me—
that
I
see
the
disparity
in
mind
as
much
as
in
appearance
between
yourself
and
your
sister
.
She
is
like
an
amusing
book
,
destitute
of
interest
,
to
be
taken
up
with
pleasure
,
but
laid
aside
without
regret
.
She
might
beguile
a
weary
hour
;
but
you
would
prevent
the
possibility
of
any
hour
ever
becoming
so
.
"
"
Captain
De
Crespigny
,
I
know
not
what
the
persiflage
of
society
entitles
you
to
say
,
and
it
would
be
well
for
the
happiness
of
others
if
they
understood
your
ideas
upon
that
subject
as
well
,
"
replied
Marion
,
with
restored
firmness
—
and
never
had
she
looked
so
tall
.
"
You
forget
the
confidence
that
subsists
between
sisters
,
and
that
I
am
aware
you
generally
express
very
different
feelings
,
which
I
must
still
hope
,
for
your
credit
,
are
the
real
truth
,
otherwise
nothing
you
can
say
shall
ever
convince
me
that
Agnes
is
not
extremely
ill-treated
.
I
only
wonder
very
much
that
she
cares
for
you
at
all
.
I
have
been
betrayed
into
speaking
on
this
subject
—
I
shall
regret
having
done
so
as
long
as
I
live
—
but
I
must
be
true
to
my
sister
now
,
in
saying
what
I
think
of
your
conduct
,
that
it
has
been
most
heartless
and
most
unjustifiable
.
Let
me
request
you
never
again
to
speak
to
me
as
you
have
done
to-day
.
"
"
No
!
not
till
the
next
opportunity
.
You
should
be
angry
often
,
Miss
Dunbar
,
for
it
becomes
you
,
and
is
the
only
thing
that
can
bring
you
to
the
level
of
an
ordinary
mortal
;
therefore
,
let
me
detain
you
by
the
right
of
cousinship
,
if
by
no
other
,
even
against
your
wishes
,
one
moment
longer
to
propose
terms
of
peace
.
I
am
going
next
week
to
do
penance
at
Beaujolie
Park
with
my
very
long-lived
and
not
very
much
respected
uncle
,
who
insists
on
my
escorting
him
to
Harrowgate
.
He
may
,
perhaps
,
be
unreasonable
enough
to
detain
me
two
months
,
during
which
it
would
have
amused
me
beyond
measure
could
I
act
the
invisible
gentleman
and
observe
your
sister
;
but
what
I
cannot
do
myself
you
may
and
must
.
If
Agnes
does
not
flirt
in
a
young-lady-like
manner
with
every
man
she
meets
,
then
I
make
you
a
very
safe
promise
,
that
the
rest
of
my
life
shall
be
devoted
to
her
,
and
nothing
you
ever
read
in
a
romance
shall
exceed
my
devotion
and
constancy
;
but
you
must
be
honest
,
and
if
the
day
after
my
P.P.C.
cards
are
left
,
you
perceive
her
quite
as
happy
to
see
Captain
Digby
,
or
Lord
Wigton
,
or
Sir
Anybody
Anything
,
as
ever
she
was
to
see
me
,
then
I
am
to
be
honorably
acquitted
;
and
you
will
consider
me
entitled
,
"
added
Captain
De
Crespigny
,
with
one
of
his
most
expressive
looks
,
"
to
seek
for
happiness
where
I
could
be
sure
of
finding
it
,
if
only
fortunate
enough
to
be
thought
deserving
;
but
,
unless
a
preference
be
reciprocal
,
the
expression
of
it
is
little
believed
or
valued
.
"
"
Captain
De
Crespigny
,
"
replied
Marion
,
looking
a
thousand
ways
to
avoid
meeting
his
eye
,
"
whoever
you
may
hereafter
prefer
,
I
can
wish
no
greater
happiness
to
any
one
than
I
enjoy
myself
,
being
engaged
to
one
in
whom
I
can
place
the
most
perfect
reliance
.
My
brother
has
probably
told
you
already
,
what
I
am
always
proud
to
acknowledge
,
that
your
old
friend
Mr.
Granville
,
is
attached
to
me
,
and
we
await
only
Patrick
's
consent
to
our
marriage
,
having
fortunately
obtained
my
uncle
's
.
"
The
color
mounted
in
brilliant
hues
to
Marion
's
cheek
when
she
spoke
,
for
it
was
evidently
a
strong
effort
to
do
so
at
all
,
and
her
eyes
were
fixed
on
the
ground
,
or
she
would
have
been
astonished
and
shocked
at
the
effect
her
words
produced
on
Captain
De
Crespigny
,
who
bit
his
lip
till
the
blood
nearly
sprung
out
,
while
his
face
became
for
a
moment
pale
as
death
;
but
,
after
fixing
a
long
scrutinizing
look
on
Marion
's
countenance
,
to
read
its
expressions
,
he
said
,
in
a
voice
so
altered
from
his
usual
tone
of
gay
hilarity
,
that
she
could
scarcely
have
recognised
it
:
"
Dunbar
will
never
consent
.
Impossible
!
He
knows
your
value
better
.
It
cannot
be
.
A
parson
with
nothing
but
his
pulpit
!
I
never
dreamed
of
such
a
thing
—
never
.
A
life
of
Sunday
schools
and
clothing
societies
in
that
bauble
of
a
cottage
.
Pshaw
!
No
girl
ever
ends
by
marrying
the
first
man
she
likes
,
and
no
more
will
you
.
I
shall
make
you
prefer
me
in
a
month
.
"
"
Probably
not
,
as
I
rather
dislike
you
now
,
"
replied
Marion
,
suppressing
a
smile
.
"
That
will
wear
off
.
It
is
best
,
as
Mrs.
Malaprop
says
,
to
begin
with
a
little
aversion
.
You
will
at
last
like
me
beyond
any
one
in
the
world
.
"
"
Extremes
meet
sometimes
;
but
I
must
explain
myself
once
for
all
now
,
Captain
De
Crespigny
,
that
no
one
may
ever
be
led
into
a
mistake
.
My
brother
wishes
us
to
be
responsible
for
making
this
house
,
as
far
as
we
can
,
agreeable
to
his
friends
,
but
only
as
Patrick
's
friend
can
I
ever
now
have
pleasure
in
seeing
you
here
,
as
,
in
another
respect
,
I
heartily
disapprove
of
your
conduct
,
and
I
will
not
appear
for
one
moment
to
participate
in
the
sort
of
farce
you
would
carry
on
here
with
myself
,
—
and
with
others
.
Let
us
be
on
terms
of
cousinly
civility
for
the
future
,
and
never
on
more
.
"
"
Well
,
then
,
I
am
satisfied
to
be
received
on
your
terms
,
"
replied
Captain
De
Crespigny
,
with
an
exceedingly
dissatisfied
look
.
"
Let
me
be
welcomed
on
your
brother
's
account
,
until
I
can
make
myself
welcome
on
my
own
.
As
for
constancy
in
this
world
,
it
is
all
very
right
and
very
desirable
,
but
,
as
I
hope
one
of
your
admirers
may
soon
discover
,
"
Rien
n'est
plus
commun
que
le
nom
,
Rien
n'est
plus
rare
que
la
chose
.
"
CHAPTER
XXIV
.
Captain
De
Crespigny
remained
in
his
sitting-room
till
a
late
hour
the
following
night
,
looking
over
papers
and
preparing
for
his
departure
to
Yorkshire
,
after
which
he
seated
himself
before
the
dying
embers
of
his
fire
to
muse
,
for
the
twentieth
time
,
on
all
that
had
passed
between
himself
and
Marion
.
More
in
love
with
her
than
he
had
ever
believed
it
possible
to
be
with
any
one
,
he
recalled
again
and
again
to
mind
the
thrilling
tones
of
her
voice
,
and
the
matchless
loveliness
of
her
countenance
,
till
at
length
his
attention
being
roused
by
the
clock
striking
two
,
he
looked
at
the
candles
burning
dimly
in
their
sockets
,
and
prepared
to
wish
himself
good
night
.
When
about
to
rise
,
his
attention
was
suddenly
arrested
by
a
rustling
noise
behind
.
The
shadow
of
a
figure
became
visible
on
the
opposite
wall
;
it
was
distinctly
outlined
,
and
began
slowly
to
move
,
when
,
springing
to
his
feet
with
an
exclamation
of
astonishment
,
Captain
De
Crespigny
's
eye
fell
on
the
tall
figure
of
a
woman
enveloped
in
dark
draperies
,
who
stood
like
a
phantom
close
by
his
side
,
without
speech
or
motion
.
While
his
eyes
were
riveted
in
silent
consternation
on
this
mysterious
apparition
,
gradually
the
cloak
was
thrown
aside
,
the
veil
dropped
,
and
a
countenance
became
disclosed
so
white
and
rigid
,
so
soul-stricken
in
sorrow
,
so
utterly
without
life
or
motion
,
that
it
seemed
as
if
nothing
on
earth
could
have
looked
so
supernaturally
wretched
.
No
moisture
flouted
over
her
large
dilated
eyes
,
which
were
glassy
and
fixed
,
her
parted
lips
were
livid
as
death
,
a
mortal
paleness
was
on
her
forehead
and
cheek
,
and
not
a
sound
became
audible
,
for
the
grave
itself
was
not
more
silent
.
With
her
emaciated
hands
riveted
together
,
she
stood
the
very
image
of
woe
;
while
nothing
human
appeared
in
her
face
but
its
expression
of
mortal
anguish
.
Captain
De
Crespigny
gazed
at
this
mysterious
apparition
,
unable
to
believe
the
evidence
of
his
senses
.
A
vital
horror
thrilled
through
his
heart
;
his
eyes
closed
as
if
he
would
willingly
have
closed
his
vision
against
a
sight
which
blasted
him
;
but
at
length
,
by
a
strong
effort
compelling
himself
to
speak
,
he
said
,
in
a
low
,
doubtful
tone
,
"
Mary
Anstruther
!
Impossible
!
I
was
told
long
ago
you
were
no
more
.
"
A
few
quivering
,
inaudible
murmurs
,
were
for
some
moments
her
only
reply
,
as
if
unable
yet
to
command
herself
,
till
at
length
,
in
a
tone
so
low
,
hollow
,
and
concentrated
,
that
it
seemed
scarcely
human
,
but
resembled
a
dreary
echo
from
the
tomb
,
she
said
,
fixing
a
ghastly
look
on
Captain
De
Crespigny
,
"
No
wonder
you
disown
the
wreck
!
I
scarcely
know
myself
in
mind
or
body
.
Ages
of
misery
have
made
me
the
creature
I
am
!
Not
want
,
nor
suffering
,
nor
humiliation
,
though
these
are
what
you
consigned
me
to
,
but
the
bitter
agony
of
being
despised
and
forgotten
by
yourself
,
—
by
you
for
whom
I
steeped
my
very
soul
in
guilt
!
You
start
!
—
You
would
deny
this
;
but
when
the
Abbe
Mordaunt
,
to
gain
possession
of
his
niece
's
fortune
,
wished
me
to
assist
in
getting
her
driven
from
the
house
,
was
it
to
serve
him
that
I
did
so
?
Was
it
for
his
offered
bribes
that
I
lent
my
aid
to
that
guilty
work
!
Oh
no
!
but
her
child
stood
in
your
way
,
and
therefore
I
consented
.
You
never
knew
what
I
had
done
for
your
sake
;
but
was
it
not
one
of
the
many
promises
that
you
have
broken
,
that
sooner
or
later
you
would
declare
me
—
even
me
,
the
wretched
Mary
Anstruther
,
your
wife
.
Madness
and
despair
drove
me
on
!
I
slandered
her
to
Lord
Doncaster
—
got
her
driven
from
his
house
—
made
my
brother
believe
she
had
misrepresented
me
—
that
she
had
caused
our
disgrace
and
banishment
—
and
you
know
the
fearful
end
of
all
.
I
never
,
never
thought
of
blood
!
Oh
never
!
He
was
mad
then
!
He
has
been
mad
ever
since
;
and
who
can
wonder
!
Her
cry
rings
for
ever
in
my
ears
,
the
sharpest
on
earth
—
a
cry
for
life
.
It
haunts
me
night
and
day
!
Go
where
I
will
,
the
shadow
pursues
me
.
A
shapeless
horror
is
on
my
mind
!
The
fear
of
discovery
follows
me
like
a
spectre
!
A
whispering
sound
is
in
my
ears
,
desolate
and
dreary
thoughts
,
and
fearful
dreams
,
darkness
,
poverty
,
and
solitude
;
my
pillow
is
a
pillow
of
fire
;
my
brain
is
scorched
,
—
wherever
I
turn
,
dead
eyes
are
staring
in
their
sockets
at
me
.
Oh
!
if
rivers
of
tears
could
restore
that
murdered
being
,
I
might
have
peace
!
"
The
wretched
creature
's
words
poured
out
like
the
rushing
of
a
mighty
torrent
,
while
her
very
reason
seemed
stretched
to
it
utmost
verge
.
She
leaned
against
a
table
,
which
quivered
beneath
her
trembling
form
,
while
her
dragged
and
ghastly
features
were
turned
towards
Captain
De
Crespigny
,
and
she
fixed
on
him
,
with
a
look
of
dismal
meaning
,
the
blackest
eyes
that
ever
vied
with
night
.
Vainly
he
endeavored
to
withdraw
his
gaze
from
that
wild
and
haggard
countenance
,
or
to
shut
his
ears
against
the
tempest
of
her
words
;
but
there
was
a
compression
at
his
heart
,
till
his
very
breath
seemed
difficult
to
draw
,
while
he
listened
to
her
almost
frenzied
ravings
.
At
length
,
in
a
voice
of
deep
and
solemn
import
,
he
addressed
her
,
while
the
color
fled
from
his
very
lips
with
agitation
,
and
a
cold
shudder
crept
through
his
frame
:
"
Tell
me
,
Mary
,
I
adjure
you
,
what
all
this
means
!
I
have
sometimes
suspected
that
Henry
De
Lancey
might
be
the
natural
son
of
my
uncle
;
never
till
this
moment
did
I
fully
imagine
that
the
murdered
woman
was
actually
married
.
I
must
know
all
.
Rather
than
remain
in
this
suspense
,
I
will
ask
Lord
Doncaster
himself
.
I
am
not
a
man
who
would
inherit
one
acre
unjustly
,
or
sit
tamely
down
under
the
suspicion
that
I
might
be
swindling
another
out
of
his
rights
.
Vague
apprehensions
have
sometimes
crossed
my
mind
;
but
give
me
only
a
certainty
one
way
or
other
.
If
beggary
itself
be
the
consequence
,
I
shall
act
like
a
man
of
honor
,
and
let
the
law
take
its
course
.
"
"
Ask
nothing
!
suspect
nothing
!
The
dark
and
dreadful
story
is
buried
in
her
grave
,
never
to
be
heard
of
more
.
It
rests
upon
the
Abbe
Mordaunt
's
conscience
,
and
on
him
be
the
curse
!
Look
here
!
"
cried
she
wildly
throwing
off
her
cap
,
while
her
hair
,
which
streamed
like
a
long
banner
behind
,
was
perfectly
white
and
silvery
.
"
This
was
the
work
of
a
single
day
,
and
my
heart
is
no
less
changed
.
The
world
itself
has
altered
!
Oh
!
who
can
tell
the
unimaginable
wretchedness
that
surrounds
me
!
You
believed
that
I
was
dead
!
Would
that
it
had
been
so
!
I
wish
it
,
and
well
may
you
!
"
A
strange
smile
gleamed
upon
her
features
for
a
moment
,
and
vanished
.
"
When
shall
I
become
like
the
dust
I
tread
on
?
When
shall
I
find
beneath
the
green
turf
a
chamber
of
darkness
,
of
silence
,
and
perhaps
of
peace
!
Often
,
often
do
I
ask
myself
why
I
consent
to
live
,
when
there
are
a
thousand
ways
of
escaping
to
my
only
refuge
,
—
death
!
It
is
a
horrid
thought
,
but
it
will
come
.
There
is
no
future
in
my
life
!
Houseless
,
friendless
,
penniless
,
and
without
hope
,
—
a
fiery
anguish
is
at
my
heart
,
as
if
hell
itself
were
there
!
"
"
Mary
Anstruther
!
"
said
Captain
De
Crespigny
,
in
a
hurried
tone
of
great
agitation
,
"
I
wronged
you
once
.
I
acknowledge
it
with
sorrow
and
remorse
.
We
were
young
indeed
then
,
and
you
had
no
cause
,
surely
,
to
complain
of
my
liberality
.
I
offered
you
—
—
"
"
Yes
!
yes
!
yes
!
"
replied
she
,
with
frantic
vehemence
,
while
her
eyes
,
glazed
,
and
without
moisture
,
were
darkened
by
the
shadow
of
deep
despair
.
"
You
offered
me
everything
but
what
you
had
promised
,
and
what
alone
I
would
accept
.
You
took
from
me
every
blessing
of
life
,
and
offered
me
money
!
I
hated
you
for
supposing
me
mean
enough
to
accept
it
.
I
would
rather
die
in
the
street
,
or
perish
on
a
dung-hill
,
than
receive
your
alms
.
My
name
branded
with
infamy
,
not
a
roof
to
cover
me
,
and
not
a
friend
in
all
the
earth
to
pity
me
;
my
brother
now
a
terror
and
a
reproach
to
all
who
know
him
;
crazed
myself
in
mind
and
heart
,
aloof
from
all
earthly
sympathy
,
branded
and
alone
—
what
remains
for
me
?
Yet
I
would
rather
die
in
an
hospital
than
owe
the
very
air
I
breathe
to
you
.
"
"
Why
,
then
,
do
I
see
you
here
?
"
asked
Captain
De
Crespigny
,
endeavoring
to
steady
the
tremulousness
of
his
voice
.
"
I
would
serve
you
yet
,
if
possible
.
I
cannot
entirely
forget
former
times
!
"
"
Former
times
!
"
exclaimed
the
miserable
being
,
with
a
heavy
sob
,
while
a
rush
of
agony
poured
itself
out
in
her
voice
,
and
clasping
her
hands
over
her
burning
eyes
,
tears
,
such
as
she
had
not
shed
for
ages
,
fell
like
rain
over
her
face
.
"
Who
talks
of
former
times
!
You
!
who
made
my
whole
life
,
past
,
present
,
and
future
,
one
long
agony
of
suffering
!
Do
you
remind
me
of
former
times
!
Oh
!
bring
them
back
—
those
days
which
now
seem
like
a
dream
,
when
I
was
young
,
innocent
,
and
happy
!
Who
so
gay
then
as
I
—
whose
step
so
joyous
—
whose
eye
so
bright
—
who
so
admired
;
and
,
"
added
she
,
her
voice
changing
to
a
low
,
deep
tone
of
anguish
,
"
who
so
loved
?
It
was
the
delirium
of
an
hour
,
and
what
am
I
now
?
Of
all
the
wretched
outcasts
on
earth
,
the
most
wretched
;
while
he
who
has
made
me
so
thinks
it
degradation
to
waste
a
thought
upon
one
so
lost
.
"
There
was
a
pause
for
some
moments
,
and
she
added
,
in
a
deep
,
sepulchral
voice
,
"
A
wide
gulph
separates
us
now
.
I
know
and
feel
that
.
I
do
not
even
wish
it
otherwise
.
You
are
courted
and
admired
in
every
house
,
while
I
wander
like
a
solitary
ghost
upon
the
earth
!
A
furnace
of
guilt
and
horror
burns
within
me
!
No
language
is
dark
and
dreadful
enough
to
express
what
I
endure
.
The
fresh
green
turf
,
and
the
blue
sky
above
,
I
dare
not
look
upon
;
for
they
speak
of
days
that
are
for
ever
past
—
of
that
short
summer
filled
with
hope
and
joy
,
which
has
been
followed
by
this
dreary
,
endless
winter
—
—
"
Captain
De
Crespigny
's
eye
quailed
beneath
the
look
of
chilling
despair
fastened
upon
himself
.
The
hurricane
of
her
feelings
had
been
exhausted
,
but
there
was
an
unearthly
fixedness
in
the
eye
of
Mary
Anstruther
.
In
her
voice
,
too
,
a
cold
,
calm
,
almost
spectral
solemnity
of
tone
had
succeeded
to
the
wild
expression
of
her
manner
.
Her
expression
was
that
of
a
lull
after
a
storm
,
the
ground-swell
that
follows
the
hushing
of
a
tempest
;
and
she
again
stood
as
at
first
,
pale
as
death
,
still
and
motionless
as
a
corpse
,
while
the
long
drapery
of
her
cloak
hung
as
a
winding-sheet
around
her
wasted
limbs
.
"
If
there
be
any
thing
on
earth
I
can
do
for
you
,
speak
but
the
word
,
and
it
is
done
,
"
said
Captain
De
Crespigny
,
with
undisguised
emotion
.
"
My
purse
,
if
you
will
yet
accept
it
,
is
yours
;
but
remember
your
very
life
is
at
stake
in
coming
here
.
I
have
shut
my
eyes
already
too
long
!
I
cannot
conceal
from
my
own
mind
that
the
man
who
calls
himself
Howard
,
and
lives
with
Sir
Arthur
Dunbar
,
must
be
your
brother
.
He
has
hidden
himself
always
from
me
,
and
I
should
scarcely
even
know
him
if
we
met
,
but
this
shall
not
last
.
Tell
him
he
must
go
!
Once
,
—
and
once
only
,
I
may
for
your
sake
connive
at
his
escape
from
justice
,
but
let
Ernest
cross
my
path
again
,
and
no
earthly
power
shall
induce
me
to
neglect
the
sacred
law
that
bids
us
deliver
up
the
murderer
to
justice
.
You
also
at
St.
John
's
Lodge
,
would
once
have
followed
the
example
of
your
unhappy
brother
's
crime
.
You
escaped
on
that
occasion
,
and
I
have
tried
to
convince
myself
it
could
not
be
,
—
that
you
were
already
in
another
world
,
—
but
I
will
not
,
even
for
the
sake
of
our
early
days
,
be
made
a
participator
in
crime
.
Go
,
then
,
to
some
distant
country
together
.
The
sword
of
the
law
is
suspended
over
both
your
heads
.
Fly
for
your
very
lives
.
The
means
shall
not
be
wanting
,
—
and
tell
your
guilty
brother
,
as
I
tell
you
,
that
if
he
delays
,
cost
what
it
may
,
—
and
I
know
the
cost
to
me
will
be
great
indeed
,
justice
shall
have
its
course
.
"
"
Let
me
then
drink
my
cup
of
sorrow
to
the
dregs
!
"
replied
Mary
,
in
a
low
deep
whisper
.
"
He
will
not
go
!
No
earthly
power
can
rule
him
,
—
no
terror
in
life
intimidates
him
.
For
myself
;
I
dread
nothing
now
but
a
prolonged
existence
.
The
sooner
it
is
ended
by
any
hand
but
my
own
,
the
better
.
Yours
is
indeed
the
fittest
.
That
will
only
complete
the
work
which
you
began
.
Give
us
up
then
to
justice
.
In
remembrance
of
those
days
when
among
the
green
lanes
of
England
you
promised
to
love
me
,
—
me
only
till
death
,
—
deliver
us
up
now
to
the
rope
and
to
the
scaffold
.
Yes
!
"
added
she
,
with
a
look
of
fevered
anguish
,
and
a
frightful
hysterical
laugh
,
"
This
is
as
it
should
be
;
cheated
of
innocence
,
blighted
in
affection
,
blistered
in
heart
,
trodden
down
with
contempt
,
driven
almost
to
madness
,
and
delivered
up
to
death
.
Such
be
the
fate
of
all
who
ever
trust
in
man
.
"
"
Leave
me
!
leave
me
!
"
said
Captain
De
Crespigny
,
visibly
shuddering
.
"
If
you
desire
vengeance
,
the
sight
of
you
,
Mary
Anstruther
,
such
as
you
are
now
,
is
more
than
I
can
bear
.
Leave
me
!
"
"
Vengeance
!
—
No
!
—
It
was
for
a
good
purpose
I
came
,
and
let
me
not
forget
it
,
"
said
Mary
,
in
a
low
,
broken
,
bewildered
voice
,
while
a
gleam
like
sun-light
on
the
stormy
wave
seemed
for
a
moment
to
restore
the
softness
and
beauty
of
youth
to
her
countenance
.
"
I
would
save
you
from
death
.
My
wretched
brother
long
ago
suspected
that
you
were
the
author
of
my
ruin
.
That
secret
he
never
could
wring
from
me
,
and
he
never
shall
.
Oh
,
no
!
I
ask
no
revenge
on
you
.
I
am
grieved
,
even
once
to
have
reproached
you
;
but
it
is
done
,
and
my
tongue
shall
be
silent
in
the
grave
before
you
hear
it
again
.
Ernest
swore
an
oath
,
—
a
deep
,
deep
oath
,
that
if
you
had
indeed
deceived
me
,
nothing
should
screen
you
from
his
vengeance
.
Already
he
was
irritated
,
believing
you
wished
to
marry
Miss
Howard
,
and
on
that
subject
you
know
how
long
he
has
been
crazed
.
Ernest
never
forgives
,
and
never
forgets
.
He
lives
but
for
revenge
.
He
would
make
you
drink
a
cup
bitter
as
his
own
.
On
that
fatal
night
to
which
I
never
dare
to
look
back
,
the
knife
he
used
was
yours
,
—
yes
!
it
was
stolen
for
the
very
purpose
,
and
you
know
its
peculiar
form
.
He
intended
,
if
detected
,
to
accuse
you
as
an
accessary
to
the
murder
.
His
plans
are
skillfully
laid
,
and
he
threatens
thus
to
hurl
you
from
the
eminence
on
which
you
now
stand
in
society
—
—
"
"
Impossible
!
absurd
!
Nothing
but
derangement
could
make
your
brother
imagine
any
mortal
would
believe
a
fabrication
so
atrocious
and
improbable
!
"
"
It
will
at
least
excite
interest
,
and
his
plans
are
but
too
well
laid
.
My
story
might
then
become
public
;
and
little
as
the
world
thinks
in
general
of
such
sorrows
as
mine
,
there
are
some
who
would
pity
me
.
Ernest
has
the
cunning
of
madness
;
and
he
thinks
if
you
and
Henry
De
Lancey
were
removed
,
he
must
succeed
to
Lord
Doncaster
.
If
I
live
,
his
strange
and
deadly
scheme
of
revenge
shall
be
circumvented
;
yet
beware
of
Ernest
!
Your
life
is
not
safe
for
an
hour
!
Night
and
day
,
—
alone
or
in
company
,
at
your
table
or
in
your
bed
,
wherever
you
turn
,
and
wherever
you
go
,
beware
;
for
none
but
myself
can
tell
what
his
love
or
his
hatred
are
.
I
would
prevent
mischief
for
his
sake
,
and
—
and
even
for
yours
.
"
A
dark
convulsion
passed
over
the
unhappy
woman
's
countenance
,
—
she
gazed
for
several
moments
at
Captain
De
Crespigny
in
silent
,
disastrous
wretchedness
,
and
with
the
livid
smile
of
a
broken
heart
,
she
disappeared
.
Captain
De
Crespigny
scarcely
slept
that
night
,
—
the
moaning
of
the
wind
sounded
dismal
as
the
cry
of
departed
spirits
in
his
ears
,
and
when
at
last
his
eye
closed
in
feverish
,
restless
slumber
,
he
suddenly
started
up
,
thinking
his
name
had
been
called
out
with
a
shriek
of
anguish
in
accents
to
which
he
had
long
been
a
stranger
,
and
unable
to
tell
whether
it
had
been
a
dream
or
a
reality
,
he
watched
for
some
time
in
agitated
silence
,
and
towards
morning
fell
into
a
deep
repose
.
CHAPTER
XXV
.
When
Captain
De
Crespigny
called
two
days
after
this
at
St.
John
's
Lodge
,
to
take
leave
before
setting
out
for
Yorkshire
,
he
looked
so
absent
and
so
agitated
,
that
Agnes
became
quite
elated
and
flattered
by
what
she
attributed
to
his
unconquerable
regret
at
being
obliged
to
take
so
long
a
leave
of
herself
.
She
even
forgave
him
for
enquiring
almost
immediately
what
had
become
of
Marion
,
and
answered
with
careless
vivacity
,
"
She
is
gone
to
her
favorite
home
at
Portobello
.
Marion
perfectly
idolises
her
uncle
.
I
should
require
to
attend
a
series
of
lectures
on
naval
tactics
,
and
to
take
a
course
of
nautical
novels
for
a
month
,
before
I
could
get
on
with
the
Admiral
as
she
does
!
My
sister
talks
about
the
battles
of
Trafalgar
and
Camperdown
,
as
if
she
had
fought
at
them
herself
,
but
really
somehow
or
other
,
I
never
can
find
a
word
for
good
,
worthy
sir
Arthur
!
"
"
And
yet
,
"
observed
Sir
Patrick
,
"
you
never
seem
very
much
at
a
loss
for
conversation
,
Agnes
,
when
I
have
the
pleasure
of
seeing
you
!
It
is
years
,
countless
years
,
since
I
have
entered
his
house
,
or
since
he
has
entered
mine
;
but
suppose
we
go
down
together
some
day
,
and
cut
out
Marion
at
once
,
by
doing
the
agreeable
in
our
very
best
and
most
fascinating
style
!
"
"
If
my
uncle
Doncaster
were
such
a
man
,
I
should
certainly
make
up
to
him
greatly
!
"
said
Captain
De
Crespigny
,
in
a
tone
more
than
commonly
in
earnest
.
"
It
would
be
well
worth
your
while
to
try
.
"
"
Sir
Arthur
has
nothing
to
leave
!
you
are
quite
mistaken
there
!
"
replied
Agnes
,
inadvertently
.
"
When
we
were
perfect
children
,
and
all
on
the
very
best
terms
,
he
used
to
say
that
it
would
be
quite
enough
for
an
old
sailor
like
him
,
if
he
could
bequeath
us
his
watch
and
enough
to
bury
him
!
As
Pat
says
,
he
might
make
his
will
on
his
thumb-nail
.
Oh
!
rest
assured
he
has
nothing
to
leave
!
"
"
I
did
not
suppose
he
had
,
"
continued
Captain
De
Crespigny
,
gravely
.
"
A
small
income
in
his
liberal
hand
has
done
more
good
than
the
very
largest
in
any
other
person
's
.
It
is
an
odd
phenomenon
in
nature
,
that
the
lightest
purse
always
is
the
most
open
to
others
,
while
the
heavier
a
purse
grows
the
more
its
mouth
becomes
contracted
!
A
sort
of
spasmodic
affection
,
I
think
!
"
"
I
wonder
if
it
will
ever
be
engraved
on
people
's
tomb-stones
how
much
they
die
worth
?
"
said
Agnes
.
"
That
would
be
all
the
good
many
people
can
ever
get
by
their
wealth
,
and
what
they
are
much
more
proud
of
,
in
this
mercenary
world
,
than
of
any
personal
good
qualities
.
"
"
Young
ladies
are
for
ever
working
me
purses
,
and
I
have
nothing
to
put
in
them
!
"
exclaimed
Sir
Patrick
,
throwing
his
own
up
in
the
air
,
and
catching
it
again
.
"
Sir
Arthur
and
I
are
both
fighting
under
the
banner
of
poverty
now
;
and
that
one
word
expresses
in
a
small
compass
all
earthly
annoyance
.
"
"
Oh
,
no
!
There
are
many
things
worse
!
"
exclaimed
Agnes
magnanimously
.
"
What
a
vulgar
,
low
,
mercenary
idea
!
so
like
you
,
Patrick
!
"
"
Thank
you
,
Agnes
!
If
your
good
opinion
were
worth
a
farthing
,
I
should
grudge
to
have
lost
it
!
"
"
But
Dunbar
!
revenons
a
nos
moutons
,
"
interrupted
Captain
De
Crespigny
,
trying
to
look
indifferent
.
"
Surely
there
is
no
just
cause
or
impediment
why
we
may
not
ride
down
to
Portobello
this
morning
,
and
call
on
good
,
worthy
Sir
Arthur
together
.
It
is
a
perfect
disgrace
to
us
both
that
we
never
go
near
his
house
,
much
as
I
always
have
respected
him
,
and
always
shall
.
"
"
This
is
a
very
sudden
fit
of
cordiality
!
When
did
you
feel
the
first
symptoms
coming
on
?
"
asked
Sir
Patrick
drily
,
while
Agnes
began
vehemently
winding
some
skeins
of
silk
.
"
Let
me
feel
your
pulse
,
De
Crespigny
.
I
am
ready
to
bet
your
uncle
against
mine
—
and
the
odds
are
considerable
—
that
half
an
hour
since
,
you
would
no
more
have
thought
of
paying
a
P.P.C.
visit
to
old
Sir
Arthur
,
than
to
Lord
Nelson
's
monument
.
My
dear
fellow
,
I
know
you
—
and
you
ought
to
know
me
better
than
to
suppose
me
capable
of
paying
a
dull
,
penitential
visit
there
!
"
"
Well
,
be
it
so
!
This
is
no
time
for
me
to
recommend
disinterested
attentions
,
Dunbar
,
as
I
am
on
wing
for
Yorkshire
,
obliged
during
a
whole
long
dreary
month
to
play
the
amiable
!
Did
you
ever
try
that
experiment
,
Miss
Dunbar
?
"
"
Of
being
amiable
?
no
,
never
!
I
am
not
come
to
that
yet
!
Whenever
people
mention
a
young
lady
as
being
amiable
,
you
may
depend
upon
it
she
has
nothing
better
to
recommend
her
.
I
leave
mere
hum-drum
good
qualities
to
such
people
as
Clara
Granville
.
"
"
Omit
her
in
your
conversation
altogether
,
Agnes
!
I
told
you
already
,
that
she
must
never
be
named
here
,
"
interrupted
Sir
Patrick
,
with
angry
vehemence
.
"
Why
will
you
continually
intrude
that
family
on
our
conversation
?
"
"
I
do
not
,
Patrick
.
I
beg
leave
to
deny
the
honorable
gentleman
's
last
assertion
!
It
is
three
days
at
least
since
I
have
so
much
as
named
Clara
Gran
—
—
"
Before
Agnes
could
finish
her
sentence
,
Sir
Patrick
,
always
afraid
to
trust
his
temper
when
irritated
,
as
he
knew
the
hurricane
to
be
fearful
if
allowed
to
rage
,
had
strode
to
the
door
,
and
burst
out
of
the
room
,
as
if
the
very
house
were
scarcely
large
enough
to
hold
him
.
This
denouement
Agnes
had
confidently
anticipated
,
being
perfectly
aware
that
her
brother
never
withstood
a
second
repetition
of
Clara
's
name
,
therefore
she
had
artfully
tried
the
experiment
of
producing
an
explosion
,
which
might
at
any
hazard
expel
him
,
and
secure
to
herself
a
tete-a-tete
leave-taking
with
Captain
De
Crespigny
,
from
whom
she
now
confidently
anticipated
a
formal
declaration
.
When
Sir
Patrick
's
angry
footsteps
died
away
in
the
distance
,
it
was
not
without
some
real
agitation
,
therefore
,
and
a
great
deal
more
assumed
,
that
Agnes
allowed
her
long
,
dark
eye-lashes
to
droop
over
her
cheek
,
and
called
up
a
rather
ostentatious
blush
,
while
she
sat
for
several
minutes
in
silent
embarrassment
;
but
though
Captain
De
Crespigny
assumed
his
most
fascinating
expression
,
he
seemed
resolute
not
to
begin
the
dialogue
;
and
while
affecting
to
be
considerably
embarrassed
himself
,
an
arch
smile
nevertheless
glittered
in
his
eye
,
and
played
about
his
mouth
.
"
Is
it
true
,
"
asked
Agnes
,
at
length
,
in
a
subdued
voice
,
and
without
looking
up
,
"
that
you
are
actually
going
for
some
months
to-morrow
?
I
must
tie
a
knot
on
my
pocket
handkerchief
,
not
to
forget
you
during
so
long
an
absence
.
"
"
I
would
much
rather
tie
a
knot
of
a
different
kind
,
"
said
Captain
De
Crespigny
,
in
his
usual
rallying
tone
.
"
But
necessity
has
no
law
.
Going
,
going
,
gone
!
Positively
the
last
time
!
Knocked
down
to
Miss
Dunbar
.
A
great
bargain
.
The
best
article
on
hand
.
"
"
You
are
an
admirable
auctioneer
,
and
shall
dispose
of
me
next
,
"
said
Agnes
,
laughingly
selecting
a
rose-bud
from
her
bouquet
.
"
I
must
give
you
something
to
take
away
,
very
beautiful
,
and
which
I
am
sure
you
will
like
.
"
"
That
must
be
yourself
,
then
,
"
replied
Captain
De
Crespigny
,
looking
most
cruelly
charming
.
"
I
hear
the
young
ladies
are
all
to
wear
black
crape
on
their
left
arm
after
my
exit
.
I
did
expect
a
public
dinner
from
them
,
but
that
is
too
common-place
.
My
tailor
received
one
lately
on
removing
from
one
street
to
another
,
and
the
waiter
at
Carlisle
on
retiring
from
his
profession
.
I
wonder
nobody
ever
voted
me
a
testimonial
.
My
speech
on
the
occasion
would
be
exquisite
.
"
"
Patrick
thinks
you
very
much
addicted
to
make
speeches
,
"
replied
Agnes
,
with
sly
emphasis
.
"
I
suppose
,
as
you
are
setting
out
so
suddenly
,
that
Lord
Doncaster
is
seriously
ill
now
.
A
number
of
old
people
have
died
off
lately
.
He
must
be
two
hundred
at
least
,
for
I
have
heard
of
him
so
long
!
I
remember
three
years
ago
hearing
that
his
memory
had
failed
.
"
"
Not
at
all
—
not
in
the
very
least
.
He
thinks
himself
younger
and
handsomer
every
year
.
He
is
actually
addicted
still
to
flirtation
in
all
its
branches
.
He
told
me
the
last
time
we
parted
,
that
many
ladies
,
if
he
chose
,
would
prefer
him
to
me
.
Perhaps
they
might
.
I
dare
say
he
was
in
the
right
.
We
never
grow
old
in
our
family
—
never
!
and
we
have
all
excellent
memories
,
"
continued
Captain
De
Crespigny
,
fixing
his
dangerous
eyes
on
Agnes
.
"
Mine
will
be
stored
with
many
never-to-be
forgotten
recollections
of
the
last
few
months
,
'
remembered
,
'
as
public
orators
say
,
'
till
the
latest
moment
of
my
existence
.
'
Memory
has
put
all
these
scenes
in
her
pocket
for
me
,
to
be
enjoyed
hereafter
;
and
how
delightful
would
a
life-time
be
,
made
up
of
such
hours
as
I
have
spent
in
this
house
!
I
feel
myself
striking
root
in
it
,
like
a
cutting
of
geranium
!
"
"
Indeed
!
"
replied
Agnes
,
smiling
most
benignly
;
"
geraniums
are
very
great
favorites
of
mine
—
very
great
,
indeed
—
so
I
wish
you
were
metamorphosed
into
one
.
"
"
If
all
the
events
of
life
could
be
modelled
on
a
plan
of
my
own
,
what
a
pleasant
little
place
the
world
would
be
!
"
said
Captain
De
Crespigny
,
admiring
the
polish
of
his
boots
.
"
I
might
then
continue
here
some
time
longer
,
as
a
volunteer
in
the
corps
of
your
victims
,
who
are
as
numerous
now
as
a
disbanded
army
.
Do
pray
let
us
call
over
the
muster-roll
of
your
admirers
and
count
them
.
I
could
die
in
my
chair
with
curiosity
to
know
how
many
they
are
!
"
"
Not
above
three
or
four
cases
of
life
and
death
!
"
said
Agnes
,
laughing
.
"
But
you
jest
at
scars
who
never
felt
a
wound
.
"
"
I
most
heartily
sympathize
with
them
all
,
"
replied
Captain
De
Crespigny
,
with
an
extra-sentimental
sigh
.
"
I
have
gone
through
every
sorrow
of
life
myself
—
outraged
affections
,
and
all
that
sort
of
thing
.
You
cannot
conceive
,
Miss
Dunbar
,
how
like
we
victims
are
sometimes
to
the
frog
in
the
fable
,
inflated
with
empty
hopes
.
"
"
I
must
shut
my
eyes
to
that
.
"
"
Your
eyes
should
never
be
shut
.
They
are
much
too
beautiful
!
With
respect
to
your
admirers
,
they
might
say
,
like
the
weather-cock
to
the
wind
,
'
Si
vous
ne
changez
pas
,
je
suis
constante
!
'
The
whole
world
has
been
pulling
caps
for
you
all
winter
,
and
you
pretend
to
have
limited
yourself
to
three
or
four
victims
!
Impossible
!
You
are
concealing
the
half
of
them
!
Forgetting
Captains
A
—
—
,
B
—
—
,
C
—
—
,
and
D
—
—
.
I
have
as
many
young
ladies
as
that
dying
for
me
.
Now
,
do
let
us
run
over
an
authentic
list
of
their
names
.
Show
me
all
your
court-yards
at
once
.
I
could
bet
the
finest
camellia
at
Loddige
's
,
that
you
do
not
name
them
all
.
"
"
Who
shall
I
say
?
"
exclaimed
Agnes
,
getting
up
an
extempore
blush
,
and
her
archest
smiles
.
"
I
have
a
most
inhospitable
memory
for
bores
,
and
shall
forget
two-thirds
of
them
.
Captain
Digby
,
slightly
wounded
;
Colonel
Meade
,
pierced
through
the
heart
;
Captain
O'Brien
,
slowly
recovering
;
Mr.
Deveril
,
despaired
of
;
Lord
Wigton
,
—
—
"
"
Killed
outright
!
"
interrupted
Captain
De
Crespigny
.
"
You
mention
him
in
rather
a
more
relenting
tone
than
the
rest
,
like
Bonaparte
,
when
he
wept
over
one
wounded
man
,
alter
condemning
hundreds
to
death
.
But
you
are
come
to
a
period
already
.
Is
there
no
other
worthy
of
remembrance
?
"
"
Only
one
,
whom
I
cannot
name
!
"
replied
Agnes
,
turning
away
.
"
Last
,
but
not
least
.
"
"
Ah
!
some
poor
fellow
with
nothing
,
I
suppose
—
waiting
,
perhaps
,
for
the
death
of
a
rich
relation
;
but
those
tiresome
old
bores
always
live
for
ever
,
and
a
day
besides
.
Whoever
he
is
,
let
me
advise
you
not
to
think
of
him
;
a
man
should
as
soon
ask
the
sun
in
the
hemisphere
to
wait
for
him
,
as
a
young
lady
in
the
full
blaze
of
her
beauty
and
attractions
.
No
,
no
,
Miss
Dunbar
,
take
my
advice
.
Be
like
time
and
tide
.
I
have
a
real
cousinly
interest
in
your
welfare
,
and
should
be
delighted
,
on
my
return
,
to
find
this
room
fragrant
with
cake
,
and
glittering
with
favors
.
I
shall
come
down
on
purpose
,
if
you
ask
me
!
I
positively
shall
!
"
If
a
look
could
kill
,
Captain
De
Crespigny
must
have
withered
away
beneath
the
glance
of
Agnes
'
eyes
,
which
streamed
with
indignant
flashes
of
anger
and
surprise
;
but
unconscious
,
apparently
,
of
being
otherwise
than
most
agreeable
,
he
continued
,
in
his
most
captivating
manner
.
"
I
must
be
off
now
to
Macleay
's
.
Half
a
dozen
friends
are
dying
to
obtain
a
likeness
of
me
,
and
a
deputation
of
ladies
made
me
promise
lately
to
sit
for
them
.
I
wonder
what
can
induce
me
to
take
so
much
trouble
,
"
added
he
,
with
a
gay
,
triumphant
laugh
.
"
The
painter
is
quite
afraid
he
shall
be
robbed
and
murdered
for
it
.
"
"
Humility
is
not
certainly
your
cardinal
virtue
,
"
said
Agnes
,
with
a
look
of
angry
scorn
,
which
few
could
have
withstood
.
"
You
cultivate
an
extensive
acquaintance
.
"
"
Very
!
I
must
really
see
whether
people
can
be
induced
to
cut
me
,
for
it
is
exceedingly
troublesome
.
I
know
sixty-four
families
with
three
young
ladies
in
each
.
It
would
puzzle
the
calculating
machine
to
make
out
how
many
that
amounts
to
.
But
,
meantime
,
I
must
unwillingly
say
the
most
hateful
of
all
words
—
farewell
.
I
have
been
putting
off
time
here
,
expecting
Dunbar
for
the
last
half
hour
,
though
little
able
to
afford
so
many
minutes
.
My
idiot
of
a
watch
must
surely
be
too
slow
,
or
your
brother
would
have
been
back
about
the
sale
of
mad
Tom
.
I
have
twenty
minds
to
buy
him
,
if
Dunbar
did
not
ask
so
very
long
a
price
.
"
"
You
are
intending
,
I
believe
,
"
asked
Agnes
,
"
to
enter
him
for
the
—
the
Chiltern
Hundreds
?
"
"
Not
exactly
!
but
the
Doncaster
St.
Leger
.
He
would
be
the
first
horse
in
that
line
,
though
asses
are
perfectly
accustomed
to
them
.
Good
morning
!
au
revoir
!
I
mean
to
Londonize
for
a
few
weeks
,
then
go
to
Paris
,
and
afterwards
disperse
myself
over
every
corner
of
the
uncivilized
globe
.
Can
I
do
anything
for
you
anywhere
?
Geneva
velvets
?
Parisian
bonnets
?
Swiss
muslins
?
I
am
at
your
service
in
every
quarter
of
the
world
.
May
I
beg
my
very
best
regards
to
your
sister
.
"
So
saying
,
Captain
De
Crespigny
bowed
himself
out
of
the
room
,
with
very
much
the
air
of
a
popular
actor
who
expects
three
rounds
of
applause
,
and
Agnes
having
,
with
a
face
as
unmoved
as
if
it
had
been
enamelled
,
coldly
given
him
her
hand
,
with
an
ill-supported
smile
on
her
quivering
lip
,
wished
him
a
pleasant
journey
,
and
turned
almost
haughtily
away
;
a
bolt
of
ice
seemed
to
have
fallen
upon
her
heart
,
and
in
that
small
moment
was
comprised
the
agony
of
ages
;
but
the
greatest
wonder
in
nature
is
the
entire
self-command
given
to
many
,
and
especially
to
women
,
by
means
of
which
they
can
hear
what
involves
the
happiness
of
a
life-time
,
and
yet
betray
no
visible
emotion
.
The
strongest
feelings
on
earth
never
are
discovered
.
Feeble
minds
can
conceal
nothing
,
but
those
who
have
strength
of
mind
to
suffer
most
deeply
,
are
those
who
have
strength
of
mind
also
to
hide
what
they
do
endure
.
On
slight
occasions
,
Agnes
was
a
most
accomplished
fainter
;
but
now
,
having
stood
,
with
a
specious
smile
on
her
countenance
,
till
the
door
had
finally
closed
,
she
rushed
to
the
privacy
of
her
own
room
,
and
closed
the
door
,
then
seating
herself
,
in
all
the
luxury
of
solitude
,
she
meditated
with
silent
astonishment
on
all
that
had
passed
.
No
coroner
's
inquest
can
be
summoned
on
a
deceased
flirtation
,
and
whether
it
die
a
natural
death
or
a
violent
one
never
can
be
known
,
as
it
may
be
caused
merely
by
some
trifling
oversight
,
perhaps
by
the
cruel
aspersion
of
an
enemy
,
or
simply
by
whim
and
caprice
,
as
in
this
case
seemed
the
most
probable
,
and
to
Agnes
the
most
mortifying
.
Wounded
in
all
her
most
sensitive
feelings
,
a
crowd
of
angry
and
depressing
thoughts
crowded
into
her
brain
,
while
she
could
not
but
feel
that
the
arrows
which
had
struck
her
were
most
cruelly
barbed
and
most
skilfully
aimed
.
It
was
harrowing
to
her
vain
,
proud
spirit
,
to
imagine
that
Captain
De
Crespigny
could
really
be
indifferent
.
It
seemed
,
indeed
,
almost
impossible
!
Could
his
carelessness
be
all
assumed
!
Had
he
,
indeed
,
an
honorable
scruple
of
engaging
her
upon
the
uncertainty
of
his
uncle
's
demise
.
It
might
be
so
.
Agnes
felt
that
entire
despondency
would
come
soon
enough
,
if
come
it
must
;
and
anxious
to
believe
in
Captain
De
Crespigny
's
attachment
,
she
seemed
now
resolved
to
keep
up
the
farce
with
herself
a
little
longer
.
She
felt
certain
that
he
had
cast
back
a
look
of
regret
on
leaving
the
room
,
which
spoke
volumes
,
and
these
volumes
she
filled
up
according
to
her
own
imagination
.
The
parting
had
,
perhaps
,
been
as
painful
to
Captain
De
Crespigny
as
to
herself
,
but
what
could
he
do
if
Lord
Doncaster
always
continued
to
be
the
"
undying
one
,
"
standing
in
the
way
of
their
mutual
happiness
.
Agnes
now
lived
over
every
scene
which
had
passed
between
herself
and
her
supposed
lover
.
She
could
not
imagine
those
feelings
expressed
to
any
other
which
seemed
created
by
herself
alone
.
She
recapitulated
all
his
civilities
to
herself
,
remembered
how
his
last
sigh
had
been
sighed
,
how
his
last
look
had
been
looked
;
and
,
after
a
glance
at
the
mirror
,
which
proved
as
usual
an
effectual
safety-valve
to
any
feelings
of
mortification
,
she
became
at
last
restored
to
the
agreeable
conviction
,
that
the
most
considerate
,
self-denying
,
and
constant
of
lovers
was
Captain
De
Crespigny
.
"
And
,
"
exclaimed
Agnes
,
with
another
triumphant
glance
at
the
mirror
,
"
as
he
said
only
yesterday
,
'
on
peut
fuir
sans
oublier
.
'
Let
him
admire
any
other
if
he
can
!
"
I
'll
still
believe
that
story
wrong
,
Which
ought
not
to
be
true
.
CHAPTER
XXVI
.
The
intellectual
powers
and
literary
acquirements
of
Henry
de
Lancey
were
first-rate
,
and
feeling
a
consciousness
of
ability
,
he
ardently
longed
to
coin
them
into
fame
and
distinction
.
Full
of
high
aspirations
,
there
was
something
grand
in
the
outline
of
his
head
,
and
in
the
expression
of
his
speaking
eyes
,
while
animated
by
his
desire
to
render
himself
worthy
of
Caroline
,
and
to
reward
the
care
of
Sir
Arthur
by
his
own
exertions
.
He
longed
now
to
run
the
race
of
life
with
others
—
to
be
useful
among
men
—
to
win
for
himself
a
place
in
society
—
to
write
his
name
perhaps
in
the
records
of
time
—
but
above
all
,
to
promote
the
cause
of
truth
,
religion
,
and
holiness
.
He
had
learned
in
the
society
of
Mr.
Granville
to
believe
that
true
happiness
is
not
to
be
found
in
the
temple
of
fame
,
nor
in
the
temple
of
pleasure
or
of
fortune
,
but
in
the
temple
of
God
;
and
at
one
time
his
thoughts
and
studies
were
turned
towards
the
church
,
with
a
fervent
desire
to
take
orders
,
till
the
tide
of
his
plans
became
entirely
changed
by
the
unexpected
arrival
of
a
commission
in
the
15th
Huzzars
,
then
quartered
in
Canada
,
which
he
felt
bound
,
from
whatever
hand
it
came
,
to
accept
.
Henry
had
been
deeply
affected
when
first
told
all
the
peculiar
circumstances
of
his
own
history
,
but
Sir
Arthur
accustomed
him
from
the
first
to
discuss
the
subject
confidentially
,
that
every
recollection
might
be
preserved
which
he
yet
retained
of
those
earlier
days
,
now
involved
in
impenetrable
mystery
,
which
none
but
himself
had
witnessed
,
but
the
secret
of
which
Sir
Arthur
still
entertained
a
sanguine
hope
of
at
last
developing
,
while
often
,
when
gazing
with
almost
parental
affection
at
his
promising
young
protege
,
he
prophesied
that
his
unnatural
connections
would
yet
be
forced
or
persuaded
to
acknowledge
him
.
Though
lines
of
deep
thought
were
already
riveted
on
the
youthful
countenance
of
Henry
,
yet
his
manner
became
full
of
life
and
animation
;
and
in
personal
courage
he
was
the
boldest
of
the
bold
,
displaying
a
fearless
energy
of
character
,
which
caused
the
Admiral
to
express
,
on
the
night
when
they
were
about
to
part
,
a
confident
hope
that
,
though
the
service
of
his
country
had
not
been
his
choice
,
yet
he
was
well
suited
to
his
profession
,
and
his
profession
to
him
.
"
Let
me
only
become
another
Sir
Arthur
Dunbar
,
and
my
utmost
ambition
will
be
gratified
!
"
exclaimed
Henry
,
warmly
clasping
the
hand
of
his
benefactor
.
"
Often
—
oh
,
how
often
!
I
shall
look
back
upon
the
only
home
,
and
the
best
friend
I
have
ever
known
!
"
They
were
to
meet
no
more
,
as
young
De
Lancey
had
engaged
his
place
in
the
earliest
coach
next
morning
,
and
Marion
saw
,
by
the
paleness
of
his
cheek
,
and
the
compression
of
his
lip
,
that
though
for
worlds
he
would
not
have
compromised
his
manhood
by
weeping
,
yet
,
moved
as
much
by
Sir
Arthur
's
evident
grief
as
by
his
own
,
he
had
the
utmost
difficulty
in
suppressing
a
burst
of
tears
.
The
aged
Admiral
grasped
his
young
friend
's
hand
in
silence
,
and
leaning
for
some
moments
on
his
arm
,
he
walked
up
and
down
the
room
with
heavy
measured
steps
,
his
eyes
cast
down
,
his
noble
forehead
clouded
with
care
,
and
his
brows
knit
as
in
deep
and
painful
thought
.
He
too
seemed
to
dread
the
greatness
of
his
own
agitation
,
being
little
fitted
now
to
bear
any
,
yet
it
seemed
to
Marion
as
if
a
tear
had
forced
its
way
into
his
glazed
and
nearly
blinded
eyes
,
though
carefully
screening
it
from
observation
,
and
evidently
unwilling
or
unable
to
say
a
word
.
After
several
minutes
had
elapsed
,
Henry
broke
the
long
silence
,
exclaiming
,
in
a
low
,
tremulous
tone
of
incoherent
agitation
,
"
Before
my
voice
fails
,
Sir
Arthur
,
I
must
speak
!
—
I
must
say
something
,
to
tell
you
what
I
feel
—
—
"
"
No
!
no
!
my
dear
boy
!
I
know
it
all
!
I
will
believe
more
than
you
say
,
but
spare
yourself
and
me
,
"
interrupted
Sir
Arthur
,
in
a
tone
of
calm
and
serious
affection
.
"
We
know
each
other
,
Henry
.
"
"
But
once
—
only
once
let
me
say
all
that
has
been
treasured
in
my
heart
for
years
!
Can
I
leave
the
happiest
home
which
ever
blessed
a
son
with
his
father
,
and
not
remember
that
but
for
you
I
should
have
been
a
friendless
outcast
!
Every
act
of
kindness
you
have
shown
me
,
every
smile
of
regard
,
every
token
of
confidence
,
crowds
upon
my
memory
now
,
and
increases
the
store
of
obligations
which
it
is
my
pride
and
my
happiness
to
owe
you
.
If
you
could
but
read
my
heart
,
Sir
Arthur
,
I
need
not
speak
;
for
there
you
would
see
love
without
bounds
,
and
gratitude
which
it
shall
ever
be
my
delight
to
cherish
!
If
I
am
better
than
the
brutes
that
perish
,
you
are
,
under
Providence
,
the
cause
;
and
I
shall
be
worse
than
the
worst
of
them
,
if
I
ever
for
one
hour
overlook
what
I
owe
to
you
,
or
forget
the
principles
of
honor
,
duty
,
truth
,
and
piety
that
you
have
taught
me
.
"
Henry
paused
in
speechless
emotion
,
he
clenched
his
hands
together
,
the
youthful
fire
of
his
eye
became
dimmed
,
and
he
hurried
to
the
window
for
several
moments
,
where
,
having
in
some
measure
recovered
his
composure
,
he
turned
round
,
and
saw
,
for
the
first
time
in
his
life
,
tears
rolling
down
the
face
of
Sir
Arthur
—
the
tears
of
a
good
and
venerable
man
,
of
all
sights
upon
earth
the
most
affecting
;
and
overcome
with
emotion
,
Henry
took
his
benefactor
's
hand
in
his
own
,
with
an
expression
of
the
deepest
solemnity
and
respect
,
saying
,
in
rapid
but
tremulous
accents
,
"
It
might
soothe
the
very
bed
of
death
,
for
you
,
Sir
Arthur
,
to
remember
what
you
have
done
for
me
!
—
more
than
almost
any
man
can
ever
do
for
another
.
The
first
of
earthly
blessings
is
to
be
loved
;
and
yet
,
but
from
your
kindness
to
me
from
childhood
,
no
eye
would
ever
have
saddened
at
my
departure
,
nor
brightened
at
my
return
!
With
not
a
friend
upon
the
visible
earth
but
yourself
,
the
child
perhaps
of
shame
and
misery
,
I
must
have
become
lost
indeed
!
The
thought
of
this
will
be
nearest
my
heart
when
it
ceases
to
beat
!
If
I
perish
abroad
—
or
if
—
if
we
meet
no
more
on
earth
,
take
all
I
can
offer
,
Sir
Arthur
,
my
fervent
prayers
that
you
may
be
rewarded
.
"
Sir
Arthur
mournfully
held
out
his
hand
to
Henry
,
who
kneeled
down
and
kissed
it
with
the
profoundest
reverence
;
then
starting
hastily
up
,
he
seemed
about
to
rush
out
of
the
room
,
when
he
was
arrested
by
the
deep
,
solemn
voice
of
the
Admiral
,
whose
eye
had
now
become
calm
and
steady
,
while
in
a
low
and
impressive
voice
he
said
,
"
It
is
true
,
Henry
,
we
shall
probably
meet
no
more
!
I
know
,
and
so
must
you
,
that
this
is
our
last
interview
on
earth
;
but
long
after
I
am
at
rest
in
the
grave
,
may
you
remember
,
and
may
you
deserve
the
fervent
blessing
I
now
give
you
,
trusting
that
both
my
children
,
yourself
and
Marion
,
may
hereafter
enjoy
as
bright
a
destiny
as
any
child
of
earth
can
know
in
this
suffering
and
sin-blighted
world
.
In
speaking
of
the
past
,
Henry
,
do
not
suppose
that
the
obligation
is
all
on
your
side
!
No
!
your
dutiful
affection
has
more
than
re-paid
me
.
It
is
something
to
know
that
my
aged
years
have
not
been
spent
in
vain
—
that
I
leave
a
record
in
your
heart
,
where
my
name
will
be
respectfully
and
affectionately
remembered
!
No
man
living
can
endure
the
thought
of
being
utterly
forgotten
;
and
to
you
,
my
young
friends
,
I
commit
my
memory
.
The
earth
will
lie
lighter
on
my
grave
for
the
belief
,
that
you
have
loved
me
so
well
,
and
will
so
truly
lament
me
.
Your
young
spirits
have
cheered
my
heart
—
your
welfare
has
deeply
interested
me
;
and
I
know
that
one
day
or
other
,
my
young
soldier
will
do
me
honor
in
his
profession
,
and
not
forget
to
shed
a
tear
over
my
remains
.
"
Many
were
the
tears
of
both
Henry
and
Marion
at
these
words
;
but
Sir
Arthur
calmly
continued
in
a
firmer
voice
,
"
When
I
called
you
back
,
my
dear
Henry
,
it
was
not
for
any
vain
attempt
to
express
my
feelings
,
—
that
would
be
impossible
,
—
but
to
mention
how
,
in
all
probability
,
you
may
one
day
be
able
more
than
to
return
the
little
I
have
done
.
It
is
easy
for
men
to
wrestle
through
the
difficulties
of
life
,
and
with
such
talent
and
enter-enterprise
as
yours
,
to
conquer
them
all
.
For
other
reasons
,
too
,
I
have
no
doubt
of
your
at
last
being
most
happily
settled
for
life
,
but
many
anxious
thoughts
beset
me
respecting
Marion
.
The
uncertainty
of
Richard
Granville
's
prospects
,
and
the
certainty
that
my
nephew
will
refuse
his
consent
to
her
marriage
,
weighs
heavily
at
my
heart
.
I
do
trust
that
a
long
life
of
happiness
awaits
you
both
;
but
if
my
worst
anticipations
were
ever
to
be
realised
—
if
your
brother
,
Marion
,
a
bankrupt
already
in
fortune
and
character
,
were
hereafter
to
desert
you
—
if
your
sister
,
heartless
and
vain
,
should
throw
herself
away
,
and
leave
you
in
bleak
and
sorrowful
loneliness
,
—
then
remember
,
Henry
,
my
solemn
and
last
injunction
is
laid
upon
you
,
to
act
as
a
brother
towards
Marion
,
—
much
may
then
be
in
your
power
—
more
than
you
now
