thesitting
in
Margaret
's
room
in
the
morning
,
when
there
was
no
danger
of
interruption
,
the
three
children
being
all
safe
captives
to
their
lessons
,
and
Meta
,
in
Richard
's
workshop
,
illuminating
texts
on
zinc
scrolls
for
the
Church
.
Margaret
came
out
more
in
these
interviews
.
It
had
been
a
kind
of
shyness
that
made
her
talk
so
exclusively
of
the
Church
at
the
first
meeting
;
she
had
now
felt
her
way
,
and
knew
again
—
and
realized
—
the
same
kind
aunt
with
whom
she
had
parted
in
her
childhood
,
and
now
far
dearer
,
since
she
herself
was
better
able
to
appreciate
her
,
and
with
a
certain
resemblance
to
her
mother
,
that
was
unspeakably
precious
and
soothing
to
one
deprived
,
as
Margaret
had
been
,
at
the
commencement
of
her
illness
and
anxiety
.
She
could
hardly
see
her
aunt
come
near
her
,
without
thanking
her
for
having
come
home
,
and
saying
how
every
time
she
awoke
,
it
was
with
the
sense
that
something
was
comfortable
,
then
remembering
it
was
aunt
Flora
's
being
in
the
house
.
She
seemed
to
have
a
feeling
,
as
if
telling
everything
to
her
aunt
were
like
rendering
up
her
account
to
her
mother
,
and
,
at
different
times
,
she
related
the
whole
,
looking
back
on
the
various
decisions
she
had
had
to
make
or
to
influence
,
and
reviewing
her
own
judgments
,
though
often
with
self-blame
,
not
with
acuteness
of
distress
,
but
rather
with
a
humble
trust
in
the
Infinite
Mercy
that
would
atone
for
all
shortcomings
and
infirmities
,
truly
sorrowed
for
.
On
the
whole
it
was
a
peaceful
and
grateful
retrospect
;
the
brothers
all
doing
so
well
in
their
several
ways
,
and
such
a
comfort
to
their
father
.
Tom
,
concerning
whom
she
had
made
the
greatest
mistake
,
might
be
looked
upon
as
rescued
by
Norman
.
Aubrey
,
Margaret
said
,
smiling
,
was
Ethel
's
child
,
and
had
long
been
off
her
mind
;
Hector
,
to
her
quite
a
brother
,
would
miss
her
almost
more
than
her
own
brothers
,
but
good
honest
fellow
,
he
had
a
home
here
;
and
,
whispered
Margaret
,
smiling
and
glowing
a
little
,
"
do
n't
tell
anyone
,
for
it
is
a
secret
of
secrets
.
Hector
told
me
one
evening
that
,
if
he
could
be
very
steady
,
he
hoped
he
might
yet
have
Blanche
at
Maplewood
.
Poor
little
White
Mayflower
,
it
wo
n't
be
for
want
of
liking
on
her
part
,
and
she
so
blushes
and
watches
when
Hector
comes
near
,
that
I
sometimes
think
he
may
have
said
something
like
it
to
her
.
"
Mrs.
Arnott
gave
no
opinion
on
the
plan
for
Norman
and
Meta
;
but
Margaret
,
however
,
took
all
for
granted
,
and
expressed
warm
hopes
for
their
sakes
,
that
they
would
go
out
with
Mrs.
Arnott
;
then
,
when
the
suggestion
seemed
to
astonish
her
aunt
,
who
thought
they
were
waiting
for
his
Ordination
,
she
said
,
'
The
fact
is
,
that
he
would
like
to
be
ordained
where
he
is
to
work
;
but
I
believe
they
do
not
like
to
say
anything
about
the
wedding
,
because
of
me
.
Now
,
of
all
persons
,
I
must
chiefly
rejoice
in
what
may
help
to
teach
in
those
islands
.
I
cannot
bear
to
be
a
hindrance
.
Whatever
happens
,
Aunt
Flora
,
will
you
take
care
that
they
know
this
?
'
As
to
her
father
,
Margaret
was
at
rest
.
He
had
much
more
calmness
than
when
he
was
more
new
to
grief
,
and
could
bear
far
more
patiently
and
hopefully
than
at
first
.
He
lived
more
on
his
affections
above
,
and
much
as
he
loved
those
below
,
he
did
not
rest
in
them
as
once
,
and
could
better
afford
to
have
them
removed
.
'
Besides
,
'
said
Margaret
,
serenely
,
'
it
has
been
good
for
him
to
have
been
gradually
weaned
from
depending
on
me
,
so
that
it
is
Ethel
who
is
really
necessary
to
him
.
'
For
herself
,
Margaret
was
perfectly
content
and
happy
.
She
knew
the
temptation
of
her
character
had
been
to
be
the
ruler
and
manager
of
everything
,
and
she
saw
it
had
been
well
for
her
to
have
been
thus
assigned
the
part
of
Mary
,
rather
than
of
Martha
.
She
remembered
with
thankful
joy
the
engagement
with
Alan
Ernescliffe
,
and
though
she
still
wore
tokens
of
mourning
for
him
,
it
was
with
a
kind
of
pleasure
in
them
.
There
had
been
so
little
promise
of
happiness
from
the
first
,
that
there
was
far
more
peace
in
thinking
of
him
as
sinking
into
rest
in
Harry
's
arms
,
than
as
returning
to
grieve
over
her
decline
;
and
that
last
gift
of
his
,
the
Church
,
had
afforded
her
continual
delight
,
and
above
all
other
earthly
pursuits
,
smoothed
away
the
languor
and
weariness
of
disease
,
as
she
slowly
sank
to
join
him
.
Now
that
her
aunt
had
come
to
bring
back
a
sunbeam
of
her
childhood
,
Margaret
declared
that
she
had
no
more
grief
or
care
,
except
one
,
and
that
a
very
deep
and
sad
one
—
namely
,
poor
Flora
.
Mrs.
Arnott
had
at
first
been
inclined
to
fear
that
her
goddaughter
was
neglecting
her
own
family
,
since
she
had
not
been
at
home
this
whole
year
,
but
the
slightest
betrayal
of
this
suspicion
roused
Margaret
to
an
eager
defence
.
She
had
not
a
doubt
that
Flora
would
gladly
have
been
with
her
,
but
she
believed
that
she
was
not
acting
by
her
own
choice
,
or
more
truly
,
that
her
husband
was
so
devoted
to
her
,
that
she
felt
the
more
bound
to
follow
his
slightest
wishes
,
however
contrary
to
her
own
.
The
season
had
been
spent
in
the
same
whirl
that
had
,
last
year
,
been
almost
beyond
human
power
,
even
when
stimulated
by
enjoyment
and
success
;
and
now
,
when
her
spirits
were
lowered
,
and
her
health
weakened
,
Meta
had
watched
and
trembled
for
her
,
though
never
able
to
obtain
an
avowal
that
it
was
an
overstrain
,
and
while
treated
most
affectionately
,
never
admitted
within
her
barrier
of
reserve
.
'
If
I
could
see
poor
Flora
comforted
,
or
if
even
she
would
only
let
me
enter
into
her
troubles
,
'
Margaret
said
,
sighing
,
'
I
should
be
content
.
'
The
Consecration
day
came
near
,
and
the
travellers
began
to
return
.
Meta
was
in
a
state
of
restlessness
,
which
in
her
was
very
pretty
,
under
the
disguise
of
a
great
desire
to
be
useful
.
She
fluttered
about
the
house
,
visited
Margaret
,
played
with
Gertrude
,
set
the
drawing-room
ornaments
to
rights
—
a
task
which
Ethel
was
very
glad
to
depute
to
her
,
and
made
a
great
many
expeditions
into
the
garden
to
put
together
autumn
nosegays
for
the
vases
—
finally
discovering
that
Ethel
's
potichomanie
vases
on
the
staircase
window
,
must
have
some
red
and
brown
leaves
.
She
did
not
come
back
quite
so
soon
with
them
,
and
Mrs.
Arnott
,
slyly
looking
out
of
window
,
reported
,
'
Ha
!
he
is
come
then
!
At
least
,
I
see
the
little
thing
has
found
—
'
'
Something
extremely
unlike
itself
,
'
said
Dr.
May
,
laughing
.
'
Something
I
could
easily
set
down
as
a
student
at
Edinburgh
,
thirty
years
ago
.
That
's
the
very
smile
!
I
remember
dear
Maggie
being
more
angry
than
I
ever
saw
her
before
,
because
Mr.
Fleet
said
that
you
smiled
to
shew
your
white
teeth
.
'
'
That
is
the
best
shadow
of
Maggie
I
ever
saw
,
'
said
Dr.
May
.
'
She
has
taught
the
lad
to
smile
.
That
is
what
I
call
a
pretty
sight
!
'
'
Come
,
Richard
,
it
is
a
shame
for
old
folks
like
us
to
stand
spying
them
!
'
'
They
care
very
little
for
me
,
'
said
Dr.
May
,
'
but
I
shall
have
them
in
.
Cold
winds
blowing
about
that
little
head
!
Ah
!
here
they
are
.
Fine
leaves
you
gather
,
Miss
!
Very
red
and
brown
.
'
Meta
rather
liked
,
than
otherwise
,
those
pretty
teazings
of
Dr.
May
,
but
they
always
made
Norman
colour
extremely
,
and
he
parried
them
by
announcing
news
.
'
No
,
not
the
Bucephalus
,
a
marriage
in
high
life
,
a
relation
.
'
'
Not
poor
Mary
!
'
cried
Ethel
.
'
Mary
!
what
could
make
you
think
of
her
?
'
'
As
a
hen
thinks
of
her
ducklings
when
they
go
into
waters
beyond
her
ken
,
'
said
Ethel
.
'
Well
,
as
long
as
it
is
not
Mary
,
I
do
n't
care
!
'
'
High
life
!
'
repeated
Meta
.
'
O
,
it
can
be
only
Agatha
Langdale
.
'
'
There
's
only
Lord
Cosham
further
to
guess
,
'
said
Ethel
.
'
Eh
!
why
not
young
Ogilvie
?
'
said
Dr.
May
.
'
I
am
right
,
I
see
.
Well
,
who
is
the
lady
?
'
'
A
Miss
Dunbar
—
a
nice
girl
that
I
met
at
Glenbracken
.
Her
property
fits
in
with
theirs
,
and
I
believe
his
father
has
been
wishing
it
for
a
long
time
.
'
'
It
does
not
sound
too
romantic
,
'
said
Meta
.
'
He
writes
as
if
he
had
the
sense
of
having
been
extremely
dutiful
,
'
said
Norman
.
'
No
doubt
,
thinking
it
needful
in
addressing
a
namesake
,
who
has
had
an
eye
to
the
main
chance
,
'
said
the
Doctor
.
'
Do
n't
throw
stones
,
young
people
.
'
'
Well
!
'
exclaimed
Meta
;
'
he
did
not
look
as
if
he
would
go
and
do
such
a
stupid
thing
as
that
!
'
'
Probably
,
it
is
anything
but
a
stupid
thing
,
'
said
Dr.
May
.
'
You
are
using
him
very
ill
among
you
,
'
said
Norman
,
eagerly
.
'
I
believe
her
to
be
excellent
in
every
way
;
he
has
known
her
from
childhood
;
he
writes
as
if
he
were
perfectly
contented
,
and
saw
every
chance
of
happiness
.
'
'
None
the
less
for
having
followed
his
father
's
wishes
—
I
am
glad
he
did
,
'
said
Ethel
,
coming
to
her
brother
's
side
.
'
I
dare
say
you
are
right
,
'
was
Meta
's
answer
;
'
but
I
am
disappointed
in
him
.
He
always
promised
to
come
and
stay
with
you
,
and
made
such
friends
at
Oxford
,
and
he
never
came
.
'
'
I
fancy
there
was
a
good
deal
to
hinder
him
,
'
said
Norman
;
and
,
as
Mrs.
Arnott
proceeded
to
inquiries
after
the
Ogilvies
in
general
,
the
Master
of
Glenbracken
was
allowed
to
drop
.
Meta
,
however
,
renewed
the
subject
when
walking
to
the
Minster
that
evening
with
Norman
.
'
You
may
defend
Mr.
Ogilvie
,
Norman
,
but
it
is
not
what
I
should
have
expected
from
him
.
Why
did
he
make
promises
,
and
then
neglect
his
relations
?
'
'
I
believe
that
conscientiously
he
did
not
dare
to
come
,
'
said
Norman
.
'
I
know
that
he
was
greatly
struck
with
Ethel
at
the
time
of
the
Commemoration
,
and
therefore
I
could
never
again
press
him
to
come
here
.
'
'
O
Norman
,
you
hard-hearted
monster
!
What
a
bad
conductor
!
'
'
I
did
not
wish
to
be
a
conductor
,
'
said
Norman
.
'
If
you
had
seen
Glenbracken
and
the
old
people
,
you
would
perceive
that
it
would
not
have
been
suitable
on
our
part
to
promote
anything
of
the
kind
.
'
'
Would
they
have
been
so
violent
?
'
'
Not
violent
,
but
it
would
have
been
a
severe
struggle
.
They
are
good
,
kind
people
,
but
with
strong
prejudices
;
and
,
though
I
have
no
doubt
they
would
have
yielded
to
steady
attachment
on
their
son
's
part
,
and
such
conduct
as
Ethel
's
would
have
been
,
I
could
not
lead
in
that
direction
.
'
'
Is
that
pride
,
Norman
?
'
'
I
hope
not
.
'
'
It
is
doing
by
others
as
you
were
doing
by
yourself
,
'
half-whispered
Meta
;
'
but
,
after
all
,
if
he
had
no
constancy
,
Ethel
had
an
escape
.
'
'
I
was
afraid
that
she
had
been
rather
touched
,
but
I
am
glad
to
find
myself
mistaken
.
'
'
If
you
thought
so
,
how
could
you
make
such
a
public
announcement
?
'
He
laughed
.
'
I
had
made
myself
so
nervous
as
to
the
effect
,
that
,
in
desperation
,
I
took
her
own
way
,
and
came
out
at
once
with
it
as
unconsciously
as
I
could
.
'
'
Very
naturally
you
acted
unconsciousness
!
It
was
better
than
insulting
her
by
seeming
to
condole
.
Not
that
I
do
,
though
,
for
she
deserves
more
steadiness
than
he
has
shown
!
If
a
man
could
appreciate
her
at
all
,
I
should
have
thought
that
it
would
have
been
once
and
for
ever
.
'
'
Remember
,
he
had
barely
known
her
a
fortnight
,
and
probably
had
no
reason
to
believe
that
he
had
made
any
impression
on
her
.
He
knew
how
such
an
attachment
would
grieve
his
parents
,
and
,
surely
,
he
was
acting
dutifully
,
and
with
selfdenial
and
consideration
,
in
not
putting
himself
in
the
way
of
being
further
attracted
.
'
'
Umph
!
You
make
a
good
defence
,
Norman
,
but
I
cannot
forgive
him
for
marrying
somebody
else
,
who
cannot
be
Ethel
's
equal
.
'
'
She
is
a
good
little
girl
;
he
will
form
her
,
and
be
very
happy
;
perhaps
more
so
than
with
a
great
soul
and
strong
nature
,
like
Ethel
's
.
'
'
Only
he
is
a
canny
Scot
,
and
not
a
Dr.
Spencer
!
'
'
Too
short
acquaintance
!
besides
,
there
were
the
parents
.
Moreover
,
what
would
become
of
home
without
Ethel
?
'
'
The
unanswerable
argument
to
make
one
contented
,
'
said
Meta
.
And
,
certainly
,
to
be
wife
to
a
Member
of
Parliament
,
is
not
so
very
delightful
that
one
would
covet
it
for
her
.
'
'
Any
more
than
she
does
for
herself
.
'
Norman
was
right
in
his
view
of
his
friends
motives
,
as
well
as
of
Ethel
's
present
feelings
.
If
there
had
ever
been
any
disappointment
about
Norman
Ogilvie
,
it
had
long
since
faded
away
.
She
had
never
given
away
the
depths
of
her
heart
,
though
the
upper
surface
had
been
stirred
.
All
had
long
subsided
,
and
she
could
think
freely
of
him
as
an
agreeable
cousin
,
in
whose
brilliant
public
career
she
should
always
be
interested
,
without
either
a
wish
to
partake
it
,
or
a
sense
of
injury
or
neglect
.
She
had
her
vocation
,
in
her
father
,
Margaret
,
the
children
,
home
and
Cocksmoor
;
her
mind
and
affections
were
occupied
,
and
she
never
thought
of
wishing
herself
elsewhere
.
The
new
Church
and
the
expected
return
of
her
sisters
,
engrossed
many
more
of
her
thoughts
than
did
anything
relating
to
Glenbracken
.
She
could
not
bear
to
talk
of
Flora
,
though
almost
as
uneasy
as
was
Margaret
;
and
not
able
to
lay
aside
misgivings
,
lest
even
her
good
simple
Mary
might
have
had
her
head
turned
by
gaiety
.
Mr.
and
Mrs.
Rivers
arrived
on
the
Saturday
before
the
Tuesday
fixed
for
the
Consecration
,
and
stopped
on
their
way
,
that
they
might
see
Margaret
,
deposit
Mary
,
and
resume
Meta
.
It
was
a
short
visit
,
and
all
that
Ethel
could
discover
was
,
that
Flora
was
looking
very
ill
,
no
longer
able
to
conceal
the
worn
and
fagged
expression
of
her
countenance
,
and
evidently
dreadfully
shocked
by
the
sight
of
the
havoc
made
by
disease
on
Margaret
's
frame
.
Yet
she
talked
with
composure
of
indifferent
subjects
—
the
yacht
,
the
visits
,
the
Bucephalus
,
the
Church
,
and
the
arrangements
for
St.
Andrew
's
day
.
She
owned
herself
overworked
,
and
in
need
of
rest
,
and
,
as
she
was
not
well
enough
to
venture
on
being
present
at
the
Consecration
,
she
undertook
to
spend
the
day
with
Margaret
,
thus
setting
the
others
at
liberty
.
This
settled
,
she
took
her
leave
,
for
the
journey
had
fatigued
her
greatly
.
During
the
short
visit
,
Mary
had
moved
and
spoken
so
quietly
,
and
looked
so
well-dressed
,
and
young-lady-like
,
that
,
in
spite
of
her
comfortable
plump
cheeks
,
Ethel
felt
quite
afraid
!
But
the
instant
the
carriage
had
driven
off
,
there
was
a
skipping
,
a
hugging
,
a
screaming
,
'
O
,
it
is
so
nice
to
be
at
home
again
!
'
—
and
Ethel
knew
she
had
her
own
Mary
.
It
was
only
a
much
better
looking
and
more
mannerly
Mary
,
in
the
full
bloom
of
seventeen
,
open
and
honest-faced
,
her
profuse
light
hair
prettily
disposed
,
her
hands
and
arms
more
civilized
,
and
her
powers
of
conversation
and
self-possession
developed
.
Mary-like
were
her
caresses
of
Gertrude
,
Mary-like
her
inquiries
for
Cocksmoor
,
Mary-like
her
insisting
on
bringing
her
boxes
into
Margaret
's
room
,
her
exulting
exhibition
of
all
the
pretty
things
that
Flora
and
George
had
given
to
her
,
and
the
still
more
joyous
bestowal
of
presents
upon
everybody
.
Her
tastes
were
not
a
whit
altered
,
nor
her
simplicity
diminished
.
If
she
was
pleased
by
joining
a
large
dinner-party
,
her
satisfaction
was
in
the
amusement
of
seeing
well-dressed
people
,
and
a
grand
table
;
her
knowledge
of
the
world
only
reached
to
pronouncing
everything
unlike
home
,
"
so
funny
;
"
she
had
relished
most
freshly
and
innocently
every
pleasure
that
she
could
understand
,
she
had
learnt
every
variety
of
fancy
work
to
teach
Blanche
and
Miss
Bracy
,
had
been
the
delight
of
every
school-room
and
nursery
,
had
struck
up
numberless
eternal
friendships
and
correspondences
with
girls
younger
and
shyer
than
herself
,
and
her
chief
vexations
seemed
to
have
been
first
,
that
Flora
insisted
on
her
being
called
Miss
May
,
secondly
,
that
all
her
delights
could
not
be
shared
by
everyone
at
home
,
and
thirdly
,
that
poor
Flora
could
not
bear
to
look
at
little
children
.
Grievous
complaints
were
preferred
by
the
dwellers
in
the
attics
the
next
morning
,
that
Mary
and
Blanche
had
talked
to
an
unmentionable
hour
of
the
night
;
but
,
on
the
whole
,
Blanche
was
rather
doubtful
whether
Mary
had
made
the
most
of
her
opportunities
of
observation
.
CHAPTER
XXV
.
'
Behold
,
with
pearls
they
glittering
stand
,
They
peaceful
gates
to
all
expand
,
By
grace
and
strength
divinely
shed
,
Each
mortal
,
thither
maybe
led
;
Who
,
kindled
by
Christ
's
love
will
dare
All
earthly
sufferings
now
to
bear
.
By
many
a
salutary
stroke
,
By
many
a
weary
blow
,
that
broke
,
Or
polished
,
with
a
workman
's
skill
,
The
stones
that
form
that
glorious
pile
;
They
all
are
fitly
framed
to
lie
In
their
appointed
place
on
high
.
'
Ancient
Hymn
for
the
Dedication
of
a
Church
.
The
thirtieth
of
November
dawned
with
the
grave
brightness
of
an
autumn
day
,
as
the
sun
slowly
mounted
from
the
golden
east
,
drinking
up
the
mists
that
rose
tardily
,
leaving
the
grass
thickly
bedewed
.
The
bells
of
Stoneborough
Minster
were
ringing
gladsome
peals
,
and
the
sunshine
had
newly
touched
the
lime
trees
,
whose
last
bright
yellow
leaves
were
gently
floating
down
,
as
the
carriage
,
from
the
Grange
,
drew
up
at
Dr.
May
's
door
.
Norman
opened
it
,
to
claim
Meta
at
once
for
the
walk
;
Mrs.
Arnott
and
Mary
had
gone
on
to
assist
Richard
in
his
final
arrangements
,
but
even
before
Cocksmoor
,
with
Ethel
,
was
now
the
care
of
Margaret
;
and
she
had
waited
with
her
father
to
keep
all
bustle
from
her
room
,
and
to
commit
her
into
the
charge
of
Flora
and
of
nurse
.
Ethel
seemed
quite
unwilling
to
go
.
There
was
that
strange
oppressed
feeling
on
her
as
if
the
attainment
of
her
wishes
were
joy
too
great
to
be
real
—
as
if
she
would
fain
hold
off
from
it
at
the
climax
,
and
linger
with
the
sister
who
had
shared
all
with
her
,
and
to
whom
that
Church
was
even
more
than
to
herself
.
She
came
back
,
and
back
again
,
with
fresh
injunctions
,
sometimes
forgetting
the
very
purpose
of
her
return
,
as
if
it
had
been
only
an
excuse
for
looking
at
Margaret
's
countenance
,
and
drinking
in
her
sympathy
from
her
face
;
but
she
was
to
go
in
George
's
carriage
,
and
he
was
not
a
man
to
allow
of
loitering
.
He
became
so
impatient
of
Ethel
's
delays
,
that
she
perceived
that
he
could
bear
them
no
longer
,
gave
her
final
kiss
,
and
whispered
,
'
In
spirit
with
us
!
'
then
ran
down
and
was
siezed
on
by
George
,
who
had
already
packed
in
the
children
and
Miss
Bracy
,
and
was
whirled
away
.
'
Flora
dear
,
'
said
Margaret
,
'
do
you
dislike
having
the
window
opened
?
'
Flora
threw
it
up
,
protesting
,
in
reply
to
her
sister
's
scruples
,
that
she
liked
the
air
.
'
You
always
spoilt
me
,
'
said
Margaret
,
fondly
.
'
Come
and
lie
down
by
me
.
It
is
very
nice
to
have
you
here
,
'
she
added
,
as
Flora
complied
;
and
she
took
her
hand
and
fondled
it
.
'
It
is
like
the
old
times
to
have
you
here
taking
care
of
me
.
'
'
Very
unlike
them
in
some
ways
,
'
said
Flora
.
'
It
has
been
a
great
renewal
of
still
older
times
,
'
said
Margaret
,
'
to
have
aunt
Flora
here
.
I
hope
you
will
get
to
know
her
,
Flora
,
it
is
so
like
having
mamma
here
,
'
and
she
looked
in
her
sister
's
face
as
she
spoke
.
Flora
did
not
reply
,
but
she
lay
quite
still
,
as
if
there
were
a
charm
in
the
perfect
rest
of
being
alone
with
Margaret
,
making
no
effort
,
and
being
able
to
be
silent
.
Time
passed
on
,
how
long
they
knew
not
,
but
,
suddenly
,
a
thrill
shot
through
Margaret
's
frame
;
she
raised
her
hand
and
lifted
her
head
,
with
an
eager
'
Hark
!
'
Flora
could
hear
nothing
.
'
The
bells
—
his
bells
!
'
said
Margaret
,
all
one
radiant
look
of
listening
,
as
Flora
opened
the
window
further
,
and
the
breeze
wafted
in
the
chime
,
softened
by
distance
.
The
carnation
tinted
those
thin
white
cheeks
,
eyes
and
smile
beamed
with
joy
,
and
uplifted
finger
and
parted
lips
seemed
marking
every
note
of
the
cadence
.
It
ceased
.
'
Alan
!
Alan
!
'
said
she
.
'
It
is
enough
!
I
am
ready
!
'
The
somewhat
alarmed
look
on
Flora
's
face
recalled
her
,
and
,
smiling
,
she
held
out
her
hand
for
the
Consecration
books
,
saying
,
'
Let
us
follow
the
service
.
It
will
be
best
for
us
both
.
'
Slowly
,
softly
,
and
rather
monotonously
,
Flora
read
on
,
till
she
had
come
more
than
half
through
the
first
Lesson
.
Her
voice
grew
husky
,
and
she
sometimes
paused
as
if
she
could
not
easily
proceed
.
Margaret
begged
her
to
stop
,
but
she
would
not
cease
,
and
went
on
reading
,
though
almost
whispering
,
till
she
came
to
,
"
If
they
return
to
Thee
with
all
their
heart
and
with
all
their
soul
in
the
land
of
their
captivity
,
whither
they
have
carried
them
captives
,
and
pray
toward
their
land
,
which
Thou
gavest
unto
their
fathers
,
and
toward
the
City
which
Thou
hast
chosen
,
and
toward
the
House
which
I
have
built
for
Thy
Name
;
then
hear
Thou
from
the
Heavens
,
even
from
Thy
dwelling-place
—
"
Flora
could
go
no
further
;
she
strove
,
but
one
of
her
tearless
sobs
cut
her
short
.
She
turned
her
face
aside
,
and
,
as
Margaret
began
to
say
something
tender
,
she
exclaimed
,
with
low
,
hasty
utterance
,
'
Margaret
!
Margaret
!
pray
for
me
!
for
it
is
a
hard
captivity
,
and
my
heart
is
very
,
very
sore
.
Oh
!
pray
for
me
,
that
it
may
all
be
forgiven
me
—
and
that
I
may
see
my
child
again
!
'
'
My
Flora
;
my
own
poor
,
dear
Flora
!
do
I
not
pray
?
Oh
!
look
up
,
look
up
.
Think
how
He
loves
you
.
If
I
love
you
so
much
,
how
much
more
does
not
He
?
Come
near
me
,
Flora
.
Be
patient
,
and
I
know
peace
will
come
!
'
The
words
had
burst
from
Flora
uncontrollably
.
She
was
aware
,
the
next
instant
,
that
she
had
given
way
to
harmful
agitation
,
and
,
resuming
her
quiescence
,
partly
by
her
own
will
,
partly
from
the
soothing
effect
of
Margaret
's
words
and
tone
,
she
allowed
herself
to
be
drawn
close
to
her
sister
,
and
hid
her
face
in
the
pillow
,
while
Margaret
's
hands
were
folded
over
her
,
and
words
of
blessing
and
prayer
were
whispered
with
a
fervency
that
made
them
broken
.
Ethel
,
meanwhile
,
stood
between
Aubrey
and
Gertrude
,
hardly
able
to
believe
it
was
not
a
dream
,
as
she
beheld
the
procession
enter
the
Aisle
,
and
heard
the
Psalm
that
called
on
those
doors
to
lift
up
their
heads
for
Him
who
should
enter
.
There
was
an
almost
bewildered
feeling
—
could
it
indeed
be
true
,
as
she
followed
the
earlier
part
of
the
service
,
which
set
apart
that
building
as
a
Temple
for
ever
,
separate
from
all
common
uses
.
She
had
imagined
the
scene
so
often
that
she
could
almost
have
supposed
the
present
,
one
of
her
many
imaginations
;
but
,
by-and-by
,
the
strangeness
passed
off
,
and
she
was
able
to
enter
into
,
not
merely
to
follow
,
the
prayers
,
and
to
feel
the
deep
thanksgiving
that
such
had
been
the
crown
of
her
feeble
efforts
.
Margaret
was
in
her
mind
the
whole
time
,
woven
,
as
it
were
,
into
every
supplication
and
every
note
of
praise
;
and
when
there
came
the
intercession
for
those
in
sickness
and
suffering
,
flowing
into
the
commemoration
of
those
departed
in
faith
and
fear
,
Ethel
's
spirit
sank
for
a
moment
at
the
conviction
,
that
soon
Margaret
,
like
him
,
whom
all
must
bear
in
mind
on
that
day
,
might
be
included
in
that
thanksgiving
;
yet
,
as
the
service
proceeded
,
leaving
more
and
more
of
earth
behind
,
and
the
voices
joined
with
Angel
and
Archangel
,
Ethel
could
lose
the
present
grief
,
and
only
retain
the
certainty
that
,
come
what
might
,
there
was
joy
and
union
amid
those
who
sung
that
Hymn
of
praise
.
Never
had
Ethel
been
so
happy
—
not
in
the
sense
of
the
finished
work
—
no
,
she
had
lost
all
that
,
but
in
being
more
carried
out
of
herself
than
ever
she
had
been
before
,
the
free
spirit
of
praise
so
bearing
up
her
heart
that
the
cry
of
Glory
came
from
her
with
such
an
exulting
gladness
,
as
might
surely
be
reckoned
as
one
of
those
foretastes
of
our
Everlasting
Life
,
not
often
vouchsafed
even
to
the
faithful
,
and
usually
sent
to
prepare
strength
for
what
may
be
in
store
.
The
blessing
brought
the
sense
of
peace
,
which
hung
on
her
even
while
the
sounds
of
movement
began
,
and
the
congregation
were
emerging
.
As
she
came
out
,
greetings
,
sentences
of
admiration
of
the
Church
,
and
of
enquiry
for
her
absent
sisters
,
were
crowded
upon
her
,
as
people
moved
towards
the
school
,
where
a
luncheon
was
provided
for
them
,
to
pass
away
the
interval
until
evening
service
.
The
half-dozen
oldest
Cocksmoorites
were
,
meantime
,
to
have
a
dinner
in
the
former
school-room
,
at
the
Elwood
's
house
,
and
Ethel
was
anxious
to
see
that
all
was
right
there
,
so
,
while
the
rest
of
her
party
were
doing
civil
things
,
she
gave
her
arm
to
Cherry
,
whose
limping
walk
shewed
her
to
be
very
tired
.
'
Oh
!
Miss
Ethel
!
'
said
Cherry
,
'
if
Miss
May
could
only
have
been
here
!
'
'
Her
heart
is
,
'
said
Ethel
.
'
Well
,
ma'am
,
I
believe
it
is
.
You
would
not
think
,
ma'am
,
how
all
the
children
take
heed
to
anything
about
her
.
If
I
only
begin
to
say
"
Miss
May
told
me
—
"
they
are
all
like
mice
.
'
'
She
has
done
more
for
the
real
good
of
Cocksmoor
than
anyone
else
,
'
said
Ethel
.
More
might
have
been
said
,
but
they
perceived
that
they
were
being
overtaken
by
the
body
of
Clergy
,
who
had
been
unrobing
in
the
vestry
.
Ethel
hastened
to
retreat
within
Mrs.
Elwood
's
wicket
gate
,
but
she
was
arrested
by
Richard
,
and
found
herself
being
presented
to
the
Bishop
,
and
the
Bishop
shaking
hands
with
her
,
and
saying
that
he
had
much
wished
to
be
introduced
to
her
.
Of
course
,
that
was
because
she
was
her
father
's
daughter
,
and
by
way
of-something
to
say
.
She
mentioned
what
was
going
on
at
the
cottage
,
whereupon
the
Bishop
wished
to
go
in
and
see
the
old
people
;
and
,
entering
,
they
found
the
very
comfortable-looking
party
just
sitting
down
to
roast-beef
and
goose
.
John
Taylor
,
in
a
new
black
coat
,
on
account
of
his
Clerkship
,
presiding
at
one
end
,
and
Mr.
Elwood
at
the
other
,
and
Dame
Hall
finding
conversation
for
the
whole
assembly
;
while
Blanche
,
Aubrey
,
Gertrude
,
the
little
Larkinses
,
and
the
Abbotstoke
Wilmots
were
ready
to
act
as
waiters
with
infinite
delight
.
Not
a
whit
daunted
by
the
Bishop
,
who
was
much
entertained
by
her
merry
manner
,
old
Granny
told
him
'
she
had
never
seen
nothing
like
it
since
the
Jubilee
,
when
the
Squire
roasted
an
ox
whole
,
and
there
was
n't
none
of
it
fit
to
eat
;
and
when
her
poor
father
got
his
head
broken
.
Well
,
to
be
sure
,
who
would
have
thought
what
would
come
of
Sam
's
bringing
in
the
young
gentleman
and
lady
to
see
her
the
day
her
back
was
so
bad
!
'
The
Bishop
said
Grace
,
and
left
Granny
to
the
goose
,
while
he
gave
Ethel
his
arm
,
which
she
would
have
thought
an
unaccountable
proceeding
if
she
had
not
recollected
that
Richard
might
be
considered
as
host
,
and
that
she
was
his
eldest
sister
forthcoming
.
No
sooner
,
however
,
had
they
come
beyond
the
wicket
than
she
saw
her
father
speaking
to
Will
Adams
,
and
there
was
that
in
the
air
of
both
which
made
it
no
surprise
when
Dr.
May
came
up
,
saying
,
'
Ethel
,
I
must
carry
you
away
;
'
and
,
in
explanation
to
the
Bishop
,
'
my
poor
girl
at
home
is
not
so
well
.
'
All
was
enquiry
and
sympathy
.
Ethel
was
frantic
to
be
at
home
,
and
would
have
rushed
off
at
once
,
if
Richard
had
not
held
her
fast
,
asking
what
good
she
would
do
by
hurrying
in
,
breathless
and
exhausted
,
so
as
to
add
to
Flora
's
fright
and
distress
,
the
anxiety
which
was
most
upon
their
minds
,
since
she
had
never
before
witnessed
one
of
the
seizures
,
that
were
only
too
ordinary
matters
in
the
eyes
of
the
home
party
.
No
one
but
Dr.
May
and
Ethel
should
go
.
Richard
undertook
to
tell
the
rest
,
and
the
gig
making
its
appearance
,
Ethel
felt
that
the
peculiarly
kind
manner
with
which
the
Bishop
pressed
her
hand
,
and
gave
them
all
good
wishes
,
was
like
a
continuation
of
his
blessing
to
aid
her
,
in
her
home
scene
of
trial
.
Perhaps
,
it
was
well
for
her
that
her
part
in
the
Consecration
festivities
should
end
here
;
at
least
so
thought
Mr.
Wilmot
,
who
,
though
very
sorry
for
the
cause
,
could
not
wish
her
to
have
been
present
at
the
luncheon
.
She
had
not
thought
of
self
hitherto
,
the
Church
was
the
gift
of
Alan
and
Margaret
,
the
work
of
preparing
the
people
belonged
to
all
alike
,
and
she
did
not
guess
that
,
in
the
sight
of
others
,
she
was
not
the
nobody
that
she
believed
herself
.
Her
share
in
the
work
at
Cocksmoor
was
pretty
well
known
,
and
Dr.
Hoxton
could
not
allow
a
public
occasion
to
pass
without
speeches
,
such
as
must
either
have
been
very
painful
,
or
very
hurtful
to
her
.
The
absence
of
herself
and
her
father
,
however
,
permitted
a
more
free
utterance
to
the
general
feeling
;
and
things
were
said
,
that
did
indeed
make
the
rest
of
the
family
extremely
hot
and
uncomfortable
,
but
which
gave
them
extreme
pleasure
.
Norman
was
obliged
to
spare
Richard
the
answer
,
and
said
exactly
what
he
ought
,
and
so
beautifully
,
that
Meta
could
not
find
it
in
her
heart
to
echo
the
fervent
wish
,
which
he
whispered
as
he
sat
down
,
that
speechifying
could
be
abolished
by
act
of
parliament
.
Mrs.
Arnott
began
to
perceive
that
her
nephew
was
something
to
be
proud
of
,
and
to
understand
how
much
was
sacrificed
,
while
George
Rivers
expressed
his
opinion
to
her
that
Norman
would
be
a
crack
speaker
in
the
House
,
and
he
hoped
she
would
say
everything
to
hinder
his
going
out
,
for
it
was
a
regular
shame
to
waste
him
on
the
niggers
.
Owing
to
George
having
constituted
himself
her
squire
,
Mrs.
Arnott
had
not
arrived
at
an
understanding
of
the
state
of
affairs
at
home
;
but
,
as
soon
they
rose
up
from
luncheon
,
and
she
learnt
the
truth
from
Richard
and
Mary
,
nothing
would
hinder
her
from
walking
home
at
once
to
see
whether
she
could
be
useful
.
Mary
was
easily
persuaded
to
remain
,
for
she
was
accustomed
to
Margaret
's
having
these
attacks
,
and
had
always
been
kept
out
of
her
room
the
while
,
so
she
had
little
uneasiness
to
prevent
her
from
being
very
happy
,
in
receiving
in
her
own
simple
,
good-humoured
way
,
all
the
attentions
that
lapsed
upon
her
in
the
place
of
her
elder
sisters
.
'
Cocksmoor
really
has
a
Church
!
'
was
note
enough
of
joy
for
her
,
and
no
one
could
look
at
her
round
face
without
seeing
perfect
happiness
.
Moreover
,
when
after
evening
service
,
the
November
mist
turned
into
decided
rain
,
she
was
as
happy
as
a
queen
in
her
foresight
,
which
had
provided
what
seemed
an
unlimited
supply
of
cloaks
and
umbrellas
.
She
appeared
to
have
an
original
genius
for
making
the
right
people
give
a
lift
in
their
carriages
to
the
distressed
;
and
,
regarding
the
Abbotstoke
britska
as
her
own
,
packed
in
Mrs.
Anderson
and
Fanny
,
in
addition
to
all
their
own
little
ones
,
Meta
thrusting
Miss
Bracy
into
the
demi-corner
destined
for
herself
at
the
last
minute
,
and
,
remaining
with
Mary
,
the
only
ladies
obliged
to
walk
back
to
Stoneborough
.
So
delighted
were
they
"
at
the
fun
,
"
that
it
might
have
been
thought
the
most
charming
of
adventures
,
and
they
laughed
all
the
more
at
the
lack
of
umbrellas
.
They
went
to
Mrs.
Elwood
's
,
divested
themselves
of
all
possible
finery
,
and
tucked
up
the
rest
;
Meta
was
rolled
up
from
head
to
foot
in
a
great
old
plaid
shawl
of
Mrs.
Elwood
's
,
and
Mary
had
a
cloak
of
Richard
's
,
the
one
took
Norman
's
arm
,
the
other
Dr.
Spencer
's
,
and
they
trudged
home
through
the
darkness
and
the
mud
in
the
highest
glee
,
quite
sorry
when
the
carriage
met
them
half-way
.
It
was
the
last
mirth
that
they
enjoyed
for
many
weeks
.
When
they
reached
home
,
a
sense
of
self-reproach
for
their
glee
thrilled
over
them
,
when
they
found
a
sort
of
hush
pervading
the
drawing-room
,
and
saw
the
faces
of
awe
and
consternation
,
worn
by
Blanche
and
George
Rivers
.
'
It
was
a
much
worse
attack
than
usual
,
and
it
did
not
go
off
,
'
was
all
that
Blanche
knew
,
but
her
father
had
desired
to
be
told
when
Dr.
Spencer
came
home
,
and
she
went
up
with
the
tidings
.
This
brought
Flora
down
,
looking
dreadfully
pale
,
and
with
her
voice
sunk
away
as
it
had
been
when
she
lost
her
child
.
Her
husband
started
up
,
exclaiming
at
her
aspect
;
she
let
him
support
her
to
the
sofa
,
and
gave
the
few
particulars
.
Margaret
had
been
as
placid
and
comfortable
as
usual
,
till
nurse
came
to
dress
her
,
but
the
first
move
had
brought
on
the
faintness
and
loss
of
breath
.
It
did
not
yield
to
remedies
,
and
she
had
neither
looked
nor
spoken
since
,
only
moaned
.
Flora
thought
her
father
much
alarmed
;
and
then
,
after
an
interval
,
she
began
to
entreat
that
they
might
stay
there
,
sending
Miss
Bracy
and
the
children
to
the
Grange
to
make
room
.
Meantime
,
Dr.
Spencer
had
come
to
the
sick
room
,
but
he
could
only
suggest
remedies
that
were
already
in
course
of
application
to
the
insensible
sufferer
.
Mrs.
Arnott
and
Ethel
were
watching
,
and
trying
everything
to
relieve
her
,
but
with
little
effect
,
and
Ethel
presently
stood
by
the
fire
with
her
father
,
as
Dr.
Spencer
turned
towards
him
,
and
he
said
,
in
a
very
low
,
but
calm
voice
,
'
It
wo
n't
do
—
I
believe
it
is
the
death-stroke
.
'
'
Not
immediate
,
'
said
Dr.
Spencer
.
'
No
,
'
said
Dr.
May
;
and
he
quietly
spoke
of
what
the
disease
had
effected
,
and
what
yet
remained
for
it
to
do
,
ere
the
silver
bowl
should
be
broken
.
Dr.
Spencer
put
in
a
word
of
agreement
.
'
Will
there
be
no
rally
?
'
said
Ethel
,
in
the
same
tone
.
'
Probably
not
,
'
said
Dr.
May
;
'
the
brain
is
generally
reached
at
this
stage
.
I
have
seen
it
coming
for
a
long
time
.
The
thing
was
done
seven
years
ago
.
There
was
a
rally
for
a
time
when
youth
was
strong
;
but
suspense
and
sorrow
accelerated
what
began
from
the
injury
to
the
spine
.
'
Dr.
Spencer
bowed
his
head
,
and
looked
at
him
anxiously
,
saying
,
'
I
do
not
think
there
will
be
much
acute
suffering
.
'
'
I
fear
it
may
be
as
trying
,
'
said
Dr.
May
,
sighing
;
and
then
turning
to
Ethel
,
and
throwing
his
arm
round
her
,
'
May
God
make
it
easy
to
her
,
and
grant
us
"
patient
hearts
.
"
We
will
not
grudge
her
to
all
that
she
loves
best
,
my
Ethel
.
'
Ethel
clung
to
him
,
as
if
to
derive
strength
from
him
.
But
the
strength
that
was
in
them
then
,
did
not
come
from
earth
.
Dr.
Spencer
wrung
his
hand
,
and
stepped
back
to
the
bed
to
try
another
resource
.
Vain
again
,
they
only
seemed
to
be
tormenting
her
,
and
the
silent
helplessness
prevailed
again
.
Then
Dr.
May
went
down
to
Flora
,
told
her
the
true
state
of
the
case
,
and
urged
on
her
to
give
up
her
plan
of
remaining
.
George
joined
with
him
,
and
she
yielded
submissively
,
but
would
not
be
refused
going
up
once
again
and
kissing
her
sister
,
standing
beside
her
gazing
at
her
,
till
her
father
came
softly
and
drew
her
away
.
'
I
shall
be
here
to-morrow
,
'
she
said
to
Ethel
,
and
went
.
The
morrow
,
however
,
brought
no
Flora
.
The
agitation
and
distress
of
thst
day
had
broken
her
down
completely
,
and
she
was
so
ill
as
to
be
unable
to
move
.
Her
aunt
went
at
once
to
see
her
,
and
finding
that
her
presence
at
the
Grange
relieved
some
of
Dr.
May
's
anxieties
,
chiefly
devoted
herself
to
her
.
Flora
was
grateful
and
gentle
,
but
as
silent
and
impenetrable
as
ever
,
while
day
after
day
she
lay
on
her
couch
,
uncomplaining
and
undemonstrative
,
visited
by
her
father
,
and
watched
over
by
her
aunt
and
sister-in-law
,
who
began
to
know
each
other
much
better
,
though
Flora
less
than
ever
,
in
that
deep
fixed
grief
.
She
only
roused
herself
to
return
her
husband
's
affection
,
or
to
listen
to
the
daily
reports
of
Margaret
.
Poor
George
,
he
was
very
forlorn
,
thugh
Meta
did
her
best
to
wait
on
him
,
and
he
rode
over
twice
a
day
to
inquire
at
Stoneborough
.
The
Doctors
were
right
,
and
the
Consecration
morning
was
her
last
of
full
consciousness
.
From
the
hour
when
she
had
heard
the
sound
of
Alan
's
bells
,
her
ears
were
closed
to
earthly
sounds
.
There
was
very
little
power
of
intercourse
with
her
,
as
she
lingered
on
the
borders
of
the
Land
very
far
away
,
where
skill
and
tenderness
could
not
either
reach
body
or
spirit
.
Often
the
watchers
could
not
tell
whether
she
was
conscious
,
or
only
incapacitated
from
expression
,
by
the
fearful
weight
on
her
breath
,
which
caused
a
restlessness
most
piteous
in
the
exhausted
helpless
frame
,
wasted
till
the
softest
touch
was
anguish
.
Now
and
then
came
precious
gleams
when
a
familiar
voice
,
or
some
momentary
alleviation
would
gain
a
smile
,
or
thanks
,
and
they
thought
her
less
restless
when
Richard
read
prayers
beside
her
,
but
words
were
very
rare
,
only
now
and
then
a
name
,
and
when
in
most
distress
,
"
it
will
be
soon
over
,
"
"
it
will
soon
be
over
,
"
occurred
so
often
,
that
they
began
to
think
it
once
her
solace
,
and
now
repeated
habitually
without
a
meaning
.
They
could
not
follow
her
into
the
valley
of
the
shadow
of
death
,
but
could
only
watch
the
frail
earthly
prison-house
being
broken
down
,
as
if
the
doom
of
sin
must
be
borne
,
though
faith
could
trust
that
it
was
but
her
full
share
in
the
Cross
.
Calmly
did
those
days
pass
.
Ethel
,
Richard
,
and
Mary
divided
between
them
the
watching
and
the
household
cares
,
and
their
father
bore
up
bravely
in
the
fullness
of
his
love
and
faith
,
resigning
his
daughter
to
the
Hands
which
were
bearing
her
whither
her
joys
had
long
since
departed
.
Hector
Ernescliffe
arrived
when
the
holidays
began
;
and
his
agony
of
sorrow
,
when
she
failed
to
recognise
him
,
moved
Dr.
May
to
exert
himself
earnestly
for
his
consolation
;
and
,
at
the
same
time
,
Tom
,
in
a
gentle
,
almost
humble
manner
,
paid
a
sort
of
daughter-like
attention
to
the
smallest
services
for
his
father
,
as
if
already
accepting
him
as
his
especial
charge
.
It
was
midnight
,
on
the
longest
night
of
the
year
;
Ethel
was
lying
on
her
bed
,
and
had
fallen
into
a
brief
slumber
,
when
her
father
's
low
,
clear
voice
summoned
her
:
'
Ethel
,
she
is
going
!
'
There
was
a
change
on
the
face
,
and
the
breath
came
in
labouring
gasps
.
Richard
lifted
her
head
,
and
her
eyes
once
more
opened
;
she
smiled
once
more
.
'
Papa
!
'
she
said
,
'
dear
papa
!
'
He
threw
himself
on
his
knees
beside
her
,
but
she
looked
beyond
him
,
'
Mamma
!
Alan
!
oh
!
there
they
are
!
More
!
more
!
'
and
,
as
though
the
unspeakable
dawned
on
her
,
she
gasped
for
utterance
,
then
looked
,
with
a
consoling
smile
,
on
her
father
.
'
Over
now
!
'
she
said
—
and
the
last
struggle
was
ended
.
That
which
Richard
laid
down
was
no
longer
Margaret
May
.
Over
now
!
The
twenty-five
years
'
life
,
the
seven
years
'
captivity
on
her
couch
,
the
anxious
headship
of
the
motherless
household
,
the
hopeless
betrothal
,
the
long
suspense
,
the
efforts
for
resignation
,
the
widowed
affections
,
the
slow
decay
,
the
tardy
,
painful
death
agony
—
all
was
over
;
nothing
left
,
save
what
they
had
rendered
the
undying
spirit
,
and
the
impress
her
example
had
left
on
those
around
her
.
The
long
continuance
of
the
last
suffering
had
softened
the
actual
parting
;
and
it
was
with
thankfulness
for
the
cessation
of
her
pain
that
they
turned
away
,
and
bade
each
other
good-night
.
Ethel
would
not
have
believed
that
her
first
wakening
,
to
the
knowledge
that
Margaret
was
gone
,
could
have
been
more
fraught
with
relief
than
with
misery
.
And
,
for
her
father
,
it
seemed
as
if
it
were
a
home-like
,
comfortable
thought
to
him
,
that
her
mother
had
one
of
her
children
with
her
.
He
called
her
the
first
link
of
his
Daisy
Chain
drawn
up
out
of
sight
;
and
,
during
the
quiet
days
that
ensued
,
he
seemed
as
it
were
to
be
lifted
above
grief
,
dwelling
upon
hope
.
His
calmness
impressed
the
same
on
his
children
,
as
they
moved
about
in
the
solemn
stillness
of
the
house
;
and
when
Harry
,
pale
,
and
shocked
at
the
blow
to
him
so
sudden
,
came
home
,
the
grave
silence
soothed
his
violence
of
grief
;
and
he
sat
beside
his
father
or
Mary
,
speaking
in
under-tones
of
what
Margaret
had
loved
to
hear
from
him
,
of
Alan
Ernescliffe
's
last
moments
.
Mary
gave
way
to
a
burst
of
weeping
when
she
sought
,
in
vain
,
for
Daisies
in
the
wintry
garden
;
but
Hector
Ernescliffe
went
down
to
the
Cloisters
,
and
brought
back
the
lingering
blossoms
to
be
placed
on
Margaret
's
bosom
.
The
dog
Toby
had
followed
him
,
unseen
,
to
the
cloister
;
and
he
was
entering
the
garden
,
when
he
was
struck
by
seeing
the
animal
bounding
,
in
irrepressible
ecstacy
,
round
a
lad
,
whose
tarpaulin
hat
,
blue
bordered
collar
,
and
dark
blue
dress
,
shewed
him
to
be
a
sailor
,
as
well
as
the
broad-shouldered
,
grizzled
,
elderly
man
,
who
stood
beside
him
.
'
I
say
,
sir
,
'
said
the
latter
,
as
Hector
's
hand
was
on
the
door
,
'
do
you
belong
to
Dr.
May
?
'
Hector
unhesitatingly
answered
that
he
did
.
'
Then
,
may
be
,
sir
,
you
have
heard
of
one
Bill
Jennings
.
'
Hector
was
all
in
one
flush
,
almost
choking
,
as
he
told
that
he
was
Mr.
Ernescliffe
's
brother
,
and
gave
his
hand
to
the
sailor
.
'
What
could
he
do
for
him
?
'
Jennings
had
heard
from
one
of
the
crew
of
the
Bucephalus
that
Mr.
May
had
been
met
,
on
his
return
to
Portsmouth
,
by
the
news
of
his
sister
's
death
.
The
Mays
had
helped
his
boy
;
he
had
been
with
Mr.
May
in
the
island
;
he
had
laid
Mr.
Ernescliffe
in
his
grave
;
and
some
notion
had
crossed
the
sailor
that
he
must
be
at
Miss
Margaret
's
funeral
—
it
might
be
they
would
let
him
lend
a
hand
—
and
,
in
this
expedition
,
he
was
spending
his
time
on
shore
.
How
he
was
welcomed
need
not
be
told
,
nor
how
the
tears
came
forth
from
full
hearts
,
as
Dr.
May
granted
his
wish
,
and
thanked
him
for
doing
what
Margaret
herself
would
indeed
have
chosen
;
and
,
in
his
blue
sailor
garb
,
was
Jennings
added
to
the
bearers
,
their
own
men
,
and
two
Cocksmoor
labourers
,
who
,
early
on
Christmas
Eve
,
carried
her
to
the
Minster
.
Last
time
she
had
been
there
,
Alan
Ernescliffe
had
supported
her
.
Now
,
what
was
mortal
of
him
lay
beneath
the
palm
tree
,
beneath
the
glowing
summer
sky
,
while
the
first
snow
flakes
hung
like
pearls
on
her
pall
.
But
,
as
they
laid
her
by
her
mother
's
side
,
who
could
doubt
that
they
were
together
?
CHAPTER
XXVI
.
'
At
length
I
got
unto
the
gladsome
hill
,
Where
lay
my
hope
;
Where
lay
my
heart
;
and
,
climbing
still
,
When
I
had
gained
the
brow
and
top
,
A
lake
of
brackish
waters
on
the
ground
,
Was
all
I
found
.
'
George
Herbert
.
Late
in
the
evening
of
the
same
snowy
24th
of
December
,
a
little
daughter
awoke
to
life
at
Abbotstoke
Grange
,
and
,
not
long
after
,
Mrs.
Arnott
came
to
summon
Dr.
May
from
the
anxious
vigil
in
the
sitting
room
.
'
Come
and
see
if
you
can
do
anything
to
soothe
her
,
'
she
said
,
with
much
alarm
.
'
The
first
sight
of
the
baby
has
put
her
into
such
a
state
of
agitation
,
that
we
do
not
know
what
to
do
with
her
.
'
It
was
so
,
when
he
came
to
her
bedside
;
that
fixed
stony
look
of
despair
was
gone
;
the
source
of
tears
,
so
long
dried
up
,
had
opened
again
;
and
there
she
lay
,
weeping
quietly
indeed
,
but
profusely
,
and
with
deep
heaving
sobs
.
To
speak
,
or
to
leave
her
alone
,
seemed
equally
perilous
,
but
he
chose
the
first
—
he
kissed
and
blessed
her
,
and
gave
her
joy
.
She
looked
up
at
him
as
if
his
blessing
once
more
brought
peace
,
and
said
,
faintly
,
'
Now
it
is
pardon
—
now
I
can
die
!
'
'
The
cloud
is
gone
!
Thanks
for
that
above
all
!
'
said
Dr.
May
,
fervently
.
'
Now
,
my
dear
,
rest
in
thankful
gladness
—
you
are
too
weak
to
talk
or
think
.
'
'
I
am
weak
—
I
am
tired
of
it
all
,
'
said
Flora
.
'
I
am
glad
to
be
going
while
I
am
so
happy
—
there
are
Margaret
—
my
own
darling
—
rest
—
peace
—
'
'
You
are
not
going
,
dearest
,
'
said
her
father
;
'
at
least
,
I
trust
not
,
if
you
will
not
give
way
—
here
is
a
darling
given
to
you
,
instead
of
the
first
,
who
needs
you
more
.
'
He
would
have
taken
the
infant
from
the
nurse
and
held
her
to
her
mother
,
but
,
recollecting
how
little
Leonora
had
drawn
her
last
breath
in
his
arms
,
he
feared
the
association
,
and
signed
to
Mrs.
Arnott
to
shew
her
the
child
;
but
she
seemed
as
yet
only
able
to
feel
that
it
was
not
Leonora
,
and
the
long
sealed-up
grief
would
have
its
way
.
The
tears
burst
out
again
.
'
Tell
Ethel
she
will
be
the
best
mother
to
her
.
Name
her
Margaret
—
make
her
a
Daisy
of
your
own
—
do
n't
call
her
after
me
,
'
she
said
,
with
such
passionate
caresses
,
that
Mrs.
Arnott
was
glad
to
take
the
babe
away
.
Dr.
May
's
next
expedient
was
to
speak
to
her
of
her
husband
,
who
needed
her
more
than
all
,
and
to
call
him
in
.
There
seemed
to
be
something
tranquillizing
in
his
wistful
manner
of
repeating
,
'
Do
n't
cry
,
Flora
;
'
and
she
was
at
last
reduced
,
by
her
extreme
exhaustion
,
to
stillness
;
but
there
were
still
many
fears
for
her
.
Dr.
May
's
prediction
was
accomplished
—
that
she
would
suffer
for
having
over-exerted
herself
.
Her
constitution
had
been
severely
tried
by
the
grief
and
despondency
that
she
had
so
long
endured
in
silence
,
and
the
fresh
sorrow
for
her
favorite
sister
,
coming
at
such
a
crisis
.
There
was
a
weariness
of
life
,
and
an
unwillingness
to
resume
her
ordinary
routine
,
that
made
her
almost
welcome
her
weakness
and
sinking
;
and
now
that
the
black
terror
had
cleared
away
from
the
future
,
she
seemed
to
long
to
follow
Margaret
at
once
,
and
to
yearn
after
her
lost
child
;
while
appeals
to
the
affection
that
surrounded
her
,
often
seemed
to
oppress
her
,
as
if
there
were
nothing
but
weariness
and
toil
in
store
.
The
state
of
her
mind
made
her
father
very
anxious
,
though
it
was
but
too
well
accounted
for
.
Poor
Flora
had
voluntarily
assumed
the
trammels
that
galled
her
;
worldly
motives
had
prompted
her
marriage
,
and
though
she
faithfully
loved
her
husband
,
he
was
a
heavy
weight
on
her
hands
,
and
she
had
made
it
more
onerous
by
thrusting
him
into
a
position
for
which
he
was
not
calculated
,
and
inspriring
him
with
a
self-consequence
that
would
not
recede
from
it
.
The
shock
of
her
child
's
death
had
taken
away
the
zest
and
energy
which
had
rejoiced
in
her
chosen
way
of
life
,
and
opened
her
eyes
to
see
what
Master
she
had
been
serving
;
and
the
perception
of
the
hollowness
of
all
that
had
been
apparently
good
in
her
,
had
filled
her
with
remorse
and
despair
.
Her
sufferings
had
been
the
more
bitter
because
she
had
not
parted
with
her
proud
reserve
.
She
had
refused
council
,
and
denied
her
confidence
to
those
who
could
have
guided
her
repentance
.
Her
natural
good
sense
,
and
the
sound
principle
in
which
she
had
been
brought
up
,
had
taught
her
to
distrust
her
gloomy
feelings
as
possibly
morbid
;
and
she
had
prayed
,
keeping
her
hold
of
faith
in
the
Infinite
Mercy
,
though
she
could
not
feel
her
own
part
in
it
;
and
thus
that
faith
was
beginning
at
last
to
clear
her
path
.
It
was
the
harder
to
deal
with
her
,
because
her
hysterical
agitation
was
so
easily
excited
,
that
her
father
hardly
dared
to
let
a
word
be
spoken
to
her
;
and
she
was
allowed
to
see
no
one
else
except
her
aunt
and
the
dear
old
nurse
,
whose
tears
for
her
child
Margaret
had
been
checked
by
the
urgent
requirements
of
another
of
her
nurslings
;
and
whom
George
Rivers
would
have
paid
with
her
weight
in
gold
,
for
taking
care
of
his
new
daughter
,
regarding
her
as
the
only
woman
in
the
world
that
could
be
trusted
.
Those
were
heavy
days
with
everyone
,
though
each
brought
some
shade
of
improvement
.
They
were
harder
to
bear
than
the
peaceful
days
that
had
immediately
followed
the
loss
of
Margaret
;
and
Ethel
was
especially
unhappy
and
forlorn
under
the
new
anxiety
,
where
she
could
be
of
no
service
;
and
with
her
precious
occupation
gone
;
her
father
absent
,
instead
of
resting
upon
her
;
and
her
room
deserted
.
She
was
grieved
with
herself
,
because
her
feelings
were
unable
to
soar
at
the
Christmas
feast
,
as
erst
on
St.
Andrew
's
day
;
and
she
was
bewildered
and
distressed
by
the
fear
that
she
had
then
been
only
uplifted
by
vanity
and
elation
.
She
told
Richard
so
,
and
he
said
,
kindly
,
that
he
thought
a
good
deal
of
what
she
complained
of
arose
from
bodily
weariness
.
This
hurt
her
a
little
;
but
when
he
said
,
'
I
think
that
the
blessings
of
St.
Andrew
's
day
helped
us
through
what
was
to
follow
,
'
she
owned
that
it
had
indeed
been
so
,
and
added
,
'
I
am
going
to
work
again
!
Tell
me
what
will
be
most
useful
to
you
at
Cocksmoor
.
'
Sick
at
heart
as
she
was
,
she
bravely
set
herself
to
appropriate
the
hours
now
left
vacant
;
and
manfully
walked
with
Richard
and
Harry
to
Church
at
Cocksmoor
