I was shocked; I was grieved; I was more
than ever secretly resolved to go back to her. When we said good-bye--I
have been told that I did wrong; I meant no harm--I kissed her.
Having traversed the short distance between the cottage and the wood, I
remembered that I had left my walking-stick behind me, and returned to
get it.
Cristel was leaving the kitchen; I saw her at the door which communicated
with the Lodger's side of the cottage. Her back was turned towards me;
astonishment held me silent. She opened the door, passed through it, and
closed it behind her.
Going to that man, after she had repelled his advances, in my presence!
Going to the enemy against whom she had warned me, after I had first been
persuaded to leave her! Angry thoughts these--and surely thoughts
unworthy of me? If it had been the case of another man I should have said
he was jealous. Jealous of the miller's daughter--in my position? Absurd!
contemptible! But I was still in such a vile temper that I determined to
let Cristel know she had been discovered. Taking one of my visiting
cards, I wrote on it: "I came back for my stick, and saw you go to him."
After I had pinned this spiteful little message to the door, so that she
might see it when she returned, I suffered a disappointment. I was not
half so well satisfied with myself as I had anticipated.
CHAPTER VII
THE BEST SOCIETY
Leaving the cottage for the second time, I was met at the door by a fat
man of solemn appearance dressed in black, who respectfully touched his
hat.
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