Jeremy Poldark: A Novel of Cornwall, 1790-1791 by Winston Graham

Author:Winston Graham
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Sourcebooks, Inc.
Published: 2015-06-10T16:00:00+00:00

Book Two

Chapter Fifteen

As the autumn lengthened and winter came in Ross made a determined effort to set aside the troubles and anxieties that were past and accept in earnest the life of a small farmer squire with a mining interest—the life he had abandoned with regret only two years ago. But although he had left the happy routine with reluctance, he couldn’t recapture the pleasure by simple means of a return to it.

Also some chill had come upon his relations with Demelza. Her thoughts were not as open to him. Dating strangely from his acquittal, the laughter had gone, and the instant understanding. He tried more than once to break down this new reserve but failed, and the failure left its mark on his own responses.

Although he was thankful enough to be free of the menace of the assizes, the lesser but still serious danger of his own approaching bankruptcy kept him company most days. Even a sale of all his shares in Wheal Leisure would not balance his debt. A proud man, he hated indebtedness of any sort. He still hated the memory of the trial. Although he had probably gone free as a result of his change of front at the last moment, he constantly despised himself for having made it.

A few weeks after the trial, Verity wrote:

My dear Cousin Ross,

I am writing you this time instead of Demelza because what I have to say is perhaps a little more to you than to her, though, of course, you may let her read this if you wish.

First may I say again, thank God for your deliverance—and in that prayer Andrew truly and sincerely joins. I know how wicked it was that the charge was ever brought against you, and in that respect acquittal was no more than your right. Yet there is the deepest cause for thankfulness in each one of your friends that there was no miscarriage of Justice—and the true hope that any embitterment that the arrest caused in you has been salved by this happy Outcome.

While I was in Bodmin I saw Francis twice. The first time he called at the inn and, although he was somewhat the worse for drink, I felt that he had come to see me in the intention of making up the Quarrel between us, but when it came to the Point, he had not the words and so went away unsatisfied. Therefore, after the trial, I sought him out and spoke to him again.

This second meeting confirmed the other opinion formed at the first: that something is gravely wrong with him. He is frighteningly bitter—in the way you are sometimes, Ross. Yet not like you, because I think he is more likely to do a mischief to himself than to others.

I know you and Francis have quarreled but have very strongly the Feeling that he wishes to be reconciled. I don’t know what was the full cause of the quarrel except that, of course, it began as a result of my elopement with Andrew—so I feel doubly concerned for the outcome.

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