The
immediate effect of the disclosure made to her by Michael whilst he
was recovering was to overwhelm her with a sense of
responsibilities, to throw her mind into painful tumult. Slow of
thought, habituated to the simplest views of her own existence, very
ignorant of the world beyond the little circle in which her life had
been passed, she could not at once bring into the control of her
reflection this wondrous future to which her eyes had been opened.
The way in which she had been made acquainted with the facts was
unfortunate. Michael Snowdon, in spite of his deep affection for
her, and of the trust he had come to repose in her character, did
not understand Jane well enough to bring about this revelation with
the needful prudence. Between him, a man burdened with the sorrowful
memories of a long life, originally of stern temperament, and now,
in the feebleness of his age, possessed by an enthusiasm which in
several respects disturbed his judgment, which made him desperately
eager to secure his end now that he felt life slipping away from
him--between him and such a girl as Jane there was a wider gulf than
either of them could be aware of.
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