"Well now, I'm sure you're surprised to see me," she said, "and perhaps you're not too glad either.Alfred wanted to come too, but Isaid to him, 'No, Alfred, this will be just a little awkward at first, for Maggie Trenchard's got a grievance, and with some reason, too, so you'd better let me manage it alone the first meeting.'
Wasn't I right? Of course I was.And you can just say right out now, Maggie, exactly what's in your mind.It's not my fault that we're both in the same town.I'm sure you'd much rather never set eyes on me again, and I'm sure I can quite understand if you feel like that.
But there it is.I told you long ago in London that Alfred was after me, and I was in two minds about it-but of course I didn't dream you were going to marry a parson.You could have knocked me down with less than a feather when I saw it in the Skeaton News, 'That can't be my Margaret Cardinal,' I said, and yet it seemed so strange the two names and all.Well, and then I found it really WAS the same.IWAS astonished.You of all people the wife of a parson! However, you know your own mind best, and I'm sure Mr.Trenchard's a very lucky man.So you can just start off and curse me, Maggie, as much as you like."The strange thing was that as Maggie listened to this she felt a desire to embrace rather than curse.Of course Caroline had done her harm, she had, perhaps ruined Martin's life as well as her own, but the mistake had been originally Maggie's in trusting Caroline with more confidence than her volatile nature would allow her to hold.
And now, as she looked at Caroline and saw that pretty pink and white face, the slim beautiful body, the grace and gaiety, and childish amiability, her whole soul responded.Here was a friend, even though an indiscreet one, here was some one from home, the one human being in the whole of Skeaton who knew the old places and the old people, the Chapel, and the aunts--and Martin.She knew at once that it would have been far safer had Caroline not been there, that the temptation to discuss Martin would be irresistible, that she would yield to it, and that Caroline was in no way whatever to be trusted-she realised all these things, and yet she was glad.
"I don't want to curse you, Caroline," said Maggie."Sit down.Tea will be here in a minute.I was very unhappy about what you did, but that's all a long time ago now, and I was to blame too.""Oh, that's just sweet of you," said Caroline, running over and giving Maggie an impulsive kiss."I said to Alfred, 'Maggie may be angry.I don't know how she'll receive me, I'm sure.She had the sweetest nature always, and it isn't like her to bear a grudge.But whatever way it is, I'll have to take it, because the fact is Ideserve it.' But there you are, simply angelic and I'm ever so glad.
The fact is I was ridicilous in those days.I don't wonder you lost your patience with me, and it was just like your honest self to be so frank with me.But marriage has just taught me everything.What Isay is, every one ought to be married; no one knows anything until they're married.It's amazing what a difference it makes, don't you think so? Why, before I was married I used to chatter on in the most ridicilous way (Caroline always said ridicilous) and now-but there Igo, talking of myself, and it's you I want to hear about.Now, Maggie, tell me--" But the sudden entrance of Grace and Paul checked, for the moment, these confidences.Caroline did not stay long this first time.She talked a little, drank some tea, ate a biscuit, smiled at Paul and departed.She felt, perhaps, that Grace did not approve of her.Grace had not seen her before, certainly she would not approve of the peach-coloured dress and the smile at Paul.
And then the girl talked too much.She had interrupted Grace in the middle of one of her stories.
When Caroline had departed (after kissing Maggie affectionately)Grace said:
"And so you knew her before, Maggie?"
"I knew her in London," said Maggie.
"I like her," said Paul."A bright young creature.""Hum!" said Grace.
That was a wonderful spring evening, the first spring evening of the year.The ugly garden swam in a mist faintly cherry-colour; through the mist a pale evening sky, of so rich a blue that it was almost white, was shadowing against a baby moon sharply gold.The bottles on the wall were veiled by the evening mist; a thrush sang in the little bush at the end of the lawn.
Paul whispered to Maggie: "Come out into the garden."She went with him, frightened; she could feel his arm tremble against her waist; his cold hard fingers caught hers.No current ran from her body to his.They were apart, try as she may.When they had walked the length of the lawn he caught her close to him, put his hand roughly up to her neck and, bending her head towards his, kissed her.She heard his words, strangled and fierce.
"Love me, Maggie-love me-you must--"
When he released her, looking back towards the dark house, she saw Grace standing there with a lamp in her hand.
Against her will she shared his feeling of guilt, as, like children caught in a fault, they turned back towards the house.