The Evil Genius: A Domestic Story — page 176: what you’re looking at

Machine-transcribed from the original scan — historical spelling and the odd misread are preserved.

THE EVIL GENIUS. 165 disclosure on their return to the house, he would be only run- ning the same risk of consequences, after an interval of delay; and, if he remained silent, the march of events might, at any moment, lead to the discovery of what he had concealed. Add to this that his confidence in Catherine had been rudely shaken. Having allowed herself to be entrapped into the deception pro- posed by her mother, and having thus far persevered in that de- ception, were the chances in favor of her revealing her true posi- tion—especially if she was disposed to encourage Bennydeck’s suit? Randal’s loyalty to Catherine hesitated to decide that se- rious question against the woman he had known, trusted and admired for so many years. In any event, her second marriage would lead to one disastrous result. It would sooner or later come to Herbert’s ears. In the meantime, after what Mrs. Presty had confessed, the cruel falsehood which had checked poor Kitty’s natural inquiries raised an insuperable obstacle to a meeting between father and child. If Randal shrank from the prospect which thus presented it- self to him, in his relations with his brother, and if his thoughts reverted to Sydney Westerfield, other reasons for apprehension found their way into his mind. He had promised to do his best toward persuading Catherine to grant Sydney an interview. To perform that promise ap- peared to be now simply impossible. Under the exasperating influence of a disappointment for which she was not prepared, it was hard to say what act of imprudence Sydney might not commit. Even the chance of successfully confiding her to Ben- nydeck’s protection had lost something of its fair promise since Randal’s visit to Sydenham. That the captain would welcome his friend’s daughter as affectionately as if she had been his own child, was not to be doubted fora moment. But that she would receive the same unremitting attention while he was courting Catherine, which would have been offered to her under othe circumstances, was not to be hoped. Be the results, however, what they might, Randal could see but one plain course before him now. He decided on hastening Sydney’s introduction to Bennydeck, and on writing at once to prepare the captain for that event. Even this apparently simple proceeding required examination in its different bearings before he could begin his letter. Would he be justified in alluding to Bennydeck’s supposed re- Jations with Catherine? Considerations of delicacy seemed to forbid taking this liberty, even with an intimate friend. It was for the captain to confirm what Mrs. Presty had said of him, if he thought it desirable to touch on the subject in his reply. Be- sides, looking to Catherine’s interests—and not forgetting how she had suffered—had Randal any right to regard with other than friendly feelings a second marriage, which united her to a man morally and intellectually the superior of her first hus- band? What happier future could await her—especially if she justified Randal’s past experience of all that was candid and truthful in her character—than to become his friend’s wife ? CORNICLO® S (C©) m