Page:The Adventures of David Simple (1904).djvu/309

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Chapter II
277

at least, or he would force me to take a resolution never to see him more.

"As soon as my brother had left Dumont, he went to his wife, and told her that to-morrow he was to complete his friend's happiness by for ever joining him to Isabelle. This he did to see in what manner she would behave on such a trying occasion.

"Dorimene, who was all passion, and who really had but little art, easily swallowed the bait; and told him she thought he ought to consult his own honour, and not to dispose of his sister so rashly to a man who had visibly sligbted her.

"The Marquis was all on fire to see in what manner she took it; and could not forbear saying that in all likelihood her own inclination might be satisfied in the separation of Isabelle from Dumont. And he then came directly to me, and uttered the words I have already repeated to you.

"But so intoxicated was Dorimene with the violence of ber passion, that she at present gave but little attention to anything her husband said; nor did she need the information he had given her concerning our marriage, for she so narrowly watched Dumont that she was never ignorant of any one step he took; and, by hearkening at the door, had overheard all the last conversation between him and the Marquis de Stainville. She hid herself when he quitted the room, but again replaced herself within hearing when I entered it; but it is impossible to describe her rage when she fancied she heard him say enough to let me into a secret which she had extorted a promise from him never to reveal.

"From the time my brother had first suspected his wife, he had never lain at home; but pretending that change of air was conducive to his health, said he lay at a tenant's about two miles off; but indeed he was always within such distance that Pandolph bring him home in five minutes. He set him