CHAPTER TWENTY-SECOND
BRACE OF PROCLAMATIONS
Perez profited by the fact that, however a man may have abused a
woman, that is all forgotten the moment he protects her against
another man, perhaps no worse than himself. Ever so little gratitude
is fatal to resentment, and the instinct of her sex to repay
protection with esteem is so deep, that it is no wonder Desire found
her feelings toward Perez oddly revolutionized by that scene at the
husking. Try as she might to resume her former resentment, terror, and
disgust toward the young man, the effort always ended in recalling
with emotions of the liveliest thankfulness how he had stood between
her and that hateful fellow, whom otherwise she could not have
escaped. All that night she was constantly dreaming of being pursued
by ruffians and rescued by him. And the grateful sense of safety and
protection which, in her dreams, she associated with him, lingered in
her mind after she awoke in the morning, and refused to be banished.
She was half ashamed, she would not have had anybody know it, and yet
she had to own that after these weeks of constant depression and
apprehension, the change of mood was not wholly disagreeable.
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