Herfatherwaswell,andapparentlycontent.MissMonrowasverykind.Dixon\'slamenesswasquitegoneoff.OnlyMr.Dunstercamecreepingaboutthehouse,onpretenceofbusiness,seekingoutherfather,anddisturbingallhisleisurewithhisdust-colouredparchment-skinnedcarewornface,andseemingtodisturbthesmoothcurrentofherdailylifewhenevershesawhim.
EllinormadeherappearanceattheHamleyassemblies,butwithlesseclatthaneitherherfatherorherloverexpected.Herbeautyandnaturalgracewereadmiredbythosewhocoulddiscriminate;buttothegreaternumbertherewaswhattheycalled\"awantofstyle\"——
wantofelegancetherecertainlywasnot,forherfigurewasperfect,andthoughshemovedshyly,shemovedwell.PerhapsitwasnotagoodplaceforacorrectappreciationofMissWilkins;someoftheolddowagersthoughtitapieceofpresumptioninhertobethereatall——buttheLadyHolsterofthedaywhorememberedherhusband\'squarrelwithMr.Wilkins,andlookedawaywheneverEllinorcamenear
resentedthisopinion.\"MissWilkinsisdescendedfromSirFrank\'sfamily,oneoftheoldestinthecounty;theobjectionmighthavebeenmadeyearsagotothefather,butashehadbeenreceived,shedidnotknowwhyMissWilkinswastobealludedtoasoutofherplace.\"Ellinor\'sgreatestenjoymentintheeveningwastohearherfathersay,afterallwasover,andtheyweredrivinghome-
\"Well,IthoughtmyNellytheprettiestgirlthere,andIthinkI
knowsomeotherpeoplewhowouldhavesaidthesameiftheycouldhavespokenout.\"
\"Thankyou,papa,\"saidEllinor,squeezinghishand,whichsheheld.
ShethoughthealludedtotheabsentRalphasthepersonwhowouldhaveagreedwithhim,hadhehadtheopportunityofseeingher;butno,heseldomthoughtmuchoftheabsent;buthadbeenratherflatteredbyseeingLordHildebrandtakeuphisglassfortheapparentpurposeofwatchingEllinor.
\"Yourpearls,too,wereashandsomeasanyintheroom,child——butwemusthavethemre-set;thespraysareold-fashionednow.Letmehavethemto-morrowtosenduptoHancock.\"
\"Papa,please,Ihadratherkeepthemastheyare——asmammaworethem.\"
Hewastouchedinaminute.
\"Verywell,darling.Godblessyouforthinkingofit!\"
Butheorderedherasetofsapphiresinstead,forthenextassembly.
TheseballswerenotsuchastointoxicateEllinorwithsuccess,andmakeherinlovewithgaiety.Largepartiescamefromthedifferentcountry-housesintheneighbourhood,anddancedwitheachother.
Whentheyhadexhaustedtheresourcestheybroughtwiththem,theyhadgenerallyafewdancestospareforfriendsofthesamestandingwithwhomtheyweremostintimate.Ellinorcamewithherfather,andjoinedanoldcard-playingdowager,bywayofachaperone——thesaiddowagerbeingunderoldbusinessobligationstothefirmofWilkinsandSon,andapologizingtoallheracquaintancesforherownweakcondescensiontoMr.Wilkins\'sfoibleinwishingtointroducehisdaughterintosocietyabovehernaturalsphere.Itwasuponthislady,aftershehadutteredsomesuchspeechastheoneIhavejustmentioned,thatLadyHolsterhadcomedownwiththepedigreeofEllinor\'smother.Butthoughtheolddowagerhaddrawnbackalittlediscomfitedatmylady\'sreply,shewasnotmoreattentivetoEllinorinconsequence.SheallowedMr.Wilkinstobringinhisdaughterandplaceheronthecrimsonsofabesideher;spoketoheroccasionallyintheintervalthatelapsedbeforetherubberscouldbeproperlyarrangedinthecard-room;invitedthegirltoaccompanyhertothatsoberamusement,andonEllinor\'sdeclining,andpreferringtoremainwithherfather,thedowagerleftherwithasweetsmileonherplumpcountenance,andanapprovingconsciencesomewherewithinherportlyframe,assuringherthatshehaddoneallthatcouldpossiblyhavebeenexpectedfromhertowards\"thatgoodWilkins\'sdaughter.\"
Ellinorstoodbyherfatherwatchingthedances,andthankfulfortheoccasionalchanceofadance.Whileshehadbeensittingbyherchaperone,Mr.Wilkinshadmadethetouroftheroom,droppingoutthelittlefactofhisdaughter\'sbeingpresentwhereverhethoughttheseedlikelytobringforththefruitofpartners.AndsomecamebecausetheylikedMr.Wilkins,andsomeaskedEllinorbecausetheyhaddonetheirdutydancestotheirownparty,andmightpleasethemselves.Sothatsheusuallyhadanaverageofoneinvitationtoeverythreedances;andthisprincipallytowardstheendoftheevening.
Butconsideringherrealbeauty,andthecarewhichherfatheralwaystookaboutherappearance,shemetwithfarlessthanherdueofadmiration.Admirationshedidnotcarefor;partnersshedid;andsometimesfeltmortifiedwhenshehadtositorstandquietduringallthefirstpartoftheevening.Ifithadnotbeenforherfather\'swishesshewouldmuchratherhavestayedathome;but,nevertheless,shetalkedeventotheirresponsiveolddowager,andfairlychattedtoherfatherwhenshegotbesidehim,becauseshedidnotlikehimtofancythatshewasnotenjoyingherself.
And,indeed,shehadsomuchhappinessinthedailycourseofthispartofherlife,that,onlookingbackuponitafterwards,shecouldnotimagineanythingbrighterthanithadbeen.Thedelightofreceivingherlover\'sletters——theanxioushappinessofreplyingtothemalwaysalittlebitfearfullestsheshouldnotexpressherselfandherloveinthepreciselyhappymediumbecomingamaiden——thefather\'sloveandsatisfactioninher——thecalmprosperityofthewholehousehold——wasdelightfulatthetime,and,lookingbackuponit,itwasdreamlike.
OccasionallyMr.Corbetcamedowntoseeher.HealwayssleptontheseoccasionsatMr.Ness\'s;buthewasatFordBankthegreaterpartoftheonedaybetweentwonightsthatheallowedhimselfforthelengthofhisvisits.Andeventheseshortpeepswerenotfrequentlytaken.Hewasworkinghardatlaw:faggingatittoothandnail;arranginghiswholelifesoasbesttopromotetheendsofhisambition;feelingadelightinsurpassingandmasteringhisfellows——thosewhostartedintheraceatthesametime.HereadEllinor\'slettersoverandoveragain;nothingelsebesidelaw-books.
Heperceivedtherepressedlovehiddenawayinsubduedexpressionsinhercommunications,withanamusedpleasureattheattemptatconcealment.Hewasgladthathergaietieswerenotmoregay;hewasgladthatshewasnottoomuchadmired,althoughalittleindignantatthewantoftasteonthepartofthe——shiregentlemen.Butifotheradmirershadcomeprominentlyforward,hewouldhavehadtotakesomemoredecidedstepstoasserthisrightsthanhehadhithertodone;forhehadcausedEllinortoexpressawishtoherfatherthatherengagementshouldnotbetoomuchtalkedaboutuntilnearerthetimewhenitwouldbeprudentforhimtomarryher.Hethoughtthattheknowledgeofthis,theonlyimprudentlyhastystepheevermeanttotakeinhislife,mightgoagainsthischaracterforwisdom,ifthefactbecameknownwhilehewasasyetonlyastudent.
Mr.Wilkinswonderedalittle;butacceded,ashealwaysdid,toanyofEllinor\'srequests.Mr.Nesswasaconfidant,ofcourse,andsomeofLadyMaria\'sconnectionsheardofit,andforgotitagainverysoon;and,asithappened,nooneelsewassufficientlyinterestedinEllinortocaretoascertainthefact.
Allthistime,Mr.RalphCorbetmaintainedaveryquietlydecidedattitudetowardshisownfamily.HewasengagedtoMissWilkins;andallhecouldsaywas,hefeltsorrythattheydisapprovedofit.Hewasnotabletomarryjustatpresent,andbeforethetimeforhismarriagearrived,hetrustedthathisfamilywouldtakeamorereasonableviewofthings,andbewillingtoreceiveherashiswifewithallbecomingrespectoraffection.Thiswasthesubstanceofwhatherepeatedindifferentformsinreplytohisfather\'sangryletters.Atlength,hisinvariabledeterminationmadewaywithhisfather;thepaternalthunderingsweresubduedtoadistantrumblinginthesky;andpresentlytheinquirywasbroachedastohowmuchfortuneMissWilkinswouldhave;howmuchdownonhermarriage;whatweretheeventualprobabilities.NowthiswasapointwhichMr.
RalphCorbethimselfwishedtobeinformedupon.Hehadnotthoughtmuchaboutitinmakingtheengagement;hehadbeentooyoung,ortoomuchinlove.Butanonlychildofawealthyattorneyoughttohavesomethingconsiderable;andanallowancesoastoenabletheyoungcoupletostarthousekeepinginamoderatelygoodpartoftown,wouldbeanadvantagetohiminhisprofession.Soherepliedtohisfather,adroitlysuggestingthatalettercontainingcertainmodificationsoftheinquirywhichhadbeenratherroughlyputinMr.
Corbet\'slast,shouldbesenttohim,inorderthathemighthimselfascertainfromMr.WilkinswhatwereEllinor\'sprospectsasregardedfortune.
Thedesiredlettercame;butnotinsuchaformthathecouldpassitontoMr.Wilkins;hepreferredtomakequotations,andeventhesequotationswerealittlealteredanddressedbeforehesentthemon.
ThegistofhislettertoMr.Wilkinswasthis.HestatedthathehopedsoontobeinapositiontoofferEllinorahome;thatheanticipatedasteadyprogressinhisprofession,andconsequentlyinhisincome;butthatcontingenciesmightarise,ashisfathersuggested,whichwoulddeprivehimofthepowerofearningalivelihood,perhapswhenitmightbemorerequiredthanitwouldbeatfirst;thatitwastruethat,afterhismother\'sdeathasmallestateinShropshirewouldcometohimassecondson,andofcourseEllinorwouldreceivethebenefitofthisproperty,securedtoherlegallyasMr.Wilkinsthoughtbest——thatbeingamatterforafterdiscussion——butthatatpresenthisfatherwasanxious,asmightbeseenfromtheextracttoascertainwhetherMr.Wilkinscouldsecurehimfromthecontingencyofhavinghisson\'swidowandpossiblechildrenthrownuponhishands,bygivingEllinoradowry;andifso,itwasgentlyinsinuated,whatwouldbetheamountofthesame.
WhenMr.Wilkinsreceivedthisletteritstartledhimoutofahappyday-dream.HelikedRalphCorbetandthewholeconnectionquitewellenoughtogivehisconsenttoanengagement;andsometimesevenhewasgladtothinkthatEllinor\'sfuturewasassured,andthatshewouldhaveaprotectorandfriendsafterhewasdeadandgone.Buthedidnotwantthemtoassumetheirresponsibilitiessosoon.Hehadnotdistinctlycontemplatedhermarriageasaneventlikelytohappenbeforehisdeath.Hecouldnotunderstandhowhisownlifewouldgoonwithouther:orindeedwhysheandRalphCorbetcouldnotcontinuejustastheywereatpresent.Hecamedowntobreakfastwiththeletterinhishand.ByEllinor\'sblushes,assheglancedatthehandwriting,heknewthatshehadheardfromherloverbythesamepost;byhertendercaresses——caressesgivenasiftomakeupforthepainwhichtheprospectofherleavinghimwassuretocausehim——hewascertainthatshewasawareofthecontentsoftheletter.
Yetheputitinhispocket,andtriedtoforgetit.
HedidthisnotmerelyfromhisreluctancetocompleteanyarrangementswhichmightfacilitateEllinor\'smarriage.Therewasafurtherannoyanceconnectedwiththeaffair.Hismoneymattershadbeenforsometimeinaninvolvedstate;hehadbeenlivingbeyondhisincome,evenreckoningthat,ashealwaysdid,atthehighestpointwhichitevertouched.Hekeptnoregularaccounts,reasoningwithhimself——or,perhaps,Ishouldrathersaypersuadinghimself——
thattherewasnogreatoccasionforregularaccounts,whenhehadasteadyincomearisingfromhisprofession,aswellastheinterestofagoodsumofmoneylefthimbyhisfather;andwhen,livinginhisownhousenearacountrytownwhereprovisionswerecheap,hisexpenditureforhissmallfamily——onlyonechild——couldneveramounttoanythinglikehisincomingsfromtheabove-mentionedsources.Butservantsandhorses,andchoicewinesandrarefruit-trees,andahabitofpurchasinganybookorengravingthatmaytakethefancy,irrespectiveoftheprice,runawaywithmoney,eventhoughtherebebutonechild.Ayearortwoago,Mr.Wilkinshadbeenstartledintoasystemofexaggeratedretrenchment——retrenchmentwhichonlylastedaboutsixweeks——bythesuddenburstingofabubblespeculationinwhichhehadinvestedapartofhisfather\'ssavings.Butassoonasthechangeinhishabits,necessitatedbyhisneweconomies,becameirksome,hehadcomfortedhimselfforhisrelapseintohisformereasyextravaganceoflivingbyrememberingthefactthatEllinorwasengagedtothesonofamanoflargeproperty:andthatthoughRalphwasonlythesecondson,yethismother\'sestatemustcometohim,asMr.Nesshadalreadymentioned,onfirsthearingofherengagement.
Mr.WilkinsdidnotdoubtthathecouldeasilymakeEllinorafittingallowance,orevenpaydownarequisitedowry;butthedoingsowouldinvolveanexaminationintotherealstateofhisaffairs,andthisinvolveddistastefultrouble.Hehadnoideahowmuchmorethanmeretemporaryannoyancewouldariseoutoftheinvestigation.Untilitwasmade,hedecidedinhisownmindthathewouldnotspeaktoEllinoronthesubjectofherlover\'sletter.Soforthenextfewdaysshewaskeptinsuspense,seeinglittleofherfather;andduringtheshorttimesshewaswithhimshewasmadeawarethathewasnervouslyanxioustokeeptheconversationengagedongeneraltopicsratherthanontheonewhichshehadatheart.AsIhavealreadysaid,Mr.Corbethadwrittentoherbythesamepostasthatonwhichhesentthelettertoherfather,tellingherofitscontents,andbeggingherinallthosesweetwordswhichloversknowhowtousetourgeherfathertocomplianceforhissake——his,herlover\'s——whowaspiningandlonelyinallthecrowdsofLondon,sinceherlovedpresencewasnotthere.Hedidnotcareformoney,saveasameansofhasteningtheirmarriage;indeed,iftherewereonlysomeincomefixed,howeversmall——sometimefortheirmarriagefixed,howeverdistant——hecouldbepatient.Hedidnotwantsuperfluityofwealth;hishabitsweresimple,asshewellknew;andmoneyenoughwouldbetheirsintime,bothfromhershareofcontingencies,andthecertaintyofhisfinallypossessingBromley.
Ellinordelayedreplyingtothisletteruntilherfathershouldhavespokentoheronthesubject.Butassheperceivedthatheavoidedallsuchconversation,theyounggirl\'sheartfailedher.Shebegantoblameherselfforwishingtoleavehim,toreproachherselfforbeingaccessorytoanystepwhichmadehimshunbeingalonewithher,andlookdistressedandfullofcareashedidnow.Itwastheusualstrugglebetweenfatherandloverforthepossessionoflove,insteadofthenaturalandgracefulresignationoftheparenttotheprescribedcourseofthings;and,asusual,itwasthepoorgirlwhoborethesufferingfornofaultofherown:althoughsheblamedherselfforbeingthecauseofthedisturbanceinthepreviousorderofaffairs.Ellinorhadnoonetospeaktoconfidentiallybutherfatherandherlover,andwhentheywereatissueshecouldtalkopenlytoneither,soshebroodedoverMr.Corbet\'sunansweredletter,andherfather\'ssilence,andbecamepaleanddispirited.
Onceortwiceshelookedupsuddenly,andcaughtherfather\'seyegazinguponherwithacertainwistfulanxiety;buttheinstantshesawthishepulledhimselfup,asitwere,andwouldbegintalkinggailyaboutthesmalltopicsoftheday.
AtlengthMr.CorbetgrewimpatientatnothearingeitherfromMr.
WilkinsorEllinor,andwroteurgentlytotheformer,makingknowntohimanewproposalsuggestedtohimbyhisfather,whichwas,thatacertainsumshouldbepaiddownbyMr.Wilkinstobeapplied,underthemanagementoftrustees,totheimprovementoftheBromleyestate,outoftheprofitsofwhich,orothersourcesintheelderMr.
Corbet\'shands,aheavyrateofinterestshouldbepaidonthisadvance,whichwouldsecureanincometotheyoungcoupleimmediately,andconsiderablyincreasethevalueoftheestateuponwhichEllinor\'ssettlementwastobemade.Thetermsofferedforthislayingdownofreadymoneyweresoadvantageous,thatMr.
Wilkinswasstronglytemptedtoaccedetothematonce;asEllinor\'spalecheekandwantofappetitehadonlythatverymorningsmoteuponhisconscience,andthisimmediatetransferofreadymoneywasasasacrifice,asoothingbalmtohisself-reproach,andlazinessanddisliketoimmediateunpleasantnessofactionhaditscounterbalancingweaknessinimprudence.Mr.Wilkinsmadesomeroughcalculationsonapieceofpaper——deeds,andallsuchtestsofaccuracy,beingdownattheoffice;discoveredthathecouldpaydownthesumrequired;wrotealetteragreeingtotheproposal,andbeforehesealeditcalledEllinorintohisstudy,andbadeherreadwhathehadbeenwritingandtellhimwhatshethoughtofit.Hewatchedthecolourcomerushingintoherwhiteface,herlipsquiverandtremble,andevenbeforetheletterwasendedshewasinhisarmskissinghim,andthankinghimwithblushingcaressesratherthanwords.
\"There,there!\"saidhe,smilingandsighing;\"thatwilldo.Why,I
dobelieveyoutookmeforahard-heartedfather,justlikeaheroine\'sfatherinabook.You\'velookedaswoe-begonethisweekpastasOphelia.Onecan\'tmakeupone\'smindinadayaboutsuchsumsofmoneyasthis,littlewoman;andyoushouldhaveletyouroldfatherhavetimetoconsider.\"
\"Oh,papa;Iwasonlyafraidyouwereangry.\"
\"Well,ifIwasabitperplexed,seeingyoulooksoillandpiningwasnotthewaytobringmeround.OldCorbet,Imustsay,istryingtomakeagoodbargainforhisson.ItiswellformethatIhaveneverbeenanextravagantman.\"
\"But,papa,wedon\'twantallthismuch.\"
\"Yes,yes!itisallright.Youshallgointotheirfamilyasawell-portionedgirl,ifyoucan\'tgoasaLadyMaria.Come,don\'ttroubleyourlittleheadanymoreaboutit.Givemeonemorekiss,andthenwe\'llgoandorderthehorses,andhavearidetogether,bywayofkeepingholiday.Ideserveaholiday,don\'tI,Nelly?\"
Somecountrypeopleatworkattheroadside,asthefatheranddaughterpassedalong,stoppedtoadmiretheirbrighthappylooks,andonespokeofthehereditaryhandsomenessoftheWilkinsfamilyfortheoldman,thepresentMr.Wilkins\'sfather,hadbeenfine-
lookinginhisdrabbreechesandgaiters,andusualassumptionofayeoman\'sdress.Anothersaiditwaseasyfortherichtobehandsome;theyhadalwaysplentytoeat,andcouldridewhentheyweretiredofwalking,andhadnocareforthemorrowtokeepthemfromsleepingatnights.And,insadacquiescencewiththeircontrastedlot,themenwentonwiththeirhedgingandditchinginsilence.
Andyet,iftheyhadknown——ifthepoordidknow——thetroublesandtemptationsoftherich;ifthosemenhadforeseenthelotdarkeningoverthefather,andincludingthedaughterinitscloud;ifMr.
WilkinshimselfhadevenimaginedsuchafuturepossibleWell,therewastruthintheoldheathensaying,\"Letnomanbeenviedtillhisdeath.\"
Ellinorhadnomorerideswithherfather;no,noteveragain;thoughtheyhadstoppedthatafternoonatthesummitofabreezycommon,andlookedataruinedhall,notsoveryfaroff;anddiscussedwhethertheycouldreachitthatday,anddecidedthatitwastoofarawayforanythingbutahurriedinspection,andthatsomedaysoontheywouldmaketheoldplaceintotheprincipalobjectofanexcursion.
Butarainytimecameon,whennorideswerepossible;andwhetheritwastheinfluenceoftheweather,orsomeothercareortroublethatoppressedhim,Mr.Wilkinsseemedtoloseallwishformuchactiveexercise,andrathersoughtastimulustohisspiritsandcirculationinwine.ButofthisEllinorwasinnocentlyunaware.Heseemeddullandweary,andsatlong,drowsinganddrinkingafterdinner.Iftheservantshadnotbeensofondofhimformuchpreviousgenerosityandkindness,theywouldhavecomplainednow,andwithreason,ofhisirritability,forallsortsofthingsseemedtoannoyhim.
\"Youshouldgetthemastertotakearidewithyou,miss,\"saidDixon,onedayashewasputtingEllinoronherhorse.\"He\'snotlookingwell,he\'sstudyingtoomuchattheoffice.\"
ButwhenEllinornamedittoherfather,heratherhastilyrepliedthatitwasallverywellforwomentorideoutwhenevertheyliked——
menhadsomethingelsetodo;andthen,ashesawherlookgraveandpuzzled,hesofteneddownhisabruptsayingbyaddingthatDunsterhadbeenmakingafussabouthispartner\'snon-attendance,andaltogethertakingagooddealuponhimselfinaveryoffensiveway,sothathethoughtitbettertogoprettyregularlytotheoffice,inordertoshowhimwhowasmaster——seniorpartner,andheadofthebusiness,atanyrate.
Ellinorsighedalittleoverherdisappointmentatherfather\'spreoccupation,andthenforgotherownlittleregretinangeratMr.
Dunster,whohadseemedallalongtobeathorninherfather\'sside,andhadlatterlygainedsomepowerandauthorityoverhim,theexerciseofwhich,Ellinorcouldnothelpthinking,wasaveryimpertinentlineofconductfromajuniorpartner,solatelyonlyapaidclerk,tohissuperior.TherewasasenseofsomethingwrongintheFordBankhouseholdformanyweeksaboutthistime.Mr.Wilkinswasnotlikehimself,andhischeerfulwaysandcarelessgenialspeechesweremissed,evenonthedayswhenhewasnotirritable,andevidentlyuneasywithhimselfandallabouthim.Thespringwaslateincoming,andcoldrainandsleetmadeanykindofout-doorexerciseatroubleanddiscomfortratherthanabrightnaturaleventinthecourseoftheday.Allsoundofwintergaieties,ofassembliesandmeets,andjovialdinners,haddiedaway,andthesummerpleasureswereasyetunthoughtof.StillEllinorhadasecretperennialsourceofsunshineinherheart;whenevershethoughtofRalphshecouldnotfeelmuchoppressionfromthepresentunspokenandindistinctgloom.Helovedher;andoh,howshelovedhim!andperhapsthisverynextautumn——butthatdependedonhisownsuccessinhisprofession.Afterall,ifitwasnotthisautumnitwouldbethenext;andwiththelettersthatshereceivedweekly,andtheoccasionalvisitsthatherloverrandowntoHamleytopayMr.Ness,Ellinorfeltasifshewouldalmostpreferthedelayofthetimewhenshemustleaveherfather\'sforahusband\'sroof.
CHAPTERVI.
AtEaster——justwhentheheavensandearthwerelookingtheirdreariest,forEasterfellveryearlythisyear——Mr.Corbetcamedown.Mr.Wilkinswastoobusytoseemuchofhim;theyweretogetherevenlessthanusual,althoughnotlessfriendlywhentheydidmeet.ButtoEllinorthevisitwasoneofunmixedhappiness.
HithertoshehadalwayshadalittlefearmingledupwithherloveofMr.Corbet;buthismannersweresoftened,hisopinionslessdecidedandabrupt,andhiswholetreatmentofhershowedsuchtenderness,thattheyounggirlbaskedandrevelledinit.OneortwooftheirconversationshadreferencetotheirfuturemarriedlifeinLondon;
andshethenperceived,althoughitdidnotjaragainsther,thatherloverhadnotforgottenhisambitioninhislove.Hetriedtoinoculateherwithsomethingofhisowncravingforsuccessinlife;
butitwasallinvain:shenestledtohim,andtoldhimshedidnotcaretobetheLordChancellor\'swife——wigsandwool-sackswerenotinherline;onlyifhewishedit,shewouldwishit.
Thelasttwodaysofhisstaytheweatherchanged.Suddenheatburstforth,asitdoesoccasionallyforafewhourseveninourchillyEnglishspring.Thegrey-brownbushesandtreesstartedalmostwithvisibleprogressintothetendergreenshadewhichistheforerunneroftheburstingleaves.Theskywasoffullcloudlessblue.Mr.
Wilkinswastocomehomeprettyearlyfromtheofficetorideoutwithhisdaughterandherlover;but,afterwaitingsometimeforhim,itgrewtoolate,andtheywereobligedtogiveuptheproject.
NothingwouldserveEllinor,then,butthatshemustcarryoutatableandhaveteainthegarden,onthesunnysideofthetree,amongtherootsofwhichsheusedtoplaywhenachild.MissMonroobjectedalittletothiscapriceofEllinor\'s,sayingthatitwastooearlyforout-of-doormeals;butMr.Corbetoverruledallobjections,andhelpedherinhergaypreparations.Shealwayskepttotheearlyhoursofherchildhood,althoughshe,asthen,regularlysatwithherfatherathislatedinner;andthismealalfrescowastobearealitytoherandMissMonro.Therewasaplacearrangedforherfather,andsheseizeduponhimashewascomingfromthestable-yard,bytheshrubberypath,tohisstudy,andwithmerryplayfulnessmadehimaprisoner,accusinghimofdisappointingthemoftheirride,anddrawinghimmorethanhalfunwilling,tohischairbythetable.Buthewassilent,andalmostsad:hispresencedampedthemall;theycouldhardlytellwhy,forhedidnotobjecttoanything,thoughheseemedtoenjoynothing,andonlytoforceasmileatEllinor\'soccasionalsallies.Thesebecamemoreandmorerareassheperceivedherfather\'sdepression.Shewatchedhimanxiously.Heperceivedit,andsaid——shiveringinthatstrangeunaccountablemannerwhichispopularlyexplainedbytheexpressionthatsomeoneispassingovertheearththatwillonedayformyourgrave——\"Ellinor!thisisnotadayforout-of-doortea.Ineverfeltsochillyaspotinmylife.IcannotkeepfromshakingwhereIsit.
Imustleavethisplace,mydear,inspiteofallyourgoodtea.\"
\"Oh,papa!Iamsosorry.Butlookhowfullthathotsun\'srayscomeonthisturf.IthoughtIhadchosensuchacapitalspot!\"
Buthegotupandpersistedinleavingthetable,althoughhewasevidentlysorrytospoilthelittleparty.Hewalkedupanddownthegravelwalk,closebythem,talkingtothemashekeptpassingbyandtryingtocheerthemup.
\"Areyouwarmernow,papa?\"askedEllinor.
\"Oh,yes!Allright.It\'sonlythatplacethatseemssochillyanddamp.I\'maswarmasatoastnow.\"
ThenextmorningMr.Corbetleftthem.Theunseasonablyfineweatherpassedawaytoo,andallthingswentbacktotheirrathergreyanddrearyaspect;butEllinorwastoohappytofeelthismuch,knowingwhatabsentloveexistedforheralone,andfromthisknowledgeunconsciouslytrustinginthesunbehindtheclouds.
IhavesaidthatfewornoneintheimmediateneighbourhoodofHamley,besidetheirownhouseholdandMr.Ness,knewofEllinor\'sengagement.Atoneoftheraredinner-partiestowhichsheaccompaniedherfather——itwasattheoldlady\'shousewhochaperonedhertotheassemblies——shewastakenintodinnerbyayoungclergymanstayingintheneighbourhood.Hehadjusthadasmalllivinggiventohiminhisowncounty,andhefeltasifthiswasagreatstepinhislife.Hewasgood,innocent,andratherboyishinappearance.Ellinorwashappyandatherease,andchattedawaytothisMr.Livingstoneonmanylittlepointsofinterestwhichtheyfoundtheyhadincommon:churchmusic,andthedifficultytheyhadingettingpeopletosinginparts;SalisburyCathedral,whichtheyhadbothseen;stylesofchurcharchitecture,Ruskin\'sworks,andparishschools,inwhichMr.LivingstonewassomewhatshockedtofindthatEllinortooknogreatinterest.Whenthegentlemancameinfromthedining-room,itstruckEllinor,forthefirsttimeinherlife,thatherfatherhadtakenmorewinethanwasgoodforhim.Indeed,thishadratherbecomeahabitwithhimoflate;butashealwaystriedtogoquietlyofftohisownroomwhensuchhadbeenthecase,hisdaughterhadneverbeenawareofitbefore,andtheperceptionofitnowmadehercheekshotwithshame.Shethoughtthateveryonemustbeasconsciousofhisalteredmannerandwayofspeakingasshewas,andafterapauseofsicksilence,duringwhichshecouldnotsayaword,shesettoandtalkedtoMr.Livingstoneaboutparishschools,anything,withredoubledvigourandapparentinterest,inordertokeeponeortwoofthecompany,atleast,fromnoticingwhatwastohersopainfullyobvious.
Theeffectofherbehaviourwasfarmorethanshehadintended.ShekeptMr.Livingstone,itistrue,fromobservingherfather,butshealsorivetedhisattentiononherself.Hehadthoughtherveryprettyandagreeableduringdinner:butafterdinnerheconsideredherbewitching,irresistible.Hedreamedofherallnight,andwakenedupthenextmorningtoacalculationofhowfarhisincomewouldallowhimtofurnishhisprettynewparsonagewiththatcrowningblessing,awife.Foradayortwohediduplittlesums,andsighed,andthoughtofEllinor,herfacelisteningwithadmiringinteresttohissermons,herarmpassedintohisastheywenttogetherroundtheparish;hersweetvoiceinstructingclassesinhisschools——turnwherehewould,inhisimaginationEllinor\'spresenceroseupbeforehim.
Theconsequencewasthathewroteanoffer,whichhefoundafarmoreperplexingpieceofcompositionthanasermon;arealheartyexpressionoflove,goingon,overallobstacles,toastraightforwardexplanationofhispresentprospectsandfuturehopes,andwindingupwiththeinformationthatonthesucceedingmorninghewouldcalltoknowwhetherhemightspeaktoMr.Wilkinsonthesubjectofthisletter.ItwasgiventoEllinorintheevening,asshewassittingwithMissMonrointhelibrary.Mr.
Wilkinswasdiningout,shehardlyknewwhere,asitwasasuddenengagement,ofwhichhehadsentwordfromtheoffice——agentleman\'sdinner-party,shesupposed,ashehaddressedinHamleywithoutcominghome.Ellinorturnedovertheletterwhenitwasbroughttoher,assomepeopledowhentheycannotrecognisethehandwriting,asiftodiscoverfrompaperorsealwhattwomomentswouldassurethemof,iftheyopenedtheletterandlookedatthesignature.Ellinorcouldnotguesswhohadwrittenitbyanyoutwardsign;butthemomentshesawthename\"HerbertLivingstone,\"themeaningoftheletterflasheduponherandshecolouredallover.Sheputtheletteraway,unread,forafewminutes,andthenmadesomeexcuseforleavingtheroomandgoingupstairs.Whensafeinherbed-chamber,shereadtheyoungman\'seagerwordswithasenseofself-reproach.
Howmustshe,engagedtooneman,havebeenbehavingtoanother,ifthiswastheresultofasingleevening\'sinterview?Theself-
reproachwasunjustlybestowed;butwiththatwehavenothingtodo.
Shemadeherselfverymiserable;andatlastwentdownwithaheavyhearttogoonwithDante,andrummageupwordsinthedictionary.
AllthetimesheseemedtoMissMonrotobeploddingonwithherItalianmorediligentlyandsedatelythanusual,shewasplanninginherownmindtospeaktoherfatherassoonashereturnedandhehadsaidthatheshouldnotbelate,andbeghimtoundothemischiefshehaddonebyseeingMr.Livingstonethenextmorning,andfranklyexplainingtherealstateofaffairstohim.Butshewantedtoreadherletteragain,andthinkitalloverinpeace;andso,atanearlyhour,shewishedMissMonrogood-night,andwentupintoherownroomabovethedrawing-room,andoverlookingtheflower-gardenandshrubbery-pathtothestable-yard,bywhichherfatherwassuretoreturn.Shewentupstairsandstudiedherletterwell,andtriedtorecallallherspeechesandconductonthatmiserableevening——asshethoughtitthen——notknowingwhattruemiserywas.Herheadached,andsheputoutthecandle,andwentandsatonthewindow-
seat,lookingoutintothemoonlitgarden,watchingforherfather.
Sheopenedthewindow;partlytocoolherforehead,partlytoenablehertocalldownsoftlywhensheshouldseehimcomingalong.By-
and-bythedoorfromthestable-yardintotheshrubberyclickedandopened,andinamomentshesawMr.Wilkinsmovingthroughthebushes;butnotalone,Mr.Dunsterwaswithhim,andthetwoweretalkingtogetherinratherexcitedtones,immediatelylosttohearing,however,astheyenteredMr.Wilkins\'sstudybytheouterdoor.
\"Theyhavebeendiningtogethersomewhere.ProbablyatMr.
Hanbury\'s\"theHamleybrewer,thoughtEllinor.\"Buthowprovokingthatheshouldhavecomehomewithpapathisnightofallnights!\"
TwoorthreetimesbeforeMr.DunsterhadcalledonMr.Wilkinsintheevening,asEllinorknew;butshewasnotquiteawareofthereasonforsuchlatevisits,andhadneverputtogetherthetwofacts——ascauseandconsequence——thatonsuchoccasionsherfatherhadbeenabsentfromtheofficeallday,andthattheremightbenecessarybusinessforhimtotransact,theurgencyofwhichwasthemotiveforMr.Dunster\'svisits.Mr.Wilkinsalwaysseemedtobeannoyedbyhiscomingatsolateanhour,andspokeofit,resentingtheintrusionuponhisleisure;andEllinor,withoutconsideration,adoptedherfather\'smodeofspeakingandthinkingonthesubject,andwasrathermoreangrythanhewaswhenevertheobnoxiouspartnercameonbusinessintheevening.Thisnightwas,ofallnights,themostill-purposedtimesoEllinorthoughtforatete-a-tetewithherfather!However,therewasnodoubtinhermindastowhatshehadtodo.Solateasitwas,theunwelcomevisitorcouldnotstoplong;andthenshewouldgodownandhaveherlittleconfidencewithherfather,andbeghimtoseeMr.Livingstonewhenhecamenextmorning,anddismisshimasgentlyasmightbe.
Shesatoninthewindow-seat;dreamingwakingdreamsoffuturehappiness.Shekeptlosingherselfinsuchthoughts,andbecamealmostafraidofforgettingwhyshesatthere.Presentlyshefeltcold,andgotuptofetchashawl,inwhichshemuffledherselfandresumedherplace.Itseemedtohergrowingverylate;themoonlightwascomingfullerandfullerintothegardenandtheblacknessoftheshadowwasmoreconcentratedandstronger.SurelyMr.Dunstercouldnothavegoneawayalongthedarkshrubbery-pathsonoiselesslybutwhatshemusthaveheardhim?No!therewastheswellofvoicescomingupthroughthewindowfromherfather\'sstudy:angryvoicestheywere;andherangerrosesympathetically,assheknewthatherfatherwasbeingirritated.Therewasasuddenmovement,asofchairspushedhastilyaside,andthenamysteriousunaccountablenoise——heavy,sudden;andthenaslightmovementasofchairsagain;
andthenaprofoundstillness.Ellinorleanedherheadagainstthesideofthewindowtolistenmoreintently,forsomemysteriousinstinctmadehersickandfaint.Nosound——nonoise.Onlyby-and-
bysheheard,whatwehaveallheardatsuchtimesofintentlistening,thebeatingofthepulsesofherheart,andthenthewhirlingrushofbloodthroughherhead.Howlongdidthislast?
Sheneverknew.By-and-bysheheardherfather\'shurriedfootstepinhisbedroom,nexttohers;butwhensheranthithertospeaktohim,andaskhimwhatwasamiss——ifanythinghadbeen——ifshemightcometohimnowaboutMr.Livingstone\'sletter,shefoundthathehadgonedownagaintohisstudy,andalmostatthesamemomentsheheardthelittleprivateouterdoorofthatroomopen;someonewentout,andthentherewerehurriedfootstepsalongtheshrubbery-path.Shethought,ofcourse,thatitwasMr.Dunsterleavingthehouse;andwentbackforMr.Livingstone\'sletter.Havingfoundit,shepassedthroughherfather\'sroomtotheprivatestaircase,thinkingthatifshewentbythemoreregularway,shewouldhaveruntheriskofdisturbingMissMonro,andperhapsofbeingquestionedinthemorning.Eveninpassingdownthisremotestaircase,shetrodsoftlyforfearofbeingoverheard.Whensheenteredtheroom,thefulllightofthecandlesdazzledherforaninstant,comingoutofthedarkness.Theywereflaringwildlyinthedraughtthatcameinthroughtheopendoor,bywhichtheouterairwasadmitted;foramomentthereseemednooneintheroom,andthenshesaw,withstrangesickhorror,thelegsofsomeonelyingonthecarpetbehindthetable.Asifcompelled,evenwhilesheshrankfromdoingit,shewentroundtoseewhoitwasthatlaythere,sostillandmotionlessasnevertostirathersuddencoming.ItwasMr.Dunster;hisheadproppedonchair-cushions,hiseyesopen,staring,distended.Therewasastrongsmellofbrandyandhartshornintheroom;asmellsopowerfulasnottobeneutralizedbythefreecurrentofnightairthatblewthroughthetwoopendoors.Ellinorcouldnothavetoldwhetheritwasreasonorinstinctthatmadeheractasshedidduringthisawfulnight.Inthinkingofitafterwards,withshudderingavoidanceofthehauntingmemorythatwouldcomeandovershadowherduringmany,manyyearsofherlife,shegrewtobelievethatthepowerfulsmellofthespiltbrandyabsolutelyintoxicatedher——anunconsciousRechabiteinpractice.Butsomethinggaveherapresenceofmindandacouragenotherown.Andthoughshelearnttothinkafterwardsthatshehadactedunwisely,ifnotwronglyandwickedly,yetshemarvelled,inrecallingthattime,howshecouldhavethenbehavedasshedid.Firstofallsheliftedherselfupfromherfascinatedgazeatthedeadman,andwenttothestaircasedoor,bywhichshehadenteredthestudy,andshutitsoftly.Thenshewentback——lookedagain;tookthebrandy-bottle,andkneltdown,andtriedtopoursomeintothemouth;butthisshefoundshecouldnotdo.
Thenshewettedherhandkerchiefwiththespirit,andmoistenedthelips;alltonopurpose;for,asIhavesaidbefore,themanwasdead——killedbyruptureofavesselofthebrain;howoccasionedI
musttellby-and-by.Ofcourse,allEllinor\'slittlecaresandeffortsproducednoeffect;herfatherhadtriedthembefore——vainendeavoursall,tobringbackthepreciousbreathoflife!Thepoorgirlcouldnotbearthelookofthoseopeneyes,andsoftly,tenderly,triedtoclosethem,althoughunconsciousthatinsodoingshewasrenderingthepiousofficesofsomebelovedhandtoadeadman.Shewassittingbythebodyonthefloorwhensheheardstepscomingwithrushingandyetcautioustread,throughtheshrubbery;
shehadnofear,althoughitmightbethetreadofrobbersandmurderers.Theawfulnessofthehourraisedherabovecommonfears;
thoughshedidnotgothroughtheusualprocessofreasoning,andbyitfeelassuredthatthefeetwhichwerecomingsosoftlyandswiftlyalongwerethesamewhichshehadheardleavingtheroominlikemanneronlyaquarterofanhourbefore.