quitealone
,
without
friend
or
relative
in
the
world
.
The
change
of
name
will
be
enough
to
guard
against
accidents
.
It
would
be
another
thing
were
you
to
accompany
me
,
for
you
have
,
unluckily
,
celebrated
features
;
and
others
besides
Mr.
Davenant
might
remember
the
portrait
in
the
Academy
.
But
,
sir
,
you
shall
not
come
anywhere
within
reach
of
my
poor
.
'
She
gave
him
a
charming
look
.
'
And
will
you
,
Hippolyta
,
promise
not
to
visit
houses
where
there
is
infection
?
I
shall
not
consent
otherwise
,
'
he
said
in
determined
accents
.
She
reflected
before
answering
.
'
I
do
not
think
it
is
quite
right
to
promise
absolutely
.
How
could
I
visit
on
both
sides
of
an
infected
house
and
shrink
from
entering
there
?
But
since
you
are
lord
and
master
,
I
will
engage
never
to
do
so
without
consulting
you
first
.
Will
that
satisfy
you
?
'
'
Yes
,
'
he
replied
,
'
for
I
shall
never
give
you
permission
.
'
And
so
it
was
settled
,
and
Rupert
turned
the
horses
'
heads
towards
home
.
They
spent
the
rest
of
the
evening
in
making
arrangements
for
his
departure
,
and
planning
methods
of
correspondence
.
The
latter
was
not
easy
.
Hippolyta
,
as
they
were
sitting
after
dinner
in
the
twilight
,
looking
out
on
their
garden
,
suggested
that
Mr.
Glanville
might
write
direct
to
his
friend
Mr.
Malcolm
at
Forrest
House
;
and
if
Mrs.
Malcolm
answered
for
her
husband
by
writing
to
Mr.
Glanville
's
house
in
town
,
whence
her
letters
should
be
sent
on
under
cover
,
there
would
be
little
chance
of
detection
,
especially
when
she
had
mastered
the
new
style
of
caligraphy
whereat
she
was
now
diligent
.
To
provide
against
accidents
they
fixed
on
a
set
of
enigmatical
expressions
,
which
might
be
inserted
in
the
Times
if
other
channels
of
communication
were
not
speedy
enough
.
And
,
at
the
worst
,
Mr.
Malcolm
could
telegraph
from
Forrest
House
to
Trelingham
Court
.
These
young
people
grew
merry
over
the
difficulties
in
which
they
found
themselves
.
It
seemed
an
excellent
,
and
might
prove
an
exciting
,
game
of
hide-and-seek
.
They
did
not
trouble
about
the
distant
future
.
One
thing
must
be
done
at
a
time
,
one
business
put
out
of
hand
.
When
the
designs
in
the
Great
Hall
were
pretty
well
complete
,
Rupert
fancied
he
might
leave
the
rest
of
the
details
to
one
of
his
friends
.
In
that
case
they
would
leave
England
and
fix
their
home
in
France
or
Italy
.
Much
might
depend
on
the
adventures
,
in
regions
whither
Glanville
could
not
follow
him
,
of
Colonel
Valence
;
something
,
too
,
—
the
artist
murmured
in
a
low
aside
,
—
on
the
development
of
Hippolyta
's
character
under
these
novel
influences
,
and
with
so
great
a
break
between
her
present
and
her
former
life
.
At
any
rate
,
they
would
not
stay
in
England
a
day
longer
than
was
necessary
.
None
are
so
free
as
English
travellers
on
the
Continent
;
they
have
slipped
the
collar
of
their
dear
native
habits
,
and
their
reputation
,
gained
at
the
cost
of
some
eccentricity
during
the
last
seventy
years
,
is
now
well
established
as
men
and
women
who
are
a
law
unto
themselves
.
The
essential
thing
was
to
get
quit
of
Trelingham
and
its
associations
.
Denying
themselves
a
longer
tête-à-tête
now
was
the
sure
means
of
making
it
perpetual
hereafter
.
But
when
,
on
the
morrow
,
Rupert
was
gone
,
Hippolyta
shut
herself
up
in
her
room
.
She
left
untasted
the
dainty
meal
which
had
been
prepared
by
the
housekeeper
.
She
had
never
felt
so
lonely
in
her
life
.
Sitting
at
the
window
whence
they
had
gazed
out
together
at
the
fading
light
,
and
enjoyed
the
perfumes
of
the
garden
beneath
them
during
the
long
evenings
of
June
,
she
went
over
the
thoughts
they
had
shared
,
the
words
of
affection
and
trust
they
had
spoken
.
For
one
short
month
she
had
known
what
human
companionship
was
in
perfection
;
she
had
tasted
the
honey-sweet
nectar
,
and
its
delight
,
mounting
to
her
brain
,
had
filled
every
little
act
and
momentary
interchange
of
feeling
with
unspeakable
poetry
.
This
,
then
,
was
the
crown
of
life
—
to
love
and
to
be
loved
;
there
was
nothing
beyond
it
,
nothing
to
compare
with
it
,
nothing
that
would
compensate
for
its
loss
.
But
why
should
she
fear
to
lose
it
?
Rupert
was
frank
and
faithful
;
what
greater
proof
could
he
have
given
of
his
ardent
devotion
?
He
would
never
be
false
;
the
heaven
of
their
love
was
sure
.
And
yet
,
and
yet
,
how
melancholy
was
her
feeling
now
he
no
longer
sat
by
the
window
,
telling
her
of
the
thousand
things
he
knew
!
A
few
months
ago
he
was
a
stranger
whose
life
or
death
mattered
to
her
not
at
all
;
now
he
was
her
world
,
her
paradise
,
her
god
.
While
she
stayed
in
her
attitude
of
wistful
reflection
,
and
the
sky
grew
clearer
and
the
faint
hues
of
sunset
died
away
into
a
steely
twilight
,
the
forerunner
of
the
stars
which
by
and
by
would
rise
in
the
summer
night
,
she
heard
the
sound
of
music
,
of
an
organ
playing
and
voices
accompanying
it
,
in
the
church
whose
southern
windows
were
visible
from
her
own
.
There
were
lights
within
,
and
the
stained
glass
,
which
must
have
looked
dark
to
the
worshippers
,
had
now
become
faintly
transparent
on
the
outside
,
showing
,
although
in
dull
confusion
of
colour
,
the
forms
of
saints
and
angels
,
of
quaint
vestments
and
broad
glowing
wings
,
crimson
or
ruby
,
intermixed
with
the
gold
of
sceptres
,
crowns
,
Gothic
lilies
,
and
other
medieval
symbols
.
It
was
a
fantastic
,
unreal
vision
,
as
of
life
in
a
child
's
picture-book
,
or
on
a
long
roll
of
tapestry
,
unlike
anything
we
see
walking
the
world
,
without
perspective
or
proportion
,
but
perhaps
for
that
reason
appealing
to
a
sense
of
dim
possibilities
which
lurks
in
our
severest
calculations
and
is
never
more
awake
than
when
we
have
lost
what
we
prize
.
Hippolyta
,
still
chewing
the
cud
of
sweet
and
bitter
fancy
,
at
first
took
no
notice
of
the
stained
windows
;
yet
the
vision
pleased
her
unawares
,
the
medley
of
colours
made
her
smile
,
and
if
it
did
not
soothe
,
it
distracted
her
.
Imagination
played
among
them
and
endeavoured
to
make
out
the
innocent
child-faces
which
were
seen
in
reversed
outline
,
yet
even
so
preserved
something
of
their
comeliness
,
and
grew
fairer
as
the
evening
closed
in
about
them
.
It
was
a
large
building
,
and
the
windows
stood
high
between
their
buttresses
.
More
and
more
distinct
and
solemn
pealed
forth
the
tones
of
the
organ
;
its
music
rolled
along
the
painted
windows
and
seemed
to
be
echoed
back
from
the
farther
end
of
the
church
;
while
the
voices
of
the
choir
,
coming
in
from
time
to
time
,
rose
and
fell
in
a
slow
religious
chant
,
subdued
to
perfect
harmony
where
Hippolyta
sat
listening
,
—
or
could
it
be
called
listening
?
for
she
heard
the
voices
as
she
might
have
heard
the
winds
in
a
forest
,
not
heeding
them
,
though
allowing
her
thoughts
to
be
influenced
by
their
unceasing
murmur
.
She
did
not
know
what
the
voices
sang
,
why
the
lights
were
kindled
,
or
the
painted
windows
began
to
blaze
at
that
hour
.
These
things
did
not
enter
into
her
life
,
but
they
exalted
and
in
some
degree
pacified
her
melancholy
,
connecting
it
with
the
grave
enthusiasm
of
the
unknown
rite
,
with
old-time
memories
and
the
sadness
of
the
world
.
It
seemed
as
though
out
of
the
darkness
had
risen
a
company
,
strange
to
her
and
never
before
seen
,
which
in
language
incomprehensible
yet
significant
chanted
their
sorrows
,
their
hopes
,
their
dim
aspirations
,
telling
her
that
she
was
not
alone
in
the
troubled
night
.
They
were
human
beings
,
not
supernatural
visitants
;
but
,
hidden
while
they
sang
,
they
might
have
put
off
the
grotesque
accidents
of
humanity
,
its
vulgar
habiliments
and
grossness
of
surroundings
;
they
were
spirit-voices
,
uttering
themselves
from
a
heart
like
her
own
.
She
listened
more
intently
,
and
that
heart
melted
.
Sweet
tears
began
to
flow
,
tears
of
compassion
,
at
first
for
herself
,
and
then
for
she
knew
not
what
,
—
for
the
grief
which
makes
men
and
women
desolate
,
for
the
heavy
fate
that
weighs
upon
our
mortal
frame
,
for
the
hope
that
is
long
deferred
.
Her
thoughts
wandered
away
from
Rupert
into
realms
of
vague
surmise
and
meditation
.
It
was
an
experience
not
unlike
that
which
had
befallen
her
on
the
evening
of
the
ball
,
when
amid
the
strains
of
joyous
music
one
single
note
of
wailing
had
brought
her
the
vision
of
the
suffering
multitude
.
But
in
the
great
bursts
of
organ
music
there
was
nothing
discordant
or
lightly
mocking
;
hope
and
pity
were
blended
in
the
enunciation
of
a
harmony
without
end
.
She
did
not
despise
herself
for
letting
the
floods
of
this
sacred
music
pour
in
upon
her
soul
,
as
she
had
been
tempted
to
despise
herself
during
the
waltz
.
For
it
seemed
to
her
that
all
the
sweetness
was
purchased
here
by
self-sacrifice
,
by
fellow-feeling
with
them
that
suffered
,
—
the
great
article
of
her
creed
early
and
late
.
She
could
not
have
told
when
the
organ
ceased
.
Her
mind
was
far
away
.
CHAPTER
XXIV
MANIBUS
DATE
LILIA
PLENIS
When
Rupert
returned
to
Trelingham
he
found
many
things
changed
,
nor
was
the
prevailing
tone
similar
to
that
which
had
struck
him
on
his
first
arrival
.
One
may
truly
say
,
with
the
French
proverb
,
that
love
had
passed
that
way
;
and
though
its
effects
were
not
visible
on
the
surface
,
they
were
none
the
less
real
.
Tom
Davenant
,
twice
foiled
in
his
endeavour
to
make
his
cousin
the
heiress
of
her
father
's
property
,
was
gone
;
nor
did
it
appear
when
he
would
return
,
if
ever
,
during
Lord
Trelingham
's
lifetime
.
He
was
now
in
London
with
his
mother
,
desperately
uncertain
what
to
do
next
,
and
projecting
an
expedition
to
South
America
or
the
Rocky
Mountains
as
soon
as
he
could
light
upon
a
companion
.
His
absence
,
silent
and
shy
though
the
young
man
had
been
,
left
a
perceptible
gap
;
to
be
with
him
,
Rupert
said
,
was
as
good
as
daily
bread
;
it
was
wholesome
and
nourishing
,
although
you
could
not
detect
a
particular
flavour
in
it
.
But
he
could
no
longer
be
reckoned
a
member
of
that
household
.
Lady
May
did
not
mention
him
.
The
Earl
was
equally
reticent
.
Other
guests
came
and
went
;
it
was
not
a
lonely
place
;
but
among
them
Rupert
saw
none
to
attract
him
,
and
he
was
not
disposed
to
cultivate
them
from
motives
of
worldly
interest
.
He
threw
himself
into
his
task
,
which
had
been
neglected
for
so
many
summer
days
.
He
was
up
early
and
late
,
dined
by
himself
as
often
as
at
the
Earl
's
table
,
excused
his
solitude
on
the
plea
that
he
had
devoured
all
his
leisure
while
away
,
and
lived
on
Hippolyta
's
letters
,
which
came
regularly
every
morning
,
forty-eight
hours
after
they
were
written
.
For
they
had
to
be
taken
in
and
re-addressed
at
his
London
house
.
One
person
had
remained
at
the
Court
whom
he
heartily
wished
a
thousand
miles
off
;
but
she
had
apparently
her
own
reasons
for
staying
.
I
need
not
say
that
it
was
the
Countess
Lutenieff
.
In
former
days
she
had
taken
hardly
more
notice
of
him
than
of
'
the
mechanic
,
'
Ivor
Mardol
.
She
now
greeted
him
ostentatiously
,
came
with
her
light
insouciant
manner
into
the
Great
Hall
,
tripped
about
on
the
scaffolding
to
the
imminent
risk
of
her
own
neck
,
and
was
,
in
short
,
much
in
his
way
.
Rupert
had
not
the
brusque
address
of
some
great
artists
;
he
could
not
be
rude
to
a
lady
(
unless
,
Hippolyta
would
have
interposed
,
he
happened
to
be
very
much
in
love
with
her
)
,
and
he
was
vexed
by
the
presence
and
the
babble
of
the
Countess
without
knowing
how
to
get
rid
of
either
.
Lady
May
did
not
come
so
often
.
Her
manner
,
too
,
was
changed
.
She
looked
at
him
as
much
as
ever
,
but
she
spoke
less
;
and
their
confidences
on
both
sides
seemed
to
be
at
an
end
.
She
would
stand
and
watch
him
painting
.
If
he
expressed
a
wish
that
anything
,
however
slight
,
should
be
altered
in
his
room
,
or
in
the
hours
at
which
the
workmen
came
or
went
,
though
it
were
a
passing
fancy
and
he
had
not
dreamt
of
its
being
seriously
regarded
,
still
the
alteration
was
made
,
the
wish
was
carried
out
.
He
felt
uncomfortable
;
but
with
his
sense
of
obligation
,
which
would
not
rise
to
gratitude
,
was
mingled
a
feeling
of
pity
.
He
was
quick
enough
now
to
perceive
how
intense
and
lasting
was
the
passion
which
ruled
in
Lady
May
.
What
would
happen
when
she
came
to
know
the
truth
,
or
,
at
least
,
as
much
of
it
as
the
world
should
ever
be
acquainted
with
?
She
and
Hippolyta
could
never
meet
again
;
their
paths
had
crossed
once
,
and
once
only
,
then
each
had
gone
her
way
.
And
he
was
moving
,
and
should
ever
move
,
on
the
path
of
Hippolyta
.
How
would
the
Earl
's
daughter
regard
their
union
,
which
would
of
course
to
her
have
the
semblance
of
marriage
?
All
depended
probably
on
how
it
came
to
her
ears
.
Meanwhile
Rupert
,
wholly
delivered
from
the
fancy
that
she
had
touched
his
affection
,
was
so
calm
,
so
cold
,
and
so
civil
,
that
to
one
less
bent
on
conquering
him
the
task
which
May
Davenant
had
undertaken
would
have
seemed
desperate
.
Either
he
was
inaccessible
by
nature
,
or
the
conquest
was
already
made
—
by
another
.
She
did
not
appear
to
think
so
.
She
was
wary
,
attentive
,
engrossed
,
letting
not
a
hint
escape
from
her
,
and
watching
every
expression
on
his
countenance
,
every
slightest
accident
in
the
day
's
proceedings
.
Rupert
felt
that
it
was
so
;
it
gave
him
a
great
deal
of
occupation
and
made
existence
at
Trelingham
a
penalty
.
He
was
not
likely
to
be
drawn
away
from
Hippolyta
by
such
an
Argus-eyed
creature
.
But
he
wished
there
were
a
Hermes
to
send
her
to
sleep
with
his
magic-wand
.
Among
other
difficulties
,
one
,
which
naturally
presented
itself
to
a
lover
,
was
that
of
visiting
Falside
,
where
he
wished
to
consecrate
by
devout
pilgrimage
all
the
haunts
of
Hippolyta
,
making
his
memory
identical
with
hers
and
taking
to
himself
the
past
which
she
had
lived
without
him
.
Should
he
go
or
not
go
?
It
was
a
serious
question
.
At
length
he
resolved
to
break
the
ice
.
The
two
ladies
and
he
were
standing
aloft
on
a
broad
scaffold
,
in
front
of
that
picture
representing
Tristram
and
Iseult
,
which
as
a
tableau
vivant
had
stirred
Hippolyta
's
jealousy
.
Rupert
,
touching
the
burnished
gold
of
the
chalice
with
his
brush
,
and
keeping
his
eyes
on
the
fresco
,
said
casually
,
'
I
think
I
shall
ride
to
Falside
when
I
have
done
this
piece
of
the
day
's
work
.
'
'
To
Falside
?
'
exclaimed
the
Countess
,
looking
aside
at
Lady
May
.
'
Oh
,
of
course
,
to
go
on
with
your
landscape
,
which
,
by
the
bye
,
we
have
never
seen
.
What
a
pity
it
is
that
such
a
picturesque
little
demesne
should
be
left
in
the
charge
of
a
couple
of
old
servants
!
It
might
as
well
belong
to
a
ghost
or
a
dead
man
as
to
Colonel
Valence
,
who
is
never
at
home
.
'
'
But
Miss
Valence
takes
care
of
it
,
'
said
Rupert
,
always
with
his
brush
in
his
hand
,
intent
on
the
shading
of
the
chalice
.
He
kept
good
control
over
his
voice
.
'
Dear
me
!
'
cried
Karina
,
now
looking
straight
at
Lady
May
and
addressing
her
,
'
how
odd
that
Mr.
Glanville
should
not
know
that
Miss
Valence
has
disappeared
from
Falside
!
'
'
Disappeared
!
'
said
the
artist
boldly
.
'
What
do
you
mean
,
Countess
?
Is
that
a
term
of
romance
for
something
very
ordinary
?
'
'
Ordinary
or
extraordinary
,
'
she
replied
,
'
it
is
true
.
A
few
days
after
you
went
to
London
—
when
was
it
,
May
?
'
interrupting
herself
suddenly
.
'
When
was
what
?
'
said
Lady
May
.
'
I
ca
n't
help
you
to
an
answer
if
you
break
off
in
the
middle
of
a
sentence
.
'
She
was
blushing
,
and
the
plank
on
which
she
stood
trembled
.
Rupert
put
out
his
arm
to
keep
her
from
falling
,
and
drew
her
from
the
edge
of
the
scaffold
.
'
Take
care
,
Lady
May
,
'
he
said
;
'
there
is
always
danger
of
accident
when
people
begin
talking
up
in
the
air
like
this
.
They
forget
that
they
are
not
on
the
ground
.
'
'
Thank
you
,
'
she
said
in
a
low
voice
,
coming
nearer
to
the
fresco
.
She
was
angry
at
having
betrayed
her
motion
.
'
Well
,
Karina
,
'
she
said
,
recovering
herself
,
'
what
were
you
saying
?
'
'
I
was
telling
Mr.
Glanville
that
Miss
Valence
had
quitted
Falside
unexpectedly
about
a
week
after
Cousin
Tom
's
birthday
;
and
that
she
did
not
inform
us
,
in
the
brief
note
we
received
,
either
of
her
destination
or
of
the
causes
which
led
to
her
sudden
departure
.
'
There
was
a
certain
ill-natured
emphasis
in
these
formal
words
which
amused
Rupert
.
He
thought
himself
quite
a
match
for
Madame
de
Lutenieff
.
So
he
laughed
and
answered
,
'
I
did
not
know
you
were
so
much
in
Miss
Valence
's
confidence
.
Has
she
been
in
the
habit
of
notifying
her
movements
and
their
motives
to
her
feminine
acquaintance
?
And
has
she
really
gone
?
'
'
We
were
not
mere
acquiantance
,
'
retorted
Karina
;
'
you
may
remember
,
Sir
Artist
,
how
anxious
she
was
to
be
received
at
Trelingham
.
One
might
have
supposed
it
was
the
chief
object
of
her
life
.
And
no
sooner
is
she
free
of
the
house
,
than
she
vanishes
into
space
without
a
word
of
explanation
either
to
my
cousin
or
to
me
,
although
we
were
both
devotedly
fond
of
her
.
'
'
Do
n't
exaggerate
,
Karina
,
'
said
Lady
May
from
her
place
near
Rupert
;
'
you
were
as
fond
of
her
as
you
would
be
of
a
new
plaything
for
three
days
and
a
half
;
if
she
had
not
gone
you
would
have
got
tired
and
found
another
plaything
before
long
.
As
for
me
,
I
never
pretended
to
be
enthusiastic
about
Miss
Valence
.
Her
wish
to
put
an
end
to
the
misunderstanding
between
papa
and
Colonel
Valence
was
no
doubt
amiable
.
But
I
could
not
care
for
a
young
lady
who
held
her
principles
.
'
'
What
sort
of
principles
?
'
inquired
Rupert
.
He
did
not
feel
much
attracted
to
Lady
May
while
she
was
speaking
.
She
to
scorn
Hippolyta
!
It
was
well
for
both
that
he
knew
how
to
hold
his
tongue
.
'
Oh
,
dangerous
principles
enough
,
'
she
answered
.
'
I
do
not
know
that
I
can
or
ought
to
describe
them
;
but
you
may
imagine
that
Colonel
Valence
would
not
teach
his
daughter
the
maxims
of
English
society
.
'
'
Now
you
are
exaggerating
,
'
interrupted
the
Countess
;
'
they
were
not
English
maxims
,
I
grant
.
But
they
were
romantic
.
Do
you
think
,
Mr.
Glanville
,
'
she
went
on
,
'
that
there
is
no
morality
out
of
England
?
Miss
Valence
,
my
cousin
,
and
I
had
a
famous
dispute
on
that
subject
before
she
went
.
I
agreed
with
Miss
Valence
,
and
we
were
set
down
by
Lady
May
as
exceedingly
naughty
.
Were
we
not
,
May
?
'
'
You
misrepresent
me
,
'
her
cousin
answered
,
'
and
you
are
doing
injustice
to
Miss
Valence
.
But
I
have
no
particular
pleasure
in
discussing
her
views
,
even
if
I
fully
understood
them
.
I
am
not
sorry
she
has
left
Falside
for
what
may
prove
a
long
time
.
It
was
a
dangerous
and
difficult
connection
,
as
I
saw
at
the
beginning
.
Not
indeed
,
'
she
hastened
to
add
,
'
that
any
one
was
to
blame
,
except
Colonel
Valence
for
bringing
up
his
daughter
on
such
a
system
.
I
am
glad
we
visited
her
,
and
glad
the
acquaintance
is
probably
over
.
'
'
Did
Miss
Valence
write
that
she
should
be
away
a
long
while
?
'
asked
Rupert
.
The
Countess
replied
,
'
She
spoke
of
leaving
Falside
and
being
uncertain
whether
she
should
return
.
It
was
a
short
note
—
two
or
three
lines
in
haste
,
that
was
all
.
'
'
Something
connected
with
her
father
's
plans
,
perhaps
,
'
said
Rupert
;
'
he
is
a
great
traveller
.
'
It
was
necessary
to
find
out
whether
the
Countess
suspected
anything
.
'
And
a
great
conspirator
,
'
said
Madame
de
Lutenieff
.
'
I
should
like
to
know
him
.
What
an
entertaining
history
he
must
have
lived
through
,
always
plotting
and
going
about
in
disguise
for
thirty
or
forty
years
,
like
the
villain
in
a
play
!
But
we
do
n't
know
whether
Miss
Valence
followed
him
from
home
.
She
may
have
gone
off
with
one
of
those
dark
Italians
that
used
to
be
seen
at
Falside
.
We
did
fancy
,
just
for
a
moment
,
'
pursued
this
hare-brained
young
lady
—
'
but
of
course
it
was
only
a
joke
—
that
she
was
not
altogether
indifferent
to
—
to
—
'
she
stopped
and
looked
across
at
Lady
May
.
But
no
help
came
from
that
quarter
.
Rupert
felt
the
blood
mounting
in
his
cheeks
.
'
Go
on
,
Countess
,
'
he
said
resolutely
;
'
you
do
n't
finish
your
sentences
this
morning
.
'
His
tone
of
calm
indifference
disconcerted
Madame
de
Lutenieff
,
who
could
not
see
his
face
.
'
Oh
,
it
was
all
nonsense
,
'
she
said
with
less
spirit
than
usual
;
'
but
in
the
country
people
have
nothing
to
do
except
to
invent
stories
about
their
friends
.
When
you
left
the
Court
,
instead
of
waiting
till
Cousin
Tom
's
festival
was
over
,
and
Miss
Valence
went
away
in
a
hurry
,
I
said
to
Lady
May
that
perhaps
it
had
been
arranged
when
you
were
dancing
at
the
dress
ball
.
But
do
n't
be
wrathful
,
Mr.
Glanville
,
'
for
he
had
now
turned
round
with
the
brush
in
his
hand
;
'
I
am
never
serious
,
you
know
,
and
I
meant
no
harm
.
'
'
Make
your
mind
easy
,
Countess
,
'
replied
the
artist
;
'
I
am
not
likely
to
be
wrathful
over
a
little
bit
of
romance
,
if
I
may
apply
the
word
as
Lady
May
did
just
now
.
When
Miss
Valence
left
the
ball
to
meet
her
father
,
I
had
no
more
notion
that
she
would
be
quitting
Falside
in
a
week
than
you
had
.
Less
,
perhaps
.
And
you
cannot
guess
whither
she
has
gone
?
'
'
Not
in
the
least
,
'
said
Karina
,
somewhat
crestfallen
.
She
had
not
shaken
Rupert
's
equanimity
;
nor
was
she
further
advanced
on
the
subject
of
his
relations
to
Hippolyta
.
But
there
was
something
else
to
be
attempted
,
and
Lady
May
's
leaving
the
Great
Hall
when
their
conversation
reached
this
point
gave
her
the
opportunity
she
longed
for
.
With
that
engaging
openness
which
,
from
being
really
a
part
of
her
character
,
had
been
submitted
without
difficulty
to
cultivation
,
and
was
now
a
weapon
of
attack
and
defence
,
she
contrived
to
let
Rupert
know
that
Tom
Davenant
had
proposed
for
his
cousin
's
hand
,
but
with
the
unexpected
result
which
has
been
already
chronicled
.
'
Unexpected
,
'
went
on
the
innocent
Countess
,
'
for
I
need
not
tell
you
,
Mr.
Glanville
,
that
Lady
May
has
thereby
surrendered
,
if
I
should
not
rather
say
forfeited
,
the
most
splendid
prospect
.
She
would
have
been
Countess
of
Trelingham
;
she
would
have
continued
to
live
in
the
home
of
her
childhood
,
and
to
have
the
control
of
this
great
property
.
But
I
do
not
blame
her
,
oh
no
,
'
she
exclaimed
with
pathetic
fervour
;
'
I
can
guess
the
reason
,
and
I
admire
the
constancy
with
which
she
has
resisted
temptation
.
'
Her
eyes
,
though
not
capable
of
a
deep
expression
,
were
searching
the
artist
through
and
through
.
He
answered
coolly
,
'
I
suppose
the
reason
is
not
hard
to
guess
.
Lady
May
did
not
care
sufficiently
for
her
cousin
,
who
,
if
I
am
not
impertinent
in
saying
so
,
is
one
of
the
noblest
young
men
I
have
come
across
.
'
He
was
returning
good
for
evil
,
and
the
Countess
smiled
.
Praise
of
her
preux
chevalier
always
melted
her
.
'
Come
,
'
she
said
,
'
let
us
be
friends
,
Mr.
Glanville
.
I
see
you
do
not
bear
malice
.
You
are
right
in
supposing
that
Lady
May
does
not
care
for
my
Cousin
Tom
.
Shall
I
be
indiscreet
if
I
tell
you
that
that
is
only
half
the
reason
?
'
And
her
eyes
gleamed
brightly
.
'
I
should
be
indiscreet
,
perhaps
,
'
was
his
answer
,
partly
serious
and
partly
ironical
,
'
if
I
allowed
one
lady
to
betray
the
thoughts
of
another
;
although
they
do
say
that
is
a
way
they
have
.
'
'
For
shame
,
for
shame
!
'
she
said
.
'
I
shall
tell
you
nothing
now
,
and
yet
you
are
dying
to
hear
.
'
She
waited
,
but
he
would
give
her
no
encouragement
.
'
I
am
dying
to
finish
my
morning
's
work
,
'
at
last
he
said
.
It
was
hardly
courteous
,
but
why
would
she
linger
there
?
He
went
resolutely
at
his
fresco
again
.
The
Countess
thought
a
little
while
before
setting
her
foot
on
the
ladder
by
which
she
had
come
up
;
and
then
,
with
a
mischievous
smile
,
said
to
him
,
'
I
see
all
your
ambition
lies
in
your
art
.
It
is
very
natural
,
as
I
can
testify
,
being
a
sort
of
artist
myself
.
But
should
it
ever
take
another
direction
,
not
quite
so
lofty
,
and
yet
loftier
,
come
to
me
for
information
.
'
With
which
enigmatic
sentence
she
descended
to
the
floor
of
the
Hall
and
went
out
.
Glanville
,
I
am
sorry
to
say
,
was
anything
but
grateful
;
and
his
comments
,
delivered
under
his
breath
as
he
went
on
painting
,
would
have
astonished
Madame
de
Lutenieff
.
For
,
though
dissatisfied
with
her
partial
success
,
she
had
the
witness
of
a
good
conscience
,
and
would
not
have
minded
explaining
to
a
female
confidante
the
line
of
conduct
she
had
pursued
.
There
was
only
one
rival
in
Mr.
Tom
Davenant
's
affections
whom
she
feared
,
and
that
was
Lady
May
.
So
long
as
his
cousin
remained
single
,
Tom
was
capable
of
renewing
his
offer
.
Were
she
married
,
or
engaged
,
and
out
of
the
way
,
Karina
trusted
that
the
young
man
would
have
eyes
for
her
own
attractions
,
which
were
not
inconsiderable
.
She
had
almost
convinced
herself
that
Lady
May
was
in
love
with
the
artist
;
that
passionate
scene
in
which
Hippolyta
had
said
so
little
and
Lady
May
had
been
so
vehement
was
ever
present
to
her
fancy
;
and
in
the
hope
of
a
further
unravelling
of
the
threads
she
,
instead
of
following
Mrs.
Davenant
and
her
son
to
London
,
had
waited
for
Rupert
's
return
.
It
was
all
important
that
he
should
know
the
offer
had
been
made
and
rejected
.
She
would
help
him
to
one
of
the
most
accomplished
and
stately
of
brides
.
It
was
of
no
consequence
that
Lady
May
would
have
to
stoop
a
little
in
order
to
marry
him
,
but
of
the
utmost
that
he
should
understand
she
was
there
,
waiting
for
him
to
fall
on
one
knee
and
demand
her
hand
.
The
Earl
would
not
refuse
,
and
the
great
danger
would
be
averted
.
So
the
Countess
reasoned
,
not
foolishly
from
her
point
of
view
.
It
was
a
misfortune
that
Rupert
would
not
accept
her
confidence
,
and
that
Lady
May
would
endure
no
reference
,
on
her
part
,
to
Rupert
.
How
absurdly
stiff
and
straitlaced
was
the
morality
of
English
people
!
Even
that
daring
Miss
Valence
had
shown
extreme
reserve
in
their
last
interview
at
Falside
,
and
was
now
departed
on
an
errand
which
might
have
some
romance
in
it
,
but
would
be
sure
after
all
to
end
,
as
English
stories
did
,
with
perfect
propriety
.
Karina
sighed
;
she
was
not
made
for
this
dull
realm
.
She
hoped
,
when
the
time
came
,
she
should
persuade
Tom
to
live
abroad
;
not
so
much
at
Paris
—
Paris
was
not
itself
under
the
Third
Republic
—
but
at
Vienna
,
Venice
,
Naples
,
with
an
interval
once
in
a
way
at
Monte
Carlo
.
The
Countess
did
not
play
,
but
she
took
great
pleasure
in
looking
on
while
others
played
.
The
development
of
the
drama
which
she
desired
to
see
at
Trelingham
was
,
however
,
interrupted
a
few
days
later
.
The
Earl
,
never
very
strong
,
had
been
ailing
for
some
time
,
and
his
physicians
,
after
consultation
,
ordered
him
to
take
the
waters
at
Schwalbach
.
He
was
unwilling
to
go
,
but
they
threatened
him
with
the
consequences
;
and
Lady
May
,
who
was
really
and
devotedly
attached
to
her
father
,
added
her
persuasion
.
She
would
of
course
accompany
him
.
The
Countess
thought
she
might
join
them
later
on
;
and
,
as
Glanville
declared
that
he
fully
entered
into
Lord
Trelingham
's
mind
on
the
subject
of
the
decorations
,
and
would
write
frequently
and
give
ample
details
of
the
progress
of
the
work
,
it
was
decided
that
a
move
should
be
made
.
Thus
the
artist
and
Mr.
Truscombe
would
be
lords
of
the
domain
during
his
absence
;
but
on
Glanville
's
suggesting
that
he
must
occasionally
quit
the
Court
for
other
engagements
,
Lord
Trelingham
begged
him
to
use
all
the
freedom
he
might
wish
.
It
had
been
stipulated
at
the
beginning
that
Rupert
should
take
a
fair
time
over
the
work
and
not
hurry
.
When
,
therefore
,
he
had
been
some
three
weeks
at
the
Court
,
and
his
impatience
to
see
Hippolyta
again
was
reaching
a
feverish
height
,
they
all
,
to
his
infinite
content
,
bade
him
farewell
one
fine
morning
.
That
afternoon
he
rode
to
Falside
,
and
,
winning
admittance
to
the
library
,
wrote
thence
a
glowing
epistle
to
Mrs.
Malcolm
,
in
which
he
rejoiced
over
his
new-found
liberty
,
and
promised
to
be
at
Forrest
House
within
the
week
.
He
kept
his
word
.
Three
days
of
unalloyed
happiness
passed
like
a
flash
of
summer-lightning
,
lambent
,
swift
,
and
beautiful
.
It
seemed
to
Rupert
that
Hippolyta
had
subdued
her
melancholy
.
She
was
adorably
candid
and
child-like
,
full
of
pretty
fancies
and
loving
conceits
,
reluctant
to
let
him
go
,
yet
comforted
with
the
hope
of
their
union
for
good
and
all
when
the
next
few
months
were
over
.
She
had
found
occupation
in
gardening
,
and
her
list
of
the
neighbouring
poor
was
beginning
to
fill
.
Had
she
gone
near
an
infected
house
,
or
exposed
herself
to
danger
?
No
,
she
answered
laughingly
;
there
was
no
infection
within
three
miles
.
She
had
attended
one
sick-bed
,
and
meant
to
attend
it
still
,
for
it
had
gained
her
a
pleasant
intimacy
.
Further
the
story
did
not
go
.
Rupert
,
too
much
in
love
with
Hippolyta
to
hear
all
she
said
,
hardly
waited
for
the
end
of
the
sentence
,
but
was
bursting
out
,
in
the
manner
of
happy
mortals
,
with
praises
of
her
generosity
and
declarations
of
his
unalterable
affection
.
He
went
back
to
Trelingham
more
in
love
than
ever
;
and
if
he
did
not
yield
to
home-sickness
now
,
it
was
by
dint
of
incessant
occupation
.
The
story
which
he
would
not
let
Hippolyta
finish
was
pretty
in
its
way
.
At
Falside
she
had
taken
pleasure
in
her
garden
,
and
with
help
from
Andres
—
who
loved
her
as
if
he
had
been
her
mastiff
,
and
took
more
care
of
her
than
she
knew
—
the
flower-beds
had
flourished
gaily
,
and
the
wilderness
above
and
below
the
cascade
had
blossomed
like
the
rose
.
It
was
only
to
be
expected
that
she
should
turn
to
the
flowers
again
for
consolation
when
Rupert
went
away
.
There
was
much
to
be
done
in
the
garden
of
Forrest
House
,
for
it
had
been
neglected
somewhat
since
Miss
Foljambe
's
death
.
But
the
more
there
was
to
do
the
more
Hippolyta
was
pleased
;
and
every
morning
saw
her
in
a
costume
that
the
work
would
not
spoil
,
and
in
gardening
gloves
,
engaged
in
weeding
and
trimming
borders
,
and
bringing
back
the
straggling
plants
into
some
sort
of
order
.
The
variety
of
flowers
was
unusual
,
and
among
them
were
lilies
of
all
kinds
,
with
many
old-fashioned
bulbs
,
tulips
and
hyacinths
,
which
had
been
preserved
in
the
greenhouse
with
more
care
than
the
rest
.
Hippolyta
wanted
no
help
;
but
,
for
the
rougher
tasks
,
she
might
obtain
it
from
the
man
who
looked
after
the
stables
—
a
kind
of
miscellaneous
groom
and
ostler
,
who
did
not
sleep
on
the
premises
.
She
was
alone
in
the
garden
,
then
,
one
pleasant
forenoon
,
binding
up
some
long
creepers
which
had
trailed
over
a
bed
of
calceolarias
,
when
the
housekeeper
,
good
Mrs.
Leeming
,
came
to
her
with
a
request
.
Might
the
gardener
next
door
speak
to
her
?
'
Next
door
?
'
inquired
Hippolyta
;
'
do
you
mean
at
the
church
?
'
Mrs.
Leeming
meant
at
the
church
,
if
it
was
giving
no
offence
.
'
None
in
the
world
,
'
said
her
mistress
;
'
why
should
it
?
'
Well
,
the
housekeeper
did
not
know
,
but
some
people
were
set
against
Roman
Catholics
.
Not
Miss
Foljambe
,
to
be
sure
;
that
charitable
lady
had
a
kind
word
for
all
the
world
.
And
that
was
why
the
gardener
came
.
'
Let
him
come
now
,
then
,
'
said
Mrs.
Malcolm
,
who
had
not
learnt
to
tolerate
servants
'
long
stories
.
The
housekeeper
beckoned
to
a
man
that
,
during
their
short
colloquy
,
had
been
standing
at
the
gate
.
He
came
forward
and
took
off
his
hat
respectfully
.
He
was
a
fine-looking
man
of
about
forty
,
tall
and
well
made
,
with
a
clear
glance
in
his
gray
eyes
,
and
a
good
address
.
The
housekeeper
said
,
'
Now
,
Mr.
Dauris
,
tell
Mrs.
Malcolm
what
you
want
,
'
which
introduction
over
,
she
discreetly
retired
.
Mr.
Dauris
,
thus
encouraged
,
and
still
more
by
the
expression
on
Hippolyta
's
countenance
,
which
was
invariably
gentle
and
sympathetic
when
she
came
across
any
of
her
own
class
,
as
she
called
them
,
said
that
he
had
made
bold
to
come
,
now
Forrest
House
was
let
,
to
beg
for
some
flowers
to
decorate
the
altars
in
St.
Cyprian
's
,
of
which
he
was
gardener
and
sacristan
.
'
But
,
'
he
added
,
'
there
is
not
much
of
a
garden
,
only
narrow
strips
on
the
other
side
of
the
building
,
and
in
a
shady
corner
down
by
the
lane
where
hardly
anything
will
grow
.
'
He
spoke
perfectly
correct
English
,
without
accent
either
provincial
or
of
Bow
Bells
,
and
was
indeed
one
of
the
many
working
men
that
know
their
native
tongue
,
and
are
proud
of
it
.
Two
sentences
were
enough
to
interest
Hippolyta
.
'
You
would
like
me
to
give
you
some
flowers
for
your
church
?
I
will
,
with
pleasure
,
'
she
answered
;
'
but
the
garden
is
in
a
rather
backward
condition
.
Look
round
and
tell
me
what
will
suit
you
best
.
'
He
thanked
her
;
and
as
she
walked
to
the
greenhouse
,
with
Mr.
Dauris
a
little
way
behind
,
she
considered
whether
he
could
not
tell
her
something
of
the
neighbourhood
and
the
sick
poor
whom
she
was
minded
to
take
in
charge
.
She
put
the
question
to
him
.
'
Yes
,
indeed
,
'
he
answered
,
'
I
know
most
of
the
poor
about
here
.
But
it
is
not
exactly
a
poverty-stricken
place
.
On
this
side
,
along
the
Hill
,
you
will
not
find
any
.
You
must
cross
the
market
and
go
down
into
the
small
streets
beyond
it
,
which
are
beginning
to
be
crowded
worse
than
I
remember
them
.
Our
own
people
live
there
mostly
.
But
it
does
n't
matter
which
door
you
open
;
you
will
find
suffering
and
sin
inside
.
The
fathers
at
St.
Cyprian
's
are
there
day
and
night
;
and
I
often
hear
them
say
that
they
can
do
no
good
.
I
do
n't
wonder
at
it
,
seeing
how
the
people
are
compelled
to
live
.
'
'
No
,
nor
do
I
,
'
said
Hippolyta
sorrowfully
.
And
she
was
abiding
within
these
golden
gates
,
with
every
luxury
at
command
,
a
garden
and
a
palace
to
afford
her
pleasure
at
all
hours
,
and
neither
care
nor
trouble
!
How
were
these
things
to
be
reconciled
?
She
must
not
dwell
on
them
.
It
could
do
no
good
just
then
.
'
What
made
you
come
to
me
for
flowers
?
'
she
asked
,
by
way
of
turning
the
conversation
,
while
she
cut
the
best
she
could
find
.
Mr.
Dauris
,
taking
with
a
smile
the
bunch
she
held
out
to
him
,
answered
,
'
I
thought
you
might
be
like
Miss
Foljambe
,
who
was
very
good
to
us
and
sent
in
flowers
every
Saturday
for
the
Lady
altar
.
She
was
not
a
Catholic
;
but
she
used
to
say
that
flowers
were
of
God
's
religion
,
and
could
do
nothing
but
good
to
anybody
.
'
'
She
was
very
right
,
'
exclaimed
Hippolyta
,
pleased
with
this
saying
of
the
lady
in
whose
shadow
she
dwelt
all
day
.
It
was
like
making
her
acquaintance
,
though
dead
.
'
She
was
very
right
,
indeed
.
A
Spanish
poet
says
,
"
Flowers
are
the
thoughts
of
everlasting
love
.
"
I
will
send
you
some
for
the
Lady
altar
every
Saturday
;
and
lest
I
should
forget
,
will
you
come
to
me
next
Saturday
morning
?
'
'
I
shall
be
much
pleased
to
do
so
,
'
replied
the
gardener
,
going
away
.
'
But
I
beg
your
pardon
,
'
he
resumed
,
in
a
less
cheerful
tone
,
'
next
Saturday
I
must
take
my
poor
wife
,
if
she
is
well
enough
,
to
the
infirmary
'
—
he
named
one
at
a
distance
—
'
where
the
doctors
have
promised
to
see
what
they
can
do
for
her
.
'
'
Is
your
wife
very
ill
,
then
?
'
inquired
Hippolyta
.
'
You
did
not
mention
her
when
I
was
asking
you
about
the
sick
in
the
neighbourhood
.
'
'
She
has
been
ill
this
long
while
,
'
he
said
;
'
but
we
are
not
in
want
,
thank
God
.
I
earn
a
good
income
as
a
gardener
—
not
here
at
St.
Cyprian
's
,
'
he
continued
smiling
,
'
the
fathers
could
not
afford
it
;
but
a
few
doors
down
when
you
pass
Church
Lane
.
Our
cottage
is
at
the
end
of
the
lane
.
'
'
But
I
should
like
very
much
to
be
of
service
to
your
wife
,
if
I
could
,
'
said
Hippolyta
eagerly
.
'
What
is
the
matter
with
her
?
'
'
We
call
it
a
weak
chest
;
but
I
am
afraid
it
is
more
serious
.
The
doctor
tells
me
—
however
,
I
keep
it
from
my
wife
,
so
please
do
n't
mention
it
,
for
fear
it
should
frighten
her
—
that
one
lung
is
quite
gone
and
the
other
affected
.
She
is
obliged
to
lie
down
a
good
deal
with
pains
in
her
head
and
back
.
'
'
Poor
thing
,
poor
thing
,
'
exclaimed
Hippolyta
;
'
how
sad
for
you
both
!
Have
you
any
children
?
'
'
Two
little
boys
,
'
he
answered
,
'
and
a
girl
.
Annie
is
grown
up
,
she
is
seventeen
.
'
'
And
is
she
at
home
?
She
ought
to
be
a
good
help
to
her
mother
.
'
'
She
is
generally
at
home
,
'
was
the
reply
.
'
She
has
been
in
service
,
but
we
did
not
like
it
for
her
.
It
was
in
a
lady
's
house
near
Dorset
Square
.
'
The
tone
in
which
he
spoke
implied
some
dissatisfaction
,
either
with
Annie
or
with
domestic
service
in
general
.
'
Well
,
I
am
glad
you
have
told
me
,
'
said
Hippolyta
;
'
and
do
you
think
Mrs.
Dauris
would
like
me
to
come
and
see
her
?
'
'
Surely
she
would
,
if
you
were
so
kind
;
and
I
should
like
it
too
.
But
we
are
not
in
want
of
anything
,
thank
God
,
'
he
repeated
,
'
and
we
would
not
take
your
time
from
those
that
are
.
'
'
Oh
,
I
will
find
time
,
'
she
answered
cheerfully
;
'
may
I
come
this
afternoon
,
or
will
it
be
too
soon
?
I
could
come
to-morrow
,
in
that
case
.
'
'
I
will
tell
my
wife
at
dinner-time
,
'
he
said
,
'
and
you
will
be
welcome
at
any
hour
.
In
the
afternoon
she
does
not
suffer
so
much
from
headache
.
'
It
was
arranged
accordingly
.
The
gardener
took
his
flowers
and
withdrew
;
and
Hippolyta
,
roused
at
the
anticipation
of
having
an
object
for
her
benevolence
,
went
on
weeding
and
pruning
with
great
animation
.
She
did
not
know
how
tired
she
had
been
all
this
while
of
living
like
the
sleeping
beauty
in
the
wood
,
alone
in
Elfland
,
with
nothing
to
do
,
and
her
prince
travelling
in
the
distance
or
painting
pictures
at
Trelingham
Court
.
She
ate
her
luncheon
with
more
appetite
,
and
counted
the
minutes
till
it
was
time
for
walking
out
.
Mr.
Dauris
had
told
her
how
to
find
the
cottage
.
It
was
less
than
a
quarter
of
a
mile
from
Forrest
House
,
at
the
end
of
the
rambling
lane
which
led
by
the
side
of
St.
Cyprian
's
,
and
past
detached
dwellings
with
large
gardens
between
them
,
into
the
more
open
country
.
Rupert
and
Hippolyta
had
driven
that
way
once
,
but
she
had
not
observed
the
gardener
's
little
house
,
although
it
might
have
drawn
the
attention
of
a
lover
of
flowers
,
for
it
was
embowered
in
honeysuckle
and
clematis
.
She
did
not
go
there
direct
,
but
wandered
about
the
countrified
paths
,
under
the
shade
of
the
great
trees
which
made
all
that
neighbourhood
pleasant
.
Her
thoughts
were
not
sombre
,
as
they
had
been
.
The
conviction
of
fearless
innocence
,
which
in
other
days
had
allowed
her
to
roam
unattended
,
with
Fancy
for
her
sole
companion
,
was
strong
within
her
.
It
was
early
in
the
afternoon
,
and
the
sun
and
the
flowers
were
equally
brilliant
,
when
she
stopped
at
the
cottage-gate
.
She
saw
in
front
of
her
a
two-storied
house
,
standing
back
from
the
gravel
pathway
,
on
the
edge
of
a
triangular
piece
of
turf
which
represented
,
no
doubt
,
a
more
extensive
village-green
,
now
discommoned
and
taken
in
by
the
private
dwellings
scattered
around
.
In
front
of
Mr.
Dauris
's
cottage
were
garden-beds
,
abounding
in
well-assorted
hues
,
and
,
as
was
evident
,
carefully
tended
.
The
little
porch
in
the
middle
was
overrun
with
clematis
;
and
when
Hippolyta
arrived
the
door
stood
open
,
giving
a
view
of
the
passage
beyond
,
with
its
strip
of
cocoanut
matting
.
The
green
palings
matched
the
green
shutters
,
made
like
Venetian
blinds
,
which
adorned
the
windows
on
either
side
of
the
porch
.
It
seemed
a
little
nest
of
happiness
,
bright
and
warm
,
sunshine
without
and
comfort
within
.
'
There
is
sickness
within
,
too
,
'
said
the
compassionate
Hippolyta
,
as
she
lifted
the
latch
and
went
up
the
bit
of
walk
which
led
to
the
front
door
.
While
she
stood
there
,
looking
for
bell
or
knocker
,
a
little
boy
came
running
round
the
corner
of
the
house
from
the
garden
behind
.
He
was
out
of
breath
,
and
stopped
when
he
saw
the
lady
,
a
stranger
to
him
.
What
a
pretty
boy
he
looked
!
The
fairest
of
fair
hair
,
hanging
about
his
shoulders
in
ringlets
,
large
laughing
gray
eyes
,
a
face
ruddy
and
white
with
pouting
rosy
lips
,
and
his
little
frame
panting
with
innocent
life
which
mantled
in
blushes
on
his
cheeks
.
He
seemed
between
five
and
six
,
a
sturdy
boy
,
wearing
his
sailor
's
dress
of
dark
blue
with
the
pride
which
attends
new
clothes
in
children
.
After
standing
still
and
looking
for
a
moment
,
he
came
up
confidently
.
'
Do
you
want
mother
?
'
he
inquired
,
'
because
she
is
in
that
room
,
'
pointing
across
to
the
open
window
on
the
other
side
of
the
porch
.
Hippolyta
was
very
fond
of
children
.
She
smiled
and
held
out
her
hand
,
into
which
he
put
his
own
with
great
docility
.
'
I
daresay
it
is
your
mother
I
want
,
'
she
answered
,
'
but
first
tell
me
who
you
are
?
'
'
I
am
Willie
,
'
he
said
.
Children
seldom
give
you
the
whole
of
their
name
at
once
.
'
Willie
what
?
'
asked
the
strange
lady
.
'
Willie
Dauris
,
'
he
answered
,
with
an
impatient
shake
of
his
curls
.
'
Come
in
and
see
mother
.
You
want
mother
.
'
He
was
very
clear
on
that
point
,
and
evidently
looked
on
a
cross-examination
of
himself
as
time
wasted
.
Hippolyta
laughed
,
and
still
keeping
hold
of
Willie
's
hand
,
knocked
at
the
door
on
her
right
.
A
low
voice
answered
'
Come
in
,
'
and
Willie
pushing
open
the
door
,
Hippolyta
followed
.
The
little
boy
,
acting
as
master
of
the
ceremonies
,
ran
across
the
room
where
some
one
was
lying
on
a
large
and
comfortable-looking
couch
,
propped
up
with
pillows
.
'
The
lady
wants
to
see
you
,
mother
,
'
he
said
,
beginning
to
climb
on
the
couch
.
His
mother
motioned
him
to
be
still
,
and
holding
him
with
a
thin
white
hand
,
turned
her
head
towards
Hippolyta
,
and
said
in
a
low
but
very
taking
voice
,
'
Are
you
Mrs.
Malcolm
?
'
Hippolyta
started
at
the
sound
of
the
name
.
She
answered
falteringly
,
'
I
—
I
told
Mr.
Dauris
this
morning
that
I
should
like
to
come
and
see
you
.
He
mentioned
that
you
were
not
well
.
Did
he
say
I
was
coming
?
'
'
Yes
,
'
replied
the
invalid
;
'
he
told
me
you
would
be
so
kind
.
You
are
very
welcome
,
very
welcome
indeed
.
Willie
,
get
Mrs.
Malcolm
a
chair
,
and
put
it
here
,
'
pointing
to
a
place
near
the
couch
.
'
I
lose
my
voice
almost
,
'
she
went
on
,
'
when
the
pain
keeps
on
,
and
my
hearing
too
.
Did
you
ring
?
'
'
No
,
'
said
Hippolyta
;
'
I
was
on
the
point
of
ringing
when
your
boy
—
when
Willie
came
.
He
tells
me
his
name
is
Willie
.
'
'
Yes
,
'
said
Mrs.
Dauris
;
'
he
is
called
after
his
father
.
He
is
our
youngest
.
He
will
be
six
on
the
Assumption
.
A
beautiful
birthday
for
him
,
is
n't
it
?
'
Hippolyta
was
puzzled
by
the
expression
till
she
had
thought
a
little
.
'
Oh
,
'
she
said
,
'
the
Assumption
of
the
Virgin
,
a
festival
of
your
religion
.
Yes
,
I
suppose
you
would
like
that
.
And
are
you
feeling
better
this
afternoon
?
Your
voice
is
quite
clear
and
distinct
.
'
'
A
little
better
,
'
answered
Mrs.
Dauris
.
'
I
hope
to
be
so
on
Saturday
and
to
go
with
my
husband
to
the
infirmary
.
It
is
a
long
way
,
but
he
can
borrow
a
conveyance
,
he
thinks
.
'
Hippolyta
,
delighted
with
the
opportunity
,
offered
her
little
carriage
and
insisted
with
affectionate
firmness
on
its
acceptance
.
She
was
already
pleased
with
Mrs.
Dauris
,
even
as
she
had
been
with
her
husband
.
The
light
which
fell
upon
the
couch
from
the
open
window
showed
the
invalid
to
be
a
woman
of
uncommon
beauty
,
with
delicate
regular
features
,
flushing
when
she
spoke
or
looked
at
her
visitor
.
She
seemed
tall
and
slender
,
so
far
as
could
be
judged
from
her
reclining
position
,
for
,
as
she
explained
to
Hippolyta
,
she
was
unable
to
rise
,
much
less
to
do
any
household
work
,
that
afternoon
.
'
The
dinner
things
,
'
she
said
,
'
are
lying
on
the
table
waiting
for
Annie
to
clear
them
away
.
It
is
a
great
trial
to
me
,
for
I
was
an
active
young
woman
,
and
I
never
thought
to
have
suffered
from
this
complaint
.
It
is
not
in
my
father
's
or
mother
's
family
.
But
God
's
will
be
done
.
'
'
I
saw
Annie
,
'
said
the
little
boy
,
with
the
brevity
of
his
age
.
His
mother
looked
at
him
uneasily
.
'
Where
did
you
see
her
,
my
darling
?
'
she
inquired
.
'
I
do
n't
know
,
'
he
said
slowly
,
as
if
there
was
nothing
more
to
be
added
.
And
then
,
after
being
silent
for
a
minute
or
two
,
he
chanted
again
in
his
pretty
recitative
,
'
I
saw
Annie
in
the
lane
.
She
was
talking
to
a
gentleman
.
She
cried
.
She
said
I
was
to
go
in
.
But
I
stayed
in
the
garden
.
'
Mrs.
Dauris
looked
agitated
.
Her
hands
trembled
,
and
she
said
,
'
That
will
do
,
my
dear
.
Next
time
your
sister
tells
you
to
come
in
,
you
must
be
obedient
.
'
Willie
crept
close
to
his
mother
.
'
Have
I
been
naughty
?
'
he
asked
.
'
What
makes
me
naughty
,
mother
?
'
The
tears
stood
in
her
eyes
,
and
Hippolyta
could
not
help
pitying
her
.
She
felt
there
was
some
sad
story
behind
;
and
though
not
wishing
to
indulge
curiosity
,
she
would
have
given
much
to
express
the
compassion
that
rose
in
her
heart
.
An
inspiration
came
to
her
.
With
the
engaging
smile
which
so
often
hovered
about
her
lips
,
a
mixture
of
kindliness
and
pity
,
she
drew
near
to
Mrs.
Dauris
,
and
said
:
'
I
fear
I
am
taking
a
great
liberty
,
but
if
you
do
not
mind
,
since
your
daughter
is
not
here
just
now
,
I
should
be
so
glad
to
do
anything
you
want
.
Let
me
put
the
room
straight
for
you
.
'
'
Oh
no
,
you
must
not
do
that
,
'
said
Mrs.
Dauris
,
eyeing
her
visitor
with
a
good
deal
of
astonishment
,
but
with
affection
also
.
'
You
are
a
lady
,
and
it
is
not
fit
work
for
you
.
'
Hippolyta
was
quite
at
home
in
this
sort
of
encounter
.
'
Never
mind
if
I
am
a
lady
,
'
she
reeplied
;
'
I
have
not
lost
the
use
of
my
hands
.
I
can
assure
you
that
I
am
an
adept
in
washing
dishes
.
'
And
without
more
ado
,
in
spite
of
the
earnest
and
good-natured
remonstrances
of
Mrs.
Dauris
,
she
laid
aside
her
cloak
,
drew
hot
and
cold
water
with
the
aid
of
Willie
,
who
pointed
out
where
everything
was
,
but
dispensed
as
far
as
possible
with
speaking
,
and
was
soon
busy
in
remedying
the
disorder
she
had
found
on
her
arrival
.
It
was
not
a
difficult
task
,
and
she
enjoyed
it
thoroughly
.
When
all
was
done
she
insisted
that
the
invalid
should
now
try
to
eat
something
.
There
was
no
resisting
her
;
and
the
poor
consumptive
patient
made
a
better
meal
than
she
had
done
for
a
long
while
.
When
it
was
over
they
talked
a
little
,
and
Hippolyta
hoped
that
Annie
might
come
in
.
But
there
was
no
sign
of
her
,
and
she
rose
to
go
.
Mrs.
Dauris
clasped
her
hand
with
fervent
gratitude
;
Willie
clung
to
her
skirts
,
and
was
undecided
whether
to
stay
with
his
mother
and
cry
,
or
to
follow
the
lady
to
her
unknown
abode
.
She
kissed
the
child
,
made
Mrs.
Dauris
promise
again
to
avail
herself
of
the
carriage
,
and
went
home
in
that
healthy
state
of
mind
which
is
the
consequence
of
any
little
effort
done
with
simple
intent
,
to
be
of
service
to
another
.
About
Annie
,
the
girl
of
seventeen
,
whom
her
brother
had
seen
talking
to
a
gentleman
and
crying
,
she
was
,
it
must
be
admitted
,
curious
.
But
her
curiosity
was
in
no
sense
equal
to
her
sympathy
.
Thus
began
an
acquaintance
which
ripened
ere
long
into
friendship
on
both
sides
.
Mr.
Dauris
,
when
informed
by
his
wife
of
the
circumstances
of
Hippolyta
's
visit
,
was
at
first
indignant
that
she
should
have
been
allowed
to
stoop
so
low
in
her
great
kindness
,
and
ended
by
conceiving
towards
her
an
enthusiastic
respect
which
bordered
on
veneration
.
She
was
so
young
,
so
beautiful
,
and
so
unaffectedly
gracious
;
she
had
such
a
delicate
regard
for
their
privacy
,
and
was
so
timid
in
making
advances
,
that
in
his
own
mind
he
did
not
know
whether
to
call
her
an
angel
disguised
in
weeds
of
flesh
,
or
a
modest
maiden
whose
ignorance
concealed
from
her
the
humility
of
her
behaviour
.
She
seemed
neither
humble
nor
proud
;
all
she
did
was
with
her
a
matter
of
course
.
She
asked
his
opinion
about
other
things
than
flowers
,
played
with
Willie
and
Charlie
,
—
the
elder
boy
,
who
had
been
at
school
on
the
occasion
of
her
first
visit
,
—
sat
for
many
hours
by
the
side
of
the
invalid
,
and
ministered
even
more
effectually
to
her
sympathies
than
to
her
bodily
wants
.
Hippolyta
was
soon
recognised
as
a
frequent
and
favoured
visitor
.
When
her
hand
was
on
the
latch
out
came
the
boys
,
running
to
greet
her
,
but
making
as
little
noise
as
they
could
,
not
to
disturb
their
mother
.
In
the
evening
she
would
sit
with
husband
and
wife
instead
of
spending
the
hours
after
dinner
in
her
solitary
room
;
and
she
heard
many
a
good
word
from
the
lips
of
both
.
She
loved
and
admired
their
simple
goodness
.
They
made
no
inquiries
either
as
to
her
religious
beliefs
or
her
story
;
they
did
not
even
mention
Mr.
Malcolm
's
name
.
This
was
not
due
to
suspicion
;
it
was
native
delicacy
.
The
young
lady
did
not
speak
of
her
husband
,
