the daisy chain, or aspirations-第99章

按键盘上方向键 ← 或 → 可快速上下翻页，按键盘上的 Enter 键可回到本书目录页，按键盘上方向键 ↑ 可回到本页顶部！
————未阅读完？加入书签已便下次继续阅读！


looking　straight　up；　and　she　drew　down　her　veil；　and　took　hold　of
Flora's　hand；　and　Ethel　flushed　like　a　hot　coal。　　Nevertheless；　all
contrived　to　see　a　tall　figure；　with　face　much　flushed；　and　hands
moving　nervously。　　The　world　was　tired；　and　people　were　departing；　so
that　the　first　lines　were　lost；　perhaps　a　satisfaction　to　Norman；　but
his　voice　soon　cleared　and　became　louder；　his　eyes　lighted；　and　Ethel
knew　the　〃funny　state〃　had　come　to　his　reliefpeople's　attention　was
arrestedthere　was　no　more　going　away。

It　was　well　that　Norman　was　ignorant　of　the　fears　for　Harry；　for　four
lines　had　been　added　since　Ethel　had　seen　the　poem；　saying　how　self…
sacrifice　sent　forth　the　sailor…boy　from　home；　to　the　lone　watch；　the
wave　and　storm；　his　spirit　rising　high；　ere　manhood　braced　his　form。

Applause　did　not　come　where　Ethel　had　expected　it；　and；　at　first；
there　was　silence　at　the　close；　but　suddenly　the　acclamations　rose
with　deafening　loudness；　though　hardly　what　greets　some　poems　with
more　to　catch　the　popular　ear。

Ethel's　great　excitement　was　over；　and　presently　she　found　herself
outside　of　the　theatre；　a　shower　falling；　and　an　umbrella　held　over
her　by　Mr。　Ogilvie；　who　was　asking　her　if　it　was　not　admirable；　and
declaring　the　poem　might　rank　with　Heber's　'Palestine'；　or　Milman's
'Apollo'。

They　were　bound　for　a　great　luncheon　at　one　of　the　colleges；　where
Ethel　might　survey　the　Principal　with　whom　Miss　Rich　had
corresponded。　　Mr。　Ogilvie　sat　next　to　her；　told　her　all　the　names；
and　quizzed　the　dignitaries；　but　she　had　a　sense　of　depression；　and
did　not　wish　to　enter　into　the　usual　strain　of　banter。　　He　dropped
his　lively　tone；　and　drew　her　out　about　Harry；　till　she　was　telling
eagerly　of　her　dear　sailor　brother；　and　found　him　so　sympathising　and
considerate；　that　she　did　not　like　him　less；　though　she　felt　her
intercourse　with　him　a　sort　of　intoxication；　that　would　only　make　it
the　worse　for　her　by…and…by。

During　that　whole　luncheon；　and　their　walk　through　the　gardens；　where
there　was　a　beautiful　horticultural　show；　something　was　always
prompting　her　to　say；　while　in　this　quasi…privacy；　that　she　was　on
the　eve　of　departure；　but　she　kept　her　resolution　against　itshe
thought　it　would　have　been　an　unwarrantable　experiment。　　When　they
returned　to　their　inn　they　found　Norman　looking　fagged；　but　relieved；
half　asleep　on　the　sofa；　with　a　novel　in　his　hand。　　He　roused　himself
as　they　came　in；　and；　to　avoid　any　compliments　on　his　own
performance；　began；　〃Well；　Ethel；　are　you　ready　for　the　ball？〃

〃We　shall　spare　her　the　ball；〃　said　Dr。　May；　〃there　is　a　report　about
the　Alcestis　in　the　newspaper　that　may　make　Margaret　uncomfortable；
and　this　good　sister　will　not　stay　away　from　her。〃

Norman　started　up　crying；　〃What；　papa？〃

〃It　is　a　mere　nothing　in　reality；〃　said　Dr。　May；　〃only　what　we　knew
before；〃　and　he　showed　his　son　the　paragraph；　which　Norman　read　as　a
death　warrant；　the　colour　ebbed　from　his　lips　and　cheeks；　he　trembled
so　that　he　was　obliged　to　sit　down；　and；　without　speaking；　he　kept
his　eyes　fixed　on　the　words；　〃Serious　apprehensions　are　entertained
with　regard　to　H。　M。　S。　Alcestis；　Captain　Gordon〃

〃If　you　had　seen　as　many　newspaper　reports　come　to　nothing；　as　I
have；　you　would　not　take　this　so　much　to　heart；〃　said　Dr。　May。　　〃I
expect　to　hear　that　this　very　mail　has　brought　letters。〃

And　Meta　added　that；　at　luncheon；　she　had　been　seated　next　to　one　of
the　honorary　doctorsa　naval　captainwho　had　been　making
discoveries　in　the　South　Sea；　and　that　he　had　scouted　the　notion　of
harm　befalling　the　Alcestis；　and　given　all　manner　of　reassuring
suppositions　as　to　her　detention；　adding　besides；　that　no　one
believed　the　Australian　paper　whence　the　report　was　taken。　　He　had
seen　the　Alcestis；　knew　Captain　Gordon；　and　spoke　of　him　as　one　of
the　safest　people　in　the　world。　　Had　his　acquaintance　extended　to
lieutenants　and　midshipmen；　it　would　have　been　perfect；　as　it　was；
the　tidings　brought　back　the　blood　to　Norman's　cheek；　and　the　light
to　his　eye。

〃When　do　we　set　off？〃　was　Norman's　question。

〃At　five；〃　said　Ethel。　〃You　mean　it；　papa？〃

〃I　did　intend　it；　if　I　had　gone　alone；　but　I　shall　not　take　you　till
eight；　nor　you；　Norman；　at　all。〃

Norman　was　bent　on　returning；　but　his　father　and　Flora　would　not　hear
of　it。　　Flora　could　not　spare　him；　and　Dr。　May　was　afraid　of　the
effect　of　anxiety　on　nerves　and　spirits　so　sensitive。　　While　this　was
going　on；　Mr。　Ogilvie　looked　at　Ethel　in　consternation；　and　said；
〃Are　you　really　going　home？〃

〃Yes；　my　eldest　sister　must　not　be　left　alone　when　she　hears　this。〃

He　looked　downEthel　had　the　resolution　to　walk　away。　　Flora　could
not　give　up　the　ball；　and　Meta　found　that　she　must　go；　but　both　the
Normans　spent　a　quiet　evening　with　Dr。　May　and　Ethel。　　Norman　May　had
a　bad　headache；　which　he　was　allowed　to　have　justly　earned；　Dr。　May
was　very　happy　reviving　all　his　Scottish　recollections；　and　talking
to　young　Ogilvie　about　Edinburgh。　　Once；　there　was　a　private
consultation。　　Ethel　was　provoked　and　ashamed　at　the　throbs　that　it
would　excite。　　What！　on　a　week's　acquaintance？

When　alone　with　her　father；　she　began　to　nerve　herself　for　something
heroic；　and　great　was　her　shame　when　she　heard　only　of　her　cousin's
kind　consideration　for　her　brother；　whom　he　wished　to　take　home　with
him；　and　thence　to　see　the　Highlands；　so　as　to　divert　his　anxiety　for
Harry；　as　well　as　to　call　him　off　from　the　studies　with　which　he　had
this　term　overworked　himself　even　more　than　usual。　　Dr。　May　had　given
most　grateful　consent；　and　he　spoke　highly　in　praise　of　the　youth；
but　there　was　no　more　to　come；　and　Ethel　could　have　beaten　herself
for　the　moment　of　anticipation。

Meta　came　home；　apologising　for　wakening　Ethel；　but　Ethel　had　not
been　asleep。　　The　ball　had　not；　it　seemed；　been　as　charming　to　her　as
most　events　were；　and　Ethel　heard　a　sigh　as　the　little　lady　lay　down
in　her　bed。

Late　as　it　was　when　she　went　to　rest；　Meta　rose　to　see　the　travellers
off；　she　sent　hosts　of　messages　to　her　father；　and　wished　she　might
go　with　them。　　George　and　Flora　were　not　visible；　and　Dr。　May　was
leaving　messages　for　them；　and　for　Norman；　in　her　charge；　when　the
two　Balliol　men　walked　in。

Ethel　had　hoped　it　was　over；　yet　she　could　not　be　sorry　that　the　two
youths　escorted　them　to　the　station；　and；　as　Ethel　was　placed　in　the
carriage；　she　believed　that　she　heard　something　of　never　forgetting
happiest　weekbut　in　the　civilities　which　the　other　occupant　of　the
carriage　was　offering　for　the　accommodation　of　their　lesser　luggage；
she　lost　the　exact　words；　and　the　last　she　heard　were；　〃Good…bye；　I
hope　you　will　find　letters　at　home。〃




CHAPTER　X。



True　to　the　kindred　points　of　Heaven　and　home。
　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　WORDSWORTH。


Etheldred's　dream　was　over。　　She　had　wakened　to　the　inside　of　a　Great
Western　carriage；　her　father　beside　her；　and　opposite　a　thin；
foreign…looking　gentleman。　　Her　father；　to　whom　her　life　was　to　be
devoted！　　She　looked　at　his　profile；　defined　against　the　window；　and
did　not　repent。　　In　a　sort　of　impulse　to　do　something　for　him；　she
took　his　hat　from　his　hand；　and　was　going　to　dispose　of　it　in　the
roof；　when　he　turned；　smiling　his　thanks；　but　saying；　〃it　was　not
worth　whilethis　carriage　was　a　very　transitory　resting…place。〃

The　stranger　at　that　moment　sprang　to　his　feet；　exclaiming；　〃Dick
himself！〃

〃Spencer；　old　fellow；　is　it　you？〃　cried　Dr。　May；　in　a　voice　of　equal
amazement　and　joy；　holding　out　his　hand；　which　was　grasped　and　wrung
with　a　force　that　made　Ethel　shrink　for　the　poor　maimed　arm。

〃Ha！　what　is　amiss　with　your　arm？〃　was　the　immediate　question。　　Three
technical　words　were　spoken　in　a　matter…of…fact　way；　as　Dr。　May
replaced　his　hand　in　his　bosom；　and　then；　with　an　eager　smile；　said；
〃Ethel；　here！　　You　have　heard　of　him！〃

Ethel　had　indeed；　and　gave　her　hand　cordially；　surprised　by　the　bow
and　air　of　deferential　politeness　with　which　it　was　received；　like　a
favour；　while　Dr。　Spencer　asked　her　whether　she　had　been　staying　in
Oxford。

〃Ay；　and　what　for；　do　you　think？〃　said　Dr。　May　joyously。

〃You　don't　say　that　was　your　son　who　held　forth　yesterday！　　I　thought
his　voice　had　a　trick　of　yoursbut　then　I　thought　you　would　have
held　by　old　Cambridge。〃

〃What　could　I　do？〃　said　Dr。　May　deprecatingly；　〃the　boy　would　go　and
get　a　Balliol　scholarship〃

〃Why！　the　lad　is　a　genius！　a　poetno　mistake　about　it！　but　I
scarcely　thought　you　could　have　one　of　such　an　age。〃

〃Of　his　age！　　His　brother　is　in　Holy　Ordersone　of　his　sisters　is
married。　　There's　for　you；　Spencer！〃

〃Bless　me；　Dick！　　I　thought　myself　a　young　man！〃

〃What！　with　hair　of　that　colour？〃　said　Dr。　May；　looking　at　his
friend's　milk…white　locks。

〃Bleached　by　that　frightful　sickly　season　at　Poonshedagore；　when　I
thought　I　was　done　for。　　But　you！　youthe　boy　of　the　whole　lot！　　You
think　me　very　disrespectful　to　your　father；〃　added　he；　turning　to
Ethel；　〃but　you　see　what　old　times　are。〃

〃I　know；〃　said　Ethel；　with　a　bright　look。

〃So　you　were　in　the　theatre　yesterday；〃　continued　Dr。　May；　〃but　there
is　no　seeing　any　one　in　such　a　throng。　　How　long　have　you　been　in
England？〃

〃A　fortnight。　　I　went　at　once　to　see　my　sister；　at　Malvern；　there　I
fell　in　with　Rudden；　the　man　I　was　with　in　New　Guinea。　　He　was　going
up　to　be　made　an　honorary　doctor；　and　made　me　come　with　him。〃

〃And　where　are　you　bound　for？〃　as　the　train　showed　signs　of　a　halt。

〃For　London。　　I　meant　to　hunt　up　Mat。　Fleet；　and　hear　of　you；　and
other　old　friends。〃

〃Does　he　expect　you？〃

〃No　one　expects　me。　　I　am　a　regular　vagabond。〃

〃Come　home　with　us；〃　said　Dr。　May；　laying　his　hand　on　his　arm。　　〃I
cannot　part　with　you　so　soon。　　Come；　find　your　luggage。　　Take　your
ticket　for　Gloucester。〃

〃So　suddenly！　　Will　it　not　be　inconvenient？〃　said　he；　looking
tempted；　but　irresolute。

〃Oh；　no；　no；　pray　come！〃　said　Ethel　eagerly。　　〃We　shall　be　so　glad。〃

He　looked　his　courteous　thanks；　and　soon　was　with　them　en…route　for
Stoneborough。

Ethel's　thoughts　were　diverted　from　all　she　had　left　at　Oxford。　　She
could　not　but　watch　those　two　old　friends。　　She　knew　enough　of　the
traveller　to　enter　into　her　father's　happiness；　and　to　have　no　fears
is　of　another　Sir　Matthew。

They　had　been　together　at　Stoneborough；　at　Cambridge；　at　Paris；　at
Edinburgh；　always　linked　in　the　closest　friendship；　but；　by　Dr。　May's
own　account；　his　friend　had　been　the　diligent　one　of　the　pair；　a
bright　compound　of　principle　and　spirit；　and　highly　distinguished　in
all　his　studies；　and　Dr。　May's　model　of　perfection。　　Their　paths　had
since　lain　far　apart；　and　they　had　not　seen　each　other　since；　twenty…
six　years　ago；　they　had　parted　in　Londonthe　one　to　settle　at　his
native　town；　while　the　other　accepted　a　situation　as　travelling
physician。　　On　his　return；　he　had　almost　sacrificed　his　life；　by
self…devoted　attendance　on　a　fever…stricken　emigrant…ship。　　He　had
afterwards　received　an　appointment　in　India；　and　there　the
correspondence　had　died　away；　and　Dr。　May　had　lost　traces　of　him；
only　knowing　that；　in　a　visitation　of　cholera；　he　had　again　acted
with　the　same　carelessness　of　his　own　life；　and　a　severe　illness；
which　ha