what it could mean. Then it struck twelve, and at length I remarked that it was getting late. We remained chatting until it became quite dark outside, and then she said goodnight and left me standing alone in the passage.
Later, I inquired why her Uncle hadn't arrived from London to receive her that night and it was later revealed to me that his train was rescheduled for the next day. Ahh... I was singularly at ease and filled with so much joy for my desire came to past – I got the opportunity to spend yet another day with Miss Darnay.
Thanks for reading and keep exploring!
