Chapter XV

by George Eliot

　　There was one person, as you will believe, who watched with keenerthough more hidden interest than any other, the prosperous growth ofEppie under the weaver's care. He dared not do anything that wouldimply a stronger interest in a poor man's adopted child than couldbe expected from the kindliness of the young Squire, when a chancemeeting suggested a little present to a simple old fellow whomothers noticed with goodwill; but he told himself that the timewould come when he might do something towards furthering the welfareof his daughter without incurring suspicion. Was he very uneasy inthe meantime at his inability to give his daughter her birthright?I cannot say that he was. The child was being taken care of, andwould very likely be happy, as people in humble stations often were--happier, perhaps, than those brought up in luxury.That famous ring that pricked its owner when he forgot duty andfollowed desire--I wonder if it pricked very hard when he set outon the chase, or whether it pricked but lightly then, and onlypierced to the quick when the chase had long been ended, and hope,folding her wings, looked backward and became regret?Godfrey Cass's cheek and eye were brighter than ever now. He was soundivided in his aims, that he seemed like a man of firmness. NoDunsey had come back: people had made up their minds that he wasgone for a soldier, or gone "out of the country", and no one caredto be specific in their inquiries on a subject delicate to arespectable family. Godfrey had ceased to see the shadow of Dunseyacross his path; and the path now lay straight forward to theaccomplishment of his best, longest-cherished wishes. Everybodysaid Mr. Godfrey had taken the right turn; and it was pretty clearwhat would be the end of things, for there were not many days in theweek that he was not seen riding to the Warrens. Godfrey himself,when he was asked jocosely if the day had been fixed, smiled withthe pleasant consciousness of a lover who could say "yes", if heliked. He felt a reformed man, delivered from temptation; and thevision of his future life seemed to him as a promised land for whichhe had no cause to fight. He saw himself with all his happinesscentred on his own hearth, while Nancy would smile on him as heplayed with the children.And that other child--not on the hearth--he would not forget it;he would see that it was well provided for. That was a father'sduty.