HOME
INFLUENCE
:
A
Tale
FOR
MOTHERS
AND
DAUGHTERS
BY
GRACE
AGUILAR
.
NEW
EDITION
.
NEW
YORK
:
HARPER
+
BROTHERS
,
PUBLISHERS
,
NOS.
329
AND
331
PEARL
STREET
,
(
FRANKLIN
SQUARE
.
)
1856.
TO
MRS.
HERBERT
TOWNSHEND
BOWEN
.
My
Dear
Friend
,
Independent
of
the
personal
feelings
which
urged
the
dedication
of
this
unpretending
volume
to
you
,
I
know
few
to
whom
a
story
illustrative
of
a
mother
's
solemn
responsibilities
,
intense
anxiety
to
fulfill
them
,
and
deep
sense
of
the
Influence
of
Home
could
,
with
more
justice
,
be
tendered
.
Simple
as
is
the
actual
narrative
,
the
sentiments
it
seeks
to
illustrate
,
are
so
associated
with
you
—
have
been
so
strengthened
from
the
happy
hours
of
unrestrained
intercourse
I
have
enjoyed
with
you
—
that
,
though
I
ought
,
perhaps
,
to
have
waited
until
I
could
have
offered
a
work
of
far
superior
merit
to
a
mind
like
yours
,
I
felt
as
if
no
story
of
mine
could
more
completely
belong
to
you
.
Will
you
,
then
,
pardon
the
unintentional
errors
which
I
fear
you
,
as
an
earnest
Protestant
,
may
discern
,
and
accept
this
little
work
as
a
slight
tribute
of
the
warm
affection
and
sincere
esteem
with
which
you
have
been
so
long
regarded
by
Your
truly
attached
Friend
,
GRACE
AGUILAR
.
PREFACE
.
The
following
story
will
,
the
author
trusts
,
sufficiently
illustrate
its
title
to
require
but
few
words
in
the
way
of
preface
.
She
is
only
anxious
to
impress
two
facts
on
the
minds
of
her
readers
.
The
one
—
that
having
been
brought
before
the
public
principally
as
the
author
of
Jewish
works
,
and
as
an
explainer
of
the
Hebrew
Faith
,
some
Christian
mothers
might
fear
that
the
present
Work
has
the
same
tendency
,
and
hesitate
to
place
it
in
the
hands
of
their
children
.
She
,
therefore
,
begs
to
assure
them
,
that
as
a
simple
domestic
story
,
the
characters
in
which
are
all
Christians
,
believing
in
and
practicing
that
religion
,
all
doctrinal
points
have
been
most
carefully
avoided
,
the
author
seeking
only
to
illustrate
the
spirit
of
true
piety
,
and
the
virtues
always
designated
as
the
Christian
virtues
thence
proceeding
.
Her
sole
aim
,
with
regard
to
Religion
,
has
been
to
incite
a
train
of
serious
and
loving
thought
toward
God
and
man
,
especially
toward
those
with
whom
He
has
linked
us
in
the
precious
ties
of
parent
and
child
,
brother
and
sister
,
master
and
pupil
.
The
second
point
she
is
desirous
to
bring
forward
is
her
belief
,
that
in
childhood
and
youth
the
spoken
sentiment
is
one
of
the
safest
guides
to
individual
character
;
and
that
if
,
therefore
,
she
have
written
more
conversation
than
may
appear
absolutely
necessary
for
the
elucidation
of
"
Home
Influence
,
"
or
the
interest
of
the
narrative
,
it
is
from
no
wish
to
be
diffuse
,
but
merely
to
illustrate
her
own
belief
.
Sentiment
is
the
vehicle
of
THOUGHT
,
and
THOUGHT
the
origin
of
ACTION
.
Children
and
youth
have
very
seldom
the
power
to
evince
character
by
action
,
and
scarcely
if
ever
understand
the
mystery
of
thought
;
and
therefore
their
unrestrained
conversation
may
often
greatly
aid
parents
and
teachers
in
acquiring
a
correct
idea
of
their
natural
disposition
,
and
in
giving
hints
for
the
mode
of
education
each
may
demand
.
Leaving
the
beaten
track
of
works
written
for
the
young
,
the
author
's
aim
has
been
to
assist
in
the
education
of
the
HEART
,
believing
that
of
infinitely
greater
importance
than
the
mere
instruction
of
the
MIND
,
for
the
bright
awakening
of
the
latter
,
depends
far
more
on
the
happy
influences
of
the
former
than
is
generally
supposed
.
The
moral
of
the
following
story
the
author
acknowledges
is
addressed
to
mothers
only
,
for
on
them
so
much
of
the
responsibility
of
Home
Influence
devolves
.
On
them
,
more
than
on
any
other
,
depends
the
well-doing
and
happiness
,
or
the
error
and
grief
,
not
of
childhood
alone
,
but
of
the
far
more
dangerous
period
of
youth
.
A
Preface
is
not
the
place
to
enter
on
their
mission
.
The
author
's
only
wish
is
to
aid
by
the
thoughts
,
which
in
some
young
mothers
,
anxious
and
eager
to
perform
their
office
,
her
story
may
excite
.
To
daughters
also
,
she
hopes
it
may
not
be
found
entirely
useless
,
for
on
them
rests
so
much
of
the
happiness
of
home
,
in
the
simple
thought
of
,
and
attention
to
those
little
things
which
so
bless
and
invigorate
domestic
life
.
Opportunities
to
evince
the
more
striking
virtues
woman
may
never
have
,
but
for
the
cultivation
and
performance
of
the
lesser
,
they
are
called
upon
each
day
.
Should
the
story
be
deemed
so
far
incomplete
,
as
not
sufficiently
to
illustrate
the
fruits
of
the
Home
Influence
it
narrates
,
the
conclusion
,
in
a
separate
story
,
shall
willingly
be
given
.
Clapton
,
January
,
1847
.
PART
I
.
THE
SISTERS
.
CHAPTER
I
.
A
LAUNCH
.
—
A
PROMISE
.
—
A
NEW
RELATION
.
In
a
very
beautiful
part
of
Wales
,
between
the
northern
boundaries
of
Glamorgan
and
the
southeastern
of
Carmarthenshire
,
there
stood
,
some
twenty
or
thirty
years
ago
,
a
small
straggling
village
.
Its
locality
was
so
completely
concealed
that
the
appearance
of
a
gentleman
's
carriage
,
or
,
in
fact
,
any
vehicle
superior
to
a
light
spring-cart
,
was
of
such
extremely
rare
occurence
as
to
be
dated
,
in
the
annals
of
Llangwillan
,
as
a
remarkable
event
,
providing
the
simple
villagers
with
amusing
wonderment
for
weeks
.
The
village
was
scattered
over
the
side
of
a
steep
and
rugged
hill
;
and
on
the
east
,
emerging
from
a
thick
hedge
of
yews
and
larches
,
peeped
forth
the
picturesque
old
church
,
whose
tin-coated
spire
,
glittering
in
the
faintest
sunshine
,
removed
all
appearance
of
gloom
from
the
thick
trees
,
and
seemed
to
whisper
,
whatever
darkness
lingered
round
,
light
was
always
shining
there
.
The
churchyard
,
which
the
yews
and
larches
screened
,
was
a
complete
natural
garden
,
from
the
lowly
cottage
flowers
,
planted
by
loving
hands
over
many
a
grassy
grave
,
and
so
hallowed
that
not
a
child
would
pluck
them
,
however
tempted
by
their
luxuriance
and
beauty
.
A
pretty
cottage
,
whose
white
walls
were
covered
with
jasmine
,
roses
,
and
honeysuckle
,
marked
the
humble
residence
of
the
village
minister
,
who
though
in
worldly
rank
only
a
poor
curate
,
from
his
spiritual
gifts
deserved
a
much
higher
grade
.
A
gurgling
stream
ran
leaping
and
sparkling
over
the
craggy
hill
till
it
formed
a
deep
,
wide
bed
for
itself
along
the
road
leading
to
the
nearest
town
,
embanked
on
one
side
by
a
tall
leafy
hedge
,
and
on
the
other
by
rich
grass
and
meadow
flowers
.
By
the
side
of
this
stream
groups
of
village
children
were
continually
found
,
sometimes
reaching
for
some
particular
flower
or
insect
,
or
floating
pieces
of
wood
with
a
twig
stuck
upright
within
them
as
tiny
fleets
;
but
this
amusement
had
given
place
the
last
ten
days
to
the
greater
excitement
of
watching
the
progress
of
a
miniature
frigate
,
the
workmanship
of
a
young
lad
who
had
only
very
lately
become
an
inmate
of
the
village
.
All
had
been
at
length
completed
,
sails
,
ropes
,
and
masts
,
with
a
degree
of
neatness
and
beauty
,
showing
not
only
ingenuity
but
observation
;
and
one
lovely
summer
evening
the
ceremony
of
launching
took
place
.
For
a
few
minutes
she
tottered
and
reeled
amid
the
tiny
breakers
,
then
suddenly
regained
her
equilibrium
and
dashed
gallantly
along
.
A
loud
shout
burst
from
the
group
,
from
all
save
the
owner
,
a
beautiful
boy
of
some
twelve
years
,
who
contented
himself
with
raising
his
slight
figure
to
its
full
height
,
and
looking
proudly
and
triumphantly
round
him
.
One
glance
would
suffice
to
satisfy
that
his
rank
in
life
was
far
superior
to
that
of
his
companions
,
and
that
he
condescended
from
circumstances
,
not
from
choice
,
to
mingle
with
them
.
So
absorbed
was
the
general
attention
that
the
very
unusual
sound
of
carriage-wheels
was
unremarked
until
close
beside
them
,
and
then
so
astounding
was
the
sight
of
a
private
carriage
and
the
coachman
's
very
simple
question
if
that
road
led
to
the
village
,
that
all
hung
back
confused
.
The
owner
of
the
little
vessel
,
however
,
answered
proudly
and
briefly
in
the
affirmative
.
"
And
can
you
direct
me
,
my
good
boy
,
"
inquired
a
lady
,
looking
from
the
window
,
and
smiling
kindly
at
the
abashed
group
"
to
the
residence
of
Mrs.
Fortescue
,
it
is
out
of
the
village
,
is
it
not
?
"
"
Mrs.
Fortescue
!
"
repeated
the
boy
eagerly
and
gladly
,
and
his
cap
was
off
his
head
in
a
moment
,
and
the
bright
sunshine
streamed
on
a
face
of
such
remarkable
beauty
,
and
withal
so
familiar
,
that
though
the
lady
bent
eagerly
forward
to
address
him
,
emotion
so
choked
her
voice
that
the
lad
was
enabled
to
reply
to
her
inquiry
,
and
direct
the
coachman
to
the
only
inn
of
the
village
,
and
they
had
driven
off
before
words
returned
.
The
boy
looked
eagerly
after
them
,
then
desiring
one
of
his
companions
to
meet
the
lady
at
the
inn
,
and
guide
her
to
the
cottage
,
caught
up
his
little
vessel
,
and
darted
off
across
some
fields
which
led
by
a
shorter
cut
to
the
same
place
.
It
was
a
very
humble
dwelling
,
so
surrounded
by
hills
that
their
shadow
always
seemed
to
overhang
it
:
yet
within
,
the
happy
temper
of
a
poor
widow
and
her
daughter
kept
up
a
perpetual
sunshine
.
Three
weeks
previous
to
the
evening
we
have
mentioned
,
a
lady
and
two
children
had
arrived
at
Llangwillan
,
unable
to
proceed
farther
from
the
severe
indisposition
of
the
former
.
They
were
unattended
,
and
the
driver
only
knew
that
their
destination
was
Swansea
;
he
believed
they
had
been
shipwrecked
off
Pembroke
,
and
that
the
poor
lady
was
very
ill
when
she
commenced
her
journey
,
but
the
curious
inquiries
of
the
villagers
could
elicit
nothing
more
.
Mr.
Myrvin
,
with
characteristic
benevolence
,
devoted
himself
to
insuring
,
as
far
as
he
could
,
the
comfort
of
the
invalid
;
had
her
removed
from
the
inn
to
Widow
Morgan
's
cottage
,
confident
that
there
she
would
at
least
be
nursed
with
tenderness
and
care
,
and
so
near
him
as
to
permit
his
constant
watchfulness
.
But
a
very
few
days
too
sadly
convinced
him
,
not
only
that
her
disease
was
mortal
,
but
that
his
presence
and
gentle
accents
irritated
instead
of
soothed
.
Ill-temper
and
self-will
seemed
to
increase
with
the
weakness
,
which
every
day
rendered
her
longing
to
continue
her
journey
more
and
more
futile
.
It
was
some
days
before
she
could
even
be
persuaded
to
write
to
the
relative
she
was
about
to
seek
,
so
determined
was
she
that
she
would
get
well
;
and
when
the
letter
was
forwarded
,
and
long
before
an
answer
could
have
been
received
(
for
twenty
years
ago
there
were
no
railroads
to
carry
on
epistolary
communication
as
now
)
,
fretfulness
and
despondency
increased
physical
suffering
,
by
the
determined
conviction
that
she
was
abandoned
,
her
children
would
be
left
uncared
for
.
In
vain
Mr.
Myrvin
assured
her
of
the
impossibility
yet
to
receive
a
reply
,
that
the
direction
might
not
even
have
been
distinct
enough
,
for
her
memory
had
failed
her
in
dictating
it
;
she
knew
she
was
deserted
,
she
might
have
deserved
it
,
but
her
Edward
was
innocent
,
and
it
was
very
hard
on
him
.
As
self-will
subsided
in
physical
exhaustion
,
misery
increased
.
A
restless
torturing
remembrance
seemed
to
have
taken
possession
of
her
,
which
all
the
efforts
of
the
earnest
clergyman
were
utterly
ineffectual
to
remove
.
She
would
not
listen
to
the
peace
he
proffered
,
and
so
painfully
did
his
gentle
eloquence
appear
to
irritate
instead
of
calm
,
that
he
desisted
,
earnestly
praying
,
that
her
sister
might
answer
the
letter
in
person
,
and
by
removing
anxiety
prepare
the
mind
for
better
thoughts
.
One
object
alone
had
power
to
bring
something
like
a
smile
to
that
altered
but
still
most
beautiful
countenance
,
conquer
even
irritation
,
and
still
create
intervals
of
pleasure
—
it
was
her
son
,
the
same
beautiful
boy
we
have
already
noticed
,
and
whose
likeness
to
herself
was
so
extraordinary
that
it
would
have
been
almost
too
feminine
a
beauty
,
had
it
not
been
for
the
sparkling
animated
expression
of
every
feature
,
and
the
manly
self-possession
which
characterized
his
every
movement
.
That
he
should
be
his
mother
's
idol
was
not
very
surprising
,
for
the
indiscreet
and
lavish
indulgence
which
had
been
his
from
birth
,
had
not
yet
had
power
to
shake
his
doating
fondness
for
his
mother
,
or
interfere
with
her
happiness
by
the
visible
display
of
the
faults
which
her
weakness
had
engendered
.
Caressingly
affectionate
,
open-hearted
,
generous
,
and
ever
making
her
his
first
object
,
perhaps
even
a
more
penetrating
mother
would
have
seen
nothing
to
dread
but
all
to
love
.
His
uncontrolled
passion
at
the
slightest
cross
,
his
haughty
pride
and
indomitable
will
toward
all
save
her
,
but
increased
her
affection
.
And
when
he
was
with
her
,
which
he
was
very
often
,
considering
that
a
sick
close
room
would
have
been
utterly
repugnant
to
him
had
it
not
contained
his
mother
,
Mrs.
Fortescue
was
actually
happy
.
But
it
was
a
happiness
only
increasing
her
intensity
of
suffering
when
her
son
was
absent
.
Hide
it
from
herself
as
she
might
,
the
truth
would
press
upon
her
that
she
was
dying
,
and
her
darling
must
be
left
to
the
care
of
relations
indeed
,
but
utter
strangers
to
him
,
and
unlikely
to
treat
him
as
she
had
done
.
She
knew
that
he
had
,
what
strict
disciplinarians
,
as
she
chose
to
regard
her
sister
and
her
husband
,
would
term
and
treat
as
serious
faults
,
while
she
felt
them
actually
virtues
;
and
agony
for
him
in
the
dread
of
what
he
might
be
called
upon
to
endure
,
would
deluge
her
pillow
with
passionate
tears
,
and
shake
her
slight
frame
as
with
convulsion
.
The
day
we
have
mentioned
,
Edward
had
been
absent
longer
than
usual
,
and
toward
evening
Mrs.
Fortescue
awoke
from
a
troubled
sleep
to
brood
over
these
thoughts
,
till
they
had
produced
their
usual
effect
in
tears
and
sobs
,
the
more
painful
to
witness
from
the
increasing
physical
incapacity
to
struggle
with
them
.
A
little
girl
,
between
ten
and
eleven
years
old
,
was
seated
on
a
low
wooden
stool
,
half
concealed
by
the
coarse
curtain
of
the
bed
,
employed
in
sewing
some
bright
gilt
buttons
on
a
blue
jacket
.
It
seemed
hard
work
for
those
small
,
delicate
hands
;
but
she
did
not
look
up
from
her
task
till
roused
by
the
too
familiar
sound
of
her
mother
's
suffering
,
and
then
,
as
she
raised
her
head
,
and
flung
back
the
heavy
and
somewhat
disordered
ringlets
,
the
impulse
seemed
to
be
to
spring
up
and
try
to
soothe
,
but
a
mournful
expression
quickly
succeeded
,
and
she
sat
several
minutes
without
moving
.
At
length
,
as
Mrs.
Fortescue
's
sobs
seemed
almost
to
suffocate
her
,
the
child
gently
bent
over
her
,
saying
,
very
timidly
,
"
Dear
mamma
,
shall
I
call
widow
Morgan
,
or
can
I
get
any
thing
for
you
?
"
and
,
without
waiting
for
a
reply
,
save
the
angry
negative
to
the
first
question
,
she
held
a
glass
of
water
to
her
mother
's
lips
and
bathed
her
forehead
.
After
a
few
minutes
Mrs.
Fortescue
revived
sufficiently
to
inquire
where
Edward
was
.
"
He
has
gone
down
to
the
stream
to
launch
his
little
frigate
,
mamma
,
and
asked
me
to
fasten
these
buttons
on
his
jacket
,
to
make
it
look
like
a
sailor
's
meanwhile
;
I
do
not
think
he
will
be
very
long
now
.
"
Mrs.
Fortescue
made
no
rejoinder
,
except
to
utter
aloud
those
thoughts
which
had
caused
her
previous
paroxysm
,
and
her
little
girl
,
after
a
very
evident
struggle
with
her
own
painful
timidity
,
ventured
to
say
:
"
But
why
should
you
fear
so
much
for
Edward
,
dear
mamma
?
Every
body
loves
him
and
admires
him
,
so
I
am
sure
my
aunt
and
uncle
will
.
"
"
Your
aunt
may
for
my
sake
,
but
she
will
not
love
or
bear
with
his
childish
faults
as
I
have
done
;
and
your
uncle
is
such
a
harsh
,
stern
man
,
that
there
is
little
hope
for
his
forbearance
with
my
poor
Edward
.
And
he
is
so
frank
and
bold
,
he
will
not
know
how
even
to
conceal
his
boyish
errors
,
and
he
will
be
punished
,
and
his
fine
spirit
broken
,
and
who
will
be
there
to
shield
and
soothe
him
!
"
"
I
may
be
able
sometimes
,
mamma
,
and
indeed
,
indeed
,
I
will
whenever
I
can
,
"
replied
her
child
,
with
affecting
earnestness
.
"
I
love
him
so
very
,
very
much
,
and
I
know
he
is
so
much
better
than
I
am
,
that
it
will
be
very
easy
to
help
him
whenever
I
can
.
"
"
Will
you
promise
me
,
Ellen
,
will
you
really
promise
me
to
shield
him
,
and
save
him
from
harshness
whenever
it
is
in
your
power
,
"
exclaimed
Mrs.
Fortescue
,
so
eagerly
,
that
she
half
raised
herself
,
and
pressed
Ellen
to
her
with
an
appearance
of
affection
so
unusual
,
and
a
kiss
so
warm
,
that
that
moment
never
passed
from
the
child
's
mind
,
and
the
promise
she
gave
was
registered
in
her
own
heart
,
with
a
solemnity
and
firmness
of
purpose
little
imagined
by
her
mother
,
who
when
she
demanded
it
,
conceived
neither
its
actual
purport
nor
extent
;
she
only
felt
relieved
that
Edward
would
have
some
one
by
him
,
to
love
him
and
enable
him
to
conceal
his
errors
,
if
he
should
commit
any
.
Had
she
studied
and
known
the
character
of
Ellen
as
she
did
that
of
her
son
,
that
promise
would
perhaps
never
have
been
asked
;
nor
would
she
so
incautiously
and
mistakenly
have
laid
so
great
a
stress
upon
concealment
,
as
the
only
sure
means
of
guarding
from
blame
.
From
her
childhood
Mrs.
Fortescue
had
been
a
creature
of
passion
and
impulse
,
and
maternity
had
unhappily
not
altered
one
tittle
of
her
character
.
In
what
manner
,
or
at
what
cost
,
Ellen
might
be
enabled
to
keep
that
promise
,
never
entered
her
mind
.
It
had
never
been
her
wont
,
even
in
days
of
health
,
to
examine
or
reflect
,
and
present
weakness
permitted
only
the
morbid
indulgence
of
one
exaggerated
thought
.
For
several
minutes
she
lay
quite
silent
,
and
Ellen
resumed
her
seat
and
work
,
her
temples
throbbing
,
she
knew
not
why
,
and
a
vain
longing
to
throw
her
arms
round
her
mother
's
neck
,
and
entreat
her
only
for
one
more
kiss
,
one
other
word
of
love
;
and
the
consciousness
that
she
dared
not
,
caused
the
hot
tears
to
rush
into
her
eyes
,
and
almost
blind
her
,
but
she
would
not
let
them
fall
,
for
she
had
learned
long
ago
,
that
while
Edward
's
tears
only
excited
soothing
and
caresses
,
hers
always
called
forth
irritation
and
reproof
.
"
Joy
,
joy
!
Mother
,
darling
!
"
exclaimed
an
eager
voice
,
some
minutes
afterward
,
and
Edward
bounded
into
the
room
,
and
throwing
himself
by
his
mother
's
side
,
kissed
her
pale
cheek
again
and
again
.
"
Such
joy
!
My
ship
sailed
so
beautifully
,
I
quite
longed
for
you
to
see
it
,
and
you
will
one
day
when
you
get
well
and
strong
again
;
and
I
know
you
will
soon
now
,
for
I
am
sure
aunt
Emmeline
will
very
soon
come
,
and
then
,
then
,
you
will
be
so
happy
,
and
we
shall
all
be
happy
again
!
"
Mrs.
Fortescue
pressed
him
closer
and
closer
to
her
,
returning
his
kisses
with
such
passionate
fondness
,
that
tears
mingled
with
them
,
and
fell
upon
his
cheek
.
"
Do
n't
cry
,
mamma
,
dear
!
indeed
,
indeed
,
my
aunt
will
soon
come
.
Do
you
know
I
think
I
have
seen
her
and
spoken
to
her
,
too
?
"
"
Seen
her
,
Edward
?
You
mean
you
have
dreamed
about
her
,
and
so
fancy
you
have
seen
her
;
"
but
the
eager
,
anxious
look
she
fixed
upon
him
evinced
more
hope
than
her
words
.
"
No
,
no
,
mamma
;
as
we
were
watching
my
ship
,
a
carriage
passed
us
,
and
a
lady
spoke
to
me
,
and
asked
me
the
way
to
the
cottage
where
you
lived
,
and
I
am
sure
it
is
aunt
Emmeline
from
her
smile
.
"
"
It
can
not
be
,
"
murmured
his
mother
,
sadly
;
"
unless
—
"
and
her
countenance
brightened
.
"
Did
she
speak
to
you
,
Edward
,
as
if
she
knew
you
,
recognized
you
,
from
your
likeness
to
me
?
"
"
No
,
mamma
,
there
was
no
time
,
the
carriage
drove
off
again
so
quickly
;
but
,
hush
!
I
am
sure
I
hear
her
voice
down
stairs
,
"
and
he
sprung
up
from
the
bed
and
listened
eagerly
.
"
Yes
,
yes
,
I
am
right
,
and
she
is
coming
up
;
no
,
it
's
only
widow
Morgan
,
but
I
am
sure
it
is
my
aunt
by
your
face
,
"
he
added
,
impatiently
,
as
Mrs.
Morgan
tried
by
signs
to
beg
him
to
be
more
cautious
,
and
not
to
agitate
his
mother
.
"
Why
do
n't
you
let
her
come
up
?
"
and
springing
down
the
whole
flight
of
stairs
in
two
bounds
,
he
rushed
into
the
little
parlor
,
caught
hold
of
the
lady
's
dress
,
and
exclaimed
,
"
You
are
my
aunt
,
my
own
dear
aunt
;
do
come
up
to
mamma
,
she
has
been
wanting
you
so
long
,
so
very
long
,
and
you
will
make
her
well
,
dear
aunt
,
will
you
not
?
"
"
Oh
,
that
I
may
be
allowed
to
do
so
,
dear
boy
!
"
was
the
painfully
agitated
reply
,
and
she
hastened
up
the
stairs
.
But
to
Edward
's
grief
and
astonishment
,
so
little
was
he
conscious
of
his
mother
's
exhausted
state
,
the
sight
of
his
aunt
,
prepared
in
some
measure
as
she
was
,
seemed
to
bring
increase
of
suffering
instead
of
joy
.
There
was
a
convulsive
effort
for
speech
,
a
passionate
return
of
her
sister
's
embrace
,
and
she
fainted
.
Edward
in
terror
flung
himself
beside
her
,
entreating
her
not
to
look
so
pale
,
but
to
wake
and
speak
to
him
.
Ellen
,
with
a
quickness
and
decision
,
which
even
at
that
moment
caused
her
aunt
to
look
at
her
with
astonishment
,
applied
the
usual
restoratives
,
evincing
no
unusual
alarm
,
and
a
careless
observer
might
have
said
,
no
feeling
;
but
it
was
only
a
momentary
thought
which
Mrs.
Hamilton
could
give
to
Ellen
,
every
feeling
was
engrossed
in
the
deep
emotion
with
which
she
gazed
on
the
faded
form
and
altered
face
of
that
still
beloved
though
erring
one
:
who
,
when
she
had
last
beheld
her
,
thirteen
years
previous
,
was
bright
,
buoyant
,
lovely
as
the
boy
beside
them
.
Her
voice
yet
,
more
than
the
proffered
remedies
,
seemed
to
recall
life
,
and
after
a
brief
interval
the
choking
thought
found
words
.
"
My
father
!
my
father
!
Oh
,
Emmeline
I
know
that
he
is
dead
!
My
disobedience
,
my
ingratitude
for
all
his
too
indulgent
love
,
killed
him
—
I
know
it
did
.
But
did
he
curse
me
,
Emmeline
?
did
all
his
love
turn
to
wrath
,
as
it
ought
to
have
done
?
did
—
"
"
Dearest
Eleanor
,
"
replied
Mrs.
Hamilton
,
with
earnest
tenderness
,
"
dismiss
such
painful
thoughts
at
once
;
our
poor
father
did
feel
your
conduct
deeply
,
but
he
forgave
it
,
would
have
received
your
husband
,
caressed
,
loved
you
as
before
,
had
you
but
returned
to
him
;
and
so
loved
you
to
the
last
moment
,
that
your
name
was
the
last
word
upon
his
lips
.
But
this
is
no
subject
for
such
youthful
auditors
,
"
she
continued
,
interrupting
herself
,
as
she
met
Edward
's
bright
eyes
fixed
wonderingly
upon
her
face
,
and
noticed
the
excessive
paleness
of
Ellen
's
cheek
.
"
You
look
weary
,
my
love
,
"
she
said
,
kindly
,
drawing
her
niece
to
her
,
and
affectionately
kissing
her
.
"
Edward
has
made
his
own
acquaintance
with
me
,
why
did
you
not
do
so
too
?
But
go
now
into
the
garden
for
a
little
while
,
I
am
sure
you
want
fresh
air
,
and
I
will
take
your
place
as
nurse
mean
while
.
Will
you
trust
me
?
"
And
the
kind
smile
which
accompanied
her
words
gave
Ellen
courage
to
return
her
kiss
,
but
she
left
the
room
without
speaking
.
Edward
required
more
persuasion
;
and
the
moment
he
was
permitted
he
returned
,
seated
himself
on
a
stool
at
his
aunt
's
feet
,
laid
his
head
on
her
lap
,
and
remained
for
nearly
an
hour
quite
silent
,
watching
with
her
the
calm
slumbers
which
had
followed
the
agitating
conversation
between
them
.
Mrs.
Hamilton
was
irresistibly
attracted
toward
him
,
and
rather
wondered
that
Ellen
should
stay
away
so
long
.
She
did
not
know
that
Edward
had
spent
almost
the
whole
of
that
day
in
the
joyous
sports
natural
to
his
age
,
and
that
it
had
been
many
weary
days
and
nights
since
Ellen
had
quitted
her
mother
's
room
.
CHAPTER
II
.
GLIMPSES
INTO
A
CHILD
'S
HEART
.
—
A
DEATHBED
.
On
leaving
the
cottage
,
Ellen
hastily
traversed
the
little
garden
,
and
entered
a
narrow
lane
,
leading
to
Mr.
Myrvin
's
dwelling
.
Her
little
heart
was
swelling
high
within
her
,
and
the
confinement
she
had
endured
,
the
constant
control
she
exercised
for
fear
she
should
add
to
her
mother
's
irritation
,
combined
with
the
extreme
delicacy
of
natural
constitution
,
had
so
weakened
her
,
as
to
render
the
slightest
exertion
painful
.
She
had
been
so
often
reproved
as
fretful
and
ill-tempered
,
whenever
in
tears
,
that
she
always
checked
and
concealed
them
.
She
had
been
so
frequently
told
that
she
did
not
know
what
affection
was
,
that
she
was
so
inanimate
and
cold
,
that
though
she
did
not
understand
the
actual
meaning
of
the
words
,
she
believed
she
was
different
to
any
one
else
,
and
was
unhappy
without
knowing
why
.
Compared
with
her
brother
,
she
certainly
was
neither
a
pretty
nor
an
engaging
child
.
Weakly
from
her
birth
,
her
residence
in
India
had
increased
constitutional
delicacy
,
and
while
to
a
watchful
eye
the
expression
of
her
countenance
denoted
constant
suffering
,
the
heedless
and
superficial
observer
would
condemn
it
as
peevishness
,
and
so
unnatural
to
a
young
child
,
that
nothing
but
confirmed
ill-temper
could
have
produced
it
.
The
soft
,
beautifully-formed
black
eye
was
too
large
for
her
other
features
,
and
the
sallowness
of
her
complexion
,
the
heavy
tresses
of
very
dark
hair
,
caused
her
to
be
remarked
as
a
very
plain
child
,
which
in
reality
she
was
not
.
Accustomed
to
hear
beauty
extolled
above
every
thing
else
,
beholding
it
in
her
mother
and
brother
,
and
imagining
it
was
Edward
's
great
beauty
that
always
made
him
so
beloved
and
petted
,
an
evil-disposed
child
would
have
felt
nothing
but
envy
and
dislike
toward
him
.
But
Ellen
felt
neither
.
She
loved
him
devotedly
;
but
that
any
one
could
love
her
,
now
that
the
only
one
who
ever
had
—
her
idolized
father
—
was
dead
,
she
thought
impossible
.
Why
her
heart
and
temples
beat
so
quickly
as
she
left
her
mother
's
room
—
why
the
promise
she
had
so
lately
made
should
so
cling
to
her
mind
,
that
even
her
aunt
's
arrival
could
not
remove
it
—
why
she
felt
so
giddy
and
weak
as
to
render
walking
painful
,
the
poor
child
could
not
have
told
,
but
,
unable
at
length
to
go
farther
,
she
sat
down
on
a
grassy
bank
,
and
believing
herself
quite
alone
,
cried
bitterly
.
Several
minutes
passed
and
she
did
not
look
up
,
till
a
well-known
voice
inquired
:
—
"
Dear
Ellen
,
what
is
the
matter
?
What
has
happened
to
grieve
you
so
to-day
?
wo
n't
you
tell
me
?
"
"
Indeed
,
indeed
,
I
do
not
know
,
dear
Arthur
;
I
only
feel
—
feel
—
as
if
I
had
not
so
much
strength
as
I
had
a
few
days
ago
—
and
,
and
I
could
not
help
crying
.
"
"
You
are
not
well
,
Ellen
,
"
replied
her
companion
,
a
fine
lad
of
sixteen
,
and
Mr.
Myrvin
's
only
son
.
"
You
are
looking
paler
than
I
ever
saw
you
before
;
let
me
call
my
father
.
You
know
he
is
always
pleased
when
he
sees
you
,
and
he
hoped
you
would
have
been
to
us
before
to-day
;
come
with
me
to
him
now
.
"
"
No
,
Arthur
,
indeed
I
can
not
;
he
will
think
I
have
forgotten
all
he
said
to
me
the
last
time
I
saw
him
,
and
,
indeed
,
I
have
not
—
but
I
—
I
do
not
know
what
is
the
matter
with
me
to-day
.
"
And
,
in
spite
of
all
her
efforts
to
restrain
them
,
the
tears
would
burst
forth
afresh
;
and
Arthur
,
finding
all
his
efforts
at
consolation
ineffectual
,
contented
himself
with
putting
his
arm
round
her
and
kissing
them
away
.
A
few
minutes
afterward
his
father
appeared
.
"
In
tears
,
my
dear
Ellen
!
"
he
said
,
kindly
;
"
your
mother
is
not
worse
,
I
hope
?
"
"
I
do
not
know
,
sir
,
"
replied
the
child
,
as
well
as
her
tears
would
permit
;
"
she
has
been
very
ill
just
now
,
for
her
faint
was
longer
than
usual
.
"
"
Did
any
thing
particular
occasion
it
?
"
"
I
think
it
was
seeing
my
aunt
.
Mamma
was
very
much
agitated
before
and
afterward
.
"
"
Mrs.
Hamilton
has
arrived
then
!
I
am
rejoiced
to
hear
it
,
"
replied
Mr.
Myrvin
,
gladly
.
Then
sitting
down
by
Ellen
,
he
took
one
of
her
hands
in
his
,
and
said
,
kindly
,
"
Something
has
grieved
my
little
girl
this
evening
;
I
will
not
ask
what
it
is
,
because
you
may
not
like
to
tell
me
;
but
you
must
not
imagine
evils
,
Ellen
.
I
know
you
have
done
,
and
are
doing
,
the
duty
of
a
good
,
affectionate
child
,
nursing
your
suffering
mother
,
bearing
with
intervals
of
impatience
,
which
her
invalid
state
occasions
,
and
giving
up
all
your
own
wishes
to
sit
quietly
by
her
.
I
have
not
seen
you
,
my
child
,
but
I
know
those
who
have
,
and
this
has
pleased
me
,
and
,
what
is
of
much
more
consequence
,
it
proves
you
have
not
forgotten
all
I
told
you
of
your
Father
in
Heaven
,
that
even
a
little
child
can
try
to
love
and
serve
Him
.
"
"
But
have
you
not
told
me
those
who
are
good
are
always
happy
?
"
inquired
Ellen
;
"
then
I
can
not
be
good
,
though
indeed
I
try
to
be
so
,
for
I
do
not
think
I
am
happy
,
for
I
can
never
laugh
and
sing
and
talk
as
Edward
does
.
"
"
You
are
not
in
such
strong
health
as
your
brother
,
my
dear
little
girl
,
and
you
have
had
many
things
to
make
you
unhappy
,
which
Edward
has
not
.
But
you
must
try
and
remember
that
even
if
it
please
God
that
sometimes
you
should
be
more
sorrowful
than
other
children
,
He
loves
you
notwithstanding
.
I
am
sure
you
have
not
forgotten
the
story
of
Joseph
that
I
told
you
a
few
Sundays
ago
.
God
so
loved
him
,
as
to
give
him
the
power
of
foretelling
future
events
,
and
enabling
him
to
do
a
great
deal
of
good
,
but
when
he
was
taken
away
from
his
father
and
sold
as
a
slave
and
cast
into
prison
among
cruel
strangers
,
he
could
not
have
been
very
happy
,
Ellen
.
Yet
still
,
young
as
he
was
,
little
more
than
a
child
in
those
days
,
and
thrown
among
those
who
did
not
know
right
from
wrong
,
he
remembered
all
that
his
father
had
taught
him
,
and
prayed
to
God
,
and
tried
to
love
and
obey
Him
;
and
God
was
pleased
with
him
,
and
gave
him
grace
to
continue
good
,
and
at
last
so
blessed
him
,
as
to
permit
him
to
see
his
dear
father
and
darling
brother
again
.
"
"
But
Joseph
was
his
father
's
favorite
child
,
"
was
Ellen
's
sole
rejoinder
;
and
the
tears
which
were
checked
in
the
eagerness
with
which
she
had
listened
,
seemed
again
ready
to
burst
forth
.
"
He
must
have
been
happy
when
he
thought
of
that
.
"
"
I
do
not
think
so
,
my
dear
Ellen
,
"
replied
Mr.
Myrvin
,
more
moved
than
he
chose
to
betray
,
"
for
being
his
father
's
favorite
first
excited
the
dislike
and
envy
of
his
brothers
,
and
caused
them
to
wish
to
send
him
away
.
There
was
no
excuse
indeed
for
their
conduct
;
but
perhaps
if
Joseph
had
always
remained
near
his
father
he
might
have
been
spoiled
by
too
great
indulgence
,
and
never
become
as
good
as
he
afterward
was
.
Perhaps
in
his
solitary
prison
he
might
even
have
regretted
that
his
father
had
not
treated
them
all
alike
,
as
then
the
angry
feelings
of
his
brothers
would
not
have
been
called
forth
.
So
you
see
,
being
a
favorite
will
not
always
make
us
happy
,
Ellen
.
It
is
indeed
very
delightful
to
be
loved
and
caressed
,
and
if
we
try
to
do
our
duty
and
love
as
much
as
we
can
,
even
if
we
are
not
sure
of
being
loved
at
first
,
we
may
be
quite
certain
that
we
shall
be
loved
and
happy
at
last
.
Do
you
understand
me
,
my
child
?
"
The
question
was
almost
needless
,
for
Ellen
's
large
eyes
had
never
moved
from
his
face
,
and
their
expression
was
so
full
of
intelligence
and
meaning
,
that
the
whole
countenance
seemed
lighted
up
.
"
Then
do
you
think
mamma
will
recover
?
"
she
eagerly
exclaimed
;
"
will
she
ever
love
me
?
—
oh
,
if
I
thought
so
,
I
could
never
,
never
be
naughty
again
!
"
"
She
will
love
you
,
my
dear
Ellen
,
"
replied
Mr.
Myrvin
,
now
visibly
affected
,
"
I
can
not
,
I
dare
not
tell
you
that
she
will
recover
to
love
you
on
earth
,
but
if
indeed
it
be
God
's
will
that
she
should
go
to
Him
,
she
will
look
down
on
you
from
Heaven
and
love
you
far
more
than
she
has
done
yet
,
for
she
will
know
then
how
much
you
love
her
.
"
"
And
will
she
know
if
I
do
all
she
wishes
—
if
I
love
and
help
Edward
?
"
asked
Ellen
,
in
a
low
,
half-frightened
voice
;
and
little
did
Mr.
Myrvin
imagine
how
vividly
and
how
indelibly
his
reply
was
registered
in
the
child
's
memory
.
"
It
is
a
question
none
can
answer
positively
,
Ellen
,
but
it
is
my
own
firm
belief
,
that
the
beloved
ones
we
have
lost
are
permitted
to
watch
over
and
love
us
still
,
and
that
they
see
us
,
and
are
often
near
us
,
though
we
can
not
see
them
.
But
even
to
help
Edward
,
"
he
continued
somewhat
anxiously
,
"
you
must
not
be
tempted
—
"
He
was
interrupted
by
the
appearance
of
a
stranger
,
who
addressing
him
courteously
,
apologized
for
his
intrusion
,
and
noticing
the
children
,
inquired
if
both
were
his
.
Mr.
Myrvin
replied
that
he
could
only
lay
claim
to
one
;
the
little
girl
was
Miss
Fortescue
.
"
And
my
name
is
Hamilton
,
so
I
think
I
have
an
uncle
's
privilege
,
"
was
the
reply
;
and
Ellen
,
to
her
astonishment
,
received
an
affectionate
embrace
from
the
unknown
relative
,
whom
her
mother
's
ill-judged
words
had
taught
her
actually
to
dread
.
Mr.
Myrvin
gladly
welcomed
him
,
and
,
in
the
interest
of
the
conversation
which
followed
,
forgot
the
lesson
he
had
been
so
anxious
to
impress
upon
Ellen
.
Arthur
accompanied
her
to
the
garden
gate
,
and
the
gentlemen
soon
afterward
entered
the
cottage
together
.
Days
merged
into
weeks
,
and
still
Mrs.
Fortescue
lingered
;
but
her
weakness
increasing
so
painfully
from
alternate
fever
and
exhaustion
that
to
remove
her
was
impossible
.
It
was
the
first
time
that
Mrs.
Hamilton
had
ever
been
separated
from
her
children
,
and
there
were
many
disagreeables
attendant
on
nursing
a
beloved
invalid
in
that
confined
cottage
;
and
with
only
those
little
luxuries
and
comforts
that
could
be
procured
(
and
even
these
were
obtained
with
difficulty
,
for
the
nearest
town
was
twenty
miles
distant
)
,
but
not
a
selfish
or
repining
thought
entered
Mrs.
Hamilton
's
mind
.
It
was
filled
with
thankfulness
,
not
only
that
she
was
permitted
thus
to
tend
a
sister
,
whom
neither
error
,
nor
absence
,
nor
silence
could
estrange
from
her
heart
,
but
that
she
was
spared
long
enough
for
her
gentle
influence
and
enduring
love
to
have
some
effect
in
changing
her
train
of
thought
,
calming
that
fearful
irritability
,
and
by
slow
degrees
permitting
her
to
look
with
resignation
and
penitent
hope
to
that
hour
which
no
human
effort
could
avert
.
That
Mr.
Myrvin
should
seek
Mrs.
Hamilton
's
society
and
delight
in
conversing
with
her
,
Mrs.
Fortescue
considered
so
perfectly
natural
,
that
the
conversations
which
took
place
in
her
sick
room
,
whenever
she
was
strong
enough
to
bear
them
,
excited
neither
surprise
nor
impatience
.
Different
as
she
was
,
willfully
as
she
had
always
neglected
the
mild
counsels
and
example
of
her
sister
,
the
years
of
separation
and
but
too
often
excited
self-reproach
had
fully
awakened
her
to
Mrs.
Hamilton
's
superiority
.
She
had
never
found
any
one
at
all
like
her
—
so
good
and
holy
,
yet
so
utterly
unassuming
;
and
the
strong
affection
,
even
the
deep
emotion
in
one
usually
so
controlled
,
with
which
her
sister
had
met
her
,
naturally
increased
these
feelings
.
"
Ah
,
you
and
Emmeline
will
find
much
to
converse
about
,
"
had
been
her
address
to
Mr.
Myrvin
,
on
his
first
introduction
to
Mrs.
Hamilton
.
"
Talk
as
much
as
you
please
,
and
do
not
mind
me
.
With
Emmeline
near
me
,
I
can
restrain
irritability
which
must
have
frightened
you
away
.
I
know
she
is
right
.
Oh
,
would
to
God
I
had
always
been
like
her
!
"
and
the
suffering
betrayed
in
the
last
words
was
a
painful
contrast
with
the
lightness
of
her
previous
tone
.
Mr.
Myrvin
answered
soothingly
,
and
for
the
first
time
his
words
were
patiently
received
.
From
listening
listlessly
,
Mrs.
Fortescue
,
by
slow
degrees
,
became
interested
in
the
conversations
between
him
and
Mr.
and
Mrs.
Hamilton
,
and
so
a
change
in
sentiments
was
gradually
wrought
,
which
by
any
other
and
harsher
method
of
proceeding
would
have
been
sought
for
in
vain
.
One
evening
as
Mrs.
Hamilton
sat
watching
the
faded
countenance
of
her
patient
,
and
recalling
those
days
of
youth
and
buoyancy
,
when
it
seemed
as
if
neither
death
nor
care
could
ever
have
assailed
one
so
bright
and
lovely
,
Edward
,
before
he
sought
his
favorite
stream
,
threw
his
arms
round
her
neck
,
and
pressed
his
rosy
lips
on
her
cheek
,
as
thus
to
wish
her
good-by
.
"
He
will
repay
you
for
all
your
care
,
dearest
Emmeline
,
"
his
mother
said
,
with
a
heavy
sigh
,
as
he
left
the
room
;
"
I
know
he
has
what
you
and
your
husband
will
think
faults
,
but
,
oh
,
for
my
sake
,
do
not
treat
him
harshly
;
his
noble
spirit
will
be
broken
if
you
do
!
"
"
Dearest
Eleanor
,
dismiss
all
such
fears
.
Am
I
not
a
mother
equally
with
yourself
?
and
do
you
think
when
your
children
become
mine
I
shall
show
any
difference
between
them
and
my
own
?
You
would
trust
me
even
in
former
years
,
surely
you
will
trust
me
now
?
"
"
Indeed
,
indeed
,
I
do
;
you
were
always
kind
and
forbearing
with
me
,
when
I
little
deserved
it
.
But
my
poor
Edward
,
it
is
so
hard
to
part
with
him
,
and
he
loves
me
so
fondly
!
"
and
a
few
natural
tears
stole
down
her
cheek
.
"
And
he
shall
continue
to
love
you
dearest
Eleanor
;
and
oh
,
believe
me
,
all
that
you
have
been
to
him
I
will
be
.
I
have
won
the
devoted
affection
of
all
my
own
darlings
,
and
I
do
not
fear
to
gain
the
love
of
yours
;
and
then
it
will
be
an
easy
task
to
make
them
happy
as
my
own
.
"
"
Edward
's
love
you
will
very
quickly
obtain
,
if
it
be
not
yours
already
;
but
Ellen
you
will
have
more
trouble
with
.
She
is
a
strange
,
cold
,
unlovable
child
.
"
"
Are
the
dispositions
of
your
children
so
unlike
?
I
should
not
have
fancied
Ellen
cold
;
she
is
timid
,
but
that
I
thought
would
wear
off
when
she
knew
me
better
.
"
"
It
is
not
timidity
;
I
never
knew
her
otherwise
than
cold
and
reserved
from
her
birth
.
I
never
could
feel
the
same
toward
her
as
I
did
toward
Edward
,
and
therefore
there
must
be
something
in
Ellen
to
prevent
it
.
"
Mrs.
Hamilton
did
not
think
so
,
but
she
answered
gently
,
"
Are
you
quite
sure
,
my
dear
Eleanor
,
that
you
have
equally
studied
the
characters
of
both
your
children
?
because
you
know
there
are
some
cases
which
require
more
study
and
carefulness
than
others
.
"
"
I
never
was
fond
of
studying
any
thing
,
Emmeline
,
as
you
may
remember
,
"
replied
Mrs.
Fortescue
,
painfully
trying
to
smile
,
"
and
therefore
I
dare
say
I
have
not
studied
my
children
as
you
have
yours
.
Besides
,
you
know
I
always
thought
,
and
still
think
,
the
doctrine
of
mothers
forming
the
characters
of
their
children
,
and
all
that
good
people
say
about
the
importance
of
early
impressions
,
perfectly
ridiculous
.
The
disposition
for
good
or
bad
,
loving
or
unloving
,
is
theirs
from
the
moment
of
their
birth
,
and
what
human
efforts
can
alter
that
?
Why
,
the
very
infancy
of
my
children
was
different
;
Edward
was
always
laughing
,
and
animated
,
and
happy
;
Ellen
fretful
and
peevish
,
and
so
heavy
that
she
never
seemed
even
to
know
when
I
entered
the
room
,
while
Edward
would
spring
into
my
arms
,
and
shout
and
laugh
only
to
see
me
.
Now
what
conduct
on
my
part
could
have
done
this
?
Surely
I
was
justified
in
feeling
differently
toward
such
opposite
dispositions
;
and
I
know
I
never
made
more
difference
between
them
than
—
than
papa
did
between
us
,
Emmeline
,
and
I
have
had
greater
reason
to
be
partial
;
you
were
always
better
than
I
was
.
"
She
ceased
,
from
exhaustion
,
but
the
flush
which
had
risen
to
her
temples
,
and
the
trembling
hands
evinced
the
agitation
always
called
for
by
the
mention
of
her
father
,
which
Mrs.
Hamilton
,
with
earnest
tenderness
,
endeavored
to
soothe
.
"
I
must
speak
,
Emmeline
,
"
she
continued
,
natural
impetuosity
for
the
moment
regaining
ascendency
;
"
how
did
I
repay
my
fond
father
's
partiality
?
his
too
great
indulgence
?
Did
I
not
bring
down
his
gray
hairs
with
sorrow
to
the
grave
?
Did
I
not
throw
shame
and
misery
upon
him
by
my
conduct
to
the
ill-fated
one
he
had
chosen
for
my
husband
?
Did
I
not
?
—
oh
,
my
God
,
my
God
!
Death
may
indeed
be
merciful
!
—
my
Edward
might
do
the
same
by
me
!
"
and
,
shuddering
violently
,
she
hid
her
face
on
her
sister
's
bosom
.
It
was
long
before
Mrs.
Hamilton
could
calm
that
fearful
agitation
,
long
before
her
whispered
words
of
heavenly
hope
,
and
peace
,
and
pardon
—
if
indeed
she
believed
—
could
bring
comfort
;
but
they
did
at
length
,
and
such
fearful
paroxysms
returned
at
longer
and
longer
intervals
,
and
at
length
ceased
,
in
the
deep
submission
and
clinging
trust
to
which
she
was
at
last
permitted
to
attain
.
Though
Mrs.
Hamilton
was
detained
six
weeks
at
Llangwillan
,
her
devoted
attendance
on
her
sister
prevented
any
thing
more
than
occasional
observation
of
the
children
so
soon
about
to
be
committed
to
her
care
.
That
Edward
was
most
engaging
,
and
riveted
her
affection
at
once
,
and
that
Ellen
was
unlike
any
child
she
had
ever
known
or
seen
,
she
could
not
but
feel
,
but
she
was
not
one
to
decide
on
a
mere
feeling
.
Her
present
mournful
task
prevented
all
actual
interference
with
them
,
except
the
endeavor
by
kindly
notice
to
win
their
confidence
and
love
.
His
mother
's
illness
and
his
uncle
's
presence
,
besides
,
for
the
present
,
his
perfect
freedom
with
regard
to
employment
,
had
deprived
Edward
of
all
inclination
to
rebel
or
exert
his
self-will
,
and
Mr.
and
Mrs.
Hamilton
both
felt
that
he
certainly
had
fewer
faults
,
than
was
generally
the
consequence
of
unlimited
indulgence
.
Whether
Ellen
's
extreme
attention
to
her
mother
,
her
silent
but
ever
ready
help
when
her
aunt
required
it
,
proceeded
from
mere
cold
duty
,
or
really
had
its
origin
in
affection
,
Mrs.
Hamilton
could
not
satisfactorily
decide
.
Her
sister
had
avowed
partiality
,
but
that
neglect
and
unkindness
could
have
been
shown
to
such
an
extent
by
a
mother
as
to
create
the
cold
exterior
she
beheld
,
was
so
utterly
incomprehensible
,
so
opposed
to
every
dictate
of
maternal
love
,
which
she
knew
so
well
,
that
she
actually
could
not
even
imagine
it
.
She
could
believe
in
the
possibility
of
a
preference
for
one
child
more
than
another
,
but
not
in
utter
neglect
and
actual
dislike
.
She
could
imagine
that
Ellen
's
love
for
her
mother
might
be
less
warm
than
Edward
's
,
believing
,
as
she
did
,
that
a
parent
must
call
for
a
child
's
affection
,
not
be
satisfied
with
leaving
all
to
Nature
;
but
if
it
were
not
love
that
dictated
Ellen
's
conduct
,
it
was
strange
and
almost
unnatural
,
and
so
unpleasing
,
that
so
young
a
child
should
have
such
an
idea
of
duty
.
But
these
were
only
passing
thoughts
;
cost
what
trouble
it
might
,
Mrs.
Hamilton
determined
she
would
understand
her
niece
as
she
did
her
own
children
.
But
though
to
her
Ellen
was
a
riddle
,
to
her
sister
Nature
was
resuming
her
sway
,
too
late
,
alas
!
for
all
,
save
the
mother
's
own
reproaches
.
Her
weakness
had
become
such
that
days
would
pass
when
speech
,
save
a
few
whispered
words
,
was
impossible
;
but
she
would
gaze
upon
her
child
,
as
hour
after
hour
she
would
sit
by
the
bed
,
resisting
all
Edward
's
entreaties
,
and
sometimes
even
her
aunt
's
to
go
and
play
,
and
long
to
fold
her
to
her
heart
,
and
confess
she
had
been
cruelly
unjust
,
and
that
she
did
love
her
now
almost
as
much
as
Edward
,
but
she
was
much
too
weak
to
do
more
than
feel
.
And
Ellen
remained
unconscious
of
the
change
,
except
that
now
and
then
,
as
she
would
bring
her
nourishment
or
bend
over
to
bathe
her
forehead
,
her
mother
would
,
as
if
involuntarily
,
kiss
her
cheek
and
murmur
some
caressing
word
.
And
Ellen
longed
to
cling
to
her
neck
and
say
how
much
she
loved
her
,
but
she
did
not
dare
and
she
would
hurry
out
of
the
room
to
conceal
her
tears
,
instead
of
returning
the
caress
,
thus
unhappily
confirming
the
idea
of
natural
coldness
.
Even
the
comfort
of
sitting
by
her
mother
was
at
length
denied
her
.
Mrs.
Fortescue
became
so
alarmingly
and
painfully
ill
,
that
Mrs.
Hamilton
felt
it
an
unnecessary
trial
for
her
children
to
witness
it
,
especially
as
they
could
be
no
comfort
to
her
,
for
she
did
not
know
them
.
The
evening
of
the
fourth
day
she
recovered
sufficiently
to
partake
of
the
sacrament
with
her
sister
and
Mr.
Hamilton
,
and
then
entreat
that
her
children
might
be
brought
to
her
.
She
felt
herself
,
what
the
physician
had
imparted
to
her
sister
,
that
the
recovery
of
her
senses
would
in
all
human
probability
be
followed
in
a
few
hours
by
death
,
and
her
last
thoughts
were
on
them
.
Edward
,
full
of
glee
at
being
permitted
to
see
her
again
,
bounded
joyfully
into
the
room
,
but
the
fearful
change
in
that
beloved
face
so
startled
and
terrified
him
,
that
he
uttered
a
loud
cry
,
and
throwing
himself
beside
her
,
sobbed
upon
her
bosom
.
Mrs.
Fortescue
was
fearfully
agitated
,
but
she
conjured
her
sister
not
to
take
him
from
her
,
and
her
heavy
eyes
wandered
painfully
round
the
room
in
search
of
Ellen
.
"
Come
to
me
,
Ellen
,
I
have
done
you
injustice
,
my
sweet
child
,
"
she
murmured
in
a
voice
that
Ellen
never
in
her
life
forgot
,
and
she
clung
to
her
in
silent
agony
.
"
I
have
not
done
my
duty
to
you
,
I
know
—
I
feel
I
have
not
,
and
it
is
too
late
now
to
atone
.
I
can
only
pray
God
to
bless
you
,
and
raise
you
up
a
kinder
parent
than
I
have
been
!
Bless
,
bless
you
both
.
"
Faintness
overpowered
her
,
and
she
lay
for
several
minutes
powerless
,
in
Mrs.
Hamilton
's
arms
.
Edward
,
in
passionate
grief
,
refused
to
stir
from
the
bed
;
and
Ellen
,
almost
unconsciously
,
sunk
on
her
knees
by
Mr.
Myrvin
.
"
My
own
sister
,
bless
you
—
for
all
you
have
been
to
me
—
all
you
will
be
to
my
children
—
may
they
repay
you
better
than
I
have
done
,
Emmeline
!
You
are
right
,
there
is
but
one
hope
,
our
Saviour
,
for
the
sinner
—
it
is
mine
—
"
were
the
broken
sentences
that
,
in
a
voice
which
was
scarcely
audible
,
and
uttered
at
long
intervals
,
escaped
Mrs.
Fortescue
's
lips
,
and
then
her
head
sunk
lower
on
Mrs.
Hamilton
's
bosom
,
and
there
was
a
long
,
long
silence
,
broken
only
by
Edward
's
low
and
half-suffocated
sobs
.
And
he
knew
not
,
guessed
not
,
the
grief
that
was
impending
.
He
only
felt
that
his
mother
was
worse
,
not
better
,
as
he
had
believed
she
would
and
must
be
,
when
his
aunt
arrived
.
He
had
never
seen
death
,
though
Ellen
had
and
he
had
passionately
and
willfully
refused
either
to
listen
or
to
believe
in
his
uncle
's
and
Mr.
Myrvin
's
gentle
attempts
to
prepare
him
for
his
loss
.
Terrified
at
the
continued
silence
,
at
the
cold
heavy
feel
of
his
mother
's
hand
,
as
,
when
Mr.
Myrvin
and
the
widow
gently
removed
her
from
the
still-supporting
arm
of
Mrs.
Hamilton
,
it
fell
against
his
,
he
started
up
,
and
clinging
to
his
aunt
,
implored
her
to
speak
to
him
,
to
tell
him
why
his
mother
looked
so
strange
and
white
,
her
hand
felt
so
cold
,
and
why
she
would
not
speak
to
and
kiss
him
,
as
she
always
did
,
when
he
was
grieved
.
Mrs.
Hamilton
raised
her
head
from
her
husband
's
shoulder
,
and
struggling
with
her
own
deep
sorrow
,
she
drew
her
orphan
nephew
closer
to
her
,
and
said
,
in
a
low
,
earnest
voice
,
"
My
Edward
,
did
you
not
hear
your
mother
pray
God
to
bless
you
?
"
The
child
looked
at
her
inquiringly
.
"
That
good
God
has
taken
her
to
Himself
,
my
love
;
He
has
thought
it
better
to
remove
her
from
us
,
and
take
her
where
she
will
never
know
pain
nor
illness
more
.
"
"
But
she
is
lying
there
,
"
whispered
Edward
,
in
a
frightened
voice
,
and
half
hiding
his
face
in
his
aunt
's
dress
,
"
she
is
not
taken
away
.
Why
will
she
not
speak
to
me
?
"
"
She
can
not
speak
,
my
sweet
boy
!
the
soul
which
enabled
her
to
speak
,
and
smile
,
and
live
,
was
God
's
gift
,
and
it
has
pleased
Him
to
recall
it
.
"
"
And
will
she
never
,
never
speak
to
me
again
?
will
she
never
kiss
me
—
never
call
me
her
own
darling
,
beautiful
Edward
again
?
"
he
almost
screamed
in
passionate
grief
,
as
the
truth
at
length
forced
itself
upon
him
.
"
Mamma
,
mamma
,
my
own
dear
,
pretty
,
good
mamma
,
oh
!
do
not
go
away
from
me
—
or
let
me
go
with
you
—
let
me
die
too
;
no
one
will
love
me
and
kiss
me
as
you
have
done
.
"
And
even
the
natural
awe
and
terror
of
death
gave
way
before
his
grief
;
he
clung
to
the
body
of
his
mother
so
passionately
,
so
convulsively
,
that
it
required
actual
force
to
remove
him
.
And
for
hours
his
aunt
and
sister
watched
over
and
tried
to
soothe
and
comfort
him
in
vain
;
he
would
only
rouse
himself
angrily
to
ask
Ellen
how
she
could
know
what
he
felt
;
she
had
never
loved
their
mother
as
he
had
—
she
did
not
know
what
he
had
lost
—
she
could
not
feel
as
he
did
,
and
then
relapse
into
tears
and
sobs
.
Ellen
did
not
attempt
reply
.
She
thought
,
if
it
were
such
pain
to
her
to
lose
her
mother
,
who
had
only
the
last
few
weeks
evinced
affection
for
her
,
it
must
indeed
be
still
more
suffering
to
him
;
and
though
his
angry
words
grieved
and
hurt
her
(
for
she
knew
she
did
love
her
mother
most
fondly
,
her
idea
of
her
own
extreme
inferiority
acquitted
her
unconsciously
of
all
injustice
toward
her
,
and
made
her
believe
that
she
had
loved
Edward
best
only
because
he
was
so
much
better
than
herself
)
,
his
very
grief
caused
her
to
love
and
admire
him
still
more
,
and
to
believe
that
she
really
did
not
feel
as
much
as
he
did
.
And
yet
before
they
quitted
Llangwillan
,
which
they
did
the
second
day
after
Mrs.
Fortescue
's
funeral
,
Edward
could
laugh
and
talk
as
usual
—
except
when
any
object
recalled
his
mother
;
and
poor
Ellen
felt
that
though
she
had
fancied
she
was
not
happy
before
,
she
was
much
more
unhappy
now
.
Her
fancy
naturally
vivid
,
and
rendered
more
so
from
her
having
been
left
so
much
to
herself
,
dwelt
morbidly
on
all
that
had
passed
in
her
mother
's
illness
,
on
every
caress
,
every
unusual
word
of
affection
,
and
on
Mr.
Myrvin
's
assurance
that
she
would
love
her
in
Heaven
;
the
promise
she
had
made
