delighted,
she
burst
into
a
comic
,
elfish
laugh
,
the
very
essence
of
glee
and
joyousness
—
a
most
enlivening
accompaniment
to
what
she
said
,
while
her
conversation
,
always
fresh
and
unpremeditated
,
rushed
straight
from
her
heart
,
fresh
and
natural
as
a
mountain
stream
.
The
color
of
a
violet
was
not
more
deeply
blue
than
the
dark
,
unfathomable
eyes
of
Marion
,
shaded
by
a
fringe
of
eye-lashes
that
might
have
been
mistaken
for
black
.
No
description
could
do
justice
to
the
fascination
of
her
smile
,
without
one
shade
of
affectation
,
while
her
pure
transparent
complexion
,
fresh
as
a
bouquet
of
roses
,
took
a
richer
tint
from
all
the
fleeting
emotions
which
chased
each
other
through
her
mind
.
A
rich
profusion
of
nut-brown
hair
played
around
her
high
arched
forehead
of
alabaster
whiteness
,
and
a
thousand
laughing
dimples
quivered
around
her
delicately-formed
mouth
,
giving
her
a
merry
,
joyous
look
of
girlish
beauty
,
varied
occasionally
by
a
melting
softness
of
expression
when
she
looked
on
any
countenance
that
she
loved
.
On
one
occasion
,
a
celebrated
sculptor
asked
Sir
Patrick
's
permission
to
take
a
cast
of
Marion
's
head
,
and
on
obtaining
the
desired
permission
,
he
observed
,
that
if
those
features
could
be
turned
into
marble
,
he
would
stake
his
whole
fame
on
the
impossibility
of
any
critic
pointing
out
a
single
defect
.
But
while
admiration
is
given
by
the
eye
of
an
artist
merely
to
symmetry
,
expression
is
the
mystery
of
beauty
;
and
the
charm
of
Marion
,
in
the
estimation
of
her
friends
,
was
,
that
her
face
seemed
like
a
mirror
formed
to
reflect
every
emotion
of
their
own
hearts
.
The
most
stern
and
morose
of
human
beings
must
have
been
conciliated
into
some
degree
of
regard
by
the
deep
tenderness
of
a
character
"
without
one
jarring
atom
form
'd
,
"
which
seemed
made
only
to
love
and
to
be
loved
.
While
her
gay
fancy
revelled
in
"
cheerful
yesterdays
and
confident
to-morrows
,
"
the
flowers
that
grew
around
her
path
,
the
birds
that
sang
as
she
passed
,
the
very
turf
beneath
her
feet
,
and
the
sky
above
her
head
,
called
forth
her
feelings
.
She
had
a
tear
to
spare
for
the
sorrows
of
every
one
who
claimed
her
sympathy
,
and
a
ready
smile
for
the
joys
of
all
her
companions
,
while
yet
a
great
deal
of
unoccupied
love
remained
at
her
disposal
,
the
chief
portion
of
which
was
bestowed
with
prodigal
enthusiasm
on
her
indulgent
uncle
Sir
Arthur
,
whose
doting
affection
would
have
spoiled
any
other
disposition
,
but
only
rendered
her
more
keenly
to
merit
and
to
deserve
his
partiality
.
In
the
estimation
of
Sir
Arthur
,
his
"
little
Marion
"
never
became
a
day
older
,
and
he
considered
her
a
perfect
prodigy
in
everything
she
said
or
did
,
watching
all
her
words
,
and
entering
into
all
her
juvenile
feelings
with
a
versatility
of
mind
astonishing
at
his
advanced
age
.
Nothing
on
earth
is
more
touching
than
to
see
the
warmth
of
sensibility
and
enthusiasm
yet
surviving
the
chill
of
many
a
year
in
this
disappointing
and
sorrowing
world
;
but
there
was
a
degree
of
mutual
confidence
between
Sir
Arthur
and
his
young
niece
which
can
seldom
exist
with
a
disparity
of
years
and
circumstances
.
Besides
all
her
feminine
gentleness
,
and
almost
poetical
gracefulness
of
character
,
Marion
yet
displayed
at
times
a
power
of
intellect
and
an
energetic
strength
of
character
for
which
a
superficial
observer
would
have
been
totally
unprepared
;
for
her
mind
seemed
always
to
rise
in
proportion
to
the
occasion
,
while
she
had
been
born
apparently
to
practise
without
reserve
that
beautiful
Christian
rule
,
for
each
individual
always
to
consider
himself
last
.
Rarely
are
deep
feelings
and
intense
sensibility
united
with
that
high
intelligence
of
mind
,
and
that
vivid
gladness
of
spirit
peculiar
to
Marion
;
but
the
stream
of
her
mind
was
deep
as
well
as
sparkling
,
while
during
her
early
years
sorrow
flitted
through
her
cheerful
,
laughter-loving
mind
,
like
the
shadow
of
a
butterfly
in
a
bright
sunny
flower-bed
.
Pleased
"
she
knew
not
why
,
and
car
'd
not
wherefore
,
"
there
was
a
peculiar
grace
in
all
she
did
,
and
an
infectious
merriment
in
all
she
said
,
which
attracted
a
joyous
group
of
companions
continually
around
her
,
on
whom
the
light
of
her
own
buoyant
vivacity
seemed
to
be
continually
and
brightly
reflected
.
Nothing
could
be
more
pleasing
and
characteristic
than
to
observe
the
refined
ingenuity
with
which
,
from
the
earliest
age
,
Marion
tried
to
evade
receiving
the
multitude
of
little
presents
with
which
it
was
Sir
Arthur
's
delight
to
surprise
her
.
Trinkets
and
toys
would
have
multiplied
around
her
,
if
she
had
not
frequently
made
an
ostentation
of
possessing
more
than
it
was
possible
for
her
to
use
;
and
when
Sir
Arthur
allowed
her
a
choice
in
any
gift
he
was
about
to
force
on
her
acceptance
,
she
invariably
selected
that
which
seemed
least
expensive
;
and
her
uncle
afterwards
told
,
that
when
,
on
the
twelfth
anniversary
of
her
birthday
,
he
clasped
a
beautiful
Maltese
chain
round
her
neck
,
she
said
to
him
,
with
a
deepening
color
and
faltering
voice
,
"
I
would
like
better
to
love
you
for
nothing
,
uncle
Arthur
!
My
drawers
up
stairs
are
like
a
jeweler
's
shop
already
.
You
know
I
inherited
half
dear
mamma
's
ornaments
,
and
Patrick
says
you
bring
Rundell
and
Bridge
in
your
pocket
every
time
I
have
a
holiday
;
but
I
would
be
quite
as
happy
to
see
you
all
for
yourself
.
"
The
merry-eyed
Marion
seemed
to
"
wear
her
heart
upon
her
sleeve
,
"
and
to
see
only
what
was
best
in
all
those
with
whom
she
associated
.
With
her
small
means
,
it
was
truly
astonishing
how
frequently
and
ingeniously
she
invented
some
unobtrusive
way
of
conferring
a
favor
on
her
companions
,
as
if
she
were
receiving
rather
than
bestowing
one
;
and
it
certainly
appeared
as
if
she
scarcely
knew
the
difference
.
There
was
not
an
individual
among
her
numerous
young
contemporaries
who
did
not
often
relate
traits
of
goodness
in
one
whom
they
always
found
ready
to
answer
the
largest
drafts
that
could
be
drawn
upon
her
good
offices
,
while
the
cheerfulness
of
her
mind
reflected
itself
on
all
.
If
one
of
her
young
friends
rushed
joyously
forward
to
announce
some
unexpected
success
,
Marion
's
features
seemed
as
if
they
had
been
put
together
only
for
smiles
and
laughter
,
while
her
bright
eye
glittered
with
instant
gladness
,
and
a
glow
of
color
mounted
to
her
dimpling
cheek
,
as
she
felt
and
expressed
with
spontaneous
warmth
all
that
kindness
could
dictate
,
and
more
;
but
if
some
unforeseen
affliction
visited
the
hearts
of
her
juvenile
associates
,
there
seemed
no
limits
to
the
patience
with
which
she
listened
to
their
complaints
,
or
to
the
eager
assiduity
with
which
she
endeavored
to
alleviate
their
sorrow
.
The
most
trifling
attentions
she
never
overlooked
,
were
it
merely
the
tying
of
a
string
,
or
the
picking
up
of
a
handkerchief
,
which
she
did
with
a
good-humored
grace
all
her
own
,
and
the
trifling
actions
of
life
are
those
by
which
the
character
can
generally
be
most
justly
appreciated
.
Great
achievements
are
a
conspicuous
embroidery
laid
on
the
surface
often
for
effect
,
but
the
ground-work
and
material
are
formed
of
what
is
most
unobtrusive
and
often
scarcely
noticed
.
With
Marion
,
every
kind
and
generous
feeling
was
as
natural
as
perfume
to
the
violet
,
and
equally
inseparable
from
her
daily
existence
;
her
ideas
were
fresh
and
vivid
,
while
her
manner
was
thoroughly
fascinating
and
thoroughly
feminine
,
at
the
same
time
that
all
the
grace
of
look
and
expression
added
a
surpassing
charm
to
her
lively
and
intelligent
conversation
,
every
word
of
which
sprang
from
the
spontaneous
impulse
of
a
heart
full
of
natural
emotion
and
straightforward
sentiments
.
Many
a
difficult
exercise
she
had
secretly
assisted
to
write
for
her
young
contemporaries
,
many
an
unintelligible
drawing
she
had
touched
up
,
many
a
dress
she
had
privately
mended
,
many
a
little
debt
she
had
clandestinely
paid
for
her
juvenile
friends
,
and
far
from
wishing
to
be
thanked
,
she
shrunk
with
modest
sensibility
from
letting
her
services
be
over-estimated
,
even
by
those
whom
she
had
most
exerted
herself
to
oblige
.
Whenever
a
kindness
had
been
privately
done
at
school
,
the
author
of
which
could
not
be
guessed
at
nor
discovered
,
few
hesitated
to
declare
that
it
must
have
proceeded
from
Marion
Dunbar
,
and
none
were
ever
mistaken
in
saying
so
.
It
was
indeed
wonderful
that
the
lovely
and
gay
young
school-girl
found
time
for
a
tenth
part
of
her
kind
and
tender
affections
,
at
Mrs.
Penfold
's
first-rate
seminary
for
what
Sir
Arthur
called
"
fiddle-faddle
education
.
"
There
no
taste
was
inculcated
for
quiet
pursuits
or
domestic
intercourse
,
and
it
was
one
of
Mrs.
Penfold
's
favorite
axioms
,
that
nature
is
always
vulgar
;
but
in
her
zeal
for
the
honor
of
her
establishment
she
seemed
resolute
to
make
every
pupil
an
Admirable
Chrichton
,
—
or
more
,
—
not
in
studying
the
experience
of
past
ages
,
and
reading
the
thoughts
and
feelings
which
have
been
recorded
for
their
instruction
by
millions
of
the
best
and
wisest
of
their
predecessors
in
life
,
but
in
all
the
frivolities
of
existence
;
and
to
this
end
the
pupils
were
stinted
in
sleep
and
food
,
while
they
pursued
a
course
of
application
more
incessant
,
though
not
so
profound
,
as
that
of
students
for
a
double
first
class
at
Oxford
.
The
most
eminent
masters
were
in
hourly
attendance
to
cultivate
every
thing
but
the
heart
or
understanding
.
The
various
arts
of
killing
or
of
wasting
time
were
taught
in
perfection
,
by
the
best
,
or
at
least
by
the
most
fashionable
teachers
;
and
,
as
the
Admiral
disapprovingly
remarked
to
her
brother
,
"
little
Marion
was
surrounded
by
professors
of
every
thing
on
earth
,
—
by
professors
of
trumpery
in
all
its
branches
,
but
by
no
professors
of
common
sense
!
"
With
Mrs.
Penfold
each
pupil
was
a
favorite
in
exact
proportion
as
she
appeared
likely
to
acquire
a
talent
for
the
difficult
art
of
rising
in
the
world
,
by
which
she
might
reflect
credit
and
celebrity
on
the
theatre
of
her
education
;
and
it
seemed
,
therefore
,
by
no
means
intended
as
an
expression
of
kindness
,
when
the
lady
was
heard
one
day
impatiently
to
exclaim
in
accents
of
reproach
,
"
Marion
Dunbar
is
all
heart
,
and
no
head
!
Some
girls
do
nothing
,
but
she
does
less
than
nothing
;
and
though
she
gets
on
in
years
,
she
gets
on
in
no
other
thing
!
"
Wearily
busied
in
being
taught
,
Marion
yet
felt
that
there
was
no
incitement
,
and
one
only
,
which
made
every
effort
a
pleasure
,
while
it
gave
life
to
the
dull
routine
of
her
heartless
labors
,
and
that
incitement
was
her
fervent
,
incessant
desire
to
please
,
not
the
dictate
of
vanity
,
but
of
spontaneous
sensibility
;
and
while
,
with
her
bright
and
beaming
looks
,
she
was
by
no
means
a
prodigy
,
Marion
very
much
under-rated
her
own
powers
,
believing
,
in
the
simplicity
of
her
heart
,
that
she
really
was
the
most
hopeless
dunce
on
many
subjects
,
only
able
to
recommend
herself
by
diligence
and
by
alacrity
to
oblige
.
Even
Mrs.
Penfold
was
disarmed
of
half
her
severity
,
by
the
eagerness
with
which
Marion
,
buoyant
with
youth
,
and
joyous
as
a
bird
on
wing
,
undertook
any
task
,
or
suffered
any
penance
to
compensate
for
such
little
etourderies
as
had
caused
her
to
be
in
temporary
disgrace
;
and
the
stern
schoolmistress
herself
could
not
but
smile
sometimes
in
the
midst
of
her
gravest
lecture
,
to
observe
the
look
of
extreme
anxiety
and
self-reproach
with
which
Marion
listened
to
the
catalogue
of
her
small
indiscretions
,
and
the
grateful
joy
with
which
she
heard
that
there
were
any
terms
on
which
she
might
yet
be
restored
to
favor
.
Caroline
Smythe
,
her
most
frolicsome
companion
,
frequently
amused
herself
by
inventing
imaginary
scrapes
into
which
Marion
was
supposed
to
have
fallen
,
and
by
sending
her
express
to
Mrs.
Penfold
for
a
reprimand
,
while
the
lively
girl
watched
,
in
laughing
ambuscade
,
for
the
bright
beaming
smile
which
flashed
into
the
supposed
culprit
's
countenance
,
the
instant
she
unexpectedly
found
herself
honorably
acquitted
.
Thus
the
foundation
of
Marion
's
mind
was
laid
,
and
these
were
the
light
breezes
that
ruffled
the
smooth
current
of
her
life
;
but
enchanted
by
the
slightest
pleasures
,
few
ever
bore
the
burden
of
her
annoyances
so
lightly
,
while
a
brilliant
painted
curtain
hung
over
the
future
,
filled
with
images
of
anticipated
joy
,
to
be
realized
in
all
their
brightness
and
beauty
,
as
soon
as
she
became
emancipated
from
the
dreary
thralldom
of
Mrs.
Penfold
's
manufactory
of
young
ladies
.
Meantime
,
Marion
's
mind
grew
and
flourished
,
like
some
rare
and
beautiful
plant
injudiciously
cultivated
,
yet
glowing
in
almost
unprecedented
luxuriance
.
Plunged
in
this
inextricable
labyrinth
of
educational
troubles
,
she
had
to
undergo
lessons
from
sunrise
till
sunset
,
while
all
the
varied
arts
,
sciences
,
and
languages
were
piled
promiscuously
on
her
brain
,
like
an
ill-grown
coppice
,
distorted
and
stunted
for
want
of
more
judicious
thinning
and
training
.
She
could
name
things
in
every
language
,
but
was
told
nothing
of
their
nature
and
properties
;
while
,
as
Sir
Arthur
complained
,
"
poor
little
Marion
was
taught
plenty
of
sound
,
but
no
sound
sense
,
except
what
she
had
inherited
by
nature
,
without
paying
£
100
a-year
for
it
.
"
In
music
Marion
displayed
great
taste
and
expression
,
while
her
flexible
,
richly-toned
voice
poured
out
sometimes
a
flood
of
harmony
most
exquisite
to
hear
,
as
the
pathos
of
her
full
round
intonations
drew
forth
the
feeling
and
sympathy
of
all
her
auditors
.
Expression
in
music
is
like
expression
of
countenance
,
not
to
be
taught
or
acquired
,
but
the
spontaneous
result
of
natural
emotion
,
and
with
Marion
music
was
almost
a
passion
,
for
her
whole
spirit
seemed
instinct
with
melody
,
while
her
lark-like
voice
trilled
its
liquid
notes
with
joyful
hilarity
.
Signors
and
Signoras
,
who
might
have
fitted
their
pupils
to
become
chorus-singers
at
the
opera
,
were
multiplied
around
the
young
ladies
at
Mrs.
Penfold
's
"
College
of
Frivolity
,
"
followed
in
ceaseless
succession
by
Messieurs
and
Mesdames
,
who
taught
the
young
ladies
to
maltreat
pianofortes
,
by
playing
on
them
at
the
rate
of
100
miles
an
hour
,
or
to
speak
foreign
languages
better
than
the
natives
,
and
to
write
them
better
than
they
could
write
their
own
;
—
While
hands
,
lips
,
and
eyes
were
put
to
school
,
And
each
instructed
feature
had
its
rule
.
On
Sunday
evenings
,
for
the
sake
of
effect
,
the
girls
were
regularly
assembled
to
prayers
,
which
were
conducted
like
those
of
Frederick
the
Great
's
soldiers
,
being
performed
simultaneously
at
the
word
of
command
as
a
part
of
their
exercise
,
without
a
semblance
of
reverence
,
and
within
a
very
limited
number
of
minutes
,
while
they
were
hastily
slurred
over
by
Mrs.
Penfold
herself
,
with
scarcely
an
external
aspect
of
solemnity
or
interest
.
Sunday
had
long
been
considered
by
all
the
pupils
at
Mrs.
Penfold
's
as
a
privileged
day
for
writing
letters
,
wearing
best
bonnets
,
peeping
from
behind
a
red
silk
curtain
at
the
congregation
,
criticising
the
clergyman
's
manner
,
dress
,
and
appearance
,
discussing
,
in
suppressed
whispers
,
who
it
would
be
possible
or
impossible
for
them
to
think
of
marrying
,
and
enjoying
rather
a
longer
walk
than
common
in
strolling
to
church
and
returning
again
.
Any
knowledge
of
the
Bible
inculcated
at
Mrs.
Penfold
's
was
like
all
the
other
acquirements
taught
in
that
establishment
,
more
for
show
than
use
.
Each
young
pupil
could
repeat
by
heart
,
without
hesitation
or
mistake
,
the
whole
history
of
Jacob
,
Abraham
,
and
any
of
the
patriarchs
,
prophets
,
or
apostles
,
and
enumerate
all
the
kings
who
ever
reigned
over
Israel
,
but
they
remained
utterly
uninstructed
respecting
the
influence
which
the
Divine
revelation
should
obtain
over
their
own
life
and
character
,
nor
were
they
ever
taught
to
inquire
what
was
their
own
nature
,
why
they
were
placed
upon
the
earth
,
and
whither
they
were
likely
to
go
after
this
perishable
world
had
passed
from
their
sight
.
Summer
flowers
alone
were
implanted
in
their
minds
,
but
no
thoughts
,
hopes
,
or
affections
,
such
as
may
last
for
winter
wear
.
To
them
their
birth
seemed
merely
to
have
been
the
commencement
of
an
existence
,
given
entirely
for
their
own
individual
pleasure
or
advantage
,
which
was
finally
to
terminate
at
their
death
.
Before
Marion
had
been
long
at
school
,
however
,
she
formed
an
intimacy
which
produced
a
permanent
and
most
happy
effect
on
all
her
subsequent
life
and
feelings
.
Clara
Granville
,
several
years
older
than
herself
,
had
been
nurtured
,
like
her
brother
,
in
holiness
,
and
in
every
domestic
excellence
,
while
she
lived
only
for
the
dictates
of
a
chastened
and
sanctified
heart
.
Delicate
in
health
,
and
fragile
in
extreme
to
appearance
,
there
was
something
almost
seraphic
in
the
delicate
purity
of
her
lovely
countenance
,
and
in
the
tranquil
composure
of
her
graceful
manner
.
During
a
long
and
tedious
illness
,
with
which
Clara
was
seized
,
a
short
time
before
leaving
school
,
she
testified
a
tender
and
almost
exclusive
affection
for
Marion
,
who
spent
all
her
leisure
hours
—
or
rather
moments
,
for
hours
were
scarce
at
Mrs.
Penfold
's
—
in
the
most
assiduous
attention
to
the
beloved
invalid
,
and
in
imbibing
those
elements
of
good
,
those
feelings
and
principles
of
religion
which
were
to
be
guides
of
all
her
future
life
,
and
thus
she
became
,
before
long
,
an
enlightened
,
well
informed
,
and
deeply
pious
Christian
,
not
shrinking
from
the
society
of
one
who
excelled
herself
,
but
humbly
and
gratefully
seeking
,
on
all
occasions
,
her
advice
and
instruction
,
while
both
had
their
hearts
filled
with
a
fervent
desire
,
steadily
and
consistently
to
pursue
their
own
best
interests
,
and
an
anxious
wish
also
to
succor
and
benefit
others
,
in
all
the
troubles
and
sorrows
of
life
,
though
Marion
was
apt
to
feel
like
the
poet
,
—
Ready
to
aid
all
beings
,
I
would
go
The
world
around
to
succor
human
woe
,
Yet
am
so
largely
happy
,
that
it
seems
,
There
are
no
woes
,
and
sorrows
are
but
dreams
.
Marion
's
health
and
spirits
were
refreshed
and
invigorated
by
frequent
excursions
to
visit
Sir
Arthur
,
who
endeared
himself
to
his
eager
young
auditors
,
Henry
and
Marion
,
by
expatiating
with
all
the
freshness
of
youth
,
to
their
wondering
ears
,
on
the
times
long
past
,
when
holidays
,
romping
,
sight-seeing
,
birth-days
,
and
festivals
,
were
still
in
fashion
,
but
these
were
the
days
of
his
own
boyhood
,
before
children
were
too
wise
and
busy
to
have
time
for
natural
enjoyment
.
The
Admiral
was
thought
,
by
Mrs.
Penfold
,
a
sad
marplot
,
having
already
,
as
she
knew
,
done
all
in
his
power
to
dissuade
Sir
Patrick
from
placing
the
"
little
fairy
,
"
as
he
called
his
favorite
,
in
such
a
tread-mill
as
her
school-room
,
where
he
said
the
only
knowledge
to
be
acquired
was
,
that
knowledge
of
the
world
which
ruins
the
heart
,
and
where
fascination
was
to
be
taught
as
one
of
the
fine
arts
,
but
all
his
representations
,
whether
in
jest
or
in
earnest
,
were
in
vain
.
Sir
Patrick
,
being
the
guardian
of
both
his
sisters
,
had
determined
to
expend
a
considerable
part
of
the
provision
bequeathed
by
their
father
in
training
them
up
as
carefully
,
for
the
course
of
fashionable
life
,
as
he
would
have
trained
a
promising
race-horse
which
was
expected
to
win
the
St.
Leger
,
confidently
anticipating
a
short
and
brilliant
career
of
admiration
and
success
,
ending
with
a
splendid
trousseau
,
a
chariot
and
four
,
and
a
profusion
of
wedding
favors
.
Even
the
gay
,
frolicsome
Caroline
Smythe
,
many
years
older
than
Marion
,
and
the
most
seditious
and
unruly
of
pupils
,
became
speedily
tamed
down
to
mechanical
obedience
at
school
,
where
,
losing
her
naturally
intense
enjoyment
of
mere
existence
,
she
seemed
at
best
almost
a
habitual
drudge
in
the
usual
routine
of
labor
.
There
was
a
mystery
never
apparently
to
be
fathomed
about
this
lively
girl
,
which
excited
the
most
intense
curiosity
among
her
companions
,
but
though
she
was
gifted
with
an
extraordinary
degree
of
volubility
,
which
astonished
and
diverted
the
whole
school
,
talking
in
a
rapid
and
irregular
manner
of
all
events
,
past
,
present
,
or
to
come
,
with
a
brilliant
confusion
of
drollery
and
humor
,
still
she
never
dropped
a
hint
which
threw
the
most
transient
light
on
her
own
situation
and
affairs
.
No
one
knew
whence
she
came
or
who
she
was
,
but
though
defying
all
the
powers
of
all
the
masters
to
render
her
accomplished
,
yet
Mrs.
Penfold
evidently
treated
her
with
extraordinary
consideration
,
and
almost
with
respect
.
Many
were
the
restrictions
and
directions
given
respecting
her
to
the
scholars
and
teachers
,
which
seemed
to
them
most
unaccountable
,
and
several
of
which
were
voted
by
the
juvenile
community
to
be
so
peculiarly
barbarous
and
oppressive
,
that
though
the
young
lady
herself
seemed
neither
surprised
nor
annoyed
by
the
rigid
watchfulness
exercised
over
all
her
motions
,
it
excited
among
her
companions
an
indignant
pity
,
and
a
keen
spirit
of
partizanship
.
She
was
never
on
any
occasion
known
to
walk
with
the
governesses
and
the
other
girls
beyond
the
narrow
limits
of
the
high
garden
walls
,
and
on
Sundays
,
instead
of
attending
the
parish
church
,
it
was
observed
that
one
of
the
teachers
invariably
remained
at
home
to
read
prayers
with
her
.
No
general
invitations
sent
for
all
the
pupils
by
the
friends
of
other
girls
,
were
ever
accepted
for
Caroline
,
who
had
special
permission
to
visit
with
Marion
at
Sir
Arthur
Dunbar
's
,
but
at
no
other
house
in
the
visible
world
.
She
never
spoke
of
home
,
—
received
no
letters
,
and
once
only
had
a
visitor
,
an
object
of
keen
and
eager
scrutiny
to
the
little
gossiping
community
of
Dartmore
House
,
who
discovered
nothing
more
,
however
,
than
that
Caroline
's
aunt
,
Mrs.
Smythe
,
was
a
gay
,
fantastic-looking
,
showily-dressed
little
woman
of
no
certain
age
,
for
whom
her
niece
seemed
to
care
very
little
,
as
the
whole
flood
of
her
affections
was
concentrated
on
her
companions
at
school
.
Money
she
had
in
the
most
lavish
abundance
,
while
she
squandered
it
with
a
degree
of
reckless
,
and
almost
contemptuous
profusion
,
perfectly
startling
to
those
who
scarcely
received
as
much
in
a
year
as
she
seemed
able
to
spend
in
a
day
on
presents
for
those
she
loved
,
which
was
the
chief
use
to
which
her
large
funds
were
devoted
.
Marion
,
the
companion
and
pet
of
her
two
elder
companions
,
Clara
and
Caroline
,
tried
with
all
her
powers
to
extend
her
affection
also
to
Mrs.
Penfold
,
but
her
feelings
found
nothing
to
feed
upon
in
the
cold
,
formal
,
rigid
manner
,
and
stern
upright
appearance
of
the
schoolmistress
,
who
repelled
all
intercourse
with
her
pupils
,
considering
them
necessary
grievances
to
be
endured
in
her
house
,
as
a
source
of
existence
to
herself
,
but
not
of
pleasure
.
Towards
these
little
slaves
of
education
,
driven
from
task
to
task
with
ceaseless
pertinacity
,
no
confidence
was
shown
,
and
between
them
conversation
became
systematically
discouraged
.
A
governess
was
appointed
to
sleep
in
each
room
to
secure
silence
among
the
pupils
,
few
of
whom
had
that
glow
of
heart
and
imagination
peculiar
to
Marion
,
and
it
was
fortunate
,
perhaps
,
that
her
large
stock
of
sympathy
was
not
more
frequently
in
requisition
,
as
the
most
astounding
confidences
were
sometimes
imparted
to
her
wondering
ears
.
One
young
lady
,
in
a
high
fever
of
romance
,
described
to
Marion
at
great
length
,
in
the
strictest
confidence
,
an
elopement
which
took
place
from
the
school
where
she
had
last
been
educated
,
on
which
occasion
the
young
narrator
had
accompanied
the
bride
part
of
her
way
,
and
returned
home
without
detection
,
by
climbing
in
at
an
open
window
.
Another
of
the
pupils
asked
if
she
did
not
think
Monsieur
D'Ambereau
,
the
Italian
master
,
wore
singularly
handsome
mustachios
,
adding
that
it
was
a
very
common
custom
now
for
noblemen
to
go
about
in
disguise
,
teaching
at
boarding-schools
,
in
order
to
see
the
young
ladies
;
and
a
third
of
Marion
's
young
friends
pointed
out
to
her
notice
that
many
a
ringlet
appeared
to
be
more
carefully
curled
than
usual
,
and
many
a
dress
to
be
put
on
with
unwonted
solicitude
,
when
Monsieur
Frescati
,
the
singing-master
,
was
expected
.
Girls
in
a
boarding
school
are
as
unnaturally
situated
as
nuns
in
a
convent
,
where
the
feelings
and
emotions
,
being
checked
in
their
spontaneous
course
,
are
thrust
into
channels
for
which
they
never
were
originally
intended
.
Marion
had
a
sufficient
object
in
view
,
every
time
she
entered
a
room
,
from
the
desire
she
felt
to
please
all
with
whom
she
associated
,
which
gave
a
vent
to
the
warmth
of
her
affections
in
seeking
the
reciprocal
attachment
of
her
companions
;
but
many
of
the
other
pupils
,
shut
out
from
nature
with
her
sunshine
and
flowers
,
her
feelings
and
emotions
,
and
wearied
by
a
monotonous
,
uneventful
life
of
dictionaries
and
grammars
,
snatched
at
every
legitimate
or
illegitimate
source
of
novelty
or
excitement
,
and
their
conversation
became
as
frivolous
as
a
toy-shop
,
while
the
hopeless
vacancy
of
their
thoughts
obtained
relief
if
even
a
blind
fiddler
or
a
hand-organ
appeared
beneath
their
windows
.
It
was
an
object
of
romantic
interest
for
the
day
,
to
most
of
the
girls
,
if
an
officer
in
uniform
passed
along
the
high-road
within
sight
;
an
equestrian
in
plain
clothes
,
if
tolerably
mounted
,
furnished
them
with
a
subject
of
exclamations
during
the
following
half-hour
,
and
even
the
very
Doctor
,
a
mere
country
pill-box
,
who
prescribed
for
Mrs.
Penfold
's
pupils
,
being
well-dressed
,
and
not
much
above
forty
,
would
himself
have
been
astonished
could
he
possibly
have
guessed
the
interest
excited
by
his
visits
,
and
the
keen
discussion
that
ensued
after
his
exit
,
respecting
his
slightly
grey
hair
,
and
brilliant
yellow
gloves
.
Each
young
lady
at
school
had
a
large
assortment
of
romantic
stories
to
relate
,
in
a
confidential
under-tone
,
to
her
listening
companions
,
of
lovers
who
had
committed
suicide
,
gone
mad
,
or
been
,
at
the
very
least
,
rendered
miserable
for
life
,
in
consequence
of
a
disappointed
attachment
;
while
the
whole
party
impatiently
anticipated
the
time
,
not
perhaps
far
distant
,
when
their
own
turn
would
come
to
be
idolized
,
admired
,
courted
,
and
finally
married
to
some
"
perfect
love
,
"
with
title
,
fortune
,
and
establishment
all
pre-eminently
superlative
.
Pure
as
the
swan
that
passes
through
the
darkest
and
most
turbid
stream
,
with
plumage
unsoiled
,
Marion
's
mind
,
in
the
meantime
,
remained
untainted
by
the
atmosphere
of
evil
and
frivolity
around
her
.
She
caught
at
all
that
seemed
good
,
avoided
what
was
evil
,
and
rejected
every
thought
that
might
injure
the
unsophisticated
excellence
of
her
artless
mind
.
There
arose
,
however
,
in
time
,
one
source
of
individual
anxiety
to
Marion
,
known
only
to
herself
and
Mrs.
Penfold
;
but
it
increased
in
weight
and
urgency
every
year
,
throwing
occasionally
a
shadow
of
care
over
that
bright
young
countenance
,
in
general
so
beaming
with
joy
,
though
with
true
philosophy
Marion
tried
often
to
forget
what
it
had
proved
impossible
for
her
to
remedy
.
Once
a
quarter
,
or
at
least
during
every
successive
"
half
,
"
the
mortifying
fact
forced
itself
upon
her
observation
,
that
no
bills
were
so
irregularly
paid
as
her
own
;
for
while
their
amount
rapidly
accumulated
,
Sir
Patrick
's
agent
forwarded
annually
the
very
smallest
instalments
,
with
a
thousand
apologies
,
and
many
promises
of
a
final
satisfactory
settlement
at
some
future
period
,
which
period
never
seemed
any
nearer
;
and
Mrs.
Penfold
often
dryly
remarked
,
in
the
hearing
of
Marion
,
that
"
short
accounts
make
long
friends
.
"
An
appeal
to
Sir
Arthur
for
his
interference
often
occasionally
suggested
itself
to
the
mind
of
Marion
;
but
she
knew
that
his
influence
was
less
than
nothing
,
and
she
greatly
feared
lest
his
vehement
partiality
to
herself
might
lead
him
to
overlook
the
very
limited
nature
of
his
income
,
and
to
volunteer
some
generous
sacrifice
,
such
as
she
would
rather
suffer
any
privations
than
occasion
.
The
pension
and
half-pay
of
Sir
Arthur
very
barely
sufficed
,
she
knew
,
to
defray
his
extensive
charities
,
and
to
furnish
sometimes
the
hospitable
table
,
and
the
bottle
of
first-rate
claret
,
round
which
it
was
his
delight
to
gather
a
frequent
circle
of
old
brother
admirals
;
but
his
purse
was
little
calculated
to
stand
the
shock
of
such
a
draft
as
Sir
Patrick
would
unhesitatingly
have
drawn
upon
it
,
had
the
idea
occurred
to
him
that
Sir
Arthur
might
perhaps
be
induced
to
take
Marion
's
school
bills
upon
himself
.
In
no
instance
was
it
more
obvious
than
in
that
of
Sir
Patrick
Dunbar
,
how
precisely
in
society
men
are
generally
estimated
at
their
own
valuation
.
He
was
,
like
his
sisters
,
pre-eminently
handsome
,
while
the
hauteur
of
his
demeanor
,
bordering
on
a
sort
of
well-bred
contempt
for
others
,
rendered
his
slightest
notice
an
event
of
considerable
magnitude
even
to
many
whom
the
world
might
have
deemed
his
superiors
in
rank
,
fortune
,
and
talents
.
There
were
a
few
exclusives
,
however
,
among
his
own
exclusive
set
,
whom
he
admitted
to
the
most
unbounded
familiarity
and
good
fellowship
,
inviting
them
to
entertainments
,
given
much
more
as
an
ostentatious
display
of
wealth
and
taste
,
than
from
any
feeling
that
might
be
dignified
with
the
name
of
friendship
;
and
thus
,
by
a
reckless
and
unbounded
profusion
in
dress
,
equipage
,
and
hospitality
,
unchecked
by
one
sentiment
of
justice
or
of
prudence
,
the
young
Baronet
obtained
universal
celebrity
for
his
generosity
and
good
humor
,
—
anecdotes
of
which
were
circulated
with
delighted
approbation
in
every
house
.
He
was
known
to
have
tossed
a
sovereign
one
day
to
an
old
woman
at
a
cottage
door
,
for
merely
reaching
him
a
glass
of
water
;
he
paid
the
post-boys
double
always
when
travelling
;
he
gave
ten
pounds
at
a
ladies
'
bazaar
,
for
a
paper
card-case
,
which
he
presented
the
next
moment
to
Clara
Granville
;
and
he
sent
Marion
a
magnificent
rosewood
box
,
filled
with
crystal
perfume
bottles
,
and
gold
tops
,
which
cost
twenty
pounds
,
when
at
that
very
time
she
had
scarcely
a
frock
to
put
on
,
and
was
in
agonies
of
vexation
under
an
unpaid
shoemaker
's
bill
.
Sir
Patrick
's
grooms
and
footmen
always
roundly
estimated
his
income
at
£
20
,
000
a
year
;
and
his
rent-roll
certainly
exceeded
that
of
all
the
parents
united
who
paid
Mrs.
Penfold
regularly
for
cramming
their
children
's
understandings
;
but
while
Sir
Patrick
made
it
a
matter
of
accurate
calculation
to
train
Marion
with
skill
and
sagacity
in
the
way
most
likely
to
take
her
speedily
off
his
hands
,
yet
it
was
no
part
of
his
calculation
to
pay
for
anything
in
money
if
he
could
do
so
in
words
;
and
while
he
rattled
off
whole
estates
in
a
dice-box
,
and
raced
himself
into
difficulties
,
entering
horses
for
every
cup
,
and
dogs
for
every
coursing-match
,
he
privately
resolved
that
Marion
and
her
embarrassments
should
always
remain
both
out
of
sight
and
out
of
mind
.
Mrs.
Penfold
's
grave
and
dry
expression
of
countenance
became
graver
and
drier
every
time
she
contemplated
the
rapidly-increasing
amount
of
Marion
's
bill
,
while
she
urgently
impressed
on
her
pupil
's
mind
the
absolute
necessity
of
entreating
more
zealously
than
ever
for
the
speedy
payment
of
such
very
old
scores
.
Observing
Sir
Patrick
so
exceedingly
profuse
in
his
expenditure
,
however
,
Mrs.
Penfold
believed
there
could
be
no
cause
to
apprehend
any
defalcation
at
last
,
being
convinced
that
he
might
at
any
time
defray
her
demands
with
ease
,
though
the
only
thing
he
never
found
it
convenient
to
command
was
ready
money
;
and
Marion
soon
discovered
that
it
made
him
frantic
with
ill-humor
to
be
asked
for
any
.
Of
this
peculiarity
she
had
once
an
early
instance
,
never
afterwards
to
be
forgotten
.
Having
received
from
Sir
Arthur
,
on
her
fifteenth
birth-day
,
the
first
five
sovereigns
which
it
had
ever
been
her
good
fortune
to
possess
,
she
accidentally
heard
Sir
Arthur
laughingly
complain
during
her
mid-summer
holidays
at
home
,
to
Mr.
De
Crespigny
,
that
he
had
arrived
at
the
bank
that
morning
too
late
to
present
a
draft
for
money
,
and
having
given
his
last
shilling
to
a
beggar
,
he
was
,
according
to
his
own
expression
,
"
completely
cleaned
out
,
"
not
having
enough
even
to
pay
for
being
admitted
to
the
exhibition
of
pictures
,
and
actually
put
to
some
temporary
inconvenience
by
his
penniless
condition
for
that
day
.
In
all
the
pride
of
exhaustless
wealth
,
Marion
soon
after
stole
up
to
her
brother
's
side
,
and
displayed
her
glittering
treasure
;
but
afraid
to
be
suspected
of
conferring
a
favor
,
with
intuitive
delicacy
she
asked
Sir
Patrick
to
take
charge
of
it
until
the
following
Saturday
,
that
she
might
consider
what
to
purchase
on
that
day
.
Scarcely
conscious
of
what
she
said
or
did
,
the
young
Baronet
mechanically
dropped
the
sovereigns
into
his
pocket
,
where
sovereigns
in
general
had
a
very
short
reign
,
and
soon
after
sauntered
away
to
the
club
.
Day
after
day
elapsed
,
week
after
week
,
and
every
time
Sir
Patrick
entered
the
room
,
or
drew
out
his
pocket
handkerchief
,
Marion
thought
she
was
on
the
eve
of
being
paid
;
but
at
length
her
holidays
came
to
a
close
,
and
still
not
a
syllable
transpired
respecting
her
funds
.
Rendered
desperate
at
last
by
anxiety
to
re-enter
school
,
laden
with
presents
to
her
favorite
companions
,
Marion
,
who
valued
money
only
as
a
means
of
being
kind
to
others
,
ventured
one
day
,
with
glowing
cheeks
,
and
faltering
voice
,
to
remind
Sir
Patrick
,
for
the
first
time
,
of
their
little
pecuniary
transactions
,
which
was
so
very
trifling
that
he
had
probably
forgotten
it
.
"
You
tiresome
little
dear
!
am
I
never
to
hear
the
last
of
those
sovereigns
!
"
exclaimed
he
angrily
,
throwing
down
his
newspaper
.
"
You
deserve
not
to
be
paid
till
Christmas
!
But
here
they
are
!
No
!
I
have
no
change
,
I
see
,
at
present
.
Well
!
I
shall
remember
it
some
other
time
!
"
That
"
other
time
"
never
came
,
however
,
and
Marion
returned
penniless
to
school
,
sympathizing
more
fully
than
she
had
ever
done
before
,
in
Mrs.
Penfold
's
lamentations
respecting
Sir
Patrick
's
carelessness
about
money
,
—
a
subject
which
supplied
that
lady
with
a
ready-made
excuse
,
whenever
she
was
out
of
humor
at
any
rate
,
for
venting
it
all
on
her
unoffending
pupil
,
whose
sensitive
heart
became
so
imbued
at
last
with
vexation
and
anxiety
,
that
on
attaining
the
age
of
sixteen
,
she
ventured
to
pen
an
earnest
appeal
to
Sir
Patrick
,
begging
with
all
the
eloquence
of
natural
feeling
,
that
if
the
expenses
of
her
education
were
inconvenient
,
she
might
return
home
,
where
she
would
willingly
shew
all
the
benefit
derived
from
the
advantages
he
had
already
afforded
her
,
by
continuing
her
studies
alone
,
and
by
devoting
herself
entirely
to
his
comfort
,
amusement
,
and
happiness
.
This
letter
,
which
cost
Marion
agonies
of
thought
,
and
a
shower
of
tears
,
received
no
answer
whatever
;
and
with
a
sigh
of
unwonted
depression
,
she
dismissed
the
subject
from
her
thoughts
,
and
trying
to
hope
the
best
,
quietly
resumed
the
course
of
her
occupations
,
comforted
by
the
consolatory
reflection
,
that
in
two
years
she
would
have
nothing
more
to
learn
—
the
whole
range
of
human
acquirement
being
supposed
to
attain
its
completion
by
each
of
Mrs.
Penfold
's
pupils
at
the
age
of
eighteen
.
Clara
Granville
,
and
Caroline
Smythe
,
having
attained
the
highest
acme
of
perfection
under
the
finishing
hand
of
Mrs.
Penfold
,
were
about
to
be
emancipated
in
a
few
months
from
the
thralldom
of
school
,
and
to
astonish
society
by
their
brilliant
acquirements
;
respecting
the
most
advantageous
mode
of
displaying
which
,
great
pains
had
been
taken
to
instruct
them
,
though
the
inclination
seemed
wanting
in
both
girls
,
being
already
surfeited
with
admiration
and
panegyric
among
their
masters
and
governesses
,
who
vied
with
each
other
in
praising
their
two
most
advanced
pupils
,
by
whose
influence
they
hoped
hereafter
to
obtain
recommendations
and
employment
.
Marion
had
strolled
one
evening
with
Caroline
,
farther
than
Miss
Smythe
had
ever
been
known
to
venture
before
;
and
the
two
young
friends
were
seated
in
an
arbor
at
the
extreme
verge
of
the
bounds
prescribed
by
Mrs.
Penfold
,
in
earnest
conversation
,
while
watching
with
delight
the
declining
sun
,
which
superbly
illuminated
a
heavy
mass
of
clouds
in
the
western
horizon
.
Time
flew
on
,
and
darkness
nearly
closed
around
them
while
they
discussed
with
lively
,
careless
humor
,
all
the
petty
annoyances
of
their
daily
life
,
and
compared
the
little
hopes
and
fears
they
entertained
for
the
future
.
As
the
hour
became
later
,
Marion
felt
that
the
high
exhilarating
key
in
which
Caroline
spoke
,
and
her
gay
,
well-rung-out
laugh
,
made
her
almost
nervous
in
the
obscure
and
solitary
retreat
to
which
they
had
withdrawn
;
but
ashamed
of
her
own
timidity
,
she
determined
to
conquer
or
conceal
it
.
Marion
was
flattered
when
a
companion
like
Caroline
,
some
years
older
than
herself
,
thus
treated
her
with
familiarity
;
though
certainly
,
neither
on
this
occasion
,
nor
on
any
other
,
was
it
with
confidence
,
as
no
living
being
seemed
entirely
in
the
confidence
of
Miss
Smythe
,
who
,
while
she
appeared
gayly
and
heedlessly
to
rattle
on
in
conversation
,
yet
kept
a
cautious
silence
respecting
all
that
concerned
herself
.
Many
very
reserved
persons
pass
for
being
perfectly
open
,
by
means
of
a
frank
,
free
manner
,
and
by
speaking
in
a
confidential
tone
concerning
the
most
private
affairs
of
those
with
whom
they
converse
;
and
this
Caroline
did
to
excess
,
asking
Marion
,
with
every
appearance
of
kindness
,
a
hundred
questions
,
which
in
her
own
case
she
either
could
not
,
or
would
not
have
answered
,
and
testifying
the
most
cordial
,
unfeigned
interest
in
all
that
related
to
the
prospects
or
feelings
of
her
companion
,
who
never
attempted
to
conceal
a
wish
or
a
thought
,
and
often
forgot
that
the
trust
was
not
mutual
.
Caroline
was
talking
eagerly
with
great
animation
,
and
telling
Marion
that
the
only
injury
she
never
would
forgive
,
was
,
if
any
of
those
she
loved
had
a
sorrow
that
did
not
allow
her
to
share
with
them
;
and
especially
if
they
permitted
themselves
to
suffer
from
any
pecuniary
difficulties
which
it
was
within
her
power
to
relieve
,
when
suddenly
Marion
laid
a
hand
on
her
arm
,
making
a
hurried
signal
for
silence
,
while
she
whispered
in
a
low
undertone
,
"
I
have
scarcely
heard
you
for
the
last
five
minutes
.
Did
you
observe
that
strange-looking
man
,
very
much
muffled
up
,
who
scrambled
several
minutes
ago
to
the
top
of
the
garden-wall
?
He
was
staring
wildly
about
him
for
some
time
,
then
gliding
noiselessly
down
,
and
has
suddenly
disappeared
?
"
"
Where
?
where
?
"
whispered
Caroline
,
grasping
Marion
's
hand
with
a
look
of
wild
alarm
,
and
speaking
in
a
low
,
hoarse
tone
of
extreme
terror
.
"
For
your
life
,
Marion
,
do
not
stir
!
Tell
me
which
way
he
went
!
He
must
not
see
us
.
O
how
on
earth
has
he
traced
me
out
!
"
"
Who
?
"
asked
Marion
,
bewildered
and
terrified
,
when
she
beheld
a
degree
of
frantic
alarm
depicted
on
the
countenance
of
her
companion
,
which
seemed
almost
unaccountable
.
"
Dear
Caroline
!
whom
do
you
fear
?
"
"
A
madman
!
"
replied
Miss
Smythe
,
in
accents
of
mingled
anger
and
disgust
.
"
He
has
haunted
me
for
years
!
He
threatens
either
to
murder
or
to
marry
me
;
and
you
may
guess
which
I
think
the
worst
!
He
has
even
adopted
my
name
!
Did
you
never
hear
,
Marion
,
that
he
actually
put
his
marriage
to
me
last
year
in
the
newspapers
!
He
besets
my
footsteps
—
besieges
my
dwelling-place
,
persecutes
me
with
letters
,
sends
me
his
picture
,
follows
me
to
church
,
throws
stones
at
my
windows
in
the
night
,
and
frightens
my
very
life
out
,
yet
the
law
leaves
me
unprotected
,
because
he
commits
no
actual
breach
of
the
peace
.
It
was
to
avoid
him
that
I
begged
my
aunt
to
let
me
live
here
!
How
did
he
discover
my
retreat
?
"
Caroline
seemed
to
have
lost
all
command
of
herself
in
the
agony
of
her
fear
,
and
poured
out
a
flood
of
words
in
the
rapid
and
subdued
accents
of
extreme
terror
,
while
she
retreated
into
the
darkest
corner
of
the
arbor
to
screen
herself
from
observation
,
hastily
dragging
Marion
along
with
her
,
and
whispering
an
eager
request
,
if
they
were
discovered
,
that
she
would
endeavor
herself
to
get
off
,
and
fly
towards
the
house
for
assistance
.
"
Meantime
I
shall
engage
his
attention
;
but
if
he
once
sees
me
,
all
hope
of
escape
on
my
part
would
be
vain
,
while
the
very
endeavor
might
irritate
him
!
Everything
depends
on
you
,
Marion
!
Be
resolute
,
and
lose
not
a
moment
,
or
you
may
be
too
late
.
"
In
agonized
suspense
and
apprehension
the
two
friends
remained
during
several
minutes
,
cowering
behind
the
overhanging
branches
,
and
scarcely
venturing
to
breathe
,
while
Caroline
bent
her
head
eagerly
forward
to
catch
the
slightest
sound
,
and
grasped
Marion
's
arm
almost
convulsively
,
as
if
to
secure
her
being
perfectly
immovable
;
at
length
,
after
some
time
,
she
heaved
a
deep
sigh
,
expressive
of
relief
,
and
looked
up
,
saying
"
He
is
surely
gone
!
he
must
be
gone
!
I
never
eluded
his
eye
before
!
—
his
sight
is
almost
supernatural
;
but
he
must
be
gone
at
last
!
Let
us
hurry
home
!
"
"
Stop
!
"
whispered
Marion
,
in
an
under
tone
,
"
I
heard
a
rustling
close
behind
us
,
among
the
leaves
and
branches
.
Some
one
certainly
approaches
!
"
"
Fly
,
then
,
Marion
!
all
is
over
,
and
I
must
face
the
danger
!
"
said
Caroline
,
with
sudden
energy
,
while
rising
and
drawing
herself
up
to
her
full
height
,
with
resolute
countenance
,
though
her
limbs
evidently
trembled
beneath
her
,
she
walked
towards
the
door
,
saying
,
in
a
loud
,
commanding
accent
,
to
a
tall
man
,
much
muffled
up
in
a
loose
great-coat
,
who
had
now
appeared
at
the
door
,
"
Who
goes
there
?
Ernest
!
!
"
added
she
,
in
tones
of
remonstrance
.
"
How
dare
you
enter
my
presence
again
!
How
dare
you
intrude
here
!
"
"
Be
true
to
yourself
and
me
!
"
replied
the
stranger
,
in
a
voice
which
sounded
harsh
and
excited
,
while
the
deep
,
full
tones
appeared
to
Marion
as
if
she
had
heard
them
before
;
but
the
darkness
prevented
her
from
seeing
him
distinctly
,
even
if
his
dress
had
not
been
sufficient
to
disguise
him
from
the
most
penetrating
eye
.
"
Say
what
you
will
,
I
know
you
are
glad
to
meet
me
,
"
added
he
,
in
accents
of
increasing
wildness
.
"
All
that
you
do
is
dictated
by
others
;
but
Caroline
,
in
her
secret
heart
,
loves
me
!
I
know
that
!
By
your
looks
,
by
your
voice
,
by
your
manner
,
it
was
revealed
to
me
years
ago
!
Yes
,
you
love
me
,
and
cannot
deny
it
!
Speak
but
the
word
,
and
we
may
both
be
happy
,
—
happier
than
the
wildest
dreams
of
fancy
!
No
impediment
can
prevent
it
!
Let
your
aunt
conceal
you
where
she
will
,
she
cannot
hide
you
from
me
.
In
the
farthest
corner
of
the
earth
—
in
the
deepest
dungeon
that
was
ever
dug
,
I
shall
find
you
out
,
and
still
free
you
from
persecution
.
She
may
do
her
worst
,
but
love
laughs
at
locksmiths
,
and
I
can
still
enable
you
to
elude
her
vigilance
.
I
come
now
prepared
,
if
you
will
but
consent
to
fly
with
me
!
—
now
,
—
this
moment
.
If
not
,
—
—
"
The
madman
's
voice
,
which
had
been
loud
and
vehement
,
here
dropped
into
a
low
,
stern
,
inaudible
murmur
,
and
his
hand
plunged
into
the
breast
of
his
coat
,
seemed
as
if
it
grasped
some
weapon
there
,
while
Marion
,
taking
advantage
of
his
pre-occupied
attention
,
darted
off
with
the
speed
of
thought
,
and
almost
as
noiselessly
fled
towards
the
house
.
A
loud
,
angry
cry
to
stop
her
,
mingled
with
curses
and
imprecations
,
from
the
madman
,
while
he
waved
his
singularly
long
arms
menacingly
above
his
head
,
only
accelerated
her
pace
,
while
he
followed
some
steps
in
pursuit
;
but
terror
gave
wings
to
her
feet
,
and
rushing
into
the
entrance-hall
,
she
instantly
rang
the
large
dinner
bell
,
and
raised
an
alarm
,
which
assembled
the
whole
household
,
all
of
whom
gazed
with
looks
of
panic-struck
astonishment
at
Marion
's
pale
and
ghastly
countenance
.
Not
a
moment
required
to
be
lost
in
explanation
,
for
Mrs.
Penfold
seemed
at
once
to
guess
the
whole
nature
and
extent
of
Caroline
's
danger
,
the
instant
her
name
was
mentioned
;
therefore
Marion
had
but
to
point
out
the
direction
in
which
she
might
be
found
,
when
Mrs.
Penfold
hastened
forward
,
preceded
by
several
of
the
more
active
servants
.
When
Marion
had
rapidly
executed
some
orders
committed
to
her
she
quickly
returned
towards
the
arbor
,
but
not
a
trace
remained
there
of
any
one
.
The
little
table
had
been
upset
,
several
branches
torn
down
that
surrounded
the
entrance
,
and
the
grass
beneath
was
much
trampled
and
disfigured
;
but
all
was
silent
and
deserted
.
After
one
hurried
glance
of
alarm
and
perplexity
,
Marion
hastened
forward
to
the
garden
gate
,
which
she
found
had
been
violently
burst
open
,
and
on
emerging
into
the
high
road
beyond
,
she
there
found
Mrs.
Penfold
and
her
servants
all
crowding
round
Caroline
,
who
remained
in
a
dead
faint
on
the
ground
for
nearly
half
an
hour
.
A
carriage
was
rapidly
disappearing
at
full
speed
in
the
distance
,
but
already
almost
too
far
off
to
be
distinguished
;
and
Marion
perceived
the
figure
of
a
man
lurking
behind
the
hedge
close
beside
her
;
but
when
she
made
it
evident
that
he
was
observed
,
he
rushed
close
up
to
her
side
,
saying
,
in
a
threatening
tone
,
between
his
clenched
teeth
,
"
You
have
provoked
a
madman
!
"
Scarcely
had
Marion
time
to
utter
an
exclamation
of
sudden
affright
,
before
he
sprung
over
the
hedge
,
and
was
seen
running
across
the
neighboring
fields
,
until
his
figure
mingled
with
the
surrounding
gloom
,
and
vanished
out
of
sight
.
Mrs.
Penfold
's
chief
care
,
after
Caroline
's
recovery
from
her
alarming
swoon
,
was
earnestly
to
enjoin
that
the
circumstances
of
this
adventure
should
never
be
mentioned
,
or
so
much
as
remembered
by
those
who
had
witnessed
them
;
a
story
so
extraordinary
and
alarming
,
being
likely
to
injure
her
establishment
,
besides
causing
much
unnecessary
gossip
among
the
younger
pupils
;
but
had
Marion
ever
been
disposed
to
consign
,
as
desired
,
the
whole
adventure
to
oblivion
,
she
could
not
but
be
continually
reminded
of
it
for
several
weeks
afterwards
,
by
the
startled
and
agitated
manner
of
Caroline
,
whose
frolicsome
spirits
had
entirely
deserted
her
,
while
she
seemed
for
some
time
to
be
in
imminent
danger
of
a
nervous
fever
.
If
any
one
appeared
suddenly
in
the
room
,
she
almost
screamed
with
the
start
it
occasioned
her
;
she
could
not
bear
for
a
moment
to
be
left
alone
,
and
seemed
as
if
continually
listening
,
even
when
safe
in
the
house
,
for
the
sound
of
steps
in
pursuit
of
her
.
Gradually
,
however
,
her
mind
became
more
composed
,
and
she
ventured
one
day
to
take
a
stroll
with
Marion
in
some
of
the
nearer
parts
of
the
garden
,
though
even
there
she
scarcely
spoke
above
her
breath
,
and
turning
hastily
round
several
times
,
as
if
apprehensive
that
some
one
approached
.
Had
the
far-famed
Upas
tree
grown
over
the
arbor
,
Caroline
could
scarcely
have
shunned
more
fearfully
the
slightest
approach
in
that
direction
,
and
with
equal
care
did
she
avoid
any
allusion
to
what
had
occurred
there
,
not
a
hint
of
which
ever
transpired
in
her
most
confidential
moments
.
The
very
sound
of
her
own
feet
on
the
gravel
seemed
to
startle
her
,
and
as
she
walked
beneath
the
shade
of
some
tall
forest
trees
which
overhung
the
garden-wall
,
Marion
observed
that
Caroline
trod
more
cautiously
;
and
though
she
dropped
not
a
word
respecting
her
feelings
or
fears
,
it
was
evident
that
her
nerves
were
strung
to
an
agony
of
sensitiveness
,
for
the
fluttering
of
a
bird
in
the
hedge
,
or
the
fall
of
a
leaf
,
made
her
start
,
and
she
seemed
about
at
last
to
give
up
the
point
in
despair
,
and
hurry
homewards
,
when
suddenly
a
loud
shrill
whistle
arose
amidst
the
branches
of
an
ash-tree
,
almost
directly
over
their
heads
,
and
before
Marion
had
time
to
look
round
,
a
small
packet
had
dropped
at
the
feet
of
Caroline
.
With
a
half-suppressed
cry
of
alarm
,
the
terrified
girl
fled
,
while
Marion
,
scarcely
less
frightened
,
instinctively
picked
up
the
parcel
,
and
followed
,
while
again
she
was
pursued
by
a
volley
of
oaths
and
imprecations
,
which
ended
in
a
laugh
so
wild
,
so
maniacal
,
and
so
fearful
,
that
for
months
afterwards
it
rung
in
her
ears
,
causing
her
a
shudder
of
horror
and
alarm
.
When
Mrs.
Penfold
tore
open
an
innumerable
multitude
of
seals
which
closed
the
packet
addressed
to
Caroline
,
she
discovered
within
only
a
long
incoherent
letter
of
several
sheets
,
filled
with
the
most
extravagant
professions
of
ardent
love
,
and
the
most
vehement
declarations
,
that
nothing
on
earth
could
impede
or
discourage
him
in
his
resolution
to
carry
her
off
,
which
he
seemed
still
persuaded
,
with
the
self-delusion
peculiar
to
madness
,
must
be
a
welcome
assurance
to
Caroline
,
whose
words
and
actions
he
perseveringly
attributed
to
the
arbitrary
influence
of
others
.
Accompanying
this
farrago
of
most
intolerable
nonsense
,
was
a
black
shade
in
a
wooden
frame
,
representing
the
profile
of
a
young
man
,
certainly
handsome
,
and
which
seemed
to
Marion
like
features
she
had
known
elsewhere
,
but
being
frequently
addicted
to
observing
resemblances
,
she
felt
at
once
persuaded
that
this
must
be
some
such
vague
and
unaccountable
likeness
as
she
had
frequently
found
or
fancied
before
.
Time
wore
on
,
and
still
Caroline
lingered
at
school
,
unwilling
apparently
to
forsake
the
comparative
quietness
of
Mrs.
Penfold
's
,
where
,
though
her
age
exceeded
by
some
years
that
of
the
other
pupils
,
and
though
her
cotemporary
Clara
had
been
already
introduced
into
society
,
she
still
seemed
anxious
to
forget
herself
and
her
affairs
in
the
multitude
of
her
masters
and
studies
,
so
completely
was
she
engrossed
by
which
,
that
she
evidently
grudged
every
moment
and
every
thought
which
interrupted
her
progress
.
At
length
,
on
the
evening
previous
to
that
fixed
on
for
her
final
departure
from
school
,
when
Mrs.
Smythe
was
expected
to
convey
her
home
,
Mrs.
Penfold
was
bestowing
on
Caroline
some
of
her
last
advice
,
of
the
most
approved
mode
of
"
getting
on
"
in
society
,
and
especially
on
the
manners
and
conversation
most
attractive
to
gentlemen
,
when
a
note
was
brought
into
the
room
,
which
had
arrived
by
express
,
bringing
the
melancholy
intelligence
that
Mrs.
Smythe
's
carriage
had
been
upset
a
few
miles
off
,
causing
so
severe
a
blow
on
the
head
,
that
a
concussion
of
the
brain
had
taken
place
,
and
she
continued
insensible
,
at
a
village
some
miles
off
,
where
little
hope
remained
of
her
recovery
.
The
Doctor
who
wrote
these
hurried
particulars
had
obligingly
sent
his
own
carriage
and
servant
to
accompany
Miss
Smythe
to
the
spot
,
that
she
might
take
a
last
leave
of
her
dying
relative
,
and
he
recommended
that
she
should
not
lose
an
instant
,
or
it
might
be
too
late
to
find
the
sufferer
in
life
.
Struck
with
grief
and
consternation
by
this
most
unexpected
and
calamitous
intelligence
,
Caroline
,
though
she
had
never
before
seemed
much
to
love
her
aunt
,
yet
now
became
overwhelmed
with
the
shock
,
and
lost
not
an
instant
in
hastily
preparing
to
obey
the
melancholy
summons
,
by
throwing
on
her
coat
and
bonnet
,
while
she
rushed
into
the
arms
of
Marion
,
and
burst
into
an
agony
of
tears
in
bidding
her
farewell
.
The
French
governess
who
had
been
summoned
to
escort
Caroline
in
the
carriage
,
was
one
of
those
nervous
persons
,
who
became
perfectly
frantic
when
hurried
,
and
she
flew
about
the
room
,
uttering
a
volley
of
incoherent
exclamations
,
expressive
of
her
wonder
and
perplexity
at
so
sudden
a
call
on
her
activity
,
while
her
preparations
seemed
to
make
no
visible
progress
.
There
is
a
secret
,
mysterious
pleasure
in
being
waited
for
,
which
every
living
mortal
seems
to
enjoy
when
they
have
the
opportunity
;
and
without
a
thought
of
Caroline
's
impatience
,
her
anxiety
,
and
her
sorrow
,
Madame
D'Aubert
expressed
the
most
eager
and
vehement
solicitude
about
her
own
dress
,
and
a
resolution
not
to
stir
till
equipped
to
her
entire
satisfaction
,
for
so
rare
and
almost
unprecedented
an
event
,
as
leaving
the
boundaries
of
Dartmore
House
.
Every
thing
that
has
a
limit
,
however
,
must
come
to
an
end
,
and
Madame
D'Aubert
's
toilette
being
at
last
completed
she
leisurely
advanced
,
talking
to
herself
and
to
everybody
else
,
arranging
her
shawl
,
and
giving
a
last
finish
to
the
contour
of
her
bonnet
,
before
she
threw
herself
with
dignified
deliberation
into
the
chariot
.
Marion
had
affectionately
insisted
on
conveying
her
weeping
friend
to
the
carriage
,
while
,
with
all
the
little
arts
of
affection
,
she
tried
to
console
and
encourage
her
,
till
at
length
they
exchanged
a
final
embrace
,
and
parted
.
Scarcely
,
however
,
had
Miss
Smythe
placed
her
foot
upon
the
steps
,
while
the
man-servant
who
accompanied
the
carriage
carefully
assisted
her
in
,
before
Marion
suddenly
sprung
forward
with
an
exclamation
of
terror
,
seized
hold
of
Caroline
's
dress
,
and
before
she
could
speak
,
dragged
her
forcibly
into
the
house
,
exclaiming
in
accents
almost
inarticulate
from
alarm
,
"
Come
back
,
Caroline
!
come
back
!
This
is
some
mistake
!
some
dreadful
trick
!
Caroline
!
dear
Caroline
!
come
back
!
That
servant
wears
the
very
dress
of
the
person
who
attacked
you
in
the
garden
!
I
cannot
see
his
face
,
but
I
am
certain
it
is
he
!
"
Before
Marion
could
finish
her
sentence
,
the
supposed
servant
had
violently
seized
