第6章

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,indeed(andherecameintheTempter),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——anywhere(thoughtshe)notlookingonthesideofthehouseontheflower-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;howhehaddrawnalargesum(exactquantityunknown)outofthecountybankonlythedaybeforeheleftHamley,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.

Dunsterhadinjured(asshethought)toblackenhischaracterasmuchaswasconsistentwithanydegreeoftruth.

"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.Sosheshuthereyestowhatmightbeinstoreforher(and,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?