MissMonro,jealousofeverysound,followedhim,withstepsallthemoreheavybecausetheyweretakenwithsomuchcare,downthestairs,backintothedrawing-room.Bythebed-candleflaringinthedraught,shesawthattherewastheglitteringmarkofwettearsonhischeek;andshefelt,asshesaidafterwards,\"sorryfortheyoungman.\"Andyetsheurgedhimtogo,forsheknewthatshemightbewantedupstairs.Hetookherhand,andwrungithard.
\"Thankyou.Shelookedsochanged——oh!shelookedasthoughsheweredead.Youwillwrite——HerbertLivingstone,LanghamVicarage,Yorkshire;youwillpromisemetowrite.IfIcoulddoanythingforher,butIcanbutpray.Oh,mydarling;mydarling!andIhavenorighttobewithher.\"
\"Goaway,there\'sagoodyoungman,\"saidMissMonro,allthemorepressingtohurryhimoutbythefrontdoor,becauseshewasafraidofhisemotionovermasteringhim,andmakinghimnoisyinhisdemonstrations.\"Yes,Iwillwrite;Iwillwrite,neverfear!\"andsheboltedthedoorbehindhim,andwasthankful.
Twominutesafterwardstherewasalowtap;sheundidthefastenings,andtherehestood,paleinthemoonlight.
\"Pleasedon\'ttellherIcametoaskabouther;shemightnotlikeit.\"
\"No,no!notI!Poorcreature,she\'snotlikelytocaretohearanythingthislongwhile.SheneverrousedatMr.Corbet\'sname.\"
\"Mr.Corbet\'s!\"saidLivingstone,belowhisbreath,andheturnedandwentaway;thistimeforgood.
ButEllinorrecovered.Sheknewshewasrecovering,whendayafterdayshefeltinvoluntarystrengthandappetitereturn.Herbodyseemedstrongerthanherwill;forthatwouldhaveinducedhertocreepintohergrave,andshuthereyesforeveronthisworld,sofulloftroubles.
Shelay,forthemostpart,withhereyesclosed,verystillandquiet;butshethoughtwiththeintensityofonewhoseeksforlostpeace,andcannotfindit.Shebegantoseethatifinthemadimpulsesofthatmadnightmareofhorror,theyhadallstrengthenedeachother,anddaredtobefrankandopen,confessingagreatfault,agreaterdisaster,agreaterwoe——whichinthefirstinstancewashardlyacrime——theirfuturecourse,thoughsadandsorrowful,wouldhavebeenasimpleandstraightforwardonetotread.Butitwasnotforhertoundowhatwasdone,andtorevealtheerrorandshameofafather.Onlyshe,turninganewtoGod,inthesolemnandquietwatchesofthenight,madeacovenant,thatinherconduct,herownpersonalindividuallife,shewouldactloyallyandtruthfully.Andasforthefuture,andalltheterriblechancesinvolvedinit,shewouldleaveitinHishands——if,indeedandherecameintheTempter,Hewouldwatchoveronewhoselifehereaftermustseembaseduponalie.Heronlyplea,offered\"standingafaroff\"was,\"Thelieissaidanddoneandover——itwasnotformyownsake.Canfilialpietybesoovercomebytherightsofjusticeandtruth,astodemandofmethatIshouldrevealmyfather\'sguilt.\"
Herfather\'sseveresharppunishmentbegan.Heknewwhyshesuffered,whatmadeheryoungstrengthfalterandtremble,whatmadeherlifeseemnighabouttobequenchedindeath.Yethecouldnottakehissorrowandcareinthenaturalmanner.Hewasobligedtothinkhoweverywordanddeedwouldbeconstrued.Hefanciedthatpeoplewerewatchinghimwithsuspiciouseyes,whennothingwasfurtherfromtheirthoughts.Foronceletthe\"public\"ofanyplacebepossessedbyanidea,itismoredifficulttodislodgeitthananyoneimagineswhohasnottried.IfMr.WilkinshadgoneintoHamleymarket-place,andproclaimedhimselfguiltyofthemanslaughterofMr.Dunster——nay,ifhehaddetailedallthecircumstances——thepeoplewouldhaveexclaimed,\"Poorman,heiscrazedbythisdiscoveryoftheunworthinessofthemanhetrustedso;andnowonder——itwassuchathingtohavedone——tohavedefraudedhispartnertosuchanextent,andthenhavemadeofftoAmerica!\"
Formanysmallcircumstances,whichIdonotstoptodetailhere,wentfartoprovethis,asweknow,unfoundedsupposition;andMr.
Wilkins,whowasknown,fromhishandsomeboyhood,throughhiscomelymanhood,uptothepresenttime,byallthepeopleinHamley,wasanobjectofsympathyandrespecttoeveryonewhosawhim,ashepassedby,old,andlorn,andhaggardbeforehistime,allthroughtheevilconductofone,London-bred,whowasasahard,unlovelystrangertothepopularmindofthislittlecountrytown.
Mr.Wilkins\'sownservantslikedhim.Theworkingsofhistemptationsweresuchastheycouldunderstand.Ifhehadbeenhot-
temperedhehadalsobeengenerous,orIshouldrathersaycarelessandlavishwithhismoney.Andnowthathewascheatedandimpoverishedbyhispartner\'sdelinquency,theythoughtitnowonderthathedranklonganddeepinthesolitaryeveningswhichhepassedathome.Itwasnotthathewaswithoutinvitations.Everyonecameforwardtotestifytheirrespectforhimbyaskinghimtotheirhouses.Hehadprobablyneverbeensouniversallypopularsincehisfather\'sdeath.But,ashesaid,hedidnotcaretogointosocietywhilehisdaughterwassoill——hehadnospiritsforcompany.
Butifanyonehadcaredtoobservehisconductathome,andtodrawconclusionsfromit,theycouldhavenoticedthat,anxiousashewasaboutEllinor,heratheravoidedthansoughtherpresence,nowthatherconsciousnessandmemorywererestored.Nordidsheaskfor,orwishforhim.Thepresenceofeachwasaburdentotheother.Oh,sadandwoefulnightofMay——overshadowingthecomingsummermonthswithgloomandbitterremorse!
CHAPTERVIII.
Stillyouthprevailedoverall.Ellinorgotwell,asIhavesaid,evenwhenshewouldfainhavedied.Andtheafternooncamewhensheleftherroom.MissMonrowouldgladlyhavemadeafestivalofherrecovery,andhavehadherconveyedintotheunuseddrawing-room.
ButEllinorbeggedthatshemightbetakenintothelibrary——intotheschool-room——anywherethoughtshenotlookingonthesideofthehouseontheflower-garden,whichshehadfeltinallherillnessasaghastlypressurelyingwithinsightofthoseverywindows,throughwhichthemorningsunstreamedrightuponherbed——liketheaccusingangel,bringingallhiddenthingstolight.
AndwhenEllinorwasbetterstill,whentheBath-chairhadbeensentupforheruse,bysomekindlyoldmaid,outofHamley,shestillpetitionedthatitmightbekeptonthelawnortownsideofthehouse,awayfromtheflower-garden.
Onedayshealmostscreamed,when,asshewasgoingtothefrontdoor,shesawDixonstandingreadytodrawher,insteadofFletchertheservantwhousuallywent.Butshecheckedalldemonstrationoffeeling;althoughitwasthefirsttimeshehadseenhimsinceheandsheandonemorehadworkedtheirheartsoutinhardbodilylabour.
Helookedsosternandill!Cross,too,whichshehadneverseenhimbefore.
Assoonastheywereoutofimmediatesightofthewindows,sheaskedhimtostop,forcingherselftospeaktohim.
\"Dixon,youlookverypoorly,\"shesaid,tremblingasshespoke.
\"Ay!\"saidhe.\"Wedidn\'tthinkmuchofitatthetime,didwe,MissNelly?Butit\'llbethedeathonus,I\'mthinking.Ithasagedmeaboveabit.Allmyfiftyyearsaforewerebutasaforenoonofchild\'splaytothatnight.Measter,too——Icoulda-bearagooddeal,butmeastercutsthroughthestable-yard,andpastme,wi\'outaword,asifIwaspoison,orastinkingfoumart.It\'sthatasisworst,MissNelly,itis.\"
Andthepoormanbrushedsometearsfromhiseyeswiththebackofhiswithered,furrowedhand.Ellinorcaughttheinfection,andcriedoutright,sobbedlikeachild,evenwhilesheheldoutherlittlewhitethinhandtohisgrasp.Forassoonashesawheremotion,hewaspenitentforwhathehadsaid.
\"Don\'tnow——don\'t,\"wasallhecouldthinkoftosay.
\"Dixon!\"saidsheatlength,\"youmustnotmindit.Youmusttrynottomindit.Iseehedoesnotliketoberemindedofthat,evenbyseeingme.Hetriesnevertobealonewithme.MypooroldDixon,ithasspoiltmylifeforme;forIdon\'tthinkhelovesmeanymore.\"
Shesobbedasifherheartwouldbreak;andnowitwasDixon\'sturntobecomforter.
\"Ah,dear,myblessing,helovesyouaboveeverything.It\'sonlyhecan\'ta-bearthesightofus,asisbutnatural.Andifhedoesn\'tfancybeingalonewithyou,there\'salwaysoneasdoes,andthat\'sacomfortattheworstoftimes.Anddon\'tyefretaboutwhatIsaidaminuteago.Iwereputoutbecausemeasterallbutpushedmeoutofhiswaythismorning,withoutneveraword.ButIwereanoldfoolfortellingye.AndI\'vereallyforgottenwhyItoldFletcherI\'ddragyeabitaboutto-day.Th\'gardenerisbeginningfortowonderasyoudon\'twanttoseeth\'annualsandbedding-outthingsasyouweresoparticularaboutinMay.AndIthoughtI\'djusthaveawordwi\'ye,andthenifyou\'dletme,we\'dgotogetherjustonceroundtheflower-garden,justtosayyou\'vebeen,youknow,andtogivethemchapsabitofpraise.You\'llonlyhavetolookonthebeds,mypretty,anditmustbedonesometime.Socomealong!\"
Hebegantopullresolutelyinthedirectionoftheflower-garden.
Ellinorbitherlipstokeepinthecryofrepugnancethatrosetothem.AsDixonstoppedtounlockthedoor,hesaid:
\"It\'snothardness,nothinglikeit;I\'vewaitedtillIheerdyouwerebetter;butit\'sinforapennyinforapoundwi\'usall;andfolkmaytalk;andblessyourlittlebraveheart,you\'llstandadealforyourfather\'ssake,andsowillI,thoughIdofeelitaboveabit,whenheputsouthishandasiftokeepmeoff,andIonlygoingtospeaktohimaboutClipper\'sknees;thoughI\'llownIhadwonderedmanyadaywhenIwastohavethegood-morrowmasternevermissedsin\'hewereaboytill——Well!andnowyou\'veseenthebeds,andcansaytheylookedmightypretty,andisdoneallasyouwished;andwe\'regotoutagain,andbreathingfresherairthanyonsunbakedhole,withitssmellingflowers,nothalfsowholesometosnuffatasgoodstable-dung.\"
Sothegoodmanchattedon;notwithoutthepurposeofgivingEllinortimetorecoverherself;andpartlyalsotodrownhisowncares,whichlayheavieronhisheartthanhecouldsay.ButhethoughthimselfrewardedbyEllinor\'sthanks,andwarmpressureofhishardhandasshegotoutatthefrontdoor,andbadehimgood-by.
ThebreaktoherdaysofwearymonotonywastheletterssheconstantlyreceivedfromMr.Corbet.Andyethereagainlurkedthesting.HewasallastonishmentandindignationatMr.Dunster\'sdisappearance,orratherflight,toAmerica.Andnowthatshewasgrowingstronger,hedidnotscrupletoexpresscuriosityrespectingthedetails,neverdoubtingbutthatshewasperfectlyacquaintedwithmuchthathewantedtoknow;althoughhehadtoomuchdelicacytoquestionheronthepointwhichwasmostimportantofallinhiseyes,namely,howfarithadaffectedMr.Wilkins\'sworldlyprospects;forthereportprevalentinHamleyhadreachedLondon,thatMr.Dunsterhadmadeawaywith,orcarriedoff,trustpropertytoaconsiderableextent,forallwhichMr.Wilkinswouldofcoursebeliable.
ItwashardworkforRalphCorbettokeepfromseekingdirectinformationonthisheadfromMr.Ness,or,indeed,fromMr.Wilkinshimself.Butherestrainedhimself,knowingthatinAugustheshouldbeabletomakealltheseinquiriespersonally.BeforetheendofthelongvacationhehadhopedtomarryEllinor:thatwasthetimewhichhadbeenplannedbythemwhentheyhadmetintheearlyspringbeforeherillnessandallthismisfortunehappened.Butnow,ashewrotetohisfather,nothingcouldbedefinitelyarrangeduntilhehadpaidhisvisittoHamley,andseenthestateofaffairs.
AccordinglyoneSaturdayinAugust,hecametoFordBank,thistimeasavisitortoEllinor\'shome,insteadoftohisoldquartersatMr.
Ness\'s.
Thehousewasstillasifasleepinthefullheatoftheafternoonsun,asMr.Corbetdroveup.Thewindow-blindsweredown;thefrontdoorwideopen,greatstandsofheliotropeandrosesandgeraniumsstoodjustwithintheshadowofthehall;butthroughallthesilencehisapproachseemedtoexcitenocommotion.Hethoughtitstrangethathehadnotbeenwatchedfor,thatEllinordidnotcomerunningouttomeethim,thatsheallowedFletchertocomeandattendtohisluggage,andusherhimintothelibraryjustlikeanycommonvisitor,anymorning-caller.Hestiffenedhimselfupintoamoment\'sindignantcoldnessofmanner.Butitvanishedinaninstantwhen,onthedoorbeingopened,hesawEllinorstandingholdingbythetable,lookingforhisappearancewithalmostpantinganxiety.Hethoughtofnothingthenbutherevidentweakness,herchangedlooks,forwhichnoaccountofherillnesshadpreparedhim.Forshewasdeadlywhite,lipsandall;andherdarkeyesseemedunnaturallyenlarged,whilethecavesinwhichtheyweresetwerestrangelydeepandhollow.Herhair,too,hadbeencutoffprettyclosely;shedidnotusuallywearacap,butwithsomefaintideaofmakingherselflookbetterinhiseye,shehadputononethisday,andtheeffectwasthatsheseemedtobefortyyearsofage;butoneinstantafterhehadcomein,herpalefacewasfloodedwithcrimson,andhereyeswerefulloftears.Shehadhardworktokeepherselffromgoingintohysterics,butsheinstinctivelyknewhowmuchhewouldhateascene,andshecheckedherselfintime\"Oh,\"shemurmured,\"Iamsogladtoseeyou;itissuchacomfort,suchaninfinitepleasure.\"Andsoshewenton,cooingoutwordsoverhim,andstrokinghishairwithherthinfingers;whileherathertriedtoaverthiseyes,hewassomuchafraidofbetrayinghowmuchhethoughtheraltered.
Butwhenshecamedown,dressedfordinner,thissenseofherchangewasdiminishedtohim.Hershortbrownhairhadalreadyalittlewave,andwasornamentedbysomeblacklace;sheworealargeblacklaceshawl——ithadbeenhermother\'sofold——oversomedelicate-
colouredmuslindress;herfacewasslightlyflushed,andhadthetintsofawildrose;herlipskeptpaleandtremblingwithinvoluntarymotion,itistrue;andastheloversstoodtogether,handinhand,bythewindow,hewasawareofalittleconvulsivetwitchingateverynoise,evenwhilesheseemedgazingintranquilpleasureonthelongsmoothslopeofthenewly-mownlawn,stretchingdowntothelittlebrookthatprattledmerrilyoverthestonesonitsmerrycoursetoHamleytown.
Hefeltastrongertwitchthaneverbefore;evenwhilehisear,lessdelicatethanhers,coulddistinguishnopeculiarsound.AbouttwominutesafterMr.Wilkinsenteredtheroom.HecameuptoMr.Corbetwithawarmwelcome:someofitreal,someofitassumed.Hetalkedvolublytohim,takinglittleornonoticeofEllinor,whodroppedintothebackground,andsatdownonthesofabyMissMonro;foronthisdaytheywerealltodinetogether.RalphCorbetthoughtthatMr.Wilkinswasaged;butnowonder,afterallhisanxietyofvariouskinds:Mr.Dunster\'sflightandreporteddefalcations,Ellinor\'sillness,oftheseriousnessofwhichherloverwasnowconvincedbyherappearance.
Hewouldfainhavespokenmoretoherduringthedinnerthatensued,butMr.Wilkinsabsorbedallhisattention,talkingandquestioningonsubjectsthatlefttheladiesoutoftheconversationalmostperpetually.Mr.Corbetrecognisedhishost\'sfinetact,evenwhilehispersistenceintalkingannoyedhim.HewasquitesurethatMr.
Wilkinswasanxioustosparehisdaughteranyexertionbeyondthat——
towhich,indeed,sheseemedscarelyequal——ofsittingattheheadofthetable.Andthemoreherfathertalked——sofineanobserverwasMr.Corbet——themoresilentanddepressedEllinorappeared.Butby-
and-byheaccountedforthisinverseratioofgaiety,asheperceivedhowquicklyMr.Wilkinshadhisglassreplenished.Andhere,again,Mr.Corbetdrewhisconclusions,fromthesilentwayinwhich,withoutawordorasignfromhismaster,Fletchergavehimmorewinecontinually——winethatwasdrainedoffatonce.
\"Sixglassesofsherrybeforedessert,\"thoughtMr.Corbettohimself.\"Badhabit——nowonderEllinorlooksgrave.\"Andwhenthegentlemenwereleftalone,Mr.Wilkinshelpedhimselfevenstillmorefreely;yetwithouttheslightesteffectontheclearnessandbrilliancyofhisconversation.Hehadalwaystalkedwellandracily,thatRalphknew,andinthispowerhenowrecognisedatemptationtowhichhefearedthathisfuturefather-in-lawhadsuccumbed.Andyet,whileheperceivedthatthisgiftledintotemptation,hecoveteditforhimself;forhewasperfectlyawarethatthisfluency,thishappychoiceofepithets,wastheonethingheshouldfailinwhenhebegantoenterintothemoreactivecareerofhisprofession.Butaftersometimespentinlistening,andadmiring,withthislittlefeelingofenvylurkinginthebackground,Mr.CorbetbecameawareofMr.Wilkins\'sincreasingconfusionofideas,andratherunnaturalmerriment;and,withasuddenrevulsionfromadmirationtodisgust,heroseuptogointothelibrary,whereEllinorandMissMonroweresitting.Mr.Wilkinsaccompaniedhim,laughingandtalkingsomewhatloudly.WasEllinorawareofherfather\'sstate?OfthatMr.Corbetcouldnotbesure.Shelookedupwithgravesadeyesastheycameintotheroom,butwithnoapparentsensationofsurprise,annoyance,orshame.Whenherglancemetherfather\'s,Mr.Corbetnoticedthatitseemedtosoberthelatterimmediately.Hesatdownneartheopenwindow,anddidnotspeak,butsighedheavilyfromtimetotime.MissMonrotookupabook,inordertoleavetheyoungpeopletothemselves;andafteralittlelowmurmuredconversation,Ellinorwentupstairstoputonherthingsforastrollthroughthemeadowsbytheriver-side.
Theyweresometimessaunteringalonginthelovelysummertwilight,nowrestingonsomegrassyhedge-rowbank,orstandingstill,lookingatthegreatbarges,withtheircrimsonsails,lazilyfloatingdowntheriver,makingripplesontheglassyopalsurfaceofthewater.
Theydidnottalkverymuch;Ellinorseemeddisinclinedfortheexertion;andherloverwasthinkingoverMr.Wilkins\'sbehaviour,withsomesurpriseanddistasteofthehabitsoevidentlygrowinguponhim.
Theycamehome,lookingseriousandtired:yettheycouldnotaccountfortheirfatiguebythelengthoftheirwalk,andMissMonro,forgettingAutolycus\'ssong,keptfidgetingaboutEllinor,andwonderinghowitwasshelookedsopale,ifshehadonlybeenasfarastheAshMeadow.Toescapefromthiswonder,Ellinorwentearlytobed.Mr.Wilkinswasgone,nooneknewwhere,andRalphandMissMonrowerelefttoahalf-hour\'stete-a-tete.HethoughthecouldeasilyaccountforEllinor\'slanguor,if,indeed,shehadperceivedasmuchashehaddoneofherfather\'sstate,whentheyhadcomeintothelibraryafterdinner.Butthereweremanydetailswhichhewasanxioustohearfromacomparativelyindifferentperson,andassoonashecould,hepassedonfromtheconversationaboutEllinor\'shealth,toinquiriesastothewholeaffairofMr.Dunster\'sdisappearance.
NexttoheranxietyaboutEllinor,MissMonrolikedtodilateonthemysteryconnectedwithMr.Dunster\'sflight;forthatwasthewordsheemployedwithouthesitation,asshegavehimtheaccountoftheeventuniversallyreceivedandbelievedinbythepeopleofHamley.
HowMr.Dunsterhadneverbeenlikedbyanyone;howeverybodyrememberedthathecouldneverlookthemstraightintheface;howhealwaysseemedtobehidingsomethingthathedidnotwanttohaveknown;howhehaddrawnalargesumexactquantityunknownoutofthecountybankonlythedaybeforeheleftHamley,doubtlessinpreparationforhisescape;howsomeonehadtoldMr.WilkinshehadseenamanjustlikeDunsterlurkingaboutthedocksatLiverpool,abouttwodaysafterhehadlefthislodgings,butthatthissomeone,beinginahurry,hadnotcaredtostopandspeaktotheman;
howthattheaffairsintheofficewerediscoveredtobeinsuchasadstatethatitwasnowonderthatMr.Dunsterhadabsconded——hethathadbeensotrustedbypoordearMr.Wilkins.Moneygonenooneknewhoworwhere.
\"Buthashenofriendswhocanexplainhisproceedings,andaccountforthemissingmoney,insomeway?\"askedMr.Corbet.
\"No,none.Mr.Wilkinshaswritteneverywhere,rightandleft,I
believe.IknowhehadaletterfromMr.Dunster\'snearestrelation——
atradesmanintheCity——acousin,Ithink,andhecouldgivenoinformationinanyway.HeknewthatabouttenyearsagoMr.DunsterhadhadagreatfancyforgoingtoAmerica,andhadreadagreatmanytravels——alljustwhatamanwoulddobeforegoingofftoacountry.\"
\"Tenyearsisalongtimebeforehand,\"saidMr.Corbet,halfsmiling;
\"showsmaliceprepensewithavengeance.\"Butthen,turninggrave,hesaid:\"DidheleaveHamleyindebt?\"
\"No;Ineverheardofthat,\"saidMissMonro,ratherunwillingly,forsheconsidereditasapieceofloyaltytotheWilkinses,whomMr.
Dunsterhadinjuredasshethoughttoblackenhischaracterasmuchaswasconsistentwithanydegreeoftruth.
\"Itisastrangestory,\"saidMr.Corbet,musing.
\"Notatall,\"shereplied,quickly;\"Iamsure,ifyouhadseentheman,withoneortwoside-locksofhaircombedoverhisbaldness,asifhewereashamedofit,andhiseyesthatneverlookedatyou,andhiswayofeatingwithhisknifewhenhethoughthewasnotobserved——
oh,andnumbersofthings!——youwouldnotthinkitstrange.\"
Mr.Corbetsmiled.
\"Ionlymeantthatheseemstohavehadnoextravagantorvicioushabitswhichwouldaccountforhisembezzlementofthemoneythatismissing——but,tobesure,moneyinitselfisatemptation——onlyhe,beingapartner,wasinafairwayofmakingitwithoutrisktohimself.HasMr.WilkinstakenanystepstohavehimarrestedinAmerica?Hemighteasilydothat.\"
\"Oh,mydearMr.Ralph,youdon\'tknowourgoodMr.Wilkins!Hewouldratherbeartheloss,Iamsure,andallthistroubleandcarewhichithasbroughtuponhim,thanberevengeduponMr.Dunster.\"
\"Revenged!Whatnonsense!Itissimplejustice——justicetohimselfandtoothers——toseethatvillainyissosufficientlypunishedastodeterothersfromenteringuponsuchcourses.ButIhavelittledoubtMr.Wilkinshastakentherightsteps;heisnotthemantositdownquietlyundersuchaloss.\"
\"No,indeed!hehadhimadvertisedintheTimesandinthecountypapers,andofferedarewardoftwentypoundsforinformationconcerninghim.\"
\"Twentypoundswastoolittle.\"
\"SoIsaid.ItoldEllinorthatIwouldgivetwentypoundsmyselftohavehimapprehended,andshe,poordarling!fella-trembling,andsaid,\'IwouldgiveallIhave——Iwouldgivemylife.\'Andthenshewasinsuchdistress,andsobbedso,IpromisedherIwouldnevernameittoheragain.\"
\"Poorchild——poorchild!shewantschangeofscene.Hernerveshavebeensadlyshakenbyherillness.\"
ThenextdaywasSunday;Ellinorwastogotochurchforthefirsttimesinceherillness.Herfatherhaddecideditforher,orelseshewouldfainhavestayedaway——shewouldhardlyacknowledgewhy,eventoherself,butitseemedtoherasiftheverywordsandpresenceofGodmusttheresearchherandfindherout.
Shewentearly,leaningonthearmofherlover,andtryingtoforgetthepastinthepresent.Theywalkedslowlyalongbetweentherowsofwavinggoldencornripefortheharvest.Mr.Corbetgatheredblueandscarletflowers,andmadeupalittlerusticnosegayforher.
Shetookandstuckitinhergirdle,smilingfaintlyasshedidso.
HamleyChurchhad,informerdays,beencollegiate,andwas,inconsequence,muchlargerandgranderthanthemajorityofcountry-
townchurches.TheFordBankpewwasasquareone,downstairs;theFordBankservantssatinafrontpewinthegallery,rightbeforetheirmaster.Ellinorwas\"hardeningherheart\"nottolisten,nottohearkentowhatmightdisturbthewoundwhichwasjustbeingskinnedover,whenshecaughtDixon\'sfaceupabove.Helookedworn,sad,soured,andanxioustoamiserabledegree;buthewasstrainingeyesandears,heartandsoul,tohearthesolemnwordsreadfromthepulpit,asifinthemalonehecouldfindhelpinhisstrait.
Ellinorfeltrebukedandhumbled.
Shewasinatumultuousstateofmindwhentheyleftchurch;shewishedtodoherduty,yetcouldnotascertainwhatitwas.Whowastohelpherwithwisdomandadvice?Assuredlyhetowhomherfuturelifewastobetrusted.Butthecasemustbestatedinanimpersonalform.Noone,notevenherhusband,musteverknowanythingagainstherfatherfromher.Ellinorwassoartlessherself,thatshehadlittleideahowquicklyandeasilysomepeoplecanpenetratemotives,andcombinedisjointedsentences.ShebegantospeaktoRalphontheirslow,saunteringwalkhomewardsthroughthequietmeadows:
\"Suppose,Ralph,thatagirlwasengagedtobemarried——\"
\"Icanveryeasilysupposethat,withyoubyme,\"saidhe,fillingupherpause.
\"Oh!butIdon\'tmeanmyselfatall,\"repliedshe,reddening.\"Iamonlythinkingofwhatmighthappen;andsupposethatthisgirlknewofsomeonebelongingtoher——wewillcallitabrother——whohaddonesomethingwrong,thatwouldbringdisgraceuponthewholefamilyifitwasknown——though,indeed,itmightnothavebeensoverywrongasitseemed,andasitwouldlooktotheworld——oughtshetobreakoffherengagementforfearofinvolvingherloverinthedisgrace?\"
\"Certainlynot,withouttellinghimherreasonfordoingso.\"
\"Ah!butsupposeshecouldnot.Shemightnotbeatlibertytodoso.\"
\"Ican\'tanswersupposititiouscases.Imusthavethefacts——iffactsthereare——moreplainlybeforemebeforeIcangiveanopinion.
Whoareyouthinkingof,Ellinor?\"askedhe,ratherabruptly.
\"Oh,ofnoone,\"sheansweredinaffright.\"WhyshouldIbethinkingofanyone?IoftentrytoplanoutwhatIshoulddo,orwhatI
oughttodo,ifsuchandsuchathinghappened,justasyourecollectIusedtowonderifIshouldhavepresenceofmindincaseoffire.\"
\"Then,afterall,youyourselfarethegirlwhoisengaged,andwhohastheimaginarybrotherwhogetsintodisgrace?\"
\"Yes,Isupposeso,\"saidshe,alittleannoyedathavingbetrayedanypersonalinterestintheaffair.
Hewassilent,meditating.
\"Thereisnothingwronginit,\"saidshe,timidly,\"isthere?\"
\"Ithinkyouhadbettertellmefullyoutwhatisinyourmind,\"hereplied,kindly.\"Somethinghashappenedwhichhassuggestedthesequestions.Areyouputtingyourselfintheplaceofanyoneaboutwhomyouhavebeenhearinglately?Iknowyouusedtodosoformerly,whenyouwerealittlegirl.\"
\"No;itwasaveryfoolishquestionofmine,andIoughtnottohavesaidanythingaboutit.See!hereisMr.Nessovertakingus.\"
Theclergymanjoinedthemonthebroadwalkthatranbytheriver-
side,andthetalkbecamegeneral.ItwasarelieftoEllinor,whohadnotattainedherend,butwhohadgonefartowardsbetrayingsomethingofherownindividualinterestinthequestionshehadasked.Ralphhadbeenmorestruckevenbyhermannerthanherwords.
Hewassurethatsomethinglurkedbehind,andhadanideaofhisownthatitwasconnectedwithDunster\'sdisappearance.ButhewasgladthatMr.Ness\'sjoiningthemgavehimleisuretoconsideralittle.
Theendofhisreflectionswas,thatthenextday,Monday,hewentintothetown,andartfullylearntallhecouldhearaboutMrDunster\'scharacterandmodeofgoingon;andwithstillmoreskillheextractedthepopularopinionastotheembarrassednatureofMr.
Wilkins\'saffairs——embarrassmentwhichwasgenerallyattributedtoDunster\'sdisappearancewithagoodlargesumbelongingtothefirminhispossession.ButMr.Corbetthoughtotherwise;hehadaccustomedhimselftoseekoutthebasermotivesformen\'sconduct,andtocalltheresultoftheseresearcheswisdom.HeimaginedthatDunsterhadbeenwellpaidbyMr.Wilkinsforhisdisappearance,whichwasaneasywayofaccountingforthederangementofaccountsandlossofmoneythatarose,infact,fromMr.Wilkins\'sextravaganceofhabitsandgrowingintemperance.
OntheMondayafternoonhesaidtoEllinor,\"Mr.Nessinterruptedusyesterdayinaveryinterestingconversation.Doyouremember,love?\"
Ellinorreddenedandkeptherheadstillmoreintentlybentoverasketchshewasmaking.
\"Yes;Irecollect.\"
\"Ihavebeenthinkingaboutit.Istillthinksheoughttotellherloverthatsuchdisgracehungoverhim——Imean,overthefamilywithwhomhewasgoingtoconnecthimself.Ofcourse,theonlyeffectwouldbetomakehimstandbyherstillmoreforherfrankness.\"
\"Oh!but,Ralph,itmightperhapsbesomethingsheoughtnottotell,whatevercameofhersilence.\"
\"Ofcoursetheremightbeallsortsofcases.UnlessIknewmoreI
couldnotpretendtojudge.\"
Thiswassaidrathermorecoolly.Ithadthedesiredeffect.
Ellinorlaiddownherbrush,andcoveredherfacewithherhand.
Afterapause,sheturnedtowardshimandsaid:
\"Iwilltellyouthis;andmoreyoumustnotaskme.Iknowyouareassafeascanbe.Iamthegirl,youarethelover,andpossibleshamehangsovermyfather,ifsomething——oh,sodreadful\"heresheblanched,\"butnotsoverymuchhisfault,iseverfoundout.\"
Thoughthiswasnothingmorethanheexpected,thoughRalphthoughtthathewasawarewhatthedreadfulsomethingmightbe,yet,whenitwasacknowledgedinwords,hisheartcontracted,andforamomentheforgottheintent,wistful,beautifulface,creepingclosetohistoreadhisexpressionaright.Butafterthathispresenceofmindcameinaid.Hetookherinhisarmsandkissedher;murmuringfondwordsofsympathy,andpromisesoffaith,nay,evenofgreaterlovethanbefore,sincegreaterneedshemighthaveofthatlove.Butsomehowhewasgladwhenthedressing-bellrang,andinthesolitudeofhisownroomhecouldreflectonwhathehadheard;fortheintelligencehadbeenagreatshocktohim,althoughhehadfanciedthathismorning\'sinquirieshadpreparedhimforit.
CHAPTERIX.
RalphCorbetfounditaverydifficultthingtokeepdownhiscuriosityduringthenextfewdays.ItwasamiserablethingtohaveEllinor\'sunspokensecretseveringthemlikeaphantom.Buthehadgivenherhiswordthathewouldmakenofurtherinquiriesfromher.
Indeed,hethoughthecouldwellenoughmakeouttheoutlineofpastevents;still,therewastoomuchlefttoconjectureforhismindnottobealwaysbusyonthesubject.HefeltinclinedtoprobeMr.
Wilkinsintheirafter-dinnerconversation,inwhichhishostwasfrankandlaxenoughonmanysubjects.ButoncetouchonthenameofDunsterandMr.Wilkinssankintoakindofsuspiciousdepressionofspirits;talkinglittle,andwithevidentcaution;andfromtimetotimeshootingfurtiveglancesathisinterlocutor\'sface.EllinorwasresolutelyimpervioustoanyattemptsofhistobringhisconversationwithherbacktothesubjectwhichmoreandmoreengrossedRalphCorbet\'smind.Shehaddoneherduty,assheunderstoodit;andhadreceivedassuranceswhichshewasonlytoogladtobelievefondlywithallthetenderfaithofherheart.
Whatevercametopass,Ralph\'slovewouldstillbehers;norwasheunwarnedofwhatmightcometopassinsomedreadfutureday.Sosheshuthereyestowhatmightbeinstoreforherand,afterall,thechanceswereimmeasurablyinherfavour;andshebentherselfwithherwholestrengthintoenjoyingthepresent.DaybydayMr.
Corbet\'sspiritsflagged.Hewas,however,sogenerallyuniforminthetenorofhistalk——neververymerry,andalwaysavoidinganysubjectthatmightcalloutdeepfeelingeitheronhisownoranyoneelse\'spart,thatfewpeoplewereawareofhischangesofmood.
Ellinorfeltthem,thoughshewouldnotacknowledgethem:itwasbringinghertoomuchfacetofacewiththegreatterrorofherlife.
Onemorningheannouncedthefactofhisbrother\'sapproachingmarriage;theweddingwashastenedonaccountofsomeimpendingeventintheduke\'sfamily;andthehomeletterhehadreceivedthatdaywastobidhispresenceatStokelyCastle,andalsotodesirehimtobeathomebyacertaintimenotverydistant,inordertolookovertherequisitelegalpapers,andtogivehisassenttosomeofthem.
Hegavemanyreasonswhythisunlooked-fordepartureofhiswasabsolutelynecessary;butnoonedoubtedit.Heneednothaveallegedsuchreiteratedexcuses.Thetruthwas,hewasrestrainedanduncomfortableatFordBankeversinceEllinor\'sconfidence.Hecouldnotrightlycalculateonthemostdesirablecourseforhisowninterests,whilehisloveforherwasconstantlybeingrenewedbyhersweetpresence.Awayfromher,hecouldjudgemorewisely.Nordidheallegeanyfalsereasonsforhisdeparture;butthesenseofrelieftohimselfwassogreatathisrecallhome,thathewasafraidofhavingitperceivedbyothers;andsotooktheverywaywhich,ifothershadbeenaspenetratingashimself,wouldhavebetrayedhim.
Mr.Wilkins,too,hadbeguntofeeltherestraintofRalph\'sgravewatchfulpresence.Ellinorwasnotstrongenoughtobemarried;norwasthepromisedmoneyforthcomingifshehadbeen.Andtohaveafellowdawdlingaboutthehouseallday,saunteringintotheflower-
garden,peeringabouteverywhere,andhavingakindofrighttoputallmannerofunexpectedquestions,wasanythingbutagreeable.ItwasonlyEllinorthatclungtohispresence——clungasthoughsomeshadowofwhatmighthappenbeforetheymetagainhadfallenonherspirit.Assoonashehadleftthehousesheflewuptoasparebedroomwindow,towatchforthelastglimpseoftheflywhichwastakinghimintothetown.Andthenshekissedthepartofthepaneonwhichhisfigure,wavinganarmoutofthecarriagewindow,hadlastappeared;andwentdownslowlytogathertogetherallthethingshehadlasttouched——thepenhehadmended,theflowerhehadplayedwith,andtolockthemupinthelittlequaintcabinetthathadheldhertreasuressinceshewasatinychild.
MissMonrowas,perhaps,verywiseinproposingthetranslationofadifficultpartofDanteforadistractiontoEllinor.Thegirlwentmeekly,ifreluctantly,tothetasksetherbyhergoodgoverness,andby-and-byhermindbecamebracedbytheexertion.
Ralph\'speoplewerenotveryslowindiscoveringthatsomethinghadnotgoneonquitesmoothlywithhimatFordBank.Theyknewhiswaysandlookswithfamilyintuition,andcouldeasilybecertainthusfar.Butnotevenhismother\'sskilfulestwiles,norhisfavouritesister\'scoaxing,couldobtainawordorahint;andwhenhisfather,thesquire,whohadheardtheopinionsofthefemalepartofthefamilyonthishead,began,inhishonestblusteringway,intheirtete-a-tetesafterdinner,tohopethatRalphwasthinkingbetterthantorunhisheadintothatconfoundedHamleyattorney\'snoose,RalphgravelyrequiredMr.Corbettoexplainhismeaning,whichheprofessednottounderstandsoworded.Andwhenthesquirehad,withmuchperplexity,putitintotheplaintermsofhopingthathissonwasthinkingofbreakingoffhisengagementtoMissWilkins,Ralphcoollyaskedhimifhewasawarethat,inthatcase,heshouldlosealltitletobeingamanofhonour,andmighthaveanactionbroughtagainsthimforbreachofpromise?
Yetnotthelessforallthiswastheideainhismindasafuturepossibility.
BeforeverylongtheCorbetfamilymovedenmassetoStokelyCastleforthewedding.Ofcourse,Ralphassociatedonequaltermswiththemagnatesofthecounty,whoweretheemployersofEllinor\'sfather,andspokeofhimalwaysas\"Wilkins,\"justastheyspokeofthebutleras\"Simmons.\"Here,too,amongaclassofmenhighabovelocalgossip,andthusunawareofhisengagement,helearntthepopularopinionrespectinghisfuturefather-in-law;anopinionnotentirelyrespectful,thoughintermingledwithagooddealofpersonalliking.\"PoorWilkins,\"astheycalledhim,\"wassadlyextravagantforamaninhisposition;hadnorighttospendmoney,andactasifhewereamanofindependentfortune.\"Hishabitsoflifewerecriticised;andpity,notfreefromblame,wasbestoweduponhimforthelosseshehadsustainedfromhislateclerk\'sdisappearanceanddefalcation.Butwhatcouldbeexpectedifamandidnotchoosetoattendtohisownbusiness?