bysurprise
when
,
as
they
set
out
together
that
evening
to
walk
home
from
East
Hill
,
he
said
,
as
soon
as
they
were
apart
from
the
village
—
'
Laura
,
you
have
more
to
forgive
than
all
.
'
'
Do
n't
speak
so
,
Philip
,
pray
do
n't
.
Do
you
think
I
would
not
have
borne
far
more
unhappiness
willingly
for
your
sake
?
Is
it
not
all
forgotten
as
if
it
had
not
been
?
'
'
It
is
not
unhappiness
I
meant
,
'
he
replied
,
'
though
I
cannot
bear
to
think
of
what
you
have
undergone
.
Unhappiness
enough
have
I
caused
indeed
.
But
I
meant
,
that
you
have
to
forgive
the
advantage
I
took
of
your
reliance
on
me
to
lead
you
into
error
,
when
you
were
too
young
to
know
what
it
amounted
to
.
'
'
It
was
not
an
engagement
,
'
faltered
Laura
.
'
Laura
,
do
n't
for
mercy
's
sake
recall
my
own
hateful
sophistries
,
'
exclaimed
Philip
,
as
if
unable
to
control
the
pain
it
gave
him
;
'
I
have
had
enough
of
that
from
my
sister
;
'
then
softening
instantly
:
'
it
was
self-deceit
;
a
deception
first
of
myself
,
then
of
you
.
You
had
not
experience
enough
to
know
whither
I
was
leading
you
,
till
I
had
involved
you
;
and
when
the
sight
of
death
showed
me
the
fallacy
of
the
salve
to
my
conscieuce
,
I
had
nothing
for
it
but
to
confess
,
and
leave
you
to
bear
the
consequences
.
O
Laura
!
when
I
think
of
my
conduct
towards
you
,
it
seems
even
worse
than
that
towards
—
towards
your
brother-in-law
!
'
His
low
,
stern
tone
of
bitter
suffering
and
self-reproach
was
something
new
and
frightful
to
Laura
.
She
clung
to
his
arm
and
tried
to
say
—
'
O
,
do
n't
speak
in
that
way
!
You
know
you
meant
the
best
.
You
could
not
help
being
mistaken
.
'
'
If
I
did
know
any
such
thing
,
Laura
!
but
the
misery
of
perceiving
that
my
imagined
anxiety
for
his
good
,
—
his
good
,
indeed
!
—
was
but
a
cloak
for
my
personal
enmity
—
you
can
little
guess
it
.
'
Laura
tried
to
say
that
appearances
were
against
Guy
,
but
he
would
not
hear
.
'
If
they
were
,
I
triumphed
in
them
.
I
see
now
that
a
shade
of
honest
desire
to
see
him
exculpated
would
have
enabled
me
to
find
the
clue
.
If
I
had
gone
to
St.
Mildred
's
at
once
—
interrogated
him
as
a
friend
—
seen
Wellwood
—
but
dwelling
on
the
ifs
of
the
last
two
years
can
bring
nothing
but
distraction
,
'
he
added
,
pausing
suddenly
.
'
And
remember
,
'
said
Laura
,
'
that
dear
Guy
himself
was
always
grateful
to
you
.
He
always
upheld
that
you
acted
for
his
good
.
Oh
!
the
way
he
took
it
was
the
one
comfort
I
had
last
year
.
'
'
The
acutest
sting
,
and
yet
the
only
balm
,
'
murmured
Philip
;
'
see
,
Laura
,
'
and
he
opened
the
first
leaf
of
Guy
's
prayer-book
,
which
he
had
been
using
at
the
christening
.
A
whispered
'
Dear
Guy
!
'
was
the
best
answer
she
could
make
,
and
the
tears
were
in
her
eyes
.
'
He
was
so
very
kind
to
me
,
when
he
saw
me
unhappy
that
wedding-day
.
'
'
Did
Amy
tell
you
his
last
words
to
me
?
'
'
No
,
'
said
Laura
.
'
God
bless
you
and
my
sister
!
'
he
repeated
,
so
low
that
she
could
hardly
hear
.
'
Amy
left
that
for
you
to
tell
,
'
said
Laura
,
as
her
tears
streamed
fast
.
'
How
can
we
speak
of
her
,
Philip
?
'
'
Only
as
an
angel
of
pardon
and
peace
!
'
he
answered
.
'
I
do
n't
know
how
to
tell
you
of
all
her
kindness
,
'
said
Laura
;
'
half
the
bitterness
of
it
seemed
to
be
over
when
once
she
was
in
the
house
again
,
and
,
all
the
winter
,
going
into
her
room
was
like
going
into
some
peaceful
place
where
one
must
find
comfort
.
'
'
'
Spirits
of
peace
,
where
are
ye
?
'
I
could
have
said
,
when
I
saw
her
drive
away
at
Recoara
,
and
carry
all
good
angels
with
her
,
except
those
that
could
not
but
hover
round
that
grave
.
'
'
How
very
sad
it
must
have
been
!
Did
—
'
'
Do
n't
speak
of
it
;
do
n't
ask
me
of
it
,
'
said
Philip
,
hastily
.
'
There
is
nothing
in
my
mind
but
a
tumult
of
horror
and
darkness
that
it
is
madness
to
remember
.
Tell
me
of
yourself
—
tell
me
that
you
have
not
been
hurt
by
all
that
I
have
brought
on
you
.
'
'
Oh
,
no
!
'
said
Laura
;
'
besides
,
that
is
all
at
an
end
.
'
'
At
an
end
!
Laura
,
I
fear
in
joining
your
fate
to
mine
,
you
will
find
care
and
grief
by
no
means
at
an
end
.
You
must
be
content
to
marry
a
saddened
,
remorseful
man
,
broken
down
in
health
and
spirits
,
his
whole
life
embittered
by
that
fatal
remembrance
,
forced
to
endure
an
inheritance
that
seems
to
have
come
like
the
prosperity
of
the
wicked
.
Yet
you
are
ready
to
take
all
this
?
Then
,
Laura
,
that
precious
,
most
precious
love
,
that
has
endured
through
all
,
will
be
the
one
drop
of
comfort
through
the
rest
of
my
life
.
'
She
could
not
but
hear
such
words
with
thrills
of
rejoicing
affection
;
and
on
they
walked
,
Laura
trembling
and
struck
with
sorrow
at
the
depth
of
repentance
he
now
and
then
disclosed
,
though
not
in
the
least
able
to
fathom
it
,
thinking
it
all
his
nobleness
of
mind
,
justifying
him
to
herself
,
idolizing
him
too
much
to
own
he
had
ever
been
wrong
;
yet
the
innate
power
of
tact
and
sympathy
teaching
her
no
longer
to
combat
his
selfreproaches
,
and
repeat
his
former
excuses
,
but
rather
to
say
something
soothing
and
caressing
,
or
put
in
some
not
of
thankfulness
and
admiration
of
Amy
and
Guy
.
This
was
the
best
thing
she
could
do
for
him
,
as
she
was
not
capable
,
like
Amy
,
of
acknowledging
that
his
repentance
was
well-founded
.
She
was
a
nurse
,
not
a
physician
,
to
the
wounded
spirit
;
but
a
very
good
and
gentle
nurse
she
was
,
and
the
thorough
enjoyment
of
her
affection
and
sympathy
,
the
opening
into
confidence
,
and
the
freedom
from
doubt
and
suspense
,
were
comforts
that
were
doing
him
good
every
hour
.
The
christening
party
consisted
only
of
the
Rosses
and
Dr.
Mayerne
,
who
had
joined
them
at
East
Hill
church
,
and
walked
home
with
Mr.
Edmonstone
.
They
could
not
have
been
without
him
,
so
grateful
were
they
for
his
kindness
all
through
their
anxious
winter
,
and
Mr.
Edmonstone
was
well
pleased
to
tell
him
on
the
way
home
that
they
might
look
to
having
a
wedding
in
the
family
;
it
had
been
a
very
long
attachment
,
constancy
as
good
as
a
story
,
and
he
could
all
along
have
told
what
was
the
matter
,
when
mamma
was
calling
in
the
doctor
to
account
for
Laura
's
looking
pale
.
The
doctor
was
not
surprised
at
the
news
,
for
perhaps
he
,
too
,
had
had
some
private
theory
about
those
pale
looks
;
but
knowing
pretty
well
the
sentiments
Charles
had
entertained
the
winter
before
last
,
he
was
curious
to
find
out
how
he
regarded
this
engagement
.
Charles
spoke
of
it
in
the
most
ready
,
cordial
way
.
'
Well
,
doctor
,
so
you
have
heard
our
news
!
I
flatter
myself
we
have
as
tall
and
handsome
a
pair
of
lovers
to
exhibit
here
,
as
any
in
the
United
Kingdom
,
when
we
have
fattened
him
a
little
into
condition
.
'
'
Never
was
there
a
better
match
,
'
said
Dr.
Mayerne
.
'
Made
for
each
other
all
along
.
One
could
not
see
them
without
feeling
it
was
the
first
chapter
of
a
novel
.
'
When
Mrs.
Edmonstone
came
in
,
the
doctor
was
a
little
taken
aback
.
He
thought
her
mind
must
be
with
poor
Sir
Guy
,
and
was
afraid
the
lovers
had
been
in
such
haste
as
to
pain
Lady
Morville
;
for
there
was
a
staidness
and
want
of
épanchement
du
coeur
of
answering
that
was
very
unlike
her
usual
warm
manner
.
At
dinner
,
Mr.
Edmonstone
was
in
high
spirits
,
delighted
at
Amy
's
recovery
,
happy
to
have
a
young
man
about
the
house
again
,
charmed
to
see
two
lovers
together
,
pleased
that
Laura
should
be
mistress
of
Redclyffe
,
since
it
could
not
belong
to
Amy
's
child
;
altogether
,
as
joyous
as
ever
.
His
wife
,
being
at
ease
about
Amy
,
did
her
best
to
smile
,
and
even
laugh
,
though
sad
at
heart
all
the
time
,
as
she
missed
the
father
from
the
christening
feast
,
and
thought
how
happy
she
had
been
in
that
far
different
reunion
last
year
.
It
might
be
the
same
with
Charles
;
but
the
outward
effect
was
exhibited
in
lively
nonsense
;
Charlotte
's
spirits
were
rising
fast
,
and
only
Philip
and
Laura
themselves
were
grave
and
silent
,
she
,
the
more
so
,
because
she
was
disappointed
to
find
that
the
one
walk
back
from
East
Hill
,
much
as
he
had
enjoyed
it
,
had
greatly
tired
Philip
.
However
,
the
others
talked
enough
without
them
;
and
Mr.
Edmonstone
was
very
happy
,
drinking
the
health
of
Miss
Morville
,
and
himself
carrying
a
bit
of
the
christening
cake
to
the
mamma
in
the
drawing-room
.
There
sat
Amabel
by
the
fire
,
knowing
that
from
henceforth
she
must
exert
herself
to
take
part
in
the
cheerfulness
of
the
house
,
and
willing
to
join
the
external
rejoicing
in
her
child
's
christening
,
or
at
least
not
to
damp
it
by
remaining
upstairs
.
Yet
any
one
but
Mr.
Edmonstone
would
have
seen
more
sadness
than
pleasure
in
the
sweet
smile
with
which
she
met
and
thanked
him
;
but
they
were
cheerful
tones
in
which
she
replied
,
and
in
her
presence
every
thing
was
hushed
and
gentle
,
subdued
,
yet
not
mournful
.
The
spirit
of
that
evening
was
only
recognised
after
it
was
past
,
and
then
it
even
grew
fairer
and
sweeter
in
recollection
,
so
as
never
to
be
forgotten
by
any
of
those
who
shared
it
.
CHAPTER
XX
.
She
was
not
changed
when
sorrow
came
,
That
awed
the
sternest
men
;
It
rather
seemed
she
kept
her
flame
To
comfort
us
till
then
.
But
sorrow
passed
,
and
others
smiled
With
happiness
once
more
;
And
she
drew
back
,
the
spirit
mild
She
still
had
been
before
.
S.
R
.
Philip
's
marriage
could
not
take
place
at
once
.
No
one
said
,
but
every
one
felt
,
that
it
must
not
be
talked
of
tillthe
end
of
Amabel
's
first
year
of
widowhood
;
and
in
the
meantime
Philip
remained
at
Hollywell
,
gaining
strength
every
day
,
making
more
progress
in
one
week
,
than
he
had
done
in
six
at
St.
Mildred
's
,
finding
that
,
as
his
strength
returned
,
his
mind
and
memory
regained
their
tone
,
and
he
was
as
capable
as
ever
of
applying
to
business
,
and
,
above
all
,
much
settled
and
comforted
by
some
long
conversations
with
Mr.
Ross
.
Still
he
could
not
endure
the
thought
of
being
at
Redclyffe
.
The
business
connected
with
it
was
always
performed
with
pain
and
dislike
,
and
he
shrank
with
suffering
at
every
casual
mention
of
his
going
thither
.
Mrs.
Edmonstone
began
to
wonder
whether
he
could
mean
to
linger
at
Hollywell
all
the
summer
,
and
Amabel
had
some
fears
that
it
would
end
in
his
neglecting
Redclyffe
,
till
a
letter
arrived
from
Lord
Thorndale
,
saying
that
his
brother
,
the
member
for
Moorworth
,
had
long
been
thinking
of
giving
up
his
seat
,
and
latterly
had
only
waited
in
hopes
that
the
succession
of
Redclyffe
might
come
to
Philip
Morville
.
Moorworth
was
entirely
under
the
Thorndale
and
Morville
interest
,
and
Lord
Thorndale
wrote
to
propose
that
Philip
should
come
forward
at
once
,
inviting
him
to
Thorndale
instead
of
going
to
his
own
empty
house
.
To
be
in
parliament
had
been
one
of
the
favourite
visions
of
Philip
's
youth
,
and
for
that
very
reason
he
hesitated
,
taking
it
as
one
of
the
strange
fulfilments
of
his
desires
that
had
become
punishments
.
He
could
not
but
feel
that
as
this
unhappy
load
of
wealth
had
descended
on
him
,
he
was
bound
to
make
it
as
beneficial
as
he
could
to
others
,
and
,
not
seeking
for
rest
or
luxury
,
to
stand
in
the
gap
where
every
good
man
and
true
was
needed
.
But
still
he
dreaded
his
old
love
of
distinction
.
He
disliked
a
London
life
for
Laura
,
and
he
thought
that
,
precarious
as
his
health
had
become
,
it
might
expose
her
to
much
anxiety
,
since
he
was
determined
that
if
he
undertook
it
at
all
he
would
never
be
an
idle
member
.
It
ended
in
his
referring
the
decision
to
Laura
,
who
,
disliking
London
,
fearful
for
his
health
,
eager
for
his
glory
,
and
reluctant
to
keep
back
such
a
champion
from
the
battle
,
was
much
perplexed
,
only
desirous
to
say
what
he
wished
,
yet
not
able
to
make
out
what
that
might
be
.
She
carried
her
doubts
to
Charles
and
Amabel
,
who
both
pronounced
that
the
thought
of
going
to
Redclyffe
seemed
far
worse
for
him
than
any
degree
of
employment
—
that
occupation
of
the
mind
was
the
best
thing
for
his
spirits
;
and
ended
by
recommending
that
Dr.
Mayerne
should
be
consulted
.
He
was
of
the
same
opinion
.
He
said
a
man
could
hardly
have
two
fevers
following
,
and
one
of
them
upon
the
brain
,
without
having
reason
to
remember
them
.
That
his
constitution
had
been
seriously
weakened
,
and
there
was
an
excitability
of
brain
and
nerves
which
made
care
requisite
;
but
depression
of
spirits
was
the
chief
thing
to
guard
against
,
and
a
London
life
,
provided
he
did
not
overwork
himself
,
was
better
for
him
than
solitude
at
Redclyffe
.
Accordingly
Philip
went
to
Thorndale
,
and
was
returned
for
Moorworth
without
opposition
.
Markham
sent
his
nephew
to
transact
business
with
him
at
Thorndale
,
for
he
could
not
bear
to
meet
him
himself
,
and
while
there
was
any
prospect
of
his
coming
to
Redclyffe
,
walked
about
in
paroxysms
of
grunting
and
ill-humour
.
The
report
that
Mr.
Morville
was
engaged
to
the
other
Miss
Edmonstone
did
but
render
him
more
furious
,
for
he
regarded
it
as
a
sort
of
outrage
to
Lady
Morville
's
feelings
that
a
courtship
should
be
carried
on
in
the
house
with
her
.
She
was
at
present
the
object
of
all
his
devoted
affection
for
the
family
,
and
he
would
not
believe
,
but
that
she
had
been
as
much
disappointed
at
the
birth
of
her
daughter
,
as
he
was
himself
.
He
would
not
say
one
word
against
Mr.
Morville
,
but
looked
and
growled
enough
to
make
Mr.
Ashford
afraid
that
the
new
squire
would
find
him
very
troublesome
.
The
Ashfords
were
in
the
state
of
mind
themselves
to
think
that
Mr.
Morville
ought
to
be
everything
excellent
to
make
up
for
succeeding
Sir
Guy
;
but
having
a
very
high
opinion
of
him
to
begin
with
,
they
were
very
sorry
to
find
all
Redclyffe
set
against
him
.
In
common
with
the
parish
,
they
were
very
anxious
for
the
first
report
of
his
arrival
,
and
at
length
he
came
.
James
Thorndale
,
as
before
,
drove
him
thither
,
coming
to
the
Ashfords
while
he
was
busy
with
Markham
.
He
would
not
go
up
to
the
Park
,
he
only
went
through
some
necessary
business
with
Markham
,
and
then
walked
down
to
the
Cove
,
afterwards
sitting
for
about
ten
minutes
in
Mrs.
Ashford
's
drawing-room
.
The
result
of
the
visit
was
that
old
James
Robinson
reported
that
the
new
squire
took
on
as
much
about
poor
Sir
Guy
as
any
one
could
do
,
and
turned
as
pale
as
if
he
had
been
going
into
a
swoon
,
when
he
spoke
his
name
and
gave
Ben
his
message
.
And
as
to
poor
Ben
,
the
old
man
said
,
he
regularly
did
cry
like
a
child
,
and
small
blame
to
him
,
to
hear
that
Sir
Guy
had
took
thought
of
him
at
such
a
time
and
so
far
away
;
and
he
verily
believed
Ben
could
never
take
again
to
his
bad
ways
,
after
such
a
message
as
that
.
Markham
was
gruff
with
the
Robinsons
for
some
time
after
,
and
was
even
heard
to
mutter
something
about
worshipping
the
rising
sun
,
an
act
of
idolatry
of
which
he
could
not
be
accused
,
since
it
was
in
the
most
grudging
manner
that
he
allowed
,
that
Mr.
Morville
's
sole
anxiety
seemed
to
be
to
continue
all
Sir
Guy
had
undertaken
;
while
Mrs.
Ashford
,
on
the
other
hand
,
was
much
affected
by
the
account
her
cousin
James
had
been
giving
her
of
the
grief
that
he
had
suffered
at
Sir
Guy
's
death
,
his
long
illness
,
his
loss
of
spirits
,
the
reluctance
he
had
shown
to
come
here
at
all
,
and
his
present
unconquerable
dread
of
going
to
the
Park
.
He
was
soon
after
in
London
,
where
,
as
far
as
could
be
judged
in
such
early
days
,
he
seemed
likely
to
distinguish
himself
according
to
the
fondest
hopes
that
Margaret
or
Laura
could
ever
have
entertained
.
Laura
was
only
afraid
he
was
overworking
himself
,
especially
as
,
having
at
present
little
command
of
ready
money
,
he
lived
in
a
small
lodging
,
kept
no
horse
,
and
did
not
enter
into
society
;
but
she
was
reassured
when
he
came
to
Hollywell
for
a
day
or
two
at
Whitsuntide
,
not
having
indeed
regained
flesh
or
colour
,
but
appearing
quite
well
,
in
better
spirits
,
and
very
eager
about
political
affairs
.
All
would
have
been
right
that
summer
,
but
that
,
as
Philip
observed
,
the
first
evening
of
his
arrival
,
Amabel
was
not
looking
as
well
as
she
had
done
at
the
time
of
the
christening
.
She
had
,
just
after
it
,
tried
her
strength
and
spirits
too
much
,
and
had
ever
since
been
not
exactly
unwell
,
but
sad
and
weary
,
more
dejected
than
ever
before
,
unable
to
bear
the
sight
of
flowers
or
the
sound
of
music
,
and
evidently
suffering
much
under
the
recurrence
of
the
season
,
which
had
been
that
of
her
great
happiness
—
the
summer
sunshine
,
the
long
evenings
,
the
nightingales
'
songs
.
She
was
fatigued
by
the
most
trifling
exertion
,
and
seemed
able
to
take
interest
in
nothing
but
her
baby
,
and
a
young
widow
in
the
village
,
who
was
in
a
decline
;
and
though
she
was
willing
to
do
all
that
was
asked
of
her
,
it
was
in
a
weary
,
melancholy
manner
,
as
if
she
had
no
peace
but
in
being
allowed
to
sit
alone
,
drooping
over
her
child
.
From
society
she
especially
shrank
,
avoiding
every
chance
of
meeting
visitors
,
and
distressed
and
harassed
when
her
father
brought
home
some
of
his
casual
dinner
guests
,
and
was
vexed
not
to
see
her
come
into
the
drawing-room
in
the
evening
.
If
she
did
make
the
effort
of
coming
,
to
please
him
,
she
was
so
sure
to
be
the
worse
for
it
,
that
her
mother
would
keep
her
upstairs
the
next
time
,
and
try
to
prevent
her
from
knowing
that
her
father
was
put
out
,
and
declared
it
was
nonsense
to
expect
poor
Amy
to
get
up
her
spirits
while
she
never
saw
a
living
soul
,
and
only
sat
moping
in
the
dressing-room
.
A
large
dinner-party
did
not
interfere
with
her
,
for
even
he
could
not
expect
her
to
appear
at
it
;
and
one
of
these
he
gave
during
Philip
's
visit
,
for
the
pleasure
of
exhibiting
such
company
as
the
M.P.
for
Moorworth
.
After
dinner
,
Charlotte
told
Mary
Ross
to
go
and
see
Amy
.
Not
finding
her
in
the
dressing-room
,
she
knocked
at
her
own
door
.
'
Come
in
,
'
answered
the
low
soft
voice
;
and
in
the
window
,
overhung
by
the
long
shoots
of
the
roses
,
Amabel
's
close
cap
and
small
head
were
seen
against
the
deep-blue
evening
sky
,
as
she
sat
in
the
summer
twilight
,
her
little
one
asleep
in
her
cot
.
'
Thank
you
for
coming
,
'
said
she
.
'
I
thought
you
would
not
mind
sitting
here
with
baby
and
me
.
I
have
sent
Anne
out
walking
.
'
'
How
pretty
she
looks
!
'
said
Mary
,
stooping
over
the
infant
.
'
Sleep
is
giving
her
quite
a
colour
;
and
how
fast
she
grows
!
'
'
Poor
little
woman
!
'
said
Amy
,
sighing
.
'
Tired
,
Amy
?
'
said
Mary
,
sitting
down
,
and
taking
up
the
little
lambswool
shoe
,
that
Amy
had
been
knitting
.
'
N
—
no
thank
you
,
'
said
Amy
,
with
another
sigh
.
'
I
am
afraid
you
are
.
You
have
been
walking
to
Alice
Lamsden
's
again
.
'
'
I
do
n't
think
that
tires
me
.
Indeed
,
I
believe
the
truth
is
,
'
and
her
voice
sounded
especially
sad
in
the
subdued
tone
in
which
she
spoke
,
that
she
might
not
disturb
the
child
,
'
I
am
not
so
much
tired
with
what
I
do
,
which
is
little
enough
,
as
of
the
long
,
long
life
that
is
before
me
.
'
Mary
's
heart
was
full
,
but
she
did
not
show
her
though
otherwise
than
by
a
look
towards
the
babe
.
'
Yes
,
poor
little
darling
,
'
said
Amabel
,
'
I
know
there
is
double
quantity
to
be
done
for
her
,
but
I
am
so
sorry
for
her
,
when
I
think
she
must
grow
up
without
knowing
him
.
'
'
She
has
you
though
,
'
Mary
could
not
help
saying
,
as
she
felt
that
Amabel
was
superior
to
all
save
her
husband
.
Perhaps
Amy
did
not
hear
;
she
went
up
to
the
cot
,
and
went
on
:
—
'
If
he
had
but
once
seen
her
,
if
she
had
but
had
one
kiss
,
one
touch
that
I
could
tell
her
of
by
and
by
,
it
would
not
seem
as
if
she
was
so
very
fatherless
.
Oh
no
,
baby
,
I
must
wait
,
that
you
may
know
something
about
him
;
for
no
one
else
can
tell
you
so
well
what
he
was
,
though
I
ca
n't
tell
much
!
'
She
presently
returned
to
her
seat
.
'
No
,
I
do
n't
believe
I
really
wish
I
was
like
poor
Alice
,
'
said
she
;
'
I
hope
not
,
I
am
sure
I
do
n't
,
for
her
sake
.
But
Mary
,
I
never
knew
till
I
was
well
again
,
how
much
I
had
reckoned
on
dying
when
she
was
born
.
I
did
not
think
I
was
wishing
it
,
but
it
seemed
likely
,
and
I
was
obliged
to
arrange
things
in
case
of
it
.
Then
somehow
,
as
he
came
back
last
spring
,
after
that
sad
winter
,
it
seemed
as
if
this
spring
,
though
he
would
not
come
back
to
me
,
I
might
be
going
to
him
.
'
'
But
then
she
comforted
you
.
'
'
Yes
,
that
she
did
,
my
precious
one
;
I
was
so
glad
of
her
,
it
was
a
sort
of
having
him
again
,
and
so
it
is
still
sometimes
,
and
will
be
more
so
,
I
dare
say
.
I
am
very
thankful
for
her
,
indeed
I
am
;
and
I
hope
I
am
not
repining
,
for
it
does
not
signify
after
all
,
in
the
end
,
if
I
am
weary
and
lonely
sometimes
.
I
wish
I
was
sure
it
was
not
wrong
.
I
know
I
do
n't
wish
to
alter
things
.
'
'
No
,
I
am
sure
you
do
n't
.
'
'
Ah
!
'
said
Amabel
,
smiling
,
'
it
is
only
the
old
,
silly
little
Amy
that
does
feel
such
a
heart-aching
and
longing
for
one
glance
of
his
eye
,
or
touch
of
his
hand
,
or
sound
of
his
foot
in
the
passage
.
Oh
,
Mary
,
the
worst
of
all
is
to
wake
up
,
after
dreaming
I
have
heard
his
voice
.
There
is
nothing
for
it
but
to
take
our
baby
and
hold
her
very
tight
.
'
'
Dearest
Amy
!
But
you
are
not
blaming
yourself
for
these
feelings
.
It
might
be
wrong
to
indulge
them
and
foster
them
;
but
while
you
struggle
with
them
,
they
ca
n't
in
themselves
be
wrong
.
'
'
I
hope
not
,
'
said
Amabel
,
pausing
to
think
.
'
Yes
,
I
have
'
the
joy
'
at
the
bottom
still
;
I
know
it
is
all
quite
right
,
and
it
came
straight
from
heaven
,
as
he
said
.
I
can
get
happy
very
often
when
I
am
by
myself
,
or
at
church
,
with
him
;
it
is
only
when
I
miss
his
bright
outside
and
ca
n't
think
myself
into
the
inner
part
,
that
it
is
so
forlorn
and
dreary
.
I
can
do
pretty
well
alone
.
Only
I
wish
I
could
help
being
so
trouble-some
and
disagreeable
to
everybody
,
'
said
Amy
,
concluding
in
a
matter-of-fact
tone
.
'
My
dear
!
'
said
Mary
,
almost
laughing
.
'
It
is
so
stupid
of
me
to
be
always
poorly
,
and
making
mamma
anxious
when
there
's
nothing
the
matter
with
me
.
And
I
know
I
am
a
check
on
them
down-stairs
—
papa
,
and
Charlotte
,
and
all
—
they
are
very
kind
and
considerate
,
and
yet
'
—
she
paused
—
'
and
it
is
a
naughty
feeling
;
but
when
I
feel
all
those
dear
kind
eyes
watching
me
always
,
and
wanting
me
to
be
happy
,
it
is
rather
oppressive
,
especially
when
I
ca
n't
;
but
if
I
try
not
to
disappoint
them
,
I
do
make
such
a
bad
hand
of
it
,
and
am
sure
to
break
down
afterwards
,
and
that
grieves
mamma
all
the
more
.
'
'
It
will
be
better
when
this
time
of
year
is
over
,
'
said
Mary
.
'
Perhaps
;
yes
.
He
always
seemed
to
belong
to
summer
days
,
and
to
come
with
them
.
Well
,
I
suppose
trials
always
come
in
a
different
shape
from
what
one
expects
;
for
I
used
to
think
I
could
bear
all
the
doom
with
him
,
but
I
did
not
know
it
would
be
without
him
,
and
yet
that
is
the
best
.
Oh
,
baby
!
'
'
I
should
not
have
come
to
disturb
her
.
'
'
No
—
never
mind
;
she
never
settles
fairly
to
sleep
till
we
are
shut
in
by
ourselves
.
Hush
!
hush
,
darling
—
No
?
Will
nothing
do
but
being
taken
up
?
Well
,
then
,
there
!
Come
,
and
show
your
godmamma
what
a
black
fringe
those
little
wakeful
eyes
are
getting
.
'
And
when
Mary
went
down
it
was
with
the
conviction
that
those
black
eye-lashes
,
too
marked
to
be
very
pretty
in
so
young
a
babe
,
were
more
of
a
comfort
to
Amabel
than
anything
she
could
say
.
The
evening
wore
on
,
and
at
length
Laura
came
into
her
sister
's
room
.
She
looked
fagged
and
harassed
,
the
old
face
she
used
to
wear
in
the
time
of
disguise
and
secrecy
.
Amabel
asked
if
it
had
been
a
tiresome
party
.
'
Yes
—
no
—
I
do
n't
know
.
Just
like
others
,
'
said
Laura
.
'
You
are
tired
at
any
rate
,
'
said
Amabel
.
'
You
took
too
long
a
ride
with
Philip
.
I
saw
you
come
in
very
late
.
'
'
I
am
not
in
the
least
tired
,
thank
you
.
'
'
Then
he
is
,
'
said
Amabel
.
'
I
hope
he
has
not
one
of
his
headaches
again
.
'
'
No
,
'
said
Laura
,
still
in
a
dissatisfied
,
uncomfortable
tone
.
'
No
?
Dear
Laura
,
I
am
sure
there
is
something
wrong
;
'
and
with
a
little
more
of
her
winning
,
pleading
kindness
,
she
drew
from
Laura
that
Philip
had
told
her
she
idolized
him
.
He
had
told
her
so
very
gently
and
kindly
,
but
he
had
said
she
idolized
him
in
a
manner
that
was
neither
good
for
herself
nor
him
;
and
he
went
on
to
blame
himself
for
it
,
which
was
what
she
could
not
bear
.
It
had
been
rankling
in
her
mind
ever
since
that
he
had
found
fault
with
her
for
loving
him
so
well
,
and
it
had
made
her
very
unhappy
.
She
could
not
love
him
less
,
and
how
should
she
please
him
?
She
had
much
rather
he
had
blamed
her
than
himself
.
'
I
think
I
see
what
he
means
,
'
said
Amy
,
thoughtfully
.
'
He
has
grown
afraid
of
himself
,
and
afraid
of
being
admired
now
.
'
'
But
how
am
I
to
help
that
,
Amy
?
'
said
Laura
,
with
tears
in
her
eyes
;
'
he
cannot
help
being
the
first
,
the
very
first
of
all
with
me
'
—
'
No
,
no
,
'
said
Amy
,
quickly
,
'
not
the
very
first
,
or
what
would
you
do
if
you
were
to
be
—
like
me
?
Do
n't
turn
away
,
dear
Laura
;
I
do
n't
think
I
ever
could
bear
this
at
all
,
if
dear
Guy
had
not
kept
it
always
before
my
eyes
from
the
very
first
that
we
were
to
look
to
something
else
besides
each
other
.
'
'
Of
course
,
I
meant
the
first
earthly
thing
,
'
said
Laura
;
but
it
was
not
heartfelt
—
she
knew
she
ought
,
therefore
she
thought
she
did
.
'
And
so
,
'
proceeded
Amy
,
'
I
think
if
that
other
is
first
,
it
would
make
you
have
some
standard
of
right
besides
himself
;
then
you
would
be
a
stay
and
help
to
him
.
I
think
that
is
what
he
means
.
'
'
Amy
!
let
me
ask
you
,
'
said
Laura
,
a
little
entreatingly
,
yet
as
if
she
must
needs
put
the
question
—
'
surely
,
you
never
thought
Guy
had
faults
?
'
Her
colour
deepened
,
'
Yes
,
Laura
,
'
she
answered
,
firmly
.
'
I
could
not
have
understood
his
repentance
if
I
had
not
thought
so
.
And
,
dear
Laura
,
if
you
will
forgive
me
for
saying
it
,
it
would
be
much
better
for
yourself
and
Philip
,
if
you
would
see
the
truth
.
'
'
I
thought
you
forgave
him
,
'
murmured
Laura
.
'
Oh
,
Laura
!
but
does
not
that
word
'
forgive
'
imply
something
?
I
could
not
have
done
anything
to
comfort
him
that
day
,
if
I
had
not
believed
he
had
something
to
be
comforted
for
.
It
ca
n't
be
pleasant
to
him
to
see
you
think
his
repentance
vain
.
'
'
It
is
noble
and
great
.
'
'
But
if
it
was
not
real
,
it
would
be
thrown
away
.
Besides
,
dear
Laura
,
do
let
me
say
this
for
once
.
If
you
would
but
understand
that
you
let
him
lead
you
into
what
was
not
right
,
and
be
really
sorry
for
that
,
and
show
mamma
that
you
are
,
I
do
think
it
would
all
begin
much
more
happily
when
you
are
married
.
'
'
I
could
never
have
told
,
till
I
was
obliged
to
betray
myself
,
'
said
Laura
.
'
You
know
,
Amy
,
it
was
no
engagement
.
We
never
wrote
to
each
other
,
we
had
but
one
walk
;
it
was
no
business
of
his
to
speak
till
he
could
hope
for
papa
's
consent
to
our
marriage
.
It
would
have
been
all
confusion
if
he
had
told
,
and
that
would
have
been
only
that
we
had
always
loved
each
other
with
all
our
hearts
,
which
every
one
knew
before
.
'
'
Yet
,
Laura
,
it
was
what
preyed
on
him
when
he
thought
he
was
dying
.
'
'
Because
it
was
the
only
thing
like
a
fault
he
could
think
of
,
'
said
Laura
,
excited
by
this
shade
of
blame
to
defend
him
vehemently
—
'
because
his
scruples
are
high
and
noble
and
generous
.
'
She
spoke
so
eagerly
,
that
the
baby
's
voice
again
broke
on
the
conversation
,
and
she
was
obliged
to
go
away
;
but
though
her
idolatry
was
complete
,
it
did
not
seem
to
give
full
satisfaction
or
repose
.
As
to
Philip
,
though
his
love
for
her
was
unchanged
,
it
now
and
then
was
felt
,
though
not
owned
by
him
,
that
she
was
not
fully
a
helpmeet
,
only
a
'
Self
;
'
not
such
a
'
Self
'
as
he
had
left
at
St.
Mildred
's
,
but
still
reflecting
on
him
his
old
character
,
instead
of
aiding
him
to
a
new
one
.
CHAPTER
XXI
.
But
nature
to
its
inmost
part
Faith
had
refined
;
and
to
her
heart
A
peaceful
cradle
given
,
Calm
as
the
dew-drops
free
to
rest
Within
a
breeze-fanned
rose
's
breast
Till
it
exhales
to
Heaven
.
Wordsworth
.
It
had
long
been
a
promise
that
Mr.
Edmonstone
should
take
Charlotte
to
visit
her
grandmamma
,
in
Ireland
.
They
would
have
gone
last
autumn
,
but
for
Guy
's
illness
;
and
now
aunt
Charlotte
wrote
to
hasten
the
performance
of
the
project
.
Lady
Mabel
was
very
anxious
to
see
them
,
she
said
;
and
having
grown
much
more
infirm
of
late
,
seemed
to
think
it
would
be
the
last
meeting
with
her
son
.
She
talked
so
much
of
Mrs.
Edmonstone
and
Laura
,
that
it
was
plain
that
she
wished
extremely
for
a
visit
from
them
,
though
she
did
not
like
to
ask
it
,
in
the
present
state
of
the
family
.
A
special
invitation
was
sent
to
Bustle
;
indeed
,
Charles
said
Charlotte
could
not
have
gone
without
his
permission
,
for
he
reigned
like
a
tyrant
over
her
,
evidently
believing
her
created
for
no
purpose
but
to
wait
on
him
,
and
take
him
to
walk
.
Laura
was
a
great
favourite
at
the
cottage
at
Kilcoran
,
and
felt
she
ought
to
offer
to
go
.
Philip
fully
agreed
,
and
held
out
some
hopes
of
following
as
soon
as
the
session
was
over
,
and
he
had
been
to
Redclyffe
about
some
business
that
had
been
deferred
too
long
.
And
now
it
appeared
that
Mr.
Edmonstone
had
a
great
desire
to
take
his
wife
,
and
she
herself
said
,
that
under
any
other
circumstances
she
should
have
been
very
desirous
of
going
.
She
had
not
been
to
Ireland
for
fifteen
years
,
and
was
sorry
to
have
seen
so
little
of
her
mother-in-law
;
and
now
that
it
had
been
proved
that
Charles
could
exist
without
her
,
she
would
not
have
hesitated
to
leave
him
,
but
for
Amabel
's
state
of
health
and
spirits
,
which
made
going
from
home
out
of
the
question
.
Charles
and
Amabel
did
not
think
so
.
It
was
not
to
be
endured
,
that
when
grandmamma
wished
for
her
,
she
should
stay
at
home
for
them
without
real
necessity
;
besides
,
the
fatigue
,
anxiety
,
and
sorrow
she
had
undergone
of
late
,
had
told
on
her
,
and
had
made
her
alter
perceptibly
,
from
being
remarkably
fresh
and
youthful
,
to
be
somewhat
aged
;
and
the
change
to
a
new
scene
,
where
she
could
not
be
distressing
herself
at
every
failure
in
cheerfulness
of
poor
Amy
's
,
was
just
the
thing
to
do
her
good
.
Amabel
was
not
afraid
of
the
sole
charge
of
Charles
or
of
the
baby
,
for
she
had
been
taught
but
too
well
to
manage
for
herself
;
she
understood
Charles
very
well
,
and
had
too
much
quiet
good
sense
to
be
fanciful
about
her
very
healthy
baby
.
Though
she
was
inexperienced
,
with
old
nurse
hard
by
,
and
Dr.
Mayerne
at
Broadstone
,
there
was
no
fear
of
her
not
having
good
counsel
enough
.
She
was
glad
to
be
of
some
use
,
by
enabling
her
mother
to
leave
Charles
,
and
her
only
fear
was
of
being
dull
company
for
him
;
but
as
he
was
so
kind
as
to
bear
it
,
she
would
do
her
best
,
and
perhaps
their
neighbours
would
come
and
enliven
him
sometimes
.
Charles
threw
his
influence
into
the
same
scale
.
His
affectionate
observation
had
shown
him
that
it
oppressed
Amabel
's
spirits
to
be
the
object
of
such
constant
solicitude
,
and
he
was
convinced
it
would
be
better
for
her
,
both
to
have
some
necessary
occupation
and
to
be
free
from
that
perpetual
mournful
watching
of
her
mother
's
,
that
caused
her
to
make
the
efforts
to
be
cheerful
which
did
her
more
harm
than
anything
else
.
To
let
her
alone
to
look
and
speak
as
she
pleased
,
without
the
fear
of
paining
and
disappointing
those
she
loved
,
keep
the
house
quiet
,
and
give
her
the
employment
of
household
cares
and
attending
on
himself
,
was
,
he
thought
,
the
best
thing
for
her
;
and
he
was
full
of
eagerness
and
pleasure
at
the
very
notion
of
being
of
service
to
her
,
if
only
by
being
good
for
nothing
but
to
be
waited
on
.
He
thought
privately
that
the
spring
of
his
mother
's
mind
had
been
so
much
injured
by
the
grief
she
had
herself
suffered
for
'
her
son
Guy
,
'
her
cruel
disappointment
in
Laura
,
and
the
way
in
which
she
threw
herself
into
all
Amy
's
affliction
,
that
there
was
a
general
depression
in
her
way
of
observing
and
attending
Amy
,
which
did
further
harm
;
and
that
to
change
the
current
of
her
thoughts
,
and
bring
her
home
refreshed
and
inspirited
,
would
be
the
beginning
of
improvement
in
all
.
Or
,
as
he
expressed
it
to
Dr.
Mayerne
,
'
We
shall
set
off
on
a
new
tack
.
'
His
counsel
and
Mr.
Edmonstone
's
wishes
at
length
decided
mamma
,
on
condition
that
Mary
Ross
and
Dr.
Mayerne
would
promise
to
write
on
alternate
weeks
a
full
report
,
moral
and
physical
,
as
Charles
called
it
.
So
in
due
time
the
goods
were
packed
,
Mrs.
Edmonstone
cried
heartily
over
the
baby
,
advised
Amabel
endlessly
about
her
,
and
finally
looked
back
through
her
tears
,
as
she
drove
away
,
to
see
Charles
nodding
and
waving
his
hand
at
the
bay
window
,
and
Amabel
standing
with
her
parting
smile
and
good-bye
on
the
steps
.
The
reports
,
moral
and
physical
,
proved
that
Charles
had
judged
wisely
.
Amabel
was
less
languid
as
she
had
more
cause
for
exertion
,
and
seemed
relieved
by
the
absence
of
noise
and
hurry
,
spending
more
time
down-stairs
,
and
appearing
less
weary
in
the
evening
.
She
still
avoided
the
garden
;
but
she
began
to
like
short
drives
with
her
brother
,
in
the
pony-carriage
,
when
he
drove
on
in
silence
,
and
let
her
lean
back
and
gaze
up
into
the
sky
,
or
into
the
far
distance
,
undisturbed
.
Now
and
then
he
would
be
rejoiced
by
a
bright
,
genuine
smile
,
perfectly
refreshing
,
at
some
of
the
pretty
ways
of
the
babe
,
a
small
,
but
plump
and
lively
creature
,
beginning
to
grasp
with
her
hands
,
laugh
,
and
gaze
about
with
eyes
that
gave
promise
of
the
peculiar
colour
and
brilliancy
of
her
father
's
.
Amabel
was
afraid
she
might
be
tempted
into
giving
Charles
too
much
of
the
little
lady
's
society
;
but
he
was
very
fond
of
her
,
regarding
her
with
an
odd
mixture
of
curiosity
and
amusement
,
much
entertained
with
watching
what
he
called
her
unaccountable
manners
,
and
greatly
flattered
when
he
could
succeed
in
attracting
her
notice
.
Indeed
,
the
first
time
she
looked
full
at
him
with
a
smile
on
the
verge
of
a
laugh
,
it
completely
overcame
him
,
by
the
indescribably
forcible
manner
in
which
it
suddenly
recalled
the
face
which
had
always
shone
on
him
like
a
sunbeam
.
Above
all
,
it
was
worth
anything
to
see
the
looks
she
awoke
in
her
mother
,
for
which
he
must
have
loved
her
,
even
had
she
not
been
Guy
's
child
.
In
the
evening
,
especially
on
Sunday
,
Amabel
would
sometimes
talk
to
him
as
she
had
never
yet
been
able
to
do
,
about
her
last
summer
's
journey
,
and
her
stay
at
Recoara
,
and
his
way
of
listening
and
answering
had
in
it
something
that
gave
her
great
pleasure
;
while
,
on
his
side
,
he
deemed
each
fresh
word
of
Guy
's
a
sort
of
treasure
for
which
to
be
grateful
to
her
.
The
brother
and
sister
were
a
great
help
and
happiness
to
each
other
;
Amabel
found
herself
restored
to
Charles
,
as
Guy
had
liked
to
think
of
her
,
and
Charles
felt
as
if
the
old
childish
fancies
were
fulfilled
,
in
which
he
and
Amy
were
always
to
keep
house
together
.
He
was
not
in
the
least
dull
;
and
though
his
good-natured
visitors
in
the
morning
were
welcome
,
and
received
with
plenty
of
his
gay
,
lively
talk
;
he
did
not
by
any
means
stand
in
need
of
the
compassion
they
felt
for
him
,
and
could
have
done
very
well
without
them
;
while
the
evenings
alone
with
Amy
had
in
them
something
so
pleasant
that
they
were
almost
better
than
those
when
Mr.
Ross
and
Mary
came
to
tea
.
He
wrote
word
to
his
mother
that
she
might
be
quite
at
ease
about
them
;
and
he
thought
Amy
would
get
through
the
anniversaries
of
September
better
while
the
house
was
quiet
,
so
that
she
need
not
think
of
trying
to
hurry
home
.
He
was
glad
to
have
done
so
,
for
the
letters
which
scarcely
missed
a
day
in
being
written
by
his
mother
and
Charlotte
seemed
to
show
that
their
stay
was
likely
to
be
long
.
Lady
Mabel
was
more
broken
than
they
had
expected
,
and
claimed
a
long
visit
,
as
she
was
sure
it
would
be
their
last
,
while
the
Kilcoran
party
had
taken
possession
of
Laura
and
Charlotte
as
if
they
never
meant
to
let
them
go
.
Charlotte
wrote
her
brother
very
full
and
very
droll
accounts
of
the
Iricisms
around
her
,
which
she
enjoyed
thoroughly
,
and
Charles
,
declaring
he
never
expected
to
see
little
Charlotte
come
out
in
the
character
of
the
facetious
correspondent
,
used
to
send
Mary
Ross
into
fits
of
laughing
by
what
he
read
to
her
.
Mr.
Fielder
,
the
tutor
,
wrote
Charlotte
,
was
very
nearly
equal
to
Eveleen
's
description
of
him
,
but
very
particularly
agreeable
,
in
fact
,
the
only
man
who
had
any
conversation
,
whom
she
had
seen
since
she
had
been
at
Kilcoran
.
'
Imagine
,
'
said
Charles
,
'
the
impertinent
little
puss
setting
up
for
intellectual
conversation
,
forsooth
!
'
'
That
's
what
comes
of
living
with
good
company
,
'
said
Mary
.
The
brother
and
sister
used
sometimes
to
drive
to
Broadstone
to
fetch
their
letters
by
the
second
post
.
'
Charlotte
,
of
course
'
said
Charles
,
as
he
opened
one
.
'
My
Lady
Morville
,
what
's
yours
?
'
'
Only
Mr.
Markham
,
'
said
Amabel
,
'
about
the
winding
up
of
our
business
together
,
I
suppose
.
What
does
Charlotte
say
?
'
'
Charlotte
is
in
a
fit
of
impudence
,
for
which
she
deserves
chastisement
,
'
said
Charles
,
unable
to
help
laughing
,
as
he
read
,
—
'
Our
last
event
was
a
call
from
the
fidus
Achates
,
who
it
seems
can
no
longer
wander
up
and
down
the
Mediterranean
without
his
pius
Æneas
,
and
so
has
left
the
army
,
and
got
a
diplomatic
appointment
somewhere
in
Germany
.
Lord
Kilcoran
has
asked
him
to
come
and
stay
here
,
and
Mabel
and
I
are
quite
sure
he
comes
for
a
purpose
.
Of
course
he
has
chosen
this
time
,
in
order
that
he
may
be
able
to
have
his
companion
before
his
eyes
,
as
a
model
for
courtship
,
and
I
wish
I
had
you
to
help
me
look
on
whenever
Philip
comes
,
as
that
laugh
I
must
enjoy
alone
with
Bustle
.
However
,
when
Philip
will
come
we
cannot
think
,
for
we
have
heard
nothing
of
him
this
age
,
not
even
Laura
,
and
she
is
beginning
to
look
very
anxious
about
him
.
Do
tell
us
if
you
know
anything
about
him
.
The
last
letter
was
when
Parliament
was
prorogued
,
and
he
was
going
to
Redclyffe
,
at
least
three
weeks
ago
.
'
'
I
wonder
if
Mr.
Markham
mentions
him
,
'
said
Amabel
,
hastily
unfolding
her
letter
,
which
was
,
as
she
expected
,
about
the
executor
's
business
,
but
glancing
on
to
the
end
she
exclaimed
,
—
'
Ah
!
here
it
is
.
Listen
,
Charlie
.
'
Mr
.
Morville
has
been
here
for
the
last
few
weeks
,
and
is
,
I
fear
,
very
unwell
.
He
has
been
entirely
confined
to
the
house
,
almost
ever
since
his
arrival
,
by
violent
headache
,
which
has
completely
disabled
him
from
attending
to
business
;
but
he
will
not
call
in
any
advice
.
I
make
a
point
of
going
to
see
him
every
day
,
though
I
believe
my
presence
is
anything
but
acceptable
,
as
in
his
present
state
of
health
and
spirits
I
cannot
think
it
right
that
he
should
be
left
to
servants
.
'
Poor
fellow
!
Redclyffe
has
been
too
much
for
him
.
'
'
Over-worked
,
I
suppose
,
'
said
Charles
.
'
I
thought
he
was
coming
it
pretty
strong
these
last
few
weeks
.
'
'
Not
even
writing
to
Laura
!
How
very
bad
he
must
be
!
I
will
write
at
once
to
ask
Mr.
Markham
for
more
particulars
.
'
She
did
so
,
and
on
the
third
day
they
drove
again
to
fetch
the
answer
.
It
was
a
much
worse
account
.
Mr.
Morville
was
,
said
Markham
,
suffering
dreadfully
from
headache
,
and
lay
on
the
sofa
all
day
,
almost
unable
to
speak
or
move
,
but
resolved
against
having
medical
advice
,
though
his
own
treatment
of
himself
did
not
at
all
succeed
in
relieving
him
.
There
was
extreme
depression
of
spirits
,
and
an
unwillingness
to
see
any
one
.
He
had
positively
refused
to
admit
either
Lord
Thorndale
or
Mr.
Ashford
,
and
would
hardly
bear
to
see
Markham
himself
,
who
,
indeed
,
only
forced
his
presence
on
him
from
thinking
it
unfit
to
leave
him
entirely
to
the
servants
,
and
would
be
much
relieved
if
some
of
Mr.
Morville
's
friends
were
present
to
free
him
from
the
responsibility
.
'
Hem
!
'
said
Charles
.
'
I
ca
n't
say
it
sounds
comfortable
.
'
'
It
is
just
as
I
feared
!
'
said
Amy
.
'
Great
excitability
of
brain
and
nerve
,
Dr.
Mayerne
said
.
All
the
danger
of
a
brain
fever
again
!
Poor
Laura
!
What
is
to
be
done
?
'
Charles
was
silent
.
'
It
is
for
want
of
some
one
to
talk
to
him
,
'
said
Amabel
.
'
I
know
how
he
broods
over
his
sad
recollections
,
and
Redclyffe
must
make
it
so
much
worse
.
If
mamma
and
Laura
were
but
at
home
to
go
to
him
,
it
might
save
him
,
and
it
would
be
fearful
for
him
to
have
another
illness
,
reduced
as
he
is
.
How
I
wish
he
was
here
!
'
'
He
cannot
come
,
I
suppose
,
'
said
Charles
,
'
or
he
would
be
in
Ireland
.
'
'
Yes
.
How
well
Guy
knew
when
he
said
it
would
be
worse
for
him
than
for
me
!
How
I
wish
I
could
do
something
now
to
make
up
for
running
away
from
him
in
Italy
.
If
I
was
but
at
Redclyffe
!
'
'
Do
you
really
wish
it
?
'
said
Charles
,
surprised
.
'
Yes
,
if
I
could
do
him
any
good
.
'
'
Would
you
go
there
?
'
'
If
I
had
but
papa
or
mamma
to
go
with
me
.
'
'
Do
you
think
I
should
do
as
well
?
'
'
Charlie
!
'
'
If
you
think
there
would
be
any
use
in
it
,
and
choose
to
take
the
trouble
of
lugging
me
about
the
country
,
I
do
n't
see
why
you
should
not
.
'
'
Oh
!
Charlie
,
how
very
kind
!
How
thankful
poor
Laura
will
be
to
you
!
I
do
believe
it
will
save
him
!
'
cried
Amabel
,
eagerly
.
'
But
Amy
,
'
—
he
paused
—
'
shall
you
like
to
see
Redclyffe
?
'
'
Oh
!
that
is
no
matter
,
'
said
she
,
quickly
.
'
I
had
rather
see
after
Philip
than
anything
.
I
told
you
how
he
was
made
my
charge
,
you
know
.
And
Laura
!
Only
will
it
not
be
too
tiring
for
you
?
'
'
I
ca
n't
see
how
it
should
hurt
me
.
But
I
forget
,
what
is
to
be
done
about
your
daughter
?
'
'
I
do
n't
know
what
harm
it
could
do
her
,
'
said
Amy
,
considering
.
'
Mrs
.
Gresham
brought
a
baby
of
only
three
months
old
from
Scotland
the
other
day
,
and
she
is
six
.
It
surely
cannot
hurt
her
,
but
we
will
ask
Dr.
Mayerne
.
'
'
Mamma
will
never
forgive
us
if
we
do
n't
take
the
doctor
into
our
councils
.
'
'
Arnaud
can
manage
for
us
.
We
would
sleep
in
London
,
and
go
on
by
an
early
train
,
and
we
can
take
our
—
I
mean
my
—
carriage
,
for
the
journey
after
the
railroad
.
It
would
not
be
too
much
for
you
.
How
soon
could
we
go
?
'
'
The
sooner
the
better
,
'
said
Charles
.
'
If
we
are
to
do
him
any
good
,
it
must
be
speedily
,
or
it
will
be
a
case
of
shutting
the
stable-door
.
Why
not
to-morrow
?
'
The
project
was
thoroughly
discussed
that
evening
,
but
still
with
the
feeling
as
if
it
could
not
be
real
,
and
when
they
parted
at
night
they
said
,
—
'
We
will
see
how
the
scheme
looks
in
the
morning
.
'
Charles
was
still
wondering
whether
it
was
a
dream
,
when
the
first
thing
he
heard
in
the
court
below
his
window
was
,
—
'
Here
,
William
,
here
's
a
note
from
my
lady
for
you
to
take
to
Dr.
Mayerne
.
'
'
They
be
none
of
them
ill
?
'
answered
William
's
voice
.
'
O
no
;
my
lady
has
been
up
this
hour
,
and
Mr.
Charles
has
rung
his
bell
.
Stop
,
William
,
my
lady
said
you
were
to
call
at
Harris
's
and
bring
home
a
Bradshaw
.
'
Reality
,
indeed
,
thought
Charles
,
marvelling
at
his
sister
,
and
his
elastic
spirits
throwing
him
into
the
project
with
a
sort
of
enjoyment
,
partaking
of
the
pleasure
of
being
of
use
,
the
spirit
of
enterprise
,
and
the
'
fun
'
of
starting
independently
on
an
expedition
unknown
to
all
the
family
.
He
met
Amabel
with
a
smile
that
showed
both
were
determined
.
He
undertook
to
announce
the
plan
to
his
mother
,
and
she
said
she
would
write
to
tell
Mr.
Markham
that
as
far
as
could
be
reckoned
on
two
such
frail
people
,
they
would
be
at
Redclyffe
the
next
evening
,
and
he
must
use
his
own
discretion
about
giving
Mr.
Morville
the
note
which
she
enclosed
.
Dr.
Mayerne
came
in
time
for
breakfast
,
and
the
letter
from
Markham
was
at
once
given
to
him
.
'
A
baddish
state
of
things
,
eh
,
doctor
?
'
said
Charles
.
'
Well
,
what
do
you
think
this
lady
proposes
?
To
set
off
forthwith
,
both
of
us
,
to
take
charge
of
him
.
What
do
you
think
of
that
,
Dr.
Mayerne
?
'
'
I
should
say
it
was
the
only
chance
for
him
,
'
said
the
doctor
,
looking
only
at
the
latter
.
'
Spirits
and
health
reacting
on
each
other
,
I
see
it
plain
enough
.
Over-worked
in
parliament
,
doing
nothing
in
moderation
,
going
down
to
that
gloomy
old
place
,
dreaming
away
by
himself
,
going
just
the
right
way
to
work
himself
into
another
attack
on
the
brain
,
and
then
he
is
done
for
.
I
do
n't
know
that
you
could
do
a
wiser
thing
than
go
to
him
,
for
he
is
no
more
fit
to
tell
what
is
good
for
him
than
a
child
.
'
So
spoke
the
doctor
,
thinking
only
of
the
patient
,
till
looking
up
at
the
pair
he
was
dismissing
to
such
a
charge
,
the
helpless
,
crippled
Charles
,
unable
to
cross
the
room
without
crutches
,
and
Amabel
,
her
delicate
face
and
fragile
figure
in
her
widow
's
mourning
,
looking
like
a
thing
to
be
pitied
and
nursed
with
the
tenderest
care
,
with
that
young
child
,
too
,
he
broke
off
and
said
,
—
'
But
you
do
n't
mean
you
are
in
earnest
?
'
'
Never
more
so
in
our
lives
,
'
said
Charles
,
on
which
Dr.
Mayerne
looked
so
wonderingly
and
inquiringly
at
Amabel
,
that
she
answered
,
—
'
Yes
,
that
we
are
,
if
you
think
it
safe
for
Charles
and
baby
.
'
'
Is
there
no
one
else
to
go
?
What
's
become
of
his
sister
?
'
'
That
would
never
do
,
'
said
Charles
;
'
that
is
not
the
question
,
'
and
he
detailed
their
plan
.
'
Well
,
I
do
n't
see
why
it
should
not
succeed
,
'
said
the
doctor
,
'
or
how
you
can
any
of
you
damage
yourselves
.
'
'
And
baby
?
'
said
Amy
.
'
What
should
happen
to
her
,
do
you
think
?
'
said
the
doctor
,
with
his
kind
,
reassuring
roughness
.
'
Unless
you
leave
her
behind
in
the
carriage
,
I
do
n't
see
what
harm
she
could
come
to
,
and
even
then
,
if
you
direct
her
properly
,
she
will
come
safe
to
hand
.
'
Amabel
smiled
,
and
saying
she
would
fetch
her
to
be
inspected
,
ran
up-stairs
with
the
light
,
nimble
step
of
former
days
.
'
There
goes
one
of
the
smallest
editions
of
the
wonders
of
the
world
!
'
said
Charles
,
covering
a
sigh
with
a
smile
.
'
You
do
n't
think
it
will
do
her
any
harm
?
'
'
Not
if
she
wishes
it
.
I
have
long
thought
a
change
,
a
break
,
would
be
the
best
thing
for
her
—
poor
child
!
I
should
have
sent
her
to
the
seaside
,
if
you
had
been
more
moveable
,
and
if
I
had
not
seen
every
fuss
about
her
made
it
worse
.
'
'
That
's
what
I
call
being
a
reasonable
and
valuable
doctor
,
'
said
Charles
.
'
If
you
had
routed
the
poor
little
thing
out
to
the
sea
,
she
would
have
only
pined
the
more
.
But
suppose
the
captain
turns
out
too
bad
for
her
management
,
for
old
Markham
seems
in
a
proper
taking
?
'
'
Hm
!
No
,
I
do
n't
expect
it
is
come
to
that
.
'
Be
that
as
