Rachel Ray Part 29

"But then she is so terribly against it."

Then again they were silent for a while, after which Rachel ended the conversation. "It is clear, at any rate, that you and I can do nothing, mamma. If she expects me to say that I will give him up, she is mistaken. Give him up! I couldn't give him up, without being false to him. I don't think I'll ever be false to him. If he's false to me, then,--then, I must bear it. Mamma, don't say anything to Dolly about this just at present." In answer to which request Mrs. Ray promised that she would not at present say anything to Mrs. Prime about Mrs.

Rowan's visit.

The following day and the Sunday were not pa.s.sed in much happiness by the two ladies at Bragg's End. Tidings reached them that Mrs. Rowan and her daughter were going to London on the Monday, but no letter came to them from Luke. By the Monday morning Mrs. Ray had quite made up her mind that Luke Rowan was lost to them for ever, and Rachel had already become worn with care. During that Sat.u.r.day and Sunday nothing was seen of Mrs. Prime at Bragg's End.

END OF VOL. I.

London: Printed by William Clowes and Sons, Stamford Street and Charing Cross.

RACHEL RAY

A Novel.

by

ANTHONY TROLLOPE,

Author of "Barchester Towers," "Castle Richmond," "Orley Farm," Etc.

In Two Volumes.

VOL. II.

London: Chapman and Hall, 193, Piccadilly.

1863.

[The right of Translation is reserved.]

London: Printed by William Clowes and Sons, Stamford Street and Charing Cross.

CONTENTS.

CHAPTER I. RACHEL RAY'S FIRST LOVE-LETTER.

CHAPTER II. ELECTIONEERING.

CHAPTER III. DR. HARFORD.

CHAPTER IV. MR. COMFORT CALLS AT THE COTTAGE.

CHAPTER V. SHOWING WHAT RACHEL RAY THOUGHT WHEN SHE SAT ON THE STILE, AND HOW SHE WROTE HER LETTER AFTERWARDS.

CHAPTER VI. MRS. RAY GOES TO EXETER, AND MEETS A FRIEND.

CHAPTER VII. DOMESTIC POLITICS AT THE BREWERY.

CHAPTER VIII. MRS. RAY'S PENITENCE.

CHAPTER IX. THE ELECTION AT BASLEHURST.

CHAPTER X. THE BASLEHURST GAZETTE.

CHAPTER XI. CORNBURY GRANGE.

CHAPTER XII. IN WHICH THE QUESTION OF THE BREWERY IS SETTLED.

CHAPTER XIII. WHAT TOOK PLACE AT BRAGG'S END FARM.

CHAPTER XIV. MRS. PRIME READS HER RECANTATION.

CHAPTER XV. CONCLUSION.

RACHEL RAY

CHAPTER I.

RACHEL RAY'S FIRST LOVE-LETTER.

On the Monday evening, after tea, Mrs. Prime came out to the cottage.

It was that Monday on which Mrs. Rowan and her daughter had left Baslehurst and had followed Luke up to London. She came out and sat with her mother and sister for about an hour, restraining herself with much discretion from the saying of disagreeable things about her sister's lover. She had heard that the Rowans had gone away, and she had also heard that it was probable that they would be no more seen in Baslehurst. Mr. p.r.o.ng had given it as his opinion that Luke would not trouble them again by his personal appearance among them. Under these circ.u.mstances Mrs. Prime had thought that she might spare her sister. Nor had she said much about her own love affairs. She had never mentioned Mr. p.r.o.ng's offer in Rachel's presence; nor did she do so now. As long as Rachel remained in the room the conversation was very innocent and very uninteresting. For a few minutes the two widows were alone together, and then Mrs. Prime gave her mother to understand that things were not yet quite arranged between herself and Mr. p.r.o.ng.

"You see, mother," said Mrs. Prime, "as this money has been committed to my charge, I do not think it can be right to let it go altogether out of my own hands."

In answer to this Mrs. Ray had uttered a word or two agreeing with her daughter. She was afraid to say much against Mr. p.r.o.ng;--was afraid, indeed, to express any very strong opinion about this proposed marriage; but in her heart she would have been delighted to hear that the p.r.o.ng alliance was to be abandoned. There was nothing in Mr. p.r.o.ng to recommend him to Mrs. Ray.

"And is she going to marry him?" Rachel asked, as soon as her sister was gone.

"There's nothing settled as yet. Dorothea wants to keep her money in her own hands."

"I don't think that can be right. If a woman is married the money should belong to the husband."

"I suppose that's what Mr. p.r.o.ng thinks;--at any rate, there's nothing settled. It seems to me that we know so little about him. He might go away any day to Australia, you know."

"And did she say anything about--Mr. Rowan?"

"Not a word, my dear."

And that was all that was then said about Luke even between Rachel and her mother. How could they speak about him? Mrs. Ray also believed that he would be no more seen in Baslehurst; and Rachel was well aware that such was her mother's belief, although it had never been expressed. What could be said between them now,--or ever afterwards,--unless, indeed, Rowan should take some steps to make it necessary that his doings should be discussed?

The Tuesday pa.s.sed and the Wednesday, without any sign from the young man; and during these two sad days nothing was said at the cottage.

On that Wednesday his name was absolutely not mentioned between them, although each of them was thinking of him throughout the day. Mrs.

Ray had now become almost sure that he had obeyed his mother's behests, and had resolved not to trouble himself about Rachel any further; and Rachel herself had become frightened if not despondent.