oninfant
management
that
she
could
obtain
,
constantly
listened
for
his
voice
,
and
filled
her
letters
to
her
mother
with
questions
and
details
on
his
health
,
and
descriptions
of
his
small
person
.
Alick
was
amused
whenever
he
glanced
at
his
strong-minded
woman’s
correspondence
,
and
now
and
then
used
to
divert
himself
with
rousing
her
into
emphatic
declarations
of
her
preference
of
this
delicate
little
being
to
“
great
,
stout
,
coarse
creatures
that
people
call
fine
children
.
”
In
fact
,
Alick’s
sensitive
tenderness
towards
his
sister’s
motherless
child
took
the
form
of
avoiding
the
sight
of
it
,
and
being
ironical
when
it
was
discussed
;
but
with
Mr.
Clare
,
Rachel
was
sure
of
sympathy
,
ever
since
the
afternoon
when
he
had
said
how
the
sounds
upstairs
reminded
him
of
his
own
little
daughter
;
and
sitting
under
the
yew-tree
,
he
had
told
Rachel
all
the
long
stored-up
memories
of
the
little
life
that
had
been
closed
a
few
days
after
he
had
first
heard
himself
called
papa
by
the
baby
lips
.
He
had
described
all
these
events
calmly
,
and
not
without
smiles
,
and
had
said
how
his
own
blindness
had
made
him
feel
thankful
that
he
had
safely
laid
his
little
Una
on
her
mother’s
bosom
under
the
church’s
shade
;
but
when
Rachel
spoke
of
this
conversation
to
her
husband
,
she
learnt
that
it
was
the
first
time
that
he
had
ever
talked
of
those
buried
hopes
.
He
had
often
spoken
of
his
wife
,
but
though
always
fond
of
children
,
few
who
had
not
read
little
Una’s
name
beneath
her
mother’s
cross
,
knew
that
he
was
a
childless
father
.
And
yet
it
was
beautiful
to
see
the
pleasure
he
took
in
the
touch
of
Bessie’s
infant
,
and
how
skilfully
and
tenderly
he
would
hold
it
,
so
that
Rachel
in
full
faith
averred
that
the
little
Alexander
was
never
so
happy
as
with
him
.
The
chief
alarms
came
from
Mrs
Comyn
Menteith
,
who
used
to
descend
on
the
Rectory
like
a
whirlwind
,
when
the
Colonel
had
politely
expelled
her
from
her
father’s
room
at
Timber
End
.
Possessed
with
the
idea
of
Rachel’s
being
very
dull
at
Bishopsworthy
,
she
sedulously
enlivened
her
with
melancholy
prognostics
as
to
the
life
,
limbs
,
and
senses
of
the
young
heir
,
who
would
never
live
,
poor
little
darling
,
even
with
the
utmost
care
of
herself
and
her
nurse
,
and
it
was
very
perverse
of
papa
and
the
doctors
still
to
keep
him
from
her
—
poor
little
darling
—
not
that
it
mattered
,
for
he
was
certain
not
to
thrive
,
wherever
he
was
,
and
the
Gowanbrae
family
would
end
with
Uncle
Colin
and
the
glassblower’s
daughter
;
a
disaster
on
which
she
met
with
such
condolence
from
Alick
(
N
.
B
.
the
next
heir
)
that
Rachel
was
once
reduced
to
the
depths
of
genuine
despair
by
the
conviction
that
his
opinion
of
his
nephew’s
life
was
equally
desponding
;
and
another
time
was
very
angry
with
him
for
not
defending
Ermine’s
gentility
.
She
had
not
entirely
learnt
what
Alick’s
assent
might
mean
.
Once
,
when
Mrs.
Menteith
had
been
besetting
her
father
with
entreaties
for
the
keys
of
Lady
Keith’s
private
possessions
,
she
was
decisively
silenced
,
and
the
next
day
these
same
keys
were
given
to
Alick
,
with
a
request
that
his
wife
would
as
soon
as
possible
look
over
and
take
to
herself
all
that
had
belonged
to
his
sister
,
except
a
few
heirloom
jewels
that
must
return
to
Scotland
.
Alick
demurred
greatly
,
but
the
old
man
would
not
brook
contradiction
,
and
Rachel
was
very
unwillingly
despatched
upon
the
mission
on
one
of
Alick’s
days
of
prostration
at
home
.
His
absence
was
the
most
consoling
part
of
this
sad
day’s
work
.
Any
way
it
could
not
be
otherwise
than
piteous
to
dismantle
what
had
been
lately
so
bright
and
luxurious
,
and
the
contrast
of
the
present
state
of
things
with
that
in
which
these
dainty
new
wedding
presents
had
been
brought
together
,
could
not
but
give
many
a
pang
;
but
beside
this
,
there
was
a
more
than
ordinary
impression
of
“
vanity
of
vanities
,
all
is
vanity
,
”
very
painful
to
affection
that
was
striving
to
lose
the
conviction
that
it
had
been
a
self-indulgent
,
plausible
life
.
The
accumulation
of
expensive
trinkets
and
small
luxuries
,
was
as
surprising
as
perplexing
to
a
person
of
Rachel’s
severely
simple
and
practical
tastes
.
It
was
not
only
since
the
marriage
;
for
Bessie
had
always
had
at
her
disposal
means
rather
ample
,
and
had
used
them
not
exactly
foolishly
,
but
evidently
for
her
own
gratification
.
Everything
had
some
intrinsic
worth
,
and
was
tasteful
or
useful
,
but
the
multitude
was
perfectly
amazing
,
and
the
constant
echo
in
Rachel’s
ears
was
,
“
he
heapeth
up
riches
and
cannot
tell
who
shall
gather
them
.
”
Lord
Keith
could
hardly
have
found
an
executrix
for
his
poor
young
wife
,
to
whom
her
properties
would
have
done
so
little
harm
.
Rachel
set
many
aside
for
the
cousins
,
and
for
Mrs.
Menteith
,
others
she
tried
to
persuade
the
Colonel
to
call
Gowanbrae
belongings
,
and
failing
in
this
,
she
hoped
through
Grace
,
to
smuggle
some
of
them
into
his
Gowanbrae
;
but
when
all
was
done
,
there
was
a
mass
of
things
that
Lord
Keith
never
wished
to
see
again
,
and
that
seemed
to
Rachel
to
consist
of
more
ornaments
than
she
could
ever
wear
,
and
more
knick-knacks
than
a
captain’s
wife
could
ever
carry
about
with
her
.
She
was
putting
aside
the
various
packets
of
letters
and
papers
to
be
looked
over
more
at
leisure
,
when
the
Colonel
knocked
at
the
morning-room
door
,
and
told
her
that
his
brother
would
like
to
see
her
,
when
her
work
was
done
.
“
But
first
,
”
he
said
,
“
I
must
ask
you
to
be
kind
enough
to
look
over
some
of
these
papers
,
and
try
to
find
receipts
for
some
of
those
bills
.
”
“
Here
they
are
,
”
said
Rachel
,
“
I
was
going
to
look
them
over
at
home
.
”
“
If
you
have
time
to
examine
them
here
with
me
,
”
said
Colonel
Keith
,
gently
,
“
I
think
it
might
save
Alick
some
pain
and
vexation
.
”
Rachel
was
entirely
unaware
of
his
meaning
,
and
supposed
he
only
thought
of
the
mere
thrilling
of
the
recent
wound
;
but
when
he
sat
down
and
took
a
long
account
out
of
a
tradesman’s
envelope
,
a
chill
of
dismay
came
over
her
,
followed
by
a
glow
of
hope
as
she
recollected
a
possible
explanation
:
“
Have
these
wretched
tradesmen
been
sending
in
bills
over
again
at
such
a
time
as
this
?
”
she
exclaimed
.
“
I
should
be
very
glad
to
find
their
receipts
,
”
returned
the
Colonel
.
They
opened
the
most
business-like
looking
bundles
,
all
of
them
,
though
neatly
kept
,
really
in
hopeless
confusion
.
In
vain
was
the
search
,
and
notes
came
forth
which
rendered
it
but
too
plain
that
there
had
been
a
considerable
amount
of
debt
even
before
the
marriage
,
and
that
she
had
made
partial
payments
and
promises
of
clearing
all
off
gradually
,
but
that
her
new
expenses
were
still
growing
upon
her
,
and
the
few
payments
“
on
account
,
”
since
she
had
been
Lady
Keith
,
by
no
means
tallied
with
the
amount
of
new
purchases
and
orders
.
No
one
had
suspected
her
money
matters
of
being
in
disorder
,
and
Rachel
was
very
slow
to
comprehend
;
her
simple
,
country
life
had
made
her
utterly
unaware
of
the
difficulties
and
ways
and
means
of
a
young
lady
of
fashion
.
Even
the
direct
evidence
before
her
eyes
would
not
at
first
persuade
her
that
it
was
not
“
all
those
wicked
tradesmen
;
”
she
had
always
heard
that
fashionable
shops
were
not
to
be
trusted
.
“
I
am
afraid
,
”
said
Colonel
Keith
,
“
that
the
whole
can
scarcely
be
shifted
on
the
tradesmen
.
I
fear
poor
Bessie
was
scarcely
free
from
blame
in
this
matter
.
”
“
Not
paying
!
Going
on
in
debt
!
Oh
she
could
not
have
meant
it
;
”
said
Rachel
,
still
too
much
astonished
to
understand
.
“
Of
course
one
hears
of
gay
,
thoughtless
people
doing
such
things
,
but
Bessie
—
who
had
so
much
thought
and
sense
.
It
must
be
a
mistake
!
Can’t
you
go
and
speak
to
the
people
?
”
“
It
is
very
sad
and
painful
to
make
such
discoveries
,
”
said
Colonel
Keith
;
“
but
I
am
afraid
such
things
are
not
uncommon
in
the
set
she
was
too
much
thrown
amongst
.
”
“
But
she
knew
so
well
—
she
was
so
superior
;
and
with
Alick
and
her
uncle
to
keep
her
above
them
,
”
said
Rachel
;
“
I
cannot
think
she
could
have
done
such
things
.
”
“
I
could
not
think
,
but
I
see
it
was
so
,
”
said
Colonel
Keith
,
gravely
.
“
As
I
am
obliged
to
understand
these
things
,
she
must
have
greatly
exceeded
her
means
,
and
have
used
much
cleverness
and
ingenuity
in
keeping
the
tradesmen
quiet
,
and
preventing
all
from
coming
to
light
.
”
“
How
miserable
!
I
can’t
fancy
living
in
such
a
predicament
.
”
“
I
am
much
afraid
,
”
added
the
Colonel
,
looking
over
the
papers
,
“
that
it
explains
the
marriage
—
and
then
Keith
did
not
allow
her
as
much
as
she
expected
.
”
“
Oh
,
Colonel
Keith
,
don’t
!
”
cried
Rachel
;
“
it
is
just
the
one
thing
where
I
could
not
bear
to
believe
Alick
.
She
was
so
dear
and
beautiful
,
and
spoke
so
rightly
.
”
“
To
believe
Alick
!
”
repeated
the
Colonel
,
as
Rachel’s
voice
broke
down
.
“
I
thought
—
I
ought
not
to
have
thought
—
he
was
hard
upon
her
—
but
he
knew
better
,
”
said
Rachel
,
“
of
course
he
did
not
know
of
all
this
dreadful
business
!
”
“
Assuredly
not
,
”
said
the
Colonel
,
“
that
is
self-evident
,
but
as
you
say
,
I
am
afraid
he
did
know
his
poor
sister’s
character
better
than
we
did
,
when
he
came
to
warn
me
against
the
marriage
.
”
“
Did
he
?
Oh
how
much
it
must
have
cost
him
.
”
“
I
am
afraid
I
did
not
make
it
cost
him
less
.
I
thought
he
judged
her
harshly
,
and
that
his
illness
had
made
him
magnify
trifles
,
but
though
our
interference
would
have
been
perfectly
useless
,
he
was
quite
right
in
his
warning
.
Now
that
,
poor
thing
,
she
is
no
longer
here
to
enchant
us
with
her
witcheries
,
I
see
that
my
brother
greatly
suffered
from
being
kept
away
from
home
,
and
detained
in
this
place
,
and
that
she
left
him
far
more
alone
than
she
ought
to
have
done
.
”
“
Yes
,
Alick
thought
so
,
but
she
had
such
good
reasons
,
I
am
sure
she
believed
them
herself
.
”
“
If
she
had
not
believed
them
,
she
could
not
have
had
such
perfect
sincerity
of
manner
,
”
said
the
Colonel
;
“
she
must
have
persuaded
at
least
one
half
of
herself
that
she
was
acting
for
every
one’s
good
except
her
own
.
”
“
And
Mr.
Clare
,
whom
Alick
always
thought
she
neglected
,
never
felt
it
.
Alick
says
he
was
too
unselfish
to
claim
attention
.
”
“
I
never
doubted
her
for
one
moment
till
I
came
home
,
on
that
unhappy
day
,
and
found
how
ill
Keith
was
.
I
did
think
then
,
that
considering
how
much
she
had
seen
of
Alick
while
the
splinters
were
working
out
,
she
ought
to
have
known
better
than
to
talk
of
sciatica
;
but
she
made
me
quite
believe
in
her
extreme
anxiety
,
and
that
she
was
only
going
out
because
it
was
necessary
for
her
to
take
care
of
you
on
your
first
appearance
.
How
bright
she
looked
,
and
how
little
I
thought
I
should
never
see
her
again
!
”
“
Oh
,
she
meant
what
she
said
!
She
always
was
kind
to
me
!
Most
kind
!
”
repeated
Rachel
;
“
so
considerate
about
all
the
dreadful
spring
—
not
one
word
did
she
say
to
vex
me
about
the
past
!
I
am
sure
she
did
go
out
on
that
day
as
much
to
shelter
me
as
for
anything
else
.
I
can’t
bear
to
think
all
this
—
here
in
this
pretty
room
that
she
had
such
pleasure
in
;
where
she
made
me
so
welcome
,
after
all
my
disagreeableness
and
foolishness
.
”
The
Colonel
could
almost
have
said
,
“
Better
such
foolishness
than
such
wisdom
,
such
repulsion
than
such
attraction
.
”
He
was
much
struck
by
Rachel’s
distress
,
and
the
absence
of
all
female
spite
and
triumph
,
made
him
understand
Ermine’s
defence
of
her
as
really
large-minded
and
generous
.
“
It
is
a
very
sad
moment
to
be
undeceived
,
”
he
said
;
“
one
would
rather
have
one’s
faults
come
to
light
in
one’s
life
than
afterwards
.
”
They
were
simple
words
,
so
simple
that
the
terrible
truth
with
which
they
were
connected
,
did
not
come
upon
Rachel
at
the
first
moment
;
but
as
if
to
veil
her
agitation
,
she
drew
towards
her
a
book
,
an
ivory-bound
Prayer-book
,
full
of
illuminations
,
of
Bessie’s
own
doing
,
and
her
eye
fell
upon
the
awful
verse
,
“
So
long
as
thou
doest
well
unto
thyself
,
men
will
speak
good
of
thee
.
”
It
was
almost
more
than
Rachel
could
bear
,
sitting
in
the
midst
of
the
hoards
,
for
which
poor
Bessie
had
sold
herself
.
She
rose
up
,
with
a
sob
of
oppressive
grief
,
and
broke
out
,
“
Oh
!
at
least
it
is
a
comfort
that
Alick
was
really
the
kindest
and
rightest
!
Only
too
right
!
but
you
can
settle
all
this
without
him
,
”
she
added
imploringly
;
“
need
he
know
of
this
?
I
can’t
bear
that
he
should
.
”
“
Nor
I
,
”
said
Colonel
Keith
,
“
it
was
the
reason
that
I
am
glad
you
are
here
alone
.
”
“
Oh
,
thank
you
!
No
one
need
ever
know
,
”
added
Rachel
.
“
I
fear
my
brother
must
see
the
accounts
,
as
they
have
to
be
paid
,
but
that
need
not
be
immediately
.
”
“
Is
there
anything
else
that
is
dreadful
?
”
said
Rachel
,
looking
at
the
remaining
papers
,
as
if
they
were
a
nest
of
adders
.
“
I
don’t
like
to
take
them
home
now
,
if
they
will
grieve
Alick
.
”
“
You
need
not
be
afraid
of
that
packet
,
”
said
the
Colonel
;
“
I
see
his
father’s
handwriting
.
They
look
like
his
letters
from
India
.
”
Rachel
looked
into
one
or
two
,
and
her
face
lighted
up
.
“
Oh
!
”
she
exclaimed
,
“
this
is
enough
to
make
up
for
all
.
This
is
his
letter
to
tell
about
Alick’s
wound
.
Oh
how
beautifully
he
speaks
of
him
,
”
and
Rachel
,
with
no
voice
to
read
,
handed
the
thin
paper
to
her
companion
,
that
he
might
see
the
full
commendation
,
that
had
been
wrung
from
the
reserved
father’s
heart
by
his
son’s
extremity
.
“
You
must
be
prepared
to
hear
that
all
is
over
,
”
wrote
the
father
to
his
daughter
;
“
in
fact
,
I
doubt
whether
he
can
live
till
morning
,
though
M’Vicar
declares
that
nothing
vital
has
been
touched
.
Be
it
as
it
may
,
the
boy
has
been
in
all
respects
,
even
more
than
I
dared
to
wish
,
and
the
comfort
he
has
been
ever
since
he
came
out
to
me
has
been
unspeakable
.
We
must
not
grudge
him
such
a
soldier’s
death
after
his
joyous
life
.
But
for
you
,
my
poor
girl
,
I
could
only
wish
the
same
for
myself
to-morrow
.
You
will
,
at
least
,
if
you
lose
a
brother’s
care
,
have
a
memory
of
him
,
to
which
to
live
up
.
The
thought
of
such
a
dead
brother
will
be
more
to
you
than
many
a
living
one
can
ever
be
to
a
sister
.
”
Rachel’s
heart
beat
high
,
and
her
eyes
were
full
of
tears
of
exultation
.
And
the
Colonel
was
well
pleased
to
compensate
for
all
the
pain
he
had
inflicted
by
giving
her
all
the
details
he
could
recollect
of
her
husband’s
short
campaign
.
They
had
become
excellent
friends
over
their
mournful
work
,
and
were
sorry
to
have
their
tete-a-tete
interrupted
when
a
message
was
brought
that
his
Lordship
was
ready
,
if
Mrs.
Keith
would
be
so
good
as
to
come
into
his
sitting-room
.
She
wiped
away
the
tears
,
and
awe-struck
and
grave
,
followed
the
Colonel
;
a
great
contrast
to
Lord
Keith’s
more
frequent
lady-visitor
,
as
she
silently
received
the
polished
greeting
,
its
peculiar
stateliness
of
courtesy
,
enhanced
by
the
feeble
state
of
the
shattered
old
man
,
unable
to
rise
from
his
pillowed
chair
,
and
his
face
deeply
lined
by
suffering
.
He
would
not
let
her
give
him
any
account
of
her
labours
,
nor
refer
any
question
to
him
,
he
only
entreated
that
everything
might
be
taken
away
,
and
that
he
might
hear
nothing
about
it
.
He
spoke
warmly
of
Alick’s
kindness
and
attention
,
and
showed
much
solicitude
about
his
indisposition
,
and
at
last
he
inquired
for
Rachel’s
“
little
charge
,
”
hoping
he
was
not
clamorous
or
obnoxious
to
her
,
or
to
Mr.
Clare’s
household
.
Her
eager
description
of
his
charms
provoked
a
look
of
interest
and
a
sad
smile
,
followed
by
a
request
,
that
weather
and
doctor
permitting
,
she
would
bring
the
child
to
be
seen
for
a
few
minutes
.
The
next
day
there
was
an
appointment
,
at
which
both
the
Colonel
and
Alick
were
wanted
,
but
on
the
following
one
,
the
carriage
should
be
sent
to
bring
her
and
the
little
one
to
Timber
End
.
The
effect
of
this
invitation
amused
Alick
.
The
first
thing
he
heard
in
the
morning
was
a
decided
announcement
from
Rachel
that
she
must
go
up
to
London
to
procure
equipments
for
the
baby
to
be
presented
in
!
“
You
know
I
can’t
go
with
you
to-day
.
”
“
Of
course
,
but
I
must
make
him
fit
to
be
seen
.
You
know
he
has
been
wearing
little
Una’s
things
all
this
time
,
and
that
will
not
do
out
of
the
nursery
.
”
“
A
superior
woman
ought
to
know
that
his
Lordship
will
never
find
out
what
his
son
has
on
.
”
“
Then
it
is
all
the
more
reason
that
I
should
not
let
the
poor
dear
little
fellow
go
about
wrapped
up
in
somebody’s
old
shawl
!
”
“
What
will
you
do
then
—
take
your
maid
?
”
“
Certainly
not
.
I
can’t
have
him
left
.
”
“
Then
take
him
with
you
?
”
“
What
,
Alick
,
a
little
unvaccinated
baby
!
Where
have
you
ever
lived
!
I
don’t
see
the
least
reason
why
I
should
not
go
alone
.
”
“
You
need
not
begin
beating
about
the
world
yet
,
Rachel
.
How
many
times
did
you
say
you
had
been
in
London
?
”
“
Three
;
once
with
my
father
when
I
was
a
child
,
once
in
the
time
of
the
Great
Exhibition
,
and
passing
through
it
now
with
you
.
But
any
one
of
common
sense
can
manage
.
”
“
If
you
will
wait
till
five
o’clock
I
will
come
with
you
,
”
said
Alick
,
wearily
.
“
No
,
indeed
,
I
had
rather
not
go
,
than
that
you
should
,
you
are
quite
tired
out
enough
at
the
end
of
the
day
.
”
“
Then
do
not
go
.
”
“
Alick
,
why
will
you
have
no
proper
feeling
for
that
poor
dear
child
!
”
said
Rachel
with
tears
in
her
eyes
.
If
he
winced
he
did
not
show
it
.
“
My
proper
feeling
takes
the
direction
of
my
wife
,
”
he
said
.
“
You
don’t
really
mean
to
forbid
me
to
go
,
”
she
exclaimed
.
“
I
don’t
mean
it
,
for
I
do
so
,
unless
you
find
some
one
to
go
with
you
.
”
It
was
the
first
real
collision
that
had
taken
place
,
but
Alick’s
quiet
,
almost
languid
tone
had
an
absolute
determination
in
it
from
the
very
absence
of
argument
,
and
Rachel
,
though
extremely
annoyed
,
felt
the
uselessness
of
battling
the
point
.
She
paused
for
a
few
moments
,
then
said
with
an
effort
,
“
May
I
take
the
housekeeper
?
”
“
Yes
,
certainly
,
”
and
then
he
added
some
advice
about
taking
a
brougham
,
and
thus
lightened
her
heart
;
so
that
she
presently
said
humbly
,
“
Have
I
been
self-willed
and
overbearing
,
Alick
?
”
He
laughed
.
“
Not
at
all
;
you
have
persevered
just
where
you
ought
.
I
dare
say
this
is
all
more
essential
than
shows
on
the
surface
.
And
,
”
he
added
,
with
a
shaken
voice
,
“
if
you
were
not
myself
,
Rachel
,
you
know
how
I
should
thank
you
for
caring
for
my
poor
Bessie’s
child
.
”
He
was
gone
almost
as
he
spoke
the
words
,
but
Rachel
still
felt
the
kiss
and
the
hot
tears
that
had
fallen
on
her
face
.
Mr.
Clare
readily
consented
to
spare
his
housekeeper
,
but
the
housekeeper
was
untoward
,
she
was
“
busied
in
her
housewife
skep
,
”
and
would
not
stir
.
Alick
was
gone
to
Timber
End
,
and
Rachel
was
just
talking
of
getting
the
schoolmaster’s
wife
as
an
escort
,
when
Mr.
Clare
said
—
“
Pray
are
you
above
accepting
my
services
?
”
“
You
!
Oh
,
uncle
;
thank
you
,
but
—
”
“
What
were
your
orders
?
Anybody
with
you
,
was
it
not
?
I
flatter
myself
that
I
have
some
body
,
at
least
.
”
“
If
Alick
will
not
think
I
ought
not
!
”
“
The
boy
will
not
presume
to
object
to
what
I
do
with
you
.
”
“
I
do
wish
it
very
much
,
”
said
candid
Rachel
.
“
Of
course
you
do
,
my
dear
.
Alick
is
not
cured
of
a
young
man’s
notion
that
babies
are
a
sort
of
puppies
.
He
is
quite
right
not
to
let
you
run
about
London
by
yourself
,
but
he
will
be
quite
satisfied
if
you
find
eyes
and
I
find
discretion
.
”
“
But
is
it
not
very
troublesome
to
you
?
”
“
It
is
a
capital
lark
!
”
said
Mr.
Clare
,
with
a
zest
that
only
the
slang
word
could
imply
,
removing
all
Rachel’s
scruples
,
and
in
effect
Mr.
Clare
did
enjoy
the
spice
of
adventure
in
a
most
amusing
way
.
He
knew
perfectly
well
how
to
manage
,
laid
out
the
plan
of
operations
,
gave
orders
to
the
driver
,
went
into
all
the
shops
,
and
was
an
effective
assistant
in
the
choice
of
material
and
even
of
embroidery
.
His
touch
and
ear
seemed
to
do
more
for
him
than
many
men’s
eyes
do
for
them
;
he
heard
odd
scraps
of
conversation
and
retailed
them
with
so
much
character
;
he
had
such
pleasant
colloquies
with
all
in
whose
way
he
fell
,
and
so
thoroughly
enjoyed
the
flow
and
babble
of
the
full
stream
of
life
,
that
Rachel
marvelled
that
the
seclusion
of
his
parsonage
was
bearable
to
him
.
He
took
her
to
lunch
with
an
old
friend
,
a
lady
who
had
devoted
herself
to
the
care
of
poor
girls
to
be
trained
as
servants
,
and
Rachel
had
the
first
real
sight
of
one
of
the
many
great
and
good
works
set
on
foot
by
personal
and
direct
labour
.
“
If
I
had
been
sensible
,
I
might
have
come
to
something
like
this
!
”
she
said
.
“
Do
you
wish
to
undo
these
last
three
months
?
”
“
No
;
I
am
not
fit
to
be
anything
but
an
ordinary
married
woman
,
with
an
Alick
to
take
care
of
me
;
but
I
am
glad
some
people
can
be
what
I
meant
to
be
.
”
“
And
you
need
not
regret
not
being
useful
now
,
”
said
Mr.
Clare
.
“
Where
should
any
of
us
be
without
you
?
”
It
had
not
occurred
to
Rachel
,
but
she
was
certainly
of
far
more
positive
use
in
the
world
at
the
present
moment
than
ever
she
had
bean
in
her
most
assuming
maiden
days
.
Little
Alexander
was
arrayed
in
all
that
could
enhance
his
baby
dignity
,
and
Rachel
was
more
than
ever
resolved
to
assert
his
superiority
over
“
great
frightful
fine
children
,
”
resenting
vehemently
an
innocent
observation
from
Alick
,
that
the
small
features
and
white
skin
promised
sandiness
of
hair
.
Perhaps
Alick
delighted
in
saying
such
things
for
the
sake
of
proving
the
“
very
womanhood
”
of
his
Clever
Woman
.
Rachel
hung
back
,
afraid
of
the
presentation
,
and
would
have
sent
her
maid
into
the
room
with
the
child
if
Colonel
Keith
had
not
taken
her
in
himself
.
Even
yet
she
was
not
dexterous
in
handling
the
baby
,
her
hands
were
both
occupied
,
and
her
attention
absorbed
,
and
she
could
not
speak
,
she
felt
it
so
mournful
to
show
this
frail
motherless
creature
to
a
father
more
like
its
grandfather
,
and
already
almost
on
the
verge
of
the
grave
.
She
came
up
to
Lord
Keith
,
and
held
the
child
to
him
in
silence
.
He
said
,
“
Thank
you
,
”
and
kissed
not
only
the
little
one
,
but
her
own
brow
,
and
she
kept
the
tears
back
with
difficulty
.
Colonel
Keith
gave
her
a
chair
and
footstool
,
and
she
sat
with
the
baby
on
her
lap
,
while
very
few
words
were
spoken
.
It
was
the
Colonel
who
asked
her
to
take
off
the
hood
that
hid
the
head
and
brow
,
and
who
chiefly
hazarded
opinions
as
to
likeness
and
colour
of
eyes
.
Lord
Keith
looked
earnestly
and
sadly
,
but
hardly
made
any
observation
,
except
that
it
looked
healthier
than
he
had
been
led
to
expect
.
He
was
sure
it
owed
much
to
Mrs.
Keith’s
great
care
and
kindness
.
Rachel
feared
he
would
not
be
able
to
part
with
his
little
son
,
and
began
to
mention
the
arrangements
she
had
contemplated
in
case
he
wished
to
keep
the
child
at
Timber
End
.
On
this
,
Lord
Keith
asked
with
some
anxiety
,
if
its
presence
were
inconvenient
to
Mr.
Clare
;
and
being
assured
of
the
contrary
,
said
,
“
Then
while
you
are
so
kind
as
to
watch
over
him
,
I
much
prefer
that
things
should
remain
in
their
present
state
,
than
to
bring
him
to
a
house
like
this
.
You
do
not
object
?
”
“
Oh
,
no
;
I
am
so
glad
.
I
was
only
dreading
the
losing
him
.
I
thought
Mrs.
Menteith
wished
for
him
when
he
is
old
enough
to
travel
.
”
“
Colin
!
”
said
Lord
Keith
,
looking
up
sharply
,
“
will
nothing
make
the
Menteiths
understand
that
I
would
rather
put
out
the
child
to
nurse
in
a
Highland
hut
than
in
that
Babel
of
a
nursery
of
theirs
?
”
Colin
smiled
and
said
,
“
Isabel
does
not
easily
accept
an
answer
she
dislikes
.
”
“
But
remember
,
both
of
you
,
”
continued
Lord
Keith
,
“
that
happen
what
may
,
this
poor
child
is
not
to
be
in
her
charge
.
I’ve
seen
enough
of
her
children
left
alone
in
perambulators
in
the
sun
.
You
will
be
in
Edinburgh
?
”
he
added
,
turning
to
Rachel
.
“
Yes
,
when
Alick’s
leave
ends
.
”
“
I
shall
return
thither
when
this
matter
is
over
,
I
know
I
shall
be
better
at
home
in
Scotland
,
and
if
I
winter
in
Edinburgh
,
may
be
we
could
make
some
arrangement
for
his
being
still
under
your
eye
.
”
Rachel
went
home
more
elevated
than
she
had
been
for
months
past
.
CHAPTER
XXIX
.
AT
LAST
.
“
I
bid
thee
hail
,
not
as
in
former
days
,
Not
as
my
chosen
only
,
but
my
bride
,
My
very
bride
,
coming
to
make
my
house
A
glorious
temple
.
”
A
.
H
.
HALLAM
.
“
Timber
End
,
Littleworthy
,
September
10th
.
“
Dear
Miss
Williams
,
—
I
must
begin
by
entreating
your
forgiveness
for
addressing
you
in
a
manner
for
which
perhaps
you
may
be
unprepared
;
but
I
trust
you
have
always
been
aware
,
that
any
objections
that
I
may
have
offered
to
my
brother
Colin’s
attachment
to
yourself
have
never
been
personal
,
or
owing
to
anything
but
an
unfortunate
complication
of
circumstances
.
These
difficulties
are
,
as
no
doubt
he
will
explain
to
you
,
in
great
measure
removed
by
the
present
condition
of
my
family
,
which
will
enable
me
to
make
such
settlements
as
I
could
wish
in
the
ease
of
one
so
nearly
connected
with
me
;
so
that
I
am
enabled
to
entreat
of
you
at
length
to
reward
the
persevering
constancy
so
well
deserved
.
I
have
a
further
,
and
a
personal
cause
for
wishing
that
the
event
should
not
be
deferred
,
as
regard
for
my
feelings
might
have
led
you
to
propose
.
You
are
aware
of
the
present
state
of
my
health
,
and
that
it
has
become
expedient
to
make
immediate
arrangements
for
the
future
guardianship
of
my
little
boy
.
His
uncles
are
of
course
his
natural
guardians
,
and
I
have
unbounded
confidence
in
both
;
but
Alexander
Keith’s
profession
renders
it
probable
that
he
may
not
always
be
at
hand
,
and
I
am
therefore
desirous
of
being
able
to
nominate
yourself
,
together
with
my
brother
,
among
the
personal
guardians
.
Indeed
,
I
understand
from
Alexander
Keith
,
that
such
was
the
express
wish
of
his
sister
.
I
mention
this
as
an
additional
motive
to
induce
you
to
consent
.
For
my
own
part
,
even
without
so
stringent
a
cause
,
all
that
I
have
ever
seen
or
known
of
yourself
would
inspire
me
with
the
desire
that
you
should
take
a
mother’s
place
towards
my
son
.
But
you
must
be
aware
that
such
an
appointment
could
only
be
made
when
you
are
already
one
of
the
family
,
and
this
it
is
that
leads
me
to
entreat
you
to
overlook
any
appearance
of
precipitancy
on
my
brother’s
part
,
and
return
a
favourable
reply
to
the
request
,
which
with
my
complete
sanction
,
he
is
about
to
address
to
you
.
“
Yes
,
Ermine
Williams
,
forgive
all
that
is
past
,
and
feel
for
an
old
,
it
may
be
,
a
dying
man
,
and
for
a
motherless
infant
.
There
is
much
to
forget
,
but
I
trust
to
your
overcoming
any
scruples
,
and
giving
me
all
the
comfort
in
your
power
,
in
thinking
of
the
poor
child
who
has
come
into
the
world
under
such
melancholy
circumstances
.
“
Yours
most
truly
,
“
Keith
of
Gowanbrae
”
“
Poor
Keith
,
he
has
given
me
his
letter
open
,
his
real
anxiety
has
been
too
much
at
last
for
his
dignity
;
and
now
,
my
Ermine
,
what
do
you
say
to
his
entreaty
?
The
state
of
the
case
is
this
.
How
soon
this
abscess
may
be
ready
for
the
operation
is
still
uncertain
,
the
surgeons
think
it
will
be
in
about
three
weeks
,
and
in
this
interval
he
wishes
to
complete
all
his
arrangements
.
In
plain
English
,
his
strongest
desire
is
to
secure
the
poor
little
boy
from
falling
into
Menteith’s
hands
.
Now
,
mine
is
a
precarious
life
,
and
Alick
and
Rachel
may
of
course
be
at
the
ends
of
the
earth
,
so
the
point
is
that
you
shall
be
‘one
of
the
family
,
’
before
the
will
is
signed
.
Alick’s
leave
has
been
extended
to
the
1st
of
October
,
no
more
is
possible
,
and
he
undertakes
to
nurse
poor
Keith
for
a
fortnight
from
to-morrow
,
if
you
will
consent
to
fulfil
this
same
request
within
that
time
.
After
the
1st
,
I
should
have
to
leave
you
,
but
as
soon
as
Keith
is
well
enough
to
bear
the
journey
,
he
wishes
to
return
to
Edinburgh
,
where
he
would
be
kindly
attended
to
by
Alick
and
Rachel
all
the
winter
.
There
,
Ermine
,
your
victory
is
come
,
your
consent
has
been
entreated
at
last
by
my
brother
,
not
for
my
sake
,
but
as
a
personal
favour
to
himself
,
because
there
is
no
woman
in
the
world
of
whom
he
thinks
so
highly
.
For
myself
I
say
little
.
I
grieve
that
you
should
be
thus
hurried
and
fluttered
,
and
if
Ailie
thinks
it
would
harm
you
,
she
must
telegraph
back
to
me
not
to
come
down
,
and
I
will
try
to
teach
myself
patience
by
preaching
it
to
Keith
,
but
otherwise
you
will
see
me
by
four
o’clock
to-morrow
.
Every
time
I
hear
Rachel’s
name
,
I
think
it
ought
to
have
been
yours
,
and
surely
in
this
fourteenth
year
,
lesser
objections
may
give
way
.
But
persuasions
are
out
of
the
question
,
you
must
be
entirely
led
by
your
own
feeling
.
If
I
could
have
seen
you
in
July
,
this
should
not
have
come
so
suddenly
at
last
.
“
Yours
,
more
than
ever
,
decide
as
you
may
,
“
Colin
A
Keith
.
“
P.
S.
—
I
am
afraid
Rose
would
hardly
answer
this
purpose
equally
well
.
”
Colonel
Keith
followed
his
letter
at
four
o’clock
,
and
entering
his
own
study
,
found
it
in
a
cloud
of
smoke
,
in
the
midst
of
which
he
dimly
discerned
a
long
beard
and
thin
visage
absorbed
in
calculation
.
“
Edward
!
How
is
Ermine
?
”
“
Oh
?
”
(
inquiringly
)
“
Keith
!
”
(
as
taken
by
surprise
)
“
ah
!
you
were
to
come
home
to-day
.
How
are
you
?
”
“
How
is
she
?
Has
she
had
my
letter
?
”
“
What
letter
?
You
write
every
day
,
I
thought
.
”
“
The
letter
of
yesterday
.
Have
you
heard
nothing
of
it
?
”
“
Not
that
I
know
of
.
Look
here
,
Keith
,
I
told
you
I
was
sure
the
platinum
—
”
“
Your
brain
is
becoming
platinum
.
I
must
go
,
”
and
the
chemist
remained
with
merely
a
general
impression
of
having
been
interrupted
.
Next
the
Colonel
met
Rose
,
watching
at
his
own
gate
,
and
this
time
his
answer
was
more
explicit
.
“
Yes
,
Aunt
Ermine
said
you
were
coming
,
and
that
I
might
meet
you
,
but
that
I
must
let
you
come
in
alone
,
for
she
had
not
seen
you
so
long
,
that
she
wanted
you
all
to
herself
.
”
“
And
how
is
she
;
how
has
she
been
?
”
“
She
is
well
now
,
”
said
Rose
,
in
the
grave
,
grown-up
way
she
always
assumed
when
speaking
of
her
aunt’s
health
;
“
but
she
has
been
having
a
good
deal
of
her
nervous
headache
this
summer
,
and
Lady
Temple
wanted
her
to
see
Mr.
Frampton
,
but
Aunt
Ailie
said
it
was
only
excitement
and
wear
of
spirits
.
Oh
,
I
am
glad
you
have
come
back
!
We
have
so
wearied
after
you
.
”
Nevertheless
Rose
duteously
loosed
the
hand
to
which
she
had
been
clinging
till
they
came
to
the
door
;
and
as
Colin
Keith
opened
it
,
again
he
was
met
by
the
welcoming
glances
of
the
bright
eyes
.
This
time
he
did
not
pause
till
he
was
close
to
her
,
and
kneeling
on
one
knee
beside
her
,
he
put
his
arm
round
her
,
and
held
her
hands
in
his
.
The
first
words
that
passed
were
,
“
You
had
the
letters
?
”
“
Colin
,
Colin
,
my
one
prayer
has
been
,
‘Make
Thy
way
plain
before
my
face.’
”
“
And
now
it
is
?
”
“
The
suspicion
is
gone
;
the
displeasure
is
gone
;
the
doubts
are
gone
;
and
now
there
is
nothing
—
nothing
but
the
lameness
and
the
poverty
;
and
if
you
like
the
old
cinder
,
Colin
,
that
is
your
concern
;
”
and
she
hid
her
face
,
with
a
sort
of
sobbing
laugh
.
“
And
even
the
haste
;
you
consent
to
that
?
”
“
I
don’t
feel
it
like
haste
,
”
she
said
,
looking
up
with
a
smile
,
and
then
crimsoning
.
“
And
Ailie
gives
leave
,
and
thinks
the
hurry
will
not
harm
you
?
”
“
Ailie
!
O
Colin
,
did
you
think
I
could
tell
any
one
of
your
letter
,
before
you
had
had
your
answer
?
”
“
Then
Edward
is
not
so
moonstruck
as
I
thought
him
!
And
when
shall
it
be
,
dearest
?
Give
me
as
much
time
as
you
can
.
I
must
go
back
this
day
fortnight
.
”
“
I
suppose
your
expectations
are
not
high
in
the
matter
of
finery
,
”
said
Ermine
,
with
a
certain
archness
of
voice
.
“
Those
eyes
are
all
the
finery
I
ever
see
.
”
“
Then
if
you
will
not
be
scandalized
at
my
natural
Sunday
dress
,
I
don’t
see
why
this
day
week
should
not
do
as
well
as
any
other
time
.
”
“
Ermine
,
you
are
the
only
woman
I
ever
met
totally
free
from
nonsense
.
”
“
Take
care
,
it
is
very
unfeminine
and
disagreeable
to
be
devoid
of
nonsense
.
”
“
Very
,
and
therefore
you
are
talking
it
now
!
Ermine
,
how
shall
I
thank
you
?
Not
only
for
the
sake
of
the
ease
of
mind
to
my
poor
brother
;
but
in
the
scenes
we
are
going
through
,
a
drop
of
happiness
is
wanted
as
a
stimulant
.
When
I
looked
at
the
young
couple
at
Bishopsworthy
,
I
often
felt
as
if
another
half-year
of
suspense
was
more
than
I
could
bear
,
and
that
I
must
ask
you
to
help
me
through
with
at
least
a
definite
hope
.
”
“
Ah
!
you
have
gone
through
a
great
deal
I
am
sure
it
has
been
a
time
of
great
trouble
.
”
“
Indeed
it
has
.
The
suffering
has
become
unceasing
and
often
most
severe
,
and
there
is
grievous
depression
of
spirits
;
I
could
not
have
left
him
even
for
a
day
,
if
he
had
not
been
so
fervently
bent
on
this
.
”
“
Is
he
feeling
his
loss
more
acutely
than
at
first
?
”
“
Not
so
much
that
,
as
for
the
poor
little
boy
,
who
is
a
heavy
burthen
on
his
mind
.
He
has
lived
in
such
a
state
of
shrewd
distrust
that
he
has
no
power
of
confidence
,
and
his
complications
for
making
all
the
boy’s
guardians
check
one
another
till
we
come
to
a
dead
lock
,
and
to
make
provision
for
Isabel
out
of
Menteith’s
reach
,
are
enough
to
distract
the
brain
of
a
man
in
health
.
”
“
Is
he
fond
of
the
child
?
”
“
It
is
an
oppressive
care
to
him
,
and
he
only
once
has
made
up
his
mind
to
see
it
,
though
it
is
never
off
his
mind
,
and
it
is
very
curious
how
from
the
first
he
has
been
resolved
on
your
taking
charge
of
it
.
It
is
the
most
real
testimony
he
could
give
you
.
”
“
It
is
very
comfortable
not
to
be
brought
in
like
an
enemy
in
spite
of
him
,
as
even
a
year
ago
I
could
have
been
proud
to
do
.
”
“
And
I
to
have
brought
you
,
”
he
answered
,
“
but
it
is
far
better
as
it
is
.
He
is
very
cordial
,
and
wants
to
give
up
the
Auchinvar
estate
to
me
;
indeed
,
he
told
me
that
he
always
meant
me
to
have
it
as
soon
as
I
had
washed
my
hands
of
you
—
you
wicked
syren
—
but
I
think
you
will
agree
with
me
that
he
had
better
leave
it
to
his
daughter
Mary
,
who
has
nothing
.
We
never
reckoned
on
it
.
”
“
Nor
on
anything
else
,
”
said
Ermine
,
smiling
.
“
You
have
never
heard
my
ways
and
means
,
”
he
said
,
“
and
as
a
prudent
woman
you
ought
,
you
know
.
See
,
”
taking
out
his
tablets
,
“
here
is
my
calculation
.
”
“
All
that
!
”
“
On
the
staff
in
India
there
were
good
opportunities
of
saving
;
then
out
of
that
sum
I
bought
the
house
,
and
with
my
half-pay
,
our
income
will
be
very
fair
,
and
there
would
be
a
pension
afterwards
for
you
.
This
seems
to
me
all
we
can
reasonably
want
.
”
“
Unless
I
became
like
‘die
Ilsebill’
in
the
German
tale
.
After
four
years
of
living
from
hand
to
mouth
,
this
will
be
like
untold
gold
.
To
wish
to
be
above
strict
economy
in
wheeled
chairs
has
seemed
like
perilous
discontent
in
Rose
and
me
.
”
“
I
have
ventured
on
the
extravagance
of
taking
the
ponies
and
little
carriage
off
my
brother’s
hands
,
it
is
low
enough
for
you
,
and
I
shall
teach
Rose
to
ride
one
of
the
ponies
with
me
.
”
“
The
dear
little
Rose
!
But
,
Colin
,
there
is
a
dreadful
whisper
about
her
going
with
her
father
,
and
Ailie
too
!
You
see
now
his
character
is
cleared
,
he
has
been
offered
a
really
lucrative
post
,
so
that
he
could
have
them
with
him
.
”
“
Does
he
wish
it
?
”
“
I
dare
not
ask
.
I
must
be
passive
or
I
shall
be
selfish
.
You
are
all
my
world
,
and
Edward
has
no
one
.
Make
them
settle
it
without
me
.
Talk
of
something
else
!
Tell
me
how
your
brother
is
to
be
taken
care
of
.
”
“
There
cannot
be
a
better
nurse
than
Alick
Keith
;
and
Ferguson
,
the
agent
,
is
there
,
getting
directions
from
Keith
whenever
he
can
bear
it
.
I
am
best
out
of
the
way
of
all
that
.
I
have
said
once
for
all
that
I
will
do
anything
for
them
except
live
at
Gowanbrae
,
and
I
am
sick
of
demonstrating
that
the
poor
child’s
existence
is
the
greatest
possible
relief
to
me
;
and
I
hope
now
not
to
go
back
till
the
whole
is
settled
and
done
with
.
”
“
You
look
regularly
worn
out
with
the
discussions
!
”
“
It
was
an
endless
business
!
The
only
refreshment
was
in
now
and
then
getting
over
to
Bishopsworthy
.
”
“
What
?
to
Rachel
?
”
said
Ermine
archly
.
“
Rachel
is
showing
to
great
advantage
.
I
did
not
think
it
was
in
her
to
be
so
devoted
to
the
child
,
and
it
is
beautiful
to
see
her
and
Mr.
Clare
together
.
”
“
There’s
a
triumph
,
”
said
Ermine
,
smiling
.
“
Do
you
grant
that
the
happy
medium
is
reached
,
that
Alick
should
learn
to
open
his
eyes
and
Rachel
to
shut
hers
?
”
“
Well
!
Her
eyes
are
better
,
but
he
,
poor
lad
,
has
been
in
no
spirits
to
open
his
very
wide
.
The
loss
of
his
sister
went
very
deep
,
and
those
aguish
attacks
,
though
they
become
much
slighter
,
make
him
look
wretchedly
ill.
I
should
have
doubted
about
leaving
him
in
charge
in
his
present
state
,
but
that
he
was
urgent
on
me
,
and
he
is
spared
all
the
night
nursing
.
Any
way
,
I
must
not
leave
him
longer
than
I
can
help
.
I
may
have
one
week
with
you
at
home
—
at
our
home
,
Ermine
.
”
“
And
let
us
make
the
most
of
that
,
”
said
Ermine
,
quickly
.
Meanwhile
Alison
,
sore
and
sick
at
heart
,
wandered
on
the
esplanade
,
foreboding
that
the
blow
was
coming
that
she
ought
to
rejoice
at
,
if
her
love
could
only
be
more
unselfish
.
At
last
the
Colonel
joined
her
,
and
,
as
usual
,
his
tone
of
consideration
cheered
and
supported
her
when
in
actual
conference
with
him
,
and
as
he
explained
his
plans
,
he
added
that
he
hoped
there
would
be
scarcely
any
interruption
to
her
intercourse
with
her
sister
.
“
You
know
,
”
she
said
abruptly
,
“
that
we
could
go
to
Ekaterinburg
.
”
“
And
what
is
your
feeling
about
it
?
Remember
,
Ailie
,
that
I
am
your
brother
too
.
”
And
as
she
hesitated
,
“
your
feelings
—
no
doubt
you
are
in
many
minds
!
”
“
Ah
,
yes
;
I
never
settled
anything
without
Ermine
,
and
she
will
not
help
me
now
.
And
she
has
been
so
worn
with
the
excitement
and
anxiety
of
all
this
long
detention
of
yours
,
that
I
don’t
dare
to
say
a
word
that
could
prey
on
her
.
”
“
In
fact
,
you
would
chiefly
be
decided
by
Edward’s
own
wishes
.
”
“
If
I
were
sure
of
them
,
”
sighed
poor
Alison
;
“
but
he
lives
on
experiments
,
and
can
hardly
detach
himself
from
them
even
to
attend
to
Ermine
herself
.
I
don’t
know
whether
we
should
be
a
comfort
or
a
burthen
,
and
he
would
be
afraid
to
hurt
our
feelings
by
telling
the
truth
.
I
have
been
longing
to
consult
you
who
have
seen
him
at
that
place
in
Russia
.
”
“
And
indeed
,
Ailie
,
he
is
so
wedded
to
smoke
and
calculations
,
and
so
averse
to
this
sublunary
world
,
that
though
your
being
with
him
might
be
beneficial
,
still
I
greatly
question
whether
the
risk
of
carrying
poor
little
Rose
to
so
remote
a
place
in
such
a
climate
,
would
be
desirable
.
If
he
were
pining
to
have
a
home
made
for
him
,
it
would
be
worth
doing
;
as
it
is
,
the
sacrifice
would
be
disproportioned
.
”
“
It
would
be
no
sacrifice
if
he
only
wanted
us
.
”
“
Where
you
are
wanted
is
here
.
Ermine
wants
you
.
I
want
you
.
The
Temples
want
you
.
”
“
Now
,
Colin
,
tell
me
truly
.
Edward
feels
as
I
do
,
and
Dr.
Long
spoke
seriously
of
it
.
Will
not
my
present
position
do
you
and
Ermine
harm
among
your
friends
?
”
“
With
no
friend
we
wish
to
make
or
keep
!
”
“
If
I
do
remain
,
”
continued
Alison
,
“
it
must
be
as
I
am
.
I
would
not
live
upon
you
,
even
if
you
asked
me
,
which
you
have
too
much
sense
to
do
;
and
though
dear
Lady
Temple
is
everything
to
me
,
and
wants
me
to
forget
that
I
am
her
governess
,
that
would
be
a
mere
shuffle
,
but
if
it
is
best
for
you
that
I
should
give
it
up
,
and
go
out
,
say
so
at
once
.
”
“
Best
for
me
to
have
eight
Temples
thrown
on
my
hands
,
all
in
despair
!
To
have
you
at
Myrtlewood
is
an
infinite
relief
to
me
,
both
on
their
account
and
Ermine’s
.
You
should
not
suspect
a
penniless
Scotsman
of
such
airs
,
Ailie
.
”
“
Not
you
,
Colin
,
but
your
family
.
”
“
Isabel
Menteith
thinks
a
glass-blower
was
your
father
,
and
Mauleverer
your
brother
,
so
yours
is
by
far
the
most
respectable
profession
.
No
,
indeed
,
my
family
might
be
thankful
to
have
any
one
in
it
who
could
do
as
you
have
done
.
”
Alison’s
scruples
were
thus
disposed
of
,
and
when
Edward’s
brain
cleared
itself
from
platinum
,
he
showed
himself
satisfied
with
the
decision
,
though
he
insisted
on
henceforth
sending
home
a
sum
sufficient
for
his
daughter’s
expenses
,
and
once
said
something
that
could
be
construed
into
a
hope
of
spending
a
quiet
old
age
with
her
and
his
sister
;
but
at
present
he
was
manifestly
out
of
his
element
,
and
was
bent
on
returning
to
Ekaterinburg
immediately
after
the
marriage
.
His
presence
was
but
a
qualified
pleasure
.
Naturally
shy
and
absent
,
his
broken
spirits
and
removal
from
domestic
life
,
and
from
society
,
had
exaggerated
his
peculiarities
;
and
under
the
pressure
of
misfortune
,
caused
in
a
great
measure
by
his
own
negligence
,
he
had
completely
given
way
,
without
a
particle
of
his
sister’s
patience
or
buoyancy
,
and
had
merely
striven
to
drown
his
troubles
in
engrossing
problems
of
his
favourite
pursuit
,
till
the
habit
of
abstraction
had
become
too
confirmed
to
be
shaken
off
.
When
the
blot
on
his
name
was
removed
,
he
was
indeed
sensible
that
he
was
no
longer
an
exile
,
but
he
could
not
resume
his
old
standing
,
friendships
rudely
severed
could
not
be
re-united
;
his
absorption
had
grown
by
indulgence
;
old
interests
had
passed
away
;
needful
conformity
to
social
habits
was
irksome
,
and
even
his
foreign
manner
and
appearance
testified
to
his
entire
unfitness
for
English
life
.
Tibbie
was
in
constant
dread
of
his
burning
the
house
down
,
so
incalculable
and
preposterous
were
his
hours
,
and
the
Colonel
,
longing
to
render
the
house
a
perfect
shrine
for
his
bride
,
found
it
hard
to
tolerate
the
fumes
with
which
her
brother
saturated
it
.
If
he
had
been
sure
that
opium
formed
no
portion
of
Edward’s
solace
,
his
counsel
to
Alison
would
have
been
less
decisive
.
To
poor
little
Rose
,
her
father
was
an
abiding
perplexity
and
distress
;
she
wanted
to
love
him
,
and
felt
it
absolute
naughtiness
to
be
constantly
disappointed
by
his
insensibility
to
her
approaches
,
or
else
repelled
and
disgusted
by
that
vice
of
the
Russian
sheep
.
And
a
vague
hint
of
being
transported
to
the
Ural
mountains
,
away
from
Aunt
Ermine
,
had
haunted
her
of
late
more
dreadfully
than
even
the
lions
of
old
;
so
that
the
relief
was
ineffable
when
her
dear
Colonel
confided
to
her
that
she
was
to
be
his
niece
and
Aunt
Ermine’s
handmaid
,
sent
her
to
consult
with
Tibbie
on
her
new
apartment
,
and
invited
Augustus
to
the
most
eligible
hole
in
the
garden
.
The
grotto
that
Rose
,
Conrade
,
and
Francis
proceeded
to
erect
with
pebbles
and
shells
,
was
likely
to
prove
as
alarming
to
that
respectable
reptile
as
a
model
cottage
to
an
Irish
peasant
.
Ermine
had
dropped
all
scruples
about
Rose’s
intercourse
with
other
children
,
and
the
feeling
that
she
might
associate
with
them
on
equal
terms
,
perhaps
,
was
the
most
complete
assurance
of
Edward’s
restoration
.
She
was
glad
that
companionship
should
render
the
little
maiden
more
active
and
childlike
,
for
Edward’s
abstraction
had
made
her
believe
that
there
might
be
danger
in
indulging
the
dreaminess
of
the
imaginative
child
.
No
one
welcomed
the
removal
of
these
restraints
more
warmly
than
Lady
Temple
.
She
was
perhaps
the
happiest
of
the
happy
,
for
with
her
there
was
no
drawback
,
no
sorrow
,
no
parting
to
fear
.
Her
first
impulse
,
when
Colonel
Keith
came
to
tell
her
his
plans
,
was
to
seize
on
hat
and
shawl
,
and
rush
down
to
Mackarel
Lane
to
kiss
Ermine
with
all
her
heart
,
and
tell
her
that
“
it
was
the
most
delightful
thing
of
her
to
have
consented
at
last
,
for
nobody
deserved
so
well
to
be
happy
as
that
dear
Colonel
;
”
and
then
she
clung
to
Alison
,
declaring
that
now
she
should
have
her
all
to
herself
,
and
if
she
would
only
come
to
Myrtlewood
,
she
would
do
her
very
best
to
make
her
comfortable
there
,
and
it
should
be
her
home
—
her
home
always
.
“
In
fact
,
”
said
Ermine
,
afterwards
to
the
Colonel
,
“
when
you
go
to
Avoncester
,
I
think
you
may
as
well
get
a
licence
for
the
wedding
of
Alison
Williams
and
Fanny
Temple
at
the
same
time
.
There
has
been
quite
a
courtship
on
the
lady’s
part
.
”
The
courtship
had
been
the
more
ardent
from
Fanny’s
alarm
lest
the
brother
should
deprive
her
of
Alison
;
and
when
she
found
her
fears
groundless
,
she
thanked
him
with
such
fervour
,
and
talked
so
eagerly
of
his
sister’s
excellences
that
she
roused
him
into
a
lucid
interval
,
in
which
he
told
Colonel
Keith
that
Lady
Temple
might
give
him
an
idea
of
the
style
of
woman
that
Lucy
had
been
.
Indeed
,
Colin
began
to
think
that
it
was
as
well
that
he
was
so
well
wrapped
up
in
smoke
and
chemistry
,
otherwise
another
might
have
been
added
to
the
list
of
Lady
Temple’s
hopeless
adorers
.
The
person
least
satisfied
was
Tibbie
,
who
could
not
get
over
the
speediness
of
the
marriage
,
nor
forgive
the
injury
to
Miss
Williams
,
“
of
bringing
her
hame
like
any
pleughman’s
wife
,
wantin’
a
honeymoon
trip
,
forbye
providin’
hersel’
with
weddin’
braws
conformable
.
Gin
folk
tak’
sic
daft
notions
aff
the
English
,
they’d
be
mair
wise
like
to
bide
at
hame
,
an’
that’s
my
way
o’
thinkin’
.
”
Crusty
as
she
was
,
there
was
no
danger
of
her
not
giving
her
warmest
welcome
,
and
thus
the
morning
came
.
Tibbie
had
donned
her
cap
,
with
white
satin
ribbons
,
and
made
of
lace
once
belonging
to
the
only
heiress
who
had
ever
brought
wealth
to
the
Keiths
.
Edward
Williams
,
all
his
goods
packed
up
,
had
gone
to
join
his
sisters
,
and
the
Colonel
,
only
perceptibly
differing
from
his
daily
aspect
in
having
a
hat
free
from
crape
,
was
opening
all
the
windows
in
hopes
that
a
thorough
draft
would
remove
the
last
of
the
tobacco
,
when
the
letters
were
brought
in
,
and
among
them
one
of
the
black
bordered
bulletins
from
Littleworthy
,
which
ordinarily
arrived
by
the
second
post
.
It
was
a
hurried
note
,
evidently
dashed
off
to
catch
the
morning
mail
.
My
Dear
Colonel
,
—
Alick
tells
me
to
write
in
haste
to
catch
the
morning
post
,
and
beg
you
to
telegraph
the
instant
your
wedding
is
over
.
The
doctors
see
cause
to
hasten
their
measures
,
but
your
brother
will
have
nothing
done
till
the
will
is
signed
.
He
and
Alick
both
desire
you
will
not
come
,
but
it
is
getting
to
be
far
too
much
for
Alick
.
I
would
tell
you
more
if
there
were
time
before
the
post
goes
.
Love
to
dear
Ermine
.
Very
sincerely
yours
,
R
.
KEITH
.
There
was
so
shocked
and
startled
a
look
on
Colin’s
face
,
that
Tibbie
believed
that
his
brother
must
be
dead
,
and
when
in
a
few
almost
inaudible
words
he
told
her
that
he
must
start
for
Bishopsworthy
by
the
afternoon
train
,
she
fairly
began
to
scold
,
partly
by
way
of
working
off
the
irritation
left
by
her
alarm
.
“
The
lad’s
clean
demented
!
Heard
ye
ever
the
like
,
to
rin
awa’
frae
his
new-made
wife
afore
the
blessin’s
been
weel
spoke
;
an’
a’
for
the
whimsie
of
that
daft
English
lassie
that
made
siccan
a
piece
of
work
wi’
her
cantrips
.
”
“
I
am
afraid
she
is
right
now
,
”
said
the
Colonel
,
“
and
my
brother
must
not
be
left
any
longer
.
”
“
Hout
awa
,
Maister
Colin
,
his
lordship
has
come
between
you
and
your
luve
oft
enough
already
,
without
partin’
ye
at
the
very
church
door
.
Ye
would
na
have
the
English
cast
up
to
us
,
that
one
of
your
name
did
na
ken
better
what
was
fittin
by
his
bride
!
”
“
My
bride
must
be
the
judge
,
Tibbie
.
You
shall
see
whether
she
bids
me
stay
,
”
said
Colin
,
a
little
restored
by
his
amusement
at
her
anxiety
for
his
honour
among
the
English
.
“
Now
desire
Smith
to
meet
me
at
the
church
door
,
and
ride
at
once
from
thence
to
Avoncester
;
and
get
your
face
ready
to
give
a
cheerful
welcome
,
Tibbie
.
Let
her
have
that
