believewe
have
the
real
income
of
the
F
.
U
.
E
.
E
.
within
our
very
hands
!
It
might
be
ten
times
what
it
is
now
.
”
Rachel
was
in
higher
spirits
than
ever
.
To
oblige
the
estate
to
pay
£
140
a
year
to
the
F
.
U
.
E
.
E
.
was
beyond
measure
delightful
,
and
though
it
would
be
in
fact
only
taking
out
of
the
family
pocket
,
yet
that
was
a
pocket
she
could
not
otherwise
get
at
.
The
only
thing
for
which
she
was
sorry
was
that
Mr.
Mauleverer
had
an
appointment
,
and
could
not
come
with
her
to
call
on
Mr.
Mitchell
;
but
instead
of
this
introduction
,
as
she
had
sworn
herself
to
secrecy
rather
than
worry
her
mother
till
the
ways
and
means
were
matured
,
she
resolved
,
by
way
of
compensation
,
upon
going
down
to
impart
to
Ermine
Williams
this
grave
reformation
of
abuses
,
since
this
was
an
afternoon
when
there
was
no
chance
of
meeting
the
Colonel
.
Very
happy
did
she
feel
in
the
hope
that
had
come
to
crown
her
efforts
at
the
very
moment
when
she
had
actually
and
tangibly
given
up
a
pleasure
,
and
closed
a
door
opening
into
worldly
life
,
and
she
was
walking
along
with
a
sense
of
almost
consecrated
usefulness
,
to
seek
her
companion
in
the
path
of
maiden
devotion
,
when
in
passing
the
gates
of
Myrtlewood
,
she
was
greeted
by
Captain
Keith
and
his
bright-eyed
sister
,
just
coming
forth
together
.
A
few
words
told
that
they
were
all
bound
for
Mackarel
Lane
,
actuated
by
the
same
probability
of
finding
Miss
Williams
alone
,
the
Colonel
being
absent
.
“
Wonderfully
kind
to
her
he
is
,
”
said
Rachel
,
glad
to
praise
him
to
convince
herself
that
she
did
not
feel
bitter
;
“
he
takes
that
little
girl
out
walking
with
him
every
morning
.
”
“
I
wonder
if
his
constancy
will
ever
be
rewarded
?
”
said
Bessie
,
lightly
;
then
,
as
Rachel
looked
at
her
in
wonder
and
almost
rebuke
for
so
direct
and
impertinent
a
jest
,
she
exclaimed
,
“
Surely
you
are
not
in
ignorance
!
What
have
I
done
?
I
thought
all
the
world
knew
—
all
the
inner
world
,
that
is
,
that
revels
in
a
secret
.
”
“
Knew
what
?
”
said
Rachel
,
unavoidable
intolerable
colour
rushing
into
her
face
.
“
Why
the
romance
of
Colin
and
Ermine
!
To
live
on
the
verge
of
such
a
—
a
tragi-comedy
,
is
it
?
and
not
be
aware
of
it
,
I
do
pity
you
.
”
“
The
only
wonder
is
how
you
knew
it
,
”
said
her
brother
,
in
a
tone
of
repression
.
“
I
!
Oh
,
it
is
a
fine
thing
to
be
a
long-eared
little
pitcher
when
one’s
elders
imagine
one
hears
nothing
but
what
is
addressed
to
oneself
.
There
I
sat
,
supposed
to
be
at
my
lessons
,
when
the
English
letters
came
in
,
and
I
heard
papa
communicating
to
mamma
how
he
had
a
letter
from
old
Lord
Keith
—
not
this
one
but
one
older
still
—
the
father
of
him
—
about
his
son’s
exchange
—
wanted
papa
to
know
that
he
was
exemplary
and
all
that
,
and
hoped
he
would
be
kind
to
him
,
but
just
insinuated
that
leave
was
not
desirable
—
in
fact
it
was
to
break
off
an
affair
at
home
.
And
then
,
while
I
was
all
on
fire
to
see
what
a
lover
looked
like
,
comes
another
letter
,
this
time
to
mamma
,
from
Lady
Alison
something
,
who
could
not
help
recommending
to
her
kindness
her
dear
nephew
Colin
,
going
out
broken-hearted
at
what
was
feared
would
prove
a
fatal
accident
,
to
the
dearest
,
noblest
girl
in
the
world
,
for
so
she
must
call
Ermine
Williams
.
Ermine
was
a
name
to
stick
in
one’s
memory
if
Williams
was
not
,
and
so
I
assumed
sufficient
certainty
to
draw
it
all
out
of
dear
Lady
Temple
.
”
“
She
knows
then
?
”
said
Rachel
,
breathlessly
,
but
on
her
guard
.
“
Know
?
Yes
,
or
she
could
hardly
make
such
a
brother
of
the
Colonel
.
In
fact
,
I
think
it
is
a
bit
of
treachery
to
us
all
to
keep
such
an
affair
concealed
,
don’t
you
?
”
with
a
vivid
flash
out
of
the
corner
of
her
eyes
.
“
Treachery
not
to
post
up
a
list
of
all
one’s
—
”
“
One’s
conquests
?
”
said
Bessie
,
snatching
the
word
out
of
her
brother’s
mouth
.
“
Did
you
ever
hear
a
more
ingenious
intimation
of
the
number
one
has
to
boast
?
”
“
Only
in
character
,
”
calmly
returned
Alick
.
“
But
do
not
laugh
,
”
said
Rachel
,
who
had
by
this
time
collected
herself
;
“
if
this
is
so
,
it
must
be
far
too
sad
and
melancholy
to
be
laughed
about
.
”
“
So
it
is
,
”
said
Alick
,
with
a
tone
of
feeling
.
“
It
has
been
a
mournful
business
from
the
first
,
and
I
do
not
see
how
it
is
to
end
.
”
“
Why
,
I
suppose
Colonel
Colin
is
his
own
master
now
,
”
said
Bessie
;
“
and
if
he
has
no
objection
I
do
not
see
who
else
can
make
any
.
”
“
There
are
people
in
the
world
who
are
what
Tennyson
calls
‘selfless
,
’
”
returned
Alick
.
“
Then
the
objection
comes
from
her
?
”
said
Rachel
,
anxiously
.
“
So
saith
Lady
Temple
,
”
returned
Bessie
.
They
were
by
this
time
in
Mackarel
Lane
.
Rachel
would
have
given
much
to
have
been
able
to
turn
back
and
look
this
strange
news
in
the
face
,
but
consciousness
and
fear
of
the
construction
that
might
be
put
on
her
change
of
purpose
forced
her
on
,
and
in
a
few
moments
the
three
were
in
the
little
parlour
,
where
Ermine’s
station
was
now
by
the
fire
.
There
could
be
no
doubt
,
as
Rachel
owned
to
herself
instantly
,
that
there
was
a
change
since
she
first
had
studied
that
face
.
The
bright
colouring
,
and
far
more
,
the
active
intellect
and
lively
spirit
,
had
always
obviated
any
expression
of
pining
or
invalidism
;
but
to
the
air
of
cheerfulness
was
added
a
look
of
freshened
health
and
thorough
happiness
,
that
rendered
the
always
striking
features
absolutely
beautiful
;
more
so
,
perhaps
,
than
in
their
earliest
bloom
;
and
the
hair
and
dress
,
though
always
neat
,
and
still
as
simply
arranged
as
possible
,
had
an
indescribable
air
of
care
and
taste
that
added
to
the
effect
of
grace
and
pleasantness
,
and
made
Rachel
feel
convinced
in
a
moment
that
the
wonder
would
have
been
not
in
constancy
to
such
a
creature
but
in
inconstancy
.
The
notion
that
any
one
could
turn
from
that
brilliant
,
beaming
,
refined
face
to
her
own
,
struck
her
with
a
sudden
humiliation
.
There
was
plenty
of
conversation
,
and
her
voice
was
not
immediately
wanted
;
indeed
,
she
hardly
attended
to
what
was
passing
,
and
really
dreaded
outstaying
the
brother
and
sister
.
When
Ermine
turned
to
her
,
and
asked
after
Lovedy
Kelland
in
her
new
home
,
she
replied
like
one
in
a
dream
,
then
gathered
herself
up
and
answered
to
the
point
,
but
feeling
the
restraint
intolerable
,
soon
rose
to
take
leave
.
“
So
soon
?
”
said
Ermine
;
“
I
have
not
seen
you
for
a
long
time
.
”
“
I
—
I
was
afraid
of
being
in
the
way
,
”
said
Rachel
,
the
first
time
probably
that
such
a
fear
had
ever
suggested
itself
to
her
,
and
blushing
as
Ermine
did
not
blush
.
“
We
are
sure
to
be
alone
after
twilight
,
”
said
Ermine
,
“
if
that
is
not
too
late
for
you
,
but
I
know
you
are
much
occupied
now
.
”
Somehow
that
invalid
in
her
chair
had
the
dignity
of
a
queen
appointing
her
levee
,
and
Rachel
followed
the
impulse
of
thanking
and
promising
,
but
then
quickly
made
her
escape
to
her
own
thoughts
.
“
Her
whole
soul
is
in
that
asylum
,
”
said
Ermine
,
smiling
as
she
went
.
“
I
should
like
to
hear
that
it
is
going
on
satisfactorily
,
but
she
does
not
seem
to
have
time
even
to
talk
.
”
“
The
most
wonderful
consummation
of
all
,
”
observed
Bessie
.
“
No
,
”
said
Ermine
,
“
the
previous
talk
was
not
chatter
,
but
real
effervescence
from
the
unsatisfied
craving
for
something
to
do
.
”
“
And
has
she
anything
to
do
now
?
”
said
Bessie
.
“
That
is
exactly
what
I
want
to
know
.
It
would
be
a
great
pity
if
all
this
real
self-devotion
were
thrown
away
.
”
“
It
cannot
be
thrown
away
,
”
said
Alick
.
“
Not
on
herself
,
”
said
Ermine
,
“
but
one
would
not
see
it
misdirected
,
both
for
the
waste
of
good
energy
and
the
bitter
disappointment
.
”
“
Well
,
”
said
Bessie
,
“
I
can’t
bear
people
to
be
so
dreadfully
in
earnest
!
”
“
You
are
accountable
for
the
introduction
,
are
not
you
?
”
said
Ermine
.
“
I’m
quite
willing
!
I
think
a
good
downfall
plump
would
be
the
most
wholesome
thing
that
could
happen
to
her
;
and
besides
,
I
never
told
her
to
take
the
man
for
her
almoner
and
counsellor
!
I
may
have
pointed
to
the
gulf
,
but
I
never
bade
Curtia
leap
into
it
.
”
“
I
wish
there
were
any
one
to
make
inquiries
about
this
person
,
”
said
Ermine
;
“
but
when
Colonel
Keith
came
it
was
too
late
.
I
hoped
she
might
consult
him
,
but
she
has
been
so
much
absorbed
that
she
really
has
never
come
in
his
way
.
”
“
She
would
never
consult
any
one
,
”
said
Bessie
.
“
I
am
not
sure
of
that
,
”
replied
Ermine
.
“
I
think
that
her
real
simplicity
is
what
makes
her
appear
so
opinionated
.
I
verily
believe
that
there
is
a
great
capability
of
humility
at
the
bottom
.
”
“
Of
the
gulf
,
”
laughed
Bessie
;
but
her
brother
said
,
“
Quite
true
.
She
has
always
been
told
she
is
the
clever
woman
of
the
family
,
and
what
can
she
do
but
accept
the
position
?
”
“
Exactly
,
”
said
Ermine
;
“
every
one
has
given
way
to
her
,
and
,
of
course
,
she
walks
over
their
bodies
,
but
there
is
something
so
noble
about
her
that
I
cannot
but
believe
that
she
will
one
day
shake
herself
clear
of
her
little
absurdities
.
”
“
That
is
contrary
to
the
usual
destiny
of
strong-minded
women
,
”
said
Bessie
.
“
She
is
not
a
strong-minded
woman
,
she
only
has
been
made
to
believe
herself
one
,
”
said
Ermine
,
warmly
.
With
this
last
encounter
,
Bessie
and
her
brother
took
leave
,
and
the
last
at
once
exclaimed
,
in
sentimental
tones
,
“
Generous
rivals
!
I
never
saw
so
good
a
comedy
in
all
my
days
!
To
disclose
the
fatal
truth
,
and
then
bring
the
rival
fair
ones
face
to
face
!
”
“
If
that
were
your
belief
,
Bessie
,
the
demon
of
teasing
has
fuller
possession
of
you
than
I
knew
.
”
“
Ah
!
I
forgot
,
”
exclaimed
Bessie
,
“
it
is
tender
ground
with
you
likewise
.
Alas
!
Alick
,
sisterly
affection
cannot
blind
me
to
the
fact
of
that
unrequited
admiration
for
your
honourable
rival
.
”
“
What
,
from
the
strong-minded
Curtia
?
”
“
Ah
!
but
have
we
not
just
heard
that
this
is
not
the
genuine
article
,
only
a
country-made
imitation
?
No
wonder
it
was
not
proof
against
an
honourable
colonel
in
a
brown
beard
.
”
“
So
much
the
better
;
only
unluckily
there
has
been
a
marked
avoidance
of
him
.
”
“
Yes
;
the
Colonel
was
sacrificed
with
all
other
trivial
incidents
at
the
shrine
of
the
F
.
U
.
L
.
E
.
—
E
.
E
.
,
I
mean
.
And
only
think
of
finding
out
that
one
has
been
sacrificing
empty
air
after
all
—
and
to
empty
air
!
”
“
Better
than
to
sacrifice
everything
to
oneself
,
”
said
Alick
.
“
Not
at
all
.
The
latter
practice
is
the
only
way
to
be
agreeable
!
By-the-bye
,
Alick
,
I
wonder
if
she
will
deign
to
come
to
the
ball
?
”
“
What
ball
?
”
“
Your
ball
at
Avoncester
.
It
is
what
I
am
staying
on
for
!
Major
McDonald
all
but
promised
me
one
;
and
you
know
you
must
give
one
before
you
leave
this
place
.
”
“
Don’t
you
know
that
poor
Fraser
has
just
been
sent
for
home
on
his
sister’s
death
?
”
“
But
I
conclude
the
whole
regiment
does
not
go
into
mourning
?
”
“
No
,
but
Fraser
is
the
one
fellow
to
whom
this
would
be
real
enjoyment
.
Indeed
,
I
particularly
wish
no
hints
may
be
given
about
it
.
Don’t
deny
,
I
know
you
have
ways
of
bringing
about
what
you
wish
,
and
I
will
not
have
them
used
here
.
I
know
something
of
the
kind
must
be
done
before
we
leave
Avoncester
,
but
to
give
one
this
autumn
would
be
much
sooner
than
needful
.
I
believe
there
is
hardly
an
officer
but
myself
and
Fraser
to
whom
the
expense
would
not
be
a
serious
consideration
,
and
when
I
tell
you
my
father
had
strong
opinions
about
overdoing
reciprocities
of
gaiety
,
and
drawing
heavily
on
the
officers’
purses
for
them
,
I
do
not
think
you
will
allow
their
regard
for
him
to
take
that
manifestation
towards
you
.
”
“
Of
course
not
,
”
said
Bessie
,
warmly
;
“
I
will
not
think
of
it
again
.
Only
when
the
fate
does
overtake
you
,
you
will
have
me
here
for
it
,
Alick
?
”
He
readily
promised
,
feeling
gratified
at
the
effect
of
having
spoken
to
his
sister
with
full
recognition
of
her
good
sense
.
Meantime
Rachel
was
feeling
something
of
what
Bessie
ascribed
to
her
,
as
if
her
sacrifice
had
been
snatched
away
,
and
a
cloud
placed
in
its
stead
.
Mortification
was
certainly
present
,
and
a
pained
feeling
of
having
been
made
a
fool
of
,
whether
by
the
Colonel
or
herself
,
her
candid
mind
could
hardly
decide
;
but
she
was
afraid
it
was
by
herself
.
She
knew
she
had
never
felt
sure
enough
of
his
attentions
to
do
more
than
speculate
on
what
she
would
do
if
they
should
become
more
pointed
,
and
yet
she
felt
angry
and
sore
at
having
been
exposed
to
so
absurd
a
blunder
by
the
silence
of
the
parties
concerned
.
“
After
all
,
”
she
said
to
herself
,
“
there
can
be
no
great
harm
done
,
I
have
not
been
weak
enough
to
commit
my
heart
to
the
error
.
I
am
unscathed
,
and
I
will
show
it
by
sympathy
for
Ermine
.
Only
—
only
,
why
could
not
she
have
told
me
?
”
An
ordeal
was
coming
for
which
Rachel
was
thus
in
some
degree
prepared
.
On
the
return
of
the
party
from
the
book
club
,
Mrs.
Curtis
came
into
Rachel’s
sitting-room
,
and
hung
lingering
over
the
fire
as
if
she
had
something
to
say
,
but
did
not
know
how
to
begin
.
At
last
,
however
,
she
said
,
“
I
do
really
think
it
is
very
unfair
,
but
it
was
not
his
fault
,
he
says
.
”
“
Who
?
”
said
Rachel
,
dreamily
.
“
Why
,
Colonel
Keith
,
my
dear
,
”
said
good
Mrs.
Curtis
,
conceiving
that
her
pronominal
speech
had
“
broken
”
her
intelligence
;
“
it
seems
we
were
mistaken
in
him
all
this
time
.
”
“
What
,
about
Miss
Williams
?
”
said
Rachel
,
perceiving
how
the
land
lay
;
“
how
did
you
hear
it
?
”
“
You
knew
it
,
my
dear
child
,
”
cried
her
mother
in
accents
of
extreme
relief
.
“
Only
this
afternoon
,
from
Bessie
Keith
.
”
“
And
Fanny
knew
it
all
this
time
,
”
continued
Mrs.
Curtis
.
“
I
cannot
imagine
how
she
could
keep
it
from
me
,
but
it
seems
Miss
Williams
was
resolved
it
should
not
be
known
.
Colonel
Keith
said
he
felt
it
was
wrong
to
go
on
longer
without
mentioning
it
,
and
I
could
not
but
say
that
it
would
have
been
a
great
relief
to
have
known
it
earlier
.
”
“
As
far
as
Fanny
was
concerned
it
would
,
”
said
Rachel
,
looking
into
the
fire
,
but
not
without
a
sense
of
rehabilitating
satisfaction
,
as
the
wistful
looks
and
tone
of
her
mother
convinced
her
that
this
semi-delusion
had
not
been
confined
to
herself
.
“
I
could
not
help
being
extremely
sorry
for
him
when
he
was
telling
me
,
”
continued
Mrs.
Curtis
,
as
much
resolved
against
uttering
the
idea
as
Rachel
herself
could
be
.
“
It
has
been
such
a
very
long
attachment
,
and
now
he
says
he
has
not
yet
been
able
to
overcome
her
scruples
about
accepting
him
in
her
state
.
It
is
quite
right
of
her
,
I
can’t
say
but
it
is
,
but
it
is
a
very
awkward
situation
.
”
“
I
do
not
see
that
,
”
said
Rachel
,
feeling
the
need
of
decision
in
order
to
reassure
her
mother
;
“
it
is
very
sad
and
distressing
in
some
ways
,
but
no
one
can
look
at
Miss
Williams
without
seeing
that
his
return
has
done
her
a
great
deal
of
good
;
and
whether
they
marry
or
not
,
one
can
only
be
full
of
admiration
and
respect
for
them
.
”
“
Yes
,
yes
,
”
faltered
Mrs.
Curtis
;
“
only
I
must
say
I
think
it
was
due
to
us
to
have
mentioned
it
sooner
.
”
“
Not
at
all
,
mother
.
Fanny
knew
it
,
and
it
was
nobody’s
concern
but
hers
.
Pray
am
I
to
have
Owen’s
‘Palaeontology’
?
”
“
No
,
Colonel
Keith
bought
that
,
and
some
more
of
the
solid
books
.
My
dear
,
he
is
going
to
settle
here
;
he
tells
me
he
has
actually
bought
that
house
he
and
his
brother
are
in
.
”
“
Bought
it
!
”
“
Yes
;
he
says
,
any
way
,
his
object
is
to
be
near
Miss
Williams
.
Well
,
I
cannot
think
how
it
is
to
end
,
so
near
the
title
as
he
is
,
and
her
sister
a
governess
,
and
then
that
dreadful
business
about
her
brother
,
and
the
little
girl
upon
her
hands
.
Dear
me
,
I
wish
Fanny
had
any
one
else
for
a
governess
.
”
“
So
do
not
I
,
”
said
Rachel
.
“
I
have
the
greatest
possible
admiration
for
Ermine
Williams
,
and
I
do
not
know
which
I
esteem
most
,
her
for
her
brave
,
cheerful
,
unrepining
unselfishness
,
or
him
for
his
constancy
and
superiority
to
all
those
trumpery
considerations
.
I
am
glad
to
have
the
watching
of
them
.
I
honour
them
both
.
”
Yes
,
and
Rachel
honoured
herself
still
more
for
being
able
to
speak
all
this
freely
and
truly
out
of
the
innermost
depths
of
her
candid
heart
.
CHAPTER
XIV
.
THE
GOWANBRAE
BALL
.
“
Your
honour’s
pardon
,
I’d
rather
have
my
wounds
to
heal
again
,
Than
hear
say
how
I
got
them
.
”
—
Coriolanus
.
“
Yes
,
I
go
the
week
after
next
.
”
“
So
soon
?
I
thought
you
were
to
stay
for
our
ball
.
”
“
Till
this
time
next
year
!
No
,
no
,
I
can’t
quite
do
that
,
thank
you
.
”
“
This
very
winter
.
”
“
Oh
,
no
—
no
such
thing
!
Why
,
half
the
beauty
and
fashion
of
the
neighbourhood
is
not
come
into
winter
quarters
yet
.
Besides
,
the
very
essence
of
a
military
ball
is
that
it
should
be
a
parting
—
the
brightest
and
the
last
.
Good
morning
.
”
And
Meg’s
head
,
nothing
loth
,
was
turned
away
from
the
wide
view
of
the
broad
vale
of
the
Avon
,
with
the
Avoncester
Cathedral
towers
in
the
midst
,
and
the
moors
rising
beyond
in
purple
distance
.
The
two
young
lieutenants
could
only
wave
their
farewells
,
as
Bessie
cantered
merrily
over
the
soft
smooth
turf
of
the
racecourse
,
in
company
with
Lord
Keith
,
the
Colonel
,
and
Conrade
.
“
Do
you
not
like
dancing
?
”
inquired
Lord
Keith
,
when
the
canter
was
over
,
and
they
were
splashing
through
a
lane
with
high
hedges
.
“
I’m
not
so
unnatural
,
”
returned
Bessie
,
with
a
merry
smile
,
“
but
it
would
never
do
to
let
the
Highlanders
give
one
now
.
Alick
has
been
telling
me
that
the
expense
would
fall
seriously
on
a
good
many
of
them
.
”
“
True
,
”
said
Colonel
Keith
,
“
too
many
fetes
come
to
be
a
heavy
tax
.
”
“
That
is
more
consideration
than
is
common
in
so
young
a
lad
,
”
added
Lord
Keith
.
“
Yes
,
but
dear
Alick
is
so
full
of
consideration
,
”
said
the
sister
,
eagerly
.
“
He
does
not
get
half
the
credit
for
it
that
he
deserves
,
because
,
you
know
,
he
is
so
quiet
and
reserved
,
and
has
that
unlucky
ironical
way
with
him
that
people
don’t
like
;
especially
rattlepates
like
those
,
”
pointing
with
her
whip
in
the
direction
of
the
two
young
officers
.
“
It
is
a
pity
,
”
said
the
Colonel
,
“
it
lessens
his
influence
.
And
it
is
strange
I
never
perceived
it
before
his
return
to
England
.
”
“
Oh
!
there’s
much
owing
to
the
habitual
languor
of
that
long
illness
.
That
satirical
mumble
is
the
only
trouble
he
will
take
to
lift
up
his
testimony
,
except
when
a
thing
is
most
decidedly
his
duty
,
and
then
he
does
it
as
England
expects
.
”
“
And
he
considered
it
his
duty
to
make
you
decline
this
ball
?
”
said
Lord
Keith
.
“
Oh
,
not
his
more
than
mine
,
”
said
Bessie
.
“
I
don’t
forget
that
I
am
the
Colonel’s
daughter
.
”
No
more
was
said
on
that
occasion
,
but
three
days
after
cards
were
going
about
the
county
with
invitations
from
Lord
Keith
to
an
evening
party
,
with
“
Dancing
.
”
Lord
Keith
averred
,
with
the
full
concurrence
of
his
brother
,
that
he
owed
many
civilities
to
the
ladies
of
the
neighbourhood
,
and
it
was
a
good
time
to
return
them
when
he
could
gratify
the
young
kinswoman
who
had
showed
such
generous
forbearance
about
the
regimental
ball
.
It
was
no
unfavourable
moment
either
,
when
he
had
his
brother
to
help
him
,
for
the
ordering
of
balls
had
been
so
much
a
part
of
Colin’s
staff
duties
,
that
it
came
quite
naturally
to
him
,
especially
with
Coombe
within
reach
to
assist
.
There
was
some
question
whether
the
place
should
be
the
public
rooms
or
Gowanbrae
,
but
Bessie’s
vote
decided
on
the
latter
,
in
consideration
of
the
Colonel’s
chest
.
She
was
rather
shocked
,
while
very
grateful
,
at
the
consequences
of
the
little
conversation
on
the
hill
top
,
but
she
threw
herself
into
all
the
counsels
with
bright
,
ardent
pleasure
,
though
carefully
refraining
from
any
presumption
that
she
was
queen
of
the
evening
.
Lady
Temple
received
an
invitation
,
but
never
for
one
moment
thought
of
going
,
or
even
supposed
that
any
one
could
imagine
she
could
.
Indeed
,
if
she
had
accepted
it
,
it
would
have
been
a
decisive
encouragement
to
her
ancient
suitor
,
and
Colin
saw
that
he
regarded
her
refusal
,
in
its
broad
black
edges
,
as
a
further
clenching
of
the
reply
to
his
addresses
.
Bessie
was
to
be
chaperoned
by
Mrs.
Curtis
.
As
to
Rachel
,
she
had
resolved
against
youthful
gaieties
for
this
winter
and
all
others
,
but
she
felt
that
to
show
any
reluctance
to
accept
the
Keith
invitation
might
be
a
contradiction
to
her
indifference
to
the
Colonel
,
and
so
construed
by
her
mother
,
Grace
,
and
Bessie
.
So
all
she
held
out
for
was
,
that
as
she
had
no
money
to
spend
upon
adornments
,
her
blue
silk
dinner
dress
,
and
her
birthday
wreath
,
should
and
must
do
duty
;
and
as
to
her
mother’s
giving
her
finery
,
she
was
far
too
impressive
and
decided
for
Mrs.
Curtis
to
venture
upon
such
presumption
.
She
was
willing
to
walk
through
her
part
for
an
evening
,
and
indeed
the
county
was
pretty
well
accustomed
to
Miss
Rachel
Curtis’s
ball-room
ways
,
and
took
them
as
a
matter
of
course
.
Gowanbrae
had
two
drawing-rooms
with
folding
doors
between
,
quite
practicable
for
dancing
,
and
the
further
one
ending
in
a
conservatory
,
that
likewise
extended
along
the
end
of
the
entrance
hall
and
dining-room
.
The
small
library
,
where
Colonel
Keith
usually
sat
,
became
the
cloak-room
,
and
contained
,
when
Mrs.
Curtis
and
her
daughters
arrived
,
so
large
a
number
of
bright
cashmere
cloaklets
,
scarlet
,
white
,
and
blue
,
that
they
began
to
sigh
prospectively
at
the
crowd
which
,
Mrs.
Curtis
would
have
encountered
with
such
joyful
valour
save
for
that
confidence
on
the
way
home
from
the
book
club
.
They
were
little
prepared
for
the
resources
of
a
practised
staff-officer
.
Never
had
a
ball
even
to
them
looked
so
well
arranged
,
or
in
such
thorough
style
,
as
a
little
dexterous
arrangement
of
flowers
,
lights
,
and
sofas
,
and
rendered
those
two
rooms
.
The
two
hosts
worked
extremely
well
.
Lord
Keith
had
shaken
off
much
of
his
careless
stoop
and
air
of
age
,
and
there
was
something
in
his
old-world
polish
and
his
Scotch
accent
that
gave
a
sort
of
romance
to
the
manner
of
his
reception
.
His
brother
,
with
his
fine
brow
,
and
thoughtful
eyes
,
certainly
appeared
to
Rachel
rather
thrown
away
as
master
of
the
ceremonies
,
but
whatever
he
did
,
he
always
did
in
the
quietest
and
best
way
,
and
receptions
had
been
a
part
of
his
vocation
,
so
that
he
infused
a
wonderful
sense
of
ease
,
and
supplied
a
certain
oil
of
good
breeding
that
made
everything
move
suavely
.
Young
ladies
in
white
,
and
mothers
in
all
the
colours
of
the
rainbow
,
were
there
in
plenty
,
and
,
by
Bessie’s
special
command
,
the
scene
was
enlivened
by
the
Highland
uniform
,
with
the
graceful
tartan
scarf
fastened
across
the
shoulder
with
the
Bruce
brooch
.
Rachel
had
not
been
long
in
the
room
before
she
was
seized
on
by
Emily
Grey
,
an
enthusiastic
young
lady
of
the
St.
Norbert’s
neighbourhood
,
whom
she
met
seldom
,
but
was
supposed
to
know
intimately
.
“
And
they
say
you
have
the
hero
here
—
the
Victoria
Cross
man
—
and
that
you
know
him
.
You
must
show
him
to
me
,
and
get
me
introduced
.
”
“
There
is
no
Victoria
Cross
man
here
,
”
said
Rachel
,
coldly
.
“
Colonel
Keith
did
not
have
one
.
”
“
Oh
,
no
,
I
don’t
mean
Colonel
Keith
,
but
Captain
Alexander
Keith
,
quite
a
young
man
.
Oh
,
I
am
sure
you
remember
the
story
—
you
were
quite
wild
about
it
—
of
his
carrying
the
lighted
shell
out
of
the
hospital
tent
;
and
they
told
me
he
was
always
over
here
,
and
his
sister
staying
with
Lady
Temple
.
”
“
I
know
Captain
Alexander
Keith
,
”
said
Rachel
,
slowly
;
“
but
you
must
be
mistaken
,
I
am
certain
I
should
know
if
he
had
a
Victoria
Cross
.
”
“
It
is
very
odd
;
Charlie
told
me
it
was
the
same
,
”
said
Miss
Grey
,
who
,
like
all
others
,
was
forced
to
bend
to
Rachel’s
decisive
manner
.
“
Scottish
names
are
very
common
,
”
said
Rachel
,
and
at
that
moment
a
partner
came
and
carried
Emily
off
.
But
as
Rachel
stood
still
,
an
odd
misgiving
seized
her
,
a
certain
doubt
whether
upon
the
tall
lazy
figure
that
was
leaning
against
a
wall
nearly
opposite
to
her
,
talking
to
another
officer
,
she
did
not
see
something
suspiciously
bronze
and
eight-pointed
that
all
did
not
wear
.
There
was
clearly
a
medal
,
though
with
fewer
clasps
than
some
owned
;
but
what
else
was
there
?
She
thought
of
the
lecture
on
heroism
she
had
given
to
him
,
and
felt
hot
all
over
.
Behold
,
he
was
skirting
the
line
of
chaperons
,
and
making
his
way
towards
their
party
.
The
thing
grew
more
visible
,
and
she
felt
more
disconcerted
than
ever
had
been
her
lot
before
;
but
escape
there
was
none
,
here
he
was
shaking
hands
.
“
You
don’t
polk
?
”
he
said
to
her
.
“
In
fact
,
you
regard
all
this
as
a
delusion
of
weak
minds
.
Then
,
will
you
come
and
have
some
tea
?
”
Rachel
took
his
arm
,
still
bewildered
,
and
when
standing
before
him
with
the
tea-cup
in
her
hand
,
she
interrupted
something
he
was
saying
,
she
knew
not
what
,
with
,
“
That
is
not
the
Victoria
Cross
?
”
“
Then
it
is
,
like
all
the
rest
,
a
delusion
,
”
he
answered
,
in
his
usual
impassive
manner
.
“
And
gained
,
”
she
continued
,
“
by
saving
the
lives
of
all
those
officers
,
the
very
thing
I
told
you
about
!
”
“
You
told
me
that
man
was
killed
.
”
“
Then
it
was
not
you
!
”
“
Perhaps
they
picked
up
the
pieces
of
the
wrong
one
.
”
“
But
if
you
would
only
tell
me
how
you
gained
it
.
”
“
By
the
pursuit
of
conchology
.
”
“
Then
it
was
yourself
?
”
again
said
Rachel
,
in
her
confusion
.
“
If
I
be
I
as
I
suppose
I
be
,
”
he
replied
,
giving
her
his
arm
again
,
and
as
they
turned
towards
the
conservatory
,
adding
,
“
Many
such
things
have
happened
,
and
I
did
not
know
whether
you
meant
this
.
”
“
That
was
the
reason
you
made
so
light
of
it
.
”
“
What
,
because
I
thought
it
was
somebody
else
?
”
“
No
,
the
contrary
reason
;
but
I
cannot
understand
why
you
let
me
go
on
without
telling
me
.
”
“
I
never
interfere
when
a
story
is
so
perfect
in
itself
.
”
“
But
is
my
story
perfect
in
itself
?
”
said
Rachel
,
“
or
is
it
the
contrary
?
”
“
No
one
knows
less
of
the
particulars
than
I
do
,
”
he
answered
.
“
I
think
your
version
was
that
it
was
an
hospital
tent
that
the
shell
came
into
.
It
was
not
that
,
but
a
bungalow
,
which
was
supposed
to
be
out
of
range
.
It
stood
on
a
bit
of
a
slope
,
and
I
thought
I
should
have
been
able
to
kick
the
shell
down
before
it
had
time
to
do
mischief
.
”
“
But
you
picked
it
up
,
and
took
it
to
the
door
—
I
mean
,
did
you
?
”
said
Rachel
,
who
was
beginning
to
discover
that
she
must
ask
Alick
Keith
a
direct
question
,
if
she
wished
to
get
an
answer
,
and
she
received
a
gesture
of
assent
.
“
I
was
very
blind
,
”
she
said
,
humbly
,
“
and
now
I
have
gone
and
insisted
to
poor
Emily
Grey
that
you
never
did
any
such
thing
.
”
“
Thank
you
,
”
he
said
;
“
it
was
the
greatest
kindness
you
could
do
me
.
”
“
Ah
!
your
sister
said
you
had
the
greatest
dislike
to
hero
worship
.
”
“
A
natural
sense
of
humbug
,
”
he
said
.
“
I
don’t
know
why
they
gave
me
this
,
”
he
added
,
touching
his
cross
,
“
unless
it
was
that
one
of
the
party
in
the
bungalow
had
a
turn
for
glorifying
whatever
happened
to
himself
.
Plenty
of
more
really
gallant
things
happened
every
day
,
and
were
never
heard
of
,
and
I
,
who
absolutely
saw
next
to
nothing
of
the
campaign
,
have
little
right
to
be
decorated
.
”
“
Ah
!
”
said
Rachel
,
thoughtfully
,
“
I
have
always
wondered
whether
one
would
be
happier
for
having
accomplished
an
act
of
heroism
.
”
“
I
do
not
know
,
”
said
Alick
,
thoughtfully
;
then
,
as
Rachel
looked
up
with
a
smile
of
amazement
,
“
Oh
,
you
mean
this
;
but
it
was
mere
self-preservation
.
I
could
hardly
even
have
bolted
,
for
I
was
laid
up
with
fever
,
and
was
very
shaky
on
my
legs
.
”
“
I
suppose
,
however
,
”
said
Rachel
,
“
that
the
vision
of
one’s
life
in
entering
the
army
would
be
to
win
that
sort
of
distinction
,
and
so
young
.
”
“
Win
it
as
some
have
done
,
”
said
Alick
,
“
and
deserve
what
is
far
better
worth
than
distinction
.
That
may
be
the
dream
,
but
,
after
all
,
it
is
the
discipline
and
constant
duty
that
make
the
soldier
,
and
are
far
more
really
valuable
than
exceptional
doings
.
”
“
People
must
always
be
ready
for
them
,
though
,
”
said
Rachel
“
And
they
are
,
”
said
Alick
,
with
grave
exultation
in
his
tone
.
Then
,
after
a
pause
,
she
led
back
the
conversation
to
its
personal
character
,
by
saying
.
“
Do
you
mean
that
the
reception
of
this
cross
was
no
gratification
to
you
?
”
“
No
,
I
am
not
so
absurd
,
”
he
replied
,
but
he
added
sadly
,
“
That
was
damped
quite
otherwise
.
The
news
that
I
was
named
for
it
came
almost
in
the
same
breath
with
that
of
my
father’s
death
,
and
he
had
not
heard
I
was
to
receive
it
.
”
“
Ah
!
I
can
understand
.
”
“
And
you
can
see
how
intolerable
was
the
fuss
my
good
relations
made
with
me
just
when
the
loss
was
fresh
on
me
,
and
with
that
of
my
two
chief
friends
,
among
my
brother
officers
,
fellows
beside
whom
I
was
nobody
,
and
there
was
my
uncle’s
blindness
getting
confirmed
.
Was
not
that
enough
to
sicken
one
with
being
stuck
up
for
a
lion
,
and
constantly
poked
up
by
the
showwoman
,
under
pretext
of
keeping
up
one’s
spirits
!
”
“
And
you
were
—
I
mean
were
you
—
too
ill
to
escape
?
”
“
I
was
less
able
to
help
myself
than
Miss
Williams
is
.
There
had
been
a
general
smash
of
all
the
locomotive
machinery
on
this
side
,
and
the
wretched
monster
could
do
nothing
but
growl
at
his
visitors
.
”
“
Should
you
growl
very
much
if
I
introduced
you
to
Emily
Grey
?
You
see
it
is
a
matter
of
justice
and
truth
to
tell
her
now
,
after
having
contradicted
her
so
flatly
.
I
will
wait
to
let
you
get
out
of
the
way
first
if
you
like
,
but
I
think
that
would
be
unkind
to
her
;
and
if
you
ever
do
dance
,
I
wish
you
would
dance
with
her
.
”
“
With
all
my
heart
,
”
he
answered
.
“
Oh
,
thank
you
,
”
said
Rachel
,
warmly
.
He
observed
with
some
amusement
Rachel’s
utter
absence
of
small
dexterities
,
and
of
even
the
effort
to
avoid
the
humiliation
of
a
confession
of
her
error
.
Miss
Grey
and
a
boy
partner
had
wandered
into
the
conservatory
,
and
were
rather
dismally
trying
to
seem
occupied
with
the
camellias
when
Rachel
made
her
way
to
them
,
and
though
he
could
not
actually
hear
the
words
,
he
knew
pretty
well
what
they
were
.
“
Emily
,
you
were
right
after
all
,
and
I
was
mistaken
,
”
and
then
as
he
drew
near
,
“
Miss
Grey
,
Captain
Keith
wishes
to
be
introduced
to
you
.
”
It
had
been
a
great
shock
to
Rachel’s
infallibility
,
and
as
she
slowly
began
working
her
way
in
search
of
her
mother
,
after
observing
the
felicity
of
Emily’s
bright
eyes
,
she
fell
into
a
musing
on
the
advantages
of
early
youth
in
its
indiscriminating
powers
of
enthusiasm
for
anything
distinguished
for
anything
,
and
that
sense
of
self-exaltation
in
any
sort
of
contact
with
a
person
who
had
been
publicly
spoken
of
.
“
There
is
genuine
heroism
in
him
,
”
thought
Rachel
,
“
but
it
is
just
in
what
Emily
would
never
appreciate
—
it
is
in
the
feeling
that
he
could
not
help
doing
as
he
did
;
the
half-grudging
his
reward
to
himself
because
other
deeds
have
passed
unspoken
.
I
wonder
whether
his
ironical
humour
would
allow
him
to
see
that
Mr.
Mauleverer
is
as
veritable
a
hero
in
yielding
hopes
of
consideration
,
prospects
,
honours
,
to
his
sense
of
truth
and
uprightness
.
If
he
would
only
look
with
an
unprejudiced
eye
,
I
know
he
would
be
candid
.
”
“
Are
you
looking
for
Mrs.
Curtis
?
”
said
Colonel
Keith
.
“
I
think
she
is
in
the
other
room
.
”
“
Not
particularly
,
thank
you
,
”
said
Rachel
,
and
she
was
surprised
to
find
how
glad
she
was
to
look
up
freely
at
him
.
“
Would
it
be
contrary
to
your
principles
or
practice
to
dance
with
me
?
”
“
To
my
practice
,
”
she
said
smilingly
,
“
so
let
us
find
my
mother
.
Is
Miss
Alison
Williams
here
?
I
never
heard
whether
it
was
settled
that
she
should
come
,
”
she
added
,
resolved
both
to
show
him
her
knowledge
of
his
situation
,
and
to
let
her
mother
see
her
at
her
ease
with
him
.
“
No
,
she
was
obstinate
,
though
her
sister
and
I
did
our
utmost
to
persuade
her
,
and
the
boys
were
crazy
to
make
her
go
.
”
“
I
can’t
understand
your
wishing
it
.
”
“
Not
as
an
experience
of
life
?
Alison
never
went
to
anything
in
her
girlhood
,
but
devoted
herself
solely
to
her
sister
,
and
it
would
be
pleasant
to
see
her
begin
her
youth
.
”
“
Not
as
a
mere
young
lady
!
”
exclaimed
Rachel
.
“
That
is
happily
not
possible
.
”
An
answer
that
somewhat
puzzled
Rachel
,
whose
regard
for
him
was
likely
to
be
a
good
deal
dependent
upon
his
contentment
with
Alison’s
station
in
life
.
“
I
must
say
young
ladyhood
looks
to
the
greatest
advantage
there
,
”
Rachel
could
not
help
exclaiming
,
as
at
that
moment
Elizabeth
Keith
smiled
at
them
,
as
she
floated
past
,
her
airy
white
draperies
looped
with
scarlet
ribbons
;
her
dark
hair
turned
back
and
fastened
by
a
snood
of
the
same
,
an
eagle’s
feather
clasped
in
it
by
a
large
emerald
,
a
memory
of
her
father’s
last
siege
—
that
of
Lucknow
.
“
She
is
a
very
pretty
creature
,
”
said
the
Colonel
,
under
the
sparkle
of
her
bright
eyes
.
“
I
never
saw
any
one
make
the
pursuits
of
young
ladyhood
have
so
much
spirit
and
meaning
,
”
added
Rachel
.
“
Here
you
see
she
has
managed
to
make
herself
sufficiently
like
other
people
,
yet
full
of
individual
character
and
meaning
.
”
“
That
is
the
theory
of
dress
,
I
suppose
,
”
said
the
Colonel
.
“
If
one
chooses
to
cultivate
it
.
”
“
Did
you
ever
see
Lady
Temple
in
full
dress
?
”
“
No
;
we
were
not
out
when
we
parted
as
girls
.
”
“
Then
you
have
had
a
loss
.
I
think
it
was
at
our
last
Melbourne
ball
,
that
when
she
went
to
the
nursery
to
wish
the
children
good
night
,
one
of
them
—
Hubert
,
I
believe
—
told
her
to
wear
that
dress
when
she
went
to
heaven
,
and
dear
old
Sir
Stephen
was
so
delighted
that
he
went
straight
upstairs
to
kiss
the
boy
for
it
.
”
“
Was
that
Lady
Temple
?
”
said
Alick
Keith
,
who
having
found
Miss
Grey
engaged
many
deep
,
joined
them
again
,
and
at
his
words
came
back
a
thrill
of
Rachel’s
old
fear
and
doubt
as
to
the
possible
future
.
“
Yes
,
”
said
the
Colonel
;
“
I
was
recollecting
the
gracious
vision
she
used
to
be
at
all
our
chief’s
parties
.
”
“
Vision
,
you
call
her
,
who
lived
in
the
house
with
her
?
What
do
you
think
she
was
to
us
—
poor
wretches
—
coming
up
from
barracks
where
Mrs.
O’Shaughnessy
was
our
cynosure
?
There
was
not
one
of
us
to
whom
she
was
not
Queen
of
the
East
,
and
more
,
with
that
innocent
,
soft
,
helpless
dignity
of
hers
!
”
“
And
Sir
Stephen
for
the
first
of
her
vassals
,
”
said
the
Colonel
.
“
What
a
change
it
has
been
!
”
said
Alick
.
“
Yes
;
but
a
change
that
has
shown
her
to
have
been
unspoilable
.
We
were
just
agreeing
on
the
ball-room
perfections
of
her
and
your
sister
in
their
several
lines
.
”
“
Very
different
lines
,
”
said
Alick
,
smiling
.
“
I
can’t
judge
of
Fanny’s
,
”
said
Rachel
,
“
but
your
sister
is
almost
enough
to
make
one
believe
there
can
be
some
soul
in
young
lady
life
.
”
“
I
did
not
bring
Bessie
here
to
convert
you
,
”
was
the
somewhat
perplexing
answer
.
“
Nor
has
she
,
”
said
Rachel
,
“
except
so
far
as
I
see
that
she
can
follow
ordinary
girls’
pursuits
without
being
frivolous
in
them
.
”
Alick
bowed
at
the
compliment
.
“
And
she
has
been
a
sunbeam
,
”
added
Rachel
,
“
we
shall
all
feel
graver
and
cloudier
without
her
.
”
“
Yes
,
”
said
Colonel
Keith
,
“
and
I
am
glad
Mr.
Clare
has
such
a
sunbeam
for
his
parsonage
.
What
a
blessing
she
will
be
there
!
”
he
added
,
as
he
watched
Bessie’s
graceful
way
of
explaining
to
his
brother
some
little
matter
in
behalf
of
the
shy
mother
of
a
shy
girl
.
Thinking
he
might
be
wanted
,
Colonel
Keith
went
forward
to
assist
,
and
Rachel
continued
,
“
I
do
envy
that
power
of
saying
the
right
thing
to
everybody
!
”
“
Don’t
—
it
is
the
greatest
snare
,
”
was
his
answer
,
much
amazing
her
,
for
she
had
her
mind
full
of
the
two
direct
personal
blunders
she
had
made
towards
him
.
“
It
prevents
many
difficulties
and
embarrassments
.
”
“
Very
desirable
things
.
”
“
Yes
;
for
those
that
like
to
laugh
,
but
not
for
those
that
are
laughed
at
,
”
said
Rachel
.
“
More
so
;
the
worst
of
all
misfortunes
is
to
wriggle
too
smoothly
through
life
.
”
This
was
to
Rachel
the
most
remarkable
part
of
the
evening
;
as
to
the
rest
,
it
was
like
all
other
balls
,
a
weariness
:
Grace
enjoying
herself
and
her
universal
popularity
,
always
either
talking
or
dancing
,
and
her
mother
comfortable
and
dutiful
among
other
mothers
;
the
brilliant
figure
and
ready
grace
of
Bessie
Keith
being
the
one
vision
that
perpetually
flitted
in
her
dreams
,
and
the
one
ever-recurring
recollection
that
Captain
Keith
,
the
veritable
hero
of
the
shell
,
had
been
lectured
by
her
on
his
own
deed
!
In
effect
Rachel
had
never
felt
so
beaten
down
and
ashamed
of
herself
;
so
doubtful
of
her
own
most
positive
convictions
,
and
yet
not
utterly
dissatisfied
,
and
the
worst
of
it
was
that
Emily
Grey
was
after
all
carried
off
without
dancing
with
the
hero
;
and
Rachel
felt
as
if
her
own
opinionativeness
had
defrauded
the
poor
girl
.
Other
balls
sent
her
home
in
a
state
of
weariness
,
disgust
,
and
contempt
towards
every
one
,
but
this
one
had
resulted
in
displeasure
with
herself
,
yet
in
much
interest
and
excitement
;
and
,
oh
,
passing
strange
!
through
that
same
frivolous
military
society
.
Indeed
the
military
society
was
soon
in
better
odour
with
her
than
the
clerical
.
She
had
been
making
strenuous
efforts
to
get
to
St.
Herbert’s
,
with
Mr.
Mitchell
,
for
some
time
past
,
but
the
road
was
in
a
state
of
being
repaired
,
and
the
coachman
was
determined
against
taking
his
horses
there
.
As
to
going
by
train
,
that
was
equally
impossible
,
since
he
would
still
less
have
driven
her
to
the
station
,
finally
,
Rachel
took
the
resolute
stop
of
borrowing
Fanny’s
pony
carriage
,
and
driving
herself
and
the
clergyman
to
the
station
,
where
she
was
met
by
Mrs.
Morris
,
the
mother
of
one
of
the
girls
,
to
whom
she
had
promised
such
a
visit
,
as
it
had
been
agreed
that
it
would
be
wisest
not
to
unsettle
the
scholars
by
Christmas
holidays
.
The
F
.
U
.
E
.
E
.
was
in
perfect
order
;
the
little
girls
sat
upon
a
bench
with
their
copies
before
them
,
Mrs.
Rawlins
in
the
whitest
of
caps
presided
over
them
,
and
Mr.
Mauleverer
was
very
urbane
,
conducting
the
visitors
over
the
house
himself
,
and
expatiating
on
his
views
of
cleanliness
,
ventilation
,
refinement
,
and
equality
of
cultivation
,
while
Mrs.
Rawlins
remained
to
entertain
Mrs.
Morris
.
Nothing
could
be
more
practical
and
satisfactory
;
some
admirable
drawings
of
the
children’s
were
exhibited
,
and
their
conduct
was
said
to
be
excellent
;
except
,
Mr.
Mauleverer
remarked
unwillingly
,
that
there
was
a
tendency
about
little
Mary
to
fancy
herself
injured
,
and
he
feared
that
she
was
not
always
truthful
;
but
these
were
childish
faults
,
that
he
hoped
would
pass
away
with
further
refinement
,
and
removal
from
the
lower
influences
of
her
home
.
After
this
,
Rachel
was
not
surprised
that
poor
,
ignorant
,
and
always
deplorable
Mrs.
Morris
did
not
seem
in
raptures
with
the
state
of
her
child
,
but
more
inclined
to
lament
not
having
seen
more
of
her
,
and
not
having
her
at
home
.
That
was
quite
in
accordance
with
peasant
shortsightedness
and
ingratitude
,
but
it
was
much
more
disappointing
that
Mr.
Mitchell
said
little
or
nothing
of
approbation
;
asked
her
a
few
questions
about
her
previous
knowledge
of
Mr.
Mauleverer
and
Mrs.
Rawlins
,
and
when
she
began
to
talk
of
arranging
for
some
one
or
two
of
his
London
orphans
,
thanked
her
rather
shortly
,
but
said
there
was
no
way
of
managing
it
.
It
was
evident
that
he
was
quite
as
prejudiced
as
others
of
his
clerical
brethren
,
and
the
more
Rachel
read
of
current
literature
,
the
more
she
became
convinced
of
their
bondage
to
views
into
which
they
durst
not
examine
,
for
fear
honesty
should
compel
them
to
assert
their
conclusions
.
She
had
hoped
better
things
from
the
stranger
,
but
she
began
to
be
persuaded
that
all
her
former
concessions
to
the
principles
infused
in
her
early
days
were
vain
entanglements
,
and
that
it
was
merely
weakness
and
unwillingness
to
pain
her
mother
that
prevented
her
from
breaking
through
them
.
She
could
not
talk
this
out
with
anybody
,
except
now
and
then
an
utterance
to
the
consenting
Mr.
Mauleverer
,
but
in
general
she
would
have
been
shocked
to
put
these
surging
thoughts
into
words
,
and
Bessie
was
her
only
intimate
who
would
avow
that
there
could
be
anything
to
be
found
fault
with
in
a
clergyman
.
When
alone
together
,
Bessie
would
sometimes
regretfully
,
sometimes
in
a
tone
of
amusement
,
go
over
bits
of
narrow-minded
folly
that
had
struck
her
in
the
clergy
,
and
more
especially
in
her
uncle’s
curate
,
Mr.
Lifford
,
whose
dryness
was
,
she
owned
,
very
repulsive
to
her
.
“
He
is
a
good
creature
,
”
she
said
,
“
and
most
necessary
to
my
uncle
,
but
how
he
and
I
are
to
get
through
life
together
,
I
cannot
tell
.
It
must
soon
be
tried
,
though
!
After
my
visit
at
Bath
will
come
my
home
at
Bishopsworthy
!
”
And
then
she
confided
to
Rachel
all
the
parish
ways
,
and
took
counsel
on
the
means
of
usefulness
that
would
not
clash
with
the
curate
and
pain
her
uncle
.
She
even
talked
of
a
possible
orphan
for
the
F
.
U
.
E
.
E
.
,
only
that
unlucky
prejudice
against
Mr.
Mauleverer
was
sure
to
stand
in
the
way
.
So
acceptable
had
Bessie
Keith
made
herself
everywhere
,
that
all
Avonmouth
was
grieved
at
her
engagement
to
spend
the
winter
at
Bath
with
her
married
cousin
,
to
whom
she
was
imperatively
necessary
in
the
getting
up
of
a
musical
party
.
“
And
I
must
go
some
time
or
other
,
”
she
said
to
Colonel
Keith
,
“
so
it
had
better
be
when
you
are
all
here
to
make
Myrtlewood
cheerful
,
and
I
can
be
of
most
use
to
poor
Jane
!
I
do
think
dear
Lady
Temple
is
much
more
full
of
life
and
brightness
now
!
”
Everybody
seemed
to
consider
Bessie’s
departure
as
their
own
personal
loss
:
the
boys
were
in
despair
for
their
playfellow
,
Ermine
would
miss
those
sunny
visits
;
Colonel
Keith
many
a
pleasant
discussion
,
replete
with
delicate
compliments
to
Ermine
,
veiled
by
tact
;
and
Lord
Keith
the
pretty
young
clanswoman
who
had
kept
up
a
graceful
little
coquetry
with
him
,
and
even
to
the
last
evening
,
went
on
walking
on
the
esplanade
with
him
in
the
sunset
,
so
as
to
set
his
brother
free
to
avoid
the
evening
chill
.
And
,
above
all
,
Lady
Temple
regretted
the
loss
of
the
cheery
companion
of
her
evenings
.
True
,
Bessie
had
lately
had
a
good
many
small
evening
gaieties
,
but
she
always
came
back
from
them
so
fresh
and
bright
,
and
so
full
of
entertaining
description
and
anecdote
,
that
Fanny
felt
as
if
she
had
been
there
herself
,
and
,
said
Bessie
,
“
it
was
much
better
for
her
than
staying
at
home
with
her
,
and
bringing
in
no
novelty
.
”
“
Pray
come
to
me
again
,
dearest
!
Your
stay
has
been
the
greatest
treat
.
It
is
very
kind
in
you
to
be
so
good
to
me
.
”
“
It
is
you
who
are
good
to
me
,
dearest
Lady
Temple
.
”
“
I
am
afraid
I
shall
hardly
get
you
again
.
Your
poor
uncle
will
never
be
able
to
part
with
you
,
so
I
won’t
ask
you
to
promise
,
but
if
ever
you
can
—
”
“
If
ever
I
can
!
This
has
been
a
very
happy
time
,
dear
Lady
Temple
,
”
a
confidence
seemed
trembling
on
her
lips
,
but
she
suppressed
it
.
“
I
shall
always
think
of
you
as
the
kindest
friend
a
motherless
girl
ever
had
!
I
will
write
to
you
from
Bath
.
Good-bye
—
”
And
there
were
all
the
boys
in
a
row
,
little
affectionate
Hubert
absolutely
tearful
,
and
Conrade
holding
up
a
bouquet
,
on
which
he
had
spent
all
his
money
,
having
persuaded
Coombe
to
ride
with
him
to
the
nursery
garden
at
Avoncester
to
procure
it
.
He
looked
absolutely
shy
and
blushing
,
when
Bessie
kissed
him
and
promised
to
dry
the
leaves
and
keep
them
for
ever
.
CHAPTER
XV
.
GO
AND
BRAY
“
Come
,
come
,
elder
brother
,
you
are
too
young
in
this
!
”
—
As
You
Like
It
“
Alick
,
I
have
something
to
say
to
you
.
”
Captain
Keith
did
not
choose
to
let
his
sister
travel
alone
,
when
he
could
help
it
,
and
therefore
was
going
to
Bath
with
her
,
intending
to
return
to
Avoncester
by
the
next
down
train
.
He
made
no
secret
that
he
thought
it
a
great
deal
of
trouble
,
and
had
been
for
some
time
asleep
,
when
,
at
about
two
stations
from
Bath
,
Bessie
having
shut
the
little
door
in
the
middle
of
the
carriage
,
thus
addressed
him
,
“
Alick
,
I
have
something
to
say
to
you
,
and
I
suppose
I
may
as
well
say
it
now
.
”
She
pressed
upon
his
knee
,
and
with
an
affected
laziness
,
he
drew
his
eyes
wide
open
.
“
Ah
,
well
,
I’ve
been
a
sore
plague
to
you
,
but
I
shall
be
off
your
hands
now
.
”
“
Eh
!
whose
head
have
you
been
turning
?
”
“
Alick
,
what
do
you
think
of
Lord
Keith
?
”
Alick
was
awake
enough
now
!
“
The
old
ass
!
”
he
exclaimed
.
“
But
at
least
you
are
out
of
his
way
now
.
”
“
Not
at
all
.
He
is
coming
to
Bath
to-morrow
to
see
my
aunt
.
”
“
And
you
want
me
to
go
out
to-morrow
and
stop
him
?
”
“
No
,
Alick
,
not
exactly
.
I
have
been
cast
about
the
world
too
long
not
to
be
thankful
.
”
“
Elizabeth
!
”
“
Do
not
look
so
very
much
surprised
,
”
she
said
,
in
her
sweet
pleading
way
.
“
May
I
not
be
supposed
able
to
feel
that
noble
kindness
and
gracious
manner
,
and
be
glad
to
have
some
one
to
look
up
to
?
”
“
And
how
about
Charlie
Carleton
?
”
demanded
Alick
,
turning
round
full
on
her
.
“
For
shame
,
Alick
!
”
she
exclaimed
hotly
;
“
you
who
were
the
one
to
persecute
me
about
him
,
and
tell
me
all
sorts
of
things
about
his
being
shallow
and
unprincipled
,
and
not
to
be
thought
of
,
you
to
bring
him
up
against
me
now
.
”
“
I
might
think
all
you
allege
,
”
returned
Alick
,
gravely
,
“
and
yet
be
much
amazed
at
the
new
project
.
”
Bessie
laughed
.
“
In
fact
you
made
a
little
romance
,
in
which
you
acted
the
part
of
sapient
brother
,
and
the
poor
little
sister
broke
her
heart
ever
after
!
You
wanted
such
an
entertainment
when
you
were
lying
on
the
sofa
,
so
you
created
a
heroine
and
a
villain
,
and
thundered
down
to
the
rescue
.
”
“
Very
pretty
,
Bessie
,
but
it
will
not
do
.
It
was
long
after
I
was
well
again
,
and
had
joined
.
”
“
Then
it
was
the
well-considered
effect
of
the
musings
of
your
convalescence
!
When
you
have
a
sister
to
take
care
of
,
it
is
as
well
to
feel
that
you
are
doing
it
.
”
“
Now
,
Elizabeth
,
”
said
her
brother
,
with
seriousness
not
to
be
laughed
aside
,
and
laying
his
hand
on
hers
,
“
before
I
hear
another
word
on
this
matter
,
look
me
in
the
face
and
tell
me
deliberately
that
you
never
cared
for
Carleton
.
”
“
I
never
thought
for
one
moment
of
marrying
him
,
”
said
Bessie
,
haughtily
.
“
If
I
ever
had
any
sort
of
mercy
on
him
,
it
was
all
to
tease
you
.
There
,
are
you
satisfied
?
”
“
I
must
be
,
I
suppose
,
”
he
replied
,
and
he
sighed
heavily
.
“
When
was
this
settled
?
”
“
Yesterday
,
walking
up
and
down
the
esplanade
.
He
will
tell
his
brother
to-day
,
and
I
shall
write
to
Lady
Temple
.
Oh
,
Alick
,
he
is
so
kind
,
he
spoke
so
highly
of
you
.
”
“
I
must
say
,
”
returned
Alick
,
in
the
same
grave
tone
,
“
that
if
you
wished
for
the
care
of
an
old
man
,
I
should
have
thought
my
uncle
the
more
agreeable
of
the
two
.
”
“
He
is
little
past
fifty
.
You
are
very
hard
on
him
.
”
“
On
the
contrary
,
I
am
sorry
for
him
.
You
will
always
find
it
good
for
him
to
do
whatever
suits
yourself
.
”
“
Alick
?
”
said
his
sister
mournfully
,
“
you
have
