Chapter XX: “people Always Repent When It Is Too Late.”

“Oh! dash the brimming cup away,
And spill the purple wine;
Let not its madness taint thy lip--
Let not its curse be thine.
’Tis red and rich, but grief and woe
Are in those rosy depths below.”--EDWIN CHARLES.

“Look, papa! the first snow of the season. How lovely!”

Judge Leigh and his daughter are taking their breakfast _tête-à-tête_ next morning, for his son and son-in-law are still wrapped in deep, lethargic slumbers. Vivian looks white and haggard in the morning light, and now and then a hoarse cough shakes her slight form, making her father look anxious and uneasy.

He smiles at her burst of enthusiasm over the snow, then they adjourn to the library, where he dives into the _Dispatch_, and she goes to the window to watch the storm, pressing her cheek against the pane, and gazing at the wild whirl of hurrying snow with fascinated eyes.

But she wearies of it at last, and going over to her father’s chair, puts her arm about his neck.

“Papa,” she whispers tremulously, “I am so grieved about Charlton.”

“And I am much displeased with him,” the judge returns sternly. “It is the first time I have ever seen him deeply under the influence of liquor, however, and I hope it will be the last. I suppose Diana’s wedding was an exceptional occasion, but it must not occur again--my son’s folly, I mean.”

“And Earle, papa--oh, you cannot think how the habit is growing on him! I am miserable!” she sobs.

“My little girl, you must not make yourself unhappy over a trifle. I don’t think Earle drinks to excess very often. It is all youth and high spirits. He will soon get over it and sober down to his three glasses a day like your old papa.”

She wipes away her tears and answers plaintively:

“Papa, I used to think that way, too, but I have been thinking very seriously about this custom of social drinking, and I have read some on the subject. You must forgive me for differing with you, but I fear you are all wrong in the lenient view you take of the subject. I am persuaded that the world would be better if it adopted for its law and practice the ancient vow of the Rechabites of old.”

“What was that vow, my daughter?”

“‘We will drink no wine, nor strong drink, neither we, nor our sons, and daughters forever.’”

He turns and looks with surprise into the beautiful, earnest young face.

“Is not this a very new conviction of yours, my dear?” with the faintest inflection of sarcasm in his tone. “I remember you used to be fond of wine, and liked to see people enjoying it. You were furiously angry with young Verne because he would not drink at your birthnight ball.”

The hot flush of shame on her cheek rivals the rose as she meets his quizzical gaze, and she hides her face on his shoulder.

“I remember it,” she murmurs very low. “But I was wrong. I wish I could undo the folly of that night. People always repent when it is too late--don’t they, papa?”

“It is never too late to do good,” he replies smilingly. “I am glad you do repent your rudeness to poor Max. There was no great harm done, after all, since the lad was too stanch to yield to your temptation. A fine young man--very promising,” exclaims Judge Leigh enthusiastically. “When he comes back to Richmond, Viva, you must make friends with him, my dear, and tell him what you have just told me--that you are sorry for your rudeness.”

“When Max comes back to Richmond!” how the words thrilled her heart, awaking keenest pain!

“Some day, some day of days, treading the streets,
With idle, heedless pace,
Unlooking for such grace,
I shall behold your face,
Some day, some day of days, thus may we meet!”

Tell _him_--tell Max Verne that she was sorry! Great Heaven! the bare idea thrilled her with despair. She has no reply for her father; only turns away abruptly, and goes back to the window, with a silent, passionate prayer in her heart.

“Dear God, do not let him ever come back--the noble heart I spurned away from me--to witness my humiliation as the wife of a man who drinks deeply and recklessly.”

Poor Vivian! already Max Verne is deeply avenged for the wrong he suffered at your hands!