the daisy chain, or aspirations-第130章

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〃Well；　we　shall　get　her　home　as　soon　as　she　is　able　to　move；　and　I
hope　it　may　soothe　her。　　What　a　turmoil　it　is！　　There　has　not　been
one　moment　without　noise　in　the　twenty…two　hours　I　have　been　here！〃

〃What　would　you　say　if　you　were　in　the　city？〃

〃Ah！　there's　no　talking　of　it；　but　if　I　had　been　a　fashionable　London
physician；　as　my　father…in…law　wanted　to　make　me；　I　should　have　been
dead　long　ago！〃

〃No；　I　think　you　would　have　liked　it　very　much。〃

〃Why？〃

〃Love's　a　flower　that　will　not　die；〃　repeated　Meta；　half　smiling。
〃You　would　have　found　so　much　good　to　do〃

〃And　so　much　misery　to　rend　one's　heart；〃　said　Dr。　May。　　〃But；　after
all；　I　suppose　there　is　only　a　certain　capacity　of　feeling。〃

〃It　is　within；　not　without；　as　you　said；〃　returned　Meta。

〃Ha；　there's　another！〃　cried　Dr。　May；　almost　petulant　at　the　sound　of
the　bell　again；　breaking　into　the　conversation　that　was　a　great
refreshment。

〃It　was　Sir　Henry　Walkinghame's　ring；〃　said　Meta。　　〃It　is　always　his
time　of　day。〃

The　doctor　did　not　like　it　the　better。

Sir　Henry　sent　up　a　message　to　ask　whether　he　could　see　Mr。　or　Miss
Rivers。

〃I　suppose　we　must；〃　said　Meta；　looking　at　the　doctor。　　〃Lady
Walkinghame　must　be　anxious　about　Flora。〃

She　blushed　greatly；　fancying　that　Dr。　May　was　putting　his　own
construction　on　the　heightened　colour　which　she　could　not　control。
Sir　Henry　came　in；　just　what　he　ought　to　be；　kindly　anxious；　but　not
overwhelming；　and　with　a　ready；　pleased　recognition　of　the　doctor；　as
an　old　acquaintance　of　his　boyhood。　　He　did　not　stay　many　minutes；
but　there　was　a　perceptible　difference　between　his　real　sympathy　and
friendly　regard　only　afraid　of　obtruding；　and　the　oppressive
curiosity　of　their　former　visitors。　　Dr。　May　felt　it　due；　both　from
kindness　and　candour；　to　say　something　in　his　praise　when　he　was
gone。

〃That　is　a　sensible　superior　man；〃　he　said。　〃He　will　be　an
acquisition　when　he　takes　up　his　abode　at　Drydale。〃

〃Yes；〃　said　Meta；　a　very　simple　yes；　from　which　nothing　could　be
gathered。

The　funeral　was　fixed　for　Monday；　the　next　day　but　one；　at　the　church
where　Mr。　Rivers　had　been　buried。　　No　one　was　invited　to　be　present；
Ethel　wrote　that；　much　as　she　wished　it；　she　could　not　leave
Margaret；　and；　as　the　whole　party　were　to　return　home　on　the
following　day；　they　should　soon　see　Flora。

Flora　had　laid　aside　all　privileges　of　illness　after　the　first　day；
she　came　downstairs　to　breakfast　and　dinner；　and　though　looking
wretchedly　ill；　and　speaking　very　low　and　feebly；　she　was　as　much　as
ever　the　mistress　of　her　house。　　Her　father　could　never　draw　her　into
conversation　again　on　the　subject　nearest　his　heart；　and　could　only
draw　the　sad　conclusion　that　her　state　of　mind　was　unchanged；　from
the　dreary　indifference　with　which　she　allowed　every　word　of　cheer　to
pass　by　unheeded；　as　if　she　could　not　bear　to　look　beyond　the　grave。
He　had　some　hope　in　the　funeral；　which　she　was　bent　on　attending；　and
more　in　the　influence　of　Margaret；　and　the　counsel　of　Richard；　or　of
Mr。　Wllmot。

The　burial；　however；　failed　to　bring　any　peaceful　comfort　to　the
mourning　mother。　　Meta's　tears　flowed　freely；　as　much　for　her　father
as　for　her　little　niece；　and　George's　sobs　were　deep　and　choking；　but
Flora；　externally；　only　seemed　absorbed　in　helping　him　to　go　through
with　it；　she；　herself；　never　lost　her　fixed；　composed；　hopeless　look。

After　her　return；　she　went　up　to　the　nursery；　and　deliberately　set
apart　and　locked　up　every　possession　of　her　child's；　then；　coming
down；　startled　Meta　by　laying　her　hand　on　her　shoulder　and　saying；
〃Meta；　dear；　Preston　is　in　the　housekeeper's　room。　　Will　you　go　and
speak　to　her　for　a　moment；　to　reassure　her　before　I　come？〃

〃Oh；　Flora！〃

〃I　sent　for　her；〃　said　Flora；　in　answer。　　〃I　thought　it　would　be　a
good　opportunity　while　George　is　out。　　Will　you　be　kind　enough　to
prepare　her；　my　dear？〃

Meta　wondered　how　Flora　had　known　whither　to　send；　but　she　could　not
but　obey。　　Poor　Preston　was　an　ordinary　sort　of　woman；　kind…hearted；
and　not　without　a　conscience；　but　her　error　had　arisen　from　the　want
of　any　high　religious　principle　to　teach　her　obedience；　or　sincerity。
Her　grief　was　extreme；　and　she　had　been　so　completely　overcome　by　the
forbearance　and　consideration　shown　to　her；　that　she　was　even　more
broken…hearted　by　the　thought　of　them；　than　by　the　terrible　calamity
she　had　occasioned。

Kind…hearted　Mrs。　Larpent　had　tried　to　console　her；　as　well　as　to
turn　the　misfortune　to　the　best　account；　and　Dr。　May　had　once　seen
her；　and　striven　gently　to　point　out　the　true　evil　of　the　course　she
had　pursued。　　She　was　now　going　to　her　home；　and　they　augured　better
of　her；　that　she　had　been　as　yet　too　utterly　downcast　to　say　one　word
of　that　first　thought　with　a　servant；　her　character。

Meta　found　her　sobbing　uncontrollably　at　the　associations　of　her
master's　house；　and　dreadfully　frightened　at　hearing　that　she　was　to
see　Mrs。　Rivers；　she　began　to　entreat　to　the　contrary　with　the
vehemence　of　a　person　unused　to　any　self…government；　but；　in　the
midst；　the　low　calm　tones　were　heard；　and　her　mistress　stood　before
herher　perfect　stillness　of　demeanour　far　more　effective　in
repressing　agitation；　than　had　been　Meta's　coaxing　attempts　to
soothe。

〃You　need　not　be　afraid　to　see　me；　Preston；〃　said　Flora　kindly。　　〃I
am　very　sorry　for　youyou　knew　no　better；　and　I　should　not　have　left
so　much　to　you。〃

〃Oh；　ma'amso　kindthe　dear；　dear　little　darlingI　shall　never
forgive　myself。〃

〃I　know　you　did　love　her；〃　continued　Flora。　　〃I　am　sure　you　intended
no　harm；　and　it　was　my　leaving　her　that　made　her　fretful。〃

Preston　tried　to　thank。

〃Only　remember　henceforth〃and　the　clear　tone　grew　fainter　than　ever
with　internal　anguish；　though　still　steady〃remember　strict
obedience　and　truth　henceforth；　the　want　of　them　will　have　worse
results　by　and　by　than　even　this。　　Now；　Preston；　I　shall　always　wish
you　well。　　I　ought　not；　I　believe；　to　recommend　you　to　the　like
place；　without　saying　why　you　left　me；　but　for　any　other　I　will　give
you　a　fair　character。　　I　will　see　what　I　can　do　for　you；　and　if　you
are　ever　in　any　distress；　I　hope　you　will　let　me　know。　　Have　your
wages　been　paid？〃

There　was　a　sound　in　the　affirmative；　but　poor　Preston　could　not
speak。　　〃Good…bye；　then；〃　and　Flora　took　her　hand　and　shook　it。
〃Mind　you　let　me　hear　if　you　want　help。　　Keep　this。〃

Meta　was　a　little　disappointed　to　see　sovereigns　instead　of　a　book。
Flora　turned　to　go；　and　put　her　hand　out　to　lean　on　her　sister　as　for
support；　she　stood　still　to　gather　strength　before　ascending　the
stairs；　and　a　groan　of　intense　misery　was　wrung　from　her。

〃Dearest　Flora；　it　has　been　too　much！〃

〃No；〃　said　Flora　gently。

〃Poor　thing；　I　am　glad　for　her　sake。　　But　might　she　not　have　a　book
a　Bible？〃

〃You　may　give　her　one；　if　you　like。　　I　could　not。〃

Flora　reached　her　own　room；　went　in；　and　bolted　the　door。




CHAPTER　XXI。



Oh；　where　dwell　ye；　my　ain　sweet　bairns？
　　I'm　woe　and　weary　grown！
Oh；　Lady；　we　live　where　woe　never　is；
　　In　a　land　to　flesh　unknown。ALLAN　CUNNINGHAM。


It　had　been　with　a　gentle　sorrow　that　Etheldred　had　expected　to　go
and　lay　in　her　resting…place；　the　little　niece；　who　had　been　kept
from　the　evil　of　the　world；　in　a　manner　of　which　she　had　little
dreamt。　　Poor　Flora！　she　must　be　ennobled；　she　thought；　by　having　a
child　where　hers　is；　when　she　is　able　to　feel　anything　but　the　first
grief；　and　Ethel's　heart　yearned　to　be　trying；　at　least；　to　comfort
her；　and　to　be　with　her　father；　who　had　loved　his　grandchild　so
fondly。

It　was　not　to　be。　　Margaret　had　borne　so　many　shocks　with　such
calmness；　that　Ethel　had　no　especial　fears　for　her；　but　there　are
some　persons　who　have　less　fortitude　for　others　than　for　themselves；
and　she　was　one　of　these。　　Ethel　had　been　her　own　companion…sister；
and　the　baby　had　been　the　sunbeam　of　her　life；　during　the　sad　winter
and　spring。

In　the　middle　of　the　night；　Ethel　knocked　at　Richard's　door。
Margaret　had　been　seized　with　faintness；　from　which　they　could　not
bring　her　back；　and；　even　when　Richard　had　summoned　Dr。　Spencer；　it
was　long　ere　his　remedies　took　effect；　but；　at　last；　she　revived
enough　to　thank　them；　and　say　she　was　glad　that　papa　was　not　there。

Dr。　Spencer　sent　them　all　to　bed；　and　the　rest　of　the　night　was
quiet；　but　Margaret　could　not　deny；　in　the　morning；　that　she　felt
terribly　shattered；　and　she　was　depressed　in　spirits　to　a　degree　such
as　they　had　never　seen　in　her　before。　　Her　whole　heart　was　with
Flora；　she　was　unhappy　at　being　at　a　distance　from　her；　almost
fretfully　impatient　for　letters；　and　insisting　vehemently　on　Ethel's
going　to　London。

Ethel　had　never　felt　so　helpless　and　desolate；　as　with　Margaret　thus
changed　and　broken；　and　her　father　absent。

〃My　dear；〃　said　Dr。　Spencer；　〃nothing　can　be　better　for　both　parties
than　that　he　should　be　away。　　If　he　were　here；　he　ought　to　leave　all
attendance　to　me；　and　she　would　suffer　from　the　sight　of　his
distress。〃

〃I　cannot　think　what　he　will　do　or　feel！〃　sighed　Ethel。

〃Leave　it　to　me。　　I　will　write　to　him；　and　we　shall　see　her　better
before　post　time。〃

〃You　will　tell　him　exactly　how　it　was；　or　I　shall；〃　said　Ethel
abruptly；　not　to　say　fiercely。

〃Ho！　you　don't　trust　me？〃　said　Dr。　Spencer；　smiling；　so　that　she　was
ashamed　of　her　speech。　　〃You　shall　speak　for　yourself；　and　I　for
myself；　and　I　shall　say　that　nothing　would　so　much　hurt　her　as　to
have　others　sacrificed　to　her。〃

〃That　is　true；〃　said　Ethel；　〃but　she　misses　papa。〃

〃Of　course　she　does；　but；　depend　on　it；　she　would　not　have　him　leave
your　sister；　and　she　is　under　less　restraint　without　him。〃

〃I　never　saw　her　like　this！〃

〃The　drop　has　made　it　overflow。　　She　has　repressed　more　than　was　good
for　her；　and　now　that　her　guard　is　broken　down；　she　gives　way　under
the　whole　weight。〃

〃Poor　Margaret！　　I　am　pertinacious；　but；　if　she　is　not　better　by　post
time；　papa　will　not　bear　to　be　away。〃

〃I'll　tell　you　what　I　think　of　her　by　that　time。　　Send　up　your
brother　Richard；　if　you　wish　to　do　her　good。　　Richard　would　be　a　much
better　person　to　write　than　yourself。　　I　perceive　that　he　is　the
reasonable　member　of　the　family。〃

〃Did　not　you　know　that　before？〃

〃All　I　knew　of　him；　till　last　night；　was；　that　no　one　could；　by　any
possibility；　call　him　Dick。〃

Dr。　Spencer　was　glad　to　have　dismissed　Ethel　smiling；　and　she　was　the
better　able　to　bear　with　poor　Margaret's　condition　of　petulance。　　She
had　never　before　experienced　the　effects　of　bodily　ailments　on　the
temper；　and　she　was　slow　to　understand　the　change　in　one　usually　so
patient　and　submissive。　　She　was；　by　turns；　displeased　with　her
sister　and　with　her　own　abruptness；　but；　though　she　knew　it　not；　her
bluntness　had　a　bracing　effect。　　She　thought　she　had　been　cross　in
declaring　it　was　nonsense　to　harp　on　her　going　to　London；　but　it　made
Margaret　feel　that　she　had　been　unreasonable；　and　keep　silence。

Richard　managed　her　much　better；　being　gentle　and　firm；　and　less
ready　to　speak　than　Ethel；　and　he　succeeded　in　composing　her　into　a
sleep；　which　restored　her　balance；　and　so　relieved　Ethel；　that　she
not　only　allowed　Dr。　Spencer　to　say　what　he　pleased；　but　herself