'I _must_ do what is right. O Arthur, it is so hard to bear, and I need help so much: for our love's sake, help me!' putting out her hands towards him with a last appeal.
'You call it right to bring shame upon your dead mother and to be untrue to me?'
'You are pitiless, Mr Trafford!' I put in, losing all patience. 'And you do not know Lilian, or you would see that you are adding to her suffering to no purpose; for you will not alter her determination: she will act according to her perception of what is right in the matter, suffer what she may.'
'Then let her take the consequences!' he exclaimed, losing all self-command, and without another word turning away and walking off in a towering passion; as I afterwards found, going through the house and straight down to the railway station.
Lilian clung sobbing to me a few moments: 'God help me! Pray for me, Mary!'
'You are helped, dear Lilian. Strength _has_ been given to you, and the rest will come easier.'
'Yes; nothing can be very painful now'--wearily.
A servant came to tell us that tea was taken in, and that Mrs Tipper and Miss Reed were waiting for us.
'Have you quite decided to make it known at once, dear?'
'Perhaps it is. Would you like to go to your room, and leave me to prepare them a little, dear Lilian?'
'Yes; I should be very glad--if you do not mind--if you think it is best, Mary.'
'I think it best for you to be present,' I replied, reflecting that it would at least be better for her than brooding over the miserable scene which had just been enacted. 'But if you do not feel equal to it, and would like me to act for you, I will of course do so.'
'I will come with you,' she quietly replied, putting her hand into mine.
I stopped for a moment to kiss the pure brow, then we went together to the morning-room.
'Excuse my sending, dears; but we thought that you had perhaps forgotten,' said the kind little lady. 'But where are the gentlemen? James said that Mr Wentworth had arrived.'
'They are gone,' I replied, trying to nerve myself for what was to come.
'Gone, dear?' Then she nervously added, taking note of Lilian's white face: 'Is there anything the matter? Is not Lilian well, Mary?'
I placed Lilian on a couch, and took my seat beside her; then replied: 'She has had a very great' (I was going to say shock, but substituted) 'surprise. Something has occurred which will affect her whole future life.'