general,
men
whose
souls
are
awake
to
the
high
mission
which
they
have
to
fulfil
,
and
which
their
predecessors
so
neglected
;
there
is
I
think
a
rising
feeling
in
the
community
,
that
parliamentary
interference
in
matters
ecclesiastical
has
not
tended
either
to
the
spiritual
or
the
material
elevation
of
the
humbler
orders
.
Divorce
the
Church
from
the
State
,
and
the
spiritual
power
that
struggled
against
the
brute
force
of
the
dark
ages
,
against
tyrannical
monarchs
and
barbarous
barons
,
will
struggle
again
in
opposition
to
influences
of
a
different
form
,
but
of
a
similar
tendency
;
equally
selfish
,
equally
insensible
,
equally
barbarising
.
The
priests
of
God
are
the
tribunes
of
the
people
.
Oh
!
ignorant
!
that
with
such
a
mission
,
they
should
ever
have
cringed
in
the
anti-chambers
of
ministers
,
or
bowed
before
parliamentary
committees
!
"
"
The
Utilitarian
system
is
dead
,
"
said
Coningsby
.
"
It
has
past
through
the
heaven
of
philosophy
like
a
hail
storm
;
cold
,
noisy
,
sharp
and
peppering
;
and
it
has
melted
away
.
And
yet
can
we
wonder
that
it
found
some
success
,
when
we
consider
the
political
ignorance
and
social
torpor
which
it
assailed
?
Anointed
Kings
turned
into
chief
magistrates
,
and
therefore
much
overpaid
;
Estates
of
the
Realm
changed
into
parliaments
of
virtual
representation
,
and
therefore
requiring
real
reform
;
Holy
Church
transformed
into
national
establishment
,
and
therefore
grumbled
at
by
all
the
nation
for
whom
it
was
not
supported
.
What
an
inevitable
harvest
of
Sedition
,
Radicalism
,
Infidelity
!
I
really
think
there
is
no
society
,
however
great
its
resources
,
that
could
long
resist
the
united
influences
of
Chief
Magistrate
,
Virtual
Representation
,
and
Church
Establishment
!
"
"
I
have
immense
faith
in
the
New
Generation
,
"
said
Millbank
eagerly
.
"
It
is
a
holy
thing
to
see
a
State
saved
by
its
youth
,
"
said
Coningsby
,
and
then
he
added
in
a
tone
of
humility
,
if
not
of
depression
:
"
But
what
a
task
!
What
a
variety
of
qualities
,
what
a
combination
of
circumstances
are
requisite
!
What
bright
abilities
and
what
noble
patience
!
What
confidence
from
the
People
,
what
favour
from
the
Most
High
!
"
"
But
he
will
favour
us
,
"
said
Millbank
.
"
And
I
say
to
you
as
Nathan
said
unto
David
,
'
Thou
art
the
man
!
'
You
were
our
leader
at
Eton
;
the
friends
of
your
heart
and
boyhood
still
cling
and
cluster
around
you
,
they
are
all
men
whose
position
forces
them
into
public
life
.
It
is
a
nucleus
of
honour
,
faith
and
power
.
You
have
only
to
dare
.
And
will
you
not
dare
?
It
is
our
privilege
to
live
in
an
age
when
the
career
of
the
highest
ambition
is
identified
with
the
performance
of
the
greatest
good
.
Of
the
present
epoch
it
may
be
truly
said
,
'
Who
dares
to
be
good
,
dares
to
be
great
.
'
"
"
Heaven
is
above
all
,
"
said
Coningsby
.
"
The
curtain
of
our
fate
is
still
undrawn
.
We
are
happy
in
our
friends
,
dear
Millbank
,
and
whatever
lights
,
we
will
stand
together
.
For
myself
,
I
prefer
fame
to
life
;
and
yet
,
the
consciousness
of
heroic
deeds
to
the
most
widespread
celebrity
.
"
CHAPTER
III
.
The
beautiful
light
of
summer
had
never
shone
on
a
scene
and
surrounding
landscape
which
recalled
happier
images
of
English
nature
,
and
sweeter
recollections
of
English
manners
,
than
that
to
which
we
would
now
introduce
our
readers
.
One
of
those
true
old
English
Halls
now
unhappily
so
rare
,
built
in
the
time
of
the
Tudors
,
and
in
its
elaborate
timber
framing
and
decorative
woodwork
,
indicating
perhaps
the
scarcity
of
brick
and
stone
at
the
period
of
its
structure
as
much
as
the
grotesque
genius
of
its
fabricator
,
rose
on
a
terrace
surrounded
by
ancient
and
very
formal
gardens
.
The
hall
itself
during
many
generations
had
been
vigilantly
and
tastefully
preserved
by
its
proprietors
.
There
was
not
a
point
which
was
not
as
fresh
as
if
it
had
been
renovated
but
yesterday
.
It
stood
a
huge
and
strange
blending
of
Grecian
,
Gothic
,
and
Italian
architecture
,
with
a
wild
dash
of
the
Fantastic
in
addition
.
The
lantern
watch-towers
of
a
baronial
castle
were
placed
in
juxta
position
with
Doric
columns
employed
for
chimneys
,
while
under
oriel
windows
might
be
observed
Italian
doorways
with
Grecian
pediments
.
Beyond
the
extensive
gardens
,
an
avenue
of
Spanish
chestnuts
at
each
point
of
the
compass
approached
the
mansion
,
or
led
into
a
small
park
which
was
table
land
,
its
limits
opening
on
all
sides
to
beautiful
and
extensive
valleys
,
sparkling
with
cultivation
,
except
at
one
point
,
where
the
river
Darl
formed
the
boundary
of
the
domain
,
and
then
spread
in
many
a
winding
through
the
rich
country
beyond
.
Such
was
Hellingsley
,
the
new
home
that
Oswald
Millbank
was
about
to
visit
for
the
first
time
.
Coningsby
and
himself
had
travelled
together
as
far
as
Darlford
,
where
their
roads
diverged
,
and
they
had
separated
with
an
engagement
on
the
part
of
Coningsby
to
visit
Hellingsley
on
the
morrow
.
As
they
had
travelled
along
,
Coningsby
had
frequently
led
the
conversation
to
domestic
topics
:
gradually
he
had
talked
,
and
talked
much
,
of
Edith
.
Without
an
obtrusive
curiosity
,
he
extracted
unconsciously
to
his
companion
traits
of
her
character
and
early
days
,
which
filled
him
with
a
wild
and
secret
interest
.
The
thought
that
in
a
few
hours
,
he
was
to
meet
her
again
,
infused
into
his
being
a
degree
of
transport
,
which
the
very
necessity
of
repressing
before
his
companion
,
rendered
more
magical
and
thrilling
.
How
often
it
happens
in
life
,
that
we
have
with
a
grave
face
to
discourse
of
the
most
ordinary
topics
,
while
,
all
the
time
our
heart
and
memory
are
engrossed
with
some
enchanting
secret
!
The
Castle
of
his
grandfather
presented
a
far
different
scene
on
the
arrival
of
Coningsby
to
that
which
it
had
offered
on
his
first
visit
.
The
Marquess
had
given
him
a
formal
permission
to
repair
to
it
at
his
pleasure
,
and
had
instructed
the
steward
accordingly
.
But
he
came
without
notice
,
at
a
season
of
the
year
when
the
absence
of
all
sports
made
his
arrival
unexpected
.
The
scattered
and
sauntering
household
roused
themselves
into
action
,
and
contemplated
the
conviction
that
it
might
be
necessary
to
do
some
service
for
their
wages
.
There
was
a
stir
in
that
vast
,
sleepy
castle
.
At
last
the
steward
was
found
,
and
came
forward
to
welcome
their
young
master
,
whose
simple
wants
were
limited
to
the
rooms
he
had
formerly
occupied
.
Coningsby
reached
the
castle
a
little
before
sunset
,
almost
the
same
hour
that
he
had
arrived
there
more
than
three
years
ago
.
How
much
had
happened
in
the
interval
!
Coningsby
had
already
lived
long
enough
to
find
interest
in
pondering
over
the
past
.
That
past
too
must
inevitably
exercise
a
great
influence
over
his
present
.
He
recalled
his
morning
drive
with
his
grandfather
to
the
brink
of
that
river
,
which
was
the
boundary
between
his
own
domain
and
Hellingsley
.
Who
dwelt
at
Hellingsley
now
?
Restless
,
excited
,
not
insensible
to
the
difficulties
,
perhaps
the
dangers
,
of
his
position
,
yet
full
of
an
entrancing
emotion
in
which
all
thoughts
and
feelings
seemed
to
merge
,
Coningsby
went
forth
into
the
fair
gardens
to
muse
over
his
love
amid
objects
as
beautiful
.
A
rosy
light
hung
over
the
rare
shrubs
and
tall
fantastic
trees
;
while
a
rich
yet
darker
tint
suffused
the
distant
woods
.
This
euthanasia
of
the
day
exercises
a
strange
influence
on
the
hearts
of
those
who
love
.
Who
has
not
felt
it
?
Magical
emotions
that
touch
the
immortal
part
!
But
as
for
Coningsby
,
the
mitigating
hour
that
softens
the
heart
made
his
spirit
brave
.
Amid
the
ennobling
sympathies
of
nature
,
the
pursuits
and
purposes
of
worldly
prudence
and
conventional
advantage
subsided
into
their
essential
nothingness
.
He
willed
to
blend
his
life
and
fate
with
a
being
beautiful
as
that
nature
that
subdued
him
,
and
he
felt
in
his
own
breast
the
intrinsic
energies
that
in
spite
of
all
obstacles
should
mould
such
an
imagination
into
reality
.
He
descended
the
slopes
,
now
growing
dimmer
in
the
fleeting
light
,
into
the
park
.
The
stillness
was
almost
supernatural
;
the
jocund
sounds
of
day
had
died
,
and
the
voices
of
the
night
had
not
commenced
.
His
heart
too
was
still
.
A
sacred
calm
had
succeeded
to
that
distraction
of
emotion
which
had
agitated
him
the
whole
day
,
while
he
had
mused
over
his
love
and
the
infinite
and
insurmountable
barriers
that
seemed
to
oppose
his
will
.
Now
he
felt
one
of
those
strong
groundless
convictions
that
are
the
inspiration
of
passion
,
that
all
would
yield
to
him
as
to
one
holding
an
enchanted
wand
.
Onward
he
strolled
;
it
seemed
without
purpose
,
yet
always
proceeding
.
A
pale
and
then
gleaming
tint
stole
over
the
masses
of
mighty
timber
;
and
soon
a
glittering
light
flooded
the
lawns
and
glades
.
The
moon
was
high
in
her
summer
heaven
,
and
still
Coningsby
strolled
on
.
He
crossed
the
broad
lawns
,
he
traversed
the
bright
glades
:
amid
the
gleaming
and
shadowy
woods
,
he
traced
his
prescient
way
.
He
came
to
the
bank
of
a
rushing
river
,
foaming
in
the
moonlight
,
and
wafting
on
its
blue
breast
the
shadow
of
a
thousand
stars
.
"
O
!
River
!
"
he
said
,
"
that
rollest
to
my
mistress
,
bear
her
,
bear
her
,
my
heart
!
"
CHAPTER
IV
.
Lady
Wallinger
and
Edith
were
together
in
the
morning
room
of
Hellingsley
,
the
morrow
after
the
arrival
of
Oswald
.
Edith
was
arranging
flowers
in
a
vase
,
while
her
aunt
was
embroidering
a
Spanish
peasant
in
correct
costume
.
The
daughter
of
Millbank
looked
as
bright
and
fragrant
as
the
fair
creations
that
surrounded
her
.
Beautiful
to
watch
her
as
she
arranged
their
forms
and
composed
their
groups
;
to
mark
her
eye
glance
with
gratification
at
some
happy
combination
of
colour
,
or
to
listen
to
her
delight
as
they
wafted
to
her
in
gratitude
their
perfume
.
Oswald
and
Sir
Joseph
were
surveying
the
stables
;
Mr.
Millbank
,
who
had
been
daily
expected
for
the
last
week
from
the
factories
,
had
not
yet
arrived
.
"
I
must
say
he
gained
my
heart
from
the
first
,
"
said
Lady
Wallinger
.
"
I
wish
the
gardener
would
send
us
more
roses
,
"
said
Edith
.
"
He
is
so
very
superior
to
any
young
man
I
ever
met
,
"
continued
Lady
Wallinger
.
"
I
think
we
must
have
this
vase
entirely
of
roses
;
do
n't
you
think
so
,
aunt
?
"
inquired
her
niece
.
"
I
am
very
fond
of
roses
,
"
said
Lady
Wallinger
.
"
What
beautiful
bouquets
Mr.
Coningsby
gave
us
at
Paris
,
Edith
!
"
"
Beautiful
!
"
"
I
must
say
,
I
was
very
happy
when
I
met
Mr.
Coningsby
again
at
Cambridge
,
"
said
Lady
Wallinger
.
"
It
gave
me
much
greater
pleasure
than
seeing
any
of
the
colleges
.
"
"
How
delighted
Oswald
seems
at
having
Mr.
Coningsby
for
a
companion
again
,
"
said
Edith
.
"
And
very
naturally
,
"
said
Lady
Wallinger
.
"
Oswald
ought
to
deem
himself
very
fortunate
in
having
such
a
friend
.
I
am
sure
the
kindness
of
Mr.
Coningsby
when
we
met
him
at
Cambridge
is
what
I
never
shall
forget
.
But
he
always
was
my
favourite
from
the
first
I
saw
him
at
Paris
.
Do
you
know
,
Edith
,
I
liked
him
the
best
of
all
your
admirers
?
"
"
Oh
!
no
,
aunt
,
"
said
Edith
,
smiling
,
"
not
more
than
Lord
Beaumanoir
;
you
forget
your
great
favourite
Lord
Beaumanoir
.
"
"
But
I
did
not
know
Mr.
Coningsby
at
Rome
,
"
said
Lady
Wallinger
,
"
I
cannot
agree
that
any
body
is
equal
to
Mr.
Coningsby
.
I
cannot
tell
you
how
pleased
I
am
that
he
is
our
neighbour
!
"
As
Lady
Wallinger
gave
a
finishing
stroke
to
the
jacket
of
her
Andalusian
,
Edith
vividly
blushing
,
yet
speaking
in
a
voice
of
affected
calmness
,
said
,
"
Here
is
Mr.
Coningsby
,
aunt
.
"
And
truly
at
this
moment
our
hero
might
be
discerned
approaching
the
Hall
by
one
of
the
avenues
;
and
in
a
few
minutes
,
there
was
a
ringing
at
the
Hall
bell
,
and
then
after
a
short
pause
,
the
servants
announced
Mr.
Coningsby
,
and
ushered
him
into
the
morning
room
.
Edith
was
embarrassed
;
the
frankness
and
the
gaiety
of
her
manner
had
deserted
her
;
Coningsby
was
rather
earnest
than
self-possessed
.
Each
felt
at
first
,
that
the
presence
of
Lady
Wallinger
was
a
relief
.
The
ordinary
topics
of
conversation
were
in
sufficient
plenty
;
reminiscences
of
Paris
,
impressions
of
Hellingsley
,
his
visit
to
Oxford
,
Lady
Wallinger
's
visit
to
Cambridge
.
In
ten
minutes
,
their
voices
seemed
to
sound
to
each
other
as
they
did
in
the
Rue
de
Rivoli
,
and
their
mutual
perplexity
had
in
a
great
degree
subsided
.
Oswald
and
Sir
Joseph
now
entered
the
room
,
and
the
conversation
became
general
.
Hellingsley
was
the
subject
on
which
Coningsby
dwelt
;
he
was
charmed
with
all
that
he
had
seen
;
wished
to
see
more
.
Sir
Joseph
was
quite
prepared
to
accompany
him
;
but
Lady
Wallinger
who
seemed
to
read
Coningsby
's
wishes
in
his
eyes
,
proposed
that
the
inspection
should
be
general
;
and
in
the
course
of
half
an
hour
,
Coningsby
was
walking
by
the
side
of
Edith
,
and
sympathising
with
all
the
natural
charms
to
which
her
quick
taste
and
lively
expression
called
his
notice
and
appreciation
.
Few
things
more
delightful
than
a
country
ramble
with
a
sweet
companion
!
Exploring
woods
,
wandering
over
green
commons
,
loitering
in
shady
lanes
,
resting
on
rural
stiles
;
the
air
full
of
perfume
,
the
heart
full
of
bliss
!
It
seemed
to
Coningsby
that
he
had
never
been
happy
before
.
A
thrilling
joy
pervaded
his
being
.
He
could
have
sung
like
a
bird
.
His
heart
was
as
sunny
as
the
summer
scene
.
Past
and
Future
were
absorbed
in
the
flowing
hour
;
not
an
allusion
to
Paris
,
not
a
speculation
on
what
might
arrive
;
but
infinite
expressions
of
agreement
,
sympathy
;
a
multitude
of
slight
phrases
,
that
however
couched
,
had
but
one
meaning
;
congeniality
.
He
felt
each
moment
her
voice
becoming
more
tender
;
his
heart
gushing
in
soft
expressions
;
each
moment
he
was
more
fascinated
;
her
step
was
grace
,
her
glance
was
beauty
;
now
she
touched
him
by
some
phrase
of
sweet
simplicity
;
or
carried
him
spell-bound
by
her
airy
merriment
.
Oswald
assumed
that
Coningsby
remained
to
dine
with
them
.
There
was
not
even
the
ceremony
of
invitation
.
Coningsby
could
not
but
remember
his
dinner
at
Millbank
,
and
the
timid
hostess
whom
he
then
addressed
so
often
in
vain
,
as
he
gazed
on
the
bewitching
and
accomplished
woman
whom
he
now
passionately
loved
.
It
was
a
most
agreeable
dinner
.
Oswald
,
happy
in
his
friend
being
his
guest
under
his
own
roof
,
indulged
in
unwonted
gaiety
.
The
ladies
withdrew
;
Sir
Joseph
began
to
talk
politics
,
although
the
young
men
had
threatened
their
fair
companions
immediately
to
follow
them
.
This
was
the
period
of
the
Bed-Chamber
Plot
,
when
Sir
Robert
Peel
accepted
and
resigned
power
in
the
course
of
three
days
.
Sir
Joseph
,
who
had
originally
made
up
his
mind
to
support
a
Conservative
government
when
he
deemed
it
inevitable
,
had
for
the
last
month
endeavoured
to
compensate
for
this
trifling
error
by
vindicating
the
conduct
of
his
friends
,
and
reprobating
the
behaviour
of
those
who
would
deprive
her
Majesty
of
the
"
friends
of
her
youth
.
"
Sir
Joseph
was
a
most
chivalrous
champion
of
the
"
friends
of
her
youth
"
principle
.
Sir
Joseph
who
was
always
moderate
and
conciliatory
in
his
talk
,
though
he
would
go
,
at
any
time
,
any
lengths
for
his
party
,
expressed
himself
to-day
with
extreme
sobriety
,
as
he
was
determined
not
to
hurt
the
feelings
of
Mr.
Coningsby
,
and
he
principally
confined
himself
to
urging
temperate
questions
,
somewhat
in
the
following
fashion
:
"
I
admit
that
on
the
whole
,
under
ordinary
circumstances
,
it
would
perhaps
have
been
more
convenient
that
these
appointments
should
have
remained
with
Sir
Robert
,
but
do
n't
you
think
that
under
the
peculiar
circumstances
,
being
friends
of
her
Majesty
's
youth
?
etc.
,
etc.
"
Sir
Joseph
was
extremely
astonished
when
Coningsby
replied
that
he
thought
under
no
circumstances
should
any
appointment
in
the
Royal
Household
be
dependent
on
the
voice
of
the
House
of
Commons
,
though
he
was
far
from
admiring
the
"
friends
of
her
youth
"
principle
,
which
he
looked
upon
as
very
impertinent
.
"
But
surely
,
"
said
Sir
Joseph
,
"
the
Minister
being
responsible
to
Parliament
,
it
must
follow
that
all
great
offices
of
State
should
be
filled
at
his
discretion
.
"
"
But
where
do
you
find
this
principle
of
Ministerial
responsibility
?
"
inquired
Coningsby
.
"
And
is
not
a
Minister
responsible
to
his
Sovereign
?
"
inquired
Millbank
.
Sir
Joseph
seemed
a
little
confused
.
He
had
always
heard
that
Ministers
were
responsible
to
Parliament
;
and
he
had
a
vague
conviction
,
notwithstanding
the
reanimating
loyalty
of
the
Bed-Chamber
Plot
,
that
the
Sovereign
of
England
was
a
nonentity
.
He
took
refuge
in
indefinite
expressions
,
and
observed
,
"
The
Responsibility
of
Ministers
is
surely
a
constitutional
doctrine
!
"
"
The
Ministers
of
the
Crown
are
responsible
to
their
master
;
they
are
not
the
Ministers
of
Parliament
.
"
"
But
then
you
know
virtually
,
"
said
Sir
Joseph
,
"
the
Parliament
,
that
is
the
House
of
Commons
,
governs
the
country
.
"
"
It
did
before
1832
,
"
said
Coningsby
;
"
but
that
is
all
past
now
.
We
got
rid
of
that
with
the
Venetian
Constitution
.
"
"
The
Venetian
Constitution
!
"
said
Sir
Joseph
.
"
To
be
sure
,
"
said
Millbank
.
"
We
were
governed
in
this
country
by
the
Venetian
Constitution
from
the
accession
of
the
House
of
Hanover
.
But
that
yoke
is
past
.
And
now
,
I
hope
we
are
in
a
state
of
transition
from
the
Italian
Dogeship
to
the
English
Monarchy
.
"
"
King
,
Lords
and
Commons
,
the
Venetian
Constitution
!
"
exclaimed
Sir
Joseph
.
"
But
they
were
phrases
,
"
said
Coningsby
,
"
not
facts
.
The
King
was
a
Doge
;
the
Cabinet
the
Council
of
Ten
.
Your
Parliament
,
that
you
call
Lords
and
Commons
,
was
nothing
more
than
the
Great
Council
of
Nobles
.
"
"
The
resemblance
was
complete
,
"
said
Millbank
,
"
and
no
wonder
,
for
it
was
not
accidental
;
the
Venetian
Constitution
was
intentionally
copied
.
"
"
We
should
have
had
the
Venetian
Republic
in
1640
,
"
said
Coningsby
,
"
had
it
not
been
for
the
Puritans
.
Geneva
beat
Venice
.
"
"
I
am
sure
these
ideas
are
not
very
generally
known
,
"
said
Sir
Joseph
bewildered
.
"
Because
you
have
had
your
history
written
by
the
Venetian
party
,
"
said
Coningsby
,
"
and
it
has
been
their
interest
to
conceal
them
.
"
"
I
will
venture
to
say
that
there
are
very
few
men
on
our
side
in
the
House
of
Commons
,
"
said
Sir
Joseph
,
"
who
are
aware
that
they
were
born
under
a
Venetian
Constitution
.
"
"
Let
us
go
to
the
ladies
,
"
said
Millbank
smiling
.
Edith
was
reading
a
letter
as
they
entered
.
"
A
letter
from
papa
,
"
she
exclaimed
looking
up
at
her
brother
with
great
animation
.
"
We
may
expect
him
every
day
,
and
yet
,
alas
!
he
cannot
fix
one
.
"
They
now
all
spoke
of
Millbank
,
and
Coningsby
was
happy
that
he
was
familiar
with
the
scene
.
At
length
he
ventured
to
say
to
Edith
,
"
You
once
made
me
a
promise
which
you
never
fulfilled
.
I
shall
claim
it
to-night
.
"
"
And
what
can
that
be
?
"
"
The
song
that
you
promised
me
at
Millbank
more
than
three
years
ago
.
"
"
Your
memory
is
very
good
.
"
"
It
has
dwelt
upon
the
subject
.
"
Then
they
spoke
for
awhile
of
other
recollections
,
and
then
,
Coningsby
appealing
to
Lady
Wallinger
for
her
influence
,
Edith
rose
and
took
up
her
guitar
.
Her
voice
was
rich
and
sweet
;
the
air
she
sang
gay
,
even
fantastically
frolick
;
such
as
the
girls
of
Granada
chaunt
trooping
home
from
some
country
festival
;
her
soft
,
dark
eye
brightened
with
joyous
sympathy
;
and
ever
and
anon
,
with
an
arch
grace
,
she
beat
the
guitar
,
in
chorus
,
with
her
pretty
hand
.
The
moon
wanes
;
and
Coningsby
must
leave
these
enchanted
halls
.
Oswald
walked
homeward
with
him
,
until
he
reached
the
domain
of
his
grandfather
.
Then
mounting
his
horse
,
Coningsby
bade
his
friend
farewell
till
the
morrow
,
and
made
his
best
way
to
the
Castle
.
CHAPTER
V.
There
is
a
romance
in
every
life
.
The
emblazoned
page
of
Coningsby
's
existence
was
now
open
.
It
had
been
prosperous
before
;
with
some
moments
of
excitement
;
some
of
delight
;
but
they
had
all
found
,
as
it
were
,
their
origin
in
worldly
considerations
,
or
been
inevitably
mixed
up
with
them
.
At
Paris
for
example
,
he
loved
,
or
thought
he
loved
.
But
there
not
an
hour
could
elapse
without
his
meeting
some
person
,
or
hearing
something
,
which
disturbed
the
beauty
of
his
emotions
or
broke
his
spellbound
thoughts
.
There
was
his
grandfather
hating
the
Millbanks
or
Sidonia
loving
them
;
and
common
people
in
the
common
world
making
common
observations
on
them
;
asking
who
they
were
,
or
telling
who
they
were
;
and
brushing
the
bloom
of
all
life
's
fresh
delicious
fancies
with
their
coarse
handling
.
But
now
his
feelings
were
ethereal
.
He
loved
,
passionately
—
and
he
loved
in
a
scene
and
in
a
society
as
sweet
,
as
pure
,
and
as
refined
,
as
his
imagination
and
his
heart
.
There
was
no
malicious
gossip
,
no
callous
chatter
,
to
profane
his
ear
and
desecrate
his
sentiment
.
All
that
he
heard
or
saw
was
worthy
of
the
summer
sky
,
the
still
green
woods
,
the
gushing
river
,
the
gardens
and
terraces
,
the
stately
and
fantastic
dwellings
,
among
which
his
life
now
glided
as
in
some
dainty
and
gorgeous
masque
.
All
the
soft
,
social
domestic
sympathies
of
his
nature
which
,
however
abundant
,
had
never
been
cultivated
,
were
developed
by
the
life
he
was
now
leading
.
It
was
not
merely
that
he
lived
in
the
constant
presence
,
and
under
the
constant
influence
of
one
whom
he
adored
,
that
made
him
so
happy
.
He
was
surrounded
by
beings
who
found
felicity
in
the
interchange
of
kind
feelings
and
kind
words
;
in
the
cultivation
of
happy
talents
and
refined
tastes
;
and
the
enjoyment
of
a
life
which
their
own
good
sense
and
own
good
hearts
made
them
both
comprehend
and
appreciate
.
Ambition
lost
much
of
its
splendour
,
even
his
lofty
aspirations
something
of
their
hallowing
impulse
of
paramount
duty
,
when
Coningsby
felt
how
much
ennobling
delight
was
consistent
with
the
seclusion
of
a
private
station
;
and
mused
over
an
existence
to
be
passed
amid
woods
and
waterfalls
with
a
fair
hand
locked
in
his
;
or
surrounded
by
his
friends
in
some
ancestral
hall
.
The
morning
after
his
first
visit
to
Hellingsley
,
Coningsby
rejoined
his
friends
,
as
he
had
promised
Oswald
at
their
breakfast
table
;
and
day
after
day
,
he
came
with
the
early
sun
,
and
left
them
only
when
the
late
moon
silvered
the
keep
of
Coningsby
Castle
.
Mr.
Millbank
who
wrote
daily
,
and
was
daily
to
be
expected
,
did
not
arrive
.
A
week
,
a
week
of
unbroken
bliss
,
had
vanished
away
—
passed
in
long
rides
and
longer
walks
;
sunset
saunterings
,
and
sometimes
moonlit
strolls
;
talking
of
flowers
,
and
thinking
of
things
even
sweeter
;
listening
to
delicious
songs
,
and
sometimes
reading
aloud
some
bright
romance
,
or
some
inspiring
lay
.
One
day
,
Coningsby
who
arrived
at
the
Hall
unexpectedly
late
;
indeed
it
was
some
hours
past
noon
,
for
he
had
been
detained
by
despatches
which
arrived
at
the
Castle
from
Mr.
Rigby
and
which
required
his
interposition
;
found
the
ladies
alone
,
and
was
told
that
Sir
Joseph
and
Oswald
were
at
the
fishing
cottage
,
where
they
wished
him
to
join
them
.
He
was
in
no
haste
to
do
this
;
and
Lady
Wallinger
proposed
,
that
when
they
felt
inclined
to
ramble
,
they
should
all
walk
down
to
the
fishing
cottage
together
.
So
seating
himself
by
the
side
of
Edith
who
was
tinting
a
sketch
which
she
had
made
of
a
rich
oriel
of
Hellingsley
,
the
morning
passed
away
in
that
slight
and
yet
subtle
talk
in
which
a
lover
delights
,
and
in
which
,
while
asking
a
thousand
questions
,
that
seem
at
the
first
glance
,
sufficiently
trifling
,
he
is
indeed
often
conveying
a
meaning
that
is
not
expressed
,
or
attempting
to
discover
a
feeling
that
is
hidden
.
And
these
are
occasions
,
when
glances
meet
,
and
glances
are
withdrawn
:
the
tongue
may
speak
idly
,
the
eye
is
more
eloquent
;
and
often
more
true
.
Coningsby
looked
up
;
Lady
Wallinger
who
had
more
than
once
announced
,
that
she
was
going
to
put
on
her
bonnet
,
was
gone
.
Yet
still
he
continued
to
talk
trifles
;
and
still
Edith
listened
.
"
Of
all
that
you
have
told
me
,
"
said
Edith
,
"
nothing
pleases
me
so
much
as
your
description
of
St.
Geneviève
.
How
much
I
should
like
to
catch
the
deer
at
sunset
on
the
heights
!
What
a
pretty
drawing
it
would
make
!
"
"
You
would
like
Eustace
Lyle
,
"
said
Coningsby
.
"
He
is
so
shy
and
yet
so
ardent
.
"
"
You
have
such
a
band
of
friends
,
Oswald
was
saying
this
morning
there
was
no
one
who
had
so
many
devoted
friends
.
"
"
We
are
all
united
by
sympathy
;
it
is
the
only
bond
of
friendship
;
and
yet
friendship
—
"
"
Edith
,
"
said
Lady
Wallinger
looking
into
the
room
from
the
garden
with
her
bonnet
on
,
"
you
will
find
me
roaming
on
the
terrace
.
"
"
We
come
,
dear
aunt
.
"
And
yet
they
did
not
move
.
There
were
yet
a
few
pencil
touches
to
be
given
to
the
tinted
sketch
;
Coningsby
would
cut
the
pencils
.
"
Would
you
give
me
,
"
he
said
,
"
some
slight
memorial
of
Hellingsby
and
your
art
!
I
would
not
venture
to
hope
for
anything
half
so
beautiful
as
this
;
but
the
slightest
sketch
.
I
should
so
like
when
away
to
have
it
hanging
in
my
room
.
"
A
blush
suffused
the
cheek
of
Edith
,
she
turned
her
head
a
little
aside
,
as
if
she
were
arranging
some
drawings
.
And
then
she
said
in
a
somewhat
hushed
and
hesitating
voice
,
"
I
am
sure
I
will
do
so
;
and
with
pleasure
.
A
view
of
the
Hall
itself
;
I
think
that
would
be
the
best
memorial
.
Where
shall
we
take
it
from
?
We
will
decide
in
our
walk
,
"
and
she
rose
,
and
promising
immediately
to
return
,
left
the
room
.
Coningsby
leant
over
the
mantle
in
deep
abstraction
,
gazing
vacantly
on
a
miniature
of
the
father
of
Edith
.
A
light
step
roused
him
;
she
had
returned
,
Unconsciously
he
greeted
her
with
a
glance
of
ineffable
tenderness
.
They
went
forth
;
it
was
a
grey
,
sultry
day
.
Indeed
it
was
the
covered
sky
which
had
led
to
the
fishing
scheme
of
the
morning
;
Sir
Joseph
was
a
very
expert
and
accomplished
angler
;
and
the
Darl
was
renowned
for
its
sport
.
They
lingered
before
they
reached
the
terrace
where
they
were
to
find
Lady
Wallinger
,
observing
the
different
points
of
view
which
the
Hall
presented
,
and
debating
which
was
to
form
the
subject
of
Coningsby
's
drawing
;
for
already
it
was
to
be
not
merely
a
sketch
,
but
a
drawing
,
the
most
finished
that
the
bright
and
effective
pencil
of
Edith
could
achieve
.
If
it
really
were
to
be
placed
in
his
room
,
and
were
to
be
a
memorial
of
Hellingsley
,
her
artistic
reputation
demanded
a
master-piece
.
They
reached
the
terrace
:
Lady
Wallinger
was
not
there
;
nor
could
they
observe
her
in
the
vicinity
.
Coningsby
was
quite
certain
that
she
had
gone
onward
to
the
fishing
cottage
,
and
expected
them
to
follow
her
;
and
he
convinced
Edith
of
the
justness
of
his
opinion
.
To
the
fishing
cottage
therefore
they
bent
their
steps
.
They
emerged
from
the
gardens
into
the
Park
,
sauntering
over
the
table
land
,
and
seeking
as
much
as
possible
the
shade
in
the
soft
but
oppressive
atmosphere
.
At
the
limit
of
the
table
land
their
course
lay
by
a
wild
and
winding
path
through
a
gradual
and
wooded
declivity
.
While
they
were
yet
in
this
craggy
and
romantic
woodland
,
the
big
,
fervent
drops
began
to
fall
.
Coningsby
urged
Edith
to
seek
at
once
a
natural
shelter
;
but
she
,
who
knew
the
country
,
assured
him
that
the
fishing
cottage
was
close
by
,
and
that
they
might
reach
it
before
the
rain
could
do
them
any
harm
.
And
truly
at
this
moment
emerging
from
the
wood
,
they
found
themselves
in
the
valley
of
the
Darl
.
The
river
here
was
narrow
and
winding
,
but
full
of
life
;
rushing
and
clear
,
but
for
the
dark
sky
it
reflected
;
with
high
banks
of
turf
and
tall
trees
;
the
silver
birch
,
above
all
others
,
in
clustering
groups
;
infinitely
picturesque
.
At
the
turn
of
the
river
,
about
two
hundred
yards
distant
,
Coningsby
observed
the
low
,
dark
roof
of
the
fishing
cottage
on
its
banks
.
They
descended
from
the
woods
to
the
margin
of
the
stream
,
by
a
flight
of
turfen
steps
,
Coningsby
holding
Edith
's
hand
as
he
guided
her
progress
.
The
drops
became
thicker
;
they
reached
,
at
a
rapid
pace
,
the
cottage
.
The
absent
boat
indicated
that
Sir
Joseph
and
Oswald
were
on
the
river
.
The
cottage
was
an
old
building
of
rustic
logs
,
with
a
very
shelving
roof
so
that
you
might
obtain
sufficient
shelter
without
entering
its
walls
.
Coningsby
found
a
rough
garden
seat
for
Edith
.
The
shower
was
now
violent
.
Nature
,
like
man
,
sometimes
weeps
from
gladness
.
It
is
the
joy
and
tenderness
of
her
heart
that
seek
relief
;
and
these
are
summer
showers
.
In
this
instance
,
the
vehemence
of
her
emotion
was
transient
,
though
the
tears
kept
stealing
down
her
cheek
for
a
long
time
,
and
gentle
sighs
and
sobs
might
for
some
period
be
distinguished
.
The
oppressive
atmosphere
had
evaporated
;
the
grey
,
sullen
tint
had
disappeared
;
a
soft
breeze
came
dancing
up
the
stream
;
a
glowing
light
fell
upon
the
woods
and
waters
;
the
perfume
of
trees
and
flowers
and
herbs
floated
around
.
There
was
a
carolling
of
birds
;
a
hum
of
happy
insects
in
the
air
;
freshness
and
stir
,
and
a
sense
of
joyous
life
,
pervaded
all
things
;
it
seemed
that
the
heart
of
all
creation
opened
.
Coningsby
,
after
repeatedly
watching
the
shower
with
Edith
,
and
speculating
on
its
progress
which
did
not
much
annoy
them
,
had
seated
himself
on
a
log
almost
at
her
feet
.
And
assuredly
a
maiden
and
a
youth
more
beautiful
and
engaging
had
seldom
met
before
in
a
scene
more
fresh
and
fair
.
Edith
on
her
rustic
seat
watched
the
now
blue
and
foaming
river
,
and
the
birch
trees
with
a
livelier
tint
,
and
quivering
in
the
sunset
air
;
an
expression
of
tranquil
bliss
suffused
her
beautiful
brow
,
and
spoke
from
the
thrilling
tenderness
of
her
soft
dark
eye
.
Coningsby
gazed
on
that
countenance
with
a
glance
of
entranced
rapture
.
His
cheek
was
flushed
,
his
eye
gleamed
with
dazzling
lustre
.
She
turned
her
head
,
she
met
that
glance
,
and
,
troubled
,
she
withdrew
her
own
.
"
Edith
,
"
he
said
,
in
a
tone
of
tremulous
passion
,
"
let
me
call
you
Edith
!
Yes
,
"
he
continued
,
gently
taking
her
hand
,
"
Let
me
call
you
my
Edith
!
I
love
you
!
"
She
did
not
withdraw
her
hand
;
but
turned
away
a
face
flushed
as
the
impending
twilight
.
CHAPTER
VI
.
It
was
past
the
dinner
hour
when
Edith
and
Coningsby
reached
the
Hall
;
an
embarrassing
circumstance
,
but
mitigated
by
the
conviction
,
that
they
had
not
to
encounter
a
very
critical
inspection
.
What
then
were
their
feelings
,
when
the
first
servant
that
they
met
informed
them
,
that
Mr.
Millbank
had
arrived
!
Edith
never
could
have
believed
,
that
the
return
of
her
beloved
father
to
his
home
could
ever
have
been
to
her
other
than
a
cause
of
delight
.
And
yet
now
she
trembled
when
she
heard
the
announcement
.
The
mysteries
of
love
were
fast
involving
her
existence
.
But
this
was
not
the
season
of
meditation
.
Her
heart
was
still
agitated
by
the
tremulous
admission
that
she
responded
to
that
fervent
and
adoring
love
whose
eloquent
music
still
sounded
in
her
ear
,
and
the
pictures
of
whose
fanciful
devotion
flitted
over
her
agitated
vision
.
Unconsciously
she
pressed
the
arm
of
Coningsby
as
the
servant
spoke
,
and
then
without
looking
into
his
face
,
whispering
him
to
be
quick
,
she
sprang
away
.
As
for
Coningsby
,
notwithstanding
the
elation
of
his
heart
,
and
the
ethereal
joy
which
flowed
in
all
his
veins
,
the
name
of
Mr.
Millbank
sounded
something
like
a
knell
.
However
this
was
not
the
time
to
reflect
.
He
obeyed
the
hint
of
Edith
;
made
the
most
rapid
toilette
that
ever
was
consummated
by
a
happy
lover
,
and
in
a
few
minutes
entered
the
drawing-room
of
Hellingsley
;
to
encounter
the
gentleman
whom
he
hoped
by
some
means
or
other
,
quite
inconceivable
,
might
some
day
be
transformed
into
his
father-in-law
,
and
the
fulfilment
of
his
consequent
duties
towards
whom
he
had
commenced
by
keeping
him
waiting
for
dinner
.
"
How
do
you
do
,
sir
?
"
said
Mr.
Millbank
,
extending
his
hand
to
Coningsby
.
"
You
seem
to
have
taken
a
long
walk
.
"
Coningsby
looked
round
to
the
kind
Lady
Wallinger
,
and
half
addressed
his
murmured
answer
to
her
,
explaining
how
they
had
lost
her
,
and
their
way
,
and
were
caught
in
a
storm
or
a
shower
,
which
as
it
terminated
about
three
hours
back
,
and
the
fishing
cottage
was
little
more
than
a
mile
from
the
Hall
,
very
satisfactorily
accounted
for
their
not
being
in
time
for
dinner
.
Lady
Wallinger
then
said
something
about
the
lowering
clouds
having
frightened
her
from
the
terrace
,
and
Sir
Joseph
and
Oswald
talked
a
little
of
their
sport
,
and
of
their
having
seen
an
otter
;
but
there
was
or
at
least
there
seemed
to
Coningsby
a
tone
of
general
embarrassment
which
distressed
him
.
The
fact
is
keeping
people
for
dinner
under
any
circumstances
is
distressing
.
They
are
obliged
to
talk
at
the
very
moment
when
they
wish
to
use
their
powers
of
expression
for
a
very
different
purpose
.
They
are
faint
,
and
conversation
makes
them
more
exhausted
.
A
gentleman
too
,
fond
of
his
family
,
who
in
turn
are
devoted
to
him
,
making
a
great
and
inconvenient
effort
to
reach
them
by
dinner
time
;
to
please
and
surprise
them
;
and
finding
them
all
dispersed
,
dinner
so
late
,
that
he
might
have
reached
home
in
good
time
without
any
great
inconvenient
effort
,
his
daughter
whom
he
has
wished
a
thousand
times
to
embrace
,
taking
a
singularly
long
ramble
with
no
other
companion
than
a
young
gentleman
,
whom
he
did
not
exactly
expect
to
see
;
all
these
are
circumstances
individually
perhaps
slight
,
and
yet
encountered
collectively
,
it
may
be
doubted
whether
they
would
not
a
little
ruffle
even
the
sweetest
temper
.
Mr.
Millbank
too
had
not
the
sweetest
temper
,
though
not
a
bad
one
;
a
little
quick
and
fiery
.
But
then
he
had
a
kind
heart
.
And
when
Edith
,
who
had
providentially
sent
down
a
message
to
order
dinner
,
entered
and
embraced
him
at
the
very
moment
that
dinner
was
announced
,
her
father
forgot
everything
in
his
joy
in
seeing
her
,
and
his
pleasure
in
being
surrounded
by
his
friends
.
He
gave
his
hand
to
Lady
Wallinger
;
and
Sir
Joseph
led
away
his
niece
.
Coningsby
put
his
arm
round
the
astonished
neck
of
Oswald
as
if
they
were
once
more
in
the
playing
fields
of
Eton
.
"
By
Jove
!
my
dear
fellow
,
"
he
exclaimed
,
"
I
am
so
sorry
we
kept
your
father
for
dinner
.
"
As
Edith
headed
her
father
's
table
,
according
to
his
rigid
rule
,
Coningsby
was
on
one
side
of
her
.
They
never
spoke
so
little
;
Coningsby
would
have
never
unclosed
his
lips
,
had
he
followed
his
humour
.
He
was
in
a
stupor
of
happiness
;
the
dining-room
took
the
appearance
of
the
fishing
cottage
;
and
he
saw
nothing
but
the
flowing
river
.
Lady
Wallinger
was
however
next
to
him
,
and
that
was
a
relief
;
for
he
felt
always
she
was
his
friend
.
Sir
Joseph
a
good-hearted
man
,
and
on
subjects
with
which
he
was
acquainted
full
of
sound
sense
,
was
invaluable
to-day
,
for
he
entirely
kept
up
the
conversation
,
speaking
of
things
which
greatly
interested
Mr.
Millbank
.
And
so
their
host
soon
recovered
his
good
temper
;
he
addressed
several
times
his
observations
to
Coningsby
,
and
was
careful
to
take
wine
with
him
.
On
the
whole
,
affairs
went
on
flowingly
enough
.
The
gentlemen
indeed
stayed
much
longer
over
their
wine
than
on
the
preceding
days
,
and
Coningsby
did
not
venture
on
the
liberty
of
quitting
the
room
before
his
host
.
It
was
as
well
.
Edith
required
repose
.
She
tried
to
seek
it
on
the
bosom
of
her
aunt
,
as
she
breathed
to
her
the
delicious
secret
of
her
life
.
When
the
gentlemen
returned
to
the
drawing-room
,
the
ladies
were
not
there
.
This
rather
disturbed
Mr.
Millbank
again
;
he
had
not
seen
enough
of
his
daughter
;
he
wished
to
hear
her
sing
.
But
Edith
managed
to
reappear
;
and
even
to
sing
.
Then
Coningsby
went
up
to
her
and
asked
her
to
sing
the
song
of
the
Girls
of
Granada
.
She
said
in
a
low
voice
,
and
with
a
fond
yet
serious
look
,
"
I
am
not
in
the
mood
for
such
a
song
,
but
if
you
wish
me
—
"
She
sang
it
and
with
inexpressible
grace
,
and
with
an
arch
vivacity
,
that
to
a
fine
observer
would
have
singularly
contrasted
with
the
almost
solemn
and
even
troubled
expression
of
her
countenance
a
moment
afterwards
.
The
day
was
about
to
die
;
the
day
the
most
important
,
the
most
precious
,
in
the
lives
of
Harry
Coningsby
and
Edith
Millbank
.
Words
had
been
spoken
,
vows
breathed
,
which
were
to
influence
their
careers
for
ever
.
For
them
hereafter
there
was
to
be
but
one
life
,
one
destiny
,
one
world
.
Each
of
them
was
still
in
such
a
state
of
tremulous
excitement
,
that
neither
had
found
time
or
occasion
to
ponder
over
the
mighty
result
.
They
both
required
solitude
;
they
both
longed
to
be
alone
.
Coningsby
rose
to
depart
.
He
pressed
the
soft
hand
of
Edith
,
and
his
glance
spoke
his
soul
.
"
We
shall
see
you
at
breakfast
to-morrow
,
Coningsby
!
"
said
Oswald
,
very
loud
,
knowing
that
the
presence
of
his
father
would
make
Coningsby
hesitate
about
coming
.
Edith
's
heart
fluttered
;
but
she
said
nothing
.
It
was
with
delight
she
heard
her
father
,
after
a
moment
's
pause
,
say
,
"
Oh
!
I
beg
we
may
have
that
pleasure
.
"
"
Not
quite
at
so
early
an
hour
,
"
said
Coningsby
,
"
but
if
you
will
permit
me
,
I
hope
to
have
the
pleasure
of
hearing
from
you
to-morrow
,
sir
,
that
your
journey
has
not
fatigued
you
.
"
CHAPTER
VII
.
To
be
alone
;
to
have
no
need
of
feigning
a
tranquillity
he
could
not
feel
;
of
coining
common-place
courtesy
,
when
his
heart
was
gushing
with
rapture
;
this
was
a
great
relief
for
Coningsby
,
though
gained
by
a
separation
from
Edith
.
The
deed
was
done
;
he
had
breathed
his
long
brooding
passion
,
he
had
received
the
sweet
expression
of
her
sympathy
,
he
had
gained
the
long
coveted
heart
.
Youth
,
beauty
,
love
,
the
innocence
of
unsophisticated
breasts
,
and
the
inspiration
of
an
exquisite
nature
,
combined
to
fashion
the
spell
that
now
entranced
his
life
.
He
turned
to
gaze
upon
the
moonlit
towers
and
peaked
roofs
of
Hellingsley
.
Silent
and
dreamlike
,
the
picturesque
pile
rested
on
its
broad
terrace
flooded
with
the
silver
light
,
and
surrounded
by
the
quaint
bowers
of
its
fantastic
gardens
tipped
by
the
glittering
beam
.
Half
hid
in
deep
shadow
,
half
sparkling
in
the
mid-night
blaze
,
he
recognized
the
oriel
window
that
had
been
the
subject
of
the
morning
's
sketch
.
Almost
he
wished
there
should
be
some
sound
to
assure
him
of
his
reality
.
But
nothing
broke
the
all-pervading
stillness
.
Was
his
life
to
be
as
bright
and
as
tranquil
?
And
what
was
to
be
his
life
?
Whither
was
he
to
bear
the
beautiful
bride
he
had
gained
?
Were
the
portals
of
Coningsby
the
proud
and
hospitable
gates
that
were
to
greet
her
?
How
long
would
they
greet
him
after
the
achievement
of
the
last
four
and
twenty
hours
was
known
to
their
Lord
?
Was
this
the
return
for
the
confiding
kindness
of
his
grandsire
?
That
he
should
pledge
his
troth
to
the
daughter
of
that
grandsire
's
foe
?
Away
with
such
dark
and
scaring
vision
!
Is
it
not
the
noon
of
a
summer
night
fragrant
with
the
breath
of
gardens
,
bright
with
the
beam
that
lovers
love
,
and
soft
with
the
breath
of
Ausonian
breezes
?
Within
that
sweet
and
stately
residence
,
dwells
there
not
a
maiden
fair
enough
to
revive
chivalry
;
who
is
even
now
thinking
of
him
as
she
leans
on
her
pensive
hand
,
or
if
perchance
she
dream
,
recalls
him
in
her
visions
?
And
himself
,
is
he
one
who
would
cry
craven
with
such
a
lot
!
What
avail
his
golden
youth
,
his
high
blood
,
his
daring
and
devising
spirit
,
and
all
his
stores
of
wisdom
,
if
they
help
not
now
!
Does
not
he
feel
the
energy
divine
that
can
confront
fate
and
carve
out
fortunes
?
Besides
it
is
nigh
Midsummer
Eve
,
and
what
should
fairies
reign
for
,
but
to
aid
such
a
bright
pair
as
this
?
He
recalls
a
thousand
times
the
scene
,
the
moment
,
in
which
but
a
few
hours
past
,
he
dared
to
tell
her
that
he
loved
;
he
recalls
a
thousand
times
the
still
,
small
voice
,
that
murmured
her
agitated
felicity
;
more
than
a
thousand
times
,
for
his
heart
clenched
the
idea
as
a
diver
grasps
a
gem
,
he
recalls
the
enraptured
yet
gentle
embrace
,
that
had
sealed
upon
her
blushing
cheek
his
mystical
and
delicious
sovereignty
.
CHAPTER
VIII
.
The
morning
broke
lowering
and
thunderous
;
small
white
clouds
,
dull
and
immovable
,
studded
the
leaden
sky
;
the
waters
of
the
rushing
Darl
seemed
to
have
become
black
and
almost
stagnant
;
the
terraces
of
Hellingsley
looked
like
the
hard
lines
of
a
model
;
and
the
mansion
itself
had
a
harsh
and
metallic
character
.
Before
the
chief
portal
of
his
Hall
,
the
elder
Millbank
,
with
an
air
of
some
anxiety
,
surveyed
the
landscape
and
the
heavens
,
as
if
he
were
speculating
on
the
destiny
of
the
day
.
Often
his
eye
wandered
over
the
partk
;
often
with
an
uneasy
and
restless
step
he
paced
the
raised
walk
before
him
.
The
clock
of
Hellingsley
church
had
given
the
chimes
of
noon
.
His
son
and
Coningsby
appeared
at
the
end
of
one
of
the
avenues
.
His
eye
lightened
;
his
lip
became
compressed
;
he
advanced
to
meet
them
.
"
Are
you
going
to
fish
to-day
,
Oswald
?
"
he
inquired
of
his
son
.
"
We
had
some
thoughts
of
it
,
sir
.
"
"
A
fine
day
for
sport
,
I
should
think
,
"
he
observed
as
he
turned
towards
the
Hall
with
them
.
Coningsby
remarked
the
fanciful
beauty
of
the
portal
;
its
twisted
columns
,
and
Caryatides
carved
in
dark
oak
.
"
Yes
,
it
's
very
well
,
"
said
Millbank
,
"
but
I
really
do
not
know
why
I
came
here
;
my
presence
is
an
effort
.
Oswald
does
not
care
for
the
place
;
none
of
us
do
,
I
believe
.
"
"
Oh
!
I
like
it
now
father
;
and
Edith
dotes
on
it
.
"
"
She
was
very
happy
at
Millbank
,
"
said
the
father
rather
sharply
.
"
We
are
all
of
us
happy
at
Millbank
,
"
said
Oswald
.
"
I
was
much
struck
with
the
valley
and
the
whole
settlement
when
I
first
saw
it
,
"
said
Coningsby
.
"
Suppose
you
go
and
see
about
the
tackle
,
Oswald
,
"
said
Mr.
Millbank
,
"
and
Mr.
Coningsby
and
I
will
take
a
stroll
on
the
terrace
in
the
meantime
.
"
The
habit
of
obedience
which
was
supreme
in
this
family
instantly
carried
Oswald
away
,
though
he
was
rather
puzzled
why
his
father
should
be
so
particularly
anxious
about
the
preparation
of
the
fishing
tackle
,
as
he
very
rarely
used
it
.
His
son
had
no
sooner
departed
than
Mr.
Millbank
turned
to
Coningsby
and
said
very
abruptly
.
"
You
have
never
seen
my
own
room
here
,
Mr.
Coningsby
;
step
in
;
for
I
wish
to
say
a
word
or
two
to
you
.
"
And
thus
speaking
,
he
advanced
before
the
astonished
,
and
rather
agitated
Coningsby
,
and
led
the
way
through
a
door
and
long
passage
to
a
room
of
moderate
dimensions
,
partly
furnished
as
a
library
,
and
full
of
parliamentary
papers
and
blue
books
.
Shutting
the
door
with
some
earnestness
and
pointing
to
a
chair
,
he
begged
his
guest
to
be
seated
.
Both
in
their
chairs
,
Mr.
Millbank
clearing
his
throat
,
said
without
preface
,
"
I
have
reason
to
believe
,
Mr.
Coningsby
,
that
you
are
attached
to
my
daughter
.
"
"
I
have
been
attached
to
her
for
a
long
time
;
most
ardently
,
"
replied
Coningsby
in
a
calm
and
rather
measured
tone
,
but
looking
very
pale
.
"
And
I
have
reason
to
believe
that
she
returns
your
attachment
,
"
said
Mr.
Millbank
.
"
I
believe
she
deigns
—
not
to
disregard
it
,
"
said
Coningsby
,
his
white
cheek
becoming
scarlet
.
"
It
is
then
a
mutual
attachment
,
which
if
cherished
,
must
produce
mutual
unhappiness
,
"
said
Mr.
Millbank
.
"
I
would
fain
believe
the
reverse
,
"
said
Coningsby
.
"
Why
?
"
inquired
Mr.
Millbank
.
"
Because
I
believe
she
possesses
every
charm
,
quality
and
virtue
,
that
can
bless
man
;
and
because
,
though
I
can
make
her
no
equivalent
return
,
I
have
a
heart
,
if
I
know
myself
,
that
would
struggle
to
deserve
her
.
"
"
I
know
you
to
be
a
man
of
sense
;
I
believe
you
to
be
a
man
of
honour
,
"
replied
Mr.
Millbank
.
"
As
the
first
,
you
must
feel
that
an
union
between
you
and
my
daughter
is
impossible
;
what
then
should
be
your
duty
as
a
man
of
correct
principle
is
obvious
.
"
"
I
could
conceive
that
our
union
might
be
attended
with
difficulties
,
"
said
Coningsby
in
a
somewhat
deprecating
tone
.
"
Sir
,
it
is
impossible
,
"
repeated
Mr.
Millbank
interrupting
him
though
not
with
harshness
,
"
that
is
to
say
there
is
no
conceivable
marriage
which
could
be
effected
at
greater
sacrifices
,
and
which
would
occasion
greater
misery
.
"
"
The
sacrifices
are
more
apparent
to
me
than
the
misery
,
"
said
Coningsby
,
"
and
even
they
may
be
imaginary
.
"
"
The
sacrifices
and
the
misery
are
certain
and
inseparable
,
"
said
Mr.
Millbank
.
"
Come
now
,
see
how
we
stand
!
I
speak
without
reserve
,
for
this
is
a
subject
which
cannot
permit
misconceptions
,
but
with
no
feeling
towards
you
,
sir
,
but
fair
and
very
friendly
ones
.
You
are
the
grandson
of
my
Lord
Monmouth
;
at
present
enjoying
his
favour
,
but
dependent
on
his
bounty
.
You
may
be
the
heir
of
his
wealth
to-morrow
,
and
to-morrow
you
may
be
the
object
of
his
hatred
and
persecution
.
Your
grandfather
and
myself
are
foes
:
bitter
,
irreclaimable
,
to
the
death
.
It
is
idle
to
mince
phrases
;
I
do
not
vindicate
our
mutual
feelings
,
I
may
regret
that
they
have
ever
arisen
;
I
may
regret
it
especially
at
this
exigency
.
They
are
not
the
feelings
of
good
Christians
;
they
may
be
altogether
to
be
deplored
and
unjustifiable
;
but
they
exist
,
mutually
exist
;
and
have
not
been
confined
to
words
.
Lord
Monmouth
would
crush
me
had
he
the
power
,
like
a
worm
;
and
I
have
curbed
his
proud
fortunes
often
.
Were
it
not
for
this
feeling
,
I
should
not
be
here
;
I
purchased
this
estate
merely
to
annoy
him
,
as
I
have
done
a
thousand
other
acts
merely
for
his
discomfiture
and
mortification
.
In
our
long
encounter
I
have
done
him
infinitely
more
injury
than
he
could
do
me
;
I
have
been
on
the
spot
,
I
am
active
,
vigilant
,
the
maker
of
my
fortunes
.
He
is
an
Epicurean
,
continually
in
foreign
parts
,
obliged
to
leave
the
fulfilment
of
his
will
to
others
.
But
for
these
very
reasons
his
hate
is
more
intense
.
I
can
afford
to
hate
him
less
than
he
hates
me
—
I
have
injured
him
more
.
Here
are
feelings
to
exist
between
human
beings
!
But
they
do
exist
—
and
now
you
are
to
go
to
this
man
,
and
ask
his
sanction
to
marry
my
daughter
!
"
"
But
I
would
appease
these
hatreds
;
I
would
allay
these
dark
passions
,
the
origin
of
which
I
know
not
,
but
which
never
could
justify
the
end
,
and
which
lead
to
so
much
misery
.
I
would
appeal
to
my
grandfather
—
I
would
show
him
Edith
.
"
"
He
has
looked
upon
as
fair
even
as
Edith
,
"
said
Mr.
Millbank
rising
suddenly
from
his
seat
,
and
pacing
the
room
,
"
and
did
that
melt
his
heart
?
The
experience
of
your
own
lot
should
have
guarded
you
from
the
perils
that
you
have
so
rashly
meditated
encountering
,
and
the
misery
which
you
have
been
preparing
for
others
besides
yourself
.
Is
my
daughter
to
be
treated
like
your
mother
?
And
by
the
same
hand
?
Your
mother
's
family
were
not
Lord
Monmouth
's
foes
.
They
were
simple
and
innocent
people
,
free
from
all
the
bad
passions
of
our
nature
,
and
ignorant
of
the
world
's
ways
.
But
because
they
were
not
noble
,
because
they
could
trace
no
mystified
descent
from
a
foreign
invader
or
the
sacrilegious
minion
of
some
spoliating
despot
,
their
daughter
was
hunted
from
the
family
which
should
have
exulted
to
receive
her
,
and
the
land
of
which
she
was
the
native
ornament
.
Why
should
a
happier
lot
await
you
than
fell
to
your
parents
?
You
are
in
the
same
position
as
your
father
;
you
meditate
the
same
act
.
The
only
difference
being
aggravating
circumstances
in
your
case
,
which
even
if
I
were
a
member
of
the
same
order
as
my
Lord
Monmouth
,
would
prevent
the
possibility
of
a
prosperous
union
.
Marry
Edith
,
and
you
blast
all
the
prospects
of
your
life
,
and
entail
on
her
a
sense
of
unceasing
humiliation
.
Would
you
do
this
?
Should
I
permit
you
to
do
this
?
"
Coningsby
with
his
head
resting
on
his
arm
his
face
a
little
shaded
,
his
eyes
fixed
on
the
ground
,
listened
in
silence
.
There
was
a
pause
;
broken
by
Coningsby
,
as
in
a
low
voice
,
with
out
changing
his
posture
or
raising
his
glance
,
he
said
:
"
It
seems
,
sir
,
that
you
were
acquainted
with
my
mother
?
"
"
I
knew
sufficient
of
her
,
"
replied
Mr.
Millbank
with
a
kindling
cheek
,
"
to
learn
the
misery
that
a
woman
may
entail
on
herself
by
marrying
out
of
her
condition
.
I
have
bred
my
children
in
a
respect
for
their
class
.
I
believe
they
have
imbibed
my
feeling
;
though
it
is
strange
how
in
the
commerce
of
the
world
,
chance
,
in
their
friendships
,
has
apparently
baffled
my
designs
.
"
"
Oh
!
do
not
say
it
is
chance
,
sir
,
"
said
Coningsby
looking
up
,
and
speaking
with
much
fervour
.
"
The
feelings
that
animate
me
towards
your
family
are
not
the
feelings
of
chance
:
they
are
the
creation
of
sympathy
;
tried
by
time
,
tested
by
thought
.
And
must
they
perish
?
Can
they
perish
?
They
were
inevitable
;
they
are
indestructible
.
Yes
,
sir
,
it
is
in
vain
to
speak
of
the
enmities
that
are
fostered
between
you
and
my
grandfather
;
the
love
that
exists
between
your
daughter
and
myself
is
stronger
than
all
your
hatreds
.
"
"
You
speak
like
a
young
man
,
and
a
young
man
that
is
in
love
,
"
said
Mr.
Millbank
.
"
This
is
mere
rhapsody
;
it
will
vanish
in
an
instant
before
the
reality
of
life
.
And
you
have
arrived
at
that
reality
,
"
he
continued
,
speaking
with
emphasis
,
leaning
over
the
back
of
his
chair
and
looking
steadily
at
Coningsby
with
his
grey
,
sagacious
eye
,
"
My
daughter
and
yourself
can
meet
no
more
.
"
"
It
is
impossible
you
can
be
so
cruel
!
"
exclaimed
Coningsby
.
"
So
kind
;
kind
to
you
both
;
for
I
wish
to
be
kind
to
you
as
well
as
to
her
.
You
are
entitled
to
kindness
from
us
all
;
though
I
will
tell
you
now
,
that
,
years
ago
,
when
the
news
arrived
that
my
son
's
life
had
been
saved
,
and
had
been
saved
by
one
who
bore
the
name
of
Coningsby
,
I
had
a
presentiment
great
as
was
the
blessing
,
that
it
might
lead
to
unhappiness
.
"
"
I
can
answer
for
the
misery
of
one
,
"
said
Coningsby
,
in
a
tone
of
great
despondency
.
"
I
feel
as
if
my
sun
were
set
.
Oh
!
why
should
there
be
such
wretchedness
!
Why
are
there
family
hatreds
and
party
feuds
!
Why
am
I
the
most
wretched
of
men
!
"
"
My
good
young
friend
,
you
will
live
I
doubt
not
to
be
a
very
happy
one
.
Happiness
is
not
as
we
are
apt
to
fancy
entirely
dependent
on
these
contingencies
.
It
is
the
lot
of
most
men
to
endure
what
you
are
now
suffering
,
and
they
can
look
back
to
such
conjunctures
through
the
vista
of
years
with
calmness
.
"
"
I
may
see
Edith
now
?
"
