david elginbrod-第74章

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Euphra　could　not　understand　what　she　meant。　　Perhaps　some　of　my
readers；　understanding　Margaret's　words　perfectly；　and　their
reference　too；　may　be　so　far　from　understanding　Margaret　herself；　as
to　turn　upon　me　and　say：

〃Impossible！　　You　cannot　have　understood　her　or　any　other　woman。〃

Well！

〃What　do　you　mean；　Margaret？〃

Margaret　both　blushed　and　laughed　outright。

〃I　must　confess　it；〃　said　she；　at　once；　〃it　cannot　hurt　him　now：　my
tutor　and　yours　are　the　same。〃

〃Impossible！〃

〃True。〃

〃And　you　never　spoke　all　the　time　you　were　both　at　Arnstead？〃

〃Not　once。　　He　never　knew　I　was　in　the　house。〃

〃How　strange！　　And　you　saw　he　loved　me？〃

〃Yes。〃

〃And　you　were　not　jealous？〃

〃I　did　not　say　that。　　But　I　soon　found　that　the　only　way　to　escape
from　my　jealousy；　if　the　feeling　I　had　was　jealousy；　was　to　love　you
too。　　I　did。〃

〃You　beautiful　creature！　　But　you　could　not　have　loved　him　much。〃

〃I　loved　him　enough　to　love　you　for　his　sake。　　But　why　did　he　stop
loving　you？　　I　fear　I　shall　not　be　able　to　love　him　so　much　now。〃

〃He　could　not　help　it；　Margaret。　　I　deserved　it。〃

Euphra　hid　her　face　in　her　hands。

〃He　could　not　have　really　loved　you；　then？〃

〃Which　is　better　to　believe；　Margaret；〃　said　Euphra；　uncovering　her
face；　which　two　tears　were　lingering　down；　and　looking　up　at
her〃that　he　never　loved　me；　or　that　he　stopped　loving　me？〃

〃For　his　sake；　the　first。〃

〃And　for　my　sake；　the　second？〃

〃That　depends。〃

〃So　it　does。　　He　must　have　found　plenty　of　faults　in　me。　　But　I　was
not　so　bad　as　he　thought　me　when　he　stopped　loving　me。〃

Margaret's　answer　was　one　of　her　loving　smiles；　in　which　her　eyes
had　more　share　than　her　lips。

It　would　have　been　unendurable　to　Euphra；　a　little　while　before；　to
find　that　she　had　a　rival　in　a　servant。　　Now　she　scarcely　regarded
that　aspect　of　her　position。　　But　she　looked　doubtfully　at　Margaret；
and　then　said：

〃How　is　it　that　you　take　it　so　quietly？for　your　love　must　have
been　very　different　from　mine。　　Indeed；　I　am　not　sure　that　I　loved
him　at　all；　and　after　I　had　made　up　my　mind　to　it　quite；　it　did　not
hurt　me　so　very　much。　　But　you　must　have　loved　him　dreadfully。〃

〃Perhaps　I　did。　　But　I　had　no　anxiety　about　it。〃

〃But　that　you　could　not　leave　to　a　father　such　as　yours　even　to
settle。〃

〃No。　But　I　could　to　God。　I　could　trust　God　with　what　I　could　not
speak　to　my　father　about。　　He　is　my　father's　father；　you　know；　and
so；　more　to　him　and　me　than　we　could　be　to　each　other。　　The　more　we
love　God；　the　more　we　love　each　other；　for　we　find　he　makes　the　very
love　which　sometimes　we　foolishly　fear　to　do　injustice　to；　by　loving
him　most。　　I　love　my　father　ten　times　more　because　he　loves　God；　and
because　God　has　secrets　with　him。〃

〃I　wish　God　were　a　father　to　me　as　he　is　to　you；　Margaret。〃

〃But　he　is　your　father；　whether　you　wish　it　or　not。　　He　cannot　be
more　your　father　than　he　is。　　You　may　be　more　his　child　than　you
are；　but　not　more　than　he　meant　you　to　be；　nor　more　than　he　made　you
for。　　You　are　infinitely　more　his　child　than　you　have　grown　to　yet。
He　made　you　altogether　his　child；　but　you　have　not　given　in　to　it
yet。〃

〃Oh！　yes；　I　know　what　you　mean。　　I　feel　it　is　true。〃

〃The　Prodigal　Son　was　his　father's　child。　　He　knew　it；　and　gave　in
to　it。　　He　did　not　say：　'I　wish　my　father　loved　me　enough　to　treat
me　like　a　child　again。'　　He　did　not　say　that；　butI　will　arise　and
go　to　my　father。〃

Euphra　made　no　answer；　but　wept；　Margaret　said　no　more。

Euphra　was　the　first　to　resume。

〃Mr。　Sutherland　was　very　kind；　Margaret。　　He　promisedand　I　know　he
will　keep　his　promiseto　do　all　he　could　to　help　me。　　I　hope　he　is
finding　out　where　that　wicked　count　is。〃

〃Write　to　him；　and　ask　him　to　come　and　see　you。　　He　does　not　know
where　you　are。〃

〃But　I　don't　know　where　he　is。〃

〃I　do。〃

〃Do　you？〃　rejoined　Euphra　with　some　surprise。

〃But　he　does　not　know　where　I　am。　　I　will　give　you　his　address；　if
you　like。〃

Euphra　pondered　a　little。　　She　would　have　liked　very　much　to　see
him；　for　she　was　anxious　to　know　of　his　success。　　The　love　she　had
felt　for　him　was　a　very　small　obstacle　to　their　meeting　now；　for　her
thoughts　had　been　occupied　with　affairs；　before　the　interest　of
which　the　poor　love　she　had　then　been　capable　of；　had　melted　away
and　vanishedvanished；　that　is；　in　all　that　was　restrictive　and
engrossing　in　its　character。　　But　now　that　she　knew　the　relation
that　had　existed　between　Margaret　and　him；　she　shrunk　from　doing
anything　that　might　seem　to　Margaret　to　give　Euphra　an　opportunity
of　regaining　his　preference。　　Not　that　she　had　herself　the　smallest
hope；　even　had　she　had　the　smallest　desire　of　doing　so；　but　she
would　not　even　suggest　the　idea　of　being　Margaret's　rival。　　At
length　she　answered：

〃No；　thank　you；　Margaret。　　As　soon　as　he　has　anything　to　report；　he
will　write　to　Arnstead；　and　Mrs。　Horton　will　forward　me　the　letter。
Noit　is　quite　unnecessary。〃

Euphra's　health　was　improving　a　little；　though　still　she　was　far
from　strong。




CHAPTER　XVI。

FOREBODINGS。

Faust。　　　　　　If　heaven　was　made　for　man；　'twas　made　for　me。
Good　Angel。　　Faustus；　repent；　yet　heaven　will　pity　thee。
Bad　Angel。　　Thou　art　a　spirit；　God　cannot　pity　thee。
Faust。　　　　　　Be　I　a　devil；　yet　God　may　pity　me。
Bad　Angel。　　Too　late。
Good　Angel。　　Never　too　late　if　Faustus　will　repent。
Bad　Angel。　　If　thou　repent；　devils　will　tear　thee　in　pieces。

Old　Man。　　　　I　see　an　angel　hover　o'er　thy　head；
　　　　　　　　　　　　And　with　a　vial　full　of　precious　grace；
　　　　　　　　　　　　Offers　to　pour　the　same　into　thy　soul。

MARLOWE。Doctor　Faustus。


Mr。　Appleditch　had　had　some　business…misfortunes；　not　of　a　heavy
nature；　but　sufficient　to　cast　a　gloom　over　the　house　in　Dervish
Town；　and　especially　over　the　face　of　his　spouse；　who　had　set　her
heart　on　a　new　carpet　for　her　drawing…room；　and　feared　she　ought　not
to　procure　it　now。　　It　is　wonderful　how　conscientious　some　people
are　towards　their　balance　at　the　banker's。　　How　the　drawing…room；
however；　could　come　to　want　a　new　carpet　is　something　mysterious；
except　there　is　a　peculiar　power　of　decay　inherent　in　things
deprived　of　use。　　These　influences　operating；　however；　she　began　to
think　that　the　two　scions　of　grocery　were　not　drawing　nine
shillings'　worth　a　week　of　the　sap　of　divinity。　　This　she　hinted　to
Mr。　Appleditch。　　It　was　resolved　to　give　Hugh　warning。

As　it　would　involve　some　awkwardness　to　state　reasons；　Mrs。
Appleditch　resolved　to　quarrel　with　him；　as　the　easiest　way　of
prefacing　his　discharge。　　It　was　the　way　she　took　with　her
maids…of…all…work；　for　it　was　grand　in　itself；　and　always　left　her
with　a　comfortable　feeling　of　injured　dignity。

As　a　preliminary　course；　she　began　to　treat　him　with　still　less
politeness　than　before。　　Hugh　was　so　careless　of　her　behaviour；　that
this　made　no　impression　upon　him。　　But　he　came　to　understand　it　all
afterwards；　from　putting　together　the　remarks　of　the　children；　and
the　partial　communications　of　Mr。　Appleditch　to　Miss　Talbot；　which
that　good　lady　innocently　imparted　to　her　lodger。

At　length；　one　day；　she　came　into　the　room　where　Hugh　was　more　busy
in　teaching　than　his　pupils　were　in　learning；　and　seated　herself　by
the　fire　to　watch　for　an　opportunity。　　This　was　soon　found。　　For　the
boys；　rendered　still　more　inattentive　by　the　presence　of　their
mother；　could　not　be　induced　to　fix　the　least　thought　upon　the
matter　in　hand；　so　that　Hugh　was　compelled　to　go　over　the　same　thing
again　and　again；　without　success。　　At　last　he　said：

〃I　am　afraid；　Mrs。　Appleditch；　I　must　ask　you　to　interfere；　for　I
cannot　get　any　attention　from　the　boys　to…day。〃

〃And　how　could　it　be　otherwise；　Mr。　Sutherland；　when　you　keep
wearing　them　out　with　going　over　and　over　the　same　thing；　till　they
are　sick　of　it？　　Why　don't　you　go　on？〃

〃How　can　I　go　on　when　they　have　not　learned　the　thing　they　are　at？
That　would　be　to　build　the　chimneys　before　the　walls。〃

〃It　is　very　easy　to　be　witty；　sir；　but　I　beg　you　will　behave　more
respectfully　to　me　in　the　presence　of　my　children；　innocent　lambs！〃

Looking　round　at　the　moment；　Hugh　caught　in　his　face　what　the　elder
lamb　had　intended　for　his　back；　a　grimace　hideous　enough　to　have
procured　him　instant　promotion　in　the　kingdom　of　apes。　　The　mother
saw　it　too；　and　added：

〃You　see　you　cannot　make　them　respect　you。　　Really；　Mr。　Sutherland！〃

Hugh　was　about　to　reply；　to　the　effect　that　it　was　useless；　in　such
circumstances；　to　attempt　teaching　them　at　all；　some　utterance　of
which　sort　was　watched　for　as　the　occasion　for　his　instant
dismission；　but　at　that　very　moment　a　carriage　and　pair　pulled
sharply　up　at　the　door；　with　more　than　the　usual　amount　of
quadrupedation；　and　mother　and　sons　darted　simultaneously　to　the
window。

〃My！〃　cried　Johnnie；　〃what　a　rum　go！　　Isn't　that　a　jolly　carriage；
Peetie？〃

〃Papa's　bought　a　carriage！〃　shouted　Peetie。

〃Be　quiet；　children；〃　said　their　mother；　as　she　saw　a　footman　get
down　and　approach　the　door。

〃Look　at　that　buffer；〃　said　Johnnie。　〃Do　come　and　see　this　grand
footman；　Mr。　Sutherland。　　He's　such　a　gentleman！〃

A　box　on　the　ear　from　his　mother　silenced　him。　　The　servant　entering
with　some　perturbation　a　moment　after；　addressed　her　mistress；　for
she　dared　not　address　any　one　else　while　she　was　in　the　room：

〃Please　'm；　the　carriage　is　astin'　after　Mr。　Sutherland。〃

〃Mr。　Sutherland？〃

〃Yes　'm。〃

The　lady　turned　to　Mr。　Sutherland；　who；　although　surprised　as　well；
was　not　inclined　to　show　his　surprise　to　Mrs。　Appleditch。

〃I　did　not　know　you　had　carriage…friends；　Mr。　Sutherland；〃　said　she；
with　a　toss　of　her　head。

〃Neither　did　I；〃　answered　Hugh。　〃But　I　will　go　and　see　who　it　is。〃

When　he　reached　the　street；　he　found　Harry　on　the　pavement；　who
having　got　out　of　the　carriage；　and　not　having　been　asked　into　the
house；　was　unable　to　stand　still　for　impatience。　　As　soon　as　he　saw
his　tutor；　he　bounded　to　him；　and　threw　his　arms　round　his　neck；
standing　as　they　were　in　the　open　street。　　Tears　of　delight　filled
his　eyes。

〃Come；　come；　come；〃　said　Harry；　〃we　all　want　you。〃

〃Who　wants　me？〃

〃Mrs。　Elton　and　Euphra　and　me。　　Come；　get　in。〃

〃And　he　pulled　Hugh　towards　the　carriage。

〃I　cannot　go　with　you　now。　　I　have　pupils　here。〃

Harry's　face　fell。

〃When　will　you　come？〃

〃In　half…an…hour。〃

〃Hurrah！　　I　shall　be　back　exactly　in　half…an…hour　then。　　Do　be
ready；　please；　Mr。　Sutherland。〃

〃I　will。〃

Harry　jumped　into　the　carriage；　telling　the　coachman　to　drive　where
he　pleased；　and　be　back　at　the　same　place　in　half…an…hour。　　Hugh
returned　into　the　house。

As　may　be　supposed；　Margaret　was　the　means　of　this　happy　meeting。
Although　she　saw　plainly　enough　that　Euphra　would　like　to　see　Hugh；
she　did　not　for　some　time　make　up　her　mind　to　send　for　him。　　The
circumstances　which　made　her　resolve　to　do　so　were　these。

For　some　days　Euphra　seemed　to　be　gradually　regaining　her　health　and
composure　of　mind。　　One　evening；　after　a　longer　talk　than　usual；
Margaret　had　left　her　in　bed；　and　had　gone　to　her　own　room。　　She　was
just　preparing　to　get　into　bed　herself；　when　a　knock　at　her　door
startled　her；　and　going　to　it；　she　saw　Euphra　standing　there；　pale
as　death；　with　nothing　on　but　her　nig