Such
supplanting was to be.
Tess's heart ached. There was no concealing from herself the fact
that she loved Angel Clare, perhaps all the more passionately from
knowing that the others had also lost their hearts to him. There is
contagion in this sentiment, especially among women. And yet that
same hungry nature had fought against this, but too feebly, and the
natural result had followed.
"I will never stand in your way, nor in the way of either of you!"
she declared to Retty that night in the bedroom (her tears running
down). "I can't help this, my dear! I don't think marrying is in
his mind at all; but if he were ever to ask me I should refuse him,
as I should refuse any man."
"Oh! would you? Why?" said wondering Retty.
"It cannot be! But I will be plain. Putting myself quite on one
side, I don't think he will choose either of you."
"I have never expected it--thought of it!" moaned Retty. "But O! I
wish I was dead!"
The poor child, torn by a feeling which she hardly understood, turned
to the other two girls who came upstairs just then.
"We be friends with her again," she said to them. "She thinks no
more of his choosing her than we do."
So the reserve went off, and they were confiding and warm.
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