Synopses & Reviews
CONTENTS. CHAP. PAGR I. UNCLE INDEFER ... . . 1 II. ISABEL BRODRICK . . . .16 III. COUSIN HENRY . . . .31 IY. THE SQUIRES DEATH ... 45 V. PREPARING FOR THE FUNERAL . 60 VI. MR. APJOHNS EXPLANATION . . 75 VII. LOOKING FOR THE WILL . . 90 VIII. THE BEADING OF THE WILL . .105 IX. ALONE AT LLANFEARE . . .119 X. COUSIN HENRY DREAMS A DREAM . 134 XL ISABEL AT HEREFORD . . .149 XII. MR. OWEN . . . . .163 XIII. THE CARMARTHEN HERALD . 179 XIV. AN ACTION FOR LIBEL . . .194 XV. COUSIN HENRY MAKES ANOTHER ATTEMPT 209 XVI. AGAIN AT HEREFORD 224 if CONTEND. CHA.P. PAGB XVII. MR. CHEEKEY . . . . 237 XVIII. COUSIN HENRY GOES TO CARMARTHEN 253 XIX. MR. APJOHN SENDS FOR ASSISTANCE 268 XX. DOUBTS 283 XXI. MR. APJOHNS SUCCESS . . .298 XXII. How COUSIN HENRY WAS LET OFF EASILY 313 XXIII. ISABELS PETITION . . . .328 XXIV. CONCLUSION, 343 COUSIN HENEY. CHAPTER I. UNCLE INDEFBE. I HAVE a conscience, my dear, on this matter, said an old gentleman to a young lady, as the two were sitting in the breakfast parlour of a country house which looked down from the cliffs over the sea on the coast of Carmarthenshire. And so have I, Uncle Indefer and as my conscience isbackedbymy inclination, whereas yours is not You think that I shall give way I did not mean that. What then If I could only make you understand how very strong is my inclinatioin, or disinclination how impossible to be conquered, then 2 COUSIN HENEY. What next Then you would know that I could never give way, as you call it, and you would go to work with yourown conscience to see whether it be imperative with you or not. You may be sure of this, I shall never say a word to you in opposition to your conscience. If there be a word to be spoken it must comefrom yourself. Therewas a long pause in the conversation, a silence for an hour, during which the girl went in and out of theroom and settled herselfdown at her work. Then the old man went back abruptly to the subject they had discussed. I shall obey my conscience You ought to do so, Uncle Indefer. What should a man obey but his conscience Though it will break my heart. No no, no And will ruin you That is a fleas bite. I can brave my ruin easily, but not your broken heart. Why should there be either, Isabel et Nay, sir have you not said but now, because of our consciences Not to save your heart from breaking, though I think your heart is dearer to me than anything else in the world, could I marry my cousin Henry. We must die together, both of us, you and I, or live broken-hearted, or what not, sooner than that. Would I not do anything possible at your bidding I used to think so. But it is impossible for a young woman with a respect for herself such as I have to submit herself to a man that she loathes. Do as your conscience bids you with the old house. Shall I be less tender to you while you live because I shallhave to leave the place when you are dead Shall I accuse you of injustice or unkindness in my heart Never All that is only an outside circumstance to me, comparatively of little moment. But to be the wife of a man I despise Then she got up and left the room...