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diff --git a/old/hwish10.txt b/old/hwish10.txt deleted file mode 100644 index 88a1dce..0000000 --- a/old/hwish10.txt +++ /dev/null @@ -1,9962 +0,0 @@ -The Project Gutenberg EBook of Henrietta's Wish, by Charlotte M. Yonge -(#28 in our series by Charlotte M. Yonge) - -Copyright laws are changing all over the world. Be sure to check the -copyright laws for your country before downloading or redistributing -this or any other Project Gutenberg eBook. - -This header should be the first thing seen when viewing this Project -Gutenberg file. Please do not remove it. Do not change or edit the -header without written permission. - -Please read the "legal small print," and other information about the -eBook and Project Gutenberg at the bottom of this file. Included is -important information about your specific rights and restrictions in -how the file may be used. You can also find out about how to make a -donation to Project Gutenberg, and how to get involved. - - -**Welcome To The World of Free Plain Vanilla Electronic Texts** - -**eBooks Readable By Both Humans and By Computers, Since 1971** - -*****These eBooks Were Prepared By Thousands of Volunteers!***** - - -Title: Henrietta's Wish - -Author: Charlotte M. Yonge - -Release Date: February, 2004 [EBook #5124] -[Yes, we are more than one year ahead of schedule] -[This file was first posted on May 5, 2002] - -Edition: 10 - -Language: English - -Character set encoding: ASCII - -*** START OF THE PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK, HENRIETTA'S WISH *** - - - - -This Project Gutenberg etext of Henrietta's Wish by Charlotte M Yonge -was prepared by Sandra Laythorpe, laythorpe@tiscali.co.uk A web page -for Charlotte M Yonge will be found at www.menorot.com/cmyonge.htm. -Thanks to the Victorian Women Writers Project at Indiana University for -generating this public domain eBook. - - - - - -HENRIETTA'S WISH; OR, DOMINEERING - -by - -Charlotte M Yonge - - - - - -CHAPTER I. - - - -On the afternoon of a warm day in the end of July, an open carriage was -waiting in front of the painted toy-looking building which served as -the railway station of Teignmouth. The fine bay horses stood patiently -enduring the attacks of hosts of winged foes, too well-behaved to -express their annoyance otherwise than by twitchings of their sleek -shining skins, but duly grateful to the coachman, who roused himself -now and then to whisk off some more pertinacious tormentor with the end -of his whip. - -Less patient was the sole occupant of the carriage, a maiden of about -sixteen years of age, whose shady dark grey eyes, parted lips, and -flushed complexion, were all full of the utmost eagerness, as every two -or three minutes she looked up from the book which she held in her hand -to examine the clock over the station door, compare it with her watch, -and study the countenances of the bystanders to see whether they -expressed any anxiety respecting the non-arrival of the train. All, -however, seemed quite at their ease, and after a time the arrival of -the railway omnibus and two or three other carriages, convinced her -that the rest of the world only now began to consider it to be due. -At last the ringing of a bell quickened everybody into a sudden state -of activity, and assured her that the much-desired moment was come. -The cloud of smoke was seen, the panting of the engine was heard, the -train displayed its length before the station, men ran along tapping -the doors of the carriages, and shouting a word which bore some distant -resemblance to "Teignmouth," and at the same moment various travellers -emerged from the different vehicles. - -Her eye eagerly sought out one of these arrivals, who on his side, -after a hasty greeting to the servant who met him on the platform, -hurried to the carriage, and sprang into it. The two faces, exactly -alike in form, complexion, and features, were for one moment pressed -together, then withdrawn, in the consciousness of the publicity of the -scene, but the hands remained locked together, and earnest was the tone -of the "Well, Fred!" "Well, Henrietta!" which formed the greeting of -the twin brother and sister. - -"And was not mamma well enough to come?" asked Frederick, as the -carriage turned away from the station. - -"She was afraid of the heat. She had some business letters to write -yesterday, which teased her, and she has not recovered from them yet; -but she has been very well, on the whole, this summer. But what of -your school affairs, Fred? How did the examination go off?" - -"I am fourth, and Alex Langford fifth. Every one says the prize will -lie between us next year." - -"Surely," said Henrietta, "you must be able to beat him then, if you -are before him now." - -"Don't make too sure, Henrietta," said Frederick, shaking his head, -"Langford is a hard-working fellow, very exact and accurate; I should -not have been before him now if it had not been for my verses." - -"I know Beatrice is very proud of Alexander," said Henrietta, "she -would make a great deal of his success." - -"Why of his more than of that of any other cousin?" said Frederick with -some dissatisfaction. - -"O you know he is the only one of the Knight Sutton cousins whom she -patronizes; all the others she calls cubs and bears and Osbaldistones. -And indeed, Uncle Geoffrey says he thinks it was in great part owing to -her that Alex is different from the rest. At least he began to think -him worth cultivating from the time he found him and Busy Bee perched -up together in an apple-tree, she telling him the story of Alexander -the Great. And how she always talks about Alex when she is here." - -"Is she at Knight Sutton?" - -"Yes, Aunt Geoffrey would not come here, because she did not wish to be -far from London, because old Lady Susan has not been well. And only -think, Fred, Queen Bee says there is a very nice house to be let close -to the village, and they went to look at it with grandpapa, and he kept -on saying how well it would do for us." - -"O, if we could but get mamma there!" said Fred. "What does she say?" - -"She knows the house, and says it is a very pleasant one," said -Henrietta; "but that is not an inch--no, not the hundredth part of an -inch--towards going there!" - -"It would surely be a good thing for her if she could but be brought to -believe so," said Frederick. "All her attachments are there--her own -home; my father's home." - -"There is nothing but the sea to be attached to, here," said Henrietta. -"Nobody can take root without some local interest, and as to -acquaintance, the people are always changing." - -"And there is nothing to do," added Fred; "nothing possible but boating -and riding, which are not worth the misery which they cause her, as -Uncle Geoffrey says. It is very, very--" - -"Aggravating," said Henrietta, supplying one of the numerous stock of -family slang words. - -"Yes, aggravating," said he with a smile, "to be placed under the -necessity of being absurd, or of annoying her!" - -"Annoying! O, Fred, you do not know a quarter of what she goes through -when she thinks you are in any danger. It could not be worse if you -were on the field of battle! And it is very strange, for she is not at -all a timid person for herself. In the boat, that time when the wind -rose, I am sure Aunt Geoffrey was more afraid than she was, and I have -seen it again and again that she is not easily frightened." - -"No: and I do not think she is afraid for you." - -"Not as she is for you, Fred; but then boys are so much more precious -than girls, and besides they love to endanger themselves so much, that -I think that is reasonable." - -"Uncle Geoffrey thinks there is something nervous and morbid in it," -said Fred: "he thinks that it is the remains of the horror of the -sudden shock--" - -"What? Our father's accident?" asked Henrietta. "I never knew rightly -about that. I only knew it was when we were but a week old." - -"No one saw it happen," said Fred; "he went out riding, his horse came -home without him, and he was lying by the side of the road." - -"Did they bring him home?" asked Henrietta, in the same low thrilling -tone in which her brother spoke. - -"Yes, but he never recovered his senses: he just said 'Mary,' once or -twice, and only lived to the middle of the night!" - -"Terrible!" said Henrietta, with a shudder. "O! how did mamma ever -recover it?--at least, I do not think she has recovered it now,--but I -meant live, or be even as well as she is." - -"She was fearfully ill for long after," said Fred, "and Uncle Geoffrey -thinks that these anxieties for me are an effect of the shock. He says -they are not at all like her usual character. I am sure it is not to -be wondered at." - -"O no, no," said Henrietta. "What a mystery it has always seemed to us -about papa! She sometimes mentioning him in talking about her childish -days and Knight Sutton, but if we tried to ask any more, grandmamma -stopping us directly, till we learned to believe we ought never to -utter his name. I do believe, though, that mamma herself would have -found it a comfort to talk to us about him, if poor dear grandmamma had -not always cut her short, for fear it should be too much for her." - -"But had you not always an impression of something dreadful about his -death?" - -"O yes, yes; I do not know how we acquired it, but that I am sure we -had, and it made us shrink from asking any questions, or even from -talking to each other about it. All I knew I heard from Beatrice. Did -Uncle Geoffrey tell you this?" - -"Yes, he told me when he was here last Easter, and I was asking him to -speak to mamma about my fishing, and saying how horrid it was to be -kept back from everything. First he laughed, and said it was the -penalty of being an only son, and then he entered upon this history, to -show me how it is." - -"But it is very odd that she should have let you learn to ride, which -one would have thought she would have dreaded most of all." - -"That was because she thought it right, he says. Poor mamma, she said -to him, 'Geoffrey, if you think it right that Fred should begin to -ride, never mind my folly.' He says that he thinks it cost her as much -resolution to say that as it might to be martyred. And the same about -going to school." - -"Yes, yes; exactly," said Henrietta, "if she thinks it is right, bear -it she will, cost her what it may! O there is nobody like mamma. Busy -Bee says so, and she knows, living in London and seeing so many people -as she does." - -"I never saw anyone so like a queen," said Fred. "No, nor anyone so -beautiful, though she is so pale and thin. People say you are like her -in her young days, Henrietta; and to be sure, you have a decent face of -your own, but you will never be as beautiful as mamma, not if you live -to be a hundred." - -"You are afraid to compliment my face because it is so like your own, -Master Fred," retorted his sister; "but one comfort is, that I shall -grow more like her by living to a hundred, whereas you will lose all -the little likeness you have, and grow a grim old Black-beard! But I -was going to say, Fred, that, though I think there is a great deal of -truth in what Uncle Geoffrey said, yet I do believe that poor -grandmamma made it worse. You know she had always been in India, and -knew less about boys than mamma, who had been brought up with papa and -my uncles, so she might really believe that everything was dangerous; -and I have often seen her quite as much alarmed, or more perhaps, about -you--her consolations just showing that she was in a dreadful fright, -and making mamma twice as bad." - -"Well," said Fred, sighing, "that is all over now, and she thought she -was doing it all for the best." - -"And," proceeded Henrietta, "I think, and Queen Bee thinks, that this -perpetual staying on at Rocksand was more owing to her than to mamma. -She imagined that mamma could not bear the sight of Knight Sutton, and -that it was a great kindness to keep her from thinking of moving--" - -"Ay, and that nobody can doctor her but Mr. Clarke," added Fred. - -"Till now, I really believe," said Henrietta, "that the possibility of -moving has entirely passed out of her mind, and she no more believes -that she can do it than that the house can." - -"Yes," said Fred, "I do not think a journey occurs to her among events -possible, and yet without being very fond of this place." - -"Fond! O no! it never was meant to be a home, and has nothing homelike -about it! All her affections are really at Knight Sutton, and if she -once went there, she would stay and be so much happier among her own -friends, instead of being isolated here with me. In grandmamma's time -it was not so bad for her, but now she has no companion at all but me. -Rocksand has all the loneliness of the country without its advantages." - -"There is not much complaint as to happiness, after all," said Fred. - -"No, O no! but then it is she who makes it delightful, and it cannot be -well for her to have no one to depend upon but me. Besides, how -useless one is here. No opportunity of doing anything for the poor -people, no clergyman who will put one into the way of being useful. -O how nice it would be at Knight Sutton!" - -"And perhaps she would be cured of her fears," added Fred; "she would -find no one to share them, and be convinced by seeing that the cousins -there come to no harm. I wish Uncle Geoffrey would recommend it!" - -"Well, we will see what we can do," said Henrietta. "I do think we may -persuade her, and I think we ought; it would be for her happiness and -for yours, and on all accounts I am convinced that it ought to be -done." - -And as Henrietta came to this serious conclusion, they entered the -steep straggling street of the little town of Rocksand, and presently -were within the gates of the sweep which led to the door of the -verandahed Gothic cottage, which looked very tempting for summer's -lodging, but was little fitted for a permanent abode. - -In spite of all the longing wishes expressed during the drive, no -ancestral home, beloved by inheritance, could have been entered with -more affectionate rapture than that with which Frederick Langford -sprung from the carriage, and flew to the arms of his mother, receiving -and returning such a caress as could only be known by a boy conscious -that he had done nothing to forfeit home love and confidence. - -Turning back the fair hair that hung over his forehead, Mrs. Langford -looked into his eyes, saying, half-interrogatively, half-affirmatively, -"All right, Fred? Nothing that we need be afraid to tell Uncle -Geoffrey? Well, Henrietta, he is grown, but he has not passed you yet. -And now, Freddy, tell us about your examination," added she, as fondly -leaning on his arm, she proceeded into the drawing-room, and they sat -down together on the sofa, talking eagerly and joyously. - -Mrs. Frederick Henry Langford, to give her her proper style, was in -truth one whose peculiar loveliness of countenance well deserved the -admiration expressed by her son. It was indeed pale and thin, but the -features were beautifully formed, and had that expression of sweet -placid resignation which would have made a far plainer face beautiful. -The eyes were deep dark blue, and though sorrow and suffering had -dimmed their brightness, their softness was increased; the smile was -one of peace, of love, of serenity; of one who, though sorrow-stricken, -as it were, before her time, had lived on in meek patience and -submission, almost a child in her ways, as devoted to her mother, as -little with a will and way of her own, as free from the cares of this -work-a-day world. The long luxuriant dark brown hair, which once, as -now with Henrietta, had clustered in thick glossy ringlets over her -comb and round her face, was in thick braids beneath the delicate lace -cap which suited with her plain black silk dress. Her figure was -slender, so tall that neither her well-grown son nor daughter had yet -reached her height, and, as Frederick said, with something queenlike in -its unconscious grace and dignity. - -As a girl she had been the merriest of the merry, and even now she had -great playfulness of manner, and threw herself into the occupation of -the moment with a life and animation that gave an uncommon charm to her -manners, so that how completely sorrow had depressed and broken her -spirit would scarcely have been guessed by one who had not known her in -earlier days. - -Frederick's account of his journey and of his school news was heard and -commented on, a work of time extending far into the dinner; the next -matter in the regular course of conversation on the day of arrival was -to talk over Uncle and Aunt Geoffrey's proceedings, and the Knight -Sutton affairs. - -"So, Uncle Geoffrey has been in the North?" said Fred. - -"Yes, on a special retainer," said Mrs. Langford, "and very much he -seems to have enjoyed his chance of seeing York Cathedral." - -"He wrote to me in court," said Fred, "to tell me what books I had -better get up for this examination, and on a bit of paper scribbled all -over one side with notes of the evidence. He said the Cathedral was -beautiful beyond all he ever imagined." - -"Had he never seen it before?" said Henrietta. "Lawyers seem made to -travel in their vacations." - -"Uncle Geoffrey could not be spared," said her mamma; "I do not know -what Grandmamma Langford would do if he cheated her of any more of his -holidays than he bestows upon us. He is far too valuable to be allowed -to take his own pleasure." - -"Besides, his own pleasure is at Knight Sutton," said Henrietta. - -"He goes home just as he used from school," said Mrs. Langford. -"Indeed, except a few grey hairs and crows feet, he is not in the least -altered from those days; his work and play come in just the same way." - -"And, as his daughter says, he is just as much the home pet," added -Henrietta, "only rivalled by Busy Bee herself." - -"No," said Fred, "according to Aunt Geoffrey, there are two suns in one -sphere: Queen Bee is grandpapa's pet, Uncle Geoffrey grandmamma's. It -must be great fun to see them." - -"Happy people!" said Mrs. Langford. - -"Henrietta says," proceeded Fred, "that there is a house to be let at -Knight Sutton." - -"The Pleasance; yes, I know it well," said his mother: "it is not -actually in the parish, but close to the borders, and a very pretty -place." - -"With a pretty little stream in the garden, Fred, "said Henrietta, "and -looking into that beautiful Sussex coom, that there is a drawing of in -mamma's room." - -"What size is it?" added Fred. - -"The comparative degree," said Mrs. Langford, "but my acquaintance with -it does not extend beyond the recollection of a pretty-looking drawing- -room with French windows, and a lawn where I used to be allowed to run -about when I went with Grandmamma Langford to call on the old Miss -Drakes. I wonder your Uncle Roger does not take it, for those boys can -scarcely, I should think, be wedged into Sutton Leigh when they are all -at home." - -"I wish some one else would take it," said Fred. - -"Some one," added Henrietta, "who would like it of all things, and be -quite at home there." - -"A person," proceeded the boy, "who likes Knight Sutton and its inhab- -itants better than anything else." - -"Only think," joined in the young lady, "how delightful it would be. -I can just fancy you, mamma, sitting out on this lawn you talk of, on a -summer's day, and nursing your pinks and carnations, and listening to -the nightingales, and Grandpapa and Grandmamma Langford, and Uncle and -Aunt Roger, and the cousins coming walking in at any time without -ringing at the door! And how nice to have Queen Bee and Uncle and Aunt -Geoffrey all the vacation!" - -"Without feeling as if we were robbing Knight Sutton," said Mrs. -Langford. "Why, we should have you a regular little country maid, -Henrietta, riding shaggy ponies, and scrambling over hedges, as your -mamma did before you." - -"And being as happy as a queen," said Henrietta; "and the poor people, -you know them all, don't you, mamma?" - -"I know their names, but my generation must have nearly passed away. -But I should like you to see old Daniels the carpenter, whom the boys -used to work with, and who was so fond of them. And the old -schoolmistress in her spectacles. How she must be scandalized by the -introduction of a noun and a verb!" - -"Who has been so cruel?" asked Fred. "Busy Bee, I suppose." - -"Yes," said Henrietta, "she teaches away with all her might; but she -says she is afraid they will forget it all while she is in London, for -there is no one to keep it up. Now, I could do that nicely. How I -should like to be Queen Bee's deputy." - -"But," said Fred, "how does Beatrice manage to make grandmamma endure -such novelties? I should think she would disdain them more than the -old mistress herself." - -"Queen Bee's is not merely a nominal sovereignty," said Mrs. Langford. - -"Besides," said Henrietta, "the new Clergyman approves of all that sort -of thing; he likes her to teach, and puts her in the way of it." - - - - -CHAPTER II. - - - ->From this time forward everything tended towards Knight Sutton: castles -in the air, persuasions, casual words which showed the turn of thought -of the brother and sister, met their mother every hour. Nor was she, -as Henrietta truly said, entirely averse to the change; she loved to -talk of what she still regarded as her home, but the shrinking dread of -the pang it must give to return to the scene of her happiest days, to -the burial-place of her husband, to the abode of his parents, had been -augmented by the tender over-anxious care of her mother, Mrs. Vivian, -who had strenuously endeavoured to prevent her from ever taking such a -proposal into consideration, and fairly led her at length to believe it -out of the question. - -A removal would in fact have been impossible during the latter years of -Mrs. Vivian's life: but she had now been dead about eighteen months, -her daughter had recovered from the first grief of her loss, and there -was a general impression throughout the family that now was the time -for her to come amongst them again. For herself, the possibility was -but beginning to dawn upon her; just at first she joined in building -castles and imagining scenes at Knight Sutton, without thinking of -their being realized, or that it only depended upon her, to find -herself at home there; and when Frederick and Henrietta, encouraged by -this manner of talking, pressed it upon her, she would reply with some -vague intention of a return some time or other, but still thinking of -it as something far away, and rather to be dreaded than desired. - -It was chiefly by dint of repetition that it fully entered her mind -that it was their real and earnest wish that she should engage to take -a lease of the Pleasance, and remove almost immediately from her -present abode; and from this time it might be perceived that she always -shrank from entering on the subject in a manner which gave them little -reason to hope. - -"Yet, I think," said Henrietta to her brother one afternoon as they -were walking together on the sands; "I think if she once thought it was -right, if Uncle Geoffrey would tell her so, or if grandpapa would -really tell her that he wished it, I am quite sure that she would -resolve upon it." - -"But why did he not do so long ago?" said Fred. - -"O! because of grandmamma, I suppose," said Henrietta; "but he really -does wish it, and I should not at all wonder if the Busy Bee could put -it into his head to do it." - -"Or if Uncle Geoffrey would advise her," said Fred; "but it never -answers to try to make him propose anything to her. He never will do -it; he always says he is not the Pope, or something to that effect." - -"If I was not fully convinced that it was right, and the best for all -parties, I would not say so much about it," said Henrietta, in a tone -rather as if she was preparing for some great sacrifice, instead of -domineering over her mother. - -To domineering, her temptation was certainly great. With all her good -sense and ability, Mrs. Langford had seldom been called upon to decide -for herself, but had always relied upon her mother for counsel; and -during her long and gradual decline had learnt to depend upon her -brother-in-law, Mr. Geoffrey Langford, for direction in great affairs, -and in lesser ones upon her children. Girls are generally older of -their age than boys, and Henrietta, a clever girl and her mother's -constant companion, occupied a position in the family which amounted to -something more than prime minister. Some one person must always be -leader, and thus she had gradually attained, or had greatness thrust -upon her; for justice requires it to be stated, that she more -frequently tried to know her mamma's mind for her, than to carry her -own point, though perhaps to do so always was more than could be -expected of human nature at sixteen. The habit of being called on to -settle whether they should use the britska or the pony carriage, -whether satin or silk was best, or this or that book should be ordered, -was, however, sufficient to make her very unwilling to be thwarted in -other matters of more importance, especially in one on which were fixed -the most ardent hopes of her brother, and the wishes of all the family. - -Their present abode was, as she often said to herself, not the one best -calculated for the holiday sports of a boy of sixteen, yet Frederick, -having been used to nothing else, was very happy, and had tastes formed -on their way of life. The twins, as little children, had always had -the same occupations, Henrietta learning Latin, marbles, and trap-ball, -and Frederick playing with dolls and working cross-stitch; and even now -the custom was so far continued, that he gave lessons in Homer and -Euclid for those which he received in Italian and music. For present -amusement there was no reason to complain; the neighbourhood supplied -many beautiful walks, while longer expeditions were made with Mrs. -Langford in the pony carriage, and sketching, botanizing, and -scrambling, were the order of the day. Boating too was a great -delight, and had it not been for an occasional fretting recollection -that he could not go out sailing without his mamma, and that most of -his school fellows were spending their holidays in a very different -manner, he would have been perfectly happy. Fortunately he had not -sufficient acquaintance with the boys in the neighbourhood for the -contrast to be often brought before him. - -Henrietta did not do much to reconcile him to the anxious care with -which he was guarded. She was proud of his talents, of his -accomplishments, of his handsome features, and she would willingly have -been proud of his excellence in manly sports, but in lieu of this she -was proud of the spirit which made him long for them, and encouraged it -by her full and entire sympathy. The belief that the present -restraints must be diminished at Knight Sutton, was a moving spring -with her, as much as her own wish for the scenes round which -imagination had thrown such a brilliant halo. Of society they had -hitherto seen little or nothing; Mrs. Langford's health and spirits had -never been equal to visiting, nor was there much to tempt her in the -changing inhabitants of a watering-place. Now and then, perhaps, an -old acquaintance or distant connexion of some part of the family came -for a month or six weeks, and a few calls were exchanged, and it was -one of these visits that led to the following conversation. - -"By the by, mamma," said Fred, "I meant to ask you what that foolish -woman meant about the St. Legers, and their not having thoroughly -approved of Aunt Geoffrey's marriage." - -"About the most ill-placed thing she could have said, Freddy," replied -Mrs. Langford, "considering that I was always accused of having made -the match." - -"Made the match! O tell us, mamma; tell us all about it. Did you -really?" - -"Not consciously; Fred, and Frank St. Leger deserves as much of the -credit as I do." - -"Who was he? a brother of Aunt Geoffrey's?" - -"O yes, Fred," said Henrietta, "to be sure you knew that. You have -heard how mamma came home from India with General St. Leger and his -little boy and girl. But by the by, mamma, what became of their -mother?" - -"Lady Beatrice? She died in India just before we came home. Well, I -used to stay with them after we came back to England, and of course -talked to my friend--" - -"Call her Beatrice, mamma, and make a story of it." - -"I talked to her about my Knight Sutton home, and cousins, and on the -other hand, then, Frank was always telling her about his school friend -Geoffrey Langford. At last Frank brought him home from Oxford one -Easter vacation. It was when the general was in command at ----, and -Beatrice was in the midst of all sorts of gaieties, the mistress of the -house, entertaining everybody, and all exactly what a novel would call -brilliant." - -"Were you there, mamma?" - -"Yes, Beatrice had made a point of our coming to stay with her, and -very droll it was to see how she and Geoffrey were surprised at each -other; she to find her brother's guide, philosopher, and friend, the -Langford who had gained every prize, a boyish-looking, boyish-mannered -youth, very shy at first, and afterwards, excellent at giggling and -making giggle; and he to find one with the exterior of a fine gay lady, -so really simple in tastes and habits." - -"Was Aunt Geoffrey ever pretty?" asked Fred. - -"She is just what she was then, a little brown thing with no actual -beauty but in her animation and in her expression. I never saw a -really handsome person who seemed to me nearly as charming. Then she -had, and indeed has now, so much air and grace, so much of what, for -want of a better word, I must call fashion in her appearance, that she -was always very striking." - -"Yes," said Henrietta, "I can quite see that; it is not gracefulness, -and it is not beauty, nor is it what she ever thinks of, but there is -something distinguished about her. I should look twice at her if I met -her in the street, and expect her to get into a carriage with a -coronet. And then and there they fell in love, did they?" - -"In long morning expeditions with the ostensible purpose of sketching, -but in which I had all the drawing to myself, while the others talked -either wondrous wisely or wondrous drolly. However, you must not -suppose that anything of the novel kind was said then; Geoffrey was -only twenty, and Beatrice seemed as much out of his reach as the king's -daughter of Hongarie." - -"O yes, of course," said Henrietta, "but that only makes it more -delightful! Only to think of Uncle and Aunt Geoffrey having a novel in -their history." - -"That there are better novels in real life than in stories, is a truth -or a truism often repeated, Henrietta," said her mother with a soft -sigh, which she repressed in an instant, and proceeded: "Poor Frank's -illness and death at Oxford brought them together the next year in a -very different manner. Geoffrey was one of his chief nurses to the -last, and was a great comfort to them all; you may suppose how grateful -they were to him. Next time I saw him, he seemed quite to have buried -his youthful spirits in his studies: he was reading morning, noon, and -night, and looking ill and overworked." - -"O, Uncle Geoffrey! dear good Uncle Geoffrey," cried Henrietta, in an -ecstasy; "you were as delightful as a knight of old, only as you could -not fight tournaments for her, you were obliged to read for her; and -pining away all the time and saying nothing about it." - -"Nothing beyond a demure inquiry of me when we were alone together, -after the health of the General. Well, you know how well his reading -succeeded; he took a double first class, and very proud of him we -were." - -"And still he saw nothing of her," said Fred. - -"Not till some time after he had been settled in his chambers at the -Temple. Now you must know that General St. Leger, though in most -matters a wise man, was not by any means so in money matters: and by -some unlucky speculation which was to have doubled his daughter's -fortune, managed to lose the whole of it, leaving little but his pay." - -"Capital!" cried Frederick, "that brings her down to him." - -"So it did," said his mother, smiling; "but the spectators did not -rejoice quite so heartily as you do. The general's health was failing, -and it was hard to think what would become of Beatrice; for Lord St. -Leger's family, though very kind, were not more congenial than they are -now. As soon as all this was pretty well known, Geoffrey spoke, and -the general, who was very fond of him, gave full consent. They meant -to wait until it was prudent, of course, and were well contented; but -just after it was all settled, the general had a sudden seizure, and -died. Geoffrey was with him, and he treated him like a son, saying it -was his great comfort to know that her happiness was in his hands. -Poor Beatrice, she went first to the St. Legers, stayed with them two -or three months, then I would have her to be my bridesmaid, though"-- -and Mrs. Langford tried to smile, while again she strangled a sobbing -sigh--"she warned me that her mourning was a bad omen. Well, she -stayed with my mother while we went abroad, and on our return went with -us to be introduced at Knight Sutton. Everybody was charmed, Mrs. -Langford and Aunt Roger had expected a fine lady or a blue one, but -they soon learnt to believe all her gaiety and all her cleverness a -mere calumny, and grandpapa was delighted with her the first moment. -How well I remember Geoffrey's coming home and thanking us for having -managed so well as to make her like one of the family, while the truth -was that she had fitted herself in, and found her place from the first -moment. Now came a time of grave private conferences. A long -engagement which might have been very well if the general had lived, -was a dreary prospect now that Beatrice was without a home; but then -your uncle was but just called to the bar, and had next to nothing of -his own, present or to come. However, he had begun his literary works, -and found them answer so well, that he believed he could maintain -himself till briefs came in, and he had the sort of talent which gives -confidence. He thought, too, that even in the event of his death she -would be better off as one of us, than as a dependent on the St. -Legers; and at last by talking to us, he nearly persuaded himself to -believe it would be a very prudent thing to marry. It was a harder -matter to persuade his father, but persuade him he did, and the wedding -was at Knight Sutton that very summer." - -"That's right," cried Fred, "excellent and glorious! A farthing for -all the St. Legers put together." - -"Nevertheless, Fred, in spite of your disdain, we were all of opinion -that it was a matter of rejoicing that Lord St. Leger and Lady Amelia -were present, so that no one had any reason to say that they -disapproved. Moreover, lest you should learn imprudence from my story, -I would also suggest that if your uncle and aunt had not been a couple -comme il-y-en a peu, it would neither have been excellent nor -glorious." - -"Why, they are very well off," said Fred; "he is quite at the head of -his profession. The first thing a fellow asks me when he hears my name -is, if I belong to Langford the barrister." - -"Yes, but he never would have been eminent, scarcely have had daily -bread, if he had not worked fearfully hard, so hard that without the -buoyant school-boy spirit, which can turn from the hardest toil like a -child to its play, his health could never have stood it." - -"But then it has been success and triumph," said Fred; "one could work -like a galley-slave with encouragement, and never feel it drudgery." - -"It was not all success at first," said his mother; "there was hard -work, and disappointment, and heavy sorrow too; but they knew how to -bear it, and to win through with it." - -"And were they very poor?" asked Henrietta. - -"Yes: but it was beautiful to see how she accommodated herself to it. -The house that once looked dingy and desolate, was very soon pretty and -cheerful, and the wirtschaft so well ordered and economical, that Aunt -Roger was struck dumb with admiration. I shall not forget Lady Susan's -visit the last morning we spent with her in London, how amazed she was -to find 'poor Beatrice' looking so bright and like herself, and how -little she guessed at her morning's work, the study of shirt-making, -and the copying out a review of her husband's, full of Greek -quotations." - -"Well, the poverty is all over now," said Henrietta; "but still they -live in a very quiet way, considering Aunt Geoffrey's connexions and -the fortune he has made." - -"Who put that notion into your head, my wise daughter?" said Mrs. -Langford. - -Henrietta blushed, laughed, and mentioned Lady Matilda St. Leger, a -cousin of her aunt Geoffrey's of whom she had seen something in the -last year. - -"The truth is," said Mrs. Langford, "that your aunt had display and -luxury enough in her youth to value it as it deserves, and he could not -desire it except for her sake. They had rather give with a free hand, -beyond what any one knows or suspects." - -"Ah! I know among other things that he sends Alexander to school," -said Fred. - -"Yes, and the improvements at Knight Sutton," said Henrietta, "the -school, and all that grandpapa wished but could never afford. Well, -mamma, if you made the match, you deserve to be congratulated on your -work." - -"There's nobody like Uncle Geoffrey, I have said, and shall always -maintain," said Fred. - -His mother sighed, saying, "I don't know what we should have done -without him!" and became silent. Henrietta saw an expression on her -countenance which made her unwilling to disturb her, and nothing more -was said till it was discovered that it was bed time. - - - - -CHAPTER III. - - - -"Where is Madame?" asked Frederick of his sister, as she entered the -breakfast room alone the next morning with the key of the tea-chest in -her hand. - -"A headache," answered Henrietta, "and a palpitation." - -"A bad one?" - -"Yes, very; and I am afraid it is our fault, Freddy; I am convinced it -will not do, and we must give it up." - -"How do you mean? The going to Knight Sutton? What has that to do -with it? Is it the reviving old recollections that is too much for -her?" - -"Just listen what an effect last evening's conversation had upon her. -Last night, after I had been asleep a long time, I woke up, and there I -saw her kneeling before the table with her hands over her face. Just -then it struck one, and soon after she got into bed. I did not let her -know I was awake, for speaking would only have made it worse, but I am -sure she did not sleep all night, and this morning she had one of her -most uncomfortable fits of palpitation. She had just fallen asleep, -when I looked in after dressing, but I do not think she will be fit to -come down to-day." - -"And do you think it was talking of Uncle and Aunt Geoffrey that -brought it on?" said Fred, with much concern; "yet it did not seem to -have much to do with my father." - -"O but it must," said Henrietta. "He must have been there all the time -mixed up in everything. Queen Bee has told me how they were always -together when they were children." - -"Ah! perhaps; and I noticed how she spoke about her wedding," said -Fred. "Yes, and to compare how differently it has turned out with Aunt -Geoffrey and with her, after they had been young and happy together. -Yes, no doubt it was he who persuaded the people at Knight Sutton into -letting them marry!" - -"And their sorrow that she spoke of must have been his death," said -Henrietta. "No doubt the going over those old times renewed all those -thoughts." - -"And you think going to Knight Sutton might have the same effect. -Well, I suppose we must give it up," said Fred, with a sigh. "After -all, we can be very happy here!" - -"O yes! that we can. It is more on your account than mine, that I -wished it," said the sister. - -"And I should not have thought so much of it, if I had not thought it -would be pleasanter for you when I am away," said Fred. - -"And so," said Henrietta, laughing yet sighing, "we agree to persuade -each other that we don't care about it." - -Fred performed a grimace, and remarked that if Henrietta continued to -make her tea so scalding, there would soon be a verdict against her of -fratricide; but the observation, being intended to conceal certain -feelings of disappointment and heroism, only led to silence. - -After sleeping for some hours, Mrs. Langford awoke refreshed, and got -up, but did not leave her room. Frederick and Henrietta went to take a -walk by her desire, as she declared that she preferred being alone, and -on their return they found her lying on the sofa. - -"Mamma has been in mischief," said Fred. "She did not think herself -knocked up enough already, so she has been doing it more thoroughly." - -"Oh, mamma!" was Henrietta's reproachful exclamation, as she looked at -her pale face and red swollen eyelids. - -"Never mind, my dears," said she, trying to smile, "I shall be better -now this is done, and I have it off my mind." They looked at her in -anxious interrogation, and she smiled outright with lip and eye. "You -will seal that letter with a good will, Henrietta," she said. "It is -to ask Uncle Geoffrey to make inquiries about the Pleasance." - -"Mamma!" and they stood transfixed at a decision beyond their hopes: -then Henrietta exclaimed-- - -"No, no, mamma, it will be too much for you; you must not think of it." - -"Yes," said Fred; "indeed we agreed this morning that it would be -better not. Put it out of your head, mamma, and go on here in peace -and comfort. I am sure it suits you best." - -"Thank you, thank you, my dear ones," said she, drawing them towards -her, and fondly kissing them, "but it is all settled, and I am sure it -is better for you. It is but a dull life for you here." - -"O no, no, no, dearest mamma: nothing can be dull with you," cried -Henrietta, wishing most sincerely to undo her own work. "We are, -indeed we are, as happy as the day is long. Do not fancy we are -discontented; do not think we want a change." - -Mrs. Langford replied by an arch though subdued smile. - -"But we would not have you to do it on our account," said Fred. "Pray -put it out of your head, for we do very well here, and it was only a -passing fancy." - -"You will not talk me out of it, my dears," said Mrs. Langford. "I -know it is right, and it shall be done. It is only the making up my -mind that was the struggle, and I shall look forward to it as much as -either of you, when I know it is to be done. Now walk off, my dears, -and do not let that letter be too late for the post." - -"I do not half like it," said Fred, pausing at the door. - -"I have not many fears on that score," said she, smiling. "No, do not -be uneasy about me, my dear Fred, it is my proper place, and I must be -happy there. I shall like to be near the Hall, and to see all the dear -old places again." - -"O, mamma, you cannot talk about them without your voice quivering," -said Henrietta. "You do not know how I wish you would give it up!" - -"Give it up! I would not for millions," said Mrs. Langford. "Now go, -my dears, and perhaps I shall go to sleep again." - -The spirits of the brother and sister did not just at first rise enough -for rejoicing over the decision. Henrietta would willingly have kept -back the letter, but this she could not do; and sealing it as if she -were doing wrong, she sat down to dinner, feeling subdued and -remorseful, something like a tyrant between the condemnation and -execution of his victim. But by the time the first course was over, -and she and Frederick had begun to recollect their long-cherished -wishes, they made up their minds to be happy, and fell into their usual -strain of admiration of the unknown haven of their hopes, and of -expectations that it would in the end benefit their mother. - -The next morning she was quite in her usual spirits, and affairs -proceeded in the usual manner; Frederick's holidays came to an end, and -he returned to school with many a fond lamentation from the mother and -sister, but with cheerful auguries from both that the next meeting -might be at Knight Sutton. - -"Here, Henrietta," said her mother, as they sat at breakfast together a -day or two after Frederick's departure, turning over to her the letter -of which she had first broken the seal, while she proceeded to open -some others. It was Uncle Geoffrey's writing, and Henrietta read -eagerly: - - -"MY DEAR MARY,--I would not write till I could give you some positive -information about the Pleasance, and that could not be done without a -conference with Hardy, who was not at home. I am heartily glad that -you think of coming among us again, but still I should like to feel -certain that it is you that feel equal to it, and not the young ones -who are set upon the plan. I suppose you will indignantly refute the -charge, but you know I have never trusted you in that matter. However, -we are too much the gainers to investigate motives closely, and I -cannot but believe that the effort once over, you would find it a great -comfort to be among your own people, and in your own country. I fully -agree with you also in what you say of the advantage to Henrietta and -Fred. My father is going to write, and I must leave him to do justice -to his own cordiality, and proceed to business." - - -Then came the particulars of freehold and copyhold, purchase or lease, -repair or disrepair, of which Henrietta knew nothing, and cared less; -she knew that her mamma was considered a great heiress, and trusted to -her wealth for putting all she pleased in her power: but it was rather -alarming to recollect that Uncle Geoffrey would consider it right to -make the best terms he could, and that the house might be lost to them -while they were bargaining for it. - -"O, mamma, never mind what he says about its being dear," said she, "I -dare say it will not ruin us." - -"Not exactly," said Mrs. Langford, smiling, "but gentlemen consider it -a disgrace not to make a good bargain, and Uncle Geoffrey must be -allowed to have his own way." - -"O but, mamma, suppose some one else should take it." - -"A village house is not like these summer lodgings, which are snapped -up before you can look at them," said Mrs. Langford; "I have no fears -but that it is to be had." But Henrietta could not help fancying that -her mother would regard it somewhat as a reprieve, if the bargain was -to go off independently of any determination of hers. - -Still she had made up her mind to look cheerfully at the scheme, and -often talked of it with pleasure, to which the cordial and affectionate -letters of her father-in-law and the rest of the family, conduced not a -little. She now fully perceived that it had only been from -forbearance, that they had not before urged her return, and as she saw -how earnestly it was desired by Mr. and Mrs. Langford, reproached -herself as for a weakness for not having sooner resolved upon her -present step. Henrietta's work was rather to keep up her spirits at -the prospect, than to prevent her from changing her purpose, which -never altered, respecting a return to the neighbourhood of Knight -Sutton, though whether to the house of the tempting name, was a -question which remained in agitation during the rest of the autumn, for -as surely as Rome was not built in a day, so surely cannot a house be -bought or sold in a day, especially when a clever and cautious lawyer -acts for one party. - -Matters thus dragged on, till the space before the Christmas holidays -was reckoned by weeks, instead of months, and as Mrs. Frederick -Langford laughingly said, she should be fairly ashamed to meet her boy -again at their present home. She therefore easily allowed herself to -be persuaded to accept Mr. Langford's invitation to take up her -quarters at the Hall, and look about her a little before finally -deciding upon the Pleasance. Christmas at Knight Sutton Hall had the -greatest charms in the eyes of Henrietta and Frederick; for many a time -had they listened to the descriptions given con amore by Beatrice -Langford, to whom that place had ever been a home, perhaps the more -beloved, because the other half of her life was spent in London. - -It was a great disappointment, however, to hear that Mrs. Geoffrey -Langford was likely to be detained in London by the state of health of -her aunt, Lady Susan St. Leger, whom she did not like to leave, while -no other of the family was at hand. This was a cruel stroke, but she -could not bear that her husband should miss his yearly holiday, her -daughter lose the pleasure of a fortnight with Henrietta, or Mr. and -Mrs. Langford be deprived of the visit of their favourite son: and she -therefore arranged to go and stay with Lady Susan, while Beatrice and -her father went as usual to Knight Sutton. - -Mr. Geoffrey Langford offered to escort his sister-in-law from -Devonshire, but she did not like his holidays to be so wasted. She had -no merely personal apprehensions, and new as railroads were to her, -declared herself perfectly willing and able to manage with no -companions but her daughter and maid, with whom she was to travel to -his house in London, there to be met in a day or two by the two school- -boys, Frederick and his cousin Alexander, and then proceed all together -to Knight Sutton. - -Henrietta could scarcely believe that the long-wished-for time was -really come, packing up actually commencing, and that her waking would -find her under a different roof from that which she had never left. -She did not know till now that she had any attachments to the place she -had hitherto believed utterly devoid of all interest; but she found she -could not bid it farewell without sorrow. There was the old boatman -with his rough kindly courtesy, and his droll ways of speaking; there -was the rocky beach where she and her brother had often played on the -verge of the ocean, watching with mysterious awe or sportive delight -the ripple of the advancing waves, the glorious sea itself, the walks, -the woods, streams, and rocks, which she now believed, as mamma and -Uncle Geoffrey had often told her, were more beautiful than anything -she was likely to find in Sussex. Other scenes there were, connected -with her grandmother, which she grieved much at parting with, but she -shunned talking over her regrets, lest she should agitate her mother, -whom she watched with great anxiety. - -She was glad that so much business was on her hands, as to leave little -time for dwelling on her feelings, to which she attributed the calm -quietness with which she went through the few trying days that -immediately preceded their departure. Henrietta felt this constant -employment so great a relief to her own spirits, that she was sorry on -her own account, as well as her mother's, when every possible order had -been given, every box packed, and nothing was to be done, but to sit -opposite to each other, on each side of the fire, in the idleness which -precedes candle-light. Her mother leant back in silence, and she -watched her with an anxious gaze. She feared to say anything of -sympathy with what she supposed her feeling, lest she should make her -weep. An indifferent speech would be out of place even if Henrietta -herself could have made it, and yet to remain silent was to allow -melancholy thoughts to prey upon her. So thought the daughter, longing -at the same time that her persuasions were all unsaid. - -"Come here, my dear child," said her mother presently, and Henrietta -almost started at the calmness of the voice, and the serenity of the -tranquil countenance. She crossed to her mother, and sat down on a low -footstool, leaning against her. "You are very much afraid for me," -continued Mrs. Langford, as she remarked upon the anxious expression of -her face, far different from her own, "but you need not fear, it is all -well with me; it would be wrong not to be thankful for those who are -not really lost to me as well as for those who were given to me here." - -All Henrietta's consideration for her mother could not prevent her from -bursting into tears. "O mamma, I did not know it would be so like -going away from dear grandmamma." - -"Try to feel the truth, my dear, that our being near to her depends on -whether we are in our duty or not." - -"Yes, yes, but this place is so full of her! I do so love it! I did -not know it till now!" - -"Yes, we must always love it, my dear child; but we are going to our -home, Henrietta, to your father's home in life and death, and it must -be good for us to be there. With your grandfather, who has wished for -us. Knight Sutton is our true home, the one where it is right for us -to be." - -Henrietta still wept bitterly, and strange it was that it should be she -who stood in need of consolation, for the fulfilment of her own most -ardent wish, and from the very person to whom it was the greatest -trial. It was not, however, self-reproach that caused her tears, that -her mother's calmness prevented her from feeling, but only attachment -to the place she was about to leave, and the recollections, which she -accused herself of having slighted. Her mother, who had made up her -mind to do what was right, found strength and peace at the moment of -trial, when the wayward and untrained spirits of the daughter gave way. -Not that she blamed Henrietta, she was rather gratified to find that -she was so much attached to her home and her grandmother, and felt so -much with her; and after she had succeeded in some degree in restoring -her to composure, they talked long and earnestly over old times and -deeper feelings. - - - - -CHAPTER IV. - - - -The journey to London was prosperously performed, and Mrs. Frederick -Langford was not overfatigued when she arrived at Uncle Geoffrey's -house at Westminster. The cordiality of their greeting may be -imagined, as a visit from Henrietta had been one of the favourite -visions of her cousin Beatrice, through her whole life; and the two -girls were soon deep in the delights of a conversation in which sense -and nonsense had an equal share. - -The next day was spent by the two Mrs. Langfords in quiet together, -while Henrietta was conducted through a rapid whirl of sight-seeing by -Beatrice and Uncle Geoffrey, the latter of whom, to his niece's great -amazement, professed to find almost as much novelty in the sights as -she did. A short December day, though not what they would have chosen, -had this advantage, that the victim could not be as completely fagged -and worn out as in a summer's day, and Henrietta was still fresh and in -high spirits when they drove home and found to their delight that the -two schoolboys had already arrived. - -Beatrice met both alike as old friends and almost brothers, but -Alexander, though returning her greeting with equal cordiality, looked -shyly at the new aunt and cousin, and as Henrietta suspected, wished -them elsewhere. She had heard much of him from Beatrice, and knew that -her brother regarded him as a formidable rival; and she was therefore -surprised to see that his broad honest face expressed more good humour -than intellect, and his manners wanted polish. He was tolerably well- -featured, with light eyes and dark hair, and though half a year older -than his cousin, was much shorter, more perhaps in appearance than -reality, from the breadth and squareness of his shoulders, and from not -carrying himself well. - -Alexander was, as ought previously to have been recorded, the third son -of Mr. Roger Langford, the heir of Knight Sutton, at present living at -Sutton Leigh, a small house on his father's estate, busied with -farming, sporting, and parish business; while his active wife contrived -to make a narrow income feed, clothe, and at least half educate their -endless tribe of boys. Roger, the eldest, was at sea; Frederick, the -second, in India; and Alexander owed his more learned education to -Uncle Geoffrey, who had been well recompensed by his industry and good -conduct. Indeed his attainments had always been so superior to those -of his brothers, that he might have been considered as a prodigy, had -not his cousin Frederick been always one step before him. - -Fred had greater talent, and had been much better taught at home, so -that on first going to school, he took and kept the higher place; but -this was but a small advantage in his eyes, compared with what he had -to endure out of school during his first half-year. Unused to any -training or companionship save of womankind, he was disconsolate, -bewildered, derided in that new rude world; while Alex, accustomed to -fight his way among rude brothers, instantly found his level, and even -extended a protecting hand to his cousin, who requited it with little -gratitude. Soon overcoming his effeminate habits, he grew expert and -dexterous, and was equal to Alex in all but main bodily strength; but -the spirit of rivalry once excited, had never died away, and with a -real friendship and esteem for each other, their names or rather their -nicknames had almost become party words among their schoolfellows. - -Nor was it probable that this competition would be forgotten on this -first occasion of spending their holidays together. Fred felt himself -open to that most galling accusation of want of manliness, on account -at once of his ignorance of country sports, and of his knowledge of -accomplishments; but he did not guess at the feeling which made -Alexander on his side regard those very accomplishments with a feeling -which, if it were not jealousy, was at least very nearly akin to it. - -Beatrice Langford had not the slightest claim to beauty. She was very -little, and so thin that her papa did her no injustice when he called -her skin and bones; but her thin brown face, with the aid of a pair of -very large deep Italian-looking eyes, was so full of brilliant -expression, and showed such changes of feeling from sad to gay, from -sublime to ridiculous, that no one could have wished one feature -otherwise. And if instead of being "like the diamond bright," they had -been "dull as lead," it would have been little matter to Alex. -Beatrice had been, she was still, his friend, his own cousin, more than -what he could believe a sister to be if he had one,--in short his own -little Queen Bee. He had had a monopoly of her; she had trained him in -all the civilization which he possessed, and it was with considerable -mortification that he thought himself lowered in her eyes by comparison -with his old rival, as old a friend of hers, with the same claim to -cousinly affection; and instead of understanding only what she had -taught him, familiar with the tastes and pursuits on which she set -perhaps too great a value. - -Fred did not care nearly as much for Beatrice's preference: it might be -that he took it as a matter of course, or perhaps that having a sister -of his own, he did not need her sympathy, but still it was a point on -which he was likely to be sensitive, and thus her favour was likely to -be secretly quite as much a matter of competition as their school -studies and pastimes. - -For instance, dinner was over, and Henrietta was admiring some choice -books of prints, such luxuries as Uncle Geoffrey now afforded himself, -and which his wife and daughter greatly preferred to the more costly -style of living which some people thought befitted them. She called to -her brother who was standing by the fire, "Fred, do come and look at -this beautiful Albert Durer of Sintram." - -He hesitated, doubting whether Alexander would scorn him for an -acquaintance with Albert Durer, but Beatrice added, "Yes, it was an old -promise that I would show it to you. There now, look, admire, or be -pronounced insensible." - -"A wonderful old fellow was that Albert," said Fred, looking, and -forgetting his foolish false shame in the pleasure of admiration. -"Yes; O how wondrously the expression on Death's face changes as it -does in the story! How easy it is to see how Fouque must have built it -up! Have you seen it, mamma?" - -His mother came to admire. Another print was produced, and another, -and Fred and Beatrice were eagerly studying the elaborate engravings of -the old German, when Alex, annoyed at finding her too much engrossed to -have a word for him, came to share their occupation, and took up one of -the prints with no practised hand. "Take care, Alex, take care," cried -Beatrice, in a sort of excruciated tone; "don't you see what a pinch -you are giving it! Only the initiated ought to handle a print: there -is a pattern for you," pointing to Fred. - -She cut right and left: both looked annoyed, and retreated from the -table. Fred thinking how Alex must look down on fingers which -possessed any tenderness; Alex provoked at once and pained. Queen -Bee's black eyes perceived their power, and gave a flash of laughing -triumph. - -But Beatrice was not quite in her usual high spirits, for she was very -sorry to leave her mother; and when they went up stairs for the night, -she stood long over the fire talking to her, and listening to certain -parting cautions. - -"How I wish you could have come, mamma! I am so sure that grandmamma in -her kindness will tease Aunt Mary to death. You are the only person -who can guard her without affronting grandmamma. Now I--" - -"Had better let it alone," rejoined Mrs. Geoffrey Langford. "You will -do more harm than by letting things take their course. Remember, too, -that Aunt Mary was at home there long before you or I knew the place." - -"Oh, if that tiresome Aunt Amelia would but have had some -consideration! To go out of town and leave Aunt Susan on our hands -just when we always go home!" - -"We have lamented that often enough," said her mother smiling. "It is -unlucky, but it cannot be too often repeated, that wills and wishes -must sometimes bend." - -"You say that for me, mamma," said Beatrice. "You think grandmamma and -I have too much will for each other." - -"If you are conscious of that, Bee, I hope that you will bend that -wilful will of yours." - -"I hope I shall," said Beatrice, "but.... Well, I must go to bed. Good -night, mamma." - -And Mrs. Geoffrey Langford looked after her daughter anxiously, but she -well knew that Beatrice knew her besetting fault, and she trusted to -the many fervent resolutions she had made against it. - -The next morning the party bade adieu to Mrs. Geoffrey Langford, and -set out on their journey to Knight Sutton. They filled a whole -railroad carriage, and were a very cheerful party. Alexander and -Beatrice sat opposite to each other, talking over Knight Sutton -delights with animation, Beatrice ever and anon turning to her other -cousins with explanations, or referring to her papa, who was reading -the newspaper and talking with Mrs. Frederick Langford. - -The day was not long enough for all the talk of the cousins, and the -early winter twilight came on before their conversation was exhausted, -or they had reached the Allonfield station. - -"Here we are!" exclaimed Beatrice, as the train stopped, and at the -same moment a loud voice called out, "All right! where are you, Alex?" -upon which Alexander tumbled across Henrietta to feel for the handle of -the carriage-door, replying, "Here, old fellow, let us out. Have you -brought Dumpling?" And Uncle Geoffrey and Beatrice exclaimed, "How -d'ye do, Carey?" - -When Alexander had succeeded in making his exit, Henrietta beheld him -shaking hands with a figure not quite his own height, and in its rough -great-coat not unlike a small species of bear. Uncle Geoffrey and Fred -handed out the ladies, and sought their appurtenances in the dark, and -Henrietta began to give Alex credit for a portion of that which maketh -man, when he shoved his brother, admonishing him that there was Aunt -Mary, upon which Carey advanced, much encumbered with sheepish shyness, -presented a great rough driving-glove, and shortly and bluntly replied -to the soft tones which kindly greeted him, and inquired for all at -home. - -"Is the Hall carriage come?" asked Alex, and, receiving a gruff -affirmative, added, "then, Aunt Mary, you had better come to it while -Uncle Geoffrey looks after the luggage," offered his arm with tolerable -courtesy, and conducted her to the carriage. "There," said he, "Carey -has driven in our gig, and I suppose Fred and I had better go back with -him." - -"Is the horse steady?" asked his aunt, anxiously. - -"Dumple? To be sure! Never does wrong! do you, old fellow?" said -Alex, patting his old friend. - -"And no lamps?" - -"O, we know the way blindfold, and you might cross Sutton Heath a dozen -times without meeting anything but a wheelbarrow-full of peat." - -"And how is the road now? It used to be very bad in my time." - -"Lots of ruts," muttered Carey to his brother, who interpreted it, "A -few ruts this winter, but Dumpling knows all the bad places." - -By this time Uncle Geoffrey came up, and instantly perceiving the state -of things, said, "I say, Freddy, do you mind changing places with me? -I should like to have a peep at Uncle Roger before going up to the -house, and then Dumpling's feelings won't be hurt by passing the turn -to Sutton Leigh." - -Fred could not object, and his mother rejoiced in the belief that Uncle -Geoffrey would take the reins, nor did Beatrice undeceive her, though, -as the vehicle rattled past the carriage at full speed, she saw -Alexander's own flourish of the whip, and knew that her papa was -letting the boys have their own way. She had been rather depressed in -the morning on leaving her mother, but as she came nearer home her -spirits mounted, and she was almost wild with glee. "Aunt Mary, do you -know where you are?" - -"On Sutton Heath, I presume, from the absence of landmarks." - -"Yes, that we are. You dear old place, how d'ye do? You beginning of -home! I don't know when it is best coming to you: on a summer's -evening, all glowing with purple heath, or a frosty star-light night -like this. There is the Sutton Leigh turn! Hurrah! only a mile -further to the gate." - -"Where I used to go to meet the boys coming home from school," said her -aunt, in a low tone of deep feeling. But she would not sadden their -blithe young hearts, and added cheerfully, "Just the same as ever, I -see: how well I know the outline of the bank there!" - -"Ay, it is your fatherland, too, Aunt Mary! Is there not something -inspiring in the very air? Come, Fred, can't you get up a little -enthusiasm?" - -"Oceans, without getting it up," replied Fred. "I never was more -rejoiced in my whole life," and he began to hum Domum. - -"Sing it, sing it; let us join in chorus as homage to Knight Sutton," -cried Henrietta. - -And the voices began, "Domum, Domum, dulce Domum;" even Aunt Mary -herself caught the feelings of her young companions, felt herself -coming to her own beloved home and parents, half forgot how changed was -her situation, and threw herself into the delight of returning. - -"Now, Fred," said Henrietta, "let us try those verses that you found a -tune for, that begin 'What is home?'" - -This also was sung, and by the time it was finished they had reached a -gate leading into a long drive through dark beech woods. "This is the -beautiful wood of which I have often told you, Henrietta," said Mrs. -Frederick Langford. - -"The wood with glades like cathedral aisles," said Henrietta. "O, how -delightful it will be to see it come out in leaf!" - -"Which I have never seen," said Beatrice. "I tell papa he has made his -fortune, and ought to retire, and he says he is too young for it." - -"In which I fully agree with him," said her aunt. "I should not like -to see him with nothing to do." - -"O, mamma, Uncle Geoffrey would never be anywhere with nothing to do," -said Henrietta. - -"No," said her mother, "but people are always happier with work made -for them, than with what they make for themselves. Besides, Uncle -Geoffrey has too much talent to be spared." - -"Ay," said Fred, "I wondered to hear you so devoid of ambition, little -Busy Bee." - -"It is only Knight Sutton and thinking of May flowers that makes me -so," said Beatrice. "I believe after all, I should break my heart if -papa did retire without--" - -"Without what, Bee?" - -"Being Lord Chancellor, I suppose," said Henrietta very seriously. "I -am sure I should." - -"His being in Parliament will content me for the present," said -Beatrice, "for I have been told too often that high principles don't -rise in the world, to expect any more. We can be just as proud of him -as if he was." - -"You are in a wondrously humble and philosophic mood, Queen Bee," said -Henrietta; "but where are we now?" added she, as a gate swung back. - -"Coming into the paddock," said Beatrice; "don't you see the lights in -the house? There, that is the drawing-room window to the right, and -that large one the great hall window. Then upstairs, don't you see -that red fire-light? That is the south room, which Aunt Mary will be -sure to have." - -Henrietta did not answer, for there was something that subdued her in -the nervous pressure of her mother's hand. The carriage stopped at the -door, whence streamed forth light, dazzling to eyes long accustomed to -darkness; but in the midst stood a figure which Henrietta could not but -have recognized in an instant, even had not old Mr. Langford paid more -than one visit to Rocksand. Tall, thin, unbent, with high bald -forehead, clear eye, and long snowy hair; there he was, lifting rather -than handing his daughter-in-law from the carriage, and fondly kissing -her brow; then he hastily greeted the other occupants of the carriage, -while she received the kiss of Mrs. Langford. - -They were now in the hall, and turning again to his daughter-in-law, he -gave her his arm, and led her into the drawing-room, where he once more -embraced her, saying, "Bless you, my own dear Mary!" She clung to him -for a moment as if she longed to weep with him, but recovering herself -in an instant, she gave her attention to Mrs. Langford, who was trying -to administer to her comfort with a degree of bustle and activity which -suited well with the alertness of her small figure and the vivacity of -the black eyes which still preserved their brightness, though her hair -was perfectly white. "Well, Mary, my dear, I hope you are not tired. -You had better sit down and take off your furs, or will you go to your -room? But where is Geoffrey?" - -"He went with Alex and Carey, round by Sutton Leigh," said Beatrice. - -"Ha! ha! my little Queen, are you there?" said grandpapa, holding out -his arms to her. "And," added he, "is not this your first introduction -to the twins, grandmamma? Why you are grown as fine a pair as I would -wish to see on a summer's day. Last time I saw you I could hardly tell -you apart, when you both wore straw hats and white trousers. No -mistake now though. Well, I am right glad to have you here." - -"Won't you take off some of your wraps, Mary?" proceeded Mrs. Langford, -and her daughter-in-law, with a soft "Thank you," passively obeyed. -"And you too, my dear," she added to Henrietta. - -"Off with that bonnet, Miss Henrietta," proceeded grandpapa. "Let me -see whether you are as like your brother as ever. He has your own -face, Mary." - -"Do not you think his forehead like--" and she looked to the end of the -room where hung the portraits of two young children, the brothers -Geoffrey and Frederick. Henrietta had often longed to see it, but now -she could attend to nothing but her mamma. - -"Like poor dear Frederick?" said grandmamma. "Well, I can't judge by -firelight, you know, my dear, but I should say they were both your very -image." - -"You can't be the image of any one I should like better," said Mr. -Langford, turning to them cheerfully, and taking Henrietta's hand. -"I wish nothing better than to find you the image of your mamma inside -and out." - -"Ah, there's Geoffrey!" cried Mrs. Langford, springing up and almost -running to meet him. - -"Well, Geoffrey, how d'ye do?" added his father with an indescribable -tone and look of heartfelt delight. "Left all your cares behind you?" - -"Left my wife behind me," said Uncle Geoffrey, making a rueful face. - -"Ay, it is a sad business that poor Beatrice cannot come," said both -the old people, "but how is poor Lady Susan?" - -"As usual, only too nervous to be left with none of the family at hand. -Well, Mary, you look tired." - -Overcome, Uncle Geoffrey would have said, but he thought the other -accusation would answer the same purpose and attract less attention, -and it succeeded, for Mrs. Langford proposed to take her up stairs. -Henrietta thought that Beatrice would have offered to save her the -trouble, but this would not have been at all according to the habits of -grandmamma or granddaughter, and Mrs. Langford briskly led the way to a -large cheerful-looking room, talking all the time and saying she -supposed Henrietta would like to be with her mamma. She nodded to -their maid, who was waiting there, and gave her a kindly greeting, -stirred the already bright fire into a blaze, and returning to her -daughter-in-law who was standing like one in a dream, she gave her a -fond kiss, saying, "There, Mary, I thought you would like to be here." - -"Thank you, thank you, you are always kind." - -"There now, Mary, don't let yourself be overcome. You would not bring -him back again, I know. Come, lie down and rest. There--that is -right--and don't think of coming down stairs. You think your mamma had -better not, don't you?" - -"Much better not, thank you, grandmamma," said Henrietta, as she -assisted in settling her mother on the sofa. "She is tired and -overcome now, but she will be herself after a rest." - -"And ask for anything you like, my dear. A glass of wine or a cup of -coffee; Judith will get you one in a moment. Won't you have a cup of -coffee, Mary, my dear?" - -"Thank you, no thank you," said Mrs. Frederick Langford, raising -herself. "Indeed I am sorry--it is very foolish." Here the choking -sob came again, and she was forced to lie down. Grandmamma stood by, -warming a shawl to throw over her, and pitying her in audible whispers. -"Poor thing, poor thing! it is very sad for her. There! a pillow, my -dear? I'll fetch one out of my room. No? Is her head high enough? -Some sal-volatile? Yes, Mary, would you not like some sal-volatile?" - -And away she went in search of it, while Henrietta, excessively -distressed, knelt by her mother, who, throwing her arms round her neck, -wept freely for some moments, then laid her head on the cushions again, -saying, "I did not think I was so weak!" - -"Dearest mamma," said Henrietta, kissing her and feeling very guilty. - -"If I have not distressed grandmamma!" said her mother anxiously. "No, -never mind me, my dear, it was fatigue and--" - -Still she could not finish, so painfully did the familiar voices, the -unchanged furniture, recall both her happy childhood and the bridal -days when she had last entered the house, that it seemed as it were a -new thing, a fresh shock to miss the tone that was never to be heard -there again. Why should all around be the same, when all within was -altered? But it had been only the first few moments that had -overwhelmed her, and the sound of Mrs. Langford's returning footsteps -recalled her habit of self-control; she thanked her, held out her -quivering hand, drank the sal-volatile, pronounced herself much better, -and asked pardon for having given so much trouble. - -"Trouble? my dear child, no such thing! I only wish I could see you -better. No doubt it is too much for you, this coming home the first -time; but then you know poor Fred is gone to a better--Ah! well, I see -you can't bear to speak of him, and perhaps after all quiet is the best -thing. Don't let your mamma think of dressing and coming down, my -dear." - -There was a little combat on this point, but it ended in Mrs. Frederick -Langford yielding, and agreeing to remain upstairs. Grandmamma would -have waited to propose to her each of the dishes that were to appear at -table, and hear which she thought would suit her taste; but very -fortunately, as Henrietta thought, a bell rang at that moment, which -she pronounced to be "the half-hour bell," and she hastened away, -telling her granddaughter that dinner would be ready at half-past five, -and calling the maid outside the door to giver her full directions -where to procure anything that her mistress might want. - -"Dear grandmamma! just like herself!" said Mrs. Frederick Langford. -"But Henrietta, my dear," she added with some alarm, "make haste and -dress: you must never be too late in this house!" - -Henrietta was not much accustomed to dress to a moment, and she was too -anxious about her mamma to make speed with her whole will, and her hair -was in no state of forwardness when the dinner-bell rang, causing her -mamma to start and hasten her with an eager, almost alarmed manner. -"You don't know how your grandmamma dislikes being kept waiting," said -she. - -At last she was ready, and running down, found all the rest assembled, -evidently waiting for her. Frederick, looking anxious, met her at the -door to receive her assurances that their mother was better; the rest -inquired, and her apologies were cut short by grandmamma calling them -to eat her turkey before it grew cold. The spirits of all the party -were perhaps damped by Mrs. Frederick Langford's absence and its cause, -for the dinner was not a very lively one, nor the conversation very -amusing to Henrietta and Frederick, as it was chiefly on the news of -the country neighbourhood, in which Uncle Geoffrey showed much -interest. - -As soon as she was released from the dining-room, Henrietta ran up to -her mamma, whom she found refreshed and composed. "But, O mamma, is -this a good thing for you?" said Henrietta, looking at the red case -containing her father's miniature, which had evidently been only just -closed on her entrance. - -"The very best thing for me, dearest," was the answer, now given in her -own calm tones. "It does truly make me happier than anything else. -No, don't look doubtful, my Henrietta; if it were repining it might -hurt me, but I trust it is not." - -"And does this really comfort you, mamma?" said Henrietta, as she -pressed the spring, and gazed thoughtfully on the portrait. "O, I -cannot fancy that! the more I think, the more I try to realize what it -might have been, think what Uncle Geoffrey is to Beatrice, till -sometimes, O mamma, I feel quite rebellious!" - -"You will be better disciplined in time, my poor child," said her -mother, sadly. "As your grandmamma said, who could be so selfish as to -wish him here?" - -"And can you bear to say so, mamma?" - -She clasped her hands and looked up, and Henrietta feared she had gone -too far. Both were silent for some little time, until at last the -daughter timidly asked, "And was this your old room, mamma?" - -"Yes: look in that shelf in the corner; there are all our old childish -books. Bring that one," she added, as Henrietta took one out, and -opening it, she showed in the fly-leaf the well-written "F.H. -Langford," with the giver's name; and below in round hand, scrawled all -over the page, "Mary Vivian, the gift of her cousin Fred." "I believe -that you may find that in almost all of them," said she. "I am glad -they have been spared from the children at Sutton Leigh. Will you -bring me a few more to look over, before you go down again to -grandmamma?" - -Henrietta did not like to leave her, and lingered while she made a -selection for her among the books, and from that fell into another -talk, in which they were interrupted by a knock at the door, and the -entrance of Mrs. Langford herself. She sat a little time, and asked of -health, strength, and diet, until she bustled off again to see if there -was a good fire in Geoffrey's room, telling Henrietta that tea would -soon be ready. - -Henrietta's ideas of grandmammas were formed on the placid Mrs. Vivian, -naturally rather indolent, and latterly very infirm, although -considerably younger than Mrs. Langford; and she stood looking after in -speechless amazement, her mamma laughing at her wonder. "But, my dear -child," she said, "I beg you will go down. It will never do to have -you staying up here all the evening." - -Henrietta was really going this time, when as she opened the door, she -was stopped by a new visitor. This was an elderly respectable-looking -maid-servant, old Judith, whose name was well known to her. She had -been nursery-maid at Knight Sutton at the time "Miss Mary" arrived from -India, and was now, what in a more modernized family would have been -called ladies'-maid or housekeeper, but here was a nondescript office, -if anything, upper housemaid. How she was loved and respected is known -to all who are happy enough to possess a "Judith." - -"I beg your pardon, miss," said she, as Henrietta opened the door just -before her, and Mrs. Frederick Langford, on hearing her voice, called -out, "O Judith! is that you? I was in hopes you were coming to see -me." - -She advanced with a courtesy, at the same time affectionately taking -the thin white hand stretched out to her. "I hope you are better, -ma'am. It is something like old times to have you here again." - -"Indeed I am very glad to be here, Judith," was the answer, "and very -glad to see you looking like your own dear self." - -"Ah! Miss Mary; I beg your pardon, ma'am; I wish I could see you -looking better." - -"I shall, I hope, to-morrow, thank you, Judith. But you have not been -introduced to Henrietta, there." - -"But I have often heard of you, Judith," said Henrietta, cordially -holding out her hand. Judith took it, and looked at her with -affectionate earnestness. "Sure enough, miss," said she, "as Missus -says, you are the very picture of your mamma when she went away; but I -think I see a look of poor Master Frederick too." - -"Have you seen my brother, Judith?" asked Henrietta, fearing a second -discussion on likenesses. - -"Yes, Miss Henrietta; I was coming down from Missus's room, when Mr. -Geoffrey stopped me to ask how I did, and he said 'Here's a new -acquaintance for you, Judith,' and there was Master Frederick. I -should have known him anywhere, and he spoke so cheerful and pleasant. -A fine young gentleman he is, to be sure." - -"Why, we must be like your grandchildren!" said Henrietta; "but O! here -comes Fred." - -And Judith discreetly retreated as Fred entered bearing a summons to -his sister to come down to tea, saying that he could scarcely prevail -on grandmamma to let him take the message instead of coming herself. - -They found Queen Bee perched upon the arm of her grandpapa's chair, -with one hand holding by his collar. She had been coaxing him to say -Henrietta was the prettiest girl he ever saw, and he was teasing her by -declaring he should never see anything like Aunt Mary in her girlish -days. Then he called up Henrietta and Fred, and asked them about their -home doings, showing so distinct a knowledge of them, that they laughed -and stood amazed. "Ah," said grandpapa, "you forgot that I had a Queen -Bee to enlighten me. We have plenty to tell each other, when we go -buzzing over the ploughed fields together on a sunny morning, haven't -we, Busy, Busy Bee?" - -Here grandmamma summoned them all to tea. She liked every one to sit -round the table, and put away work and book, as for a regular meal, and -it was rather a long one. Then, when all was over, grandpapa called -out, "Come, young ladies, I've been wearying for a tune these three -months. I hope you are not too tired to give us one." - -"O no, no, grandpapa!" cried Beatrice, "but you must hear Henrietta. -It is a great shame of her to play so much better than I do, with all -my London masters too." - -And in music the greater part of the evening was passed away. Beatrice -came to her aunt's room to wish her good-night, and to hear Henrietta's -opinions, which were of great delight, and still greater wonder-- -grandmamma so excessively kind, and grandpapa, O, he was a grandpapa to -be proud of! - - - - -CHAPTER V. - - - -It was an agreeable surprise to Henrietta that her mother waked free -from headache, very cheerful, and feeling quite able to get up to -breakfast. The room looked very bright and pleasant by the first -morning light that shone upon the intricate frost-work on the window; -and Henrietta, as usual, was too much lost in gazing at the branches of -the elms and the last year's rooks' nests, to make the most of her -time; so that the bell for prayers rang long before she was ready. Her -mamma would not leave her, and remained to help her. Just as they were -going down at last, they met Mrs. Langford on her way up with inquiries -for poor Mary. She would have almost been better pleased with a slight -indisposition than with dawdling; but she kindly accepted Henrietta's -apologies, and there was one exclamation of joy from all the assembled -party at Mrs. Frederick Langford's unhoped-for entrance. - -"Geoffrey, my dear," began Mrs. Langford, as soon as the greetings and -congratulations were over, "will you see what is the matter with the -lock of this tea-chest?--it has been out of order these three weeks, -and I thought you could set it to rights." - -While Uncle Geoffrey was pronouncing on its complaints, Atkins, the old -servant, put in his head. - -"If you please, sir, Thomas Parker would be glad to speak to Mr. -Geoffrey about his son on the railway." - -Away went Mr. Geoffrey to the lower regions, where Thomas Parker -awaited him, and as soon as he returned was addressed by his father: -"Geoffrey, I put those papers on the table in the study, if you will -look over them when you have time, and tell me what you think of the -turnpike trust." - -A few moments after the door was thrown wide open, and in burst three -boys, shouting with one voice--"Uncle Geoffrey, Uncle Geoffrey, you -must come and see which of Vixen's puppies are to be saved!" - -"Hush, hush, you rogues, hush!" was Uncle Geoffrey's answer; "don't you -know that you are come into civilized society? Aunt Mary never saw -such wild men of the woods." - -"All crazy at the sight of Uncle Geoffrey," said grandmamma. "Ah, he -spoils you all! but, come here, Johnny, come and speak to your aunt. -There, this is Johnny, and here are Richard and Willie," she added, as -they came up and awkwardly gave their hands to their aunt and cousins. - -Henrietta was almost bewildered by seeing so many likenesses of -Alexander. "How shall I ever know them apart?" said she to Beatrice. - -"Like grandmamma's nest of teacups, all alike, only each one size below -another," said Beatrice. "However, I don't require you to learn them -all at once; only to know Alex and Willie from the rest. Here, Willie, -have you nothing to say to me? How are the rabbits?" - -Willie, a nice-looking boy of nine or ten years old, of rather slighter -make than his brothers, and with darker eyes and hair, came to Queen -Bee's side, as if he was very glad to see her, and only slightly -discomposed by Henrietta's neighbourhood. - -John gave the information that papa and Alex were only just behind, and -in another minute they made their appearance. "Good morning sir; good -morning, ma'am," were Uncle Roger's greetings, as he came in. "Ah, -Mary, how d'ye do? glad to see you here at last; hope you are better.- --Ah, good morning, good morning," as he quickly shook hands with the -younger ones. "Good morning, Geoffrey; I told Martin to take the new -drill into the outfield, for I want your opinion whether it is worth -keeping." - -And thereupon the three gentlemen began a learned discussion on drills, -during which Henrietta studied her uncle. She was at first surprised -to see him look so young--younger, she thought, than Uncle Geoffrey; -but in a moment or two she changed her mind, for though mental labour -had thinned and grizzled Uncle Geoffrey's hair, paled his cheek, and -traced lines of thought on his broad high brow, it had not quenched the -light that beamed in his eyes, nor subdued the joyous merriment that -often played over his countenance, according with the slender active -figure that might have belonged to a mere boy. Uncle Roger was taller, -and much more robust and broad; his hair still untouched with grey, his -face ruddy brown, and his features full of good nature, but rather -heavy. In his plaid shooting coat and high gaiters, as he stood by the -fire, he looked the model of a country squire; but there was an -indescribable family likeness, and something of the same form about the -nose and lip, which recalled to Henrietta the face she loved so well in -Uncle Geoffrey. - -The drill discussion was not concluded when Mrs. Langford gave the -signal for the ladies to leave the breakfast table. Henrietta ran up -stairs for her mother's work, and came down again laughing. "I am -sure, Queenie," said she, "that your papa chose his trade rightly. He -may well be called a great counsel. Besides all the opinions asked of -him at breakfast, I have just come across a consultation on the stairs -between him and Judith about--what was it?--some money in a savings' -bank." - -"Yes," said Beatrice, "Judith has saved a sum that is wondrous in these -degenerate days of maids in silk gowns, and she is wise enough to give -'Master Geoffrey' all the management of it. But if you are surprised -now, what will you be by the end of the day? See if his advice is not -asked in at least fifty matters." - -"I'll count," said Henrietta: "what have we had already?" and she took -out pencil and paper--"Number one, the tea-chest; then the poor man, -and the turnpike trust--" - -"Vixen's puppies and the drill," suggested her mamma. - -"And Judith's money," added Henrietta. "Six already--" - -"To say nothing of all that will come by the post, and we shall not -hear of," said Beatrice; "and look here, what I am going to seal for -him, one, two, three--eight letters." - -"Why! when could he possibly have written them?" - -"Last night after we were gone to bed. It shows how much more -grandmamma will let him do than any one else, that she can allow him to -sit up with a candle after eleven o'clock. I really believe that there -is not another living creature in the world who could do it in this -house. There, you may add your own affairs to the list, Henrietta, for -he is going to the Pleasance to meet some man of brick and mortar." - -"O, I wish we could walk there!" - -"I dare say we can. I'll manage. Aunt Mary, should you not like -Henrietta to go and see the Pleasance?" - -"Almost as much as Henrietta would like it herself, Busy Bee," said -Aunt Mary; "but I think she should walk to Sutton Leigh to-day." - -"Walk to Sutton Leigh!" echoed old Mrs. Langford, entering at the -moment; "not you, surely, Mary?" - -"O no, no, grandmamma," said Beatrice, laughing; "she was only talking -of Henrietta's doing it." - -"Well, and so do, my dears; it will be a very nice thing, if you go -this morning before the frost goes off. Your Aunt Roger will like to -see you, and you may take the little pot of black currant jelly that I -wanted to send over for poor Tom's sore mouth." - -Beatrice looked at Henrietta and made a face of disgust as she asked, -"Have they no currant jelly themselves?" - -"O no, they never can keep anything in the garden. I don't mean that -the boys take the fruit; but between tarts and puddings and desserts, -poor Elizabeth can never make any preserves." - -"But," objected Queen Bee, "if one of the children is ill, do you think -Aunt Roger will like to have us this morning? and the post girl could -take the jelly." - -"O nonsense, Bee," said Mrs. Langford, somewhat angrily; "you don't -like to do it, I see plain enough. It is very hard you can't be as -good-natured to your own little cousin as to one of the children in the -village." - -"Indeed, grandmamma, I did not mean that." - -"O no, no, grandmamma," joined in Henrietta, "we shall be very glad to -take it. Pray let us." - -"Yes," added Beatrice, "if it is really to be of any use, no one can be -more willing." - -"Of any use?" repeated Mrs. Langford. "No! never mind. I'll send -someone." - -"No, pray do not, dear grandmamma," eagerly exclaimed Henrietta; "I do -beg you will let us take it. It will be making me at home directly to -let me be useful." - -Grandmamma was pacified. "When will you set out?" she asked; "you had -better not lose this bright morning." - -"We will go directly," said Queen Bee; "we will go by the west turning, -so that Henrietta may see the Pleasance." - -"My dear! the west turning will be a swamp, and I won't have you -getting wet in your feet and catching cold." - -"O, we have clogs; and besides, the road does not get so dirty since it -has been mended. I asked Johnny this morning." - -"As if he knew, or cared anything about it!--and you will be late for -luncheon. Besides, grandpapa will drive your aunt there the first day -she feels equal to it, and Henrietta may see it then. But you will -always have your own way." - -Henrietta had seldom been more uncomfortable than during this -altercation; and but for reluctance to appear more obliging than her -cousin, she would have begged to give up the scheme. Her mother would -have interfered in another moment, but the entrance of Uncle Geoffrey -gave a sudden turn to affairs. - -"Who likes to go to the Pleasance?" said he, as he entered. "All whose -curiosity lies that way may prepare their seven-leagued boots." - -"Here are the girls dying to go," said Mrs. Langford, as well pleased -as if she had not been objecting the minute before. - -"Very well. We go by Sutton Leigh: so make haste, maidens." Then, -turning to his mother, "Didn't I hear you say you had something to send -to Elizabeth, ma'am?" - - "Only some currant jelly for little Tom; but if--" - -"O grandmamma, that is my charge; pray don't cheat me," exclaimed -Henrietta. "If you will lend me a basket, it will travel much better -with me than in Uncle Geoffrey's pocket." - -"Ay, that will be the proper division of labour," said Uncle Geoffrey, -looking well pleased with his niece; "but I thought you were off to get -ready." - -"Don't keep your uncle waiting, my dear," added her mamma; and -Henrietta departed, Beatrice following her to her room, and there -exclaiming, "If there is a thing I can't endure, it is going to Sutton -Leigh when one of the children is poorly! It is always bad enough--" - -"Bad enough! O, Busy Bee!" cried Henrietta, quite unprepared to hear -of any flaw in her paradise. - -"You will soon see what I mean. The host of boys in the way; the -wooden bricks and black horses spotted with white wafers that you break -your shins over, the marbles that roll away under your feet, the whips -that crack in your ears, the universal air of nursery that pervades the -house. It is worse in the morning, too; for one is always whining over -sum, es, est, and another over his spelling. O, if I had eleven -brothers in a small house, I should soon turn misanthrope. But you are -laughing instead of getting ready." - -"So are you." - -"My things will be on in a quarter of the time you take. I'll tell you -what, Henrietta, the Queen Bee allows no drones, and I shall teach you -to 'improve each shining hour;' for nothing will get you into such dire -disgrace here as to be always behind time. Besides, it is a great -shame to waste papa's time. Now, here is your shawl ready folded, and -now I will trust you to put on your boots and bonnet by yourself." - -In five minutes the Queen Bee flew back again, and found Henrietta -still measuring the length of her bonnet strings before the glass. She -hunted her down stairs at last, and found the two uncles and grandpapa -at the door, playing with the various dogs, small and great, that -usually waited there. Fred and the other boys had gone out together -some time since, and the party now set forth, the three gentlemen -walking together first. Henrietta turned as soon as she had gone a -sufficient distance that she might study the aspect of the house. It -did not quite fulfil her expectations; it was neither remarkable for -age nor beauty; the masonry was in a sort of chessboard pattern, -alternate squares of freestone and of flints, the windows were not -casements as she thought they ought to have been, and the long wing, or -rather excrescence, which contained the drawing-room, was by no means -ornamental. It was a respectable, comfortable mansion, and that was -all that was to be said in its praise, and Beatrice's affection had so -embellished it in description, that it was no wonder that Henrietta -felt slightly disappointed. She had had some expectation, too, of -seeing it in the midst of a park, instead of which the carriage-drive -along which they were walking, only skirted a rather large grass field, -full of elm trees, and known by the less dignified name of the paddock. -But she would not confess the failure of her expectations even to -herself, and as Beatrice was evidently looking for some expressions of -admiration, she said the road must be very pretty in summer. - -"Especially when this bank is one forest of foxgloves," said Queen Bee. -"Only think! Uncle Roger and the farmer faction wanted grandpapa to -have this hedge row grubbed up, and turned into a plain dead fence; but -I carried the day, and I dare say Aunt Mary will be as much obliged to -me as the boys who would have lost their grand preserve of stoats and -rabbits. But here are the outfield and the drill." - -And going through a small gate at the corner of the paddock, they -entered a large ploughed field, traversed by a footpath raised and -gravelled, so as to be high and dry, which was well for the two girls, -as the gentlemen left them to march up and down there by themselves, -whilst they were discussing the merits of the brilliant blue machine -which was travelling along the furrows. It was rather a trial of -patience, but Beatrice was used to it, and Henrietta was in a temper to -be pleased with anything. - -At last the inspection was concluded, and Mr. Langford came to his -granddaughters, leaving his two sons to finish their last words with -Martin. - -"Well, young ladies," said he, "this is fine drilling, in patience at -least. I only wish my wheat may be as well drilled with Uncle Roger's -new-fangled machines." - -"That is right, grandpapa," said Queen Bee; "you hate them as much as I -do, don't you now?" - -"She is afraid they will make honey by steam," said grandpapa, "and -render bees a work of supererogation." - -"They are doing what they can towards it," said Beatrice. "Why, when -Mr. Carey took us to see his hives, I declare I had quite a fellow- -feeling for my poor subjects, boxed up in glass, with all their privacy -destroyed. And they won't even let them swarm their own way--a most -unwarrantable interference with the liberty of the subject." - -"Well done, Queenie," said Mr. Langford, laughing; "a capital champion. -And so you don't look forward to the time when we are to have our hay -made by one machine, our sheep washed by another, our turkeys crammed -by a third--ay, and even the trouble of bird-starving saved us?" - -"Bird-starving!" repeated Henrietta. - -"Yes; or keeping a few birds, according to the mother's elegant -diminutive," said Beatrice, "serving as live scarecrows." - -"I should have thought a scarecrow would have answered the purpose," -said Henrietta. - -"This is one that is full of gunpowder, and fires off every ten -minutes," said grandpapa; "but I told Uncle Roger we would have none of -them here unless he was prepared to see one of his boys blown up at -every third explosion." - -"Is Uncle Roger so very fond of machines?" said Henrietta. - -"He goes about to cattle shows and agricultural meetings, and comes -home with his pockets crammed with papers of new inventions, which I -leave him to try as long as he does not empty my pockets too fast." - -"Don't they succeed, then?" said Henrietta. - -"Why--ay--I must confess we get decent crops enough. And once we -achieved a prize ox,--such a disgusting overgrown beast, that I could -not bear the sight of it; and told Uncle Roger I would have no more -such waste of good victuals, puffing up the ox instead of the frog." - -Henrietta was not quite certain whether all this was meant in jest or -earnest; and perhaps the truth was, that though grandpapa had little -liking for new plans, he was too wise not to adopt those which -possessed manifest advantage, and only indulged himself in a good deal -of playful grumbling, which greatly teased Uncle Roger. - -"There is Sutton Leigh," said grandpapa, as they came in sight of a low -white house among farm buildings. "Well, Henrietta, are you prepared -for an introduction to an aunt and half-a-dozen cousins, and Jessie -Carey into the bargain?" - -"Jessie Carey!" exclaimed Beatrice in a tone of dismay. - -"Did you not know she was there? Why they always send Carey over for -her with the gig if there is but a tooth-ache the matter at Sutton -Leigh." - -"Is she one of Aunt Roger's nieces?" asked Henrietta. - -"Yes," said Beatrice. "And--O! grandpapa, don't look at me in that -way. Where is the use of being your pet, if I may not tell my mind?" - -"I won't have Henrietta prejudiced," said Mr. Langford. "Don't listen -to her, my dear: and I'll tell you what Jessie Carey is. She is an -honest, good-natured girl as ever lived; always ready to help every -one, never thinking of trouble, without an atom of selfishness." - -"Now for the but, grandpapa," cried Beatrice. "I allow all that, only -grant me the but." - -"But Queen Bee, chancing to be a conceited little Londoner, looks down -on us poor country folks as unfit for her most refined and intellectual -society." - -"O grandpapa, that is not fair! Indeed, you don't really believe that. -O, say you don't!" And Beatrice's black eyes were full of tears. - -"If I do not believe the whole, you believe the half, Miss Bee," and he -added, half whispering, "take care some of us do not believe the other -half. But don't look dismal on the matter, only put it into one of -your waxen cells, and don't lose sight of it. And if it is any comfort -to you, I will allow that perhaps poor Jessie is not the most -entertaining companion for you. Her vanity maggots are not of the same -sort as yours." - -They had by this time nearly reached Sutton Leigh, a building little -altered from the farm-house it had originally been, with a small garden -in front, and a narrow footpath up to the door. As soon as they came -in sight there was a general rush forward of little boys in brown -holland, all darting on Uncle Geoffrey, and holding him fast by legs -and arms. - -"Let me loose, you varlets," he cried, and disengaging one hand, in -another moment drew from his capacious pocket a beautiful red ball, -which he sent bounding over their heads, and dancing far away with all -the urchins in pursuit. - -At the same moment the rosy, portly, good-humoured Mrs. Roger Langford -appeared at the door, welcoming them cordially, and, as usual, accusing -Uncle Geoffrey of spoiling her boys. Henrietta thought she had never -seen a happier face than hers in the midst of cares, and children, and -a drawing-room which, with its faded furniture strewn with toys, had in -fact, as Beatrice said, something of the appearance of a nursery. - -Little Tom, the youngest, was sitting on the lap of his cousin, Jessie -Carey, at whom Henrietta looked with some curiosity. She was a pretty -girl of twenty, with a brilliant gipsy complexion, fine black hair, and -a face which looked as good-natured as every other inhabitant of Sutton -Leigh. - -But it would be tedious to describe a visit which was actually very -tedious to Beatrice, and would have been the same to Henrietta but for -its novelty. Aunt Roger asked all particulars about Mrs. Frederick -Langford, then of Aunt Geoffrey and Lady Susan St. Leger, and then gave -the history of the misfortunes of little Tom, who was by this time on -Uncle Geoffrey's knee looking at himself in the inside of the case of -his watch. Henrietta's list, too, was considerably lengthened; for -Uncle Geoffrey advised upon a smoky chimney, mended a cart of -Charlie's, and assisted Willie in a puzzling Latin exercise. - -It was almost one o'clock, and as a certain sound of clattering plates -was heard in the next room, Aunt Roger begged her guests to come in to -luncheon. Uncle Geoffrey accepted for the girls, who were to walk on -with him; but Mr. Langford, no eater of luncheons, returned to his own -affairs at home. Henrietta found the meal was the family dinner. She -had hardly ever been seated at one so plain, or on so long a table; and -she was not only surprised, but tormented herself by an uncomfortable -and uncalled-for fancy, that her hosts must be supposing her to be -remarking on deficiencies. The younger children were not so perfect in -the management of knife, fork, and spoon, as to be pleasant to watch; -nor was the matter mended by the attempts at correction made from time -to time by their father and Jessie. But Henrietta endured better than -Beatrice, whose face ill concealed an expression of disgust and -weariness, and who maintained a silence very unlike her usual habits. - -At last Uncle Geoffrey, to the joy of both, proposed to pursue their -walk, and they took leave. Queen Bee rejoiced as soon as they had -quitted the house, that the boys were too well occupied with their -pudding to wish to accompany them, but she did not venture on any -further remarks before her papa. He gave a long whistle, and then -turned to point out all the interesting localities to Henrietta. There -was something to tell of every field, every tree, or every villager, -with whom he exchanged his hearty greeting. If it were only a name, it -recalled some story of mamma's, some tradition handed on by Beatrice. -Never was walk more delightful; and the girls were almost sorry to find -themselves at the green gate of the Pleasance, leading to a gravel -road, great part of which had been usurped by the long shoots of the -evergreens. Indeed, the place could hardly be said to correspond in -appearance to its name, in its chilly, deserted, unfurnished state; but -the girls were resolved to admire, and while Uncle Geoffrey was deep in -the subject of repairs and deficiencies, they flitted about from garret -to cellar, making plans, fixing on rooms, and seeing possibilities, in -complete enjoyment. But even this could not last for ever; and rather -tired, and very cold, they seated themselves on a step of the stairs, -and there built a marvellous castle of delight for next summer; then -talked over the Sutton Leigh household, discussed the last books they -had read, and had just begun to yawn, when Uncle Geoffrey, being more -merciful than most busy men, concluded his business, and summoned them -to return home. Their homeward walk was by a different road, through -the village of Knight Sutton itself, which Henrietta had not yet seen. -It was a long straggling street, the cottages for the most part in -gardens, and with a general look of comfort and neatness that showed -the care of the proprietor. - -"O, here is the church," said Henrietta, in a subdued voice, as they -came to the low flint wall that fenced in the slightly rising ground -occupied by the churchyard, surrounded by a whole grove of noble elm -trees, amongst which could just be seen the small old church, with its -large deep porch and curious low tower. - -"The door is open," said Beatrice; "I suppose they are bringing in the -holly for Christmas. Should you like to look in, Henrietta?" - -"I do not know," said she, looking at her uncle. "Mamma--" - -"I think it might be less trying if she has not to feel for you and -herself too," said Uncle Geoffrey. - -"I am sure I should wish it very much," said Henrietta, and they -entered the low, dark, solemn-looking building, the massive stone -columns and low-browed arches of which had in them something peculiarly -awful and impressive to Henrietta's present state of mind. Uncle -Geoffrey led her on into the chancel, where, among numerous mural -tablets recording the names of different members of the Langford -family, was one chiefly noticeable for the superior taste of its Gothic -canopy, and which bore the name of Frederick Henry Langford, with the -date of his death, and his age, only twenty-six. One of the large flat -stones below also had the initials F.H.L., and the date of the year. -Henrietta stood and looked in deep silence, Beatrice watching her -earnestly and kindly, and her uncle's thoughts almost as much as hers, -on what might have been. Her father had been so near him in age, so -constantly his companion, so entirely one in mind and temper, that he -had been far more to him than his elder brother, and his death had been -the one great sorrow of Uncle Geoffrey's life. - -The first sound which broke the stillness was the opening of the door, -as the old clerk's wife entered with a huge basket of holly, and -dragging a mighty branch behind her. Uncle Geoffrey nodded in reply to -her courtesy, and gave his daughter a glance which sent her to the -other end of the church to assist in the Christmas decorations. - -Henrietta turned her liquid eyes upon her uncle. "This is coming very -near him!" said she in a low voice. "Uncle; I wish I might be quite -sure that he knows me." - -"Do not wish too much for certainty which has not been granted to us," -said Uncle Geoffrey. "Think rather of 'I shall go to him, but he shall -not return to me.'" - -"But, uncle, you would not have me not believe that he is near to me -and knows how--how I would have loved him, and how I do love him," she -added, while the tears rose to her eyes. - -"It may be so, my dear, and it is a thought which is not only most -comforting, but good for us, as bringing us closer to the unseen world: -but it has not been positively revealed, and it seems to me better to -dwell on that time when the meeting with him is so far certain that it -depends but on ourselves." - -To many persons, Uncle Geoffrey would scarce have spoken in this way; -but he was aware of a certain tendency in Henrietta's mind to merge the -reverence and respect she owed to her parents, in a dreamy unpractical -feeling for the father whom she had never known, whose voice she had -never heard, and from whom she had not one precept to obey; while she -lost sight of that honour and duty which was daily called for towards -her mother. It was in honour, not in love, that Henrietta was wanting, -and with how many daughters is it not the same? It was therefore, that -though even to himself it seemed harsh, and cost him a pang, Mr. -Geoffrey Langford resolved that his niece's first visit to her father's -grave should not be spent in fruitless dreams of him or of his -presence, alluring because involving neither self-reproach nor -resolution; but in thoughts which might lead to action, to humility, -and to the yielding up of self-will. - -Henrietta looked very thoughtful. "That time is so far away!" said -she. - -"How do you know that?" said her uncle in the deep low tone that -brought the full perception that "it is nigh, even at the doors." - -She gave a sort of shuddering sigh, the reality being doubly brought -home to her, by the remembrance of the suddenness of her father's -summons. - -"It is awful," she said. "I cannot bear to think of it." - -"Henrietta," said her uncle solemnly, "guard yourself from being so -satisfied with a dream of the present as to lose sight of the real, -most real future." He paused, and as she did not speak, went on: "The -present, which is the means of attaining to that future, is one not of -visions and thoughts, but of deeds." - -Again Henrietta sighed, but presently she said, "But, uncle, that would -bring us back to the world of sense. Are we not to pray that we may in -heart and mind ascend?" - -"Yes, but to dwell with Whom? Not to stop short with objects once of -earthly affection." - -"Then would you not have me think of him at all?" said she, almost -reproachfully. - -"I would have you take care, Henrietta, lest the thought should absorb -the love and trust due to your true and Heavenly Father, and at the -same time you forget what on earth is owed to your mother. Do you -think that is what your father would desire?" - -"You mean," she said sadly, "that while I do not think enough of God, -and while I love my own way so well, I have no right to dwell on the -thought I love best, the thought that he is near." - -"Take it rather as a caution than as blame," said Uncle Geoffrey. A -long silence ensued, during which Henrietta thought deeply on the new -idea opened to her. Her vision, for it could not be called her memory -of her father, had in fact been too highly enshrined in her mind, too -much worshipped, she had deemed this devotion a virtue, and fostered as -it was by the solitude of her life, and the temper of her mother's -mind, the truth was as Uncle Geoffrey had hinted, and she began to -perceive it, but still it was most unwillingly, for the thought was -cherished so as to be almost part of herself. Uncle Geoffrey's manner -was so kind that she could not be vexed with him, but she was -disappointed, for she had hoped for a narration of some part of her -father's history, and for the indulgence of that soft sorrow which has -in it little pain. Instead of this she was bidden to quit her beloved -world, to soar above it, or to seek for a duty which she had rather not -believe that she had neglected, though--no, she did not like to look -deeper. - -Mr. Geoffrey Langford gave her time for thought, though of what nature -it might be, he could not guess, and then said, "One thing more before -we leave this place. Whether Fred cheerfully obeys the fifth -commandment in its full extent, may often, as I believe, depend on your -influence. Will you try to exert it in the right way?" - -"You mean when he wishes to do things like other boys of his age," said -Henrietta. - -"Yes. Think yourself, and lead him to think, that obedience is better -than what he fancies manliness. Teach him to give up pleasure for the -sake of obedience, and you will do your work as a sister and daughter." - -While Uncle Geoffrey was speaking, Beatrice's operations with the holly -had brought her a good deal nearer to them, and at the same time the -church door opened, and a gentleman entered, whom the first glance -showed Henrietta to be Mr. Franklin, the clergyman of the parish, of -whom she had heard so much. He advanced on seeing Beatrice with the -holly in her hand. "Miss Langford! This is just what I was wishing." - -"I was just helping old Martha," said Beatrice; "we came in to show my -cousin the church, and--" - -By this time the others had advanced. - -"How well the church looks this dark afternoon," said Uncle Geoffrey, -speaking in a low tone, "it is quite the moment to choose for seeing it -for the first time. But you are very early in beginning your -adornments." - -"I thought if I had the evergreens here in time, I might see a little -to the arrangement myself," said Mr. Franklin, "but I am afraid I know -very little about the matter. Miss Langford, I wish you would assist -us with your taste." - -Beatrice and Henrietta looked at each other, and their eyes sparkled -with delight. "I should like it exceedingly," said the former; "I was -just thinking what capabilities there are. And Henrietta will do it -beautifully." - -"Then will you really be kind enough to come to-morrow, and see what -can be done?" - -"Yes, we will come as soon as ever breakfast is over, and work hard," -said Queen Bee. "And we will make Alex and Fred come too, to do the -places that are out of reach." - -"Thank you, thank you," said Mr. Franklin, eagerly; "I assure you the -matter was quite upon my mind, for the old lady there, good as she is, -certainly has not the best taste in church dressing." - -"And pray, Mr. Franklin, let us have a step ladder, for I am sure there -ought to be festoons round those two columns of the chancel arch. -Look, papa, do you not think so?" - -"You might put a twining wreath like the columns at Roslin chapel," -said her papa, "and I should try how much I could cover the Dutch -cherubs at the head of the tables of commandments." - -"O, and don't you see," said Henrietta, "there in front of the altar is -a space, where I really think we might make the cross and 'I H S' in -holly?" - -"But could you, Henrietta?" asked Beatrice. - -"O yes, I know I can; I made 'M.L.' in roses on mamma's last birthday, -and set it up over the chimney-piece in the drawing-room, and I am sure -we could contrive this. How appropriate it will look!" - -"Ah!" said Mr. Franklin, "I have heard of such things, but I had always -considered them as quite above our powers." - -"They would be, without Henrietta," said Queen Bee, "but she was always -excellent as wreath weaving, and all those things that belong to choice -taste and clever fingers. Only let us have plenty of the wherewithal, -and we will do our work so as to amaze the parish." - -"And now," said Uncle Geoffrey, "we must be walking home, my young -ladies. It is getting quite dark." - -It was indeed, for as they left the church the sunlight was fast fading -on the horizon, and Venus was already shining forth in pure quiet -beauty on the clear blue sky. Mr. Franklin walked a considerable part -of the way home with them, adding to Henrietta's list by asking counsel -about a damp spot in the wall of the church, and on the measures to be -adopted with a refractory farmer. - -By the time they reached home, evening was fast closing in; and at the -sound of their entrance Mrs. Langford and Frederick both came to meet -them in the hall, the former asking anxiously whether they had not been -lingering in the cold and damp, inspecting the clogs to see that they -were dry, and feeling if the fingers were cold. She then ordered the -two girls up stairs to dress before going into the drawing-room with -their things on, and told Henrietta to remember that dinner would be at -half-past five. - -"Is mamma gone up?" asked Henrietta. - -"Yes, my dear, long ago; she has been out with your grandpapa, and is -gone to rest herself." - -"And how long have you been at home, Fred?" said Queen Bee. "Why, you -have performed your toilette already! Why did you not come to meet -us?" - -"I should have had a long spy-glass to see which way you were gone," -said Fred, in a tone which, to Henrietta's ears, implied that he was -not quite pleased, and then, following his sister up stairs, he went on -to her, "I wish I had never come in, but it was about three, and Alex -and Carey thought we might as well get a bit of something for luncheon, -and thereby they had the pleasure of seeing mamma send her pretty dear -up to change his shoes and stockings. So there was an end of me for -the day. I declare it is getting too absurd! Do persuade mamma that I -am not made of sugar candy." - -With Uncle Geoffrey's admonitions fresh in her mind, these complaints -sounded painfully in Henrietta's ears, and she would gladly have -soothed away his irritation; but, however convenient Judith might find -the stairs for private conferences, they did not appear to her equally -appropriate, especially when at the very moment grandpapa was coming -down from above and grandmamma up from below. Both she and Fred -therefore retreated into their mamma's room, where they found her -sitting on a low stool by the fire, reading by its light one of the old -childish books, of which she seemed never to weary. Fred's petulance, -to do him justice, never could endure the charm of her presence, and -his brow was as bright and open as his sister's as he came forward, -hoping that she was not tired. - -"Quite the contrary, thank you, my dear," said she, smiling; "I enjoyed -my walk exceedingly." - -"A walk!" exclaimed Henrietta. - -"A crawl, perhaps you would call it, but a delightful crawl it was with -grandpapa up and down what we used to call the sun walk, by the kitchen -garden wall. And now, Pussy-cat, Pussy-cat, where have you been?" - -"I've been to Sutton Leigh, with the good Queen," answered Henrietta, -gaily. "I have seen everything--Sutton Leigh, and the Pleasance, and -the church! And, mamma, Mr. Franklin has asked us to go and dress the -church for Christmas! Is not that what of all things is delightful? -Only think of church-decking! What I have read and heard of, but I -always thought it something too great and too happy for me ever to do." - -"I hope you will be able to succeed in it," said her mamma. "What a -treat it will be to see your work on Sunday." - -"And you are to help, too, Fred; you and Alexander are to come and -reach the high places for us. But do tell us your adventures." - -Fred had been all over the farm; had been introduced to the whole live -stock, including ferrets and the tame hedge-hog; visited the -plantations, and assisted at the killing of a stoat; cut his name out -on the bark of the old pollard; and, in short, had been supremely -happy. He "was just going to see Dumpling and Vixen's puppies at -Sutton Leigh, when--" - -"When I caught you, my poor boy," said his mamma; "and very cruel it -was, I allow, but I thought you might have gone out again." - -"I had no other thick shoes upstairs; but really, mamma, no one thinks -of minding those things." - -"You should have seen him, Henrietta," said his mother; "his shoes -looked as if he had been walking through a river." - -"Well, but so were all the others," said Fred. - -"Very likely, but they are more used to it; and, besides, they are such -sturdy fellows. I should as soon think of a deal board catching cold. -But you--if there is as much substance in you, it is all height; and -you know, Fred, you would find it considerably more tiresome to be laid -up with a bad cold." - -"I never catch cold," said Fred. - -"Boys always say so," said Mrs. Frederick Langford; "it is a--what -shall I call it?--a puerile delusion, which their mammas can always -defeat when they choose by a formidable list of colds and coughs; but I -won't put you in mind of how often you have sat with your feet on the -fender croaking like an old raven, and solacing yourself with stick- -liquorice and Ivanhoe." - -"You had better allow him to proceed in his pursuit of a cold, mamma," -said Henrietta, "just to see how grandmamma will nurse it." - -A knock at the door here put an end to the conversation, by announcing -the arrival of Bennet, Mrs. Frederick Langford's maid; who had come in -such good time that Henrietta was, for once in her life, full dressed a -whole quarter of an hour before dinner time. Nor was her involuntary -punctuality without a reward, for the interval of waiting for dinner, -sitting round the fire, was particularly enjoyed by Mr. and Mrs. -Langford; and Uncle Geoffrey, therefore, always contrived to make it a -leisure time; and there was so much merriment in talking over the walk, -and discussing the plans for the Pleasance, that Henrietta resolved -never again to miss such a pleasant reunion by her own tardiness. - -Nor was the evening less agreeable. Henrietta pleased grandmamma by -getting her carpet-work out of some puzzle, and by flying across the -room to fetch the tea-chest: she delighted grandpapa by her singing, -and by finding his spectacles for him; she did quite a praiseworthy -piece of her own crochet purse, and laughed a great deal at the battle -that was going on between Queen Bee and Fred about the hero of some new -book. She kept her list of Uncle Geoffrey's manifold applicants on the -table before her, and had the pleasure of increasing it by two men, -business unknown, who sent to ask him to come and speak to them; by a -loud and eager appeal from Fred and Beatrice to decide their contest, -by a question of taste on the shades of grandmamma's carpet-work, and -by her own query how to translate a difficult German passage which had -baffled herself, mamma, and Fred. - -However, Queen Bee's number, fifty, had not been attained, and her -majesty was obliged to declare that she meant in a week instead of a -day, for which reason the catalogue was written out fair, to be -continued. - -Mrs. Frederick Langford thought herself well recompensed for the pain -her resolution had cost her, by the pleasure that Mr. and Mrs. Langford -evidently took in her son and daughter, by the brightness of her two -children's own faces, and especially when Henrietta murmured in her -sleep something about "delightful," "bright leaves and red berries," -and then, "and 'tis for my own dear papa." - -And after all, in the attainment of their fondest wish, were Henrietta -and Frederick as serenely happy as she was? - - - - -CHAPTER VI. - - - -Christmas Eve, which was also a Saturday, dawned brightly on Henrietta, -but even her eagerness for her new employment could not so far overcome -her habitual dilatoriness as not to annoy her cousin, Busy Bee, even to -a degree of very unnecessary fidgeting when there was any work in hand. -She sat on thorns all breakfast time, devoured what her grandpapa -called a sparrow's allowance, swallowed her tea scalding, and thereby -gained nothing but leisure to fret at the deliberation with which -Henrietta cut her bread into little square dice, and spread her butter -on them as if each piece was to serve as a model for future -generations. - -The subject of conversation was not precisely calculated to soothe her -spirits. Grandmamma was talking of giving a young party--a New-year's -party on Monday week, the second of January. "It would be pleasant for -the young people," she thought, "if Mary did not think it would be too -much for her." - -Beatrice looked despairingly at her aunt, well knowing what her answer -would be, that it would not be at all too much for her, that she should -be very glad to see her former neighbours, and that it would be a great -treat to Henrietta and Fred. - -"We will have the carpet up in the dining-room," added Mrs. Langford, -"and Daniels, the carpenter, shall bring his violin, and we can get up -a nice little set for a dance." - -"O thank you, grandmamma," cried Henrietta eagerly, as Mrs. Langford -looked at her. - -"Poor innocent, you little know!" murmured Queen Bee to herself. - -"That is right, Henrietta," said Mrs. Langford, "I like to see young -people like young people, not above a dance now and then,--all in -moderation." - -"Above dancing," said grandpapa, who, perhaps, took this as a -reflection on his pet, Queen Bee, "that is what you call being on the -high rope, isn't it?" - -Beatrice, though feeling excessively savage, could not help laughing. - -"Are you on the high rope, Queenie?" asked Fred, who sat next to her: -"do you despise the light fantastic--?" - -"I don't know: I do not mind it much," was all she could bring herself -to say, though she could not venture to be more decidedly ungracious -before her father. "Not much in itself," she added, in a lower tone, -as the conversation grew louder, "it is the people, Philip Carey, and -all,--but hush! listen." - -He did so, and heard Careys, Dittons, Evanses, &c., enumerated, and at -each name Beatrice looked gloomier, but she was not observed, for her -Aunt Mary had much to hear about the present state of the families, and -the stream of conversation flowed away from the fête. - -The meal was at last concluded, and Beatrice in great haste ordered -Frederick off to Sutton Leigh, with a message to Alex to meet them at -the Church, and bring as much holly as he could, and his great knife. -"Bring him safe," said she, "for if you fail, and prove a corbie -messenger, I promise you worse than the sharpest sting of the most -angry bee." - -Away she ran to fetch her bonnet and shawl, while Henrietta walked up -after her, saying she would just fetch her mamma's writing-case down -for her, and then get ready directly. On coming down, she could not -help waiting a moment before advancing to the table, to hear what was -passing between her mother and uncle. - -"Do you like for me to drive you down to the Church to-day?" he asked. - -"Thank you," she answered, raising her mild blue eyes, "I think not." - -"Remember, it will be perfectly convenient, and do just what suits -you," said he in a voice of kind solicitude. - -"Thank you very much, Geoffrey," she replied, in an earnest tone, "but -indeed I had better go for the first time to the service, especially on -such a day as to-morrow, when thoughts must be in better order." - -"I understand," said Uncle Geoffrey: and Henrietta, putting down the -writing-case, retreated with downcast eyes, with a moment's perception -of the higher tone of mind to which he had tried to raise her. - -In the hall she found Mrs. Langford engaged in moving her precious -family of plants from their night quarters near the fire to the bright -sunshine near the window. Henrietta seeing her lifting heavy flower- -pots, instantly sprang forward with, "O grandmamma, let me help." - -Little as Mrs. Langford was wont to allow herself to be assisted, she -was gratified with the obliging offer, and Henrietta had carried the -myrtle, the old-fashioned oak-leaved geranium, with its fragrant -deeply-indented leaves, a grim-looking cactus, and two or three more, -and was deep in the story of the orange-tree, the pip of which had been -planted by Uncle Geoffrey at five years old, but which never seemed -likely to grow beyond the size of a tolerable currant-bush, when -Beatrice came down and beheld her with consternation--"Henrietta! -Henrietta! what are you about?" cried she, breaking full into the -story. "Do make haste." - -"I will come in a minute," said Henrietta, who was assisting in -adjusting the prop to which the old daphne was tied. - -"Don't stop for me, my dear," said Mrs. Langford: "there, don't let me -be in your way." - -"O, grandmamma, I like to do this very much." - -"But, Henrietta," persisted the despotic Queen Bee, "we really ought to -be there." - -"What is all this about?" said grandmamma, not particularly well -pleased. "There, go, go, my dear; I don't want any more, thank you: -what are you in such a fuss for now, going out all day again?" - -"Yes, grandmamma," said Beatrice, "did you not hear that Mr. Franklin -asked us to dress the church for to-morrow? and we must not waste time -in these short days." - -"Dress the church! Well, I suppose you must have your own way, but I -never heard of such things in my younger days. Young ladies are very -different now!" - -Beatrice drove Henrietta up-stairs with a renewed "Do make haste," and -then replied in a tone of argument and irritation, "I do not see why -young ladies should not like dressing churches for festivals better -than arraying themselves for balls and dances!" - -True as the speech was, how would Beatrice have liked to have seen her -father or mother stand before her at that moment? - -"Ah, well! it is all very well," said grandmamma, shaking her head, as -she always did when out-argued by Beatrice, "you girls think yourselves -so clever, there is no talking to you; but I think you had much better -let old Martha alone; she has done it well enough before ever you were -born, and such a litter as you will make the Church won't be fit to be -seen to-morrow! All day in that cold damp place too! I wonder Mary -could consent, Henrietta looks very delicate." - -"O no, grandmamma, she is quite strong, very strong indeed." - -"I am sure she is hoarse this morning," proceeded Mrs. Langford; "I -shall speak to her mamma." - -"O don't, pray, grandmamma; she would be so disappointed. And what -would Mr. Franklin do?" - -"O very well, I promise you, as he has done before," said Mrs. -Langford, hastening off to the drawing-room, while her granddaughter -darted upstairs to hurry Henrietta out of the house before a -prohibition could arrive. It was what Henrietta had too often assisted -Fred in doing to have many scruples, besides which she knew how grieved -her mamma would be to be obliged to stop her, and how glad to find her -safe out of reach; so she let her cousin heap on shawls, fur cuffs, and -boas in a far less leisurely and discriminating manner than was usual -with her. - -"It would be absolute sneaking (to use an elegant word), I suppose," -said Beatrice, "to go down the back stairs." - -"True," said Henrietta, "we will even take the bull by the horns." - -"And trust to our heels," said Beatrice, stealthily opening the door; -"the coast is clear, and I know both your mamma and my papa will not -stop us if they can help it. One, two, three, and away!" - -Off they flew, down the stairs, across the hall, and up the long green -walk, before they ventured to stop for Henrietta to put on her gloves, -and take up the boa that was dragging behind her like a huge serpent. -And after all, there was no need for their flight; they might have gone -openly and with clear consciences, had they but properly and -submissively waited the decision of their elders. Mr. Geoffrey -Langford, who did not know how ill his daughter had been behaving, -would have been very sorry to interfere with the plan, and easily -reconciled his mother to it, in his own cheerful pleasant way. Indeed -her opposition had been entirely caused by Beatrice herself; she had -not once thought of objecting when it had been first mentioned the -evening before, and had not Beatrice not first fidgeted and then -argued, would only have regarded it as a pleasant way of occupying -their morning. - -"I could scold you, Miss Drone," said Beatrice when the two girls had -set themselves to rights, and recovered breath; "it was all the fault -of your dawdling." - -"Well, perhaps it was," said Henrietta, "but you know I could not see -grandmamma lifting those flower-pots without offering to help her." - -"How many more times shall I have to tell you that grandmamma hates to -be helped?" - -"Then she was very kind to me," replied Henrietta. - -"I see how it will be," said Beatrice, smiling, "you will be -grandmamma's pet, and it will be a just division. I never yet could -get her to let me help her in anything, she is so resolutely -independent." - -Queen Bee did not take into account how often her service was either -grudgingly offered, or else when she came with a good will, it was also -with a way, it might be better, it might be worse, but in which she was -determined to have the thing done, and against which her grandmamma was -of course equally resolute. - -"She is an amazing person!" said Henrietta. "Is she eighty yet?" - -"Seventy-nine," said Beatrice; "and grandpapa eighty-two. I always say -I think we should get the prize in a show of grandfathers and -grandmothers, if there was one like Uncle Roger's fat cattle shows. -You know she thinks nothing of walking twice to church on a Sunday, and -all over the village besides when there is anybody ill. But here is -the Sutton Leigh path. Let me see if those boys are to be trusted. -Yes, yes, that's right! Capital!" cried she in high glee; "here is -Birnam wood coming across the field." And springing on one of the bars -of the gate near the top, she flourished her handkerchief, chanting or -singing, - - - "Greet thee well, thou holly green, - Welcome, welcome, art thou seen, - With all thy glittering garlands bending, - As to greet my--quick descending:" - - -she finished in an altered tone, as she was obliged to spring -precipitately down to avoid a fall. "It made a capital conclusion, -however, though not quite what I had proposed. Well, gentlemen," as -four or five of the boys came up, each bearing a huge holly bush-- -"Well, gentlemen, you are a sight for sair een." - -"With sair fingers, you mean," said Fred; "these bushes scratch like -half a dozen wild cats." - -"It is in too good a cause for me to pity you," said Beatrice. - -"Nor would I accept it if you would," said Fred. - -His sister, however, seemed determined on bestowing it whether he would -or not,--"How your hands are bleeding! Have you any thorns in them? -Let me see, I have my penknife." - -"Stuff!" was Fred's gracious reply, as he glanced at Alex and Carey. - -"But why did you not put on your gloves?" proceeded Henrietta. - -"Gloves, nonsense!" said Fred, who never went without them at Rocksand. - -"He will take up the gauntlet presently," said Beatrice. "By the by, -Alex, how many pairs of gloves have you had or lost in your life?" - -"O, I always keep a pair for Sundays and for Allonfield," said Alex. - -"Jessie says she will never let me drive her again without them," said -Carey, "but trust me for that: I hate them, they are such girl's -things; I tell her then she can't be driven." - -Fred could not bear to hear of Carey's driving, a thing which he had -not yet been permitted to attempt, and he hastily broke in, "You have -not told the news yet." - -"What news?" - -"The Euphrosyne is coming home," cried the boys with one voice. "Had -we not told you? The Euphrosyne is coming home, and Roger may be here -any day!" - -"That is something like news," said Queen Bee; "I thought it would only -be that the puppies could see, or that Tom's tooth was through. -Grandpapa has not heard it?" - -"Papa is going up to tell him," said John. "I was going too, only Alex -bagged me to carry his holly-bush." - -"And so the great Rogero is coming home!" said Beatrice. "How you will -learn to talk sea slang! And how happy grandmamma will be, especially -if he comes in time for her great affair. Do you hear, Alex? you must -practise your steps, for grandmamma is going to give a grand party, -Careys and Evanses, and all, on purpose to gratify Fred's great love of -dancing." - -"I love dancing?" exclaimed Fred, in a tone of astonishment and -contempt. - -"Why, did you not look quite enraptured at breakfast when it was -proposed? I expected you every moment to ask the honour of my hand for -the first quadrille, but I suppose you leave it for Philip Carey!" - -"If it comes at all you must start me, Bee," said Alex, "for I am sure -I can't dance with any one but you." - -"Let me request it now," said Fred, "though why you should think I like -dancing I cannot imagine! I am sure nothing but your Majesty can make -it endurable." - -"There are compliments to your Majesty," cried Henrietta, laughing; -"one will not or cannot dance at all without her, the other cannot find -it endurable! I long to see which is to be gratified." - -"Time will show," said Beatrice; "I shall ponder on their requests, and -decide maturely, Greek against Prussian, lover of the dance against -hater of the dance." - -"I don't love it, I declare," exclaimed Fred. - -"I don't mind it, if you dance with me," said Alex. - -And Beatrice was in her glory, teasing them both, and feeling herself -the object of attention to both. - -Flirtation is not a pleasant word, and it is one which we are apt to -think applies chiefly to the manners of girls, vain of their personal -appearance, and wanting in sense or education. Beatrice would have -thought herself infinitely above it; but what else was her love of -attention, her delight in playing off her two cousins against each -other? Beauty, or the consciousness of beauty, has little to do with -it. Henrietta, if ever the matter occurred to her, could not help -knowing that she was uncommonly pretty, yet no one could be more free -from any tendency to this habit. Beatrice knew equally well that she -was plain, but that did not make the least difference; if any, it was -rather on the side of vanity, in being able without a handsome face, so -to attract and engross her cousins. It was amusing, gratifying, -flattering, to feel her power to play them off, and irritate the little -feelings of jealousy which she had detected; and thoughtless as to the -right or wrong, she pursued her course. - -On reaching the church they found that, as was usual with her, she had -brought them before any one was ready; the doors were locked, and they -had to wait while Carey and John went to old Martha's to fetch the key. -In a few minutes more Mr. Franklin arrived, well pleased to see them -ready to fulfil their promise; the west door was opened, and disclosed -a huge heap of holly laid up under the tower, ready for use. - -The first thing the boys did was to go up into the belfry, and out on -the top of the tower, and Busy Bee had a great mind to follow them; but -she thought it would not be fair to Mr. Franklin, and the wide field -upon which she had to work began to alarm her imagination. - -Before the boys came down again, she had settled the plan of operations -with Henrietta and Mr. Franklin, dragged her holly bushes into the -aisle, and brought out her knife and string. They came down declaring -that they could be of no use, and they should go away, and Beatrice -made no objection to the departure of Carey and Johnny, who, as she -justly observed, would be only in the way; but she insisted on keeping -Fred and Alex. - -"Look at all those pillars! How are we ever to twine them by ourselves? -Look at all those great bushes! How are we to lift them? No, no, -indeed, we cannot spare you, Fred. We must have some stronger hands to -help us, and you have such a good eye for this sort of thing." - -Had Alexander gone, Fred would have found some excuse for following -him, rather than he should leave him with young ladies, doing young -ladies' work; but, as Beatrice well knew, Alex would never withdraw his -assistance when she asked Fred's, and she felt secure of them both. - -"There, Alex, settle that ladder by the screen, please. Now will you -see if there is anything to tie a piece of string to? for it is of no -use to make a festoon if we cannot fasten it." - -"I can't see anything." - -"Here, give me your hand, and I'll look." Up tripped the little Bee, -just holding by his hand. "Yes, to be sure there is! Here is a great -rough nail sticking out. Is it firm? Yes, capitally. Now, Alex, make -a sailor's knot round it. Help me down first though--thank you. Fred, -will you trim that branch into something like shape. You see how I -mean. We must have a long drooping wreath of holly and ivy, to blend -with the screen. How tough this ivy is! Thank you--that's it. Well, -Mr. Franklin, I hope we shall get on in time." - -Mr. Franklin was sure of it; and seeing all actively employed, and -himself of little use, he took his leave for the present, hoping that -the Misses Langford would not tire themselves. - -Angels' work is Church decoration--work fit for angels, that is to say; -but how pure should be the hands and hearts engaged in it! Its -greatness makes it solemn and awful. It is work immediately for the -glory of God; it is work like that of the children who strewed the -palm-branches before the steps of the Redeemer! Who can frame in -imagination a more favoured and delightful occupation, than that of the -four young creatures who were, in very deed, greeting the coming of -their Lord with those bright and glistening wreaths with which they -were adorning His sanctuary? - -Angels' work! but the angels veil their faces and tremble; and we upon -earth have still greater cause to tremble and bow down in awful -reverence, when we are allowed to approach so near His shrine. And was -that spirit of holy fear--that sole desire for His glory--the chief -thought with these young people? - -Not that there was what even a severe judge could call irreverence in -word or deed; there was no idle laughter, and the conversation was in a -tone and a style which showed that they were all well trained in -respect for the sanctity of the place. Even in all the helping up and -down ladders and steps, in the reaching over for branches, in all the -little mishaps and adventures that befell them, their behaviour was -outwardly perfectly what it ought to have been; and that is no small -praise for four young people, under seventeen, left in church alone -together for so many hours. - -But still Beatrice's great aim was, unconsciously perhaps, to keep the -two boys entirely devoted to herself, and to exert her power. -Wonderful power it was in reality, which kept them interested in -employment so little accordant with their nature; kept them amused -without irreverence, and doing good service all the time. But it was a -power of which she greatly enjoyed the exercise, and which did nothing -to lessen the rivalry between them. As to Henrietta, she was sitting -apart on a hassock, very happy, and very busy in arranging the Monogram -and wreath which she had yesterday proposed. She was almost forgotten -by the other three--certainly neglected--but she did not feel it so; -she had rather be quiet, for she could not work and talk like Queen -Bee; and she liked to think over the numerous verses and hymns that her -employment brought to her mind. Uncle Geoffrey's conversation dwelt -upon her too; she began to realize his meaning, and she was especially -anxious to fulfil his desire, by entreating Fred to beware of -temptations to disobedience. Opportunities for private interviews -were, however, very rare at Knight Sutton, and she had been looking -forward to having him all to herself here, when he must wish to visit -his father's grave with her. She was vexed for a moment that his first -attention was not given to it; but she knew that his first thought was -there, and boys never showed what was uppermost in their minds to -anyone but their sisters. She should have him by and by, and the -present was full of tranquil enjoyment. - -If Henrietta had been free from blame in coming to Knight Sutton at -all, or in her way of leaving the house this morning, there would have -been little or no drawback to our pleasure in contemplating her. - -"Is it possible!" exclaimed Queen Bee, as the last reverberation of the -single stroke of the deep-toned clock fell quivering on her ear. "I -thought you would have given us at least eleven more." - -"What a quantity remains to be done!" sighed Henrietta, laying down the -wreath which she had just completed. "Your work looks beautiful, -Queenie, but how shall we ever finish?" - -"A short winter's day, too!" said Beatrice. "One thing is certain-- -that we can't go home to luncheon." - -"What will grandmamma think of that?" said Henrietta doubtfully. "Will -she like it?" - -Beatrice could have answered, "Not at all;" but she said, "O never -mind, it can't be helped; we should be late even if we were to set off -now, and besides we might be caught and stopped." - -"Oh, that would be worse than anything," said Henrietta, quite -convinced. - -"So you mean to starve," said Alex. - -"See what slaves men are to creature comforts," said Beatrice; "what do -you say, Henrietta?" - -"I had much rather stay here," said Henrietta; "I want nothing." - -"Much better fun to go without," said Fred, who had not often enough -missed a regular meal not to think doing so an honour and a joke. - -"I'll tell you what will do best of all!" cried Queen Bee. "You go to -Dame Reid's, and buy us sixpennyworth of the gingerbread papa calls the -extreme of luxury, and we will eat it on the old men's bench in the -porch." - -"Oho! her Majesty is descending to creature comforts," said Alex. "I -thought she would soon come down to other mortals." - -"Only to gratify her famishing subjects," said Beatrice, "you disloyal -vassal, you! Fred is worth a dozen of you. Come, make haste. She is -sure to have a fresh stock, for she always has a great baking when Mr. -Geoffrey is coming." - -"For his private eating?" said Fred. - -"He likes it pretty well, certainly; and he seldom goes through the -village without making considerable purchase for the benefit of the -children in his path, who take care to be not a few. I found little -Jenny Woods made small distinction between Mr. Geoffrey and Mr. Ginger. -But come, Alex, why are you not off?" - -"Because I don't happen to have a sixpence," said Alex, with an honest -openness, overcoming his desire to add "in my pocket." It cost him an -effort; for at school, where each slight advantage was noted, and -comparisons perpetually made, Fred's superior wealth and larger -allowance had secured him the adherence of some; and though he either -knew it not, or despised such mammon worship, his rival was -sufficiently awake to it to be uncomfortable in acknowledging his -poverty. - -"Every one is poor at the end of the half," said Fred, tossing up his -purse and catching it again, so as to demonstrate its lightness. "Here -is a sixpence, though, at her Majesty's service." - -"And do you think she would take your last sixpence, you honour to -loyalty?" said Beatrice, feeling in her pocket. "We are not fallen -quite so low. But alas! the royal exchequer is, as I now remember, -locked up in my desk at home." - -"And my purse is in my workbox," said Henrietta. - -"So, Fred, I must be beholden to you for the present," said Beatrice, -"if it won't quite break you down." - -"There are more where that came from," said Fred, with a careless air. -"Come along, Alex." - -Away they went. "That is unlucky," soliloquised Queen Bee: "if I could -have sent Alex alone, it would have been all right, and he would have -come back again; but now one will carry away the other, and we shall -see them no more." - -"No, no, that would be rather too bad," said Henrietta. "I am sure -Fred will behave better." - -"Mark what I say," said Beatrice. "I know how it will be; a dog or a -gun is what a boy cannot for a moment withstand, and if we see them -again 'twill be a nine days' wonder. But come, we must to the work; I -want to look at your wreath." - -She did not, however, work quite as cheerily as before, and lost much -time in running backwards and forwards to peep out at the door, and in -protesting that she was neither surprised nor annoyed at the -faithlessness of her envoys. At last a droll little frightened knock -was heard at the door. Beatrice went to open it, and a whitey-brown -paper parcel was held out to her by a boy in a green canvas round -frock, and a pair of round, hard, red, solid-looking cheeks; no other -than Dame Reid's grandson. - -"Thank you," said she. "Did Master Alexander give you this?" - -"Ay." - -"Thank you, that's right!" and away he went. - -"You see," said Queen Bee, holding up the parcel to Henrietta, who came -out to the porch. "Let us look. O, they have vouchsafed a note!" and -she took out a crumpled envelope, directed in Aunt Mary's handwriting -to Fred, on the back of which Alex had written, "Dear B., we beg -pardon, but Carey and Dick are going up to Andrews's about his -terrier.--A. L." "Very cool, certainly!" said Beatrice, laughing, but -still with a little pique. "What a life I will lead them!" - -"Well, you were a true prophet," said Henrietta, "and after all it does -not much signify. They have done all the work that is out of reach; -but still I thought Fred would have behaved better." - -"You have yet to learn the difference between Fred with you or with me, -and Fred with his own congeners," said Beatrice; "you don't know half -the phases of boy nature." - -Henrietta sighed; for Fred had certainly not been quite what she -expected him to-day. Not because he had appeared to forget her, for -that was nothing--that was only appearance, and her love was too -healthy and true even to feel it neglect; but he had forgotten his -father's grave. He was now neglecting the church; and far from its -consoling her to hear that it was the way with all boys when they came -together, it gave her one moment's doubt whether they were not happier, -when they were all in all to each other at Rocksand. - -It was but for one instant that she felt this impression; the next it -had passed away, and she was sharing the gingerbread with her cousin, -and smiling at the great admiration in which it seemed to be held by -the natives of Knight Sutton. They took a short walk up and down the -churchyard while eating it, and then returned to their occupation, well -pleased, on re-entering, to see how much show they had made already. -They worked together very happily; indeed, now that all thought of her -squires was quite out of her head, Beatrice worked much more in earnest -and in the right kind of frame; something more of the true spirit of -this service came over her, and she really possessed some of that -temper of devotion which she fancied had been with her the whole day. - -It was a beautiful thing when Henrietta raised her face, as she was -kneeling by the font, and her clear sweet voice began at first in a -low, timid note, but gradually growing fuller and stronger-- - - - "Hark! the herald angels sing - Glory to the new-born King, - Peace on earth, and mercy mild, - God and sinners reconciled." - - -Beatrice took up the strain at the first line, and sweetly did their -tones echo through the building; while their hearts swelled with -delight and thankfulness for the "good tidings of great joy." Another -and another Christmas hymn was raised, and never were carols sung by -happier voices; and the decorations proceeded all the better and more -suitably beneath their influence. They scarcely knew how time passed -away, till Henrietta, turning round, was amazed to see Uncle Geoffrey -standing just within the door watching them. - -"Beautiful!" said he, as she suddenly ceased, in some confusion; "your -work is beautiful! I came here prepared to scold you a little, but I -don't think I can. Who made that wreath and Monogram?" - -"She did, of course, papa," said Beatrice, pointing to her cousin. -"Who else could?" - -"It is a very successful arrangement," said Uncle Geoffrey, moving -about to find the spot for obtaining the best view. "It is an -arrangement to suggest so much." - -Henrietta came to the place where he stood, and for the first time -perceived the full effect of her work. It was placed in front of the -altar, the dark crimson covering of which relieved the shining leaves -and scarlet berries of the holly. The three letters, I H S, were in -the centre, formed of small sprays fastened in the required shape; and -around them was a large circle of holly, plaited and twined together, -the many-pointed leaves standing out in every direction in their -peculiar stiff gracefulness. - -"I see it now!" said she, in a low voice full of awe. "Uncle, I did -not mean to make it so!" - -"How?" he asked. - -"It is like Good Friday!" said she, as the resemblance to the crown of -thorns struck her more and more strongly. - -"Well, why not, my dear?" said her uncle, as she shrunk closer to him -in a sort of alarm. "Would Christmas be worth observing if it were not -for Good Friday?" - -"Yes, it is right uncle; but somehow it is melancholy." - -"Where are those verses that say--let me see-- - - - 'And still Thy Church's faith - Shall link, in all her prayer and praise, - Thy glory with Thy death.' - - -So you see, Henrietta, you have been guided to do quite right." - -Henrietta gave a little sigh, but did not answer: and Beatrice said, -"It is a very odd thing, whenever any work of art--or, what shall I -call it?--is well done, it is apt to have so much more in it than the -author intended. It is so in poetry, painting, and everything else." - -"There is, perhaps, more meaning than we understand, when we talk of -the spirit in which a thing is done," said her father: "But have you -much more to do? Those columns look very well." - -"O, are you come to help us, papa?" - -"I came chiefly because grandmamma was a good deal concerned at your -not coming home to luncheon. You must not be out the whole morning -again just at present. I have some sandwiches in my pocket for you." - -Beatrice explained how they had been fed, and her papa said, "Very -well, we will find some one who will be glad of them; but mind, do not -make her think you unsociable again. Do you hear and heed?" - -It was the sort of tone which, while perfectly kind and gentle, shows -that it belongs to a man who will be obeyed, and ready compliance was -promised. He proceeded to give his very valuable aid at once in taste -and execution, the adornment prospered greatly, and when Mr. Franklin -came in, his surprise and delight were excited by the beauty which had -grown up in his absence. The long, drooping, massive wreaths of -evergreen at the east end, centring in the crown and letters; the -spiral festoons round the pillars; the sprays in every niche; the tower -of holly over the font--all were more beautiful, both together and -singly, than he had even imagined, and he was profuse in admiration and -thanks. - -The work was done; and the two Misses Langford, after one well- -satisfied survey from the door, bent their steps homeward, looking -forward to the pleasure with which grandpapa and Aunt Mary would see it -to-morrow. As they went in the deepening twilight, the whole village -seemed vocal: children's voices, shrill and tuneless near, but softened -by distance, were ringing out here, there, and everywhere, with - - - "As shepherds watch'd their flocks by night." - - -And again, as they walked on, the sound from another band of little -voices was brought on the still frosty wind-- - - - "Glad tidings of great joy I bring - To you and all mankind." - -Imperfect rhymes, bad voices, no time observed; but how joyous,--how -really Christmas-like--how well it suited the soft half-light, the last -pale shine of sunset lingering in the south-west! the large solemn -stars that one by one appeared! How Uncle Geoffrey caught up the lines -and sang them over to himself! How light and free Beatrice walked!-- -and how the quiet happy tears would rise in Henrietta's eyes! - -The singing in the drawing-room that evening, far superior as it was, -with Henrietta, Beatrice, Frederick, and even Aunt Mary's beautiful -voice, was not equal in enjoyment to that. Was it because Beatrice was -teasing Fred all the time about his defection? The church singers came -up to the Hall, and the drawing-room door was set open for the party to -listen to them; grandpapa and Uncle Geoffrey went out to have a talk -with them, and so passed the space till tea-time; to say nothing of the -many little troops of young small voices outside the windows, to whom -Mrs. Langford's plum buns, and Mr. Geoffrey's sixpences, were a very -enjoyable part of the Christmas festivities. - - - - -CHAPTER VII. - - - -The double feast of Sunday and Christmas-day dawned upon Henrietta with -many anxieties for her mother, to whom the first going to church must -be so great a trial. Would that she could, as of old, be at her side -the whole day! but this privilege, unrecked of at Rocksand, was no -longer hers. She had to walk to church with grandmamma and the rest of -the party, while Mrs. Frederick Langford was driven in the open -carriage by old Mr. Langford, and she was obliged to comfort herself -with recollecting that no companion ever suited her better than -grandpapa. It was a sight to be remembered when she came into church, -leaning upon his arm, her sweet expression of peace and resignation, -making her even more lovely than when last she entered there--her face -in all its early bloom of youthful beauty, and radiant with innocent -happiness. - -But Henrietta knew not how to appreciate that "peace which passeth all -understanding;" and all that she saw was the glistening of tears in her -eyes, and the heaving of her bosom, as she knelt down in her place; and -she thought that if she had calculated all that she would have to go -through, and all her own anxieties for her, she should never have urged -their removal. She viewed it, however, as a matter of expediency -rather than of duty, and her feelings were not in the only right and -wholesome channel. As on the former occasion, Knight Sutton Church -seemed to her more full of her father's presence than of any other, so -now, throughout the service, she was chiefly occupied with watching her -mother; and entirely by the force of her own imagination, she contrived -to work herself into a state of nervous apprehension, only equalled by -her mamma's own anxieties for Fred. - -Neither she nor any of her young cousins were yet confirmed, so they -all left the church together. What would she not have given to be able -to talk her fears over with either Frederick or Beatrice, and be -assured by them that her mamma had borne it very well, and would not -suffer from it. But though neither of them was indifferent or -unfeeling, there was not much likelihood of sympathy from them just at -present. Beatrice had always been sure that Aunt Mary would behave -like an angel; and when Fred saw that his mother looked tranquil, and -showed no symptoms of agitation, he dismissed anxiety from his mind, -and never even guessed at his sister's alarms. - -Nor in reality had he many thoughts for his sister of any kind; for he -was, as usual, engrossed with Queen Bee, criticising the decorations -which had been completed in his absence, and, together with Alex, -replying to the scolding with which she visited their desertion. - -Nothing could have been more eminently successful than the decorations, -which looked to still greater advantage in the brightness of the -morning sun than in the dimness of the evening twilight; and many were -the compliments which the two young ladies received upon their -handiwork. The old women had "never seen nothing like it,"--the school -children whispered to each other, "How pretty!" Uncle Geoffrey and Mr. -Franklin admired even more than before; grandpapa and Aunt Mary were -delighted; grandmamma herself allowed it was much better than she had -expected; and Jessie Carey, by way of climax, said it "was like magic." - -It was a very different Sunday from those to which Henrietta had been -accustomed, in the complete quiet and retirement of Rocksand. The Hall -was so far from the church, that there was but just time to get back in -time for evening service. After which, according to a practice of -which she had often heard her mamma speak with many agreeable -reminiscences, the Langford family almost always went in a body on a -progress to the farmyard, to visit the fatting oxen and see the cows -milked. - -Mrs. Roger Langford was at home with little Tom, and Mrs. Frederick -Langford was glad to seek the tranquillity and repose of her own -apartment; but all the rest went in procession, greatly to the -amusement of Fred and Henrietta, to the large barn-like building, where -a narrow path led them along the front of the stalls of the gentle- -looking sweet-breathed cows, and the huge white-horned oxen. - -Uncle Roger, as always happened, monopolised his brother, and kept him -estimating the weight of the great Devon ox, which was next for -execution. Grandmamma was escorting Charlie and Arthur (whom their -grandfather was wont to call penultimus and antepenultimus), helping -them to feed the cows with turnips, and guarding them from going behind -their heels. Henrietta was extremely happy, for grandpapa himself was -doing the honours for her, and instructing her in the difference -between a Guernsey cow and a short-horn; and so was Alexander, for he -had Queen Bee all to himself in a remote corner of the cow-house, -rubbing old spotted Nancy's curly brow, catching at her polished black- -tipped horn, and listening to his hopes and fears for the next half -year. Not so Frederick, as he stood at the door with Jessie Carey, -who, having no love for the cow-house, especially when in her best -silk, thought always ready to take care of the children there, was very -glad to secure a companion outside, especially one so handsome, so much -more polished than any of her cousins, and so well able to reply to her -small talk. Little did she guess how far off he wished her, or how he -longed to be listening to his uncles, talking to Beatrice, sticking -holly into the cows' halters with John and Richard, scrambling into the -hay-loft with Carey and William--anywhere, rather than be liable to the -imputation of being too fine a gentleman to enter a cow-house. - -This accusation never entered the head of any one but himself; but -still an attack was in store for him. After a few words to Martin the -cowman, and paying their respects to the pigs, the party left the farm- -yard, and the inhabitants of Sutton Leigh took the path to their own -abode, while Beatrice turned round to her cousin, saying, "Well, Fred, -I congratulate you on your politeness! How well you endured being -victimised!" - -"I victimised! How do you know I was not enchanted?" - -"Nay, you can't deceive me while you have a transparent face. Trust me -for finding out whether you are bored or not. Besides, I would not pay -so bad a compliment to your taste as to think otherwise." - -"How do you know I was not exercising the taste of Rubens himself? I -was actually admiring you all, and thinking how like it all was to that -great print from one of his pictures; the building with its dark gloomy -roof, and open sides, the twilight, the solitary dispersed snow-flakes, -the haze of dust, the sleek cattle, and their long white horns." - -"Quite poetical," said Queen Bee, in a short, dry, satirical manner. -"How charmed Jessie must have been!" - -"Why?" said Fred, rather provoked. - -"Such masterly eyes are not common among our gentlemen. You will be -quite her phoenix; and how much 'Thomson's Seasons' you will have to -hear! I dare say you have had it already-- - - - 'Now, shepherds, to your helpless charge be kind!'" - - -"Well, very good advice, too," said Fred. - -"I hate and detest Thomson," said Beatrice; "above all, for travestying -Ruth into 'the lovely young Lavinia;' so whenever Jessie treated me to -any of her quotations, I criticised him without mercy, and at last I -said, by great good luck, that the only use of him was to serve as an -imposition for young ladies at second-rate boarding schools. It was a -capital hit, for Alex found out that it was the way she learnt so much -of him, and since that time I have heard no more of 'Jemmy Thomson! -Jemmy Thomson! O!'" - -The laughter which followed this speech had a tone in it, which, -reaching Mr. Geoffrey Langford, who was walking a little in front with -his mother, made him suspect that the young people were getting into -such spirits as were not quite Sunday-like; and, turning round, he -asked them some trifling question, which made him a party to the -conversation, and brought it back to a quieter, though not less merry -tone. - -Dinner was at five, and Henrietta was dressed so late that Queen Bee -had to come up to summon her, and bring her down after every one was in -the dining-room--an entrée all the more formidable, because Mr. -Franklin was dining there, as well as Uncle Roger and Alexander. - -Thanks in some degree to her own dawdling, she had been in a hurry the -whole day, and she longed for a quiet evening: but here it seemed to -her, as with the best intentions it usually is, in a large party, that, -but for the laying aside of needlework, of secular books and secular -music, it might as well have been any other day of the week. - -Her mamma was very tired, and went to bed before tea, the gentlemen had -a long talk over the fire, the boys and Beatrice laughed and talked, -and she helped her grandmamma to hand about the tea, answering her -questions about her mother's health and habits, and heard a good deal -that interested her, but still she could not feel as if it were Sunday. -At Rocksand she used to sit for many a pleasant hour, either in the -darkening summer twilight, or the bright red light of the winter fire, -repeating or singing hymns, and enjoying the most delightful talks that -the whole week had to offer, and now she greatly missed the -conversation that would have "set this strange week to rights in her -head," as she said to herself. - -She thought over it a good deal whilst Bennet was brushing her hair at -night, feeling as if it had been a week-day, and as if it would be as -difficult to begin a new fresh week on Monday morning, as it would a -new day after sitting up a whole night. How far this was occasioned by -Knight Sutton habits, and how far it was her own fault, was not what -she asked herself, though she sat up for a long time musing on the -change in her way of life, and scarcely able to believe that it was -only last Sunday that she had been sitting with her mother over their -fire at Rocksand. Enough had happened for a whole month. Her darling -project was fulfilled; the airy castle of former days had become a -substance, and she was inhabiting it: and was she really so very much -happier? There she went into a reverie--but musing is not meditating, -nor vague dreamings wholesome reflections; she went on sitting their, -chiefly for want of energy to move, till the fire burnt low, the clock -struck twelve, and Mrs. Frederick Langford exclaimed in a sleepy voice, -"My dear, are you going to sleep there?" - - - - -CHAPTER VIII. - - - -Breakfast was nearly over on Monday morning, when a whole party of the -Sutton Leigh boys entered with the intelligence that the great pond in -Knight's Portion was quite frozen over, and that skating might begin -without loss of time. - -"You are coming, are you not, Bee?" said Alex, leaning over the back of -her chair. - -"O yes," said she, nearly whispering "only take care. It is taboo -there,"--and she made a sign with her hand towards Mrs. Langford, "and -don't frighten Aunt Mary about Fred. O it is too late, Carey's doing -the deed as fast as he can." - -Carey was asking Fred whether he had ever skated, or could skate, and -Fred was giving an account of his exploits in that line at school, -hoping it might prove to his mother that he might be trusted to take -care of himself since he had dared the danger before. In vain: the -alarmed expression had come over her face, as she asked Alexander -whether his father had looked at the ice. - -"No," said Alex, "but it is perfectly safe. I tried it this morning, -and it is as firm as this marble chimney-piece." - -"He is pretty well to be trusted," said his grandfather, "more -especially as it would be difficult to get drowned there." - -"I would give a shilling to anyone who could drown himself there," said -Alex. - -"The travelling man did," exclaimed at once Carey, John, and Richard. - -"Don't they come in just like the Greek chorus?" said Beatrice, in a -whisper to Fred, who gave a little laugh, but was too anxious to attend -to her. - -I thought he was drowned in the river," said Alex. - -"No, it was in the deep pool under the weeping willow, where the -duckweed grows so rank in summer," said Carey. - -Uncle Geoffrey laughed. "I am sorry to interfere with your romantic -embellishments, Carey, or with the credit of your beloved pond, since -you are determined not to leave it behindhand with its neighbours." - -"I always thought it was there," said the boy. - -"And thought wrong; the poor man was found in the river two miles off." - -"I always heard it was at Knight's Pool," repeated Carey. - -"I do not know what you may have heard," said Uncle Geoffrey; "but as -it happened a good while before you were born, I think you had better -not argue the point." - -"Grandpapa," persisted Carey, "was it not in Knight's Pool?" - -"Certainly not," was the answer drily given. - -"Well," continued Carey, "I am sure you might drown yourself there." - -"Rather than own yourself mistaken," said Uncle Geoffrey. - -"Carey, Carey, I hate contradiction," said grandmamma, rising and -rustling past where he stood with a most absurd, dogged, unconvinced -face. "Take your arm off the mantelpiece, let that china cup alone, -and stand like a gentleman. Do!" - -"All in vain!" said Beatrice. "To the end of his life he will maintain -that Knight's Pool drowned the travelling man!" - -"Well, never mind," said John, impatiently, "are we coming to skate -this morning or are we not?" - -"I really wish," said Aunt Mary, as if she could not help it, "without -distrusting either old Knight's Pool or your judgment, Alexander, that -you would ask some one to look at it." - -"I should like just to run down and see the fun," said Uncle Geoffrey, -thus setting all parties at rest for the moment. The two girls ran -joyfully up to put on their bonnets, as Henrietta wished to see, -Beatrice to join in, the sport. At that instant Mrs. Langford asked -her son Geoffrey to remove some obstacle which hindered the comfortable -shutting of the door, and though a servant might just as well have done -it, he readily complied, according to his constant habit of making all -else give way to her, replying to the discomfited looks of the boys, "I -shall be ready by the time the young ladies come down." - -So he was, long before Henrietta was ready, and just as she and -Beatrice appeared on the stairs, Atkins was carrying across the hall -what the boys looked at with glances of dismay, namely, the post-bag. -Knight Sutton, being small and remote, did not possess a post-office, -but a messenger came from Allonfield for the letters on every day -except Sunday, and returned again in the space of an hour. A very -inconvenient arrangement, as everyone had said for the last twenty -years, and might probably say for twenty years more. - -As usual, more than half the contents were for G. Langford, Esq., and -Fred's face grew longer and longer as he saw the closely-written -business-like sheets. - -"Fred, my poor fellow," said his uncle, looking up, "I am sorry for -you, but one or two must be answered by this day's post. I will not be -longer than I can help." - -"Then do let us come on," exclaimed the chorus. - -"Come, Queenie," added Alex. - -She delayed, however, saying, "Can I do any good, papa?" - -"Thank you, let me see. I do not like to stop you, but it would save -time if you could just copy a letter." - -"O thank you, pray let me," said Beatrice, delighted. "Go on, -Henrietta, I shall soon come." - -Henrietta would have waited, but she saw a chance of speaking to her -brother, which she did not like to lose. - -Her mother had taken advantage of the various conversations going on in -the hall, to draw her son aside, saying, "Freddy, I believe you think -me very troublesome, but do let me entreat of you not to venture on the -ice till one of your uncles has said it is safe." - -"Uncle Roger trusts Alex," said Fred. - -"Yes, but he lets all those boys take their chance, and a number of you -together are likely to be careless, and I know there used to be -dangerous places in that pond. I will not detain you, my dear," added -she, as the others were preparing to start, "only I beg you will not -attempt to skate till your uncle comes." - -"Very well," said Frederick, in a tone of as much annoyance as ever he -showed his mother, and with little suspicion how much it cost her not -to set her mind at rest by exacting a promise from him. This she had -resolutely forborne to do in cases like the present, from his earliest -days, and she had her reward in the implicit reliance she could place -on his word when once given. And now, sighing that it had not been -voluntarily offered, she went to her sofa, to struggle and reason in -vain with her fears, and start at each approaching step, lest it should -bring the tidings of some fatal accident, all the time blaming herself -for the entreaties which might, as she dreaded, place him in peril of -disobedience. - -In a few moments Mr. Geoffrey Langford was sitting in the great red -leathern chair in the study, writing as fast as his fingers would move, -apparently without a moment for thought, though he might have said, -like the great painter, that what seemed the work of half an hour, was -in fact the labour of years. His daughter, her bonnet by her side, sat -opposite to him, writing with almost equal rapidity, and supremely -happy, for to the credit of our little Queen Bee let it be spoken, that -no talk with Henrietta, no walk with grandpapa, no new exciting tale, -no, not even a flirtation with Fred and Alex, one or both, was equal in -her estimation to the pleasure and honour of helping papa, even though -it was copying a dry legal opinion, instead of gliding about on the -smooth hard ice, in the bright winter morning's sunshine. - -The two pens maintained a duet of diligent scratching for some twenty -or five and twenty minutes without intermission, but at last Beatrice -looked up, and without speaking, held up her sheet. - -"Already? Thank you, my little clerk, I could think it was mamma. Now -then, off to the skating. My compliments to Fred, and tell him I feel -for him, and will not keep him waiting longer than I can avoid:" and -muttering a resumption of his last sentence, on went the lawyer's -indefatigable pen; and away flew the merry little Busy Bee, bounding -off with her droll, tripping, elastic, short-stepped run, which suited -so well with her little alert figure, and her dress, a small plain -black velvet bonnet, a tight black velvet "jacket," as she called it, -and a brown silk dress, with narrow yellow stripes (chosen chiefly in -joke, because it was the colour of a bee), not a bit of superfluous -shawl, boa, or ribbon about her, but all close and compact, fit for the -diversion which she was eager to enjoy. The only girl among so many -boys, she had learnt to share in many of their sports, and one of the -prime favourites was skating, a diversion which owes as much of its -charm to the caprices of its patron Jack Frost, as to the degree of -skill which it requires. - -She arrived at the stile leading to "Knight's Portion," as it was -called, and a very barren portion must the poor Knight have possessed -if it was all his property. It was a sloping chalky field or rather -corner of a down, covered with very short grass and thistles, which -defied all the attacks of Uncle Roger and his sheep. On one side was a -sort of precipice, where the chalk had been dug away, and a rather -extensive old chalk pit formed a tolerable pond, by the assistance of -the ditch at the foot of a hedge. On the glassy surface already marked -by many a sharply traced circular line, the Sutton Leigh boys were -careering, the younger ones with those extraordinary bends, twists, and -contortions to which the unskilful are driven in order to preserve -their balance. Frederick and Henrietta stood on the brink, neither of -them looking particularly cheerful; but both turned gladly at the sight -of the Busy Bee, and came to meet her with eager inquiries for her -papa. - -She was a very welcome sight to both, especially Henrietta, who had -from the first felt almost out of place alone with all those boys, and -who hoped that she would be some comfort to poor Fred, who had been -entertaining her with every variety of grumbling for the last half- -hour, and perversely refusing to walk out of sight of the forbidden -pleasure, or to talk of anything else. Such a conversation as she was -wishing for was impossible whilst he was constantly calling out to the -others, and exclaiming at their adventures, and in the intervals -lamenting his own hard fate, scolding her for her slowness in dressing, -which had occasioned the delay, and magnifying the loss of his -pleasure, perhaps in a sort of secret hope that the temptation would so -far increase as to form in his eyes an excuse for yielding to it. -Seldom had he shown himself so unamiable towards her, and with great -relief and satisfaction she beheld her cousin descending the steep -slippery path from the height above, and while the cloud began to -lighten on his brow, she thought to herself, "It will be all right now, -he is always happy with Busy Bee!" - -So he might have been had Beatrice been sufficiently unselfish for once -to use her influence in the right direction, and surrender an amusement -for the sake of another; but to give up or defer such a pleasure as -skating with Alex never entered her mind, though a moment's reflection -might have shown her how much more annoying the privation would be -rendered by the sight of a girl fearlessly enjoying the sport from -which he was debarred. It would, perhaps, be judging too hardly to -reckon against her as a fault that her grandmamma could not bear to -hear of anything so "boyish," and had long ago entreated her to be more -like a young lady. There was no positive order in this case, and her -papa and mamma did not object. So she eagerly answered Alexander's -summons, fastened on her skates, and soon was gliding merrily on the -surface of the Knight's Pool, while her cousins watched her dexterity -with surprise and interest; but soon Fred once more grew gloomy, -sighed, groaned, looked at his watch, and recommenced his complaints. -At first she had occupation enough in attending to her own security to -bestow any attention on other things, but in less than a quarter of an -hour, she began to feel at her ease, and her spirits rising to the -pitch where consideration is lost, she "could not help," in her own -phrase, laughing at the disconsolate Fred. - -"How woebegone he looks!" said she, as she whisked past, "but never -mind, Fred, the post must go some time or other." - -"It must be gone," said Fred. "I am sure we have been here above an -hour!" - -"Henrietta looks blue with cold, like an old hen obliged to follow her -ducklings to the water!" observed Beatrice, again gliding near, and in -the midst of her next circular sweep she chanted-- - - - "Although their feet are pointed, and my feet are round, - Pray, is that any reason why I should be drowned?" - - -It was a great aggravation of Fred's calamities to be obliged to laugh, -nor were matters mended by the sight of the party now advancing from -the house, Jessie Carey, with three of the lesser boys. - -"What news of Uncle Geoffrey?" - -"I did not see him," said Jessie: "I think he was in the study, Uncle -Roger went to him there." - -"No hope then!" muttered the unfortunate Fred. - -"Can't you skate, Fred?" asked little Arthur with a certain most -provoking face of wonder and curiosity. - -"Presently," said Fred. - -"He must not," cried Richard, in a tone which Fred thought malicious, -though it was only rude. - -"Must not?" and Arthur looked up in amazement to the boy so much taller -than his three brothers, creatures in his eyes privileged to do what -they pleased. - -"His mamma won't let him," was Dick's polite answer. Fred could have -knocked him down with the greatest satisfaction, but in the first place -he was out of reach, in the second, the young ladies were present, in -the third he was a little boy, and a stupid one, and Fred had temper -enough left to see that there would be nothing gained by quarrelling -with him, so contenting himself with a secret but most ardent wish that -he had him as his fag at school, he turned to Jessie, and asked her -what she thought of the weather, if the white frost would bring rain, -&c., &c. - -Jessie thought the morning too bright not to be doubtful, and the hoar -frost was so very thick and white that it was not likely to continue -much longer. - -"How beautiful these delicate white crests are to every thorn in the -hedge!" said Henrietta; "and look, these pieces of chalk are almost -cased in glass." - -"O I do love such a sight!" said Jessie. "Here is a beautiful bit of -stick crusted over." - -"It is a perfect little Giant's Causeway," said Henrietta; "do look at -these lovely little columns, Fred." - -"Ah!" said Jessie, "Myriads of little salts, or hook'd or shaped like -double wedges.--" - -She thought Beatrice safe out of hearing, but that very moment by she -came, borne swiftly along, and catching the cadence of that one line, -looked archly at Fred, and shaped with her lips rather than uttered--"O -Jemmy Thomson! Jemmy Thomson, O!" - -It filled up the measure. That Beatrice, Alexander and Chorus should -be making him a laughing-stock, and him pinned to Miss Carey's side, -was more than he could endure. He had made up his mind that Uncle -Geoffrey was not coming at all, his last feeble hold of patience and -obedience gave way, and he exclaimed, "Well, I shan't wait any longer, -it is not of the least use." - -"O, Fred, consider!" said his sister. - -"That's right, Freddy," shouted Carey, "he'll not come now, I'll answer -for it." - -"You know he promised he would," pleaded Henrietta. - -"Uncle Roger has got hold of him, and he is as bad as the old man of -the sea," said Fred, "the post has been gone this half-hour, and I -shall not wait any longer." - -"Think of mamma." - -"How can you talk such nonsense, Henrietta?" exclaimed Fred -impatiently, "do you think that I am so awfully heavy that the ice that -bears them must needs break with me?" - -"I do not suppose there is any danger," said Henrietta, "but for the -sake of poor mamma's entreaties!" - -"Do you think I am going to be kept in leading-strings all the rest of -my life?" said Fred, obliged to work himself into a passion in order to -silence his sister and his conscience. "I have submitted to such -absurd nonsense a great deal too long already, I will not be made a -fool of in the sight of everybody; so here goes!" - -And breaking away from her detaining arm, he ran down to the verge of -the pond, and claimed the skates which he had lent to John. Henrietta -turned away her eyes full of tears. - -"Never mind, Henrietta," shouted the good-natured Alexander, "I'll -engage to fish him out if he goes in." - -"It is as likely I may fish you out, Mr. Alex," returned Fred, slightly -affronted. - -"Or more likely still there will be no fishing in the case," said the -naughty little Syren, who felt all the time a secret satisfaction in -the consciousness that it was she who had made the temptation -irresistible, then adding, to pacify Henrietta and her own feelings of -compunction, "Aunt Mary must be satisfied when she hears with what -exemplary patience he waited till papa was past hope, and the pond past -fear." - -Whether Alex smiled at the words "past fear," or whether Fred only -thought he did, is uncertain, the effect was that he exclaimed, "I only -wish there was a place in this pond that you did not like to skate -over, Alex." - -"Well, there is one," said Alex, laughing, "where Carey drowns the -travelling man: there is a spring there, and the ice is never so firm, -so you may try--" - -"Don't, Fred--I beg you won't!" cried Beatrice. - -"O, Fred, Fred, think, think, if anything should happen!" implored -Henrietta. - -"I shan't look, I can't bear it!" exclaimed Jessie, turning away. - -Fred without listening skated triumphantly towards the hedge, and -across the perilous part, and fortunately it was without disaster. In -the middle of the shout of applause with which the chorus celebrated -his achievement, a gate in the hedge suddenly opened, and the two -uncles stood before them. The first thing Uncle Geoffrey did was to -take a short run, and slide right across the middle of the pond, while -Uncle Roger stood by laughing and saying, "Well done, Geoffrey, you are -not quite so heavy as I am." - -Uncle Geoffrey reaching the opposite side, caught up little Charley by -the arms and whirled him round in the air, then shouted in a voice that -had all the glee and blithe exultation of a boy just released from -school, "I hereby certify to all whom it may concern, the pond is -franked! Where's Fred?" - -Fred wished himself anywhere else, and so did Henrietta. Even Queen -Bee's complacency gave way before her father, and it was only Alexander -who had spirit to answer, "We thought you were not coming at all." - -"Indeed!" said Uncle Geoffrey; and little Willy exclaimed, "Why, Alex, -Uncle Geoffrey always comes when he promises," a truth to which every -one gave a mental assent. - -Without taking the smallest notice of Frederick by word or look, Uncle -Geoffrey proceeded to join the other boys, to the great increase of -their merriment, instructing them in making figures of eight, and in -all the other mysteries of the skating art, which they could scarcely -enjoy more than he seemed to do. Henrietta, cold and unhappy, grieved -at her brother's conduct, and still more grieved at the displeasure of -her uncle, wished to return to the house, yet could not make up her -mind to do so, for fear of her mamma's asking about Fred; and whilst -she was still doubting and hesitating, the Church bell began to ring, -reminding her of the saint's day service, one of the delights of Knight -Sutton to which she had so long looked forward. Yet here was another -disappointment. The uncles and the two girls immediately prepared to -go. Jessie said she must take Arthur and Charley home, and set off. -The boys could do as they pleased, and Willy holding Uncle Geoffrey's -hand was going with him, but the rest continued their sport, and among -them was Fred. He had never disobeyed a Church bell before, and had -rather not have done so now, but as he saw none of his male companions -setting off, he fancied that to attend a week-day service in the -holidays might be reckoned a girlish proceeding, imagined his cousins -laughing at him as soon as his back was turned, and guessed from Uncle -Geoffrey's grave looks that he might be taken to task when no longer -protected by the presence of the rest. - -He therefore replied with a gruff short "No" to his sister's anxious -question whether he was not coming, and flourished away to the other -end of the pond; but a few seconds after he was not a little surprised -and vexed at finding himself mistaken after all--at least so far as -regarded Alex, who had been only going on with his sport to the last -moment, and now taking off his skates, vaulted over the gate, and ran -at full speed after the rest of the party, overtaking them before they -reached the village. - -Henrietta was sadly disappointed when, looking round at the sound of -footsteps, she saw him instead of her brother. His refusal to go to -Church grieved her more than his disobedience, on which she did not in -general look with sufficient seriousness, and for which in the present -case there were many extenuating circumstances, which she longed to -plead to Uncle Geoffrey, who would, she thought, relax in his severity -towards her poor Fred, if he knew how long he had waited, and how much -he had been teased. This, however, she could not tell him without -complaining of his daughter, and in fact it was an additional pain that -Queen Bee should have used all her powerful influence in the wrong -direction. - -It was impossible to be long vexed with the little Busy Bee, even in -such circumstances as these, especially when she came up to her, put -her arm into hers, and looked into her face with all the sweetness that -could sometimes reside in those brown features of hers, saying, "My -poor Henrietta, I am afraid we have been putting you to torture all -this time, but you know that it is quite nonsense to be afraid of -anything happening." - -"O yes, I know that, but really, Queenie, you should not have persuaded -him." - -"I? Well, I believe it was rather naughty of me to laugh at him, for -persuade him I did not, but if you had but seen him in the point I did, -and known how absurd you two poor disconsolate creatures looked, you -would not have been able to help it. And how was I to know that he -would go into the only dangerous place he could find, just by way of -bravado? I could have beaten myself when I saw that, but it is all -safe, and no harm done." - -"There is your papa displeased with him." - -"O, I will settle that; I will tell him it was half of it my fault, and -beg him to say nothing about it. And as for Fred--I should like to -make a charade of fool-hardy, with a personal application. Did you -ever act a charade, Henrietta?" - -"Never; I scarcely know what it is." - -"O charming, charming! What rare fun we will have! I wish I had not -told you of fool-hardy, for now we can't have that, but this evening, -O, this evening, I am no Queen Bee if you do not see what will amaze -you! Alex! Alex! Where is the boy? I must speak to you this -instant." - -Pouncing upon Alexander, she drew him a little behind the others, and -was presently engaged in an eager low-voiced conference, apparently -persuading him to something much against his inclination, but Henrietta -was not sufficiently happy to bestow much curiosity on the subject. -All her thoughts were with Fred, and she had not long been in Church -before all her mother's fears seemed to have passed to her. Her mother -had recovered her serenity, and was able to trust her boy in the hands -of his Heavenly Father, while Henrietta, haunted by the remembrance of -many a moral tale, was tormenting herself with the expectation of -retribution, and dwelling on a fancied figure of her brother lifted -senseless out of the water, with closed eyes and dripping hair. - - - - -CHAPTER IX. - - - -With all her faults, Queen Bee was a good-natured, generous little -thing, and it was not what every one would have done, when, as soon as -she returned from Church, she followed her father to the study, saying, -"Papa, you must not be displeased with Fred, for he was very much -plagued, and he only had just begun when you came." - -"The other boys had been teasing him?" - -"Dick had been laughing at him, saying his mamma would not let him go -on the ice, and that, you know, was past all bearing. And honestly, it -was my fault too; I laughed, not at that joke, of course, for it was -only worthy of Dick himself, but at poor Fred's own disconsolate -looks." - -"Was not his case unpleasant enough, without your making it worse?" - -"Of course, papa, I ought to have been more considerate, but you know -how easily I am run away with by high spirits." - -"And I know you have the power to restrain them, Beatrice. You have no -right to talk of being run away with, as if you were helpless." - -"I know it is very wrong; I often think I will check myself, but there -are many speeches which, when once they come to my lips, are -irresistible, or seem so. However, I will not try to justify myself; I -know I was to blame, only you must not be angry with Fred, for it -really did seem rather unreasonable to keep him there parading about -with Henrietta and Jessie, when the ice was quite safe for everybody -else." - -"I am not angry with him, Bee; I cannot but be sorry that he gave way -to the temptation, but there was so much to excuse him, that I shall -not show any further displeasure. He is often in a very vexatious -position for a boy of his age. I can imagine nothing more galling than -these restraints." - -"And cannot you--" said Beatrice, stopping short. - -"Speak to your aunt? I will not make her miserable. Anything she -thinks right she will do, at whatever cost to herself, and for that -very reason I will not interfere. It is a great deal better for Fred -that his amusement should be sacrificed to her peace, than her peace to -his amusement." - -"Yet surely this cannot go on for life," said Beatrice, as if she was -half afraid to hazard the remark. - -"Never mind the future. She will grow more used to the other boys, and -gain more confidence in Fred. Things will right themselves, if we do -not set them wrong. And now, mark me. You are not a mere child, who -can plead the excuse of thoughtlessness for leading him into mischief; -you know the greatness of the sin of disobedience, and the fearful -responsibility incurred by conducing to it in others. Do not help to -lead him astray for the sake of--of vanity--of amusement." - -Something in the manner in which he pronounced these words conveyed to -Beatrice a sense of the emptiness and worthlessness of her motives, and -she answered earnestly, "I was wrong, papa; I know it is a love of -saying clever things that often leads me wrong. It was so to-day, for -I could have stopped myself, but for the pleasure of making fun. It is -vanity, and I will try to subdue it." - -Beatrice had a sort of candid way of reasoning about her faults, and -would blame herself, and examine her motives in a manner which disarmed -reproof by forestalling it. She was perfectly sincere, yet it was -self-deception, for it was not as if it was herself whom she was -analysing, but rather as if it was some character in a book; indeed, -she would have described herself almost exactly as she is here -described, except that her delineation would have been much more clever -and more exact. She would not have spared herself--for this reason, -that her own character was more a study to her than a reality, her -faults rather circumstances than sins; it was her mind, rather than her -soul, that reflected and made resolutions, or more correctly, what -would have been resolutions, if they had possessed any real -earnestness, and not been done, as it were, mechanically, because they -became the occasion. - -The conversation was concluded by the sound of the luncheon bell, and -she ran up to take off her bonnet, her thoughts taking the following -course: "I am very sorry; it is too bad to tease poor Fred, cruel and -wrong, and all that, only if he would not look absurd! It is too droll -to see how provoked he is, when I take the least notice of Alex, and -after all, I don't think he cares for me half as much as Alex does, -only it flatters his vanity. Those great boys are really quite as vain -as girls, not Alex though, good downright fellow, who would do anything -for me, and I have put him to a hard proof to-night. What a capital -thought those charades are! Fred will meet the others on common, nay, -on superior ground, and there will be none of these foolish questions -who can be most manly mad. Fred is really a fine spirited fellow -though, and I thought papa could not find it in his heart to be angry -with him. How capitally he will act, and how lovely Henrietta will -look! I must make them take to the charades, it will be so very -delightful, and keep Fred quite out of mischief, which will set Aunt -Mary at ease. And how amused grandpapa will be! What shall it be to- -night? What Alex can manage to act tolerably. Ce n'est que le premier -pas qui conte, and the premier pas must be with our best foot foremost. -I give myself credit for the thought; it will make all smooth." - -These meditations occupied her during a hasty toilette and a still more -rapid descent, and were abruptly concluded by her alighting from her -swinging jump down the last four steps close to Fred himself, who was -standing by the hall fire with a gloomy expression of countenance, -which with inconsiderate good nature she hastened to remove. "Don't -look dismal, Freddy; I have told papa all about it, and he does not -mind it. Cheer up, you adventurous knight, I have some glorious fun -for you this evening." - -Not mind it! The impression thus conveyed to one but too willing to -receive it, was that Uncle Geoffrey, that external conscience, thought -him excused from attending to unreasonable prohibitions. Away went all -the wholesome self-reproach which he had begun to feel, away went all -fear of Uncle Geoffrey's eye, all compunction in meeting his mother, -and he entered the dining-room in such lively spirits that his uncle -was vexed to see him so unconcerned, and his mother felt sure that her -entreaty had not been disregarded. She never heard to the contrary, -for she liked better to trust than to ask questions, and he, like far -too many boys, did not think concealment blameable where there was no -actual falsehood. - -All the time they were at table, Queen Bee was in one of her states of -wild restlessness, and the instant she was at liberty she flew away, -and was seen no more that afternoon, except in certain flittings into -different apartments, where she appeared for a moment or two with some -extraordinary and mysterious request. First she popped upon grandpapa, -and with the expense of a little coaxing and teasing, obtained from him -the loan of his Deputy-Lieutenant's uniform; then she darted into the -drawing-room, on hearing Uncle Roger's voice, and conjured him not to -forget to give a little note to Alex, containing these words, "Willy -must wear his cap without a peak. Bring Roger's dirk, and above all, -beg, borrow, or steal, Uncle Roger's fishing boots." Her next descent -was upon Aunt Mary, in her own room: "Aunt, would you do me a great -favour, and ask no questions, nor tell Henrietta? Do just lend me the -three little marabout feathers which you had in your cap yesterday -evening. Only for this one evening, and I'll take great care." - -"I am sure, my dear, you are very welcome to them; I do not feel like -myself in such finery," said Mrs. Frederick Langford, smiling, as -Beatrice took possession of the elegant little white cap, which she had -the discretion to carry to Bennet, its lawful protector, to be bereft -of its plumed honours. Bennet, an old friend of nursery days, was in -the secret of her plans for the evening; her head-quarters were in the -work-room, which had often served her as a playroom in days gone by, -and Judith, gratified by a visit from "Miss Bee," dived for her sake -into boxes and drawers, amid hoards where none but Judith would have -dared to rummage. - -All this might ultimately be for Henrietta's entertainment, but at -present it did not much conduce towards it, as she was left to her own -resources in the drawing-room. She practised a little, worked a -little, listened to a consultation between grandpapa and Uncle Roger, -about the new pig-sty, wrote it down in her list when they went into -the study to ask Uncle Geoffrey's advice, tried to talk over things in -general with her mamma, but found it impossible with grandmamma -continually coming in and out of the room, yawned, wondered what Busy -Bee was about, felt deserted, gave up work, and had just found an -entertaining book, when grandmamma came in, and invited her to visit -the poultry yard. She readily accepted, but for want of Queen Bee to -hurry her, kept her grandmamma waiting longer than she liked, and had -more of a scolding than was agreeable. The chickens were all gone to -roost by the time they arrived, the cock just peering down at them with -his coral-bordered eye, and the ducks waddling stealthily in one by -one, the feeding was over, the hen-wife gone, and Mrs. Langford vexed -at being too late. - -Henrietta was annoyed with herself and with the result of the day, but -she had some consolation, for as they were going towards the house, -they met Mr. Langford, who called out, "So you have been walking with -grandmamma! Well, if you are not tired, come and have a little turn -with grandpapa. I am going to speak to Daniels, the carpenter, and my -'merry Christmas' will be twice as welcome to his old father, if I take -you with me." - -Henrietta might be a little tired, but such an invitation was not to be -refused, and she was at her grandpapa's side in an instant, thanking -him so much that he laughed and said the favour was to him. "I wish we -had Fred here too," said he, as they walked on, "the old man will be -very glad to see you." - -"Was he one of mamma's many admirers in the village?" - -"All the village admired Miss Mary, but it was your father who was old -Daniels' chief friend. The boys used to have a great taste for -carpentry, especially your father, who was always at his elbow when he -was at work at the Hall. Poor old man, I thought he would never have -held up his head again when our great trouble came on us. He used to -touch his hat, and turn away without looking me in the face. And there -you may see stuck up over the chimney-piece in his cottage the new -chisel that your father gave him when he had broken his old one." - -"Dear old man!" said Henrietta, warmly, "I am so very glad that we have -come here, where people really care for us, and are interested in us, -and not for our own sake. How delightful it is! I feel as if we were -come out of banishment." - -"Well, it is all the better for you," said Mr. Langford; "if we had had -you here, depend upon it, we should have spoilt you. We have so few -granddaughters that we cannot help making too much of them. There is -that little Busy Bee--by the by, what is her plan this evening, or are -not you in her secret?" - -"O no, I believe she is to surprise us all. I met her just before I -came out dragging a huge bag after her: I wanted to help her, but she -would not let me." - -"She turns us all round her finger," said grandpapa. "I never found -the person who could resist Queen Bee, except grandmamma. But I am -glad you do not take after her, Henrietta, for one such grandchild is -enough, and it is better for woman-kind to have leadable spirits than -leading." - -"O, grandpapa!" - -"That is a dissentient O. What does it mean? Out with it." - -"Only that I was thinking about weakness; I beg your pardon, -grandpapa." - -"Look here!" and Mr. Langford bent the slender cane in his hand (he -disdained a stronger walking-stick) to its full extent of suppleness. -"Is this weak?" - -"No, it is strong in energy," said Henrietta, laughing, as the elastic -cane sprang back to its former shape. - -"Yet to a certain point you can bend it as far as you please. Well, -that should be the way with you: be turned any way but the wrong, and -let your own determination be only to keep upright." - -"But women are admired for influence." - -"Influence is a good thing in its way, but only of a good sort when it -is unconscious. At any rate, when you set to work to influence people, -take care it is only with a view to their good, and not to your own -personal wishes, or influencing becomes a dangerous trade, especially -for young ladies towards their elders." - -Grandpapa, who had only seen Henrietta carried about by Beatrice, -grandmamma, or Fred, and willing to oblige them all, had little idea -how applicable to her case was his general maxim, nor indeed did she at -the moment take it to herself, although it was one day to return upon -her. It brought them to the neat cottage of the carpenter, with the -thatched workshop behind, and the garden in front, which would have -looked neat but for the melancholy aspect of the frost-bitten cabbages. - -This was Henrietta's first cottage visit, and she was all eagerness and -interest, picturing to herself a venerable old man, almost as fine- -looking as her grandfather, and as eloquent as old men in cottages -always are in books; but she found it rather a disappointing meeting. -It was a very nice trim-looking daughter-in-law who opened the door, on -Mr. Langford's knock, and the room was neatness itself, but the old -carpenter was not at all what she had imagined. He was a little -stooping old man, with a shaking head, and weak red eyes under a green -shade, and did not seem to have anything to say beyond "Yes, sir," and -"Thank you, sir," when Mr. Langford shouted into his deaf ears some of -the "compliments of the season." Looking at the young lady, whom he -evidently mistook for Beatrice, he hoped that Mr. and Mrs. Geoffrey -were quite well. His face lighted up a little for a moment when Mr. -Langford told him this was Mr. Frederick's daughter, but it was only -for an instant, and in a somewhat querulous voice he asked if there was -not a young gentleman too. - -"O yes," said Mr. Langford, "he shall come and see you some day." - -"He would not care to see a poor old man," said Daniels, turning a -little away, while his daughter-in-law began to apologise for him by -saying, "He is more lost than usual to-day, sir; I think it was getting -tired going to church, yesterday morning; he did not sleep well, and he -has been so fretful all the morning, a body did not know what to do -with him." - -Mr. Langford said a few more cheerful words to the poor old man, then -asked the daughter where her husband was, and, hearing that he was in -the workshop, refused offers of fetching him in, and went out to speak -to him, leaving Henrietta to sit by the fire and wait for him. A weary -waiting time she found it; shy as she was of poor people, as of a class -with whom she was utterly unacquainted, feeling bound to make herself -agreeable, but completely ignorant how to set about it, wishing to talk -to the old man, and fearing to neglect him, but finding conversation -quite impossible except with Mrs. Daniels, and not very easy with her-- -she tried to recollect what storied young ladies did say to old men, -but nothing she could think of would do, or was what she could find -herself capable of saying. At last she remembered, in "Gertrude," the -old nurse's complaint that Laura did not inquire after the rheumatism, -and she hazarded her voice in expressing a hope that Mr. Daniels did -not suffer from it. Clear as the sweet voice was, it was too tremulous -(for she was really in a fright of embarrassment) to reach the old -man's ear, and his daughter-in-law took it upon her to repeat the -inquiry in a shrill sharp scream, that almost went through her ears; -then while the old man was answering something in a muttering -maundering way, she proceeded with a reply, and told a long story about -his ways with the doctor, in her Sussex dialect, almost -incomprehensible to Henrietta. The conversation dropped, until Mrs. -Daniels began hoping that every one at the Hall was quite well, and as -she inquired after them one by one, this took up a reasonable time; but -then again followed a silence. Mrs. Daniels was not a native of -Knight Sutton, or she would have had more to say about Henrietta's -mother; but she had never seen her before, and had none of that -interest in her that half the parish felt. Henrietta wished there had -been a baby to notice, but she saw no trace in the room of the -existence of children, and did not like to ask if there were any. She -looked at the open hearth, and said it was very comfortable, and was -told in return that it made a great draught, and smoked very much. -Then she bethought herself of admiring an elaborately worked frame -sampler, that hung against the wall; and the conversation this supplied -lasted her till, to her great joy, grandpapa made his appearance again, -and summoned her to return, as it was already growing very dark. - -She thought he might have made something of an apology for the -disagreeableness of his friend; but, being used to it, and forgetting -that she was not, he did no such thing; and she was wondering that -cottage visiting could ever have been represented as so pleasant an -occupation, when he began on a far more interesting subject, asking -about her mother's health, and how she thought Knight Sutton agreed -with her, saying how very glad he was to have her there again, and how -like his own daughter she had always been. He went on to tell of his -first sight of his two daughters-in-law, when, little guessing that -they would be such, he went to fetch home the little Mary Vivian, who -had come from India under the care of General St. Leger. "There they -were," said he; "I can almost see them now, as their black nurse led -them in; your aunt a brown little sturdy thing, ready to make -acquaintance in a moment, and your mamma such a fair, shrinking, -fragile morsel of a child, that I felt quite ashamed to take her among -all my great scrambling boys." - -"Ah! mamma says her recollection is all in bits and scraps; she -recollects the ship, and she remembers sitting on your knee in a -carriage; but she cannot remember either the parting with Aunt Geoffrey -or the coming here." - -"I do not remember about the parting with Aunt Geoffrey; they managed -that in the nursery, I believe, but I shall never forget the boys -receiving her,--Fred and Geoffrey, I mean,--for Roger was at school. -How they admired her like some strange curiosity, and played with her -like a little girl with a new doll. There was no fear that they would -be too rough with her, for they used to touch her as if she was made of -glass. And what a turn out of old playthings there was in her -service!" - -"That was when she was six," said Henrietta, "and papa must have been -ten." - -"Yes, thereabouts, and Geoffrey a year younger. How they did pet her! -and come down to all their old baby-plays again for her sake, till I -was almost afraid that cricket and hockey would be given up and -forgotten." - -"And were they?" - -"No, no, trust boys for that. Little Mary came to be looker on, if she -did not sometimes play herself. She was distressed damsel, and they -knight and giant, or dragon, or I cannot tell what, though many's the -time I have laughed over it. Whatever they pleased was she: never -lived creature more without will of her own." - -"Never," responded Henrietta; but that for which Mr. Langford might -commend his little Mary at seven years old, did not appear so -appropriate a subject of observation in Mrs. Frederick Langford, and by -her own daughter. - -"Eh!" said her grandfather. Then answering his mental objection in -another tone, "Ay, ay, no will for her own pleasure; that depends more -on you than on any one else." - -"I would do anything on earth for her!" said Henrietta, feeling it from -the bottom of her heart. - -"I am sure you would, my dear," said Mr. Langford, "and she deserves -it. There are few like her, and few that have gone through so much. -To think of her as she was when last she was here and to look at her -now! Well, it won't do to talk of it; but I thought when I saw her -face yesterday, that I could see, as well as believe, it was all for -the best for her, as I am sure it was for us." - -He was interrupted just as they reached the gate by the voice of his -eldest son calling "Out late, sir," and looking round, Henrietta saw -what looked in the darkness like a long procession, Uncle and Aunt -Roger, and their niece, and all the boys, as far down as William, -coming to the Hall for the regular Christmas dinner-party. - -Joining company, Henrietta walked with Jessie and answered her -inquiries whether she had got wet or cold in the morning; but it was in -an absent manner, for she was all the time dwelling on what her -grandfather had been saying. She was calling up in imagination the -bright scenes of her mother's youth; those delightful games of which -she had often heard, and which she could place in their appropriate -setting now that she knew the scenes. She ran up to her room, where -she found only Bennet, her mother having dressed and gone down; and -sitting down before the fire, and resigning her curls to her maid, she -let herself dwell on the ideas the conversation had called up, turning -from the bright to the darker side. She pictured to herself the -church, the open grave, her uncles and her grandfather round it, the -villagers taking part in their grief, the old carpenter's averted head- --she thought what must have been the agony of the moment, of laying in -his untimely grave one so fondly loved, on whom the world was just -opening so brightly,--and the young wife--the infant children--how -fearful it must have been! "It was almost a cruel dispensation," -thought Henrietta. "O, how happy and bright we might have been! What -would it not have been to hold by his hand, to have his kiss, to look -for his smile! And mamma, to have had her in all her joyousness and -blitheness, with no ill health, and no cares! O, why was it not so? -And yet grandpapa said it was for the best! And in what a manner he -did say it, as if he really felt and saw, and knew the advantage of it! -To dear papa himself I know it was for the best, but for us, mamma, -grandpapa--no, I never shall understand it. They were good before; why -did they need punishment? Is this what is called saying 'Thy will be -done?' Then I shall never be able to say it, and yet I ought!" - -"Your head a little higher, if you please, Miss Henrietta," said -Bennet; "it is that makes me so long dressing you, and your mamma has -been telling me that I must get you ready faster." - -Henrietta slightly raised her head for the moment, but soon let it sink -again in her musings, and when Bennet reminded her, replied, "I can't, -Bennet, it breaks my neck." Her will was not with her mother's, in a -trifling matter of which the reasonableness could not but approve -itself to her. How, then, was it likely to be bent to that of her -Heavenly Parent, in what is above reason? - -The toilet was at length completed, and in time for her to be handed in -to dinner by Alexander, an honour which she owed to Beatrice having -already been secured by Frederick, who was resolved not to be again -abandoned to Jessie. Alex did not favour her with much conversation, -partly because he was thinking with perturbation of the task set him -for the evening, and partly because he was trying to hear what Queen -Bee was saying to Fred, in the midst of the clatter of knives and -forks, and the loud voice of Mr. Roger Langford, which was enough to -drown most other sounds. Some inquiries had been made about Mrs. -Geoffrey Langford and her aunt, Lady Susan St. Leger, which had led -Beatrice into a great lamentation for her mother's absence, and from -thence into a description of what Lady Susan exacted from her friends. -"Aunt Susan is a regular fidget," said she; "not such a fidget as some -people," with an indication of Mrs. Langford. "Some people are -determined to make others comfortable in a way of their own, and that -is a fidget to be regarded with considerable respect; but Aunt Susan's -fidgeting takes the turn of sacrificing the comfort of every one else -to her own and her little dog's." - -"But that is very hard on Aunt Geoffrey," said Fred. - -"Frightfully. Any one who was less selfish would have insisted on -mamma's coming here, instead of which Aunt Susan only complains of her -sister and brother, and everybody else, for going out of London, when -she may be taken suddenly ill at any time. She is in such a nervous -state that Mr. Peyton cannot tell what might be the consequence," said -Beatrice, in an imitative tone, which made Fred laugh. - -"I am sure I should leave her to take care of herself," said he. - -"So do the whole family except ourselves; they are all worn out by her -querulousness, and are not particularly given to patience or -unselfishness either. But mamma is really fond of her, because she was -kind to her when she came home from India, and she manages to keep her -quiet better than anyone else can. She can very seldom resist mamma's -cheerful voice, which drives off half her nerves at once. You cannot -think how funny it is to see how Aunt Amelia always seems to stroke the -cat the wrong way, and mamma to smooth her down the right." - -A lull in the conversation left these last words audible, and Mr. -Langford said, "What is that about stroking the cat, Queenie?" - -"O you are telling it all--O don't, Bee!" cried Willy. - -And with certain jokes about cats and bags, which seemed excessively to -discomfit Willy, who protested the cat was not in the bag at all--it -was the partridges--the conversation drifted away again from the -younger party. - -As soon as dinner was over, Beatrice again disappeared, after begging -her grandmamma to allow the great Indian screen to remain as it at -present stood, spread out so as to cut off one end of the room, where -there was a door opening into the study. Behind this screen frequent -rustlings were heard, with now and then a burst of laughing or -whispering, and a sound of moving furniture, which so excited Mrs. -Langford, that, starting up, she exclaimed that she must go and see -what they were doing. - -"We are taking great care, grandmamma," called Alexander. "We won't -hurt it." - -This, by showing so far that there was something to be hurt, was so far -from reassuring her, that she would certainly have set out on a voyage -of discovery, but for Mr. Langford, who professed himself convinced -that all was right, and said he would not have the Busy Bee disturbed. - -She came in to tea, bringing Alex and Willy with her--the latter, in a -marvellous state of mystery and excitement, longing to tell all -himself, and yet in great terror lest the others should tell. - -As soon as the tea was despatched, the three actors departed, and -presently there was a call from behind the screen, "Are you ready, good -people?" - -"Go it," answered Carey. - -"Are the elders ready?" said Beatrice's voice. - -"Papa, don't go on talking to Uncle Geoffrey!" cried Willy. - -"Ay, ay, all attention," said grandpapa. "Now for it!" - -The screen was folded back, and discovered Alex in a pasteboard crown, -ermine tippet, and purple mantle, sitting enthroned with Beatrice (a -tiara and feathers on her head) at his side, and kneeling before them a -nondescript article, consisting chiefly of a fur cloak, a fur cap, -adorned with a pair of grey squirrel cuffs, sewn ingeniously into the -form of ears, a boa by way of tail, and an immense pair of boots. As -Uncle Geoffrey said, the cat was certainly out of the bag, and it -proceeded in due form to take two real partridges from the bag, and -present them to the king and princess in the name of the Marquis -Carabbas. - -The king and princess made some consultation as to who the marquis -might be, the princess proposing to send for the Peerage, and the king -cross-examining puss in an incredulous way which greatly puzzled him, -until at last he bethought himself of exclaiming, in a fierce manner, -"I've told you the truth, Mr. King, and if you won't believe me, I -can't help it!" and walked off on his hind legs in as dignified and -resentful a manner as his boots would let him; repairing to the -drawing-room to have his accoutrements admired, while the screen was -again spread in preparation for Scene II. - -Scene II. presented but a half-length, a shawl being hung in front, so -as to conceal certain incongruities. A great arm-chair was wheeled -close to the table, on which stood an aged black jack out of the hall, -a quart measure, and a silver tankard; while in the chair, a cushion on -his head, and a great carving-knife held like a sceptre in his hand, -reclined Alex, his bulk enlarged by at least two pillows, over which an -old, long-breasted white satin waistcoat, embroidered with silver, had -with some difficulty been brought to meet. Before him stood a little -figure in a cloth cap, set jauntily on one side, decorated with a fox's -brush, and with Mrs. Frederick Langford's three feathers, and a coat -bearing marvellous resemblance to Beatrice's own black velvet spencer, -crossed over one shoulder by a broad blue ribbon, which Henrietta knew -full well. "Do thou stand for my father," began this droll little -shape, "and examine me in the particulars of my life." - -It was not badly carried out; Prince Henry, when he did not giggle, -acted beautifully; and Falstaff really did very well, though his eyes -were often directed downwards, and the curious, by standing on tiptoe, -obtained not only a view of Prince Hal's pink petticoat, but of a great -Shakespeare laid open on the floor; and a very low bow on the part of -the heir apparent, when about to change places with his fat friend, was -strongly suspected of being for the purpose of turning over a leaf. It -was with great spirit that the parting appeal was given, "Banish fat -Jack, and banish all the world!" And there was great applause when fat -Jack and Prince Hal jumped up and drew the screen forward again; though -Uncle Geoffrey and Aunt Mary were cruel enough to utter certain -historical and antiquarian doubts as to whether the Prince of Wales was -likely to wear the three feathers and ribbon of the garter in his -haunts at Eastcheap. - -In the concluding scene the deputy lieutenant's uniform made a great -figure, with the addition of the long-breasted waistcoat, a white -scarf, and the white cockade, adorning Alex, who, with a boot-jack -under his arm, looked as tall and as rigid as he possibly could, with a -very low bow, which was gracefully returned by a royal personage in a -Scottish bonnet, also bearing the white cockade, a tartan scarf, and -the blue ribbon. Altogether, Prince Charles Edward and the Baron of -Bradwardine stood confessed; the character was solemnly read, and the -shoe pulled off, or supposed to be, as the lower screen still remained -to cut off the view; and then the Baron indulged in a lengthy yawn and -stretch, while Prince Charlie, skipping into the midst of the audience, -danced round Mr. Langford, asking if he had guessed it. - - - - -CHAPTER X. - - - -Beatrice had not judged amiss when she thought charade-acting an -amusement likely to take the fancy of her cousins. The great success -of her boot-jack inspired both Frederick and Henrietta with eagerness -to imitate it; and nothing was talked of but what was practicable in -the way of scenes, words, and decorations. The Sutton Leigh party were -to dine at the Hall again on Thursday, and it was resolved that there -should be a grand charade, with all the splendour that due preparation -could bestow upon it. "It was such an amusement to grandpapa," as -Beatrice told Henrietta, "and it occupied Fred so nicely," as she said -to her father; both which observations being perfectly true, Mr. -Geoffrey Langford was very willing to promote the sport, and to -tranquillise his mother respecting the disarrangement of her furniture. - -But what should the word be? Every one had predilections of their own- --some for comedy, others for tragedy; some for extemporary acting, -others for Shakespeare. Beatrice, with her eye for drawing, already -grouped her dramatis personae, so as to display Henrietta's picturesque -face and figure to the greatest advantage, and had designs of making -her and Fred represent Catherine and Henry Seyton, whom, as she said, -she had always believed to be exactly like them. Fred was inclined for -"another touch at Prince Hal," and devised numerous ways of acting -Anonymous, for the sake of "Anon, anon, sir." Henrietta wanted to -contrive something in which Queen Bee might appear as an actual fairy -bee, and had very pretty visions of making her a beneficent spirit in a -little fanciful opera, for which she had written three or four verses, -when Fred put an end to it be pronouncing it "nonsense and humbug." - -So passed Tuesday, without coming to any decision, and Henrietta was -beginning to fear that they would never fix at all, when on Wednesday -morning Beatrice came down in an ecstasy with the news, that by some -chance a wig of her papa's was in the house, and a charade they must -and would have which would bring in the wig. "Come and see it," said -she, drawing her two cousins into the study after breakfast: the study -being the safest place for holding counsel on these secret subjects. -"There now, is it not charming? O, a law charade we must have, that is -certain!" - -Fred and Henrietta, who had never chanced to see a barrister's wig -before, were greatly diverted with its little tails, and tried it on in -turn. While Henrietta was in the midst of her laugh at the sight of -her own fair ringlets hanging out below the tight grey rolls, the door -suddenly opened, and gave entrance to its owner, fiercely exclaiming, -"What! nothing safe from you, you impertinent kittens?" - -"O, Uncle Geoffrey, I beg your pardon!" cried Henrietta, blushing -crimson. - -"Don't take it off till I have looked at you," said Uncle Geoffrey. -"Why, you would make a capital Portia!" - -"Yes, yes!" cried Queen Bee, "that is it: Portia she shall be, and I'll -be Nerissa." - -"Oh, no, Queenie, I could never be Portia!" said Henrietta: "I am sure -I can't." - -"But I have set my heart on being the 'little scrubby lawyer's clerk,'" -said Busy Bee; "it is what I am just fit for; and let me see--Fred -shall be Antonio, and that will make you plead from your very heart, -and you shall have Alex for your Bassanio." - -"But the word. Do you mean to make it fit in with Falstaff and -Catherine Seyton?" said Henrietta. - -"Let me see," said Beatrice; "bond--bondage, jew--jeweller, juniper,--" - -"Lawsuit," said Fred. "Ay, don't you see, all the scenes would come -out of the 'Merchant of Venice.' There is 'law' when the old Jew is -crying out for his ducats, and--but halloo!" and Fred stood aghast at -the sight of his uncle, whose presence they had all forgotten in their -eagerness. - -"Traitor!" said Beatrice; "but never mind, I believe we must have let -him into the plot, for nobody else can be Shylock." - -"O, Bee," whispered Henrietta, reproachfully, "don't tease him with our -nonsense. Think of asking him to study Shylock's part, when he has all -that pile of papers on the table." - - - "Jessica, my girl, - Look to my house. I am right loth to go; - There is some ill a-brewing to my rest, - For I did dream of money-bags to-night." - - -Such was Uncle Geoffrey's reply; his face and tone so suddenly altered -to the snarl of the old Jew, that his young companions at first -started, and then clapped their hands in delighted admiration. - -"Do you really know it all?" asked Henrietta, in a sort of respectful -awe. - -"It won't cost me much trouble to get it up," said Mr. Geoffrey -Langford; "Shylock's growls stick in one's memory better than finer -speeches." - -"Then will you really be so very kind?" - -"Provided you will leave the prompter of Monday night on the table this -morning," said Uncle Geoffrey, smiling in that manner which, to a -certain degree, removed any feeling of obligation, by making it seem as -if it was entirely for his own diversion. Nor could it be denied that -he did actually enjoy it. - -The party took up their quarters in the study, which really was the -only place fit for consultations and rehearsals, since Fred and Alex -could not be taken to the maids' workroom, and none of the downstairs -apartments could be made subject to the confusion incidental to their -preparations. Henrietta had many scruples at first about disturbing -Uncle Geoffrey, but his daughter laughed at them all; and they were -soon at an end when she perceived that he minded their chattering, -spouting, and laughing, no more than if they had been so many little -sparrows twittering on the eaves, but pursued the even tenor of his -writing uninterruptedly, even while she fitted on his head a yellow -pointed cap, which her ingenious fingers had compounded of the lining -of certain ugly old curtains. - -His presence in this silent state served, too, as a protection in Mrs. -Langford's periodical visitations to stir the fire; but for him, she -would assuredly have found fault, and probably Beatrice would have come -to a collision with her, which would have put an end to the whole -scheme. - -It formed a considerable addition to Henrietta's list of his -avocations, and really by making the utmost of everything he did for -other people during that whole week, she made the number reach even to -seventy-nine by the next Thursday morning. The most noted of these -employments were the looking over a new Act of Parliament with the -county member, the curing grandmamma's old gander of a mysterious -lameness, the managing of an emigration of a whole family to New -Zealand, the guessing a riddle supposed "to have no answer," and the -mending of some extraordinary spring that was broken in Uncle Roger's -new drill. Beatrice was charmed with the list; Aunt Mary said it was -delightful to be so precious to every one; and grandpapa, shaking his -head at his son, said he was ashamed to find that his family contained -such a Jack of all trades; to which Uncle Geoffrey replied, that it was -too true that "all work and no play make Jack a very dull boy." - -The breaking up of the frost, with a succession of sleet, snow and -rain, was much in favour of Beatrice and her plans, by taking away all -temptation from the boys to engage in out-of-door amusements; and -Antonio and Bassanio studied their parts so diligently, that Carey was -heard to observe that it might just as well be half year. They had -besides their own proper parts, to undertake those of the Princes of -Arragon and Morocco, since Queen Bee, willing to have as much of -Nerissa as possible, had determined to put their choice, and that of -Bassanio, all into the one scene belonging to "suit." It was one of -those occasions on which she showed little consideration, for she thus -gave Portia an immense quantity to learn in only two days; persuading -herself all the time that it was no such hard task, since the beautiful -speech about mercy Henrietta already knew by heart, and she made no -difficulties about the rest. Indeed, Beatrice thought herself -excessively amiable in doing all she could to show off her cousin's -beauty and acting, whilst taking a subordinate part herself; forgetting -that humility is not shown in choosing a part, but in taking willingly -that which is assigned us. - -Henrietta was rather appalled at the quantity she had to learn, as well -as at the prominent part she was to take; but she did not like to spoil -the pleasure of the rest with objections, and applied herself in good -earnest to her study. She walked about with a little Shakespeare in -her hand; she learnt while she was dressing, working, waiting; sat up -late, resisting many a summons from her mother to come to bed, and long -before daylight, was up and learning again. - -The great evening had come, and the audience were thus arranged: -grandmamma took up her carpet-work, expressing many hopes to Aunt Roger -that it would be over now and out of the children's heads, for they -turned the house upside down, and for her part, she thought it very -like play-acting. Aunt Roger, returning the sentiment with interest, -took out one of the little brown holland frocks, which she seemed to be -always making. Uncle Roger composed himself to sleep in the arm-chair -for want of his brother to talk to; grandpapa moved a sofa to the front -for Aunt Mary, and sat down by her, declaring that they would see -something very pretty, and hoping it would not be too hard a nut for -his old wits to crack; Jessie, and such of the boys as could not be -persuaded to be magnificos, found themselves a convenient station, and -the scene opened. - -It was a very short one, but it made every one laugh greatly, thanks to -Shylock's excellent acting, and the chorus of boys, who greatly enjoyed -chasing him across the stage, crying, "The law, his ducats, and his -daughter!" - -Then, after a short interval, appeared Portia, a silver arrow in her -hair, almost lovely enough for the real Portia; though the alarmed -expression in her glowing face was little accordant with the calm -dignified self-possession of the noble Venetian heiress. Nerissa, a -handkerchief folded squarely over her head, short petticoats, scarlet -lambswool worked into her stockings, and a black apron trimmed with -bright ribbon, made a complete little Italian waiting-maid; her quick, -pert reply to her lady's first faltering speech, seemed wonderfully to -restore Portia to herself, and they got on well and with spirit through -the description of the suitors, and the choice of the two first -caskets. Portia looked excessively dignified, and Nerissa's by-play -was capital. Whether it was owing to Bassanio's awkwardness or her own -shyness, she did not prosper quite so well when the leaden casket was -chosen; Bassanio seemed more afraid of her than rejoiced, and looked -much more at Nerissa than at her, whilst she moved as slowly, and spoke -in as cold and measured a way, as if it had been the Prince of Morocco -who had unfortunately hit upon the right casket. - -In the grand concluding scene she was, however, all that could be -wished. She really made a very pretty picture in the dark robes, the -glowing carnation of her cheek contrasting with the grey wig, beneath -which a few bright ringlets still peeped out; one little white hand -raised, and the other holding the parchment, and her eyes fixed on the -Jew, as if she either imagined herself Portia, or saw her brother in -Antonio's case, for they glistened with tears, and her voice had a -tremulous pleading tone, which fairly made her grandfather and mother -both cry heartily. - - - "Take, then, thy bond; take thou thy pound of flesh!" - - -The Duke (little Willy) was in an agony, and was forcibly withheld by -Bassanio from crying "No, he shan't!" Nerissa was so absorbed as even -to have forgotten herself; Shylock could hardly keep his countenance up -to the necessary expression of malice and obduracy; even Johnny and -Dick were hanging with breathless attention on the "but," when suddenly -there was a general start throughout the party; the door opened; -Atkins, with a voice and face full of delight, announced "Master -Roger," and there entered a young man, in a pea jacket and worsted -comforter. - -Such confusion, such rapture as ensued! The tumultuous welcomes and -handshakings before the sailor had time to distinguish one from -another, the actors assuming their own characters, grandmamma and Mrs. -Roger Langford asking dozens of questions in a breath, and Mr. Roger -Langford fast asleep in his great arm-chair, till roused by Dick -tugging at his arm, and Willy hammering on his knee, he slowly arose, -saying, "What, Roger, my boy, is it you? I thought it was all their -acting!" - -"Ah! Miss Jessie," exclaimed Roger; "that is right: I have not seen -such a crop of shining curls since I have been gone. So you have not -lost your pink cheeks with pining for me. How are they all at home?" - -"Here, Roger, your Aunt Mary," said his mother; and instantly there was -a subduing of the young sailor's boisterous mirth, as he turned to -answer her gentle welcome. The laugh arose the next moment at the -appearance of the still half-disguised actors: Alex without Bassanio's -short black cloak and slouched hat and feather, but still retaining his -burnt cork eyebrows and moustache, and wondering that Roger did not -know him; Uncle Geoffrey still in Shylock's yellow cap, and Fred -somewhat grim with the Prince of Morocco's complexion. - -"How d'ye do, Phil?" said Roger, returning his cousinly shake of the -hand with interest. "What! are not you Philip Carey?" - -"O, Roger, Roger!" cried a small figure, in whom the Italian maiden -predominated. - -"What, Aunt Geoffrey masquerading too? How d'ye do, aunt?" - -"Well done, Roger! That's right! Go on!" cried his father, laughing -heartily. - -"Is it not my aunt? No? Is it the little Bee, then? Why you are -grown as like her! But where is Aunt Geoffrey then? Not here? That -is a bore. I thought you would have all been in port here at -Christmas. And is not this Philip? Come tell me, some of you, instead -of laughing there. Are you Fred Langford, then?" - -"Right this time," said Fred, "so now you must shake hands with me in -my own name." - -"Very glad to do so, and see you here at last," said Roger, cordially. -"And now tell me, what is all this about? One would think you were -crossing the Line?" - -"You shall hear what it is all about, and see too," said Mr. Langford. -"We must have that wicked old Jew disappointed, must not we, Willy? -But where is my little Portia? What is become of her?" - -"Fled, I suspect," said her mother, "gone to turn into herself before -her introduction." - -"O, Roger, it was so jolly," Carey was now heard to say above the -confusion of voices. "Uncle Geoffrey was an old Jew, going to cut a -pound of flesh out of Fred, and Henrietta was making a speech in a -lawyer's wig, and had just found such a dodge!" - -"Ha! like the masks in the carnival at Rio! Ferrars and I went ashore -there, and--" - -"Have you been at Sutton Leigh, Roger?" - -"Have you dined?" - -"Cold turkey--excellent Christmas pie, only too much pepper--a cup of -tea--no, but we will have the beef in--" - -Further conversation was suspended by these propositions, with the -answers and thanks resulting therefrom, but in the midst grandpapa -exclaimed, "Ah! here she is! Here is the counsellor! Here is a new -cousin for you, Roger; here is the advocate for you when you have a -tough law-suit! Lucky for you, Master Geoffrey, that she is not a man, -or your nose would soon be put out of joint. You little rogue! How -dared you make your mother and grandfather cry their hearts out?" - -"I was very glad to see you as bad as myself, sir," said Mrs. Frederick -Langford. "I was very much ashamed of being so foolish, but then, you -know, I could hardly ever read through that scene without crying." - -"Ah! you are a prudent mamma, and will not let her be conceited. But -to see Geoffrey, with his lips quivering, and yet frowning and looking -savage with all his might and main! Well, you are a capital set of -actors, all of you, and we must see the end of it." - -This was the great desire of Beatrice, and she was annoyed with -Henrietta for having thrown aside her borrowed garments, but the Fates -decreed otherwise. The Christmas pie came in, grandpapa proceeded to -carve it, and soon lost the remembrance of the charade in talking to -his eldest grandson about his travels. A sailor just returned from -four years on the South American coast, who had doubled Cape Horn, shot -condors on the Andes, caught goats at Juan Fernandez, fished for sharks -in the Atlantic, and heard parrots chatter in the Brazilian woods, -could not fail to be very entertaining, even though he cared not for -the Incas of Peru, and could tell little about the beauties of an -iceberg; and accordingly everyone was greatly entertained, except the -Queen Bee, who sat in a corner of the sofa, playing with her watch- -chain, wondering how long Roger would go on eating pie, looking at the -time-piece, and strangling the yawns induced by her inability to -attract the notice of either of her squires, whose eyes and ears were -all for the newcomer. She was not even missed; if she had been, it -would have been some consolation; but on they went, listening and -laughing, as if the course of the Euphrosyne, her quick sailing, and -the adventures of her crew, were the only subjects of interest in the -world. He was only at home for a week, but so much the worse, that -would be till the end of Beatrice's own visit, and she supposed it -would be nothing but Euphrosyne the whole time. - -There was at last a change: Roger had half a hundred questions to ask -about his cousins and all the neighbours. - -"And has Philip Carey set up for himself at Allonfield? Does he get -any practice? I have a great mind to be ill; it would be such a joke -to be doctored by Master Philip!" - -"Ah! to think of your taking Mr. Frederick for poor Philip," said -Jessie. "I assure you," nodding to Fred, "I take it as a great -compliment, and so will Philip." - -"And is Fanny Evans as pretty as ever?" - -"Oh! grown quite fat and coarse," said Jessie; "but you may judge for -yourself on Monday. Dear Mrs. Langford is so kind as to give us a -regular Christmas party, and all the Evanses and Dittons are coming. -And we are to dance in the dining-room, the best place for it in the -county; the floor is so much better laid down than in the Allonfield -assembly-room." - -"No such good place for dancing as the deck of a frigate," said Roger. -"This time last year we had a ball on board the Euphrosyne at Rio. I -took the prettiest girl there in to supper--don't be jealous, Jessie, -she had not such cheeks as yours. She was better off there than in the -next ball where I met her, in the town. She fancied she had got rather -a thick sandwich at supper: she peeped in, and what do you think she -found? A great monster of a cockroach, twice as big as any you ever -saw." - -"O, you horrid creature!" cried Jessie, "I am sure it was your doing. -I am sure it was your doing. I am sure you will give me a scorpion, or -some dreadful creature! I won't let you take me in to supper on -Monday, I declare." - -"Perhaps I won't have you. I mean to have Cousin Henrietta for my -partner, if she will have me." - -"Thank you, Cousin Roger," faltered Henrietta, blushing crimson, with -the doubt whether she was saying the right thing, and fearing Jessie -might be vexed. Her confusion was increased the next moment, as Roger, -looking at her more fully than he had done before, went on, "Much -honoured, cousin. Now, all of you wish me joy. I am safe to have the -prettiest girl in the room for my partner. But how slow of them all -not to have engaged her before. Eh! Alex, what have you to say for -yourself?" - -"I hope for Queen Bee," said Alex. - -"And Jessie must dance with me, because I don't know how," said Carey. - -"My dears, this will never do!" interposed grandmamma. "You can't all -dance with each other, or what is to become of the company? I never -heard of such a thing. Let me see: Queen Bee must open the ball with -little Henry Hargrave, and Roger must dance with Miss Benson." - -"No, no," cried Roger, "I won't give up my partner, ma'am; I am a -privileged person, just come home. Knight Sutton has not had too much -of Henrietta or me, so you must let us be company. Come, Cousin -Henrietta, stick fast to your engagement; you can't break the first -promise you ever made me. Here," proceeded he, jumping up, and holding -out his hand, "let us begin this minute; I'll show you how we waltz -with the Brazilian ladies." - -"Thank you, Cousin Roger, I cannot waltz," said Henrietta. - -"That's a pity. Come, Jessie, then." - -If the practice of waltzing was not to be admired, there was something -which was very nice in the perfect good humour with which Jessie -answered her cousin's summons, without the slightest sign of annoyance -at his evident preference of Henrietta's newer face. - -"If I can't waltz, I can play for you," said Henrietta, willing not to -seem disobliging; and going to the piano, she played whilst Roger and -Jessie whirled merrily round the room, every now and then receiving -shocks against the furniture and minding them not the least in the -world, till at last, perfectly out of breath, they dropped laughing -upon the sofa. - -The observations upon the wild spirits of sailors ashore then sank into -silence; Mrs. Roger Langford reproved her son for making such a racket, -as was enough to kill his Aunt Mary; with a face of real concern he -apologised from the bottom of his heart, and Aunt Mary in return -assured him that she enjoyed the sight of his merriment. - -Grandmamma announced in her most decided tone that she would have no -waltzes and no polkas at her party. Roger assured her that there was -no possibility of giving a dance without them, and Jessie seconded him -as much as she ventured; but Mrs. Langford was unpersuadable, declaring -that she would have no such things in her house. Young people in her -days were contented to dance country dances; if they wanted anything -newer, they might have quadrilles, but as to these new romps, she would -not hear of them. - -And here, for once in her life, Beatrice was perfectly agreed with her -grandmamma, and she came to life again, and sat forward to join in the -universal condemnation of waltzes and polkas that was going on round -the table. - -With this drop of consolation to her, the party broke up, and Jessie, -as she walked home to Sutton Leigh, found great solace in determining -within herself that at any rate waltzing was not half so bad as -dressing up and play-acting, which she was sure her mamma would never -approve. - -Beatrice came to her aunt's room, when they went upstairs, and -petitioned for a little talk, and Mrs. Frederick Langford, with kind -pity for her present motherless condition, accepted her visit, and even -allowed her to outstay Bennet, during whose operations the discussion -of the charade, and the history of the preparations and contrivances -gave subject to a very animated conversation. - -Then came matters of more interest. What Beatrice seemed above all to -wish for, was to relieve herself by the expression of her intense -dislike to the ball, and all the company, very nearly without -exception, and there were few elders to whom a young damsel could talk -so much without restraint as to Aunt Mary. - -The waltzing, too, how glad she was that grandmamma had forbidden it, -and here Henrietta chimed in. She had never seen waltzing before; had -only heard of it as people in their quiet homes hear and think of the -doings of the fashionable world, and in her simplicity was perfectly -shocked and amazed at Jessie, a sort of relation, practising it and -pleading for it. - -"My dear!" said Beatrice, laughing, "I do not know what you would do if -you were me, when there is Matilda St. Leger polka-ing away half the -days of her life." - -"Yes, but Lady Matilda is a regular fashionable young lady." - -"Ay, and so is Jessie at heart. It is the elegance, and the air, and -the society that are wanting, not the will. It is the circumstances -that make the difference, not the temper." - -"Quite true, Busy Bee," said her aunt, "temper may be the same in very -different circumstances." - -"But it is very curious, mamma," said Henrietta, "how people can be -particular in one point, and not in another. Now, Bee, I beg your -pardon, only I know you don't mind it, Jessie did not approve of your -skating." - -"Yes," said Beatrice, "every one has scruples of his own, and laughs at -those of other people." - -"Which I think ought to teach Busy Bees to be rather less stinging," -said Aunt Mary. - -"But then, mamma," said Henrietta, "we must hold to the right scruples, -and what are they? I do not suppose that in reality Jessie is less-- -less desirous of avoiding all that verges towards a want of propriety -then we are, yet she waltzes. Now we were brought up to dislike such -things." - -"O, it is just according to what you are brought up to," said Beatrice. -"A Turkish lady despises us for showing our faces: it is just as you -think it." - -"No, that will not do," said Henrietta. "Something must be actually -wrong. Mamma, do say what you think." - -"I think, my dear, that woman has been mercifully endowed with an -instinct which discerns unconsciously what is becoming or not, and -whatever at the first moment jars on that sense is unbecoming in her -own individual case. The fineness of the perception may be destroyed -by education, or wilful dulling, and often on one point it may be -silent, though alive and active on others." - -"Yes," said Henrietta, as if satisfied. - -"And above all," said her mother, "it, like other gifts, grows -dangerous, it may become affectation." - -"Pruding," said Beatrice, "showing openly that you like it to be -observed how prudent and proper you are." - -"Whereas true delicacy would shrink from showing that it is conscious -of anything wrong," said Henrietta. "Wrong I do not exactly mean, but -something on the borders of it." - -"Yes," said Aunt Mary, "and above all, do not let this delicacy show -itself in the carping at other people, which only exalts our own -opinion of ourselves, and very soon turns into 'judging our -neighbour.'" - -"But there is false delicacy, aunt." - -"Yes, but it would be false kindness to enter on a fresh discussion -tonight, when you ought to be fast asleep." - - - - -CHAPTER XI. - - - -The Queen Bee, usually undisputed sovereign of Knight Sutton, found in -her cousin Roger a formidable rival. As son and heir, elder brother, -and newly arrived after five years' absence, he had considerable claims -to attention, and his high spirits, sailor manners, sea stories, and -bold open temper, were in themselves such charms that it was no wonder -that Frederick and Alexander were seduced from their allegiance, and -even grandpapa was less than usual the property of his granddaughter. - -This, however, she might have endured, had the sailor himself been -amenable to her power, for his glories would then have become hers, and -have afforded her further opportunities of coquetting with Fred. But -between Roger and her there was little in common: he was not, and never -had been, accessible to her influence; he regarded her, indeed, with -all the open-hearted affection of cousinly intercourse, but for the -rest, thought her much too clever for him, and far less attractive than -either Henrietta or Jessie. - -If she would, Henrietta might have secured his devotion, for he was -struck with her beauty, and considered it a matter of credit to himself -to engross the prettiest person present. Had Beatrice been in her -place, it may be doubted how far love of power, and the pleasure of -teasing, might have carried her out of her natural character in the -style that suited him; but Henrietta was too simple, and her mind too -full of her own affairs even to perceive that he distinguished her. -She liked him, but she showed none of the little airs which would have -seemed to appropriate him. She was ready to be talked to, but only as -she gave the attention due to any one, nay, showing, because she felt, -less eagerness than if it had been grandpapa, Queen Bee, or Fred, a -talk with the last of whom was a pleasure now longed for, but never -enjoyed. To his stories of adventures, or accounts of manners, she -lent a willing and a delighted ear; but all common-place jokes tending -to flirtation fell flat; she either did not catch them, or did not -catch at them. She might blush and look confused, but it was -uncomfortable, and not gratified embarrassment, and if she found an -answer, it was one either to change the subject, or honestly manifest -that she was not pleased. - -She did not mortify Roger, who liked her all the time; and if he -thought at all, only considered her as shy or grave, and still -continued to admire her, and seek her out, whenever his former -favourite, Jessie, was not in the way to rattle with in his usual -style. Jessie was full of enjoyment, Henrietta was glad to be left to -her own devices, her mamma was still more rejoiced to see her act so -properly without self-consciousness or the necessity of interference, -and the Queen Bee ought to have been duly grateful to the one faithful -vassal who was proof against all allurements from her side and service. - -She ought, but the melancholy fact is that the devotion of womankind is -usually taken as a matter of course. Beatrice would have despised and -been very angry with Henrietta had she deserted to Roger, but she did -not feel in the least grateful for her adherence, and would have been -much more proud of retaining either of the boys. There was one point -on which their attention could still be commanded, namely, the -charades; for though the world may be of opinion that they had had -quite a sufficiency of amusement, they were but the more stimulated by -their success on Thursday, and the sudden termination in the very -height of their triumph. - -They would, perhaps, have favoured the public with a repetition of -Shylock's trial the next evening, but that, to the great consternation, -and, perhaps, indignation of Beatrice, when she came down to breakfast -in the morning, she found their tiring-room, the study, completely -cleared of all their various goods and chattels, Portia's wig in its -box, the three caskets gone back to the dressing-room, the duke's -throne safe in its place in the hall, and even Shylock's yellow cap -picked to pieces, and rolled up in the general hoard of things which -were to come of use in seven years' time. Judith, who was putting the -finishing touches to the re-arrangement by shaking up the cushions of -the great chair, and restoring the inkstand to its place in the middle -of the table, gave in answer to her exclamations the information that -"Missus had been up since seven o'clock, helping to put away the things -herself, for she said she could not bear to have Mr. Geoffrey's room -not fit for anybody to sit in." This might certainly be considered as -a tolerably broad hint that they had better discontinue their -representations, but they were arrived at that state of eagerness which -may be best illustrated by the proverb referring to a blind horse. -Every one, inclined to that same impetuosity, and want of soberness, -can remember the dismay with which hosts of such disregarded checks -will recur to the mind when too late, and the poor satisfaction of the -self-justification which truly answers that their object was not even -comprehended. Henrietta, accustomed but little to heed such -indications of dissent from her will, did not once think of her -grandmamma's dislike, and Beatrice with her eyes fully open to it, -wilfully despised it as a fidgety fancy. - -Henrietta had devised a series of scenes for the word assassin, and -greatly delighted the imagination of her partners by a proposal to make -a pair of asses' ears of cotton velvet for the adornment of Bottom the -weaver. Fred fell back in his chair in fits of laughing at the device, -and Queen Bee capered and danced about the room, declaring her worthy -to be her own "primest of viziers." - -"And," said Beatrice, "what an exquisite interlude it will make to -relieve the various plagues of Monday evening." - -"Why you don't mean to act then!" exclaimed Henrietta. - -"Why not? You don't know what a relief it will be. It will be an -excuse for getting away from all the stupidity." - -"To be sure it will," cried Fred. "A bright thought, Mrs. Bee. We -shall have it all to ourselves in the study in comfort." - -"But would grandmamma ever let us do it?" said Henrietta. - -"I will manage," said Beatrice. "I will make grandpapa agree to it, -and then she will not mind. Think how he enjoyed it." - -"Before so many people!" said Henrietta. "O, Queenie, it will never -do! It would be a regular exhibition." - -"My dear, what nonsense!" said Beatrice. "Why, it is all among friends -and neighbours." - -"Friends and neighbours to you," said Henrietta. - -"And yours too. Fred, she is deserting! I thought you meant to adopt -or inherit all Knight Sutton and its neighbourhood could offer." - -"A choice inheritance that neighbourhood, by your account," said Fred. -"But come, Henrietta, you must not spoil the whole affair by such -nonsense and affectation." - -"Affectation! O, Fred!" - -"Yes, to be sure it is," said Fred: "to set up such scruples as these. -Why, you said yourself that you forget all about the spectators when -once you get into the spirit of the thing." - -"And what is affectation," said Beatrice, seeing her advantage, "but -thinking what other people will think?" - -There are few persuasions to which a girl who claims to possess some -degree of sense is more accessible, than the imputation of affectation, -especially when brought forward by a brother, and enforced by a clever -and determined friend. Such a feeling is no doubt often very useful in -preventing folly, but it may sometimes be perverted to the smothering -of wholesome scruples. Henrietta only pressed one point more, she -begged not to be Titania. - -"O, you must, you silly child," said Beatrice. "I have such designs -for dressing you! Besides, I mean to be Mustardseed, and make -grandpapa laugh by my by-play at the giant Ox-beef." - -"But consider, Bee," said Henrietta, "how much too tall I am for a -fairy. It would be too absurd to make Titania as large as Bottom -himself--spoil the whole picture. You might surely get some little -girls to be the other fairies, and take Titania yourself." - -"Certainly it might conciliate people to have their own children made -part of the show," said Beatrice. "Little Anna Carey has sense enough, -I think; ay, and the two Nevilles, if they will not be shy. We will -keep you to come out in grand force in the last scene--Queen Eleanor -sucking the poison. Aunt Mary has a certain black-lace scarf that will -make an excellent Spanish mantilla. Or else suppose you are -Berengaria, coming to see King Richard when he was 'old-man-of-the- -mountains.'" - -"No, no," cried Fred, "stick to the Queen Eleanor scene. We will have -no more blacking of faces. Yesterday I was too late down stairs -because I could not get the abominable stuff out of my hair." - -"And it would be a cruel stroke to be taken for Philip Carey again, in -the gentleman's own presence, too," said Beatrice. "Monsieur is -apparemment the apothecaire de famille. Do you remember, Henrietta, -the French governess in Miss Edgworth's book?" - -"Jessie smiled and nodded as if she was perfectly enchanted with the -mistake," said Henrietta. - -"And I do not wonder at it," said Beatrice, "the mistake, I mean. -Fred's white hands there have just the look of a doctor's; of course -Roger thought the only use of them could be to feel pulses, and Philip, -for want of something better to do, is always trying for a genteel -look." - -"You insulting creature!" said Fred. "Just as if I tried to look -genteel." - -"You do, then, whether you try or not. You can't help it, you know, -and I am very sorry for you; but you do stand and walk and hold out -your hand just as Philip is always trying to do, and it is no wonder -Roger thought he had succeeded in attaining his object." - -"But what a goose the man must be to make such absurdity his object," -said Henrietta. - -"He could not be a Carey and be otherwise," said Busy Bee. "And -besides, what would you have him do? As to getting any practice, -unless his kith and kin choose to victimise themselves philanthrop- -ically according to Roger's proposal, I do not see what chance he has, -where everyone knows the extent of a Carey's intellects; and what is -left for the poor man to do but to study the cut of his boots?" - -"If you say much more about it, Queenie," said Henrietta, "you will -make Fred dance in Bottom's hob-nailed shoes." - -"Ah! it is a melancholy business," said Beatrice; "but it cannot be -helped. Fred cannot turn into a clodhopper. But what earthquake is -this?" exclaimed she, as the front door was dashed open with such -violence as to shake the house, and the next moment Alexander rushed -in, heated and almost breathless. "Rats! rats!" was his cry; "Fred, -that's right. But where is Uncle Geoffrey?" - -"Gone to Allonfield." - -"More's the pity. There are a whole host of rats in the great barn at -home. Pincher caught me one just now, and they are going to turn the -place regularly out, only I got them to wait while I came up here for -you and Uncle Geoffrey. Come, make haste, fly--like smoke--while I go -and tell grandpapa." - -Off flew Fred to make his preparation, and off to the drawing room -hurried Alex to call grandpapa. He was greeted by a reproof from Mrs. -Langford for shaking the house enough to bring it down, and grandpapa -laughed, thanked him, and said he hoped to be at Sutton Leigh in time -for the rat hunt, as he was engaged to drive grandmamma and Aunt Mary -thither and to the Pleasance that afternoon. - -Two seconds more, and Fred and Alex were speeding away together, and -the girls went up to put on their bonnets to walk and meet their elders -at Sutton Leigh. For once Beatrice let Henrietta be as slow as she -pleased, for she was willing to let as much of the visit as possible -pass before they arrived there. They walked along, merrily concocting -their arrangements for Monday evening, until at length they came to the -gates of Sutton Leigh, and already heard the shouts of triumph, the -barking of dogs, and the cackle of terrified poultry, which proclaimed -that the war was at its height. - -"O! the glories of a rat hunt!" cried Beatrice. "Come, Henrietta, here -is a safe place whence to contemplate it, and really it is a sight not -to be lost." - -Henrietta thought not indeed when she looked over a gate leading into -the farm-yard on the side opposite to the great old barn, raised on a -multitude of stone posts, a short ladder reaching to the wide doors -which were folded back so as to display the heaps of straw thrown -violently back and forward; the dogs now standing in attitudes of -ecstatic expectation, tail straight out, head bent forward, now -springing in rapture on the prey; the boys rushing about with their -huge sticks, and coming down now and then with thundering blows, the -labourers with their white shirt sleeves and pitchforks pulling down -the straw, Uncle Roger with a portentous-looking club in the thick of -the fight. On the ladder, cheering them on, stood grandpapa, holding -little Tom in his arms, and at the bottom, armed with small sticks, -were Charlie and Arthur, consoling themselves for being turned out of -the melée, by making quite as much noise as all those who were doing -real execution, thumping unmercifully at every unfortunate dead mouse -or rat that was thrown out, and charging fiercely at the pigs, ducks, -and geese that now and then came up to inspect proceedings, and -perhaps, for such accidents will occur in the best regulated families, -to devour a share of the prey. - -Beatrice's first exclamation was, "O! if papa was but here!" - -"Nothing can go on without him, I suppose," said Henrietta. "And yet, -is this one of his great enjoyments?" - -"My dear, don't you know it is a part of the privilege of a free-born -Englishman to delight in hunting 'rats and mice and such small beer,' -as much or more than the grand chasse? I have not the smallest doubt -that all the old cavaliers were fine old farm-loving fellows, who liked -a rat hunt, and enjoyed turning out a barn with all their hearts." - -"There goes Fred!" cried Henrietta. - -"Ah! capital. He takes to it by nature, you see. There--there! O -what a scene it is! Look how beautifully the sun comes in, making that -solid sort of light on the mist of dust at the top." - -"And how beautifully it falls on grandpapa's head! I think that -grandpapa with little Tom is one of the best parts of the picture, -Bee." - -"To be sure he is, that noble old head of his, and that beautiful -gentle face; and to see him pointing, and soothing the child when he -gets frightened at the hubbub, and then enjoying the victories over the -poor rats as keenly as anybody!" - -"Certainly," said Henrietta, "there is something very odd in man's -nature; they can like to do such cruel-sounding things without being -cruel! Grandpapa, or Fred, or Uncle Roger, or Alex now, they are as -kind and gentle as possible: yet the delight they can take in catching -and killing--" - -"That is what town-people never can understand," said Beatrice, "that -hunting-spirit of mankind. I hate above all things to hear it cried -down, and the nonsense that is talked about it. I only wish that those -people could have seen what I did last summer--grandpapa calling Carey, -and holding the ladder for him while he put the young birds into their -nest that had fallen out. And O the uproar that there was one day when -Dick did something cruel to a poor rabbit; it was two or three years -ago, and Alex and Carey set upon him and thrashed him so that they were -really punished for it, bad as it was of Dick; it was one of those -bursts of generous indignation." - -"It is a very curious thing," said Henrietta, "the soldier spirit it -must be, I suppose--" - -"What are you philosophising about, young ladies?" asked Mr. Langford, -coming up as Henrietta said these last words. - -"Only about the spirit of the chase, grandpapa," said Beatrice, "what -the pleasure can be of the field of slaughter there." - -"Something mysterious, you may be sure, young ladies," said grandpapa. -"I have hunted rats once or twice a year now these seventy years or -more, and I can't say I am tired yet. And there is Master Fred going -at it, for the first time in his life, as fiercely as any of us old -veterans, and he has a very good eye for a hit, I can tell you, if it -is any satisfaction to you. Ha! hoigh Vixen! hoigh Carey! that's it-- -there he goes!" - -"Now, grandpapa," said Beatrice, catching hold of his hand, "I want -just to speak to you. Don't you think we might have a little charade- -acting on Monday to enliven the evening a little?" - -"Eh? what? More charades? Well, they are very pretty sport, only I -think they would astonish the natives here a little. Are we to have -the end of Shylock?" - -"No," said Beatrice, "we never condescend to repeat ourselves. We have -a new word and a beauty, and don't you think it will do very well?" - -"I am afraid grandmamma will think you are going to take to private -theatricals." - -"Well, it won't be nearly such regular acting as the last," said -Beatrice, "I do not think it would do to take another half-play for so -many spectators, but a scene or two mostly in dumb show would make a -very nice diversion. Only say that you consent, grandpapa." - -"Well, I don't see any harm in it," said grandpapa, "so long as -grandmamma does not mind it. I suppose your mamma does not, -Henrietta?" - -"O no," said Henrietta, with a certain mental reservation that she -would make her not mind it, or at any rate not gainsay it. Fred's -calling her affected was enough to make her consent, and bring her -mamma to consent to anything; for so little is it really the nature of -woman to exercise power, that if she domineers, it is sure to be -compensated by some subjection in some other manner: and if Henrietta -ruled her mother, she was completely under the dominion of Fred and -Beatrice. Themistocles' wife might rule Athens, but she was governed -by her son. - -After this conversation they went in, and found Aunt Roger very busy, -recommending servants to Aunt Mary, and grandmamma enforcing all she -said. The visit soon came to an end, and they went on to the -Pleasance, where the inspection did not prove quite as agreeable as on -the first occasion; for grandmamma and Beatrice had very different -views respecting the appropriation of the rooms, and poor Mrs. -Frederick Langford was harassed and wearied by her vain attempts to -accede to the wishes of both, and vex neither. Grandmamma was -determined too to look over every corner, and discuss every room, and -Henrietta, in despair at the fatigue her mother was obliged to go -through, kept on seeking in vain for a seat for her, and having at last -discovered a broken-backed kitchen chair in some of the regions below, -kept diligently carrying it after her in all her peregrinations. She -was constantly wishing that Uncle Geoffrey would come, but in vain; and -between the long talking at Sutton Leigh, the wandering about the -house, and the many discussions, her mamma was completely tired out, -and obliged, when they came home, to confess that she had a headache. -Henrietta fairly wished her safe at Rocksand. - -While Henrietta was attending her mother to her own room, and -persuading her to lay up for the evening, Beatrice, whose head was full -of but one matter, pursued Mrs. Langford into the study, and propounded -her grand object. As she fully expected, she met with a flat refusal, -and sitting down in her arm-chair, Mrs. Langford very earnestly began -with "Now listen to me, my dear child," and proceeded with a long story -of certain private theatricals some forty years ago, which to her -certain knowledge, ended in a young lady eloping with a music master. -Beatrice set to work to argue: in the first place it was not probable -that either she or Henrietta would run away with their cousins; -secondly, that the former elopement was not chargeable on poor -Shakespeare; thirdly, that these were not private theatricals at all. - -"And pray what are they, then--when you dress yourselves up, and speak -the speeches out as boldly as Mrs. Siddons, or any of them?" - -"You pay us a great compliment," said Beatrice, who could sometimes be -pert when alone with grandmamma; and she then went on with her -explanation of how very far this was from anything that could be called -theatrical; it was the guessing the word, not their acting, that was -the important point. The distinction was too fine for grandmamma; it -was play-acting, and that was enough for her, and she would not have it -done. - -"But grandpapa liked it, and had given full consent." This was a -powerful piece of ordnance which Beatrice had kept in reserve, but at -the first moment the shot did not tell. - -"Ladies were the best judges in such a case as this," said Mrs. -Langford, "and let who would consent, she would never have her -granddaughters standing up, speaking speeches out of Shakespeare, -before a whole room full of company." - -"Well, then, grandmamma, I'll tell you what: to oblige you, we will not -have one single scene out of Shakespeare--not one. Won't that do?" - -"You will go to some other play-book, and that is worse," said Mrs. -Langford. - -"No, no, we will not: we will do every bit out of our own heads, and it -shall be almost all Fred and Alex; Henrietta and I will scarcely come -in at all. And it will so shorten the evening, and amuse every one so -nicely! and grandpapa has said we may." - -Mrs. Langford gave a sort of sigh. "Ah, well! you always will have -your own way, and I suppose you must; but I never thought to see such -things in my house. In my day, young people thought no more of a -scheme when their elders had once said, 'No.'" - -"Yes, only you must not say so, grandmamma. I am sure we would give it -up if you did; but pray do not--we will manage very well." - -"And put the whole house in a mess, as you did last time; turn -everything upside down. I tell you, Beatrice, I can't have it done. -I shall want the study to put out the supper in." - -"We can dress in our own rooms, then," said Beatrice, "never mind -that." - -"Well, then, if you will make merry-andrews of yourselves, and your -fathers and mothers like to let you, I can't help it--that's all I have -to say," said Mrs. Langford, walking out of the room; while Fred -entered from the other side a moment after. "Victory, victory, my dear -Fred!" cried Beatrice, darting to meet him in an ecstasy. "I have -prevailed: you find me in the hour of victory. The Assassin for ever! -announced for Monday night, before a select audience!" - -"Well, you are an irresistible Queen Bee," said Fred; "why Alex has -just been telling me ever so much that his mother told him about -grandmamma's dislike to it. I thought the whole concern a gone 'coon, -as they say in America." - -"I got grandpapa first," said Beatrice, "and then I persuaded her; she -told me it would lead to all sorts of mischief, and gave me a long -lecture which had nothing to do with it. But I found out at last that -the chief points which alarmed her were poor Shakespeare and the -confusion in the study; so by giving up those two I gained everything." - -"You don't mean that you gave up bully Bottom?" - -"Yes, I do; but you need not resign your asses' ears. You shall wear -them in the character of King Midas." - -"I think," said the ungrateful Fred, "that you might as well have given -it all up together as Bottom." - -"No, no; just think what capabilities there are in Midas. We will -decidedly make him King of California, and I'll be the priestess of -Apollo; there is an old three-legged epergne-stand that will make a -most excellent tripod. And only think of the whispering into the -reeds, 'King Midas has the ears of an ass.' I would have made more of -a fight for Bottom, if that had not come into my head." - -"But you will have nothing to do." - -"That helped to conciliate. I promised we girls should appear very -little, and for the sake of effect, I had rather Henrietta broke on the -world in all her beauty at the end. I do look forward to seeing her as -Queen Eleanor; she will look so regal." - -Fred smiled, for he delighted in his sister's praises. "You are a -wondrous damsel, busy one," said he, "to be content to play second -fiddle." - -"Second fiddle! As if I were not the great moving spring! Trust me, -you would never write yourself down an ass but for the Queen Bee. How -shall we ever get your ears from Allonfield? Saturday night, and only -till Monday evening to do everything in!" - -"Oh, you will do it," said Fred. "I wonder what you and Henrietta -cannot do between you! Oh, there is Uncle Geoffrey come in," he -exclaimed, as he heard the front door open. - -"And I must go and dress," said Beatrice, seized with a sudden haste, -which did not speak well for the state of her conscience. - -Uncle Geoffrey was in the hall, taking off his mud-bespattered gaiters. -"So you are entered with the vermin, Fred," called he, as the two came -out of the drawing-room. - -"O how we wished for you, Uncle Geoffrey! but how did you hear it?" - -"I met Alex just now. Capital sport you must have had. Are you only -just come in?" - -"No, we were having a consultation about the charades," said Fred; "the -higher powers consent to our having them on Monday." - -"Grandmamma approving?" asked Uncle Geoffrey. - -"O yes," said Fred, in all honesty, "she only objected to our taking a -regular scene in a play, and 'coming it as strong' as we did the other -night; so it is to be all extemporary, and it will do famously." - -Beatrice, who had been waiting in the dark at the top of the stairs, -listening, was infinitely rejoiced that her project had been explained -so plausibly, and yet in such perfect good faith, and she flew off to -dress in high spirits. Had she mentioned it to her father, he would -have doubted, taken it as her scheme, and perhaps put a stop to it: but -hearing of it from Frederick, whose pleasures were so often thwarted, -was likely to make him far more unwilling to object. For its own sake, -she knew he had no objection to the sport; it was only for that of his -mother; and since he had heard of her as consenting, all was right. -No, could Beatrice actually say so to her own secret soul? - -She could not; but she could smother the still small voice that checked -her, in a multitude of plans, and projects, and criticisms, and airy -castles, and, above all, the pleasure of triumph and dominion, and the -resolution not to yield, and the delight of leading. - - - - -CHAPTER XII. - - - -"Our hearts and all our members, being mortified from all worldly and -carnal lusts:" so speaks the collect with which we begin the new year-- -such the prayer to which the lips of the young Langfords said, "Amen:" -but what was its application to them? What did they do with the wicked -world in their own guarded homes? There was Uncle Geoffrey, he was in -the world. It might be for him to pray for that spirit which enabled -him to pass unscathed through the perils of his profession, neither -tempted to grasp at the honours nor the wealth which lay in his way, -unhardened and unsoured by the contact of the sin and selfishness on -every side. This might indeed be the world. There was Jessie Carey, -with her love of dress, and admiration, and pleasure; she should surely -pray that she might live less to the vanities of the world; there were -others, whose worn countenances spoke of hearts devoted to the cares of -the world; but to those fair, fresh, happy young things, early taught -how to prize vain pomp and glory, their minds as yet free from anxiety, -looking from a safe distance on the busy field of trial and temptation; -were not they truly kept from that world which they had renounced? - -Alas! that they did not lay to heart that the world is everywhere; that -if education had placed them above being tempted by the poorer, -cheaper, and more ordinary attractions, yet allurements there were for -them also. A pleasure pursued with headlong vehemence because it was -of their own devising, love of rule, the spirit of rivalry, the want of -submission; these were of the world. Other temptations had not yet -reached them, but if they gave way to those which assailed them in -their early youth, how could they expect to have strength to bear up -against the darker and stronger ones which would meet their riper -years? - -Even before daylight had fully found its way into Knight Sutton Hall, -there was many a note of preparation, and none clearer or louder than -those of the charade actors. Beatrice was up long before light, in the -midst of her preparations, and it was not long after, as, lamp in hand, -she whisked through the passages, Frederick's voice was heard demanding -whether the Busy Bee had turned into a firefly, and if the paste was -made wherewith Midas was to have his crown stuck with gold paper. -Zealous indeed were the workers, and heartily did old Judith wish them -anywhere else, as she drove them, their lamps, their paste, and -newspaper, from one corner of the study to the other, and at last -fairly out into the hall, threatening them with what Missus would say -to them. At last grandmamma came down with a party of neat little -notes in her hand, to be immediately sent off by Martin and the cart to -Allonfield, and Martin came to the door leading to the kitchen regions -to receive his directions. - -"O how lucky!" cried Queen Bee, springing up. "The cotton velvet for -the ears! I'll write a note in a second!" Then she paused. "But I -can't do it without Henrietta, I don't know how much she wants. Half a -yard must do, I suppose; but then, how to describe it? Half a yard of -donkey-coloured velvet! It will never do; I must see Henrietta first!" - -"Have not you heard her bell?" said Fred. - -"No, shall I go and knock at the door? She must be up by this time." - -"You had better ask Bennet," said Fred; "she sometimes gets up quietly, -and dresses herself without Bennet, if mamma is asleep, because it -gives her a palpitation to be disturbed in the morning." - -Bennet was shouted for, and proved not to have been into her mistress's -room. The charade mania was not strong enough to make them venture -upon disturbing Mrs. Frederick Langford, and to their great vexation, -Martin departed bearing no commission for the asinine decorations. - -About half an hour after, Henrietta made her appearance, as sorry as -any one that the opportunity had been lost, more especially as mamma -had been broad awake all the time, and the only reason she had not rung -the bell was, that she was not ready for Bennet. - -As usual, she was called an incorrigible dawdle, and made humble -confession of the same, offering to do all in her power to make up for -the morning's laziness. But what would Midas be without his ears? - -The best plan that Queen Bee could devise, was, that, whilst Henrietta -was engaged with the other preparations, she should walk to Sutton -Leigh with Frederick, to despatch Alexander to Allonfield. No sooner -said than done, and off they set, but neither was this plan fated to -meet with success, for just as they came in sight of Sutton Leigh, they -were hailed by the loud hearty voice of Roger, and beheld him at the -head of four brothers, marching off to pay his respects to his Aunt -Carey, some three miles off. Alex came to hold council at Queen Bee's -summons, but he could do nothing for her, for he had that morning been -taken to task for not having made a visit to Mrs. Carey, since he came -home, and especially ordered off to call upon her, before meeting her -at the party that evening. - -"How abominably provoking!" cried Beatrice; "just as if it signified. -If I had but a fairy!" - -"Carey!" called Alex, "here! Bee wants to send over to Allonfield: -won't you take Dumple and go?" - -"Not I," responded Carey; "I want to walk with Roger. But there's -Dumple, let her go herself." - -"What, ride him?" asked Beatrice, "thank you, Carey." - -"Fred might drive you," said Carey; "O no, poor fellow, I suppose he -does not know how." - -Fred coloured with anger. "I do," said he; "I have often driven our -own horses." - -"Ay," said Beatrice, "with the coachman sitting by you, and Aunt Mary -little guessing what you were doing." - -"I assure you, Queen," said Fred, very earnestly, "I do really know how -to drive, and if we may have the gig, and you will trust yourself with -me, I will bring you home quite safe." - -"I know you can have the gig," said Carey, "for papa offered it to -Roger and Alex this morning; only we chose all to walk together. To -think of doubting whether to drive old Dumple!" - -"I don't question," said Fred; "I only want to know if Busy Bee will -go. I won't break your neck, I promise you." - -Beatrice was slightly mistrustful, and had some doubts about Aunt Mary, -but poor Alex did much to decide her, though intending quite the -reverse. - -"I don't advise you, Bee," said he. - -"O, as to that," said she, pleased to see that he disliked the plan, "I -have great faith in Dumple's experience, and I can sit tight in a chay, -as the boy said to grandpapa when he asked him if he could ride. My -chief doubt is about Aunt Mary." - -Fred's successful disobedience in the matter of skating had decidedly -made him less scrupulous about showing open disregard of his mother's -desires, and he answered in a certain superior patronizing manner, "O, -you know I only give way sometimes, because she does make herself so -intensely miserable about me; but as she will be spared all that now, -by knowing nothing about it, I don't think it need be considered." - -Beatrice recollected what her father had said, but eluded it the next -moment, by replying to herself, that no commands had been given in this -case. - -Alex stood fumbling with the button of his great coat, looking much -annoyed, and saying nothing; Roger called out to him that they could -not wait all day, and he exerted himself to take Beatrice by the arm, -and say, "Bee, I wish you would not, I am sure there will be a blow up -about it at home." - -"O, you think nobody can or may drive me but yourself, Master Alex," -said Beatrice, laughing. "No, no, I know very well that nobody will -care when it is done, and there are no commands one way or the other. -I love my own neck, I assure you, Alex, and will not get that into a -scrape. Come, if that will put you into a better humour, I'll dance -with you first to-night." Alex turned away, muttering, "I don't like -it--I'd go myself, but--Well, I shall speak to Fred." - -Beatrice smiled with triumph at the jealousy which she thought she had -excited, and watched to see the effect of the remonstrance. - -"You are sure now," said he, "that you can drive safely? Remember it -would be a tolerable piece of work if you were to damage that little -Bee." - -This eloquent expostulation might have had some weight, if it had come -from any one else; but Fred was too much annoyed at the superiority of -his rival to listen with any patience, and he replied rather sullenly, -that he could take as good care of her as Alex himself, and he only -wished that their own horses were come from Rocksand. - -"Well, I have no more to say," said Alex, "only please to mind this, -Langford junior, you may do just as you please with our horse, drive -him to Jericho for what I care. It was for your own sake and -Beatrice's that I spoke." - -"Much obliged, Langford senior," replied Fred, making himself as tall -as he could, and turning round to Carey with a very different tone, -"Now, Carey, we won't stop you any longer, if you'll only just be so -good as to tell your man to get out the gig." - -Carey did so, and Beatrice and Frederick were left alone, but not long, -for Uncle Roger presently came into the yard with Willy and Arthur -running after him. To take possession of his horse and carriage, in -his very sight, without permission, was quite impossible, and, besides, -Beatrice knew full well that her dexterity could obtain a sanction from -him which might be made to parry all blame. So tripping up to him, she -explained in a droll manner the distress in which the charade actors -stood, and how the boys had said that they might have Dumple to drive -to Allonfield. Good natured Uncle Roger, who did not see why Fred -should not drive as well as Alex or any of his other boys, knew little -or nothing of his sister-in-law's fears, and would, perhaps, have taken -Fred's side of the question if he had, did exactly as she intended, -declared them perfectly welcome to the use of Dumple, and sent Willy -into the house for the driving whip. Thus authorized, Beatrice did not -fear even her father, who was not likely to allow in words what a -nonentity the authority of Uncle Roger might really be esteemed. - -Willy came back with a shilling in his hand, and an entreaty that he -might go with Queen Bee and Fred to buy a cannon for the little ships, -of which Roger's return always produced a whole fleet at Sutton Leigh. -His cousins were in a triumphant temper of good nature, and willingly -consenting, he was perched between them, but for one moment Beatrice's -complacency was diminished as Uncle Roger called out, "Ha! Fred take -care! What are you doing?--you'll be against the gate-post--don't -bring his head so short round. If you don't take more care, you'll -certainly come to a smash before you get home." - -If honour and credit had not been concerned, both Beatrice and -Frederick would probably have been much better satisfied to have given -up their bold design after this debut, but they were far too much bent -on their own way to yield, and Fred's pride would never have allowed -him to acknowledge that he felt himself unequal to the task he had so -rashly undertaken. Uncle Roger, believing it to be only carelessness -instead of ignorance, and too much used to dangerous undertakings of -his own boys to have many anxieties on their account, let them go on -without further question, and turned off to visit his young wheat -without the smallest uneasiness respecting the smash he had predicted, -as he had done, by way of warning, at least twenty times before. - -Busy Bee was in that stage of girlhood which is very sensible on some -points, in the midst of great folly upon others, and she was quite wise -enough to let Fred alone, to give full attention to his driving all the -way to Allonfield. Dumple knew perfectly well what was required of -him, and went on at a very steady well-behaved pace, up the hill, -across the common, and into the town, where, leaving him at the inn, -they walked into the street, and Beatrice, after an infinity of -searching, succeeded in obtaining certain grey cotton velvet, which, -though Fred asserted that donkeys had a tinge of lilac, was certainly -not unfit to represent their colour. As Fred's finances were in a much -more flourishing state since New Year's day, he proceeded to delight -the very heart of Willy by a present of a pair of little brass cannon, -on which his longing eyes had often before been fixed, and they then -returned to the carriage, in some dismay on perceiving that it was -nearly one o'clock. - -"We must go straight home," said Beatrice, "or this velvet will be of -no use. There is no time to drive to Sutton Leigh and walk from -thence." - -Unfortunately, however, there was an influential personage who was by -no means willing to consent to this arrangement, namely, Dumple, who, -well aware that an inexperienced hand held the reins, was privately -determined that his nose should not be turned away from the shortest -road to his own stable. - -As soon, therefore, as he came to the turning towards Sutton Leigh, he -made a decided dash in that direction. Fred pulled him sharply, and a -little nervously; the horse resisted; Fred gave him a cut with the -whip, but Dumple felt that he had the advantage, and replying with a -demonstration of kicking, suddenly whisked round the corner, and set -off over the rough jolting road at a pace very like running away. Fred -pulled hard, but the horse went the faster. He stood up. "Sit still," -cried Beatrice, now speaking for the first time, "the gate will stop -him;" but ere the words were uttered, Frederick, whether by a movement -of his own, or the rapid motion of the carriage, she knew not, was -thrown violently to the ground; and as she was whirled on, she saw him -no more. Instinct, rather than presence of mind, made her hold fast to -the carriage with one hand, and throw the other arm round little Willy, -to prevent him from being thrown out, as they were shaken from side to -side by the ruts and stones over which they were jolted. A few minutes -more, and their way was barred by a gate--that which she had spoken of- --the horse, used to stopping there, slackened his pace, and stood -still, looking over it as if nothing had happened. - -Trembling in every limb, Beatrice stood safely on the ground, and Willy -beside her. Without speaking, she hurried back to seek for Fred, her -steps swifter than they had ever before been, though to herself it -seemed as if her feet were of lead, and the very throbbing of her heart -dragged her back. In every bush she fancied she saw Fred coming to -meet her, but it was only for a moment, and at length she saw him but -too plainly. He was stretched at full length on the ground, senseless- --motionless. She sank rather than knelt down beside him, and called -him; but not a token was there that he heard her. She lifted his hand, -it fell powerless, and clasping her own, she sat in an almost -unconscious state of horror, till roused by little Willy, who asked in -a terrified breathless whisper, - -"Bee, is he dead?" - -"No, no, no," cried she, as if she could frighten away her own fears; -"he is only stunned. He is--he must be alive. He will come to him- -self! Help me to lift him up--here--that is it--his head on my lap--" - -"O, the blood!" said Willy, recoiling in increased fear, as he saw it -streaming from one or two cuts and bruises on the side of the face. - -"That is not the worst," said Beatrice. "There--hold him toward the -wind." She raised his head, untied his handkerchief, and hung over him; -but there was not a sound, not a breath; his head sank a dead weight on -her knee. She locked her hands together, and gazed wildly round for -help; but no one all over the wide lonely common could be seen, except -Willy, who stood helplessly looking at her. - -"Aunt Mary! O, Aunt Mary!" cried she, in a tone of the bitterest -anguish of mind. "Fred--dear, dear Freddy, open your eyes, answer me! -Oh, only speak to me! O what shall I do?" - -"Pray to God," whispered Willy. - -"You--you--Willy; I can't--it was my doing. O, Aunt Mary!" A few -moments passed in silence, then she exclaimed, "What are we doing here? -Willy, you must go and call them. The Hall is nearest; go through the -plantation as fast as you can. Go to papa in the study; if he is not -there, find grandpapa--any one but Aunt Mary. Mind, Willy, don't let -her hear it, it would kill her. Go, fly! You understand--any one but -Aunt Mary." - -Greatly relieved at being sent out of sight of that senseless form, -Willy required no second bidding, but rushed off at a pace which bade -fare to bring him to the Hall in a very brief space. Infinite were the -ramifications of thought that now began to chase each other over the -surface of her mind, as she sat supporting her cousin's head, all clear -and distinct, yet all overshadowed by that agony of suspense which made -her sit as if she was all eye and ear, watching for the slightest -motion, the faintest sound, that hope might seize as a sign of life. -She wiped away the blood which was streaming from the cuts in the face, -and softly laid her trembling hand to seek for some trace of a blow -amid the fair shining hair; she felt the pulse, but she could not -satisfy herself whether it beat or not; she rubbed the cold hand -between both her own, and again and again started with the hope that -the long black eyelashes were being lifted from the white cheek, or -that she saw a quivering of lip or nostril. All this while her -thoughts were straying miles away, and yet so wondrously and painfully -present. As she thought of her Uncle Frederick, and, as it were, -realized his death, which had happened so nearly in this same manner, -she experienced a sort of heart-sinking which would almost make her -believe in a fate on the family. And that Fred should be cut off in -the midst of an act of disobedience, and she the cause! O thought -beyond endurance! She tried to pray for him, for herself, for her -aunt, but no prayer would come; and suddenly she found her mind -pursuing Willy, following him through all the gates and gaps, entering -the garden, opening the study door, seeing her father's sudden start, -hearing poor Henrietta's cry, devising how it would be broken to her -aunt; and again, the misery of recollecting her overpowered her, and -she gave a groan, the very sound of which thrilled her with the hope -that Fred was reviving, and made her, if possible, watch with double -intenseness, and then utter a desponding sigh. She wished it was she -who lay there, unconscious of such exceeding wretchedness, and, strange -to say, her imagination began to devise all that would be said were it -really so; what all her acquaintance would say of the little Queen Bee, -how soon Matilda St. Leger would forget her, how long Henrietta would -cherish the thought of her, how deeply and silently Alex would grieve. -"He would be a son to papa," she thought; but then came a picture of -her home, her father and mother without their only one, and tears came -into her eyes, which she brushed away, almost smiling at the absurdity -of crying for her own imagined death, instead of weeping over this but -too positive and present distress. - -There was nothing to interrupt her; Fred lay as lifeless as before, and -not a creature passed along the lonely road. The frosty air was -perfectly still, and through it sounded the barking of dogs, the tinkle -of the sheep-bell, the woodsman's axe in the plantations, and now and -then the rattle of Dumple's harness, as she shook his head or shifted -his feet at the gate where he had been left standing. The rooks -wheeled above her head in a clear blue sky, the little birds answering -each other from the high furze-bushes, and the pee-wits came careering -near her with their broad wings, floating movement, and long melancholy -note like lamentation. - -At length, far away, there sounded on the hard turnpike road a horse's -tread, coming nearer and nearer. Help was at hand! Be it who it -might, some human sympathy would be with her, and that most oppressive -solitude, which seemed to have lasted for years instead of minutes, -would be relieved. In almost an agony of nervousness lest the newcomer -might pass by, she gently laid her cousin's head on the grass, and flew -rather than ran towards the opening of the lane. She was too late, the -horseman had passed, but she recognised the shining hat, the form of -the shoulders, and with a scream almost wild in its energy, called -"Philip! O, Philip Carey!" - -Joy, joy! he looked back, he turned his horse, and came up in amazement -at finding her there, and asking questions which she could only answer -by leading the way down the lane. - -In another moment he was off his horse, and she could almost have -adored him when she heard him pronounce that Frederick lived. - -A few moments passed whilst he was handling his patient, and asking -questions, when Beatrice beheld some figures advancing from the -plantation. She dashed through the heath and furze to meet them, -sending her voice before her with the good news, "He is alive! Philip -Carey says he is alive!" and with these words she stood before her -father and her Aunt Mary. - -Her aunt seemed neither to see nor hear her; but with a face as white -and still as a marble figure, hastened on. Mr. Geoffrey Langford -stopped for an instant and looked at her with an expression such as she -never could forget. "Beatrice, my child!" he exclaimed, "you are -hurt!" - -"No, no, papa," she cried. "It is Fred's blood--I am quite, quite -safe!" - -He held her in his arms, pressed her close to him, and kissed her brow, -with a whispered exclamation of fervent thankfulness. Beatrice could -never remember that moment without tears; the tone, the look, the -embrace,--all had revealed to her the fervour of her father's -affection, beyond--far beyond all that she had ever imagined. It was -but for one instant that he gave way; the next, he was hastening on, -and stood beside Frederick as soon as his sister-in-law. - - - - -CHAPTER XIII. - - - -The drawing-room at Knight Sutton Hall was in that state of bustle -incidental to the expectation of company, which was sure to prevail -wherever Mrs. Langford reigned. She walked about, removing the covers -from chairs and ottomans, shaking out curtains, adjusting china, and -appealing to Mrs. Frederick Langford in various matters of taste, -though never allowing her to move to assist her. Henrietta, however, -often came to her help, and was certainly acting in a way to incur the -severe displeasure of the absent queen, by laying aside Midas's robes -to assist in the arrangements. "That picture is crooked, I am sure!" -said Mrs. Langford; and of course she was not satisfied till she had -summoned Geoffrey from the study to give his opinion, and had made him -mount upon a chair to settle its position. In the midst of the -operation, in walked Uncle Roger. "Hollo! Geoffrey, what are you up to -now? So, ma'am, you are making yourself smart to-day. Where is my -father?" - -"He has ridden over to see the South Farm," said Mrs. Langford. - -"Oho! got out of the way of the beautifying,--I understand." - -"Have you seen anything of Fred and Busy Bee?" asked Mrs. Frederick -Langford. "They went out directly after breakfast to walk to Sutton -Leigh, and I have not seen them since." - -"O yes," said Mr. Roger Langford, "I can tell you what has become of -them; they are gone to Allonfield. I have just seen them off in the -gig, and Will with them, after some of their acting affairs." - -Good, easy man; he little thought what a thunder-clap was this -intelligence. Uncle Geoffrey turned round on his elevation to look him -full in the face; every shade of colour left the countenance of Mrs. -Frederick Langford; Henrietta let her work fall, and looked up in -dismay. - -"You don't mean that Fred was driving?" said her mother. - -"Yes, I do! Why my boys can drive long before they are that age,-- -surely he knows how!" - -"O, Roger, what have you done!" said she faintly, as if the exclamation -would break from her in spite of herself. - -"Indeed, mamma," said Henrietta, alarmed at her paleness, "I assure you -Fred has often told me how he has driven our own horses when he was -sitting up by Dawson." - -"Ay, ay, Mary," said Uncle Roger, "never fear. Depend upon it, boys do -many and many a thing that mammas never guess at, and come out with -whole bones after all." - -Henrietta, meantime, was attentively watching Uncle Geoffrey's face, in -hopes of discovering what he thought of the danger; but she could learn -nothing, for he kept his features as composed as possible. - -"I do believe those children are gone crazy about their acting," said -Mrs. Langford; "and how Mr. Langford can encourage them in it I cannot -think. So silly of Bee to go off in this way, when she might just as -well have sent by Martin!" And her head being pretty much engrossed -with her present occupation, she went out to obey a summons from the -kitchen, without much perception of the consternation that prevailed in -the drawing-room. - -"Did you know they were going, Henrietta?" asked Uncle Geoffrey, rather -sternly. - -"No! I thought they meant to sent Alex. But O! uncle, do you think -there is any danger?" exclaimed she, losing self-control in the -infection of fear caught from the mute terror which she saw her mother -struggling to overcome. Her mother's inquiring, imploring glance -followed her question. - -"Foolish children!" said Uncle Geoffrey, "I am very much vexed with the -Bee for her wilfulness about this scheme, but as for the rest, there is -hardly a steadier animal than old Dumple, and he is pretty well used to -young hands." - -Henrietta thought him quite satisfied, and even her mother was in some -degrees tranquillized, and would have been more so, had not Mr. Roger -Langford begun to reason with her in the following style:--"Come, Mary, -you need not be in the least alarmed. It is quite nonsense in you. -You know a boy of any spirit will always be doing things that sound -imprudent. I would not give a farthing for Fred if he was always to be -the mamma's boy you would make him. He is come to an age now when you -cannot keep him up in that way, and he must get knocked about some time -or other." - -"O yes, I know I am very foolish," said she, trying to smile. - -"I shall send up Elizabeth to talk to you," said Uncle Roger. "She -would have a pretty life of it if she went into such a state as you do -on all such occasions." - -"Enough to break the heart of ten horses, as they say in Ireland," said -Uncle Geoffrey, seeing that the best chance for her was to appear at -his ease, and divert his brother's attention. "And by the by, Roger, -you never told me if you heard any more of your poor Irish haymakers." - -"Why, Geoffrey, you have an absent fit now for once in your life," said -his brother. "Are you the man to ask if I heard any more of them, when -you yourself gave me a sovereign to send them in the famine?" - -Uncle Geoffrey, however, persevered, and finally succeeded in starting -Uncle Roger upon his favourite and inexhaustible subject of the doings -at the Allonfield Union. During this time Mrs. Frederick Langford put -a few stitches into her work, found it would not do, and paused, stood -up, seemed to be observing the new arrangement in the room,--then took -a long look out at the window, and at last left the room. Henrietta -ran after her to assure her that she was convinced that Uncle Geoffrey -was not alarmed, and to beg her to set her mind at rest. "Thank you, -my dear," said she. "I--no, really--you know how foolish I am, my -dear, and I think I had rather be alone. Don't stay here and frighten -yourself too; this is only my usual fright, and it will be better if I -am left alone. Go down, my dear, think about something else, and let -me know when they come home." - -With considerable reluctance Henrietta was obliged to obey, and -descended to the drawing-room, where the first words that met her ears -were from Uncle Roger. "Well, I wish, with all my heart, they were -safe at home again. But do you mean to say, Geoffrey, that I ought not -to have let them go?" - -"I shall certainly come upon you for damages, if he breaks the neck of -little Bee," said Uncle Geoffrey. - -"If I had guessed it," said Uncle Roger; "but then, you know, any of my -boys would think nothing of driving Dumple,--even Dick I have trusted,- --and they came up--you should have seen them--as confidently as if he -had been driving four-in-hand every day of his life. Upon my word your -daughter has a tolerable spirit of her own, if she knew that he could -not drive." - -"A tolerable spirit of self-will," said Uncle Geoffrey, with a sigh. -"But did you see them off, how did they manage?" - -"Ah! why there, I must confess, I was to blame," said his brother. -"They did clear out of the yard in a strange fashion, certainly, and I -might have questioned a little closer. But never mind, 'tis all -straight road. I would lay any wager they will come back safe,--boys -always do." - -Uncle Geoffrey smiled, but Henrietta thought it a very bad sign that -he, too, looked out at the window; and the confidence founded on his -tranquillity deserted her. - -Uncle Roger forthwith returned to the fighting o'er again of his -battles at the Board of Guardians, and Henrietta was able to get to the -window, where for some ten minutes she sat, and at length exclaimed -with a start, "Here is Willy running across the paddock!" - -"All right!" said Uncle Roger, "they must have stopped at Sutton -Leigh!" - -"It is the opposite way!" said Mr. Geoffrey Langford, who at the same -moment stepped up to the window. Henrietta's heart throbbed fearfully -as she saw how wearied was the boy's running, and yet how rapid. She -could hardly stand as she followed her uncles to the hall; her mother -at the same moment came downstairs, and all together met the little -boy, as, breathless, exhausted, unable to speak, he rushed into the -hall, and threw himself upon his father, leaning his head against him -and clinging as if he could not stand. - -"Why Will, how now, my boy? Have you been racing?" said his father, -kneeling on one knee, and supporting the poor little wearied fellow, as -he almost lay upon his breast and shoulder. "What is the matter now?" - -There was a deep silence only interrupted by the deep pantings of the -boy. Henrietta leant on the banisters, giddy with suspense. Uncle -Geoffrey stepped into the dining-room, and brought back a glass of wine -and some water. Aunt Mary parted the damp hair that hung over his -forehead, laid her cold hand on it, and said, "Poor little fellow." - -At her voice Willy looked up, clung faster to his father, and whispered -something unintelligible. - -"What? Has anything happened? What is the matter?" were questions -anxiously asked, while Uncle Geoffrey in silence succeeded in -administering the wine; after which Willy managed to say, pointing to -his aunt, - -"Don't--tell--her." - -It was with a sort of ghastly composure that she leant over him, -saying, "Don't be afraid, my dear, I am ready to hear it." - -He raised himself, and gazed at her in perplexity and wonder. -Henrietta's violently throbbing heart took from her almost the -perception of what was happening. - -"Take breath, Willy," said his father; "don't keep us all anxious." - -"Bee said I was to tell Uncle Geoffrey," said the boy. - -"Is she safe?" asked Aunt Mary, earnestly. - -"Yes." - -"Thanks to God," said she, holding out her hand to Uncle Geoffrey, with -a look of relief and congratulation, and yet of inexpressible -mournfulness which went to his heart. - -"And Fred?" said Uncle Roger. - -"Do not ask, Roger," said she, still as calmly as before; "I always -knew how it would be." - -Henrietta tried to exclaim, to inquire, but her lips would not frame -one word, her tongue would not leave the roof of her mouth. She heard -a few confused sounds, and then a mist came over her eyes, a rushing of -waters in her ears, and she sank on the ground in a fainting fit. When -she came to herself she was lying on the sofa in the drawing-room, and -all was still. - -"Mamma!" said she. - -"Here, dear child,"--but it was Mrs. Langford's voice. - -"Mamma!" again said she. "Where is mamma? Where are they all? Why -does the room turn round?" - -"You have not been well, my dear," said her grandmother; "but drink -this, and lie still, you will soon be better." - -"Where is mamma?" repeated Henrietta, gazing round and seeing no one -but Mrs. Langford and Bennet. "Was she frightened at my being ill? -Tell her I am better." - -"She knows it, my dear: lie still and try to go to sleep." - -"But weren't there a great many people?" said Henrietta. "Were we not -in the hall? Did not Willy come? O! grandmamma, grandmamma, do tell -me, where are mamma and Fred?" - -"They will soon be here, I hope." - -"But, grandmamma," cried she vehemently, turning herself round as -clearer recollection returned, "something has happened--O! what has -happened to Fred?" - -"Nothing very serious, we hope, my dear," said Mrs. Langford. "It was -Willy who frightened you. Fred has had a fall, and your mamma and -uncles are gone to see about him." - -"A fall! O, tell me, tell me! I am sure it is something dreadful! O, -tell me all about it, grandmamma, is he much hurt? O, Freddy, Freddy!" - -With more quietness than could have been anticipated from so active and -bustling a nature, Mrs. Langford gradually told her granddaughter all -that she knew, which was but little, as she had been in attendance on -her, and had only heard the main fact of Willy's story. Henrietta -clapped her hands wildly together in an agony of grief. "He is killed- --he is, I'm sure of it!" said she. "Why do you not tell me so?" - -"My dear, I trust and believe that he is only stunned." - -"No, no, no! papa was killed in that way, and I am sure he is! O, -Fred, Fred, my own dear, dear brother, my only one! O, I cannot bear -it! O, Fred!" - -She rose up from the sofa, and walked and down the room in an ecstasy -of sorrow. "And it was I that helped to bring him here! It was my -doing! O, my own, my dearest, my twin brother, I cannot live without -him!" - -"Henrietta," said Mrs. Langford, "you do not know what you are saying; -you must bear the will of God, be it what it may." - -"I can't, I can not," repeated Henrietta; "if I am to lose him, I can't -live; I don't care for anything without Fred!" - -"Your mother, Henrietta." - -"Mamma! O, don't speak of her; she would die, I am sure she would, -without him; and then I should too, for I should have nothing." - -Henrietta's grief was the more ungovernable that it was chiefly -selfish; there was little thought of her mother,--little, indeed, for -anything but the personal loss to herself. She hid her face in her -hands, and sobbed violently, though without a tear, while Mrs. Langford -vainly tried to make her hear of patience and resignation, turning -away, and saying, "I can't be patient--no, I can't!" and then again -repeating her brother's name with all the fondest terms of endearment. - -Then came a sudden change: it was possible that he yet lived--and she -became certain that he had been only stunned for a moment, and required -her grandmamma to be so too. Mrs. Langford, at the risk of a cruel -disappointment, was willing to encourage her hope; but Henrietta, -fancying herself treated like a petted child, chose to insist on being -told really and exactly what was her view of the case. Then she was -urgent to go out and meet the others, and learn the truth; but this -Mrs. Langford would not permit. It was in kindness, to spare her some -fearful sight, which might shock and startle her, but Henrietta was far -from taking it so; her habitual want of submission made itself felt in -spite of her usual gentleness, now that she had been thrown off her -balance, and she burst into a passionate fit of weeping. - -In such a dreadful interval of suspense, her conduct was, perhaps, -scarcely under her own control; and it is scarcely just to mention it -as a subject of blame. But, be it remembered that it was the effect of -a long previous selfishness and self-will; quiet, amiable selfishness; -gentle, caressing self-will; but no less real, and more perilous and -deceitful. But for this, Henrietta would have thought more of her -mother, prepared for her comfort, and braced herself in order to be a -support to her; she would have remembered how terrible must be the -shock to her grandmother in her old age, and how painful must be the -remembrances thus excited of the former bereavement; and in the attempt -to console her, the sense of her own sorrow would have been in some -degree relieved; whereas she now seemed to forget that Frederick was -anything to any one but herself. She prayed, but it was one wild -repetition of "O, give him back to me!--save his life!--let him be safe -and well!" She had no room for any other entreaty; she did not call -for strength and resignation on the part of herself and her mother, for -whatever might be appointed; she did not pray that his life might be -granted only if it was for his good; she could ask nothing but that her -own beloved brother might be spared to herself, and she ended her -prayer as unsubdued, and therefore as miserable, as when she began it. - -The first intelligence that arrived was brought by Uncle Roger and -Beatrice, who, rather to their surprise, came back in the gig, and -greatly relieved their minds with the intelligence of Frederick's life, -and of Philip Carey's arrival. Henrietta had sprung eagerly up on -their first entrance, with parted lips and earnest eyes, and listened -to their narration with trembling throbbing hope, but with scarcely a -word; and when she heard that Fred still lay senseless and motionless, -she again turned away, and hid her face on the arm of the sofa, without -one look at Beatrice, reckless of the pang that shot through the heart -of one flesh from that trying watch over her brother. Beatrice hoped -for one word, one kiss, and looked wistfully at the long veil of half -uncurled ringlets that floated over the crossed arms on which her -forehead rested, and meantime submitted with a kind of patient -indifference to her grandmother's caress, drank hot wine and water, sat -by the fire, and finally was sent upstairs to change her dress. Too -restless, too anxious, too wretched to stay there alone, longing for -some interchange of sympathy,--but her mind too turbid with agitation -to seek it where it would most surely have been found,--she hastened -down again. Grandmamma was busied in giving directions for the room -which was being prepared for Fred; Uncle Roger had walked out to meet -those who were conveying him home: and Henrietta was sitting in the -window, her forehead resting against the glass, watching intently for -their arrival. - -"Are they coming?" asked Beatrice anxiously. - -"No!" was all the answer, hardly uttered, and without looking round, as -if her cousin's entrance was perfectly indifferent to her. Beatrice -went up and stood by her, looking out for a few minutes; then taking -the hand that lay in her lap, she said in an imploring whisper, -"Henrietta, you forgive me?" - -The hand lay limp and lifeless in hers, and Henrietta scarcely raised -her face as she answered, in a low, languid, dejected voice, "Of -course, Bee, only I am so wretched. Don't talk to me." - -Her head sunk again, and Beatrice stepped hastily back to the fire, -with a more bitter feeling than she had ever known. This was no -forgiveness; it was worse than anger or reproach; it was a repulse, and -that when her whole heart was yearning to relieve the pent-up -oppression that almost choked her, by weeping with her. She leant her -burning forehead on the cool marble chimney-piece, and longed for her -mother,--longed for her almost as much for her papa's, her Aunt Mary's -and her grandmother's sake, as for her own. But O! what an infinite -relief would one talk with her have been! She turned toward the table, -and thought of writing to her, but her hand was trembling--every pulse -throbbing; she could not even sit still enough to make the attempt. - -At last she saw Henrietta spring to her feet, and hastening to the -window beheld the melancholy procession; Fred carried on a mattress by -Uncle Geoffrey and three of the labourers; Philip Carey walking at one -side, and on the other Mrs. Frederick Langford leaning on Uncle Roger's -arm. - -Both girls hurried out to meet them, but all attention was at that -moment for the patient, as he was carried in on his mattress, and -deposited for a few minutes on the large hall table. Henrietta pushed -between her uncles, and made her way up to him, unconscious of the -presence of anyone else--even of her mother--while she clasped his -hand, and hanging over him looked with an agonized intensity at his -motionless features. The next moment she felt her mother's hand on her -shoulder, and was forced to turn round and look into her face: the -sweet mournful meekness of which came for a moment like a soft cooling -breeze upon the dry burning desert of her grief. - -"My poor child," said the gentle voice. - -"O, mamma, is--is--." She could not speak; her face was violently -agitated, and the very muscles of her throat quivered. - -"They hope for the best, my dear," was the reply; but both Mr. Geoffrey -Langford and Beatrice distinguished her own hopelessness in the -intonation, and the very form of the expression: whereas Henrietta only -took in and eagerly seized the idea of comfort which it was intended to -convey to her. She would have inquired more, but Mrs. Langford was -telling her mother of the arrangements she had made, and entreating her -to take some rest. - -"Thank you, ma'am,--thank you very much indeed--you are very kind: I am -very sorry to give you so much trouble," were her answers; and simple -as were the words, there was a whole world of truth and reality in -them. - -Preparations were now made for carrying Fred up stairs, but even at -that moment Aunt Mary was not without thought for Beatrice, who was -retreating, as if she feared to be as much in her way as she had been -in Henrietta's. - -"I did not see you, before, Queenie," she said, holding out her hand -and kissing her, "you have gone through more than any one." - -A thrill of fond grateful affection brought the tears into Queen Bee's -eyes. How much there was even in the pronunciation of that pet playful -name to touch her heart, and fill it to overflowing with love and -contrition. She longed to pour out her whole confession, but there was -no one to attend to her--the patient occupied the whole attention of -all. He was carried to his mother's room, placed in bed, and again -examined by young Mr. Carey, who pronounced with increased confidence -that there was no fracture, and gave considerable hopes of improvement. -While this was passing, Henrietta sat on the upper step of the stairs, -her head on her hands, scarcely moving or answering when addressed. As -evening twilight began to close in, the surgeon left the room, and went -down to make his report to those who were anxiously awaiting it in the -drawing-room; and she took advantage of his exit to come to the door, -and beg to be let in. - -Uncle Geoffrey admitted her; and her mother, who was sitting by the -bed-side, held out her hand. Henrietta came up to her, and at first -stood by her, intently watching her brother; then after a time sat down -on a footstool, and, with her head resting on her mother's lap, gave -herself up to a sort of quiet heavy dream, which might be called the -very luxury of grief. Uncle Geoffrey sat by the fire, watching his -sister-in-law even more anxiously than the patient, and thus a -considerable interval passed in complete silence, only broken by the -crackling of the fire, the ticking of the watches, or some slight -change of posture of one or other of the three nurses. At last the -stillness was interrupted by a little movement among the bedclothes, -and with a feeling like transport, Henrietta saw the hand, which had -hitherto lain so still and helpless, stretched somewhat out, and the -head turned upon the pillow. Uncle Geoffrey stood up, and Mrs. -Frederick Langford pressed her daughter's hand with a sort of -convulsive tremor. A faint voice murmured "Mamma!" and while a flush -of trembling joy illumined her pale face, she bent over him, answering -him eagerly and fondly, but he did not seem to know her, and again -repeating "Mamma," opened his eyes with a vacant gaze, and tried in -vain to express some complaint. - -In a short time, however, he regained a partial degree of -consciousness. He knew his mother, and was continually calling to her, -as if for the sake of feeling her presence, but without recognizing any -other person, not even his sister or his uncle. Henrietta stood gazing -sadly upon him, while his mother hung over him soothing his -restlessness, and answering his half-uttered complaints, and Uncle -Geoffrey was ever ready with assistance and comfort to each in turn, as -it was needed, and especially supporting his sister-in-law with that -sense of protection and reliance so precious to a sinking heart. - -Aunt Roger came up to announce that dinner was ready, and to beg that -she might stay with Fred while the rest went down. Mrs. Frederick -Langford only shook her head, and thanked her, saying with a painful -smile that it was impossible, but begging Uncle Geoffrey and Henrietta -to go. The former complied, knowing how much alarm his absence would -create downstairs; but Henrietta declared that she could not bear the -thoughts of going down, and it was only by a positive order that he -succeeded in making her come with him. Grandpapa kissed her, and made -her sit by him, and grandmamma loaded her plate with all that was best -on the table, but she looked at it with disgust, and leaning back in -her chair, faintly begged not to be asked to eat. - -Uncle Geoffrey poured out a glass of wine, and said in a tone which -startled her by its unwonted severity, "This will not do, Henrietta; I -cannot allow you to add to your mamma's troubles by making yourself -ill. I desire you will eat, as you certainly can." - -Every one was taken by surprise, and perhaps Mrs. Langford might have -interfered, but for a sign from grandpapa. Henrietta, with a feeling -of being cruelly treated, silently obeyed, swallowed down the wine, and -having done so, found herself capable of making a very tolerable -dinner, by which she was greatly relieved and refreshed. - -Uncle Geoffrey said a few cheering words to his father and mother, and -returned to Fred's room as soon as he could, without giving that -appearance of hurry and anxiety which would have increased their alarm. -Henrietta, without the same thoughtfulness, rushed rather than ran -after him, and neither of the two came down again to tea. - -Philip Carey was to stay all night, and though Beatrice was of course -very glad that he should do so, yet she was much harassed by the -conversation kept up with him for civility's sake. She had been -leading a forlorn dreary life all the afternoon, busy first in helping -grandmamma to write notes to be sent to the intended guests, and -afterwards, with a feeling of intense disgust, putting out of sight all -the preparations for their own self-chosen sport. She desired quiet, -and yet when she found it, it was unendurable, and to talk to her -father or grandfather would be a great relief, yet the first beginning -might well be dreaded. Neither of them was forthcoming, and now in the -evening to hear the quiet grave discussion of Allonfield gossip was -excessively harassing and irritating. No one spoke for their own -pleasure, the thoughts of all were elsewhere, and they only talked thus -for the sake of politeness; but she gave them no credit for this, and -felt fretted and wearied beyond bearing. Even this, however, was -better than when they did return to the engrossing thought, and spoke -of the accident, requiring of her a more exact and particular account -of it. She hurried over it. Grandmamma praised her, and each word was -a sting. - -"But, my dear," said Mrs. Roger Langford, "what could have made you so -anxious to go to Allonfield?" - -"O, Aunt Roger, it was very--" but here Beatrice, whose agitated -spirits made her particularly accessible to momentary emotion, was -seized with such a sense of the absurdity of undertaking so foolish an -expedition, with no other purpose than going to buy a pair of ass's -ears, that she was overpowered by a violent fit of laughing. -Grandmamma and Aunt Roger, after looking at her in amazement for a -moment, both started up, and came towards her with looks of alarm that -set her off again still more uncontrollably. She struggled to speak, -but that only made it worse, and when she perceived that she was -supposed to be hysterical, she laughed the more, though the laughter -was positive pain. Once she for a moment succeeded in recovering some -degree of composure, but every kind demonstration of solicitude brought -on a fresh access of laughter, and a certain whispering threat of -calling Philip Carey was worse than all. When, however, Aunt Roger was -actually setting off for the purpose, the dread of his coming had a -salutary effect, and enabled her to make a violent effort, by which she -composed herself, and at length sat quite still, except for the -trembling, which she could not control. - -Grandmamma and Aunt Roger united in ordering her to bed, but she could -not bear to go without seeing her papa, nor would she accept Mrs. -Langford's offer of calling him; and at last a compromise was made that -she should go up to bed on condition that her papa should come and -visit her when he came out of Fred's room. Her grandmamma came up with -her, helped her to undress, gave her the unwonted indulgence of a fire, -and summoned Judith to prepare things as quickly and quietly as -possible for Henrietta, who was to sleep with her that night. It was -with much difficulty that she could avoid making a promise to go to bed -immediately, and not to get up to breakfast. At last, with a very -affectionate kiss, grandmamma left her to brush her hair, an operation -which she resolved to lengthen out until her papa's visit. - -It was long before he came, but at last his step was heard along the -passage, his knock was at her door. She flew to it, and stood before -him, her large black eyes looking larger, brighter, blacker than usual -from the contrast with the pale or rather sallow face, and the white -nightcap and dressing-gown. - -"How is Fred?" asked she as well as her parched tongue would allow her -to speak. - -"Much the same, only talking a little more. But why are you up still? -Your grandmamma said--" - -"Never mind, papa," interrupted she, "only tell me this--is Fred in -danger?" - -"You have heard all we can tell, my dear--" - -Beatrice interrupted him by an impatient, despairing look, and clasped -her hands: "I know--I know; but what do you think?" - -"My own impression is," said her father, in a calm, kind, yet almost -reproving tone, as if to warn her to repress her agitation, "that there -is no reason to give up hope, although it is impossible yet to -ascertain the extent of the injury." - -Beatrice retreated a step or two: she stood by the table, one hand upon -it, as if for support, yet her figure quite erect, her eyes fixed on -his face, and her voice firm, though husky, as she said, slowly and -quietly, "Papa, if Fred dies, it is my doing." - -His face did not express surprise or horror--nothing but kindness and -compassion, while he answered, "My poor girl, I was afraid how it might -have been." Then he led her to a chair and sat down by her side, so as -to let her perceive that he was ready to listen, and would give her -time. He might be in haste, but it was no time to show it. - -She now spoke with more hurry and agitation, "Yes, yes, papa, it was -the very thing you warned me against--I mean--I mean--the being set in -my own way, and liking to tease the boys. O if I could but speak to -tell you all, but it seems like a weight here choking me," and she -touched her throat. "I can't get it out in words! O!" Poor Beatrice -even groaned aloud with oppression. - -"Do not try to express it," said her father: "at least, it is not I who -can give you the best comfort. Here"--and he took up a Prayer Book. - -"Yes, I feel as if I could turn there now I have told you, papa," said -Beatrice; "but when I could not get at you, everything seemed dried up -in me. Not one prayer or confession would come;--but now, O! now you -know it, and--and--I feel as if He would not turn away His face. Do -you know I did try the 51st Psalm, but it would not do, not even -'deliver me from blood-guiltiness,' it would only make me shudder! O, -papa, it was dreadful!" - -Her father's answer was to draw her down on her knees by his side, and -read a few verses of that very Psalm, and a few clauses of the prayer -for persons troubled in mind, and he ended with the Lord's Prayer. -Beatrice, when it was over, leant her head against him, and did not -speak, nor weep, but she seemed refreshed and relieved. He watched her -anxiously and affectionately, doubting whether it was right to bestow -so much time on her exclusively, yet unwilling to leave her. When she -again spoke, it was in a lower, more subdued, and softer voice, "Aunt -Mary will forgive me, I know; you will tell her, papa, and then it will -not be quite so bad! Now I can pray that he may be saved--O, papa-- -disobedient, and I the cause; how could I ever bear the thought?" - -"You can only pray," replied her father. - -"Now that I can once more," said Beatrice; and again there was a -silence, while she stood thinking deeply, but contrary to her usual -habit, not speaking, and he knowing well her tendency to lose her -repentant feelings by expressing them, was not willing to interrupt -her. So they remained for nearly ten minutes, until at last he thought -it time to leave her, and made some movement as if to do so. Then she -spoke, "Only tell me one thing, papa. Do you think Aunt Mary has any -hope? There was something--something death-like in her face. Does she -hope?" - -Mr. Geoffrey Langford shook his head. "Not yet," said he. "I think it -may be better after this first night is over. She is evidently -reckoning the hours, and I think she has a kind of morbid expectation -that it will be as it was with his father, who lived twelve hours after -his accident." - -"But surely, surely," said Beatrice eagerly, "this is a very different -case; Fred has spoken so much more than my uncle did; and Philip says -he is convinced that there is no fracture--" - -"It is a morbid feeling," said Mr. Geoffrey Langford, "and therefore -impossible to be reasoned away. I see she dreads to be told to hope, -and I shall not even attempt it till these fatal twelve hours are -over." - -"Poor dear aunt!" sighed Beatrice. "I am glad, if it was to be, that -you were here, for nobody else would understand her." - -"Understand her!" said he, with something of a smile. "No, Bee, such -sorrow as hers has a sacredness in it which is not what can be -understood." - -Beatrice sighed, and then with a look as if she saw a ray of comfort, -said, "I suppose mamma will soon be here?" - -"I think not," said her father, "I shall tell her she had better wait -to see how things go on, and keep herself in reserve. At present it is -needlessly tormenting your aunt to ask her to leave Fred for a moment, -and I do not think she has even the power to rest. While this goes on, -I am of more use in attending to him than your mamma could be; but if -he is a long time recovering, it will be a great advantage to have her -coming fresh, and not half knocked up with previous attendance." - -"But how she will wish to be here!" exclaimed Beatrice, "and how you -will want her!" - -"No doubt of that, Queenie," said her father smiling, "but we must -reserve our forces, and I think she will be of the same mind. Well, I -must go. Where is Henrietta to sleep to-night?" - -"With me," said Beatrice. - -"I will send her to you as soon as I can. You must do what you can -with her, Bee, for I can see that the way she hangs on her mamma is -quite oppressive. If she had but a little vigour!" - -"I don't know what to do about her!" said Beatrice with more dejection -than she had yet shown, "I wish I could be of any comfort to her, but I -can't--I shall never do good to anybody--only harm." - -"Fear the harm, and the good will come," said Mr. Geoffrey Langford. -"Good night, my dear." - -Beatrice threw herself on her knees as soon as the door had closed on -her father, and so remained for a considerable time in one earnest, -unexpressed outpouring of confession and prayer, for how long she knew -not, all that she was sensible of was a feeling of relief, the repose -of such humility and submission, such heartfelt contrition as she had -never known before. - -So she continued till she heard Henrietta's approaching steps, when she -rose and opened the door, ready to welcome her with all the affection -and consolation in her power. There stood Henrietta, a heavy weight on -her eyes, her hair on one side all uncurled and flattened, the colour -on half her face much deepened, and a sort of stupor about her whole -person, as if but one idea possessed her. Beatrice went up to meet -her, and took her candle, asking what account she brought of the -patient. "No better," was all the answer, and she sat down making no -more detailed answers to all her cousin's questions. She would have -done the same to her grandmamma, or any one else, so wrapped up was she -in her own grief, but this conduct gave more pain to Beatrice than it -could have done to any one else, since it kept up the last miserable -feeling of being unforgiven. Beatrice let her sit still for some -minutes, looking at her all the time with an almost piteous glance of -entreaty, of which Henrietta was perfectly unconscious, and then began -to beg her to undress, seconding the proposal by beginning to unfasten -her dress. - -Henrietta moved pettishly, as if provoked at being disturbed. - -"I beg your pardon, dear Henrietta," said Beatrice; "if you would but -let me! You will be ill to-morrow, and that would be worse still." - -"No, I shan't," said Henrietta shortly, "never mind me." - -"But I must, dear Henrietta. If you would but--" - -"I can't go to bed," replied Henrietta, "thank you, Bee, never mind--" - -Beatrice stood still, much distressed at her own inability to be of any -service, and pained far more by the sight of Henrietta's grief than by -the unkind rejection of herself. "Papa thinks there is great hope," -said she abruptly. - -"Mamma does not," said Henrietta, edging away from her cousin as if to -put an end to the subject. - -Beatrice almost wrung her hands. O this wilfulness of grief, how hard -it was to contend with it! At last there was a knock at the door--it -was grandmamma, suspecting that they were still up. Little recked -Beatrice of the scolding that fell on herself for not having been in -bed hours ago; she was only rejoiced at the determination that swept -away all Henrietta's feeble opposition. The bell was rung, Bennet was -summoned, grandmamma peremptorily ordered her to be undressed, and in -another half-hour the cousins were lying side by side, Henrietta's -lethargy had become a heavy sleep, Beatrice was broad awake, listening -to every sound, forming every possible speculation on the future, and -to her own overstretched fancy seeming actually to feel the thoughts -chasing each other through her throbbing head. - - - - -CHAPTER XIV. - - - -"Half-past one," said Mr. Geoffrey Langford, as if it was a mere casual -observation, though in reality it was the announcement that the fatal -twelve hours had passed more than half-an-hour since. - -There was no answer, but he heard a slight movement, and though -carefully avoiding any attempt to penetrate the darkness around the -sick bed, he knew full well that his sister was on her knees, and when -he again heard her voice in reply to some rambling speech of her son, -it had a tremulous tone, very unlike its former settled hopelessness. - -Again, when Philip Carey paid his morning visit, she studied the -expression of his face with anxious, inquiring, almost hopeful eyes, -the crushed heart-broken indifference of yesterday had passed away; and -when the expedience of obtaining further advice was hinted at, she -caught at the suggestion with great eagerness, though the day before -her only answer had been, "As you think right." She spoke so as to -show the greatest consideration for the feelings of Philip Carey, then -with her usual confiding spirit, she left the selection of the person -to be called in entirely to him, to her brother and father-in-law, and -returned to her station by Frederick, who had already missed and -summoned her. - -Philip, in spite of the small follies which provoked Beatrice's -sarcasm, was by no means deficient in good sense or ability; his -education had owed much to the counsels of Mr. Geoffrey Langford, whom -he regarded with great reverence, and he was so conscious of his own -inexperience and diffident of his own opinion, as to be very anxious -for assistance in this, the first very serious case which had fallen -under his own management. The proposal had come at first from himself, -and this was a cause of great rejoicing to those who had to reconcile -Mrs. Langford to the measure. In her eyes a doctor was a doctor, -member of a privileged fraternity in which she saw no distinctions, and -to send for advice from London would, she thought, not only hurt the -feelings of Mrs. Roger Langford, and all the Carey connection, but -seriously injure the reputation of young Mr. Carey in his own -neighbourhood. - -Grandpapa answered, and Beatrice was glad he did so, that such -considerations were as nothing when weighed in the scale against -Frederick's life; she was silenced, but unconvinced, and unhappy till -her son Geoffrey, coming down late to breakfast, greatly comforted her -by letting her make him some fresh toast with her own hands, and -persuading her that it would be greatly in favour of Philip's practice -that his opinion should be confirmed by an authority of note. - -The electric telegraph and the railroad brought the surgeon even before -she had begun seriously to expect him, and his opinion was completely -satisfactory as far as regarded Philip Carey and the measures already -taken; Uncle Geoffrey himself feeling convinced that his approval was -genuine, and not merely assumed for courtesy's sake. He gave them, -too, more confident hope of the patient than Philip, in his diffidence, -had ventured to do, saying that though there certainly was concussion -of the brain, he thought there was great probability that the patient -would do well, provided that they could combat the feverish symptoms -which had begun to appear. He consulted with Philip Carey, the future -treatment was agreed upon, and he left them with cheered and renewed -spirits to enter on a long and anxious course of attendance. Roger, -who was obliged to go away the next day, cheered up his brother Alex -into a certainty that Fred would be about again in a week, and though -no one but the boys shared the belief, yet the assurances of any one so -sanguine, inspired them all with something like hope. - -The attendance at first fell almost entirely on Mrs. Frederick Langford -and Uncle Geoffrey, for the patient, who had now recovered a -considerable degree of consciousness, would endure no one else. If his -mother's voice did not answer him the first moment, he instantly grew -restless and uneasy, and the plaintive inquiry, "Is Uncle Geoffrey -here?" was many times repeated. He would recognise Henrietta, but his -usual answer to her was "You speak so loud;" though in reality, her -tone was almost exactly the same as her mother's; and above all others -he disliked the presence of Philip Carey. - -"Who is that?" inquired he, the first time that he was at all conscious -of the visits of other people: and when his mother explained, he asked -quickly, "Is he gone?" - -The next day, Fred was alive to all that was going on, but suffering -considerable pain, and with every sense quickened to the most acute and -distressing degree, his eyes dazzled by light which, as he declared, -glanced upon the picture frames in a room where his mother and uncle -could scarcely see to find their way, and his ears pierced, as it were, -by the slightest sound in the silent house, sleepless with pain, -incapable of thought, excessively irritable in temper, and his -faculties, as it seemed, restored only to be the means of suffering. -Mrs. Langford came to the door to announce that Philip Carey was come. -Mr. Geoffrey Langford went to speak to him, and grandmamma and -Henrietta began to arrange the room a little for his reception. Fred, -however, soon stopped this. "I can't bear the shaking," said he. -"Tell them to leave off, mamma." - -Grandmamma, unconscious of the pain she was inflicting, and believing -that she made not the slightest noise, continued to put the chairs in -order, but Fred gave an impatient, melancholy sort of groan and -exclamation, and Mrs. Langford remarked, "Well, if he cannot bear it, -it cannot be helped; but it is quite dangerous in this dark room!" And -out she went, Fred frowning with pain at every step she took. - -"Why do you let people come?" asked he sharply of his mother. "Where -is Uncle Geoffrey gone?" - -"He is speaking with Mr. Philip Carey, my dear, he will be here with -him directly." - -"I don't want Philip Carey; don't let him come." - -"My dear boy, he must come; he has not seen you to-day, perhaps he may -do something for this sad pain." - -Fred turned away impatiently, and at the same moment Uncle Geoffrey -opened the door to ask if Fred was ready. - -"Yes," said Mrs. Frederick Langford: and Philip entered. But Fred -would not turn towards him till desired to do so, nor give his hand -readily for his pulse to be felt. Philip thought it necessary to see -his face a little more distinctly, and begged his pardon for having the -window shutters partly opened; but Fred contrived completely to -frustrate his intention, as with an exclamation which had in it as much -of anger as of pain, he turned his face inwards to the pillow, and drew -the bed-clothes over it. - -"My dear boy," said his mother, pleadingly, "for one moment only!" - -"I told you I could not bear the light," was all the reply. - -"If you would but oblige me for a few seconds," said Philip. - -"Fred!" said his uncle gravely; and Fred made a slight demonstration as -if to obey, but at the first glimpse of the dim light, he hid his face -again, saying, "I can't;" and Philip gave up the attempt, closed the -shutter, unfortunately not quite as noiselessly as Uncle Geoffrey had -opened it, and proceeded to ask sundry questions; to which the patient -scarcely vouchsafed a short and pettish reply. When at last he quitted -the room, and was followed by Mrs. Frederick Langford, a "Don't go, -mamma," was immediately heard. - -"You must spare me for a very little while, my dear," said she, gently -but steadily. - -"Don't stay long, then," replied he. - -Uncle Geoffrey came up to his bedside, and with a touch soft and light -as a woman's, arranged the coverings disturbed by his restlessness, and -for a few moments succeeded in tranquillizing him, but almost -immediately he renewed his entreaties that his mother would return, and -had it been any other than his uncle who had taken her place, would -have grumbled at his not going to call her. On her return, she was -greeted with a discontented murmur. "What an immense time you have -stayed away!"--presently after, "I wish you would not have that Carey!" -and then, "I wish we were at Rocksand,--I wish Mr. Clarke were here." - -Patience in illness is a quality so frequently described in books as -well as actually found in real life, that we are apt to believe that it -comes as a matter of course, and without previous training, -particularly in the young, and that peevishness is especially reserved -for the old and querulous, who are to try the amiability of the -heroine. To a certain degree, this is often the case; the complete -prostration of strength, and the dim awe of approaching death in the -acute illnesses of the young, often tame down the stubborn or petulant -temper, and their patience and forbearance become the wonder and -admiration of those who have seen germs of far other dispositions. And -when this is not the case, who would have the heart to complain? -Certainly not those who are like the mother and uncle who had most to -endure from the exacting humours of Frederick Langford. High spirits, -excellent health, a certain degree of gentleness of character, and a -home where, though he was not over indulged, there was little to ruffle -him, all had hitherto combined to make him appear one of the most -amiable good-tempered boys that ever existed; but there was no -substance in this apparent good quality, it was founded on no real -principle of obedience or submission, and when to an habitual spirit of -determination to have his own way, was superadded the irritability of -nerves which was a part of his illness, when his powers of reflection -were too much weakened to endure or comprehend argument; when, in fact, -nothing was left to fall back upon but the simple obedience which would -have been required in a child, and when that obedience was wanting, -what could result but increased discomfort to himself and all -concerned? Yes, even as we should lay up a store of prayers against -that time when we shall be unable to pray for ourselves, so surely -should we lay up a store of habits against the time when we may be -unable to think or reason for ourselves! How often have lives been -saved by the mere instinct of unquestioning instantaneous obedience! - -Had Frederick possessed that instinct, how much present suffering and -future wretchedness might have been spared him! His ideas were as yet -too disconnected for him to understand or bear in mind that he was -subjecting his mother to excessive fatigue, but the habit of submission -would have led him to bear her absence patiently, instead of -perpetually interrupting even the short repose which she would now and -then be persuaded to seek on the sofa. He would have spared her his -perpetual, harassing complaints, not so much of the pain he suffered, -as of every thing and every person who approached him, his Uncle -Geoffrey being the only person against whom he never murmured. Nor -would he have rebelled against measures to which he was obliged to -submit in the end, after he had distressed every one and exhausted -himself by his fruitless opposition. - -It was marvellous that the only two persons whose attendance he would -endure could bear up under the fatigue. Even Uncle Geoffrey, one of -those spare wiry men, who, without much appearance of strength are -nevertheless capable of such continued exertion, was beginning to look -worn and almost aged, and yet Mrs. Frederick Langford was still -indefatigable, unconscious of weariness, quietly active, absorbed in -the thought of her son, and yet not so absorbed as not to be full of -consideration for all around. All looked forward with apprehension to -the time when the consequences of such continued exertion must be felt, -but in the meantime it was not in the power of any one except her -brother Geoffrey to be of any assistance to her, and her relations -could only wait and watch with such patience as they could command, for -the period when their services might be effectual. - -Mrs. Langford was the most visibly impatient. The hasty bustling of -her very quietest steps gave such torture to Frederick, as to excuse -the upbraiding eyes which he turned on his poor perplexed mother -whenever she entered the room; and her fresh arrangements and orders -always created a disturbance, which created such positive injury, that -it was the aim of the whole family to prevent her visits there. This -was, as may be supposed, no easy task. Grandpapa's "You had better -not, my dear," checked her for a little while, but was far from -satisfying her: Uncle Geoffrey, who might have had the best chance, had -not time to spare for her; and no one could persuade her how -impossible, nay, how dangerous it was to attempt to reason with the -patient: so she blamed the whole household for indulging his fancies, -and half a dozen times a day pronounced that he would be the death of -his mother. Beatrice did the best she could to tranquillise her; but -two spirits so apt to clash did not accord particularly well even now, -though Busy Bee was too much depressed to queen it as usual. To feel -herself completely useless in the midst of the suffering she had -occasioned was a severe trial; and above all, poor child, she longed -for her mother, and the repose of confession and parental sympathy. -She saw her father only at meal times; she was anxious and uneasy at -his worn looks, and even he could not be all that her mother was. -Grandpapa was kind as ever, but the fault that sat so heavy on her mind -was not one for discussion with any one but a mother, and this -consciousness was the cause of a little reserve with him, such as had -never before existed between them. - -Alexander was more of a comfort to her than any one else, and that -chiefly because he wanted her to be a comfort to him. All the strong -affection and esteem which he really entertained for Frederick was now -manifested, and the remembrance of old rivalries and petty contentions -served but to make the reaction stronger. He kept aloof from his -brothers, and spent every moment he could at the Hall, either reading -in the library, or walking up and down the garden paths with Queen Bee. -One of the many conversations which they held will serve as a specimen -of the rest. - -"So they do not think he is much better to-day?" said Alex, walking -into the library, where Beatrice was sealing some letters. - -Beatrice shook her head. "Every day that he is not worse is so much -gained," said she. - -"It is very odd," meditated Alex: "I suppose the more heads have in -them, the easier it is to knock them!" - -Beatrice smiled. "Thick skulls are proverbial, you know, Alex." - -"Well, I really believe it is right. Look, Bee," and he examined his -own face in the glass over the chimney; "there, do you see a little bit -of a scar under my eyebrow?--there! Well, that was where I was knocked -over by a cricket-ball last half, pretty much harder than poor Fred -could have come against the ground,--but what harm did it do me? Why -everything spun round with me for five minutes or so, and I had a black -eye enough to have scared you, but I was not a bit the worse otherwise. -Poor Fred, he was quite frightened for me I believe; for the first -thing I saw was him, looking all green and yellow, standing over me, -and so I got up and laughed at him for thinking I could care about it. -That was the worst of it! I wish I had not been always set against -him. I would give anything now." - -"Well, but Alex, I don't understand. You were very good friends at the -bottom, after all; you can't have anything really to repent of towards -him." - -"Oh, haven't I though?" was the reply. "It was more the other fellows' -doing than my own, to be sure, and yet, after all, it was worse, -knowing all about him as I did; but somehow, every one, grandmamma and -all of you, had been preaching up to me all my life that cousin Fred -was to be such a friend of mine. And then when he came to school, -there he was--a fellow with a pink and white face, like a girl's, and -that did not even know how to shy a stone, and cried for his mamma! -Well, I wish I could begin it all over again." - -"But do you mean that he was really a--a--what you call a Miss Molly?" - -"Who said so? No, not a bit of it!" said Alex. "No one thought so in -reality, though it was a good joke to put him in a rage, and pretend to -think that he could not do anything. Why, it took a dozen times more -spirit for him to be first in everything than for me, who had been -knocked about all my life. And he was up to anything, Bee, to -anything. The matches at foot-ball will be good for nothing now; I am -sure I shan't care if we do win." - -"And the prize," said Beatrice, "the scholarship!" - -"I have no heart to try for it now! I would not, if Uncle Geoffrey had -not a right to expect it of me. Let me see: if Fred is well by the -summer, why then--hurrah! Really, Queenie, he might get it all up in -no time, clever fellow as he is, and be first after all. Don't you -think so?" - -Queen Bee shook her head. "They say he must not read or study for a -very long time," said she. - -"Yes, but six months--a whole year is an immense time," said Alex. "O -yes, he must, Bee! Reading does not cost him half the trouble it does -other people; and his verses, they never fail--never except when he is -careless; and the sure way to prevent that is to run him up for time. -That is right. Why there!" exclaimed Alex joyfully, "I do believe this -is the very best thing for his success!" Beatrice could not help -laughing, and Alex immediately sobered down as the remembrance crossed -him, that if Fred were living a week hence, they would have great -reason to be thankful. - -"Ah! they will all of them be sorry enough to hear of this," proceeded -he. "There was no one so much thought of by the fellows, or the -masters either." - -"The masters, perhaps," said Beatrice; "but I thought you said there -was a party against him among the boys?" - -"Oh, nonsense! It was only a set of stupid louts who, just because -they had pudding-heads themselves, chose to say that I did better -without all his reading and Italian, and music, and stuff; and I was -foolish enough to let them go on, though I knew all the time it was -nothing but chaff. I shall let them all know what fools they were for -their pains, as soon as I go back. Why, Queenie, you, who only know -Fred at home, you have not the slightest notion what a fellow he is. -I'll just tell you one story of him." - -Alexander forthwith proceeded to tell not one story alone, but many, to -illustrate the numerous excellences which he ascribed to Fred, and -again and again blaming himself for the species of division which had -existed between them, although the fact was that he had always been the -more conciliatory of the two. Little did he guess, good, simple- -hearted fellow, that each word was quite as much, or more, to his -credit, as to Frederick's; but Beatrice well appreciated them, and felt -proud of him. - -These talks were her chief comfort, and always served to refresh her, -if only by giving her the feeling that some one wanted her, and not -that the only thing she could do for anybody was the sealing of the -letters which her father, whose eyes were supposed to be acquiring the -power of those of cats, contrived to write in the darkness of Fred's -room. She thought she could have borne everything excepting -Henrietta's coldness, which still continued, not from intentional -unkindness or unwillingness to forgive, but simply because Henrietta -was too much absorbed in her own troubles to realise to herself the -feelings which she wounded. Her uncle Geoffrey had succeeded in -awakening her consideration for her mother; but with her and Fred it -began and ended, and when outside the sick room, she seemed not to have -a thought beyond a speedy return to it. She seldom or never left it, -except at meal-times, or when her grandfather insisted on her taking a -walk with him, as he did almost daily. Then he walked between her and -Beatrice, trying in vain to arouse her to talk, and she, replying as -shortly as possible when obliged to speak, left her cousin to sustain -the conversation. - -The two girls went to church with grandpapa on the feast of the -Epiphany, and strange it was to them to see again the wreaths which -their own hands had woven, looking as bright and festal as ever, the -glistening leaves unfaded, and the coral berries fresh and gay. A tear -began to gather in Beatrice's eye, and Henrietta hung her head, as if -she could not bear the sight of those branches, so lately gathered by -her brother. As they were leaving the church, both looked towards the -altar at the wreath which Henrietta had once started to see, bearing a -deeper and more awful meaning than she had designed. Their eyes met, -and they saw that they had the same thought in their minds. - -When they were taking off their bonnets in their own room, Queen Bee -stretched out a detaining hand, not in her usual commanding manner, but -with a gesture that was almost timid, saying, - -"Look, Henrietta, one moment, and tell me if you were not thinking of -this." - -And hastily opening the Lyra Innocentium, she pointed out the verse-- - - - "Such garland grave and fair, - His church to-day adorns, - And--mark it well--e'en there - He wears His Crown of Thorns. - - "Should aught profane draw near, - Full many a guardian spear - Is set around, of power to go - Deep in the reckless hand, and stay the grasping foe." - - -"They go very deep," sighed Henrietta, raising her eyes, with a -mournful complaining glance. - -Beatrice would have said more, but when she recollected her own conduct -on Christmas Eve, it might well strike her that she was the "thing -profane" that had then dared to draw near; and it pained her that she -had even appeared for one moment to accuse her cousin. She was -beginning to speak, but Henrietta cut her short by saying, "Yes, yes, -but I can't stay," and was flying along the passage the next moment. - -Beatrice sighed heavily, and spent the next quarter of an hour in -recalling, with all the reality of self-reproach, the circumstances of -her recklessness, vanity and self-will on that day. She knelt and -poured out her confession, her prayer for forgiveness, and grace to -avoid the very germs of these sins for the future, before Him Who seeth -in secret: and a calm energetic spirit of hope, in the midst of true -repentance, began to dawn on her. - -It was good for her, but was it not selfish in Henrietta thus to leave -her alone to bear her burthen? Yes, selfish it was; for Henrietta had -heard the last report of Frederick since their return, and knew that -her presence in his room was quite useless; and it was only for the -gratification of her own feelings that she hurried thither without even -stopping to recollect that her cousin might also be unhappy, and be -comforted by talking to her. - -Her thought was only the repining one: "the thorns go deep!" Poor -child, had they yet gone deep enough? The patient may cry out, but the -skilful surgeon will nevertheless probe on, till he has reached the -hidden source of the malady. - - - - -CHAPTER XV. - - - -On a soft hazy day in the beginning of February, the Knight Sutton -carriage was on the road to Allonfield, and in it sat the Busy Bee and -her father, both of them speaking far less than was their wont when -alone together. - -Mr. Geoffrey Langford took off his hat, so as to let the moist spring -breeze play round his temples and in the thin locks where the silvery -threads had lately grown more perceptible, and gazed upon the dewy -grass, the tiny woodbine leaf, the silver "pussycats" on the withy, and -the tasselled catkin of the hazel, with the eyes of a man to whom such -sights were a refreshment--a sort of holiday--after the many springs -spent in close courts of law and London smoke; and now after his long -attendance in a warm dark sick-room. His daughter sat by him, thinking -deeply, and her heart full of a longing earnestness which seemed as if -it would not let her speak. She was going to meet her mother, whom she -had not seen for so long a time; but it was only to be for one evening! -Her father, finding that his presence was absolutely required in -London, and no longer actually indispensable at Knight Sutton, had -resolved on changing places with his wife, and she was to go with him -and take her mother's place in attending on Lady Susan St. Leger. They -were now going to fetch Mrs. Geoffrey Langford home from the Allonfield -station, and they would have one evening at Knight Sutton with her, -returning themselves the next morning to Westminster. - -They arrived at Allonfield, executed various commissions with which -Mrs. Langford had been delighted to entrust Geoffrey; they ordered some -new books for Frederick, and called at Philip Carey's for some -medicines; and then driving up to the station watched eagerly for the -train. - -Soon it was there, and there at length she was; her own dear self,--the -dark aquiline face, with its sweetest and brightest of all expressions; -the small youthful figure, so active, yet so quiet and elegant; the -dress so plain and simple, yet with that distinguished air. How happy -Beatrice was that first moment of feeling herself at her side! - -"My dear! my own dear child!" Then anxiously following her husband -with her eye, as he went to look for her luggage, she said, "How thin -he looks, Queenie!" - -"O, he has been doing so much," said Busy Bee. "It is only for this -last week he has gone to bed at all, and then only on the sofa in -Fred's room. This is the first time he has been out, except last -Sunday to Church, and a turn or two round the garden with grandmamma." - -He came back before Queen Bee had done speaking. "Come, Beatrice," -said he to his wife, "I am in great haste to have you at home; that -fresh face of yours will do us all so much good." - -"One thing is certain," said she; "I shall send home orders that you -shall be allowed no strong coffee at night, and that Busy Bee shall -hide half the mountain of letters in the study. But tell me honestly, -Geoffrey, are you really well?" - -"Perfectly, except for a growing disposition to yawn," said her husband -laughing. - -"Well, what are the last accounts of the patient?" - -"He is doing very well: the last thing I did before coming away, was to -lay him down on the sofa, with Retzsch's outlines to look at: so you -may guess that he is coming on quickly. I suppose you have brought -down the books and prints?" - -"Such a pile, that I almost expected my goods would be over weight." - -"It is very fortunate that he has a taste for this kind of thing: only -take care, they must not be at Henrietta's discretion, or his own, or -he will be overwhelmed with them,--a very little oversets him, and -might do great mischief." - -"You don't think the danger of inflammation over yet, then?" - -"O, no! his pulse is so very easily raised, that we are obliged to keep -him very quiet, and nearly to starve him, poor fellow; and his appetite -is returning so fast, that it makes it very difficult to manage him." - -"I should be afraid that now would be the time to see the effects of -poor Mary's over gentleness." - -"Yes; but what greatly increases the difficulty is that Fred has some -strange prejudice against Philip Carey." - -Busy Bee, who had heard nothing of this, felt her cheeks flush, while -her father proceeded. - -"I do not understand it at all: Philip's manners in a sick room are -particularly good--much better than I should have expected, and he has -been very attentive and gentle-handed; but, from the first, Fred has -shown a dislike to him, questioned all his measures, and made the most -of it whenever he was obliged to give him any pain. The last time the -London doctor was here, I am sure he hurt Fred a good deal more than -Philip has ever done, yet the boy bore it manfully, though he shrinks -and exclaims the moment Philip touches him. Then he is always talking -of wishing for old Clarke at Rocksand, and I give Mary infinite credit -for never having proposed to send for him. I used to think she had -great faith in the old man, but I believe it was only her mother." - -"Of course it was. It is only when Mary has to act alone that you -really are obliged to perceive all her excellent sense and firmness; -and I am very glad that you should be convinced now and then, that in -nothing but her fears, poor thing, has she anything of the spoiling -mamma about her." - -"As if I did not know that," said he, smiling. - -"And so she would not yield to this fancy? Very wise indeed. But I -should like to know the reason of this dislike on Fred's part. Have -you ever asked him?" - -"No; he is not in a fit state for argument; and, besides, I think the -prejudice would only be strengthened. We have praised Philip again and -again, before him, and said all we could think of to give him -confidence in him, but nothing will do; in fact, I suspect Mr. Fred was -sharp enough to discover that we were talking for a purpose. It has -been the great trouble this whole time, though neither Mary nor I have -mentioned it, for fear of annoying my mother." - -"Papa," said Busy Bee, "I am afraid I know the reason but too well. It -was my foolish way of talking about the Careys; I used to tease poor -Fred about Roger's having taken him for Philip, and say all sorts of -things that I did not really mean." - -"Hem!" said her father. "Well, I should think it might be so; it -always struck me that the prejudice must be grounded upon some absurd -notion, the memory of which had passed away, while the impression -remained." - -"And do you think I could do anything towards removing it? You know I -am to go and wish Fred good-bye this afternoon." - -"Why, yes; you might as well try to say something cheerful, which might -do away with the impression. Not that I think it will be of any use; -only do not let him think it has been under discussion." - -Beatrice assented, and was silent again while they went on talking. - -"Aunt Mary has held out wonderfully?" said her mother. - -"Too wonderfully," said Mr. Geoffrey Langford, "in a way which I fear -will cost her dearly. I have been positively longing to see her give -way as she ought to have done under the fatigue; and now I am afraid of -the old complaint: she puts her hand to her side now and then, and I am -persuaded that she had some of those spasms a night or two ago." - -"Ah!" said his wife, with great concern, "that is just what I have been -dreading the whole time. When she consulted Dr. ---, how strongly he -forbade her to use any kind of exertion. Why would you not let me -come? I assure you it was all I could do to keep myself from setting -off." - -"It was very well behaved in you, indeed, Beatrice," said he, smiling; -"a sacrifice which very few husbands would have had resolution either -to make themselves, or to ask of their wives. I thanked you greatly -when I did not see you." - -"But why would you not have me? Do you not repent it now?" - -"Not in the least. Fred would let no one come near him but his mother -and me; you could not have saved either of us an hour's nursing then, -whereas now you can keep Fred in order, and take care of Mary, if she -will suffer it, and that she will do better from you than from any one -else." - -They were now reaching the entrance of Sutton Leigh Lane, and Queen Bee -was called upon for the full history of the accident, which, often as -it had been told by letter, must again be narrated in all its branches. -Even her father had never had time to hear it completely; and there was -so much to ask and to answer on the merely external circumstances, that -they had not begun to enter upon feelings and thoughts when they -arrived at the gate of the paddock, which was held open by Dick and -Willy, excessively delighted to see Aunt Geoffrey. - -In a few moments more she was affectionately welcomed by old Mrs. -Langford, whose sentiments with regard to the two Beatrices were of a -curiously varying and always opposite description. When her daughter- -in-law was at a distance, she secretly regarded with a kind of -respectful aversion, both her talents, her learning, and the -fashionable life to which she had been accustomed; but in her presence -the winning, lively simplicity of her manners completely dispelled all -these prejudices in an instant, and she loved her most cordially for -her own sake, as well as because she was Geoffrey's wife. On the -contrary, the younger Beatrice, while absent, was the dear little -granddaughter,--the Queen of Bees, the cleverest of creatures; and -while present, it has already been shown how constantly the two tempers -fretted each other, or had once done so, though now, so careful had -Busy Bee lately been, there had been only one collision between them -for the last ten days, and that was caused by her strenuous attempts to -convince grandmamma that Fred was not yet fit for boiled chicken and -calves' foot jelly. - -Mrs. Langford's greetings were not half over when Henrietta and her -mamma hastened down stairs to embrace dear Aunt Geoffrey. - -"My dear Mary, I am so glad to be come to you at last!" - -"Thank you, O! thank you, Beatrice. How Fred will enjoy having you -now!" - -"Is he tired?" asked Uncle Geoffrey. - -"No, not at all; he seems to be very comfortable. He has been talking -of Queen Bee's promised visit. Do you like to go up now, my dear?" - -Queen Bee consented eagerly, though with some trepidation, for she had -not seen her cousin since his accident, and besides, she did not know -how to begin about Philip Carey. She ran to take off her bonnet, while -Henrietta went to announce her coming. She knocked at the door, -Henrietta opened it, and coming in, she saw Fred lying on the sofa by -the fire, in his dressing-gown, stretched out in that languid listless -manner that betokens great feebleness. There were the purple marks of -leeches on his temples; his hair had been cropped close to his head; -his face was long and thin, without a shade of colour, but his eyes -looked large and bright; and he smiled and held out his hand: "Ah, -Queenie, how d'ye do?" - -"How d'ye do, Fred? I am glad you are better." - -"You see I have the asses' ears after all," said he, pointing to his -own, which were very prominent in his shorn and shaven condition. - -Beatrice could not very easily call up a smile, but she made an effort, -and succeeded, while she said, "I should have complimented you on the -increased wisdom of your looks. I did not know the shape of your head -was so like papa's." - -"Is Aunt Geoffrey come?" asked Fred. - -"Yes," said his sister: "but mamma thinks you had better not see her -till to-morrow." - -"I wish Uncle Geoffrey was not going," said Fred. "Nobody else has the -least notion of making one tolerably comfortable." - -"O, your mamma, Fred!" said Queen Bee. - -"O yes, mamma, of course! But then she is getting fagged." - -"Mamma says she is quite unhappy to have kept him so long from his work -in London," said Henrietta; "but I do not know what we should have done -without him." - -"I do not know what we shall do now," said Fred, in a languid and -doleful tone. - -The Queen Bee, thinking this a capital opportunity, spoke with almost -alarmed eagerness, "O yes, Fred, you will get on famously; you will -enjoy having my mamma so much, and you are so much better already, and -Philip Carey manages you so well--" - -"Manages!" said Fred; "ay, and I'll tell you how, Queenie; just as the -man managed his mare when he fed her on a straw a day. I believe he -thinks I am a ghool, and can live on a grain of rice. I only wish he -knew himself what starvation is. Look here! you can almost see the -fire through my hand, and if I do but lift up my head, the whole room -is in a merry-go-round. And that is nothing but weakness; there is -nothing else on earth the matter with me, except that I am starved down -to the strength of a midge!" - -"Well, but of course he knows," said Busy Bee; "Papa says he has had an -excellent education, and he must know." - -"To be sure he does, perfectly well: he is a sharp fellow, and knows -how to keep a patient when he has got one." - -"How can you talk such nonsense, Fred? One comfort is, that it is a -sign you are getting well, or you would not have spirits to do it." - -"I am talking no nonsense," said Fred, sharply; "I am as serious as -possible." - -"But you can't really think that if Philip was capable of acting in -such an atrocious way, that papa would not find it out, and the other -doctor too?" - -"What! when that man gets I don't know how many guineas from mamma -every time he comes, do you think that it is for his interest that I -should get well?" - -"My dear Fred," interposed his sister, "you are exciting yourself, and -that is so very bad for you." - -"I do assure you, Henrietta, you would find it very little exciting to -be shut up in this room with half a teaspoonful of wishy-washy pudding -twice a day, and all just to fill Philip Carey's pockets! Now, there -was old Clarke at Rocksand, he had some feeling for one, poor old -fellow; but this man, not the slightest compunction has he; and I am -ready to kick him out of the room when I hear that silky voice of his -trying to be gen-tee-eel, and condoling; and those boots--O! Busy Bee! -those boots! whenever he makes a step I always hear them say, 'O what a -pretty fellow I am!'" - -"You seem to be very merry here, my dears," said Aunt Mary, coming in; -"but I am afraid you will tire yourself, Freddy; I heard your voice -even before I opened the door." - -Fred was silent, a little ashamed, for he had sense enough not -absolutely to believe all that he had been saying, and his mother, -sitting down, began to talk to the visitor, "Well, my little Queen, we -have seen very little of you of late, but we shall be very sorry to -lose you. I suppose your mamma will have all your letters, and -Henrietta must not expect any, but we shall want very much to know how -you get on with Aunt Susan and her little dog." - -"O very well, I dare say," said Beatrice, rather absently, for she was -looking at her aunt's delicate fragile form, and thinking of what her -father had been saying. - -"And Queenie," continued her aunt, earnestly, "you must take great care -of your papa--make him rest, and listen to your music, and read story- -books instead of going back to his work all the evening." - -"To be sure I shall, Aunt Mary, as much as I possibly can." - -"But Bee," said Fred, "you don't mean that you are going to be shut up -with that horrid Lady Susan all this time? Why don't you stay here, -and let her take care of herself?" - -"Mamma would not like that; and besides, to do her justice, she is -really ill, Fred," said Beatrice. - -"It is too bad, now I am just getting better--if they would let me, I -mean," said Fred: "just when I could enjoy having you, and now there -you go off to that old woman. It is a downright shame." - -"So it is, Fred," said Queen Bee gaily, but not coquettishly, as once -she would have answered him, "a great shame in you not to have learned -to feel for other people, now you know what it is to be ill yourself." - -"That is right, Bee," said Aunt Mary, smiling; "tell him he ought to be -ashamed of having monopolized you all so long, and spoilt all the -comfort of your household. I am sure I am," added she, her eyes -filling with tears, as she affectionately patted Beatrice's hand. - -Queen Bee's heart was very full, but she knew that to give way to the -expression of her feelings would be hurtful to Fred, and she only -pressed her aunt's long thin fingers very earnestly, and turned her -face to the fire, while she struggled down the rising emotion. There -was a little silence, and when they began to talk again, it was of the -engravings at which Fred had just been looking. The visit lasted till -the dressing bell rang, when Beatrice was obliged to go, and she shook -hands with Fred, saying cheerfully, "Well, good-bye, I hope you will be -better friends with the doctors next time I see you." - -"Never will I like one inch of a doctor, never!" repeated Fred, as she -left the room, and ran to snatch what moments she could with her mamma -in the space allowed for dressing. - -Grandmamma was happy that evening, for, except poor Frederick's own -place, there were no melancholy gaps at the dinner-table. He had -Bennet to sit with him, and besides, there was within call the -confidential old man-servant, who had lived so many years at Rocksand, -and in whom both Fred and his mother placed considerable dependence. - -Everything looked like recovery; Mrs. Frederick Langford came down and -talked and smiled like her own sweet self; Mrs. Geoffrey Langford was -ready to hear all the news, old Mr. Langford was quite in spirits -again, Henrietta was bright and lively. The thought of long days in -London with Lady Susan, and of long evenings with no mamma, and with -papa either writing or at his chambers, began from force of contrast to -seem doubly like banishment to poor little Queen Bee, but whatever -faults she had, she was no repiner. "I deserve it," said she to -herself, "and surely I ought to bear my share of the trouble my -wilfulness has occasioned. Besides, with even one little bit of papa's -company I am only too well off." - -So she smiled, and answered grandpapa in her favourite style, so that -no one would have guessed from her demeanour that a task had been -imposed upon her which she so much disliked, and in truth her thoughts -were much more on others than on herself. She saw all hopeful and -happy about Fred, and as to her aunt, when she saw her as usual with -all her playful gentleness, she could not think that there was anything -seriously amiss with her, or if there was, mamma would find out and set -it all to rights. Then how soothing and comforting, now that the first -acute pain of remorse was over, was that affectionate kindness, which, -in every little gesture and word, Aunt Mary had redoubled to her ever -since the accident. - -Fred was all this time lying on his sofa, very glad to rest after so -much talking: weak, dizzy, and languid, and throwing all the blame of -his uncomfortable sensations on Philip Carey and the starvation system, -but still, perhaps, not without thoughts of a less discontented nature, -for when Mr. Geoffrey Langford came to help him to bed, he said, as he -watched the various arrangements his uncle was for the last time -sedulously making for his comfort, "Uncle Geoffrey, I ought to thank -you very much; I am afraid I have been a great plague to you." - -Perhaps Fred did not say this in all sincerity, for any one but Uncle -Geoffrey would have completely disowned the plaguing, and he fully -expected him to do so; but his uncle had a stern regard for truth, -coupled with a courtesy which left it no more harshness than was -salutary. - -"Anything for your good, my dear sir," said he, with a smile. "You are -welcome to plague me as much as you like, only remember that your mamma -is not quite so tough." - -"Well, I do try to be considerate about her," said Fred. "I mean to -make her rest as much as possible; Henrietta and I have been settling -how to save her." - -"You could save her more than all, Fred, if you would spare her -discussions." - -Fred held his tongue, for though his memory was rather cloudy about the -early part of his illness, he did remember having seen her look greatly -harassed one day lately when he had been arguing against Philip Carey. - -Uncle Geoffrey proceeded to gather up some of the outlines which -Henrietta had left on the sofa. "I like those very much," said Fred, -"especially the Fight with the Dragon." - -"You know Schiller's poem on it?" said Uncle Geoffrey. - -"Yes, Henrietta has it in German." - -"Well, it is what I should especially recommend to your consideration." - -"I am afraid it will be long enough before I am able to go out on a -dragon-killing expedition," said Fred, with a weary helpless sigh. - -"Fight the dragon at home, then, Freddy. Now is the time for-- - - - 'The duty hardest to fulfil, - To learn to yield our own self-will.'" - - -"There is very little hasty pudding in the case," said Fred, rather -disconsolately, and at the same time rather drolly, and with a sort of -resolution of this kind, "I will try then, I will not bother mamma, let -that Carey serve me as he may. I will not make a fuss, if I can help -it, unless he is very unreasonable indeed, and when I get well I will -submit to be coddled in an exemplary manner; I only wonder when I shall -feel up to anything again! O! what a nuisance it is to have this -swimming head and aching knees, all by the fault of that Carey!" - -Uncle Geoffrey said no more, for he thought a hint often was more -useful than a lecture, even if Fred had been in a state for the latter, -and besides he was in greater request than ever on this last evening, -so much so that it seemed as if no one was going to spare him even to -have half an hour's talk with his wife. He did find the time for this -at last, however, and his first question was, "What do you think of the -little Bee?" - -"I think with great hope, much more satisfactorily than I have been -able to do for some time past," was the answer. - -"Poor child, she has felt it very deeply," said he, "I have been -grieved to have so little time to bestow on her." - -"I am disposed to think," said Mrs. Geoffrey Langford, thoughtfully, -"that it was the best thing for her to be thrown on herself. Too much -talk has always been the mischief with her, as with many another only -child, and it struck me to-day as a very good sign that she said so -little. There was something very touching in the complete absence of -moralizing to-day." - -"None of her sensible sayings," said her father, with a gratified -though a grave smile. "It was perfectly open confession, and yet with -no self in it. Ever since the accident there has been a staidness and -sedateness about her manner which seemed like great improvement, as far -as I have seen. And when it was proposed for her to go to Lady Susan, -I was much pleased with her, she was so simple: 'Very well,' she said, -'I hope I shall be able to make her comfortable:' no begging off, no -heroism. And really, Beatrice, don't you think we could make some -other arrangement? It is too great a penance for her, poor child. -Lady Susan will do very well, and I can have an eye to her; I am much -inclined to leave the poor little Queen here with you." - -"No, no, Geoffrey," said his wife, "that would never do: I do not mean -on my aunt's account, but on the Busy Bee's; I am sure, wish it as we -may," and the tears were in her eyes, "this is no time for even the -semblance of neglecting a duty for her sake." - -"Not so much hers as yours," said Mr. Geoffrey Langford, "you have more -on your hands than I like to leave you alone to encounter, and she is a -valuable little assistant. Besides you have been without her so long, -it is your turn to keep her now." - -"No, no, no," she repeated, though not without an effort, "it is best -as it is settled for all, and decidedly so for me, for with her to -write to me about you every day, and to look after you, I shall be a -hundred times more at ease than if I thought you were working yourself -to death with no one to remonstrate." - -So it remained as before decided, and the pain that the decision cost -both mother and daughter was only to be inferred by the way in which -they kept close together, as if determined not to lose unnecessarily -one fragment of each other's company; but they had very few moments -alone together, and those were chiefly employed in practical matters, -in minute directions as to the little things that conduced to keep Lady -Susan in good humour, and above all, the arrangements for papa's -comfort. There was thus not much time for Beatrice to spend with -Henrietta, nor indeed would much have resulted if there had been more. -As she grew more at ease about her brother, Henrietta had gradually -resumed her usual manner, and was now as affectionate to Beatrice as -ever, but she was quite unconscious of her previous unkindness, and -therefore made no attempt to atone for it. Queen Bee had ceased to -think of it, and if a reserve had grown up between the two girls, they -neither of them perceived it. - -Mr. Geoffrey Langford and his daughter set out on their return to -London so early the next morning that hardly any of the family were up; -but their hurried breakfast in the grey of morning was enlivened by -Alex, who came in just in time to exchange some last words with Uncle -Geoffrey about his school work, and to wish Queen Bee good-bye, with -hopes of a merrier meeting next summer. - - - - -CHAPTER XVI. - - - -Mrs. Geoffrey Langford had from the first felt considerable anxiety for -her sister-in-law, who, though cheerful as ever, began at length to -allow that she felt worn out, and consented to spare herself more than -she had hitherto done. The mischief was, however, not to be averted, -and after a few days of increasing languor, she was attacked by a -severe fit of the spasms, to which she had for several years been -subject at intervals, and was obliged to confine herself entirely to -her own room, relying with complete confidence on her sister for the -attendance on her son. - -It was to her, however, that Mrs. Geoffrey Langford wished most to -devote herself; viewing her case with more uneasiness than that of -Frederick, who was decidedly on the fair road to convalescence; and she -only gave him as much time as was necessary to satisfy his mother, and -to superintend the regulation of his room. He had all the society he -wanted in his sister, who was always with him, and in grandpapa and -grandmamma, whose short and frequent visits he began greatly to enjoy. -He had also been more amenable to authority of late, partly in -consequence of his uncle's warning, partly because it was not quite so -easy to torment an aunt as a mother, and partly too because, excepting -always the starving system, he had nothing in particular of which to -complain. His mother's illness might also have its effect in subduing -him; but it did not dwell much on his spirits, or Henrietta's, as they -were too much accustomed to her ill health to be easily alarmed on her -account. - -It was the last day of the holidays, and Alexander was to come late in -the afternoon--Fred's best time in the day--to take his leave. All the -morning Fred was rather out of spirits, and talked to Henrietta a good -deal about his school life. It might have been a melancholy day if he -had been going back to school, but it was more sad to be obliged to -stay away from the world where he had hitherto been measuring his -powers, and finding his most exciting interests. It was very -mortifying to be thus laid helplessly aside; a mere nobody, instead of -an important and leading member of a community; at such an age too that -it was probable that he would never return there again. - -He began to describe to Henrietta all the scenes where he would be -missing, but not missed; the old cathedral town, with its nest of -trees, and the chalky hills; the quiet river creeping through the -meadows: the "beech-crowned steep," girdled in with the "hollow trench -that the Danish pirate made;" the old collegiate courts, the painted -windows of the chapel, the surpliced scholars,--even the very shops in -the streets had their part in his description: and then falling into -silence he sighed at the thought that there he would be known no more,- --all would go on as usual, and after a few passing inquiries and -expressions of compassion, he would be forgotten; his rivals would pass -him in the race of distinction; his school-boy career be at an end. - -His reflections were interrupted by Mrs. Langford's entrance with Aunt -Geoffrey, bringing a message of invitation from grandpapa to Henrietta, -to walk with him to Sutton Leigh. She went; and Aunt Geoffrey, after -putting a book within Fred's reach, and seeing that he and grandmamma -were quite willing to be companionable, again returned to his mother. - -Mrs. Langford thought him low and depressed, and began talking about -his health, and the present mode of treatment,--a subject on which they -were perfectly agreed: one being as much inclined to bestow a good diet -as the other could be to receive it. If his head was still often -painfully dizzy and confused; if his eyes dazzled when he attempted to -read for a long time together; if he could not stand or walk across the -room without excessive giddiness--what was that but the effect of want -of nourishment? "If there was a craving, that was a sure sign that the -thing was wholesome." So she said, and her grandson assented with his -whole heart. - -In a few minutes she left the room, and presently returned with a most -tempting-looking glass of clear amber-coloured jelly. - -"O, grandmamma!" said Fred, doubtfully, though his eyes positively -lighted up at the sight. - -"Yes, my dear, I had it made for your mamma, and she says it is very -good. It is as clear as possible, and quite innocent; I am sure it -must do you good." - -"Thank you! O, thank you! It does look very nice," said Fred, gazing on -it with wistful eyes, "but really I do not think I ought." - -"If it was to do you any harm, I am sure I should not think of such a -thing," said Mrs. Langford. "But I have lived a good many more years -in the world than these young people, and I never saw any good come of -all this keeping low. There was old Mr. Hilton, now, that attended all -the neighbourhood round when I was a girl; he kept you low enough while -the fever was on you, but as soon as it was gone, why then reinvigorate -the system,--that was what he used to say." - -"Just like old Clarke, of Rocksand!" sighed Fred. "I know my system -would like nothing better than to be re-invigorated with that splendid -stuff; but you would know it would put them all in a dreadful state if -they knew it." - -"Never mind," said grandmamma; "'tis all my doing, you know. Come, to -oblige me, taste it, my dear." - -"One spoonful," said Fred--"to oblige grandmamma," added he to himself: -and he let grandmamma lift him on the cushions as far as he could bear -to have his head raised. He took the spoonful, then started a little,- --"There is wine in it!" said he. - -"A very little--just enough to give it a flavour; it cannot make any -difference. Do you like it, my dear?" as the spoon scooped out another -transparent rock. "Ay, that is right! I had the receipt from my old -Aunt Kitty, and nobody ever could make it like Judith." - -"I am in for it now," thought Fred. "Well, 'tis excellent," said he; -"capital stuff! I feel it all down to my fingers' ends," added he with -a smile, as he returned the glass, after fishing in vain for the -particles remaining in the small end. - -"That is right; I am so glad to see you enjoy it!" said grandmamma, -hurrying off with the empty glass with speed at which Fred smiled, as -it implied some fears of meeting Aunt Geoffrey. He knew the nature of -his own case sufficiently to be aware that he had acted very -imprudently,--that is to say, his better sense was aware--but his -spirit of self-will made him consider all these precautions as -nonsense, and was greatly confirmed by his feeling himself much more -fresh and lively. Grandmamma returned to announce Alexander and Willy, -who soon followed her, and after shaking hands, stood silent, much -shocked at the alteration in Fred's appearance. - -This impression, however, soon passed off, as Fred began to talk over -school affairs in a very animated manner; sending messages to his -friends, discussing the interests of the coming half-year, the games, -the studies, the employments; Alex lamenting Fred's absence, engaging -to write, undertaking numerous commissions, and even prognosticating -his speedy recovery, and attainment of that cynosure,--the prize. -Never had the two cousins met so cordially, or so enjoyed their -meeting. There was no competition; each could afford to do the other -justice, and both felt great satisfaction in doing so; and so high and -even so loud became their glee, that Alex could scarcely believe that -Fred was not in perfect health. At last Aunt Geoffrey came to put an -end to it; and finding Fred so much excited, she made Alex bring his -blunt honest farewells and good wishes to a speedy conclusion, desired -Fred to lie quiet and rest, and sat down herself to see that he did so. - -Fred could not easily be brought to repose; he went on talking fast and -eagerly in praise of Alex, and in spite of her complete assent, he went -on more and more vehemently, just as if he was defending Alex from some -one who wanted to detract from his merits. She tried reading to him, -but he grew too eager about the book; and at last she rather advanced -the time for dressing for dinner, both for herself and Henrietta, and -sent Bennet to sit with him, hoping thus perforce to reduce him to a -quiescent state. He was by this means a little calmed for the rest of -the evening; but so wakeful and restless a night ensued, that he began -to be alarmed, and fully came to the conclusion that Philip Carey was -in the right after all. Towards morning, however, a short sleep -visited him, and he awoke at length quite sufficiently refreshed to be -self-willed as ever; and, contrary to advice, insisted on leaving his -bed at his usual hour. - -Philip Carey came at about twelve o'clock, and was disappointed as well -as surprised to find him so much more languid and uncomfortable, as he -could not help allowing that he felt. His pulse, too, was unsatis- -factory; but Philip thought the excitement of the interview with Alex -well accounted for the sleepless night, as well as for the exhaustion -of the present day: and Fred persuaded himself to believe so too. - -Henrietta did not like to leave him to-day, but she was engaged to take -a ride with grandpapa, who felt as if the little Mary of years long -gone by was restored to him, when he had acquired a riding companion in -his granddaughter. Mrs. Langford undertook to sit with Fred, and Mrs. -Geoffrey Langford, who had been at first afraid that she would be too -bustling a nurse for him just now, seeing that he was evidently -impatient to be left alone with her, returned to Mrs. Frederick -Langford, resolving, however, not to be long absent. - -In that interval Mrs. Langford brought in the inviting glass, and Fred, -in spite of his good sense, could not resist it. Perhaps the recent -irritation of Philip's last visit made him more willing to act in -opposition to his orders. At any rate, he thought of little save of -swallowing it before Aunt Geoffrey should catch him in the fact, in -which he succeeded; so that grandmamma had time to get the tell-tale -glass safely into the store-closet just as Mrs. Frederick Langford's -door was opened at the other end of the passage. - -Fred's sofa cushions were all too soft or too hard that afternoon,--too -high or too low; there was a great mountain in the middle of the sofa, -too, so that he could not lie on it comfortably. The room was chilly -though the fire was hot, and how grandmamma did poke it! Fred thought -she did nothing else the whole afternoon; and there was a certain -concluding shovel that she gave to the cinders, that very nearly put -him in a passion. Nothing would make him comfortable till Henrietta -came in, and it seemed very long before he heard the paddock gate, and -the horses' feet upon the gravel. Then he grew very much provoked -because his sister went first to her mamma's room; and it was grandpapa -who came to him full of a story of Henrietta's good management of her -horse when they suddenly met the hounds in a narrow lane. In she came, -at last, in her habit, her hair hanging loosely round her face, her -cheeks and eyes lighted up by the exercise, and some early primroses in -her hand, begging his pardon for having kept him waiting, but saying -she thought he did not want her directly, as he had grandpapa. - -Nevertheless he scolded her, ordered her specimens of the promise of -spring out of the room on an accusation of their possessing a strong -scent, made her make a complete revolution on his sofa, and then -insisted on her going on with Nicolo de Lapi, which she was translating -to him from the Italian. Warm as the room felt to her in her habit, -she sat down directly, without going to take it off; but he was not to -be thus satisfied. He found fault with her for hesitating in her -translation, and desired her to read the Italian instead; then she read -first so fast that he could not follow, and then so slowly that it was -quite unbearable, and she must go on translating. With the greatest -patience and sweetest temper she obeyed; only when next he interrupted -her to find fault, she stopped and said gently, "Dear Fred, I am afraid -you are not feeling so well." - -"Nonsense! What should make you think so? You think I am cross, I -suppose. Well, never mind, I will go on for myself," said he, -snatching the book. - -Henrietta turned away to hide her tears, for she was too wise to -vindicate herself. - -"Are you crying? I am sure I said nothing to cry about; I wish you -would not be so silly." - -"If you would only let me go on, dear Fred," said she, thinking that -occupying him would be better than arguing. "It is so dark where you -are, and I will try to get on better. There is an easier piece -coming." - -Fred agreed, and she went on without interruption for some little time, -till at last he grew so excited by the story as to be very angry when -the failing light obliged her to pause. She tried to extract some -light from the fire, but this was a worse offence than any; it was too -bad of her, when she knew how he hated both the sound of poking, and -that horrible red flickering light which always hurt his eyes. This -dislike, which had been one of the symptoms of the early part of his -illness, so alarmed her that she had thoughts of going to call Aunt -Geoffrey, and was heartily glad to see her enter the room. - -"Well, how are you going on?" she said, cheerfully. "Why, my dear, how -hot you must be in that habit!" - -"Rather," said poor Henrietta, whose face, between the heat and her -perplexity, was almost crimson. "We have been reading 'Nicolo,' and I -am very much afraid it is as bad as Alex's visit, and has excited Fred -again." - -"I am quite sick of hearing that word excitement!" said Fred, -impatiently. - -"Almost as tired as of having your pulse felt," said Aunt Geoffrey. -"But yet I must ask you to submit to that disagreeable necessity." - -Fred moved pettishly, but as he could not refuse, he only told -Henrietta that he could not bear any one to look at him while his pulse -was felt. - -"Will you fetch me a candle, my dear?" said Aunt Geoffrey, amazed as -well as terrified by the fearful rapidity of the throbs, and trying to -acquire sufficient composure to count them calmly. The light came, and -still she held his wrist, beginning her reckoning again and again, in -the hope that it was only some momentary agitation that had so -quickened them. - -"What! 'tis faster?" asked Fred, speaking in a hasty alarmed tone, when -she released him at last. - -"You are flushed, Fred," she answered very quietly, though she felt -full of consternation. "Yes, faster than it ought to be; I think you -had better not sit up any longer this evening, or you will sleep no -better than last night." - -"Very well," said Fred. - -"Then I will ring for Stephens," said she. - -The first thing she did on leaving his room was to go to her own, and -there write a note to young Mr. Carey, giving an account of the -symptoms that had caused her so much alarm. As she wrote them down -without exaggeration, and trying to give each its just weight, going -back to recollect the first unfavourable sign, she suddenly remembered -that as she left her sister's room, she had seen Mrs. Langford, whom -she had left with Fred, at the door of the store-closet. Could she -have been giving him any of her favourite nourishing things? Mrs. -Geoffrey Langford could hardly believe that either party could have -acted so foolishly, yet when she remembered a few words that had passed -about the jelly that morning at breakfast, she could no longer doubt, -and bitterly reproached herself for not having kept up a stricter -surveillance. Of her suspicion she however said nothing, but sealing -her note, she went down to the drawing-room, told Mr. Langford that she -did not think Fred quite so well that evening, and asked him if he did -not think it might be better to let Philip Carey know. He agreed -instantly, and rang the bell to order a servant to ride to Allonfield; -but Mrs. Langford, who could not bear any one but Geoffrey to act -without consulting her, pitied man and horse for being out so late, and -opined that Beatrice forgot that she was not in London, where the -medical man could be called in so easily. - -It was fortunate that it was the elder Beatrice instead of the younger, -for provoked as she already had been before with the old lady, it was -not easy even for her to make a cheerful answer. "Well, it is very -kind in you to attend to my London fancies," said she; "I think if we -can do anything to spare him such a night as the last, it should be -tried." - -"Certainly, certainly," said Mr. Langford. "It is very disappointing -when he was going on so well. He must surely have been doing something -imprudent." - -It was very tempting to interrogate Mrs. Langford, but her daughter-in- -law had long since come to a resolution never to convey to her anything -like reproach, let her do what she might in her mistaken kindness of -heart, or her respectable prejudices; so, without entering on what many -in her place might have made a scene of polite recrimination, she left -the room, and on her way up, heard Frederick's door gently opened. -Stephens came quickly and softly to the end of the passage to meet her. -"He is asking for you, ma'am," said he; "I am afraid he is not so well; -I did not like to ring, for fear of alarming my mistress, but--" - -Mrs. Geoffrey Langford entered the room, and found that the bustle and -exertion of being carried to his bed had brought on excessive confusion -and violent pain. He put his hand to his forehead, opened his eyes, -and looked wildly about. "Oh, Aunt Geoffrey," he exclaimed, "what -shall I do? It is as bad--worse than ever!" - -"You have been doing something imprudent, I fear," said Aunt Geoffrey, -determined to come to the truth at once. - -"Only that glass of jelly--if I had guessed!" - -"Only one?" - -"One to-day, one yesterday. It was grandmamma's doing. Don't let her -know that I told. I wish mamma was here!" - -Aunt Geoffrey tried to relieve the pain by cold applications, but could -not succeed, and Fred grew more and more alarmed. - -"The inflammation is coming back!" he cried, in an agony of -apprehension that almost overcame the sense of pain. "I shall be in -danger--I shall lose my senses--I shall die! Mamma! O! where is -mamma?" - -"Lie still, my dear Fred," said Mrs. Geoffrey Langford, laying her hand -on him so as to restrain his struggling movements to turn round or to -sit up. "Resistance and agitation will hurt you more than anything -else. You must control yourself, and trust to me, and you may be sure -I will do the best in my power for you. The rest is in the hands of -God." - -"Then you think me very ill?" said Fred, trying to speak more -composedly. - -"I think you will certainly make yourself very ill, unless you will -keep yourself quiet, both mind and body. There--"she settled him as -comfortably as she could: "Now I am going away for a few minutes. Make -a resolution not to stir till I come back. Stephens is here, and I -shall soon come back." - -This was very unlike the way in which his mother used to beseech him as -a favour to spare her, and yet his aunt's tone was so affectionate, as -well as so authoritative, that he could not feel it unkind. She left -the room, and as soon as she found herself alone in the passage, leant -against the wall and trembled, for she felt herself for a moment quite -overwhelmed, and longed earnestly for her husband to think for her, or -even for one short interval in which to reflect. For this, however, -there was no time, and with one earnest mental supplication, summoning -up her energies, she walked on to the person whom she at that moment -most dreaded to see, her sister-in-law. She found her sitting in her -arm-chair, Henrietta with her, both looking very anxious, and she was -glad to find her prepared. - -"What is it?" was the first eager question. - -"He has been attempting rather too much of late," was the answer, "and -has knocked himself up. I came to tell you, because I think I had -better stay with him, and perhaps you might miss me." - -"O no, no, pray go to him. Nothing satisfies me so well about him as -that you should be there, except that I cannot bear to give you so much -trouble. Don't stay here answering questions. He will be so restless -if he misses you--" - -"Don't you sit imagining, Mary; let Henrietta read to you." - -This proposal made Henrietta look so piteous and wistful that her -mother said, "No, no, let her go to Freddy, poor child. I dare say he -wants her." - -"By no means," said Aunt Geoffrey, opening the door; "he will be -quieter without her." - -Henrietta was annoyed, and walked about the room, instead of sitting -down to read. She was too fond of her own will to like being thus -checked, and she thought she had quite as good a right to be with her -brother as her aunt could have. Every temper has one side or other on -which it is susceptible; and this was hers. She thought it affection -for her brother, whereas it was impatience of being ordered. - -Her mother forced herself to speak cheerfully. "Aunt Geoffrey is a -capital nurse," said she; "there is something so decided about her that -it always does one good. It saves all the trouble and perplexity of -thinking for oneself." - -"I had rather judge for myself," said Henrietta. - -"That is all very well to talk of," said her mother, smiling sadly, -"but it is a very different thing when you are obliged to do it." - -"Well, what do you like to hear?" said Henrietta, who found herself too -cross for conversation. "The old man's home?" - -"Do not read unless you like it, my dear; I think you must be tired. -You would want 'lungs of brass' to go on all day to both of us. You -had better not. I should like to talk." - -Henrietta being in a wilful fit, chose nevertheless to read, because it -gave her the satisfaction of feeling that Aunt Geoffrey was inflicting -a hardship upon her; although her mother would have preferred -conversation. So she took up a book, and began, without any perception -of the sense of what she was reading, but her thoughts dwelling partly -on her brother, and partly on her aunt's provoking ways. She read on -through a whole chapter, then closing the book hastily, exclaimed, "I -must go and see what Aunt Geoffrey is doing with Fred." - -"She is not such a very dangerous person," said Mrs. Frederick -Langford, almost laughing at the form of the expression. - -"Well, but you surely want to know how he is, mamma?" - -"To be sure I do, but I am so afraid of his being disturbed. If he was -just going to sleep now." - -"Yes, but you know how softly I can open the door." - -"Your aunt would let us know if there was anything to hear. Pray take -care, my dear." - -"I must go, I can't bear it any longer; I will only just listen," said -Henrietta; "I will not be a moment." - -"Let me have the book, my dear," said her mother, who knew but too well -the length of Henrietta's moments, and who had just, by means of a -great effort, succeeded in making herself take interest in the book. - -Henrietta gave it to her, and darted off. The door of Fred's room was -ajar, and she entered. Aunt Geoffrey, Bennet, and Judith were standing -round the bed, her aunt sponging away the blood that was flowing from -Frederick's temples. His eyes were closed, and he now and then gave -long gasping sighs of oppression and faintness. "Leeches!" thought -Henrietta, as she started with consternation and displeasure. "This is -pretty strong! Without telling me or mamma! Well, this is what I call -doing something with him indeed." - -She advanced to the table, but no one saw her for more than a minute, -till at last Aunt Geoffrey stepped quickly up to it in search of some -bottle. - -"Let me do something," said Henrietta, catching up the bottle that she -thought likely to be the right one. - -Her aunt looked vexed, and answered in a low quick tone, "You had -better stay with your mamma." - -"But why are you doing this? Is he worse? Is Mr. Philip Carey here? -Has he ordered it?" - -"He is not come yet. My dear, I cannot talk to you: I should be much -obliged if you would go back to your mamma." - -Aunt Geoffrey went back to Fred, but a few minutes after she looked up -and still saw Henrietta standing by the table. She came up to her, -"Henrietta, you are of no use here; every additional person oppresses -him; your mamma must be kept tranquil. Why will you stay?" - -"I was just going," said Henrietta, taking this hurrying as an -additional offence, and walking off in a dignified way. - -It was hard to say what had affronted her most, the proceeding itself, -the neglect, or the commands which Aunt Geoffrey had presumed to lay -upon her, and away she went to her mamma, a great deal too much -displeased, and too distrustful to pay the smallest attention to any -precautions which her aunt might have tried to impress upon her. - -"Well!" asked her mother anxiously. - -"She would not let me stay," answered Henrietta. "She has been putting -on leeches." - -"Leeches!" exclaimed her mother. "He must be much worse. Poor fellow! -Is Mr. Carey here?" - -"No, that is the odd thing." - -"Has he not been sent for?" - -"I am sure I don't know. Aunt Geoffrey seems to like to do things in -her own way." - -"It must be very bad indeed if she cannot venture to wait for him!" -said Mrs. Frederick Langford, much alarmed. - -"And never to tell you!" said Henrietta. - -"O, that was her consideration. She knew how foolishly anxious I -should be. I have no doubt that she is doing right. How did he seem -to be?" - -"Very faint, I thought," said Henrietta, "there seemed to be a great -deal of bleeding, but Aunt Geoffrey would not let me come near." - -"She knows exactly what to do," said Mrs. Frederick Langford. "How -well it was that she should be here." - -Henrietta began to be so fretted at her mother's complete confidence in -her aunt, that without thinking of the consequences she tried to argue -it away. "Aunt Geoffrey is so quick--she does things without half the -consideration other people do. And she likes to settle everything." - -But happily the confiding friendship of a lifetime was too strong to be -even harassed for a moment by the petulant suspicions of an angry girl. - -"My dear, if you were not vexed and anxious, I should tell you that you -were speaking very improperly of your aunt. I am perfectly satisfied -that she is doing what is right by dear Fred, as well as by me; and if -I am satisfied, no one else has any right to object." - -There was nothing left for Henrietta in her present state of spirits -but to have a hearty cry, one of the best possible ways she could find -of distressing her mother, who all the time was suffering infinitely -more than she could imagine from her fears, her efforts to silence -them, and the restraint which she was exercising upon herself, longing -as she did to fly to her son's room, to see with her own eyes, and only -detained by the fear that her sudden appearance there might agitate -him. The tears, whatever might be their effect upon her, did Henrietta -good, and restored her to something more like her proper senses. She -grew rather alarmed, too, when she saw her mamma's pale looks, as she -leant back almost exhausted with anxiety and repressed agitation. - -Mrs. Langford came up to bring them some tea, and she, having little -idea of the real state of things, took so encouraging a view as to -cheer them both, and her visit did much service at least to Henrietta. -Then they heard sounds announcing Philip Carey's arrival, and presently -after in came Bennet with a message from Mr. Frederick that he was -better, and that his mother was not to be frightened. At last came -Aunt Geoffrey, saying, "Well, Mary, he is better. I have been very -sorry to leave you so long, and I believe Henrietta," looking at her -with a smile, "thinks I have used you very ill." - -"I believe she did," said her mother, "but I was sure you would do -right; you say he is better? Let me hear." - -"Much better; only--. But Mary, you look quite worn out, you should go -to bed." - -"Let me hear about him first." - -Aunt Geoffrey accordingly told the whole history, as, perhaps, every -one would not have told it, for one portion of it in some degree -justified Henrietta's opinion that she had been doing a great deal on -her own responsibility. It had been very difficult to stop the -bleeding, and Fred, already very weak, had been so faint and exhausted -that she had felt considerable alarm, and was much rejoiced by the -arrival of Philip Carey, who had not been at home when the messenger -reached his house. Now, however, all was well; he had fully approved -all that she had done, and, although she did not repeat this to Mrs. -Frederick Langford, had pronounced that her promptitude and energy had -probably saved the patient's life. Fred, greatly relieved, had fallen -asleep, and she had now come, with almost an equal sense of relief, to -tell his mother all that had passed, and ask her pardon. - -"Nay, Beatrice, what do you mean by that? Is it not what you and -Geoffrey have always done to treat him as your own son instead of mine? -and is it not almost my chief happiness to feel assured that you always -will do so? You know that is the reason I never thank you." - -Henrietta hung her head, and felt that she had been very unjust and -ungrateful, more especially when her aunt said, "You thought it very -hard to have your mouth stopped, Henrietta, my dear, and I was sorry -for it, but I had not much time to be polite." - -"I am sorry I was in the way," said she, an acknowledgment such as she -had seldom made. - -Fred awoke the next morning much better, though greatly fallen back in -his progress towards recovery, but his mother had during the night the -worst fit of spasms from which she had ever suffered. - -But Henrietta thought it all so well accounted for by all the -agitations of the evening before, that there was no reason for further -anxiety. - -It was a comfort to Aunt Geoffrey, who took it rather more seriously, -that she received that morning a letter from her husband, concluding, - -"As to the Queen Bee, I have no doubt that you can judge of her frame -better from the tone of her letters than from anything I have to tell. -I think her essentially improved and improving, and you will think I do -not speak without warrant, when I tell you that Lady Susan expressed -herself quite warmly respecting her this morning. She continues to -imagine that she has the charge of Queen Bee, and not Queen Bee of her, -and I think it much that she has been allowed to continue in the -belief. Lady Amelia comes to-morrow, and then I hope the poor little -woman's penance may be over, for though she makes no complaints, there -is no doubt that it is a heavy one, as her thorough enjoyment of a -book, and an hour's freedom from that little gossiping flow of -plaintive talk sufficiently testify." - - - - -CHAPTER XVII. - - - -Frederick had lost much ground, and yet on the whole his relapse was of -no slight service to him. In the earlier part of his illness he had -been so stupefied by the accident, that he had neither been conscious -of his danger, nor was able to preserve any distinct remembrance of -what he had suffered. But this return to his former state, with all -his senses perfect, made him realise the rest, and begin to perceive -how near to the grave he had been brought. A deep shuddering sense of -awe came over him, as he thought what it would have been to die then, -without a minute of clear recollection, and his last act one of wilful -disobedience. And how had he requited the mercy which had spared him? -He had shown as much of that same spirit of self-will as his feebleness -would permit; he had been exacting, discontented, rebellious, and well -indeed had he deserved to be cut off in the midst of the sin in which -he had persisted. - -He was too weak to talk, but his mind was wide awake; and many an -earnest thanksgiving, and resolution strengthened by prayer, were made -in silence during the two or three days that passed, partly in such -thoughts as these, and for many hours more in sleep; while sometimes -his aunt, sometimes his sister, and sometimes even Bennet, sat by his -bed-side unchidden for not being "mamma." - -"Above all," said he to himself, "he would for the future devote -himself, to make up to her for all that he had caused her to suffer for -his sake. Even if he were never to mount a horse or fire a gun for the -rest of his life, what would such a sacrifice be for such a mother?" -It was very disappointing that, at present, all he could even attempt -to do for her was to send her messages--and affection does not travel -well by message,--and at the same time to show submission to her known -wishes. And after all, it would have been difficult not to have shown -submission, for Aunt Geoffrey, as he already felt, was not a person to -be argued with, but to be obeyed; and for very shame he could not have -indulged himself in his Philippics after the proof he had experienced -of their futility. - -So, partly on principle, and partly from necessity, he ceased to -grumble, and from that time forth it was wonderful how much less -unpleasant even external things appeared, and how much his health -benefited by the tranquillity of spirits thus produced. He was willing -to be pleased with all that was done with that intent; and as he grew -better, it certainly was a strange variety with which he had to be -amused throughout the day. Very good naturedly he received all such -civilities, especially when Willy brought him a bottle of the first -live sticklebacks of the season, accompanied by a message from Arthur -that he hoped soon to send him a basin of tame tadpoles,--and when John -rushed up with a basket of blind young black satin puppies, their -mother following in a state of agitation only equalled by that of Mrs. -Langford and Judith. - -Willy, a nice intelligent little fellow, grew very fond of him, and -spent much time with him, taking delight in his books and prints, -beyond what could have been thought possible in one of the Sutton Leigh -party. - -When he was strong enough to guide a pencil or pen, a very enjoyable -correspondence commenced between him and his mother, who was still -unable to leave her apartment; and hardly any one ever passed between -the two rooms without being the bearer of some playful greeting, or -droll descriptions of the present scene and occupation, chronicles of -the fashionable arrivals of the white clouds before the window, of a -bunch of violets, or a new book; the fashionable departure of the -headache, the fire, or a robin; notices that tom-tits were whetting -their saws on the next tree, or of the domestic proceedings of the -rooks who were building their house opposite to Mrs. Frederick -Langford's window, and whom she watched so much that she was said to be -in a fair way of solving the problem of how many sticks go to a crow's -nest; criticisms of the books read by each party, and very often a -reference to that celebrated billet, unfortunately delivered over night -to Prince Talleyrand, informing him that his devoted friend had -scarcely closed her eyes all night, and then only to dream of him! - -Henrietta grew very happy. She had her brother again, as wholly hers -as in their younger days,--depending upon her, participating in all her -pleasures, or rather giving her favourite occupations double zest, by -their being for him, for his amusement. She rode and walked in the -beautiful open spring country with grandpapa, to whom she was a most -valuable companion; and on her return she had two to visit, both of -whom looked forward with keen interest and delight to hearing her -histories of down and wood, of field and valley, of farm-house, -cottage, or school; had a laugh for the least amusing circumstance, -admiration for the spring flower or leaf, and power to follow her -descriptions of budding woods, soft rising hills, and gorgeous sunsets. -How her mamma enjoyed comparing notes with her about those same woods -and dells, and would describe the adventures of her own youth! And now -it might be noticed that she did not avoid speaking of those in which -Henrietta's father had been engaged; nay, she dwelt on them by -preference, and without the suppressed sigh which had formerly followed -anything like a reference to him. Sometimes she would smile to -identify the bold open down with the same where she had run races with -him, and even laugh to think of the droll adventures. Sometimes the -shady woodland walk would make her describe their nutting parties, or -it would bring her thoughts to some fit of childish mischief and -concealment, and to the confession to which his bolder and more upright -counsel had at length led her. Or she would tell of the long walks -they had taken together when older grown, when each had become prime -counsellor and confidante of the other; and the interests and troubles -of home and of school were poured out to willing ears, and sympathy and -advice exchanged. How Fred and Mary had been companions from the very -first, how their love had grown up unconsciously, in the sports in the -sunny fields, shady coombs, and green woods of their home: how it had -strengthened and ripened with advancing years, and how bright and -unclouded their sunshine had been to dwell on: this was her delight, -while the sadness which once spoke of crushed hopes, and lost -happiness, had gone from her smile. It was as if she still felt -herself walking in the light of his love, and at the same time, as if -she wished to show him to his daughter as he was, and to tell Henrietta -of those words and those ways of his which were most characteristic, -and which used to be laid up so fast in her heart, that she could never -have borne to speak of them. The bitterness of his death, as it -regarded herself, seemed to have passed, the brightness of his memory -alone remaining. Henrietta loved to listen, but scarcely so much as -her mother loved to tell; and instead of agitating her, these -recollections always seemed to soothe and make her happy. - -Henrietta knew that Aunt Geoffrey and grandpapa were both of them -anxious about her mother's health, but for her own part she did not -think her worse than she had often been before; and whilst she -continued in nearly the same state, rose every day, sat in her arm- -chair, and was so cheerful, and even lively, there could not be very -much amiss, even though there was no visible progress in amendment. -Serious complaint there was, as she knew of old, to cause the spasms; -but it had existed so long, that after the first shock of being told of -it two years ago, she had almost ceased to think about it. She -satisfied herself to her own mind that it could not, should not be -progressing, and that this was only a very slow recovery from the last -attack. - -Time went on, and a shade began to come over Fred. He was bright and -merry when anything occurred to amuse him, did not like reading less, -or take less interest in his occupations; but in the intervals of quiet -he grew grave and almost melancholy, and his inquiries after his mother -grew minute and anxious. - -"Henrietta," said he, one day when they were alone together, "I was -trying to reckon how long it is since I have seen mamma." - -"O, I think she will come and see you in a few days more," said -Henrietta. - -"You have told me that so many times," said Fred. "I think I must try -to get to her. That passage, if it was not so very long! If Uncle -Geoffrey comes on Saturday, I am sure he can manage to take me there." - -"It will be a festival day indeed when you meet!" said Henrietta. - -"Yes," said he thoughtfully. Then returning to the former subject, -"But how long is it, Henrietta? This is the twenty-seventh of March, -is it not?" - -"Yes; a whole quarter of a year you have been laid up here." - -"It was somewhere about the beginning of February that Uncle Geoffrey -went." - -"The fourth," said Henrietta. - -"And it was three days after he went away that mamma had those first -spasms. Henrietta, she has been six weeks ill!" - -"Well," said Henrietta, "you know she was five weeks without stirring -out of the room, that last time she was ill at Rocksand, and she is -getting better." - -"I don't think it is getting better," said Fred. "You always say so, -but I don't think you have anything to show for it." - -"You might say the same for yourself," said Henrietta, laughing. "You -have been getting better these three months, poor man, and you need not -boast." - -"Well, at least I can show something for it," said Fred; "they allow me -a lark's diet instead of a wren's, I can hold up my head like other -people now, and I actually made my own legs and the table's carry me to -the window yesterday, which is what I call getting on. But I do not -think it is so with mamma. A fortnight ago she used to be up by ten or -eleven o'clock; now I don't believe she ever is till one." - -"It has been close, damp weather," said Henrietta, surprised at the -accurate remembrance, which she could not confute. "She misses the -cold bracing wind." - -"I don't like it," said Fred, growing silent, and after a short -interval beginning again more earnestly, "Henrietta, neither you nor -any one else are keeping anything from me, I trust?" - -"O, no, no!" said Henrietta, eagerly. - -"You are quite sure?" - -"Quite," responded she. "You know all I know, every bit; and I know -all Aunt Geoffrey does, I am sure I do, for she always tells me what -Mr. Philip Carey says. I have heard Uncle and Aunt Geoffrey both say -strong things about keeping people in the dark, and I am convinced they -would not do so." - -"I don't think they would," said Fred; "but I am not satisfied. -Recollect and tell me clearly, are they convinced that this is only -recovering slowly--I do not mean that; I know too well that this is not -a thing to be got rid of; but do they think that she is going to be as -well as usual?" - -"I do," said Henrietta, "and you know I am more used to her illness -than any of them. Bennet and I were agreeing to-day that, considering -how bad the spasms were, and how much fatigue she had been going -through, we could not expect her to get on faster." - -"You do? But that is not Aunt Geoffrey." - -"O! Aunt Geoffrey is anxious, and expected her to get on faster, just -like Busy Bee expecting everything to be so quick; but I am sure you -could not get any more information from her than from me, and -impressions--I am sure you may trust mine, used as I am to watch -mamma." - -Fred asked no more; but it was observable that from that day he never -lost one of his mother's little notes, placing them as soon as read in -his pocket-book, and treasuring them carefully. He also begged -Henrietta to lend him a miniature of her mother, taken at the time of -her marriage. It represented her in all her youthful loveliness, with -the long ringlets and plaits of dark brown hair hanging on her neck, -the arch suppressed smile on her lips, and the laughing light in her -deep blue eye. He looked at it for a little while, and then asked -Henrietta if she thought that she could find, among the things sent -from Rocksand which had not yet been unpacked, another portrait, taken -in the earlier months of her widowhood, when she had in some partial -degree recovered from her illness, but her life seemed still to hang on -a thread. Mrs. Vivian, at whose especial desire it had been taken, had -been very fond of it, and had always kept it in her room, and Fred -was very anxious to see it again. After a long search, with Bennet's -help, Henrietta found it, and brought it to him. Thin, wan, and in the -deep black garments, there was much more general resemblance to her -present appearance in this than in the portrait of the beautiful -smiling bride. "And yet," said Fred, as he compared them, "do not you -think, Henrietta, that there is more of mamma in the first?" - -"I see what you mean," said Henrietta. "You know it is by a much -better artist." - -"Yes," said he, "the other is like enough in feature,--more so -certainly to anything we have ever seen: but what a difference! And -yet what is it? Look! Her eyes generally have something melancholy in -their look, and yet I am sure those bright happy ones put me much more -in mind of hers than these, looking so weighed down with sorrow. And -the sweet smile, that is quite her own!" - -"If you could but see her now, Fred," said Henrietta, "I think you -would indeed say so. She has now and then a beautiful little pink -flush, that lights up her eyes as well as her cheeks; and when she -smiles and talks about those old times with papa, she does really look -just like the miniature, all but her thinness." - -"I do not half like to hear of all that talking about my father," -murmured Fred to himself as he leant back. Henrietta at first opened -her eyes; then a sudden perception of his meaning flashed over her, and -she began to speak of something else as fast as she could. - -Uncle Geoffrey came on Saturday afternoon, and after paying a minute's -visit to Fred, had a conference of more than an hour with his sister- -in-law. Fred did not seem pleased with his sister's information that -"it was on business," and only was in a slight degree reassured by -being put in mind that there was always something to settle at Lady- -day. Henrietta thought her uncle looked grave; and as she was -especially anxious to prevent either herself or Fred from being -frightened, she would not leave him alone in Fred's room, knowing full -well that no questions would be asked except in private--none at least -of the description which she dreaded. - -All Fred attempted was the making his long-mediated request that he -might visit his mother, and Uncle Geoffrey undertook to see whether it -was possible. Numerous messages passed, and at length it was arranged -that on Sunday, just before afternoon service, when the house was -quiet, his uncle should help him to her room, where his aunt would read -to them both. - -Frederick made quite a preparation for what was to him a great -undertaking. He sat counting the hours all the morning; and when at -length the time arrived, his heart beat so violently, that it seemed to -take away all the little strength he had. His uncle came in, but -waited a few moments; then said, with some hesitation, "Fred, you must -be prepared to see her a good deal altered." - -"Yes," said Fred, impatiently. - -"And take the greatest care not to agitate her. Can you be trusted? -I do not ask it for your own sake." - -"Yes," said Fred, resolutely. - -"Then come." - -And in process of time Fred was at her door. There he quitted his -uncle's arm, and came forward alone to the large easy chair where she -sat by the fire-side. She started joyfully forward, and soon he was on -one knee before her, her arms round his neck, her tears dropping on his -face, and a quiet sense of excessive happiness felt by both. Then -rising, he sank back into another great chair, which his sister had -arranged for him close to hers, and too much out of breath to speak, he -passively let Henrietta make him comfortable there; while holding his -mother's hand, he kept his eyes fixed upon her, and she, anxious only -for him, patted his cushions, offered her own, and pushed her footstool -towards him. - -A few words passed between Mr. and Mrs. Geoffrey Langford outside the -door. - -"I still think it a great risk," said she. - -"But I should not feel justified in preventing it," was his answer, -"only do not leave them long alone." Then opening the door he called, -"Henrietta, there is the last bell." And Henrietta, much against her -will, was obliged to go with him to Church. - -"Good-bye, my dear," said her mother. "Think of us prisoners in the -right way at Church, and not in the wrong one." - -Strangely came the sound of the Church bell to their ears through the -window, half open to admit the breezy breath of spring; the cawing of -the rooks and the song of the blackbird came with it; the sky was clear -and blue, the buds were bursting into life. - -"How very lovely it is!" added she. - -Fred made a brief reply, but without turning his head to the window. -His eyes, his thoughts, his whole soul, were full of the contemplation -of what was to him a thousand times more lovely,--that frail wasted -form, namely, whose hand he held. The delicate pink colour which -Henrietta had described was on her cheek, contrasting with the ivory -whiteness of the rest of her face; the blue eyes shone with a sweet -subdued brightness under their long black lashes; the lips smiled, -though languidly yet as sunnily as ever; the dark hair lay in wavy -lines along the sides of her face; and but for the helplessness with -which the figure rested in the chair, there was less outward token of -suffering than he had often seen about her,--more appearance almost of -youth and beauty. But it was not an earthly beauty; there was -something about it which filled him with a kind of indescribable -undefined awe, together with dread of a sorrow towards which he shrank -from looking. She thought him fatigued with the exertion he had made, -and allowed him to rest, while she contemplated with pleasure even the -slight advances which he had already made in shaking off the traces of -illness. - -The silence was not broken till Aunt Geoffrey came in, just as the last -stroke of the Church-bell died away, bringing in her hand a fragrant -spray of the budding sweet-briar. - -"The bees are coming out with you, Freddy," said she. "I have just -been round the garden watching them revelling in the crocuses." - -"How delicious!" said Mrs. Frederick Langford, to whom she had offered -the sweet-briar. "Give it to him, poor fellow; he is quite knocked up -with his journey." - -"O no, not in the least, mamma, thank you," said Fred, sitting up -vigorously; "you do not know how strong I am growing." And then turning -to the window, he made an effort, and began observing on her rook's -nest, as she called it, and her lilac buds. Then came a few more -cheerful questions and comments on the late notes, and then Mrs. -Frederick Langford proposed that the reading of the service should -begin. - -Aunt Geoffrey, kneeling at the table, read the prayers, and Fred took -the alternate verses of the Psalms. It was the last day of the month, -and as he now and then raised his eyes to his mother's face, he saw her -lips follow the glorious responses in those psalms of praise, and a -glistening in her lifted eyes such as he could never forget. - -"He healeth those that are broken in heart, and giveth medicine to heal -their sickness." - -"He telleth the number of the stars, and calleth them all by their -names." - -He read this verse as he had done many a time before, without thinking -of the exceeding beauty of the manner in which it is connected with the -former one; but in after years he never read it again without that -whole room rising before his eyes, and above all his mother's face. It -was a sweet soft light, and not a gloom, that rested round that scene -in his memory; springtide sights and sounds; the beams of the declining -sun, with its quiet spring radiance; the fresh mild air; even the -bright fire, and the general look of calm cheerfulness which pervaded -all around, all conduced to that impression which never left him. - -The service ended, Aunt Geoffrey read the hymn for the day in the -"Christian Year," and then left them for a few minutes; but strange as -it may seem, those likewise were spent in silence, and though there was -some conversation when she returned, Fred took little share in it. -Silent as he was, he could hardly believe that he had been there more -than ten minutes, when sounds were heard of the rest of the family -returning from Church, and Mrs. Geoffrey Langford went down to meet -them. - -In another instant Henrietta came up, very bright and joyous, with many -kind messages from Aunt Roger. Next came Uncle Geoffrey, who, after a -few cheerful observations on the beauty of the day, to which his sister -responded with pleasure, said, "Now, Freddy, I must be hard-hearted; I -am coming back almost directly to carry you off." - -"So soon!" exclaimed Henrietta. "Am I to be cheated of all the -pleasure of seeing you together?" - -No one seemed to attend to her; but as soon as the door had closed -behind his uncle, Fred moved as if to speak, paused, hesitated, then -bent forward, and, shading his face with his hand, said in a low voice, -"Mamma, say you forgive me." - -She held out her arm, and again he sank on his knee, resting his head -against her. - -"My own dear boy," said she, "I will not say I have nothing to forgive, -for that I know is not what you want; but well do you know how freely -forgiven and forgotten is all that you may ever feel to have been -against my wish. God bless you, my own dear Frederick!" she added, -pressing her hand upon his head. "His choicest blessings be with you -forever." - -Uncle Geoffrey's knock was heard; Frederick hastily rose to his feet, -was folded in one more long embrace, then, without another word, -suffered his uncle to lead him out of the room, and support him back to -his own. He stretched himself on the sofa, turned his face inwards, -and gave two or three long gasping sighs, as if completely overpowered, -though his uncle could scarcely determine whether by grief or by -physical exhaustion. - -Henrietta looked frightened, but her uncle made her a sign to say -nothing: and after watching him anxiously for some minutes, during -which he remained perfectly still, her uncle left the room, and she sat -down to watch for him, taking up a book, for she dreaded the reveries -in which she had once been so prone to indulge. Fred remained for a -long time tranquil, if not asleep; and when at length he was disturbed, -complained that his head ached, and seemed chiefly anxious to be left -in quiet. It might be that, in addition to his great weariness, he -felt a charm upon him which he could not bear to break. At any rate, -he scarcely looked up or spoke all the rest of the evening, excepting -that, when he went to bed, he sent a message that he hoped Uncle -Geoffrey would come to his room the next morning before setting off, as -he was obliged to do at a very early hour. - -He came, and found Fred awake, looking white and heavy-eyed, as if he -had slept little, and allowing that his head still ached. - -"Uncle Geoffrey," said he, raising himself on his elbow, and looking at -him earnestly, "would it be of no use to have further advice?" - -His uncle understood him, and answered, "I hope that Dr. --- will come -this evening or to-morrow morning. But," added he, slowly and kindly, -"you must not build your hopes upon that, Fred. It is more from the -feeling that nothing should be untried, than from the expectation that -he can be of use." - -"Then there is no hope?" said Fred, with a strange quietness. - -"Man can do nothing," answered his uncle. "You know how the case -stands; the complaint cannot be reached, and there is scarcely a -probability of its becoming inactive. It may be an affair of days or -weeks, or she may yet rally, and be spared to us for some time longer." - -"If I could but think so!" said Fred. "But I cannot. Her face will -not let me hope." - -"If ever a ray from heaven shone out upon a departing saint," said -Uncle Geoffrey,--but he could not finish the sentence, and turning -away, walked to the window. - -"And you must go?" said Fred, when he came back to his side again. - -"I must," said Uncle Geoffrey. "Nothing but the most absolute -necessity could make me leave you now. I scarcely could feel myself an -honest man if I was not in my place to-morrow. I shall be here again -on Thursday, at latest, and bring Beatrice. Your mother thinks she may -be a comfort to Henrietta." - -"Henrietta knows all this?" asked Fred. - -"As far as she will bear to believe it," said his uncle. "We cannot -grudge her her unconsciousness, but I am afraid it will be worse for -her in the end. You must nerve yourself, Fred, to support her. Now, -good-bye, and may God bless and strengthen you in your trial!" - -Fred was left alone again to the agony of the bitterest thoughts he had -ever known. All his designs of devoting himself to her at an end! Her -whom he loved with such an intensity of enthusiastic admiration and -reverence,--the gentlest, the most affectionate, the most beautiful -being he knew! Who would ever care for him as she did? To whom would -it matter now whether he was in danger or in safety? whether he -distinguished himself or not? And how thoughtlessly had he trifled -with her comfort, for the mere pleasure of a moment, and even fancied -himself justified in doing so! Even her present illness, had it not -probably been brought on by her anxiety and attendance on him? and it -was his own wilful disobedience to which all might be traced. It was -no wonder that, passing from one such miserable thought to another, his -bodily weakness was considerably increased, and he remained very -languid and unwell; so much so that had Philip Carey ever presumed to -question anything Mr. Geoffrey Langford thought fit to do, he would -have pronounced yesterday's visit a most imprudent measure. In the -afternoon, as Fred was lying on his sofa, he heard a foot on the -stairs, and going along the passage. - -"Who is that?" said he; "the new doctor already? It is a strange step." - -"O! Fred, don't be the fairy Fine Ear, as you used to be when you were -at the worst," said Henrietta. - -"But do you know who it is?" said Fred. - -"It is Mr. Franklin," said Henrietta. "You know mamma has only been -once at Church since your accident, and then there was no Holy -Communion. So you must not fancy she is worse, Fred." - -"I wish we were confirmed," said Fred, sighing, and presently adding, -"My Prayer-Book, if you please, Henrietta." - -"You will only make your head worse, with trying to read the small -print," said she; "I will read anything you want to you." - -He chose nevertheless to have it himself, and when he next spoke, it -was to say, "I wish, when Mr. Franklin leaves her, you would ask him to -come to me." - -Henrietta did not like the proposal at all, and said all she could -against it; but Fred persisted, and made her at last undertake to ask -Aunt Geoffrey's consent. Even then she would have done her best to -miss the opportunity; but Fred heard the first sounds, and she was -obliged to fetch Mr. Franklin. The conference was not long, and she -found no reason to regret that it had taken place; for Fred did not -seem so much oppressed and weighted down when she again returned to -him. - -The physician who had been sent for arrived. He had seen Mrs. -Frederick Langford some years before, and well understood her case, and -his opinion was now exactly what Fred had been prepared by his uncle to -expect. It was impossible to conjecture how long she might yet -survive: another attack might come at any moment, and be the last. It -might be deferred for weeks or months, or even now it was possible that -she might rally, and return to her usual state of health. - -It was on this possibility, or as she chose to hear the word, -probability, that Henrietta fixed her whole mind. The rest was to her -as if unsaid; she would not hear nor believe it, and shunned anything -that brought the least impression of the kind. The only occasion when -she would avow her fears even to herself, was when she knelt in prayer; -and then how wild and unsubmissive were her petitions! How embittered -and wretched she would feel at her own powerlessness! Then the next -minute she would drive off her fears as by force; call up a vision of a -brightly smiling future; think, speak, and act as if hiding her eyes -would prevent the approach of the enemy she dreaded. - -Her grandmamma was as determined as herself to hope; and her grandpapa, -though fully alive to the real state of the case, could not bear to -sadden her before the time, and let her talk on and build schemes for -the future, till he himself almost caught a glance of her hopes, and -his deep sigh was the only warning she received from him. Fred, too -weak for much argument, and not unwilling to rejoice now and then in an -illusion, was easily silenced, and Aunt Geoffrey had no time for anyone -but the patient. Her whole thought, almost her whole being, was -devoted to "Mary," the friend, the sister of her childhood, whom she -now attended upon with something of the reverent devotedness with which -an angel might be watched and served, were it to make a brief sojourn -upon earth; feeling it a privilege each day that she was still -permitted to attend her, and watching for each passing word and -expression as a treasure to be dwelt on in many a subsequent year. - -It could not be thus with Henrietta, bent on seeing no illness, on -marking no traces of danger; shutting her eyes to all the tokens that -her mother was not to be bound down to earth for ever. She found her -always cheerful, ready to take interest in all that pleased her, and -still with the playfulness which never failed to light up all that -approached her. A flower,--what pleasure it gave her! and how sweet -her smile would be! - -It was on the evening of the day after the physician's visit, that -Henrietta came in talking, with the purpose of, as she fancied, -cheering her mother's spirits, of some double lilac primroses which -Mrs. Langford had promised her for the garden at the Pleasance. Her -mamma smelt the flowers, admired them, and smiled as she said, "Your -papa planted a root of those in my little garden the first summer I was -here." - -"Then I am sure you will like to have them at the Pleasance, mamma." - -"My dear child,"--she paused, while Henrietta started, and gazed upon -her, frightened at the manner--"you must not build upon our favourite -old plan; you must prepare--" - -"O but, mamma, you are better! You are so much better than two days -ago; and these clear days do you so much good; and it is all so -bright." - -"Thanks to Him Who has made it bright!" said her mother, taking her -hand. "But I fear, my own dearest, that it will seem far otherwise to -you. I want you to make up your mind--" - -Henrietta broke vehemently upon the feeble accents. "Mamma! mamma! you -must not speak so! It is the worst thing people can do to think -despondingly of themselves. Aunt Geoffrey, do tell her so!" - -"Despondingly! my child; you little know what the thought is to me!" - -The words were almost whispered, and Henrietta scarcely marked them. - -"No, no, you must not! It is too cruel to me,--I can't bear it!" she -cried; the tears in her eyes, and a violence of agitation about her, -which her mother, feeble as she was, could not attempt to contend with. -She rested her head on her cushions, and silently and mournfully -followed with her eyes the hasty trembling movements of her daughter, -who continued to arrange the things on the table, and make desperate -attempts to regain her composure; but completely failing, caught up her -bonnet, and hurried out of the room. - -"Poor dear child," said Mrs. Frederick Langford, "I wish she was more -prepared. Beatrice, the comforting her is the dearest and saddest task -I leave you. Fred, poor fellow, is prepared, and will bear up like a -man; but it will come fearfully upon her. And Henrietta and I have -been more like sisters than mother and daughter. If she would only -bear to hear me--but no, if I were to be overcome while speaking to -her, it might give her pain in the recollection. Beatrice, you must -tell her all I would say." - -"If I could!" - -"You must tell her, Beatrice, that I was as undisciplined as she is -now. Tell her how I have come to rejoice in the great affliction of my -life: how little I knew how to bear it when Frederick was taken from me -and his children, in the prime of his health and strength. You -remember how crushed to the ground I was, and how it was said that my -life was saved chiefly by the calmness that came with the full belief -that I was dying. And O! how my spirit rebelled when I found myself -recovering! Do you remember the first day I went to Church to return -thanks?" - -"It was after we were gone home." - -"Ah! yes. I had put it off longer than I ought, because I felt so -utterly unable to join in the service. The sickness of heart that came -with those verses of thanksgiving! All I could do was to pray to be -forgiven for not being able to follow them. Now I can own with all my -heart the mercy that would not grant my blind wish for death. My -treasure was indeed in heaven, but O! it was not the treasure that was -meant. I was forgetting my mother, and so selfish and untamed was I, -that I was almost forgetting my poor babies! Yes, tell her this, -Beatrice, and tell her that, if duties and happiness sprang up all -around me, forlorn and desolate as I thought myself, so much the more -will they for her; and 'at evening time there shall be light.' Tell -her that I look to her for guiding and influencing Fred. She must -never let a week pass without writing to him, and she must have the -honoured office of waiting on the old age of her grandfather and -grandmother. I think she will be a comfort to them, do not you? They -are fond of her, and she seems to suit them." - -"Yes, I have little doubt that she will be everything to them. I have -especially noted her ways with Mrs. Langford, they are so exactly what -I have tried to teach Beatrice." - -"Dear little Busy Bee! I am glad she is coming; but in case I should -not see her, give her her godmother's love, and tell her that she and -Henrietta must be what their mammas have been to each other; and that I -trust that after thirty-five years' friendship, they will still have as -much confidence in one another as I have in you, my own dear Beatrice. -I have written her name in one of these books," she added after a short -interval, touching some which were always close to her. "And, -Beatrice, one thing more I had to say," she proceeded, taking up a -Bible, and finding out a place in it. "Geoffrey has always been a -happy prosperous man, as he well deserves; but if ever trouble should -come to him in his turn, then show him this." She pointed out the -verse, "Be as a father to the fatherless, and instead of a husband to -their mother; so shalt thou be as the son of the Most High, and He -shall love thee more than thy mother doth." "Show him that, and tell -him it is his sister Mary's last blessing." - - - - -CHAPTER XVIII. - - - -On Thursday morning, Henrietta began to awake from her sound night's -rest. Was it a dream that she saw a head between her and the window? -She thought it was, and turned to sleep again; but at her movement the -head turned, the figure advanced, and Mrs. Geoffrey Langford stood over -her. - -Henrietta opened her eyes, and gazed upon her without saying a word for -some moments; then, as her senses awakened, she half sprung up. "How -is mamma? Does she want me? Why?" Her aunt made an effort to speak, -but it seemed beyond her power. - -"O, aunt, aunt!" cried she, "what is the matter? What has happened? -Speak to me!" - -"Henrietta," said her aunt, in a low, calm, but hoarse tone, "she bade -you bear up for your brother's sake." - -"But--but--" said Henrietta, breathlessly; "and she--" - -"My dear child, she is at rest." - -Henrietta laid her head back, as if completely stunned, and unable to -realise what she had heard. - -"Tell me," she said, after a few moments. - -Her aunt knelt by her and steadily, without a tear, began to speak. -"It was at half-past twelve; she had been asleep some little time very -quietly. I was just going to lie down on the sofa, when I thought her -face looked different, and stood watching. She woke, said she felt -oppressed, and asked me to raise her pillows. While she was leaning -against my arm, there was a spasm, a shiver, and she was gone! Yes, we -must only think of her as in perfect peace!" - -Henrietta lay motionless for some moments, then at last broke out with -a sort of anger, "O, why did you not call me?" - -"There was not one instant, my dear, and I could not ring, for fear of -disturbing Fred. I could not call any one till it was too late." - -"O, why was I not there? I would--I would--she must have heard me. -I would not have let her go. O, mamma!" cried Henrietta, almost -unconscious of what she said, and bursting into a transport of -ungovernable grief; sobbing violently and uttering wild incoherent -exclamations. Her aunt tried in vain to soothe her by kind words, but -all she said seemed only to add impulse to the torrent; and at last she -found herself obliged to wait till the violence of the passion had in -some degree exhausted itself; and young, strong, and undisciplined as -poor Henrietta was, this was not quickly. At last, however, the sobs -grew less loud, and the exclamations less vehement. Aunt Geoffrey -thought she could be heard, leant down over her, kissed her, and said, -"Now we must pray that we may fulfil her last desire; bear it -patiently, and try to help your brother." - -"Fred, O poor Fred!" and she seemed on the point of another burst of -lamentation, but her aunt went on speaking--"I must go to him; he has -yet to hear it, and you had better come to him as soon as you are -dressed." - -"O aunt; I could not bear to see him. It will kill him, I know it -will! O no, no, I cannot, cannot see Fred! O, mamma, mamma!" A fresh -fit of weeping succeeded, and Mrs. Langford herself feeling most -deeply, was in great doubt and perplexity; she did not like to leave -Henrietta in this condition, and yet there was an absolute necessity -that she should go to poor Fred, before any chance accident or -mischance should reveal the truth. - -"I must leave you, my dear," said she, at last. "Think how your dear -mother bowed her head to His will. Pray to your Father in Heaven, Who -alone can comfort you. I must go to your brother, and when I return, I -hope you will be more composed." - -The pain of witnessing the passionate sorrow of Henrietta was no good -preparation for carrying the same tidings to one, whose bodily weakness -made it to be feared that he might suffer even more; but Mrs. Geoffrey -Langford feared to lose her composure by stopping to reflect, and -hastened down from Henrietta's room with a hurried step. - -She knocked at Fred's door, and was answered by his voice. As she -entered he looked at her with anxious eyes, and before she could speak, -said, "I know what you are come to tell me." - -"Yes, Fred," said she; "but how?" - -"I was sure of it," said Fred. "I knew I should never see her again; -and there were sounds this morning. Did not I hear poor Henrietta -crying?" - -"She has been crying very much," said his aunt. - -"Ah! she would never believe it," said Fred. "But after last Sunday-- -O, no one could look at that face, and think she was to stay here any -longer!" - -"We could not wish it for her sake," said his aunt, for the first time -feeling almost overcome. - -"Let me hear how it was," said Frederick, after a pause. - -His aunt repeated what she had before told Henrietta, and then he asked -quickly, "What did you do? I did not hear you ring." - -"No, that was what I was afraid of. I was going to call some one, when -I met grandpapa, who was just going up. He came with me, and--and was -very kind--then he sent me to lie down; but I could not sleep, and went -to wait for Henrietta's waking." - -Fred gave a long, deep, heavy sigh, and said, "Poor Henrietta! Is she -very much overcome?" - -"So much, that I hardly know how to leave her." - -"Don't stay with me, then, Aunt Geoffrey. It is very kind in you, but -I don't think anything is much good to me." He hid his face as he -spoke thus, in a tone of the deepest dejection. - -"Nothing but prayer, my dear Fred," said she, gently. "Then I will go -to your sister again." - -"Thank you." And she had reached the door when he asked, "When does -Uncle Geoffrey come?" - -"By the four o'clock train," she answered, and moved on. - -Frederick hid his head under the clothes, and gave way to a burst of -agony, which, silent as it was, was even more intense than his -sister's. O! the blank that life seemed without her look, her voice, -her tone! the frightful certainty that he should never see her more! -Then it would for a moment seem utterly incredible that she should thus -have passed away; but then returned the conviction, and he felt as if -he could not even exist under it. But this excessive oppression and -consciousness of misery seemed chiefly to come upon him when alone. In -the presence of another person he could talk in the same quiet matter- -of-fact way in which he had already done to his aunt; and the blow -itself, sudden as it was, did not affect his health as the first -anticipation of it had done. With Henrietta things were quite -otherwise. When alone she was quiet, in a sort of stupor, in which she -scarcely even thought; but the entrance of any person into her room -threw her into a fresh paroxysm of grief, ever increasing in vehemence; -then she was quieted a little, and was left to herself, but she could -not, or would not, turn where alone comfort could be found, and -repelled, almost as if it was an insult to her affection, any entreaty -that she would even try to be comforted. Above all, in the perverse- -ness of her undisciplined affliction, she persisted in refusing to see -her brother. "She should do him harm," she said. "No, it was utterly -impossible for her to control herself so as not to do him harm." And -thereupon her sobs and tears redoubled. She would not touch a morsel -of food; she would not consent to leave her bed when asked to do so, -though ten minutes after, in the restlessness of her misery, she was -found walking up and down her room in her dressing-gown. - -Never had Mrs. Geoffrey Langford known a more trying day. Old Mr. -Langford, who had loved "Mary" like his own child, did indeed bear up -under the affliction with all his own noble spirit of Christian -submission; but, excepting by his sympathy, he could be of little -assistance to her in the many painful offices which fell to her share. -Mrs. Langford walked about the house, active as ever; now sitting down -in her chair, and bursting into a flood of tears for "poor Mary," or -"dear Frederick," all the sorrow for whose loss seemed renewed; then -rising vigorously, saying, "Well, it is His will; it is all for the -best!" and hastening away to see how Henrietta and Fred were, to make -some arrangement about mourning, or to get Geoffrey's room ready for -him. And in all these occupations she wanted Beatrice to consult, or -to sympathise, or to promise that Geoffrey would like and approve what -she did. In the course of the morning Mr. and Mrs. Roger Langford came -from Sutton Leigh, and the latter, by taking the charge of, talking to, -and assisting Mrs. Langford, greatly relieved her sister-in-law. Still -there were the two young mourners. Henrietta was completely -unmanageable, only resting now and then to break forth with more -violence; and her sorrow far too selfish and unsubmissive to be soothed -either by the thought of Him Who sent it, or of the peace and rest to -which that beloved one was gone; and as once the anxiety for her -brother had swallowed up all care for her mother, so now grief for her -mother absorbed every consideration for Frederick; so that it was -useless to attempt to persuade her to make any exertion for his sake. -Nothing seemed in any degree to tranquillize her except Aunt Geoffrey's -reading to her; and then it was only that she was lulled by the sound -of the voice, not that the sense reached her mind. But then, how go on -reading to her all day, when poor Fred was left in his lonely room, to -bear his own share of sorrow in solitude? For though Mr. and Mrs. -Langford, and Uncle and Aunt Roger, made him many brief kind visits, -they all of them had either too much on their hands, or were unfitted -by disposition to be the companions he wanted. It was only Aunt -Geoffrey who could come and sit by him, and tell him all those precious -sayings of his mother in her last days, which in her subdued low voice -renewed that idea of perfect peace and repose which came with the image -of his mother, and seemed to still the otherwise overpowering thought -that she was gone. But in the midst the door would open, and -grandmamma would come in, looking much distressed, with some such -request as this--"Beatrice, if Fred can spare you, would you just go up -to poor Henrietta? I thought she was better, and that it was as well -to do it at once; so I went to ask her for one of her dresses, to send -for a pattern for her mourning, and that has set her off crying to such -a degree, that Elizabeth and I can do nothing with her. I wish -Geoffrey was come!" - -Nothing was expressed so often through the day as this wish, and no one -wished more earnestly than his wife, though, perhaps, she was the only -person who did not say so a dozen times. There was something cheering -in hearing that his brother had actually set off to meet him at -Allonfield; and at length Fred's sharpened ears caught the sound of the -carriage wheels, and he was come. It seemed as if he was considered by -all as their own exclusive property. His mother had one of her quick, -sudden bursts of lamentation as soon as she saw him; his brother, as -usual, wanted to talk to him; Fred was above all eager for him; and it -was only his father who seemed even to recollect that his wife might -want him more than all. And so she did. Her feelings were very strong -and impetuous by nature, and the loss was one of the greatest she could -have sustained. Nothing save her husband and her child was so near to -her heart as her sister; and worn out as she was by long attendance, -sleepless nights, and this trying day, when all seemed to rest upon -her, she now completely gave way, and was no sooner alone with her -husband and daughter, than her long repressed feelings relieved -themselves in a flood of tears, which, though silent, were completely -beyond her own control. Now that he was come, she could, and indeed -must, give way; and the more she attempted to tell him of the -peacefulness of her own dear Mary, the more her tears would stream -forth. He saw how it was, and would not let her even reproach herself -for her weakness, or attempt any longer to exert herself; but made her -lie down on her bed, and told her that he and Queen Bee could manage -very well. - -Queen Bee stood there pale, still, and bewildered-looking. She had -scarcely spoken since she heard of her aunt's death; and new as -affliction was to her sunny life, scarce knew where she was, or whether -this was her own dear Knight Sutton; and even her mother's grief seemed -to her almost more like a dream. - -"Ah, yes," said Mrs. Geoffrey Langford, as soon as her daughter had -been named, "I ought to have sent you to Henrietta before." - -"Very well," said Beatrice, though her heart sank within her as she -thought of her last attempt at consoling Henrietta. - -"Go straight up to her," continued her mother; "don't wait to let her -think whether she will see you or not. I only wish poor Fred could do -the same." - -"If I could but do her any good," sighed Beatrice, as she opened the -door and hastened upstairs. She knocked, and entered without waiting -for an answer: Henrietta lifted up her head, came forward with a little -cry, threw herself into her arms, and wept bitterly. Mournful as all -around was, there was a bright ray of comfort in Queen Bee's heart when -she was thus hailed as a friend and comforter. She only wished and -longed to know what might best serve to console her poor Henrietta; but -all that occurred to her was to embrace and fondle her very -affectionately, and call her by the most caressing names. This was all -that Henrietta was as yet fit to bear; and after a time, growing -quieter, she poured out to her cousin all her grief, without fear of -blame for its violence. Beatrice was sometimes indeed startled by the -want of all idea of resignation, but she could not believe that any one -could feel otherwise,--least of all Henrietta, who had lost her only -parent, and that parent Aunt Mary. Neither did she feel herself good -enough to talk seriously to Henrietta; she considered herself as only -sent to sit with her, so she did not make any attempt to preach the -resignation which was so much wanted; and Henrietta, who had all day -been hearing of it, and rebelling against it, was almost grateful to -her. So Henrietta talked and talked, the same repeated lamentation, -the same dreary views of the future coming over and over again; and -Beatrice's only answer was to agree with all her heart to all that was -said of her own dear Aunt Mary, and to assure Henrietta of the fervent -love that was still left for her in so many hearts on earth. - -The hours passed on; Beatrice was called away and Henrietta was -inclined to be fretful at her leaving her; but she presently returned, -and the same discourse was renewed, until at last Beatrice began to -read to her, and thus did much to soothe her spirits, persuaded her to -make a tolerable meal at tea-time, bathed her eyelids that were -blistered with tears, put her to bed, and finally read her to sleep. -Then, as she crept quietly down to inquire after her mamma, and wish -the others in the drawing-room good night, she reflected whether she -had done what she ought for her cousin. - -"I have not put a single right or really consoling thought into her -head," said she to herself; "for as to the reading, she did not attend -to that. But after all I could not have done it. I must be better -myself before I try to improve other people; and it is not what I -deserve to be allowed to be any comfort at all." - -Thanks partly to Beatrice's possessing no rightful authority over -Henrietta, partly to the old habit of relying on her, she contrived to -make her get up and dress herself at the usual time next morning. But -nothing would prevail on her to go down stairs. She said she could not -endure to pass "that door," where ever before the fondest welcome -awaited her; and as to seeing her brother, that having been deferred -yesterday, seemed to-day doubly dreadful. The worst of this piece of -perverseness--for it really deserved no better name--was that it began -to vex Fred. "But that I know how to depend upon you, Uncle Geoffrey," -said he, "I should really think she must be ill. I never knew anything -so strange." - -Uncle Geoffrey resolved to put an end to it, if possible; and soon -after leaving Fred's room he knocked at his niece's door. She was -sitting by the fire with a book in her hand, but not reading. - -"Good morning, my dear," said he, taking her languid hand. "I bring -you a message from Fred, that he hopes you are soon coming down to see -him." - -She turned away her head. "Poor dear Fred!" said she; "but it is quite -impossible. I cannot bear it as he does; I should only overset him and -do him harm." - -"And why cannot you bear it as he does?" said her uncle gravely. "You -do not think his affection for her was less? and you have all the -advantages of health and strength." - -"Oh, no one can feel as I do!" cried Henrietta, with one of her -passionate outbreaks. "O how I loved her!" - -"Fred did not love her less," proceeded her uncle. "And why will you -leave him in sorrow and in weakness to doubt the sister's love that -should be his chief stay?" - -"He does not doubt it," sobbed Henrietta. "He knows me better." - -"Nay, Henrietta, what reason has he to trust to that affection which is -not strong enough to overcome the dread of a few moments' painful -emotion?" - -"Oh, but it is not that only! I shall feel it all so much more out of -this room, where she has never been; but to see the rest of the house-- -to go past her door! O, uncle, I have not the strength for it." - -"No, your affection for him is not strong enough." - -Henrietta's pale cheeks flushed, and her tears were angry. "You do not -know me, Uncle Geoffrey," said she proudly, and then she almost choked -with weeping at unkindness where she most expected kindness. - -"I know this much of you, Henrietta. You have been nursing up your -grief and encouraging yourself in murmuring and repining, in a manner -which you will one day see to have been sinful: you are obstinate in -making yourself useless." - -Henrietta, little used to blame, was roused to defend herself with the -first weapon she could. "Aunt Geoffrey is just as much knocked up as I -am," said she. - -If ever Uncle Geoffrey was made positively angry, he was so now, though -if he had not thought it good that Henrietta should be roused, he would -have repressed even such demonstrations as he made. "Henrietta, this -is too bad! Has she been weakly yielding?--has she been shutting -herself up in her room, and keeping aloof from those who most needed -her, lest she should pain her own feelings? Have not you rather been -perplexing and distressing, and harassing her with your wilful -selfishness, refusing to do the least thing to assist her in the care -of your own brother, after she has been wearing herself out in watching -over your mother? And now, when her strength and spirits are exhausted -by the exertions she has made for you and yours, and I have been -obliged to insist on her resting, you fancy her example an excuse for -you! Is this the way your mother would have acted? I see arguing with -you does you no good: I have no more to say." - -He got up, opened the door, and went out: Henrietta, dismayed at the -accusation but too well founded on her words, had but one thought, that -she should not deem her regardless of his kindness. "Uncle Geoffrey!" -she cried, "O, uncle--" but he was gone; and forgetting everything -else, she flew after him down the stairs, and before she recollected -anything else, she found herself standing in the hall, saying, "O -uncle, do not think I meant that!" - -At that moment her grandpapa came out of the drawing-room. Henrietta!" -said he, "I am glad to see you downstairs." - -Henrietta hastily returned his kiss, and looked somewhat confused; then -laying her hand entreatingly on her uncle's arm, said, "Only say you -are not angry with me." - -"No, no, Henrietta, not if you will act like a rational person," said -he with something of a smile, which she could not help returning in her -surprise at finding herself downstairs after all. - -"And you do not imagine me ungrateful?" - -"Not when you are in your right senses." - -"Ungrateful!" exclaimed Mr. Langford. "What is he accusing you of, -Henrietta? What is the meaning of all this?" - -"Nothing," said Uncle Geoffrey, "but that Henrietta and I have both -been somewhat angry with each other; but we have made it up now, have -we not, Henrietta?" - -It was wonderful how much good the very air of the hall was doing -Henrietta, and how fast it was restoring her energy and power of -turning her mind to other things. She answered a few remarks of -grandpapa's with very tolerable cheerfulness, and even when the hall -door opened and admitted Uncle and Aunt Roger, she did not run away, -but stayed to receive their greetings before turning to ascend the -stairs. - -"You are not going to shut yourself up in your own room again?" said -grandpapa. - -"No, I was only going to Fred," said she, growing as desirous of seeing -him as she had before been averse to it. - -"Suppose," said Uncle Geoffrey, "that you were to take a turn or two -round the garden first. There is Queen Bee, she will go out with you, -and you will bring Fred in a fresher face." - -"I will fetch your bonnet," said Queen Bee, who was standing at the top -of the stairs, wisely refraining from expressing her astonishment at -seeing her cousin in the hall. - -And before Henrietta had time to object, the bonnet was on her head, a -shawl thrown round her, Beatrice had drawn her arm within hers, and had -opened the sashed door into the garden. - -It was a regular April day, with all the brilliancy and clearness of -the sunshine that comes between showers, the white clouds hung in huge -soft masses on the blue sky, the leaves of the evergreens were -glistening with drops of rain, the birds sang sweetly in the shrubs -around. Henrietta's burning eyes felt refreshed, and though she sighed -heavily, she could not help admiring, but Beatrice was surprised that -the first thing she began to say was an earnest inquiry after Aunt -Geoffrey, and a warm expression of gratitude towards her. - -Then the conversation died away again, and they completed their two -turns in silence; but Henrietta's heart began to fail her when she -thought of going in without having her to greet. She lingered and -could hardly resolve to go, but at length she entered, walked up the -stairs, gave her shawl and bonnet to Beatrice, and tapped at Fred's -door. - -"Is that you?" was his eager answer, and as she entered he came forward -to meet her. "Poor Henrietta!" was all he said, as she put her arm -round his neck and kissed him, and then leaning on her he returned to -his sofa, made her sit by him, and showed all sorts of kind solicitude -for her comfort. She had cried so much that she felt as if she could -cry no longer, but she reproached herself excessively for having left -him to himself so long, when all he wanted was to comfort her; and she -tried to make some apology. - -"I am sorry I did not come sooner, Fred." - -"O, it is of no use to talk about it," said Fred, playing with her long -curls as she sat on a footstool close to him, just as she used to do in -times long gone by. "You are come now, and that is all I want. Have -you been out? I thought I heard the garden door just before you came -in." - -"Yes, I took two turns with Queen Bee. How bright and sunny it is. -And how are you this morning, Freddy?" - -"O, pretty well I think," said he, sighing, as if he cared little about -the matter. "I wanted to show you this, Henrietta." And he took up a -book where he had marked a passage for her. She saw several paper -marks in some other books, and perceived with shame that he had been -reading yesterday, and choosing out what might comfort her, his selfish -sister, as she could not help feeling herself. - -And here was the first great point gained, though there was still much -for Henrietta to learn. It was the first time she had ever been -conscious of her own selfishness, or perhaps more justly, of her -proneness to make all give way to her own feeling of the moment. - - - - -CHAPTER XIX. - - - -There was some question as to who should attend the funeral. Henrietta -shuddered and trembled all over as if it were a cruelty to mention it -before her; but Frederick was very desirous that she should be there, -partly from a sort of feeling that she would represent himself, and -partly from a strong conviction that it would be good for her. She was -willing to do anything or everything for him, to make up for her day's -neglect: and she consented, though with many tears, and was glad that -at least Fred seemed satisfied, and her uncle looked pleased with her. - -Aunt Geoffrey undertook to stay with Fred, and Henrietta, who clung -much to Beatrice, felt relieved by the thought of her support in such -an hour of trial. She remembered the day when, with a kind of -agreeable emotion, she had figured to herself her father's funeral, -little thinking of the reality that so soon awaited her, so much worse, -as she thought, than what any of them could even then have felt; and it -seemed to her perfectly impossible that she should ever have power to -go through with it. - -In was much, however, that she should have agreed to what in the -prospect gave her so much pain; and perhaps, for that very reason, she -found the reality less overwhelming than she had dreaded. Seeing -nothing, observing nothing, hardly conscious of anything, she walked -along, wrapped in one absorbing sense of wretchedness; and the first -words that "broke the stillness of that hour," healing as they were, -seemed but to add certainty to that one thought that "she was gone." -But while the Psalms and the Lessons were read, the first heavy -oppression of grief seemed in some degree to grow lighter. She could -listen, and the words reached her mind; a degree of thankfulness arose -to Him Who had wiped away the tears from her mother's eyes, and by Whom -the sting of death had been taken away. Yes; she had waited in faith, -in patience, in meek submission, until now her long widowhood was over; -and what better for her could those who most loved her desire, than -that she should safely sleep in the chancel of the Church of her -childhood, close to him whom she had so loved and so mourned, until the -time when both should once more awaken,--the corruptible should put on -incorruption, the mortal should put on immortality, and death be -swallowed up in victory. - -Something of this was what Henrietta began to feel; and though the -tears flowed fast, they were not the bitter drops of personal sorrow. -She was enabled to bear, without the agony she had expected, the -standing round the grave in the chancel; nor did her heart swell -rebelliously against the expression that it was "in great mercy that -the soul of this our dear sister" was taken, even though she shrank and -shivered at the sound of the earth cast in, which would seem to close -up from her for ever the most loved and loving creature that she would -ever know. No, not for ever,--might she too but keep her part in Him -Who is the Resurrection and the Life--might she be found acceptable in -His sight, and receive the blessing to be pronounced to all that love -and fear Him. - -It was over: they all stood round for a few minutes. At last Mr. -Langford moved; Henrietta was also obliged to turn away, but before -doing so, she raised her eyes to her father's name, to take leave of -him as it were, as she always did before going out of Church. She met -her Uncle Geoffrey's eye as she did so, and took his arm; and as soon -as she was out of the church, she said almost in a whisper, "Uncle, I -don't wish for him now." - -He pressed her arm, and looked most kindly at her, but he did not -speak, for he could hardly command his voice; and he saw, too, that she -might safely be trusted to the influences of that only true consolation -which was coming upon her. - -They came home--to the home that looked as if it would fain be once -more cheerful, with the front window blinds drawn up again, and the -solemn stillness no longer observed. Henrietta hastened up to her own -room, for she could not bear to show herself to her brother in her long -crape veil. She threw her bonnet off, knelt down for a few minutes, -but rose on hearing the approach of Beatrice, who still shared the same -room. Beatrice came in, and looked at her for a few moments, as if -doubtful how to address her; but at last she put her hand on her -shoulder, and looking earnestly in her face, repeated-- - - - "Then cheerily to your work again, - With hearts new braced and set, - To run untir'd love's blessed race, - As meet for those who, face to face, - Over the grave their Lord have met." - - -"Yes, Queenie," said Henrietta, giving a long sigh, "it is a very -different world to me now; but I do mean to try. And first, dear Bee, -you must let me thank you for having been very kind to me this long -time past, though I am afraid I showed little thankfulness." She -kissed her affectionately, and the tears almost choked Beatrice. - -"Me! me, of all people," she said. "O, Henrietta!" - -"We must talk of it all another time," said Henrietta, "but now it will -not do to stay away from Fred any longer. Don't think this like the -days when I used to run away from you in the winter, Bee--that time -when I would not stop and talk about the verses on the holly." - -While she spoke, there was something of the "new bracing" visible in -every movement, as she set her dress to rights, and arranged her curls, -which of late she had been used to allow to hang in a deplorable way, -that showed how little vigour or inclination to bear up there was about -her whole frame. - -"O no, do not stay with me," said Queen Bee, "I am going"--to mamma, -she would have said, but she hardly knew how to use the word when -speaking to Henrietta. - -"Yes," said Henrietta, understanding her. "And tell her, Bee--for I am -sure I shall never be able to say it to her,--all about our thanks, and -how sorry I am that I cared so little about her or her comfort." "If I -had only believed, instead of blinding myself so wilfully!" she almost -whispered to herself with a deep sigh; but being now ready, she ran -downstairs and entered her brother's room. His countenance bore traces -of weeping, but he was still calm; and as she came in he looked -anxiously at her. She spoke quietly as she sat down by him, put her -hand into his, and said, "Thank you, dear Fred, for making me go." - -"I was quite sure you would be glad when it was over," said Fred. "I -have been reading the service with Aunt Geoffrey, but that is a very -different thing." - -"It will all come to you when you go to Church again," said Henrietta. - -"How little I thought that New Year's Day--!" said Fred. - -"Ah! and how little we either of us thought last summer's holidays!" -said Henrietta. "If it was not for that, I could bear it all better; -but it was my determination to come here that seems to have caused -everything, and that is the thought I cannot bear." - -"I was talking all that over with Uncle Geoffrey last night," said -Fred, "and he especially warned us against reproaching ourselves with -consequences. He said it was he who had helped my father to choose the -horse that caused his death, and asked me if I thought he ought to -blame himself for that. I said no; and he went on to tell me that he -did not think we ought to take unhappiness to ourselves for what has -happened now; that we ought to think of the actions themselves, instead -of the results. Now my skating that day was just as bad as my driving, -except, to be sure, that I put nobody in danger but myself; it was just -as much disobedience, and I ought to be just as sorry for it, though -nothing came of it, except that I grew more wilful." - -"Yes," said Henrietta, "but I shall always feel as if everything had -been caused by me. I am sure I shall never dare wish anything again." - -"It was just as much my wish as yours," said Fred. - -"Ah! but you did not go on always trying to make her do what you -pleased, and keeping her to it, and almost thinking it a thing of -course, to make her give up her wishes to yours. That was what I was -always doing, and now I can never make up for it!" - -"O yes," said Fred, "we can never feel otherwise than that. To know -how she forgave us both, and how her wishes always turned to be the -same as ours, if ours were not actually wrong; that is little comfort -to remember, now, but perhaps it will be in time. But don't you see, -Henrietta, my dear, what Uncle Geoffrey means?--that if you did -domineer over her, it was very wrong, and you may be sorry for that; -but that you must not accuse yourself of doing all the mischief by -bringing her here. He says he does not know whether it was not, after -all, what was most for her comfort, if--" - -"O, Freddy, to have you almost killed!" - -"If the thoughts I have had lately will but stay with me when I am well -again, I do not think my accident will be a matter of regret, -Henrietta. Just consider, when I was so disobedient in these little -things, and attending so little to her or to Uncle Geoffrey, how likely -it was that I might have gone on to much worse at school and college." - -"Never, never!" said Henrietta. - -"Not now, I hope," said Fred; "but that was not what I meant to say. -No one could say, Uncle Geoffrey told me, that the illness was brought -on either by anxiety or over-exertion. The complaint was of long -standing, and must have made progress some time or other; and he said -that he was convinced that, as she said to Aunt Geoffrey, she had -rather have been here than anywhere else. She said she could only be -sorry for grandpapa and grandmamma's sake, but that for herself it was -great happiness to have been to Knight Sutton Church once more; and she -was most thankful that she had come to die in my father's home, after -seeing us well settled here, instead of leaving us to come to it as a -strange place." - -"How little we guessed it was for that," said Henrietta. "O what were -we doing? But if it made her happy--" - -"Just imagine what to-day would have been if we were at Rocksand," said -Fred. "I, obliged to go back to school directly, and you, taking leave -of everything there which would seem to you so full of her; and Uncle -Geoffrey, just bringing you here without any time to stay with you, and -the place and people all strange. I am sure that she who thought so -much for you, must have rejoiced that you are at home here already." - -"Home!" said Henrietta, "how determinedly we used to call it so! But O, -that my wish should have turned out in such a manner! If it has been -all overruled so as to be happiness to her, as I am sure it has, I -cannot complain; but I think I shall never wish again, or care for my -own way." - -"The devices and desires of our own hearts!" said Fred. - -"I don't think I shall ever have spirit enough to be wilful for my own -sake," proceeded Henrietta. "Nothing will ever be the same pleasure to -me, as when she used to be my other self, and enjoy it all over again -for me; so that it was all twofold!" Here she hid her face, and her -tears streamed fast, but they were soft and calm; and when she saw that -Fred also was much overcome, she recalled her energies in a minute. - -"But, Fred, I may well be thankful that I have you, which is far more -than I deserve; and as long as we do what she wished, we are still -obeying her. I think at last I may get something of the right sort of -feeling; for I am sure I see much better now what she and grandpapa -used to mean when they talked about dear papa. And now do you like for -me to read to you?" - -Few words more require to be said of Frederick and Henrietta Langford. -Knight Sutton Hall was according to their mother's wish, their home; -and there Henrietta had the consolation, during the advancing spring -and summer, of watching her brother's recovery, which was very slow, -but at the same time steady. Mrs. Geoffrey Langford stayed with her as -long as he required much nursing; and Henrietta learnt to look upon -her, not as quite a mother, but at any rate as more than an aunt, far -more than she had ever been to her before; and when at length she was -obliged to return to Westminster, it was a great satisfaction to think -how soon the vacation would bring them all back to Knight Sutton. - -The holidays arrived, and with them Alexander, who, to his great -disappointment, was obliged to give up all his generous hopes that Fred -would be one of his competitors for the prize, when he found him able -indeed to be with the family, to walk short distances, and to resume -many of his former habits; but still very easily tired, and his head in -a condition to suffer severely from noise, excitement, or application. -Perhaps this was no bad thing for their newly formed alliance, as Alex -had numberless opportunities of developing his consideration and -kindness, by silencing his brothers, assisting his cousin when tired, -and again and again silently giving up some favourite scheme of -amusement when Fred proved to be unequal to it. Even Henrietta herself -almost learned to trust Fred to Alex's care, which was so much less -irritating than her own; and how greatly the Queen Bee was improved is -best shown, when it is related, that neither by word nor look did she -once interrupt the harmony between them, or attempt to obtain the -attention, of which, in fact, she always had as large a share as any -reasonable person could desire. - -How fond Fred learnt to be of Alex will be easily understood, and the -best requital of his kindness that he could devise was an offer--a very -adventurous one, as was thought by all who heard of it--to undertake -little Willy's Latin, which being now far beyond Aunt Roger's -knowledge, had been under Alex's care for the holidays. Willy was a -very good pupil on the whole--better, it was said by most, than Alex -himself had been--and very fond of Fred; but Latin grammar and Caesar -formed such a test as perhaps their alliance would scarcely have -endured, if in an insensible manner Willy and his books had not -gradually been made over to Henrietta, whose great usefulness and good -nature in this respect quite made up, in grandmamma's eyes, for her -very tolerable amount of acquirements in Latin and Greek. - -By the time care for her brother's health had ceased to be Henrietta's -grand object, and she was obliged once more to see him depart to pursue -his education, a whole circle of pursuits and occupations had sprung up -around her, and given her the happiness of feeling herself both useful -and valued. Old Mr. Langford saw in her almost the Mary he had parted -with when resumed in early girlhood by Mrs. Vivian; Mrs. Langford had a -granddaughter who would either be petted, sent on messages, or be civil -to the Careys, as occasion served; Aunt Roger was really grateful to -her, as well for the Latin and Greek she bestowed upon Willy and -Charlie, as for the braided merino frocks or coats on which Bennet used -to exercise her taste when Henrietta's wardrobe failed to afford her -sufficient occupation. The boys all liked her, made a friend of her, -and demonstrated it in various ways more or less uncouth: her manners -gradually acquired the influence over them which Queen Bee had only -exerted over Alex and Willy, and when, saving Carey and Dick, they grew -less awkward and bearish, without losing their honest downright good -humour and good nature, Uncle Geoffrey only did her justice in -attributing the change to her unconscious power. Miss Henrietta was -also the friend of the poor women, the teacher and guide of the school -children, and in their eyes and imagination second to no one but Mr. -Franklin. And withal she did not cease to be all that she had ever -been to her brother, if not still more. His heart and soul were for -her, and scarce a joy and sorrow but was shared between them. She was -his home, his everything, and she well fulfilled her mother's parting -trust of being his truest friend and best-loved counsellor. - -Would that her own want of submission and resignation had not prevented -her from hearing the dear accents in which that charge was conveyed! -This was, perhaps, the most deeply felt sorrow that followed her -through life; and even with the fair peaceful image of her beloved -mother, there was linked a painful memory of a long course of -wilfulness and domineering on her own part. But there was much to be -dwelt on that spoke only of blessedness and love, and each day brought -her nearer to her whom she had lost, so long as she was humbly striving -to walk in the steps of Him Who "came not to do His own will, but the -will of Him that sent Him." - -THE END - - - - -*** END OF THE PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK, HENRIETTA'S WISH *** - -This file should be named hwish10.txt or hwish10.zip -Corrected EDITIONS of our eBooks get a new NUMBER, hwish11.txt -VERSIONS based on separate sources get new LETTER, hwish10a.txt - -Project Gutenberg eBooks are often created from several printed -editions, all of which are confirmed as Public Domain in the US -unless a copyright notice is included. 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