Warleggan Read Free

blames me for its failure, but it was doomed to failure from the start. Then, when he was hard set as a result, he was too proud to go to his friends for assistance; and so, added to his other debts, he signed a bill for a thousand pounds at a usurer's rate of interests - it has but now come into my uncle's hands, that is how I know - and Ross has been paying this interest on it ever since. Nor is he satisfied with this, but he last year sold the half of his interest in a profitable mine and induced Francis to go into partnership with him in this white elephant, Wheal Grace, which his father exhausted twenty years' ago! When he ultimately beggars himself and you as well, no doubt he'll blame me for having stolen the copper out of his ground overnight!'
    At last she escaped and walked across the room. He was overstating his case, but the truth might lie somewhere midway between his argument and Francis's. Her feeling for Ross had never quite been definable to herself, and there was some grain of perverseness which tools pleasure in seeing the other side.
    George did not follow her. After a minute he said : `You know, don't you, that you're one of the loveliest women in England.'
    The clock: on the mantelshelf began to strike; five. When it had finished, she said: `If what you say were even half true, it would be kind of you; but I think, with Francis not here, a liberty. As I know-'
    `If the truth's a liberty, then I've taken it,' George brushed a hand down his embroidered waistcoat, not perfectly at ease but not at all in retreat, `because the truth it is. I move in society a great deal and I assure you I am neither fla ttering you nor presuming. Turn round. Look at yourself in the glass. Or perhaps you know yourself, too well to realise. Men realise. Other men besides myself. And there would be many such, of both sexes, if you moved about more freely and were to be seen. Even now I hear people say, "D'you remember Elizabeth Poldark -Chynoweth that was? Now there was a beauty for you. I wonder what's come of her"'
    `Do you 'suppose '
    `If,' said George, `if Francis would let me, I could help him. Let him play with hi s mine if he wants to, but that need only be a side issue. Once before when I came here I mentioned sinecure positions. Today I could, get him nominated for two. There; is no disgrace in them. Ask your parson how: he gained his church or, your major his battalion - by having; a friend speak, for him at the right time. This - this existence is no existence at all for you. Your poverty is not' only undeserved - it's unnecessary!'
    Elizabeth was silent. Whatever, she thought of George's compliments, it was a, sore spot he touched.) She was twenty-eight now, and her lease of beauty was not inde finite. She could count on the fing ers of one hand the number of he r outings since her twenty-fifth birthday.
    Oh, George, you're very kind, Don't think I don't know that. The more so because I realise you have nothing to gain, I - ’
    'On the contrary,' said George, 'I have everything to gain.'
    'I scarcely know quite what to say. You heap favours upon my mother and father, upon my son, and would on Francis if he wo uld allow you. I wish I could s ee some end to this quarrel, I truly wish I could. But in suggesting that it's a trivial thing, don't you deceive yourself: None of it's as simple as you make it sound. I wish it were. I should be happy enough to see our friendship restored,'
    He came over to the fireplace. 'And will do your part to restore it?'
    If you will do yours.'
    How?'
    `Help to convince R oss that you are not his enemy. 'I am not interested in Ross.'
    `No, but Francis is Ross's partner now. You'll not reassure one without the other.'
    George stared down at hi s riding crop. Perhaps the look in his eyes was not for, her.
    `You credit me with superna tural powers. What do you want me to do?'
    `If you'll do what you can,' said Elizabeth, `I'll do what I can.' `I hope I may hold you to that bargain.' `You