第4章

Herfatherwaswell,andapparentlycontent.MissMonrowasverykind.Dixon"slamenesswasquitegoneoff.OnlyMr.Dunstercamecreepingaboutthehouse,onpretenceofbusiness,seekingoutherfather,anddisturbingallhisleisurewithhisdust-colouredparchment-skinnedcarewornface,andseemingtodisturbthesmoothcurrentofherdailylifewhenevershesawhim.

EllinormadeherappearanceattheHamleyassemblies,butwithlesseclatthaneitherherfatherorherloverexpected.Herbeautyandnaturalgracewereadmiredbythosewhocoulddiscriminate;buttothegreaternumbertherewas(whattheycalled)"awantofstyle"——

wantofelegancetherecertainlywasnot,forherfigurewasperfect,andthoughshemovedshyly,shemovedwell.PerhapsitwasnotagoodplaceforacorrectappreciationofMissWilkins;someoftheolddowagersthoughtitapieceofpresumptioninhertobethereatall——buttheLadyHolsteroftheday(whorememberedherhusband"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——theanxioushappinessofreplyingtothem(alwaysalittlebitfearfullestsheshouldnotexpressherselfandherloveinthepreciselyhappymediumbecomingamaiden)——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,andbeggingher(inallthosesweetwordswhichloversknowhowtouse)tourgeherfathertocomplianceforhissake——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,andonespokeofthehereditaryhandsomenessoftheWilkinsfamily(fortheoldman,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,shewasplanninginherownmindtospeaktoherfatherassoonashereturned(andhehadsaidthatheshouldnotbelate),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-purposedtime(soEllinorthought)foratete-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.