Nature recoils appalled and horror-stricken--forbade him to
reclaim her hand, to snatch her from the grasp of Vargrave, to woo
again, and again to win her! But did Maltravers welcome, did he embrace
that thought? Let us do him justice: he did not. He felt that Alice's
resolution, in the first hour of mortified affection, was not to be
considered final; and even if it were so, he felt yet more deeply that
her love--the love that had withstood so many trials--never could be
subdued. Was he to make her nobleness a curse? Was he to say, "Thou hast
passed away in thy generation, and I leave thee again to thy solitude
for her whom thou hast cherished as a child?" He started in dismay from
the thought of this new and last blow upon the shattered spirit; and
then fresh and equally sacred obstacles between Evelyn and himself
broke slowly on his view. Could Templeton rise from his grave, with what
resentment, with what just repugnance, would he have regarded in the
betrayer of his wife (even though wife but in name) the suitor to his
child!

These thoughts came in fast and fearful force upon Maltravers, and
served to strengthen his honour and his conscience. He felt that though,
in law, there was no shadow of connection between Evelyn and himself,
yet his tie with Alice had been of a nature that ought to separate him
from one who had regarded Alice as a mother. The load of horror, the
agony of shame, were indeed gone; but still a voice whispered as before,
"Evelyn is lost to thee forever!" But so shaken had already been her
image in the late storms and convulsion of his soul, that this thought
was preferable to the thought of sacrificing Alice. If _that_ were
all--but Evelyn might still love him; and justice to Alice might be
misery to her! He started from his revery with a vehement gesture, and
groaned audibly.

The curate turned to address to him some words of inquiry and surprise;
but the words were unheard, and he perceived, by the advancing daylight,
that the countenance of Maltravers was that of a man utterly rapt and
absorbed by some mastering and irresistible thought. Wisely, therefore,
he left his companion in peace, and returned to his own anxious and
engrossing meditations.

The travellers did not rest till they arrived at Dover. The vessel
started early the following morning, and Aubrey, who was much fatigued,
retired to rest. Maltravers glanced at the clock upon the mantelpiece;
it was the hour of nine. For him t