He was
angry and depressed, he felt again despised.
That same evening she went into her father's room.
'Yes,' she said suddenly. 'I'll marry him.'
Her father looked up at her. He was in pain, and very ill.
'You like him now, do you?' he said, with a faint smile.
She looked down into his face, and saw death not far off. She turned and
went coldly out of the room.
The solicitor was sent for, preparations were hastily made. In all the
interval Matilda did not speak to Hadrian, never answered him if he
addressed her. He approached her in the morning.
'You've come round to it, then?' he said, giving her a pleasant look from
his twinkling, almost kindly eyes. She looked down at him and turned
aside. She looked down on him both literally and figuratively. Still he
persisted, and triumphed.
Emmie raved and wept, the secret flew abroad. But Matilda was silent and
unmoved, Hadrian was quiet and satisfied, and nipped with fear also. But
he held out against his fear. Mr. Rockley was very ill, but unchanged.
On the third day the marriage took place. Matilda and Hadrian drove
straight home from the registrar, and went straight into the room of the
dying man. His face lit up with a clear twinkling smile.
'Hadrian--you've got her?' he said, a little hoarsely.
'Yes,' said Hadrian, who was pale round the gills.
'Ay, my lad, I'm glad you're mine,' replied the dying man.
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