Chapter 23

           Calhoun,chafinginhischamber,wasnottheobjectofsuchassiduoussolicitude.Notwithstandingtheluxuriousappointmentsthatsurroundedhim,hecouldnotcomforthimselfwiththereflection:thathewascaredforbylivingcreature.Trulyselfishinhisownheart,hehadnofaithinfriendships;andwhileconfinedtohiscouch—notwithoutsomefearsthatitmightbehisdeath-bed—heexperiencedthemiseryofamanbelievingthatnohumanbeingcaredastrawwhetherheshouldliveordie.

           Anysympathyshowntohim,wasuponthescoreofrelationship.Itcouldscarcehavebeenotherwise.Hisconducttowardshiscousinshadnotbeensuchastosecuretheiresteem;whilehisuncle,theproudWoodleyPoindexter,felttowardshimsomethingakintoaversion,mingledwithasubduedfear.

           Itistruethatthisfeelingwasonlyofrecentorigin;androseoutofcertainrelationsthatexistedbetweenuncleandnephew.Asalreadyhinted,theystoodtooneanotherintherelationshipofdebtorandcreditor—ormortgagorandmortgagee—thenephewbeingthelatter.Tosuchanextenthadthisindebtednessbeencarried,thatCassiusCalhounwasineffecttherealownerofCasadelCorvo;andcouldatanymomenthaveproclaimedhimselfitsmaster.

           Consciousofhispower,hehadoflatebeenusingittoeffectaparticularpurpose:thatis,thesecuringforhiswife,thewomanhehadlongfiercelyloved—hiscousinLouise.

Настройки
Фон страницы
Размер шрифта
Межстрочный интервал
Фразовые глаголы
Показать / Скрыть меню
Шрифт
Roboto Lora
Уведомления
Страница 235 из 857