But thenceforward all Sweyn's reasoning and mastery could not
uphold White Fell above suspicion. He was not called upon to
defend her from accusation when Christian had been brought to
silence again; but he well knew the significance of this fact,
that her name, formerly uttered freely and often, he never heard
now: it was huddled away into whispers that he could not catch.
The passing of time did not sweep away the superstitious fears
that Sweyn despised. He was angry and anxious; eager that White
Fell should return, and, merely by her bright gracious presence,
reinstate herself in favour; but doubtful if all his authority and
example could keep from her notice an altered aspect of welcome;
and he foresaw clearly that Christian would prove unmanageable,
and might be capable of some dangerous outbreak.
For a time the twins' variance was marked, on Sweyn's part by an
air of rigid indifference, on Christian's by heavy downcast
silence, and a nervous apprehensive observation of his brother.
Superadded to his remorse and foreboding, Sweyn's displeasure
weighed upon him intolerably, and the remembrance of their violent
rupture was a ceaseless misery. The elder brother, self-sufficient
and insensitive, could little know how deeply his unkindness
stabbed. A depth and force of affection such as Christian's was
unknown to him. The loyal subservience that he could not
appreciate had encouraged him to domineer; this strenuous
opposition to his reason and will was accounted as furious malice,
if not sheer insanity.
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