第9章

AlreadyMr.Corbet"snamewasknownthroughthecountryasthatofagreatlawyer;peoplediscussedhisspeechesandcharacterfarandwide;andthewell-informedinlegalgossipspokeofhimassuretobeofferedajudgeshipatthenextvacancy.Sohe,thoughgrave,andmiddle-aged,andsomewhatgrey,dividedattentionandremarkwithhislovelybride,andherprettytrainofcousinbridesmaids.MissMonroneednothavefearedforEllinor:shesawandheardallthingsasinamist——adream;assomethingshehadtogothrough,beforeshecouldwakenuptoarealityofbrightnessinwhichheryouth,andthehopesofheryouth,shouldberestored,andallthesewearyyearsofdreaminessandwoeshouldberevealedasnothingbutthenightmareofanight.Shesatmotionlessenough,stillenough,MissMonrobyher,watchingherasintentlyasakeeperwatchesamadman,andwiththesamepurpose——topreventanyoutburstevenbybodilystrength,ifsuchrestraintbeneeded.Whenallwasover;whentheprincipalpersonagesoftheceremonyhadfiledintothevestrytosigntheirnames;whentheswarmoftownspeopleweregoingoutasswiftlyastheirindividualnotionsoftherestraintsofthesacrededificepermitted;whenthegreatchordsofthe"WeddingMarch"clangedoutfromtheorgan,andtheloudbellspealedoverhead——EllinorlaidherhandinMissMonro"s."Takemehome,"shesaidsoftly.AndMissMonroledherhomeasoneleadstheblind.

CHAPTERXII.

Therearesomepeoplewhoimperceptiblyfloatawayfromtheiryouthintomiddleage,andthencepassintodeclininglifewiththesoftandgentlemotionofhappyyears.Thereareotherswhoarewhirled,inspiteofthemselves,downdizzyrapidsofagonyawayfromtheiryouthatonegreatbound,intooldagewithanothersuddenshock;andthenceintothevastcalmoceanwheretherearenoshore-markstotelloftime.

Thislast,itseemed,wastobeEllinor"slot.Heryouthhadgoneinasinglenight,fifteenyearsago,andnowsheappearedtohavebecomeanelderlywoman;verystillandhopelessinlookandmovement,butassweetandgentleinspeechandsmileasevershehadbeeninherhappiestdays.Allyoungpeople,whentheycametoknowher,lovedherdearly,thoughatfirsttheymightcallherdull,andheavytogetonwith;andasforchildrenandoldpeople,herreadywatchfulsympathyintheirjoysaswellastheirsorrowswasanunfailingpassagetotheirhearts.AfterthefirstgreatshockofMr.Corbet"smarriagewasover,sheseemedtopassintoagreaterpeacethanshehadknownforyears;thelastfainthopeofhappinesswasgone;itwould,perhaps,bemoreaccuratetosay,ofthebrighthappinessshehadplannedforherselfinherearlyyouth.

Unconsciously,shewasbeingweanedfromself-seekinginanyshape,andherdailylifebecame,ifpossible,moreinnocentandpureandholy.Oneofthecanonsusedtolaughatherforherconstantattendanceatalltheservices,andforherdevotiontogoodworks,andcallheralwaysthereverendsister.MissMonrowasalittleannoyedatthisfaintclericaljoke;Ellinorsmiledquietly.MissMonrodisapprovedofEllinor"sgravewaysandsoberseverestyleofdress.

"Youmaybeasgoodasyoulike,mydear,andyetgodressedinsomeprettycolour,insteadofthoseperpetualblacksandgreys,andthentherewouldbenoneedformetobeperpetuallytellingpeopleyouareonlyfour-and-thirty(andtheydon"tbelieveme,thoughItellthemsotillIamblackintheface).Or,ifyouwouldbutwearadecent-shapedbonnet,insteadofalwayswearingthoseofthepokyshapeinfashionwhenyouwereseventeen."

Theoldcanondied,andsomeonewastoheappointedinhisstead.

Theseclericalprefermentsandappointmentsweretheall-importantintereststotheinhabitantsoftheClose,andthediscussionofprobabilitiescameupinvariablyifanytwomettogether,instreetorhouse,orevenintheverycathedralitself.Atlengthitwassettled,andannouncedbythehigherpowers.Anenergetic,hard-

workingclergymanfromadistantpartofthediocese,Livingstonebyname,wastohavethevacantcanonry.

MissMonrosaidthatthenamewassomehowfamiliartoher,andbydegreessherecollectedtheyoungcuratewhohadcometoinquireafterEllinorinthatdreadfulillnessshehadhadatHamleyintheyear1829.Ellinorknewnothingofthatvisit;nomorethanMissMonrodidofwhathadpassedbetweenthetwobeforethatanxiousnight.EllinorjustthoughtitpossibleitmightbethesameMr.

Livingstone,andwouldratheritwerenot,becauseshedidnotfeelasifshecouldbearthefrequentthoughnotintimateintercourseshemustneedshave,ifsuchwerethecase,withonesocloselyassociatedwiththatgreattimeofterrorwhichshewasstrivingtoburyoutofsightbyeveryeffortinherpower.MissMonro,onthecontrary,wasbusyweavingaromanceforherpupil;shethoughtofthepassionateinterestdisplayedbythefairyoungclergymanfifteenyearsago,andbelievedthatoccasionallymencouldbeconstant,andhopedthatifMr.Livingstonewerethenewcanon,hemightprovetheraraaviswhichexistsbutonceinacentury.Hecame,anditwasthesame.Helookedalittlestouter,alittleolder,buthadstillthegaitandaspectofayoungman.Hissmoothfairfacewasscarcelylinedatallwithanymarksofcare;theblueeyeslookedsokindlyandpeaceful,thatMissMonrocouldscarcelyfancytheywerethesamewhichshehadseenfastfillingwithtears;theblandcalmlookofthewholemanneededtheennoblementofhisevidentdevoutnesstoberaisedintothetypeofholyinnocencewhichsomeoftheRomanistscallthe"sacerdotalface."Hisentiresoulwasinhiswork,andhelookedaslittlelikelytostepforthinthecharacterofeitheraheroofromanceorafaithfulloverascouldbeimagined.

StillMissMonrowasnotdiscouraged;sherememberedthewarm,passionatefeelingshehadonceseenbreakthroughthecalmexterior,andshebelievedthatwhathadhappenedoncemightoccuragain.

Ofcourse,whilealleyesweredirectedonthenewcanon,hehadtolearnwhothepossessorsofthoseeyeswereonebyone;anditwasprobablysometimebeforetheideacameintohismindthatMissWilkins,theladyinblack,withthesadpaleface,soconstantanattendantatservice,soregularavisitorattheschool,wasthesameMissWilkinsasthebrightvisionofhisyouth.Itwashersweetsmileatapainstakingchildthatbetrayedher——if,indeed,betrayalitmightbecalledwheretherewasnowishorefforttoconcealanything.CanonLivingstonelefttheschoolroomalmostdirectly,and,afterbeingforanhourorsoinhishouse,wentouttocallonMrs.Randall,thepersonwhoknewmoreofherneighbours"

affairsthananyoneinEastChester.

ThenextdayhecalledonMissWilkinsherself.Shewouldhavebeenverygladifhehadkeptoninhisignorance;itwassokeenlypainfultobeinthecompanyofonethesightofwhom,evenatadistance,hadbroughthersuchakeenremembranceofpastmisery;andwhentoldofhiscall,asshewassittingathersewinginthedining-room,shehadtonerveherselffortheinterviewbeforegoingupstairsintothedrawing-room,wherehewasbeingentertainedbyMissMonrowithwarmdemonstrationsofwelcome.Alittlecontractionofthebrow,alittlecompressionofthelips,anincreasedpalloronEllinor"spart,wasallthatMissMonrocouldseeinher,thoughshehadputonherglasseswithforesightandintentiontoobserve.Sheturnedtothecanon;hiscolourhadcertainlydeepenedashewentforwardswithout-stretchedhandtomeetEllinor.Thatwasallthatwastobeseen;butontheslightfoundationofthatblush,MissMonrobuiltmanycastles;andwhentheyfadedaway,oneafterone,sherecognisedthattheywereonlybaselessvisions.SheusedtoputthedisappointmentofherhopesdowntoEllinor"sunvariedcalmnessofdemeanour,whichmightbetakenforcoldnessofdisposition;andtohersteadyrefusaltoallowMissMonrotoinviteCanonLivingstonetothesmallteastheywereinthehabitofoccasionallygiving.Yetheperseveredinhiscalls;aboutonceeveryfortnighthecame,andwouldsitanhourormore,lookingcovertlyathiswatch,asifasMissMonroshrewdlyobservedtoherself,hedidnotgoawayatlastbecausehewishedtodoso,butbecauseheought.SometimesEllinorwaspresent,sometimesshewasaway;inthislattercaseMissMonrothoughtshecoulddetectacertainwistfulwatchingofthedooreverytimeanoisewasheardoutsidetheroom.HealwaysavoidedanyreferencetoformerdaysatHamley,andthat,MissMonrofeared,wasabadsign.

AfterthislonguniformityofyearswithoutanyeventcloselytouchingonEllinor"sownindividuallife,withtheonegreatexceptionofMr.Corbet"smarriage,somethinghappenedwhichmuchaffectedher.Mr.Nessdiedsuddenlyathisparsonage,andEllinorlearntitfirstfromMr.Brown,aclergyman,whoselivingwasnearHamley,andwhohadbeensentforbytheParsonageservantsassoonastheydiscoveredthatitwasnotsleep,butdeath,thatmadetheirmastersolateinrising.

Mr.Brownhadbeenappointedexecuterbyhislatefriend,andwrotetotellEllinorthatafterafewlegacieswerepaid,shewastohavealife-interestintheremainderofthesmallpropertywhichMr.Nesshadleft,andthatitwouldbenecessaryforher,astheresiduarylegatee,tocometoHamleyParsonageassoonasconvenient,todecideuponcertaincoursesofactionwithregardtofurniture,books,&c.

Ellinorshrankfromthisjourney,whichherloveanddutytowardsherdeadfriendrenderednecessary.ShehadscarcelyleftEastChestersinceshefirstarrivedthere,sixteenorseventeenyearsago,andshewastimorousabouttheverymodeoftravelling;andthentogobacktoHamley,whichshethoughtnevertohaveseenagain!Sheneverspokemuchaboutanyfeelingsofherown,butMissMonrocouldalwaysreadhersilence,andinterpreteditintoprettyjustandforciblewordsthatafternoonwhenCanonLivingstonecalled.ShelikedtotalkaboutEllinortohim,andsuspectedthathelikedtohear.Shewasalmostannoyedthistimebythecomforthewouldkeepgivingher;therewasnogreaterdangerintravellingbyrailroadthanbycoach,alittlecareaboutcertainthingswasrequired,thatwasall,andtheaveragenumberofdeathsbyaccidentsonrailroadswasnotgreaterthantheaveragenumberwhenpeopletravelledbycoach,ifyoutookintoconsiderationthefargreaternumberoftravellers.Yes!returningtothedesertedscenesofone"syouthwasverypainfulHadMissWilkinsmadeanyprovisionforanotherladytotakeherplaceasvisitorattheschool?Hebelieveditwasherweek.MissMonrowasoutofallpatienceathisentirecalmnessandreasonableness.Laterinthedayshebecamemoreatpeacewithhim,whenshereceivedakindlittlenotefromMrs.Forbes,agreatfriendofhers,andthemotherofthefamilyshewasnowteaching,sayingthatCanonLivingstonehadcalledandtoldherthatEllinorhadtogoonaverypainfuljourney,andthatMrs.ForbeswasquitesureMissMonro"scompanionshipuponitwouldbeagreatcomforttoboth,andthatshecouldperfectlybesetatlibertyforafortnightorso,foritwouldfallinadmirablywiththefactthat"Jeaniewasgrowingtall,andthedoctorhadadvisedseaairthisspring;soamonth"sholidaywouldsuitthemnowevenbetterthanlateron."WasthisgoingstraighttoMrs.Forbes,towhomsheshouldherselfscarcelyhavelikedtonameit,theactofagood,thoughtfulman,orofalover?questionedMissMonro;butshecouldnotanswerherowninquiry,andhadtobeverygratefulforthedeed,withoutaccountingforthemotives.

AcoachmetthetrainatastationabouttenmilesfromHamley,andDixonwasattheinnwherethecoachstopped,readytoreceivethem.

Theoldmanwasalmostintearsatthesightofthemagaininafamiliarplace.HehadputonhisSundayclothestodothemhonour;

andtoconcealhisagitationhekeptupapretendedbustleabouttheirluggage.Totheindignationoftheinn-porters,whowereofalatergeneration,hewouldwheelithimselftotheParsonage,thoughhebrokedownfromfatigueonceortwiceontheway,andhadtostandandrest,hisladieswaitingbyhisside,andmakingremarksonthealterationsofhousesandtheplacesoftrees,inordertogivehimampletimetorecruithimself,fortherewasnoonetowaitforthemandgivethemawelcometotheParsonage,whichwastobetheirtemporaryhome.Therespectfulservants,indeepmourning,hadallprepared,andgaveEllinoranotefromMr.Brown,sayingthathepurposelyrefrainedfromdisturbingthemthatdayaftertheirlongjourney,butwouldcallonthemorrow,andtellthemofthearrangementshehadthoughtofmaking,alwayssubjecttoMissWilkins"sapproval.

Theseweresimpleenough;certainlegalformstobegonethrough,anyselectionfrombooksorfurnituretobemade,andtheresttobesoldbyauctionasspeedilyasconvenient,asthesuccessortothelivingmightwishtohaverepairsandalterationseffectedintheoldparsonage.ForsomedaysEllinoremployedherselfinbusinessinthehouse,nevergoingoutexcepttochurch.MissMonro,onthecontrary,strolledabouteverywhere,noticingallthealterationsinplaceandpeople,whichwereneverimprovementsinheropinion.

Ellinorhadplentyofcallers(hertenants,Mr.andMrs.Osbaldistoneamongothers),but,exceptinginrarecases——mostofthembelongedtohumblelife——shedeclinedtoseeeveryone,asshehadbusinessenoughonherhands:sixteenyearsmakesagreatdifferenceinanysetofpeople.Theoldacquaintancesofherfatherinhisbetterdayswerealmostalldeadorremoved;therewereoneortworemaining,andtheseEllinorreceived;oneortwomore,oldandinfirm,confinedtotheirhouses,sheplannedtocalluponbeforeleavingHamley.Everyevening,whenDixonhaddonehisworkatMr.

Osbaldistone"s,hecameuptotheParsonage,ostensiblytohelpherinmovingorpackingbooks,butreallybecausethesetwoclungtoeachother——wereboundtoeachotherbyabondnevertobespokenabout.ItwasunderstoodbetweenthemthatoncebeforeEllinorleftsheshouldgoandseetheoldplace,FordBank.Nottogointothehouse,thoughMr.andMrs.Osbaldistonehadbeggedhertonameherowntimeforrevisitingitwhentheyandtheirfamilywouldbeabsent,buttoseeallthegardensandgroundsoncemore;asolemn,miserablevisit,which,becauseoftheverymiseryitinvolved,appearedtoEllinortobeanimperativeduty.

Dixonandshetalkedtogetherasshesatmakingacatalogueoneeveningintheoldlow-browedlibrary;thecasementwindowswereopenintothegarden,andtheMayshowershadbroughtoutthescentsofthenew-leavedsweetbriarbushjustbelow.Beyondthegardenhedgethegrassymeadowsslopedawaydowntotheliver;theParsonagewassomuchraisedthat,sittinginthehouse,youcouldseeovertheboundaryhedge.Menwithinstrumentswerebusyinthemeadow.

Ellinor,pausinginherwork,askedDixonwhattheyweredoing.

"Them"sthepeopleforthenewrailway,"saidhe."NoughtwouldsatisfytheHamleyfolkbuttohavearailwayalltothemselves——

coachesisn"tgoodenoughnow-a-days."

Hespokewithatoneofpersonaloffencenaturaltoamanwhohadpassedallhislifeamonghorses,andconsideredrailway-enginesastheirdespicablerivals,conqueringonlybystratagem.

By-and-byEllinorpassedontoasubjecttheconsiderationofwhichshehadrepeatedlyurgeduponDixon,andentreatedhimtocomeandformoneoftheirhouseholdatEastChester.Hewasgrowingold,shethoughtoldereveninlooksandfeelingsthaninyears,andshewouldmakehimhappyandcomfortableinhisdecliningyearsifhewouldbutcomeandpassthemunderhercare.TheadditionwhichMr.Ness"sbequestmadetoherincomewouldenablehertodonotonlythis,buttorelieveMissMonroofheroccupationofteaching;which,attheyearsshehadarrivedat,wasbecomingburdensome.WhensheproposedtheremovaltoDixonheshookhishead.

"It"snotthatIdon"tthankyou,andkindly,too;butI"mtoooldtogochoppingandchanging."

"Butitwouldbenochangetocomebacktome,Dixon,"saidEllinor.

"Yes,itwould.Iwereborni"Hamley,andit"si"HamleyIreckontodie."

Onherurginghimalittlemore,itcameoutthathehadastrongfeelingthatifhedidnotwatchthespotwherethedeadmanlayburied,thewholewouldbediscovered;andthatthisdreadofhishadoftenpoisonedthepleasureofhisvisittoEastChester.

"Idon"trightlyknowhowitis,forIsometimesthinkifitwasn"tforyou,missy,IshouldbegladtohavemadeitallclearbeforeI

go;andyetattimesIdream,oritcomesintomyheadasIlieawakewiththerheumatics,thatsomeoneisthere,digging;orthatIhear"emcuttingdownthetree;andthenIgetupandlookoutoftheloftwindow——you"llmindthewindowoverthestables,aslooksintothegarden,allcoveredoverwi"theleavesofthejargonellepear-tree?

ThatweremyroomwhenfirstIcomeasstable-boy,andtho"Mr.

Osbaldistonewouldfaingivemeawarmerone,IallaystellhimI

liketh"oldplacebest.AndbytimesI"vegettenupfiveorsixtimesa-nighttomakesureastherewasnooneatworkunderthetree."

Ellinorshiveredalittle.Hesawit,andrestrainedhimselfinthereliefhewasreceivingfromimpartinghissuperstitiousfancies.

"Yousee,missy,Icouldneverresta-nightsifIdidn"tfeelasifI

keptthesecretinmyhand,andheldittightdayandnight,soasI

couldopenmyhandatanyminuteandseeasitwasthere.No!myownlittlemissywillletmecomeandseehernowandagain,andIknowasIcanallaysaskherforwhatIwant:andifitpleaseGodtolaymeby,Ishalltellherso,andshe"llseeasIwantfornothing.

ButsomehowIcouldne"erbearleavingHamley.Youshallcomeandfollowmetomygravewhenmytimecomes."

"Don"ttalkso,please,Dixon,"saidshe.

"Nay,it"llbeamercywhenIcanlaymedownandsleepinpeace:

thoughIsometimesfearaspeacewillnotcometomeeventhere."Hewasgoingoutoftheroom,andwasnowmoretalkingtohimselfthantoher."Theysaybloodwillout,andifitweren"tforherpartinit,IcouldwishforaclearbreastbeforeIdie."

Shedidnothearthelatterpartofthismumbledsentence.Shewaslookingataletterjustbroughtinandrequiringanimmediateanswer.ItwasfromMr.Brown.Notesfromhimwereofdailyoccurrence,butthiscontainedanopenletterthewritingofwhichwasstrangelyfamiliartoher——itdidnotneedthesignature"RalphCorbet,"totellherwhomthelettercamefrom.Forsomemomentsshecouldnotreadthewords.Theyexpressedasimpleenoughrequest,andwereaddressedtotheauctioneerwhowastodisposeoftherathervaluablelibraryofthelateMr.Ness,andwhosenamehadbeenadvertisedinconnectionwiththesale,intheAthenaeum,andothersimilarpapers.TohimMr.Corbetwrote,sayingthatheshouldbeunabletobepresentwhenthebooksweresold,butthathewishedtobeallowedtobuyin,atanypricedecidedupon,acertainrarefolioeditionofVirgil,boundinparchment,andwithnotesinItalian.

Thebookwasfullydescribed.ThoughnoLatinscholar,Ellinorknewthebookwell——remembereditslookfromoldtimes,andcouldinstantlyhavelaidherhanduponit.Theauctioneerhadsenttherequestontohisemployer,Mr.Brown.ThatgentlemanappliedtoEllinorforherconsent.ShesawthatthefactoftheintendedsalemustbeallthatMr.Corbetwasawareof,andthathecouldnotknowtowhomthebooksbelonged.Shechoseoutthebook,andwrappedandtieditupwithtremblinghands.HEmightbethepersontountietheknot.Itwasstrangelyfamiliartoherlove,aftersomanyyears,tobebroughtintothusmuchcontactwithhim.ShewroteashortnotetoMr.Brown,inwhichsherequestedhimtosay,asthoughfromhimself;andwithoutanymentionofhername,thathe,asexecutor,requestedMr.Corbet"sacceptanceoftheVirgil,asaremembranceofhisformerfriendandtutor.Thensherangthebell,andgavetheletterandparceltotheservant.

Againalone,andMr.Corbet"sopenletteronthetable.Shetookitupandlookedatittillthelettersdazzledcrimsononthewhitepaper.Herliferolledbackwards,andshewasagirlagain.Atlastsherousedherself;butinsteadofdestroyingthenote——itwaslongyearssinceallherlove-lettersfromhimhadbeenreturnedtothewriter——sheunlockedherlittlewriting-caseagain,andplacedthislettercarefullydownatthebottom,amongthedeadrose-leaveswhichembalmedthenotefromherfather,foundafterhisdeathunderhispillow,thelittlegoldencurlofhersister"s,thehalf-finishedsewingofhermother.

Theshabbywriting-caseitselfwasgivenherbyherfatherlongago,andhadsincebeentakenwithhereverywhere.Tobesure,herchangesofplacehadbeenbutfew;butifshehadgonetoNovaZembla,thesightofthatlittleleatherboxonawakingfromherfirstsleep,wouldhavegivenherasenseofhome.Shelockedthecaseupagain,andfeltallthericherforthatmorning.

AdayortwoafterwardssheleftHamley.BeforeshewentshecompelledherselftogoroundthegardensandgroundsofFordBank.

ShehadmadeMrs.Osbaldistoneunderstandthatitwouldbepainfulforhertore-enterthehouse;butMr.Osbaldistoneaccompaniedherinherwalk.

"Youseehowliterallywehaveobeyedtheclauseintheleasewhichtiesusoutfromanyalterations,"saidhe,smiling."Wearelivinginatangledthicketofwood.ImustconfessthatIshouldhavelikedtocutdownagooddeal;butwedonotdoeventherequisitethinningswithoutmakingtheproperapplicationforleavetoMr.

Johnson.Infact,youroldfriendDixonisjealousofeverypea-

stickthegardenercuts.Inevermetwithsofaithfulafellow.A

goodenoughservant,too,inhisway;butsomewhattooold-fashionedformywifeanddaughters,whocomplainofhisbeingsurlynowandthen."

"Youarenotthinkingofpartingwithhim?"saidEllinor,jealousforDixon.

"Oh,no;heandIarecapitalfriends.AndIbelieveMrs.

Osbaldistoneherselfwouldneverconsenttohisleavingus.Butsomeladies,youknow,likealittlemoresubserviencyinmannerthanourfriendDixoncanboast."

Ellinormadenoreply.Theywereenteringthepaintedflowergarden,hidingtheghastlymemory.Shecouldnotspeak.Shefeltasif,withallherstriving,shecouldnotmove——justasonedoesinanightmare——butshewaspasttheplaceevenasthisterrorcametoitsacme;andwhenshecametoherself,Mr.Osbaldistonewasstillblandlytalking,andsaying-

"Itisnowarewardforourobediencetoyourwishes,MissWilkins,foriftheprojectedrailwaypassesthroughtheash-fieldyonderweshouldhavebeenperpetuallytroubledwiththesightofthetrains;

indeed,thesoundwouldhavebeenmuchmoredistinctthanitwillbenowcomingthroughtheinterlacingbranches.Thenyouwillnotgoin,MissWilkins?"Mrs.Osbaldistonedesiredmetosayhowhappy——

Ah!Icanunderstandsuchfeelings——Certainly,certainly;itissomuchtheshortestwaytothetown,thatweelderonesalwaysgothroughthestable-yard;foryoungpeople,itisperhapsnotquitesodesirable.Ha!Dixon,"hecontinued,"onthewatchfortheMissEllinorwesooftenhearof!Thisoldman,"hecontinuedtoEllinor,"isneversatisfiedwiththeseatofouryoungladies,alwayscomparingtheirwayofridingwiththatofacertainmissy——"

"Icannothelpit,sir;they"vequiteadifferentstyleofhand,andsitalllumpish-like.Now,MissEllinor,there-"

"Hush,Dixon,"shesaid,suddenlyawareofwhytheoldservantwasnotpopularwithhismistress."IsupposeImaybeallowedtoaskforDixon"scompanyforanhourorso;wehavesomethingtodotogetherbeforeweleave."

Theconsentgiven,thetwowalkedaway,asbypreviousappointment,toHamleychurchyard,wherehewastopointouttohertheexactspotwherehewishedtobeburied.Tramplingoverthelong,rankgrass,butavoidingpassingdirectlyoveranyofthethickly-strewngraves,hemadestraightforonespot——alittlespaceofunoccupiedgroundcloseby,whereMolly,theprettyscullery-maid,lay:

SacredtotheMemoryofMARYGREAVES.

Born1797.Died1818.

"Weparttomeetagain."

"Iputthisstoneupoverherwithmyfirstsavings,"saidhe,lookingatit;andthen,pullingouthisknife,hebegantocleanouttheletters."IsaidthenasIwouldliebyher.Andit"llbeacomforttothinkyou"llseemelaidhere.Itrustnoone"llbesocrabbedastotakeafancytothis"erespotofground."

Ellinorgraspedeagerlyattheonlypleasurewhichhermoneyenabledhertogivetotheoldman:andpromisedhimthatshewouldtakecareandbuytherighttothatparticularpieceofground.ThiswasevidentlyagratificationDixonhadfrequentlyyearnedafter;hekeptsaying,"I"mgreatlyobleegedtoye,MissEllinor.ImaysayI"mtrulyobleeged."Andwhenhesawthemoffbythecoachthenextday,hislastwordswere,"IcannotjustlysayhowgreatlyI"mobleegedtoyouforthatmatterofthechurchyard."ItwasamuchmoreeasyaffairtogiveMissMonrosomeadditionalcomforts;shewasascheerfulasever;stillworkingawayatherlanguagesinanysparetime,butconfessingthatshewastiredoftheperpetualteachinginwhichherlifehadbeenspentduringthelastthirtyyears.Ellinorwasnowenabledtosetheratlibertyfromthis,andsheacceptedthekindnessfromherformerpupilwithasmuchsimplegratitudeasthatwithwhichamotherreceivesafavourfromachild."IfEllinorwerebutmarriedtoCanonLivingstone,IshouldbehappierthanIhaveeverbeensincemyfatherdied,"sheusedtosaytoherselfinthesolitudeofherbedchamber,fortalkingaloudhadbecomeherwontintheearlyyearsofherisolatedlifeasagoverness."Andyet,"shewenton,"Idon"tknowwhatIshoulddowithouther;itisluckyformethatthingsarenotinmyhands,foraprettymessIshouldmakeofthem,onewayoranother.Dear!howoldMrs.Cadoganusedtohatethatword"mess,"andcorrecthergranddaughtersforusingitrightbeforemyface,whenIknewIhadsaiditmyselfonlythemomentbefore!Well!thosedaysareallovernow.Godbethanked!"

Inspiteofbeinggladthat"thingswerenotinherhands"MissMonrotriedtotakeaffairsintoherchargebydoingallshecouldtopersuadeEllinortoallowhertoinvitethecanontotheir"littlesociableteas."Themostprovokingpartwas,thatshewassurehewouldhavecomeifhehadbeenasked;butshecouldnevergetleavetodoso."Ofcoursenomancouldgoonforeverandeverwithoutencouragement,"assheconfidedtoherselfinaplaintivetoneofvoice;andby-and-bymanypeoplewereledtosupposethatthebachelorcanonwaspayingattentiontoMissForbes,theeldestdaughterofthefamilytowhichthedelicateJeaniebelonged.Itwas,perhaps,withtheForbesesthatbothMissMonroandEllinorwerethemostintimateofallthefamiliesinEastChester.Mrs.Forbeswasawidowladyofgoodmeans,withalargefamilyofpretty,delicatedaughters.Sheherselfbelongedtooneofthegreathousesin——shire,buthadmarriedintoScotland;so,afterherhusband"sdeath,itwasthemostnaturalthingintheworldthatsheshouldsettleinEastChester;andoneafteranotherofherdaughtershadbecomefirstMissMonro"spupilandafterwardsherfriend.Mrs.

ForbesherselfhadalwaysbeenstronglyattractedbyEllinor,butitwaslongbeforeshecouldconquerthetimidreservebywhichMissWilkinswashedgedround.ItwasMissMonro,whowasherselfincapableofjealousy,whoperseveredinpraisingthemtooneanother,andinbringingthemtogether;andnowEllinorwasasintimateandfamiliarinMrs.Forbes"shouseholdassheevercouldbewithanyfamilynotherown.

Mrs.Forbeswasconsideredtobealittlefancifulastoillness;butitwasnowonder,rememberinghowmanysistersshehadlostbyconsumption.MissMonrohadoftengrumbledatthewayinwhichherpupilsweremadeirregularforverytriflingcauses.Butnoonesoalarmedasshe,when,intheautumnsucceedingMr.Ness"sdeath,Mrs.

ForbesremarkedtoheronEllinor"sincreaseddelicacyofappearance,andshortnessofbreathing.FromthattimeforwardssheworriedEllinor(ifanyonesosweetandpatientcouldeverhavebeenworried)withrespiratorsandprecautions.Ellinorsubmittedtoallherfriend"swishesandcares,soonerthanmakeheranxious,andremainedaprisonerinthehousethroughthewholeofNovember.ThenMissMonro"sanxietytookanotherturn.Ellinor"sappetiteandspiritsfailedher——notatallanunnaturalconsequenceofsomanyweeks"confinementtothehouse.Aplanwasstarted,quitesuddenly,onemorninginDecember,thatmetwithapprovalfromeveryonebutEllinor,whowas,however,bythistimetoolanguidtomakemuchresistance.

Mrs.ForbesandherdaughtersweregoingtoRomeforthreeorfourmonths,soastoavoidthetryingeastwindsofspring;whyshouldnotMissWilkinsgowiththem?Theyurgedit,andMissMonrourgedit,thoughwithalittleprivatesinkingoftheheartattheideaofthelongseparationfromonewhowasalmostlikeachildtoher.

Ellinorwas,asitwere,liftedoffherfeetandborneawaybytheunanimousopinionofothers——thedoctorincluded——whodecidedthatsuchastepwashighlydesirable;ifnotabsolutelynecessary.Sheknewthatshehadonlyalifeinterestbothinherfather"spropertyandinthatbequeathedtoherbyMr.Ness.Hithertoshehadnotfeltmuchtroubledbythis,asshehadsupposedthatinthenaturalcourseofeventssheshouldsurviveMissMonroandDixon,bothofwhomshelookeduponasdependentuponher.Allshehadtobequeathtothetwowasthesmallsavings,whichwouldnotnearlysufficeforbothpurposes,especiallyconsideringthatMissMonrohadgivenupherteaching,andthatbothsheandDixonwerepassingintoyears.

BeforeEllinorleftEnglandshehadmadeeveryarrangementforthecontingencyofherdeathabroadthatMr.Johnsoncouldsuggest.ShehadwrittenandsentalonglettertoDixon;andashorteronewasleftinchargeofCanonLivingstone(shedarednothintatthepossibilityofherdyingtoMissMonro)tobesenttotheoldman.

AstheydroveoutoftheKing"sCrossstation,theypassedagentleman"scarriageentering.Ellinorsawabright,handsomelady,anurse,andbabyinside,andagentlemansittingbythemwhosefaceshecouldneverforget.ItwasMr.Corbettakinghiswifeandchildtotherailway.TheyweregoingonaChristmasvisittoEastChesterdeanery.Hehadbeenleaningback,notnoticingthepassers-by,notattendingtotheotherinmatesofthecarriage,probablyabsorbedintheconsiderationofsomelawcase.SuchwerethecasualglimpsesEllinorhadofonewithwhoselifeshehadoncethoughtherselfboundup.

WhosoproudasMissMonrowhenaforeignlettercame?Hercorrespondentwasnotparticularlygraphicinherdescriptions,norwerethereanyadventurestobedescribed,norwasthehabitofmindofEllinorsuchastomakeherclearanddefiniteinherownimpressionsofwhatshesaw,andhernaturalreservekeptherfrombeingfluentincommunicatingthemeventoMissMonro.Butthatladywouldhavebeenpleasedtoreadaloudtheseletterstotheassembleddeanandcanons,andwouldnothavebeensurprisediftheyhadinvitedhertothechapter-houseforthatpurpose.Tohercircleofuntravelledladies,ignorantofMurray,butlaudablydesirousofinformation,allEllinor"shistoricalreminiscencesandratherformaldetailswerereallyinteresting.TherewasnorailroadinthosedaysbetweenLyonsandMarseilles,sotheirprogresswasslow,andthepassageofletterstoandfro,whentheyhadarrivedinRome,longanduncertain.Butallseemedgoingonwell.Ellinorspokeofherselfasinbetterhealth;andCanonLivingstone(betweenwhomandMissMonrogreatintimacyhadsprungupsinceEllinorhadgoneaway,andMissMonrocouldaskhimtotea)confirmedthisreportofMissWilkins"shealthfromaletterwhichhehadreceivedfromMrs.

Forbes.CuriosityaboutthatletterwasMissMonro"storment.Whatcouldtheyhavehadtowritetoeachotherabout?Itwasaveryoddproceeding;althoughtheLivingstonesandForbesesweredistantlyrelated,afterthemannerofScotland.CouldithavebeenthathehadofferedtoEuphemia,afterall,andthathermotherhadanswered;

or,possibly,therewasaletterfromEffieherself,enclosed.ItwasapityforMissMonro"speaceofmindthatshedidnotaskhimstraightaway.ShewouldthenhavelearntwhatCanonLivingstonehadnothoughtofconcealing,thatMrs.Forbeshadwrittensolelytogivehimsomefullerdirectionsaboutcertaincharitiesthanshehadhadtimetothinkaboutinthehurryofstarting.Asitwas,andwhen,alittlelateron,sheheardhimspeakofthepossibilityofhisgoinghimselftoRome,assoonashistermofresidencewasover,intimefortheCarnival,shegaveupherfondprojectindespair,andfeltverymuchlikeachildwhosehouseofbrickshadbeenknockeddownbytheunluckywaftofsomepassingpetticoat.

Meanwhile,theentirechangeofscenebroughtontheexquisiterefreshmentofentirechangeofthought.Ellinorhadnotbeenablesocompletelytoforgetherpastlifeformanyyears;itwaslikearenewingofheryouth;cutsosuddenlyshortbytheshearsofFate.

Eversincethatnight,shehadhadtorouseherselfonawakeninginthemorningintoafullcomprehensionofthegreatcauseshehadformuchfearandheavygrief.Now,whenshewakenedinherlittleroom,fourthpiano,No.36,Babuino,shesawthestrange,prettythingsaroundher,andhermindwentoffintopleasantwonderandconjecture,happyrecollectionsofthedaybefore,andpleasantanticipationsofthedaytocome.LatentinEllinorwasherfather"sartistictemperament;everythingnewandstrangewasapictureandadelight;themerestgroupinthestreet,aRomanfacchino,withhiscloakdrapedoverhisshoulder,agirlgoingtomarketorcarryingherpitcherbackfromthefountain,everythingandeverypersonthatpresenteditorhimselftohersenses,gavethemadeliciousshock,asifitweresomethingstrangelyfamiliarfromPinelli,butunseenbyhermortaleyesbefore.Sheforgotherdespondency,herill-

healthdisappearedasifbymagic;theMissesForbes,whohadtakenthepensive,droopinginvalidasacompanionoutofkindnessofheart,foundthemselvesamplyrewardedbythesightofheramendedhealth,andherkeenenjoymentofeverything,andthehalf-quaint,halfnaiveexpressionsofherpleasure.

SoMarchcameround;Lentwaslatethatyear.ThegreatnosegaysofvioletsandcamelliaswereforsaleatthecorneroftheCondotti,andtherevellershadnodifficultyinprocuringmuchrarerflowersforthebellesoftheCorso.Theembassieshadtheirbalconies;theattachesoftheRussianEmbassythrewtheirlightandlovelypresentsateveryprettygirl,orsuspicionofaprettygirl,whopassedslowlyinhercarriage,coveredoverwithherwhitedomino,andholdingherwiremaskasaprotectiontoherfacefromtheshowersoflimeconfetti,whichotherwisewouldhavebeenenoughtoblindher;

Mrs.Forbeshadherownhiredbalcony,asbecameawealthyandrespectableEnglishwoman.Thegirlshadagreatbasketfullofbouquetswithwhichtopelttheirfriendsinthecrowdbelow;astoreofmoccolettilaypiledonthetablebehind,foritwasthelastdayofCarnival,andassoonasduskcameonthetapersweretobelighted,tobeasquicklyextinguishedbyeverymeansineveryone"spower.Thecrowdbelowwasatitswildestpitch;therowsofstatelycontadinialonesittingimmovableastheirpossibleancestors,thesenatorswhoreceivedBrennusandhisGauls.Masksandwhitedominoes,foreigngentlemen,andtheriffraffofthecity,slow-

drivingcarriages,showersofflowers,mostofthemfadedbythistime,everyoneshoutingandstrugglingatthatwildpitchofexcitementwhichmaysosoonturnintofury.TheForbesgirlshadgivenplaceatthewindowtotheirmotherandEllinor,whoweregazinghalfamused,halfterrified,atthemadparti-colouredmovementbelow;whenafamiliarfacelookedup,smilingarecognition;and"HowshallIgettoyou?"wasaskedinEnglish,bythewell-knownvoiceofCanonLivingstone.Theysawhimdisappearunderthebalconyonwhichtheywerestanding,butitwassometimebeforehemadehisappearanceintheirroom.Andwhenhedid,hewasalmostoverpoweredwithgreetings;sogladweretheytoseeanEastChesterface.

"Whendidyoucome?Whereareyou?Whatapityyoudidnotcomesooner!Itissolongsincewehaveheardanything;dotelluseverything!Itisthreeweekssincewehavehadanyletters;thosetiresomeboatshavebeensoirregularbecauseoftheweather.""Howwaseverybody——MissMonroinparticular?"Ellinorasks.

He,quietlysmiling,repliedtotheirquestionsbyslowdegrees.Hehadonlyarrivedthenightbefore,andhadbeenhuntingforthemallday;butnoonecouldgivehimanydistinctintelligenceastotheirwhereaboutsinallthenoiseandconfusionoftheplace,especiallyastheyhadtheironlyEnglishservantwiththem,andthecanonwasnotstronginhisItalian.Hewasnotsorryhehadmissedallbutthislastdayofcarnival,forhewashalfblindedandwhollydeafened,asitwas.Hewasatthe"Angleterre;"hehadleftEastChesteraboutaweekago;hehadlettersforallofthem,buthadnotdaredtobringthemthroughthecrowdforfearofhavinghispocketpicked.MissMonrowasverywell,butveryuneasyatnothavingheardfromEllinorforsolong;theirregularityoftheboatsmustbetellingbothways,fortheirEnglishfriendswerefullofwonderatnothearingfromRome.Andthenfollowedsomewell-deservedabuseoftheRomanpost,andsomesuspicionofthecarelessnesswithwhichItalianservantspostedEnglishletters.Alltheseanswersweresatisfactoryenough,yetMrs.ForbesthoughtshesawalatentuneasinessinCanonLivingstone"smanner,andfanciedonceortwicethathehesitatedinreplyingtoEllinor"squestions.Buttherewasnobeingquitesureintheincreasingdarkness,whichpreventedcountenancesfrombeingseen;norintheconstantinterruptionsandscreamswhichweregoingoninthesmallcrowdedroom,aswaftinghandkerchiefs,puffsofwind,orveritableextinguishers,fastenedtolongsticks,andcomingfromnobodyknewwhere,putouttaperaftertaperasfastastheywerelighted.

"Youwillcomehomewithus,"saidMrs.Forbes."Icanonlyofferyoucoldmeatwithtea;ourcookisgoneout,thisbeingauniversalfesta;butwecannotpartwithanoldfriendforanyscruplesastothecommissariat."

"Thankyou.Ishouldhaveinvitedmyselfifyouhadnotbeengoodenoughtoaskme."

WhentheyhadallarrivedattheirapartmentintheBabuino(CanonLivingstonehadgoneroundtofetchtheletterswithwhichhewasentrusted),Mrs.ForbeswasconfirmedinhersuppositionthathehadsomethingparticularandnotverypleasanttosaytoEllinor,bytherathergraveandabsentmannerinwhichheawaitedherreturnfromtakingoffherout-of-doorthings.Hebrokeoff,indeed,inhisconversationwithMrs.ForbestogoandmeetEllinor,andtoleadherintothemostdistantwindowbeforehedeliveredherletters.

"Fromwhatyousaidinthebalconyyonder,Ifearyouhavenotreceivedyourhomelettersregularly?"

"No!"repliedshe,startledandtrembling,shehardlyknewwhy.

"NomorehasMissMonroheardfromyou;nor,Ibelieve,hassomeoneelsewhoexpectedtohear.Yourmanofbusiness——Iforgethisname."

"Mymanofbusiness!Somethinghasgonewrong,Mr.Livingstone.

Tellme——Iwanttoknow.Ihavebeenexpectingit——onlytellme."

Shesatdownsuddenly,aswhiteasashes.

"DearMissWilkins,I"mafraiditispainfulenough,butyouarefancyingitworsethanitis.Allyourfriendsarequitewell;butanoldservant——"

"Well!"shesaid,seeinghishesitation,andleaningforwardsandgripingathisarm.

"Istakenuponachargeofmanslaughterormurder.Oh!Mrs.Forbes,comehere!"

ForEllinorhadfainted,fallingforwardsonthearmshehadheld.

Whenshecameroundshewaslyinghalfundressedonherbed;theyweregivingherteainspoonfuls.

"Imustgetup,"shemoaned."Imustgohome."

"Youmustliestill,"saidMrs.Forbes,firmly.

"Youdon"tknow.Imustgohome,"sherepeated;andshetriedtositup,butfellbackhelpless.Thenshedidnotspeak,butlayandthought."Willyoubringmesomemeat?"shewhispered."Andsomewine?"Theybroughthermeatandwine;sheate,thoughshewaschoking."Now,please,bringmemyletters,andleavemealone;andafterthatIshouldliketospeaktoCanonLivingstone.Don"tlethimgo,please.Iwon"tbelong——halfanhour,Ithink.Onlyletmebealone."

TherewasahurriedfeverishsharpnessinhertonethatmadeMrs.

Forbesveryanxious,butshejudgeditbesttocomplywithherrequests.

Theletterswerebrought,thelightswerearrangedsothatshecouldreadthemlyingonherbed;andtheylefther.Thenshegotupandstoodonherfeet,dizzyenough,herarmsclaspedatthetopofherhead,hereyesdilatedandstaringasiflookingatsomegreathorror.Butafterafewminutesshesatdownsuddenly,andbegantoread.Letterswereevidentlymissing.Somehadbeensentbyanopportunitythathadbeendelayedonthejourney,andhadnotyetarrivedinRome.Othershadbeendespatchedbythepost,butthesevereweather,theunusualsnow,had,inthosedays,beforetherailwaywasmadebetweenLyonsandMarseilles,putastoptomanyatraveller"splans,andhadrenderedthetransmissionofthemailextremelyuncertain;so,muchofthatintelligencewhichMissMonrohadevidentlyconsideredascertaintobeknowntoEllinorwasentirelymatterofconjecture,andcouldonlybeguessedatfromwhatwastoldintheseletters.OnewasfromMr.Johnson,onefromMr.