第8章

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——Iknowhowhardlyallthesethingsarecominguponyou(andIwishIhadneverseenCorbet,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.