Gerard walked to the window and looked at the grass-plot;
Sybil seating herself, invited their guest to follow her
example; Egremont, not without agitation, seemed suddenly to
make an effort to collect himself, and then, in a voice not
distinguished by its accustomed clearness, he said, "I
explained yesterday to one who I hope I may still call my
friend, why I assumed a name to which I have no right."
Sybil started a little, slightly stared, but did not speak.
"I should be happy if you also would give me credit, in taking
that step, at least for motives of which I need not be
ashamed; even," he added in a hesitating voice, "even if you
deemed my conduct indiscreet."
Their eyes met: astonishment was imprinted on the countenance
of Sybil, but she uttered not a word; and her father, whose
back was turned to them, did not move.
"I was told," continued Egremont, "that an impassable gulf
divided the Rich from the Poor; I was told that the Privileged
and the People formed Two Nations, governed by different laws,
influenced by different manners, with no thoughts or
sympathies in common; with an innate inability of mutual
comprehension. I believed that if this were indeed the case,
the ruin of our common country was at hand; I would have
endeavoured, feebly perchance, but not without zeal, to resist
such a catastrophe; I possessed a station which entailed on me
some portion of its responsibility: to obtain that knowledge
which could alone qualify me for beneficial action, I resolved
to live without suspicion among my fellow-subjects who were
estranged from me; even void of all celebrity as I am, I could
not have done that without suspicion, had I been known; they
would have recoiled from my class and my name, as you yourself
recoiled, Sybil, when they were once accidentally mentioned
before you.
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