the daisy chain, or aspirations-第68章

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now　by　〃Sister　Cherry〃　failed　to　attract　her；　but　Richard　looked　at
his　watch；　and　decided　that　it　was　too　soon　to　go　home；　and　she　had
to　submit　to　her　fate。

Very　different　was　the　aspect　of　the　house　from　the　wild　Irish　cabin
appearance　that　it　had　in　the　M'Carthy　days。　　It　was　the　remains　of
an　old　farm…house　that　had　seen　better　days；　somewhat　larger　than　the
general　run　of　the　Cocksmoor　dwellings。　　Respectable　furniture　had
taken　up　its　abode　against　the　walls；　the　kitchen　was　well　arranged；
and；　in　spite　of　the　wretched　flooring　and　broken　windows；　had　an　air
of　comfort。　　A　very　tidy　woman　was　bustling　about；　still　trying　to
get　rid　of　the　relics　of　her　former　tenants；　who　might；　she　much
feared；　have　left　a　legacy　of　typhus　fever。　　The　more　interesting
person　was；　however；　a　young　woman　of　three　or　four　and　twenty；　pale；
and　very　lame；　and　with　the　air　of　a　respectable　servant；　her　manners
particularly　pleasing。　　It　appeared　that　she　was　the　daughter　of　a
first　wife；　and；　after　the　period　of　schooling；　had　been　at　service；
but　had　been　lamed　by　a　fall　downstairs；　and　had　been　obliged　to　come
home；　just　as　scarcity　of　work　had　caused　her　father　to　leave　his
native　parish；　and　seek　employment　at　other　quarries。　　She　had　hoped
to　obtain　plain　work；　but　all　the　family　were　dismayed　and
disappointed　at　the　wild　spot　to　which　they　had　come；　and　anxiously
availed　themselves　of　this　introduction　to　beg　that　the　elder　boy　and
girl　might　be　admitted　into　the　town　school；　distant　as　it　was。　　At
another　time；　the　thought　of　Charity　Elwood　would　have　engrossed
Ethel's　whole　mind；　now　she　could　hardly　attend；　and　kept　looking
eagerly　at　Richard　as　he　talked　endlessly　with　the　good　mother。
When；　at　last；　they　did　set　off；　he　would　not　let　her　gallop　home
like　a　steam…engine；　but　made　her　take　his　arm；　when　he　found　that
she　could　not　otherwise　moderate　her　steps。　　At　the　long　hill　a
figure　appeared；　and；　as　soon　as　Richard　was　certified　of　its
identity；　he　let　her　fly；　like　a　bolt　from　a　crossbow；　and　she　stood
by　Dr。　May's　side。

A　little　ashamed；　she　blushed　instead　of　speaking；　and　waited　for
Richard　to　come　up　and　begin。　　Neither　did　he　say　anything；　and　they
paused　till；　the　silence　disturbing　her；　she　ventured　a　〃Well；　papa！〃

〃Well；　poor　things。　　She　was　quite　overcome　when　first　I　told　her
said　it　would　be　hard　on　him；　and　begged　me　to　tell　him　that　he　would
be　much　happier　if　he　thought　no　more　of　her。〃

〃Did　Margaret？〃　cried　Ethel。　　〃Oh！　could　she　mean　it？〃

〃She　thought　she　meant　it；　poor　dear；　and　repeated　such　things　again
and　again；　but　when　I　asked　whether　I　should　send　him　away　without
seeing　her；　she　cried　more　than　ever；　and　said；　〃You　are　tempting　me！
It　would　be　selfishness。〃

〃Oh；　dear！　she　surely　has　seen　him！〃

〃I　told　her　that　I　would　be　the　last　person　to　wish　to　tempt　her　to
selfishness；　but　that　I　did　not　think　that　either　could　be　easy　in
settling　such　a　matter　through　a　third　person。〃

〃It　would　have　been　very　unkind；〃　said　Ethel；　〃I　wonder　she　did　not
think　so。〃

〃She　did　at　last。　　I　saw　it　could　not　be　otherwise；　and　she　said；
poor　darling；　that　when　he　had　seen　her；　he　would　know　the
impossibility；　but　she　was　so　agitated　that　I　did　not　know　how　it
could　be。〃

〃Has　she？〃

〃Ay；　I　told　him　not　to　stay　too　long；　and　left　him　under　the　tulip…
tree　with　her。　　I　found　her　much　more　composedhe　was　so　gentle　and
considerate。　　Ah！　he　is　the　very　man！　　Besides；　he　has　convinced　her
now　that　affection　brings　him；　not　mere　generosity；　as　she　fancied。〃

〃Oh；　then　it　is　settled！〃　cried　Ethel　joyously。

〃I　wish　it　were！　　She　has　owned　that　ifif　she　were　in　healthbut
that　is　all；　and　he　is　transported　with　having　gained　so　much！　　Poor
fellow。　　So　far；　I　trust；　it　is　better　for　them　to　know　each　other's
minds；　but　how　it　is　to　be〃

〃But；　papa；　you　know　Sir　Matthew　Fleet　said　she　was　sure　to　get　well；
and　in　three　years'　time〃

〃Yes；　yes；　that　is　the　best　chance。　　But　it　is　a　dreary　lookout　for
two　young　things。　　That　is　in　wiser　hands；　however！　　If　only　I　saw
what　was　right　to　do！　　My　miserable　carelessness　has　undone　you　all！〃
he　concluded；　almost　inaudibly。

It　was　indeed；　to　him；　a　time　of　great　distress　and　perplexity；
wishing　to　act　the　part　of　father　and　mother　both　towards　his
daughter；　acutely　feeling　his　want　of　calm　decision；　and　torn　to
pieces　at　once　by　sympathy　with　the　lovers；　and　by　delicacy　that　held
him　back　from　seeming　to　bind　the　young　man　to　an　uncertain
engagement；　above　all；　tortured　by　self…reproach　for　the　commencement
of　the　attachment；　and　for　the　misfortune　that　had　rendered　its
prosperity　doubtful。

Ethel　could　find　no　words　of　comfort　in　the　bewildered　glimpse　at　his
sorrow　and　agitation。　　Richard　spoke　with　calmness　and　good　sense；
and　his　replies；　though　brief　and　commonplace；　were　not　without
effect　in　lessening　the　excitement　and　despondency　which　the　poor
doctor's　present　mood　had　been　aggravating。

At　the　door；　Dr。　May　asked　for　Flora；　and　Ethel　explained。　　If　Flora
had　obtruded　herself；　he　would　have　been　irritated；　but；　as　it　was；
he　had　no　time　to　observe　the　disobedience；　and　saying　that　he　hoped
she　was　with　Margaret；　sent　Ethel　into　the　drawing…room。

Flora　was　not　there；　only　Margaret　lay　on　her　sofa；　and　Ethel
hesitated；　shy；　curious；　and　alarmed；　but；　as　she　approached；　she　was
relieved　to　see　the　blue　eyes　more　serene　even　than　usual；　while　a
glow　of　colour　spread　over　her　face；　making　her　like　the　blooming
Margaret　of　old　times；　her　expression　was　full　of　peace；　but　became
somewhat　amused　at　Ethel's　timid；　awkward　pauses；　as　she　held　out　her
hands；　and　said；　〃Come；　dear　Ethel。〃

〃Oh；　Margaret；　Margaret！〃

And　Ethel　was　drawn　into　her　sister's　bosom。　　Presently　she　drew
back；　gazed　at　her　sister　inquiringly；　and　said　in　an　odd；　doubtful
voice；　〃Then　you　are　glad？〃

Margaret　nearly　laughed　at　the　strange　manner；　but　spoke　with　a
sorrowful　tone；　〃Glad　in　one　way；　dearest；　almost　too　glad；　and
grateful。〃

〃Oh；　I　am　so　glad！〃　again　said　Ethel；　〃I　thought　it　was　making
everybody　unhappy。〃

〃I　don't　believe　I　could　be　that；　now　he　has　come；　now　I　know；〃　and
her　voice　trembled。　　〃There　must　be　doubt　and　uncertainty；〃　she
added；　〃but　I　cannot　dwell　on　them　just　yet。　　They　will　settle　what
is　right；　I　know；　and；　happen　what　may；　I　have　always　this　to
remember。〃

〃Oh；　that　is　right！　　Papa　will　be　so　relieved！　　He　was　afraid　it　had
only　been　distress。〃

〃Poor　papa！　　Yes；　I　did　not　command　myself　at　first；　I　was　not　sure
whether　it　was　right　to　see　him　at　all。〃

〃Oh；　Margaret；　that　was　too　bad！〃

〃It　did　not　seem　right　to　encourage　any　suchsuch；〃　the　word　was
lost；　〃to　such　a　poor　helpless　thing　as　I　am。　　I　did　not　know　what　to
do；　and　I　am　afraid　I　behaved　like　a　silly　child；　and　did　not　think
of　dear　papa's　feelings。　　But　I　will　try　to　be　good；　and　leave　it　all
to　them。〃

〃And　you　are　going　to　be　happy？〃　said　Ethel　wistfully。

〃For　the　present；　at　least。　　I　cannot　help　it；〃　said　Margaret。　〃Oh；
he　is　so　kind；　and　so　unselfish；　and　so　beautifully　gentleand　to
think　of　his　still　caring！　　But　there；　dear　Ethel；　I　am　not　going　to
cry；　do　call　papa；　or　he　will　think　me　foolish　again。　　I　want　him　to
be　quite　at　ease　about　me　before　he　comes。〃

〃Then　he　is　coming？〃

〃Yes；　at　tea…timeso　run；　dear　Ethel；　and　tell　Jane　to　get　his　room
ready。〃

The　message　quickened　Ethel；　and　after　giving　it；　and　reporting
consolingly　to　her　father；　she　went　up　to　Flora；　who　had　been　a
voluntary　prisoner　upstairs　all　this　time；　and　was　not　peculiarly
gratified　at　such　tidings　coming　only　through　the　medium　of　Ethel。
She　had　before　been　sensible　that；　superior　in　discretion　and
effectiveness　as　she　was　acknowledged　to　be；　she　did　not　share　so
much　of　the　confidence　and　sympathy　as　some　of　the　others；　and　she
felt　mortified　and　injured；　though　in　this　case　it　was　entirely　her
own　fault。　　The　sense　of　alienation　grew　upon　her。

She　dressed　quickly；　and　hurried　down；　that　she　might　see　Margaret
alone；　but　the　room　was　already　prepared　for　tea；　and　the　children
were　fast　assembling。　　Ethel　came　down　a　few　minutes　after；　and　found
Blanche　claiming　Alan　Ernescliffe　as　her　lawful　property；　dancing
round　him；　chattering；　and　looking　injured　if　he　addressed　a　word　to
any　one　else。

How　did　lovers　look？　was　a　speculation　which　had；　more　than　once；
occupied　Ethel；　and　when　she　had　satisfied　herself　that　her　father
was　at　ease；　she　began　to　study　it；　as　soon　as　a　shamefaced
consciousness　would　allow　her；　after　Alan's　warm　shake　of　the　hand。

Margaret　looked　much　as　usual；　only　with　more　glow　and　brightness
Mr。　Ernescliffe；　not　far　otherwise；　he　was　as　pale　and　slight　as　on
his　last　visit；　with　the　same　soft　blue　eyes；　capable；　however；　of　a
peculiar；　keen；　steady　glance　when　he　was　listening；　and　which　now
seemed　to　be　attending　to　Margaret's　every　word　or　look；　through　all
the　delighted　uproar　which　Aubrey；　Blanche；　and　Mary　kept　up　round
him；　or　while　taking　his　share　in　the　general　conversation；　telling
of　Harry's　popularity　and　good　conduct　on　board　the　Alcestis；　or
listening　to　the　history　of　Norman's　school　adventures；　which　he　had
heard；　in　part；　from　Harry；　and　how　young　Jennings　was　entered　in　the
flag…ship；　as　a　boy；　though　not　yet　to　sail　with　his　father。

After　the　storm　of　the　day　the　sky　seemed　quite　clear；　and　Ethel
could　not　see　that　being　lovers　made　much　difference；　to　be　sure　papa
displeased　Blanche；　by　calling　her　away　to　his　side；　when　she　would
squeeze　her　chair　in　between　Alan's　and　the　sofa；　and　Alan　took　all
the　waiting　on　Margaret　exclusively　to　himself。　　Otherwise；　there　was
nothing　remarkable；　and　he　was　very　much　the　same　Mr。　Ernescliffe
whom　they　had　received　a　year　ago。

In　truth；　the　next　ten　days　were　very　happy。　　The　future　was　left　to
rest；　and　Alan　spent　his　mornings　in　the　drawing…room　alone　with
Margaret；　and　looked　ever　more　brightly　placid；　while；　with　the　rest；
he　was　more　than　the　former　kind　playfellow；　for　he　now　took　his
place　as　the　affectionate　elder　brother；　entering　warmly　into　all
their　schemes　and　pleasures；　and　winning　for　himself　a　full　measure
of　affection　from　all；　even　his　little　god…daughter　began　to　know
him；　and　smile　at　his　presence。　　Margaret　and　Ethel　especially
delighted　in　the　look　of　enjoyment　with　which　their　father　sat　down
to　enter　on　the　evening's　conversation　after　the　day's　work；　and
Flora　was　well　pleased　that　Mrs。　Hoxton　should　find　Alan　in　the
drawing…room；　and　ask　afterwards　about　his　estate；　and　that　Meta
Rivers；　after　being　certified　that　this　was　their　Mr。　Ernescliffe；
pronounced　that　her　papa　thought　him　particularly　pleasing　and
gentlemanlike。　　There　was　something　dignified　in　having　a　sister　on
the　point　of　being　engaged。




CHAPTER　XXVIII。



Sail　forth　into　the　sea；　thou　ship；
　　Through　breeze　and　cloud；　right　onward　steer；
The　moistened　eye；　the　trembling　lip；
　　Are　not　the　signs　of　doubt　or　fear！LONGFELLOW。


Tranquility　only　lasted　until　Mr。　Ernescliffe　found　it　necessary　to
understand　on　what　terms　he　was　to　stand。　　Every　one　was　tender　of
conscience；　anxious　to　do　right；　and　desirous　to　yield　to　the　opinion
that　nobody　could；