GODOLPHIN, Volume 6.
By Edward Bulwer Lytton
(Lord Lytton)


CHAPTER LIX.

CONSTANCE MAKES A DISCOVERY THAT TOUCHES AND ENLIGHTENS HER AS TO
GODOLPHIN'S NATURE.--AN EVENT, ALTHOUGH IN PRIVATE LIFE, NOT WITHOUT ITS
INTEREST.

If Constance most bitterly reproached herself, or rather her slackened
nerves, her breaking health, that she had before another--that other too,
not of her own sex--betrayed her dependence upon even her husband's heart
for happiness; if her conscience instantly took alarm at the error (and it
was indeed a grave one) which had revealed to any man her domestic griefs;
yet, on the other hand, she could not control the wild thrill of delight
with which she recalled those words that had so solemnly assured her she
was still beloved by Godolphin. She had a firm respect in Radclyffe's
penetration and his sincerity, and knew that he was one neither to deceive
her nor be deceived himself. His advice, too, came home to her. Had she,
indeed, with sufficient address, sufficient softness, insinuated herself
into Godolphin's nature? Neglected herself, had she not neglected in
return? She asked herself this question, and was never weary of examining
her past conduct. That Radclyffe, the austere and chilling Radclyffe,
entertained for her any feeling warmer than friendship, she never for an
instant suspected; that suspicion alone would have driven him from her
presence for ever. And although there had been a time, in his bright and
exulting youth, when Radclyffe had not been without those arts which win,
in the opposite sex, affection from aversion itself, those arts doubled,