the daisy chain, or aspirations-第128章

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apartments；　fiercely　indignant。　　〃Well！〃　said　he；　advancing　eagerly
on　Dr。　May；　〃has　she　confessed？〃

〃But　Flora！〃　said　Dr。　May；　instead　of　answering　him。　　Flora　lay　on
her　bed；　her　face　hidden　on　her　pillow；　only　now　and　then　moaning。

〃Flora；　my　poor；　poor　child！〃　said　her　father；　bending　down　to　raise
her；　and　taking　her　hand。

She　moved　away；　so　as　to　bury　her　face　more　completely；　but　there　was
life　in　the　movement；　and　he　was　sufficiently　reassured　on　her
situation　to　be　able　to　attend　to　George；　who　was　only　impatient　to
rush　off　to　take　his　revenge。　　He　led　him　into　the　outer　room；　where
Meta　was　waiting；　and　forced　upon　his　unwilling　conviction　that　it
was　no　case　for　the　law。　　The　child　had　not　been　killed　by　any　one
dose；　but　had　rather　sunk　from　the　want　of　stimulus；　to　which　she　had
been　accustomed。　　As　to　any　pity　for　the　woman；　George　would　not　hear
of　it。　　She　was　still；　in　his　eyes；　the　destroyer　of　bis　child；　and；
when　he　found　the　law　would　afford　him　no　vengeance；　he　insisted　that
she　should　be　turned　out　of　his　house　at　once。

〃George！〃　called　a　hollow　voice　from　the　next　room；　and　hurrying
back；　they　saw　Flora　sitting　up；　and；　as　well　as　trembling　limbs
allowed；　endeavouring　to　rise　to　her　feet；　while　burning　spots　were
in　her　cheeks。

〃George；　turn　me　out　of　the　house　too！　　If　Preston　killed　her；　I
did！〃　and　she　gave　a　ghastly　laugh。

George　threw　his　arms　round　her；　and　laid　her　on　her　bed　again；　with
many　fond　words；　and　strength　which　she　had　not　power　to　withstand。
Dr。　May；　in　the　meantime；　spoke　quickly　to　Meta　in　the　doorway。　　〃She
must　go。　　They　cannot　see　her　again；　but　has　she　any　friends　in
London？〃

〃I　think　not。〃

〃Find　out。　　She　must　not　be　sent　adrift。　　　Send　her　to　the　Grange；　if
nothing　better　offers。　　You　must　judge。〃

He　felt　that　he　could　confide　in　Meta's　discretion　and　promptitude；
and　returned　to　the　parents。

〃Is　she　gone？〃　said　George；　in　a　whisper；　which　he　meant　should　be
unheard　by　his　wife；　who　had　sunk　her　face　in　her　pillows　again。

〃Going。　　Meta　is　seeing　to　it。〃

〃And　that　woman　gets　off　free！〃　cried　George；　〃while　my　poor　little
girl〃　and；　no　longer　occupied　by　the　hope　of　retribution；　he　gave
way　to　an　overpowering　burst　of　grief。

His　wife　did　not　rouse　herself　to　comfort　him；　but　still　lay
motionless；　excepting　for　a　convulsive　movement　that　passed　over　her
frame　at　each　sound　from　him；　and　her　father　felt　her　pulse　bound　at
the　same　time　with　corresponding　violence；　as　if　each　of　his　deep…
drawn　sobs　were　a　mortal　thrust。　　Going　to　him；　Dr。　May　endeavoured
to　repress　his　agitation；　and　lead　him　from　the　room；　but　he　could
not；　at　first；　prevail　on　him　to　listen　or　understand；　still　less；　to
quit　Flora。　　The　attempt　to　force　on　him　the　perception　that　his
uncontrolled　sorrow　was　injuring　her；　and　that　he　ought　to　bear　up
for　her　sake；　only　did　further　harm；　for；　when　he　rose　up　and　tried
to　caress　her；　there　was　the　same　torpid；　passive　resistance；　the
same　burying　her　face　from　the　light；　and　the　only　betrayal　of
consciousness　in　the　agonised　throbs　of　her　pulse。

He　became　excessively　distressed　at　being　thus　repelled；　and；　at
last；　yielded　to　the　impatient　signals　of　Dr。　May；　who　drew　him　into
the　next　room；　and；　with　brief；　strong；　though　most　affectionate　and
pitying　words；　enforced　on　him　that　Flora's　brainnay；　her　life；　was
risked；　and　that　he　must　leave　her　alone　to　his　care　for　the　present。
Meta　coming　back　at　the　same　moment；　Dr。　May　put　him　in　her　charge；
with　renewed　orders　to　impress　on　him　how　much　depended　on
tranquillity。

Dr。　May　went　back；　with　his　soft；　undisturbing；　physician's　footfall；
and　stood　at　the　side　of　the　bed；　in　such　intense　anxiety　as　those
only　can　endure　who　know　how　to　pray；　and　to　pray　in　resignation　and
faith。

All　was　still　in　the　darkening　twilight；　but　the　distant　roar　of　the
world　surged　without；　and　a　gaslight　shone　flickering　through　the
branches　of　the　trees；　and　fell　on　the　rich　dress　spread　on　the
couch；　and　the　ornaments　on　the　toilet…table。　　There　was　a　sense　of
oppression；　and　of　being　pursued　by　the　incongruous　world；　and　Dr。
May　sighed　to　silence　all　around；　and　see　his　poor　daughter　in　the
calm　of　her　own　country　air；　but　she　had　chosen　for　herself；　and　here
she　lay；　stricken　down　in　the　midst　of　the　prosperity　that　she　had
sought。

He　could　hear　every　respiration；　tightened　and　almost　sobbing；　and　he
was　hesitating　whether　to　run　the　risk　of　addressing　her；　when；　as　if
it　had　occurred　to　her　suddenly　that　she　was　alone　and　deserted；　she
raised　up　her　head　with　a　startled　movement；　but；　as　she　saw　him；　she
again　hid　her　face；　as　if　his　presence　were　still　more　intolerable
than　solitude。

〃Flora！　my　own；　my　dearestmy　poor　child！　you　should　not　turn　from
me。　　Do　I　not　carry　with　me　the　like　self…reproachful　conviction？〃

Flora　let　him　turn　her　face　towards　him　and　kiss　her　forehead。　　It
was　burning；　and　he　brought　water　and　bathed　it；　now　and　then
speaking　a　few　fond；　low；　gentle　words；　which；　though　she　did　not
respond；　evidently　had　some　soothing　effect；　for　she　admitted　his
services；　still；　however；　keeping　her　eyes　closed；　and　her　face
turned　towards　the　darkest　side　of　the　room。　　When　he　went　towards
the　door；　she　murmured；　〃Papa！〃　as　if　to　detain　him。

〃I　am　not　going；　darling。　　I　only　wanted　to　speak　to　George。〃

〃Don't　let　him　come！〃　said　Flora。

〃Not　till　you　wish　it；　my　dear。〃

George's　step　was　heard；　his　hand　was　on　the　lock；　and　again　Dr。　May
was　conscious　of　the　sudden　rush　of　blood　through　all　her　veins。　　He
quickly　went　forward；　met　him；　and　shut　him　out；　persuading　him；　with
difficulty；　to　remain　outside；　and　giving　him　the　occupation　of
sending　out　for　an　anodynesince　the　best　hope；　at　present；　lay　in
encouraging　the　torpor　that　had　benumbed　her　crushed　faculties。

Her　father　would　not　even　venture　to　rouse　her　to　be　undressed；　he
gave　her　the　medicine；　and　let　her　lie　still；　with　as　little　movement
as　possible；　standing　by　till　her　regular　breathings　showed　that　she
had　sunk　into　a　sleep；　when　he　went　into　the　other　room　and　found
that　George　had　also　forgotten　his　sorrows　in　slumber　on　the　sofa；
while　Meta　sat　sadly　presiding　over　the　tea　equipage。

She　came　up　to　meet　him；　her　question　expressed　in　her　looks。

〃Asleep；〃　he　said；　〃I　hope　the　pulses　are　quieter。　　All　depends　on
her　wakening。〃

〃Poor；　poor　Flora！〃　said　Meta；　wiping　away　her　tears。

〃What　have　you　done　with　the　woman？〃

〃I　sent　her　to　Mrs。　Larpent's。　　I　knew　she　would　receive　her　and　keep
her　till　she　could　write　to　her　friends。　　Bellairs　took　her；　but　I
could　hardly　speak　to　her〃

〃She　did　it　ignorantly；〃　said　Dr。　May。

〃I　could　never　be　so　merciful　and　forbearing　as　you；〃　said　Meta。

〃Ah！　my　dear；　you　will　never　have　the　same　cause！〃

They　could　say　no　more；　for　George　awoke；　and　the　argument　of　his
exclusion　had　to　be　gone　through　again。　　He　could　not　enter　into　it
by　any　means；　and　when　Dr。　May　would　have　made　him　understand　that
poor　Flora　could　not　acquit　herself　of　neglect；　and　that　even　his
affection　was　too　painful　for　her　in　the　present　state；　he　broke　into
a　vehement　angry　defence　of　her　devotion　to　her　child；　treating　Dr。
May　as　if　the　accusation　came　from　him；　and　when　the　doctor　and　Meta
had　persuaded　him　out　of　this；　he　next　imagined　that　his　father…in…
law　feared　that　he　was　going　to　reproach　his　wife；　and　there　was　no
making　him　comprehend　more　than　that；　if　she　were　not　kept　quiet；　she
might　have　a　serious　illness。

Even　then　he　insisted　on　going　to　look　at　her；　and　Dr。　May　could　not
prevent　him　from　pressing　his　lips　to　her　forehead。　　She　half　opened
her　eyes；　and　murmured　〃good…night；〃　and　by　this　he　was　a　little
comforted；　but　he　would　hear　of　nothing　but　sitting　up；　and　Meta
would　have　done　the　same；　but　for　an　absolute　decree　of　the　doctor。

It　was　a　relief　to　Dr。　May　that　George's　vigil　soon　became　a　sound
repose　on　the　sofa　in　the　dressing…room；　and　he　was　left　to　read　and
muse　uninterruptedly。

It　was　far　past　two　o'clock　before　there　was　any　movement；　then　Flora
drew　a　long　breath；　stirred；　and；　as　her　father　came　and　drew　her
hand　into　his；　before　she　was　well　awake；　she　gave　a　long；　wondering
whisper；　〃Oh；　papa！　papa！〃　then　sitting　up；　and　passing　her　hand　over
her　eyes；　〃Is　it　all　true？〃

〃It　is　true；　my　own　poor　dear；〃　said　Dr。　May；　supporting　her；　as　she
rested　against　his　arm；　and　hid　her　face　on　his　shoulder；　while　her
breath　came　short；　and　she　shivered　under　the　renewed　perception
〃she　is　gone　to　wait　for　you。〃

〃Hush！　　Oh；　don't！　papa！〃　said　Flora；　her　voice　shortened　by　anguish。
〃Oh；　think　why〃

〃Nay；　Flora；　do　not；　do　not　speak　as　if　that　should　exclude　peace　or
hope！〃　said　Dr。　May　entreatingly。　　〃Besides；　it　was　no　wilful
neglectyou　had　other　duties〃

〃You　don't　know　me；　papa；〃　said　Flora；　drawing　her　hands　away　from
him；　and　tightly　clenching　them　in　one　another；　as　thoughts　far　too
terrible　for　words　swept　over　her。

〃If　I　do　not；　the　most　Merciful　Father　does；〃　said　Dr。　May。　　Flora
sat　for　a　minute　or　two；　her　hands　locked　together　round　her　knees；
her　head　bowed　down；　her　lips　compressed。　　Her　father　was　so　far
satisfied　that　the　bodily　dangers　he　had　dreaded　were　averted；　but
the　agony　of　mind　was　far　more　terrible；　especially　in　one　who
expressed　so　little；　and　in　whom　it　seemed；　as　it　were；　pent　up。

〃Papa！〃　said　Flora　presently；　with　a　resolution　of　tone　as　if　she
would　prevent　resistance；　〃I　must　see　her！〃

〃You　shall；　my　dear；〃　said　the　doctor　at　once；　and　she　seemed
grateful　not　to　be　opposed；　speaking　more　gently；　as　she　said；　〃May
it　be　nowwhile　there　is　no　daylight？〃

〃If　you　wish　it；〃　said　Dr。　May。

The　dawn；　and　a　yellow　waning　moon；　gave　sufficient　light　for　moving
about；　and　Flora　gained　her　feet；　but　she　was　weak　and　trembling；　and
needed　the　support　of　her　father's　arm；　though　hardly　conscious　of
receiving　it；　as　she　mounted　the　same　stairs；　that　she　had　so　often
lightly　ascended　in　the　like　doubtful　morning　light；　for　never；　after
any　party；　had　she　omitted　her　visit　to　the　nursery。

The　door　was　locked；　and　she　looked　piteously　at　her　father　as　her
weak　push　met　the　resistance；　and　he　was　somewhat　slow　in　turning　the
key　with　his　left　hand。　　The　whitewashed；　slightly　furnished　room
reflected　the　light；　and　the　moonbeams　showed　the　window…frame　in
pale　and　dim　shades　on　the　blinds；　the　dewy　air　breathed　in　coolly
from　the　park；　and　there　was　a　calm　solemnity　in　the　atmosphereno
light；　no　watcher　present　to　tend　the　babe。　　Little　Leonora　needed
such　no　more；　she　was　with　the　Keeper；　who　shall　neither　slumber　nor
sleep。

So　it　thrilled　across　her　grandfather；　as　he　saw　the　little　cradle
drawn　into　the　middle　of　the　room；　and；　on　the　coverlet；　some　pure
white　rosebuds　and　lilies　of　the　valley；　gathered　in　the　morning　by
Mary　and　Blanche；　little　guessing　the　use　that　Meta　would　make　of
them　ere　nightfall。

The　mother　sank　on　her　knees；　her　hands　clasped　over　her　breast；　and
rocking　herself　to　and　fro　uneasily；　with　a　low；　irrepressible
moaning。

〃Will　you　not　see　her　face？〃　whispered　Dr。　May。

〃I　may　not　touch　her；〃　was　the　answer；　in　the　hollow　voice；　and　with
the　w