diff options
Diffstat (limited to '39359-h/39359-h.htm')
| -rw-r--r-- | 39359-h/39359-h.htm | 5239 |
1 files changed, 5239 insertions, 0 deletions
diff --git a/39359-h/39359-h.htm b/39359-h/39359-h.htm new file mode 100644 index 0000000..66965d3 --- /dev/null +++ b/39359-h/39359-h.htm @@ -0,0 +1,5239 @@ +<!DOCTYPE html PUBLIC "-//W3C//DTD XHTML 1.0 Strict//EN" + "http://www.w3.org/TR/xhtml1/DTD/xhtml1-strict.dtd"> +<html xmlns="http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml" xml:lang="en" lang="en"> + <head> + <meta http-equiv="Content-Type" content="text/html;charset=iso-8859-1" /> + <meta http-equiv="Content-Style-Type" content="text/css" /> + <title> + The Project Gutenberg eBook of Mabel, by Emma Warburton. + </title> + <style type="text/css"> + + .booktitle { + letter-spacing : .3em; + } + .booktitlestretch { + letter-spacing : .5em; + } + +body { + margin-left: 10%; + margin-right: 10%; +} + + h1,h2 { + text-align: center; /* all headings centered */ + clear: both; +} + div.center400 { + width:400px; + text-align:center; + margin-left:auto; + margin-right:auto; + } +p { + margin-top: .51em; + text-align: justify; + margin-bottom: .49em; +} + + p.spacer { + margin-top:1.8em; + margin-bottom:1.8em; + } + +hr { + width: 33%; + margin-top: 2em; + margin-bottom: 2em; + margin-left: auto; + margin-right: auto; + clear: both; +} + +hr.tb {width: 45%;} +hr.chap {width: 65%;} +.likeh2 { font-size: 1.5em; margin: .75em 0; text-align: center; font-weight: bolder } +.likeh2nb { font-size: 1.3em; margin: .75em 0; text-align: center; } +.author { font-size: 1.17em; margin: .83em 0; text-align: center; font-weight: bolder } +.likeh3 { font-size: 1.17em; margin: .83em 0; text-align: center; } +.likeh4 { text-align: center;} +.likeh5 { font-size: .83em; margin: 1.5em 0; text-align: center; } +.likeh6 { font-size: .7em; margin: 1.5em 0; text-align: center; } +.pagenum { /* uncomment the next line for invisible page numbers */ + /* visibility: hidden; */ + position: absolute; + left: 93%; + font-size: .83em; + color:#505050; + text-align: right; +} /* page numbers */ + +.centersmall { /* div for poems at beginning of chapter */ + margin: auto; + margin-top: 2.5em; + margin-bottom: 2.5em; + width: 300px; +} +.centerwidewithsig { /* div for wide poems with signature at beginning of chapter */ + margin: auto; + margin-top: 2.5em; + margin-bottom: .5em; + font-size: .9em; + width: 400px; +} +.centersmallmid { /* div for poems in midtext; vertical margins a bit smaller */ + margin: auto; + margin-top: 2em; + margin-bottom: 2em; + width: 300px; +} +.centersmallwithsig { /* div for poems at beginning of chapter with signature */ + margin: auto; + margin-top: 2.5em; + margin-bottom: .5em; + width: 300px; +} +.centersmallerwithsig { /* div for narrow poems at beginning of chapter with signature */ + margin: auto; + margin-top: 2.5em; + margin-bottom: .5em; + width: 200px; +} +.centersmallerrwithsig { /* div for narrow poems (a bit wider) at beginning of chapter with signature */ + margin: auto; + margin-top: 2.5em; + margin-bottom: .5em; + width: 230px; +} +.smcap {font-variant: small-caps;} + span.right { + float:right; + } + + p.poemsmall { + font-size: .92em; + text-align: left; + } + p.poemsig { + font-size: .92em; + margin-left:65%; + margin-bottom: 2em; + } + +/* Transcriber's notes */ + .tnote {border: dashed 1px;margin: 5em auto 5em auto; width: 600px; padding-bottom: 1em; padding-top: 1em; + padding-left: 1em; padding-right: 1em;} + ins {text-decoration:none; border-bottom: thin dotted gray;} + </style> + </head> +<body> + + +<pre> + +The Project Gutenberg EBook of Mabel, Vol. III (of 3), by Emma Newby + +This eBook is for the use of anyone anywhere at no cost and with +almost no restrictions whatsoever. You may copy it, give it away or +re-use it under the terms of the Project Gutenberg License included +with this eBook or online at www.gutenberg.org + + +Title: Mabel, Vol. III (of 3) + A Novel + +Author: Emma Newby + +Release Date: April 3, 2012 [EBook #39359] + +Language: English + +Character set encoding: ISO-8859-1 + +*** START OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK MABEL, VOL. III (OF 3) *** + + + + +Produced by Robert Cicconetti, Paula Franzini and the +Online Distributed Proofreading Team at http://www.pgdp.net +(This file was produced from images generously made +available by The Internet Archive) + + + + + + +</pre> + + +<hr class="chap" /> +<h1 class="booktitle">MABEL.</h1> +<p class="spacer"> </p> +<p class="likeh2">A Novel,</p> +<p class="spacer"> </p> +<p class="author">BY EMMA WARBURTON.</p> +<p class="spacer"> </p> +<p class="likeh4"><i>IN THREE VOLUMES.</i></p> + +<p class="likeh3">VOL. III.</p> +<p class="spacer"> </p> +<p class="likeh4">LONDON:</p> +<p class="likeh3">THOMAS CAUTLEY NEWBY, PUBLISHER,</p> +<p class="likeh5">30, WELBECK STREET, CAVENDISH SQUARE.</p> + +<p class="likeh4">1854.</p> + +<hr class="chap" /> +<h2 id="CONTENTS">CONTENTS.</h2> + +<div class="center400"> +<p> +<a href="#chapter_i">CHAPTER I</a> +<span class="right">1</span><br /> +<a href="#chapter_ii">CHAPTER II</a> +<span class="right">21</span><br /> +<a href="#chapter_iii">CHAPTER III</a> +<span class="right">46</span><br /> +<a href="#chapter_iv">CHAPTER IV</a> +<span class="right">88</span><br /> +<a href="#chapter_v">CHAPTER V</a> +<span class="right">102</span><br /> +<a href="#chapter_vi">CHAPTER VI</a> +<span class="right">123</span><br /> +<a href="#chapter_vii">CHAPTER VII</a> +<span class="right">154</span><br /> +<a href="#chapter_viii">CHAPTER VIII</a> +<span class="right">172</span><br /> +<a href="#chapter_ix">CHAPTER IX</a> +<span class="right">193</span><br /> +<a href="#chapter_x">CHAPTER X</a> +<span class="right">220</span><br /> +<a href="#chapter_xi">CHAPTER XI</a> +<span class="right">247</span><br /> +<a href="#chapter_xii">CHAPTER XII</a> +<span class="right">257</span><br /> +</p> +</div> +<hr class="chap" /> +<p class="likeh2"><a name="mabel" id="mabel">MABEL</a></p> + +<p> </p> + + +<h2><a name="chapter_i" id="chapter_i">CHAPTER I.</a></h2> +<div class="centersmall"> +<p class="poemsmall"> +<span style="margin-left: 6em;">To your household Gods</span><br /> +Return! for by their altars Virtue dwells,<br /> +And Happiness with her.<br /> +</p> +</div> + +<p>There was something so pleasant in the feeling of the cheerful fire, +that Mabel, who, for many days, had been up early and late, could not +resist its influence; her thoughts began to wander from the book which +she had again taken up; her heavy eyelids closed, and she fell asleep.</p><p><span class="pagenum"><a name="page_2" id="page_2">[2]</a></span></p> + +<p>Again she was, where memory often carried her, in their happy cottage at +Aston; she was again kneeling by her sister's side, holding her little +hand in hers, and watching her tranquil sleep. Again the rumbling sound +of many feet, and many voices, stole upon her ear, the air was thick +with smoke—a smell of burning, and then, again, that fearful, hoarse, +deafening cry of "fire."</p> + +<p>She again awoke, startled at the sound, and, before she could analyse +her remembrance, or distinguish the past from the present, she perceived +that she was in flames. Her dress had fallen too near the fire, and had +become ignited. Lucy was at the door, screaming fire, and calling wildly +on the names of all in the house, for assistance. Caroline rushed to +her, but retreated with a scream, just as Hargrave, who had been +attracted by the sound of his name, came towards them. Quickly passing +her, as she remained screaming with terror, he was by Mabel's side in an +instant, and wrapping his<span class="pagenum"><a name="page_3" id="page_3">[3]</a></span> powerful arms around her, he laid her on the +floor as if she had been a child; then, folding the rug over her, he +very soon succeeded in extinguishing the flames.</p> + +<p>Caroline, reassured, now entered the room, and Lucy pattered back again, +with her naked feet, into bed, and drew the curtains closely round her.</p> + +<p>"Why, she has fainted!" cried Caroline; "and see how her chest is +burnt," she added, tremblingly pulling aside the dress, which gave way +to her touch, and displayed a scar upon her fair bosom. Hargrave turned +aside his head, but she saw that he was pale, and that his hand trembled +as he supported the senseless form of the beautiful girl. "Look," added +Caroline, directing his attention again to her, "I shall remove this +chain, for I am sure it will hurt her."</p> + +<p>It was a small linked, gold chain, of African workmanship; and when +Caroline drew it from her neck, she perceived that it was attached to<span class="pagenum"><a name="page_4" id="page_4">[4]</a></span> a +simple gold locket, large enough to contain a portrait. Holding it up, +she said, laughingly:—</p> + +<p>"Here is a secret; I must have just one little peep."</p> + +<p>As she said this, she applied her finger to the spring, and was about to +unclasp it, when Hargrave, suffering Mabel's head to rest upon the +floor, started forward, and putting his arms round her, not only +arrested her purpose, but took the locket from her hand, thrusting it, +as he did so, into his bosom.</p> + +<p>"It is sacred," he said, trying nervously to smile away Caroline's +rising anger; and anxious to avoid a retort, he took Mabel in his arms, +and carried her to the next room, where, laying her upon the sofa, he +begged Caroline to watch her till he should return with a medical man.</p> + +<p>The poor girl was not long left to the care of so angry a nurse, for the +good-natured cook, upon whom she had made a very favourable<span class="pagenum"><a name="page_5" id="page_5">[5]</a></span> impression, +hurried up-stairs, and busily tried her numerous list of restoratives +from fainting. She brought with her, too, a plate of raw potatoes, and a +knife.</p> + +<p>"And if," she said, "Miss Villars would but scrape a little of them, +there was no knowing how it would cure the pain."</p> + +<p>Caroline forced herself to comply, but knowing the stain which her fair +fingers might sustain from such an employment, she drew on a pair of +white gloves to protect them.</p> + +<p>"Only look at her pretty neck now," lamented the cook, in tones at once +of admiration and pity, which sounded ill in her young mistress's +ears—rather as if she intended to detract in some way from her own +acknowledged beauty—and she contemplated, with some uneasiness, the +fair white bosom, and the beautifully rounded arm, which the cook was +regarding with so much complacency.</p> + +<p>Mabel soon, however, opened her eyes again, and looked wonderingly about +her; when she<span class="pagenum"><a name="page_6" id="page_6">[6]</a></span> saw how Caroline was employed, she smiled, almost with a +look of gladness, as she eagerly thanked her for the trouble she was +taking for her.</p> + +<p>Mr. Mildman, the medical attendant of the family, soon made his +appearance, and, after a slight examination, dispelled every fear of any +serious consequences, commended the skill of the cook, and said he +should not interfere with her remedy, except, indeed, by a little +soothing medicine, or, perhaps, a little ointment to allay the +irritation of the burn, gently commiserated with Mabel on the terror she +had suffered, made a few jocose compliments to Caroline on her +usefulness, and hurried away again.</p> + +<p>"I thought," said Caroline, returning to the sitting-room, "that Mabel +professed to have too strong a mind to faint for such a trifle—Mr. +Mildman says it is a mere nothing."</p> + +<p>"If," said Hargrave, severely, "you had as many bitter recollections +connected with that<span class="pagenum"><a name="page_7" id="page_7">[7]</a></span> terrible word 'fire' as she has, poor orphan, you +would believe that the strongest nerves would fail, sometimes."</p> + +<p>Mrs. Villars looked entreatingly at her, and managed, by dint of many +signs, to suppress the angry reply which was rising to her lips. This +she the more easily did, as Hargrave seemed bent on making her forget +the rudeness of which he had been guilty; he laughed and talked and +sang, and did whatever they asked him, with so good a grace, that, in a +few minutes, he succeeded in restoring her good humour, even to her own +surprise, and led by his example, and rejoicing in its magic effect, the +whole party were soon in the gayest spirits—though none gayer than +Hargrave himself.</p> + +<p>Meanwhile, Mabel, having escaped from the hands of the cook, who wished +to imprison her to the sofa, returned to Lucy's room—and, fearing that +she might be prevented from remaining with her, suppressed every +sensation of the acute pain she was suffering, lest, per<span class="pagenum"><a name="page_8" id="page_8">[8]</a></span>haps, she might +lose the only opportunity of winning the wounded heart of the wilful and +fickle girl.</p> + +<p>Had the high mental abilities she possessed, usurped the power over her +heart, which her fond father had once feared, she might have looked on +her companion's sorrows with contempt, as she saw her, by turns, +forgetting, without contending with affliction, at others, bending +before it in despair. But the path of sorrow had not been trodden by her +in vain. Under its chastising influence, she had learnt the softer +feelings most fitting a woman's nature, and could see, with childish +simplicity, the value of a single spark of Heavenly flame above all the +mental light, which, without it, might illuminate a world. She had +placed, with careful hands, the veil of charity over eyes which could +have detected faults under the shrewdest disguise; and, while she could +not hide from herself the fact that Lucy was selfish, weak, and vain, +she hoped, and, perhaps,<span class="pagenum"><a name="page_9" id="page_9">[9]</a></span> not unjustly, that a better nature might +slumber beneath, waiting but the kindly culture of a friendly hand to +call it into life and being.</p> + +<p>As she now sat, trying to read, her companion watched her with covert +attention, and, as thoughts of high and holy purpose spread their +influence over her countenance, she regarded her with wonder, not +unmingled with awe and pleasure.</p> + +<p>Then she perceived, with some curiosity, that Mabel raised her hand to +her neck, while an expression of pain died upon her lips; then, as if +recollecting herself, the hand wandered in search of something, and, not +finding it, she rose, and looked about the room, and then in the next, +but returned again, disappointed.</p> + +<p>"What are you looking for?" enquired Lucy, at length, seeing how +troubled her face became.</p> + +<p>She started at perceiving she was noticed, and replied, with ill +affected carelessness<span class="pagenum"><a name="page_10" id="page_10">[10]</a></span>—</p> + +<p>"I had a chain round my neck which I can't find."</p> + +<p>"Oh," said Lucy, "that is quite safe—for Henry has it for you."</p> + +<p>"How did he get it?" said Mabel, her face and neck suffused with deep +crimson.</p> + +<p>"Caroline wanted to look at it—but, just as she was going to raise the +spring of the locket to see what was in it, he put his arms round her, +and took it from her—not very polite certainly—but your locket is +safe—for I do not suppose he will look at it, as he took it from +Caroline."</p> + +<p>Mabel covered her face with her hands, and Lucy saw, with surprise, that +tears were trickling through her fingers—but presently she brushed them +aside, exclaiming—</p> + +<p>"How silly to be put out by such a trifle—promise me, dear Lucy, not to +say how vexed I was at nothing."</p> + +<p>"No, Mabel—it would indeed be unkind to<span class="pagenum"><a name="page_11" id="page_11">[11]</a></span> notice the few unreasonable +moods in which you ever indulge."</p> + +<p>Neither said more at that time—and Lucy, as had been her habit lately, +was silent for some hours.</p> + +<p>The evening had closed in, Mabel had excused herself from appearing at +the dinner-table; and, as it was now too dark to see to read or work, +she laid aside her book, and seated herself to remain awhile unoccupied. +Then Lucy raised herself a little, and leaning her head upon one hand, +looked attentively at her, while she said, in a low tone—</p> + +<p>"I have been thinking, these long, long days, of all the wrong I have +ever done you. Nay, do not interrupt me—let me condemn myself as I +deserve. When I first went to Aston, I well remember how kindly you +tried to make me happy, even while I was turning you into ridicule, in +order that I might prevent Captain Clair admiring you. With the wish to +shew my superior nerve, and spirit for fun,<span class="pagenum"><a name="page_12" id="page_12">[12]</a></span> I persisted in being one +great cause of poor Amy's accident, while I called you prudish and old +maidish. When I was in despair, you turned from your own grief to +comfort mine; and yet so selfish was I still, that when I refused to +leave you to nurse alone, it was only because I loved Captain Clair. +When I found he loved you, I left you without remorse—and, oh! when she +was dying—the poor child I had helped to murder—I was acting a part at +a fancy ball, without one thought but of the admiration I excited. You +came here. I felt, at first, that I could have done anything to please +you; but I soon forgot you again—for I was once more infatuated, and +could see nothing, think of nothing, but Beauclerc. I left you alone, to +contend with my sisters, who were prejudiced against you—and when you +interfered, for my good, I met you with peevishness and ill-humour. And +how have I been punished—that very ball was the beginning of my +unhappiness. When I went to the fancy<span class="pagenum"><a name="page_13" id="page_13">[13]</a></span> ball, I deserved to meet +Beauclerc, and to be deceived in him as I have been. And now, mother and +sisters all desert me—none can bear to witness the workings of such a +frivolous mind as mine—none stand by me—none care for me—but you, you +whom I have most injured—no one but you thinks my spirit worth +preserving from its sin and worldliness. Oh, Mabel, you have entirely +conquered me—but I dare not promise anything—I am so very, very weak."</p> + +<p>"It is for such a moment as this," replied Mabel, "that I have waited and +watched. Lucy, you are dear to me, because I have thought and prayed for +you so long. I know how difficult it is to do right, when you have long +done wrong; but I know, that if you try, there is no difficulty you will +not overcome."</p> + +<p>"And if I do not try," said Lucy, tears gathering in her eyes, "what is +to become of<span class="pagenum"><a name="page_14" id="page_14">[14]</a></span> me; I leave nothing but trifling and despair behind me. +Only point out some way by which I can shew I repent, for I know I must +be doing something, or I shall fall back into idle habits again—only +point out something for me to begin with, and I will get up +to-morrow—for I am not ill—only unhappy."</p> + +<p>"I can tell you, then," said Mabel, "of one social duty, of which you +never think, and, without performing it, I can scarcely believe that a +blessing can rest either on your worldly fortune, or your eternal hopes. +Pardon me for speaking severely—but why has your father, upon whose +hardly earned wealth you have rested so much of your pleasure, why is he +left alone to feel that no one cares for him?"</p> + +<p>"But, do you think he would care for my company? and, besides, you are +always with him."</p> + +<p>"He would indeed care, if you would but try to please him—and I shall +give up my<span class="pagenum"><a name="page_15" id="page_15">[15]</a></span> place, when you are ready to take it. Indeed, my duty lies +elsewhere, and I must soon obey its call. I would not have any one +ignorant of their real talents through false modesty," she continued, +"because they are weapons lent us by Heaven, which we must either use, +or abuse, or leave to rust in our hands. You know you have a winning +way, when you like—it has been your snare in society—but it may make +your peace at home."</p> + +<p>"I will try," cried Lucy, smiling, "no one can give comfort as you can; +but I will not talk, I have wasted too much on words already."</p> + +<p>"But one thing more," said Mabel—"can you bear now to let me speak of +Mr. Beauclerc?"</p> + +<p>"I meant to have forgotten him," replied Lucy, shrinkingly; "but what of +him?"</p> + +<p>"He has written to me—and, if you will let me, I should like you to +hear his letter."</p><p><span class="pagenum"><a name="page_16" id="page_16">[16]</a></span></p> + +<p>"Very well then," she returned, but her countenance had fallen.</p> + +<p>Mabel read—</p> + +<p>Lucy blushed when she came to the commendation of "her artless candour +and ingenuousness."</p> + +<p>"Well," she said, "I forgive him, he can ask no more."</p> + +<p>"Nor does he," replied Mabel, "but you can do more, and I strongly +advise you to do so. It would not only be generous, but prudent, to aid +in making a reconciliation between him and his wife; for, if he +reflects, and the world comments on your conduct, it had better be on +your generosity than on any thing else. I carefully bring forward these +motives, because it is dangerous to pique oneself on doing a noble +thing, when, being prudent, it serves our own purpose. Will you do this, +dear Lucy?"</p> + +<p>"I will try," said she, very slowly, as if<span class="pagenum"><a name="page_17" id="page_17">[17]</a></span> with difficulty, "but Millie +and I have quarrelled."</p> + +<p>"She had cause for irritation, if she believed that you were flirting +with her husband; and I am sure you can allow for any thing she may have +said under that impression; for, without intending it, how greatly you +must have pained her."</p> + +<p>"Yes, Mabel, yes, I have pained every body and lost my own peace as +well. Oh, what would I give to be conscience free—free from all the +petty wickedness of which I have been guilty. Believe me, all the time +that Beauclerc seemed flirting, he was only talking seriously, and he +never would have been so much with me had I not attracted him by a +thousand artifices—pleading my own ignorance and great admiration for +his talent, which I really felt, but ought not to have spoken. But you +will not reproach me, for I am bitterly punished, and even your contempt +is disarmed.<span class="pagenum"><a name="page_18" id="page_18">[18]</a></span> I will go to Millie, yes, I will do every thing so that I +may win peace at last. Oh that to-morrow were come; but, that it may be +blessed, I will pray to-night. Now, dearest Mabel, do go to bed, you +look so pale and ill, and I have been talking and keeping you up, and +how your poor neck must pain you—I shall ring for that good tempered +cook to come and dress it for you."</p> + +<p>"Good night love." And so the girls parted for the night.</p> + +<p>To-morrow came, and Lucy rose, pale, but composed, and this satisfied +Mabel more than any greater display of ardour.</p> + +<p>"It is difficult," she said, turning from the mirror, which reflected +back her altered features, "but it may bring me peace. Give me your arm, +Mabel dear, and then we will go to the study—my face will look strange +there, after that of the intellectual Mabel."</p> + +<p>"Hush and take courage, we shall see which<span class="pagenum"><a name="page_19" id="page_19">[19]</a></span> will be the favorite soon. +Believe me, much as I value my uncle's favor, I shall be glad to resign +it to you, if we cannot both be loved."</p> + +<p>"Do not make me cry," returned Lucy, "I have shed tears enough—see how +heavy my eyelids look."</p> + +<p>Arm-in-arm they proceeded to the study, where Mr. Villars was seated at +his work, no longer a disappointed student. He looked up, with a little +surprise, on seeing Lucy, but, without a moment's hesitation, she +advanced towards him, and, laying her hand on the table to steady +herself, for she trembled with weakness, she said—</p> + +<p>"Papa, the world has vexed me, will you let me come to you, for then I +shall be safe."</p> + +<p>She could scarcely have chosen a better introduction, for, had she +offered her services and her company, both would probably have been now +declined; but Mr. Villars was a kind-hearted man, and the speech touched +him, and he replied, taking her hand<span class="pagenum"><a name="page_20" id="page_20">[20]</a></span>—</p> + +<p>"Come, my poor girl, whenever you like, for you are right in saying you +will be safe with me, and I need a companion when Mabel is out of the +way."</p> + +<p>Then Mabel drew her to her own chosen seat by the fire, and gave her a +footstool, <a name="tellling" id="tellling"></a><ins title="Original has tellling">telling</ins> her, that, if she liked, she might go on copying +something she had begun, and when she was tired she could tack some +papers together, with the needle and thread which she placed ready for +her hand, on the little table where she had laid some writing materials.</p> + +<p>As she busied herself in these little preparations, it was beautiful to +see how her cheek flushed with rich color, and how bright her eye +sparkled, and then, as she gently moved away and left them to +themselves, how cheerfully she looked back upon them; as if, in that +kindly glance, she left a blessing behind her, when she departed.</p><hr class="chap" /><p><span class="pagenum"><a name="page_21" id="page_21">[21]</a></span></p> + + + + +<h2><a name="chapter_ii" id="chapter_ii">CHAPTER II.</a></h2> +<div class="centersmall"> +<p class="poemsmall"> +Ridicule is a weak weapon, when levelled at a strong mind. +</p> +</div> + + +<p>Trusting that this introduction to her father's study might be to Lucy +the beginning of a life of usefulness and activity, Mabel took her work +to the common sitting-room, which, during Lucy's illness, she had rarely +entered. But now she began to feel conscious, that solitude, and +retirement were becoming too dear<span class="pagenum"><a name="page_22" id="page_22">[22]</a></span> to her, and she resolved, rather to +court, than avoid the society which the house afforded, however +uncongenial it might be.</p> + +<p>She found the sisters at work, or rather, at something which might +better be termed an excuse for work. Caroline was leaning over her +embroidery frame, engaged in talking with Selina, who was twisting silk +over a small lyre, intended for the formation of a watch guard, which +was to be presented, not to any person in particular, but as a +gratifying remembrance to any old gentleman, at whose house she might +next have the pleasure of staying. Maria was hemming a silk +pocket-handkerchief, covered with innumerable foxes-heads; intended, +perhaps, for some gay hunting friend.</p> + +<p>They all looked up upon her entrance, as if to say, they scarcely cared +for this addition to their party, and were not very pleased to see, that +she had relieved herself from the restraints of her sick-room +attendance. If this caused, for an instant, a painful sensation, she +instantly<span class="pagenum"><a name="page_23" id="page_23">[23]</a></span> checked the thought, with that ready self-controul, which she +had taught herself to exercise, ever since she had been old enough to +observe the unhappiness caused to her mother, by too great an indulgence +of her original sensitiveness of disposition, which, from its extreme +delicacy, could scarcely venture into the every day world without +carrying back to retirement food for reflection and regret. She was, +therefore, prepared to meet the world in all its roughness, and had +saved herself from a great deal of trouble and annoyance, by never +taking offence till it was too plain to be mistaken; and, from the +effects of this early curb upon her temper, she had almost begun to +believe the world as kind as her own warm-hearted zeal would have made +it.</p> + +<p>Taking her seat by Maria, who was a little apart from her sisters, she +offered her assistance in her work. Even Maria had learnt to abate +something, in her presence, of her natu<span class="pagenum"><a name="page_24" id="page_24">[24]</a></span>ral sharpness—and she received +the offer with something like politeness.</p> + +<p>"There," she said, carelessly selecting a pocket-handkerchief from the +bundle which lay at her feet; "if you like to take the trouble, you will +save mine, for I am heartily tired of them."</p> + +<p>Mabel's nimble fingers were soon engaged, while Maria gave her a +ludicrous account of the fatigue she had been enduring.</p> + +<p>"I am no great worker," she said; "and this long side has taken me more +than an hour, moaning bitterly all the time; but, then, I reflect, that +as I am no beauty, I must do penance, since being agreeable is in +fashion just now; and if I did not keep Mamma on tenter-hooks, expecting +an offer now and then, a sorry life I should lead. So, with these +pleasing thoughts, I turn again to the everlasting hem, where the silk +will unravel for ever, provoking the deploring eyes of a hundred<span class="pagenum"><a name="page_25" id="page_25">[25]</a></span> foxes, +which I think must be the ghosts of all the men who are mourning, not +that I jilted them poor fools, but <i>tout au contraire</i>. Well-a-day, I +think I was made for hunting foxes rather than fox hunters. There, I +shall rest while you are working for me."</p> + +<p>So saying, she took up a novel <a name="whieh" id="whieh"></a><ins title="Original has whieh">which</ins> lay open on the table, and which +had occupied her attention at intervals—placed her feet upon a chair, +and soon became quite absorbed.</p> + +<p>Mabel excelled in needle work, for in her own home her fingers had never +been idle, when her mind had not been seriously occupied. Many a light, +happy hour had she passed in superintending the domestic requirements of +their cottage, or in exercising her ingenuity, to supply the want of new +fashions, on a cap for her mother, or a dress for herself or Amy, and +now, with the rapidity of habit, she ran over the ground which Maria had +found so heavy, in comparison with the more tempting pages of the light +book by her side.</p><p><span class="pagenum"><a name="page_26" id="page_26">[26]</a></span></p> + +<p>Her companions, however, were not very agreeable, for Caroline and +Selina were carrying on a whispered conversation, and occasionally a +word reached her, only sufficiently distinct to make her guess, that she +was the subject of observation; together with half uttered allusions to +landing-place conversations, slyness, &c., which made her cheeks tingle +rather unpleasantly. Once too, Caroline had asked her what had become of +Lucy, in a tone which seemed to imply that her duty was to be with her, +forgetful that, if so, the duty was self-imposed.</p> + +<p>She was then not a little relieved when the loud sounding bell announced +a visitor.</p> + +<p>After a longer delay than usual a gentleman was introduced by the name +of "Morley." All eyes turned instantly upon him, and Mabel's were +interested in a moment. He was short in stature, and the bony strength +of his limbs, joined to great leanness, gave his person an angular +appearance. His features were strongly<span class="pagenum"><a name="page_27" id="page_27">[27]</a></span> marked, the flesh had shrunk +from the high cheek-bone, leaving it more strikingly a feature of his +face; while his complexion bore the bronze of many an Eastern sun, +heedlessly encountered, for it was nearly copper colored. This, and a +slight stoop in the shoulder, gave him an appearance of age; while his +hair of untinged black, the arched eyebrow, and piercing eye, spoke +almost of youthfulness. That eye was the single attraction of his face, +and so rigidly still was every other feature, that it seemed the only +weapon of offence or defence, made to express the hasty fire of an +enthusiastic mind, or the milder sensations of the heart beneath. If it +closed, it left the countenance in stern and harsh composure, with +something upon it that spoke contempt of pleasure and defiance of pain; +as if, upon the rack, every nerve had been wound up for endurance of +severest trial, and utterly refused a compromise. But open, that eye +gazing with all its power, it forced the observer's thoughts back upon +himself, and seemed<span class="pagenum"><a name="page_28" id="page_28">[28]</a></span> there to detect the slightest shade of falsehood or +deceit, which might before have slumbered unperceived.</p> + +<p>His dress too, partook of his singularity, for it seemed made for a +stouter and taller man, and hung loosely about him, in shabby <i>negligé</i>; +and over all he wore a kind of thick Spanish cloak, which, like his +face, had had a tolerable share of wear and sunshine, and helped, with +all the other ingredients of face, figure, and dress, to mark him for a +"character."</p> + +<p>All the girls were a little surprised. Selina assumed, with admirable +quickness, her pretty mean-nothing smile, and Maria laid down her book, +and, being in the back-ground, indulged in a full stare; while Caroline +said she feared there was some mistake, as her mamma was not acquainted +with the name.</p> + +<p>"Very possibly," replied Mr. Morley, "but I conclude your servant acted +by your orders when he said, that if I wanted to wait for Colonel +Hargrave I had better do so here."</p><p><span class="pagenum"><a name="page_29" id="page_29">[29]</a></span></p> + +<p>Caroline slightly colored, as she was fully aware that any gentleman of +marriageable rank and age had rather too free an introduction to the +house, and was seldom allowed to leave it without having had a tolerable +opportunity of falling in love. This general desire of the mistress to +admit all gentlemen, was pretty well known to Jones, their accomplished +serving man, who had been in the family long enough to comprehend and +half sympathise with its views; and he seldom suffered a stranger's call +to end without admittance to the drawing-room by some clever mistake. +And without too severe a scrutiny of Mr. Morley's appearance, beyond the +intuitive feeling that he was a gentleman (a point in which servants +seldom err) he had persuaded him that it would be better for him to wait +for Colonel Hargrave in the sitting-room, where the young ladies were. +But Caroline was not quite so quick in this discovery, and treated him +with<span class="pagenum"><a name="page_30" id="page_30">[30]</a></span> an air of condescending haughtiness, as she said—</p> + +<p>"If you wish to speak with the Colonel, pray take a seat; he is only +gone to put a letter in the post for me, and I expect him back +directly."</p> + +<p>Satisfied with this display of her influence, she bowed to a chair which +Mabel, springing up, instantly gave him; for, quickly reading the +gentleman under the disguise of eccentricity, she was anxious to atone +for Caroline's manner, which too plainly testified her idea that he was +a tradesman calling for orders, or a supplicant, begging pecuniary +assistance.</p> + +<p>"Thank you, Miss Lesly," said he, in a voice of peculiar depth and +melody.</p> + +<p>The sisters exchanged glances. So little do we naturally like to be +overlooked by the most indifferent people, on the most indifferent +occasions, that Caroline's eye grew dark as she imagined that her cousin +had already be<span class="pagenum"><a name="page_31" id="page_31">[31]</a></span>come an object of remark; forgetting that the difference +in her dress might easily distinguish the orphan.</p> + +<p>The mention of her name seemed to Mabel to claim something like +acquaintance, and, seeing that her cousins were unwilling to shew him +any politeness, she at once endeavoured to draw him into conversation. +At first he seemed to pay little attention to the trifling subjects, +which, at the commencement of a conversation, almost necessarily form an +introduction to others; but, at length, as if roused by the tones of her +sweet voice, he eagerly entered upon a topic of foreign interest, which +she casually mentioned, with as much eloquence and enthusiasm as he had +before shewn indifference.</p> + +<p>Mabel, at the same time, shewed that she was perfect mistress of the +subject she had introduced, in all its details, and, without once +violating that delicate calmness in debate, which feminine modesty +should never exceed, she drew out his opinions, and stated her own,<span class="pagenum"><a name="page_32" id="page_32">[32]</a></span> +with so much truth and elegance, that Maria laid down her book, and +listened with wondering attention.</p> + +<p>In a house where every thing was display, Mabel had never yet found or +sought, an opportunity of shewing the talents, which vigilant and +miscellaneous reading had richly cultivated. She had infused, rather +than spoken, her sentiments, but now, her tongue unloosed by the evident +pleasure she was giving, and her mind recalled to old subjects of +interest, she spoke as if a sudden spell had wakened her energy.</p> + +<p>"I see," said Mr. Morley, after watching, in silence, the flushed cheek +and sparkling eye which added emphasis and sincerity to what she said, +"I see that you would tell me that 'Honesty is the best policy,' in +public as in private life. If there were many women in this world who +could enforce this doctrine in the same manner, we should not so often +see, the husbands, brothers, and sons, of old England,<span class="pagenum"><a name="page_33" id="page_33">[33]</a></span> erring from that +golden rule. Cherish such sentiments, for the fountain of the heart +should be pure and holy, since the current of the world can so soon soil +its waters. I can better excuse an erring practice than an erring +principle, for the one may be the result of a thousand strong and bitter +temptations, but the other must be the effect of ignorant or wilful +wickedness and ingratitude. The good may fall seven times in a day, +indeed, but the man of corrupt principle is too low to fall at all. If +you feel as you speak, and act as you feel, you are a noble girl, and +worthy to be a statesman's wife."</p> + +<p>Every word which he uttered with the tone of unquestioned authority, +went, like a poisoned sting, to Caroline's heart. She bent over her +work, with affected contempt, but she would have given much, if, at that +moment, she could have struck him as the Asiatic would a slave. Greatly, +too, to her mortification, she saw the side door, which connected the +room in which<span class="pagenum"><a name="page_34" id="page_34">[34]</a></span> they were sitting, with the drawing-room beyond, open, +and Hargrave entered.</p> + +<p>"Pardon me, my dear sir," he said, hurrying to Mr. Morley, and taking +his hand; "but as I came to meet you, the sound of your voice +overpowered me—and, waiting to recover myself, I overheard part of the +conversation in which you were engaged."</p> + +<p>As he said this, he turned his eyes towards Mabel, perhaps expecting, to +see something in her countenance, of the animation expressed by her +words; but her face was suffused, as with the brightness of the rose, +shrouded by evening dew—her eyes were bent on the ground—and, as if, +like that lovely flower, her head were too heavy for her slender neck to +support, she bent it also beneath his glance. Could this be the +tranquil, self-commanding Mabel, blushing, perhaps, because she +perceived, that, while seeking to draw a timid stranger into +conversation, she had been insensibly gratifying the same wish, on his +part,<span class="pagenum"><a name="page_35" id="page_35">[35]</a></span> and had been, unconsciously, displaying her own powers to his +observation.</p> + +<p>Mr. Morley gently touched the arm of the younger man, who turned round, +as if to introduce him to Miss Villars—but, as he did so, the hall-bell +again announced a visitor.</p> + +<p>"Come, my dear sir," he then said, changing his purpose, "come to my +room, before we are inveigled into fashionable talk—I must have you all +to myself."</p> + +<p>And he dragged rather than led him from the room, just as Mr. Stokes, a +sporting gentleman from Gloucestershire, was announced.</p> + +<p>Maria started from her lazy position, flung aside her book, and darting +to Mabel, snatched the pocket-handkerchief she was hemming from her +hand, almost disordering her hair by the violence of the action, and +then hurriedly seated herself, as if she had been working. This little +diversion, in her favor, was covered by the retreat of the two +gentlemen, and the necessary pause at the door, as the one party<span class="pagenum"><a name="page_36" id="page_36">[36]</a></span> +retreated, and Mr. Stokes entered, whip in hand, with splashed boots, +and the dress which most became him, his red hunting coat, which gave +point to his blunt, off-hand manners.</p> + +<p>Mabel pitied, and struggled, with her accustomed gentleness, to excuse +her cousin's rudeness, as she listened to Mr. Stokes's blunt compliment +on Maria's needle-work, and his animated account of the chace, from +which he had just ridden home.</p> + +<p>Some accidental allusion to Gloucestershire soon told him that Mabel was +from his native country—and being a great lover of everything that +seemed like home, he began talking to her so fast, that she had little +need to say anything to help forward the conversation. Maria was +evidently annoyed—and Mabel did her best to be silent; but it was an +unfortunate afternoon, and seemed destined to make her worse enemies +than she had before. Her silence could not be imputed to stupidity by<span class="pagenum"><a name="page_37" id="page_37">[37]</a></span> +the dullest, who looked in her face; and the squire, charmed with the +idea of having made her shy, which he deemed the effect of something in +himself, and, at the same time, feeling the charm of retreating beauty, +pursued what he deemed an amusing advantage, addressed all his jokes and +stories to her, and called for her approval of his quotations from their +county dialect, which were so inimitable and so familiar, that she could +no longer suppress her smiles. Maria bit her lips to conceal her +vexation. True, he laughed just as immoderately over the use she made of +the whimsical slang of the day—called her a "funny fellow," and taught +her pretty oaths, which, after all, are but a kind of paper currency for +sin. Yet, when he spoke to Mabel, he insensibly assumed more respect for +himself and her; for few men are so quick at discovering where respect +is really due, as those who are the most ready to lay it aside, when in +their power to do so.</p><p><span class="pagenum"><a name="page_38" id="page_38">[38]</a></span></p> + +<p>Maria was shrewd and penetrating. Her self-love had received too many +rebuffs in the gay world in which she lived, to blind her to the +truth—and she had not listened more than one tedious hour—for the +Squire paid long visits—before she discovered that she had made a fatal +mistake in his character. She soon perceived that neither the roughness +of his manners, nor the random style of his conversation, had left him +insensible to the purity of a deep, blue eye, or the magic influence of +feminine delicacy and refinement.</p> + +<p>And was it to win the heart of such a man that she had so studiously +dropped the little she had possessed of feminine reserve, to adopt the +coarser and freer manners which she had imagined a sportsman would most +admire. She felt the ground was lost, which she had no power to +retrieve, and her spirit chafed, with all the bitterness and +mortification which those must feel, who have in any way debased +themselves to obtain any worldly object, and are con<span class="pagenum"><a name="page_39" id="page_39">[39]</a></span>scious of it only +when they find themselves disappointed. She would have been still more +chagrined could she have divined that nothing but her having so rudely +snatched the handkerchief had given a turn to Mabel's thoughts, and +prevented her leaving the room, since by doing so, she would have +appeared either snubbed or affronted.</p> + +<p>Poor Maria! she had never believed herself so near marriage before.</p> + +<p>Scarcely had they reached this height of discomfort, when another +morning visitor was introduced—Miss Lovelace, with a multitudinous +number of light ringlets and narrow flounces. With a nod to Maria, which +meant—"I see you are better engaged," she took her seat near the two +elder girls, and was soon deep in an account of a charming ball, which +she had attended the night before, with which she mixed many hints of +her own conquests, together, with her indignation at all the spiteful<span class="pagenum"><a name="page_40" id="page_40">[40]</a></span> +things people said of her, and the Misses Villars.</p> + +<p>After talking, with the utmost rapidity, for half-an-hour, she suddenly +changed her tone to one of commiseration, as she enquired—</p> + +<p>"And how is poor Lucy?"</p> + +<p>"Thank you, she is down stairs to-day," replied Caroline.</p> + +<p>"Oh, I am so glad—for I heard such dismal accounts of her, last night, +I could not help coming to see how she was. I won't ask to see her—but +I do so pity her."</p> + +<p>"I suppose her story is half over the town," said Caroline; "silly +girl—of course, mamma knew nothing about it, or she would have seen +into it before."</p> + +<p>"Did not she though?" said Miss Lovelace, with great interest, gathering +materials, as she was, for the next visit. "Why, every one saw it long +ago, and said she was dying for him—the wretch."</p><p><span class="pagenum"><a name="page_41" id="page_41">[41]</a></span></p> + +<p>"And what do people say now?" lisped Selina, as if she were talking of +the reputation of a hair pin instead of that of a sister.</p> + +<p>"Why, you know, now, the truth is in every one's mouth—quite the talk +of the day. How it was known that he was married, I cannot tell—but my +maid told me—and all my partners were talking of it last night. I told +young Philips I would never waltz with him again, if he did not find +some innocent way of murdering Mrs. Beauclerc, and bringing Lucy's love +affair to a happy conclusion. And the best of it is, young Philips +himself has been as bad, for he has been wandering up and down the +Circus like a mad thing, for this month past, trying to catch a sight of +Miss Foster, and contented if he only saw her shadow pass the window."</p> + +<p>Here they all laughed, and Mr. Stokes chimed in.</p> + +<p>"What is that story about Miss Lucy Villars and Mr. Beauclerc? I heard +something<span class="pagenum"><a name="page_42" id="page_42">[42]</a></span> of it at the hunt, from young farmer Sykes—but I thought it +might be delicate ground."</p> + +<p>Mabel did not wait to hear the answer to this last remark—for when the +sisters so coolly deserted the standard of delicacy, she felt she had no +right to interfere; and blushing, more for them than for Lucy, she left +the room, rather too precipitately—for Mr. Stokes, having, the minute +before, whispered a compliment, which she had been too occupied even to +hear, he attributed her flight to the sudden admiration she was +conscious she was exciting. As the door closed upon her, he remembered +how often he had joined Caroline and Maria, in laughing over the +eccentricities of their country cousin, whom he had never before +seen—and, fearing a repetition of the same remarks, or their ridicule, +if he refused to join in them, he took up his hat, and rapidly +apologising for having made such a complete "visitation," he wished them +good morning, and departed, without waiting to hear more<span class="pagenum"><a name="page_43" id="page_43">[43]</a></span> than he could +help of Miss Lovelace's answer to his question.</p> + +<p>Mabel had no sooner escaped from the drawing-room, than she hurried to +the study. Her first glance told her that Lucy had been exerting herself +beyond her strength to appear cheerful and happy, for she looked pale +and wearied; and no sooner did she see her enter, than she went to her, +folded her arms round her, and laid her head upon her shoulder—then, +raising it again, that she might look her in the face, and thank her for +all her kindness to her, she burst into hysteric sobs.</p> + +<p>Mabel drew her away, led her to her own room, and caressed and soothed +her again into tranquillity, when she made her go to bed, and then +stopped and praised her first day's effort so warmly, that Lucy almost +smiled her thanks.</p> + +<p>She then returned to the study, where Mr. Villars was waiting, in some +alarm. Taking her hand, he enquired, anxiously<span class="pagenum"><a name="page_44" id="page_44">[44]</a></span>—</p> + +<p>"How is my child?"</p> + +<p>"She is much better, dear uncle—but she is very weak, you know, +yet—and her spirits are uncertain—though she tried to exert them, lest +you might think her dull. I shall give her entirely to you to take care +of now."</p> + +<p>"My good girl," he replied, with the thick, husky voice of suppressed +emotion, "when I worked, for so many long years, at a business that I +hated—I dreamed of such a time as this. The last few hours have been +the happiest I have spent since my retirement. And is not this your +doing? How true it is, that we often entertain angels unawares."</p> + +<p>She tried to speak, while tears of hallowed pleasure dimmed the sparkle +of her deep azure eyes, her lips trembled, and her cheek flushed; then +stooping over the hand that held hers, she kissed it, drew herself away, +and fled from the room.</p> + +<p>She might have said to herself—"What!<span class="pagenum"><a name="page_45" id="page_45">[45]</a></span> have I devoted so many weeks to +his service, and yet a few hours from the truant Lucy give him more +pleasure than all those of my unwearied service!"</p> + +<p>But no such thought, even by its most transitory influence, sullied the +heart of the self-devoted girl.</p><hr class="chap" /><p><span class="pagenum"><a name="page_46" id="page_46">[46]</a></span></p> + + + + +<h2><a name="chapter_iii" id="chapter_iii">CHAPTER III.</a></h2> + +<div class="centersmallerwithsig"> +<p class="poemsmall"> +Merrily, merrily,<br /> +Welcome and sweet,<br /> +Ready hearts, waiting them,<br /> +Sabbath chimes greet.<br /> +Mournfully, mournfully,<br /> +Yet do they fall<br /> +On the dull, worldly ear.<br /> +Deaf to their call.<br /> +</p> +</div> +<p class="poemsig smcap">Culver Allen.</p> + + + +<p>"Who is your fat friend?" enquired Caroline of Hargrave, when they met +at dinner.</p> + +<p>"The gentleman who called this morning," he replied, drawing himself up +with much hauteur, "is my uncle."</p> + +<p>Mrs. Villars cast a look upon her daughter,<span class="pagenum"><a name="page_47" id="page_47">[47]</a></span> which seemed to say, half +in entreaty, and half in reproof.</p> + +<p>"Oh, your unfortunate tongue."</p> + +<p>At the same time, Hargrave, perhaps, perceiving that Mabel's quick +glance was upon him, suddenly changed his manner, and seemed, by the +gentleness of his tone, anxious to apologise for the short feeling of +anger Caroline's query had occasioned.</p> + +<p>"I had not time to introduce him this morning," he said, "before the +entrance of Mr. Stokes; but I was otherwise going to ask my aunt to give +him the <i>entrée</i> of the house, as he is a perfect stranger here, and his +only object is to see me."</p> + +<p>"Oh, certainly," said Mrs. Villars, with one of her blandest +smiles—"any friend of yours is welcome here, as a matter of course; I +shall be delighted to know him."</p> + +<p>"He is a singular being," returned Hargrave, smiling his thanks; "and +those only who are familiar with his peculiarities, can see<span class="pagenum"><a name="page_48" id="page_48">[48]</a></span> through +them, the greatness and goodness of his heart. There is no man to whom I +owe so much—and few whom I esteem so highly."</p> + +<p>"Indeed," said Caroline, "one ought not to judge so hastily of +strangers. I am sure, I beg your pardon, for speaking of him +disrespectfully."</p> + +<p>Hargrave's timely change of tone had thus prevented the display of +temper which Mabel had foreseen and dreaded.</p> + +<p>"Pray do not mention it," he rejoined, quickly; "I ought to have +forestalled observation, by introducing him to you—and you said +nothing, after all—I only thought you looked contemptuous—so I was too +hasty, and it was my fault. You may, probably, never have heard of him, +for he has not been in England for many years. He is my maternal uncle, +the son of my grandmother, by her first husband—my own mother being a +Lesly. I have heard that, when a very young man, he was of such +enthusiastic temperament, that he<span class="pagenum"><a name="page_49" id="page_49">[49]</a></span> entered the church mission, which +took him abroad, for a long time, where, amongst heathen and savage +life, he devoted himself to the work he had undertaken with great +success, enduring, cheerfully, every kind of privation, being separated +from the society of his equals, and without reserving to himself a +single solace, but the one feeling that he was performing his duty. One +cannot help admiring such a character," he added, hastily, as if +excusing his energy, and concluding the last words in a tone of cold +considerative philosophy.</p> + +<p>"Well, and has he never been home since then?" enquired Caroline.</p> + +<p>"Yes," replied Hargrave, "he returned about twenty years ago to take +possession of a large property in Northumberland, which he inherited by +the death of his elder brother—but after converting all that could be +alienated into ready money, he let his house and land to<span class="pagenum"><a name="page_50" id="page_50">[50]</a></span> a friend, upon +whose charity to his poorer tenants, he could fully rely, and did so, at +a rent sufficiently low to enable him to expend what otherwise might +have come direct to him, in useful improvements. It was during his stay +at Aston, with my father, that I first saw a little of him; but I cannot +say I knew him till we met as strangers, a short time ago, in India, +where I found him devoting his wealth to the +advancement of +<a name="christianity" id="christianity"></a><ins title="Original has christianity">Christianity</ins>."</p> + +<p>When he reached the last word, he uttered it in so incoherent a tone, +that it seemed as if he had some difficulty in pronouncing it; and, as +soon as dinner was concluded, he retreated to his room, in one of those +moods, when, by common consent, they always left him to himself. He did +not make his appearance again that evening; and when Caroline retired +for the night, her chamber being above his, she could still hear the +hasty tread up and down his room, which varied the dull silence which<span class="pagenum"><a name="page_51" id="page_51">[51]</a></span> +ever now and then preceded it; and next morning, when she woke, the +first sound that greeted her ears, was the same hasty tread, resumed +with the dawning light.</p> + +<p>It was Sunday, and knowing that Hargrave would most likely absent +himself, as usual, for the whole day, she resisted her disposition to +take another nap, and got up, anxious not to lose the chance of seeing +him, and, perhaps, having a <i>tęte-ŕ-tęte</i> before breakfast.</p> + +<p>Of all the days in the week, Sunday, in that house, was the least +comfortable, particularly at breakfast time.</p> + +<p>Every one was late, and never came down at any particular time—and +somebody was sure to have a cold, and require breakfast sent +up-stairs—joined, too, to all this, was the stiffness originating in +the feeling that they were in Sunday costume, composed of dresses which +required a great deal of care to be taken of them.</p><p><span class="pagenum"><a name="page_52" id="page_52">[52]</a></span></p> + +<p>Caroline often secured to herself the pleasure of giving Hargrave a cup +of tea before the others made their appearance; and Mabel, having, +unluckily, made her <i>entrée</i>, one morning, at what she deemed so +inopportune a period, avoided being early ever afterwards.</p> + +<p>Caroline, having, this morning, been fortunate enough to secure her +position, made a rather ostentatious display of her care for his +comfort.</p> + +<p>"There," she said, when he came in, "I have made you some toast—and +your tea is quite ready—no, I mean your chocolate—for you must try +that this morning—it is best quite hot—so I have got it in this little +pot by the fire, for, see, I have been making it myself."</p> + +<p>"Thank you," said Hargrave, in a sufficiently discouraging tone, as he +accepted her services.</p><p><span class="pagenum"><a name="page_53" id="page_53">[53]</a></span></p> + +<p>"You are a naughty boy," she returned; "you never say anything more than +that sulky thank you."</p> + +<p>"Because I am really sorry to give you so much trouble," said he, +sincerely; "I am so accustomed to wait on myself, that—"</p> + +<p>"Say no more, you sulky creature," cried she, with one of her blandest +smiles; "'virtue is its own reward'—so I will give you your chocolate +without any thanks. But I wish you would not go away to-day—do come +with us to the Octagon?"</p> + +<p>"No, thank you—I am engaged."</p> + +<p>"Why, you are as punctual to your engagements, as if you were courting +some country lass, in your Sunday's best. I am afraid you are doing no +good. You are not going, I hope, to act the play of the lowly lady over +again?"</p> + +<p>"What was that?"</p> + +<p>"Why, do you not remember the story of<span class="pagenum"><a name="page_54" id="page_54">[54]</a></span> the young lord, pretending to be +a country-man, or artist, or something of that kind, and so marrying a +young lady—no, not a lady, a poor girl, I mean—and never telling her +till he took her home to his grand house?"</p> + +<p>"Oh, yes, I do, now you speak of it. Not a bad idea, upon my word—it +would be something novel to be certain of exciting a disinterested +affection."</p> + +<p>Caroline's cheeks tingled—she had never got him so near the subject +before.</p> + +<p>"Are you one of the sceptics on that point, then?" she enquired.</p> + +<p>"No—yes—well, I really do not know—but I am, at times, puzzled to +think what makes women marry sometimes so badly, and often with so +little consideration."</p> + +<p>"Oftener for love than you suppose," said she, leaning over his +shoulder, to put a tempting white nub of sugar in his chocolate, +suspending it awhile as she held it.</p><p><span class="pagenum"><a name="page_55" id="page_55">[55]</a></span></p> + +<p>"Perhaps so," he replied, attacking his plate of ham, which she had been +thinly slicing for him, with very good appetite.</p> + +<p>"I suppose," said she, "having Aston Manor, and its goodly acres, tacked +to your other accomplishments, makes you suspicious?"</p> + +<p>"Not unjustly so—no—no—I would soon contrive some test by which to +try the woman I admired, if I doubted her. Thank you, no more chocolate, +I am going."</p> + +<p>So saying, he rose, and drew on his gloves, and wished her good +morning—leaving her in a pleasing reverie.</p> + +<p>"Ha, master Henry," she observed to herself; "you are not so deep, but +you let out a secret, now and then. So you are testing me, are you—I +understand."</p> + +<p>As she indulged these thoughts, one by one of the breakfast party +strolled in, and conversation was soon briskly engaged in on the<span class="pagenum"><a name="page_56" id="page_56">[56]</a></span> +bonnets, shawls, and gloves, which they intended wearing, interspersed +by some hints from Caroline, on the agreeable nature of her morning's +<i>tęte-ŕ-tęte</i>. Before the meal was fully concluded, the bells from the +different churches began to ring, but, somehow, they were not in harmony +with the voices of the little party, as, one after another, they took up +the same solemn tune, in different notes, all speaking the same +language, but in such harsh tones, it seemed as if the sisters disliked +them, for they rose up hastily, and hurried off to dress for church.</p> + +<p>Neither did those bells seem to speak less harshly, when they intruded +their voices into the quiet study; yet there was a sadness, too, about +them, when they found Mr. Villars seated there, at his table, surrounded +by books and papers—his inkstand, and letter-drawer, and scraps of his +book—and wearing his dusty coat—and as his pen ran rapidly and +unceasingly across<span class="pagenum"><a name="page_57" id="page_57">[57]</a></span> and across the paper, they seemed to whisper, still +in sadder, sadder tones—</p> + +<div class="centersmallmid"> +<p class="poemsmall"> +"No man can do seven days' work."<br /> +</p> +</div> + +<p>Perhaps he heard that whisper, for he stopped, and listened, and laid +his hand uneasily upon his aching brow; and when he went on again, +trying to shut out their voices, something darker and darker stole upon +his mind, and he stopped and listened again to the same sad +tones—sadder, sadder still—as he heeded them more and more.</p> + +<p>But merrily, merrily, merrily over the hills and green meadows—up from +the busy town, and borne upon the rippling waters of the Avon, came +those bells—when Mabel sat at her garret window, and looked out upon +the small peep of blue sky, which was not shut out by the dark walls and +tall chimney pots,<span class="pagenum"><a name="page_58" id="page_58">[58]</a></span> which surrounded her—and as they fell upon her ear, +they whispered—"We are glad sounds to those who listen for us as you +do"—But back with those bells had her thoughts gone to the student, in +his silent room—and the expression of her face grew more and more sad.</p> + +<p>"I cannot leave him there," she said, to herself; "but what can I say to +him? Oh, is there not enough. I will tell him how he is wasting himself +week after week without rest. I will tell him, that knowledge so +acquired is like the manna of the wilderness, which only turned to +corruption, when gathered on the Sabbath. Yes, surely he will listen to +me, for truth is so plain—I will go now."</p> + +<p>The light of enthusiastic fervour brightened her saddened +countenance—and once again stopping to take sweet counsel with the +bells—she left her room full of strong resolve. But<span class="pagenum"><a name="page_59" id="page_59">[59]</a></span> when she reached +the study door, and laid her hand upon its lock, she paused, +tremblingly. Often had she come before, on the same errand, and as often +had retired, unheard, and disappointed at her own timidity. Now, her +beautiful cheek flushed, and her heart beat so loudly, that she laid her +hand upon it to still its beating; yet trembling, throbbing, uneasy, as +was that heart, it was true to its purpose still.</p> + +<p>She had sat in her garret room for more than an hour that morning, +thinking of what she should say—she had listened to the Sabbath bells, +as one after another they took up the same hallowed tone—and still she +had found no words strong enough and meek enough to speak to him. Yet +had she come.</p> + +<p>Mr. Villars raised his head, as she entered, and, after a quick +greeting, went on with his <span class="pagenum"><a name="page_60" id="page_60">[60]</a></span>writing. Across and across the paper went +the unwearying hand. She stood at the other side of the table, hoping he +would look up and say something—but he still continued writing.</p> + +<p>On went the bells—from the venerable and gray stoned Abbey belfry—from +the good, old-fashioned, little church of Walcot—and, far as the ear +could reach, from the ivy-covered tower on the hill—on they went—and +Mr. Villars continued writing—and Mabel stood irresolute, for all her +eloquence was gone; but, at length, she stammered forth—</p> + +<p>"Uncle, will you come to church?"</p> + +<p>He looked up—her very soul was in those few words—and in the tearful +eyes which seconded her request.</p> + +<p>On went the bells.</p> + +<p>He laid down his pen, and looked at her—but her eyes were fixed upon +the ground.</p> + +<p>"Who is going?" he said, at length, looking more fixedly.</p><p><span class="pagenum"><a name="page_61" id="page_61">[61]</a></span></p> + +<p>"Lucy and I."</p> + +<p>"Very well then, make haste and put on your bonnet, for I hear the +bells."</p> + +<p>He did hear them indeed, for what a clatter they made, one after +another, as if they <i>would</i> be heard.</p> + +<p>Mabel ran away all joyousness—very soon she had her bonnet on, for that +took little time, and then she was down with Lucy—getting her shawl, +and finding her lost gloves, and her prayer-book, and then, all pleasant +bustle, as if she feared he would change his mind, down again to her +uncle's study, ready with the soft brush to smooth his sleek hat.</p> + +<p>And then they were in the street, and taking their way, not to any of +the fashionable places of worship, but down the shady part of the old +town to a little church which seemed to hide itself from view, so small +that the imagination could scarcely wander round its walls, from the +voice of the venerable preacher,<span class="pagenum"><a name="page_62" id="page_62">[62]</a></span> whose simple but well chosen language +brought conviction with it. There too, the white-haired, aged clerk, in +his stiff quaint reading desk, and the twelve old pensioners, nearly as +old as himself. And then so few to listen they could not choose but +hear.</p> + +<p>Mabel felt tremblingly happy, for she had succeeded in her desire to get +her uncle to break his bad habit of remaining shut up on a Sunday. She +saw, too, that he was happier, as they walked home together, though he +often looked, when he met any one he knew, as if he had been committing +some crime. But however that might be, he himself proposed going in the +evening, and gladly did she consent, and when they walked home again +through the lighted streets, talking of what they had heard, alone, for +Lucy was too delicate to venture in the evening air, she felt happy +indeed. And when they reached home again no one was more ready to join +in the conver<span class="pagenum"><a name="page_63" id="page_63">[63]</a></span>sation over the bright fire where the sisters sat, glad to +welcome Hargrave back from his mysterious absence. And Mr. Villars too, +as he went to bed that night, could scarcely understand why he felt such +pleasant fatigue, not that fatigue which makes the very heart ache, and +keep the eyes awake with uneasy watchfulness, but which closes them in +light repose, and bids them open again in cheerful, buoyant hope to the +light of day.</p> + +<p>For many a long week, indeed, he had not welcomed Monday morning so +pleasantly. The sun shone so brightly that the spendthrift might almost +have been excused for being guided by the presence of the ill-fated +swallow. The Spring air was light and warm, and the rich, pink blossom +of the almond supplied the place of leaves and flowers.</p> + +<p>Colonel Hargrave was as gay as the sunshine, as he stood joking with the +little party lingering over the breakfast table.</p><p><span class="pagenum"><a name="page_64" id="page_64">[64]</a></span></p> + +<p>"Pray, ladies," said he, "how do you mean to make the most of this +lovely day?"</p> + +<p>"By keeping you with us, for the first thing," said Caroline.</p> + +<p>"You wicked creature," said her mamma, by way of adding point to the +observation; the object of which, however, remained rigidly indifferent. +Nobody could say he flirted; he withdrew from all approach to such a +thing, with the rapidity of a frightened girl. Mrs. Villars tried to +believe, though against her better judgment, that he was timid, yet he +had received sufficient encouragement to have made a boy propose; but +never by muttered word or tender look had he taken advantage of it, +never had he been betrayed into a <i>tęte-ŕ-tęte</i> walk—never had he +offered Caroline a present which had not a fac-simile in one to each of +her sisters. In short, he was the most impenetrable being possible.</p> + +<p>"Oh, for a ride," said Mabel, "far off into<span class="pagenum"><a name="page_65" id="page_65">[65]</a></span> the country—would it not +be delightful—why do you not go?"</p> + +<p>"The very thing," said Hargrave, "let us take the day while we have it. +You will go, will you not," he said, referring the matter to Caroline.</p> + +<p>She readily agreed, and after a short discussion about the horses, which +he engaged to procure from the livery stables where his own horse was +kept, she went to prepare for the ride, with her sisters, while Hargrave +hurried off, full of sparkling good <a name="humonr" id="humonr"></a><ins title="Original has humonr">humour</ins>.</p> + +<p>Mabel would willingly have joined them, but she had no riding dress, and +she checked the expression of a regret, lest it might damp their +pleasure, little thinking, poor girl, how little they cared for her; and +though she sighed for the air of her own Cotswold hills, she took up her +needle and tried to work cheerfully. But accustomed as she had been, to +the bracing air of Gloucestershire, her health had begun to<span class="pagenum"><a name="page_66" id="page_66">[66]</a></span> vary under +the enervating influence of the Bath air. Added to which, she had lately +endured much fatigue, varied only by the pleasures derived from the +industrious workings of a happy spirit, and she now began to feel, what +she had before only readily sympathized in, the seemingly causeless +depression which weak health so often engenders. For this, however, she +severely reproached herself, for so slow and imperceptible had become +its progress, that, unconscious of bodily weakness, she attributed her +mental depression to a faulty principle. And now she taxed herself, +thinking she must have relaxed the reins of self-government, or she +never could feel so slight a disappointment so acutely, for she felt the +tears starting to her eyes, when her cousins entered, fully equipped. +Caroline and Selina looked overpoweringly charming, in becoming hats of +the very last fashion, and even Maria seemed determined to rival her +sisters, and<span class="pagenum"><a name="page_67" id="page_67">[67]</a></span> partly succeeded, by the air of fun and off-hand +carelessness, which, as she had once explained, never left a person time +to scan her features.</p> + +<p>Presently, in Hargrave hurried, looking pleased, healthy, and doubly +handsome; he could not refrain from complimenting the sisters, but he +had hardly heard their smiling reply, before he perceived Mabel sitting +by the window, and struggling to look indifferent.</p> + +<p>"What!" said he, in a tone of pique, "are you not ready, Miss Lesly—was +not the ride your own proposition?"</p> + +<p>Mabel never knew how very easy it was to cry before, but with affected +calmness she replied, as she tried to smile—</p> + +<p>"I would willingly have accompanied you, but I have neither hat nor +habit."</p> + +<p>He looked at her for an instant, half angrily, but there was something +so constrained in her smile, that it led him, for the first time, to +observe that the color was waning on her cheek,<span class="pagenum"><a name="page_68" id="page_68">[68]</a></span> and he looked earnestly +at her as she hastily laid down her work and left the room.</p> + +<p>"Selina," he said, gravely, for it was evident that something vexed him, +"you said one day that you had two habits—cannot you lend her one?"</p> + +<p>"It is so shabby that I did not like to offer it, and now it is too +late—I am very sorry I did not think of it, but it is too late now you +know," she said, seeing the gathering storm on Caroline's lowering brow. +"We are keeping the horses waiting, come along," she added, hurrying to +the door, "do come."</p> + +<p>Hargrave quietly seated himself.</p> + +<p>"I am not coming," he said, "I cannot go and leave that poor pale girl, +at home."</p> + +<p>"Oh, there are Lucy, and papa, and mamma," cried Maria, "I will ask +mamma to take her to the Pump-room."</p> + +<p>"Lucy never rides now," said Hargrave, "or we would not consent to leave +her at<span class="pagenum"><a name="page_69" id="page_69">[69]</a></span> home, either. The Pump-room on such a day as this—it makes my +head ache to think of it." So saying, he threw down his gloves and whip, +laid aside his hat, and took up the paper.</p> + +<p>The party were at a stand still. Hargrave looked seriously annoyed, and +Caroline verging upon a storm.</p> + +<p>"What shall I do?" said Selina, in a perplexed tone, looking from one to +the other.</p> + +<p>"Go and find your habit," said Hargrave.</p> + +<p>"But it is so shabby," she said, looking fearfully at Caroline.</p> + +<p>"You know Miss Lesly is above such trifles, besides, she can decide +that."</p> + +<p>"But there is no hat."</p> + +<p>"There is one hanging up in the hall that looks like a lady's hat, for +it has strings, try that."</p> + +<p>"That old thing, covered with dust?"</p> + +<p>"I dare say she will put up with it, if you<span class="pagenum"><a name="page_70" id="page_70">[70]</a></span> will only find it, if not I +am afraid we must stay at home."</p> + +<p>"What shall I do?" she whispered to Caroline, in a trembling voice.</p> + +<p>"Do as you like," she retorted, angrily, and aloud, as she turned to the +window.</p> + +<p>"Do come," said Selina, turning again to Hargrave, "Caroline never likes +waiting with her hat on, it makes her head ache."</p> + +<p>"I am sorry to hear it," replied the inexorable Hargrave, without +moving.</p> + +<p>"Well, here's a fix, all about nothing," cried Maria.</p> + +<p>"I am sorry you think so," said Hargrave.</p> + +<p>"Come, come, do not look like a methodist parson, while we are wasting +all the sunshine. I have half a mind to gallop off by myself, and make +the neighbours stare. Come, Selina, do go and get your habit, for I see +Henry is determined to make Mabel a Guy—for the old<span class="pagenum"><a name="page_71" id="page_71">[71]</a></span> hat is only fit +for a bonfire. I did intend being charitable with it, on the last fifth +of November, but I forgot it luckily."</p> + +<p>Thus urged, Selina at length retreated to find her habit, which, when +produced, was found to be in very good condition. But Maria's +description of the hat had been more truthful, for the dust of repeated +house-cleanings seemed to have settled on its unlucky beaver; and Maria, +having climbed up to reach it from its peg in the hall, threw it down in +disgust, raising a cloud of dust which threatened to soil her new habit.</p> + +<p>Hargrave, however, who was now entirely restored to good humour, seized +it as it fell, and began brushing it with great vigour.</p> + +<p>As he did so, the door bell rang, and, before he had time to retreat, +Mr. Stokes entered, whip in hand.</p> + +<p>"Just in time, I hope, Colonel," he cried, "if I may be allowed to join +your party—a<span class="pagenum"><a name="page_72" id="page_72">[72]</a></span> ride—why it is the very thing—I see four side-saddles, +and I am sure you cannot monopolise four ladies—may I go?"</p> + +<p>Hargrave being in a compliant mood, replied gaily—</p> + +<p>"You are welcome, I am sure—for I shall be glad to be relieved of half +the burden. Ladies are troublesome creatures—particularly this one. +Here, Maria, the hat will not hurt you now—run off with it—and try and +persuade Miss Lesly to wear it, if you can."</p> + +<p>"It has raised dust enough to make you doubt it, certainly," she +replied, running gaily up-stairs, with her habit tucked over her arm.</p> + +<p>There was some little difficulty to find Mabel, however, for she was +gone to her own room, and no one was anxious to climb up to the top of +the house to fetch her. At length, however, by dint of loud calls at the +bottom of the stairs, she was made to know she was wanted.</p><p><span class="pagenum"><a name="page_73" id="page_73">[73]</a></span></p> + +<p>When, by this means, she was brought down, she could hardly understand +the combined movement which had so soon produced all that was required +for her enjoyment of the ride—but putting on the habit as quickly as +she could, and tying her black veil on the old hat, she hastened, +without much question, to gratify the sisters, who scarcely allowed her +time to snatch up her gloves, and tie on her hat, before they hurried +her down stairs.</p> + +<p>Maria could not check her desire to prevent her studying her appearance, +since that might render her so much more charming in the eyes of her +esquire—but she excused herself by thinking that she might get plenty +of admirers without taking Mr. Stokes. Could she have guessed the powers +of her own fascinations on his heart, Mabel might have aided her—but as +she did not—nothing destroyed the faultless grace of her easy +movements, which made everything suit her—however<span class="pagenum"><a name="page_74" id="page_74">[74]</a></span> unlikely it +seemed—and the look of pleasure and gratitude with which she regarded +the party, was quite sufficient to nullify the foil of an ill-fitting +habit, and a dust-worn and tumbled hat.</p> + +<p>"Thank you," said Hargrave, as he passed her, to hand Caroline and +Selina down.</p> + +<p>And Mr. Stokes could scarcely withdraw his eyes from her, as he walked +by her side to the hall, not talkative, as usual, but in silent +observation.</p> + +<p>"Now," said Hargrave, as the horses drew up, "I have only been able to +hire three gentle horses. This beautiful creature is high-spirited, and +very difficult to manage," he said, laying his hand on the neck of one +of the horses, as he pawed the ground, in rather a threatening manner; +"but I thought that you would not mind him, Caroline—for you care for +nothing in horse-flesh."</p><p><span class="pagenum"><a name="page_75" id="page_75">[75]</a></span></p> + +<p>Caroline, however, was perverse, and chose that day to be timid. Indeed, +the idea of Mabel's sly rivalry, as she called it, haunted her like a +phantom—and she thought it certain, that if one staid behind, it would +be she, so that she insisted on choosing the very quietest horse. Maria +was already mounted by Mr. Stokes, whose services she had demanded—and +Selina was always timid.</p> + +<p>Hargrave bit his lip.</p> + +<p>"Oh, I am not in the least frightened," said Mabel; "I never am timid."</p> + +<p>"But you have not been on horseback so long," suggested Hargrave.</p> + +<p>"No—but never mind me."</p> + +<p>And before he had time to argue further, she had accepted Mr. Stokes's +hand, and sprang lightly to her saddle.</p> + +<p>"Well," said Hargrave, "it does not much signify—for I promised the man +that I would hold one of his bridles."</p><p><span class="pagenum"><a name="page_76" id="page_76">[76]</a></span></p> + +<p>Caroline no sooner perceived, that by her wish to disoblige her cousin, +she had robbed herself of his constant attention during the ride, than +she repented—and saying, that she knew she was very frightened, offered +to change places with her—but it was too late—for Mabel, with +guileless heart, did not see the hidden motive, and persisted on keeping +her horse; and Caroline had nothing to do but to mount her own, and rue +her perverseness.</p> + +<p>How provoking to see him carefully adjust the reins, and placing one in +Mabel's hand, take the other over his arm, looking, as he did it, so +manly and handsome. Even Selina's constant smiles provoked her, when she +saw her by her side, and knew that even Maria was better off, riding +with Mr. Stokes behind, while she looked only like a chaperone to the +party.</p> + +<p>To Mabel, the feeling that she was again on<span class="pagenum"><a name="page_77" id="page_77">[77]</a></span> horseback, afforded exquisite +pleasure. The hysterical sensation had passed, leaving her only more +sensitive to the pleasure which followed it, and her spirits rose with a +buoyancy and lightness, which, for many months, had been strangers to +her; she did not stop to analyse the various causes which contributed to +her light-heartedness, while the air she breathed—the noble animal she +rode—the blue sky—and the sparkling sun-light—everything around her +seemed to reflect the gladdened likeness of her own thoughts. She seemed +again the light-hearted being, whose gay smile and merry laugh had +carried joy wherever they went—before clouds of sadness and trial had +darkened her life's dream of happiness.</p> + +<p>The veil which had been thrown over her beauty by the withering hand of +grief, was, for awhile, withdrawn, and her eyes sparkled with dazzling +brilliancy, brighter, far brighter, even<span class="pagenum"><a name="page_78" id="page_78">[78]</a></span> than in days gone by, as she +turned them on her companion, who was riding by her side in embarrassed +silence, watching the fiery eye, or impatient toss of her steed, to +which she seemed indifferent.</p> + +<p>They had now left the town behind them, wrapped in its shadowy mist, and +had entered on the country so peculiarly beautiful, in its vicinity.</p> + +<p>"And is it to you that I owe this exquisite treat?" she enquired, +checking the rapid canter into which they had broken, on perceiving how +really apprehensive he appeared.</p> + +<p>"I believe you owe it more to yourself," he replied, shaking off his +embarrassed air; "since they all declared you would not wear that old +hat."</p> + +<p>"Then I owe it to your superior discrimination, that you knew I did not +care for such <span class="pagenum"><a name="page_79" id="page_79">[79]</a></span>a trifle, in comparison with a ride. It reminds me of +old, happy old times—and I feel like a new being."</p> + +<p>"Ah, I used, in my old days of lofty aspiration, to look on good temper +as the virtue of second rate characters, and I believed that great minds +must be fickle and changeable."</p> + +<p>"And if you have altered your opinion, why do you not practise your new +doctrine?" she said, archly.</p> + +<p>"You allude to my getting out of temper at dinner on Saturday; but then +you must own I instantly recovered myself."</p> + +<p>"I do not mean then only; but I often see the flash which denotes the +inward storm, though no thunder follows."</p> + +<p>"What, am I to sit unmoved, and hear the best motives +misjudged—self-devotion ridiculed—the mourner made to feel all the +bitterness of grief—and the orphan without a friend?"</p><p><span class="pagenum"><a name="page_80" id="page_80">[80]</a></span></p> + +<p>"If you speak of me," replied his companion, with a gay smile, "do not +forget that I have some friends left still; but if I had none, no +champion of mine should use the weapons I would not wield myself; and, +remember, I can change my position when I like."</p> + +<p>"How?"</p> + +<p>"By changing dependence, if it be so—but I do not like to call it +that—for independence."</p> + +<p>And she leant forward, and patted her horse's impatient head, with a +look of childish unconcern.</p> + +<p>"Then how can you remain here if you have the power to leave?"</p> + +<p>"You will think me vain if I tell you," she said, carefully smoothing +back the mane, which would get on the wrong side.</p> + +<p>"No, no—tell me why? for you make me curious."</p><p><span class="pagenum"><a name="page_81" id="page_81">[81]</a></span></p> + +<p>"Well, then—I hoped Lucy had some real affection for me—and I thought +I might influence her, as I hope I have done—and I was deeply +interested in my uncle—for he has been so kind to me—and I like him so +much. Besides, had I any right, without good cause, to cast off my +aunt's protection, since it was a pledge which she had given to my dear +mother. No, I should have had no right to do that, at first—and I could +not, had I wished to do it—for I had not spirit then to leave the +refuge of the lowest hovel, had it given me shelter. There were many +discomforts here, which were yet preferable to being so entirely +unprotected, as I soon shall be—we women shrink from the idea of being +our own protectors. But I cannot stay much longer where I am +unwelcome—a few more thoughts for Lucy—a few more efforts to make them +all love me, and then I think I shall go."</p> + +<p>"But where will you go?"</p><p><span class="pagenum"><a name="page_82" id="page_82">[82]</a></span></p> + +<p>"Oh, I have thought of that. There is a school friend of mine—a very +dear friend, too, though I have not seen her for many years—she is now, +poor thing, a widow—and, young as she is, has a family of six children, +almost unprovided for, while she herself is in weak health. Now, I am +thinking of offering to go, and live with her, and take charge of her +children's education; for, you must know, that my aunt has more than six +hundred pounds, which belong to me, the interest of which will furnish +all I need, and enable me to do without a salary."</p> + +<p>"Your aunt has your money, you say—how is that?"</p> + +<p>"Why, mamma lent it to her, at different times, when she so warmly +promised a home for us; but then, unfortunately, my dear mamma lost the +written promise to repay it, which she had for the money; but then, that +makes no difference between relations—a debt<span class="pagenum"><a name="page_83" id="page_83">[83]</a></span> of honor must be binding; +only I am uncomfortable about asking for the money, as my aunt would +find it difficult to get such a large sum, I fear. And this is another +reason which has kept me so passive."</p> + +<p>"You were not once so unsuspicious," said Hargrave, "as to think a debt +of honor as good as a security."</p> + +<p>"No; but then I had those to care for who made me feel as cautious as a +man. Once more, I am a weak woman. But what do you think of my plan?"</p> + +<p>"I think it a very good one, if you can get your money, but private +security is always bad, and you have not even that. Do you consider to +what a life you are dooming yourself."</p> + +<p>"Not so bad as thousands, for, remember, I shall confer, as well as +receive a benefit, for my friend cannot afford a governess, and is too +<a name="ununwell" id="ununwell"></a><ins title="Original has ununwell">unwell</ins> to educate her children herself. So I shall place her under a +slight obligation."</p><p><span class="pagenum"><a name="page_84" id="page_84">[84]</a></span></p> + +<p>"And doom yourself to a life of drudgery."</p> + +<p>"Be quiet," said she, raising her whip playfully, "you ought to +inspirit, and not discourage me—you should speak of the advantages of +such a situation, of the influence it affords—of, in short, any thing +but what you are talking of."</p> + +<p>"You are a strange girl, Mabel," he said, looking steadily down upon her +glowing face, "were I you, I should be rebelling, proud, or grovelling +in despair."</p> + +<p>"I am afraid you might."</p> + +<p>"Why do you think so," he returned, in a tone of pique; "have you +charity for all, and none for me?"</p> + +<p>"Because," said she, almost sadly, "I should be so, if, like you, I +trusted solely to my own strength."</p> + +<p>He was silent for a few minutes, and then he said, thoughtfully.</p> + +<p>"I am afraid there is no one like you."</p><p><span class="pagenum"><a name="page_85" id="page_85">[85]</a></span></p> + +<p>"Yes, thousands, who have shewn in the world far more brilliant examples +of the truth of what I believe, who have died unheeded and unrewarded on +earth."</p> + +<p>They were here interrupted by Caroline, who trotted up to them, leaving +poor Selina by herself.</p> + +<p>"I wish," she said to Mabel, "you would let me have a canter on that +horse; mine is such a stupid animal."</p> + +<p>Mabel looked puzzled.</p> + +<p>"How dull you are," said Caroline, in a voice which she believed only +reached her ear. "Cannot you see that Henry wanted a <i>tęte-ŕ-tęte</i> with +me; did he not say as much, though I was not going to let him have me +whenever he liked."</p> + +<p>"Yes, that was true," thought Mabel, "he had said he meant the horse for +her, and for how long after had he been sad and thoughtful." She felt a +choking sensation of pain, "had she<span class="pagenum"><a name="page_86" id="page_86">[86]</a></span> then so thoughtlessly been keeping +them asunder, while she only talked of her own affairs. Were not these +almost the only kind words he had addressed to her, since she had +entered the house—how wrong she had been to prize them so highly." As +these quick thoughts passed through her mind, withering as they did the +effects of the glad sunshine which had preceded them, she turned her +eyes timidly and almost apologetically to Hargrave. There was a look of +deep seated annoyance on his face. "Ah, he thinks I shall still refuse +to take the hint"—she thought—and laying her hand lightly on the +pommel, she quickly disengaged herself from the saddle, and jumped down +before Hargrave had time to prevent her.</p> + +<p>"Now then," cried Caroline, in delight; "come Henry and help me to +mount."</p> + +<p>Hargrave descended as slowly as possible, and, as sulkily as he well +could, gave his assistance to both, then slowly mounting his<span class="pagenum"><a name="page_87" id="page_87">[87]</a></span> own steed, +he took the bridle and rode on in silence.</p> + +<p>In vain Caroline tried to get something beyond a monosyllable—she was +quite unsuccessful; Hargrave fenced himself in one of his most bearish +humours, and, when they entered the town again, he called to Mr. Stokes, +and begged him to take the rein he held, and take every charge of Miss +Villars; and when he found him nothing loath to shew his horsemanship, +he politely gave up his place by his fair cousin's side, and, turning +his horse's head, urged him back again. At first the horse was +obstinate, and would not part company so easily; but Hargrave tried the +power of his spurs, with more success than he had done that of his whip, +and they started off at a furious gallop, and were soon out of sight.</p><hr class="chap" /><p><span class="pagenum"><a name="page_88" id="page_88">[88]</a></span></p> + + + + +<h2><a name="chapter_iv" id="chapter_iv">CHAPTER IV.</a></h2> +<div class="centersmallwithsig"> +<p class="poemsmall"> +She whispered to revenge—forgive, forgive. +</p> +</div> +<p class="poemsig smcap"><a name="pollock" id="pollock"></a><ins title="Original has Pollock">Pollok</ins>.</p> + + +<p>While the riding party was so occupied, Lucy walked alone to the Circus, +and as, on her way thither, she passed some well-known shop or house, +she could not help wondering to herself how very long it seemed since +that foggy morning after her first meeting with Beauclerc,<span class="pagenum"><a name="page_89" id="page_89">[89]</a></span> when, with +glowing fancy and light steps, she had hastened to her friend Millie +Foster, in order that she might have the pleasure of describing him. +Since that meeting, their acquaintance had tacitly dropped, Miss Foster +had never sought her, and Lucy was not sorry to avoid a friend, who +seemed likely to prove too officious an adviser. She being rather +inclined to agree with the Scotch damsel who says:—</p> + +<div class="centersmallmid"> +<p class="poemsmall"> +I'll gie ye my bonny black hen<br /> +If ye will advise me to marry<br /> +The lad I lo'e dearly, Tam Glen.<br /> +</p> +</div> + +<p>Often now, as she walked, she paused, for she was weary, and very, very +changed; and pale was the cheek that had then been so bright and +glowing. Often her spirits failed, and she seemed inclined to turn back, +and urge to herself her aching limbs as an excuse for her<span class="pagenum"><a name="page_90" id="page_90">[90]</a></span> failing +purpose. Her airy form dragged rather than tripped over the ground; yet +still she went on.</p> + +<p>As she was thus proceeding, with her eyes bent upon the ground, fearing, +that, if she raised them, some unwelcome acquaintance might recognise +her as the lady with the married lover, some one knocked slightly +against her—they both stopped to apologise.</p> + +<p>It was Beauclerc.</p> + +<p>He looked timidly, as if he would enquire for her if he dared.</p> + +<p>"Give me your arm up this hill," said Lucy, with gentle calmness. "I am +tired and faint."</p> + +<p>He offered it instantly, though rather surprised, and she saw that he +was pale and thoughtful.</p> + +<p>"I am going," she said, quietly, "to see what I can do for you; but I +can do little, and you can do much. Give me an hour by your<span class="pagenum"><a name="page_91" id="page_91">[91]</a></span> watch to be +alone with her—then force your way in—this is all I can do. Good-bye. +You can wait in the Circus."</p> + +<p>She took her hand from his arm; he made no reply; but the look of +remorse which met hers, spoke more than words could do.</p> + +<p>Lucy went on with a quicker step, and did not again stop till she +reached the well-known door, and then she hastily rang.</p> + +<p>The old butler made his appearance as usual, but looked vexed to see +her.</p> + +<p>"Is your mistress at home? and can I see her?" said Lucy.</p> + +<p>"She is at home, ma'am; but she has been very ill, and I do not think +she will be able to see you."</p> + +<p>"She will not see me, you mean; but I must go to her. Good Geoffry, tell +me where she is," she said, passing him quickly.</p> + +<p>"Not with bad news, as you came before," said the old man.</p><p><span class="pagenum"><a name="page_92" id="page_92">[92]</a></span></p> + +<p>"No, no, no—only let me go to her," she cried, with the impetuosity of +a spoilt child.</p> + +<p>"You will find her in her own room, ma'am; be careful, whatever you do, +for she is very poorly."</p> + +<p>"Where is your master then?"</p> + +<p>"He is gone to London on business, ma'am; but he will be back to-morrow, +I hope."</p> + +<p>"Show me to her room—no, stay, I will go alone."</p> + +<p>She passed him, and ran quickly up-stairs, and stopped at the door she +well knew, and tapped gently.</p> + +<p>A moment's pause succeeded, and then a slow and reluctant permission to +enter was given; and she opened the door, and paused, for an instant, on +its threshold.</p> + +<p>In the lonely and darkly hung chamber, which was mostly ornamented by +heavy bookcases and frowning pictures, sat the once happy wife. Her +white hand, as it rested on the volume, which,<span class="pagenum"><a name="page_93" id="page_93">[93]</a></span> with many others, lay +before her, was thin and attenuated, and though there was not a trace of +tears on her cheek, or in the dark beauty of her eye, yet that cheek was +pale and sunken, and the eye was hollow and heavy, while the heavy +tresses of her raven hair seemed to oppress the head, which she was +resting on her other hand, as she read.</p> + +<p>When Lucy appeared, she raised her head, glanced at her, for an instant, +and then resumed her reading.</p> + +<p>"Do not turn away from me," said Lucy, advancing, "nay, you dare not, +for you have used me ill. It is I, not you, who should be angry."</p> + +<p>Millie looked at her in haughty surprise; but the speech had had its +effect—she was roused.</p> + +<p>"I injure you," she said, contemptuously, "I may have suffered the moth +to take its wanton flight after one attempt to warn it; but<span class="pagenum"><a name="page_94" id="page_94">[94]</a></span> I certainly +did not hold the fire to its wings."</p> + +<p>"But if you would not stretch out your hand to save that moth when you +could, you have done wrong. You are infinitely more clever than I am; +but a child knows right from wrong—and I tell you that you were +wrong—yes, very, very wrong."</p> + +<p>They say a child's questions can pose the learned—certainly the words +of a dissipated but repentant girl puzzled the intellectual Millie, who +had encircled herself with the stern barriers of injured virtue, and had +been contented.</p> + +<p>"Yes, you were wrong," repeated Lucy, gathering strength and courage as +she spoke, "for a few thoughtless, wilful words of mine, for the sake of +your own rash vow to expose me to the ridicule, which none dread more +than yourself, you have made me the laughing stock of an idle town—you +have brought scandal on the head of him you have vowed to<span class="pagenum"><a name="page_95" id="page_95">[95]</a></span> honor—and +you have perilled my happiness, and my honor, as a woman ought not to +peril that of her worst enemy, much less one whom she once called +friend."</p> + +<p>"I?" said Millie.</p> + +<p>"Yes; when you refused to speak the one word which would have opened my +eyes, you did all this. And yet you dare to look upon me as upon some +foul thing which your delicate eyes must turn from with disgust and +loathing—but it shall not be. I dare you to speak your thoughts. I tell +you, that wild butterfly of the ball-room, as I have been—the plaything +of an hour—I dare to stand before you, and to say that I would hide my +face for shame, had I exposed another, body and soul, as you have +exposed me."</p> + +<p>As she stood, with the glow of indignation on her face, a film seemed to +fall from Millie's eyes, and, laying <a name="hear" id="hear"></a><ins title="Original has hear">her</ins> head upon the table, she +groaned aloud. Lucy's first impulse was to<span class="pagenum"><a name="page_96" id="page_96">[96]</a></span> rush to her, but she +remembered the look of anguish which Beauclerc shewed when they parted, +and she restrained herself, remaining impatiently watching the large +tears which found their way through her thin fingers.</p> + +<p>"I have wronged you, Lucy," said Millie, sobbing, as she raised her +head, and glanced timidly at her; "forgive me."</p> + +<p>"Sacred things," returned her companion, "seem profaned by such +thoughtless lips as mine, but I have heard that there is a law, and no +earthly one, which says, 'forgive, or never be forgiven.'"</p> + +<p>"Forgive me, then," said Millie. "Oh, you do not know how I loved, and +what I suffered—how my spirits have been wrung and agonised—how, day +after day, have I sat here and thought, till, in the anguish of my +heart, I believed my senses had forsaken me."</p> + +<p>"And did you never feel all this time," said Lucy, steadily, "that you +too had done something wrong."</p><p><span class="pagenum"><a name="page_97" id="page_97">[97]</a></span></p> + +<p>"Not till this moment," replied Millie, her tears now flowing unchecked; +and Lucy, as she watched them, almost wondered to see how they softened +her features, and turned them all womanly again.</p> + +<p>"Till now," she continued, "I believed myself injured, and supporting my +injury with the dignity of a Roman matron; but I had not forgiven, no, +not in my inmost thoughts. I believed it to be beyond all necessity."</p> + +<p>"Did you never remember that he was alone, and in prison, reaping the +bitter fruits of deceit?"</p> + +<p>"I did; but he deserved that, and more."</p> + +<p>"I have heard," said Lucy, meekly, "that we have no right to judge, and +that nothing but mercy and forgiveness suits us fallen creatures. But +more; did you never think that when those prison horrors were over, +prosperity and wealth succeeded. Did you not know<span class="pagenum"><a name="page_98" id="page_98">[98]</a></span> that you were +supremely loved still? Did you not know the power your intellect gave +you to direct his aright? You did; and yet you left him to the flattery +of such foolish admiration as mine."</p> + +<p>"Spare me, oh, spare me," said Millie; wringing her hands, "why do you +torment me so?"</p> + +<p>"Oh, Millie," Lucy replied, hurrying to her, and kneeling by her side, +taking her hand in hers, and looking up entreatingly. "I don't know how +I have had the courage to talk as I have done, but it was to make you +forgive him. Oh, do Millie. You know he never admired me, he only wished +to make me his friend, to reconcile you, for you would not even take in +his letters, and what was he to do, unless he forced you back, as you +know he has a right, but he wants you to come willingly."</p> + +<p>At this moment the clock struck, and Lucy continued even more +earnestly.</p><p><span class="pagenum"><a name="page_99" id="page_99">[99]</a></span></p> + +<p>"For my sake, for his, for yours; for, look how pale and ill you are, +and I know you love him, and he is so unhappy."</p> + +<p>All this was hurriedly spoken, almost in a breath, for she heard a +footstep upon the stair—it came nearer, they both looked to the door, +it opened, and Beauclerc entered. Another moment, and he had lifted his +weeping wife in his arms, blessing Lucy as he did so.</p> + +<p>She waited but one minute longer—to see them together, and then she +left them, and ran down stairs. The old butler was waiting anxiously.</p> + +<p>"All is well," she said, as she flitted past him. He was going to ask +further, but she was gone down the hill, and across the streets, and +home, before she stopped to think, and then she went to the garret +chamber to seek for Mabel. She found her sitting on her travelling +trunk—with her habit on, but her hat laid at her side—thinking sadly, +and<span class="pagenum"><a name="page_100" id="page_100">[100]</a></span> seriously; but when she saw her, she looked up with ready interest.</p> + +<p>"I have said all you told me, and something more," said Lucy, flinging +her bonnet down, seating herself on the floor, and laying her head by +her side, upon the box.</p> + +<p>"Well, and what success did you meet with, my sweet Lucy?"</p> + +<p>"Oh, it is all right between them now, for I met him going there, and +told him to meet me when I had been with her one hour. He did, and so I +am sure I left them happy."</p> + +<p>"And are you not more happy yourself, dear Lucy?"</p> + +<p>"Yes, I think I am—I hardly know—yes, I believe I am; but I am a new +traveller in your track," she said, looking up with a smile.</p> + +<p>"And every step is hard to take—I know<span class="pagenum"><a name="page_101" id="page_101">[101]</a></span> it, darling, I know it," Mabel +said, fondly smoothing the entangled ringlets of her light brown hair; +"but you will go on—I know you will, for it leads to happiness at +last."</p><hr class="chap" /><p><span class="pagenum"><a name="page_102" id="page_102">[102]</a></span></p> + + + + +<h2><a name="chapter_v" id="chapter_v">CHAPTER V</a></h2> +<div class="centersmallwithsig"> +<p class="poemsmall"> +O, envy! hide thy bosom, hide it deep:<br /> +A thousand snakes, with black envenomed mouths,<br /> +Rest there, and hiss, and feed through all thy heart!<br /> +</p> +</div> +<p class="poemsig smcap">Pollok.</p> + + +<p>Caroline had no sooner returned from the ride, which had been to her +full of disappointment, than she went to her mother, and begged her to +find a remedy for, what she termed, their dependent's insolence. Mrs. +Villars attempted, but in vain, to parry her<span class="pagenum"><a name="page_103" id="page_103">[103]</a></span> angry threats—for +Caroline was a stranger to the early discipline, which makes a person +submit to what is right, for right's sake—and her mother's doctrine of +expediency was too deeply engrafted in her disposition, to allow of her +adopting any other rule of conduct. Why she imagined that her cousin +stood in her way, she scarcely knew herself, except that she felt by +instinct, that there was a superiority about her, which placed herself +in a lower position. She had never, either, forgiven her resistance of +her first attempts to humble her to what she deemed her fit position in +the family—and though she had since abstained from any such open +attack, her anger had not been the less strong, because it smouldered in +silence.</p> + +<p>She was conscious that she appeared to less advantage in contrast to +Mabel, and she now resolved to remove her. This she boldly declared to +her mother, in violent terms, re<span class="pagenum"><a name="page_104" id="page_104">[104]</a></span>fusing to listen to any excuses, for, +what she termed, her bold behaviour—and the latter saw, with horror, +that she had raised, in her own family, by careful culture, a power of +evil, which was urging her still further in the path of sin and fraud.</p> + +<p>To do her justice, she never began with the intention of doing +wrong—she always believed herself led on by circumstances, and +compelled by expediency. The remembrance of purer thoughts, shared with +her more romantic sister, rose to check her at every step, though seldom +strong enough to restrain her altogether.</p> + +<p>But it was not so with her daughter—she had no such hallowed nursery +recollections—she had often heard her mother's praises of her beauty, +but never her prayers for her purity—and, with strong, unrelenting +terms, she demanded, what her mother wished, but feared to do?</p><p><span class="pagenum"><a name="page_105" id="page_105">[105]</a></span></p> + +<p>Mrs. Villars was afraid to refuse, and yet did not know how to gratify +her—for how could she send Mabel away without repaying her money? She +felt she could not dare to tell her husband, that she had spent such a +sum in trifles, which she had now forgotten, or, in the purchase of +fashions, which had long grown old; she did not even dare to tell +Caroline, that she had been guilty of such meanness. It was impossible +to decide; and anxious to gain time, she dismissed her daughter with +promises and caresses, hoping to discover some method of evading the +annoyances which menaced her.</p> + +<p>But as time passed on, they only thickened round her—while Caroline +became daily more impatient of delay.</p> + +<p>From the first day of his introduction to Mabel, Mr. Stokes never +appeared to lose sight of her—the slightest chance of meeting was +sufficient to bring him to the most un<span class="pagenum"><a name="page_106" id="page_106">[106]</a></span>likely places; and Maria was too +shrewd to be ignorant of the nature of his attentions—for there was too +much seriousness about them to be easily mistaken, and she watched his +movements with bitterness.</p> + +<p>Caroline no sooner perceived this, than she hastened to sympathise with +her, with more warmth than she had ever before displayed; while she +still further fired her jealousy, by artful remarks upon Mabel's beauty +and prudery, two qualities which Maria had never possessed, and led her, +with little difficulty, to join in begging their mother to get rid of +her as soon as possible.</p> + +<p>Indeed, with some shew of reason, for spite of every drawback, furnished +by circumstances, they, little knowing the one sorrow of her heart, +imagined her at the height of her triumph, and secretly rejoicing over +them.</p> + +<p>Clair still continued to seek her society—and she, perceiving, at once, +from the frank<span class="pagenum"><a name="page_107" id="page_107">[107]</a></span>ness of his manner, that they met on different terms, +rather encouraged his visits—for, in her close attendance upon Lucy, +she believed that she perceived a secret regard for him, mingling with +all her actions and feelings, forming a part even of her very errors. +Much then as she had lately learnt to esteem Clair, she could not help +cherishing the hope, that the altered girl might find in him a supporter +in her new ideas of life, while she, with all the grace which had +charmed his laughing hours, might, in his graver moments, become now a +fit companion.</p> + +<p>With these thoughts, though she felt the indelicacy of forwarding such a +scheme by any direct means, she encouraged his intimacy with the family, +that he might have an opportunity of judging for himself of the +alteration which had taken place in Lucy's character.</p> + +<p>This required but very little coloring, to be<span class="pagenum"><a name="page_108" id="page_108">[108]</a></span> set down as coquetry; but +when accused of it, she only laughed, and told them to wait, and see.</p> + +<p>Nor was this all. Mr. Morley, who seemed to haunt his nephew, like his +shadow, sometimes condescended to bestow some marks of high favor on +Mabel, and as Mrs. Villars seldom acted herself without some covert +motive, she easily believed that the pleasure with which Mabel received +those transitory attentions, was rather caused by her hopes of eventual +advantage; for as Hargrave had said, that a large landed property still +remained, and as he had no children, the question of what was to become +of it at his death, might be one which she was answering to her own +satisfaction.</p> + +<p>Still the money difficulty remained strong as ever, and made her evade +all the schemes of her two daughters, till she perceived that her niece +was gaining ground in the favor of all<span class="pagenum"><a name="page_109" id="page_109">[109]</a></span> around her; and, though unaware +of it herself, was becoming the great attraction of the house. This was +an evil which must be checked, and she thought again and again, till, at +length, an idea occurred to her, which, though she, at first, rejected, +she finally adopted, reasoning with herself, that the interests of her +dear children required every sacrifice.</p> + +<p>One other difficulty also remained in the affection of Mr. Villars, +which rendered him deaf to every insinuation against her—indeed, on the +contrary, he remarked, with pleasure, her returning animation of +spirits, and took every opportunity of introducing her—thus helping her +popularity, to his wife's great annoyance.</p> + +<p>To gain her husband, therefore, became a point of importance, as she +wished to remove Mabel, at least, with an appearance of kindness; and +after many a struggle with her better-self, she resolved to make a +bolder<span class="pagenum"><a name="page_110" id="page_110">[110]</a></span> attempt, and, +<a name="chosing" id="chosing"></a><ins title="Original has chosing">choosing</ins> one wet afternoon, she went down to the +library, to settle some money matters. Mr Villars, too glad to bring his +wife to anything so steady as accounts, which she generally avoided, +willingly gave her his attention, though to do so, he had to lay down a +page of his book, and forget a brilliant idea.</p> + +<p>She did not, however, give very much time to figures, and soon managed +to enter upon her real business; and when she closed the book, over +which they had been looking, she said, with one of her sweetest looks, +and she really did look well when she liked—</p> + +<p>"My dear, I wish to talk to you about something which is very much on my +mind."</p> + +<p>"Well, my dear, say anything you like, I have plenty of time."</p> + +<p>"You know, then, how kind and good you have been to me in allowing me to +bring my niece here—I do assure you I have felt it<span class="pagenum"><a name="page_111" id="page_111">[111]</a></span> deeply, though I +have never said anything about it before, it was so like you. Well, now +I think it is time to carry out my original intention, and relieve you +of the burden, by providing for her in some way. Now, I was thinking if +I could get her a place as companion or governess, what an excellent +thing it would be for her."</p> + +<p>"My love," said her husband, "make yourself perfectly easy; your niece +is no burden to me; she is perfectly welcome here, as long as she needs +a home—and with regard to her pocket-money, let her fare as the other +girls do."</p> + +<p>Here, thinking he had settled the matter to the perfect satisfaction of +all parties, he took up his book.</p> + +<p>"But, my dear," began his wife, and he laid it down again, "consider how +unjustly this would be acting; to lead her on with false hopes, when, +eventually, she must be unpro<span class="pagenum"><a name="page_112" id="page_112">[112]</a></span>vided for. How much better to inure her to +work when she is young. Indeed, her dear mother entreated me to see to +it, and how can I neglect her wishes?"</p> + +<p>"Depend upon it, Caroline, your sister would, when thinking of her +orphan child, gladly have exchanged a life of hardships, for one of +comfort and repose. Why did you not assure her that I would take care of +her?—you know I am neither parsimonious nor poor."</p> + +<p>"Ah! but, indeed, I should be more satisfied if I did as I promised."</p> + +<p>"You would wrong yourself and me—do not think of it."</p> + +<p>"But you must see what a drawback she is to our daughters settling; and, +really, for their sakes, poor things, it is to be thought of. I am +getting quite anxious about them, having all four out together, and she +makes a fifth. Not that I mean, for an instant, to say that she is more +beautiful, or has a better figure, or<span class="pagenum"><a name="page_113" id="page_113">[113]</a></span> does anything better than they +do; for her voice wants a good deal <a name="ot" id="ot"></a><ins title="Original has ot">of</ins> tuition—but she has an artful +way of doing things, which makes her get on, and persuades every one to +like her; why, the very servants would rather do anything for her, than +any one else. And, only think of her mock modesty, pretending not to +care how she looked, and attracting more attention all the time, when +she went out riding with that old hat, which hung so long in the +passage. Really, her airs require a little pulling down."</p> + +<p>"Caroline," said Mr. Villars, much vexed at the altered tone of her +argument. "I never approved of the plan of depreciating others when they +stand in our way, and I once hoped that our daughters—possessing every +natural endowment—would not need such a false elevation. Surely they +can be admired on their own account, and not simply because there is no +one else to admire. Johnson says,<span class="pagenum"><a name="page_114" id="page_114">[114]</a></span> 'Every man ought to aim at eminence, +not by pulling others down, but by raising himself; and enjoy the +pleasure of superiority, whether imaginary or real, without interrupting +others in the same felicity.'"</p> + +<p>"I am afraid," replied Mrs. Villars, who had listened with some +impatience to this quotation, "such moralizing will not get us on in +life—the world requires management, at least, I have always found so, +and, therefore, I do think that we are not doing our duty by our +children, in letting this girl always outshine them. I am sure no parent +would be further from such a wish than yourself."</p> + +<p>"But I do not see how doing a wrong thing can serve them. You spoke, +just now, of the necessity of Mabel's supporting herself, eventually, +but if she is admired, as you say, and as I think she deserves to be, +why not give her the chance of being married; she can have but one +husband after all."</p><p><span class="pagenum"><a name="page_115" id="page_115">[115]</a></span></p> + +<p>"Only one husband!" repeated Mrs. Villars, "why she acts as if she +wanted twenty. How can you tell what is going on, shut up here with your +books? First, there is Clair, who paid such attentions to Lucy at Aston; +see how she treats him now she has got him on her books—why just on, +and just off, ready for any emergency."</p> + +<p>"I never saw anything improper in her conduct, indeed, I was pleased +with the <a name="repect" id="repect"></a><ins title="Original has repect">respect</ins> he paid her, seemingly apart from love or pique."</p> + +<p>"Why one would think that you sat down here and invented people's +conduct as you wished it to be; but surely, love, you must have seen the +very pointed attentions Henry paid Caroline, before that insinuating +girl came to the house?"</p> + +<p>"No, indeed, I never knew anything more than you told me, and, for my +own part, I never saw anything like attentions even."</p><p><span class="pagenum"><a name="page_116" id="page_116">[116]</a></span></p> + +<p>"You never see anything, I declare, but I tell you he did, though you do +seem to doubt it—you should see how she manœuvres to appear angelic +in his eyes. More artfulness I never met with; so cheerful, so +forgiving, and so everything, when she likes, that really it is quite +provoking. Poor Caroline says she cannot bear it."</p> + +<p>"Why does she not imitate the rival she cannot outshine, for she has +sufficient natural grace and talent to make her fascinating. Oh! +Caroline, I fear there was something wanting in our children's +education."</p> + +<p>Perhaps she agreed with him, for she did not stop to argue the point, +but continued in the same tone.</p> + +<p>"I do declare this is not all, and you shall know what she is; of that I +am determined. There is Mr. Stokes, whom I expected to come forward for +Maria, has taken to dangle after her, and she has found the art of +pleasing him<span class="pagenum"><a name="page_117" id="page_117">[117]</a></span> too, poor silly man, by always pretending to avoid his +attentions, and, as if this was not enough, she puts another iron in the +fire, for safety, and tries to make a fool of Mr. Morley, poor old man. +Why, if this goes on, we shall be the laughing-stock of the place."</p> + +<p>"There can be nothing ridiculous," replied Mr. Villars, "in protecting +an orphan niece, without home or friends. I cannot believe that Mabel +tries at anything of the kind, nor do I believe, that if my daughters +act properly, she could hurt them if she did try."</p> + +<p>"But," said she, entreatingly, "you will consent, won't you, dear, to +let her take a governess's place, for a time at least, only till +Caroline is married?"</p> + +<p>"I will not, indeed, consent to anything unjust. There is a certain +prejudice existing in society against the position held by a governess, +and I should think it most injurious to her interests if I allowed her +to assume it,<span class="pagenum"><a name="page_118" id="page_118">[118]</a></span> unless I meant to neglect her altogether. Do not, I +entreat you, let a mistaken love for your children, make you neglect +what you owe to yourself. Remember, that, as the sister of Mrs. Lesly, +you owe something to poor Mabel; and you cannot offer, as an excuse for +refusing her a refuge, that I am unable or unwilling to allow you to go +to the lengths of even romantic generosity. We owe her much for the good +she has done our Lucy."</p> + +<p>"What! In making her a prude and a saint; there is an end of her chance +of settling, I see clearly—"</p> + +<p>"I do not see why, for there is nothing exaggerated about her tone of +feeling—but I know we always differed in the management of our +children; I have grieved enough over it, but it is now too late to +remedy our mistakes, we can only trust to circumstances; they, with +Mabel's assistance, have worked a striking change in Lucy. There, let us +say no more<span class="pagenum"><a name="page_119" id="page_119">[119]</a></span> about it, you would be sorry to do an unkind thing, I +know."</p> + +<p>Saying this in a tone of more than usual decision, he left the room, +thinking sadly over the selfishness of his wife and family, which this +conversation had laid so openly before him.</p> + +<p>No sooner had he left the house, than Caroline and Maria went to the +library, anxious to hear the success of the interview. Poor Mrs. Villars +stood like a culprit before them, when obliged to confess that their +papa had gone, with the understanding that the matter was ended, and +Mabel was to remain. The mother and children seemed to have changed +places.</p> + +<p>"Well, I did think you would have managed better than that," said Maria.</p> + +<p>"I do not think you half tried," said Caroline.</p> + +<p>"Try yourself, then," retorted her mother.</p> + +<p>"That, indeed, I will not; you brought the<span class="pagenum"><a name="page_120" id="page_120">[120]</a></span> evil into the house, and it +is but fair that you should have the pain of <a name="romoving" id="romoving"></a><ins title="Original has romoving">removing</ins> it."</p> + +<p>"Well, well, my dears, I will do my best, only do not be so angry with +me—go and get ready for dinner, there's dear children, I will try +again."</p> + +<p>"Soon then, if you do at all," said Caroline.</p> + +<p>"Yes, very soon, dear, impetuous girl."</p> + +<p>Satisfied with this promise, they went to prepare for dinner.</p> + +<p>Unfortunately, as it happened, Mr. Villars was met, not far from his own +door, by Mr. Stokes, who skilfully managed to get him to ask him in to +dinner. That he had but one object in doing so, was evident, by the +pointed attentions he paid to Mabel; and, in the evening, having managed +to get her to play a game of chess—he kept her over it for an hour or +two, refusing to see any of her mistakes, or to take any of the pieces +she carefully threw in<span class="pagenum"><a name="page_121" id="page_121">[121]</a></span> his way. She grew more and more impatient, when +she saw that he was bent upon keeping her; and when she had been nearly +three hours over the game, she begged him to allow her to give it him.</p> + +<p>"On one condition," he replied, "that you will allow me to give you any +thing I like in return; this, for instance," he continued in the same +low key, glancing down significantly at the large strong hand which +rested carelessly on the chess-board.</p> + +<p>"No no," said Mabel, blushing from her neck to her forehead; "I gave you +the game, but I will never take any thing in return."</p> + +<p>The last few words were said with decision, and point, though covered by +the appearance of jest, as she rose and left the table. Maria saw every +thing, and marked well the expression of Mr. Stokes's face, so serious, +so unlike his usual jocular tone.</p> + +<p>"It will be too late," she said to herself<span class="pagenum"><a name="page_122" id="page_122">[122]</a></span> again and again, "if I do +not take care, but I will trust to my wits still." Mr. Stokes soon +afterwards took his leave.</p> + +<p>Before they went to rest, the mother and sisters found an opportunity of +talking over Mabel's coquetry—and so far strengthened themselves in the +idea of the necessity of removing her, that Mrs. Villars determined to +do so, whatever came of it.</p><hr class="chap" /><p><span class="pagenum"><a name="page_123" id="page_123">[123]</a></span></p> + + + + +<h2><a name="chapter_vi" id="chapter_vi">CHAPTER VI.</a></h2> +<div class="centersmallwithsig"> +<p class="poemsmall"> +Mourn not the perishing of each fair toy,<br /> +Ye were ordained to do, not to enjoy,<br /> +To suffer, which is nobler than to dare;<br /> +A sacred burthen is this life ye bear,<br /> +Look on it, lift it, bear it solemnly,<br /> +Stand up and walk beneath it steadfastly;<br /> +Fall not for sorrow, falter not for sin,<br /> +But onward, upward, till the goal ye win.<br /> +</p> +</div> +<p class="poemsig smcap">F. Butler.</p> + +<p>The next day was unusually warm. Heavy clouds had been slowly rising up +from behind the hills all the morning, till they covered the<span class="pagenum"><a name="page_124" id="page_124">[124]</a></span> whole sky, +and frowned darkly down upon the gay city—and the air was hushed with +heavy silence. Mrs. Villars and her daughters were sitting in the +drawing-room, at work; and Colonel Hargrave sat at a side table, near +the window, touching up a sketch, which he had that morning finished, of +the venerable abbey. Mr. Villars, too, walked into the room, for people +love to be together when a storm is coming. He took up the paper, and +sat down. Lucy looked fondly at him from her work—and then walked to +the window to look at Hargrave's drawing, and to whisper him to come +away, in case it lightened—for, between them, a friendship had sprung +newly up—she had thanked him for all that had before offended her, and +he was always ready with some little act, which shewed he felt a +kindness for her.</p> + +<p>He told her he was finishing his sketch for her album—and she thanked +him frankly, and<span class="pagenum"><a name="page_125" id="page_125">[125]</a></span> not with the blush, as formerly, which is as often the +tell-tale of a sinful, as of an innocent heart, and reminded him that he +had promised her some lines for her album, as well, and she would go and +fetch it.</p> + +<p>"Well," said he, when she returned with it; "bring me a pen, for I have +just made an impromptu."</p> + +<p>She brought him a large goose quill, and, after carefully mending it, he +wrote as the sky grew blacker and blacker, the following lines:—</p> + +<div class="centersmallmid"> +<p class="poemsmall"> +"As the sun-light on the fountain,<br /> +As the ivy on the tree,<br /> +As the snow upon the mountain,<br /> +Or the moonlight on the sea.<br /> +<br /> +"As the zephyr gently blowing,<br /> +As the dew-drop on the rose,<br /> +As the rippling water flowing,<br /> +As the sun at evening's close.<br /> +<br /> +"So is woman in the beauty,<br /><span class="pagenum" style="font-size: .90em"><a name="page_126" id="page_126">[126]</a></span> +Of a heart unstained by sin;<br /> +When bright eyes beam with purity,<br /> +Which they borrow from within."<br /> +</p> +</div> + +<p>"There," he said, passing her back the book, "now I will finish the +sketch; but," he added, under his breath, "do go and look for Mabel, the +storm is coming up so fast—I hope she is not out."</p> + +<p>"No, she is in her room I dare say, but I will go and find her if I +can."</p> + +<p>So saying, Lucy left the room, bearing the album with her, to read the +lines to Mabel.</p> + +<p>As soon as she was gone, Mrs. Villars looked up from her work and said +to Hargrave—</p> + +<p>"I want your advice, Henry, on a little matter."</p> + +<p>"I shall be most happy to give it," he said, gaily, still intent upon +his drawing.</p> + +<p>"Well, then, do you not think the most prudent thing we could do for +Mabel would be to get her a nice place as a governess?"</p><p><span class="pagenum"><a name="page_127" id="page_127">[127]</a></span></p> + +<p>"Really," replied he, shrugging his shoulders, "really, that is a matter +which must so very much depend upon yourself, that I must be excused +giving an opinion."</p> + +<p>Caroline remarked, with pleasure, that he did not seem surprised.</p> + +<p>"But Henry," continued Mrs. Villars, "as a friend of our family, do you +not think that, the kindest and best thing that can be done for her?"</p> + +<p>"It shall not be," said Mr. Villars, laying down his paper, "with my +consent."</p> + +<p>"Yes, but Henry," she said, still speaking to him, "do you not see what +an artful flirt she is, and how injurious she is likely to prove to my +daughters."</p> + +<p>Hargrave only gave another doubtful shrug.</p> + +<p>"And see," she continued, "how useful she has contrived to make herself +to Mr. Villars."</p> + +<p>"No, no," said Mr. Villars, speaking entirely to his wife, "she has been +so disinterested that<span class="pagenum"><a name="page_128" id="page_128">[128]</a></span> far from trying to ingratiate herself, only, she +has made Lucy my constant companion, and so quietly has she withdrawn +from my notice, that I could now very probably part with her, without +any loss of comfort; but Caroline, you cannot imagine the misery and +horror from which she has saved me."</p> + +<p>He stopped, and then continued in a more agitated tone of voice—</p> + +<p>"I have studied the history of the human mind too deeply, to be mistaken +in myself, and I am convinced that, e'er this, mine would have sunk into +that ruin which has wrecked many a better and wiser man than myself. +There was inertness in my ideas, sameness in my thoughts, a sense of +causeless misery and perpetual fear; all fatal signs of that +derangement, which the worst and the best shrink from with terror, as +something too dreadfully vague for contemplation. What I might have been +now, had I not received, as it were, a fresh impetus from that angelic<span class="pagenum"><a name="page_129" id="page_129">[129]</a></span> +girl, I tremble to think; for what I am, I feel grateful to her as the +second cause." Here he bowed reverently, as if a holier name mingled +with his silent aspirations, and as he did so, the first flash of the +thunder storm played round his head, and gave almost majesty to his +words—at the same time that the side door, behind him, leading from the +best drawing-room, opened, and Mabel glided in and stood by his side. +Her manner was perfectly collected, but there was a deep red spot upon +each cheek, and her eye glistened, as she cast it round the room.</p> + +<p>"You have been listening," said Caroline, when she had recovered from +the sudden effect of her entrance.</p> + +<p>Mabel turned directly to her, and replied—</p> + +<p>"I went into the drawing-room to read and watch the storm—a few minutes +since I heard my own name mentioned, and, while I hesitated whether I +should come here at once, I have<span class="pagenum"><a name="page_130" id="page_130">[130]</a></span> heard what has deeply gratified me. To +you, dear sir," she said, turning to her uncle, "I owe very much—very +much kindness and support I have received from you; I will not repay it +by being the cause of discord in your family, for one moment longer than +I can help—nay," she said, placing her hand fondly in his, "do not say +any thing; you can offer me a home I know, but not a welcome—that you +cannot command." Then, looking to her aunt, she continued, "it was at +your express desire, ma'am, that I came here—not only your desire, but +your entreaty—but do not think I meant always to encroach upon your +kindness. This will convince you, that I did not." Here she handed her +an open letter. "And now I must solicit the favor of a few moments alone +with you."</p> + +<p>Mrs. Villars turned pale, but immediately rose, and Mabel, gently +pressing her uncle's hand, followed her from the room.</p><p><span class="pagenum"><a name="page_131" id="page_131">[131]</a></span></p> + +<p>As she had stood there, her indignant face turned upon them all, the +lightning had flashed about her unquailing form, and when she was gone +they were all silent, as if her presence had awed them still.</p> + +<p>"What do you want with me?" said her aunt, when she had closed the door +of the breakfast room, behind them.</p> + +<p>"Will you have the kindness first to read that letter?"</p> + +<p>"Well, I see from it that your friend—let me see where does she +live?—Oh, yes, I see, at Stratford—romantic place certainly, +Shakespeare and all that—well, she says she will be happy to receive +you—eh?"</p> + +<p>"Yes," replied Mabel; "she was an old friend of mine, and not being well +off, or in good health, I have offered to educate her children for +nothing."</p> + +<p>Mrs. Villars opened her eyes.</p> + +<p>"Thus you see, aunt, I shall be able to do<span class="pagenum"><a name="page_132" id="page_132">[132]</a></span> very well; for my little +fortune, small as it is, will keep me in dress."</p> + +<p>Mrs. Villars smiled kindly, saying, that though Mabel had not been +perfectly candid, still she rejoiced to hear that she had not been left +without resources, as she had imagined.</p> + +<p>This speech was spoken so smoothly, that Mabel was puzzled.</p> + +<p>"Surely aunt there was nothing left for me to tell—the only money I +have, is in your hands, and when you can conveniently let me have it, or +part of it, I shall carry my plan into execution."</p> + +<p>"There must be some mistake in this, my dear. I have no money of yours, +except the half sovereign you kindly lent me the other morning. What do +you mean?"</p> + +<p>She was astonished; but she answered quickly, though respectfully—</p> + +<p>"I am speaking of the six hundred pounds my mamma lent you, from time to +time;<span class="pagenum"><a name="page_133" id="page_133">[133]</a></span> and which you promised to keep safely for me."</p> + +<p>"I promised, my dear," said Mrs. Villars, with well feigned +astonishment. "I never said or thought of such a thing; but I will tell +you how this mistake arose. I did borrow the sums you mention, from time +to time, as you say, and you may remember, when your poor dear mother +and I met last." The lightning flashed in her eyes, and she covered them +with her hands; but the rain had begun to patter against the window, and +the thunder rolled, at longer intervals; as the storm abated, she became +bolder, and continued—"Well, at that time, we were very long alone, as, +perhaps, you remember. Then she said to me—I remember the very words, +and where she was sitting, poor thing—'Caroline,' she said, 'I never +had the courage to tell you, that I have often vexed so deeply, to think +that, when I married, I accepted a larger portion from our<span class="pagenum"><a name="page_134" id="page_134">[134]</a></span> father's +generosity than he gave you; and I shall never die happy till I have +made it up to you—in order to do that, I shall cancel all your +obligations to me, and give you a hundred more to-day.' I begged her to +think of her children, and the answer she made was remarkable. 'I would +rather leave them honesty than money.' It was so like her, poor thing."</p> + +<p>Here she put her handkerchief to her eyes, while Mabel watched her with +mingled pity, contempt, and indignation.</p> + +<p>"Well, my dear, she went to her old secretary—you remember it, I am +sure."—Of course she did, a thousand remembrances clung to every +old-fashioned article of that dear home; but duplicity and cunning were +before her, and she was too shocked to think of them now—"From that +secretary," continued her aunt, "she took a bundle of papers. I saw my +own writing, at once, and knew them to be the<span class="pagenum"><a name="page_135" id="page_135">[135]</a></span> securities, that is, the +written promises I had given her for the money. I stretched out my hand +to take them, but she put it back, while she threw the papers in the +fire."</p> + +<p>"There was no fire," said Mabel, as if thinking aloud.</p> + +<p>"No, you are right," said Mrs. Villars, colouring violently, for, from +that moment, she saw she was suspected. "I meant to say she burnt them +at the taper I had lighted to seal a letter. And now, you see, there has +been a little mistake, which I am sorry for; had you spoken before, it +might have been avoided; but, perhaps, you divined what is really the +case, that if I wished to give you the money, I have not got it by me; +and, therefore, I must take advantage of my poor dear sister's +generosity."</p> + +<p>Mabel did not, for an instant, doubt her aunt's falsehood; but, +immediately remembered that she had nothing to plead but her<span class="pagenum"><a name="page_136" id="page_136">[136]</a></span> own +assertion of her mother's words, unsupported by any evidence. On such +proofs, to obtain her money, appeared at once, to be impossible, and no +other reason would have led her to expose a relation, to the charge of +the meanest subterfuge and falsehood; but, though she said nothing, her +whole soul was in her face, and Mrs. Villars writhed under its +expression. Hoping to arrange a compromise on good terms, she handed her +five sovereigns, saying—</p> + +<p>"There, my dear, ask me for more when you want it."</p> + +<p>"Thank you," said Mabel, pushing back the money, "I have sufficient for +my present wants; but, as I shall be obliged to find a different +situation from this," she added, taking up the letter, "I shall be glad +if you will allow me to remain here a little while longer."</p> + +<p>"Certainly, my dear, certainly; and I should<span class="pagenum"><a name="page_137" id="page_137">[137]</a></span> be glad if you could +remain here altogether—that is, if you would not make yourself +obnoxious to Caroline—that is, if you would not be quite so +independent."</p> + +<p>"I have done nothing to offend either of my cousins," said Mabel, her +bosom heaving with emotion. "I have not deserved the treatment I have +received, either at their hands, or yours, and you know I have not."</p> + +<p>"If this is all the return your sainted pretensions can make," said her +aunt, chafing herself into a passion, "for all my kindness to you—if +you have not one word of thanks to offer me, you are but a poor +companion for my daughters. I must make an example of you, and, +therefore, I leave you to yourself. I care not what becomes of you. Go," +she screamed, with shrill violence, as she herself advanced to the door, +and, as if either satisfied or ashamed, burst from the room, as if it +were contaminated.</p><p><span class="pagenum"><a name="page_138" id="page_138">[138]</a></span></p> + +<p>Mabel covered her face with her hands, and burst into tears; indignation +and a sense of desolation, struggled within her, and sob after sob burst +from her, with a violence which, though natural to her temper, was +usually suppressed entirely.</p> + +<p>Suddenly she heard a step, and, before she could recover herself, Mr. +Morley stood before her, coming as he did, in his customary shadowy +manner.</p> + +<p>"Why do you weep," he said, in a tone of severity.</p> + +<p>"I have quarrelled with my aunt."</p> + +<p>"Well?"</p> + +<p>"And I wish to leave this house as soon as I can."</p> + +<p>"Have you done wrong?"</p> + +<p>"No."</p> + +<p>"Then what have you to fear?"</p> + +<p>"Myself, for I am deeply agitated."</p> + +<p>"What, you fear that you cannot forgive. Rise, Mabel, and face the +storm, not of worldly<span class="pagenum"><a name="page_139" id="page_139">[139]</a></span> trouble, but of your own passions, drive them +back; do not sit down and weep over them as one who has chosen no other +trust than her own, weak, defenceless heart. There are more eyes upon +you than you imagine—the weak to find confidence, and the fool and the +scoffer, to find jest and scorn. And, besides, what are you called upon +to do—to leave a house where dependence would grind your spirit, or +envy calumniate, and make you seem vile in the eyes of others.</p> + +<p>"And what have you to endure? A few years of honest labour, re-paid by +the wide spreading opportunity of sowing the seeds of virtue in the +hearts of many, who, in years to come, may bless you for the happiness +which the stability of their first principles has cast upon their +households—which may again send forth fresh seeds of virtue to new +generations, disseminating to children's children the thoughts and +principles which were first inculcated by you.<span class="pagenum"><a name="page_140" id="page_140">[140]</a></span> Is not this influence +enough for you, though you yourself may live and die unheeded, and soon +forgotten—your better part will live in others. I do not speak to you," +continued Mr. Morley, as with one hand extended, he seemed rather to +address an assembly, "as valuing such paltry things as wealth, or +praise, or idle ease, but because you are, for a moment, forgetting what +you do value—for these are times when temptations take us unawares, +and, in a weak moment, have the power to surprise us, and I tell you +again, Mabel Lesly, that the wicked and the wavering watch your +movements for derision or guidance."</p> + +<p>Strong medicines should be given to strong minds. Mabel's fears, and +sorrow, and indignation, vanished, before he had ceased speaking.</p> + +<p>"Thank you," said she, ardently, "the staff that can prop up the falling +indeed deserves thanks, and I am grateful that you have come<span class="pagenum"><a name="page_141" id="page_141">[141]</a></span> between me +and weak and wicked thoughts. But do go further, and give me some +advice—I will go any where, happily, only I cannot remain here."</p> + +<p>"Well," said he, slightly relaxing his exalted tone, to one more suited +to common life, "we will see what can be done."</p> + +<p>Here he drew the last edition of the <i>Times</i> from his pocket, and +glanced down the advertisements, with rapid attention.</p> + +<p>"There is nothing here," he said, at length, "nothing wanted, but a +companion for an old lady, any one else will do for that, and you might +stagnate in such a position. I will go out amongst my friends, and +enquire for you."</p> + +<p>"Something immediate," said she, earnestly.</p> + +<p>Mr. Morley frowned.</p> + +<p>"You are impatient of enduring a few days of discomfort, how can you +meet a life of labour?"</p><p><span class="pagenum"><a name="page_142" id="page_142">[142]</a></span></p> + +<p>"That would be ease to my present position."</p> + +<p>"Pride, pride, will that ever be uppermost? But do not fear me, I always +finish one thing at a time, so that I shall not be long about my +business. Let me see; what is the list of your acquirements—sound +English education, music, singing, French, a little German, a little +Italian, and a little Latin. Umph! I think that will do—good-bye."</p> + +<p>So saying, he glided from the room, with noiseless tread.</p> + +<p>Mabel retired soon after to her own room, where she employed herself +till dinner time, in writing letters to many of her friends, and +particularly to her old school-fellow, expressing her regret at not +being able to go to her, as she had hoped, without a salary—finding it +necessary to maintain herself entirely.</p> + +<p>This occupation did much to restore her self-possession, by the time +when it was necessary for her to appear at dinner. But there was so +much restraint<span class="pagenum"><a name="page_143" id="page_143">[143]</a></span> thrown over the little party, by the remembrance of the +scene of the afternoon, that the usually social meal passed in dulness +and silence; when, however, they all went to the drawing-room, to amuse +themselves for the evening, the spirits of the sisters rose, even to +more oppressive gaiety—though Lucy sat apart from them in silence, +perplexed and troubled.</p> + +<p>Caroline had seated herself near the window, in order that she might +display, with greater advantage, a portfolio of her own drawings, to +Hargrave. They were very neatly executed, and the copy was as like the +original as might be, yet Mabel could scarcely think them worth the high +encomiums which he bestowed upon them, while Caroline blushed and evaded +his compliments, though evidently gratified all the while, and willing +to receive as many more as he chose to cater for her.</p> + +<p>"I wish," thought Mabel, "that they would<span class="pagenum"><a name="page_144" id="page_144">[144]</a></span> not laugh quite so loud, my +spirits are out of tune to-night."</p> + +<p>Just then she heard Caroline whisper something to Hargrave, as she <a name="lent1" id="lent1"></a><ins title="Original has lent">leant</ins> +forward, over the little table which parted them, so far, that a curl of +her silken hair touched his cheek. Her sensitive ear caught the word, +"governess," slightingly spoken, while Hargrave only replied by a shrug, +and a slight elevation of his eyebrows; and when Caroline whispered +something, with a still more provoking expression, he actually laughed +aloud.</p> + +<p>Mabel was conscious that she was turning giddy, and she rose with the +intention of leaving the <a name="hoom" id="hoom"></a><ins title="Original has hoom">room</ins>, when the door opened, and Mr. Morley +beckoned her to come to him.</p> + +<p>"Have you thought it over," he said, when she came to him, in the +passage.</p> + +<p>"Oh, yes," she replied eagerly; "and I have written to several friends."</p> + +<p>"Right, never depend on any but yourself.<span class="pagenum"><a name="page_145" id="page_145">[145]</a></span> As it happens, however, I +have heard of something. Put on your bonnet, and come out with me."</p> + +<p>Without remaining to ask any questions, she did as he desired, and was +soon walking by his side, along the lighted streets.</p> + +<p>"Not very pleasant, there, eh?" he enquired, elevating his eyebrows, to +designate the house they had left.</p> + +<p>"Not very," she answered, in a low, half choked voice, and they said +nothing more till they reached the White Lion Hotel. Then, when they +heard the hum of its business within, Mr. Morley suddenly stopped, and +enquired if she were frightened.</p> + +<p>"I might have been, yesterday," was the reply; "but, to-night, I feel +nothing so much as the anxiety to be free."</p> + +<p>"Free," muttered he; "free; that is a word for men; the more our +intellectual range is<span class="pagenum"><a name="page_146" id="page_146">[146]</a></span> unfettered, the freer we are to pursue unbeaten +tracts of usefulness the better; but free is a dangerous word on the +lips of a woman."</p> + +<p>"You mistake me, sir," she said, blushing; "I did not mean free from +constraint, for that I must meet with in the situation I am trying to +obtain; but, indeed, it is very hard to stay where I am, neither useful +nor welcome. If this be wrong, excuse me, to-night, for my feelings have +been sadly tried."</p> + +<p>"Excuse," he said, severely; "that is a word which has been fertile in +wrong. Excuse—excuse," he continued to mutter till they had entered the +hotel, where he enquired, rather fiercely, for Mrs. Noble, and they were +soon ushered into the apartment, where the lady, he enquired for was +sitting. She was a stout, heavy, weighty looking person, with a sallow +complexion, a pair of small, dead black eyes, and hair of the same dull, +heavy hue, shading a<span class="pagenum"><a name="page_147" id="page_147">[147]</a></span> forehead of no ordinary expanse; and her +countenance gave an idea of cumbrous intellect. She was seated in an +easy attitude, from which she did not care to move, by the dinner-table, +on which lay some early strawberries.</p> + +<p>"This is Miss Lesly," said Mr. Morley, whose manner was still ruffled.</p> + +<p>Mrs. Noble acknowledged the introduction by a heavy bend—and a still +heavier stare, while she slowly begged them to be seated.</p> + +<p>"Mr. Morley has, no doubt, been kind enough," she observed, at length, +turning to Mabel, "to explain the nature of the situation I have to +offer, and I conclude you feel inclined, and able to undertake it."</p> + +<p>"No, indeed," said Mr. Morley; "I have done nothing of the kind."</p> + +<p>"Then I must explain that I have eight children under fourteen, whom you +would have to instruct. You can, I believe, undertake<span class="pagenum"><a name="page_148" id="page_148">[148]</a></span> French, Latin, +German, and the ordinary branches of a sound English education, together +with music?"</p> + +<p>"I think I could, with children of that age, and if you would let me +try, as I have no other interest now, I could devote myself entirely to +them."</p> + +<p>"I do not offer more than thirty <a name="ponnds" id="ponnds"></a><ins title="Original has ponnds">pounds</ins> a year."</p> + +<p>"It will be quite sufficient for me," replied Mabel.</p> + +<p>"The weather is warm," returned Mrs. Noble, after a long silence, which +she suffered without the slightest appearance of impatience; "You had +better take off your bonnet and shawl."</p> + +<p>Mabel hesitated, but Mr. Morley interposed.</p> + +<p>"Take them off; she wants to see what you look like."</p> + +<p>"You are quick," said Mrs. Noble, laughing, drowsily.</p><p><span class="pagenum"><a name="page_149" id="page_149">[149]</a></span></p> + +<p>Mabel instantly laid aside her heavy crape wrappings, with a blush and +half a smile, as she stood as gracefully erect, as if for the artist's +hand to sketch.</p> + +<p>Mrs. Noble fixed her small gimlet eyes upon her face, as if she would +have read every sign which might be found there. Beauty rested in every +line of her fair features—yet, few would stop to call her beautiful, +even when asleep. Candid, intellectual, gentle, affectionate, +high-minded, pure—any thing but beautiful. And nothing gained more upon +the confidence of others, than the confiding way she seemed to have, as +if she could not help believing that all were as truthful and true +hearted as she was herself.</p> + +<p>"Good," said Mrs. Noble, "good, if I read that book right—I care not +how soon my children learn it by heart."</p> + +<p>Mabel looked up, and light played in her eyes, and danced about her +countenance. It is<span class="pagenum"><a name="page_150" id="page_150">[150]</a></span> so pleasant to be trusted when we mean to be +trustworthy.</p> + +<p>"One thing I have forgotten to mention," observed the lady, after +another long pause, which she sustained with as much composure as +before. "One of my little girls is a great invalid—indeed, is unable to +walk, and I must stipulate for something more than common kindness to +her."</p> + +<p>"I had a little sister, who could not rise in her bed," was the +affectionate reply, and while her eyes moistened, the mother's filled +with tears.</p> + +<p>"And when may I come to you?" enquired Mabel, a little eagerly.</p> + +<p>"I must make some little arrangements for you," replied Mrs. Noble, +"otherwise I would take you with me; but you may come to me this day +week, and you will then join me at Weymouth. You must come by the coach, +and a servant shall be waiting to meet you, and<span class="pagenum"><a name="page_151" id="page_151">[151]</a></span> bring you to me. Did +Mr. Morley tell you that I wished you to accompany me, in a few weeks, +to the south of France?"</p> + +<p>"No, ma'am; but I shall be most ready to go there."</p> + +<p>Perceiving that there was no more to be said, Mabel put on her bonnet, +and, with Mr. Morley, wished her good evening.</p> + +<p>"Well," said her companion, when they were again in the street, "you +have to fight the battle of life under new circumstances, that is all."</p> + +<p>"Yes, that is all," said Mabel, cheerfully, "and with many thanks for +the helping hand you have given me."</p> + +<p>"I fear you will not be sufficiently tried to bring out the whole +strength of your moral character, which I wish, for your sake, to see +developed. She half loves you already."</p> + +<p>"I wish that were true," said Mabel, laughing. "I am not sufficiently +heroic to object to<span class="pagenum"><a name="page_152" id="page_152">[152]</a></span> anything so pleasant as that. I should be quite +miserable if I could get no one to love me."</p> + +<p>"For shame!" said Mr. Morley, turning sternly upon her. "Is it not +sufficient pleasure to feel that you are doing your duty."</p> + +<p>"Sufficient to make me do it, perhaps; but still, there is something so +pleasant in being loved by those about us, that I would not willingly +place myself in a position where it was impossible, unless called upon +by some imperative duty."</p> + +<p>"Earth—earth—earth," said Mr. Morley, stopping at the door in Sydney +Place, "clinging every where—mixing with every thing."</p> + +<p>"Oh, do not be angry with me," said Mabel, "for such a little fault."</p> + +<p>"Oh, earth, earth," he repeated, even when the door opened, "your +spirit is every where."<span class="pagenum"><a name="page_153" id="page_153">[153]</a></span> And turning away, spite of everything she +said, he went off down the street, repeating still between his +teeth—"Earth—earth—earth."</p><hr class="chap" /><p><span class="pagenum"><a name="page_154" id="page_154">[154]</a></span></p> + + + + +<h2><a name="chapter_vii" id="chapter_vii">CHAPTER VII.</a></h2> +<div class="centersmallerwithsig"> +<p class="poemsmall"> +It hath done its sacred mission<br /> +Sorrow's hand was sent to cure,<br /> +Bless it for the bitter anguish<br /> +Thou wert called on to endure.<br /> +</p> +</div> +<p class="poemsig smcap">Culver Allen.</p> + + +<p>"Only one week," thought Maria, "and the house will be cleared of a +nuisance; but I must play my cards well for this one week, short as it +is, or my game will be lost."</p> + +<p>She was standing in the drawing-room as she said this, dangling her +bonnet by one<span class="pagenum"><a name="page_155" id="page_155">[155]</a></span> string, for she had just come in from their afternoon's +walk in the park, and from busy, shopping, fascinating Milsom Street.</p> + +<p>"Let me only keep things right for one week," she continued, to herself, +"and I have him; but I fear it is but a desperate chance."</p> + +<p>She was interrupted in these meditations by a brisk rapping at the +street-door, and, very soon afterwards, Mr. Stokes made his appearance, +and Maria's quick eye immediately saw signs of a proposal in the +carefully arranged morning costume, and the very precise tie of his +cravat, though, that the same proposal would not be meant for her, she +saw with equal readiness.</p> + +<p>His first enquiry was—"Whether it was quite true that Miss Lesly was +about to leave them?"</p> + +<p>"How tiresome," said Maria, "then I suppose every one knows it; and yet +we have been so anxious to keep it private."</p><p><span class="pagenum"><a name="page_156" id="page_156">[156]</a></span></p> + +<p>Here she looked much vexed.</p> + +<p>"What has gone wrong, then?" enquired the Squire.</p> + +<p>"Oh, nothing," said Maria, in a tone which implied everything had. "It +is true, we are obliged to send her away; but there is no use making a +talk about it. It is no business of anybody's, is it?"</p> + +<p>"Oh, dear no," said the Squire, nervously.</p> + +<p>"I should think one's poor relations might be sent to their native +obscurity, without everybody's taking it up," added Maria.</p> + +<p>"Yes—but she seems so sweet-tempered. I should have thought her a great +acquisition to your family party."</p> + +<p>"You do not really mean to say you think so?" said she, looking as if +she would say—"I know you are a better judge than that"—"She is sweet +in company, I know—but in private she is as haughty as a young +duchess<span class="pagenum"><a name="page_157" id="page_157">[157]</a></span>—She even finds fault with mamma. She comes of a good family, +certainly; but, I fear, she is something like the dregs of the cask, +only a little bit turned sour."</p> + +<p>Mr. Stokes began whipping his boots, as if greatly annoyed at the dust +upon them.</p> + +<p>"Oh, dear," said Maria; "let me get you a duster."</p> + +<p>She instantly sprang to an old arm-chair, and bringing one from its +secret recesses, began dusting his boots, upon her knees, before he had +time to prevent her.</p> + +<p>"Well," she said, rising, and resuming her seat, and glancing at his +large, but well-turned foot, "there is nothing to be ashamed about."</p> + +<p>"Really," he said, jocosely, "I ought to feel flattered."</p> + +<p>"Well," said Maria, resuming the <a name="conversar" id="conversar"></a><ins title="Original has conversar tion">conversation</ins> she had interrupted, "I am +thankful I<span class="pagenum"><a name="page_158" id="page_158">[158]</a></span> have not a pretty face—it is the fruit of more mischief +than enough."</p> + +<p>Mr. Stokes gave another stroke to his boots—(there was not a particle +of dust remaining on them.)</p> + +<p>"Oh, I forgot," said Maria, unlocking her work-box; "I have not given +you your last pocket-handkerchief—Is not this beautiful work?"</p> + +<p>Mabel had finished it for her.</p> + +<p>As she said this, she held it so close to his eyes, that, for +gallantry's sake, he was forced to kiss the hand that offered it.</p> + +<p>He did so; and Maria gave him a very gentle slap on the cheek, at the +same time, bringing her half laughing, half pouting face so near his, +that, forgetful of better manners, he gave it a kiss.</p> + +<p>Maria only laughed still more, saying—</p> + +<p>"Oh, you naughty man—fie, for shame."</p> + +<p>The Squire laughed, too, though not so<span class="pagenum"><a name="page_159" id="page_159">[159]</a></span> gaily, for he had been turned in +a purpose which he hoped would have secured his domestic happiness, so +that he soon shook hands with her, and hurried away.</p> + +<p>Maria was delighted with the success of her interview, and went about +the house in the most evident spirits.</p> + +<p>But in the evening came a P. P. C. card from Mr. Stokes; and she learnt +that he had started for Gloucestershire.</p> + +<p>Maria was so put out with this information, that she could have killed +flies, rather than have revenged her injured feelings on nothing; and +she eagerly seized the better opportunity of gratifying herself by +spiting Mabel.</p> + +<p>Every discomfort that she could throw in her way—every allusion before +strangers to her destination, as a governess, were eagerly used for her +annoyance. If she were out of spirits, she asked some question, which +forcibly dragged into sight the worst points of her<span class="pagenum"><a name="page_160" id="page_160">[160]</a></span> position—or pitied +her in that tone and manner, which has placed pity as akin to contempt.</p> + +<p>But, with all this, Mabel contended only with patience and good temper, +though she, sometimes thought, that hours of heavy trial were scarcely +so difficult to bear, as the perpetual annoyances by which she was +surrounded.</p> + +<p>Had one discontented word, one passionate or impatient look escaped her, +Mrs. Villars would have had a lighter conscience; but, as it was, she +would willingly have entreated her to remain, had it not been for +Caroline, whose fiery temper so greatly awed her. Alas! unhappy woman, +few would envy you. The thought of the orphan's money, procured for past +wanton and thoughtless expenditure; dresses, flowers, and finery, which +were now only encumbrances; shows and visits, which had answered no +purpose—these were but<span class="pagenum"><a name="page_161" id="page_161">[161]</a></span> slight compensations for a wounded conscience.</p> + +<p>"Only one week," also soliloquised Lucy, as she sat near the +old-fashioned window, of the study, and looked out, sadly—"only one +week, and Mabel will be gone; and yet nothing I can say can stop this +cruel act."</p> + +<p>She leant her elbow on the window sill, and supported her head with her +hand.</p> + +<p>That face, once so light, and fickle, and coquettish, had acquired, now, +that modesty and sobriety of expression, which, some think, once lost, +is never again recovered.</p> + +<p>Her step was more thoughtful, and the light, ringing laugh, once so +fickle, and so joyous, but so often heedless and unfeeling, was now +seldom or never heard—and in its place, there was a bright look—it +could scarcely be called a smile—that seemed to say, she tried to be +happy, rather from the fear of giving pain, than, as before, in the +buoyancy<span class="pagenum"><a name="page_162" id="page_162">[162]</a></span> of an untamed spirit, seeking indulgence for the selfishness +of a spoilt, and unchecked fancy. Could it really be Lucy, upon whose +lip the unkind word died before the angry flush that preceded its +thought had passed from her cheek. Could it be Lucy, who listened with +unaffected interest and humility, to the high-toned conversation of her +father; or, with girlish playfulness, enticed him to take the walk his +health required; and, as he did so, led him where the birds carolled, +and the sun shone on green meadows, beside the beautiful Avon—sometimes +alone, but often with Mabel—and, when with her, listening, rather than +attempting to join in conversation, drawn from the well-stored mind of +each. Could this, indeed, be the wild girl whom Mabel had watched with +such untiring care, fearing lest the follies of the gay world might +again ensnare her, and lead her from peace and hope, back to vanity and +heartlessness again. It was, indeed, the<span class="pagenum"><a name="page_163" id="page_163">[163]</a></span> same Lucy, though very, very +changed, as she sat now by the study window, listening more to the echo +of her own thoughts, than to any real sound.</p> + +<p>The essence of spring will find an inlet to the heart, if possible—and +though the view of the shady little court, on which the window opened, +was bounded indeed, the air from the pure sky blew fresh upon her +forehead, and seemed to speak of the green fields and budding flowers it +had left behind.</p> + +<p>Who has not felt, when the opening year is returning to its activity, +and when sober autumn, and hoary winter, have given place to their young +sister spring, who hastens to sow her seeds, and send forth the buds +which are to furnish summer blossoms and fruits, and the harvest time of +plenty and rejoicing—a sensation he scarce can comprehend—urging him +to activity.</p> + +<p>Who is so sluggish as never to have heard<span class="pagenum"><a name="page_164" id="page_164">[164]</a></span> an echo in his own bosom, +warning him to be up and doing a something, it signifies not what, if +good or prudent, in preparation for coming years—to cast off the sloth +which has fallen upon him, and, like the budding year, to begin life +afresh.</p> + +<p>Spring and autumn, summer and winter, flit over our heads, and as they +pass to their grave, in the bosom of eternity, leave us their warning; +and, though the lesson is too often unheeded, we cannot think but that +it will come to all.</p> + +<p>As Lucy sat there, the bells from a distant church began to ring, and, +sometimes, bursting on her ear, at others, retiring, as if they would +lead her fancy with them far, far away, added still deeper emphasis to +her thoughts; but she was presently disturbed from them, by the sudden +entrance of Captain Clair, who apologised for breaking in upon her +solitude, by saying, that Mr. Villars had requested him to find a book +there for him.</p><p><span class="pagenum"><a name="page_165" id="page_165">[165]</a></span></p> + +<p>"And where is papa, then?" said Lucy; "I have been waiting here so long +for him."</p> + +<p>"He has been walking up and down Pulteney Street with me," said Clair; +"and we were talking of something which he wishes to find in this book."</p> + +<p>Though he laid his hand upon the volume, with little difficulty, he +still lingered. But Lucy said nothing to tempt him to remain.</p> + +<p>"Why do you always so carefully avoid me?" he said, at length.</p> + +<p>"Because you are like an evil conscience, always bringing up hard +things."</p> + +<p>"Is there not a way of soothing the remembrance of the past, without +banishing it, by repenting, rather than forgetting? and that remedy, I +think, you have already tried. We have both erred—let us forgive."</p> + +<p>"I have repented," said Lucy; "and I do<span class="pagenum"><a name="page_166" id="page_166">[166]</a></span> forgive you; do not think there +are any petty jealousies between us. Yet, I must confess, I am not quite +pleased with you."</p> + +<p>"Why?"</p> + +<p>"Because you courted Mabel in prosperity, and forsake her now, when she +needs friends, if ever she did. I am so unhappy when I think of losing +her."</p> + +<p>"I see you have altogether mistaken me," said he, quickly; "your cousin +would not accept me, were I again to offer myself. I have such good +reasons, indeed, for believing so, that I have felt it my duty to banish +every feeling approaching to love, when I think of her. Do me the +justice to believe, that, foreseeing such a time as this, as I did when +I first proposed to her, it is very unlikely I should draw back now?"</p> + +<p>"Yes, it is, indeed," said Lucy; "but I wish it had not been so—I +should be so happy if she were not obliged to go away<span class="pagenum"><a name="page_167" id="page_167">[167]</a></span> so far, and to +spend all her life in teaching."</p> + +<p>"I wish, indeed," he replied, "it could be avoided; but you can do +nothing, and, therefore, cannot reproach yourself. Only be as kind to +her as you can, though, I know, you need no injunction about that."</p> + +<p>"No, indeed, not now," said Lucy, with a sigh; "but do not keep that +dear papa of mine waiting. He will be ruining himself at the first +bookseller's, if you do not go, and take care of him."</p> + +<p>Clair smiled, and taking up the book, hurried away; and Lucy went +up-stairs, to make another useless effort to persuade Caroline to get +their mother to make Mabel stay.</p> + +<p>Shortly after she had left the room, Mabel herself entered, and, seeing +it unoccupied, took up a book, to wait for her uncle's return.</p> + +<p>She had not waited very long, before he returned alone.</p><p><span class="pagenum"><a name="page_168" id="page_168">[168]</a></span></p> + +<p>Mabel advanced timidly to meet him.</p> + +<p>"Dear uncle," she said, "I want you to tell me that you were not +offended with me yesterday."</p> + +<p>"Offended with you, my poor child," said he, kindly; "far from it. Sad I +am, indeed, about many things. I cannot bear the thought that my +daughters' unkindness forces you to fly from us."</p> + +<p>"Do not blame them, do not think of that, dear uncle, and believe only, +how thankful I am that you have already shewn me so much kindness. I do +not need consideration as much as I did, for I am quite resigned to all +my losses now, and can go into the world and meet it with courage."</p> + +<p>"I wish you were not going on Wednesday, either, for I have business +which I must attend to that evening, and I should like to have spent it +with you."</p> + +<p>"Better as it is," said Mabel, smiling<span class="pagenum"><a name="page_169" id="page_169">[169]</a></span> faintly, "I could not bear the +thought of its being a last evening."</p> + +<p>"No, no,—not the last by many times, I hope," said her uncle, "but I +shall be up to see you into the coach in the morning, and, perhaps, may +go a stage with you. But now I want to ask you how much money you will +require for the present?"</p> + +<p>"None, I thank you," said Mabel, smiling at the coolness with which he, +evidently, hoped to surprise her into taking some.</p> + +<p>"You pain me," he said, taking out a well-filled purse. "See, I have +been to the bank to replenish my store for you, you will not grieve me, +I am sure."</p> + +<p>"No, no, dear uncle," said she, putting aside his hand. "I accept your +kind offer, but will not take it now. Should I lose my health, or ever +be really destitute—should all my bright visions fail, and leave me one +among<span class="pagenum"><a name="page_170" id="page_170">[170]</a></span> the many who know not where to find their daily bread while every +friend shrinks from them—then I will come to you for my purse, but not +till then. Nay, you know not how I prize my independence, do not take +from me the only bright speck I see at this moment in my future course."</p> + +<p>"Noble-hearted girl," he said, looking almost proudly on the bright and +beaming face which was turned to him. "Mind, I take that promise, and I +shall return this purse to a place of safety, where it shall remain +untouched for you. Ah, but I wish you could be with us still, I grieve, +beyond expression, over the cause of your departure."</p> + +<p>"Oh, no, indeed, it is much better for me, very much better, if you knew +all—do not think of it again; when I have got over the pain of parting +from you, my kind, good uncle, I shall be very happy I have no doubt."</p><p><span class="pagenum"><a name="page_171" id="page_171">[171]</a></span></p> + +<p>But her lips trembled as she made this assertion, and, feeling her +courage fail, she hastily left the study to spare him the sight of her +agitation.</p><hr class="chap" /><p><span class="pagenum"><a name="page_172" id="page_172">[172]</a></span></p> + + + + +<h2><a name="chapter_viii" id="chapter_viii">CHAPTER VIII.</a></h2> +<div class="centerwidewithsig"> +<p class="poemsmall"> +Love took up the glass of Time, and turned it in his glowing hands;<br /> +Every moment, lightly shaken, ran itself in golden sands.<br /> +Love took up the harp of Life, and smote on all the chords with might,<br /> +Smote the chord of Self, that, trembling, pass'd in music out of sight.<br /> +</p> +</div> +<p class="poemsig smcap">Locksley Hall.</p> + + + +<p>On the day before that fixed for Mabel's going, a grand ball was to be +given at the Assembly Rooms, to which Mrs. Villars and her daughters +readily engaged themselves. For this party Caroline and Maria made the +most elaborate preparations, for the sake of triumphing over<span class="pagenum"><a name="page_173" id="page_173">[173]</a></span> Mabel. +They perpetually interrupted her small but neat preparations for her new +situation, by begging her just to do this or that little thing for them, +though they would not ask her for the world if it made her melancholy.</p> + +<p>Mabel did everything she was asked to do, struggling all the while to +suppress the contempt with which these petty annoyances inspired her. +Still the week dragged heavily on, and she could not help rejoicing to +think it was so near its close.</p> + +<p>On the morning of the ball, Caroline requested her, half +condescendingly, to dress her hair in the evening, for Mabel's taste in +dress was very superior. She consented at once—and, in order that she +might give her undivided attention to her, for this last time, she spent +the afternoon in finishing her simple packing.</p> + +<p>When she had nearly completed it, Lucy<span class="pagenum"><a name="page_174" id="page_174">[174]</a></span> knocked at the door, and, when +she entered, Mabel saw that she had been crying.</p> + +<p>"Would you believe it possible?" said she, <a name="carcely" id="carcely"></a><ins title="Original has ' carcely'">scarcely</ins> able to speak for +indignation, "but mamma insists that I should go to the ball to-night, +spite of everything I say—I did so hope to spend this last night with +you. What shall I do?"</p> + +<p>"You had better go," replied Mabel, "if my aunt wishes it. You have +promised to practise self-denial, and we must not choose amongst our +trials which we will bear and which refuse."</p> + +<p>"But how cruel it is to you!"</p> + +<p>Mabel's lip quivered, for she perceived the hidden purpose of this +command.</p> + +<p>"I should like you to stay very, very much," said she, "but yet I must +persuade you to go, yes, even for my sake, do not let it be said that I +encourage you in disobedience."</p> + +<p>"No, no, nothing shall be said against you<span class="pagenum"><a name="page_175" id="page_175">[175]</a></span> which I can help," cried +Lucy, "and I will go to the ball, if you wish it—but I should be so +happy to stay with you, I shall try and get some friend to bring me home +early; but let me help you, dear Mabel."</p> + +<p>"I have done, thank you, only, like all travelling trunks, this lid will +not close—jump upon the top of it and press it down for me."</p> + +<p>Lucy did so, but her light weight had very little effect on the +obstinate trunk, so that they were obliged to stand hand-in-hand upon +it, and stamp it down with all their might. They could not do this +without laughing, and then Mabel <a name="lent2" id="lent2"></a><ins title="Original has lent">leant</ins> down and turned the key in the +lock, and kissed her fair-haired companion, when she raised herself +again, and they jumped off the defeated trunk.</p> + +<p>But now that all was packed but the bonnet and travelling cloak, and the +neatly folded umbrella, the room looked again as desolate as it did when +she had first entered it; and yet so<span class="pagenum"><a name="page_176" id="page_176">[176]</a></span> many hallowed recollections of +resignation learnt, and evil thoughts subdued, were connected with that +poor room, that Mabel felt that she could readily have wept at parting +from it, for the last time, but checking herself, she went with Lucy +down stairs, and busied herself in choosing her a dress for the ball.</p> + +<p>After dinner, she retired immediately with Caroline, and, glad of +employment, was soon, almost gaily, twining the silken tresses of her +raven hair, with more than her ordinary skill, and talking, all the +while, of flowers, and braids, and ornaments, as if she had no other +thought that night. And how could Caroline fail to be satisfied, when +she cast her proud glance upon the mirror, where dark eyes spoke back +the same proud smile of conscious beauty—yet, as they turned in their +fever of admiration, from their own reflection, to that of Mabel, an +uneasy sensation of envy again fired her jealous fancy.</p><p><span class="pagenum"><a name="page_177" id="page_177">[177]</a></span></p> + +<p>In the simple dress of the orphan girl—simpler even than usual, for it +was the travelling dress of the following day; in the delicate color, +scarcely heightened by the interest she had been taking in her toilet, +there was surely nothing which could account for Caroline's uneasy look, +and yet she felt herself inferior.</p> + +<p>"Come girls, come Carry," cried Mrs. Villars as she passed the +dressing-room door. "Why, Carry, love, you do look brilliant to-night; +just one more peep at the glass, and then come down."</p> + +<p>Caroline drew over her shoulders an ermine tippet, with considerable +attention to the becoming, and, having adjusted it in graceful +carelessness—followed, with her sisters and Mabel, to the drawing-room. +Colonel Hargrave was standing by the fire, fitting on a pair of white +gloves, looking remarkably handsome and <i>distingué</i>, and certainly well +deserving the approbation of the proud beauty.</p><p><span class="pagenum"><a name="page_178" id="page_178">[178]</a></span></p> + +<p>"You look positively killing," said Caroline, who had no eyes for any +but him, "you must dance first, as usual, with me, remember."</p> + +<p>"With much pleasure," said he, bowing, and at the same time offering his +arm.</p> + +<p>Mabel looked at them, for a moment; truly they were a handsome couple as +they stood side by side, prepared to leave the room.</p> + +<p>Hargrave's eyes met hers with that look of almost infantine joyousness, +which Clair had described as peculiar to him. From that time Mabel felt +as under the influence of a shadowy dream. She turned aside to put on +Selina's shawl.</p> + +<p>Selina needed every body's assistance, she never did any thing by +herself.</p> + +<p>It was time to go.</p> + +<p>"Well, my dears," said Mrs. Villars, "we had better wish Mabel good-bye, +to-night, as I fear we shall not be up in the morning. I have given +orders that your breakfast shall be all comfortable," she added, half +turning to<span class="pagenum"><a name="page_179" id="page_179">[179]</a></span> her niece, but avoiding her eye, "good night, my dear, a +pleasant journey."</p> + +<p>"Good bye, aunt," said Mabel, seriously. How she pitied her shuffling +confusion!</p> + +<p>"Good-bye, dear," said Caroline, with an assumption of kindness which +she could well afford, as she leant on the arm of the handsome Hargrave, +"you will write and tell us how you are going on."</p> + +<p>She did not answer; she felt her heart swelling, and she wished them +gone.</p> + +<p>Selina gave her a pretty, insipid kiss, and Maria bade her good-bye, +hoping she would soon learn to keep the brats in order. But Lucy +lingered, to fling her arms round her, and promised to be up so early in +the morning; and when she tore herself away, and ran down stairs, they +were all gone. Hargrave had gone without a word. The slight bustle of +retreating steps followed the closing of the hall-door, and she was left +to spend her last evening alone.</p><p><span class="pagenum"><a name="page_180" id="page_180">[180]</a></span></p> + +<p>It is very sad to be alone—quite alone, in every earthly sense; yet, +she tried hard to reconcile herself to the coldness and unkindness of +those who, while they enjoyed their charming party, had left her without +one soothing word, to encounter what, to the most resigned, must still +be a trial—the entering, for the first time, upon a strange home. Mabel +thought of Mr. Morley's rallying words; but the heart will not always be +heroic, and she seated herself at the table, with little inclination for +any employment; yet, trying hard not to think all the while.</p> + +<p>At length, after she had sat there—she knew not how long, but it seemed +an age—the door stealthily opened, and the cook, who seldom, on +ordinary occasions, emerged from the kitchen, forced half her body into +the room through the opening, which was as small as possible; sufficient +to admit her head and shoulders, and no more.</p> + +<p>"Please, Miss," said she, "you'll excuse<span class="pagenum"><a name="page_181" id="page_181">[181]</a></span> my bringing in your tea, for +the rest are gone to a dance, and there is nobody in the house but me. +Miss Maria begged Missis to let them go to-night."</p> + +<p>Mabel instantly assented, and she presently appeared, shyly, bringing in +the tea-tray, on which she had placed a tiny tea-pot, which she said her +master always used when he breakfasted alone, and she said that the +great one looked unhandy for one.</p> + +<p>"Thank you, cook," said Mabel, on whom an attention was never bestowed +in vain; "that looks nice and comfortable."</p> + +<p>"I am sorry you are going, Miss," said she, stopping to look at her, +"for I like to see a kindly face about the house; but, I beg your +pardon, Miss, here's the toast nice and hot, and the tea has been made +some time."</p> + +<p>Saying this, she retreated, leaving her to wonder how the influence of a +kindly face <span class="pagenum"><a name="page_182" id="page_182">[182]</a></span>could penetrate to the kitchen. The few kind words of the +servant, however, had not been offered without effect.</p> + +<p>Presently, cook again appeared, and peering in as before, with a face +full of mystery, said—</p> + +<p>"If you please, Miss, Colonel Hargrave is come in, and wants to know if +you will give him a cup of tea."</p> + +<p>"Certainly," replied Mabel, in surprise.</p> + +<p>"I told him you would," said the cook, handing in a cup and saucer, +which she had providently provided, and then departing again.</p> + +<p>In a few more seconds, Hargrave himself entered the room.</p> + +<p>"What!" said Mabel, "are you so soon tired?"</p> + +<p>"Yes," he replied, "and do you not think I have done my duty?—for I +danced once with Caroline, and took the trouble of seeing them all +provided with partners, two or three deep, before I stole away."</p><p><span class="pagenum"><a name="page_183" id="page_183">[183]</a></span></p> + +<p>"Here is tea and toast then," said Mabel, trying hard to speak +cheerfully; but, to be at ease, was out of the question, with Hargrave +seated directly opposite to her, and looking at her, as she felt, only +more steadily, because she had not courage to raise her eyes. She played +with her spoon, as if it were a curious piece of mechanism, which +possessed some secret spring, which careful handling might discover, and +then, seeming to fail in this, she traced, in imagination, the flowers +on the table-cloth, with so much attention to the subject, that she +quite started when he spoke again, and the voice was so like that of +years gone by, that it seemed to come from the grave of old +recollections.</p> + +<p>"Does not this remind you," he said, "of a time, long ago, when we used +to have tea in your shady arbour, on the old table I made for you; when +that dear child was on my knee, and there was the dish of strawberries, +on<span class="pagenum"><a name="page_184" id="page_184">[184]</a></span> which you so prided yourself, and the little tea-pot, which Betsy +used to keep so bright?"</p> + +<p>Mabel turned away her head.</p> + +<p>"Yes—that was a sunny time—I see you have not forgotten it, nor our +long walks, when I carried Amy over the wet fields, with you by my side, +caring very little for all the stiles, and broken hedges, and deep +ditches, which only made the walk more pleasant and exciting; and then, +as we went, how we talked of noble deeds, and seemed, in our fancy, to +emulate them—how many bright visions came with the merry carol of the +birds, the glad sunshine above us, and the innocent flowers at our feet, +and with the echo of our own wild gaiety, as the hills sent it back upon +our ears. But do you remember that sparkling trout-stream, where, as I +fished, we sat for hours, without speaking a word, thinking of—I know +not what; but quite enough to make us still and happy. Oh, Mabel, Mabel, +will you re<span class="pagenum"><a name="page_185" id="page_185">[185]</a></span>fuse to recall those happy scenes again. Will you not say +the word which would send me back, almost a boy, to my native hills +again?"</p> + +<p>For an instant a bright, sunny light, illumined her countenance, but in +that same instant it had passed, leaving nothing but darkness and +sadness behind, and her lip quivered with agitation, when she rose and +tried to answer him, but her voice failed her many times before she +could say, in trembling accents—</p> + +<p>"You have placed a gulf between us, and you know I dare not pass it."</p> + +<p>Hargrave rose also, and staying her in her purpose of leaving him, he +took both her hands, holding her from him, that she might see all the +intense affection, which glowed in every line of his manly face.</p> + +<p>"Only tell me you love me still," he said, in a low, thrilling voice.</p> + +<p>"Oh! Henry, let me go," she cried, look<span class="pagenum"><a name="page_186" id="page_186">[186]</a></span>ing timidly at him; "this night +of all others. Oh! let me go."</p> + +<p>"What!" he said, loosening her hands; "am I not worthy to speak to you? +But I have deserved all this—richly deserved it; the guard I have +placed upon my feelings must have seemed an insult."</p> + +<p>"No, no, Henry; oh! do not be angry," she said, entreatingly.</p> + +<p>"At least hear me then," said Hargrave, advancing one step to meet her, +while his face grew pale as he spoke. "I am no longer that daring +infidel you believe me, but a sinner condemned by the very creed I +profess; little as I deserve it, will you take me back—back to that +very innermost heart, in which I was once enshrined?"</p> + +<p>Was there any doubt to be implied in the cry of joy, with which Mabel +sunk upon his breast. He looked down upon her with love and pride—such +love, breathing in every<span class="pagenum"><a name="page_187" id="page_187">[187]</a></span> changing expression of his features; but they +were silent, there were no words that could have spoken all the +happiness of that one moment. Time seemed to have gone back, and placed +them as they were six years before, in all the fond and trusting +confidence, which, till then, had received no check.</p> + +<p>But now a loud knocking and ringing announced the return of the gay +party, much sooner than had been expected, indeed, for they had missed +Hargrave, and, without him, and the certainty of knowing where he was, +the ball was nothing.</p> + +<p>Their feet were on the stairs.</p> + +<p>"Mabel," he said, almost breathlessly, as he released her waist, and +drew her hand within his arm, "there is no mistake between us—you will +be my wife—say you will?"</p> + +<p>He bent his head to catch the murmured reply, and, at the same moment, +the door was thrown open, and Mrs. Villars and her<span class="pagenum"><a name="page_188" id="page_188">[188]</a></span> daughters stood +aghast at the spectacle that presented itself.</p> + +<p>How beautiful Mabel looked, clinging to his arm, blushing, and +trembling, and shrinking from the astonished gaze of her aunt and +cousins. But for one moment only, and then, flitting past them, she was +gone.</p> + +<p>"Sir!" said Mrs. Villars, drawing herself up and advancing to the +attack, "your conduct surprises me."</p> + +<p>"Stay, madam," said Hargrave, with manly honesty, "I owe you an +explanation for my strange inconsistency, and I am ready to give it at +once. Mabel Lesly and I were lovers from children, till we parted six +years ago; she then refused to be my wife, because she disapproved of my +ideas on religion, and, with much violence on my side, we parted. The +obstacle is now removed, and she will be mine. Why I delayed the +explanation till this night, and why I waited to see her tried to the +very<span class="pagenum"><a name="page_189" id="page_189">[189]</a></span> last, is a matter of which my feelings must alone judge."</p> + +<p>"Whatever your feelings may be, you certainly have no right to trifle +with those of my daughter."</p> + +<p>"<i>I</i> trifle with your daughter's feelings!" said Hargrave, as his dark +eye flashed fire, and made her almost quail before it. "There is not one +word, or look, or action of mine that will bear such an interpretation. +I should despise myself had I been guilty of such meanness. I might as +well be accused of paying attention to all four of your daughters; I am +grieved that you should think me worthy of such an accusation. I hear +Mr. Villars, let me ask him—let me clear myself at once."</p> + +<p>"No, no," said Mrs. Villars, in alarm, throwing herself before him, "say +nothing to him, and I will not say another word about it."</p> + +<p>"But, if I have done so, it is fit that her<span class="pagenum"><a name="page_190" id="page_190">[190]</a></span> father should know it, and +redress her injuries. Let me call him."</p> + +<p>He attempted to pass her, but she held him back, and burst into tears.</p> + +<p>"Not for worlds," she said; "he will never forget it."</p> + +<p>"Then you retract what you said," he replied, sternly.</p> + +<p>"Yes, yes, I do," she cried.</p> + +<p>And Hargrave walked back to where he had before been standing, and +instantly recovered his good humour. Mrs. Villars soon followed her +daughters, who had retreated, from different reasons, before; while he, +late as it was, went down to the study, where he found Mr. Villars, and +fully acquainted him with the facts and feelings which had led to this +unlooked-for change in Mabel's life—over which he most heartily +rejoiced.</p> + +<p>Meanwhile, burning with ungovernable passion, Caroline pursued Mabel to +the garret<span class="pagenum"><a name="page_191" id="page_191">[191]</a></span> chamber, and, after insisting on her opening the door, +attacked her with such rapid accusations of cunning, meanness, and +duplicity, and in language so loud and inflamed, that Mabel felt +powerless to answer her. It seemed as if all the malice of the last few +months had been concentrated in that moment, when she stood at her open +door, loading her with invectives, almost as inappropriate as they were +undeserved. Where she would have stopped the mad passion which overcame +her, it is difficult to say, but the stealthy opening of the doors of +the servants' rooms, which were close by, and the suppressed tittering +and whispering which issued from them, recalled her to something like a +sense of what she was doing, and, pulling the door to with violence, +that sent an echo down all the long stair case, she descended, to +revenge herself further on her mother. But Mrs. Villars had taken the +precaution of entrenching herself behind a carefully fastened<span class="pagenum"><a name="page_192" id="page_192">[192]</a></span> door, and +though she could not shut her ears to the distant rumbling of the storm, +she escaped its first fury.</p> + +<p>Poor Mabel, spite of all her happiness, cried herself to sleep, that +night.</p><hr class="chap" /><p><span class="pagenum"><a name="page_193" id="page_193">[193]</a></span></p> + + + + +<h2><a name="chapter_ix" id="chapter_ix">CHAPTER IX.</a></h2> +<div class="centersmallwithsig"> +<p class="poemsmall"> +Yet must my soul unveiled to thee be shown,<br /> +And all its dreams and all its passions known,<br /> +Thou shalt not be deceived, for pure as Heaven,<br /> +Is thy young love in faith and fervour given.<br /> +</p> +</div> +<p class="poemsig smcap">Hemans.</p> + + +<p>What a breakfast they had next morning! Mabel agitated; Lucy frightened +and silent; and the rest tired and wofully cross.</p> + +<p>If Caroline had looked most beautiful the night before, she was now +quite the reverse.<span class="pagenum"><a name="page_194" id="page_194">[194]</a></span> Some indeed say, that there were lines made by +passion on her face, which never quite wore away again, but grew deeper +as she grew older. However this may be, there she sat that morning, +looking, every minute, ready to break out afresh with some bitter +remark, should occasion offer; particularly, as, under the impression of +happy circumstances, Mabel's countenance seemed to grow more and more +beautiful.</p> + +<p>Colonel Hargrave, the servant told them, had taken his breakfast with +Mr. Villars, and had since gone out.</p> + +<p>This was a momentary relief to Caroline, it seemed like coldness or +inconstancy; and whenever she saw Mabel's eyes turn anxiously to the +door, she caught the glance, and returned it with one of malicious +exultation. At length, however, he came in, looking so happy, that all +her short-lived triumph was over.</p> + +<p>Gently, and unobtrusively pressing<span class="pagenum"><a name="page_195" id="page_195">[195]</a></span> Mabel's hand, and bidding the others +good morning, with cheerfulness which was not responded to—he told her, +that he had been to place a letter, written by her uncle, in the hands +of the Weymouth coachman, for Mrs. Noble, and that he had received many +promises of its safe delivery.</p> + +<p>Mabel thanked him, and waited anxiously for even a ceremonious +invitation from her aunt to remain with them, but none came, and no one +spoke. Lucy, vexed and ashamed, stole away, and her sisters remained, in +perfect silence, secretly determined to put the lovers out of +countenance. Mabel could scarcely believe how very happy and how very +uncomfortable she felt at that moment.</p> + +<p>"I came in partly to ask you to take a short stroll with me, Mabel," +said Hargrave, turning to his betrothed, and looking, in truth, rather +impatient to be gone.</p> + +<p>She got up instantly, and went to put on her bonnet, while the mother +and sisters<span class="pagenum"><a name="page_196" id="page_196">[196]</a></span> remained in the same dead silence, till her return, seeming +determined to keep aloof from all their proceedings.</p> + +<p>But they were quickly gone, and passing by the busy streets, were soon +on their way to the country—where they seemed to breathe freely, and +insensibly slackened their pace. How gloriously the sun shone that day, +over the green hills and valleys—and what sweet odours did the earth +yield back as willing incense. They felt, and enjoyed every thing, even +while they seemed to have no thought for any thing but each other.</p> + +<p>"I tremble to feel so happy," said Hargrave, at length, speaking almost +for the first time, as they lingered by a low stile which interrupted +their walk, and turned to gaze around them; "knowing myself to be so +unworthy—but I am, really, very, very happy; and at this moment, when I +have regained all that impenitence had lost, I feel, indeed, forgiven.<span class="pagenum"><a name="page_197" id="page_197">[197]</a></span> +I have a hundred things to say, and yet, while we are alone, it seems +happiness enough to be silent."</p> + +<p>"It has all come so rapidly," said Mabel, "that I feel in some fairy +dream. Do tell me how, and why,"—she hesitated.</p> + +<p>"How, and why, we are standing here as we are," he replied, with a +smile; "but, tell me first, do you not feel as you used, when we +wandered on the hills, at Aston. I scarcely think six years have passed +as they have done."</p> + +<p>"Come, talk seriously, dear Henry," said Mabel, "or my heart will break +for very happiness; tell me what has worked this blessed change."</p> + +<p>"It is a long and painful story, love," returned Hargrave, "but I will +tell it now, and then we shall quite understand each other. Do you +remember that dark day on which we<span class="pagenum"><a name="page_198" id="page_198">[198]</a></span> parted; when, with all the pride +which made my spirit so cruel, I cast you from me, and saw you fall +against your mother's knee, as if a look of mine might crush, but could +not turn you, because you would not follow my free spirit in the +unfettered liberty it had made for itself?</p> + +<p>"They tell me, that, after that day, sickness laid you low, but only +strengthened the principles for which you had martyred your affections. +They tell me, that, in watching her child, your mother grew ill, and +that you rose from sickness to be her nurse, and that you managed her +affairs, and once more became the light of that loved home; they tell me +poverty came, year by year, and that the little which had been saved +became the prey, of a rapacious woman. That then came sickness, and +trial, and death, in all its gloom—your home destroyed, nothing left +but blackened ruins to remind you of the past. I know<span class="pagenum"><a name="page_199" id="page_199">[199]</a></span> that you have +since been subject to a thousand little vexations, and annoyances; a +cold welcome, and a zealous watch. Now, tell me, have you never repented +the hour which parted us?"</p> + +<p>Mabel looked up timidly.</p> + +<p>"Nay, never fear me; I can bear the truth, now."</p> + +<p>"No, Henry; you know I have never repented."</p> + +<p>"Ah, well I do," he said; "there could not have been such an angel calm +round your whole being, had there been an unsettled principle within.</p> + +<p>"Now, listen; when I turned my back upon Aston, as I believed, for ever, +in my mad fury, I might have kept my purpose, had you turned upon me, in +your beauty, and spurned me as I had spurned you; but that deep, +beseeching look, that prostrate form clinging to the earth in its +wretchedness, but, without a frown or<span class="pagenum"><a name="page_200" id="page_200">[200]</a></span> reproach for me—I carried it +away—that last glance of yours; it haunted me, and would not let me go, +though I turned upon it in fury, and would have beaten it madly back.</p> + +<p>"I need not tell you with what haste I exchanged my place in the English +army, to one in a regiment starting for India; or, how I fought upon its +burning plains, amongst the brave and the victorious. Even then, that +last look pursued me. I studied with the learned, in Eastern lore. I was +praised for my knowledge. Learning and enterprise were my pursuits—my +society, the bold, and free-thinking; and my mind and imagination +unfettered. But, what the world calls vice, that I knew not—there was +something in the long forgotten, but not unfelt, impressions of +childhood, and a mother's purity and love, that kept me back from +that—and, while my charity was profuse, and my hand dealt bountifully +to mankind, I<span class="pagenum"><a name="page_201" id="page_201">[201]</a></span> proudly turned upon the professors of religion, and, as I +held their weak points up to scandal, I bade them acknowledge the +superiority of my moral code."</p> + +<p>"Oh, Henry, say no more," cried Mabel.</p> + +<p>"Do not shrink from me, because my confession is unreserved, but hear it +to the very end. All this time, I forgot that pride and malice were in +my heart, though I did sometimes feel what I have since seen expressed +by Luther: 'An evil conscience is like a tormenting spirit, it is +alarmed in the midst of outward prosperity.'</p> + +<p>"So I continued till about a year since, when, one evening, I was at +supper with a large party of friends, whose views corresponded with my +own. With them there were some strangers, and amongst them, a strange +old man, who regarded me attentively. I remember speaking more freely +than I used, that night; and, conscious that I had done so, I left the +party earlier than I had intended, partly<span class="pagenum"><a name="page_202" id="page_202">[202]</a></span> because I was anxious to +escape from the eyes of that strange man.</p> + +<p>"The evening was delightful, and, instead of returning to my tent, I +took a stroll in the moonlight. Much to my annoyance, I soon perceived +that I was followed by the very man it had been my whim to avoid. +Turning round, to confront him, our eyes met again, and I stood +transfixed by the strange expression of his face.</p> + +<p>"'I have heard,' he said, after looking at me for a while, 'hundreds of +miles south, of your charity, and your munificence. I came to see their +author, and am disappointed.'</p> + +<p>"'Since you have done me so much honor, may I ask whom I address, sir?' +I said, with overstrained politeness.</p> + +<p>"'Your mother's brother, Mr. Morley,' he replied, 'who hoped never to +have seen one, in whose veins ran kindred blood, defile his intellect, +as you have done.'</p><p><span class="pagenum"><a name="page_203" id="page_203">[203]</a></span></p> + +<p>"This strange introduction only led to a long and heated argument on +religious subjects, in which my unexpected casuistry so far baffled him, +as to leave him without an answer; and I parted from him in triumph.</p> + +<p>"The next day, he found me again, and told me that he had sat up the +whole night, till he had prepared himself with the answer he could not, +at first, command. If he had thought to convince me in my perverseness, +he was mistaken—for obstinacy has an answer for everything; but there +is something in genuine enthusiasm, and self-denying energy, which +always claims respect, and though I argued as obstinately, it was more +respectfully than before. He came to me again and again, and the same +topic began or ended every conversation, and left me as hardened as +ever. Ah, Mabel, it is a sad confession for such ears as yours; but I +never have deceived you yet, and I never will."</p><p><span class="pagenum"><a name="page_204" id="page_204">[204]</a></span></p> + +<p>Mabel's bright eyes were dimmed by tears; but her hand rested +confidingly in his, as he continued—</p> + +<p>"One evening I was sitting alone by the light of the moon; my thoughts +had travelled, unchecked and unbidden, to England, and as I thought, I +drew from my bosom, the first and only keepsake I had received from you, +the small clasped Bible, in which you had written my name and your own. +I had often tried to throw it away, but could not—wherever I went, it +accompanied me, a silent reproach, but nothing more. That night, I +opened it, and read; before I was aware, my uncle, who had entered +unperceived, approached me. I would have hid the precious volume, had I +had time; but he saw it, and I threw it carelessly aside. He took it up, +and opened it. I never shall forget the look of benignity and pleasure +which lighted up his features at that moment. Are they not worn<span class="pagenum"><a name="page_205" id="page_205">[205]</a></span> out and +haggard now? but they seemed beautiful then, as he said—</p> + +<p>"'There is hope.'</p> + +<p>"'No, uncle, that will not do,' I said, attempting to laugh, 'it is only +a keepsake.'</p> + +<p>"He looked at the first page, and repeated, softly—'Mabel, Mabel.' I do +not think he ever forgot the name; and, from that time, it was +associated with good and holy things.</p> + +<p>"Anxious to change the subject, I prevailed on him to walk; and, as we +went, I engaged him in talking over lighter topics, for I felt unable to +renew our customary arguments that evening.</p> + +<p>"As we strolled on, we came upon a group of many peasants, who were +eagerly engaged in looking at something in their centre, and talking +loudly all the while. Wishing to observe what had attracted them, we +drew nearer, and soon perceived that they were standing round two +wretched women, who,<span class="pagenum"><a name="page_206" id="page_206">[206]</a></span> with their caps torn under their feet, and their +hair streaming about their faces, were fighting, with the fury of +demons, using, at the same time, the most fearful imprecations, while +the mob cheered and irritated them by turns. I was leaving the spot in +disgust, when my uncle, passing his arm through mine, prevented my doing +so. Though I had passed through many horrible scenes, I felt sick when I +looked on this.</p> + +<p>"At length, one of the women, with a horrible shriek of triumph, held +up, to the crowd, a handful of hair, which she had torn from her +adversary's head; but, as she turned slightly to do so, the other took +the opportunity of tripping her up, and they both rolled on the ground, +struggling together, and the crowd closed round them. I turned a sick +look on my uncle, who, far less moved than myself, exclaimed, in an +emphatic voice—</p> + +<p>"'Who would spend an eternity with such companions?'</p><p><span class="pagenum"><a name="page_207" id="page_207">[207]</a></span></p> + +<p>"The boldest arguments he had used never made so strong an impression +upon me as did these words. I broke from him, and pursued my walk alone. +I, who had turned with disgust from every moral deformity—I, to whom +refinement was as the breath of life, to be classed with such wretches +as these.</p> + +<p>"The words fastened upon me; they seemed burning their impression on my +very brain. That night I spent upon the floor of my apartment; +conscience was awakened, and it was beyond my power to lay it to sleep +again. For the first time, I felt the full consciousness of sin, and how +terrible was the load; my spirit was weighed down, and the arguments +which had upset the weak or wavering, and scoffed at the strong, failed +utterly before that power of conscience. In the morning, my uncle found +me in strong delirium, for the strength of my body, robust as it was, +had fallen before the terror of that one wretched night. I wildly<span class="pagenum"><a name="page_208" id="page_208">[208]</a></span> +reproached him, and begged him to leave me to the curse which he had +brought upon me; but what could turn such a man from his purpose? He who +employed his time in persevering efforts for the happiness of thousands, +now devoted himself entirely to me. After weeks of illness, I rose from +my bed pale, emaciated, and wretched, but humbled to the dust. My first +effort, however, was to seek my former friends, and to urge my own +doubts upon them, but, those I had had the power to lead into error, +laughed at my pain, and mocked at my scruples. I had lost caste with +them, and retired from their society loaded with the most bitter +ridicule.</p> + +<p>"In this miserable time came a thirst for England, my health required +it, I retired from the army, and returned home. Did it not seem like a +judgment upon me, that I reached my own village, but to find it in +flames? No one can tell what a store of repentance I laid up<span class="pagenum"><a name="page_209" id="page_209">[209]</a></span> that +night: at the story of old Giles, which you may have heard from his own +lips;—the rebuke which everywhere raised itself against me;—the +wretchedness which on all sides appeared to upset my ostentatious moral +well-doing; and the death of that poor child in her simple faith. Was +not this a fit welcome for the returning infidel?"</p> + +<p>Mabel placed her hand upon her forehead; for there was terror in the +remembrance of that awful night. And, then when he spoke again, the +thought seemed to have passed from him, and his voice was low, and +thrillingly gentle.</p> + +<p>"I dared not seek you then; I dared not bring to you uncertain +repentance; and that it was not complete, I knew, because I could not +even then humble myself to ask your forgiveness. But directly I came +here, I found out one of my boyhood's friends, a good and simple-hearted +clergyman, and with him I have spent every Sunday since I first arrived +in Bath.<span class="pagenum"><a name="page_210" id="page_210">[210]</a></span> The benefit I have received from him has been very great; and +all that was left of pride or revenge in my heart, you have long since +subdued by your gentleness and patience, and more than all, have I +admired, the frankness which enabled you to avoid the error of foolishly +seeming entirely to have forgotten me, while you preserved the most +delicate reserve on all occasions. Mabel, dear, dear Mabel," he said, +taking her trembling hand in both his, "you have entirely subdued me, +and, cost what it may, I will not forfeit the smallest chance of +regaining your confidence, for aught else the world has to offer."</p> + +<p>"It is yours, dear Henry, without reserve," said Mabel, raising her +trusting eyes to his, "I give it back with all the unchanging love I +have ever felt for you, and for no other."</p> + +<p>As Hargrave gazed down upon her, with pride and affection, there was a +moment's happy silence, and then she looked up again, more timidly, +while her lip slightly trembled.</p><p><span class="pagenum"><a name="page_211" id="page_211">[211]</a></span></p> + +<p>"And can you say that you have loved no other?"</p> + +<p>"I can indeed," he replied, while a half, well pleased smile, stole over +his countenance. "In all my wanderings, no other image but yours has +accompanied me, and much as I tried to banish it, it has been +unrivalled."</p> + +<p>"I do not speak of your wanderings," said Mabel, half catching the +smile.</p> + +<p>"Oh! I see, you mean your cousin. No: I honestly tell you, that I have +never been led, even by the many petty plots by which I have been +surrounded, to do anything which could place my conduct, with regard to +her, in a doubtful light. Had I done so, I should have grieved deeply; +and such a heartless act would have been a canker in my present +enjoyment. I do own, that when I saw you thought so, I did not undeceive +you, because I was anxious to see how you would act under an impression, +which so often brings out evil,<span class="pagenum"><a name="page_212" id="page_212">[212]</a></span> if any exists; but if you knew how much +of our future happiness was at stake, you would forgive me for placing +it beyond a doubt, that you were the same self-devoted, noble girl, who +could refuse all that I had to offer, when her conscience called on her +to do so."</p> + +<p>"But forgive me," persisted Mabel, "why did you stay here so long; did +not that look suspicious?"</p> + +<p>"Well," said Hargrave, as they now walked on side by side, "I think I +can explain that too. You know that when you were at Aston Manor, I +could not be there, and wanted some plausible excuse for remaining away; +no better offered, and every thing was done to induce me to remain in +Bath; but I suppose you will not be quite satisfied till I tell you, +that when, after a visit of a few days, I was pressed to remain, I +agreed, only on condition that I should be allowed to pay for the extra +expense, which my prolonged stay might cause; you will believe<span class="pagenum"><a name="page_213" id="page_213">[213]</a></span> that I +have done this in no grudging manner. And besides, the game and venison +from Aston, and other luxuries of the kind, have been always at your +Aunt's command. As I knew that I had a secret motive to serve, by +remaining here, I felt that I could do no less with any satisfaction to +myself. I do not think your cousins or uncle knew of this agreement, but +Mrs. Villars regarded it as a whim of mine, and said if I liked to +increase her pin-money, I might. Are you satisfied love?"</p> + +<p>"Quite," said Mabel, musingly.</p> + +<p>"I do not think, however, that I shall remain here beyond to-day—with +them, I mean—for my popularity is gone—and my temper would be sorely +tried, for little purpose—so I have taken rooms at the Lion. Besides, I +have another purpose to serve, by remaining there, as it is near the +Abbey—and I should like to be married there."</p> + +<p>"Yes—but—"</p><p><span class="pagenum"><a name="page_214" id="page_214">[214]</a></span></p> + +<p>"Yes—but—" repeated Hargrave, smiling on his blushing companion; "tell +me, is there any reason why you should not be mine at once?"</p> + +<p>Mabel glanced at her mourning dress, and burst into tears.</p> + +<p>"Do you remember," he said, gently, "my asking you to let me see your +little sister, that night, alone? It will be a comfort to you, to know, +that, young and childlike as she was, I entrusted my secret to her, and +she died in the confidence of an hour like this, when her Mabel, her +dear sister, would be the honoured mistress of a happy home. Consider, +dearest, how you are placed; you are not even offered a formal welcome +here—and I tremble to think how much unkindness you must yet +experience. As to going to other friends, no one would advise it, when, +in your husband, you can find one, who can so fully sympathise in your +feelings—and, I promise you, that, for<span class="pagenum"><a name="page_215" id="page_215">[215]</a></span> the remainder of the year, we +will continue quietly in the country, bent only on serving our poor +tenants. The shorter time we linger here, the better—for I long to be +away, and alone, sharing that confidence which I could not give even to +you, so freely as I could to my wife. Do not trifle with me—say you +will be mine, before this month has passed away."</p> + +<p>"So soon?" said Mabel.</p> + +<p>"Nay, if you love me—why should you hesitate? I am sure you will not."</p> + +<p>Mabel looked down—she always had been afraid to contradict him, since, +when a child, she had looked up with veneration to his superior strength +and height.</p> + +<p>"You doubt me still," said Hargrave, turning aside his head, with such a +look of vexation, that she was quite conquered.</p> + +<p>Taking his hand, as she had often done in those old, childish quarrels, +she looked up in<span class="pagenum"><a name="page_216" id="page_216">[216]</a></span> his face, and whispered gentle words, which brought +the smile back again.</p> + +<p>"And now, my love," he said, as he drew her closer to him, taking from +his pocket the chain and portrait, which Caroline had so eagerly desired +to examine, and placing it again upon her neck; "let me give you back +your own. Little can you imagine the exquisite pleasure I experienced, +when I discovered that the portrait of your undeserving lover was still +so faithfully preserved. Nay, blush not, my darling—when love has been +once confessed, there can be no indelicacy in cherishing it to the very +death. It will be very, very hard for me to retrace what has been +lost—but with my sweet wife to help me, there is nothing I will not +dare; and, knowing that you are so good and truthful, and untouched by +the world, as I have found you, through all these trying months, I have +learnt to trust all my aching conscience to your care."</p><p><span class="pagenum"><a name="page_217" id="page_217">[217]</a></span></p> + +<p>He paused to look down upon the tearful face of his betrothed—but she +was too much affected to reply.</p> + +<p>How gloriously the sun shone on, and how blithely the birds +carolled—and how pleasantly hummed the bees, in their busy search over +the clover fields. That was a day to be well remembered.</p> + +<p>"Well," said Hargrave, when they entered the town again, "we must +temporise with our present difficulties. I suppose you would not like me +to bribe my aunt into peace while you remain?"</p> + +<p>"Oh, dear no—only tell her what I have not the courage to say—and +leave the bribery, as you call it, to me. I have a little treasure, a +great treasure it seemed once, in case of need, which I can now readily +part with—I mean, the box of plate which was saved from that terrible +fire. It is a coveted thing, and, therefore, will be a welcome present, +that will<span class="pagenum"><a name="page_218" id="page_218">[218]</a></span> pay for any fancied obligation; and I will send for it +directly."</p> + +<p>"A brilliant idea, truly; but only behold, here is Miss Lovelace—for +the sake of gossip she shall be at our wedding."</p> + +<p>"What do I see," said that young lady, coming up with her ringlets and +flounces, quite in a ferment, with surprise—"Miss Lesly, why I thought +you were at Weymouth, by this time; well, I am quite glad to see you."</p> + +<p>"No doubt," said Hargrave, gaily; "the street is not exactly a place for +explanations—but, depend upon it, you shall be one of the first to know +the reason of this change in Miss Lesly's arrangements."</p> + +<p>Raising his hat, as he passed her, he left her in a perfect ecstasy of +curiosity; but whatever her after assertions, as to the depth of her +penetration might be, it is pretty certain, that she did not arrive near +the truth, after all her conjectures.</p><p><span class="pagenum"><a name="page_219" id="page_219">[219]</a></span></p> + +<p>"Surely," thought she, "that ill-tempered Miss Villars has actually +spoken the truth, and they are to be married—and Miss Lesly remains to +be a useful bridesmaid."</p> + +<p>That she was not over pleased, when she arrived at this conclusion, +might be inferred from the toss which she gave her little head, ringlets +and all, as she went on her way.</p> + +<p>Meanwhile, Hargrave, having accompanied Mabel home, immediately resigned +her to all the discomforts of her situation, while he went to seek an +interview with Mrs. Villars.</p><hr class="chap" /><p><span class="pagenum"><a name="page_220" id="page_220">[220]</a></span></p> + + + + +<h2><a name="chapter_x" id="chapter_x">CHAPTER X.</a></h2> +<div class="centersmallerrwithsig"> +<p class="poemsmall"> +Unfaithful one! from seed of tares<br /> +No golden grain can spring:<br /> +Unhappy one! the wind, once sown,<br /> +Shall but the whirlwind bring.<br /> +</p> +</div> +<p class="poemsig smcap">Culver Allen.</p> + + +<p>Amongst all the curses pronounced against the rebellious Israelites, +few, perhaps, in reality far exceeded that one—"Cursed shalt thou be +when thou comest in." It struck to the very heart of domestic peace, +destroying that sanctuary, which, dark as the world around may<span class="pagenum"><a name="page_221" id="page_221">[221]</a></span> be, we +look to as a shelter and a solace. If the curse be there, what other +blessing can reach us with any effect!</p> + +<p>Such was the punishment which the cautious, wily woman of the world had +been so carefully storing up for herself—for this she had chained her +own temper—for this she had submitted to many weary vexations—for this +she had been lavish in indulgence, even when her tired spirit would have +willingly—so she believed—have turned from the cunning and fatiguing +artifices of perpetual deceit—for this she had entered "into the fields +of the fatherless," to find, only too late, that "their Redeemer is +indeed mighty."</p> + +<p>The curse for which she had so strenuously laboured, had entered into +her very household, and her own daughters were turned against her.</p> + +<p>Colonel Hargrave found Mrs. Villars in tears when he went to explain his +wishes, and<span class="pagenum"><a name="page_222" id="page_222">[222]</a></span> the reasons which led him to desire an early and private +marriage.</p> + +<p>"Take her when you like, and the sooner the better," exclaimed the +goaded woman; "I care not when, and I only wish you could take away the +ill she has brought with her."</p> + +<p>Colonel Hargrave, who was accustomed to nothing but flattery in that +house, felt a little surprise at the boldness with which the veil was +now thrown aside.</p> + +<p>"I hope," he said, at length, "that you will allow her to remain with +you for the next three weeks. I wish this as a favour, because I would +not have her forced to seek the protection even of old friends, at such +a time—but I may as well add, that I know as well as yourself how +little you have done your duty to your sister's orphan, and I make this +the only condition which will force me to keep silence on the subject."</p><p><span class="pagenum"><a name="page_223" id="page_223">[223]</a></span></p> + +<p>"Give me that promise and you shall not have cause to complain," said +Mrs. Villars, apprehensively.</p> + +<p>"It is yours," he returned, with great self-possession, which contrasted +well with her pale face, and conscience stricken manner. "It is my +particular wish," he added, "that our marriage should be as simple as +possible, on account of the circumstances, which attend it. Any undue +display would only hurt Mabel's feelings, as her year of mourning is not +ended; but alone and friendless as she is, without a home at command, I +say, with no hesitation, that the only thing she can do is, to accept +that one which will ever hold her as its most honored mistress. But as +even a private marriage may put you to some inconvenience, you must +allow me the pleasure and privilege of providing against it."</p> + +<p>As he said this, he placed a purse upon the table, which Mrs. Villars +greedily laid her<span class="pagenum"><a name="page_224" id="page_224">[224]</a></span> hands upon, and then he left the room, wondering, +almost with some amusement, at himself, for the pique he felt at the +sudden withdrawal of the adulation to which he had been accustomed, even +though he had always seen its hollowness.</p> + +<p>As he went down stairs to leave the house, for he had already announced +his intention of removing to the White Lion, he met Lucy coming up, with +such a bright blush upon her cheek, and looking so prettily agitated, +that he stopped to enquire if any thing were the matter.</p> + +<p>"Oh, I want Mabel—where is she—what have you done with her?"</p> + +<p>"She went up stairs to take her bonnet off, and I think she will be glad +of your company, to rouse her from certain little fears of a ceremony +not very distant."</p> + +<p>"Very well then, I will go to her," said Lucy, blushing yet more, and +running past<span class="pagenum"><a name="page_225" id="page_225">[225]</a></span> him. As he went on, he met Clair, coming from the study, +and, as their destination was the same, they walked off arm-in-arm, +talking of something which appeared entirely to engross them, till they +reached the hotel, where they had dinner together.</p> + +<p>"Oh, Mabel," said Lucy, when she had found her sitting in her own little +room, "can you find time to think with me for one minute?"</p> + +<p>"Of course I can," said Mabel, making her sit down on the trunk beside +her.</p> + +<p>"This dear old trunk, how I shall always love it," said Lucy, "how often +we have sat upon it talking together; and to think of the trouble we had +to shut it up, only last night, and how miserable we were then, and how +happy we are now." She hid her blushing face on Mabel's shoulder as she +went on. "You know I have such a strange thing to tell you. While you +were out, I went into the study to<span class="pagenum"><a name="page_226" id="page_226">[226]</a></span> find papa to get him to walk, and +there was Captain Clair, talking to him; so directly I came in, up gets +papa, and, saying he has something very particular to see done before he +goes out, makes me promise to wait for him, and then gives me such an +affectionate kiss, and hurries off—cunning papa—and then what do you +think happens."</p> + +<p>"I think I can guess," said Mabel, with a kiss and a smile.</p> + +<p>"No, I am sure you cannot. Arthur told me, Captain Clair, I mean, that +he had been talking to papa about me, and that he loved me now, though +he once thought he could love no one but you, and indeed, dear Mabel, he +spoke so kindly and affectionately that—"</p> + +<p>"I understand you love," said Mabel, embracing her, "I thought so—I +hoped so a long time since."</p> + +<p>"You thought so," said Lucy, "impos<span class="pagenum"><a name="page_227" id="page_227">[227]</a></span>sible! I never could even have +dreamt of such a thing yesterday."</p> + +<p>"I tell you so," replied her cousin, "because I always knew his love for +me only arose from the enthusiasm of circumstances; while those same +circumstances only made him disapprove of you, as much as you did of +yourself. I knew he could not see you so changed without really loving +you."</p> + +<p>"And do you think I shall ever be good enough for him?"</p> + +<p>"Only keep as you are, and he will be quite satisfied."</p> + +<p>"And, do you know that the doctors say, that if he returns to India it +will kill him; and he has been for a long time wishing to become a +clergyman; and now he has quite made up his mind, and he has entered his +name at the college, at Dublin, which is the easiest way he says."</p> + +<p>"That will be very, very nice, for we shall<span class="pagenum"><a name="page_228" id="page_228">[228]</a></span> keep you both with us," +exclaimed Mabel. "I am so very, very happy."</p> + +<p>"And," almost whispered Lucy, "he so much wishes to be married on the +same day that you and Henry are; but I hardly know whether mamma will +consent."</p> + +<p>"Oh, I dare say she will," said Mabel, "and I am glad of it for your +sake."</p> + +<p>Further conversation was interrupted by the dressing bell, and Lucy +hurried away.</p> + +<p>As Mabel had anticipated, there was little difficulty in getting Mrs. +Villars's consent, when it was formally demanded by Clair, for in this +piece of unexpected good fortune she hoped to find, at least a temporary +respite, from the malice of her two disappointed children. In this, +however, she was mistaken, for the marriage of their sister was no +satisfaction to their jealous minds, and they did not fail to show their +impression of their mother's injustice, on every occasion, and quite +destroyed the<span class="pagenum"><a name="page_229" id="page_229">[229]</a></span> pleasure she would have taken in providing Lucy's +<i>trousseau</i>.</p> + +<p>Mr. Villars looked upon the marriages as peculiar pet schemes of his +own, and laid aside his writings to aid Mabel and Lucy in the choice of +dresses and laces, with the most perfect good-humour and enjoyment. And +when Lucy spoke with regret of leaving him, and felt half inclined to +delay her marriage, for his sake, he would not hear of it, declaring +that he should keep up a constant correspondence with both, and whenever +he felt dull, if it were possible now that he had so much to do and to +think of, he should run over and see them, wherever they were, and so +recruit his spirits. For the present, he was almost their constant +companion, for both Hargrave and Clair had so much to do, in a little +time, that they had very little leisure at their disposal. There were +settlements to be drawn, and Hargrave's was a very long one, licenses to +pro<span class="pagenum"><a name="page_230" id="page_230">[230]</a></span>cure, and a great many things besides, which, on such an occasion, +were of no small importance. Besides which they were planning a visit +together to Aston.</p> + +<p>On the afternoon before they started, however, they accompanied Mr. +Villars and his fair companions on a shopping expedition, and a pleasant +afternoon they managed to spend. Hargrave, too, had his purchases to +make, which he did with some pride in his own taste, of some beautiful +Irish poplins, which he ordered to be directed, with his compliments, to +Mrs. and the Misses Villars, together with some lace scarfs, which he +thought would look very pretty at the wedding.</p> + +<p>In due time they were delivered, and opened with much pleasure by Mrs. +Villars and her daughter Selina, who seemed as tranquilly placid as +ever, as if determined to find pleasure herself, whatever happened. She +was just in the act of gathering the material in her<span class="pagenum"><a name="page_231" id="page_231">[231]</a></span> fingers to see how +well it would look made up, when Caroline entered.</p> + +<p>"What is all this?" she cried, looking round upon Hargrave's present.</p> + +<p>"Oh, my dear," said her mother, anxiously, "these beautiful poplins are +from Henry Hargrave, who begs our acceptance of them, and hopes we will +wear them at the wedding."</p> + +<p>"And what do you mean to do with them?" enquired Caroline, looking at +her fiercely.</p> + +<p>"Why to wear them, of course, my dear; will you not do the same?"</p> + +<p>"Not I, neither will you; I will have no such cringing ways done within +my knowledge." Here she looked significantly at her mother, and then +walking to the table, she began, deliberately, to refold the dresses, +which they suffered her to do without interruption, hoping that she was +relenting towards them. But when she had carefully folded every rumpled +yard of the dresses, she placed<span class="pagenum"><a name="page_232" id="page_232">[232]</a></span> them as carefully in their separate +papers, and then tying them altogether, she wrote on the outside, and +rang the bell.</p> + +<p>"What are you doing, dear Cary?" cried Selina.</p> + +<p>"You will see," said Caroline, and at that moment, their man-servant +appearing, she turned to him, and said—"Take that parcel to Colonel +Hargrave, at the White Lion, with mamma's compliments."</p> + +<p>"Stop a moment, my dear, do consider," said her mother.</p> + +<p>"Ma'am," replied her daughter, "no consideration is necessary. James, +take the parcel."</p> + +<p>And, without waiting further orders, he took it as she directed, leaving +Mrs. Villars vexed and annoyed, but too timid to remonstrate.</p> + +<p>Caroline, however, was disappointed at the satisfaction of knowing that +Hargrave was<span class="pagenum"><a name="page_233" id="page_233">[233]</a></span> annoyed, for he never even alluded to the subject.</p> + +<p>The next morning, Hargrave and Clair set off, early, on their journey to +Aston. The day was bright as a May morning could be desired to be, and +the country, through which they drove, full of lovely home scenery. They +had hired a phaeton, and took their own pace across the +country—Hargrave driving, and delighting his companion with one of his +very best humours, now sparkling with wit, or laughing in the merriment +of his heart, and then suddenly changing his tone to one of deeper +earnestness, as they spoke of the future or the past.</p> + +<p>It was not till the close of the evening, that they espied the +well-known landmarks <a name="ef" id="ef"></a><ins title="Original has ef">of</ins> the little village—the simple spire of the +rustic church, and the many windowed halls of Aston Manor.</p> + +<p>As they entered the village, Hargrave suf<span class="pagenum"><a name="page_234" id="page_234">[234]</a></span>fered his horse to bring his +tired trot to a walk, while they both eagerly looked around. Hargrave +tried to fancy what his bride would feel, on the first sight of a place +so loved, and so changed—and he thought, perhaps, she would have liked +the old place better after all.</p> + +<p>"Still there is nothing sickly in Mabel's mind," he said to himself, as +he looked round, and considered how very greatly it was improved in +reality. Here, were well drained roads, raised pathways, and neatly +built houses, which might have proved models for many an English +gentleman's estate, well lighted, well ventilated, as they were, and +slightly ornamented besides, with the simple porch, and the little +gardens which surrounded them. It made his heart beat high with that +quick sensation of pleasure, which is almost pain. And there, too, on +the site of Mrs. Lesly's cottage, rose one, smaller indeed, but still<span class="pagenum"><a name="page_235" id="page_235">[235]</a></span> +sufficiently like to recall it, and as then, the lawn in front sloped +down to the road—and all beside, even to the simple gateway, seemed +like the time gone-by. And, for the first time that long day, Clair +looked sad, for he remembered when he had first looked upon it—and he +thought of the graceful child, in her almost infantine beauty, as she +sat and twined, with so much care, her fading wreath of the wild lily.</p> + +<p>Little did he then think, that her dying wreath—dying even as she +twined it—might so soon be regarded as her own fit emblem.</p> + +<p>But they have ascended the hill, and though it is May, and the day has +been warm, there is a brisk column of smoke curling up from the parlour +chimney of the dear old rectory. They got down at the Hargrave Arms, and +leaving their phaeton, just as they are recognised by the landlord, +stroll on together.</p> + +<p>It looked so <a name="liked" id="liked"></a><ins title="Original has liked">like</ins> home, that old garden, as<span class="pagenum"><a name="page_236" id="page_236">[236]</a></span> they entered it, they could +almost fancy they heard the good rector's step in the well-known walks, +and by the neat bee-hives; but no, the shutters were closed, and through +their creeks issued a small stream of bright light, just giving a sly +hint of the comfort they left in the snug parlour within.</p> + +<p>To raise the window of the glass-door, and to spring into the passage, +was but the work of one moment, and in the next, they were in the snug +parlour itself, and shaking hands with Mr. Ware and his sister with a +heartiness which nothing could exceed. And how the good man's face +glowed when he welcomed his dear old pupil back, and, in the warmth of +that one greeting, assured himself that he was "just as he used to be +when he was a boy." And how, not altogether, or even one at a time, +scarcely in any connection either, and certainly not as long stories are +sometimes told, they made him understand why they had come,<span class="pagenum"><a name="page_237" id="page_237">[237]</a></span> and all the +changes which had taken place—and best of all, that Mabel was coming +back to be mistress of Aston Manor, and Lucy—happy hearted Lucy—was to +be Clair's wife, would all take too long to tell. But that they were a +thoroughly comfortable and happy party, that night, there is no doubt. +Then, as it grew later, Mr. Clifford, the young architect, returned from +a long day, spent with some friends, and Hargrave was delighted to see +him.</p> + +<p>"Your work has been done almost with the rapidity of magic," he said, +speaking kindly to him, for it had been his first essay. "I was quite +pleased with what I saw as we lingered through the village."</p> + +<p>Mr. Clifford looked much gratified by his approval.</p> + +<p>"I am come down," Hargrave continued, "partly for the purpose of letting +these cottages to those most deserving, and most<span class="pagenum"><a name="page_238" id="page_238">[238]</a></span> honest; and you, my +dear sir, must assist me," he said, turning to Mr. Ware; "my bailiff has +already given notice, that they should all assemble in the large room, +at the new inn, to-morrow, and you must come with me to see that I do +justice."</p> + +<p>"Most willingly, my dear Hargrave," replied Mr. Ware, whose countenance +looked one continued beam of delight.</p> + +<p>"And the next morning," continued Hargrave, "we are going to run away +with you, as we cannot think of being married by any one but you."</p> + +<p>Mr. Ware looked still more pleased, as he, at first, modestly declined, +but very easily suffered himself to be persuaded to take the office +assigned him.</p> + +<p>"Now then, I have another plan to propose," pursued Hargrave. "You all +know the little hamlet of Cheswell, over the hill—and how, of late +years, it has increased to look more<span class="pagenum"><a name="page_239" id="page_239">[239]</a></span> like a village of itself—and you +may, perhaps, know how valuable the stone quarries have become to this +estate. Well, I am thinking of erecting there, a small church, together +with a snug house for a clergyman, and school house for the neglected +children of that neighbourhood; partly from the knowledge of the great +utility of such a measure, and partly because I wish to give some public +testimony of my respect for the ordinances I once abused."</p> + +<p>He colored deeply, as he made this confession, and then continued, more +rapidly—</p> + +<p>"I intend to endow this church property—and if, by the time it is +finished, Clair is in orders, I shall present him with it. Why not, my +dear sir, let him remain with you, till that time. I am sure," he added, +with a bow to Miss Ware, "my cousin Lucy cannot learn to keep house, at +once with cheerfulness and economy, better anywhere than here."</p><p><span class="pagenum"><a name="page_240" id="page_240">[240]</a></span></p> + +<p>"Delightful," exclaimed Mr. Ware. "Arthur, my dear fellow, I have long +known your intention of leaving the army; and may venture to say that +your plans have not been settled with lightness and inconsideration. +Will you come and live with us, for the present? Lucy can be with your +aunt, whenever you may be forced to be long absent—you need not doubt +that she shall be as welcome as you are."</p> + +<p>"Should Lucy consent, I will gladly accept your offer, dear uncle," +returned Clair; "but help me to thank Hargrave for this unexpected, +unlooked-for kindness."</p> + +<p>"No, no," said Hargrave, rising, and looking really embarrassed—"oblige +me, by not saying a word. Come with me—I am going to carry you with me +to the Manor. I shall sleep there to-night, for the first time, for more +than six years—come and help me to do the polite to my faithful +housekeeper."</p><p><span class="pagenum"><a name="page_241" id="page_241">[241]</a></span></p> + +<p>"Ah, Colonel Hargrave," said Miss Ware, as she pressed his hand with +reverence, for, with all his faults, she never forgot that she owed to +him the happy home they had enjoyed, for so many years, "you will be +welcome there, indeed, for you are come back to make us all happy."</p> + +<p>Hargrave looked still more embarrassed, tried to say something, and +failed—so seizing Clair by the arm, he hurried him off, without waiting +for another word.</p> + +<p>The first sound which greeted his ear, on the following morning, was a +merry peal from the old church. He started up, and almost glad to find +that Clair was still sleeping, he went, alone, to every part of the +house, so well known, and so well remembered. Once again he felt master +of his own—and the spell which had sent him forth a wilful wanderer was +broken for ever.</p> + +<p>With what pleasure he loitered from room<span class="pagenum"><a name="page_242" id="page_242">[242]</a></span> to room, and then out to the +green-houses and gardens; and, sometimes, he almost started, as some +once familiar object distinctly recalled to mind the days of his +boyhood. And then he would pause, to fancy how beautiful and how happy +all would be, in the sunshine of his Mabel's presence.</p> + +<p>But now Clair came to seek him, and they returned to a hearty breakfast, +and then hurried off to the rectory, to fetch Mr. Ware and young +Clifford to come with them to the inn, where already many an anxious +peasant awaited them.</p> + +<p>And when they did reach it, it was no light task to answer all claims, +and equally to distribute favors, to the many who sought them.</p> + +<p>Clair's head began to ache, many times, from the heated air of the large +but well-filled room, and he, many times, strolled back to the rectory, +to refresh himself.</p><p><span class="pagenum"><a name="page_243" id="page_243">[243]</a></span></p> + +<p>Mr. Ware went back to his regular lunch, and dinner—and even Clifford +found many opportunities of absenting himself; but still Hargrave sat +on, apparently unwearied, as one after another sought his hearing, and +laid claim to this or that disputed tenement. And his patience was well +rewarded, by the satisfaction which he had afforded—for, towards the +close of day, when the last claimant had been satisfied, the room was +still thronged by those who were anxious to thank him for the attention +he had shewn.</p> + +<p>"Before I bid you good night," said Hargrave, rising as he spoke—and, +as he did so, the fading rays of the evening sun played carelessly with +his dark hair, and shed a light upon his face; "I have one question to +ask you. Is there one among you, who will disapprove of my leniency in +continuing this man," here he laid his hand upon the shoulder of his +bailiff, who, with eyes fixed upon the<span class="pagenum"><a name="page_244" id="page_244">[244]</a></span> ground, stood next him, and had +been near him all day, "as my steward. If, since the night of the fire, +he has done one wanton, or careless act—If he has neglected my +interests by injuring you—speak, and he does not continue a day longer +in his office; but, if not, I am not the man to close the gates of mercy +against the repentant; and I say, that he shall have full opportunity of +atoning for the past. If he has done wrong, in any one single instance, +speak—if not, hold up your hands."</p> + +<p>Every hand was raised, and the timid, but grateful expression, with +which Rogers ventured to raise his eyes for the first time, seemed to +say that the testimony thus given him was deserved.</p> + +<p>"Very well," said Hargrave; "then he is my steward still, and long may +he do his duty—but, my friends, remember, that I shall now be almost +constantly with you, and I invite you all to dine on my grounds—on my +wedding day,<span class="pagenum"><a name="page_245" id="page_245">[245]</a></span> +for I shall soon give Aston a mistress, who is already +known, and loved, here. Mr. Clifford, who has already done so much for +<a name="you" id="you"></a><ins title="Original has you">your</ins> comfort, will be kind enough to superintend your gaiety, and join +you, I hope, in drinking my health. The only thing left me to ask, is +your confidence, and your love, my good people, for I am come back to +make a home among you."</p> + +<p>The buzz of approbation which echoed through the long room, and even +into the court-yard, beyond, might have satisfied him—but when, with a +smile, he drew from his pocket a <a name="whig" id="whig"></a><ins title="Original has whig">wig</ins> of shaggy hair, of the reddest hue, +together with the slouched hat of a traveller, and placed them upon his +head, they exclaimed, as with one voice, "The stranger!" and almost rent +the place with their acclamations, pressing, at the same time, so +closely round him, that he was glad to escape by a side door, from their +eager protestations<span class="pagenum"><a name="page_246" id="page_246">[246]</a></span>—and, as he paced rapidly up the path, through the +fields, to the manor, he could still hear, in the distance, the untired +hum of many voices, talking in surprise over the little romance of which +he had been the hero.</p> + +<p>There were many happy hearts in Aston that night, but none happier than +that of its repentant master.</p><hr class="chap" /><p><span class="pagenum"><a name="page_247" id="page_247">[247]</a></span></p> + + + + +<h2><a name="chapter_xi" id="chapter_xi">CHAPTER XI.</a></h2> +<div class="centersmallerrwithsig"> +<p class="poemsmall"> +O breathe those vows all hopefully,<br /> +A blessing from above<br /> +Is resting on the sacred bond<br /> +Of hallowed human love.<br /> +</p> +</div> +<p class="poemsig smcap">Culver Allen.</p> + + +<p>"As soon as you have prepared your drawings for the new church, we shall +be glad to see them," said Hargrave, to young Clifford, as he took up +the reins, and drove off from the rectory with Mr. Ware, and his nephew. +There was such a<span class="pagenum"><a name="page_248" id="page_248">[248]</a></span> +magic in that simple pronoun, 'we,' that he could not +forget it long after it had passed his lips, leaving the young architect +to indulge a long day dream on his kindness, which was to end in the +happiness of one other patient young being, long plighted to his +uncertain fortunes. Hargrave had, indeed, been determined to be lavish +of the blessings which he had, himself, so bounteously received, and +already reaped the fruits of well-doing in the pleasure it gave him.</p> + +<p>Before evening they reached Bath, where the good rector was received +with unaffected delight by Mabel, and with much timid apprehension by +his nephew's intended bride, who was, however, soon reassured by the +kindness of his manner.</p> + +<p>In the midst of all this busy happiness, Caroline and Maria continued to +make themselves often remembered, and poor Mabel had to endure very much +at their hands, and to<span class="pagenum"><a name="page_249" id="page_249">[249]</a></span> experience so many complicated annoyances, that +she looked to her marriage as to a haven of rest. She had received from +Mr. Ware the box of plate, of which he had the charge, and presented it +to her aunt, and, so far, had discharged all duty to her: but, though +she had been cruelly injured, she could not help sincerely pitying her, +since so much painful dissension had sprung up between her and her +daughters; at the same time, that she must deeply feel the +disappointment of all her schemes.</p> + +<p>But time hurried on till the first of June, which had been fixed for the +double marriages, and on that morning the bells of the venerable Abbey +startled the passers by with such a merry peal, as left little doubt of +their import. It really would be difficult to calculate the exact +quantity of Macassar oil and scents, which were expended in the two +hours which Miss Lovelace spent at her toilet, on the<span class="pagenum"><a name="page_250" id="page_250">[250]</a></span> occasion; but, +certainly, her ringlets were in the very best order, when she arrived in +Sydney Place, and the pink silk dress which had been presented to her, +with its numberless tiny flounces, from her very waist to the ground, +became her exceedingly. Unfortunately, the party was, she found, very +deficient in beaux—but, as scandal was to her, almost as rich a source +of amusement as flirtation; she contented herself by keeping her eyes +open, and noting down facts in her memory with wonderful precision; +subject, indeed, to a coloring of her own, with which she always +heightened events in narration much in the same way as that in which the +lights and shadows of a highly finished picture often far exceed those +of reality.</p> + +<p>She proved herself, indeed, a most useful bridesmaid, for Selina, who +alone would consent to appear at church, required quite as much +attendance as the brides, and, in this way, she<span class="pagenum"><a name="page_251" id="page_251">[251]</a></span> learnt a great many +secrets that morning, which were afterwards circulated no one could +imagine how. In her readiness to do any thing for "dear Miss Lesly," she +found out that she had all this time been sleeping in the servants' +attic, and in a room not even so well furnished as theirs; and she drew +a strong contrast between its humble appearance, and the beautiful pearl +bracelet which she fastened round her wrist—bearing testimony, in her +own mind, to the rare beauty which, on the morrow, she piqued half her +friends, by describing in the most glowing colors—because she alone had +been present to see how lovely Mabel had looked in her simple bridal +attire, standing in all the modest dignity of her nature, in that small, +mean, garret chamber.</p> + +<p>Then, as she stepped into the carriage, which was to take her to church, +attended by the eccentric Mr. Morley, she noted, from the window, the +exact degree of emotion shewn by<span class="pagenum"><a name="page_252" id="page_252">[252]</a></span> the two brides as they left the house, +Lucy being supported by Mr. Villars—nor were the liveries and horses, +belonging to the fashionable equipage which lingered near the church +door, forgotten, or the more modest looking one, which stood near it, +and had been hired by Clare, for the occasion. Lightly did she trip up +the aisle, and take her place, casting a pretty glance round her, which +told her, at once, that a venerable man, with hair of silvery whiteness +waited for them, by the altar, and that Hargrave and Clair, with their +own chosen friends, were standing by, looking very handsome, indeed, but +much more serious than she thought necessary; still, it became them very +well, and made them look more interesting—she did not take time to +consider the touching solemnity of the ceremony she was come to assist +in, or to read in Hargrave's earnest manner the steadfast resolutions, +which were never broken, of loving, and protecting, and confiding in +that<span class="pagenum"><a name="page_253" id="page_253">[253]</a></span> fair being, whose light step soon trod the silent aisle, and +brought her, in all her trusting affection, to his side—in all the +purity of untainted womanhood, to plight her single-hearted faith to +him, and, without a doubt, to place the happiness of a life-time in his +keeping.</p> + +<p>How peacefully upon his wearied heart fell the blessing which was +pronounced with trembling lips, and how proudly he led her away when all +was over, and whispered—</p> + +<p>"Nothing can part us now, love."</p> + +<p>And how happy Arthur Clare looked as he led the blushing Lucy to the +carriage, trembling as she was, so much, that he was almost obliged to +lift her in. But Miss Lovelace's powers of observation were still +further called into action, when she reached Sydney Place again; she +could scarcely believe her own eyes, indeed, as she afterwards affirmed, +when she met Caroline and Maria, for the first time, and found them<span class="pagenum"><a name="page_254" id="page_254">[254]</a></span> +wearing old silk dresses, rather more faded than those they usually wore +of a morning. The pink silk flounces, and the glossy and well arranged +ringlets suffered a simultaneous shock—nor could she resist, slightly +raising her eyes as they encountered those of Hargrave, who, she +instantly noticed, remarked the intended slight.</p> + +<p>She saw, too, that Caroline did not even make a shew of congratulation; +indeed, so many other instances could be observed of the intentional +neglect of the refinements of a marriage festival, even of the simplest +kind, that she did not wonder that Hargrave seemed impatient to be gone, +and that, when he had secured the hand of his fair bride he should hurry +her into the carriage and seat himself beside her, with a look of +indescribable relief, as they drove rapidly away—leaving Lucy and her +husband to a more prolonged leave taking.</p><p><span class="pagenum"><a name="page_255" id="page_255">[255]</a></span></p> + +<p>Miss Lovelace, finding that with the departure of the wedding party, her +services were deemed concluded, only remained to take a peep at the +disappointed family circle before she departed.</p> + +<p>She was not slow in divining the state of things amongst them, and Mrs. +Villars's altered looks betrayed much of the annoyances she suffered. +Indeed, as she afterwards remarked, in giving an account of the wedding, +poor Mrs. Villars aged very fast, and as for Caroline and Maria, she had +never seen girls expose themselves as they had done; she was sure, +indeed, after the way in which they had treated the lovely Mrs. +Hargrave, they had lost their chance of settling, if, indeed, they ever +had any. As for herself, she said that she had determined to have +nothing more to do with them, for that handsome Colonel Hargrave was +better than the whole family put together.</p><p><span class="pagenum"><a name="page_256" id="page_256">[256]</a></span></p> + +<p>To such heartless scandal, we must leave Mrs. Villars and her daughters; +but reluctantly, most reluctantly, for we feel that they were intended +for something better.</p><hr class="chap" /><p><span class="pagenum"><a name="page_257" id="page_257">[257]</a></span></p> + + + + +<h2><a name="chapter_xii" id="chapter_xii">CHAPTER</a> <a name="xiii" id="xiii"></a><ins title="Original has XIII">XII</ins>.</h2> +<div class="centersmallwithsig"> +<p class="poemsmall"> +<span style="margin-left: 6em;">Who would not have an eye</span><br /> +To see the sun, where others see a cloud,<br /> +A frame so vernal, as in spite of snow,<br /> +To think it genial summer all year round;<br /> +I do not know the fool, would not be such<br /> +A man.<br /> +</p> +</div> +<p class="poemsig smcap">Sheridan Knowles.</p> + + +<p>Once again we must change the scene, and, for the last time, take a peep +at the lovely village of Aston.</p> + +<p>Two months had passed since <a name="thethe" id="thethe"></a><ins title="Original has the the">the</ins> events recorded in the last chapter; and +one busy year had gone its round since the time of<span class="pagenum"><a name="page_258" id="page_258">[258]</a></span> Captain Clair's +first visit to the rectory. He was now fully established there, with his +cheerful little wife.</p> + +<p>Miss Ware shook her head when she first heard of this intended +arrangement; but no one approved of it more highly than she did now; for +all the winning little graces, which had made Lucy the admired coquette +of the ball-room, used, with a higher motive, made her the pet and pride +of the home into which she had been adopted.</p> + +<p>Miss Ware was perpetually discovering something new to love in her, +which she always prided herself in being the first to perceive—nor did +Arthur Clair ever seem disposed to contradict her—too glad to see his +wife admired and loved.</p> + +<p>In his aunt's eyes, indeed, no one could do anything so well—no one +could feed the poultry with so much care and fondness for them, or +arrange the flowers in the vases, or<span class="pagenum"><a name="page_259" id="page_259">[259]</a></span> run about to the cottages, with +such grace as did the little coquettish Lucy. And in all this Clair was +well inclined to agree, for to him she was all that affection could be, +looking up to him with half real and half sportive reverence; humouring +his whims, and winning him from his faults. Sometimes she would come and +seat herself on the sill of the open window, in the room where he was +studying, and calling round her, from the yard, turkeys, ducks, chickens +and pigeons, would feed them from the large, wooden bowl, which she held +upon her lap, turning with a light laugh to to her husband, when +anything occurred to excite her merriment. But when she saw this tired +him, and he really wished to read quietly, she would run away with her +motley group of followers, and then, escaping from them, would stroll +back again, and, seating herself by his side, would take up a book and +read in silence, till he himself proposed a change, and they would go +out together.</p><p><span class="pagenum"><a name="page_260" id="page_260">[260]</a></span></p> + +<p>On the day to which we must now call attention; they were all standing +in the garden, prepared for a walk. Mr. Ware's hat had been smoothly +brushed, gloves—always unwilling companions of his—were in his hand, +while his sister displayed her best mantle and bonnet, and took his arm +with an air of greater ceremony than was her wont, looking, now and +then, at Lucy, who was as carefully, but more gaily dressed than +herself. They were, in fact, upon their way to Aston Manor, to make the +bridal visit, as Colonel and Mrs. Hargrave had returned the evening +before.</p> + +<p>As they strolled through the village, they found so many causes to make +them linger, that they spent twice as much time as was needed on the +way. Old Giles, whose new cottage lay the nearest to the Manor gates, +could not help persuading them to come in and take a peep at his room, +which was filled<span class="pagenum"><a name="page_261" id="page_261">[261]</a></span> with every moderate comfort, to which he had ever been +accustomed. "Which was a good return," he said, "for the foolish story +he had told about himself and his young master, at the inn, little +dreaming that that master was the most attentive of his listeners; and +to think that he had come down that morning early, to tell him that he +should always have a pension from the family, and never want for +anything again. Was not that more than he deserved?" he asked, with +tears in his eyes.</p> + +<p>Heartily congratulating their old friend, the little party proceeded to +the Manor.</p> + +<p>They were not unexpected, for Mabel was waiting their coming. She was +sitting in the room which Hargrave had dedicated expressly to her, +though with the reserve that it should not be termed her boudoir. Here +were paintings of the most exquisite art, and books of the first authors +in poetry, science, or the light literature of the most generally known +of the<span class="pagenum"><a name="page_262" id="page_262">[262]</a></span> modern languages, while the work-table, and the sweet toned +cottage piano, were not forgotten—nor the harp, whose expensive music +had been so long laid aside. On the table before her lay an open parcel +of the last new books, from Town, which she had been attentively +considering, and, at the window, which opened to the ground, stood +Hargrave, sometimes looking out upon the sunny Italian garden, whose +bright flowers bloomed in untiring loveliness, but oftener looking in +upon his bride, who was to him the glad sunshine of everything on which +his eyes rested.</p> + +<p>Laying aside the book, which had, for some time, occupied her, Mabel +rose, and hurried to meet her friends, with that true, genuine warmth of +manner, which at once told them, that all the affection they brought +with them was entirely returned.</p> + +<p>And then, Hargrave was with them, welcoming all, with the frank-hearted +cheerful<span class="pagenum"><a name="page_263" id="page_263">[263]</a></span>ness which had so long been a stranger to him.</p> + +<p>They had so much to tell, that half that sultry afternoon slipped away +before they were aware of it; and Hargrave, leading Mr. Ware out into +the garden, told him how they had risen early that morning, and, before +any idlers were stirring, had gone down to the church-yard to see the +tomb of Mrs. Lesly and her child.</p> + +<p>"And how did she bear it?" enquired Mr. Ware.</p> + +<p>"Much better than I had expected—but not better than I might have +hoped," replied Hargrave, with some emotion—"for she has, I am sure, +<a name="nothimg" id="nothimg"></a><ins title="Original has nothimg">nothing</ins> to regret, with regard to them; and remorse, after all, is often +half the cause of our deepest griefs—nay, she must feel, that if they +have any knowledge of her present fortunes, they would only rejoice with +her; but it is a trial to her, at first, coming back<span class="pagenum"><a name="page_264" id="page_264">[264]</a></span> here—and you +cannot think how anxiously I have been watching her all the morning."</p> + +<p>"Nay, you have no cause for that," said Mr. Ware, kindly, as they turned +again to the window; "if Mabel could make herself happy in adversity, do +you think it possible that she would be unhappy with you?"</p> + +<p>Hargrave returned the compliment by a cheerful smile, which was altered +to one of exquisite sweetness, when Mabel came out, beaming with +delighted pleasure.</p> + +<p>"Look, love," she said, holding up a book to him, "see what I have found +in the parcel—'The Merchant's Recollections!' my dear uncle's novel, +published already. What a pleasure for dear Lucy—I am going to let her +carry it away with her to look at first."</p> + +<p>"And yet you are dying to read it, all the while you are giving it away, +my sweet wife; but give this copy to Lucy, and I will order<span class="pagenum"><a name="page_265" id="page_265">[265]</a></span> another +from town for you. Mabel has been talking of you, all the morning, my +dear sir," he said, turning to Mr. Ware, "sending you, in imagination, +the first papers, books, flowers, and fruit, and thinking how you will +dream old times are come back again."</p> + +<p>"Hush," said Mabel, "those were all to be surprises."</p> + +<p>"Oh, I quite forgot that; but now you will be bound to carry your long +dreams into reality; but one thing, remember, dear sir, that in all my +wanderings, I have ever looked back, with the greatest regret, to the +loss of your society, and I am selfishly anxious to secure as much of it +now as possible."</p> + +<p>"If I am a welcome guest," replied the good Rector cheerfully, "you will +no doubt very often find me a ready one, for, though we have lived in +seclusion so many years, I have not lost my taste for that society, +which a house like yours ought to afford; indeed, without my friend<span class="pagenum"><a name="page_266" id="page_266">[266]</a></span> +Mabel, I scarcely know how I should long have got on without it."</p> + +<p>"Thank you, thank you," returned Hargrave, "let me ever be the same to +you as I was in sunny Italy, with no constraint between us, but that of +self-respect; and now love," he said, turning to Mabel, "go and put on +your bonnet, and we will shew our friends your beautiful Arab, and our +intended improvements, and then we will walk to the village to see your +two old servants; you had better go there at once, and then all fear of +visiting the old place will be gone."</p> + +<p>Mabel's pretty straw bonnet was soon put on, and she was walking with +them through the gardens and pleasure grounds, giving her own happy tone +of feeling to every thing they looked upon; for wherever she stirred, +there, life, and industry, and comfort were sure to appear. She was now +the half idolized mistress of a wide domain, and more well stored wealth +than she<span class="pagenum"><a name="page_267" id="page_267">[267]</a></span> could afford time to calculate, and, wide as her influence was +likely to extend, would she spread abroad the sun-light principles of +her own pure heart.</p> + +<p>And, as she goes forth with Hargrave, leaning fondly on his arm, and +bringing forward a hundred plans, which would call forth his energy, and +bring a blessing on those around them—we will leave them, not sluggish +and contented, as if the cares and exertions of life were ended, <a name="bnt" id="bnt"></a><ins title="Original has bnt">but</ins> +happy in their restored love to begin it anew.</p> + +<p class="spacer"> </p> +<p class="likeh4">THE END.</p> + +<p class="spacer"> </p> +<hr class="chap" /> + +<p class="likeh5">T. C. Newby, Printer, 30, Welbeck Street, Cavendish Square.</p> + + +<hr class="chap" /> + +<p class="likeh3"> +<i>In the Press.</i><br /> +<br /> +<span class="likeh2nb booktitle"> TICONDEROGA: </span><br /> +<br /> +AN HISTORICAL ROMANCE,<br /> +<br /> +<span class="likeh6">IN THREE VOLS.</span><br /> +<br /> +<span class="likeh6">BY</span><br /><br /> +<i>G. P. R. JAMES, Esq.</i><br /> +<br /> +<br /> +</p> + +<hr class="chap" /> + + +<p class="likeh3"> +<span class="booktitlestretch">HOPE:</span><br /><br /> +<span class="likeh5 booktitle">A STORY OF CHEQUERED LIFE.</span><br /> +<br /> +<span class="likeh6">BY ALFRED W. COLE,</span><br /><br /> +<span class="likeh5">Author of "The Cape and the Kaffirs," &c.</span><br /> +</p> +<hr class="tb" /> +<p class="likeh3"> +<i>In the Press.</i><br /> +<br /> +<span class="booktitlestretch">LISMORE.</span><br /> +<br /> +<span class="likeh6">A NOVEL.</span><br /> +<br /> +<span class="likeh5">By the Author of "The Lady of the Bed-Chamber,"<br /> +"The Double Marriage," &c., &c.</span><br /> +</p> +<hr class="tb" /> +<p class="likeh3"> +THE WORLD, AND HOW TO SQUARE IT.<br /> +<br /> +<span class="likeh6">BY HARRY HIEOVER,</span><br /><br /> +<span class="likeh5">Author of "Proper Conditions for all Horses,"<br /> +"Sporting Facts and Sporting Fancies," &c.</span><br /> +</p> + +<hr class="chap" /> + +<div class='tnote'> +<h2><a name="Transcribers_note" id="Transcribers_note">Transcriber's note:</a></h2> +<p>A Table of Contents has been added to this ebook for the reader's convenience.</p> +<p>In general every effort has been made to replicate the original text as +faithfully as possible, including some instances of no longer standard +spelling and punctuation. In particular there was a tendency for +characters to ask semi-rhetorical questions punctuated with a period +instead of a question mark; this has not been changed since it may be +a stylistic choice, not a printer's error. However, punctuation errors +that appear to be of typographical nature have been repaired (for +example, many missing opening or closing quotation marks have been added). +Hyphenation and accent marks have been standardized.</p> + +<p>The following changes were made to repair apparent typographical errors:</p> + +<p> p. 20 "gave her a footstool, tellling" tellling changed to <a href="#tellling">telling</a><br /> + p. 25 "she took up a novel whieh" whieh changed to <a href="#whieh">which</a><br /> + p. 50 "to the advancement of christianity." <a href="#christianity">Christianity</a> capitalized<br /> + p. 65 "sparkling good humonr" humonr changed to <a href="#humonr">humour</a><br /> + p. 83 "too ununwell to educate" ununwell changed to <a href="#ununwell">unwell</a><br /> + p. 88 "forgive, forgive. <span class="smcap">Pollock</span>" <span class="smcap">Pollock</span> changed to <a href="#pollock"><span class="smcap">Pollok</span></a><br /> + p. 95 "and, laying hear head" hear changed to <a href="#hear">her</a><br /> + p. 110 "chosing one wet afternoon" chosing changed to <a href="#chosing">choosing</a><br /> + p. 113 "good deal ot tuition" ot changed to <a href="#ot">of</a><br /> + p. 115 "pleased with the repect" repect changed to <a href="#repect">respect</a><br /> + p. 120 "have the pain of romoving" romoving changed to <a href="#romoving">removing</a><br /> + p. 144 "to Hargrave, as she lent" lent changed to <a href="#lent1">leant</a><br /> + p. 144 "the hoom, when the door" hoom changed to <a href="#lent1">room</a><br /> + p. 148 "offer more than thirty ponnds" ponnds changed to <a href="#ponnds">pounds</a><br /> + p. 157 "resuming the conversar tion" conversar tion changed to + <a href="#conversar">conversation</a><br /> + p. 174 " carcely able to speak" ' carcely' changed to <a href="#carcely">'scarcely'</a><br /> + p. 175 "Mabel lent down and turned" lent changed to <a href="#lent2">leant</a><br /> + p. 233 "the well-known landmarks ef" ef changed to <a href="#ef">of</a><br /> + p. 235 "It looked so liked home" liked changed to <a href="#liked">like</a><br /> + p. 245 "much for you comfort" you changed to <a href="#you">your</a><br /> + p. 245 "pocket a whig of shaggy hair" whig changed to <a href="#whig">wig</a><br /> + p. 257 "CHAPTER XIII" XIII changed to <a href="#xiii">XII</a><br /> + p. 257 "Two months had passed since the the" extra <a href="#thethe">'the'</a> removed<br /> + p. 263 "sure, nothimg to regret" nothimg changed to <a href="#nothimg">nothing</a><br /> + p. 267 "bnt happy in their restored" bnt changed to <a href="#bnt">but</a><br /> +</p> +</div> + + + + + + + +<pre> + + + + + +End of the Project Gutenberg EBook of Mabel, Vol. III (of 3), by Emma Newby + +*** END OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK MABEL, VOL. III (OF 3) *** + +***** This file should be named 39359-h.htm or 39359-h.zip ***** +This and all associated files of various formats will be found in: + http://www.gutenberg.org/3/9/3/5/39359/ + +Produced by Robert Cicconetti, Paula Franzini and the +Online Distributed Proofreading Team at http://www.pgdp.net +(This file was produced from images generously made +available by The Internet Archive) + + +Updated editions will replace the previous one--the old editions +will be renamed. + +Creating the works from public domain print editions means that no +one owns a United States copyright in these works, so the Foundation +(and you!) can copy and distribute it in the United States without +permission and without paying copyright royalties. Special rules, +set forth in the General Terms of Use part of this license, apply to +copying and distributing Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works to +protect the PROJECT GUTENBERG-tm concept and trademark. Project +Gutenberg is a registered trademark, and may not be used if you +charge for the eBooks, unless you receive specific permission. If you +do not charge anything for copies of this eBook, complying with the +rules is very easy. You may use this eBook for nearly any purpose +such as creation of derivative works, reports, performances and +research. They may be modified and printed and given away--you may do +practically ANYTHING with public domain eBooks. Redistribution is +subject to the trademark license, especially commercial +redistribution. + + + +*** START: FULL LICENSE *** + +THE FULL PROJECT GUTENBERG LICENSE +PLEASE READ THIS BEFORE YOU DISTRIBUTE OR USE THIS WORK + +To protect the Project Gutenberg-tm mission of promoting the free +distribution of electronic works, by using or distributing this work +(or any other work associated in any way with the phrase "Project +Gutenberg"), you agree to comply with all the terms of the Full Project +Gutenberg-tm License (available with this file or online at +http://gutenberg.org/license). + + +Section 1. General Terms of Use and Redistributing Project Gutenberg-tm +electronic works + +1.A. By reading or using any part of this Project Gutenberg-tm +electronic work, you indicate that you have read, understand, agree to +and accept all the terms of this license and intellectual property +(trademark/copyright) agreement. If you do not agree to abide by all +the terms of this agreement, you must cease using and return or destroy +all copies of Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works in your possession. +If you paid a fee for obtaining a copy of or access to a Project +Gutenberg-tm electronic work and you do not agree to be bound by the +terms of this agreement, you may obtain a refund from the person or +entity to whom you paid the fee as set forth in paragraph 1.E.8. + +1.B. "Project Gutenberg" is a registered trademark. It may only be +used on or associated in any way with an electronic work by people who +agree to be bound by the terms of this agreement. There are a few +things that you can do with most Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works +even without complying with the full terms of this agreement. See +paragraph 1.C below. There are a lot of things you can do with Project +Gutenberg-tm electronic works if you follow the terms of this agreement +and help preserve free future access to Project Gutenberg-tm electronic +works. See paragraph 1.E below. + +1.C. The Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation ("the Foundation" +or PGLAF), owns a compilation copyright in the collection of Project +Gutenberg-tm electronic works. Nearly all the individual works in the +collection are in the public domain in the United States. If an +individual work is in the public domain in the United States and you are +located in the United States, we do not claim a right to prevent you from +copying, distributing, performing, displaying or creating derivative +works based on the work as long as all references to Project Gutenberg +are removed. Of course, we hope that you will support the Project +Gutenberg-tm mission of promoting free access to electronic works by +freely sharing Project Gutenberg-tm works in compliance with the terms of +this agreement for keeping the Project Gutenberg-tm name associated with +the work. You can easily comply with the terms of this agreement by +keeping this work in the same format with its attached full Project +Gutenberg-tm License when you share it without charge with others. + +1.D. The copyright laws of the place where you are located also govern +what you can do with this work. Copyright laws in most countries are in +a constant state of change. If you are outside the United States, check +the laws of your country in addition to the terms of this agreement +before downloading, copying, displaying, performing, distributing or +creating derivative works based on this work or any other Project +Gutenberg-tm work. The Foundation makes no representations concerning +the copyright status of any work in any country outside the United +States. + +1.E. Unless you have removed all references to Project Gutenberg: + +1.E.1. The following sentence, with active links to, or other immediate +access to, the full Project Gutenberg-tm License must appear prominently +whenever any copy of a Project Gutenberg-tm work (any work on which the +phrase "Project Gutenberg" appears, or with which the phrase "Project +Gutenberg" is associated) is accessed, displayed, performed, viewed, +copied or distributed: + +This eBook is for the use of anyone anywhere at no cost and with +almost no restrictions whatsoever. You may copy it, give it away or +re-use it under the terms of the Project Gutenberg License included +with this eBook or online at www.gutenberg.org + +1.E.2. If an individual Project Gutenberg-tm electronic work is derived +from the public domain (does not contain a notice indicating that it is +posted with permission of the copyright holder), the work can be copied +and distributed to anyone in the United States without paying any fees +or charges. If you are redistributing or providing access to a work +with the phrase "Project Gutenberg" associated with or appearing on the +work, you must comply either with the requirements of paragraphs 1.E.1 +through 1.E.7 or obtain permission for the use of the work and the +Project Gutenberg-tm trademark as set forth in paragraphs 1.E.8 or +1.E.9. + +1.E.3. If an individual Project Gutenberg-tm electronic work is posted +with the permission of the copyright holder, your use and distribution +must comply with both paragraphs 1.E.1 through 1.E.7 and any additional +terms imposed by the copyright holder. Additional terms will be linked +to the Project Gutenberg-tm License for all works posted with the +permission of the copyright holder found at the beginning of this work. + +1.E.4. Do not unlink or detach or remove the full Project Gutenberg-tm +License terms from this work, or any files containing a part of this +work or any other work associated with Project Gutenberg-tm. + +1.E.5. Do not copy, display, perform, distribute or redistribute this +electronic work, or any part of this electronic work, without +prominently displaying the sentence set forth in paragraph 1.E.1 with +active links or immediate access to the full terms of the Project +Gutenberg-tm License. + +1.E.6. You may convert to and distribute this work in any binary, +compressed, marked up, nonproprietary or proprietary form, including any +word processing or hypertext form. However, if you provide access to or +distribute copies of a Project Gutenberg-tm work in a format other than +"Plain Vanilla ASCII" or other format used in the official version +posted on the official Project Gutenberg-tm web site (www.gutenberg.org), +you must, at no additional cost, fee or expense to the user, provide a +copy, a means of exporting a copy, or a means of obtaining a copy upon +request, of the work in its original "Plain Vanilla ASCII" or other +form. Any alternate format must include the full Project Gutenberg-tm +License as specified in paragraph 1.E.1. + +1.E.7. Do not charge a fee for access to, viewing, displaying, +performing, copying or distributing any Project Gutenberg-tm works +unless you comply with paragraph 1.E.8 or 1.E.9. + +1.E.8. You may charge a reasonable fee for copies of or providing +access to or distributing Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works provided +that + +- You pay a royalty fee of 20% of the gross profits you derive from + the use of Project Gutenberg-tm works calculated using the method + you already use to calculate your applicable taxes. The fee is + owed to the owner of the Project Gutenberg-tm trademark, but he + has agreed to donate royalties under this paragraph to the + Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation. Royalty payments + must be paid within 60 days following each date on which you + prepare (or are legally required to prepare) your periodic tax + returns. Royalty payments should be clearly marked as such and + sent to the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation at the + address specified in Section 4, "Information about donations to + the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation." + +- You provide a full refund of any money paid by a user who notifies + you in writing (or by e-mail) within 30 days of receipt that s/he + does not agree to the terms of the full Project Gutenberg-tm + License. You must require such a user to return or + destroy all copies of the works possessed in a physical medium + and discontinue all use of and all access to other copies of + Project Gutenberg-tm works. + +- You provide, in accordance with paragraph 1.F.3, a full refund of any + money paid for a work or a replacement copy, if a defect in the + electronic work is discovered and reported to you within 90 days + of receipt of the work. + +- You comply with all other terms of this agreement for free + distribution of Project Gutenberg-tm works. + +1.E.9. If you wish to charge a fee or distribute a Project Gutenberg-tm +electronic work or group of works on different terms than are set +forth in this agreement, you must obtain permission in writing from +both the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation and Michael +Hart, the owner of the Project Gutenberg-tm trademark. Contact the +Foundation as set forth in Section 3 below. + +1.F. + +1.F.1. Project Gutenberg volunteers and employees expend considerable +effort to identify, do copyright research on, transcribe and proofread +public domain works in creating the Project Gutenberg-tm +collection. Despite these efforts, Project Gutenberg-tm electronic +works, and the medium on which they may be stored, may contain +"Defects," such as, but not limited to, incomplete, inaccurate or +corrupt data, transcription errors, a copyright or other intellectual +property infringement, a defective or damaged disk or other medium, a +computer virus, or computer codes that damage or cannot be read by +your equipment. + +1.F.2. LIMITED WARRANTY, DISCLAIMER OF DAMAGES - Except for the "Right +of Replacement or Refund" described in paragraph 1.F.3, the Project +Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation, the owner of the Project +Gutenberg-tm trademark, and any other party distributing a Project +Gutenberg-tm electronic work under this agreement, disclaim all +liability to you for damages, costs and expenses, including legal +fees. YOU AGREE THAT YOU HAVE NO REMEDIES FOR NEGLIGENCE, STRICT +LIABILITY, BREACH OF WARRANTY OR BREACH OF CONTRACT EXCEPT THOSE +PROVIDED IN PARAGRAPH 1.F.3. YOU AGREE THAT THE FOUNDATION, THE +TRADEMARK OWNER, AND ANY DISTRIBUTOR UNDER THIS AGREEMENT WILL NOT BE +LIABLE TO YOU FOR ACTUAL, DIRECT, INDIRECT, CONSEQUENTIAL, PUNITIVE OR +INCIDENTAL DAMAGES EVEN IF YOU GIVE NOTICE OF THE POSSIBILITY OF SUCH +DAMAGE. + +1.F.3. LIMITED RIGHT OF REPLACEMENT OR REFUND - If you discover a +defect in this electronic work within 90 days of receiving it, you can +receive a refund of the money (if any) you paid for it by sending a +written explanation to the person you received the work from. If you +received the work on a physical medium, you must return the medium with +your written explanation. The person or entity that provided you with +the defective work may elect to provide a replacement copy in lieu of a +refund. If you received the work electronically, the person or entity +providing it to you may choose to give you a second opportunity to +receive the work electronically in lieu of a refund. If the second copy +is also defective, you may demand a refund in writing without further +opportunities to fix the problem. + +1.F.4. Except for the limited right of replacement or refund set forth +in paragraph 1.F.3, this work is provided to you 'AS-IS' WITH NO OTHER +WARRANTIES OF ANY KIND, EXPRESS OR IMPLIED, INCLUDING BUT NOT LIMITED TO +WARRANTIES OF MERCHANTIBILITY OR FITNESS FOR ANY PURPOSE. + +1.F.5. Some states do not allow disclaimers of certain implied +warranties or the exclusion or limitation of certain types of damages. +If any disclaimer or limitation set forth in this agreement violates the +law of the state applicable to this agreement, the agreement shall be +interpreted to make the maximum disclaimer or limitation permitted by +the applicable state law. The invalidity or unenforceability of any +provision of this agreement shall not void the remaining provisions. + +1.F.6. INDEMNITY - You agree to indemnify and hold the Foundation, the +trademark owner, any agent or employee of the Foundation, anyone +providing copies of Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works in accordance +with this agreement, and any volunteers associated with the production, +promotion and distribution of Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works, +harmless from all liability, costs and expenses, including legal fees, +that arise directly or indirectly from any of the following which you do +or cause to occur: (a) distribution of this or any Project Gutenberg-tm +work, (b) alteration, modification, or additions or deletions to any +Project Gutenberg-tm work, and (c) any Defect you cause. + + +Section 2. Information about the Mission of Project Gutenberg-tm + +Project Gutenberg-tm is synonymous with the free distribution of +electronic works in formats readable by the widest variety of computers +including obsolete, old, middle-aged and new computers. It exists +because of the efforts of hundreds of volunteers and donations from +people in all walks of life. + +Volunteers and financial support to provide volunteers with the +assistance they need are critical to reaching Project Gutenberg-tm's +goals and ensuring that the Project Gutenberg-tm collection will +remain freely available for generations to come. In 2001, the Project +Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation was created to provide a secure +and permanent future for Project Gutenberg-tm and future generations. +To learn more about the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation +and how your efforts and donations can help, see Sections 3 and 4 +and the Foundation web page at http://www.pglaf.org. + + +Section 3. Information about the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive +Foundation + +The Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation is a non profit +501(c)(3) educational corporation organized under the laws of the +state of Mississippi and granted tax exempt status by the Internal +Revenue Service. The Foundation's EIN or federal tax identification +number is 64-6221541. Its 501(c)(3) letter is posted at +http://pglaf.org/fundraising. Contributions to the Project Gutenberg +Literary Archive Foundation are tax deductible to the full extent +permitted by U.S. federal laws and your state's laws. + +The Foundation's principal office is located at 4557 Melan Dr. S. +Fairbanks, AK, 99712., but its volunteers and employees are scattered +throughout numerous locations. Its business office is located at +809 North 1500 West, Salt Lake City, UT 84116, (801) 596-1887, email +business@pglaf.org. Email contact links and up to date contact +information can be found at the Foundation's web site and official +page at http://pglaf.org + +For additional contact information: + Dr. Gregory B. Newby + Chief Executive and Director + gbnewby@pglaf.org + + +Section 4. Information about Donations to the Project Gutenberg +Literary Archive Foundation + +Project Gutenberg-tm depends upon and cannot survive without wide +spread public support and donations to carry out its mission of +increasing the number of public domain and licensed works that can be +freely distributed in machine readable form accessible by the widest +array of equipment including outdated equipment. Many small donations +($1 to $5,000) are particularly important to maintaining tax exempt +status with the IRS. + +The Foundation is committed to complying with the laws regulating +charities and charitable donations in all 50 states of the United +States. Compliance requirements are not uniform and it takes a +considerable effort, much paperwork and many fees to meet and keep up +with these requirements. We do not solicit donations in locations +where we have not received written confirmation of compliance. To +SEND DONATIONS or determine the status of compliance for any +particular state visit http://pglaf.org + +While we cannot and do not solicit contributions from states where we +have not met the solicitation requirements, we know of no prohibition +against accepting unsolicited donations from donors in such states who +approach us with offers to donate. + +International donations are gratefully accepted, but we cannot make +any statements concerning tax treatment of donations received from +outside the United States. U.S. laws alone swamp our small staff. + +Please check the Project Gutenberg Web pages for current donation +methods and addresses. Donations are accepted in a number of other +ways including checks, online payments and credit card donations. +To donate, please visit: http://pglaf.org/donate + + +Section 5. General Information About Project Gutenberg-tm electronic +works. + +Professor Michael S. Hart is the originator of the Project Gutenberg-tm +concept of a library of electronic works that could be freely shared +with anyone. For thirty years, he produced and distributed Project +Gutenberg-tm eBooks with only a loose network of volunteer support. + + +Project Gutenberg-tm eBooks are often created from several printed +editions, all of which are confirmed as Public Domain in the U.S. +unless a copyright notice is included. Thus, we do not necessarily +keep eBooks in compliance with any particular paper edition. + + +Most people start at our Web site which has the main PG search facility: + + http://www.gutenberg.org + +This Web site includes information about Project Gutenberg-tm, +including how to make donations to the Project Gutenberg Literary +Archive Foundation, how to help produce our new eBooks, and how to +subscribe to our email newsletter to hear about new eBooks. + + +</pre> + +</body> +</html> |