AlreadyMr.Corbet\'snamewasknownthroughthecountryasthatofagreatlawyer;peoplediscussedhisspeechesandcharacterfarandwide;andthewell-informedinlegalgossipspokeofhimassuretobeofferedajudgeshipatthenextvacancy.Sohe,thoughgrave,andmiddle-aged,andsomewhatgrey,dividedattentionandremarkwithhislovelybride,andherprettytrainofcousinbridesmaids.MissMonroneednothavefearedforEllinor:shesawandheardallthingsasinamist——adream;assomethingshehadtogothrough,beforeshecouldwakenuptoarealityofbrightnessinwhichheryouth,andthehopesofheryouth,shouldberestored,andallthesewearyyearsofdreaminessandwoeshouldberevealedasnothingbutthenightmareofanight.Shesatmotionlessenough,stillenough,MissMonrobyher,watchingherasintentlyasakeeperwatchesamadman,andwiththesamepurpose——topreventanyoutburstevenbybodilystrength,ifsuchrestraintbeneeded.Whenallwasover;whentheprincipalpersonagesoftheceremonyhadfiledintothevestrytosigntheirnames;whentheswarmoftownspeopleweregoingoutasswiftlyastheirindividualnotionsoftherestraintsofthesacrededificepermitted;whenthegreatchordsofthe\"WeddingMarch\"clangedoutfromtheorgan,andtheloudbellspealedoverhead——EllinorlaidherhandinMissMonro\'s.\"Takemehome,\"shesaidsoftly.AndMissMonroledherhomeasoneleadstheblind.
CHAPTERXII.
Therearesomepeoplewhoimperceptiblyfloatawayfromtheiryouthintomiddleage,andthencepassintodeclininglifewiththesoftandgentlemotionofhappyyears.Thereareotherswhoarewhirled,inspiteofthemselves,downdizzyrapidsofagonyawayfromtheiryouthatonegreatbound,intooldagewithanothersuddenshock;andthenceintothevastcalmoceanwheretherearenoshore-markstotelloftime.
Thislast,itseemed,wastobeEllinor\'slot.Heryouthhadgoneinasinglenight,fifteenyearsago,andnowsheappearedtohavebecomeanelderlywoman;verystillandhopelessinlookandmovement,butassweetandgentleinspeechandsmileasevershehadbeeninherhappiestdays.Allyoungpeople,whentheycametoknowher,lovedherdearly,thoughatfirsttheymightcallherdull,andheavytogetonwith;andasforchildrenandoldpeople,herreadywatchfulsympathyintheirjoysaswellastheirsorrowswasanunfailingpassagetotheirhearts.AfterthefirstgreatshockofMr.Corbet\'smarriagewasover,sheseemedtopassintoagreaterpeacethanshehadknownforyears;thelastfainthopeofhappinesswasgone;itwould,perhaps,bemoreaccuratetosay,ofthebrighthappinessshehadplannedforherselfinherearlyyouth.
Unconsciously,shewasbeingweanedfromself-seekinginanyshape,andherdailylifebecame,ifpossible,moreinnocentandpureandholy.Oneofthecanonsusedtolaughatherforherconstantattendanceatalltheservices,andforherdevotiontogoodworks,andcallheralwaysthereverendsister.MissMonrowasalittleannoyedatthisfaintclericaljoke;Ellinorsmiledquietly.MissMonrodisapprovedofEllinor\'sgravewaysandsoberseverestyleofdress.
\"Youmaybeasgoodasyoulike,mydear,andyetgodressedinsomeprettycolour,insteadofthoseperpetualblacksandgreys,andthentherewouldbenoneedformetobeperpetuallytellingpeopleyouareonlyfour-and-thirty(andtheydon\'tbelieveme,thoughItellthemsotillIamblackintheface).Or,ifyouwouldbutwearadecent-shapedbonnet,insteadofalwayswearingthoseofthepokyshapeinfashionwhenyouwereseventeen.\"
Theoldcanondied,andsomeonewastoheappointedinhisstead.
Theseclericalprefermentsandappointmentsweretheall-importantintereststotheinhabitantsoftheClose,andthediscussionofprobabilitiescameupinvariablyifanytwomettogether,instreetorhouse,orevenintheverycathedralitself.Atlengthitwassettled,andannouncedbythehigherpowers.Anenergetic,hard-
workingclergymanfromadistantpartofthediocese,Livingstonebyname,wastohavethevacantcanonry.
MissMonrosaidthatthenamewassomehowfamiliartoher,andbydegreessherecollectedtheyoungcuratewhohadcometoinquireafterEllinorinthatdreadfulillnessshehadhadatHamleyintheyear1829.Ellinorknewnothingofthatvisit;nomorethanMissMonrodidofwhathadpassedbetweenthetwobeforethatanxiousnight.EllinorjustthoughtitpossibleitmightbethesameMr.
Livingstone,andwouldratheritwerenot,becauseshedidnotfeelasifshecouldbearthefrequentthoughnotintimateintercourseshemustneedshave,ifsuchwerethecase,withonesocloselyassociatedwiththatgreattimeofterrorwhichshewasstrivingtoburyoutofsightbyeveryeffortinherpower.MissMonro,onthecontrary,wasbusyweavingaromanceforherpupil;shethoughtofthepassionateinterestdisplayedbythefairyoungclergymanfifteenyearsago,andbelievedthatoccasionallymencouldbeconstant,andhopedthatifMr.Livingstonewerethenewcanon,hemightprovetheraraaviswhichexistsbutonceinacentury.Hecame,anditwasthesame.Helookedalittlestouter,alittleolder,buthadstillthegaitandaspectofayoungman.Hissmoothfairfacewasscarcelylinedatallwithanymarksofcare;theblueeyeslookedsokindlyandpeaceful,thatMissMonrocouldscarcelyfancytheywerethesamewhichshehadseenfastfillingwithtears;theblandcalmlookofthewholemanneededtheennoblementofhisevidentdevoutnesstoberaisedintothetypeofholyinnocencewhichsomeoftheRomanistscallthe\"sacerdotalface.\"Hisentiresoulwasinhiswork,andhelookedaslittlelikelytostepforthinthecharacterofeitheraheroofromanceorafaithfulloverascouldbeimagined.
StillMissMonrowasnotdiscouraged;sherememberedthewarm,passionatefeelingshehadonceseenbreakthroughthecalmexterior,andshebelievedthatwhathadhappenedoncemightoccuragain.
Ofcourse,whilealleyesweredirectedonthenewcanon,hehadtolearnwhothepossessorsofthoseeyeswereonebyone;anditwasprobablysometimebeforetheideacameintohismindthatMissWilkins,theladyinblack,withthesadpaleface,soconstantanattendantatservice,soregularavisitorattheschool,wasthesameMissWilkinsasthebrightvisionofhisyouth.Itwashersweetsmileatapainstakingchildthatbetrayedher——if,indeed,betrayalitmightbecalledwheretherewasnowishorefforttoconcealanything.CanonLivingstonelefttheschoolroomalmostdirectly,and,afterbeingforanhourorsoinhishouse,wentouttocallonMrs.Randall,thepersonwhoknewmoreofherneighbours\'
affairsthananyoneinEastChester.
ThenextdayhecalledonMissWilkinsherself.Shewouldhavebeenverygladifhehadkeptoninhisignorance;itwassokeenlypainfultobeinthecompanyofonethesightofwhom,evenatadistance,hadbroughthersuchakeenremembranceofpastmisery;andwhentoldofhiscall,asshewassittingathersewinginthedining-room,shehadtonerveherselffortheinterviewbeforegoingupstairsintothedrawing-room,wherehewasbeingentertainedbyMissMonrowithwarmdemonstrationsofwelcome.Alittlecontractionofthebrow,alittlecompressionofthelips,anincreasedpalloronEllinor\'spart,wasallthatMissMonrocouldseeinher,thoughshehadputonherglasseswithforesightandintentiontoobserve.Sheturnedtothecanon;hiscolourhadcertainlydeepenedashewentforwardswithout-stretchedhandtomeetEllinor.Thatwasallthatwastobeseen;butontheslightfoundationofthatblush,MissMonrobuiltmanycastles;andwhentheyfadedaway,oneafterone,sherecognisedthattheywereonlybaselessvisions.SheusedtoputthedisappointmentofherhopesdowntoEllinor\'sunvariedcalmnessofdemeanour,whichmightbetakenforcoldnessofdisposition;andtohersteadyrefusaltoallowMissMonrotoinviteCanonLivingstonetothesmallteastheywereinthehabitofoccasionallygiving.Yetheperseveredinhiscalls;aboutonceeveryfortnighthecame,andwouldsitanhourormore,lookingcovertlyathiswatch,asifasMissMonroshrewdlyobservedtoherself,hedidnotgoawayatlastbecausehewishedtodoso,butbecauseheought.SometimesEllinorwaspresent,sometimesshewasaway;inthislattercaseMissMonrothoughtshecoulddetectacertainwistfulwatchingofthedooreverytimeanoisewasheardoutsidetheroom.HealwaysavoidedanyreferencetoformerdaysatHamley,andthat,MissMonrofeared,wasabadsign.
AfterthislonguniformityofyearswithoutanyeventcloselytouchingonEllinor\'sownindividuallife,withtheonegreatexceptionofMr.Corbet\'smarriage,somethinghappenedwhichmuchaffectedher.Mr.Nessdiedsuddenlyathisparsonage,andEllinorlearntitfirstfromMr.Brown,aclergyman,whoselivingwasnearHamley,andwhohadbeensentforbytheParsonageservantsassoonastheydiscoveredthatitwasnotsleep,butdeath,thatmadetheirmastersolateinrising.
Mr.Brownhadbeenappointedexecuterbyhislatefriend,andwrotetotellEllinorthatafterafewlegacieswerepaid,shewastohavealife-interestintheremainderofthesmallpropertywhichMr.Nesshadleft,andthatitwouldbenecessaryforher,astheresiduarylegatee,tocometoHamleyParsonageassoonasconvenient,todecideuponcertaincoursesofactionwithregardtofurniture,books,&c.
Ellinorshrankfromthisjourney,whichherloveanddutytowardsherdeadfriendrenderednecessary.ShehadscarcelyleftEastChestersinceshefirstarrivedthere,sixteenorseventeenyearsago,andshewastimorousabouttheverymodeoftravelling;andthentogobacktoHamley,whichshethoughtnevertohaveseenagain!Sheneverspokemuchaboutanyfeelingsofherown,butMissMonrocouldalwaysreadhersilence,andinterpreteditintoprettyjustandforciblewordsthatafternoonwhenCanonLivingstonecalled.ShelikedtotalkaboutEllinortohim,andsuspectedthathelikedtohear.Shewasalmostannoyedthistimebythecomforthewouldkeepgivingher;therewasnogreaterdangerintravellingbyrailroadthanbycoach,alittlecareaboutcertainthingswasrequired,thatwasall,andtheaveragenumberofdeathsbyaccidentsonrailroadswasnotgreaterthantheaveragenumberwhenpeopletravelledbycoach,ifyoutookintoconsiderationthefargreaternumberoftravellers.Yes!returningtothedesertedscenesofone\'syouthwasverypainfulHadMissWilkinsmadeanyprovisionforanotherladytotakeherplaceasvisitorattheschool?Hebelieveditwasherweek.MissMonrowasoutofallpatienceathisentirecalmnessandreasonableness.Laterinthedayshebecamemoreatpeacewithhim,whenshereceivedakindlittlenotefromMrs.Forbes,agreatfriendofhers,andthemotherofthefamilyshewasnowteaching,sayingthatCanonLivingstonehadcalledandtoldherthatEllinorhadtogoonaverypainfuljourney,andthatMrs.ForbeswasquitesureMissMonro\'scompanionshipuponitwouldbeagreatcomforttoboth,andthatshecouldperfectlybesetatlibertyforafortnightorso,foritwouldfallinadmirablywiththefactthat\"Jeaniewasgrowingtall,andthedoctorhadadvisedseaairthisspring;soamonth\'sholidaywouldsuitthemnowevenbetterthanlateron.\"WasthisgoingstraighttoMrs.Forbes,towhomsheshouldherselfscarcelyhavelikedtonameit,theactofagood,thoughtfulman,orofalover?questionedMissMonro;butshecouldnotanswerherowninquiry,andhadtobeverygratefulforthedeed,withoutaccountingforthemotives.
AcoachmetthetrainatastationabouttenmilesfromHamley,andDixonwasattheinnwherethecoachstopped,readytoreceivethem.
Theoldmanwasalmostintearsatthesightofthemagaininafamiliarplace.HehadputonhisSundayclothestodothemhonour;
andtoconcealhisagitationhekeptupapretendedbustleabouttheirluggage.Totheindignationoftheinn-porters,whowereofalatergeneration,hewouldwheelithimselftotheParsonage,thoughhebrokedownfromfatigueonceortwiceontheway,andhadtostandandrest,hisladieswaitingbyhisside,andmakingremarksonthealterationsofhousesandtheplacesoftrees,inordertogivehimampletimetorecruithimself,fortherewasnoonetowaitforthemandgivethemawelcometotheParsonage,whichwastobetheirtemporaryhome.Therespectfulservants,indeepmourning,hadallprepared,andgaveEllinoranotefromMr.Brown,sayingthathepurposelyrefrainedfromdisturbingthemthatdayaftertheirlongjourney,butwouldcallonthemorrow,andtellthemofthearrangementshehadthoughtofmaking,alwayssubjecttoMissWilkins\'sapproval.
Theseweresimpleenough;certainlegalformstobegonethrough,anyselectionfrombooksorfurnituretobemade,andtheresttobesoldbyauctionasspeedilyasconvenient,asthesuccessortothelivingmightwishtohaverepairsandalterationseffectedintheoldparsonage.ForsomedaysEllinoremployedherselfinbusinessinthehouse,nevergoingoutexcepttochurch.MissMonro,onthecontrary,strolledabouteverywhere,noticingallthealterationsinplaceandpeople,whichwereneverimprovementsinheropinion.
Ellinorhadplentyofcallers(hertenants,Mr.andMrs.Osbaldistoneamongothers),but,exceptinginrarecases——mostofthembelongedtohumblelife——shedeclinedtoseeeveryone,asshehadbusinessenoughonherhands:sixteenyearsmakesagreatdifferenceinanysetofpeople.Theoldacquaintancesofherfatherinhisbetterdayswerealmostalldeadorremoved;therewereoneortworemaining,andtheseEllinorreceived;oneortwomore,oldandinfirm,confinedtotheirhouses,sheplannedtocalluponbeforeleavingHamley.Everyevening,whenDixonhaddonehisworkatMr.
Osbaldistone\'s,hecameuptotheParsonage,ostensiblytohelpherinmovingorpackingbooks,butreallybecausethesetwoclungtoeachother——wereboundtoeachotherbyabondnevertobespokenabout.ItwasunderstoodbetweenthemthatoncebeforeEllinorleftsheshouldgoandseetheoldplace,FordBank.Nottogointothehouse,thoughMr.andMrs.Osbaldistonehadbeggedhertonameherowntimeforrevisitingitwhentheyandtheirfamilywouldbeabsent,buttoseeallthegardensandgroundsoncemore;asolemn,miserablevisit,which,becauseoftheverymiseryitinvolved,appearedtoEllinortobeanimperativeduty.
Dixonandshetalkedtogetherasshesatmakingacatalogueoneeveningintheoldlow-browedlibrary;thecasementwindowswereopenintothegarden,andtheMayshowershadbroughtoutthescentsofthenew-leavedsweetbriarbushjustbelow.Beyondthegardenhedgethegrassymeadowsslopedawaydowntotheliver;theParsonagewassomuchraisedthat,sittinginthehouse,youcouldseeovertheboundaryhedge.Menwithinstrumentswerebusyinthemeadow.
Ellinor,pausinginherwork,askedDixonwhattheyweredoing.
\"Them\'sthepeopleforthenewrailway,\"saidhe.\"NoughtwouldsatisfytheHamleyfolkbuttohavearailwayalltothemselves——
coachesisn\'tgoodenoughnow-a-days.\"
Hespokewithatoneofpersonaloffencenaturaltoamanwhohadpassedallhislifeamonghorses,andconsideredrailway-enginesastheirdespicablerivals,conqueringonlybystratagem.
By-and-byEllinorpassedontoasubjecttheconsiderationofwhichshehadrepeatedlyurgeduponDixon,andentreatedhimtocomeandformoneoftheirhouseholdatEastChester.Hewasgrowingold,shethoughtoldereveninlooksandfeelingsthaninyears,andshewouldmakehimhappyandcomfortableinhisdecliningyearsifhewouldbutcomeandpassthemunderhercare.TheadditionwhichMr.Ness\'sbequestmadetoherincomewouldenablehertodonotonlythis,buttorelieveMissMonroofheroccupationofteaching;which,attheyearsshehadarrivedat,wasbecomingburdensome.WhensheproposedtheremovaltoDixonheshookhishead.
\"It\'snotthatIdon\'tthankyou,andkindly,too;butI\'mtoooldtogochoppingandchanging.\"
\"Butitwouldbenochangetocomebacktome,Dixon,\"saidEllinor.
\"Yes,itwould.Iwereborni\'Hamley,andit\'si\'HamleyIreckontodie.\"
Onherurginghimalittlemore,itcameoutthathehadastrongfeelingthatifhedidnotwatchthespotwherethedeadmanlayburied,thewholewouldbediscovered;andthatthisdreadofhishadoftenpoisonedthepleasureofhisvisittoEastChester.
\"Idon\'trightlyknowhowitis,forIsometimesthinkifitwasn\'tforyou,missy,IshouldbegladtohavemadeitallclearbeforeI
go;andyetattimesIdream,oritcomesintomyheadasIlieawakewiththerheumatics,thatsomeoneisthere,digging;orthatIhear\'emcuttingdownthetree;andthenIgetupandlookoutoftheloftwindow——you\'llmindthewindowoverthestables,aslooksintothegarden,allcoveredoverwi\'theleavesofthejargonellepear-tree?
ThatweremyroomwhenfirstIcomeasstable-boy,andtho\'Mr.
Osbaldistonewouldfaingivemeawarmerone,IallaystellhimI
liketh\'oldplacebest.AndbytimesI\'vegettenupfiveorsixtimesa-nighttomakesureastherewasnooneatworkunderthetree.\"
Ellinorshiveredalittle.Hesawit,andrestrainedhimselfinthereliefhewasreceivingfromimpartinghissuperstitiousfancies.
\"Yousee,missy,Icouldneverresta-nightsifIdidn\'tfeelasifI
keptthesecretinmyhand,andheldittightdayandnight,soasI
couldopenmyhandatanyminuteandseeasitwasthere.No!myownlittlemissywillletmecomeandseehernowandagain,andIknowasIcanallaysaskherforwhatIwant:andifitpleaseGodtolaymeby,Ishalltellherso,andshe\'llseeasIwantfornothing.
ButsomehowIcouldne\'erbearleavingHamley.Youshallcomeandfollowmetomygravewhenmytimecomes.\"
\"Don\'ttalkso,please,Dixon,\"saidshe.
\"Nay,it\'llbeamercywhenIcanlaymedownandsleepinpeace:
thoughIsometimesfearaspeacewillnotcometomeeventhere.\"Hewasgoingoutoftheroom,andwasnowmoretalkingtohimselfthantoher.\"Theysaybloodwillout,andifitweren\'tforherpartinit,IcouldwishforaclearbreastbeforeIdie.\"
Shedidnothearthelatterpartofthismumbledsentence.Shewaslookingataletterjustbroughtinandrequiringanimmediateanswer.ItwasfromMr.Brown.Notesfromhimwereofdailyoccurrence,butthiscontainedanopenletterthewritingofwhichwasstrangelyfamiliartoher——itdidnotneedthesignature\"RalphCorbet,\"totellherwhomthelettercamefrom.Forsomemomentsshecouldnotreadthewords.Theyexpressedasimpleenoughrequest,andwereaddressedtotheauctioneerwhowastodisposeoftherathervaluablelibraryofthelateMr.Ness,andwhosenamehadbeenadvertisedinconnectionwiththesale,intheAthenaeum,andothersimilarpapers.TohimMr.Corbetwrote,sayingthatheshouldbeunabletobepresentwhenthebooksweresold,butthathewishedtobeallowedtobuyin,atanypricedecidedupon,acertainrarefolioeditionofVirgil,boundinparchment,andwithnotesinItalian.
Thebookwasfullydescribed.ThoughnoLatinscholar,Ellinorknewthebookwell——remembereditslookfromoldtimes,andcouldinstantlyhavelaidherhanduponit.Theauctioneerhadsenttherequestontohisemployer,Mr.Brown.ThatgentlemanappliedtoEllinorforherconsent.ShesawthatthefactoftheintendedsalemustbeallthatMr.Corbetwasawareof,andthathecouldnotknowtowhomthebooksbelonged.Shechoseoutthebook,andwrappedandtieditupwithtremblinghands.HEmightbethepersontountietheknot.Itwasstrangelyfamiliartoherlove,aftersomanyyears,tobebroughtintothusmuchcontactwithhim.ShewroteashortnotetoMr.Brown,inwhichsherequestedhimtosay,asthoughfromhimself;andwithoutanymentionofhername,thathe,asexecutor,requestedMr.Corbet\'sacceptanceoftheVirgil,asaremembranceofhisformerfriendandtutor.Thensherangthebell,andgavetheletterandparceltotheservant.
Againalone,andMr.Corbet\'sopenletteronthetable.Shetookitupandlookedatittillthelettersdazzledcrimsononthewhitepaper.Herliferolledbackwards,andshewasagirlagain.Atlastsherousedherself;butinsteadofdestroyingthenote——itwaslongyearssinceallherlove-lettersfromhimhadbeenreturnedtothewriter——sheunlockedherlittlewriting-caseagain,andplacedthislettercarefullydownatthebottom,amongthedeadrose-leaveswhichembalmedthenotefromherfather,foundafterhisdeathunderhispillow,thelittlegoldencurlofhersister\'s,thehalf-finishedsewingofhermother.
Theshabbywriting-caseitselfwasgivenherbyherfatherlongago,andhadsincebeentakenwithhereverywhere.Tobesure,herchangesofplacehadbeenbutfew;butifshehadgonetoNovaZembla,thesightofthatlittleleatherboxonawakingfromherfirstsleep,wouldhavegivenherasenseofhome.Shelockedthecaseupagain,andfeltallthericherforthatmorning.
AdayortwoafterwardssheleftHamley.BeforeshewentshecompelledherselftogoroundthegardensandgroundsofFordBank.
ShehadmadeMrs.Osbaldistoneunderstandthatitwouldbepainfulforhertore-enterthehouse;butMr.Osbaldistoneaccompaniedherinherwalk.
\"Youseehowliterallywehaveobeyedtheclauseintheleasewhichtiesusoutfromanyalterations,\"saidhe,smiling.\"Wearelivinginatangledthicketofwood.ImustconfessthatIshouldhavelikedtocutdownagooddeal;butwedonotdoeventherequisitethinningswithoutmakingtheproperapplicationforleavetoMr.
Johnson.Infact,youroldfriendDixonisjealousofeverypea-
stickthegardenercuts.Inevermetwithsofaithfulafellow.A
goodenoughservant,too,inhisway;butsomewhattooold-fashionedformywifeanddaughters,whocomplainofhisbeingsurlynowandthen.\"
\"Youarenotthinkingofpartingwithhim?\"saidEllinor,jealousforDixon.
\"Oh,no;heandIarecapitalfriends.AndIbelieveMrs.
Osbaldistoneherselfwouldneverconsenttohisleavingus.Butsomeladies,youknow,likealittlemoresubserviencyinmannerthanourfriendDixoncanboast.\"
Ellinormadenoreply.Theywereenteringthepaintedflowergarden,hidingtheghastlymemory.Shecouldnotspeak.Shefeltasif,withallherstriving,shecouldnotmove——justasonedoesinanightmare——butshewaspasttheplaceevenasthisterrorcametoitsacme;andwhenshecametoherself,Mr.Osbaldistonewasstillblandlytalking,andsaying-
\"Itisnowarewardforourobediencetoyourwishes,MissWilkins,foriftheprojectedrailwaypassesthroughtheash-fieldyonderweshouldhavebeenperpetuallytroubledwiththesightofthetrains;
indeed,thesoundwouldhavebeenmuchmoredistinctthanitwillbenowcomingthroughtheinterlacingbranches.Thenyouwillnotgoin,MissWilkins?\"Mrs.Osbaldistonedesiredmetosayhowhappy——
Ah!Icanunderstandsuchfeelings——Certainly,certainly;itissomuchtheshortestwaytothetown,thatweelderonesalwaysgothroughthestable-yard;foryoungpeople,itisperhapsnotquitesodesirable.Ha!Dixon,\"hecontinued,\"onthewatchfortheMissEllinorwesooftenhearof!Thisoldman,\"hecontinuedtoEllinor,\"isneversatisfiedwiththeseatofouryoungladies,alwayscomparingtheirwayofridingwiththatofacertainmissy——\"
\"Icannothelpit,sir;they\'vequiteadifferentstyleofhand,andsitalllumpish-like.Now,MissEllinor,there-\"
\"Hush,Dixon,\"shesaid,suddenlyawareofwhytheoldservantwasnotpopularwithhismistress.\"IsupposeImaybeallowedtoaskforDixon\'scompanyforanhourorso;wehavesomethingtodotogetherbeforeweleave.\"
Theconsentgiven,thetwowalkedaway,asbypreviousappointment,toHamleychurchyard,wherehewastopointouttohertheexactspotwherehewishedtobeburied.Tramplingoverthelong,rankgrass,butavoidingpassingdirectlyoveranyofthethickly-strewngraves,hemadestraightforonespot——alittlespaceofunoccupiedgroundcloseby,whereMolly,theprettyscullery-maid,lay:
SacredtotheMemoryofMARYGREAVES.
Born1797.Died1818.
\"Weparttomeetagain.\"
\"Iputthisstoneupoverherwithmyfirstsavings,\"saidhe,lookingatit;andthen,pullingouthisknife,hebegantocleanouttheletters.\"IsaidthenasIwouldliebyher.Andit\'llbeacomforttothinkyou\'llseemelaidhere.Itrustnoone\'llbesocrabbedastotakeafancytothis\'erespotofground.\"
Ellinorgraspedeagerlyattheonlypleasurewhichhermoneyenabledhertogivetotheoldman:andpromisedhimthatshewouldtakecareandbuytherighttothatparticularpieceofground.ThiswasevidentlyagratificationDixonhadfrequentlyyearnedafter;hekeptsaying,\"I\'mgreatlyobleegedtoye,MissEllinor.ImaysayI\'mtrulyobleeged.\"Andwhenhesawthemoffbythecoachthenextday,hislastwordswere,\"IcannotjustlysayhowgreatlyI\'mobleegedtoyouforthatmatterofthechurchyard.\"ItwasamuchmoreeasyaffairtogiveMissMonrosomeadditionalcomforts;shewasascheerfulasever;stillworkingawayatherlanguagesinanysparetime,butconfessingthatshewastiredoftheperpetualteachinginwhichherlifehadbeenspentduringthelastthirtyyears.Ellinorwasnowenabledtosetheratlibertyfromthis,andsheacceptedthekindnessfromherformerpupilwithasmuchsimplegratitudeasthatwithwhichamotherreceivesafavourfromachild.\"IfEllinorwerebutmarriedtoCanonLivingstone,IshouldbehappierthanIhaveeverbeensincemyfatherdied,\"sheusedtosaytoherselfinthesolitudeofherbedchamber,fortalkingaloudhadbecomeherwontintheearlyyearsofherisolatedlifeasagoverness.\"Andyet,\"shewenton,\"Idon\'tknowwhatIshoulddowithouther;itisluckyformethatthingsarenotinmyhands,foraprettymessIshouldmakeofthem,onewayoranother.Dear!howoldMrs.Cadoganusedtohatethatword\'mess,\'andcorrecthergranddaughtersforusingitrightbeforemyface,whenIknewIhadsaiditmyselfonlythemomentbefore!Well!thosedaysareallovernow.Godbethanked!\"
Inspiteofbeinggladthat\"thingswerenotinherhands\"MissMonrotriedtotakeaffairsintoherchargebydoingallshecouldtopersuadeEllinortoallowhertoinvitethecanontotheir\"littlesociableteas.\"Themostprovokingpartwas,thatshewassurehewouldhavecomeifhehadbeenasked;butshecouldnevergetleavetodoso.\"Ofcoursenomancouldgoonforeverandeverwithoutencouragement,\"assheconfidedtoherselfinaplaintivetoneofvoice;andby-and-bymanypeoplewereledtosupposethatthebachelorcanonwaspayingattentiontoMissForbes,theeldestdaughterofthefamilytowhichthedelicateJeaniebelonged.Itwas,perhaps,withtheForbesesthatbothMissMonroandEllinorwerethemostintimateofallthefamiliesinEastChester.Mrs.Forbeswasawidowladyofgoodmeans,withalargefamilyofpretty,delicatedaughters.Sheherselfbelongedtooneofthegreathousesin——shire,buthadmarriedintoScotland;so,afterherhusband\'sdeath,itwasthemostnaturalthingintheworldthatsheshouldsettleinEastChester;andoneafteranotherofherdaughtershadbecomefirstMissMonro\'spupilandafterwardsherfriend.Mrs.
ForbesherselfhadalwaysbeenstronglyattractedbyEllinor,butitwaslongbeforeshecouldconquerthetimidreservebywhichMissWilkinswashedgedround.ItwasMissMonro,whowasherselfincapableofjealousy,whoperseveredinpraisingthemtooneanother,andinbringingthemtogether;andnowEllinorwasasintimateandfamiliarinMrs.Forbes\'shouseholdassheevercouldbewithanyfamilynotherown.
Mrs.Forbeswasconsideredtobealittlefancifulastoillness;butitwasnowonder,rememberinghowmanysistersshehadlostbyconsumption.MissMonrohadoftengrumbledatthewayinwhichherpupilsweremadeirregularforverytriflingcauses.Butnoonesoalarmedasshe,when,intheautumnsucceedingMr.Ness\'sdeath,Mrs.
ForbesremarkedtoheronEllinor\'sincreaseddelicacyofappearance,andshortnessofbreathing.FromthattimeforwardssheworriedEllinor(ifanyonesosweetandpatientcouldeverhavebeenworried)withrespiratorsandprecautions.Ellinorsubmittedtoallherfriend\'swishesandcares,soonerthanmakeheranxious,andremainedaprisonerinthehousethroughthewholeofNovember.ThenMissMonro\'sanxietytookanotherturn.Ellinor\'sappetiteandspiritsfailedher——notatallanunnaturalconsequenceofsomanyweeks\'confinementtothehouse.Aplanwasstarted,quitesuddenly,onemorninginDecember,thatmetwithapprovalfromeveryonebutEllinor,whowas,however,bythistimetoolanguidtomakemuchresistance.
Mrs.ForbesandherdaughtersweregoingtoRomeforthreeorfourmonths,soastoavoidthetryingeastwindsofspring;whyshouldnotMissWilkinsgowiththem?Theyurgedit,andMissMonrourgedit,thoughwithalittleprivatesinkingoftheheartattheideaofthelongseparationfromonewhowasalmostlikeachildtoher.
Ellinorwas,asitwere,liftedoffherfeetandborneawaybytheunanimousopinionofothers——thedoctorincluded——whodecidedthatsuchastepwashighlydesirable;ifnotabsolutelynecessary.Sheknewthatshehadonlyalifeinterestbothinherfather\'spropertyandinthatbequeathedtoherbyMr.Ness.Hithertoshehadnotfeltmuchtroubledbythis,asshehadsupposedthatinthenaturalcourseofeventssheshouldsurviveMissMonroandDixon,bothofwhomshelookeduponasdependentuponher.Allshehadtobequeathtothetwowasthesmallsavings,whichwouldnotnearlysufficeforbothpurposes,especiallyconsideringthatMissMonrohadgivenupherteaching,andthatbothsheandDixonwerepassingintoyears.
BeforeEllinorleftEnglandshehadmadeeveryarrangementforthecontingencyofherdeathabroadthatMr.Johnsoncouldsuggest.ShehadwrittenandsentalonglettertoDixon;andashorteronewasleftinchargeofCanonLivingstone(shedarednothintatthepossibilityofherdyingtoMissMonro)tobesenttotheoldman.
AstheydroveoutoftheKing\'sCrossstation,theypassedagentleman\'scarriageentering.Ellinorsawabright,handsomelady,anurse,andbabyinside,andagentlemansittingbythemwhosefaceshecouldneverforget.ItwasMr.Corbettakinghiswifeandchildtotherailway.TheyweregoingonaChristmasvisittoEastChesterdeanery.Hehadbeenleaningback,notnoticingthepassers-by,notattendingtotheotherinmatesofthecarriage,probablyabsorbedintheconsiderationofsomelawcase.SuchwerethecasualglimpsesEllinorhadofonewithwhoselifeshehadoncethoughtherselfboundup.
WhosoproudasMissMonrowhenaforeignlettercame?Hercorrespondentwasnotparticularlygraphicinherdescriptions,norwerethereanyadventurestobedescribed,norwasthehabitofmindofEllinorsuchastomakeherclearanddefiniteinherownimpressionsofwhatshesaw,andhernaturalreservekeptherfrombeingfluentincommunicatingthemeventoMissMonro.Butthatladywouldhavebeenpleasedtoreadaloudtheseletterstotheassembleddeanandcanons,andwouldnothavebeensurprisediftheyhadinvitedhertothechapter-houseforthatpurpose.Tohercircleofuntravelledladies,ignorantofMurray,butlaudablydesirousofinformation,allEllinor\'shistoricalreminiscencesandratherformaldetailswerereallyinteresting.TherewasnorailroadinthosedaysbetweenLyonsandMarseilles,sotheirprogresswasslow,andthepassageofletterstoandfro,whentheyhadarrivedinRome,longanduncertain.Butallseemedgoingonwell.Ellinorspokeofherselfasinbetterhealth;andCanonLivingstone(betweenwhomandMissMonrogreatintimacyhadsprungupsinceEllinorhadgoneaway,andMissMonrocouldaskhimtotea)confirmedthisreportofMissWilkins\'shealthfromaletterwhichhehadreceivedfromMrs.
Forbes.CuriosityaboutthatletterwasMissMonro\'storment.Whatcouldtheyhavehadtowritetoeachotherabout?Itwasaveryoddproceeding;althoughtheLivingstonesandForbesesweredistantlyrelated,afterthemannerofScotland.CouldithavebeenthathehadofferedtoEuphemia,afterall,andthathermotherhadanswered;
or,possibly,therewasaletterfromEffieherself,enclosed.ItwasapityforMissMonro\'speaceofmindthatshedidnotaskhimstraightaway.ShewouldthenhavelearntwhatCanonLivingstonehadnothoughtofconcealing,thatMrs.Forbeshadwrittensolelytogivehimsomefullerdirectionsaboutcertaincharitiesthanshehadhadtimetothinkaboutinthehurryofstarting.Asitwas,andwhen,alittlelateron,sheheardhimspeakofthepossibilityofhisgoinghimselftoRome,assoonashistermofresidencewasover,intimefortheCarnival,shegaveupherfondprojectindespair,andfeltverymuchlikeachildwhosehouseofbrickshadbeenknockeddownbytheunluckywaftofsomepassingpetticoat.
Meanwhile,theentirechangeofscenebroughtontheexquisiterefreshmentofentirechangeofthought.Ellinorhadnotbeenablesocompletelytoforgetherpastlifeformanyyears;itwaslikearenewingofheryouth;cutsosuddenlyshortbytheshearsofFate.
Eversincethatnight,shehadhadtorouseherselfonawakeninginthemorningintoafullcomprehensionofthegreatcauseshehadformuchfearandheavygrief.Now,whenshewakenedinherlittleroom,fourthpiano,No.36,Babuino,shesawthestrange,prettythingsaroundher,andhermindwentoffintopleasantwonderandconjecture,happyrecollectionsofthedaybefore,andpleasantanticipationsofthedaytocome.LatentinEllinorwasherfather\'sartistictemperament;everythingnewandstrangewasapictureandadelight;themerestgroupinthestreet,aRomanfacchino,withhiscloakdrapedoverhisshoulder,agirlgoingtomarketorcarryingherpitcherbackfromthefountain,everythingandeverypersonthatpresenteditorhimselftohersenses,gavethemadeliciousshock,asifitweresomethingstrangelyfamiliarfromPinelli,butunseenbyhermortaleyesbefore.Sheforgotherdespondency,herill-
healthdisappearedasifbymagic;theMissesForbes,whohadtakenthepensive,droopinginvalidasacompanionoutofkindnessofheart,foundthemselvesamplyrewardedbythesightofheramendedhealth,andherkeenenjoymentofeverything,andthehalf-quaint,halfnaiveexpressionsofherpleasure.
SoMarchcameround;Lentwaslatethatyear.ThegreatnosegaysofvioletsandcamelliaswereforsaleatthecorneroftheCondotti,andtherevellershadnodifficultyinprocuringmuchrarerflowersforthebellesoftheCorso.Theembassieshadtheirbalconies;theattachesoftheRussianEmbassythrewtheirlightandlovelypresentsateveryprettygirl,orsuspicionofaprettygirl,whopassedslowlyinhercarriage,coveredoverwithherwhitedomino,andholdingherwiremaskasaprotectiontoherfacefromtheshowersoflimeconfetti,whichotherwisewouldhavebeenenoughtoblindher;
Mrs.Forbeshadherownhiredbalcony,asbecameawealthyandrespectableEnglishwoman.Thegirlshadagreatbasketfullofbouquetswithwhichtopelttheirfriendsinthecrowdbelow;astoreofmoccolettilaypiledonthetablebehind,foritwasthelastdayofCarnival,andassoonasduskcameonthetapersweretobelighted,tobeasquicklyextinguishedbyeverymeansineveryone\'spower.Thecrowdbelowwasatitswildestpitch;therowsofstatelycontadinialonesittingimmovableastheirpossibleancestors,thesenatorswhoreceivedBrennusandhisGauls.Masksandwhitedominoes,foreigngentlemen,andtheriffraffofthecity,slow-
drivingcarriages,showersofflowers,mostofthemfadedbythistime,everyoneshoutingandstrugglingatthatwildpitchofexcitementwhichmaysosoonturnintofury.TheForbesgirlshadgivenplaceatthewindowtotheirmotherandEllinor,whoweregazinghalfamused,halfterrified,atthemadparti-colouredmovementbelow;whenafamiliarfacelookedup,smilingarecognition;and\"HowshallIgettoyou?\"wasaskedinEnglish,bythewell-knownvoiceofCanonLivingstone.Theysawhimdisappearunderthebalconyonwhichtheywerestanding,butitwassometimebeforehemadehisappearanceintheirroom.Andwhenhedid,hewasalmostoverpoweredwithgreetings;sogladweretheytoseeanEastChesterface.
\"Whendidyoucome?Whereareyou?Whatapityyoudidnotcomesooner!Itissolongsincewehaveheardanything;dotelluseverything!Itisthreeweekssincewehavehadanyletters;thosetiresomeboatshavebeensoirregularbecauseoftheweather.\"\"Howwaseverybody——MissMonroinparticular?\"Ellinorasks.
He,quietlysmiling,repliedtotheirquestionsbyslowdegrees.Hehadonlyarrivedthenightbefore,andhadbeenhuntingforthemallday;butnoonecouldgivehimanydistinctintelligenceastotheirwhereaboutsinallthenoiseandconfusionoftheplace,especiallyastheyhadtheironlyEnglishservantwiththem,andthecanonwasnotstronginhisItalian.Hewasnotsorryhehadmissedallbutthislastdayofcarnival,forhewashalfblindedandwhollydeafened,asitwas.Hewasatthe\"Angleterre;\"hehadleftEastChesteraboutaweekago;hehadlettersforallofthem,buthadnotdaredtobringthemthroughthecrowdforfearofhavinghispocketpicked.MissMonrowasverywell,butveryuneasyatnothavingheardfromEllinorforsolong;theirregularityoftheboatsmustbetellingbothways,fortheirEnglishfriendswerefullofwonderatnothearingfromRome.Andthenfollowedsomewell-deservedabuseoftheRomanpost,andsomesuspicionofthecarelessnesswithwhichItalianservantspostedEnglishletters.Alltheseanswersweresatisfactoryenough,yetMrs.ForbesthoughtshesawalatentuneasinessinCanonLivingstone\'smanner,andfanciedonceortwicethathehesitatedinreplyingtoEllinor\'squestions.Buttherewasnobeingquitesureintheincreasingdarkness,whichpreventedcountenancesfrombeingseen;norintheconstantinterruptionsandscreamswhichweregoingoninthesmallcrowdedroom,aswaftinghandkerchiefs,puffsofwind,orveritableextinguishers,fastenedtolongsticks,andcomingfromnobodyknewwhere,putouttaperaftertaperasfastastheywerelighted.
\"Youwillcomehomewithus,\"saidMrs.Forbes.\"Icanonlyofferyoucoldmeatwithtea;ourcookisgoneout,thisbeingauniversalfesta;butwecannotpartwithanoldfriendforanyscruplesastothecommissariat.\"
\"Thankyou.Ishouldhaveinvitedmyselfifyouhadnotbeengoodenoughtoaskme.\"
WhentheyhadallarrivedattheirapartmentintheBabuino(CanonLivingstonehadgoneroundtofetchtheletterswithwhichhewasentrusted),Mrs.ForbeswasconfirmedinhersuppositionthathehadsomethingparticularandnotverypleasanttosaytoEllinor,bytherathergraveandabsentmannerinwhichheawaitedherreturnfromtakingoffherout-of-doorthings.Hebrokeoff,indeed,inhisconversationwithMrs.ForbestogoandmeetEllinor,andtoleadherintothemostdistantwindowbeforehedeliveredherletters.
\"Fromwhatyousaidinthebalconyyonder,Ifearyouhavenotreceivedyourhomelettersregularly?\"
\"No!\"repliedshe,startledandtrembling,shehardlyknewwhy.
\"NomorehasMissMonroheardfromyou;nor,Ibelieve,hassomeoneelsewhoexpectedtohear.Yourmanofbusiness——Iforgethisname.\"
\"Mymanofbusiness!Somethinghasgonewrong,Mr.Livingstone.
Tellme——Iwanttoknow.Ihavebeenexpectingit——onlytellme.\"
Shesatdownsuddenly,aswhiteasashes.
\"DearMissWilkins,I\'mafraiditispainfulenough,butyouarefancyingitworsethanitis.Allyourfriendsarequitewell;butanoldservant——\"
\"Well!\"shesaid,seeinghishesitation,andleaningforwardsandgripingathisarm.
\"Istakenuponachargeofmanslaughterormurder.Oh!Mrs.Forbes,comehere!\"
ForEllinorhadfainted,fallingforwardsonthearmshehadheld.
Whenshecameroundshewaslyinghalfundressedonherbed;theyweregivingherteainspoonfuls.
\"Imustgetup,\"shemoaned.\"Imustgohome.\"
\"Youmustliestill,\"saidMrs.Forbes,firmly.
\"Youdon\'tknow.Imustgohome,\"sherepeated;andshetriedtositup,butfellbackhelpless.Thenshedidnotspeak,butlayandthought.\"Willyoubringmesomemeat?\"shewhispered.\"Andsomewine?\"Theybroughthermeatandwine;sheate,thoughshewaschoking.\"Now,please,bringmemyletters,andleavemealone;andafterthatIshouldliketospeaktoCanonLivingstone.Don\'tlethimgo,please.Iwon\'tbelong——halfanhour,Ithink.Onlyletmebealone.\"
TherewasahurriedfeverishsharpnessinhertonethatmadeMrs.
Forbesveryanxious,butshejudgeditbesttocomplywithherrequests.
Theletterswerebrought,thelightswerearrangedsothatshecouldreadthemlyingonherbed;andtheylefther.Thenshegotupandstoodonherfeet,dizzyenough,herarmsclaspedatthetopofherhead,hereyesdilatedandstaringasiflookingatsomegreathorror.Butafterafewminutesshesatdownsuddenly,andbegantoread.Letterswereevidentlymissing.Somehadbeensentbyanopportunitythathadbeendelayedonthejourney,andhadnotyetarrivedinRome.Othershadbeendespatchedbythepost,butthesevereweather,theunusualsnow,had,inthosedays,beforetherailwaywasmadebetweenLyonsandMarseilles,putastoptomanyatraveller\'splans,andhadrenderedthetransmissionofthemailextremelyuncertain;so,muchofthatintelligencewhichMissMonrohadevidentlyconsideredascertaintobeknowntoEllinorwasentirelymatterofconjecture,andcouldonlybeguessedatfromwhatwastoldintheseletters.OnewasfromMr.Johnson,onefromMr.
