ARTHUR
27

The relationship between parent and child is usually seen from the face; but the child may resemble one of his parents, but does not have the same characteristics as both. Here the outline, surface, and color are completely contradictory. The kinship that lives between them is possible, despite these differences; but these circumstances contribute to poisoning my suspicions.

Breakfast is over, Welbeck gives an invitation to the piano skills. The woman rose to fulfill her request. My eyes happened to be, at that moment, fixed on him. In stepping onto the instrument, some movement or appearance arouses thoughts in my mind that affect my feelings like the shock of an earthquake.

I have too few acquaintances with the history of lust to really explain the emotion that is now pulsing in my pulse. I was once a stranger to what is called love. From subsequent reflections, I have contracted the suspicion of sentiments that I consider this woman to be impure from this source, and hence the turmoil of my feelings while observing what I interpret to be a sign of pregnancy. The evidence given to me was only slight; yet it really affected my beliefs.

It was good that this suspicion was not quickly excited. Now politeness does not require me to live in an apartment, and nothing but escapism can hide my state of mind. Therefore, I rushed into the distance, and shrouded myself in the friendly secrecy of my own room.

The constitution of my mind is undoubtedly singular and heretical; yet that opinion, perhaps, is the fruit of my ignorance. It may be unusual for men to make their conclusions contrary to evidence and probability, and to feed their hatred and subvert their happiness. Thus , in an extraordinary degree, in my case. That simple fact, in my mind, is connected to the most hateful set of consequences. The depravity of Welbeck was inferred from him. The charm of this angelic woman was stained and withered. I had previously observed it as a precious and perfect monument, but now it was a scene of destruction and explosion.

With this new set of ideas, I was somewhat amused. I saw the rapid ignorance of the conclusions and the injustice of my appalling accusations, and gained some degree of patience in my current state of uncertainty. My heart was lightened from the usual burden, and I worked hard to find a harmless explanation of the scene I witnessed the night before.

At dinner, Welbeck appears as usual, but not the woman. I considered his absence a common nuisance, and ventured to ask him about his state of health. My colleague said he was fine, but he had left town for a month or two, finding the summer heat uncomfortable where he was. This is not an unreasonable reason to retire. An honest mind will approve of this representation, and find nothing inconsistent with a presumption that respects the cause of appearance favors its character; but instead I am affected. The restlessness that had flown a moment back, and I was immersed in a gloomy silence.

From here I was awakened by my patron, who asked me to deliver the billet, which he put in my hand, at Mr.'s counting house. Thetford, and to give him an answer. This message was done quickly. I entered a large building on the river bank. A spacious apartment presents itself, well equipped with pipes and hogsheads. In one corner was a smaller room, where a man was busy writing. I advanced to the door of the room, but there met a young boy, who received my paper and sent it to him inside. I stood still at the door; but close enough to hear what was to come between them.

The letter was placed on the table, and soon he who was sitting there raised his eyes and glanced at the writing on it. He barely spoke on whispers; but his words, however, could be clearly distinguished. I don't remember her voice, but her words evoke a series of memories.