Itwasonlycustom;forhehadnotbeendesiredtodoso.Ellinorwenttothewindowtoreadherletter;themanwaitingallthetimerespectfullyforherreply.Shewenttothewriting-table,andwrote:
\"Itisallright——quiteright.IoughttohavethoughtofitalllastAugust.Idonotthinkyouwillforgetmeeasily,butIentreatyouneveratanyfuturetimetoblameyourself.Ihopeyouwillbehappyandsuccessful.IsupposeImustneverwritetoyouagain:
butIshallalwaysprayforyou.Papawasverysorrylastnightforhavingspokenangrilytoyou.Youmustforgivehim——thereisgreatneedforforgivenessinthisworld——ELLINOR.\"
Shekeptputtingdownthoughtafterthought,justtoprolongthelastpleasureofwritingtohim.Shesealedthenote,andgaveittotheman.ThenshesatdownandwaitedforMissMonro,whohadgonetobedonthepreviousnightwithoutawaitingEllinor\'sreturnfromthedining-room.
\"Iamlate,mydear,\"saidMissMonro,oncomingdown,\"butIhaveabadheadache,andIknewyouhadapleasantcompanion.\"Then,lookinground,sheperceivedRalph\'sabsence.
\"Mr.Corbetnotdownyet!\"sheexclaimed.AndthenEllinorhadtotellhertheoutlineofthefactssosoonlikelytobemadepublic;
thatMr.Corbetandshehaddeterminedtobreakofftheirengagement;
andthatMr.CorbethadaccordinglybetakenhimselftotheParsonage;
andthatshedidnotexpecthimtoreturntoFordBank.MissMonro\'sastonishmentwasunbounded.Shekeptgoingoverandoverallthelittlecircumstancesshehadnoticedduringthelastvisit,onlyonyesterday,infact,whichshecouldnotreconcilewiththenotionthatthetwo,apparentlysomuchattachedtoeachotherbutafewhoursbefore,werenowtobeforeverseparatedandestranged.
Ellinorsickenedunderthetorture;whichyetseemedliketortureinadream,fromwhichtheremustcomeanawakeningandarelief.Shefeltasifshecouldnothearanymore;yettherewasmoretohear.
Herfather,asitturnedout,wasveryill,andhadbeensoallnightlong;hehadevidentlyhadsomekindofattackonthebrain,whetherapoplecticorparalyticitwasforthedoctorstodecide.Inthehurryandanxietyofthisdayofmiserysucceedingtomisery,shealmostforgottowonderwhetherRalphwerestillattheParsonage——
stillinHamley;itwasnottilltheeveningvisitofthephysicianthatshelearntthathehadbeenseenbyDr.MooreashewastakinghisplaceinthemorningmailtoLondon.Dr.Moorealludedtohisnameastoathoughtthatwouldcheerandcomfortthefragilegirlduringhernight-watchbyherfather\'sbedside.ButMissMonrostoleoutafterthedoctortowarnhimoffthesubjectforthefuture,cryingbitterlyovertheforlornpositionofherdarlingasshespoke——cryingasEllinorhadneveryetbeenabletocry:thoughallthetime,intheprideofhersex,shewasasendeavouringtopersuadethedoctoritwasentirelyEllinor\'sdoing,andthewisestandbestthingshecouldhavedone,ashewasnotgoodenoughforher,onlyapoorbarristerstrugglingforalivelihood.Likemanyotherkind-heartedpeople,shefellintotheblunderofloweringthemoralcharacterofthosewhomitistheirgreatestwishtoexalt.
ButDr.MooreknewEllinortoowelltobelievethewholeofwhatMissMonrosaid;shewouldneveractfrominterestedmotives,andwasallthemorelikelytoclingtoamanbecausehewasdownandunsuccessful.No!therehadbeenalovers\'quarrel;anditcouldnothavehappenedatasaddertime.
BeforetheJuneroseswereinfullbloom,Mr.Wilkinswasdead.HehadlefthisdaughtertotheguardianshipofMr.Nessbysomewillmadeyearsago;butMr.NesshadcaughtarheumaticfeverwithhisEasterfishings,andbeenunabletobemovedhomefromthelittleWelshinnwherehehadbeenstayingwhenhewastakenill.Sincehislastattack,Mr.Wilkins\'smindhadbeenmuchaffected;heoftentalkedstrangelyandwildly;buthehadrareintervalsofquietnessandfullpossessionofhissenses.Atoneofthesetimeshemusthavewrittenahalf-finishedpencilnote,whichhisnursefoundunderhispillowafterhisdeath,andbroughttoEllinor.Throughhertear-blindedeyesshereadtheweak,falteringwords:
\"Iamveryill.IsometimesthinkIshallnevergetbetter,soI
wishtoaskyourpardonforwhatIsaidthenightbeforeIwastakenill.IamafraidmyangermademischiefbetweenyouandEllinor,butIthinkyouwillforgiveadyingman.Ifyouwillcomebackandletallbeasitusedtobe,Iwillmakeanyapologyyoumayrequire.IfIgo,shewillbesoveryfriendless;andIhavelookedtoyoutocareforhereversinceyoufirst——\"Thencamesomeillegibleandincoherentwriting,endingwith,\"FrommydeathbedIadjureyoutostandherfriend;Iwillbegpardononmykneesforanything——\"
Andtherestrengthhadfailed;thepaperandpencilhadbeenlaidasidetoberesumedatsometimewhenthebrainwasclearer,thehandstronger.Ellinorkissedtheletter,reverentlyfoldeditup,andlaiditamonghersacredtreasures,byhermother\'shalf-finishedsewing,andalittlecurlofherbabysister\'sgoldenhair.
Mr.Johnson,whohadbeenoneofthetrusteesforMrs.Wilkins\'smarriagesettlement,arespectablesolicitorinthecountytown,andMr.Ness,hadbeenappointedexecutorsofhiswill,andguardianstoEllinor.Thewillitselfhadbeenmadeseveralyearsbefore,whenheimaginedhimselfthepossessorofahandsomefortune,thebulkofwhichhebequeathedtohisonlychild.Byhermother\'smarriage-
settlement,FordBankwasheldintrustforthechildrenofthemarriage;thetrusteesbeingSirFrankHolsterandMr.Johnson.
Therewerelegaciestohisexecutors;asmallannuitytoMissMonro,withtheexpressionofahopethatitmightbearrangedforhertocontinuelivingwithEllinoraslongasthelatterremainedunmarried;allhisservantswereremembered,Dixonespecially,andmostliberally.
Whatremainedofthehandsomefortuneoncepossessedbythetestator?
Theexecutorsaskedinvain;therewasnothing.Theycouldhardlymakeoutwhathadbecomeofit,insuchutterconfusionwerealltheaccounts,bothpersonalandofficial.Mr.Johnsonwashardlyrestrainedbyhiscompassionfortheorphanfromthrowinguptheexecutorshipindisgust.Mr.Nessrousedhimselffromhisscholarlikeabstractiontolabourattheexaminationofbooks,parchments,andpapers,forEllinor\'ssake.SirFrankHolsterprofessedhimselfonlyatrusteeforFordBank.
MeanwhileshewentonlivingatFordBank,quiteunconsciousofthestateofherfather\'saffairs,butsunkintoadeep,plaintivemelancholy,whichaffectedherlooksandthetonesofhervoiceinsuchamannerastodistressMissMonroexceedingly.Itwasnotthatthegoodladydidnotquiteacknowledgethegreatcauseherpupilhadforgrieving——desertedbyherlover,herfatherdead——butthatshecouldnotbeartheoutwardsignsofhowmuchthesesorrowshadtoldonEllinor.Herloveforthepoorgirlwasinfinitelydistressedbyseeingthedailywastingaway,theconstantheavydepressionofspirits,andshegrewimpatientofthecontinualpainofsympathy.
IfMissMonrocouldhavedonesomethingtorelieveEllinorofherwoe,shewouldhavebeenlessinclinedtoscoldherforgivingwaytoit.
ThetimecamewhenMissMonrocouldact;andafterthat,therewasnomoreirritationonherpart.WhenallhopeofEllinor\'shavinganythingbeyondthehouseandgroundsofFordBankwasgone;whenitwasprovedthatallthelegaciesbequeathedbyMr.Wilkinsnotonefarthingcouldeverbepaid;whenitcametobeaquestionhowfarthebeautifulpicturesandotherobjectsofartinthehousewerenotlegallythepropertyofunsatisfiedcreditors,thestateofherfather\'saffairswascommunicatedtoEllinorasdelicatelyasMr.
Nessknewhow.
Shewasdroopingoverherwork——shealwaysdroopednow——andsheleftoffsewingtolistentohim,leaningherheadonthearmwhichrestedonthetable.Shedidnotspeakwhenhehadendedhisstatement.
Shewassilentforwholeminutesafterwards;hewentonspeakingoutofveryagitationandawkwardness.
\"ItwasalltherascalDunster\'sdoing,I\'venodoubt,\"saidhe,tryingtoaccountfortheentirelossofMr.Wilkins\'sfortune.
Tohissurprisesheliftedupherwhitestonyface,andsaidslowlyandfaintly,butwithalmostsolemncalmness:
\"Mr.Ness,youmustneverallowMr.Dunstertobeblamedforthis!\"
\"MydearEllinor,therecanbenodoubtaboutit.YourfatherhimselfalwaysreferredtothelosseshehadsustainedbyDunster\'sdisappearance.\"
Ellinorcoveredherfacewithherhands.\"Godforgiveusall,\"shesaid,andrelapsedintotheoldunbearablesilence.Mr.Nesshadundertakentodiscussherfutureplanswithher,andhewasobligedtogoon.
\"Now,mydearchild——Ihaveknownyousinceyouwerequitealittlegirl,youknow——wemusttrynottogivewaytofeeling\"——hehimselfwaschoking;shewasquitequiet——\"butthinkwhatistobedone.Youwillhavetherentofthishouse,andwehaveaverygoodofferforit——atenantonleaseofsevenyearsatahundredandtwentypoundsayear——\"
\"Iwillneverletthishouse,\"saidshe,standingupsuddenly,andasifdefyinghim.
\"NotletFordBank!Why?Idon\'tunderstandit——Ican\'thavebeenclear——Ellinor,therentofthishouseisallyouwillhavetoliveon!\"
\"Ican\'thelpit,Ican\'tleavethishouse.Oh,Mr.Ness,Ican\'tleavethishouse.\"
\"Mydearchild,youshallnotbehurried——IknowhowhardlyallthesethingsarecominguponyouandIwishIhadneverseenCorbet,withallmyheartIdo!\"——thiswasalmosttohimself,butshemusthaveheardit,forshequiveredallover——\"butleavethishouseyoumust.
Youmusteat,andtherentofthishousemustpayforyourfood;youmustdress,andthereisnothingbuttherenttoclotheyou.IwillgladlyhaveyoutostayattheParsonageaslongaseveryoulike;
but,infact,thenegotiationswithMr.Osbaldistone,thegentlemanwhoofferstotakethehouse,arenearlycompleted——\"
\"Itismyhouse!\"saidEllinor,fiercely.\"Iknowitissettledonme.\"
\"No,mydear.ItisheldintrustforyoubySirFrankHolsterandMr.Johnson;youtoreceiveallmoneysandbenefitsaccruingfromit\"——hespokegently,forhealmostthoughtherheadwasturned——\"butyourememberyouarenotofage,andMr.JohnsonandIhavefullpower.\"
Ellinorsatdown,helpless.
\"Leaveme,\"shesaid,atlength.\"Youareverykind,butyoudon\'tknowall.Icannotstandanymoretalkingnow,\"sheadded,faintly.
Mr.Nessbentoverherandkissedherforehead,andwithdrewwithoutanotherword.HewenttoMissMonro.
\"Well!andhowdidyoufindher?\"washerfirstinquiry,aftertheusualgreetingshadpassedbetweenthem.\"Itisreallyquitesadtoseehowshegivesway;Ispeaktoher,andspeaktoher,andtellherhowsheisneglectingallherduties,anditdoesnogood.\"
\"Shehashadtobearastillfurthersorrowto-day,\"saidMr.Ness.
\"OnthepartofMr.JohnsonandmyselfIhaveaverypainfuldutytoperformtoyouaswellastoher.Mr.Wilkinshasdiedinsolvent.I
grievetosaythereisnohopeofyoureverreceivinganyofyourannuity!\"
MissMonrolookedveryblank.Manyhappylittlevisionsfadedawayinthosefewmoments;thensherousedupandsaid,\"Iambutforty;I
haveagoodfifteenyearsofworkinmeleftyet,thankGod.
Insolvent!Doyoumeanhehasleftnomoney?\"
\"Notafarthing.Thecreditorsmaybethankfuliftheyarefullypaid.\"
\"AndEllinor?\"
\"Ellinorwillhavetherentofthishouse,whichishersbyrightofhermother\'ssettlement,toliveon.\"
\"Howmuchwillthatbe?\"
\"Onehundredandtwentypounds.\"
MissMonro\'slipswentintoaformpreparedforwhistling.Mr.Nesscontinued:
\"Sheisatpresentunwillingenoughtoleavethishouse,poorgirl.
Itisbutnatural;butshehasnopowerinthematter,evenwerethereanyothercourseopentoher.Icanonlysayhowglad,howhonoured,IshallfeelbyaslongavisitasyouandshecanbeprevailedupontopaymeattheParsonage.\"
\"WhereisMr.Corbet?\"saidMissMonro.
\"Idonotknow.Afterbreakingoffhisengagementhewrotemealongletter,explanatory,ashecalledit;exculpatory,asItermedit.I
wroteback,curtlyenough,sayingthatIregrettedthebreaking-offofanintercoursewhichhadalwaysbeenverypleasanttome,butthathemustbeawarethat,withmyintimacywiththefamilyatFordBank,itwouldbebothawkwardandunpleasanttoallpartiesifheandI
remainedonourpreviousfooting.Whoisthatgoingpastthewindow?
Ellinorriding?\"
MissMonrowenttothewindow.\"Yes!Iamthankfultoseeheronhorsebackagain.ItwasonlythismorningIadvisedhertohavearide!\"
\"PoorDixon!hewillsuffertoo;hislegacycannomorebepaidthantheothers;anditisnotmanyyoungladieswhowillbeascontenttohavesoold-fashionedagroomridingafterthemasEllinorseemstobe.\"
AssoonasMr.Nesshadleft,MissMonrowenttoherdeskandwrotealonglettertosomefriendsshehadatthecathedraltownofEastChester,whereshehadspentsomehappyyearsofherformerlife.
HerthoughtshadgonebacktothistimeevenwhileMr.Nesshadbeenspeaking;foritwasthereherfatherhadlived,anditwasafterhisdeaththathercaresinsearchofasubsistencehadbegun.Buttherecollectionsofthepeacefulyearsspenttherewerestrongerthantheremembranceoftheweeksofsorrowandcare;and,whileEllinor\'smarriagehadseemedaprobableevent,shehadmademanyalittleplanofreturningtohernativeplace,andobtainingwhatdailyteachingshecouldtheremeetwith,andthefriendstowhomshewasnowwritinghadpromisedhertheiraid.ShethoughtthatasEllinorhadtoleaveFordBank,ahomeatadistancemightbemoreagreeabletoher,andshewentontoplanthattheyshouldlivetogether,ifpossible,onherearnings,andthesmallincomethatwouldbeEllinor\'s.MissMonrolovedherpupilsodearly,that,ifherownpleasureonlyweretobeconsulted,thisprojectedlifewouldbemoreagreeabletoherthanifMr.Wilkins\'slegacyhadsetherinindependence,withEllinorawayfromher,married,andwithinterestsinwhichherformergovernesshadbutlittlepart.
AssoonasMr.Nesshadlefther,Ellinorrangthebell,andstartledtheservantwhoanswereditbyhersuddensharpdesiretohavethehorsesatthedoorassoonaspossible,andtotellDixontobereadytogooutwithher.
Shefeltthatshemustspeaktohim,andinhernervousstateshewantedtobeoutonthefreebroadcommon,wherenoonecouldnoticeorremarktheirtalk.Itwaslongsinceshehadridden,andmuchwonderwasexcitedbythesuddenmovementinkitchenandstable-yard.
ButDixonwentgravelyabouthisworkofpreparation,sayingnothing.
TheyrodeprettyhardtilltheyreachedMonk\'sHeath,sixorsevenmilesawayfromHamley.EllinorhadpreviouslydeterminedthathereshewouldtalkovertheplanMr.NesshadproposedtoherwithDixon,andheseemedtounderstandherwithoutanywordspassingbetweenthem.Whenshereinedinherodeuptoher,andmetthegazeofhersadeyeswithsympathetic,wistfulsilence.
\"Dixon,\"saidshe,\"theysayImustleaveFordBank.\"
\"Iwasafearedonit,fromallI\'veheerdsayi\'thetownsincethemaster\'sdeath.\"
\"Thenyou\'veheard——thenyouknow——thatpapahaslefthardlyanymoney——mypoordearDixon,youwon\'thaveyourlegacy,andIneverthoughtofthatbefore!\"
\"Neverheed,neverheed,\"saidhe,eagerly;\"Icouldn\'thavetoucheditifithadbeenthere,forthetakingitwouldha\'seemedtoolike——
\"Blood-money,hewasgoingtosay,buthestoppedintime.Sheguessedthemeaning,thoughnotthewordhewouldhaveused.
\"No,notthat,\"saidshe;\"hiswillwasdatedyearsbefore.Butoh,Dixon,whatmustIdo?TheywillmakemeleaveFordBank,Isee.I
thinkthetrusteeshavehalfletitalready.\"
\"Butyou\'llhavetherenton\'t,Ireckon?\"askedhe,anxiously.
\"I\'vemanyatimeheerd\'emsayasitwassettledonthemissusfirst,andthenonyou.\"
\"Oh,yes,itisnotthat;butyouknow,underthebeech-tree——\"
\"Ay!\"saidhe,heavily.\"It\'sbeenoftentimesonmymind,waking,andIthinkthere\'sne\'eranightasIdon\'tdreamofit.\"
\"ButhowcanIleaveit!\"Ellinorcried.\"Theymaydoahundredthings——maydiguptheshrubbery.Oh!Dixon,Ifeelasifitwassuretobefoundout!Oh!Dixon,Icannotbearanymoreblameonpapa——itwillkillme——andsuchadreadfulthing,too!\"
Dixon\'sfacefellintothelinesofhabitualpainthatithadalwaysassumedoflateyearswheneverhewasthinkingorrememberinganything.
\"Theymustne\'erha\'reasontospeakillofthedead,that\'sforcertain,\"saidhe.\"TheWilkinseshavebeenrespectedinHamleyallmylifetime,andallmyfather\'sbeforeme,and——surely,missy,there\'swaysandmeansoftyingtenantsupfromalterationsbothinthehouseandoutofit,andI\'dbegthetrustees,orwhateverthey\'scalled,tobeveryparticular,ifIwasyou,andnothaveathingtouchedeitherinthehouse,orthegardens,orthemeadows,orthestables.Ithink,wi\'awordfromyou,they\'dmaybekeepmeoni\'
thestables,andIcouldlookafterthingsabit;andtheDayo\'
Judgmentwillcomeatlast,whenalloursecretswillbemadeknownwi\'outourhavingthetroubleandtheshameo\'telling\'em.I\'mgettingraythertiredo\'thisworld,MissEllinor.\"
\"Don\'ttalkso,\"saidEllinor,tenderly.\"Iknowhowsaditis,but,oh!rememberhowIshallwantafriendwhenyou\'regone,toadvisemeasyouhavedoneto-day.You\'renotfeelingill,Dixon,areyou?\"
shecontinued,anxiously.
\"No!I\'mheartyenough,andlikelyfort\'live.Fatherwaseighty-
one,andmotherabovetheseventies,whentheydied.It\'sonlymyheartasisgottofeelsoheavy;andasforthatmatter,soisyours,I\'llbebound.Andit\'sacomforttousbothifwecanservehimasisdeadbyanycareofours,forheweresuchabrighthandsomelad,withsuchacheeryface,asnevershouldha\'knownshame.\"
Theyrodeonwithoutmuchmorespeaking.EllinorwassilentlyplanningforDixon,andhe,notcaringtolookforwardtothefuture,wasbringingupbeforehisfancythetime,thirtyyearsago,whenhehadfirstenteredtheelderMr.Wilkins\'sserviceasstable-lad,andprettyMolly,thescullery-maid,washisdailydelight.PrettyMollylayburiedinHamleychurchyard,andfewliving,exceptDixon,couldhavegonestraighttohergrave.
CHAPTERXI.
InafewdaysMissMonroobtainedamostsatisfactoryreplytoherletterofinquiriesastowhetheradailygovernesscouldfindemploymentinEastChester.Foroncetheapplicationseemedtohavecomejustattherighttime.Thecanonsweremostofthemmarriedmen,withyoungfamilies;thoseatpresentinresidencewelcomedtheideaofsuchinstructionasMissMonrocouldofferfortheirchildren,andcouldalmostanswerfortheirsuccessorsinoffice.
Thiswasagreatstepgained.MissMonro,thedaughterofaprecentortothisverycathedral,hadasecretunwillingnesstobeingengagedasateacherbyanywealthytradesmanthere;buttobereceivedintothecanons\'families,inalmostanycapacity,waslikegoinghome.Moreover,besidestheemptyhonourofthething,thereweremanysmallpiecesofpatronageinthegiftoftheChapter——suchasasmallhouseopeningontotheClose,whichhadformerlybelongedtotheverger,butwhichwasnowvacant,andwasofferedtoMissMonroatanominalrent.
Ellinorhadoncemoresunkintoherolddepressedpassivestate;Mr.
NessandMissMonro,modestandundecidedastheybothwereingeneral,hadtofixandarrangeeverythingforher.HergreatinterestseemedtobeintheoldservantDixon,andhergreatpleasuretolieinseeinghim,andtalkingoveroldtimes;sohertwofriendstalkedabouther,littleknowingwhatabitter,stingingpainher\"pleasure\"was.InvainEllinortriedtoplanhowtheycouldtakeDixonwiththemtoEastChester.Ifhehadbeenawomanitwouldhavebeenafeasiblestep;buttheywereonlytokeeponeservant,andDixon,capableandversatileashewas,wouldnotdoforthatservant.AllthiswaswhatpassedthroughEllinor\'smind:itisstillaquestionwhetherDixonwouldhavefelthisloveofhisnativeplace,withallitsassociationsandremembrances,orhisloveforEllinor,thestronger.Buthewasnotputtotheproof;hewasonlytoldthathemustleave,andseeingEllinor\'sextremegriefattheideaoftheirseparation,hesethimselftocomfortherbyeverymeansinhispower,remindingher,withtenderchoiceofwords,hownecessaryitwasthatheshouldremainonthespot,inMr.
Osbaldistone\'sservice,inordertofrustrate,byanysmallinfluencehemighthave,everyprojectofalterationinthegardenthatcontainedthedreadfulsecret.Hepersistedinthisview,thoughEllinorrepeated,withpertinaciousanxiety,thecarewhichMr.
Johnsonhadtaken,indrawingupthelease,toprovideagainstanychangeoralterationbeingmadeinthepresentdispositionofthehouseorgrounds.
PeopleingeneralwereratherastonishedattheeagernessMissWilkinsshowedtosellalltheFordBankfurniture.EvenMissMonrowasalittlescandalizedatthiswantofsentiment,althoughshesaidnothingaboutit;indeedjustifiedthestep,bytellingeveryonehowwiselyEllinorwasacting,asthelarge,handsome,tablesandchairswouldbeverymuchoutofplaceandkeepingwiththesmall,oddly-
shapedroomsoftheirfuturehomeinEastChesterClose.Noneknewhowstrongwastheinstinctofself-preservation,itmayalmostbecalled,whichimpelledEllinortoshakeoff,atanycostofpresentpain,theincubusofaterribleremembrance.Shewantedtogointoanunhaunteddwellinginafree,unknowncountry——shefeltasifitwasheronlychanceofsanity.Sometimesshethoughthersenseswouldnotholdtogethertillthetimewhenallthesearrangementswereended.Butshedidnotspeaktoanyoneaboutherfeelings,poorchild;towhomcouldshespeakonthesubjectbuttoDixon?Nordidshedefinethemtoherself.Allsheknewwas,thatshewasasnearlygoingmadaspossible;andifshedid,shefearedthatshemightbetrayherfather\'sguilt.Allthistimeshenevercried,orvariedfromherdull,passivedemeanour.AndtheywereblessedtearsofreliefthatsheshedwhenMissMonro,herselfweepingbitterly,toldhertoputherheadoutofthepost-chaisewindow,foratthenextturningoftheroadtheywouldcatchthelastglimpseofHamleychurchspire.
LateoneOctoberevening,EllinorhadherfirstsightofEastChesterClose,whereshewastopasstheremainderofherlife.MissMonrohadbeenbackwardsandforwardsbetweenHamleyandEastChestermorethanonce,whileEllinorremainedattheparsonage;soshehadnotonlytheprideofproprietorshipinthewholeofthebeautifulcity,butsomethingofthedesireofhospitablywelcomingEllinortotheirjointfuturehome.
\"Look!theflymusttakeusalonground,becauseofourluggage;butbehindthesehigholdwallsarethecanons\'gardens.Thathigh-
pitchedroof,withtheclumpsofstonecroponthewallsnearit,isCanonWilson\'s,whosefourlittlegirlsIamtoteach.Hark!thegreatcathedralclock.HowproudIusedtobeofitsgreatboomwhenIwasachild!Ithoughtalltheotherchurchclocksinthetownsoundedsoshrillandpoorafterthat,whichIconsideredmineespecially.TherearerooksflyinghometotheelmsintheClose.I
wonderiftheyarethesamethatusedtobetherewhenIwasagirl.
Theysaytherookisaverylong-livedbird,andIfeelasifIcouldsweartothewaytheyarecawing.Ay,youmaysmile,Ellinor,butI
understandnowthoselinesofGray\'syouusedtosaysoprettily-
\"Ifeelthegalesthatfromyeblow.
Amomentaryblissbestow,Andbreatheasecondspring.\"
Now,dear,youmustgetout.Thisflaggedwalkleadstoourfront-
door;butourbackrooms,whicharethepleasantest,lookontotheClose,andthecathedral,andthelime-treewalk,andthedeanery,andtherookery.\"
Itwasamereslipofahouse;thekitchenbeingwiselyplacedclosetothefront-door,andsoreservingtheprettyviewforthelittledining-room,outofwhichaglass-dooropenedintoasmallwalled-ingarden,whichhadagainanentranceintotheClose.Upstairswasabedroomtothefront,whichMissMonrohadtakenforherself,becauseasshesaid,shehadoldassociationswiththebackofeveryhouseintheHigh-street,whileEllinormountedtothepleasantchamberabovethetinydrawing-roombothofwhichlookedontothevastandsolemncathedral,andthepeacefuldignifiedClose.EastChesterCathedralisNorman,withalow,massivetower,agrand,majesticnave,andachoirfullofstatelyhistorictombs.Thewholecityissoquietanddecorousaplace,thattheperpetualdailychantsandhymnsofpraiseseemedtosoundfarandwideovertheroofsofthehouses.Ellinorsoonbecamearegularattendantatallthemorningandeveningservices.Thesenseofworshipcalmedandsoothedherachingwearyheart,andtobepunctualtothecathedralhourssherousedandexertedherself,whenprobablynothingelsewouldhavebeensufficienttothisend.
By-and-byMissMonroformedmanyacquaintances;shepickedup,orwaspickedupby,oldfriends,andthedescendantsofoldfriends.Thegraveandkindlycanons,whosechildrenshetaught,calleduponherwiththeirwives,andtalkedovertheformerdeansandchapters,ofwhomshehadbothapersonalandtraditionalknowledge,andastheywalkedawayandtalkedabouthersilentdelicate-lookingfriendMissWilkins,andperhapsplannedsomelittlepresentoutoftheirfruitfulgardenorbounteousstores,whichshouldmakeMissMonro\'stablealittlemoretemptingtooneapparentlysofrailasEllinor,forthehouseholdwasalwaysspokenofasbelongingtoMissMonro,theactiveandprominentperson.By-and-by,Ellinorherselfwonherwaytotheirhearts,notbywordsordeeds,butbyhersweetlooksandmeekdemeanour,astheymarkedherregularattendanceatcathedralservice:andwhentheyheardofherconstantvisitstoacertainparochialschool,andofherbeingsometimesseencarryingalittlecoveredbasintothecottagesofthepoor,theybegantotryandtempther,withmoreurgentwords,toaccompanyMissMonroinherfrequenttea-drinkingsattheirhouses.Theolddean,thatcourteousgentlemanandgoodChristian,hadearlybecomegreatfriendswithEllinor.HewouldwatchatthewindowsofhisgreatvaultedlibrarytillhesawheremergefromthegardenintotheClose,andthenopenthedeanerydoor,andjoinher,shesoftlyadjustingthemeasureofherpacetohis.ThetimeofhisdeparturefromEastChesterbecameagreatblankinherlife,althoughshewouldneveraccept,orallowMissMonrotoaccept,hisrepeatedinvitationstogoandpayhimavisitathiscountry-place.Indeed,havingoncetastedcomparativepeaceagaininEastChesterCathedralClose,itseemedasthoughshewasafraidofeverventuringoutofthosecalmprecincts.AllMr.
Ness\'sinvitationstovisithimathisparsonageatHamleyweredeclined,althoughhewaswelcomedatMissMonro\'s,ontheoccasionofhisannualvisit,byeverymeansintheirpower.Hesleptatoneofthecanon\'svacanthouses,andlivedwithhistwofriends,whomadeayearlyfestivity,tothebestoftheirmeans,inhishonour,invitingsuchofthecathedralclergyaswereinresidence:or,iftheyfailed,condescendingtothetownclergy.TheirfriendsknewwellthatnopresentsweresoacceptableasthosesentwhileMr.Nesswaswiththem;andfromthedean,whowouldsendthemahamperofchoicefruitandflowersfromOxtonPark,downtothecurate,whoworkedinthesameschoolsasEllinor,andwhowasagreatfisher,andcaughtsplendidtrout——alldidtheirbesttohelpthemtogiveawelcometotheonlyvisitortheyeverhad.Theonlyvisitortheyeverhad,asfarasthestatelygentryknew.Therewasone,however,whocameasoftenashismastercouldgivehimaholidaylongenoughtoundertakeajourneytosodistantaplace;butfewknewofhisbeingaguestatMissMonro\'s,thoughhiswelcometherewasnotlessheartythanMr.Ness\'s——thiswasDixon.EllinorhadconvincedhimthathecouldgivehernogreaterpleasureatanytimethanbyallowinghertofrankhimtoandfromEastChester.Wheneverhecametheyweretogetherthegreaterpartoftheday;shetakinghimhitherandthithertoseeallthesightsthatshethoughtwouldinterestorpleasehim;buttheyspokeverylittletoeachotherduringallthiscompanionship.MissMonrohadmuchmoretosaytohim.ShequestionedhimrightandleftwheneverEllinorwasoutoftheroom.
ShelearntthatthehouseatFordBankwassplendidlyfurnished,andnomoneysparedonthegarden;thattheeldestMissHanburywasverywellmarried;thatBrownhadsucceededtoJonesinthehaberdasher\'sshop.Thenshehesitatedalittlebeforemakinghernextinquiry:
\"IsupposeMr.CorbetnevercomestotheParsonagenow?\"
\"No,nothe.Idon\'tthinkashowMr.Nesswouldhavehim;buttheywriteletterstoeachotherbytimes.OldJob——you\'llrecollectoldJob,ma\'am,hethatgardenedforMrNess,andwaitedintheparlourwhentherewascompany——didsayasonedayheheerdthemspeakingaboutMr.Corbet;andhe\'sagrandcounsellornow——oneofthemasgoesaboutatassize-time,andspeaksinawig.\"
\"Abarrister,youmean,\"saidMissMonro.
\"Ay;andhe\'ssomethingmorethanthat,thoughIcan\'trightlyrememberwhat,\"
Ellinorcouldhavetoldthemboth.TheyhadTheTimeslenttothemontheseconddayafterpublicationbyoneoftheirfriendsintheClose,andEllinor,watchingtillMissMonro\'seyeswereotherwiseengaged,alwaysturnedwithtremblinghandsandabeatinghearttothereportsofthevariouscourtsoflaw.Inthemshefound——atfirstrarely——thenameshesoughtfor,thenameshedweltupon,asifeveryletterwereastudy.Mr.LoshandMr.Duncombeappearedfortheplaintiff,Mr.SmytheandMr.Corbetforthedefendant.Inayearortwothatnameappearedmorefrequently,andgenerallytooktheprecedenceoftheother,whateveritmightbe;thenonspecialoccasionshisspeecheswerereportedatfulllength,asifhiswordswereaccountedweighty;andby-and-byshesawthathehadbeenappointedaQueen\'scounsel.Andthiswasallsheeverheardorsawabouthim;hisoncefamiliarnameneverpassedherlipsexceptinhurriedwhisperstoDixon,whenhecametostaywiththem.EllinorhadhadnoideawhenshepartedfromMr.Corbethowtotaltheseparationbetweenthemwashenceforwardtobe,somuchseemedleftunfinished,unexplained.Itwassodifficult,atfirst,tobreakherselfofthehabitofconstantmentalreferencetohim;andformanyalongyearshekeptthinkingthatsurelysomekindfortunewouldbringthemtogetheragain,andallthisheart-sicknessandmelancholyestrangementfromeachotherwouldthenseemtobothonlyasanuglydreamthathadpassedawayinthemorninglight.
Thedeanwasanoldman,buttherewasacanonwhowasolderstill,andwhosedeathhadbeenexpectedbymany,andspeculateduponbysome,anytimefortenyearsatleast.CanonHoldsworthwastoooldtoshowactivekindnesstoanyone;thegooddean\'slifewasfullofthoughtfulandbenevolentdeeds.Buthewastaken,andtheotherleft.Ellinorlookedoutatthevacantdeanerywithtearfuleyes,thelastthingatnight,thefirstinthemorning.Butitisprettynearlythesamewithchurchdignitariesaswithkings;thedeanisdead,longlivethedean!Aclergymanfromadistantcountywasappointed,andalltheClosewasastirtolearnandheareveryparticularconnectedwithhim.Luckilyhecameinatthetag-endofoneofthenoblefamiliesinthepeerage;so,atanyrate,allhisfutureassociatescouldlearnwithtolerablecertaintythathewasforty-twoyearsofage,married,andwitheightdaughtersandoneson.Thedeanery,formerlysoquietandsedateadwellingoftheoneoldman,wasnowtobefilledwithnoiseandmerriment.Ironrailingswerebeingplacedbeforethreewindows,evidentlytobethenursery.Inthesummerpublicityofopenwindowsanddoors,thesoundofthebusycarpenterswasperpetuallyheardallovertheClose:andby-and-bywaggon-loadsoffurnitureandcarriage-loadsofpeoplebegantoarrive.NeitherMissMonronorEllinorfeltthemselvesofsufficientimportanceorstationtocallonthenewcomers,buttheywereaswellacquaintedwiththeproceedingsofthefamilyasiftheyhadbeenindailyintercourse;theyknewthattheeldestMissBeauchampwasseventeen,andverypretty,onlyoneshoulderwashigherthantheother;thatshewasdotinglyfondofdancing,andtalkedagreatdealinatete-a-tete,butnotmuchifhermammawasby,andneveropenedherlipsatallifthedeanwasintheroom;thatthenextsisterwaswonderfullyclever,andwassupposedtoknowallthegovernesscouldteachher,andtohaveprivatelessonsinGreekandmathematicsfromherfather;andsoondowntothelittleboyatthepreparatoryschoolandthebaby-girlinarms.Moreover,MissMonro,atanyrate,couldhavestoodanexaminationastothenumberofservantsatthedeanery,theirdivisionofwork,andthehoursoftheirmeals.Presently,averybeautiful,haughty-lookingyoungladymadeherappearanceintheClose,andinthedean\'spew.Shewassaidtobehisniece,theorphandaughterofhisbrother,GeneralBeauchamp,cometoEastChestertoresideforthenecessarytimebeforehermarriage,whichwastobeperformedinthecathedralbyheruncle,thenewdignitary.
Butascallersatthedeanerydidnotseethisbeautifulbrideelect,andastheBeauchampshadnotasyetfallenintohabitsofintimacywithanyoftheirnewacquaintances,verylittlewasknownofthecircumstancesofthisapproachingweddingbeyondtheparticularsgivenabove.
EllinorandMissMonrosatattheirdrawing-roomwindow,alittleshadedbythemuslincurtains,watchingthebusypreparationsforthemarriage,whichwastotakeplacethenextday.Allmorninglong,hampersoffruitandflowers,boxesfromtherailway——forbythistimeEastChesterhadgotarailway——shopmessengers,hiredassistants,keptpassingbackwardsandforwardsinthebusyClose.
Towardsafternoonthebustlesubsided,thescaffoldingwasup,thematerialsforthenextday\'sfeastcarriedoutofsight.Itwastobeconcludedthatthebrideelectwasseeingtothepackingofhertrousseau,helpedbythemerrymultitudeofcousins,andthattheservantswerearrangingthedinnerfortheday,orthebreakfastforthemorrow.SoMissMonrohadsettledit,discussingeverydetailandeveryprobabilityasthoughshewereachiefactor,insteadofonlyadistant,uncared-forspectatorofthecomingevent.Ellinorwastired,andnowthattherewasnothinginterestinggoingon,shehadfallenbacktohersewing,whenshewasstartledbyMissMemo\'sexclamation:
\"Look,look!herearetwogentlemencomingalongthelime-treewalk!
itmustbethebridegroomandhisfriend.\"Outofmuchsympathy,andsomecuriosity,Ellinorbentforward,andsaw,justemergingfromtheshadowofthetreesontothefullafternoonsunlitpavement,Mr.
Corbetandanothergentleman;theformerchanged,worn,aged,thoughwithstillthesamefineintellectualface,leaningonthearmoftheyoungertallerman,andtalkingeagerly.Theothergentlemanwasdoubtlessthebridegroom,Ellinorsaidtoherself;andyetherpropheticheartdidnotbelieveherwords.Evenbeforethebrightbeautyatthedeanerylookedoutofthegreatorielwindowofthedrawing-room,andblushed,andsmiled,andkissedherhand——agesturerepliedtobyMr.Corbetwithmuchempressement,whiletheothermanonlytookoffhishat,almostasifhesawherthereforthefirsttime——Ellinor\'sgreedyeyeswatchedhimtillhewashiddenfromsightinthedeanery,unheedingMissMonro\'seagerincoherentsentences,inturnentreating,apologising,comforting,andupbraiding.ThensheslowlyturnedherpainfuleyesuponMissMonro\'sface,andmovedherlipswithoutasoundbeingheard,andfainteddeadaway.Inallherlifeshehadneverdonesobefore,andwhenshecameroundshewasnotlikeherself;inallprobabilitythepersistenceandwilfulnessshe,whowasusuallysomeekanddocile,showedduringthenexttwenty-fourhours,wastheconsequenceoffever.Sheresolvedtobepresentatthewedding;numbersweregoing;shewouldbeunseen,unnoticedinthecrowd;butwhateverbefell,goshewould,andneitherthetearsnortheprayersofMissMonrocouldkeepherback.
Shegavenoreasonforthisdetermination;indeed,inallprobabilityshehadnonetogive;sotherewasnoarguingthepoint.Shewasinflexibletoentreaty,andnoonehadanyauthorityoverher,except,perhaps,distantMr.Ness.MissMonrohadallsortsofforebodingsastothepossiblescenesthatmightcometopass.Butallwentonasquietlyasthoughthefullestsympathypervadedeveryindividualofthegreatnumbersassembled.Nooneguessedthatthemuffled,veiledfigure,sittingintheshadowbehindoneofthegreatpillars,wasthatofonewhohadoncehopedtostandatthealtarwiththesamebridegroom,whonowcasttenderlooksatthebeautifulbride;herveilwhiteandfairy-like,Ellinor\'sblackandshroudingasthatofanynun.