290  HARRY  COVERDALE'S  COURTSHIP

Her  husband  remained  motionless  until  her  retreating  foot-
steps became  inaudible,  then,  springing  from  his  chair,  he  began,
pacing  up  and  down  with  hasty  strides,  while  his  ideas  arranged
themselves  somewhat  after  the  following  fashion : —

'  Well,  I've  made  a  pretty  mess  of  it  now,  and  no  mistake !
Of  all  things  in  the  world  for  her  to  have  fixed  upon — to  want
to  know  about  Arabella ;  and  poor  Arabella  has  behaved  so
nicely  and  kindly  too  in  this  affair  !  I  carft  tell  her !  besides,
there's  my  promise — come  what  may  I'll  keep  my  promise;
but  I  am  an  unlucky  dog  as  ever  lived  !  Ah  !  I  never  ought
to  have  married,  that's  the  whole  truth.  Women  don't  seem  to
understand  me,  and  I'm  sure  I  don't  understand  them  ;  whether
I'm  stern  or  whether  I'm  kind  it  all  turns  out  alike,  and  all
wrong.  Poor,  dear,  Httle  Alice !  she  is  making  herself  just  as
miserable  as  she  has  made  me ;  and  for  the  life  of  me,  I  don't
know  how  to  say  or  do  anything  to  mend  matters !  I  must
leave  it  to  time,  I  suppose.  Perhaps  her  mother  may  talk  her
into  a  happier  frame  of  mind.  I  am  glad  she  is  going  back  to
the  Grange ;  I  think  I'll  leave  her  there  for  a  short  time — home
influences  may  soften  her,  and  induce  her  to  judge  me  more
charitably.  I'm  certain  it's  all  my  own  fault,  somehow !  She
was  as  sweet-tempered  as  an  angel  when  I  married  her.'  He
continued  to  pace  the  room,  and  after  some  moments  a  new
notion  seemed  to  strike  him.  '  I  wonder  who's  been  putting
these  ideas  about  Arabella  into  her  head,'  he  resumed  ;  '  some-
body has  been  telling  her  about  the  Florence  business,  that's
clear — lies  most  likely,  and  in  order  to  set  her  against  me.
