theprettiest
thing
you
have
worn
—
a
pale
buff
sort
of
silky
thing
,
embroidered
all
over
in
the
same
colour
,
”
and
he
put
a
fold
of
the
dress
into
his
uncle’s
hand
.
“
Indian
,
surely
,
”
said
Mr.
Clare
,
feeling
the
pattern
,
“
it
is
too
intricate
and
graceful
for
the
West
.
”
“
Yes
,
”
said
Alick
,
“
I
remember
now
,
Grace
showed
it
to
me
.
It
was
one
that
Lady
Temple
brought
from
India
,
and
never
had
made
up
.
Poor
Grace
could
get
no
sympathy
from
Rachel
about
the
wedding
clothes
,
so
she
was
obliged
to
come
to
me
.
”
“
And
I
thought
you
did
not
know
one
of
my
things
from
another
,
”
said
Rachel
.
“
Do
you
really
mean
that
you
care
?
”
“
Depend
upon
it
,
he
does
,
my
dear
,
”
said
Mr.
Clare
.
“
I
have
heard
him
severely
critical
on
his
cousins
.
”
“
He
has
been
very
good
in
not
tormenting
me
,
”
said
Rachel
,
nestling
nearer
to
him
.
“
I
apprehended
the
consequences
,
”
said
Alick
,
“
and
besides
,
you
never
mounted
that
black
lace
pall
,
or
curtain
,
or
whatever
you
call
it
,
upon
your
head
,
after
your
first
attempt
at
frightening
me
away
with
it
.
”
“
A
cap
set
against
,
instead
of
at
,
”
said
Mr.
Clare
,
laughing
;
and
therewith
his
old
horse
was
heard
clattering
in
the
yard
,
and
Alick
proceeded
to
drive
the
well-used
phaeton
about
three
miles
through
Earlsworthy
Park
,
to
a
pleasant-looking
demesne
in
the
village
beyond
.
As
they
were
turning
in
at
the
gate
,
up
came
Lady
Keith
with
her
two
brisk
little
Shetlands
.
She
was
one
mass
of
pretty
,
fresh
,
fluttering
blue
and
white
muslin
,
ribbon
,
and
lace
,
and
looked
particularly
well
and
brilliant
.
“
Well
met
,
”
she
said
,
“
I
called
at
the
Rectory
to
take
up
Rachel
,
but
you
were
flown
before
me
.
”
“
Yes
,
we
went
through
the
Park
.
”
“
I
wish
the
Duke
would
come
home
.
I
can’t
go
that
way
now
till
I
have
called
.
I
have
no
end
of
things
to
say
to
you
,
”
she
added
,
and
her
little
lively
ponies
shot
ahead
of
the
old
rectorial
steed
.
However
,
she
waited
at
the
entrance
.
“
Who
do
you
think
is
come
?
Colin
Keith
made
his
appearance
this
morning
.
He
has
safely
captured
his
Ouralian
bear
,
though
not
without
plenty
of
trouble
,
and
he
could
not
get
him
on
to
Avonmouth
till
he
had
been
to
some
chemical
institution
about
an
invention
.
Colin
thought
him
safe
there
,
and
rushed
down
by
the
train
to
see
us
.
They
go
on
to-morrow
.
”
“
What
did
he
think
of
Lord
Keith
?
”
said
Alick
,
in
the
more
haste
because
he
feared
something
being
said
to
remind
Rachel
that
this
was
the
assize
week
at
Avoncester
.
“
He
has
settled
the
matter
about
advice
,
”
said
Bessie
,
seriously
;
“
you
cannot
think
what
a
relief
it
is
.
I
mean
,
as
soon
as
I
get
home
,
to
write
and
ask
Mr.
Harvey
to
come
and
talk
to
me
to-morrow
,
and
see
if
the
journey
to
Edinburgh
is
practicable
.
I
almost
thought
of
sending
an
apology
,
and
driving
over
to
consult
him
this
afternoon
,
but
I
did
not
like
to
disappoint
Mrs.
Huntsford
,
and
I
thought
Rachel
would
feel
herself
lost
.
”
“
Thank
you
,
”
said
Rachel
,
“
but
could
we
not
go
away
early
,
and
go
round
by
Mr.
Harvey’s
?
”
“
Unluckily
I
have
sent
the
ponies
home
,
and
told
the
close
carriage
to
come
for
me
at
nine
.
It
was
all
settled
,
and
I
don’t
want
to
alarm
Lord
Keith
by
coming
home
too
soon
.
”
Alick
,
who
had
hitherto
listened
with
interest
,
here
gave
his
arm
to
Rachel
,
as
if
recollecting
that
it
was
time
to
make
their
entree
.
Bessie
took
her
uncle’s
,
and
they
were
soon
warmly
welcomed
by
their
kind
hostess
,
who
placed
them
so
favourably
at
luncheon
that
Rachel
was
too
much
entertained
to
feel
any
recurrence
of
the
old
associations
with
“
company
.
”
Afterwards
,
Bessie
took
her
into
the
cool
drawing-room
,
where
were
a
few
ladies
,
who
preferred
the
sofa
to
croquet
or
archery
,
and
Lady
Keith
accomplished
a
fraternization
between
Rachel
and
a
plainly
dressed
lady
,
who
knew
all
about
the
social
science
heroines
of
whom
Rachel
had
longed
to
hear
.
After
a
time
,
however
,
a
little
girl
darted
in
to
call
“
Aunt
Mary
”
to
the
aid
of
some
playfellow
,
who
had
met
with
a
mishap
,
and
Rachel
then
perceived
herself
to
have
been
deserted
by
her
sister-in-law
.
She
knew
none
of
the
other
ladies
,
and
they
made
no
approaches
to
her
;
an
access
of
self-consciousness
came
on
,
and
feeling
forlorn
and
uncomfortable
,
she
wandered
out
to
look
for
a
friend
.
It
was
not
long
before
she
saw
Alick
walking
along
the
terrace
above
the
croquet
players
,
evidently
in
quest
of
her
.
“
How
is
it
with
you
?
”
he
anxiously
asked
;
“
you
know
you
can
go
home
in
a
moment
if
you
have
had
enough
of
this
.
”
“
No
,
I
want
nothing
,
now
I
have
found
you
.
Where
is
your
uncle
?
”
“
Fallen
upon
one
of
his
oldest
friends
,
who
will
take
care
of
him
,
and
well
out
of
the
way
of
the
croquet
traps
.
Where’s
my
Lady
?
I
thought
you
were
with
her
.
”
“
She
disappeared
while
I
was
talking
to
that
good
Miss
Penwell
!
You
must
be
pleased
now
,
Alick
,
you
see
she
is
really
going
to
see
about
going
to
Scotland
.
”
“
I
should
be
better
pleased
if
she
had
not
left
that
poor
old
man
alone
till
nine
o’clock
.
”
“
She
says
that
when
he
has
his
man
Saunders
to
read
to
him
—
”
“
Don’t
tell
me
what
she
says
;
I
have
enough
of
that
at
first
hand
.
”
He
broke
off
with
a
start
.
The
terrace
was
prolonged
into
a
walk
beyond
the
screen
of
evergreens
that
shut
in
the
main
lawn
,
and
,
becoming
a
shrubbery
path
,
led
to
a
smooth
glade
,
on
whose
turf
preparations
had
been
made
for
a
second
field
of
croquet
,
in
case
there
should
have
been
too
many
players
for
the
principal
arena
.
This
,
however
,
had
not
been
wanted
,
and
no
one
was
visible
except
a
lady
and
gentleman
on
a
seat
under
a
tree
about
half-way
down
on
the
opposite
side
of
the
glade
.
The
lady
was
in
blue
and
white
;
the
gentleman
would
hardly
have
been
recognised
by
Rachel
but
for
the
start
and
thrill
of
her
husband’s
arm
,
and
the
flush
of
colour
on
his
usually
pale
cheek
,
but
,
ere
he
could
speak
or
move
,
the
lady
sprang
up
,
and
came
hastening
towards
them
diagonally
across
the
grass
.
Rachel
saw
the
danger
,
and
made
a
warning
outcry
,
“
Bessie
,
the
hoop
!
”
but
it
was
too
late
,
she
had
tripped
over
it
,
and
fell
prone
,
and
entirely
unable
to
save
herself
.
She
was
much
nearer
to
them
than
to
her
late
companion
,
and
was
struggling
to
disengage
herself
when
Alick
reached
her
,
lifted
her
up
,
and
placed
her
on
her
feet
,
supporting
her
as
she
clung
fast
to
him
,
while
he
asked
if
she
were
hurt
.
“
No
,
no
,
”
she
cried
.
“
Don’t
let
him
come
;
don’t
let
him
call
any
one
,
don’t
,
”
she
reiterated
,
as
Mr.
Carleton
hovered
near
,
evidently
much
terrified
,
but
not
venturing
to
approach
.
Alick
helped
her
to
another
garden
chair
that
stood
near
.
She
had
been
entangled
in
her
dress
,
which
had
been
much
torn
by
her
attempt
to
rise
,
and
hung
in
a
festoon
,
impeding
her
,
and
she
moved
with
difficulty
,
breathing
heavily
when
she
was
first
seated
.
“
I
don’t
know
if
I
have
not
twisted
myself
a
little
,
”
she
said
,
in
answer
to
their
anxious
questions
,
“
but
it
will
go
off
.
Rachel
,
how
scared
you
look
!
”
“
Don’t
laugh
,
”
exclaimed
Rachel
,
in
dread
of
hysterics
,
and
she
plunged
her
hand
into
Alick’s
pocket
for
a
scent-bottle
,
which
he
had
put
there
by
way
of
precaution
for
her
,
and
,
while
applying
it
,
said
,
in
her
full
,
sedate
voice
,
keeping
it
as
steady
as
she
could
,
“
Shall
I
drive
you
home
?
Alick
can
walk
home
with
his
uncle
when
he
is
ready
.
”
“
Home
!
Thank
you
,
Rachel
,
pray
do
.
Not
that
I
am
hurt
,
”
she
added
in
her
natural
voice
,
“
only
these
rags
would
tell
tales
,
and
there
would
be
an
intolerable
fuss
.
”
“
Then
I
will
bring
the
carriage
round
to
the
road
there
,
”
said
Alick
.
“
I
told
Joe
to
be
in
readiness
,
and
you
need
not
go
back
to
the
house
.
”
“
Thank
you
.
But
,
oh
,
send
him
away
!
”
she
added
,
with
a
gasping
shudder
.
“
Only
don’t
let
him
tell
any
one
.
Tell
him
I
desire
he
will
not
.
”
After
a
few
words
with
Mr.
Carleton
,
Alick
strode
off
to
the
stables
,
and
Rachel
asked
anxiously
after
the
twist
.
“
I
don’t
feel
it
;
I
don’t
believe
in
it
.
My
dear
,
your
strong
mind
is
all
humbug
,
or
you
would
not
look
so
frightened
,
”
and
again
she
was
on
the
verge
of
hysterical
laughing
;
“
it
is
only
that
I
can’t
stand
a
chorus
of
old
ladies
in
commotion
.
How
happy
Alick
must
be
to
have
his
prediction
verified
by
some
one
tumbling
over
a
hoop
!
”
Just
then
,
however
,
seeing
Mr.
Carleton
still
lingering
near
,
she
caught
hold
of
Rachel
with
a
little
cry
,
“
Don’t
let
him
come
,
dear
Rachel
;
go
to
him
,
tell
him
I
am
well
,
but
keep
him
away
,
and
mind
he
tells
no
one
!
”
Rachel’s
cold
,
repellent
manner
was
in
full
force
,
and
she
went
towards
the
poor
little
man
,
whose
girlish
face
was
blanched
with
fright
.
She
told
him
that
Lady
Keith
did
not
seem
to
be
hurt
,
and
only
wished
to
be
alone
,
and
to
go
home
without
attracting
notice
.
He
stammered
out
something
about
quite
understanding
,
and
retreated
,
while
Rachel
returned
to
find
Bessie
sitting
upright
,
anxiously
watching
,
and
she
was
at
once
drawn
down
to
sit
beside
her
on
the
bench
,
to
listen
to
the
excited
whisper
.
“
The
miserable
simpleton
!
Rachel
,
Alick
was
right
.
I
thought
,
I
little
thought
he
would
forget
how
things
stand
now
,
but
he
got
back
to
the
old
strain
,
as
if
—
I
shall
make
Lord
Keith
go
to
Scotland
any
way
now
.
I
was
so
thankful
to
see
you
and
Alick
.
”
She
proceeded
with
the
agitated
vehemence
of
one
who
,
under
a
great
shock
,
was
saying
more
than
she
would
have
betrayed
in
a
cooler
and
more
guarded
mood
,
“
What
could
possess
him
?
For
years
he
had
followed
me
about
like
a
little
dog
,
and
never
said
more
than
I
let
him
;
and
now
what
folly
was
in
his
head
,
just
because
I
could
not
walk
as
far
as
the
ruin
with
the
others
.
When
I
said
I
was
going
to
Scotland
,
what
business
had
he
to
—
Oh
!
the
others
will
be
coming
back
,
Rachel
,
could
we
not
go
to
meet
the
carriage
?
”
The
attempt
to
move
,
however
,
brought
back
the
feeling
of
the
strain
of
which
she
had
complained
,
but
she
would
not
give
way
,
and
by
the
help
of
Rachel’s
arm
,
proceeded
across
the
grass
to
the
carriage-drive
,
where
Alick
was
to
meet
them
.
It
seemed
very
far
and
very
hot
,
and
her
alternately
excited
and
shame-stricken
manner
,
and
sobbing
breath
,
much
alarmed
Rachel
;
but
when
Alick
met
them
,
all
this
seemed
to
pass
away
—
she
controlled
herself
entirely
,
declaring
herself
unhurt
,
and
giving
him
cheerful
messages
and
excuses
for
her
hostess
.
Alick
put
the
reins
into
Rachel’s
hands
,
and
,
after
watching
her
drive
off
,
returned
to
the
party
,
and
delivered
the
apologies
of
the
ladies
;
then
went
in
search
of
his
uncle
.
He
did
not
,
however
,
find
him
quickly
,
and
then
he
was
so
happy
with
his
old
friend
among
a
cluster
of
merry
young
people
,
that
Alick
would
not
say
a
word
to
hasten
him
home
,
especially
as
Rachel
would
have
driven
Bessie
to
Timber
End
,
so
that
it
would
only
be
returning
to
an
empty
house
.
And
such
was
Mr.
Clare’s
sociableness
and
disability
of
detaching
himself
from
pleasant
conversation
,
that
the
uncle
and
nephew
scarcely
started
for
their
walk
across
the
park
in
time
for
the
seven
o’clock
service
.
Mr.
Clare
had
never
been
so
completely
belated
,
and
,
as
Alick’s
assistance
was
necessary
,
he
could
only
augur
from
his
wife’s
absence
that
she
was
still
at
Timber
End
with
his
sister
.
CHAPTER
XXVI
.
THE
END
OF
CLEVERNESS
.
“
Where
am
I
?
O
vanity
,
We
are
not
what
we
deem
,
The
sins
that
hold
my
heart
in
thrall
,
They
are
more
real
than
all
.
”
—
Rev.
I
.
WILLIAMS
.
As
the
uncle
and
nephew
came
out
of
church
,
and
approached
the
yew-tree
gate
,
Rachel
came
swiftly
to
meet
them
.
“
Oh
,
Alick
!
oh
,
uncle
!
”
she
said
breathlessly
.
“
Bessie
says
she
is
shocked
to
have
turned
your
house
upside
down
,
but
we
could
not
go
any
further
.
And
her
baby
is
born
!
”
Then
in
answer
to
exclamations
,
half-dismayed
,
half-wondering
,
“
Yes
,
it
is
all
right
,
so
Nurse
Jones
says
.
I
could
not
send
to
you
,
for
we
had
to
send
everywhere
at
once
.
Mr.
Harvey
was
not
at
home
,
and
we
telegraphed
to
London
,
but
no
one
has
come
yet
,
and
now
I
have
just
written
a
note
to
Lord
Keith
with
the
news
of
his
son
and
heir
.
And
,
uncle
,
she
has
set
her
heart
on
your
baptizing
him
directly
.
”
There
was
some
demur
,
for
though
the
child
had
made
so
sudden
a
rush
into
the
world
,
there
seemed
to
be
no
ground
for
immediate
alarm
;
and
Mr.
Clare
being
always
at
hand
,
did
not
think
it
expedient
to
give
the
name
without
knowing
the
father’s
wishes
with
regard
to
that
hereditary
Alexander
which
had
been
borne
by
the
dead
son
of
the
first
marriage
.
A
message
,
however
,
came
down
to
hasten
him
,
and
when
—
as
he
had
often
before
done
in
cottages
—
he
demanded
of
Nurse
Jones
whether
private
baptism
were
immediately
necessary
,
she
allowed
that
she
saw
no
pressing
danger
,
but
added
,
“
that
the
lady
was
in
a
way
about
it
,
”
and
this
both
Rachel
and
her
maid
strongly
corroborated
.
Rachel’s
maid
was
an
experienced
person
,
whom
Mrs.
Curtis
had
selected
with
a
view
to
Rachel’s
weak
state
at
the
time
of
her
marriage
,
and
she
showed
herself
anxious
for
anything
that
might
abate
Lady
Keith’s
excitement
,
to
which
they
at
length
yielded
,
feeling
that
resistance
might
be
dangerous
to
her
.
She
further
insisted
that
the
rite
should
be
performed
in
her
presence
;
nor
was
she
satisfied
when
Rachel
had
brought
in
her
uncle
,
but
insisted
on
likewise
calling
in
her
brother
,
who
vaguely
anxious
,
and
fully
conscious
of
the
small
size
of
the
room
,
had
remained
down-stairs
.
Mr.
Clare
always
baptized
his
infant
parishioners
,
and
no
one
was
anxious
about
his
manner
of
handling
the
little
one
,
the
touch
of
whose
garments
might
be
familiar
,
as
being
no
other
than
his
own
parish
baby
linen
.
He
could
do
no
otherwise
than
give
the
child
the
name
reiterated
by
the
mother
,
in
weak
but
impatient
accents
,
“
Alexander
Clare
,
”
her
brother’s
own
name
,
and
when
the
short
service
was
concluded
,
she
called
out
triumphantly
,
“
Make
Alick
kiss
him
,
Rachel
,
and
do
homage
to
his
young
chieftain
.
”
They
obeyed
her
,
as
she
lay
watching
them
,
and
a
very
pretty
sight
she
was
with
her
dark
hair
lying
round
her
,
a
rosy
colour
on
her
cheeks
,
and
light
in
her
eyes
;
but
Mr.
Clare
thought
both
her
touch
and
voice
feverish
,
and
entreated
Rachel
not
to
let
her
talk
.
Indeed
Alick
longed
to
take
Rachel
away
,
but
this
was
not
at
present
feasible
,
since
her
maid
was
occupied
with
the
infant
,
and
Nurse
Jones
was
so
entirely
a
cottage
practitioner
that
she
was
scarcely
an
available
attendant
elsewhere
.
Bessie
herself
would
by
no
means
have
parted
with
her
sister-in-law
,
nor
was
it
possible
to
reduce
her
to
silence
.
“
Alexander
!
”
she
said
joyfully
,
“
I
always
promised
my
child
that
he
should
not
have
a
stupid
second
son’s
name
.
I
had
a
right
to
my
own
father’s
and
brother’s
name
,
and
now
it
can’t
be
altered
,
”
then
catching
a
shade
of
disapproval
upon
Rachel’s
face
,
“
not
that
I
would
have
hurried
it
on
if
I
had
not
thought
it
right
,
poor
little
fellow
,
but
now
I
trust
he
will
do
nicely
,
and
I
do
think
we
have
managed
it
all
with
less
trouble
than
might
have
been
expected
.
”
Sure
by
this
time
that
she
was
talking
too
much
,
Rachel
was
glad
to
hear
that
Mr.
Harvey
was
come
.
He
was
a
friendly
,
elderly
man
,
who
knew
them
all
intimately
,
having
attended
Alick
through
his
tedious
recovery
,
and
his
first
measure
was
to
clear
the
room
.
Rachel
thought
that
“
at
her
age
”
he
might
have
accepted
her
services
,
rather
than
her
maid’s
,
but
she
suspected
Alick
of
instigating
her
exclusion
,
so
eagerly
did
he
pounce
on
her
to
make
her
eat
,
drink
,
and
lie
on
the
sofa
,
and
so
supremely
scornful
was
he
of
her
views
of
sitting
up
,
a
measure
which
might
be
the
more
needful
for
want
of
a
bed
.
On
the
whole
,
however
,
he
was
satisfied
about
her
;
alarm
and
excitement
had
restrung
her
powers
,
and
she
knew
herself
to
have
done
her
part
,
so
that
she
was
ready
to
be
both
cheerful
and
important
over
the
evening
meal
.
Mr.
Clare
was
by
no
means
annoyed
at
this
vicissitude
,
but
rather
amused
at
it
,
and
specially
diverted
at
the
thought
of
what
would
be
Mr.
Lifford’s
consternation
.
Lord
Keith’s
servant
had
come
over
,
reporting
his
master
to
be
a
good
deal
worn
out
by
the
afternoon’s
anxiety
,
and
recommending
that
he
should
not
be
again
disturbed
that
night
,
so
he
was
off
their
minds
,
and
the
only
drawback
to
the
pleasantness
of
the
evening
was
surprise
at
seeing
and
hearing
nothing
from
Mr.
Harvey
.
The
London
doctor
arrived
,
he
met
him
and
took
him
up-stairs
at
once
;
and
then
ensued
a
long
stillness
,
all
attempts
at
conversation
died
away
,
and
Alick
only
now
and
then
made
attempts
to
send
his
companions
to
bed
.
Mr.
Clare
went
out
to
the
hall
to
listen
,
or
Rachel
stole
up
to
the
extemporary
nursery
to
consult
Nurse
Jones
,
whom
she
found
very
gruff
at
having
been
turned
out
in
favour
of
the
stranger
maid
.
It
was
a
strange
time
of
suspense
.
Alick
made
Rachel
lie
on
the
sofa
,
and
she
almost
heard
the
beating
of
her
own
heart
;
he
sat
by
her
,
trying
to
seem
to
read
,
and
his
uncle
stood
by
the
open
window
,
where
the
tinkle
of
a
sheep
bell
came
softly
in
from
the
meadows
,
and
now
and
then
the
hoot
of
the
owl
round
the
church
tower
made
the
watchers
start
.
To
watch
that
calm
and
earnest
face
was
their
great
help
in
that
hour
of
alarm
;
those
sightless
eyes
,
and
broad
,
upraised
spiritual
brow
seemed
so
replete
with
steadfast
trust
and
peace
,
that
the
very
sight
was
soothing
and
supporting
to
the
young
husband
and
wife
,
and
when
the
long
strokes
of
twelve
resounded
from
the
church
tower
,
Mr.
Clare
,
turning
towards
them
,
began
in
his
full
,
musical
voice
to
repeat
Bishop
Ken’s
noble
midnight
hymn
—
“
My
God
,
now
I
from
sleep
awake
,
The
sole
possession
of
me
take
;
From
midnight
terrors
me
secure
,
And
guard
my
soul
from
thoughts
impure
.
”
To
Rachel
,
who
had
so
often
heard
that
hour
strike
amid
a
tumult
of
midnight
miseries
,
there
was
something
in
these
words
inexpressibly
gentle
and
soothing
;
the
tears
sprang
into
her
eyes
,
as
if
she
had
found
the
spell
to
chase
the
grisly
phantoms
,
and
she
clasped
her
husband’s
hand
,
as
though
to
communicate
her
comfort
.
“
Oh
may
I
always
ready
stand
,
With
my
lamp
burning
in
my
hand
;
May
I
in
sight
of
Heaven
rejoice
,
Whene’er
I
hear
the
Bridegroom’s
voice
.
”
Mr.
Clare
had
just
repeated
this
verse
,
when
he
paused
,
saying
,
“
They
are
coming
down
,
”
and
moved
quickly
to
meet
them
in
the
hall
.
Alick
followed
him
to
the
door
,
but
as
they
entered
the
dining-room
,
after
a
moment’s
hesitation
,
returned
to
Rachel
,
as
she
sat
upright
and
eager
.
“
After
all
,
this
may
mean
nothing
,
”
he
said
.
“
Oh
,
we
don’t
make
it
better
by
fancying
it
nothing
,
”
said
Rachel
.
“
Let
us
try
to
meet
it
like
your
uncle
.
Oh
,
Alick
,
it
seemed
all
this
time
as
if
I
could
pray
again
,
as
I
never
could
since
those
sad
times
.
He
seemed
so
sure
,
such
a
rock
to
help
and
lean
on
.
”
He
drew
her
close
to
him
.
“
You
are
praying
for
her
!
”
he
murmured
,
his
soul
so
much
absorbed
in
his
sister
that
he
could
not
admit
other
thoughts
,
and
still
they
waited
and
watched
till
other
sounds
were
heard
.
The
London
doctor
was
going
away
.
Alick
sprang
to
the
door
,
and
opened
it
as
his
uncle’s
hand
was
on
the
lock
.
There
was
a
mournful
,
solemn
expression
on
his
face
,
as
they
gazed
mutely
up
in
expectation
.
“
Children
,
”
he
said
,
“
it
is
as
we
feared
.
This
great
sorrow
is
coming
on
us
.
”
“
Then
there
is
danger
,
”
said
Alick
with
stunned
calmness
.
“
More
than
danger
,
”
said
his
uncle
,
“
they
have
tried
all
that
skill
can
do
.
”
“
Was
it
the
fall
?
”
said
Alick
.
“
It
was
my
bad
management
,
it
always
is
,
”
said
Rachel
,
ever
affirmative
.
“
No
,
dear
child
,
”
said
Mr.
Clare
,
“
there
was
fatal
injury
in
the
fall
,
and
even
absolute
stillness
for
the
last
few
hours
could
hardly
have
saved
her
.
You
have
nothing
to
reproach
yourself
with
.
”
“
And
now
!
”
asked
Alick
,
hoarsely
.
“
Much
more
exhausted
than
when
we
were
with
her
;
sometimes
faint
,
but
still
feverish
.
They
think
it
may
last
many
hours
yet
,
poor
dear
child
,
she
has
so
much
youth
and
strength
.
”
“
Does
she
know
?
”
“
Harvey
thought
some
of
their
measures
alarmed
her
,
but
they
soothed
and
encouraged
her
while
they
saw
hope
,
and
he
thinks
she
has
no
real
fears
.
”
“
And
how
is
it
to
be
—
”
said
Alick
.
“
She
ought
—
”
“
Yes
;
Harvey
thinks
she
ought
,
she
is
fully
herself
,
and
it
can
make
no
difference
now
.
He
is
gone
to
judge
about
coming
up
at
once
;
but
Alick
,
my
poor
boy
,
you
must
speak
to
her
.
I
have
found
that
without
seeing
the
face
I
cannot
judge
what
my
words
may
be
doing
.
”
Rachel
asked
about
poor
Lord
Keith
,
and
was
told
that
he
was
to
be
left
in
quiet
that
night
,
unless
his
wife
should
be
very
anxious
for
him
at
once
.
Mr.
Harvey
came
down
,
bringing
word
that
his
patient
was
asking
urgently
for
Mrs.
Keith
.
“
You
had
better
let
me
go
in
first
,
”
said
Alick
,
his
face
changed
by
the
firm
but
tender
awe-struck
look
.
“
Not
if
she
is
asking
for
me
,
”
said
Rachel
,
moving
on
,
her
heart
feeling
as
if
it
would
rend
asunder
,
but
her
looks
composed
.
Bessie’s
face
was
in
shade
,
but
her
voice
had
the
old
ring
of
coaxing
archness
.
“
I
thought
you
would
stay
to
see
the
doctors
off
.
They
had
their
revenge
for
our
stealing
a
march
on
them
,
and
have
prowled
about
me
till
I
was
quite
faint
;
and
now
I
don’t
feel
a
bit
like
sleep
,
though
I
am
so
tired
.
Would
Alick
think
me
very
wicked
if
I
kept
you
a
little
while
?
Don’t
I
see
Alick’s
shadow
?
Dear
old
fellow
,
are
you
come
to
wish
me
good-night
?
That
is
good
of
you
.
I
am
not
going
to
plague
you
any
more
,
Alick
,
I
shall
be
so
good
now
!
But
what
?
”
as
he
held
back
the
curtain
,
and
the
light
fell
on
his
face
,
“
Oh
!
there
is
nothing
wrong
with
the
baby
?
”
“
No
,
dear
Bessie
,
not
with
the
baby
,
”
said
Alick
,
with
strong
emphasis
.
“
What
,
myself
?
”
she
said
quickly
,
turning
her
eyes
from
one
face
to
the
other
.
Alick
told
her
the
state
of
the
case
.
Hers
was
a
resolute
character
,
or
perhaps
the
double
nature
that
had
perplexed
and
chafed
her
brother
was
so
integral
that
nothing
could
put
it
off
.
She
fully
comprehended
,
but
as
if
she
and
herself
were
two
separate
persons
.
She
asked
how
much
time
might
be
left
to
her
,
and
hearing
the
doctor’s
opinion
,
said
,
“
Then
I
think
my
poor
old
Lord
Keith
had
better
have
his
night’s
rest
in
peace
.
But
,
oh
!
I
should
like
to
speak
to
Colin
.
Send
for
him
,
Alick
;
telegraph
,
Alick
;
he
is
at
the
Paddington
Hotel
.
Send
directly
.
”
She
was
only
tranquillised
by
her
brother
beginning
to
write
a
telegraphic
message
.
“
Rachel
,
”
she
said
,
presently
,
“
Ermine
must
marry
him
now
,
and
see
to
Lord
Keith
,
and
the
little
one
—
tell
her
so
,
please
,
”
then
with
her
unfailing
courtesy
,
“
he
will
seem
like
your
own
child
,
dear
Rachel
,
and
you
should
have
him
;
but
you’ll
have
a
wandering
home
with
the
dear
old
Highlanders
.
Oh
!
I
wonder
if
he
will
ever
go
into
them
,
there
must
always
be
a
Keith
there
,
and
they
say
he
is
sure
of
the
Victoria
Cross
,
though
papa
will
not
send
up
his
name
because
of
being
his
own
son
.
”
Then
passing
her
hand
over
her
face
,
she
exclaimed
—
“
Wasn’t
I
talking
great
nonsense
,
Rachel
?
I
don’t
seem
able
to
say
what
I
mean
.
”
“
It
is
weakness
,
dearest
,
”
said
Rachel
,
“
perhaps
you
might
gain
a
little
strength
if
you
were
quite
still
and
listened
to
my
uncle
.
”
“
Presently
.
O
Rachel
!
I
like
the
sound
of
your
voice
;
I
am
glad
Alick
has
got
you
.
You
suit
him
better
than
his
wicked
little
sister
ever
did
.
You
have
been
so
kind
to
me
to-night
,
Rachel
;
I
never
thought
I
should
have
loved
you
so
well
,
when
I
quizzed
you
.
I
did
use
you
ill
then
,
Rachel
,
but
I
think
you
won
Alick
by
it
just
by
force
of
contrast
,
”
—
she
was
verging
into
the
dreamy
voice
,
and
Rachel
requested
her
to
rest
and
be
silent
.
“
It
can’t
make
any
difference
,
”
said
Bessie
,
“
and
I’ll
try
to
be
quiet
and
do
all
right
,
if
you’ll
just
let
me
have
my
child
again
.
I
do
want
to
know
who
he
is
like
.
I
am
so
glad
it
is
not
he
that
was
hurt
.
Oh
!
I
did
so
want
to
have
brought
him
up
to
be
like
Alick
.
”
The
infant
was
brought
,
and
she
insisted
on
being
lifted
to
see
its
face
,
which
she
declared
to
resemble
her
brother
;
but
here
her
real
self
seemed
to
gain
the
mastery
,
and
calling
it
a
poor
little
motherless
thing
,
she
fell
into
a
fit
of
violent
convulsive
weeping
,
which
ended
in
a
fainting
fit
,
and
this
was
a
fearfully
perceptible
stage
on
her
way
to
the
dark
valley
.
She
was
,
however
,
conscious
when
she
revived
,
and
sent
for
her
uncle
,
whom
she
begged
to
let
her
be
laid
in
his
churchyard
,
“
near
the
willow-tree
;
not
next
to
my
aunt
,
I’m
not
good
enough
,
”
she
said
,
“
but
I
could
not
bear
that
old
ruined
abbey
,
where
all
the
Keiths
go
,
and
Alick
always
wanted
me
to
be
here
—
Alick
was
right
!
”
The
dreamy
mist
was
coming
on
,
nor
was
it
ever
wholly
dispelled
again
.
She
listened
,
or
seemed
to
listen
,
to
her
uncle’s
prayers
,
but
whenever
he
ceased
,
she
began
to
talk
—
perhaps
sensibly
at
first
,
but
soon
losing
the
thread
—
sometimes
about
her
child
or
husband
,
sometimes
going
back
to
those
expressions
of
Charles
Carleton
that
had
been
so
dire
a
shock
to
her
.
“
He
ought
not
!
I
thought
he
knew
better
!
Alick
was
right
!
Come
away
,
Rachel
,
I’ll
never
see
him
again
.
I
have
done
nothing
that
he
should
insult
me
.
Alick
was
right
!
”
Then
would
come
the
sobs
,
terrible
in
themselves
,
and
ending
in
fainting
,
and
the
whole
scene
was
especially
grievous
to
Alick
,
even
more
than
to
either
of
the
others
,
for
as
her
perception
failed
her
,
association
carried
her
back
to
old
arguments
with
him
,
and
sometimes
it
was
,
“
Alick
,
indeed
you
do
like
to
attribute
motives
,
”
sometimes
,
“
Indeed
it
is
not
all
self-deception
,
”
or
the
recurring
wail
,
“
Alick
is
right
,
only
don’t
let
him
be
so
angry
!
”
If
he
told
her
how
far
he
was
from
anger
,
she
would
make
him
kiss
her
,
or
return
to
some
playful
rejoinder
,
more
piteous
to
hear
than
all
,
or
in
the
midst
would
come
on
the
deadly
swoon
.
Morning
light
was
streaming
into
the
room
when
one
of
these
swoons
had
fallen
on
her
,
and
no
means
of
restoration
availed
to
bring
her
back
to
anything
but
a
gasping
condition
,
in
which
she
lay
supported
in
Rachel’s
arms
.
The
doctor
had
his
hand
on
her
pulse
,
the
only
sounds
outside
were
the
twittering
of
the
birds
,
and
within
,
the
ticking
of
the
clock
,
Alick’s
deep-drawn
breaths
,
and
his
uncle’s
prayer
.
Rachel
felt
a
thrill
pass
through
the
form
she
was
supporting
,
she
looked
at
Mr.
Harvey
,
and
understood
his
glance
,
but
neither
moved
till
Mr.
Clare’s
voice
finished
,
when
the
doctor
said
,
“
I
feared
she
would
have
suffered
much
more
.
Thank
God
!
”
He
gently
relieved
Rachel
from
the
now
lifeless
weight
,
and
they
knelt
on
for
some
moments
in
complete
stillness
,
except
that
Alick’s
breath
became
more
laboured
,
and
his
shuddering
and
shivering
could
no
longer
be
repressed
.
Rachel
was
excessively
terrified
to
perceive
that
his
whole
frame
was
trembling
like
an
aspen
leaf
.
He
rose
,
however
,
bent
to
kiss
his
sister’s
brow
,
and
steadying
himself
by
the
furniture
,
made
for
the
door
.
The
others
followed
him
,
and
in
a
few
rapid
words
Rachel
was
assured
that
her
fears
were
ungrounded
,
it
was
only
an
attack
of
his
old
Indian
fever
,
which
was
apt
to
recur
on
any
shock
,
but
was
by
no
means
alarming
,
though
for
the
present
it
must
be
given
way
to
.
Indeed
,
his
teeth
were
chattering
too
much
for
him
to
speak
intelligibly
,
when
he
tried
to
tell
Rachel
to
rest
and
not
think
of
him
.
This
of
course
was
impossible
,
and
the
sun
had
scarcely
risen
,
before
he
was
placed
in
his
old
quarters
,
the
bed
in
the
little
inner
study
,
and
Rachel
watched
over
him
while
Mr.
Clare
had
driven
off
with
the
doctor
to
await
the
awakening
of
Lord
Keith
.
Rachel
had
never
so
much
needed
strength
.
It
was
hard
to
believe
the
assurances
of
Alick
,
the
doctor
,
and
the
whole
house
,
that
his
condition
was
not
critical
,
for
he
was
exceedingly
ill
for
some
hours
,
the
ailment
having
been
coming
on
all
night
,
though
it
was
forced
back
by
the
resolute
will
,
and
it
was
aggravated
by
the
intensity
of
his
grief
,
which
on
the
other
hand
broke
forth
the
more
violently
from
the
failure
of
the
physical
powers
.
The
brother
and
sister
had
been
so
long
alone
in
the
world
together
,
and
with
all
her
faults
she
had
been
so
winning
,
that
it
was
a
grievous
loss
to
him
,
coming
too
in
the
full
bloom
of
her
beauty
and
prosperity
,
when
he
was
conscious
of
having
dealt
severely
with
her
foibles
.
All
was
at
an
end
—
that
double
thread
of
brilliant
good-nature
and
worldly
selfishness
,
with
the
one
strand
of
sound
principle
sometimes
coming
into
sight
.
The
life
was
gone
from
the
earth
in
its
incompleteness
,
without
an
unravelling
of
its
complicated
texture
,
and
the
wandering
utterances
that
revealed
how
entirely
the
brother
stood
first
with
her
,
added
poignancy
to
his
regret
for
having
been
harsh
with
her
.
It
could
hardly
be
otherwise
than
that
his
censures
,
however
just
,
should
now
recoil
upon
him
,
and
in
vain
did
Rachel
try
to
point
out
that
every
word
of
his
sister’s
had
proved
that
her
better
sense
had
all
along
acquiesced
—
he
only
felt
what
it
might
have
been
if
he
had
been
more
indulgent
and
less
ironical
,
and
gave
himself
infinitely
harder
measure
than
he
ever
could
have
shown
to
her
.
It
was
long
before
the
suffering
,
either
mental
or
bodily
,
by
any
means
abated
,
and
Rachel
felt
extremely
lonely
,
deserted
,
and
doubtful
whether
she
were
in
any
way
ministering
to
his
relief
,
but
at
last
a
gleam
of
satisfaction
came
upon
her
.
He
evidently
did
like
her
attendance
on
him
,
and
he
began
to
say
something
about
Bessie’s
real
love
and
esteem
for
her
—
softer
grief
was
setting
in
,
and
the
ailment
was
lessening
.
The
summer
morning
was
advancing
,
and
the
knell
rung
out
its
two
deep
notes
from
the
church
tower
.
Rachel
had
been
dreading
the
effect
on
him
,
but
he
lay
still
,
as
if
he
had
been
waiting
for
it
,
and
was
evidently
counting
the
twenty-three
strokes
that
told
the
age
of
the
deceased
.
Then
he
said
he
was
mending
,
and
that
he
should
fall
asleep
if
Rachel
would
leave
him
,
see
after
the
poor
child
,
and
if
his
uncle
should
not
come
home
within
the
next
quarter
of
an
hour
take
measures
to
silence
the
bell
for
the
morning
service
;
after
which
,
he
laid
his
injunctions
on
her
to
rest
,
or
what
should
he
say
to
her
mother
?
And
the
approach
to
a
smile
with
which
these
last
words
were
spoken
,
enabled
Rachel
to
obey
in
some
comfort
.
After
satisfying
herself
that
the
child
was
doing
well
,
Rachel
was
obliged
to
go
into
her
former
room
,
and
there
to
stand
face
to
face
with
the
white
,
still
countenance
so
lately
beaming
with
life
.
She
was
glad
to
be
alone
.
The
marble
calm
above
all
counteracted
and
drove
aside
the
painful
phantom
left
by
Lovedy’s
agony
,
and
yet
the
words
of
that
poor
,
persecuted
,
suffering
child
came
surging
into
her
mind
full
of
peace
and
hope
.
Perhaps
it
was
the
first
time
she
had
entered
into
what
it
is
for
weak
things
to
confound
the
wise
,
or
how
things
hidden
from
the
intellectual
can
be
revealed
to
babes
;
and
she
hid
her
face
in
her
hands
,
and
was
thankful
for
the
familiar
words
of
old
,
“
That
we
may
embrace
and
ever
hold
fast
the
blessed
hope
of
everlasting
life
.
”
The
continued
clang
of
the
bell
warned
her
.
She
looked
round
at
the
still
uncleared
room
,
poor
Bessie’s
rings
and
bracelets
lying
mingled
with
her
own
on
the
toilet
table
,
and
her
little
clock
,
Bessie’s
own
gift
,
standing
ticking
on
as
it
had
done
at
her
peaceful
rising
only
yesterday
morning
.
She
took
out
her
hat
,
and
was
on
her
way
to
silence
the
bell-ringer
,
when
Mr.
Clare
was
driven
up
to
the
churchyard
gate
.
Lord
Keith
had
been
greatly
shocked
,
but
not
overpowered
,
he
had
spoken
calmly
,
and
made
minute
inquiries
,
and
Mr.
Clare
was
evidently
a
little
disappointed
,
repeating
that
age
and
health
made
a
difference
,
and
that
people
showed
their
feelings
in
various
ways
.
Colonel
Keith
had
been
met
at
the
station
,
and
was
with
his
brother
,
but
would
come
to
make
arrangements
in
the
course
of
the
day
.
Rachel
begged
to
stop
the
bell
,
representing
that
the
assembled
congregation
included
no
male
person
capable
of
reading
the
lessons
;
but
Mr.
Clare
answered
,
“
No
,
my
dear
,
this
is
not
a
day
to
do
without
such
a
beginning
.
We
must
do
what
we
can
.
Or
stay
,
it
is
the
last
chapter
of
St.
John
.
I
could
hardly
fail
in
that
.
Sit
near
me
,
and
give
me
the
word
if
I
do
,
unless
you
want
to
be
with
Alick
.
”
As
Rachel
knelt
that
day
,
the
scales
of
self-conceit
seemed
to
have
gone
.
She
had
her
childhood’s
heart
again
.
Her
bitter
remorse
,
her
afterthoughts
of
perplexity
had
been
lulled
in
the
long
calm
of
the
respite
,
and
when
roused
again
,
even
by
this
sudden
sorrow
,
she
woke
to
her
old
trust
and
hope
.
And
when
she
listened
to
the
expressive
though
calm
rehearsal
of
that
solemn
sunrise-greeting
to
the
weary
darkling
fishers
on
the
shore
of
the
mountain
lake
,
it
was
to
her
as
if
the
form
so
long
hidden
from
her
by
mists
of
her
own
raising
,
once
more
shone
forth
,
smoothing
the
vexed
waters
of
her
soul
,
and
she
could
say
with
a
new
thrill
of
recognition
,
“
It
is
the
Lord
.
”
Once
Mr.
Clare
missed
a
word
,
and
paused
for
aid
.
She
was
crying
too
much
to
be
ready
,
and
,
through
her
tears
,
could
not
recover
the
passage
so
as
to
prompt
him
before
he
had
himself
recalled
the
verse
.
Perhaps
a
sense
of
failure
was
always
good
for
Rachel
,
but
she
was
much
concerned
,
and
her
apologies
quite
distressed
Mr.
Clare
.
“
Dear
child
,
no
one
could
be
expected
to
keep
the
place
when
there
was
so
much
to
dwell
on
in
the
very
comfort
of
the
chapter
.
And
now
if
you
are
not
in
haste
,
would
you
take
me
to
the
place
that
dear
Bessie
spoke
of
,
by
the
willow-tree
.
I
am
almost
afraid
little
Mary
Lawrence’s
grave
may
have
left
too
little
space
.
”
Rachel
guided
him
to
a
lovely
spot
,
almost
overhanging
the
stream
,
with
the
dark
calm
pools
beneath
the
high
bank
,
and
the
willow
casting
a
long
morning
shadow
over
it
.
Her
mind
went
back
to
the
merry
drive
from
Avoncester
,
when
she
had
first
seen
Elizabeth
Keith
,
and
had
little
dreamt
that
in
one
short
year
she
should
be
choosing
the
spot
for
her
grave
.
Mr.
Clare
paced
the
green
nook
and
was
satisfied
,
asking
if
it
were
not
a
very
pretty
place
.
“
Yes
,
”
said
Rachel
,
“
there
is
such
a
quiet
freshness
,
and
the
willow-tree
seems
to
guard
it
.
”
“
Is
there
not
a
white
foxglove
on
the
bank
?
”
“
Yes
,
but
with
only
a
bell
or
two
left
at
the
top
of
the
side
spikes
.
”
“
Your
aunt
sowed
the
seed
.
It
is
strange
that
I
was
very
near
choosing
this
place
nine
years
ago
,
but
it
could
not
be
seen
from
my
window
,
which
was
an
object
with
me
then
.
”
Just
then
his
quick
ear
detected
that
some
one
was
at
the
parsonage
door
,
and
Rachel
,
turning
round
,
exclaimed
with
horror
,
“
It
is
that
unhappy
Mr.
Carleton
.
”
“
Poor
young
fellow
,
”
said
Mr.
Clare
,
with
more
of
pity
than
of
anger
,
“
I
had
better
speak
to
him
.
”
But
they
were
far
from
the
path
,
and
it
was
not
possible
to
guide
the
blind
steps
rapidly
between
the
graves
and
head
stones
,
so
that
before
the
pathway
was
reached
young
Carleton
must
have
received
the
sad
reply
to
his
inquiries
,
for
hurrying
from
the
door
he
threw
himself
on
his
horse
,
and
rode
off
at
full
speed
.
By
the
afternoon
,
when
Colonel
Keith
came
to
Bishopsworthy
,
Alick
was
lying
on
the
sofa
with
such
a
headache
that
he
could
neither
see
nor
spell
,
and
Rachel
was
writing
letters
for
him
,
both
in
the
frame
of
mind
in
which
the
Colonel’s
genuine
warm
affection
and
admiration
for
Bessie
was
very
comforting
,
assisting
them
in
putting
all
past
misgivings
out
of
sight
.
He
had
induced
his
brother
to
see
Mr.
Harvey
,
and
the
result
had
been
that
Lord
Keith
had
consented
to
a
consultation
the
next
day
with
an
eminent
London
surgeon
,
since
it
was
clear
that
the
blow
,
not
the
sciatica
,
was
answerable
for
the
suffering
which
was
evidently
becoming
severe
.
The
Colonel
of
course
intended
to
remain
with
his
brother
,
at
least
till
after
the
funeral
.
“
Can
you
?
”
exclaimed
Alick
.
“
Ought
you
not
to
be
at
Avoncester
?
”
“
I
am
not
a
witness
,
and
the
case
is
in
excellent
hands
.
”
“
Could
you
not
run
down
?
I
shall
be
available
tomorrow
,
and
I
could
be
with
Lord
Keith
.
”
“
Thank
you
,
Alick
,
it
is
impossible
for
me
to
leave
him
,
”
said
Colin
,
so
quietly
that
no
one
could
have
guessed
how
keenly
he
felt
the
being
deprived
of
bringing
her
brother
to
Ermine
,
and
being
present
at
the
crisis
to
which
all
his
thoughts
and
endeavours
had
so
long
been
directed
.
That
assize
day
had
long
been
a
dream
of
dread
to
Rachel
,
and
perhaps
even
more
so
to
her
husband
.
Yet
how
remote
its
interest
actually
seemed
!
They
scarcely
thought
of
it
for
the
chief
part
of
the
day
.
Alick
looking
very
pale
,
though
calling
himself
well
,
went
early
to
Timber
End
,
and
he
had
not
long
been
gone
before
a
card
was
brought
in
,
with
an
urgent
entreaty
that
Mrs.
Keith
would
see
Mrs.
Carleton
.
Rachel
longed
to
consult
Mr.
Clare
,
but
he
had
gone
out
to
a
sick
person
,
and
she
was
obliged
to
decide
that
Alick
could
scarcely
wish
her
to
refuse
,
reluctant
and
indignant
as
she
felt
.
But
her
wrath
lessened
as
she
saw
the
lady’s
tears
and
agitation
,
so
great
that
for
a
moment
no
words
were
possible
,
and
the
first
were
broken
apologies
for
intruding
,
“
Nothing
should
have
induced
her
,
but
her
poor
son
was
in
such
a
dreadful
state
.
”
Rachel
again
became
cold
and
stern
,
and
did
not
relent
at
the
description
of
Charlie’s
horror
and
agony
;
for
she
was
wondering
at
the
audacity
of
mentioning
his
grief
to
the
wife
of
Lady
Keith’s
brother
,
and
thinking
that
this
weak
,
indulgent
mother
was
the
very
person
to
make
a
foolish
,
mischievous
son
,
and
it
was
on
her
tongue’s
end
that
she
did
not
see
to
what
she
was
indebted
for
the
favour
of
such
a
visit
.
Perhaps
Mrs.
Carleton
perceived
her
resentment
,
for
she
broke
off
,
and
urgently
asked
if
poor
dear
Lady
Keith
had
alluded
to
anything
that
had
passed
.
“
Yes
,
”
Rachel
was
is
forced
to
say
;
and
when
again
pressed
as
to
the
manner
of
alluding
,
replied
,
that
“
she
was
exceedingly
distressed
and
displeased
,
”
with
difficulty
refraining
from
saying
who
had
done
all
the
mischief
.
Mrs.
Carleton
was
in
no
need
of
hearing
it
.
“
Ah
!
”
she
said
,
“
it
was
right
,
quite
right
.
It
was
very
wrong
of
my
poor
boy
.
Indeed
I
am
not
excusing
him
,
but
if
you
only
knew
how
he
blames
himself
.
”
“
I
am
sure
he
ought
,
”
Rachel
could
not
help
saying
.
Mrs.
Carleton
here
entreated
her
to
listen
,
and
seized
her
hand
,
so
that
there
was
no
escape
.
The
tale
was
broken
and
confused
,
but
there
could
be
little
doubt
of
its
correctness
.
Poor
Bessie
had
been
the
bane
of
young
Carleton’s
life
.
She
had
never
either
decidedly
accepted
or
repelled
his
affection
,
but
,
as
she
had
truly
said
,
let
him
follow
her
like
a
little
dog
,
and
amused
herself
with
him
in
the
absence
of
better
game
.
He
was
in
his
father’s
office
,
but
her
charms
disturbed
his
application
to
business
and
kept
him
trifling
among
the
croquet
lawns
of
Littleworthy
,
whence
his
mother
never
had
the
resolution
to
banish
her
spoilt
child
.
At
last
Miss
Keith’s
refusal
of
him
softened
by
a
half-implied
hope
,
sent
him
forth
to
his
uncle
at
Rio
,
on
the
promise
that
if
he
did
his
utmost
there
,
he
should
in
three
years
be
enabled
to
offer
Miss
Keith
more
than
a
competence
.
With
this
hope
he
had
for
the
first
time
applied
himself
to
business
in
earnest
,
when
he
received
the
tidings
of
her
marriage
,
and
like
a
true
spoilt
child
broke
down
at
once
in
resolution
,
capacity
,
and
health
,
so
that
his
uncle
was
only
too
glad
to
ship
him
off
for
England
.
And
when
Lady
Keith
made
her
temporary
home
in
her
old
neighbourhood
,
the
companionship
began
again
,
permitted
by
her
in
good
nature
,
and
almost
contempt
,
and
allowed
by
his
family
in
confidence
of
the
rectitude
of
both
parties
;
and
indeed
nothing
could
be
more
true
than
that
no
harm
had
been
intended
.
But
it
was
perilous
ground
;
ladies
,
however
highly
principled
,
cannot
leave
off
self-pleasing
habits
all
at
once
,
and
the
old
terms
returned
sufficiently
to
render
the
barrier
but
slightly
felt
.
When
Lady
Keith
had
spoken
of
her
intention
of
leaving
Timber
End
,
the
reply
had
been
the
old
complaint
of
her
brother’s
harshness
and
jealousy
of
his
ardent
and
lasting
affection
,
and
reproof
had
not
at
once
silenced
him
.
This
it
was
that
had
so
startled
her
as
to
make
her
hurry
to
her
brother’s
side
,
unheeding
of
her
steps
.
As
far
as
Rachel
could
make
out
,
the
poor
young
man’s
grief
and
despair
had
been
poured
out
to
his
mother
,
and
she
,
unable
to
soothe
,
had
come
to
try
to
extract
some
assurance
that
the
catastrophe
had
been
unconnected
with
his
folly
.
A
very
slight
foundation
would
have
served
her
,
but
this
Rachel
would
not
give
,
honestly
believing
him
the
cause
of
the
accident
,
and
also
that
the
shock
to
the
sense
of
duty
higher
than
he
could
understand
had
occasioned
the
excitement
which
had
destroyed
the
slender
possibility
of
recovery
.
She
pitied
the
unhappy
man
more
than
she
had
done
at
first
,
and
she
was
much
pained
by
his
mother’s
endeavours
to
obtain
a
palliative
for
him
,
but
she
could
not
be
untrue
.
“
Indeed
,
”
she
said
,
“
I
fear
no
one
can
say
it
was
not
so
;
I
don’t
think
anything
is
made
better
by
blinking
the
reality
.
”
“
Oh
,
Mrs.
Keith
,
it
is
so
dreadful
.
I
cannot
tell
my
poor
son
.
I
don’t
know
what
might
be
the
consequence
.
”
Tears
came
into
Rachel’s
eyes
.
“
Indeed
,
”
she
said
,
“
I
am
very
sorry
for
you
.
I
believe
every
one
knows
that
I
have
felt
what
it
is
to
be
guilty
of
fatal
mischief
,
but
,
indeed
,
indeed
I
am
sure
that
to
realize
it
all
is
the
only
way
to
endure
it
,
so
as
to
be
the
better
for
it
.
Believe
me
,
I
am
very
sorry
,
but
I
don’t
think
it
would
be
any
real
comfort
to
your
son
to
hear
that
poor
Bessie
had
never
been
careful
,
or
that
I
was
inexperienced
,
or
the
nurse
ignorant
.
It
is
better
to
look
at
it
fairly
.
I
hear
Mr.
Clare
coming
in
.
Will
you
see
him
?
”
she
added
suddenly
,
much
relieved
.
But
Mrs.
Carleton
did
not
wish
to
see
him
,
and
departed
,
thinking
Alick
Keith’s
wife
as
bad
as
had
ever
been
reported
,
and
preparing
an
account
of
her
mismanagement
wherewith
to
remove
her
son’s
remorse
.
She
was
scarcely
gone
,
and
Rachel
had
not
had
time
to
speak
to
Mr.
Clare
,
before
another
visitor
was
upon
her
,
no
other
than
Lord
Keith’s
daughter
,
Mrs.
Comyn
Menteith
;
or
,
as
she
introduced
herself
,
“
I’m
Isabel
.
I
came
down
from
London
to-day
because
it
was
so
very
shocking
and
deplorable
,
and
I
am
dying
to
see
my
poor
little
brother
and
uncle
Colin
.
I
must
keep
away
from
poor
papa
till
the
doctors
are
gone
,
so
I
came
here
.
”
She
was
a
little
woman
in
the
delicately
featured
style
of
sandy
prettiness
,
and
exceedingly
talkative
and
good-natured
.
The
rapid
tongue
,
though
low
and
modulated
,
jarred
painfully
on
Rachel’s
feelings
in
the
shaded
staircase
,
and
she
was
glad
to
shut
the
door
of
the
temporary
nursery
,
when
Mrs.
Menteith
pounced
upon
the
poor
little
baby
,
pitying
him
with
all
her
might
,
comparing
him
with
her
own
children
,
and
asking
authoritative
questions
,
coupled
with
demonstrations
of
her
intention
of
carrying
him
off
to
her
own
nursery
establishment
,
which
had
been
left
in
Scotland
with
a
head
nurse
,
whose
name
came
in
with
every
fourth
word
—
that
is
,
if
he
lived
at
all
,
which
she
seemed
to
think
a
hopeless
matter
.
She
spoke
of
“
poor
dear
Bessie
,
”
with
such
affection
as
was
implied
in
“
Oh
,
she
was
such
a
darling
!
I
got
on
with
her
immensely
.
Why
didn’t
you
send
to
me
,
though
I
don’t
know
that
Donald
would
have
let
me
come
,
”
and
she
insisted
on
learning
the
whole
history
,
illustrating
it
profusely
with
personal
experiences
.
Rachel
was
constantly
hoping
to
be
released
from
a
subject
so
intensely
painful
;
but
curiosity
prevailed
through
the
chatter
,
and
kept
hold
of
the
thread
of
the
story
.
Mrs.
Menteith
decidedly
thought
herself
defrauded
of
a
summons
.
“
It
was
very
odd
of
them
all
not
to
telegraph
for
me
.
Those
telegrams
are
such
a
dreadful
shock
.
There
came
one
just
as
I
set
out
from
Timber
End
,
and
I
made
sure
little
Sandie
was
ill
at
home
,
for
you
know
the
child
is
very
delicate
,
and
there
are
so
many
things
going
about
,
and
what
with
all
this
dreadful
business
,
I
was
ready
to
faint
,
and
after
all
it
was
only
a
stupid
thing
for
Uncle
Colin
from
those
people
at
Avoncester
.
”
“
You
do
not
know
what
it
was
?
”
“
Somebody
was
convicted
or
acquitted
,
I
forget
which
,
but
I
know
it
had
something
to
do
with
Uncle
Colin’s
journey
to
Russia
;
so
ridiculous
of
him
at
his
age
,
when
he
ought
to
know
better
,
and
so
unlucky
for
all
the
family
,
his
engagement
to
that
swindler’s
sister
.
By-the-bye
,
did
he
not
cheat
you
out
of
ever
so
much
money
?
”
“
Oh
,
that
had
nothing
to
do
with
it
—
it
was
not
Miss
Williams’s
brother
—
it
was
not
he
that
was
tried
.
”
“
Wasn’t
he
?
I
thought
he
was
found
guilty
or
something
;
but
it
is
very
unfortunate
for
the
family
,
for
Uncle
Colin
won’t
give
her
up
,
though
she
is
a
terrible
cripple
,
too
.
And
to
tell
you
a
secret
,
it
was
his
obstinacy
that
made
papa
marry
again
;
and
now
it
is
of
no
use
,
this
poor
little
fellow
will
never
live
,
and
this
sharper’s
sister
will
be
Lady
Keith
after
all
!
So
unlucky
!
Papa
says
she
is
very
handsome
,
and
poor
Bessie
declares
she
is
quite
ladylike
.
”
“
The
most
superior
person
I
ever
knew
,
”
said
Rachel
,
indignantly
.
“
Ah
,
yes
,
of
course
she
must
be
very
clever
and
artful
if
her
brother
is
a
swindler
.
”
“
But
indeed
he
is
not
,
he
was
cheated
;
the
swindler
was
Maddox
.
”
“
Oh
,
but
he
was
a
glass-blower
,
or
something
,
I
know
,
and
her
sister
is
a
governess
.
I
am
sure
it
is
no
fault
of
mine
!
The
parties
I
gave
to
get
him
and
Jessie
Douglas
together
!
Donald
was
quite
savage
about
the
bills
.
And
after
all
Uncle
Colin
went
and
caught
cold
,
and
would
not
come
!
I
would
not
have
minded
half
so
much
if
it
had
been
Jessie
Douglas
;
but
to
have
her
at
Gowanbrae
—
a
glass-blower’s
daughter
—
isn’t
it
too
bad
?
”
“
Her
father
was
a
clergyman
of
a
good
Welsh
family
.
”
“
Was
he
?
Then
her
brother
or
somebody
had
something
to
do
with
glass
.
”
Attempts
at
explanation
were
vain
,
the
good
lady
had
an
incapacity
of
attention
,
and
was
resolved
on
her
grievance
.
She
went
away
at
last
because
“
those
horrid
doctors
will
be
gone
now
,
and
I
will
be
able
to
see
poor
papa
,
and
tell
him
when
I
will
take
home
the
baby
,
though
I
don’t
believe
he
will
live
to
be
taken
anywhere
,
poor
dear
little
man
.
”
She
handled
him
go
much
more
scientifically
than
Rachel
could
do
,
that
it
was
quite
humiliating
,
and
yet
to
listen
to
her
talk
,
and
think
of
committing
any
child
to
her
charge
was
sickening
,
and
Rachel
already
felt
a
love
and
pity
for
her
little
charge
that
made
her
wretched
at
the
thoughts
of
the
prognostic
about
him
.
“
You
are
tired
with
your
visitors
my
dear
,
”
said
Mr.
Clare
,
holding
out
his
hand
towards
her
,
when
she
returned
to
him
.
“
How
do
you
know
?
”
she
asked
.
“
By
the
sound
of
your
move
across
the
room
,
and
the
stream
of
talk
I
heard
above
must
be
enough
to
exhaust
any
one
.
”
“
She
thinks
badly
of
that
poor
child
,
”
said
Rachel
,
her
voice
trembling
.
“
My
dear
,
it
would
take
a
good
deal
to
make
me
uneasy
about
anything
I
heard
in
that
voice
.
”
“
And
if
he
lives
,
she
is
to
have
the
charge
of
him
,
”
added
Rachel
.
“
That
is
another
matter
on
