12 files changed, 56978 insertions, 0 deletions

diff --git a/.gitattributes b/.gitattributes
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..6833f05
--- /dev/null
+++ b/.gitattributes
@@ -0,0 +1,3 @@
+* text=auto
+*.txt text
+*.md text
diff --git a/36686-8.txt b/36686-8.txt
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..d84f611
--- /dev/null
+++ b/36686-8.txt
@@ -0,0 +1,18884 @@
+Project Gutenberg's The Vicar of Wrexhill, by Mrs [Frances] Trollope
+
+This eBook is for the use of anyone anywhere at no cost and with
+almost no restrictions whatsoever.  You may copy it, give it away or
+re-use it under the terms of the Project Gutenberg License included
+with this eBook or online at www.gutenberg.org
+
+
+Title: The Vicar of Wrexhill
+
+Author: Mrs [Frances] Trollope
+
+Release Date: July 11, 2011 [EBook #36686]
+
+Language: English
+
+Character set encoding: ISO-8859-1
+
+*** START OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK THE VICAR OF WREXHILL ***
+
+
+
+
+Produced by Delphine Lettau, Mary Meehan and the Online
+Distributed Proofreading Team at http://www.pgdp.net (This
+file was produced from images generously made available
+by The Internet Archive/Canadian Libraries)
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+                           STANDARD NOVELS.
+
+                             No. LXXVIII.
+
+"No kind of literature is so generally attractive as Fiction. Pictures
+of life and manners, and Stories of adventure, are more eagerly received
+by the many than graver productions, however important these latter may
+be. APULEIUS is better remembered by his fable of Cupid and Psyche than
+by his abstruser Platonic writings; and the Decameron of BOCCACCIO has
+outlived the Latin Treatises, and other learned works of that author."
+
+
+                       THE VICAR OF WREXHILL.
+
+                       COMPLETE IN ONE VOLUME.
+
+                         BY FRANCES TROLLOPE
+
+AUTHOR OF "JONATHAN JEFFERSON WHITLAW," "DOMESTIC MANNERS OF THE
+AMERICANS," "ONE FAULT," ETC.
+
+
+    Les bons et vrais dévots qu'on doit suivre à la trace
+    Ne sont pas ceux aussí qui font taut de grimace.
+    Hé, quoi!... vous ne ferez nulle distinction
+    Entre l'hypocrisie et la dévotion?
+    Vous les voulez traiter d'un semblable langage,
+    Et rendre même honneur au masque qu'au visage?
+
+                                MOLIÈRE.
+
+
+    NEW EDITION, REVISED.
+
+    LONDON:
+    RICHARD BENTLEY,
+    NEW BURLINGTON STREET;
+    BELL AND BRADFUTE, EDINBURGH;
+    J. CUMMING, DUBLIN.
+
+    1840.
+
+    LONDON:
+    Printed by A. SPOTTISWOODE,
+    New-Street-Square.
+
+
+
+
+[Illustration: "A sort of frozen blandishment smoothed the proud face of
+the Vicar as he stood with his lady beside him, to receive the
+sycophants."]
+
+
+
+
+THE VICAR OF WREXHILL.
+
+
+
+
+[Illustration: "On the turf before the bench and with their backs
+towards the spot where Rosalind and Henrietta stood, knelt the Vicar and
+Fanny."]
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER I.
+
+THE VILLAGE OF WREXHILL.--THE MOWBRAY FAMILY.--A BIRTHDAY.
+
+
+The beauties of an English village have been so often dwelt upon, so
+often described, that I dare not linger long upon the sketch of
+Wrexhill, which must of necessity precede my introduction of its vicar.
+And yet not even England can show many points of greater beauty than
+this oak-sheltered spot can display. Its peculiar style of scenery, half
+garden, half forest in aspect, is familiar to all who are acquainted
+with the New Forest, although it has features entirely its own. One of
+these is an overshot mill, the sparkling fall of which is accurately and
+most nobly overarched by a pair of oaks which have long been the glory
+of the parish. Another is the grey and mellow beauty of its antique
+church, itself unencumbered by ivy, while the wall and old stone gateway
+of the churchyard look like a line and knot of sober green, enclosing it
+with such a rich and unbroken luxuriance of foliage "never sear," as
+seems to show that it is held sacred, and that no hand profane ever
+ventured to rob its venerable mass of a leaf or a berry. Close beside
+the church, and elevated by a very gentle ascent, stands the pretty
+Vicarage, as if placed expressly to keep watch and ward over the safety
+and repose of its sacred neighbour. The only breach in the ivy-bound
+fence of the churchyard, is the little wicket gate that opens from the
+Vicarage garden; but even this is arched over by the same immortal and
+unfading green,--a fitting emblem of that eternity, the hope of which
+emanates from the shrine it encircles. At this particular spot, indeed,
+the growth of the plant is so vigorous, that it is controlled with
+difficulty, and has not obeyed the hand which led it over the rustic
+arch without dropping a straggling wreath or two, which if a vicar of
+the nineteenth century could wear a wig, might leave him in the state
+coveted for Absalom by his father. The late Vicar of Wrexhill,
+however,--I speak of him who died a few weeks before my story
+begins,--would never permit these graceful pendants to be shorn,
+declaring that the attitude they enforced on entering the churchyard was
+exactly such as befitted a Christian when passing the threshold of the
+court of God.
+
+Behind the Vicarage, and stretching down the side of the little hill on
+which it stood, so as to form a beautiful background to the church, rose
+a grove of lofty forest-trees, that seemed to belong to its garden, but
+which in fact was separated from it by the road which led to Mowbray
+Park, on the outskirts of which noble domain they were situated. This
+same road, having passed behind the church and Vicarage, led to the
+village street of Wrexhill, and thence, towards various other parishes,
+over a common, studded with oaks and holly-bushes, on one side of which,
+with shelving grassy banks that gave to the scene the appearance of
+noble pleasure-grounds, was a sheet of water large enough to be
+dignified by the appellation of Wrexhill Lake. Into this, the little
+stream that turned the mill emptied itself, after meandering very
+prettily through Mowbray Park, where, by the help of a little artifice,
+it became wide enough at one spot to deserve a boat and boat-house, and
+at another to give occasion for the erection of one of the most graceful
+park-bridges in the county of Hampshire.
+
+On one side of the common stands what might be called an alehouse, did
+not the exquisite neatness of every feature belonging to the little
+establishment render this vulgar appellation inappropriate. It was in
+truth just such a place as a town-worn and fastidious invalid might have
+fixed his eyes upon and said, "How I should like to lodge in that house
+for a week or two!" Roses and honeysuckles battled together for space to
+display themselves over the porch, and above the windows. The little
+enclosure on each side the post whence swung the "Mowbray Arms"
+presented to the little bay windows of the mansion such a collection of
+odorous plants, without a single weed to rob them of their strength,
+that no lady in the land, let her flower-garden be what it may, but
+would allow that Sally Freeman, the daughter, bar-maid, waiter, gardener
+at the "Mowbray Arms," understood how to manage common flowers as well
+as any Scotchman in her own scientific establishment.
+
+Industry, neatness, and their fitting accompaniment and reward, comfort,
+were legible throughout the small domain. John Freeman brewed his own
+beer, double and single; Dorothy, his loving wife, baked her own bread,
+cured her own bacon, churned her own butter, and poached her own eggs,
+or roasted her own chicken, when they were called for by any wandering
+lover of woodland scenery who was lucky enough to turn his steps towards
+Wrexhill. The other labours of the household were performed by Sally,
+except indeed the watering of horses, and the like, for which services a
+stout, decent peasant-boy received a shilling a week, and three good
+meals a day: and happy was the cottager whose son got the appointment,
+for both in morals and manners the horse-boy at the Mowbray Arms might
+have set an example to his betters.
+
+There are many other pretty spots and many more good people at Wrexhill;
+but they must show themselves by degrees, as it is high time the
+business of my story should begin.
+
+The 2nd of May 1833 was a gay day at Wrexhill, for it was that on which
+Charles Mowbray came of age, and the fête given on the occasion was
+intended to include every human being in the parish, besides about a
+hundred more, neighbours and friends, who came from a greater distance
+to witness and share in the festivities.
+
+A merrier, or in truth a happier set of human beings, than those
+assembled round the breakfast-table at Mowbray Park on the morning of
+that day, could hardly be found anywhere. This important epoch in the
+young heir's life had been long anticipated with gay impatience, and
+seemed likely to be enjoyed with a fulness of contentment that should
+laugh to scorn the croaking prophecy which speaks of hopes fulfilled as
+of something wherein doubtful good is ever blended with certain
+disappointment. The Mowbray family had hoped to wake upon a joyous
+morning, and they did so: no feeling of anxiety, no touch of disease, no
+shadow of unkindness to any being who shared with them the breath of
+life, came to blight the light-hearted glee which pervaded the whole
+circle.
+
+Charles Mowbray senior had hardly passed the prime of life, though a
+constitutional tendency to something like corpulency made him look older
+than he really was. Throughout his fifty summers he had scarcely known
+an ailment or a grief, and his spirit was as fresh within him as that of
+the noble-looking young man on whom his eyes rested with equal pride and
+love.
+
+Mrs. Mowbray, just seven years his junior, looked as little scathed by
+time as himself; her slight and graceful figure indeed gave her almost
+the appearance of youth; and though her delicate face had lost its
+bloom, there was enough of beauty left to render her still a very lovely
+woman.
+
+Charles Mowbray junior, the hero of the day, was, in vulgar but
+expressive phrase, as fine a young fellow as ever the sun shone upon.
+His mind, too, was in excellent accordance with the frame it
+inhabited,--powerful, elastic, unwearying, and almost majestic in its
+unbroken vigour and still-increasing power.
+
+"Aux coeurs heureux les vertus sont faciles," says the proverb; and as
+Charles Mowbray was certainly as happy as it was well possible for a man
+to be, he must not be overpraised for the fine qualities that warmed his
+heart and brightened his eye. Nevertheless, it is only justice to
+declare, that few human beings ever passed through twenty-one years of
+life with less of evil and more of good feeling than Charles Mowbray.
+
+Helen, his eldest sister, was a fair creature of nineteen, whose history
+had hitherto been, and was probably ever doomed to be, dependant upon
+her affections. As yet, these had been wholly made up of warm and
+well-requited attachment to her own family; but few people capable of
+loving heartily are without the capacity of suffering heartily also, if
+occasion calls for it, and this strength of feeling rarely leaves its
+possessor long in the enjoyment of such pure and unmixed felicity as
+that which shone in Helen's hazel eye as she threw her arms around her
+brother's neck, and wished him a thousand and a thousand times joy!
+
+Fanny Mowbray, the youngest of the family, wanted three months of
+sixteen. Poets have often likened young creatures of this age to an
+opening rose-bud, and it was doubtless just such a being as Fanny
+Mowbray that first suggested the simile. Any thing more bright, more
+delicate, more attractive in present loveliness, or more full of promise
+for loveliness more perfect still, was never seen.
+
+In addition to this surprising beauty of form and feature, she possessed
+many of those qualities of mind which are attributed to genius.
+Meditative and imaginative in no common degree, with thoughts
+occasionally both soaring and profound, she passed many hours of her
+existence in a manner but little understood by her family--sometimes
+devouring with unwearying ardour the miscellaneous contents of the large
+library, and sometimes indulging in the new delight of pouring forth her
+own wild, rambling thoughts in prose or rhyme. Unfortunately, the
+excellent governess who had attended the two girls from the time that
+Helen attained her eighth year died when Fanny was scarcely fourteen;
+and the attachment of the whole family being manifested by a general
+declaration that it would be impossible to permit any one to supply her
+place, the consequence was, that the cadette of the family had a mind
+less well and steadily regulated than it might have been, had her good
+governess been spared to her a few years longer.
+
+Though so many persons were expected before night to share the
+hospitalities of Mowbray Park, that, notwithstanding the ample size of
+its mansion, both the lady and her housekeeper were obliged to exert
+considerable skill in arranging their accommodation, there was but one
+person besides the family present at the happy breakfast-table; and she
+was not a guest, but an inmate.
+
+Rosalind Torrington was a young Irish girl from the province of Ulster,
+who had passed the first seventeen years of her life in great
+retirement, in a village not far distant from the coast, with no other
+society than the immediate neighbourhood afforded. Since that time her
+destiny had undergone a great change. She was an only child, and lost
+both father and mother in one of those pestilential fevers which so
+frequently ravage the populous districts of Ireland. Her father was one
+of that frightfully-wronged and much-enduring race of Protestant
+clergy, who, during the last few years, have suffered a degree of
+oppression and persecution unequalled for its barefaced injustice by any
+thing that the most atrocious page of history can record.
+
+Her mother, of high English descent, had been banished from all
+intercourse with her patrician family, because she refused to use her
+influence with her exemplary husband to induce him to abandon his
+profitless and often perilous preferment in Ireland, where he felt he
+had the power as well the will to do good, in order to place himself in
+dependence upon his wife's brother, a bachelor viscount who had invited
+the impoverished family to his house, and promised some time or other to
+do something for him in his profession--if he could. This invitation was
+politely but most positively refused, and for the last three years no
+intercourse of any kind had taken place between them. At the end of that
+time, Mr. Torrington and his exemplary wife, while sedulously
+administering to the sick souls of their poor parishioners, caught the
+fever that raged among them, and perished. Mrs. Torrington survived her
+husband three days; and during that time her thoughts were painfully
+occupied by the future prospects of her highly-connected but
+slenderly-portioned girl.
+
+All she could do for her, she did. She wrote to her haughty brother in
+such a manner as she thought, from her deathbed, must produce some
+effect: but lest it should not, she addressed another letter to Mrs.
+Mowbray, the favourite friend of her youth, entreating her protection
+for her orphan child.
+
+This letter enclosed a will fully executed, by which she left to her
+daughter whatever property she might die possessed of, (amounting at the
+utmost, as she supposed, to about five thousand pounds,) and
+constituting Mrs. Mowbray sole guardian of her person and property.
+
+During the interval which had elapsed since Mrs. Torrington's
+estrangement from her noble brother, his lordship had contrived to
+quarrel also with his nephew and heir, and in the height of his
+resentment against him made a will, leaving the whole of his unentailed
+property, amounting to above eighty thousand pounds, to his sister. By a
+singular coincidence, Lord Trenet died two days before Mrs. Torrington;
+so that her will was made exactly one day after she had unconsciously
+become the possessor of this noble fortune. Had this most unexpected
+event been made known to her, however, it would probably have made no
+other alteration in her will than the addition of the name of some male
+friend, who might have taken care of the property during the minority of
+her child: and even this would only have been done for the purpose of
+saving her friend trouble; for such was her opinion of Mrs. Mowbray,
+that no circumstances attending her daughter's fortune could have
+induced her to place the precious deposit of her person in other hands.
+
+The poor girl herself, while these momentous events were passing, was
+stationed at the house of an acquaintance at a few miles' distance,
+whither she had been sent at the first appearance of infection; and thus
+in the short space of ten days, from the cherished, happy darling of
+parents far from rich, she became an heiress and an orphan.
+
+Rosalind Torrington was a warm-hearted, affectionate girl, who had
+fondly loved her parents, and she mourned for them with all her soul.
+But the scene around her was so rapidly and so totally changed, and so
+much that was delightful mixed with the novelty, that it is not
+wonderful if at her age her grief wore away, and left her, sooner than
+she could have believed the change possible, the gay and happy inmate of
+Mowbray Park.
+
+About four months had elapsed since her arrival, and she was already
+greatly beloved by the whole family. In age she was about half-way
+between the two sisters; and as she did not greatly resemble either of
+them in temper or acquirements, she was at this time equally the friend
+of both.
+
+In most branches of female erudition Miss Torrington was decidedly
+inferior to the Miss Mowbrays: but nature had given her a voice and a
+taste for music which led her to excel in it; and so much spirit and
+vivacity supplied on other points the want of regular study, that by the
+help of her very pretty person, her good birth, and her large fortune,
+nobody but Charles Mowbray ever discovered deficiency or inferiority of
+any kind in Rosalind Torrington: but he had declared vehemently, the
+moment she arrived, that she was not one quarter so pretty as his sister
+Fanny, nor one thousandth part so angelic in all ways as his sister
+Helen.
+
+Such was the party who, all smiles and felicitations, first crowded
+clamorously round the hero of the fête which now occupied the thoughts
+of all, and then seated themselves at the breakfast-table, more intent
+upon talking of its coming glories than on doing justice to the good
+things before them.
+
+"Oh, you lucky twenty-one!" exclaimed Miss Torrington, addressing young
+Mowbray. "Did any one ever see such sunshine!... And just think what it
+would have been if all the tents of the people had been drenched with
+rain! The inward groans for best bonnets would have checked the
+gratulations in their throats, and we should have had sighs perchance
+for cheers."
+
+"I do not believe any single soul would have cared for rain, or thought
+for one moment of the weather, let it have been what it would,
+Rosalind," observed Helen. "Charles," she continued, "is so adored and
+doted upon by all the people round, both rich and poor, that I am
+persuaded, while they were drinking his health, there would not have
+been a thought bestowed on the weather."
+
+"Oh!... To be sure, dear Helen.... I quite forgot that. Of course, a
+glance at the Mowbray would be worth all the Mackintosh cloaks in the
+world, for keeping a dry skin in a storm;--but then, you know, the hero
+himself might have caught cold when he went out to shine upon them--and
+the avoiding this is surely a blessing for which we all ought to be
+thankful: not but what I would have held an umbrella over him with the
+greatest pleasure, of course ... but, altogether, I think it is quite as
+well as it is."
+
+"You won't quiz my Helen out of her love for me, Miss Rosalind
+Torrington," replied Charles, laughing; "so do not hope it."
+
+"Miss Rosalind Torrington!" ... repeated the young lady indignantly.
+Then rising and approaching Mrs. Mowbray, she said very solemnly, "Is
+that my style and title, madam? Is there any other Miss Torrington in
+all the world?... Is there any necessity, because he is one-and-twenty,
+that he should call me Miss Rosalind?... And is it not your duty, oh! my
+guardianess! to support me in all my rights and privileges? And won't
+you please to scold him if he calls me Miss Rosalind again?"
+
+"Beyond all question you are Miss Torrington, my dear," replied Mrs.
+Mowbray; "and were not Charles unfortunately of age, and therefore
+legally beyond all control, I would certainly command him never to say
+Rosalind again."
+
+"That is not exactly what I said. Most Respected!" replied the young
+lady. "He may call me Rosalind if he will; but if I am Miss any thing, I
+am Miss Torrington."
+
+"You certainly are a lucky fellow, Charles," said his Father, "and
+Rosalind is quite right in praising the sunshine. Helen with her coaxing
+ways may say what she will, but our fête would have been spoilt without
+it."
+
+"Indeed I think so, sir.... Pray do not believe me ungrateful. Besides,
+I like to see everything accord--and your bright beaming faces would
+have been completely out of keeping with a dark frowning sky."
+
+"Yon are quite right.... But come, make haste with your breakfast ...
+let us leave the ladies to give an inquiring glance to the decorations
+of the ball-room, and let you and I walk down to the walnut-trees, and
+see how they are getting on with the tents and the tables, and all the
+rest of it."
+
+"I shall be ready in a minute, sir; but I have been scampering round the
+whole park already this morning, and I am as hungry as a hound. Give me
+one more egg, Helen, and then...."
+
+"It is really a comfort to see what a fine appetite he has!--is it not,
+Helen?" said Rosalind, surrounding his plate with rolls of all sorts and
+sizes.
+
+"I will call you '_Wild Irish Girl_' in the very midst of the ball this
+evening if you do not behave better," said young Mowbray.
+
+"And if you do, I will...."
+
+"Come along, Charles," said his father; "her threats may put you out of
+heart for the whole day."
+
+"And might not we too take a walk before any of the people arrive?" said
+Fanny. "I have heard the cuckoo this morning for the first time. He was
+certainly thanking God for the sunshine; and I really think we ought to
+go out, and then we shall do so too."
+
+"A most delightful proposal!" cried Rosalind; "and if the birds should
+happen to introduce a jig movement, we can practise our dancing steps as
+we go along."
+
+"Wait half an hour for me," said Charles, rising to accompany his
+father, "and I will join your party. Let us go to the Pebble-Ford,
+Rosalind; and you shall all three drink my health out of that dear pool
+beside it, that Ros.... Miss Torrington--admired so much the other day."
+
+"No, no, we can't wait a moment, Char.... Mr. Mowbray--" said Rosalind.
+"Come, dear girls, let us be gone instantly."
+
+"Not wait for him on his birthday!" cried Helen. "But you are not in
+earnest, Rosalind?"
+
+"How you do labour and toil to spoil that man, Helen!" said Miss
+Torrington, raising her hands and eyes as he left the room. "It is a
+great blessing for him that I have come amongst you! If any thing can
+save him from utter destruction, it is I shall do it."
+
+Charles however was waited for, and that for at least three times the
+period he had named; but he came at last, and the walk was taken, and
+the birds sang, and the brook sparkled, and the health was drunk
+cordially, even by Rosalind; and the gay party returned in time to see
+the first carriage approach, bearing guests invited to be present at the
+tenants' dinner in the Park. Their morning toilet was hastily
+readjusted, as another and another equipage rolled onwards towards the
+house; and then the business of the day began. Lords and ladies, knights
+and squires, yeomen and peasants, were seen riding, driving, running,
+and walking through the spacious park in all directions. Then followed
+the rustic fête and the joyous carouse, in which the name of Charles
+Mowbray made the welkin ring; and then, the company having retreated to
+the house, came the hurried steps of a dozen lady's-maids hastening to
+their various scenes of action, and valets converting closets of all
+sorts and sizes into dressing-rooms for unnumbered gentlemen; and then
+the banquet, and then the coffee and the short repose--and then the
+crowded ball.
+
+All this came and went in order, and without the intervention of a
+single circumstance that might mar the enjoyment of a day long set apart
+for happiness, and which began and ended more exactly according to the
+wishes and intentions of those who arranged its festivities than often
+falls out at galas planned by mortals.
+
+At five o'clock on the following morning the joyous din at length sank
+into silence, and as many as hospitable ingenuity could find room for
+lay down at Mowbray Park to enjoy again in dreams the untarnished gaiety
+of that happy day.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER II.
+
+THE MORNING AFTER THE BIRTHDAY.
+
+
+Even the stable-boys deemed themselves privileged to sleep later than
+usual on the day after; and the ploughboy, as he went afield, missed the
+merry smile of the park dairy-maid, who, like her superiors, seemed to
+think on such an occasion time was made for very vulgar souls indeed,
+and that none who had joined in so illustrious a gala, could be expected
+to recover the full possession of their waking senses for some hours
+after the usual time.
+
+By slow degrees, however, the different members of the establishment
+began to stretch themselves and give sign of reviving animation. The
+housemaids yawningly opened the window-shutters; the footmen crept after
+them to aid in removing from one room at least the traces of the
+jubilee, which, like the relics of a lamp that has burnt out, showed but
+the more unsightly from its past splendour; and at length, to a
+superficial eye, the breakfast-room looked like the breakfast-room of
+former years; though a more discriminating glance might have detected
+girandoles where no such things had ever glittered before, card-tables
+in the place of work-tables, and flowers, still blooming in situations
+as little usual to them as a bed of strawberries would have been the day
+before.
+
+But it was long after these hireling efforts of forced labour had
+prepared the table for the morning meal, that any one of the favoured
+sleepers destined to partake of it left his or her downy pillow.... In
+short ... it was past mid-day before the family and their guests began
+to assemble; and even then many stragglers were still waited for before
+they appeared, and Mrs. Mowbray and Helen began at length to talk of
+breaking up the long session, and of giving orders to the butler to take
+care of all those who should come after.
+
+"It is not very surprising that the Davenports, who never ceased
+dancing till long after the sun came to look at them," said Helen,--"it
+is not all wonderful that they should sleep late, and I believe Mr.
+Vivian makes it a principle to be the last on all occasions. But I am
+quite astonished that papa does not appear: was he asleep, mamma, when
+you came down this morning?"
+
+"No, Helen, not quite asleep, for he spoke to me. But I think he was
+very sleepy, for I hardly understood what he said; and as he appeared
+extremely tired when he went to bed, I told Curtis to darken the room
+again, and leave him quiet."
+
+Another half-hour brought forth the Davenports and Mr. Vivian; but still
+Mr. Mowbray did not appear, and Helen, though hitherto she had been
+quite satisfied by her mother's account of his prolonged slumbers, again
+began to feel uneasy about him.
+
+"Do you not think, mamma," said she, "that I might venture to go up to
+him?"
+
+"I see not the least objection to it, Helen; especially as we know, that
+if it were you who happened to wake him out of the soundest sleep he
+ever enjoyed, the pleasure of seeing you near him would quite atone for
+it."
+
+"Very well mamma,--then I shall certainly let him sleep no longer now;"
+and, so saying, Helen left the room.
+
+"Is not Helen Mowbray a charming creature!" said a gentleman who was
+seated next Miss Torrington, and who, being neither young, handsome,
+rich, nor noble, felt that he could wound no feelings by expressing his
+admiration of one young lady to another.
+
+"I will tell you what she is," answered Rosalind warmly: "she is just as
+much better than every body else in the world, as her sister, there, is
+more beautiful."
+
+"And you are...." said the middle-aged gentleman, fixing a pair of very
+intelligent eyes on her face,--"you are...."
+
+But notwithstanding the look of curiosity with which Miss Torrington
+listened, the speaker suddenly stopped, for a bell was rung with that
+sort of sudden and continued vehemence which denotes haste and agitation
+in the hand that gives it movement.
+
+"That is my father's bell!" said Charles in an accent of alarm; and
+starting up, he was out of the room in an instant.
+
+Mrs. Mowbray immediately followed him, and for several minutes a sort of
+heavy silence seemed to have fallen on every individual present--not a
+word being uttered by any one, and the eyes of all fixing themselves on
+the face of Fanny, who kept her place as if spell-bound, but with a
+countenance that expressed a feeling approaching to terror.
+
+"This is not to be borne!" exclaimed Rosalind abruptly. "Excuse us for a
+moment," she added, addressing those who still remained in the
+breakfast-room.--"Come with me, Fanny, and let us know the worst at
+once."
+
+The two girls left the room together; and in a very few minutes
+afterwards a servant entered, the violent agitation of whose manner
+announced the news he brought before he spoke it.
+
+"My master ... my poor master is dead!" were the words he uttered; and
+their effect upon a party assembled for an occasion of so much
+festivity, and who had so lately parted with their kind and happy host
+in perfect health, may be easily imagined.
+
+One single word in reply to the eager chorus of inquiry told the manner
+of his death--
+
+"Apoplexy!"
+
+The scene which followed was what such an event must necessarily
+produce. No single creature present, except one pretty portionless young
+lady who thought it very likely that Mr. Charles might now fall in love
+with her, could by possibility be benefited by the death of the amiable
+man who had just breathed his last, and it is therefore probable that
+the universal expression of regret was sincere in quality, though its
+quantity might have been somewhat preternaturally increased by the
+circumstances in which the parties were relatively placed when the awful
+event was made known. Several tears were shed, and some glasses of cold
+water called for, while the carriages were getting ready; the gentlemen
+all looked grave, and many of the ladies pale; but in less than half an
+hour they had all left the house, not one of them, as it happened, being
+on terms of sufficient intimacy with the family to justify their
+offering to remain at such a moment.
+
+It is easy enough to dismiss from the scene persons whose feelings were
+so slightly interested in it; but far different would be the task were I
+to attempt painting the heartfelt anguish of those who remained. Mr.
+Mowbray had been so deeply yet so tranquilly loved by every member of
+his family--his intercourse with them had been so uniformly that of
+constant endearment, unchequered by any mixture of rough temper or
+unreasonable caprice, that their love for him was so natural and
+inevitable, that they had never reasoned upon it, or were fully aware of
+its intensity, till the dreadful moment in which they learned that they
+had lost him for ever.
+
+The feelings of Mrs. Mowbray for many hours amounted to agony; for till
+a medical gentleman who examined the body at length succeeded in
+convincing her that she was mistaken, she felt persuaded that her
+beloved husband owed his death to her neglect, and that if, when she
+mistook his unintelligible speech for sleepiness, she had discovered his
+condition, and caused him to be bled, his precious life might have been
+saved. It was evident, however, from many circumstances, that the
+seizure was of a nature not to be baffled or parried by art; and the
+relief this conviction at length afforded the widow was so great, that
+her having first formed a contrary opinion was perhaps a blessing to
+her.
+
+The grief of Charles was that of a young, ardent, and most affectionate
+spirit; but his mother and his sisters now seemed to hang upon him
+wholly, and the Being who alone can read all hearts only knew how deep
+was the sorrow he felt. The young Fanny, stealing away to her chamber,
+threw herself, in an agony of tears, upon her bed, and, forgotten in the
+general dismay that had fallen upon all, wept herself into a sleep that
+lasted till she awakened on the following morning to a renewed sense of
+sorrow which came over her like the dreadful memory of some frightful
+dream.
+
+But of all those whom poor Mowbray had left to deplore his loss, it was
+Helen--his darling Helen--who unquestionably felt it the most
+profoundly. His love for her had all that is most touching in
+partiality, without one atom of the injustice which renders such a
+feeling criminal; and its effect upon her loving and enthusiastic temper
+was stronger than any words can describe.
+
+Miss Torrington was perhaps beyond any other member of the family aware
+of this, and the tenderest pity for the silent, suffering Helen took
+possession of her. She was in truth a looker-on upon the melancholy
+scene, and as such, was more qualified to judge how sorrow worked in
+each of them than any other could be. Her residence in the family,
+though sufficient to impress her with the kindest feelings towards its
+chief, and the deepest impression of his worth, had hardly been long
+enough to awaken thoroughly her affections towards him, and she wept
+more in pity for those around her than from any personal feeling of
+grief for the loss she had herself sustained. To soothe poor Helen, to
+lead her thoughts even for a moment from the subject that engrossed
+them, and to keep her as much as possible from gazing in vain tenderness
+and hopeless agony upon the body of her father, became the sole
+occupation of Rosalind during the dreadful interval between the real
+loss of the beloved being to whom the soul of his child still fondly
+clung, and the apparently more final separation still which took place
+when all that was left of him was borne from the house.
+
+Helen made little apparent return to all these tender cares, but she was
+fully conscious of them. She felt that Rosalind read her heart, and knew
+how to pity her; and the conviction turned liking into love, of that
+enduring kind which such hearts as Helen's alone know how to give.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER III.
+
+THE VICAR OF WREXHILL.
+
+
+On the day preceding that appointed for the funeral, Mrs. Mowbray
+received the following letter:--
+
+     "MADAM,
+
+     "I trust that, as the minister of your parish, my venturing to
+     break in upon your grief will not be considered as an
+     intrusion. In the festivities which have ended so awfully, your
+     hospitality invited me and my children to bear a part; and
+     although I declined the invitation, I am most anxious to prove
+     to you, madam, and to your family, that no deficiency of
+     friendly feeling induced me to do so. But 'it is better to go
+     to the house of mourning than to the house of feasting,' and I
+     now therefore ask your permission to wait on you, with the most
+     earnest hope that the sacred office I hold may enable you to
+     receive me rather with a feeling of comfort than of pain. Be
+     assured, madam, that short as the period of my ministry in the
+     Parish of Wrexhill has been, it is with deep sympathy in the
+     grief that afflicts you that I subscribe myself, madam,
+
+     "Your humble servant and friend,
+
+     "WILLIAM JACOB CARTWRIGHT.
+
+     "Wrexhill Vicarage, May 9th, 1833."
+
+Little calculated as this letter may seem to excite violent emotion, it
+threw poor Mrs. Mowbray into an agony of renewed grief. The idea of
+seeing for the first time since her loss a person who, however
+well-meaning in his wish to visit her, must be classed as a stranger,
+was inexpressibly painful; and, unused to encounter difficulty or
+inconvenience of any kind, she shrank from receiving Mr. Cartwright with
+a degree of weakness which made her son, who had seldom left her side,
+tremble to think how little she was calculated to endure with firmness
+the desolation that had fallen upon her.
+
+"Oh! no! no! no!" she exclaimed vehemently, "I cannot see him--I can see
+no one!--keep him from me, Charles,--keep every one from me, if you
+would not see me sink to the earth before your eyes!"
+
+"My poor mother!..." said Charles, tenderly taking her hand, "do not let
+me see you tremble thus--you will make me tremble too! and we have need
+of strength--we have all great need of strength in this time of trial."
+
+"But you will not let this clergyman come to me, Charles!... Oh no! you
+cannot be so cruel!"
+
+"The very weakness which makes you shrink from this, my dearest mother,
+is the strongest proof that such a visit should be sought, and not
+avoided. Where, mother, are we any of us to look for the strength we
+want, except from Him whose minister now seeks to comfort us?"
+
+"He cannot comfort me!... Can you, can Helen, can my pretty Fanny
+comfort me?... Then how should he?... Charles, Charles, there is no
+comfort in seeing this strange man; you cannot think there is: then why
+do you still stand with his note in your hand as if doubtful how you
+ought to answer it?"
+
+"No, mother, I am not doubtful: my very soul seems to sink within me,
+when I think that he whose precepts...."
+
+Tears--copious woman-like tears choked the utterance of the athletic
+youth, who looked as if he could fight and conquer in any strife to
+which fortune or misfortune could lead him. But the softness that now
+mastered him came not of weakness, but of strength--strength of every
+feeling that might do honour to a man. For a few moments he gave way to
+this burst of passionate sorrow, and the mother and son wept together.
+
+"My own dear Charles!" said Mrs. Mowbray, taking his hand and pressing
+it to her heart, "how could I think for a moment that you would urge me
+to do what was so very painful!"
+
+"It can hardly be so painful for you to do as for me to urge it, dearest
+mother; and yet I must do so ... because I think it right. There is no
+other person in the world, I think, of what rank or station soever, for
+whose admittance I would plead so earnestly, unless it were one who,
+like this gentleman, offered to visit you as the minister of God."
+
+Mrs. Mowbray buried her face in her handkerchief, and turned from him
+with a movement of impatience. At this moment, Helen, and her constant
+attendant Rosalind, entered the room. Mr. Cartwright's note was still in
+Charles's hand, and he gave it to his sister, saying, "Helen, I think my
+mother ought not to refuse this visit; but she is very averse to it. I
+would not pain her for the world; but this is not a moment to refuse any
+one who offers to visit us as the minister of Heaven."
+
+Helen read the note, and her pale cheeks were washed anew with tears as
+she did so.
+
+"It is meant kindly," she said as she laid it upon the table; "but it is
+very soon for my poor mother to meet a stranger."
+
+Rosalind's eyes rested on the folded note, and some feeling suggested by
+the consciousness that she too was almost a stranger brought a flush to
+her cheek, and led her to step back towards a distant sofa. Whether
+Charles observed or understood the movement, she knew not; but he
+followed and placed the letter in her hand.
+
+The words of Helen seemed to comfort her mother, for she again looked
+up, and addressing Charles, almost reproachfully, said,
+
+"Your sister Helen thinks as I do, Charles: it would almost be an
+outrage against decency to receive a stranger on such a day as this."
+
+"Had the request to wait upon you come from our late clergyman, mother,
+would you have refused it?"
+
+"Certainly not: but he was a friend of long standing, not a stranger,
+Charles."
+
+"But had he not been a clergyman, mother, you would hardly have wished
+him to choose such a time to make a visit here; and our not having yet
+become familiar with Mr. Cartwright in the common intercourse of
+society, seems to me no sufficient reason for refusing to see him in the
+sacred character in which he has offered to come...."
+
+Some powerful emotion checked his utterance; but in a moment he added,
+
+"I would wish once more to pray beside my father before he goes hence to
+be no more seen by us on earth."
+
+"Mother!..." cried Helen, dropping on her knees and throwing her arms
+round her.
+
+The appeal was answered by an embrace in which their tears mingled, and
+poor Mrs. Mowbray, whose aching heart seemed to dread every new emotion,
+said, while something like a shudder ran through her frame, "Do with me
+as you will, my children.... I cannot bear much more.... But perhaps it
+would be better for me that I should sink to rest beside him!"
+
+"My dearest friend!" exclaimed Rosalind, coming softly towards her and
+impressing a kiss upon her forehead, "you have not lost all for which
+you might wish to live."
+
+"Oh, true ... most true!... Where is my poor Fanny, Rosalind? You will
+answer this letter for me, Charles?... I will be ready to see Mr.
+Cartwright whenever he chooses to come.... It will be a dreadful
+trial--but I am willing to endure it."
+
+The young man left the room, and such an answer was returned to the
+clergyman's note as brought him to the door within an hour after it was
+despatched.
+
+Rosalind, in obedience to Mrs. Mowbray's hint, had sought Fanny in her
+chamber, where she seemed to find a sad consolation in versifying all
+the tender recollections of her lost father that her memory could
+supply; but she instantly obeyed the summons, and when Mr. Cartwright
+arrived, the whole family were assembled in the drawing-room to receive
+him.
+
+The person, voice, and address of this gentleman were singularly well
+calculated to touch and soothe hearts suffering from affliction; and
+after the first painful moment in which they raised their eyes to meet
+those of the first stranger who had been admitted to look upon their
+sorrow, there was nothing in the interview to justify the terror with
+which the thought of it had inspired the poor widow.
+
+Either from tact or feeling, Mr. Cartwright seemed to avoid speaking to
+Mrs. Mowbray, and it was to her son that he addressed such words as the
+occasion called for. Meanwhile, from time to time his eyes rested with
+gentle pity on the three beautiful girls, whose tears flowed silently as
+they listened to him.
+
+But though the manner of Mr. Cartwright was full of the tenderest
+kindness, it was apparently embarrassed. He evidently feared to touch or
+to dwell upon the agonising subject which occupied all their thoughts,
+and it was Charles who had the courage to turn this melancholy meeting
+to the only purpose for which it could be desirable, by saying--though
+with a faltering voice,--
+
+"Mr. Cartwright ... may we ask you to pray with us beside the coffin
+that contains the body of my father?"
+
+The clergyman started, and his countenance expressed a mixture of
+satisfaction and surprise, his manner instantly became more solemn--more
+devout, and he replied eagerly, rising from his chair as he spoke, as if
+willing to hasten to the scene to which he was called,
+
+"Most gladly--most joyfully, my dear sir, will I kneel with you and your
+amiable family to implore the Divine grace. I did not know.... I had
+hardly dared to hope.... Indeed I feared from the festivities ... from
+the style in which...."
+
+"I trust, sir," interrupted young Mowbray almost in a whisper, "that you
+do not suppose us unused to prayer, because we have rejoiced in the
+blessings which Heaven has bestowed?"
+
+"I thank my God that it is not so," replied the clergyman, pressing the
+young man's hand affectionately; "and I will praise His holy name for
+every symptom I find that the world, my dear young friend, has not taken
+too strong a hold upon your heart. May we through His grace walk
+righteously together in the path in which it hath pleased Him to place
+us side by side!"
+
+Charles Mowbray's heart was ever open to every expression of kindness;
+and now, softened by sorrow, and warmed by a feeling of the purest
+piety, he returned the friendly pressure with interest, and then, taking
+his poor mother's arm within his own, led the way to the chamber of
+death.
+
+The mourning family knelt beside the coffin, and listened with
+suppressed sobs to an extempore prayer, by no means ill suited to the
+occasion, though it was not, as poor Charles had expected, chosen from
+among the many solemn and beautiful orisons which the Church has
+furnished or which the Scriptures might supply for such an hour of need.
+But he was not disposed at this moment to cavil at any words calculated
+to raise his thoughts and those of the beings he most fondly loved to
+that Power which had hitherto blessed their existence, and from whence
+alone they could hope for support under the affliction with which He had
+now visited them. Fervently and earnestly he prayed for them and for
+himself; and when he rose from his knees and again pressed his suffering
+mother to his heart, it was with a feeling of renovated hope and
+confidence in the future protection of Heaven which nothing but prayer
+uttered with genuine piety can give.
+
+Mr. Cartwright did not take his leave till he had spoken an individual
+blessing to each of them, which was accompanied by a pressure of the
+hand that seemed to express more sympathy in what each felt than any
+words could have done.
+
+Young Mowbray then retired with him to arrange everything respecting the
+ceremony which was to take place on the morrow. His mother expressed a
+wish to lie down for an hour; and the three girls, after attending her
+to her room, carefully shutting out the light in the hope that she might
+sleep, and each one bidding her do so, with a fond caress, retreated to
+the dressing-room of Helen, when their conversation naturally turned on
+Mr. Cartwright.
+
+This gentleman had taken possession of the little living of Wrexhill
+only one month before the death of his most distinguished parishioner.
+During the week which followed his first performance of duty in the
+church, the family at the Park made a visit at the Vicarage: for though
+Mr. Cartwright was a widower, he had a daughter nearly twenty years of
+age, who, as mistress of her father's house, was of course visited by
+the ladies. When this visit was returned, the Mowbray family were all
+absent; and during the short interval which followed before the day on
+which young Mowbray came of age, the preparations for the fête by which
+this event was to be celebrated had prevented Mr. Cartwright and his
+family from receiving any other invitation than that which requested
+their attendance at it. This having been declined, he was as nearly as
+possible a personal stranger to the whole Mowbray family.
+
+"What exquisite benevolence his countenance expresses!" exclaimed Fanny:
+"I never saw eyes so full of gentleness."
+
+"His eyes are remarkably handsome," replied Rosalind; "but I am not
+quite sure that I like him."
+
+"The moments we passed with him were moments of agony," said Helen: "it
+would hardly be fair to pronounce any judgment upon him from such an
+interview."
+
+"Perhaps you are right, dear Helen, and I will endeavour to suspend
+mine," replied Rosalind. "But at least I may venture to remark that he
+is a very young-looking father for the full-grown son and daughter we
+have seen."
+
+"I do not think he can be their father," observed Fanny. "Perhaps he is
+only the husband of their mother?... Don't you think that is most
+likely, Helen?"
+
+"I don't know, dear," answered Helen: "I believe I hardly saw him."
+
+"I really doubt if you did, my poor Helen," said Rosalind; "but if he
+speak sooth, he could not say the same of us. If the Reverend gentleman
+be given to sketching of portraits, he might, I think, produce a good
+likeness of either of us, for, like Hamlet when he looked at Ophelia,
+'he fell to such perusal of our faces, as he would draw them'.... I do
+not think I shall like this Mr. Cartwright.... I do not mean now, Helen;
+I speak only of what I think I shall do when I know more of him."
+
+"Do you call that suspending your judgment, Rosalind?" said Helen with a
+feeble smile.
+
+"Well, then, do not try to make a hypocrite of me, dearest: it will
+never answer: Wisdom is of too slow a growth for my little unprofitable
+hotbed of an intellect, which forces every thought to run up to full
+growth, lanky and valueless, as soon as it is sown. But by-and-by you
+shall transplant some of my notions, Helen, into the fine natural soil
+of your brain; and then, if they flourish, we shall see what they are
+really worth."
+
+For all reply, the pale Helen shook her head, as one who knows not well
+what has been said to him; and the conversation languished and dropped,
+as every other had done since the blow had fallen which had levelled her
+young and joyous spirit to the dust.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER IV.
+
+THE WILL.
+
+
+The day which saw the honoured remains of Mr. Mowbray committed to the
+tomb was one of dreadful suffering to his family, and to none more than
+to his son, who with a heart swelling with the most genuine grief, was
+obliged to assume the garb of ceremony, and do the now gloomy honours of
+the mansion to many of the same friends and neighbours who had so
+recently received the joyous greeting of his father. Most thankful was
+he for the relief which followed the departure of the last of those who
+came to do honour to these splendid obsequies; and most soothing was it
+to his wounded and weary spirits to find himself once more surrounded
+only by those who could read in a look all he wished to express, and who
+required no welcome to share in the sorrow of that bitter day.
+
+But, like all other periods of human life, whether marked by sorrow or
+by joy, it passed away with as even and justly-measured a pace as if no
+event distinguished it from its fellow days; and then, by slow but sure
+degrees, the little trifling ordinary routine of daily circumstance came
+with its invisible and unnoticed magic, to efface, or at least to
+weaken, feelings which seemed to have been impressed by the stamp of
+burning iron on their souls.
+
+Charles Mowbray had not yet taken his degree, and wishing to do so as
+soon as possible, he was anxious to return to Christ Church without
+delay; but his father's will had not yet been opened, and, at the
+request of his mother, he postponed his departure till this could be
+done. This important document was in the hands of Sir Gilbert
+Harrington, an intimate friend and neighbour, who being in London at the
+time of Mr. Mowbray's death, had been unable to obey the summons sent to
+him in time to attend the funeral; but within a week after he arrived,
+and the following morning was fixed upon for this necessary business.
+
+The persons present were Sir Gilbert Harrington, Mr. Cartwright, a
+respectable solicitor from the country town who had himself drawn the
+instrument, and Charles Mowbray.
+
+It was dated rather more than ten years back, and, after the usual
+preamble, ran thus:
+
+"In order that my children, or any other persons whom it may concern,
+may know the reason and motive of the disposition of my property which I
+am about to make, it is necessary that I should therewith state the
+manner of my marriage with Clara Helena Frances, my dearly-beloved wife.
+Notwithstanding her vast possessions, I wooed and married her solely
+because I loved her; and this she had the generosity to believe, though
+I was nearly penniless, having nothing but my true affection and good
+blood to offer in return for all the wealth she brought. For several
+months she withstood my earnest solicitations for an immediate union,
+because, had she married before she became of age, her guardian would
+have insisted upon settlements and restrictions, which would have
+deprived me of all control over her property; nor would she subsequently
+sign any document whatever previous to her marriage, thereby rendering
+me the sole possessor of her fortune. WHEREFORE, to show my sense of
+this unparalleled confidence and generosity, I hereby make her the sole
+inheritrix of all I possess, to be ultimately disposed of according
+wholly and solely to her own own will and pleasure...." And then
+followed, with every necessary and unnecessary technicality of the law,
+such a disposition of his property as left his children entirely
+dependent on their mother both for their present and future subsistence.
+
+That this will was very different from anything that Charles Mowbray
+expected, is most certain, and there might perhaps have been some
+slight feeling of disappointment at finding himself dependent even upon
+his mother; but if such there were, it was not sufficiently strong to
+prevent his doing justice to the noble feeling which had led to it; and,
+in truth he felt so certain of the fond affection of his mother, that
+not a shadow of fear either for his own interest or that of his sisters
+crossed his mind.
+
+The lawyer who read aloud the deed he had penned, had of course no
+observation to make upon it, and Mr. Cartwright only remarked that it
+was a proof of very devoted love and confidence.
+
+Of the small party present at this lecture, Sir Gilbert Harrington was
+the only one who testified any strong emotion respecting it; and his
+displeasure and vexation were expressed in no very measured terms. His
+warmth was at length checked, not because he had uttered all he had to
+say, but because he met the eye of Mr. Cartwright fixed upon him with a
+sort of scrutiny that was unpleasing to his feelings. He therefore
+stopped short in the philippic he was pouring forth upon the infernal
+folly of a man's acting in matters of importance without consulting his
+friends, and taking the arm of Charles, walked through the hall into the
+grounds without appearing to remember that as he was left joint executor
+with Mrs. Mowbray to the will, it might be expected that he should make
+some notification of its contents to her before he left the house.
+
+"Shall we not speak to my mother, Sir Gilbert?" said Mowbray,
+endeavouring to restrain the eager step of the Baronet as he was passing
+through the hall-door.
+
+"No, sir," was the laconic reply; and on he stalked with a more rapid
+step than before.
+
+The conversation which passed between them during the hour which
+intervened before Sir Gilbert clambered up to his saddle and galloped
+off, was made up of something between lamentation and anathema on his
+side, and the most earnest assurances that no mischief could ensue from
+his father's will on the part of Charles. The testy old gentleman could
+not, however, be wrought upon to see the widow, who, as he said, must
+have used most cursed cunning in obtaining such a will; of which,
+however, poor lady, she was as innocent as the babe unborn; and he at
+length left the Park, positive that he should have a fit of the gout,
+and that the widow Mowbray would marry within a year.
+
+As soon as he had got rid of his warm-hearted but passionate old friend,
+Mowbray hastened to repair the neglect he had been forced into
+committing, and sought his mother in the drawing-room. But she was no
+longer there.
+
+The room, indeed, appeared to be wholly untenanted, and he was on the
+point of leaving it to seek his mother elsewhere, when he perceived that
+Miss Torrington was seated at the most distant corner of it, almost
+concealed by the folds of the farthest window-curtain.
+
+"Rosalind!" ... he exclaimed, "are you hid there?... Where are all the
+rest? and how come you to be left alone?"
+
+"I am left alone, Mr. Mowbray ... because I wished it. Helen and Fanny
+are with your mother, I believe, in her room."
+
+Charles wished to see them all, and to see them together, and had almost
+turned to go; but there was something in the look and manner of Rosalind
+that puzzled him, and going up to her, he said kindly, "Is anything the
+matter, Rosalind? You look as if something had vexed you."
+
+To his great astonishment she burst into tears, and turning from him as
+if to hide an emotion she could not conquer, she said, "Go, go, Mr.
+Mowbray--go to your mother--you ought to have gone to her instantly."
+
+"Instantly?... When?... What do you mean, Miss Torrington?"
+
+"Miss Torrington means, Mr. Mowbray, that it would in every way have
+been more proper for you to have announced to your mother yourself the
+strange will it has pleased your father to leave, instead of sending a
+stranger to do it."
+
+"Who then has told her of it, Rosalind? Was it the lawyer? was it Mr.
+Humphries?"
+
+"No sir--it was Mr. Cartwright."
+
+"But why should you be displeased with me for this, dear Rosalind? Sir
+Gilbert led me out of the library by force, and would not let me go to
+my mother, as I wished to do, and I have but this instant got rid of
+him; but I did not commission either Mr. Cartwright or any one else to
+make a communication to her which I was particularly desirous of making
+myself."
+
+"You did not send Mr. Cartwright to her?" said Rosalind colouring, and
+looking earnestly in his face.
+
+"No, indeed I did not. Did he say I had sent him?"
+
+"How very strange it is," she replied after a moment's consideration,
+"that I should be perfectly unable to say whether he did or did not! I
+certainly do not remember that he explicitly said 'Madam, your son has
+sent me here;' but this I do remember--that somehow or other I
+understood that you had done so."
+
+"And how did he announce to my mother that she.... I mean, how did he
+communicate to her the purport of my father's will?"
+
+"Charles Mowbray!" exclaimed Rosalind passionately, clenching her small
+hands and stamping her little foot upon the ground--"I may be a very,
+very wicked girl: I know I am wilful, headstrong, obstinate, and vain;
+and call me also dark-minded, suspicious, what you will; but I do hate
+that man."
+
+"Hate whom, Rosalind?" said Charles, inexpressibly astonished at her
+vehemence. "What is it you mean?... Is it Mr. Cartwright, our good
+friendly clergyman, that you hate so bitterly?"
+
+"Go to your mother, Mr. Mowbray. I am little more than seventeen years
+old, and have always been considered less instructed, and therefore
+sillier of course than was to be expected even from my age and sex; then
+will it not be worse than waste of time to inquire what I
+mean--especially when I confess, as I am bound to do, that I do not well
+know myself?... Go to your mother, Charles, and let her know exactly all
+you feel. You, at least, have no cause to hide your faults."
+
+"I will go--but I wish I knew what has so strangely moved you."
+
+"Ask your sisters--they saw and heard all that I did; at least, they
+were present here, as I was;--ask them, examine them, but ask me
+nothing; for I do believe, Charles, that I am less to be depended on
+than any other person in the world."
+
+"And why so, my dear Rosalind?" replied Mowbray, almost laughing. "Do
+you mean that you tell fibs against your will?"
+
+"Yes ... I believe so. At least, I feel strangely tempted to say a great
+deal more than I positively know to be true; and that is very much like
+telling fibs, I believe."
+
+"Well, Rosalind, I will go, for you grow more mysterious every moment;
+only, remember that I should greatly like to know all the thoughts that
+come into that strange little head of yours. Will you promise that I
+shall?"
+
+"No," was the ungracious reply; and turning away, she left the room by a
+door that led into a conservatory.
+
+On entering his mother's dressing-room, Mowbray found her seated between
+her two daughters, and holding a hand of each.
+
+She looked up as he entered: the traces of tears were on her cheeks, and
+her eyes rested on him with an expression of melancholy reproach such as
+he had never read in them before.
+
+"My dear, dear mother!" he exclaimed as he approached her, "has my
+absence then vexed you so grievously?... I could not help it, mother;
+Sir Gilbert literally made me his prisoner."
+
+"Sir Gilbert, Charles, might have shown more respect to the memory of
+the friend he has lost, than by keeping his son to listen to his own
+wild invectives against the wife that friend so loved and trusted."
+
+"Whoever has repeated to you the hasty expressions of Sir Gilbert, my
+dear mother, in such a manner as to leave a painful impression on your
+mind against him, has not acted well. You know his temper, but you know
+his heart also; and I should not have thought that it could have been in
+the power of any one to make you doubt the real friendship of Sir
+Gilbert for us all."
+
+"Surely, Charles, it was no symptom of friendship to me, to say that
+your dear father had made an accursed will!"
+
+"Good heavens!... what a strange misrepresentation, mother!... and all
+hanging, as it should seem, upon one little syllable!... Our friend, as
+you well know, is what Rosalind calls a manish man; he denies the
+supremacy of woman, and might, and I verily believe did say, that a will
+which vested power in her must be a cursed will. But we know too well
+his long-licensed coarseness of expression to greatly marvel at that;
+but for the solemn and most awful word ac-cursed, believe me, mother, he
+never said it."
+
+"It matters little, my dear son, what particular words of abuse Sir
+Gilbert uttered against me, provided that your heart did not echo them."
+
+"Mother! dearest mother!" cried Helen, rising and going towards her
+brother, who seemed petrified at the words he heard, "how for a single
+moment could you believe that Charles's heart could echo any word that
+spoke not honour and love towards you!"
+
+"He might have been mistaken, Helen," replied her mother with a heavy
+sigh: "Charles could not indeed suspect that the mother his dear father
+so fully trusted should prove unworthy of the trust.--But let us quit
+this painful theme; and believe me, my children, that the first wish of
+my heart is to prove myself worthy of his trust and your love."
+
+"Such words are just what we might expect to hear from you, mother,"
+said Mowbray, "were any profession from you to us necessary; but I would
+gladly forget that you have ever thought such an assurance called for."
+
+He bent down and kissed her fervently; and then making a sign to Helen,
+who seemed about to follow him, that she should remain where she was, he
+walked out for a couple of hours among the darkest thickets he could
+find, with more of melancholy feeling than had ever before rested on his
+spirits.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER V.
+
+THE ARISTOCRACY OF WREXHILL.
+
+
+There was no longer any thing to prevent Charles Mowbray's return to
+Oxford, and the following day the time of his departure was canvassed,
+and at length fixed for the early part of the following week. During the
+few days that intervened, Mrs. Mowbray seemed quite to have forgotten
+their painful conversation respecting the will; she resumed all her
+former confiding tenderness of manner, and told him before they parted,
+that henceforward his liberal allowance would be doubled.
+
+The day preceding his departure was Sunday, and for the first time since
+their heavy loss the whole family appeared at church. They had all
+dreaded the moment of reappearing before the eyes of the little village
+world, and of thus giving public notice, as it were, that they no longer
+required to be left to mourn in secret: but this painful ceremony came,
+and was endured, like those that had preceded it; and poor Helen, as she
+laid her head upon her pillow, exclaimed, "What is there that we could
+not bear, and live."
+
+The sad parting of the next morning having also passed over them, they
+at once, and by necessity, fell into the mode of life which they were
+hereafter to pursue. But dreary and heavy was the change that had fallen
+on them, and it was long ere the mere act of assembling for their daily
+meals ceased to be a source of suffering--for fearful was the blank left
+by the absence of the kind, the gentle, the beloved, the venerated
+being, whose voice was used to speak a blessing and a welcome over every
+repast. But our natures seize with avidity the healing balm which time
+and occupation offer: much variety of disposition was, however,
+manifested in the manner in which each one of the family sought the
+consolation they needed.
+
+Mrs. Mowbray became evidently, though perhaps unconsciously, better both
+in health and spirits from the time that her neighbours, according to
+their different ranks, resumed their visits of friendship, civility, and
+respect. She had testified outwardly, excepting to such an eye as
+Rosalind's, more intense suffering than any other member of the family.
+Nor was this in the smallest degree the result of affectation: she felt
+all, and more than all, that she had ever expressed, and would gladly,
+for the sake of her poor children, have concealed a part of it, had the
+fibre of her character permitted her doing so. But she was demonstrative
+by nature: with great softness and sweetness of temper, was joined that
+species of weakness which is often said to be the most attractive
+feature in the female character;--a weakness that induced her to seize
+gladly and gratefully any hand extended to lead her, and which, while it
+made her distrust herself, gave most sovereign sway and masterdom to
+any one ready and willing to supply the strength and decision of purpose
+which she wanted.
+
+Many female philippics have been penned, I believe, against that manly
+passion for superiority which leads our masters to covet in a companion
+chosen for life the temper of mind here described; but I am tempted to
+think that this longing to possess a being that wants protection, far
+from demonstrating a disposition prone to tyranny, shows a nature
+disposed to love and to cherish, in a manner perfectly accordant to the
+most perfect _beau idéal_ of married life. But, on the other hand, there
+may perhaps be more of fondness than judgment in those who make such
+mallability of mind their first requisite in a choice so awfully
+important.
+
+Mrs. Mowbray, however, had a thousand good qualities to justify the
+devoted affection of her husband. Generous, unsuspicious, and confiding,
+she was almost as incapable of doubting the goodness of others, as of
+deserving such doubts herself. Though heiress to immense property, no
+feeling in the slightest degree approaching to pride had even for a
+single instant swelled her heart; and though good, beautiful, and
+accomplished, her estimate of herself was lower than that formed of her
+by any other human being. Her heart was now more than ever opened to
+every expression of sympathy and kindness, and she experienced the most
+salutary effects from admitting those who uttered such, yet she was
+still a mourner in her very heart and soul; and there were moments in
+which she felt so bitterly that all her youthful affections were buried,
+and every hope of earthly happiness past, that the fair young faces of
+the three affectionate girls who were ready to devote themselves to her
+seemed too bright and beautiful to be kept within the influence of her
+melancholy, and she often sent them from her to their music-room, their
+flower-gardens, or the Park, with a sort of feverish anxiety, lest their
+youth and health should be sacrificed to their affection for her.
+
+Helen had all the tenderness with none of the weakness of her mother's
+character. She soon ceased to speak of her father, except occasionally,
+when walking or sitting quite alone with Rosalind, when sheltering
+boughs or thickening twilight might conceal the working features of her
+face even from her. At such a moment, if some kind caress from her young
+companion touched unawares the feelings over which she unceasingly kept
+guard, as if they were a secret treasure too precious to be exposed to
+vulgar eyes, she would from time to time give way to the sacred pleasure
+of discoursing on the character of the father she had lost.
+
+But she had resumed all her former occupations, and added to them the
+far from unpleasing task of imparting to Rosalind much that had either
+been ill taught or altogether neglected in her early education. This, as
+well as their daily-increasing affection for each other, kept them much
+together, without any blameable desertion either of Mrs. Mowbray or
+Fanny: for the former was really wretched if she thought they confined
+themselves too much to her drawing-room and herself; and the latter was
+hourly becoming more devoted to solitary study, and to speculations too
+poetical and sublime to be shared by any one less romantic and
+imaginative than herself.
+
+The neighbourhood was not a large one: Mowbray Park, and the estate
+attached to it, stretched itself so far in all directions, that Oakley,
+the residence of Sir Gilbert Harrington, the nearest landed proprietor,
+was at the distance of more than a mile. The little village of Wrexhill,
+however, had one or two pretty houses in it, inhabited by ladies and
+gentlemen of moderate but independent fortune, with whom the family at
+the Park associated on terms of intimacy.
+
+Among these, the late Vicar and his family had been the decided
+favourites of the whole race of Mowbrays,--and most deservedly so; for
+the father was a man of piety, learning, and most amiable deportment;
+his wife, a being whose temper, to say nothing of sundry other good
+qualities, had made her the idol of the whole parish; and his two sons
+and two daughters, just such sons and daughters as such parents deserved
+to have. But, as Gregory Dobbs, the old parish clerk, observed, after
+officiating at the funeral of Mr. Mowbray, "Death seemed to have taken a
+spite against the village of Wrexhill, for within one short month he had
+mowed down and swept away the two best and _most powerful_ men in the
+parish, and 'twas no easy matter to say how long the inhabitants might
+be likely to wear mourning."
+
+The dispersion and departure of the good Vicar's family was an
+additional misfortune that his parishioners had not looked for. The
+living, more valuable for its pleasant house and pretty glebe than for
+its revenue, was in the gift of one who through life had been, not in
+appearance or profession only, but in most true sincerity, the attached
+friend of the late incumbent; and Edward Wallace, his eldest son, was
+bred to the church with the express understanding that the next
+presentation should be his. With this persuasion, the young man's first
+act on the death of his father was to tell his mother and sisters that
+they should continue to inhabit the home they had so long loved. But
+this arrangement was speedily overthrown; for in reply to the letter
+which announced the death of his father to Sir J. C. Blackhouse, the
+patron of the living, he received the following answer:
+
+     "My dear Fellow,
+
+     "As the devil would have it, I am now a cabinet minister, and I
+     no more dare give the living to your Tory father's son, than I
+     dare blow up Westminster Hall, or pull the Lord Chancellor's
+     nose in public. I do assure you I am very sorry for this, for I
+     believe you are likely to be as good a man as your excellent
+     father, who, when he was my tutor, had certainly no notion that
+     I should turn out such a first-rate Radical. However, there is
+     no resisting destiny; and so here I am, just going to give my
+     pretty little living to some Reverend Mr. Somebody that I don't
+     care a straw about, because my Lord M---- says, that though a
+     bit of a saint, he is a _capital clerical Whig_. I wish,
+     Edward, you'd try to forget all the fusty old nonsense about
+     Church and State,--upon my life I do. By-gones are by-gones, my
+     dear fellow; and if you could get up a clever pamphlet on the
+     Tithe Laws, or on the Protestant affinities to the Church of
+     Rome, or anything else with a good rich vein of whiggery
+     running through it, I really think I might still be able to do
+     something for you. Do think of this, and believe me,
+
+     "My dear fellow,
+
+     "Very affectionately,
+
+     "Your friend,
+
+     "J. C. BLACKHOUSE."
+
+This most unlooked-for disappointment of course banished the Wallace
+family from Wrexhill; and the regret their departure left was so
+general, that it would be hardly saying too much to declare that no
+interference of the Whig government, however personal or tyrannical,
+ever produced a stronger sensation of disgust in the circle to which its
+influence extended than this.
+
+It was greatly owing to the influence of Mr. Mowbray, that Mr.
+Cartwright, his son and daughter, were visited by the neighbourhood on
+their arrival; but the obvious injustice and impropriety of treating
+with indignity and disrespect the clergyman who was placed among them,
+solely because they would have preferred one of their own choosing, had
+led the benevolent owner of "the great house" to banish the painful
+feelings to which this unpopular appointment had given rise, and before
+he died, he had the satisfaction of knowing that those who looked up to
+him as authority had followed his example, and that the new Vicar had
+been called upon by all the visiting families of Wrexhill.
+
+The handsomest house in the village was inhabited by a widow lady still
+young enough to be called handsome, and living with sufficient show to
+be supposed rich. She played a little, sang a little, sketched a little,
+and talked and dressed a great deal. Some people declared that when she
+was young, her complexion must have been as beautiful as that of Miss
+Fanny Mowbray: but these were only the young farmers, who did not know
+rouge when they saw it. This lady, whose name was Simpson, had one
+little girl, a pretty little creature of eight years old, who was
+sometimes petted and played with till she was completely spoiled, and
+sometimes left in the nursery for days together, while her mamma was
+absorbed in the perusal of a new novel or the fabrication of a new
+dress.
+
+At the next turn of the village street was the entrance to a little
+place of much less pretension, but infinitely prettier, and in better
+taste: this also was tenanted by a fair widow, who, had she not been
+surrounded by three daughters, all taller than herself, might have
+passed for being as young and as handsome as Mrs. Simpson. She was,
+however, as little like her as possible in every other respect, being
+subject to no caprice, remarkably simple in her dress, and her hair and
+her cheeks always remaining of the colour that pleased God. This lady
+had been early left a widow by the gallant and unfortunate Colonel
+Richards, who lost a life in a skirmish with the native troops of India
+which might have done honour to his country in a nobler field. What his
+young widow endured in returning from a remote part of the country to
+Madras, with her three infants and very little means, had doubtless
+contributed, with the good gifts born with her, to make her what she
+was; for there was a firmness and strength of mind enveloped in her
+miniature frame, which seemed as if her brave husband had bequeathed to
+her the legacy of his dauntless spirit to sustain her under all the
+privations and misery his early death left her to encounter alone.
+
+The character of her three girls will be easily understood hereafter.
+
+Mrs. Richards's cottage was the only residence in Wrexhill except the
+Vicar's that did not open upon the village street, so that she had no
+immediate neighbour; but close to the corner of the pretty field that
+fronted her dwelling and fed her cow, lived a bachelor half-pay officer,
+who among many other excellent qualities possessed one which made him
+pre-eminently interesting in her eyes:--he had known Colonel Richards
+well, and less than half the reverence he felt for his memory has often
+sufficed to enrich the church of Rome with a saint. It was not Major
+Dalrymple's fault if the widow of his umqwhile commanding officer had
+not long ago exchanged her comparative poverty for his very comfortable
+independence; and considering that he was five years younger than the
+lady, was the presumptive heir to a noble Scotch cousin who was thought
+consumptive, played the flute exquisitely, and was moreover a tall and
+gentlemanly figure, with no other fault imputed to him than a somewhat
+obstinate pertinacity of attachment to herself, many people both in and
+out of Wrexhill wondered at her obduracy, especially as she had never
+been heard to say, even by her most intimate friends, "that her heart
+was buried in the grave of her dear Richards."
+
+The remaining aristocracy of Wrexhill need hardly be enumerated, as they
+will not make any very considerable figure in the following pages. But
+there was an attorney, an apothecary, and a schoolmaster. The latter,
+indeed, was an excellent person, of whom we may hear more in the sequel;
+but a _catalogue raisonné_ of names makes but a dull chapter.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER VI.
+
+THE PRINCIPAL PERSON IN THE VILLAGE.--THE VICAR'S FAMILY.
+
+
+Two days after the Mowbray family appeared at church, the village gentry
+began to offer their visits of condolence, which, happily however for
+the tranquillity of the persons chiefly concerned, were performed in the
+improved manner of modern times; that is to say, every allusion to the
+recent event being by all but their intimate friends most cautiously
+avoided by all parties.
+
+The first person who entered the drawing-room was Mrs. Simpson. On all
+occasions, indeed, this lady exerted herself to sustain the position of
+"the principal person in the village." She seldom gave an order for "the
+fly," which, weak as were its own springs, was, in truth, the
+main-spring of all the rural visitings; she seldom ordered this
+indispensable commodity without adding to her instructions, "Pray be
+punctual, Mr. Sims,--I say this for your sake as well as my own; for if
+the principal person in the village is made to wait, you may depend upon
+it an opposition will be started immediately, and in that case, you
+know, I should be obliged to give it my patronage." In like manner, the
+butcher and baker in the village, the ruddy-faced milkman out of it, the
+shoemaker, the dressmaker, the carpenter, the glazier, the dealer in
+small wares and all wares, were severally and collectively given to
+understand that Mrs. Simpson, as the principal person in the village,
+had a right to expect the first-fruits of their civility, attention,
+industry, and general stock-in-trade.
+
+Her entrance into the presence of Mrs. Mowbray was as pregnant with
+sentiment and sympathy as the degree of intimacy to which she was
+admitted would permit. The hand-shaking was performed with a little
+pressure and a little sigh; every pause in the conversation was made to
+speak volumes by the sad tone in which the next sentence was spoken: in
+short, if the minds of Mrs. Mowbray, her eldest daughter, and her ward,
+who kindly volunteered to sustain this ordeal with her, had not been
+fully occupied by the recent event, almost every word, look, and gesture
+of the principal person of Wrexhill were calculated to recall it.
+
+Mrs. Simpson was accompanied by her pretty little girl, flowered and
+furbelowed into as near a resemblance to a bantam chicken as it was
+possible for a pretty little girl to take.
+
+The distance from the village to the Park was almost too great for so
+young a child to walk, and the poor little thing looked heated, cross,
+and weary; but her mamma declared that a ramble through those delicious
+fields was the greatest treat in the world. "I trust in Heaven," she
+continued, using her near-sighted eye-glass to look at a drawing which
+lay on the table, "that Mimima" (her abbreviation of Jemima) "will have
+my taste for sketching--I like to take her out with me, dear pet, she
+enjoys it so! but at this lovely season it is the most difficult thing
+in the world not to sketch as one goes. Indeed, when the mind is
+pre-occupied"--(a sigh)--"every object, however"--(a pause)--"I beg your
+pardon, but it is so difficult--"
+
+"Come to me, Jemima," said Helen, holding out her hand, "and let me take
+your bonnet off."
+
+The child put up her shoulder, and pressed with distressing closeness
+upon the delicate lilac of her mother's new silk dress.
+
+"It is such a shy puss!" said Mrs. Simpson; "I often think what would
+become of her"--(a sigh). "I beg your pardon--but sad thoughts will
+press--"
+
+"Little girl, do you love eau de Cologne?" said Rosalind, taking a
+bottle from the table and holding it towards her.
+
+Either the look, the accent, or the action of Rosalind had attraction
+sufficient to draw the child towards her; when she good-humouredly
+relieved the glowing cheeks from the stifling encumbrance of a very
+close pink bonnet and thick green veil, and then copiously bedewed the
+pretty head with the fragrant and refreshing water.
+
+"Do you like it, dear?"
+
+"Yes, very much; do it again! again!" said the child, laughing aloud.
+
+"Mimima!--what did I tell you, dear! Alas!--young heads--I beg your
+pardon--" (a sigh). "You are too good!--I fear you will spoil her, Miss
+Torrington."
+
+"I am only trying to cool her a little, ma'am; she looks quite in a
+fever."
+
+"She has sported along before me like a little fawn! I brought my maid
+and the man servant, as I thought they might carry her between them if
+she was tired; but she would not hear of it--the step of childhood is so
+elastic!--Alas!--I beg your pardon!--"
+
+"Don't you like to ride _a-cushion_, Miss Jemima?" said Rosalind, struck
+by the idea of the maid and the man carrying the young lady between
+them.
+
+"What is that?" inquired the child.
+
+Rosalind laughed a little, and coloured a little, at being obliged to
+explain herself; but making the best of it, she took Mimima's little
+hands and interlaced them with her own, after the most approved manner
+of preparing to treat somebody with riding _a-cushion_.
+
+No persons resent ridicule so much as those who are perpetually exposing
+themselves to it. Mrs. Simpson out-glowed her rouge as she said, "I did
+not mean, Miss Torrington, that my servants were to carry the child
+together,--I really wonder such a very droll idea.--I beg your
+pardon--but at such a time--"
+
+Miss Torrington looked at her for a moment, and then rose and left the
+room.
+
+Mrs. Simpson saw that she had offended the heiress, and from that moment
+conceived towards her one of those little feminine antipathies, which if
+they do not as often lead to daggers and bowls in the higher ranks of
+society as to black eyes and broken noses in the lower, are nevertheless
+seldom quite innoxious.
+
+The conversation now began to languish, for the principal person in
+Wrexhill was decidedly out of humour, and Helen was painfully seeking
+for what she was to say next, when the door was thrown open, and Mr. and
+Miss Cartwright, and Mr. Jacob Cartwright, were announced.
+
+No sudden and unexpected burst of sunshine ever produced a greater
+change in the aspect of a watery landscape, than the entrance of this
+party on the countenance of the handsome widow. Had Rosalind been
+present, she would have found some amusement, or at least some
+occupation, in seeking to discover whether it were the father or son who
+possessed this vivifying power. To the pale, hollow-eyed daughter she
+would certainly have attributed no such influence. But as we have not
+her help to decide the doubt, we must leave the matter to the slower
+hand of time.
+
+Mr. Jacob Cartwright was a tall, straight, young man, but as yet a
+little inclining to that line of contour, which can only be described by
+the expressive word lanky. Neither was his hair handsome, for,
+designated as "light" by his particular friends and admirers, it was
+called "sandy" by the rest of the world. But the young gentleman had a
+finely-formed mouth, with a very beautiful set of teeth, and a large
+clear light blue eye, which many persons declared to be beautiful.
+
+This young man was said to resemble greatly the mother he had lost: to
+his father he was certainly as unlike as possible. Mr. Cartwright,
+though somewhat above the middle height, was shorter than his son, and
+his person incomparably better built; his features were very regularly
+handsome, and the habitual expression of his countenance gentle and
+attractive. His eyes were large, dark, and very beautifully formed, and
+his hair and beard as black as those of a Spaniard, save here and there
+a silver line which about the temples began to mix itself with the
+sable. His mouth and teeth perhaps might have been said to resemble
+those of his son, had not the expression been so different. In the son
+these constituted merely a well-formed feature; to the father they
+seemed to give a power when he spoke that might work wonders either for
+good or evil.
+
+Henrietta Cartwright resembled neither of them: of the two, she would
+have been said to be most like her father, because her hair and eyes
+were dark; but the form of the head and face, and above all, the cynic
+expression of the mouth, were in perfect contrast to his. Like her
+brother she was extremely thin; but she was not proportionably tall, and
+in her this ascetic form seemed rather the result of ill health than of
+make. She was moreover deadly pale, and seldom spoke in general society
+if she could possibly avoid it.
+
+Mrs. Mowbray received all the party with cordial kindness. In Helen's
+manner there was a shade of coldness, especially to the father, whose
+offered hand she did not appear to see; but the whole trio shared the
+affectionate greetings of Mrs. Simpson.
+
+"How _very_ lucky I am to meet you! Such a dismal long walk, all
+alone!--but now we can return together. How are you, my dear Miss
+Henrietta? has your headache left you?--No?--Oh, how I grieve to see you
+suffer so! I need not inquire for you, Mr. Jacob--what a picture of
+youth and activity you are! Mimima, come here. Don't you remember your
+friend?--don't you remember Mr. Jacob Cartwright?--Ah! I thought you
+could not forget him! You would not be your mother's child, dearest, if
+you could ever forget kindness."
+
+In her address to the elder gentleman there seemed to be a little more
+caution in the expression of her affectionate feelings; but she looked
+at him, and she listened to him, and more than once repeated what he
+said, as if to impress the precious words on her memory. In short, from
+the moment the Vicar and his family entered the room, it was evident the
+ladies of the Park were completely put
+
+    ----"In non cale;"
+
+and this, considering the undeviating respect which through life Mrs.
+Simpson had ever paid to wealth and station, was no trifling proof of
+the sincerity of that friendship which she professed for her new
+friends.
+
+"I hope your youngest daughter is well, and Miss Torrington also?" said
+Mr. Cartwright.
+
+"Quite well, thank you. Helen, do you know where your sister is?"
+
+"In the library, I believe, mamma."
+
+"Miss Cartwright, would you not like some refreshment?... Do ring the
+bell, Helen. I am sure, Mrs. Simpson, you ought to take some
+wine-and-water after your long walk."
+
+It was not difficult to see that this civility was the result of a
+strong and painful effort on the part of Mrs. Mowbray, and Helen was
+provoked with the whole party for not declining it; but no choice was
+left her--the bell was rung, and the tray arrived. One comfort she had,
+and that no trifling one: neither herself nor her mother had any further
+occasion to seek subjects of conversation; Mrs. Simpson took the whole
+of this troublesome business upon herself, and for the period that the
+luncheon lasted was so completely engaged in eating and talking, that
+she had not time for a single sigh.
+
+The two gentlemen and the little girl were very nearly as busily
+employed as herself; but Miss Cartwright sat silently apart, and a
+feeling as nearly allied perhaps to curiosity as politeness, induced
+Helen to change her place and seat herself near her.
+
+"Will you not take some refreshment, Miss Cartwright?... Let me get you
+some grapes."
+
+"I thank you--none."
+
+"Not even a little soda-water and wine? The morning seems unusually
+warm."
+
+"Nothing, I thank you."
+
+"Are you a great walker?"
+
+"Yes."
+
+"This is a charming country for it--such a beautiful variety of lanes
+and fields."
+
+"I seldom vary my walk."
+
+"Indeed! And what is the favourite spot you have chosen?"
+
+"The ugliest and most gloomy I could find, that I might be sure of never
+meeting any one."
+
+Helen was silenced--she had not courage for another word, and in order
+to cover her retreat, moved towards the table, and bestowed her
+attention on the little girl, who, totally forgotten by her mamma, was
+quaffing long draughts of wine from a tumbler which Mr. Jacob had been
+preparing for himself, but which he had willingly yielded to her, and
+now seemed waiting for the inevitable effect of such excess with a sort
+of sly and covert glee that made Helen very angry.
+
+"Your little girl will make herself ill, I am afraid, Mrs. Simpson, by
+the quantity of wine she is taking: I am afraid there is no water with
+it."
+
+The lady, who was talking very earnestly in an under tone to Mr.
+Cartwright, started at this appeal, and with a glance of more anger than
+the age of the child could justify, drew her back from the table and
+made her stand at some distance from it.
+
+"I really think that it is Mr. Jacob Cartwright who should be punished,"
+said Helen: "for he knew a great deal more about the matter than the
+little girl herself."
+
+"Oh no!... naughty little thing!"--said the mamma.
+
+"I am very sorry if I have been the occasion of the little girl's doing
+what was wrong," said Mr. Jacob slowly and in a very gentle tone. "I did
+not think she would have taken so much; and she looked very tired and
+warm."
+
+Mrs. Simpson made some civil answer, and turned to renew her
+conversation with the Vicar; but he was gone. She positively started,
+and looked about her with great interest to discover what had become of
+him. The windows of the room opened upon the lawn, and though she had
+not seen his exit, she very naturally guessed that it must have been
+made in that direction. After rising from the table, and making one or
+two unmeaning movements about the room, taking up a book and laying it
+down again without looking at its title, examining a vase on the
+chimney-piece and a rose on the flower-stand, she gradually drew towards
+the open window, and after pausing for half a minute, walked through it
+upon the grass.
+
+The little girl trotted after her; Mr. Jacob followed, probably hoping
+to see her stagger about a little; and Helen, though sadly vexed at this
+new device to prolong the tedious visit, could do no less than walk
+after them.
+
+The conservatory, drawing-room, and library, formed this side of the
+house, the whole range of windows opening uniformly upon the lawn. As
+Helen stepped out, she perceived that the party who had preceded her
+were entering by the window of the library, and she quickly followed
+them, thinking it probable that Fanny might be startled and vexed at
+this unexpected interruption, when, as was very likely, she might be in
+the very act of invoking the "sacred nine."
+
+Upon entering the room, however, she found her sister, to her great
+surprise, conversing earnestly with Mr. Cartwright, and appearing to be
+hardly yet conscious of the presence of the others.
+
+Mrs. Simpson gave a little, almost imperceptible toss of the head, at
+discovering how the gentleman was engaged.
+
+"We could not think whither you had vanished, Mr. Cartwright," said she,
+in her sweetest voice; "but you really were very lucky to ramble in this
+direction. Miss Fanny ought to have her picture taken in this fine room,
+with all her books about her."
+
+While she said this, Mr. Cartwright continued in a whisper to finish
+what he was addressing to Fanny; and having done so, he turned to the
+party which had followed him, saying, "The bright verdure of your
+beautiful lawn, Miss Mowbray, tempted me out; but I hope our intrusion
+has not disturbed your sister?"
+
+Fanny answered eagerly that she was very glad to see him. At that moment
+Helen chanced to turn her eyes towards the window by which they entered;
+when she perceived that Miss Cartwright had followed them. She was,
+however, more than half concealed by a large orange tree which stood in
+a high square box beside the window; but her head was bent forward to
+look into the room, and a sneer of such very singular expression rested
+on her lip and in her eye as she looked at her father and Fanny, who
+were still standing close together, that Helen remained perfectly still,
+staring at her. In another moment Miss Cartwright changed the direction
+of her eyes, and encountered those of Helen fixed upon her with a look
+of unconcealed astonishment; but her own did not sink before them, and
+she turned away with a smile quite as strange and unintelligible as the
+look she had bestowed on Fanny.
+
+At length this tedious visit was brought to its conclusion; the bonnet
+of the tipsy and now very pale little girl was replaced, a number of
+civil speeches spoken, and the whole party walked off together across
+the lawn to a gate which was to take them by a short cut through the
+Park.
+
+"I quite envy Mrs. Simpson her walk home!" said Fanny. "I see she has
+taken Mr. Cartwright's arm: I really do think he is the very handsomest
+and most agreeable man I ever saw in my life!"
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER VII.
+
+THE FIRST IMPRESSIONS MADE BY MR. CARTWRIGHT.--LETTER FROM LADY
+HARRINGTON.
+
+
+The three girls rallied round Mrs. Mowbray as soon as the guests had
+departed, all kindly anxious to see how she bore this first step back
+into a world so wholly changed for her.
+
+She looked pale, and there was an air of languor and weariness about
+her: nevertheless, to the great surprise of Helen, she expressed herself
+much pleased by the visit:
+
+"Mr. Cartwright," said she, "appears to me to be one of the most amiable
+men I ever saw; every tone of his voice speaks kindness, and indeed, if
+he did not speak at all, one look of his has more feeling and pity in it
+than other people could express by a volume of words."
+
+"Do you really think so, mamma?" said Helen eagerly, but suddenly
+stopped herself, aware that in truth she had no grounds whatever for the
+strong feeling of dislike towards him of which she was conscious. She
+remembered, too, that her father had expressed himself greatly pleased
+by the urbanity of his manners, and that the last act of the benign
+influence he was wont to exercise on those around him had been to
+conquer the prejudice against him, to which the exclusion of the Wallace
+family had unjustly given rise. Helen remembered all this in a moment;
+the colour mounted to her cheeks, and she was silent.
+
+Rosalind, too, was silent, at least from words; but her eyes could speak
+as many volumes at a glance as Mr. Cartwright's, and she fixed them for
+an instant on Helen with a look that told her plainly her prejudices
+against their new neighbour, however unreasonable, were fully shared by
+her.
+
+Meanwhile Fanny had thrown her arms round her mother's neck in a sort of
+rapture at hearing her own opinions confirmed by such authority. "Oh,
+how true that is, dearest mamma!" she exclaimed; "how exactly I feel the
+same when he speaks to me!... Such goodness, such gentleness, so much
+superiority, yet so much humility! Poor dear Mr. Wallace was an
+excellent good man, certainly, but no more to be compared to Mr.
+Cartwright than I to Hercules!"
+
+"How many times have you seen Mr. Cartwright, Fanny?" said Rosalind.
+
+"I have heard him preach three times," she replied, "and they were all
+the most beautiful sermons in the world; and I have seen and spoken to
+him four times more."
+
+"Poor Mr. Wallace!" said Rosalind. "It was he who christened you, Fanny;
+and from that time to the hour of his death, you seldom passed many days
+together, I believe, without seeing and receiving affectionate words and
+kind looks from him: and yet four times speaking to this gentle
+gentleman has driven the memory of the poor old man from your heart!"
+
+"No, it has not, Rosalind," replied Fanny, deeply blushing: "I am sure I
+did not say that, did I, mamma?--But my loving and remembering Mr.
+Wallace all the days of my life need not make me dislike everybody else,
+I suppose?"
+
+"It would be a great misfortune to you if it did, Fanny," said Mrs.
+Mowbray. "I am delighted to see, both in you and many others, that the
+violent and most unjustifiable prejudice which was conceived against Mr.
+Cartwright before he was seen and known, is giving way before his
+amiable and excellent qualities: I have no doubt that he will soon be
+quite as popular in the parish as Mr. Wallace was."
+
+"And Miss Cartwright, mamma?" said Helen; "do you think we shall love
+her as well as we did Emma Wallace?"
+
+"I know nothing whatever of Miss Cartwright as yet, Helen; she appears
+very shy, but we must try to give her courage, my dear girls. I hope we
+shall be on terms of as great intimacy with our new Clergyman as with
+our former one: it was a sort of association that your dear father
+particularly approved, and that alone is a sufficient reason for our
+wishing to cultivate it."
+
+This allusion was too solemn to admit any light conversation to follow
+it. Mrs. Mowbray strolled with Fanny into the conservatory, and Rosalind
+persuaded Helen that they should find the shrubberies infinitely cooler
+and more agreeable than the house.
+
+But even under the thickest cover that the grounds could offer, Helen
+could not be tempted fully to open her heart upon the subject of Mr.
+Cartwright, an indulgence which Rosalind certainly expected to obtain
+when she proposed the walk; but the name of her father had acted like a
+spell on Helen, and all that she could be brought positively to advance
+on the subject of the Cartwright family was, that she did not think Miss
+Cartwright was shy.
+
+Within the next fortnight nearly every one who claimed a visiting
+acquaintance with the Mowbray family, both in the village and the
+neighbourhood round it, had called at the Park.
+
+"All the calling is over now," said Helen, "and I am very glad of it."
+
+"Every body has been very kind and attentive," replied her mother, "and
+next week we must begin to return their calls. I hope nobody will be
+offended, for some of them must be left for many days; the weather is
+very hot, and the horses must not be overworked."
+
+"I wonder why that charming little person that I fell in love with--the
+widow, I mean, that lives in the Cottage at Wrexhill," said
+Rosalind,--"I wonder she has not been to see you! She appeared to like
+you all very much."
+
+"I have thought of that two or three times," replied Helen. "I think, if
+they had any of them been ill, we should have heard it; and yet
+otherwise I cannot account for such inattention."
+
+"It is merely accidental, I am sure," said Mrs. Mowbray. "But there is
+one omission, Helen, that cuts me to the heart!" Tears burst from her
+eyes as she spoke.
+
+Poor Helen knew not how to answer: she was well aware that the omission
+her mother alluded to was that of Sir Gilbert and Lady Harrington; and
+she knew too the cause of it. Lady Harrington, who, with one of the best
+hearts in the world, was sometimes rather blunt in her manner of showing
+it, had sent over a groom with a letter to Helen, her god-daughter and
+especial favourite, very fully explaining the cause of their not
+calling, but in a manner that could in no degree enable her to remove
+her mother's uneasiness respecting it. This letter, which by her
+ladyship's especial orders was delivered privately into the hands of
+Helen, ran thus:
+
+     "My darling Child!
+
+     "Can't you think what a way I must be in at being prevented
+     coming to see you? Sir Gilbert excels himself this time for
+     obstinacy and wilfulness. Every breakfast, every dinner, and
+     every tea since it happened, William and I do nothing but beg
+     and entreat that I may be permitted to go over and see your
+     poor mother! Good gracious! as I tell him, it is not her
+     fault--though God knows I do think just as much as he does,
+     that no man ever did make such a tom-fool of a will as your
+     father. Such a man as Charles! as Sir Gilbert says. 'Twas made
+     at the full of the moon, my dear, and that's the long and the
+     short of it; he was just mad, Helen, and nothing else. But is
+     that any reason that your poor dear mother should be neglected
+     and forsaken this way! God bless her dear soul! she's more like
+     a baby than any thing I ever saw, about money; and as to her
+     being an heiress, why I don't believe, upon my honour, that she
+     has ever recollected it from the day she married to the time
+     that your unlucky, poor dear distracted madman of a father
+     threw all her money back at her in this wild way. He had much
+     better have pelted her with rotten eggs, Helen! Such a friend
+     as Sir Gilbert, so warm-hearted, so steady, and so true, is not
+     to be found every day--old tiger as he is. But what on earth am
+     I to do about it? I shall certainly go mad too, if I can't get
+     at you; and yet, I give you my word, I no more dare order the
+     coachman to drive me to Mowbray Park than to the devil. You
+     never saw such a tyrannical brute of a husband as Sir Gilbert
+     is making himself about it! And poor William, too--he really
+     speaks to him as if he were a little beggar-boy in the streets,
+     instead of a colonel of dragoons. William said last night
+     something very like, 'I shall ride over to Wrexhill to-morrow,
+     and perhaps I shall see the family at Mow....' I wish you had
+     seen him--I only wish you had seen Sir Gilbert, Helen, for half
+     a moment!--you would never have forgotten it, my dear, and it
+     might have given you a hint as to choosing a husband. Never
+     marry a man with great, wide, open, light-coloured eyes, and
+     enormous black eyebrows, for fear he should swallow you alive
+     some day before you know where you are. 'See them! 'roared Sir
+     Gilbert. 'If you do, by G--d, sir, I'll leave every sou I have
+     in the world to some cursed old woman myself; but it shan't be
+     to you, madam,' turning short round as if he would bite
+     me:--'laugh if you will, but go to Mowbray if you dare!'
+
+     "'But are we never to see any of the family again, sir?' said
+     the colonel very meekly. 'I never told you so, Colonel Booby,'
+     was the reply. 'You may see that glorious fellow Charles as
+     often as you will, and the more you see of him the better; and
+     I'll manage if I can, as soon as he has taken this degree that
+     his heart's set upon, to get a commission for him in your
+     regiment; so you need not palaver about my wanting to part you
+     from him. And as for you, my lady, I give you full leave to
+     kidnap the poor destitute, penniless girls if you can; but if I
+     ever catch you doing any thing that can be construed into
+     respect or civility to that sly, artful hussy who cajoled my
+     poor friend Mowbray to make that cursed will, may I.... You
+     shall see, old lady, what will come of it!'
+
+     "Now what on earth can I do, dear darling? I believe your
+     mother's as innocent of cajoling as I am, and that's saying
+     something; and as for your being destitute, sweethearts, you'll
+     have fifty thousand pounds apiece if you've a farthing. I know
+     all about the property, and so does Sir Gilbert too; only the
+     old tiger pretends to believe, just to feed his rage, that your
+     mother will marry her footman, and bequeath her money to all
+     the little footboys and girls that may ensue: for one principal
+     cause of his vengeance against your poor mother is, that she is
+     still young enough to have children. Was there ever such a
+     man!--But here have I, according to custom, scribbled my paper
+     as full as it will hold, and yet have got a hundred thousand
+     more things to say; but it would all come to this, if I were to
+     scrawl over a ream. I am miserable because I can't come to see
+     your mother and you, and yet I can't help myself any more than
+     if I were shut up in Bridewell: for I never did do any thing
+     that my abominable old husband desired me not to do, and I
+     don't think I could do it even to please you, my pretty Helen;
+     only don't fancy I have forgotten you: but for God's sake don't
+     write to me! I am quite sure I should get my ears boxed.
+
+     "Believe me, darling child,
+
+     "Your loving friend and godmother,
+
+     "JANE MATILDA HARRINGTON."
+
+     "P. S. I am quite sure that the colonel would send pretty
+     messages if he knew what I was about: but I will not make him a
+     party in my sin. I was just going to tell him this morning; but
+     my conscience smote me, and I turned very sublimely away,
+     muttering, in the words of Macbeth--'Be innocent of this, my
+     dearest chuck!'"
+
+This coarse but well-meaning letter gave inexpressible pain to Helen.
+She dared not show it to her mother, who, she felt quite sure, would
+consider the unjust suspicions of Sir Gilbert as the most cruel insult:
+not could she, after Lady Harrington's prohibition, attempt to answer
+it, though she greatly wished to do it, in the hope that she might be
+able to place her mother's conduct and feelings in a proper light. But
+she well knew that, with all her friend's rhodomontade, she was most
+devotedly attached to her excellent though hot-headed husband, and that
+she could not disoblige her more than by betraying a secret which, under
+the present circumstances, would certainly make him very angry.
+
+But the sight of her mother's tears, and her utter inability to say any
+thing that might console her very just sorrow, inspired Helen with a
+bold device. To Rosalind only had she shown Lady Harrington's letter,
+and to Rosalind only did she communicate her project of boldly writing
+to the enraged baronet himself.
+
+"Do so, Helen," said Rosalind promptly: "it is the only measure to
+pursue--unless indeed you and I were to set off and surprise him by a
+visit."
+
+"But my mother?..." replied Helen, evidently struck by the advantages of
+this bolder scheme over her own,--"what would my mother say to our
+going?"
+
+"If she knew of it, Helen, I suspect it would lose all favour in Sir
+Gilbert's eyes, and you would have no chance whatever of softening his
+rage towards her. The expedition, if undertaken at all, must be a secret
+one. When he learns it is so, I think it will touch his tough heart,
+Helen, for he knows, I fancy, that such escapades are not at all in your
+line. I only hope that he will not find out that I proposed it, as that
+might lessen your merit in his eyes."
+
+"No, no, that would do no harm. My doing it would be quite proof enough
+how near this matter is to my heart."
+
+"Well, then, Helen, shall we go?"
+
+"Let me sleep upon it, Rosalind. If we do go, it must, I think, be quite
+early in the morning, so as to have no questions asked before we set
+out. It is not a long walk. Shall we see if he will give us some
+breakfast?"
+
+"A most diplomatic project!" replied Rosalind; "for it will enlist his
+hospitality on our side, and ten to one but the rough coating of his
+heart will thaw and resolve itself into a dew, as Fanny would say, by
+the mere act of administering coffee and hot cakes to us; and then the
+field is won."
+
+"I think we will try," said Helen, smiling with a sort of inward
+strengthening, from the conviction that such would very probably be the
+result.
+
+A few more words settled the exact time and manner of the expedition,
+and the friends parted to dress for dinner.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER VIII.
+
+MRS. RICHARDS AND HER DAUGHTERS.--THE TEA-PARTY.
+
+
+On the evening of that day, the three girls for the first time induced
+Mrs. Mowbray to go beyond the limits of the flower-garden, and walk
+under the avenue of beautiful elms in the Park. The simple and
+unostentatious tone of her character had influenced all her habits, and
+Mrs. Mowbray was a better and more constant walker than ladies generally
+who have two or three carriages ready to attend them. She appeared to
+enjoy the exercise from which for several weeks she had been debarred;
+and when the end of the avenue was reached, and Fanny almost
+mechanically opened the wide gate at the bottom, of it, her mother
+passed through it without making any observation, and in truth
+forgetting at that moment all that had happened since she had last done
+so. The gate opened upon a road, which, according to long-established
+custom, they crossed nearly at right angles, and then mounted and
+descended half a dozen steps, which conducted them into a wide and
+beautiful meadow, now fragrant with the new-made hay that several
+waggons were conveying to augment a lofty rick in a distant corner of
+it.
+
+It was not till Mrs. Mowbray perceived another party seated round the
+base of a haycock which an empty waggon had nearly reached, that she
+remembered all the circumstances which made every casual meeting a
+matter of importance and agitation to her. The group which seemed a very
+merry one, retained their places, till two stout haymakers saucily but
+playfully presented their pitch-forks as if to dislodge them. They then
+started to their feet to the number of five; and the Park family
+recognized Mrs. Richards, her three daughters, and Major Dalrymple.
+
+"I have not seen them yet, Helen!" said Mrs. Mowbray with nervous
+trepidation:--"how very wrong I have been to come so far!"
+
+"Why so, my dearest mother?" replied Helen, "I am sure it is less
+painful to meet thus, than at those dreadful visits in the
+drawing-room."
+
+"But they have not called, Helen ... certainly, we had better go back."
+
+"Dear mamma, it is not possible," said Fanny, stepping forward to meet a
+favourite companion in the youngest Miss Richards: "you see Rosalind has
+got to them already."
+
+It was indeed too late to retreat; nor did the wish to do so last long.
+Mrs. Richards pressed the hand of Rosalind, who had taken hers, but,
+throwing it off at the same moment, hastened forward to greet the
+widowed friend she had wanted courage to seek. Her colour was
+heightened, perhaps, from feeling it possible that the cause of her
+absence had been mistaken; but large tears trembled in her dark eyes,
+and when she silently took the hand of Mrs. Mowbray and pressed it to
+her lips, every doubt upon the subject was removed.
+
+Major Dalrymple and the three girls followed; and the first moment of
+meeting over, the two parties seemed mutually and equally pleased to
+join. Mrs. Richards was the only person in the neighbourhood to whom
+Rosalind, during her six months' residence in it, had at all attached
+herself: there was something about her that had fascinated the young
+heiress's fancy, and the circumstance of her being the only good second
+in a duet to be found within the circle of the Mowbray Park visitings
+had completed the charm.
+
+With the two eldest Misses Richards, Helen was on that sort of intimate
+footing which a very sweet-tempered, unpretending girl of nineteen, who
+knows she is of some consequence from her station, and is terribly
+afraid of being supposed to be proud, is sure to be with young ladies of
+nearly her own age, blessed with most exuberant animal spirits, and
+desirous of making themselves as agreeable to her as possible.
+
+Louisa and Charlotte Richards were fine, tall, showy young women, with
+some aspirations after the reputation of talent; but they were neither
+of them at all like their mother, who was at least six inches shorter
+than either of them, and aspired to nothing in the world but to make
+her three children happy.
+
+Little Mary, as her sisters still persisted to call her, approached much
+nearer to the stature, person, and character of Mrs. Richards; she was
+not quite so _mignonne_ in size, but she
+
+    "Had her features, wore her eye,
+    Perhaps some feeling of her heart,"
+
+and was, spite of all the struggles which her mother could make to
+prevent it, the darling of her eyes and the hope of her heart. Moreover,
+little Mary was, as we have before hinted, the especial friend of Fanny
+Mowbray.
+
+The delights of a balmy evening in the flowery month of June--the
+superadded delights of a hay-field, and above all, the supreme delight
+of unexpectedly meeting a party of friends, were all enthusiastically
+descanted upon by the two tall Misses Richards. They had each taken one
+of Helen's slight arms, and borne her along over the stubble grass with
+a degree of vehemence which hardly left her breath to speak.
+
+"I do not think mamma is going any farther," she continued to utter,
+while Miss Louisa stopped to tie a shoe-string.
+
+"Oh, but you must!" screamed Miss Charlotte, attempting to drag her
+onward singly.
+
+"Stop, Charlotte!... stop!" cried the eldest sister, snapping off the
+shoe-string in her haste--"you shall not carry her away from me. What a
+shame! Isn't it a shame, when it is such an age since we met?"
+
+There is nothing against which it is so difficult to rally, as the
+exaggerated expression of feelings in which we do not share. The quiet
+Helen could not lash herself into answering vehemence of joy, and having
+smiled, and smiled till she was weary, she fairly slipped from her
+companions, and hastened back with all the speed she could make to the
+tranquil party that surrounded her mother.
+
+The lively young ladies galloped after her, declaring all the way that
+she was the cruellest creature in the world.
+
+Mrs. Mowbray now said that she hoped they would all accompany her home
+to tea;--a proposal that met no dissenting voice; but it was some time
+before the whole party could be collected, for Fanny Mowbray and little
+Mary were nowhere to be seen. Major Dalrymple, however, who was taller
+even than the Misses Richards, by means of standing upon the last left
+haycock, at length discovered them sitting lovingly side by side under
+the shelter of a huge lime-tree that filled one corner of the field. He
+was dismissed to bring them up to the main body, and executed his
+commission with great gallantry and good-nature, but not without feeling
+that the two very pretty girls he thus led away captive would much
+rather have been without him; for as he approached their lair, he
+perceived, not only that they were in very earnest conversation, but
+that various scraps of written paper lay in the lap of each, which at
+his approach were hastily exchanged, and conveyed to reticules, pockets,
+or bosoms, beyond the reach of his eye.
+
+They nevertheless smilingly submitted themselves to his guidance, and in
+order to prove that he was not very troublesome, Fanny so far returned
+to their previous conversation as to say,
+
+"We must ask your judgment, Major Dalrymple, upon a point on which we
+were disputing just before you joined us: which do you prefer in the
+pulpit--and out of it--Mr. Wallace, or Mr. Cartwright?"
+
+"You were disputing the point, were you?" he replied. "Then I am afraid,
+Miss Fanny, I must give it against you; for I believe I know Mary's
+opinion already, and I perfectly agree with her."
+
+"Then I shall say to you, as I say to her," replied Fanny, eagerly "that
+you are altogether blinded, benighted, deluded, and wrapt up in
+prejudice! I have great faith both in her sincerity and yours, major;
+and yet I declare to you, that it does seem to me so impossible for any
+one to doubt the superiority of Mr. Cartwright in every way, that I can
+hardly persuade myself you are in earnest."
+
+"What do you mean by _every way_, Miss Fanny?--you cannot surely believe
+him to be a better man than our dear old vicar?" said the major.
+
+"We can none of us, I think, have any right to make comparisons of their
+respective goodness--at least not as yet," replied Fanny. "When I said
+_every way_, I meant in the church and in society."
+
+"On the latter point I suppose I ought to leave the question to be
+decided between you, as in all cases of the kind where gentlemen are to
+be tried, ladies alone, I believe, are considered competent to form the
+jury;--not that Mary can have much right to pronounce a verdict either,
+for I doubt if she has ever been in a room with Mr. Cartwright in her
+life."
+
+"Yes, I have," said Mary eagerly, "and he is perfectly delightful!"
+
+"Indeed!--I did not know you had seen him."
+
+"Yes--we met him at Smith's."
+
+"Oh! you saw him in a shop, did you?--and even that was sufficient to
+prove him delightful?"
+
+"Quite enough!" replied Mary, colouring a little as she observed Major
+Dalrymple smile.
+
+"The more you see of him, the more you will be aware of his excellence,"
+said Fanny, coming to the aid of her friend, and with an air of gravity
+that was intended to check the levity of the major. "I have seen him
+repeatedly at the Park, Major Dalrymple, and under circumstances that
+gave sufficient opportunity to show the excellence of his heart, as well
+as the charm of his friendly, affectionate, and graceful manner."
+
+"He has certainly been a very handsome man," said the major.
+
+"Has been!" exclaimed both the girls at once.
+
+"He is still very well-looking," added the gentleman.
+
+"Well-looking!" was again indignantly echoed by the ladies.
+
+"You do not think the term strong enough? but when a man gets on the
+wrong side of forty it is, I think, as much as he can expect."
+
+"I don't care a farthing what his age maybe," cried Mary; "do you, Miss
+Mowbray?... If he were a hundred and forty, with that countenance and
+that manner, I should still think him the handsomest and most perfect
+person I ever saw."
+
+"Dear Mary!" replied Fanny affectionately, "how exactly we feel alike
+about him! I love you dearly for fighting his battles so warmly."
+
+"There is surely no fighting in the case," said Major Dalrymple,
+laughing,--"at least not with me. But have a care, young ladies: such
+perfect conformity of taste on these subjects does not always, I
+believe, tend to the continuance of female friendship. What a sad thing
+it would be if those two little hands were some day to set pulling caps
+between their respective owners!"
+
+"There is not the least danger of any such dismal catastrophe, I assure
+you. Is there Mary?"
+
+"Good heavens, no!" replied little Mary in a voice of great indignation.
+"What a hateful idea!"
+
+"One reason why it is so delightful to love and admire Mr. Cartwright,"
+rejoined Fanny, "is, that one may do it and talk of it too, without any
+danger that _rational people_, Major Dalrymple, should make a jest of
+it, and talk the same sort of nonsense that every body is so fond of
+doing whenever a lady is heard to express admiration for a gentleman.
+But we may surely love and admire the clergyman of the parish; indeed I
+think it is a sort of duty for every one to do so."
+
+"I assure you," replied the major, "that I both loved and admired Mr.
+Wallace exceedingly, and that I shall gladly pay the same homage to his
+successor as soon as I know him to deserve it. But
+
+    "Cautious age and youth....
+
+you know the song, Mary?"
+
+"I know your meaning, Major Dalrymple: you are always boasting of your
+age; but I don't know any one but yourself who thinks so very much
+of...."
+
+"... My antiquity and my wisdom."
+
+"Just that.... But, good heavens! Fanny Mowbray, who is that to whom
+your mother is speaking on the lawn?"
+
+"It is Mr. Cartwright!" cried Fanny with animation; "and now, Major
+Dalrymple, you will have an opportunity of judging for yourself."
+
+"I fear not," he replied, taking out his watch; "it is now eight
+o'clock, and Mrs. Richards seldom walks much after nine."
+
+The two girls now withdrew their arms, and hastened forward to the group
+of which Mr. Cartwright made one. Fanny Mowbray held out her hand to
+him, which was taken and held very affectionately for two or three
+minutes.
+
+"You have been enjoying this balmy air," said he to her in a voice
+sweetly modulated to the hour and the theme. "It is heaven's own breath,
+Miss Fanny, and to such a mind as yours must utter accents worthy of the
+source from whence it comes."
+
+Fanny's beautiful eyes were fixed upon his face, and almost seemed to
+say,
+
+    "When you speak, I'd have you do it ever."
+
+"I do not think he recollects me," whispered Mary Richards in her ear:
+"I wish you'd introduce me."
+
+Fanny Mowbray started, but recovering herself, said, "Mr. Cartwright,
+give me leave to introduce my friend Miss Mary Richards to you. She is
+one of your parishioners, and one that you will find capable of
+appreciating the happiness of being so."
+
+Mr. Cartwright extended his pastoral hand to the young lady with a most
+gracious smile.
+
+"Bless you both!" said he, joining their hands between both of his. "To
+lead you together in the path in which we must all wish to go, would be
+a task that might give a foretaste of the heaven we sought!"
+
+He then turned towards Mrs. Mowbray, and with a look and tone which
+showed that though he never alluded to her situation, he never forgot
+it, he inquired how far she had extended her ramble.
+
+"Much farther than I intended when I set out," replied Mrs. Mowbray.
+"But my children, the weather, and the hay, altogether beguiled me to
+the bottom of Farmer Bennet's great meadow."
+
+"Quite right, quite right," replied Mr. Cartwright, with something
+approaching almost to fervour of approbation: "this species of quiet
+courage, of gentle submission, is just what I expected from Mrs.
+Mowbray. It is the sweetest incense that you can offer to Heaven; and
+Heaven will repay it."
+
+Mrs. Mowbray looked up at his mild countenance, and saw a moisture in
+his eye that spoke more tender pity than he would permit his lips to
+utter. It touched her to the heart.
+
+Mrs. Richards, who was something of a florist, was examining, with the
+assistance of Rosalind, some new geraniums that were placed on circular
+stands outside the drawing-room, filling the spaces between the windows.
+As this occupation had drawn them from the rest of the party from the
+time Mr. Cartwright approached to join it, they had not yet received
+that gentleman's salutation, and he now went up to them.
+
+"Miss Torrington looks as if she were discoursing of her kindred. Are
+these fair blossoms the children of your especial care?"
+
+"They are the children of the gardener and the greenhouse, I believe,"
+she replied carelessly, and stepped on to another stand.
+
+"Mrs. Richards, I believe?" said the graceful vicar, taking off his hat
+to her.
+
+"I hope you are well, Mr. Cartwright?" replied the lady, following the
+steps of Rosalind.
+
+The two eldest Misses Richards were still assiduously besieging the two
+ears of Helen; but as the subjects of which they discoursed did not
+always require the same answers, she began to feel considerable fatigue
+from the exertion necessary for carrying on this double conversation,
+and was therefore not sorry to see Mr. Cartwright approach them, which
+must, she thought, produce a diversion in her favour. But she found that
+the parties were still personally strangers to each other; for though
+his bow was general, his address was only to herself.
+
+"And have you, too, Miss Mowbray, been venturing upon as long a walk as
+the rest of the party?"
+
+"We have all walked the same distance, Mr. Cartwright; but I believe we
+none of us consider it to be very far. We are all good walkers."
+
+"I rejoice to hear it, for it is the way to become good Christians.
+Where or how can we meet and _meetly_ examine the works of the great
+Creator so well as on the carpet he has spread, and beneath the azure
+canopy which his hands have reared above us?--The Misses Richards, I
+believe? May I beg an introduction, Miss Mowbray?"
+
+"Mr. Cartwright, Miss Richards--Miss Charlotte Richards," said Helen,
+without adding another word.
+
+"I need hardly ask if you are walkers," said the vicar, as he passed a
+smiling and apparently an approving glance over their rather remarkable
+length of limb. "Your friends, Miss Mowbray, look like young antelopes
+ready to bound over the fair face of Nature; and their eyes look as if
+there were intelligence within wherewith to read her aright."
+
+"Mamma is going into tea, I believe," said Helen, moving off.
+
+The whole manner and demeanour of the two Misses Richards had changed
+from the moment Mr. Cartwright approached. They became quite silent and
+demure; but as they followed Helen, one on each side of him, they
+coloured with pleasure as he addressed a gentle word, first to one, then
+to the other; and when, after entering the drawing-room, he left them
+for the purpose of making his farewell bow, or the semblance of it, to
+Mrs. Mowbray, Miss Louisa whispered to Miss Charlotte, "Little Mary is
+quite right: he _is_ the most delightful man in the world."
+
+"You are not going to leave us, Mr. Cartwright?" said Mrs. Mowbray
+kindly. "We are going to tea this moment."
+
+"You are very obliging; but I had no intention of intruding on you
+thus."
+
+"Pray do not call it an intrusion. We shall be always most happy to see
+you. I only wish your son and daughter were with us also."
+
+"My daughter, thank you, is a sad invalid; and Jacob generally wanders
+farther afield in such weather as this.... Is that gentleman Major
+Dalrymple? May I ask you to introduce me?"
+
+"I shall have much pleasure in doing so, I am sure. He is a very amiable
+and estimable person."
+
+Mrs. Mowbray crossed the room towards him, followed by the vicar. The
+introduction took place, and the two gentlemen conversed together for a
+few minutes on the ordinary topics of Russia, the harvest, the
+slave-trade, and reform. On every subject, except the harvest, which Mr.
+Cartwright despatched by declaring that it would be peculiarly abundant,
+the reverend gentleman expressed himself with an unusual flow of words,
+in sentences particularly well constructed; yet nevertheless his
+opinions seemed enveloped in a mist; and when Mrs. Richards afterwards
+asked the major his opinion of the new vicar, he replied that he thought
+his manners very gentlemanlike and agreeable, but that he did not
+perfectly remember what opinions he had expressed on any subject.
+
+At first the company seemed inclined to disperse themselves in knots
+about the room; but by degrees Mr. Cartwright very skilfully contrived,
+on one pretence or another, to collect them all round a table that was
+covered with the usual incitements to talk, and the conversation became
+general. At least Mr. Cartwright was very generally listened to; the
+major did not speak at all; and the ladies did little more than agree
+with and applaud from time to time the placid, even, dulcet flow of
+words which fell like a gentle rivulet from the lips of their new vicar.
+This description, indeed, would not apply quite generally to all the
+ladies; but the majority in his favour was five to three, and with this
+advantage,--that whereas his admirers were loud and eloquent in their
+expressions of approval, the minority contented themselves by preserving
+silence.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER IX.
+
+HELEN AND ROSALIND CALL UPON SIR GILBERT HARRINGTON
+
+
+Helen Mowbray knew that the choleric friend whose gentler feelings she
+wished to propitiate was an early riser himself, and was never better
+disposed to be well pleased with others than when they showed themselves
+capable of following his example. She was therefore anxious to arrive at
+his house in time to have the conversation she sought, yet dreaded,
+before nine o'clock, the usual family breakfast-hour; though in the
+shooting-season Sir Gilbert generally contrived to coax my lady and her
+housekeeper to have hot rolls smoking on the table by eight. But,
+luckily for the young ladies' morning repose, it was not
+shooting-season; and they calculated that if they started about half
+past seven they should have time for their walk, and a reasonably long
+conversation afterwards, before the breakfast, to which they looked as
+the pacific conclusion of the negotiation, should be ready.
+
+At half past seven, accordingly, the fair friends met at the door of
+Rosalind's dressing-room, and set off, fearless, though unattended,
+through the shrubberies, the park, the flowery lanes, and finally,
+across one or two hay-fields, which separated the two mansions.
+
+Nothing can be better calculated to raise the animal spirits than an
+early walk in the gay month of June; and on those not accustomed to the
+elasticity, the freshness, the exhilarating clearness of the morning
+air, the effect is like enchantment. All the sad thoughts which had of
+late so constantly brooded round Helen's heart seemed to withdraw their
+painful pressure, and she again felt conscious of the luxury of life,
+with youth, health, and innocence, a clear sky, bright verdure, flowery
+banks, and shady hedge-rows, to adorn it.
+
+Rosalind, by an irresistible impulse of gaiety, joined her voice to
+those of the blackbirds that carolled near her, till she was stopped by
+Helen's exclaiming, "Rosalind, I feel courage for anything this
+morning!"
+
+"Yes," answered her companion, "let Sir Gilbert appear in any shape but
+that of the Vicar of Wrexhill, and I should great him with a degree of
+confidence and kindness that I am positive would be irresistible."
+
+They were now within a short distance of the baronet's grounds, and
+another step brought their courage to the proof; for on mounting a
+stepping-stile which had originally been placed for the especial
+accommodation of the Mowbray ladies, they perceived the redoubtable Sir
+Gilbert at the distance of fifty paces, in the act of removing an
+offending dock-root with his spud.
+
+He raised his eyes, and recognising his young visitors, stepped eagerly
+forward to meet them. To Rosalind, however, though usually a great
+favourite, he now paid not the slightest attention; but taking Helen in
+his arms, kissing her on both cheeks and on the forehead, and then
+looking her in the face very much as if he were going to weep over her,
+he exclaimed,
+
+"My poor, poor child!... Why did not you bring poor Fanny too?... You
+are right to come away, quite right, my dear child: it's dreadful to
+live in dependence upon any one's caprice for one's daily bread! Your
+home shall be here, Helen, and Fanny's too, as long as you like. Come,
+my dear, take my arm: my lady will dance, you may depend upon it, when
+she sees you, for we have had dreadful work about keeping her from
+Mowbray! I'd just as soon keep a wild cat in order as your godmother,
+Helen, when she takes a fancy: but you know, my dear, her going to
+Mowbray was a thing not to be thought of, You are a good girl to
+come--it shows that you see the matter rightly. I wish Fanny were here
+too!"
+
+All this was said with great rapidity, and without pausing for any
+answer. Meanwhile he had drawn Helen's arm within his, and was leading
+her towards the house.
+
+Rosalind followed them quietly for a few steps; and then, either moved
+thereto by the feeling of courage her walk had inspired, or from some
+latent consciousness of the baronet's partiality to herself, she boldly
+stepped up and took his arm on the other side.
+
+"Bless my soul, Miss Torrington!... by the honour of a knight, I never
+saw you; nor do I think I should have seen a regiment of young ladies,
+though they had been all as handsome as yourself, if they had happened
+to come with my poor dear Helen. It was very good of you to walk over
+with her, poor little thing!... Your fortune is quite safe and
+independent, my dear, isn't it? Nobody's doing a foolish thing can
+involve you in any way, can it?"
+
+"Not unless the foolish thing happened to be done by myself, Sir
+Gilbert."
+
+"That's a great blessing, my dear,--a very great blessing!... And you'll
+be kind to our two poor girls, won't you, my dear?"
+
+"I have more need that they should be kind to me--and so they are,--and
+we are all very kind to one another; and if you will be but very kind
+too, and come and see us all as you used to do, we shall be very happy
+again in time."
+
+"Stuff and nonsense, child!... You may come here, I tell you, and see me
+as much as you like, under my own roof,--because I know who that belongs
+to, and all about it; but I promise you that you will never see me going
+to houses that don't belong to their right owner,--it would not suit me
+in the least--quite out of my way; I should be making some confounded
+blunder, and talking to poor Charles about his estate and his
+property:--poor fellow! and he not worth sixpence in the world."
+
+During all this time Helen had not spoken a word. They had now nearly
+reached the house; and drawing her arm away, she held out her hand to
+Sir Gilbert, and said in a very humble and beseeching tone,
+
+"Sir Gilbert!... may I speak to you alone for a few minutes?"
+
+"Speak to me, child?--what about? Is it about a sweet-heart? Is it about
+wanting pocket-money, my poor child?--I'm executor to your father's
+will, you know, Helen; and if you were starving in a ditch, and Fanny in
+another, and poor Charles begging his bread on the high road, I have not
+the power of giving either of ye a shilling of his property, though he
+has left above fourteen thousand a year!"
+
+Sir Gilbert was now lashing himself into a rage that it was evident
+would render the object of Helen's visit abortive if she attempted to
+bring it forward now. She exchanged a glance with Rosalind, who shook
+her head, and the next moment contrived to whisper in her ear, "Wait
+till after breakfast."
+
+Sir Gilbert was now striding up the steps to the hall-door: the two
+girls silently followed him, and were probably neither of them sorry to
+see Colonel Harrington coming forward to meet them.
+
+This young man had for the two or three last years seen but little of
+the Mowbray family, having been abroad during nearly the whole of that
+time; but he returned with something very like a tender recollection of
+Helen's having been the prettiest little nymph at fifteen that he had
+ever beheld, and her appearance at this moment was not calculated to
+make him think she had lost her delicate beauty during his absence. Her
+slight tall figure was shown to great advantage by her mourning dress;
+and the fair and abundant curls that crowded round her face, now a
+little flushed by exercise and agitation, made her altogether as pretty
+a creature in her peculiar style as a young soldier would wish to look
+upon.
+
+The coal-black hair and sparkling dark eyes of Rosalind, her ruby lips
+and pearl-like teeth, her exquisite little figure, and the general air
+of piquant vivacity which made her perfectly radiant when animated,
+rendered her in most eyes the more attractive of the two; but Colonel
+Harrington did not think so; and giving her one glance of
+curiosity,--for he had never seen her before,--he decided, that neither
+she, nor any other woman he had ever beheld, could compare in loveliness
+with his former friend and favourite.
+
+His greeting to Helen was just what might be expected from a man who had
+known her with great intimacy when she was some half-dozen inches
+shorter, and who felt the strongest possible desire to renew the
+acquaintance with as little delay as possible.
+
+"Helen Mowbray!" he exclaimed, springing forward and seizing her hand,
+"how delighted I am to see you! How is dear little Fanny?--how is
+Charles? I trust you have none of you forgotten me?"
+
+Helen blushed deeply at the unexpected ardour of this address from a
+very tall, handsome, fashionable-looking personage, whose face she
+certainly would not have recognised had she met him accidentally: but a
+happy smile accompanied the blush, and he had no reason to regret the
+politic freedom of his first salutation, which had thus enabled him to
+pass over an infinity of gradations towards the intimacy he coveted, at
+one single step placing him at once on the footing of a familiar friend.
+It was indeed nearly impossible that Helen could be offended by the
+freedom; for not only was it sanctioned by the long-established union of
+their two families, but at this moment she could not but be pleased at
+finding another dear old friend in the garrison, who would be sure to
+add his influence to that of her godmother, that what she so greatly
+wished to obtain should not be refused.
+
+Before they reached the breakfast-room, therefore, the most perfect
+understanding was established between them. Her friend Miss Torrington
+was gaily introduced, for her heart felt gladdened by this important
+addition to her supporters in the cause she had undertaken; and she was
+disposed to believe that Rosalind's proposal to make this alarming visit
+would turn out to have been one of the most fortunate things that ever
+happened.
+
+Within the breakfast-room, and approachable by no other access, was a
+small room, known throughout the mansion, and indeed throughout the
+neighbourhood also, as "My Lady's Closet." This sacred retreat was an
+oblong room, about eighteen feet by eight; a large and lofty window
+occupied nearly one end of it, across which was placed a deal-dresser or
+table of three feet wide, filling the entire space between the walls.
+The whole room was lined with shelves and drawers, the former of which
+were for the most part sheltered by heavy crimson damask curtains. A few
+small tables stood scattered here and there; and the sole accommodation
+for sitting consisted of one high stool, such as laundresses use when
+ironing.
+
+To the door of this apartment Sir Gilbert approached, and there
+reverently stopped; for by the law of the land, even he, though a pretty
+extensively privileged personage, was permitted to go no farther, unless
+licensed by an especial warrant from its mistress.
+
+"My lady," he said, in the cheerful lusty voice that announces
+agreeable tidings,--"My lady, I have brought home company to breakfast."
+
+"Have you, Sir Knight?" replied Lady Harrington, without turning her
+head, or otherwise interrupting herself in the performance of some
+apparently delicate process upon which she was occupied.
+
+"I'd rather have Mrs. Bluebeard for a wife than such an incurious old
+soul as you are!" said the testy baronet.--"And so you have not even the
+grace to ask who it is?"
+
+"Why, my dear Sir Tiger, I shall be sure to know within two minutes
+after Tomkins gives his passing thump to announce that he is carrying in
+the coffee; then why should I disturb this fairest of the Pentandria
+class?--my charming high-dried mirabilis?"
+
+"The devil take you, and all your classes, orders, and tribes, to his
+own hothouse!--I'll be hanged if I don't lock you into your den while I
+breakfast with her;--you shan't see her at all!"
+
+"Mother! mother!" exclaimed the colonel hastily, to anticipate the
+execution of the threat--"it is Helen Mowbray!"
+
+"Helen Mowbray!" cried the old lady, thrusting her hot smoothing-iron on
+one side, and her blossom blotting-paper on the other, while the
+precious mirabilis fell to the ground; "Helen Mowbray!" and pushing
+aside the baronet by no very gentle movement of her tall and substantial
+person, she rushed forward, and Helen was speedily folded in a very
+close embrace.
+
+"There, there, there! don't stifle the girl, old lady!--And supposing
+you were to bestow one little monosyllable of civility upon this pretty
+creature, Miss Torrington, who stands smiling at us all like an angel,
+though every soul amongst us is as rude as a bear to her.--I don't
+believe you ever found yourself so entirely neglected before, my dear?"
+
+"I have never witnessed attention more gratifying to me than that which
+I have seen displayed this morning," replied Rosalind.
+
+"You are a good girl, a very good girl, my dear, and I shall always love
+you for coming over with this poor dear disinherited child."
+
+"Miss Torrington, I am delighted to see you, now and ever, my dear
+young lady," said Lady Harrington, who, when she chose it, could be as
+dignified, and as courteous too, as any lady in the land.
+
+"You have walked over, I am sure, by the bright freshness of your looks.
+Now, then, sit down one on each side of me, that I may be able to see
+you without hoisting a _lunette d'approche_ across this prodigious
+table."
+
+"And so, because your ladyship is near-sighted," said Sir Gilbert,
+"William and I are to sit at this awful distance from these beautiful
+damsels? You are a tiresome old soul as ever lived!"
+
+"And that's the reason you appear so profoundly melancholy and miserable
+at this moment," said Lady Harrington, looking with no trifling degree
+of satisfaction at the radiant good-humour and happiness which the
+unexpected arrival of Helen had caused to be visible in the countenance
+of her boisterous husband. "Do you find William much altered, Helen?"
+she continued. "I wonder if any one has had the grace to present Colonel
+Harrington to Miss Torrington?"
+
+"Helen did me that kind office," said the colonel, "and I suppose she
+must do the same for me to little Fanny. I long to see if she continues
+as surpassingly beautiful as she was when I took my sad, reluctant leave
+of Mowbray Park."
+
+Rosalind immediately became answerable for the undiminished beauty of
+Fanny, adding to her report on this point a declaration that the whole
+family were anxious to renew their acquaintance with him.
+
+This was the nearest approach that any of the party ventured to make
+towards the mention of Mowbray Park or its inhabitants. Nevertheless,
+the breakfast passed cheerfully, and even without a word from Sir
+Gilbert in allusion to the destitute condition of Helen, and her brother
+and sister. But when even the baronet had disposed of his last
+egg-shell, pushed the ham fairly away from him, and swallowed his last
+bowl of tea, the beautiful colour of Helen began gradually to deepen;
+she ceased to speak, and hardly seemed to hear what was said to her.
+
+Rosalind took the hint, and with more tact than is usually found in the
+possession of seventeen and a half, she said to Lady Harrington,
+
+"If I promise to keep my hands not only from picking and stealing, but
+from touching, will your ladyship indulge me with a sight of your press,
+and your boxes, and a volume or two of your _hortus siccus_? for I feel
+considerable aspirations after the glory of becoming a botanist myself."
+
+"My ladyship will show you something infinitely more to the purpose,
+then, if you will come to the hothouse with me," replied Lady
+Harrington, rising, and giving an intelligible glance to her son as she
+did so, which immediately caused him to rise and follow her. "I cannot
+take you where I should be sure to overhear them, my dear," she added in
+a whisper as she led Rosalind from the room; "for if my rough diamond
+should chance to be too rough with her, I should infallibly burst out
+upon them; and yet I know well enough that I should do nothing but
+mischief."
+
+Helen was thus left alone with the kind-hearted but pertinacious
+baronet. He seemed to have a misgiving of the attack that was about to
+be opened upon him; for he made a fidgetty movement in his chair, pushed
+it back, and looked so very much inclined to run away, that Helen saw no
+time was to be lost, and, in a voice not over-steady, said,
+
+"I want to speak to you, Sir Gilbert, about my dear mamma. I fear from
+what you said to Charles, and more still by nobody's coming from Oakley
+to see us, that you are angry with her.--If it is about the will, Sir
+Gilbert, you do her great injustice: I am very, very sure that she
+neither wished for such a will, nor knew any thing about it."
+
+"It is very pretty and dutiful in you, Miss Helen, to say so, and to
+think so too if you can. Perhaps I might have done the same at nineteen;
+but at sixty-five, child, one begins to know a little better what signs
+and tokens mean.--There is no effect without a cause, Miss Helen. The
+effect in this affair is already pretty visible to all eyes, and will
+speedily become more so, you may depend upon it. The cause may be still
+hid from babes and sucklings, but not from an old fellow like me, who
+knew your poor father, girl, before you were hatched or thought of,--and
+knew him to be both a good and a wise man, who would never have done the
+deed he did unless under the influence of one as ever near and ever dear
+to him as your mother."
+
+"You have known my mother too, Sir Gilbert, for many, many years:--did
+you ever see in her any symptom of the character you now attribute to
+her?"
+
+"If I had, Miss Helen, I should not loathe and abominate her hypocrisy
+as I now do. I will never see her more--for all our sakes: for if I did,
+I know right well that I could not restrain my indignation within
+moderate bounds."
+
+"Then certainly it would be better that you should not see her," said
+the weeping Helen: "for indeed, sir, I think such unmerited indignation
+would almost kill her."
+
+"If you knew any thing about the matter, child, you would be aware that
+_merited_ indignation would be more likely to disagree with her.
+Unmerited indignation does one no harm in the world, as I can testify
+from experience; for my lady is dreadfully indignant, as I dare say you
+guess, at my keeping her and William away from Mowbray Park: and it's
+ten to one but you will be indignant too, child;--but I can't help it. I
+love you all three very much, Helen; but I must do what I think right,
+for all that."
+
+"Not indignant, Sir Gilbert;--at least, that would not be the prevailing
+feeling with me, though a sense of injustice might make it so with my
+poor mother. What I shall feel will be grief--unceasing grief, if the
+friend my beloved father most valued and esteemed continues to refuse
+his countenance and affection to the bereaved family he has left."
+
+From the time this conversation began, Sir Gilbert had been striding up
+and down the room, as it was always his custom to do when he felt
+himself in a rage, or was conscious that he was about to be so. He now
+stopped opposite Helen; and while something very like tenderness almost
+impeded his utterance, he said,
+
+"That's trash--abominable false trash! Miss Helen. After what's passed
+to-day, to say nothing of times past, you must know well enough that I'm
+not likely to refuse my countenance and affection to your father's
+children;--bereaved they are, sure enough! You know as well as I do,
+that I love you all three--for your own sakes, girl, as well as for
+his;--and your pretending to doubt it, was a hit of trumpery womanhood,
+Helen,--so never make use of it again: for you see I understand the
+sex,--and that's just the reason why I like my old woman better than any
+other _she_ in the wide world;--she never tries any make-believe tricks
+upon me."
+
+"Believe me, Sir Gilbert," said Helen, smiling, "I hate tricks as much
+as my godmother can: and if it were otherwise, you are the last person I
+should try them upon. But how can we think you love us, if you will not
+come near Mowbray?"
+
+"You may think it, and know it, very easily, child, by the welcome you
+shall always find here. It is very likely that you may not be long
+comfortable at home; and before it happens, remember I have told you
+that you shall always have a home at Oakley: but it must not be on
+condition of bringing your mother with you; for see her I will not,--and
+there's an end."
+
+Helen remained silent. She felt painfully convinced that, at least for
+the present, she should gain nothing by arguing the cause of her mother
+any farther; and after a long pause, during which Sir Gilbert continued
+to pace up and down before her, she rose, and sighing deeply, said,
+
+"I believe it is time for us to return.--Good-b'ye, Sir Gilbert."
+
+There was something in the tone of her voice which very nearly overset
+all the sturdy resolution of the baronet; but instead of yielding to the
+weakness, as he would have called it, like a skilful general he marched
+off the field with his colours still flying, and certainly without
+giving his adversary any reasonable ground to hope for victory.
+
+"They are all in the hothouse, I believe," said he, walking before Helen
+to a door of the hall which opened upon the beautiful gardens. "You have
+not seen my lady's heaths for many a day, Helen:--she'll be savage if
+you go without taking a look at them."
+
+Helen followed without saying a word in reply, for her heart was full;
+and when she joined the trio who had so considerately left her to the
+uninterrupted possession of Sir Gilbert's ear, there was no need of any
+questioning on their part, or answering on hers, to put them all in full
+possession of the result of the tête-à-tête.
+
+It would be difficult to say which of the three looked most vexed:
+perhaps Lady Harrington gave the strongest outward demonstrations of
+what she felt on the occasion.
+
+She glanced frowningly at Sir Gilbert, who looked as if he intended to
+say something amiable, and seizing upon Helen's two hands, kissed them
+both, exclaiming, "Dearest and best! what a heart of flint must that
+being have who could find the cruel strength to pain thee!"
+
+Colonel Harrington, who, discomposed and disappointed, had thrown
+himself on a bench, gave his mother a very grateful look for this; while
+Rosalind, after examining her sad countenance for a moment, pressed
+closely to her friend and whispered, "Let us go, Helen."
+
+Poor Helen had no inclination to delay her departure; and knowing that
+her partial godmother was fully capable of understanding her feelings,
+she said, returning her carresses,
+
+"Do not keep me a moment longer, dearest friend, for fear I should weep!
+and then I am sure he would call it a trick."
+
+"I will not keep you, Helen," replied Lady Harrington aloud. "You have
+come on a mission of love and peace; and if I mistake not that heavy eye
+and feverish cheek, you have failed. Poor child! she does not look like
+the same creature that she did an hour and a half ago--does she,
+William?"
+
+"Adieu, Lady Harrington!" said Helen, the big tears rolling down her
+cheeks despite her struggles to prevent them. "Good morning, Colonel
+Harrington;--farewell, Sir Gilbert!"
+
+"This is hard, Miss Torrington!" said the baronet, turning from Helen's
+offered hand; "this is confounded hard! I'm doing my duty, and acting
+according to my conscience as a man of honour, and yet I shall be made
+to believe that Nero was a dove, and Bluebeard a babe of grace, compared
+to me!"
+
+But Miss Torrington being in no humour to answer him playfully, said
+gravely,
+
+"I am very sorry we broke in upon you so unadvisedly, Sir Gilbert. It is
+plain our hopes have not been realised."
+
+The young lady bowed silently to the colonel, and taking a short
+farewell of Lady Harrington, but one in which mutual kindness was
+mutually understood, she took the arm of her discomfited friend, and
+they proceeded towards a little gate in the iron fencing which divided
+the garden from the paddock in front of the house.
+
+"And you won't shake hands with me, Helen!" said Sir Gilbert, following.
+
+"Do not say so, sir," replied Helen, turning back and holding out her
+hand.
+
+"And when shall we see you here again?"
+
+"Whenever you will come and fetch me, Sir Gilbert," she replied,
+endeavouring to look cheerful. He took her hand, wrung it, and turned
+away without speaking.
+
+"Your interdict, sir," said Colonel Harrington, "does not, I hope,
+extend beyond Mowbray Park paling?--I trust I may be permitted to take
+care of these young ladies as far as the lodges?"
+
+"If you did not do it, you know very well that I should, you puppy!"
+replied his father: and so saying, he turned into a walk which led in a
+direction as opposite as possible from that which his ireful lady had
+chosen.
+
+Colonel Harrington felt that it required some exertion of his
+conversational powers to bring his fair companions back to the tone of
+cheerful familiarity which had reigned among them all at the
+breakfast-table; but the exertion was made, and so successfully, that
+before the walk was ended a feeling of perfect confidence was
+established between them. When they were about to part, he said,
+
+"My mother and I shall labour, and cease not, to work our way through
+the _écorce_ to the kernel of my good father's heart; and there we shall
+find exactly the material we want, of which to form a reconciliation
+between your mother and him.--Farewell, Helen!--farewell, Miss
+Torrington! I trust that while the interdict lasts, chance will
+sometimes favour our meeting beyond the forbidden precincts."
+
+He stepped forward to open the Park gate for them, shook hands, uttered
+another "Farewell!" and departed.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER X.
+
+MRS. MOWBRAY CONSULTS MR. CARTWRIGHT UPON THE SUBJECT OF HER LATE
+HUSBAND'S WILL.
+
+
+The first person they encountered on entering the house was Fanny.
+
+"Where _have_ you been!" she exclaimed. "My mother is half frightened to
+death. Do go to her this moment, Helen, to set her heart at ease."
+
+"Where is she, Fanny?" inquired Helen, with a sigh, as she remembered
+how little the answers she must necessarily give to the questions she
+would be sure to ask were likely to produce that effect.
+
+"In her dressing-room, Helen. But where _have_ you been?"
+
+"To Oakley."
+
+"Good gracious, Helen!--and without asking mamma's leave?"
+
+"I did it with a good intention, Fanny. Do you think I was wrong in
+endeavouring to restore the intimacy that has been so cruelly
+interrupted? Do you think mamma will be very angry? I am sure it was
+chiefly for her sake that I went."
+
+"No, I am sure she will not when you tell her that. But come directly: I
+do assure you she has been seriously uneasy.--Did you find Sir Gilbert
+very savage, Rosalind?"
+
+"_Pas mal_, my dear."
+
+Another moment brought them to Mrs. Mowbray. "Thank Heaven!" was her
+first exclamation on seeing them; and the repetition of Fanny's emphatic
+"Where _have_ you been?" followed it.
+
+"Dearest mother!" said Helen, fondly embracing her, "do not chide us
+very severely, even if we have been wrong; for indeed we meant to be
+very, very right; and when we set out the expedition appeared to us
+anything but a pleasant one. We have been to Oakley."
+
+"I am too thankful at seeing you returned in safety, my dear girls, to
+be very angry at any thing. But do tell me, Helen, what could have
+induced you to volunteer a visit to the only people who have been unkind
+to us since your poor father's death?"
+
+"In the hope, mamma, of putting an end to an estrangement which I
+thought was very painful to you."
+
+"Dearest Helen! it was just like you! And have you succeeded, my love?"
+
+"No, mamma, I have not."
+
+Mrs. Mowbray coloured.
+
+"And pray, Helen, have they explained to you the cause of their
+extraordinary and most unfeeling conduct?"
+
+"Do not say _they_, dearest mother! Lady Harrington is greatly
+distressed at Sir Gilbert's conduct: so is the colonel, who is just come
+home. Whatever fault there may be, it is Sir Gilbert's alone."
+
+"Did he, then, explain himself to you?"
+
+Helen remained silent.
+
+"I must request, Helen," resumed her mother, "that you make no farther
+mystery about the Harringtons. I am willing to excuse the strange step
+you took this morning; but I shall be seriously displeased if you refuse
+to tell me what passed during your visit. Of what is it that Sir Gilbert
+accuses me?"
+
+"I pointed out to him, mamma, the injustice of being angry with you
+because papa made a will that he did not approve."
+
+"Well, Helen! and what did he say to that?"
+
+"Upon my word, mamma, I could not find a shadow of reason in any thing
+he said."
+
+"You evade my questions, Helen. I insist upon knowing what it is that
+Sir Gilbert lays to my charge.--Helen!--do you refuse to answer me?"
+
+"Oh no, mamma!--but you cannot think how painful it would be for me to
+repeat it!"
+
+"I cannot help it, Helen: you have brought this pain on yourself by your
+very unadvised visit of this morning. But since you have gone to the
+house of one who has declared himself my enemy, you must let me know
+exactly what it is he has chosen to accuse me of; unless you mean that I
+should imagine you wish to shield him from my resentment because you
+think him right."
+
+"Oh, my mother!" cried Helen; "what a word is that!"
+
+"Well, then, do not trifle with me any longer, but repeat at once all
+that you heard him say."
+
+Thus urged, poor Helen stated Sir Gilbert's very unjust suspicions
+respecting the influence used to induce Mr. Mowbray to make the will he
+had left. It was in vain she endeavoured to modify and soften the
+accusation,--the resentment and indignation of Mrs. Mowbray were
+unbounded; and Helen had the deep mortification of perceiving that the
+only result of her enterprise was to have rendered the breach she so
+greatly wished to repair a hundred times wider than before.
+
+"And this man, with these base and vile suspicions, is the person your
+father has left as joint executor with me!--What a situation does this
+place me in! Did he make any allusion to this, Helen?--did he say any
+thing of the necessary business that we have, most unfortunately, to
+transact together?"
+
+"No, mamma, he did not."
+
+A long silence followed this question and answer. Mrs. Mowbray appeared
+to suffer greatly, and in fact she did so. Nothing could be farther from
+the truth than the idea Sir Gilbert Harrington had conceived, and its
+injustice revolted and irritated her to a degree that she never before
+experienced against any human being. That Helen should have listened to
+such an accusation, pained her extremely; and a feeling in some degree
+allied to displeasure against her mingled with the disagreeable
+meditations in which she was plunged.
+
+"My head aches dreadfully!" she said at last. "Fanny, give me my shawl
+and parasol: I will try what a walk in the fresh air will do for me."
+
+"May I go with you, mamma?" said Helen.
+
+"No, my dear; you have had quite walking enough. Fanny has not been out
+at all: she may come with me."
+
+These words were both natural and reasonable, but there was something in
+them that smote Helen to the heart. She fondly loved her mother, and,
+for the first time, she suspected that her heart and feelings were not
+understood.
+
+Mrs. Mowbray and Fanny had just walked through the library windows into
+the garden, when they perceived Mr. Cartwright approaching the house.
+They both uttered an exclamation of pleasure at perceiving him, and
+Fanny said eagerly, "He must see us, mamma! Do not let him go all the
+way round to the hall-door! May we not walk across and meet him?"
+
+"To be sure. Run forward, Fanny; and when he sees you coming to him, he
+will turn this way."
+
+She was not mistaken: Fanny had not made three steps in advance of her
+mother, before Mr. Cartwright turned from the road, and passing through
+a gate in the invisible fence, joined her in a moment.
+
+"How kind this is of you!" said he as he drew near;--"to appear thus
+willing to receive again an intruder, whose quick return must lead you
+to suspect that you are in danger of being haunted by him! And so I
+think you are, Miss Fanny; and I will be generous enough to tell you at
+once, that if you greet me thus kindly, I shall hardly know how to keep
+away from Mowbray Park."
+
+"But mamma is so glad to see you," said Fanny, blushing beautifully,
+"that I am sure you need not try to keep away!"
+
+Mrs. Mowbray now drew near to answer for herself; which she did very
+cordially, assuring him that she considered these friendly and
+unceremonious visits as the greatest kindness he could show her.
+
+"It will be long, I think," said she, "before I shall have courage
+sufficient to invite any one to this mournful and sadly-altered mansion:
+but those whose friendship I really value will, I trust, have the
+charity to come to us without waiting for an invitation."
+
+"I wish I could prove to you, my dear madam," replied Mr. Cartwright
+with respectful tenderness, "how fervently I desire to serve you: but,
+surrounded by old and long-tried friends as you must be, how can a
+new-comer and a stranger hope to be useful?"
+
+This was touching a very tender point--and it is just possible that Mr.
+Cartwright was aware of it, as he was present at the reading of the
+will, and heard Sir Gilbert Harrington's first burst of rage on becoming
+acquainted with its contents. But Mrs. Mowbray had either forgotten this
+circumstance, or, feeling deeply disturbed at the fresh proof which
+Helen had brought her of the falling off of an old friend, was disposed
+to revert anew to it, in the hope of moving the compasssion and
+propitiating the kindness of a new one.
+
+"Alas! my dear sir," she said feelingly, "even old friends will
+sometimes fail us; and then it is that we ought to thank God for such
+happy accidents as that which has placed near us one so able and kindly
+willing to supply their place as yourself.--Fanny, my love, the business
+on which I have to speak is a painful one: go to your sister, dearest,
+while I ask our kind friend's advice respecting this unhappy business."
+
+"Good-b'ye then, Mr. Cartwright," said Fanny, holding out her hand to
+him.--"But perhaps I shall see you again as you go away, for I shall be
+in the garden."
+
+"Bless you, my dear child!" said he fervently, as he led her a few steps
+towards the shrubberies; "God bless, and have you in his holy keeping!"
+
+"What an especial blessing have you, my dear friend," he said, returning
+to Mrs. Mowbray, "in that charming child!--Watch over her, and guard her
+from all evil! for she is one who, if guided in that only path which
+leads to good, will be a saving and a precious treasure to all who
+belong to her: but if led astray--alas! the guilt that the downfall of
+so pure a spirit would entail on those whose duty it is to watch over
+her!"
+
+"She is indeed an excellent young creature!" said the proud mother,
+whose darling the lovely Fanny had ever been; "but I think she wants
+less guiding than any child I ever saw,--and it has always been so. She
+learned faster than she could be taught; and her temper is so sweet, and
+her heart so affectionate, that I really do not remember that she has
+ever deserved a reprimand in her life."
+
+"May the precepts of her admirable mother ever keep her thus!" said Mr.
+Cartwright, as they seated themselves in the library, into which they
+had entered. "But, oh! my dear lady! know you not that it is just such
+sweet and gifted creatures as your Fanny that the Evil One seeks for his
+own?--Nay, look not thus terrified, my excellent, my exemplary
+friend,--look not thus terrified: if it be thus, as most surely it
+is--think you that we are left without help to resist? My dear, my
+admirable Mrs. Mowbray! yours is the hand appointed to lead this fair
+and attractive being unspotted through the world. If great--awfully
+great, as assuredly it is, be the responsibility, great--unspeakably
+great, will be the reward. Then tremble not, dear friend! watch and
+pray, and this unmeasurable reward shall be yours!"
+
+Mrs. Mowbray, however, did tremble; but her trembling was accompanied by
+a sweet and well-pleased consciousness of being considered by the
+excellent man beside her as capable of leading this darling child to
+eternal happiness and glory. The look, the accent of Mr. Cartwright went
+farther than his words to convince her that he believed this power to be
+hers, and she gazed at him with something of the reverence and humble
+love with which Catholics contemplate the effigies of the saints they
+worship.
+
+"But what was the business, the painful business, my poor friend, upon
+which you wished to consult me, before that vision of light had drawn
+all our attention upon herself? What was it, my dear Mrs. Mowbray, you
+wished to say to me?"
+
+"I am hardly justified, I fear, Mr. Cartwright, thus early in our
+acquaintance, in taking up your valuable time in listening to my sorrows
+and my wrongs; but in truth I have both to bear; and I have at this
+moment no friend near me to whom I can apply for advice how to proceed
+with business that puzzles almost as much as it distresses me. May I,
+then, my dear sir, intrude on your kindness for half an hour, while I
+state to you the singular predicament in which I am placed?"
+
+"Were it not, as most assuredly it is--were it not, dearest Mrs.
+Mowbray, a true and deep-felt pleasure to me to believe that I might
+possibly be useful to you, it would be my especial and bounden duty to
+strive to be so. For what are the ministers of the Most High placed
+amidst the people? wherefore are their voices raised, so that all should
+hear them? Is it not, my friend, because their lives, their souls, their
+bodies, are devoted to the service of those committed by Providence to
+their care? And, trust me, the minister who would shrink from this is
+unworthy--utterly unworthy the post to which he has been called. Speak,
+then, dearest Mrs. Mowbray, as to one bound alike by duty and the most
+fervent good-will to aid and assist you to the utmost extent of his
+power."
+
+The great natural gift of Mr. Cartwright was the power of making his
+voice, his eye, and the flexible muscles of his handsome mouth, echo,
+and, as it were reverberate and reiterate every word he spoke, giving to
+his language a power beyond its own. What he now said was uttered
+rapidly, but with an apparent depth and intensity of feeling that
+brought tears of mingled gratitude and admiration to the eyes of Mrs.
+Mowbray. After a moment given to this not unpleasing emotion, she said,
+
+"It was from you, Mr. Cartwright, if I remember rightly, that I first
+heard the enactments of my husband's will. When I give you my word, as I
+now most solemnly do, that I had never during his life the slightest
+knowledge of what that will was to be, I think you will believe me."
+
+"Believe you!" exclaimed Mr. Cartwright. "Is there on earth a being
+sufficiently depraved to doubt an assertion so vouched by you?"
+
+"Oh, Mr. Cartwright! if all men had your generous, and, I will say, just
+confidence in me, I should not now be in the position I am! But Sir
+Gilbert Harrington, the person most unhappily chosen by Mr. Mowbray as
+joint executor with myself, is persuaded that this generous will was
+made in my favour solely in consequence of my artful influence over him;
+and so deeply does he resent this imputed crime, that instead of
+standing forward, as he ought to do, as the protector and agent of his
+friend's widow, he loads the memory of that friend with insult, and
+oppresses me with scorn and revilings, the more bitter because conveyed
+to me by my own child."
+
+Mrs. Mowbray wept.--Mr. Cartwright hid his face with his hands, and for
+some moments seemed fearful of betraying all he felt. At length he fixed
+his eyes upon her--eyes moistened by a tear, and in a low, deep voice
+that seemed to indicate an inward struggle, he uttered, "_Vengeance is
+mine, saith the Lord_!"
+
+He closed his eyes, and sat for a moment silent,--then added, "Perhaps
+of all the trials to which we are exposed in this world of temptation,
+the obeying this mandate is the most difficult! But, like all uttered by
+its Divine Author, it is blessed alike by its authority and its use.
+Without it!--my friend! without it, would not my hand be grappling the
+throat of your malignant enemy?--Without it, should I not even now be
+seeking to violate the laws of God and man, to bring the wretch who can
+thus stab an angel woman's breast to the dust before her? But, thanks to
+the faith that is in me, I _know_ that his suspicious heart and cruel
+soul shall meet a vengeance as much greater than any I could inflict, as
+the hand that wields it is more powerful than mine! I humbly thank
+Heaven for this, and remembering it, turn with chastened spirit from the
+forbidden task of punishing him, to the far more Christian one of
+offering aid to the gentle being he would crush.--Was it indeed from the
+lips of your child, my poor friend, that these base aspersions reached
+you?"
+
+"It was indeed, Mr. Cartwright; and it was this which made them cut so
+deeply. Poor Helen knew not what she was about when she secretly left
+her mother's roof to visit this man, in the hope of restoring the
+families to their former habits of intimacy!"
+
+"Did Helen do this?" said Mr. Cartwright, with a sort of shiver.
+
+"Yes, poor thing, she did; and perhaps for her pains may have won
+caresses for herself. But, by her own statement--most reluctantly given,
+certainly,--she seems to have listened to calumnies against her mother,
+which I should have thought no child of mine would have borne to hear;"
+and again Mrs. Mowbray shed tears.
+
+"Gracious Heaven!" exclaimed Mr. Cartwright, fervently clasping his
+hands, "Dear, tortured Mrs. Mowbray, turn your weeping eyes to Heaven!
+those drops shall not fall in vain. It was your child--a child nurtured
+in that gentle bosom, who repeated to you this blasphemy? Oh, fie! fie!
+fie! But let us not think of this,--at least, not at this trying moment.
+Hereafter means must be taken to stay this plague-spot from spreading
+over the hearts of all whom nature has given to love and honour you.
+Your pretty, gentle Fanny! she at least will not, I think, be led to
+listen to any voice that shall speak ill of you:--sweet child! let her
+be near your heart, and that will comfort you.--But, alas! my poor
+friend, this maternal disappointment, grievous as it is, will not be all
+you have to bear from this wretch, whom Heaven, for its good but
+inscrutable purposes, permits to persecute you. There must be business,
+my dear Mrs. Mowbray, business of great importance that this man must be
+immediately called upon to execute with you,--the proving the will, for
+instance; he must either do this, or refuse to act."
+
+"Would to Heaven he might refuse!" said Mrs. Mowbray eagerly; "what a
+relief would this be to me, Mr. Cartwright! Do you think there would be
+any possibility of leading him to it?"
+
+"Of leading him,--certainly not; for it is very clear, from his conduct,
+that whatever you appeared to wish, _that_ he would be averse to do.
+Your only hope of obtaining what would most assuredly be an especial
+blessing for you, his formal renunciation of the executorship, would, I
+think, be from writing to him immediately, and imperatively demanding
+his joining you forthwith in proving the will. In such a state of mind
+as he must be in before he would bear to utter his vile suspicions to
+your daughter, I think it very likely he may refuse."
+
+"And what would happen then, Mr. Cartwright?"
+
+"You must place yourself in the hands of a respectable lawyer, totally a
+stranger and unconnected with him, and he would put you in a way to
+prove it yourself; after which he could give you no further trouble of
+any kind: unless, indeed, your misguided children should continue to
+frequent his house, and so become the means of wounding your ears and
+your heart by repeating his calumnies. But this, I trust, the source of
+all wisdom and goodness will give you power to prevent."
+
+"With your help and counsel, Mr. Cartwright, I may yet hope to weather
+the storm that seems to have burst upon me; but indeed it could hardly
+have burst upon any one less capable of struggling with it! In what
+language should I write to this, cruel man, who has so undeservedly
+become my enemy?"
+
+"There is no difficulty there, my friend. The shortest and most strictly
+ceremonious form must be the best."
+
+Mrs. Mowbray drew towards her materials for writing,--opened the
+portfolio, which between its leaves of blotting-paper contained sundry
+sheets of wire-wove, black-edged post,--placed one of them before
+her,--took a pen and curiously examined its tip--dipped it delicately in
+the ink, and finally turned to Mr. Cartwright, saying,
+
+"How very grateful I should be if you would have the great kindness to
+write it for me!"
+
+"But the handwriting, my dear lady, must be yours."
+
+"Oh yes! I know. But it would be so much more satisfactory if you would
+sketch the form!"
+
+"Then I am sure I will do it most readily." He drew the paper to him and
+wrote,
+
+"Mrs. Mowbray presents her compliments to Sir Gilbert Harrington, and
+requests to know on what day it will suit him to meet her and her lawyer
+in London, for the purpose of proving her late husband's will at
+Doctors' Commons. The amount of the real property may be ascertained by
+the rent-roll; that of the personal, by means of papers left by the
+deceased, and a valuation of the effects made by competent persons. Mrs.
+Mowbray begs leave to intimate that she wishes as little delay as
+possible to intervene before the completion of this transaction."
+
+Mr. Cartwright turned what he had written towards her, saying, "This is
+the sort of letter which I should think it advisable to send."
+
+Mrs. Mowbray drew forth another sheet, and transcribed it so rapidly
+that it might be doubted whether she allowed herself time to read it as
+she did so.
+
+"And this should be despatched instantly, should it not?" she said,
+folding and directing it.
+
+"Indeed, I think so."
+
+"Then will you have the kindness to ring the bell, Mr. Cartwright?"
+
+"Bring me a lighted taper, John," said Mrs. Mowbray to the servant who
+entered; "and let Thomas get a horse ready to take this letter
+immediately to Oakley."
+
+The taper was brought, the letter sealed and delivered, with
+instructions that the bearer was to wait for an answer.
+
+This important business concluded, Mr. Cartwright rose to go, saying,
+"You have filled my heart and my head so completely by the communication
+of Sir Gilbert Harrington's conduct, that I protest to you I do not at
+this moment recollect why it was I troubled you with a visit this
+morning. I shall recollect it, I dare say, when I see you no longer; and
+if I do, you must let me come back before very long to tell you."
+
+"But whether you recollect it or not," replied Mrs. Mowbray in a
+plaintive tone, "I trust you will not let it be long before I see you:
+otherwise, Mr. Cartwright, I shall not know how to proceed when I
+receive Sir Gilbert's answer."
+
+This appeal was answered by an assurance, uttered in a tone of the most
+soothing kindness, that he would never be far from her when she wished
+him near; and then, with a pastoral and affectionate pressure of her
+hand, he left her.
+
+Fanny kept her word, and was walking up and down about a dozen yards
+from that end of the shrubbery which terminated in the road leading to
+the house. Mr. Cartwright looked in that direction as he stepped from
+the library window, and walking quickly to the spot, conversed with her
+for several minutes as she stood leaning over the gate. Fanny smiled,
+blushed, and looked delighted: her hand, too, was pressed with
+affectionate kindness; and Mr. Cartwright returned to his vicarage and
+his early dinner.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XI.
+
+HELEN'S MISERY AT HER MOTHER'S DISPLEASURE.--SIR G. HARRINGTON'S LETTER
+ON THE SUBJECT OF THE WILL.
+
+
+When Miss Torrington and Helen retreated to the dressing-room
+appropriated to the former, which was the apartment in which they
+generally pursued their morning studies, they sat down disconsolately
+enough to review the results of their enterprise.
+
+"Everything is ten times worse than it was before, Helen!" said her
+friend; "and it is all my fault!"
+
+"Your fault?--Oh no! But I believe we are both of us too young to
+interfere, with any reasonable hope of doing good, between those who in
+age and wisdom are so greatly our superiors. Oh, Rosalind! I fear, I
+fear that my dearest mother is very angry with me!"
+
+"I cannot believe it, Helen. I hardly know how far a dutiful daughter
+may be permitted to act like a rational human being; but to the best of
+my knowledge and belief, your conduct has been such as to ensure you the
+approbation and gratitude of any mother in the world--at least of any
+reasonable mother. You know, Helen, how truly fond I have become of my
+sweet-tempered guardianess.--Is there such a word?--I believe not;--of
+my guardian, then. During the eight months that I have made one of her
+family, I have never yet received a harsh word or unkind look from her,
+though I have not the slightest doubt that I have deserved many: but
+nevertheless, my own dear Helen, if she should blunder so egregiously as
+to be really angry with you for acting with such zealous, tender
+affection as you have done this morning merely because that obstinate
+old brute Sir Gilbert was not to be brought to reason; if she should
+really act thus--which I trust in God she will not--but if she should, I
+do verily believe, in all sincerity, that I should hate her."
+
+"No, you would not,--you would not be so unjust, Rosalind. What right
+had we to volunteer our silly services? What right had I, in particular,
+to fancy that if Sir Gilbert would not listen to the remonstrances of
+his excellent and very clever wife, he would listen to mine?--I really
+am ashamed of my silly vanity and most gross presumption; and if my
+dear, dearest mother will but forgive me this once, as all naughty
+children say, I do not believe she will ever have cause to chide me for
+meddling again. Oh, Rosalind! if she did but know how I love her, she
+could never have looked so coldly on me as she did when she told me I
+had had walking enough!"
+
+"I hope you are mistaken; I hope she did not look coldly on you. I hope
+she is not angry; for if she be ... I shall go over to the enemy, Helen,
+as sure as my name is Rosalind, and you may live to see me patting the
+rough hide of that very shaggy British bull-dog, Sir Gilbert, every time
+he says something impertinent against your mother."
+
+"There is one thing," said Helen, slightly colouring, "that does in some
+little degree reconcile me to the unfortunate visit of this morning--and
+that this...."
+
+"The having met Colonel Harrington!" cried Rosalind, interrupting her.
+"Is it not so?"
+
+"You are right," replied her friend composedly. "William Harrington,
+when he was simply William Harrington, and not a dashing colonel of
+dragoons, was kindness itself to me, when I was a puny, fretful girl,
+that cried when I ought to have laughed. I cannot forget his
+good-natured protecting ways with me, and I should have been truly sorry
+if he had left the country again, as I suppose he will soon do, without
+my seeing him."
+
+"Truly, I believe you, my dear," replied Rosalind, laughing. "And your
+plain William Harrington, too, seemed as willing to renew the
+acquaintance as yourself. To tell you the truth, Helen, I thought I saw
+symptoms of a mighty pretty little incipient flirtation."
+
+"How can you talk such nonsense, when we have so much to make us sad!
+Don't you think I had better go and see if mamma is come in, Rosalind? I
+cannot express to you how miserable I shall be as long as I think that
+she is angry with me."
+
+At this moment the bell which announced that the luncheon was ready,
+sounded, and poor Helen exclaimed, "Oh, I am so sorry! I ought to have
+sought her again, before meeting her in this manner. But come! perhaps
+her dear face will look smilingly at me again: how I will kiss her if it
+does!"
+
+But the warm heart was again chilled to its very core by the look Mrs.
+Mowbray wore as the two girls entered the room. Fanny was already seated
+next her. This was a place often playfully contested between the
+sisters, and Helen thought, as she approached the door, that if she
+could get it, and once more feel her mother's hand between her own, she
+should be the happiest creature living.
+
+But nothing could be less alike, than what followed her entrance, to the
+imaginings which preceded it. Mrs. Mowbray was unusually silent to them
+all, but to Helen she addressed not a single word. This was partly owing
+to the feeling of displeasure which had recently been so skilfully
+fastened in her breast, and partly to the anxiety she felt respecting
+the answer of Sir Gilbert to her note.
+
+In the middle of the silent and nearly untasted meal, the poetical Fanny
+being in truth the only one who appeared to have much inclination to
+eat, a salver was presented to Mrs. Mowbray, from whence, with a
+heightened colour and almost trembling hand, she took a note. She
+instantly rose from table and left the room. Helen rose too, but not to
+follow her: she could no longer restrain her tears, and it was to hide
+this from Fanny, and if possible from Rosalind, that she hastened to
+leave them both, and shut herself in her own chamber to weep alone.
+
+The present emotion of Helen cannot be understood without referring to
+the manner in which she had hitherto lived with her mother, and indeed
+to the general habits of the family. Mystery of any kind was unknown
+among them; and to those who have observed the effect of this, its
+prodigious influence on the general tone of family intercourse must be
+well known. To those who have not, it would be nearly impossible to
+convey in words an adequate idea of the difference which exists in a
+household where the parents make a secret of all things of important
+interest, and where they do not. It is not the difference between ease
+and restraint, or even that more striking still, between sweet and sour
+tempers in the chief or chiefs of the establishment; it is a thousand
+times more vital than either. Without this easy, natural spontaneous
+confidence, the family union is like a rope of sand, that will fall to
+pieces and disappear at the first touch of any thing that can attract
+and draw off its loose and unbound particles. But if it be important as
+a general family habit, it is ten thousand times more so in the
+intercourse between a mother and her daughters. Let no parent believe
+that affection can be perfect without it; and let no mother fancy that
+the heart of her girl can be open to her if it find not an open heart in
+return. Mothers! if you value the precious deposit of your dear girls'
+inmost thoughts, peril not the treasure by chilling them with any
+mystery of your own! It is not in the nature of things that confidence
+should exist on one side only: it must be mutual.
+
+Never was there less of this hateful mildew of mystery than in the
+Mowbray family during the life of their father. Whatever were the
+questions that arose,--whether they concerned the purchase of an estate,
+or the giving or accepting an invitation to dinner,--whether it were a
+discussion respecting the character of a neighbour, or the flavour of
+the last packet of tea,--they were ever and always canvassed in full
+assembly; or if any members were wanting, it was because curiosity,
+which lives only by searching for what is hid, lacking its proper
+aliment, had perished altogether, and so set the listeners free.
+
+This new-born secrecy in her mother struck therefore like a bolt of ice
+into the very heart of the sensitive Helen. "Have I lost her for ever!"
+she exclaimed aloud, though in solitude. "Mother! mother!--is it to be
+ever thus!--If this be the consequence of my poor father's will, well
+might Sir Gilbert deplore it! How happily could I have lived for ever,
+dependent on her for my daily bread, so I could have kept her heart for
+ever as open as my own!"
+
+At this period, Helen Mowbray had much suffering before her; but she
+never perhaps felt a pang more bitter in its newness than that which
+accompanied the conviction that her mother had a secret which she meant
+not to communicate to her. She felt the fact to be what it really was,
+neither more nor less; she felt that it announced the dissolution of
+that sweet and perfect harmony which had hitherto existed between them.
+
+The note from Sir Gilbert Harrington was as follows:
+
+     "Sir Gilbert Harrington presents his compliments to Mrs.
+     Mowbray, and begs to inform her that he has not the slightest
+     intention of ever acting as executor to the very singular and
+     mysterious document opened in his presence on the 12th of May
+     last past, purporting to be the last will and testament of his
+     late friend, Charles Mowbray, Esquire.
+
+     "Oakley, June 59th, 1834."
+
+"The lady had gone to her secret bower" to peruse this scroll; and it
+was fortunate perhaps that she did so, for it produced in her a
+sensation of anger so much more violent than she was accustomed to feel,
+that she would have done herself injustice by betraying it.
+
+Mrs. Mowbray had passed her life in such utter ignorance of every kind
+of business, and such blind and helpless dependence, first on her
+guardians, and then on her husband, that the idea of acting for herself
+was scarcely less terrible than the notion of navigating a seventy-four
+would be to ladies in general. Her thoughts now turned towards Mr.
+Cartwright, as to a champion equally able and willing to help and defend
+her, and she raised her eyes to Heaven with fervent gratitude for the
+timely happiness of having met with such a friend.
+
+That friend had pointed out to her the fault committed by Helen in a
+manner that made it appear to her almost unpardonable. To have doubted
+the correctness of his judgment on this, or any point, would have been
+to doubt the stability of that staff which Providence had sent her to
+lean upon in this moment of her utmost need. She doubted him not: and
+Helen was accordingly thrust out, not without a pang perhaps, from that
+warm and sacred station in her mother's heart that it had been the first
+happiness of her existence to fill. Poor Helen! matters were going worse
+for her--far worse than she imagined, though she was unhappy and out of
+spirits. She believed, indeed, that her mother was really angry; but,
+terrible as her forebodings were, she dreamed not that she was already
+and for ever estranged.
+
+As soon as the first burst of passionate anger had been relieved by a
+solitary flood of tears, Mrs. Mowbray called a council with herself as
+to whether she should immediately despatch a messenger to request Mr.
+Cartwright to call upon her in the evening, or whether she should trust
+to the interest he had so warmly expressed, which, if sincere, must
+bring him to her, she thought, on the morrow.
+
+After anxiously debiting this point for nearly an hour, and deciding
+first on one line of conduct, and then on the other, at least six
+different times within that period, she at last determined to await his
+coming; and concealing the doubts and fears which worried her by
+confining herself to her room under pretence of headach, the three girls
+were left to pass the remainder of the day by themselves, when, as may
+easily be imagined, the important events of the morning were fully
+discussed among them.
+
+Fanny, after the motives of the visit to Oakley had been fully explained
+to her, gave it as her opinion that Helen was wrong in going without the
+consent of her mother, but that her intention might plead in atonement
+for it. But her indignation at hearing of the pertinacious obstinacy of
+Sir Gilbert was unbounded.
+
+"Oh! how my poor father was deceived in him!" she exclaimed. "He must
+have a truly bad heart to forsake and vilify my mother at the time she
+most wants the assistance of a friend. For you know there is business,
+Helen, relative to the will, and the property, and all that--Sir Gilbert
+understands it all,--hard-hearted wretch! and I doubt not he thinks he
+shall crush poor mamma to the dust by thus leaving her, as he believes,
+without a friend. But, thank God! he will find he is mistaken."
+
+"What do you mean, Fanny?" said Rosalind sharply.
+
+"I mean, Rosalind, that mamma is _not_ without a friend," replied Fanny
+with emphasis. "It has pleased God in his mercy to send her one when she
+most needed it."
+
+"I trust that God will restore to her and to us the old, well known, and
+trusted friend of my father," said Helen gravely. "On none other can we
+rest our hope for counsel and assistance, when needed, so safely."
+
+"Even if you were right, Helen," replied her sister, "there would be
+small comfort in your observation. Of what advantage to mamma, or to us,
+would the good qualities of Sir Gilbert he, if it be his will, as it
+evidently is, to estrange himself from us? What a contrast is the
+conduct of Mr. Cartwright to his!"
+
+"Mr. Cartwright!" cried Rosalind, distorting her pretty features into a
+grimace that intimated abundant scorn,--"Mr. Cartwright! There is much
+consolation, to be sure, in what an acquaintance of yesterday can do or
+say, for the loss of such an old friend as Sir Gilbert Harrington!"
+
+"It would be a sad thing for poor mamma if there were not," replied
+Fanny. "Of what advantage to her, I ask you, is the long standing of her
+acquaintance with Sir Gilbert, if his caprice and injustice are to make
+him withdraw himself at such a time as this?--And how unreasonable and
+unchristianlike would it be, Rosalind, were she to refuse the friendship
+of Mr. Cartwright, because she has not known him as long?"
+
+"The only objection I see to her treating Mr. Cartwright as a
+confidential friend is, that she does not know him at all," said
+Rosalind.
+
+"Nor ever can, if she treats him as you do, Miss Torrington," answered
+Fanny, colouring. "I believe Mr. Edward Wallace was an especial
+favourite of yours, my dear; and that perhaps may in some degree account
+for your prejudice against our good Mr. Cartwright.--Confess,
+Rosalind;--is it not so?"
+
+"He was indeed an especial favourite with me!" replied Rosalind gravely;
+"and for the love I bear you all, and more particularly for your sake,
+Fanny, and your poor mother's, I would give much--much--much, that he
+were in the place which Mr. Cartwright holds."
+
+"But if mamma is in want of a man to transact her business, why does she
+not write to Charles and desire him to return?" said Helen. "The taking
+his degree a few months later would be of little consequence."
+
+"Charles?" said Fanny with a smile that seemed to mean a great
+deal.--"Charles is one of the most amiable beings in the world, but the
+most incapable of undertaking the management of business."
+
+"How can you know any thing about it, Fanny?" said Helen, looking at her
+with surprise.
+
+"I heard Mr. Cartwright say to mamma, that Charles was quite a boy,
+though a very charming one."
+
+Helen looked vexed, and Rosalind fixed her eyes upon Fanny as if wishing
+she would say more.
+
+"In short," continued Fanny, "if Sir Gilbert chooses to cut us, I don't
+see what mamma _can_ do so proper and so right as to make a friend of
+the clergyman of the parish."
+
+Her two companions answered not a word, and the conversation was brought
+to a close by Fanny's drawing from her pocket, her bag, and her bosom,
+sundry scraps of paper, on which many lines of unequal length were
+scrawled; and on these she appeared inclined to her fix whole attention.
+This was always considered by Helen and Rosalind as a signal for
+departure: for then Fanny was in a poetic mood; a word spoken or a
+movement made by those around her produced symptoms of impatience and
+suffering which they did not like to witness. Their absence was indeed a
+relief: for pretty Fanny, during the few moments of conversation which
+she had enjoyed at the gate of the shrubbery in the morning, had
+promised Mr. Cartwright to compose a hymn. To perform this promise to
+the best of her power was at this moment the first wish of her heart:
+for the amiable vicar had already contrived to see some of those
+numerous offerings to Apollo with which this fairest and freshest of
+Sapphos beguiled her too abundant leisure. He had pronounced her poetic
+powers great, and worthy of higher themes than any she had hitherto
+chosen: if was most natural, therefore, that she should now tax her
+genius to the utmost, to prove that his first judgment had not been too
+favourable: so the remainder of that long day passed in melancholy
+enough _tête-à-tête_ between Rosalind and Helen, and in finding rhymes
+for all the epithets of heaven on the part of Fanny.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XII.
+
+MR. CARTWRIGHT'S LETTER TO HIS COUSIN.--COLONEL HARRINGTON.
+
+
+The intelligent reader will not be surprised to hear that Mr. Cartwright
+did not suffer himself to be long expected in vain on the following
+morning. Fanny, however, was already in the garden when he arrived; and
+as it so happened that he saw her as she was hovering near the shrubbery
+gate, he turned from the carriage-road and approached her.
+
+"How sweetly does youth, when blessed with such a cheek and eye as
+yours, Miss Fanny, accord with the fresh morning of such a day as
+this!--I feel," he added taking her hand and looking in her blushing
+face, "that my soul never offers adoration more worthy of my Maker than
+when inspired by intercourse with such a being as you!"
+
+"Oh! Mr. Cartwright!" cried Fanny, avoiding his glance by fixing her
+beautiful eyes upon the ground.
+
+"My dearest child! fear not to look at me--fear not to meet the eye of a
+friend, who would watch over you, Fanny, as the minister of Heaven
+should watch over that which is best and fairest, to make and keep it
+holy. Let me have that innocent heart in my keeping, my dearest child,
+and all that is idle, light, and vain shall be banished thence, while
+heavenward thoughts and holy musings shall take its place. Have you
+essayed to hymn the praises of your God, Fanny, since we parted
+yesterday?"
+
+This question was accompanied by an encouraging pat upon her glowing
+cheek; and Fanny, her heart beating with vanity, shyness, hope, fear,
+and sundry other feelings, drew the MS. containing a fairly-written
+transcript of her yesterday's labours from her bosom, and placed it in
+his hand.
+
+Mr. Cartwright pressed it with a sort of pious fervour to his lips, and
+enclosing it for greater security in a letter which he drew from his
+pocket, he laid it carefully within his waistcoat, on the left side of
+his person, and as near, as possible to that part of it appropriated for
+the residence of the heart.
+
+"This must be examined in private, my beloved child," said he solemnly.
+"The first attempt to raise such a spirit as yours in holy song has, to
+my feelings, something as awful in it as the first glad movement of a
+seraph's wing!... Where is your mother, Fanny?"
+
+"She is in the library."
+
+"Alone?"
+
+"Oh yes!--at least I should think so, for I am sure she is expecting
+you."
+
+"Farewell, then, my dear young friend!--Pursue your solitary musing
+walk; and remember, Fanny, that as by your talents you are marked and
+set apart, as it were, from the great mass of human souls, so will you
+be looked upon the more fixedly by the searching eye of God. It is from
+him you received this talent--keep it sacred to his use, as David did,
+and great shall be your reward!--Shall I startle your good mother,
+Fanny, if I enter by the library window?"
+
+"Oh no! Mr. Cartwright--I am sure mamma would be quite vexed if you
+always went round that long way up to the door, especially in summer you
+know, when the windows are always open."
+
+"Once more, farewell, then!"
+
+Fanny's hand was again tenderly pressed, and they parted.
+
+It would be a needless lengthening of my tale, were I to record all that
+passed at this and three or four subsequent interviews which took place
+between the vicar and Mrs. Mowbray on the subject of proving the will.
+Together with the kindest and most soothing demonstrations of rapidly
+increasing friendship and esteem, Mr. Cartwright conveyed to her very
+sound legal information respecting what it was necessary for her to do.
+The only difficulty remaining seemed to arise from Mrs. Mowbray's
+dislike to apply to any friend in London, either for their hospitality
+or assistance, during the visit it was necessary she should make there
+for the completion of the business. This dislike arose from the very
+disagreeable difficulties which had been thrown in her way by Sir
+Gilbert Harrington's refusing to act. It would have been very painful to
+her, as she frankly avowed to her new friend, to announce and explain
+this refusal to any one; and it was therefore finally arranged between
+them, that he should give her a letter of introduction to a most
+excellent and trustworthy friend and relation of his, who was
+distinguished, as he assured her, for being the most honourable and
+conscientious attorney in London,--and perhaps, as he added with a sigh,
+the only one who constantly acted with the fear of the Lord before his
+eyes.
+
+Gladly did Mrs. Mowbray accede to this proposal, for in truth it removed
+a world of anxiety from her mind; and urged as much by a wish to prove
+how very easy it was to be independent of Sir Gilbert, as by the
+strenuous advice of Mr. Cartwright to lose no time in bringing the
+business to a conclusion, she fixed upon the following week for this
+troublesome but necessary expedition.
+
+It may serve to throw a light upon the kind and anxious interest which
+the Vicar of Wrexhill took in the affairs of his widowed parishioner, if
+a copy of his letter to his cousin and friend Mr. Stephen Corbold be
+inserted.
+
+     "TO STEPHEN CORBOLD, ESQ. SOLICITOR, GRAY'S INN, LONDON.
+
+     "My dear and valued Friend and Cousin,
+
+     "It has at length pleased God to enable me to prove to you how
+     sincere is the gratitude which I have ever professed for the
+     important service your father conferred upon me by the timely
+     loan of two hundred pounds, when I was, as I believe you know,
+     inconvenienced by a very troublesome claim. It has been a
+     constant matter of regret to me that I should never, through
+     the many years which have since passed, been able to repay it:
+     but, if I mistake not, the service which I am now able to
+     render you will eventually prove such as fairly to liquidate
+     your claim upon me; and from my knowledge of your pious and
+     honourable feelings, I cannot doubt your being willing to
+     deliver to me my bond for the same, should your advantages from
+     the transaction in hand prove at all commensurate to my
+     expectations."
+
+     [Here followed a statement of the widow Mowbray's business in
+     London, with the commentary upon the ways and means which she
+     possessed to carry that, and all other business in which she
+     was concerned, to a satisfactory conclusion, much to the
+     contentment of all those fortunate enough to be employed as her
+     assistants therein. The reverend gentleman then proceeded
+     thus.]
+
+     "Nor is this all I would wish to say to you, cousin Stephen, on
+     the subject of the widow Mowbray's affairs, and the advantages
+     which may arise to you from the connexion which equally, of
+     course, for her advantage as for yours, I am desirous of
+     establishing between you.
+
+     "I need not tell _you_, cousin Stephen, who, by the blessing of
+     Heaven upon your worthy endeavours, have already been able in a
+     little way to see what law is,--I need not, I say, point out to
+     you at any great length, how much there must of necessity be to
+     do in the management of an estate and of funds which bring in a
+     net income somewhat exceeding fourteen thousand pounds per
+     annum. Now I learn from my excellent friend Mrs. Mowbray, that
+     her late husband transacted the whole of this business himself;
+     an example which it is impossible, as I need not remark, for
+     his widow and sole legatee to follow. She is quite aware of
+     this, and by a merciful dispensation of the Most High, her
+     mind appears to be singularly ductile, and liable to receive
+     such impressions as a pious and attentive friend would be able
+     to enforce on all points. In addition to this great and heavy
+     charge, which it has pleased Providence, doubtless for his own
+     good purposes, to lay upon her, she has also the entire
+     management, as legal and sole guardian of a young Irish
+     heiress, of another prodigiously fine property, consisting,
+     like her own, partly of money in the English funds, and partly
+     in houses and lands in the north part of Ireland. The business
+     connected with the Torrington property is therefore at this
+     moment, as well as every thing concerning the widow Mowbray's
+     affairs, completely without any agent whatever; and I am not
+     without hopes, cousin Stephen, that by the blessing of God to
+     usward, I may be enabled to obtain the same for you.
+
+     "I know the pious habit of your mind, cousin, and that you,
+     like myself, never see any remarkable occurrence without
+     clearly tracing therein the immediate finger of Heaven. I
+     confess that throughout the whole of this affair;--the sudden
+     death of the late owner of this noble fortune; the singular
+     will he left, by which it all has become wholly and solely at
+     the disposal of his excellent widow; the hasty and not overwise
+     determination to renounce the executorship on the part of this
+     petulant Sir Gilbert Harrington; the accident or rather series
+     of accidents, by which I have become at once and so
+     unexpectedly, the chief stay, support, comfort, consolation,
+     and adviser of this amiable but very helpless lady;--throughout
+     the whole of this, I cannot, I say, but observe the gracious
+     Providence of my Master, who wills that I should obtain power
+     and mastery even over the things of this world, worthless
+     though they be, cousin Stephen, when set in comparison with
+     those of the world to come. It is my clear perception of the
+     will of Heaven in this matter which renders me willing,--yea,
+     ardent in my desire to obtain influence over the Mowbray
+     family. They are not all, however, equally amiable to the
+     wholesome guidance I would afford them: on the contrary, it is
+     evident to me that the youngest child is the only one on whom
+     the Lord is at present disposed to pour forth a saving light.
+     Nevertheless I will persevere. Peradventure the hearts of the
+     disobedient may in the end be turned to the wisdom of the just;
+     and we know right well who it is that can save from all
+     danger, even though a man, went to sea without art; a tempting
+     of Providence which would in my case be most criminal,--for
+     great in that respect has been its mercy, giving unto me that
+     light which is needful to guide us through the rocks and shoals
+     for ever scattered amidst worldly affairs.
+
+     "Thus much have I written to you, cousin Stephen, with my own
+     hand, that you might fully comprehend the work that lies before
+     us. But I will not with pen and ink write more unto you, for I
+     trust I shall shortly see you, and that we shall speak face to
+     face.
+
+     "I am now and ever, cousin Stephen, your loving kinsman and
+     Christian friend,
+
+     "WILLIAM JACOB CARTWRIGHt.
+
+     "Wrexhill Vicarage, 9th July, 1834."
+
+     "P.S. Since writing the above, the widow Mowbray has besought
+     me to instruct _the gentleman who is to act as her agent_ to
+     obtain lodgings for her in a convenient quarter of the town;
+     and therefore this letter will precede her. Nor can she indeed
+     set forth till you shall have written in return to inform her
+     whereunto her equipage must be instructed to drive. Remember,
+     cousin, that the apartments be suitable; and in choosing them
+     recollect that it is neither you nor I who will pay for the
+     same. Farewell. If I mistake not, the mercy of Heaven
+     overshadows you, my cousin."
+
+Poor Mrs. Mowbray would have rejoiced exceedingly had it been possible
+for her kind and ever-ready adviser and friend to accompany her to
+London; but as he did not himself propose this, she would not venture to
+do it, and only asked him, such as an obedient child might ask a parent,
+whether he thought she ought to go attended only by a man and maid
+servant, or whether she might have the comfort of taking one of her
+daughters with her.
+
+Mr. Cartwright looked puzzled; indeed the question involved considerable
+difficulties. It was by no means the vicar's wish to appear harsh or
+disagreeable in his enactments; yet neither did he particularly desire
+that the eldest Miss Mowbray should be placed in circumstances likely to
+give her increased influence over her mother: and as to Fanny, his
+conscience reproached him for having for an instant conceived the idea
+of permitting one to whom the elective finger of grace had so recently
+pointed to be removed so far from his fostering care.
+
+After a few moments of silent consideration, he replied,
+
+"No! my dearest lady, you ought not to be without the soothing presence
+of a child; and if I might advise you on the subject, I should recommend
+your being accompanied by Miss Helen,--both, because, as being the
+eldest, she might expect this preference, and because, likewise, I
+should deem it prudent to remove her from the great risk and danger of
+falling into the society of your base and injurious enemy during your
+absence."
+
+"You are quite right about that, as I'm sure you are about every thing,
+Mr. Cartwright. I really would not have Helen see more of Sir Gilbert's
+family for the world! She has such wild romantic notions about old
+friendships being better than new ones, that I am sure it would be the
+way to make terrible disputes between us. She has never yet known the
+misery of having an old friend turn against her,--nor the comfort, Mr.
+Cartwright, of finding a new one sent by Providence to supply his
+place!"
+
+"My dearest lady! I shall ever praise and bless the dispensation that
+has placed me near you during this great trial;--and remember always,
+that those whom the Lord loveth he chasteneth!"
+
+"Ah! Mr. Cartwright, I fear that I have not been hitherto sufficiently
+mindful of this, and that I have repined where I ought to have blessed.
+But I trust that a more christian spirit is now awakened within me, and
+that henceforward, with your aid, and by the blessing of Heaven upon my
+humble endeavours, I may become worthy of the privilege I enjoy as being
+one of your congregation."
+
+"May the Lord hear, receive, record, and bless that hope!" cried the
+vicar fervently, seizing her hand and kissing it with holy zeal.
+
+Mrs. Mowbray coloured slightly; but feeling ashamed of the weak and
+unworthy feeling that caused this, she made a strong effort to recover
+from the sort of embarrassment his action caused, and said, with as much
+ease as she could assume,
+
+"Rosalind and Fanny are both very young and very giddy, Mr. Cartwright.
+May I hope that during my short absence--which I shall make as short as
+possible,--may I hope, my kind friend, that you will look in upon them
+every day?"
+
+"You cannot doubt it!--what is there I would not do to spare you an
+anxious thought!--They are young and thoughtless, particularly your
+ward. Miss Torrington is just the girl, I think, to propose some wild
+frolic--perhaps another visit to Sir Gilbert; and your sweet Fanny is
+too young and has too little authority to prevent it."
+
+"Good Heaven! do you think so? Then what can I do?"
+
+"An idea has struck me, my dear friend, which I will mention to you with
+all frankness, certain that if you disapprove it, you will tell me so
+with an openness and sincerity equal to my own.--I think that if my
+staid and quiet daughter Henrietta were to pass the short interval of
+your absence here, you might be quite sure that nothing gay or giddy
+would be done:--her delicate health and sober turn of mind preclude the
+possibility of this;--and her being here would authorize my daily
+visit."
+
+"There is nothing in the world I should like so well," replied Mrs.
+Mowbray. "Any thing likely to promote an intimacy between my young
+people and a daughter brought up by you must be indeed a blessing to us.
+Shall I call upon her?--or shall I write the invitation?"
+
+"You are very kind, dear lady!--very heavenly-minded!--but there is no
+sort of necessity that you should take the trouble of doing either. I
+will mention to Henrietta your most flattering wish that she should be
+here during your absence: and, believe me, she will be most happy to
+comply with it."
+
+"I shall be very grateful to her.--But will it not be more agreeable for
+her, and for us also, that she should come immediately? I cannot go
+before Monday--this is Thursday; might she not come to us to-morrow?"
+
+"How thoughtful is that!--how like yourself!--Certainly it will be
+pleasanter for her, and I will therefore bring her."
+
+The conversation was here interrupted by the entrance of a servant with
+a note. But for the better understanding its effect both on the lady and
+gentleman, it will be necessary to recount one or two circumstances
+which had occurred to the anti-Cartwright party in the Mowbray family,
+subsequent to their visit to Oakley.
+
+A few days after that which witnessed poor Helen's disgrace, after
+entering the drawing-room and receiving a hint from her mother (whom
+she found there in close conclave with the vicar) that she had better
+take her morning walk, it happened that she and Rosalind, as they were
+earnestly discoursing of their yesterday's visit, and enjoying the
+perfect shade of a lane leading to the village of Wrexhill, perceived a
+horseman approaching them as slowly as it was possible to make a fine
+horse walk. In the next moment, however, something appeared to have
+pricked the sides of his intent, as well as those of his horse; for with
+a bound or two he was close to them, and in the next instant dismounted
+and by their side.
+
+The gentleman proved to be Colonel Harrington, who immediately declared,
+with very soldierly frankness, that he had been riding through every
+avenue leading to Mowbray Park, in the hope of being fortunate enough to
+meet them.
+
+Rosalind smiled; while Helen, without knowing too well what she said,
+answered with a deep blush, "You are very kind."
+
+Colonel Harrington carefully tied up his reins and so arranged them as
+to leave no danger of their getting loose; then giving his steed a
+slight cut with his riding-whip, the obedient animal set off at an easy
+trot for Oakley.
+
+"He knows his way, at least, as well as I do," said the colonel. "It is
+my father's old hunter, and I selected him on purpose, that if I were
+lucky enough to meet you, I might have no trouble about getting rid of
+him. And now tell me, Helen, how did your mother bear the answer my
+father sent to her note?"
+
+"An answer from Sir Gilbert?--and to a note from my mother?" said Helen.
+"Alas! it was kept secret from me; and therefore, Colonel Harrington, I
+had rather you should not talk of it to me."
+
+"It is hardly reasonable that you should insist upon my keeping secret
+what I have to tell you, Helen, because others are less communicative.
+The letters he receives and writes are surely my father's business
+either to impart or conceal, as he thinks best; and he is extremely
+anxious to learn your opinion respecting your mother's letter, and his
+answer to it. He certainly did not imagine that they had been kept
+secret from you."
+
+"Indeed I have never heard of either."
+
+"Do you suppose, then, that she has mentioned them to no one?"
+
+Helen did not immediately reply, but Rosalind did. "I am very
+particularly mistaken, Colonel Harrington," said she, "if the Reverend
+William Jacob Cartwright, vicar of Wrexhill, and privy counsellor at
+Mowbray Park, did not superintend the writing of the one, and the
+reading of the other."
+
+"Do you really think so, Miss Torrington? What do you say, Helen? do you
+believe this to have been the case?"
+
+"He is very often at the Park," replied Helen.
+
+"But do you think it possible that Mrs. Mowbray would communicate to him
+what she would conceal from you?" said Colonel Harrington.
+
+This question was also left unanswered by Helen; but Rosalind again
+undertook to reply. "You will think me a very interfering person, I am
+afraid, Colonel Harrington," said she; "but many feelings keep Helen
+silent which do not influence me; and, as far as I am capable of
+judging, it is extremely proper, and perhaps important, that Sir Gilbert
+should know that this holy vicar never passes a day without finding or
+making an excuse for calling at the Park. I can hardly tell how it is,
+but it certainly does happen, that these visits generally take place
+when we--that is, Helen and I--are not in the house; but ... to confess
+my sins, and make a clear breast at once, I will tell you what I have
+never yet told Helen, and that is, that I have ordered my maid to find
+out, if she can, when Mr. Cartwright comes. He slipped in, however,
+through the library window twice yesterday, so it is possible that he
+may sometimes make good an entry without being observed; for it is
+impossible that my Judy can be always on the watch, though she is so
+fond of performing her needlework in that pretty trellised summer-house
+in the Park."
+
+"What an excellent vidette you would make, Miss Torrington," said the
+young man, laughing. "But will you tell me, sincerely, and without any
+shadow of jesting, why it is that you have been so anxious to watch the
+movements of this reverend gentleman?"
+
+"If I talk on the subject at all," she replied, "it will certainly be
+without any propensity to jesting; for I have seldom felt less inclined
+to be merry than while watching the increasing influence of Mr.
+Cartwright over Mrs. Mowbray and Fanny. It was because I remarked that
+they never mentioned his having called, when I knew he had been there,
+that I grew anxious to learn, if possible, how constant his visits had
+become; and the result of my _espionage_ is, that no day passes without
+a visit."
+
+"But what makes you speak of this as of an evil, Miss Torrington?"
+
+"That is more than I have promised to tell you," replied Rosalind; "but,
+as we _have_ become so very confidential, I have no objection to tell
+you all--and that, remember, for the especial use of Sir Gilbert, who
+perhaps, if he knew all that I guess, would _not_ think he was doing
+right to leave Mrs. Mowbray in such hands."
+
+"And what then, Miss Torrington, is there, _as you guess_, against this
+gentleman?"
+
+Rosalind for an instant looked puzzled; but, by the rapidity with which
+she proceeded after she began, the difficulty seemed to arise solely
+from not knowing what to say first. "There is against him," said she,
+"the having hurried away from hearing the will read to the presence of
+Mrs. Mowbray, and not only announcing its contents to her with what
+might well be called indecent haste, considering that there were others
+to whom the task more fitly belonged, and who would have performed it
+too, had they not been thus forestalled;--not only did he do this, but
+he basely, and, I do believe, most falsely, gave her to understand that
+her son, the generous, disinterested, warm-hearted Charles Mowbray, had
+manifested displeasure at it. Further, he has turned the head of poor
+little Fanny, by begging copies of her verses to send--Heaven knows
+where; and he moreover has, I am sure, persuaded Mrs. Mowbray to think
+that my peerless Helen is in fault for something--Heaven knows what. He
+has likewise, as your account of those secret letters renders certain,
+dared to step between an affectionate mother and her devoted child, to
+destroy their dear and close union by hateful and poisonous mystery. He
+has also fomented the unhappy and most silly schism between your pettish
+father and my petted guardian; and moreover, with all his far-famed
+beauty and saint-like benignity of aspect, his soft crafty eyes dare not
+look me in the face. And twelfthly and lastly, I hate him."
+
+"After this, Miss Torrington," said the Colonel, laughing, "no man
+assuredly could be sufficiently hardy to say a word in his
+defence;--and, all jesting apart," he added very seriously, "I do think
+you have made out a very strong case against him. If my good father sees
+this growing intimacy between the Vicarage and the Park with the same
+feelings that you do, I really think it might go farther than any other
+consideration towards inducing him to rescind his refusal--for he _has_
+positively refused to act as executor--and lead him at once and for ever
+to forget the unreasonable cause of anger he has conceived against your
+mother, Helen."
+
+"Then let him know it without an hour's delay," said Helen. "Dear
+Colonel Harrington! why did you let your horse go? Walk you must, but
+let it be as fast as you can, and let your father understand exactly
+every thing that Rosalind has told you; for though I should hardly have
+ventured to say as much myself, I own that I think she is not much
+mistaken in any of her conclusions."
+
+"And do you follow her, Helen, up to her twelfthly and lastly? Do you
+too _hate_ this reverend gentleman?"
+
+Helen sighed. "I hope not, Colonel Harrington," she replied; "I should
+be sorry to believe myself capable of hating, but surely I do not love
+him."
+
+The young ladies, in their eagerness to set the colonel off on his road
+to Oakley, were unconsciously, or rather most obliviously, guilty of the
+indecorum of accompanying him at least half the distance; and at last it
+was Rosalind, and not the much more shy and timid Helen, who became
+aware of the singularity of the proceeding.
+
+"And where may _we_ be going, I should like to know?" she said, suddenly
+stopping short. "Helen! is it the fashion for the Hampshire ladies to
+escort home the gentlemen they chance to meet in their walks? We never
+do that in my country."
+
+Colonel Harrington looked positively angry, and Helen blushed celestial
+rosy red, but soon recovered herself, and said, with that species of
+frankness which at once disarms quizzing,
+
+"It is very true, Rosalind; we seem to be doing a very strange thing:
+but we have had a great deal to say that was really important; yet
+nothing so much so, as leading Colonel Harrington to his father with as
+little delay as possible.--But now I think we have said all. Good-b'ye,
+Colonel Harrington: I need not tell you how grateful we shall all be if
+you can persuade Sir Gilbert to restore us all to favour."
+
+"The all is but one, Helen; but the doing so I now feel to be very
+important. Farewell! Take care of yourselves; for I will not vex you,
+Helen, by turning back again. Farewell!"
+
+The letter which interrupted the tête-à-tête between Mrs. Mowbray and
+the vicar was an immediate consequence of this conversation, and was as
+follows:--
+
+     "Madam,
+
+     "Upon a maturer consideration of the possible effects to the
+     family of my late friend which my refusal to act as his
+     executor may produce, I am willing, notwithstanding my
+     repugnance to the office, to perform the duties of it, and
+     hereby desire to revoke my late refusal to do so.
+
+     (Signed) "GILBERT HARRINGTON.
+
+     "Oakley, July 12th, 1833."
+
+"Thank Heaven," exclaimed Mrs. Mowbray as soon as she had read the
+note,--"Thank Heaven that I have no longer any occasion to submit myself
+to the caprices of any man!--And yet," she added, putting the paper into
+Mr. Cartwright's hands, "I suppose it will be best for me to accept his
+reluctant and ungracious offer?"
+
+Mr. Cartwright took the paper, and perused it with great attention, and
+more than once. At length he said,
+
+"I trust I did not understand you. What was it you said, dearest Mrs.
+Mowbray, respecting this most insulting communication?"
+
+"I hardly know, Mr. Cartwright, what I said," replied Mrs. Mowbray,
+colouring. "How can I know what to say to a person who can treat a woman
+in my painful situation with such cruel caprice, such unfeeling
+inconsistency?"
+
+"Were I you, my valued friend, I should make the matter very easy, for I
+should say nothing to him."
+
+"Nothing?--Do you mean that you would not answer the letter?"
+
+"Certainly: that is what I should recommend as the only mode of noticing
+it, consistently with the respect you owe yourself."
+
+"I am sure you are quite right," replied Mrs. Mowbray, looking relieved
+from a load of difficulty.
+
+"It certainly does not deserve an answer," said she, "and I am sure I
+should not in the least know what to say to him."
+
+"Then let us treat the scroll as it does deserve to be treated," said
+the vicar with a smile. "Let the indignant wind bear it back to the face
+of the hard-hearted and insulting writer!"
+
+And so saying, he eagerly tore the paper into minute atoms, and appeared
+about to consign them to the conveyance he mentioned, but suddenly
+checked himself, and with thoughtful consideration for the gardener
+added,
+
+"But no! we will not disfigure your beautiful lawn by casting these
+fragments upon it: I will dispose of them on the other side of the
+fence."
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XIII.
+
+MRS. MOWBRAY'S DEPARTURE FOR TOWN.--AN EXTEMPORARY PRAYER.
+
+
+It was about nine o'clock in the evening of this same day, that Mr.
+Cartwright was seen approaching across the lawn towards the drawing-room
+windows,--and that not only by Judy, but by the whole family, who were
+assembled there and preparing to take their tea. His daughter Henrietta
+was on his arm; yet still she rather followed than walked with him, so
+evidently did she hang back, while he as evidently endeavoured to
+quicken his pace and draw her forward.
+
+The eyes of the whole party were attracted to the windows. Mrs. Mowbray
+and Fanny, approaching different sashes, each stepped out to welcome
+them; while Miss Torrington and Helen were content to watch the meeting
+from their places on a sofa.
+
+"Did you ever see a man drive a pig to market, Helen?" said Rosalind.
+"In my country they do it so much more cleverly! for look you, if that
+man were half as clever as he thinks himself, he would just go behind
+the young lady and pull her backwards."
+
+"I am not quite sure that the scheme would answer in this case," replied
+Helen. "Look at the expression of her face, and I think you will
+perceive that nothing but a very straightforward pull could induce her
+to approach at all."
+
+"Perhaps she is disgusted at her odious father's presumption and
+forwardness?" cried Rosalind, starting up. "If that be so, I will
+patronise her.--Poor thing! look at her eyes; I am positive she has been
+weeping."
+
+With this impression, Miss Torrington stepped forward, and, as the party
+entered, greeted the young lady very kindly: though she hardly appeared
+to perceive that her father entered with her.
+
+She received in return a look which, with all her acuteness, she found
+it extremely difficult to interpret. There was a strong and obvious
+expression of surprise in it; and then, in the faint attempt at a smile
+about the corners of the mouth,--which attempt, however, was finally
+abortive,--Rosalind fancied that she traced a movement of gratitude,
+though not of pleasure; but over every feature a settled gloom seemed to
+hang, like a dark veil, obscuring, though not quite hiding every
+emotion.
+
+The difficulty of understanding why and wherefore she looked as she did,
+was quite enough, with such a disposition as Rosalind's, to make her an
+object of interest; and therefore, when Mrs. Mowbray made her the speech
+that she was expressly brought to hear, expressive of hope that she
+would have the great kindness to console that part of her family who
+were to remain at home by affording them the pleasure of her company,
+Rosalind relieved her from the immediate necessity of replying, by
+saying gaily,
+
+"She will and she must, Mrs. Mowbray, for we will take her prisoner; but
+I will promise, as far as I am concerned, that her durance shall be as
+gentle as possible."
+
+It was now the vicar's turn to look astonished, which he certainly did
+in no small degree, and ran some risk of destroying the favourable
+impression which his daughter's look of misery had created, by saying,
+in the sweet tone that Miss Torrington relished so little,
+
+"Henrietta, my love--I trust you will be sensible of, and grateful for,
+the amiable and condescending kindness of this young lady."
+
+What the gloomy Henrietta answered, Rosalind did not stay to hear; for
+by a movement of that impatience with which she always listened to all
+that Mr. Cartwright spoke, she turned from him and walked out of the
+window. She only stayed, however, long enough to gather a bunch of
+geranium blossoms, which she put into the hand of Henrietta as she
+placed herself beside her on re-entering.
+
+"Are they not superb, Miss Cartwright?"
+
+Miss Cartwright again answered by a look which once more set all
+Rosalind's ingenuity at defiance. It now spoke awakened interest, and an
+almost eager desire to look at and listen to her; but the heavy gloom
+remained, while her almost total silence gave her an appearance of
+reserve greatly at variance with the expression which, for a moment at
+least, she had read in her eyes.
+
+Helen was now, in full assembly, informed for the first time that she
+was to attend her mother to town. Had this been told her, as every thing
+was wont to be, in the dear seclusion of her mother's dressing-room, she
+would have hailed the news with joy and gratitude, and believed that it
+predicted a return of all the happiness she had lost: but now the effect
+was wholly different; and though she mastered herself sufficiently to
+send back the tears before they reached her eyes, and to declare, in the
+gentle voice of genuine unaffected obedience, that she should be
+delighted if she could be useful to her, the manner of the communication
+sank deeply and painfully into her heart.
+
+An answer having arrived by return of post from Stephen Corbold, Esq.,
+solicitor, stating that commodious apartments were secured in
+Wimpole-street, and himself ready, body and spirit, to do the lady's
+bidding, Mrs. Mowbray fixed on the following day for her journey. Miss
+Cartwright gave one mutter beyond a tacit consent to remain at the Park
+during her absence, and the party separated; Fanny however declaring, as
+she wrapped a shawl of her mother's about her head, that she must enjoy
+the delicious moonlight by accompanying the vicar and his daughter as
+far as the Park gates.
+
+"And return alone, Fanny?" said her mother.
+
+"Why not, dear lady?" replied Mr. Cartwright. "Her eye will not be
+raised to the lamp of night without her heart's rising also in a hymn to
+her Lord and Saviour; and I am willing to believe that her remaining
+for a few moments beside her pastor and her friend, while under its soft
+influence, will not be likely to make her thoughts wander in a wrong
+direction."
+
+"Oh no, Mr. Cartwright," replied the mother; "I am sure, if you think it
+right, she shall go."
+
+At this moment Miss Torrington was giving a farewell shake of the hand
+to Henrietta when, instead of receiving from her an answering "Good
+night!" something very like a groan smote her ear.
+
+"How very strange!" she exclaimed aloud, after a silence that lasted
+till the vicar, with Fanny leaning on his arm, and his sulky daughter
+following, had half traversed the lawn towards the gate that opened upon
+the drive.
+
+"What is strange, Miss Torrington?" said Mrs. Mowbray.
+
+"Almost every thing I see and hear, ma'am," replied the young lady.
+
+"At what hour are we to set off to-morrow, mamma?" inquired Helen.
+
+"At ten o'clock, my dear. You had better give your orders to Curtis
+to-night, Helen, as to what she is to put up for you. I hope we shall
+not be obliged to remain in town above two or three days."
+
+"If you have any thing to do in your room to-night, Helen, it is time to
+betake yourself to it," observed Rosalind; "for," looking at her watch,
+"it is very near midnight, though Miss Fanny Mowbray is walking in the
+Park.--Good night, Mrs. Mowbray." But Mrs. Mowbray did not appear to
+hear her.
+
+"Good night, mamma," said Helen, approaching to kiss her.
+
+She received a very cold salute upon her forehead, and a "Good night,
+Helen," in a tone that answered to it.
+
+Rosalind took the arm of her friend within hers as they left the room
+together, and a silent pressure spoke her sympathy; but neither of them
+uttered a word that night, either concerning Mr. Cartwright's increasing
+influence, or Mrs. Mowbray's continued coldness to Helen. They both of
+them felt more than they wished to speak.
+
+The following morning brought Mr. Cartwright and his daughter again to
+the Park a few minutes before the post-horses arrived for Mrs. Mowbray's
+carriage, and in a few minutes more every thing was ready for the
+departure of the travellers. Helen gave a farewell embrace to Fanny and
+Rosalind; while the attentive vicar stepped into the carriage before
+Mrs. Mowbray entered it, to see that as many windows were up and as many
+windows down as she wished, and likewise for the purpose of placing a
+small volume in the side pocket next the place she was to occupy. He
+then returned to her side, and as he handed her in, whispered, while he
+pressed her hand,
+
+"Do not fatigue yourself with talking, my dear friend: it is a great
+while since you have taken a journey even so long as this. In the pocket
+next you I have placed a little volume that I wish--oh, how
+ardently!--that you would read with attention. Will you promise me
+this?"
+
+"I will," replied Mrs. Mowbray, deeply affected by his earnestness--"God
+bless you!"
+
+"The Lord watch over you!" responded Mr. Cartwright with a sigh. He then
+retreated a step, and Helen sprang hastily into the carriage without
+assistance; the door was closed, and before the equipage reached the
+lodges Mrs. Mowbray had plunged into a disquisition on regeneration and
+faith--the glory of the new birth--and the assured damnation of all who
+cannot, or do not, attain thereto.
+
+Meanwhile the party left under the shade of the portico looked at each
+other as if to inquire what they were to do next. On all occasions of
+morning departure there is generally a certain degree of
+_désoeuvrement_ left with those who remain behind. In general,
+however, this is soon got over, except by a desperate idler or a very
+mournful residuary guest; but on the present occasion the usual
+occupations of the parties were put completely out of joint, and
+Rosalind, at least, was exceedingly well disposed to exclaim--
+
+    ----"Accursed spite,
+    That ever I was born to set it right!"
+
+She remained stationary for a few minutes, hoping and expecting that the
+reverend gentleman would depart: but as this did not happen, she quietly
+re-entered the house and retired to her own dressing-room.
+
+Fanny then made a motion to enter also, but took very hospitable care
+that it should include both her companions. Mr. Cartwright spoke not of
+going--he even led the way to the library himself, and having closed the
+door and put down the ever-open sash windows, he turned to Fanny, and,
+with a smile that might have accompanied a proposal to sing or dance,
+said,
+
+"My dear Miss Fanny! does not your heart feel full of kind and tender
+wishes for the safety of your beloved mother during her absence from
+you?"
+
+"It does indeed!" said Fanny, shaking back her chesnut ringlets.
+
+"Then should we not," rejoined the vicar, assisting her action by gently
+putting back her redundant curls with his own hand,--"should we not, my
+dear child, implore a blessing upon her from the only source from whence
+it can come!"
+
+"Oh yes," replied Fanny, with affectionate earnestness, but by no means
+understanding his immediate purpose,--"Oh yes, Mr. Cartwright; I am sure
+I never pray so heartily as when praying for mamma."
+
+"Then let us kneel," said he, placing a chair before her, and kneeling
+down himself at the one that was next to it. Fanny instantly obeyed,
+covering her face with her hands, while her young heart beat with a
+timid and most truly pious feeling of fear lest the act was not
+performed with suitable deference; for hitherto her private devotions
+had been performed in strict obedience to the solemn and explicit words
+of Scripture--"_When thou prayest, enter into thy closet, and when thou
+hast shut thy door, pray to thy Father which is in secret; and thy
+Father which seeth in secret shall reward thee openly._"
+
+But though conscious that the mode of prayer in which she was now so
+unexpectedly invited to join was very unlike what she was used to, her
+unbounded love and admiration for Mr. Cartwright rendered it absolutely
+impossible for her to conceive it wrong, and she prepared herself to
+pray with all the fervour of her young and ardent spirit.
+
+There was a moment's pause, during which a look was exchanged between
+the father and daughter unseen by Fanny; but had it met her eye, it
+would only have appeared to her as a mystery that she was incapable of
+comprehending. Had Rosalind caught a sight of it, she might perhaps
+have fancied that the glance of the father spoke command, accompanied
+by direful threatenings, while that of his daughter betrayed disgust and
+bitterest contempt mingled with fear.
+
+Mr. Cartwright began, almost in a whisper, to utter his extemporary
+prayer. It first invoked a blessing on _the little knot of united
+hearts_ that now offered their homage, and then proceeded to ask, in
+flowing periods, for exemption from all dangers likely to beset
+travellers by land for "our beloved sister who is this day gone forth."
+In a tone somewhat more loud he went on to implore especial grace for
+the not yet awakened soul of the child she led with her; and then, his
+rich and powerful voice resounding through the room, his eyes raised to
+the ceiling, and his clasped and extended hands stretched out before
+him, he burst into an ecstasy of enthusiastic rantings, in which he
+besought blessings on the head of Fanny.
+
+It is impossible to repeat such language as Mr. Cartwright and those who
+resemble him think fit to use in their extemporary devotions, without
+offending against that sensitive horror of profanation which happily
+still continues to be one of the strongest feelings in the minds of
+Christians not converted--_i. e._ perverted from the solemn reverence
+our church enjoins in the utterance of every word by which we venture to
+approach the Deity. To such, the unweighed flippant use of those
+momentous words "LET US PRAY," followed as they often are, by turgid
+rantings, and familiar appeals to the most High God, in volumes of
+rapid, careless wordiness, is perhaps the most offensive outrage to
+which their religions feelings can be exposed. One might be almost
+tempted to believe that the sectarians who, rejecting the authorized
+forms in which the bishops and fathers of our church have cautiously,
+reverently, and succinctly rehearsed the petitions which the Scriptures
+permit man to offer to his Creator;--one might, I say, almost be tempted
+to believe that these men have so misunderstood the Word of God, as to
+read:--USE _vain repetitions as the Heathen do, for they_ SHALL BE
+_heard for their much speaking_. But this "much speaking," with all its
+irreverent accompaniments of familiar phraseology, is an abomination to
+those who have preserved their right to sit within the sacred pale of
+our established church; and as it is among such that I wish to find my
+readers, I will avoid, as much as possible, offending them by
+unnecessary repetitions of Mr. Cartwright's rhapsodies, preserving only
+so much of their substance as may be necessary to the making his
+character fully understood.
+
+While imploring Heaven to soften the heart of poor Fanny, who knelt
+weeping beside him like a Niobe, he rehearsed her talents and good
+qualities, earnestly praying that they might not be turned by the Prince
+of Darkness into a snare.
+
+"Let not her gift--her shining gift of poesy, lead her, as it has so
+often done others, to the deepest pit of hell! Let not the gentle and
+warm affections of her heart cling to those that shall carry her soul,
+with their own, down to the worm that dieth not, and to the fire that
+cannot be quenched! Rather, fix thou her love upon those who will seek
+it in thy holy name. May she know to distinguish between the true and
+the false, the holy and the unholy!"
+
+"Amen!" was here uttered by Henrietta, but in so low a whisper that only
+her father's ear caught it. He paused for half a moment, and then
+continued with still-increasing zeal, so that his voice shook and tears
+fell from his eyes.
+
+Fanny was fully aware of all this strong emotion; for though she
+uncovered not her own streaming eyes, she could not mistake the
+trembling voice that pronounced its fervent blessing on her amidst sobs.
+
+Meanwhile Miss Torrington, who had seated herself before a book in her
+dressing-room, began to think that she was not acting very kindly
+towards Fanny, who, she knew, was so nearly childish in her manners as
+to render the entertaining company a very disagreeable task to her.
+
+"Poor little soul!" she exclaimed; "between the manna of the father, and
+the crabbishness of the daughter, she will be done to death if I go not
+to her rescue." So she closed her book and hastened to the library.
+
+The sound she heard on approaching the door startled her, and she paused
+to listen a moment before she entered; for not having the remotest idea
+that it was the voice of prayer, she really believed that some one had
+been taken ill,--and the notion of convulsions, blended with the
+recollection of Henrietta's sickly appearance, took possession of her
+fancy. She determined, however, to enter; but turned the lock with a
+very nervous hand,--and on beholding the scene which the opening door
+displayed, felt startled, awed, and uncertain whether to advance or
+retreat.
+
+She immediately met Henrietta's eye, which turned towards her as she
+opened the door, and its expression at once explained the nature of the
+ceremony she so unexpectedly witnessed. Contempt and bitter scorn shot
+from it as she slowly turned it towards her father; and a smile of pity
+succeeded, as she mournfully shook her head, when, for a moment, she
+fixed her glance upon the figure of Fanny. Had the poor girl for whose
+especial sake this very unclerical rhapsody was uttered--had she been a
+few years older, and somewhat more advanced in the power of judging
+human actions, she must have been struck by the remarkable change which
+the entrance of Rosalind produced in the language and manner of the
+vicar. He did not for an instant suspend the flow of his eloquence, but
+the style of it altered altogether.
+
+"Bless her! bless this lovely and beloved one!" were the words which
+preceded the opening of the door, accompanied by the sobbings of
+vehement emotion.--"Bless all this worthy family, and all sorts and
+conditions of men; and so lead them home" ... &c. were those which
+followed,--uttered, too, with very decent sobriety and discretion.
+
+Rosalind, however, was not quite deceived by this, though far from
+guessing how perfectly indecent and profane had been the impassioned
+language and vehement emotion which preceded her appearance.
+
+After the hesitation of a moment, she closed the door, and walking up to
+the side of Fanny, stood beside her for the minute and a half which it
+took Mr. Cartwright to bring his harangue to a conclusion. He then
+ceased, rose from his knees, and bowed to the intruder with an air so
+meek and sanctified, but yet with such a downcast avoidance of her eye
+withal, that Rosalind shrank from him with ill-concealed dislike, and
+would instantly have left the room, but that she did not choose again to
+leave Fanny, who still continued kneeling beside her, to a repetition of
+the scene she had interrupted.
+
+"Fanny!" she said, in an accent a little approaching to impatience.
+
+But Fanny heeded her not. Vexed and disgusted at this display of a
+devotion so unlike the genuine, unaffected, well-regulated piety in
+which she had been herself brought up, she repeated her call,--adding,
+as she laid her hand lightly on her shoulder,
+
+"This is not the sort of worship which your excellent father, or good
+Mr. Wallace either, would have approved."
+
+Fanny now rose from her knees, and the cause of her not doing so before
+became evident. Her face was as pale as ashes, and traces of violent
+weeping were visible on her swollen eyelids.
+
+"Good Heaven, Fanny! what can have affected you thus?--What, sir, have
+you been saying to produce so terrible an effect on Miss Mowbray? The
+prayers of the church, in the discipline of which she has been most
+carefully bred up, produce no such paroxysms as these, Mr.
+Cartwright.--Come with me, Fanny, and do endeavour to conquer this
+extraordinary vehemence of emotion."
+
+Fanny took her arm; but she trembled so violently that she could
+scarcely stand.
+
+"Mr. Cartwright," said Rosalind with a burst of indignation that she
+could not control, "I must beg of you not to repeat this species of
+experiment on the feelings of this young lady during the absence of her
+mother. At her return she will of course decide upon your continuance,
+or discontinuance, in the office you have been pleased to assume; but,
+till then, I must beg, in her name, that we may have no more of this."
+
+"Oh! Rosalind!" exclaimed Fanny, while a fresh shower of tears burst
+from her eyes, "how can you speak so!"
+
+"Tell me, my dear young lady," said Mr. Cartwright, addressing Miss
+Torrington in a voice of the gentlest kindness, "did good Mrs. Mowbray,
+on leaving home, place Miss Fanny under your care?"
+
+"No, sir, she did not," replied Rosalind, a crimson flush of anger and
+indignation mounting to her cheeks; "but, being considerably older than
+Fanny, I deem it my duty to prevent her if possible from again becoming
+an actor in such a scene as this."
+
+Fanny withdrew her arm, and clasping her hands together, again
+exclaimed, "Oh! Rosalind!"
+
+"Do not agitate yourself, my good child," said the vicar; "I shall never
+suspect you of that hardening of the heart which would lead you to be of
+those who wish to banish the voice of prayer from the roof that shelters
+you. Nor shall I," he continued meekly, but firmly,--"nor shall I
+consider myself justified in remitting that care and attention which I
+promised your excellent mother to bestow on you, because this unhappy
+young person lifts her voice against the holy duties of my calling. I
+shall return to you in the evening, and then, I trust, we shall again
+raise our voices together in praise and prayer."
+
+So saying, Mr. Cartwright took his hat and departed.
+
+The three young ladies were left standing, but not in one group. Miss
+Cartwright, as soon as released from her kneeling position, had
+approached a window, and was assiduously paring her nails; Rosalind
+fixed her eyes upon the floor, and seemed to be revolving some question
+that puzzled her; and Fanny, after the interval of a moment, left the
+room.
+
+Miss Torrington approached the window, and said coldly, but civilly, "I
+am sorry, Miss Cartwright, to have spoken so sternly to your father,--or
+rather, for the cause which led me to do so,--but I really considered it
+as my duty."
+
+"Oh! pray, ma'am, do not apologise to me about it."
+
+"I do not wish to offer an apology for doing what I believe to be right;
+but only to express my sorrow to a guest, in the house that is my home,
+for having been obliged to say any thing that might make her feel
+uncomfortable."
+
+"I do assure you, Miss Torrington," replied the vicar's daughter, "that
+my feelings are very particularly independent of any circumstance,
+accident, or event, that may affect Mr. Cartwright ... my father."
+
+"Indeed!" said Rosalind, fixing on her a glance that seemed to invite
+her confidence.
+
+"Indeed!" repeated Henrietta, quietly continuing the occupation
+furnished by her fingers' ends, but without showing any inclination to
+accept the invitation.
+
+Rosalind was disconcerted. The singularity of Miss Cartwright's manner
+piqued her curiosity, and though by no means inclined to form a party
+with her against her father, she had seen enough to convince her that
+they were far from being on very affectionate terms together. A feeling
+of pity, too, though for sorrows and sufferings suggested chiefly by her
+own imagination, gave her a kind-hearted inclination for more intimate
+acquaintance; but she began to suspect that the wish for this was wholly
+on her side, and not shared in any degree by her companion.
+
+Chilled by this idea, and out of spirits from the prospect of being
+daily exposed to Mr. Cartwright's visits, Rosalind prepared to leave the
+room; but good-nature, as was usual with her, prevailed over every other
+feeling, and before she reached the door, she turned and said,
+
+"Is there any thing, Miss Cartwright, that I can offer for your
+amusement? The books of the day are chiefly in our dressing-rooms, I
+believe--and I have abundance of new music--and in this room I can show
+you where to find a very splendid collection of engravings."
+
+"I wish for nothing of the kind, I am much obliged to you."
+
+"Shall I send Fanny to you? Perhaps, notwithstanding the ocean of tears
+you have seen her shed, she would prove a much more cheerful companion
+than I could do at this moment."
+
+"I do not wish for a cheerful companion," said Henrietta.
+
+"Is there any thing, then, that I can do," resumed Rosalind, half
+smiling, "that may assist you in getting rid of the morning?"
+
+"You may sit with me yourself."
+
+"May I?--Well, then, so I will. I assure you that I only thought of
+going because it appeared to me that you did not particularly desire my
+company."
+
+"To say the truth, Miss Torrington, I do not think there is any thing on
+earth particularly worth desiring; but your conversation may perhaps be
+amongst the most endurable. Besides, it is agreeable to look at you."
+
+"You are very civil," replied Rosalind, laughing. "Perhaps you would
+like me to hold a nosegay in my hand, or to put on a bonnet and
+feathers, that I might be still better worth looking at."
+
+"No.--If I had a bunch of flowers before my eyes, I should not want you:
+no woman can be so beautiful as a collection of flowers. But I shall do
+very well, I dare say. Nothing, you know, lasts very long."
+
+"Your father, then, I presume, has taught your thoughts, Miss
+Cartwright, to fix themselves altogether on a future and a better
+world."
+
+"As to a future world, Miss Torrington, I must have better authority
+than Mr. Cartwright's before I pretend to know any thing about it."
+
+"But I hope your distaste for that which we enjoy at present does not
+arise from its having been unkind to you?"
+
+"When I was a child," answered Henrietta, "I had a kind of sickly
+longing for kindness; but now, that I am older and wiser, I cannot say
+that I think kindness or unkindness are matters of much consequence."
+
+"That, indeed, is a feeling that must put one speedily either above or
+below sorrow."
+
+"I am below it."
+
+"It would be just as easy to say, above, Miss Cartwright; and if you
+really have reached to a state of such stoical indifference, I rather
+wonder you should not feel that it sets you above all the poor sensitive
+souls whom you must see longing for a smile, and trembling at a frown."
+
+"Because, Miss Torrington, I have constantly felt that in approaching
+this state of mind I have been gradually sinking lower and lower in my
+own estimation: I am become so hatefully familiar with sin and
+wickedness, that I perfectly loathe myself--though assuredly it has
+ended by giving me a very pre-eminent degree of indifference concerning
+all that may hereafter happen to me."
+
+"Is it in your own person," said Rosalind jestingly, "that you have
+become thus familiar with sin?"
+
+"No. It is in that of my father."
+
+Rosalind started. "You talk strangely to me, Miss Cartwright," said she
+gravely; "and if you are playing upon my credulity or curiosity, I must
+submit to it. But if there be any serious meaning in what you say, it
+would be more generous if you would permit me to understand you. I
+believe you are aware that I do not esteem Mr. Cartwright: an avowal
+which delicacy would have certainly prevented my making to you, had you
+not given me reason to suspect----"
+
+"--That I do not very greatly esteem him either," said Henrietta,
+interrupting her.
+
+"Exactly so: and as I am deeply interested for the welfare and happiness
+of the family amongst whom he seems disposed to insinuate himself upon
+terms of very particular intimacy, I should consider it as a great
+kindness if you would tell me what his character really is."
+
+"The request is a very singular one, considering to whom it is
+addressed," said Miss Cartwright; "and besides I really cannot perceive
+any reason in the world why I should be guilty of an indecorum in order
+to do you _a great kindness_."
+
+"The indecorum, Miss Cartwright, has been already committed," said
+Rosalind. "You have already spoken of your father as you should not have
+spoken, unless you had some strong and virtuous motive for it."
+
+"How exceedingly refreshing is the unwonted voice of truth!" exclaimed
+Henrietta. "Rosalind Torrington, you are an honest girl, and will not
+betray me; for I do fear him--coward that I am--I do fear his cruelty,
+even while I despise his power. I think but lightly," she continued, "of
+the motes that people this paltry world of ours; yet there are
+gradations amongst us, from the pure-hearted kind fool, who, like you,
+Rosalind, would wish to spend their little hour of life in doing good,
+down to the plotting knave who, like my father, Miss Torrington, cares
+not what mischief he may do, so that his own unholy interest, and unholy
+joys, may be increased thereby: and so, look you, there are gradations
+also in my feelings towards them, from very light and easy indifference,
+down, down, down to the deepest abyss of hatred and contempt. I know not
+what power you may have here--not much, I should fear; for though you
+are rich, the Mowbrays are richer; yet it is possible, I think, that if
+the energy which I suspect makes part of your character be roused, you
+may obtain some influence. If you do, use it to keep Mr. Cartwright as
+far distant from all you love as you can. Mistrust him yourself, and
+teach all others to mistrust him.--And now, never attempt to renew this
+conversation. I may have done you some service--do not let your
+imprudence make me repent it. Let us now avoid each other if you please:
+I do not love talking, and would not willingly be led into it again."
+
+Miss Cartwright left the room as soon as these words were spoken,
+leaving Rosalind in a state of mind extremely painful. Through all the
+strange wildness of Henrietta's manner she thought that she could trace
+a friendly intention to put her on her guard; but she hardly knew what
+the mischief was which she feared, and less still perhaps what she could
+do to guard against it. The most obvious and the most desirable thing,
+if she could achieve it, was the preventing Mr. Cartwright's making the
+constant morning and evening visits which he threatened; but she felt
+that her power was indeed small, and, such as it was, she knew not well
+how to use it.
+
+Having remained for above an hour exactly in the place where Miss
+Cartwright had left her, inventing and rejecting a variety of schemes
+for keeping Mr. Cartwright from the house during the absence of Mrs.
+Mowbray, she at length determined to write to him, and after a good deal
+of meditation produced the following note:
+
+     "Miss Torrington presents her compliments to Mr. Cartwright,
+     and begs to inform him, that having been very strictly brought
+     up by her father, a clergyman of the established church, she
+     cannot, consistently with her ideas of what is right, continue
+     to make her residence in a house where irregular and extempore
+     prayer-meetings are held. She therefore takes this method of
+     announcing to Mr. Cartwright, that if he perseveres in
+     repeating at Mowbray Park the scene she witnessed this morning,
+     she shall be obliged to leave the house of her guardian, and
+     will put herself under the protection of Sir Gilbert Harrington
+     till such time as Mrs. Mowbray shall return.
+
+     "Mowbray Park, 13th July 1833."
+
+This note she immediately despatched to the Vicarage by her own footman,
+who was ordered to wait for an answer, and in the course of an hour
+returned with the following short epistle:
+
+     "Mr. Cartwright presents his compliments to Miss Torrington,
+     and respectfully requests permission to wait upon her for a few
+     minutes to-morrow morning.
+
+     "Wrexhill Vicarage, July 13th, 1833."
+
+Nothing could be less like the answer she expected than this note, and
+she might possibly have been doubtful whether to grant the audience
+requested, or not, had she not perceived, with very considerable
+satisfaction, that she had already obtained a remission of the evening
+rhapsody he had threatened in the morning, which inspired her with
+reasonable hope that her remonstrance would not prove altogether in
+vain. She determined therefore to receive Mr. Cartwright on the morrow,
+but did not deem it necessary to send another express to say so, feeling
+pretty certain that the not forbidding his approach would be quite
+sufficient to ensure its arrival.
+
+The evening passed in very evident and very fidgetty expectation on the
+part of Fanny, who more than once strolled out upon the lawn, returning
+with an air of restlessness and disappointment. But Rosalind was in
+excellent spirits, and contrived to amuse Miss Cartwright, and even
+elicit an expression of pleasure from her, by singing some of her
+sweetest native melodies, which she did with a delicacy and perfection
+of taste and feeling that few could listen to without delight.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XIV.
+
+AN INTERVIEW.--THE LIME TREE.--ROSALIND'S LETTER TO MR. MOWBRAY.
+
+
+At about eleven o'clock the following morning, Miss Torrington was
+informed that Mr. Cartwright requested to speak to her for a few minutes
+in the drawing-room. Henrietta was with her when the message was
+delivered, and seemed to await her reply with some curiosity.
+
+"I will wait upon him immediately," was the civil and ready answer; and
+as Rosalind gave it, and at the same moment rose from her chair to obey
+the summons, she looked in the face of her companion to see if there
+were any wish expressed there that the silence so strictly enjoined
+should be broken. But Miss Cartwright was occupied by a volume of
+engravings which lay before her, and Rosalind left the room without
+having met her eye.
+
+It is impossible to imagine a demeanour or address more perfectly
+gentlemanlike and respectful than those of Mr. Cartwright as he walked
+across the room to receive Miss Torrington. Strong as her feelings were
+against him, this still produced some effect; and as she seated herself,
+and motioned to him to do the same, her mental soliloquy amounted to
+this:--"At any rate, I will listen patiently to what he has to say."
+
+"I have taken the liberty of requesting to speak to you, Miss
+Torrington, because I feel persuaded that my conduct and principles have
+from some accident been misunderstood; and I cannot but hope that it
+may be in my power to explain them, so as in some degree to remove the
+prejudice which I fear you have conceived against me."
+
+"It is my duty, sir, both as a matter of courtesy and justice, to hear
+whatever you wish to say in justification or excuse of the scene I
+witnessed yesterday morning. Miss Fanny Mowbray is not yet recovered
+from the effects of the agitation into which she was thrown by it; and I
+have no objection, Mr. Cartwright, to repeat to you in person my fixed
+determination not to continue in the house if that scene be repeated."
+
+"It is impossible," replied Mr. Cartwright "to find a lady of your age
+so steadfast in adhering to what she believes to be right, without
+feeling both admiration and respect for her; and I should think--forgive
+me if I wound you--I should think that such an one cannot altogether
+condemn the offering of prayer and thanksgiving?"
+
+"Mr. Cartwright," replied Rosalind, her colour rising, and her voice
+expressive of great agitation, "you talk of having been misunderstood;
+but it is I, sir, who have reason to make this complaint. From which of
+my words, either written or spoken, do you presume to infer that I
+contemn the offering of prayer and thanksgiving?"
+
+"I beseech you to bear with me patiently," said Mr. Cartwright with a
+look and tone of the most touching mildness; "and be assured that by
+doing so, we shall not only be more likely to make ourselves mutually
+understood, but finally to arrive at that truth which, I am willing to
+believe, is equally the object of both. And the theme, my dear young
+lady, on which we speak should never be alluded to,--at least, I think
+not,--with any mixture of temper."
+
+Poor Rosalind! Honest as her vehemence was, she felt that she had been
+wrong to show it, and with an effort that did her honour she contrived
+to say "You are quite right, sir. As far as manner is concerned, you
+have greatly the advantage of me by your self-possession and calmness.
+Herein I will endeavour to imitate you, and assure you, with a _sang
+froid_ as perfect as your own, that I consider the offering of prayer
+and thanksgiving as the first duty of a Christian. It is in consequence
+of the reverence in which I hold this sacred duty, that I shrink from
+seeing it performed irreverently. I have been taught to believe, sir,
+that the deepest learning, the most deliberative wisdom, and the most
+grave and solemn meditation given to the subject by the fathers and
+founders of our church, were not too much to bestow on the sublime and
+awful attempt to address ourselves suitably to God in prayer. Prayers so
+framed, and fitted for every exigency that human nature can know, have
+been prepared for us with equal piety and wisdom; and while such exist,
+I will never join in any crude, unweighed, unauthorised jargon addressed
+to the Deity, however vehement the assumption of piety may be in the
+bold man who uses it."
+
+"It is seldom that so young a lady," replied the vicar with a kind and
+gentle smile, "can have found time to give this important question so
+much attention as you appear to have done. Yet, perhaps,--yet, perhaps,
+Miss Torrington, when a few years more of deep consideration have been
+given by you to the subject, you may be led to think that fervour of
+feeling may more than atone for imperfection in expression."
+
+"If you imagine, sir," replied Rosalind, in a voice as tranquil and
+deliberate as his own, "that I have dared to regulate my conduct and
+opinions on such a point as this by any wisdom of my own, you do me
+great injustice. Such conduct, if general, would make as many churches
+upon earth as there are audacious spirits who reject control. My father,
+Mr. Cartwright, was one whose life was passed in the situation which,
+perhaps, beyond all others in the world, taught him the value of the
+establishment to which he belonged. To those of another and an adverse
+faith he was a kind friend and generous benefactor; but he could not be
+insensible, nor did he leave me so, of the superior purity and moral
+efficacy of his own;--and I hope not to live long enough to forget the
+reverence which he has left impressed upon my mind for all that our
+church holds sacred."
+
+"Not for worlds, my excellent young lady," exclaimed Mr. Cartwright with
+warmth, "would I attempt to shake opinions so evidently sustained by a
+sense of duty! Respect for such will assuredly prevent my again
+attempting to perform the office which offended your opinions this
+morning, as long as you continue, what you certainly ought to be at this
+time, the mistress of this family. I will only ask, Miss Torrington, in
+return for the sincere veneration I feel for your conscientious
+scruples, that you will judge me with equal candour, and will believe
+that however we may differ in judgment, I am not less anxious to be
+right than yourself."
+
+Rosalind answered this appeal by a silent bow.
+
+"May I, then, hope that we are friends?" said he, rising and presenting
+his hand; "and that I may venture to call, as I promised Mrs. Mowbray I
+would do, on yourself, Miss Fanny, and my daughter, without driving you
+from the house?"
+
+"Certainly, sir," was Rosalind's cold reply. The request appeared as
+reasonable in itself as it was politely and respectfully made, and to
+refuse it would have been equally churlish, presumptuous and unjust.
+Nevertheless, there was something at the bottom of her heart that
+revolted against the act of shaking hands with him; and feigning to be
+occupied by arranging some flowers on the table, she suffered the
+offered hand to remain extended, till at length its patient owner
+withdrew it.
+
+Though well pleased that her remonstrance had put a stop to the vicar's
+extempore prayings at the house, Rosalind was not altogether satisfied
+by the result of the interview. "We are still upon infinitely too civil
+terms," thought she: "but I see that just at present it would be an
+Herculean labour to quarrel with him:--if I smite him on one cheek, he
+will turn himself about as unresistingly as a sucking pig upon the spit,
+and submit to be basted all round without uttering a single squeak. But
+when Mrs. Mowbray returns I suspect that it will be my turn to be
+basted:--_n'importe_--I am sure I have done no more than my father would
+have thought right."
+
+With this consolation she returned to her dressing-room and applied
+herself to her usual occupations. Henrietta was no longer there; but as
+the fashion of the house was for every one to find employment and
+amusement for themselves during the morning, she did not think it
+necessary to pursue her in order to prove her wish to be agreeable.
+
+At luncheon the three young ladies met as usual in the dining-room:
+Fanny appeared to have recovered her spirits and good-humour, and
+Henrietta seemed to wish to be more conversable than usual. They then
+strolled into the gardens, visited the hothouses, and finally placed
+themselves in a shady and fragrant bower, where they discoursed of
+poetry and music for an hour or two.
+
+When these subjects seemed to be wellnigh exhausted, Miss Cartwright
+rose and slowly walked towards the house without intimating to her
+companions what it was her purpose to do next.
+
+Rosalind and Fanny being thus left tête-à-tête, the former said, "What
+do you think of our new acquaintance, Fanny?--How do you like Miss
+Cartwright?"
+
+"I do not think she seems at all an amiable girl," replied Fanny. "With
+such advantages as she has, it is quite astonishing that her manners are
+so little agreeable."
+
+"She is not remarkably conversable, certainly," said Rosalind; "but I
+suspect that she has very bad health. How dreadfully sallow she is!"
+
+"I suspect that she has a worse infirmity than bad health," answered
+Fanny;--"she has, I fear, an extremely bad temper."
+
+"She has not a violent temper, at any rate," observed Rosalind; "for I
+never remember to have seen any one who gave me a greater idea of being
+subdued and spirit-broken."
+
+"That is not at all the impression she makes upon me," said Fanny: "I
+should call her rather sullen than gentle, and obstinate instead of
+subdued. But this gossiping is sad idle work, Rosalind: as Miss
+Henrietta has fortunately taken herself off, I may go on with what I was
+doing before luncheon."
+
+       *       *       *       *       *
+
+Late in the evening, Mr. Cartwright and his son Jacob paid the young
+ladies a visit. The vicar's conversation was chiefly addressed to Miss
+Torrington; and if she had never seen him before, she must have agreed
+with Fanny in thinking him one of the most agreeable persons in the
+world--for he spoke fluently and well upon every subject, and with a
+person and voice calculated to please every eye and every ear. There
+were probably, indeed, but few who could retain as steady a dislike to
+him as our Rosalind did.
+
+The young man got hold of a purse that Fanny was netting, and did his
+best to entangle her silks; but his chief amusement was derived from
+attempts to quiz and plague his sister, who treated him much as a large
+and powerful dog does a little one,--enduring his gambols and annoying
+tricks with imperturbable patience for a while, and then suddenly
+putting forth a heavy paw and driving him off in an instant.
+
+The following day passed very nearly in the same manner, excepting that
+the three girls separated immediately after breakfast, and did not meet
+again till luncheon-time. On the third, Fanny was the first to leave the
+breakfast-room; and Miss Cartwright and Rosalind being left together,
+the former said,
+
+"I suppose we owe our repose from morning and evening ranting to you,
+Miss Torrington?"
+
+"I certainly did not approve it, Miss Cartwright, and I took the liberty
+of telling your father so."
+
+"You were undoubtedly very right and very wise, and I dare say you feel
+some inward satisfaction at your success. Mr. Cartwright has really
+shown great deference to your opinion by so immediately abandoning, at
+your request, so very favourite an occupation."
+
+Rosalind was about to reply, when Miss Cartwright changed the
+conversation by abruptly saying,
+
+"Will you take a stroll with me this morning, Miss Torrington?"
+
+"Yes, certainly, if you wish it;--but I think we shall find it very
+warm."
+
+"Oh! no. I will lead you a very nice shady walk to the prettiest and
+most sheltered little thicket in the world. Let us put on our bonnets
+directly;--shall we?"
+
+"I will not delay you a moment," said Rosalind. "Shall I ask Fanny to go
+with us?"
+
+"Why no," replied Miss Cartwright; "I think you had better not;--the
+chances are ten to one against her finding it convenient. You know she
+is so fond of solitary study----"
+
+"I believe you are right," said Rosalind; and the young ladies parted,
+to meet again a few minutes after, with bonnets and parasols, at the
+hall-door.
+
+"And which way are we to go to find this welcome shade?" said Rosalind,
+holding her parasol low down to shelter her pretty face. "The sun is
+almost intolerable."
+
+"This way," said Henrietta, turning aside from the drive in a direction
+which soon brought them to a thickly-planted ride that surrounded the
+Park. "We shall find it delightful here."
+
+It was an hour which, in the month of July, few ladies would choose for
+walking; but Miss Torrington politely exerted herself to converse,
+though she secretly longed to be lying silent and alone on the sofa in
+her own dressing-room, with no greater exertion than was necessary for
+the perusal of--
+
+    "The dear pages of some new romance."
+
+Henrietta, however, only answered her dryly and shortly, and presently
+said,
+
+"I should be really very much obliged to you, Miss Torrington, if you
+would not speak to me any more. Just listen to the blackbirds, will
+you?--depend upon it we can neither of us express ourselves one half so
+well as they do."
+
+Rosalind willingly submitted to this request; and the young ladies
+walked onward, producing no other sound than the occasional brushing of
+their dresses against the underwood, which at every step became thicker,
+rendering the path almost too narrow for two to walk abreast.
+
+"Now, let us just turn down through this little opening," said Henrietta
+in a whisper; "and pray do not speak to me."
+
+Rosalind, who began to believe that she must have some meaning for her
+strange manner of proceeding, followed her in perfect silence; and they
+had not gone far into the intricacies of the tangled copse, before she
+heard the sound of a human voice at no great distance from her.
+Henrietta, who was in advance, turned round and laid her finger on her
+lips. The caution was not needed: Rosalind had already recognised the
+tones of Mr. Cartwright, and a few more silent steps brought them to a
+spot thickly surrounded on all sides, but from whence they could look
+out upon a small and beautiful opening, in the centre of which a
+majestic lime-tree stretched its arms in all directions over the soft
+green turf.
+
+Rosalind instantly recognised the spot as one frequently resorted to in
+their evening rambles, for the sake of its cool and secluded beauty, and
+also because a bench, divided into commodious stalls, surrounded the
+capacious tree, from whence opened a vista commanding a charming view
+across the Park.
+
+On the turf before this bench, and with their backs turned towards the
+spot where Rosalind and Henrietta stood, knelt Mr. Cartwright and Fanny.
+His eyes were fixed upon her with passionate admiration, and the first
+words they distinctly heard were these, spoken with great vehemence by
+the vicar:--
+
+"Persecuted--trampled on--turned forth from every other roof, let thy
+blue vault spread over us, and while I struggle to snatch this precious
+brand from the eternal fire of thy wrath, pour upon our heads the dew of
+thy love! Grant me power to save this one dear soul alive, though it
+should seem good in thy sight that millions should perish around her!
+Save her from the eternal flame that even now rises to lick her feet,
+and if not stayed by prayer--the prayer of thy saints,--will speedily
+envelope and consume her!"
+
+Rosalind remained to hear no more. Heartsick, indignant, disgusted, and
+almost terrified by what she saw and heard, she retreated hastily, and,
+followed by Henrietta, rapidly pursued her way to the house.
+
+Her companion made an effort to overtake her, and, almost out of breath
+by an exertion to which she was hardly equal, she said,
+
+"I have shown you this, Miss Torrington, for the sake of giving you a
+useful lesson. If you are wise, you will profit by it, and learn to know
+that it is not always safe to suppose you have produced an effect,
+merely because it may be worth some one's while to persuade you into
+believing it. Having said thus much to point the moral of our walk in
+the sun, you may go your way, and I will go mine. I shall not enter upon
+any more elaborate exposition of Mr. Cartwright's character."
+
+So saying, she fell back among the bushes, and Rosalind reached the
+house alone.
+
+On entering her dressing-room, Miss Torrington sat herself down, with
+her eau de Cologne bottle in one hand and a large feather fan in the
+other, to meditate--coolly, if she could, but at any rate to
+meditate--upon what she ought to do in order immediately to put a stop
+to the very objectionable influence which Mr. Cartwright appeared to
+exercise over the mind of Fanny.
+
+Had she been aware of Sir Gilbert Harrington's having written to recall
+his refusal of the executorship, she would immediately have had recourse
+to him; but this fact had never transpired beyond Mrs. Mowbray and the
+vicar; and the idea that he had resisted the representation which she
+felt sure his son had made to him after the conversation Helen and
+herself had held with him, not only made her too angry to attempt any
+farther to soften him, but naturally impressed her with the belief that,
+do or say what she would on the subject, it must be in vain.
+
+At length it struck her that Charles Mowbray was the most proper person
+to whom she could address herself; yet the writing such a letter as
+might immediately bring him home, was a measure which, under all
+existing circumstances, she felt to be awkward and disagreeable. But the
+more she meditated the more she felt convinced, that, notwithstanding
+the obvious objections to it, this was the safest course she could
+pursue: so having once made up her mind upon the subject, she set about
+it without farther delay, and, with the straightforward frankness and
+sincerity of her character, produced the following epistle:--
+
+     "Dear Mr. Mowbray,
+
+     "Your last letter to Helen, giving so very agreeable an account
+     of the style and manner of your _Little-go_, makes it an
+     ungracious task to interrupt your studies--and yet that is what
+     I am bent upon doing. You will be rather puzzled, I suspect, at
+     finding me assuming the rights and privileges of a
+     correspondent, and moreover of an adviser, or rather a
+     dictator: but so it is--and you must not blame me till you are
+     quite sure you know all my reasons for it.
+
+     "Mrs. Mowbray is gone to London, accompanied by Helen, for the
+     purpose of proving (I think it is called) your father's will; a
+     business in which Sir Gilbert Harrington has, most unkindly for
+     all of you, refused to join her. This journey was so suddenly
+     decided upon, that dear Helen had no time to write to you about
+     it: she knew not she was to go till about nine o'clock the
+     evening preceding.
+
+     "The Vicar of Wrexhill was probably acquainted with the
+     intended movement earlier; for no day passes, or has passed for
+     some weeks, without his holding a private consultation with
+     your mother.
+
+     "Oh! that vicar, Charles! I think I told you that I hated him,
+     and you seemed to smile at my hatred as a sort of missish
+     impertinence and caprice; but what was instinct then has become
+     reason now, and I am strangely mistaken if your hatred would
+     not fully keep pace with mine had you seen and heard what I
+     have done.
+
+     "When I decided upon writing to you I intended, I believe, to
+     enter into all particulars; but I cannot do this--you must see
+     for yourself, and draw your own inferences. My dislike for this
+     man may carry me too far, and you must be much more capable of
+     forming a judgment respecting his motives than I can be. Of
+     this however I am quite sure,--Fanny ought at this time to have
+     some one near her more capable of protecting her from the
+     mischievous influence of this hateful man than I am. I know,
+     Mr. Charles, that you have no very exalted idea of my wisdom;
+     and I am not without some fear that instead of coming home
+     immediately, as I think you ought to do, you may write me a
+     very witty, clever answer, with reasons as plenty as
+     blackberries to prove that I am a goose. _Do not do this, Mr.
+     Mowbray._ I do not think that you know me very well, but in
+     common courtesy you ought not to believe that any young lady
+     would write you such a summons as this without having very
+     serious reasons for it.
+
+     "As one proof of the rapidly-increasing intimacy between the
+     family of the vicar and your own, you will, on your arrival,
+     find the daughter, Miss Cartwright, established here to console
+     us for your mother's (and Helen's!) absence. She is a very
+     singular personage: but on her I pass no judgment, sincerely
+     feeling that I am not competent to it. If my opinion be of
+     sufficient weight to induce you to come, Mr. Mowbray, I must
+     beg you to let your arrival appear the result of accident; and
+     not to let any one but Helen know of this letter.
+
+     "Believe me, very sincerely,
+
+     "Your friend,
+
+     "ROSALIND TORRINGTON."
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XV.
+
+ROSALIND'S CONVERSATION WITH MISS CARTWRIGHT.--MRS. SIMPSON AND MISS
+RICHARDS MEET THE VICAR AT THE PARK.--THE HYMN.--THE WALK HOME.
+
+
+In the course of the morning after this letter was despatched, Miss
+Cartwright and Rosalind again found themselves tête-à-tête. The nature
+of Rosalind Torrington was so very completely the reverse of mysterious
+or intriguing, that far from wishing to lead Henrietta to talk of her
+father in that style of hints and innuendos to which the young lady
+seemed addicted, she determined, in future, carefully to avoid the
+subject; although it was very evident, from the preconcerted walk to the
+lime-tree, that, notwithstanding her declaration to the contrary, Miss
+Cartwright was desirous to make her acquainted with the character and
+conduct of her father.
+
+Whether it were that spirit of contradiction which is said to possess
+the breast of woman, or any other more respectable feeling, it may be
+difficult to decide, but it is certain that the less Rosalind appeared
+disposed to speak of the adventure of yesterday, the more desirous did
+Henrietta feel to lead her to it.
+
+"You were somewhat disappointed, I fancy, Miss Torrington," said she,
+"to discover that though you had contrived to banish the conventicle
+from the house, it had raised its voice in the grounds."
+
+"Indeed I was," replied Rosalind.
+
+"I rather think that you are addicted to speaking truth--and perhaps you
+pique yourself upon it," resumed Miss Cartwright. "Will you venture to
+tell me what you think of the scene you witnessed?"
+
+"You are not the person I should most naturally have selected as the
+confidant of my opinions respecting Mr. Cartwright," said Rosalind; "but
+since you put the question plainly I will answer it plainly, and confess
+that I suspect him not only of wishing to inculcate his own Calvinistic
+doctrines on the mind of Fanny Mowbray, but moreover, notwithstanding
+his disproportionate age, of gaining her affections."
+
+"Her affections?" repeated Henrietta. "And with what view do you imagine
+he is endeavouring to gain her affections?"
+
+"Doubtless with a view to making her his wife; though, to be sure, the
+idea is preposterous."
+
+"Sufficiently. Pray, Miss Torrington, has Miss Fanny Mowbray an
+independent fortune?"
+
+"None whatever. Like the rest of the family, she is become by the death
+of her father entirely dependent upon Mrs. Mowbray."
+
+"Your fortune is entirely at your own disposal, I believe."
+
+Rosalind looked provoked at the idle turn Miss Cartwright was giving to
+a conversation which, though she had not led to it, interested her
+deeply.
+
+"Do not suspect me of impertinence," said Henrietta in a tone more
+gentle than ordinary. "But such is the case, is it not?"
+
+"Yes, Miss Cartwright," was Rosalind's grave reply.
+
+"Then, do you know that I think it infinitely more probable Mr.
+Cartwright may have it in contemplation to make you his wife."
+
+"I beg your pardon, Miss Cartwright," said Rosalind, "but I really
+thought that you were speaking of your father seriously; and it seems
+you are disposed to punish me for imagining you would do so, to one so
+nearly a stranger."
+
+"I never jest on any subject," replied the melancholy-looking girl,
+knitting her dark brows into a frown of such austerity as almost made
+Rosalind tremble. "A reasoning being who has nothing to hope among the
+realities on this side the grave, and hopes nothing on the other, is not
+very likely to be jocose."
+
+"Good Heavens! Miss Cartwright," exclaimed Rosalind, "what dreadful
+language is this? Are you determined to prove to me that there may be
+opinions and doctrines more terrible still than those of your father?"
+
+"I had no meaning of the kind, I assure you," replied Henrietta, in her
+usual quiet manner, which always seemed to hover between the bitterness
+of a sneer, and the quietude or indifference of philosophy. "Pray do not
+trouble yourself for a moment to think about me or my opinions. You
+might, perhaps, as you are a bold-spirited, honest-minded girl, do some
+good if you fully comprehended all that was going on around you; though
+it is very doubtful, for it is impossible to say to what extent the
+besotted folly of people may go. But don't you think it might on the
+whole be quite as probable that Mr. Cartwright may wish to marry the
+mother as the daughter?"
+
+"Mrs. Mowbray!--Good gracious! no."
+
+"Then we differ. But may I ask you why you think otherwise?"
+
+"One reason is, that Mrs. Mowbray's recent widowhood seems to put such
+an idea entirely out of the question; and another, that he appears to be
+positively making love to Fanny."
+
+"Oh!--is that all? I do assure you there is nothing at all particular in
+that. He would tell you himself, I am sure, if you were to enter upon
+the subject with him, that it is his duty to influence and lead the
+hearts of his flock into the way he would have them go, by _every_ means
+in his power."
+
+"Then you really do not think he has been making love to Fanny?"
+
+"I am sure, Miss Torrington," replied Henrietta very gravely, "I did not
+mean to say so."
+
+"Indeed! indeed! Miss Cartwright," said Rosalind with evident symptoms
+of impatience, "these riddles vex me cruelly. If your father _does_
+make love to this dear fanciful child, he must, I suppose, have some
+hope that she will marry him?"
+
+"How can I answer you?" exclaimed Henrietta with real feeling. "You
+cannot be above two or three years younger than I am, yet your purity
+and innocence make me feel myself a monster."
+
+"For Heaven's sake do not trifle with me!" cried Rosalind, her face and
+neck dyed with indignant blood; "you surely do not mean that your father
+is seeking to seduce this unhappy child?"
+
+"Watch Mr. Cartwright a little while, Rosalind Torrington, as I have
+done for the six last terrible years of my hateful life, and you may
+obtain perhaps some faint idea of the crooked, complex machinery--the
+movements and counter-movements, the shiftings and the balancings, by
+which his zig-zag course is regulated. Human passions are in him for
+ever struggling with, and combating, what may be called, in their
+strength, _superhuman_ avarice and ambition.
+
+"To touch, to influence, to lead, to rule, to tyrannise over the hearts
+and souls of all he approaches, is the great object of his life. He
+would willingly do this in the hearts of men,--but for the most part he
+has found them tough; and he now, I think, seems to rest all his hopes
+of fame, wealth, and station on the power he can obtain over women.--I
+say not," she added after a pause, while a slight blush passed over her
+pallid cheek, "that I believe his senses uninfluenced by beauty;--this
+is far, hatefully far from being the case with Mr. Cartwright;--but he
+is careful, most cunningly careful, whatever victims he makes, never to
+become one in his own person.
+
+"You would find, were you to watch him, that his system, both for
+pleasure and profit, consists of a certain graduated love-making to
+every woman within his reach, not too poor, too old, or too ugly. But if
+any among them fancy that he would sacrifice the thousandth part of a
+hair's breadth of his worldly hopes for all they could give him in
+return--they are mistaken."
+
+"The character you paint," said Rosalind, who grew pale as she listened,
+"is too terrible for me fully to understand, and I would turn my eyes
+from the portrait, and endeavour to forget that I had ever heard of it,
+were not those I love endangered by it. Hateful as all this new
+knowledge is to me, I must still question you further, Miss Cartwright:
+What do you suppose to be his object in thus working upon the mind of
+Fanny Mowbray?"
+
+"His motives, depend upon it, are manifold. Religion and love, the new
+birth and intellectual attachment--mystical sympathy of hearts, and the
+certainty of eternal perdition to all that he does not take under the
+shadow of his wing;--these are the tools with which he works. He has got
+his foot--perhaps you may think it a cloven one, but, such as it is, he
+seems to have got it pretty firmly planted within the paling of Mowbray
+Park. He made me follow him hither as a volunteer visiter, very much
+against my inclination; but if by what I have said you may be enabled to
+defeat any of his various projects among ye,--for he never plots
+single-handed,--I shall cease to regret that I came."
+
+"My power of doing any good," replied Rosalind, "must, I fear, be
+altogether destroyed by my ignorance of what Mr. Cartwright's intentions
+and expectations are. You have hinted various things, but all so
+vaguely, that I own I do not feel more capable of keeping my friends
+from any danger which may threaten them, than before this conversation
+took place."
+
+"I am sorry for it," said Henrietta coldly, "but I have really no
+information more accurate to give."
+
+"I truly believe that you have meant very kindly," said Rosalind,
+looking seriously distressed. "Will you go one step farther, and say
+what you would advise me to do, Miss Cartwright?"
+
+"No, certainly, Miss Torrington, I will not. But I will give you a hint
+or two what not to do. Do not appear at all better acquainted with me
+than I show myself disposed to be with you. Do not make the slightest
+alteration in your manner of receiving Mr. Cartwright; and do not, from
+any motive whatever, repeat one syllable of this conversation to Fanny
+Mowbray. Should you disobey this last injunction, you will be guilty of
+very cruel and ungrateful treachery towards me." Having said this, with
+the appearance of more emotion than she had hitherto manifested,
+Henrietta rose and left the room.
+
+"At length," thought Rosalind, "she has spoken out; yet what are we
+likely to be the better for it? It seems that there is a great net
+thrown over us, of which we shall feel and see the meshes by-and-by,
+when he who has made prey of us begins to pull the draught to shore; but
+how to escape from it, the oracle sayeth not!"
+
+       *       *       *       *       *
+
+On the evening of that day, Mrs. Simpson and the eldest Miss Richards
+walked over from Wrexhill to pay a visit at the Park. They were not
+aware of the absence of Mrs. Mowbray, and seemed disposed to shorten
+their visit on finding she was not at home; but Rosalind, who for the
+last hour had been sitting on thorns expecting Mr. Cartwright to make
+his evening call, most cordially and earnestly invited them to stay till
+after tea, feeling that their presence would greatly relieve the
+embarrassment which she feared she might betray on again seeing the
+vicar.
+
+"But it will be so late!" said Miss Richards. "How are we to get home
+after it is dark? Remember, Mrs. Simpson, there is no moon."
+
+"It is very true," said Mrs. Simpson. "I am afraid, my dear Miss
+Torrington, that we must deny ourselves the pleasure you offer;--but I
+am such a nervous creature! It is very seldom that I stir out without
+ordering a man-servant to follow me; and I regret excessively that I
+omitted to do so this evening."
+
+"I think," said Rosalind, colouring at her own eagerness, which she was
+conscious must appear rather new and rather strange to Mrs. Simpson,
+with whom she had hardly ever exchanged a dozen words before,--"I think
+Mr. Cartwright will very likely be here this evening, and perhaps he
+might attend you home. Do you not think, Miss Cartwright," she added,
+turning to Henrietta, "that it is very likely your father will call this
+evening?"
+
+"Good gracious!--Miss Cartwright--I beg your pardon, I did not know you.
+I hope you heard that I called;--so very happy to cultivate your
+acquaintance!--Oh dear! I would not miss seeing Mr. Cartwright for the
+world!--Thank you, my dear Miss Torrington;--thank you, Miss Fanny: I
+will just set my hair to rights a little, if you will give me leave.
+Perhaps, Miss Fanny, you will permit me to go into your bed-room?" Such
+was the effect produced by the vicar's name upon the handsome widow.
+
+Miss Richards coloured, smiled, spoke to Henrietta with very respectful
+politeness, and finally followed her friend Mrs. Simpson out of the
+room, accompanied by Fanny, who willingly undertook to be their
+gentlewoman usher.
+
+"Mr. Cartwright has already made some impression on these fair ladies,
+or I am greatly mistaken," said Henrietta. "Did you remark, Miss
+Torrington, the effect produced by his name?"
+
+"I did," replied Rosalind, "and my reasonings upon it are very
+consolatory; for if he has already found time and inclination to produce
+so great effect there, why should we fear that his labours of love here
+should prove more dangerous in their tendency?"
+
+"Very true. Nor do I see any reason in the world why the Mowbray is in
+greater peril than the Simpson, or the Fanny than the Louisa,--excepting
+that one widow is about twenty times richer than the other, and the
+little young lady about five hundred times handsomer than the great
+one."
+
+At this moment the Mr. Cartwrights, father and son, were seen turning
+off from the regular approach to the house, towards the little gate that
+opened from the lawn; a friendly and familiar mode of entrance, which
+seemed to have become quite habitual to them.
+
+Rosalind, who was the first to perceive them, flew towards the door,
+saying, "You must excuse me for running away, Miss Cartwright. I invited
+that furbelow widow to stay on purpose to spare me this almost
+tête-à-tête meeting. I will seek the ladies and return with them."
+
+"Then so will I too," said Henrietta, hastily following her. "I am by no
+means disposed to stand the cross-examination which I know will ensue if
+I remain here alone."
+
+The consequence of this movement was, that the vicar and his son
+prepared their smiles in vain; for, on entering the drawing-room, sofas
+and ottomans, footstools, tables, and chairs, alone greeted them.
+
+Young Cartwright immediately began peeping into the work-boxes and
+portfolios which lay on the tables.
+
+"Look here, sir," said he, holding up a caricature of Lord B----m. "Is
+not this sinful?"
+
+"Do be quiet, Jacob!--we shall have them here in a moment;--I really
+wish I could teach you when your interest is at stake to make the best
+of yourself. You know that I should be particularly pleased by your
+marrying Miss Torrington; and I do beg, my dear boy, that you will not
+suffer your childish spirits to put any difficulties in my way."
+
+"I will become an example unto all men," replied Jacob, shutting up his
+eyes and mouth demurely, and placing himself bolt upright upon the
+music-stool.
+
+"If you and your sister could but mingle natures a little," said Mr.
+Cartwright, "you would both be wonderfully improved. Nothing with which
+I am acquainted, however joyous, can ever induce Henrietta to smile; and
+nothing, however sad, can prevent your being on the broad grin from
+morning to night. However, of the two, I confess I think you are the
+most endurable."
+
+"A whip for the horse, a bridle for the ass, and a rod for the fool's
+back," said Jacob in a sanctified tone.
+
+"Upon my honour, Jacob, I shall be very angry with you if you do not set
+about this love-making as I would have you. Don't make ducks and drakes
+of eighty thousand pounds:--at least, not till you have got them."
+
+"Answer not a fool according to his folly, least he be wise in his own
+conceit," said Jacob.
+
+Mr. Cartwright smiled, as it seemed against his will, but shook his head
+very solemnly. "I'll tell you what, Jacob," said he,--"if I see you set
+about this in a way to please me, I'll give you five shillings to-morrow
+morning."
+
+"Wherefore is there a price in the hand of a fool to get wisdom, seeing
+he hath no heart to it?" replied Jacob. "Nevertheless, father, I will
+look lovingly upon the maiden, and receive thy promised gift, even as
+thou sayest."
+
+"Upon my word, Jacob, you try my patience too severely," said the
+vicar; yet there was certainly but little wrath in his eye as he said
+so, and his chartered libertine of a son was preparing again to answer
+him in the words of Solomon, but in a spirit of very indecent
+buffoonery, when the drawing-room door opened, and Mrs. Simpson, Miss
+Richards, and Fanny Mowbray entered.
+
+It appeared that Rosalind and Miss Cartwright on escaping from the
+drawing-room had not sought the other ladies, but taken refuge in the
+dining-parlour, from whence they issued immediately after the others had
+passed the door, and entering the drawing-room with them, enjoyed the
+gratification of witnessing the meeting of the vicar and his fair
+parishioners.
+
+To the surprise of Rosalind, and the great though silent amusement of
+her companion, they perceived that both the stranger ladies had
+contrived to make a very edifying and remarkable alteration in the
+general appearance of their dress.
+
+Miss Richards had combed her abounding black curls as nearly straight as
+their nature would allow, and finally brought them into very reverential
+order by the aid of her ears, and sundry black pins to boot,--an
+arrangement by no means unfavourable to the display of her dark eyes and
+eyebrows.
+
+But the change produced by the _castigato_ toilet of the widow was
+considerably more important. A transparent blond _chemisette_, rather
+calculated to adorn than conceal that part of the person to which it
+belonged, was now completely hidden by a lavender-coloured silk
+handkerchief, tightly, smoothly, and with careful security pinned
+behind, and before, and above, and below, upon her full but graceful
+bust.
+
+Rosalind had more than once of late amused herself by looking over the
+pages of Molière's "Tartuffe;" and a passage now occurred to her that
+she could not resist muttering in the ear of Henrietta:--
+
+                          "Ah, mon Dieu! je vous prie,
+    Avant que de parler, prenez-moi ce mouchoir"--&c.
+
+The comer of Miss Cartwright's mouth expressed her appreciation of the
+quotation, but by a movement so slight that none but Rosalind could
+perceive it.
+
+Meanwhile the vicar approached Mrs. Simpson with a look that was full of
+meaning, and intended to express admiration both of her mental and
+personal endowments. She, too, had banished the drooping ringlets from
+her cheeks, and appeared before him with all the pretty severity of a
+Madonna band across her forehead.
+
+Was it in the nature of man to witness such touching proofs of his
+influence without being affected thereby? At any rate, such indifference
+made no part of the character of the Vicar of Wrexhill, and the murmured
+"Bless you, my dear lady!" which accompanied his neighbourly pressure of
+the widow Simpson's hand, gave her to understand how much his grateful
+and affectionate feelings were gratified by her attention to the hints
+he had found an opportunity to give her during a tête-à-tête
+conversation at her own house a few days before.
+
+Nor was the delicate attention of Miss Richards overlooked. She, too,
+felt at her fingers' ends how greatly the sacrifice of her curls was
+approved by the graceful vicar, who now sat down surrounded by this fair
+bevy of ladies, smiling with bland and gentle sweetness on them all.
+
+Mr. Jacob thought of the promised five shillings, and displaying his
+fine teeth from ear to ear, presented a chair to Miss Torrington.
+
+"I wish you would let us have a song, Miss Rosalind Torrington," said
+he, stationing himself at the back of her chair and leaning over her
+shoulder. "I am told that your voice beats every thing on earth hollow."
+
+His eye caught an approving glance from his father as he took this
+station, and he wisely trusted to his attitude for obtaining his reward,
+for these words were audible only to the young lady herself.
+
+"You are a mighty odd set of people!" said she, turning round to him. "I
+cannot imagine how you all contrive to live together! There is not one
+of you that does not appear to be a contrast to the other two."
+
+"Then, at any rate, you cannot dislike us all _equally_," said the
+strange lad, with a grimace that made her laugh, despite her inclination
+to look grave.
+
+"I do not know that," was the reply. "I may dislike you all equally, and
+yet have a different species of dislike for each."
+
+"But one species must be stronger and more vigorous than the others.
+Besides, I will assist your judgment. I do not mean to say I am quite
+perfect; but, depend upon it, I'm the best of the _set_, as you call
+us."
+
+"Your authority, Mr. Jacob, is the best in the world, certainly.
+Nevertheless, there are many who on such an occasion might suspect you
+of partiality."
+
+"Then they would do me great injustice, Miss Torrington. I am a man, or
+a boy, or something between both: take me for all in all, it is five
+hundred to one you ne'er shall look upon my like again. But that is a
+play-going and sinful quotation, Miss Rosalind, like your name: so be
+merciful unto me, and please not to tell my papa."
+
+"You may be very certain, Mr. Jacob, that I shall obey you in this."
+
+    "Sweetest nut hath sourest rind,--
+    Such a nut is Rosalind."
+
+responded the youth; and probably thinking that he had fairly won his
+five shillings, he raised his tall thin person from the position which
+had so well pleased his father, and stole round to the sofa on which
+Fanny was sitting.
+
+Fanny was looking very lovely, but without a trace of that bright and
+beaming animation which a few short months before had led her poor
+father to give her the _sobriquet_ of "Firefly." He was wont to declare,
+and no one was inclined to contradict him, that whenever she appeared,
+something like a bright coruscation seemed to flash upon the eye. No
+one, not even a fond father, would have hit upon such a simile for her
+now. Beautiful she was, perhaps more beautiful than ever; but a sad and
+sombre thoughtfulness had settled itself on her young brow,--her voice
+was no longer the echo of gay thoughts, and, in a word, her whole aspect
+and bearing were changed.
+
+She now sat silently apart from the company, watching, with an air that
+seemed to hover between abstraction and curiosity, Mrs. Simpson's manner
+of making herself agreeable to Mr. Cartwright.
+
+This lady was seated on one side of the vicar, and Miss Richards on the
+other: both had the appearance of being unconscious that any other
+person or persons were in the room, and nothing but his consummate skill
+in the art of uttering an aside both with eyes and lips could have
+enabled him to sustain his position.
+
+"My sisters and I are afraid you have quite forgotten us," murmured Miss
+Richards; "but we have been practising the hymns you gave us, and we
+are all quite perfect, and ready to sing them to you whenever you come."
+
+"The hearing this, my dear young lady, gives me as pure and holy a
+pleasure as listening to the sacred strains could do:--unless, indeed,"
+he added, bending his head sideways towards her, so as nearly to touch
+her cheek, "unless, indeed, they were breathed by the lips of Louisa
+herself. That must be very like hearing a seraph sing!"
+
+Not a syllable of this was heard save by herself.
+
+"I have thought incessantly," said Mrs. Simpson, in a very
+low voice, as soon as Mr. Cartwright's head had recovered the
+perpendicular,--"incessantly, I may truly say, on our last conversation.
+My life has been passed in a manner so widely different from what I am
+sure it will be in future, that I feel as if I were awakened to a new
+existence!"
+
+"The great object of my hopes is, and will ever be," replied the Vicar
+of Wrexhill almost aloud, "to lead my beloved flock to sweet and safe
+pastures.--And for you," he added, in a voice so low, that she rather
+felt than heard his words, "what is there I would not do?" Here his eyes
+spoke a commentary; and hers, a note upon it.
+
+"Which is the hymn, Mr. Cartwright, that you think best adapted to the
+semi-weekly Sabbath you recommended us to institute?" said Miss
+Richards.
+
+"The eleventh, I think.--Yes, the eleventh;--study that, my dear child.
+Early and late let your sweet voice breathe those words,--and I will be
+with you in spirit, Louisa."
+
+Not even Mrs. Simpson heard a word of this, beyond "dear child."
+
+"But when shall I see you?--I have doubts and difficulties on some
+points, Mr. Cartwright," said the widow aloud. "How shamefully
+ignorant--I must call it _shamefully_ ignorant--did poor Mr. Wallace
+suffer us to remain!--Is it not true, Louisa? Did he ever, through all
+the years we have known him, utter an awakening word to any of us?"
+
+"No, _indeed_ he never did," replied Miss Louisa, in a sort of penitent
+whine.
+
+"I am rather surprised to hear you say that, Miss Richards," said
+Rosalind, drawing her chair a little towards them. "I always understood
+that Mr. Wallace was one of the most exemplary parish priests in
+England. Did not your father consider him to be so, Fanny?"
+
+"I--I believe so,--I don't know," replied Fanny, stammering and
+colouring painfully.
+
+"Not know, Fanny Mowbray!" exclaimed Rosalind;--"not know your father's
+opinion of Mr. Wallace! That is very singular indeed."
+
+"I mean," said Fanny, struggling to recover her composure, "that I never
+heard papa's opinion of him as compared with--with any one else."
+
+"I do not believe he would have lost by the comparison," said Rosalind,
+rising, and walking out of the window.
+
+"Is not that prodigiously rich young lady somewhat of the tiger breed?"
+said young Cartwright in a whisper to Fanny.
+
+"Miss Torrington is not at all a person of serious notions," replied
+Fanny; "and till one is subdued by religion, one is often very
+quarrelsome."
+
+"I am sure, serious or not, you would never quarrel with any one,"
+whispered Jacob.
+
+"Indeed I should be sorry and ashamed to do so now," she replied. "Your
+father ought to cure us all of such unchristian faults as that."
+
+"I wish I was like my father!" said Jacob very sentimentally.
+
+"Oh! how glad I am to hear you say that!" said Fanny, clasping her hands
+together. "I am sure it would make him so happy!"
+
+"I can't say I was thinking of making him happy, Miss Fanny: I only
+meant, that I wished I was like any body that you admire and approve so
+much."
+
+"A poor silly motive for wishing to be like such a father!" replied
+Fanny, blushing; and leaving her distant place, she established herself
+at the table on which the tea equipage had just been placed, and busied
+herself with the tea-cups.
+
+This remove brought her very nearly opposite Mr. Cartwright and the two
+ladies who were seated beside him, and from this moment the conversation
+proceeded without any "asides" whatever.
+
+"At what age, Mr. Cartwright," said Mrs. Simpson, "do you think one
+should begin to instil the doctrine of regeneration into a little
+girl?"
+
+"Not later than ten, my dear lady. A very quick and forward child might
+perhaps be led to comprehend it earlier. Eight and three-quarters I have
+known in a state of the most perfect awakening; but this I hold to be
+rare."
+
+"What a spectacle!" exclaimed Miss Richards in a sort of rapture. "A
+child of eight and three-quarters! Did it speak its thoughts, Mr.
+Cartwright?"
+
+"The case I allude to, my dear young lady, was published. I will bring
+you the pamphlet. Nothing can be more edifying than the out-breakings of
+the Spirit through the organs of that chosen little vessel."
+
+"I hope, Mr. Cartwright, that _I_ shall have the benefit of this dear
+pamphlet also. Do not forget that I have a little girl exactly eight
+years three-quarters and six weeks.--I beg your pardon, my dear Louisa,
+but this must be so much more interesting to me than it can be to you as
+yet, my dear, that I trust Mr. Cartwright will give me the precedence in
+point of time. Besides, you know, that as the principal person in the
+village, I am a little spoiled in such matters. I confess to you, I
+should feel hurt if I had to wait for this till you had studied it. You
+have no child, you know."
+
+"Oh! without doubt, Mrs. Simpson, you ought to have it first," replied
+Miss Richards. "I am certainly not likely as yet to have any one's soul
+to be anxious about but my own.--Is this blessed child alive, Mr.
+Cartwright?"
+
+"In heaven, Miss Louisa,--not on earth. It is the account of its last
+moments that have been so admirably drawn up by the Reverend Josiah
+Martin. This gentleman is a particular friend of mine, and I am much
+interested in the sale of the little work. I will have the pleasure, my
+dear ladies, of bringing a dozen copies to each of you; and you will
+give me a very pleasing proof of the pious feeling I so deeply rejoice
+to see, if you will dispose of them at one shilling each among your
+friends."
+
+"I am sure I will try all I can!" said Miss Richards.
+
+"My influence could not be better employed, I am certain, than in
+forwarding your wishes in all things," added Mrs. Simpson.
+
+Young Jacob, either in the hope of amusement, or of more certainly
+securing his five shillings, had followed the indignant Rosalind out of
+the window, and found her refreshing herself by arranging the vagrant
+tendrils of a beautiful creeping plant outside it.
+
+"I am afraid, Miss Rosalind Torrington," said he, "that you would not
+say Amen! if I did say, May the saints have you in their holy keeping! I
+do believe in my heart that you would rather find yourself in the
+keeping of sinners."
+
+"The meaning of words often depends upon the character of those who
+utter them," replied Rosalind. "There is such a thing as slang, Mr.
+Jacob; and there is such a thing as cant."
+
+"Did you ever mention that to my papa, Miss Rosalind?" inquired Jacob in
+a voice of great simplicity.
+
+Rosalind looked at him as if she wished to discover what he was
+at,--whether his object were to quiz her, his father, or both. But
+considering his very boyish appearance and manner, there was more
+difficulty in achieving this than might have been expected. Sometimes
+she thought him almost a fool; at others, quite a wag. At one moment she
+was ready to believe him more than commonly simple-minded; and at
+another felt persuaded that he was an accomplished hypocrite.
+
+It is probable that the youth perceived her purpose, and felt more
+gratification in defeating it than he could have done from any
+love-making of which she were the object. His countenance, which was
+certainly intended by nature to express little besides frolic and fun,
+was now puckered up into a look of solemnity that might have befitted
+one of the Newman-street congregation when awaiting an address in the
+unknown tongue.
+
+"I am sure," he said, "that my papa would like to hear you talk about
+all those things very much, Miss Torrington. I do not think that he
+would exactly agree with you in every word you might say: but that never
+seems to vex him: if the talk does but go about heaven and hell, and
+saints and sinners, and reprobation and regeneration, and the old man
+and the new birth, that is all papa cares for. I think he likes to be
+contradicted a little; for that, you know, makes more talk again."
+
+"Is that the principle upon which you proceed with him yourself, Mr.
+Jacob? Do you always make a point of contradicting every thing he says?"
+
+"Pretty generally, Miss Torrington, when there is nobody by, and when I
+make it all pass for joke. But there _is_ a law that even Miss
+Henrietta has been taught to obey; and that is, never to contradict him
+in company. Perhaps you have found that out, Miss Rosalind?"
+
+"Perhaps I have, Mr. Jacob."
+
+"Will you not come in to tea, Miss Torrington?" said Henrietta,
+appearing at the window, with the volume in her hand which had seemed to
+occupy her whole attention from the time she had re-entered the
+drawing-room with Rosalind.
+
+"I wish, sister," said Jacob, affecting to look extremely cross, "that
+you would not pop out so, to interrupt one's conversation! You might
+have a fellow feeling, I think, for a young lady, when she walks out of
+a window, and a young gentleman walks after her!"
+
+Rosalind gave him a look from one side, and Henrietta from the other.
+
+"Mercy on me!" he exclaimed, putting up his hands as if to guard the two
+sides of his face. "Four black eyes at me at once!--and so very black in
+every sense of the word!"
+
+The young ladies walked together into the room, and Jacob followed,
+seeking the eye of his father, and receiving thence, as he expected, a
+glance of encouragement and applause.
+
+When the tea was removed, Mr. Cartwright went to the piano-forte, and
+run his fingers with an appearance of some skill over the keys.
+
+"I hope, my dear Miss Fanny, that you intend we should have a little
+music this evening?"
+
+"If Mrs. Simpson, Miss Richards, and Miss Torrington will sing," said
+Fanny, "I shall be very happy to accompany them."
+
+"What music have you got, my dear young lady?" said the vicar.
+
+Miss Torrington had a large collection of songs very commodiously stowed
+beneath the instrument; and Helen and herself were nearly as amply
+provided with piano-forte music of all kinds: but though this was the
+first time Mr. Cartwright had ever approached the instrument, or asked
+for music, Fanny had a sort of instinctive consciousness that the
+collection would be found defective in his eyes.
+
+"We have several of Handel's oratorios," she replied; "and I think Helen
+has got the 'Creation.'"
+
+"Very fine music both," replied Mr. Cartwright; "but in the social
+meetings of friends, where many perhaps may be able to raise a timid
+note toward heaven, though incapable of performing the difficult
+compositions of these great masters, I conceive that a simpler style is
+preferable. If you will permit me," he continued, drawing a small volume
+of manuscript music from his pocket, "I will point out to you some very
+beautiful, and, indeed, popular melodies, which have heretofore been
+sadly disgraced by the words applied to them. In this little book many
+of my female friends have, at my request, written words fit for a
+Christian to sing, to notes that the sweet voice of youth and beauty may
+love to breathe. Miss Torrington, I have heard that you are considered
+to be a very superior vocalist:--will you use the power that God has
+given, to hymn his praise?"
+
+There was too much genuine piety in Rosalind's heart to refuse a
+challenge so worded, without a better reason for doing it than personal
+dislike to Mr. Cartwright; nevertheless, it was not without putting some
+constraint upon herself that she replied,
+
+"I very often sing sacred music, sir, and am ready to do so now, if you
+wish it."
+
+"A thousand thanks," said he, "for this amiable compliance! I hail it as
+the harbinger of harmony that shall rise from all our hearts in sweet
+accord to heaven."
+
+Rosalind coloured, and her heart whispered, "I will not be a hypocrite."
+But she had agreed to sing, and she prepared to do so, seeking among her
+volumes for one of the easiest and shortest of Handel's songs, and
+determined when she had finished to make her escape.
+
+While she was thus employed, however, Mr. Cartwright was equally active
+in turning over the leaves of his pocket companion; and before Miss
+Torrington had made her selection, he placed the tiny manuscript volume
+open upon the instrument, saying, "There, my dear young lady! this is an
+air, and these are words which we may all listen to with equal innocence
+and delight."
+
+Rosalind was provoked; but every one in the room had already crowded
+round the piano, and having no inclination to enter upon any discussion,
+she sat down prepared to sing whatever was placed before her.
+
+The air was undeniably a popular one, being no other than "Fly not
+yet!" which, as all the world knows, has been performed to millions of
+delighted listeners, in lofty halls and tiny drawing-rooms, and,
+moreover, ground upon every hand-organ in Great Britain for many years
+past. Rosalind ran her eyes over the words, which, in fair feminine
+characters, were written beneath the notes as follow:
+
+    Fly not yet! 'Tis just the hour
+    When prayerful Christians own the power
+    That, inly beaming with new light,
+    Begins to sanctify the night
+    For maids who love the moon.
+                           Oh, pray!--oh, pray!
+
+    'Tis but to bless these hours of shade
+    That pious songs and hymns are made;
+    For now, their holy ardour glowing,
+    Sets the soul's emotion flowing.
+                           Oh, pray!--oh, pray!
+
+    Prayer so seldom breathes a strain
+    So sweet as this, that, oh! 'tis pain
+    To check its voice too soon.
+                           Oh, pray!--oh, pray!
+
+An expression of almost awful indignation rose to the eyes of Rosalind.
+"Do you give me this, sir," she said, "as a jest?--or do you propose
+that I should sing it as an act of devotion?"
+
+Mr. Cartwright withdrew the little book and immediately returned it to
+his pocket.
+
+"I am sorry, Miss Torrington, that you should have asked me such a
+question," he replied with a kind of gentle severity which might have
+led almost any hearer to think him in the right. "I had hoped that my
+ministry at Wrexhill, short as it has been, could not have left it a
+matter of doubt whether, in speaking of singing or prayer, I was in
+jest?"
+
+"Nevertheless, sir," rejoined Rosalind, "it does to me appear like a
+jest, and a very indecent one too, thus to imagine that an air long
+familiar to all as the vehicle of words as full of levity as of poetry
+can be on the sudden converted into an accompaniment to a solemn
+invocation to prayer--uttered, too, in the form of a vile parody."
+
+"I think that a very few words may be able to prove to you the sophistry
+of such an argument," returned the vicar. "You will allow, I believe,
+that this air is very generally known to all classes.--Is it not so?"
+
+Rosalind bowed her assent.
+
+"Well, then, let me go a step farther, and ask whether the words
+originally set to this air are not likely to be recalled by hearing it?"
+
+"Beyond all doubt."
+
+"Now observe, Miss Torrington, that what you have been pleased to call
+levity and poetry, I, in my clerical capacity, denounce as indecent and
+obscene."
+
+"Is that your reason for setting me to play it?" said Rosalind in a tone
+of anger.
+
+"That question again, does not, I fear, argue an amiable and pious state
+of mind," replied Mr. Cartwright, appealing meekly with his eyes to the
+right and left. "It is to substitute other thoughts for those which the
+air has hitherto suggested that I conceive the singing this song, as it
+now stands, desirable."
+
+"Might it not be as well to leave the air alone altogether?" said
+Rosalind.
+
+"Decidedly not," replied the vicar. "The notes, as you have allowed, are
+already familiar to all men, and it is therefore a duty to endeavour to
+make that familiarity familiarly suggest thoughts of heaven."
+
+"Thoughts of heaven," said Rosalind, "should never be suggested
+familiarly."
+
+"Dreadful--very dreadful doctrine that, Miss Torrington! and I must tell
+you, in devout assurance of the truth I speak, that it is in order to
+combat and overthrow such notions as you now express, that Heaven hath
+vouchsafed, by an act of special providence, to send upon earth in these
+later days my humble self, and some others who think like me."
+
+"And permit me, sir, in the name of the earthly father I have lost,"
+replied Rosalind, while her eyes _almost_ overflowed with the glistening
+moisture her earnestness brought into them,--"permit me in his
+reverenced name to say, that constant prayer can in no way be identified
+with familiarity of address; and that of many lamentable evils which the
+class of preachers to whom you allude have brought upon blundering
+Christians, that of teaching them to believe that there is righteousness
+in mixing the awful and majestic name of God with all the hourly, petty
+occurrences of this mortal life, is one of the most deplorable."
+
+"May your unthinking youth, my dear young lady, plead before the God of
+mercy in mitigation of the wrath which such sentiments are calculated to
+draw down!"
+
+"Oh!" sobbed Miss Richards.
+
+"Alas!" sighed Mrs. Simpson.
+
+"How can you, Rosalind, speak so to the pastor and master of our souls?"
+said Fanny, while tears of sympathy for the outraged vicar fell from her
+beautiful eyes.
+
+"My dear children!--my dear friends!" said Mr. Cartwright in a voice
+that seemed to tremble with affectionate emotion, "think not of
+me!--Remember the words 'Blessed are they which are persecuted for
+righteousness' sake!' I turn not from the harsh rebuke of this young
+lady, albeit I am not insensible to its injustice,--nor, indeed, blind
+to its indecency. But blessed--oh! most blessed shall I hold this trial,
+if it lead to the awakening holy thoughts in you!--My dear young lady,"
+he continued, rising from his seat and approaching Rosalind with an
+extended hand, "it may be as well, perhaps, that I withdraw myself at
+this moment. Haply, reflection may soften your young heart.--But let us
+part in peace, as Christians should do."
+
+Rosalind did not take his offered hand. "In peace, sir," she
+said,--"decidedly I desire you to depart in peace. I have no wish to
+molest you in any way. But you must excuse my not accepting your
+proffered hand. It is but an idle and unmeaning ceremony perhaps, as
+things go; but the manner in which you now stretch forth your hand gives
+a sort of importance to it which would make it a species of falsehood in
+me to accept it. When it means any thing, it means cordial liking; and
+this, sir, I do not feel for you."
+
+So saying, Rosalind arose and left the room.
+
+Fanny clasped her hands in a perfect agony, and raising her tearful eyes
+to Heaven as if to deprecate its wrath upon the roof that covered so
+great wickedness, exclaimed, "Oh, Mr. Cartwright! what can I say to
+you!"
+
+Mrs. Simpson showed symptoms of being likely to faint; and as Mr.
+Cartwright and Fanny approached her, Miss Richards, with a vehemence of
+feeling that seemed to set language at defiance, seized the hand of the
+persecuted vicar and pressed it to her lips.
+
+Several minutes were given to the interchange of emotions too strong to
+be described in words. Female tears were blended with holy blessings;
+and, as Jacob afterwards assured his sister, who had contrived
+unobserved to escape, he at one time saw no fewer than eight human
+hands, great and small, all mixed together in a sort of chance-medley
+heap upon the chair round which they at length kneeled down.
+
+It will be easily believed that Miss Torrington appeared no more that
+night; and after an hour passed in conversation on the persecutions and
+revilings to which the godly are exposed, Mrs. Simpson, who declared
+herself dreadfully overcome, proposed to Miss Richards that they should
+use such strength as was left them to walk home. A very tender leave was
+taken of Fanny, in which Mr. Jacob zealously joined, and the party set
+out for a star-lit walk to Wrexhill, its vicar supporting on each arm a
+very nervous and trembling hand.
+
+Mr. Cartwright soon after passing the Park-lodge, desired his son to
+step forward and order the clerk to come to him on some urgent parish
+business before he went to bed. The young man darted forward nothing
+loth, and the trio walked at a leisurely pace under the dark shadows of
+the oak-trees that lined the road to the village.
+
+They passed behind the Vicarage; when the two ladies simultaneously
+uttered a sigh, and breathed in a whisper, "Sweet spot!" Can it be
+doubted that both were thanked by a gentle pressure of the arm?
+
+The house of Mrs. Simpson lay on the road to that of Mrs. Richards, and
+Miss Louisa made a decided halt before the door, distinctly pronouncing
+at the same time,
+
+"Good night, my dear Mrs. Simpson!"
+
+But this lady knew the duties of a chaperon too well to think of leaving
+her young companion till she saw her safely restored to her mother's
+roof.
+
+"Oh! no, my dear!" she exclaimed: "if your house were a mile off,
+Louisa, I should take you home."
+
+"But you have been so poorly!" persisted the young lady, "and it is so
+unnecessary!"
+
+"_It is right_," returned Mrs. Simpson with an emphasis that marked too
+conscientious a feeling to be further resisted. So Miss Richards was
+taken home, and the fair widow languidly and slowly retraced her steps
+to her own door, with no other companion than the Vicar of Wrexhill.
+
+END OF THE FIRST VOLUME.
+
+
+
+
+VOLUME THE SECOND.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER I.
+
+CHARLES MOWBRAY'S ARRIVAL AT THE PARK.
+
+
+Never had Rosalind Torrington so strongly felt the want of some one to
+advise her what to do, as the morning after this disagreeable scene. Had
+she consulted her inclination only, she would have remained in her own
+apartments till the return of Mrs. Mowbray and Helen. But more than one
+reason prevented her doing so. In the first place, she was not without
+hope that her letter would immediately bring young Mowbray home; and it
+would be equally disagreeable to miss seeing him, by remaining in her
+dressing-room, or to leave it expressly for the purpose of doing so: and
+secondly, however far her feelings might be from perfect confidence and
+esteem towards Miss Cartwright, she felt that she owed her something,
+and that it would be ungrateful and almost cruel to leave her
+tête-à-tête with the bewildered Fanny, or en tiers with her and the
+vicar.
+
+She therefore determined to run the risk of encountering Mr. Cartwright
+as usual, but felt greatly at a loss how to treat him. Their last démêlé
+had been too serious to be forgotten by either; and her opinion of him
+was such, that far from wishing to conciliate him, or in any way to
+efface the impression of what she had said on leaving him, her
+inclination and her principles both led her to wish that it should be
+indelible, and that nothing should ever lessen the distance that was now
+placed between them. But Rosalind felt all the difficulty of maintaining
+this tone towards a person not only on terms of intimate friendship with
+the family, but considered by part of it as a man whose word ought to be
+law. She began to fear, as she meditated on the position in which she
+was placed, that Mowbray Park could not long continue to be her home.
+The idea of Helen, and what she would feel at losing her, drew tears
+from her eyes; and then the remembrance of her Irish home, of her lost
+parents, and the terrible contrast between what she had heard last
+night, and the lessons and opinions of her dear father, made them flow
+abundantly.
+
+The day passed heavily. Miss Cartwright appeared to think she had done
+enough, and devoted herself almost wholly to the perusal of a French
+metaphysical work which she had found in the library, Fanny was silent
+and sad, and seemed carefully to avoid being left for a moment alone
+with Rosalind. Mr. Cartwright made no visit to the house during the
+morning: but Judy informed her mistress, when she came to arrange her
+dress for dinner, that the reverend gentleman had been walking in the
+shrubberies with Miss Fanny; and in the evening he made his entrance, as
+usual, through the drawing-room window.
+
+It was the result of a strong effort produced by very excellent feeling,
+that kept Rosalind in the room when she saw him approach; but she had
+little doubt that if she went, Miss Cartwright would follow her, and she
+resolved that his pernicious tête-à-têtes with Fanny should not be
+rendered more frequent by any selfishness of hers.
+
+It was evident to her from Mr. Cartwright's manner through the whole
+evening, that it was his intention to overload her with gentle kindness,
+in order to set off in strong relief her harsh and persecuting spirit
+towards him. But not even her wish to defeat this plan could enable her
+to do more than answer by civil monosyllables when he spoke to her.
+
+Miss Cartwright laid aside her book and resumed her netting as soon as
+she saw him approach; but as usual, she sat silent and abstracted, and
+the conversation was wholly carried on by the vicar and his pretty
+proselyte. No man, perhaps, had a greater facility in making
+conversation than the Vicar of Wrexhill: his habit of extempore
+preaching, in which he was thought by many to excel, probably
+contributed to give him this power. But not only had he an endless flow
+of words wherewith to clothe whatever thoughts suggested themselves, but
+moreover a most happy faculty of turning every thing around him to
+account. Every object, animate or inanimate, furnished him a theme; and
+let him begin from what point he would, (unless in the presence of noble
+or influential personages to whom he believed it would be distasteful,)
+he never failed to bring the conversation round to the subject of
+regeneration and grace, the blessed hopes of himself and his sect, and
+the assured damnation of all the rest of the world.
+
+Fanny Mowbray listened to him with an earnestness that amounted to
+nervous anxiety, lest she should lose a word. His awful dogmas had taken
+fearful hold of her ardent and ill-regulated imagination; while his
+bland and affectionate manner, his fine features and graceful person,
+rendered him altogether an object of the most unbounded admiration and
+interest to her.
+
+As an additional proof, probably, that he did not shrink from
+persecution, Mr. Cartwright again opened the piano-forte as soon as the
+tea equipage was removed, and asked Fanny if she would sing with him.
+
+"With you, Mr. Cartwright!" she exclaimed in an accent of glad surprise:
+"I did not know that you sang. Oh! how I wish that I were a greater
+proficient, that I might sing with you as I would wish to do!"
+
+"Sing with me, my dear child, with that sweet and pious feeling which I
+rejoice to see hourly increasing in your heart. Sing thus, my dearest
+child, and you will need no greater skill than Heaven is sure to give to
+all who raise their voice to it. This little book, my dear Miss Fanny,"
+he continued, drawing once more the manuscript volume from his pocket,
+"contains much that your pure and innocent heart will approve. Do you
+know this air?" and he pointed to the notes of "Là ci darem' la mano."
+
+"Oh yes!" said Fanny; "I know it very well."
+
+"Then play it, my good child. This too we have taken as spoil from the
+enemy, and instead of profane Italian words, you will here find in your
+own language thoughts that may be spoken without fear."
+
+Fanny instantly complied; and though her power of singing was greatly
+inferior to that of Rosalind, the performance, aided by the fine bass
+voice of Mr. Cartwright, and an accompaniment very correctly played, was
+very agreeable. Fanny herself thought she had never sung so well before,
+and required only to be told by the vicar what she was to do next, to
+prolong the performance till considerably past Mr. Cartwright's usual
+hour of retiring.
+
+About an hour after the singing began, Henrietta approached Miss
+Torrington, and said in a whisper too low to be heard at the instrument,
+"My head aches dreadfully. Can you spare me?"
+
+As she had not spoken a single syllable since the trio entered the
+drawing-room after dinner, Rosalind could not wholly refrain from a
+smile as she replied "Why, yes; I think I can."
+
+"I am not jesting; I am suffering, Rosalind. You will not leave that
+girl alone with him?"
+
+"Dear Henrietta!" cried Rosalind, taking her hand with ready sympathy,
+"I will not, should they sing together till morning. But is there
+nothing I can do for you--nothing I can give you that may relieve your
+head?"
+
+"Nothing, nothing! Good night!" and she glided out of the room unseen by
+Fanny and unregarded by her father.
+
+It more than once occurred to Miss Torrington during the two tedious
+hours that followed her departure, that Mr. Cartwright, who from time to
+time stole a glance at her, prolonged his canticles for the purpose of
+making her sit to hear them; a species of penance for her last night's
+offence by no means ill imagined.
+
+At length, however, he departed; and after exchanging a formal "Good
+night," the young ladies retired to their separate apartments.
+
+Rosalind rose with a heavy heart the following morning, hardly knowing
+whether to wish for a letter from Charles Mowbray, which it was just
+possible the post might bring her, or not. If a letter arrived, there
+would certainly be no hope of seeing him; but if it did not, she should
+fancy every sound she heard foretold his approach, and she almost
+dreaded the having to answer all the questions he would come prepared to
+ask.
+
+This state of suspense, however, did not last long; for, at least one
+hour before it was possible that a letter could arrive, Charles Mowbray
+in a chaise with four foaming post-horses rattled up to the door.
+
+Rosalind descried him from her window before he reached the house; and
+her first feeling was certainly one of embarrassment, as she remembered
+that it was her summons which had brought him there. But a moment's
+reflection not only recalled her motives, but the additional reasons she
+now had for believing she had acted wisely; so, arming herself with the
+consciousness of being right, she hastened down stairs to meet him, in
+preference to receiving a message through a servant, requesting to see
+her.
+
+She found him, as she expected, in a state of considerable agitation and
+alarm; and feeling most truly anxious to remove whatever portion of this
+was unnecessary, she greeted him with the most cheerful aspect she could
+assume, saying, "I fear my letter has terrified you, Mr. Mowbray, more
+than I wished it to do. But be quite sure that now you are here every
+thing will go on as it ought to do; and of course, when your mother
+returns, we can neither of us have any farther cause of anxiety about
+Fanny."
+
+"And what is your cause of anxiety about her at present, Miss
+Torrington? For Heaven's sake explain yourself fully; you know not how I
+have been tormenting myself by fearing I know not what."
+
+"I am bound to explain myself fully," said Rosalind gravely; "but it is
+not easy, I assure you."
+
+"Only tell me at once what it is you fear. Do you imagine Mr. Cartwright
+hopes to persuade Fanny to marry him?"
+
+"I certainly did think so," said Rosalind; "but I believe now that I was
+mistaken."
+
+"Thank Heaven!" cried the young man fervently. "This is a great relief,
+Rosalind, I assure you. I believe now I can pretty well guess what it is
+you do fear; and though it is provoking enough, it cannot greatly
+signify. We shall soon cure her of any fit of evangelicalism with which
+the vicar is likely to infect her."
+
+"Heaven grant it!" exclaimed Rosalind, uttering a fervent ejaculation in
+her turn.
+
+"Never doubt it, Miss Torrington. I have heard a great deal about this
+Cartwright at Oxford. He is a Cambridge man, by the way, and there are
+lots of men there who think him quite an apostle. But the thing does not
+take at Oxford, and I assure you he is famously quizzed. But the best of
+the joke is, that his son was within an ace of being expelled for
+performing more outrageous feats in the larking line than any man in the
+university; and in fact he must have been rusticated, had not his pious
+father taken him home before the business got wind, _to prepare him
+privately for his degree_. They say he is the greatest Pickle in Oxford;
+and that, spite of the new light, his father is such an ass as to
+believe that all this is ordained only to make his election more
+glorious."
+
+"For his election, Mr. Mowbray, I certainly do not care much; but for
+your sister--though I am aware that at her age there may be very
+reasonable hope that the pernicious opinions she is now imbibing may be
+hereafter removed, yet I am very strongly persuaded that if you were
+quite aware of the sort of influence used to convert her to Mr.
+Cartwright's Calvinistic tenets, you would not only disapprove it, but
+use very effectual measures to put her quite out of his way."
+
+"Indeed!--I confess this appears to me very unnecessary. Surely the best
+mode of working upon so pure a mind as Fanny's is to reason with her,
+and to show her that by listening to those pernicious rhapsodies she is
+in fact withdrawing herself from the church of her fathers; but I think
+this may be done without sending her out of Mr. Cartwright's way."
+
+"Well," replied Rosalind very meekly, "now you are here, I am quite sure
+that you will do every thing that is right and proper. Mrs. Mowbray
+cannot be much longer absent; and when she returns, you will perhaps
+have some conversation with her upon the subject."
+
+"Certainly.--And so Sir Gilbert has absolutely refused to act as
+executor?"
+
+"He has indeed, and spite of the most earnest entreaties from Helen.
+Whatever mischief happens, I shall always think he is answerable for it;
+for his refusal to act threw your mother at once upon seeking counsel
+from Mr. Cartwright, as to what it was necessary for her to do; and from
+that hour the house has never been free from him for a single day."
+
+"Provoking obstinacy!" replied Mowbray: "yet after all, Rosalind, the
+worst mischief, as you call it, that can happen, is our not being on
+such pleasant terms with them as we used to be. And the colonel is at
+home too; I must and will see him, let the old man be as cross as he
+will.--But where is your little saint? you don't keep her locked up, I
+hope, Rosalind? And where is this Miss of the new birth that you told me
+of?"
+
+Young Mowbray threw a melancholy glance round the empty room as he
+spoke, and the kind-hearted Rosalind understood his feelings and truly
+pitied him. How different was this return home from any other he had
+ever made!
+
+"The room looks desolate--does it not, Mr. Mowbray?--Even I feel it so.
+I will go and let Fanny know you are here; but what reason shall I
+assign for your return?"
+
+"None at all, Miss Torrington. The whim took me, and I am here. Things
+are so much better than I expected, that I shall probably be back again
+in a day or two; but I must contrive to see young Harrington."
+
+Rosalind left the room, heartily glad that Fanny's brother was near her,
+but not without some feeling of mortification at the little importance
+he appeared to attach to the information she had given him.
+
+A few short weeks before, Rosalind would have entered Fanny's room with
+as much freedom as her own; but the schism which has unhappily entered
+so many English houses under the semblance of superior piety was rapidly
+doing its work at Mowbray Park; and the true friend, the familiar
+companion, the faithful counsellor, stood upon the threshold, and
+ventured not to enter till she had announced her approach by a knock at
+the dressing-room door.
+
+"Come in," was uttered in a gentle and almost plaintive voice by Fanny.
+
+Miss Torrington entered, and, to her great astonishment, saw Mr.
+Cartwright seated beside Fanny, a large Bible lying open on the table
+before them.
+
+She looked at them for one moment without speaking. The vicar spread his
+open hand upon the volume, as if to point out the cause of his being
+there; and as his other hand covered the lower part of his face the
+expression of his countenance was concealed.
+
+Fanny coloured violently,--and the more so, perhaps, because she was
+conscious that her appearance was considerably changed since she met
+Miss Torrington at breakfast. All her beautiful curls had been carefully
+straightened by the application of a wet sponge; and her hair was now
+entirely removed from her forehead, and plastered down behind her poor
+little distorted ears as closely as possible.
+
+Never was metamorphosis more complete. Beautiful as her features were,
+the lovely picture which Fanny's face used to present to the eye
+required her bright waving locks to complete its charm; and without them
+she looked more like a Chinese beauty on a japan skreen, than like
+herself.
+
+Something approaching to a smile passed over Rosalind's features, which
+the more readily found place there, perhaps, from the belief that
+Charles's arrival would soon set her ringlets curling again.
+
+"Fanny, your brother is come," said she, "and he is waiting for you in
+the drawing-room."
+
+"Charles?" cried Fanny, forgetting for a moment her new character; and
+hastily rising she had almost quitted the room, when she recollected
+herself, and turning back, said,
+
+"You will come too, to see Charles, Mr. Cartwright?"
+
+"I will come, as usual, this evening, my dear child," said he, with the
+appearance of great composure; "but I will not break in upon him now.
+Was his return expected?" he added carelessly, as he took up his hat;
+and as he spoke Rosalind thought that his eye glanced towards her.
+
+"No indeed!" replied Fanny: "I never was more surprised. Did he say,
+Rosalind, what it was brought him home?"
+
+"I asked him to state his reason for it," replied Miss Torrington, "and
+he told me he could assign nothing but whim."
+
+Rosalind looked in the face of the vicar as she said this, and she
+perceived a slight, but to her perfectly perceptible, change in its
+expression. He was evidently relieved from some uneasy feeling or
+suspicion by what she had said.
+
+"Go to your brother, my dear child; let me not detain you from so happy
+a meeting for a moment."
+
+Fanny again prepared to leave the room; but as she did so, her eye
+chanced to rest upon her own figure reflected from a mirror above the
+chimney-piece. She raised her hand almost involuntarily to her hair.
+
+"Will not Charles think me looking very strangely?" said she, turning
+towards Mr. Cartwright with a blushing cheek and very bashful eye.
+
+He whispered something in her ear in reply, which heightened her blush,
+and induced her to answer with great earnestness, "Oh no!" and, without
+farther doubt or delay, she ran down stairs. Miss Torrington followed
+her, not thinking it necessary to take any leave of the vicar, who
+gently found his way down stairs, and out of the house, as he had found
+his way into it, without troubling any servant whatever.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER II.
+
+CHARLES'S AMUSEMENT AT HIS SISTER'S APPEARANCE.--HE DISCUSSES HER CASE
+WITH ROSALIND.
+
+
+Rosalind and Fanny entered the drawing-room together; and young Mowbray,
+at the sound of their approach, sprang forward to meet them; but the
+moment he threw his eyes on his sister he burst forth into a fit of
+uncontrollable laughter; and though he kissed her again and again,
+still, between every embrace, he broke out anew, with every
+demonstration of vehement mirth.
+
+"I am very glad to see you, Charles," said Fanny, with a little
+sanctified air that certainly was very amusing; "but I should like it
+better if you did not laugh at me."
+
+"But, my dear, dear, dearest child! how can I help it?" replied her
+brother, again bursting into renewed laughter. "Oh, Fanny, if you could
+but see yourself just as you look at this moment! Oh! you hideous little
+quiz! I would not have believed it possible that any plastering or
+shearing in the world could have made you look so very ugly. Is it not
+wonderful, Miss Torrington?"
+
+"It certainly alters the expression of her countenance in a very
+remarkable manner," replied Rosalind.
+
+"The expression of a countenance may be changed by an alteration from
+within, as well as from without," said Fanny, taking courage, and not
+without some little feeling of that complacency which the persuasion of
+superior sanctity is generally observed to bestow upon its possessors.
+
+"Why, you most ugly little beauty!" cried Charles, again giving way to
+merriment; "you don't mean to tell me that the _impayable_ absurdity of
+that poor little face is owing to any thing but your having just washed
+your hair?"
+
+"It is owing to conviction, Charles," replied Fanny with great
+solemnity.
+
+"Owing to conviction?--To conviction of what, my poor little girl?"
+
+"To conviction that it is right, brother."
+
+"Right, child, to make that object of yourself? What in the world can
+you mean, Fanny?"
+
+"I mean, brother, that I have an inward conviction of the sin and folly
+of dressing our mortal clay to attract the eyes and the admiration of
+the worldly."
+
+"By worldly, do you mean of all the world?" said Rosalind.
+
+"No, Miss Torrington. By worldly, I mean those whose thoughts and wishes
+are fixed on the things of the earth."
+
+"And it is the admiration of such only that you wish to avoid?" rejoined
+Rosalind.
+
+"Certainly it is. Spiritual-minded persons see all things in the
+spirit--do all things in the spirit: of such there is nothing to fear."
+
+Young Mowbray meanwhile stood looking at his sister, and listening to
+her words with the most earnest attention.
+
+At length he said, more seriously than he had yet spoken, "To tell you
+the truth, little puritan, I do not like you at all in your new
+masquerading suit: though it must be confessed that you play your part
+well. I don't want to begin lecturing you, Fanny, the moment I come
+home; but I do hope you will soon get tired of this foolery, and let me
+see my poor father's daughter look and behave as a Christian young woman
+ought to do. Rosalind, will you take a walk with me? I want to have a
+look at my old pony."
+
+Miss Torrington nodded her assent, and they both left the room together,
+leaving Fanny more triumphant than mortified.
+
+"He said that my persecutions would begin as soon as my election was
+made sure! Oh! why is he not here to sustain and comfort me! But I will
+not fall away in the hour of trial!"
+
+The poor girl turned her eyes from the window whence she saw her brother
+and Rosalind walking gaily and happily, as she thought, in search of the
+old pony, and hastened to take refuge in her dressing-room, now rendered
+almost sacred in her eyes by the pastoral visit she had that morning
+received there.
+
+The following hour or two gave Fanny her first taste of martyrdom. She
+was, or at least had been, devotedly attached to her brother, and the
+knowing him to be so near, yet so distant from her, was terrible. Yet
+was she not altogether without consolation. She opened the volume, that
+volume that _he_ had so lately interpreted to her (fearful profanation!)
+in such a manner as best to suit his own views, and by means of using
+the process he had taught her, though unconsciously perhaps, she
+contrived to find a multitude of texts, all proving that she and the
+vicar were quite right, and all the countless myriads who thought
+differently, quite wrong. Then followed a thanksgiving which might have
+been fairly expressed in such words as "I thank thee, I am not like
+other men!" and then, as the sweet summer air waved the acacias to and
+fro before her windows, and her young spirit, panting for lawns and
+groves, sunshine and shade, suggested the idea of her brother and
+Rosalind enjoying it all without her, her poetical vein came to her
+relief, and she sat down to compose a hymn, in which, after rehearsing
+prettily enough all the delights of summer rambles through verdant
+fields, for four stanzas, she completed the composition by a fifth, of
+which "sin," "begin," and "within," formed the rhymes.
+
+This having recourse to "song divine" was a happy thought for her,
+inasmuch as it not only occupied time which must otherwise have hung
+with overwhelming weight upon her hands, but the employment soon
+conjured up, as she proceeded, the image of Mr. Cartwright, and the
+pious smile with which he would receive it from her hands, and the soft
+approval spoken more by the eyes than the lips, and the holy
+caress--such, according to his authority, as that with which angel meets
+angel in the courts of heaven.
+
+All this was very pleasant and consoling to her feelings; and when her
+hymn was finished she determined to go down stairs, in order to sing it
+to some (hitherto) profane air, which she might select from among the
+songs of her sinful youth.
+
+As she passed the mirror she again glanced at her disfigured little
+head; but at that moment she was so strong in "conviction," that, far
+from wishing to accommodate her new birth of _coiffure_ to worldly eyes,
+she employed a minute or two in sedulously smoothing and controlling her
+rebellious tresses, and even held her head in stiff equilibrium to
+prevent their escape from behind her ears.
+
+"Good and holy man!" she exclaimed aloud, as she gave a parting glance
+at the result of all these little pious coquetries. "How well I know
+what his kind words would be if he could see me now! Such" she added
+with a gentle sigh, "will I strive to be, though all the world should
+join together to persecute me for it."
+
+While Mr. Cartwright's prettiest convert was thus employed, Miss
+Torrington and Charles Mowbray, far from being engaged in chasing a
+pony, or even in looking at the summer luxury of bloom which breathed
+around them as they pursued their way through the pleasure-grounds, were
+very gravely discussing the symptoms of her case.
+
+"It is a joke, Rosalind, and nothing more," said the young man, drawing
+her arm within his. "I really can do nothing but laugh at such folly,
+and I beg and entreat that you will do the same."
+
+"Then you think, of course, Mr. Mowbray, that I have been supremely
+absurd in sending you the summons I did?"
+
+"Far, very far otherwise," he replied gravely. "It has shown me a new
+feature in your character, Miss Torrington, and one which not to admire
+would be a sin, worse even than poor Mr. Cartwright would consider your
+wearing these pretty ringlets, Rosalind."
+
+"_Poor_ Mr. Cartwright!" repeated Rosalind, drawing away her arm. "How
+little do we think alike, Mr. Mowbray, concerning that man!"
+
+"The chief difference between us on the subject, I suspect arises from
+your thinking of him a great deal, Rosalind, and my thinking of him very
+little. I should certainly, if I set about reasoning on the matter, feel
+considerable contempt for a middle-aged clergyman of the Church of
+England who manifested his care of the souls committed to his charge by
+making their little bodies comb their hair straight, for the pleasure of
+saying that it was done upon conviction. But surely there is more room
+for mirth than sorrow in this."
+
+"Indeed, indeed, you are mistaken!--and that not only as regards the
+individual interests of your sister Fanny,--though, Heaven knows, I
+think that no light matter,--but as a subject that must be interesting
+to every Christian soul that lives. Do not make a jest of what involves
+by far the most important question that can be brought before poor
+mortals: it is unworthy of you, Mr. Mowbray."
+
+"If you take the subject in its general character," replied Charles, "I
+am sure we shall _not_ differ. I deplore as sincerely as you can do,
+Miss Torrington, the grievously schismatic inroad into our national
+church which these self-chosen apostles have made. But as one objection
+against them, though perhaps not the heaviest, is the contempt which
+their absurd puritanical ordinances have often brought upon serious
+things, I cannot but think that ridicule is a fair weapon to lash them
+withal."
+
+"It may be so," replied Rosalind, "and in truth it is often impossible
+to avoid using it; but yet it does not follow that the deeds and
+doctrines of these _soi-disant_ saints give more room for mirth than
+sorrow."
+
+"Well, Rosalind, give me your arm again, and I will speak more
+seriously. The very preposterous and ludicrous manner which Fanny, or
+her spiritual adviser, has chosen for showing forth her own particular
+regeneration, has perhaps led me to treat it more slightly than I should
+have done had the indications of this temporary perversion of judgment
+been of a more serious character. That is doubtless one reason for the
+mirth I have shown. Another is, that I conceive it would be more easy to
+draw poor little Fanny back again into the bosom of Mother Church by
+laughing at her, rather than by making her believe herself a martyr."
+
+"Your laughter is a species of martyrdom which she will be taught to
+glory in enduring. But at present I feel sure that all our discussions
+on this topic must be in vain. I rejoice that you are here, though it is
+plain that you do not think her situation requires your presence; and I
+will ask no further submission of your judgment to mine, than requesting
+that you will not leave Mowbray till your mother returns."
+
+"Be assured I will not; and be assured also, that however much it is
+possible we may differ as to the actual atrocity of this new vicar, or
+the danger Fanny runs in listening to him, I shall never cease to be
+grateful, dearest Miss Torrington, for the interest you have shown for
+her, and indeed for us all."
+
+"Acquit me of silly interference," replied Rosalind, colouring, "and I
+will acquit you of all obligation."
+
+"But I don't wish to be acquitted of it," said Charles rather tenderly:
+"you do not know how much pleasure I have in thinking that you already
+feel interested about us all!"
+
+This was giving exactly the turn to what she had done which poor
+Rosalind most deprecated. The idea that young Mowbray might imagine she
+had sent for him from _a general feeling of interest for the family_,
+had very nearly prevented her writing at all--and nothing but a sense of
+duty had conquered the repugnance she felt at doing it. It had not been
+a little vexing to perceive that he thought lightly of what she
+considered as so important; and now that in addition to this he appeared
+to conceive it necessary to return thanks for the _interest_ she had
+manifested, Rosalind turned away her head, and not without difficulty
+restrained the tears which were gathering in her eyes from falling. She
+was not in general slow in finding words to express what she wished to
+say; but at this moment, though extremely desirous of answering
+_suitably_, as she would have herself described the power she wanted,
+not a syllable would suggest itself which she had courage or inclination
+to speak: so, hastening her steps towards the house, she murmured, "You
+are very kind--it is almost time to dress, I believe," and left him.
+
+Charles felt that there was something wrong between them, and decided at
+once very generously that it must be his fault. There is nothing more
+difficult to trace with a skilful hand than the process by which a young
+man and maiden often _creep_ into love, without either of them being at
+all aware at what moment they were first seized with the symptoms. When
+the parties _fall_ in love, the thing is easy enough to describe: it is
+a shot, a thunderbolt, a whirlwind, or a storm; nothing can be more
+broadly evident than their hopes and their ecstasies, their agonies and
+their fears. But when affection grows unconsciously, and, like a seed of
+minionette thrown at random, unexpectedly shows itself the sweetest and
+most valued of the heart's treasures, overpowering by its delicious
+breath all other fragrance, the case is different.
+
+Something very like this creeping process was now going on in the heart
+of young Mowbray. Rosalind's beauty had appeared to him veiled by a very
+dark cloud on her first arrival from Ireland: she was weary, heartsick,
+frightened, and, moreover, dressed in very unbecoming mourning. But as
+tears gave place to smiles, fears to hopes, and exhausted spirits to
+light-hearted cheerfulness, he found out that "she was very pretty
+indeed"--and then, and then, and then, he could not tell how it happened
+himself, so neither can I; but certain it is, that her letter gave him
+almost as much pleasure as alarm; and if, after being convinced that
+there was no danger of Mr. Cartwright's becoming his brother-in-law, he
+showed a somewhat unbecoming degree of levity in his manner of treating
+Fanny's case, it must be attributed to the gay happiness he felt at
+being so unexpectedly called home.
+
+As for the heart of Rosalind, if any thing was going on therein at all
+out of the common way, she certainly was not aware of it. She felt
+vexed, anxious, out of spirits, as she sought her solitary
+dressing-room: but it would have been no easy task to persuade her that
+LOVE had any thing to do with it.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER III.
+
+CHARLES WALKS OVER TO OAKLEY.--THE VICAR IMPROVES IN HIS OPINION.
+
+
+At the time Miss Torrington observed to Mr. Mowbray that it was near
+dressing-time, it wanted about four hours of dinner; so, having followed
+her with his eyes as she mounted the steps and entered the house, he
+drew out his watch, and perceiving that he had quite enough time for the
+excursion before "dressing-time" would be over, set off to walk to
+Oakley.
+
+How far Rosalind might have been disposed to quarrel with him for the
+very small proportion of meditation which he bestowed on Fanny during
+his delightful stroll through the well-known shady lanes, or how far she
+might have been tempted to forgive him for the much greater portion
+devoted to herself, it is impossible to say; but he arrived at Sir
+Gilbert's hall-door in that happy state of mind which is often the
+result of a delicious day-dream, when Hope lends the support of her
+anchor to Fancy.
+
+Sir Gilbert and the colonel were out on horseback, the servant said--but
+"my lady is in the garden." And thither Mowbray went to seek her.
+
+He was somewhat startled at his first reception; for the old lady
+watched his approach for some steps, standing stock-still, and without
+giving the slightest symptom of recognition. At length she raised her
+glass to her eye and discovered who the tall stranger was; upon which
+she sent forth a sound greatly resembling a view "hollo!" which
+immediately recalled the servant who had marshalled Mowbray to the
+garden, and without uttering a word of welcome, gave the following
+order very distinctly:
+
+"Let Richard take the brown mare and ride her sharp to Ramsden. Sir
+Gilbert is gone to the post-office, the bank, the sadler's, and the
+nursery-garden. Let him be told that Mr. Mowbray is waiting for him at
+Oakley--and let not a single instant be lost."
+
+The rapid manner in which "Very well, my lady," was uttered in reply,
+and the man vanished out of sight, showed that the order was likely to
+be as promptly executed as spoken.
+
+"My dear, dear Charles!" cried the old lady; then stepping forward and
+placing her hands in his, "What brings you back to Mowbray? But never
+mind what it is--nothing very bad, I hope, and then I must rejoice at
+it. I am most thankful to see you here, my dear boy. How is my sweet
+Helen?--could you not bring her with you, Charles?"
+
+"She is in London, my dear Lady Harrington, with my mother. Where is the
+colonel?"
+
+"With his father;--they will return together; no grass will grow under
+their horses' feet as they ride homeward to meet you, Charles! But how
+comes it that you are at home? If you have left Oxford, why are you not
+with your mother and Helen?"
+
+A moment's thought might have told Mowbray that this question would
+certainly be asked, and must in some manner or other be answered; but
+the moment's thought had not been given to it, and he now felt
+considerably embarrassed how to answer. He lamented the estrangement
+already existing, however, too sincerely, to run any risk of increasing
+it by ill-timed reserve, and therefore, after a moment's hesitation,
+very frankly answered--"I can tell you, my dear lady, why I am here,
+more easily than I can explain for what purpose. I returned post to
+Mowbray this morning, because Miss Torrington gave me a private
+intimation by letter, that she thought the new Vicar of Wrexhill was
+obtaining an undue influence over the mind of Fanny. She did not express
+herself very clearly, and I was fool enough to imagine that she supposed
+he was making love to her; but I find that her fears are only for poor
+little Fanny's orthodoxy. Mr. Cartwright is one of, I believe, the most
+mischievous sect that ever attacked the established Church; and Miss
+Torrington, not without good reason, fears that Fanny is in danger of
+becoming a proselyte to his gloomy and unchristianlike doctrine. But, at
+her age, such a whim as this is not, I should hope, very likely to be
+lasting."
+
+"I don't know that," replied Lady Harrington sharply. "Miss Torrington
+has acted with great propriety, and exactly with the sort of promptitude
+and decision of character for which I should have given her credit.
+Beware, Mr. Mowbray, how you make light of the appearance of religious
+schism among you: it is a deadly weapon of discord, and the poison in
+which it is dipped seldom finds an antidote either in family affection
+or filial obedience."
+
+"But Fanny is so nearly a child, Lady Harrington, that I can hardly
+believe her capable of manifesting any very dangerous religious zeal at
+present."
+
+"You don't know what you are talking about, Charles! Of every family
+into which this insidious and most anti-christian schism has crept, you
+would find, upon inquiry, that in nine instances out of ten, it has been
+the young girls who have been selected as the first objects of
+conversion, and then made the active means of spreading it afterwards.
+Don't treat this matter lightly, my dear boy! Personally I know nothing
+of this Mr. Cartwright;--we never leave our parish church and our
+excellent Dr. Broughton, to run after brawling extempore preachers;--but
+I have been told by one or two of our neighbours who do, that he is what
+is called a _shining light_; which means, being interpreted, a ranting,
+canting, fanatic. Take care, above all things, that your mother does not
+catch the infection."
+
+"My mother!--Oh no! Her steady principles and quiet good sense would
+render such a falling off as that quite impossible."
+
+"Very well! I am willing to hope so. And yet, Charles, I cannot for the
+life of me help thinking that she must have had some other adviser than
+her own heart when she left my good Sir Gilbert's letter without an
+answer."
+
+"Of what letter do you speak, Lady Harrington?" said young Mowbray,
+colouring;--"of that whereby he refused to execute the trust my father
+bequeathed him?"
+
+"No, Charles! Of that whereby he rescinded his refusal."
+
+"Has such a letter been sent?" inquired Mowbray eagerly. "I never heard
+of it."
+
+"Indeed! Then we must presume that Mrs. Mowbray did not think it worth
+mentioning. Such a letter has, however, been sent, Mr. Mowbray; and I
+confess, I hoped, on seeing you arrive, that you were come to give it an
+amicable, though somewhat tardy answer, in person."
+
+"I am greatly surprised," replied Charles, "to hear that such a letter
+has been received by my mother, because I had been led to believe that
+Sir Gilbert had declared himself immoveable on the subject; but still
+more am I surprised that I should not have heard of it. Could Helen know
+it, and not tell me? It must have been to her a source of the greatest
+happiness, as the one which preceded had been of the deepest
+mortification and sorrow."
+
+"Your sister, then, saw the first letter?"
+
+"She did, Lady Harrington, and wrote me word of it, with expressions of
+the most sincere regret."
+
+"But of the second she said nothing? That is not like Helen."
+
+"So little is it like her, that I feel confident she never heard of the
+second letter."
+
+"I believe so too, Charles. But what, then, are we to think of your
+mother's having shown the first letter, and concealed the second?"
+
+"It cannot be! my mother never conceals any thing from us. We have
+never, from the moment we left the nursery, been kept in ignorance of
+any circumstance of general interest to the family. My poor father's
+constant phrase upon all such occasions was--'Let it be discussed in a
+committee of the whole house.'"
+
+"I cannot understand it," replied the old lady, seating herself upon a
+bench in the shade; "but, at any rate, I rejoice that you did not all
+think Sir Gilbert's recantation--which was not written without an
+effort, I promise you--so totally unworthy of notice as you have
+appeared to do."
+
+Charles Mowbray seated himself beside her, and nearly an hour was passed
+in conversation on the same subject, or others connected with it. At the
+end of that time, Sir Gilbert, booted and spurred, appeared at the door
+of the mansion, followed by his son. There was an angry spot upon his
+cheek, and though it was sufficiently evident that he was eager to meet
+young Mowbray, it was equally so that he was displeased with him.
+
+Lady Harrington, however, soon cleared the way to the most frank and
+cordial communication, rendering all explanation unnecessary by
+exclaiming, "He has never seen nor heard of your second letter, Sir
+Gilbert--nor Helen either."
+
+The baronet stood still for a moment, looking with doubt and surprise
+first at his wife, and then at his guest. The doubt, however, vanished
+in a moment, and he again advanced, and now with an extended hand
+towards Charles.
+
+A conversation of some length ensued; but as it consisted wholly of
+conjectures upon a point that they were all equally unable to explain,
+it is unnecessary to repeat it. The two young men met each other with
+expressions of the most cordial regard, and before they parted, Colonel
+Harrington related the conversation he had held with Helen and Miss
+Torrington, the result of which was his father's having despatched the
+letter whose fate appeared involved in so much mystery.
+
+Lady Harrington, notwithstanding they who did not love her called her
+masculine, showed some feminine tact in not mentioning to Sir Gilbert
+that it was a letter from Miss Torrington which had recalled Charles. It
+is probable that when her own questionings had forced this avowal from
+him, she had perceived some shade of embarrassment in his answer; but
+she failed not to mention the _serious_ turn that Fanny Mowbray appeared
+to have taken, and her suspicions that the new Vicar of Wrexhill must
+have been rather more assiduous than was desirable in his visit at the
+Park.
+
+"The case is clear--clear as daylight, my lady: I understand it all.
+Stop a moment, Charles: if you won't stay dinner, you must stay while I
+furnish you with a document by means of which you may, I think, make a
+useful experiment."
+
+Without waiting for an answer, Sir Gilbert left the party in the garden,
+and hurried into the house, whence he returned in a few minutes with a
+scrap of paper in his hand.
+
+"Fortunately, Charles, very fortunately, I have kept a copy of my last
+note to your mother. I am sure I know not what induced me to keep it:
+had such a thing happened to Mr. Cartwright, he would have declared it
+providential--but I, in my modesty, only call it lucky.--Take this
+paper, Charles, and read it if you will: 'tis a shame you have not read
+it before! You say, I think, that the vicar is expected at Mowbray this
+evening: just put this scrap of paper into his hand, and ask him if he
+ever read it before. Let him say what he will, I give you credit for
+sufficient sharpness to find out the truth. If he has seen it, I shall
+know whom I have to thank for the insolent contempt it has met with."
+
+"But my mother!" cried Charles with emotion. "Is it possible that she
+could conceal such a note as this from her children, and show it to this
+man? Sir Gilbert, I cannot believe it."
+
+"I don't like to believe it myself, Charles; upon my life I don't. But
+what can we think? At any rate, make the experiment to-night; it can do
+no harm; and come here to dinner to-morrow to tell us the result."
+
+"I will come to you with the greatest pleasure, and bring you all the
+intelligence I can get. My own opinion is, that the note was lost before
+it reached my mother's hands. The usual hour, I suppose, Sir
+Gilbert,--six o'clock?"
+
+"Six o'clock, Charles,--and, as usual, punctual to a moment."
+
+When Mowbray reached his home, it was, in truth, rather more than time
+to dress; but he kept the young ladies waiting as short a time as
+possible. Fanny presented him in proper style to Miss Cartwright as soon
+as he appeared in the drawing-room; and he had the honour of giving that
+silent young lady his arm to the dining-room.
+
+Charles thought her deep-set black eyes very handsome; nevertheless, he
+secretly wished that she were a hundred miles off, for her presence, of
+course, checked every approach to confidential conversation.
+
+Nothing, indeed, could well be more dull and unprofitable than this
+dinner. Miss Cartwright spoke not at all; Fanny, no more than was
+necessary for the performance of her duty at the head of the table; and
+Rosalind looked pale and languid, and so completely out of spirits, that
+every word she spoke seemed a painful effort to her. She was occupied in
+recalling to mind the tone and air of the party who dined together in
+that same room about six months before, when Charles had last returned
+from Oxford. The contrast these recollections offered to the aspect of
+the present party was most painful; and as Rosalind turned her eyes
+round the table with a look of wistful melancholy, as if looking for
+those who were no longer there, her thoughts were so legibly written on
+her countenance, that Mowbray understood them as plainly as if they had
+been spoken.
+
+"Rosalind, will you take wine with me?--You look tired and pale." This
+was said in a tone of affectionate interest that seemed to excite the
+attention of Henrietta; and when Miss Torrington raised her eyes to
+answer it, she observed that young lady's looks fixed on Mr. Mowbray's
+countenance with an expression that denoted curiosity.
+
+The whole party seemed glad to escape from the dinner-table; and the
+young ladies, with light shawls and parasols, had just wandered out upon
+the lawn, when they met Mr. Cartwright approaching the house.
+
+Fanny coloured, and looked at her brother. Miss Cartwright coloured too;
+and her eyes followed the direction of Fanny's, as if to see how this
+familiar mode of approach was approved by Mr. Mowbray.
+
+Charles certainly felt a little surprised, and did not take much pains
+to conceal it. For a moment he looked at the vicar, as if not quite
+certain who it was, and then, touching his hat with ceremonious
+politeness, said, haughtily enough, "Mr. Cartwright, I believe?"
+
+It would have been difficult for any one to find fault with the manner
+in which this salutation was returned. In a tone admirably modulated
+between profound respect and friendly kindness, his hat raised
+gracefully from his head to greet the whole party, and his handsome
+features wearing an expression of the gentlest benevolence, Mr.
+Cartwright hoped that he had the happiness of seeing Mr. Mowbray well.
+
+Charles felt more than half ashamed of the reception he had given him,
+and stretched out his hand as if to atone for it. The vicar felt his
+advantage, and pursued it by the most easy, winning, yet respectful
+style of conversation. His language and manners became completely those
+of an accomplished man of the world; his topics were drawn from the
+day's paper and the last review: he ventured a jest upon Don Carlos, and
+a _bon mot_ upon the Duke of Wellington; took little or no notice of
+Fanny; spoke affectionately to his daughter, and gaily to Miss
+Torrington; and, in short, appeared to be as little deserving of all
+Rosalind had said of him, as it was well possible for a gentleman to
+be.
+
+"Fair Rosalind has certainly suffered her imagination to conjure up a
+bugbear in this man," thought Charles. "It is impossible he can be the
+violent fanatic she describes."
+
+After wandering about the gardens for some time, Fanny proposed that
+they should go in to tea; but before they reached the house, Mr.
+Cartwright proposed to take his leave, saying that he had an engagement
+in Wrexhill, which was to prevent his lengthening his visit.
+
+The adieu had been spoken on all sides, and the vicar turned from them
+to depart, when Charles recollected the commission he had received from
+Sir Gilbert, and that he had promised to report the result on the
+morrow. Hastily following him, therefore, he said, "I beg your pardon,
+Mr. Cartwright; hut, before you go, will you have the kindness to read
+this note, and tell me if you know whether my mother received such a one
+before she went to London?"
+
+Mr. Cartwright took the note, read it attentively, and then returned it,
+saying, "No, Mr. Mowbray, I should certainly think not: not because I
+never saw or heard of it, but because I imagine that if she had, she
+would not have proceeded to London without Sir Gilbert. Was such a note
+as that sent, Mr. Mowbray?"
+
+Charles had kept his eye very steadily fixed on the vicar, both while he
+read the note, and while he spoke of it. Not the slightest indication,
+however, of his knowing any thing about it was visible in his
+countenance, voice, or manner; and, again as he looked at him, young
+Mowbray felt ashamed of suspicions for which there seemed to be so
+little cause.
+
+"Such a note as this was sent, Mr. Cartwright," he frankly replied: "but
+I suspect that by some unlucky accident it never reached my mother's
+hands; otherwise, as you well observe, she would not, most assuredly,
+have set off to London on this business without communicating with Sir
+Gilbert Harrington."
+
+"I conceive it must be so, indeed, Mr. Mowbray; and it is greatly to be
+lamented, for the receiving it would have saved poor Mrs. Mowbray much
+anxiety and trouble."
+
+"She expressed herself to you as being annoyed by Sir Gilbert's refusing
+to act?"
+
+"Oh yes, repeatedly; so much so, indeed, that nothing but the
+indispensable duty of my parish, prevented my offering to accompany her
+to London myself. I wished her very much to send for you; but nothing
+would induce her to interrupt your studies."
+
+It is not in the nature of a frank-hearted young man to doubt statements
+thus simply uttered by one having the bearing and appearance of a
+gentleman; and Charles Mowbray reported accordingly at the dinner-table
+of Sir Gilbert, assuring him that the _test_ had proved Mr. Cartwright's
+innocence on this point most satisfactorily.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER IV.
+
+MR. STEPHEN CORBOLD.
+
+
+We must now follow Mrs. Mowbray and Helen to London, as some of the
+circumstances which occurred there proved of importance to them
+afterwards. The journey was a very melancholy one to Helen, and her
+feelings as unlike as possible to those which usually accompany a young
+lady of her age, appearance, and station, upon a visit to the
+metropolis. Mrs. Mowbray spoke very little, being greatly occupied by
+the volume recommended to her notice, at parting, by Mr. Cartwright; and
+more than once Helen felt something like envy at the situation of the
+two servants, who, perched aloft behind the carriage, were enjoying
+without restraint the rapid movement, the fresh air, and the beautiful
+country through which they passed; while she, like a drooping flower on
+which the sun has ceased to shine, hung her fair hand and languished for
+the kindly warmth she had lost.
+
+They reached Wimpole Street about eight o'clock in the evening, and
+found every thing prepared for them with the most sedulous attention in
+their handsome and commodious apartments.
+
+Mrs. Mowbray was tired, and, being really in need of the refreshment,
+blessed the hand, or rather the thought, which had forestalled all her
+wants and wishes, and spread that dearest of travelling banquets, tea
+and coffee, ready to greet her as she entered the drawing-room.
+
+"This letter has been left for you, ma'am, by the gentleman who took the
+apartment," said the landlady, taking a packet from the chimney-piece;
+"and he desired it might be given to you immediately."
+
+Mrs. Mowbray opened it; but perceiving it enclosed another, the address
+of which she glanced her eye upon, she folded it up again, and begged to
+be shown to her room while the tea was made.
+
+Her maid followed her, but was dismissed with orders to see if Miss
+Mowbray wanted any thing. As soon as she was alone, she prepared to
+examine the packet, the receipt of which certainly startled her, for it
+was in the handwriting of Mr. Cartwright, from whom she had parted but a
+few hours before.
+
+The envelope contained only these words:
+
+     "Mr. Stephen Corbold presents his respectful compliments to
+     Mrs. Mowbray, and will do himself the honour of waiting upon
+     her to-morrow morning at eleven o'clock."
+
+     "Gray's Inn, July 13th, 1833."
+
+Mrs. Mowbray ran her eyes very rapidly over these words, and then opened
+the enclosed letter. It was as follows:--
+
+     "Do not let the unexpected sight of a letter from your minister
+     alarm you, my dear and much-valued friend. I have nothing
+     painful to disclose; and my sole object in writing is to make
+     you feel that though you are distant from the sheltered spot
+     wherein the Lord hath caused you to dwell, the shepherd's eye
+     which hath been appointed to watch over you is not withdrawn.
+
+     "I am no longer a young man, my dear Mrs. Mowbray; and during
+     the years through which I have passed, my profession, my duty,
+     and my inclination have alike led me to examine my
+     fellow-creatures, and to read them, as it were, athwart the
+     veil of their mortal bodies. Habit and application have given
+     me, I believe, some skill in developing the inward character of
+     those amongst whom I am thrown: nor can I doubt that the hand
+     of Heaven is in this, as in truth it is in all things if we do
+     but diligently set ourselves to trace it;--I cannot, I say, but
+     believe that this faculty which I feel so strong within me, of
+     discerning in whom those spirits abide that the Lord hath
+     chosen for his own,--I cannot but believe that this faculty is
+     given me by his especial will and for his especial glory. I
+     wish well, sincerely well, to the whole human race: I would
+     never lose an opportunity of lifting my voice in warning to
+     them, in the hope that peradventure there may be one among the
+     crowd who may turn and follow me. But, my friend, far different
+     is the feeling with which my heart clings with stedfast care
+     and love to those on whom I see the anointing finger of Heaven.
+     It is such that I would lead, even as a pilot leadeth the
+     vessel intrusted to his skill, into the peaceful waters, where
+     glory, and honour, and joy unspeakable and without end, shall
+     abide with them for ever!
+
+     "Repine not, oh! my friend, if all your race are not of these.
+     Rather rejoice with exceeding great joy that it hath pleased
+     Heaven to set its seal on two. To this effect, look round the
+     world, my gentle friend, and see what myriads of roofs arise
+     beneath which not one can be found to show forth the saving
+     power. Mark them! how they thread the giddy maze, and dance
+     onward down the slippery path that leads to everlasting
+     perdition! Mark this, sweet spirit! and rejoice that you and
+     your Fanny are snatched from the burning! My soul revels in an
+     ecstasy of rapture unspeakable, as I gaze upon you both, and
+     know that it is I, even I, am chosen to lead you. What are all
+     the victories and glories of the world to this? Think you, my
+     gentle friend, that if all the worldly state and station of
+     Lambeth were offered me on one side, and the task of leading
+     thy meek steps into the way of life called me to the other,
+     that I should hesitate for one single instant which to choose?
+
+     "Oh no! Trust me, I would meet the scorn and revilings of all
+     men--aye, and the bitterest persecutions that ever the saints
+     of old were called upon to bear, rather than turn mine eyes
+     from thee and the dear work, though princedoms, principalities,
+     and powers might be gained thereby!
+
+     "Be strong then in faith, be strong in hope; for thou art well
+     loved of Heaven, and of him whom it hath been its will to place
+     near thee as its minister on earth!
+
+     "Be strong in faith! Kneel down, sweet friend!--even now, as
+     thine eye reads these characters traced by the hand of one who
+     would give his life to guard thee from harm, kneel down, and
+     ask that Heaven may be with thee,--well assured that he who
+     bids thee to do so will at the same moment be kneeling,
+     likewise, to invoke blessings on thy fair and virtuous head!
+
+     "At a moment when the heart is drawn heavenward, as mine is
+     now, how hateful--I may say, how profane, seem those worldly
+     appellations and distinctions with which the silly vanity of
+     man has sought to decorate our individual nothingness! How much
+     more befitting a serious Christian is it, in such a moment as
+     this, to use that name which was bestowed by a higher
+     authority! You have three such, my sweet friend. The two first
+     are now appropriated, as it were, to your daughters; but the
+     third is more especially your own.--Clara! On Clara may the dew
+     of Heaven descend like healing balm!--Kneel then, sweet
+     Clara--thou chosen handmaid; kneel down, and think that William
+     Cartwright kneels beside thee!
+
+     "Written on my knees in the secret recesses of my own
+     chamber--W. C."
+
+No sooner did Mrs. Mowbray's eye reach the words "kneel down," than she
+obeyed them, and in this attitude read to the end of the epistle. Mrs.
+Mowbray's feelings whenever strongly excited, either by joy, sorrow, or
+any other emotion, always showed themselves in tears, and she now wept
+profusely--vehemently; though it is probable she would have been greatly
+puzzled to explain why, even to herself. She would certainly, however,
+have declared, had she spoken on the subject to any one, that those
+tears were a joy, a blessing, and a comfort to her. But as she had
+nobody to whom she could thus open her heart, she washed her eyes with
+cold water, and descended with all the composure she could assume to
+Helen and the tea-table.
+
+Notwithstanding this precaution, Helen's watchful eye perceived that her
+mother had been weeping, and, forgetting the unnatural coldness which a
+breath more fatal than pestilence had placed between them, she exclaimed
+with all her wonted tenderness,
+
+"What is the matter, dear mamma?--I trust that no bad news has met you?"
+
+If all other circumstances left it a matter of doubt whether evangelical
+influence (as it is impiously called) were productive of good or evil,
+the terrible power which it is so constantly seen to have of destroying
+family union must be quite sufficient to settle the question. Any person
+who will take the trouble to inquire into the fact, will find that
+family affection has been more blighted and destroyed by the workings of
+this fearful superstition than by any other cause of which the history
+of man bears record.
+
+The tone of Helen's voice seemed for a moment to recall former feelings,
+and her mother looked at her kindly: but before she could give utterance
+to any word of affection, the recollection of all Mr. Cartwright had
+said to prove that Helen deserved not the affection of her mother, and
+that the only chance left to save herself was to be found in the most
+austere estrangement, till such time as her hard heart should be
+softened; the recollection of all this came across the terrified mind of
+Mrs. Mowbray, and she resumed the solemn and distant bearing she had of
+late resumed, with a nervous sensation of alarm at the great crime she
+had been on the point of committing.
+
+Poor Helen saw the look, and listened with her whole soul in her eyes
+for the kind words which had so nearly followed it; but when they came
+not, her heart sank within her, and pleading fatigue, she begged to be
+shown to her own room, where she spent half the night in weeping.
+
+Most punctually at eleven o'clock on the following morning, Mr. Stephen
+Corbold was announced, and a stiff priggish-looking figure entered the
+drawing-room, who, though in truth a "special attorney," looked much
+more like a thorough-bred methodistical preacher than his friend and
+cousin Mr. Cartwright. In age he was a few years that gentleman's
+junior, but in all outward gifts most lamentably his inferior; being, in
+truth, as ill-looking and ungentlemanlike a person as any congregation
+attached to the "Philo-Calvin Frybabe" principles could furnish.
+
+The footman might have announced him in the same words as Lépine did
+Vadius:
+
+    "Madame, un homme est là, qui veut parler à vous.
+    Il est vètu de noir, et parle d'un ton doux."
+
+For, excepting his little tight cravat, he appeared to have nothing
+white about him, and he seldom raised his cautious voice above a
+whisper.
+
+"I am here, madam," he began, addressing himself to Mrs. Mowbray, who
+felt rather at a loss what to say to him, "at the request of my cousin,
+the Reverend William Jacob Cartwright, Vicar of Wrexhill. He hath given
+me to understand that you have business to transact at Doctors' Commons,
+relative to the last will and testament of your late husband. Am I
+correct, madam?"
+
+"Quite so, Mr. Corbold. I wish to despatch this business as quickly as
+possible, as I am anxious to return again to my family."
+
+"No delay shall intervene that I can prevent," replied the attorney. "Is
+there any other business, madam, in which my services can be available?"
+
+"You are very kind, sir. I believe there are several things on which I
+shall have to trouble you. Mr. Mowbray generally transacted his own
+business, which in London consisted, I believe, solely in receiving
+dividends and paying tradesmen's bills: the only lawyer he employed,
+therefore, was a gentleman who resides in our county, and who has
+hitherto had the care of the estates. But my excellent minister and
+friend Mr. Cartwright has written upon this sheet of paper, I believe,
+what it will be necessary for me to do in order to arrange things for
+the future."
+
+Mrs. Mowbray put the paper into the lawyer's hands, who read it over
+with great attention, nodding his head slightly from time to time as any
+item struck him as particularly interesting and important.
+
+"Three per Cents--very good. Bank Stock--very good. Power of
+Attorney.--All right, madam, all right. It hath pleased the Lord to give
+my cousin, his servant, a clear and comprehending intellect. All shall
+be done even as it is here set down."
+
+"How long, sir, do you think it will be necessary for me to remain in
+town?"
+
+"Why, madam, there are many men would run this business out to great
+length. Here is indeed sufficient to occupy a very active professional
+man many weeks: but by the blessing of Heaven, which is often
+providentially granted to me in time of need, I question not but I may
+be able to release you in a few days, madam, provided always that you
+are prepared to meet such expenses as are indispensable upon all
+occasions when great haste is required."
+
+"Expense will be no object with me, Mr. Corbold; but a prolonged absence
+from home would be extremely inconvenient. Pray remember that I shall be
+most happy to pay any additional sum which hastening through the
+business may require."
+
+"Very good, madam, very good. That Heaven will be good unto me in this
+business, I cannot presume to doubt; for it hath been consigned unto me
+by one of its saints on earth, and it is for the service of a lady who,
+I am assured by him, is likely to become one of the most favoured agents
+that it hath ever selected to do its work on earth."
+
+Mrs. Mowbray coloured from a mixed feeling of modesty and pleasure. That
+Mr. Cartwright should have thus described her, was most soothing to her
+heart; but when she recollected how far advanced he was, and how very
+near the threshold she as yet stood, her diffidence made her shrink from
+hearing herself named in language so flattering.
+
+"Is that fair young person who left the room soon after I entered it
+your daughter, madam?"
+
+"Yes, sir."
+
+"Very good. I rejoice to hear it: that is, I would be understood to say,
+that I rejoice with an exceeding great joy that the child of a lady who
+stands in such estimation as you do with a chosen minister of the
+elected church, should wear an aspect so suitable to one who, by
+especial Providence, will be led to follow her example."
+
+Mrs. Mowbray sighed.
+
+"I lament, madam," resumed Mr. Corbold, "I may say with great and bitter
+lamentation, both for your sake, and that of the young person who has
+left the room, that the London season should be so completely over."
+
+"Sir!" said Mrs. Mowbray in an accent of almost indignant surprise, "is
+it possible that any friend and relation of Mr. Cartwright's can imagine
+that I, in my unhappy situation--or indeed, without that, as a Christian
+woman hoping with fear and trembling to become one of those set apart
+from worldly things,--is it possible, sir, that you can think I should
+partake, or let my daughter partake, in the corrupt sinfulness and
+profane rioting of a London season!"
+
+"May Heaven forgive you for so unjust a suspicion, most respected
+madam!" cried Mr. Corbold, clasping his hands and raising his eyes to
+Heaven. "The language of the saints on earth is yet new to you, most
+excellent and highly to be respected convert of my cousin! The London
+season of which I speak, and which you will hear alluded to by such
+sinful creatures as, like me, have reason to believe by an especial
+manifestation of grace that they are set apart,--the London season of
+which I and they speak, is that, when during about six blessed weeks in
+the spring, the chosen vessels resort in countless numbers to London,
+for the purpose of being present at all the meetings which take place
+during that time, with as much ardour and holy zeal as the
+worldly-minded show in arranging their fêtes and their fooleries at the
+instigation of Satan--in anticipation, as it should seem, poor deluded
+creatures! of the crowds that they shall hereafter meet amidst fire and
+brimstone in his realms below. The season of which I speak, and of which
+you will hear all the elect speak with rapture and thanksgiving,
+consists of a quick succession of splendid and soul-stirring meetings,
+at which all the saints on whom the gift of speech hath descended, some
+for one, some for two, some for three, some for four--ay, some for five
+hours at a time, sustained, as you may suppose, by a visible resting of
+the Divine power upon them. This, madam, is the season that, for your
+sake, and for the sake of the fair young person your daughter, I wished
+was not yet over."
+
+Mrs. Mowbray made a very penitent and full apology for the blunder she
+had committed, and very meekly confessed her ignorance, declaring that
+she had never before heard the epithet of "London season" given to any
+thing so heavenly-minded and sublime as the meetings he described.
+
+The discovery of this species of ignorance on the part of Mrs. Mowbray,
+which was by no means confined to the instance above mentioned, was a
+very favourable circumstance for Mr. Corbold. There was, perhaps, no
+other subject in the world upon which he was competent to give
+information (except in the technicalities of his own profession); but in
+every thing relating to missionary meetings, branch-missionary meetings'
+reports, child's missionary branch committees, London Lord's day's
+societies, and the like, he was quite perfect. All this gave him a value
+in Mrs. Mowbray's eyes as a companion which he might have wanted without
+it. At all conversations of this kind, Mrs. Mowbray took great care that
+Helen should be present, persuaded that nothing could be so likely to
+give her that savour of righteousness in which, as yet, she was so
+greatly deficient.
+
+The consequence of this arrangement was twofold. On Helen's side, it
+generated a feeling compounded of contempt and loathing towards the
+fanatical attorney, which in most others would have led to the passion
+called hatred; but in her it seemed rather a passive than an active
+sentiment, which would never have sought either nourishment or relief in
+doing injury to its object, but which rendered her so ill at ease in his
+presence that her life became perfectly wretched from the frequency of
+it.
+
+On the part of the gentleman, the effect of these frequent interviews
+was different. From thinking Mrs. Mowbray's daughter a very fair young
+person, he grew by gradual, but pretty rapid degrees, to perceive that
+she was the very loveliest tabernacle in which had ever been enshrined
+the spirit of a woman; and by the time Mrs. Mowbray had learned by rote
+the names, titles, connexions, separations, unions, deputations, and
+endowments of all the missionary societies, root and branch, and of all
+the central and eccentric establishments for the instruction of
+ignorance in infants of four months to adults of fourscore, Mr. Stephen
+Corbold had made up his mind to believe that, by fair means or foul, it
+was his bounden duty, as a pious man and serious Christian, to
+appropriate the fair Helen to himself in this life, and thereby ensure
+her everlasting happiness in the life to come.
+
+It must not be supposed that while these things passed in London the
+Vicar of Wrexhill was forgotten. Mrs. Mowbray's heart and conscience
+both told her that such a letter as she had received from him must not
+remain unanswered: she therefore placed Helen in the drawing-room, with
+a small but very closely-printed volume on "Free Grace," recommended by
+Mr. Corbold, and having desired her, in the voice of command, to study
+it attentively till dinner-time, she retired to her own room, where,
+having knelt, wept, prayed, written, and erased, for about three hours,
+she finally signed and sealed an epistle, of which it is unnecessary to
+say more than that it conveyed a very animated feeling of satisfaction
+to the heart of the holy man to whom it was addressed.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER V.
+
+MR. STEPHEN CORBOLD RETURNS WITH MRS. MOWBRAY AND HELEN TO WREXHILL.
+
+
+Mrs. Mowbray's business in London, simple and straightforward as it was,
+might probably under existing circumstances have occupied many weeks,
+had not a lucky thought which visited the restless couch of Mr. Stephen
+Corbold been the means of bringing it to a speedy conclusion.
+
+"_Soyez amant, et vous serez inventif_," is a pithy proverb, and has
+held good in many an illustrious instance, but in none, perhaps, more
+conspicuously than in that of Mr. Stephen Corbold's passion for Miss
+Mowbray. One of the earliest proofs he gave of this, was the persuading
+Mrs. Mowbray that the only way in which he could, consistently with his
+other engagements, devote to her as much time as her affairs required,
+would be, by passing every evening with her. And he did pass every
+evening with her: and poor Helen was given to understand, in good set
+terms, that if she presumed to retire before that excellent man Mr.
+Stephen Corbold had finished his last tumbler of soda-water and Madeira,
+not only would she incur her mother's serious displeasure, but be
+confided (during their absence from Mowbray) to the spiritual
+instruction of some _earnest_ minister, who would teach her in what the
+duty of a daughter consisted.
+
+And so Helen Mowbray sat till twelve o'clock every night, listening to
+the works of the saints of the nineteenth century, and exposed to the
+unmitigated stare of Mr. Stephen Corbold's grey eyes.
+
+The constituting himself the guide and protector of the ladies through a
+series of extemporary preachings and lecturings on Sunday, was perhaps
+too obvious a duty to be classed as one of love's invention: but the
+ingenuity shown in persuading Mrs. Mowbray that it would be necessary
+for the completion of her business that he should attend her home, most
+certainly deserves this honour.
+
+Though no way wanting in that quality of mind which the invidious
+denominate "impudence," and the judicious "proper confidence,"--a
+quality as necessary to the fitting out of Mr. Stephen Corbold as
+parchment and red tape,--he nevertheless felt some slight approach to
+hesitation and shame-facedness when he first hinted the expediency of
+this measure. But his embarrassment was instantly relieved by Mrs.
+Mowbray's cordial assurance that she rejoiced to hear such a manner of
+concluding the business was possible, as she knew it would give their
+"excellent minister" pleasure to see his cousin.
+
+There is no Christian virtue, perhaps, to which a serious widow lady is
+so often called (unless she belong to that class invited by the
+"exemplary" in bevies, by way of charity, when a little teapot is set
+between every two of them,)--there is no Christian virtue more
+constantly inculcated on the minds of _rich_ serious widows than that of
+hospitality; nor is there a text that has been quoted oftener to such,
+or with greater variety of accent, as admonitory, encouragingly,
+beseechingly, approvingly, jeremiadingly in reproach, and
+hallelujahingly in gratitude and admiration, than those three impressive
+and laudatory words,--
+
+    "GIVEN TO HOSPITALITY!"
+
+During a snug little morning visit at the Park, at which only Mrs.
+Mowbray and Fanny were present, Mr. Cartwright accidentally turned to
+these words; and nothing could be more touchingly eloquent than the
+manner in which he dwelt upon and explained them.
+
+From that hour good Mrs. Mowbray had been secretly lamenting the want of
+sufficient opportunity to show how fully she understood and valued this
+Christian virtue, and how willing she was to put it in practice toward
+all such as her "excellent minister" should approve: it was, therefore,
+positively with an out-pouring of fervent zeal that she welcomed the
+prospect of a visit from _such a man_ as Mr. Stephen Corbold.
+
+"It is indeed a blessing and a happiness, Mr. Corbold," said she, "that
+what I feared would detain me many days from my home and my family
+should be converted into such a merciful dispensation as I must consider
+your coming to be. When shall you be able to set out, my dear sir?"
+
+"I could set out to-morrow, or, at the very latest, the day after, if I
+could obtain a conveyance that I should deem perfectly safe for the
+papers I have to carry."
+
+Helen shuddered, for she saw his meaning lurking in the corner of his
+eye as he turned towards her one of his detested glances.
+
+"Perhaps," said Mrs. Mowbray, hesitatingly, and fearful that she might
+be taxing his great good-nature too far,--"perhaps, upon such an urgent
+occasion, you might have the great goodness Mr. Corbold, to submit to
+making a third in my travelling-carriage?"
+
+"My gratitude would indeed be very great for such a permission," he
+replied, endeavouring to betray as little pleasure as possible. "I do
+assure you, my dear lady, such precautions are far from unnecessary.
+Heaven, for its own especial purposes, which are to us inscrutable,
+ordains that its tender care to usward shall be shown rather by giving
+us prudence and forethought to avoid contact with the wicked, than by
+any removal of them from our path: wherefore I hold myself bound in
+righteousness to confess that the papers concerning your affairs--even
+yours, my honoured lady, might run a very fearful risk of being
+abducted, and purloined, by some of the many ungodly persons with whom
+no dispensation of Providence hath yet interfered to prevent their
+jostling its own people when they travel, as sometimes unhappily they
+must do, in stage-coaches."
+
+"Ah, Mr. Corbold!" replied the widow, (mentally alluding to a
+conversation which she had held with Mr. Cartwright on the separation to
+be desired between the chosen and the not-chosen even in this world;
+such being, as he said, a sort of type or foreshowing of that eternal
+separation promised in the world to come;)--"Ah, Mr. Corbold! if I had
+the power to prevent it, none of the chosen should ever again find
+themselves obliged to submit to such promiscuous mixture with the
+ungodly as this unsanctified mode of travelling must lead to. Had I
+power and influence sufficient to carry such an undertaking into effect,
+I would certainly endeavour to institute a society of Christians, who,
+by liberal subscriptions among themselves, might collect a fund for
+defraying the travelling expenses of those who are set apart. It must be
+an abomination, Mr. Corbold, that such should be seen travelling on
+earth by the same vehicles as those which convey the wretched beings who
+are on their sure and certain road to eternal destruction!"
+
+"Ah, dearest madam!" replied the attorney, with a profound sigh, "such
+thoughts as those are buds of holiness that shall burst forth into
+full-blown flowers of eternal glory round your head in heaven! But,
+alas! no such society is yet formed, and the sufferings of the
+righteous, for the want of it, are truly great!"
+
+"I am sure they must be, Mr. Corbold," replied the kind Mrs. Mowbray in
+an accent of sincere compassion; "but, at least in the present instance,
+you may be spared such unseemly mixture, if you will be good enough not
+to object to travelling three in the carriage. Helen is very slight, and
+I trust you will not be greatly incommoded."
+
+Mr. Corbold's gratitude was too great to be expressed in a sitting
+attitude; he therefore rose from his chair, and pressing his extended
+hands together as if invoking a blessing on the meek lady's holy head,
+he uttered, "Heaven reward you, madam, for not forgetting those whom it
+hath remembered!" and as he spoke, he bowed his head low, long, and
+reverently. As he recovered the erect position on ordinary occasions
+permitted to man, he turned a little round to give a glance of very
+lover-like timidity towards Helen, who when he began his reverence to
+her mother was in the room; but as he now turned his disappointed eyes
+all round it, he discovered that she was there no longer.
+
+After this, the business which could, as Mr. Corbold said, be
+conveniently transacted in London, was quickly despatched, and the day
+fixed for their return to Mowbray, exactly one week after they left it.
+
+Mr. Stephen Corbold was invited to breakfast previous to the departure;
+and he came accompanied by so huge a green bag, as promised a long stay
+among those to whose affairs the voluminous contents related.
+
+When all things in and about the carriage were ready, Mr. Stephen
+Corbold presented his arm to the widow, and placed her in it. He then
+turned to Helen, who on this occasion found it not so easy as at setting
+off to avoid the hand extended towards her; that is to say, she could
+not spring by it unheeded: but as she would greatly have preferred the
+touch of any other reptile, she contrived to be very awkward, and
+actually caught hold of the handle beside the carriage-door, instead of
+the obsequious ungloved fingers which made her shudder as she glanced
+her eyes towards them.
+
+"You will sit in the middle, Helen," said Mrs. Mowbray.
+
+"I wish, mamma, you would be so kind as to let me sit in the dickey,"
+replied the young lady, looking up as she spoke to the very comfortable
+and unoccupied seat in front of the carriage which, but for Mrs.
+Mowbray's respectful religious scruples, might certainly have
+accommodated Mr. Corbold and his bag perfectly well. "I should like it
+so much better, mamma!"
+
+"Let me sit in the middle, I entreat!" cried Mr. Corbold, entering the
+carriage in haste, to prevent farther discussion. "My dear young lady,"
+he continued, placing his person in the least graceful of all imaginable
+attitudes,--"my dear young lady, I beseech you----"
+
+"Go into the corner, Helen!" said Mrs. Mowbray hastily wishing to put so
+exemplary a Christian more at his ease, and without thinking it
+necessary to answer the insidious petition of her daughter, which, as
+she thought, plainly pointed at the exclusion of the righteous attorney.
+
+Helen ventured not to repeat it, and the carriage drove off. For the
+first mile Mr. Stephen Corbold sat, or rather perched himself, at the
+extremest edge of the seat, his hat between his knees, and every muscle
+that ought to have been at rest in active exercise, to prevent his
+falling forward on his nose; every feature, meanwhile, seeming to say,
+"This is not my carriage." But by gentle degrees he slid farther and
+farther backwards, till his spare person was not only in the enjoyment
+of ease, but of great happiness also.
+
+Helen, as her mother observed, was "very slight," and Mr. Corbold began
+almost to fancy that she would at last vanish into thin air, for, as he
+quietly advanced, so did she quietly retreat till she certainly did
+appear to shrink into a very small compass indeed.
+
+"I fear I crowd you, my dearest lady!" he said, addressing Mrs. Mowbray
+at least ten times during as many miles; and every time this fear came
+over him he gave her a little more room, dreadfully to the annoyance of
+the slight young lady on the other side of him. Poor Helen had need to
+remember that she was going home--going to Rosalind, to enable her to
+endure the disgust of her position; but for several hours she did bear
+it heroically. She thought of Mowbray,--of her flower-garden,--of the
+beautiful Park,--of Rosalind's snug dressing-room, and the contrast of
+all this to the life she had led in London. She thought too of Oakley,
+and of the possibility that some of the family might, by some accident
+or other, be met in some of the walks which Rosalind and she would be
+sure to take. In short, with her eyes incessantly turned through the
+open window towards the hedges and ditches, the fields and the flowers
+by the road-side, she contrived to keep herself, body and soul, as far
+as possible from the hated being who sat beside her.
+
+On the journey to London, Mrs. Mowbray had not thought it necessary to
+stop for dinner on the road, both she and Helen preferring to take a
+sandwich in the carriage; but, from the fear of infringing any of the
+duties of that hospitality which she now held in such high veneration,
+she arranged matters differently, and learning, upon consulting her
+footman, that an excellent house was situated about half-way between
+London and Wrexhill, she not only determined on stopping there, but
+directed the man to send forward a note, ordering an early dinner to be
+ready for them.
+
+This halt was an agreeable surprise to Mr. Stephen Corbold. It was
+indeed an arrangement such as those of his peculiar sect are generally
+found to approve; for it is a remarkable fact, easily ascertained by any
+who will give themselves the trouble of inquiry, that the serious
+Christians of the present age indulge themselves bodily, whenever the
+power of doing so falls in their way, exactly in proportion to the
+mortifications and privations with which they torment their spirits: so
+that while a young sinner would fly from an untasted glass of claret
+that he might not lose the prologue to a new play, a young saint would
+sip up half-a-dozen (if he could get them) while descanting on the
+grievous pains of hell which the pursuit of pleasure must for ever
+bring.
+
+The repast, and even the wine, did honour to the recommendation of the
+careful and experienced Thomas: and Mrs. Mowbray had the sincere
+satisfaction of seeing Mr. Corbold ("_le pauvre homme!_") eat half a
+pound of salmon, one-third of a leg of lamb, and three-quarters of a
+large pigeon-pie, with a degree of relish that proved to her that she
+was "very right to stop for dinner."
+
+Nothing can show gratitude for such little attentions as these so
+pleasantly and so effectually as taking full advantage of them. Mr.
+Corbold indeed carried this feeling so far, that even after the two
+ladies had left the room, he stepped back and pretty nearly emptied the
+two decanters of wine before he rejoined them.
+
+The latter part of the journey produced a very disagreeable scene,
+which, though it ended, as Helen thought at the time most delightfully
+for her, was productive in its consequences of many a bitter heart-ache.
+
+It is probable that the good cheer at D----, together with the final
+libation that washed it down, conveyed more than ordinary animation to
+the animal spirits of the attorney, and for some miles he discoursed
+with more than his usual unction on the sins of the sinful, and the
+holiness of the holy, till poor dear Mrs. Mowbray, despite her vehement
+struggles to keep her eyes open, fell fast asleep.
+
+No sooner was Mr. Stephen Corbold fully aware of this fact, than he
+began making some very tender speeches to Helen. For some time her only
+reply was expressed by thrusting her head still farther out of the side
+window. But this did not avail her long. As if to intimate to her that a
+person whose attention could not be obtained through the medium of the
+ears must be roused from their apathy by the touch, he took her hand.
+
+Upon this she turned as suddenly as if an adder had stung her, and
+fixing her eyes, beaming with rage and indignation, upon him, said,
+
+"If you venture, sir, to repeat this insult, I will call to the
+postillions to stop, and order the footman instantly to take you out of
+the carriage."
+
+He returned her glance, however, rather with passion than repentance,
+and audaciously putting his arm round her waist, drew her towards him,
+while he whispered in her ear, "What would your dear good mamma say to
+that?"
+
+Had he possessed the cunning of Mephistophiles, he could not have
+uttered words more calculated to unnerve her. The terrible conviction
+that it was indeed possible her mother might justify, excuse, or, at any
+rate, pardon the action, came upon her heart like ice, and burying her
+face in her hands, she burst into tears.
+
+Had Mr. Stephen Corbold been a wise man, he would have here ceased his
+persecution: he saw that she was humbled to the dust by the reference he
+had so skilfully made to her mother; and perhaps, had he emptied only
+one decanter, he might have decided that it would be desirable to leave
+her in that state of mind. But, as it was, he had the very exceeding
+audacity once more to put his arm round her, and, by a sudden and most
+unexpected movement, impressed a kiss upon her cheek.
+
+Helen uttered a piercing scream; and Mrs. Mowbray, opening her eyes,
+demanded, in a voice of alarm, "What is the matter?"
+
+Mr. Corbold sat profoundly silent; but Helen answered, in great
+agitation, "I can remain in the carriage no longer, mamma, unless you
+turn out this man!"
+
+"Oh, Helen! Helen! what can you mean by using such language?" answered
+her mother. "It is pride, I know, abominable pride,--I have seen it from
+the very first,--which leads you to treat this excellent man as you do.
+Do you forget that he is the relation as well as the friend of our
+minister? Fie upon it, Helen! you must bring down this haughty spirit to
+something more approaching meek Christian humility, or you and I shall
+never be able to live together."
+
+It seems almost like a paradox, and yet it is perfectly true, that had
+not Mrs. Mowbray from _the very first_, as she said, perceived the utter
+vulgarity, in person, language, and demeanour, of the vicar's cousin,
+she would have been greatly less observant and punctilious in her
+civilities towards him; nor would she have been so fatally ready to
+quarrel with her daughter for testifying her dislike of a man who, her
+own taste told her, would be detestable, were not the holiness of his
+principles such as to redeem every defect with which nature, education,
+and habit had afflicted him.
+
+The more Mrs. Mowbray felt disposed to shrink from an intimate
+association with the serious attorney, the more strenuously did she
+force her nature to endure him; and feeling, almost unconsciously
+perhaps, that it was impossible Helen should not detest him, she put all
+her power and authority in action, not only to prevent her showing it,
+but to prevent also so very sinful and worldly-minded a sentiment from
+taking hold upon her young mind.
+
+Helen, however, was too much irritated at this moment to submit, as she
+had been ever used to do, to the commands of her mother; and still
+feeling the pressure of the serious attorney's person against her own,
+she let down the front glass, and very resolutely called to the
+postillions to stop.
+
+The boy who rode the wheeler immediately heard and obeyed her.
+
+"Tell the servant to open the door," said she with a firmness and
+decision which she afterwards recalled to herself with astonishment.
+
+Thomas, who, the moment the carriage stopped, had got down, obeyed the
+call she now addressed to him,--opened the door, gave her his arm; and
+before either Mrs. Mowbray, or the serious attorney either, had fully
+recovered from their astonishment, Helen was comfortably seated on the
+dickey, enjoying the cool breeze of a delicious afternoon upon her
+flushed cheek.
+
+The turn which was given to this transaction by Mr. Stephen Corbold
+during the tête-à-tête conversation he enjoyed for the rest of the
+journey with the young lady's mother was such as to do credit to his
+acuteness; and that good lady's part in it showed plainly that the new
+doctrines she had so rapidly imbibed, while pretending to purify her
+heart, had most lamentably perverted her judgment.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER VI.
+
+THE RETURN.
+
+
+On reaching Mowbray, the first figure which greeted the eyes of the
+travellers was that of Charles, stationed on the portico steps waiting
+to receive them. A line from Helen to Rosalind, written only the day
+before, announced their intended return; but the appearance of Charles
+was a surprise to them, and to Helen certainly the most delightful that
+she could have experienced.
+
+Mr. Cartwright had written a long and very edifying letter to Mrs.
+Mowbray, informing her of the unexpected arrival of her son from the
+scene of his studies, and making such comments upon it as in his wisdom
+seemed good. But though this too was written in the secret recesses of
+his own chamber, with many affecting little circumstances demonstrative
+of his holy and gentle emotions while so employed, it was, nevertheless,
+under the influence of still riper wisdom, subsequently destroyed,
+because he thought that the first surprise occasioned by the young man's
+unwonted appearance would be more likely to produce the effect he
+desired than even his statement.
+
+Neither Rosalind nor Charles himself had written, because they were both
+unwilling to state the real cause of his coming, and thought the plea of
+_whim_ would pass off better in conversation than on paper. That Fanny
+should write nothing which good Mr. Cartwright did not wish known, can
+be matter of surprise to no one.
+
+Helen, who had descried Charles before the carriage stopped, descended
+from her lofty position with dangerous rapidity, and sprang into his
+arms with a degree of delight, greater, perhaps, than she had ever
+before felt at seeing him.
+
+The exclamation of Mrs. Mowbray certainly had in it, as the wise vicar
+predicted, a tone that indicated displeasure as well as surprise; and
+the embrace, which she could not refuse, was so much less cordial than
+it was wont to be, that he turned again to Helen, and once more pressed
+her to his heart, as if to console him for the want of tenderness in his
+mother's kiss.
+
+Meanwhile, Mr. Stephen Corbold stood under the lofty portico, lost in
+admiration at the splendid appearance of the house and grounds. Mrs.
+Mowbray, with a sort of instinctive feeling that this excellent person
+might not altogether find himself at his ease with her family, hastened
+towards him, determined that her own Christian humility should at least
+set them a good example, and putting out both her hands towards him,
+exclaimed, with an earnestness that sounded almost like the voice of
+prayer, "Welcome, _dear_, DEAR, Mr. Corbold, to my house and home! and
+may you find in it the comfort and hospitality your exemplary character
+deserves!" Then turning to her son, she added, "I know not how long you
+are likely to stay away from college, Charles; but while you are here, I
+beg that you will exert yourself to the very utmost to make Mowbray
+agreeable to this gentleman; and remember, if you please, that his
+religious principles, and truly edifying Christian sentiments, are
+exactly such as I would wish to place before you as an example."
+
+Charles turned round towards the serious attorney, intending to welcome
+him by an extended hand; but the thing was impossible. There was that in
+his aspect with which he felt that he could never hold fellowship, and
+his salutation was turned into a ceremonious bow; a change which it was
+the less difficult to make, from the respectful distance at which the
+stranger guest placed himself, while preparing to receive the young
+man's welcome.
+
+Though Rosalind had purposely remained in her own apartment till the
+first meeting with Charles was over, Helen was already in her arms;
+having exchanged a hasty kiss with Fanny, whom she met in the hall,
+hastening to receive her mother.
+
+"Oh! my dearest Rosalind! How thankful am I to be once more with you
+again! I never, I think, shall be able to endure the sight of London
+again as long as I live. I have been so very, very wretched there!"
+
+"Upon my word, Helen, I have not lived upon roses since you went. You
+can hardly be so glad to come back, as I am to have you. What did your
+mother say on seeing Charles?"
+
+"I hardly know. She did not, I think, seem pleased to see him: but I am
+more delighted at the chance that has brought him, let it be what it
+will, than I have words to express. Oh! it is such a blessing to
+me!--dear, dear, Charles! he knows not what a treasure he is. The very
+sight of him has cured all my sorrows--and yet I was dreadfully
+miserable just now."
+
+"Then, thank Heaven! he is here, my own Helen! But tell me, dearest,
+what is it has made you miserable? Though you tell me it is over, the
+tears seemed ready to start when you said so."
+
+"Oh! my woes will make a long story, Rosalind; and some of them must be
+for your ear only; but this shall be at night, when nobody is near to
+hear us:--but, by the way, you must have a great deal to tell me. How
+comes it that Charles is here? And, what seems stranger still, how comes
+it that, as he is here, you have not been living upon roses?"
+
+"My woes may make a story as well as yours, Helen; and a long one too,
+if I tell all: but it must come out by degrees,--a series of sketches,
+rather than an history."
+
+"Have you seen any body from Oakley, Rosalind?"
+
+"Ah, Helen!" said Rosalind smiling, as she watched the bright colour
+mounting even to the brows of her friend; "your history, then, has had
+nothing in it to prevent your remembering Oakley?"
+
+"My history, as you call it, Rosalind, has been made up of a series of
+mortifications: some of them have almost broken my heart, and my spirit
+too; but others have irritated me into a degree of courage and daring
+that might perhaps have surprised you; and every thing that has happened
+to me, has sent my thoughts back to my home and to my friends,--all my
+friends, Rosalind,--with a degree of clinging and dependent affection
+such as I never felt before."
+
+"My poor Helen! But look up, dearest! and shed no tears if you can help
+it. We all seem to be placed in a very singular and unexpected position,
+my dear friend; but it is not tears that will help us out of it. This
+new man, this vicar, seems inclined to go such lengths with his
+fanatical hypocrisy, that I have good hopes your mother and Fanny will
+ere long get sick of him and his new lights, and then all will go right
+again. Depend upon it, all that has hitherto gone wrong, has been wholly
+owing to him. I certainly do not think that your poor father's will was
+made in the spirit of wisdom; but even _that_ would have produced none
+of the effects it has done, had not this hateful man instilled, within
+ten minutes after the will was read, the poison of doubt and suspicion
+against Charles, into the mind of your mother. Do you not remember his
+voice and his look, Helen, when he entered the room where we were all
+three sitting with your mother? I am sure I shall never forget him! I
+saw, in an instant, that he intended to make your mother believe that
+Charles resented the will; and that, instead of coming himself, he had
+sent him to your mother to tell her of it. I hated him then; and every
+hour that has passed since has made me hate him more. But let us take
+hope, Helen, even from the excess of the evil. Your mother cannot long
+remain blind to his real character; and, when once she sees him as he
+is, she will again become the dear kind mother you have all so fondly
+loved."
+
+"Could I hope this, Rosalind, for the future, there is nothing I could
+not endure patiently for the present,--at least nothing that could
+possibly happen while Charles is here; but I do not hope it."
+
+There was a melancholy earnestness in Helen's voice, as she pronounced
+the last words, that sounded like a heavy prophecy of evil to come, in
+the ears of Rosalind. "Heaven help us, then!" she exclaimed. "If we are
+really to live under the influence and authority of the Vicar of
+Wrexhill, our fate will be dreadful. If your dear father had but been
+spared to us a few years longer,--if you and I were but one-and-twenty
+Helen,--how different would be the light in which I should view all that
+now alarms us; my fortune would be plenty for both of us, and I would
+take you with me to Ireland, and we would live with----"
+
+"Oh Rosalind! how can you talk so idly? Do you think that any thing
+would make me leave my poor dear mother?"
+
+"If you were to marry, for instance?"
+
+"I should never do that without her consent; and that, you know, would
+hardly be leaving her."
+
+"Well! 'Heaven and our innocency defend and guard us!' for I do think,
+Helen, we are in a position that threatens vexation, to say the least of
+it. I wonder if Miss Cartwright's visit is to end with your absence? She
+is the very oddest personage! sometimes I pity her; sometimes I almost
+admire her; sometimes I feel afraid of her, but never by any chance can
+I continue even to fancy that I understand her character."
+
+"Indeed! Yet in general you set about that rather rapidly, Rosalind. But
+must we not go down? I have hardly seen Fanny, and I long to talk a
+little to my own dear Charles."
+
+"And you will like to have some tea after your journey. Mrs. Mowbray, I
+think, never stops _en route_?"
+
+"In general she does not; but to-day----" a shudder ran through Helen's
+limbs as she remembered the travelling adventures of the day, and she
+stopped.
+
+"You look tired and pale, Helen! Come down, take some tea, and then go
+to bed directly. If we do not act with promptitude and decision in this
+matter, we shall set up talking all night."
+
+As they passed Miss Cartwright's door, Rosalind knocked, and that young
+lady immediately opened it.
+
+"Oh! you are come back then? I fancied, by Mr. Cartwright's not coming
+this evening, that something might have occurred to prevent you?"
+
+"If it had," said Helen, smiling, "it must have been announced by
+express, for you can only have had my letter this morning."
+
+"True!" replied Miss Cartwright.
+
+When the three young ladies entered the drawing-room, they found nobody
+in it but Mr. Stephen Corbold; Mrs. Mowbray having gone with Fanny to
+her own room, and Charles ensconced himself in the library, to avoid a
+tête-à-tête with the unpromising-looking stranger.
+
+Rosalind gave him a glance, and then looked at Helen with an eye that
+seemed to say, "Who in the world have you brought us?" Helen, however,
+gave no glance of intelligence in return; but, walking to a table which
+stood in that part of the room which was at the greatest distance from
+the place occupied by Mr. Corbold, she sat down, and began earnestly
+reading an old newspaper that she found upon it.
+
+Miss Cartwright started on recognising her cousin, and though she
+condescended to pronounce, "How do you do, Mr. Corbold?" there was but a
+cold welcome to him expressed either by her voice or manner. No one
+presented him to Rosalind, and altogether he felt as little at his ease
+as it was well possible for a gentleman to do, when the door opened, and
+Mrs. Mowbray and Fanny appeared. From that moment he became as much
+distinguished as he was before overlooked. Fanny, who knew that it was
+Mr. Cartwright's cousin who stood bowing to her, delighted at the honour
+of being told that she was "Miss Fanny Mowbray," received him with a
+kindness and condescension which soothed her own feelings as much as
+his, for she felt that every word she spoke to him was a proof of her
+devotion to her dear, good Mr. Cartwright! and that, when he heard of
+it, he could not fail to understand that it was for his sake.
+
+The party retired early, ostensibly for the sake of the travellers; but
+perhaps the real cause of this general haste to separate, was, that they
+all felt themselves singularly embarrassed in each other's company.
+Before Mrs. Mowbray had been five minutes in her house, she had ordered
+a splendid sleeping apartment to be made ready for Mr. Corbold; and the
+first half-hour after retiring to it, was spent by him in taking an
+accurate survey of its furniture, fittings-up, and dimensions: after
+which, he very nearly stifled himself (forgetful of the dog-days) by
+striving to enjoy the full luxury of the abounding pillows with which
+his magnificent couch was furnished.
+
+Mrs. Mowbray and Fanny separated after a short but confidential
+colloquy. Miss Cartwright took her solitary way to her chamber, where,
+as the housemaids asserted, she certainly spent half the night in
+reading, or writing, or something or other, before she put out her
+light: and Rosalind and Helen, spite of their good resolutions, not only
+sat up talking in the library themselves, but permitted Charles to share
+their watch with them; so that, before they separated, every fact,
+thought, or opinion, treasured in the minds of each, were most
+unreservedly communicated to the others,--excepting that Helen did not
+disclose at full length _all_ the reasons she had for detesting Mr.
+Corbold, and Charles did not think it necessary to mention, that
+Rosalind grew fairer to his eyes, and dearer to his heart, every hour.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER VII.
+
+THE VICAR AND HIS COUSIN.
+
+
+None of the Mowbray family were present at the meeting between the Vicar
+of Wrexhill and his cousin. The latter, indeed, set out from the Park at
+a very early hour on the morning after his arrival, in order to
+breakfast with his much esteemed relation, and to enjoy in the privacy
+of his Vicarage a little friendly and confidential conversation as to
+the projects and intentions concerning him, which had been hinted at in
+his letters.
+
+He was welcomed by Mr. Cartwright with very obliging civility; not but
+that the vicar felt and showed, upon this, as well as all other
+occasions, a very proper consciousness of his own superiority in all
+ways. However, the Corbold connexion had been very essentially useful to
+him in days past; and Mr. Stephen, the present representative of the
+family, might _possibly_ be extremely useful to him in days to come.
+Several fresh-laid eggs were therefore placed on the table,--coffee was
+added to tea,--and his reception in all ways such as to make Mr. Stephen
+feel himself extremely comfortable.
+
+When the repast was ended, Mr. Jacob received a hint to withdraw; and
+as soon as the door was closed behind him, the serious vicar approached
+his chair to that of the serious attorney, with the air of one who had
+much to hear, and much to communicate.
+
+"You seem hereunto, cousin Stephen, to have managed this excellent
+business, which under Providence I have been enabled to put into your
+hands, with great ability; and, by a continuation of mercy, I am not
+without hope, that you will, as I heretofore hinted, bring the same to
+good effect."
+
+"There is hope, great and exceeding merciful hope, cousin William, that
+all you have anticipated, and peradventure more too, may come to pass. A
+blessing and a providence seem already to have lighted upon you, cousin,
+in your new ministry, for into this vessel which your cousinly kindness
+hath set within my sight, you have poured grace and abounding
+righteousness. Surely there never was a lady endowed with such goodly
+gifts who was more disposed to make a free-will offering of them to the
+saints, than this pious and in all ways exemplary widow."
+
+"Your remarks, cousin, are those of a man on whom the light shines. May
+the mercy of Heaven strengthen unto you, for its glory, the talent it
+hath bestowed! And now with the freedom of kinsmen who speak together,
+tell to me what are the hopes and expectations to which your
+conversation with this excellent, and already very serious lady, have
+given birth."
+
+"I have no wish or intention, cousin William, of hiding from you any
+portion of the thoughts which it has pleased Providence to send into my
+heart; the which are in fact, for the most part, founded upon the
+suggestions which, by the light of truth, I discerned in the first
+letter upon the widow Mowbray's affairs which you addressed unto me."
+
+"Respecting the agency of her own business, and peradventure that of her
+ward's also?"
+
+"Even so. I have, in truth, well-founded faith and hope that by the
+continuation of your friendship and good report, cousin William, I may
+at no distant period attain unto both."
+
+"And if you do, cousin Stephen," returned the vicar, with a smile; "your
+_benefice_ in the parish of Wrexhill will be worth considerably more
+than mine."
+
+A serious, waggish, holy, cunning smile now illuminated the
+red, dry features of the attorney, and shaking his head with a
+Burleigh-like-pregnancy of meaning, he said, "Ah, cousin!"
+
+The vicar smiled again, and rising from his chair, put his head and
+shoulders out of the open window, looking carefully, as it seemed, in
+all directions; then, drawing them in again, he proceeded to open the
+door of the room, and examined the passage leading to it in the same
+cautious manner.
+
+"My son Jacob is one of the finest young men in Europe, cousin Stephen,"
+said the vicar, reseating himself; "but he is young, and as full of
+little childish innocent fooleries as any baby: so it is as well not to
+speak all we may have to say, without knowing that we are alone; for
+many an excellent plan in which Providence seemed to have taken a great
+share, has been impiously spoiled, frustrated, and destroyed, by the
+want of caution in those to whom it was intrusted. Let not such sin lie
+at our door! Now tell me then, cousin Stephen, and tell me frankly, why
+did you smile and say, 'Ah cousin'?"
+
+"Because, while speaking of what, through mercy, I may get at Wrexhill,
+it seemed to me like a misdoubting of Providence not to speak a little
+hint of what its chosen minister there may get too."
+
+"I get my vicar's dues, cousin Stephen; and it may be, by a blessing
+upon my humble endeavours, I may, when next Easter falls, obtain some
+trifle both from high and low in the way of Easter offering."
+
+"Ah, cousin!" repeated the attorney, renewing his intelligent smile.
+
+"Well then," said the well-pleased vicar, "speak out."
+
+"I am but a plodding man of business," replied Mr. Corbold, "with such
+illumination upon matters of faith as Providence hath been pleased to
+bestow; but my sense, such as it is, tells me that the excellent and
+pious widow of Mowbray Park will not always be permitted by Providence
+to remain desolate."
+
+"She does, in truth, deserve a better fate," rejoined the vicar.
+
+"And what better fate can befall her, cousin William, than being bound
+together in holy matrimony with one of the most shining lights to be
+found among the saints on earth?"
+
+"Yes!" responded the vicar with a sigh; "that is the fate she merits,
+and that is the fate she ought to meet!"
+
+"And shall we doubt Providence?--shall we doubt that a mate shall be
+found for her? No, cousin William; doubt not, for I say unto thee, 'Thou
+art the man!'"
+
+The vicar endeavoured to look solemn; but, though his handsome features
+were in general under excellent control, he could not at this moment
+repress a pleasant sort of simpering smile that puckered round his
+mouth. Mr. Stephen Corbold, perceiving that his cousin was in nowise
+displeased by the prophecy he had taken the liberty to utter, returned
+to the subject again, saying, "I wish you had seen her face,--she must
+have been very like her daughter,--I wish you could have seen her,
+cousin William, every time I named you!"
+
+"Indeed! Did she really testify some emotion? I trust you are not
+jesting, cousin Stephen; this is no subject for pleasantry."
+
+"Most assuredly it is not! and I think that you must altogether have
+forgotten my temper and character, if you suppose that I should think it
+such. To tell you the truth, cousin, I look upon the time present as a
+period marked and settled by Providence for the calling you up to the
+high places. Will it not be a glory to have its minister and servant
+placed in such a palace as Mowbray? and will it not be converting what
+hitherto has doubtless been the abode of sinners, into a temple for the
+elect?"
+
+"I will not deny," replied the vicar, "that such thoughts have
+occasionally found place in my own mind. There have already been some
+very singular and remarkable manifestations in this matter; and it is
+the perceiving this, which has led me to believe, and indeed feel
+certain, that my duty calls upon me so to act, that this wealthy relict
+of a man too much addicted to the things of this world may, finally by
+becoming part and parcel of myself, lose not the things eternal."
+
+"I greatly rejoice," rejoined Mr. Corbold, "that such is your decision
+in this matter; and if it should so fall out that Heaven in its wisdom
+and goodness shall ordain you to become the master of Mowbray Park, (at
+these words the vicar cast his eyes upon the ground and meekly bowed his
+head,) and I have a persuasion that it will so ordain, borne strongly in
+upon my mind, then and in that case, cousin William, I trust that your
+patronage and support will not be withdrawn from me."
+
+"Cousin Stephen," replied the vicar, "you are a man that on many
+occasions I shall covet and desire to have by me and near me, both for
+your profit and advantage and my own; but in the case which you have
+put, and which Heaven seems to have whispered to your soul--in the
+case, Stephen, that I should ever become the master and owner of
+Mowbray, and all the sundry properties thereunto belonging, I think--no
+offence to you, cousin--that I should prefer managing the estates
+myself."
+
+The serious attorney looked somewhat crestfallen, and perhaps some such
+questionings were borne in upon his mind as--"What is it to me if he
+marries the widow, if I do not get the management of the estates?"
+
+When the vicar raised his eyes to the face of his cousin, he probably
+perceived the impression his words had produced, and kindly anxious to
+restore him to more comfortable feelings, he added,--"The fine property
+of Miss Torrington, cousin Stephen, might certainly be placed entirely
+in your hands--the management of it I mean--till she comes of age; but
+then if she marries my son, which I think not unlikely, it is probable
+that Jacob may follow my example, and prefer taking care of the property
+himself."
+
+"Then, at the very best," replied Mr. Corbold, "I can only hope to
+obtain an agency for a year or two?"
+
+"I beg your pardon, cousin; my hopes for you go much farther than that.
+In the first place, I would recommend it to you, immediately to settle
+yourself at Wrexhill: I am told that there is a good deal of business up
+and down the country hereabouts; and, if I obtain the influence that I
+hope to do in more ways than one, I shall take care that no attorney is
+employed but yourself, cousin Stephen. Besides this, I know that there
+may happen to be settlements or wills wanting amongst us, my good
+friend, which may make your being at hand very convenient; and, in all
+such cases, you would do your work, you know, pretty much at your own
+price. All this, however, is only contingent, I am quite aware of that;
+and therefore, in order that you may in some sort share my good
+fortune,--if such indeed should fall upon me,--I have been thinking,
+cousin Stephen, that when I shall be married to this lady, whom it has
+pleased Providence to place in my path, you, being then the near
+relative of a person of consequence and high consideration in the
+county, may also aspire to increase your means by the same holy
+ordinance; and if such a measure should seem good to your judgment, I
+have a lady in my eye,--also a widow, and a very charming one, my dear
+friend,--who lives in a style that shows her to be favoured by
+Providence with the goods of fortune. What say you to this, cousin
+Stephen?"
+
+"Why, it is borne in upon me to say, cousin William, that, in such a
+case as this, I should be inclined to follow your good example, and
+choose for myself. And, truth to speak, I believe the choice is in some
+sort made already; and I don't see but your marriage may be as likely to
+help me in this case as in the other; and as to fortune, it is probable
+that you may be able to lend me a helping hand there, too; for the young
+lady, I fancy, is no other than your own daughter-in-law that is to
+be--the pretty Miss Helen, cousin William?"
+
+The vicar as he listened to these words, very nearly uttered a whistle.
+He was, however, as he whispered to himself, mercifully saved from such
+an indecorum by the timely remembrance that his cousin, though an
+attorney, was a very serious man; but, though he did not whistle, he
+deemed it necessary to express in a more solemn and proper manner his
+doubts of the success to be hoped from the scheme proposed by Mr.
+Corbold.
+
+"As to the fortune of the young person who may, as you observe, some day
+by the blessing of Providence become my daughter-in-law, I must tell you
+as a friend and kinsman, cousin Stephen, that I hold it to be very
+doubtful if she ever have any fortune at all. Are you aware that she is
+not regenerate?"
+
+"I partly guess as much," replied the attorney. "But," he added with a
+smile, "I can't say I should have any objection to marrying her first,
+and leading her into the way of salvation afterwards. And when I can
+testify to her having forsaken the errors of her ways, and that I have
+made her a light to lighten the Gentiles, I suppose you won't object
+then to her coming in for a share of her mother's inheritance?"
+
+"That would certainly make a difference; but I won't disguise from you,
+cousin, that I consider this young person's as a hopeless case. She was
+foredoomed from the beginning of the world: I see the mark upon her.
+However, that might not perhaps make such difference in your
+determination, for I know you to be a man very steadfast in hope, cousin
+Stephen. But there is, moreover, I think, another obstacle. You must not
+take my frankness amiss; but I have an inward misgiving as to her being
+willing to accept you."
+
+"As the young lady is a minor, cousin William, I should count upon its
+being in your power to make her marry pretty well whom you please. And
+this you may rely upon, that, in case you favour me heartily in this
+matter, there is no work of any kind that you could put me to, that I
+should not think it my bounden duty to perform."
+
+"You speak like a just and conscientious man, cousin Corbold; and, by
+the blessing of Heaven upon us, I trust that we shall be so able to work
+together for righteousness' sake, that in the end we may compass that
+which we desire. Nevertheless, I confess that it is still borne in upon
+me that the fair and excellent widow Simpson would be the wisest choice
+for you."
+
+"Should it please Providence that such should be my own opinion
+hereafter, cousin Cartwright, I will not fail to make it known unto
+you."
+
+"I will rest my faith on your wisdom therein," replied the vicar: "but
+it is now time that I should go to speak the blessing of a minister, and
+the welcome of a friend, to the excellent lady at the Park. And remember
+two things, cousin Stephen: the first is, never to remain in the room
+with the widow Mowbray and myself, when no other persons are present;
+and the next is in importance like unto it,--remember that the lady is
+even yet new in widowhood, and that any imprudent and premature allusion
+to my possibly taking her in marriage might ruin all. There are those
+near her, cousin Stephen, who I question not will fight against me."
+
+The attorney promised to be awake and watchful, and never to permit his
+tongue to betray the counsels of his heart.
+
+The cousins and friends (who, notwithstanding the difference of their
+callings, considered themselves, as Mr. Corbold observed,
+fellow-labourers in the vineyard,) then walked forth together towards
+Mowbray Park, well pleased with themselves and all things around them at
+the present, and with pious confidence in the reward of their labours
+for the future.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER VIII.
+
+CHARLES'S SORROW.--MRS. SIMPSON IN HER NEW CHARACTER.--THE VICAR'S
+PROCEEDINGS DISCUSSED.
+
+
+The two gentlemen found the family at the Park very sociably seated
+round a late breakfast table. Helen, Rosalind, and Charles, before they
+broke up their conclave in the library the night before, or rather that
+morning, had all decided that in the present thorny and difficult
+position of affairs, it was equally their duty and interest to
+propitiate the kind feelings of Mrs. Mowbray by every means in their
+power, and draw her thereby, if possible, from the mischievous and
+insidious influence of her new associates.
+
+"It is hardly possible to believe," said Charles, "that my mother can
+really prefer the society of such an animal as this methodistical
+attorney to that of her own family, or of those neighbours and friends
+from whom, since my father's death, she has so completely withdrawn
+herself. It is very natural she should be out of spirits, poor dear
+soul! and Mr. Cartwright is just the sort of person to obtain influence
+at such a time; but I trust this will wear off again. She will soon get
+sick of the solemn attorney, and we shall all be as happy again as
+ever."
+
+"Heaven grant it!" said Helen with a sigh.
+
+"Heaven grant it!" echoed Rosalind with another.
+
+It was in consequence of this resolution, that the trio continued to sit
+at the table much longer than usual; exerting themselves to amuse Mrs.
+Mowbray, to win from Fanny one of her former bright smiles, and even to
+make Miss Cartwright sociable.
+
+Their efforts were not wholly unsuccessful. There was a genuine
+animation and vivacity about Charles that seemed irresistible: Mrs.
+Mowbray looked at him with a mother's eye; Miss Cartwright forsook her
+monosyllables, and almost conversed; and Fanny, while listening first to
+Helen, and then to her brother, forgot her duty as a professing
+Christian as far as to let a whole ringlet of her sunny hair get loose
+from behind her ear, and not notice it.
+
+In the midst of this gleam of sunshine the door opened, and Mr.
+Cartwright and Mr. Corbold were announced. Ambitions of producing effect
+as both these serious gentlemen certainly were, they could hardly have
+hoped, when their spirits were most exalted within them, to have caused
+a more remarkable revolution in the state of things than their
+appearance now produced.
+
+Mrs. Mowbray coloured, half rose from her chair, sat down again, and
+finally exclaimed, "Oh! Mr. Cartwright!" in a tone of voice that
+manifested almost every feeling he could wish to inspire.
+
+Fanny, who was in the very act of smiling when the door opened,
+immediately became conscious that her hair was out of order, and that
+her whole attitude and manner were wanting in that Christian grace and
+sobriety which had been of late her chiefest glory. Such Christian grace
+and sobriety, however, as she had lately learned, poor child! are not
+difficult to assume, or long in putting on; so that before "her
+minister" had completed his little prayer and thanksgiving in the ear of
+her mother, for her eternal happiness and her safe return, Fanny was
+quite in proper trim to meet his eye, and receive his blessing.
+
+Henrietta at once fell back into her wonted heavy silent gloom, like a
+leaden statue upon which the sun, shining for a moment, had thrown the
+hue of silver.
+
+Charles stood up, and saluted the vicar civilly but coldly; while to his
+companion's low bow he returned a slight and stiff inclination of the
+head.
+
+It should be observed that, during the few days which intervened between
+the arrival of Charles and the return of his mother, the vicar had
+greatly relaxed in his attentions to Fanny, and indeed altogether in the
+frequency of his pastoral visitations at the Park. He had explained this
+in the ear of his pretty proselyte, by telling her that he was much
+engaged in pushing forward the work of regeneration in his parish, to
+the which holy labour he was the more urgently incited by perceiving
+that the seed was not thrown upon barren ground. Nor indeed was this
+statement wholly untrue. He had taken advantage of the leisure which the
+present posture of affairs at the Park left upon his hands, in seeking
+to inflame the imaginations of as many of his parishioners as he could
+get to listen to him.
+
+Among the females he had been particularly successful; and, indeed, the
+proportion of the fair sex who are found to embrace the tenets which
+this gentleman and his sect have introduced in place of those of the
+Church of England, is so great, that, as their faith is an exclusive
+one, it might be conjectured that the chief object of the doctrine was
+to act as a balance-weight against that of Mahomet, who, atrocious
+tyrant as he was, shut the gates of heaven against all woman-kind
+whatsoever; were it not that an occasional nest of he-saints may here
+and there be found,--sometimes in a drum-profaned barrack, and sometimes
+in a cloistered college, which show that election is not wholly confined
+to the fair. There are, however, some very active and inquiring persons
+who assert, that upon a fair and accurate survey throughout England and
+Wales, Ireland, Scotland, and the Town of Berwick-upon-Tweed, no greater
+number of this sect can be found of the masculine gender than may
+suffice to perform the duties of ministers, deputy ministers,
+missionaries, assistant missionaries, speech-makers both in and out of
+parliament, committee-men, and such serious footmen, coachmen, butchers,
+and bakers, as the fair inhabitants of the Calvinistic heaven require to
+perform the unfeminine drudgery of earth.
+
+It was in consequence of this remission in the vicar's labours for the
+regeneration of Fanny, that Charles Mowbray still treated him with the
+respect due to the clergyman of his parish. Rosalind felt it quite
+impossible to describe to him all she had seen, and her promise to
+Henrietta forbade her to repeat what she had heard; so that young
+Mowbray, though he disapproved of the puritanic innovations of Fanny's
+toilet, and so much disliked Mr. Cartwright's extempore preaching as to
+have decided upon attending divine service at Oakley church for the
+future, to avoid hearing what he considered as so very indecent an
+innovation, he was still quite unaware of Rosalind's real motives for
+recalling him, though extremely well inclined to think her right in
+having done so.
+
+Miss Torrington and Helen left the room very soon after the two
+gentlemen entered it. Henrietta, with the stealthy step of a cat,
+followed them, and young Mowbray felt strongly tempted to do the like;
+but was prevented, not so much by politeness perhaps, as by curiosity to
+ascertain, if possible, the terms on which both these gentlemen stood
+with his mother.
+
+But it was not possible. As long as he remained with them, the very
+scanty conversation which took place was wholly on uninteresting
+subjects; and Charles at length left the room, from feeling that it was
+not his mother's pleasure to talk to the attorney of the business that
+he presumed must have brought him there, as long as he remained in it.
+
+There is in the domestic history of human life no cause productive of
+effects so terrible as the habit of acting according to the impulse, or
+the convenience, of the moment, without fully considering the effect
+what we are doing may produce on others.
+
+Mrs. Mowbray, in waiting till Charles left the room before she spake to
+Mr. Corbold of the title-deeds and other papers which she was to put
+into his hands, was almost wholly actuated by the consciousness that the
+attorney she was employing (though a serious) was a very vulgar man. She
+knew that her son was rather fastidious on such points; and she disliked
+the idea that a man, whose distinguished piety rendered him so
+peculiarly eligible as a man of business, should, at his first
+introduction to the confidential situation she intended he should hold,
+lay himself open to the ridicule of a youth, who, she sighed to think,
+was as yet quite incapable of appreciating his merit in any way.
+
+If any secondary motive mixed with this, it arose from the averseness
+she felt, of which she was not herself above half conscious, that any
+one should hear advice given by Mr. Cartwright, who might think
+themselves at liberty to question it; but, with all this, she never
+dreamed of the pain she was giving to Charles's heart. She dreamed not
+that her son,--her only son,--with a heart as warm, as generous, as
+devoted in its filial love, as ever beat in the breast of a man, felt
+all his ardent affection for her,--his proud fond wish of being her
+protector, her aid, her confidential friend--now checked and chilled at
+once, and for ever!
+
+This consequence of her cold, restrained manner in his presence, was so
+natural,--in fact, so inevitable,--that had she turned her eyes from
+herself and her own little unimportant feelings, to what might be their
+effect upon his, it is hardly possible that she could have avoided
+catching some glimpse of the danger she ran,--and much after misery
+might have been spared; as it was, she felt a movement of unequivocal
+satisfaction when he departed; and, having told Fanny to join the other
+young ladies while she transacted business, she was left alone with the
+two gentlemen, and, in a few minutes afterwards, the contents of her
+late husband's strong-box, consisting of parchments, memoranda, and
+deeds almost innumerable, overspread the large table, as well as every
+sofa and chair within convenient reach.
+
+The two serious gentlemen smiled, but it was inwardly. Their eyes ran
+over the inscription of every precious packet; and if those of the
+professional man caught more rapidly at a glance the respective
+importance of each, the vicar had the advantage of him in that prophetic
+feeling of their future importance to himself, which rendered the
+present hour one of the happiest of his life.
+
+Meanwhile, Charles sought Helen and her friend. Far, however, from
+wishing to impart to them the painful impression he had received, his
+principal object in immediately seeking them was, if possible, to forget
+it. He found the four girls together in the conservatory, and, affecting
+more gaiety than he felt, exclaimed, "How many recruits shall I get
+among you to join me in a walk to Wrexhill? One, two, three, four!
+That's delightful! Make haste; bonnet and veil yourselves without delay:
+and if we skirt round the plantations to the lodge, we shall escape
+being broiled, for the lanes are always shady."
+
+When he had got his convoy fairly under weigh, they began to make
+inquiries as to what he was going to do at Wrexhill. "I will tell you,"
+he replied, "if you will promise not to run away and forsake me."
+
+They pledged themselves to be faithful to their escort, and he then
+informed them, that it was his very particular wish and desire to pay
+sundry visits to the _beau monde_ of Wrexhill.
+
+"It is treason to the milliner not to have told us so before, Charles,"
+said Helen; "only look at poor Fanny's little straw-bonnet, without even
+a bow to set it off. What will Mrs. Simpson think of us?"
+
+"I assure you, Helen," said Fanny, "that if I had known we were going to
+visit all the fine people in the county, I should have put on no other
+bonnet; and as for Mrs. Simpson, I believe you are quite mistaken in
+supposing she would object to it. I hope she has seen the error of her
+ways, as well as I have, Charles; and that we shall never more see her
+dressed like a heathenish woman, as she used to do."
+
+"Oh Fanny! Fanny!" exclaimed Charles, laughing. "How long will this
+spirit vex you."
+
+Fortunately, however, for the harmony of the excursion, none of the
+party appeared at this moment inclined to controversy, and the subject
+dropped. Instead, therefore, of talking of different modes of faith, and
+of the bonnets thereunto belonging, the conversation turned upon the
+peculiar beauty of the woodland scenery around Wrexhill; and Miss
+Cartwright, as almost a stranger, was applied to for her opinion of it.
+
+"I believe I am a very indifferent judge of scenery," she replied. "The
+fact is, I never see it."
+
+"Do you not see it now?" said Rosalind. "Do you not see that beautiful
+stretch of park-like common, with its tufts of holly, its rich groups of
+forest-trees, with their dark heavy drapery of leaves, relieved by the
+light and wavy gracefulness of the delicate and silvery birch? and,
+loveliest of all, do you not see that stately avenue of oaks, the turf
+under them green in eternal shade, and the long perspective, looking
+like the nave of some gigantic church?"
+
+Rosalind stood still as she spoke, and Henrietta remained beside her.
+They were descending the bit of steep road which, passing behind the
+church and the vicarage, led into the village street of Wrexhill, and
+the scene described by Miss Torrington was at this point completely
+given to their view.
+
+Henrietta put her arm within that of Rosalind with a degree of
+familiarity very unusual with her, and having gazed on the fair expanse
+before her for several minutes, she replied, "Yes, Rosalind, I do see it
+now, and I thank you for making it visible to me. Perhaps, in future,
+when I may perchance be thinking of you, I may see it again."
+
+Rosalind turned to seek her meaning in her face, and saw that her dark
+deep-set eyes were full of tears. This was so unexpected, so
+unprecedented, so totally unlike any feeling she had ever remarked in
+her before, that Rosalind was deeply touched by it, and, pressing the
+arm that rested on hers, she said: "Dear Henrietta! Why are you so
+averse to letting one understand what passes in your heart? It is only
+by an accidental breath, which now and then lifts the veil you hang
+before it, that one can even find out you have any heart at all."
+
+"Did you know all the darkness that dwells there, you would not thank me
+for showing it to you."
+
+Having said this, she stepped hastily forward, and drawing on Rosalind,
+who would have lingered, with her, till they had overtaken the others,
+they all turned from the lane into the village street together.
+
+They had not proceeded a hundred yards, before they were met by a dozen
+rosy and riotous children returning from dinner to school. At sight of
+the Mowbray party, every boy uncapped, and every little girl made her
+best courtesy; but one unlucky wag, whose eyes unfortunately fixed
+themselves on Fanny, being struck by the precision of her little bonnet,
+straight hair, and the total absence of frill, furbelow, or any other
+indication of worldly-mindedness, restrained his bounding steps for a
+moment, and, pursing up his little features into a look of sanctity,
+exclaimed--"Amen!"--and then, terrified at what he had done, galloped
+away and hid himself among his fellows.
+
+Fanny coloured, but immediately assumed the resigned look that
+announceth martyrdom. Charles laughed, though he turned round and shook
+his switch at the saucy offender. Helen looked vexed, Rosalind amused,
+and Henrietta very nearly delighted.
+
+A few minutes more brought them to the door of Mrs. Simpson. Their
+inquiry for the lady was answered by the information that she "was
+schooling miss; but if they would be pleased to walk in, she would come
+down directly." They accordingly entered the drawing-room, where they
+were kept waiting for some time, which was indeed pretty generally the
+fate of morning visitors to Mrs. Simpson.
+
+The interval was employed as the collectors of albums and annuals intend
+all intervals should be, namely, in the examination of all the
+morocco-bound volumes deposited on the grand round table in the middle
+of the room, and on all the square, oblong, octagon, and oval minor
+tables, in the various nooks and corners of it.
+
+On the present occasion they seemed to promise more amusement than usual
+to the party, who had most of them been frequently there before,--for
+they were nearly all new. Poor little Fanny, though she knew that not
+one of those with her were capable of enjoying the intellectual and
+edifying feast that almost the first glance of her eye showed her was
+set before them, could not restrain an exclamation of--"Oh! How
+heavenly-minded!"
+
+The whole collection indeed, which though recently and hastily formed,
+had evidently been brought together by the hand of a master of such
+matters, was not only most strictly evangelical, but most evangelically
+ingenious.
+
+Helen, however, appeared to find food neither for pleasantry nor
+edification there; for having opened one or two slender volumes, and as
+many heavy pamphlets, she abandoned the occupation with a sigh, that
+spoke sadness and vexation. Miss Cartwright, who had seated herself on
+the same sofa, finished her examination still more quickly, saying in a
+low voice as she settled herself in a well-pillowed corner--
+
+    "Surfeit is the father of much fast."
+
+Miss Torrington and young Mowbray got hold of by far the finest volume
+of all, whose gilt leaves and silken linings showed that it was intended
+as the repository of the most precious gifts, that, according to the
+frontispiece, Genius could offer to Friendship. Having given a glance at
+its contents, Charles drew out his pencil, and on the blank side of a
+letter wrote the following catalogue of them, which, though imperfect as
+not naming them all, was most scrupulously correct as far as it went:
+
+    "Saint Paul's head, sketched in pen and ink;
+      'Here's the bower,' to words of grace;
+    The death-bed talk of Master Blink;
+      Lines on a fallen maiden's case.
+    Sonnet upon heavenly love;
+      A pencil drawing of Saint Peter.
+    Emblems--the pigeon and the dove.
+      Gray's Odes, turned to psalm-tune metre.
+    A Christian ode in praise of tea,
+    Freely translated from Redi."
+
+He had just presented the scrap to Rosalind when Mrs. Simpson entered,
+leading her little girl in her hand; but the young lady had leisure to
+convey it unnoticed to her pocket, as the mistress of the house had for
+the first few minutes eyes only for Fanny. In fact, she literally ran to
+her the instant she perceived her little bonnet, and, folding her arms
+round her, exclaimed--
+
+"My dear, dear child! My dear, dear sister! This is providential! It is
+a blessing I shall remember alway! Our minister told me that I should
+read at a glance the blessed change wrought upon you: I do read it, and
+I will rejoice therefore! I beg your pardon, ladies. Mr. Mowbray, pray
+sit down--I beg your pardon: I rejoice to see you, though as yet----"
+
+Her eyes fixed themselves on the bonnet of Rosalind, which, besides
+being large, had the abomination of sundry bows, not to mention a bunch
+of laburnum blossoms.
+
+"Ah! my dear Miss Helen! The time will come--I will supplicate that it
+may--when you too, like your precious sister, shall become a sign and
+example to all men. How the seed grows, my sweet Miss Fanny!" she
+continued, turning to the only one of her guests whom, strictly
+speaking, she considered it right to converse with. "How it grows and
+spreads under the dew of faith and the sunshine of righteousness. It is
+just three months, three little blessed months, since the beam first
+fell upon my heart, Miss Fanny; and look at me, look at my child, look
+at my albums, look at my books, look at my card-racks, look at my
+missionary's box on one side, and my London Lord-days' society box on
+the other. Is not this a ripening and preparing for the harvest, Miss
+Fanny?"
+
+Fanny coloured, partly perhaps from pride and pleasure; but partly,
+certainly, from shyness at being so distinguished, and only murmured the
+word "Beautiful!" in reply.
+
+Miss Mowbray felt equally provoked and disgusted; but, while inwardly
+resolving that she would never again put herself in the way of
+witnessing what she so greatly condemned, she deemed it best to stay, if
+possible, the torrent of nonsense which was thus overwhelming her
+sister, by giving another turn to the conversation.
+
+"Have you seen Mrs. Richards lately, Mrs. Simpson?" she said.
+
+"Mrs. Richards and I very rarely meet now, Miss Mowbray," was the reply.
+"The three young ladies indeed, I am happy to say, have wholly separated
+themselves from their mother in spirit, and are all of them becoming
+shining lights. Oh, Miss Fanny! how sweetly pious are those lines
+written between you and little Mary!"
+
+Fanny suddenly became as red as scarlet.
+
+"The alternate verses, I mean, in praise and glory of our excellent
+minister. He brought them to me himself, and we read them together, and
+we almost shed tears of tender blessing on you both, dear children!"
+
+Charles, who thought, and with great satisfaction, that whatever stuff
+his poor little sister might have written, she was now very heartily
+ashamed of it, wishing to relieve her from the embarrassment, which
+nevertheless he rejoiced to see, rose from his chair, and approaching a
+window, said, "What a very pleasant room you have here, Mrs. Simpson; it
+is almost due east, is it not? If the room over it be your apartment, I
+should think the sun must pay you too early a visit there, unless your
+windows are well curtained."
+
+"Oh, Mr. Mowbray! Sunrise is such a time of praise and blessing, that,
+even though the curtains are drawn, I always try, if I am awake, to
+think how heavenly it is looking outside."
+
+"Are you an early riser, Mrs. Simpson?" said Helen.
+
+"Not very,--at least not always; but since my election I have been
+endeavouring to get down to prayers by about half-past eight. It is so
+delightful to think how many people are coming down stairs to prayers
+just at half-past eight!"
+
+"Your little girl is very much grown, Mrs. Simpson," said Miss
+Torrington, willing to try another opening by which to escape from under
+the heels of the lady's hobby; but it did not answer.
+
+"Hold up your head, Mimima dear!" said the mamma; "and tell these ladies
+what you have been learning lately. She is still rather shy; but it is
+going off, I hope. Precious child! she is grown such a prayerful thing,
+Miss Fanny, you can't imagine. Mimima, why did you not eat up all your
+currant-pudding yesterday? tell Miss Fanny Mowbray!"
+
+"Because it is wicked to love currant-pudding," answered the child,
+folding her little hands one over the other upon the bosom of her plain
+frock, no longer protruding in all directions its sumptuous
+chevaux-de-frise of lace and embroidery.
+
+"Darling angel! And why, my precious! is it wicked?"
+
+"Because it is a sin to care for our vile bodies, and because we ought
+to love nothing but the Lord."
+
+"Is not that a blessing?" said Mrs. Simpson, again turning to Fanny.
+"And how can I be grateful enough to the angelic man who has put me and
+my little one in the right way?"
+
+It was really generous in good Mrs. Simpson to give all the praise due
+for the instruction and religious awakening of her little girl to the
+vicar, for it was in truth entirely her own work; as it generally
+happened, that when Mr. Cartwright paid her a visit, fearing probably
+that the movements of a child might disturb his nerves, she dismissed
+her little Mimima to her nursery.
+
+One or two more attempts on the part of Helen to bring the conversation
+to a tone that she should consider as more befitting the neighbourly
+chit-chat of a morning visit, and, in plain English, less tinctured with
+blasphemy, having been made and failed, she rose and took her leave, the
+rest of her party following; but not without Fanny's receiving another
+embrace, and this fervent farewell uttered in her ear:
+
+"The saints and angels bless and keep you, dear sister!"
+
+After quitting the house of this regenerated lady, the party proposed to
+make a visit to that of Mrs. Richards; but Miss Cartwright expressed a
+wish to go to the Vicarage instead, and begged they would call at the
+door for her as they passed. Miss Torrington offered to accompany her,
+but this was declined, though not quite in her usual cynical manner upon
+such occasions; and, could Rosalind have followed her with her eye up
+the Vicarage hill, she would have seen that she stopped and turned to
+look down upon the common and its trees, just at the spot where they had
+stood together before.
+
+On entering Mrs. Richards's pretty flower-scented little saloon, they
+were startled and somewhat embarrassed at finding that lady in tears,
+and Major Dalrymple walking about the room with very evident symptoms of
+discomposure. Helen, who, like every body else in the neighbourhood, was
+perfectly aware of the major's unrequited attachment, or, at any rate,
+his unsuccessful suit, really thought that the present moment was
+probably intended by him to decide his fate for ever; and felt
+exceedingly distressed at having intruded, though doubtful whether to
+retreat now would not make matters worse. Those who followed her shared
+both her fears and her doubts; but not so the widow and the major; who
+both, after the interval of a moment, during which Mrs. Richards wiped
+her eyes, and Major Dalrymple recovered his composure, declared with
+very evident sincerity that they were heartily glad to see them.
+
+"We are in the midst of a dispute, Mowbray," said the major, addressing
+Charles; "and I will bet a thousand to one that you will be on my side,
+whatever the ladies may be. Shall I refer the question to Charles
+Mowbray, Mrs. Richards?"
+
+"Oh yes! I shall like to have it referred to the whole party!" she
+replied.
+
+"Well then, this it is:--I need not tell you, good people, that the
+present vicar of Wrexhill is--but _holt là_!" he exclaimed, suddenly
+stopping himself and fixing his eyes on Fanny; "I am terribly afraid by
+the trim cut of that little bonnet, that there's one amongst us that
+will be taking notes. Is it so, Miss Fanny? Are you as completely over
+head and ears in love with the vicar, as your friend little Mary? and,
+for that matter, Louisa, Charlotte, Mrs. Simpson, Miss Mimima Simpson,
+Dame Rogers the miller's wife, black-eyed Betsey the tailor's daughter,
+Molly Tomkins, Sally Finden, Jenny Curtis, Susan Smith, and about
+threescore and ten more of our parish, have all put on the armour of
+righteousness, being buckled, belted, and spurred by the vicar himself.
+Are you really and truly become one of his babes of grace, Fanny?"
+
+"If it is your intention to say any thing disrespectful of Mr.
+Cartwright," replied Fanny, "I had much rather not hear it. I will go
+and look at your roses, Mrs. Richards;" and, as Mrs. Richards did not
+wish her to remain, she quietly opened the glass-door which led into the
+garden, let her pass through it, and then closed it after her.
+
+"Pretty creature!" exclaimed Major Dalrymple; "what a pity!"
+
+"It will not last, major," said Charles. "He has scared her conscience,
+which is actually too pure and innocent to know the sound of its own
+voice; and then he seized upon her fanciful and poetic imagination, and
+set it in arms against her silly self, till she really seems to see the
+seven mortal sins, turn which way she will; and I am sure she would
+stand for seven years together on one leg, like an Hindoo, to avoid
+them. She is a dear good little soul, and she will get the better of all
+this trash, depend upon it."
+
+"I trust she will, Mowbray; but tell me, while the mischief is still at
+work, shall you not think it right to banish the causer of it from your
+house? For you must know this brings us exactly to the point at issue
+between Mrs. Richards and me. She is breaking her heart because her
+three girls--ay, little Mary and all--have been bit by this black
+tarantula; and because she (thank Heaven!) has escaped, her daughters
+have thought proper to raise the standard of rebellion, and to tell her
+very coolly, upon all occasions, that she is doomed to everlasting
+perdition, and that their only chance of escape is never more to give
+obedience or even attention to any word she can utter."
+
+The major stopped, overcome by his own vehemence; and Charles would have
+fancied that he saw tears in his eyes, if he had dared to look at him
+for another moment.
+
+Rosalind, who had more love and liking for Mrs. Richards than is usually
+the growth of six months' acquaintance, had placed herself close beside
+her, and taken her hand; but, when Major Dalrymple ceased speaking, she
+rose up, and with a degree of energy that probably surprised all her
+hearers, but most especially Charles and Helen, she said: "If, Major
+Dalrymple, you should be the first in this unfortunate parish of
+Wrexhill to raise your voice against this invader of the station,
+rights, and duties of a set of men in whose avocations he has neither
+part nor lot, you will deserve more honour than even the field of
+Waterloo could give you! Yes! turn him from your house, dear friend, as
+you would one who brought poison to you in the guise of wholesome food
+or healing medicine. Let him never enter your doors again; let him
+preach (if preach he must) in a church as empty as his own pretensions
+to holiness; and if proper authority should at length be awaked to chase
+him from a pulpit that belongs of right to a true and real member of the
+English church, then let him buy a sixpenny licence, if he can get it,
+to preach in a tub, the only fitting theatre for his doctrines."
+
+"Bravo!" cried the major in a perfect ecstasy; "do you hear her, Mrs.
+Richards? Charles Mowbray, do you hear her? and will either of you ever
+suffer Cartwright to enter your doors again?"
+
+"I believe in my heart that she is quite right," said Charles: "the
+idiot folly I have witnessed at Mrs. Simpson's this morning; and the
+much more grievous effects which his ministry, as he calls it, has
+produced here, have quite convinced me that such _ministry_ is no
+jesting matter. But I have no doors, Dalrymple, to shut against him; all
+I can do is to endeavour to open my mother's eyes to the mischief he is
+doing."
+
+Helen sighed, and shook her head.
+
+"Is, then, your good mother too far gone in this maudlin delirium to
+listen to him?" said the major in an accent of deep concern.
+
+"Indeed, major, I fear so," replied Helen.
+
+"I told you so, Major Dalrymple," said Mrs. Richards; "I told you that
+in such a line of conduct as you advise I should be supported by no one
+of any consequence, and I really do not feel courage to stand alone in
+it."
+
+"And it is that very want of courage that I deplore more than all the
+rest," replied the major. "You, that have done and suffered so much,
+with all the quiet courage of a real heroine--that you should now sink
+before such an enemy as this, is what I really cannot see with
+patience."
+
+"And whence comes this new-born cowardice, my dear Mrs. Richards?" said
+Rosalind.
+
+"I will tell you, Miss Torrington," replied the black-eyed widow, her
+voice trembling with emotion as she spoke,--"I will tell you: all the
+courage of which I have ever given proof has been inspired,
+strengthened, and set in action by my children,--by my love for them,
+and their love for me. This is over: I have lost their love, I have lost
+their confidence. They look upon me,--even my Mary, who once shared
+every feeling of my heart,--they all look upon me as one accursed,
+separated from them through all eternity, and doomed by a decree of my
+Maker, decided on thousands of years before I was born, to live for
+countless ages in torments unspeakable. They repeat all this, and hug
+the faith that teaches it. Is not this enough to sap the courage of the
+stoutest heart that ever woman boasted?"
+
+"It is dreadful!" cried Helen; "oh! most dreadful! Such then will be,
+and already are, the feelings of my mother respecting me,--respecting
+Charles. Yet, how she loved us! A few short months ago, how dearly she
+loved us both!"
+
+"Come, come, Miss Mowbray; I did not mean to pain you in this manner,"
+said the major. "Do not fancy things worse than they really are: depend
+upon it, your brother will take care to prevent this man's impious
+profanation of religion from doing such mischief at Mowbray as it has
+done here. Had there been any master of the House at Meadow Cottage,
+this gentleman, so miscalled _reverend_, would never, never, never, have
+got a footing there."
+
+"Then I heartily wish there were," said Charles, "if only for the sake
+of setting a good example to the parish in general; but, for the Park in
+particular, it is as masterless as the cottage."
+
+"I believe," said Mrs. Richards, "that amongst you I shall gain courage
+to be mistress here; and this, if effectually done, may answer as well.
+You really advise me, then, all of you, to forbid the clergyman of the
+parish from entering my doors?"
+
+"Yes," replied the major firmly; and he was echoed zealously by the rest
+of the party.
+
+"So be it then," said Mrs. Richards. "But I would my enemy, for such
+indeed he is, held any other station among us. I could shut my doors
+against all the lords and ladies in the country with less pain than
+against the clergyman."
+
+"I can fully enter into that feeling," said Helen: "but surely, in
+proportion as the station is venerable, the abuse of it is unpardonable.
+Let this strengthen your resolution; and your children will recover
+their wits again, depend upon it. I would the same remedy could be
+applied with us! but you are so much respected, my dear Mrs. Richards,
+that I am not without hope from your example. Adieu! We shall be anxious
+to hear how you go on; and you must not fail to let us see you soon."
+
+The Mowbray party, having recalled the self-banished Fanny, then took
+leave, not without the satisfaction of believing that their visit had
+been well-timed and useful.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER IX.
+
+DISCUSSION ON TRUTH.--MR. CORBOLD INSTALLED.
+
+
+Having called at the Vicarage for Miss Cartwright, they proceeded
+homeward along the pleasant paths they had so often trod with
+light-hearted gaiety; but now there was a look of care and anxious
+thoughtfulness on each young brow, that seemed to say their happiness
+was blighted by the fear of sorrow to come.
+
+Though not at all able to understand Henrietta, and not above half
+liking her, there was yet more feeling of intimacy between Miss
+Torrington and her than had been attained by any other of the family.
+It was she, therefore, who, after preceding the others by a few rapid
+steps up the hill, rang the bell of the Vicarage, and waited in the
+porch for Miss Cartwright.
+
+During these few moments the trio had passed on, and Miss Torrington,
+finding herself tête-à-tête with the vicar's daughter, ventured to
+relate to her pretty nearly all that occurred at the house of Mrs.
+Richards; by no means omitting the resolution that lady had come to
+respecting Mr. Cartwright.
+
+"I am very sorry for it," said Henrietta.
+
+"You regret the loss of their society? Then for your sake, Henrietta, I
+am sorry too."
+
+"For my sake? _I_ regret the loss of their society! Are you not mocking
+me?"
+
+"You know I am not," replied Rosalind in a tone of vexation; "why should
+you not regret the loss of Mrs. Richards' society?"
+
+"Only because there is no society in the world that I could either wish
+for,--or regret."
+
+"It is hardly fair in you, Miss Cartwright," said Rosalind, "to excite
+my interest so often as you do, and yet to leave it for ever pining, for
+want of a more full and generous confidence."
+
+"I have no such feeling as generosity in me; and as to exciting your
+interest, I do assure you it is quite involuntarily; and, indeed, I
+should think that no human being could be less likely to trouble their
+fellow creatures in that way than myself."
+
+"But is there not at least a little wilfulness, Henrietta, in the manner
+in which from time to time you throw out a bait to my curiosity?"
+
+"It is weakness, not wilfulness, Rosalind. I am ashamed to confess, even
+to myself, that there are moments when I fancy I should like to love
+you; and then I would give more than my worthless life, if I had it,
+that you should love me. When this contemptible folly seizes me, I may,
+perhaps, as you say, throw out a bait to catch your curiosity, and then
+it is I utter the words of which you complain. But you must allow that
+this childishness never holds me long, and that the moment it is past I
+become as reasonable and as wretched again as ever."
+
+"Will you tell me whether this feeling of profound contempt for
+yourself, whenever you are conscious of a kindly sentiment towards me,
+arises from your conviction of my individual despicability, or from
+believing that all human affections are degrading?"
+
+"Not exactly from either. As for you, Rosalind,--is it not the weak and
+wavering Hamlet who says, in one of those flashes of fine philosophy
+that burst athwart the gloom of his poor troubled spirit,
+
+    'Give me that man that is not passion's slave?'
+
+My wits are often as much diseased as his, I believe; but I too have my
+intervals; and, when the moon is not at the full, I sometimes sketch the
+portrait of a being that one might venture to love. I, however, have no
+quarrel against passion,--it is not from thence my sorrows have
+come;--but I would say,
+
+                   'Give me that friend
+    That is not _falsehood's_ slave, and I will wear him
+        (or her, Rosalind,)
+    In my heart's core,--ay, in my heart of heart.'
+
+And if after all my hard schooling I could be simple enough to believe
+that any thing in human form could be true, I should be more likely to
+commit the folly about you than about any one I ever saw in my life."
+
+"But still you believe me false?"
+
+"I do."
+
+"And why, Henrietta?"
+
+"Because you are a woman;--no, no, because you are a human being."
+
+"And you really, without meaning to season your speech with pungent
+crystals of satire--you really do not believe that truth can be found in
+any human being?"
+
+"I really do not."
+
+"Heaven help you, then! I would rather pass my life in a roofless cabin,
+and feed on potato-parings, than live in such a persuasion."
+
+"And so would I, Rosalind."
+
+"Then why do you nourish such hateful theories? I shall begin to think
+your jesting words too true, Henrietta; and believe, indeed, that your
+wits are not quite healthy."
+
+"Would I could believe it! I would submit to a strait-waistcoat and a
+shaven crown to-morrow if I could but persuade myself that I was mad,
+and that all that I have fancied going on around me were but so many
+vapours from a moon-sick brain."
+
+"And so they have been, if you construe every word you hear, and every
+act you see, into falsehood and delusion."
+
+"Rosalind! Rosalind!--how can I do otherwise? Come, come, enough of
+this: do not force me against my will, against my resolution, to tell
+you what has brought me to the wretched, hopeless state of apathy in
+which you found me. Were I to do this, you would only have to follow the
+weakness of your nature, and believe, in order to become as moody and as
+miserable as myself."
+
+"But you do not mean to tell me that I should be proving my weakness in
+believing _you_?"
+
+"Indeed I do. You surely cannot be altogether so credulous as to suppose
+that all you see in me is true, sincere, candid, open, honest?"
+
+"Are you honest now in telling me that you are false?"
+
+"Why, partly yes, and partly no, Rosalind; and it is just such a
+question as that which sets one upon discovering how contrary to our
+very essence it is, to be purely and altogether true. But were I one of
+those who fancy that pincushions are often made by the merciful decrees
+of an all-wise Providence, I should say that we were ordained to be
+false, in order to prevent our being straightforward, undisguised
+demons. Why, I,--look you,--who sit netting a purse that I hope will
+never be finished, as diligently as if my life would be saved by
+completing the last stitch by a given time, and as quietly as if I had
+no nails upon my fingers, and no pointed scissors in my
+netting-case,--even I, all harmless as I seem, would be likely, were it
+not for my consummate hypocrisy, to be stabbing and scratching half a
+dozen times a day."
+
+"And, were you freed from this restraint, would your maiming
+propensities betray themselves promiscuously, or be confined to one or
+more particular objects?"
+
+"Not quite promiscuously, I think. But, hypocrisy apart for a moment, do
+you not perceive that Mr. Charles Mowbray has been looking round at
+us,--at both of us, observe,--about once in every second minute? Do you
+know that I think he would like us,--both of us, observe,--to walk on
+and join the party."
+
+"Well, then, let us do so," said Rosalind.
+
+       *       *       *       *       *
+
+As they drew near the house, they perceived Mr. Stephen Corbold
+wandering round it, his hands behind his back and under his coat, and
+his eyes now raised to the stately portico, now lowered to the long
+range of windows belonging to the conservatory; at one moment sent
+afield over the spacious park, and in the next brought back again to
+contemplate anew the noble mansion to which it belonged. During one of
+the wanderings of those speculating orbs, he spied the advancing party;
+and immediately settling himself in his attire, and assuming the more
+graceful attitude obtained by thrusting a hand in each side-pocket of
+his nether garments, he resolutely walked forward to meet them.
+
+Fanny, his friends and kinsfolk being ever in her memory, made an effort
+which seemed to combat instinct, and put out her little hand to welcome
+him; but before he was fully aware of the honour, for indeed his eyes
+were fixed upon her elder sister, she coloured, and withdrew it again,
+satisfying her hospitable feelings by pronouncing simply his name, but
+with a sort of indistinctness in the accent which seemed to signify that
+something more had either preceded or followed it.
+
+This word, the only one which greeted him, brought him instantly to her
+side, and even gave him the prodigious audacity to offer his arm, which,
+however, she did not accept; for at that moment the hook of her parasol
+became entangled in the fringe of her shawl, and it seemed to require
+vast patience and perseverance to extricate it. Still, notwithstanding
+this little disappointment, he kept close to her side, for Helen leaned
+upon the arm of her brother; and, though still persuaded that by the aid
+of his reverend cousin he should be able to obtain her, and pretty
+nearly every thing else he wished for, he had no particular inclination
+to renew the courtship he had begun on the journey in the presence of
+Charles.
+
+Fanny, therefore, and her attendant entered the house together; while
+the rest wheeled off in order to avail themselves of a postern entrance,
+by which the ladies might reach their rooms without any risk of again
+encountering Mr. Corbold, who by a sort of tacit consent seemed equally
+avoided by all.
+
+The survey which this person was taking of the premises when the walking
+party returned was neither the first, second, third, nor fourth which he
+had had the opportunity of making since their setting out; for, in
+obedience to Mr. Cartwright's hint, he had no sooner received from Mrs.
+Mowbray, under the instructions from that reverend person, the orders
+necessary for the new arrangements about to be made, than he
+retired,--the vicar remaining with the widow and the keys of her
+title-deeds, which perhaps he had reason for thinking would be as safe
+anywhere else as in his cousin Stephen's pocket.
+
+The tête-à-tête which followed the attorney's departure was long,
+interesting, and very confidential. On the part of the gentleman great
+skill was displayed by the manner in which the following subjects were
+made to mix and mingle together, till, like to a skilfully composed
+ragout, no flavour of any kind was left distinctly perceptible, but the
+effect of the whole was just what the artist intended it should be. The
+subjects leading to and composing this general effect, were: first, the
+deep interest raised in the breast of every good man by the sight of a
+gentle and heavenly-minded woman in want of assistance to carry her
+through the wearying and unspiritual cares incident to our passage
+through this world of sin; secondly, the exceeding out-pouring of mercy
+to be traced in such dispensations as led the unawakened to look for
+such aid and assistance from those who have been called and elected;
+thirdly, the blessed assurance of everlasting joy that never failed to
+visit those who left husband or child for the Lord's sake; fourthly, the
+unerring wisdom of Providence in the placing the tender consciences of
+the newly-chosen in the keeping of those who best know how to lead them
+aright; fifthly, the damnable and never-to-be-atoned-for wickedness of
+struggling against Heaven for the sake of any worldly feelings or
+affections whatever; and sixthly, the saving merit, surpassing all the
+works that our sinful nature could ever permit us to perform, which is
+found in such as cling to the spoken word, and who hold fast to the
+persecuted and oppressed who preach it. On these themes, blended and
+harmonised together so as completely to mystify the mind of the weak and
+nervous Mrs. Mowbray, and accompanied with just so much gentle
+demonstration of affectionate tenderness as might soften, without
+alarming her, did the Vicar of Wrexhill discourse for the three hours
+that they were left alone.
+
+It would lead my narrative into too great length were every step
+recorded by which all Mrs. Mowbray's other feelings were made to merge
+in the one overwhelming influence of Calvinistic terror on one side,
+and Calvinistic pride at presumed election on the other. The wily vicar
+contrived in the course of a few months so completely to rule the heart
+and head of this poor lady, that she looked upon her son Charles as a
+reprobate, who, unless speedily changed in spirit by severe discipline
+and the constant prayers of Mr. Cartwright, must inevitably pass from
+this mortal life to a state of endless torture in the life to come. For
+Helen she was bade to hope that the time of election, after much
+wrestling, would come; in Fanny she was told to glory and rejoice; and
+for Miss Torrington, quietly to wait the appointed time, till Heaven
+should make its voice heard, when it would be borne in upon his mind, or
+upon that of some one of the elect, whether she must be given over to
+eternal destruction, or saved with the remnant of the true flock which
+he and his brother shepherds were bringing together into one fold.
+
+But with all this, though eternally talking of mystical and heavenly
+love, which was ever blended with insidious demonstrations of holy,
+brotherly, and Christian tenderness, Mr. Cartwright had never yet spoken
+to the widow Mowbray of marriage.
+
+She had been six months a widow, and her deep mourning weeds were
+exchanged for a dress elegantly becoming, but still marking her as
+belonging to what Mr. Cartwright constantly called, in the midst of all
+his prosperous intrigues, the "persecuted church." Mr. Stephen Corbold
+was comfortably settled in a snug little mansion in the village, and
+though he had never yet got hold of the title-deeds, he had begun to
+receive the rents of the Mowbray estates. He too was waiting the
+appointed time,--namely, the installing of his cousin at the Park,--for
+the fruition of all his hopes in the possession of Helen, and in such a
+fortune with her as his report of her progress towards regeneration
+might entitle her to. Mrs. Richards had been refused bread by a
+converted baker; beer, by an elected brewer; and soap and candles, by
+that pious, pains-taking, prayerful servant of the Lord, Richard White,
+the tallow-chandler. Her daughters, however, still held fast to the
+faith, though their poor mother grew thinner and paler every day, and
+continued to meet the vicar sometimes in the highways, sometimes in the
+byways, and sometimes in the exemplary Mrs. Simpson's drawing-room.
+Colonel Harrington had returned to his regiment without ever again
+seeing Helen, who had been forbidden with such awful denunciations in
+case of disobedience from ever holding any intercourse direct or
+indirect with the family at Oakley, that though she pined in thought,
+she obeyed, and was daily denounced by Sir Gilbert and his lady, though
+happily she knew it not, as the most ungrateful and heartless of girls.
+Fanny was growing tall, thin, sour-looking, and miserable; for having a
+sort of stubborn feeling within her which resisted the assurances she
+almost hourly received of having been elected to eternal grace, she was
+secretly torturing her distempered conscience with the belief that she
+was deluding every one but her Creator,--that he alone read her heart
+and knew her to be reprobate, hardened, and unregenerate, and that she
+must finally and inevitably come to be the prey of the worm that dieth
+not and the fire that is never quenched. The sufferings of this innocent
+young creature under this terrible persuasion were dreadful, and the
+more so because she communicated them to none. Had she displayed the
+secret terrors of her soul to Mr. Cartwright or her mother, she knew she
+should be told with praises and caresses that she was only the more
+blessed and sure of immortal glory for feeling them. Had she opened her
+heart to her sister, her brother, or Rosalind, her sufferings would
+probably have soon ceased; but from this she shrank as from degradation
+unbearable.
+
+Poor Rosalind, meanwhile, was as profoundly unhappy as it was well
+possible for a girl to be who was young, beautiful, rich, talented,
+well-born, sweet-tempered, high-principled, not crossed in love, and
+moreover in perfect health.
+
+Young Mowbray had just taken a distinguished degree at Oxford, and
+having given a farewell banquet to his college friends, returned home
+with the hope of speedily obtaining the commission in a regiment of
+horse for which his name had been long ago put down by his father.
+
+It was at this time that several circumstances occurred at Wrexhill
+sufficiently important to the principal personages of my narrative to be
+recorded at some length.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER X.
+
+FANNY'S RELIGION.--A VISIT TO OAKLEY.
+
+
+It was towards the end of November that young Mowbray returned from
+Oxford to his mother's house in Hampshire. As usual, the first three or
+four hours' chat with Helen and Rosalind put him _au fait_ of all that
+had taken place during his absence. The retrospect was not a cheering
+one; yet most of the circumstances which tended to annoy him were of
+that minor kind which none but a very gossiping correspondent would
+detail--and Helen was not such. Besides, since the mysterious letter
+which had recalled Charles to keep watch over Fanny, (the full and true
+purpose of which letter he had never yet discovered,) Miss Torrington
+had not written to him; and as she was now the chief historian, her
+round and unvarnished tale made him acquainted with many particulars to
+which Helen had scarcely alluded in her correspondence with him.
+
+Helen Mowbray's was not a spirit to exhaust itself and its sorrows by
+breathing unavailing complaints; and though her brother had pretty
+clearly understood from her letters that she was not happy or
+comfortable at home, it was from Rosalind he first learned how many
+circumstances were daily occurring to make her otherwise.
+
+The only point on which he blamed her, or in which, according to
+Rosalind's account, she had shown more yielding, and, as he called it,
+weakness than her helpless and most unhappy position rendered
+unavoidable, was in the never having attempted to see Lady Harrington.
+This he declared was in itself wrong, and rendered doubly so by her
+situation, which would have rendered the society and counsel of such a
+friend invaluable. But he did not know--even Rosalind did not know--that
+this forbearance for which he blamed her was the result of those
+qualities for which they most loved her. But Helen knew, though they did
+not, that if she had gone to Oakley, she should have thought more of
+hearing news of Colonel Harrington than of any advice her godmother
+could have given her, and have been infinitely more anxious to learn if
+he ever mentioned her in his letters, than to know whether Lady
+Harrington thought it best that she should be civil, or that she should
+be rude, in her demeanour towards the Vicar of Wrexhill.
+
+It was this conscious weakness which lent strength to the unreasonable
+violence of her mother on this point. Had Helen been quite fancy-free
+and altogether heart-whole, she would have had courage to discover that
+a passionate prohibition, originating, as she could not doubt it did,
+with a man for whom she entertained no species of esteem, ought not to
+make her abandon one of the kindest friends she had ever known. But
+there is a feeling stronger than reason in a young girl's breast; and
+again and again this feeling had whispered to Helen,
+
+    "'It is not maidenly--'
+
+to go to the house of a man that I fear I love, and that I hope loves
+me, for the chance of hearing his name mentioned--and that too when my
+mother forbids me to enter his father's doors."
+
+But there was an authority in Charles's voice when he said, "You have
+been wrong, Helen," which seemed to have power even over this, and she
+promised that if after he paid the visit to Oakley, which he was fully
+determined to do on the morrow, he should report that her friends there
+were not too angry to receive her, she would consent to volunteer a
+visit to them, assigning as her reason for doing so, to her mother, that
+it was Charles's wish.
+
+This conversation took place on the night of his arrival, and lasted for
+some hours after every individual of the household, excepting those
+engaged in it, were in bed. Poor Fanny was among those who had the
+earliest retired, but she was not among the sleepers. She too had once
+loved Charles most dearly, and most dearly had she been loved in return.
+But now she felt that they were separated for ever in this world, and
+that if they were doomed to meet in the world to come, it could only be
+amidst torturing and devouring flames. As she knelt for long hours
+beside her bed before she dared to lay her aching head on the pillow,
+her thoughts reverted to her early youth, and to all the innocent
+delights she had enjoyed with him and the now avoided Helen; and as she
+remembered the ecstasy with which she once enjoyed the bloom of flowers,
+the songs of birds, the breath of early morning, and all the poetry of
+Nature, tears of silent, unacknowledged, but most bitter regret,
+streamed from her eyes. But then again came the ague fit of visionary
+remorse and genuine Calvinistic terror, and she groaned aloud in agony
+of spirit for having suffered these natural tears to fall.
+
+This dreadful vigil left such traces on the pale cheek and heavy eye of
+the suffering girl, that her brother's heart ached as he looked at her;
+and though with little hope, after what he had heard, of doing any good,
+he determined to seek half an hour's conversation with her before he
+went out.
+
+When she rose to leave the breakfast-table therefore, Charles rose too,
+and following her out of the room, stopped her as she was in the act of
+ascending the stairs by putting his arms round her waist and saying,
+"Fanny, will you take a walk with me in the shrubbery?"
+
+Fanny started, and coloured, and hesitated, as if some deed of very
+doubtful tendency had been proposed to her. But he persevered "Come,
+dear! put your bonnet on--I will wait for you here--make haste Fanny!
+Think how long it is since you and I took a walk together!"
+
+"Is Helen going?" The question was asked in a voice that trembled; for
+the idea that Charles meant during this walk to question her concerning
+her faith occurred to her, and she would have given much to avoid it.
+But before she could invent an excuse for doing so, her conscience,
+always ready to enforce the doing whatever was most disagreeable to her,
+suggested that this shrinking looked like being ashamed of her
+principles; and no sooner had this idea suggested itself, than she said
+readily, "Very well, Charles; I will come to you in a moment."
+
+But the moment was rather a long one; for Fanny, before she rejoined
+him, knelt down and made an extempore prayer for courage and strength to
+resist and render of no effect whatever he might say to her. Thus
+prepared, she set forth ready to listen with the most determined
+obstinacy to any argument which might tend to overthrow any part of the
+creed that was poisoning the very sources of her life.
+
+"You are not looking well, my Fanny," said her brother, fondly pressing
+her arm as they turned into the most sheltered part of the garden. "Do
+you think the morning too cold for walking, my love? You used to be such
+a hardy little thing, Fanny, that you cared for nothing; but I am afraid
+the case is different now."
+
+This was not exactly the opening that Fanny expected, and there was a
+tenderness in the tone of his voice that almost softened her heart
+towards him; but she answered not a word,--perhaps she feared to trust
+her voice.
+
+"I wish you would tell me, dearest, if any sorrow or vexation has chased
+away the bloom and the gladness that we all so loved to look upon. Tell
+me, Fanny, what is it that has changed you so sadly? You will not?--Then
+you do not love me as I love you; for I am sure if I had a sorrow I
+should open my heart to you."
+
+"When a Christian has a sorrow, brother Charles, he should open his
+heart to Heaven and not to a poor sinful mortal as wicked and as weak as
+himself."
+
+"But surely, my dear Fanny, that need not prevent a brother and sister
+from conversing with the greatest confidence together. How many texts I
+could quote you in which family unity and affection are inculcated in
+the Bible!"
+
+"Pray do not quote the Bible," said Fanny in a voice of alarm, "till the
+right spirit has come upon you. It is a grievous sin to do it, or to
+hear it."
+
+"Be assured, Fanny, that I feel quite as averse to quoting the Bible
+irreverently as you can do. But tell me why it is you think that the
+right spirit, as you call it, has not come upon me."
+
+"As I call it!" repeated Fanny, shuddering, "It is not I, Charles,--it
+is one of Heaven's saints who says it; and it is a sin for me to listen
+to you."
+
+"It is doubtless Mr. Cartwright who says it, Fanny. Is it not so?"
+
+"And who has so good a right to say it as the minister of your parish,
+and the friend and protector that Heaven has sent to your widowed
+mother?"
+
+Poor Mowbray felt his heart swell. It was difficult to hear the man who
+had come between him and all his best duties and affections named in
+this manner as his own maligner, and restrain his just and natural
+indignation;--yet he did restrain it, and said in a voice of the utmost
+gentleness,
+
+"Do you think, my beloved Fanny, Mr. Cartwright's influence in this
+house has been for our happiness?"
+
+"May the Lord forgive me for listening to such words!" exclaimed Fanny,
+with that look of nervous terror which her beautiful face now so often
+expressed. "But he can't! he can't!--I know it, I know it! It is my doom
+to sin, and you are only an agent of that enemy who is for ever seeking
+my soul to destroy it.--Leave me! leave me!"
+
+"Fanny, this is dreadful! Can you really believe that the God of love
+and mercy will hold you guilty for listening to the voice of your
+brother? What have I ever done, my Fanny, to deserve to be thus driven
+from your presence?"
+
+The unhappy girl look bewildered. "Done!" she exclaimed. "What have you
+done?--Is not that works?--is not that of works you speak, Charles?--Oh!
+he knew, he foretold, he prophesied unto me that I should be spoken to
+of works, and that I should listen thereunto, to my everlasting
+destruction, if I confessed not my soul to him upon the instant. I must
+seek him out: he said IF,--oh, that dear blessed IF! Let go my arm,
+brother Charles!--let me seek my salvation!"
+
+"Fanny, this is madness!"
+
+She looked at him, poor girl, as he said this, with an expression that
+brought tears to his eyes. That look seemed to speak a dreadful doubt
+whether the words he had spoken were not true. She pressed her hand
+against her forehead for a moment, and then said in a voice of the most
+touching sadness, "Heaven help me!"
+
+"Oh, Fanny!--darling Fanny!" cried the terrified brother, throwing his
+arms round her: "save us from the anguish of seeing you destroyed body
+and mind by this frightful, this impious doctrine! Listen to me, my own
+sweet girl! Think that from me you hear the voice of your father--of the
+good and pious Wallace--of your excellent and exemplary governess, and
+drive this maddening terror from you. Did you live without God in the
+world, Fanny, when you lived under their virtuous rule? How often have
+you heard your dear father say, when he came forth and looked upon the
+beauty of the groves and lawns, bright in the morning sunshine, 'Praise
+the Lord, my children, for his goodness, for his mercy endureth for
+ever!' Did not these words raise your young heart to heaven more than
+all the frightful denunciations which have almost shaken your reason?"
+
+"Works! works!--Oh, Charles, let me go from you! Your voice is like the
+voice of a serpent: It creeps dreadfully near my heart, and I shall
+perish, everlastingly perish, if I listen to you. IF:--is there yet an
+IF for me now? Let me go, Charles: let me seek him;--if you love me, let
+me seek my salvation."
+
+"Do you mean that you would seek Mr. Cartwright, Fanny? You do not mean
+to go to his house, do you?"
+
+"His house? How little you know him, Charles! Think you that he would
+leave me and my poor mother to perish! Poor, poor Charles, you do not
+even know that this shepherd and guardian of our souls prays with us
+daily?"
+
+"Prays with you? Where does he pray with you?"
+
+"In mamma's dressing-room."
+
+"And who are present at these prayers?"
+
+"Mamma, and I, and Curtis, and Jem."
+
+"Jem? Who is Jem, Fanny?"
+
+"The new stable-boy that our minister recommended, Charles, when that
+poor deluded Dick Bragg was found walking in the fields with his sister
+Patty on the Sabbath."
+
+"You don't mean that Dick Bragg is turned away? He was, without
+exception, the steadiest lad in the parish."
+
+"Works! works!" exclaimed Fanny, wringing her hands. "Oh, Charles! how
+your poor soul clings to the perdition of works!"
+
+"Gracious Heaven!" exclaimed Mowbray with great emotion, "where will all
+this end? What an existence for Helen, for Rosalind? Is there no cure
+for this folly,--this madness on one side, and this infernal craft and
+hypocrisy on the other?"
+
+On hearing these words, Fanny uttered a cry which very nearly amounted
+to a scream, and running off towards the house with the fleetness of a
+startled fawn, left her brother in a state of irritation and misery such
+as he had never suffered before.
+
+The idea of seeing Sir Gilbert Harrington immediately had perhaps more
+comfort and consolation in it than any other which could have suggested
+itself, and the lanes and the fields which divided Oakley from Mowbray
+were traversed at a pace that soon brought the agitated young man to the
+baronet's door.
+
+"Is Sir Gilbert at home, John?" he demanded of an old servant who had
+known him from childhood; but instead of the widely-opened door, and
+ready smile which used to greet him, he received a grave and hesitating
+"I don't know sir," from the changed domestic.
+
+"Is Lady Harrington at home?" said Charles, vexed and colouring.
+
+"It is likely she may be, Mr. Mowbray," said the old man relentingly.
+"Will you please to wait one moment, Master Charles? I think my lady
+can't refuse--"
+
+Charles's heart was full; but he did wait, and John speedily returned,
+saying almost in a whisper, "Please to walk in, sir; but you must go
+into my lady's closet,--that's the only safe place, she says."
+
+"Safe?" repeated Charles; but he made no objection to the taking refuge
+in my lady's closet, and in another moment he found himself not only in
+the closet, but in the arms of the good old lady.
+
+"Oh!--if Sir Gilbert could see me!" she exclaimed after very heartily
+hugging the young man. "He's a greater tiger than ever, Charles, and I
+really don't know which of us would be torn to pieces first;--but only
+tell me one thing before I abuse him any more:--how long have you been
+at home?"
+
+"The coach broke down at Newberry," replied Charles, "and I did not get
+to Mowbray till nine o'clock last night."
+
+"Thank Heaven!" ejaculated Lady Harrington very fervently. "Then there's
+hope at least for you.--But what on earth can you say to me of my
+beautiful Helen? Three months, Charles, three whole months since she has
+been near me--and she knows I dote upon her, and that Sir Gilbert
+himself, untameable hyena as he is, has always been loving and gentle to
+her, as far as his nature would permit. Then why has she treated us
+thus? You can't wonder, can you, that he swears lustily every morning
+that ingratitude is worse than all the mortal sins put together?"
+
+"I dare not throw the charge back upon you, my dear lady; and yet it is
+being ungrateful for poor Helen's true affection to believe it possible
+that she should so long have remained absent from you by her own free
+will. You know not, dearest Lady Harrington, what my poor Helen has to
+endure."
+
+"Endure? What do you mean, Charles? Surely there is nobody living who
+dares to be unkind to her? My poor boy,--I am almost ashamed to ask the
+question, but you will forgive an old friend: is there any truth,
+Charles, in that abominable report? that horrid report, you know, about
+your mother?"
+
+"What report, Lady Harrington?" said Mowbray, colouring like scarlet. "I
+have heard no report, excepting that which is indeed too sure and
+certain to be called a report;--namely, that she has become a violent
+Calvinistic Methodist."
+
+"That's bad enough, my dear Charles,--bad enough of all conscience; and
+yet I have heard of what would be worse still: I have heard, Charles,
+that she is going to be weak and wicked enough to marry that odious
+hypocritical Tartuffe, the Vicar of Wrexhill."
+
+Mowbray put his hand before his eyes, as if he had been blasted by
+lightning, and then replied, as steadily as he could, "I have never
+heard this, Lady Harrington."
+
+"Then I trust--I trust it is not true, Charles. Helen, surely, and that
+bright-eyed creature Miss Torrington, who have both, I believe, (for,
+Heaven help me, I don't know!)--both, I believe, been staying all the
+time at Mowbray;--and surely--and surely, if this most atrocious deed
+were contemplated, they must have some knowledge of it."
+
+"And that they certainly have not," returned Charles with recovered
+courage; "for I sat with them both for two or three hours last night,
+listening to their miserable account of this man's detestable influence
+over my mother and Fanny; and certainly they would not have concealed
+from me such a suspicion as this, had any such existed in the breast of
+either."
+
+"Quite true, my dear boy, and I can hardly tell you how welcome this
+assurance is to me--not for your mother's sake, Charles; if you cannot
+bear the truth, you must not come to me,--and on this point the truth
+is, that I don't care one single straw about your mother. I never shall
+forgive her for not answering Sir Gilbert's note. I know what the
+writing it cost him--dear, proud, generous-hearted old fellow! And not
+to answer it! not to tell her children of it! No, I never shall forgive
+her, and I should not care the value of a rat's tail if she were to
+marry every tub preacher throughout England, and all their clerks in
+succession--that is, not for her own sake. I dare say she'll preach in a
+tub herself before she has done with it; but for your sakes, my dear
+souls, I do rejoice that it is not true."
+
+"That would indeed complete our misery; and it is already quite bad
+enough, I assure you. The house, Helen says, is a perfect conventicle.
+The girls are ordered to sing nothing but psalms and hymns; some of the
+latter so offensively ludicrous, too, as to be perfectly indecent and
+profane. A long extempore sermon, or lecture as he calls it, is
+delivered to the whole family in the great drawing-room every night;
+missionary boxes are not only hung up beside every door, but actually
+carried round by the butler whenever any one calls; and a hundred and
+fifty other absurdities, at which we should laugh were we in a gayer
+mood: but this farce has produced the saddest tragedy I ever witnessed,
+in the effect it has had upon our poor Fanny. I have had some
+conversation with her this morning, and I do assure you that I greatly
+fear her reason is unsettled, or like to be so."
+
+"Heaven forbid, Charles! Pretty innocent young thing! that would be too
+horrible to think of."
+
+The old lady's eyes were full of tears, a circumstance very unusual with
+her, but the idea suggested struck her to the heart; and she had not yet
+removed the traces of this most unwonted proof of sensibility, when a
+heavy thump was heard at the door of the closet.
+
+"Who's there?" said her ladyship in a voice rather raised than lowered
+by the emotion which dimmed her eyes.
+
+"Let me in, my lady!" responded the voice of Sir Gilbert.
+
+"What do you want, Sir Gilbert? I am busy."
+
+"So I understand, my lady, and I'm come to help you."
+
+"Will you promise, if I let you in, not to hinder me, instead?"
+
+"I'll promise nothing, except to quarrel with you if you do not."
+
+"Was there ever such a tyrant! Come in then; see, hear, and understand."
+
+The door was opened, and Sir Gilbert Harrington and Charles Mowbray
+stood face to face. Charles smiled, and held out his hand. The baronet
+knit his brows, but the expression of his mouth told her experienced
+ladyship plainly enough that he was well enough pleased at the sight of
+his unexpected guest.
+
+"He only got to Mowbray at nine o'clock last night," said Lady
+Harrington.
+
+Sir Gilbert held out his hand. "Charles, I am glad to see you," said he.
+"Thank Heaven!" ejaculated the old lady.
+
+"My dear Sir Gilbert," said Charles, "I have learnt your kind and
+friendly anger at the prolonged absence of my poor sister. The fault is
+not hers, Sir Gilbert; she has been most strictly forbidden to visit
+you."
+
+"By her mother?"
+
+"By her mother, Sir Gilbert."
+
+"And pray, Charles, do you think it her duty to obey?"
+
+"I really know not how to answer you. For a girl just nineteen to act in
+declared defiance of the commands of her mother, and that mother her
+sole surviving parent, is a line of conduct almost too bold to advise.
+And yet, such is the lamentable state of infatuation to which my
+mother's mind appears to be reduced by the pernicious influence of this
+Cartwright, that I think it would be more dangerous still to recommend
+obedience."
+
+"Upon my life I think so," replied Sir Gilbert, in an accent that showed
+he thought the proposition too self-evident to be discussed. "I have
+been devilish angry with the girls,--with Helen, I mean,--for I
+understand that little idiot, Fanny, is just as mad as her mother; but
+that Helen, and that fine girl, Rosalind Torrington, should shut
+themselves up with an hypocritical fanatic and a canting mad woman, is
+enough to put any man out of patience."
+
+"The situation has been almost enough to put Helen in her grave; she
+looks wretchedly; and Miss Torrington is no longer the same creature. It
+would wring your heart to see these poor girls, Sir Gilbert; and what
+are they to do?"
+
+"Come to us, Charles. Let them both come here instantly, and remain here
+till your mother's mad fit is over. If it lasts, I shall advise you to
+take out a commission of lunacy."
+
+"The madness is not such as a physician would recognise, Sir Gilbert;
+and yet I give you my honour that, from many things which my sister and
+Miss Torrington told me last night, I really do think my mother's reason
+must be in some degree deranged. And for my poor little Fanny, six
+months ago the pride and darling of us all, she is, I am quite
+persuaded, on the verge of insanity."
+
+"And you mean to leave her in the power of that distracted driveller,
+her mother, that the work may be finished?"
+
+"What can I do, Sir Gilbert?"
+
+"Remove them all. Take them instantly away from her, I tell you."
+
+The blood rushed painfully to poor Mowbray's face. "You forget, Sir
+Gilbert," he said, "that I have not the means: you forget my father's
+will."
+
+"No, sir; I do not forget it. Nor do I forget either that, had I not in
+a fit of contemptible passion refused to act as executor, I might, I
+think it possible,--I might have plagued her heart out, and so done some
+good. I shall never forgive myself!"
+
+"But you could have given us no power over the property, Sir Gilbert.
+We are beggars."
+
+"I know it, I know it!" replied the old gentleman, clenching his fists.
+"I told you so from the first: and now mark my words,--she'll marry her
+saint before she's six months older."
+
+"I trust that in this you are mistaken. The girls have certainly no
+suspicions of the sort."
+
+"The girls are fools, as girls always are. But let them come here, I
+tell you, and we may save their lives at any rate."
+
+"Tell them both from me, Charles, that they shall find a home, and a
+happy one, here; but don't let them chill that old man's heart again by
+taking no notice of this, and keeping out of his sight for another three
+months. He'll have the gout in his stomach as sure as they're born; just
+tell Helen that from me."
+
+Mowbray warmly expressed his gratitude for their kindness; and though he
+would not undertake to promise that either Helen or Miss Torrington
+would immediately decide upon leaving his mother's house, in open
+defiance of her commands, he promised that they should both come over on
+the morrow, to be cheered and supported by the assurance of their
+continued friendship. He was then preparing to take his leave when Lady
+Harrington laid her hand upon his arm, saying, "Listen to me, Charles,
+for a moment. Those dear girls, and you too, my dear boy, you are all
+surrounded with great difficulties, and some consideration is necessary
+as to how you shall meet them best. It won't do, Sir Gilbert; it will be
+neither right nor proper in any way for Helen to set off at once in
+utter and open defiance of Mrs. Mowbray. What I advise is, that Charles
+should go home, take his mother apart, and, like Hamlet in the closet
+scene, 'speak daggers, but use none.' It does not appear, from all we
+have yet heard, that any one has hitherto attempted to point out to her
+the deplorable folly, ay, and wickedness too, which she is committing. I
+do not believe she would admit Sir Gilbert; and, to say the truth, I
+don't think it would be very safe to trust him with the job."
+
+"D--n it! I wish you would," interrupted Sir Gilbert. "I should like to
+have the talking to her only just for an hour, and I'd consent to have
+the gout for a month afterwards; I would, upon my soul!"
+
+"Do be tame for a moment, you wild man of the woods," said her
+ladyship, laying her hand upon his mouth, "and let me finish what I was
+saying. No, no, Sir Gilbert is not the proper person; but you are,
+Charles. Speak to her with gentleness, with kindness, but tell her _the
+truth_. If you find her contrite and yielding, use your victory with
+moderation; and let her down easily from her giddy elevation of
+saintship to the sober, quiet, even path of rational religion, and
+domestic duty. But if she be restive--if she still persist in forbidding
+Helen to visit her father's oldest friends, while making her own once
+happy home a prison, and a wretched one,--then, Charles Mowbray, I would
+tell her roundly that she must choose between her children and her
+Tartuffe, and that if she keeps him she must lose you."
+
+"Bravo! capital! old lady; if Charles will just say all that, we shall
+be able to guess by the result as to how things are between them, and we
+must act accordingly. You have your allowance paid regularly, Charles? I
+think she doubled it, did'nt she, after your father died?"
+
+Charles looked embarrassed, but answered "Yes, Sir Gilbert, my allowance
+was doubled."
+
+"Come boy, don't answer like a Jesuit.--Is it regularly paid?--That was
+my question, my main question."
+
+"The first quarter was paid, Sir Gilbert; but before I left the
+University, instead of the remittance, I received a letter from my
+mother, desiring me to transmit a statement of all my debts to Stephen
+Corbold, Esq. solicitor, Wrexhill; and that they should be attended to;
+which would, she added, be more satisfactory to her than sending my
+allowance without knowing how I stood with my tradesmen."
+
+"And have you done this, my fine sir?" said Sir Gilbert, becoming almost
+purple with anger. "No, Sir Gilbert, I have not."
+
+The baronet threw his arms round him, and gave him a tremendous hug.
+
+"I see you are worth caring for, my boy; I should never have forgiven
+you if you had. Audacious rascal! Why, Charles, that Corbold has been
+poking his snuffling, hypocritical nose, into every house, not only in
+your parish but in mine, and in at least a dozen others, and has
+positively beat poor old Gaspar Brown out of the field. The old man
+called to take leave of me not a week ago, and told me that one after
+another very nearly every client he had in this part of the world had
+come or sent to him for their papers, in order to deposit them with this
+canting Corbold; and, as I hear, all the little farmers for miles round,
+are diligently going to law in the name of the Lord. But what did you
+do, my dear boy, for money?"
+
+"Oh! I have managed pretty well. It was a disappointment certainly, and
+at first I felt a little awkward, for the letter did not reach me till I
+had ordered my farewell supper; and as in truth I had no tradesmen's
+bills to pay, I gave my orders pretty liberally, and of course have been
+obliged to leave the account unpaid,--an arrangement which to many
+others would have had nothing awkward in it at all; but as my allowance
+has been always too liberal to permit my being in debt during any part
+of the time I have been at college, the not paying my last bill there
+was disagreeable. However the people were abundantly civil, and I
+flatter myself that, without the assistance of Mr. Corbold, I shall be
+able to settle this matter before long."
+
+"What is the sum you have left unpaid, Charles?" inquired the baronet
+bluntly. "Seventy-five pounds, Sir Gilbert."
+
+"Then just sit down for half a moment, and write a line enclosing the
+money; you may cut the notes in half if you think there is any danger."
+
+And as he spoke he laid bank-notes to the amount of seventy-five pounds
+on her ladyship's botanical dresser.
+
+Young Mowbray, who had not the slightest doubt of receiving his
+allowance from his mother as soon as he should ask her for it, would
+rather not have been under a pecuniary obligation even for a day; but he
+caught the eye of Lady Harrington, who was standing behind her impetuous
+husband, and received thence a perfectly intelligible hint that he must
+not refuse the offer. Most anxious to avoid renewing the coldness so
+recently removed, he readily and graciously accepted the offered loan,
+and thereby most perfectly re-established the harmony which had existed
+throughout his life between himself and the warm-hearted but impetuous
+Sir Gilbert.
+
+"Now, then," said the old gentleman with the most cordial and happy
+good-humour, "be off, my dear boy; follow my dame's advice to the
+letter, and come back as soon as you conveniently can, to let us know
+what comes of it."
+
+Cheered in spirit by this warm renewal of the friendship he so truly
+valued, young Mowbray set off on his homeward walk, pondering, as he
+went, on the best mode of opening such a conversation with his mother as
+Lady Harrington recommended; a task both difficult and disagreeable, but
+one which he believed it his duty not to shrink from.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XI.
+
+CHARLES'S CONFERENCE WITH MRS. MOWBRAY.
+
+
+Strolling in the shrubbery near the house, where for some time they had
+been anxiously awaiting his return, he met his eldest sister and Miss
+Torrington. Helen's first words were "Are they angry with me?" and the
+reply, and subsequent history of the visit, filled her heart with
+gladness. "And now, my privy counsellors," continued Charles, "tell me
+at what hour you should deem it most prudent for me to ask my mother for
+an audience."
+
+"Instantly!" said Rosalind.
+
+"Had he not better wait till to-morrow?" said Helen, turning very pale.
+
+"If my advisers disagree among themselves, I am lost," said Charles;
+"for I give you my word that I never in my whole life entered upon an
+undertaking which made me feel so anxious and undecided. Let me hear
+your reasons for thus differing in opinion? Why, Rosalind, do you
+recommend such prodigious promptitude?"
+
+"Because I hate suspense,--and because I know the scene will be
+disagreeable to you,--wherefore I opine that the sooner you get over it
+the better."
+
+"And you, Helen, why do you wish me to delay it till to-morrow?"
+
+"Because,--oh! Charles,--because I dread the result. You have no idea as
+yet how completely her temper is changed. She is very stern, Charles,
+when she is contradicted; and if you should make her angry, depend upon
+it that it would be Mr. Cartwright who would dictate your punishment."
+
+"My punishment! Nonsense, Helen! I shall make Miss Torrington both my
+Chancellor and Archbishop, for her advice has infinitely more wisdom in
+it than yours. Where is she? in her own dressing-room?"
+
+"I believe so," faltered Helen.
+
+"Well, then,--adieu for half an hour,--perhaps for a whole one. Where
+shall I find you when it is over?"
+
+"In my dressing-room," said Helen.
+
+"No, no," cried Rosalind; "I would not have to sit with you there for an
+hour, watching you quiver and quake every time a door opened, for my
+heiresship. Let us walk to the great lime-tree, and stay there till you
+come."
+
+"And so envelop yourselves in a November woodland fog, wherein to sit
+waiting till about four o'clock! The wisdom lies with Helen this time,
+Miss Torrington; I think you have both of you been pelted long enough
+with falling leaves for to-day, and therefore I strongly recommend that
+you come in and wait for my communication beside a blazing fire. Have
+you no new book, no lively novel or fancy-stirring romance, wherewith to
+beguile the time?"
+
+"Novels and romances! Oh! Mr. Mowbray,--what a desperate sinner you must
+be! The subscription at Hookham's has been out these three months; and
+the same dear box that used to be brought in amidst the eager rejoicings
+of the whole family, is now become the monthly vehicle of Evangelical
+Magazines, Christian Observers, Missionary Reports, and Religious
+Tracts, of all imaginable sorts and sizes. We have no other modern
+literature allowed us."
+
+"Poor girls!" said Charles, laughing; "what do you do for books?"
+
+"Why, the old library supplies us indifferently well, I must confess;
+and as Fanny has changed her morning quarters from thence to the
+print-room, which is now converted into a chapel of ease for the vicar,
+we contrive to abduct from thence such volumes as we wish for without
+difficulty. But we were once very near getting a book, which, I have
+been told, is of the most exquisite interest and pathos of any in the
+language, by a pleasant blunder of Mrs. Mowbray's. I chanced to be in
+the room with her one day when she read aloud an old advertisement which
+she happened to glance her eye upon, stitched up in a Review of some
+dozen years standing I believe, 'Some passages in the life of Mr. Adam
+Blair, Minister of the Gospel.' 'That's a book we ought to have,' said
+she very solemnly; 'Rosalind, give me that list for Hatchard's, I will
+add this.' I took up the advertisement as she laid it down and, not
+having it before her eyes, I suspect that she made some blunder about
+the title; for, when the box came down, I took care to be present at the
+opening of it, and to my great amusement, instead of the little volume
+that I was hoping to see, I beheld all Blair's works, with a scrap of
+paper from one of the shopmen, on which was written, 'Mrs. Mowbray is
+respectfully informed that the whole of Blair's works are herewith
+forwarded, but that J. P. is not aware of any other life of Adam than
+that written by Moses.' This was a terrible disappointment to me, I
+assure you."
+
+They had now reached the house; the two girls withdrew their arms, and,
+having watched Charles mount the stairs, they turned into the drawing
+room,--and from thence to the conservatory,--and then back again,--and
+then up stairs to lay aside their bonnets and cloaks,--and then down
+again; first one and then the other looking at their watches, till they
+began to suspect that they must both of them stand still, or something
+very like it, so creepingly did the time pass during which they waited
+for his return.
+
+On reaching the dressing-room door, Charles knocked, and it was opened
+to him by Fanny.
+
+The fair brow of his mother contracted at his approach; and he
+immediately suspected, what was indeed the fact, that Fanny had been
+relating to her the conversation which had passed between them in the
+morning.
+
+He rather rejoiced at this than the contrary, as he thought the
+conversation could not be better opened than by his expressing his
+opinions and feelings upon what had fallen from her during this
+interview. He did not however, wish that she should be present, and
+therefore said,
+
+"Will you let me, dear mother, say a few words to you tête-à-tête. Come,
+Fanny; run away, will you, for a little while?"
+
+Fanny instantly left the room, and Mrs. Mowbray, without answering his
+request, sat silently waiting for what he was about to say.
+
+"I want to speak, to you, mother, about our dear Fanny. I assure you I
+am very uneasy about her; I do not think she is in good health, either
+of body or mind."
+
+"Your ignorance of medicine is, I believe, total, Charles," she replied
+dryly, "and therefore your opinion concerning her bodily health does not
+greatly alarm me; and you must pardon me if I say that I conceive your
+ignorance respecting all things relating to a human soul, is more
+profound still."
+
+"I am sorry you should think so, dearest mother; but I assure you that
+neither physic nor divinity have been neglected in my education."
+
+"And by whom have you been taught? Blind guides have been your teachers,
+who have led you, I fear, to the very brink of destruction. When light
+is turned into darkness, how great is that darkness!"
+
+"My teachers have been those that my dear father appointed me, and I
+have never seen any cause to mistrust either their wisdom or their
+virtue, mother."
+
+"And know you not that your poor unhappy father was benighted, led
+astray, and lost by having himself listened to such teaching as he
+caused to be given to you? But you, Charles, if you did not harden your
+heart, even as the nether millstone, might even yet be saved among the
+remnant. Put yourself into the hands and under the training of the
+pious, blessed minister whom the Lord hath sent us. Open your sinful
+heart to Mr. Cartwright, Charles, and you may save your soul alive!"
+
+"Mother!" said Charles with solemn earnestness, "Mr. Cartwright's
+doctrines are dreadful and sinful in my eyes. My excellent and most
+beloved father was a Protestant Christian, born, educated, and abiding
+to his last hour in the faith and hope taught by the established church
+of his country. In that faith and hope, mother, I also have been reared
+by him and by you; and rather than change it for the impious and
+frightful doctrines of the sectarian minister you name, who most
+dishonestly has crept within the pale of an establishment whose dogmas
+and discipline he profanes,--rather, mother, than adopt this Mr.
+Cartwright's unholy belief, and obey his unauthorised and unscriptural
+decrees, I would kneel down and implore that my bones might be at once
+laid beside my father's."
+
+"Leave the room, Charles Mowbray!" exclaimed his mother almost in a
+scream; "let not the walls that shelter me be witness to such fearful
+blasphemy!"
+
+"I cannot, and I will not leave you, mother, till I have told you how
+very wretched you are making me and my poor sister Helen by thus
+forsaking that form of religion in which from our earliest childhood we
+have been accustomed to see you worship. Why,--why, dearest mother,
+should you bring this dreadful schism upon your family? Can you believe
+this to be your duty?"
+
+"By what right, human or divine, do you thus question me, lost, unhappy
+boy? But I will answer you; and I trust that I shall be forgiven for
+intercommuning with one who lives in open rebellion to the saints! Yes,
+sir; I do believe it is my duty to hold fast the conviction which Heaven
+in its goodness has sent me. I do believe it is my duty to testify by my
+voice, and by every act of my life during the remaining time for which
+the Lord shall spare me for the showing forth of his glory, that I
+consider the years that are past as an abomination in his sight; that my
+living in peace and happiness with your unawakened and unregenerate
+father was an abomination in the sight of the Lord; and that now, at the
+eleventh hour, my only hope of being received rests in my hating and
+abhorring, and forsaking and turning away from, all that is, and has
+been, nearest and dearest to my sinful heart!"
+
+Charles listened to this rant with earnest and painful attention, and,
+when she ceased, looked at her through tears that presently overflowed
+his eyes.
+
+"Have I then lost my only remaining parent?" said he. "And can you thus
+close your heart against me, and your poor Helen, my mother?"
+
+"By the blessing of providence I am strong," replied the deluded lady,
+struggling to overcome Heaven's best gift of pure affection in her
+heart. "By its blessing, and by the earnest prayers of its holiest
+saint, I am able, wretched boy, to look at thee, and say, Satan avaunt!
+But I am tried sorely," she continued, turning her eyes from the manly
+countenance of her son, now wet with tears. "Sorely, sorely, doomed and
+devoted boy, am I tried? But he, the Lord's vicar upon earth, the chosen
+shepherd, the anointed saint,--he, even he tells me to be of good cheer,
+for whom the Lord loveth he chasteneth."
+
+"Can you then believe, mother, that the merciful God of heaven and of
+earth approves your forsaking your children, solely because they worship
+him as they have been taught to do? Can you believe that he approves
+your turning your eyes and heart from them to devote yourself to a
+stranger to your blood, a preacher of strange doctrine, and one who
+loves them not?"
+
+"I have already told you, impious maligner of the holiest of men, that I
+know where my duty lies. I know, I tell you, that I not only know it,
+but will do it.--Torment me no more! Leave me, leave me, unhappy boy!
+leave me that I may pray for pardon for having listened to thee so
+long."
+
+She rose from her seat and approached him, as if to thrust him from the
+chamber; but he suffered her to advance without moving, and when she was
+close to him, he threw his arms round her, and held her for a moment in
+a close embrace. She struggled violently to disengage herself, and he
+relaxed his hold; but, dropping on his knees before her, at the same
+moment he exclaimed with passionate tenderness, "My dear, dear mother!
+have I then received your last embrace? Shall I never again feel your
+beloved lips upon my cheeks, my lips, my forehead? Mother! what can
+Helen and I do to win back your precious love?"
+
+"Surely I shall be rewarded for this!" said the infatuated woman almost
+wildly. "Surely I shall be visited with an exceeding great reward! and
+will he not visit thee too, unnatural son, for art not thou plotting
+against my soul to destroy it?"
+
+"There is, then, no hope for us from the voice of nature, no hope from
+the voice of reason and of truth? Then hear me, mother, for I too must
+act according to the voice of conscience. Helen and I must leave you; we
+can no longer endure to be so near you in appearance, while in reality
+we are so fearfully estranged. You have been very generous to me in the
+sum which you named for my allowance at my father's death; and as soon
+as my commission is obtained, that allowance will suffice to support me,
+for my habits have never been extravagant. May I ask you to assign a
+similar sum to Helen? This will enable her to command such a home with
+respectable people as may befit your daughter; and you will not doubt, I
+think, notwithstanding the unhappy difference in our opinions on points
+of doctrine, that I shall watch over her as carefully as our dear father
+himself could have done."
+
+"He is a prophet! yea, a prophet!" exclaimed Mrs. Mowbray; "and shall I
+be blind even as the ungodly, and doubt his word into whose mouth Heaven
+hath put the gift of prophecy and the words of wisdom? He hath spoken,
+and very terrible things are come to pass. Can your heart resist such
+proof as this, Charles?" she continued, raising her eyes and hands to
+heaven:--"even what you have now spoken, that did he predict and
+foretell you should speak!"
+
+"He guessed the point, then, at which we could bear no more," replied
+Charles with bitterness: "and did he predict too what answer our
+petition should receive?"
+
+"He did," returned Mrs. Mowbray either with real or with feigned
+simplicity; "and even that too shall be verified. Now, then, hear his
+blessed voice through my lips; and as I say, so must thou do. Go to your
+benighted sister, and tell her that for her sake I will wrestle in
+prayer. With great and exceeding anguish of spirit have I already
+wrestled for her; but she is strong and wilful, and resisteth
+alway.--Nevertheless, I will not give her over to her own heart's
+desire; nor will I turn mine eyes from her. For a while longer I will
+endure; and for you, unhappy son, I must take counsel from the same holy
+well-spring of righteousness, and what he shall speak, look that it come
+to pass."
+
+"You have denounced a terrible sentence against Helen, mother! for
+nearly two years, then, she must look forward to a very wretched life;
+but, without your consent, I cannot till she is of age remove her. Dear
+girl! she has a sweet and gentle spirit, and will, I trust, be enabled
+to bear patiently her most painful situation. But as for myself it may
+be as well to inform Mr. Cartwright at once, through you, that any
+interference with me or my concerns will not be endured; and that I
+advise him, for his own sake, to let me hear and see as little of him as
+possible."
+
+Mrs. Mowbray seemed to listen to these words in perfect terror, as if
+she feared a thunderbolt must fall and crush at once the speaker and the
+hearer of such daring impiety. But the spirit of Charles was chafed; and
+conscious perhaps that he was in danger of saying what he might wish to
+recall on the influence which his mother avowed that the vicar had
+obtained over her, he hastened to conclude the interview, and added: "I
+will beg you ma'am, immediately to give me a draft for my quarter's
+allowance, due on the first of this month. I want immediately to send
+money to Oxford."
+
+"Did I not tell you, Charles, to inform my man of business,--that
+serious and exemplary man, Mr. Corbold,--what money you owed in Oxford,
+and to whom? And did I not inform you at the same time that he should
+have instructions to acquit the same forthwith?"
+
+"Yes, mother, you certainly did send me a letter to that effect; but as
+my father permitted me before I came of age to pay my own bills, and to
+dispose of my allowance as I thought fit, I did not choose to change my
+usual manner of proceeding, and therefore left what I owed unpaid,
+preferring to remit the money myself. Will you please to give me the
+means of doing this now?"
+
+"May Heaven be gracious to me and mine, as I steadily now, and for ever,
+refuse to do so great iniquity! Think you, Charles, that I, guided and
+governed, as I glory to say I am, by one sent near me by providence to
+watch over me now in my time of need,--think you that I will hire and
+pay your wicked will to defy it."
+
+"Do you mean, then, mother, to withdraw my allowance?" said Charles.
+
+"I thank Heaven that I do!" she replied, uplifting her eyes: "and humbly
+on my knees will I thank it for giving me that strength, even in the
+midst of weakness!"
+
+As she spoke, she dropped upon her knees on the floor, with her back
+towards her unhappy son. He remained standing for a few moments,
+intending to utter some nearly hopeless words of remonstrance upon the
+cruel resolution she had just announced; but as she did not rise, he
+left the room, and with a heavy heart proceeded to look for Helen and
+her friend; though he would gladly have prepared himself by an hour of
+solitude for communicating tidings which had very nearly overthrown his
+philosophy. But he had promised to see them and to tell them all that
+passed; and he prepared to perform this promise with a heavier heart
+than had ever before troubled his bosom. He shrank from the idea of
+appearing before Rosalind in a situation so miserably humiliating, for
+at this moment fears that the report mentioned by Lady Harrington might
+be true pressed upon him; and though his better judgment told him that
+such feelings were contemptible, when about to meet the eye of a friend
+he could not subdue them, and as he opened the drawing-room door, the
+youthful fire of his eye was quenched and his pale lip trembled.
+
+"Oh! Charles, how dreadfully ill you look!" exclaimed Helen.
+
+"What can have passed?" said Miss Torrington, looking almost as pale
+himself.
+
+"Much that has been very painful," he replied; "but I am ashamed at
+being thus overpowered by it. Tell me, both of you, without any reserve,
+have you ever thought--has the idea ever entered your heads, that my
+unfortunate mother was likely to marry Cartwright?"
+
+"No,--never," replied Helen firmly.
+
+"Yes," said Rosalind falteringly;--but less with the hesitation of
+doubt, than from fear of giving pain.
+
+"Lady Harrington told me it was spoken of," said Mowbray with a deep
+sigh.
+
+"It is impossible!" said Helen, "I cannot:--I will not believe it.
+Rosalind! if you have had such an idea, how comes it that you have kept
+it secret from me?"
+
+"If instead of darkly fearing it," replied Rosalind, "I had positively
+known it to be true, I doubt if I should have named it, Helen;--I could
+not have borne that words so hateful should have first reached the
+family from me."
+
+"Has she told you it is so?" inquired Helen, her lips so parched with
+agitation that she pronounced the words with difficulty.
+
+"No, dearest, she has not; and perhaps I am wrong both in conceiving
+such an idea, and in naming it. But her mind is so violently, so
+strangely wrought upon by this detestable man, that I can only account
+for it by believing that he is----"
+
+There was much filial piety in the feeling that prevented his finishing
+the sentence.
+
+"It is so that I have reasoned," said Rosalind. "Heaven grant that we be
+both mistaken!--But will you not tell us, Charles, what it is that has
+suggested the idea to you? For Heaven's sake relate, if you can, what
+has passed between you?"
+
+"If I can!--Indeed I doubt my power. She spoke of me as of one condemned
+of Heaven."
+
+Rosalind started from her seat.--"Do not go on, Mr. Mowbray!" she
+exclaimed with great agitation; "I cannot bear this, and meet her with
+such external observance and civility as my situation demands. It can do
+us no good to discuss this wicked folly,--this most sinful madness. I,
+at least, for one, feel a degree of indignation--a vehemence of
+irritation on the subject, that will not, I am sure, produce good to any
+of us. She must go on in the dreadful path in which she has lost
+herself, till she meet something that shall shock and turn her back
+again. But all that can be done or said by others will but drive her on
+the faster, adding the fervour of a martyr to that of a convert."
+
+"You speak like an oracle, dear Rosalind," said poor Mowbray,
+endeavouring to smile, and more relieved than he would have avowed to
+himself at being spared the task of narrating his downfall from supposed
+wealth to actual penury before her.
+
+"She speaks like an oracle, but a very sad one," said Helen.
+"Nevertheless, we will listen and obey.--You have spoken to my mother,
+and what you have said has produced no good effect: to me, therefore, it
+is quite evident that nothing can. Were it not that the fearful use
+which we hear made of the sacred name makes me tremble lest I too should
+use it irreverently, I would express the confidence I feel, that if we
+bear this heavy sorrow well, his care will be with us: and whether we
+say it or not, let us feel it. And now, Rosalind, we must redeem our
+lost time, and read for an hour or so upstairs. See! we have positively
+let the fire go out;--a proof how extremely injurious it is to permit
+our thoughts to fix themselves too intensely on any thing:--it renders
+one incapable of attending to the necessary affairs of life.--There,
+Charles, is a sermon for you. But don't look so miserable, my dear
+brother; or my courage will melt into thin air."
+
+"I will do my best to master it, Helen," he replied; "but I shall not be
+able to make a display of my stoicism before you this evening, for I
+must return to Oakley."
+
+"Are you going to dine there? Why did you not tell me so?"
+
+"If my conversation with my mother had ended differently, Helen, I
+should have postponed my visit till to-morrow; but as it is, it will be
+better for me to go now. I will drive myself over in the cab. I suppose
+I can have Joseph?" He rang the bell as he spoke.
+
+"Let the cab be got ready for me in half an hour: and tell Joseph I
+shall want him to go out with me to dinner."
+
+"The cab is not at home, sir," replied the servant.
+
+"Is it gone to the coach-maker's?--What is the matter with it."
+
+"There is nothing the matter with it, sir; but Mr. Cartwright has got
+it."
+
+"Then let my mare be saddled. She is in the stable, I suppose?"
+
+"Mr. Corbold has had the use of your mare, Mr. Charles, for more than a
+month, sir: and terribly worked she has been, Dick says."
+
+"Very well--it's no matter: I shall walk, William."
+
+The servant retired, with an expression of more sympathy than etiquette
+could warrant. Helen looked at her brother in very mournful silence; but
+tears of indignant passion started to the bright eyes of Rosalind. "Is
+there no remedy for all this?" she exclaimed. "Helen, let us run away
+together. They cannot rob me of my money, I suppose. Do ask Sir Gilbert,
+Charles, if I am obliged to stay here and witness these hateful
+goings-on."
+
+"I will--I will, Miss Torrington. It would, indeed, be best for you to
+leave us. But my poor Helen,--she must stay and bear it."
+
+"Then I shall stay too: and that I think you might guess, Mr. Mowbray."
+
+Rosalind's tears overflowed as she spoke; and Charles Mowbray looked at
+her with that wringing of the heart which arises from thinking that all
+things conspire to make us wretched. When he was the reputed heir of
+fourteen thousand a year he had passed whole weeks in the society of
+Rosalind, and never dreamed he loved her;--but now, now that he was a
+beggar, and a beggar too, as it seemed, not very likely to be treated
+with much charity by his own mother,--now that it would be infamy to
+turn his thoughts towards the heiress with any hope or wish that she
+should ever be his, he felt that he adored her--that every hour added
+strength to a passion that he would rather die than reveal, and that
+without a guinea in the world to take him or to keep him elsewhere, his
+remaining where he was would expose him to sufferings that he felt he
+had no strength to bear.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XII.
+
+THE VICAR'S PROGRESS, AND HIS COUNSEL TO FANNY AS TO THE BEST MEANS OF
+ASSISTING THE POOR.
+
+
+When the family assembled at dinner, and Mrs. Mowbray perceived the
+place of her son vacant, she changed colour, and appeared discomposed
+and absent during the whole time she remained at table. This, however,
+was not long; for, a very few minutes after the cloth was removed, she
+rose, and saying, "I want you, Fanny," left the room with her youngest
+daughter without making either observation or apology to those she left.
+The result of this conference between the mother and daughter was the
+despatching a note to the Vicarage, which brought the vicar to join them
+with extraordinary speed.
+
+Mrs. Mowbray then related with a good deal of emotion the scene which
+had taken place between herself and her son in the morning; concluding
+it with mentioning his absence at dinner, and her fears that, in his
+unregenerate state of mind, he might be led to withdraw himself
+altogether from a home where godliness had begun to reign, and where, by
+the blessing of heaven, it would multiply and increase every day that
+they were spared to live.
+
+When she had concluded, Mr. Cartwright remained for several minutes
+silent, his eyes fixed upon the carpet, his arms folded upon his breast,
+and his head from time to time moved gently and sadly to and fro, as if
+the subject on which he was meditating were both important and
+discouraging. At length he raised his eyes, and fixed them upon Fanny.
+
+"My dear child," he said, "withdraw yourself, and pray, while your
+mother and I remain together. Pray for us, Fanny!--pray for both of us,
+that we may so do the duty appointed unto us, as what we may decide to
+execute shall redound to the glory of heaven, and to our everlasting
+salvation, world without end, amen!"
+
+Fanny rose instantly, and clasping her innocent hands together,
+fervently exclaimed "I will!--I will!"
+
+Having opened the door, and laid his delicate white hand upon her head,
+whispering an ardent blessing as she passed through it, he watched her
+as she retreated with a rapid step to her chamber anxious to perform the
+duty assigned her; and then closing and bolting it after her, he
+returned to the sofa near the fire, and seated himself beside Mrs.
+Mowbray.
+
+"My friend!" said Mr. Cartwright, taking her hand; "my dear, dear
+friend! you are tried, you are very sorely tried. But it is the will of
+the Lord, and we must not repine at it: rather let us praise his name
+alway!"
+
+"I do!" ejaculated the widow with very pious emotion; "I do praise and
+bless his holy name for all the salvation he hath vouchsafed to me, a
+sinner--and to my precious Fanny with me. Oh, Mr. Cartwright, it is very
+dear to me to think that I shall have that little holy angel with me in
+paradise! But be my guide and helper"--and here the good and serious
+lady very nearly returned the pressure with which her hand was
+held,--"oh! be my guide and helper with my other misguided children!
+Tell me, dear Mr. Cartwright, what must I do with Charles?"
+
+"It is borne in upon my mind, my dear and gentle friend, that there is
+but one chance left to save that deeply-perilled soul from the
+everlasting gulf of gnawing worms and of eternal flame."
+
+"Is there one chance?" exclaimed the poor woman in a real ecstasy. "Oh!
+tell me what it is, and there is nothing in the wide world that I would
+not bear and suffer to obtain it."
+
+"He must abandon the profession of arms and become a minister of the
+gospel."
+
+"Oh! Mr. Cartwright, he never will consent to this. From his earliest
+childhood, his unhappy and unawakened father taught him to glory in the
+thought of fighting the battles of his country; and with the large
+fortune he must one day have, is it not probable that he might be
+tempted to neglect the cure of souls? And then, you know, Mr.
+Cartwright, that the last state of that man would be worse than the
+first."
+
+Mr. Cartwright dropped the lady's hand and rose from his seat. "I must
+leave you, then," he said, his rich voice sinking into a tone of the
+saddest melancholy. "I must not--I may not give any other counsel; for
+in doing so, I should betray my duty, and betray the confidence you
+have placed in me. Adieu, then, beloved friend! adieu for ever! My
+heart--the weak and throbbing heart of a man is even now heaving in my
+breast. That heart will for ever forbid my speaking with harshness and
+austerity to you. Therefore, beloved but too feeble friend, adieu!
+Should I stay longer with you, that look might betray me into
+forgetfulness of every thing on earth--and heaven too!"
+
+The three last words were uttered in a low and mournful whisper. He then
+walked towards the door, turned to give one last look, and having
+unfastened the lock and shot back the bolt, was in the very act of
+departing, when Mrs. Mowbray rushed towards him, exclaiming "Oh, do not
+leave us all to everlasting damnation! Save us! save us! Tell me only
+what to do, and I will do it."
+
+In the extremity of her eagerness, terror, and emotion, she fell on her
+knees before him, and raising her tearful eyes to his, seemed silently
+to reiterate the petition she had uttered.
+
+Mr. Cartwright looked down upon her, turned away for one short instant
+to rebolt the door, and then, raising his eyes to heaven, and dropping
+on his knees beside her, he threw his arms around her, impressed a holy
+kiss upon her brow, exclaiming in a voice rendered tremulous, as it
+should seem, by uncontrollable agitation, "Oh, never! never!"
+
+After a few moments unavoidably lost by both in efforts to recover their
+equanimity, they rose and reseated themselves on the sofa.
+
+The handkerchief of Mrs. Mowbray was at her eyes. She appeared greatly
+agitated, and totally unable to speak herself, sat in trembling
+expectation of what her reverend friend should say next.
+
+It was not immediately, however, that Mr. Cartwright could recover his
+voice; but at length he said, "It is impossible, my too lovely friend,
+that we can either of us any longer mistake the nature of the sentiment
+which we feel for each other. But we have the comfort of knowing that
+this sweet and blessed sentiment is implanted in us by the will of the
+Lord! And if it be sanctified to his honour and glory, it becometh the
+means of raising us to glory everlasting in the life to come. Wherefore,
+let us not weep and lament, but rather be joyful and give thanks that so
+it hath seemed good in his sight!"
+
+Mrs. Mowbray answered only by a deep sigh, which partook indeed of the
+nature of a sob; and by the continued application of her handkerchief,
+it appeared that she wept freely. Mr. Cartwright once more ventured to
+take her hand; and that she did not withdraw it, seemed to evince such a
+degree of Christian humility, and such a heavenly-minded forgiveness of
+his presumption, that the pious feelings of his heart broke forth in
+thanksgiving.
+
+"Praise and glory to the Lord alway!" he exclaimed, "your suffering
+sweetness, dearest Clara, loveliest of women, most dearly-beloved--your
+suffering sweetness shall be bruised no more! Let me henceforward be as
+the shield and buckler that shall guard thee, so that thou shalt not be
+afraid for any terror by night, nor for the arrow that flieth by day.
+And tell me, most beloved! does not thy spirit rejoice, and is not thy
+heart glad, even as my heart, that the Lord hath been pleased to lay his
+holy law upon us--even upon thee and me?"
+
+"Oh, Mr. Cartwright!" replied the agitated Mrs. Mowbray, "I know not
+what I can--I know not what I ought to do. May Heaven guide me!--for,
+alas! I know not how to guide myself!"
+
+"And fear not, Clara, but he will guide thee! for he hath made thee but
+a little lower than the angels, and hath crowned thee with glory and
+honour. And tell me, thou highly-favoured one, doth not thy own heart
+teach thee, that heart being taught of him, that I am he to whom thou
+shouldst look for comfort now in the time of this mortal life? Speak to
+me, sweet and holy Clara. Tell me, am I deceived in thee? Or art thou
+indeed, and wilt thou indeed be mine?"
+
+"If I shall sin not by doing so, I will, Mr. Cartwright; for my spirit
+is too weak to combat all the difficulties I see before me. My soul
+trusts itself to thee--be thou to me a strong tower, for I am afraid."
+
+"Think you, Clara, that he who has led you out of darkness into the way
+of life would now, for the gratification of his own earthly love, become
+a stumbling-block in thy path? My beloved friend! how are you to wrestle
+and fight for and with that misguided young man, who hath now, even now,
+caused you such bitter sufferings? He is thine; therefore he is dear to
+me. Let me lead him, even as I have led thee, and his spirit too, as
+well as thine and Fanny's, shall rejoice!"
+
+"Then be it so!" exclaimed Mrs. Mowbray. "Promise me only to lead Helen
+also into life everlasting, and not to leave the poor benighted Rosalind
+for ever in darkness, and I will consent, Mr. Cartwright, to be your
+wife!"
+
+Nothing could be more satisfactory than the vicar's answer to this
+appeal, and had not the good Mrs. Mowbray been too generous to exact a
+penalty in case of failure, there can be little doubt but that he would
+willingly have bound himself under any forfeiture she could have named,
+to have ensured a place in heaven, not only to all those she mentioned,
+but to every individual of her household, the scullion and stable-boys
+included.
+
+The great question answered of "To be or not to be the husband of Mrs.
+Mowbray?" the vicar began to point out to her in a more composed and
+business-like manner the great advantages both temporal and spiritual
+which must of necessity result to her family from this arrangement; and
+so skilfully did he manage her feelings and bend her mind to his
+purpose, that when at length he gave her lips the farewell kiss of
+affianced love, and departed, he left her in the most comfortable and
+prayerful state of composure imaginable. In about ten minutes after he
+was gone, she rang her bell, and desired that Miss Fanny might come to
+her; when, without exactly telling her the important business which had
+been settled during the time she passed upon her knees, she gave her to
+understand that Mr. Cartwright had probably thought of the only means by
+which all the unhappy disagreements in the family could be settled.
+
+"Indeed, mamma, I prayed for him," said Fanny, lifting her eyes to
+Heaven; "I prayed most earnestly, that Heaven might bring him wisdom to
+succour you according to your wish, and therein to heal all our
+troubles."
+
+"And your prayers have been heard, my dear child; and it hath sent him
+the wisdom that we all so greatly needed.--Have they had tea in the
+drawing-room, Fanny?"
+
+"I don't know, mamma. I have been kneeling and praying all the time."
+
+"Then, my dear, you must want refreshment. Go down and tell them that I
+am not quite well this evening, and shall therefore not come down again;
+but they may send me some tea by Curtis."
+
+"I hope you are not very ill, my dearest mother?" said Fanny, looking,
+anxiously at her.
+
+"No, dear,--not very ill--only a little nervous."
+
+       *       *       *       *       *
+
+While these scenes passed at Mowbray Park, poor Charles was relieving
+his heart by relating, without reserve, what had passed between him and
+his mother. His first words on entering the library, where Sir Gilbert
+and Lady Harrington were seated, were, "Have you sent that letter to
+Oxford, Sir Gilbert?"
+
+"Yes, I have," was the reply. "But why do you inquire, Charles?"
+
+"Because, if you had not, I would have begged you to delay it."
+
+"And why so?"
+
+In reply to this question, young Mowbray told all that had passed;
+observing, when his painful tale was ended, that such being his mother's
+decision, he intended to apply immediately to Corbold for the money he
+wanted.
+
+"Not you, by Jove, Charles! You shall do no such thing, I tell you!
+What! knuckle and truckle to this infernal gang of hypocrites! You shall
+do no such thing. Just let me know all that is going on in the garrison,
+and if I don't counterplot them, I am a Dutchman."
+
+"Puff not up your heart, Sir Knight, with such vain conceits," said Lady
+Harrington. "You will plot like an honest man, and the Tartuffe will
+plot like a rogue. I leave you to guess which will do the most work in
+the shortest time. Nevertheless, you are right to keep him out of the
+way of these people as long as you can."
+
+Notwithstanding the heavy load at his heart which Mowbray brought with
+him to Oakley, before he had passed an hour with his old friends his
+sorrows appeared lighter, and his hopes from the future brighter and
+stronger. Sir Gilbert, though exceedingly angry with Mrs. Mowbray, still
+retained some respect for her; and, spite of all his threatening hints
+to the contrary, he no more believed that the widow of his old friend
+would marry herself to the Reverend William Jacob Cartwright, than that
+he, when left a widower by my lady, should marry the drunken landlady of
+the Three Tankards at Ramsden. He therefore spoke to Charles of his
+present vexatious embarrassments as of all evils that must naturally
+clear away, requiring only a little temporary good management to render
+them of very small importance to him. Of Helen's situation, however,
+Lady Harrington spoke with great concern, and proposed that she and Miss
+Torrington should transfer themselves from the Park to Oakley as soon as
+Charles joined his regiment, and there remain till Mrs. Mowbray had
+sufficiently recovered her senses to make them comfortable at home.
+
+Before the young man left them, it was settled that Colonel Harrington
+should immediately exert himself to obtain the commission so long
+promised; a service in the performance of which no difficulty was
+anticipated, as the last inquiries made on the subject at the Horse
+Guards were satisfactorily answered.
+
+"Meanwhile," said the baronet as he wrung his hand at parting, "give not
+way for one single inch before the insolent interference of these
+canters and ranters: remember who and what you are, and that you have a
+friend who will make the county too hot to hold any one, male or female,
+who shall attempt to shake or shackle you in your natural rights. Treat
+your mother with the most perfect respect and politeness; but make her
+understand that you are your father's son, and that there is such a
+thing as public opinion, which, on more occasions than one, has been
+found as powerful as any other law of the land. Cheer the spirits of the
+poor woe-begone girls as much as you can; and tell Helen that her duty
+to her father's memory requires that she should not neglect her father's
+friends. And now good night, Charles! Come to us as often as you can;
+and God bless you, my dear boy!"
+
+By this advice young Mowbray determined to act; and wishing to escape
+any discussion upon lesser points, he avoided all tête-à-tête
+conversations with his mother, kept as much out of Mr. Cartwright's way
+as possible, turned his back upon the serious attorney whenever he met
+him, and devoted his time to walking, reading, and singing, with Miss
+Torrington and his sister Helen, while waiting to receive the news of
+his appointment. When this should arrive, he determined once more to see
+his mother in private, and settle with her, on the best footing he
+could, the amount and manner of his future supplies.
+
+This interval, which lasted nearly a month, was by no means an unhappy
+one to Charles. He had great confidence in the judgment of Sir Gilbert
+Harrington, and being much more inclined to believe in his mother's
+affection than to doubt it, he resolutely shut his eyes upon whatever
+was likely to annoy him, and gave himself up to that occupation which
+beyond all others enables a man, or a woman either, to overlook and
+forget every other,--namely, the making love from morning to night.
+
+The manner in which this undeclared but very intelligible devotion of
+the heart was received by the fair object of it was such, perhaps, as to
+justify hope, though it by no means afforded any certainty that the
+feeling was returned. Even Helen, who fully possessed her brother's
+confidence, and had hitherto, as she believed, fully possessed the
+confidence of Rosalind also,--even Helen knew not very well what to make
+of the varying symptoms which her friend's heart betrayed. That Miss
+Torrington took great pleasure in the society of Mr. Mowbray, it was
+impossible to doubt; and that she wished him to find pleasure in hers,
+was equally clear. His favourite songs only were those which she
+practised in his absence and sang in his presence; he rarely praised a
+passage in their daily readings which she might not, by means of a
+little watching, be found to have read again within the next twenty-four
+hours. The feeble winter-blossoms from the conservatory, of which he
+made her a daily offering, might be seen preserved on her toilet in a
+succession of glasses, and only removed at length by a remonstrance from
+her maid, who assured her that "stale flowers were unwholesome; though,
+to be sure, coming out of that elegant conservatory did make a
+difference, no doubt." Yet even then, the bouquet of a week old was not
+permitted to make its exit till some aromatic leaf or still green sprig
+of myrtle had been drawn from it, and deposited somewhere or other,
+where its pretty mistress, perhaps, never saw it more, but which
+nevertheless prevented her feeling that she had thrown the flowers he
+had given her on Sunday in the breakfast-room, or on Monday in the
+drawing-room, &c. &c. &c., quite away.
+
+Yet, with all this, it was quite impossible that Charles, or even Helen,
+who knew more of these little symptomatic whims than he did, could feel
+at all sure what Rosalind's answer would be if Mr. Mowbray made her a
+proposal of marriage.
+
+From time to time words dropped from Rosalind indicative of her extreme
+disapprobation of early marriages both for women and men, and declaring
+that there was nothing she should dread so much as forming a union for
+life with a man too young to know his own mind. When asked by Charles at
+what age she conceived it likely that a man might attain this very
+necessary self-knowledge, she answered with a marked emphasis,
+
+"Decidedly not till they are many years older than you are, Mr.
+Mowbray."
+
+Even to her own heart Rosalind would at this time have positively
+denied, not only that she loved Charles Mowbray, but that Charles
+Mowbray loved her. She was neither insensible nor indifferent to his
+admiration, or to the pleasure he took in her society; but she had heard
+Charles's judgment of her on her arrival more than once repeated in
+jest. He had said, that she was neither so amiable as Helen, nor so
+handsome as Fanny. To both of these opinions she most sincerely
+subscribed, and with such simple and undoubting acquiescence, that it
+was only when she began to read in his eyes the legible "I love you,"
+that she remembered his having said it. Then her woman's heart told her,
+that inferior though she might be, it was not her husband that must be
+the first to discover it; and superior as he was,--which she certainly
+was not disposed to deny,--it was not with such disproportionate
+excellence that she should be most likely to form a happy union.
+
+Had Mowbray guessed how grave and deeply-seated in Rosalind's mind were
+the reasons which would have led her decidedly to refuse him, this
+flowery portion of his existence would have lost all its sweetness. It
+was therefore favourable to his present enjoyment that, confident as he
+felt of ultimately possessing the fortune to which he was born, he
+determined not to propose to Rosalind till his mother had consented to
+assure to him an independence as undoubted as her own. The sweet vapour
+of hope, therefore,--the incense with which young hearts salute the
+morning of life,--enveloped him on all sides: and pity is it that the
+rainbow-tinted mist should ever be blown away from those who, like him,
+are better, as well as happier, for the halo that so surrounds them.
+
+Many a storm is preceded by a calm,--many a gay and happy hour only
+gives the frightful force of contrast to the misery that follows it.
+
+Mr. Cartwright having once and again received the plighted faith of Mrs.
+Mowbray, for the present confined his operations solely to the gentle
+task of urging her to hasten his happiness, and the assurance of eternal
+salvation to all her family.
+
+But here, though the obstacles he had to encounter were of a soft and
+malleable nature, easily yielding to the touch, and giving way at one
+point, they were yet difficult to get rid of altogether; for they were
+sure to swell up like dough, and meet him again in another place.
+
+Thus, when he proved to the pious widow that Heaven could never wish her
+to delay her marriage till her year of mourning was out, seeing that its
+honour and glory would be so greatly benefited and increased thereby,
+she first agreed perfectly in his view of the case as so put, but
+immediately placed before him the violent odium which they should have
+to endure from the opinion of the world. And then, when his eloquence
+had convinced her, that it was sinful for those who put not their faith
+in princes, nor in any child of man, to regulate their conduct by such
+worldly considerations,--though she confessed to him that as their
+future associations would of course be wholly and solely among the
+elect, she might perhaps overcome her fear of what her neighbours and
+unregenerate acquaintance might say, yet nevertheless she doubted if she
+could find courage to send orders to her milliner and dressmaker for
+coloured suits, even of a sober and religious tint, as it was so very
+short a time since she had ordered her half-mourning.
+
+It was more difficult perhaps to push this last difficulty aside than
+any other; for Mr. Cartwright could not immediately see how to bring the
+great doctrine of salvation to bear upon it.
+
+However, though the lady had not yet been prevailed upon to fix the day,
+and even at intervals still spoke of the eligibility of waiting till the
+year of mourning was ended, yet on the whole he had no cause to complain
+of the terms on which he stood with her, and very wisely permitted the
+peace of mind which he himself enjoyed to diffuse itself benignly over
+all the inhabitants of the Park and the Vicarage.
+
+Henrietta, who throughout the winter had been in too delicate a state of
+health to venture out of the house, was permitted to read what books she
+liked at the corner of the parlour fire; while Mr. Jacob, far from being
+annoyed by any particular strictness of domestic discipline, became
+extremely like the wind which bloweth where it listeth, wandering from
+farm-house to farm-house--nay, even from village to village, without
+restriction of any kind from his much-engaged father.
+
+Fanny, however, was neither overlooked nor neglected; though to have now
+led her about to little tête-à-tête prayer-meetings in the woods was
+impossible. First, the wintry season forbad it; and secondly, the very
+particular and important discussions which business rendered necessary
+in Mrs. Mowbray's dressing-room--or, as it had lately been designated,
+Mrs. Mowbray's morning parlour--must have made such an occupation as
+difficult as dangerous.
+
+At these discussions Fanny was never invited to appear. She prayed in
+company with her mother and Mr. Cartwright, and some of the most
+promising of the domestics, for an hour in the morning and an hour in
+the evening; but the manner in which the interval between these two
+prayings was spent showed very considerable tact and discrimination of
+character in the Vicar of Wrexhill.
+
+Soon after the important interview which has been stated to have taken
+place between the lady of the manor and the vicar had occurred, Mr.
+Cartwright having met Fanny on the stairs in his way to her mamma's
+morning parlour, asked her, with even more than his usual tender
+kindness, whether he might not be admitted for a few minutes into her
+"study;" for it was thus that _her_ dressing-room was now called by as
+many of the household as made a point of doing every thing that Mr.
+Cartwright recommended.
+
+"Oh yes," she replied with all the zealous piety which distinguishes the
+sect to which she belonged, whenever their consent is asked to do or
+suffer any thing that nobody else would think it proper to do or
+suffer,--"Oh yes!--will you come now, Mr. Cartwright?"
+
+"Yes, my dear child, it is now that I wish to come;"--and in another
+moment the Vicar of Wrexhill and his beautiful young parishioner were
+sitting tête-à-tête on the sofa of the young lady's dressing-room.
+
+As usual with him on all such occasions, he took her hand. "Fanny!" he
+began,--"dear, precious Fanny! you know not how much of my
+attention--how many of my thoughts are devoted to you!"
+
+"Oh! Mr. Cartwright, how very, very kind you are to think of me at all!"
+
+"You must listen to me Fanny," (he still retained her hand,) "you must
+now listen to me with very great attention. You know I think highly of
+your abilities--indeed I have not scrupled to tell you it was my opinion
+that the Lord had endowed you with great powers for his own especial
+service and glory. That last hymn, Fanny, confirms and strengthens me in
+this blessed belief, and I look upon you as a chosen vessel. But, my
+child, we must be careful that we use, and not abuse, this exceeding
+great mercy and honour. Your verses, Fanny, are sweet to my ear, as the
+songs of the children of Israel to those who were carried away captive.
+But not for me--not for me alone, or for those who, like me, can taste
+the ecstasy inspired by holy song, has that power been given unto you.
+The poor, the needy, those of no account in the reckoning of the
+proud--they have all, my dearest Fanny, a right to share in the precious
+gift bestowed on you. Wherefore, I am now about to propose to you a work
+to which the best and the holiest devote their lives, but on which you
+have never yet tried your young strength:--I mean, my dearest child, the
+writing of tracts for the poor."
+
+"Oh! Mr. Cartwright! Do you really think it possible that I can be
+useful in such a blessed way?"
+
+"I am sure you may, my dear Fanny; and you know this will be the means
+of doing good both to the souls and bodies of the saints. For what you
+shall write, will not only be read to the edification and salvation of
+many Christian souls, but will be printed and sold for the benefit
+either of the poor and needy, or for the furthering such works and
+undertakings as it may be deemed most fit to patronise and assist."
+
+"Oh! Mr. Cartwright! If I could be useful in such a way as that, I
+should be very thankful;--only--I have a doubt."
+
+Here the bright countenance of Fanny became suddenly overclouded; she
+even trembled, and turned pale.
+
+"What is it, my dear child, that affects you thus?" said the vicar with
+real surprise; "tell me, my sweet Fanny, what I have said to alarm you?"
+
+"If I do this," said Fanny, her voice faltering with timidity, "shall I
+not seem to be trusting to works?"
+
+"Do you mean, because the writings of authors are called their works?"
+said Mr. Cartwright very gravely.
+
+"No! Mr. Cartwright!" she replied, colouring from the feeling, that if
+so good and holy a man could quiz, she should imagine that he was now
+quizzing her,--"No! Mr. Cartwright!--but if I do this, and trust to get
+saving grace as a reward for the good I may do, will not this be
+trusting to works?"
+
+"My dear child," he said; gently kissing her forehead, "such tenderness
+of conscience is the best assurance that what you will do will be done
+in a right spirit. Then fear not, dear Fanny, that those things which
+prove a snare to the unbeliever should, in like manner, prove a snare to
+the elect."
+
+Again Fanny Mowbray trembled. "Alas! then I may still risk the danger of
+eternal fire by this thing,--for am I of the elect?"
+
+The vicar knew that Mrs. Mowbray was waiting for him, and fearing that
+this long delay might have a strange appearance, he hastily concluded
+the conversation by exclaiming with as much vehemence as brevity, "You
+are! You are!"
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XIII.
+
+MRS. SIMPSON'S CHARITABLE VISIT.--CHARLES'S TROUBLES CONTINUE.
+
+
+From this time most of Fanny Mowbray's hours were spent in writing
+tracts; which, as soon as completed, were delivered to Mr. Cartwright.
+He received them ever with expressions of mingled admiration and
+gratitude, constantly assuring her, the next time they met, that nothing
+could be more admirably calculated to answer the effect intended, and
+that the last was incomparably superior to all which had preceded it.
+
+This occupation of writing tracts, first hit upon for the convenient
+occupation of Fanny Mowbray, was soon converted, by the ready wit of Mr.
+Cartwright, into an occupation, in one way or another, for all the
+professing Christians in his parish who happened to have nothing to do.
+
+Those who are at all acquainted with the manner in which the "Church
+Methodists," as they are called, obtain the unbounded influence which
+they are known to possess in their different parishes, particularly over
+the female part of their congregations, must be aware, that, great and
+violent as the effect of their passionate extempore preaching often is,
+it is not to that alone that they trust for obtaining it. From the time
+Mr. Cartwright became Vicar of Wrexhill, he had been unremitting in his
+exertions of every kind to obtain power, influence, and dominion
+throughout the parish, and, on the whole, had been pretty generally
+successful. How far his handsome person and pleasing address contributed
+to this, it is not here necessary to inquire; but it is certain that he
+drew upon these advantages largely in his intercourse with the females
+in general, and with the ladies in particular. But though at first this
+particular species of devotion was exceedingly agreeable to him, both in
+its exercise and its success, he now found very considerable
+inconvenience from the difficulty of keeping up the frequency of his
+pastoral visits to his fair converts without giving more time to them
+than was consistent with his infinitely more important avocations at the
+Park.
+
+As soon, however, as he perceived how completely the writing of tracts
+occupied Fanny Mowbray during the time that was formerly bestowed upon
+listening to his sentimental divinity, he determined that several others
+of his female parishioners should dispose of their superfluous time in
+the same manner.
+
+Within twenty-four hours after he came to this decision, the three
+Misses Richards had, each and every of them, purchased a quire of
+foolscap paper, a quarter of a hundred of goose-quills, with a bottle of
+ink, and a Concordance, in common between them. Miss Stokes too, the
+little blue-eyed milliner, and Mrs. Knighton, the late post-master's
+widow, and Mrs. Watkins, the haberdasher's wife, were all furnished with
+abundant materials of the same value; and all of them determined to give
+up every earthly thing, if it were necessary, rather than disappoint the
+dear, blessed Mr. Cartwright of the comfort of receiving any thing he
+expected from them.
+
+The widow Simpson, and even her little holy Mimima, had also employment
+found for them; which, though it could but ill supply to that regenerate
+lady the loss of Mr. Cartwright's society, which at this particular
+time she was in a great degree deprived of, served, nevertheless, to
+soothe her by the conviction, that though not seen, she was remembered.
+
+The part of the business consigned to Mrs. Simpson was the selling the
+tracts. It was not without surprise that the people of the
+neighbourhood, particularly the unawakened, saw the parlour-windows of
+"the principal person in the village" disfigured by a large square
+paper, looking very much as if it announced lodgings to let, but which,
+upon closer examination, proved to be inscribed as follows: "Religious
+tracts, hymns, and meditations sold here, at one penny each, or
+ninepence halfpenny for the dozen."
+
+Miss Mimima's duty was to hold in her hand a square box, with a slit cut
+in the lid thereof, in which all who purchased the tracts were requested
+to deposit their money for the same; and when the customer's appearance
+betokened the possession of more pennies than their purchase required,
+the little girl was instructed to say, "One more penny, please ma'am,
+(or sir,) for the love of the Lord."
+
+Thus, for the pleasant interval of a few weeks, every thing went on
+smoothly. Helen, at the earnest request of her brother, and convinced by
+his arguments, as well as those of Lady Harrington and Rosalind, that,
+under existing circumstances, it was right to do so, made several
+morning visits to Oakley.
+
+Had she been questioned concerning this, she would most frankly have
+avowed both the act and the motives for it. But no such questionings
+came. Charles himself dined there repeatedly, but was never asked why he
+absented himself, nor where he had been.
+
+During this period, Mrs. Mowbray seemed to encourage rather more than
+usual the intercourse of the family with their Wrexhill neighbours. The
+season being no longer favourable for walking, the Mowbray carriage was
+to be seen two or three times in a week at Mrs. Simpson's, Mrs.
+Richards's and the Vicarage; but it often happened, that though Mrs.
+Mowbray proposed a visit to Wrexhill while they were at the
+breakfast-table, and that the coachman immediately received orders to be
+at the door accordingly, when the time arrived her inclination for the
+excursion was found to have evaporated, and the young people went
+thither alone.
+
+Upon one occasion of this kind, when, Fanny being deeply engaged in the
+composition of a tract, and Charles gone to Oakley, Miss Torrington and
+Helen had the carriage to themselves, they agreed that instead of making
+the proposed visit to Mrs. Simpson, they should go to inquire for a
+little patient of Helen's, the child of a poor hard-working woman, who
+had long been one of her pensioners at Wrexhill.
+
+The entrance to the house was by a side door from a lane too narrow to
+permit the carriage to turn; the two young ladies therefore were put
+down at the corner of it, and their approach was unheard by those who
+occupied the room upon which the door of the house opened, although it
+stood ajar. But as they were in the very act of entering, they were
+stopped by words so loud and angry, that they felt disposed to turn back
+and abandon their charitable intention altogether.
+
+But Rosalind's ear caught a sound that made her curious to hear more;
+and laying her hand on Helen's arm, and at the same time making a sign
+that she should be silent, they stood for a moment on the threshold,
+that they might decide whether to retreat or advance.
+
+"You nasty abominable woman, you!" these were the first words which
+distinctly reached them; "you nasty untidy creature! look at the
+soap-suds, do, all splashed out upon the ground! How can you expect a
+Christian lady, who is the principal person in the parish, to come and
+look after your nasty dirty soul, you untidy pig, you?"
+
+"Lord love you, my lady! 'tis downright unpossible to keep one little
+room neat, and fit for the like of you, when I have the washing of three
+families to do in it.--Heaven be praised for it!--and to cook my
+husband's bit of dinner, and let three little ones crawl about in it,
+besides."
+
+"Stuff and nonsense!" responded the principal person in the village,
+"whoever heard of washing making people dirty? Look here,--put out your
+hand, can't you? I am sure I shall come no nearer to you and your tub.
+Take these three tracts, and take care you expound them to your husband;
+and remember that you are to bring them back again in one month without
+a single speck of dirt upon them."
+
+"You be sent by the new vicar, beant you, Madam Simpson?" inquired the
+woman.
+
+"Sent, woman? I don't know what you mean by 'sent.' As a friend and
+joint labourer with Mr. Cartwright in the vineyard, I am come to take
+your soul out of the nethermost pit; but if you will persist in going on
+soaping and rubbing at that rate instead of listening to me, I don't see
+that you have any more chance of salvation than your black kettle there.
+Mercy on me! I shall catch my death of cold here! Tell me at once, do
+you undertake to expound these tracts to your husband?"
+
+"Dear me! no, my lady; I was brought up altogether to the washing line."
+
+"What has that to do with it, you stupid sinner? I can't stay any longer
+in this horrid, damp, windy hole; but take care that you expound, for I
+insist upon it; and if you don't you may depend upon it Mr. Cartwright
+won't give you one penny of the sacrament money."
+
+So saying, the pious lady turned away and opened the door upon Miss
+Torrington and Helen.
+
+Conscious, perhaps, that her _Christian duty_ had not been performed in
+so lady-like a manner as it might have been, had she known that any
+portion of the Park family were within hearing, the principal person in
+the village started and coloured at seeing them; but, aware how greatly
+she had outrun the two young ladies in the heavenly race, she
+immediately recovered herself and said, "I am afraid, young ladies, that
+your errand here is not the same as mine. Betty Thomas is a poor sinful
+creature, and I hope you are not going to give her money till she is
+reported elect, Miss Mowbray? It will really be no less than a sin if
+you do."
+
+"She has a sick child, Mrs. Simpson," replied Helen, "and I am going to
+give her money to buy what will make broth for it."
+
+Helen then entered the room, made her inquiries for the little sufferer,
+and putting her donation into sinful Betty Thomas's soapy hand, returned
+to Mrs. Simpson and Rosalind, who remained conversing at the door.
+
+It was raining hard, and Miss Mowbray asked Mrs. Simpson if she should
+take her home.
+
+"That is an offer that I won't refuse, Miss Mowbray, though I am within,
+and you are without, the pale. But I am terribly subject to catching
+cold; and I do assure you that this winter weather makes a serious
+Christian's duty very difficult to do, I have got rid of seventy tracts
+since first of December."
+
+"You sell the tracts, do you not, Mrs. Simpson?" said Rosalind.
+
+"Yes, Miss Torrington,--I sell them and lend them, and now and then give
+them, when I think it is a great object to have them seen in any
+particular house."
+
+"Have you collected much, ma'am, by the sale?"
+
+"Not a very large sum as yet, Miss Torrington; but I am getting on in
+many different ways for the furtherance of Heaven's work. Perhaps,
+ladies, though you have not as yet put your own hands to the plough that
+shall open the way for you to a place among the heavenly host, you may
+like to see my account?"
+
+"I should like it very much, Mrs. Simpson," said Rosalind.
+
+The lady then drew from her reticule a small pocket-book, from which she
+read several items, which from various sources contributed, as she said,
+"to fill a bag for the Work," to be expended upon the saints by the
+hands of their pious vicar.
+
+By the time this interesting lecture was finished, the carriage had
+reached Mrs. Simpson's door, and having set her down, was ordered home.
+
+"Now will I give Charles a _pendant_ to the exquisite poetical effusion
+which he bestowed on me some time since," said Rosalind, drawing forth
+pencil and paper from a pocket of the carriage, in which Mrs. Mowbray
+was accustomed of late to deposit what the vicar called "sacred
+memoranda;" by which were signified all the scraps of gossip respecting
+the poor people among whom she distributed tracts, that she could
+collect for his private ear.
+
+Having invoked the Sisters Nine for the space of five minutes, she read
+aloud the result to Helen, who declared herself willing to give
+testimony, if called upon, to the faithful rendering (save and except
+the rhymes) of the financial document to which they had just listened.
+
+    Sixpence a week paid by each serious pew
+    In Mr. Cartwright's church, makes--one pound two;
+    From Wrexhill workhouse, by a farthing rate
+    Collected by myself, just one pound eight;
+    Crumbs for the Lord, gather'd from door to door
+    Through Hampshire, makes exactly two pound four;
+    From twelve old ladies, offerings from the hive
+    In various sums, amount to three pound five;
+    From our new Sunday school, as the Lord's fee,
+    By pennies from each child, we've shillings three;
+    And last of all, and more deserving praise
+    Than all the sums raised by all other ways,
+    "The desperate Sinner's certain Road to Heaven,"
+    Sold at the gallows foot,--thirteen pound seven.
+
+"This is a new accomplishment," said Helen, laughing; "and I declare to
+you, Rosalind, I think it very unnecessary, Roman Catholic-like, and
+unkind, to perform any more works of supererogation in that fascinating
+style upon the heart of poor Charles. I am afraid he has had more than
+is good for him already."
+
+"I do not think the beauty of my verses will at all tend to injure Mr.
+Mowbray's peace of mind," replied Rosalind rather coldly. "However, we
+can watch their effects, you know, and if we see any alarming symptoms
+coming on we can withdraw them."
+
+Just before they reached the lodge-gates, they perceived Charles on foot
+before them; and stopping the carriage, Helen made him get in, just to
+tell them, as she said, how her dear godmother was, what kind messages
+she had sent her, and though last, not least, whether any tidings had
+been heard of the commission.
+
+Charles appeared to be in excellent spirits; repeated many pleasant
+observations uttered by Sir Gilbert on the effervescent nature of his
+mother's malady; told them that a commission in the Horse Guards was
+declared to be at his service as soon as the money for it was
+forthcoming, for which, if needs must, even Sir Gilbert had permitted
+him to draw on Mr. Corbold; and finally, that he believed they had all
+alarmed themselves about Mr. Cartwright and his pernicious influences in
+a very wrong and unreasonable manner.
+
+On reaching the house, they entered the library, which was the usual
+winter sitting-room; but it was quite deserted. They drew round the fire
+for a few minutes' further discussion of the news and the gossip which
+Charles had brought; and, apropos of some of the Oakley anecdotes of the
+proceedings at Wrexhill, Helen requested Rosalind to produce her version
+of Mrs. Simpson's deeds of grace.
+
+"Willingly," replied Miss Torrington, drawing the paper from her pocket.
+"You dedicated a poem to me, Mr. Mowbray, some weeks ago; and I now beg
+to testify my gratitude by presenting you with this."
+
+Charles took the paper, and while fixing his eyes with a good deal of
+meaning upon the beautiful giver, kissed it, and said, "Do you make it a
+principle, Miss Torrington, to return in kind every offering that is
+made you?"
+
+"That is _selon_," she replied, colouring, and turning round to say
+something to Helen: but she was gone.
+
+"Rosalind!" said Charles, thrusting her paper unread into his bosom.
+"This commission, though we hail it as good fortune, will yet put an end
+to by far the happiest period of my existence, unless--I may hope,
+Rosalind, that--if ever the time should come--and I now think it will
+come--when I may again consider myself as the heir to a large property,
+I may hope that you will some day suffer me to lay this property at your
+feet."
+
+"Never lay your property at the feet of any one, Mr. Mowbray," she
+replied carelessly.
+
+Charles coloured and looked grievously offended. "You teach me at least,
+Miss Torrington, to beware how I venture again to hope that you would
+accept any thing I could lay at yours."
+
+"Nay, do not say so, Mr. Mowbray: I accept daily from you most willingly
+and gratefully unnumbered testimonies of friendship and good will; and
+if their being kindly welcomed will ensure their continuance, you will
+not let them cease."
+
+"I am a coxcomb for having ever hoped for more," said Charles, leaving
+the room with cheeks painfully glowing and a heart indignantly
+throbbing. He had not looked for this repulse, and his disappointment
+was abundantly painful. Over and over again had he decided, while
+holding counsel with himself on the subject, that he would not propose
+to Rosalind till his mother had made him independent; but these
+resolutions were the result rather of a feeling of generosity than of
+timidity. Yet Charles Mowbray was no coxcomb. Miss Torrington was not
+herself aware how many trifling but fondly-treasured symptoms of partial
+liking she had betrayed towards him during the last few weeks; and as it
+never entered his imagination to believe that she could doubt the
+reality of his strong attachment, he attributed the repulse he had
+received, as well as all the encouragement which led him to risk it, as
+the result of the most cruel and cold-hearted coquetry.
+
+It is probable that he left Rosalind little better satisfied with
+herself than he was with her; but unfortunately there is no medium by
+which thoughts carefully hid in one bosom can be made to pour their
+light and warmth into another, and much misery was in this instance, as
+well as in ten thousand others, endured by each party, only for want of
+understanding what was going on in the heart of the other.
+
+Mowbray determined not to waste another hour in uncertainty as to the
+manner in which his commission was to be paid for, and his future
+expenses supplied. But in his way to his mother, he delayed long enough
+to say to Helen, "I have proposed, and been most scornfully rejected,
+Helen. How could we either of us ever dream that Miss Torrington showed
+any more favour to me than she would have done to any brother of yours,
+had he been a hunchbacked idiot?"
+
+Without waiting to receive any expression either of surprise or
+sympathy, he left his sister with the same hurried abruptness with which
+he sought her, and hastened on to find his mother.
+
+She was sitting alone, with a bible on one side of her, and two tracts
+on the other. In her hand was a little curiously-folded note, such as
+she now very constantly received at least once a day, even though the
+writer might have left her presence in health and perfect contentment
+one short hour before.
+
+She started at the sudden entrance of her son, and her delicately pale
+face became as red as a milkmaid's as she hastily placed the note she
+was reading between the leaves of her book. But Charles saw it not;
+every pulse within him was beating with such violence, that it required
+all the power left him to speak that which he had to say. Had his mother
+been weighing out a poison, and packets before her labelled for himself
+and his sisters, he would not have seen it.
+
+"Mother," he said, "I have received notice that the commission in the
+Horse Guards which my father applied for some time before he died is now
+ready for me. Will you have the kindness to furnish me with the means of
+paying for it? and will you also inform me on what sum I may reckon for
+my yearly expenses? I mean to join immediately."
+
+Mrs. Mowbray's little agitation had entirely subsided, and she answered
+with much solemnity, "You come to me, Charles, in a very abrupt manner,
+and apparently in a very thoughtless frame of mind, to speak on
+subjects which to my humble capacity seem fraught with consequences most
+awfully important.--The Horse Guards! Oh! Charles! is it possible you
+can have lived for many weeks in such a regenerated family as mine, and
+yet turn your thoughts towards a life so profane as that of an officer
+in the Horse Guards?"
+
+"Let my life pass where it may, mother, I trust it will not be a profane
+one. I should ill repay my father's teaching if it were. This is the
+profession which he chose for me; it is the one to which I have always
+directed my hopes, and it is that which I decidedly prefer. I trust,
+therefore, that you will not object to my following the course which my
+most excellent father pointed out to me."
+
+"I shall object to it, sir: and pray understand at once, that I will
+never suffer the intemperate pleadings of a hot-headed young man to
+overpower the voice of conscience in my heart."
+
+Poor Mowbray felt inclined to exclaim,
+
+    "When sorrows come, they come not single spies,
+    But in battalions."
+
+For a moment he remained perfectly silent, and then said, "This is very
+terrible news for me, mother. You shall hear, I trust, no intemperate
+pleadings, but I hope you will let me reason with you on the subject.
+Surely you will not blame me for wishing in this, and in all things, to
+adhere as closely as may be to my dear father's wishes?"
+
+"If your poor father, Charles, groped through life surrounded on all
+sides with outer darkness, is that any reason that I should suffer the
+son he left under my care and control to do so likewise? When he left
+the whole of my property at my whole and sole disposal, it was plain
+that he felt there was more hope of wisdom abiding in me than in you. It
+is herein, and herein only, that I must labour to do according to his
+wishes and his will, and endeavour so to act that all may see his
+confidence in me was not misplaced."
+
+"For Heaven's sake, mother! think well before you determine upon
+disappointing all my hopes in this most cruel manner; and believe me,
+that no lookers-on between you and me--except perhaps the mischievous
+fanatic who has lately chosen to meddle so impertinently in our
+affairs--but will feel and say that I have been ill treated."
+
+Had Mowbray not been stung and irritated as he was before this
+conversation, it is probable he would not have remonstrated thus warmly
+with a mother, whom he had ever been accustomed to treat with the most
+tender observance and respect.
+
+She looked at him with equal anger and astonishment, and remained for
+some time without speaking a word, or withdrawing her eyes from his
+face. If her son felt inclined to quote Shakspeare at the beginning of
+the conversation, she might have done so at the end of it; for all she
+wished to say was comprised in these words:
+
+    "Nay, then, I'll send those to you that can speak."
+
+She did not, however, express herself exactly thus, but ended her long
+examination of his flushed and agitated countenance by pronouncing
+almost in a whisper,
+
+"This is very terrible! But I thank Heaven I am not left quite alone in
+the world!"
+
+Having thus spoken, she rose and retired to her bed-room, leaving her
+very unhappy son in possession of her "morning parlour," and of more
+bitter thoughts than had ever before been his portion.
+
+Having continued for some moments exactly in the position in which she
+left him, he at length started up, and endeavouring to rouse himself
+from the heavy trance that seemed to have fallen on him, he hastened to
+find Helen.
+
+"It is all over with me, Helen!" said he. "You know what I met with in
+the library;--and now my mother protests against my accepting my
+commission, because she says that officers lead profane lives. What is
+to become of me, Helen!"
+
+"Have patience, dearest Charles! All this cannot last. It cannot be
+supposed that we can submit ourselves to the will of Mr. Cartwright: and
+depend upon it that it is he who has dictated this refusal. Do not look
+so very miserable, my dear brother! I think you would do very wisely if
+you returned to Oakley to dinner,--for many reasons."
+
+"Bless you, love, for the suggestion! It will indeed be a relief to me.
+I know not at this moment which I most desire to avoid--my mother, or
+Miss Torrington. Have you seen her--Rosalind, I mean?"
+
+"No, Charles,--not since you parted from her. I heard her enter her
+room and lock the door. The answer you have received from her surprises
+me more, and vexes me more, than even my mother's."
+
+"Bless you, Helen! you are a true sister and a true friend. I will go to
+Sir Gilbert;--but it rains hard--I wish I had the cab, or my own dear
+mare to ride. But that's a minor trouble;--it irks me though, for it
+comes from the same quarter."
+
+"It does indeed;--and it irks me too, believe me. But patience,
+Charles!--courage and patience will do much."
+
+"Will it give me the heart of the woman I love, Helen?--or rather, will
+it give her a heart? It is that which galls me. I have been
+deceived--trifled with, and have loved with my whole heart and soul a
+most heartless, fair-seeming coquette."
+
+"That you have not, Charles!" replied Helen warmly; "that you have not!
+I too have mistaken Rosalind's feelings towards you. Perhaps she has
+mistaken them herself: but she is not heartless; and above all, there is
+no seeming about her."
+
+"How I love you for contradicting me, Helen!--and for that bright flush
+that so eloquently expresses anger and indignation at my injustice! But
+if she be not a coquette, then must I be a most consummate puppy; for as
+I live, Helen, I thought she loved me."
+
+"I cannot understand it. But I know that Rosalind Torrington is
+warm-hearted, generous, and sincere; and whatever it is which has led us
+to misunderstand her, either now or heretofore, it cannot be coquetry,
+or false-seeming of any kind."
+
+"Well--be it so: I would rather the fault were mine than hers. But I
+will not see her again to-day if I can help it. So good-b'ye, Helen: my
+lady must excuse my toilet;--I cannot dress and then walk through Oakley
+lane."
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XIV.
+
+THE ENTRY.
+
+
+It was very nearly midnight when Mowbray returned from his visit to Sir
+Gilbert Harrington's. To his great surprise, he found Helen waiting for
+him, even in the hall; for the moment she heard the door-bell she ran
+out to meet him.
+
+"Why are you up so late, Helen?" he exclaimed: "and for Heaven's sake
+tell me what makes you look so pale.--Where is Rosalind?"
+
+"She is in bed;--she has been in tears all day; I made her go to bed.
+But, oh, Charles! my mother!--she has left the house."
+
+"Gracious Heaven! what do you mean? Did she leave the house in anger?
+Did she ask for me?"
+
+"No, Charles: nor for me either!"
+
+"And where on earth is she gone?"
+
+"No one in the house has the remotest idea: it is impossible even to
+guess. But she has taken Fanny and Curtis with her."
+
+"When did she set out?"
+
+"While Rosalind and I were eating our miserable melancholy dinner. Mr.
+Cartwright, I find, called after you went, and was shown, as usual, to
+her dressing-room; but he did not stay, Thomas says, above half an hour,
+for he both let him in and out. Soon after he went away, Fanny was sent
+for; and she and Curtis remained with her till a few minutes before
+dinner-time. Curtis then went into the kitchen, it seems, and ordered a
+tray to be taken for my mother and Fanny into the dressing-room, and the
+only message sent to Rosalind and me was, that mamma was not well, and
+begged not to be disturbed. Curtis must have seen the coachman and
+settled every thing with him very secretly; for not one of the servants,
+except the new stable-boy, knew that the carriage was ordered."
+
+"How are we to interpret this, Helen?--Such a night too!--as dark as
+pitch. Had I not known the way blindfold, I should never have got home.
+I left Sir Gilbert in a rage because I would not sleep there;--but my
+heart was heavy; I felt restless and anxious at the idea of remaining
+from you during the night: I think it was a presentiment of this
+dreadful news.--Oh! what a day has this been to me! So gay, so happy in
+the morning! so supremely wretched before night!--I can remember nothing
+that I said which could possibly have driven her to leave her home. What
+can it mean, Helen?"
+
+"Alas! Charles, I have no power to answer you. If asking questions could
+avail, might I not ask what I have done? And yet, at the moment of her
+leaving home for the night, she sent me word that I was _not to disturb
+her_!"
+
+"The roads too are so bad! Had she lamps, Helen?"
+
+"Oh yes. Some of the maids, while shutting up the rooms upstairs, saw
+the lights moving very rapidly towards the lodges."
+
+"It is an inexplicable and very painful mystery. But go to bed, my
+dearest Helen! you look most wretchedly ill and miserable."
+
+"Ill?--No, I am not ill, Charles, but miserable; yes, more miserable
+than I have ever felt since my poor father's death was first made known
+to me."
+
+The following morning brought no relief to the anxiety which this
+strange absence occasioned. Rosalind joined the brother and sister at
+breakfast, and her jaded looks more than confirmed Helen's report of the
+preceding night. Charles, however, hardly saw her sufficiently to know
+how she looked, for he carefully avoided her eyes; but if the gentlest
+and most soothing tone of voice, and the expression of her almost tender
+sympathy in the uneasiness he was enduring, could have consoled the
+young man for all he had suffered and was suffering, he would have been
+consoled.
+
+The day passed heavily; but Helen looked so very ill and so very
+unhappy, that Charles could not bear to leave her; and though a mutual
+feeling of embarrassment between himself and Rosalind made his remaining
+with them a very doubtful advantage, he never quitted them.
+
+But it was quite in vain that he attempted to renew the occupations
+which had made the last six weeks pass so delightfully. He began to
+read; but Helen stopped him before the end of the page, by saying, "I
+cannot think what is the reason of it, Charles, but I cannot comprehend
+a single syllable of what you are reading."
+
+Rosalind, blushing to the ears, and actually trembling from head to
+foot, invited him to play at chess with her. Without replying a word, he
+brought the table and set up the men before her; but the result of the
+game was, that Charles gave Rosalind checkmate, and it was Helen only
+who discovered it.
+
+At an early hour they separated for the night; for the idea of waiting
+for Mrs. Mowbray seemed equally painful to them all, and the morrow's
+sun rose upon them only to bring a repetition of the sad and restless
+hours of the day that was past. Truly might they have said they were
+weary of conjecture; for so completely had they exhausted every
+supposition to which the imagination of either of the party could reach,
+without finding one on which common sense would permit them to repose,
+that, by what seemed common consent, they ceased to hazard a single "may
+be" more.
+
+They were sitting with their coffee-cups before them, and Rosalind was
+once more trying to fix the attention of Charles, as well as her own, to
+the chess-board, when a lusty pull at the door-bell produced an alarm
+which caused all the servants in the house to jump from their seats, and
+one half of the chessmen to be overturned by the violent start of
+Rosalind.
+
+A few moments of breathless expectation followed. The house door was
+opened, and the steps of several persons were heard in the hall, but no
+voice accompanied them. Helen rose, but trembled so violently, that her
+brother threw his arms round her and almost carried her to a sofa.
+Rosalind stood beside her, looking very nearly as pale as herself; while
+Charles made three steps forward and one back again, and then stood with
+his hands clasped and his eyes fixed on the door in a manner which
+showed that, in spite of his manhood, he was very nearly as much
+agitated as his companions.
+
+The next sound they heard was the voice of the lady of the mansion, and
+she spoke loud and clear, as she laid her hand on the lock, and partly
+opening the door, said addressing the butler, who with half a dozen
+other servingmen had hurried to answer the bell, "Chivers! order all the
+servants to meet me in this room immediately; and fail not to come
+yourself."
+
+Mowbray had again stepped forward upon hearing his mother's voice, but
+stopped short to listen to her words; and having heard them, he turned
+back again, and placing himself behind the sofa on which Helen sat,
+leaned over it to whisper in her ear--"Let me not see you overcome,
+Helen! and then I shall be able to bear any thing."
+
+As he spoke, the door was thrown widely open, and a lady entered dressed
+entirely in white and very deeply veiled, followed by Fanny Mowbray and
+Mr. Cartwright.
+
+A heavy sense of faintness seized on the heart of Helen, but she stood
+up and endeavoured to advance; Rosalind, on the contrary, stepped back
+and seated herself in the darkest corner of the room; while Charles
+hastily walked towards the veiled lady, and in a voice thick from
+emotion, exclaimed, "My mother!"
+
+"Yes, Charles!" she replied; "your mother; but no longer a widowed,
+desolate mother, shrinking before the unnatural rebuke of her son. I
+would willingly have acted with greater appearance of deliberation, but
+your conduct rendered this impossible. Mr. Cartwright! permit me to
+present you to this hot-headed young man and his sister, as my husband
+and their father."
+
+This terrible but expected annunciation was received in total silence.
+Mowbray seemed to think only of his sister; for without looking towards
+the person thus solemnly presented to him, he turned to her, and taking
+her by the arm, said, "Helen!--you had better sit down."
+
+Fanny, who had entered the room immediately after her mother, looked
+pale and frightened; but though she fixed a tearful eye on Helen, she
+attempted not to approach her.
+
+Mr. Cartwright himself stood beside his bride, or rather a little in
+advance of her: his tall person drawn up to its greatest height.
+Meekness, gentleness, and humility appeared to have his lips in their
+keeping; but unquenchable triumph was running riot in his eyes, and
+flashed upon every individual before him with a very unequivocal and
+somewhat scornful air of authority.
+
+This tableau endured till the door was again thrown open, and one by one
+the servants entered, forming at last a long line completely across the
+room. When all were in their marshalled places, which here, as
+elsewhere, were in as exact conformity to the received order of
+precedence as if they had been nobles at a coronation, the lady bride
+again lifted her voice and addressed them thus: "I have called you all
+together on the present occasion in order to inform you that Mr.
+Cartwright is my husband and your master. I hope it is unnecessary for
+me to say that every thing in the family must henceforward be submitted
+solely to his pleasure, and that his commands must on all occasions
+supersede those of every other person. I trust you will all show
+yourselves sensible of the inestimable blessing I have bestowed upon you
+in thus giving you a master who can lead you unto everlasting life; and
+as I have married for the glory of Heaven, so I trust to receive its
+blessing upon the same, and to see every member of my family advancing
+daily under the guidance of their earthly master's hand to that state
+which shall ensure them favour from their heavenly one in the life to
+come. Amen! Repeat, I beg you--all of you repeat with me Amen!"
+
+Though there were some throats there in which Amen would have stuck,
+there were enough present besides these to get up a tolerably articulate
+Amen.
+
+Mr. Cartwright then stepped forward, and laying his hat and gloves on
+the table, said aloud, "Let us pray!"
+
+The obedient menials knelt before him,--all save one. This bold
+exception was the housekeeper; a staid and sober person of fifty years
+of age, who during the dozen years she had presided over the household,
+had constantly evinced a strict and conscientious adherence to her
+religious duties, and was, moreover, distinguished for her uniformly
+respectful, quiet, and unobtrusive demeanour. But she now stepped
+forward from her place at the head of the line, and said in a low voice,
+but very slowly and distinctly, "I cannot, sir, on this occasion kneel
+down to pray at your bidding. This is not a holy business at all, Mr.
+Cartwright; and if you were to give me for salary the half of what you
+are about to wring from the orphan children of my late master, (deceased
+just eight calendar months ago,) I would not take it, sir, to live here
+and witness what I cannot but look upon as great sin."
+
+The good woman then gave a sad look at Helen and her brother, who were
+standing together, dropped a respectful curtesy as her eyes rested on
+them, and then left the room.
+
+"Her sin be on her own head!" said Mr. Cartwright as he himself kneeled
+down upon a footstool which stood near the table. He drew a cambric
+handkerchief from his pocket, gave a preparatory "hem," and apparently
+unconscious that Miss Torrington had darted from the remote corner in
+which she had been ensconced and followed the housekeeper out of the
+room, remained for a moment with his eyes fixed on Mowbray and Helen,
+who remained standing.
+
+"It would be a frightful mockery for us to kneel!" said Charles, drawing
+his sister back to the sofa she had quitted. "Sit down with me, Helen;
+and when we are alone we will pray for strength to endure as we ought to
+do whatever calamity it is Heaven's will to try us with."
+
+The bride was kneeling beside her husband; but she rose up and said,
+"You are of age, Charles Mowbray, and too stiff-necked and wilful to
+obey your mother: but you, Helen, I command to kneel."
+
+She then replaced herself with much solemnity; and Helen knelt too,
+while breathing a silent prayer to be forgiven for what she felt to be
+profanation.
+
+Charles stood for a moment irresolute, and then said, dropping on his
+knees beside her, "Heaven will pardon me for your sake, dear
+Helen,--even for kneeling at a service that my heart disclaims."
+
+Mr. Cartwright hemmed again, and began.
+
+"I thank thee! that by thy especial calling and election I am placed
+where so many sinful souls are found, who through and by me may be shown
+the path by which to escape the eternal pains of hell. But let thy
+flames blaze and burn, O Lord! for those who neglect so great salvation!
+Pour down upon them visibly thy avenging judgments, and let the earth
+see it and be afraid. To me, O Lord! grant power, strength, and courage
+to do the work that is set before me. Let me be a rod and a scourge to
+the ungodly; and let no sinful weakness on the part of the wife whom
+thou hast given me come across or overshadow the light received from
+thee for the leading of the rebellious back unto thy paths. Bless my
+virtuous wife; teach her to be meekly obedient to my word, and to thine
+through me; and make her so to value the inestimable mercy of being
+placed in the guiding hands of thy elected servant, that the miserable
+earthly dross which she maketh over to me in exchange for the same may
+seem but as dirt and filthiness in her sight! May such children as are
+already born unto her be brought to a due sense of thy exceeding mercy
+in thus putting it into their mother's heart to choose thine elected
+servant to lead them through the dangerous paths of youth; make them
+rejoice and be exceeding glad for the same, for so shall it be good in
+thy sight!"
+
+This terrible thanksgiving, with all its minute rehearsing of people and
+of things, went on for a considerable time longer; but enough has been
+given to show the spirit of it. As soon as it was ended, the new master
+of the mansion rose from his knees, and waiting with an appearance of
+some little impatience till his audience had all recovered their feet,
+he turned to his bride with a smile of much complacency, and said,
+"Mrs. Cartwright, my love, where shall I order Chivers to bring us some
+refreshments? Probably the dining-room fire is out. Shall we sup here?"
+
+"Wherever you please," answered the lady meekly, and blushing a little
+at the sound of her new name pronounced for the first time before her
+children.
+
+This address and the answer to it were too much for Helen to endure with
+any appearance of composure. She hid her face in her handkerchief as she
+passed her mother, and giving Fanny, who was seated near the door, a
+hasty kiss, left the room, followed by her brother.
+
+Helen ran to the apartment of Rosalind; and Mowbray ran with her,
+forgetful, as it seemed, of the indecorum of such an unauthorized
+intrusion at any time, and more forgetful still of the icy barrier which
+had seemed to exist between him and its fair inhabitant since the first
+expression of his love and of his hope had been so cruelly chilled by
+her light answer to it. But in this moment of new misery every thing was
+forgotten but the common sorrow: they found Rosalind passionately
+sobbing, and Mrs. Williams, the housekeeper, weeping very heartily
+beside her.
+
+"Oh, my Helen!" exclaimed the young heiress, springing forward to meet
+her; "Williams says they cannot take my money from me. Will you let us
+divide my fortune and live together?"
+
+"Williams forgets your age, Rosalind," replied Helen: but though there
+was pain in recalling this disqualifying truth, there was a glance of
+pleasure too in the look with which Helen thanked her; and Charles, as
+he gazed on her swollen eyes and working features, felt that, cruel as
+she had been to him, she must ever be the dearest, as she was the best
+and the loveliest, being in the world.
+
+And there was assuredly comfort, even at such a moment, in the devoted
+friendship of Rosalind, and in the respectful but earnest expressions of
+affection from the good housekeeper; but the future prospects of Charles
+and his sisters was one upon which it was impossible to look without
+dismay.
+
+"What ought we to do?" said Helen, appealing as much to her old servant
+as her young friend. "Can it be our duty to live with this hypocritical
+and designing wretch, and call him _father_?"
+
+"No!" replied Rosalind vehemently. "To do so would be shame and sin."
+
+"But where can the poor girls take refuge? You forget, Miss Torrington,
+that they are penniless," said Charles.
+
+"But I am not penniless, sir," replied Rosalind, looking at him with an
+expression of anger that proceeded wholly from his formal mode of
+address, but which he interpreted as the result of a manner assumed to
+keep him at a distance.
+
+"May I venture to say one word, my dear children, before I take my leave
+of you?" said Mrs. Williams.
+
+"Oh yes," said Helen, taking her by the hand; "I wish you would give us
+your advice, Williams: we are too young to decide for ourselves at such
+a dreadful moment as this."
+
+"And for that very reason, my dear Miss Helen, I would have you wait a
+little before you decide at all. Master Charles,--I beg his pardon--Mr.
+Mowbray,--is altogether a different consideration; and if so be it is
+any way possible for him, I think he should leave, and wait for the end
+elsewhere: but for you and poor Miss Fanny, my dear young lady, I do
+think you must learn to bear and forbear till such time as you may leave
+your misguided mamma, and perhaps accept this noble young lady's offer,
+and share her great fortune with her,--for a time I mean, Miss
+Helen,--for it can't be but my mistress will come to her senses sooner
+or later, and then she will remember she is a mother; and she will
+remember too, take my word for it, the noble-hearted but too confiding
+gentleman, who was your father."
+
+Tears flowed from every eye, for poor Mowbray was no exception, at this
+allusion to the beloved father, the gentle master, and the friendly
+guardian; but this did not prevent the good woman's words from having
+their full weight,--it rather added to it, for it brought back the vivid
+remembrance of one in whose temper there was no gall.
+
+"It will be hard to bear, Williams," replied Helen; "but I do indeed
+believe that you are right, and that, for a time at least, this cruelly
+changed house must be our home. But do you know that in the midst of all
+our misery, I have one comfort,--I think poor Fanny will be restored to
+us. Did you see the expression of her lovely face as she looked at us,
+Charles? Even you did not look more miserable."
+
+"And if that be so, Miss Helen, it may atone for much; for it was a
+grievous sight to see the poor innocent child taking all Mr.
+Cartwright's brass for gold. If she has got a peep at his cloven foot, I
+shall leave you almost with a light heart--for I have grieved over her."
+
+"I will take all the comfort I can, Williams, from your words, and will
+follow your counsel too, upon one condition; and that is, nobody must
+prevent my setting off betimes to-morrow morning, as you and I did,
+Rosalind, once before, for Oakley. If my dear godmother advises me as
+you do, Williams, I will return and quietly put my neck into this
+hateful yoke, and so remain till Heaven shall see fit to release me."
+
+"Heaven knows, I shall not oppose that plan," said Rosalind eagerly;
+"for to my judgment, it is the very best you can pursue."
+
+"Indeed I think so," added Charles; "and, dark and dismal as the
+mornings are, I would advise you, Helen, to set out before the time
+arrives for either accepting or refusing the general summons to join the
+family breakfast-table."
+
+"And may I go too?" said Rosalind with a glance half reproachful at
+Charles for the manner in which he seemed to avoid speaking to her.
+
+"May you, Rosalind?" cried Helen. "For pity's sake, do not fancy it
+possible that I can do anything without you now: I should feel that you
+were forsaking me."
+
+"I never forsake any one that I have ever loved," said Rosalind with
+emotion, "whatever you or any one else may think to the contrary."
+
+"Well, then, we will all three go together. But you little thought,
+Rosalind, when you first came here, that you would have to trudge
+through muddy lanes, and under wintry skies for want of a carriage: but
+on this occasion, at least, we will not ask Mr. Cartwright to permit us
+the use of one of his."
+
+"Then go to bed, my dear young ladies," said Mrs. Williams, "that you
+may be early up to-morrow: and let me hear from you, Miss Helen. I shall
+not go from Wrexhill, at least not till I know a little how you will
+settle every thing. I will take Mrs. Freeman's pretty little rooms, that
+you always admire so much, Master Charles; and there I will stay for the
+present."
+
+"Oh! that beautiful little cottage that they call the Mowbray Arms!"
+said Rosalind. "How we shall envy her, Helen!"
+
+The party then separated; for the good housekeeper most strenuously
+opposed Rosalind's proposition of passing the night with her friend.
+
+"You would neither of you sleep a wink, ladies, if you bide together.
+And now, though there is more sorrow with you than such young hearts
+ought to have, yet you will sleep when you have nobody to talk to about
+it; for what makes old folks wake and watch, will often made young folks
+sleep."
+
+And the good woman's prediction proved true; though the sleep that
+followed the tremendous blow they had received was too feverish and full
+of dreams to make the waking feel like that delightful return to new
+life and new joy which the waking of the young should ever be.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XV.
+
+WALK TO OAKLEY--DOMESTIC ARRANGEMENTS--THE VILLAGE INN.
+
+
+Fortunately for their proposed expedition, the morning broke more
+brightly than a December morning could reasonably be expected to do, and
+the trio set off on their walk to Oakley almost as soon as it was light.
+The expedition, notwithstanding the unhappy cause of it, would have been
+less silent and less sad, had not Charles thought Rosalind capricious
+and cruel, and had not Rosalind thought Charles unkind and cold.
+
+Nothing could appear more likely to perpetuate the unfortunate
+misunderstanding between them than the heavy misfortune that had fallen
+upon Mowbray. His total dependence, contrasted with Miss Torrington's
+wealth, was perpetually recurring to him, producing a degree of
+restraint in his manner that cut Rosalind to the heart, and roused all
+her womanly pride to prevent the long-combated feeling of attachment to
+which his present sorrows gave tenfold strength from betraying itself.
+
+The tripping lightly through summer paths, and the picking one's way
+through wintry lanes, are two very different operations; and
+notwithstanding their early rising, they found the baronet and his lady
+already at the breakfast-table.
+
+The astonishment occasioned by their appearance was great, but yet it
+was a joyous astonishment, and it was some time before Sir Gilbert's
+noisy welcome subsided sufficiently for her ladyship's more quiet and
+more anxious inquiries could be either answered or heard.
+
+At length there was something in the tone of Helen's voice, the glance
+of Rosalind's eye, and the silent pressure of Mowbray's hand, which
+awakened his attention.
+
+"Why, you have walked over to see us, my dear girls, and it was behaving
+like a pair of little angels to do so; but you're not one half as well
+pleased to see me as I am to see you. Come here, Helen; sit down in my
+own chair here, and get warm, and then the words will thaw and come
+forth like the notes from the horn of Munchausen's postboy. And your
+black eyes, Miss Rose, don't look half as saucy as they used do: and as
+for Charles,--What, on earth, is the matter with ye all?"
+
+Helen burst into tears and buried her face in Lady Harrington's bosom.
+
+"Sir Gilbert," said Mowbray, colouring to the temples, "my mother is
+married!"
+
+"The devil she is!" thundered the old man, clenching his fists.
+"Married, is she?--Jezebel!--May your poor father's ghost haunt her to
+her dying hour!--Married! To that canting cur the Vicar of Wrexhill? Is
+it not so?"
+
+"Even so, Sir Gilbert."
+
+"Heaven help you, my poor children!" said Lady Harrington in accents of
+the deepest sorrow; "this is a grief that it will indeed be hard to
+bear!"
+
+"And we come to you for counsel how to bear it, my dear lady," said
+Mowbray, "though little choice is left us. Yet, Helen says, if you tell
+her that she must submit to call this man her father, it will be easier
+for her to do it."
+
+"Bless her, darling child!" said the old lady, fondly caressing her;
+"how shall I ever find the heart to bid her do what it must break her
+heart to think of?"
+
+"Bid her call that rascal father?" cried Sir Gilbert. "My Lady
+Harrington must be strangely altered, Mowbray, before she will do that:
+she is a very rebellious old lady, and a most prodigious shrew; but you
+do her no justice, Charles, in believing she would utter such atrocious
+words."
+
+"But what is to become of Helen, my dear Sir Gilbert, if she quarrel
+with this man?"
+
+"Come to us, to be sure,--what's the man to her? Has your precious
+mother made any settlement upon you all?"
+
+"I imagine not; indeed I may say that I am sure she has not."
+
+"Am I a prophet, my lady? how did I tell you Mowbray's sentimental will
+would answer? And has this meek and gentle lady proved herself deserving
+of all the pretty things I said of her?"
+
+"There is but small comfort in remembering how truly, how very truly,
+your predictions foretold what has happened, Sir Gilbert: and he has
+predicted that you must come here, my sweet Helen; let this come true
+likewise."
+
+"I cannot leave poor Fanny, Lady Harrington," replied Helen; "I cannot
+leave my dear and generous friend Rosalind: and yet your offered
+kindness cheers my heart, and I shall think of it with pleasure and
+gratitude as long as I live."
+
+"But I thought Fanny was a disciple of this Calvinistic gentleman's? If
+so, it were better she remained with him till she has learned to
+distinguish hypocrisy from virtue, and cant from true religion. And for
+Miss Torrington, I shall rejoice to have her for my guest for as long a
+time as she can find our old-fashioned mansion agreeable to her."
+
+"You are very, very kind!" replied the two friends in the same breath.
+
+"Then so let it be. Charles, these good girls will stay here for the
+present; so let us eat our breakfast. Let me save them from the odious
+spectacle of the Vicar of Wrexhill establishing himself at Mowbray Park,
+and the future must take care of itself."
+
+"But, Fanny," said Helen doubtingly, "she looked so unhappy as she
+followed my mother in last night, that I feel almost certain her fit of
+enthusiasm is already over."
+
+"So much the better, my dear," said Sir Gilbert; "but it will do her a
+vast deal of good to watch the reverend gentleman's proceedings in his
+new character. That scratch upon her intellect must be cauterized before
+I shall believe it cured; and when the operation is complete, she may
+join the party here. As for you, my dear boy, when your breakfast is
+finished I have something for your ear in private."
+
+This _something_ was the proposal of a loan sufficient for the purchase
+of the commission, and for the supply of the expenses consequent upon
+joining his corps. But this Mowbray could not be prevailed upon to
+accept; and his reasons for refusing it were such, that when he could
+prevail on the friendly old gentleman to listen to him, he could not
+deny that there was much weight in them.
+
+"If I withdraw myself altogether from my mother at this moment," said
+Charles, "I shall give her husband an excellent and very plausible
+excuse for persuading her to banish me from her house and her heart for
+ever. Whereas if I remain near her, it can hardly, I think, be doubted
+that some reaction will take place in her feelings, and that she will at
+last be induced to treat me as a son. At any rate, Sir Gilbert, not even
+your generous kindness shall induce me to abandon this hope till I feel
+persuaded that it is a vain one. In my opinion, my duty and my interest
+equally dictate this line of conduct; and if so, you are the last man in
+the world to dissuade me from pursuing it."
+
+Whether there were too much of firm decision in Mowbray's manner to
+leave any hope of overcoming it, or that Sir Gilbert was really
+convinced by his arguments, was difficult to decide; but he yielded the
+point, on condition that the two girls should be left at Oakley, at
+least for the present, and be regulated as to their future conduct by
+the manner in which affairs went on at the Park.
+
+This being settled much to the satisfaction of all parties, Lady
+Harrington made Miss Torrington describe the entrée of this most
+undesired interloper; a task which the fair Rosalind performed with
+great spirit, though she confessed that the impatient feeling to which
+she yielded in leaving the room was now a cause of regret, as she had
+lost thereby some notable traits in the history of that eventful hour.
+
+Lady Harrington was greatly delighted at the conduct of Mrs. Williams;
+and when Charles left them to inform Mrs. Cartwright that her daughter
+and her ward had accepted an invitation to remain at Oakley for a few
+days, she proposed that they should pay her a visit at the Mowbray Arms,
+both to give her the satisfaction of knowing that her conduct was
+approved, and likewise to give her the comfort of knowing that Helen and
+Miss Torrington were for the present removed from such scenes as they
+had witnessed the night before.
+
+It was about two o'clock in the afternoon when Lady Harrington's
+carriage drove across the common to the little public-house already
+described as the Mowbray Arms. As they approached, they perceived
+several persons who appeared to be occupied in very eager and deep
+discussion before the door.
+
+"What are they doing there?" said Lady Harrington.
+
+Rosalind put forward her head to ascertain this, but in an instant drew
+it back again, exclaiming, "Mr. Cartwright is there!"
+
+"Mr. Cartwright!" exclaimed Helen, turning very pale. "Oh, Lady
+Harrington, do not let me see him!"
+
+Lady Harrington let down the glass behind the coachman, and said aloud,
+"Turn round instantly, and drive home."
+
+This order being immediately obeyed, the party escaped the sight of the
+vicar; but in gaining this advantage they lost that of beholding a scene
+which must have drawn forth a smile, even from Helen herself.
+
+The parties engaged in it were Mrs. Freeman, her daughter Sally, Jem the
+horse-boy, an elderly traveller called forth by the clamour from the
+warm comforts of Mrs. Freeman's fireside, and Mr. Cartwright himself. A
+short retrospect will be necessary to explain his business there.
+
+As soon as the prayer of that morning had reached its final Amen--for as
+the subject-matter of it consisted chiefly in vehement implorings of the
+divine favour on such of his new family and household as should show
+unto him the most perfect submission and obedience, the Amen, to make
+assurance doubly sure, was three several times repeated;--as soon,
+however, as it was finally pronounced, the vicar, his lady, and the pale
+Fanny, sat down to breakfast. It would be tedious to tell how many
+glances of furtive but deep-felt delight the newly-made master of the
+house cast on each and every of the minute, yet not unimportant,
+differences between this breakfast-table and any others at which he had
+occupied a place of equal authority: suffice it to say, that there were
+many. The meal, indeed, altogether lasted much longer than usual; but as
+soon as it was ended, and that Mr. Cartwright had watched with feelings
+of great complacency the exit of its component parts by the hands of two
+footmen and a butler, he told his wife that he should be obliged, though
+most unwillingly, to leave her for some hours, as there were many things
+to which his personal attention was required.
+
+"Will the rooms be ready to-day for Jacob and Henrietta, my love?"
+
+"They are quite ready now, my dear Mr. Cartwright. When may we hope to
+see them?"
+
+"To call and give them their orders about coming here is one part of the
+business that takes me from you, my sweet Clara. There are some small
+bills in the village, too, with which your happy husband must not be
+dunned, sweet love. What ready-money have you, dearest, in the house?"
+
+"Of money I have very little indeed," said Mrs. Cartwright, unlocking
+her desk, and drawing thence a purse with ten or twelve sovereigns in
+it. "I pay every thing by drafts."
+
+"By far the best way, my love. But your drafts, dear, are no longer
+worth any thing; and I must therefore see Corbold, to give orders that
+every thing is put right about that at the banker's, and so forth: and
+this must really be done without delay."
+
+"Certainly it must," said the lady. "Shall I ... I mean, will you send
+one of the men to Wrexhill to bring him here?"
+
+Mr. Cartwright laid his hand on the bell, but, ere he pulled it, checked
+his hand, and said, "No! I must walk to the village, and therefore I
+will call on him myself."
+
+"Shall you prefer walking, my dear Mr. Cartwright?"
+
+"Why no: I had forgot: perhaps it would be as well to take the
+carriage."
+
+"Oh, certainly! And you can bring Henrietta back with you."
+
+"True, dear,--she will certainly want the carriage: I will go, and send
+her and her bandboxes back in it--and then, perhaps, drive myself back
+in the cab. It is at the Vicarage, you know."
+
+"Is it? I did not remember that. Then how are they gone this
+morning?--those undutiful children, I mean, who have chosen to set off
+this morning without even leaving a message for us. I imagined that
+Charles had packed them both into the cab, as he has often done his
+sisters."
+
+"Do not waste a thought on them, my beloved Clara! It is evident that
+they have neither of them ever felt the slightest affection for you; and
+would it not be worse than folly for you, beloved and adored as you are,
+to let any thought of them come to blight our happiness?"
+
+After this and many more tender and affectionate passages had passed
+between them, Mr. Cartwright set off for the Vicarage _in his own
+coach_, as he told himself more than once as he drove along; and having
+informed his son and daughter, not greatly to the surprise of either,
+that Mowbray Park was to be their future home, he left them to prepare
+for their removal, telling Henrietta that he would send his carriage
+back from Mr. Corbold's, where it should set him down, and that she
+might fill it, if she chose, with her own luggage, as he should drive
+Jacob _home_ in his cab.
+
+At Mr. Corbold's the conversation was rather religious, and moreover
+extremely satisfactory to both parties. One or two of his most prayerful
+parishioners among the tradespeople were next called upon, and permitted
+to offer their congratulations and thanksgivings, and then told to send
+their bills to the Park. After this, the reverend bridegroom walked down
+the village street to the common, returning the humble bowings and
+curtsyings that crossed his path with a benignant sweetness of
+countenance that spoke much of the placid contentment that dwelt within.
+
+It was not, however, solely to enjoy this pleasing interchange of
+heavenly-minded civility that he directed his steps along this
+well-frequented path--though that was something,--but for the purpose
+also of transacting a little business with Freeman, the prosperous
+landlord of the Mowbray Arms.
+
+This good man and his family, it may be observed, had been great
+favourites with the family of Mr. Wallace, the late vicar, but stood not
+so high by many degrees in the estimation of the present. They were
+honest, industrious, regular church-going people, who had never, during
+the twenty years they had kept the village inn, been accused or even
+suspected of having neglected a Sabbath, or of having ever permitted any
+indecorum either on that or any other day, to be practised under their
+roof. But they had steadily refused to attend Mr. Cartwright's Tuesday
+evening's expounding, and his Thursday evening's lecture; the good
+woman, who was no bad scholar, alleging as the reason for this, that
+they knew of no such religious service being enjoined by the church of
+which they were members, and that not considering themselves in any way
+called upon to amend the ordinances of the religion in which they were
+born and bred, they thought it more according to their condition to
+remain at home and endeavour to do their duty in that state of life to
+which it had pleased God to call them.
+
+This explanation having been very clearly and distinctly given to the
+vicar in the presence of several witnesses, before whom he had intended
+to make a rather marked display of pastoral piety and eloquence, though
+uttered with very becoming modesty and respect, had produced an
+impression against the pains-taking Dorothy and all her household never
+to be forgotten or forgiven.
+
+Mr. Cartwright had even taken the trouble of waiting upon the
+magistrates of the neighbourhood, requesting them to refuse to continue
+Freeman's licence, assuring them that he was a man whose character was
+likely to produce a very demoralising influence on his parish. But as
+these gentlemen had happened to know the good man for many years, they
+begged to consider of it; and the Vicar of Wrexhill was thus left to
+discover other ways and means by which to dislodge his obnoxious
+parishioner.
+
+A very favourable occasion for this now seemed to offer itself, and he
+accordingly proceeded with an elastic step and dignified gait towards
+the Mowbray Arms.
+
+At the moment he appeared in sight, the ex-housekeeper of the Park was
+describing to Mrs. Freeman and her daughter Sally the return of its
+mistress and most unwelcome master on the preceding evening.
+
+"Why, here he comes, as sure as I live!" exclaimed Dorothy. "What in the
+wide world can bring him here? It must be to preachify you, Mrs.
+Williams."
+
+"And that's what he shall never do again:--so step out and speak to him
+outside--there's a dear good woman; and if I see you can't get rid of
+him, I'll make my way out of the back door, and so go round and slip in
+again and up to my own room before he can catch me."
+
+To facilitate this escape, Mrs. Freeman walked forth and met the
+reverend bridegroom just as he had reached the foot of the post from
+whence depended the Mowbray Arms.
+
+"Good morning, Mrs. Freeman," he said, in the peculiar accent in which
+he always addressed those who were not (to use his own phrase) of his
+father's house,--a tone in which cold outward civility was struggling
+with hot internal hatred;--"Good morning, Mrs. Freeman."
+
+"Good morning, sir," responded Mrs. Freeman with a very proper and
+ceremonious curtsy.
+
+"I have called to mention to you a necessary alteration that must
+immediately take place on your premises. You must forthwith take down
+the Mowbray Arms, which have no longer any connexion with the
+neighbourhood; and it may be, if you conduct yourselves properly, I may
+permit you to substitute the Cartwright Arms."
+
+"I believe, sir," said Mrs. Freeman in a tone rather too much
+approaching to indifference, "that a publican may exhibit what sign he
+likes, provided it be not offensive to common decency: and I think there
+may be a many," she added, turning away to re-enter her house, "who
+might object to the sign you propose, as not coming within that line."
+
+She had made a step or two towards the door, when she turned again upon
+hearing the voice of the vicar raised to a very unusual pitch. He was
+not addressing her, however, but the boy Jem, who chanced at that moment
+to be entering the little rickyard with a ladder upon his shoulder.
+
+"Bring here that ladder, boy!" vociferated the imperious great man.
+
+The boy obeyed, saying, as he drew near, "What's your pleasure, sir?"
+
+"Fix your ladder against this post, d'ye hear? and mount--steady,
+mind,--and take the sign off the hooks. When you have got it loose, you
+may let it drop. If it breaks, it's no matter,--it is of no farther
+value."
+
+"Take down master's sign, your honour?" said Jem, opening his mouth and
+eyes to their greatest dimensions, but not approaching an inch nearer to
+the sign-post.
+
+"Do you dispute my orders, you little ruffian?" cried the holy vicar,
+his eyes flashing, and his cane raised in a very threatening attitude.
+
+"You be the parson of the parish, I know," said the boy, looking
+steadily in his face; "and they do say you be something else besides,
+now; but I don't see that's a reason for my lugging master's sign down."
+
+At this moment the feelings of the man overcame those of the saint, and
+Mr. Cartwright seizing upon the ladder, succeeded in disengaging it from
+the boy's hands, and himself placing it against the post, had already
+got one foot upon it, when Mrs. Freeman stepped back, and taking a quiet
+but firm hold of his arm, said, "It is a trespass and a damage you are
+committing, sir, and I warn you to desist; and I wish with all my heart
+that there was no worser trespass and damage upon your conscience--or at
+least that there was still as good time to stop it. But, married or not
+to the lady, we won't have nothing to do with your arms, Mr. Cartwright,
+nor your legs, neither, if you please, sir; so don't be after climbing
+that fashion to disturb our property, for it don't look clerical nohow."
+
+Mr. Cartwright raised his voice much beyond its usual pitch, to answer;
+and at this moment Sally and the traveller, moved by a very natural
+feeling of curiosity, joined the group.
+
+"Why, what's the gentleman after?" said the wayfaring man, deliberately
+taking out a pair of huge near-sighted spectacles to examine into the
+mystery. "I should take un to be a parson by his cloth; only I never did
+hear of a reverend climbing a ladder, save and except the famous Dr.
+Dodd, as I've read of in the Newgate Calendar."
+
+This harangue, short as it was, saved the Mowbray Arms from farther
+molestation for the present; for the vicar withdrew his foot. But the
+glance with which he greeted the speaker was very nearly awful. Dorothy
+Freeman, however, turned on her heel, nothing heeding it: her guest and
+daughter followed her into the house; Jem quietly took up his ladder and
+proceeded on his business; and the Vicar of Wrexhill, with feelings
+which the hope of future vengeance alone enabled him to endure with
+decent philosophy, was fain to turn on his heel also and walk off.
+
+
+END OF THE SECOND VOLUME.
+
+
+
+
+VOLUME THE THIRD.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER I.
+
+MR. AND MRS. CARTWRIGHT'S LETTER.
+
+
+The very elegant cab, with its beautiful horse and accoutrements, led
+round to the door of the Vicarage as his own--the agreeable vivacity, as
+he always thought it, of his remarkably clever son--the multitude of low
+bows and lower curtsies which greeted him as he drove along--and above
+all, perhaps, the merry peal from the church tower, which had been
+ordered by himself to ring him into Mowbray Park, produced altogether so
+favourable an effect upon the nerves of the vicar, that when he stopped
+at the portico of his mansion, his spirits and his temper appeared
+altogether to have recovered the shock they had received at the foot of
+the sign-post.
+
+The family party which met at dinner consisted of Mr. and Mrs.
+Cartwright, Miss Cartwright, Mr. Jacob Cartwright, and poor Charles
+Mowbray and his sister Fanny.
+
+Mowbray thought the genial hour of dinner might probably be the most
+favourable for mentioning the invitation of Sir Gilbert and Lady
+Harrington to his sister and Miss Torrington; an idea which probably
+occurred to him in consequence of the remarkably well pleased and
+complaisant air visible on his stepfather's countenance as he took his
+place at the bottom of the table. Poor Charles! he made this
+observation, and he determined to profit by it; though it was not
+without a pang that he saw himself thus pushed from the stool that
+nature and fortune seemed to have assigned to him.
+
+"I am glad," thought he, "that the proud Rosalind, who advised me to lay
+my fortune at the feet of no one, is not here to witness the moment at
+which I take my place at my father's board, Lord of my presence and no
+land beside!"
+
+But his young spirit soon o'er mastered the sensation which seemed
+threatening to choke him, when Mr. Cartwright said in the most obliging
+voice in the world, "Charles, let me give you some soup."
+
+This over, he said with the easiest accent he could assume, and
+addressing his mother, "I am the bearer, ma'am, of a message from Lady
+Harrington. She hopes that you will spare her the society of Miss
+Torrington and Helen for a short time."
+
+Mrs. Cartwright looked at her husband to ascertain his sentiments,
+before she ventured to have any of her own.
+
+"It is very considerate of the old lady," said the vicar, with a soft
+smile, of which his daughter only knew the full value. "I dare say she
+thought we should be a good deal engaged just at first.... Chivers!
+don't you see Mr. Jacob Cartwright is waiting for sauce?... I think, my
+love, we shall make no objection to the arrangement: however, we will
+talk together on the subject before we decide."
+
+As this amiable speech will not be found to accord exactly with his
+subsequent conduct, it may be well to remark that the servants were
+waiting at table, who doubtless would report his answer, and speculate
+on the temper of it.
+
+The family party seemed expected to sit at table rather longer than
+usual. The master of the banquet was evidently enjoying himself; and
+though Charles sickened alike at his dignity and his condescension, and
+Henrietta looked more pale and Fanny more melancholy every moment, still
+Mr. Jacob appeared in ecstacies; and as Mrs. Cartwright continued to
+smile upon her handsome husband with every symptom of satisfaction, he
+continued to perform his new and delightful task at the bottom of the
+table till long past the usual hour of withdrawing.
+
+At length, however, the watchful bride received the little nod which her
+husband had that morning informed her must always precede her moving
+from table. The ladies retired, and Charles followed them as far as the
+hall, where, impatiently seizing upon his hat, and wrapping himself in
+his cloak, he set off, despite the heavy darkness of the night, to
+relieve his heart from the load that oppressed it, by passing an hour at
+Oakley.
+
+Mr. Cartwright and Jacob remained in the dining-room for another very
+delightful half-hour; and then followed coffee and tea, and Fanny's own
+hymns sung to Irish melodies, and a few conjugal kindnesses exchanged on
+the sofa; and Henrietta pleaded illness and went to bed; and then
+another very appropriate extempore prayer was uttered, and the family
+separated.
+
+"Will you not take a little wine and water, and a biscuit, my dear Mr.
+Cartwright?" said his attentive wife. "You always used to do it."
+
+"I had rather the tray were taken to your dressing-room, my love."
+
+There was something so affectionately comfortable in the proposition,
+that the lady added a tender smile to her nodded assent, and in a few
+minutes the newly-married pair found themselves in robes de chambre,
+luxuriously seated in two soft arm-chairs before a blazing fire, in the
+very room that a few short weeks before had witnessed the first full
+disclosure of the vicar's love.
+
+Madeira, sugar, nutmeg, hot water, and dainty biscuits, tempted to negus
+and to chat; and thus the conversation ran:
+
+"Only second to my service to the Lord, my Clara, is my adoration of
+you!" began the fond husband; "and in nothing perhaps shall I be more
+likely to show this, than in the pains I shall almost involuntarily take
+to guard you from every spiteful and envious observation which our
+union, sweetest, is likely to excite. It was in this spirit, my
+beauteous Clara, that I replied in the manner I did to the message from
+those very infamous people the Harringtons. Had I, my love, at once
+proclaimed my feelings on the subject, I well knew what the result would
+be. You would have been abused throughout the country for having married
+a tyrant, whose first act of power was to vex and thwart your children.
+Therefore, when your sweet eyes looked towards mine, for the purpose of
+consulting me, I at once decided upon the line of conduct most certain
+of securing you from any invidious remark."
+
+"How very kind! My dearest husband, I must pray for power to prove my
+gratitude for such kindness as I ought!"
+
+"Sweet love! Together will we pray--together learn how best to prove the
+virtuous tenderness of our souls! But do not, my Clara, suspect me
+guilty of the contemptible weakness of really intending that your
+daughter and your ward should remain inmates in a family that has so
+cruelly insulted you. Oh! do not believe it! No! I would rather submit
+to insult myself in the most painful form, than permit you, my best
+beloved, to encounter it unresisted. You must write, my Clara--you must
+write a letter to Helen, and send it with the carriage early to-morrow
+morning to Oakley. It must be such a letter, dearest, as shall bring her
+home without an hour's delay."
+
+"But, my dearest Mr. Cartwright, Charles is gone there to-night, you may
+depend upon it, and probably for the express purpose of telling the
+girls how graciously you received the invitation."
+
+"You think so, my Clara? I own I hoped it was the case. This, you see,
+is exactly what we could most wish to happen. My answer was spoken
+precisely in the spirit which I thought could be repeated most
+favourably for you. Now therefore your asserting a mother's rights and a
+mother's feelings must do you honour even in the eyes of those you
+disoblige, and no sort of reflection fall upon the blessed choice which
+has made me the happiest of men."
+
+"That was so thoughtful of you!" replied Mrs. Cartwright, kissing the
+hand that clasped hers. "But what shall I say to Helen, dearest?"
+
+"Give me your desk, my Clara, and I will write a line or two, that you
+shall copy. It must be expressed with strength and firmness, my best
+love, and it may prevent a repetition of this very improper request for
+the future."
+
+The desk was brought; and while Mrs. Cartwright prepared a second glass
+of negus for the vicar, who declared that the night was unusually
+chilly, he composed the following epistle:
+
+     "Helen!
+
+     "That it should have entered into your heart, into the heart of
+     my own dear child, to wish for permission to become the guest
+     of a family who from the hour of your late father's death has
+     ever treated me with the most cruel and unmerited unkindness,
+     is a mystery that I cannot understand. It was this unkindness
+     which drove me, sooner than I could have wished to do it, to
+     find a friend and adviser in Mr. Cartwright; and my only fear
+     now is, that his indulgent gentleness towards my children may
+     prevent his being so firm a support to me in the guiding them
+     as I may sometimes require. But in the present instance I want
+     no strength beyond my own to declare to you, that I will not
+     permit you to remain an hour longer at Sir Gilbert
+     Harrington's; that I command you instantly to put yourself into
+     the carriage I send for you, and return to Cartwright Park;
+     (for so, of course, will my residence be called for the
+     future;) and moreover, I beg you to inform the unprincipled
+     pair who would seduce you from your mother's roof, that if on
+     the present or any future occasion they should persuade you to
+     commit so great a sin, I shall take legal measures to recover
+     the possession of your person till such time as you shall be of
+     age; when, if unhappily evil counsellors should still have
+     influence over you, I shall give you up to them, to penniless
+     obscurity, to your own heart's remorse, and to that sentence of
+     everlasting condemnation which will in such case infallibly
+     doom you to the region where there is howling and gnashing of
+     teeth.
+
+     "As for my ward Miss Torrington, I must of course take the same
+     summary mode of getting her again under my protection, for such
+     time as I shall continue to be her legal guardian.
+
+     "CLARA HELENA FRANCES CARTWRIGHT.
+
+     "Cartwright Park, Wednesday."
+
+When this composition was completed, Mr. Cartwright turned the desk to
+his lady, laid a fair sheet of blank paper before her, put a pen into
+her hand, drew the wax-lights near her, and then set about sipping the
+negus she had so kindly prepared for him, without appearing to think it
+at all necessary to ask her opinion of the document she was about to
+copy.
+
+Being, however, rather new to the yoke into which it had pleased her to
+thrust her head, she took the liberty of reading it. A slight
+augmentation of colour was perceived on her delicate cheek as she
+proceeded, by the watchful eye of her husband, as he turned it towards
+her, over the top of the beautifully cut goblet he held in his hand. But
+he nibbled a biscuit, and said nothing.
+
+When the perusal of it was completed, Mrs. Cartwright dipped the pen she
+still held between her fingers, in the ink; but before she began to use
+it, she paused, the colour mounted a little higher still, and she
+ventured to say in the very gentlest accent in the world, "My dear
+friend,--do you not think this might be a little softened?"
+
+"As how, my sweetest?"
+
+Mrs. Cartwright's eye again ran over it, but she seemed unwilling to
+speak: at length she said, "If you, dear Cartwright, agree with me
+about it, you would make the alteration so much better yourself!"
+
+"Perhaps I might, my lovely Clara; but as the fact is that I do not
+agree with you at all on the subject, I suspect your epistle would be
+rather the worse than the better for any thing further that I could do
+to it."
+
+He rose as he spoke, and going behind her, appeared to read the paper
+over her shoulder, and having satisfied himself with the examination,
+kissed her fair throat as he bent over it, adding, as he took a light
+from the table, "I am going to the library to look for a book, my love:
+write it exactly as you like, and I will seal it for you when I return."
+
+No one who knew Mrs. Cartwright could have the slightest doubt that the
+letter would be very fairly copied by the time her obliging husband
+returned: and so it was every word of it excepting the date. She
+appeared to be in the very act of writing this when he came back, and
+stopping short as he entered, she said in a voice that certainly
+faltered a little, "My dear Cartwright,--don't you think it would be
+better to let those odious Harringtons hear from some other quarter of
+this change in the name of our place? Not but that I approve it, I
+assure you perfectly; but I know Lady Harrington so well! and I can
+guess so exactly the sort of style in which she will observe upon it!"
+
+"Then, perhaps, dearest," said he, again coming behind her and caressing
+her neck,--"perhaps you may think it would please her ladyship better if
+your own name, as you have accepted it from me, were to be
+suppressed?--Is it so, my fairest?"
+
+"Good Heaven, no!--May I be forgiven for using such an expression,
+Cartwright! How could you say such cruel words?"
+
+"Nay!--my own Clara!--what could I think of your wishing that the house
+we dwell in should retain the name of your former husband? Ah, dearest!
+you know not all the jealousy of affection so ardent as mine! What is
+the importance of the name of the place, Clara, compared to your own?
+Are you not mine?" he continued, throwing his arms round her; "and if
+you are--why should you torture me with the remembrance that another has
+called you his?--that another's name has been your signature, your date,
+your history? Oh, Clara! spare me such thoughts as these!--they unman
+me!"
+
+"My dearest Cartwright!" returned the lady, only disengaging herself
+from his arms sufficiently to write with firm though hurried characters
+the name of CARTWRIGHT PARK,--"how deeply you have touched me!"
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER II.
+
+THE WIDOW SIMPSON'S DISAPPOINTMENT.
+
+
+This letter was certainly commented upon pretty freely in all its parts
+by the knight and lady of Oakley; but not the less did it produce the
+effect intended: for not even could Sir Gilbert, after the first hot fit
+of rage was over, advise poor Helen to expose herself to be recalled by
+force. In the case of Miss Torrington, the hated authority of Mr.
+Cartwright, though not necessarily so lasting, was for the present
+equally imperative, and he therefore advised her peaceably to accompany
+her friend to her unhappy home, and then to set about applying to
+Chancery in order to emancipate herself from it.
+
+The parting was a very sad one. Poor Helen wept bitterly. She had felt
+more consolation perhaps than she was aware in having been received with
+such very _parental_ kindness at Oakley; and her present departure from
+it was, she thought, exceedingly like being driven, or rather dragged,
+out of paradise. But there was no help for it. The carriage was waiting
+at the door, and even the rebellious Sir Gilbert himself said she must
+go,--not without adding, however, that it should go hard with him if he
+did not find some means or other, before she were twenty-one, of
+releasing her from such hateful thraldom.
+
+Helen had given, as she thought, her last kiss to her warm-hearted
+godmother, and was in the very act of stepping aside that Miss
+Torrington might take her place in the carriage, when that young lady
+blushing most celestial rosy red, said abruptly, as if prompted thereto
+by a sudden and desperate effort of courage, "Sir Gilbert
+Harrington!--may I speak to you for one single minute alone?"
+
+"For a double century, fair Rose, if we can but make the tête-à-tête
+last so long.--You may give poor god-mamma another hug, Helen: and don't
+hurry yourself about it,--Miss Rose and I shall find a great deal to say
+to each other."
+
+As soon as the old baronet had completed the flourish with which he led
+her into his library, Miss Torrington turned to him, and with a voice
+and manner that betrayed great agitation, she said, "I believe, Sir
+Gilbert, I may change my present guardian, by applying to the Court of
+Chancery. If I make myself a ward of the court, it will be necessary, I
+believe, for me to obtain the Lord Chancellor's consent if I should wish
+to marry before I am of age?"
+
+"Certainly, my dear."
+
+"And what is necessary for the obtaining such consent, Sir Gilbert?"
+
+"That the person who proposes to marry you should be able to offer
+settlements in proportion to your own fortune."
+
+"And if I should choose a person unable to do so?"
+
+"To guard against such imprudence, Miss Torrington, the Chancellor has
+the power of preventing such a marriage."
+
+Rosalind's colour came, and went and came again, before she could utter
+another word; but at length she said, "Have I not the power of choosing
+another guardian, Sir Gilbert?"
+
+"I believe you have, my dear."
+
+"If I have,--then will you let me choose you?"
+
+These words burst so eagerly from her, and she clasped her hands, and
+fixed eyes upon him with a look so supplicating, that no man would have
+found it an easy task to refuse her. Sir Gilbert probably felt little
+inclination to do so, though he had, in the course of his life,
+repeatedly refused to take the office now offered him in so singular a
+manner.
+
+"This request, my dear Miss Rose," said he, smiling, "looks very much as
+if you thought I should prove such an old fool of a guardian as to let
+you have your own way in all things. I hardly know whether I ought to
+thank you for the compliment or not. However, I am very willing to
+accept the office; for I think, somehow or other, that you will not
+plague me much.--What is your fortune, my dear?--and is it English or
+Irish property?"
+
+"Entirely English, Sir Gilbert; and produces, I believe, between three
+and four thousand a year."
+
+"A very pretty provision, my dear young lady. Would you wish to proceed
+in this immediately?"
+
+"Immediately,--without a day's delay, if I could help it."
+
+Sir Gilbert patted her cheek, and smiled again with a look of very great
+contentment and satisfaction. "Very well, my dear--I think you are quite
+right--quite right to get rid of such a guardian as the Reverend
+Mistress Cartwright with as little delay as possible. I imagine you
+would not find it very easy to negotiate the business yourself, and I
+will therefore recommend my lawyer to you. Shall I put the business into
+his hands forthwith?"
+
+So bright a flash of pleasure darted from the eyes of Rosalind, as made
+the old gentleman wink his own--and, in truth, he appeared very nearly
+as well pleased as herself. "Now then," she said, holding her hand
+towards him that he might lead her out again, "I will keep Mr.
+Cartwright's carriage waiting no longer.--Bless you, Sir Gilbert! Do not
+talk to any body about this till it is done. Oh! how very kind you are!"
+
+Sir Gilbert gallantly and gaily kissed the tips of her fingers, and led
+her again into the drawing-room. Helen, who was still weeping, and
+seemed as much determined to persevere in it as ever Beatrice did,
+looked with astonishment in the face of her friend, which, though still
+covered with blushes, was radiant with joy. It was in vain she looked at
+her, however--it was a mystery she could not solve: so, once more
+uttering a mournful farewell, Helen gave a last melancholy gaze at her
+old friends, and followed Rosalind into the carriage.
+
+"May I ask you, Rosalind," she said as soon as it drove off, "what it is
+that you have been saying to Sir Gilbert, or Sir Gilbert to you, which
+can have caused you to look so particularly happy at the moment that you
+are about to take up your residence at Cartwright Park, under the
+guardianship of its master the Vicar of Wrexhill?"
+
+"I will explain the mystery in a moment, Helen. I have asked Sir Gilbert
+Harrington to let me name him as my guardian, and he has consented."
+
+"Have you such power?" replied Helen. "Oh, happy, happy Rosalind!"
+
+"Yes, Helen, there may be happiness in that;--but I may find
+difficulties, perhaps:--and if I do!--"
+
+"I trust you will not.--I trust that ere long you will be able to
+withdraw yourself from a house so disgraced and afflicted as ours!"
+
+"And leave you behind, Helen? You think that is part of my scheme?"
+
+"How can you help it, Rosalind? You have just read my my mother's
+letter:--you see the style and tone in which she announces her right
+over _my person_;--and this from the mother I so doated on! I do assure
+you, Rosalind, that I often seem to doubt the reality of the misery that
+surrounds me, and fancy that I must be dreaming. Throw back your
+thoughts to the period of your first coming to us, and then say if such
+a letter as this can really come to me from my mother."
+
+"The letter is a queer letter--a very queer letter indeed. And yet I am
+under infinite obligations to it: for had she not used that pretty
+phrase,--'for such time as I shall continue to be her legal
+guardian,'--it might never have entered my head to inquire for how long
+a time that must of necessity be."
+
+"I rejoice for you, Rosalind, that the odious necessity of remaining
+with us is likely to be shortened; and will mix no malice with my envy,
+even when I see you turn your back for ever upon Cartwright Park."
+
+"There would be little cause to envy me, Helen, should I go without
+taking you with me."
+
+A tear stood in Rosalind's bright eye as she said this, and Helen felt
+very heartily ashamed of the petulance with which she had spoken. As a
+penance for it, she would not utter the sad prognostic that rose to her
+lips, as to the impossibility that any thing could give her power to
+bestow the freedom she might herself obtain.
+
+Their return seemed to be unnoticed by every individual of the family
+except Henrietta. She saw the carriage approach from her own room, and
+continued to waylay Rosalind as she passed to hers.
+
+"I know the sight of me must be hateful to you Miss Torrington," she
+said, "and I have been looking out for you in order that the shock of
+first seeing me might be over at once. Poor, pretty Helen
+Mowbray!--notwithstanding the hardness of heart on which I pique
+myself, I cannot help feeling for her. How does she bear it, Miss
+Torrington?"
+
+"She is very unhappy, Henrietta: and I think it is your duty, as well as
+mine, to make her feel her altered home as little miserable as
+possible."
+
+"I should think so too, if I believed I had any power to make it better
+or worse,--except, indeed, that of meeting her eyes, or avoiding them.
+The sight of any of us must be dreadful to her."
+
+"You have such a remarkable way of shutting yourself up--your
+intellectual self I mean, from every one, that it is not very easy to
+say how great or how little your power might be. From the slight and
+transient glances which you have sometimes permitted me to take through
+your icy casing, I am rather inclined to believe that you ought to
+reckon for something in the family of which you make a part."
+
+Henrietta shook her head. "Your glances have not penetrated to the
+centre yet, Miss Torrington. Should you ever do so, you, and your friend
+Helen too, would hate me,--even if my name were not Cartwright."
+
+"I would not hear your enemy say so," replied Rosalind. "However, we are
+now likely to be enough together to judge each other by the severest of
+all tests, daily experience."
+
+"An excellent test for the temper,--but not for the heart," replied
+Henrietta.
+
+"You seem determined to make me afraid of you, Miss Cartwright. I have
+no great experience of human nature as yet; but I should think a corrupt
+heart would rather seek to conceal than proclaim itself."
+
+"I think you are right; but I have no idea that my heart is corrupt:--it
+is diseased."
+
+"I wish I could heal it," said Rosalind kindly, "for I suspect its
+illness, be it what it may, causes your cheek to grow pale. You do not
+look well, Miss Cartwright."
+
+"Well?--Oh no! I have long known I am dying."
+
+"Good Heaven!--what do you mean? Why do you not take advice?"
+
+"Because no advice could save me;--and because if it could, I would not
+take it."
+
+"I hope you are not in earnest. Perhaps this strange marriage, if it do
+no other good, may benefit your health by placing you in a larger
+family. I cannot think you are happy at the Vicarage."
+
+"Indeed!" replied Henrietta with a melancholy smile.
+
+"And I cannot but hope that you will be more happy here."
+
+"Well!--we shall see. But I should take it very kind of you if you would
+make the three young Mowbrays understand, that if I could have prevented
+this iniquitous marriage, I would have done it."
+
+"Would it be safe to say so much to Fanny?"
+
+"Yes. Mr. Cartwright will never hear her bosom secrets more."
+
+       *       *       *       *       *
+
+In the midst of the tide of triumph and of joy which seemed at this time
+to bear the Vicar of Wrexhill far above the reach of any earthly sorrow,
+there was a little private annoyance that beset him,--very trifling
+indeed, but which required a touch of his able diplomatic adroitness to
+settle satisfactorily.
+
+The widow Simpson was as thorough a coquette as ever decorated the
+street of a country village; and often had it happened, since her weeds
+were laid aside, that Mr. This, or Mr. That, had been congratulated as
+likely to succeed to her vacant heart and hand. But hitherto Mrs.
+Simpson had preferred the reputation of having many adorers, to the
+humdrum reality of a second husband. But when Mr. Cartwright appeared,
+her hopes, her wishes, her feelings underwent a sudden and violent
+change. At first, indeed, she only looked at him as a very handsome man,
+who must, by some means or other, be brought to think her a very
+handsome woman: but more serious thoughts quickly followed, and the idea
+of a home at the Vicarage, and the advantage of having all her bills
+made out to the Rev. Mr. Cartwright, became one of daily and hourly
+recurrence. Mrs. Simpson was not a person to let such a notion lie idle;
+nor was Mr. Cartwright a man to permit the gentle advances to intimacy
+of a Mrs. Simpson stop short, or lead to nothing. But from any idea of
+her becoming mistress of the Vicarage, or of her bills being made out to
+him, he was as pure as the angels in heaven.
+
+Nevertheless, the intimacy did advance. One by one, every personal
+decoration that marks the worldling was laid aside, and the livery of
+holiness adopted in its stead. False ringlets were exchanged for false
+bands; gauze bonnets covered with bows gave place to straw bonnets
+having no bows at all; lilac faded into grey, and the colour of the rose
+was exchanged for that of its leaf. These important and very
+heavenly-minded reforms were soon followed by others, not more
+essential, for that is hardly possible; but they went the length of
+turning her little girl into a methodist monkey; her card-boxes, into
+branch missionary fund contribution cases; her footstools into praying
+cushions; and her sofa into a pulpit and a pew, whence and where she
+very often listened to "the word" when pretty nearly all the parish of
+Wrexhill were fast asleep.
+
+In all former affairs of the heart in which Mrs. Simpson had engaged
+since the demise of her husband, she had uniformly come off the
+conqueror; for she had never failed to obtain exactly as much flirtation
+as she required to keep her on good terms with herself, and on bad terms
+with all coquettish young ladies for five miles round, and never had
+granted any favour in return that she did not consider as a fair price
+for the distinction she received.
+
+But poor Mrs. Simpson's example should be a warning to all widow ladies
+to be careful how they enter into holy dalliance and sanctified trifling
+with the elect. Common prudence, in short, is no fair match for uncommon
+holiness, and the principal person in the village of Wrexhill was at the
+time of Mrs. Mowbray's marriage with its vicar really very much to be
+pitied.
+
+It is probably no very agreeable task for a bridegroom to pay a visit to
+a lady under such circumstances; but Mr. Cartwright felt that it must be
+done, and with nerves braced to the task by the remembrance of the
+splendid silver urn, tea and coffee pots, the exquisite French china,
+and all the pretty elaborate finishing of his breakfast equipage,--in a
+word, at about eleven o'clock on the next morning but one after his
+installation (as Jacob called it), he set off on foot, like an humble
+and penitent pilgrim, to call on the widow Simpson.
+
+He was, as usual, shown into the quiet parlour, overlooked by no village
+eye, that opened upon the garden. Here he found every thing much as it
+used to be--sofas, footstools, albums, missionary boxes and all--but no
+Mrs. Simpson.
+
+"Let missis know, sir," said the boy-servant; and he closed the door,
+leaving the vicar to his meditations.
+
+At length the door reopened, and the pale and languid Mrs. Simpson, her
+eyes red with weeping, and her rouge (not partially, as during the
+process of election, but really and altogether) laid aside, entered. The
+air and manner with which the vicar met her was something of a mixed
+breed between audacity and confusion. He was in circumstances, however,
+highly favourable to the growth of the former and equally so to the
+stifling of the latter feeling.
+
+He took the widow's hand, kissed it, and led her to the sofa.
+
+Her handkerchief was at her eyes, and though she made no resistance, she
+manifested no inclination to return the tender pressure bestowed upon
+her fingers.
+
+"You weep, my dear friend!" said the vicar in an accent of surprise. "Is
+it thus you congratulate me on the great change that has taken place in
+my circumstances?"
+
+"Congratulate you! Oh, Mr. Cartwright! is it possible that you can be so
+coldly cruel?--Congratulate you! Gracious Heaven! have you no thought,
+no pity for all the anguish that you have made me suffer?"
+
+"I know not why you should talk of suffering, my dear friend. I had
+hoped that the sweet friendship which for several months past has united
+us, was to you, as to me, a source of the tenderest satisfaction. But
+our feelings for each other must indeed be widely different. There is no
+circumstance that could befall you, productive of even worldly
+convenience and advantage, but I should rejoice at it as if sent to
+myself: but you, my friend, appear to mourn because from a poor man I am
+become a rich one."
+
+"Alas!--Cruel!--Is it for that I mourn? Think you that my heart can
+forget what I have been to you, or what I hoped to be? Can you forget
+the hours that you have devoted to me? And is this the end of it?"
+
+"I neither can nor will forget the happy period of our tender
+friendship. Nor is there any reason, my excellent Mrs. Simpson, that it
+should not continue, even as the Lord hath permitted that it should
+begin. Believe me, that were a similar circumstance to happen to you:--I
+mean, were you accidentally to connect yourself by means of marriage
+with great wealth and extended influence;--instead of complaining of it,
+I should rejoice with an exceeding great joy. It could, as I should
+imagine, make no possible difference in our friendly and affectionate
+feelings for each other; and I should know that your piety and
+heavenly-minded zeal in the cause of grace and faith would be rendered
+greatly more profitable and efficient thereby."
+
+"You do not, then, understand a woman's heart, Mr. Cartwright! What is
+there, short of the torments of the bottomless pit, that can compare to
+the suffering of seeing the heart one believed to be one's own given to
+another?"
+
+"I dare say it must be very disagreeable indeed, my dear friend. But no
+such idea, I do assure you, would occur to me were you to marry. Indeed,
+my own view of the case is, that as an holy ordinance, it should be
+entered into with as little attention as possible to mere pleasure. To a
+man like myself, whose heart is altogether given to things above, the
+idea of making a marriage of love, as it is called, would be equally
+absurd and profane. My object in the connexion I have just formed, was
+to increase my sphere of influence and utility; and nothing, I assure
+you, can be more opportune and fortunate than my having found this very
+worthy and richly-endowed person. It would give me unfeigned
+satisfaction, my dear friend, to hear that you had been equally
+fortunate, and, permit me to say, equally wise."
+
+"Oh, Mr. Cartwright! I am sure I had no idea when--when I attached
+myself to you, that you disapproved of marriage among those who love, as
+I thought you and I did; for most surely I thought, Mr. Cartwright, that
+I should have been your wife."
+
+"No?--Is it possible, my dear friend, that such an idea as that, so
+perfectly unauthorized, could have occurred to you? I really am greatly
+surprised, for I thought that we understood one another perfectly."
+
+"Indeed, indeed, Mr. Cartwright, I never was more mistaken in any one in
+my whole life; and I am sure that if poor Mrs. Mowbray is as much
+deceived in you as I was, she will be a very unhappy woman when she
+finds it out, poor thing."
+
+"My dear friend, allow me to assure you that you altogether mistake the
+nature of the friendship I have been so happy as to form with you, as
+well as that of the connexion I have just ratified with her. I trust the
+Lord will give me grace so to conduct myself, as that I may never be
+suspected of confounding the two together, which, by the nature of the
+ordinances, ought to be kept as separate and distinct as possible. I
+will not now enter more fully with you into this interesting question,
+for much business presses upon me: but when we shall happen to find
+ourselves more at leisure, my dear friend, which I trust will be often
+the case, I will explain to you, in a manner that will, I think, be
+satisfactory, my opinions on the subject. Meanwhile, dear Mrs. Simpson,
+let me entreat you not spoil your charming eyes by weeping, nor let any
+thing lead you for an instant to doubt that my sentiments for you are
+exactly the same as they have ever been; and above all, cease not to
+work out your eternal salvation with fear and trembling. Mrs. Cartwright
+is by no means, I believe, a very active-minded person; and I think it
+probable that I shall often feel it borne in upon my mind, that by
+applying to you I shall be able to forward the great work of grace that
+I have in hand more effectually than by any personal assistance that she
+is likely to render me. Her wealth indeed is great, as I hope some
+little keepsakes from me may prove to you ere long; but as to energy and
+fervour of character, there is but one Mrs. Simpson."
+
+The reverend gentleman here saluted the fair lady's lips, and departed,
+leaving her exactly in the state he wished; that is to say, puzzled,
+confounded, mystified, and not knowing the least in the world what she
+should say to him next.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER III.
+
+CHARLES'S INTERVIEW WITH HIS STEPFATHER.--HIS SUDDEN DEPARTURE FROM
+WREXHILL.
+
+
+There were moreover other ladies to be encountered, most of whom, as the
+vicar well knew, would not hear of his brilliant nuptials with pleasure;
+but this was a matter of small moment. The benevolent attentions he had
+bestowed upon them were chiefly for the purpose of ensuring popularity
+and acquiring influence,--and these were now too much at his command for
+him to experience the slightest anxiety from the fear of losing them.
+
+The remembrance of the three Misses Richards was indeed rather heavy
+upon him; especially from the circumstance of Miss Mary's having
+accidentally seen him kiss Miss Louisa, which he happened to do, in the
+little shrubbery behind their cottage, upon occasion of a serious
+discourse which they had been holding together upon the nature and
+influence of especial grace. Little Mary, who was purity and simplicity
+personified, firmly believed, in her very innocent heart, that this
+caress could only be given by such a gentleman as Mr. Cartwright as the
+ratification of a treaty of marriage; and had accordingly not only
+alluded to Louisa's happy prospects herself, but had fully persuaded her
+sister Charlotte likewise to believe that this blessed union would be
+the result of the vicar's soft attentions to them all. So that upon a
+smart discussion with their mother upon the sin of works, when matters
+had gone so far as to induce the young lady to declare that she
+considered the door of her mother's house as nothing less than a type of
+the gates of hell, she had, in relating the scene of this praiseworthy
+combat to their apostle, ventured these remarkable words:
+
+"There is sorrow and sin in dwelling under the roof of the scorner; but
+when dear Louisa has quite consented to all your wishes, Mr. Cartwright,
+her bowels will yearn towards her sisters, and you will both of you draw
+us out of the way of temptation under the shelter and the shadow of your
+wing."
+
+The only reply which the vicar made to this speech was the utterance of
+a fervent blessing.
+
+He now remembered with considerable satisfaction the cautious tendency
+of this reply, and, upon the whole, thought that there was no occasion
+to fatigue his spirits by making these young ladies a private visit to
+announce his change of condition, as in the case of Mrs. Simpson. He
+therefore turned from the widow's door, after the pause of a moment on
+her threshold, during which these thoughts were rapidly but healthily
+digested, leaving him, that is to say, neither loaded with remorse, nor
+fevered by anxiety.
+
+Upon this occasion, for some reason or other, connected perhaps with
+that tranquillity of mind in his lady which it was so unquestionably his
+duty to guard, the Vicar of Wrexhill had not made use of his carriage
+and servants. He walked therefore back to the Park, and met Charles
+Mowbray coming through the lodge gates, as he entered them.
+
+The young man touched his hat, and was walking on; but the vicar stopped
+him.
+
+"Where are you going, my dear Charles?" said he. "It is getting quite
+late; you will not have time for a walk before dinner--it is almost
+dark. You know my habits are those of great punctuality."
+
+"I shall never interfere with those habits, sir. It is probable that I
+may not return to dinner."
+
+"Indeed!--we shall be very sorry to lose you. Where are you going, then,
+my dear boy?"
+
+Charles hesitated. His heart seemed to swell in his bosom at this
+questioning; and though, in fact, he had strolled out without any idea
+of absenting himself at dinner, something like a spirit of rebellion
+induced him to answer, "To Sir Gilbert Harrington's, sir."
+
+"Good evening, then. Let me bespeak your ear for half an hour in my
+library to-morrow morning, between the hours of eleven and twelve."
+
+Charles bowed, but uttered not a word, and proceeded towards Oakley,
+inwardly muttering "_his library_!"
+
+He entered the mansion of his old friends without an apology, but stated
+the cause of his visit as it really was.
+
+"I could not bear to be examined by him as to where I was going, and
+when I was coming; and rather to prove my independence, than for any
+other reason, I am come to you. Can you forgive this?"
+
+"Ay, truly can we," replied the old lady; "and be sure to do the same
+next time, Charles. It makes me sick to think of this species of
+paternal admonishing."
+
+"I am to be lectured for my impatience under it, as I suspect; for he
+bade me meet him in _his library_ to-morrow morning."
+
+"His library! Scoundrel!" exclaimed Sir Gilbert through his closed
+teeth.
+
+"Shall I obey the mandate, Sir Gilbert?" said Charles. "Or shall I take
+no notice of it?"
+
+"The question seems an easy one to answer, Charles?" replied the
+baronet; "and had I been to answer yesterday morning, I should have said
+without hesitation,--set fire to the library, and stifle him in it like
+a weazel as he is, rather than come at his call. But I have taken it
+into my head since, that our test game will be to keep things soft and
+smooth for a while. So wait upon him, Master Charles, in your father's
+library, and hear all he has got to say; and don't turn yourself out of
+the house; and don't spit upon him if you can help it. But I hope he
+won't sit in poor Mowbray's chair!"
+
+In consequence of this counsel, Charles did wait upon the vicar in his
+father's library at the appointed hour, and took what comfort he could
+from perceiving that he was not seated in that lamented father's chair,
+but had ensconced himself in a newly-invented fauteuil of surpassing
+softness, which he had caused to be brought from the drawing-room for
+his especial comfort.
+
+"You have not kept me waiting, and I commend you for it, my son. May he,
+in whom I trust, lead you in his own good time to be all that your pious
+mother can wish to see you. Sit down, Charles--pray sit down."
+
+Poor Charles!--the whole scene was purgatory to him; but his courage did
+not forsake him: and instead of running out of the room, as he felt
+terribly tempted to do, he sat down opposite to his stepfather,
+determined to hear every thing he had to say.
+
+"I think, Charles, that the pious nature of your mother, awakened as it
+has of late been, must by this time be so sufficiently known to you all,
+as to prevent the possibility of your mistaking her motives for marrying
+the second father, in whose presence you are now placed. Her motives
+have been of the holiest kind, and never, probably, did any person
+perform a more acceptable service than she did when, placing her hand
+within mine before his altar, she resigned that power over her children,
+which maternal weakness rendered almost nugatory, to one who is too
+strong in the Lord to permit any human feelings or motives ever to make
+him swerve from that course which he is taught to believe the best. It
+would be a very shining pleasure to me if your thankfulness for this
+most merciful dispensation were at this very moment to impel you to
+kneel down on one of these cushions;--of such there are always
+sufficient, and to spare, in the dwellings of the chosen:--I wish, I
+say, that even now I could see you fall down before me to give thanks
+for having sent to you and to your sisters one of his own, as your
+guide and protector through the pitfalls of this life, and to usher you
+with favour into his presence in the life to come. I would willingly see
+you thus grateful for manifest mercies,--but I shall not insist upon it
+at this moment, for I know, Charles, how different have been the paths
+in which your teachers have hitherto led you."
+
+The vicar here paused; but as there was no point in his harangue to
+which Mowbray could have replied in the spirit which his friend had
+recommended to him, he resolutely kept silence.
+
+"The time will come," resumed the vicar, "the time _shall_ come, when
+your knees, young man, shall be less stubborn. But it is time that I
+unfold to you the business upon which I wished to speak when I permitted
+your attendance in this apartment. You have been led, doubtless by the
+active machinations of the devil, to turn your sinful thoughts towards
+that profession which, beyond all others, has made Satan its patron and
+its saint. In one word, you have thought of going into the army; and it
+is to inform you that I shall not permit this dreadful sin to be
+committed by one of my family, that you are now before me. Open not your
+mouth, young man, in defence of the God-abandoned set to whom you would
+wish to belong: my ears must not be profaned by any words of such
+abhorrent tendency. Instead of speaking yourself, hear me. My will is,
+that you return to College, there to prepare yourself for ordination. I
+utter this command with a conscience void of offence; for though your
+awful deficiency in religion is well known to me, I have confidence in
+the Lord, and in the power he will give me to work a change: and
+moreover, I know to what bishop I shall lead you for ordination; thereby
+securing to myself the consolation of knowing that no human learning
+will enable you to be received within the pale that we are strengthening
+around us, and within which none shall be admitted (if we can help it)
+but the regenerate and adopted, or such as we of the evangelical church
+may choose to pledge ourselves shall become so. As to the manner and
+amount of your future income, I shall take the arrangement of it
+entirely into my own hands, reserving to myself the power of varying
+your allowance from time to time, as shall seem good. You may have a few
+days' holidays here if you wish it, in honour of your mother's marriage;
+after which I will give you ten pounds for your journey and other
+contingent expenses, and permit you to employ such tradesmen at Oxford
+as I shall point out, for such necessaries as it is proper I should
+furnish you with. Their bills must be forwarded to Mr. Corbold, who, for
+the present, I shall probably continue as my agent; and when I have duly
+examined them, they shall be paid. Your College expenses I shall also
+order to be transmitted to him, and through him to me.--I must now
+dismiss you, for I have letters to write.--Be careful in passing these
+windows, if you please, not to approach them too closely. This room is a
+favourite apartment of mine, and I must not be interrupted or annoyed in
+it in any way. Remember this, if you please. Good morning."
+
+During the whole of this very trying interview Mowbray had not uttered a
+single word. He knew that if he opened his lips, the indignation that
+burned at his heart would burst forth with a vehemence he should no
+longer be able to control. He felt his heart throb, and every pulse so
+fiercely keeping time to it, that he was terrified at himself, and
+fearful lest the tide of passion that worked thus fearfully within him
+should drive him to do, or even to say what he might repent, he hastened
+from the room, leaving Mr. Cartwright very comfortably persuaded that
+the eloquence which had been bestowed on him, if it sometimes failed in
+converting those who heard him to his doctrine, was of a nature well
+calculated to enforce his authority; a species of success which perhaps
+satisfied him better still.
+
+The unfortunate Charles took refuge in Helen's dressing room from the
+storm that raged in his bosom. He longed to hear the gentle voice of his
+sister with as much eagerness as one panting in fever longs for a cool
+breeze or a refreshing stream; and when he entered the room and found it
+unoccupied, he felt as if that misfortune were greater than all which
+had fallen upon him before.
+
+In a state of the most pitiable depression of spirits he seated himself
+most forlornly on a _chaise longue_ that stood in a recess as far as
+possible from the windows, and there, resting his head on the side of
+it, and covering his face with his hands, he remained for a considerable
+time perfectly immoveable, and quite as miserable as his worst enemy
+could wish.
+
+At length the door opened, and a female entered. Charles sprang forward
+to meet her, and very narrowly escaped encircling Miss Torrington in
+his arms. She drew back, certainly, but hardly with so sudden a movement
+as that of Mowbray, who, colouring and stammering in extreme confusion,
+said as he retreated to his former place, "I beg your pardon: I came
+here to look for Helen."
+
+"And so did I, Mr. Mowbray: I cannot think where she has hid
+herself.--But you do not look like yourself, Charles. Has Mr. Cartwright
+been speaking to you? I heard him tell his wife that he had desired you
+to meet him in the library."
+
+"In his library, Miss Torrington; pray call it as he does _his_
+library--But what a fool am I to care thus for a word! It is his
+library; the man says right. But what then is poor Helen? what is Fanny?
+what am I?"
+
+His features expressed such terrible agony of mind, that Rosalind almost
+felt afraid to leave him, and stood at some distance from him as he sat,
+with her looks riveted upon his face and her eyes overflowing with
+tears.
+
+"Tell me, dear Charles," she said, "what is it that has happened to you?
+I will go and seek Helen, and bring her to you in a moment. Only tell me
+before I go if any new thing has happened to make us all more miserable
+than we were. Is it not common cause, Mr. Mowbray? For Heaven's sake
+tell me what has befallen you!"
+
+"It is not common cause, Miss Torrington," he replied with bitterness.
+"My situation is, I heartily hope, without a parallel; and as none can
+share my wretchedness, as none can relieve it, it were better, I
+believe, that none should know it."
+
+"That is not the language of friendship, Mr. Mowbray. Were poor Helen
+here, I trust you would not answer her inquiries so harshly."
+
+"Harshly? If so, I have been very wrong. Forgive me.--Could you have
+heard the language this man held to me,--could you have seen him
+enthroned in my poor father's library, and heard him tell me that when I
+passed before the windows I must take care not to approach too
+nearly,--oh, Rosalind! could you have heard all this, you would not
+wonder if I answered even madly to any questions asked."
+
+Rosalind stood silently before him when he had ceased to speak, her
+hands tightly clasped, and her eyes riveted on the ground. "I will ask
+you but one question more," said she after a long pause.
+
+"And what is that, Miss Torrington?"
+
+"_Miss Torrington!_" said she, muttering between her teeth. "Alas!--how
+madly have I acted! and how difficult is it to retrace a wrong step once
+taken!"
+
+She trembled violently; so violently, that she was obliged to support
+herself by leaning on the back of a chair which stood near her. Charles
+Mowbray's head again rested on the sofa, and his eyes were hid from her.
+She felt that he saw her not, and this perhaps it was which gave her
+courage to proceed in the task she had determined to perform; but her
+breast heaved almost convulsively, and her mouth became so parched that
+it was with difficulty she could articulate these words: "I learn from
+Sir Gilbert Harrington, Mr. Mowbray that--I have the power--of making
+him my guardian"--
+
+"Thank Heaven!" exclaimed Charles, interrupting her; "I thank Heaven for
+it, Miss Torrington.--You may then escape, and immediately, from this
+place of torment. This will indeed help me to bear it better."
+
+He spoke the last words more composedly, but again buried his face on
+the sofa.
+
+"But think you, Mr. Mowbray, I would leave Helen here?"
+
+"I fear you will have no power to take her," he replied.
+
+"Not I--but you. Oh! Mr. Mowbray!--Charles! Charles!--will you not
+understand me? Will you spare me this agony? No? you will not. But I
+have deserved it all, and I will bear it. Charles Mowbray!--it is I who
+would now lay my fortune at your feet. Oh! do not answer me as I once
+answered you! Charles Mowbray, will you take me for your wife!"
+
+"No, by Heaven!" he exclaimed, falling on his knees before her. "Poor
+Rosalind! dear, generous, devoted friend! And for her sake, then--for my
+dear Helen's sake, you would submit to be my wife--_my wife!_--an
+outcast, penniless, insulted beggar!--No, Rosalind; by Heaven, no! I
+would rather perish in the lowest state of human wretchedness than so
+abuse your noble nature. But do me justice, noble Rosalind; let there on
+one point at least be some equality between us. Believe that I love
+you,--and that with a strength of passion of which, as I think, your
+unawakened heart has yet no power to judge. But should you, Rosalind,
+ever learn what it is to love, then do me justice, and know how dear was
+honour to my soul when I adored but could refuse you."
+
+He seized her dress and pressed it to his lips; and, then rising from
+his knees, he darted out of the room, without daring to trust his eyes
+to look at her.
+
+Had Mowbray's state of mind been somewhat less miserable--had the
+buoyant spirit given to him by nature been less completely crushed by
+the galling interview of the morning, it is probable that his memory
+might have suggested to him some circumstances in the hours passed
+heretofore with Rosalind, which might have raised some blessed hope upon
+his mind as to the motive and feelings that had led her to act as she
+had done. But, as it was, no such light from heaven fell upon him. In
+simplest sincerity he believed that she had rejected his suit because
+she did not love him, and that she had now offered to become his wife
+solely for Helen's sake, and in the generous hope of saving her by
+giving to him the power of offering her a home.
+
+With this conviction, he determined to spare her the embarrassment and
+himself the torture of meeting again. With all the feverish hurry of
+impatient suffering, he instantly sought his mother; informed her of Mr.
+Cartwright's wish that he should return to Oxford, and of his own desire
+to comply with this immediately.
+
+There was something in the suddenness of this unresisting obedience that
+seemed to startle her. She applauded his resolution, but seemed to wish
+that for some short time, at least, he should delay the execution of it.
+But on this point he was immoveable; and as Mr. Cartwright appeared well
+pleased that so it should be, he succeeded in so hastening the
+arrangements for his departure that within twenty-four hours he had left
+the house, and that without having again seen Rosalind. The greater part
+of this interval, indeed, was passed at Oakley, where his reiterated
+assurances that he should be much, very much happier at Oxford than at
+home, were accepted in excuse for the suddenness of his departure. Sir
+Gilbert, indeed, had so well read Rosalind's heart, and so confidently
+did he anticipate his speedy and even triumphant return, that both
+himself and his lady, who as usual was wholly in his confidence, saw him
+depart without regret, and uttered their farewells with a cheerfulness
+that grated sadly on the feelings of the poor exile.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER IV.
+
+THE VICAR'S PROSPERITY.--HE SETS ABOUT MAKING SOME IMPORTANT REFORMS IN
+THE VILLAGE.
+
+
+The departure of Charles, so immediate and so unrepining, seemed to the
+vicar a most satisfactory proof that the talent and firmness which he
+had himself displayed in their final interview had produced exactly the
+effect which he hoped and intended. "He will, I think, trouble me no
+more:" such was the comfortable little mental soliloquy with which, as
+he sat in his noble library, the Vicar of Wrexhill listened to the
+wheels of the cab, lent to convey Mowbray to the nearest town through
+which the coach passed.
+
+This good work achieved, which was of that species permitted by the
+peculiar doctrine of his sect, Mr. Cartwright, of Cartwright Park, began
+to look around him among his neighbours and dependants for opportunities
+of displaying both his sanctity and his magnificence.
+
+Every thing seemed to prosper with him; and the satisfaction produced by
+this success was very greatly enhanced by the consciousness that he owed
+it all, from the humble courtesy of the village maidens up to the
+crowning glory of his lady's love, and all the wealth it brought, wholly
+and solely to himself. Ungrateful would he have been for such unnumbered
+blessings had he neglected to reward that self by every kind observance
+and by every thoughtful care which his active fancy, his fastidious
+taste, and his luxurious nature could suggest. But he did it all so
+"_doucely_," that no voice was raised to censure the dainty appetite of
+the high-fed priest; no lip was curled in scorn as every week brought
+forth some new indulgence, some exquisite refinement of elaborate
+luxury.
+
+Every thing seemed to prosper with him. The wines he ordered could
+hardly be accounted dear even at the unheard-of prices he gave for them.
+The beautiful creature he bought for his own riding, with just action
+enough to show off his handsome figure, and not sufficient to occasion
+him the least fatigue, appeared to be so born and bred on purpose for
+his use, that every eye was fixed in admiration as he paced along, and
+no tongue wagged to tell that while young Mowbray departed from his
+father's house with ten pounds in his pocket, his stepfather's ambling
+hack cost two hundred.
+
+Every thing seemed to prosper with him. Mrs. Simpson, instead of
+spoiling her fine eyes, and reducing by her secession his fair
+congregation of elected saints, which he had certainly good reason to
+fear, listened to his doctrine now with the same yielding obedience that
+she did before; and so far was the tongue of slander from finding any
+thing amiss in the frequent pastoral visits he continued to pay her,
+that her credit, particularly with her tradespeople, stood higher than
+ever, and her begging-boxes, and her tract-selling, and her albums,
+flourished quite as well as when she believed that she and they would
+ere long be translated to the Vicarage.
+
+Of Mrs. Richards's converted daughters, little Mary was the only one who
+ventured openly to declare that she thought the vicar had behaved
+extremely ill; that after what she saw pass between him and sister
+Louisa, it was a sin not to marry her; and that she did not think poor
+Mrs. Mowbray would ever be happy with a man who was so very much in love
+with another person.
+
+But it was only little Mary who said all this, and nobody paid much
+attention to it. The pious Louisa herself declared, indeed, that there
+never had been any thing but the purest evangelical love between them;
+and that the kiss about which silly Mary made such a fuss, was nothing
+in the world but a kiss of holy peace and brotherly love.
+
+The same eloquence which persuaded the young lady so to think, or at any
+rate, so to say, persuaded her likewise, and her sister Charlotte with
+her, to persevere in their avocations. They continued to compose tracts,
+to get them printed and sold when they could, and to read them aloud and
+give them away in manuscript when they could not. They also continued
+most perseveringly to expound both tracts and Scriptures for the
+edification of their very unhappy mother; who having passed the last
+twenty years of her life in exerting every faculty to render them happy
+around her, could not now so change her plan as to give them that
+portion of her house for the display of their inspired eloquence which
+she herself did not occupy--and thus she passed by far the greater
+portion of every day in listening to their ceaseless assurances that the
+pit of hell was yawning to receive her.
+
+Major Dalrymple being present on one occasion when this was going on
+with peculiar fervour, waited very patiently till there was a pause in
+the eloquence of Miss Charlotte, who was holding forth, and then said
+Scotchly and quietly, "Well, well, I see not but it is all very fair
+between you and your mother, my bonny lasses: she has been always
+forgetting herself for your sakes, and you are now forgetting yourselves
+for hers."
+
+It was not very long, however, after the marriage of the vicar, that a
+welcome and much-needed ray of hope once more gleamed upon her. It rose
+from the fair forehead of little Mary. From the time of her conversion,
+all her very pretty curls had been straightened and pushed behind her
+ears, and the little straw bonnet which covered them was the rival, or
+rather, the model of Fanny Mowbray's. But by degrees, a few of these
+curls began to reappear round her face; her sad-coloured ribbons were
+exchanged for the bright tints that suited so well with her clear brown
+skin: her laughing eyes began to recover their brightness, and at last
+she whispered in her mother's ear, "Forgive me, dearest mamma, for all
+my folly, my presumption. Forgive me, dearest mother; and pray God to
+forgive me too!"
+
+From that moment Mrs. Richards felt restored to happiness. She had too
+early learnt that, at the best, life is but like a changeable web of
+silk, in which the dark tints predominate, to poison the enjoyment which
+Mary's return to reason brought her, by remembering at any moment when
+it was possible to forget it, that she had still two daughters who
+declared their persuasion that they could never meet her in the life to
+come. She wisely and with true piety turned all her thoughts to Mary,
+soothed her remorse, and reconciled her to herself. In addition to this
+great joy, she thought she saw the promise of another, that for years
+had formed her favourite castle in the air. She thought she saw that
+Major Dalrymple looked at the recovered Mary with eyes expressive of
+love as well as of joy; and with this hope before her, and the
+delightful occupation of watching Mary sometimes blush, and always smile
+when the major entered, her life once more ceased to be a burden, and
+Rosalind again found that she sang the very sweetest second in the
+world.
+
+As soon as the occupation of receiving and returning the wedding visits
+was pretty well over, Mr. Cartwright set about making some important
+alterations and reforms in the village of Wrexhill.
+
+His attentive wife suggested to him, that he would find the fatigues of
+a large landed proprietor who so actively inquired into every thing, as
+he did, too much for his health and spirits, if he continued Vicar of
+Wrexhill. But to this he answered, "Heaven forbid, my lovely Clara, that
+I should ever suffer my cares for my earthly possessions to interfere
+with those especially relating to my heavenly ones! The cure of souls,
+my love, has ever been a favourite occupation with me. It greatly
+assists in giving one that sort of influence over the minds of ones
+fellow-creatures which every wise and holy man would wish to possess.
+But I have already secured the services of a very serious and exemplary
+curate, my dear love, who will relieve me from that part of the duty
+which, as you justly fear, might prove injurious to my health. This
+arrangement will, I trust, answer all your wishes for the present, sweet
+love; and in future I intend that our son Charles shall be my curate. He
+will, I have no doubt, like the Vicarage as a residence: it is really
+very pretty, and sufficiently near us to permit of easy, and I should
+hope, frequent intercourse. But it must be a year or two before this can
+be put in practice; and, in the mean time, I trust that we shall find
+Mr. Samuel Hetherington a pious and prayerful young man. I am not
+without hopes that he will arrive at the Vicarage to-night. I forget,
+dear, if I mentioned to you any thing about him?--I certainly, as you
+observe, am very much occupied!--However, don't let me forget to say,
+that if he comes to-night he must be invited to dine here to-morrow."
+
+Another of Mr. Cartwright's new arrangements arose from a scene that
+passed between Mr. Marsh, the quiet, peaceable, pains-taking village
+schoolmaster, and himself. This poor man, who had a wife and some
+half-dozen children, contrived to maintain them all by keeping school.
+He had a good house and extensive play-ground, which tempted many a
+tradesman in the county town, and some even in London, to send their
+sons to Wrexhill to improve at once their lungs and their learning. He
+had also a considerable number of day-boarders from all the farmers
+round, besides many of the most decent and well-born of the village
+children as day-scholars.
+
+To keep up this flourishing concern certainly took up every hour of Mr.
+Marsh's waking existence, and weary enough was he at night, poor man,
+when he laid his head on his pillow. But no one had ever heard him
+complain. His wife and children were comfortably clothed, fed, and
+lodged; his "_parents_" were all well contented with the learning and
+the health of their children, and all his neighbours esteemed and spoke
+well of him.
+
+Before Mr. Cartwright had been many weeks at Wrexhill, he took an
+opportunity of making a very kind and condescending call upon the worthy
+schoolmaster. Mr. Marsh happened at that moment to be superintending the
+afternoon writing-lessons; but he instantly obeyed the summons, and
+received the vicar in his best parlour with every demonstration of
+reverence.
+
+"You have good premises here, Mr. Marsh," said the newly-installed
+clergyman of the parish; "really a very decent and respectable-looking
+domain. How many boys have you, sir?"
+
+"Twenty-seven boarders, twelve day-boarders, and sixteen day-scholars."
+
+"Indeed!--that makes a considerable number of Christian souls. And what,
+sir, may be the method and the principle of your religious instruction?"
+
+"I take all my boarders, sir, to church twice every Sunday; and they
+read from the Bible twice a week. In addition to which, we have family
+prayer night and morning."
+
+"Then it is as I feared, Mr. Marsh," replied the vicar: "you altogether
+neglect, both for your pupils and yourself, sir, my nine o'clock Sabbath
+evening lecture in the church, together with the Tuesday evening's
+expounding and the Thursday evening's church lecture. This is awful
+negligence, sir; it is a terrible tempting of the Lord!"
+
+"I think, Mr. Cartwright," replied the poor schoolmaster, colouring,
+"that I shall be able to explain to your satisfaction my reasons for not
+attending your evening lectures. Some of my boys, sir, are almost
+grown-up lads: I have two hard upon seventeen, and I need not tell a
+gentleman like you that there is a deal of caution necessary at that age
+to keep lads out of harm's way. I have had the character of sending home
+very good, sober, decent lads; and this, I think, has done me more
+service in getting scholars than even my writing and book-keeping. But
+perhaps you don't know, sir, and I am sure I don't wish to put myself
+forward to tell you--but the truth is, Mr. Cartwright, that these late
+meetings, which break up quite in the dark, do bring together a great
+many disorderly people. 'Tis an excuse, sir, for every boy and girl that
+is in service to get out just when they ought to be at home, and
+altogether it is not quite the sort of thing I approve for my boys."
+
+"But when I tell you, Mr. Marsh," replied the vicar with much dignity,
+"that it is the sort of thing which I approve, for all the girls and
+boys too who live under my ministry, I presume that you do not intend to
+persevere in your very futile, and I must call it, impious objection. If
+you, sir, paid the attention that you ought to do to the religious
+object of the meeting, your impure imagination would not be quite so
+busy about its moral consequences. I am sorry to tell you, Mr. Marsh,
+that you are splitting on the rock which sends more wrecked and wretched
+souls to hell than any other peril of this mortal life, let it be what
+it may."
+
+"Well, sir," replied the schoolmaster mildly, "I must make up my account
+between God and my own conscience, and trust to his mercy to overlook my
+deficiencies."
+
+"Overlook your deficiencies?--poor deluded man!--Do you really hope that
+the Lord will pardon the clinging to works, and neglecting to hear his
+word?--Do you really doubt that Satan stands ready at the door to seize
+your soul, and bear it in his poisoned claws to everlasting torture?--Do
+you really doubt this, Mr. Marsh?"
+
+"Indeed I do, sir."
+
+"This is terrible!" cried the vicar, starting up and attempting to stop
+his ears. "Such blasphemy cannot be listened to without sin. I leave
+you, sir, and I will shake the dust off this your carpet from off my
+feet. But remember this,--I am your pastor and master, appointed to be
+the minister and guide of all the souls in my parish. As for your
+soul--I have no hope left for it: it must, and it will have its portion
+among the condemned, and will exist only to burn in unspeakable tortures
+for ever.--I have spoken, and you know your doom. But not so is it with
+the young persons committed to your charge; though, alas! the peril in
+which they now abide is sore to think of. Nevertheless, I will neither
+leave them nor forsake them as long as hope is left that a single brand
+can be snatched from the burning. Wherefore hear me!--This day is
+Thursday; let me this night see yourself, and every boy abiding in your
+house, in the gallery which you occupy in the church, or I will set to
+work to weed the vineyard. Yea! I will cleanse it root and branch from
+the corruption and abomination of you and your boys. Poor wretches, that
+you are labouring and striving to prepare for the kingdom of hell! But I
+speak sinfully in joining you and them together! and may the Lord
+forgive me, as I will strive to atone for it. I will clear the vineyard
+of you--but not till I have separated your boys from you. They shall be
+saved,--by my hand shall they be saved; and when I shall have effected
+this, you may perchance, while enjoying the leisure that will be your
+portion, remember this day, and value at its worth the wisdom which made
+you brave a minister of the evangelical church. Have I softened your
+hard heart, Mr. Marsh? Will you bring your school to my lecture this
+evening? Say 'Yes!' and you are forgiven."
+
+"No, sir, I will not!" was the quiet but firm reply of the good man.
+
+Not another syllable was spoken on either side; but well did the vicar
+of Wrexhill keep his word. Public estimation and private good-will
+appeared for a time to resist all the efforts he could make to persuade
+the villagers, and the farmers round about, that Mr. Marsh was a very
+impious and dangerous man, and one whom it was dangerous to trust with
+their children. They knew better; they knew that he was honest,
+pains-taking, intelligent, patient, and strictly attentive to his
+religious duties. But constant dropping will wear away a stone; and
+constant malevolence, kept in constant action, by one who was not very
+scrupulous as to the truth or falsehood of any statement that tended to
+produce the effect he wished, at length began, like rust upon steel, to
+cover and hide its true colour and its real brightness. One by one his
+daily scholars fell away from him,--one by one the neighbouring farmers
+came with some civil reason for not finding the sending their boys so
+likely to answer as formerly; and one by one his distant patrons found
+out the same thing: so that soon after the vicar's marriage he had the
+great delight of hearing that Mr. Marsh was sent to prison because he
+could not pay his rent, that his furniture was seized for taxes, and
+his tidy little wife lying ill of a brain fever at a small public-house
+near the prison, with her children starving round her.
+
+The sort of inward chuckle with which the prosperous vicar received this
+bit of village gossip from his valet has no letters by which it can be
+spelt;--it was the hosannah of a fiend.
+
+The supplying Mr. Marsh's place in Wrexhill was one of the things that
+now demanded Mr. Cartwright's immediate attention; and notwithstanding
+the many delicious temptations to idleness which surrounded him, his
+love of power, stronger even than his love of luxury, led him to hunt
+for and to find an individual to fill the situation, whose perfect
+obedience to his will made the dominion of the village school worth
+counting among the gratifying rights and immunities of his enviable
+position.
+
+Many of the country families, partly from curiosity, and partly from
+respect for the owner of the Park, let him be who he would, paid their
+visits, and sent their invitations with an appearance of consideration
+very dear to his heart, particularly when it chanced that this
+consideration proceeded from persons blessed by bearing a title. As to
+his domestic circle, it went on rather better than he expected: if not a
+happy, it was a very quiet one. Helen drooped, it is true, and looked
+wofully pale; but she seldom complained at all, and if she did, he heard
+her not. Rosalind was very wretched; but a host of womanly feelings were
+at work within her to prevent its being guessed by any. Even Helen
+thought that she had a wondrous portion of philosophy so speedily to
+forget poor Charles, and so very soon to reconcile herself to the
+hateful dominion of the usurper who had seized his place. But Helen knew
+not how she passed the hours when no eye saw and no ear heard her.
+Neither did Helen know the terrible effort she had made to redeem the
+folly and the pride shown in her answer to Charles, the first and only
+time that he had ever ventured to disclose his love. Had Helen known
+this, and the manner in which this offer of herself had been refused,
+she would have loved, and not blamed the resolution with which the
+heart-stricken Rosalind hid her wound from every eye.
+
+Fanny was gloomy, silent, and abstracted; but Mr. Cartwright only
+thought that the poor girl, having been passionately in love with him,
+was suffering a few natural pangs while teaching herself to consider
+him as her father. But all this was so natural, so inevitable indeed,
+that he permitted it not to trouble him: and, in truth, he was so
+accustomed in the course of his ministry to win young ladies, and
+sometimes old ones too, from the ordinary ways of this wicked world, to
+his own particular path of righteousness, by means of a little
+propitiatory love-making, that the moans and groans which usually
+terminated this part of the process towards perfect holiness among the
+ladies had become to him a matter of great indifference. Notwithstanding
+his long practice in the study of the female heart, however, he did not
+quite interpret that of Fanny Mowbray rightly. He knew nothing of the
+depth and reality of fanatic enthusiasm into which he had plunged her
+young mind; nor could he guess how that pure, but now fettered spirit,
+would labour and struggle to reach some vantage-ground of assurance on
+which to rest itself, and thence offer its unmixed adoration to the
+throne of grace. He had no idea how constantly Fanny was thinking of
+heaven, when he was talking of it.
+
+Of Henrietta he never thought much. She had given him some trouble, and
+he had used somewhat violent measures to bring her into such outward
+training as might not violently shock his adherents and disciples. But
+all this was now settled much to his satisfaction. She combed her hair
+quite straight, never wore pink ribands, and sat in church exactly as
+many hours as he commanded.
+
+Mr. Jacob was, as usual, his joy and his pride; and nothing he could do
+or say sufficed to raise a doubt in the mind of his admiring father of
+his being the most talented young man in Europe. That Jacob was not yet
+quite a saint, he was ready to allow; but so prodigiously brilliant an
+intellect could not be expected to fold its wings and settle itself at
+once in the temperate beatitude of saintship. He would come to it in
+time. It offered such inestimable advantages both in this world and the
+next, that Jacob, who had even now no objection to an easy chair, would
+be sure to discover the advantages of the calling.
+
+The wife of his bosom was really every thing he could wish a wife to be.
+She seemed to forget that there could be any other use for her ample
+revenue, than that of ministering to his convenience; and so complete
+was the devotion with which she seemed to lay herself and all that was
+hers at his feet, that no shadowy doubts or fears tormented him
+respecting that now first object of his life, the making her will.
+
+But though thus assured of becoming her heir whenever it should please
+Heaven to recall her, he took care to omit nothing to render assurance
+doubly sure. Not a caress, not a look, not a tender word, but had this
+for its object; and when his "dearest life" repaid him with a smile, and
+his "loveliest Clara" rewarded him with a kiss, he saw in his mind's eye
+visions of exquisite engrossings, forming themselves day by day more
+clearly into--"all my estates, real and personal, to my beloved
+husband."
+
+Thus, beyond contradiction, every thing seemed to prosper with him; and
+few perhaps of those who gratified his vanity by becoming his guests,
+guessed how many aching hearts sat around his daily banquet.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER V.
+
+THE VICAR AT HOME.
+
+
+Spring succeeded to winter, and summer to spring, without producing any
+important change at Cartwright Park. Charles Mowbray requested and
+obtained permission to continue his studies without interruption, and
+for five months Helen and Rosalind lived upon his letters, which, spite
+of all his efforts to prevent it, showed a spirit so utterly depressed
+as to render them both miserable.
+
+They seemed both of them to be converted into parts of that stately and
+sumptuous machine which Mr. Cartwright had constructed around him, and
+of which he was himself the main spring. The number of servants was
+greatly increased, the equipages were much more splendid, and from an
+establishment remarkably simple and unostentatious for the income of its
+owners, the Park became one of the most magnificent in the country.
+
+Among the periodical hospitalities with which the vicar,--for Mr.
+Cartwright was still Vicar of Wrexhill,--among his periodical
+hospitalities was a weekly morning party, which opened by prayers read
+by his curate, and ended by a blessing pronounced by himself.
+
+At about two o'clock a déjeûner à la fourchette was laid in the
+dining-room, around which were discussed all the serious, and
+serio-political, and serio-literary subjects of the day. On this
+occasion the selection of company, though always pious, was not so
+aristocratical as at the pompous dinners occasionally given at the Park.
+But what was lost to vanity on one side by the unconspicuous rank of
+some of the guests, was gained to it on the other by the profound
+veneration for their host expressed in every word and in every look. Not
+only Mr. Corbold, the lawyer,--who was indeed in some sort ennobled by
+his relationship to the great man himself,--but the new curate, and the
+new apothecary, and even the new schoolmaster, were admitted.
+
+The company were always received by Mr. Cartwright and his lady in the
+drawing-room, where all the family were expected (that is, commanded on
+pain of very heavy displeasure) to assemble round them. The tables were
+covered with bibles, tracts, Evangelical Magazines, sanctified drawings,
+and missionary begging machines.
+
+Hardly could Chivers, who was become an example to all serious butlers
+in voice, in look, and in step, produce a more delightful sensation on
+his master's organs by announcing my Lord This, or my Lady That, than
+that master received from watching the reverential bows of the
+sycophants who hung upon his patronage. A sort of frozen blandishment on
+these occasions smoothed his proud face as he stood, with his lady
+beside him, to receive them. The tall, obsequious curate, who hardly
+dared to say his soul was his own, though he freely took upon himself to
+pronounce the destiny of other people's, bent before him, lower than
+mortal ever need bend to mortal; and he was rewarded for it by being
+permitted to aspire to the hand of the only daughter of Mr. Cartwright,
+of Cartwright Park. The little round apothecary, who by evangelical aid
+withal had pushed out his predecessor as effectually as ever pellet did
+pellet in a popgun, sighed, whined, bought tracts, expounded them,
+kneeled down, though almost too fat to get up again, and would have done
+aught else that to a canting doctor's art belongs so that it were not
+physically impossible, for one sole object, which for some months past
+had hardly quitted his thoughts by day or by night. This lofty object of
+ambition and of hope was the attending the lady of Mr. Cartwright, of
+Cartwright Park, at her approaching accouchement.
+
+The new schoolmaster, who was already making hundreds where his
+unprofessing predecessor made tens of pounds, was a huge, gaunt man, who
+had already buried three wives, and who had besides, as he hoped and
+believed, the advantage of being childless;--for he had always made it a
+custom to quarrel early with his sons and daughters, and send them to
+seek their fortune where they could find it;--this prosperous gentleman
+actually and bonâ fide fell in love with Miss Torrington; and having
+very tolerably good reasons for believing that there were few things at
+Cartwright Park which might not be won by slavish obedience and canting
+hypocrisy, he failed not to divide the hours during which he was weekly
+permitted an entrée there, between ogling the young lady, and
+worshipping the master of the mansion.
+
+Poor Rosalind had found means, after her dreadful scene with Mowbray,
+secretly to convey a note to Sir Gilbert, informing him that she no
+longer wished to change her guardian; as her doing so would not, she
+feared, enable her to free Helen from her thraldom: she was still
+therefore Mrs. Cartwright's ward, and the vicar had not yet quite
+abandoned the hope that his talented son might obtain her and her
+fortune; but hitherto Mr. Jacob had declined making proposals, avowing
+that he did not think he was sufficiently advanced in the fair lady's
+good graces to be quite sure of success. So, as no avowed claim had been
+hitherto made to her hand, the schoolmaster went on ogling every
+Wednesday morning, and dreaming every Wednesday night, unchecked by any:
+for the fair object of his passion was perfectly unconscious of having
+inspired it.
+
+Mrs. Simpson, of course, never failed to embellish these morning
+meetings with her presence when she happened to be in the country; but
+she had lately left it, for the purpose, as it was understood, of making
+a visit of a month or two to a distant friend, during which she had
+intended to place her charming little Mimima at a boarding-school in a
+neighbouring town; but Mr. Cartwright so greatly admired that sweet
+child's early piety that he recommended his lady to invite her to pass
+the period of her mamma's absence at Cartwright Park.
+
+Then there were the Richards' family, who for various reasons were among
+the most constant Wednesday visitors. Mrs. Richards came to see
+Rosalind, little Mary to whisper good counsel to her friend Fanny, and
+the two elder sisters to meet all the serious young men that the pompous
+vicar could collect round him from every village or town in the
+vicinity.
+
+Besides these, there were many others, too numerous indeed to be
+permitted a place in these pages, who came from far and near to pray and
+to gossip, to eat and to drink, at Cartwright Park.
+
+It happened at one of these meetings, about the middle of the month of
+June, when the beauty of the weather had brought together rather a
+larger party than usual, that a subject of great interest to the
+majority of the company was brought under discussion by Mr. Cartwright.
+
+No sooner had Mr. Samuel Hetherington, his curate, finished his prayer,
+and such of the company risen from their knees as chose to come early
+enough to take part in that portion of the morning's arrangements, than
+the vicar opened the subject.
+
+"My dear friends and neighbours," he said, "I have to communicate what I
+am sure will give you all pleasure: for are we not a society united in
+the Lord? Notwithstanding the little differences of station that may
+perhaps exist among us, have we not all one common object in view? It is
+for the furtherance of this divine object that I have now to mention to
+you a circumstance at which my soul and the soul of Mrs. Cartwright
+rejoice, and at which I am fully persuaded that your souls will rejoice
+likewise."
+
+This preface produced a movement of lively interest throughout the whole
+room, and there was hardly a person present who did not eagerly
+undertake to answer for the sympathy of his or her soul with those of
+the vicar and his lady.
+
+"Since we had the pleasure of seeing you last," resumed the vicar, "I
+have received a despatch from the secretary of the South Central African
+Bible Association, by which I learn that it is in contemplation to send
+out to Fababo a remarkably serious young Jew, recently converted, as
+missionary, and minister plenipotentiary in all spiritual affairs
+relative to the church about to be established for Fababo and its
+dependencies. But as you all well know that such a glorious enterprise
+as this cannot be undertaken without funding and it has been requested
+of me, in the despatch to which I have alluded, that I should exert such
+little influence as I have among you, my dear friends and neighbours,
+for the collecting a sum in aid of it, our good Mrs. Simpson's sweet
+little cherub Mimima is furnished with a box, which she will carry round
+as soon as the collation is ended, to petition your generous
+contributions."
+
+A murmur of approbation, admiration, and almost of adoration, burst from
+the whole company, and the conversation immediately turned upon the
+conversion of Jews, and the happiness of having found so very desirable
+a mission for Mr. Isaacs. While the enthusiasm was at its height, Mrs.
+Cartwright, having previously received a hint from her husband, proposed
+that a serious fancy-fair should be held on that day month, on the lawn
+before the drawing-room windows of Cartwright Park, for assisting the
+outfit of Mr. Isaacs.
+
+"If all the ladies present," continued Mrs. Cartwright, "and such of
+their friends as they can prevail upon to join them, will only occupy
+themselves during the ensuing month in the making of pincushions, the
+composition of tracts, the sketching some dozens of Apostles' heads,
+together with a few thousand allumettes and pen-wipers, we should, I
+have no doubt, collect a sum not only very serviceable to the exemplary
+Mr. Isaacs, but highly honourable to ourselves."
+
+"Delightful!" cried several ladies at once. "There is nothing," said the
+little girlish wife of a neighbouring curate, "that I dote upon like a
+fancy-fair;--a serious fancy-fair, of course I mean, my dear," she
+added, colouring, as she caught the eye of her alarmed young husband
+fixed upon her.
+
+"A serious fancy-fair for _such_ an object," observed Mr. Cartwright,
+"is indeed a charming spectacle. If the Lord favours us by granting a
+fine day, the whole of the ceremonies,--I mean, including the opening
+prayers, the exposition of some chapters bearing upon the subject, the
+reading a tract which I will direct my curate to compose for the
+occasion, and the final blessing: all this, I think, if the weather
+prove favourable, should be performed out of doors, as well as the sale
+of the ladies' works. This, I question not, will produce a very imposing
+effect, and will, I think, be likely to bring many persons who, by a
+blessing upon our labours, may be induced to purchase. The elderly
+ladies will of course sell the articles; and the younger ones, whose
+piety will lead them to attend, may conceal themselves as much as
+possible from the public eye, by walking about in my groves and
+shrubberies, which shall be open for the occasion. It will be desirable,
+I imagine, to get handbills printed, to invite the attendance of the
+whole neighbourhood! Do you not think this will be advisable? I am sure
+that no one can avoid every thing like general display and ostentation
+more cautiously than I do; but I conceive this public announcement on
+the present occasion absolutely necessary to the profitable success of
+our endeavours."
+
+"Absolutely!" was the word caught by echo for the reply.
+
+"Have the goodness, Mr. Hetherington, to sit down at that small
+table--you will there find all things needful for writing, and indite
+the handbill that will be necessary for us. There is a warmth of feeling
+at this blessed moment generated among us towards this holy work, which
+it would be sin to neglect. Let it not, like those good feelings and
+resolutions of which we have been told by the preacher, pass away from
+us to pave the courts of hell, and be trodden under the feet of the
+scorners who inhabit there. No, my brethren; let it rather rise like a
+sweet savour of incense, to tell that not in vain do we pronounce His
+name on earth!"
+
+Before these words were all spoken, the assiduous curate was already
+seated, pen in hand, as nearly as possible in the attitude of
+Dominichino's St. John, and looking up to Mr. Cartwright for
+inspiration.
+
+In truth, the vicar, though the dignity of a secretary was in some sort
+necessary to his happiness, would by no means have intrusted the
+sketching out of this document to any hand but his own. He felt it to be
+probable that it might become matter of history, and as such it demanded
+his best attention. While Mr. Hetherington therefore sat with his pen
+between his fingers, like a charged gun waiting for the pressure of the
+finger that should discharge it, Mr. Cartwright, with the ready hand of
+a master produced the following outline in pencil.
+
+                          CARTWRIGHT PARK.
+
+                  On Wednesday the 12th July, 1834,
+                           will be held
+                            a serious
+                           FANCY FAIR,
+             on the lawn of the Rev. Mr. Cartwright's
+                            Mansion,
+                               at
+                        Cartwright Park,
+                  For the promotion of an object
+                         most precious
+                       in the eyes of all
+                     PROFESSING CHRISTIANS:
+                            namely,
+
+    The fitting out a mission to Fababo, of which the Rev. Isaac
+    Isaacs is to be the head and chief; to him being intrusted the
+    first formation of an organised Christian establishment for
+
+                            FABABO
+
+    and its dependencies, together with the regulation of all adult
+    and infant schools therein, and the superintendance of all the
+    bible societies throughout the district.
+
+                          LARGE FUNDS
+
+    being required for this very promising and useful mission, the
+    ladies and gentlemen in the neighbourhood of Cartwright
+    Park are religiously requested to attend the Serious Fancy
+    Fair hereby announced, both as contributors and purchasers;
+    whereby they will ensure the especial favour of Providence to
+    themselves, and the blessings of religious and civil freedom,
+    and the purest evangelical instruction, to unnumbered
+
+                           THOUSANDS
+                           yet unborn
+                              of
+                          the natives
+                              of
+                            FABABO.
+
+     N.B.--Collations will be served at three o'clock in five of the
+     principal saloons of Mr. Cartwright's mansion. Prayers to be
+     pronounced at one. Blessing (from the Reverend Mr. Cartwright
+     himself) at five.
+
+     The whole of the religious ceremonies to be performed in the
+     open air.
+
+This sketch, as the inspired author called it, having been read aloud
+and approved by acclamation, was delivered to the curate to copy; and as
+soon as this was completed, Mr. Cartwright received it from him, and
+holding it aloft in his right hand, pronounced aloud, in a very solemn
+and impressive manner, these words: "May this service, dedicated to the
+Lord, be found acceptable in his sight, and bring forth honour and glory
+to us and to him in the world to come and the life everlasting. Amen."
+
+This business happily completed, the religious amusements of the morning
+continued to go on as usual;--Mr. Bateman, the enamoured schoolmaster,
+constantly sitting, standing, and moving, with his eyes fixed on Miss
+Torrington; and the despairing Corbold, whose six passionate proposals
+had been six times formally refused by Helen, reposing himself on a sofa
+in deep meditation on the ways and means by which he might so wheedle or
+work himself into the secrets of his magnificent cousin as to make it
+necessary for him to wink at any means by which he could get Helen into
+his power, and so oblige her to marry him.
+
+At length the elegant banquet drew the company from their tracts and
+their talk to the dinner-parlour; and iced champagne refreshed the
+spirits of all, but particularly of those exhausted by the zealous
+warmth with which they had discussed the sinful adherence to good works
+so frightfully prevalent among the unregenerated clergy of the Church of
+England and Ireland. This was a theme upon which the majority of the
+company at the Cartwright Park meetings never wearied.
+
+At length, the final blessing was pronounced, the party separated, and
+the tired family left to repose themselves as they best liked till the
+hour of dinner.
+
+The increasing delicacy of Miss Cartwright's health, and Rosalind's
+drooping spirits, had prevented the intimacy between them from gaining
+ground so rapidly as they had, perhaps, both expected, when the families
+of the Park and Vicarage became blended into one. Yet it was evident
+that Rosalind was the only person to whom the pale Henrietta ever wished
+to speak, and equally so that Rosalind always listened to her with
+interest.
+
+They were mounting the stairs together after the company were dispersed,
+when Henrietta said, "Are you not wearied to death by all this, Miss
+Torrington? Oh, how you are changed since the time I told you that I had
+pleasure in looking at your face! It was then the brightest looking
+countenance I ever gazed upon: but now--to use the words of, I know not
+whom--all the sunshine is out of you."
+
+"It is a sorry compliment you pay me, my dear Henrietta; but I believe I
+am not quite the same sort of person I was then." Tears started in her
+eyes as she spoke.
+
+"I have overheard painful comparisons, Miss Torrington, between times
+past and present, and I am sorry for it. I really would not willingly
+add to the sorrow and suffering my race has brought upon you. Do not go
+and sit by yourself and weep till you are sick, as I have done many's
+the time and oft. Let us take a very slow ramble into that very thickest
+part of the Reverend Mr. Cartwright's shrubbery, where the sun never
+enters--shall we? We are quite fine enough for such godly people,
+without any more dressing for dinner. So we can sit in the shade till
+the last bell rings."
+
+"I should like nothing so well," replied Rosalind: and hastily skirting
+the sunny lawn, they took their stations on a seat which the morning sun
+visited as if on purpose to prevent its being dark and damp, but which
+for the rest of the twenty-four hours remained almost as cool as if
+there were no such globe in the heavens.
+
+"We are growing very seriously gay, Rosalind,--are we not?" said
+Henrietta in a lighter tone than she usually indulged in. "Fancy-fairs
+used to be the exclusive property of the worldlings; but it seems that
+we are now to come in for a share of their fraudulent charity,--and
+their vain benevolence:--not a bad pun that, Rosalind, if I had but
+intended to make one? But do tell me if you do not think Mr. Cartwright
+has a magnificent taste?"
+
+"Very--for a person who professes himself so given to the contemplation
+of things above the world. But to tell you the truth, Henrietta, I am
+much less surprised at the vain-glorious manner in which he displays
+his newly-acquired riches, than at the continuance of his saintly
+professions. I expected that the Vicarage of Wrexhill would have been
+resigned, and all the world peaceably permitted to be just as wicked as
+they liked, without Mr. Cartwright of Cartwright Park giving himself the
+least trouble concerning it."
+
+"You little know the nature of the clique to which he belongs. That they
+value pleasure fully as much as other men, is quite certain; that they
+struggle for riches with anxiety as acute, and hold it with a grasp as
+tight, as any human beings can do, it were equally impossible to doubt:
+but that power is dearer to them than either, is a truth well known to
+all who have sat within the conventicle, and watched its professors, as
+I have done."
+
+"But how can a man so addicted to self-indulgence, as it is evident Mr.
+Cartwright is, endure the sort of trouble which the charge of a living
+must inevitably bring with it?--especially in the style so universally
+practised, I believe, by all serious ministers--that of interfering with
+the affairs of every individual in their parish."
+
+"It is that interference that makes the labour a joy. But you are not
+initiated, and cannot comprehend it. You do not, I am sure, conceive the
+delight of feeling, that not a man or woman--not a boy or girl in the
+parish either do, or leave undone, any single act of labour or of
+relaxation, without thinking whether Mr. Cartwright would approve it.
+And then, the dependence of so many on him for their daily bread!--the
+curate, the clerk, the sexton, the beadle,--and the schoolmaster, and
+the schoolmaster's assistant, and the apothecary, and the attorney, and
+the undertaker, and--dozens of poor dependent simpletons besides, who,
+if, like poor Seymour's organ-grinder, they "knew the walley of peace
+and quiet," would run away to batten on the first moor they came to,
+rather than endure the slavery of living dependent upon the favour of a
+fanatical divine. Whatever it may be to them, however, depend upon it,
+that to him, and the like of him, this petty power, this minute tyranny
+of interference, is dearer than the breath of life; and that, much as
+Mr. Cartwright loves his fair lady and all that belongs to her, he would
+think that all still dearly purchased, were he thereby to lose the right
+of entering every house in the parish, and unblushingly to ask them what
+they have done, are doing, and are about to do."
+
+The conversation then rambled on to all things connected with the
+fancy-fair and its object, till they had talked themselves tired; and
+then they sat silently watching the beautiful checker-work of light and
+shade which fell on the grass-carpet before them, till the languid
+Henrietta, resting her head against a tree, fell fast asleep. Rosalind
+sat beside her for some minutes; but, growing weary of the extreme
+stillness necessary to guard her slumbers, she quietly withdrew herself,
+and wandered on under the trees.
+
+Having left the sleeper for about half an hour, she turned to walk
+gently back again; but fancying as she approached the spot that she
+heard the sound of a man's voice, she slanted off by another path, which
+took her close behind the seat occupied by Miss Cartwright, though a
+thick trimly-cut laurel hedge rendered it impossible for any one to see
+or be seen from the other.
+
+The hedge, though a good one, had not however the same effect on sound
+as on sight, and Rosalind was not a little startled, as her soft
+footfall silently drew near the seat, to hear a very passionate
+declaration of love in the drawling voice of Mr. Hetherington.
+
+She stopped, by no means from any wish to hear more, but greatly
+embarrassed lest, her step being heard, she might appear to have stolen
+to this obscure spot for the express purpose of being a listener.
+
+"Make me the happiest of men, adored Miss Cartwright!" reiterated the
+young man. "Your father has permitted my addresses; then do not you,
+most charming Henrietta, refuse to listen to them!"
+
+"It would not be for your happiness, sir," replied the deep low voice of
+Henrietta, "that I should do so."
+
+"Let me be the judge of that! Oh! if such a fear be all that parts us,
+we shall not, lovely Miss Cartwright! be long asunder," replied the
+ardent Mr. Hetherington.
+
+"I know myself, sir," said Henrietta, "far better than you can know me;
+and though we have not been long acquainted, your situation as curate of
+the parish enables me to know your sentiments and opinions better than
+you can know mine. I hear you preach twice every Sunday, Mr.
+Hetherington, and I do assure you there is not a single question of
+importance on which we think alike."
+
+"Name them, sweet Henrietta! generously tell me wherein we differ, and
+trust me that it shall be the study of my life to bring my opinions into
+conformity with yours."
+
+"I heard you, in the middle of your sermon last Sunday, stop short to
+scold a little boy who had accidentally made a noise by letting his hat
+fall on the ground. You said to him, 'Before next Sunday you may be
+brought into this church in your coffin.' I saw the little fellow turn
+pale, yet you repeated the words. I really should not like to marry any
+one who could so terrify little boys, for he might perhaps think it
+right to terrify me also."
+
+"Never--oh, never again will I so offend you: and for yourself, beloved
+Miss Cartwright, what could I say to you but words of hope and joy?"
+
+"Neither your joy nor your hope, Mr. Hetherington, would do me much
+good, I am afraid. In one word, much as it will surprise you to hear it
+from my father's daughter, I am not evangelical, sir."
+
+"It is but a reason the more for my wishing to call you mine! If my
+opinions are unsound, you shall correct them."
+
+"I wish you would be persuaded, Mr. Hetherington, to desist from this
+suit. I know that if my father has permitted it, I may find it become
+very troublesome to me, unless you have yourself the generosity to
+withdraw it; for my father does not brook contradiction."
+
+"Ask any proof of my obedience but this, and you shall find me a slave,
+having no will but that of my charming mistress; but to resign you while
+I enjoy the inestimable privilege of your illustrious father's sanction,
+it is impossible."
+
+"Then, sir," said Henrietta, in an altered voice that betokened strong
+emotion, "if nothing less will save me from this persecution, I will
+disclose to you the great secret of my life; make of it what use you
+will. I am an Atheist."
+
+"Surely you cannot suppose, my beloved Miss Cartwright, that this
+confession can produce any effect upon my love, unless indeed it be to
+augment it. What noble frankness! what confiding trust! Believe me,
+there can be no difference of opinion between us on any subject
+sufficiently strong to conquer the tender and powerful passion you have
+inspired. Yield then to the soft violence which I know will be
+sanctioned by your respected father--let me thus----"
+
+"Leave me, wretch!" exclaimed Henrietta in a voice that made Rosalind
+tremble. "He may lock me up and half-starve me, for he has done it
+before to make me obey his will, and I have obeyed it, and hated myself
+for my cowardice; but I will not marry you, Mr. Hetherington, even
+should he treat me worse than he has yet done--which would not be easy.
+Go, sir, go--I am an Atheist; but horrible as that sounds even to my own
+ears, it is better than to be what you have proved yourself."
+
+Rosalind, hardly less agitated than Henrietta appeared to be, stood
+trembling from head to foot in her retreat, till aware that the
+unscrupulous Mr. Hetherington had retreated in one direction, and the
+unhappy Henrietta returned to the house by another.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER VI.
+
+A SECOND VISIT TO THE LIME-TREE.
+
+
+Rosalind, as she walked slowly back towards the house, repeated to
+herself in shuddering the fearful words of Henrietta Cartwright--I AM AN
+ATHEIST,--and her very soul seemed sick and faint within her. She had
+sought in some degree the friendship of this unhappy girl, chiefly
+because it was evident that not even the connexion of father and
+daughter had sufficed to blind her to the hateful hypocrisy and unholy
+fanaticism of the vicar. Did, then, hatred and contempt for him lead to
+the hideous abyss of Atheism? She trembled as she asked herself the
+question; but the weakness lasted not a moment: the simple and true
+piety of her spirit awoke within her, and with kindly warmth cheered and
+revived her heart. That the unhappy Henrietta, when revolted by watching
+the false religion of her father, should have fled from it with such
+passionate vehemence as to plunge her into the extreme of scepticism,
+offered no precedent for what would be likely to befall a person who,
+like her, loathed the dark sin of hypocrisy, but who, unlike her, had
+learned the benignant truths of religion with no false and frightful
+commentaries to disfigure them.
+
+As she remembered this--as she remembered that, probably, the only
+religious lessons ever given to this most unhappy girl were such as her
+judgment must revolt from, and the sincerity of her nature detest as
+false and feigned, pity and compassion took place of terror and
+repugnance, and a timid, but most earnest wish, that she might herself
+be the means of sending a ray of divine light to cheer the fearful gloom
+of poor Henrietta's mind, took possession of her heart.
+
+The delightful glow of feeling that seemed to pervade every nerve of
+Rosalind as this thought took possession of her cannot be described.
+Tears again filled her beautiful eyes, but they were no longer the tears
+of disappointment and despondency; yet a dread of incurring the guilt of
+presumption, by assuming the office of teacher on a theme so awfully
+important, so sublimely exalted, mixed fear with her hope, and she
+determined to restrict her efforts wholly to the selection of such books
+as might tend to enlighten the dark night of that perverted mind,
+without producing in it the painful confusion of thought which must ever
+result from a loose and unlogical arrangement of proofs and arguments,
+however sound or however unquestionable they may individually be.
+
+When she met Henrietta in the drawing-room, where all the family were
+assembled before dinner, she was conscious of being so full of thoughts
+concerning her, that she almost feared to encounter her eyes, lest her
+own might prematurely disclose her being acquainted with the scene she
+had gone through.
+
+But the moment she heard Henrietta speak, the sound of her voice, so
+quiet, so cold, so perfectly composed, convinced her that the
+conversation which she had supposed must have agitated her so
+dreadfully, had in truth produced no effect on her whatever; and when,
+taking courage from this, she ventured to speak to and look at her, the
+civil smile, the unaltered eye, the easy allusion to their walk and
+their separation, led her almost to doubt her senses as to the identity
+of the being now before her, and the one to whom she had listened in
+horror a short half-hour ago. This perplexity was, however, in a great
+measure relieved by an interpretation suggested by her fancy, and
+immediately and eagerly received by her as truth.
+
+"It was in bitter irony, and shrewdly to test the sincerity of that
+man's assumed sanctity, that she uttered those terrible words," thought
+Rosalind; and inexpressibly relieved by the supposition, she determined
+to take an early opportunity of confessing to Miss Cartwright her
+involuntary participation of Mr. Hetherington's tender avowal, and of
+her own temporary credulity in believing for a moment that what was
+uttered, either to get rid of him or to prove the little worth of his
+pretended righteousness, was a serious avowal of her secret sentiments.
+
+This opportunity was not long wanting; for, perfectly unconscious that
+Miss Torrington's motive for hovering near her was to seek a
+confidential conversation,--a species of communication from which she
+always shrunk,--Henrietta, who really liked and admired her more than
+any person she had ever met with, readily seconded her wish, by again
+wandering into the garden-walks, on which the sun had just poured his
+parting beams, and where the full moon, rising at the same moment to
+take her turn of rule, shone with a splendour increasing every moment,
+and rendering the night more than a rival in beauty to the day.
+
+"Let us go to the same seat we occupied this morning," said Rosalind.
+
+"No, no; go anywhere else, and I shall like it better. Let us go where
+we can see the moon rise, and watch her till she reaches her highest
+noon;--of all the toys of creation it is the prettiest."
+
+"Shall you be afraid to go as far as the lime-tree?" asked Rosalind.
+
+"What! The tree of trees? the bower of paradise?--in short, the tree
+that you and I have once before visited together?"
+
+"The same. There is no point from whence the rising moon is seen to such
+advantage."
+
+"Come along, then; let us each put on the armour of a good shawl, and
+steal away from this superlatively dull party by the hall-door."
+
+The two girls walked on together arm-in-arm, both clad in white, both
+raising a fair young face to the clear heavens, both rejoicing in the
+sweet breath of evening, heavy with dew-distilling odours. Yet, thus
+alike, the wide earth is not ample enough to serve as a type whereby to
+measure the distance that severed them. The adoration, the joy, the hope
+of Rosalind, as her thoughts rose "from Nature up to Nature's God,"
+beamed from her full eye; thankfulness and love swelled her young heart,
+and every thought and every feeling was a hymn of praise.
+
+Henrietta, as she walked beside her, though sharing Nature's banquet so
+lavishly prepared for every sense, like a thankless guest, bestowed no
+thought upon the hand that gave it. Cold, dark, and comfortless was the
+spirit within her; she saw that all was beautiful, but remembered not
+that all was good,--and the thankless heart heaved with no throb of
+worship to the eternal Creator who made the lovely world, and then made
+her to use it.
+
+Notwithstanding the interpretation which Rosalind had put upon the works
+spoken by Henrietta in the morning, and the consolation she had drawn
+from it, it was not without considerable agitation that she anticipated
+the conversation she was meditating. "If she were mistaken?--if beneath
+that pure sky, from whence the eye of Heaven seemed to look down upon
+them, she were again to hear the same terrific words--how should she
+answer them? How should she find breath, and strength, and thought, and
+language, to speak on such a theme?"
+
+She trembled at her own temerity as this fear pressed upon her, and
+inwardly prayed, in most true and sweet humility, for forgiveness for
+her presumptuous sin. A prayer so offered never fails of leaving in the
+breast it springs from a cheering glow, that seems like an assurance of
+its being heard. Like that science-taught air, which blazes as it
+exhales itself, prayer--simple, sincere, unostentatious prayer, sheds
+light and warmth upon the soul that breathes it, even by the act of
+breathing.
+
+They had, however, reached the seat beneath the lime-tree before
+Rosalind found courage to begin: and then she said, as they seated
+themselves beneath the spreading canopy, "Miss Cartwright,--I have a
+confession to make to you."
+
+"To me?--Pray, what is it? To judge by the place you have chosen for
+your confessional, it should be something rather solemn and majestical."
+
+"Do you remember that I left you on the shrubbery-seat this morning fast
+asleep?"
+
+"Oh! perfectly.--You mean, then, to confess that the doing so was
+unwatchful and unfriendly: and, indeed, I think it was. How did you know
+but I might be awakened by some venomous reptile that should come to
+sting me?"
+
+"Believe me, I thought the place secure from interruption of every kind.
+But I had reason to think afterwards that it did not prove so."
+
+"What do you mean, Miss Torrington?" replied Henrietta, in an accent of
+some asperity. "I presume you did not creep away for the purpose of
+spying at me from a distance?"
+
+"Oh no!--You cannot, I am sure, suspect me of wishing to spy at you at
+all. And yet things have so fallen out, that when I tell you all, you
+must suspect me of it--unless you believe me, as I trust you do,
+incapable of such an action."
+
+"Pray do not speak in riddles," said Henrietta impatiently. "What is it
+you have got to confess to me? Tell me at once, Miss Torrington."
+
+"You really do not encourage me to be very frank with you, for you seem
+angry already. But the truth is, Miss Cartwright, that I did most
+unintentionally overhear your conversation with Mr. Hetherington."
+
+"The whole of it?--Did you hear the whole of it, Rosalind?"
+
+"Not quite. The gentleman appeared to be in the midst of his declaration
+when my unwilling ears became his confidants."
+
+"And then you listened to the end?"
+
+"I did."
+
+A deathlike silence followed this avowal, which was at last broken by
+Henrietta, who said in a low whisper, "Then at last you know me!"
+
+"Oh! do not say so;--do not say that the fearful words that I heard were
+spoken in earnest!--Do not say that;--I cannot bear to hear it!"
+
+"Poor girl!--poor Rosalind!" said Henrietta, in a voice of the deepest
+melancholy. "I have always wished to spare you this--I have always
+wished to spare myself the pain of reading abhorrence in the eyes of one
+that I do believe I could have loved, had not my heart been dead."
+
+"But if you feel thus, Henrietta,--if indeed you know that such words as
+I heard you utter must raise abhorrence,--it is because that you
+yourself must hate them. I know you are unhappy--I know that your
+nature scorns the faults that are but too conspicuous in your father;
+but is it not beneath a mind of such power as yours to think there is no
+God in heaven, because one weak and wicked man has worshipped him
+amiss?"
+
+"He worship!--Trust me, Rosalind, had I been the child of a Persian, and
+seen him, in spirit and in truth, worshipping the broad sun as it looked
+down from heaven upon earth, making its fragrant dews rise up to him in
+incense, I should not have been the wretched thing I am,--for I should
+have worshipped too."
+
+"Henrietta!--If to behold the Maker of the universe, and the Redeemer
+whom he sent to teach his law--if to see worship offered to their
+eternal throne could teach you to worship too, then look around you.
+Look at the poor in heart, the humble, pious Christians who, instead of
+uttering the horrible doom of eternal damnation upon their fellow-men,
+live and die in the delightful hope that all shall one day meet in the
+presence of their God and Father, chastised, purified, and pleading, to
+his everlasting mercy, with the promised aid of his begotten Son, for
+pardon and for peace.--Look out for this, Henrietta, and you will find
+it. Find it, and your heart will be softened, and you will share the
+healing balm that makes all the sorrow and suffering of this life seem
+but as the too close fitting of a heavy garment that galls but for an
+hour!"
+
+"Dear, innocent Rosalind!--How pure and beautiful your face looks in the
+bright moonlight!--But, alas! I know that very sinful faces may look
+just as fair. There is no truth to rest on. In the whole wide world,
+Rosalind, there is not honesty enough whereon to set a foot, that one
+may look around and believe, at least, that what one sees, one sees. But
+this is a perfection of holiness--a species of palpable and present
+divinity, that is only granted to mortals in their multiplication
+tables.--Twice two are four--I feel sure of it,--but my faith goes no
+farther."
+
+"I cannot talk to you," cried Rosalind in great agitation; "I am not
+capable of doing justice to this portentous theme, on which hangs the
+eternal life of all the men that have been, are, and shall be. It is
+profane in me to speak of it,--a child--a worm. Father of mercy, forgive
+me!" she cried suddenly dropping upon her knees.
+
+Henrietta uttered a cry which almost amounted to a shriek. "I had almost
+listened to you!" she exclaimed,--"I had almost believed that your voice
+was the voice of truth; but now you put yourself in that hateful
+posture, and what can I think of you, but that you are all alike--all
+juggling--all! The best of ye juggle yourselves,--the worst do as we saw
+Mr. Cartwright do;--on that very spot, Rosalind, beneath the shelter of
+that very tree, did he not too knuckle down? and for what?--to lure and
+cajole a free and innocent spirit to be as false and foul as himself!
+Yet this is the best trick of which you can bethink you to teach the
+sceptical Henrietta that there is a God."
+
+"Truth, Henrietta," said Rosalind, rising up and speaking in a tone that
+indicated more contempt than anger,--"neither truth nor falsehood can be
+tested by a posture of the body. It is but a childish cavil. The
+stupendous question, whether this world and all the wonders it contains
+be the work of chance, or of unlimited power and goodness, conceiving,
+arranging, and governing the whole, can hardly depend for its solution
+upon the angle in which the joints are bent. You have read much, Miss
+Cartwright,--read one little passage more, which I think may have
+escaped you. Read the short and simple instructions given as to the
+manner in which prayer should be offered up--read this passage of some
+dozen lines, and I think you will allow that in following these
+instructions, greatly as they have been misconstrued and abused, there
+is nothing that can justify the vehement indignation which you express."
+
+Poor Henrietta shrunk more abashed before this simple word of common
+sense, than she would have done before the revealed word. Rosalind saw
+this, and pointed out the anomaly to her, simply, but strongly.
+
+"Does it not show a mind diseased?" she continued. "You feel that you
+were wrong to make an attitude a matter of importance, and you are
+ashamed of it: but from the question, whether you shall exist in pure
+and intellectual beatitude through countless ages, or perish to-morrow,
+you turn with contempt, as too trifling and puerile to merit your
+attention."
+
+"If I do turn from it, Rosalind,--if I do think the examination of such
+a question a puerile occupation,--it is in the same spirit that I should
+decline to share the employment of a child who would set about counting
+the stars. Such knowledge is too excellent for me; I cannot attain unto
+it."
+
+"Your illustration would be more correct, Henrietta, were you to say
+that you shut your eyes and would not see the stars, upon the same
+principle that you declined inquiring into the future hopes of man. It
+would be quite as reasonable to refuse to look at the stars because you
+cannot count them, as to close your eyes upon the book of life because
+it tells of intellectual power beyond your own.--But this is all
+contrary to my resolution, Henrietta,--contrary to all my hopes for your
+future happiness. Do not listen to me; do not hang a chance dearer than
+life upon the crude reasonings of an untaught woman. Will you read,
+Henrietta?--if I will find you books and put them in your hands, will
+you read them, and keep your judgment free and clear from any foregone
+conclusion that every word that speaks of the existence and providence
+of God must be a falsehood? Will you promise me this?"
+
+"Let us go home, Rosalind; my head is giddy and my heart is sick. I had
+hoped never again to fever my aching brain in attempting to sift the
+truth from all the lies that may and must surround it. I have made my
+choice deliberately, Rosalind. I have never seen sin and wickedness
+flourish any where so rapidly and so vigorously as where it has been
+decked in the masquerading trappings of religion. I hate sin, Rosalind,
+and I have thrown aside for ever the hateful garb in which I have been
+used to see it clothed. If there be a God, can I stand guilty before his
+eyes for this?"
+
+"Oh yes! most guilty! If you have found hypocrisy and sin, turn from it
+with all the loathing that you will; and be very sure, let it wear what
+mask it will, that religion is not there. Look then elsewhere for it. Be
+not frightened by a bugbear, a phantom, from seeking what it is so
+precious to find! Dearest Henrietta! will you not listen to me?--will
+you not promise for a while to turn your thoughts from every lighter
+thing, till you are able to form a surer judgment upon this?"
+
+"Dearest?--Do you call me dear, and dearest, Rosalind? Know you that I
+have lived in almost abject terror lest you should discover the
+condition of my mind? I thought you would hate and shun me.--Rosalind
+Torrington! you are a beautiful specimen, and a very rare one. To please
+you, and to approach you if I could, I would read much, and think and
+reason more, and try to hope again, as I did once, until I was
+stretched upon the torturing rack of fear: but there is no time left
+me!"
+
+"Do not say that, dear friend," said Rosalind, gently drawing
+Henrietta's cold and trembling arm within her own. "You are still so
+young, that time is left for harder studies than any I propose to you."
+
+"I am dying, Rosalind. I have told you so before, but you cannot believe
+me because I move about and send for no doctor--but I am dying."
+
+"And if I could believe it, Henrietta, would not that be the greatest
+cause of all for this healing study that I want to give you?"
+
+"Perhaps so, Rosalind; but my mind, my intellect, is weak and wayward.
+If there be a possibility that I should ever again turn my eyes to seek
+for light where I have long believed that all was darkness, it must be
+even when and where my sickly fancy wills.--Here let the subject drop
+between us. Perhaps, sweet girl! I dread as much the chance of my
+perverting you, as you can hope to convert me."
+
+Rosalind was uttering a protest against this idle fear, when Henrietta
+stopped her by again saying, and very earnestly, "Let the subject drop
+between us; lay the books you speak of in my room, where I can find
+them, but let us speak no more."
+
+Satisfied, fully satisfied with this permission, Rosalind determined to
+obey her injunction scrupulously, and silently pressing her arm in
+testimony of her acquiescence, they returned to the house without
+uttering another word.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER VII.
+
+THE WILL.
+
+
+It was about this time that Mr. Cartwright, for reasons which will be
+sufficiently evident in the sequel, set about convincing his wife that
+there was a very pressing necessity, from motives both temporal and
+spiritual, that her son Charles should be immediately ordained. There
+are many ways of convincing a woman and a wife besides beating--and Mr.
+Cartwright employed them all by turns, till his lady, like a bit of
+plastic dough, took exactly the impression he chose to give,--as
+evanescent too as it was deep, for he could make her act on Monday in
+direct opposition to the principles he had laid down on Saturday, yet
+leave her persuaded all the while that he was the wisest and best, as
+well as the most enamoured of men.
+
+But though living with the wife of his bosom in the most delightful
+harmony, and opening his heart to her with the most engaging frankness
+on a thousand little trifling concerns that a less tender husband might
+never have thought it necessary to mention, Mr. Cartwright nevertheless
+did not deem it expedient to trouble her with the perusal of his letter
+to Charles on the subject of his immediate ordination.
+
+The especial object of this letter was to obtain a decided refusal to
+the command it contained, and, like most of the Vicar of Wrexhill's
+plans, it answered completely. Mowbray's reply contained only these
+words:
+
+     "Sir,
+
+     "Though all my hopes for this life have been blighted through
+     your agency, I will not risk my happiness in that which is to
+     come by impiously taking upon me the office of God's minister,
+     for which I am in no way prepared.
+
+     "CHARLES MOWBRAY."
+
+As soon as this letter was received, read, and committed to the flames,
+Mr. Cartwright repaired to the dressing-room of his lady, where, as
+usual, he found her reposing on the sofa; a little table beside her
+loaded with tracts and other fanatical publications, and in her hand a
+small bit of very delicate embroidery, which was in time to take the
+form of a baby's cap.
+
+"My sweet love! how have you been since breakfast? Oh! my Clara! how
+that occupation touches my heart! But take care of your precious health,
+my angel! My life is now bound up with yours, sweet! ten thousand times
+more closely than it ever was before: and not mine only,--the life of
+the dear unborn being so inexpressibly dear to us both. Remember this,
+my lovely wife!"
+
+"Oh, Cartwright!--your tender affection makes me the happiest of women.
+Never, surely, was there a husband who continued so completely a lover!
+Were my children but one half as sensible of their happiness in having
+you for a father as I am in calling you my husband, I should have
+nothing left to wish!"
+
+"Turn not your thoughts that way, my Clara!--it is there that it hath
+pleased Heaven to visit us with very sore affliction. But our duty is to
+remember his mercies alway, and so to meet and wrestle with the
+difficulties which he hath for his own glory permitted the Evil One to
+scatter in our path, that in the end we may overcome them. Then shall we
+by the heel crush the head of the serpent, and so shall his mercy upon
+his chosen servants shine out and appear with exceeding splendour and
+with lasting joy!"
+
+"Heaven prosper your endeavours, my dear Cartwright, to bring the same
+to good effect! How I wish that Helen would make up her mind at once to
+marry Mr. Corbold! I am sure that, with your remarkably generous
+feelings, you would not object to giving her immediately a very handsome
+fortune if she would comply with our wishes in this respect. Mr. Corbold
+told me yesterday that he had every reason to believe she was
+passionately attached to him, but that her brother had made her promise
+to refuse. This interference of Charles is really unpardonable! I do not
+scruple to say, that in my situation it would be infinitely more
+agreeable to me if Helen were married,--we could give Miss Torrington
+leave to live with her, dear Cartwright,--and I am quite sure the change
+would be for the happiness of us all."
+
+"Unquestionably it would, my love;--but this unfortunate boy! Alas, my
+Clara! I have just received fresh proof of the rebellious spirit that
+mocks at all authority, and hates the hand that would use it. I have
+this morning received such a letter from him, in answer to that in which
+I expressed my wish that he should adopt a profession and prepare to
+settle himself in life, as wrung my heart. It shall never blast your
+eyes, my Clara! I watched it consume and burn, and turn to harmless
+ashes, before I came to cheer and heal my wounded heart by pressing thee
+to it!"
+
+The action answered to the word,--and it was from the bosom of her fond
+husband that Mrs. Cartwright murmured her inquiries as to what her
+unworthy son had now done to pain the best of fathers.
+
+"Not only refused, dearest, to adopt the sacred and saving profession we
+have chosen for him with the most ribald insolence, but addressed me in
+words of such bitter scorn, that not for worlds would I have suffered
+thy dear eyes to rest upon them."
+
+"Is it possible! What then, dear Cartwright, will it be best for us to
+do? It is terrible to leave him to his own wilful desire, and suffer him
+to enter the army, when we know it will lead him to inevitable
+perdition! What can we do to save him?"
+
+"It appears to me, my sweet love, that at the present moment it will be
+most consonant to the will of the Lord to use towards him the most
+indulgent gentleness."
+
+"My dearest Cartwright! After such conduct on his part! Oh! you are too
+good!"
+
+"Sweetest! he is your son. I can never forget that; though I fear that
+he himself does not too well remember this. If he did, my Clara! he
+would hardly utter such bitter jestings on what he is so cruel as to
+call 'my beggarly dependence' on you. This phrase has cut me to the
+heart's core, I will not deny it, Clara: it has made me feel my
+position, and shudder at it."
+
+Mr. Cartwright here rose from the sofa, and putting his handkerchief to
+his eyes, walked towards the window: his breast heaved with audible
+sobs.
+
+"My beloved Cartwright! what mean you?" exclaimed his affectionate wife,
+following him to the window, and gently attempting to withdraw the
+cambric that concealed his features: "what can that undutiful boy mean?
+Your dependence upon me? Good Heaven! is there any thing that was ever
+mine that is not now your own?"
+
+"Alas! dear love, he has not launched a random shot,--he knows but too
+well how to take aim, and how to point his dart,--and it has done its
+work."
+
+This was spoken in a tone of such profound sadness, that the soul of
+Mrs. Cartwright was moved by it. She threw her arms around her husband's
+neck, and fondly kissing him, implored that he would tell her if there
+were any thing she could do to prove her love, and place him in a
+situation at _once_ to render the repetition of such a hateful phrase
+impossible.
+
+"I thought," she continued, "that your being my husband, dearest
+Cartwright, gave you a right to all I possess.--Is it not so, my love?"
+
+"To your income, dearest Clara, during your life; and as you are several
+years my junior, sweetest! this, as far as my wants and wishes are
+concerned, is quite enough. But the young man has doubtless found some
+wily lawyer to inform him, that should you die intestate he would be
+your heir; as by your late husband's will, my love, though he has left
+every thing to you, should you not make a will every shilling of the
+property will go to him, whatever other children you have now, or may
+have hereafter."
+
+"Oh, Cartwright! why did you not tell me this before! Should any thing
+happen to me in the hour of danger that is approaching, think what a
+dreadful injustice would be done to all! Let me not delay another
+day,--do send for Mr. Corbold,--I cannot rest till all this is set
+right. My dear unborn babe, as well as its beloved father, may reproach
+me for this cruel carelessness."
+
+"Compose yourself, sweet Clara! I _will_ send for Corbold without delay.
+But for Heaven's sale do not agitate your dear spirits!--it was the fear
+of this which has alone prevented me from reminding you of the interest
+of our dear unborn babe."
+
+"And your own, my dear generous husband! Do you doubt, dear Cartwright,
+that the father's interest is as dear to me as the child's?"
+
+A tender caress answered this question. But delay in matters of business
+was not the besetting sin of Mr. Cartwright; and while the embrace yet
+lasted, he stretched his arm to the bell. The summons was answered, and
+the cab despatched for the lawyer with a celerity that did much credit
+to the establishment.
+
+When Mr. Corbold arrived, he was received by his cousin in the library,
+which, in conformity to the resolution announced long ago to Charles
+Mowbray, was preserved religiously for his own use and comfort; and a
+few minutes' short but pithy conversation sufficed to put the serious
+attorney _au fait_ of what was expected of him.
+
+"You know, cousin Stephen," said the Vicar of Wrexhill, "that the Lord
+is about to bless my house with increase; and it is partly on this
+account, and partly for the purpose of making a suitable provision for
+me in case of her death,--which may he long delay!"
+
+"I am sure, cousin Cartwright, there is no work that I could set about
+with greater readiness and pleasure. Shall I receive my instructions
+from you, cousin, at this present time?" and the zealous Mr. Corbold
+accompanied the question by an action very germain to it,--namely, the
+pulling forth from a long breast-pocket a technically-arranged portion
+of draught-paper tied round with red tape.
+
+"By no means, cousin Stephen," replied the Vicar of Wrexhill; "it is
+from my beloved wife herself that I wish you to receive your
+instructions. Of course, what you do to-day can only be preparatory to
+the engrossing it on parchment: and though, from delicacy, I will not be
+present during your interview with her, yet before the document be
+finally signed, sealed, and delivered, I shall naturally wish to glance
+my eye over it. There is no longer, therefore, any occasion to delay;
+come with me, cousin Stephen, to my dear wife's dressing-room; and may
+Heaven bless to you and to me the fruits of this day's labour!"
+
+The master of the house then preceded the serious but admiring attorney
+through the stately hall, and up the stately staircase, and into the
+beautiful little apartment where Mrs. Cartwright, with a very pensive
+expression of countenance, sat ready to receive them.
+
+"Oh! Mr. Corbold," she said, kindly extending her hand to him, "I am
+very glad to see you. But my joy is dashed with remorse when I remember
+the thoughtless folly with which I have so long delayed this necessary
+interview.--My dearest Cartwright," she continued, turning to her
+husband, "can you forgive me for this?--Perhaps, dearest, you can,--for
+your soul is all generosity. But I shall never forgive myself. My only
+excuse rests in my ignorance. I believed that the law gave, as I am sure
+it ought to do, and as in fact it did in the case of my first marriage,
+every thing that belongs to me to my husband. It is true that I only
+brought my first husband about three hundred thousand pounds in money,
+and most of it has been since very profitably converted into land.
+Perhaps, Mr. Corbold, it is this which makes the difference."
+
+Mr. Corbold assured her that she was perfectly right, not considering
+himself as called upon at the present moment to allude to the accident
+of her having children.
+
+"Now then, my beloved Clara, I leave you," said Mr. Cartwright. "Not for
+worlds would I suffer my presence to influence you, even by a look, in
+the disposition of property so entirely your own!"
+
+"This generous delicacy, my beloved husband, is worthy of you. I shall,
+I own, prefer being left on this occasion with our pious kinsman and
+friend."
+
+The vicar kissed his lady's delicate fingers, and departed.
+
+"Heaven has been exceeding gracious to me, Mr. Corbold. It must be
+seldom, I fear, that in your profession you meet with so high-minded and
+exemplary a character as that of your cousin. Ah, my dear sir! how can I
+be thankful enough for so great mercy!"
+
+"The Lord hath rewarded his handmaiden," replied the serious attorney.
+"You have deserved happiness, excellent lady,--and you have it."
+
+Corbold now again pulled out his draught-paper, and with an air of much
+deference, placed himself opposite to Mrs. Cartwright.
+
+"I presume you have ink and pens at hand, my honoured lady?"
+
+"Take my keys, Mr. Corbold;--in that desk you will find every thing you
+want for writing; and in the drawer of it is the copy of my late
+husband's will. It is this that I mean to make the model of my own. He
+set me an example of generous confidence, Mr. Corbold, and I cannot, I
+think, do better than follow it."
+
+Mrs. Cartwright drew the desk towards her, and from the drawer of it
+took the instrument which had made her mistress, not only of all the
+property she had originally brought her husband, but also of an estate
+which had come to him after his marriage.
+
+"This deed, sir," she said, putting the parchment in Mr. Corbold's
+hands, "will, I hope, supersede the necessity of instructions from me. I
+am a very poor lawyer, Mr. Corbold, and I think it very probable that
+were you to write after my dictation, my will might turn out to be
+something very different from what I wish to make it. But if you take
+this as your model, it cannot fail to be right, as by this instrument I
+have been made to stand exactly in the position in which I now wish to
+place my exemplary husband Mr. Cartwright."
+
+"If such be your wish, dearest lady," said the attorney, "I will, with
+your permission, take this parchment with me; and by so doing, I shall
+not only avoid the necessity of troubling you, but, by the blessing of
+Heaven upon my humble endeavours, I shall be enabled accurately to
+prepare precisely such a document as it appears to be your wish to sign.
+In these matters no instructions can make us such plain sailing, my dear
+madam, as the having a satisfactory precedent in our hands.--Ah! dearest
+lady! when I witness the conjugal happiness of yourself and my
+ever-to-be-respected cousin, my heart sinks within me, as I remember
+that equal felicity would be my own, were it not for the cruel
+interference of one to whom I have never done an injury, and for whom I
+would willingly show, if he would let me, all a brother's love."
+
+"Keep up your spirits, my good cousin!" replied the lady. "If Helen
+favours your suit,--and on this point you must be a better judge than
+I,--Charles's opposition will not long avail to impede your union."
+
+The lover sighed, raised his eyes to heaven, and probably, not very well
+knowing what to say, departed without replying a word.
+
+As he reached the bottom of the stairs, he perceived his cousin standing
+within the door of his library, which he held ajar. He put out his hand
+and beckoned him in.
+
+"You have made quick work of it, cousin Stephen," said the anxious
+vicar. "I trust you have not hurried away without fully understanding my
+dear wife's wishes. I ask no questions, cousin Corbold, and do not, I
+beseech you, imagine that I wish you to betray any trust;--merely tell
+me if my dear Mrs. Cartwright appears to be easier in her mind now that
+she has disclosed her intentions to you."
+
+The best and soberest minded men are sometimes assailed by temptation;
+of which painful fact Mr. Stephen Corbold at that moment became proof.
+Some merry devil prompted him to affect the belief that his reverend
+cousin was in earnest, and, putting on a sanctified look of decorum, he
+replied, "Of course, cousin Cartwright, I know you too well to believe
+that you would wish to meddle or make with such an instrument as this.
+When your excellent and, I doubt not, well-intentioned lady shall be
+defunct, you will in the course of law be made acquainted with her will.
+I rejoice to tell you that her mind seems now to be perfectly unburdened
+and clear from all worldly anxieties whatever."
+
+As the attorney ended these words, he raised his eyes, which were fixed
+as he spoke upon the roll of parchment which he held in his hand, and
+caught, fixed full upon him, such a broadside of rage from the large and
+really very expressive eyes of his cousin, that he actually trembled
+from top to toe, and heartily repenting him of the temerity which led
+him to hazard so dangerous a jest, he quietly sat down at a table, and
+spreading open the parchment upon it, added, "But although it would be
+altogether foreign to your noble nature, cousin Cartwright, to express,
+or indeed to feel any thing like curiosity on the subject, it would be
+equally foreign to mine not to open my heart to you with all the
+frankness that our near kindred demands. Do not then refuse, dear
+cousin, to share with me the pleasure I feel in knowing that Heaven has
+taken care of its own! The only instruction I have received from your
+pious and exemplary wife, cousin Cartwright, was to draw her will
+exactly on the model of this, which, as you may perceive, is a copy of
+the one under which she herself was put into the possession of the
+splendid fortunes of which, by especial providence, you have already the
+control, and of which, should it please the merciful Disposer of all
+things so to order it that this lady, really fitter for heaven than
+earth, should be taken to Abraham's bosom before you, you will become
+the sole owner and possessor, you and your heirs for ever!"
+
+Mr. Cartwright had in general great command over himself, rarely
+betraying any feeling which he wished to conceal. Perhaps even the anger
+which gleamed in his eye a few moments before, and which had now given
+place to a placidity that would by every serious lady in England have
+been denominated "heavenly,"--perhaps even this, though it seemed to
+dart forth involuntarily, was in truth permitted to appear, as being a
+more safe and desirable mode of obtaining his object than the collaring
+his cousin and saying, "Refuse to let me see that paper, and I murder
+you!"
+
+But no object was now to be obtained by permitting his looks to express
+his feelings; and therefore, though he felt his heart spring within him
+in a spasm of joy and triumph, he looked as quiet and unmoved as if
+nothing extraordinary had happened.
+
+"It is very well, cousin Stephen," he said; "make not any unnecessary
+delay in the preparing of this deed. Life is very uncertain; and
+moreover, the time is known to no man. Wherefore, let this thing be done
+immediately."
+
+"Could I see Miss Helen for a moment alone, if I got this completed,
+signed, sealed, and delivered by to-morrow night?" said the attorney.
+
+"Yes, my good cousin, yes; I pledge you my word for it."
+
+In justice to the character of the unfortunate Mrs. Mowbray, it is but
+fair to remark, that notwithstanding the ceaseless process by which,
+from the very first hour of their acquaintance, the Vicar of Wrexhill
+had sought to estrange her from her children, he never ceased to speak
+of Charles as her undoubted heir, and of Helen and Fanny as young ladies
+of large fortune. The lamentable infatuation, therefore, which induced
+her to put every thing in his power, went not the length of intending to
+leave her children destitute; though it led her very sincerely to
+believe that the power thus weakly given would be properly--and as she
+would have said, poor woman! "religiously" exercised for their
+advantage.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER VIII.
+
+THE LETTER-BAG.
+
+
+Among the many highly-valued comforts and privileges which Mr.
+Cartwright's exclusive possession of the library afforded him, that of
+receiving in solitary state--and privacy, the family letter-bag, was not
+the one least valued.
+
+It may, I believe, be laid down as a pretty general rule, that those
+persons who conceive, or profess it to be their duty, to dive into the
+hearts and consciences of their fellow-creatures, and to regulate the
+very thoughts and feelings of all the unfortunate people within their
+reach, are not very scrupulous as to the methods used to obtain that
+_inward_ knowledge. Mr. Cartwright, according to the usual custom of
+divines of his class, had his village matron, ostensibly only a merchant
+of apples, gingerbread, and lollypops, but intrusted with as many secret
+missions of inquiry as the most jealous pontiff ever committed to a
+faithful and favoured nuncio on quitting the gates of Rome. She could
+tell, and was not ill paid for that precious knowledge, how often Betty
+Jackson went to buy baccy; and how many times in the day Sally Wright
+looked over her shoulder at the passers-by while walking out with her
+master's children; and how many pots of porter were carried to one
+house, and how many times the ladies walked forth from another; besides
+innumerable other facts and anecdotes, which, though apparently not of
+sufficient importance to record, were nevertheless of great value to the
+vicar and to his curate, as themes to lecture upon in private, and
+preach upon in public.
+
+Sources of information such as these had never been overlooked or
+neglected by Mr. Cartwright at any period of his ministry; but hitherto
+he had held them to be important rather to the general welfare of the
+Christian world than to his own family: no sooner, however, did he find
+himself placed in the responsible position of master of a large
+household, than, besides taking the butler into a sort of partnership
+for the discovery of petty offences, and having moreover an elected
+stable-boy, who made a daily report of all that he saw and heard, and a
+little more, he determined that all letters addressed to any member of
+the family should pass through his hand; and in like manner, that all
+those put into the letter-box in the hall, of which he kept the key
+himself, should be submitted to the same species of religious
+examination before they were deposited in the post-bag.
+
+In the execution of this part of his duty Mr. Cartwright displayed, to
+himself at least, considerable mechanical skill--for the letters were
+excellently well re-sealed--and likewise great equanimity of temper;
+for, scanty as the family correspondence proved to be, he chanced to
+fall upon some few passages which might have shaken the philosophy of a
+mind less admirably regulated.
+
+In former times, if any Mowbray had wished to send a note from the Park
+to the village, a groom or a groom's helper would have taken it: but
+now, though the establishment was greatly increased, there was no such
+privilege allowed them; and in order to escape the ceremony of asking
+permission to employ a servant, they all resorted to the post-bag.
+
+One of the letters thus sent and thus examined was from little Mary
+Richards to her friend Fanny; and many more important documents had
+passed through his hands without exciting an equal degree of emotion. It
+ran thus:
+
+     "I cannot express to you, my dearest Fanny, how anxious I feel
+     to open my whole heart to you on a subject that has long
+     occupied us both with, I believe, equal depth and sincerity of
+     interest;--I mean, as I am sure you will instantly anticipate,
+     that inward call to especial grace and favour which Mr.
+     Cartwright taught us to expect would be the sure and certain
+     consequence of unbounded faith in _himself_; for so only can we
+     interpret the language he used to us. If I were to live a
+     thousand years, dear Fanny, I should never cease to regret the
+     dreadful, but, I thank Heaven brief interval, during which I
+     firmly believed that I had received this call. While this
+     frightful and most presumptuous notion had possession of me, I
+     looked upon my dear and excellent mother--ay, and, to my bitter
+     sorrow, treated her too, as a being almost unworthy of
+     communion with me! Is not this of itself enough to prove the
+     unholy tendency of the doctrine? Now that the madness is
+     passed, I look back upon it with as much astonishment as
+     sorrow; and can so clearly trace in it the workings of the most
+     paltry vanity and egregious self-love, that while remembering
+     how sincerely I believed myself _the better_ for all the
+     hateful crimes of impious presumption and filial ingratitude of
+     which I was guilty, I cannot but think that the most
+     contemptible follies into which vanity and fine speeches ever
+     plunged a girl in the ordinary routine of this world's nonsense
+     must be considered as innocent and respectable, when compared
+     to those committed (oh! fearful impiety!) in the name of
+     Heaven.
+
+     "Though we frequently meet, I have never yet been able fully
+     and clearly to state to you how completely I have made a
+     recantation of all my religious errors. It is singular how Mr.
+     Cartwright contrives, either by himself or his satellites, to
+     be always hovering near us. For the three last Wednesdays I
+     have set off for the Park with a firm determination to speak to
+     you on this subject; but I have each time found it impossible.
+     I believe that my countenance or manner must have expressed
+     some part of the anxiety I felt to converse with you, and that
+     my eagerness to obtain my object defeated it. On one occasion,
+     as I think you must remember, Mr. Cartwright himself, though
+     constantly drawn here and there to perform his gracious
+     hospitalities to the rest of the company, ceased not again and
+     again to return with his soft "Well, dear children! what are
+     you talking about?"--on another it was his curate and deputy
+     who performed the office of interrupter; and last Wednesday,
+     that very unaccountable person Mr. Jacob seemed determined that
+     no one should speak to you but himself. I have therefore,
+     dearest Fanny, determined to write to you. I think it likely
+     that I may soon leave this neighbourhood: Major Dalrymple, who
+     has been greatly the means of bringing me back to happiness and
+     common sense, will, I believe, undertake the charge of me for
+     the rest of my life. This, I find, has long been my dear, dear
+     mother's wish. Had I been quite sure of this a year ago, I
+     think I should have been saved this wild interlude of fanatic
+     raving. However, it is over; and greatly as I have been the
+     worse, I hope and believe that for the future I shall be the
+     humbler Christian and the better woman for it.
+
+     "Major Dalrymple is at present in Scotland, attending the
+     sick--I believe the dying hours of his cousin Lord Hilton.
+     After his return, it is probable we shall leave Wrexhill; and I
+     am therefore most anxious to make you acquainted with my
+     present state of mind, for I cannot but suspect that we have
+     run the farther into this lamentable folly because we ran
+     together.
+
+     "You have already said enough to make me hope that you too are
+     recovering from your delusion; but I cannot be easy without
+     telling you explicitly, that I am again the same unpretending
+     little Church-of-England Christian that I was in the days of
+     our good Mr. Wallace; that I am once more a loving and dutiful
+     daughter to the best of mothers, and ever and always your very
+
+     "Affectionate friend,
+
+     "MARY RICHARDS."
+
+     "P. S. Pray let me hear from you."
+
+This letter was wormwood to Mr. Cartwright from one end to the other.
+Had it rehearsed the kissing story, he would liked it infinitely better.
+He was quite aware of Mary Richards's "falling off," and attributed it,
+as well as that equally evident in Fanny, to jealousy--woman's jealousy,
+and drew thence a species of gratification that almost atoned for their
+secession; the more so perhaps as the all-important business of the will
+rendered it absolutely necessary that, cost what converts it might, he
+should bestow his love-making wholly and solely upon his lady.
+
+But to find that this pretty little girl really appeared to have
+forgotten the kiss altogether, and yet that she had escaped from his
+net--at the very moment too when, as it seemed she was on the very verge
+of becoming a viscountess, was a mortification so cutting, that he
+actually ground his fine teeth together with rage at it.
+
+His first impulse was to destroy it. But he recollected that by
+suffering it to reach Fanny, he should obtain a sight of her answer; and
+feeling considerable curiosity to discover how he should fare in the
+hands of the little melancholy poetess who had of late evidently avoided
+all tête-à-tête communication with him, he carefully re-sealed it, and
+sedulously pinching its folds into unsuspicious-looking flatness, put it
+aside to be delivered according to its address.
+
+The event proved that he was quite right in believing that Fanny Mowbray
+would answer this letter; but whether the perusal of her reply increased
+his satisfaction in being master of Cartwright Park, may be doubted.
+
+Fanny's reply was as follows:
+
+     "My very dear Mary,
+
+     "I am most thankful to have received your letter; for one
+     source of the mental misery I have endured has arisen from
+     believing that I first led you to fix your attention on Mr.
+     Cartwright, and your faith on the hateful dogmas he taught. You
+     are freed--you have escaped, you are restored to the mother you
+     love, and _you_ will be happy! I thank Heaven, Mary, that my
+     heart is not wholly perverted by all the unnatural struggles it
+     has gone through; for I do rejoice, my dear friend, at your
+     felicity with a pureness and freshness of joy that I have never
+     felt at any thing since the death of my poor father came and
+     blighted all our joys. Neither am I surprised at the end of
+     your history. May you through life be as happy as I wish you,
+     and you shall have no reason to complain.
+
+     "Of myself I know not how to speak; and yet I am sure that you
+     will not be easy without knowing something of the present state
+     of my mind.
+
+     "Yes, Mary, the mad fanaticism has passed away; but it has left
+     me weak as a child recovered from the delirium of a raging
+     fever; and I feel very doubtful if I shall ever wholly recover
+     it. I am thankful that you have suffered less than I have done;
+     indeed the mischief wrought so differently with you, that I
+     almost doubt my power of making you understand all I have
+     suffered. I cannot explain even to myself what species of
+     feeling it was which took possession of me when first I became
+     acquainted with Mr. Cartwright. Of this, however, I am quite
+     sure, that I believed with all the simplicity of truth and
+     innocence, that all I felt proceeded from the immediate
+     influence of the Deity working within me to secure my eternal
+     salvation. I could not more firmly have believed that Mr.
+     Cartwright was Heaven's appointed agent on earth; and every
+     thing he did and every thing he said appeared clothed in a sort
+     of holiness in my eyes which would have rendered it impious to
+     judge him as another would have been judged. During the first
+     two or three months of our acquaintance, I was happy--oh! much
+     more than happy; I lived in a sort of ecstasy. I believed
+     myself the chosen of Heaven, and that all the agitating but
+     delightful emotions which Mr. Cartwright's admiration and
+     praises excited were only so many heavenly assurances that I
+     was indeed one of the elected few predestined to eternal and
+     unspeakable happiness. He caressed me--very often he caressed
+     me. But even now, Mary, that I see clearly much that was then
+     concealed, I cannot comprehend the sort of effect this had upon
+     me. I think that had he asked me to marry him, I should have
+     been conscious of the disparity of his age; and I think, too,
+     that I should have been startled and shocked at discovering
+     that his love, always so fervently expressed, and often shown
+     by tender endearments, was in anyway an earthly love. And yet,
+     weak and inconsistent creatures that we are! when I discovered
+     that the object of my mother's last sudden journey to town, in
+     which I accompanied her--when I discovered that her purpose
+     was to marry Mr. Cartwright, the sick faintness that seemed to
+     seize upon my heart and creep over all my limbs convinced me
+     for a moment that I loved him ... not as I fancied I did, dear
+     Mary, as a lower angel might love one of higher order, but with
+     a love of a weak sinful woman. The tortures I endured that
+     night can never be obliterated from my mind; a terrified
+     conscience and a wounded heart seemed struggling together, as
+     if to try which could torment me most. But the struggle did not
+     last long. My heart--at least all that was tender and womanly
+     in it--appeared to turn to stone, and was tranquil enough as
+     far as any feelings connected with love for Mr. Cartwright were
+     concerned; but religious terrors, frightful, hideous, almost
+     maddening, took possession of me. I believed that the crime I
+     had committed in loving the man whom Heaven had ordained to be
+     my spiritual teacher, was a deadly sin. I now felt certain--or,
+     in the language of the sect, an inward assurance, that I was
+     pre-doomed to eternal perdition; and that the belief I had once
+     entertained, exactly contrary to this, was of itself a sin
+     never to be atoned, and only to be punished by eternal flames.
+     Is there another torture of the mind equal to this? I do not
+     think it; for true and reasonable remorse for crimes really
+     committed cannot approach it. Not all the sins that man ever
+     laid upon his soul could equal in atrocity what my guilt seemed
+     to me. I suppose I was mad, quite mad; for as I now recall the
+     hours that passed over me, and all the horrid images of the
+     avenging fury of an angry God which entered and rested upon my
+     spirit, I can call the state I was in nothing short of madness.
+
+     "This state lasted, with little variation in the amount of
+     suffering, during the first week after my mother's marriage;
+     and then its feverish violence gave place to sullen, heavy
+     gloom. The cure however was near, very near me, for I found it
+     in Mr. Cartwright himself.
+
+     "It was some trifling instance of contemptible artifice which
+     first drew aside the veil from my mental vision, and caused me
+     to see Mr. Cartwright, not as he is--oh no! that has been a
+     work of steady study, and some length of time,--but as
+     something of a very different species from that to which I had
+     fancied he belonged.
+
+     "One must have been under a delusion as complete as mine has
+     been, to conceive the sensation produced by once more seeing
+     things as they are. I can compare it only to walking out of a
+     region peopled with phantoms and shadows into a world filled
+     with sober, solid realities. It is the phantom world which
+     produces the strongest effect on the imagination; and the first
+     effect of the change was to make everything around me seem most
+     earthly dull, stale, and unprofitable. I was still, however, a
+     fanatic; I still deemed myself one of those foredoomed to
+     eternal destruction. But one blessed day, some time after I had
+     become convinced that Mr. Cartwright was a very pitiful
+     scoundrel, I chanced to hear him in sweet and solemn accents
+     expound his scheme of providence to one of our distant
+     neighbours who came here to pass the morning, and who seemed
+     well disposed to listen to him. I saw that every word he said,
+     rendered soothing and attractive by the gentle kindness of his
+     manner and the eloquent commentary of his eyes, was making its
+     way to the poor lady's soul, just as a year before the selfsame
+     words and looks had worked their way to mine.
+
+     "It was at that moment I felt the first doubts of the truth of
+     the doctrine I had imbibed from him. For himself I had long
+     felt the most profound contempt; but I had hitherto shrunk from
+     the impiety of confounding the doctrine and the teacher.
+     Something artificial and forced in his manner recalled by the
+     force of contrast the voice and look of our dear Mr. Wallace;
+     and then came the bold but blessed thought that the awful
+     dogmas by which he had kept my soul in thrall might be as false
+     and worthless as himself. My recovery from my mental malady may
+     be dated from that hour. Every day that has passed since has
+     led me back nearer and nearer, I hope, to the happy state (of
+     religious feeling at least) in which Mr. Cartwright found me.
+     But the more fully I recover my senses, the more fully I become
+     aware of the sad change he has wrought in every thing else. Not
+     only do we all creep like permitted slaves through the house
+     that we once felt to be our own, but he has stolen our mother
+     from us. Poor, poor mamma! how dearly did she love us! how
+     dearly did we love her! Where is the feeling gone? She has
+     never quarrelled with us; with me, particularly, she has never
+     expressed herself displeased in any way;--and yet her love
+     seems blighted and dried up, as if some poisonous breath had
+     blasted it;--and so it has--placid and fair as is the outward
+     seeming of this hateful man, I question not but every hour
+     brings forth some sorry trick to draw her farther from us.
+     Poor, poor mamma! I know this cannot last; and when she finds
+     him out--how dreadful will her feelings be!
+
+     "Then, too, I have another sorrow, my dear Mary, which
+     tarnishes, though it cannot destroy, the joy of my return to
+     reason. While the fit lasted, I believed it a part of my dark
+     duty to keep Helen and Rosalind, and our poor exiled Charles,
+     as much at a distance from me as possible; and now I hardly
+     dare to hope that this can ever be quite forgotten by them. I
+     have not courage to enter with them into an explanation as full
+     as this which I have now given you; yet, till I do this, I
+     cannot hope that they will either understand or forgive me.
+
+     "If Charles were at home, I think the task would be easier; but
+     Rosalind and Helen both seem to avoid me. I believe they are
+     too miserable themselves to look much at me, or they might see
+     that I no longer turned from them as I did some months ago. All
+     this, however, may some day or other come right again. But what
+     is to become of poor Charles? I feel convinced this hypocrite
+     will never rest till he has robbed him of his inheritance; and
+     I sometimes think that as the doing this must be the act of my
+     mother, it would be right in me to put her on her guard against
+     his machinations. But this can only be done by opening her eyes
+     to his real character; and though I think I could do this, I
+     tremble at the misery into which it would plunge her.--But this
+     is going beyond your request, dear Mary. You cannot be ignorant
+     that my unhappy mother's marriage has plunged us all in misery;
+     and there is little kindness in impressing this truth upon you
+     when your own bright prospects ought to occupy you with
+     pleasant thoughts of future happiness. Forgive me! and believe
+     me with every wish that this happiness may be as great and as
+     lasting as the nature of human life can permit,
+
+     "Your ever affectionate friend,
+
+     "FANNY MOWBRAY."
+
+Some people might have found the perusal of these letters sufficient to
+damp the ardour of their curiosity in the pursuit of private
+information; but it had not this effect upon Mr. Cartwright. He even
+doubted whether he should not suffer this letter of Fanny's to reach
+its destination for the same reason that he had permitted that of her
+friend to reach hers--namely, the procuring a reply. But upon a
+re-perusal,--for he gave himself the gratification of reading it
+twice,--he tore it into tiny atoms, and then lighted a bougie to set
+fire to the fragments.
+
+The next letter of any importance which fell into his hands by the same
+means must also be given to the reader, as it contains some important
+information which, as it immediately shared the same fate as that of
+Fanny's, remained for a considerable time unknown to the person it most
+concerned, as well as to all others.
+
+This letter was addressed to Helen from one whom beyond all others in
+the wide world it would best have pleased her to receive any token of
+remembrance or attention. It came from Colonel Harrington, and contained
+the following lines:
+
+     "Were Miss Mowbray placed in other circumstances--were not all
+     proper access to her barred by the hateful influence of an
+     alien and a stranger to her and to her blood, I should not thus
+     venture to address her. All application to your mother and
+     natural guardian would be, we know but too well, in vain: nay,
+     there is every reason to believe that any application to
+     yourself through her would never be permitted to reach you.
+     But, rascal as this Cartwright has proved himself, I presume he
+     does not tamper with the post; and it is therefore by this
+     vulgar and ordinary medium that I determine to make known to
+     you what it is great misery to conceal. Yet, after all, in
+     saying, '_Helen, I love you_,' I think I say nothing that you
+     do not know already. But, nevertheless, it is delightful to say
+     it; and were I, sweet Helen, once more within reach of being
+     heard by you, I might perchance weary you with the repetition
+     of it.
+
+     "But this is not all I have to say, though it is only in the
+     supposition of your listening to this without anger that I dare
+     proceed. I believe, Helen, I ought to say something--a great
+     deal perhaps about my presumption--and my fears, and I know not
+     what beside,--but the simple truth is, that being quite
+     conscious I loved you, and not feeling the least reason or wish
+     to conceal it, my manner and words, too, I believe, must have
+     let you into the secret the last time we met; and those dear
+     eyes, with their long eyelashes, so constantly as they are
+     before me, would long ago have looked me into despair if the
+     memory of one soft glance at parting had not permitted me to
+     hope. My father and mother, Helen, know that I love you, and
+     that all my future happiness hangs on your consenting to become
+     my wife, _even without your mother's consent_. Why should I
+     conceal from you that I know it will be refused?--Why should I
+     not frankly and fairly tell you at once, my beloved Helen, that
+     something very like an elopement must be resorted to before you
+     can be mine?--But what an elopement! It will only be to the
+     house of your godmother, who already loves you as her child;
+     and who not only sanctions my addressing you, but has
+     commissioned me to say that she shall never know any thing
+     approaching happiness till she can take you in her arms and
+     call you her real daughter and her William's wife. For my
+     father,--you know his oddities,--he declares that if you will
+     come to Oakley and frankly consent to be his daughter, it will
+     be the happiest moment of his life when he puts your hand in
+     mine, and calls you so. But he swears lustily, Helen, that no
+     application to your mother shall ever be made with his consent.
+     This is rough wooing, sweet one! But do I overrate the
+     generosity of your temper when I express my belief that you
+     will not suffer what is inevitable, to destroy hopes that smile
+     so sweetly on us?
+
+     "Address your answer to Oakley, Helen: write it, if you will,
+     to my mother. Dear and precious as one little line of kindness
+     would be to me, I will not ask it if your proud heart would
+     find it easier to open itself to her than to me. But keep me
+     not long in suspense; before I shall have sealed my letter, I
+     shall feel sick because the answer to it is not come. My
+     regiment is not going abroad. This change in its destination
+     was only known to us on Friday last.--Farewell! How wholly does
+     my fate hang upon your answer!
+
+     "Ever, ever yours,
+
+     "WILLIAM HARRINGTON."
+
+The destruction of this letter was attended with a feeling of pleasure
+greatly superior both in quality and extent to that which he received
+from watching spark after spark die away from the fading embers of poor
+Fanny's long epistle. That was merely a matter of mawkish sentiment;
+this was an affair of business. "But Miss Helen shall have a lover,
+nevertheless." It was thus he ended his cogitation. "My cousin Stephen
+will not fail me. This evening he will be here with what will make the
+young lady's hand worth just as much as I please, and no more: and if my
+worthy cousin likes her, he shall have her." And as he thought these
+words, a smile curled his lips, and he playfully blackened the paper,
+and singed it, and finally set it in a blaze, uttering aloud as the
+flame expired, "A lieutenant-colonel of dragoons _versus_ the Vicar of
+Wrexhill."
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER IX.
+
+THE WILL EXECUTED.
+
+
+The evening was pretty far advanced when at length the house-door bell
+was loudly rung; and immediately afterwards Mr. Stephen Corbold entered
+the drawing-room looking more assured, and, as Helen thought, more
+detestable than ever.
+
+Having deliberately sipped his tea, and indulged himself the while in a
+long steady stare in the face of the unfortunate object of his passion,
+he at length rose, and with an air of much confidential importance,
+raising himself on his toes, and playing with his watch-chain,
+approached Mrs. Cartwright, and whispered something in her ear.
+
+"Have the kindness to ring the bell, Mr. Hetherington," said the lady,
+addressing the curate, who, according to his frequent custom, had taken
+his tea at the Park, partly for the advantage of receiving the
+instructions of his principal upon sundry little points of Church and
+village discipline, and partly for the hope of finding some one among
+the young ladies less cruel than the inexorable Henrietta, who had never
+appeared to see him, from the moment they parted in the shrubbery.
+
+"Tell Curtis to carry lights to my dressing-room," said Mrs. Cartwright
+to the servant who answered the bell.
+
+The vicar's heart gave a bound. One hour more and he should clutch it!
+One short hour more and he should at last be master of his own destiny,
+dependent on no fond woman's whim, trembling before no children's power
+to change her purpose.
+
+"Once let her sign this will," thought he, "and if I ever leave her long
+enough unwatched to make another, the fault will be my own, and I will
+abide the consequence."
+
+With a placid countenance that manifested no emotion of any kind, Mr.
+Cartwright amused himself for a few minutes in examining a drawing just
+finished for the Fancy Fair, by the light of a lamp on the
+chimney-piece; and as he passed behind his cousin to set it down, he
+condescendingly stopped to show it to him, pointing out its merits with
+affectionate admiration, for the artist was no other than his
+accomplished lady.
+
+"Is not the expression of this head beautifully holy, cousin Stephen?
+Just look at the eyes.... Chivers the butler, her maid Curtis, and my
+valet can witness it.... Charming is it not?"
+
+In a short time afterwards Mrs. Cartwright rose; the attentive attorney
+sprang to the door, opened it, and silently followed her out of the
+room.
+
+Henrietta's eye followed them, and she sighed heavily. "You do not seem
+well to-night, Miss Cartwright," said Helen, "and I do not feel gay;
+what say you to our keeping each other in countenance, and both going to
+bed though the clock has not yet struck ten?"
+
+"A comfortable, and very wise proposal," replied Henrietta, rising at
+once. "I am much more inclined to be in bed than up; for I would rather
+be asleep than awake."
+
+"It is very right for you, Henrietta, who are an invalid, to be indulged
+in your wish to retire early," said her father. "Good night! I am sorry
+that the accidental absence of your mother renders it impossible for me
+to hasten the hour of evening prayer. But you shall have my blessing.
+May Heaven watch over your slumbers if you close your eyes in faith! If
+not, may he visit you in the night season, with such appalling thoughts
+as may awaken a right spirit within you! But for you, my dear child," he
+continued, turning to Helen, "I cannot suffer you to leave us so
+prematurely. We shall have prayers within an hour, and I do not permit
+any member of my family to absent herself from the performance of this
+sacred ordinance, without very good and sufficient reason for so
+doing."
+
+"I conceive that I have very good and sufficient reason for so doing,
+sir," replied Helen, approaching the door: "I wish you all good night."
+
+"She shall pay for this!" whispered one of the little demons that
+nestled in the vicar's heart. "Stephen must absolve me of my promise for
+to-night; but if I do not keep it with him nobly on some future
+occasion, I will give him leave to tear in fragments the parchment which
+at this very moment is growing into a rod wherewith to scourge the
+insolence of this proud vixen."
+
+It was probably not so much the failing to keep his promise with
+Corbold, which the late hour might readily excuse, as the displaying to
+his slave and curate that his power was not absolute, which galled him
+so severely. His wife and cousin, however, soon returned; they both
+looked placidly contented, as those do look, who, having had important
+business to transact, have done it well and thoroughly. Soon afterwards
+the numerous household were summoned to appear, and the labours of the
+day were closed with prayer, Mr. Hetherington uttering the extempore
+invocation, and the vicar pronouncing the blessing: an arrangement, by
+the way, approved by the master of Cartwright Park for three especial
+reasons. First, it gave to his establishment very greatly the effect of
+having a domestic chaplain at its head.
+
+Secondly, it afforded an opportunity, which the worthy Mr. Hetherington
+never neglected, of calling down sundry especial blessings on the
+vicar's own particular head, and, which was perhaps more important
+still, of pronouncing a lofty eulogium on his transcendent virtues.
+
+Thirdly, the having to rise from his knees and pronounce the final
+blessing, never failed to soothe his spirit with a delicious foreboding
+that he might one day do so likewise in his own cathedral, and from his
+own proper throne: this being an object of ambition to him as dear, or
+dearer still, than the possession of the precious will itself.
+
+Rarely indeed did he seat himself in his own soft chair, in his own
+noble library, without seeing in his mind's eye a mitre, as distinctly
+visible as Macbeth's air-drawn dagger was to him; and the hope that this
+crowning blessing would one day fall upon his favoured head, not only
+cheered every waking, and often every sleeping hour, but made him so
+generously come forward upon all occasions when a penniless Whig was to
+be accommodated with a seat in a Parliament, or any other subscription
+set on foot to help the radical poor and needy into political power and
+place, that he was already considered in the high places as one of the
+most conscientious and right-minded clergymen within the pale of the
+Established Church, and almost supernaturally gifted (considering he was
+not a Roman Catholic priest) with the power of judging political
+characters according to their real value.
+
+As soon as the prayers were ended, the blessing spoken, and the servants
+dismissed, Mr. Corbold, whose eyes had vainly wandered round the room in
+search of Helen, approached the vicar, and said in a very firm and
+intelligible tone, "I wish to speak to you, cousin Cartwright."
+
+"Certainly!" replied his kinsman in a voice of the most cordial
+friendship. "Come into my library with me, cousin Stephen."
+
+And into the library they went; and almost before the door was shut, Mr.
+Corbold exclaimed, "How am I to see Miss Helen, cousin Cartwright, if
+you have let her take herself off to bed?"
+
+This very pertinent question was, however, only answered by another.
+
+"Have you got the will, cousin Stephen?"
+
+"Yes, I have," answered the attorney with more boldness than he had ever
+used in speaking to his cousin since he became a great man. "But a
+bargain's a bargain."
+
+"I know it is, cousin,--and Heaven preserve to me my lawful rights and
+inheritance, as I faithfully keep to you the word I have given!"
+
+"And how is it to be managed then?... Am I to go to the girl's
+bed-room?"
+
+"Give me the will, cousin Stephen," said the vicar, holding out his hand
+to receive it, "and I will satisfy you fully upon this matter."
+
+Mr. Corbold, however, looked extremely rebellious, and no corner of
+parchment could be descried about any part of his person. "A bargain's a
+bargain, I tell you, cousin William," he repeated doggedly; "and you may
+as well remember that a lawyer that is intrusted with the keeping of a
+will is no way bound to give it up; particularly to the party whom it
+chiefly concerns."
+
+Mr. Cartwright measured his contumacious relative with his eye, very
+much as if he intended to floor and rifle him; but wiser thoughts
+prevailed, and he gently replied, seating himself in his own peculiar
+chair, and making a sign to his companion that he should place himself
+opposite: "May He, cousin Stephen, whose professing servants we are,
+save and deliver us from quarrelling with one another, especially at a
+blessed moment like this, when every thing seems fitted by his holy
+providence, so as to ensure us peace and prosperity in this world, and
+doubtless, everlasting glory in the life to come!"
+
+"All that's very true, cousin Cartwright; and if your cloth and calling
+set you to speak of heavenly things, especial grace, years ago
+manifested in me, makes me nothing behind you in the same. But, for all
+that, I know well enough, that there's many a worldly-minded
+unprofessing lawyer, who would gain credit and honour both, by taking
+care to let young Mowbray know what that pious lady his mother has been
+about, instead of keeping the thing as secret as if it were a forgery of
+my own; and it is but common justice between man and man, to say nothing
+of cousins and professing Christians, that conduct so every way
+convenient and considerate as mine, should not go unrewarded. I have set
+my heart upon having that girl Helen, and I don't wish for any thing in
+the end but lawful wedlock, and all that; and the more, because I take
+it for granted that you don't mean altogether to leave the young woman
+without fortune;--but she's restive, cousin, and that you know, and we
+are therefore called upon, as men and Christians, to make use and profit
+of that wit and strength which it hath pleased Providence in its wisdom
+to give us over the weaker vessel; and all I ask of you is so to put it
+within my reach and power to do this, that the righteous ends we have in
+view may be obtained through the same."
+
+"I have heard you to the end, cousin Stephen, which will, I trust,
+considering all things, be accepted in token of an humble spirit. What
+you have said, however, excepting that it was needless, is altogether
+reasonable, and betokens that wisdom of which the Lord hath seen fit to
+make you an example upon the earth. But you find that my conscience
+needed not your reproof. Few hours have passed since I gave proof
+sufficient of the sincerity with which I desire to strengthen the ties
+between us. By the accident of the post-bag's being brought into my
+room, I was made aware that it contained a letter addressed to Helen
+Mowbray, evidently in the handwriting of a man. And what could it be to
+me, cousin Stephen, whether that unconverted girl got a letter from a
+man, or went without it? Nothing, positively nothing. But I remembered
+me of you, cousin, and of the tender affections which you had fixed upon
+her, and, fearless of consequences, I instantly broke the seal, and
+found, as I expected, a very worldly-minded proposal of marriage,
+without the decency of any allusion whatever to my will in the business;
+and I therefore of course felt it my duty to destroy it both for your
+sake and that of the Lord, whose blessing the impious young man did not
+deem it necessary to mention. Nevertheless, the proposal came from one
+of the first families in the county, and the girl would have been my
+lady in due course of nature, a thing not altogether without value to
+her family and father-in-law. But I never hesitated for one moment, and
+you may see the ashes of Colonel Harrington's love-letter under the
+grate."
+
+"That was acting like the good and chosen servant, cousin William, that
+I have long known you to be. But, such being the case, why have you
+scrupled to let me speak to the young girl this night in private?"
+
+"For the good and sufficient reason, that she chose to go, even though I
+told her to stay, and, without exposing myself to a very unpleasant
+scene before my curate and the rest of my people, I could not have
+detained her. Besides, at the moment of her departure I knew that the
+will, which you still keep from me, cousin Stephen, was not either
+signed or executed,--another good and sufficient reason, as I take it,
+for not choosing to keep the girl back by force. But fear nothing; what
+I have promised, that I will perform. Give me the will, cousin Stephen,
+and I will tell you what my scheme is for you."
+
+"Tell me the scheme first, cousin William; that is but square and fair.
+We lawyers have got our ceremonies as well as the clergy, and I don't
+see why they should be broken through."
+
+"I don't very well know what you mean by ceremonies in this case,
+cousin, and I don't think you take the best way to oblige me; however, I
+am not going to shrink from my word for that. All I expect, cousin
+Stephen, is your word pledged to me in return, that, let what will
+happen, you will bring no scandal or dishonour upon my family, for so
+doing might be of the greatest injury to my hopes."
+
+"I mean nothing but honour, cousin William," replied Corbold eagerly:
+"let me have but a fair opportunity given me, and you shall find that,
+though I use it, I will not abuse it. Tell me, then, what is your
+scheme?"
+
+"You know that on the 12th of this month a Serious Fancy Fair is to be
+held in my grounds. Not only will all the rank and fashion of the county
+assemble on the occasion, but my park-gates will be open likewise to the
+people. At two o'clock a very splendid collation will be ready in five
+of my saloons; and it is after the company have risen and left the
+tables to resort once more to the booths, in order to assist in the
+disposal of the remaining articles, that I shall permit every servant in
+my establishment to leave the mansion, and repair to witness the busy
+and impressive scene in the booths. It will be a very impressive scene,
+cousin Stephen, for I shall myself pronounce a blessing upon the
+assembled crowd. From this I fear, my dear Stephen, that you must on
+this occasion absent yourself; but be assured, that as I speak those
+words of power, I will remember you.
+
+"When you shall see a rush of my hired servants pour forth from my
+mansion upon my lawns, it is then that I shall counsel you to retire,
+enter the house by the library windows, and if questioned, say you are
+sent there on an errand by me. From my library, find your way up the
+grand staircase to the small apartment which I permit my wife to
+appropriate as her dressing-room--the same in which you have this night
+executed, as I trust, her will. There remain, concealed perhaps behind
+the curtains, till Helen Mowbray enters. I will deposit in that room
+something valuable and curious for sale, which shall be forgotten till
+you are safely hidden there, and then I will command my very dear and
+obedient wife to send Miss Helen to seek for it. Does this plan please
+you, cousin?"
+
+Before speaking a word, Mr. Corbold drew the will from his long coat
+pocket, and placed it in the hands of the vicar. This was a species of
+mute eloquence most perfectly understood by the person to whom it was
+addressed:
+
+The Vicar of Wrexhill received the parchment with much solemnity in his
+two hands, and bending his head upon it, exclaimed "May the blessing of
+the Lord be with me and my heirs for ever!"
+
+It may possibly appear improbable to many persons that such a phrase as
+this last should recur in ordinary discourse so frequently as I have
+represented it to do. But to those not belonging to the sect, and
+therefore not so familiarized with its phraseology as to be unconscious
+of its peculiarity, and who yet have been thrown by accident within
+reach of hearing it, I need offer no explanation; for they must know by
+experience that this, or expressions of equally religious formation and
+import, are in constant use among them.
+
+Sometimes, especially in the company of the profane, they are uttered
+_sotto voce_, as if to satisfy the secret conscience. Sometimes, in
+equally un-elect society, they are pronounced aloud and with most
+distinct emphasis, as if to show that the speaker feared not the ribald
+laugh of the scorner, and held himself ready to perform this, or any
+other feat likely to ensure the same petty, but glorious martyrdom,
+despite any possible quantum of absurdity that may attach thereto.
+
+       *       *       *       *       *
+
+The two kinsmen being now mutually satisfied with each other's conduct,
+shook hands and parted; Mr. Corbold ruminating, as he walked slowly back
+to Wrexhill, on the happy termination to which he was at last likely to
+bring his hitherto unpropitious wooing, and Mr. Cartwright gazing with
+unspeakable delight on the signatures and seals which secured to him,
+and his heirs for ever, the possession of all the wealth and state in
+which he now revelled. Having satisfied himself that all was right, he
+opened a secret drawer in his library table, laid the precious parchment
+within it, and having turned the lock, actually kissed the key that
+secured his treasure. He then carefully secured it to his watch-chain,
+and returned to escort his lady to her chamber.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER X.
+
+THE SERIOUS FANCY FAIR.
+
+
+There were but few families within an ordinary visiting distance of the
+Park who had not called on Mrs. Cartwright upon her marriage. Some went
+from simple curiosity,--some expressly to quiz her,--a few from feelings
+of real kindness towards the young people, whom it would be, they said,
+a shame to give up merely because their mother had played the fool and
+ruined all their prospects:--not a few, for the fun of seeing Mowbray
+Park turned into a conventicle, and the inhabitants into its
+congregation; and the rest came principally because Mr. Cartwright was
+such a pious man, and likely to do so much good in the neighbourhood.
+Among all these, the Fancy Fair announced to be held there on the 12th
+of July, created a lively interest. All the world determined to attend;
+and half the world gave themselves up to the making of pincushions and
+pen-wipers with as much zeal as if the entire remnant of the Jewish
+people, as well as the whole population of Fababo, were to be converted
+thereby.
+
+The mansion and grounds of Mr. Cartwright's residence began to give note
+of very great and splendid preparation for this serious fête. Never had
+the reverend vicar been seen in such spirits on any former occasion;
+
+    "His bosom's lord sat lightly on his throne;"
+
+and (due allowance being made for the nature of the proceedings) it
+might safely be averred, that no entertainment ever given in the
+neighbourhood had caused more sensation, or been prepared for with a
+more lavish expenditure.
+
+The whole of the 9th, 10th, and 11th days of the month were entirely
+employed by the majority of the Cartwright household in receiving and
+arranging the different works of fancy contributed by the neighbouring
+ladies for the sale. By far the greater half of these articles were
+pincushions, and for the most part they packed and unpacked well and
+safely; but amidst the vast variety of forms into which this favourite
+vehicle of charity was turned, some among them were equally ingenious in
+design, delicate in execution, and difficult of carriage.
+
+There were harps, of which the strings were actually musical, and the
+foot a pincushion. Old women of pasteboard, washing their feet in a
+pasteboard tub, but with knees stuffed for pincushions. Pasteboard
+hunch-backs, the hunches being pincushions. Babies dressed with the
+nicest taste and care, their plump little necks and shoulders forming
+pincushions. Pretty silken volumes, lettered "pointed satires," and
+their yellow edges stuffed for pincushions. Ladies very fashionably
+dressed, with the crowns of their bonnets, and their graceful backs,
+prepared as pincushions. These, and ten thousand more, of which a
+prolonged description might probably prove tedious, formed the staple
+commodity of the elegant booths, which stretched themselves in two long
+rows from one extremity of the beautiful lawn to the other. Tracts, so
+numerous that it would be impossible to give their measure or their
+value by any other calculation than that of their weight, were made by
+the ingenuity of the fair and pious contributors to assume a very
+tempting aspect, bound by their own delicate hands in silks and velvets
+of every hue to be found between earth and heaven, green and blue
+inclusive.
+
+It would be quite impossible to give any thing deserving the name of a
+catalogue of the articles contributed to this charming exhibition; and
+it will therefore be better not to attempt it. It will be sufficient to
+observe, that, by a sentiment of elegant refinement which seemed to have
+pervaded all the contributors, every article to which the idea of
+utility could attach was scrupulously banished; it not being fair, as
+some of the ladies very judiciously observed, to injure the poor
+shopkeepers by permitting the sale of any thing that any body in the
+world could really wish to buy. One instance of very delicate attention
+on the part of Mrs. Cartwright towards the hero of the fête deserves to
+be recorded, as showing both the natural kindness of her temper, and the
+respect in which every feeling of this celebrated character was held.
+Among the almost incredible number of devices for winding silks, or for
+converting them into bobbins, or for some other of the ingenious little
+contrivances invented for--one hardly knows what, was a very pretty
+thing, more in the shape of a Jew's harp than any thing else. The
+instant Mrs. Cartwright cast her eyes on this, she ordered it to be
+withdrawn, observing that, as the Reverend Isaac Isaacs himself was
+expected to honour the entertainment with his presence, she could by no
+means permit any thing bearing such a name to appear.
+
+It may be feared that it was with a far different spirit Mr. Jacob
+Cartwright, on hearing his stepmother mention this exclusion, and the
+motive for it, proposed that all the cold chickens and turkies to be
+eaten at the banquet should appear without their usual accompaniment of
+cold hams,--a pleasantry which, though it won a smile from his indulgent
+father, was by no means well received by Mrs. Cartwright.
+
+The twelfth day of July itself arrived at last, and fortunately was as
+fine a day as ever shone. Helen asked Rosalind if she remembered the day
+on which Charles came of age, and the question brought tears to the eyes
+of both: this, however, was but a trifling exception to the general
+cheerfulness; all the world really looked as gay as if the Fancy Fair
+were not a serious one. In one of the long and elegantly decorated
+booths, indeed, one silly young girl was heard to exclaim, "Oh! what a
+beautiful place this would be for dancing!"--but the levity was checked
+by Mr. Cartwright, who, happening to overhear her, replied, "My dear
+young lady, there is no dancing in heaven!"
+
+It had been settled among the ladies of the neighbourhood, on the first
+announcement of this pious and charitable undertaking, that no _young_
+ladies, either married or single, should be invited to sell the
+articles; and for some time after the circulation of this decision, it
+appeared to be very doubtful whether there would be any ladies found
+(not actually too decrepit to endure the fatigue) who would be willing
+to undertake it. This circumstance threw poor Mrs. Cartwright into great
+embarrassment. The idea of having advertised a Fancy Fair, and then to
+be unable to procure ladies to preside at it, was a vexation almost
+beyond what even a professing Christian's patience could bear.
+
+When at length it appeared evident that every middle-aged lady for ten
+miles round had, for some excellent good reason or other, declined the
+office, Mr. Cartwright proposed that gentlemen, instead of ladies,
+should perform it. But to this Miss Charlotte Richards, who happened to
+be present when the difficulty was discussed, entered a violent protest,
+declaring that she was quite sure, if such a measure were resorted to,
+not one hundredth part of the goods would be sold. Neither Jew nor
+Gentile, she assured them, would ever make any thing by it, if such a
+project were resorted to; and in short she pleaded the cause of the
+ladies so well, that after some time it was agreed that the original
+principle should be altogether changed, and that the youngest and
+prettiest ladies should be selected, only with this condition
+annexed--that they should all be dressed in uniform, the form and
+material of which were to be specified by Mrs. Cartwright.
+
+The circular letter announcing this alteration was composed by Mr.
+Cartwright himself, and proved perfectly successful, although it
+contained but few words.
+
+"It having been decided at a meeting of some of the senior supporters of
+the South Central African Bible Association, that the cause of the poor
+inhabitants of Fababo was one which ought to be peculiarly interesting
+to the young and lovely, inasmuch as it is beyond all others the cause
+of piety; it was therefore strongly recommended that they should be
+especially chosen and elected to serve the office of vendors or sellers
+at the Fancy Fair instituted by the Reverend William Jacob Cartwright,
+and by him appointed to be held on his own premises."--After which
+followed a request that such ladies as were kindly willing to undertake
+the fatigues of the office, would forthwith forward their names to Mrs.
+Cartwright, that they might receive from her instructions respecting the
+uniform to be worn on the occasion.
+
+The number of applications for permission to sell, which followed the
+circulation of this letter, was quite extraordinary, and so greatly
+exceeded the number required, that the task of selection became
+difficult, if not impossible; so it was finally decided that a
+description of the uniform should be sent to them all, and that those
+who arrived first, should be installed in their office under condition
+of permitting a relay to succeed them after the enjoyment of two hours
+of duty.
+
+The consequence of this was, that at a very early hour, not only all the
+young and handsome part of the company expected, but all who considered
+themselves as belonging to that class, were seen arriving in their very
+becoming sad-coloured suits, with their smooth braided tresses, and
+Quakerish bonnets and caps.
+
+"Let all the ladies in the serious uniform stand up together behind the
+stalls if they like it," said the accommodating Mrs. Cartwright: "it
+would be so very difficult to select; and they will all look so very
+well!"
+
+As the stalls were all ready, having been walked round, through, and
+about, by Mr. and Mrs. Cartwright, Mr. Hetherington the curate, Chivers
+the butler, Curtis the lady's maid, as well as all the other serious
+servants, and all agreeing in the opinion that it was impossible any
+thing could be more beautiful, the uniform ladies were ushered into
+them, and begged to decide among themselves the order in which they
+should stand.
+
+The manner in which this self-regulating system worked was amusing, and
+Rosalind Torrington stood by, and enjoyed it greatly. As soon as it was
+notified to the young and pretty ladies that the booths were all ready,
+the prices of every article marked, and all things prepared so that they
+might take their places behind the stands in such order as they should
+agree among themselves, any one who had witnessed and watched the sweet
+universal smile with which each one regarded the other, and the charming
+accents in which all exclaimed as with one voice, "Oh! it is exactly the
+same to me where I stand," would have been ready to declare that even
+their youth and beauty were less attractive than the sweet temper which
+seemed to be so universal among them.
+
+The fair bevy, amounting to above fifty, poured themselves by various
+entrances into the booths, which were in fact a succession of very
+handsome tents, against the sides of which were ranged the elegantly
+decorated stands; while through the whole extent, a space of nearly
+thirty feet was left for promenading. In the centre of the range, the
+gaily painted canvass rose into a lofty point, from which, to the
+extremity of the circle round it, depended graceful draperies, festooned
+with large bunches of flowers. In the middle of this noble circular tent
+stood a lofty frame, supporting the finest greenhouse plants, and the
+stalls which here skirted the sides of the enclosure were decidedly more
+distinguished by their elegant decorations than the rest.
+
+"Oh dear! how lovely!" was the universal exclamation uttered by the
+ladies on entering this beautiful circle.
+
+"Well! I think I will stand here," said one of the most lively and
+enterprising among them, placing herself at the same time behind a world
+of many-tinted paper and silk commodities, close to which was a side
+entrance arched with evergreen boughs, and gay with a thousand blossoms.
+
+"And I will take this stand!" cried a stout and long-limbed demoiselle,
+stepping out with great activity to secure the one opposite.
+
+"This will just suit me!" said a third, popping into another of the
+enviable stations which flanked the garlanded entrances, and immediately
+taking possession of its lofty seat and comfortable footstool.
+
+Up to this point the universal smile continued, with an almost unabated
+display of charming teeth; but to the fourth place, promising equal
+affluence of passers-by to the three already taken, no less than four
+ladies rushed at once. And then began the civil war which in a greater
+or less degree, as circumstances may excite or assuage it, rages at all
+fancy fairs, bazaars, and charity sales of every class and denomination
+whatever.
+
+Some folks, uninitiated in such matters, may suppose that there is less
+of this at a serious fancy fair than at one professing to be gay. But a
+little experience will rapidly undeceive them. Whether the benevolent
+sale-ladies be beautiful saints or beautiful sinners, the inclination to
+show off Nature's gifts to the best advantage is pretty nearly the same;
+and whether the sweet graceful thanks, so softly uttered, be constructed
+after one form or another, the pleasure of speaking them is the same
+likewise. What matters it, whether a bright eye laugh from beneath a
+drapery of pendent curls, or is raised to heaven with no twisted meshes
+to obscure its upward ray? What matters it whether ruby lips open to
+say, "Heaven reward you, sir! Our poor missionaries shall pray for you!"
+or, "Thank you!" (with a familiar nod) "some dear Spanish whiskerandos
+shall buy a sword with this!" In both cases the speaker would
+indisputably prefer having a well-frequented stand to speak from; and if
+it chance to be placed beside some avenue through which the crowd must
+pass and repass incessantly, why so much the better.
+
+The four ladies that met together with more of haste than inclination at
+the last of the door-way stands, as above described, were really,
+considering all things, exceedingly civil to each other. At the early
+part of a busy day, the temper can bear much more without wincing, than
+after it has been battered and bruised by all the little _contretems_
+that are almost sure to beset it before the close of it.
+
+"I beg your pardon, ma'am, but I believe I was here first:"
+
+"Oh, dear! I hope I did not hurt you, but this is my place:"
+
+"You must let me stand here, dear ladies, for I have set my heart upon
+it:"--comprised very nearly all the spoken part of the contest. A few
+sidelong glances there might have been, and one or two almost invisible
+_nudges_; but after all, the person who finally got possession of the
+desired post, was a tall, thin, pale, and remarkably pious maiden, who
+having laid her hand upon the board, and her foot upon the stool, moved
+them no more, but who from first to last did not pronounce a single
+word.
+
+Though these four favourite seats were thus rapidly taken possession of,
+there was still a good deal to be struggled for. It appeared indeed for
+some time that all the fifty young and handsome ladies had firmly made
+up their minds to station themselves in the circular tent, and nowhere
+else.
+
+Greatly did the peaceable Mrs. Cartwright rejoice that she had from the
+first desired the ladies to please themselves; for it soon became
+evident that it would have been no easy task for her to please them.
+Very continuous buzzings made themselves heard around the canvass walls;
+and lady-like remonstrances were occasionally audible.
+
+"Really, ladies, I think we are very close here:"
+
+"Would it not be better for some of the ladies to move on?"
+
+"I believe, ma'am, that you will find no room just here:" and,
+
+"Upon my word I must beg you not to press upon me so!"--were sentences
+distinctly repeated in more places than one.
+
+At length things, or rather ladies, began to arrange themselves in
+tolerable order, the difficulty being got over at last, as always
+happens upon such occasions, by the best tempers taking the worst
+places.
+
+It was an almost simultaneous rush of carriages through the Park Gates,
+and the approach of many persons on foot by various entrances, which at
+last produced this desirable effect. Mr. Cartwright now came forth in
+all his glory from beneath the shelter of a sort of canvass portico that
+formed the entrance to the principal line of tents. Almost innumerable
+were the hands he shook, the bows he made, and the smiles he smiled. It
+is perfectly impossible that he could have sustained so radiant and
+benevolent a graciousness to all sorts and conditions of men, had not
+his animal spirits been sustained by the ever-present recollection that
+the little key which dangled from his watch-chain, and with which he
+constantly dallied when any of his ten fingers were disengaged from
+hand-shaking, kept watch and ward over his lady's will.
+
+Mrs. Cartwright, meanwhile, not being in a situation to endure the
+fatigue of standing, sat with some dozen chairs around her, waiting for
+the most distinguished guests, within the flowery shelter of this same
+pretty portico, round which were ranged orange-trees, and various other
+fragrant plants, reaching from the ground almost to the roof.
+
+Whenever any person arrived of sufficient importance to be so
+distinguished, the Vicar of Wrexhill himself ushered them to the
+presence of his lady, and those so honoured at length filled all the
+chairs around her. To all the rest Mrs. Cartwright bowed and smiled as
+they passed onward; as they all most obediently did, in compliance with
+the mandate of their host, who continued to utter with little
+intermission, "Straight on if you please--straight on,--and you will
+reach the centre pavilion."
+
+Between the spot at which the carriages set down the company, and the
+entrance to this portico, four servants in rich liveries were stationed
+to pass their names to Chivers, who stood within it. At length a party
+who had walked across the Park and entered on the lawn by the little
+hand gate, (to pass through which, the present master of the domain had
+once considered as his dearest privilege,) approached the entrance at a
+point by which they escaped three out of the four reverberations of
+their names, and were very quietly stepping under the draperied
+entrance, when the fourth now stopped them short to demand their style
+and title.
+
+"Mrs. and the Miss Richards,--Lord Hilton," screamed the trumpet-mouthed
+London-bred domestic, who, it may be observed in passing, had, like most
+of his fellows, answered one of Mr. Cartwright's advertisements headed
+thus,
+
+           "Wanted
+    to live in the country
+      A SERIOUS FOOTMAN."
+
+No sooner did the title reach the vicar's ears, than he dropped pious
+Mr. Somebody's hand which he was affectionately pressing, and turning
+short round met the cold glance of the honest-hearted Major Dalrymple,
+who advanced with Mrs. Richards upon one arm, and his affianced Mary on
+the other. A moment of rather awkward deliberation ensued, as to whether
+the man, or the man's title, should modify the manner of his reception;
+but before the question could be decided, the party had quietly passed
+on, without appearing to perceive him. The two elder Miss Richards
+followed, both of them having been obliged to relinquish their hopes of
+presiding at a stand, in consequence of the expensive nature of the
+uniform. These two young ladies, who from the first hour of their
+conversion had really been among the most faithful followers of the
+Vicar of Wrexhill in all ways--ready to be in love with him--ready to
+pray with him--and now ready to bow before him as almost the greatest
+man in the county, were not perhaps greeted with all the distinguished
+kindness they deserved. Unfortunately for their feelings, Mr. Cartwright
+was more awake to the fact that they were sisters to little Mary, than
+to their very excellent chance of becoming sisters-in-law to a
+nobleman:--and so they too passed on, without pausing, as they had
+intended to do, for the expression of their unbounded admiration for him
+and his Fancy Fair.
+
+Nearly the whole of the invited society were already assembled, and the
+Park was beginning to fill with the multitude which was to be admitted
+to the tents after the collation, when, at length, the Reverend Isaac
+Isaacs was announced.
+
+The arrival of the hero of the day produced, as may be supposed, a very
+powerful sensation; his name was no sooner pronounced by the servants
+than it was caught up by the company, and borne along from mouth to
+mouth till every individual of the crowd which filled the tents was made
+acquainted with the interesting fact, that the Reverend Isaac Isaacs was
+approaching. The effect of this was for some moments really alarming;
+every Christian soul turned back to welcome the converted Jew, and
+something nearly resembling suffocation ensued. Indeed when the throng
+which pressed back to meet him, met that which had turned to follow him
+as he laboured to make his way between the stands, the crush was really
+terrible; and had there not fortunately been many lateral exits through
+which those escaped who loved their lives better than the gratification
+of their curiosity, the consequences might have been very serious.
+
+Not all, however, whose strength and whose zeal induced them to remain,
+could get a sight of this desired of all eyes: for, as Mr. Isaacs was a
+very short man, those only who were very close could distinguish him.
+The effect of this procession, however, through the double row of
+stands, still thickly studded with pincushions, every one of which had
+been made for his sake, was very impressive, and rendered greatly more
+so by every fair sales-woman mounting upon the high seat with which she
+was furnished for occasional rest, and thus looking down upon him as he
+passed in attitudes that displayed both courage and enthusiasm.
+
+The weather was intensely hot, and more than once he appeared nearly
+overcome by his emotions. He expressed the greatest concern for having
+arrived so late, and especially for having missed the opening prayer,
+which, as he imagined, had been pronounced by Mr. Cartwright himself;
+but when it was explained to him that this was not the case, and,
+moreover, that he was not too late to share the blessing to be given by
+that gentleman, he became more reconciled to the accident which had
+detained him, and gave himself wholly up to the enjoyment of the
+striking spectacle that surrounded him.
+
+After he had remained for some time in the central pavilion, gazing, and
+gazed at, in a manner which it was extremely interesting to watch, some
+one well acquainted with the best method of carrying on the business of
+such a meeting as the present, suggested that it would be advisable that
+the acolyte should retire till the sale of the goods was pretty well
+completed; for if the feeling among the charitable crowd were permitted
+to exhaust itself in affectionate glances towards Mr. Isaacs, no more
+money would be collected: and it was also judiciously remarked, that it
+might be as well to circulate through the company the assurance, that as
+soon as the stalls were about two-thirds cleared, the banquet would be
+announced.
+
+The effect of these suggestions was speedily visible; Mr. Isaacs stood
+in the enjoyment of space and fresh air before the entrance to the
+portico, engrossing the almost undivided attention of his great patron,
+while ladies peeped at him from a respectful distance; and Chivers
+himself, with a look as reverential as if he were waiting upon an
+apostle, approached him with Madeira and soda water.
+
+The sale, meanwhile, benefited equally by his near presence and his
+actual absence. Enthusiasm was raised without being disturbed in that
+great object of all English Christian enthusiasm--the disbursing of
+money; and by four o'clock such a report was made of the general
+receipts, that the selling ladies were waited upon by as many clergymen
+as could be collected to hand them from their stands to the banquet,
+and, when these were all furnished with a fair partner, the most serious
+gentlemen among the company were requested to take charge of the rest.
+
+Mrs. Cartwright herself was led to the great dining-room by Mr. Isaacs,
+and for this reason, or else because it was the great dining-room, the
+crowd which followed her became so oppressive that the doors of the room
+were ordered to be closed and strictly guarded. This measure was equally
+serviceable to those within and without; for no sooner was it fully
+understood that this decisive mode had been resorted to, than the other
+tables were instantly filled, and nothing could be more satisfactory
+than the activity with which eating and drinking proceeded in all
+directions.
+
+The champagne flowed freely; and whether it were that the sacred cause
+for which the meeting was assembled appeared to justify, or at least
+excuse, some little excess,--or that nothing furnished at Mr.
+Cartwright's board but must bring a blessing to him who swallowed
+it,--or that the fervent season led to thirst, and thirst to copious
+libations:--whatever the cause, it is certain that a very large quantity
+of wine was swallowed that day, and that even the most serious of the
+party felt their spirits considerably elevated thereby.
+
+But, in recording this fact, it should be mentioned likewise, that,
+excepting in some few instances in which thirst, good wine, and
+indiscretion united to overpower some unfortunate individuals, the
+serious gentlemen of the party, though elevated, were far from drunk;
+and the tone of their conversation only became more animated, without
+losing any portion of the peculiar jargon which distinguished it when
+they were perfectly sober.
+
+The discourse especially, which was carried on round Mr. Cartwright
+after the ladies retired, was, for the most part, of the most purely
+Calvinistical cast: though some of the anecdotes related might, perhaps,
+in their details, have partaken more of the nature of miracles than they
+would have done if fewer champagne corks had saluted the ceiling.
+
+One clerical gentleman, for instance, a Mr. Thompson, who was much
+distinguished for his piety, stated as a fact which had happened to
+himself, that, in his early days, before the gift of extempore preaching
+was fully come upon him, he was one Sabbath-day at the house of a
+reverend friend, who, being taken suddenly ill, desired Mr. Thompson to
+preach for him, at the same time furnishing him with the written
+discourse which he had been himself about to deliver. "I mounted the
+pulpit," said Mr. Thompson, "with this written sermon in my pocket; but
+the moment I drew it forth and opened it, I perceived, to my
+inexpressible dismay, that the handwriting was totally illegible to me.
+For a few moments I was visited with heavy doubts and discomfiture of
+spirit, but I had immediate recourse to prayer. I closed the book, and
+implored that its characters might be made legible to me;--and when I
+opened it again, the pages seemed to my eyes to be as a manuscript of my
+own."
+
+This statement, however, was not only received with every evidence of
+the most undoubting belief, but an elderly clergyman, who sat near the
+narrator, exclaimed with great warmth, "I thank you, sir,--I thank you
+greatly, Mr. Thompson, for this shining example of the effect of ready
+piety and ready wit. Though the cloth is removed, sir, I must ask to
+drink a glass of wine with you,--and may Heaven continue to you its
+especial grace!"
+
+There were some phrases too, which, though undoubtedly sanctioned by
+serious usage, sounded strangely when used in a scene apparently of such
+gay festivity.
+
+One gentleman confessed very frankly his inability to resist taking more
+of such wine as that now set before them than was altogether consistent
+with his own strict ideas of ministerial propriety. "But," added he,
+"though in so yielding, I am conscious of being in some sort wrong, I
+feel intimately persuaded at the same time, that by thus freely
+demonstrating the strength and power of original sin within me, I am
+doing a service to the cause of religion, by establishing one of its
+most important truths."
+
+This apology was received with universal applause; it manifested, as one
+of the company remarked, equal soundness of faith, and delicacy of
+conscience.
+
+One of the most celebrated of the regular London speakers, known at all
+meetings throughout the whole evangelical season, having silently
+emptied a bottle of claret, which he kept close to him, began, just as
+he had finished the last glass, to recover the use of his tongue. His
+first words were, "My king has been paying me a visit."
+
+"Indeed!" said Mr. Cartwright, whose attention was instantly roused by
+this very interesting statement; "where was the visit made, Mr. White?"
+
+"Even here, sir," replied Mr. White solemnly: "here, since I have been
+sitting silently at your hospitable board."
+
+"As how, sir?" inquired a certain Sir William Crompton, who was placed
+near him. "Do you mean that you have been sleeping, and that his Majesty
+has visited you in your dreams?"
+
+"The Majesty that I speak of, sir," replied Mr. White, "is the King of
+Heaven."
+
+"What other could it be!" exclaimed Mr. Cartwright, showing the whites
+of his eyes, and appearing scandalized at the blunder.
+
+"I wonder, Mr. Cartwright," said a young man of decidedly pious
+propensities, but not as yet considering himself quite assured of his
+election,--"I wonder, Mr. Cartwright, whether I shall be saved or not?"
+
+"It is a most interesting question, my young friend," replied the vicar
+mildly; "and you really cannot pay too much attention to it. I am happy
+to see that it leaves you not, even at the festive board; and I
+sincerely hope it will finally be settled to your satisfaction. But as
+yet it is impossible to decide."
+
+"I shall not fail to ride over to hear you preach, excellent Mr.
+Cartwright!" said a gentleman of the neighbourhood, who, though not
+hitherto enrolled in the evangelical calendar, was so struck on the
+present occasion with the hospitable entertainment he received, that he
+determined to cultivate the acquaintance.
+
+"You do me great honour, sir!" replied the vicar. "If you do, I hope it
+will be on a day when you can stay supper with us."
+
+"You are excessively kind, my dear sir!" answered the guest; "but as my
+place is at least ten miles distant from yours, I fear, if you sup in
+the same style that you dine, it would be somewhat late before I got
+home."
+
+Mr. Cartwright bowed, dropped his eyes, and said nothing.
+
+"Oh, sir!" said Mr. Hetherington, who, though he had drunk more than any
+man at table, excepting the cousin Corbold, had as yet in no degree lost
+his apprehension,--"Oh, sir! you quite mistake. The supper that the
+excellent Mr. Cartwright means, is to be taken at the table of the
+Lord!"
+
+"Dear me!" exclaimed the squire, who really meant to be both civil and
+serious, "I beg pardon, I made a sad blunder indeed!"
+
+"There is nothing sad but sin, Mr. Wilkins!" replied the vicar meekly.
+"A mistake is no sin. Even I myself have sometimes been mistaken."
+
+"What heavenly-minded humility there is in Mr. Cartwright!" said Mr.
+Hetherington in a loud whisper to his neighbour: "every day he lives
+seems to elevate my idea of his character. Is not this claret admirable,
+Mr. Dickson?"
+
+Just at this moment Chivers the butler entered the room and whispered
+something in his master's ear.
+
+"Indeed!" exclaimed Mr. Cartwright, "a very disagreeable accident, upon
+my word."
+
+"What is it, sir?" inquired several voices at once.
+
+"The head cook, gentlemen," replied Chivers, "has fallen off the
+larder-ladder, and has put out his shoulder."
+
+"A very disagreeable accident indeed," echoed the guests.
+
+The butler whispered again.
+
+"Certainly, Chivers, certainly. I am very glad Mr. Bird the surgeon
+happens to be on the premises. Let him immediately set the joint, and
+when this is done, and the poor fellow laid comfortably in bed, come for
+Mr. Hetherington, whom I will immediately order to awaken him."
+
+"Bless my soul, sir!" exclaimed the good-natured Sir William Crompton;
+"won't that be rather injudicious? If the poor fellow should get a nap,
+I should think it would be the worst thing in the world to awaken him."
+
+"Pardon me, Sir William," replied the vicar with great respect, "but
+persons of the world do not well understand the language of those who
+are not of the world. No accident, no illness ever occurs in my house,
+Sir William, but my first effort is to awaken the soul of the sufferer
+to a proper sense of his sins. I always take care they shall be told
+that the jaws of the tomb are opening before them, and that, as death
+comes like a thief in the night, they should be watching for him. This,
+in the language of a pious and professing Christian, is called an
+awakening; and needful as it is at all times, it is of course more
+needful still in sickness, or danger of any kind."
+
+Sir William Crompton filled his glass with the wealthy vicar's admirable
+wine, and said no more.
+
+The time was now approaching at which the populace were to be admitted
+to the tents on the lawn; and Mr. Cartwright having looked at his watch,
+rose and said, "Gentlemen,--It is distressing to me to be forced to
+disturb you, but the business of the meeting requires that we should all
+repair to the lawn. The populace are about to be admitted, and it is
+expected that our estimable Mr. Isaacs will benefit very considerably by
+the eagerness with which the farmers' wives and daughters will purchase
+the articles which remain of our Christian ladies' elegant handiworks.
+One bumper to the success of the Reverend Isaac Isaacs! and to the
+conversion of the people of Fababo!--And now we will return to our duty
+in the tents."
+
+"To your tents, O Israel!" shouted a young man, with more of wine than
+wit, as he turned towards the converted Jew; "for myself," he added,
+"I'll be d--d if I stir an inch till I have finished this bottle."
+
+Mr. Cartwright stopped short in his progress towards the door. He turned
+a glance, more inquiring perhaps than stern, on the face of the
+intoxicated speaker, and perceived that he was the nephew of an earl;
+the sole reason indeed which had procured him the honour of a seat in
+that distinguished circle.
+
+The vicar balanced for a moment whether he should reprimand him or not.
+Had he been the son, instead of the nephew of the noble lord, he would
+certainly have passed on in holy meditation, but, as it was, he stopped.
+There were many serious eyes upon him, notwithstanding the claret. He
+remembered that the earl had a "goodly progeny," and that consequently
+his nephew would never be likely to succeed to his title; and therefore
+with great dignity, and much pious solemnity, he thus addressed his
+curate, who, in his capacity of domestic chaplain, was ever near him.
+
+"Mr. Hetherington! you have heard the awful words spoken by Mr. Augustus
+Mappleton. Remember, sir, that his repentance and conversion be prayed
+for at our concluding service this evening, and also in your extempore
+prayer before sermon on next Sabbath morning."
+
+These words had a very sobering effect on the company, and the whole
+party made, all things considered, a very orderly exit from the
+dining-room, not however without Mr. Cartwright finding an opportunity
+of whispering in the ear of his cousin--
+
+"Now is your time, Stephen, to go into the dressing-room."
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XI.
+
+THE "ELOPEMENT."
+
+
+When the gentlemen reached the lawn, they found it already covered, not
+only with the company from all the other rooms, but likewise with crowds
+of people from the Park, who came rushing in through different entrances
+from all quarters.
+
+In the midst of all this bustle and confusion, however, Mr. Cartwright
+remembered his engagement with Mr. Stephen Corbold, and, only waiting
+till he saw that the servants of his house were among the throng, he
+sought Mrs. Cartwright, and finding, as he expected, her daughter close
+beside her, whispered in her ear, "Oblige me, dearest Clara! by sending
+Helen to your dressing-room for a small packet of very important papers
+which I left on the chimney-piece. I cannot go myself; and there is not
+a servant to be found."
+
+Mrs. Cartwright immediately spoke the command to Helen, and the vicar
+had the satisfaction of watching her make her way through the crowd, and
+enter the window of the drawing-room.
+
+Poor Helen was not happy enough to have enjoyed in any degree the
+splendid bustle of the day, and the total repose and silence of the
+house was quite refreshing to her. She passed through the drawing-room
+into the hall, from whence not even the loud buzz of the multitude
+without could reach her; and untying her bonnet, and throwing that and
+her scarf on a slab, she sat down to enjoy for a few moments the cool
+quiet of the lofty silent room.
+
+At length she reluctantly rose to perform her mother's bidding, walked
+slowly and languidly up the stairs, along the spacious corridor, and
+into Mrs. Cartwright's dressing-room. This little apartment was no
+longer the dear familiar scene of maternal fondness that it once was, or
+Helen might here again have been tempted to sit down for the enjoyment
+of temporary repose. But, in truth, she no longer loved that
+dressing-room; and walking straight to the chimney-piece, she took the
+packet she found there, and turned to retrace her steps.
+
+It was with a start of disagreeable surprise, though hardly of alarm,
+that she saw Mr. Stephen Corbold standing between her and the door. The
+persevering impertinence of his addresses had long ago obliged her to
+decline all communication with him, and it was therefore without
+appearing to notice him that she now pursued her way towards the door.
+But hardly had she made a step towards it, when the odious wretch
+enclosed her in his arms. She uttered a loud shriek, and by a violent
+effort disengaged herself; but ere she could reach the door, he had
+closed, locked it, and put the key in his pocket.
+
+A dreadful sensation of terror now seized upon her; yet even then she
+remembered that she was in her mother's house, and a feeling of
+confidence returned.
+
+"You are intoxicated, sir!" said she drawing back from him towards the
+bell. "But you surely cannot be so mad as to insult me here!"
+
+"I will insult you nowhere, Miss Helen, if you will behave as you ought
+to do to the man whom Heaven hath chosen for your husband. But as for
+your ringing the bell, or screeching either, I'll fairly tell you at
+once, it is of no use. There is not a single human being left in the
+house but our two selves; so you may as well give me satisfaction at
+once, and promise to marry me without more trouble, or else, I will make
+you thankful for the same, without my ever asking you again."
+
+"Open that door, sir, and let me out instantly," said Helen, pale as
+death, yet still not believing that the monster before her would dare to
+attempt any outrage. "Even Mr. Cartwright," she added, "would resent any
+impertinence offered to me under my mother's roof. Let me pass, sir:
+believe me, you had better."
+
+"Believe me; I had better not, Miss Helen. You have been playing the
+fool with me long enough; and as to my cousin Cartwright, he is quite of
+the same opinion, I assure you. Charming Helen!" he exclaimed, again
+stretching out his arms to enclose her, "be only half as kind as you are
+beautiful, and we shall be the happiest couple in the world!"
+
+"At least, sir, you must let me consult my mother about it," said Helen,
+contriving to keep the table between them, and believing that he was
+there only in consequence of his being intoxicated. "Let me ask my
+mother's consent, Mr. Corbold."
+
+Corbold laughed aloud. "You think me tipsy, my sweet girl; but if I am,
+trust me it's no more than just to give me courage to teach you your
+duty. My charming Helen! let go the table, and understand the thing at
+once. My cousin. Mr. Cartwright is under some obligations to me, and he
+means to settle them all by giving me a pretty fortune with you; and as
+he knows that unhappily you are not converted as yet, and have shown
+yourself not over christian-like in return for my love, it is he himself
+who invented this scheme of having you sent up here when all the
+servants were out of the house--and of my being here ready to meet you,
+and to teach you your duty to him, and to your mother, and to your
+heavenly father, and to me;--and so now you know all and every thing,
+and I have got the key of the room in my pocket.--And will you consent
+to be my wife, beginning from this very minute?"
+
+Dreadful as Helen's terror was, her senses did not leave her; on the
+contrary, all the strength of her mind seemed to be roused, and her
+faculties sharpened, by the peril that beset her. She doubted not for a
+moment that his statement respecting Mr. Cartwright's part in this
+villany was true, and that she was indeed left in the power of this
+detested being, with no help but the protection of Heaven and her own
+courage. She fixed her eye steadily on that of Corbold, and perceived
+that as he talked, the look of intoxication increased; she therefore
+skilfully prolonged the conversation by asking him, if indeed she must
+be his wife, where they were to live, whether her sister Fanny might
+live with them, whether he ever meant to take her to London, and the
+like; contriving, as she did so, to push the table, which still
+continued between them, in such a direction as to leave her between it
+and the door of her mother's bed-chamber. Corbold was evidently losing
+his head, and appeared aware of it; for he stopped short in his replies
+and professions of passionate love that he was making: and exclaiming
+with an oath that he would be trifled with no longer, he suddenly thrust
+the table from between them, and again threw his arms round Helen's
+waist.
+
+She was not, however, wholly unprepared to receive him. On first
+approaching the table that had hitherto befriended her, she perceived on
+it a large vial of spirits of hartshorn: this she had taken possession
+of, and held firmly in her hand; and at the moment that Corbold bent his
+audacious head to kiss her, she discharged the whole contents upon his
+eyes and face, occasioning a degree of blindness and suffocation, that
+for the moment totally disabled him. He screamed with the sudden pain,
+and raised his hands to his tortured eyes. Before he removed them, Helen
+had already passed through her mother's bed-room, and was flying by a
+back staircase to the servants' room below. Without waiting to see if
+she were pursued, she opened a back door that led into the stable-yard,
+and, after a moment's consideration, proceeded across it, into a lane
+which led in one direction to the kitchen gardens, and in the other into
+the road to Oakley.
+
+Even at that moment Helen had time to remember that if she turned her
+steps towards the kitchen gardens, she should pass by a park gate which
+would immediately lead her to all the safety that the protection of an
+assembled multitude could give. But she remembered also that in a few
+hours she should again be left in the hands of Mr. Cartwright, and,
+inwardly uttering a solemn vow that nothing should ever again make her
+wilfully submit to this, she darted forward, unmindful of her uncovered
+head, and, with a degree of speed more proportioned to her agitation
+than her strength, pursued the short cut across the fields to Oakley,
+and entering the grounds by the gate which led to the lawn, perceived
+Sir Gilbert, Lady Harrington, and their son, seated on a garden bench,
+under the shelter of a widely spreading cedar-tree.
+
+Helen knew that she was now safe, and she relaxed her speed, slowly and
+with tottering steps approaching the friends from whom, notwithstanding
+their long estrangement, her heart anticipated a warm and tender
+welcome. Yet they did not rise to meet her.
+
+"Perhaps," thought she, "they do not know me;" and it was then she
+recollected that her hair was hanging dishevelled about her face without
+hat or cap to shelter it. She was greatly heated, and her breath and
+strength barely sufficed to bring her within a few yards of the party,
+when totally exhausted, she sat down upon the turf, and burst into
+tears.
+
+Colonel Harrington had not written the letter to Helen, which the Vicar
+of Wrexhill destroyed, without having put both his parents in his
+confidence. Lady Harrington's fond affection for her god-daughter, which
+her enforced absence had in no degree lessened, rendered the avowal of
+her son's attachment a matter of unmixed joy; and though Sir Gilbert
+declared that he would as soon stand in the relation of brother to his
+Satanic Majesty as to Cartwright, he at length gave his apparently sulky
+consent with perhaps as much real pleasure as his lady herself.
+
+Both the one and the other, however, knew perfectly well that their son
+would have been an excellent match for Helen, even when her father was
+alive, and would, as it was supposed, have given her a fortune of forty
+thousand pounds; and they felt some degree of triumph, neither unamiable
+nor ungenerous in its nature, at the idea of securing to one at least of
+poor Mowbray's family a station in society that not even their connexion
+with Mr. Cartwright could tarnish.
+
+The whole family understood the position of things at the Park too well
+to be surprised at no answer being sent express to Colonel Harrington's
+letter, and the following post was waited for with pleasurable though
+impatient anxiety. But when it arrived without bringing any answer, and
+another and another followed with no notice taken of a proposal of
+marriage, which, as Sir Gilbert said, the proudest woman in England
+might have been glad to accept, the misery of the young man himself, and
+the anger and indignation of his parents, were about equally vehement.
+
+Considering the opinion entertained by Sir Gilbert of what he was
+pleased to term Mr. Cartwright's finished character, it is surprising
+that no idea should even have occurred to him of the possible
+suppression of this important epistle; but, in truth, the same
+interpretation of it had suggested itself to the minds of them all. They
+believed that Helen, from a sense of duty, had submitted the proposal to
+her mother, and that, forbidden to accept it by the vindictive feelings
+of the "parvenu priest," she had been weak enough to obey even his
+commands, to leave the letter unanswered--a degree of timidity, and want
+of proper feeling, productive of almost equal disappointment to all
+three.
+
+Impressed with such feelings against her, it is perhaps not very
+surprising, that neither the heart-stricken lover, nor his offended
+parents, rose to welcome the approach of poor Helen.
+
+"Some family quarrel, I suppose," said Lady Harrington. "They seem to
+have turned her out of doors in some haste."
+
+"I will promise her that she shall not now find an entrance into mine,"
+said Sir Gilbert. "Perhaps the young lady thinks better of it, and that
+it may be as well to contradict pa and ma a little for the sake of being
+Mrs. Harrington. Those who will not when they may, when they will they
+shall have--" But before Sir Gilbert could finish his stave, Helen
+Mowbray was stretched upon the turf.
+
+Colonel Harrington, not too well knowing what he did, ran to the spot
+where she lay, and hardly daring to look at her, stammered out--"Miss
+Mowbray! Gracious Heaven, how fearfully she changes colour! So red, and
+now so deadly pale! Speak to me, Helen--What has happened to you?--How
+comes it that you are here? After----Oh, Helen, open your eyes, and
+speak to me! Mother! mother! she is very ill!"
+
+Lady Harrington now rose slowly and gloomily from her seat, and walked
+to the place where Helen lay, her head supported by the arm of Colonel
+Harrington; every tinge of colour fled from her cheeks, her eyes closed,
+and no symptom of life remaining, excepting that tears from time to time
+escaped from beneath her long eyelashes.
+
+It is difficult to see a person one has ever loved, asleep, and yet
+retain anger towards them; they look so helpless, so innocent, so free
+from all that could have ever moved our spleen, that not the most
+eloquent defence that language ever framed could plead their cause so
+well as that mute slumber. Still more difficult would it be to look at a
+fair creature in the state in which Helen now lay, and retain any
+feeling harsher than pity.
+
+"There is something more in all this, William, than we yet understand,"
+said Lady Harrington, after gazing silently at Helen for some minutes.
+"This poor child has not fainted, her tears prove that; but she is
+suffering from bodily fatigue and mental misery.--Helen! rouse yourself.
+Let us understand each other at once. Why did you not reply to my son
+William's letter?"
+
+Helen did rouse herself. She opened her eyes, and fixing them on Lady
+Harrington, while the colour for a moment rapidly revisited her cheeks,
+she said, in a voice so low as to be scarcely audible, "A letter from
+Colonel Harrington?--To me?--A letter to me?--I never received it."
+
+"Thank Heaven!" cried Colonel Harrington, springing from the ground, for
+Helen's head no longer rested on his arm. "Oh! what suffering should we
+have been spared, if we had done her but the justice to think of this!"
+
+He hastily returned to his father, who, though he had not advanced a
+step, had risen from his seat, and, to do him justice, was looking
+towards Helen with great anxiety. "She never received it, sir!" said he,
+in a voice husky from agitation: "Oh! come to her; soothe her with
+kindness, my dearest father, and all may yet be happiness amongst us."
+
+"What, Helen!--Helen, my poor girl, are you come to us with some new
+trouble?--And did you indeed never get William's letter, my dear child?"
+
+The mention of such a letter again dyed Helen's cheeks with blushes; but
+she raised her eyes to Sir Gilbert's face, with a look that seemed to
+ask a thousand questions as she replied, "I never received any letter
+from Colonel Harrington in my life."
+
+"I am devilish glad to hear it, my dear, that's all. So, then, you don't
+know that----"
+
+"Hold your peace, Sir Knight," said Lady Harrington, interrupting
+him.--"And you come with me, sweet love. I'll lay my best herbal to that
+dead leaf, that you are the only one perfectly faultless among us; and
+that one, two, and three of us deserve to be--I can hardly tell what--in
+the power of the vicar, I think, for having been so villanous as to
+suspect you; and worse still, for having lived so close to you without
+ever having found out whether you were really watched like a state
+prisoner or not."
+
+"Has the rascal dared----" cried Sir Gilbert, but before he could finish
+his sentence, Lady Harrington and her son were leading Helen between
+them towards the house, her ladyship laying a finger on her lip as she
+passed her husband, in token that he was to say no more.
+
+Having reached what Lady Harrington called a place of safety, where, as
+she said the men could neither come nor hear, she made Helen lay herself
+upon a sofa, and then said, "Now, my Helen, if you are ill at ease in
+body, lay there quiet, and try to sleep; but if you are only, or chiefly
+ill at ease in mind, let your limbs only remain at rest, and relieve
+yourself and me by telling me every thing that has happened since we
+parted last."
+
+"It is a long and sad history, my dearest friend," replied Helen,
+kissing the hand which still held hers, "but I am very anxious that you
+should know it all; for so only can the action I have committed to-day
+be excused."
+
+"What action, Helen?--what is it you have done, my child?"
+
+"I have eloped from my mother's house, Lady Harrington."
+
+"But you have eloped alone, Helen?"
+
+"Yes! alone."
+
+"Well then, my dear, I will give you absolution for that. Perhaps there
+are those among us who may not find it so easy to absolve you from all
+blame for not doing it before. But now for particulars.--Will you have a
+glass of water, Helen? Mercy on me! I believe it must be a glass of
+wine. What can you have got to tell? You change colour every moment, my
+dear child."
+
+Helen's narrative, however, being of necessity less full then that
+contained in the preceding pages, need not be repeated. It was given
+indeed with all the force and simplicity of truth and deep feeling, and
+told all she knew of Mr. Cartwright's plans and projects; but, excepting
+what she had that day learned during her dreadful interview with
+Corbold, she had little to add to what Lady Harrington knew before.
+
+This interview, however, was itself fully enough to justify the
+"elopement," of which Helen still spoke with such dismay; and, together
+with the fact, again asked for, and again repeated, that no letter from
+Colonel Harrington had reached her hands, was sufficient to make her
+ladyship burst forth into a passion of indignation against the Vicar of
+Wrexhill, and to make her, while overpowering Helen with the tenderest
+caresses, bless her again and again for having at last flown to seek
+shelter where it would be given with such heartfelt joy.
+
+Soothed, consoled, and almost happy as Helen was made by this recovered
+kindness, her anxiety to know why, and upon what subject Colonel
+Harrington could have written to her, was becoming every moment more
+powerful. There was something so very fond, so very maternal in Lady
+Harrington's manner to her,--something that seemed to say that
+she was of more consequence to her now than she had ever been
+before,--something, in short, quite indescribable, but which gave birth
+to such delicious hopes in the breast of Helen, that she almost feared
+to meet the eye of the old lady, lest all she guessed, and all she
+wished, should be read in her own.
+
+It is possible, that with all the care she took to avoid the betraying
+this anxiety, she did not succeed; for, in answer to some very delicate
+and very distant hint, that it was extremely disagreeable to have one's
+letters intercepted, Lady Harrington, though she only replied, "Yes, it
+is, Helen," rose and left the room, only adding as she closed the door,
+"Keep yourself quiet, my dear child: I shall return to you presently."
+
+"Presently" is a word that certainly appears, by common usage, to admit
+of very considerable variety of interpretation; and it was evident that
+on the present occasion the two parties between whom it passed
+understood it differently. Long before Lady Harrington again appeared,
+Helen felt persuaded that some important circumstance must have occurred
+to make her so completely change her purpose; yet the good lady herself,
+when she re-entered the room, looked and was perfectly unconscious of
+having made any delay at all inconsistent with her "presently."
+
+She held a folded paper in her hand. "You have not asked me, Helen," she
+said, "on what subject it was that my son wrote to you; and yet I
+suspect that you have some wish to know. I have been down stairs to
+consult him on the best mode of repairing your precious vicar's
+treachery, and he suggested my putting into your hands the copy of the
+letter which has been so basely intercepted; which copy, it seems, has
+remained safely in his desk, while its original has probably fed the
+flames in Mr. Cartwright's secret chamber, kindling thereby a
+sympathetic and very consuming fire in the breast of the writer."
+
+Helen stretched forth a very trembling hand to receive the paper; her
+eyes were fixed upon it, either to read through its enclosure the
+characters within, or to avoid at that moment meeting the eye of her
+godmother.
+
+"I shall leave you, my love, to peruse it alone; and presently, when I
+think you have done so, will return to ask if you cannot in some degree
+comprehend what must have been felt at its not obtaining an answer."
+
+Having said this, Lady Harrington retired without waiting for a reply,
+and leaving Helen unable for a moment to learn what her heart throbbed
+with such violence to know.
+
+The letter of which Helen now held the copy has been already presented
+to the reader; and if she chance to be one of Helen's age, having at her
+heart a love unbreathed to any human ear, she may guess what my Helen's
+feelings were at finding such love had met an equal, an acknowledged
+return. Such a one may guess Helen's feelings;--but no other can.
+
+Lady Harrington's _presently_ now seemed to Helen as much shorter than
+it really was as the last had seemed longer. She had read the letter but
+four times through, and pressed it to her heart, kissed it, and so
+forth, not half so much as she desired, and it deserved, when a knock
+was heard at the door, and the old lady again entered.
+
+The happy, but agitated girl stood up to receive her, and though she
+spoke not a single word, the manner in which she rushed into her
+maternal arms, and hid her face upon her bosom, spoke plainly enough
+that the gallant colonel had no reason to despair.
+
+"What must he have thought of me!" were Helen's first words--"And
+you?--and Sir Gilbert?--Such a letter! Dearest, dearest Lady Harrington,
+you could not really think I had ever received it!"
+
+"You have struck the right chord there, my Helen. We all deserve to have
+suffered ten thousand times more than we have done, for having for a
+moment believed it possible you should have received that letter and not
+invented some means to answer it--let the answer be what it might. And
+this answer?--you have not yet told me what it is to be. I do not know
+how much, or how little, you may happen to like William, my dear; but in
+case you should have no insuperable aversion to him, the business is
+made delightfully easy by this adventure. The elopement is done and
+over already."
+
+Helen only pressed Lady Harrington's hand to her heart, but said
+nothing.
+
+"Yes,--you have found the way to let me into your secret, without
+speaking. This little heart throbs violently enough to prevent any
+suspicion of indifference. But what am I to say to my impatient hero
+below?--That you will, or you won't marry him, as soon as the lawyers
+will let you?"
+
+"Oh! Lady Harrington!"
+
+"Come down stairs, my dear;--you had better come down, I do assure you;
+for I expect Sir Gilbert will be up in a moment, and you cannot suppose
+that William will remain behind; and my bed-room would by no means be so
+dignified a scene for the denouement as the great saloon. Come, dear,
+come."
+
+And Helen went--trembling, blushing, with tears in her eyes, and such
+palpitation at her heart that she was very sure she could not pronounce
+a word. But what need was there of words? The happy colonel was soon
+perfectly satisfied, and thanked her on his bended knee for a consent
+more looked than spoken.
+
+Even Sir Gilbert himself, though singularly attached to plain speaking,
+seemed well content on the present occasion to dispense with it; and
+pressed Helen to his heart, and kissed her forehead, and called her his
+dear daughter, apparently with as much satisfaction as if she had
+declared herself ready to accept of his son in the very best arranged
+words ever spoken upon such an occasion.
+
+When the first few decisive moments were past, and each one of the party
+felt that all things were settled, or about to be settled, in exact
+conformity to their most inward and earnest desires, and when Helen was
+placed as the centre of the six loving and admiring eyes that were fixed
+upon her, she closed her own; but it was neither to faint, nor to sleep,
+but to meditate for a moment with the more intensity upon the miraculous
+change wrought in her destiny within the last few hours.
+
+"What are you thinking of, my Helen?" said the colonel, jealous, as it
+should seem, of losing sight of those dear eyes, even for a moment.
+
+"I am endeavouring to believe that it is all real," replied Helen with
+beautiful simplicity.
+
+"Bless you, my darling child," said the rough baronet, greatly touched.
+"What an old villain I have been to you, Helen!--abusing you, hating
+you, calling you all manner of hard names,--and your little heart as
+true as steel all the time."
+
+"Real?--real that you are beloved by me, Helen?" cried Colonel
+Harrington, absolutely forgetting that he was not tête-à-tête with his
+fair mistress.
+
+"And how is she to answer him, with you and me peering in her face, my
+lady? Ought we not to be ashamed of ourselves?--Come along this moment."
+
+"Very well,--I will go, but only upon one condition, Helen. Remember,
+William, she is to indulge in no disagreeable reminiscences, and no
+melancholy anticipations, but look just as beautiful and as happy when I
+come back, as she does now."
+
+This farewell advice was not thrown away; for it assisted Colonel
+Harrington to baffle, or to banish, all the fears and regrets respecting
+her mother's displeasure at her conduct, which came like a cloud across
+the bright perspective of Helen's hopes for the future. Her lover showed
+himself, indeed, sufficiently adroit, both in turning to account all the
+favourable circumstances attending their sudden engagement, and in using
+his mother's authority to prevent her dwelling upon what was
+unfavourable. "Might not a second home," he asked, "be of great
+advantage both to Fanny and Miss Torrington? Might not the connexion
+tend to keep Mr. Cartwright in order, and prevent his finally injuring
+Charles? And lastly, did she not think it would give pleasure to that
+Charles himself?"
+
+To Lady Harrington Helen had frankly recounted the history of Corbold's
+hateful persecution, from its first beginning in London, to the fearful
+outrage it had led to on that eventful day; but she had begged her to
+repeat no more of it to Sir Gilbert and the colonel than might be
+sufficient to render her running away intelligible; and this request
+having been strictly complied with, for Lady Harrington seemed as
+unwilling as Helen to trust her men-folk with this history, Colonel
+Harrington, in conversing with her on all she had felt and suffered
+since her mother's marriage, spoke of him only as a presumptuous man who
+had dared to persevere in addressing her after she had refused him.
+
+It was, probably, the heightened colour of Helen as she listened to this
+mention of his name that excited a greater degree of interest and
+curiosity concerning him than her lover had at first bestowed upon him.
+
+"Were these hateful addresses repeated by letter or in person, Helen?"
+said he, fixing his eyes upon her agitated face.
+
+"In person--in person," answered Helen, impatiently.
+
+"Did your mother know, Helen, how greatly these addresses annoyed you?"
+
+"I have often attempted to tell her; but she has always evaded the
+subject, telling me strangely enough, and Heaven knows not very
+correctly, that it was plain I did not know my own mind, or else that I
+was guilty of affectation."
+
+"Your mother, then, Helen, would have approved of this man's addresses?"
+
+"I fear so."
+
+"It was, then, to avoid her importunity that you left her house to-day?"
+
+Helen looked uneasy and distressed under this questioning, but answered,
+"No, Colonel Harrington; not her importunity, but his own."
+
+The blood mounted to the young soldier's face, and an angry glance shot
+from his eye, as if he suspected something approaching--but at great
+distance--to the truth.
+
+"He surely did not dare to be impertinent? Helen, you have not told me
+all: you came here in a state of dreadful agitation; tell me, I conjure
+you, all that has happened to you.--You will not, Helen? What am I to
+think of this?--that you have been insulted in a manner that you will
+not repeat to your affianced husband? For Heaven's sake, put an end to
+this torture; I must know all."
+
+"Your mother does know all, Colonel Harrington; make me not repeat the
+hateful history again."
+
+"Will you refer me to my mother? Will you permit me to tell her that you
+have done so?"
+
+"Why, Colonel Harrington," replied Helen, "should you wish to know more
+than I have told you? But of course I cannot object to your knowing all
+that has passed between us,--only I think he does not deserve the
+trouble you take in speaking of him."
+
+Much to the surprise of Sir Gilbert and his lady, who were very amiably
+undergoing a real penance, by absenting themselves from the sight of
+happiness which touched them so nearly, Colonel Harrington was seen
+hurrying towards them, where they were beguiling the time as they could,
+by inhaling the cool breath of evening under the cedar-tree.
+
+"Take a turn with me, mother, will you?" said he in a voice not quite so
+gay as they expected to hear from him.
+
+Lady Harrington immediately rose, and passing her arm under his they
+walked off together at a rapid pace to a distant walk.
+
+"Mother!" he said stopping short and looking earnestly in her face,
+"tell me, I beseech you, every thing that you have learnt from Helen
+respecting that wretch Corbold. For some reason or other which I cannot
+understand, she is averse to entering upon the subject with me; but she
+assures me that you know every thing that has passed, and she has
+authorized my asking you for the particulars."
+
+"Has she, William? Then she is a silly girl for her pains. But it is
+your fault, I dare say. You have been tormenting her with
+cross-questions about a vulgar villain that neither of you ought ever
+again to call to remembrance. Say no more about him or his precious
+cousin either. Surely we can find more agreeable subjects to talk about
+than the vicar and his cousin."
+
+"Very likely, mother. But I cannot be easy till I know exactly what it
+was which caused Helen to leave her mother's house in the manner she did
+this afternoon. Have I not a right to inquire?--can you blame me for
+doing so?"
+
+"No, my dear William, I do not. But heavily shall I blame you if you
+make an extorted confidence the source of quarrel between an officer of
+rank in his majesty's service and a pettifogging methodist attorney of
+Wrexhill."
+
+"Is it possible, mother, that you know me so little as to think there
+can exist the slightest chance of my doing this? Pray do not keep me in
+this fever for the sake of protecting me from a duel with Mr. Stephen
+Corbold."
+
+"There you are, hot-head,--your father's own son beyond all question.
+Now listen then to this infamous story, and take care that you do not
+renew a sorrow that is past, by improperly resenting it."
+
+After this preface, Lady Harrington ventured to repeat to her son the
+narrative she had heard from Helen. He listened with very exemplary
+tranquillity, only occasionally biting his lips, but uttering no single
+word of any kind till it was concluded. He then said very quietly,--"Let
+us return to poor Helen, mother.--How admirably has she behaved
+throughout!"
+
+Lady Harrington looked up into her son's face as if to discover whether
+his calmness were genuine; but his pocket handkerchief at that moment
+concealed his features, and, as he walked rapidly towards the house, she
+could only take it for granted that all was right, and follow him.
+
+Having reached the door of the room where he had left Helen, he opened
+it, but waited outside till his mother overtook him.
+
+"Go to her, mother," said he, "and confess that you have told me every
+thing. I would rather you did this than me;--tell her too, that she has
+behaved gloriously, and, when I think you have put her at her ease about
+me, I will come to you."
+
+So saying, he passed on, and entered a small parlour that was called his
+own at the front of the house.
+
+Sir Gilbert soon followed his lady, and, without going again over the
+disagreeable narrative at length, the whole business was made
+sufficiently intelligible to the baronet to make him extol in high terms
+the courage and presence of mind of his future daughter. This occupied a
+quarter of an hour excellently well, but still the colonel came not: and
+Helen, though with no feeling of alarm, certainly kept her eye upon the
+door with more steadiness than she was herself aware of. At length, Lady
+Harrington began to show evident symptoms of that state of mind usually
+called fidgeting. She rang the bell and asked if the colonel were at
+home. The servant did not know. Tea was ordered, and when it came the
+same question was repeated; but the same answer was not given, for the
+man said that the colonel had been seen to go out about half an hour
+ago.
+
+"Who saw him go, John?" said her ladyship; "did you?"
+
+"No, my lady,--it was the colonel's own groom."
+
+"Send him here."
+
+The groom came, and was questioned as to how and when he had seen his
+master go out.
+
+"I was in the harness-room, my lady, and the colonel came in, and took
+down, one after another, all the coachman's whips from the pegs, and at
+last, my lady, he chose the newest and the stoutest, and carried it away
+with him:--but he said never a word."
+
+"Wheugh!" whistled Sir Gilbert with very considerable continuity of
+sound. "That will do, Dick--you may go. And so, his colonelship is gone
+forth with the stoutest and the best horsewhip he could find. Well, upon
+my word, I do not think he could have done better."
+
+"Foolish boy!" exclaimed Lady Harrington. "He will get into some
+abominable scrape or other!"
+
+"Yes, my lady;--he will horsewhip the lawyer, you may depend upon
+it:--and then he will have damages to pay. But, for an only son, William
+is far from extravagant, and I really don't feel inclined to begrudge
+him this little amusement."
+
+"Nor I, either, Sir Gilbert, provided he takes care not to get into a
+downright vulgar brawl."
+
+"Come, come, Helen," said Sir Gilbert, turning towards her, "you must
+not look pale, my child, for this. You are not afraid that there will be
+any blunder, are you? and that the attorney will horsewhip the
+soldier?--No harm will be done, depend upon it,--except to my new
+horsewhip."
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XII.
+
+MR. CORBOLD'S ADVENTURES.
+
+
+It was some time before Mr. Stephen Corbold recovered sufficiently from
+the effects of Helen's libation to enable him to see where he was, or to
+perceive that where he was, she was not. The ceremony had, indeed been a
+painful one; but it at least did him the good service of dispelling the
+effects of the wine he had taken; and after a few moments more of
+winking and blinking, and wiping his smarting eyes, he descended the
+stairs to seek his cousin, a soberer, if not a better man than when he
+mounted them.
+
+Every thing was at this time in full activity on the lawn. Above two
+thousand people were assembled there, all more more than decently clad,
+and presenting altogether a very striking spectacle. Those who before
+dinner had been the company were now converted into spectators; many of
+them accommodated with seats in the shade, from whence they watched the
+chequered movements of the motley crowd. This cool and quiet position
+was in every way beneficial to those who had been tempted to heat
+themselves by drinking somewhat too freely of the vicar's wine. Among
+these Mr. Corbold introduced himself: probably, more sober than any of
+them,--except, perhaps, the vicar himself,--but bearing in his "altered
+eye," and general discomfiture of aspect, more visible traces of
+intemperance than any individual amongst them.
+
+Mr. Cartwright rose to meet him with sensations of considerable alarm.
+He fancied, from his appearance, that he was quite intoxicated, and
+feared the utterance of some folly which might explain the cause of his
+having absented himself more fully than was at all necessary.
+
+This idea was by no means lessened when his cousin beckoned him from the
+party amidst whom he sat, and gravely assured him that Miss Helen had
+very nearly murdered him.
+
+"Compose yourself, cousin Stephen--compose yourself. Where have you left
+her?"
+
+"Left her?--She left me, I tell you, blind, and almost suffocated. If
+you don't wish to have the whole county set gossiping about Mrs.
+Mowbray's will--your wife's will I mean,--you had better let me see that
+vixen properly punished, cousin. As I live and breathe I will have
+revenge somehow."
+
+"You shall, you shall, Stephen," answered the vicar, endeavouring to
+quiet him. "She shall be treated in any way that you like, only don't
+make a noise now."
+
+"Will you give orders that she shall be confined to her room and kept on
+bread and water?"
+
+"To be sure I will, if you desire it. She shall be locked up as soon as
+the place is cleared: and you shall see it done, Stephen, if you will
+only step in, and take a nap in my library to recover yourself a
+little."
+
+This proposal was, on the whole, a very tempting one; for Mr. Stephen
+Corbold's head ached with considerable violence, not to mention that he
+had hardly yet recovered his eyesight, and was otherwise very ill at
+ease. So, without arguing the matter farther, he retreated to the
+comfortable station recommended to him, and soon fell into a slumber
+that lasted till the whole business of the day, prayers, blessing, and
+all, were done and over, and the place as solitary and forsaken as if no
+Serious Fancy Fair, no Israelitish missionary, and no Fababo had ever
+been heard of.
+
+It was then that the Vicar of Wrexhill remembered his cousin Stephen.
+And it was then that Fanny Mowbray, looking round the room in which the
+whole family was assembled, said, "Where is Helen?"
+
+This question, which, as it seemed, no one could answer, and the
+recollection of his library guest, coming at one and the same moment
+across him, made Mr. Cartwright start. Poor man! He was most heartily
+fatigued and worn out by the honours, glories, and hospitalities of the
+day, and wished for nothing on earth so much as soda-water and a
+bed-room bougie. But he felt that his labours were not over, though not
+exactly aware how much remained to be done.
+
+Having furnished himself with a light, and commanded that Miss Mowbray
+should be desired to meet him in the library, he repaired immediately to
+that room, where he found, as he expected, his serious and legal
+relative as fast asleep in his favourite arm-chair, as he himself wished
+to be in his bed.
+
+The ceremony of awaking him was soon performed; and when he once more
+stood on his feet, and had rubbed his still suffering eyes sufficiently
+to perceive where he was, the vicar addressed him thus, in the most
+gentle voice imaginable, hoping to soothe and get rid of him.
+
+"Well, cousin Stephen, you have had a nice nap; and now you had better
+go home. It is getting quite late. Good night, Stephen."
+
+"What have you done with that murderous vixen, cousin Cartwright? I
+won't stir till I know you have locked her up, as you promised to do."
+
+"I have ordered her to come here, Stephen, that you may yourself hear
+what I mean to say to her."
+
+"I don't want to see her, cousin Cartwright," replied the attorney, in a
+tone that betokened as much fear as dislike; "I only want to have her
+punished."
+
+"And punished she shall be, depend upon that; but if you really do not
+wish to see her, cousin Stephen, you had better be off at once, for I
+expect her here every moment. Come along--I will walk with you myself as
+far as the lodge."
+
+Whatever vengeance he wished executed on Helen, that he had no
+inclination to be present at it himself, was proved by the alacrity with
+which the attorney acceded to this proposal.
+
+"Only let me get my hat,--it's quite a new hat,--and I'll come with you
+this moment, cousin Cartwright."
+
+The hat was found, and the two serious gentlemen set off together across
+the lawn; from that point, to within a few yards of the lodge, the
+lawyer entertained the minister with such an account of Helen's attack
+upon him, as convinced the latter, that it would be quite necessary, in
+his parental character, to exercise such a degree of authority as might
+speedily bring the rebellious young lady to reason. It was already as
+dark as a fine night in July ever is, and the fine large oaks which in
+many places overhung the road, rendered some spots particularly sombre.
+At one of these, and just before they arrived at the Park gates, they
+heard the steps of a man whom they appeared to be overtaking.
+
+"Who can this loiterer be?" said Mr. Cartwright, "My people had orders
+to see that the grounds were cleared, and all the gates locked before
+this time."
+
+"We shall be able to see him when we get beyond these trees," replied
+Corbold.
+
+He was quite right: a few steps farther brought them to an open space,
+and there, as if waiting for them, stood the intruder, as still and
+silent as if he had been a statue.
+
+"We are two to one, however," observed the attorney, "but he is a
+monstrous tall fellow."
+
+The next breath that issued from the lips of the vicar's cousin came not
+in words, but in a most dismal, hideous, and prolonged yell; for the
+"tall fellow" had seized him by the collar with one hand, while with the
+other he brandished and applied a huge horsewhip to his shoulders with
+such energy, activity, and perseverance, that his howling startled the
+dull ear of night, as well as the frightened organs of his astonished
+kinsman. Though Mr. Cartwright had not the slightest intention of doing
+so unclerical a thing as interfering in the fray, he drew a little
+nearer to it than was quite prudent, from a natural curiosity to know
+who the bold mortal was who dared thus belabour his cousin.
+
+The light was quite sufficient to enable him to discern Colonel
+Harrington in the aggressor; but it should seem that it was not equally
+effective to the eyes of that gentleman himself, or he would hardly have
+ventured to permit a few apparently random, but very sharp cuts to visit
+the reverend shoulders of the owner of the soil on which he stood. This
+prodigious impiety, however, certainly took place, upon which the vicar,
+very properly anxious to put the earliest possible stop to such indecent
+proceedings, ran off as fast as his legs could carry him, and in about
+half an hour returned again with eight stout servingmen, armed with
+bludgeons, broom-sticks, and the great kitchen-poker.
+
+That he had not, in his agitation, forgotten the spot on which he had
+left his unfortunate cousin, was quickly made manifest to the ears of
+all who accompanied him; for dismal groans made themselves heard exactly
+from the place where the operation had been performed, and on
+examination the bruised body of Mr. Stephen Corbold was found extended
+on the grass, apparently too stiff and sore to have much power of
+movement left.
+
+Even during the hurried interval which Mr. Cartwright spent in his house
+while waiting for the gathering together of his host, he had found time
+to inquire of his wife if she had seen Helen, and being told in reply
+that she was nowhere to be found, the extremely disagreeable truth
+immediately suggested itself to him. In one short, sharp moment he
+remembered Colonel Harrington's suppressed letter, Corbold's permitted
+outrage, Helen's escape, and the degrading lash that had so vigorously
+saluted his own shoulders.
+
+How was it possible, that being, as he most undoubtedly was, the lord
+and master of Cartwright Park, and all the wealth annexed thereto, and
+holding his lady's comprehensive will, signed, sealed, and duly
+executed, in his own possession,--how could it be that he should feel so
+utterly beat down, overpowered, and degraded?
+
+The bitter pang, however, lasted but a moment. What was the gossip of an
+hour, or a day, when set against the solid happiness of wealth? This was
+still his, to have and to hold; and after one little pinch at his heart,
+as he thought of the longed-for mitre, he struggled manfully to despise
+the paltry annoyance, and hastened, with all the speed he could make,
+to the rescue of his cousin, and, if Heaven so willed, to inflict
+vengeance, even unto death, upon his enemy.
+
+Heaven, however, did not so will; Colonel Harrington having given the
+attorney exactly the quantum of flogging he intended, stuck his card,
+with his name and address both in town and country, into the groaning
+man's pocket, laid him down very gently on the grass, and departed.
+
+The disposal of the flogged gentleman's person was now taken into
+consideration. Some cousins, perhaps, might have thought that a bed at
+Cartwright Park would have been the best thing to propose for it; but it
+appeared that such was not the opinion of Mr. Cartwright; for having
+quickly ascertained the situation of affairs, and assured himself that
+Colonel Harrington was no longer within his reach, he instantly ordered
+the coachman and stable-boy, who were among his suite, to return with
+all possible haste to the house, and prepare a carriage instantly to
+take his ill-used cousin home.
+
+"Take me to your house, cousin!" murmured the smarting man, "I shall die
+if you send me to Wrexhill!" But Mr. Cartwright did not happen to hear
+him; and indeed his time and attention were wholly engrossed till the
+carriage arrived, and his kinsman lifted into it, by a strict
+examination of his people at the lodge, as to when Colonel Harrington
+had entered the Park, and whether they were at all aware that he was
+still lurking there.
+
+To all which inquiries he of course received for answer,--"Law! your
+honour, upon such a day as this, how was any body to mark who went in,
+or who went out of the Park?"
+
+Mr. Stephen Corbold was therefore safely conveyed to his own dwelling in
+Wrexhill; and the vicar returned to tell his lady, that from
+circumstances which had transpired, there could be no doubt that her
+daughter Helen had eloped with Colonel Harrington.
+
+"On my word, my dearest Cartwright, I hardly know how to be sorry for
+it. William Harrington would be an excellent match for any woman. They
+were very fond of each other when they were children; and Helen has been
+so miserable and moping ever since I married, that it has been quite a
+misery to see her. I thought she was in love with your cousin? However,
+I suppose she has changed her mind again, and that it was a fit of
+jealousy on the part of Harrington that made him attack poor Mr.
+Corbold. But we can't help it, you know. I am tired to death, my dear
+Cartwright;--do not let us stay up any longer talking about it; I dare
+say Helen will be very happy."
+
+So ended the eventful day of the Fababo Fancy Fair.
+
+       *       *       *       *       *
+
+It is not necessary to inquire what were the reports, or what the
+gossipings to which this day's events gave rise. The papers announced
+that a very large sum had been collected for the interesting missionary;
+and all the Hampshire world soon said that Colonel Harrington was going
+to be married to Miss Mowbray. But the attention of the Park family
+themselves was at this time greatly engrossed by Henrietta. She had long
+been in a very delicate state of health, but, probably from some cold
+caught at the late fête, her symptoms had become rapidly more alarming;
+she was soon confined to her bed, and the most skilful physician in the
+county gave it as his opinion that she could not live many weeks.
+
+Rosalind was indefatigable in her attentions to her; and when the awful
+judgment of the physician was made known to her, she at once resolved
+that Henrietta should be made acquainted with it, in the hope that the
+prospect of approaching dissolution might soften her heart and lead her
+to seek and receive the only consolation of which such a situation
+admits.
+
+Rosalind was too truly attached to Helen not to rejoice at the
+unexpected step she had taken, though her surprise at it was unbounded.
+She knew Helen's character well, she knew too how implicitly they had
+trusted each other; and that this known, trusted and trusting friend
+should have eloped without having even hinted to her that Colonel
+Harrington had confessed the love which in happier moments she owned she
+hoped he felt, was inconceivable! Still it was true. And though no line
+of explanation had ever been permitted to reach her, still she rejoiced;
+and with all the trusting confidence of her nature believed that
+whatever appeared wrong or unkind, would some day or other be explained.
+
+She now rejoiced yet more at Helen's absence. Henrietta had never
+admitted her even to the uncertain and capricious degree of friendship
+which she had bestowed on herself; and had she been still at the Park,
+it would have been difficult for Rosalind to have devoted herself so
+wholly to the poor sufferer as she now did. Mrs. Cartwright's situation
+prevented her from being much in the room. Fanny was still less there.
+She and Henrietta had never loved each other. At first Fanny disliked
+her because it was easy to perceive that she was neither beloved nor
+approved by Mr. Cartwright; and Henrietta despised her in return for the
+easy weakness with which she had become her father's convert. So that,
+in this awful hour, Rosalind was the only friend who drew near her with
+affection; and most tender and constant was the care she bestowed upon
+her.
+
+To the communication which she so much dreaded to make, though she
+considered it her duty to do it, Henrietta only replied by assuring her
+that for more than a year she had been fully aware that death was
+rapidly approaching her. "Alas! how lightly have I listened to you, dear
+Henrietta, when you have said this!" replied the weeping Rosalind. "But
+the reason, dear friend, why I did not, why I could not believe you were
+in earnest, was----"
+
+"Speak fearlessly, dear Rosalind----was--that you thought I was unfit to
+die. But so are many, Rosalind, who yet must go when nature bids them."
+
+"But now, now Henrietta! Oh! tell me that you do not still doubt all
+things--doubt even the being of the eternal power that made you; tell
+me, I beseech you, that you have read and thought on these things since
+that dreadful day that I overheard you make the confession to Mr.
+Hetherington which has rung in my ears ever since."
+
+"Yes, Rosalind, I have read, and I have thought--but not now only, my
+kind friend. My short life, Rosalind, has been but one series of
+perturbed thinking--my brain has been racked by it. But I have gained
+nothing."
+
+"I have no power, Henrietta, no learning, no strength of reason to
+remove the doubts that so fearfully darken these your last hours. Yet
+what would I not give that you could taste the ineffable comfort of
+perfect hope and perfect faith!"
+
+"Perfect faith!" repeated Henrietta impatiently--"why do you have
+recourse to the slang I hate? Teach me to hope--oh! that you could! but
+let me not hear the hateful words, the false use of which has been my
+destruction."
+
+"Henrietta! dearest Henrietta! will you consent to see a clergyman who
+can speak to you with the authority of age and wisdom?"
+
+"A clergyman?" she replied, scoffingly. "Perhaps you will propose that I
+should see the Reverend Mr. Cartwright?"
+
+"No, no. You do not think that it is such as him I would wish to send to
+you."
+
+"Yet he is my father, Miss Torrington. And there it is, you see--there
+lies the difficulty. Name a clergyman, and Mr. Cartwright seems to rise
+before me. And shall I use my dying breath to say that I would hear with
+reverence what such as he could say? Leave me in peace, Rosalind. Let me
+sleep, I tell you. If there be a God, he will pity me!"
+
+There was so much feverish excitement in her manner of speaking, that
+Rosalind, terrified lest she might hasten the hour she so earnestly
+wished to retard, in the hope that light might break upon that darkness
+which it was so terrible to witness, forbore to answer her, and tenderly
+arranging her pillows under her head, kissed her pale cheek and set
+herself down behind the curtain, in the place that she now almost
+constantly occupied.
+
+After a moment, however, Henrietta spoke again, but it was gently and
+calmly. "Leave me, my most kind Rosalind," said she! "leave me for an
+hour or two: you must want the fresh air, and I want perfect solitude.
+Rosalind, I will think. Let no one come to me till I ring my bell. Go,
+my dear friend!"
+
+Rosalind, greatly affected by the changed voice and manner, pressed to
+her lips the emaciated hand held out to her, and retired.
+
+Rosalind did indeed require the refreshment of air and exercise, from
+which she had almost wholly debarred herself for above a week; and such
+refreshment will certainly do more towards restoring the exhausted
+strength, both to body and mind, than any other remedy which can be
+devised. Yet, though it acts well, and almost infallibly, on the system,
+the benefit does not at once reach the consciousness of the weary
+watcher. Rosalind, as she slowly dragged her languid steps along, felt
+none of the pleasurable effects of the sweet breeze that blew in her
+face, for she was not aware of it. Her heart and soul were still in the
+chamber of the dying Henrietta; and though greatly too well taught to
+believe that a few feverish moments of changed opinions can put the
+passing spirit into a state of fitness for heaven, still she clung to
+the hope of hearing the unhappy girl avow better thoughts and feelings
+than those which had so long brooded over her misguided spirit. Fully
+occupied with these meditations, Rosalind walked for an hour, almost
+mechanically, through the shrubberies, unmindful of the sweet voice of
+nature that greeted her in the songs of birds and in the breath of
+flowers, and thinking only of what she might say or do to make the light
+of truth send one cheering ray upon the last hours of her unhappy
+friend.
+
+When she re-entered the house, her maid, who was watching for her, said
+that Miss Cartwright had rung her bell, and requested to know when she
+returned.
+
+Blaming herself for her long absence, Rosalind hastened to the sick
+room, and found Henrietta seated upright in her bed, with rather more
+animation and brightness in her eyes than she wished to see, for she
+thought it betokened fever; but her voice and manner were gentle and
+composed.
+
+"Your words have not fallen to the ground, my most kind Rosalind," said
+she; "and if it be possible, during the short period that remains for me
+to live, that I should attain a clearer knowledge of what I am than I
+have hitherto possessed, I shall welcome it most gladly. But of all the
+attributes with which the beautiful idea that you call God is invested,
+the only one that I conceive it possible for mortals to share with Him,
+is TRUTH. Power, alas! we have none--of knowledge very little, of wisdom
+less--and as to perfect goodness, perfect benevolence, we are not framed
+to feel it. But TRUTH, clear pure, beautiful, and bright, we can know
+and we can feel! It can make a part of us, even as it makes a part of
+Him; and by this only, as it seems to me, can we approach Him, touch
+Him, and, as it were be part of Him. For truth in a mortal, Rosalind, if
+it exist at all, is perfect as in a God. It is therefore, my dear
+friend, that though I feel, ay, and have always felt, that there may be
+an existing cause, endowed with will, productive of all the wonders of
+creation--and though this wondrous existence, if it be! deserves all
+worship--and though I (more sinned against than sinning) have offered
+none, yet still I feel that I may be forgiven. If I have kept far off
+from him my worship and my thoughts, at least I never have approached
+him with falsehood on my tongue or in my heart; and, to my judgment,
+this is the only crime relating to our intercourse with God at which we
+need to tremble. If such a Being be, can our blundering theories so
+touch his greatness that he should deign to frown upon us for them? No,
+no, no! WE CANNOT KNOW HIM; and those who guess the nearest, can guess
+but very darkly. But truth and falsehood are as much within the compass
+of man's nature as of God's, and therefore are they, as concerning Him,
+the only virtue and the only sin."
+
+Henrietta spoke these words with her eyes closed, slowly and
+deliberately, as if her mind, like a cloud that
+
+    ----"Turns forth its silver lining to the night,"
+
+sought in the midst of darkness to show the faint gleam within.
+
+But every word she uttered made Rosalind more deeply feel the necessity
+of letting her hear the truths of religion from some one who had made
+its laws the study of a holy life. She longed that she should hear with
+more authority than she could lend to it, the voice of God himself, as
+revealed to man in records enduring as the world;--but where was she to
+seek such a one? As poor Henrietta had said, the name of a minister
+could to her suggest no other image than that of her father;--and from
+him she ever seemed to turn with horror.
+
+Yet still Rosalind could not endure to abandon the hope that such a one
+might be found, and only waited till Henrietta would promise to see him
+before she took measures for the purpose. In answer to this request, the
+dying girl replied "But my permission is not all that is necessary,
+dearest Rosalind. What would my father say if you were fortunate enough
+to obtain for me a visit from such a one as you describe? He would not
+bear it. He would not admit his approach. I know he would not."
+
+"Let me ask him, Henrietta."
+
+"No!" cried the invalid with sudden energy, as if she had at that moment
+conceived and decided on her line of conduct. "I will ask him myself!
+This doubt, this darkness, this fearful mist that seems to hang about
+me, is terrible. Why should I not feel hopeful and assured as you do?
+Send to him, Rosalind--send to my father; and send too for his besotted
+wife, and for the poor, weak, wavering Fanny. Send for them all.--But
+don't you leave me, Rosalind. I have a strange, anxious fluttering at
+my heart. It will be better when I have spoken to him."
+
+Rosalind delayed not a moment to do her bidding. There was an inequality
+in her manner that frightened her. She feared her time was short; and so
+worded the summons she sent to Mr. Cartwright and his wife, that they
+came instantly. Fanny entered the room nearly at the same moment; and it
+was evident from their manner that they all thought they were come to
+receive her last farewell.
+
+The feeble Henrietta asked Rosalind so to arrange her pillows that she
+might sit upright. Rosalind did so, and then kneeled down beside the
+bed.
+
+Mr. Cartwright stood with his back leaning against the bed-post, and his
+eyes fixed on the ground; his wife entered leaning on his arm, and had
+not quitted it; but for some reason or other, Henrietta, who rarely took
+notice of her in any way, now asked her to place herself in a chair
+beside her bed.
+
+"You had better sit," said she. "You are not very strong in any way."
+
+Fanny stood apart, and alone; and having looked round upon each of them,
+the dying girl fixed her eyes upon her father, and thus addressed him,
+"I have heard you say--a thousand times perhaps--that religion was the
+business of your life; and for that reason, sir, its very name hath
+become abhorrent to me. Oh, father!--you have much to answer for! I
+would have given my own right hand to believe in a good, a merciful, a
+forgiving God!--and I turned my young eyes to you. You told me that few
+could be saved, and that it was not what I deemed innocence could save
+me. You told me too, that I was in danger, but that you were safe. You
+told me that Heaven had set its seal upon you. And then I watched
+you--oh, how earnestly!--I spied out all your ways!--I found fraud,
+pride, impurity, and falsehood, mix with your deeds through every day
+you lived! Yet still you said that Heaven had set its seal upon
+you,--that your immortal soul was safe,--that happiness eternal was your
+predestined doom. I listened to you as a child listens to a father; not
+a word was lost; no, nor an action either. And then it was, father, that
+I became an unbeliever! an hardened infidel! a daring atheist! If it
+were true that God had chosen you, then was it true my soul rejected
+him!--Yet Rosalind, dear Rosalind, do not hate me,--do not shudder at my
+words. It was because I found no truth in him, that I could not, would
+not believe his doctrine true. But you--good, kind, and innocent,--I
+believe you."
+
+The harsh and awful accents of her voice changed into a tone of the
+deepest tenderness as she continued to address Rosalind. "When did you
+ever lie? You tell me there is a God, and I may trust you. You do not
+prate of grace, and then labour to corrupt the innocence that looks into
+your face to ask the way to Heaven. You do not bid me wear a mask of
+feigned assurance of salvation; nor will you bind my hands, nor keep me
+from the light of day, when I refuse to kneel, and sigh, and play the
+hypocrite. You will not bid me lie, and tell me that so only I can find
+the way to Heaven. You will not----"
+
+With slow and stealthy pace Mr. Cartwright at this moment began to creep
+from his station and approach the door. But Henrietta, whose eyes were
+half closed--for the lashes seemed heavy with tears--instantly opened
+them, and cried aloud, "Stay! I have a right to bid you.--Father!--This
+good girl is kind and innocent; but she is young and very
+ignorant.--What can she know of Heaven? Is there--speak truly, these are
+the last words you will ever utter to me--is there within our reach some
+pious, holy, humble man of God,--such as I have read of,--but no saint,
+no saint? Father! is there such a one?--and may he come and pray with
+me?"
+
+Every eye in the room was fixed on Mr. Cartwright, as his daughter made
+the appeal. For some moments he did not answer; but upon Henrietta's
+repeating loudly, and almost wildly, "May he come?" he answered in a
+low, husky voice. "This is mere bravado! You have lived a scoffing
+infidel,--and a scoffing infidel will you die. If, indeed, you wished
+for prayer and pardon, you would turn to me for it.--My curate may pray
+with her,--but none else."
+
+And with these words he turned away without looking at her, and quitted
+the room.
+
+The silence of death seemed already to have settled on the chamber;
+which was broken, at length, by the deep sobbings of the unfortunate
+Mrs. Cartwright.
+
+"Poor soul!" said Henrietta, turning towards her. "She is not wholly
+bad, but more unfit to judge and act than a baby:--for they can do
+nothing, and she, alas! can do much dreadful mischief. With my dying
+breath, unhappy victim of a most finished hypocrite, I do conjure you
+not to wrong your children, to enrich him. Poor soul!--He loves her not;
+no not even so much as, silly as she is, she well deserves from him. He
+will have a child born to him here, and another at Gloucester, much at
+the same time. Do not ruin your poor helpless children for him!"
+
+Mrs. Cartwright sat with her eyes immoveably fixed on those of
+Henrietta, even after she had ceased to speak: she sighed deeply, but
+uttered no syllable in reply.
+
+"Take her away, Rosalind. I have no more to say to her. And poor Fanny
+too. Heaven bless you, Fanny!--you may go now, my dear. All go, but
+Rosalind."
+
+Her commands were instantly obeyed, and once more the two strangely
+matched friends were left alone together.
+
+"It is too late now, my Rosalind! My strength is failing fast. I can
+hardly see your sweet kind eyes, dear Rosalind!--but I can hear. Read to
+me, dearest;--quick, open the Bible that you left for me:--open it where
+the man says to Paul, 'Almost thou persuadest me to be a Christian.'"
+
+Rosalind opened the precious volume, and read to her, slowly and
+distinctly, that exquisite passage of heaven-taught eloquence, which
+produced in reply the words she had quoted.
+
+Henrietta's eyes were closed; but now and then a gentle pressure of the
+hand she held in hers persuaded Rosalind that she heard and understood
+each powerful word of that majestic pleading.
+
+When she had reached, and read the words Henrietta had quoted, she
+paused, and in a moment afterwards the now expiring girl uttered in
+broken accents, "Yes,--stop there. It has reached my soul--from your
+lips only, Rosalind!"
+
+Then suddenly her dying eyes opened, and fixed themselves on Rosalind;
+she clasped her hands, as if in prayer, and then with a strong effort
+pronounced these words, "Lord! I believe!--Help thou my unbelief!"
+
+Her head sank on her breast. The breath that uttered these words was her
+last.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XIII.
+
+A CHANGE COMES O'ER THE SPIRIT OF HER DREAM.
+
+
+Helen had been nearly six weeks at Oakley without receiving a single
+line or message from any individual at the Park. She had written to her
+mother, fully explaining the reasons which had led her so suddenly to
+absent herself; and also, in the most respectful and affectionate
+manner, announced to her the proposal of Colonel Harrington and the
+approbation of his parents,--adding her earnest entreaties that her
+mother would not withhold her consent to their marriage. To this letter
+she received no answer; a circumstance which would have occasioned her
+the most cruel uneasiness, had not the fate of Colonel Harrington's
+letter to herself enabled her to guess that of her own to her mother. To
+Fanny and to Rosalind she likewise wrote, and with the same ill success:
+but, fortunately for her tranquillity, their silence was reasonably
+interpreted in the same manner; and though this could but ill console
+her for the separation existing between them, it at least prevented her
+from feeling the pang of neglected affection.
+
+From her brother she received the only letter that had reached her since
+they parted; and though it was written in a strain of very melancholy
+despondency respecting himself, it spoke of her prospects with an energy
+of satisfaction and hope that it was delightful to have inspired.
+
+The report of Henrietta's death reached her through the servants; and
+though no cordial intimacy had ever existed between them, she felt as a
+gentle-hearted young creature must ever feel on hearing that a companion
+of her own age and sex was gone hence to be no more seen.
+
+More than ever did she wish for tidings of her family; and of Rosalind,
+perhaps, more than of any other: for she knew that if her feelings for
+the poor Henrietta had not amounted to affection, she had inspired a
+very powerful interest in her bosom, and that Rosalind was likely to
+feel her early death very painfully. It was therefore with the strongest
+emotions of joy that one morning, rather more than a week after the
+event, she saw Rosalind approaching the principal entrance of the house,
+alone and on foot.
+
+Helen flew down stairs, through the hall, and out upon the steps to meet
+her, opening her arms to receive her with all the eager warmth of
+welcome natural after such an absence. But before Rosalind returned the
+embrace, she exclaimed, "You have seen your mother, Helen!"
+
+"Alas! no!" replied Helen. "Would to Heaven I had, Rosalind! What is it
+makes you think I have had this great happiness?"
+
+"Because I have just met her,--just seen her with my own eyes driving
+down the avenue."
+
+"Impossible! Rosalind you must be mistaken. I have been sitting in my
+own room these two hours, copying a long act of parliament for Sir
+Gilbert; and if any carriage had been here, I must have seen it."
+
+"No, no, you would not: I observed that the carriage drove direct from
+the stable-yard, and out into the avenue below the second gate. When I
+saw the carriage, spite of my astonishment, my first feeling was terror
+lest I should be seen myself; and accordingly I retreated behind one of
+the enormous trees, which I am sure hid me effectually, but from whence
+I had not only a full view of the Cartwright equipage, but of Mrs.
+Cartwright in it, looking, I am sorry to say, even paler and more ill
+than usual."
+
+"Is my mother looking ill, Rosalind?" said Helen anxiously, and seeming
+for the moment to be unmindful of the strange circumstance of her having
+been at Oakley. "Is she unwell?"
+
+"I grieve to say that I think she is. A scene which took place in poor
+Henrietta's room only a few moments before she died, and at which Mrs.
+Cartwright was present, has, I think, shaken her severely. But what can
+have brought her here, Helen, unless it were her wish to see you?--And
+yet she has been, and is gone, without your hearing of it."
+
+"It is indeed most strange," replied Helen, ringing the bell of the
+drawing-room, into which they had entered. "Lady Harrington is, I know,
+in her closet,--perhaps my mother has seen her."
+
+"Has my mother been here, Thomas?" inquired Helen of the old servant who
+answered the bell.
+
+"Oh, dear, no, Miss Mowbray: that was noways likely."
+
+"Likely or not, Thomas, I assure you she has been here," said Miss
+Torrington; "for I myself met her coming away."
+
+"Then if that is the case, young ladies, there is certainly no use in my
+telling any more lies about it; for that's a job I don't like to be put
+upon, seeing as I am not over and above used to it. And so, as you know
+it already, I'm quite ready and willing to tell you the truth.--Mrs.
+Mowbray,--I ask your pardon, ladies, but I really can't call her by no
+other name,--Mrs. Mowbray has been shut up in the library for above two
+hours with my master."
+
+"How very strange!" exclaimed Rosalind thoughtfully. "Then I am sure she
+has chosen this day for the same reason that I did. Mr. Cartwright was
+sent for last night by the Earl of Harrowmore. Though he is not very
+communicative about his adventures in general, he could not resist
+mentioning this flattering circumstance at tea last night; adding, that
+he could not refuse the excellent and pious old nobleman, who probably
+was desirous of obtaining the benefit of his advice on some business of
+importance. And this morning he set off in his travelling-carriage and
+four post-horses with two out-riders, leaving word, as Judy told me,
+that he should not return till to-morrow. But, good heavens! what can
+Mrs. Cartwright have to say to Sir Gilbert? and how in the world did he
+come to admit her, Thomas?"
+
+"Since you know so much, you may as well know all, ladies. The carriage,
+sure enough, did not venture to drive up even to the back door without
+leave asked of Sir Gilbert;--at least I suppose it was to ask leave,
+that one of the new Park servants brought a note for him first. I took
+it in myself to him, and said, as I was bid, that the man was to wait
+for an answer. Never did I see mortal face screw itself up funnier than
+Sir Gilbert's when he was reading that note: he looked for all the world
+as if he wanted to whistle; howsomever, he did no such thing, but only
+scrawled a bit of an answer as grave as a judge; and then it was, Miss
+Mowbray, that he ordered me to say no word whatever of the Park
+servant's coming, or of the carriage coming after, as it was likely to
+do; and he sealed up his answer, and told me to give it to the man, and
+then to go into the garden to look for you and the colonel, Miss
+Mowbray, and bid you come in, as you know I did, miss: and after a bit
+you went up stairs, miss, and the colonel's horse was ordered; and when
+he was off and all clear, then, and not before, the carriage drove into
+the stable-yard; and your poor mamma, Miss Mowbray, looking as white as
+a sheet, went tottering and trembling in to Sir Gilbert, and there she
+stayed till about ten minutes ago, when the bell rang and out she came
+again, but looking, I thought, a deal less miserable."
+
+"Thank you, Thomas," said Helen. "This is, I believe, all we wish to
+know."
+
+The venerable-serving man took the hint and departed.
+
+"What can all this mean, Rosalind?" said her friend the moment the door
+closed behind him. "Has any thing happened at home that can account for
+it?"
+
+"I hardly know how to answer you, my Helen, without appearing to know
+more than I really do--for in honest truth I know nothing. Your mother,
+it would be wrong to conceal it from you, Helen, is certainly very much
+out of health, and for some weeks past has appeared, I think, out of
+spirits and unhappy."
+
+"Oh, Rosalind! Do you think it is I who have made her so? Do you think
+that my coming here has made her really unhappy?"
+
+"Indeed I do not: on the contrary, I am firmly persuaded she rejoices at
+it. You know, dearest, that since her marriage I have never been in
+great favour; and no wonder, considering the very particular aversion I
+have ever felt, and perhaps manifested, towards her bridegroom. But more
+than once, since you left us, she has spoken to me in a manner which
+reminded me of the days that are gone; and once she said, when that
+hateful cause of all harm, her Tartuffe husband, was not in the room,
+'You must greatly miss poor Helen, my dear Rosalind.' I involuntarily
+caught her hand and kissed it, earnestly fixing my eyes on hers, to
+discover, if possible, what she thought and felt about you. She guessed
+as much, I fancy, for she turned her head away from me; but she pressed
+my hand, and said, almost in a whisper, 'Dear Helen! I trust that the
+step she has taken will end in her happiness.' He entered just as she
+had uttered these words; and the manner in which she started, and
+withdrew her hand, when the handle of the door turned, told me plainly
+enough that her love for her holy spouse was not of that perfect kind
+which casteth out fear. There was, moreover, Helen, a tear in her eye
+when she named you."
+
+"Oh! my dear, dear mother!" cried Helen, her own eyes overflowing with
+freshly-awakened tenderness. "To hear this, Rosalind, is a joy far
+greater than I can express: and yet, if this returning love is obtained
+at the expense of her own happiness, I am a wretch to rejoice at it."
+
+"You would be a wretch to purchase it at that price perhaps," replied
+Rosalind,--"but not for rejoicing at it, now that, poor soul! she has
+already paid the penalty, as, in truth, I fear she has, of peace of mind
+for returning reason."
+
+"And what has occurred, Rosalind, to make you think her less happy than
+heretofore?"
+
+"It is not very easy to answer that question, Helen. Excepting the death
+of poor Henrietta, and the awful scene which preceded it, in which she
+accused her father, in the presence of Mrs. Cartwright, Fanny, and
+myself, of pretty nearly all the sins and iniquities of which a man can
+be guilty;--excepting this, I can hardly say that any particular
+circumstance has occurred which can account for the evident change in
+your mother's spirits, which was quite as evident before the death of
+Henrietta as since."
+
+"You have observed no unkindness towards her on his part, Rosalind?"
+said Helen anxiously.
+
+"N ... o; certainly I have witnessed nothing that could be called
+unkindness. You know, Helen, he can smile and smile--but he seems, I
+think, to watch her. More than once, when I have been going to her, I
+have met him coming away; and when he has seen me, he has turned back,
+and re-entered her room with me. I know I have been savagely cross to
+her ever since her hateful marriage: but since I have seen her looking
+ill and miserable, my hard heart has softened towards her, and I have
+sought, instead of avoiding her; and I am quite sure, that from the
+moment he perceived this change, he has been on the _qui vive_ to
+prevent our being alone together."
+
+"My poor dear mother! I fear, I fear that she may live to deplore this
+marriage as much as we have ever done. You know, Rosalind, that we never
+believed Mr. Cartwright to be the holy man he proclaimed himself; but
+since I have been here, I have heard dreadful stories of him. Lady
+Harrington's maid is a prodigious gossip; and though I really give her
+no encouragement, she never dresses me without telling me some new
+report respecting him. He has, however, a very strong party at
+Wrexhill, who appear firmly to believe that he is a perfect saint. But
+here, you know, they are literally and figuratively of another parish,
+and seem to make it a matter of duty to their own pastor to believe all
+the tales they can pick up about him. There is one very shocking story
+indeed, that is, I think, quite incredible. They say that Mrs. Simpson
+has been seduced by him, and only went away to be confined."
+
+"Incredible. No!--this story is a commentary on one part of Henrietta's
+dying accusation. She said he would have a child born to him at
+Gloucester nearly at the same time as that expected here."
+
+"And it is to Gloucester she is gone!" exclaimed Helen. "Gracious
+heaven, what a wretch!"
+
+"That this at least is true, I have not the slightest doubt," rejoined
+Rosalind: "and what is more, I am certain your mother has heard it. You
+know that this precious vicar invited Mrs. Simpson's child to pass the
+period of her absence at the Park; and you must remember how very fond
+of the poor little thing your mother seemed to be, actually listening to
+her parrot performances in the fanatical line as if she had been
+inspired. It was before you went, I think, that I laughed at her so
+immoderately for saying that she prayed for currant pudding every night,
+and that Mrs. Cartwright was so very angry with me about it. Well!
+observe the change, and account for it as you will. For the last two or
+three weeks she has hardly spoken to the child, or taken the least
+notice of her: and if I am not greatly mistaken, it is for about the
+same period that her health and her spirits have appeared to droop.
+Depend upon it, Helen, some one has carried this report to her."
+
+"It certainly seems probable. Poor, poor mamma! How terrible her
+feelings must be, Rosalind, if from thinking this man something half-way
+between heaven and earth, she has really found out that he is an
+hypocrite and a villain!"
+
+"Terrible indeed! I would that she had not so well deserved it, Helen.
+But now comes the question: _what has brought her here_?"
+
+"I think I understand that perfectly," replied Helen. "No sooner are her
+eyes opened to the real character of this man, than her tenderness for
+us returns. I have little doubt that she came here to speak of me.
+Perhaps, Rosalind, she has heard, and you too, of my engagement with
+Colonel Harrington?"
+
+"Perhaps we have, Helen," replied Rosalind, laughing: "and I think it
+likely that you have partly read the riddle right, and that she may have
+taken advantage of her watchful husband's absence to express to Sir
+Gilbert her approbation,--which, you know, is necessary before you can
+be married, Helen."
+
+"I know it is," replied Helen, colouring: "and if indeed she has given
+this consent, she has removed the only obstacle to our immediate
+marriage."
+
+"Then heartily I wish you joy, sweet friend!" said Rosalind, kissing
+her. "Novice as I am, I found out long ago--did I not, Helen?--that you
+and Colonel Harrington, or Colonel Harrington and you--I really do not
+know how to express myself to spare your beautiful blushes, my dear
+friend,--but I am very, very glad of this--in every way it is so
+desirable. Poor dear little Fanny, whose hair is gently creeping down
+into ringlets again, will find a fitter home with you, Helen, than
+Cartwright Park can be for her."
+
+"How fast your fancy runs, Rosalind! How do we know that my mother's
+visit," (and Helen's bright blushes all forsook her as she spoke,)--"how
+do we know that it was not to forbid this marriage that she came, and
+not to permit it?"
+
+"Two months ago, had the same thing occurred, I should have thought so:
+now I cannot think it. However, Helen, this suspense cannot last long.
+Although Sir Gilbert forbad his servants to mention your mother's visit,
+for fear perhaps that it should reach the ears of her husband, you may
+depend upon it that he will inform you of it himself. But I must go,
+dearest!--I by no means wish this instance of positive rebellion to the
+commands of my guardian should be known. You must remember the command I
+long ago received not to carry on any correspondence with the family at
+Oakley; and this command has never been rescinded. So adieu, my dearest
+Helen!--I am quite persuaded now that nothing which you could write
+would reach me at the Park; but unless I am positively locked up, we may
+surely contrive to meet without my again performing this desperate feat
+of disobedience. Could you not wander in the fields sometimes?"
+
+"I have done so constantly, dear Rosalind; but ever and always in vain."
+
+"That has not been because you were forgotten; but I have seldom left
+poor Henrietta, and never long enough to have reached the fields. But
+now I certainly can manage this. I should like to bring poor Fanny with
+me: but this I will not do, for fear of drawing down the anger of Mr.
+Cartwright upon her--which she would not bear, I think, so well as
+I.--But ought I not, before I go, to ask for Lady Harrington?"
+
+"Oh yes!--I am sure she would be so very glad to see you!"
+
+A message was accordingly sent to my lady's closet, and the two girls
+requested to go to her there. Helen was not without hope that she would
+mention to her Mrs. Cartwright's visit; but she was disappointed: nor
+was there the slightest reason to believe from her manner that she was
+acquainted with it. She appeared exceedingly pleased at seeing Miss
+Torrington, and told her that whenever she could venture to repeat the
+visit without endangering the tranquillity of her present irksome home,
+they should all be delighted to see her.
+
+It was now, however, high time for her to depart; but while returning
+through the breakfast-room in her way to the hall-door, she met Sir
+Gilbert. The remembrance of her last interview with him, and its
+abortive result, brought sudden blushes to her cheeks. She remembered,
+too, that she had never offered any explanation to Sir Gilbert for so
+suddenly changing her mind; and altogether she felt so painfully
+embarrassed, that she hardly ventured to raise her eyes to his face. The
+voice in which he greeted her, however, soon chased every feeling of
+embarrassment, or any thing else that was not agreeable, for it spoke
+nothing but welcome and hilarity.
+
+"What!--The bright-eyed Rosalind? Come to look after the runaway?--But I
+hope you have not scolded her, Miss Torrington, for leaving you all in
+the lurch? Upon my honour, young lady, she was very right. Take my word
+for it, she never did a wiser thing in her life. But has she told you
+the scrape she has got into, Miss Torrington? Poor child!--no sooner ran
+away from a snake of a stepfather, than she has got noosed by a tiger
+of a father-in-law.--Ask my lady else. Has she told you all about it, my
+dear?"
+
+"Perhaps not quite all, Sir Gilbert;--but quite enough to make me very
+happy, and wish her joy, and you too, most heartily."
+
+"Thankye my dear;--I am very much obliged to you. I feel very much
+inclined to wish myself joy, I assure you, and my pretty daughter too.
+Kiss me, Helen! Bless you, my dear child, and Charles too! That's a fine
+fellow, Miss Torrington! And bless your pretty Fanny!--especially as her
+soul, you say, has found its way out of Limbo. It is a remarkably fine,
+pleasant day, Miss Torrington: such a day as this always puts one in
+spirits."
+
+Rosalind turned to give a farewell embrace to her friend, whispering in
+her ear as she did so, "At least there has been no refusal of consent,
+Helen!--Adieu!"
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XIV.
+
+IN WHICH SUNDRY VISITS ARE MADE.
+
+
+Whatever kind or remorseful feelings had led Mrs. Cartwright to make
+this unexpected visit to Oakley, she seemed to consider this one visit
+enough--for it was never repeated: and however tenderly she might watch
+over the fate of Helen, it was evident that she could only venture to do
+so secretly; for Sir Gilbert never mentioned her visit to any one. But,
+knowing she had been there, Helen's heart was satisfied when Sir
+Gilbert, joining her hand and his son's together, said, "Make haste,
+children;--get your courting done without loss of time; or you may find
+yourselves married before it is finished, and so continue lovers after
+the knot is tied,--a thing never heard of in civilised society."
+
+"--But very likely, nevertheless, to happen to my Helen's husband, let
+her marry when she will," said Colonel Harrington.
+
+To her affianced husband Helen could have no secrets, and accordingly he
+had been made acquainted with all that she knew respecting her mother's
+most unexpected appearance at Oakley. He drew the same inference from
+his father's joyous manner after it that Rosalind had done; and when Sir
+Gilbert alluded to their marriage as an event which was speedily to take
+place, no doubt remained either on his mind, or on that of the happy
+Helen, that Mrs. Cartwright, having learned, from some source which her
+husband could not impede, the proposal that had been made her, she had
+proved her maternal feelings not extinct, though they had seemed
+obscured, and ventured to make this secret visit for the purpose of
+formally giving her consent, and thereby removing the only obstacle to
+their marriage.
+
+Instructions were accordingly immediately given by Sir Gilbert in
+person, for he declared that he must see the lawyer himself; and every
+thing relating to settlements was speedily put in train. The day after
+the baronet's return to Oakley, he sent to Miss Mowbray, requesting that
+she would meet him in the library; and having greeted her on her
+entrance with even more than usual affection, he said, "Do you think, my
+dear Helen, that you should have courage to make your mother a visit
+even in the lion's den? Do you think you could have courage to spend
+half an hour at the Park? I don't think it likely that Master Corbold
+has forgotten his horsewhipping as yet;--so I own I think you may
+venture."
+
+"I will go anywhere, or do any thing that you think I ought to do, Sir
+Gilbert; and to see my dear mother and poor Fanny once more would indeed
+be a pleasure to me. We have met Rosalind twice since you went to
+London, and she gives a very indifferent account of mamma's health."
+
+"Poor thing! you shall go immediately, my dear child; if you have no
+objection. I have ordered the carriage. William and I will go in it with
+you as far as the Lodge, and there we will wait your return. If you
+delay it above an hour, we shall drive up to the house to inquire what
+is become of you; but you may return to us as much sooner as you like."
+
+The carriage drove to the door as he spoke; but Helen kept it not
+waiting long, and on returning from her room to the hall found Colonel
+Harrington waiting to hand her into it. The two gentlemen stepped in
+after her, and in a moment she found herself on her road to
+_Cartwright_ Park, accompanied by Sir Gilbert and Colonel Harrington.
+
+The strangeness of this came upon her so forcibly, that she exclaimed,
+almost unconsciously, "Is it possible!"
+
+"I don't wonder at your saying that, my dear," said Sir Gilbert: "It is
+very natural. But you see, Helen, that as your mother has testified no
+dislike to your approaching marriage, or taken any steps to oppose it, I
+feel that she may expect, perhaps,--in short, I think it is very right
+that you should call upon her; and to prove that, angry as I have been,
+I do not bear malice, you may give her this little note from me, Helen.
+But for your life, child, do not let that wretch her husband see her
+receive it. I believe, in my soul, he would be the death of her if he
+thought she could touch a bit of paper from me.--But the truth is,
+Helen, I think she has suffered enough,--and, in short my dear, I
+forgive her with all my heart: and I should like her to have this bit of
+a note from me, and to get a friendly word of answer in return, if I
+could. But for Heaven's sake be careful, child!"
+
+"Fear not, Sir Gilbert, that I should run any risk of bringing more
+misery upon her than, I fear, she has already. I will be very
+careful,--and most thankful am I to be the bearer of a word of kindness
+to her from you!"
+
+"Well, well, Helen, that's all right,--by-gones are by-gones. Here we
+are at the Lodge. Look at your watch, my dear; and remember, if you do
+not return in an hour, we shall come and fetch you. I fear nothing, for
+the fellow knows you are under the protection of the Oakley horsewhips;
+only it is as well to leave nothing to chance. If you cannot in any way
+escape the eyes of the villain, bring my note back again.--There, now,
+dear, get out. Good b'ye!"
+
+The colonel was already at the door to assist her, and whispered
+earnestly as he quitted her hand, "You will not stay the full hour,
+Helen, if--you love me."
+
+With a step as light as Camilla's, Helen traversed the Park, and, with a
+heart throbbing with many feelings, wound her way through sundry
+well-known twistings and turnings that brought her to the same door by
+which she had quitted the house on the memorable day of the Fancy Fair.
+From what Rosalind had told her, she thought that if she could find her
+way unannounced to her mother's dressing-room, it was probable she
+should find her alone, and thereby be enabled to perform her errand
+without danger. In the stable-yard she saw one of the vicar's
+regenerated stable-boys; but he did not appear to take much notice of
+her, and she succeeded in reaching her mother's dressing-room without
+interruption.
+
+She had calculated rightly. Mrs. Cartwright was sitting, or rather
+lying, alone in her dressing-room; for she was stretched upon a sofa,
+totally unemployed, and appearing so ill that Helen almost uttered a cry
+as she looked at her.
+
+At the sight of her daughter, Mrs. Cartwright started violently, and
+rising from her recumbent posture, threw her arms round her with even
+passionate fondness. But dear, inexpressibly dear as was this moment to
+Helen's heart, she did not forget her commission; and while her lips
+still rested on her mother's cheek, she drew Sir Gilbert's note from her
+pocket and placed it in her hand.
+
+"Read it quick, dearest mother! I know not what it contains; but Sir
+Gilbert charged me to let no one see you read it."
+
+Mrs. Cartwright seemed not to require any stimulant to caution, for
+reading it rapidly, she tore it into atoms, and then, removing some of
+the fuel from the grate, which though not lighted was prepared for fire,
+she carefully placed the fragments on the rest, and covered them up so
+that no speck remained visible. While thus employed, she said to Helen
+almost in a whisper, "Thank Sir Gilbert; tell him I am better,--at least
+well enough to take an airing."
+
+Helen had reason to rejoice that she had lost no time in executing her
+commission; for scarcely had her mother in all haste resumed her place
+upon the sofa, when Mr. Cartwright entered.
+
+By some means or other her arrival had certainly been announced to him,
+for his countenance and manner expressed agitation, but not surprise. He
+looked keenly first at his wife, and then at her; but they were prepared
+for it; and excepting that Mrs. Cartwright's pale cheek was slightly
+flushed, and Helen's brow contracted by an involuntary frown, they
+neither of them betrayed any symptom of agitation.
+
+The Vicar of Wrexhill uttered no word of salutation or of welcome to his
+unexpected guest; nor did Helen address him. He placed himself, without
+any pretext of occupation whatever, in a chair commanding a full view
+of his wife and her daughter, and folding his arms, fixed his eyes first
+on one and then on the other with the most undisguised determination of
+watching them both.
+
+The first words spoken were by Helen.
+
+"May I be permitted to see my sister Fanny?" said she.
+
+She addressed herself to her mother, but received her answer from Mr.
+Cartwright.
+
+"Most assuredly no!--You have stolen into my house by a back entrance,
+and by the same you may leave it; you are used to the mode, it will not
+puzzle you; and, if I may venture to give my opinion on the subject, the
+sooner you again make use of this appropriate mode of retreat the
+better."
+
+"I believe you are right, sir," replied Helen coldly; adding very
+judiciously, "The reception I have met with has not been such as to give
+me any inclination to repeat the visit. Good morning, ma'am,--Good
+morning, Mr. Cartwright."
+
+Mrs. Cartwright, inexpressibly relieved by this happy stroke of policy,
+stiffly bowed her head; and Helen retreated, very literally obeying the
+mandate of the imperious master of the mansion, and returning by the way
+she came, soon rejoiced her friends by her unhoped-for reappearance
+before half the allotted time had expired. Helen most accurately
+reported every word and look; which seemed not only to satisfy, but
+perfectly to enchant Sir Gilbert. He laughed, rubbed his hands, made her
+repeat every word again, and literally chuckled with delight as she
+dwelt upon the fortunate rapidity with which she had seized the only
+available moment to do his bidding.
+
+On the following morning, Sir Gilbert, when asked by his lady what he
+was going to do with himself, replied that he thought he should ride
+over to Wrexhill. He did so, and returned only in time to dress himself
+for dinner. The following day, and again the day after, the same
+question, answer, and result occurred; it being quietly remarked
+moreover by the rest of the party, that the particularly sweet temper
+which the worthy baronet had brought from London appeared day by day to
+be wearing away, and something of what his lady called his "tiger mood"
+taking its place.
+
+On the fourth morning, her ladyship's daily inquiry having received in
+very sullen accents the same reply. Colonel Harrington remarked upon it
+as soon as he was gone; adding, that he had a great inclination to go
+over to Wrexhill, in order to discover, if possible, how his honoured
+but mysterious father employed himself there.
+
+"I really shall be very much obliged to you, William, if you will find
+this out," said Lady Harrington. "It is the first time since we two
+became one that I have ever suspected him of having a secret; and the
+consequence is, that I am like to die of curiosity."
+
+"Thus encouraged, I shall be gone instantly. Take care of Helen, mother,
+till I come back." And with these words he departed, leaving the two
+ladies leisure and inclination to discuss at length the many singular
+caprices of which Sir Gilbert had been lately guilty.
+
+At about four o'clock Colonel Harrington returned; but his report tended
+rather to thicken than to elucidate the mystery. He had, without being
+remarked himself, seen his father walking up and down the town
+apparently in a state of the most perfect idleness; and then the
+Cartwright carriage drove by the shop in which he had fixed his
+look-out. Mr. and Mrs. Cartwright were both in it. It stopped at the
+next door, which was that of the haberdasher, and they entered the shop
+together. In about ten minutes Mr. Cartwright came out; and he heard him
+say to his lady, (as he supposed,) "Get your business done as quickly as
+you can: I shall be back in ten minutes." He then re-entered the
+carriage and drove off. The instant he was gone, Sir Gilbert came out of
+the post-office into which he had darted as the carriage passed, and
+entered the shop in which Mrs. Cartwright was left. The interview, if he
+had sought one with her, certainly did not last above five minutes; when
+he reappeared, followed by the master of the shop making innumerable
+bows. Sir Gilbert cut his obsequious civilities short by heartily
+shaking hands with him, and then departed.
+
+"Where he went next," continued the colonel, "I know not; but not
+choosing to meet him, and feeling somehow or other perfectly persuaded
+that he had seen Mrs. Cartwright, and that this interview, short as it
+was, had been what he waited for, I got my horse and galloped home as
+fast as I could."
+
+Scarcely had he finished his narrative, when Sir Gilbert arrived. He
+said not a word, however, to throw any light upon his own adventures;
+yet was he neither silent nor sad.
+
+       *       *       *       *       *
+
+Several weeks elapsed after this without bringing to Helen any tidings
+of her mother. Her appearance and manner during their short interview
+had indicated so much languor and ill-health, that her anxiety
+respecting her became very acute, and daily did she haunt every spot
+where it was probable she should meet with Rosalind, but in vain--no
+Rosalind came, and nothing was left but to inquire through servants and
+tradespeople the news of the Park. Nothing however, obtained in this way
+afforded her satisfaction: for not only did every report so obtained
+tend to confirm the idea that Mrs. Cartwright was an invalid, but
+notwithstanding they were on many points uncertain and contradictory,
+they all agreed in representing the conduct of Mr. Cartwright as being
+strangely altered, and giving ground of fear to those who loved or
+pitied his unfortunate wife, that he would every day become a harsher
+and more jealous tyrant to her, for that of late he appeared fearful of
+leaving her for an hour alone.
+
+Happy therefore as Helen's individual prospects appeared to be, a heavy
+weight and sad foreboding hung upon her spirits. Her brother's letters
+too, though eloquent in affection, and in every expression of joy at her
+approaching marriage, spoke of himself in a tone of such hopeless
+despondency as dashed her happier destiny with bitterness. It was no
+slight augmentation of these sorrows that she felt herself in a great
+measure obliged to conceal them. To Colonel Harrington, indeed she
+ventured to confess that her anxious solicitude for those she loved
+tarnished her happiness: but this confidence brought with it more sorrow
+than comfort, for she perceived but too plainly that she had blighted
+his happiness while confessing the imperfection of her own.
+
+Lady Harrington, though all kindness and even tenderness to her, seemed
+almost cautiously to avoid every subject that led her to talk of her
+family: and as for Sir Gilbert, he appeared to be enjoying a state of
+spirits so enviable in their uniform cheerfulness, that to mention fear
+or sorrow to him would have been wanton cruelty.
+
+At length, from the butcher, or the baker, or some other of those
+indispensable functionaries who know all things concerning those who
+live, move, and have their being, by means of their ministering
+ambulations, and who fail not to make all they know to circulate as
+freely as they do themselves,--at length, from some such the news
+arrived at Oakley that Mrs. Cartwright had presented her husband with a
+son; and moreover, that the mother and child were as well as could be
+expected.
+
+To Helen this intelligence brought the most unfeigned joy. She believed
+that all her fears for her mother's health had been unfounded; and that,
+though it seemed certain that she must live banished from her recovered
+love, she might at least enjoy the comfort of believing that she was
+well and happy.
+
+On Sir Gilbert the intelligence produced a very different effect. As
+Helen regained her spirits, he lost his; and though he was still gentle
+and kind to her, he was upon the whole as cross, crusty, and
+disagreeable as it is easy to imagine.
+
+One morning, while Colonel Harrington and Helen were, sauntering in the
+avenue, he enjoying her improved cheerfulness, and she secretly blaming
+herself for having ever suffered him to pine for the want of it, they
+perceived a servant in the Cartwright livery galloping towards the
+house. The same idea, the same terror, though felt in a most unequal
+degree, struck them both. Helen turned deadly pale; and so persuaded did
+she feel that her mother was dead, that when they stopped the man and
+received from him a verbal notice that her mother was very ill and
+wished to see her, the words, though alarming enough in themselves,
+seemed to be a relief. They returned with all haste to the house to
+order the carriage for her; and while she was preparing for this sad and
+most unexpected expedition, the colonel questioned the servant, and
+learned from him that Mrs. Cartwright's infant having died in
+convulsions in her arms, she had fallen into a state considered by her
+attendants as extremely dangerous; that during the whole of the last
+night she had remained nearly insensible, but having recovered her
+intellects and speech, her entreaties to see Helen were so urgent that
+Mr. Cartwright (who, as the man said, never left her bedside for an
+instant,) consented that she should be sent for. Miss Fanny and Miss
+Torrington were also with her, he added, and young Mr. Mowbray had been
+written to; but he believed, from what the people about her said, that
+there was little chance of her surviving till he arrived.
+
+Having learned these particulars, the colonel sought his father, not
+only to communicate them, but to ask his opinion as to the propriety of
+his accompanying Helen on this sad visit.
+
+"I cannot bear," he added, "that she should go alone."
+
+"Of course, young sir, you cannot," replied Sir Gilbert, with a sudden,
+and, as his son thought, not very feeling return of cheerfulness, "I
+should as soon think of letting her walk thither on all-fours: but your
+lovership must excuse me if I declare that it is my intention to
+accompany the young lady myself. I am sorry for you, William;--but so it
+must be. There's the carriage;--go to my lady's closet, and let her hear
+the news."
+
+So saying, the baronet, without waiting to receive any answer, hastened
+to the door, and reached it just as Helen was stepping into the
+carriage. Without consulting her on the subject, he stepped in after
+her, and they drove away.
+
+It would be doing an injustice to the essentially kind feelings of Sir
+Gilbert not to avow that his manner expressed very tender sympathy with
+Helen's natural and heavy sorrow: but the minds of both were full, and
+few words passed between them during their drive.
+
+The lodge-gates were standing wide open, and they dashed through them
+without seeing any one of whom the trembling Helen could make inquiry;
+but once arrived at the house, all suspense was soon over: Mrs.
+Cartwright had breathed her last about ten minutes before they got
+there.
+
+Poor Helen's first burst of grief was terrible. The remembrance of her
+poor mother's last embrace, though it became the most soothing comfort
+to her during her after life, seemed at that moment only to soften her
+heart to greater suffering. Passive, and almost unconscious, she
+suffered Sir Gilbert to lift her out of the carriage and lay her on a
+sofa in the drawing-room: and there, her tears flowing fast, and her
+very soul, as it seemed, melting within her, she might probably have
+long given way to her absorbing grief, had not surprise acted on her
+faculties more powerfully than salts or hartshorn, and forced her to
+open her eyes and her ears to witness the scene that passed before her.
+
+Having seen her placed on a sofa with a female servant standing by her,
+Sir Gilbert turned his attention from Helen, and politely requested
+permission to wait on Mr. Cartwright.
+
+Many, many things of an ordinary nature might have passed around her
+without rousing Helen from her deep and most true sorrow; but this
+request, and still more the tone in which it was spoken, awakened all
+her attention to what followed.
+
+The servant to whom Sir Gilbert addressed himself executed his
+commission promptly and effectually; for almost immediately after
+closing the drawing-room door, he threw it open again, and his master
+entered.
+
+Mr. Cartwright walked into the room with a proud and lofty aspect, and a
+something both of sternness and of triumph on his brow, which Helen
+thought Sir Gilbert would not easily endure; but, to her extreme
+surprise, the baronet accosted him with a degree of almost servile
+civility, bowing low, and uttering a few words of respectful condolence
+with as much deference and ceremony as if addressing a sovereign prince
+on the loss of his consort.
+
+Mr. Cartwright replied with equal decorum; but the glance of pride and
+triumph, not quite unmixed with something that gleamed like malice too,
+shot from his eye, and Helen shuddered as she looked at him.
+
+"I presume that you are aware, Mr. Cartwright," said Sir Gilbert with
+imperturbable suavity, "that your late lady's eldest daughter, Miss
+Mowbray, is about to contract a marriage with my son. Her remaining
+therefore a member of my family will certainly be very agreeable to us
+all; but at this painful moment, it would doubtless be a consolation to
+the sisters, as well as to their friend, Miss Torrington, could they be
+together. Will you therefore permit me, sir, to convey the three young
+ladies to my house together, there to await the opening of the late Mrs.
+Cartwright's will?"
+
+"For this young lady, sir," replied the Vicar of Wrexhill, pointing to
+Helen, "as she has chosen to exchange the protection of her own mother
+for that of your son, I have nothing to say,--excepting, perhaps, that
+the sooner she leaves my house, the better satisfied I shall feel
+myself. But for Miss Torrington and Miss Fanny Mowbray, I must think
+further of it before I resign them to any one."
+
+"Well, sir," replied Sir Gilbert with, if possible, still-increasing
+urbanity, "we must in this and all things submit ourselves wholly to
+your will and pleasure. But may I, in testimony of my respect to the
+memory of a lady towards whom perhaps I have behaved with some
+harshness,--may I hope, Mr. Cartwright, that you will permit me to
+attend her funeral?"
+
+"Of this too I must think further," replied Mr. Cartwright with much
+haughtiness.
+
+"And her son?" rejoined the humbled baronet;--"I trust he will be
+present at the last sad ceremony?"
+
+"It is probable I may permit him to be so," replied the vicar, drawing
+himself up into an attitude that might really have been called majestic.
+"But permit me to observe, Sir Gilbert Harrington,--such is, I think,
+your name,--that I require not in the arrangement of my affairs counsel
+or advice from any man,--and least of all--from you."
+
+So saying, he turned on his heel and stalked out of the room.
+
+"Come, my poor Helen!" said the repulsed baronet with great gentleness,
+and not in the least, as it seemed, resenting the insolence with which
+he had been treated,--"Come--I would have wished to have taken your poor
+little sister and and your friend Rosalind home with us. But Heaven's
+will--and the vicar's--must be done."
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XV.
+
+MRS. CARTWRIGHT'S LAST WILL AND TESTAMENT.
+
+
+It was probably the love of seeing an enemy mortified,--which, it may be
+feared, is too common to all men,--which induced the Vicar of Wrexhill,
+notwithstanding the deep aversion he felt for Sir Gilbert Harrington, to
+suffer him not only to be invited to attend Mrs. Cartwright's funeral,
+but also to be present at the opening of her will.
+
+To both invitations the baronet returned a gracious acceptance, and
+accordingly once more found himself at the Park on the day that its
+gates were again to open to the funeral array of its owner.
+
+Charles Mowbray, as Sir Gilbert's carriage drew up, stood ready on the
+steps of the mansion to receive him; and tears moistened the eyes of
+both as they silently shook hands and entered the drawing-room, where
+the funeral guests were assembled.
+
+The room was full. Not only all such saintly scions of the new birth as
+their esprit de corps always brought together were present there, but as
+many of the neighbouring gentry as he could collect were now assembled
+to witness the proud fanatic's crowning triumph. One circumstance only
+tended to damp the happiness of this full success, this great conclusion
+to all his hopes and wishes,--his son was not present at it: and indeed
+so great had been the licence granted him, that he was at this time
+wandering, his proud father knew not where.
+
+Nothing however, notwithstanding his deep-felt happiness, could be
+better got up than Mr. Cartwright's sorrow as he watched his wife laid
+in the tomb: never was white cambric used with better grace. Poor
+Charles the while sheltered himself behind the stalwart figure of Sir
+Gilbert, and wept unseen.
+
+Nearly the whole of the company who attended the funeral were invited to
+be present at the ceremony of opening of the will, which it was the
+pleasure of the bereaved widower should follow immediately after it.
+
+Again the large drawing-room was surrounded by a circle of sable guests;
+not one of whom but felt more than usual curiosity at the opening a will
+upon which hung so large a property, and concerning which there were
+such conflicting interests.
+
+Sir Gilbert considerately led his friend Charles into a corner where he
+was not conspicuous, and placed himself beside him; both of them being
+in good part concealed by the tall and portly person of a gentleman whom
+young Mowbray had never seen before, and whom indeed several persons,
+not too much interested in the scene to note what passed, had observed
+to enter with the funeral train after its return from the church,
+although he had not been present at the interment.
+
+It is probable, however, that the master of the house himself was not
+aware of this; for he took no notice of him, and was in fact too fully
+occupied by the business afoot to know more or to think more of those
+around him than that they were there to witness the proudest and
+happiest moment of his life.
+
+All the company being seated, and mute attentive silence hovering over
+all, Mr. Corbold, after bowing to two or three distinguished personages,
+whose seats were placed near the table at which he had stationed himself
+as if to assure their attentive witnessing of the act he was about to
+perform, broke open the seals of the parchment he held in his hand, and
+having spread it fairly open upon the table, read its contents aloud
+with a clear voice.
+
+Never man had a more attentive auditory; no sound or movement
+interrupted the lecture; and when it was concluded, a murmur only, of
+rather shame-faced congratulation from the particular friends of Mr.
+Cartwright, broke the continued silence.
+
+Something, meanwhile, very like a groan burst from the breast of the
+unhappy Mowbray; but Sir Gilbert Harrington hemmed so stoutly at the
+same moment, that no one heard it.
+
+The company had already risen from their seats, and some were crowding
+round the meek and tranquil-looking vicar,--nay, one active carrier of
+evil tidings had slipped out of the room to inform Miss Torrington and
+Fanny of the nature of the departed lady's testament,--when the tall
+gentleman who sat before the disinherited son arose, and with great
+politeness requested the attention of the company for one moment before
+they separated, for the purpose of hearing a document which he should be
+happy to have the pleasure of reading to them, and which, if not of so
+extraordinary a nature as the one they had just listened to, and
+therefore less likely to excite general attention, was at least of later
+date.
+
+Every one appeared to listen to this address with interest, and nearly
+the whole company immediately reseated themselves. Some keen-eyed
+persons fancied they perceived the Vicar of Wrexhill change colour; but
+they were probably mistaken; for when Mr. Corbold whispered to him, "In
+the name of Heaven, what does this mean, cousin!--You never left her,
+did you?" he replied, also in a whisper, but in a steady voice, "Never
+for time enough to draw a codicil,--it is impossible!" And having so
+spoken, he too reseated himself in the attitude of a listener.
+
+The tall gentleman then drew forth from his pocket another parchment,
+purporting to be the last will of the same lady, containing even more
+skins that the first; and running over with technical volubility a
+preamble, only important as describing the testator's state of mind, he
+proceeded to the more essential portion of the document, and then read
+slowly and loudly, so that all men might hear, the bequest of all she
+died possessed of to her beloved son Charles Mowbray; the only
+deductions being legacies of fifty thousand pounds to each of her
+younger children, and her jewels to her daughter Helen, provided that
+within one year from the date of the will she should marry, or have
+married, Colonel William Harrington, of his Majesty's ---- Dragoons.
+
+The name of Cartwright appeared not in any shape; probably because the
+provision for her younger children would have included the infant yet
+unborn when this will was made, had it survived her.
+
+This document was as fully and satisfactorily signed, sealed, witnessed,
+and delivered, as the former one; the only difference being that it was
+dated some months later.
+
+The pen that has traced these events is too feeble to portray the state
+into which this change of scenery and decorations threw the Vicar of
+Wrexhill. It would have been a great mercy for him if he had altogether
+lost his senses; but no symptom of this sort appeared, beyond a short
+paroxysm, during which he called upon Heaven to witness his promise of
+going to law with Mr. Mowbray for the purpose of setting aside his
+mother's will.
+
+After the first buzz produced by this second lecture had subsided, Sir
+Gilbert Harrington arose and addressed the company with equal good taste
+and good feeling. A few minutes' conversation with his young friend Mr.
+Mowbray, he said, authorized him to assure the Vicar of Wrexhill that
+whatever private property he could lay claim to (a wag here whispered,
+"Sermons, surplices, and the like") should be packed up and sent to the
+Vicarage, or any other place he would name, with the utmost attention
+and care. He added very succinctly, and without a single syllable
+unnecessarily irritating, that circumstances connected with the
+situation of the ladies of the family rendered it necessary that the
+reverend gentleman should not continue in the house; a necessity which,
+it might be hoped, would be the less inconvenient from the circumstance
+of his former residence being so near.
+
+While his old friend was uttering this extremely judicious harangue,
+Charles escaped by a side door from the room, and bounding up the stairs
+to Rosalind's dressing-room, where (though as yet he had hardly spoken
+to her) he pretty well knew she was sitting with his sister Fanny, he
+burst open the door, rushed in, and fell on his knees before her,
+clasping her most daringly in his arms, and almost devouring her hands
+with kisses.
+
+Fanny stood perfectly aghast at this scene. During the few days that
+Charles had been at home she had truly grieved to see the decided
+coldness and estrangement that was between Rosalind and him; and what
+could have produced this sudden change she was totally unable to guess.
+
+Not one of the family party had entertained the slightest doubt that the
+will, which Mr. Cartwright had more than once alluded to, was such as to
+render his late wife's children wholly dependent upon him; and this
+painful expectation had been already fully confirmed: but even if it had
+proved otherwise, Fanny knew no reason why this should so change the
+conduct of Charles towards Miss Torrington.
+
+Not so, however, the young lady herself. The vehement caresses of
+Mowbray explained the whole matter to her as fully and as clearly as the
+will itself could have done; and if she did bend forward her head till
+her dark tresses almost covered his--and if under that thick veil she
+impressed a wild and rapid kiss of joy upon his forehead, most people
+would forgive her if they knew how well she had all the while guessed at
+his misery, and how often her young heart had ached to think of it.
+
+This impropriety, however, such as it was, was really the only one
+committed on the occasion. Sir Gilbert was an excellent man of business,
+as was likewise the tall gentleman his attorney; so seals were put upon
+all plate-chests, jewel-cases, and the like, except such as were proved
+satisfactorily by Mr. Stephen Corbold to have been purchased since the
+marriage of the widow Mowbray and Mr. Cartwright. All such were given
+over to the packing-cases of the serious attorney and the serious
+butler, and at half-past nine p.m. the Vicar of Wrexhill stepped into
+his recently-purchased (but not paid-for) travelling carriage, and
+turned his back on the Park--once more _Mowbray Park_--for ever.
+
+       *       *       *       *       *
+
+But little remains to be said that may not easily be guessed at by the
+accomplished novel-reader:--and for such, of course, these pages are
+prepared.
+
+Little Mary Richards speedily became Lady Hilton; and Fanny Mowbray,
+during a visit of some months at her Scotch castle, learned to think of
+her religious sufferings with sufficient composure to enable her once
+more to look forward as well as around her, with hope and enjoyment. And
+who is there that can doubt that the lovely Fanny Mowbray, with
+recovered senses and fifty thousand pounds, even though she did for ever
+abandon her poetic pursuits, met, at no very advanced age, with a
+husband worthy of her?
+
+The two tall Misses Richards ceased to be serious as soon as it became
+decidedly _mauvais ton_ at Wrexhill to be so: and in process of time
+they too married; leaving their charming little mother leisure to
+cultivate the friendship of Rosalind, who retained her partiality for
+her, and enjoyed her friendship and society for many happy years.
+
+Need it be said that Rosalind and Helen were married on the same
+day?--So it was, however; and Mr. Edward Wallace performed the ceremony,
+the Vicar of Wrexhill being indisposed. Indeed the air of the Vicarage
+evidently disagreed with him; but, by the influence of some of the most
+distinguished of his party, both in religion and politics, he soon
+obtained an exchange with a gentleman who held preferment in the Fens.
+He did not, however, obtain a mitre, though a great many serious people
+declared that he deserved it: a disappointment which was perhaps the
+more cutting from the circumstance of Mr. Jacob's having joined a troop
+of strolling players; and as he was not sufficiently successful amongst
+them to add any glory thereby to the family name, the loss of episcopal
+honours was the more severely felt.
+
+Every thing else, I think, went just as it ought to do. Poor Miss Mimima
+was sent off to her mamma, who never again ventured to show her face at
+Wrexhill; probably fearing that she might cease to be considered as the
+principal person of the village.
+
+Mr. Mowbray speedily re-established Mr. Marsh in his school; the old
+lawyer and apothecary returned; the newly-hired serious servants
+retreated before the returning honest ones--and, in short, a whole
+flight of fanaticals followed their incomparable vicar, till the pretty
+village of Wrexhill once more became happy and gay, and the memory of
+their serious epidemic rendered its inhabitants the most orderly,
+peaceable, and orthodox population in the whole country.
+
+
+THE END.
+
+
+
+
+
+End of Project Gutenberg's The Vicar of Wrexhill, by Mrs [Frances] Trollope
+
+*** END OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK THE VICAR OF WREXHILL ***
+
+***** This file should be named 36686-8.txt or 36686-8.zip *****
+This and all associated files of various formats will be found in:
+        http://www.gutenberg.org/3/6/6/8/36686/
+
+Produced by Delphine Lettau, Mary Meehan and the Online
+Distributed Proofreading Team at http://www.pgdp.net (This
+file was produced from images generously made available
+by The Internet Archive/Canadian Libraries)
+
+
+Updated editions will replace the previous one--the old editions
+will be renamed.
+
+Creating the works from public domain print editions means that no
+one owns a United States copyright in these works, so the Foundation
+(and you!) can copy and distribute it in the United States without
+permission and without paying copyright royalties.  Special rules,
+set forth in the General Terms of Use part of this license, apply to
+copying and distributing Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works to
+protect the PROJECT GUTENBERG-tm concept and trademark.  Project
+Gutenberg is a registered trademark, and may not be used if you
+charge for the eBooks, unless you receive specific permission.  If you
+do not charge anything for copies of this eBook, complying with the
+rules is very easy.  You may use this eBook for nearly any purpose
+such as creation of derivative works, reports, performances and
+research.  They may be modified and printed and given away--you may do
+practically ANYTHING with public domain eBooks.  Redistribution is
+subject to the trademark license, especially commercial
+redistribution.
+
+
+
+*** START: FULL LICENSE ***
+
+THE FULL PROJECT GUTENBERG LICENSE
+PLEASE READ THIS BEFORE YOU DISTRIBUTE OR USE THIS WORK
+
+To protect the Project Gutenberg-tm mission of promoting the free
+distribution of electronic works, by using or distributing this work
+(or any other work associated in any way with the phrase "Project
+Gutenberg"), you agree to comply with all the terms of the Full Project
+Gutenberg-tm License (available with this file or online at
+http://gutenberg.org/license).
+
+
+Section 1.  General Terms of Use and Redistributing Project Gutenberg-tm
+electronic works
+
+1.A.  By reading or using any part of this Project Gutenberg-tm
+electronic work, you indicate that you have read, understand, agree to
+and accept all the terms of this license and intellectual property
+(trademark/copyright) agreement.  If you do not agree to abide by all
+the terms of this agreement, you must cease using and return or destroy
+all copies of Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works in your possession.
+If you paid a fee for obtaining a copy of or access to a Project
+Gutenberg-tm electronic work and you do not agree to be bound by the
+terms of this agreement, you may obtain a refund from the person or
+entity to whom you paid the fee as set forth in paragraph 1.E.8.
+
+1.B.  "Project Gutenberg" is a registered trademark.  It may only be
+used on or associated in any way with an electronic work by people who
+agree to be bound by the terms of this agreement.  There are a few
+things that you can do with most Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works
+even without complying with the full terms of this agreement.  See
+paragraph 1.C below.  There are a lot of things you can do with Project
+Gutenberg-tm electronic works if you follow the terms of this agreement
+and help preserve free future access to Project Gutenberg-tm electronic
+works.  See paragraph 1.E below.
+
+1.C.  The Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation ("the Foundation"
+or PGLAF), owns a compilation copyright in the collection of Project
+Gutenberg-tm electronic works.  Nearly all the individual works in the
+collection are in the public domain in the United States.  If an
+individual work is in the public domain in the United States and you are
+located in the United States, we do not claim a right to prevent you from
+copying, distributing, performing, displaying or creating derivative
+works based on the work as long as all references to Project Gutenberg
+are removed.  Of course, we hope that you will support the Project
+Gutenberg-tm mission of promoting free access to electronic works by
+freely sharing Project Gutenberg-tm works in compliance with the terms of
+this agreement for keeping the Project Gutenberg-tm name associated with
+the work.  You can easily comply with the terms of this agreement by
+keeping this work in the same format with its attached full Project
+Gutenberg-tm License when you share it without charge with others.
+
+1.D.  The copyright laws of the place where you are located also govern
+what you can do with this work.  Copyright laws in most countries are in
+a constant state of change.  If you are outside the United States, check
+the laws of your country in addition to the terms of this agreement
+before downloading, copying, displaying, performing, distributing or
+creating derivative works based on this work or any other Project
+Gutenberg-tm work.  The Foundation makes no representations concerning
+the copyright status of any work in any country outside the United
+States.
+
+1.E.  Unless you have removed all references to Project Gutenberg:
+
+1.E.1.  The following sentence, with active links to, or other immediate
+access to, the full Project Gutenberg-tm License must appear prominently
+whenever any copy of a Project Gutenberg-tm work (any work on which the
+phrase "Project Gutenberg" appears, or with which the phrase "Project
+Gutenberg" is associated) is accessed, displayed, performed, viewed,
+copied or distributed:
+
+This eBook is for the use of anyone anywhere at no cost and with
+almost no restrictions whatsoever.  You may copy it, give it away or
+re-use it under the terms of the Project Gutenberg License included
+with this eBook or online at www.gutenberg.org
+
+1.E.2.  If an individual Project Gutenberg-tm electronic work is derived
+from the public domain (does not contain a notice indicating that it is
+posted with permission of the copyright holder), the work can be copied
+and distributed to anyone in the United States without paying any fees
+or charges.  If you are redistributing or providing access to a work
+with the phrase "Project Gutenberg" associated with or appearing on the
+work, you must comply either with the requirements of paragraphs 1.E.1
+through 1.E.7 or obtain permission for the use of the work and the
+Project Gutenberg-tm trademark as set forth in paragraphs 1.E.8 or
+1.E.9.
+
+1.E.3.  If an individual Project Gutenberg-tm electronic work is posted
+with the permission of the copyright holder, your use and distribution
+must comply with both paragraphs 1.E.1 through 1.E.7 and any additional
+terms imposed by the copyright holder.  Additional terms will be linked
+to the Project Gutenberg-tm License for all works posted with the
+permission of the copyright holder found at the beginning of this work.
+
+1.E.4.  Do not unlink or detach or remove the full Project Gutenberg-tm
+License terms from this work, or any files containing a part of this
+work or any other work associated with Project Gutenberg-tm.
+
+1.E.5.  Do not copy, display, perform, distribute or redistribute this
+electronic work, or any part of this electronic work, without
+prominently displaying the sentence set forth in paragraph 1.E.1 with
+active links or immediate access to the full terms of the Project
+Gutenberg-tm License.
+
+1.E.6.  You may convert to and distribute this work in any binary,
+compressed, marked up, nonproprietary or proprietary form, including any
+word processing or hypertext form.  However, if you provide access to or
+distribute copies of a Project Gutenberg-tm work in a format other than
+"Plain Vanilla ASCII" or other format used in the official version
+posted on the official Project Gutenberg-tm web site (www.gutenberg.org),
+you must, at no additional cost, fee or expense to the user, provide a
+copy, a means of exporting a copy, or a means of obtaining a copy upon
+request, of the work in its original "Plain Vanilla ASCII" or other
+form.  Any alternate format must include the full Project Gutenberg-tm
+License as specified in paragraph 1.E.1.
+
+1.E.7.  Do not charge a fee for access to, viewing, displaying,
+performing, copying or distributing any Project Gutenberg-tm works
+unless you comply with paragraph 1.E.8 or 1.E.9.
+
+1.E.8.  You may charge a reasonable fee for copies of or providing
+access to or distributing Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works provided
+that
+
+- You pay a royalty fee of 20% of the gross profits you derive from
+     the use of Project Gutenberg-tm works calculated using the method
+     you already use to calculate your applicable taxes.  The fee is
+     owed to the owner of the Project Gutenberg-tm trademark, but he
+     has agreed to donate royalties under this paragraph to the
+     Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation.  Royalty payments
+     must be paid within 60 days following each date on which you
+     prepare (or are legally required to prepare) your periodic tax
+     returns.  Royalty payments should be clearly marked as such and
+     sent to the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation at the
+     address specified in Section 4, "Information about donations to
+     the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation."
+
+- You provide a full refund of any money paid by a user who notifies
+     you in writing (or by e-mail) within 30 days of receipt that s/he
+     does not agree to the terms of the full Project Gutenberg-tm
+     License.  You must require such a user to return or
+     destroy all copies of the works possessed in a physical medium
+     and discontinue all use of and all access to other copies of
+     Project Gutenberg-tm works.
+
+- You provide, in accordance with paragraph 1.F.3, a full refund of any
+     money paid for a work or a replacement copy, if a defect in the
+     electronic work is discovered and reported to you within 90 days
+     of receipt of the work.
+
+- You comply with all other terms of this agreement for free
+     distribution of Project Gutenberg-tm works.
+
+1.E.9.  If you wish to charge a fee or distribute a Project Gutenberg-tm
+electronic work or group of works on different terms than are set
+forth in this agreement, you must obtain permission in writing from
+both the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation and Michael
+Hart, the owner of the Project Gutenberg-tm trademark.  Contact the
+Foundation as set forth in Section 3 below.
+
+1.F.
+
+1.F.1.  Project Gutenberg volunteers and employees expend considerable
+effort to identify, do copyright research on, transcribe and proofread
+public domain works in creating the Project Gutenberg-tm
+collection.  Despite these efforts, Project Gutenberg-tm electronic
+works, and the medium on which they may be stored, may contain
+"Defects," such as, but not limited to, incomplete, inaccurate or
+corrupt data, transcription errors, a copyright or other intellectual
+property infringement, a defective or damaged disk or other medium, a
+computer virus, or computer codes that damage or cannot be read by
+your equipment.
+
+1.F.2.  LIMITED WARRANTY, DISCLAIMER OF DAMAGES - Except for the "Right
+of Replacement or Refund" described in paragraph 1.F.3, the Project
+Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation, the owner of the Project
+Gutenberg-tm trademark, and any other party distributing a Project
+Gutenberg-tm electronic work under this agreement, disclaim all
+liability to you for damages, costs and expenses, including legal
+fees.  YOU AGREE THAT YOU HAVE NO REMEDIES FOR NEGLIGENCE, STRICT
+LIABILITY, BREACH OF WARRANTY OR BREACH OF CONTRACT EXCEPT THOSE
+PROVIDED IN PARAGRAPH 1.F.3. YOU AGREE THAT THE FOUNDATION, THE
+TRADEMARK OWNER, AND ANY DISTRIBUTOR UNDER THIS AGREEMENT WILL NOT BE
+LIABLE TO YOU FOR ACTUAL, DIRECT, INDIRECT, CONSEQUENTIAL, PUNITIVE OR
+INCIDENTAL DAMAGES EVEN IF YOU GIVE NOTICE OF THE POSSIBILITY OF SUCH
+DAMAGE.
+
+1.F.3.  LIMITED RIGHT OF REPLACEMENT OR REFUND - If you discover a
+defect in this electronic work within 90 days of receiving it, you can
+receive a refund of the money (if any) you paid for it by sending a
+written explanation to the person you received the work from.  If you
+received the work on a physical medium, you must return the medium with
+your written explanation.  The person or entity that provided you with
+the defective work may elect to provide a replacement copy in lieu of a
+refund.  If you received the work electronically, the person or entity
+providing it to you may choose to give you a second opportunity to
+receive the work electronically in lieu of a refund.  If the second copy
+is also defective, you may demand a refund in writing without further
+opportunities to fix the problem.
+
+1.F.4.  Except for the limited right of replacement or refund set forth
+in paragraph 1.F.3, this work is provided to you 'AS-IS' WITH NO OTHER
+WARRANTIES OF ANY KIND, EXPRESS OR IMPLIED, INCLUDING BUT NOT LIMITED TO
+WARRANTIES OF MERCHANTIBILITY OR FITNESS FOR ANY PURPOSE.
+
+1.F.5.  Some states do not allow disclaimers of certain implied
+warranties or the exclusion or limitation of certain types of damages.
+If any disclaimer or limitation set forth in this agreement violates the
+law of the state applicable to this agreement, the agreement shall be
+interpreted to make the maximum disclaimer or limitation permitted by
+the applicable state law.  The invalidity or unenforceability of any
+provision of this agreement shall not void the remaining provisions.
+
+1.F.6.  INDEMNITY - You agree to indemnify and hold the Foundation, the
+trademark owner, any agent or employee of the Foundation, anyone
+providing copies of Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works in accordance
+with this agreement, and any volunteers associated with the production,
+promotion and distribution of Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works,
+harmless from all liability, costs and expenses, including legal fees,
+that arise directly or indirectly from any of the following which you do
+or cause to occur: (a) distribution of this or any Project Gutenberg-tm
+work, (b) alteration, modification, or additions or deletions to any
+Project Gutenberg-tm work, and (c) any Defect you cause.
+
+
+Section  2.  Information about the Mission of Project Gutenberg-tm
+
+Project Gutenberg-tm is synonymous with the free distribution of
+electronic works in formats readable by the widest variety of computers
+including obsolete, old, middle-aged and new computers.  It exists
+because of the efforts of hundreds of volunteers and donations from
+people in all walks of life.
+
+Volunteers and financial support to provide volunteers with the
+assistance they need, are critical to reaching Project Gutenberg-tm's
+goals and ensuring that the Project Gutenberg-tm collection will
+remain freely available for generations to come.  In 2001, the Project
+Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation was created to provide a secure
+and permanent future for Project Gutenberg-tm and future generations.
+To learn more about the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation
+and how your efforts and donations can help, see Sections 3 and 4
+and the Foundation web page at http://www.pglaf.org.
+
+
+Section 3.  Information about the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive
+Foundation
+
+The Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation is a non profit
+501(c)(3) educational corporation organized under the laws of the
+state of Mississippi and granted tax exempt status by the Internal
+Revenue Service.  The Foundation's EIN or federal tax identification
+number is 64-6221541.  Its 501(c)(3) letter is posted at
+http://pglaf.org/fundraising.  Contributions to the Project Gutenberg
+Literary Archive Foundation are tax deductible to the full extent
+permitted by U.S. federal laws and your state's laws.
+
+The Foundation's principal office is located at 4557 Melan Dr. S.
+Fairbanks, AK, 99712., but its volunteers and employees are scattered
+throughout numerous locations.  Its business office is located at
+809 North 1500 West, Salt Lake City, UT 84116, (801) 596-1887, email
+business@pglaf.org.  Email contact links and up to date contact
+information can be found at the Foundation's web site and official
+page at http://pglaf.org
+
+For additional contact information:
+     Dr. Gregory B. Newby
+     Chief Executive and Director
+     gbnewby@pglaf.org
+
+
+Section 4.  Information about Donations to the Project Gutenberg
+Literary Archive Foundation
+
+Project Gutenberg-tm depends upon and cannot survive without wide
+spread public support and donations to carry out its mission of
+increasing the number of public domain and licensed works that can be
+freely distributed in machine readable form accessible by the widest
+array of equipment including outdated equipment.  Many small donations
+($1 to $5,000) are particularly important to maintaining tax exempt
+status with the IRS.
+
+The Foundation is committed to complying with the laws regulating
+charities and charitable donations in all 50 states of the United
+States.  Compliance requirements are not uniform and it takes a
+considerable effort, much paperwork and many fees to meet and keep up
+with these requirements.  We do not solicit donations in locations
+where we have not received written confirmation of compliance.  To
+SEND DONATIONS or determine the status of compliance for any
+particular state visit http://pglaf.org
+
+While we cannot and do not solicit contributions from states where we
+have not met the solicitation requirements, we know of no prohibition
+against accepting unsolicited donations from donors in such states who
+approach us with offers to donate.
+
+International donations are gratefully accepted, but we cannot make
+any statements concerning tax treatment of donations received from
+outside the United States.  U.S. laws alone swamp our small staff.
+
+Please check the Project Gutenberg Web pages for current donation
+methods and addresses.  Donations are accepted in a number of other
+ways including checks, online payments and credit card donations.
+To donate, please visit: http://pglaf.org/donate
+
+
+Section 5.  General Information About Project Gutenberg-tm electronic
+works.
+
+Professor Michael S. Hart is the originator of the Project Gutenberg-tm
+concept of a library of electronic works that could be freely shared
+with anyone.  For thirty years, he produced and distributed Project
+Gutenberg-tm eBooks with only a loose network of volunteer support.
+
+
+Project Gutenberg-tm eBooks are often created from several printed
+editions, all of which are confirmed as Public Domain in the U.S.
+unless a copyright notice is included.  Thus, we do not necessarily
+keep eBooks in compliance with any particular paper edition.
+
+
+Most people start at our Web site which has the main PG search facility:
+
+     http://www.gutenberg.org
+
+This Web site includes information about Project Gutenberg-tm,
+including how to make donations to the Project Gutenberg Literary
+Archive Foundation, how to help produce our new eBooks, and how to
+subscribe to our email newsletter to hear about new eBooks.
diff --git a/36686-8.zip b/36686-8.zip
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..01db890
--- /dev/null
+++ b/36686-8.zip
diff --git a/36686-h.zip b/36686-h.zip
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..6428c12
--- /dev/null
+++ b/36686-h.zip
diff --git a/36686-h/36686-h.htm b/36686-h/36686-h.htm
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..c221e40
--- /dev/null
+++ b/36686-h/36686-h.htm
@@ -0,0 +1,19194 @@
+<!DOCTYPE html PUBLIC "-//W3C//DTD XHTML 1.0 Strict//EN"
+    "http://www.w3.org/TR/xhtml1/DTD/xhtml1-strict.dtd">
+<!-- $Id: header.txt 236 2009-12-07 18:57:00Z vlsimpson $ -->
+
+<html xmlns="http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml" xml:lang="en" lang="en">
+  <head>
+    <meta http-equiv="Content-Type" content="text/html;charset=iso-8859-1" />
+    <meta http-equiv="Content-Style-Type" content="text/css" />
+    <title>
+      The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Vicar Of Wrexhill, By Frances Trollope
+    </title>
+    <style type="text/css">
+
+body {
+    margin-left: 10%;
+    margin-right: 10%;
+}
+
+    h1,h2,h3,h4,h5,h6 {
+    text-align: center; /* all headings centered */
+    clear: both;
+}
+
+p {
+    margin-top: .75em;
+    text-align: justify;
+    margin-bottom: .75em;
+}
+
+hr {
+    width: 33%;
+    margin-top: 2em;
+    margin-bottom: 2em;
+    margin-left: auto;
+    margin-right: auto;
+    clear: both;
+}
+
+table {
+    margin-left: auto;
+    margin-right: auto;
+}
+
+.pagenum { /* uncomment the next line for invisible page numbers */
+    /*  visibility: hidden;  */
+    position: absolute;
+    left: 92%;
+    font-size: smaller;
+    text-align: right;
+} /* page numbers */
+
+.linenum {
+    position: absolute;
+    top: auto;
+    left: 4%;
+} /* poetry number */
+
+.blockquot {
+    margin-left: 5%;
+    margin-right: 10%;
+}
+
+.sidenote {
+    width: 20%;
+    padding-bottom: .5em;
+    padding-top: .5em;
+    padding-left: .5em;
+    padding-right: .5em;
+    margin-left: 1em;
+    float: right;
+    clear: right;
+    margin-top: 1em;
+    font-size: smaller;
+    color: black;
+    background: #eeeeee;
+    border: dashed 1px;
+}
+
+.bb       {border-bottom: solid 2px;}
+
+.bl       {border-left: solid 2px;}
+
+.bt       {border-top: solid 2px;}
+
+.br       {border-right: solid 2px;}
+
+.bbox     {border: solid 2px;}
+
+.center   {text-align: center;}
+
+.smcap    {font-variant: small-caps;}
+
+.u        {text-decoration: underline;}
+
+.caption  {font-weight: bold;}
+
+/* Images */
+.figcenter   {
+    margin: auto;
+    text-align: center;
+}
+
+.figleft {
+    float: left;
+    clear: left;
+    margin-left: 0;
+    margin-bottom: 1em;
+    margin-top: 1em;
+    margin-right: 1em;
+    padding: 0;
+    text-align: center;
+}
+
+.figright {
+    float: right;
+    clear: right;
+    margin-left: 1em;
+    margin-bottom:
+    1em;
+    margin-top: 1em;
+    margin-right: 0;
+    padding: 0;
+    text-align: center;
+}
+
+/* Footnotes */
+.footnotes        {border: dashed 1px;}
+
+.footnote         {margin-left: 10%; margin-right: 10%; font-size: 0.9em;}
+
+.footnote .label  {position: absolute; right: 84%; text-align: right;}
+
+.fnanchor {
+    vertical-align: super;
+    font-size: .8em;
+    text-decoration:
+    none;
+}
+
+/* Poetry */
+.poem {
+    margin-left:10%;
+    margin-right:10%;
+    text-align: left;
+}
+
+.poem br {display: none;}
+
+.poem .stanza {margin: 1em 0em 1em 0em;}
+
+.poem span.i0 {
+    display: block;
+    margin-left: 0em;
+    padding-left: 3em;
+    text-indent: -3em;
+}
+
+.poem span.i2 {
+    display: block;
+    margin-left: 2em;
+    padding-left: 3em;
+    text-indent: -3em;
+}
+
+.poem span.i4 {
+    display: block;
+    margin-left: 4em;
+    padding-left: 3em;
+    text-indent: -3em;
+}
+
+    .poem span.i8     {display: block; margin-left: 8em; padding-left: 3em; text-indent: -3em;}
+    .poem span.i6     {display: block; margin-left: 6em; padding-left: 3em; text-indent: -3em;}
+    .poem span.i10     {display: block; margin-left: 10em; padding-left: 3em; text-indent: -3em;}
+    .poem span.i12     {display: block; margin-left: 12em; padding-left: 3em; text-indent: -3em;}
+    .poem span.i15     {display: block; margin-left: 15em; padding-left: 3em; text-indent: -3em;}
+    .poem span.i22     {display: block; margin-left: 22em; padding-left: 3em; text-indent: -3em;}
+    .poem span.i23     {display: block; margin-left: 23em; padding-left: 3em; text-indent: -3em;}
+
+    </style>
+  </head>
+<body>
+
+
+<pre>
+
+Project Gutenberg's The Vicar of Wrexhill, by Mrs [Frances] Trollope
+
+This eBook is for the use of anyone anywhere at no cost and with
+almost no restrictions whatsoever.  You may copy it, give it away or
+re-use it under the terms of the Project Gutenberg License included
+with this eBook or online at www.gutenberg.org
+
+
+Title: The Vicar of Wrexhill
+
+Author: Mrs [Frances] Trollope
+
+Release Date: July 11, 2011 [EBook #36686]
+
+Language: English
+
+Character set encoding: ISO-8859-1
+
+*** START OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK THE VICAR OF WREXHILL ***
+
+
+
+
+Produced by Delphine Lettau, Mary Meehan and the Online
+Distributed Proofreading Team at http://www.pgdp.net (This
+file was produced from images generously made available
+by The Internet Archive/Canadian Libraries)
+
+
+
+
+
+
+</pre>
+
+
+
+<div class="figcenter">
+<img src="images/tp.jpg" alt=""/>
+</div>
+
+<hr style="width: 65%;" />
+
+<h3>STANDARD NOVELS.</h3>
+
+<h3>No. LXXVIII.</h3>
+
+<p>"No kind of literature is so generally attractive as Fiction. Pictures
+of life and manners, and Stories of adventure, are more eagerly received
+by the many than graver productions, however important these latter may
+be. APULEIUS is better remembered by his fable of Cupid and Psyche than
+by his abstruser Platonic writings; and the Decameron of BOCCACCIO has
+outlived the Latin Treatises, and other learned works of that author."</p>
+
+
+<h1>THE VICAR OF WREXHILL.</h1>
+
+<h3>COMPLETE IN ONE VOLUME.</h3>
+
+<h2>BY FRANCES TROLLOPE</h2>
+
+<h3>AUTHOR OF "JONATHAN JEFFERSON WHITLAW," "DOMESTIC MANNERS OF THE
+AMERICANS," "ONE FAULT," ETC.</h3>
+
+<div class="poem"><div class="stanza">
+<span class="i0">Les bons et vrais dévots qu'on doit suivre à la trace<br /></span>
+<span class="i0">Ne sont pas ceux aussí qui font taut de grimace.<br /></span>
+<span class="i0">Hé, quoi!... vous ne ferez nulle distinction<br /></span>
+<span class="i0">Entre l'hypocrisie et la dévotion?<br /></span>
+<span class="i0">Vous les voulez traiter d'un semblable langage,<br /></span>
+<span class="i0">Et rendre même honneur au masque qu'au visage?<br /></span>
+</div><div class="stanza">
+<span class="i10"><span class="smcap">Molière.</span><br /></span>
+</div></div>
+
+<h3>NEW EDITION, REVISED.</h3>
+
+<h3>LONDON:<br />
+RICHARD BENTLEY,<br />
+NEW BURLINGTON STREET;<br />
+BELL AND BRADFUTE, EDINBURGH;<br />
+J. CUMMING, DUBLIN.</h3>
+
+<h3>1840.</h3>
+
+<h3><span class="smcap">London</span>:<br />
+Printed by <span class="smcap">A. Spottiswoode</span>,<br />
+New-Street-Square.</h3>
+
+
+
+<hr style="width: 65%;" />
+
+<div class="figcenter">
+<img src="images/illus1.jpg" alt=""/>
+</div>
+
+
+<h3>"A sort of frozen blandishment smoothed the proud face of
+the Vicar as he stood with his lady beside him, to receive the
+sycophants."</h3>
+
+<hr style="width: 65%;" />
+<h2>CONTENTS</h2>
+<!-- Autogenerated TOC. Modify or delete as required. -->
+<p>
+<a href="#CHAPTER_I">CHAPTER I. THE VILLAGE OF WREXHILL.&mdash;THE MOWBRAY FAMILY.&mdash;A BIRTHDAY.</a><br />
+<a href="#CHAPTER_II">CHAPTER II. THE MORNING AFTER THE BIRTHDAY.</a><br />
+<a href="#CHAPTER_III">CHAPTER III. THE VICAR OF WREXHILL.</a><br />
+<a href="#CHAPTER_IV">CHAPTER IV. THE WILL.</a><br />
+<a href="#CHAPTER_V">CHAPTER V. THE ARISTOCRACY OF WREXHILL.</a><br />
+<a href="#CHAPTER_VI">CHAPTER VI. THE PRINCIPAL PERSON IN THE VILLAGE.&mdash;THE VICAR'S FAMILY.</a><br />
+<a href="#CHAPTER_VII">CHAPTER VII. THE FIRST IMPRESSIONS MADE BY MR. CARTWRIGHT.&mdash;LETTER FROM LADY
+HARRINGTON.</a><br />
+<a href="#CHAPTER_VIII">CHAPTER VIII. MRS. RICHARDS AND HER DAUGHTERS.&mdash;THE TEA-PARTY.</a><br />
+<a href="#CHAPTER_IX">CHAPTER IX. HELEN AND ROSALIND CALL UPON SIR GILBERT HARRINGTON</a><br />
+<a href="#CHAPTER_X">CHAPTER X. MRS. MOWBRAY CONSULTS MR. CARTWRIGHT UPON THE SUBJECT OF HER LATE
+HUSBAND'S WILL.</a><br />
+<a href="#CHAPTER_XI">CHAPTER XI. HELEN'S MISERY AT HER MOTHER'S DISPLEASURE.&mdash;SIR G. HARRINGTON'S LETTER
+ON THE SUBJECT OF THE WILL.</a><br />
+<a href="#CHAPTER_XII">CHAPTER XII. MR. CARTWRIGHT'S LETTER TO HIS COUSIN.&mdash;COLONEL HARRINGTON.</a><br />
+<a href="#CHAPTER_XIII">CHAPTER XIII. MRS. MOWBRAY'S DEPARTURE FOR TOWN.&mdash;AN EXTEMPORARY PRAYER.</a><br />
+<a href="#CHAPTER_XIV">CHAPTER XIV. AN INTERVIEW.&mdash;THE LIME TREE.&mdash;ROSALIND'S LETTER TO MR. MOWBRAY.</a><br />
+<a href="#CHAPTER_XV">CHAPTER XV. ROSALIND'S CONVERSATION WITH MISS CARTWRIGHT.&mdash;MRS. SIMPSON AND MISS
+RICHARDS MEET THE VICAR AT THE PARK.&mdash;THE HYMN.&mdash;THE WALK HOME.</a><br /><br />
+<a href="#VOLUME_THE_SECOND">VOLUME THE SECOND.</a><br />
+<a href="#CHAPTER_IB">CHAPTER I. CHARLES MOWBRAY'S ARRIVAL AT THE PARK.</a><br />
+<a href="#CHAPTER_IIB">CHAPTER II. CHARLES'S AMUSEMENT AT HIS SISTER'S APPEARANCE.&mdash;HE DISCUSSES HER CASE
+WITH ROSALIND.</a><br />
+<a href="#CHAPTER_IIIB">CHAPTER III. CHARLES WALKS OVER TO OAKLEY.&mdash;THE VICAR IMPROVES IN HIS OPINION.</a><br />
+<a href="#CHAPTER_IVB">CHAPTER IV. MR. STEPHEN CORBOLD.</a><br />
+<a href="#CHAPTER_VB">CHAPTER V. MR. STEPHEN CORBOLD RETURNS WITH MRS. MOWBRAY AND HELEN TO WREXHILL.</a><br />
+<a href="#CHAPTER_VIB">CHAPTER VI. THE RETURN.</a><br />
+<a href="#CHAPTER_VIIB">CHAPTER VII. THE VICAR AND HIS COUSIN.</a><br />
+<a href="#CHAPTER_VIIIB">CHAPTER VIII. CHARLES'S SORROW.&mdash;MRS. SIMPSON IN HER NEW CHARACTER.&mdash;THE VICAR'S
+PROCEEDINGS DISCUSSED.</a><br />
+<a href="#CHAPTER_IXB">CHAPTER IX. DISCUSSION ON TRUTH.&mdash;MR. CORBOLD INSTALLED.</a><br />
+<a href="#CHAPTER_XB">CHAPTER X. FANNY'S RELIGION.&mdash;A VISIT TO OAKLEY.</a><br />
+<a href="#CHAPTER_XIB">CHAPTER XI. CHARLES'S CONFERENCE WITH MRS. MOWBRAY.</a><br />
+<a href="#CHAPTER_XIIB">CHAPTER XII. THE VICAR'S PROGRESS, AND HIS COUNSEL TO FANNY AS TO THE BEST MEANS OF
+ASSISTING THE POOR.</a><br />
+<a href="#CHAPTER_XIIIB">CHAPTER XIII. MRS. SIMPSON'S CHARITABLE VISIT.&mdash;CHARLES'S TROUBLES CONTINUE.</a><br />
+<a href="#CHAPTER_XIVB">CHAPTER XIV. THE ENTRY.</a><br />
+<a href="#CHAPTER_XVB">CHAPTER XV. WALK TO OAKLEY&mdash;DOMESTIC ARRANGEMENTS&mdash;THE VILLAGE INN.</a><br /><br />
+<a href="#VOLUME_THE_THIRD">VOLUME THE THIRD.</a><br />
+<a href="#CHAPTER_IC">CHAPTER I. MR. AND MRS. CARTWRIGHT'S LETTER.</a><br />
+<a href="#CHAPTER_IIC">CHAPTER II. THE WIDOW SIMPSON'S DISAPPOINTMENT.</a><br />
+<a href="#CHAPTER_IIIC">CHAPTER III. CHARLES'S INTERVIEW WITH HIS STEPFATHER.&mdash;HIS SUDDEN DEPARTURE FROM
+WREXHILL.</a><br />
+<a href="#CHAPTER_IVC">CHAPTER IV. THE VICAR'S PROSPERITY.&mdash;HE SETS ABOUT MAKING SOME IMPORTANT REFORMS IN
+THE VILLAGE.</a><br />
+<a href="#CHAPTER_VC">CHAPTER V. THE VICAR AT HOME.</a><br />
+<a href="#CHAPTER_VIC">CHAPTER VI. A SECOND VISIT TO THE LIME-TREE.</a><br />
+<a href="#CHAPTER_VIIC">CHAPTER VII. THE WILL.</a><br />
+<a href="#CHAPTER_VIIIC">CHAPTER VIII. THE LETTER-BAG.</a><br />
+<a href="#CHAPTER_IXC">CHAPTER IX. THE WILL EXECUTED.</a><br />
+<a href="#CHAPTER_XC">CHAPTER X. THE SERIOUS FANCY FAIR.</a><br />
+<a href="#CHAPTER_XIC">CHAPTER XI. THE "ELOPEMENT."</a><br />
+<a href="#CHAPTER_XIIC">CHAPTER XII. MR. CORBOLD'S ADVENTURES.</a><br />
+<a href="#CHAPTER_XIIIC">CHAPTER XIII. A CHANGE COMES O'ER THE SPIRIT OF HER DREAM.</a><br />
+<a href="#CHAPTER_XIVC">CHAPTER XIV. IN WHICH SUNDRY VISITS ARE MADE.</a><br />
+<a href="#CHAPTER_XVC">CHAPTER XV. MRS. CARTWRIGHT'S LAST WILL AND TESTAMENT.</a><br />
+</p>
+<!-- End Autogenerated TOC. -->
+
+
+<hr style="width: 65%;" />
+
+<h2>THE VICAR OF WREXHILL.</h2>
+
+<hr style="width: 65%;" />
+
+<div class="figcenter">
+<img src="images/illus2.jpg" alt=""/>
+</div>
+
+<h3>"On the turf before the bench and with their backs
+towards the spot where Rosalind and Henrietta stood, knelt the Vicar and
+Fanny."</h3>
+
+<hr style="width: 65%;" />
+<h2><a name="CHAPTER_I" id="CHAPTER_I"></a>CHAPTER I.</h2>
+
+<h3>THE VILLAGE OF WREXHILL.&mdash;THE MOWBRAY FAMILY.&mdash;A BIRTHDAY.</h3>
+
+
+<p>The beauties of an English village have been so often dwelt upon, so
+often described, that I dare not linger long upon the sketch of
+Wrexhill, which must of necessity precede my introduction of its vicar.
+And yet not even England can show many points of greater beauty than
+this oak-sheltered spot can display. Its peculiar style of scenery, half
+garden, half forest in aspect, is familiar to all who are acquainted
+with the New Forest, although it has features entirely its own. One of
+these is an overshot mill, the sparkling fall of which is accurately and
+most nobly overarched by a pair of oaks which have long been the glory
+of the parish. Another is the grey and mellow beauty of its antique
+church, itself unencumbered by ivy, while the wall and old stone gateway
+of the churchyard look like a line and knot of sober green, enclosing it
+with such a rich and unbroken luxuriance of foliage "never sear," as
+seems to show that it is held sacred, and that no hand profane ever
+ventured to rob its venerable mass of a leaf or a berry. Close beside
+the church, and elevated by a very gentle ascent, stands the pretty
+Vicarage, as if placed expressly to keep watch and ward over the safety
+and repose of its sacred neighbour. The only breach in the ivy-bound
+fence of the churchyard, is the little wicket gate that opens from the
+Vicarage garden; but even this is arched over by the same immortal and
+unfading green,&mdash;a fitting emblem of that eternity, the hope of which
+emanates from the shrine it encircles. At this particular spot, indeed,
+the growth of the plant is so vigorous, that it is controlled with
+difficulty, and has not obeyed the hand which led it over the rustic
+arch without dropping a straggling wreath or two, which if a vicar of
+the nineteenth century could wear a wig, might leave him in the state
+coveted for Absalom by his father. The late Vicar of Wrexhill,
+however,&mdash;I speak of him who died a few weeks before my story
+begins,&mdash;would never permit these graceful pendants to be shorn,
+declaring that the attitude they enforced on entering the churchyard was
+exactly such as befitted a Christian when passing the threshold of the
+court of God.</p>
+
+<p>Behind the Vicarage, and stretching down the side of the little hill on
+which it stood, so as to form a beautiful background to the church, rose
+a grove of lofty forest-trees, that seemed to belong to its garden, but
+which in fact was separated from it by the road which led to Mowbray
+Park, on the outskirts of which noble domain they were situated. This
+same road, having passed behind the church and Vicarage, led to the
+village street of Wrexhill, and thence, towards various other parishes,
+over a common, studded with oaks and holly-bushes, on one side of which,
+with shelving grassy banks that gave to the scene the appearance of
+noble pleasure-grounds, was a sheet of water large enough to be
+dignified by the appellation of Wrexhill Lake. Into this, the little
+stream that turned the mill emptied itself, after meandering very
+prettily through Mowbray Park, where, by the help of a little artifice,
+it became wide enough at one spot to deserve a boat and boat-house, and
+at another to give occasion for the erection of one of the most graceful
+park-bridges in the county of Hampshire.</p>
+
+<p>On one side of the common stands what might be called an alehouse, did
+not the exquisite neatness of every feature belonging to the little
+establishment render this vulgar appellation inappropriate. It was in
+truth just such a place as a town-worn and fastidious invalid might have
+fixed his eyes upon and said, "How I should like to lodge in that house
+for a week or two!" Roses and honeysuckles battled together for space to
+display themselves over the porch, and above the windows. The little
+enclosure on each side the post whence swung the "Mowbray Arms"
+presented to the little bay windows of the mansion such a collection of
+odorous plants, without a single weed to rob them of their strength,
+that no lady in the land, let her flower-garden be what it may, but
+would allow that Sally Freeman, the daughter, bar-maid, waiter, gardener
+at the "Mowbray Arms," understood how to manage common flowers as well
+as any Scotchman in her own scientific establishment.</p>
+
+<p>Industry, neatness, and their fitting accompaniment and reward, comfort,
+were legible throughout the small domain. John Freeman brewed his own
+beer, double and single; Dorothy, his loving wife, baked her own bread,
+cured her own bacon, churned her own butter, and poached her own eggs,
+or roasted her own chicken, when they were called for by any wandering
+lover of woodland scenery who was lucky enough to turn his steps towards
+Wrexhill. The other labours of the household were performed by Sally,
+except indeed the watering of horses, and the like, for which services a
+stout, decent peasant-boy received a shilling a week, and three good
+meals a day: and happy was the cottager whose son got the appointment,
+for both in morals and manners the horse-boy at the Mowbray Arms might
+have set an example to his betters.</p>
+
+<p>There are many other pretty spots and many more good people at Wrexhill;
+but they must show themselves by degrees, as it is high time the
+business of my story should begin.</p>
+
+<p>The 2nd of May 1833 was a gay day at Wrexhill, for it was that on which
+Charles Mowbray came of age, and the fête given on the occasion was
+intended to include every human being in the parish, besides about a
+hundred more, neighbours and friends, who came from a greater distance
+to witness and share in the festivities.</p>
+
+<p>A merrier, or in truth a happier set of human beings, than those
+assembled round the breakfast-table at Mowbray Park on the morning of
+that day, could hardly be found anywhere. This important epoch in the
+young heir's life had been long anticipated with gay impatience, and
+seemed likely to be enjoyed with a fulness of contentment that should
+laugh to scorn the croaking prophecy which speaks of hopes fulfilled as
+of something wherein doubtful good is ever blended with certain
+disappointment. The Mowbray family had hoped to wake upon a joyous
+morning, and they did so: no feeling of anxiety, no touch of disease, no
+shadow of unkindness to any being who shared with them the breath of
+life, came to blight the light-hearted glee which pervaded the whole
+circle.</p>
+
+<p>Charles Mowbray senior had hardly passed the prime of life, though a
+constitutional tendency to something like corpulency made him look older
+than he really was. Throughout his fifty summers he had scarcely known
+an ailment or a grief, and his spirit was as fresh within him as that of
+the noble-looking young man on whom his eyes rested with equal pride and
+love.</p>
+
+<p>Mrs. Mowbray, just seven years his junior, looked as little scathed by
+time as himself; her slight and graceful figure indeed gave her almost
+the appearance of youth; and though her delicate face had lost its
+bloom, there was enough of beauty left to render her still a very lovely
+woman.</p>
+
+<p>Charles Mowbray junior, the hero of the day, was, in vulgar but
+expressive phrase, as fine a young fellow as ever the sun shone upon.
+His mind, too, was in excellent accordance with the frame it
+inhabited,&mdash;powerful, elastic, unwearying, and almost majestic in its
+unbroken vigour and still-increasing power.</p>
+
+<p>"Aux c&oelig;urs heureux les vertus sont faciles," says the proverb; and as
+Charles Mowbray was certainly as happy as it was well possible for a man
+to be, he must not be overpraised for the fine qualities that warmed his
+heart and brightened his eye. Nevertheless, it is only justice to
+declare, that few human beings ever passed through twenty-one years of
+life with less of evil and more of good feeling than Charles Mowbray.</p>
+
+<p>Helen, his eldest sister, was a fair creature of nineteen, whose history
+had hitherto been, and was probably ever doomed to be, dependant upon
+her affections. As yet, these had been wholly made up of warm and
+well-requited attachment to her own family; but few people capable of
+loving heartily are without the capacity of suffering heartily also, if
+occasion calls for it, and this strength of feeling rarely leaves its
+possessor long in the enjoyment of such pure and unmixed felicity as
+that which shone in Helen's hazel eye as she threw her arms around her
+brother's neck, and wished him a thousand and a thousand times joy!</p>
+
+<p>Fanny Mowbray, the youngest of the family, wanted three months of
+sixteen. Poets have often likened young creatures of this age to an
+opening rose-bud, and it was doubtless just such a being as Fanny
+Mowbray that first suggested the simile. Any thing more bright, more
+delicate, more attractive in present loveliness, or more full of promise
+for loveliness more perfect still, was never seen.</p>
+
+<p>In addition to this surprising beauty of form and feature, she possessed
+many of those qualities of mind which are attributed to genius.
+Meditative and imaginative in no common degree, with thoughts
+occasionally both soaring and profound, she passed many hours of her
+existence in a manner but little understood by her family&mdash;sometimes
+devouring with unwearying ardour the miscellaneous contents of the large
+library, and sometimes indulging in the new delight of pouring forth her
+own wild, rambling thoughts in prose or rhyme. Unfortunately, the
+excellent governess who had attended the two girls from the time that
+Helen attained her eighth year died when Fanny was scarcely fourteen;
+and the attachment of the whole family being manifested by a general
+declaration that it would be impossible to permit any one to supply her
+place, the consequence was, that the cadette of the family had a mind
+less well and steadily regulated than it might have been, had her good
+governess been spared to her a few years longer.</p>
+
+<p>Though so many persons were expected before night to share the
+hospitalities of Mowbray Park, that, notwithstanding the ample size of
+its mansion, both the lady and her housekeeper were obliged to exert
+considerable skill in arranging their accommodation, there was but one
+person besides the family present at the happy breakfast-table; and she
+was not a guest, but an inmate.</p>
+
+<p>Rosalind Torrington was a young Irish girl from the province of Ulster,
+who had passed the first seventeen years of her life in great
+retirement, in a village not far distant from the coast, with no other
+society than the immediate neighbourhood afforded. Since that time her
+destiny had undergone a great change. She was an only child, and lost
+both father and mother in one of those pestilential fevers which so
+frequently ravage the populous districts of Ireland. Her father was one
+of that frightfully-wronged and much-enduring race of Protestant
+clergy, who, during the last few years, have suffered a degree of
+oppression and persecution unequalled for its barefaced injustice by any
+thing that the most atrocious page of history can record.</p>
+
+<p>Her mother, of high English descent, had been banished from all
+intercourse with her patrician family, because she refused to use her
+influence with her exemplary husband to induce him to abandon his
+profitless and often perilous preferment in Ireland, where he felt he
+had the power as well the will to do good, in order to place himself in
+dependence upon his wife's brother, a bachelor viscount who had invited
+the impoverished family to his house, and promised some time or other to
+do something for him in his profession&mdash;if he could. This invitation was
+politely but most positively refused, and for the last three years no
+intercourse of any kind had taken place between them. At the end of that
+time, Mr. Torrington and his exemplary wife, while sedulously
+administering to the sick souls of their poor parishioners, caught the
+fever that raged among them, and perished. Mrs. Torrington survived her
+husband three days; and during that time her thoughts were painfully
+occupied by the future prospects of her highly-connected but
+slenderly-portioned girl.</p>
+
+<p>All she could do for her, she did. She wrote to her haughty brother in
+such a manner as she thought, from her deathbed, must produce some
+effect: but lest it should not, she addressed another letter to Mrs.
+Mowbray, the favourite friend of her youth, entreating her protection
+for her orphan child.</p>
+
+<p>This letter enclosed a will fully executed, by which she left to her
+daughter whatever property she might die possessed of, (amounting at the
+utmost, as she supposed, to about five thousand pounds,) and
+constituting Mrs. Mowbray sole guardian of her person and property.</p>
+
+<p>During the interval which had elapsed since Mrs. Torrington's
+estrangement from her noble brother, his lordship had contrived to
+quarrel also with his nephew and heir, and in the height of his
+resentment against him made a will, leaving the whole of his unentailed
+property, amounting to above eighty thousand pounds, to his sister. By a
+singular coincidence, Lord Trenet died two days before Mrs. Torrington;
+so that her will was made exactly one day after she had unconsciously
+become the possessor of this noble fortune. Had this most unexpected
+event been made known to her, however, it would probably have made no
+other alteration in her will than the addition of the name of some male
+friend, who might have taken care of the property during the minority of
+her child: and even this would only have been done for the purpose of
+saving her friend trouble; for such was her opinion of Mrs. Mowbray,
+that no circumstances attending her daughter's fortune could have
+induced her to place the precious deposit of her person in other hands.</p>
+
+<p>The poor girl herself, while these momentous events were passing, was
+stationed at the house of an acquaintance at a few miles' distance,
+whither she had been sent at the first appearance of infection; and thus
+in the short space of ten days, from the cherished, happy darling of
+parents far from rich, she became an heiress and an orphan.</p>
+
+<p>Rosalind Torrington was a warm-hearted, affectionate girl, who had
+fondly loved her parents, and she mourned for them with all her soul.
+But the scene around her was so rapidly and so totally changed, and so
+much that was delightful mixed with the novelty, that it is not
+wonderful if at her age her grief wore away, and left her, sooner than
+she could have believed the change possible, the gay and happy inmate of
+Mowbray Park.</p>
+
+<p>About four months had elapsed since her arrival, and she was already
+greatly beloved by the whole family. In age she was about half-way
+between the two sisters; and as she did not greatly resemble either of
+them in temper or acquirements, she was at this time equally the friend
+of both.</p>
+
+<p>In most branches of female erudition Miss Torrington was decidedly
+inferior to the Miss Mowbrays: but nature had given her a voice and a
+taste for music which led her to excel in it; and so much spirit and
+vivacity supplied on other points the want of regular study, that by the
+help of her very pretty person, her good birth, and her large fortune,
+nobody but Charles Mowbray ever discovered deficiency or inferiority of
+any kind in Rosalind Torrington: but he had declared vehemently, the
+moment she arrived, that she was not one quarter so pretty as his sister
+Fanny, nor one thousandth part so angelic in all ways as his sister
+Helen.</p>
+
+<p>Such was the party who, all smiles and felicitations, first crowded
+clamorously round the hero of the fête which now occupied the thoughts
+of all, and then seated themselves at the breakfast-table, more intent
+upon talking of its coming glories than on doing justice to the good
+things before them.</p>
+
+<p>"Oh, you lucky twenty-one!" exclaimed Miss Torrington, addressing young
+Mowbray. "Did any one ever see such sunshine!... And just think what it
+would have been if all the tents of the people had been drenched with
+rain! The inward groans for best bonnets would have checked the
+gratulations in their throats, and we should have had sighs perchance
+for cheers."</p>
+
+<p>"I do not believe any single soul would have cared for rain, or thought
+for one moment of the weather, let it have been what it would,
+Rosalind," observed Helen. "Charles," she continued, "is so adored and
+doted upon by all the people round, both rich and poor, that I am
+persuaded, while they were drinking his health, there would not have
+been a thought bestowed on the weather."</p>
+
+<p>"Oh!... To be sure, dear Helen.... I quite forgot that. Of course, a
+glance at the Mowbray would be worth all the Mackintosh cloaks in the
+world, for keeping a dry skin in a storm;&mdash;but then, you know, the hero
+himself might have caught cold when he went out to shine upon them&mdash;and
+the avoiding this is surely a blessing for which we all ought to be
+thankful: not but what I would have held an umbrella over him with the
+greatest pleasure, of course ... but, altogether, I think it is quite as
+well as it is."</p>
+
+<p>"You won't quiz my Helen out of her love for me, Miss Rosalind
+Torrington," replied Charles, laughing; "so do not hope it."</p>
+
+<p>"Miss Rosalind Torrington!" ... repeated the young lady indignantly.
+Then rising and approaching Mrs. Mowbray, she said very solemnly, "Is
+that my style and title, madam? Is there any other Miss Torrington in
+all the world?... Is there any necessity, because he is one-and-twenty,
+that he should call me Miss Rosalind?... And is it not your duty, oh! my
+guardianess! to support me in all my rights and privileges? And won't
+you please to scold him if he calls me Miss Rosalind again?"</p>
+
+<p>"Beyond all question you are Miss Torrington, my dear," replied Mrs.
+Mowbray; "and were not Charles unfortunately of age, and therefore
+legally beyond all control, I would certainly command him never to say
+Rosalind again."</p>
+
+<p>"That is not exactly what I said. Most Respected!" replied the young
+lady. "He may call me Rosalind if he will; but if I am Miss any thing, I
+am Miss Torrington."</p>
+
+<p>"You certainly are a lucky fellow, Charles," said his Father, "and
+Rosalind is quite right in praising the sunshine. Helen with her coaxing
+ways may say what she will, but our fête would have been spoilt without
+it."</p>
+
+<p>"Indeed I think so, sir.... Pray do not believe me ungrateful. Besides,
+I like to see everything accord&mdash;and your bright beaming faces would
+have been completely out of keeping with a dark frowning sky."</p>
+
+<p>"Yon are quite right.... But come, make haste with your breakfast ...
+let us leave the ladies to give an inquiring glance to the decorations
+of the ball-room, and let you and I walk down to the walnut-trees, and
+see how they are getting on with the tents and the tables, and all the
+rest of it."</p>
+
+<p>"I shall be ready in a minute, sir; but I have been scampering round the
+whole park already this morning, and I am as hungry as a hound. Give me
+one more egg, Helen, and then...."</p>
+
+<p>"It is really a comfort to see what a fine appetite he has!&mdash;is it not,
+Helen?" said Rosalind, surrounding his plate with rolls of all sorts and
+sizes.</p>
+
+<p>"I will call you '<i>Wild Irish Girl</i>' in the very midst of the ball this
+evening if you do not behave better," said young Mowbray.</p>
+
+<p>"And if you do, I will...."</p>
+
+<p>"Come along, Charles," said his father; "her threats may put you out of
+heart for the whole day."</p>
+
+<p>"And might not we too take a walk before any of the people arrive?" said
+Fanny. "I have heard the cuckoo this morning for the first time. He was
+certainly thanking God for the sunshine; and I really think we ought to
+go out, and then we shall do so too."</p>
+
+<p>"A most delightful proposal!" cried Rosalind; "and if the birds should
+happen to introduce a jig movement, we can practise our dancing steps as
+we go along."</p>
+
+<p>"Wait half an hour for me," said Charles, rising to accompany his
+father, "and I will join your party. Let us go to the Pebble-Ford,
+Rosalind; and you shall all three drink my health out of that dear pool
+beside it, that Ros.... Miss Torrington&mdash;admired so much the other day."</p>
+
+<p>"No, no, we can't wait a moment, Char.... Mr. Mowbray&mdash;" said Rosalind.
+"Come, dear girls, let us be gone instantly."</p>
+
+<p>"Not wait for him on his birthday!" cried Helen. "But you are not in
+earnest, Rosalind?"</p>
+
+<p>"How you do labour and toil to spoil that man, Helen!" said Miss
+Torrington, raising her hands and eyes as he left the room. "It is a
+great blessing for him that I have come amongst you! If any thing can
+save him from utter destruction, it is I shall do it."</p>
+
+<p>Charles however was waited for, and that for at least three times the
+period he had named; but he came at last, and the walk was taken, and
+the birds sang, and the brook sparkled, and the health was drunk
+cordially, even by Rosalind; and the gay party returned in time to see
+the first carriage approach, bearing guests invited to be present at the
+tenants' dinner in the Park. Their morning toilet was hastily
+readjusted, as another and another equipage rolled onwards towards the
+house; and then the business of the day began. Lords and ladies, knights
+and squires, yeomen and peasants, were seen riding, driving, running,
+and walking through the spacious park in all directions. Then followed
+the rustic fête and the joyous carouse, in which the name of Charles
+Mowbray made the welkin ring; and then, the company having retreated to
+the house, came the hurried steps of a dozen lady's-maids hastening to
+their various scenes of action, and valets converting closets of all
+sorts and sizes into dressing-rooms for unnumbered gentlemen; and then
+the banquet, and then the coffee and the short repose&mdash;and then the
+crowded ball.</p>
+
+<p>All this came and went in order, and without the intervention of a
+single circumstance that might mar the enjoyment of a day long set apart
+for happiness, and which began and ended more exactly according to the
+wishes and intentions of those who arranged its festivities than often
+falls out at galas planned by mortals.</p>
+
+<p>At five o'clock on the following morning the joyous din at length sank
+into silence, and as many as hospitable ingenuity could find room for
+lay down at Mowbray Park to enjoy again in dreams the untarnished gaiety
+of that happy day.</p>
+
+
+
+<hr style="width: 65%;" />
+<h2><a name="CHAPTER_II" id="CHAPTER_II"></a>CHAPTER II.</h2>
+
+<h3>THE MORNING AFTER THE BIRTHDAY.</h3>
+
+
+<p>Even the stable-boys deemed themselves privileged to sleep later than
+usual on the day after; and the ploughboy, as he went afield, missed the
+merry smile of the park dairy-maid, who, like her superiors, seemed to
+think on such an occasion time was made for very vulgar souls indeed,
+and that none who had joined in so illustrious a gala, could be expected
+to recover the full possession of their waking senses for some hours
+after the usual time.</p>
+
+<p>By slow degrees, however, the different members of the establishment
+began to stretch themselves and give sign of reviving animation. The
+housemaids yawningly opened the window-shutters; the footmen crept after
+them to aid in removing from one room at least the traces of the
+jubilee, which, like the relics of a lamp that has burnt out, showed but
+the more unsightly from its past splendour; and at length, to a
+superficial eye, the breakfast-room looked like the breakfast-room of
+former years; though a more discriminating glance might have detected
+girandoles where no such things had ever glittered before, card-tables
+in the place of work-tables, and flowers, still blooming in situations
+as little usual to them as a bed of strawberries would have been the day
+before.</p>
+
+<p>But it was long after these hireling efforts of forced labour had
+prepared the table for the morning meal, that any one of the favoured
+sleepers destined to partake of it left his or her downy pillow.... In
+short ... it was past mid-day before the family and their guests began
+to assemble; and even then many stragglers were still waited for before
+they appeared, and Mrs. Mowbray and Helen began at length to talk of
+breaking up the long session, and of giving orders to the butler to take
+care of all those who should come after.</p>
+
+<p>"It is not very surprising that the Davenports, who never ceased
+dancing till long after the sun came to look at them," said Helen,&mdash;"it
+is not all wonderful that they should sleep late, and I believe Mr.
+Vivian makes it a principle to be the last on all occasions. But I am
+quite astonished that papa does not appear: was he asleep, mamma, when
+you came down this morning?"</p>
+
+<p>"No, Helen, not quite asleep, for he spoke to me. But I think he was
+very sleepy, for I hardly understood what he said; and as he appeared
+extremely tired when he went to bed, I told Curtis to darken the room
+again, and leave him quiet."</p>
+
+<p>Another half-hour brought forth the Davenports and Mr. Vivian; but still
+Mr. Mowbray did not appear, and Helen, though hitherto she had been
+quite satisfied by her mother's account of his prolonged slumbers, again
+began to feel uneasy about him.</p>
+
+<p>"Do you not think, mamma," said she, "that I might venture to go up to
+him?"</p>
+
+<p>"I see not the least objection to it, Helen; especially as we know, that
+if it were you who happened to wake him out of the soundest sleep he
+ever enjoyed, the pleasure of seeing you near him would quite atone for
+it."</p>
+
+<p>"Very well mamma,&mdash;then I shall certainly let him sleep no longer now;"
+and, so saying, Helen left the room.</p>
+
+<p>"Is not Helen Mowbray a charming creature!" said a gentleman who was
+seated next Miss Torrington, and who, being neither young, handsome,
+rich, nor noble, felt that he could wound no feelings by expressing his
+admiration of one young lady to another.</p>
+
+<p>"I will tell you what she is," answered Rosalind warmly: "she is just as
+much better than every body else in the world, as her sister, there, is
+more beautiful."</p>
+
+<p>"And you are...." said the middle-aged gentleman, fixing a pair of very
+intelligent eyes on her face,&mdash;"you are...."</p>
+
+<p>But notwithstanding the look of curiosity with which Miss Torrington
+listened, the speaker suddenly stopped, for a bell was rung with that
+sort of sudden and continued vehemence which denotes haste and agitation
+in the hand that gives it movement.</p>
+
+<p>"That is my father's bell!" said Charles in an accent of alarm; and
+starting up, he was out of the room in an instant.</p>
+
+<p>Mrs. Mowbray immediately followed him, and for several minutes a sort of
+heavy silence seemed to have fallen on every individual present&mdash;not a
+word being uttered by any one, and the eyes of all fixing themselves on
+the face of Fanny, who kept her place as if spell-bound, but with a
+countenance that expressed a feeling approaching to terror.</p>
+
+<p>"This is not to be borne!" exclaimed Rosalind abruptly. "Excuse us for a
+moment," she added, addressing those who still remained in the
+breakfast-room.&mdash;"Come with me, Fanny, and let us know the worst at
+once."</p>
+
+<p>The two girls left the room together; and in a very few minutes
+afterwards a servant entered, the violent agitation of whose manner
+announced the news he brought before he spoke it.</p>
+
+<p>"My master ... my poor master is dead!" were the words he uttered; and
+their effect upon a party assembled for an occasion of so much
+festivity, and who had so lately parted with their kind and happy host
+in perfect health, may be easily imagined.</p>
+
+<p>One single word in reply to the eager chorus of inquiry told the manner
+of his death&mdash;</p>
+
+<p>"Apoplexy!"</p>
+
+<p>The scene which followed was what such an event must necessarily
+produce. No single creature present, except one pretty portionless young
+lady who thought it very likely that Mr. Charles might now fall in love
+with her, could by possibility be benefited by the death of the amiable
+man who had just breathed his last, and it is therefore probable that
+the universal expression of regret was sincere in quality, though its
+quantity might have been somewhat preternaturally increased by the
+circumstances in which the parties were relatively placed when the awful
+event was made known. Several tears were shed, and some glasses of cold
+water called for, while the carriages were getting ready; the gentlemen
+all looked grave, and many of the ladies pale; but in less than half an
+hour they had all left the house, not one of them, as it happened, being
+on terms of sufficient intimacy with the family to justify their
+offering to remain at such a moment.</p>
+
+<p>It is easy enough to dismiss from the scene persons whose feelings were
+so slightly interested in it; but far different would be the task were I
+to attempt painting the heartfelt anguish of those who remained. Mr.
+Mowbray had been so deeply yet so tranquilly loved by every member of
+his family&mdash;his intercourse with them had been so uniformly that of
+constant endearment, unchequered by any mixture of rough temper or
+unreasonable caprice, that their love for him was so natural and
+inevitable, that they had never reasoned upon it, or were fully aware of
+its intensity, till the dreadful moment in which they learned that they
+had lost him for ever.</p>
+
+<p>The feelings of Mrs. Mowbray for many hours amounted to agony; for till
+a medical gentleman who examined the body at length succeeded in
+convincing her that she was mistaken, she felt persuaded that her
+beloved husband owed his death to her neglect, and that if, when she
+mistook his unintelligible speech for sleepiness, she had discovered his
+condition, and caused him to be bled, his precious life might have been
+saved. It was evident, however, from many circumstances, that the
+seizure was of a nature not to be baffled or parried by art; and the
+relief this conviction at length afforded the widow was so great, that
+her having first formed a contrary opinion was perhaps a blessing to
+her.</p>
+
+<p>The grief of Charles was that of a young, ardent, and most affectionate
+spirit; but his mother and his sisters now seemed to hang upon him
+wholly, and the Being who alone can read all hearts only knew how deep
+was the sorrow he felt. The young Fanny, stealing away to her chamber,
+threw herself, in an agony of tears, upon her bed, and, forgotten in the
+general dismay that had fallen upon all, wept herself into a sleep that
+lasted till she awakened on the following morning to a renewed sense of
+sorrow which came over her like the dreadful memory of some frightful
+dream.</p>
+
+<p>But of all those whom poor Mowbray had left to deplore his loss, it was
+Helen&mdash;his darling Helen&mdash;who unquestionably felt it the most
+profoundly. His love for her had all that is most touching in
+partiality, without one atom of the injustice which renders such a
+feeling criminal; and its effect upon her loving and enthusiastic temper
+was stronger than any words can describe.</p>
+
+<p>Miss Torrington was perhaps beyond any other member of the family aware
+of this, and the tenderest pity for the silent, suffering Helen took
+possession of her. She was in truth a looker-on upon the melancholy
+scene, and as such, was more qualified to judge how sorrow worked in
+each of them than any other could be. Her residence in the family,
+though sufficient to impress her with the kindest feelings towards its
+chief, and the deepest impression of his worth, had hardly been long
+enough to awaken thoroughly her affections towards him, and she wept
+more in pity for those around her than from any personal feeling of
+grief for the loss she had herself sustained. To soothe poor Helen, to
+lead her thoughts even for a moment from the subject that engrossed
+them, and to keep her as much as possible from gazing in vain tenderness
+and hopeless agony upon the body of her father, became the sole
+occupation of Rosalind during the dreadful interval between the real
+loss of the beloved being to whom the soul of his child still fondly
+clung, and the apparently more final separation still which took place
+when all that was left of him was borne from the house.</p>
+
+<p>Helen made little apparent return to all these tender cares, but she was
+fully conscious of them. She felt that Rosalind read her heart, and knew
+how to pity her; and the conviction turned liking into love, of that
+enduring kind which such hearts as Helen's alone know how to give.</p>
+
+
+
+<hr style="width: 65%;" />
+<h2><a name="CHAPTER_III" id="CHAPTER_III"></a>CHAPTER III.</h2>
+
+<h3>THE VICAR OF WREXHILL.</h3>
+
+
+<p>On the day preceding that appointed for the funeral, Mrs. Mowbray
+received the following letter:&mdash;</p>
+
+<blockquote><p>"<span class="smcap">Madam</span>,</p>
+
+<p>"I trust that, as the minister of your parish, my venturing to
+break in upon your grief will not be considered as an
+intrusion. In the festivities which have ended so awfully, your
+hospitality invited me and my children to bear a part; and
+although I declined the invitation, I am most anxious to prove
+to you, madam, and to your family, that no deficiency of
+friendly feeling induced me to do so. But 'it is better to go
+to the house of mourning than to the house of feasting,' and I
+now therefore ask your permission to wait on you, with the most
+earnest hope that the sacred office I hold may enable you to
+receive me rather with a feeling of comfort than of pain. Be
+assured, madam, that short as the period of my ministry in the
+Parish of Wrexhill has been, it is with deep sympathy in the
+grief that afflicts you that I subscribe myself, madam,</p>
+
+<p>"Your humble servant and friend,</p>
+
+<p>"<span class="smcap">William Jacob Cartwright</span>.</p>
+
+<p>"Wrexhill Vicarage, May 9th, 1833."</p></blockquote>
+
+<p>Little calculated as this letter may seem to excite violent emotion, it
+threw poor Mrs. Mowbray into an agony of renewed grief. The idea of
+seeing for the first time since her loss a person who, however
+well-meaning in his wish to visit her, must be classed as a stranger,
+was inexpressibly painful; and, unused to encounter difficulty or
+inconvenience of any kind, she shrank from receiving Mr. Cartwright with
+a degree of weakness which made her son, who had seldom left her side,
+tremble to think how little she was calculated to endure with firmness
+the desolation that had fallen upon her.</p>
+
+<p>"Oh! no! no! no!" she exclaimed vehemently, "I cannot see him&mdash;I can see
+no one!&mdash;keep him from me, Charles,&mdash;keep every one from me, if you
+would not see me sink to the earth before your eyes!"</p>
+
+<p>"My poor mother!..." said Charles, tenderly taking her hand, "do not let
+me see you tremble thus&mdash;you will make me tremble too! and we have need
+of strength&mdash;we have all great need of strength in this time of trial."</p>
+
+<p>"But you will not let this clergyman come to me, Charles!... Oh no! you
+cannot be so cruel!"</p>
+
+<p>"The very weakness which makes you shrink from this, my dearest mother,
+is the strongest proof that such a visit should be sought, and not
+avoided. Where, mother, are we any of us to look for the strength we
+want, except from Him whose minister now seeks to comfort us?"</p>
+
+<p>"He cannot comfort me!... Can you, can Helen, can my pretty Fanny
+comfort me?... Then how should he?... Charles, Charles, there is no
+comfort in seeing this strange man; you cannot think there is: then why
+do you still stand with his note in your hand as if doubtful how you
+ought to answer it?"</p>
+
+<p>"No, mother, I am not doubtful: my very soul seems to sink within me,
+when I think that he whose precepts...."</p>
+
+<p>Tears&mdash;copious woman-like tears choked the utterance of the athletic
+youth, who looked as if he could fight and conquer in any strife to
+which fortune or misfortune could lead him. But the softness that now
+mastered him came not of weakness, but of strength&mdash;strength of every
+feeling that might do honour to a man. For a few moments he gave way to
+this burst of passionate sorrow, and the mother and son wept together.</p>
+
+<p>"My own dear Charles!" said Mrs. Mowbray, taking his hand and pressing
+it to her heart, "how could I think for a moment that you would urge me
+to do what was so very painful!"</p>
+
+<p>"It can hardly be so painful for you to do as for me to urge it, dearest
+mother; and yet I must do so ... because I think it right. There is no
+other person in the world, I think, of what rank or station soever, for
+whose admittance I would plead so earnestly, unless it were one who,
+like this gentleman, offered to visit you as the minister of God."</p>
+
+<p>Mrs. Mowbray buried her face in her handkerchief, and turned from him
+with a movement of impatience. At this moment, Helen, and her constant
+attendant Rosalind, entered the room. Mr. Cartwright's note was still in
+Charles's hand, and he gave it to his sister, saying, "Helen, I think my
+mother ought not to refuse this visit; but she is very averse to it. I
+would not pain her for the world; but this is not a moment to refuse any
+one who offers to visit us as the minister of Heaven."</p>
+
+<p>Helen read the note, and her pale cheeks were washed anew with tears as
+she did so.</p>
+
+<p>"It is meant kindly," she said as she laid it upon the table; "but it is
+very soon for my poor mother to meet a stranger."</p>
+
+<p>Rosalind's eyes rested on the folded note, and some feeling suggested by
+the consciousness that she too was almost a stranger brought a flush to
+her cheek, and led her to step back towards a distant sofa. Whether
+Charles observed or understood the movement, she knew not; but he
+followed and placed the letter in her hand.</p>
+
+<p>The words of Helen seemed to comfort her mother, for she again looked
+up, and addressing Charles, almost reproachfully, said,</p>
+
+<p>"Your sister Helen thinks as I do, Charles: it would almost be an
+outrage against decency to receive a stranger on such a day as this."</p>
+
+<p>"Had the request to wait upon you come from our late clergyman, mother,
+would you have refused it?"</p>
+
+<p>"Certainly not: but he was a friend of long standing, not a stranger,
+Charles."</p>
+
+<p>"But had he not been a clergyman, mother, you would hardly have wished
+him to choose such a time to make a visit here; and our not having yet
+become familiar with Mr. Cartwright in the common intercourse of
+society, seems to me no sufficient reason for refusing to see him in the
+sacred character in which he has offered to come...."</p>
+
+<p>Some powerful emotion checked his utterance; but in a moment he added,</p>
+
+<p>"I would wish once more to pray beside my father before he goes hence to
+be no more seen by us on earth."</p>
+
+<p>"Mother!..." cried Helen, dropping on her knees and throwing her arms
+round her.</p>
+
+<p>The appeal was answered by an embrace in which their tears mingled, and
+poor Mrs. Mowbray, whose aching heart seemed to dread every new emotion,
+said, while something like a shudder ran through her frame, "Do with me
+as you will, my children.... I cannot bear much more.... But perhaps it
+would be better for me that I should sink to rest beside him!"</p>
+
+<p>"My dearest friend!" exclaimed Rosalind, coming softly towards her and
+impressing a kiss upon her forehead, "you have not lost all for which
+you might wish to live."</p>
+
+<p>"Oh, true ... most true!... Where is my poor Fanny, Rosalind? You will
+answer this letter for me, Charles?... I will be ready to see Mr.
+Cartwright whenever he chooses to come.... It will be a dreadful
+trial&mdash;but I am willing to endure it."</p>
+
+<p>The young man left the room, and such an answer was returned to the
+clergyman's note as brought him to the door within an hour after it was
+despatched.</p>
+
+<p>Rosalind, in obedience to Mrs. Mowbray's hint, had sought Fanny in her
+chamber, where she seemed to find a sad consolation in versifying all
+the tender recollections of her lost father that her memory could
+supply; but she instantly obeyed the summons, and when Mr. Cartwright
+arrived, the whole family were assembled in the drawing-room to receive
+him.</p>
+
+<p>The person, voice, and address of this gentleman were singularly well
+calculated to touch and soothe hearts suffering from affliction; and
+after the first painful moment in which they raised their eyes to meet
+those of the first stranger who had been admitted to look upon their
+sorrow, there was nothing in the interview to justify the terror with
+which the thought of it had inspired the poor widow.</p>
+
+<p>Either from tact or feeling, Mr. Cartwright seemed to avoid speaking to
+Mrs. Mowbray, and it was to her son that he addressed such words as the
+occasion called for. Meanwhile, from time to time his eyes rested with
+gentle pity on the three beautiful girls, whose tears flowed silently as
+they listened to him.</p>
+
+<p>But though the manner of Mr. Cartwright was full of the tenderest
+kindness, it was apparently embarrassed. He evidently feared to touch or
+to dwell upon the agonising subject which occupied all their thoughts,
+and it was Charles who had the courage to turn this melancholy meeting
+to the only purpose for which it could be desirable, by saying&mdash;though
+with a faltering voice,&mdash;</p>
+
+<p>"Mr. Cartwright ... may we ask you to pray with us beside the coffin
+that contains the body of my father?"</p>
+
+<p>The clergyman started, and his countenance expressed a mixture of
+satisfaction and surprise, his manner instantly became more solemn&mdash;more
+devout, and he replied eagerly, rising from his chair as he spoke, as if
+willing to hasten to the scene to which he was called,</p>
+
+<p>"Most gladly&mdash;most joyfully, my dear sir, will I kneel with you and your
+amiable family to implore the Divine grace. I did not know.... I had
+hardly dared to hope.... Indeed I feared from the festivities ... from
+the style in which...."</p>
+
+<p>"I trust, sir," interrupted young Mowbray almost in a whisper, "that you
+do not suppose us unused to prayer, because we have rejoiced in the
+blessings which Heaven has bestowed?"</p>
+
+<p>"I thank my God that it is not so," replied the clergyman, pressing the
+young man's hand affectionately; "and I will praise His holy name for
+every symptom I find that the world, my dear young friend, has not taken
+too strong a hold upon your heart. May we through His grace walk
+righteously together in the path in which it hath pleased Him to place
+us side by side!"</p>
+
+<p>Charles Mowbray's heart was ever open to every expression of kindness;
+and now, softened by sorrow, and warmed by a feeling of the purest
+piety, he returned the friendly pressure with interest, and then, taking
+his poor mother's arm within his own, led the way to the chamber of
+death.</p>
+
+<p>The mourning family knelt beside the coffin, and listened with
+suppressed sobs to an extempore prayer, by no means ill suited to the
+occasion, though it was not, as poor Charles had expected, chosen from
+among the many solemn and beautiful orisons which the Church has
+furnished or which the Scriptures might supply for such an hour of need.
+But he was not disposed at this moment to cavil at any words calculated
+to raise his thoughts and those of the beings he most fondly loved to
+that Power which had hitherto blessed their existence, and from whence
+alone they could hope for support under the affliction with which He had
+now visited them. Fervently and earnestly he prayed for them and for
+himself; and when he rose from his knees and again pressed his suffering
+mother to his heart, it was with a feeling of renovated hope and
+confidence in the future protection of Heaven which nothing but prayer
+uttered with genuine piety can give.</p>
+
+<p>Mr. Cartwright did not take his leave till he had spoken an individual
+blessing to each of them, which was accompanied by a pressure of the
+hand that seemed to express more sympathy in what each felt than any
+words could have done.</p>
+
+<p>Young Mowbray then retired with him to arrange everything respecting the
+ceremony which was to take place on the morrow. His mother expressed a
+wish to lie down for an hour; and the three girls, after attending her
+to her room, carefully shutting out the light in the hope that she might
+sleep, and each one bidding her do so, with a fond caress, retreated to
+the dressing-room of Helen, when their conversation naturally turned on
+Mr. Cartwright.</p>
+
+<p>This gentleman had taken possession of the little living of Wrexhill
+only one month before the death of his most distinguished parishioner.
+During the week which followed his first performance of duty in the
+church, the family at the Park made a visit at the Vicarage: for though
+Mr. Cartwright was a widower, he had a daughter nearly twenty years of
+age, who, as mistress of her father's house, was of course visited by
+the ladies. When this visit was returned, the Mowbray family were all
+absent; and during the short interval which followed before the day on
+which young Mowbray came of age, the preparations for the fête by which
+this event was to be celebrated had prevented Mr. Cartwright and his
+family from receiving any other invitation than that which requested
+their attendance at it. This having been declined, he was as nearly as
+possible a personal stranger to the whole Mowbray family.</p>
+
+<p>"What exquisite benevolence his countenance expresses!" exclaimed Fanny:
+"I never saw eyes so full of gentleness."</p>
+
+<p>"His eyes are remarkably handsome," replied Rosalind; "but I am not
+quite sure that I like him."</p>
+
+<p>"The moments we passed with him were moments of agony," said Helen: "it
+would hardly be fair to pronounce any judgment upon him from such an
+interview."</p>
+
+<p>"Perhaps you are right, dear Helen, and I will endeavour to suspend
+mine," replied Rosalind. "But at least I may venture to remark that he
+is a very young-looking father for the full-grown son and daughter we
+have seen."</p>
+
+<p>"I do not think he can be their father," observed Fanny. "Perhaps he is
+only the husband of their mother?... Don't you think that is most
+likely, Helen?"</p>
+
+<p>"I don't know, dear," answered Helen: "I believe I hardly saw him."</p>
+
+<p>"I really doubt if you did, my poor Helen," said Rosalind; "but if he
+speak sooth, he could not say the same of us. If the Reverend gentleman
+be given to sketching of portraits, he might, I think, produce a good
+likeness of either of us, for, like Hamlet when he looked at Ophelia,
+'he fell to such perusal of our faces, as he would draw them'.... I do
+not think I shall like this Mr. Cartwright.... I do not mean now, Helen;
+I speak only of what I think I shall do when I know more of him."</p>
+
+<p>"Do you call that suspending your judgment, Rosalind?" said Helen with a
+feeble smile.</p>
+
+<p>"Well, then, do not try to make a hypocrite of me, dearest: it will
+never answer: Wisdom is of too slow a growth for my little unprofitable
+hotbed of an intellect, which forces every thought to run up to full
+growth, lanky and valueless, as soon as it is sown. But by-and-by you
+shall transplant some of my notions, Helen, into the fine natural soil
+of your brain; and then, if they flourish, we shall see what they are
+really worth."</p>
+
+<p>For all reply, the pale Helen shook her head, as one who knows not well
+what has been said to him; and the conversation languished and dropped,
+as every other had done since the blow had fallen which had levelled her
+young and joyous spirit to the dust.</p>
+
+
+
+<hr style="width: 65%;" />
+<h2><a name="CHAPTER_IV" id="CHAPTER_IV"></a>CHAPTER IV.</h2>
+
+<h3>THE WILL.</h3>
+
+
+<p>The day which saw the honoured remains of Mr. Mowbray committed to the
+tomb was one of dreadful suffering to his family, and to none more than
+to his son, who with a heart swelling with the most genuine grief, was
+obliged to assume the garb of ceremony, and do the now gloomy honours of
+the mansion to many of the same friends and neighbours who had so
+recently received the joyous greeting of his father. Most thankful was
+he for the relief which followed the departure of the last of those who
+came to do honour to these splendid obsequies; and most soothing was it
+to his wounded and weary spirits to find himself once more surrounded
+only by those who could read in a look all he wished to express, and who
+required no welcome to share in the sorrow of that bitter day.</p>
+
+<p>But, like all other periods of human life, whether marked by sorrow or
+by joy, it passed away with as even and justly-measured a pace as if no
+event distinguished it from its fellow days; and then, by slow but sure
+degrees, the little trifling ordinary routine of daily circumstance came
+with its invisible and unnoticed magic, to efface, or at least to
+weaken, feelings which seemed to have been impressed by the stamp of
+burning iron on their souls.</p>
+
+<p>Charles Mowbray had not yet taken his degree, and wishing to do so as
+soon as possible, he was anxious to return to Christ Church without
+delay; but his father's will had not yet been opened, and, at the
+request of his mother, he postponed his departure till this could be
+done. This important document was in the hands of Sir Gilbert
+Harrington, an intimate friend and neighbour, who being in London at the
+time of Mr. Mowbray's death, had been unable to obey the summons sent to
+him in time to attend the funeral; but within a week after he arrived,
+and the following morning was fixed upon for this necessary business.</p>
+
+<p>The persons present were Sir Gilbert Harrington, Mr. Cartwright, a
+respectable solicitor from the country town who had himself drawn the
+instrument, and Charles Mowbray.</p>
+
+<p>It was dated rather more than ten years back, and, after the usual
+preamble, ran thus:</p>
+
+<p>"In order that my children, or any other persons whom it may concern,
+may know the reason and motive of the disposition of my property which I
+am about to make, it is necessary that I should therewith state the
+manner of my marriage with Clara Helena Frances, my dearly-beloved wife.
+Notwithstanding her vast possessions, I wooed and married her solely
+because I loved her; and this she had the generosity to believe, though
+I was nearly penniless, having nothing but my true affection and good
+blood to offer in return for all the wealth she brought. For several
+months she withstood my earnest solicitations for an immediate union,
+because, had she married before she became of age, her guardian would
+have insisted upon settlements and restrictions, which would have
+deprived me of all control over her property; nor would she subsequently
+sign any document whatever previous to her marriage, thereby rendering
+me the sole possessor of her fortune. <span class="smcap">Wherefore</span>, to show my sense of
+this unparalleled confidence and generosity, I hereby make her the sole
+inheritrix of all I possess, to be ultimately disposed of according
+wholly and solely to her own own will and pleasure...." And then
+followed, with every necessary and unnecessary technicality of the law,
+such a disposition of his property as left his children entirely
+dependent on their mother both for their present and future subsistence.</p>
+
+<p>That this will was very different from anything that Charles Mowbray
+expected, is most certain, and there might perhaps have been some
+slight feeling of disappointment at finding himself dependent even upon
+his mother; but if such there were, it was not sufficiently strong to
+prevent his doing justice to the noble feeling which had led to it; and,
+in truth he felt so certain of the fond affection of his mother, that
+not a shadow of fear either for his own interest or that of his sisters
+crossed his mind.</p>
+
+<p>The lawyer who read aloud the deed he had penned, had of course no
+observation to make upon it, and Mr. Cartwright only remarked that it
+was a proof of very devoted love and confidence.</p>
+
+<p>Of the small party present at this lecture, Sir Gilbert Harrington was
+the only one who testified any strong emotion respecting it; and his
+displeasure and vexation were expressed in no very measured terms. His
+warmth was at length checked, not because he had uttered all he had to
+say, but because he met the eye of Mr. Cartwright fixed upon him with a
+sort of scrutiny that was unpleasing to his feelings. He therefore
+stopped short in the philippic he was pouring forth upon the infernal
+folly of a man's acting in matters of importance without consulting his
+friends, and taking the arm of Charles, walked through the hall into the
+grounds without appearing to remember that as he was left joint executor
+with Mrs. Mowbray to the will, it might be expected that he should make
+some notification of its contents to her before he left the house.</p>
+
+<p>"Shall we not speak to my mother, Sir Gilbert?" said Mowbray,
+endeavouring to restrain the eager step of the Baronet as he was passing
+through the hall-door.</p>
+
+<p>"No, sir," was the laconic reply; and on he stalked with a more rapid
+step than before.</p>
+
+<p>The conversation which passed between them during the hour which
+intervened before Sir Gilbert clambered up to his saddle and galloped
+off, was made up of something between lamentation and anathema on his
+side, and the most earnest assurances that no mischief could ensue from
+his father's will on the part of Charles. The testy old gentleman could
+not, however, be wrought upon to see the widow, who, as he said, must
+have used most cursed cunning in obtaining such a will; of which,
+however, poor lady, she was as innocent as the babe unborn; and he at
+length left the Park, positive that he should have a fit of the gout,
+and that the widow Mowbray would marry within a year.</p>
+
+<p>As soon as he had got rid of his warm-hearted but passionate old friend,
+Mowbray hastened to repair the neglect he had been forced into
+committing, and sought his mother in the drawing-room. But she was no
+longer there.</p>
+
+<p>The room, indeed, appeared to be wholly untenanted, and he was on the
+point of leaving it to seek his mother elsewhere, when he perceived that
+Miss Torrington was seated at the most distant corner of it, almost
+concealed by the folds of the farthest window-curtain.</p>
+
+<p>"Rosalind!" ... he exclaimed, "are you hid there?... Where are all the
+rest? and how come you to be left alone?"</p>
+
+<p>"I am left alone, Mr. Mowbray ... because I wished it. Helen and Fanny
+are with your mother, I believe, in her room."</p>
+
+<p>Charles wished to see them all, and to see them together, and had almost
+turned to go; but there was something in the look and manner of Rosalind
+that puzzled him, and going up to her, he said kindly, "Is anything the
+matter, Rosalind? You look as if something had vexed you."</p>
+
+<p>To his great astonishment she burst into tears, and turning from him as
+if to hide an emotion she could not conquer, she said, "Go, go, Mr.
+Mowbray&mdash;go to your mother&mdash;you ought to have gone to her instantly."</p>
+
+<p>"Instantly?... When?... What do you mean, Miss Torrington?"</p>
+
+<p>"Miss Torrington means, Mr. Mowbray, that it would in every way have
+been more proper for you to have announced to your mother yourself the
+strange will it has pleased your father to leave, instead of sending a
+stranger to do it."</p>
+
+<p>"Who then has told her of it, Rosalind? Was it the lawyer? was it Mr.
+Humphries?"</p>
+
+<p>"No sir&mdash;it was Mr. Cartwright."</p>
+
+<p>"But why should you be displeased with me for this, dear Rosalind? Sir
+Gilbert led me out of the library by force, and would not let me go to
+my mother, as I wished to do, and I have but this instant got rid of
+him; but I did not commission either Mr. Cartwright or any one else to
+make a communication to her which I was particularly desirous of making
+myself."</p>
+
+<p>"You did not send Mr. Cartwright to her?" said Rosalind colouring, and
+looking earnestly in his face.</p>
+
+<p>"No, indeed I did not. Did he say I had sent him?"</p>
+
+<p>"How very strange it is," she replied after a moment's consideration,
+"that I should be perfectly unable to say whether he did or did not! I
+certainly do not remember that he explicitly said 'Madam, your son has
+sent me here;' but this I do remember&mdash;that somehow or other I
+understood that you had done so."</p>
+
+<p>"And how did he announce to my mother that she.... I mean, how did he
+communicate to her the purport of my father's will?"</p>
+
+<p>"Charles Mowbray!" exclaimed Rosalind passionately, clenching her small
+hands and stamping her little foot upon the ground&mdash;"I may be a very,
+very wicked girl: I know I am wilful, headstrong, obstinate, and vain;
+and call me also dark-minded, suspicious, what you will; but I do hate
+that man."</p>
+
+<p>"Hate whom, Rosalind?" said Charles, inexpressibly astonished at her
+vehemence. "What is it you mean?... Is it Mr. Cartwright, our good
+friendly clergyman, that you hate so bitterly?"</p>
+
+<p>"Go to your mother, Mr. Mowbray. I am little more than seventeen years
+old, and have always been considered less instructed, and therefore
+sillier of course than was to be expected even from my age and sex; then
+will it not be worse than waste of time to inquire what I
+mean&mdash;especially when I confess, as I am bound to do, that I do not well
+know myself?... Go to your mother, Charles, and let her know exactly all
+you feel. You, at least, have no cause to hide your faults."</p>
+
+<p>"I will go&mdash;but I wish I knew what has so strangely moved you."</p>
+
+<p>"Ask your sisters&mdash;they saw and heard all that I did; at least, they
+were present here, as I was;&mdash;ask them, examine them, but ask me
+nothing; for I do believe, Charles, that I am less to be depended on
+than any other person in the world."</p>
+
+<p>"And why so, my dear Rosalind?" replied Mowbray, almost laughing. "Do
+you mean that you tell fibs against your will?"</p>
+
+<p>"Yes ... I believe so. At least, I feel strangely tempted to say a great
+deal more than I positively know to be true; and that is very much like
+telling fibs, I believe."</p>
+
+<p>"Well, Rosalind, I will go, for you grow more mysterious every moment;
+only, remember that I should greatly like to know all the thoughts that
+come into that strange little head of yours. Will you promise that I
+shall?"</p>
+
+<p>"No," was the ungracious reply; and turning away, she left the room by a
+door that led into a conservatory.</p>
+
+<p>On entering his mother's dressing-room, Mowbray found her seated between
+her two daughters, and holding a hand of each.</p>
+
+<p>She looked up as he entered: the traces of tears were on her cheeks, and
+her eyes rested on him with an expression of melancholy reproach such as
+he had never read in them before.</p>
+
+<p>"My dear, dear mother!" he exclaimed as he approached her, "has my
+absence then vexed you so grievously?... I could not help it, mother;
+Sir Gilbert literally made me his prisoner."</p>
+
+<p>"Sir Gilbert, Charles, might have shown more respect to the memory of
+the friend he has lost, than by keeping his son to listen to his own
+wild invectives against the wife that friend so loved and trusted."</p>
+
+<p>"Whoever has repeated to you the hasty expressions of Sir Gilbert, my
+dear mother, in such a manner as to leave a painful impression on your
+mind against him, has not acted well. You know his temper, but you know
+his heart also; and I should not have thought that it could have been in
+the power of any one to make you doubt the real friendship of Sir
+Gilbert for us all."</p>
+
+<p>"Surely, Charles, it was no symptom of friendship to me, to say that
+your dear father had made an accursed will!"</p>
+
+<p>"Good heavens!... what a strange misrepresentation, mother!... and all
+hanging, as it should seem, upon one little syllable!... Our friend, as
+you well know, is what Rosalind calls a manish man; he denies the
+supremacy of woman, and might, and I verily believe did say, that a will
+which vested power in her must be a cursed will. But we know too well
+his long-licensed coarseness of expression to greatly marvel at that;
+but for the solemn and most awful word ac-cursed, believe me, mother, he
+never said it."</p>
+
+<p>"It matters little, my dear son, what particular words of abuse Sir
+Gilbert uttered against me, provided that your heart did not echo them."</p>
+
+<p>"Mother! dearest mother!" cried Helen, rising and going towards her
+brother, who seemed petrified at the words he heard, "how for a single
+moment could you believe that Charles's heart could echo any word that
+spoke not honour and love towards you!"</p>
+
+<p>"He might have been mistaken, Helen," replied her mother with a heavy
+sigh: "Charles could not indeed suspect that the mother his dear father
+so fully trusted should prove unworthy of the trust.&mdash;But let us quit
+this painful theme; and believe me, my children, that the first wish of
+my heart is to prove myself worthy of his trust and your love."</p>
+
+<p>"Such words are just what we might expect to hear from you, mother,"
+said Mowbray, "were any profession from you to us necessary; but I would
+gladly forget that you have ever thought such an assurance called for."</p>
+
+<p>He bent down and kissed her fervently; and then making a sign to Helen,
+who seemed about to follow him, that she should remain where she was, he
+walked out for a couple of hours among the darkest thickets he could
+find, with more of melancholy feeling than had ever before rested on his
+spirits.</p>
+
+
+
+<hr style="width: 65%;" />
+<h2><a name="CHAPTER_V" id="CHAPTER_V"></a>CHAPTER V.</h2>
+
+<h3>THE ARISTOCRACY OF WREXHILL.</h3>
+
+
+<p>There was no longer any thing to prevent Charles Mowbray's return to
+Oxford, and the following day the time of his departure was canvassed,
+and at length fixed for the early part of the following week. During the
+few days that intervened, Mrs. Mowbray seemed quite to have forgotten
+their painful conversation respecting the will; she resumed all her
+former confiding tenderness of manner, and told him before they parted,
+that henceforward his liberal allowance would be doubled.</p>
+
+<p>The day preceding his departure was Sunday, and for the first time since
+their heavy loss the whole family appeared at church. They had all
+dreaded the moment of reappearing before the eyes of the little village
+world, and of thus giving public notice, as it were, that they no longer
+required to be left to mourn in secret: but this painful ceremony came,
+and was endured, like those that had preceded it; and poor Helen, as she
+laid her head upon her pillow, exclaimed, "What is there that we could
+not bear, and live."</p>
+
+<p>The sad parting of the next morning having also passed over them, they
+at once, and by necessity, fell into the mode of life which they were
+hereafter to pursue. But dreary and heavy was the change that had fallen
+on them, and it was long ere the mere act of assembling for their daily
+meals ceased to be a source of suffering&mdash;for fearful was the blank left
+by the absence of the kind, the gentle, the beloved, the venerated
+being, whose voice was used to speak a blessing and a welcome over every
+repast. But our natures seize with avidity the healing balm which time
+and occupation offer: much variety of disposition was, however,
+manifested in the manner in which each one of the family sought the
+consolation they needed.</p>
+
+<p>Mrs. Mowbray became evidently, though perhaps unconsciously, better both
+in health and spirits from the time that her neighbours, according to
+their different ranks, resumed their visits of friendship, civility, and
+respect. She had testified outwardly, excepting to such an eye as
+Rosalind's, more intense suffering than any other member of the family.
+Nor was this in the smallest degree the result of affectation: she felt
+all, and more than all, that she had ever expressed, and would gladly,
+for the sake of her poor children, have concealed a part of it, had the
+fibre of her character permitted her doing so. But she was demonstrative
+by nature: with great softness and sweetness of temper, was joined that
+species of weakness which is often said to be the most attractive
+feature in the female character;&mdash;a weakness that induced her to seize
+gladly and gratefully any hand extended to lead her, and which, while it
+made her distrust herself, gave most sovereign sway and masterdom to
+any one ready and willing to supply the strength and decision of purpose
+which she wanted.</p>
+
+<p>Many female philippics have been penned, I believe, against that manly
+passion for superiority which leads our masters to covet in a companion
+chosen for life the temper of mind here described; but I am tempted to
+think that this longing to possess a being that wants protection, far
+from demonstrating a disposition prone to tyranny, shows a nature
+disposed to love and to cherish, in a manner perfectly accordant to the
+most perfect <i>beau idéal</i> of married life. But, on the other hand, there
+may perhaps be more of fondness than judgment in those who make such
+mallability of mind their first requisite in a choice so awfully
+important.</p>
+
+<p>Mrs. Mowbray, however, had a thousand good qualities to justify the
+devoted affection of her husband. Generous, unsuspicious, and confiding,
+she was almost as incapable of doubting the goodness of others, as of
+deserving such doubts herself. Though heiress to immense property, no
+feeling in the slightest degree approaching to pride had even for a
+single instant swelled her heart; and though good, beautiful, and
+accomplished, her estimate of herself was lower than that formed of her
+by any other human being. Her heart was now more than ever opened to
+every expression of sympathy and kindness, and she experienced the most
+salutary effects from admitting those who uttered such, yet she was
+still a mourner in her very heart and soul; and there were moments in
+which she felt so bitterly that all her youthful affections were buried,
+and every hope of earthly happiness past, that the fair young faces of
+the three affectionate girls who were ready to devote themselves to her
+seemed too bright and beautiful to be kept within the influence of her
+melancholy, and she often sent them from her to their music-room, their
+flower-gardens, or the Park, with a sort of feverish anxiety, lest their
+youth and health should be sacrificed to their affection for her.</p>
+
+<p>Helen had all the tenderness with none of the weakness of her mother's
+character. She soon ceased to speak of her father, except occasionally,
+when walking or sitting quite alone with Rosalind, when sheltering
+boughs or thickening twilight might conceal the working features of her
+face even from her. At such a moment, if some kind caress from her young
+companion touched unawares the feelings over which she unceasingly kept
+guard, as if they were a secret treasure too precious to be exposed to
+vulgar eyes, she would from time to time give way to the sacred pleasure
+of discoursing on the character of the father she had lost.</p>
+
+<p>But she had resumed all her former occupations, and added to them the
+far from unpleasing task of imparting to Rosalind much that had either
+been ill taught or altogether neglected in her early education. This, as
+well as their daily-increasing affection for each other, kept them much
+together, without any blameable desertion either of Mrs. Mowbray or
+Fanny: for the former was really wretched if she thought they confined
+themselves too much to her drawing-room and herself; and the latter was
+hourly becoming more devoted to solitary study, and to speculations too
+poetical and sublime to be shared by any one less romantic and
+imaginative than herself.</p>
+
+<p>The neighbourhood was not a large one: Mowbray Park, and the estate
+attached to it, stretched itself so far in all directions, that Oakley,
+the residence of Sir Gilbert Harrington, the nearest landed proprietor,
+was at the distance of more than a mile. The little village of Wrexhill,
+however, had one or two pretty houses in it, inhabited by ladies and
+gentlemen of moderate but independent fortune, with whom the family at
+the Park associated on terms of intimacy.</p>
+
+<p>Among these, the late Vicar and his family had been the decided
+favourites of the whole race of Mowbrays,&mdash;and most deservedly so; for
+the father was a man of piety, learning, and most amiable deportment;
+his wife, a being whose temper, to say nothing of sundry other good
+qualities, had made her the idol of the whole parish; and his two sons
+and two daughters, just such sons and daughters as such parents deserved
+to have. But, as Gregory Dobbs, the old parish clerk, observed, after
+officiating at the funeral of Mr. Mowbray, "Death seemed to have taken a
+spite against the village of Wrexhill, for within one short month he had
+mowed down and swept away the two best and <i>most powerful</i> men in the
+parish, and 'twas no easy matter to say how long the inhabitants might
+be likely to wear mourning."</p>
+
+<p>The dispersion and departure of the good Vicar's family was an
+additional misfortune that his parishioners had not looked for. The
+living, more valuable for its pleasant house and pretty glebe than for
+its revenue, was in the gift of one who through life had been, not in
+appearance or profession only, but in most true sincerity, the attached
+friend of the late incumbent; and Edward Wallace, his eldest son, was
+bred to the church with the express understanding that the next
+presentation should be his. With this persuasion, the young man's first
+act on the death of his father was to tell his mother and sisters that
+they should continue to inhabit the home they had so long loved. But
+this arrangement was speedily overthrown; for in reply to the letter
+which announced the death of his father to Sir J. C. Blackhouse, the
+patron of the living, he received the following answer:</p>
+
+<blockquote><p>"My dear Fellow,</p>
+
+<p>"As the devil would have it, I am now a cabinet minister, and I
+no more dare give the living to your Tory father's son, than I
+dare blow up Westminster Hall, or pull the Lord Chancellor's
+nose in public. I do assure you I am very sorry for this, for I
+believe you are likely to be as good a man as your excellent
+father, who, when he was my tutor, had certainly no notion that
+I should turn out such a first-rate Radical. However, there is
+no resisting destiny; and so here I am, just going to give my
+pretty little living to some Reverend Mr. Somebody that I don't
+care a straw about, because my Lord M&mdash;&mdash; says, that though a
+bit of a saint, he is a <i>capital clerical Whig</i>. I wish,
+Edward, you'd try to forget all the fusty old nonsense about
+Church and State,&mdash;upon my life I do. By-gones are by-gones, my
+dear fellow; and if you could get up a clever pamphlet on the
+Tithe Laws, or on the Protestant affinities to the Church of
+Rome, or anything else with a good rich vein of whiggery
+running through it, I really think I might still be able to do
+something for you. Do think of this, and believe me,</p>
+
+<p>"My dear fellow,</p>
+
+<p>"Very affectionately,</p>
+
+<p>"Your friend,</p>
+
+<p>"<span class="smcap">J. C. Blackhouse</span>."</p></blockquote>
+
+<p>This most unlooked-for disappointment of course banished the Wallace
+family from Wrexhill; and the regret their departure left was so
+general, that it would be hardly saying too much to declare that no
+interference of the Whig government, however personal or tyrannical,
+ever produced a stronger sensation of disgust in the circle to which its
+influence extended than this.</p>
+
+<p>It was greatly owing to the influence of Mr. Mowbray, that Mr.
+Cartwright, his son and daughter, were visited by the neighbourhood on
+their arrival; but the obvious injustice and impropriety of treating
+with indignity and disrespect the clergyman who was placed among them,
+solely because they would have preferred one of their own choosing, had
+led the benevolent owner of "the great house" to banish the painful
+feelings to which this unpopular appointment had given rise, and before
+he died, he had the satisfaction of knowing that those who looked up to
+him as authority had followed his example, and that the new Vicar had
+been called upon by all the visiting families of Wrexhill.</p>
+
+<p>The handsomest house in the village was inhabited by a widow lady still
+young enough to be called handsome, and living with sufficient show to
+be supposed rich. She played a little, sang a little, sketched a little,
+and talked and dressed a great deal. Some people declared that when she
+was young, her complexion must have been as beautiful as that of Miss
+Fanny Mowbray: but these were only the young farmers, who did not know
+rouge when they saw it. This lady, whose name was Simpson, had one
+little girl, a pretty little creature of eight years old, who was
+sometimes petted and played with till she was completely spoiled, and
+sometimes left in the nursery for days together, while her mamma was
+absorbed in the perusal of a new novel or the fabrication of a new
+dress.</p>
+
+<p>At the next turn of the village street was the entrance to a little
+place of much less pretension, but infinitely prettier, and in better
+taste: this also was tenanted by a fair widow, who, had she not been
+surrounded by three daughters, all taller than herself, might have
+passed for being as young and as handsome as Mrs. Simpson. She was,
+however, as little like her as possible in every other respect, being
+subject to no caprice, remarkably simple in her dress, and her hair and
+her cheeks always remaining of the colour that pleased God. This lady
+had been early left a widow by the gallant and unfortunate Colonel
+Richards, who lost a life in a skirmish with the native troops of India
+which might have done honour to his country in a nobler field. What his
+young widow endured in returning from a remote part of the country to
+Madras, with her three infants and very little means, had doubtless
+contributed, with the good gifts born with her, to make her what she
+was; for there was a firmness and strength of mind enveloped in her
+miniature frame, which seemed as if her brave husband had bequeathed to
+her the legacy of his dauntless spirit to sustain her under all the
+privations and misery his early death left her to encounter alone.</p>
+
+<p>The character of her three girls will be easily understood hereafter.</p>
+
+<p>Mrs. Richards's cottage was the only residence in Wrexhill except the
+Vicar's that did not open upon the village street, so that she had no
+immediate neighbour; but close to the corner of the pretty field that
+fronted her dwelling and fed her cow, lived a bachelor half-pay officer,
+who among many other excellent qualities possessed one which made him
+pre-eminently interesting in her eyes:&mdash;he had known Colonel Richards
+well, and less than half the reverence he felt for his memory has often
+sufficed to enrich the church of Rome with a saint. It was not Major
+Dalrymple's fault if the widow of his umqwhile commanding officer had
+not long ago exchanged her comparative poverty for his very comfortable
+independence; and considering that he was five years younger than the
+lady, was the presumptive heir to a noble Scotch cousin who was thought
+consumptive, played the flute exquisitely, and was moreover a tall and
+gentlemanly figure, with no other fault imputed to him than a somewhat
+obstinate pertinacity of attachment to herself, many people both in and
+out of Wrexhill wondered at her obduracy, especially as she had never
+been heard to say, even by her most intimate friends, "that her heart
+was buried in the grave of her dear Richards."</p>
+
+<p>The remaining aristocracy of Wrexhill need hardly be enumerated, as they
+will not make any very considerable figure in the following pages. But
+there was an attorney, an apothecary, and a schoolmaster. The latter,
+indeed, was an excellent person, of whom we may hear more in the sequel;
+but a <i>catalogue raisonné</i> of names makes but a dull chapter.</p>
+
+
+
+<hr style="width: 65%;" />
+<h2><a name="CHAPTER_VI" id="CHAPTER_VI"></a>CHAPTER VI.</h2>
+
+<h3>THE PRINCIPAL PERSON IN THE VILLAGE.&mdash;THE VICAR'S FAMILY.</h3>
+
+
+<p>Two days after the Mowbray family appeared at church, the village gentry
+began to offer their visits of condolence, which, happily however for
+the tranquillity of the persons chiefly concerned, were performed in the
+improved manner of modern times; that is to say, every allusion to the
+recent event being by all but their intimate friends most cautiously
+avoided by all parties.</p>
+
+<p>The first person who entered the drawing-room was Mrs. Simpson. On all
+occasions, indeed, this lady exerted herself to sustain the position of
+"the principal person in the village." She seldom gave an order for "the
+fly," which, weak as were its own springs, was, in truth, the
+main-spring of all the rural visitings; she seldom ordered this
+indispensable commodity without adding to her instructions, "Pray be
+punctual, Mr. Sims,&mdash;I say this for your sake as well as my own; for if
+the principal person in the village is made to wait, you may depend upon
+it an opposition will be started immediately, and in that case, you
+know, I should be obliged to give it my patronage." In like manner, the
+butcher and baker in the village, the ruddy-faced milkman out of it, the
+shoemaker, the dressmaker, the carpenter, the glazier, the dealer in
+small wares and all wares, were severally and collectively given to
+understand that Mrs. Simpson, as the principal person in the village,
+had a right to expect the first-fruits of their civility, attention,
+industry, and general stock-in-trade.</p>
+
+<p>Her entrance into the presence of Mrs. Mowbray was as pregnant with
+sentiment and sympathy as the degree of intimacy to which she was
+admitted would permit. The hand-shaking was performed with a little
+pressure and a little sigh; every pause in the conversation was made to
+speak volumes by the sad tone in which the next sentence was spoken: in
+short, if the minds of Mrs. Mowbray, her eldest daughter, and her ward,
+who kindly volunteered to sustain this ordeal with her, had not been
+fully occupied by the recent event, almost every word, look, and gesture
+of the principal person of Wrexhill were calculated to recall it.</p>
+
+<p>Mrs. Simpson was accompanied by her pretty little girl, flowered and
+furbelowed into as near a resemblance to a bantam chicken as it was
+possible for a pretty little girl to take.</p>
+
+<p>The distance from the village to the Park was almost too great for so
+young a child to walk, and the poor little thing looked heated, cross,
+and weary; but her mamma declared that a ramble through those delicious
+fields was the greatest treat in the world. "I trust in Heaven," she
+continued, using her near-sighted eye-glass to look at a drawing which
+lay on the table, "that Mimima" (her abbreviation of Jemima) "will have
+my taste for sketching&mdash;I like to take her out with me, dear pet, she
+enjoys it so! but at this lovely season it is the most difficult thing
+in the world not to sketch as one goes. Indeed, when the mind is
+pre-occupied"&mdash;(a sigh)&mdash;"every object, however"&mdash;(a pause)&mdash;"I beg your
+pardon, but it is so difficult&mdash;"</p>
+
+<p>"Come to me, Jemima," said Helen, holding out her hand, "and let me take
+your bonnet off."</p>
+
+<p>The child put up her shoulder, and pressed with distressing closeness
+upon the delicate lilac of her mother's new silk dress.</p>
+
+<p>"It is such a shy puss!" said Mrs. Simpson; "I often think what would
+become of her"&mdash;(a sigh). "I beg your pardon&mdash;but sad thoughts will
+press&mdash;"</p>
+
+<p>"Little girl, do you love eau de Cologne?" said Rosalind, taking a
+bottle from the table and holding it towards her.</p>
+
+<p>Either the look, the accent, or the action of Rosalind had attraction
+sufficient to draw the child towards her; when she good-humouredly
+relieved the glowing cheeks from the stifling encumbrance of a very
+close pink bonnet and thick green veil, and then copiously bedewed the
+pretty head with the fragrant and refreshing water.</p>
+
+<p>"Do you like it, dear?"</p>
+
+<p>"Yes, very much; do it again! again!" said the child, laughing aloud.</p>
+
+<p>"Mimima!&mdash;what did I tell you, dear! Alas!&mdash;young heads&mdash;I beg your
+pardon&mdash;" (a sigh). "You are too good!&mdash;I fear you will spoil her, Miss
+Torrington."</p>
+
+<p>"I am only trying to cool her a little, ma'am; she looks quite in a
+fever."</p>
+
+<p>"She has sported along before me like a little fawn! I brought my maid
+and the man servant, as I thought they might carry her between them if
+she was tired; but she would not hear of it&mdash;the step of childhood is so
+elastic!&mdash;Alas!&mdash;I beg your pardon!&mdash;"</p>
+
+<p>"Don't you like to ride <i>a-cushion</i>, Miss Jemima?" said Rosalind, struck
+by the idea of the maid and the man carrying the young lady between
+them.</p>
+
+<p>"What is that?" inquired the child.</p>
+
+<p>Rosalind laughed a little, and coloured a little, at being obliged to
+explain herself; but making the best of it, she took Mimima's little
+hands and interlaced them with her own, after the most approved manner
+of preparing to treat somebody with riding <i>a-cushion</i>.</p>
+
+<p>No persons resent ridicule so much as those who are perpetually exposing
+themselves to it. Mrs. Simpson out-glowed her rouge as she said, "I did
+not mean, Miss Torrington, that my servants were to carry the child
+together,&mdash;I really wonder such a very droll idea.&mdash;I beg your
+pardon&mdash;but at such a time&mdash;"</p>
+
+<p>Miss Torrington looked at her for a moment, and then rose and left the
+room.</p>
+
+<p>Mrs. Simpson saw that she had offended the heiress, and from that moment
+conceived towards her one of those little feminine antipathies, which if
+they do not as often lead to daggers and bowls in the higher ranks of
+society as to black eyes and broken noses in the lower, are nevertheless
+seldom quite innoxious.</p>
+
+<p>The conversation now began to languish, for the principal person in
+Wrexhill was decidedly out of humour, and Helen was painfully seeking
+for what she was to say next, when the door was thrown open, and Mr. and
+Miss Cartwright, and Mr. Jacob Cartwright, were announced.</p>
+
+<p>No sudden and unexpected burst of sunshine ever produced a greater
+change in the aspect of a watery landscape, than the entrance of this
+party on the countenance of the handsome widow. Had Rosalind been
+present, she would have found some amusement, or at least some
+occupation, in seeking to discover whether it were the father or son who
+possessed this vivifying power. To the pale, hollow-eyed daughter she
+would certainly have attributed no such influence. But as we have not
+her help to decide the doubt, we must leave the matter to the slower
+hand of time.</p>
+
+<p>Mr. Jacob Cartwright was a tall, straight, young man, but as yet a
+little inclining to that line of contour, which can only be described by
+the expressive word lanky. Neither was his hair handsome, for,
+designated as "light" by his particular friends and admirers, it was
+called "sandy" by the rest of the world. But the young gentleman had a
+finely-formed mouth, with a very beautiful set of teeth, and a large
+clear light blue eye, which many persons declared to be beautiful.</p>
+
+<p>This young man was said to resemble greatly the mother he had lost: to
+his father he was certainly as unlike as possible. Mr. Cartwright,
+though somewhat above the middle height, was shorter than his son, and
+his person incomparably better built; his features were very regularly
+handsome, and the habitual expression of his countenance gentle and
+attractive. His eyes were large, dark, and very beautifully formed, and
+his hair and beard as black as those of a Spaniard, save here and there
+a silver line which about the temples began to mix itself with the
+sable. His mouth and teeth perhaps might have been said to resemble
+those of his son, had not the expression been so different. In the son
+these constituted merely a well-formed feature; to the father they
+seemed to give a power when he spoke that might work wonders either for
+good or evil.</p>
+
+<p>Henrietta Cartwright resembled neither of them: of the two, she would
+have been said to be most like her father, because her hair and eyes
+were dark; but the form of the head and face, and above all, the cynic
+expression of the mouth, were in perfect contrast to his. Like her
+brother she was extremely thin; but she was not proportionably tall, and
+in her this ascetic form seemed rather the result of ill health than of
+make. She was moreover deadly pale, and seldom spoke in general society
+if she could possibly avoid it.</p>
+
+<p>Mrs. Mowbray received all the party with cordial kindness. In Helen's
+manner there was a shade of coldness, especially to the father, whose
+offered hand she did not appear to see; but the whole trio shared the
+affectionate greetings of Mrs. Simpson.</p>
+
+<p>"How <i>very</i> lucky I am to meet you! Such a dismal long walk, all
+alone!&mdash;but now we can return together. How are you, my dear Miss
+Henrietta? has your headache left you?&mdash;No?&mdash;Oh, how I grieve to see you
+suffer so! I need not inquire for you, Mr. Jacob&mdash;what a picture of
+youth and activity you are! Mimima, come here. Don't you remember your
+friend?&mdash;don't you remember Mr. Jacob Cartwright?&mdash;Ah! I thought you
+could not forget him! You would not be your mother's child, dearest, if
+you could ever forget kindness."</p>
+
+<p>In her address to the elder gentleman there seemed to be a little more
+caution in the expression of her affectionate feelings; but she looked
+at him, and she listened to him, and more than once repeated what he
+said, as if to impress the precious words on her memory. In short, from
+the moment the Vicar and his family entered the room, it was evident the
+ladies of the Park were completely put</p>
+
+<div class="poem"><div class="stanza">
+<span class="i0">&mdash;&mdash;"In non cale;"<br /></span>
+</div></div>
+
+<p>and this, considering the undeviating respect which through life Mrs.
+Simpson had ever paid to wealth and station, was no trifling proof of
+the sincerity of that friendship which she professed for her new
+friends.</p>
+
+<p>"I hope your youngest daughter is well, and Miss Torrington also?" said
+Mr. Cartwright.</p>
+
+<p>"Quite well, thank you. Helen, do you know where your sister is?"</p>
+
+<p>"In the library, I believe, mamma."</p>
+
+<p>"Miss Cartwright, would you not like some refreshment?... Do ring the
+bell, Helen. I am sure, Mrs. Simpson, you ought to take some
+wine-and-water after your long walk."</p>
+
+<p>It was not difficult to see that this civility was the result of a
+strong and painful effort on the part of Mrs. Mowbray, and Helen was
+provoked with the whole party for not declining it; but no choice was
+left her&mdash;the bell was rung, and the tray arrived. One comfort she had,
+and that no trifling one: neither herself nor her mother had any further
+occasion to seek subjects of conversation; Mrs. Simpson took the whole
+of this troublesome business upon herself, and for the period that the
+luncheon lasted was so completely engaged in eating and talking, that
+she had not time for a single sigh.</p>
+
+<p>The two gentlemen and the little girl were very nearly as busily
+employed as herself; but Miss Cartwright sat silently apart, and a
+feeling as nearly allied perhaps to curiosity as politeness, induced
+Helen to change her place and seat herself near her.</p>
+
+<p>"Will you not take some refreshment, Miss Cartwright?... Let me get you
+some grapes."</p>
+
+<p>"I thank you&mdash;none."</p>
+
+<p>"Not even a little soda-water and wine? The morning seems unusually
+warm."</p>
+
+<p>"Nothing, I thank you."</p>
+
+<p>"Are you a great walker?"</p>
+
+<p>"Yes."</p>
+
+<p>"This is a charming country for it&mdash;such a beautiful variety of lanes
+and fields."</p>
+
+<p>"I seldom vary my walk."</p>
+
+<p>"Indeed! And what is the favourite spot you have chosen?"</p>
+
+<p>"The ugliest and most gloomy I could find, that I might be sure of never
+meeting any one."</p>
+
+<p>Helen was silenced&mdash;she had not courage for another word, and in order
+to cover her retreat, moved towards the table, and bestowed her
+attention on the little girl, who, totally forgotten by her mamma, was
+quaffing long draughts of wine from a tumbler which Mr. Jacob had been
+preparing for himself, but which he had willingly yielded to her, and
+now seemed waiting for the inevitable effect of such excess with a sort
+of sly and covert glee that made Helen very angry.</p>
+
+<p>"Your little girl will make herself ill, I am afraid, Mrs. Simpson, by
+the quantity of wine she is taking: I am afraid there is no water with
+it."</p>
+
+<p>The lady, who was talking very earnestly in an under tone to Mr.
+Cartwright, started at this appeal, and with a glance of more anger than
+the age of the child could justify, drew her back from the table and
+made her stand at some distance from it.</p>
+
+<p>"I really think that it is Mr. Jacob Cartwright who should be punished,"
+said Helen: "for he knew a great deal more about the matter than the
+little girl herself."</p>
+
+<p>"Oh no!... naughty little thing!"&mdash;said the mamma.</p>
+
+<p>"I am very sorry if I have been the occasion of the little girl's doing
+what was wrong," said Mr. Jacob slowly and in a very gentle tone. "I did
+not think she would have taken so much; and she looked very tired and
+warm."</p>
+
+<p>Mrs. Simpson made some civil answer, and turned to renew her
+conversation with the Vicar; but he was gone. She positively started,
+and looked about her with great interest to discover what had become of
+him. The windows of the room opened upon the lawn, and though she had
+not seen his exit, she very naturally guessed that it must have been
+made in that direction. After rising from the table, and making one or
+two unmeaning movements about the room, taking up a book and laying it
+down again without looking at its title, examining a vase on the
+chimney-piece and a rose on the flower-stand, she gradually drew towards
+the open window, and after pausing for half a minute, walked through it
+upon the grass.</p>
+
+<p>The little girl trotted after her; Mr. Jacob followed, probably hoping
+to see her stagger about a little; and Helen, though sadly vexed at this
+new device to prolong the tedious visit, could do no less than walk
+after them.</p>
+
+<p>The conservatory, drawing-room, and library, formed this side of the
+house, the whole range of windows opening uniformly upon the lawn. As
+Helen stepped out, she perceived that the party who had preceded her
+were entering by the window of the library, and she quickly followed
+them, thinking it probable that Fanny might be startled and vexed at
+this unexpected interruption, when, as was very likely, she might be in
+the very act of invoking the "sacred nine."</p>
+
+<p>Upon entering the room, however, she found her sister, to her great
+surprise, conversing earnestly with Mr. Cartwright, and appearing to be
+hardly yet conscious of the presence of the others.</p>
+
+<p>Mrs. Simpson gave a little, almost imperceptible toss of the head, at
+discovering how the gentleman was engaged.</p>
+
+<p>"We could not think whither you had vanished, Mr. Cartwright," said she,
+in her sweetest voice; "but you really were very lucky to ramble in this
+direction. Miss Fanny ought to have her picture taken in this fine room,
+with all her books about her."</p>
+
+<p>While she said this, Mr. Cartwright continued in a whisper to finish
+what he was addressing to Fanny; and having done so, he turned to the
+party which had followed him, saying, "The bright verdure of your
+beautiful lawn, Miss Mowbray, tempted me out; but I hope our intrusion
+has not disturbed your sister?"</p>
+
+<p>Fanny answered eagerly that she was very glad to see him. At that moment
+Helen chanced to turn her eyes towards the window by which they entered;
+when she perceived that Miss Cartwright had followed them. She was,
+however, more than half concealed by a large orange tree which stood in
+a high square box beside the window; but her head was bent forward to
+look into the room, and a sneer of such very singular expression rested
+on her lip and in her eye as she looked at her father and Fanny, who
+were still standing close together, that Helen remained perfectly still,
+staring at her. In another moment Miss Cartwright changed the direction
+of her eyes, and encountered those of Helen fixed upon her with a look
+of unconcealed astonishment; but her own did not sink before them, and
+she turned away with a smile quite as strange and unintelligible as the
+look she had bestowed on Fanny.</p>
+
+<p>At length this tedious visit was brought to its conclusion; the bonnet
+of the tipsy and now very pale little girl was replaced, a number of
+civil speeches spoken, and the whole party walked off together across
+the lawn to a gate which was to take them by a short cut through the
+Park.</p>
+
+<p>"I quite envy Mrs. Simpson her walk home!" said Fanny. "I see she has
+taken Mr. Cartwright's arm: I really do think he is the very handsomest
+and most agreeable man I ever saw in my life!"</p>
+
+
+
+<hr style="width: 65%;" />
+<h2><a name="CHAPTER_VII" id="CHAPTER_VII"></a>CHAPTER VII.</h2>
+
+<h3>THE FIRST IMPRESSIONS MADE BY MR. CARTWRIGHT.&mdash;LETTER FROM LADY
+HARRINGTON.</h3>
+
+
+<p>The three girls rallied round Mrs. Mowbray as soon as the guests had
+departed, all kindly anxious to see how she bore this first step back
+into a world so wholly changed for her.</p>
+
+<p>She looked pale, and there was an air of languor and weariness about
+her: nevertheless, to the great surprise of Helen, she expressed herself
+much pleased by the visit:</p>
+
+<p>"Mr. Cartwright," said she, "appears to me to be one of the most amiable
+men I ever saw; every tone of his voice speaks kindness, and indeed, if
+he did not speak at all, one look of his has more feeling and pity in it
+than other people could express by a volume of words."</p>
+
+<p>"Do you really think so, mamma?" said Helen eagerly, but suddenly
+stopped herself, aware that in truth she had no grounds whatever for the
+strong feeling of dislike towards him of which she was conscious. She
+remembered, too, that her father had expressed himself greatly pleased
+by the urbanity of his manners, and that the last act of the benign
+influence he was wont to exercise on those around him had been to
+conquer the prejudice against him, to which the exclusion of the Wallace
+family had unjustly given rise. Helen remembered all this in a moment;
+the colour mounted to her cheeks, and she was silent.</p>
+
+<p>Rosalind, too, was silent, at least from words; but her eyes could speak
+as many volumes at a glance as Mr. Cartwright's, and she fixed them for
+an instant on Helen with a look that told her plainly her prejudices
+against their new neighbour, however unreasonable, were fully shared by
+her.</p>
+
+<p>Meanwhile Fanny had thrown her arms round her mother's neck in a sort of
+rapture at hearing her own opinions confirmed by such authority. "Oh,
+how true that is, dearest mamma!" she exclaimed; "how exactly I feel the
+same when he speaks to me!... Such goodness, such gentleness, so much
+superiority, yet so much humility! Poor dear Mr. Wallace was an
+excellent good man, certainly, but no more to be compared to Mr.
+Cartwright than I to Hercules!"</p>
+
+<p>"How many times have you seen Mr. Cartwright, Fanny?" said Rosalind.</p>
+
+<p>"I have heard him preach three times," she replied, "and they were all
+the most beautiful sermons in the world; and I have seen and spoken to
+him four times more."</p>
+
+<p>"Poor Mr. Wallace!" said Rosalind. "It was he who christened you, Fanny;
+and from that time to the hour of his death, you seldom passed many days
+together, I believe, without seeing and receiving affectionate words and
+kind looks from him: and yet four times speaking to this gentle
+gentleman has driven the memory of the poor old man from your heart!"</p>
+
+<p>"No, it has not, Rosalind," replied Fanny, deeply blushing: "I am sure I
+did not say that, did I, mamma?&mdash;But my loving and remembering Mr.
+Wallace all the days of my life need not make me dislike everybody else,
+I suppose?"</p>
+
+<p>"It would be a great misfortune to you if it did, Fanny," said Mrs.
+Mowbray. "I am delighted to see, both in you and many others, that the
+violent and most unjustifiable prejudice which was conceived against Mr.
+Cartwright before he was seen and known, is giving way before his
+amiable and excellent qualities: I have no doubt that he will soon be
+quite as popular in the parish as Mr. Wallace was."</p>
+
+<p>"And Miss Cartwright, mamma?" said Helen; "do you think we shall love
+her as well as we did Emma Wallace?"</p>
+
+<p>"I know nothing whatever of Miss Cartwright as yet, Helen; she appears
+very shy, but we must try to give her courage, my dear girls. I hope we
+shall be on terms of as great intimacy with our new Clergyman as with
+our former one: it was a sort of association that your dear father
+particularly approved, and that alone is a sufficient reason for our
+wishing to cultivate it."</p>
+
+<p>This allusion was too solemn to admit any light conversation to follow
+it. Mrs. Mowbray strolled with Fanny into the conservatory, and Rosalind
+persuaded Helen that they should find the shrubberies infinitely cooler
+and more agreeable than the house.</p>
+
+<p>But even under the thickest cover that the grounds could offer, Helen
+could not be tempted fully to open her heart upon the subject of Mr.
+Cartwright, an indulgence which Rosalind certainly expected to obtain
+when she proposed the walk; but the name of her father had acted like a
+spell on Helen, and all that she could be brought positively to advance
+on the subject of the Cartwright family was, that she did not think Miss
+Cartwright was shy.</p>
+
+<p>Within the next fortnight nearly every one who claimed a visiting
+acquaintance with the Mowbray family, both in the village and the
+neighbourhood round it, had called at the Park.</p>
+
+<p>"All the calling is over now," said Helen, "and I am very glad of it."</p>
+
+<p>"Every body has been very kind and attentive," replied her mother, "and
+next week we must begin to return their calls. I hope nobody will be
+offended, for some of them must be left for many days; the weather is
+very hot, and the horses must not be overworked."</p>
+
+<p>"I wonder why that charming little person that I fell in love with&mdash;the
+widow, I mean, that lives in the Cottage at Wrexhill," said
+Rosalind,&mdash;"I wonder she has not been to see you! She appeared to like
+you all very much."</p>
+
+<p>"I have thought of that two or three times," replied Helen. "I think, if
+they had any of them been ill, we should have heard it; and yet
+otherwise I cannot account for such inattention."</p>
+
+<p>"It is merely accidental, I am sure," said Mrs. Mowbray. "But there is
+one omission, Helen, that cuts me to the heart!" Tears burst from her
+eyes as she spoke.</p>
+
+<p>Poor Helen knew not how to answer: she was well aware that the omission
+her mother alluded to was that of Sir Gilbert and Lady Harrington; and
+she knew too the cause of it. Lady Harrington, who, with one of the best
+hearts in the world, was sometimes rather blunt in her manner of showing
+it, had sent over a groom with a letter to Helen, her god-daughter and
+especial favourite, very fully explaining the cause of their not
+calling, but in a manner that could in no degree enable her to remove
+her mother's uneasiness respecting it. This letter, which by her
+ladyship's especial orders was delivered privately into the hands of
+Helen, ran thus:</p>
+
+<blockquote><p>"My darling Child!</p>
+
+<p>"Can't you think what a way I must be in at being prevented
+coming to see you? Sir Gilbert excels himself this time for
+obstinacy and wilfulness. Every breakfast, every dinner, and
+every tea since it happened, William and I do nothing but beg
+and entreat that I may be permitted to go over and see your
+poor mother! Good gracious! as I tell him, it is not her
+fault&mdash;though God knows I do think just as much as he does,
+that no man ever did make such a tom-fool of a will as your
+father. Such a man as Charles! as Sir Gilbert says. 'Twas made
+at the full of the moon, my dear, and that's the long and the
+short of it; he was just mad, Helen, and nothing else. But is
+that any reason that your poor dear mother should be neglected
+and forsaken this way! God bless her dear soul! she's more like
+a baby than any thing I ever saw, about money; and as to her
+being an heiress, why I don't believe, upon my honour, that she
+has ever recollected it from the day she married to the time
+that your unlucky, poor dear distracted madman of a father
+threw all her money back at her in this wild way. He had much
+better have pelted her with rotten eggs, Helen! Such a friend
+as Sir Gilbert, so warm-hearted, so steady, and so true, is not
+to be found every day&mdash;old tiger as he is. But what on earth am
+I to do about it? I shall certainly go mad too, if I can't get
+at you; and yet, I give you my word, I no more dare order the
+coachman to drive me to Mowbray Park than to the devil. You
+never saw such a tyrannical brute of a husband as Sir Gilbert
+is making himself about it! And poor William, too&mdash;he really
+speaks to him as if he were a little beggar-boy in the streets,
+instead of a colonel of dragoons. William said last night
+something very like, 'I shall ride over to Wrexhill to-morrow,
+and perhaps I shall see the family at Mow....' I wish you had
+seen him&mdash;I only wish you had seen Sir Gilbert, Helen, for half
+a moment!&mdash;you would never have forgotten it, my dear, and it
+might have given you a hint as to choosing a husband. Never
+marry a man with great, wide, open, light-coloured eyes, and
+enormous black eyebrows, for fear he should swallow you alive
+some day before you know where you are. 'See them! 'roared Sir
+Gilbert. 'If you do, by G&mdash;d, sir, I'll leave every sou I have
+in the world to some cursed old woman myself; but it shan't be
+to you, madam,' turning short round as if he would bite
+me:&mdash;'laugh if you will, but go to Mowbray if you dare!'</p>
+
+<p>"'But are we never to see any of the family again, sir?' said
+the colonel very meekly. 'I never told you so, Colonel Booby,'
+was the reply. 'You may see that glorious fellow Charles as
+often as you will, and the more you see of him the better; and
+I'll manage if I can, as soon as he has taken this degree that
+his heart's set upon, to get a commission for him in your
+regiment; so you need not palaver about my wanting to part you
+from him. And as for you, my lady, I give you full leave to
+kidnap the poor destitute, penniless girls if you can; but if I
+ever catch you doing any thing that can be construed into
+respect or civility to that sly, artful hussy who cajoled my
+poor friend Mowbray to make that cursed will, may I.... You
+shall see, old lady, what will come of it!'</p>
+
+<p>"Now what on earth can I do, dear darling? I believe your
+mother's as innocent of cajoling as I am, and that's saying
+something; and as for your being destitute, sweethearts, you'll
+have fifty thousand pounds apiece if you've a farthing. I know
+all about the property, and so does Sir Gilbert too; only the
+old tiger pretends to believe, just to feed his rage, that your
+mother will marry her footman, and bequeath her money to all
+the little footboys and girls that may ensue: for one principal
+cause of his vengeance against your poor mother is, that she is
+still young enough to have children. Was there ever such a
+man!&mdash;But here have I, according to custom, scribbled my paper
+as full as it will hold, and yet have got a hundred thousand
+more things to say; but it would all come to this, if I were to
+scrawl over a ream. I am miserable because I can't come to see
+your mother and you, and yet I can't help myself any more than
+if I were shut up in Bridewell: for I never did do any thing
+that my abominable old husband desired me not to do, and I
+don't think I could do it even to please you, my pretty Helen;
+only don't fancy I have forgotten you: but for God's sake don't
+write to me! I am quite sure I should get my ears boxed.</p>
+
+<p>"Believe me, darling child,</p>
+
+<p>"Your loving friend and godmother,</p>
+
+<p>"<span class="smcap">Jane Matilda Harrington</span>."</p>
+
+<p>"P. S. I am quite sure that the colonel would send pretty
+messages if he knew what I was about: but I will not make him a
+party in my sin. I was just going to tell him this morning; but
+my conscience smote me, and I turned very sublimely away,
+muttering, in the words of Macbeth&mdash;'Be innocent of this, my
+dearest chuck!'"</p></blockquote>
+
+<p>This coarse but well-meaning letter gave inexpressible pain to Helen.
+She dared not show it to her mother, who, she felt quite sure, would
+consider the unjust suspicions of Sir Gilbert as the most cruel insult:
+not could she, after Lady Harrington's prohibition, attempt to answer
+it, though she greatly wished to do it, in the hope that she might be
+able to place her mother's conduct and feelings in a proper light. But
+she well knew that, with all her friend's rhodomontade, she was most
+devotedly attached to her excellent though hot-headed husband, and that
+she could not disoblige her more than by betraying a secret which, under
+the present circumstances, would certainly make him very angry.</p>
+
+<p>But the sight of her mother's tears, and her utter inability to say any
+thing that might console her very just sorrow, inspired Helen with a
+bold device. To Rosalind only had she shown Lady Harrington's letter,
+and to Rosalind only did she communicate her project of boldly writing
+to the enraged baronet himself.</p>
+
+<p>"Do so, Helen," said Rosalind promptly: "it is the only measure to
+pursue&mdash;unless indeed you and I were to set off and surprise him by a
+visit."</p>
+
+<p>"But my mother?..." replied Helen, evidently struck by the advantages of
+this bolder scheme over her own,&mdash;"what would my mother say to our
+going?"</p>
+
+<p>"If she knew of it, Helen, I suspect it would lose all favour in Sir
+Gilbert's eyes, and you would have no chance whatever of softening his
+rage towards her. The expedition, if undertaken at all, must be a secret
+one. When he learns it is so, I think it will touch his tough heart,
+Helen, for he knows, I fancy, that such escapades are not at all in your
+line. I only hope that he will not find out that I proposed it, as that
+might lessen your merit in his eyes."</p>
+
+<p>"No, no, that would do no harm. My doing it would be quite proof enough
+how near this matter is to my heart."</p>
+
+<p>"Well, then, Helen, shall we go?"</p>
+
+<p>"Let me sleep upon it, Rosalind. If we do go, it must, I think, be quite
+early in the morning, so as to have no questions asked before we set
+out. It is not a long walk. Shall we see if he will give us some
+breakfast?"</p>
+
+<p>"A most diplomatic project!" replied Rosalind; "for it will enlist his
+hospitality on our side, and ten to one but the rough coating of his
+heart will thaw and resolve itself into a dew, as Fanny would say, by
+the mere act of administering coffee and hot cakes to us; and then the
+field is won."</p>
+
+<p>"I think we will try," said Helen, smiling with a sort of inward
+strengthening, from the conviction that such would very probably be the
+result.</p>
+
+<p>A few more words settled the exact time and manner of the expedition,
+and the friends parted to dress for dinner.</p>
+
+
+
+<hr style="width: 65%;" />
+<h2><a name="CHAPTER_VIII" id="CHAPTER_VIII"></a>CHAPTER VIII.</h2>
+
+<h3>MRS. RICHARDS AND HER DAUGHTERS.&mdash;THE TEA-PARTY.</h3>
+
+
+<p>On the evening of that day, the three girls for the first time induced
+Mrs. Mowbray to go beyond the limits of the flower-garden, and walk
+under the avenue of beautiful elms in the Park. The simple and
+unostentatious tone of her character had influenced all her habits, and
+Mrs. Mowbray was a better and more constant walker than ladies generally
+who have two or three carriages ready to attend them. She appeared to
+enjoy the exercise from which for several weeks she had been debarred;
+and when the end of the avenue was reached, and Fanny almost
+mechanically opened the wide gate at the bottom, of it, her mother
+passed through it without making any observation, and in truth
+forgetting at that moment all that had happened since she had last done
+so. The gate opened upon a road, which, according to long-established
+custom, they crossed nearly at right angles, and then mounted and
+descended half a dozen steps, which conducted them into a wide and
+beautiful meadow, now fragrant with the new-made hay that several
+waggons were conveying to augment a lofty rick in a distant corner of
+it.</p>
+
+<p>It was not till Mrs. Mowbray perceived another party seated round the
+base of a haycock which an empty waggon had nearly reached, that she
+remembered all the circumstances which made every casual meeting a
+matter of importance and agitation to her. The group which seemed a very
+merry one, retained their places, till two stout haymakers saucily but
+playfully presented their pitch-forks as if to dislodge them. They then
+started to their feet to the number of five; and the Park family
+recognized Mrs. Richards, her three daughters, and Major Dalrymple.</p>
+
+<p>"I have not seen them yet, Helen!" said Mrs. Mowbray with nervous
+trepidation:&mdash;"how very wrong I have been to come so far!"</p>
+
+<p>"Why so, my dearest mother?" replied Helen, "I am sure it is less
+painful to meet thus, than at those dreadful visits in the
+drawing-room."</p>
+
+<p>"But they have not called, Helen ... certainly, we had better go back."</p>
+
+<p>"Dear mamma, it is not possible," said Fanny, stepping forward to meet a
+favourite companion in the youngest Miss Richards: "you see Rosalind has
+got to them already."</p>
+
+<p>It was indeed too late to retreat; nor did the wish to do so last long.
+Mrs. Richards pressed the hand of Rosalind, who had taken hers, but,
+throwing it off at the same moment, hastened forward to greet the
+widowed friend she had wanted courage to seek. Her colour was
+heightened, perhaps, from feeling it possible that the cause of her
+absence had been mistaken; but large tears trembled in her dark eyes,
+and when she silently took the hand of Mrs. Mowbray and pressed it to
+her lips, every doubt upon the subject was removed.</p>
+
+<p>Major Dalrymple and the three girls followed; and the first moment of
+meeting over, the two parties seemed mutually and equally pleased to
+join. Mrs. Richards was the only person in the neighbourhood to whom
+Rosalind, during her six months' residence in it, had at all attached
+herself: there was something about her that had fascinated the young
+heiress's fancy, and the circumstance of her being the only good second
+in a duet to be found within the circle of the Mowbray Park visitings
+had completed the charm.</p>
+
+<p>With the two eldest Misses Richards, Helen was on that sort of intimate
+footing which a very sweet-tempered, unpretending girl of nineteen, who
+knows she is of some consequence from her station, and is terribly
+afraid of being supposed to be proud, is sure to be with young ladies of
+nearly her own age, blessed with most exuberant animal spirits, and
+desirous of making themselves as agreeable to her as possible.</p>
+
+<p>Louisa and Charlotte Richards were fine, tall, showy young women, with
+some aspirations after the reputation of talent; but they were neither
+of them at all like their mother, who was at least six inches shorter
+than either of them, and aspired to nothing in the world but to make
+her three children happy.</p>
+
+<p>Little Mary, as her sisters still persisted to call her, approached much
+nearer to the stature, person, and character of Mrs. Richards; she was
+not quite so <i>mignonne</i> in size, but she</p>
+
+<div class="poem"><div class="stanza">
+<span class="i0">"Had her features, wore her eye,<br /></span>
+<span class="i0">Perhaps some feeling of her heart,"<br /></span>
+</div></div>
+
+<p>and was, spite of all the struggles which her mother could make to
+prevent it, the darling of her eyes and the hope of her heart. Moreover,
+little Mary was, as we have before hinted, the especial friend of Fanny
+Mowbray.</p>
+
+<p>The delights of a balmy evening in the flowery month of June&mdash;the
+superadded delights of a hay-field, and above all, the supreme delight
+of unexpectedly meeting a party of friends, were all enthusiastically
+descanted upon by the two tall Misses Richards. They had each taken one
+of Helen's slight arms, and borne her along over the stubble grass with
+a degree of vehemence which hardly left her breath to speak.</p>
+
+<p>"I do not think mamma is going any farther," she continued to utter,
+while Miss Louisa stopped to tie a shoe-string.</p>
+
+<p>"Oh, but you must!" screamed Miss Charlotte, attempting to drag her
+onward singly.</p>
+
+<p>"Stop, Charlotte!... stop!" cried the eldest sister, snapping off the
+shoe-string in her haste&mdash;"you shall not carry her away from me. What a
+shame! Isn't it a shame, when it is such an age since we met?"</p>
+
+<p>There is nothing against which it is so difficult to rally, as the
+exaggerated expression of feelings in which we do not share. The quiet
+Helen could not lash herself into answering vehemence of joy, and having
+smiled, and smiled till she was weary, she fairly slipped from her
+companions, and hastened back with all the speed she could make to the
+tranquil party that surrounded her mother.</p>
+
+<p>The lively young ladies galloped after her, declaring all the way that
+she was the cruellest creature in the world.</p>
+
+<p>Mrs. Mowbray now said that she hoped they would all accompany her home
+to tea;&mdash;a proposal that met no dissenting voice; but it was some time
+before the whole party could be collected, for Fanny Mowbray and little
+Mary were nowhere to be seen. Major Dalrymple, however, who was taller
+even than the Misses Richards, by means of standing upon the last left
+haycock, at length discovered them sitting lovingly side by side under
+the shelter of a huge lime-tree that filled one corner of the field. He
+was dismissed to bring them up to the main body, and executed his
+commission with great gallantry and good-nature, but not without feeling
+that the two very pretty girls he thus led away captive would much
+rather have been without him; for as he approached their lair, he
+perceived, not only that they were in very earnest conversation, but
+that various scraps of written paper lay in the lap of each, which at
+his approach were hastily exchanged, and conveyed to reticules, pockets,
+or bosoms, beyond the reach of his eye.</p>
+
+<p>They nevertheless smilingly submitted themselves to his guidance, and in
+order to prove that he was not very troublesome, Fanny so far returned
+to their previous conversation as to say,</p>
+
+<p>"We must ask your judgment, Major Dalrymple, upon a point on which we
+were disputing just before you joined us: which do you prefer in the
+pulpit&mdash;and out of it&mdash;Mr. Wallace, or Mr. Cartwright?"</p>
+
+<p>"You were disputing the point, were you?" he replied. "Then I am afraid,
+Miss Fanny, I must give it against you; for I believe I know Mary's
+opinion already, and I perfectly agree with her."</p>
+
+<p>"Then I shall say to you, as I say to her," replied Fanny, eagerly "that
+you are altogether blinded, benighted, deluded, and wrapt up in
+prejudice! I have great faith both in her sincerity and yours, major;
+and yet I declare to you, that it does seem to me so impossible for any
+one to doubt the superiority of Mr. Cartwright in every way, that I can
+hardly persuade myself you are in earnest."</p>
+
+<p>"What do you mean by <i>every way</i>, Miss Fanny?&mdash;you cannot surely believe
+him to be a better man than our dear old vicar?" said the major.</p>
+
+<p>"We can none of us, I think, have any right to make comparisons of their
+respective goodness&mdash;at least not as yet," replied Fanny. "When I said
+<i>every way</i>, I meant in the church and in society."</p>
+
+<p>"On the latter point I suppose I ought to leave the question to be
+decided between you, as in all cases of the kind where gentlemen are to
+be tried, ladies alone, I believe, are considered competent to form the
+jury;&mdash;not that Mary can have much right to pronounce a verdict either,
+for I doubt if she has ever been in a room with Mr. Cartwright in her
+life."</p>
+
+<p>"Yes, I have," said Mary eagerly, "and he is perfectly delightful!"</p>
+
+<p>"Indeed!&mdash;I did not know you had seen him."</p>
+
+<p>"Yes&mdash;we met him at Smith's."</p>
+
+<p>"Oh! you saw him in a shop, did you?&mdash;and even that was sufficient to
+prove him delightful?"</p>
+
+<p>"Quite enough!" replied Mary, colouring a little as she observed Major
+Dalrymple smile.</p>
+
+<p>"The more you see of him, the more you will be aware of his excellence,"
+said Fanny, coming to the aid of her friend, and with an air of gravity
+that was intended to check the levity of the major. "I have seen him
+repeatedly at the Park, Major Dalrymple, and under circumstances that
+gave sufficient opportunity to show the excellence of his heart, as well
+as the charm of his friendly, affectionate, and graceful manner."</p>
+
+<p>"He has certainly been a very handsome man," said the major.</p>
+
+<p>"Has been!" exclaimed both the girls at once.</p>
+
+<p>"He is still very well-looking," added the gentleman.</p>
+
+<p>"Well-looking!" was again indignantly echoed by the ladies.</p>
+
+<p>"You do not think the term strong enough? but when a man gets on the
+wrong side of forty it is, I think, as much as he can expect."</p>
+
+<p>"I don't care a farthing what his age maybe," cried Mary; "do you, Miss
+Mowbray?... If he were a hundred and forty, with that countenance and
+that manner, I should still think him the handsomest and most perfect
+person I ever saw."</p>
+
+<p>"Dear Mary!" replied Fanny affectionately, "how exactly we feel alike
+about him! I love you dearly for fighting his battles so warmly."</p>
+
+<p>"There is surely no fighting in the case," said Major Dalrymple,
+laughing,&mdash;"at least not with me. But have a care, young ladies: such
+perfect conformity of taste on these subjects does not always, I
+believe, tend to the continuance of female friendship. What a sad thing
+it would be if those two little hands were some day to set pulling caps
+between their respective owners!"</p>
+
+<p>"There is not the least danger of any such dismal catastrophe, I assure
+you. Is there Mary?"</p>
+
+<p>"Good heavens, no!" replied little Mary in a voice of great indignation.
+"What a hateful idea!"</p>
+
+<p>"One reason why it is so delightful to love and admire Mr. Cartwright,"
+rejoined Fanny, "is, that one may do it and talk of it too, without any
+danger that <i>rational people</i>, Major Dalrymple, should make a jest of
+it, and talk the same sort of nonsense that every body is so fond of
+doing whenever a lady is heard to express admiration for a gentleman.
+But we may surely love and admire the clergyman of the parish; indeed I
+think it is a sort of duty for every one to do so."</p>
+
+<p>"I assure you," replied the major, "that I both loved and admired Mr.
+Wallace exceedingly, and that I shall gladly pay the same homage to his
+successor as soon as I know him to deserve it. But</p>
+
+<div class="poem"><div class="stanza">
+<span class="i0">"Cautious age and youth....<br /></span>
+</div></div>
+
+<p>you know the song, Mary?"</p>
+
+<p>"I know your meaning, Major Dalrymple: you are always boasting of your
+age; but I don't know any one but yourself who thinks so very much
+of...."</p>
+
+<p>"... My antiquity and my wisdom."</p>
+
+<p>"Just that.... But, good heavens! Fanny Mowbray, who is that to whom
+your mother is speaking on the lawn?"</p>
+
+<p>"It is Mr. Cartwright!" cried Fanny with animation; "and now, Major
+Dalrymple, you will have an opportunity of judging for yourself."</p>
+
+<p>"I fear not," he replied, taking out his watch; "it is now eight
+o'clock, and Mrs. Richards seldom walks much after nine."</p>
+
+<p>The two girls now withdrew their arms, and hastened forward to the group
+of which Mr. Cartwright made one. Fanny Mowbray held out her hand to
+him, which was taken and held very affectionately for two or three
+minutes.</p>
+
+<p>"You have been enjoying this balmy air," said he to her in a voice
+sweetly modulated to the hour and the theme. "It is heaven's own breath,
+Miss Fanny, and to such a mind as yours must utter accents worthy of the
+source from whence it comes."</p>
+
+<p>Fanny's beautiful eyes were fixed upon his face, and almost seemed to
+say,</p>
+
+<div class="poem"><div class="stanza">
+<span class="i0">"When you speak, I'd have you do it ever."<br /></span>
+</div></div>
+
+<p>"I do not think he recollects me," whispered Mary Richards in her ear:
+"I wish you'd introduce me."</p>
+
+<p>Fanny Mowbray started, but recovering herself, said, "Mr. Cartwright,
+give me leave to introduce my friend Miss Mary Richards to you. She is
+one of your parishioners, and one that you will find capable of
+appreciating the happiness of being so."</p>
+
+<p>Mr. Cartwright extended his pastoral hand to the young lady with a most
+gracious smile.</p>
+
+<p>"Bless you both!" said he, joining their hands between both of his. "To
+lead you together in the path in which we must all wish to go, would be
+a task that might give a foretaste of the heaven we sought!"</p>
+
+<p>He then turned towards Mrs. Mowbray, and with a look and tone which
+showed that though he never alluded to her situation, he never forgot
+it, he inquired how far she had extended her ramble.</p>
+
+<p>"Much farther than I intended when I set out," replied Mrs. Mowbray.
+"But my children, the weather, and the hay, altogether beguiled me to
+the bottom of Farmer Bennet's great meadow."</p>
+
+<p>"Quite right, quite right," replied Mr. Cartwright, with something
+approaching almost to fervour of approbation: "this species of quiet
+courage, of gentle submission, is just what I expected from Mrs.
+Mowbray. It is the sweetest incense that you can offer to Heaven; and
+Heaven will repay it."</p>
+
+<p>Mrs. Mowbray looked up at his mild countenance, and saw a moisture in
+his eye that spoke more tender pity than he would permit his lips to
+utter. It touched her to the heart.</p>
+
+<p>Mrs. Richards, who was something of a florist, was examining, with the
+assistance of Rosalind, some new geraniums that were placed on circular
+stands outside the drawing-room, filling the spaces between the windows.
+As this occupation had drawn them from the rest of the party from the
+time Mr. Cartwright approached to join it, they had not yet received
+that gentleman's salutation, and he now went up to them.</p>
+
+<p>"Miss Torrington looks as if she were discoursing of her kindred. Are
+these fair blossoms the children of your especial care?"</p>
+
+<p>"They are the children of the gardener and the greenhouse, I believe,"
+she replied carelessly, and stepped on to another stand.</p>
+
+<p>"Mrs. Richards, I believe?" said the graceful vicar, taking off his hat
+to her.</p>
+
+<p>"I hope you are well, Mr. Cartwright?" replied the lady, following the
+steps of Rosalind.</p>
+
+<p>The two eldest Misses Richards were still assiduously besieging the two
+ears of Helen; but as the subjects of which they discoursed did not
+always require the same answers, she began to feel considerable fatigue
+from the exertion necessary for carrying on this double conversation,
+and was therefore not sorry to see Mr. Cartwright approach them, which
+must, she thought, produce a diversion in her favour. But she found that
+the parties were still personally strangers to each other; for though
+his bow was general, his address was only to herself.</p>
+
+<p>"And have you, too, Miss Mowbray, been venturing upon as long a walk as
+the rest of the party?"</p>
+
+<p>"We have all walked the same distance, Mr. Cartwright; but I believe we
+none of us consider it to be very far. We are all good walkers."</p>
+
+<p>"I rejoice to hear it, for it is the way to become good Christians.
+Where or how can we meet and <i>meetly</i> examine the works of the great
+Creator so well as on the carpet he has spread, and beneath the azure
+canopy which his hands have reared above us?&mdash;The Misses Richards, I
+believe? May I beg an introduction, Miss Mowbray?"</p>
+
+<p>"Mr. Cartwright, Miss Richards&mdash;Miss Charlotte Richards," said Helen,
+without adding another word.</p>
+
+<p>"I need hardly ask if you are walkers," said the vicar, as he passed a
+smiling and apparently an approving glance over their rather remarkable
+length of limb. "Your friends, Miss Mowbray, look like young antelopes
+ready to bound over the fair face of Nature; and their eyes look as if
+there were intelligence within wherewith to read her aright."</p>
+
+<p>"Mamma is going into tea, I believe," said Helen, moving off.</p>
+
+<p>The whole manner and demeanour of the two Misses Richards had changed
+from the moment Mr. Cartwright approached. They became quite silent and
+demure; but as they followed Helen, one on each side of him, they
+coloured with pleasure as he addressed a gentle word, first to one, then
+to the other; and when, after entering the drawing-room, he left them
+for the purpose of making his farewell bow, or the semblance of it, to
+Mrs. Mowbray, Miss Louisa whispered to Miss Charlotte, "Little Mary is
+quite right: he <i>is</i> the most delightful man in the world."</p>
+
+<p>"You are not going to leave us, Mr. Cartwright?" said Mrs. Mowbray
+kindly. "We are going to tea this moment."</p>
+
+<p>"You are very obliging; but I had no intention of intruding on you
+thus."</p>
+
+<p>"Pray do not call it an intrusion. We shall be always most happy to see
+you. I only wish your son and daughter were with us also."</p>
+
+<p>"My daughter, thank you, is a sad invalid; and Jacob generally wanders
+farther afield in such weather as this.... Is that gentleman Major
+Dalrymple? May I ask you to introduce me?"</p>
+
+<p>"I shall have much pleasure in doing so, I am sure. He is a very amiable
+and estimable person."</p>
+
+<p>Mrs. Mowbray crossed the room towards him, followed by the vicar. The
+introduction took place, and the two gentlemen conversed together for a
+few minutes on the ordinary topics of Russia, the harvest, the
+slave-trade, and reform. On every subject, except the harvest, which Mr.
+Cartwright despatched by declaring that it would be peculiarly abundant,
+the reverend gentleman expressed himself with an unusual flow of words,
+in sentences particularly well constructed; yet nevertheless his
+opinions seemed enveloped in a mist; and when Mrs. Richards afterwards
+asked the major his opinion of the new vicar, he replied that he thought
+his manners very gentlemanlike and agreeable, but that he did not
+perfectly remember what opinions he had expressed on any subject.</p>
+
+<p>At first the company seemed inclined to disperse themselves in knots
+about the room; but by degrees Mr. Cartwright very skilfully contrived,
+on one pretence or another, to collect them all round a table that was
+covered with the usual incitements to talk, and the conversation became
+general. At least Mr. Cartwright was very generally listened to; the
+major did not speak at all; and the ladies did little more than agree
+with and applaud from time to time the placid, even, dulcet flow of
+words which fell like a gentle rivulet from the lips of their new vicar.
+This description, indeed, would not apply quite generally to all the
+ladies; but the majority in his favour was five to three, and with this
+advantage,&mdash;that whereas his admirers were loud and eloquent in their
+expressions of approval, the minority contented themselves by preserving
+silence.</p>
+
+
+
+<hr style="width: 65%;" />
+<h2><a name="CHAPTER_IX" id="CHAPTER_IX"></a>CHAPTER IX.</h2>
+
+<h3>HELEN AND ROSALIND CALL UPON SIR GILBERT HARRINGTON</h3>
+
+
+<p>Helen Mowbray knew that the choleric friend whose gentler feelings she
+wished to propitiate was an early riser himself, and was never better
+disposed to be well pleased with others than when they showed themselves
+capable of following his example. She was therefore anxious to arrive at
+his house in time to have the conversation she sought, yet dreaded,
+before nine o'clock, the usual family breakfast-hour; though in the
+shooting-season Sir Gilbert generally contrived to coax my lady and her
+housekeeper to have hot rolls smoking on the table by eight. But,
+luckily for the young ladies' morning repose, it was not
+shooting-season; and they calculated that if they started about half
+past seven they should have time for their walk, and a reasonably long
+conversation afterwards, before the breakfast, to which they looked as
+the pacific conclusion of the negotiation, should be ready.</p>
+
+<p>At half past seven, accordingly, the fair friends met at the door of
+Rosalind's dressing-room, and set off, fearless, though unattended,
+through the shrubberies, the park, the flowery lanes, and finally,
+across one or two hay-fields, which separated the two mansions.</p>
+
+<p>Nothing can be better calculated to raise the animal spirits than an
+early walk in the gay month of June; and on those not accustomed to the
+elasticity, the freshness, the exhilarating clearness of the morning
+air, the effect is like enchantment. All the sad thoughts which had of
+late so constantly brooded round Helen's heart seemed to withdraw their
+painful pressure, and she again felt conscious of the luxury of life,
+with youth, health, and innocence, a clear sky, bright verdure, flowery
+banks, and shady hedge-rows, to adorn it.</p>
+
+<p>Rosalind, by an irresistible impulse of gaiety, joined her voice to
+those of the blackbirds that carolled near her, till she was stopped by
+Helen's exclaiming, "Rosalind, I feel courage for anything this
+morning!"</p>
+
+<p>"Yes," answered her companion, "let Sir Gilbert appear in any shape but
+that of the Vicar of Wrexhill, and I should great him with a degree of
+confidence and kindness that I am positive would be irresistible."</p>
+
+<p>They were now within a short distance of the baronet's grounds, and
+another step brought their courage to the proof; for on mounting a
+stepping-stile which had originally been placed for the especial
+accommodation of the Mowbray ladies, they perceived the redoubtable Sir
+Gilbert at the distance of fifty paces, in the act of removing an
+offending dock-root with his spud.</p>
+
+<p>He raised his eyes, and recognising his young visitors, stepped eagerly
+forward to meet them. To Rosalind, however, though usually a great
+favourite, he now paid not the slightest attention; but taking Helen in
+his arms, kissing her on both cheeks and on the forehead, and then
+looking her in the face very much as if he were going to weep over her,
+he exclaimed,</p>
+
+<p>"My poor, poor child!... Why did not you bring poor Fanny too?... You
+are right to come away, quite right, my dear child: it's dreadful to
+live in dependence upon any one's caprice for one's daily bread! Your
+home shall be here, Helen, and Fanny's too, as long as you like. Come,
+my dear, take my arm: my lady will dance, you may depend upon it, when
+she sees you, for we have had dreadful work about keeping her from
+Mowbray! I'd just as soon keep a wild cat in order as your godmother,
+Helen, when she takes a fancy: but you know, my dear, her going to
+Mowbray was a thing not to be thought of, You are a good girl to
+come&mdash;it shows that you see the matter rightly. I wish Fanny were here
+too!"</p>
+
+<p>All this was said with great rapidity, and without pausing for any
+answer. Meanwhile he had drawn Helen's arm within his, and was leading
+her towards the house.</p>
+
+<p>Rosalind followed them quietly for a few steps; and then, either moved
+thereto by the feeling of courage her walk had inspired, or from some
+latent consciousness of the baronet's partiality to herself, she boldly
+stepped up and took his arm on the other side.</p>
+
+<p>"Bless my soul, Miss Torrington!... by the honour of a knight, I never
+saw you; nor do I think I should have seen a regiment of young ladies,
+though they had been all as handsome as yourself, if they had happened
+to come with my poor dear Helen. It was very good of you to walk over
+with her, poor little thing!... Your fortune is quite safe and
+independent, my dear, isn't it? Nobody's doing a foolish thing can
+involve you in any way, can it?"</p>
+
+<p>"Not unless the foolish thing happened to be done by myself, Sir
+Gilbert."</p>
+
+<p>"That's a great blessing, my dear,&mdash;a very great blessing!... And you'll
+be kind to our two poor girls, won't you, my dear?"</p>
+
+<p>"I have more need that they should be kind to me&mdash;and so they are,&mdash;and
+we are all very kind to one another; and if you will be but very kind
+too, and come and see us all as you used to do, we shall be very happy
+again in time."</p>
+
+<p>"Stuff and nonsense, child!... You may come here, I tell you, and see me
+as much as you like, under my own roof,&mdash;because I know who that belongs
+to, and all about it; but I promise you that you will never see me going
+to houses that don't belong to their right owner,&mdash;it would not suit me
+in the least&mdash;quite out of my way; I should be making some confounded
+blunder, and talking to poor Charles about his estate and his
+property:&mdash;poor fellow! and he not worth sixpence in the world."</p>
+
+<p>During all this time Helen had not spoken a word. They had now nearly
+reached the house; and drawing her arm away, she held out her hand to
+Sir Gilbert, and said in a very humble and beseeching tone,</p>
+
+<p>"Sir Gilbert!... may I speak to you alone for a few minutes?"</p>
+
+<p>"Speak to me, child?&mdash;what about? Is it about a sweet-heart? Is it about
+wanting pocket-money, my poor child?&mdash;I'm executor to your father's
+will, you know, Helen; and if you were starving in a ditch, and Fanny in
+another, and poor Charles begging his bread on the high road, I have not
+the power of giving either of ye a shilling of his property, though he
+has left above fourteen thousand a year!"</p>
+
+<p>Sir Gilbert was now lashing himself into a rage that it was evident
+would render the object of Helen's visit abortive if she attempted to
+bring it forward now. She exchanged a glance with Rosalind, who shook
+her head, and the next moment contrived to whisper in her ear, "Wait
+till after breakfast."</p>
+
+<p>Sir Gilbert was now striding up the steps to the hall-door: the two
+girls silently followed him, and were probably neither of them sorry to
+see Colonel Harrington coming forward to meet them.</p>
+
+<p>This young man had for the two or three last years seen but little of
+the Mowbray family, having been abroad during nearly the whole of that
+time; but he returned with something very like a tender recollection of
+Helen's having been the prettiest little nymph at fifteen that he had
+ever beheld, and her appearance at this moment was not calculated to
+make him think she had lost her delicate beauty during his absence. Her
+slight tall figure was shown to great advantage by her mourning dress;
+and the fair and abundant curls that crowded round her face, now a
+little flushed by exercise and agitation, made her altogether as pretty
+a creature in her peculiar style as a young soldier would wish to look
+upon.</p>
+
+<p>The coal-black hair and sparkling dark eyes of Rosalind, her ruby lips
+and pearl-like teeth, her exquisite little figure, and the general air
+of piquant vivacity which made her perfectly radiant when animated,
+rendered her in most eyes the more attractive of the two; but Colonel
+Harrington did not think so; and giving her one glance of
+curiosity,&mdash;for he had never seen her before,&mdash;he decided, that neither
+she, nor any other woman he had ever beheld, could compare in loveliness
+with his former friend and favourite.</p>
+
+<p>His greeting to Helen was just what might be expected from a man who had
+known her with great intimacy when she was some half-dozen inches
+shorter, and who felt the strongest possible desire to renew the
+acquaintance with as little delay as possible.</p>
+
+<p>"Helen Mowbray!" he exclaimed, springing forward and seizing her hand,
+"how delighted I am to see you! How is dear little Fanny?&mdash;how is
+Charles? I trust you have none of you forgotten me?"</p>
+
+<p>Helen blushed deeply at the unexpected ardour of this address from a
+very tall, handsome, fashionable-looking personage, whose face she
+certainly would not have recognised had she met him accidentally: but a
+happy smile accompanied the blush, and he had no reason to regret the
+politic freedom of his first salutation, which had thus enabled him to
+pass over an infinity of gradations towards the intimacy he coveted, at
+one single step placing him at once on the footing of a familiar friend.
+It was indeed nearly impossible that Helen could be offended by the
+freedom; for not only was it sanctioned by the long-established union of
+their two families, but at this moment she could not but be pleased at
+finding another dear old friend in the garrison, who would be sure to
+add his influence to that of her godmother, that what she so greatly
+wished to obtain should not be refused.</p>
+
+<p>Before they reached the breakfast-room, therefore, the most perfect
+understanding was established between them. Her friend Miss Torrington
+was gaily introduced, for her heart felt gladdened by this important
+addition to her supporters in the cause she had undertaken; and she was
+disposed to believe that Rosalind's proposal to make this alarming visit
+would turn out to have been one of the most fortunate things that ever
+happened.</p>
+
+<p>Within the breakfast-room, and approachable by no other access, was a
+small room, known throughout the mansion, and indeed throughout the
+neighbourhood also, as "My Lady's Closet." This sacred retreat was an
+oblong room, about eighteen feet by eight; a large and lofty window
+occupied nearly one end of it, across which was placed a deal-dresser or
+table of three feet wide, filling the entire space between the walls.
+The whole room was lined with shelves and drawers, the former of which
+were for the most part sheltered by heavy crimson damask curtains. A few
+small tables stood scattered here and there; and the sole accommodation
+for sitting consisted of one high stool, such as laundresses use when
+ironing.</p>
+
+<p>To the door of this apartment Sir Gilbert approached, and there
+reverently stopped; for by the law of the land, even he, though a pretty
+extensively privileged personage, was permitted to go no farther, unless
+licensed by an especial warrant from its mistress.</p>
+
+<p>"My lady," he said, in the cheerful lusty voice that announces
+agreeable tidings,&mdash;"My lady, I have brought home company to breakfast."</p>
+
+<p>"Have you, Sir Knight?" replied Lady Harrington, without turning her
+head, or otherwise interrupting herself in the performance of some
+apparently delicate process upon which she was occupied.</p>
+
+<p>"I'd rather have Mrs. Bluebeard for a wife than such an incurious old
+soul as you are!" said the testy baronet.&mdash;"And so you have not even the
+grace to ask who it is?"</p>
+
+<p>"Why, my dear Sir Tiger, I shall be sure to know within two minutes
+after Tomkins gives his passing thump to announce that he is carrying in
+the coffee; then why should I disturb this fairest of the Pentandria
+class?&mdash;my charming high-dried mirabilis?"</p>
+
+<p>"The devil take you, and all your classes, orders, and tribes, to his
+own hothouse!&mdash;I'll be hanged if I don't lock you into your den while I
+breakfast with her;&mdash;you shan't see her at all!"</p>
+
+<p>"Mother! mother!" exclaimed the colonel hastily, to anticipate the
+execution of the threat&mdash;"it is Helen Mowbray!"</p>
+
+<p>"Helen Mowbray!" cried the old lady, thrusting her hot smoothing-iron on
+one side, and her blossom blotting-paper on the other, while the
+precious mirabilis fell to the ground; "Helen Mowbray!" and pushing
+aside the baronet by no very gentle movement of her tall and substantial
+person, she rushed forward, and Helen was speedily folded in a very
+close embrace.</p>
+
+<p>"There, there, there! don't stifle the girl, old lady!&mdash;And supposing
+you were to bestow one little monosyllable of civility upon this pretty
+creature, Miss Torrington, who stands smiling at us all like an angel,
+though every soul amongst us is as rude as a bear to her.&mdash;I don't
+believe you ever found yourself so entirely neglected before, my dear?"</p>
+
+<p>"I have never witnessed attention more gratifying to me than that which
+I have seen displayed this morning," replied Rosalind.</p>
+
+<p>"You are a good girl, a very good girl, my dear, and I shall always love
+you for coming over with this poor dear disinherited child."</p>
+
+<p>"Miss Torrington, I am delighted to see you, now and ever, my dear
+young lady," said Lady Harrington, who, when she chose it, could be as
+dignified, and as courteous too, as any lady in the land.</p>
+
+<p>"You have walked over, I am sure, by the bright freshness of your looks.
+Now, then, sit down one on each side of me, that I may be able to see
+you without hoisting a <i>lunette d'approche</i> across this prodigious
+table."</p>
+
+<p>"And so, because your ladyship is near-sighted," said Sir Gilbert,
+"William and I are to sit at this awful distance from these beautiful
+damsels? You are a tiresome old soul as ever lived!"</p>
+
+<p>"And that's the reason you appear so profoundly melancholy and miserable
+at this moment," said Lady Harrington, looking with no trifling degree
+of satisfaction at the radiant good-humour and happiness which the
+unexpected arrival of Helen had caused to be visible in the countenance
+of her boisterous husband. "Do you find William much altered, Helen?"
+she continued. "I wonder if any one has had the grace to present Colonel
+Harrington to Miss Torrington?"</p>
+
+<p>"Helen did me that kind office," said the colonel, "and I suppose she
+must do the same for me to little Fanny. I long to see if she continues
+as surpassingly beautiful as she was when I took my sad, reluctant leave
+of Mowbray Park."</p>
+
+<p>Rosalind immediately became answerable for the undiminished beauty of
+Fanny, adding to her report on this point a declaration that the whole
+family were anxious to renew their acquaintance with him.</p>
+
+<p>This was the nearest approach that any of the party ventured to make
+towards the mention of Mowbray Park or its inhabitants. Nevertheless,
+the breakfast passed cheerfully, and even without a word from Sir
+Gilbert in allusion to the destitute condition of Helen, and her brother
+and sister. But when even the baronet had disposed of his last
+egg-shell, pushed the ham fairly away from him, and swallowed his last
+bowl of tea, the beautiful colour of Helen began gradually to deepen;
+she ceased to speak, and hardly seemed to hear what was said to her.</p>
+
+<p>Rosalind took the hint, and with more tact than is usually found in the
+possession of seventeen and a half, she said to Lady Harrington,</p>
+
+<p>"If I promise to keep my hands not only from picking and stealing, but
+from touching, will your ladyship indulge me with a sight of your press,
+and your boxes, and a volume or two of your <i>hortus siccus</i>? for I feel
+considerable aspirations after the glory of becoming a botanist myself."</p>
+
+<p>"My ladyship will show you something infinitely more to the purpose,
+then, if you will come to the hothouse with me," replied Lady
+Harrington, rising, and giving an intelligible glance to her son as she
+did so, which immediately caused him to rise and follow her. "I cannot
+take you where I should be sure to overhear them, my dear," she added in
+a whisper as she led Rosalind from the room; "for if my rough diamond
+should chance to be too rough with her, I should infallibly burst out
+upon them; and yet I know well enough that I should do nothing but
+mischief."</p>
+
+<p>Helen was thus left alone with the kind-hearted but pertinacious
+baronet. He seemed to have a misgiving of the attack that was about to
+be opened upon him; for he made a fidgetty movement in his chair, pushed
+it back, and looked so very much inclined to run away, that Helen saw no
+time was to be lost, and, in a voice not over-steady, said,</p>
+
+<p>"I want to speak to you, Sir Gilbert, about my dear mamma. I fear from
+what you said to Charles, and more still by nobody's coming from Oakley
+to see us, that you are angry with her.&mdash;If it is about the will, Sir
+Gilbert, you do her great injustice: I am very, very sure that she
+neither wished for such a will, nor knew any thing about it."</p>
+
+<p>"It is very pretty and dutiful in you, Miss Helen, to say so, and to
+think so too if you can. Perhaps I might have done the same at nineteen;
+but at sixty-five, child, one begins to know a little better what signs
+and tokens mean.&mdash;There is no effect without a cause, Miss Helen. The
+effect in this affair is already pretty visible to all eyes, and will
+speedily become more so, you may depend upon it. The cause may be still
+hid from babes and sucklings, but not from an old fellow like me, who
+knew your poor father, girl, before you were hatched or thought of,&mdash;and
+knew him to be both a good and a wise man, who would never have done the
+deed he did unless under the influence of one as ever near and ever dear
+to him as your mother."</p>
+
+<p>"You have known my mother too, Sir Gilbert, for many, many years:&mdash;did
+you ever see in her any symptom of the character you now attribute to
+her?"</p>
+
+<p>"If I had, Miss Helen, I should not loathe and abominate her hypocrisy
+as I now do. I will never see her more&mdash;for all our sakes: for if I did,
+I know right well that I could not restrain my indignation within
+moderate bounds."</p>
+
+<p>"Then certainly it would be better that you should not see her," said
+the weeping Helen: "for indeed, sir, I think such unmerited indignation
+would almost kill her."</p>
+
+<p>"If you knew any thing about the matter, child, you would be aware that
+<i>merited</i> indignation would be more likely to disagree with her.
+Unmerited indignation does one no harm in the world, as I can testify
+from experience; for my lady is dreadfully indignant, as I dare say you
+guess, at my keeping her and William away from Mowbray Park: and it's
+ten to one but you will be indignant too, child;&mdash;but I can't help it. I
+love you all three very much, Helen; but I must do what I think right,
+for all that."</p>
+
+<p>"Not indignant, Sir Gilbert;&mdash;at least, that would not be the prevailing
+feeling with me, though a sense of injustice might make it so with my
+poor mother. What I shall feel will be grief&mdash;unceasing grief, if the
+friend my beloved father most valued and esteemed continues to refuse
+his countenance and affection to the bereaved family he has left."</p>
+
+<p>From the time this conversation began, Sir Gilbert had been striding up
+and down the room, as it was always his custom to do when he felt
+himself in a rage, or was conscious that he was about to be so. He now
+stopped opposite Helen; and while something very like tenderness almost
+impeded his utterance, he said,</p>
+
+<p>"That's trash&mdash;abominable false trash! Miss Helen. After what's passed
+to-day, to say nothing of times past, you must know well enough that I'm
+not likely to refuse my countenance and affection to your father's
+children;&mdash;bereaved they are, sure enough! You know as well as I do,
+that I love you all three&mdash;for your own sakes, girl, as well as for
+his;&mdash;and your pretending to doubt it, was a hit of trumpery womanhood,
+Helen,&mdash;so never make use of it again: for you see I understand the
+sex,&mdash;and that's just the reason why I like my old woman better than any
+other <i>she</i> in the wide world;&mdash;she never tries any make-believe tricks
+upon me."</p>
+
+<p>"Believe me, Sir Gilbert," said Helen, smiling, "I hate tricks as much
+as my godmother can: and if it were otherwise, you are the last person I
+should try them upon. But how can we think you love us, if you will not
+come near Mowbray?"</p>
+
+<p>"You may think it, and know it, very easily, child, by the welcome you
+shall always find here. It is very likely that you may not be long
+comfortable at home; and before it happens, remember I have told you
+that you shall always have a home at Oakley: but it must not be on
+condition of bringing your mother with you; for see her I will not,&mdash;and
+there's an end."</p>
+
+<p>Helen remained silent. She felt painfully convinced that, at least for
+the present, she should gain nothing by arguing the cause of her mother
+any farther; and after a long pause, during which Sir Gilbert continued
+to pace up and down before her, she rose, and sighing deeply, said,</p>
+
+<p>"I believe it is time for us to return.&mdash;Good-b'ye, Sir Gilbert."</p>
+
+<p>There was something in the tone of her voice which very nearly overset
+all the sturdy resolution of the baronet; but instead of yielding to the
+weakness, as he would have called it, like a skilful general he marched
+off the field with his colours still flying, and certainly without
+giving his adversary any reasonable ground to hope for victory.</p>
+
+<p>"They are all in the hothouse, I believe," said he, walking before Helen
+to a door of the hall which opened upon the beautiful gardens. "You have
+not seen my lady's heaths for many a day, Helen:&mdash;she'll be savage if
+you go without taking a look at them."</p>
+
+<p>Helen followed without saying a word in reply, for her heart was full;
+and when she joined the trio who had so considerately left her to the
+uninterrupted possession of Sir Gilbert's ear, there was no need of any
+questioning on their part, or answering on hers, to put them all in full
+possession of the result of the tête-à-tête.</p>
+
+<p>It would be difficult to say which of the three looked most vexed:
+perhaps Lady Harrington gave the strongest outward demonstrations of
+what she felt on the occasion.</p>
+
+<p>She glanced frowningly at Sir Gilbert, who looked as if he intended to
+say something amiable, and seizing upon Helen's two hands, kissed them
+both, exclaiming, "Dearest and best! what a heart of flint must that
+being have who could find the cruel strength to pain thee!"</p>
+
+<p>Colonel Harrington, who, discomposed and disappointed, had thrown
+himself on a bench, gave his mother a very grateful look for this; while
+Rosalind, after examining her sad countenance for a moment, pressed
+closely to her friend and whispered, "Let us go, Helen."</p>
+
+<p>Poor Helen had no inclination to delay her departure; and knowing that
+her partial godmother was fully capable of understanding her feelings,
+she said, returning her carresses,</p>
+
+<p>"Do not keep me a moment longer, dearest friend, for fear I should weep!
+and then I am sure he would call it a trick."</p>
+
+<p>"I will not keep you, Helen," replied Lady Harrington aloud. "You have
+come on a mission of love and peace; and if I mistake not that heavy eye
+and feverish cheek, you have failed. Poor child! she does not look like
+the same creature that she did an hour and a half ago&mdash;does she,
+William?"</p>
+
+<p>"Adieu, Lady Harrington!" said Helen, the big tears rolling down her
+cheeks despite her struggles to prevent them. "Good morning, Colonel
+Harrington;&mdash;farewell, Sir Gilbert!"</p>
+
+<p>"This is hard, Miss Torrington!" said the baronet, turning from Helen's
+offered hand; "this is confounded hard! I'm doing my duty, and acting
+according to my conscience as a man of honour, and yet I shall be made
+to believe that Nero was a dove, and Bluebeard a babe of grace, compared
+to me!"</p>
+
+<p>But Miss Torrington being in no humour to answer him playfully, said
+gravely,</p>
+
+<p>"I am very sorry we broke in upon you so unadvisedly, Sir Gilbert. It is
+plain our hopes have not been realised."</p>
+
+<p>The young lady bowed silently to the colonel, and taking a short
+farewell of Lady Harrington, but one in which mutual kindness was
+mutually understood, she took the arm of her discomfited friend, and
+they proceeded towards a little gate in the iron fencing which divided
+the garden from the paddock in front of the house.</p>
+
+<p>"And you won't shake hands with me, Helen!" said Sir Gilbert, following.</p>
+
+<p>"Do not say so, sir," replied Helen, turning back and holding out her
+hand.</p>
+
+<p>"And when shall we see you here again?"</p>
+
+<p>"Whenever you will come and fetch me, Sir Gilbert," she replied,
+endeavouring to look cheerful. He took her hand, wrung it, and turned
+away without speaking.</p>
+
+<p>"Your interdict, sir," said Colonel Harrington, "does not, I hope,
+extend beyond Mowbray Park paling?&mdash;I trust I may be permitted to take
+care of these young ladies as far as the lodges?"</p>
+
+<p>"If you did not do it, you know very well that I should, you puppy!"
+replied his father: and so saying, he turned into a walk which led in a
+direction as opposite as possible from that which his ireful lady had
+chosen.</p>
+
+<p>Colonel Harrington felt that it required some exertion of his
+conversational powers to bring his fair companions back to the tone of
+cheerful familiarity which had reigned among them all at the
+breakfast-table; but the exertion was made, and so successfully, that
+before the walk was ended a feeling of perfect confidence was
+established between them. When they were about to part, he said,</p>
+
+<p>"My mother and I shall labour, and cease not, to work our way through
+the <i>écorce</i> to the kernel of my good father's heart; and there we shall
+find exactly the material we want, of which to form a reconciliation
+between your mother and him.&mdash;Farewell, Helen!&mdash;farewell, Miss
+Torrington! I trust that while the interdict lasts, chance will
+sometimes favour our meeting beyond the forbidden precincts."</p>
+
+<p>He stepped forward to open the Park gate for them, shook hands, uttered
+another "Farewell!" and departed.</p>
+
+
+
+<hr style="width: 65%;" />
+<h2><a name="CHAPTER_X" id="CHAPTER_X"></a>CHAPTER X.</h2>
+
+<h3>MRS. MOWBRAY CONSULTS MR. CARTWRIGHT UPON THE SUBJECT OF HER LATE
+HUSBAND'S WILL.</h3>
+
+
+<p>The first person they encountered on entering the house was Fanny.</p>
+
+<p>"Where <i>have</i> you been!" she exclaimed. "My mother is half frightened to
+death. Do go to her this moment, Helen, to set her heart at ease."</p>
+
+<p>"Where is she, Fanny?" inquired Helen, with a sigh, as she remembered
+how little the answers she must necessarily give to the questions she
+would be sure to ask were likely to produce that effect.</p>
+
+<p>"In her dressing-room, Helen. But where <i>have</i> you been?"</p>
+
+<p>"To Oakley."</p>
+
+<p>"Good gracious, Helen!&mdash;and without asking mamma's leave?"</p>
+
+<p>"I did it with a good intention, Fanny. Do you think I was wrong in
+endeavouring to restore the intimacy that has been so cruelly
+interrupted? Do you think mamma will be very angry? I am sure it was
+chiefly for her sake that I went."</p>
+
+<p>"No, I am sure she will not when you tell her that. But come directly: I
+do assure you she has been seriously uneasy.&mdash;Did you find Sir Gilbert
+very savage, Rosalind?"</p>
+
+<p>"<i>Pas mal</i>, my dear."</p>
+
+<p>Another moment brought them to Mrs. Mowbray. "Thank Heaven!" was her
+first exclamation on seeing them; and the repetition of Fanny's emphatic
+"Where <i>have</i> you been?" followed it.</p>
+
+<p>"Dearest mother!" said Helen, fondly embracing her, "do not chide us
+very severely, even if we have been wrong; for indeed we meant to be
+very, very right; and when we set out the expedition appeared to us
+anything but a pleasant one. We have been to Oakley."</p>
+
+<p>"I am too thankful at seeing you returned in safety, my dear girls, to
+be very angry at any thing. But do tell me, Helen, what could have
+induced you to volunteer a visit to the only people who have been unkind
+to us since your poor father's death?"</p>
+
+<p>"In the hope, mamma, of putting an end to an estrangement which I
+thought was very painful to you."</p>
+
+<p>"Dearest Helen! it was just like you! And have you succeeded, my love?"</p>
+
+<p>"No, mamma, I have not."</p>
+
+<p>Mrs. Mowbray coloured.</p>
+
+<p>"And pray, Helen, have they explained to you the cause of their
+extraordinary and most unfeeling conduct?"</p>
+
+<p>"Do not say <i>they</i>, dearest mother! Lady Harrington is greatly
+distressed at Sir Gilbert's conduct: so is the colonel, who is just come
+home. Whatever fault there may be, it is Sir Gilbert's alone."</p>
+
+<p>"Did he, then, explain himself to you?"</p>
+
+<p>Helen remained silent.</p>
+
+<p>"I must request, Helen," resumed her mother, "that you make no farther
+mystery about the Harringtons. I am willing to excuse the strange step
+you took this morning; but I shall be seriously displeased if you refuse
+to tell me what passed during your visit. Of what is it that Sir Gilbert
+accuses me?"</p>
+
+<p>"I pointed out to him, mamma, the injustice of being angry with you
+because papa made a will that he did not approve."</p>
+
+<p>"Well, Helen! and what did he say to that?"</p>
+
+<p>"Upon my word, mamma, I could not find a shadow of reason in any thing
+he said."</p>
+
+<p>"You evade my questions, Helen. I insist upon knowing what it is that
+Sir Gilbert lays to my charge.&mdash;Helen!&mdash;do you refuse to answer me?"</p>
+
+<p>"Oh no, mamma!&mdash;but you cannot think how painful it would be for me to
+repeat it!"</p>
+
+<p>"I cannot help it, Helen: you have brought this pain on yourself by your
+very unadvised visit of this morning. But since you have gone to the
+house of one who has declared himself my enemy, you must let me know
+exactly what it is he has chosen to accuse me of; unless you mean that I
+should imagine you wish to shield him from my resentment because you
+think him right."</p>
+
+<p>"Oh, my mother!" cried Helen; "what a word is that!"</p>
+
+<p>"Well, then, do not trifle with me any longer, but repeat at once all
+that you heard him say."</p>
+
+<p>Thus urged, poor Helen stated Sir Gilbert's very unjust suspicions
+respecting the influence used to induce Mr. Mowbray to make the will he
+had left. It was in vain she endeavoured to modify and soften the
+accusation,&mdash;the resentment and indignation of Mrs. Mowbray were
+unbounded; and Helen had the deep mortification of perceiving that the
+only result of her enterprise was to have rendered the breach she so
+greatly wished to repair a hundred times wider than before.</p>
+
+<p>"And this man, with these base and vile suspicions, is the person your
+father has left as joint executor with me!&mdash;What a situation does this
+place me in! Did he make any allusion to this, Helen?&mdash;did he say any
+thing of the necessary business that we have, most unfortunately, to
+transact together?"</p>
+
+<p>"No, mamma, he did not."</p>
+
+<p>A long silence followed this question and answer. Mrs. Mowbray appeared
+to suffer greatly, and in fact she did so. Nothing could be farther from
+the truth than the idea Sir Gilbert Harrington had conceived, and its
+injustice revolted and irritated her to a degree that she never before
+experienced against any human being. That Helen should have listened to
+such an accusation, pained her extremely; and a feeling in some degree
+allied to displeasure against her mingled with the disagreeable
+meditations in which she was plunged.</p>
+
+<p>"My head aches dreadfully!" she said at last. "Fanny, give me my shawl
+and parasol: I will try what a walk in the fresh air will do for me."</p>
+
+<p>"May I go with you, mamma?" said Helen.</p>
+
+<p>"No, my dear; you have had quite walking enough. Fanny has not been out
+at all: she may come with me."</p>
+
+<p>These words were both natural and reasonable, but there was something in
+them that smote Helen to the heart. She fondly loved her mother, and,
+for the first time, she suspected that her heart and feelings were not
+understood.</p>
+
+<p>Mrs. Mowbray and Fanny had just walked through the library windows into
+the garden, when they perceived Mr. Cartwright approaching the house.
+They both uttered an exclamation of pleasure at perceiving him, and
+Fanny said eagerly, "He must see us, mamma! Do not let him go all the
+way round to the hall-door! May we not walk across and meet him?"</p>
+
+<p>"To be sure. Run forward, Fanny; and when he sees you coming to him, he
+will turn this way."</p>
+
+<p>She was not mistaken: Fanny had not made three steps in advance of her
+mother, before Mr. Cartwright turned from the road, and passing through
+a gate in the invisible fence, joined her in a moment.</p>
+
+<p>"How kind this is of you!" said he as he drew near;&mdash;"to appear thus
+willing to receive again an intruder, whose quick return must lead you
+to suspect that you are in danger of being haunted by him! And so I
+think you are, Miss Fanny; and I will be generous enough to tell you at
+once, that if you greet me thus kindly, I shall hardly know how to keep
+away from Mowbray Park."</p>
+
+<p>"But mamma is so glad to see you," said Fanny, blushing beautifully,
+"that I am sure you need not try to keep away!"</p>
+
+<p>Mrs. Mowbray now drew near to answer for herself; which she did very
+cordially, assuring him that she considered these friendly and
+unceremonious visits as the greatest kindness he could show her.</p>
+
+<p>"It will be long, I think," said she, "before I shall have courage
+sufficient to invite any one to this mournful and sadly-altered mansion:
+but those whose friendship I really value will, I trust, have the
+charity to come to us without waiting for an invitation."</p>
+
+<p>"I wish I could prove to you, my dear madam," replied Mr. Cartwright
+with respectful tenderness, "how fervently I desire to serve you: but,
+surrounded by old and long-tried friends as you must be, how can a
+new-comer and a stranger hope to be useful?"</p>
+
+<p>This was touching a very tender point&mdash;and it is just possible that Mr.
+Cartwright was aware of it, as he was present at the reading of the
+will, and heard Sir Gilbert Harrington's first burst of rage on becoming
+acquainted with its contents. But Mrs. Mowbray had either forgotten this
+circumstance, or, feeling deeply disturbed at the fresh proof which
+Helen had brought her of the falling off of an old friend, was disposed
+to revert anew to it, in the hope of moving the compasssion and
+propitiating the kindness of a new one.</p>
+
+<p>"Alas! my dear sir," she said feelingly, "even old friends will
+sometimes fail us; and then it is that we ought to thank God for such
+happy accidents as that which has placed near us one so able and kindly
+willing to supply their place as yourself.&mdash;Fanny, my love, the business
+on which I have to speak is a painful one: go to your sister, dearest,
+while I ask our kind friend's advice respecting this unhappy business."</p>
+
+<p>"Good-b'ye then, Mr. Cartwright," said Fanny, holding out her hand to
+him.&mdash;"But perhaps I shall see you again as you go away, for I shall be
+in the garden."</p>
+
+<p>"Bless you, my dear child!" said he fervently, as he led her a few steps
+towards the shrubberies; "God bless, and have you in his holy keeping!"</p>
+
+<p>"What an especial blessing have you, my dear friend," he said, returning
+to Mrs. Mowbray, "in that charming child!&mdash;Watch over her, and guard her
+from all evil! for she is one who, if guided in that only path which
+leads to good, will be a saving and a precious treasure to all who
+belong to her: but if led astray&mdash;alas! the guilt that the downfall of
+so pure a spirit would entail on those whose duty it is to watch over
+her!"</p>
+
+<p>"She is indeed an excellent young creature!" said the proud mother,
+whose darling the lovely Fanny had ever been; "but I think she wants
+less guiding than any child I ever saw,&mdash;and it has always been so. She
+learned faster than she could be taught; and her temper is so sweet, and
+her heart so affectionate, that I really do not remember that she has
+ever deserved a reprimand in her life."</p>
+
+<p>"May the precepts of her admirable mother ever keep her thus!" said Mr.
+Cartwright, as they seated themselves in the library, into which they
+had entered. "But, oh! my dear lady! know you not that it is just such
+sweet and gifted creatures as your Fanny that the Evil One seeks for his
+own?&mdash;Nay, look not thus terrified, my excellent, my exemplary
+friend,&mdash;look not thus terrified: if it be thus, as most surely it
+is&mdash;think you that we are left without help to resist? My dear, my
+admirable Mrs. Mowbray! yours is the hand appointed to lead this fair
+and attractive being unspotted through the world. If great&mdash;awfully
+great, as assuredly it is, be the responsibility, great&mdash;unspeakably
+great, will be the reward. Then tremble not, dear friend! watch and
+pray, and this unmeasurable reward shall be yours!"</p>
+
+<p>Mrs. Mowbray, however, did tremble; but her trembling was accompanied by
+a sweet and well-pleased consciousness of being considered by the
+excellent man beside her as capable of leading this darling child to
+eternal happiness and glory. The look, the accent of Mr. Cartwright went
+farther than his words to convince her that he believed this power to be
+hers, and she gazed at him with something of the reverence and humble
+love with which Catholics contemplate the effigies of the saints they
+worship.</p>
+
+<p>"But what was the business, the painful business, my poor friend, upon
+which you wished to consult me, before that vision of light had drawn
+all our attention upon herself? What was it, my dear Mrs. Mowbray, you
+wished to say to me?"</p>
+
+<p>"I am hardly justified, I fear, Mr. Cartwright, thus early in our
+acquaintance, in taking up your valuable time in listening to my sorrows
+and my wrongs; but in truth I have both to bear; and I have at this
+moment no friend near me to whom I can apply for advice how to proceed
+with business that puzzles almost as much as it distresses me. May I,
+then, my dear sir, intrude on your kindness for half an hour, while I
+state to you the singular predicament in which I am placed?"</p>
+
+<p>"Were it not, as most assuredly it is&mdash;were it not, dearest Mrs.
+Mowbray, a true and deep-felt pleasure to me to believe that I might
+possibly be useful to you, it would be my especial and bounden duty to
+strive to be so. For what are the ministers of the Most High placed
+amidst the people? wherefore are their voices raised, so that all should
+hear them? Is it not, my friend, because their lives, their souls, their
+bodies, are devoted to the service of those committed by Providence to
+their care? And, trust me, the minister who would shrink from this is
+unworthy&mdash;utterly unworthy the post to which he has been called. Speak,
+then, dearest Mrs. Mowbray, as to one bound alike by duty and the most
+fervent good-will to aid and assist you to the utmost extent of his
+power."</p>
+
+<p>The great natural gift of Mr. Cartwright was the power of making his
+voice, his eye, and the flexible muscles of his handsome mouth, echo,
+and, as it were reverberate and reiterate every word he spoke, giving to
+his language a power beyond its own. What he now said was uttered
+rapidly, but with an apparent depth and intensity of feeling that
+brought tears of mingled gratitude and admiration to the eyes of Mrs.
+Mowbray. After a moment given to this not unpleasing emotion, she said,</p>
+
+<p>"It was from you, Mr. Cartwright, if I remember rightly, that I first
+heard the enactments of my husband's will. When I give you my word, as I
+now most solemnly do, that I had never during his life the slightest
+knowledge of what that will was to be, I think you will believe me."</p>
+
+<p>"Believe you!" exclaimed Mr. Cartwright. "Is there on earth a being
+sufficiently depraved to doubt an assertion so vouched by you?"</p>
+
+<p>"Oh, Mr. Cartwright! if all men had your generous, and, I will say, just
+confidence in me, I should not now be in the position I am! But Sir
+Gilbert Harrington, the person most unhappily chosen by Mr. Mowbray as
+joint executor with myself, is persuaded that this generous will was
+made in my favour solely in consequence of my artful influence over him;
+and so deeply does he resent this imputed crime, that instead of
+standing forward, as he ought to do, as the protector and agent of his
+friend's widow, he loads the memory of that friend with insult, and
+oppresses me with scorn and revilings, the more bitter because conveyed
+to me by my own child."</p>
+
+<p>Mrs. Mowbray wept.&mdash;Mr. Cartwright hid his face with his hands, and for
+some moments seemed fearful of betraying all he felt. At length he fixed
+his eyes upon her&mdash;eyes moistened by a tear, and in a low, deep voice
+that seemed to indicate an inward struggle, he uttered, "<i>Vengeance is
+mine, saith the Lord</i>!"</p>
+
+<p>He closed his eyes, and sat for a moment silent,&mdash;then added, "Perhaps
+of all the trials to which we are exposed in this world of temptation,
+the obeying this mandate is the most difficult! But, like all uttered by
+its Divine Author, it is blessed alike by its authority and its use.
+Without it!&mdash;my friend! without it, would not my hand be grappling the
+throat of your malignant enemy?&mdash;Without it, should I not even now be
+seeking to violate the laws of God and man, to bring the wretch who can
+thus stab an angel woman's breast to the dust before her? But, thanks to
+the faith that is in me, I <i>know</i> that his suspicious heart and cruel
+soul shall meet a vengeance as much greater than any I could inflict, as
+the hand that wields it is more powerful than mine! I humbly thank
+Heaven for this, and remembering it, turn with chastened spirit from the
+forbidden task of punishing him, to the far more Christian one of
+offering aid to the gentle being he would crush.&mdash;Was it indeed from the
+lips of your child, my poor friend, that these base aspersions reached
+you?"</p>
+
+<p>"It was indeed, Mr. Cartwright; and it was this which made them cut so
+deeply. Poor Helen knew not what she was about when she secretly left
+her mother's roof to visit this man, in the hope of restoring the
+families to their former habits of intimacy!"</p>
+
+<p>"Did Helen do this?" said Mr. Cartwright, with a sort of shiver.</p>
+
+<p>"Yes, poor thing, she did; and perhaps for her pains may have won
+caresses for herself. But, by her own statement&mdash;most reluctantly given,
+certainly,&mdash;she seems to have listened to calumnies against her mother,
+which I should have thought no child of mine would have borne to hear;"
+and again Mrs. Mowbray shed tears.</p>
+
+<p>"Gracious Heaven!" exclaimed Mr. Cartwright, fervently clasping his
+hands, "Dear, tortured Mrs. Mowbray, turn your weeping eyes to Heaven!
+those drops shall not fall in vain. It was your child&mdash;a child nurtured
+in that gentle bosom, who repeated to you this blasphemy? Oh, fie! fie!
+fie! But let us not think of this,&mdash;at least, not at this trying moment.
+Hereafter means must be taken to stay this plague-spot from spreading
+over the hearts of all whom nature has given to love and honour you.
+Your pretty, gentle Fanny! she at least will not, I think, be led to
+listen to any voice that shall speak ill of you:&mdash;sweet child! let her
+be near your heart, and that will comfort you.&mdash;But, alas! my poor
+friend, this maternal disappointment, grievous as it is, will not be all
+you have to bear from this wretch, whom Heaven, for its good but
+inscrutable purposes, permits to persecute you. There must be business,
+my dear Mrs. Mowbray, business of great importance that this man must be
+immediately called upon to execute with you,&mdash;the proving the will, for
+instance; he must either do this, or refuse to act."</p>
+
+<p>"Would to Heaven he might refuse!" said Mrs. Mowbray eagerly; "what a
+relief would this be to me, Mr. Cartwright! Do you think there would be
+any possibility of leading him to it?"</p>
+
+<p>"Of leading him,&mdash;certainly not; for it is very clear, from his conduct,
+that whatever you appeared to wish, <i>that</i> he would be averse to do.
+Your only hope of obtaining what would most assuredly be an especial
+blessing for you, his formal renunciation of the executorship, would, I
+think, be from writing to him immediately, and imperatively demanding
+his joining you forthwith in proving the will. In such a state of mind
+as he must be in before he would bear to utter his vile suspicions to
+your daughter, I think it very likely he may refuse."</p>
+
+<p>"And what would happen then, Mr. Cartwright?"</p>
+
+<p>"You must place yourself in the hands of a respectable lawyer, totally a
+stranger and unconnected with him, and he would put you in a way to
+prove it yourself; after which he could give you no further trouble of
+any kind: unless, indeed, your misguided children should continue to
+frequent his house, and so become the means of wounding your ears and
+your heart by repeating his calumnies. But this, I trust, the source of
+all wisdom and goodness will give you power to prevent."</p>
+
+<p>"With your help and counsel, Mr. Cartwright, I may yet hope to weather
+the storm that seems to have burst upon me; but indeed it could hardly
+have burst upon any one less capable of struggling with it! In what
+language should I write to this, cruel man, who has so undeservedly
+become my enemy?"</p>
+
+<p>"There is no difficulty there, my friend. The shortest and most strictly
+ceremonious form must be the best."</p>
+
+<p>Mrs. Mowbray drew towards her materials for writing,&mdash;opened the
+portfolio, which between its leaves of blotting-paper contained sundry
+sheets of wire-wove, black-edged post,&mdash;placed one of them before
+her,&mdash;took a pen and curiously examined its tip&mdash;dipped it delicately in
+the ink, and finally turned to Mr. Cartwright, saying,</p>
+
+<p>"How very grateful I should be if you would have the great kindness to
+write it for me!"</p>
+
+<p>"But the handwriting, my dear lady, must be yours."</p>
+
+<p>"Oh yes! I know. But it would be so much more satisfactory if you would
+sketch the form!"</p>
+
+<p>"Then I am sure I will do it most readily." He drew the paper to him and
+wrote,</p>
+
+<p>"Mrs. Mowbray presents her compliments to Sir Gilbert Harrington, and
+requests to know on what day it will suit him to meet her and her lawyer
+in London, for the purpose of proving her late husband's will at
+Doctors' Commons. The amount of the real property may be ascertained by
+the rent-roll; that of the personal, by means of papers left by the
+deceased, and a valuation of the effects made by competent persons. Mrs.
+Mowbray begs leave to intimate that she wishes as little delay as
+possible to intervene before the completion of this transaction."</p>
+
+<p>Mr. Cartwright turned what he had written towards her, saying, "This is
+the sort of letter which I should think it advisable to send."</p>
+
+<p>Mrs. Mowbray drew forth another sheet, and transcribed it so rapidly
+that it might be doubted whether she allowed herself time to read it as
+she did so.</p>
+
+<p>"And this should be despatched instantly, should it not?" she said,
+folding and directing it.</p>
+
+<p>"Indeed, I think so."</p>
+
+<p>"Then will you have the kindness to ring the bell, Mr. Cartwright?"</p>
+
+<p>"Bring me a lighted taper, John," said Mrs. Mowbray to the servant who
+entered; "and let Thomas get a horse ready to take this letter
+immediately to Oakley."</p>
+
+<p>The taper was brought, the letter sealed and delivered, with
+instructions that the bearer was to wait for an answer.</p>
+
+<p>This important business concluded, Mr. Cartwright rose to go, saying,
+"You have filled my heart and my head so completely by the communication
+of Sir Gilbert Harrington's conduct, that I protest to you I do not at
+this moment recollect why it was I troubled you with a visit this
+morning. I shall recollect it, I dare say, when I see you no longer; and
+if I do, you must let me come back before very long to tell you."</p>
+
+<p>"But whether you recollect it or not," replied Mrs. Mowbray in a
+plaintive tone, "I trust you will not let it be long before I see you:
+otherwise, Mr. Cartwright, I shall not know how to proceed when I
+receive Sir Gilbert's answer."</p>
+
+<p>This appeal was answered by an assurance, uttered in a tone of the most
+soothing kindness, that he would never be far from her when she wished
+him near; and then, with a pastoral and affectionate pressure of her
+hand, he left her.</p>
+
+<p>Fanny kept her word, and was walking up and down about a dozen yards
+from that end of the shrubbery which terminated in the road leading to
+the house. Mr. Cartwright looked in that direction as he stepped from
+the library window, and walking quickly to the spot, conversed with her
+for several minutes as she stood leaning over the gate. Fanny smiled,
+blushed, and looked delighted: her hand, too, was pressed with
+affectionate kindness; and Mr. Cartwright returned to his vicarage and
+his early dinner.</p>
+
+
+
+<hr style="width: 65%;" />
+<h2><a name="CHAPTER_XI" id="CHAPTER_XI"></a>CHAPTER XI.</h2>
+
+<h3>HELEN'S MISERY AT HER MOTHER'S DISPLEASURE.&mdash;SIR G. HARRINGTON'S LETTER
+ON THE SUBJECT OF THE WILL.</h3>
+
+
+<p>When Miss Torrington and Helen retreated to the dressing-room
+appropriated to the former, which was the apartment in which they
+generally pursued their morning studies, they sat down disconsolately
+enough to review the results of their enterprise.</p>
+
+<p>"Everything is ten times worse than it was before, Helen!" said her
+friend; "and it is all my fault!"</p>
+
+<p>"Your fault?&mdash;Oh no! But I believe we are both of us too young to
+interfere, with any reasonable hope of doing good, between those who in
+age and wisdom are so greatly our superiors. Oh, Rosalind! I fear, I
+fear that my dearest mother is very angry with me!"</p>
+
+<p>"I cannot believe it, Helen. I hardly know how far a dutiful daughter
+may be permitted to act like a rational human being; but to the best of
+my knowledge and belief, your conduct has been such as to ensure you the
+approbation and gratitude of any mother in the world&mdash;at least of any
+reasonable mother. You know, Helen, how truly fond I have become of my
+sweet-tempered guardianess.&mdash;Is there such a word?&mdash;I believe not;&mdash;of
+my guardian, then. During the eight months that I have made one of her
+family, I have never yet received a harsh word or unkind look from her,
+though I have not the slightest doubt that I have deserved many: but
+nevertheless, my own dear Helen, if she should blunder so egregiously as
+to be really angry with you for acting with such zealous, tender
+affection as you have done this morning merely because that obstinate
+old brute Sir Gilbert was not to be brought to reason; if she should
+really act thus&mdash;which I trust in God she will not&mdash;but if she should, I
+do verily believe, in all sincerity, that I should hate her."</p>
+
+<p>"No, you would not,&mdash;you would not be so unjust, Rosalind. What right
+had we to volunteer our silly services? What right had I, in particular,
+to fancy that if Sir Gilbert would not listen to the remonstrances of
+his excellent and very clever wife, he would listen to mine?&mdash;I really
+am ashamed of my silly vanity and most gross presumption; and if my
+dear, dearest mother will but forgive me this once, as all naughty
+children say, I do not believe she will ever have cause to chide me for
+meddling again. Oh, Rosalind! if she did but know how I love her, she
+could never have looked so coldly on me as she did when she told me I
+had had walking enough!"</p>
+
+<p>"I hope you are mistaken; I hope she did not look coldly on you. I hope
+she is not angry; for if she be ... I shall go over to the enemy, Helen,
+as sure as my name is Rosalind, and you may live to see me patting the
+rough hide of that very shaggy British bull-dog, Sir Gilbert, every time
+he says something impertinent against your mother."</p>
+
+<p>"There is one thing," said Helen, slightly colouring, "that does in some
+little degree reconcile me to the unfortunate visit of this morning&mdash;and
+that this...."</p>
+
+<p>"The having met Colonel Harrington!" cried Rosalind, interrupting her.
+"Is it not so?"</p>
+
+<p>"You are right," replied her friend composedly. "William Harrington,
+when he was simply William Harrington, and not a dashing colonel of
+dragoons, was kindness itself to me, when I was a puny, fretful girl,
+that cried when I ought to have laughed. I cannot forget his
+good-natured protecting ways with me, and I should have been truly sorry
+if he had left the country again, as I suppose he will soon do, without
+my seeing him."</p>
+
+<p>"Truly, I believe you, my dear," replied Rosalind, laughing. "And your
+plain William Harrington, too, seemed as willing to renew the
+acquaintance as yourself. To tell you the truth, Helen, I thought I saw
+symptoms of a mighty pretty little incipient flirtation."</p>
+
+<p>"How can you talk such nonsense, when we have so much to make us sad!
+Don't you think I had better go and see if mamma is come in, Rosalind? I
+cannot express to you how miserable I shall be as long as I think that
+she is angry with me."</p>
+
+<p>At this moment the bell which announced that the luncheon was ready,
+sounded, and poor Helen exclaimed, "Oh, I am so sorry! I ought to have
+sought her again, before meeting her in this manner. But come! perhaps
+her dear face will look smilingly at me again: how I will kiss her if it
+does!"</p>
+
+<p>But the warm heart was again chilled to its very core by the look Mrs.
+Mowbray wore as the two girls entered the room. Fanny was already seated
+next her. This was a place often playfully contested between the
+sisters, and Helen thought, as she approached the door, that if she
+could get it, and once more feel her mother's hand between her own, she
+should be the happiest creature living.</p>
+
+<p>But nothing could be less alike, than what followed her entrance, to the
+imaginings which preceded it. Mrs. Mowbray was unusually silent to them
+all, but to Helen she addressed not a single word. This was partly owing
+to the feeling of displeasure which had recently been so skilfully
+fastened in her breast, and partly to the anxiety she felt respecting
+the answer of Sir Gilbert to her note.</p>
+
+<p>In the middle of the silent and nearly untasted meal, the poetical Fanny
+being in truth the only one who appeared to have much inclination to
+eat, a salver was presented to Mrs. Mowbray, from whence, with a
+heightened colour and almost trembling hand, she took a note. She
+instantly rose from table and left the room. Helen rose too, but not to
+follow her: she could no longer restrain her tears, and it was to hide
+this from Fanny, and if possible from Rosalind, that she hastened to
+leave them both, and shut herself in her own chamber to weep alone.</p>
+
+<p>The present emotion of Helen cannot be understood without referring to
+the manner in which she had hitherto lived with her mother, and indeed
+to the general habits of the family. Mystery of any kind was unknown
+among them; and to those who have observed the effect of this, its
+prodigious influence on the general tone of family intercourse must be
+well known. To those who have not, it would be nearly impossible to
+convey in words an adequate idea of the difference which exists in a
+household where the parents make a secret of all things of important
+interest, and where they do not. It is not the difference between ease
+and restraint, or even that more striking still, between sweet and sour
+tempers in the chief or chiefs of the establishment; it is a thousand
+times more vital than either. Without this easy, natural spontaneous
+confidence, the family union is like a rope of sand, that will fall to
+pieces and disappear at the first touch of any thing that can attract
+and draw off its loose and unbound particles. But if it be important as
+a general family habit, it is ten thousand times more so in the
+intercourse between a mother and her daughters. Let no parent believe
+that affection can be perfect without it; and let no mother fancy that
+the heart of her girl can be open to her if it find not an open heart in
+return. Mothers! if you value the precious deposit of your dear girls'
+inmost thoughts, peril not the treasure by chilling them with any
+mystery of your own! It is not in the nature of things that confidence
+should exist on one side only: it must be mutual.</p>
+
+<p>Never was there less of this hateful mildew of mystery than in the
+Mowbray family during the life of their father. Whatever were the
+questions that arose,&mdash;whether they concerned the purchase of an estate,
+or the giving or accepting an invitation to dinner,&mdash;whether it were a
+discussion respecting the character of a neighbour, or the flavour of
+the last packet of tea,&mdash;they were ever and always canvassed in full
+assembly; or if any members were wanting, it was because curiosity,
+which lives only by searching for what is hid, lacking its proper
+aliment, had perished altogether, and so set the listeners free.</p>
+
+<p>This new-born secrecy in her mother struck therefore like a bolt of ice
+into the very heart of the sensitive Helen. "Have I lost her for ever!"
+she exclaimed aloud, though in solitude. "Mother! mother!&mdash;is it to be
+ever thus!&mdash;If this be the consequence of my poor father's will, well
+might Sir Gilbert deplore it! How happily could I have lived for ever,
+dependent on her for my daily bread, so I could have kept her heart for
+ever as open as my own!"</p>
+
+<p>At this period, Helen Mowbray had much suffering before her; but she
+never perhaps felt a pang more bitter in its newness than that which
+accompanied the conviction that her mother had a secret which she meant
+not to communicate to her. She felt the fact to be what it really was,
+neither more nor less; she felt that it announced the dissolution of
+that sweet and perfect harmony which had hitherto existed between them.</p>
+
+<p>The note from Sir Gilbert Harrington was as follows:</p>
+
+<blockquote><p>"Sir Gilbert Harrington presents his compliments to Mrs.
+Mowbray, and begs to inform her that he has not the slightest
+intention of ever acting as executor to the very singular and
+mysterious document opened in his presence on the 12th of May
+last past, purporting to be the last will and testament of his
+late friend, Charles Mowbray, Esquire.</p>
+
+<p>"Oakley, June 59th, 1834."</p></blockquote>
+
+<p>"The lady had gone to her secret bower" to peruse this scroll; and it
+was fortunate perhaps that she did so, for it produced in her a
+sensation of anger so much more violent than she was accustomed to feel,
+that she would have done herself injustice by betraying it.</p>
+
+<p>Mrs. Mowbray had passed her life in such utter ignorance of every kind
+of business, and such blind and helpless dependence, first on her
+guardians, and then on her husband, that the idea of acting for herself
+was scarcely less terrible than the notion of navigating a seventy-four
+would be to ladies in general. Her thoughts now turned towards Mr.
+Cartwright, as to a champion equally able and willing to help and defend
+her, and she raised her eyes to Heaven with fervent gratitude for the
+timely happiness of having met with such a friend.</p>
+
+<p>That friend had pointed out to her the fault committed by Helen in a
+manner that made it appear to her almost unpardonable. To have doubted
+the correctness of his judgment on this, or any point, would have been
+to doubt the stability of that staff which Providence had sent her to
+lean upon in this moment of her utmost need. She doubted him not: and
+Helen was accordingly thrust out, not without a pang perhaps, from that
+warm and sacred station in her mother's heart that it had been the first
+happiness of her existence to fill. Poor Helen! matters were going worse
+for her&mdash;far worse than she imagined, though she was unhappy and out of
+spirits. She believed, indeed, that her mother was really angry; but,
+terrible as her forebodings were, she dreamed not that she was already
+and for ever estranged.</p>
+
+<p>As soon as the first burst of passionate anger had been relieved by a
+solitary flood of tears, Mrs. Mowbray called a council with herself as
+to whether she should immediately despatch a messenger to request Mr.
+Cartwright to call upon her in the evening, or whether she should trust
+to the interest he had so warmly expressed, which, if sincere, must
+bring him to her, she thought, on the morrow.</p>
+
+<p>After anxiously debiting this point for nearly an hour, and deciding
+first on one line of conduct, and then on the other, at least six
+different times within that period, she at last determined to await his
+coming; and concealing the doubts and fears which worried her by
+confining herself to her room under pretence of headach, the three girls
+were left to pass the remainder of the day by themselves, when, as may
+easily be imagined, the important events of the morning were fully
+discussed among them.</p>
+
+<p>Fanny, after the motives of the visit to Oakley had been fully explained
+to her, gave it as her opinion that Helen was wrong in going without the
+consent of her mother, but that her intention might plead in atonement
+for it. But her indignation at hearing of the pertinacious obstinacy of
+Sir Gilbert was unbounded.</p>
+
+<p>"Oh! how my poor father was deceived in him!" she exclaimed. "He must
+have a truly bad heart to forsake and vilify my mother at the time she
+most wants the assistance of a friend. For you know there is business,
+Helen, relative to the will, and the property, and all that&mdash;Sir Gilbert
+understands it all,&mdash;hard-hearted wretch! and I doubt not he thinks he
+shall crush poor mamma to the dust by thus leaving her, as he believes,
+without a friend. But, thank God! he will find he is mistaken."</p>
+
+<p>"What do you mean, Fanny?" said Rosalind sharply.</p>
+
+<p>"I mean, Rosalind, that mamma is <i>not</i> without a friend," replied Fanny
+with emphasis. "It has pleased God in his mercy to send her one when she
+most needed it."</p>
+
+<p>"I trust that God will restore to her and to us the old, well known, and
+trusted friend of my father," said Helen gravely. "On none other can we
+rest our hope for counsel and assistance, when needed, so safely."</p>
+
+<p>"Even if you were right, Helen," replied her sister, "there would be
+small comfort in your observation. Of what advantage to mamma, or to us,
+would the good qualities of Sir Gilbert he, if it be his will, as it
+evidently is, to estrange himself from us? What a contrast is the
+conduct of Mr. Cartwright to his!"</p>
+
+<p>"Mr. Cartwright!" cried Rosalind, distorting her pretty features into a
+grimace that intimated abundant scorn,&mdash;"Mr. Cartwright! There is much
+consolation, to be sure, in what an acquaintance of yesterday can do or
+say, for the loss of such an old friend as Sir Gilbert Harrington!"</p>
+
+<p>"It would be a sad thing for poor mamma if there were not," replied
+Fanny. "Of what advantage to her, I ask you, is the long standing of her
+acquaintance with Sir Gilbert, if his caprice and injustice are to make
+him withdraw himself at such a time as this?&mdash;And how unreasonable and
+unchristianlike would it be, Rosalind, were she to refuse the friendship
+of Mr. Cartwright, because she has not known him as long?"</p>
+
+<p>"The only objection I see to her treating Mr. Cartwright as a
+confidential friend is, that she does not know him at all," said
+Rosalind.</p>
+
+<p>"Nor ever can, if she treats him as you do, Miss Torrington," answered
+Fanny, colouring. "I believe Mr. Edward Wallace was an especial
+favourite of yours, my dear; and that perhaps may in some degree account
+for your prejudice against our good Mr. Cartwright.&mdash;Confess,
+Rosalind;&mdash;is it not so?"</p>
+
+<p>"He was indeed an especial favourite with me!" replied Rosalind gravely;
+"and for the love I bear you all, and more particularly for your sake,
+Fanny, and your poor mother's, I would give much&mdash;much&mdash;much, that he
+were in the place which Mr. Cartwright holds."</p>
+
+<p>"But if mamma is in want of a man to transact her business, why does she
+not write to Charles and desire him to return?" said Helen. "The taking
+his degree a few months later would be of little consequence."</p>
+
+<p>"Charles?" said Fanny with a smile that seemed to mean a great
+deal.&mdash;"Charles is one of the most amiable beings in the world, but the
+most incapable of undertaking the management of business."</p>
+
+<p>"How can you know any thing about it, Fanny?" said Helen, looking at her
+with surprise.</p>
+
+<p>"I heard Mr. Cartwright say to mamma, that Charles was quite a boy,
+though a very charming one."</p>
+
+<p>Helen looked vexed, and Rosalind fixed her eyes upon Fanny as if wishing
+she would say more.</p>
+
+<p>"In short," continued Fanny, "if Sir Gilbert chooses to cut us, I don't
+see what mamma <i>can</i> do so proper and so right as to make a friend of
+the clergyman of the parish."</p>
+
+<p>Her two companions answered not a word, and the conversation was brought
+to a close by Fanny's drawing from her pocket, her bag, and her bosom,
+sundry scraps of paper, on which many lines of unequal length were
+scrawled; and on these she appeared inclined to her fix whole attention.
+This was always considered by Helen and Rosalind as a signal for
+departure: for then Fanny was in a poetic mood; a word spoken or a
+movement made by those around her produced symptoms of impatience and
+suffering which they did not like to witness. Their absence was indeed a
+relief: for pretty Fanny, during the few moments of conversation which
+she had enjoyed at the gate of the shrubbery in the morning, had
+promised Mr. Cartwright to compose a hymn. To perform this promise to
+the best of her power was at this moment the first wish of her heart:
+for the amiable vicar had already contrived to see some of those
+numerous offerings to Apollo with which this fairest and freshest of
+Sapphos beguiled her too abundant leisure. He had pronounced her poetic
+powers great, and worthy of higher themes than any she had hitherto
+chosen: if was most natural, therefore, that she should now tax her
+genius to the utmost, to prove that his first judgment had not been too
+favourable: so the remainder of that long day passed in melancholy
+enough <i>tête-à-tête</i> between Rosalind and Helen, and in finding rhymes
+for all the epithets of heaven on the part of Fanny.</p>
+
+
+
+<hr style="width: 65%;" />
+<h2><a name="CHAPTER_XII" id="CHAPTER_XII"></a>CHAPTER XII.</h2>
+
+<h3>MR. CARTWRIGHT'S LETTER TO HIS COUSIN.&mdash;COLONEL HARRINGTON.</h3>
+
+
+<p>The intelligent reader will not be surprised to hear that Mr. Cartwright
+did not suffer himself to be long expected in vain on the following
+morning. Fanny, however, was already in the garden when he arrived; and
+as it so happened that he saw her as she was hovering near the shrubbery
+gate, he turned from the carriage-road and approached her.</p>
+
+<p>"How sweetly does youth, when blessed with such a cheek and eye as
+yours, Miss Fanny, accord with the fresh morning of such a day as
+this!&mdash;I feel," he added taking her hand and looking in her blushing
+face, "that my soul never offers adoration more worthy of my Maker than
+when inspired by intercourse with such a being as you!"</p>
+
+<p>"Oh! Mr. Cartwright!" cried Fanny, avoiding his glance by fixing her
+beautiful eyes upon the ground.</p>
+
+<p>"My dearest child! fear not to look at me&mdash;fear not to meet the eye of a
+friend, who would watch over you, Fanny, as the minister of Heaven
+should watch over that which is best and fairest, to make and keep it
+holy. Let me have that innocent heart in my keeping, my dearest child,
+and all that is idle, light, and vain shall be banished thence, while
+heavenward thoughts and holy musings shall take its place. Have you
+essayed to hymn the praises of your God, Fanny, since we parted
+yesterday?"</p>
+
+<p>This question was accompanied by an encouraging pat upon her glowing
+cheek; and Fanny, her heart beating with vanity, shyness, hope, fear,
+and sundry other feelings, drew the MS. containing a fairly-written
+transcript of her yesterday's labours from her bosom, and placed it in
+his hand.</p>
+
+<p>Mr. Cartwright pressed it with a sort of pious fervour to his lips, and
+enclosing it for greater security in a letter which he drew from his
+pocket, he laid it carefully within his waistcoat, on the left side of
+his person, and as near, as possible to that part of it appropriated for
+the residence of the heart.</p>
+
+<p>"This must be examined in private, my beloved child," said he solemnly.
+"The first attempt to raise such a spirit as yours in holy song has, to
+my feelings, something as awful in it as the first glad movement of a
+seraph's wing!... Where is your mother, Fanny?"</p>
+
+<p>"She is in the library."</p>
+
+<p>"Alone?"</p>
+
+<p>"Oh yes!&mdash;at least I should think so, for I am sure she is expecting
+you."</p>
+
+<p>"Farewell, then, my dear young friend!&mdash;Pursue your solitary musing
+walk; and remember, Fanny, that as by your talents you are marked and
+set apart, as it were, from the great mass of human souls, so will you
+be looked upon the more fixedly by the searching eye of God. It is from
+him you received this talent&mdash;keep it sacred to his use, as David did,
+and great shall be your reward!&mdash;Shall I startle your good mother,
+Fanny, if I enter by the library window?"</p>
+
+<p>"Oh no! Mr. Cartwright&mdash;I am sure mamma would be quite vexed if you
+always went round that long way up to the door, especially in summer you
+know, when the windows are always open."</p>
+
+<p>"Once more, farewell, then!"</p>
+
+<p>Fanny's hand was again tenderly pressed, and they parted.</p>
+
+<p>It would be a needless lengthening of my tale, were I to record all that
+passed at this and three or four subsequent interviews which took place
+between the vicar and Mrs. Mowbray on the subject of proving the will.
+Together with the kindest and most soothing demonstrations of rapidly
+increasing friendship and esteem, Mr. Cartwright conveyed to her very
+sound legal information respecting what it was necessary for her to do.
+The only difficulty remaining seemed to arise from Mrs. Mowbray's
+dislike to apply to any friend in London, either for their hospitality
+or assistance, during the visit it was necessary she should make there
+for the completion of the business. This dislike arose from the very
+disagreeable difficulties which had been thrown in her way by Sir
+Gilbert Harrington's refusing to act. It would have been very painful to
+her, as she frankly avowed to her new friend, to announce and explain
+this refusal to any one; and it was therefore finally arranged between
+them, that he should give her a letter of introduction to a most
+excellent and trustworthy friend and relation of his, who was
+distinguished, as he assured her, for being the most honourable and
+conscientious attorney in London,&mdash;and perhaps, as he added with a sigh,
+the only one who constantly acted with the fear of the Lord before his
+eyes.</p>
+
+<p>Gladly did Mrs. Mowbray accede to this proposal, for in truth it removed
+a world of anxiety from her mind; and urged as much by a wish to prove
+how very easy it was to be independent of Sir Gilbert, as by the
+strenuous advice of Mr. Cartwright to lose no time in bringing the
+business to a conclusion, she fixed upon the following week for this
+troublesome but necessary expedition.</p>
+
+<p>It may serve to throw a light upon the kind and anxious interest which
+the Vicar of Wrexhill took in the affairs of his widowed parishioner, if
+a copy of his letter to his cousin and friend Mr. Stephen Corbold be
+inserted.</p>
+
+<blockquote><p>"TO STEPHEN CORBOLD, ESQ. SOLICITOR, GRAY'S INN, LONDON.</p>
+
+<p>"My dear and valued Friend and Cousin,</p>
+
+<p>"It has at length pleased God to enable me to prove to you how
+sincere is the gratitude which I have ever professed for the
+important service your father conferred upon me by the timely
+loan of two hundred pounds, when I was, as I believe you know,
+inconvenienced by a very troublesome claim. It has been a
+constant matter of regret to me that I should never, through
+the many years which have since passed, been able to repay it:
+but, if I mistake not, the service which I am now able to
+render you will eventually prove such as fairly to liquidate
+your claim upon me; and from my knowledge of your pious and
+honourable feelings, I cannot doubt your being willing to
+deliver to me my bond for the same, should your advantages from
+the transaction in hand prove at all commensurate to my
+expectations."</p>
+
+<p>[Here followed a statement of the widow Mowbray's business in
+London, with the commentary upon the ways and means which she
+possessed to carry that, and all other business in which she
+was concerned, to a satisfactory conclusion, much to the
+contentment of all those fortunate enough to be employed as her
+assistants therein. The reverend gentleman then proceeded
+thus.]</p>
+
+<p>"Nor is this all I would wish to say to you, cousin Stephen, on
+the subject of the widow Mowbray's affairs, and the advantages
+which may arise to you from the connexion which equally, of
+course, for her advantage as for yours, I am desirous of
+establishing between you.</p>
+
+<p>"I need not tell <i>you</i>, cousin Stephen, who, by the blessing of
+Heaven upon your worthy endeavours, have already been able in a
+little way to see what law is,&mdash;I need not, I say, point out to
+you at any great length, how much there must of necessity be to
+do in the management of an estate and of funds which bring in a
+net income somewhat exceeding fourteen thousand pounds per
+annum. Now I learn from my excellent friend Mrs. Mowbray, that
+her late husband transacted the whole of this business himself;
+an example which it is impossible, as I need not remark, for
+his widow and sole legatee to follow. She is quite aware of
+this, and by a merciful dispensation of the Most High, her
+mind appears to be singularly ductile, and liable to receive
+such impressions as a pious and attentive friend would be able
+to enforce on all points. In addition to this great and heavy
+charge, which it has pleased Providence, doubtless for his own
+good purposes, to lay upon her, she has also the entire
+management, as legal and sole guardian of a young Irish
+heiress, of another prodigiously fine property, consisting,
+like her own, partly of money in the English funds, and partly
+in houses and lands in the north part of Ireland. The business
+connected with the Torrington property is therefore at this
+moment, as well as every thing concerning the widow Mowbray's
+affairs, completely without any agent whatever; and I am not
+without hopes, cousin Stephen, that by the blessing of God to
+usward, I may be enabled to obtain the same for you.</p>
+
+<p>"I know the pious habit of your mind, cousin, and that you,
+like myself, never see any remarkable occurrence without
+clearly tracing therein the immediate finger of Heaven. I
+confess that throughout the whole of this affair;&mdash;the sudden
+death of the late owner of this noble fortune; the singular
+will he left, by which it all has become wholly and solely at
+the disposal of his excellent widow; the hasty and not overwise
+determination to renounce the executorship on the part of this
+petulant Sir Gilbert Harrington; the accident or rather series
+of accidents, by which I have become at once and so
+unexpectedly, the chief stay, support, comfort, consolation,
+and adviser of this amiable but very helpless lady;&mdash;throughout
+the whole of this, I cannot, I say, but observe the gracious
+Providence of my Master, who wills that I should obtain power
+and mastery even over the things of this world, worthless
+though they be, cousin Stephen, when set in comparison with
+those of the world to come. It is my clear perception of the
+will of Heaven in this matter which renders me willing,&mdash;yea,
+ardent in my desire to obtain influence over the Mowbray
+family. They are not all, however, equally amiable to the
+wholesome guidance I would afford them: on the contrary, it is
+evident to me that the youngest child is the only one on whom
+the Lord is at present disposed to pour forth a saving light.
+Nevertheless I will persevere. Peradventure the hearts of the
+disobedient may in the end be turned to the wisdom of the just;
+and we know right well who it is that can save from all
+danger, even though a man, went to sea without art; a tempting
+of Providence which would in my case be most criminal,&mdash;for
+great in that respect has been its mercy, giving unto me that
+light which is needful to guide us through the rocks and shoals
+for ever scattered amidst worldly affairs.</p>
+
+<p>"Thus much have I written to you, cousin Stephen, with my own
+hand, that you might fully comprehend the work that lies before
+us. But I will not with pen and ink write more unto you, for I
+trust I shall shortly see you, and that we shall speak face to
+face.</p>
+
+<p>"I am now and ever, cousin Stephen, your loving kinsman and
+Christian friend,</p>
+
+<p>"<span class="smcap">William Jacob Cartwright</span>.</p>
+
+<p>"Wrexhill Vicarage, 9th July, 1834."</p>
+
+<p>"P.S. Since writing the above, the widow Mowbray has besought
+me to instruct <i>the gentleman who is to act as her agent</i> to
+obtain lodgings for her in a convenient quarter of the town;
+and therefore this letter will precede her. Nor can she indeed
+set forth till you shall have written in return to inform her
+whereunto her equipage must be instructed to drive. Remember,
+cousin, that the apartments be suitable; and in choosing them
+recollect that it is neither you nor I who will pay for the
+same. Farewell. If I mistake not, the mercy of Heaven
+overshadows you, my cousin."</p></blockquote>
+
+<p>Poor Mrs. Mowbray would have rejoiced exceedingly had it been possible
+for her kind and ever-ready adviser and friend to accompany her to
+London; but as he did not himself propose this, she would not venture to
+do it, and only asked him, such as an obedient child might ask a parent,
+whether he thought she ought to go attended only by a man and maid
+servant, or whether she might have the comfort of taking one of her
+daughters with her.</p>
+
+<p>Mr. Cartwright looked puzzled; indeed the question involved considerable
+difficulties. It was by no means the vicar's wish to appear harsh or
+disagreeable in his enactments; yet neither did he particularly desire
+that the eldest Miss Mowbray should be placed in circumstances likely to
+give her increased influence over her mother: and as to Fanny, his
+conscience reproached him for having for an instant conceived the idea
+of permitting one to whom the elective finger of grace had so recently
+pointed to be removed so far from his fostering care.</p>
+
+<p>After a few moments of silent consideration, he replied,</p>
+
+<p>"No! my dearest lady, you ought not to be without the soothing presence
+of a child; and if I might advise you on the subject, I should recommend
+your being accompanied by Miss Helen,&mdash;both, because, as being the
+eldest, she might expect this preference, and because, likewise, I
+should deem it prudent to remove her from the great risk and danger of
+falling into the society of your base and injurious enemy during your
+absence."</p>
+
+<p>"You are quite right about that, as I'm sure you are about every thing,
+Mr. Cartwright. I really would not have Helen see more of Sir Gilbert's
+family for the world! She has such wild romantic notions about old
+friendships being better than new ones, that I am sure it would be the
+way to make terrible disputes between us. She has never yet known the
+misery of having an old friend turn against her,&mdash;nor the comfort, Mr.
+Cartwright, of finding a new one sent by Providence to supply his
+place!"</p>
+
+<p>"My dearest lady! I shall ever praise and bless the dispensation that
+has placed me near you during this great trial;&mdash;and remember always,
+that those whom the Lord loveth he chasteneth!"</p>
+
+<p>"Ah! Mr. Cartwright, I fear that I have not been hitherto sufficiently
+mindful of this, and that I have repined where I ought to have blessed.
+But I trust that a more christian spirit is now awakened within me, and
+that henceforward, with your aid, and by the blessing of Heaven upon my
+humble endeavours, I may become worthy of the privilege I enjoy as being
+one of your congregation."</p>
+
+<p>"May the Lord hear, receive, record, and bless that hope!" cried the
+vicar fervently, seizing her hand and kissing it with holy zeal.</p>
+
+<p>Mrs. Mowbray coloured slightly; but feeling ashamed of the weak and
+unworthy feeling that caused this, she made a strong effort to recover
+from the sort of embarrassment his action caused, and said, with as much
+ease as she could assume,</p>
+
+<p>"Rosalind and Fanny are both very young and very giddy, Mr. Cartwright.
+May I hope that during my short absence&mdash;which I shall make as short as
+possible,&mdash;may I hope, my kind friend, that you will look in upon them
+every day?"</p>
+
+<p>"You cannot doubt it!&mdash;what is there I would not do to spare you an
+anxious thought!&mdash;They are young and thoughtless, particularly your
+ward. Miss Torrington is just the girl, I think, to propose some wild
+frolic&mdash;perhaps another visit to Sir Gilbert; and your sweet Fanny is
+too young and has too little authority to prevent it."</p>
+
+<p>"Good Heaven! do you think so? Then what can I do?"</p>
+
+<p>"An idea has struck me, my dear friend, which I will mention to you with
+all frankness, certain that if you disapprove it, you will tell me so
+with an openness and sincerity equal to my own.&mdash;I think that if my
+staid and quiet daughter Henrietta were to pass the short interval of
+your absence here, you might be quite sure that nothing gay or giddy
+would be done:&mdash;her delicate health and sober turn of mind preclude the
+possibility of this;&mdash;and her being here would authorize my daily
+visit."</p>
+
+<p>"There is nothing in the world I should like so well," replied Mrs.
+Mowbray. "Any thing likely to promote an intimacy between my young
+people and a daughter brought up by you must be indeed a blessing to us.
+Shall I call upon her?&mdash;or shall I write the invitation?"</p>
+
+<p>"You are very kind, dear lady!&mdash;very heavenly-minded!&mdash;but there is no
+sort of necessity that you should take the trouble of doing either. I
+will mention to Henrietta your most flattering wish that she should be
+here during your absence: and, believe me, she will be most happy to
+comply with it."</p>
+
+<p>"I shall be very grateful to her.&mdash;But will it not be more agreeable for
+her, and for us also, that she should come immediately? I cannot go
+before Monday&mdash;this is Thursday; might she not come to us to-morrow?"</p>
+
+<p>"How thoughtful is that!&mdash;how like yourself!&mdash;Certainly it will be
+pleasanter for her, and I will therefore bring her."</p>
+
+<p>The conversation was here interrupted by the entrance of a servant with
+a note. But for the better understanding its effect both on the lady and
+gentleman, it will be necessary to recount one or two circumstances
+which had occurred to the anti-Cartwright party in the Mowbray family,
+subsequent to their visit to Oakley.</p>
+
+<p>A few days after that which witnessed poor Helen's disgrace, after
+entering the drawing-room and receiving a hint from her mother (whom
+she found there in close conclave with the vicar) that she had better
+take her morning walk, it happened that she and Rosalind, as they were
+earnestly discoursing of their yesterday's visit, and enjoying the
+perfect shade of a lane leading to the village of Wrexhill, perceived a
+horseman approaching them as slowly as it was possible to make a fine
+horse walk. In the next moment, however, something appeared to have
+pricked the sides of his intent, as well as those of his horse; for with
+a bound or two he was close to them, and in the next instant dismounted
+and by their side.</p>
+
+<p>The gentleman proved to be Colonel Harrington, who immediately declared,
+with very soldierly frankness, that he had been riding through every
+avenue leading to Mowbray Park, in the hope of being fortunate enough to
+meet them.</p>
+
+<p>Rosalind smiled; while Helen, without knowing too well what she said,
+answered with a deep blush, "You are very kind."</p>
+
+<p>Colonel Harrington carefully tied up his reins and so arranged them as
+to leave no danger of their getting loose; then giving his steed a
+slight cut with his riding-whip, the obedient animal set off at an easy
+trot for Oakley.</p>
+
+<p>"He knows his way, at least, as well as I do," said the colonel. "It is
+my father's old hunter, and I selected him on purpose, that if I were
+lucky enough to meet you, I might have no trouble about getting rid of
+him. And now tell me, Helen, how did your mother bear the answer my
+father sent to her note?"</p>
+
+<p>"An answer from Sir Gilbert?&mdash;and to a note from my mother?" said Helen.
+"Alas! it was kept secret from me; and therefore, Colonel Harrington, I
+had rather you should not talk of it to me."</p>
+
+<p>"It is hardly reasonable that you should insist upon my keeping secret
+what I have to tell you, Helen, because others are less communicative.
+The letters he receives and writes are surely my father's business
+either to impart or conceal, as he thinks best; and he is extremely
+anxious to learn your opinion respecting your mother's letter, and his
+answer to it. He certainly did not imagine that they had been kept
+secret from you."</p>
+
+<p>"Indeed I have never heard of either."</p>
+
+<p>"Do you suppose, then, that she has mentioned them to no one?"</p>
+
+<p>Helen did not immediately reply, but Rosalind did. "I am very
+particularly mistaken, Colonel Harrington," said she, "if the Reverend
+William Jacob Cartwright, vicar of Wrexhill, and privy counsellor at
+Mowbray Park, did not superintend the writing of the one, and the
+reading of the other."</p>
+
+<p>"Do you really think so, Miss Torrington? What do you say, Helen? do you
+believe this to have been the case?"</p>
+
+<p>"He is very often at the Park," replied Helen.</p>
+
+<p>"But do you think it possible that Mrs. Mowbray would communicate to him
+what she would conceal from you?" said Colonel Harrington.</p>
+
+<p>This question was also left unanswered by Helen; but Rosalind again
+undertook to reply. "You will think me a very interfering person, I am
+afraid, Colonel Harrington," said she; "but many feelings keep Helen
+silent which do not influence me; and, as far as I am capable of
+judging, it is extremely proper, and perhaps important, that Sir Gilbert
+should know that this holy vicar never passes a day without finding or
+making an excuse for calling at the Park. I can hardly tell how it is,
+but it certainly does happen, that these visits generally take place
+when we&mdash;that is, Helen and I&mdash;are not in the house; but ... to confess
+my sins, and make a clear breast at once, I will tell you what I have
+never yet told Helen, and that is, that I have ordered my maid to find
+out, if she can, when Mr. Cartwright comes. He slipped in, however,
+through the library window twice yesterday, so it is possible that he
+may sometimes make good an entry without being observed; for it is
+impossible that my Judy can be always on the watch, though she is so
+fond of performing her needlework in that pretty trellised summer-house
+in the Park."</p>
+
+<p>"What an excellent vidette you would make, Miss Torrington," said the
+young man, laughing. "But will you tell me, sincerely, and without any
+shadow of jesting, why it is that you have been so anxious to watch the
+movements of this reverend gentleman?"</p>
+
+<p>"If I talk on the subject at all," she replied, "it will certainly be
+without any propensity to jesting; for I have seldom felt less inclined
+to be merry than while watching the increasing influence of Mr.
+Cartwright over Mrs. Mowbray and Fanny. It was because I remarked that
+they never mentioned his having called, when I knew he had been there,
+that I grew anxious to learn, if possible, how constant his visits had
+become; and the result of my <i>espionage</i> is, that no day passes without
+a visit."</p>
+
+<p>"But what makes you speak of this as of an evil, Miss Torrington?"</p>
+
+<p>"That is more than I have promised to tell you," replied Rosalind; "but,
+as we <i>have</i> become so very confidential, I have no objection to tell
+you all&mdash;and that, remember, for the especial use of Sir Gilbert, who
+perhaps, if he knew all that I guess, would <i>not</i> think he was doing
+right to leave Mrs. Mowbray in such hands."</p>
+
+<p>"And what then, Miss Torrington, is there, <i>as you guess</i>, against this
+gentleman?"</p>
+
+<p>Rosalind for an instant looked puzzled; but, by the rapidity with which
+she proceeded after she began, the difficulty seemed to arise solely
+from not knowing what to say first. "There is against him," said she,
+"the having hurried away from hearing the will read to the presence of
+Mrs. Mowbray, and not only announcing its contents to her with what
+might well be called indecent haste, considering that there were others
+to whom the task more fitly belonged, and who would have performed it
+too, had they not been thus forestalled;&mdash;not only did he do this, but
+he basely, and, I do believe, most falsely, gave her to understand that
+her son, the generous, disinterested, warm-hearted Charles Mowbray, had
+manifested displeasure at it. Further, he has turned the head of poor
+little Fanny, by begging copies of her verses to send&mdash;Heaven knows
+where; and he moreover has, I am sure, persuaded Mrs. Mowbray to think
+that my peerless Helen is in fault for something&mdash;Heaven knows what. He
+has likewise, as your account of those secret letters renders certain,
+dared to step between an affectionate mother and her devoted child, to
+destroy their dear and close union by hateful and poisonous mystery. He
+has also fomented the unhappy and most silly schism between your pettish
+father and my petted guardian; and moreover, with all his far-famed
+beauty and saint-like benignity of aspect, his soft crafty eyes dare not
+look me in the face. And twelfthly and lastly, I hate him."</p>
+
+<p>"After this, Miss Torrington," said the Colonel, laughing, "no man
+assuredly could be sufficiently hardy to say a word in his
+defence;&mdash;and, all jesting apart," he added very seriously, "I do think
+you have made out a very strong case against him. If my good father sees
+this growing intimacy between the Vicarage and the Park with the same
+feelings that you do, I really think it might go farther than any other
+consideration towards inducing him to rescind his refusal&mdash;for he <i>has</i>
+positively refused to act as executor&mdash;and lead him at once and for ever
+to forget the unreasonable cause of anger he has conceived against your
+mother, Helen."</p>
+
+<p>"Then let him know it without an hour's delay," said Helen. "Dear
+Colonel Harrington! why did you let your horse go? Walk you must, but
+let it be as fast as you can, and let your father understand exactly
+every thing that Rosalind has told you; for though I should hardly have
+ventured to say as much myself, I own that I think she is not much
+mistaken in any of her conclusions."</p>
+
+<p>"And do you follow her, Helen, up to her twelfthly and lastly? Do you
+too <i>hate</i> this reverend gentleman?"</p>
+
+<p>Helen sighed. "I hope not, Colonel Harrington," she replied; "I should
+be sorry to believe myself capable of hating, but surely I do not love
+him."</p>
+
+<p>The young ladies, in their eagerness to set the colonel off on his road
+to Oakley, were unconsciously, or rather most obliviously, guilty of the
+indecorum of accompanying him at least half the distance; and at last it
+was Rosalind, and not the much more shy and timid Helen, who became
+aware of the singularity of the proceeding.</p>
+
+<p>"And where may <i>we</i> be going, I should like to know?" she said, suddenly
+stopping short. "Helen! is it the fashion for the Hampshire ladies to
+escort home the gentlemen they chance to meet in their walks? We never
+do that in my country."</p>
+
+<p>Colonel Harrington looked positively angry, and Helen blushed celestial
+rosy red, but soon recovered herself, and said, with that species of
+frankness which at once disarms quizzing,</p>
+
+<p>"It is very true, Rosalind; we seem to be doing a very strange thing:
+but we have had a great deal to say that was really important; yet
+nothing so much so, as leading Colonel Harrington to his father with as
+little delay as possible.&mdash;But now I think we have said all. Good-b'ye,
+Colonel Harrington: I need not tell you how grateful we shall all be if
+you can persuade Sir Gilbert to restore us all to favour."</p>
+
+<p>"The all is but one, Helen; but the doing so I now feel to be very
+important. Farewell! Take care of yourselves; for I will not vex you,
+Helen, by turning back again. Farewell!"</p>
+
+<p>The letter which interrupted the tête-à-tête between Mrs. Mowbray and
+the vicar was an immediate consequence of this conversation, and was as
+follows:&mdash;</p>
+
+<blockquote><p>"Madam,</p>
+
+<p>"Upon a maturer consideration of the possible effects to the
+family of my late friend which my refusal to act as his
+executor may produce, I am willing, notwithstanding my
+repugnance to the office, to perform the duties of it, and
+hereby desire to revoke my late refusal to do so.</p>
+
+<p>(Signed) "<span class="smcap">Gilbert Harrington.</span></p>
+
+<p>"Oakley, July 12th, 1833."</p></blockquote>
+
+<p>"Thank Heaven," exclaimed Mrs. Mowbray as soon as she had read the
+note,&mdash;"Thank Heaven that I have no longer any occasion to submit myself
+to the caprices of any man!&mdash;And yet," she added, putting the paper into
+Mr. Cartwright's hands, "I suppose it will be best for me to accept his
+reluctant and ungracious offer?"</p>
+
+<p>Mr. Cartwright took the paper, and perused it with great attention, and
+more than once. At length he said,</p>
+
+<p>"I trust I did not understand you. What was it you said, dearest Mrs.
+Mowbray, respecting this most insulting communication?"</p>
+
+<p>"I hardly know, Mr. Cartwright, what I said," replied Mrs. Mowbray,
+colouring. "How can I know what to say to a person who can treat a woman
+in my painful situation with such cruel caprice, such unfeeling
+inconsistency?"</p>
+
+<p>"Were I you, my valued friend, I should make the matter very easy, for I
+should say nothing to him."</p>
+
+<p>"Nothing?&mdash;Do you mean that you would not answer the letter?"</p>
+
+<p>"Certainly: that is what I should recommend as the only mode of noticing
+it, consistently with the respect you owe yourself."</p>
+
+<p>"I am sure you are quite right," replied Mrs. Mowbray, looking relieved
+from a load of difficulty.</p>
+
+<p>"It certainly does not deserve an answer," said she, "and I am sure I
+should not in the least know what to say to him."</p>
+
+<p>"Then let us treat the scroll as it does deserve to be treated," said
+the vicar with a smile. "Let the indignant wind bear it back to the face
+of the hard-hearted and insulting writer!"</p>
+
+<p>And so saying, he eagerly tore the paper into minute atoms, and appeared
+about to consign them to the conveyance he mentioned, but suddenly
+checked himself, and with thoughtful consideration for the gardener
+added,</p>
+
+<p>"But no! we will not disfigure your beautiful lawn by casting these
+fragments upon it: I will dispose of them on the other side of the
+fence."</p>
+
+
+
+<hr style="width: 65%;" />
+<h2><a name="CHAPTER_XIII" id="CHAPTER_XIII"></a>CHAPTER XIII.</h2>
+
+<h3>MRS. MOWBRAY'S DEPARTURE FOR TOWN.&mdash;AN EXTEMPORARY PRAYER.</h3>
+
+
+<p>It was about nine o'clock in the evening of this same day, that Mr.
+Cartwright was seen approaching across the lawn towards the drawing-room
+windows,&mdash;and that not only by Judy, but by the whole family, who were
+assembled there and preparing to take their tea. His daughter Henrietta
+was on his arm; yet still she rather followed than walked with him, so
+evidently did she hang back, while he as evidently endeavoured to
+quicken his pace and draw her forward.</p>
+
+<p>The eyes of the whole party were attracted to the windows. Mrs. Mowbray
+and Fanny, approaching different sashes, each stepped out to welcome
+them; while Miss Torrington and Helen were content to watch the meeting
+from their places on a sofa.</p>
+
+<p>"Did you ever see a man drive a pig to market, Helen?" said Rosalind.
+"In my country they do it so much more cleverly! for look you, if that
+man were half as clever as he thinks himself, he would just go behind
+the young lady and pull her backwards."</p>
+
+<p>"I am not quite sure that the scheme would answer in this case," replied
+Helen. "Look at the expression of her face, and I think you will
+perceive that nothing but a very straightforward pull could induce her
+to approach at all."</p>
+
+<p>"Perhaps she is disgusted at her odious father's presumption and
+forwardness?" cried Rosalind, starting up. "If that be so, I will
+patronise her.&mdash;Poor thing! look at her eyes; I am positive she has been
+weeping."</p>
+
+<p>With this impression, Miss Torrington stepped forward, and, as the party
+entered, greeted the young lady very kindly: though she hardly appeared
+to perceive that her father entered with her.</p>
+
+<p>She received in return a look which, with all her acuteness, she found
+it extremely difficult to interpret. There was a strong and obvious
+expression of surprise in it; and then, in the faint attempt at a smile
+about the corners of the mouth,&mdash;which attempt, however, was finally
+abortive,&mdash;Rosalind fancied that she traced a movement of gratitude,
+though not of pleasure; but over every feature a settled gloom seemed to
+hang, like a dark veil, obscuring, though not quite hiding every
+emotion.</p>
+
+<p>The difficulty of understanding why and wherefore she looked as she did,
+was quite enough, with such a disposition as Rosalind's, to make her an
+object of interest; and therefore, when Mrs. Mowbray made her the speech
+that she was expressly brought to hear, expressive of hope that she
+would have the great kindness to console that part of her family who
+were to remain at home by affording them the pleasure of her company,
+Rosalind relieved her from the immediate necessity of replying, by
+saying gaily,</p>
+
+<p>"She will and she must, Mrs. Mowbray, for we will take her prisoner; but
+I will promise, as far as I am concerned, that her durance shall be as
+gentle as possible."</p>
+
+<p>It was now the vicar's turn to look astonished, which he certainly did
+in no small degree, and ran some risk of destroying the favourable
+impression which his daughter's look of misery had created, by saying,
+in the sweet tone that Miss Torrington relished so little,</p>
+
+<p>"Henrietta, my love&mdash;I trust you will be sensible of, and grateful for,
+the amiable and condescending kindness of this young lady."</p>
+
+<p>What the gloomy Henrietta answered, Rosalind did not stay to hear; for
+by a movement of that impatience with which she always listened to all
+that Mr. Cartwright spoke, she turned from him and walked out of the
+window. She only stayed, however, long enough to gather a bunch of
+geranium blossoms, which she put into the hand of Henrietta as she
+placed herself beside her on re-entering.</p>
+
+<p>"Are they not superb, Miss Cartwright?"</p>
+
+<p>Miss Cartwright again answered by a look which once more set all
+Rosalind's ingenuity at defiance. It now spoke awakened interest, and an
+almost eager desire to look at and listen to her; but the heavy gloom
+remained, while her almost total silence gave her an appearance of
+reserve greatly at variance with the expression which, for a moment at
+least, she had read in her eyes.</p>
+
+<p>Helen was now, in full assembly, informed for the first time that she
+was to attend her mother to town. Had this been told her, as every thing
+was wont to be, in the dear seclusion of her mother's dressing-room, she
+would have hailed the news with joy and gratitude, and believed that it
+predicted a return of all the happiness she had lost: but now the effect
+was wholly different; and though she mastered herself sufficiently to
+send back the tears before they reached her eyes, and to declare, in the
+gentle voice of genuine unaffected obedience, that she should be
+delighted if she could be useful to her, the manner of the communication
+sank deeply and painfully into her heart.</p>
+
+<p>An answer having arrived by return of post from Stephen Corbold, Esq.,
+solicitor, stating that commodious apartments were secured in
+Wimpole-street, and himself ready, body and spirit, to do the lady's
+bidding, Mrs. Mowbray fixed on the following day for her journey. Miss
+Cartwright gave one mutter beyond a tacit consent to remain at the Park
+during her absence, and the party separated; Fanny however declaring, as
+she wrapped a shawl of her mother's about her head, that she must enjoy
+the delicious moonlight by accompanying the vicar and his daughter as
+far as the Park gates.</p>
+
+<p>"And return alone, Fanny?" said her mother.</p>
+
+<p>"Why not, dear lady?" replied Mr. Cartwright. "Her eye will not be
+raised to the lamp of night without her heart's rising also in a hymn to
+her Lord and Saviour; and I am willing to believe that her remaining
+for a few moments beside her pastor and her friend, while under its soft
+influence, will not be likely to make her thoughts wander in a wrong
+direction."</p>
+
+<p>"Oh no, Mr. Cartwright," replied the mother; "I am sure, if you think it
+right, she shall go."</p>
+
+<p>At this moment Miss Torrington was giving a farewell shake of the hand
+to Henrietta when, instead of receiving from her an answering "Good
+night!" something very like a groan smote her ear.</p>
+
+<p>"How very strange!" she exclaimed aloud, after a silence that lasted
+till the vicar, with Fanny leaning on his arm, and his sulky daughter
+following, had half traversed the lawn towards the gate that opened upon
+the drive.</p>
+
+<p>"What is strange, Miss Torrington?" said Mrs. Mowbray.</p>
+
+<p>"Almost every thing I see and hear, ma'am," replied the young lady.</p>
+
+<p>"At what hour are we to set off to-morrow, mamma?" inquired Helen.</p>
+
+<p>"At ten o'clock, my dear. You had better give your orders to Curtis
+to-night, Helen, as to what she is to put up for you. I hope we shall
+not be obliged to remain in town above two or three days."</p>
+
+<p>"If you have any thing to do in your room to-night, Helen, it is time to
+betake yourself to it," observed Rosalind; "for," looking at her watch,
+"it is very near midnight, though Miss Fanny Mowbray is walking in the
+Park.&mdash;Good night, Mrs. Mowbray." But Mrs. Mowbray did not appear to
+hear her.</p>
+
+<p>"Good night, mamma," said Helen, approaching to kiss her.</p>
+
+<p>She received a very cold salute upon her forehead, and a "Good night,
+Helen," in a tone that answered to it.</p>
+
+<p>Rosalind took the arm of her friend within hers as they left the room
+together, and a silent pressure spoke her sympathy; but neither of them
+uttered a word that night, either concerning Mr. Cartwright's increasing
+influence, or Mrs. Mowbray's continued coldness to Helen. They both of
+them felt more than they wished to speak.</p>
+
+<p>The following morning brought Mr. Cartwright and his daughter again to
+the Park a few minutes before the post-horses arrived for Mrs. Mowbray's
+carriage, and in a few minutes more every thing was ready for the
+departure of the travellers. Helen gave a farewell embrace to Fanny and
+Rosalind; while the attentive vicar stepped into the carriage before
+Mrs. Mowbray entered it, to see that as many windows were up and as many
+windows down as she wished, and likewise for the purpose of placing a
+small volume in the side pocket next the place she was to occupy. He
+then returned to her side, and as he handed her in, whispered, while he
+pressed her hand,</p>
+
+<p>"Do not fatigue yourself with talking, my dear friend: it is a great
+while since you have taken a journey even so long as this. In the pocket
+next you I have placed a little volume that I wish&mdash;oh, how
+ardently!&mdash;that you would read with attention. Will you promise me
+this?"</p>
+
+<p>"I will," replied Mrs. Mowbray, deeply affected by his earnestness&mdash;"God
+bless you!"</p>
+
+<p>"The Lord watch over you!" responded Mr. Cartwright with a sigh. He then
+retreated a step, and Helen sprang hastily into the carriage without
+assistance; the door was closed, and before the equipage reached the
+lodges Mrs. Mowbray had plunged into a disquisition on regeneration and
+faith&mdash;the glory of the new birth&mdash;and the assured damnation of all who
+cannot, or do not, attain thereto.</p>
+
+<p>Meanwhile the party left under the shade of the portico looked at each
+other as if to inquire what they were to do next. On all occasions of
+morning departure there is generally a certain degree of
+<i>dés&oelig;uvrement</i> left with those who remain behind. In general,
+however, this is soon got over, except by a desperate idler or a very
+mournful residuary guest; but on the present occasion the usual
+occupations of the parties were put completely out of joint, and
+Rosalind, at least, was exceedingly well disposed to exclaim&mdash;</p>
+
+<div class="poem"><div class="stanza">
+<span class="i0">&mdash;&mdash;"Accursed spite,<br /></span>
+<span class="i0">That ever I was born to set it right!"<br /></span>
+</div></div>
+
+<p>She remained stationary for a few minutes, hoping and expecting that the
+reverend gentleman would depart: but as this did not happen, she quietly
+re-entered the house and retired to her own dressing-room.</p>
+
+<p>Fanny then made a motion to enter also, but took very hospitable care
+that it should include both her companions. Mr. Cartwright spoke not of
+going&mdash;he even led the way to the library himself, and having closed the
+door and put down the ever-open sash windows, he turned to Fanny, and,
+with a smile that might have accompanied a proposal to sing or dance,
+said,</p>
+
+<p>"My dear Miss Fanny! does not your heart feel full of kind and tender
+wishes for the safety of your beloved mother during her absence from
+you?"</p>
+
+<p>"It does indeed!" said Fanny, shaking back her chesnut ringlets.</p>
+
+<p>"Then should we not," rejoined the vicar, assisting her action by gently
+putting back her redundant curls with his own hand,&mdash;"should we not, my
+dear child, implore a blessing upon her from the only source from whence
+it can come!"</p>
+
+<p>"Oh yes," replied Fanny, with affectionate earnestness, but by no means
+understanding his immediate purpose,&mdash;"Oh yes, Mr. Cartwright; I am sure
+I never pray so heartily as when praying for mamma."</p>
+
+<p>"Then let us kneel," said he, placing a chair before her, and kneeling
+down himself at the one that was next to it. Fanny instantly obeyed,
+covering her face with her hands, while her young heart beat with a
+timid and most truly pious feeling of fear lest the act was not
+performed with suitable deference; for hitherto her private devotions
+had been performed in strict obedience to the solemn and explicit words
+of Scripture&mdash;"<i>When thou prayest, enter into thy closet, and when thou
+hast shut thy door, pray to thy Father which is in secret; and thy
+Father which seeth in secret shall reward thee openly.</i>"</p>
+
+<p>But though conscious that the mode of prayer in which she was now so
+unexpectedly invited to join was very unlike what she was used to, her
+unbounded love and admiration for Mr. Cartwright rendered it absolutely
+impossible for her to conceive it wrong, and she prepared herself to
+pray with all the fervour of her young and ardent spirit.</p>
+
+<p>There was a moment's pause, during which a look was exchanged between
+the father and daughter unseen by Fanny; but had it met her eye, it
+would only have appeared to her as a mystery that she was incapable of
+comprehending. Had Rosalind caught a sight of it, she might perhaps
+have fancied that the glance of the father spoke command, accompanied
+by direful threatenings, while that of his daughter betrayed disgust and
+bitterest contempt mingled with fear.</p>
+
+<p>Mr. Cartwright began, almost in a whisper, to utter his extemporary
+prayer. It first invoked a blessing on <i>the little knot of united
+hearts</i> that now offered their homage, and then proceeded to ask, in
+flowing periods, for exemption from all dangers likely to beset
+travellers by land for "our beloved sister who is this day gone forth."
+In a tone somewhat more loud he went on to implore especial grace for
+the not yet awakened soul of the child she led with her; and then, his
+rich and powerful voice resounding through the room, his eyes raised to
+the ceiling, and his clasped and extended hands stretched out before
+him, he burst into an ecstasy of enthusiastic rantings, in which he
+besought blessings on the head of Fanny.</p>
+
+<p>It is impossible to repeat such language as Mr. Cartwright and those who
+resemble him think fit to use in their extemporary devotions, without
+offending against that sensitive horror of profanation which happily
+still continues to be one of the strongest feelings in the minds of
+Christians not converted&mdash;<i>i. e.</i> perverted from the solemn reverence
+our church enjoins in the utterance of every word by which we venture to
+approach the Deity. To such, the unweighed flippant use of those
+momentous words "LET US PRAY," followed as they often are, by turgid
+rantings, and familiar appeals to the most High God, in volumes of
+rapid, careless wordiness, is perhaps the most offensive outrage to
+which their religions feelings can be exposed. One might be almost
+tempted to believe that the sectarians who, rejecting the authorized
+forms in which the bishops and fathers of our church have cautiously,
+reverently, and succinctly rehearsed the petitions which the Scriptures
+permit man to offer to his Creator;&mdash;one might, I say, almost be tempted
+to believe that these men have so misunderstood the Word of God, as to
+read:&mdash;<span class="smcap">Use</span> <i>vain repetitions as the Heathen do, for they</i> SHALL BE
+<i>heard for their much speaking</i>. But this "much speaking," with all its
+irreverent accompaniments of familiar phraseology, is an abomination to
+those who have preserved their right to sit within the sacred pale of
+our established church; and as it is among such that I wish to find my
+readers, I will avoid, as much as possible, offending them by
+unnecessary repetitions of Mr. Cartwright's rhapsodies, preserving only
+so much of their substance as may be necessary to the making his
+character fully understood.</p>
+
+<p>While imploring Heaven to soften the heart of poor Fanny, who knelt
+weeping beside him like a Niobe, he rehearsed her talents and good
+qualities, earnestly praying that they might not be turned by the Prince
+of Darkness into a snare.</p>
+
+<p>"Let not her gift&mdash;her shining gift of poesy, lead her, as it has so
+often done others, to the deepest pit of hell! Let not the gentle and
+warm affections of her heart cling to those that shall carry her soul,
+with their own, down to the worm that dieth not, and to the fire that
+cannot be quenched! Rather, fix thou her love upon those who will seek
+it in thy holy name. May she know to distinguish between the true and
+the false, the holy and the unholy!"</p>
+
+<p>"Amen!" was here uttered by Henrietta, but in so low a whisper that only
+her father's ear caught it. He paused for half a moment, and then
+continued with still-increasing zeal, so that his voice shook and tears
+fell from his eyes.</p>
+
+<p>Fanny was fully aware of all this strong emotion; for though she
+uncovered not her own streaming eyes, she could not mistake the
+trembling voice that pronounced its fervent blessing on her amidst sobs.</p>
+
+<p>Meanwhile Miss Torrington, who had seated herself before a book in her
+dressing-room, began to think that she was not acting very kindly
+towards Fanny, who, she knew, was so nearly childish in her manners as
+to render the entertaining company a very disagreeable task to her.</p>
+
+<p>"Poor little soul!" she exclaimed; "between the manna of the father, and
+the crabbishness of the daughter, she will be done to death if I go not
+to her rescue." So she closed her book and hastened to the library.</p>
+
+<p>The sound she heard on approaching the door startled her, and she paused
+to listen a moment before she entered; for not having the remotest idea
+that it was the voice of prayer, she really believed that some one had
+been taken ill,&mdash;and the notion of convulsions, blended with the
+recollection of Henrietta's sickly appearance, took possession of her
+fancy. She determined, however, to enter; but turned the lock with a
+very nervous hand,&mdash;and on beholding the scene which the opening door
+displayed, felt startled, awed, and uncertain whether to advance or
+retreat.</p>
+
+<p>She immediately met Henrietta's eye, which turned towards her as she
+opened the door, and its expression at once explained the nature of the
+ceremony she so unexpectedly witnessed. Contempt and bitter scorn shot
+from it as she slowly turned it towards her father; and a smile of pity
+succeeded, as she mournfully shook her head, when, for a moment, she
+fixed her glance upon the figure of Fanny. Had the poor girl for whose
+especial sake this very unclerical rhapsody was uttered&mdash;had she been a
+few years older, and somewhat more advanced in the power of judging
+human actions, she must have been struck by the remarkable change which
+the entrance of Rosalind produced in the language and manner of the
+vicar. He did not for an instant suspend the flow of his eloquence, but
+the style of it altered altogether.</p>
+
+<p>"Bless her! bless this lovely and beloved one!" were the words which
+preceded the opening of the door, accompanied by the sobbings of
+vehement emotion.&mdash;"Bless all this worthy family, and all sorts and
+conditions of men; and so lead them home" ... &amp;c. were those which
+followed,&mdash;uttered, too, with very decent sobriety and discretion.</p>
+
+<p>Rosalind, however, was not quite deceived by this, though far from
+guessing how perfectly indecent and profane had been the impassioned
+language and vehement emotion which preceded her appearance.</p>
+
+<p>After the hesitation of a moment, she closed the door, and walking up to
+the side of Fanny, stood beside her for the minute and a half which it
+took Mr. Cartwright to bring his harangue to a conclusion. He then
+ceased, rose from his knees, and bowed to the intruder with an air so
+meek and sanctified, but yet with such a downcast avoidance of her eye
+withal, that Rosalind shrank from him with ill-concealed dislike, and
+would instantly have left the room, but that she did not choose again to
+leave Fanny, who still continued kneeling beside her, to a repetition of
+the scene she had interrupted.</p>
+
+<p>"Fanny!" she said, in an accent a little approaching to impatience.</p>
+
+<p>But Fanny heeded her not. Vexed and disgusted at this display of a
+devotion so unlike the genuine, unaffected, well-regulated piety in
+which she had been herself brought up, she repeated her call,&mdash;adding,
+as she laid her hand lightly on her shoulder,</p>
+
+<p>"This is not the sort of worship which your excellent father, or good
+Mr. Wallace either, would have approved."</p>
+
+<p>Fanny now rose from her knees, and the cause of her not doing so before
+became evident. Her face was as pale as ashes, and traces of violent
+weeping were visible on her swollen eyelids.</p>
+
+<p>"Good Heaven, Fanny! what can have affected you thus?&mdash;What, sir, have
+you been saying to produce so terrible an effect on Miss Mowbray? The
+prayers of the church, in the discipline of which she has been most
+carefully bred up, produce no such paroxysms as these, Mr.
+Cartwright.&mdash;Come with me, Fanny, and do endeavour to conquer this
+extraordinary vehemence of emotion."</p>
+
+<p>Fanny took her arm; but she trembled so violently that she could
+scarcely stand.</p>
+
+<p>"Mr. Cartwright," said Rosalind with a burst of indignation that she
+could not control, "I must beg of you not to repeat this species of
+experiment on the feelings of this young lady during the absence of her
+mother. At her return she will of course decide upon your continuance,
+or discontinuance, in the office you have been pleased to assume; but,
+till then, I must beg, in her name, that we may have no more of this."</p>
+
+<p>"Oh! Rosalind!" exclaimed Fanny, while a fresh shower of tears burst
+from her eyes, "how can you speak so!"</p>
+
+<p>"Tell me, my dear young lady," said Mr. Cartwright, addressing Miss
+Torrington in a voice of the gentlest kindness, "did good Mrs. Mowbray,
+on leaving home, place Miss Fanny under your care?"</p>
+
+<p>"No, sir, she did not," replied Rosalind, a crimson flush of anger and
+indignation mounting to her cheeks; "but, being considerably older than
+Fanny, I deem it my duty to prevent her if possible from again becoming
+an actor in such a scene as this."</p>
+
+<p>Fanny withdrew her arm, and clasping her hands together, again
+exclaimed, "Oh! Rosalind!"</p>
+
+<p>"Do not agitate yourself, my good child," said the vicar; "I shall never
+suspect you of that hardening of the heart which would lead you to be of
+those who wish to banish the voice of prayer from the roof that shelters
+you. Nor shall I," he continued meekly, but firmly,&mdash;"nor shall I
+consider myself justified in remitting that care and attention which I
+promised your excellent mother to bestow on you, because this unhappy
+young person lifts her voice against the holy duties of my calling. I
+shall return to you in the evening, and then, I trust, we shall again
+raise our voices together in praise and prayer."</p>
+
+<p>So saying, Mr. Cartwright took his hat and departed.</p>
+
+<p>The three young ladies were left standing, but not in one group. Miss
+Cartwright, as soon as released from her kneeling position, had
+approached a window, and was assiduously paring her nails; Rosalind
+fixed her eyes upon the floor, and seemed to be revolving some question
+that puzzled her; and Fanny, after the interval of a moment, left the
+room.</p>
+
+<p>Miss Torrington approached the window, and said coldly, but civilly, "I
+am sorry, Miss Cartwright, to have spoken so sternly to your father,&mdash;or
+rather, for the cause which led me to do so,&mdash;but I really considered it
+as my duty."</p>
+
+<p>"Oh! pray, ma'am, do not apologise to me about it."</p>
+
+<p>"I do not wish to offer an apology for doing what I believe to be right;
+but only to express my sorrow to a guest, in the house that is my home,
+for having been obliged to say any thing that might make her feel
+uncomfortable."</p>
+
+<p>"I do assure you, Miss Torrington," replied the vicar's daughter, "that
+my feelings are very particularly independent of any circumstance,
+accident, or event, that may affect Mr. Cartwright ... my father."</p>
+
+<p>"Indeed!" said Rosalind, fixing on her a glance that seemed to invite
+her confidence.</p>
+
+<p>"Indeed!" repeated Henrietta, quietly continuing the occupation
+furnished by her fingers' ends, but without showing any inclination to
+accept the invitation.</p>
+
+<p>Rosalind was disconcerted. The singularity of Miss Cartwright's manner
+piqued her curiosity, and though by no means inclined to form a party
+with her against her father, she had seen enough to convince her that
+they were far from being on very affectionate terms together. A feeling
+of pity, too, though for sorrows and sufferings suggested chiefly by her
+own imagination, gave her a kind-hearted inclination for more intimate
+acquaintance; but she began to suspect that the wish for this was wholly
+on her side, and not shared in any degree by her companion.</p>
+
+<p>Chilled by this idea, and out of spirits from the prospect of being
+daily exposed to Mr. Cartwright's visits, Rosalind prepared to leave the
+room; but good-nature, as was usual with her, prevailed over every other
+feeling, and before she reached the door, she turned and said,</p>
+
+<p>"Is there any thing, Miss Cartwright, that I can offer for your
+amusement? The books of the day are chiefly in our dressing-rooms, I
+believe&mdash;and I have abundance of new music&mdash;and in this room I can show
+you where to find a very splendid collection of engravings."</p>
+
+<p>"I wish for nothing of the kind, I am much obliged to you."</p>
+
+<p>"Shall I send Fanny to you? Perhaps, notwithstanding the ocean of tears
+you have seen her shed, she would prove a much more cheerful companion
+than I could do at this moment."</p>
+
+<p>"I do not wish for a cheerful companion," said Henrietta.</p>
+
+<p>"Is there any thing, then, that I can do," resumed Rosalind, half
+smiling, "that may assist you in getting rid of the morning?"</p>
+
+<p>"You may sit with me yourself."</p>
+
+<p>"May I?&mdash;Well, then, so I will. I assure you that I only thought of
+going because it appeared to me that you did not particularly desire my
+company."</p>
+
+<p>"To say the truth, Miss Torrington, I do not think there is any thing on
+earth particularly worth desiring; but your conversation may perhaps be
+amongst the most endurable. Besides, it is agreeable to look at you."</p>
+
+<p>"You are very civil," replied Rosalind, laughing. "Perhaps you would
+like me to hold a nosegay in my hand, or to put on a bonnet and
+feathers, that I might be still better worth looking at."</p>
+
+<p>"No.&mdash;If I had a bunch of flowers before my eyes, I should not want you:
+no woman can be so beautiful as a collection of flowers. But I shall do
+very well, I dare say. Nothing, you know, lasts very long."</p>
+
+<p>"Your father, then, I presume, has taught your thoughts, Miss
+Cartwright, to fix themselves altogether on a future and a better
+world."</p>
+
+<p>"As to a future world, Miss Torrington, I must have better authority
+than Mr. Cartwright's before I pretend to know any thing about it."</p>
+
+<p>"But I hope your distaste for that which we enjoy at present does not
+arise from its having been unkind to you?"</p>
+
+<p>"When I was a child," answered Henrietta, "I had a kind of sickly
+longing for kindness; but now, that I am older and wiser, I cannot say
+that I think kindness or unkindness are matters of much consequence."</p>
+
+<p>"That, indeed, is a feeling that must put one speedily either above or
+below sorrow."</p>
+
+<p>"I am below it."</p>
+
+<p>"It would be just as easy to say, above, Miss Cartwright; and if you
+really have reached to a state of such stoical indifference, I rather
+wonder you should not feel that it sets you above all the poor sensitive
+souls whom you must see longing for a smile, and trembling at a frown."</p>
+
+<p>"Because, Miss Torrington, I have constantly felt that in approaching
+this state of mind I have been gradually sinking lower and lower in my
+own estimation: I am become so hatefully familiar with sin and
+wickedness, that I perfectly loathe myself&mdash;though assuredly it has
+ended by giving me a very pre-eminent degree of indifference concerning
+all that may hereafter happen to me."</p>
+
+<p>"Is it in your own person," said Rosalind jestingly, "that you have
+become thus familiar with sin?"</p>
+
+<p>"No. It is in that of my father."</p>
+
+<p>Rosalind started. "You talk strangely to me, Miss Cartwright," said she
+gravely; "and if you are playing upon my credulity or curiosity, I must
+submit to it. But if there be any serious meaning in what you say, it
+would be more generous if you would permit me to understand you. I
+believe you are aware that I do not esteem Mr. Cartwright: an avowal
+which delicacy would have certainly prevented my making to you, had you
+not given me reason to suspect&mdash;&mdash;"</p>
+
+<p>"&mdash;That I do not very greatly esteem him either," said Henrietta,
+interrupting her.</p>
+
+<p>"Exactly so: and as I am deeply interested for the welfare and happiness
+of the family amongst whom he seems disposed to insinuate himself upon
+terms of very particular intimacy, I should consider it as a great
+kindness if you would tell me what his character really is."</p>
+
+<p>"The request is a very singular one, considering to whom it is
+addressed," said Miss Cartwright; "and besides I really cannot perceive
+any reason in the world why I should be guilty of an indecorum in order
+to do you <i>a great kindness</i>."</p>
+
+<p>"The indecorum, Miss Cartwright, has been already committed," said
+Rosalind. "You have already spoken of your father as you should not have
+spoken, unless you had some strong and virtuous motive for it."</p>
+
+<p>"How exceedingly refreshing is the unwonted voice of truth!" exclaimed
+Henrietta. "Rosalind Torrington, you are an honest girl, and will not
+betray me; for I do fear him&mdash;coward that I am&mdash;I do fear his cruelty,
+even while I despise his power. I think but lightly," she continued, "of
+the motes that people this paltry world of ours; yet there are
+gradations amongst us, from the pure-hearted kind fool, who, like you,
+Rosalind, would wish to spend their little hour of life in doing good,
+down to the plotting knave who, like my father, Miss Torrington, cares
+not what mischief he may do, so that his own unholy interest, and unholy
+joys, may be increased thereby: and so, look you, there are gradations
+also in my feelings towards them, from very light and easy indifference,
+down, down, down to the deepest abyss of hatred and contempt. I know not
+what power you may have here&mdash;not much, I should fear; for though you
+are rich, the Mowbrays are richer; yet it is possible, I think, that if
+the energy which I suspect makes part of your character be roused, you
+may obtain some influence. If you do, use it to keep Mr. Cartwright as
+far distant from all you love as you can. Mistrust him yourself, and
+teach all others to mistrust him.&mdash;And now, never attempt to renew this
+conversation. I may have done you some service&mdash;do not let your
+imprudence make me repent it. Let us now avoid each other if you please:
+I do not love talking, and would not willingly be led into it again."</p>
+
+<p>Miss Cartwright left the room as soon as these words were spoken,
+leaving Rosalind in a state of mind extremely painful. Through all the
+strange wildness of Henrietta's manner she thought that she could trace
+a friendly intention to put her on her guard; but she hardly knew what
+the mischief was which she feared, and less still perhaps what she could
+do to guard against it. The most obvious and the most desirable thing,
+if she could achieve it, was the preventing Mr. Cartwright's making the
+constant morning and evening visits which he threatened; but she felt
+that her power was indeed small, and, such as it was, she knew not well
+how to use it.</p>
+
+<p>Having remained for above an hour exactly in the place where Miss
+Cartwright had left her, inventing and rejecting a variety of schemes
+for keeping Mr. Cartwright from the house during the absence of Mrs.
+Mowbray, she at length determined to write to him, and after a good deal
+of meditation produced the following note:</p>
+
+<blockquote><p>"Miss Torrington presents her compliments to Mr. Cartwright,
+and begs to inform him, that having been very strictly brought
+up by her father, a clergyman of the established church, she
+cannot, consistently with her ideas of what is right, continue
+to make her residence in a house where irregular and extempore
+prayer-meetings are held. She therefore takes this method of
+announcing to Mr. Cartwright, that if he perseveres in
+repeating at Mowbray Park the scene she witnessed this morning,
+she shall be obliged to leave the house of her guardian, and
+will put herself under the protection of Sir Gilbert Harrington
+till such time as Mrs. Mowbray shall return.</p>
+
+<p>"Mowbray Park, 13th July 1833."</p></blockquote>
+
+<p>This note she immediately despatched to the Vicarage by her own footman,
+who was ordered to wait for an answer, and in the course of an hour
+returned with the following short epistle:</p>
+
+<blockquote><p>"Mr. Cartwright presents his compliments to Miss Torrington,
+and respectfully requests permission to wait upon her for a few
+minutes to-morrow morning.</p>
+
+<p>"Wrexhill Vicarage, July 13th, 1833."</p></blockquote>
+
+<p>Nothing could be less like the answer she expected than this note, and
+she might possibly have been doubtful whether to grant the audience
+requested, or not, had she not perceived, with very considerable
+satisfaction, that she had already obtained a remission of the evening
+rhapsody he had threatened in the morning, which inspired her with
+reasonable hope that her remonstrance would not prove altogether in
+vain. She determined therefore to receive Mr. Cartwright on the morrow,
+but did not deem it necessary to send another express to say so, feeling
+pretty certain that the not forbidding his approach would be quite
+sufficient to ensure its arrival.</p>
+
+<p>The evening passed in very evident and very fidgetty expectation on the
+part of Fanny, who more than once strolled out upon the lawn, returning
+with an air of restlessness and disappointment. But Rosalind was in
+excellent spirits, and contrived to amuse Miss Cartwright, and even
+elicit an expression of pleasure from her, by singing some of her
+sweetest native melodies, which she did with a delicacy and perfection
+of taste and feeling that few could listen to without delight.</p>
+
+
+
+<hr style="width: 65%;" />
+<h2><a name="CHAPTER_XIV" id="CHAPTER_XIV"></a>CHAPTER XIV.</h2>
+
+<h3>AN INTERVIEW.&mdash;THE LIME TREE.&mdash;ROSALIND'S LETTER TO MR. MOWBRAY.</h3>
+
+
+<p>At about eleven o'clock the following morning, Miss Torrington was
+informed that Mr. Cartwright requested to speak to her for a few minutes
+in the drawing-room. Henrietta was with her when the message was
+delivered, and seemed to await her reply with some curiosity.</p>
+
+<p>"I will wait upon him immediately," was the civil and ready answer; and
+as Rosalind gave it, and at the same moment rose from her chair to obey
+the summons, she looked in the face of her companion to see if there
+were any wish expressed there that the silence so strictly enjoined
+should be broken. But Miss Cartwright was occupied by a volume of
+engravings which lay before her, and Rosalind left the room without
+having met her eye.</p>
+
+<p>It is impossible to imagine a demeanour or address more perfectly
+gentlemanlike and respectful than those of Mr. Cartwright as he walked
+across the room to receive Miss Torrington. Strong as her feelings were
+against him, this still produced some effect; and as she seated herself,
+and motioned to him to do the same, her mental soliloquy amounted to
+this:&mdash;"At any rate, I will listen patiently to what he has to say."</p>
+
+<p>"I have taken the liberty of requesting to speak to you, Miss
+Torrington, because I feel persuaded that my conduct and principles have
+from some accident been misunderstood; and I cannot but hope that it
+may be in my power to explain them, so as in some degree to remove the
+prejudice which I fear you have conceived against me."</p>
+
+<p>"It is my duty, sir, both as a matter of courtesy and justice, to hear
+whatever you wish to say in justification or excuse of the scene I
+witnessed yesterday morning. Miss Fanny Mowbray is not yet recovered
+from the effects of the agitation into which she was thrown by it; and I
+have no objection, Mr. Cartwright, to repeat to you in person my fixed
+determination not to continue in the house if that scene be repeated."</p>
+
+<p>"It is impossible," replied Mr. Cartwright "to find a lady of your age
+so steadfast in adhering to what she believes to be right, without
+feeling both admiration and respect for her; and I should think&mdash;forgive
+me if I wound you&mdash;I should think that such an one cannot altogether
+condemn the offering of prayer and thanksgiving?"</p>
+
+<p>"Mr. Cartwright," replied Rosalind, her colour rising, and her voice
+expressive of great agitation, "you talk of having been misunderstood;
+but it is I, sir, who have reason to make this complaint. From which of
+my words, either written or spoken, do you presume to infer that I
+contemn the offering of prayer and thanksgiving?"</p>
+
+<p>"I beseech you to bear with me patiently," said Mr. Cartwright with a
+look and tone of the most touching mildness; "and be assured that by
+doing so, we shall not only be more likely to make ourselves mutually
+understood, but finally to arrive at that truth which, I am willing to
+believe, is equally the object of both. And the theme, my dear young
+lady, on which we speak should never be alluded to,&mdash;at least, I think
+not,&mdash;with any mixture of temper."</p>
+
+<p>Poor Rosalind! Honest as her vehemence was, she felt that she had been
+wrong to show it, and with an effort that did her honour she contrived
+to say "You are quite right, sir. As far as manner is concerned, you
+have greatly the advantage of me by your self-possession and calmness.
+Herein I will endeavour to imitate you, and assure you, with a <i>sang
+froid</i> as perfect as your own, that I consider the offering of prayer
+and thanksgiving as the first duty of a Christian. It is in consequence
+of the reverence in which I hold this sacred duty, that I shrink from
+seeing it performed irreverently. I have been taught to believe, sir,
+that the deepest learning, the most deliberative wisdom, and the most
+grave and solemn meditation given to the subject by the fathers and
+founders of our church, were not too much to bestow on the sublime and
+awful attempt to address ourselves suitably to God in prayer. Prayers so
+framed, and fitted for every exigency that human nature can know, have
+been prepared for us with equal piety and wisdom; and while such exist,
+I will never join in any crude, unweighed, unauthorised jargon addressed
+to the Deity, however vehement the assumption of piety may be in the
+bold man who uses it."</p>
+
+<p>"It is seldom that so young a lady," replied the vicar with a kind and
+gentle smile, "can have found time to give this important question so
+much attention as you appear to have done. Yet, perhaps,&mdash;yet, perhaps,
+Miss Torrington, when a few years more of deep consideration have been
+given by you to the subject, you may be led to think that fervour of
+feeling may more than atone for imperfection in expression."</p>
+
+<p>"If you imagine, sir," replied Rosalind, in a voice as tranquil and
+deliberate as his own, "that I have dared to regulate my conduct and
+opinions on such a point as this by any wisdom of my own, you do me
+great injustice. Such conduct, if general, would make as many churches
+upon earth as there are audacious spirits who reject control. My father,
+Mr. Cartwright, was one whose life was passed in the situation which,
+perhaps, beyond all others in the world, taught him the value of the
+establishment to which he belonged. To those of another and an adverse
+faith he was a kind friend and generous benefactor; but he could not be
+insensible, nor did he leave me so, of the superior purity and moral
+efficacy of his own;&mdash;and I hope not to live long enough to forget the
+reverence which he has left impressed upon my mind for all that our
+church holds sacred."</p>
+
+<p>"Not for worlds, my excellent young lady," exclaimed Mr. Cartwright with
+warmth, "would I attempt to shake opinions so evidently sustained by a
+sense of duty! Respect for such will assuredly prevent my again
+attempting to perform the office which offended your opinions this
+morning, as long as you continue, what you certainly ought to be at this
+time, the mistress of this family. I will only ask, Miss Torrington, in
+return for the sincere veneration I feel for your conscientious
+scruples, that you will judge me with equal candour, and will believe
+that however we may differ in judgment, I am not less anxious to be
+right than yourself."</p>
+
+<p>Rosalind answered this appeal by a silent bow.</p>
+
+<p>"May I, then, hope that we are friends?" said he, rising and presenting
+his hand; "and that I may venture to call, as I promised Mrs. Mowbray I
+would do, on yourself, Miss Fanny, and my daughter, without driving you
+from the house?"</p>
+
+<p>"Certainly, sir," was Rosalind's cold reply. The request appeared as
+reasonable in itself as it was politely and respectfully made, and to
+refuse it would have been equally churlish, presumptuous and unjust.
+Nevertheless, there was something at the bottom of her heart that
+revolted against the act of shaking hands with him; and feigning to be
+occupied by arranging some flowers on the table, she suffered the
+offered hand to remain extended, till at length its patient owner
+withdrew it.</p>
+
+<p>Though well pleased that her remonstrance had put a stop to the vicar's
+extempore prayings at the house, Rosalind was not altogether satisfied
+by the result of the interview. "We are still upon infinitely too civil
+terms," thought she: "but I see that just at present it would be an
+Herculean labour to quarrel with him:&mdash;if I smite him on one cheek, he
+will turn himself about as unresistingly as a sucking pig upon the spit,
+and submit to be basted all round without uttering a single squeak. But
+when Mrs. Mowbray returns I suspect that it will be my turn to be
+basted:&mdash;<i>n'importe</i>&mdash;I am sure I have done no more than my father would
+have thought right."</p>
+
+<p>With this consolation she returned to her dressing-room and applied
+herself to her usual occupations. Henrietta was no longer there; but as
+the fashion of the house was for every one to find employment and
+amusement for themselves during the morning, she did not think it
+necessary to pursue her in order to prove her wish to be agreeable.</p>
+
+<p>At luncheon the three young ladies met as usual in the dining-room:
+Fanny appeared to have recovered her spirits and good-humour, and
+Henrietta seemed to wish to be more conversable than usual. They then
+strolled into the gardens, visited the hothouses, and finally placed
+themselves in a shady and fragrant bower, where they discoursed of
+poetry and music for an hour or two.</p>
+
+<p>When these subjects seemed to be wellnigh exhausted, Miss Cartwright
+rose and slowly walked towards the house without intimating to her
+companions what it was her purpose to do next.</p>
+
+<p>Rosalind and Fanny being thus left tête-à-tête, the former said, "What
+do you think of our new acquaintance, Fanny?&mdash;How do you like Miss
+Cartwright?"</p>
+
+<p>"I do not think she seems at all an amiable girl," replied Fanny. "With
+such advantages as she has, it is quite astonishing that her manners are
+so little agreeable."</p>
+
+<p>"She is not remarkably conversable, certainly," said Rosalind; "but I
+suspect that she has very bad health. How dreadfully sallow she is!"</p>
+
+<p>"I suspect that she has a worse infirmity than bad health," answered
+Fanny;&mdash;"she has, I fear, an extremely bad temper."</p>
+
+<p>"She has not a violent temper, at any rate," observed Rosalind; "for I
+never remember to have seen any one who gave me a greater idea of being
+subdued and spirit-broken."</p>
+
+<p>"That is not at all the impression she makes upon me," said Fanny: "I
+should call her rather sullen than gentle, and obstinate instead of
+subdued. But this gossiping is sad idle work, Rosalind: as Miss
+Henrietta has fortunately taken herself off, I may go on with what I was
+doing before luncheon."</p>
+
+<hr style="width: 45%;" />
+
+<p>Late in the evening, Mr. Cartwright and his son Jacob paid the young
+ladies a visit. The vicar's conversation was chiefly addressed to Miss
+Torrington; and if she had never seen him before, she must have agreed
+with Fanny in thinking him one of the most agreeable persons in the
+world&mdash;for he spoke fluently and well upon every subject, and with a
+person and voice calculated to please every eye and every ear. There
+were probably, indeed, but few who could retain as steady a dislike to
+him as our Rosalind did.</p>
+
+<p>The young man got hold of a purse that Fanny was netting, and did his
+best to entangle her silks; but his chief amusement was derived from
+attempts to quiz and plague his sister, who treated him much as a large
+and powerful dog does a little one,&mdash;enduring his gambols and annoying
+tricks with imperturbable patience for a while, and then suddenly
+putting forth a heavy paw and driving him off in an instant.</p>
+
+<p>The following day passed very nearly in the same manner, excepting that
+the three girls separated immediately after breakfast, and did not meet
+again till luncheon-time. On the third, Fanny was the first to leave the
+breakfast-room; and Miss Cartwright and Rosalind being left together,
+the former said,</p>
+
+<p>"I suppose we owe our repose from morning and evening ranting to you,
+Miss Torrington?"</p>
+
+<p>"I certainly did not approve it, Miss Cartwright, and I took the liberty
+of telling your father so."</p>
+
+<p>"You were undoubtedly very right and very wise, and I dare say you feel
+some inward satisfaction at your success. Mr. Cartwright has really
+shown great deference to your opinion by so immediately abandoning, at
+your request, so very favourite an occupation."</p>
+
+<p>Rosalind was about to reply, when Miss Cartwright changed the
+conversation by abruptly saying,</p>
+
+<p>"Will you take a stroll with me this morning, Miss Torrington?"</p>
+
+<p>"Yes, certainly, if you wish it;&mdash;but I think we shall find it very
+warm."</p>
+
+<p>"Oh! no. I will lead you a very nice shady walk to the prettiest and
+most sheltered little thicket in the world. Let us put on our bonnets
+directly;&mdash;shall we?"</p>
+
+<p>"I will not delay you a moment," said Rosalind. "Shall I ask Fanny to go
+with us?"</p>
+
+<p>"Why no," replied Miss Cartwright; "I think you had better not;&mdash;the
+chances are ten to one against her finding it convenient. You know she
+is so fond of solitary study&mdash;&mdash;"</p>
+
+<p>"I believe you are right," said Rosalind; and the young ladies parted,
+to meet again a few minutes after, with bonnets and parasols, at the
+hall-door.</p>
+
+<p>"And which way are we to go to find this welcome shade?" said Rosalind,
+holding her parasol low down to shelter her pretty face. "The sun is
+almost intolerable."</p>
+
+<p>"This way," said Henrietta, turning aside from the drive in a direction
+which soon brought them to a thickly-planted ride that surrounded the
+Park. "We shall find it delightful here."</p>
+
+<p>It was an hour which, in the month of July, few ladies would choose for
+walking; but Miss Torrington politely exerted herself to converse,
+though she secretly longed to be lying silent and alone on the sofa in
+her own dressing-room, with no greater exertion than was necessary for
+the perusal of&mdash;</p>
+
+<div class="poem"><div class="stanza">
+<span class="i0">"The dear pages of some new romance."<br /></span>
+</div></div>
+
+<p>Henrietta, however, only answered her dryly and shortly, and presently
+said,</p>
+
+<p>"I should be really very much obliged to you, Miss Torrington, if you
+would not speak to me any more. Just listen to the blackbirds, will
+you?&mdash;depend upon it we can neither of us express ourselves one half so
+well as they do."</p>
+
+<p>Rosalind willingly submitted to this request; and the young ladies
+walked onward, producing no other sound than the occasional brushing of
+their dresses against the underwood, which at every step became thicker,
+rendering the path almost too narrow for two to walk abreast.</p>
+
+<p>"Now, let us just turn down through this little opening," said Henrietta
+in a whisper; "and pray do not speak to me."</p>
+
+<p>Rosalind, who began to believe that she must have some meaning for her
+strange manner of proceeding, followed her in perfect silence; and they
+had not gone far into the intricacies of the tangled copse, before she
+heard the sound of a human voice at no great distance from her.
+Henrietta, who was in advance, turned round and laid her finger on her
+lips. The caution was not needed: Rosalind had already recognised the
+tones of Mr. Cartwright, and a few more silent steps brought them to a
+spot thickly surrounded on all sides, but from whence they could look
+out upon a small and beautiful opening, in the centre of which a
+majestic lime-tree stretched its arms in all directions over the soft
+green turf.</p>
+
+<p>Rosalind instantly recognised the spot as one frequently resorted to in
+their evening rambles, for the sake of its cool and secluded beauty, and
+also because a bench, divided into commodious stalls, surrounded the
+capacious tree, from whence opened a vista commanding a charming view
+across the Park.</p>
+
+<p>On the turf before this bench, and with their backs turned towards the
+spot where Rosalind and Henrietta stood, knelt Mr. Cartwright and Fanny.
+His eyes were fixed upon her with passionate admiration, and the first
+words they distinctly heard were these, spoken with great vehemence by
+the vicar:&mdash;</p>
+
+<p>"Persecuted&mdash;trampled on&mdash;turned forth from every other roof, let thy
+blue vault spread over us, and while I struggle to snatch this precious
+brand from the eternal fire of thy wrath, pour upon our heads the dew of
+thy love! Grant me power to save this one dear soul alive, though it
+should seem good in thy sight that millions should perish around her!
+Save her from the eternal flame that even now rises to lick her feet,
+and if not stayed by prayer&mdash;the prayer of thy saints,&mdash;will speedily
+envelope and consume her!"</p>
+
+<p>Rosalind remained to hear no more. Heartsick, indignant, disgusted, and
+almost terrified by what she saw and heard, she retreated hastily, and,
+followed by Henrietta, rapidly pursued her way to the house.</p>
+
+<p>Her companion made an effort to overtake her, and, almost out of breath
+by an exertion to which she was hardly equal, she said,</p>
+
+<p>"I have shown you this, Miss Torrington, for the sake of giving you a
+useful lesson. If you are wise, you will profit by it, and learn to know
+that it is not always safe to suppose you have produced an effect,
+merely because it may be worth some one's while to persuade you into
+believing it. Having said thus much to point the moral of our walk in
+the sun, you may go your way, and I will go mine. I shall not enter upon
+any more elaborate exposition of Mr. Cartwright's character."</p>
+
+<p>So saying, she fell back among the bushes, and Rosalind reached the
+house alone.</p>
+
+<p>On entering her dressing-room, Miss Torrington sat herself down, with
+her eau de Cologne bottle in one hand and a large feather fan in the
+other, to meditate&mdash;coolly, if she could, but at any rate to
+meditate&mdash;upon what she ought to do in order immediately to put a stop
+to the very objectionable influence which Mr. Cartwright appeared to
+exercise over the mind of Fanny.</p>
+
+<p>Had she been aware of Sir Gilbert Harrington's having written to recall
+his refusal of the executorship, she would immediately have had recourse
+to him; but this fact had never transpired beyond Mrs. Mowbray and the
+vicar; and the idea that he had resisted the representation which she
+felt sure his son had made to him after the conversation Helen and
+herself had held with him, not only made her too angry to attempt any
+farther to soften him, but naturally impressed her with the belief that,
+do or say what she would on the subject, it must be in vain.</p>
+
+<p>At length it struck her that Charles Mowbray was the most proper person
+to whom she could address herself; yet the writing such a letter as
+might immediately bring him home, was a measure which, under all
+existing circumstances, she felt to be awkward and disagreeable. But the
+more she meditated the more she felt convinced, that, notwithstanding
+the obvious objections to it, this was the safest course she could
+pursue: so having once made up her mind upon the subject, she set about
+it without farther delay, and, with the straightforward frankness and
+sincerity of her character, produced the following epistle:&mdash;</p>
+
+<blockquote><p>"Dear Mr. Mowbray,</p>
+
+<p>"Your last letter to Helen, giving so very agreeable an account
+of the style and manner of your <i>Little-go</i>, makes it an
+ungracious task to interrupt your studies&mdash;and yet that is what
+I am bent upon doing. You will be rather puzzled, I suspect, at
+finding me assuming the rights and privileges of a
+correspondent, and moreover of an adviser, or rather a
+dictator: but so it is&mdash;and you must not blame me till you are
+quite sure you know all my reasons for it.</p>
+
+<p>"Mrs. Mowbray is gone to London, accompanied by Helen, for the
+purpose of proving (I think it is called) your father's will; a
+business in which Sir Gilbert Harrington has, most unkindly for
+all of you, refused to join her. This journey was so suddenly
+decided upon, that dear Helen had no time to write to you about
+it: she knew not she was to go till about nine o'clock the
+evening preceding.</p>
+
+<p>"The Vicar of Wrexhill was probably acquainted with the
+intended movement earlier; for no day passes, or has passed for
+some weeks, without his holding a private consultation with
+your mother.</p>
+
+<p>"Oh! that vicar, Charles! I think I told you that I hated him,
+and you seemed to smile at my hatred as a sort of missish
+impertinence and caprice; but what was instinct then has become
+reason now, and I am strangely mistaken if your hatred would
+not fully keep pace with mine had you seen and heard what I
+have done.</p>
+
+<p>"When I decided upon writing to you I intended, I believe, to
+enter into all particulars; but I cannot do this&mdash;you must see
+for yourself, and draw your own inferences. My dislike for this
+man may carry me too far, and you must be much more capable of
+forming a judgment respecting his motives than I can be. Of
+this however I am quite sure,&mdash;Fanny ought at this time to have
+some one near her more capable of protecting her from the
+mischievous influence of this hateful man than I am. I know,
+Mr. Charles, that you have no very exalted idea of my wisdom;
+and I am not without some fear that instead of coming home
+immediately, as I think you ought to do, you may write me a
+very witty, clever answer, with reasons as plenty as
+blackberries to prove that I am a goose. <i>Do not do this, Mr.
+Mowbray.</i> I do not think that you know me very well, but in
+common courtesy you ought not to believe that any young lady
+would write you such a summons as this without having very
+serious reasons for it.</p>
+
+<p>"As one proof of the rapidly-increasing intimacy between the
+family of the vicar and your own, you will, on your arrival,
+find the daughter, Miss Cartwright, established here to console
+us for your mother's (and Helen's!) absence. She is a very
+singular personage: but on her I pass no judgment, sincerely
+feeling that I am not competent to it. If my opinion be of
+sufficient weight to induce you to come, Mr. Mowbray, I must
+beg you to let your arrival appear the result of accident; and
+not to let any one but Helen know of this letter.</p>
+
+<p>"Believe me, very sincerely,</p>
+
+<p>"Your friend,</p>
+
+<p>"<span class="smcap">Rosalind Torrington</span>."</p></blockquote>
+
+
+
+<hr style="width: 65%;" />
+<h2><a name="CHAPTER_XV" id="CHAPTER_XV"></a>CHAPTER XV.</h2>
+
+<h3>ROSALIND'S CONVERSATION WITH MISS CARTWRIGHT.&mdash;MRS. SIMPSON AND MISS
+RICHARDS MEET THE VICAR AT THE PARK.&mdash;THE HYMN.&mdash;THE WALK HOME.</h3>
+
+
+<p>In the course of the morning after this letter was despatched, Miss
+Cartwright and Rosalind again found themselves tête-à-tête. The nature
+of Rosalind Torrington was so very completely the reverse of mysterious
+or intriguing, that far from wishing to lead Henrietta to talk of her
+father in that style of hints and innuendos to which the young lady
+seemed addicted, she determined, in future, carefully to avoid the
+subject; although it was very evident, from the preconcerted walk to the
+lime-tree, that, notwithstanding her declaration to the contrary, Miss
+Cartwright was desirous to make her acquainted with the character and
+conduct of her father.</p>
+
+<p>Whether it were that spirit of contradiction which is said to possess
+the breast of woman, or any other more respectable feeling, it may be
+difficult to decide, but it is certain that the less Rosalind appeared
+disposed to speak of the adventure of yesterday, the more desirous did
+Henrietta feel to lead her to it.</p>
+
+<p>"You were somewhat disappointed, I fancy, Miss Torrington," said she,
+"to discover that though you had contrived to banish the conventicle
+from the house, it had raised its voice in the grounds."</p>
+
+<p>"Indeed I was," replied Rosalind.</p>
+
+<p>"I rather think that you are addicted to speaking truth&mdash;and perhaps you
+pique yourself upon it," resumed Miss Cartwright. "Will you venture to
+tell me what you think of the scene you witnessed?"</p>
+
+<p>"You are not the person I should most naturally have selected as the
+confidant of my opinions respecting Mr. Cartwright," said Rosalind; "but
+since you put the question plainly I will answer it plainly, and confess
+that I suspect him not only of wishing to inculcate his own Calvinistic
+doctrines on the mind of Fanny Mowbray, but moreover, notwithstanding
+his disproportionate age, of gaining her affections."</p>
+
+<p>"Her affections?" repeated Henrietta. "And with what view do you imagine
+he is endeavouring to gain her affections?"</p>
+
+<p>"Doubtless with a view to making her his wife; though, to be sure, the
+idea is preposterous."</p>
+
+<p>"Sufficiently. Pray, Miss Torrington, has Miss Fanny Mowbray an
+independent fortune?"</p>
+
+<p>"None whatever. Like the rest of the family, she is become by the death
+of her father entirely dependent upon Mrs. Mowbray."</p>
+
+<p>"Your fortune is entirely at your own disposal, I believe."</p>
+
+<p>Rosalind looked provoked at the idle turn Miss Cartwright was giving to
+a conversation which, though she had not led to it, interested her
+deeply.</p>
+
+<p>"Do not suspect me of impertinence," said Henrietta in a tone more
+gentle than ordinary. "But such is the case, is it not?"</p>
+
+<p>"Yes, Miss Cartwright," was Rosalind's grave reply.</p>
+
+<p>"Then, do you know that I think it infinitely more probable Mr.
+Cartwright may have it in contemplation to make you his wife."</p>
+
+<p>"I beg your pardon, Miss Cartwright," said Rosalind, "but I really
+thought that you were speaking of your father seriously; and it seems
+you are disposed to punish me for imagining you would do so, to one so
+nearly a stranger."</p>
+
+<p>"I never jest on any subject," replied the melancholy-looking girl,
+knitting her dark brows into a frown of such austerity as almost made
+Rosalind tremble. "A reasoning being who has nothing to hope among the
+realities on this side the grave, and hopes nothing on the other, is not
+very likely to be jocose."</p>
+
+<p>"Good Heavens! Miss Cartwright," exclaimed Rosalind, "what dreadful
+language is this? Are you determined to prove to me that there may be
+opinions and doctrines more terrible still than those of your father?"</p>
+
+<p>"I had no meaning of the kind, I assure you," replied Henrietta, in her
+usual quiet manner, which always seemed to hover between the bitterness
+of a sneer, and the quietude or indifference of philosophy. "Pray do not
+trouble yourself for a moment to think about me or my opinions. You
+might, perhaps, as you are a bold-spirited, honest-minded girl, do some
+good if you fully comprehended all that was going on around you; though
+it is very doubtful, for it is impossible to say to what extent the
+besotted folly of people may go. But don't you think it might on the
+whole be quite as probable that Mr. Cartwright may wish to marry the
+mother as the daughter?"</p>
+
+<p>"Mrs. Mowbray!&mdash;Good gracious! no."</p>
+
+<p>"Then we differ. But may I ask you why you think otherwise?"</p>
+
+<p>"One reason is, that Mrs. Mowbray's recent widowhood seems to put such
+an idea entirely out of the question; and another, that he appears to be
+positively making love to Fanny."</p>
+
+<p>"Oh!&mdash;is that all? I do assure you there is nothing at all particular in
+that. He would tell you himself, I am sure, if you were to enter upon
+the subject with him, that it is his duty to influence and lead the
+hearts of his flock into the way he would have them go, by <i>every</i> means
+in his power."</p>
+
+<p>"Then you really do not think he has been making love to Fanny?"</p>
+
+<p>"I am sure, Miss Torrington," replied Henrietta very gravely, "I did not
+mean to say so."</p>
+
+<p>"Indeed! indeed! Miss Cartwright," said Rosalind with evident symptoms
+of impatience, "these riddles vex me cruelly. If your father <i>does</i>
+make love to this dear fanciful child, he must, I suppose, have some
+hope that she will marry him?"</p>
+
+<p>"How can I answer you?" exclaimed Henrietta with real feeling. "You
+cannot be above two or three years younger than I am, yet your purity
+and innocence make me feel myself a monster."</p>
+
+<p>"For Heaven's sake do not trifle with me!" cried Rosalind, her face and
+neck dyed with indignant blood; "you surely do not mean that your father
+is seeking to seduce this unhappy child?"</p>
+
+<p>"Watch Mr. Cartwright a little while, Rosalind Torrington, as I have
+done for the six last terrible years of my hateful life, and you may
+obtain perhaps some faint idea of the crooked, complex machinery&mdash;the
+movements and counter-movements, the shiftings and the balancings, by
+which his zig-zag course is regulated. Human passions are in him for
+ever struggling with, and combating, what may be called, in their
+strength, <i>superhuman</i> avarice and ambition.</p>
+
+<p>"To touch, to influence, to lead, to rule, to tyrannise over the hearts
+and souls of all he approaches, is the great object of his life. He
+would willingly do this in the hearts of men,&mdash;but for the most part he
+has found them tough; and he now, I think, seems to rest all his hopes
+of fame, wealth, and station on the power he can obtain over women.&mdash;I
+say not," she added after a pause, while a slight blush passed over her
+pallid cheek, "that I believe his senses uninfluenced by beauty;&mdash;this
+is far, hatefully far from being the case with Mr. Cartwright;&mdash;but he
+is careful, most cunningly careful, whatever victims he makes, never to
+become one in his own person.</p>
+
+<p>"You would find, were you to watch him, that his system, both for
+pleasure and profit, consists of a certain graduated love-making to
+every woman within his reach, not too poor, too old, or too ugly. But if
+any among them fancy that he would sacrifice the thousandth part of a
+hair's breadth of his worldly hopes for all they could give him in
+return&mdash;they are mistaken."</p>
+
+<p>"The character you paint," said Rosalind, who grew pale as she listened,
+"is too terrible for me fully to understand, and I would turn my eyes
+from the portrait, and endeavour to forget that I had ever heard of it,
+were not those I love endangered by it. Hateful as all this new
+knowledge is to me, I must still question you further, Miss Cartwright:
+What do you suppose to be his object in thus working upon the mind of
+Fanny Mowbray?"</p>
+
+<p>"His motives, depend upon it, are manifold. Religion and love, the new
+birth and intellectual attachment&mdash;mystical sympathy of hearts, and the
+certainty of eternal perdition to all that he does not take under the
+shadow of his wing;&mdash;these are the tools with which he works. He has got
+his foot&mdash;perhaps you may think it a cloven one, but, such as it is, he
+seems to have got it pretty firmly planted within the paling of Mowbray
+Park. He made me follow him hither as a volunteer visiter, very much
+against my inclination; but if by what I have said you may be enabled to
+defeat any of his various projects among ye,&mdash;for he never plots
+single-handed,&mdash;I shall cease to regret that I came."</p>
+
+<p>"My power of doing any good," replied Rosalind, "must, I fear, be
+altogether destroyed by my ignorance of what Mr. Cartwright's intentions
+and expectations are. You have hinted various things, but all so
+vaguely, that I own I do not feel more capable of keeping my friends
+from any danger which may threaten them, than before this conversation
+took place."</p>
+
+<p>"I am sorry for it," said Henrietta coldly, "but I have really no
+information more accurate to give."</p>
+
+<p>"I truly believe that you have meant very kindly," said Rosalind,
+looking seriously distressed. "Will you go one step farther, and say
+what you would advise me to do, Miss Cartwright?"</p>
+
+<p>"No, certainly, Miss Torrington, I will not. But I will give you a hint
+or two what not to do. Do not appear at all better acquainted with me
+than I show myself disposed to be with you. Do not make the slightest
+alteration in your manner of receiving Mr. Cartwright; and do not, from
+any motive whatever, repeat one syllable of this conversation to Fanny
+Mowbray. Should you disobey this last injunction, you will be guilty of
+very cruel and ungrateful treachery towards me." Having said this, with
+the appearance of more emotion than she had hitherto manifested,
+Henrietta rose and left the room.</p>
+
+<p>"At length," thought Rosalind, "she has spoken out; yet what are we
+likely to be the better for it? It seems that there is a great net
+thrown over us, of which we shall feel and see the meshes by-and-by,
+when he who has made prey of us begins to pull the draught to shore; but
+how to escape from it, the oracle sayeth not!"</p>
+
+<hr style="width: 45%;" />
+
+<p>On the evening of that day, Mrs. Simpson and the eldest Miss Richards
+walked over from Wrexhill to pay a visit at the Park. They were not
+aware of the absence of Mrs. Mowbray, and seemed disposed to shorten
+their visit on finding she was not at home; but Rosalind, who for the
+last hour had been sitting on thorns expecting Mr. Cartwright to make
+his evening call, most cordially and earnestly invited them to stay till
+after tea, feeling that their presence would greatly relieve the
+embarrassment which she feared she might betray on again seeing the
+vicar.</p>
+
+<p>"But it will be so late!" said Miss Richards. "How are we to get home
+after it is dark? Remember, Mrs. Simpson, there is no moon."</p>
+
+<p>"It is very true," said Mrs. Simpson. "I am afraid, my dear Miss
+Torrington, that we must deny ourselves the pleasure you offer;&mdash;but I
+am such a nervous creature! It is very seldom that I stir out without
+ordering a man-servant to follow me; and I regret excessively that I
+omitted to do so this evening."</p>
+
+<p>"I think," said Rosalind, colouring at her own eagerness, which she was
+conscious must appear rather new and rather strange to Mrs. Simpson,
+with whom she had hardly ever exchanged a dozen words before,&mdash;"I think
+Mr. Cartwright will very likely be here this evening, and perhaps he
+might attend you home. Do you not think, Miss Cartwright," she added,
+turning to Henrietta, "that it is very likely your father will call this
+evening?"</p>
+
+<p>"Good gracious!&mdash;Miss Cartwright&mdash;I beg your pardon, I did not know you.
+I hope you heard that I called;&mdash;so very happy to cultivate your
+acquaintance!&mdash;Oh dear! I would not miss seeing Mr. Cartwright for the
+world!&mdash;Thank you, my dear Miss Torrington;&mdash;thank you, Miss Fanny: I
+will just set my hair to rights a little, if you will give me leave.
+Perhaps, Miss Fanny, you will permit me to go into your bed-room?" Such
+was the effect produced by the vicar's name upon the handsome widow.</p>
+
+<p>Miss Richards coloured, smiled, spoke to Henrietta with very respectful
+politeness, and finally followed her friend Mrs. Simpson out of the
+room, accompanied by Fanny, who willingly undertook to be their
+gentlewoman usher.</p>
+
+<p>"Mr. Cartwright has already made some impression on these fair ladies,
+or I am greatly mistaken," said Henrietta. "Did you remark, Miss
+Torrington, the effect produced by his name?"</p>
+
+<p>"I did," replied Rosalind, "and my reasonings upon it are very
+consolatory; for if he has already found time and inclination to produce
+so great effect there, why should we fear that his labours of love here
+should prove more dangerous in their tendency?"</p>
+
+<p>"Very true. Nor do I see any reason in the world why the Mowbray is in
+greater peril than the Simpson, or the Fanny than the Louisa,&mdash;excepting
+that one widow is about twenty times richer than the other, and the
+little young lady about five hundred times handsomer than the great
+one."</p>
+
+<p>At this moment the Mr. Cartwrights, father and son, were seen turning
+off from the regular approach to the house, towards the little gate that
+opened from the lawn; a friendly and familiar mode of entrance, which
+seemed to have become quite habitual to them.</p>
+
+<p>Rosalind, who was the first to perceive them, flew towards the door,
+saying, "You must excuse me for running away, Miss Cartwright. I invited
+that furbelow widow to stay on purpose to spare me this almost
+tête-à-tête meeting. I will seek the ladies and return with them."</p>
+
+<p>"Then so will I too," said Henrietta, hastily following her. "I am by no
+means disposed to stand the cross-examination which I know will ensue if
+I remain here alone."</p>
+
+<p>The consequence of this movement was, that the vicar and his son
+prepared their smiles in vain; for, on entering the drawing-room, sofas
+and ottomans, footstools, tables, and chairs, alone greeted them.</p>
+
+<p>Young Cartwright immediately began peeping into the work-boxes and
+portfolios which lay on the tables.</p>
+
+<p>"Look here, sir," said he, holding up a caricature of Lord B&mdash;&mdash;m. "Is
+not this sinful?"</p>
+
+<p>"Do be quiet, Jacob!&mdash;we shall have them here in a moment;&mdash;I really
+wish I could teach you when your interest is at stake to make the best
+of yourself. You know that I should be particularly pleased by your
+marrying Miss Torrington; and I do beg, my dear boy, that you will not
+suffer your childish spirits to put any difficulties in my way."</p>
+
+<p>"I will become an example unto all men," replied Jacob, shutting up his
+eyes and mouth demurely, and placing himself bolt upright upon the
+music-stool.</p>
+
+<p>"If you and your sister could but mingle natures a little," said Mr.
+Cartwright, "you would both be wonderfully improved. Nothing with which
+I am acquainted, however joyous, can ever induce Henrietta to smile; and
+nothing, however sad, can prevent your being on the broad grin from
+morning to night. However, of the two, I confess I think you are the
+most endurable."</p>
+
+<p>"A whip for the horse, a bridle for the ass, and a rod for the fool's
+back," said Jacob in a sanctified tone.</p>
+
+<p>"Upon my honour, Jacob, I shall be very angry with you if you do not set
+about this love-making as I would have you. Don't make ducks and drakes
+of eighty thousand pounds:&mdash;at least, not till you have got them."</p>
+
+<p>"Answer not a fool according to his folly, least he be wise in his own
+conceit," said Jacob.</p>
+
+<p>Mr. Cartwright smiled, as it seemed against his will, but shook his head
+very solemnly. "I'll tell you what, Jacob," said he,&mdash;"if I see you set
+about this in a way to please me, I'll give you five shillings to-morrow
+morning."</p>
+
+<p>"Wherefore is there a price in the hand of a fool to get wisdom, seeing
+he hath no heart to it?" replied Jacob. "Nevertheless, father, I will
+look lovingly upon the maiden, and receive thy promised gift, even as
+thou sayest."</p>
+
+<p>"Upon my word, Jacob, you try my patience too severely," said the
+vicar; yet there was certainly but little wrath in his eye as he said
+so, and his chartered libertine of a son was preparing again to answer
+him in the words of Solomon, but in a spirit of very indecent
+buffoonery, when the drawing-room door opened, and Mrs. Simpson, Miss
+Richards, and Fanny Mowbray entered.</p>
+
+<p>It appeared that Rosalind and Miss Cartwright on escaping from the
+drawing-room had not sought the other ladies, but taken refuge in the
+dining-parlour, from whence they issued immediately after the others had
+passed the door, and entering the drawing-room with them, enjoyed the
+gratification of witnessing the meeting of the vicar and his fair
+parishioners.</p>
+
+<p>To the surprise of Rosalind, and the great though silent amusement of
+her companion, they perceived that both the stranger ladies had
+contrived to make a very edifying and remarkable alteration in the
+general appearance of their dress.</p>
+
+<p>Miss Richards had combed her abounding black curls as nearly straight as
+their nature would allow, and finally brought them into very reverential
+order by the aid of her ears, and sundry black pins to boot,&mdash;an
+arrangement by no means unfavourable to the display of her dark eyes and
+eyebrows.</p>
+
+<p>But the change produced by the <i>castigato</i> toilet of the widow was
+considerably more important. A transparent blond <i>chemisette</i>, rather
+calculated to adorn than conceal that part of the person to which it
+belonged, was now completely hidden by a lavender-coloured silk
+handkerchief, tightly, smoothly, and with careful security pinned
+behind, and before, and above, and below, upon her full but graceful
+bust.</p>
+
+<p>Rosalind had more than once of late amused herself by looking over the
+pages of Molière's "Tartuffe;" and a passage now occurred to her that
+she could not resist muttering in the ear of Henrietta:&mdash;</p>
+
+<div class="poem"><div class="stanza">
+<span class="i8">"Ah, mon Dieu! je vous prie,<br /></span>
+<span class="i0">Avant que de parler, prenez-moi ce mouchoir"&mdash;&amp;c.<br /></span>
+</div></div>
+
+<p>The comer of Miss Cartwright's mouth expressed her appreciation of the
+quotation, but by a movement so slight that none but Rosalind could
+perceive it.</p>
+
+<p>Meanwhile the vicar approached Mrs. Simpson with a look that was full of
+meaning, and intended to express admiration both of her mental and
+personal endowments. She, too, had banished the drooping ringlets from
+her cheeks, and appeared before him with all the pretty severity of a
+Madonna band across her forehead.</p>
+
+<p>Was it in the nature of man to witness such touching proofs of his
+influence without being affected thereby? At any rate, such indifference
+made no part of the character of the Vicar of Wrexhill, and the murmured
+"Bless you, my dear lady!" which accompanied his neighbourly pressure of
+the widow Simpson's hand, gave her to understand how much his grateful
+and affectionate feelings were gratified by her attention to the hints
+he had found an opportunity to give her during a tête-à-tête
+conversation at her own house a few days before.</p>
+
+<p>Nor was the delicate attention of Miss Richards overlooked. She, too,
+felt at her fingers' ends how greatly the sacrifice of her curls was
+approved by the graceful vicar, who now sat down surrounded by this fair
+bevy of ladies, smiling with bland and gentle sweetness on them all.</p>
+
+<p>Mr. Jacob thought of the promised five shillings, and displaying his
+fine teeth from ear to ear, presented a chair to Miss Torrington.</p>
+
+<p>"I wish you would let us have a song, Miss Rosalind Torrington," said
+he, stationing himself at the back of her chair and leaning over her
+shoulder. "I am told that your voice beats every thing on earth hollow."</p>
+
+<p>His eye caught an approving glance from his father as he took this
+station, and he wisely trusted to his attitude for obtaining his reward,
+for these words were audible only to the young lady herself.</p>
+
+<p>"You are a mighty odd set of people!" said she, turning round to him. "I
+cannot imagine how you all contrive to live together! There is not one
+of you that does not appear to be a contrast to the other two."</p>
+
+<p>"Then, at any rate, you cannot dislike us all <i>equally</i>," said the
+strange lad, with a grimace that made her laugh, despite her inclination
+to look grave.</p>
+
+<p>"I do not know that," was the reply. "I may dislike you all equally, and
+yet have a different species of dislike for each."</p>
+
+<p>"But one species must be stronger and more vigorous than the others.
+Besides, I will assist your judgment. I do not mean to say I am quite
+perfect; but, depend upon it, I'm the best of the <i>set</i>, as you call
+us."</p>
+
+<p>"Your authority, Mr. Jacob, is the best in the world, certainly.
+Nevertheless, there are many who on such an occasion might suspect you
+of partiality."</p>
+
+<p>"Then they would do me great injustice, Miss Torrington. I am a man, or
+a boy, or something between both: take me for all in all, it is five
+hundred to one you ne'er shall look upon my like again. But that is a
+play-going and sinful quotation, Miss Rosalind, like your name: so be
+merciful unto me, and please not to tell my papa."</p>
+
+<p>"You may be very certain, Mr. Jacob, that I shall obey you in this."</p>
+
+<div class="poem"><div class="stanza">
+<span class="i0">"Sweetest nut hath sourest rind,&mdash;<br /></span>
+<span class="i0">Such a nut is Rosalind."<br /></span>
+</div></div>
+
+<p>responded the youth; and probably thinking that he had fairly won his
+five shillings, he raised his tall thin person from the position which
+had so well pleased his father, and stole round to the sofa on which
+Fanny was sitting.</p>
+
+<p>Fanny was looking very lovely, but without a trace of that bright and
+beaming animation which a few short months before had led her poor
+father to give her the <i>sobriquet</i> of "Firefly." He was wont to declare,
+and no one was inclined to contradict him, that whenever she appeared,
+something like a bright coruscation seemed to flash upon the eye. No
+one, not even a fond father, would have hit upon such a simile for her
+now. Beautiful she was, perhaps more beautiful than ever; but a sad and
+sombre thoughtfulness had settled itself on her young brow,&mdash;her voice
+was no longer the echo of gay thoughts, and, in a word, her whole aspect
+and bearing were changed.</p>
+
+<p>She now sat silently apart from the company, watching, with an air that
+seemed to hover between abstraction and curiosity, Mrs. Simpson's manner
+of making herself agreeable to Mr. Cartwright.</p>
+
+<p>This lady was seated on one side of the vicar, and Miss Richards on the
+other: both had the appearance of being unconscious that any other
+person or persons were in the room, and nothing but his consummate skill
+in the art of uttering an aside both with eyes and lips could have
+enabled him to sustain his position.</p>
+
+<p>"My sisters and I are afraid you have quite forgotten us," murmured Miss
+Richards; "but we have been practising the hymns you gave us, and we
+are all quite perfect, and ready to sing them to you whenever you come."</p>
+
+<p>"The hearing this, my dear young lady, gives me as pure and holy a
+pleasure as listening to the sacred strains could do:&mdash;unless, indeed,"
+he added, bending his head sideways towards her, so as nearly to touch
+her cheek, "unless, indeed, they were breathed by the lips of Louisa
+herself. That must be very like hearing a seraph sing!"</p>
+
+<p>Not a syllable of this was heard save by herself.</p>
+
+<p>"I have thought incessantly," said Mrs. Simpson, in a very
+low voice, as soon as Mr. Cartwright's head had recovered the
+perpendicular,&mdash;"incessantly, I may truly say, on our last conversation.
+My life has been passed in a manner so widely different from what I am
+sure it will be in future, that I feel as if I were awakened to a new
+existence!"</p>
+
+<p>"The great object of my hopes is, and will ever be," replied the Vicar
+of Wrexhill almost aloud, "to lead my beloved flock to sweet and safe
+pastures.&mdash;And for you," he added, in a voice so low, that she rather
+felt than heard his words, "what is there I would not do?" Here his eyes
+spoke a commentary; and hers, a note upon it.</p>
+
+<p>"Which is the hymn, Mr. Cartwright, that you think best adapted to the
+semi-weekly Sabbath you recommended us to institute?" said Miss
+Richards.</p>
+
+<p>"The eleventh, I think.&mdash;Yes, the eleventh;&mdash;study that, my dear child.
+Early and late let your sweet voice breathe those words,&mdash;and I will be
+with you in spirit, Louisa."</p>
+
+<p>Not even Mrs. Simpson heard a word of this, beyond "dear child."</p>
+
+<p>"But when shall I see you?&mdash;I have doubts and difficulties on some
+points, Mr. Cartwright," said the widow aloud. "How shamefully
+ignorant&mdash;I must call it <i>shamefully</i> ignorant&mdash;did poor Mr. Wallace
+suffer us to remain!&mdash;Is it not true, Louisa? Did he ever, through all
+the years we have known him, utter an awakening word to any of us?"</p>
+
+<p>"No, <i>indeed</i> he never did," replied Miss Louisa, in a sort of penitent
+whine.</p>
+
+<p>"I am rather surprised to hear you say that, Miss Richards," said
+Rosalind, drawing her chair a little towards them. "I always understood
+that Mr. Wallace was one of the most exemplary parish priests in
+England. Did not your father consider him to be so, Fanny?"</p>
+
+<p>"I&mdash;I believe so,&mdash;I don't know," replied Fanny, stammering and
+colouring painfully.</p>
+
+<p>"Not know, Fanny Mowbray!" exclaimed Rosalind;&mdash;"not know your father's
+opinion of Mr. Wallace! That is very singular indeed."</p>
+
+<p>"I mean," said Fanny, struggling to recover her composure, "that I never
+heard papa's opinion of him as compared with&mdash;with any one else."</p>
+
+<p>"I do not believe he would have lost by the comparison," said Rosalind,
+rising, and walking out of the window.</p>
+
+<p>"Is not that prodigiously rich young lady somewhat of the tiger breed?"
+said young Cartwright in a whisper to Fanny.</p>
+
+<p>"Miss Torrington is not at all a person of serious notions," replied
+Fanny; "and till one is subdued by religion, one is often very
+quarrelsome."</p>
+
+<p>"I am sure, serious or not, you would never quarrel with any one,"
+whispered Jacob.</p>
+
+<p>"Indeed I should be sorry and ashamed to do so now," she replied. "Your
+father ought to cure us all of such unchristian faults as that."</p>
+
+<p>"I wish I was like my father!" said Jacob very sentimentally.</p>
+
+<p>"Oh! how glad I am to hear you say that!" said Fanny, clasping her hands
+together. "I am sure it would make him so happy!"</p>
+
+<p>"I can't say I was thinking of making him happy, Miss Fanny: I only
+meant, that I wished I was like any body that you admire and approve so
+much."</p>
+
+<p>"A poor silly motive for wishing to be like such a father!" replied
+Fanny, blushing; and leaving her distant place, she established herself
+at the table on which the tea equipage had just been placed, and busied
+herself with the tea-cups.</p>
+
+<p>This remove brought her very nearly opposite Mr. Cartwright and the two
+ladies who were seated beside him, and from this moment the conversation
+proceeded without any "asides" whatever.</p>
+
+<p>"At what age, Mr. Cartwright," said Mrs. Simpson, "do you think one
+should begin to instil the doctrine of regeneration into a little
+girl?"</p>
+
+<p>"Not later than ten, my dear lady. A very quick and forward child might
+perhaps be led to comprehend it earlier. Eight and three-quarters I have
+known in a state of the most perfect awakening; but this I hold to be
+rare."</p>
+
+<p>"What a spectacle!" exclaimed Miss Richards in a sort of rapture. "A
+child of eight and three-quarters! Did it speak its thoughts, Mr.
+Cartwright?"</p>
+
+<p>"The case I allude to, my dear young lady, was published. I will bring
+you the pamphlet. Nothing can be more edifying than the out-breakings of
+the Spirit through the organs of that chosen little vessel."</p>
+
+<p>"I hope, Mr. Cartwright, that <i>I</i> shall have the benefit of this dear
+pamphlet also. Do not forget that I have a little girl exactly eight
+years three-quarters and six weeks.&mdash;I beg your pardon, my dear Louisa,
+but this must be so much more interesting to me than it can be to you as
+yet, my dear, that I trust Mr. Cartwright will give me the precedence in
+point of time. Besides, you know, that as the principal person in the
+village, I am a little spoiled in such matters. I confess to you, I
+should feel hurt if I had to wait for this till you had studied it. You
+have no child, you know."</p>
+
+<p>"Oh! without doubt, Mrs. Simpson, you ought to have it first," replied
+Miss Richards. "I am certainly not likely as yet to have any one's soul
+to be anxious about but my own.&mdash;Is this blessed child alive, Mr.
+Cartwright?"</p>
+
+<p>"In heaven, Miss Louisa,&mdash;not on earth. It is the account of its last
+moments that have been so admirably drawn up by the Reverend Josiah
+Martin. This gentleman is a particular friend of mine, and I am much
+interested in the sale of the little work. I will have the pleasure, my
+dear ladies, of bringing a dozen copies to each of you; and you will
+give me a very pleasing proof of the pious feeling I so deeply rejoice
+to see, if you will dispose of them at one shilling each among your
+friends."</p>
+
+<p>"I am sure I will try all I can!" said Miss Richards.</p>
+
+<p>"My influence could not be better employed, I am certain, than in
+forwarding your wishes in all things," added Mrs. Simpson.</p>
+
+<p>Young Jacob, either in the hope of amusement, or of more certainly
+securing his five shillings, had followed the indignant Rosalind out of
+the window, and found her refreshing herself by arranging the vagrant
+tendrils of a beautiful creeping plant outside it.</p>
+
+<p>"I am afraid, Miss Rosalind Torrington," said he, "that you would not
+say Amen! if I did say, May the saints have you in their holy keeping! I
+do believe in my heart that you would rather find yourself in the
+keeping of sinners."</p>
+
+<p>"The meaning of words often depends upon the character of those who
+utter them," replied Rosalind. "There is such a thing as slang, Mr.
+Jacob; and there is such a thing as cant."</p>
+
+<p>"Did you ever mention that to my papa, Miss Rosalind?" inquired Jacob in
+a voice of great simplicity.</p>
+
+<p>Rosalind looked at him as if she wished to discover what he was
+at,&mdash;whether his object were to quiz her, his father, or both. But
+considering his very boyish appearance and manner, there was more
+difficulty in achieving this than might have been expected. Sometimes
+she thought him almost a fool; at others, quite a wag. At one moment she
+was ready to believe him more than commonly simple-minded; and at
+another felt persuaded that he was an accomplished hypocrite.</p>
+
+<p>It is probable that the youth perceived her purpose, and felt more
+gratification in defeating it than he could have done from any
+love-making of which she were the object. His countenance, which was
+certainly intended by nature to express little besides frolic and fun,
+was now puckered up into a look of solemnity that might have befitted
+one of the Newman-street congregation when awaiting an address in the
+unknown tongue.</p>
+
+<p>"I am sure," he said, "that my papa would like to hear you talk about
+all those things very much, Miss Torrington. I do not think that he
+would exactly agree with you in every word you might say: but that never
+seems to vex him: if the talk does but go about heaven and hell, and
+saints and sinners, and reprobation and regeneration, and the old man
+and the new birth, that is all papa cares for. I think he likes to be
+contradicted a little; for that, you know, makes more talk again."</p>
+
+<p>"Is that the principle upon which you proceed with him yourself, Mr.
+Jacob? Do you always make a point of contradicting every thing he says?"</p>
+
+<p>"Pretty generally, Miss Torrington, when there is nobody by, and when I
+make it all pass for joke. But there <i>is</i> a law that even Miss
+Henrietta has been taught to obey; and that is, never to contradict him
+in company. Perhaps you have found that out, Miss Rosalind?"</p>
+
+<p>"Perhaps I have, Mr. Jacob."</p>
+
+<p>"Will you not come in to tea, Miss Torrington?" said Henrietta,
+appearing at the window, with the volume in her hand which had seemed to
+occupy her whole attention from the time she had re-entered the
+drawing-room with Rosalind.</p>
+
+<p>"I wish, sister," said Jacob, affecting to look extremely cross, "that
+you would not pop out so, to interrupt one's conversation! You might
+have a fellow feeling, I think, for a young lady, when she walks out of
+a window, and a young gentleman walks after her!"</p>
+
+<p>Rosalind gave him a look from one side, and Henrietta from the other.</p>
+
+<p>"Mercy on me!" he exclaimed, putting up his hands as if to guard the two
+sides of his face. "Four black eyes at me at once!&mdash;and so very black in
+every sense of the word!"</p>
+
+<p>The young ladies walked together into the room, and Jacob followed,
+seeking the eye of his father, and receiving thence, as he expected, a
+glance of encouragement and applause.</p>
+
+<p>When the tea was removed, Mr. Cartwright went to the piano-forte, and
+run his fingers with an appearance of some skill over the keys.</p>
+
+<p>"I hope, my dear Miss Fanny, that you intend we should have a little
+music this evening?"</p>
+
+<p>"If Mrs. Simpson, Miss Richards, and Miss Torrington will sing," said
+Fanny, "I shall be very happy to accompany them."</p>
+
+<p>"What music have you got, my dear young lady?" said the vicar.</p>
+
+<p>Miss Torrington had a large collection of songs very commodiously stowed
+beneath the instrument; and Helen and herself were nearly as amply
+provided with piano-forte music of all kinds: but though this was the
+first time Mr. Cartwright had ever approached the instrument, or asked
+for music, Fanny had a sort of instinctive consciousness that the
+collection would be found defective in his eyes.</p>
+
+<p>"We have several of Handel's oratorios," she replied; "and I think Helen
+has got the 'Creation.'"</p>
+
+<p>"Very fine music both," replied Mr. Cartwright; "but in the social
+meetings of friends, where many perhaps may be able to raise a timid
+note toward heaven, though incapable of performing the difficult
+compositions of these great masters, I conceive that a simpler style is
+preferable. If you will permit me," he continued, drawing a small volume
+of manuscript music from his pocket, "I will point out to you some very
+beautiful, and, indeed, popular melodies, which have heretofore been
+sadly disgraced by the words applied to them. In this little book many
+of my female friends have, at my request, written words fit for a
+Christian to sing, to notes that the sweet voice of youth and beauty may
+love to breathe. Miss Torrington, I have heard that you are considered
+to be a very superior vocalist:&mdash;will you use the power that God has
+given, to hymn his praise?"</p>
+
+<p>There was too much genuine piety in Rosalind's heart to refuse a
+challenge so worded, without a better reason for doing it than personal
+dislike to Mr. Cartwright; nevertheless, it was not without putting some
+constraint upon herself that she replied,</p>
+
+<p>"I very often sing sacred music, sir, and am ready to do so now, if you
+wish it."</p>
+
+<p>"A thousand thanks," said he, "for this amiable compliance! I hail it as
+the harbinger of harmony that shall rise from all our hearts in sweet
+accord to heaven."</p>
+
+<p>Rosalind coloured, and her heart whispered, "I will not be a hypocrite."
+But she had agreed to sing, and she prepared to do so, seeking among her
+volumes for one of the easiest and shortest of Handel's songs, and
+determined when she had finished to make her escape.</p>
+
+<p>While she was thus employed, however, Mr. Cartwright was equally active
+in turning over the leaves of his pocket companion; and before Miss
+Torrington had made her selection, he placed the tiny manuscript volume
+open upon the instrument, saying, "There, my dear young lady! this is an
+air, and these are words which we may all listen to with equal innocence
+and delight."</p>
+
+<p>Rosalind was provoked; but every one in the room had already crowded
+round the piano, and having no inclination to enter upon any discussion,
+she sat down prepared to sing whatever was placed before her.</p>
+
+<p>The air was undeniably a popular one, being no other than "Fly not
+yet!" which, as all the world knows, has been performed to millions of
+delighted listeners, in lofty halls and tiny drawing-rooms, and,
+moreover, ground upon every hand-organ in Great Britain for many years
+past. Rosalind ran her eyes over the words, which, in fair feminine
+characters, were written beneath the notes as follow:</p>
+
+<div class="poem"><div class="stanza">
+<span class="i0">Fly not yet! 'Tis just the hour<br /></span>
+<span class="i0">When prayerful Christians own the power<br /></span>
+<span class="i0">That, inly beaming with new light,<br /></span>
+<span class="i0">Begins to sanctify the night<br /></span>
+<span class="i0">For maids who love the moon.<br /></span>
+<span class="i8">Oh, pray!&mdash;oh, pray!<br /></span>
+</div><div class="stanza">
+<span class="i0">'Tis but to bless these hours of shade<br /></span>
+<span class="i0">That pious songs and hymns are made;<br /></span>
+<span class="i0">For now, their holy ardour glowing,<br /></span>
+<span class="i0">Sets the soul's emotion flowing.<br /></span>
+<span class="i8">Oh, pray!&mdash;oh, pray!<br /></span>
+</div><div class="stanza">
+<span class="i0">Prayer so seldom breathes a strain<br /></span>
+<span class="i0">So sweet as this, that, oh! 'tis pain<br /></span>
+<span class="i0">To check its voice too soon.<br /></span>
+<span class="i8">Oh, pray!&mdash;oh, pray!<br /></span>
+</div></div>
+
+<p>An expression of almost awful indignation rose to the eyes of Rosalind.
+"Do you give me this, sir," she said, "as a jest?&mdash;or do you propose
+that I should sing it as an act of devotion?"</p>
+
+<p>Mr. Cartwright withdrew the little book and immediately returned it to
+his pocket.</p>
+
+<p>"I am sorry, Miss Torrington, that you should have asked me such a
+question," he replied with a kind of gentle severity which might have
+led almost any hearer to think him in the right. "I had hoped that my
+ministry at Wrexhill, short as it has been, could not have left it a
+matter of doubt whether, in speaking of singing or prayer, I was in
+jest?"</p>
+
+<p>"Nevertheless, sir," rejoined Rosalind, "it does to me appear like a
+jest, and a very indecent one too, thus to imagine that an air long
+familiar to all as the vehicle of words as full of levity as of poetry
+can be on the sudden converted into an accompaniment to a solemn
+invocation to prayer&mdash;uttered, too, in the form of a vile parody."</p>
+
+<p>"I think that a very few words may be able to prove to you the sophistry
+of such an argument," returned the vicar. "You will allow, I believe,
+that this air is very generally known to all classes.&mdash;Is it not so?"</p>
+
+<p>Rosalind bowed her assent.</p>
+
+<p>"Well, then, let me go a step farther, and ask whether the words
+originally set to this air are not likely to be recalled by hearing it?"</p>
+
+<p>"Beyond all doubt."</p>
+
+<p>"Now observe, Miss Torrington, that what you have been pleased to call
+levity and poetry, I, in my clerical capacity, denounce as indecent and
+obscene."</p>
+
+<p>"Is that your reason for setting me to play it?" said Rosalind in a tone
+of anger.</p>
+
+<p>"That question again, does not, I fear, argue an amiable and pious state
+of mind," replied Mr. Cartwright, appealing meekly with his eyes to the
+right and left. "It is to substitute other thoughts for those which the
+air has hitherto suggested that I conceive the singing this song, as it
+now stands, desirable."</p>
+
+<p>"Might it not be as well to leave the air alone altogether?" said
+Rosalind.</p>
+
+<p>"Decidedly not," replied the vicar. "The notes, as you have allowed, are
+already familiar to all men, and it is therefore a duty to endeavour to
+make that familiarity familiarly suggest thoughts of heaven."</p>
+
+<p>"Thoughts of heaven," said Rosalind, "should never be suggested
+familiarly."</p>
+
+<p>"Dreadful&mdash;very dreadful doctrine that, Miss Torrington! and I must tell
+you, in devout assurance of the truth I speak, that it is in order to
+combat and overthrow such notions as you now express, that Heaven hath
+vouchsafed, by an act of special providence, to send upon earth in these
+later days my humble self, and some others who think like me."</p>
+
+<p>"And permit me, sir, in the name of the earthly father I have lost,"
+replied Rosalind, while her eyes <i>almost</i> overflowed with the glistening
+moisture her earnestness brought into them,&mdash;"permit me in his
+reverenced name to say, that constant prayer can in no way be identified
+with familiarity of address; and that of many lamentable evils which the
+class of preachers to whom you allude have brought upon blundering
+Christians, that of teaching them to believe that there is righteousness
+in mixing the awful and majestic name of God with all the hourly, petty
+occurrences of this mortal life, is one of the most deplorable."</p>
+
+<p>"May your unthinking youth, my dear young lady, plead before the God of
+mercy in mitigation of the wrath which such sentiments are calculated to
+draw down!"</p>
+
+<p>"Oh!" sobbed Miss Richards.</p>
+
+<p>"Alas!" sighed Mrs. Simpson.</p>
+
+<p>"How can you, Rosalind, speak so to the pastor and master of our souls?"
+said Fanny, while tears of sympathy for the outraged vicar fell from her
+beautiful eyes.</p>
+
+<p>"My dear children!&mdash;my dear friends!" said Mr. Cartwright in a voice
+that seemed to tremble with affectionate emotion, "think not of
+me!&mdash;Remember the words 'Blessed are they which are persecuted for
+righteousness' sake!' I turn not from the harsh rebuke of this young
+lady, albeit I am not insensible to its injustice,&mdash;nor, indeed, blind
+to its indecency. But blessed&mdash;oh! most blessed shall I hold this trial,
+if it lead to the awakening holy thoughts in you!&mdash;My dear young lady,"
+he continued, rising from his seat and approaching Rosalind with an
+extended hand, "it may be as well, perhaps, that I withdraw myself at
+this moment. Haply, reflection may soften your young heart.&mdash;But let us
+part in peace, as Christians should do."</p>
+
+<p>Rosalind did not take his offered hand. "In peace, sir," she
+said,&mdash;"decidedly I desire you to depart in peace. I have no wish to
+molest you in any way. But you must excuse my not accepting your
+proffered hand. It is but an idle and unmeaning ceremony perhaps, as
+things go; but the manner in which you now stretch forth your hand gives
+a sort of importance to it which would make it a species of falsehood in
+me to accept it. When it means any thing, it means cordial liking; and
+this, sir, I do not feel for you."</p>
+
+<p>So saying, Rosalind arose and left the room.</p>
+
+<p>Fanny clasped her hands in a perfect agony, and raising her tearful eyes
+to Heaven as if to deprecate its wrath upon the roof that covered so
+great wickedness, exclaimed, "Oh, Mr. Cartwright! what can I say to
+you!"</p>
+
+<p>Mrs. Simpson showed symptoms of being likely to faint; and as Mr.
+Cartwright and Fanny approached her, Miss Richards, with a vehemence of
+feeling that seemed to set language at defiance, seized the hand of the
+persecuted vicar and pressed it to her lips.</p>
+
+<p>Several minutes were given to the interchange of emotions too strong to
+be described in words. Female tears were blended with holy blessings;
+and, as Jacob afterwards assured his sister, who had contrived
+unobserved to escape, he at one time saw no fewer than eight human
+hands, great and small, all mixed together in a sort of chance-medley
+heap upon the chair round which they at length kneeled down.</p>
+
+<p>It will be easily believed that Miss Torrington appeared no more that
+night; and after an hour passed in conversation on the persecutions and
+revilings to which the godly are exposed, Mrs. Simpson, who declared
+herself dreadfully overcome, proposed to Miss Richards that they should
+use such strength as was left them to walk home. A very tender leave was
+taken of Fanny, in which Mr. Jacob zealously joined, and the party set
+out for a star-lit walk to Wrexhill, its vicar supporting on each arm a
+very nervous and trembling hand.</p>
+
+<p>Mr. Cartwright soon after passing the Park-lodge, desired his son to
+step forward and order the clerk to come to him on some urgent parish
+business before he went to bed. The young man darted forward nothing
+loth, and the trio walked at a leisurely pace under the dark shadows of
+the oak-trees that lined the road to the village.</p>
+
+<p>They passed behind the Vicarage; when the two ladies simultaneously
+uttered a sigh, and breathed in a whisper, "Sweet spot!" Can it be
+doubted that both were thanked by a gentle pressure of the arm?</p>
+
+<p>The house of Mrs. Simpson lay on the road to that of Mrs. Richards, and
+Miss Louisa made a decided halt before the door, distinctly pronouncing
+at the same time,</p>
+
+<p>"Good night, my dear Mrs. Simpson!"</p>
+
+<p>But this lady knew the duties of a chaperon too well to think of leaving
+her young companion till she saw her safely restored to her mother's
+roof.</p>
+
+<p>"Oh! no, my dear!" she exclaimed: "if your house were a mile off,
+Louisa, I should take you home."</p>
+
+<p>"But you have been so poorly!" persisted the young lady, "and it is so
+unnecessary!"</p>
+
+<p>"<i>It is right</i>," returned Mrs. Simpson with an emphasis that marked too
+conscientious a feeling to be further resisted. So Miss Richards was
+taken home, and the fair widow languidly and slowly retraced her steps
+to her own door, with no other companion than the Vicar of Wrexhill.</p>
+
+<h3>END OF THE FIRST VOLUME.</h3>
+
+
+
+<hr style="width: 65%;" />
+<h2><a name="VOLUME_THE_SECOND" id="VOLUME_THE_SECOND"></a>VOLUME THE SECOND.</h2>
+
+
+
+<hr style="width: 65%;" />
+<h2><a name="CHAPTER_IB" id="CHAPTER_IB"></a>CHAPTER I.</h2>
+
+<h3>CHARLES MOWBRAY'S ARRIVAL AT THE PARK.</h3>
+
+
+<p>Never had Rosalind Torrington so strongly felt the want of some one to
+advise her what to do, as the morning after this disagreeable scene. Had
+she consulted her inclination only, she would have remained in her own
+apartments till the return of Mrs. Mowbray and Helen. But more than one
+reason prevented her doing so. In the first place, she was not without
+hope that her letter would immediately bring young Mowbray home; and it
+would be equally disagreeable to miss seeing him, by remaining in her
+dressing-room, or to leave it expressly for the purpose of doing so: and
+secondly, however far her feelings might be from perfect confidence and
+esteem towards Miss Cartwright, she felt that she owed her something,
+and that it would be ungrateful and almost cruel to leave her
+tête-à-tête with the bewildered Fanny, or en tiers with her and the
+vicar.</p>
+
+<p>She therefore determined to run the risk of encountering Mr. Cartwright
+as usual, but felt greatly at a loss how to treat him. Their last démêlé
+had been too serious to be forgotten by either; and her opinion of him
+was such, that far from wishing to conciliate him, or in any way to
+efface the impression of what she had said on leaving him, her
+inclination and her principles both led her to wish that it should be
+indelible, and that nothing should ever lessen the distance that was now
+placed between them. But Rosalind felt all the difficulty of maintaining
+this tone towards a person not only on terms of intimate friendship with
+the family, but considered by part of it as a man whose word ought to be
+law. She began to fear, as she meditated on the position in which she
+was placed, that Mowbray Park could not long continue to be her home.
+The idea of Helen, and what she would feel at losing her, drew tears
+from her eyes; and then the remembrance of her Irish home, of her lost
+parents, and the terrible contrast between what she had heard last
+night, and the lessons and opinions of her dear father, made them flow
+abundantly.</p>
+
+<p>The day passed heavily. Miss Cartwright appeared to think she had done
+enough, and devoted herself almost wholly to the perusal of a French
+metaphysical work which she had found in the library, Fanny was silent
+and sad, and seemed carefully to avoid being left for a moment alone
+with Rosalind. Mr. Cartwright made no visit to the house during the
+morning: but Judy informed her mistress, when she came to arrange her
+dress for dinner, that the reverend gentleman had been walking in the
+shrubberies with Miss Fanny; and in the evening he made his entrance, as
+usual, through the drawing-room window.</p>
+
+<p>It was the result of a strong effort produced by very excellent feeling,
+that kept Rosalind in the room when she saw him approach; but she had
+little doubt that if she went, Miss Cartwright would follow her, and she
+resolved that his pernicious tête-à-têtes with Fanny should not be
+rendered more frequent by any selfishness of hers.</p>
+
+<p>It was evident to her from Mr. Cartwright's manner through the whole
+evening, that it was his intention to overload her with gentle kindness,
+in order to set off in strong relief her harsh and persecuting spirit
+towards him. But not even her wish to defeat this plan could enable her
+to do more than answer by civil monosyllables when he spoke to her.</p>
+
+<p>Miss Cartwright laid aside her book and resumed her netting as soon as
+she saw him approach; but as usual, she sat silent and abstracted, and
+the conversation was wholly carried on by the vicar and his pretty
+proselyte. No man, perhaps, had a greater facility in making
+conversation than the Vicar of Wrexhill: his habit of extempore
+preaching, in which he was thought by many to excel, probably
+contributed to give him this power. But not only had he an endless flow
+of words wherewith to clothe whatever thoughts suggested themselves, but
+moreover a most happy faculty of turning every thing around him to
+account. Every object, animate or inanimate, furnished him a theme; and
+let him begin from what point he would, (unless in the presence of noble
+or influential personages to whom he believed it would be distasteful,)
+he never failed to bring the conversation round to the subject of
+regeneration and grace, the blessed hopes of himself and his sect, and
+the assured damnation of all the rest of the world.</p>
+
+<p>Fanny Mowbray listened to him with an earnestness that amounted to
+nervous anxiety, lest she should lose a word. His awful dogmas had taken
+fearful hold of her ardent and ill-regulated imagination; while his
+bland and affectionate manner, his fine features and graceful person,
+rendered him altogether an object of the most unbounded admiration and
+interest to her.</p>
+
+<p>As an additional proof, probably, that he did not shrink from
+persecution, Mr. Cartwright again opened the piano-forte as soon as the
+tea equipage was removed, and asked Fanny if she would sing with him.</p>
+
+<p>"With you, Mr. Cartwright!" she exclaimed in an accent of glad surprise:
+"I did not know that you sang. Oh! how I wish that I were a greater
+proficient, that I might sing with you as I would wish to do!"</p>
+
+<p>"Sing with me, my dear child, with that sweet and pious feeling which I
+rejoice to see hourly increasing in your heart. Sing thus, my dearest
+child, and you will need no greater skill than Heaven is sure to give to
+all who raise their voice to it. This little book, my dear Miss Fanny,"
+he continued, drawing once more the manuscript volume from his pocket,
+"contains much that your pure and innocent heart will approve. Do you
+know this air?" and he pointed to the notes of "Là ci darem' la mano."</p>
+
+<p>"Oh yes!" said Fanny; "I know it very well."</p>
+
+<p>"Then play it, my good child. This too we have taken as spoil from the
+enemy, and instead of profane Italian words, you will here find in your
+own language thoughts that may be spoken without fear."</p>
+
+<p>Fanny instantly complied; and though her power of singing was greatly
+inferior to that of Rosalind, the performance, aided by the fine bass
+voice of Mr. Cartwright, and an accompaniment very correctly played, was
+very agreeable. Fanny herself thought she had never sung so well before,
+and required only to be told by the vicar what she was to do next, to
+prolong the performance till considerably past Mr. Cartwright's usual
+hour of retiring.</p>
+
+<p>About an hour after the singing began, Henrietta approached Miss
+Torrington, and said in a whisper too low to be heard at the instrument,
+"My head aches dreadfully. Can you spare me?"</p>
+
+<p>As she had not spoken a single syllable since the trio entered the
+drawing-room after dinner, Rosalind could not wholly refrain from a
+smile as she replied "Why, yes; I think I can."</p>
+
+<p>"I am not jesting; I am suffering, Rosalind. You will not leave that
+girl alone with him?"</p>
+
+<p>"Dear Henrietta!" cried Rosalind, taking her hand with ready sympathy,
+"I will not, should they sing together till morning. But is there
+nothing I can do for you&mdash;nothing I can give you that may relieve your
+head?"</p>
+
+<p>"Nothing, nothing! Good night!" and she glided out of the room unseen by
+Fanny and unregarded by her father.</p>
+
+<p>It more than once occurred to Miss Torrington during the two tedious
+hours that followed her departure, that Mr. Cartwright, who from time to
+time stole a glance at her, prolonged his canticles for the purpose of
+making her sit to hear them; a species of penance for her last night's
+offence by no means ill imagined.</p>
+
+<p>At length, however, he departed; and after exchanging a formal "Good
+night," the young ladies retired to their separate apartments.</p>
+
+<p>Rosalind rose with a heavy heart the following morning, hardly knowing
+whether to wish for a letter from Charles Mowbray, which it was just
+possible the post might bring her, or not. If a letter arrived, there
+would certainly be no hope of seeing him; but if it did not, she should
+fancy every sound she heard foretold his approach, and she almost
+dreaded the having to answer all the questions he would come prepared to
+ask.</p>
+
+<p>This state of suspense, however, did not last long; for, at least one
+hour before it was possible that a letter could arrive, Charles Mowbray
+in a chaise with four foaming post-horses rattled up to the door.</p>
+
+<p>Rosalind descried him from her window before he reached the house; and
+her first feeling was certainly one of embarrassment, as she remembered
+that it was her summons which had brought him there. But a moment's
+reflection not only recalled her motives, but the additional reasons she
+now had for believing she had acted wisely; so, arming herself with the
+consciousness of being right, she hastened down stairs to meet him, in
+preference to receiving a message through a servant, requesting to see
+her.</p>
+
+<p>She found him, as she expected, in a state of considerable agitation and
+alarm; and feeling most truly anxious to remove whatever portion of this
+was unnecessary, she greeted him with the most cheerful aspect she could
+assume, saying, "I fear my letter has terrified you, Mr. Mowbray, more
+than I wished it to do. But be quite sure that now you are here every
+thing will go on as it ought to do; and of course, when your mother
+returns, we can neither of us have any farther cause of anxiety about
+Fanny."</p>
+
+<p>"And what is your cause of anxiety about her at present, Miss
+Torrington? For Heaven's sake explain yourself fully; you know not how I
+have been tormenting myself by fearing I know not what."</p>
+
+<p>"I am bound to explain myself fully," said Rosalind gravely; "but it is
+not easy, I assure you."</p>
+
+<p>"Only tell me at once what it is you fear. Do you imagine Mr. Cartwright
+hopes to persuade Fanny to marry him?"</p>
+
+<p>"I certainly did think so," said Rosalind; "but I believe now that I was
+mistaken."</p>
+
+<p>"Thank Heaven!" cried the young man fervently. "This is a great relief,
+Rosalind, I assure you. I believe now I can pretty well guess what it is
+you do fear; and though it is provoking enough, it cannot greatly
+signify. We shall soon cure her of any fit of evangelicalism with which
+the vicar is likely to infect her."</p>
+
+<p>"Heaven grant it!" exclaimed Rosalind, uttering a fervent ejaculation in
+her turn.</p>
+
+<p>"Never doubt it, Miss Torrington. I have heard a great deal about this
+Cartwright at Oxford. He is a Cambridge man, by the way, and there are
+lots of men there who think him quite an apostle. But the thing does not
+take at Oxford, and I assure you he is famously quizzed. But the best of
+the joke is, that his son was within an ace of being expelled for
+performing more outrageous feats in the larking line than any man in the
+university; and in fact he must have been rusticated, had not his pious
+father taken him home before the business got wind, <i>to prepare him
+privately for his degree</i>. They say he is the greatest Pickle in Oxford;
+and that, spite of the new light, his father is such an ass as to
+believe that all this is ordained only to make his election more
+glorious."</p>
+
+<p>"For his election, Mr. Mowbray, I certainly do not care much; but for
+your sister&mdash;though I am aware that at her age there may be very
+reasonable hope that the pernicious opinions she is now imbibing may be
+hereafter removed, yet I am very strongly persuaded that if you were
+quite aware of the sort of influence used to convert her to Mr.
+Cartwright's Calvinistic tenets, you would not only disapprove it, but
+use very effectual measures to put her quite out of his way."</p>
+
+<p>"Indeed!&mdash;I confess this appears to me very unnecessary. Surely the best
+mode of working upon so pure a mind as Fanny's is to reason with her,
+and to show her that by listening to those pernicious rhapsodies she is
+in fact withdrawing herself from the church of her fathers; but I think
+this may be done without sending her out of Mr. Cartwright's way."</p>
+
+<p>"Well," replied Rosalind very meekly, "now you are here, I am quite sure
+that you will do every thing that is right and proper. Mrs. Mowbray
+cannot be much longer absent; and when she returns, you will perhaps
+have some conversation with her upon the subject."</p>
+
+<p>"Certainly.&mdash;And so Sir Gilbert has absolutely refused to act as
+executor?"</p>
+
+<p>"He has indeed, and spite of the most earnest entreaties from Helen.
+Whatever mischief happens, I shall always think he is answerable for it;
+for his refusal to act threw your mother at once upon seeking counsel
+from Mr. Cartwright, as to what it was necessary for her to do; and from
+that hour the house has never been free from him for a single day."</p>
+
+<p>"Provoking obstinacy!" replied Mowbray: "yet after all, Rosalind, the
+worst mischief, as you call it, that can happen, is our not being on
+such pleasant terms with them as we used to be. And the colonel is at
+home too; I must and will see him, let the old man be as cross as he
+will.&mdash;But where is your little saint? you don't keep her locked up, I
+hope, Rosalind? And where is this Miss of the new birth that you told me
+of?"</p>
+
+<p>Young Mowbray threw a melancholy glance round the empty room as he
+spoke, and the kind-hearted Rosalind understood his feelings and truly
+pitied him. How different was this return home from any other he had
+ever made!</p>
+
+<p>"The room looks desolate&mdash;does it not, Mr. Mowbray?&mdash;Even I feel it so.
+I will go and let Fanny know you are here; but what reason shall I
+assign for your return?"</p>
+
+<p>"None at all, Miss Torrington. The whim took me, and I am here. Things
+are so much better than I expected, that I shall probably be back again
+in a day or two; but I must contrive to see young Harrington."</p>
+
+<p>Rosalind left the room, heartily glad that Fanny's brother was near her,
+but not without some feeling of mortification at the little importance
+he appeared to attach to the information she had given him.</p>
+
+<p>A few short weeks before, Rosalind would have entered Fanny's room with
+as much freedom as her own; but the schism which has unhappily entered
+so many English houses under the semblance of superior piety was rapidly
+doing its work at Mowbray Park; and the true friend, the familiar
+companion, the faithful counsellor, stood upon the threshold, and
+ventured not to enter till she had announced her approach by a knock at
+the dressing-room door.</p>
+
+<p>"Come in," was uttered in a gentle and almost plaintive voice by Fanny.</p>
+
+<p>Miss Torrington entered, and, to her great astonishment, saw Mr.
+Cartwright seated beside Fanny, a large Bible lying open on the table
+before them.</p>
+
+<p>She looked at them for one moment without speaking. The vicar spread his
+open hand upon the volume, as if to point out the cause of his being
+there; and as his other hand covered the lower part of his face the
+expression of his countenance was concealed.</p>
+
+<p>Fanny coloured violently,&mdash;and the more so, perhaps, because she was
+conscious that her appearance was considerably changed since she met
+Miss Torrington at breakfast. All her beautiful curls had been carefully
+straightened by the application of a wet sponge; and her hair was now
+entirely removed from her forehead, and plastered down behind her poor
+little distorted ears as closely as possible.</p>
+
+<p>Never was metamorphosis more complete. Beautiful as her features were,
+the lovely picture which Fanny's face used to present to the eye
+required her bright waving locks to complete its charm; and without them
+she looked more like a Chinese beauty on a japan skreen, than like
+herself.</p>
+
+<p>Something approaching to a smile passed over Rosalind's features, which
+the more readily found place there, perhaps, from the belief that
+Charles's arrival would soon set her ringlets curling again.</p>
+
+<p>"Fanny, your brother is come," said she, "and he is waiting for you in
+the drawing-room."</p>
+
+<p>"Charles?" cried Fanny, forgetting for a moment her new character; and
+hastily rising she had almost quitted the room, when she recollected
+herself, and turning back, said,</p>
+
+<p>"You will come too, to see Charles, Mr. Cartwright?"</p>
+
+<p>"I will come, as usual, this evening, my dear child," said he, with the
+appearance of great composure; "but I will not break in upon him now.
+Was his return expected?" he added carelessly, as he took up his hat;
+and as he spoke Rosalind thought that his eye glanced towards her.</p>
+
+<p>"No indeed!" replied Fanny: "I never was more surprised. Did he say,
+Rosalind, what it was brought him home?"</p>
+
+<p>"I asked him to state his reason for it," replied Miss Torrington, "and
+he told me he could assign nothing but whim."</p>
+
+<p>Rosalind looked in the face of the vicar as she said this, and she
+perceived a slight, but to her perfectly perceptible, change in its
+expression. He was evidently relieved from some uneasy feeling or
+suspicion by what she had said.</p>
+
+<p>"Go to your brother, my dear child; let me not detain you from so happy
+a meeting for a moment."</p>
+
+<p>Fanny again prepared to leave the room; but as she did so, her eye
+chanced to rest upon her own figure reflected from a mirror above the
+chimney-piece. She raised her hand almost involuntarily to her hair.</p>
+
+<p>"Will not Charles think me looking very strangely?" said she, turning
+towards Mr. Cartwright with a blushing cheek and very bashful eye.</p>
+
+<p>He whispered something in her ear in reply, which heightened her blush,
+and induced her to answer with great earnestness, "Oh no!" and, without
+farther doubt or delay, she ran down stairs. Miss Torrington followed
+her, not thinking it necessary to take any leave of the vicar, who
+gently found his way down stairs, and out of the house, as he had found
+his way into it, without troubling any servant whatever.</p>
+
+
+
+<hr style="width: 65%;" />
+<h2><a name="CHAPTER_IIB" id="CHAPTER_IIB"></a>CHAPTER II.</h2>
+
+<h3>CHARLES'S AMUSEMENT AT HIS SISTER'S APPEARANCE.&mdash;HE DISCUSSES HER CASE
+WITH ROSALIND.</h3>
+
+
+<p>Rosalind and Fanny entered the drawing-room together; and young Mowbray,
+at the sound of their approach, sprang forward to meet them; but the
+moment he threw his eyes on his sister he burst forth into a fit of
+uncontrollable laughter; and though he kissed her again and again,
+still, between every embrace, he broke out anew, with every
+demonstration of vehement mirth.</p>
+
+<p>"I am very glad to see you, Charles," said Fanny, with a little
+sanctified air that certainly was very amusing; "but I should like it
+better if you did not laugh at me."</p>
+
+<p>"But, my dear, dear, dearest child! how can I help it?" replied her
+brother, again bursting into renewed laughter. "Oh, Fanny, if you could
+but see yourself just as you look at this moment! Oh! you hideous little
+quiz! I would not have believed it possible that any plastering or
+shearing in the world could have made you look so very ugly. Is it not
+wonderful, Miss Torrington?"</p>
+
+<p>"It certainly alters the expression of her countenance in a very
+remarkable manner," replied Rosalind.</p>
+
+<p>"The expression of a countenance may be changed by an alteration from
+within, as well as from without," said Fanny, taking courage, and not
+without some little feeling of that complacency which the persuasion of
+superior sanctity is generally observed to bestow upon its possessors.</p>
+
+<p>"Why, you most ugly little beauty!" cried Charles, again giving way to
+merriment; "you don't mean to tell me that the <i>impayable</i> absurdity of
+that poor little face is owing to any thing but your having just washed
+your hair?"</p>
+
+<p>"It is owing to conviction, Charles," replied Fanny with great
+solemnity.</p>
+
+<p>"Owing to conviction?&mdash;To conviction of what, my poor little girl?"</p>
+
+<p>"To conviction that it is right, brother."</p>
+
+<p>"Right, child, to make that object of yourself? What in the world can
+you mean, Fanny?"</p>
+
+<p>"I mean, brother, that I have an inward conviction of the sin and folly
+of dressing our mortal clay to attract the eyes and the admiration of
+the worldly."</p>
+
+<p>"By worldly, do you mean of all the world?" said Rosalind.</p>
+
+<p>"No, Miss Torrington. By worldly, I mean those whose thoughts and wishes
+are fixed on the things of the earth."</p>
+
+<p>"And it is the admiration of such only that you wish to avoid?" rejoined
+Rosalind.</p>
+
+<p>"Certainly it is. Spiritual-minded persons see all things in the
+spirit&mdash;do all things in the spirit: of such there is nothing to fear."</p>
+
+<p>Young Mowbray meanwhile stood looking at his sister, and listening to
+her words with the most earnest attention.</p>
+
+<p>At length he said, more seriously than he had yet spoken, "To tell you
+the truth, little puritan, I do not like you at all in your new
+masquerading suit: though it must be confessed that you play your part
+well. I don't want to begin lecturing you, Fanny, the moment I come
+home; but I do hope you will soon get tired of this foolery, and let me
+see my poor father's daughter look and behave as a Christian young woman
+ought to do. Rosalind, will you take a walk with me? I want to have a
+look at my old pony."</p>
+
+<p>Miss Torrington nodded her assent, and they both left the room together,
+leaving Fanny more triumphant than mortified.</p>
+
+<p>"He said that my persecutions would begin as soon as my election was
+made sure! Oh! why is he not here to sustain and comfort me! But I will
+not fall away in the hour of trial!"</p>
+
+<p>The poor girl turned her eyes from the window whence she saw her brother
+and Rosalind walking gaily and happily, as she thought, in search of the
+old pony, and hastened to take refuge in her dressing-room, now rendered
+almost sacred in her eyes by the pastoral visit she had that morning
+received there.</p>
+
+<p>The following hour or two gave Fanny her first taste of martyrdom. She
+was, or at least had been, devotedly attached to her brother, and the
+knowing him to be so near, yet so distant from her, was terrible. Yet
+was she not altogether without consolation. She opened the volume, that
+volume that <i>he</i> had so lately interpreted to her (fearful profanation!)
+in such a manner as best to suit his own views, and by means of using
+the process he had taught her, though unconsciously perhaps, she
+contrived to find a multitude of texts, all proving that she and the
+vicar were quite right, and all the countless myriads who thought
+differently, quite wrong. Then followed a thanksgiving which might have
+been fairly expressed in such words as "I thank thee, I am not like
+other men!" and then, as the sweet summer air waved the acacias to and
+fro before her windows, and her young spirit, panting for lawns and
+groves, sunshine and shade, suggested the idea of her brother and
+Rosalind enjoying it all without her, her poetical vein came to her
+relief, and she sat down to compose a hymn, in which, after rehearsing
+prettily enough all the delights of summer rambles through verdant
+fields, for four stanzas, she completed the composition by a fifth, of
+which "sin," "begin," and "within," formed the rhymes.</p>
+
+<p>This having recourse to "song divine" was a happy thought for her,
+inasmuch as it not only occupied time which must otherwise have hung
+with overwhelming weight upon her hands, but the employment soon
+conjured up, as she proceeded, the image of Mr. Cartwright, and the
+pious smile with which he would receive it from her hands, and the soft
+approval spoken more by the eyes than the lips, and the holy
+caress&mdash;such, according to his authority, as that with which angel meets
+angel in the courts of heaven.</p>
+
+<p>All this was very pleasant and consoling to her feelings; and when her
+hymn was finished she determined to go down stairs, in order to sing it
+to some (hitherto) profane air, which she might select from among the
+songs of her sinful youth.</p>
+
+<p>As she passed the mirror she again glanced at her disfigured little
+head; but at that moment she was so strong in "conviction," that, far
+from wishing to accommodate her new birth of <i>coiffure</i> to worldly eyes,
+she employed a minute or two in sedulously smoothing and controlling her
+rebellious tresses, and even held her head in stiff equilibrium to
+prevent their escape from behind her ears.</p>
+
+<p>"Good and holy man!" she exclaimed aloud, as she gave a parting glance
+at the result of all these little pious coquetries. "How well I know
+what his kind words would be if he could see me now! Such" she added
+with a gentle sigh, "will I strive to be, though all the world should
+join together to persecute me for it."</p>
+
+<p>While Mr. Cartwright's prettiest convert was thus employed, Miss
+Torrington and Charles Mowbray, far from being engaged in chasing a
+pony, or even in looking at the summer luxury of bloom which breathed
+around them as they pursued their way through the pleasure-grounds, were
+very gravely discussing the symptoms of her case.</p>
+
+<p>"It is a joke, Rosalind, and nothing more," said the young man, drawing
+her arm within his. "I really can do nothing but laugh at such folly,
+and I beg and entreat that you will do the same."</p>
+
+<p>"Then you think, of course, Mr. Mowbray, that I have been supremely
+absurd in sending you the summons I did?"</p>
+
+<p>"Far, very far otherwise," he replied gravely. "It has shown me a new
+feature in your character, Miss Torrington, and one which not to admire
+would be a sin, worse even than poor Mr. Cartwright would consider your
+wearing these pretty ringlets, Rosalind."</p>
+
+<p>"<i>Poor</i> Mr. Cartwright!" repeated Rosalind, drawing away her arm. "How
+little do we think alike, Mr. Mowbray, concerning that man!"</p>
+
+<p>"The chief difference between us on the subject, I suspect arises from
+your thinking of him a great deal, Rosalind, and my thinking of him very
+little. I should certainly, if I set about reasoning on the matter, feel
+considerable contempt for a middle-aged clergyman of the Church of
+England who manifested his care of the souls committed to his charge by
+making their little bodies comb their hair straight, for the pleasure of
+saying that it was done upon conviction. But surely there is more room
+for mirth than sorrow in this."</p>
+
+<p>"Indeed, indeed, you are mistaken!&mdash;and that not only as regards the
+individual interests of your sister Fanny,&mdash;though, Heaven knows, I
+think that no light matter,&mdash;but as a subject that must be interesting
+to every Christian soul that lives. Do not make a jest of what involves
+by far the most important question that can be brought before poor
+mortals: it is unworthy of you, Mr. Mowbray."</p>
+
+<p>"If you take the subject in its general character," replied Charles, "I
+am sure we shall <i>not</i> differ. I deplore as sincerely as you can do,
+Miss Torrington, the grievously schismatic inroad into our national
+church which these self-chosen apostles have made. But as one objection
+against them, though perhaps not the heaviest, is the contempt which
+their absurd puritanical ordinances have often brought upon serious
+things, I cannot but think that ridicule is a fair weapon to lash them
+withal."</p>
+
+<p>"It may be so," replied Rosalind, "and in truth it is often impossible
+to avoid using it; but yet it does not follow that the deeds and
+doctrines of these <i>soi-disant</i> saints give more room for mirth than
+sorrow."</p>
+
+<p>"Well, Rosalind, give me your arm again, and I will speak more
+seriously. The very preposterous and ludicrous manner which Fanny, or
+her spiritual adviser, has chosen for showing forth her own particular
+regeneration, has perhaps led me to treat it more slightly than I should
+have done had the indications of this temporary perversion of judgment
+been of a more serious character. That is doubtless one reason for the
+mirth I have shown. Another is, that I conceive it would be more easy to
+draw poor little Fanny back again into the bosom of Mother Church by
+laughing at her, rather than by making her believe herself a martyr."</p>
+
+<p>"Your laughter is a species of martyrdom which she will be taught to
+glory in enduring. But at present I feel sure that all our discussions
+on this topic must be in vain. I rejoice that you are here, though it is
+plain that you do not think her situation requires your presence; and I
+will ask no further submission of your judgment to mine, than requesting
+that you will not leave Mowbray till your mother returns."</p>
+
+<p>"Be assured I will not; and be assured also, that however much it is
+possible we may differ as to the actual atrocity of this new vicar, or
+the danger Fanny runs in listening to him, I shall never cease to be
+grateful, dearest Miss Torrington, for the interest you have shown for
+her, and indeed for us all."</p>
+
+<p>"Acquit me of silly interference," replied Rosalind, colouring, "and I
+will acquit you of all obligation."</p>
+
+<p>"But I don't wish to be acquitted of it," said Charles rather tenderly:
+"you do not know how much pleasure I have in thinking that you already
+feel interested about us all!"</p>
+
+<p>This was giving exactly the turn to what she had done which poor
+Rosalind most deprecated. The idea that young Mowbray might imagine she
+had sent for him from <i>a general feeling of interest for the family</i>,
+had very nearly prevented her writing at all&mdash;and nothing but a sense of
+duty had conquered the repugnance she felt at doing it. It had not been
+a little vexing to perceive that he thought lightly of what she
+considered as so important; and now that in addition to this he appeared
+to conceive it necessary to return thanks for the <i>interest</i> she had
+manifested, Rosalind turned away her head, and not without difficulty
+restrained the tears which were gathering in her eyes from falling. She
+was not in general slow in finding words to express what she wished to
+say; but at this moment, though extremely desirous of answering
+<i>suitably</i>, as she would have herself described the power she wanted,
+not a syllable would suggest itself which she had courage or inclination
+to speak: so, hastening her steps towards the house, she murmured, "You
+are very kind&mdash;it is almost time to dress, I believe," and left him.</p>
+
+<p>Charles felt that there was something wrong between them, and decided at
+once very generously that it must be his fault. There is nothing more
+difficult to trace with a skilful hand than the process by which a young
+man and maiden often <i>creep</i> into love, without either of them being at
+all aware at what moment they were first seized with the symptoms. When
+the parties <i>fall</i> in love, the thing is easy enough to describe: it is
+a shot, a thunderbolt, a whirlwind, or a storm; nothing can be more
+broadly evident than their hopes and their ecstasies, their agonies and
+their fears. But when affection grows unconsciously, and, like a seed of
+minionette thrown at random, unexpectedly shows itself the sweetest and
+most valued of the heart's treasures, overpowering by its delicious
+breath all other fragrance, the case is different.</p>
+
+<p>Something very like this creeping process was now going on in the heart
+of young Mowbray. Rosalind's beauty had appeared to him veiled by a very
+dark cloud on her first arrival from Ireland: she was weary, heartsick,
+frightened, and, moreover, dressed in very unbecoming mourning. But as
+tears gave place to smiles, fears to hopes, and exhausted spirits to
+light-hearted cheerfulness, he found out that "she was very pretty
+indeed"&mdash;and then, and then, and then, he could not tell how it happened
+himself, so neither can I; but certain it is, that her letter gave him
+almost as much pleasure as alarm; and if, after being convinced that
+there was no danger of Mr. Cartwright's becoming his brother-in-law, he
+showed a somewhat unbecoming degree of levity in his manner of treating
+Fanny's case, it must be attributed to the gay happiness he felt at
+being so unexpectedly called home.</p>
+
+<p>As for the heart of Rosalind, if any thing was going on therein at all
+out of the common way, she certainly was not aware of it. She felt
+vexed, anxious, out of spirits, as she sought her solitary
+dressing-room: but it would have been no easy task to persuade her that
+<span class="smcap">LOVE</span> had any thing to do with it.</p>
+
+
+
+<hr style="width: 65%;" />
+<h2><a name="CHAPTER_IIIB" id="CHAPTER_IIIB"></a>CHAPTER III.</h2>
+
+<h3>CHARLES WALKS OVER TO OAKLEY.&mdash;THE VICAR IMPROVES IN HIS OPINION.</h3>
+
+
+<p>At the time Miss Torrington observed to Mr. Mowbray that it was near
+dressing-time, it wanted about four hours of dinner; so, having followed
+her with his eyes as she mounted the steps and entered the house, he
+drew out his watch, and perceiving that he had quite enough time for the
+excursion before "dressing-time" would be over, set off to walk to
+Oakley.</p>
+
+<p>How far Rosalind might have been disposed to quarrel with him for the
+very small proportion of meditation which he bestowed on Fanny during
+his delightful stroll through the well-known shady lanes, or how far she
+might have been tempted to forgive him for the much greater portion
+devoted to herself, it is impossible to say; but he arrived at Sir
+Gilbert's hall-door in that happy state of mind which is often the
+result of a delicious day-dream, when Hope lends the support of her
+anchor to Fancy.</p>
+
+<p>Sir Gilbert and the colonel were out on horseback, the servant said&mdash;but
+"my lady is in the garden." And thither Mowbray went to seek her.</p>
+
+<p>He was somewhat startled at his first reception; for the old lady
+watched his approach for some steps, standing stock-still, and without
+giving the slightest symptom of recognition. At length she raised her
+glass to her eye and discovered who the tall stranger was; upon which
+she sent forth a sound greatly resembling a view "hollo!" which
+immediately recalled the servant who had marshalled Mowbray to the
+garden, and without uttering a word of welcome, gave the following
+order very distinctly:</p>
+
+<p>"Let Richard take the brown mare and ride her sharp to Ramsden. Sir
+Gilbert is gone to the post-office, the bank, the sadler's, and the
+nursery-garden. Let him be told that Mr. Mowbray is waiting for him at
+Oakley&mdash;and let not a single instant be lost."</p>
+
+<p>The rapid manner in which "Very well, my lady," was uttered in reply,
+and the man vanished out of sight, showed that the order was likely to
+be as promptly executed as spoken.</p>
+
+<p>"My dear, dear Charles!" cried the old lady; then stepping forward and
+placing her hands in his, "What brings you back to Mowbray? But never
+mind what it is&mdash;nothing very bad, I hope, and then I must rejoice at
+it. I am most thankful to see you here, my dear boy. How is my sweet
+Helen?&mdash;could you not bring her with you, Charles?"</p>
+
+<p>"She is in London, my dear Lady Harrington, with my mother. Where is the
+colonel?"</p>
+
+<p>"With his father;&mdash;they will return together; no grass will grow under
+their horses' feet as they ride homeward to meet you, Charles! But how
+comes it that you are at home? If you have left Oxford, why are you not
+with your mother and Helen?"</p>
+
+<p>A moment's thought might have told Mowbray that this question would
+certainly be asked, and must in some manner or other be answered; but
+the moment's thought had not been given to it, and he now felt
+considerably embarrassed how to answer. He lamented the estrangement
+already existing, however, too sincerely, to run any risk of increasing
+it by ill-timed reserve, and therefore, after a moment's hesitation,
+very frankly answered&mdash;"I can tell you, my dear lady, why I am here,
+more easily than I can explain for what purpose. I returned post to
+Mowbray this morning, because Miss Torrington gave me a private
+intimation by letter, that she thought the new Vicar of Wrexhill was
+obtaining an undue influence over the mind of Fanny. She did not express
+herself very clearly, and I was fool enough to imagine that she supposed
+he was making love to her; but I find that her fears are only for poor
+little Fanny's orthodoxy. Mr. Cartwright is one of, I believe, the most
+mischievous sect that ever attacked the established Church; and Miss
+Torrington, not without good reason, fears that Fanny is in danger of
+becoming a proselyte to his gloomy and unchristianlike doctrine. But, at
+her age, such a whim as this is not, I should hope, very likely to be
+lasting."</p>
+
+<p>"I don't know that," replied Lady Harrington sharply. "Miss Torrington
+has acted with great propriety, and exactly with the sort of promptitude
+and decision of character for which I should have given her credit.
+Beware, Mr. Mowbray, how you make light of the appearance of religious
+schism among you: it is a deadly weapon of discord, and the poison in
+which it is dipped seldom finds an antidote either in family affection
+or filial obedience."</p>
+
+<p>"But Fanny is so nearly a child, Lady Harrington, that I can hardly
+believe her capable of manifesting any very dangerous religious zeal at
+present."</p>
+
+<p>"You don't know what you are talking about, Charles! Of every family
+into which this insidious and most anti-christian schism has crept, you
+would find, upon inquiry, that in nine instances out of ten, it has been
+the young girls who have been selected as the first objects of
+conversion, and then made the active means of spreading it afterwards.
+Don't treat this matter lightly, my dear boy! Personally I know nothing
+of this Mr. Cartwright;&mdash;we never leave our parish church and our
+excellent Dr. Broughton, to run after brawling extempore preachers;&mdash;but
+I have been told by one or two of our neighbours who do, that he is what
+is called a <i>shining light</i>; which means, being interpreted, a ranting,
+canting, fanatic. Take care, above all things, that your mother does not
+catch the infection."</p>
+
+<p>"My mother!&mdash;Oh no! Her steady principles and quiet good sense would
+render such a falling off as that quite impossible."</p>
+
+<p>"Very well! I am willing to hope so. And yet, Charles, I cannot for the
+life of me help thinking that she must have had some other adviser than
+her own heart when she left my good Sir Gilbert's letter without an
+answer."</p>
+
+<p>"Of what letter do you speak, Lady Harrington?" said young Mowbray,
+colouring;&mdash;"of that whereby he refused to execute the trust my father
+bequeathed him?"</p>
+
+<p>"No, Charles! Of that whereby he rescinded his refusal."</p>
+
+<p>"Has such a letter been sent?" inquired Mowbray eagerly. "I never heard
+of it."</p>
+
+<p>"Indeed! Then we must presume that Mrs. Mowbray did not think it worth
+mentioning. Such a letter has, however, been sent, Mr. Mowbray; and I
+confess, I hoped, on seeing you arrive, that you were come to give it an
+amicable, though somewhat tardy answer, in person."</p>
+
+<p>"I am greatly surprised," replied Charles, "to hear that such a letter
+has been received by my mother, because I had been led to believe that
+Sir Gilbert had declared himself immoveable on the subject; but still
+more am I surprised that I should not have heard of it. Could Helen know
+it, and not tell me? It must have been to her a source of the greatest
+happiness, as the one which preceded had been of the deepest
+mortification and sorrow."</p>
+
+<p>"Your sister, then, saw the first letter?"</p>
+
+<p>"She did, Lady Harrington, and wrote me word of it, with expressions of
+the most sincere regret."</p>
+
+<p>"But of the second she said nothing? That is not like Helen."</p>
+
+<p>"So little is it like her, that I feel confident she never heard of the
+second letter."</p>
+
+<p>"I believe so too, Charles. But what, then, are we to think of your
+mother's having shown the first letter, and concealed the second?"</p>
+
+<p>"It cannot be! my mother never conceals any thing from us. We have
+never, from the moment we left the nursery, been kept in ignorance of
+any circumstance of general interest to the family. My poor father's
+constant phrase upon all such occasions was&mdash;'Let it be discussed in a
+committee of the whole house.'"</p>
+
+<p>"I cannot understand it," replied the old lady, seating herself upon a
+bench in the shade; "but, at any rate, I rejoice that you did not all
+think Sir Gilbert's recantation&mdash;which was not written without an
+effort, I promise you&mdash;so totally unworthy of notice as you have
+appeared to do."</p>
+
+<p>Charles Mowbray seated himself beside her, and nearly an hour was passed
+in conversation on the same subject, or others connected with it. At the
+end of that time, Sir Gilbert, booted and spurred, appeared at the door
+of the mansion, followed by his son. There was an angry spot upon his
+cheek, and though it was sufficiently evident that he was eager to meet
+young Mowbray, it was equally so that he was displeased with him.</p>
+
+<p>Lady Harrington, however, soon cleared the way to the most frank and
+cordial communication, rendering all explanation unnecessary by
+exclaiming, "He has never seen nor heard of your second letter, Sir
+Gilbert&mdash;nor Helen either."</p>
+
+<p>The baronet stood still for a moment, looking with doubt and surprise
+first at his wife, and then at his guest. The doubt, however, vanished
+in a moment, and he again advanced, and now with an extended hand
+towards Charles.</p>
+
+<p>A conversation of some length ensued; but as it consisted wholly of
+conjectures upon a point that they were all equally unable to explain,
+it is unnecessary to repeat it. The two young men met each other with
+expressions of the most cordial regard, and before they parted, Colonel
+Harrington related the conversation he had held with Helen and Miss
+Torrington, the result of which was his father's having despatched the
+letter whose fate appeared involved in so much mystery.</p>
+
+<p>Lady Harrington, notwithstanding they who did not love her called her
+masculine, showed some feminine tact in not mentioning to Sir Gilbert
+that it was a letter from Miss Torrington which had recalled Charles. It
+is probable that when her own questionings had forced this avowal from
+him, she had perceived some shade of embarrassment in his answer; but
+she failed not to mention the <i>serious</i> turn that Fanny Mowbray appeared
+to have taken, and her suspicions that the new Vicar of Wrexhill must
+have been rather more assiduous than was desirable in his visit at the
+Park.</p>
+
+<p>"The case is clear&mdash;clear as daylight, my lady: I understand it all.
+Stop a moment, Charles: if you won't stay dinner, you must stay while I
+furnish you with a document by means of which you may, I think, make a
+useful experiment."</p>
+
+<p>Without waiting for an answer, Sir Gilbert left the party in the garden,
+and hurried into the house, whence he returned in a few minutes with a
+scrap of paper in his hand.</p>
+
+<p>"Fortunately, Charles, very fortunately, I have kept a copy of my last
+note to your mother. I am sure I know not what induced me to keep it:
+had such a thing happened to Mr. Cartwright, he would have declared it
+providential&mdash;but I, in my modesty, only call it lucky.&mdash;Take this
+paper, Charles, and read it if you will: 'tis a shame you have not read
+it before! You say, I think, that the vicar is expected at Mowbray this
+evening: just put this scrap of paper into his hand, and ask him if he
+ever read it before. Let him say what he will, I give you credit for
+sufficient sharpness to find out the truth. If he has seen it, I shall
+know whom I have to thank for the insolent contempt it has met with."</p>
+
+<p>"But my mother!" cried Charles with emotion. "Is it possible that she
+could conceal such a note as this from her children, and show it to this
+man? Sir Gilbert, I cannot believe it."</p>
+
+<p>"I don't like to believe it myself, Charles; upon my life I don't. But
+what can we think? At any rate, make the experiment to-night; it can do
+no harm; and come here to dinner to-morrow to tell us the result."</p>
+
+<p>"I will come to you with the greatest pleasure, and bring you all the
+intelligence I can get. My own opinion is, that the note was lost before
+it reached my mother's hands. The usual hour, I suppose, Sir
+Gilbert,&mdash;six o'clock?"</p>
+
+<p>"Six o'clock, Charles,&mdash;and, as usual, punctual to a moment."</p>
+
+<p>When Mowbray reached his home, it was, in truth, rather more than time
+to dress; but he kept the young ladies waiting as short a time as
+possible. Fanny presented him in proper style to Miss Cartwright as soon
+as he appeared in the drawing-room; and he had the honour of giving that
+silent young lady his arm to the dining-room.</p>
+
+<p>Charles thought her deep-set black eyes very handsome; nevertheless, he
+secretly wished that she were a hundred miles off, for her presence, of
+course, checked every approach to confidential conversation.</p>
+
+<p>Nothing, indeed, could well be more dull and unprofitable than this
+dinner. Miss Cartwright spoke not at all; Fanny, no more than was
+necessary for the performance of her duty at the head of the table; and
+Rosalind looked pale and languid, and so completely out of spirits, that
+every word she spoke seemed a painful effort to her. She was occupied in
+recalling to mind the tone and air of the party who dined together in
+that same room about six months before, when Charles had last returned
+from Oxford. The contrast these recollections offered to the aspect of
+the present party was most painful; and as Rosalind turned her eyes
+round the table with a look of wistful melancholy, as if looking for
+those who were no longer there, her thoughts were so legibly written on
+her countenance, that Mowbray understood them as plainly as if they had
+been spoken.</p>
+
+<p>"Rosalind, will you take wine with me?&mdash;You look tired and pale." This
+was said in a tone of affectionate interest that seemed to excite the
+attention of Henrietta; and when Miss Torrington raised her eyes to
+answer it, she observed that young lady's looks fixed on Mr. Mowbray's
+countenance with an expression that denoted curiosity.</p>
+
+<p>The whole party seemed glad to escape from the dinner-table; and the
+young ladies, with light shawls and parasols, had just wandered out upon
+the lawn, when they met Mr. Cartwright approaching the house.</p>
+
+<p>Fanny coloured, and looked at her brother. Miss Cartwright coloured too;
+and her eyes followed the direction of Fanny's, as if to see how this
+familiar mode of approach was approved by Mr. Mowbray.</p>
+
+<p>Charles certainly felt a little surprised, and did not take much pains
+to conceal it. For a moment he looked at the vicar, as if not quite
+certain who it was, and then, touching his hat with ceremonious
+politeness, said, haughtily enough, "Mr. Cartwright, I believe?"</p>
+
+<p>It would have been difficult for any one to find fault with the manner
+in which this salutation was returned. In a tone admirably modulated
+between profound respect and friendly kindness, his hat raised
+gracefully from his head to greet the whole party, and his handsome
+features wearing an expression of the gentlest benevolence, Mr.
+Cartwright hoped that he had the happiness of seeing Mr. Mowbray well.</p>
+
+<p>Charles felt more than half ashamed of the reception he had given him,
+and stretched out his hand as if to atone for it. The vicar felt his
+advantage, and pursued it by the most easy, winning, yet respectful
+style of conversation. His language and manners became completely those
+of an accomplished man of the world; his topics were drawn from the
+day's paper and the last review: he ventured a jest upon Don Carlos, and
+a <i>bon mot</i> upon the Duke of Wellington; took little or no notice of
+Fanny; spoke affectionately to his daughter, and gaily to Miss
+Torrington; and, in short, appeared to be as little deserving of all
+Rosalind had said of him, as it was well possible for a gentleman to
+be.</p>
+
+<p>"Fair Rosalind has certainly suffered her imagination to conjure up a
+bugbear in this man," thought Charles. "It is impossible he can be the
+violent fanatic she describes."</p>
+
+<p>After wandering about the gardens for some time, Fanny proposed that
+they should go in to tea; but before they reached the house, Mr.
+Cartwright proposed to take his leave, saying that he had an engagement
+in Wrexhill, which was to prevent his lengthening his visit.</p>
+
+<p>The adieu had been spoken on all sides, and the vicar turned from them
+to depart, when Charles recollected the commission he had received from
+Sir Gilbert, and that he had promised to report the result on the
+morrow. Hastily following him, therefore, he said, "I beg your pardon,
+Mr. Cartwright; hut, before you go, will you have the kindness to read
+this note, and tell me if you know whether my mother received such a one
+before she went to London?"</p>
+
+<p>Mr. Cartwright took the note, read it attentively, and then returned it,
+saying, "No, Mr. Mowbray, I should certainly think not: not because I
+never saw or heard of it, but because I imagine that if she had, she
+would not have proceeded to London without Sir Gilbert. Was such a note
+as that sent, Mr. Mowbray?"</p>
+
+<p>Charles had kept his eye very steadily fixed on the vicar, both while he
+read the note, and while he spoke of it. Not the slightest indication,
+however, of his knowing any thing about it was visible in his
+countenance, voice, or manner; and, again as he looked at him, young
+Mowbray felt ashamed of suspicions for which there seemed to be so
+little cause.</p>
+
+<p>"Such a note as this was sent, Mr. Cartwright," he frankly replied: "but
+I suspect that by some unlucky accident it never reached my mother's
+hands; otherwise, as you well observe, she would not, most assuredly,
+have set off to London on this business without communicating with Sir
+Gilbert Harrington."</p>
+
+<p>"I conceive it must be so, indeed, Mr. Mowbray; and it is greatly to be
+lamented, for the receiving it would have saved poor Mrs. Mowbray much
+anxiety and trouble."</p>
+
+<p>"She expressed herself to you as being annoyed by Sir Gilbert's refusing
+to act?"</p>
+
+<p>"Oh yes, repeatedly; so much so, indeed, that nothing but the
+indispensable duty of my parish, prevented my offering to accompany her
+to London myself. I wished her very much to send for you; but nothing
+would induce her to interrupt your studies."</p>
+
+<p>It is not in the nature of a frank-hearted young man to doubt statements
+thus simply uttered by one having the bearing and appearance of a
+gentleman; and Charles Mowbray reported accordingly at the dinner-table
+of Sir Gilbert, assuring him that the <i>test</i> had proved Mr. Cartwright's
+innocence on this point most satisfactorily.</p>
+
+
+
+<hr style="width: 65%;" />
+<h2><a name="CHAPTER_IVB" id="CHAPTER_IVB"></a>CHAPTER IV.</h2>
+
+<h3>MR. STEPHEN CORBOLD.</h3>
+
+
+<p>We must now follow Mrs. Mowbray and Helen to London, as some of the
+circumstances which occurred there proved of importance to them
+afterwards. The journey was a very melancholy one to Helen, and her
+feelings as unlike as possible to those which usually accompany a young
+lady of her age, appearance, and station, upon a visit to the
+metropolis. Mrs. Mowbray spoke very little, being greatly occupied by
+the volume recommended to her notice, at parting, by Mr. Cartwright; and
+more than once Helen felt something like envy at the situation of the
+two servants, who, perched aloft behind the carriage, were enjoying
+without restraint the rapid movement, the fresh air, and the beautiful
+country through which they passed; while she, like a drooping flower on
+which the sun has ceased to shine, hung her fair hand and languished for
+the kindly warmth she had lost.</p>
+
+<p>They reached Wimpole Street about eight o'clock in the evening, and
+found every thing prepared for them with the most sedulous attention in
+their handsome and commodious apartments.</p>
+
+<p>Mrs. Mowbray was tired, and, being really in need of the refreshment,
+blessed the hand, or rather the thought, which had forestalled all her
+wants and wishes, and spread that dearest of travelling banquets, tea
+and coffee, ready to greet her as she entered the drawing-room.</p>
+
+<p>"This letter has been left for you, ma'am, by the gentleman who took the
+apartment," said the landlady, taking a packet from the chimney-piece;
+"and he desired it might be given to you immediately."</p>
+
+<p>Mrs. Mowbray opened it; but perceiving it enclosed another, the address
+of which she glanced her eye upon, she folded it up again, and begged to
+be shown to her room while the tea was made.</p>
+
+<p>Her maid followed her, but was dismissed with orders to see if Miss
+Mowbray wanted any thing. As soon as she was alone, she prepared to
+examine the packet, the receipt of which certainly startled her, for it
+was in the handwriting of Mr. Cartwright, from whom she had parted but a
+few hours before.</p>
+
+<p>The envelope contained only these words:</p>
+
+<blockquote><p>"Mr. Stephen Corbold presents his respectful compliments to
+Mrs. Mowbray, and will do himself the honour of waiting upon
+her to-morrow morning at eleven o'clock."</p>
+
+<p>"Gray's Inn, July 13th, 1833."</p></blockquote>
+
+<p>Mrs. Mowbray ran her eyes very rapidly over these words, and then opened
+the enclosed letter. It was as follows:&mdash;</p>
+
+<blockquote><p>"Do not let the unexpected sight of a letter from your minister
+alarm you, my dear and much-valued friend. I have nothing
+painful to disclose; and my sole object in writing is to make
+you feel that though you are distant from the sheltered spot
+wherein the Lord hath caused you to dwell, the shepherd's eye
+which hath been appointed to watch over you is not withdrawn.</p>
+
+<p>"I am no longer a young man, my dear Mrs. Mowbray; and during
+the years through which I have passed, my profession, my duty,
+and my inclination have alike led me to examine my
+fellow-creatures, and to read them, as it were, athwart the
+veil of their mortal bodies. Habit and application have given
+me, I believe, some skill in developing the inward character of
+those amongst whom I am thrown: nor can I doubt that the hand
+of Heaven is in this, as in truth it is in all things if we do
+but diligently set ourselves to trace it;&mdash;I cannot, I say, but
+believe that this faculty which I feel so strong within me, of
+discerning in whom those spirits abide that the Lord hath
+chosen for his own,&mdash;I cannot but believe that this faculty is
+given me by his especial will and for his especial glory. I
+wish well, sincerely well, to the whole human race: I would
+never lose an opportunity of lifting my voice in warning to
+them, in the hope that peradventure there may be one among the
+crowd who may turn and follow me. But, my friend, far different
+is the feeling with which my heart clings with stedfast care
+and love to those on whom I see the anointing finger of Heaven.
+It is such that I would lead, even as a pilot leadeth the
+vessel intrusted to his skill, into the peaceful waters, where
+glory, and honour, and joy unspeakable and without end, shall
+abide with them for ever!</p>
+
+<p>"Repine not, oh! my friend, if all your race are not of these.
+Rather rejoice with exceeding great joy that it hath pleased
+Heaven to set its seal on two. To this effect, look round the
+world, my gentle friend, and see what myriads of roofs arise
+beneath which not one can be found to show forth the saving
+power. Mark them! how they thread the giddy maze, and dance
+onward down the slippery path that leads to everlasting
+perdition! Mark this, sweet spirit! and rejoice that you and
+your Fanny are snatched from the burning! My soul revels in an
+ecstasy of rapture unspeakable, as I gaze upon you both, and
+know that it is I, even I, am chosen to lead you. What are all
+the victories and glories of the world to this? Think you, my
+gentle friend, that if all the worldly state and station of
+Lambeth were offered me on one side, and the task of leading
+thy meek steps into the way of life called me to the other,
+that I should hesitate for one single instant which to choose?</p>
+
+<p>"Oh no! Trust me, I would meet the scorn and revilings of all
+men&mdash;aye, and the bitterest persecutions that ever the saints
+of old were called upon to bear, rather than turn mine eyes
+from thee and the dear work, though princedoms, principalities,
+and powers might be gained thereby!</p>
+
+<p>"Be strong then in faith, be strong in hope; for thou art well
+loved of Heaven, and of him whom it hath been its will to place
+near thee as its minister on earth!</p>
+
+<p>"Be strong in faith! Kneel down, sweet friend!&mdash;even now, as
+thine eye reads these characters traced by the hand of one who
+would give his life to guard thee from harm, kneel down, and
+ask that Heaven may be with thee,&mdash;well assured that he who
+bids thee to do so will at the same moment be kneeling,
+likewise, to invoke blessings on thy fair and virtuous head!</p>
+
+<p>"At a moment when the heart is drawn heavenward, as mine is
+now, how hateful&mdash;I may say, how profane, seem those worldly
+appellations and distinctions with which the silly vanity of
+man has sought to decorate our individual nothingness! How much
+more befitting a serious Christian is it, in such a moment as
+this, to use that name which was bestowed by a higher
+authority! You have three such, my sweet friend. The two first
+are now appropriated, as it were, to your daughters; but the
+third is more especially your own.&mdash;Clara! On Clara may the dew
+of Heaven descend like healing balm!&mdash;Kneel then, sweet
+Clara&mdash;thou chosen handmaid; kneel down, and think that William
+Cartwright kneels beside thee!</p>
+
+<p>"Written on my knees in the secret recesses of my own
+chamber&mdash;W. C."</p></blockquote>
+
+<p>No sooner did Mrs. Mowbray's eye reach the words "kneel down," than she
+obeyed them, and in this attitude read to the end of the epistle. Mrs.
+Mowbray's feelings whenever strongly excited, either by joy, sorrow, or
+any other emotion, always showed themselves in tears, and she now wept
+profusely&mdash;vehemently; though it is probable she would have been greatly
+puzzled to explain why, even to herself. She would certainly, however,
+have declared, had she spoken on the subject to any one, that those
+tears were a joy, a blessing, and a comfort to her. But as she had
+nobody to whom she could thus open her heart, she washed her eyes with
+cold water, and descended with all the composure she could assume to
+Helen and the tea-table.</p>
+
+<p>Notwithstanding this precaution, Helen's watchful eye perceived that her
+mother had been weeping, and, forgetting the unnatural coldness which a
+breath more fatal than pestilence had placed between them, she exclaimed
+with all her wonted tenderness,</p>
+
+<p>"What is the matter, dear mamma?&mdash;I trust that no bad news has met you?"</p>
+
+<p>If all other circumstances left it a matter of doubt whether evangelical
+influence (as it is impiously called) were productive of good or evil,
+the terrible power which it is so constantly seen to have of destroying
+family union must be quite sufficient to settle the question. Any person
+who will take the trouble to inquire into the fact, will find that
+family affection has been more blighted and destroyed by the workings of
+this fearful superstition than by any other cause of which the history
+of man bears record.</p>
+
+<p>The tone of Helen's voice seemed for a moment to recall former feelings,
+and her mother looked at her kindly: but before she could give utterance
+to any word of affection, the recollection of all Mr. Cartwright had
+said to prove that Helen deserved not the affection of her mother, and
+that the only chance left to save herself was to be found in the most
+austere estrangement, till such time as her hard heart should be
+softened; the recollection of all this came across the terrified mind of
+Mrs. Mowbray, and she resumed the solemn and distant bearing she had of
+late resumed, with a nervous sensation of alarm at the great crime she
+had been on the point of committing.</p>
+
+<p>Poor Helen saw the look, and listened with her whole soul in her eyes
+for the kind words which had so nearly followed it; but when they came
+not, her heart sank within her, and pleading fatigue, she begged to be
+shown to her own room, where she spent half the night in weeping.</p>
+
+<p>Most punctually at eleven o'clock on the following morning, Mr. Stephen
+Corbold was announced, and a stiff priggish-looking figure entered the
+drawing-room, who, though in truth a "special attorney," looked much
+more like a thorough-bred methodistical preacher than his friend and
+cousin Mr. Cartwright. In age he was a few years that gentleman's
+junior, but in all outward gifts most lamentably his inferior; being, in
+truth, as ill-looking and ungentlemanlike a person as any congregation
+attached to the "Philo-Calvin Frybabe" principles could furnish.</p>
+
+<p>The footman might have announced him in the same words as Lépine did
+Vadius:</p>
+
+<div class="poem"><div class="stanza">
+<span class="i0">"Madame, un homme est là, qui veut parler à vous.<br /></span>
+<span class="i0">Il est vètu de noir, et parle d'un ton doux."<br /></span>
+</div></div>
+
+<p>For, excepting his little tight cravat, he appeared to have nothing
+white about him, and he seldom raised his cautious voice above a
+whisper.</p>
+
+<p>"I am here, madam," he began, addressing himself to Mrs. Mowbray, who
+felt rather at a loss what to say to him, "at the request of my cousin,
+the Reverend William Jacob Cartwright, Vicar of Wrexhill. He hath given
+me to understand that you have business to transact at Doctors' Commons,
+relative to the last will and testament of your late husband. Am I
+correct, madam?"</p>
+
+<p>"Quite so, Mr. Corbold. I wish to despatch this business as quickly as
+possible, as I am anxious to return again to my family."</p>
+
+<p>"No delay shall intervene that I can prevent," replied the attorney. "Is
+there any other business, madam, in which my services can be available?"</p>
+
+<p>"You are very kind, sir. I believe there are several things on which I
+shall have to trouble you. Mr. Mowbray generally transacted his own
+business, which in London consisted, I believe, solely in receiving
+dividends and paying tradesmen's bills: the only lawyer he employed,
+therefore, was a gentleman who resides in our county, and who has
+hitherto had the care of the estates. But my excellent minister and
+friend Mr. Cartwright has written upon this sheet of paper, I believe,
+what it will be necessary for me to do in order to arrange things for
+the future."</p>
+
+<p>Mrs. Mowbray put the paper into the lawyer's hands, who read it over
+with great attention, nodding his head slightly from time to time as any
+item struck him as particularly interesting and important.</p>
+
+<p>"Three per Cents&mdash;very good. Bank Stock&mdash;very good. Power of
+Attorney.&mdash;All right, madam, all right. It hath pleased the Lord to give
+my cousin, his servant, a clear and comprehending intellect. All shall
+be done even as it is here set down."</p>
+
+<p>"How long, sir, do you think it will be necessary for me to remain in
+town?"</p>
+
+<p>"Why, madam, there are many men would run this business out to great
+length. Here is indeed sufficient to occupy a very active professional
+man many weeks: but by the blessing of Heaven, which is often
+providentially granted to me in time of need, I question not but I may
+be able to release you in a few days, madam, provided always that you
+are prepared to meet such expenses as are indispensable upon all
+occasions when great haste is required."</p>
+
+<p>"Expense will be no object with me, Mr. Corbold; but a prolonged absence
+from home would be extremely inconvenient. Pray remember that I shall be
+most happy to pay any additional sum which hastening through the
+business may require."</p>
+
+<p>"Very good, madam, very good. That Heaven will be good unto me in this
+business, I cannot presume to doubt; for it hath been consigned unto me
+by one of its saints on earth, and it is for the service of a lady who,
+I am assured by him, is likely to become one of the most favoured agents
+that it hath ever selected to do its work on earth."</p>
+
+<p>Mrs. Mowbray coloured from a mixed feeling of modesty and pleasure. That
+Mr. Cartwright should have thus described her, was most soothing to her
+heart; but when she recollected how far advanced he was, and how very
+near the threshold she as yet stood, her diffidence made her shrink from
+hearing herself named in language so flattering.</p>
+
+<p>"Is that fair young person who left the room soon after I entered it
+your daughter, madam?"</p>
+
+<p>"Yes, sir."</p>
+
+<p>"Very good. I rejoice to hear it: that is, I would be understood to say,
+that I rejoice with an exceeding great joy that the child of a lady who
+stands in such estimation as you do with a chosen minister of the
+elected church, should wear an aspect so suitable to one who, by
+especial Providence, will be led to follow her example."</p>
+
+<p>Mrs. Mowbray sighed.</p>
+
+<p>"I lament, madam," resumed Mr. Corbold, "I may say with great and bitter
+lamentation, both for your sake, and that of the young person who has
+left the room, that the London season should be so completely over."</p>
+
+<p>"Sir!" said Mrs. Mowbray in an accent of almost indignant surprise, "is
+it possible that any friend and relation of Mr. Cartwright's can imagine
+that I, in my unhappy situation&mdash;or indeed, without that, as a Christian
+woman hoping with fear and trembling to become one of those set apart
+from worldly things,&mdash;is it possible, sir, that you can think I should
+partake, or let my daughter partake, in the corrupt sinfulness and
+profane rioting of a London season!"</p>
+
+<p>"May Heaven forgive you for so unjust a suspicion, most respected
+madam!" cried Mr. Corbold, clasping his hands and raising his eyes to
+Heaven. "The language of the saints on earth is yet new to you, most
+excellent and highly to be respected convert of my cousin! The London
+season of which I speak, and which you will hear alluded to by such
+sinful creatures as, like me, have reason to believe by an especial
+manifestation of grace that they are set apart,&mdash;the London season of
+which I and they speak, is that, when during about six blessed weeks in
+the spring, the chosen vessels resort in countless numbers to London,
+for the purpose of being present at all the meetings which take place
+during that time, with as much ardour and holy zeal as the
+worldly-minded show in arranging their fêtes and their fooleries at the
+instigation of Satan&mdash;in anticipation, as it should seem, poor deluded
+creatures! of the crowds that they shall hereafter meet amidst fire and
+brimstone in his realms below. The season of which I speak, and of which
+you will hear all the elect speak with rapture and thanksgiving,
+consists of a quick succession of splendid and soul-stirring meetings,
+at which all the saints on whom the gift of speech hath descended, some
+for one, some for two, some for three, some for four&mdash;ay, some for five
+hours at a time, sustained, as you may suppose, by a visible resting of
+the Divine power upon them. This, madam, is the season that, for your
+sake, and for the sake of the fair young person your daughter, I wished
+was not yet over."</p>
+
+<p>Mrs. Mowbray made a very penitent and full apology for the blunder she
+had committed, and very meekly confessed her ignorance, declaring that
+she had never before heard the epithet of "London season" given to any
+thing so heavenly-minded and sublime as the meetings he described.</p>
+
+<p>The discovery of this species of ignorance on the part of Mrs. Mowbray,
+which was by no means confined to the instance above mentioned, was a
+very favourable circumstance for Mr. Corbold. There was, perhaps, no
+other subject in the world upon which he was competent to give
+information (except in the technicalities of his own profession); but in
+every thing relating to missionary meetings, branch-missionary meetings'
+reports, child's missionary branch committees, London Lord's day's
+societies, and the like, he was quite perfect. All this gave him a value
+in Mrs. Mowbray's eyes as a companion which he might have wanted without
+it. At all conversations of this kind, Mrs. Mowbray took great care that
+Helen should be present, persuaded that nothing could be so likely to
+give her that savour of righteousness in which, as yet, she was so
+greatly deficient.</p>
+
+<p>The consequence of this arrangement was twofold. On Helen's side, it
+generated a feeling compounded of contempt and loathing towards the
+fanatical attorney, which in most others would have led to the passion
+called hatred; but in her it seemed rather a passive than an active
+sentiment, which would never have sought either nourishment or relief in
+doing injury to its object, but which rendered her so ill at ease in his
+presence that her life became perfectly wretched from the frequency of
+it.</p>
+
+<p>On the part of the gentleman, the effect of these frequent interviews
+was different. From thinking Mrs. Mowbray's daughter a very fair young
+person, he grew by gradual, but pretty rapid degrees, to perceive that
+she was the very loveliest tabernacle in which had ever been enshrined
+the spirit of a woman; and by the time Mrs. Mowbray had learned by rote
+the names, titles, connexions, separations, unions, deputations, and
+endowments of all the missionary societies, root and branch, and of all
+the central and eccentric establishments for the instruction of
+ignorance in infants of four months to adults of fourscore, Mr. Stephen
+Corbold had made up his mind to believe that, by fair means or foul, it
+was his bounden duty, as a pious man and serious Christian, to
+appropriate the fair Helen to himself in this life, and thereby ensure
+her everlasting happiness in the life to come.</p>
+
+<p>It must not be supposed that while these things passed in London the
+Vicar of Wrexhill was forgotten. Mrs. Mowbray's heart and conscience
+both told her that such a letter as she had received from him must not
+remain unanswered: she therefore placed Helen in the drawing-room, with
+a small but very closely-printed volume on "Free Grace," recommended by
+Mr. Corbold, and having desired her, in the voice of command, to study
+it attentively till dinner-time, she retired to her own room, where,
+having knelt, wept, prayed, written, and erased, for about three hours,
+she finally signed and sealed an epistle, of which it is unnecessary to
+say more than that it conveyed a very animated feeling of satisfaction
+to the heart of the holy man to whom it was addressed.</p>
+
+
+
+<hr style="width: 65%;" />
+<h2><a name="CHAPTER_VB" id="CHAPTER_VB"></a>CHAPTER V.</h2>
+
+<h3>MR. STEPHEN CORBOLD RETURNS WITH MRS. MOWBRAY AND HELEN TO WREXHILL.</h3>
+
+
+<p>Mrs. Mowbray's business in London, simple and straightforward as it was,
+might probably under existing circumstances have occupied many weeks,
+had not a lucky thought which visited the restless couch of Mr. Stephen
+Corbold been the means of bringing it to a speedy conclusion.</p>
+
+<p>"<i>Soyez amant, et vous serez inventif</i>," is a pithy proverb, and has
+held good in many an illustrious instance, but in none, perhaps, more
+conspicuously than in that of Mr. Stephen Corbold's passion for Miss
+Mowbray. One of the earliest proofs he gave of this, was the persuading
+Mrs. Mowbray that the only way in which he could, consistently with his
+other engagements, devote to her as much time as her affairs required,
+would be, by passing every evening with her. And he did pass every
+evening with her: and poor Helen was given to understand, in good set
+terms, that if she presumed to retire before that excellent man Mr.
+Stephen Corbold had finished his last tumbler of soda-water and Madeira,
+not only would she incur her mother's serious displeasure, but be
+confided (during their absence from Mowbray) to the spiritual
+instruction of some <i>earnest</i> minister, who would teach her in what the
+duty of a daughter consisted.</p>
+
+<p>And so Helen Mowbray sat till twelve o'clock every night, listening to
+the works of the saints of the nineteenth century, and exposed to the
+unmitigated stare of Mr. Stephen Corbold's grey eyes.</p>
+
+<p>The constituting himself the guide and protector of the ladies through a
+series of extemporary preachings and lecturings on Sunday, was perhaps
+too obvious a duty to be classed as one of love's invention: but the
+ingenuity shown in persuading Mrs. Mowbray that it would be necessary
+for the completion of her business that he should attend her home, most
+certainly deserves this honour.</p>
+
+<p>Though no way wanting in that quality of mind which the invidious
+denominate "impudence," and the judicious "proper confidence,"&mdash;a
+quality as necessary to the fitting out of Mr. Stephen Corbold as
+parchment and red tape,&mdash;he nevertheless felt some slight approach to
+hesitation and shame-facedness when he first hinted the expediency of
+this measure. But his embarrassment was instantly relieved by Mrs.
+Mowbray's cordial assurance that she rejoiced to hear such a manner of
+concluding the business was possible, as she knew it would give their
+"excellent minister" pleasure to see his cousin.</p>
+
+<p>There is no Christian virtue, perhaps, to which a serious widow lady is
+so often called (unless she belong to that class invited by the
+"exemplary" in bevies, by way of charity, when a little teapot is set
+between every two of them,)&mdash;there is no Christian virtue more
+constantly inculcated on the minds of <i>rich</i> serious widows than that of
+hospitality; nor is there a text that has been quoted oftener to such,
+or with greater variety of accent, as admonitory, encouragingly,
+beseechingly, approvingly, jeremiadingly in reproach, and
+hallelujahingly in gratitude and admiration, than those three impressive
+and laudatory words,&mdash;</p>
+
+<div class="poem"><div class="stanza">
+<span class="i0">"GIVEN TO HOSPITALITY!"<br /></span>
+</div></div>
+
+<p>During a snug little morning visit at the Park, at which only Mrs.
+Mowbray and Fanny were present, Mr. Cartwright accidentally turned to
+these words; and nothing could be more touchingly eloquent than the
+manner in which he dwelt upon and explained them.</p>
+
+<p>From that hour good Mrs. Mowbray had been secretly lamenting the want of
+sufficient opportunity to show how fully she understood and valued this
+Christian virtue, and how willing she was to put it in practice toward
+all such as her "excellent minister" should approve: it was, therefore,
+positively with an out-pouring of fervent zeal that she welcomed the
+prospect of a visit from <i>such a man</i> as Mr. Stephen Corbold.</p>
+
+<p>"It is indeed a blessing and a happiness, Mr. Corbold," said she, "that
+what I feared would detain me many days from my home and my family
+should be converted into such a merciful dispensation as I must consider
+your coming to be. When shall you be able to set out, my dear sir?"</p>
+
+<p>"I could set out to-morrow, or, at the very latest, the day after, if I
+could obtain a conveyance that I should deem perfectly safe for the
+papers I have to carry."</p>
+
+<p>Helen shuddered, for she saw his meaning lurking in the corner of his
+eye as he turned towards her one of his detested glances.</p>
+
+<p>"Perhaps," said Mrs. Mowbray, hesitatingly, and fearful that she might
+be taxing his great good-nature too far,&mdash;"perhaps, upon such an urgent
+occasion, you might have the great goodness Mr. Corbold, to submit to
+making a third in my travelling-carriage?"</p>
+
+<p>"My gratitude would indeed be very great for such a permission," he
+replied, endeavouring to betray as little pleasure as possible. "I do
+assure you, my dear lady, such precautions are far from unnecessary.
+Heaven, for its own especial purposes, which are to us inscrutable,
+ordains that its tender care to usward shall be shown rather by giving
+us prudence and forethought to avoid contact with the wicked, than by
+any removal of them from our path: wherefore I hold myself bound in
+righteousness to confess that the papers concerning your affairs&mdash;even
+yours, my honoured lady, might run a very fearful risk of being
+abducted, and purloined, by some of the many ungodly persons with whom
+no dispensation of Providence hath yet interfered to prevent their
+jostling its own people when they travel, as sometimes unhappily they
+must do, in stage-coaches."</p>
+
+<p>"Ah, Mr. Corbold!" replied the widow, (mentally alluding to a
+conversation which she had held with Mr. Cartwright on the separation to
+be desired between the chosen and the not-chosen even in this world;
+such being, as he said, a sort of type or foreshowing of that eternal
+separation promised in the world to come;)&mdash;"Ah, Mr. Corbold! if I had
+the power to prevent it, none of the chosen should ever again find
+themselves obliged to submit to such promiscuous mixture with the
+ungodly as this unsanctified mode of travelling must lead to. Had I
+power and influence sufficient to carry such an undertaking into effect,
+I would certainly endeavour to institute a society of Christians, who,
+by liberal subscriptions among themselves, might collect a fund for
+defraying the travelling expenses of those who are set apart. It must be
+an abomination, Mr. Corbold, that such should be seen travelling on
+earth by the same vehicles as those which convey the wretched beings who
+are on their sure and certain road to eternal destruction!"</p>
+
+<p>"Ah, dearest madam!" replied the attorney, with a profound sigh, "such
+thoughts as those are buds of holiness that shall burst forth into
+full-blown flowers of eternal glory round your head in heaven! But,
+alas! no such society is yet formed, and the sufferings of the
+righteous, for the want of it, are truly great!"</p>
+
+<p>"I am sure they must be, Mr. Corbold," replied the kind Mrs. Mowbray in
+an accent of sincere compassion; "but, at least in the present instance,
+you may be spared such unseemly mixture, if you will be good enough not
+to object to travelling three in the carriage. Helen is very slight, and
+I trust you will not be greatly incommoded."</p>
+
+<p>Mr. Corbold's gratitude was too great to be expressed in a sitting
+attitude; he therefore rose from his chair, and pressing his extended
+hands together as if invoking a blessing on the meek lady's holy head,
+he uttered, "Heaven reward you, madam, for not forgetting those whom it
+hath remembered!" and as he spoke, he bowed his head low, long, and
+reverently. As he recovered the erect position on ordinary occasions
+permitted to man, he turned a little round to give a glance of very
+lover-like timidity towards Helen, who when he began his reverence to
+her mother was in the room; but as he now turned his disappointed eyes
+all round it, he discovered that she was there no longer.</p>
+
+<p>After this, the business which could, as Mr. Corbold said, be
+conveniently transacted in London, was quickly despatched, and the day
+fixed for their return to Mowbray, exactly one week after they left it.</p>
+
+<p>Mr. Stephen Corbold was invited to breakfast previous to the departure;
+and he came accompanied by so huge a green bag, as promised a long stay
+among those to whose affairs the voluminous contents related.</p>
+
+<p>When all things in and about the carriage were ready, Mr. Stephen
+Corbold presented his arm to the widow, and placed her in it. He then
+turned to Helen, who on this occasion found it not so easy as at setting
+off to avoid the hand extended towards her; that is to say, she could
+not spring by it unheeded: but as she would greatly have preferred the
+touch of any other reptile, she contrived to be very awkward, and
+actually caught hold of the handle beside the carriage-door, instead of
+the obsequious ungloved fingers which made her shudder as she glanced
+her eyes towards them.</p>
+
+<p>"You will sit in the middle, Helen," said Mrs. Mowbray.</p>
+
+<p>"I wish, mamma, you would be so kind as to let me sit in the dickey,"
+replied the young lady, looking up as she spoke to the very comfortable
+and unoccupied seat in front of the carriage which, but for Mrs.
+Mowbray's respectful religious scruples, might certainly have
+accommodated Mr. Corbold and his bag perfectly well. "I should like it
+so much better, mamma!"</p>
+
+<p>"Let me sit in the middle, I entreat!" cried Mr. Corbold, entering the
+carriage in haste, to prevent farther discussion. "My dear young lady,"
+he continued, placing his person in the least graceful of all imaginable
+attitudes,&mdash;"my dear young lady, I beseech you&mdash;&mdash;"</p>
+
+<p>"Go into the corner, Helen!" said Mrs. Mowbray hastily wishing to put so
+exemplary a Christian more at his ease, and without thinking it
+necessary to answer the insidious petition of her daughter, which, as
+she thought, plainly pointed at the exclusion of the righteous attorney.</p>
+
+<p>Helen ventured not to repeat it, and the carriage drove off. For the
+first mile Mr. Stephen Corbold sat, or rather perched himself, at the
+extremest edge of the seat, his hat between his knees, and every muscle
+that ought to have been at rest in active exercise, to prevent his
+falling forward on his nose; every feature, meanwhile, seeming to say,
+"This is not my carriage." But by gentle degrees he slid farther and
+farther backwards, till his spare person was not only in the enjoyment
+of ease, but of great happiness also.</p>
+
+<p>Helen, as her mother observed, was "very slight," and Mr. Corbold began
+almost to fancy that she would at last vanish into thin air, for, as he
+quietly advanced, so did she quietly retreat till she certainly did
+appear to shrink into a very small compass indeed.</p>
+
+<p>"I fear I crowd you, my dearest lady!" he said, addressing Mrs. Mowbray
+at least ten times during as many miles; and every time this fear came
+over him he gave her a little more room, dreadfully to the annoyance of
+the slight young lady on the other side of him. Poor Helen had need to
+remember that she was going home&mdash;going to Rosalind, to enable her to
+endure the disgust of her position; but for several hours she did bear
+it heroically. She thought of Mowbray,&mdash;of her flower-garden,&mdash;of the
+beautiful Park,&mdash;of Rosalind's snug dressing-room, and the contrast of
+all this to the life she had led in London. She thought too of Oakley,
+and of the possibility that some of the family might, by some accident
+or other, be met in some of the walks which Rosalind and she would be
+sure to take. In short, with her eyes incessantly turned through the
+open window towards the hedges and ditches, the fields and the flowers
+by the road-side, she contrived to keep herself, body and soul, as far
+as possible from the hated being who sat beside her.</p>
+
+<p>On the journey to London, Mrs. Mowbray had not thought it necessary to
+stop for dinner on the road, both she and Helen preferring to take a
+sandwich in the carriage; but, from the fear of infringing any of the
+duties of that hospitality which she now held in such high veneration,
+she arranged matters differently, and learning, upon consulting her
+footman, that an excellent house was situated about half-way between
+London and Wrexhill, she not only determined on stopping there, but
+directed the man to send forward a note, ordering an early dinner to be
+ready for them.</p>
+
+<p>This halt was an agreeable surprise to Mr. Stephen Corbold. It was
+indeed an arrangement such as those of his peculiar sect are generally
+found to approve; for it is a remarkable fact, easily ascertained by any
+who will give themselves the trouble of inquiry, that the serious
+Christians of the present age indulge themselves bodily, whenever the
+power of doing so falls in their way, exactly in proportion to the
+mortifications and privations with which they torment their spirits: so
+that while a young sinner would fly from an untasted glass of claret
+that he might not lose the prologue to a new play, a young saint would
+sip up half-a-dozen (if he could get them) while descanting on the
+grievous pains of hell which the pursuit of pleasure must for ever
+bring.</p>
+
+<p>The repast, and even the wine, did honour to the recommendation of the
+careful and experienced Thomas: and Mrs. Mowbray had the sincere
+satisfaction of seeing Mr. Corbold ("<i>le pauvre homme!</i>") eat half a
+pound of salmon, one-third of a leg of lamb, and three-quarters of a
+large pigeon-pie, with a degree of relish that proved to her that she
+was "very right to stop for dinner."</p>
+
+<p>Nothing can show gratitude for such little attentions as these so
+pleasantly and so effectually as taking full advantage of them. Mr.
+Corbold indeed carried this feeling so far, that even after the two
+ladies had left the room, he stepped back and pretty nearly emptied the
+two decanters of wine before he rejoined them.</p>
+
+<p>The latter part of the journey produced a very disagreeable scene,
+which, though it ended, as Helen thought at the time most delightfully
+for her, was productive in its consequences of many a bitter heart-ache.</p>
+
+<p>It is probable that the good cheer at D&mdash;&mdash;, together with the final
+libation that washed it down, conveyed more than ordinary animation to
+the animal spirits of the attorney, and for some miles he discoursed
+with more than his usual unction on the sins of the sinful, and the
+holiness of the holy, till poor dear Mrs. Mowbray, despite her vehement
+struggles to keep her eyes open, fell fast asleep.</p>
+
+<p>No sooner was Mr. Stephen Corbold fully aware of this fact, than he
+began making some very tender speeches to Helen. For some time her only
+reply was expressed by thrusting her head still farther out of the side
+window. But this did not avail her long. As if to intimate to her that a
+person whose attention could not be obtained through the medium of the
+ears must be roused from their apathy by the touch, he took her hand.</p>
+
+<p>Upon this she turned as suddenly as if an adder had stung her, and
+fixing her eyes, beaming with rage and indignation, upon him, said,</p>
+
+<p>"If you venture, sir, to repeat this insult, I will call to the
+postillions to stop, and order the footman instantly to take you out of
+the carriage."</p>
+
+<p>He returned her glance, however, rather with passion than repentance,
+and audaciously putting his arm round her waist, drew her towards him,
+while he whispered in her ear, "What would your dear good mamma say to
+that?"</p>
+
+<p>Had he possessed the cunning of Mephistophiles, he could not have
+uttered words more calculated to unnerve her. The terrible conviction
+that it was indeed possible her mother might justify, excuse, or, at any
+rate, pardon the action, came upon her heart like ice, and burying her
+face in her hands, she burst into tears.</p>
+
+<p>Had Mr. Stephen Corbold been a wise man, he would have here ceased his
+persecution: he saw that she was humbled to the dust by the reference he
+had so skilfully made to her mother; and perhaps, had he emptied only
+one decanter, he might have decided that it would be desirable to leave
+her in that state of mind. But, as it was, he had the very exceeding
+audacity once more to put his arm round her, and, by a sudden and most
+unexpected movement, impressed a kiss upon her cheek.</p>
+
+<p>Helen uttered a piercing scream; and Mrs. Mowbray, opening her eyes,
+demanded, in a voice of alarm, "What is the matter?"</p>
+
+<p>Mr. Corbold sat profoundly silent; but Helen answered, in great
+agitation, "I can remain in the carriage no longer, mamma, unless you
+turn out this man!"</p>
+
+<p>"Oh, Helen! Helen! what can you mean by using such language?" answered
+her mother. "It is pride, I know, abominable pride,&mdash;I have seen it from
+the very first,&mdash;which leads you to treat this excellent man as you do.
+Do you forget that he is the relation as well as the friend of our
+minister? Fie upon it, Helen! you must bring down this haughty spirit to
+something more approaching meek Christian humility, or you and I shall
+never be able to live together."</p>
+
+<p>It seems almost like a paradox, and yet it is perfectly true, that had
+not Mrs. Mowbray from <i>the very first</i>, as she said, perceived the utter
+vulgarity, in person, language, and demeanour, of the vicar's cousin,
+she would have been greatly less observant and punctilious in her
+civilities towards him; nor would she have been so fatally ready to
+quarrel with her daughter for testifying her dislike of a man who, her
+own taste told her, would be detestable, were not the holiness of his
+principles such as to redeem every defect with which nature, education,
+and habit had afflicted him.</p>
+
+<p>The more Mrs. Mowbray felt disposed to shrink from an intimate
+association with the serious attorney, the more strenuously did she
+force her nature to endure him; and feeling, almost unconsciously
+perhaps, that it was impossible Helen should not detest him, she put all
+her power and authority in action, not only to prevent her showing it,
+but to prevent also so very sinful and worldly-minded a sentiment from
+taking hold upon her young mind.</p>
+
+<p>Helen, however, was too much irritated at this moment to submit, as she
+had been ever used to do, to the commands of her mother; and still
+feeling the pressure of the serious attorney's person against her own,
+she let down the front glass, and very resolutely called to the
+postillions to stop.</p>
+
+<p>The boy who rode the wheeler immediately heard and obeyed her.</p>
+
+<p>"Tell the servant to open the door," said she with a firmness and
+decision which she afterwards recalled to herself with astonishment.</p>
+
+<p>Thomas, who, the moment the carriage stopped, had got down, obeyed the
+call she now addressed to him,&mdash;opened the door, gave her his arm; and
+before either Mrs. Mowbray, or the serious attorney either, had fully
+recovered from their astonishment, Helen was comfortably seated on the
+dickey, enjoying the cool breeze of a delicious afternoon upon her
+flushed cheek.</p>
+
+<p>The turn which was given to this transaction by Mr. Stephen Corbold
+during the tête-à-tête conversation he enjoyed for the rest of the
+journey with the young lady's mother was such as to do credit to his
+acuteness; and that good lady's part in it showed plainly that the new
+doctrines she had so rapidly imbibed, while pretending to purify her
+heart, had most lamentably perverted her judgment.</p>
+
+
+
+<hr style="width: 65%;" />
+<h2><a name="CHAPTER_VIB" id="CHAPTER_VIB"></a>CHAPTER VI.</h2>
+
+<h3>THE RETURN.</h3>
+
+
+<p>On reaching Mowbray, the first figure which greeted the eyes of the
+travellers was that of Charles, stationed on the portico steps waiting
+to receive them. A line from Helen to Rosalind, written only the day
+before, announced their intended return; but the appearance of Charles
+was a surprise to them, and to Helen certainly the most delightful that
+she could have experienced.</p>
+
+<p>Mr. Cartwright had written a long and very edifying letter to Mrs.
+Mowbray, informing her of the unexpected arrival of her son from the
+scene of his studies, and making such comments upon it as in his wisdom
+seemed good. But though this too was written in the secret recesses of
+his own chamber, with many affecting little circumstances demonstrative
+of his holy and gentle emotions while so employed, it was, nevertheless,
+under the influence of still riper wisdom, subsequently destroyed,
+because he thought that the first surprise occasioned by the young man's
+unwonted appearance would be more likely to produce the effect he
+desired than even his statement.</p>
+
+<p>Neither Rosalind nor Charles himself had written, because they were both
+unwilling to state the real cause of his coming, and thought the plea of
+<i>whim</i> would pass off better in conversation than on paper. That Fanny
+should write nothing which good Mr. Cartwright did not wish known, can
+be matter of surprise to no one.</p>
+
+<p>Helen, who had descried Charles before the carriage stopped, descended
+from her lofty position with dangerous rapidity, and sprang into his
+arms with a degree of delight, greater, perhaps, than she had ever
+before felt at seeing him.</p>
+
+<p>The exclamation of Mrs. Mowbray certainly had in it, as the wise vicar
+predicted, a tone that indicated displeasure as well as surprise; and
+the embrace, which she could not refuse, was so much less cordial than
+it was wont to be, that he turned again to Helen, and once more pressed
+her to his heart, as if to console him for the want of tenderness in his
+mother's kiss.</p>
+
+<p>Meanwhile, Mr. Stephen Corbold stood under the lofty portico, lost in
+admiration at the splendid appearance of the house and grounds. Mrs.
+Mowbray, with a sort of instinctive feeling that this excellent person
+might not altogether find himself at his ease with her family, hastened
+towards him, determined that her own Christian humility should at least
+set them a good example, and putting out both her hands towards him,
+exclaimed, with an earnestness that sounded almost like the voice of
+prayer, "Welcome, <i>dear</i>, DEAR, Mr. Corbold, to my house and home! and
+may you find in it the comfort and hospitality your exemplary character
+deserves!" Then turning to her son, she added, "I know not how long you
+are likely to stay away from college, Charles; but while you are here, I
+beg that you will exert yourself to the very utmost to make Mowbray
+agreeable to this gentleman; and remember, if you please, that his
+religious principles, and truly edifying Christian sentiments, are
+exactly such as I would wish to place before you as an example."</p>
+
+<p>Charles turned round towards the serious attorney, intending to welcome
+him by an extended hand; but the thing was impossible. There was that in
+his aspect with which he felt that he could never hold fellowship, and
+his salutation was turned into a ceremonious bow; a change which it was
+the less difficult to make, from the respectful distance at which the
+stranger guest placed himself, while preparing to receive the young
+man's welcome.</p>
+
+<p>Though Rosalind had purposely remained in her own apartment till the
+first meeting with Charles was over, Helen was already in her arms;
+having exchanged a hasty kiss with Fanny, whom she met in the hall,
+hastening to receive her mother.</p>
+
+<p>"Oh! my dearest Rosalind! How thankful am I to be once more with you
+again! I never, I think, shall be able to endure the sight of London
+again as long as I live. I have been so very, very wretched there!"</p>
+
+<p>"Upon my word, Helen, I have not lived upon roses since you went. You
+can hardly be so glad to come back, as I am to have you. What did your
+mother say on seeing Charles?"</p>
+
+<p>"I hardly know. She did not, I think, seem pleased to see him: but I am
+more delighted at the chance that has brought him, let it be what it
+will, than I have words to express. Oh! it is such a blessing to
+me!&mdash;dear, dear, Charles! he knows not what a treasure he is. The very
+sight of him has cured all my sorrows&mdash;and yet I was dreadfully
+miserable just now."</p>
+
+<p>"Then, thank Heaven! he is here, my own Helen! But tell me, dearest,
+what is it has made you miserable? Though you tell me it is over, the
+tears seemed ready to start when you said so."</p>
+
+<p>"Oh! my woes will make a long story, Rosalind; and some of them must be
+for your ear only; but this shall be at night, when nobody is near to
+hear us:&mdash;but, by the way, you must have a great deal to tell me. How
+comes it that Charles is here? And, what seems stranger still, how comes
+it that, as he is here, you have not been living upon roses?"</p>
+
+<p>"My woes may make a story as well as yours, Helen; and a long one too,
+if I tell all: but it must come out by degrees,&mdash;a series of sketches,
+rather than an history."</p>
+
+<p>"Have you seen any body from Oakley, Rosalind?"</p>
+
+<p>"Ah, Helen!" said Rosalind smiling, as she watched the bright colour
+mounting even to the brows of her friend; "your history, then, has had
+nothing in it to prevent your remembering Oakley?"</p>
+
+<p>"My history, as you call it, Rosalind, has been made up of a series of
+mortifications: some of them have almost broken my heart, and my spirit
+too; but others have irritated me into a degree of courage and daring
+that might perhaps have surprised you; and every thing that has happened
+to me, has sent my thoughts back to my home and to my friends,&mdash;all my
+friends, Rosalind,&mdash;with a degree of clinging and dependent affection
+such as I never felt before."</p>
+
+<p>"My poor Helen! But look up, dearest! and shed no tears if you can help
+it. We all seem to be placed in a very singular and unexpected position,
+my dear friend; but it is not tears that will help us out of it. This
+new man, this vicar, seems inclined to go such lengths with his
+fanatical hypocrisy, that I have good hopes your mother and Fanny will
+ere long get sick of him and his new lights, and then all will go right
+again. Depend upon it, all that has hitherto gone wrong, has been wholly
+owing to him. I certainly do not think that your poor father's will was
+made in the spirit of wisdom; but even <i>that</i> would have produced none
+of the effects it has done, had not this hateful man instilled, within
+ten minutes after the will was read, the poison of doubt and suspicion
+against Charles, into the mind of your mother. Do you not remember his
+voice and his look, Helen, when he entered the room where we were all
+three sitting with your mother? I am sure I shall never forget him! I
+saw, in an instant, that he intended to make your mother believe that
+Charles resented the will; and that, instead of coming himself, he had
+sent him to your mother to tell her of it. I hated him then; and every
+hour that has passed since has made me hate him more. But let us take
+hope, Helen, even from the excess of the evil. Your mother cannot long
+remain blind to his real character; and, when once she sees him as he
+is, she will again become the dear kind mother you have all so fondly
+loved."</p>
+
+<p>"Could I hope this, Rosalind, for the future, there is nothing I could
+not endure patiently for the present,&mdash;at least nothing that could
+possibly happen while Charles is here; but I do not hope it."</p>
+
+<p>There was a melancholy earnestness in Helen's voice, as she pronounced
+the last words, that sounded like a heavy prophecy of evil to come, in
+the ears of Rosalind. "Heaven help us, then!" she exclaimed. "If we are
+really to live under the influence and authority of the Vicar of
+Wrexhill, our fate will be dreadful. If your dear father had but been
+spared to us a few years longer,&mdash;if you and I were but one-and-twenty
+Helen,&mdash;how different would be the light in which I should view all that
+now alarms us; my fortune would be plenty for both of us, and I would
+take you with me to Ireland, and we would live with&mdash;&mdash;"</p>
+
+<p>"Oh Rosalind! how can you talk so idly? Do you think that any thing
+would make me leave my poor dear mother?"</p>
+
+<p>"If you were to marry, for instance?"</p>
+
+<p>"I should never do that without her consent; and that, you know, would
+hardly be leaving her."</p>
+
+<p>"Well! 'Heaven and our innocency defend and guard us!' for I do think,
+Helen, we are in a position that threatens vexation, to say the least of
+it. I wonder if Miss Cartwright's visit is to end with your absence? She
+is the very oddest personage! sometimes I pity her; sometimes I almost
+admire her; sometimes I feel afraid of her, but never by any chance can
+I continue even to fancy that I understand her character."</p>
+
+<p>"Indeed! Yet in general you set about that rather rapidly, Rosalind. But
+must we not go down? I have hardly seen Fanny, and I long to talk a
+little to my own dear Charles."</p>
+
+<p>"And you will like to have some tea after your journey. Mrs. Mowbray, I
+think, never stops <i>en route</i>?"</p>
+
+<p>"In general she does not; but to-day&mdash;&mdash;" a shudder ran through Helen's
+limbs as she remembered the travelling adventures of the day, and she
+stopped.</p>
+
+<p>"You look tired and pale, Helen! Come down, take some tea, and then go
+to bed directly. If we do not act with promptitude and decision in this
+matter, we shall set up talking all night."</p>
+
+<p>As they passed Miss Cartwright's door, Rosalind knocked, and that young
+lady immediately opened it.</p>
+
+<p>"Oh! you are come back then? I fancied, by Mr. Cartwright's not coming
+this evening, that something might have occurred to prevent you?"</p>
+
+<p>"If it had," said Helen, smiling, "it must have been announced by
+express, for you can only have had my letter this morning."</p>
+
+<p>"True!" replied Miss Cartwright.</p>
+
+<p>When the three young ladies entered the drawing-room, they found nobody
+in it but Mr. Stephen Corbold; Mrs. Mowbray having gone with Fanny to
+her own room, and Charles ensconced himself in the library, to avoid a
+tête-à-tête with the unpromising-looking stranger.</p>
+
+<p>Rosalind gave him a glance, and then looked at Helen with an eye that
+seemed to say, "Who in the world have you brought us?" Helen, however,
+gave no glance of intelligence in return; but, walking to a table which
+stood in that part of the room which was at the greatest distance from
+the place occupied by Mr. Corbold, she sat down, and began earnestly
+reading an old newspaper that she found upon it.</p>
+
+<p>Miss Cartwright started on recognising her cousin, and though she
+condescended to pronounce, "How do you do, Mr. Corbold?" there was but a
+cold welcome to him expressed either by her voice or manner. No one
+presented him to Rosalind, and altogether he felt as little at his ease
+as it was well possible for a gentleman to do, when the door opened, and
+Mrs. Mowbray and Fanny appeared. From that moment he became as much
+distinguished as he was before overlooked. Fanny, who knew that it was
+Mr. Cartwright's cousin who stood bowing to her, delighted at the honour
+of being told that she was "Miss Fanny Mowbray," received him with a
+kindness and condescension which soothed her own feelings as much as
+his, for she felt that every word she spoke to him was a proof of her
+devotion to her dear, good Mr. Cartwright! and that, when he heard of
+it, he could not fail to understand that it was for his sake.</p>
+
+<p>The party retired early, ostensibly for the sake of the travellers; but
+perhaps the real cause of this general haste to separate, was, that they
+all felt themselves singularly embarrassed in each other's company.
+Before Mrs. Mowbray had been five minutes in her house, she had ordered
+a splendid sleeping apartment to be made ready for Mr. Corbold; and the
+first half-hour after retiring to it, was spent by him in taking an
+accurate survey of its furniture, fittings-up, and dimensions: after
+which, he very nearly stifled himself (forgetful of the dog-days) by
+striving to enjoy the full luxury of the abounding pillows with which
+his magnificent couch was furnished.</p>
+
+<p>Mrs. Mowbray and Fanny separated after a short but confidential
+colloquy. Miss Cartwright took her solitary way to her chamber, where,
+as the housemaids asserted, she certainly spent half the night in
+reading, or writing, or something or other, before she put out her
+light: and Rosalind and Helen, spite of their good resolutions, not only
+sat up talking in the library themselves, but permitted Charles to share
+their watch with them; so that, before they separated, every fact,
+thought, or opinion, treasured in the minds of each, were most
+unreservedly communicated to the others,&mdash;excepting that Helen did not
+disclose at full length <i>all</i> the reasons she had for detesting Mr.
+Corbold, and Charles did not think it necessary to mention, that
+Rosalind grew fairer to his eyes, and dearer to his heart, every hour.</p>
+
+
+
+<hr style="width: 65%;" />
+<h2><a name="CHAPTER_VIIB" id="CHAPTER_VIIB"></a>CHAPTER VII.</h2>
+
+<h3>THE VICAR AND HIS COUSIN.</h3>
+
+
+<p>None of the Mowbray family were present at the meeting between the Vicar
+of Wrexhill and his cousin. The latter, indeed, set out from the Park at
+a very early hour on the morning after his arrival, in order to
+breakfast with his much esteemed relation, and to enjoy in the privacy
+of his Vicarage a little friendly and confidential conversation as to
+the projects and intentions concerning him, which had been hinted at in
+his letters.</p>
+
+<p>He was welcomed by Mr. Cartwright with very obliging civility; not but
+that the vicar felt and showed, upon this, as well as all other
+occasions, a very proper consciousness of his own superiority in all
+ways. However, the Corbold connexion had been very essentially useful to
+him in days past; and Mr. Stephen, the present representative of the
+family, might <i>possibly</i> be extremely useful to him in days to come.
+Several fresh-laid eggs were therefore placed on the table,&mdash;coffee was
+added to tea,&mdash;and his reception in all ways such as to make Mr. Stephen
+feel himself extremely comfortable.</p>
+
+<p>When the repast was ended, Mr. Jacob received a hint to withdraw; and
+as soon as the door was closed behind him, the serious vicar approached
+his chair to that of the serious attorney, with the air of one who had
+much to hear, and much to communicate.</p>
+
+<p>"You seem hereunto, cousin Stephen, to have managed this excellent
+business, which under Providence I have been enabled to put into your
+hands, with great ability; and, by a continuation of mercy, I am not
+without hope, that you will, as I heretofore hinted, bring the same to
+good effect."</p>
+
+<p>"There is hope, great and exceeding merciful hope, cousin William, that
+all you have anticipated, and peradventure more too, may come to pass. A
+blessing and a providence seem already to have lighted upon you, cousin,
+in your new ministry, for into this vessel which your cousinly kindness
+hath set within my sight, you have poured grace and abounding
+righteousness. Surely there never was a lady endowed with such goodly
+gifts who was more disposed to make a free-will offering of them to the
+saints, than this pious and in all ways exemplary widow."</p>
+
+<p>"Your remarks, cousin, are those of a man on whom the light shines. May
+the mercy of Heaven strengthen unto you, for its glory, the talent it
+hath bestowed! And now with the freedom of kinsmen who speak together,
+tell to me what are the hopes and expectations to which your
+conversation with this excellent, and already very serious lady, have
+given birth."</p>
+
+<p>"I have no wish or intention, cousin William, of hiding from you any
+portion of the thoughts which it has pleased Providence to send into my
+heart; the which are in fact, for the most part, founded upon the
+suggestions which, by the light of truth, I discerned in the first
+letter upon the widow Mowbray's affairs which you addressed unto me."</p>
+
+<p>"Respecting the agency of her own business, and peradventure that of her
+ward's also?"</p>
+
+<p>"Even so. I have, in truth, well-founded faith and hope that by the
+continuation of your friendship and good report, cousin William, I may
+at no distant period attain unto both."</p>
+
+<p>"And if you do, cousin Stephen," returned the vicar, with a smile; "your
+<i>benefice</i> in the parish of Wrexhill will be worth considerably more
+than mine."</p>
+
+<p>A serious, waggish, holy, cunning smile now illuminated the
+red, dry features of the attorney, and shaking his head with a
+Burleigh-like-pregnancy of meaning, he said, "Ah, cousin!"</p>
+
+<p>The vicar smiled again, and rising from his chair, put his head and
+shoulders out of the open window, looking carefully, as it seemed, in
+all directions; then, drawing them in again, he proceeded to open the
+door of the room, and examined the passage leading to it in the same
+cautious manner.</p>
+
+<p>"My son Jacob is one of the finest young men in Europe, cousin Stephen,"
+said the vicar, reseating himself; "but he is young, and as full of
+little childish innocent fooleries as any baby: so it is as well not to
+speak all we may have to say, without knowing that we are alone; for
+many an excellent plan in which Providence seemed to have taken a great
+share, has been impiously spoiled, frustrated, and destroyed, by the
+want of caution in those to whom it was intrusted. Let not such sin lie
+at our door! Now tell me then, cousin Stephen, and tell me frankly, why
+did you smile and say, 'Ah cousin'?"</p>
+
+<p>"Because, while speaking of what, through mercy, I may get at Wrexhill,
+it seemed to me like a misdoubting of Providence not to speak a little
+hint of what its chosen minister there may get too."</p>
+
+<p>"I get my vicar's dues, cousin Stephen; and it may be, by a blessing
+upon my humble endeavours, I may, when next Easter falls, obtain some
+trifle both from high and low in the way of Easter offering."</p>
+
+<p>"Ah, cousin!" repeated the attorney, renewing his intelligent smile.</p>
+
+<p>"Well then," said the well-pleased vicar, "speak out."</p>
+
+<p>"I am but a plodding man of business," replied Mr. Corbold, "with such
+illumination upon matters of faith as Providence hath been pleased to
+bestow; but my sense, such as it is, tells me that the excellent and
+pious widow of Mowbray Park will not always be permitted by Providence
+to remain desolate."</p>
+
+<p>"She does, in truth, deserve a better fate," rejoined the vicar.</p>
+
+<p>"And what better fate can befall her, cousin William, than being bound
+together in holy matrimony with one of the most shining lights to be
+found among the saints on earth?"</p>
+
+<p>"Yes!" responded the vicar with a sigh; "that is the fate she merits,
+and that is the fate she ought to meet!"</p>
+
+<p>"And shall we doubt Providence?&mdash;shall we doubt that a mate shall be
+found for her? No, cousin William; doubt not, for I say unto thee, 'Thou
+art the man!'"</p>
+
+<p>The vicar endeavoured to look solemn; but, though his handsome features
+were in general under excellent control, he could not at this moment
+repress a pleasant sort of simpering smile that puckered round his
+mouth. Mr. Stephen Corbold, perceiving that his cousin was in nowise
+displeased by the prophecy he had taken the liberty to utter, returned
+to the subject again, saying, "I wish you had seen her face,&mdash;she must
+have been very like her daughter,&mdash;I wish you could have seen her,
+cousin William, every time I named you!"</p>
+
+<p>"Indeed! Did she really testify some emotion? I trust you are not
+jesting, cousin Stephen; this is no subject for pleasantry."</p>
+
+<p>"Most assuredly it is not! and I think that you must altogether have
+forgotten my temper and character, if you suppose that I should think it
+such. To tell you the truth, cousin, I look upon the time present as a
+period marked and settled by Providence for the calling you up to the
+high places. Will it not be a glory to have its minister and servant
+placed in such a palace as Mowbray? and will it not be converting what
+hitherto has doubtless been the abode of sinners, into a temple for the
+elect?"</p>
+
+<p>"I will not deny," replied the vicar, "that such thoughts have
+occasionally found place in my own mind. There have already been some
+very singular and remarkable manifestations in this matter; and it is
+the perceiving this, which has led me to believe, and indeed feel
+certain, that my duty calls upon me so to act, that this wealthy relict
+of a man too much addicted to the things of this world may, finally by
+becoming part and parcel of myself, lose not the things eternal."</p>
+
+<p>"I greatly rejoice," rejoined Mr. Corbold, "that such is your decision
+in this matter; and if it should so fall out that Heaven in its wisdom
+and goodness shall ordain you to become the master of Mowbray Park, (at
+these words the vicar cast his eyes upon the ground and meekly bowed his
+head,) and I have a persuasion that it will so ordain, borne strongly in
+upon my mind, then and in that case, cousin William, I trust that your
+patronage and support will not be withdrawn from me."</p>
+
+<p>"Cousin Stephen," replied the vicar, "you are a man that on many
+occasions I shall covet and desire to have by me and near me, both for
+your profit and advantage and my own; but in the case which you have
+put, and which Heaven seems to have whispered to your soul&mdash;in the
+case, Stephen, that I should ever become the master and owner of
+Mowbray, and all the sundry properties thereunto belonging, I think&mdash;no
+offence to you, cousin&mdash;that I should prefer managing the estates
+myself."</p>
+
+<p>The serious attorney looked somewhat crestfallen, and perhaps some such
+questionings were borne in upon his mind as&mdash;"What is it to me if he
+marries the widow, if I do not get the management of the estates?"</p>
+
+<p>When the vicar raised his eyes to the face of his cousin, he probably
+perceived the impression his words had produced, and kindly anxious to
+restore him to more comfortable feelings, he added,&mdash;"The fine property
+of Miss Torrington, cousin Stephen, might certainly be placed entirely
+in your hands&mdash;the management of it I mean&mdash;till she comes of age; but
+then if she marries my son, which I think not unlikely, it is probable
+that Jacob may follow my example, and prefer taking care of the property
+himself."</p>
+
+<p>"Then, at the very best," replied Mr. Corbold, "I can only hope to
+obtain an agency for a year or two?"</p>
+
+<p>"I beg your pardon, cousin; my hopes for you go much farther than that.
+In the first place, I would recommend it to you, immediately to settle
+yourself at Wrexhill: I am told that there is a good deal of business up
+and down the country hereabouts; and, if I obtain the influence that I
+hope to do in more ways than one, I shall take care that no attorney is
+employed but yourself, cousin Stephen. Besides this, I know that there
+may happen to be settlements or wills wanting amongst us, my good
+friend, which may make your being at hand very convenient; and, in all
+such cases, you would do your work, you know, pretty much at your own
+price. All this, however, is only contingent, I am quite aware of that;
+and therefore, in order that you may in some sort share my good
+fortune,&mdash;if such indeed should fall upon me,&mdash;I have been thinking,
+cousin Stephen, that when I shall be married to this lady, whom it has
+pleased Providence to place in my path, you, being then the near
+relative of a person of consequence and high consideration in the
+county, may also aspire to increase your means by the same holy
+ordinance; and if such a measure should seem good to your judgment, I
+have a lady in my eye,&mdash;also a widow, and a very charming one, my dear
+friend,&mdash;who lives in a style that shows her to be favoured by
+Providence with the goods of fortune. What say you to this, cousin
+Stephen?"</p>
+
+<p>"Why, it is borne in upon me to say, cousin William, that, in such a
+case as this, I should be inclined to follow your good example, and
+choose for myself. And, truth to speak, I believe the choice is in some
+sort made already; and I don't see but your marriage may be as likely to
+help me in this case as in the other; and as to fortune, it is probable
+that you may be able to lend me a helping hand there, too; for the young
+lady, I fancy, is no other than your own daughter-in-law that is to
+be&mdash;the pretty Miss Helen, cousin William?"</p>
+
+<p>The vicar as he listened to these words, very nearly uttered a whistle.
+He was, however, as he whispered to himself, mercifully saved from such
+an indecorum by the timely remembrance that his cousin, though an
+attorney, was a very serious man; but, though he did not whistle, he
+deemed it necessary to express in a more solemn and proper manner his
+doubts of the success to be hoped from the scheme proposed by Mr.
+Corbold.</p>
+
+<p>"As to the fortune of the young person who may, as you observe, some day
+by the blessing of Providence become my daughter-in-law, I must tell you
+as a friend and kinsman, cousin Stephen, that I hold it to be very
+doubtful if she ever have any fortune at all. Are you aware that she is
+not regenerate?"</p>
+
+<p>"I partly guess as much," replied the attorney. "But," he added with a
+smile, "I can't say I should have any objection to marrying her first,
+and leading her into the way of salvation afterwards. And when I can
+testify to her having forsaken the errors of her ways, and that I have
+made her a light to lighten the Gentiles, I suppose you won't object
+then to her coming in for a share of her mother's inheritance?"</p>
+
+<p>"That would certainly make a difference; but I won't disguise from you,
+cousin, that I consider this young person's as a hopeless case. She was
+foredoomed from the beginning of the world: I see the mark upon her.
+However, that might not perhaps make such difference in your
+determination, for I know you to be a man very steadfast in hope, cousin
+Stephen. But there is, moreover, I think, another obstacle. You must not
+take my frankness amiss; but I have an inward misgiving as to her being
+willing to accept you."</p>
+
+<p>"As the young lady is a minor, cousin William, I should count upon its
+being in your power to make her marry pretty well whom you please. And
+this you may rely upon, that, in case you favour me heartily in this
+matter, there is no work of any kind that you could put me to, that I
+should not think it my bounden duty to perform."</p>
+
+<p>"You speak like a just and conscientious man, cousin Corbold; and, by
+the blessing of Heaven upon us, I trust that we shall be so able to work
+together for righteousness' sake, that in the end we may compass that
+which we desire. Nevertheless, I confess that it is still borne in upon
+me that the fair and excellent widow Simpson would be the wisest choice
+for you."</p>
+
+<p>"Should it please Providence that such should be my own opinion
+hereafter, cousin Cartwright, I will not fail to make it known unto
+you."</p>
+
+<p>"I will rest my faith on your wisdom therein," replied the vicar: "but
+it is now time that I should go to speak the blessing of a minister, and
+the welcome of a friend, to the excellent lady at the Park. And remember
+two things, cousin Stephen: the first is, never to remain in the room
+with the widow Mowbray and myself, when no other persons are present;
+and the next is in importance like unto it,&mdash;remember that the lady is
+even yet new in widowhood, and that any imprudent and premature allusion
+to my possibly taking her in marriage might ruin all. There are those
+near her, cousin Stephen, who I question not will fight against me."</p>
+
+<p>The attorney promised to be awake and watchful, and never to permit his
+tongue to betray the counsels of his heart.</p>
+
+<p>The cousins and friends (who, notwithstanding the difference of their
+callings, considered themselves, as Mr. Corbold observed,
+fellow-labourers in the vineyard,) then walked forth together towards
+Mowbray Park, well pleased with themselves and all things around them at
+the present, and with pious confidence in the reward of their labours
+for the future.</p>
+
+
+
+<hr style="width: 65%;" />
+<h2><a name="CHAPTER_VIIIB" id="CHAPTER_VIIIB"></a>CHAPTER VIII.</h2>
+
+<h3>CHARLES'S SORROW.&mdash;MRS. SIMPSON IN HER NEW CHARACTER.&mdash;THE VICAR'S
+PROCEEDINGS DISCUSSED.</h3>
+
+
+<p>The two gentlemen found the family at the Park very sociably seated
+round a late breakfast table. Helen, Rosalind, and Charles, before they
+broke up their conclave in the library the night before, or rather that
+morning, had all decided that in the present thorny and difficult
+position of affairs, it was equally their duty and interest to
+propitiate the kind feelings of Mrs. Mowbray by every means in their
+power, and draw her thereby, if possible, from the mischievous and
+insidious influence of her new associates.</p>
+
+<p>"It is hardly possible to believe," said Charles, "that my mother can
+really prefer the society of such an animal as this methodistical
+attorney to that of her own family, or of those neighbours and friends
+from whom, since my father's death, she has so completely withdrawn
+herself. It is very natural she should be out of spirits, poor dear
+soul! and Mr. Cartwright is just the sort of person to obtain influence
+at such a time; but I trust this will wear off again. She will soon get
+sick of the solemn attorney, and we shall all be as happy again as
+ever."</p>
+
+<p>"Heaven grant it!" said Helen with a sigh.</p>
+
+<p>"Heaven grant it!" echoed Rosalind with another.</p>
+
+<p>It was in consequence of this resolution, that the trio continued to sit
+at the table much longer than usual; exerting themselves to amuse Mrs.
+Mowbray, to win from Fanny one of her former bright smiles, and even to
+make Miss Cartwright sociable.</p>
+
+<p>Their efforts were not wholly unsuccessful. There was a genuine
+animation and vivacity about Charles that seemed irresistible: Mrs.
+Mowbray looked at him with a mother's eye; Miss Cartwright forsook her
+monosyllables, and almost conversed; and Fanny, while listening first to
+Helen, and then to her brother, forgot her duty as a professing
+Christian as far as to let a whole ringlet of her sunny hair get loose
+from behind her ear, and not notice it.</p>
+
+<p>In the midst of this gleam of sunshine the door opened, and Mr.
+Cartwright and Mr. Corbold were announced. Ambitions of producing effect
+as both these serious gentlemen certainly were, they could hardly have
+hoped, when their spirits were most exalted within them, to have caused
+a more remarkable revolution in the state of things than their
+appearance now produced.</p>
+
+<p>Mrs. Mowbray coloured, half rose from her chair, sat down again, and
+finally exclaimed, "Oh! Mr. Cartwright!" in a tone of voice that
+manifested almost every feeling he could wish to inspire.</p>
+
+<p>Fanny, who was in the very act of smiling when the door opened,
+immediately became conscious that her hair was out of order, and that
+her whole attitude and manner were wanting in that Christian grace and
+sobriety which had been of late her chiefest glory. Such Christian grace
+and sobriety, however, as she had lately learned, poor child! are not
+difficult to assume, or long in putting on; so that before "her
+minister" had completed his little prayer and thanksgiving in the ear of
+her mother, for her eternal happiness and her safe return, Fanny was
+quite in proper trim to meet his eye, and receive his blessing.</p>
+
+<p>Henrietta at once fell back into her wonted heavy silent gloom, like a
+leaden statue upon which the sun, shining for a moment, had thrown the
+hue of silver.</p>
+
+<p>Charles stood up, and saluted the vicar civilly but coldly; while to his
+companion's low bow he returned a slight and stiff inclination of the
+head.</p>
+
+<p>It should be observed that, during the few days which intervened between
+the arrival of Charles and the return of his mother, the vicar had
+greatly relaxed in his attentions to Fanny, and indeed altogether in the
+frequency of his pastoral visitations at the Park. He had explained this
+in the ear of his pretty proselyte, by telling her that he was much
+engaged in pushing forward the work of regeneration in his parish, to
+the which holy labour he was the more urgently incited by perceiving
+that the seed was not thrown upon barren ground. Nor indeed was this
+statement wholly untrue. He had taken advantage of the leisure which the
+present posture of affairs at the Park left upon his hands, in seeking
+to inflame the imaginations of as many of his parishioners as he could
+get to listen to him.</p>
+
+<p>Among the females he had been particularly successful; and, indeed, the
+proportion of the fair sex who are found to embrace the tenets which
+this gentleman and his sect have introduced in place of those of the
+Church of England, is so great, that, as their faith is an exclusive
+one, it might be conjectured that the chief object of the doctrine was
+to act as a balance-weight against that of Mahomet, who, atrocious
+tyrant as he was, shut the gates of heaven against all woman-kind
+whatsoever; were it not that an occasional nest of he-saints may here
+and there be found,&mdash;sometimes in a drum-profaned barrack, and sometimes
+in a cloistered college, which show that election is not wholly confined
+to the fair. There are, however, some very active and inquiring persons
+who assert, that upon a fair and accurate survey throughout England and
+Wales, Ireland, Scotland, and the Town of Berwick-upon-Tweed, no greater
+number of this sect can be found of the masculine gender than may
+suffice to perform the duties of ministers, deputy ministers,
+missionaries, assistant missionaries, speech-makers both in and out of
+parliament, committee-men, and such serious footmen, coachmen, butchers,
+and bakers, as the fair inhabitants of the Calvinistic heaven require to
+perform the unfeminine drudgery of earth.</p>
+
+<p>It was in consequence of this remission in the vicar's labours for the
+regeneration of Fanny, that Charles Mowbray still treated him with the
+respect due to the clergyman of his parish. Rosalind felt it quite
+impossible to describe to him all she had seen, and her promise to
+Henrietta forbade her to repeat what she had heard; so that young
+Mowbray, though he disapproved of the puritanic innovations of Fanny's
+toilet, and so much disliked Mr. Cartwright's extempore preaching as to
+have decided upon attending divine service at Oakley church for the
+future, to avoid hearing what he considered as so very indecent an
+innovation, he was still quite unaware of Rosalind's real motives for
+recalling him, though extremely well inclined to think her right in
+having done so.</p>
+
+<p>Miss Torrington and Helen left the room very soon after the two
+gentlemen entered it. Henrietta, with the stealthy step of a cat,
+followed them, and young Mowbray felt strongly tempted to do the like;
+but was prevented, not so much by politeness perhaps, as by curiosity to
+ascertain, if possible, the terms on which both these gentlemen stood
+with his mother.</p>
+
+<p>But it was not possible. As long as he remained with them, the very
+scanty conversation which took place was wholly on uninteresting
+subjects; and Charles at length left the room, from feeling that it was
+not his mother's pleasure to talk to the attorney of the business that
+he presumed must have brought him there, as long as he remained in it.</p>
+
+<p>There is in the domestic history of human life no cause productive of
+effects so terrible as the habit of acting according to the impulse, or
+the convenience, of the moment, without fully considering the effect
+what we are doing may produce on others.</p>
+
+<p>Mrs. Mowbray, in waiting till Charles left the room before she spake to
+Mr. Corbold of the title-deeds and other papers which she was to put
+into his hands, was almost wholly actuated by the consciousness that the
+attorney she was employing (though a serious) was a very vulgar man. She
+knew that her son was rather fastidious on such points; and she disliked
+the idea that a man, whose distinguished piety rendered him so
+peculiarly eligible as a man of business, should, at his first
+introduction to the confidential situation she intended he should hold,
+lay himself open to the ridicule of a youth, who, she sighed to think,
+was as yet quite incapable of appreciating his merit in any way.</p>
+
+<p>If any secondary motive mixed with this, it arose from the averseness
+she felt, of which she was not herself above half conscious, that any
+one should hear advice given by Mr. Cartwright, who might think
+themselves at liberty to question it; but, with all this, she never
+dreamed of the pain she was giving to Charles's heart. She dreamed not
+that her son,&mdash;her only son,&mdash;with a heart as warm, as generous, as
+devoted in its filial love, as ever beat in the breast of a man, felt
+all his ardent affection for her,&mdash;his proud fond wish of being her
+protector, her aid, her confidential friend&mdash;now checked and chilled at
+once, and for ever!</p>
+
+<p>This consequence of her cold, restrained manner in his presence, was so
+natural,&mdash;in fact, so inevitable,&mdash;that had she turned her eyes from
+herself and her own little unimportant feelings, to what might be their
+effect upon his, it is hardly possible that she could have avoided
+catching some glimpse of the danger she ran,&mdash;and much after misery
+might have been spared; as it was, she felt a movement of unequivocal
+satisfaction when he departed; and, having told Fanny to join the other
+young ladies while she transacted business, she was left alone with the
+two gentlemen, and, in a few minutes afterwards, the contents of her
+late husband's strong-box, consisting of parchments, memoranda, and
+deeds almost innumerable, overspread the large table, as well as every
+sofa and chair within convenient reach.</p>
+
+<p>The two serious gentlemen smiled, but it was inwardly. Their eyes ran
+over the inscription of every precious packet; and if those of the
+professional man caught more rapidly at a glance the respective
+importance of each, the vicar had the advantage of him in that prophetic
+feeling of their future importance to himself, which rendered the
+present hour one of the happiest of his life.</p>
+
+<p>Meanwhile, Charles sought Helen and her friend. Far, however, from
+wishing to impart to them the painful impression he had received, his
+principal object in immediately seeking them was, if possible, to forget
+it. He found the four girls together in the conservatory, and, affecting
+more gaiety than he felt, exclaimed, "How many recruits shall I get
+among you to join me in a walk to Wrexhill? One, two, three, four!
+That's delightful! Make haste; bonnet and veil yourselves without delay:
+and if we skirt round the plantations to the lodge, we shall escape
+being broiled, for the lanes are always shady."</p>
+
+<p>When he had got his convoy fairly under weigh, they began to make
+inquiries as to what he was going to do at Wrexhill. "I will tell you,"
+he replied, "if you will promise not to run away and forsake me."</p>
+
+<p>They pledged themselves to be faithful to their escort, and he then
+informed them, that it was his very particular wish and desire to pay
+sundry visits to the <i>beau monde</i> of Wrexhill.</p>
+
+<p>"It is treason to the milliner not to have told us so before, Charles,"
+said Helen; "only look at poor Fanny's little straw-bonnet, without even
+a bow to set it off. What will Mrs. Simpson think of us?"</p>
+
+<p>"I assure you, Helen," said Fanny, "that if I had known we were going to
+visit all the fine people in the county, I should have put on no other
+bonnet; and as for Mrs. Simpson, I believe you are quite mistaken in
+supposing she would object to it. I hope she has seen the error of her
+ways, as well as I have, Charles; and that we shall never more see her
+dressed like a heathenish woman, as she used to do."</p>
+
+<p>"Oh Fanny! Fanny!" exclaimed Charles, laughing. "How long will this
+spirit vex you."</p>
+
+<p>Fortunately, however, for the harmony of the excursion, none of the
+party appeared at this moment inclined to controversy, and the subject
+dropped. Instead, therefore, of talking of different modes of faith, and
+of the bonnets thereunto belonging, the conversation turned upon the
+peculiar beauty of the woodland scenery around Wrexhill; and Miss
+Cartwright, as almost a stranger, was applied to for her opinion of it.</p>
+
+<p>"I believe I am a very indifferent judge of scenery," she replied. "The
+fact is, I never see it."</p>
+
+<p>"Do you not see it now?" said Rosalind. "Do you not see that beautiful
+stretch of park-like common, with its tufts of holly, its rich groups of
+forest-trees, with their dark heavy drapery of leaves, relieved by the
+light and wavy gracefulness of the delicate and silvery birch? and,
+loveliest of all, do you not see that stately avenue of oaks, the turf
+under them green in eternal shade, and the long perspective, looking
+like the nave of some gigantic church?"</p>
+
+<p>Rosalind stood still as she spoke, and Henrietta remained beside her.
+They were descending the bit of steep road which, passing behind the
+church and the vicarage, led into the village street of Wrexhill, and
+the scene described by Miss Torrington was at this point completely
+given to their view.</p>
+
+<p>Henrietta put her arm within that of Rosalind with a degree of
+familiarity very unusual with her, and having gazed on the fair expanse
+before her for several minutes, she replied, "Yes, Rosalind, I do see it
+now, and I thank you for making it visible to me. Perhaps, in future,
+when I may perchance be thinking of you, I may see it again."</p>
+
+<p>Rosalind turned to seek her meaning in her face, and saw that her dark
+deep-set eyes were full of tears. This was so unexpected, so
+unprecedented, so totally unlike any feeling she had ever remarked in
+her before, that Rosalind was deeply touched by it, and, pressing the
+arm that rested on hers, she said: "Dear Henrietta! Why are you so
+averse to letting one understand what passes in your heart? It is only
+by an accidental breath, which now and then lifts the veil you hang
+before it, that one can even find out you have any heart at all."</p>
+
+<p>"Did you know all the darkness that dwells there, you would not thank me
+for showing it to you."</p>
+
+<p>Having said this, she stepped hastily forward, and drawing on Rosalind,
+who would have lingered, with her, till they had overtaken the others,
+they all turned from the lane into the village street together.</p>
+
+<p>They had not proceeded a hundred yards, before they were met by a dozen
+rosy and riotous children returning from dinner to school. At sight of
+the Mowbray party, every boy uncapped, and every little girl made her
+best courtesy; but one unlucky wag, whose eyes unfortunately fixed
+themselves on Fanny, being struck by the precision of her little bonnet,
+straight hair, and the total absence of frill, furbelow, or any other
+indication of worldly-mindedness, restrained his bounding steps for a
+moment, and, pursing up his little features into a look of sanctity,
+exclaimed&mdash;"Amen!"&mdash;and then, terrified at what he had done, galloped
+away and hid himself among his fellows.</p>
+
+<p>Fanny coloured, but immediately assumed the resigned look that
+announceth martyrdom. Charles laughed, though he turned round and shook
+his switch at the saucy offender. Helen looked vexed, Rosalind amused,
+and Henrietta very nearly delighted.</p>
+
+<p>A few minutes more brought them to the door of Mrs. Simpson. Their
+inquiry for the lady was answered by the information that she "was
+schooling miss; but if they would be pleased to walk in, she would come
+down directly." They accordingly entered the drawing-room, where they
+were kept waiting for some time, which was indeed pretty generally the
+fate of morning visitors to Mrs. Simpson.</p>
+
+<p>The interval was employed as the collectors of albums and annuals intend
+all intervals should be, namely, in the examination of all the
+morocco-bound volumes deposited on the grand round table in the middle
+of the room, and on all the square, oblong, octagon, and oval minor
+tables, in the various nooks and corners of it.</p>
+
+<p>On the present occasion they seemed to promise more amusement than usual
+to the party, who had most of them been frequently there before,&mdash;for
+they were nearly all new. Poor little Fanny, though she knew that not
+one of those with her were capable of enjoying the intellectual and
+edifying feast that almost the first glance of her eye showed her was
+set before them, could not restrain an exclamation of&mdash;"Oh! How
+heavenly-minded!"</p>
+
+<p>The whole collection indeed, which though recently and hastily formed,
+had evidently been brought together by the hand of a master of such
+matters, was not only most strictly evangelical, but most evangelically
+ingenious.</p>
+
+<p>Helen, however, appeared to find food neither for pleasantry nor
+edification there; for having opened one or two slender volumes, and as
+many heavy pamphlets, she abandoned the occupation with a sigh, that
+spoke sadness and vexation. Miss Cartwright, who had seated herself on
+the same sofa, finished her examination still more quickly, saying in a
+low voice as she settled herself in a well-pillowed corner&mdash;</p>
+
+<div class="poem"><div class="stanza">
+<span class="i0">"Surfeit is the father of much fast."<br /></span>
+</div></div>
+
+<p>Miss Torrington and young Mowbray got hold of by far the finest volume
+of all, whose gilt leaves and silken linings showed that it was intended
+as the repository of the most precious gifts, that, according to the
+frontispiece, Genius could offer to Friendship. Having given a glance at
+its contents, Charles drew out his pencil, and on the blank side of a
+letter wrote the following catalogue of them, which, though imperfect as
+not naming them all, was most scrupulously correct as far as it went:</p>
+
+<div class="poem"><div class="stanza">
+<span class="i0">"Saint Paul's head, sketched in pen and ink;<br /></span>
+<span class="i2">'Here's the bower,' to words of grace;<br /></span>
+<span class="i0">The death-bed talk of Master Blink;<br /></span>
+<span class="i2">Lines on a fallen maiden's case.<br /></span>
+<span class="i0">Sonnet upon heavenly love;<br /></span>
+<span class="i2">A pencil drawing of Saint Peter.<br /></span>
+<span class="i0">Emblems&mdash;the pigeon and the dove.<br /></span>
+<span class="i2">Gray's Odes, turned to psalm-tune metre.<br /></span>
+<span class="i0">A Christian ode in praise of tea,<br /></span>
+<span class="i0">Freely translated from Redi."<br /></span>
+</div></div>
+
+<p>He had just presented the scrap to Rosalind when Mrs. Simpson entered,
+leading her little girl in her hand; but the young lady had leisure to
+convey it unnoticed to her pocket, as the mistress of the house had for
+the first few minutes eyes only for Fanny. In fact, she literally ran to
+her the instant she perceived her little bonnet, and, folding her arms
+round her, exclaimed&mdash;</p>
+
+<p>"My dear, dear child! My dear, dear sister! This is providential! It is
+a blessing I shall remember alway! Our minister told me that I should
+read at a glance the blessed change wrought upon you: I do read it, and
+I will rejoice therefore! I beg your pardon, ladies. Mr. Mowbray, pray
+sit down&mdash;I beg your pardon: I rejoice to see you, though as yet&mdash;&mdash;"</p>
+
+<p>Her eyes fixed themselves on the bonnet of Rosalind, which, besides
+being large, had the abomination of sundry bows, not to mention a bunch
+of laburnum blossoms.</p>
+
+<p>"Ah! my dear Miss Helen! The time will come&mdash;I will supplicate that it
+may&mdash;when you too, like your precious sister, shall become a sign and
+example to all men. How the seed grows, my sweet Miss Fanny!" she
+continued, turning to the only one of her guests whom, strictly
+speaking, she considered it right to converse with. "How it grows and
+spreads under the dew of faith and the sunshine of righteousness. It is
+just three months, three little blessed months, since the beam first
+fell upon my heart, Miss Fanny; and look at me, look at my child, look
+at my albums, look at my books, look at my card-racks, look at my
+missionary's box on one side, and my London Lord-days' society box on
+the other. Is not this a ripening and preparing for the harvest, Miss
+Fanny?"</p>
+
+<p>Fanny coloured, partly perhaps from pride and pleasure; but partly,
+certainly, from shyness at being so distinguished, and only murmured the
+word "Beautiful!" in reply.</p>
+
+<p>Miss Mowbray felt equally provoked and disgusted; but, while inwardly
+resolving that she would never again put herself in the way of
+witnessing what she so greatly condemned, she deemed it best to stay, if
+possible, the torrent of nonsense which was thus overwhelming her
+sister, by giving another turn to the conversation.</p>
+
+<p>"Have you seen Mrs. Richards lately, Mrs. Simpson?" she said.</p>
+
+<p>"Mrs. Richards and I very rarely meet now, Miss Mowbray," was the reply.
+"The three young ladies indeed, I am happy to say, have wholly separated
+themselves from their mother in spirit, and are all of them becoming
+shining lights. Oh, Miss Fanny! how sweetly pious are those lines
+written between you and little Mary!"</p>
+
+<p>Fanny suddenly became as red as scarlet.</p>
+
+<p>"The alternate verses, I mean, in praise and glory of our excellent
+minister. He brought them to me himself, and we read them together, and
+we almost shed tears of tender blessing on you both, dear children!"</p>
+
+<p>Charles, who thought, and with great satisfaction, that whatever stuff
+his poor little sister might have written, she was now very heartily
+ashamed of it, wishing to relieve her from the embarrassment, which
+nevertheless he rejoiced to see, rose from his chair, and approaching a
+window, said, "What a very pleasant room you have here, Mrs. Simpson; it
+is almost due east, is it not? If the room over it be your apartment, I
+should think the sun must pay you too early a visit there, unless your
+windows are well curtained."</p>
+
+<p>"Oh, Mr. Mowbray! Sunrise is such a time of praise and blessing, that,
+even though the curtains are drawn, I always try, if I am awake, to
+think how heavenly it is looking outside."</p>
+
+<p>"Are you an early riser, Mrs. Simpson?" said Helen.</p>
+
+<p>"Not very,&mdash;at least not always; but since my election I have been
+endeavouring to get down to prayers by about half-past eight. It is so
+delightful to think how many people are coming down stairs to prayers
+just at half-past eight!"</p>
+
+<p>"Your little girl is very much grown, Mrs. Simpson," said Miss
+Torrington, willing to try another opening by which to escape from under
+the heels of the lady's hobby; but it did not answer.</p>
+
+<p>"Hold up your head, Mimima dear!" said the mamma; "and tell these ladies
+what you have been learning lately. She is still rather shy; but it is
+going off, I hope. Precious child! she is grown such a prayerful thing,
+Miss Fanny, you can't imagine. Mimima, why did you not eat up all your
+currant-pudding yesterday? tell Miss Fanny Mowbray!"</p>
+
+<p>"Because it is wicked to love currant-pudding," answered the child,
+folding her little hands one over the other upon the bosom of her plain
+frock, no longer protruding in all directions its sumptuous
+chevaux-de-frise of lace and embroidery.</p>
+
+<p>"Darling angel! And why, my precious! is it wicked?"</p>
+
+<p>"Because it is a sin to care for our vile bodies, and because we ought
+to love nothing but the Lord."</p>
+
+<p>"Is not that a blessing?" said Mrs. Simpson, again turning to Fanny.
+"And how can I be grateful enough to the angelic man who has put me and
+my little one in the right way?"</p>
+
+<p>It was really generous in good Mrs. Simpson to give all the praise due
+for the instruction and religious awakening of her little girl to the
+vicar, for it was in truth entirely her own work; as it generally
+happened, that when Mr. Cartwright paid her a visit, fearing probably
+that the movements of a child might disturb his nerves, she dismissed
+her little Mimima to her nursery.</p>
+
+<p>One or two more attempts on the part of Helen to bring the conversation
+to a tone that she should consider as more befitting the neighbourly
+chit-chat of a morning visit, and, in plain English, less tinctured with
+blasphemy, having been made and failed, she rose and took her leave, the
+rest of her party following; but not without Fanny's receiving another
+embrace, and this fervent farewell uttered in her ear:</p>
+
+<p>"The saints and angels bless and keep you, dear sister!"</p>
+
+<p>After quitting the house of this regenerated lady, the party proposed to
+make a visit to that of Mrs. Richards; but Miss Cartwright expressed a
+wish to go to the Vicarage instead, and begged they would call at the
+door for her as they passed. Miss Torrington offered to accompany her,
+but this was declined, though not quite in her usual cynical manner upon
+such occasions; and, could Rosalind have followed her with her eye up
+the Vicarage hill, she would have seen that she stopped and turned to
+look down upon the common and its trees, just at the spot where they had
+stood together before.</p>
+
+<p>On entering Mrs. Richards's pretty flower-scented little saloon, they
+were startled and somewhat embarrassed at finding that lady in tears,
+and Major Dalrymple walking about the room with very evident symptoms of
+discomposure. Helen, who, like every body else in the neighbourhood, was
+perfectly aware of the major's unrequited attachment, or, at any rate,
+his unsuccessful suit, really thought that the present moment was
+probably intended by him to decide his fate for ever; and felt
+exceedingly distressed at having intruded, though doubtful whether to
+retreat now would not make matters worse. Those who followed her shared
+both her fears and her doubts; but not so the widow and the major; who
+both, after the interval of a moment, during which Mrs. Richards wiped
+her eyes, and Major Dalrymple recovered his composure, declared with
+very evident sincerity that they were heartily glad to see them.</p>
+
+<p>"We are in the midst of a dispute, Mowbray," said the major, addressing
+Charles; "and I will bet a thousand to one that you will be on my side,
+whatever the ladies may be. Shall I refer the question to Charles
+Mowbray, Mrs. Richards?"</p>
+
+<p>"Oh yes! I shall like to have it referred to the whole party!" she
+replied.</p>
+
+<p>"Well then, this it is:&mdash;I need not tell you, good people, that the
+present vicar of Wrexhill is&mdash;but <i>holt là</i>!" he exclaimed, suddenly
+stopping himself and fixing his eyes on Fanny; "I am terribly afraid by
+the trim cut of that little bonnet, that there's one amongst us that
+will be taking notes. Is it so, Miss Fanny? Are you as completely over
+head and ears in love with the vicar, as your friend little Mary? and,
+for that matter, Louisa, Charlotte, Mrs. Simpson, Miss Mimima Simpson,
+Dame Rogers the miller's wife, black-eyed Betsey the tailor's daughter,
+Molly Tomkins, Sally Finden, Jenny Curtis, Susan Smith, and about
+threescore and ten more of our parish, have all put on the armour of
+righteousness, being buckled, belted, and spurred by the vicar himself.
+Are you really and truly become one of his babes of grace, Fanny?"</p>
+
+<p>"If it is your intention to say any thing disrespectful of Mr.
+Cartwright," replied Fanny, "I had much rather not hear it. I will go
+and look at your roses, Mrs. Richards;" and, as Mrs. Richards did not
+wish her to remain, she quietly opened the glass-door which led into the
+garden, let her pass through it, and then closed it after her.</p>
+
+<p>"Pretty creature!" exclaimed Major Dalrymple; "what a pity!"</p>
+
+<p>"It will not last, major," said Charles. "He has scared her conscience,
+which is actually too pure and innocent to know the sound of its own
+voice; and then he seized upon her fanciful and poetic imagination, and
+set it in arms against her silly self, till she really seems to see the
+seven mortal sins, turn which way she will; and I am sure she would
+stand for seven years together on one leg, like an Hindoo, to avoid
+them. She is a dear good little soul, and she will get the better of all
+this trash, depend upon it."</p>
+
+<p>"I trust she will, Mowbray; but tell me, while the mischief is still at
+work, shall you not think it right to banish the causer of it from your
+house? For you must know this brings us exactly to the point at issue
+between Mrs. Richards and me. She is breaking her heart because her
+three girls&mdash;ay, little Mary and all&mdash;have been bit by this black
+tarantula; and because she (thank Heaven!) has escaped, her daughters
+have thought proper to raise the standard of rebellion, and to tell her
+very coolly, upon all occasions, that she is doomed to everlasting
+perdition, and that their only chance of escape is never more to give
+obedience or even attention to any word she can utter."</p>
+
+<p>The major stopped, overcome by his own vehemence; and Charles would have
+fancied that he saw tears in his eyes, if he had dared to look at him
+for another moment.</p>
+
+<p>Rosalind, who had more love and liking for Mrs. Richards than is usually
+the growth of six months' acquaintance, had placed herself close beside
+her, and taken her hand; but, when Major Dalrymple ceased speaking, she
+rose up, and with a degree of energy that probably surprised all her
+hearers, but most especially Charles and Helen, she said: "If, Major
+Dalrymple, you should be the first in this unfortunate parish of
+Wrexhill to raise your voice against this invader of the station,
+rights, and duties of a set of men in whose avocations he has neither
+part nor lot, you will deserve more honour than even the field of
+Waterloo could give you! Yes! turn him from your house, dear friend, as
+you would one who brought poison to you in the guise of wholesome food
+or healing medicine. Let him never enter your doors again; let him
+preach (if preach he must) in a church as empty as his own pretensions
+to holiness; and if proper authority should at length be awaked to chase
+him from a pulpit that belongs of right to a true and real member of the
+English church, then let him buy a sixpenny licence, if he can get it,
+to preach in a tub, the only fitting theatre for his doctrines."</p>
+
+<p>"Bravo!" cried the major in a perfect ecstasy; "do you hear her, Mrs.
+Richards? Charles Mowbray, do you hear her? and will either of you ever
+suffer Cartwright to enter your doors again?"</p>
+
+<p>"I believe in my heart that she is quite right," said Charles: "the
+idiot folly I have witnessed at Mrs. Simpson's this morning; and the
+much more grievous effects which his ministry, as he calls it, has
+produced here, have quite convinced me that such <i>ministry</i> is no
+jesting matter. But I have no doors, Dalrymple, to shut against him; all
+I can do is to endeavour to open my mother's eyes to the mischief he is
+doing."</p>
+
+<p>Helen sighed, and shook her head.</p>
+
+<p>"Is, then, your good mother too far gone in this maudlin delirium to
+listen to him?" said the major in an accent of deep concern.</p>
+
+<p>"Indeed, major, I fear so," replied Helen.</p>
+
+<p>"I told you so, Major Dalrymple," said Mrs. Richards; "I told you that
+in such a line of conduct as you advise I should be supported by no one
+of any consequence, and I really do not feel courage to stand alone in
+it."</p>
+
+<p>"And it is that very want of courage that I deplore more than all the
+rest," replied the major. "You, that have done and suffered so much,
+with all the quiet courage of a real heroine&mdash;that you should now sink
+before such an enemy as this, is what I really cannot see with
+patience."</p>
+
+<p>"And whence comes this new-born cowardice, my dear Mrs. Richards?" said
+Rosalind.</p>
+
+<p>"I will tell you, Miss Torrington," replied the black-eyed widow, her
+voice trembling with emotion as she spoke,&mdash;"I will tell you: all the
+courage of which I have ever given proof has been inspired,
+strengthened, and set in action by my children,&mdash;by my love for them,
+and their love for me. This is over: I have lost their love, I have lost
+their confidence. They look upon me,&mdash;even my Mary, who once shared
+every feeling of my heart,&mdash;they all look upon me as one accursed,
+separated from them through all eternity, and doomed by a decree of my
+Maker, decided on thousands of years before I was born, to live for
+countless ages in torments unspeakable. They repeat all this, and hug
+the faith that teaches it. Is not this enough to sap the courage of the
+stoutest heart that ever woman boasted?"</p>
+
+<p>"It is dreadful!" cried Helen; "oh! most dreadful! Such then will be,
+and already are, the feelings of my mother respecting me,&mdash;respecting
+Charles. Yet, how she loved us! A few short months ago, how dearly she
+loved us both!"</p>
+
+<p>"Come, come, Miss Mowbray; I did not mean to pain you in this manner,"
+said the major. "Do not fancy things worse than they really are: depend
+upon it, your brother will take care to prevent this man's impious
+profanation of religion from doing such mischief at Mowbray as it has
+done here. Had there been any master of the House at Meadow Cottage,
+this gentleman, so miscalled <i>reverend</i>, would never, never, never, have
+got a footing there."</p>
+
+<p>"Then I heartily wish there were," said Charles, "if only for the sake
+of setting a good example to the parish in general; but, for the Park in
+particular, it is as masterless as the cottage."</p>
+
+<p>"I believe," said Mrs. Richards, "that amongst you I shall gain courage
+to be mistress here; and this, if effectually done, may answer as well.
+You really advise me, then, all of you, to forbid the clergyman of the
+parish from entering my doors?"</p>
+
+<p>"Yes," replied the major firmly; and he was echoed zealously by the rest
+of the party.</p>
+
+<p>"So be it then," said Mrs. Richards. "But I would my enemy, for such
+indeed he is, held any other station among us. I could shut my doors
+against all the lords and ladies in the country with less pain than
+against the clergyman."</p>
+
+<p>"I can fully enter into that feeling," said Helen: "but surely, in
+proportion as the station is venerable, the abuse of it is unpardonable.
+Let this strengthen your resolution; and your children will recover
+their wits again, depend upon it. I would the same remedy could be
+applied with us! but you are so much respected, my dear Mrs. Richards,
+that I am not without hope from your example. Adieu! We shall be anxious
+to hear how you go on; and you must not fail to let us see you soon."</p>
+
+<p>The Mowbray party, having recalled the self-banished Fanny, then took
+leave, not without the satisfaction of believing that their visit had
+been well-timed and useful.</p>
+
+
+
+<hr style="width: 65%;" />
+<h2><a name="CHAPTER_IXB" id="CHAPTER_IXB"></a>CHAPTER IX.</h2>
+
+<h3>DISCUSSION ON TRUTH.&mdash;MR. CORBOLD INSTALLED.</h3>
+
+
+<p>Having called at the Vicarage for Miss Cartwright, they proceeded
+homeward along the pleasant paths they had so often trod with
+light-hearted gaiety; but now there was a look of care and anxious
+thoughtfulness on each young brow, that seemed to say their happiness
+was blighted by the fear of sorrow to come.</p>
+
+<p>Though not at all able to understand Henrietta, and not above half
+liking her, there was yet more feeling of intimacy between Miss
+Torrington and her than had been attained by any other of the family.
+It was she, therefore, who, after preceding the others by a few rapid
+steps up the hill, rang the bell of the Vicarage, and waited in the
+porch for Miss Cartwright.</p>
+
+<p>During these few moments the trio had passed on, and Miss Torrington,
+finding herself tête-à-tête with the vicar's daughter, ventured to
+relate to her pretty nearly all that occurred at the house of Mrs.
+Richards; by no means omitting the resolution that lady had come to
+respecting Mr. Cartwright.</p>
+
+<p>"I am very sorry for it," said Henrietta.</p>
+
+<p>"You regret the loss of their society? Then for your sake, Henrietta, I
+am sorry too."</p>
+
+<p>"For my sake? <i>I</i> regret the loss of their society! Are you not mocking
+me?"</p>
+
+<p>"You know I am not," replied Rosalind in a tone of vexation; "why should
+you not regret the loss of Mrs. Richards' society?"</p>
+
+<p>"Only because there is no society in the world that I could either wish
+for,&mdash;or regret."</p>
+
+<p>"It is hardly fair in you, Miss Cartwright," said Rosalind, "to excite
+my interest so often as you do, and yet to leave it for ever pining, for
+want of a more full and generous confidence."</p>
+
+<p>"I have no such feeling as generosity in me; and as to exciting your
+interest, I do assure you it is quite involuntarily; and, indeed, I
+should think that no human being could be less likely to trouble their
+fellow creatures in that way than myself."</p>
+
+<p>"But is there not at least a little wilfulness, Henrietta, in the manner
+in which from time to time you throw out a bait to my curiosity?"</p>
+
+<p>"It is weakness, not wilfulness, Rosalind. I am ashamed to confess, even
+to myself, that there are moments when I fancy I should like to love
+you; and then I would give more than my worthless life, if I had it,
+that you should love me. When this contemptible folly seizes me, I may,
+perhaps, as you say, throw out a bait to catch your curiosity, and then
+it is I utter the words of which you complain. But you must allow that
+this childishness never holds me long, and that the moment it is past I
+become as reasonable and as wretched again as ever."</p>
+
+<p>"Will you tell me whether this feeling of profound contempt for
+yourself, whenever you are conscious of a kindly sentiment towards me,
+arises from your conviction of my individual despicability, or from
+believing that all human affections are degrading?"</p>
+
+<p>"Not exactly from either. As for you, Rosalind,&mdash;is it not the weak and
+wavering Hamlet who says, in one of those flashes of fine philosophy
+that burst athwart the gloom of his poor troubled spirit,</p>
+
+<div class="poem"><div class="stanza">
+<span class="i0">'Give me that man that is not passion's slave?'<br /></span>
+</div></div>
+
+<p>My wits are often as much diseased as his, I believe; but I too have my
+intervals; and, when the moon is not at the full, I sometimes sketch the
+portrait of a being that one might venture to love. I, however, have no
+quarrel against passion,&mdash;it is not from thence my sorrows have
+come;&mdash;but I would say,</p>
+
+<div class="poem"><div class="stanza">
+<span class="i8">'Give me that friend<br /></span>
+<span class="i0">That is not <i>falsehood's</i> slave, and I will wear him<br /></span>
+<span class="i4">(or her, Rosalind,)<br /></span>
+<span class="i0">In my heart's core,&mdash;ay, in my heart of heart.'<br /></span>
+</div></div>
+
+<p>And if after all my hard schooling I could be simple enough to believe
+that any thing in human form could be true, I should be more likely to
+commit the folly about you than about any one I ever saw in my life."</p>
+
+<p>"But still you believe me false?"</p>
+
+<p>"I do."</p>
+
+<p>"And why, Henrietta?"</p>
+
+<p>"Because you are a woman;&mdash;no, no, because you are a human being."</p>
+
+<p>"And you really, without meaning to season your speech with pungent
+crystals of satire&mdash;you really do not believe that truth can be found in
+any human being?"</p>
+
+<p>"I really do not."</p>
+
+<p>"Heaven help you, then! I would rather pass my life in a roofless cabin,
+and feed on potato-parings, than live in such a persuasion."</p>
+
+<p>"And so would I, Rosalind."</p>
+
+<p>"Then why do you nourish such hateful theories? I shall begin to think
+your jesting words too true, Henrietta; and believe, indeed, that your
+wits are not quite healthy."</p>
+
+<p>"Would I could believe it! I would submit to a strait-waistcoat and a
+shaven crown to-morrow if I could but persuade myself that I was mad,
+and that all that I have fancied going on around me were but so many
+vapours from a moon-sick brain."</p>
+
+<p>"And so they have been, if you construe every word you hear, and every
+act you see, into falsehood and delusion."</p>
+
+<p>"Rosalind! Rosalind!&mdash;how can I do otherwise? Come, come, enough of
+this: do not force me against my will, against my resolution, to tell
+you what has brought me to the wretched, hopeless state of apathy in
+which you found me. Were I to do this, you would only have to follow the
+weakness of your nature, and believe, in order to become as moody and as
+miserable as myself."</p>
+
+<p>"But you do not mean to tell me that I should be proving my weakness in
+believing <i>you</i>?"</p>
+
+<p>"Indeed I do. You surely cannot be altogether so credulous as to suppose
+that all you see in me is true, sincere, candid, open, honest?"</p>
+
+<p>"Are you honest now in telling me that you are false?"</p>
+
+<p>"Why, partly yes, and partly no, Rosalind; and it is just such a
+question as that which sets one upon discovering how contrary to our
+very essence it is, to be purely and altogether true. But were I one of
+those who fancy that pincushions are often made by the merciful decrees
+of an all-wise Providence, I should say that we were ordained to be
+false, in order to prevent our being straightforward, undisguised
+demons. Why, I,&mdash;look you,&mdash;who sit netting a purse that I hope will
+never be finished, as diligently as if my life would be saved by
+completing the last stitch by a given time, and as quietly as if I had
+no nails upon my fingers, and no pointed scissors in my
+netting-case,&mdash;even I, all harmless as I seem, would be likely, were it
+not for my consummate hypocrisy, to be stabbing and scratching half a
+dozen times a day."</p>
+
+<p>"And, were you freed from this restraint, would your maiming
+propensities betray themselves promiscuously, or be confined to one or
+more particular objects?"</p>
+
+<p>"Not quite promiscuously, I think. But, hypocrisy apart for a moment, do
+you not perceive that Mr. Charles Mowbray has been looking round at
+us,&mdash;at both of us, observe,&mdash;about once in every second minute? Do you
+know that I think he would like us,&mdash;both of us, observe,&mdash;to walk on
+and join the party."</p>
+
+<p>"Well, then, let us do so," said Rosalind.</p>
+
+<hr style="width: 45%;" />
+
+<p>As they drew near the house, they perceived Mr. Stephen Corbold
+wandering round it, his hands behind his back and under his coat, and
+his eyes now raised to the stately portico, now lowered to the long
+range of windows belonging to the conservatory; at one moment sent
+afield over the spacious park, and in the next brought back again to
+contemplate anew the noble mansion to which it belonged. During one of
+the wanderings of those speculating orbs, he spied the advancing party;
+and immediately settling himself in his attire, and assuming the more
+graceful attitude obtained by thrusting a hand in each side-pocket of
+his nether garments, he resolutely walked forward to meet them.</p>
+
+<p>Fanny, his friends and kinsfolk being ever in her memory, made an effort
+which seemed to combat instinct, and put out her little hand to welcome
+him; but before he was fully aware of the honour, for indeed his eyes
+were fixed upon her elder sister, she coloured, and withdrew it again,
+satisfying her hospitable feelings by pronouncing simply his name, but
+with a sort of indistinctness in the accent which seemed to signify that
+something more had either preceded or followed it.</p>
+
+<p>This word, the only one which greeted him, brought him instantly to her
+side, and even gave him the prodigious audacity to offer his arm, which,
+however, she did not accept; for at that moment the hook of her parasol
+became entangled in the fringe of her shawl, and it seemed to require
+vast patience and perseverance to extricate it. Still, notwithstanding
+this little disappointment, he kept close to her side, for Helen leaned
+upon the arm of her brother; and, though still persuaded that by the aid
+of his reverend cousin he should be able to obtain her, and pretty
+nearly every thing else he wished for, he had no particular inclination
+to renew the courtship he had begun on the journey in the presence of
+Charles.</p>
+
+<p>Fanny, therefore, and her attendant entered the house together; while
+the rest wheeled off in order to avail themselves of a postern entrance,
+by which the ladies might reach their rooms without any risk of again
+encountering Mr. Corbold, who by a sort of tacit consent seemed equally
+avoided by all.</p>
+
+<p>The survey which this person was taking of the premises when the walking
+party returned was neither the first, second, third, nor fourth which he
+had had the opportunity of making since their setting out; for, in
+obedience to Mr. Cartwright's hint, he had no sooner received from Mrs.
+Mowbray, under the instructions from that reverend person, the orders
+necessary for the new arrangements about to be made, than he
+retired,&mdash;the vicar remaining with the widow and the keys of her
+title-deeds, which perhaps he had reason for thinking would be as safe
+anywhere else as in his cousin Stephen's pocket.</p>
+
+<p>The tête-à-tête which followed the attorney's departure was long,
+interesting, and very confidential. On the part of the gentleman great
+skill was displayed by the manner in which the following subjects were
+made to mix and mingle together, till, like to a skilfully composed
+ragout, no flavour of any kind was left distinctly perceptible, but the
+effect of the whole was just what the artist intended it should be. The
+subjects leading to and composing this general effect, were: first, the
+deep interest raised in the breast of every good man by the sight of a
+gentle and heavenly-minded woman in want of assistance to carry her
+through the wearying and unspiritual cares incident to our passage
+through this world of sin; secondly, the exceeding out-pouring of mercy
+to be traced in such dispensations as led the unawakened to look for
+such aid and assistance from those who have been called and elected;
+thirdly, the blessed assurance of everlasting joy that never failed to
+visit those who left husband or child for the Lord's sake; fourthly, the
+unerring wisdom of Providence in the placing the tender consciences of
+the newly-chosen in the keeping of those who best know how to lead them
+aright; fifthly, the damnable and never-to-be-atoned-for wickedness of
+struggling against Heaven for the sake of any worldly feelings or
+affections whatever; and sixthly, the saving merit, surpassing all the
+works that our sinful nature could ever permit us to perform, which is
+found in such as cling to the spoken word, and who hold fast to the
+persecuted and oppressed who preach it. On these themes, blended and
+harmonised together so as completely to mystify the mind of the weak and
+nervous Mrs. Mowbray, and accompanied with just so much gentle
+demonstration of affectionate tenderness as might soften, without
+alarming her, did the Vicar of Wrexhill discourse for the three hours
+that they were left alone.</p>
+
+<p>It would lead my narrative into too great length were every step
+recorded by which all Mrs. Mowbray's other feelings were made to merge
+in the one overwhelming influence of Calvinistic terror on one side,
+and Calvinistic pride at presumed election on the other. The wily vicar
+contrived in the course of a few months so completely to rule the heart
+and head of this poor lady, that she looked upon her son Charles as a
+reprobate, who, unless speedily changed in spirit by severe discipline
+and the constant prayers of Mr. Cartwright, must inevitably pass from
+this mortal life to a state of endless torture in the life to come. For
+Helen she was bade to hope that the time of election, after much
+wrestling, would come; in Fanny she was told to glory and rejoice; and
+for Miss Torrington, quietly to wait the appointed time, till Heaven
+should make its voice heard, when it would be borne in upon his mind, or
+upon that of some one of the elect, whether she must be given over to
+eternal destruction, or saved with the remnant of the true flock which
+he and his brother shepherds were bringing together into one fold.</p>
+
+<p>But with all this, though eternally talking of mystical and heavenly
+love, which was ever blended with insidious demonstrations of holy,
+brotherly, and Christian tenderness, Mr. Cartwright had never yet spoken
+to the widow Mowbray of marriage.</p>
+
+<p>She had been six months a widow, and her deep mourning weeds were
+exchanged for a dress elegantly becoming, but still marking her as
+belonging to what Mr. Cartwright constantly called, in the midst of all
+his prosperous intrigues, the "persecuted church." Mr. Stephen Corbold
+was comfortably settled in a snug little mansion in the village, and
+though he had never yet got hold of the title-deeds, he had begun to
+receive the rents of the Mowbray estates. He too was waiting the
+appointed time,&mdash;namely, the installing of his cousin at the Park,&mdash;for
+the fruition of all his hopes in the possession of Helen, and in such a
+fortune with her as his report of her progress towards regeneration
+might entitle her to. Mrs. Richards had been refused bread by a
+converted baker; beer, by an elected brewer; and soap and candles, by
+that pious, pains-taking, prayerful servant of the Lord, Richard White,
+the tallow-chandler. Her daughters, however, still held fast to the
+faith, though their poor mother grew thinner and paler every day, and
+continued to meet the vicar sometimes in the highways, sometimes in the
+byways, and sometimes in the exemplary Mrs. Simpson's drawing-room.
+Colonel Harrington had returned to his regiment without ever again
+seeing Helen, who had been forbidden with such awful denunciations in
+case of disobedience from ever holding any intercourse direct or
+indirect with the family at Oakley, that though she pined in thought,
+she obeyed, and was daily denounced by Sir Gilbert and his lady, though
+happily she knew it not, as the most ungrateful and heartless of girls.
+Fanny was growing tall, thin, sour-looking, and miserable; for having a
+sort of stubborn feeling within her which resisted the assurances she
+almost hourly received of having been elected to eternal grace, she was
+secretly torturing her distempered conscience with the belief that she
+was deluding every one but her Creator,&mdash;that he alone read her heart
+and knew her to be reprobate, hardened, and unregenerate, and that she
+must finally and inevitably come to be the prey of the worm that dieth
+not and the fire that is never quenched. The sufferings of this innocent
+young creature under this terrible persuasion were dreadful, and the
+more so because she communicated them to none. Had she displayed the
+secret terrors of her soul to Mr. Cartwright or her mother, she knew she
+should be told with praises and caresses that she was only the more
+blessed and sure of immortal glory for feeling them. Had she opened her
+heart to her sister, her brother, or Rosalind, her sufferings would
+probably have soon ceased; but from this she shrank as from degradation
+unbearable.</p>
+
+<p>Poor Rosalind, meanwhile, was as profoundly unhappy as it was well
+possible for a girl to be who was young, beautiful, rich, talented,
+well-born, sweet-tempered, high-principled, not crossed in love, and
+moreover in perfect health.</p>
+
+<p>Young Mowbray had just taken a distinguished degree at Oxford, and
+having given a farewell banquet to his college friends, returned home
+with the hope of speedily obtaining the commission in a regiment of
+horse for which his name had been long ago put down by his father.</p>
+
+<p>It was at this time that several circumstances occurred at Wrexhill
+sufficiently important to the principal personages of my narrative to be
+recorded at some length.</p>
+
+
+
+<hr style="width: 65%;" />
+<h2><a name="CHAPTER_XB" id="CHAPTER_XB"></a>CHAPTER X.</h2>
+
+<h3>FANNY'S RELIGION.&mdash;A VISIT TO OAKLEY.</h3>
+
+
+<p>It was towards the end of November that young Mowbray returned from
+Oxford to his mother's house in Hampshire. As usual, the first three or
+four hours' chat with Helen and Rosalind put him <i>au fait</i> of all that
+had taken place during his absence. The retrospect was not a cheering
+one; yet most of the circumstances which tended to annoy him were of
+that minor kind which none but a very gossiping correspondent would
+detail&mdash;and Helen was not such. Besides, since the mysterious letter
+which had recalled Charles to keep watch over Fanny, (the full and true
+purpose of which letter he had never yet discovered,) Miss Torrington
+had not written to him; and as she was now the chief historian, her
+round and unvarnished tale made him acquainted with many particulars to
+which Helen had scarcely alluded in her correspondence with him.</p>
+
+<p>Helen Mowbray's was not a spirit to exhaust itself and its sorrows by
+breathing unavailing complaints; and though her brother had pretty
+clearly understood from her letters that she was not happy or
+comfortable at home, it was from Rosalind he first learned how many
+circumstances were daily occurring to make her otherwise.</p>
+
+<p>The only point on which he blamed her, or in which, according to
+Rosalind's account, she had shown more yielding, and, as he called it,
+weakness than her helpless and most unhappy position rendered
+unavoidable, was in the never having attempted to see Lady Harrington.
+This he declared was in itself wrong, and rendered doubly so by her
+situation, which would have rendered the society and counsel of such a
+friend invaluable. But he did not know&mdash;even Rosalind did not know&mdash;that
+this forbearance for which he blamed her was the result of those
+qualities for which they most loved her. But Helen knew, though they did
+not, that if she had gone to Oakley, she should have thought more of
+hearing news of Colonel Harrington than of any advice her godmother
+could have given her, and have been infinitely more anxious to learn if
+he ever mentioned her in his letters, than to know whether Lady
+Harrington thought it best that she should be civil, or that she should
+be rude, in her demeanour towards the Vicar of Wrexhill.</p>
+
+<p>It was this conscious weakness which lent strength to the unreasonable
+violence of her mother on this point. Had Helen been quite fancy-free
+and altogether heart-whole, she would have had courage to discover that
+a passionate prohibition, originating, as she could not doubt it did,
+with a man for whom she entertained no species of esteem, ought not to
+make her abandon one of the kindest friends she had ever known. But
+there is a feeling stronger than reason in a young girl's breast; and
+again and again this feeling had whispered to Helen,</p>
+
+<div class="poem"><div class="stanza">
+<span class="i0">"'It is not maidenly&mdash;'<br /></span>
+</div></div>
+
+<p>to go to the house of a man that I fear I love, and that I hope loves
+me, for the chance of hearing his name mentioned&mdash;and that too when my
+mother forbids me to enter his father's doors."</p>
+
+<p>But there was an authority in Charles's voice when he said, "You have
+been wrong, Helen," which seemed to have power even over this, and she
+promised that if after he paid the visit to Oakley, which he was fully
+determined to do on the morrow, he should report that her friends there
+were not too angry to receive her, she would consent to volunteer a
+visit to them, assigning as her reason for doing so, to her mother, that
+it was Charles's wish.</p>
+
+<p>This conversation took place on the night of his arrival, and lasted for
+some hours after every individual of the household, excepting those
+engaged in it, were in bed. Poor Fanny was among those who had the
+earliest retired, but she was not among the sleepers. She too had once
+loved Charles most dearly, and most dearly had she been loved in return.
+But now she felt that they were separated for ever in this world, and
+that if they were doomed to meet in the world to come, it could only be
+amidst torturing and devouring flames. As she knelt for long hours
+beside her bed before she dared to lay her aching head on the pillow,
+her thoughts reverted to her early youth, and to all the innocent
+delights she had enjoyed with him and the now avoided Helen; and as she
+remembered the ecstasy with which she once enjoyed the bloom of flowers,
+the songs of birds, the breath of early morning, and all the poetry of
+Nature, tears of silent, unacknowledged, but most bitter regret,
+streamed from her eyes. But then again came the ague fit of visionary
+remorse and genuine Calvinistic terror, and she groaned aloud in agony
+of spirit for having suffered these natural tears to fall.</p>
+
+<p>This dreadful vigil left such traces on the pale cheek and heavy eye of
+the suffering girl, that her brother's heart ached as he looked at her;
+and though with little hope, after what he had heard, of doing any good,
+he determined to seek half an hour's conversation with her before he
+went out.</p>
+
+<p>When she rose to leave the breakfast-table therefore, Charles rose too,
+and following her out of the room, stopped her as she was in the act of
+ascending the stairs by putting his arms round her waist and saying,
+"Fanny, will you take a walk with me in the shrubbery?"</p>
+
+<p>Fanny started, and coloured, and hesitated, as if some deed of very
+doubtful tendency had been proposed to her. But he persevered "Come,
+dear! put your bonnet on&mdash;I will wait for you here&mdash;make haste Fanny!
+Think how long it is since you and I took a walk together!"</p>
+
+<p>"Is Helen going?" The question was asked in a voice that trembled; for
+the idea that Charles meant during this walk to question her concerning
+her faith occurred to her, and she would have given much to avoid it.
+But before she could invent an excuse for doing so, her conscience,
+always ready to enforce the doing whatever was most disagreeable to her,
+suggested that this shrinking looked like being ashamed of her
+principles; and no sooner had this idea suggested itself, than she said
+readily, "Very well, Charles; I will come to you in a moment."</p>
+
+<p>But the moment was rather a long one; for Fanny, before she rejoined
+him, knelt down and made an extempore prayer for courage and strength to
+resist and render of no effect whatever he might say to her. Thus
+prepared, she set forth ready to listen with the most determined
+obstinacy to any argument which might tend to overthrow any part of the
+creed that was poisoning the very sources of her life.</p>
+
+<p>"You are not looking well, my Fanny," said her brother, fondly pressing
+her arm as they turned into the most sheltered part of the garden. "Do
+you think the morning too cold for walking, my love? You used to be such
+a hardy little thing, Fanny, that you cared for nothing; but I am afraid
+the case is different now."</p>
+
+<p>This was not exactly the opening that Fanny expected, and there was a
+tenderness in the tone of his voice that almost softened her heart
+towards him; but she answered not a word,&mdash;perhaps she feared to trust
+her voice.</p>
+
+<p>"I wish you would tell me, dearest, if any sorrow or vexation has chased
+away the bloom and the gladness that we all so loved to look upon. Tell
+me, Fanny, what is it that has changed you so sadly? You will not?&mdash;Then
+you do not love me as I love you; for I am sure if I had a sorrow I
+should open my heart to you."</p>
+
+<p>"When a Christian has a sorrow, brother Charles, he should open his
+heart to Heaven and not to a poor sinful mortal as wicked and as weak as
+himself."</p>
+
+<p>"But surely, my dear Fanny, that need not prevent a brother and sister
+from conversing with the greatest confidence together. How many texts I
+could quote you in which family unity and affection are inculcated in
+the Bible!"</p>
+
+<p>"Pray do not quote the Bible," said Fanny in a voice of alarm, "till the
+right spirit has come upon you. It is a grievous sin to do it, or to
+hear it."</p>
+
+<p>"Be assured, Fanny, that I feel quite as averse to quoting the Bible
+irreverently as you can do. But tell me why it is you think that the
+right spirit, as you call it, has not come upon me."</p>
+
+<p>"As I call it!" repeated Fanny, shuddering, "It is not I, Charles,&mdash;it
+is one of Heaven's saints who says it; and it is a sin for me to listen
+to you."</p>
+
+<p>"It is doubtless Mr. Cartwright who says it, Fanny. Is it not so?"</p>
+
+<p>"And who has so good a right to say it as the minister of your parish,
+and the friend and protector that Heaven has sent to your widowed
+mother?"</p>
+
+<p>Poor Mowbray felt his heart swell. It was difficult to hear the man who
+had come between him and all his best duties and affections named in
+this manner as his own maligner, and restrain his just and natural
+indignation;&mdash;yet he did restrain it, and said in a voice of the utmost
+gentleness,</p>
+
+<p>"Do you think, my beloved Fanny, Mr. Cartwright's influence in this
+house has been for our happiness?"</p>
+
+<p>"May the Lord forgive me for listening to such words!" exclaimed Fanny,
+with that look of nervous terror which her beautiful face now so often
+expressed. "But he can't! he can't!&mdash;I know it, I know it! It is my doom
+to sin, and you are only an agent of that enemy who is for ever seeking
+my soul to destroy it.&mdash;Leave me! leave me!"</p>
+
+<p>"Fanny, this is dreadful! Can you really believe that the God of love
+and mercy will hold you guilty for listening to the voice of your
+brother? What have I ever done, my Fanny, to deserve to be thus driven
+from your presence?"</p>
+
+<p>The unhappy girl look bewildered. "Done!" she exclaimed. "What have you
+done?&mdash;Is not that works?&mdash;is not that of works you speak, Charles?&mdash;Oh!
+he knew, he foretold, he prophesied unto me that I should be spoken to
+of works, and that I should listen thereunto, to my everlasting
+destruction, if I confessed not my soul to him upon the instant. I must
+seek him out: he said IF,&mdash;oh, that dear blessed IF! Let go my arm,
+brother Charles!&mdash;let me seek my salvation!"</p>
+
+<p>"Fanny, this is madness!"</p>
+
+<p>She looked at him, poor girl, as he said this, with an expression that
+brought tears to his eyes. That look seemed to speak a dreadful doubt
+whether the words he had spoken were not true. She pressed her hand
+against her forehead for a moment, and then said in a voice of the most
+touching sadness, "Heaven help me!"</p>
+
+<p>"Oh, Fanny!&mdash;darling Fanny!" cried the terrified brother, throwing his
+arms round her: "save us from the anguish of seeing you destroyed body
+and mind by this frightful, this impious doctrine! Listen to me, my own
+sweet girl! Think that from me you hear the voice of your father&mdash;of the
+good and pious Wallace&mdash;of your excellent and exemplary governess, and
+drive this maddening terror from you. Did you live without God in the
+world, Fanny, when you lived under their virtuous rule? How often have
+you heard your dear father say, when he came forth and looked upon the
+beauty of the groves and lawns, bright in the morning sunshine, 'Praise
+the Lord, my children, for his goodness, for his mercy endureth for
+ever!' Did not these words raise your young heart to heaven more than
+all the frightful denunciations which have almost shaken your reason?"</p>
+
+<p>"Works! works!&mdash;Oh, Charles, let me go from you! Your voice is like the
+voice of a serpent: It creeps dreadfully near my heart, and I shall
+perish, everlastingly perish, if I listen to you. IF:&mdash;is there yet an
+IF for me now? Let me go, Charles: let me seek him;&mdash;if you love me, let
+me seek my salvation."</p>
+
+<p>"Do you mean that you would seek Mr. Cartwright, Fanny? You do not mean
+to go to his house, do you?"</p>
+
+<p>"His house? How little you know him, Charles! Think you that he would
+leave me and my poor mother to perish! Poor, poor Charles, you do not
+even know that this shepherd and guardian of our souls prays with us
+daily?"</p>
+
+<p>"Prays with you? Where does he pray with you?"</p>
+
+<p>"In mamma's dressing-room."</p>
+
+<p>"And who are present at these prayers?"</p>
+
+<p>"Mamma, and I, and Curtis, and Jem."</p>
+
+<p>"Jem? Who is Jem, Fanny?"</p>
+
+<p>"The new stable-boy that our minister recommended, Charles, when that
+poor deluded Dick Bragg was found walking in the fields with his sister
+Patty on the Sabbath."</p>
+
+<p>"You don't mean that Dick Bragg is turned away? He was, without
+exception, the steadiest lad in the parish."</p>
+
+<p>"Works! works!" exclaimed Fanny, wringing her hands. "Oh, Charles! how
+your poor soul clings to the perdition of works!"</p>
+
+<p>"Gracious Heaven!" exclaimed Mowbray with great emotion, "where will all
+this end? What an existence for Helen, for Rosalind? Is there no cure
+for this folly,&mdash;this madness on one side, and this infernal craft and
+hypocrisy on the other?"</p>
+
+<p>On hearing these words, Fanny uttered a cry which very nearly amounted
+to a scream, and running off towards the house with the fleetness of a
+startled fawn, left her brother in a state of irritation and misery such
+as he had never suffered before.</p>
+
+<p>The idea of seeing Sir Gilbert Harrington immediately had perhaps more
+comfort and consolation in it than any other which could have suggested
+itself, and the lanes and the fields which divided Oakley from Mowbray
+were traversed at a pace that soon brought the agitated young man to the
+baronet's door.</p>
+
+<p>"Is Sir Gilbert at home, John?" he demanded of an old servant who had
+known him from childhood; but instead of the widely-opened door, and
+ready smile which used to greet him, he received a grave and hesitating
+"I don't know sir," from the changed domestic.</p>
+
+<p>"Is Lady Harrington at home?" said Charles, vexed and colouring.</p>
+
+<p>"It is likely she may be, Mr. Mowbray," said the old man relentingly.
+"Will you please to wait one moment, Master Charles? I think my lady
+can't refuse&mdash;"</p>
+
+<p>Charles's heart was full; but he did wait, and John speedily returned,
+saying almost in a whisper, "Please to walk in, sir; but you must go
+into my lady's closet,&mdash;that's the only safe place, she says."</p>
+
+<p>"Safe?" repeated Charles; but he made no objection to the taking refuge
+in my lady's closet, and in another moment he found himself not only in
+the closet, but in the arms of the good old lady.</p>
+
+<p>"Oh!&mdash;if Sir Gilbert could see me!" she exclaimed after very heartily
+hugging the young man. "He's a greater tiger than ever, Charles, and I
+really don't know which of us would be torn to pieces first;&mdash;but only
+tell me one thing before I abuse him any more:&mdash;how long have you been
+at home?"</p>
+
+<p>"The coach broke down at Newberry," replied Charles, "and I did not get
+to Mowbray till nine o'clock last night."</p>
+
+<p>"Thank Heaven!" ejaculated Lady Harrington very fervently. "Then there's
+hope at least for you.&mdash;But what on earth can you say to me of my
+beautiful Helen? Three months, Charles, three whole months since she has
+been near me&mdash;and she knows I dote upon her, and that Sir Gilbert
+himself, untameable hyena as he is, has always been loving and gentle to
+her, as far as his nature would permit. Then why has she treated us
+thus? You can't wonder, can you, that he swears lustily every morning
+that ingratitude is worse than all the mortal sins put together?"</p>
+
+<p>"I dare not throw the charge back upon you, my dear lady; and yet it is
+being ungrateful for poor Helen's true affection to believe it possible
+that she should so long have remained absent from you by her own free
+will. You know not, dearest Lady Harrington, what my poor Helen has to
+endure."</p>
+
+<p>"Endure? What do you mean, Charles? Surely there is nobody living who
+dares to be unkind to her? My poor boy,&mdash;I am almost ashamed to ask the
+question, but you will forgive an old friend: is there any truth,
+Charles, in that abominable report? that horrid report, you know, about
+your mother?"</p>
+
+<p>"What report, Lady Harrington?" said Mowbray, colouring like scarlet. "I
+have heard no report, excepting that which is indeed too sure and
+certain to be called a report;&mdash;namely, that she has become a violent
+Calvinistic Methodist."</p>
+
+<p>"That's bad enough, my dear Charles,&mdash;bad enough of all conscience; and
+yet I have heard of what would be worse still: I have heard, Charles,
+that she is going to be weak and wicked enough to marry that odious
+hypocritical Tartuffe, the Vicar of Wrexhill."</p>
+
+<p>Mowbray put his hand before his eyes, as if he had been blasted by
+lightning, and then replied, as steadily as he could, "I have never
+heard this, Lady Harrington."</p>
+
+<p>"Then I trust&mdash;I trust it is not true, Charles. Helen, surely, and that
+bright-eyed creature Miss Torrington, who have both, I believe, (for,
+Heaven help me, I don't know!)&mdash;both, I believe, been staying all the
+time at Mowbray;&mdash;and surely&mdash;and surely, if this most atrocious deed
+were contemplated, they must have some knowledge of it."</p>
+
+<p>"And that they certainly have not," returned Charles with recovered
+courage; "for I sat with them both for two or three hours last night,
+listening to their miserable account of this man's detestable influence
+over my mother and Fanny; and certainly they would not have concealed
+from me such a suspicion as this, had any such existed in the breast of
+either."</p>
+
+<p>"Quite true, my dear boy, and I can hardly tell you how welcome this
+assurance is to me&mdash;not for your mother's sake, Charles; if you cannot
+bear the truth, you must not come to me,&mdash;and on this point the truth
+is, that I don't care one single straw about your mother. I never shall
+forgive her for not answering Sir Gilbert's note. I know what the
+writing it cost him&mdash;dear, proud, generous-hearted old fellow! And not
+to answer it! not to tell her children of it! No, I never shall forgive
+her, and I should not care the value of a rat's tail if she were to
+marry every tub preacher throughout England, and all their clerks in
+succession&mdash;that is, not for her own sake. I dare say she'll preach in a
+tub herself before she has done with it; but for your sakes, my dear
+souls, I do rejoice that it is not true."</p>
+
+<p>"That would indeed complete our misery; and it is already quite bad
+enough, I assure you. The house, Helen says, is a perfect conventicle.
+The girls are ordered to sing nothing but psalms and hymns; some of the
+latter so offensively ludicrous, too, as to be perfectly indecent and
+profane. A long extempore sermon, or lecture as he calls it, is
+delivered to the whole family in the great drawing-room every night;
+missionary boxes are not only hung up beside every door, but actually
+carried round by the butler whenever any one calls; and a hundred and
+fifty other absurdities, at which we should laugh were we in a gayer
+mood: but this farce has produced the saddest tragedy I ever witnessed,
+in the effect it has had upon our poor Fanny. I have had some
+conversation with her this morning, and I do assure you that I greatly
+fear her reason is unsettled, or like to be so."</p>
+
+<p>"Heaven forbid, Charles! Pretty innocent young thing! that would be too
+horrible to think of."</p>
+
+<p>The old lady's eyes were full of tears, a circumstance very unusual with
+her, but the idea suggested struck her to the heart; and she had not yet
+removed the traces of this most unwonted proof of sensibility, when a
+heavy thump was heard at the door of the closet.</p>
+
+<p>"Who's there?" said her ladyship in a voice rather raised than lowered
+by the emotion which dimmed her eyes.</p>
+
+<p>"Let me in, my lady!" responded the voice of Sir Gilbert.</p>
+
+<p>"What do you want, Sir Gilbert? I am busy."</p>
+
+<p>"So I understand, my lady, and I'm come to help you."</p>
+
+<p>"Will you promise, if I let you in, not to hinder me, instead?"</p>
+
+<p>"I'll promise nothing, except to quarrel with you if you do not."</p>
+
+<p>"Was there ever such a tyrant! Come in then; see, hear, and understand."</p>
+
+<p>The door was opened, and Sir Gilbert Harrington and Charles Mowbray
+stood face to face. Charles smiled, and held out his hand. The baronet
+knit his brows, but the expression of his mouth told her experienced
+ladyship plainly enough that he was well enough pleased at the sight of
+his unexpected guest.</p>
+
+<p>"He only got to Mowbray at nine o'clock last night," said Lady
+Harrington.</p>
+
+<p>Sir Gilbert held out his hand. "Charles, I am glad to see you," said he.
+"Thank Heaven!" ejaculated the old lady.</p>
+
+<p>"My dear Sir Gilbert," said Charles, "I have learnt your kind and
+friendly anger at the prolonged absence of my poor sister. The fault is
+not hers, Sir Gilbert; she has been most strictly forbidden to visit
+you."</p>
+
+<p>"By her mother?"</p>
+
+<p>"By her mother, Sir Gilbert."</p>
+
+<p>"And pray, Charles, do you think it her duty to obey?"</p>
+
+<p>"I really know not how to answer you. For a girl just nineteen to act in
+declared defiance of the commands of her mother, and that mother her
+sole surviving parent, is a line of conduct almost too bold to advise.
+And yet, such is the lamentable state of infatuation to which my
+mother's mind appears to be reduced by the pernicious influence of this
+Cartwright, that I think it would be more dangerous still to recommend
+obedience."</p>
+
+<p>"Upon my life I think so," replied Sir Gilbert, in an accent that showed
+he thought the proposition too self-evident to be discussed. "I have
+been devilish angry with the girls,&mdash;with Helen, I mean,&mdash;for I
+understand that little idiot, Fanny, is just as mad as her mother; but
+that Helen, and that fine girl, Rosalind Torrington, should shut
+themselves up with an hypocritical fanatic and a canting mad woman, is
+enough to put any man out of patience."</p>
+
+<p>"The situation has been almost enough to put Helen in her grave; she
+looks wretchedly; and Miss Torrington is no longer the same creature. It
+would wring your heart to see these poor girls, Sir Gilbert; and what
+are they to do?"</p>
+
+<p>"Come to us, Charles. Let them both come here instantly, and remain here
+till your mother's mad fit is over. If it lasts, I shall advise you to
+take out a commission of lunacy."</p>
+
+<p>"The madness is not such as a physician would recognise, Sir Gilbert;
+and yet I give you my honour that, from many things which my sister and
+Miss Torrington told me last night, I really do think my mother's reason
+must be in some degree deranged. And for my poor little Fanny, six
+months ago the pride and darling of us all, she is, I am quite
+persuaded, on the verge of insanity."</p>
+
+<p>"And you mean to leave her in the power of that distracted driveller,
+her mother, that the work may be finished?"</p>
+
+<p>"What can I do, Sir Gilbert?"</p>
+
+<p>"Remove them all. Take them instantly away from her, I tell you."</p>
+
+<p>The blood rushed painfully to poor Mowbray's face. "You forget, Sir
+Gilbert," he said, "that I have not the means: you forget my father's
+will."</p>
+
+<p>"No, sir; I do not forget it. Nor do I forget either that, had I not in
+a fit of contemptible passion refused to act as executor, I might, I
+think it possible,&mdash;I might have plagued her heart out, and so done some
+good. I shall never forgive myself!"</p>
+
+<p>"But you could have given us no power over the property, Sir Gilbert.
+We are beggars."</p>
+
+<p>"I know it, I know it!" replied the old gentleman, clenching his fists.
+"I told you so from the first: and now mark my words,&mdash;she'll marry her
+saint before she's six months older."</p>
+
+<p>"I trust that in this you are mistaken. The girls have certainly no
+suspicions of the sort."</p>
+
+<p>"The girls are fools, as girls always are. But let them come here, I
+tell you, and we may save their lives at any rate."</p>
+
+<p>"Tell them both from me, Charles, that they shall find a home, and a
+happy one, here; but don't let them chill that old man's heart again by
+taking no notice of this, and keeping out of his sight for another three
+months. He'll have the gout in his stomach as sure as they're born; just
+tell Helen that from me."</p>
+
+<p>Mowbray warmly expressed his gratitude for their kindness; and though he
+would not undertake to promise that either Helen or Miss Torrington
+would immediately decide upon leaving his mother's house, in open
+defiance of her commands, he promised that they should both come over on
+the morrow, to be cheered and supported by the assurance of their
+continued friendship. He was then preparing to take his leave when Lady
+Harrington laid her hand upon his arm, saying, "Listen to me, Charles,
+for a moment. Those dear girls, and you too, my dear boy, you are all
+surrounded with great difficulties, and some consideration is necessary
+as to how you shall meet them best. It won't do, Sir Gilbert; it will be
+neither right nor proper in any way for Helen to set off at once in
+utter and open defiance of Mrs. Mowbray. What I advise is, that Charles
+should go home, take his mother apart, and, like Hamlet in the closet
+scene, 'speak daggers, but use none.' It does not appear, from all we
+have yet heard, that any one has hitherto attempted to point out to her
+the deplorable folly, ay, and wickedness too, which she is committing. I
+do not believe she would admit Sir Gilbert; and, to say the truth, I
+don't think it would be very safe to trust him with the job."</p>
+
+<p>"D&mdash;n it! I wish you would," interrupted Sir Gilbert. "I should like to
+have the talking to her only just for an hour, and I'd consent to have
+the gout for a month afterwards; I would, upon my soul!"</p>
+
+<p>"Do be tame for a moment, you wild man of the woods," said her
+ladyship, laying her hand upon his mouth, "and let me finish what I was
+saying. No, no, Sir Gilbert is not the proper person; but you are,
+Charles. Speak to her with gentleness, with kindness, but tell her <i>the
+truth</i>. If you find her contrite and yielding, use your victory with
+moderation; and let her down easily from her giddy elevation of
+saintship to the sober, quiet, even path of rational religion, and
+domestic duty. But if she be restive&mdash;if she still persist in forbidding
+Helen to visit her father's oldest friends, while making her own once
+happy home a prison, and a wretched one,&mdash;then, Charles Mowbray, I would
+tell her roundly that she must choose between her children and her
+Tartuffe, and that if she keeps him she must lose you."</p>
+
+<p>"Bravo! capital! old lady; if Charles will just say all that, we shall
+be able to guess by the result as to how things are between them, and we
+must act accordingly. You have your allowance paid regularly, Charles? I
+think she doubled it, did'nt she, after your father died?"</p>
+
+<p>Charles looked embarrassed, but answered "Yes, Sir Gilbert, my allowance
+was doubled."</p>
+
+<p>"Come boy, don't answer like a Jesuit.&mdash;Is it regularly paid?&mdash;That was
+my question, my main question."</p>
+
+<p>"The first quarter was paid, Sir Gilbert; but before I left the
+University, instead of the remittance, I received a letter from my
+mother, desiring me to transmit a statement of all my debts to Stephen
+Corbold, Esq. solicitor, Wrexhill; and that they should be attended to;
+which would, she added, be more satisfactory to her than sending my
+allowance without knowing how I stood with my tradesmen."</p>
+
+<p>"And have you done this, my fine sir?" said Sir Gilbert, becoming almost
+purple with anger. "No, Sir Gilbert, I have not."</p>
+
+<p>The baronet threw his arms round him, and gave him a tremendous hug.</p>
+
+<p>"I see you are worth caring for, my boy; I should never have forgiven
+you if you had. Audacious rascal! Why, Charles, that Corbold has been
+poking his snuffling, hypocritical nose, into every house, not only in
+your parish but in mine, and in at least a dozen others, and has
+positively beat poor old Gaspar Brown out of the field. The old man
+called to take leave of me not a week ago, and told me that one after
+another very nearly every client he had in this part of the world had
+come or sent to him for their papers, in order to deposit them with this
+canting Corbold; and, as I hear, all the little farmers for miles round,
+are diligently going to law in the name of the Lord. But what did you
+do, my dear boy, for money?"</p>
+
+<p>"Oh! I have managed pretty well. It was a disappointment certainly, and
+at first I felt a little awkward, for the letter did not reach me till I
+had ordered my farewell supper; and as in truth I had no tradesmen's
+bills to pay, I gave my orders pretty liberally, and of course have been
+obliged to leave the account unpaid,&mdash;an arrangement which to many
+others would have had nothing awkward in it at all; but as my allowance
+has been always too liberal to permit my being in debt during any part
+of the time I have been at college, the not paying my last bill there
+was disagreeable. However the people were abundantly civil, and I
+flatter myself that, without the assistance of Mr. Corbold, I shall be
+able to settle this matter before long."</p>
+
+<p>"What is the sum you have left unpaid, Charles?" inquired the baronet
+bluntly. "Seventy-five pounds, Sir Gilbert."</p>
+
+<p>"Then just sit down for half a moment, and write a line enclosing the
+money; you may cut the notes in half if you think there is any danger."</p>
+
+<p>And as he spoke he laid bank-notes to the amount of seventy-five pounds
+on her ladyship's botanical dresser.</p>
+
+<p>Young Mowbray, who had not the slightest doubt of receiving his
+allowance from his mother as soon as he should ask her for it, would
+rather not have been under a pecuniary obligation even for a day; but he
+caught the eye of Lady Harrington, who was standing behind her impetuous
+husband, and received thence a perfectly intelligible hint that he must
+not refuse the offer. Most anxious to avoid renewing the coldness so
+recently removed, he readily and graciously accepted the offered loan,
+and thereby most perfectly re-established the harmony which had existed
+throughout his life between himself and the warm-hearted but impetuous
+Sir Gilbert.</p>
+
+<p>"Now, then," said the old gentleman with the most cordial and happy
+good-humour, "be off, my dear boy; follow my dame's advice to the
+letter, and come back as soon as you conveniently can, to let us know
+what comes of it."</p>
+
+<p>Cheered in spirit by this warm renewal of the friendship he so truly
+valued, young Mowbray set off on his homeward walk, pondering, as he
+went, on the best mode of opening such a conversation with his mother as
+Lady Harrington recommended; a task both difficult and disagreeable, but
+one which he believed it his duty not to shrink from.</p>
+
+
+
+<hr style="width: 65%;" />
+<h2><a name="CHAPTER_XIB" id="CHAPTER_XIB"></a>CHAPTER XI.</h2>
+
+<h3>CHARLES'S CONFERENCE WITH MRS. MOWBRAY.</h3>
+
+
+<p>Strolling in the shrubbery near the house, where for some time they had
+been anxiously awaiting his return, he met his eldest sister and Miss
+Torrington. Helen's first words were "Are they angry with me?" and the
+reply, and subsequent history of the visit, filled her heart with
+gladness. "And now, my privy counsellors," continued Charles, "tell me
+at what hour you should deem it most prudent for me to ask my mother for
+an audience."</p>
+
+<p>"Instantly!" said Rosalind.</p>
+
+<p>"Had he not better wait till to-morrow?" said Helen, turning very pale.</p>
+
+<p>"If my advisers disagree among themselves, I am lost," said Charles;
+"for I give you my word that I never in my whole life entered upon an
+undertaking which made me feel so anxious and undecided. Let me hear
+your reasons for thus differing in opinion? Why, Rosalind, do you
+recommend such prodigious promptitude?"</p>
+
+<p>"Because I hate suspense,&mdash;and because I know the scene will be
+disagreeable to you,&mdash;wherefore I opine that the sooner you get over it
+the better."</p>
+
+<p>"And you, Helen, why do you wish me to delay it till to-morrow?"</p>
+
+<p>"Because,&mdash;oh! Charles,&mdash;because I dread the result. You have no idea as
+yet how completely her temper is changed. She is very stern, Charles,
+when she is contradicted; and if you should make her angry, depend upon
+it that it would be Mr. Cartwright who would dictate your punishment."</p>
+
+<p>"My punishment! Nonsense, Helen! I shall make Miss Torrington both my
+Chancellor and Archbishop, for her advice has infinitely more wisdom in
+it than yours. Where is she? in her own dressing-room?"</p>
+
+<p>"I believe so," faltered Helen.</p>
+
+<p>"Well, then,&mdash;adieu for half an hour,&mdash;perhaps for a whole one. Where
+shall I find you when it is over?"</p>
+
+<p>"In my dressing-room," said Helen.</p>
+
+<p>"No, no," cried Rosalind; "I would not have to sit with you there for an
+hour, watching you quiver and quake every time a door opened, for my
+heiresship. Let us walk to the great lime-tree, and stay there till you
+come."</p>
+
+<p>"And so envelop yourselves in a November woodland fog, wherein to sit
+waiting till about four o'clock! The wisdom lies with Helen this time,
+Miss Torrington; I think you have both of you been pelted long enough
+with falling leaves for to-day, and therefore I strongly recommend that
+you come in and wait for my communication beside a blazing fire. Have
+you no new book, no lively novel or fancy-stirring romance, wherewith to
+beguile the time?"</p>
+
+<p>"Novels and romances! Oh! Mr. Mowbray,&mdash;what a desperate sinner you must
+be! The subscription at Hookham's has been out these three months; and
+the same dear box that used to be brought in amidst the eager rejoicings
+of the whole family, is now become the monthly vehicle of Evangelical
+Magazines, Christian Observers, Missionary Reports, and Religious
+Tracts, of all imaginable sorts and sizes. We have no other modern
+literature allowed us."</p>
+
+<p>"Poor girls!" said Charles, laughing; "what do you do for books?"</p>
+
+<p>"Why, the old library supplies us indifferently well, I must confess;
+and as Fanny has changed her morning quarters from thence to the
+print-room, which is now converted into a chapel of ease for the vicar,
+we contrive to abduct from thence such volumes as we wish for without
+difficulty. But we were once very near getting a book, which, I have
+been told, is of the most exquisite interest and pathos of any in the
+language, by a pleasant blunder of Mrs. Mowbray's. I chanced to be in
+the room with her one day when she read aloud an old advertisement which
+she happened to glance her eye upon, stitched up in a Review of some
+dozen years standing I believe, 'Some passages in the life of Mr. Adam
+Blair, Minister of the Gospel.' 'That's a book we ought to have,' said
+she very solemnly; 'Rosalind, give me that list for Hatchard's, I will
+add this.' I took up the advertisement as she laid it down and, not
+having it before her eyes, I suspect that she made some blunder about
+the title; for, when the box came down, I took care to be present at the
+opening of it, and to my great amusement, instead of the little volume
+that I was hoping to see, I beheld all Blair's works, with a scrap of
+paper from one of the shopmen, on which was written, 'Mrs. Mowbray is
+respectfully informed that the whole of Blair's works are herewith
+forwarded, but that J. P. is not aware of any other life of Adam than
+that written by Moses.' This was a terrible disappointment to me, I
+assure you."</p>
+
+<p>They had now reached the house; the two girls withdrew their arms, and,
+having watched Charles mount the stairs, they turned into the drawing
+room,&mdash;and from thence to the conservatory,&mdash;and then back again,&mdash;and
+then up stairs to lay aside their bonnets and cloaks,&mdash;and then down
+again; first one and then the other looking at their watches, till they
+began to suspect that they must both of them stand still, or something
+very like it, so creepingly did the time pass during which they waited
+for his return.</p>
+
+<p>On reaching the dressing-room door, Charles knocked, and it was opened
+to him by Fanny.</p>
+
+<p>The fair brow of his mother contracted at his approach; and he
+immediately suspected, what was indeed the fact, that Fanny had been
+relating to her the conversation which had passed between them in the
+morning.</p>
+
+<p>He rather rejoiced at this than the contrary, as he thought the
+conversation could not be better opened than by his expressing his
+opinions and feelings upon what had fallen from her during this
+interview. He did not however, wish that she should be present, and
+therefore said,</p>
+
+<p>"Will you let me, dear mother, say a few words to you tête-à-tête. Come,
+Fanny; run away, will you, for a little while?"</p>
+
+<p>Fanny instantly left the room, and Mrs. Mowbray, without answering his
+request, sat silently waiting for what he was about to say.</p>
+
+<p>"I want to speak, to you, mother, about our dear Fanny. I assure you I
+am very uneasy about her; I do not think she is in good health, either
+of body or mind."</p>
+
+<p>"Your ignorance of medicine is, I believe, total, Charles," she replied
+dryly, "and therefore your opinion concerning her bodily health does not
+greatly alarm me; and you must pardon me if I say that I conceive your
+ignorance respecting all things relating to a human soul, is more
+profound still."</p>
+
+<p>"I am sorry you should think so, dearest mother; but I assure you that
+neither physic nor divinity have been neglected in my education."</p>
+
+<p>"And by whom have you been taught? Blind guides have been your teachers,
+who have led you, I fear, to the very brink of destruction. When light
+is turned into darkness, how great is that darkness!"</p>
+
+<p>"My teachers have been those that my dear father appointed me, and I
+have never seen any cause to mistrust either their wisdom or their
+virtue, mother."</p>
+
+<p>"And know you not that your poor unhappy father was benighted, led
+astray, and lost by having himself listened to such teaching as he
+caused to be given to you? But you, Charles, if you did not harden your
+heart, even as the nether millstone, might even yet be saved among the
+remnant. Put yourself into the hands and under the training of the
+pious, blessed minister whom the Lord hath sent us. Open your sinful
+heart to Mr. Cartwright, Charles, and you may save your soul alive!"</p>
+
+<p>"Mother!" said Charles with solemn earnestness, "Mr. Cartwright's
+doctrines are dreadful and sinful in my eyes. My excellent and most
+beloved father was a Protestant Christian, born, educated, and abiding
+to his last hour in the faith and hope taught by the established church
+of his country. In that faith and hope, mother, I also have been reared
+by him and by you; and rather than change it for the impious and
+frightful doctrines of the sectarian minister you name, who most
+dishonestly has crept within the pale of an establishment whose dogmas
+and discipline he profanes,&mdash;rather, mother, than adopt this Mr.
+Cartwright's unholy belief, and obey his unauthorised and unscriptural
+decrees, I would kneel down and implore that my bones might be at once
+laid beside my father's."</p>
+
+<p>"Leave the room, Charles Mowbray!" exclaimed his mother almost in a
+scream; "let not the walls that shelter me be witness to such fearful
+blasphemy!"</p>
+
+<p>"I cannot, and I will not leave you, mother, till I have told you how
+very wretched you are making me and my poor sister Helen by thus
+forsaking that form of religion in which from our earliest childhood we
+have been accustomed to see you worship. Why,&mdash;why, dearest mother,
+should you bring this dreadful schism upon your family? Can you believe
+this to be your duty?"</p>
+
+<p>"By what right, human or divine, do you thus question me, lost, unhappy
+boy? But I will answer you; and I trust that I shall be forgiven for
+intercommuning with one who lives in open rebellion to the saints! Yes,
+sir; I do believe it is my duty to hold fast the conviction which Heaven
+in its goodness has sent me. I do believe it is my duty to testify by my
+voice, and by every act of my life during the remaining time for which
+the Lord shall spare me for the showing forth of his glory, that I
+consider the years that are past as an abomination in his sight; that my
+living in peace and happiness with your unawakened and unregenerate
+father was an abomination in the sight of the Lord; and that now, at the
+eleventh hour, my only hope of being received rests in my hating and
+abhorring, and forsaking and turning away from, all that is, and has
+been, nearest and dearest to my sinful heart!"</p>
+
+<p>Charles listened to this rant with earnest and painful attention, and,
+when she ceased, looked at her through tears that presently overflowed
+his eyes.</p>
+
+<p>"Have I then lost my only remaining parent?" said he. "And can you thus
+close your heart against me, and your poor Helen, my mother?"</p>
+
+<p>"By the blessing of providence I am strong," replied the deluded lady,
+struggling to overcome Heaven's best gift of pure affection in her
+heart. "By its blessing, and by the earnest prayers of its holiest
+saint, I am able, wretched boy, to look at thee, and say, Satan avaunt!
+But I am tried sorely," she continued, turning her eyes from the manly
+countenance of her son, now wet with tears. "Sorely, sorely, doomed and
+devoted boy, am I tried? But he, the Lord's vicar upon earth, the chosen
+shepherd, the anointed saint,&mdash;he, even he tells me to be of good cheer,
+for whom the Lord loveth he chasteneth."</p>
+
+<p>"Can you then believe, mother, that the merciful God of heaven and of
+earth approves your forsaking your children, solely because they worship
+him as they have been taught to do? Can you believe that he approves
+your turning your eyes and heart from them to devote yourself to a
+stranger to your blood, a preacher of strange doctrine, and one who
+loves them not?"</p>
+
+<p>"I have already told you, impious maligner of the holiest of men, that I
+know where my duty lies. I know, I tell you, that I not only know it,
+but will do it.&mdash;Torment me no more! Leave me, leave me, unhappy boy!
+leave me that I may pray for pardon for having listened to thee so
+long."</p>
+
+<p>She rose from her seat and approached him, as if to thrust him from the
+chamber; but he suffered her to advance without moving, and when she was
+close to him, he threw his arms round her, and held her for a moment in
+a close embrace. She struggled violently to disengage herself, and he
+relaxed his hold; but, dropping on his knees before her, at the same
+moment he exclaimed with passionate tenderness, "My dear, dear mother!
+have I then received your last embrace? Shall I never again feel your
+beloved lips upon my cheeks, my lips, my forehead? Mother! what can
+Helen and I do to win back your precious love?"</p>
+
+<p>"Surely I shall be rewarded for this!" said the infatuated woman almost
+wildly. "Surely I shall be visited with an exceeding great reward! and
+will he not visit thee too, unnatural son, for art not thou plotting
+against my soul to destroy it?"</p>
+
+<p>"There is, then, no hope for us from the voice of nature, no hope from
+the voice of reason and of truth? Then hear me, mother, for I too must
+act according to the voice of conscience. Helen and I must leave you; we
+can no longer endure to be so near you in appearance, while in reality
+we are so fearfully estranged. You have been very generous to me in the
+sum which you named for my allowance at my father's death; and as soon
+as my commission is obtained, that allowance will suffice to support me,
+for my habits have never been extravagant. May I ask you to assign a
+similar sum to Helen? This will enable her to command such a home with
+respectable people as may befit your daughter; and you will not doubt, I
+think, notwithstanding the unhappy difference in our opinions on points
+of doctrine, that I shall watch over her as carefully as our dear father
+himself could have done."</p>
+
+<p>"He is a prophet! yea, a prophet!" exclaimed Mrs. Mowbray; "and shall I
+be blind even as the ungodly, and doubt his word into whose mouth Heaven
+hath put the gift of prophecy and the words of wisdom? He hath spoken,
+and very terrible things are come to pass. Can your heart resist such
+proof as this, Charles?" she continued, raising her eyes and hands to
+heaven:&mdash;"even what you have now spoken, that did he predict and
+foretell you should speak!"</p>
+
+<p>"He guessed the point, then, at which we could bear no more," replied
+Charles with bitterness: "and did he predict too what answer our
+petition should receive?"</p>
+
+<p>"He did," returned Mrs. Mowbray either with real or with feigned
+simplicity; "and even that too shall be verified. Now, then, hear his
+blessed voice through my lips; and as I say, so must thou do. Go to your
+benighted sister, and tell her that for her sake I will wrestle in
+prayer. With great and exceeding anguish of spirit have I already
+wrestled for her; but she is strong and wilful, and resisteth
+alway.&mdash;Nevertheless, I will not give her over to her own heart's
+desire; nor will I turn mine eyes from her. For a while longer I will
+endure; and for you, unhappy son, I must take counsel from the same holy
+well-spring of righteousness, and what he shall speak, look that it come
+to pass."</p>
+
+<p>"You have denounced a terrible sentence against Helen, mother! for
+nearly two years, then, she must look forward to a very wretched life;
+but, without your consent, I cannot till she is of age remove her. Dear
+girl! she has a sweet and gentle spirit, and will, I trust, be enabled
+to bear patiently her most painful situation. But as for myself it may
+be as well to inform Mr. Cartwright at once, through you, that any
+interference with me or my concerns will not be endured; and that I
+advise him, for his own sake, to let me hear and see as little of him as
+possible."</p>
+
+<p>Mrs. Mowbray seemed to listen to these words in perfect terror, as if
+she feared a thunderbolt must fall and crush at once the speaker and the
+hearer of such daring impiety. But the spirit of Charles was chafed; and
+conscious perhaps that he was in danger of saying what he might wish to
+recall on the influence which his mother avowed that the vicar had
+obtained over her, he hastened to conclude the interview, and added: "I
+will beg you ma'am, immediately to give me a draft for my quarter's
+allowance, due on the first of this month. I want immediately to send
+money to Oxford."</p>
+
+<p>"Did I not tell you, Charles, to inform my man of business,&mdash;that
+serious and exemplary man, Mr. Corbold,&mdash;what money you owed in Oxford,
+and to whom? And did I not inform you at the same time that he should
+have instructions to acquit the same forthwith?"</p>
+
+<p>"Yes, mother, you certainly did send me a letter to that effect; but as
+my father permitted me before I came of age to pay my own bills, and to
+dispose of my allowance as I thought fit, I did not choose to change my
+usual manner of proceeding, and therefore left what I owed unpaid,
+preferring to remit the money myself. Will you please to give me the
+means of doing this now?"</p>
+
+<p>"May Heaven be gracious to me and mine, as I steadily now, and for ever,
+refuse to do so great iniquity! Think you, Charles, that I, guided and
+governed, as I glory to say I am, by one sent near me by providence to
+watch over me now in my time of need,&mdash;think you that I will hire and
+pay your wicked will to defy it."</p>
+
+<p>"Do you mean, then, mother, to withdraw my allowance?" said Charles.</p>
+
+<p>"I thank Heaven that I do!" she replied, uplifting her eyes: "and humbly
+on my knees will I thank it for giving me that strength, even in the
+midst of weakness!"</p>
+
+<p>As she spoke, she dropped upon her knees on the floor, with her back
+towards her unhappy son. He remained standing for a few moments,
+intending to utter some nearly hopeless words of remonstrance upon the
+cruel resolution she had just announced; but as she did not rise, he
+left the room, and with a heavy heart proceeded to look for Helen and
+her friend; though he would gladly have prepared himself by an hour of
+solitude for communicating tidings which had very nearly overthrown his
+philosophy. But he had promised to see them and to tell them all that
+passed; and he prepared to perform this promise with a heavier heart
+than had ever before troubled his bosom. He shrank from the idea of
+appearing before Rosalind in a situation so miserably humiliating, for
+at this moment fears that the report mentioned by Lady Harrington might
+be true pressed upon him; and though his better judgment told him that
+such feelings were contemptible, when about to meet the eye of a friend
+he could not subdue them, and as he opened the drawing-room door, the
+youthful fire of his eye was quenched and his pale lip trembled.</p>
+
+<p>"Oh! Charles, how dreadfully ill you look!" exclaimed Helen.</p>
+
+<p>"What can have passed?" said Miss Torrington, looking almost as pale
+himself.</p>
+
+<p>"Much that has been very painful," he replied; "but I am ashamed at
+being thus overpowered by it. Tell me, both of you, without any reserve,
+have you ever thought&mdash;has the idea ever entered your heads, that my
+unfortunate mother was likely to marry Cartwright?"</p>
+
+<p>"No,&mdash;never," replied Helen firmly.</p>
+
+<p>"Yes," said Rosalind falteringly;&mdash;but less with the hesitation of
+doubt, than from fear of giving pain.</p>
+
+<p>"Lady Harrington told me it was spoken of," said Mowbray with a deep
+sigh.</p>
+
+<p>"It is impossible!" said Helen, "I cannot:&mdash;I will not believe it.
+Rosalind! if you have had such an idea, how comes it that you have kept
+it secret from me?"</p>
+
+<p>"If instead of darkly fearing it," replied Rosalind, "I had positively
+known it to be true, I doubt if I should have named it, Helen;&mdash;I could
+not have borne that words so hateful should have first reached the
+family from me."</p>
+
+<p>"Has she told you it is so?" inquired Helen, her lips so parched with
+agitation that she pronounced the words with difficulty.</p>
+
+<p>"No, dearest, she has not; and perhaps I am wrong both in conceiving
+such an idea, and in naming it. But her mind is so violently, so
+strangely wrought upon by this detestable man, that I can only account
+for it by believing that he is&mdash;&mdash;"</p>
+
+<p>There was much filial piety in the feeling that prevented his finishing
+the sentence.</p>
+
+<p>"It is so that I have reasoned," said Rosalind. "Heaven grant that we be
+both mistaken!&mdash;But will you not tell us, Charles, what it is that has
+suggested the idea to you? For Heaven's sake relate, if you can, what
+has passed between you?"</p>
+
+<p>"If I can!&mdash;Indeed I doubt my power. She spoke of me as of one condemned
+of Heaven."</p>
+
+<p>Rosalind started from her seat.&mdash;"Do not go on, Mr. Mowbray!" she
+exclaimed with great agitation; "I cannot bear this, and meet her with
+such external observance and civility as my situation demands. It can do
+us no good to discuss this wicked folly,&mdash;this most sinful madness. I,
+at least, for one, feel a degree of indignation&mdash;a vehemence of
+irritation on the subject, that will not, I am sure, produce good to any
+of us. She must go on in the dreadful path in which she has lost
+herself, till she meet something that shall shock and turn her back
+again. But all that can be done or said by others will but drive her on
+the faster, adding the fervour of a martyr to that of a convert."</p>
+
+<p>"You speak like an oracle, dear Rosalind," said poor Mowbray,
+endeavouring to smile, and more relieved than he would have avowed to
+himself at being spared the task of narrating his downfall from supposed
+wealth to actual penury before her.</p>
+
+<p>"She speaks like an oracle, but a very sad one," said Helen.
+"Nevertheless, we will listen and obey.&mdash;You have spoken to my mother,
+and what you have said has produced no good effect: to me, therefore, it
+is quite evident that nothing can. Were it not that the fearful use
+which we hear made of the sacred name makes me tremble lest I too should
+use it irreverently, I would express the confidence I feel, that if we
+bear this heavy sorrow well, his care will be with us: and whether we
+say it or not, let us feel it. And now, Rosalind, we must redeem our
+lost time, and read for an hour or so upstairs. See! we have positively
+let the fire go out;&mdash;a proof how extremely injurious it is to permit
+our thoughts to fix themselves too intensely on any thing:&mdash;it renders
+one incapable of attending to the necessary affairs of life.&mdash;There,
+Charles, is a sermon for you. But don't look so miserable, my dear
+brother; or my courage will melt into thin air."</p>
+
+<p>"I will do my best to master it, Helen," he replied; "but I shall not be
+able to make a display of my stoicism before you this evening, for I
+must return to Oakley."</p>
+
+<p>"Are you going to dine there? Why did you not tell me so?"</p>
+
+<p>"If my conversation with my mother had ended differently, Helen, I
+should have postponed my visit till to-morrow; but as it is, it will be
+better for me to go now. I will drive myself over in the cab. I suppose
+I can have Joseph?" He rang the bell as he spoke.</p>
+
+<p>"Let the cab be got ready for me in half an hour: and tell Joseph I
+shall want him to go out with me to dinner."</p>
+
+<p>"The cab is not at home, sir," replied the servant.</p>
+
+<p>"Is it gone to the coach-maker's?&mdash;What is the matter with it."</p>
+
+<p>"There is nothing the matter with it, sir; but Mr. Cartwright has got
+it."</p>
+
+<p>"Then let my mare be saddled. She is in the stable, I suppose?"</p>
+
+<p>"Mr. Corbold has had the use of your mare, Mr. Charles, for more than a
+month, sir: and terribly worked she has been, Dick says."</p>
+
+<p>"Very well&mdash;it's no matter: I shall walk, William."</p>
+
+<p>The servant retired, with an expression of more sympathy than etiquette
+could warrant. Helen looked at her brother in very mournful silence; but
+tears of indignant passion started to the bright eyes of Rosalind. "Is
+there no remedy for all this?" she exclaimed. "Helen, let us run away
+together. They cannot rob me of my money, I suppose. Do ask Sir Gilbert,
+Charles, if I am obliged to stay here and witness these hateful
+goings-on."</p>
+
+<p>"I will&mdash;I will, Miss Torrington. It would, indeed, be best for you to
+leave us. But my poor Helen,&mdash;she must stay and bear it."</p>
+
+<p>"Then I shall stay too: and that I think you might guess, Mr. Mowbray."</p>
+
+<p>Rosalind's tears overflowed as she spoke; and Charles Mowbray looked at
+her with that wringing of the heart which arises from thinking that all
+things conspire to make us wretched. When he was the reputed heir of
+fourteen thousand a year he had passed whole weeks in the society of
+Rosalind, and never dreamed he loved her;&mdash;but now, now that he was a
+beggar, and a beggar too, as it seemed, not very likely to be treated
+with much charity by his own mother,&mdash;now that it would be infamy to
+turn his thoughts towards the heiress with any hope or wish that she
+should ever be his, he felt that he adored her&mdash;that every hour added
+strength to a passion that he would rather die than reveal, and that
+without a guinea in the world to take him or to keep him elsewhere, his
+remaining where he was would expose him to sufferings that he felt he
+had no strength to bear.</p>
+
+
+
+<hr style="width: 65%;" />
+<h2><a name="CHAPTER_XIIB" id="CHAPTER_XIIB"></a>CHAPTER XII.</h2>
+
+<h3>THE VICAR'S PROGRESS, AND HIS COUNSEL TO FANNY AS TO THE BEST MEANS OF
+ASSISTING THE POOR.</h3>
+
+
+<p>When the family assembled at dinner, and Mrs. Mowbray perceived the
+place of her son vacant, she changed colour, and appeared discomposed
+and absent during the whole time she remained at table. This, however,
+was not long; for, a very few minutes after the cloth was removed, she
+rose, and saying, "I want you, Fanny," left the room with her youngest
+daughter without making either observation or apology to those she left.
+The result of this conference between the mother and daughter was the
+despatching a note to the Vicarage, which brought the vicar to join them
+with extraordinary speed.</p>
+
+<p>Mrs. Mowbray then related with a good deal of emotion the scene which
+had taken place between herself and her son in the morning; concluding
+it with mentioning his absence at dinner, and her fears that, in his
+unregenerate state of mind, he might be led to withdraw himself
+altogether from a home where godliness had begun to reign, and where, by
+the blessing of heaven, it would multiply and increase every day that
+they were spared to live.</p>
+
+<p>When she had concluded, Mr. Cartwright remained for several minutes
+silent, his eyes fixed upon the carpet, his arms folded upon his breast,
+and his head from time to time moved gently and sadly to and fro, as if
+the subject on which he was meditating were both important and
+discouraging. At length he raised his eyes, and fixed them upon Fanny.</p>
+
+<p>"My dear child," he said, "withdraw yourself, and pray, while your
+mother and I remain together. Pray for us, Fanny!&mdash;pray for both of us,
+that we may so do the duty appointed unto us, as what we may decide to
+execute shall redound to the glory of heaven, and to our everlasting
+salvation, world without end, amen!"</p>
+
+<p>Fanny rose instantly, and clasping her innocent hands together,
+fervently exclaimed "I will!&mdash;I will!"</p>
+
+<p>Having opened the door, and laid his delicate white hand upon her head,
+whispering an ardent blessing as she passed through it, he watched her
+as she retreated with a rapid step to her chamber anxious to perform the
+duty assigned her; and then closing and bolting it after her, he
+returned to the sofa near the fire, and seated himself beside Mrs.
+Mowbray.</p>
+
+<p>"My friend!" said Mr. Cartwright, taking her hand; "my dear, dear
+friend! you are tried, you are very sorely tried. But it is the will of
+the Lord, and we must not repine at it: rather let us praise his name
+alway!"</p>
+
+<p>"I do!" ejaculated the widow with very pious emotion; "I do praise and
+bless his holy name for all the salvation he hath vouchsafed to me, a
+sinner&mdash;and to my precious Fanny with me. Oh, Mr. Cartwright, it is very
+dear to me to think that I shall have that little holy angel with me in
+paradise! But be my guide and helper"&mdash;and here the good and serious
+lady very nearly returned the pressure with which her hand was
+held,&mdash;"oh! be my guide and helper with my other misguided children!
+Tell me, dear Mr. Cartwright, what must I do with Charles?"</p>
+
+<p>"It is borne in upon my mind, my dear and gentle friend, that there is
+but one chance left to save that deeply-perilled soul from the
+everlasting gulf of gnawing worms and of eternal flame."</p>
+
+<p>"Is there one chance?" exclaimed the poor woman in a real ecstasy. "Oh!
+tell me what it is, and there is nothing in the wide world that I would
+not bear and suffer to obtain it."</p>
+
+<p>"He must abandon the profession of arms and become a minister of the
+gospel."</p>
+
+<p>"Oh! Mr. Cartwright, he never will consent to this. From his earliest
+childhood, his unhappy and unawakened father taught him to glory in the
+thought of fighting the battles of his country; and with the large
+fortune he must one day have, is it not probable that he might be
+tempted to neglect the cure of souls? And then, you know, Mr.
+Cartwright, that the last state of that man would be worse than the
+first."</p>
+
+<p>Mr. Cartwright dropped the lady's hand and rose from his seat. "I must
+leave you, then," he said, his rich voice sinking into a tone of the
+saddest melancholy. "I must not&mdash;I may not give any other counsel; for
+in doing so, I should betray my duty, and betray the confidence you
+have placed in me. Adieu, then, beloved friend! adieu for ever! My
+heart&mdash;the weak and throbbing heart of a man is even now heaving in my
+breast. That heart will for ever forbid my speaking with harshness and
+austerity to you. Therefore, beloved but too feeble friend, adieu!
+Should I stay longer with you, that look might betray me into
+forgetfulness of every thing on earth&mdash;and heaven too!"</p>
+
+<p>The three last words were uttered in a low and mournful whisper. He then
+walked towards the door, turned to give one last look, and having
+unfastened the lock and shot back the bolt, was in the very act of
+departing, when Mrs. Mowbray rushed towards him, exclaiming "Oh, do not
+leave us all to everlasting damnation! Save us! save us! Tell me only
+what to do, and I will do it."</p>
+
+<p>In the extremity of her eagerness, terror, and emotion, she fell on her
+knees before him, and raising her tearful eyes to his, seemed silently
+to reiterate the petition she had uttered.</p>
+
+<p>Mr. Cartwright looked down upon her, turned away for one short instant
+to rebolt the door, and then, raising his eyes to heaven, and dropping
+on his knees beside her, he threw his arms around her, impressed a holy
+kiss upon her brow, exclaiming in a voice rendered tremulous, as it
+should seem, by uncontrollable agitation, "Oh, never! never!"</p>
+
+<p>After a few moments unavoidably lost by both in efforts to recover their
+equanimity, they rose and reseated themselves on the sofa.</p>
+
+<p>The handkerchief of Mrs. Mowbray was at her eyes. She appeared greatly
+agitated, and totally unable to speak herself, sat in trembling
+expectation of what her reverend friend should say next.</p>
+
+<p>It was not immediately, however, that Mr. Cartwright could recover his
+voice; but at length he said, "It is impossible, my too lovely friend,
+that we can either of us any longer mistake the nature of the sentiment
+which we feel for each other. But we have the comfort of knowing that
+this sweet and blessed sentiment is implanted in us by the will of the
+Lord! And if it be sanctified to his honour and glory, it becometh the
+means of raising us to glory everlasting in the life to come. Wherefore,
+let us not weep and lament, but rather be joyful and give thanks that so
+it hath seemed good in his sight!"</p>
+
+<p>Mrs. Mowbray answered only by a deep sigh, which partook indeed of the
+nature of a sob; and by the continued application of her handkerchief,
+it appeared that she wept freely. Mr. Cartwright once more ventured to
+take her hand; and that she did not withdraw it, seemed to evince such a
+degree of Christian humility, and such a heavenly-minded forgiveness of
+his presumption, that the pious feelings of his heart broke forth in
+thanksgiving.</p>
+
+<p>"Praise and glory to the Lord alway!" he exclaimed, "your suffering
+sweetness, dearest Clara, loveliest of women, most dearly-beloved&mdash;your
+suffering sweetness shall be bruised no more! Let me henceforward be as
+the shield and buckler that shall guard thee, so that thou shalt not be
+afraid for any terror by night, nor for the arrow that flieth by day.
+And tell me, most beloved! does not thy spirit rejoice, and is not thy
+heart glad, even as my heart, that the Lord hath been pleased to lay his
+holy law upon us&mdash;even upon thee and me?"</p>
+
+<p>"Oh, Mr. Cartwright!" replied the agitated Mrs. Mowbray, "I know not
+what I can&mdash;I know not what I ought to do. May Heaven guide me!&mdash;for,
+alas! I know not how to guide myself!"</p>
+
+<p>"And fear not, Clara, but he will guide thee! for he hath made thee but
+a little lower than the angels, and hath crowned thee with glory and
+honour. And tell me, thou highly-favoured one, doth not thy own heart
+teach thee, that heart being taught of him, that I am he to whom thou
+shouldst look for comfort now in the time of this mortal life? Speak to
+me, sweet and holy Clara. Tell me, am I deceived in thee? Or art thou
+indeed, and wilt thou indeed be mine?"</p>
+
+<p>"If I shall sin not by doing so, I will, Mr. Cartwright; for my spirit
+is too weak to combat all the difficulties I see before me. My soul
+trusts itself to thee&mdash;be thou to me a strong tower, for I am afraid."</p>
+
+<p>"Think you, Clara, that he who has led you out of darkness into the way
+of life would now, for the gratification of his own earthly love, become
+a stumbling-block in thy path? My beloved friend! how are you to wrestle
+and fight for and with that misguided young man, who hath now, even now,
+caused you such bitter sufferings? He is thine; therefore he is dear to
+me. Let me lead him, even as I have led thee, and his spirit too, as
+well as thine and Fanny's, shall rejoice!"</p>
+
+<p>"Then be it so!" exclaimed Mrs. Mowbray. "Promise me only to lead Helen
+also into life everlasting, and not to leave the poor benighted Rosalind
+for ever in darkness, and I will consent, Mr. Cartwright, to be your
+wife!"</p>
+
+<p>Nothing could be more satisfactory than the vicar's answer to this
+appeal, and had not the good Mrs. Mowbray been too generous to exact a
+penalty in case of failure, there can be little doubt but that he would
+willingly have bound himself under any forfeiture she could have named,
+to have ensured a place in heaven, not only to all those she mentioned,
+but to every individual of her household, the scullion and stable-boys
+included.</p>
+
+<p>The great question answered of "To be or not to be the husband of Mrs.
+Mowbray?" the vicar began to point out to her in a more composed and
+business-like manner the great advantages both temporal and spiritual
+which must of necessity result to her family from this arrangement; and
+so skilfully did he manage her feelings and bend her mind to his
+purpose, that when at length he gave her lips the farewell kiss of
+affianced love, and departed, he left her in the most comfortable and
+prayerful state of composure imaginable. In about ten minutes after he
+was gone, she rang her bell, and desired that Miss Fanny might come to
+her; when, without exactly telling her the important business which had
+been settled during the time she passed upon her knees, she gave her to
+understand that Mr. Cartwright had probably thought of the only means by
+which all the unhappy disagreements in the family could be settled.</p>
+
+<p>"Indeed, mamma, I prayed for him," said Fanny, lifting her eyes to
+Heaven; "I prayed most earnestly, that Heaven might bring him wisdom to
+succour you according to your wish, and therein to heal all our
+troubles."</p>
+
+<p>"And your prayers have been heard, my dear child; and it hath sent him
+the wisdom that we all so greatly needed.&mdash;Have they had tea in the
+drawing-room, Fanny?"</p>
+
+<p>"I don't know, mamma. I have been kneeling and praying all the time."</p>
+
+<p>"Then, my dear, you must want refreshment. Go down and tell them that I
+am not quite well this evening, and shall therefore not come down again;
+but they may send me some tea by Curtis."</p>
+
+<p>"I hope you are not very ill, my dearest mother?" said Fanny, looking,
+anxiously at her.</p>
+
+<p>"No, dear,&mdash;not very ill&mdash;only a little nervous."</p>
+
+<hr style="width: 45%;" />
+
+<p>While these scenes passed at Mowbray Park, poor Charles was relieving
+his heart by relating, without reserve, what had passed between him and
+his mother. His first words on entering the library, where Sir Gilbert
+and Lady Harrington were seated, were, "Have you sent that letter to
+Oxford, Sir Gilbert?"</p>
+
+<p>"Yes, I have," was the reply. "But why do you inquire, Charles?"</p>
+
+<p>"Because, if you had not, I would have begged you to delay it."</p>
+
+<p>"And why so?"</p>
+
+<p>In reply to this question, young Mowbray told all that had passed;
+observing, when his painful tale was ended, that such being his mother's
+decision, he intended to apply immediately to Corbold for the money he
+wanted.</p>
+
+<p>"Not you, by Jove, Charles! You shall do no such thing, I tell you!
+What! knuckle and truckle to this infernal gang of hypocrites! You shall
+do no such thing. Just let me know all that is going on in the garrison,
+and if I don't counterplot them, I am a Dutchman."</p>
+
+<p>"Puff not up your heart, Sir Knight, with such vain conceits," said Lady
+Harrington. "You will plot like an honest man, and the Tartuffe will
+plot like a rogue. I leave you to guess which will do the most work in
+the shortest time. Nevertheless, you are right to keep him out of the
+way of these people as long as you can."</p>
+
+<p>Notwithstanding the heavy load at his heart which Mowbray brought with
+him to Oakley, before he had passed an hour with his old friends his
+sorrows appeared lighter, and his hopes from the future brighter and
+stronger. Sir Gilbert, though exceedingly angry with Mrs. Mowbray, still
+retained some respect for her; and, spite of all his threatening hints
+to the contrary, he no more believed that the widow of his old friend
+would marry herself to the Reverend William Jacob Cartwright, than that
+he, when left a widower by my lady, should marry the drunken landlady of
+the Three Tankards at Ramsden. He therefore spoke to Charles of his
+present vexatious embarrassments as of all evils that must naturally
+clear away, requiring only a little temporary good management to render
+them of very small importance to him. Of Helen's situation, however,
+Lady Harrington spoke with great concern, and proposed that she and Miss
+Torrington should transfer themselves from the Park to Oakley as soon as
+Charles joined his regiment, and there remain till Mrs. Mowbray had
+sufficiently recovered her senses to make them comfortable at home.</p>
+
+<p>Before the young man left them, it was settled that Colonel Harrington
+should immediately exert himself to obtain the commission so long
+promised; a service in the performance of which no difficulty was
+anticipated, as the last inquiries made on the subject at the Horse
+Guards were satisfactorily answered.</p>
+
+<p>"Meanwhile," said the baronet as he wrung his hand at parting, "give not
+way for one single inch before the insolent interference of these
+canters and ranters: remember who and what you are, and that you have a
+friend who will make the county too hot to hold any one, male or female,
+who shall attempt to shake or shackle you in your natural rights. Treat
+your mother with the most perfect respect and politeness; but make her
+understand that you are your father's son, and that there is such a
+thing as public opinion, which, on more occasions than one, has been
+found as powerful as any other law of the land. Cheer the spirits of the
+poor woe-begone girls as much as you can; and tell Helen that her duty
+to her father's memory requires that she should not neglect her father's
+friends. And now good night, Charles! Come to us as often as you can;
+and God bless you, my dear boy!"</p>
+
+<p>By this advice young Mowbray determined to act; and wishing to escape
+any discussion upon lesser points, he avoided all tête-à-tête
+conversations with his mother, kept as much out of Mr. Cartwright's way
+as possible, turned his back upon the serious attorney whenever he met
+him, and devoted his time to walking, reading, and singing, with Miss
+Torrington and his sister Helen, while waiting to receive the news of
+his appointment. When this should arrive, he determined once more to see
+his mother in private, and settle with her, on the best footing he
+could, the amount and manner of his future supplies.</p>
+
+<p>This interval, which lasted nearly a month, was by no means an unhappy
+one to Charles. He had great confidence in the judgment of Sir Gilbert
+Harrington, and being much more inclined to believe in his mother's
+affection than to doubt it, he resolutely shut his eyes upon whatever
+was likely to annoy him, and gave himself up to that occupation which
+beyond all others enables a man, or a woman either, to overlook and
+forget every other,&mdash;namely, the making love from morning to night.</p>
+
+<p>The manner in which this undeclared but very intelligible devotion of
+the heart was received by the fair object of it was such, perhaps, as to
+justify hope, though it by no means afforded any certainty that the
+feeling was returned. Even Helen, who fully possessed her brother's
+confidence, and had hitherto, as she believed, fully possessed the
+confidence of Rosalind also,&mdash;even Helen knew not very well what to make
+of the varying symptoms which her friend's heart betrayed. That Miss
+Torrington took great pleasure in the society of Mr. Mowbray, it was
+impossible to doubt; and that she wished him to find pleasure in hers,
+was equally clear. His favourite songs only were those which she
+practised in his absence and sang in his presence; he rarely praised a
+passage in their daily readings which she might not, by means of a
+little watching, be found to have read again within the next twenty-four
+hours. The feeble winter-blossoms from the conservatory, of which he
+made her a daily offering, might be seen preserved on her toilet in a
+succession of glasses, and only removed at length by a remonstrance from
+her maid, who assured her that "stale flowers were unwholesome; though,
+to be sure, coming out of that elegant conservatory did make a
+difference, no doubt." Yet even then, the bouquet of a week old was not
+permitted to make its exit till some aromatic leaf or still green sprig
+of myrtle had been drawn from it, and deposited somewhere or other,
+where its pretty mistress, perhaps, never saw it more, but which
+nevertheless prevented her feeling that she had thrown the flowers he
+had given her on Sunday in the breakfast-room, or on Monday in the
+drawing-room, &amp;c. &amp;c. &amp;c., quite away.</p>
+
+<p>Yet, with all this, it was quite impossible that Charles, or even Helen,
+who knew more of these little symptomatic whims than he did, could feel
+at all sure what Rosalind's answer would be if Mr. Mowbray made her a
+proposal of marriage.</p>
+
+<p>From time to time words dropped from Rosalind indicative of her extreme
+disapprobation of early marriages both for women and men, and declaring
+that there was nothing she should dread so much as forming a union for
+life with a man too young to know his own mind. When asked by Charles at
+what age she conceived it likely that a man might attain this very
+necessary self-knowledge, she answered with a marked emphasis,</p>
+
+<p>"Decidedly not till they are many years older than you are, Mr.
+Mowbray."</p>
+
+<p>Even to her own heart Rosalind would at this time have positively
+denied, not only that she loved Charles Mowbray, but that Charles
+Mowbray loved her. She was neither insensible nor indifferent to his
+admiration, or to the pleasure he took in her society; but she had heard
+Charles's judgment of her on her arrival more than once repeated in
+jest. He had said, that she was neither so amiable as Helen, nor so
+handsome as Fanny. To both of these opinions she most sincerely
+subscribed, and with such simple and undoubting acquiescence, that it
+was only when she began to read in his eyes the legible "I love you,"
+that she remembered his having said it. Then her woman's heart told her,
+that inferior though she might be, it was not her husband that must be
+the first to discover it; and superior as he was,&mdash;which she certainly
+was not disposed to deny,&mdash;it was not with such disproportionate
+excellence that she should be most likely to form a happy union.</p>
+
+<p>Had Mowbray guessed how grave and deeply-seated in Rosalind's mind were
+the reasons which would have led her decidedly to refuse him, this
+flowery portion of his existence would have lost all its sweetness. It
+was therefore favourable to his present enjoyment that, confident as he
+felt of ultimately possessing the fortune to which he was born, he
+determined not to propose to Rosalind till his mother had consented to
+assure to him an independence as undoubted as her own. The sweet vapour
+of hope, therefore,&mdash;the incense with which young hearts salute the
+morning of life,&mdash;enveloped him on all sides: and pity is it that the
+rainbow-tinted mist should ever be blown away from those who, like him,
+are better, as well as happier, for the halo that so surrounds them.</p>
+
+<p>Many a storm is preceded by a calm,&mdash;many a gay and happy hour only
+gives the frightful force of contrast to the misery that follows it.</p>
+
+<p>Mr. Cartwright having once and again received the plighted faith of Mrs.
+Mowbray, for the present confined his operations solely to the gentle
+task of urging her to hasten his happiness, and the assurance of eternal
+salvation to all her family.</p>
+
+<p>But here, though the obstacles he had to encounter were of a soft and
+malleable nature, easily yielding to the touch, and giving way at one
+point, they were yet difficult to get rid of altogether; for they were
+sure to swell up like dough, and meet him again in another place.</p>
+
+<p>Thus, when he proved to the pious widow that Heaven could never wish her
+to delay her marriage till her year of mourning was out, seeing that its
+honour and glory would be so greatly benefited and increased thereby,
+she first agreed perfectly in his view of the case as so put, but
+immediately placed before him the violent odium which they should have
+to endure from the opinion of the world. And then, when his eloquence
+had convinced her, that it was sinful for those who put not their faith
+in princes, nor in any child of man, to regulate their conduct by such
+worldly considerations,&mdash;though she confessed to him that as their
+future associations would of course be wholly and solely among the
+elect, she might perhaps overcome her fear of what her neighbours and
+unregenerate acquaintance might say, yet nevertheless she doubted if she
+could find courage to send orders to her milliner and dressmaker for
+coloured suits, even of a sober and religious tint, as it was so very
+short a time since she had ordered her half-mourning.</p>
+
+<p>It was more difficult perhaps to push this last difficulty aside than
+any other; for Mr. Cartwright could not immediately see how to bring the
+great doctrine of salvation to bear upon it.</p>
+
+<p>However, though the lady had not yet been prevailed upon to fix the day,
+and even at intervals still spoke of the eligibility of waiting till the
+year of mourning was ended, yet on the whole he had no cause to complain
+of the terms on which he stood with her, and very wisely permitted the
+peace of mind which he himself enjoyed to diffuse itself benignly over
+all the inhabitants of the Park and the Vicarage.</p>
+
+<p>Henrietta, who throughout the winter had been in too delicate a state of
+health to venture out of the house, was permitted to read what books she
+liked at the corner of the parlour fire; while Mr. Jacob, far from being
+annoyed by any particular strictness of domestic discipline, became
+extremely like the wind which bloweth where it listeth, wandering from
+farm-house to farm-house&mdash;nay, even from village to village, without
+restriction of any kind from his much-engaged father.</p>
+
+<p>Fanny, however, was neither overlooked nor neglected; though to have now
+led her about to little tête-à-tête prayer-meetings in the woods was
+impossible. First, the wintry season forbad it; and secondly, the very
+particular and important discussions which business rendered necessary
+in Mrs. Mowbray's dressing-room&mdash;or, as it had lately been designated,
+Mrs. Mowbray's morning parlour&mdash;must have made such an occupation as
+difficult as dangerous.</p>
+
+<p>At these discussions Fanny was never invited to appear. She prayed in
+company with her mother and Mr. Cartwright, and some of the most
+promising of the domestics, for an hour in the morning and an hour in
+the evening; but the manner in which the interval between these two
+prayings was spent showed very considerable tact and discrimination of
+character in the Vicar of Wrexhill.</p>
+
+<p>Soon after the important interview which has been stated to have taken
+place between the lady of the manor and the vicar had occurred, Mr.
+Cartwright having met Fanny on the stairs in his way to her mamma's
+morning parlour, asked her, with even more than his usual tender
+kindness, whether he might not be admitted for a few minutes into her
+"study;" for it was thus that <i>her</i> dressing-room was now called by as
+many of the household as made a point of doing every thing that Mr.
+Cartwright recommended.</p>
+
+<p>"Oh yes," she replied with all the zealous piety which distinguishes the
+sect to which she belonged, whenever their consent is asked to do or
+suffer any thing that nobody else would think it proper to do or
+suffer,&mdash;"Oh yes!&mdash;will you come now, Mr. Cartwright?"</p>
+
+<p>"Yes, my dear child, it is now that I wish to come;"&mdash;and in another
+moment the Vicar of Wrexhill and his beautiful young parishioner were
+sitting tête-à-tête on the sofa of the young lady's dressing-room.</p>
+
+<p>As usual with him on all such occasions, he took her hand. "Fanny!" he
+began,&mdash;"dear, precious Fanny! you know not how much of my
+attention&mdash;how many of my thoughts are devoted to you!"</p>
+
+<p>"Oh! Mr. Cartwright, how very, very kind you are to think of me at all!"</p>
+
+<p>"You must listen to me Fanny," (he still retained her hand,) "you must
+now listen to me with very great attention. You know I think highly of
+your abilities&mdash;indeed I have not scrupled to tell you it was my opinion
+that the Lord had endowed you with great powers for his own especial
+service and glory. That last hymn, Fanny, confirms and strengthens me in
+this blessed belief, and I look upon you as a chosen vessel. But, my
+child, we must be careful that we use, and not abuse, this exceeding
+great mercy and honour. Your verses, Fanny, are sweet to my ear, as the
+songs of the children of Israel to those who were carried away captive.
+But not for me&mdash;not for me alone, or for those who, like me, can taste
+the ecstasy inspired by holy song, has that power been given unto you.
+The poor, the needy, those of no account in the reckoning of the
+proud&mdash;they have all, my dearest Fanny, a right to share in the precious
+gift bestowed on you. Wherefore, I am now about to propose to you a work
+to which the best and the holiest devote their lives, but on which you
+have never yet tried your young strength:&mdash;I mean, my dearest child, the
+writing of tracts for the poor."</p>
+
+<p>"Oh! Mr. Cartwright! Do you really think it possible that I can be
+useful in such a blessed way?"</p>
+
+<p>"I am sure you may, my dear Fanny; and you know this will be the means
+of doing good both to the souls and bodies of the saints. For what you
+shall write, will not only be read to the edification and salvation of
+many Christian souls, but will be printed and sold for the benefit
+either of the poor and needy, or for the furthering such works and
+undertakings as it may be deemed most fit to patronise and assist."</p>
+
+<p>"Oh! Mr. Cartwright! If I could be useful in such a way as that, I
+should be very thankful;&mdash;only&mdash;I have a doubt."</p>
+
+<p>Here the bright countenance of Fanny became suddenly overclouded; she
+even trembled, and turned pale.</p>
+
+<p>"What is it, my dear child, that affects you thus?" said the vicar with
+real surprise; "tell me, my sweet Fanny, what I have said to alarm you?"</p>
+
+<p>"If I do this," said Fanny, her voice faltering with timidity, "shall I
+not seem to be trusting to works?"</p>
+
+<p>"Do you mean, because the writings of authors are called their works?"
+said Mr. Cartwright very gravely.</p>
+
+<p>"No! Mr. Cartwright!" she replied, colouring from the feeling, that if
+so good and holy a man could quiz, she should imagine that he was now
+quizzing her,&mdash;"No! Mr. Cartwright!&mdash;but if I do this, and trust to get
+saving grace as a reward for the good I may do, will not this be
+trusting to works?"</p>
+
+<p>"My dear child," he said; gently kissing her forehead, "such tenderness
+of conscience is the best assurance that what you will do will be done
+in a right spirit. Then fear not, dear Fanny, that those things which
+prove a snare to the unbeliever should, in like manner, prove a snare to
+the elect."</p>
+
+<p>Again Fanny Mowbray trembled. "Alas! then I may still risk the danger of
+eternal fire by this thing,&mdash;for am I of the elect?"</p>
+
+<p>The vicar knew that Mrs. Mowbray was waiting for him, and fearing that
+this long delay might have a strange appearance, he hastily concluded
+the conversation by exclaiming with as much vehemence as brevity, "You
+are! You are!"</p>
+
+
+
+<hr style="width: 65%;" />
+<h2><a name="CHAPTER_XIIIB" id="CHAPTER_XIIIB"></a>CHAPTER XIII.</h2>
+
+<h3>MRS. SIMPSON'S CHARITABLE VISIT.&mdash;CHARLES'S TROUBLES CONTINUE.</h3>
+
+
+<p>From this time most of Fanny Mowbray's hours were spent in writing
+tracts; which, as soon as completed, were delivered to Mr. Cartwright.
+He received them ever with expressions of mingled admiration and
+gratitude, constantly assuring her, the next time they met, that nothing
+could be more admirably calculated to answer the effect intended, and
+that the last was incomparably superior to all which had preceded it.</p>
+
+<p>This occupation of writing tracts, first hit upon for the convenient
+occupation of Fanny Mowbray, was soon converted, by the ready wit of Mr.
+Cartwright, into an occupation, in one way or another, for all the
+professing Christians in his parish who happened to have nothing to do.</p>
+
+<p>Those who are at all acquainted with the manner in which the "Church
+Methodists," as they are called, obtain the unbounded influence which
+they are known to possess in their different parishes, particularly over
+the female part of their congregations, must be aware, that, great and
+violent as the effect of their passionate extempore preaching often is,
+it is not to that alone that they trust for obtaining it. From the time
+Mr. Cartwright became Vicar of Wrexhill, he had been unremitting in his
+exertions of every kind to obtain power, influence, and dominion
+throughout the parish, and, on the whole, had been pretty generally
+successful. How far his handsome person and pleasing address contributed
+to this, it is not here necessary to inquire; but it is certain that he
+drew upon these advantages largely in his intercourse with the females
+in general, and with the ladies in particular. But though at first this
+particular species of devotion was exceedingly agreeable to him, both in
+its exercise and its success, he now found very considerable
+inconvenience from the difficulty of keeping up the frequency of his
+pastoral visits to his fair converts without giving more time to them
+than was consistent with his infinitely more important avocations at the
+Park.</p>
+
+<p>As soon, however, as he perceived how completely the writing of tracts
+occupied Fanny Mowbray during the time that was formerly bestowed upon
+listening to his sentimental divinity, he determined that several others
+of his female parishioners should dispose of their superfluous time in
+the same manner.</p>
+
+<p>Within twenty-four hours after he came to this decision, the three
+Misses Richards had, each and every of them, purchased a quire of
+foolscap paper, a quarter of a hundred of goose-quills, with a bottle of
+ink, and a Concordance, in common between them. Miss Stokes too, the
+little blue-eyed milliner, and Mrs. Knighton, the late post-master's
+widow, and Mrs. Watkins, the haberdasher's wife, were all furnished with
+abundant materials of the same value; and all of them determined to give
+up every earthly thing, if it were necessary, rather than disappoint the
+dear, blessed Mr. Cartwright of the comfort of receiving any thing he
+expected from them.</p>
+
+<p>The widow Simpson, and even her little holy Mimima, had also employment
+found for them; which, though it could but ill supply to that regenerate
+lady the loss of Mr. Cartwright's society, which at this particular
+time she was in a great degree deprived of, served, nevertheless, to
+soothe her by the conviction, that though not seen, she was remembered.</p>
+
+<p>The part of the business consigned to Mrs. Simpson was the selling the
+tracts. It was not without surprise that the people of the
+neighbourhood, particularly the unawakened, saw the parlour-windows of
+"the principal person in the village" disfigured by a large square
+paper, looking very much as if it announced lodgings to let, but which,
+upon closer examination, proved to be inscribed as follows: "Religious
+tracts, hymns, and meditations sold here, at one penny each, or
+ninepence halfpenny for the dozen."</p>
+
+<p>Miss Mimima's duty was to hold in her hand a square box, with a slit cut
+in the lid thereof, in which all who purchased the tracts were requested
+to deposit their money for the same; and when the customer's appearance
+betokened the possession of more pennies than their purchase required,
+the little girl was instructed to say, "One more penny, please ma'am,
+(or sir,) for the love of the Lord."</p>
+
+<p>Thus, for the pleasant interval of a few weeks, every thing went on
+smoothly. Helen, at the earnest request of her brother, and convinced by
+his arguments, as well as those of Lady Harrington and Rosalind, that,
+under existing circumstances, it was right to do so, made several
+morning visits to Oakley.</p>
+
+<p>Had she been questioned concerning this, she would most frankly have
+avowed both the act and the motives for it. But no such questionings
+came. Charles himself dined there repeatedly, but was never asked why he
+absented himself, nor where he had been.</p>
+
+<p>During this period, Mrs. Mowbray seemed to encourage rather more than
+usual the intercourse of the family with their Wrexhill neighbours. The
+season being no longer favourable for walking, the Mowbray carriage was
+to be seen two or three times in a week at Mrs. Simpson's, Mrs.
+Richards's and the Vicarage; but it often happened, that though Mrs.
+Mowbray proposed a visit to Wrexhill while they were at the
+breakfast-table, and that the coachman immediately received orders to be
+at the door accordingly, when the time arrived her inclination for the
+excursion was found to have evaporated, and the young people went
+thither alone.</p>
+
+<p>Upon one occasion of this kind, when, Fanny being deeply engaged in the
+composition of a tract, and Charles gone to Oakley, Miss Torrington and
+Helen had the carriage to themselves, they agreed that instead of making
+the proposed visit to Mrs. Simpson, they should go to inquire for a
+little patient of Helen's, the child of a poor hard-working woman, who
+had long been one of her pensioners at Wrexhill.</p>
+
+<p>The entrance to the house was by a side door from a lane too narrow to
+permit the carriage to turn; the two young ladies therefore were put
+down at the corner of it, and their approach was unheard by those who
+occupied the room upon which the door of the house opened, although it
+stood ajar. But as they were in the very act of entering, they were
+stopped by words so loud and angry, that they felt disposed to turn back
+and abandon their charitable intention altogether.</p>
+
+<p>But Rosalind's ear caught a sound that made her curious to hear more;
+and laying her hand on Helen's arm, and at the same time making a sign
+that she should be silent, they stood for a moment on the threshold,
+that they might decide whether to retreat or advance.</p>
+
+<p>"You nasty abominable woman, you!" these were the first words which
+distinctly reached them; "you nasty untidy creature! look at the
+soap-suds, do, all splashed out upon the ground! How can you expect a
+Christian lady, who is the principal person in the parish, to come and
+look after your nasty dirty soul, you untidy pig, you?"</p>
+
+<p>"Lord love you, my lady! 'tis downright unpossible to keep one little
+room neat, and fit for the like of you, when I have the washing of three
+families to do in it.&mdash;Heaven be praised for it!&mdash;and to cook my
+husband's bit of dinner, and let three little ones crawl about in it,
+besides."</p>
+
+<p>"Stuff and nonsense!" responded the principal person in the village,
+"whoever heard of washing making people dirty? Look here,&mdash;put out your
+hand, can't you? I am sure I shall come no nearer to you and your tub.
+Take these three tracts, and take care you expound them to your husband;
+and remember that you are to bring them back again in one month without
+a single speck of dirt upon them."</p>
+
+<p>"You be sent by the new vicar, beant you, Madam Simpson?" inquired the
+woman.</p>
+
+<p>"Sent, woman? I don't know what you mean by 'sent.' As a friend and
+joint labourer with Mr. Cartwright in the vineyard, I am come to take
+your soul out of the nethermost pit; but if you will persist in going on
+soaping and rubbing at that rate instead of listening to me, I don't see
+that you have any more chance of salvation than your black kettle there.
+Mercy on me! I shall catch my death of cold here! Tell me at once, do
+you undertake to expound these tracts to your husband?"</p>
+
+<p>"Dear me! no, my lady; I was brought up altogether to the washing line."</p>
+
+<p>"What has that to do with it, you stupid sinner? I can't stay any longer
+in this horrid, damp, windy hole; but take care that you expound, for I
+insist upon it; and if you don't you may depend upon it Mr. Cartwright
+won't give you one penny of the sacrament money."</p>
+
+<p>So saying, the pious lady turned away and opened the door upon Miss
+Torrington and Helen.</p>
+
+<p>Conscious, perhaps, that her <i>Christian duty</i> had not been performed in
+so lady-like a manner as it might have been, had she known that any
+portion of the Park family were within hearing, the principal person in
+the village started and coloured at seeing them; but, aware how greatly
+she had outrun the two young ladies in the heavenly race, she
+immediately recovered herself and said, "I am afraid, young ladies, that
+your errand here is not the same as mine. Betty Thomas is a poor sinful
+creature, and I hope you are not going to give her money till she is
+reported elect, Miss Mowbray? It will really be no less than a sin if
+you do."</p>
+
+<p>"She has a sick child, Mrs. Simpson," replied Helen, "and I am going to
+give her money to buy what will make broth for it."</p>
+
+<p>Helen then entered the room, made her inquiries for the little sufferer,
+and putting her donation into sinful Betty Thomas's soapy hand, returned
+to Mrs. Simpson and Rosalind, who remained conversing at the door.</p>
+
+<p>It was raining hard, and Miss Mowbray asked Mrs. Simpson if she should
+take her home.</p>
+
+<p>"That is an offer that I won't refuse, Miss Mowbray, though I am within,
+and you are without, the pale. But I am terribly subject to catching
+cold; and I do assure you that this winter weather makes a serious
+Christian's duty very difficult to do, I have got rid of seventy tracts
+since first of December."</p>
+
+<p>"You sell the tracts, do you not, Mrs. Simpson?" said Rosalind.</p>
+
+<p>"Yes, Miss Torrington,&mdash;I sell them and lend them, and now and then give
+them, when I think it is a great object to have them seen in any
+particular house."</p>
+
+<p>"Have you collected much, ma'am, by the sale?"</p>
+
+<p>"Not a very large sum as yet, Miss Torrington; but I am getting on in
+many different ways for the furtherance of Heaven's work. Perhaps,
+ladies, though you have not as yet put your own hands to the plough that
+shall open the way for you to a place among the heavenly host, you may
+like to see my account?"</p>
+
+<p>"I should like it very much, Mrs. Simpson," said Rosalind.</p>
+
+<p>The lady then drew from her reticule a small pocket-book, from which she
+read several items, which from various sources contributed, as she said,
+"to fill a bag for the Work," to be expended upon the saints by the
+hands of their pious vicar.</p>
+
+<p>By the time this interesting lecture was finished, the carriage had
+reached Mrs. Simpson's door, and having set her down, was ordered home.</p>
+
+<p>"Now will I give Charles a <i>pendant</i> to the exquisite poetical effusion
+which he bestowed on me some time since," said Rosalind, drawing forth
+pencil and paper from a pocket of the carriage, in which Mrs. Mowbray
+was accustomed of late to deposit what the vicar called "sacred
+memoranda;" by which were signified all the scraps of gossip respecting
+the poor people among whom she distributed tracts, that she could
+collect for his private ear.</p>
+
+<p>Having invoked the Sisters Nine for the space of five minutes, she read
+aloud the result to Helen, who declared herself willing to give
+testimony, if called upon, to the faithful rendering (save and except
+the rhymes) of the financial document to which they had just listened.</p>
+
+<div class="poem"><div class="stanza">
+<span class="i0">Sixpence a week paid by each serious pew<br /></span>
+<span class="i0">In Mr. Cartwright's church, makes&mdash;one pound two;<br /></span>
+<span class="i0">From Wrexhill workhouse, by a farthing rate<br /></span>
+<span class="i0">Collected by myself, just one pound eight;<br /></span>
+<span class="i0">Crumbs for the Lord, gather'd from door to door<br /></span>
+<span class="i0">Through Hampshire, makes exactly two pound four;<br /></span>
+<span class="i0">From twelve old ladies, offerings from the hive<br /></span>
+<span class="i0">In various sums, amount to three pound five;<br /></span>
+<span class="i0">From our new Sunday school, as the Lord's fee,<br /></span>
+<span class="i0">By pennies from each child, we've shillings three;<br /></span>
+<span class="i0">And last of all, and more deserving praise<br /></span>
+<span class="i0">Than all the sums raised by all other ways,<br /></span>
+<span class="i0">"The desperate Sinner's certain Road to Heaven,"<br /></span>
+<span class="i0">Sold at the gallows foot,&mdash;thirteen pound seven.<br /></span>
+</div></div>
+
+<p>"This is a new accomplishment," said Helen, laughing; "and I declare to
+you, Rosalind, I think it very unnecessary, Roman Catholic-like, and
+unkind, to perform any more works of supererogation in that fascinating
+style upon the heart of poor Charles. I am afraid he has had more than
+is good for him already."</p>
+
+<p>"I do not think the beauty of my verses will at all tend to injure Mr.
+Mowbray's peace of mind," replied Rosalind rather coldly. "However, we
+can watch their effects, you know, and if we see any alarming symptoms
+coming on we can withdraw them."</p>
+
+<p>Just before they reached the lodge-gates, they perceived Charles on foot
+before them; and stopping the carriage, Helen made him get in, just to
+tell them, as she said, how her dear godmother was, what kind messages
+she had sent her, and though last, not least, whether any tidings had
+been heard of the commission.</p>
+
+<p>Charles appeared to be in excellent spirits; repeated many pleasant
+observations uttered by Sir Gilbert on the effervescent nature of his
+mother's malady; told them that a commission in the Horse Guards was
+declared to be at his service as soon as the money for it was
+forthcoming, for which, if needs must, even Sir Gilbert had permitted
+him to draw on Mr. Corbold; and finally, that he believed they had all
+alarmed themselves about Mr. Cartwright and his pernicious influences in
+a very wrong and unreasonable manner.</p>
+
+<p>On reaching the house, they entered the library, which was the usual
+winter sitting-room; but it was quite deserted. They drew round the fire
+for a few minutes' further discussion of the news and the gossip which
+Charles had brought; and, apropos of some of the Oakley anecdotes of the
+proceedings at Wrexhill, Helen requested Rosalind to produce her version
+of Mrs. Simpson's deeds of grace.</p>
+
+<p>"Willingly," replied Miss Torrington, drawing the paper from her pocket.
+"You dedicated a poem to me, Mr. Mowbray, some weeks ago; and I now beg
+to testify my gratitude by presenting you with this."</p>
+
+<p>Charles took the paper, and while fixing his eyes with a good deal of
+meaning upon the beautiful giver, kissed it, and said, "Do you make it a
+principle, Miss Torrington, to return in kind every offering that is
+made you?"</p>
+
+<p>"That is <i>selon</i>," she replied, colouring, and turning round to say
+something to Helen: but she was gone.</p>
+
+<p>"Rosalind!" said Charles, thrusting her paper unread into his bosom.
+"This commission, though we hail it as good fortune, will yet put an end
+to by far the happiest period of my existence, unless&mdash;I may hope,
+Rosalind, that&mdash;if ever the time should come&mdash;and I now think it will
+come&mdash;when I may again consider myself as the heir to a large property,
+I may hope that you will some day suffer me to lay this property at your
+feet."</p>
+
+<p>"Never lay your property at the feet of any one, Mr. Mowbray," she
+replied carelessly.</p>
+
+<p>Charles coloured and looked grievously offended. "You teach me at least,
+Miss Torrington, to beware how I venture again to hope that you would
+accept any thing I could lay at yours."</p>
+
+<p>"Nay, do not say so, Mr. Mowbray: I accept daily from you most willingly
+and gratefully unnumbered testimonies of friendship and good will; and
+if their being kindly welcomed will ensure their continuance, you will
+not let them cease."</p>
+
+<p>"I am a coxcomb for having ever hoped for more," said Charles, leaving
+the room with cheeks painfully glowing and a heart indignantly
+throbbing. He had not looked for this repulse, and his disappointment
+was abundantly painful. Over and over again had he decided, while
+holding counsel with himself on the subject, that he would not propose
+to Rosalind till his mother had made him independent; but these
+resolutions were the result rather of a feeling of generosity than of
+timidity. Yet Charles Mowbray was no coxcomb. Miss Torrington was not
+herself aware how many trifling but fondly-treasured symptoms of partial
+liking she had betrayed towards him during the last few weeks; and as it
+never entered his imagination to believe that she could doubt the
+reality of his strong attachment, he attributed the repulse he had
+received, as well as all the encouragement which led him to risk it, as
+the result of the most cruel and cold-hearted coquetry.</p>
+
+<p>It is probable that he left Rosalind little better satisfied with
+herself than he was with her; but unfortunately there is no medium by
+which thoughts carefully hid in one bosom can be made to pour their
+light and warmth into another, and much misery was in this instance, as
+well as in ten thousand others, endured by each party, only for want of
+understanding what was going on in the heart of the other.</p>
+
+<p>Mowbray determined not to waste another hour in uncertainty as to the
+manner in which his commission was to be paid for, and his future
+expenses supplied. But in his way to his mother, he delayed long enough
+to say to Helen, "I have proposed, and been most scornfully rejected,
+Helen. How could we either of us ever dream that Miss Torrington showed
+any more favour to me than she would have done to any brother of yours,
+had he been a hunchbacked idiot?"</p>
+
+<p>Without waiting to receive any expression either of surprise or
+sympathy, he left his sister with the same hurried abruptness with which
+he sought her, and hastened on to find his mother.</p>
+
+<p>She was sitting alone, with a bible on one side of her, and two tracts
+on the other. In her hand was a little curiously-folded note, such as
+she now very constantly received at least once a day, even though the
+writer might have left her presence in health and perfect contentment
+one short hour before.</p>
+
+<p>She started at the sudden entrance of her son, and her delicately pale
+face became as red as a milkmaid's as she hastily placed the note she
+was reading between the leaves of her book. But Charles saw it not;
+every pulse within him was beating with such violence, that it required
+all the power left him to speak that which he had to say. Had his mother
+been weighing out a poison, and packets before her labelled for himself
+and his sisters, he would not have seen it.</p>
+
+<p>"Mother," he said, "I have received notice that the commission in the
+Horse Guards which my father applied for some time before he died is now
+ready for me. Will you have the kindness to furnish me with the means of
+paying for it? and will you also inform me on what sum I may reckon for
+my yearly expenses? I mean to join immediately."</p>
+
+<p>Mrs. Mowbray's little agitation had entirely subsided, and she answered
+with much solemnity, "You come to me, Charles, in a very abrupt manner,
+and apparently in a very thoughtless frame of mind, to speak on
+subjects which to my humble capacity seem fraught with consequences most
+awfully important.&mdash;The Horse Guards! Oh! Charles! is it possible you
+can have lived for many weeks in such a regenerated family as mine, and
+yet turn your thoughts towards a life so profane as that of an officer
+in the Horse Guards?"</p>
+
+<p>"Let my life pass where it may, mother, I trust it will not be a profane
+one. I should ill repay my father's teaching if it were. This is the
+profession which he chose for me; it is the one to which I have always
+directed my hopes, and it is that which I decidedly prefer. I trust,
+therefore, that you will not object to my following the course which my
+most excellent father pointed out to me."</p>
+
+<p>"I shall object to it, sir: and pray understand at once, that I will
+never suffer the intemperate pleadings of a hot-headed young man to
+overpower the voice of conscience in my heart."</p>
+
+<p>Poor Mowbray felt inclined to exclaim,</p>
+
+<div class="poem"><div class="stanza">
+<span class="i0">"When sorrows come, they come not single spies,<br /></span>
+<span class="i0">But in battalions."<br /></span>
+</div></div>
+
+<p>For a moment he remained perfectly silent, and then said, "This is very
+terrible news for me, mother. You shall hear, I trust, no intemperate
+pleadings, but I hope you will let me reason with you on the subject.
+Surely you will not blame me for wishing in this, and in all things, to
+adhere as closely as may be to my dear father's wishes?"</p>
+
+<p>"If your poor father, Charles, groped through life surrounded on all
+sides with outer darkness, is that any reason that I should suffer the
+son he left under my care and control to do so likewise? When he left
+the whole of my property at my whole and sole disposal, it was plain
+that he felt there was more hope of wisdom abiding in me than in you. It
+is herein, and herein only, that I must labour to do according to his
+wishes and his will, and endeavour so to act that all may see his
+confidence in me was not misplaced."</p>
+
+<p>"For Heaven's sake, mother! think well before you determine upon
+disappointing all my hopes in this most cruel manner; and believe me,
+that no lookers-on between you and me&mdash;except perhaps the mischievous
+fanatic who has lately chosen to meddle so impertinently in our
+affairs&mdash;but will feel and say that I have been ill treated."</p>
+
+<p>Had Mowbray not been stung and irritated as he was before this
+conversation, it is probable he would not have remonstrated thus warmly
+with a mother, whom he had ever been accustomed to treat with the most
+tender observance and respect.</p>
+
+<p>She looked at him with equal anger and astonishment, and remained for
+some time without speaking a word, or withdrawing her eyes from his
+face. If her son felt inclined to quote Shakspeare at the beginning of
+the conversation, she might have done so at the end of it; for all she
+wished to say was comprised in these words:</p>
+
+<div class="poem"><div class="stanza">
+<span class="i0">"Nay, then, I'll send those to you that can speak."<br /></span>
+</div></div>
+
+<p>She did not, however, express herself exactly thus, but ended her long
+examination of his flushed and agitated countenance by pronouncing
+almost in a whisper,</p>
+
+<p>"This is very terrible! But I thank Heaven I am not left quite alone in
+the world!"</p>
+
+<p>Having thus spoken, she rose and retired to her bed-room, leaving her
+very unhappy son in possession of her "morning parlour," and of more
+bitter thoughts than had ever before been his portion.</p>
+
+<p>Having continued for some moments exactly in the position in which she
+left him, he at length started up, and endeavouring to rouse himself
+from the heavy trance that seemed to have fallen on him, he hastened to
+find Helen.</p>
+
+<p>"It is all over with me, Helen!" said he. "You know what I met with in
+the library;&mdash;and now my mother protests against my accepting my
+commission, because she says that officers lead profane lives. What is
+to become of me, Helen!"</p>
+
+<p>"Have patience, dearest Charles! All this cannot last. It cannot be
+supposed that we can submit ourselves to the will of Mr. Cartwright: and
+depend upon it that it is he who has dictated this refusal. Do not look
+so very miserable, my dear brother! I think you would do very wisely if
+you returned to Oakley to dinner,&mdash;for many reasons."</p>
+
+<p>"Bless you, love, for the suggestion! It will indeed be a relief to me.
+I know not at this moment which I most desire to avoid&mdash;my mother, or
+Miss Torrington. Have you seen her&mdash;Rosalind, I mean?"</p>
+
+<p>"No, Charles,&mdash;not since you parted from her. I heard her enter her
+room and lock the door. The answer you have received from her surprises
+me more, and vexes me more, than even my mother's."</p>
+
+<p>"Bless you, Helen! you are a true sister and a true friend. I will go to
+Sir Gilbert;&mdash;but it rains hard&mdash;I wish I had the cab, or my own dear
+mare to ride. But that's a minor trouble;&mdash;it irks me though, for it
+comes from the same quarter."</p>
+
+<p>"It does indeed;&mdash;and it irks me too, believe me. But patience,
+Charles!&mdash;courage and patience will do much."</p>
+
+<p>"Will it give me the heart of the woman I love, Helen?&mdash;or rather, will
+it give her a heart? It is that which galls me. I have been
+deceived&mdash;trifled with, and have loved with my whole heart and soul a
+most heartless, fair-seeming coquette."</p>
+
+<p>"That you have not, Charles!" replied Helen warmly; "that you have not!
+I too have mistaken Rosalind's feelings towards you. Perhaps she has
+mistaken them herself: but she is not heartless; and above all, there is
+no seeming about her."</p>
+
+<p>"How I love you for contradicting me, Helen!&mdash;and for that bright flush
+that so eloquently expresses anger and indignation at my injustice! But
+if she be not a coquette, then must I be a most consummate puppy; for as
+I live, Helen, I thought she loved me."</p>
+
+<p>"I cannot understand it. But I know that Rosalind Torrington is
+warm-hearted, generous, and sincere; and whatever it is which has led us
+to misunderstand her, either now or heretofore, it cannot be coquetry,
+or false-seeming of any kind."</p>
+
+<p>"Well&mdash;be it so: I would rather the fault were mine than hers. But I
+will not see her again to-day if I can help it. So good-b'ye, Helen: my
+lady must excuse my toilet;&mdash;I cannot dress and then walk through Oakley
+lane."</p>
+
+
+
+<hr style="width: 65%;" />
+<h2><a name="CHAPTER_XIVB" id="CHAPTER_XIVB"></a>CHAPTER XIV.</h2>
+
+<h3>THE ENTRY.</h3>
+
+
+<p>It was very nearly midnight when Mowbray returned from his visit to Sir
+Gilbert Harrington's. To his great surprise, he found Helen waiting for
+him, even in the hall; for the moment she heard the door-bell she ran
+out to meet him.</p>
+
+<p>"Why are you up so late, Helen?" he exclaimed: "and for Heaven's sake
+tell me what makes you look so pale.&mdash;Where is Rosalind?"</p>
+
+<p>"She is in bed;&mdash;she has been in tears all day; I made her go to bed.
+But, oh, Charles! my mother!&mdash;she has left the house."</p>
+
+<p>"Gracious Heaven! what do you mean? Did she leave the house in anger?
+Did she ask for me?"</p>
+
+<p>"No, Charles: nor for me either!"</p>
+
+<p>"And where on earth is she gone?"</p>
+
+<p>"No one in the house has the remotest idea: it is impossible even to
+guess. But she has taken Fanny and Curtis with her."</p>
+
+<p>"When did she set out?"</p>
+
+<p>"While Rosalind and I were eating our miserable melancholy dinner. Mr.
+Cartwright, I find, called after you went, and was shown, as usual, to
+her dressing-room; but he did not stay, Thomas says, above half an hour,
+for he both let him in and out. Soon after he went away, Fanny was sent
+for; and she and Curtis remained with her till a few minutes before
+dinner-time. Curtis then went into the kitchen, it seems, and ordered a
+tray to be taken for my mother and Fanny into the dressing-room, and the
+only message sent to Rosalind and me was, that mamma was not well, and
+begged not to be disturbed. Curtis must have seen the coachman and
+settled every thing with him very secretly; for not one of the servants,
+except the new stable-boy, knew that the carriage was ordered."</p>
+
+<p>"How are we to interpret this, Helen?&mdash;Such a night too!&mdash;as dark as
+pitch. Had I not known the way blindfold, I should never have got home.
+I left Sir Gilbert in a rage because I would not sleep there;&mdash;but my
+heart was heavy; I felt restless and anxious at the idea of remaining
+from you during the night: I think it was a presentiment of this
+dreadful news.&mdash;Oh! what a day has this been to me! So gay, so happy in
+the morning! so supremely wretched before night!&mdash;I can remember nothing
+that I said which could possibly have driven her to leave her home. What
+can it mean, Helen?"</p>
+
+<p>"Alas! Charles, I have no power to answer you. If asking questions could
+avail, might I not ask what I have done? And yet, at the moment of her
+leaving home for the night, she sent me word that I was <i>not to disturb
+her</i>!"</p>
+
+<p>"The roads too are so bad! Had she lamps, Helen?"</p>
+
+<p>"Oh yes. Some of the maids, while shutting up the rooms upstairs, saw
+the lights moving very rapidly towards the lodges."</p>
+
+<p>"It is an inexplicable and very painful mystery. But go to bed, my
+dearest Helen! you look most wretchedly ill and miserable."</p>
+
+<p>"Ill?&mdash;No, I am not ill, Charles, but miserable; yes, more miserable
+than I have ever felt since my poor father's death was first made known
+to me."</p>
+
+<p>The following morning brought no relief to the anxiety which this
+strange absence occasioned. Rosalind joined the brother and sister at
+breakfast, and her jaded looks more than confirmed Helen's report of the
+preceding night. Charles, however, hardly saw her sufficiently to know
+how she looked, for he carefully avoided her eyes; but if the gentlest
+and most soothing tone of voice, and the expression of her almost tender
+sympathy in the uneasiness he was enduring, could have consoled the
+young man for all he had suffered and was suffering, he would have been
+consoled.</p>
+
+<p>The day passed heavily; but Helen looked so very ill and so very
+unhappy, that Charles could not bear to leave her; and though a mutual
+feeling of embarrassment between himself and Rosalind made his remaining
+with them a very doubtful advantage, he never quitted them.</p>
+
+<p>But it was quite in vain that he attempted to renew the occupations
+which had made the last six weeks pass so delightfully. He began to
+read; but Helen stopped him before the end of the page, by saying, "I
+cannot think what is the reason of it, Charles, but I cannot comprehend
+a single syllable of what you are reading."</p>
+
+<p>Rosalind, blushing to the ears, and actually trembling from head to
+foot, invited him to play at chess with her. Without replying a word, he
+brought the table and set up the men before her; but the result of the
+game was, that Charles gave Rosalind checkmate, and it was Helen only
+who discovered it.</p>
+
+<p>At an early hour they separated for the night; for the idea of waiting
+for Mrs. Mowbray seemed equally painful to them all, and the morrow's
+sun rose upon them only to bring a repetition of the sad and restless
+hours of the day that was past. Truly might they have said they were
+weary of conjecture; for so completely had they exhausted every
+supposition to which the imagination of either of the party could reach,
+without finding one on which common sense would permit them to repose,
+that, by what seemed common consent, they ceased to hazard a single "may
+be" more.</p>
+
+<p>They were sitting with their coffee-cups before them, and Rosalind was
+once more trying to fix the attention of Charles, as well as her own, to
+the chess-board, when a lusty pull at the door-bell produced an alarm
+which caused all the servants in the house to jump from their seats, and
+one half of the chessmen to be overturned by the violent start of
+Rosalind.</p>
+
+<p>A few moments of breathless expectation followed. The house door was
+opened, and the steps of several persons were heard in the hall, but no
+voice accompanied them. Helen rose, but trembled so violently, that her
+brother threw his arms round her and almost carried her to a sofa.
+Rosalind stood beside her, looking very nearly as pale as herself; while
+Charles made three steps forward and one back again, and then stood with
+his hands clasped and his eyes fixed on the door in a manner which
+showed that, in spite of his manhood, he was very nearly as much
+agitated as his companions.</p>
+
+<p>The next sound they heard was the voice of the lady of the mansion, and
+she spoke loud and clear, as she laid her hand on the lock, and partly
+opening the door, said addressing the butler, who with half a dozen
+other servingmen had hurried to answer the bell, "Chivers! order all the
+servants to meet me in this room immediately; and fail not to come
+yourself."</p>
+
+<p>Mowbray had again stepped forward upon hearing his mother's voice, but
+stopped short to listen to her words; and having heard them, he turned
+back again, and placing himself behind the sofa on which Helen sat,
+leaned over it to whisper in her ear&mdash;"Let me not see you overcome,
+Helen! and then I shall be able to bear any thing."</p>
+
+<p>As he spoke, the door was thrown widely open, and a lady entered dressed
+entirely in white and very deeply veiled, followed by Fanny Mowbray and
+Mr. Cartwright.</p>
+
+<p>A heavy sense of faintness seized on the heart of Helen, but she stood
+up and endeavoured to advance; Rosalind, on the contrary, stepped back
+and seated herself in the darkest corner of the room; while Charles
+hastily walked towards the veiled lady, and in a voice thick from
+emotion, exclaimed, "My mother!"</p>
+
+<p>"Yes, Charles!" she replied; "your mother; but no longer a widowed,
+desolate mother, shrinking before the unnatural rebuke of her son. I
+would willingly have acted with greater appearance of deliberation, but
+your conduct rendered this impossible. Mr. Cartwright! permit me to
+present you to this hot-headed young man and his sister, as my husband
+and their father."</p>
+
+<p>This terrible but expected annunciation was received in total silence.
+Mowbray seemed to think only of his sister; for without looking towards
+the person thus solemnly presented to him, he turned to her, and taking
+her by the arm, said, "Helen!&mdash;you had better sit down."</p>
+
+<p>Fanny, who had entered the room immediately after her mother, looked
+pale and frightened; but though she fixed a tearful eye on Helen, she
+attempted not to approach her.</p>
+
+<p>Mr. Cartwright himself stood beside his bride, or rather a little in
+advance of her: his tall person drawn up to its greatest height.
+Meekness, gentleness, and humility appeared to have his lips in their
+keeping; but unquenchable triumph was running riot in his eyes, and
+flashed upon every individual before him with a very unequivocal and
+somewhat scornful air of authority.</p>
+
+<p>This tableau endured till the door was again thrown open, and one by one
+the servants entered, forming at last a long line completely across the
+room. When all were in their marshalled places, which here, as
+elsewhere, were in as exact conformity to the received order of
+precedence as if they had been nobles at a coronation, the lady bride
+again lifted her voice and addressed them thus: "I have called you all
+together on the present occasion in order to inform you that Mr.
+Cartwright is my husband and your master. I hope it is unnecessary for
+me to say that every thing in the family must henceforward be submitted
+solely to his pleasure, and that his commands must on all occasions
+supersede those of every other person. I trust you will all show
+yourselves sensible of the inestimable blessing I have bestowed upon you
+in thus giving you a master who can lead you unto everlasting life; and
+as I have married for the glory of Heaven, so I trust to receive its
+blessing upon the same, and to see every member of my family advancing
+daily under the guidance of their earthly master's hand to that state
+which shall ensure them favour from their heavenly one in the life to
+come. Amen! Repeat, I beg you&mdash;all of you repeat with me Amen!"</p>
+
+<p>Though there were some throats there in which Amen would have stuck,
+there were enough present besides these to get up a tolerably articulate
+Amen.</p>
+
+<p>Mr. Cartwright then stepped forward, and laying his hat and gloves on
+the table, said aloud, "Let us pray!"</p>
+
+<p>The obedient menials knelt before him,&mdash;all save one. This bold
+exception was the housekeeper; a staid and sober person of fifty years
+of age, who during the dozen years she had presided over the household,
+had constantly evinced a strict and conscientious adherence to her
+religious duties, and was, moreover, distinguished for her uniformly
+respectful, quiet, and unobtrusive demeanour. But she now stepped
+forward from her place at the head of the line, and said in a low voice,
+but very slowly and distinctly, "I cannot, sir, on this occasion kneel
+down to pray at your bidding. This is not a holy business at all, Mr.
+Cartwright; and if you were to give me for salary the half of what you
+are about to wring from the orphan children of my late master, (deceased
+just eight calendar months ago,) I would not take it, sir, to live here
+and witness what I cannot but look upon as great sin."</p>
+
+<p>The good woman then gave a sad look at Helen and her brother, who were
+standing together, dropped a respectful curtesy as her eyes rested on
+them, and then left the room.</p>
+
+<p>"Her sin be on her own head!" said Mr. Cartwright as he himself kneeled
+down upon a footstool which stood near the table. He drew a cambric
+handkerchief from his pocket, gave a preparatory "hem," and apparently
+unconscious that Miss Torrington had darted from the remote corner in
+which she had been ensconced and followed the housekeeper out of the
+room, remained for a moment with his eyes fixed on Mowbray and Helen,
+who remained standing.</p>
+
+<p>"It would be a frightful mockery for us to kneel!" said Charles, drawing
+his sister back to the sofa she had quitted. "Sit down with me, Helen;
+and when we are alone we will pray for strength to endure as we ought to
+do whatever calamity it is Heaven's will to try us with."</p>
+
+<p>The bride was kneeling beside her husband; but she rose up and said,
+"You are of age, Charles Mowbray, and too stiff-necked and wilful to
+obey your mother: but you, Helen, I command to kneel."</p>
+
+<p>She then replaced herself with much solemnity; and Helen knelt too,
+while breathing a silent prayer to be forgiven for what she felt to be
+profanation.</p>
+
+<p>Charles stood for a moment irresolute, and then said, dropping on his
+knees beside her, "Heaven will pardon me for your sake, dear
+Helen,&mdash;even for kneeling at a service that my heart disclaims."</p>
+
+<p>Mr. Cartwright hemmed again, and began.</p>
+
+<p>"I thank thee! that by thy especial calling and election I am placed
+where so many sinful souls are found, who through and by me may be shown
+the path by which to escape the eternal pains of hell. But let thy
+flames blaze and burn, O Lord! for those who neglect so great salvation!
+Pour down upon them visibly thy avenging judgments, and let the earth
+see it and be afraid. To me, O Lord! grant power, strength, and courage
+to do the work that is set before me. Let me be a rod and a scourge to
+the ungodly; and let no sinful weakness on the part of the wife whom
+thou hast given me come across or overshadow the light received from
+thee for the leading of the rebellious back unto thy paths. Bless my
+virtuous wife; teach her to be meekly obedient to my word, and to thine
+through me; and make her so to value the inestimable mercy of being
+placed in the guiding hands of thy elected servant, that the miserable
+earthly dross which she maketh over to me in exchange for the same may
+seem but as dirt and filthiness in her sight! May such children as are
+already born unto her be brought to a due sense of thy exceeding mercy
+in thus putting it into their mother's heart to choose thine elected
+servant to lead them through the dangerous paths of youth; make them
+rejoice and be exceeding glad for the same, for so shall it be good in
+thy sight!"</p>
+
+<p>This terrible thanksgiving, with all its minute rehearsing of people and
+of things, went on for a considerable time longer; but enough has been
+given to show the spirit of it. As soon as it was ended, the new master
+of the mansion rose from his knees, and waiting with an appearance of
+some little impatience till his audience had all recovered their feet,
+he turned to his bride with a smile of much complacency, and said,
+"Mrs. Cartwright, my love, where shall I order Chivers to bring us some
+refreshments? Probably the dining-room fire is out. Shall we sup here?"</p>
+
+<p>"Wherever you please," answered the lady meekly, and blushing a little
+at the sound of her new name pronounced for the first time before her
+children.</p>
+
+<p>This address and the answer to it were too much for Helen to endure with
+any appearance of composure. She hid her face in her handkerchief as she
+passed her mother, and giving Fanny, who was seated near the door, a
+hasty kiss, left the room, followed by her brother.</p>
+
+<p>Helen ran to the apartment of Rosalind; and Mowbray ran with her,
+forgetful, as it seemed, of the indecorum of such an unauthorized
+intrusion at any time, and more forgetful still of the icy barrier which
+had seemed to exist between him and its fair inhabitant since the first
+expression of his love and of his hope had been so cruelly chilled by
+her light answer to it. But in this moment of new misery every thing was
+forgotten but the common sorrow: they found Rosalind passionately
+sobbing, and Mrs. Williams, the housekeeper, weeping very heartily
+beside her.</p>
+
+<p>"Oh, my Helen!" exclaimed the young heiress, springing forward to meet
+her; "Williams says they cannot take my money from me. Will you let us
+divide my fortune and live together?"</p>
+
+<p>"Williams forgets your age, Rosalind," replied Helen: but though there
+was pain in recalling this disqualifying truth, there was a glance of
+pleasure too in the look with which Helen thanked her; and Charles, as
+he gazed on her swollen eyes and working features, felt that, cruel as
+she had been to him, she must ever be the dearest, as she was the best
+and the loveliest, being in the world.</p>
+
+<p>And there was assuredly comfort, even at such a moment, in the devoted
+friendship of Rosalind, and in the respectful but earnest expressions of
+affection from the good housekeeper; but the future prospects of Charles
+and his sisters was one upon which it was impossible to look without
+dismay.</p>
+
+<p>"What ought we to do?" said Helen, appealing as much to her old servant
+as her young friend. "Can it be our duty to live with this hypocritical
+and designing wretch, and call him <i>father</i>?"</p>
+
+<p>"No!" replied Rosalind vehemently. "To do so would be shame and sin."</p>
+
+<p>"But where can the poor girls take refuge? You forget, Miss Torrington,
+that they are penniless," said Charles.</p>
+
+<p>"But I am not penniless, sir," replied Rosalind, looking at him with an
+expression of anger that proceeded wholly from his formal mode of
+address, but which he interpreted as the result of a manner assumed to
+keep him at a distance.</p>
+
+<p>"May I venture to say one word, my dear children, before I take my leave
+of you?" said Mrs. Williams.</p>
+
+<p>"Oh yes," said Helen, taking her by the hand; "I wish you would give us
+your advice, Williams: we are too young to decide for ourselves at such
+a dreadful moment as this."</p>
+
+<p>"And for that very reason, my dear Miss Helen, I would have you wait a
+little before you decide at all. Master Charles,&mdash;I beg his pardon&mdash;Mr.
+Mowbray,&mdash;is altogether a different consideration; and if so be it is
+any way possible for him, I think he should leave, and wait for the end
+elsewhere: but for you and poor Miss Fanny, my dear young lady, I do
+think you must learn to bear and forbear till such time as you may leave
+your misguided mamma, and perhaps accept this noble young lady's offer,
+and share her great fortune with her,&mdash;for a time I mean, Miss
+Helen,&mdash;for it can't be but my mistress will come to her senses sooner
+or later, and then she will remember she is a mother; and she will
+remember too, take my word for it, the noble-hearted but too confiding
+gentleman, who was your father."</p>
+
+<p>Tears flowed from every eye, for poor Mowbray was no exception, at this
+allusion to the beloved father, the gentle master, and the friendly
+guardian; but this did not prevent the good woman's words from having
+their full weight,&mdash;it rather added to it, for it brought back the vivid
+remembrance of one in whose temper there was no gall.</p>
+
+<p>"It will be hard to bear, Williams," replied Helen; "but I do indeed
+believe that you are right, and that, for a time at least, this cruelly
+changed house must be our home. But do you know that in the midst of all
+our misery, I have one comfort,&mdash;I think poor Fanny will be restored to
+us. Did you see the expression of her lovely face as she looked at us,
+Charles? Even you did not look more miserable."</p>
+
+<p>"And if that be so, Miss Helen, it may atone for much; for it was a
+grievous sight to see the poor innocent child taking all Mr.
+Cartwright's brass for gold. If she has got a peep at his cloven foot, I
+shall leave you almost with a light heart&mdash;for I have grieved over her."</p>
+
+<p>"I will take all the comfort I can, Williams, from your words, and will
+follow your counsel too, upon one condition; and that is, nobody must
+prevent my setting off betimes to-morrow morning, as you and I did,
+Rosalind, once before, for Oakley. If my dear godmother advises me as
+you do, Williams, I will return and quietly put my neck into this
+hateful yoke, and so remain till Heaven shall see fit to release me."</p>
+
+<p>"Heaven knows, I shall not oppose that plan," said Rosalind eagerly;
+"for to my judgment, it is the very best you can pursue."</p>
+
+<p>"Indeed I think so," added Charles; "and, dark and dismal as the
+mornings are, I would advise you, Helen, to set out before the time
+arrives for either accepting or refusing the general summons to join the
+family breakfast-table."</p>
+
+<p>"And may I go too?" said Rosalind with a glance half reproachful at
+Charles for the manner in which he seemed to avoid speaking to her.</p>
+
+<p>"May you, Rosalind?" cried Helen. "For pity's sake, do not fancy it
+possible that I can do anything without you now: I should feel that you
+were forsaking me."</p>
+
+<p>"I never forsake any one that I have ever loved," said Rosalind with
+emotion, "whatever you or any one else may think to the contrary."</p>
+
+<p>"Well, then, we will all three go together. But you little thought,
+Rosalind, when you first came here, that you would have to trudge
+through muddy lanes, and under wintry skies for want of a carriage: but
+on this occasion, at least, we will not ask Mr. Cartwright to permit us
+the use of one of his."</p>
+
+<p>"Then go to bed, my dear young ladies," said Mrs. Williams, "that you
+may be early up to-morrow: and let me hear from you, Miss Helen. I shall
+not go from Wrexhill, at least not till I know a little how you will
+settle every thing. I will take Mrs. Freeman's pretty little rooms, that
+you always admire so much, Master Charles; and there I will stay for the
+present."</p>
+
+<p>"Oh! that beautiful little cottage that they call the Mowbray Arms!"
+said Rosalind. "How we shall envy her, Helen!"</p>
+
+<p>The party then separated; for the good housekeeper most strenuously
+opposed Rosalind's proposition of passing the night with her friend.</p>
+
+<p>"You would neither of you sleep a wink, ladies, if you bide together.
+And now, though there is more sorrow with you than such young hearts
+ought to have, yet you will sleep when you have nobody to talk to about
+it; for what makes old folks wake and watch, will often made young folks
+sleep."</p>
+
+<p>And the good woman's prediction proved true; though the sleep that
+followed the tremendous blow they had received was too feverish and full
+of dreams to make the waking feel like that delightful return to new
+life and new joy which the waking of the young should ever be.</p>
+
+
+
+<hr style="width: 65%;" />
+<h2><a name="CHAPTER_XVB" id="CHAPTER_XVB"></a>CHAPTER XV.</h2>
+
+<h3>WALK TO OAKLEY&mdash;DOMESTIC ARRANGEMENTS&mdash;THE VILLAGE INN.</h3>
+
+
+<p>Fortunately for their proposed expedition, the morning broke more
+brightly than a December morning could reasonably be expected to do, and
+the trio set off on their walk to Oakley almost as soon as it was light.
+The expedition, notwithstanding the unhappy cause of it, would have been
+less silent and less sad, had not Charles thought Rosalind capricious
+and cruel, and had not Rosalind thought Charles unkind and cold.</p>
+
+<p>Nothing could appear more likely to perpetuate the unfortunate
+misunderstanding between them than the heavy misfortune that had fallen
+upon Mowbray. His total dependence, contrasted with Miss Torrington's
+wealth, was perpetually recurring to him, producing a degree of
+restraint in his manner that cut Rosalind to the heart, and roused all
+her womanly pride to prevent the long-combated feeling of attachment to
+which his present sorrows gave tenfold strength from betraying itself.</p>
+
+<p>The tripping lightly through summer paths, and the picking one's way
+through wintry lanes, are two very different operations; and
+notwithstanding their early rising, they found the baronet and his lady
+already at the breakfast-table.</p>
+
+<p>The astonishment occasioned by their appearance was great, but yet it
+was a joyous astonishment, and it was some time before Sir Gilbert's
+noisy welcome subsided sufficiently for her ladyship's more quiet and
+more anxious inquiries could be either answered or heard.</p>
+
+<p>At length there was something in the tone of Helen's voice, the glance
+of Rosalind's eye, and the silent pressure of Mowbray's hand, which
+awakened his attention.</p>
+
+<p>"Why, you have walked over to see us, my dear girls, and it was behaving
+like a pair of little angels to do so; but you're not one half as well
+pleased to see me as I am to see you. Come here, Helen; sit down in my
+own chair here, and get warm, and then the words will thaw and come
+forth like the notes from the horn of Munchausen's postboy. And your
+black eyes, Miss Rose, don't look half as saucy as they used do: and as
+for Charles,&mdash;What, on earth, is the matter with ye all?"</p>
+
+<p>Helen burst into tears and buried her face in Lady Harrington's bosom.</p>
+
+<p>"Sir Gilbert," said Mowbray, colouring to the temples, "my mother is
+married!"</p>
+
+<p>"The devil she is!" thundered the old man, clenching his fists.
+"Married, is she?&mdash;Jezebel!&mdash;May your poor father's ghost haunt her to
+her dying hour!&mdash;Married! To that canting cur the Vicar of Wrexhill? Is
+it not so?"</p>
+
+<p>"Even so, Sir Gilbert."</p>
+
+<p>"Heaven help you, my poor children!" said Lady Harrington in accents of
+the deepest sorrow; "this is a grief that it will indeed be hard to
+bear!"</p>
+
+<p>"And we come to you for counsel how to bear it, my dear lady," said
+Mowbray, "though little choice is left us. Yet, Helen says, if you tell
+her that she must submit to call this man her father, it will be easier
+for her to do it."</p>
+
+<p>"Bless her, darling child!" said the old lady, fondly caressing her;
+"how shall I ever find the heart to bid her do what it must break her
+heart to think of?"</p>
+
+<p>"Bid her call that rascal father?" cried Sir Gilbert. "My Lady
+Harrington must be strangely altered, Mowbray, before she will do that:
+she is a very rebellious old lady, and a most prodigious shrew; but you
+do her no justice, Charles, in believing she would utter such atrocious
+words."</p>
+
+<p>"But what is to become of Helen, my dear Sir Gilbert, if she quarrel
+with this man?"</p>
+
+<p>"Come to us, to be sure,&mdash;what's the man to her? Has your precious
+mother made any settlement upon you all?"</p>
+
+<p>"I imagine not; indeed I may say that I am sure she has not."</p>
+
+<p>"Am I a prophet, my lady? how did I tell you Mowbray's sentimental will
+would answer? And has this meek and gentle lady proved herself deserving
+of all the pretty things I said of her?"</p>
+
+<p>"There is but small comfort in remembering how truly, how very truly,
+your predictions foretold what has happened, Sir Gilbert: and he has
+predicted that you must come here, my sweet Helen; let this come true
+likewise."</p>
+
+<p>"I cannot leave poor Fanny, Lady Harrington," replied Helen; "I cannot
+leave my dear and generous friend Rosalind: and yet your offered
+kindness cheers my heart, and I shall think of it with pleasure and
+gratitude as long as I live."</p>
+
+<p>"But I thought Fanny was a disciple of this Calvinistic gentleman's? If
+so, it were better she remained with him till she has learned to
+distinguish hypocrisy from virtue, and cant from true religion. And for
+Miss Torrington, I shall rejoice to have her for my guest for as long a
+time as she can find our old-fashioned mansion agreeable to her."</p>
+
+<p>"You are very, very kind!" replied the two friends in the same breath.</p>
+
+<p>"Then so let it be. Charles, these good girls will stay here for the
+present; so let us eat our breakfast. Let me save them from the odious
+spectacle of the Vicar of Wrexhill establishing himself at Mowbray Park,
+and the future must take care of itself."</p>
+
+<p>"But, Fanny," said Helen doubtingly, "she looked so unhappy as she
+followed my mother in last night, that I feel almost certain her fit of
+enthusiasm is already over."</p>
+
+<p>"So much the better, my dear," said Sir Gilbert; "but it will do her a
+vast deal of good to watch the reverend gentleman's proceedings in his
+new character. That scratch upon her intellect must be cauterized before
+I shall believe it cured; and when the operation is complete, she may
+join the party here. As for you, my dear boy, when your breakfast is
+finished I have something for your ear in private."</p>
+
+<p>This <i>something</i> was the proposal of a loan sufficient for the purchase
+of the commission, and for the supply of the expenses consequent upon
+joining his corps. But this Mowbray could not be prevailed upon to
+accept; and his reasons for refusing it were such, that when he could
+prevail on the friendly old gentleman to listen to him, he could not
+deny that there was much weight in them.</p>
+
+<p>"If I withdraw myself altogether from my mother at this moment," said
+Charles, "I shall give her husband an excellent and very plausible
+excuse for persuading her to banish me from her house and her heart for
+ever. Whereas if I remain near her, it can hardly, I think, be doubted
+that some reaction will take place in her feelings, and that she will at
+last be induced to treat me as a son. At any rate, Sir Gilbert, not even
+your generous kindness shall induce me to abandon this hope till I feel
+persuaded that it is a vain one. In my opinion, my duty and my interest
+equally dictate this line of conduct; and if so, you are the last man in
+the world to dissuade me from pursuing it."</p>
+
+<p>Whether there were too much of firm decision in Mowbray's manner to
+leave any hope of overcoming it, or that Sir Gilbert was really
+convinced by his arguments, was difficult to decide; but he yielded the
+point, on condition that the two girls should be left at Oakley, at
+least for the present, and be regulated as to their future conduct by
+the manner in which affairs went on at the Park.</p>
+
+<p>This being settled much to the satisfaction of all parties, Lady
+Harrington made Miss Torrington describe the entrée of this most
+undesired interloper; a task which the fair Rosalind performed with
+great spirit, though she confessed that the impatient feeling to which
+she yielded in leaving the room was now a cause of regret, as she had
+lost thereby some notable traits in the history of that eventful hour.</p>
+
+<p>Lady Harrington was greatly delighted at the conduct of Mrs. Williams;
+and when Charles left them to inform Mrs. Cartwright that her daughter
+and her ward had accepted an invitation to remain at Oakley for a few
+days, she proposed that they should pay her a visit at the Mowbray Arms,
+both to give her the satisfaction of knowing that her conduct was
+approved, and likewise to give her the comfort of knowing that Helen and
+Miss Torrington were for the present removed from such scenes as they
+had witnessed the night before.</p>
+
+<p>It was about two o'clock in the afternoon when Lady Harrington's
+carriage drove across the common to the little public-house already
+described as the Mowbray Arms. As they approached, they perceived
+several persons who appeared to be occupied in very eager and deep
+discussion before the door.</p>
+
+<p>"What are they doing there?" said Lady Harrington.</p>
+
+<p>Rosalind put forward her head to ascertain this, but in an instant drew
+it back again, exclaiming, "Mr. Cartwright is there!"</p>
+
+<p>"Mr. Cartwright!" exclaimed Helen, turning very pale. "Oh, Lady
+Harrington, do not let me see him!"</p>
+
+<p>Lady Harrington let down the glass behind the coachman, and said aloud,
+"Turn round instantly, and drive home."</p>
+
+<p>This order being immediately obeyed, the party escaped the sight of the
+vicar; but in gaining this advantage they lost that of beholding a scene
+which must have drawn forth a smile, even from Helen herself.</p>
+
+<p>The parties engaged in it were Mrs. Freeman, her daughter Sally, Jem the
+horse-boy, an elderly traveller called forth by the clamour from the
+warm comforts of Mrs. Freeman's fireside, and Mr. Cartwright himself. A
+short retrospect will be necessary to explain his business there.</p>
+
+<p>As soon as the prayer of that morning had reached its final Amen&mdash;for as
+the subject-matter of it consisted chiefly in vehement implorings of the
+divine favour on such of his new family and household as should show
+unto him the most perfect submission and obedience, the Amen, to make
+assurance doubly sure, was three several times repeated;&mdash;as soon,
+however, as it was finally pronounced, the vicar, his lady, and the pale
+Fanny, sat down to breakfast. It would be tedious to tell how many
+glances of furtive but deep-felt delight the newly-made master of the
+house cast on each and every of the minute, yet not unimportant,
+differences between this breakfast-table and any others at which he had
+occupied a place of equal authority: suffice it to say, that there were
+many. The meal, indeed, altogether lasted much longer than usual; but as
+soon as it was ended, and that Mr. Cartwright had watched with feelings
+of great complacency the exit of its component parts by the hands of two
+footmen and a butler, he told his wife that he should be obliged, though
+most unwillingly, to leave her for some hours, as there were many things
+to which his personal attention was required.</p>
+
+<p>"Will the rooms be ready to-day for Jacob and Henrietta, my love?"</p>
+
+<p>"They are quite ready now, my dear Mr. Cartwright. When may we hope to
+see them?"</p>
+
+<p>"To call and give them their orders about coming here is one part of the
+business that takes me from you, my sweet Clara. There are some small
+bills in the village, too, with which your happy husband must not be
+dunned, sweet love. What ready-money have you, dearest, in the house?"</p>
+
+<p>"Of money I have very little indeed," said Mrs. Cartwright, unlocking
+her desk, and drawing thence a purse with ten or twelve sovereigns in
+it. "I pay every thing by drafts."</p>
+
+<p>"By far the best way, my love. But your drafts, dear, are no longer
+worth any thing; and I must therefore see Corbold, to give orders that
+every thing is put right about that at the banker's, and so forth: and
+this must really be done without delay."</p>
+
+<p>"Certainly it must," said the lady. "Shall I ... I mean, will you send
+one of the men to Wrexhill to bring him here?"</p>
+
+<p>Mr. Cartwright laid his hand on the bell, but, ere he pulled it, checked
+his hand, and said, "No! I must walk to the village, and therefore I
+will call on him myself."</p>
+
+<p>"Shall you prefer walking, my dear Mr. Cartwright?"</p>
+
+<p>"Why no: I had forgot: perhaps it would be as well to take the
+carriage."</p>
+
+<p>"Oh, certainly! And you can bring Henrietta back with you."</p>
+
+<p>"True, dear,&mdash;she will certainly want the carriage: I will go, and send
+her and her bandboxes back in it&mdash;and then, perhaps, drive myself back
+in the cab. It is at the Vicarage, you know."</p>
+
+<p>"Is it? I did not remember that. Then how are they gone this
+morning?&mdash;those undutiful children, I mean, who have chosen to set off
+this morning without even leaving a message for us. I imagined that
+Charles had packed them both into the cab, as he has often done his
+sisters."</p>
+
+<p>"Do not waste a thought on them, my beloved Clara! It is evident that
+they have neither of them ever felt the slightest affection for you; and
+would it not be worse than folly for you, beloved and adored as you are,
+to let any thought of them come to blight our happiness?"</p>
+
+<p>After this and many more tender and affectionate passages had passed
+between them, Mr. Cartwright set off for the Vicarage <i>in his own
+coach</i>, as he told himself more than once as he drove along; and having
+informed his son and daughter, not greatly to the surprise of either,
+that Mowbray Park was to be their future home, he left them to prepare
+for their removal, telling Henrietta that he would send his carriage
+back from Mr. Corbold's, where it should set him down, and that she
+might fill it, if she chose, with her own luggage, as he should drive
+Jacob <i>home</i> in his cab.</p>
+
+<p>At Mr. Corbold's the conversation was rather religious, and moreover
+extremely satisfactory to both parties. One or two of his most prayerful
+parishioners among the tradespeople were next called upon, and permitted
+to offer their congratulations and thanksgivings, and then told to send
+their bills to the Park. After this, the reverend bridegroom walked down
+the village street to the common, returning the humble bowings and
+curtsyings that crossed his path with a benignant sweetness of
+countenance that spoke much of the placid contentment that dwelt within.</p>
+
+<p>It was not, however, solely to enjoy this pleasing interchange of
+heavenly-minded civility that he directed his steps along this
+well-frequented path&mdash;though that was something,&mdash;but for the purpose
+also of transacting a little business with Freeman, the prosperous
+landlord of the Mowbray Arms.</p>
+
+<p>This good man and his family, it may be observed, had been great
+favourites with the family of Mr. Wallace, the late vicar, but stood not
+so high by many degrees in the estimation of the present. They were
+honest, industrious, regular church-going people, who had never, during
+the twenty years they had kept the village inn, been accused or even
+suspected of having neglected a Sabbath, or of having ever permitted any
+indecorum either on that or any other day, to be practised under their
+roof. But they had steadily refused to attend Mr. Cartwright's Tuesday
+evening's expounding, and his Thursday evening's lecture; the good
+woman, who was no bad scholar, alleging as the reason for this, that
+they knew of no such religious service being enjoined by the church of
+which they were members, and that not considering themselves in any way
+called upon to amend the ordinances of the religion in which they were
+born and bred, they thought it more according to their condition to
+remain at home and endeavour to do their duty in that state of life to
+which it had pleased God to call them.</p>
+
+<p>This explanation having been very clearly and distinctly given to the
+vicar in the presence of several witnesses, before whom he had intended
+to make a rather marked display of pastoral piety and eloquence, though
+uttered with very becoming modesty and respect, had produced an
+impression against the pains-taking Dorothy and all her household never
+to be forgotten or forgiven.</p>
+
+<p>Mr. Cartwright had even taken the trouble of waiting upon the
+magistrates of the neighbourhood, requesting them to refuse to continue
+Freeman's licence, assuring them that he was a man whose character was
+likely to produce a very demoralising influence on his parish. But as
+these gentlemen had happened to know the good man for many years, they
+begged to consider of it; and the Vicar of Wrexhill was thus left to
+discover other ways and means by which to dislodge his obnoxious
+parishioner.</p>
+
+<p>A very favourable occasion for this now seemed to offer itself, and he
+accordingly proceeded with an elastic step and dignified gait towards
+the Mowbray Arms.</p>
+
+<p>At the moment he appeared in sight, the ex-housekeeper of the Park was
+describing to Mrs. Freeman and her daughter Sally the return of its
+mistress and most unwelcome master on the preceding evening.</p>
+
+<p>"Why, here he comes, as sure as I live!" exclaimed Dorothy. "What in the
+wide world can bring him here? It must be to preachify you, Mrs.
+Williams."</p>
+
+<p>"And that's what he shall never do again:&mdash;so step out and speak to him
+outside&mdash;there's a dear good woman; and if I see you can't get rid of
+him, I'll make my way out of the back door, and so go round and slip in
+again and up to my own room before he can catch me."</p>
+
+<p>To facilitate this escape, Mrs. Freeman walked forth and met the
+reverend bridegroom just as he had reached the foot of the post from
+whence depended the Mowbray Arms.</p>
+
+<p>"Good morning, Mrs. Freeman," he said, in the peculiar accent in which
+he always addressed those who were not (to use his own phrase) of his
+father's house,&mdash;a tone in which cold outward civility was struggling
+with hot internal hatred;&mdash;"Good morning, Mrs. Freeman."</p>
+
+<p>"Good morning, sir," responded Mrs. Freeman with a very proper and
+ceremonious curtsy.</p>
+
+<p>"I have called to mention to you a necessary alteration that must
+immediately take place on your premises. You must forthwith take down
+the Mowbray Arms, which have no longer any connexion with the
+neighbourhood; and it may be, if you conduct yourselves properly, I may
+permit you to substitute the Cartwright Arms."</p>
+
+<p>"I believe, sir," said Mrs. Freeman in a tone rather too much
+approaching to indifference, "that a publican may exhibit what sign he
+likes, provided it be not offensive to common decency: and I think there
+may be a many," she added, turning away to re-enter her house, "who
+might object to the sign you propose, as not coming within that line."</p>
+
+<p>She had made a step or two towards the door, when she turned again upon
+hearing the voice of the vicar raised to a very unusual pitch. He was
+not addressing her, however, but the boy Jem, who chanced at that moment
+to be entering the little rickyard with a ladder upon his shoulder.</p>
+
+<p>"Bring here that ladder, boy!" vociferated the imperious great man.</p>
+
+<p>The boy obeyed, saying, as he drew near, "What's your pleasure, sir?"</p>
+
+<p>"Fix your ladder against this post, d'ye hear? and mount&mdash;steady,
+mind,&mdash;and take the sign off the hooks. When you have got it loose, you
+may let it drop. If it breaks, it's no matter,&mdash;it is of no farther
+value."</p>
+
+<p>"Take down master's sign, your honour?" said Jem, opening his mouth and
+eyes to their greatest dimensions, but not approaching an inch nearer to
+the sign-post.</p>
+
+<p>"Do you dispute my orders, you little ruffian?" cried the holy vicar,
+his eyes flashing, and his cane raised in a very threatening attitude.</p>
+
+<p>"You be the parson of the parish, I know," said the boy, looking
+steadily in his face; "and they do say you be something else besides,
+now; but I don't see that's a reason for my lugging master's sign down."</p>
+
+<p>At this moment the feelings of the man overcame those of the saint, and
+Mr. Cartwright seizing upon the ladder, succeeded in disengaging it from
+the boy's hands, and himself placing it against the post, had already
+got one foot upon it, when Mrs. Freeman stepped back, and taking a quiet
+but firm hold of his arm, said, "It is a trespass and a damage you are
+committing, sir, and I warn you to desist; and I wish with all my heart
+that there was no worser trespass and damage upon your conscience&mdash;or at
+least that there was still as good time to stop it. But, married or not
+to the lady, we won't have nothing to do with your arms, Mr. Cartwright,
+nor your legs, neither, if you please, sir; so don't be after climbing
+that fashion to disturb our property, for it don't look clerical nohow."</p>
+
+<p>Mr. Cartwright raised his voice much beyond its usual pitch, to answer;
+and at this moment Sally and the traveller, moved by a very natural
+feeling of curiosity, joined the group.</p>
+
+<p>"Why, what's the gentleman after?" said the wayfaring man, deliberately
+taking out a pair of huge near-sighted spectacles to examine into the
+mystery. "I should take un to be a parson by his cloth; only I never did
+hear of a reverend climbing a ladder, save and except the famous Dr.
+Dodd, as I've read of in the Newgate Calendar."</p>
+
+<p>This harangue, short as it was, saved the Mowbray Arms from farther
+molestation for the present; for the vicar withdrew his foot. But the
+glance with which he greeted the speaker was very nearly awful. Dorothy
+Freeman, however, turned on her heel, nothing heeding it: her guest and
+daughter followed her into the house; Jem quietly took up his ladder and
+proceeded on his business; and the Vicar of Wrexhill, with feelings
+which the hope of future vengeance alone enabled him to endure with
+decent philosophy, was fain to turn on his heel also and walk off.</p>
+
+
+<h3>END OF THE SECOND VOLUME.</h3>
+
+
+
+<hr style="width: 65%;" />
+<h2><a name="VOLUME_THE_THIRD" id="VOLUME_THE_THIRD"></a>VOLUME THE THIRD.</h2>
+
+
+
+<hr style="width: 65%;" />
+<h2><a name="CHAPTER_IC" id="CHAPTER_IC"></a>CHAPTER I.</h2>
+
+<h3>MR. AND MRS. CARTWRIGHT'S LETTER.</h3>
+
+
+<p>The very elegant cab, with its beautiful horse and accoutrements, led
+round to the door of the Vicarage as his own&mdash;the agreeable vivacity, as
+he always thought it, of his remarkably clever son&mdash;the multitude of low
+bows and lower curtsies which greeted him as he drove along&mdash;and above
+all, perhaps, the merry peal from the church tower, which had been
+ordered by himself to ring him into Mowbray Park, produced altogether so
+favourable an effect upon the nerves of the vicar, that when he stopped
+at the portico of his mansion, his spirits and his temper appeared
+altogether to have recovered the shock they had received at the foot of
+the sign-post.</p>
+
+<p>The family party which met at dinner consisted of Mr. and Mrs.
+Cartwright, Miss Cartwright, Mr. Jacob Cartwright, and poor Charles
+Mowbray and his sister Fanny.</p>
+
+<p>Mowbray thought the genial hour of dinner might probably be the most
+favourable for mentioning the invitation of Sir Gilbert and Lady
+Harrington to his sister and Miss Torrington; an idea which probably
+occurred to him in consequence of the remarkably well pleased and
+complaisant air visible on his stepfather's countenance as he took his
+place at the bottom of the table. Poor Charles! he made this
+observation, and he determined to profit by it; though it was not
+without a pang that he saw himself thus pushed from the stool that
+nature and fortune seemed to have assigned to him.</p>
+
+<p>"I am glad," thought he, "that the proud Rosalind, who advised me to lay
+my fortune at the feet of no one, is not here to witness the moment at
+which I take my place at my father's board, Lord of my presence and no
+land beside!"</p>
+
+<p>But his young spirit soon o'er mastered the sensation which seemed
+threatening to choke him, when Mr. Cartwright said in the most obliging
+voice in the world, "Charles, let me give you some soup."</p>
+
+<p>This over, he said with the easiest accent he could assume, and
+addressing his mother, "I am the bearer, ma'am, of a message from Lady
+Harrington. She hopes that you will spare her the society of Miss
+Torrington and Helen for a short time."</p>
+
+<p>Mrs. Cartwright looked at her husband to ascertain his sentiments,
+before she ventured to have any of her own.</p>
+
+<p>"It is very considerate of the old lady," said the vicar, with a soft
+smile, of which his daughter only knew the full value. "I dare say she
+thought we should be a good deal engaged just at first.... Chivers!
+don't you see Mr. Jacob Cartwright is waiting for sauce?... I think, my
+love, we shall make no objection to the arrangement: however, we will
+talk together on the subject before we decide."</p>
+
+<p>As this amiable speech will not be found to accord exactly with his
+subsequent conduct, it may be well to remark that the servants were
+waiting at table, who doubtless would report his answer, and speculate
+on the temper of it.</p>
+
+<p>The family party seemed expected to sit at table rather longer than
+usual. The master of the banquet was evidently enjoying himself; and
+though Charles sickened alike at his dignity and his condescension, and
+Henrietta looked more pale and Fanny more melancholy every moment, still
+Mr. Jacob appeared in ecstacies; and as Mrs. Cartwright continued to
+smile upon her handsome husband with every symptom of satisfaction, he
+continued to perform his new and delightful task at the bottom of the
+table till long past the usual hour of withdrawing.</p>
+
+<p>At length, however, the watchful bride received the little nod which her
+husband had that morning informed her must always precede her moving
+from table. The ladies retired, and Charles followed them as far as the
+hall, where, impatiently seizing upon his hat, and wrapping himself in
+his cloak, he set off, despite the heavy darkness of the night, to
+relieve his heart from the load that oppressed it, by passing an hour at
+Oakley.</p>
+
+<p>Mr. Cartwright and Jacob remained in the dining-room for another very
+delightful half-hour; and then followed coffee and tea, and Fanny's own
+hymns sung to Irish melodies, and a few conjugal kindnesses exchanged on
+the sofa; and Henrietta pleaded illness and went to bed; and then
+another very appropriate extempore prayer was uttered, and the family
+separated.</p>
+
+<p>"Will you not take a little wine and water, and a biscuit, my dear Mr.
+Cartwright?" said his attentive wife. "You always used to do it."</p>
+
+<p>"I had rather the tray were taken to your dressing-room, my love."</p>
+
+<p>There was something so affectionately comfortable in the proposition,
+that the lady added a tender smile to her nodded assent, and in a few
+minutes the newly-married pair found themselves in robes de chambre,
+luxuriously seated in two soft arm-chairs before a blazing fire, in the
+very room that a few short weeks before had witnessed the first full
+disclosure of the vicar's love.</p>
+
+<p>Madeira, sugar, nutmeg, hot water, and dainty biscuits, tempted to negus
+and to chat; and thus the conversation ran:</p>
+
+<p>"Only second to my service to the Lord, my Clara, is my adoration of
+you!" began the fond husband; "and in nothing perhaps shall I be more
+likely to show this, than in the pains I shall almost involuntarily take
+to guard you from every spiteful and envious observation which our
+union, sweetest, is likely to excite. It was in this spirit, my
+beauteous Clara, that I replied in the manner I did to the message from
+those very infamous people the Harringtons. Had I, my love, at once
+proclaimed my feelings on the subject, I well knew what the result would
+be. You would have been abused throughout the country for having married
+a tyrant, whose first act of power was to vex and thwart your children.
+Therefore, when your sweet eyes looked towards mine, for the purpose of
+consulting me, I at once decided upon the line of conduct most certain
+of securing you from any invidious remark."</p>
+
+<p>"How very kind! My dearest husband, I must pray for power to prove my
+gratitude for such kindness as I ought!"</p>
+
+<p>"Sweet love! Together will we pray&mdash;together learn how best to prove the
+virtuous tenderness of our souls! But do not, my Clara, suspect me
+guilty of the contemptible weakness of really intending that your
+daughter and your ward should remain inmates in a family that has so
+cruelly insulted you. Oh! do not believe it! No! I would rather submit
+to insult myself in the most painful form, than permit you, my best
+beloved, to encounter it unresisted. You must write, my Clara&mdash;you must
+write a letter to Helen, and send it with the carriage early to-morrow
+morning to Oakley. It must be such a letter, dearest, as shall bring her
+home without an hour's delay."</p>
+
+<p>"But, my dearest Mr. Cartwright, Charles is gone there to-night, you may
+depend upon it, and probably for the express purpose of telling the
+girls how graciously you received the invitation."</p>
+
+<p>"You think so, my Clara? I own I hoped it was the case. This, you see,
+is exactly what we could most wish to happen. My answer was spoken
+precisely in the spirit which I thought could be repeated most
+favourably for you. Now therefore your asserting a mother's rights and a
+mother's feelings must do you honour even in the eyes of those you
+disoblige, and no sort of reflection fall upon the blessed choice which
+has made me the happiest of men."</p>
+
+<p>"That was so thoughtful of you!" replied Mrs. Cartwright, kissing the
+hand that clasped hers. "But what shall I say to Helen, dearest?"</p>
+
+<p>"Give me your desk, my Clara, and I will write a line or two, that you
+shall copy. It must be expressed with strength and firmness, my best
+love, and it may prevent a repetition of this very improper request for
+the future."</p>
+
+<p>The desk was brought; and while Mrs. Cartwright prepared a second glass
+of negus for the vicar, who declared that the night was unusually
+chilly, he composed the following epistle:</p>
+
+<blockquote><p>"Helen!</p>
+
+<p>"That it should have entered into your heart, into the heart of
+my own dear child, to wish for permission to become the guest
+of a family who from the hour of your late father's death has
+ever treated me with the most cruel and unmerited unkindness,
+is a mystery that I cannot understand. It was this unkindness
+which drove me, sooner than I could have wished to do it, to
+find a friend and adviser in Mr. Cartwright; and my only fear
+now is, that his indulgent gentleness towards my children may
+prevent his being so firm a support to me in the guiding them
+as I may sometimes require. But in the present instance I want
+no strength beyond my own to declare to you, that I will not
+permit you to remain an hour longer at Sir Gilbert
+Harrington's; that I command you instantly to put yourself into
+the carriage I send for you, and return to Cartwright Park;
+(for so, of course, will my residence be called for the
+future;) and moreover, I beg you to inform the unprincipled
+pair who would seduce you from your mother's roof, that if on
+the present or any future occasion they should persuade you to
+commit so great a sin, I shall take legal measures to recover
+the possession of your person till such time as you shall be of
+age; when, if unhappily evil counsellors should still have
+influence over you, I shall give you up to them, to penniless
+obscurity, to your own heart's remorse, and to that sentence of
+everlasting condemnation which will in such case infallibly
+doom you to the region where there is howling and gnashing of
+teeth.</p>
+
+<p>"As for my ward Miss Torrington, I must of course take the same
+summary mode of getting her again under my protection, for such
+time as I shall continue to be her legal guardian.</p>
+
+<p>"<span class="smcap">Clara Helena Frances Cartwright</span>.</p>
+
+<p>"Cartwright Park, Wednesday."</p></blockquote>
+
+<p>When this composition was completed, Mr. Cartwright turned the desk to
+his lady, laid a fair sheet of blank paper before her, put a pen into
+her hand, drew the wax-lights near her, and then set about sipping the
+negus she had so kindly prepared for him, without appearing to think it
+at all necessary to ask her opinion of the document she was about to
+copy.</p>
+
+<p>Being, however, rather new to the yoke into which it had pleased her to
+thrust her head, she took the liberty of reading it. A slight
+augmentation of colour was perceived on her delicate cheek as she
+proceeded, by the watchful eye of her husband, as he turned it towards
+her, over the top of the beautifully cut goblet he held in his hand. But
+he nibbled a biscuit, and said nothing.</p>
+
+<p>When the perusal of it was completed, Mrs. Cartwright dipped the pen she
+still held between her fingers, in the ink; but before she began to use
+it, she paused, the colour mounted a little higher still, and she
+ventured to say in the very gentlest accent in the world, "My dear
+friend,&mdash;do you not think this might be a little softened?"</p>
+
+<p>"As how, my sweetest?"</p>
+
+<p>Mrs. Cartwright's eye again ran over it, but she seemed unwilling to
+speak: at length she said, "If you, dear Cartwright, agree with me
+about it, you would make the alteration so much better yourself!"</p>
+
+<p>"Perhaps I might, my lovely Clara; but as the fact is that I do not
+agree with you at all on the subject, I suspect your epistle would be
+rather the worse than the better for any thing further that I could do
+to it."</p>
+
+<p>He rose as he spoke, and going behind her, appeared to read the paper
+over her shoulder, and having satisfied himself with the examination,
+kissed her fair throat as he bent over it, adding, as he took a light
+from the table, "I am going to the library to look for a book, my love:
+write it exactly as you like, and I will seal it for you when I return."</p>
+
+<p>No one who knew Mrs. Cartwright could have the slightest doubt that the
+letter would be very fairly copied by the time her obliging husband
+returned: and so it was every word of it excepting the date. She
+appeared to be in the very act of writing this when he came back, and
+stopping short as he entered, she said in a voice that certainly
+faltered a little, "My dear Cartwright,&mdash;don't you think it would be
+better to let those odious Harringtons hear from some other quarter of
+this change in the name of our place? Not but that I approve it, I
+assure you perfectly; but I know Lady Harrington so well! and I can
+guess so exactly the sort of style in which she will observe upon it!"</p>
+
+<p>"Then, perhaps, dearest," said he, again coming behind her and caressing
+her neck,&mdash;"perhaps you may think it would please her ladyship better if
+your own name, as you have accepted it from me, were to be
+suppressed?&mdash;Is it so, my fairest?"</p>
+
+<p>"Good Heaven, no!&mdash;May I be forgiven for using such an expression,
+Cartwright! How could you say such cruel words?"</p>
+
+<p>"Nay!&mdash;my own Clara!&mdash;what could I think of your wishing that the house
+we dwell in should retain the name of your former husband? Ah, dearest!
+you know not all the jealousy of affection so ardent as mine! What is
+the importance of the name of the place, Clara, compared to your own?
+Are you not mine?" he continued, throwing his arms round her; "and if
+you are&mdash;why should you torture me with the remembrance that another has
+called you his?&mdash;that another's name has been your signature, your date,
+your history? Oh, Clara! spare me such thoughts as these!&mdash;they unman
+me!"</p>
+
+<p>"My dearest Cartwright!" returned the lady, only disengaging herself
+from his arms sufficiently to write with firm though hurried characters
+the name of <span class="smcap">Cartwright Park</span>,&mdash;"how deeply you have touched me!"</p>
+
+
+
+<hr style="width: 65%;" />
+<h2><a name="CHAPTER_IIC" id="CHAPTER_IIC"></a>CHAPTER II.</h2>
+
+<h3>THE WIDOW SIMPSON'S DISAPPOINTMENT.</h3>
+
+
+<p>This letter was certainly commented upon pretty freely in all its parts
+by the knight and lady of Oakley; but not the less did it produce the
+effect intended: for not even could Sir Gilbert, after the first hot fit
+of rage was over, advise poor Helen to expose herself to be recalled by
+force. In the case of Miss Torrington, the hated authority of Mr.
+Cartwright, though not necessarily so lasting, was for the present
+equally imperative, and he therefore advised her peaceably to accompany
+her friend to her unhappy home, and then to set about applying to
+Chancery in order to emancipate herself from it.</p>
+
+<p>The parting was a very sad one. Poor Helen wept bitterly. She had felt
+more consolation perhaps than she was aware in having been received with
+such very <i>parental</i> kindness at Oakley; and her present departure from
+it was, she thought, exceedingly like being driven, or rather dragged,
+out of paradise. But there was no help for it. The carriage was waiting
+at the door, and even the rebellious Sir Gilbert himself said she must
+go,&mdash;not without adding, however, that it should go hard with him if he
+did not find some means or other, before she were twenty-one, of
+releasing her from such hateful thraldom.</p>
+
+<p>Helen had given, as she thought, her last kiss to her warm-hearted
+godmother, and was in the very act of stepping aside that Miss
+Torrington might take her place in the carriage, when that young lady
+blushing most celestial rosy red, said abruptly, as if prompted thereto
+by a sudden and desperate effort of courage, "Sir Gilbert
+Harrington!&mdash;may I speak to you for one single minute alone?"</p>
+
+<p>"For a double century, fair Rose, if we can but make the tête-à-tête
+last so long.&mdash;You may give poor god-mamma another hug, Helen: and don't
+hurry yourself about it,&mdash;Miss Rose and I shall find a great deal to say
+to each other."</p>
+
+<p>As soon as the old baronet had completed the flourish with which he led
+her into his library, Miss Torrington turned to him, and with a voice
+and manner that betrayed great agitation, she said, "I believe, Sir
+Gilbert, I may change my present guardian, by applying to the Court of
+Chancery. If I make myself a ward of the court, it will be necessary, I
+believe, for me to obtain the Lord Chancellor's consent if I should wish
+to marry before I am of age?"</p>
+
+<p>"Certainly, my dear."</p>
+
+<p>"And what is necessary for the obtaining such consent, Sir Gilbert?"</p>
+
+<p>"That the person who proposes to marry you should be able to offer
+settlements in proportion to your own fortune."</p>
+
+<p>"And if I should choose a person unable to do so?"</p>
+
+<p>"To guard against such imprudence, Miss Torrington, the Chancellor has
+the power of preventing such a marriage."</p>
+
+<p>Rosalind's colour came, and went and came again, before she could utter
+another word; but at length she said, "Have I not the power of choosing
+another guardian, Sir Gilbert?"</p>
+
+<p>"I believe you have, my dear."</p>
+
+<p>"If I have,&mdash;then will you let me choose you?"</p>
+
+<p>These words burst so eagerly from her, and she clasped her hands, and
+fixed eyes upon him with a look so supplicating, that no man would have
+found it an easy task to refuse her. Sir Gilbert probably felt little
+inclination to do so, though he had, in the course of his life,
+repeatedly refused to take the office now offered him in so singular a
+manner.</p>
+
+<p>"This request, my dear Miss Rose," said he, smiling, "looks very much as
+if you thought I should prove such an old fool of a guardian as to let
+you have your own way in all things. I hardly know whether I ought to
+thank you for the compliment or not. However, I am very willing to
+accept the office; for I think, somehow or other, that you will not
+plague me much.&mdash;What is your fortune, my dear?&mdash;and is it English or
+Irish property?"</p>
+
+<p>"Entirely English, Sir Gilbert; and produces, I believe, between three
+and four thousand a year."</p>
+
+<p>"A very pretty provision, my dear young lady. Would you wish to proceed
+in this immediately?"</p>
+
+<p>"Immediately,&mdash;without a day's delay, if I could help it."</p>
+
+<p>Sir Gilbert patted her cheek, and smiled again with a look of very great
+contentment and satisfaction. "Very well, my dear&mdash;I think you are quite
+right&mdash;quite right to get rid of such a guardian as the Reverend
+Mistress Cartwright with as little delay as possible. I imagine you
+would not find it very easy to negotiate the business yourself, and I
+will therefore recommend my lawyer to you. Shall I put the business into
+his hands forthwith?"</p>
+
+<p>So bright a flash of pleasure darted from the eyes of Rosalind, as made
+the old gentleman wink his own&mdash;and, in truth, he appeared very nearly
+as well pleased as herself. "Now then," she said, holding her hand
+towards him that he might lead her out again, "I will keep Mr.
+Cartwright's carriage waiting no longer.&mdash;Bless you, Sir Gilbert! Do not
+talk to any body about this till it is done. Oh! how very kind you are!"</p>
+
+<p>Sir Gilbert gallantly and gaily kissed the tips of her fingers, and led
+her again into the drawing-room. Helen, who was still weeping, and
+seemed as much determined to persevere in it as ever Beatrice did,
+looked with astonishment in the face of her friend, which, though still
+covered with blushes, was radiant with joy. It was in vain she looked at
+her, however&mdash;it was a mystery she could not solve: so, once more
+uttering a mournful farewell, Helen gave a last melancholy gaze at her
+old friends, and followed Rosalind into the carriage.</p>
+
+<p>"May I ask you, Rosalind," she said as soon as it drove off, "what it is
+that you have been saying to Sir Gilbert, or Sir Gilbert to you, which
+can have caused you to look so particularly happy at the moment that you
+are about to take up your residence at Cartwright Park, under the
+guardianship of its master the Vicar of Wrexhill?"</p>
+
+<p>"I will explain the mystery in a moment, Helen. I have asked Sir Gilbert
+Harrington to let me name him as my guardian, and he has consented."</p>
+
+<p>"Have you such power?" replied Helen. "Oh, happy, happy Rosalind!"</p>
+
+<p>"Yes, Helen, there may be happiness in that;&mdash;but I may find
+difficulties, perhaps:&mdash;and if I do!&mdash;"</p>
+
+<p>"I trust you will not.&mdash;I trust that ere long you will be able to
+withdraw yourself from a house so disgraced and afflicted as ours!"</p>
+
+<p>"And leave you behind, Helen? You think that is part of my scheme?"</p>
+
+<p>"How can you help it, Rosalind? You have just read my my mother's
+letter:&mdash;you see the style and tone in which she announces her right
+over <i>my person</i>;&mdash;and this from the mother I so doated on! I do assure
+you, Rosalind, that I often seem to doubt the reality of the misery that
+surrounds me, and fancy that I must be dreaming. Throw back your
+thoughts to the period of your first coming to us, and then say if such
+a letter as this can really come to me from my mother."</p>
+
+<p>"The letter is a queer letter&mdash;a very queer letter indeed. And yet I am
+under infinite obligations to it: for had she not used that pretty
+phrase,&mdash;'for such time as I shall continue to be her legal
+guardian,'&mdash;it might never have entered my head to inquire for how long
+a time that must of necessity be."</p>
+
+<p>"I rejoice for you, Rosalind, that the odious necessity of remaining
+with us is likely to be shortened; and will mix no malice with my envy,
+even when I see you turn your back for ever upon Cartwright Park."</p>
+
+<p>"There would be little cause to envy me, Helen, should I go without
+taking you with me."</p>
+
+<p>A tear stood in Rosalind's bright eye as she said this, and Helen felt
+very heartily ashamed of the petulance with which she had spoken. As a
+penance for it, she would not utter the sad prognostic that rose to her
+lips, as to the impossibility that any thing could give her power to
+bestow the freedom she might herself obtain.</p>
+
+<p>Their return seemed to be unnoticed by every individual of the family
+except Henrietta. She saw the carriage approach from her own room, and
+continued to waylay Rosalind as she passed to hers.</p>
+
+<p>"I know the sight of me must be hateful to you Miss Torrington," she
+said, "and I have been looking out for you in order that the shock of
+first seeing me might be over at once. Poor, pretty Helen
+Mowbray!&mdash;notwithstanding the hardness of heart on which I pique
+myself, I cannot help feeling for her. How does she bear it, Miss
+Torrington?"</p>
+
+<p>"She is very unhappy, Henrietta: and I think it is your duty, as well as
+mine, to make her feel her altered home as little miserable as
+possible."</p>
+
+<p>"I should think so too, if I believed I had any power to make it better
+or worse,&mdash;except, indeed, that of meeting her eyes, or avoiding them.
+The sight of any of us must be dreadful to her."</p>
+
+<p>"You have such a remarkable way of shutting yourself up&mdash;your
+intellectual self I mean, from every one, that it is not very easy to
+say how great or how little your power might be. From the slight and
+transient glances which you have sometimes permitted me to take through
+your icy casing, I am rather inclined to believe that you ought to
+reckon for something in the family of which you make a part."</p>
+
+<p>Henrietta shook her head. "Your glances have not penetrated to the
+centre yet, Miss Torrington. Should you ever do so, you, and your friend
+Helen too, would hate me,&mdash;even if my name were not Cartwright."</p>
+
+<p>"I would not hear your enemy say so," replied Rosalind. "However, we are
+now likely to be enough together to judge each other by the severest of
+all tests, daily experience."</p>
+
+<p>"An excellent test for the temper,&mdash;but not for the heart," replied
+Henrietta.</p>
+
+<p>"You seem determined to make me afraid of you, Miss Cartwright. I have
+no great experience of human nature as yet; but I should think a corrupt
+heart would rather seek to conceal than proclaim itself."</p>
+
+<p>"I think you are right; but I have no idea that my heart is corrupt:&mdash;it
+is diseased."</p>
+
+<p>"I wish I could heal it," said Rosalind kindly, "for I suspect its
+illness, be it what it may, causes your cheek to grow pale. You do not
+look well, Miss Cartwright."</p>
+
+<p>"Well?&mdash;Oh no! I have long known I am dying."</p>
+
+<p>"Good Heaven!&mdash;what do you mean? Why do you not take advice?"</p>
+
+<p>"Because no advice could save me;&mdash;and because if it could, I would not
+take it."</p>
+
+<p>"I hope you are not in earnest. Perhaps this strange marriage, if it do
+no other good, may benefit your health by placing you in a larger
+family. I cannot think you are happy at the Vicarage."</p>
+
+<p>"Indeed!" replied Henrietta with a melancholy smile.</p>
+
+<p>"And I cannot but hope that you will be more happy here."</p>
+
+<p>"Well!&mdash;we shall see. But I should take it very kind of you if you would
+make the three young Mowbrays understand, that if I could have prevented
+this iniquitous marriage, I would have done it."</p>
+
+<p>"Would it be safe to say so much to Fanny?"</p>
+
+<p>"Yes. Mr. Cartwright will never hear her bosom secrets more."</p>
+
+<hr style="width: 45%;" />
+
+<p>In the midst of the tide of triumph and of joy which seemed at this time
+to bear the Vicar of Wrexhill far above the reach of any earthly sorrow,
+there was a little private annoyance that beset him,&mdash;very trifling
+indeed, but which required a touch of his able diplomatic adroitness to
+settle satisfactorily.</p>
+
+<p>The widow Simpson was as thorough a coquette as ever decorated the
+street of a country village; and often had it happened, since her weeds
+were laid aside, that Mr. This, or Mr. That, had been congratulated as
+likely to succeed to her vacant heart and hand. But hitherto Mrs.
+Simpson had preferred the reputation of having many adorers, to the
+humdrum reality of a second husband. But when Mr. Cartwright appeared,
+her hopes, her wishes, her feelings underwent a sudden and violent
+change. At first, indeed, she only looked at him as a very handsome man,
+who must, by some means or other, be brought to think her a very
+handsome woman: but more serious thoughts quickly followed, and the idea
+of a home at the Vicarage, and the advantage of having all her bills
+made out to the Rev. Mr. Cartwright, became one of daily and hourly
+recurrence. Mrs. Simpson was not a person to let such a notion lie idle;
+nor was Mr. Cartwright a man to permit the gentle advances to intimacy
+of a Mrs. Simpson stop short, or lead to nothing. But from any idea of
+her becoming mistress of the Vicarage, or of her bills being made out to
+him, he was as pure as the angels in heaven.</p>
+
+<p>Nevertheless, the intimacy did advance. One by one, every personal
+decoration that marks the worldling was laid aside, and the livery of
+holiness adopted in its stead. False ringlets were exchanged for false
+bands; gauze bonnets covered with bows gave place to straw bonnets
+having no bows at all; lilac faded into grey, and the colour of the rose
+was exchanged for that of its leaf. These important and very
+heavenly-minded reforms were soon followed by others, not more
+essential, for that is hardly possible; but they went the length of
+turning her little girl into a methodist monkey; her card-boxes, into
+branch missionary fund contribution cases; her footstools into praying
+cushions; and her sofa into a pulpit and a pew, whence and where she
+very often listened to "the word" when pretty nearly all the parish of
+Wrexhill were fast asleep.</p>
+
+<p>In all former affairs of the heart in which Mrs. Simpson had engaged
+since the demise of her husband, she had uniformly come off the
+conqueror; for she had never failed to obtain exactly as much flirtation
+as she required to keep her on good terms with herself, and on bad terms
+with all coquettish young ladies for five miles round, and never had
+granted any favour in return that she did not consider as a fair price
+for the distinction she received.</p>
+
+<p>But poor Mrs. Simpson's example should be a warning to all widow ladies
+to be careful how they enter into holy dalliance and sanctified trifling
+with the elect. Common prudence, in short, is no fair match for uncommon
+holiness, and the principal person in the village of Wrexhill was at the
+time of Mrs. Mowbray's marriage with its vicar really very much to be
+pitied.</p>
+
+<p>It is probably no very agreeable task for a bridegroom to pay a visit to
+a lady under such circumstances; but Mr. Cartwright felt that it must be
+done, and with nerves braced to the task by the remembrance of the
+splendid silver urn, tea and coffee pots, the exquisite French china,
+and all the pretty elaborate finishing of his breakfast equipage,&mdash;in a
+word, at about eleven o'clock on the next morning but one after his
+installation (as Jacob called it), he set off on foot, like an humble
+and penitent pilgrim, to call on the widow Simpson.</p>
+
+<p>He was, as usual, shown into the quiet parlour, overlooked by no village
+eye, that opened upon the garden. Here he found every thing much as it
+used to be&mdash;sofas, footstools, albums, missionary boxes and all&mdash;but no
+Mrs. Simpson.</p>
+
+<p>"Let missis know, sir," said the boy-servant; and he closed the door,
+leaving the vicar to his meditations.</p>
+
+<p>At length the door reopened, and the pale and languid Mrs. Simpson, her
+eyes red with weeping, and her rouge (not partially, as during the
+process of election, but really and altogether) laid aside, entered. The
+air and manner with which the vicar met her was something of a mixed
+breed between audacity and confusion. He was in circumstances, however,
+highly favourable to the growth of the former and equally so to the
+stifling of the latter feeling.</p>
+
+<p>He took the widow's hand, kissed it, and led her to the sofa.</p>
+
+<p>Her handkerchief was at her eyes, and though she made no resistance, she
+manifested no inclination to return the tender pressure bestowed upon
+her fingers.</p>
+
+<p>"You weep, my dear friend!" said the vicar in an accent of surprise. "Is
+it thus you congratulate me on the great change that has taken place in
+my circumstances?"</p>
+
+<p>"Congratulate you! Oh, Mr. Cartwright! is it possible that you can be so
+coldly cruel?&mdash;Congratulate you! Gracious Heaven! have you no thought,
+no pity for all the anguish that you have made me suffer?"</p>
+
+<p>"I know not why you should talk of suffering, my dear friend. I had
+hoped that the sweet friendship which for several months past has united
+us, was to you, as to me, a source of the tenderest satisfaction. But
+our feelings for each other must indeed be widely different. There is no
+circumstance that could befall you, productive of even worldly
+convenience and advantage, but I should rejoice at it as if sent to
+myself: but you, my friend, appear to mourn because from a poor man I am
+become a rich one."</p>
+
+<p>"Alas!&mdash;Cruel!&mdash;Is it for that I mourn? Think you that my heart can
+forget what I have been to you, or what I hoped to be? Can you forget
+the hours that you have devoted to me? And is this the end of it?"</p>
+
+<p>"I neither can nor will forget the happy period of our tender
+friendship. Nor is there any reason, my excellent Mrs. Simpson, that it
+should not continue, even as the Lord hath permitted that it should
+begin. Believe me, that were a similar circumstance to happen to you:&mdash;I
+mean, were you accidentally to connect yourself by means of marriage
+with great wealth and extended influence;&mdash;instead of complaining of it,
+I should rejoice with an exceeding great joy. It could, as I should
+imagine, make no possible difference in our friendly and affectionate
+feelings for each other; and I should know that your piety and
+heavenly-minded zeal in the cause of grace and faith would be rendered
+greatly more profitable and efficient thereby."</p>
+
+<p>"You do not, then, understand a woman's heart, Mr. Cartwright! What is
+there, short of the torments of the bottomless pit, that can compare to
+the suffering of seeing the heart one believed to be one's own given to
+another?"</p>
+
+<p>"I dare say it must be very disagreeable indeed, my dear friend. But no
+such idea, I do assure you, would occur to me were you to marry. Indeed,
+my own view of the case is, that as an holy ordinance, it should be
+entered into with as little attention as possible to mere pleasure. To a
+man like myself, whose heart is altogether given to things above, the
+idea of making a marriage of love, as it is called, would be equally
+absurd and profane. My object in the connexion I have just formed, was
+to increase my sphere of influence and utility; and nothing, I assure
+you, can be more opportune and fortunate than my having found this very
+worthy and richly-endowed person. It would give me unfeigned
+satisfaction, my dear friend, to hear that you had been equally
+fortunate, and, permit me to say, equally wise."</p>
+
+<p>"Oh, Mr. Cartwright! I am sure I had no idea when&mdash;when I attached
+myself to you, that you disapproved of marriage among those who love, as
+I thought you and I did; for most surely I thought, Mr. Cartwright, that
+I should have been your wife."</p>
+
+<p>"No?&mdash;Is it possible, my dear friend, that such an idea as that, so
+perfectly unauthorized, could have occurred to you? I really am greatly
+surprised, for I thought that we understood one another perfectly."</p>
+
+<p>"Indeed, indeed, Mr. Cartwright, I never was more mistaken in any one in
+my whole life; and I am sure that if poor Mrs. Mowbray is as much
+deceived in you as I was, she will be a very unhappy woman when she
+finds it out, poor thing."</p>
+
+<p>"My dear friend, allow me to assure you that you altogether mistake the
+nature of the friendship I have been so happy as to form with you, as
+well as that of the connexion I have just ratified with her. I trust the
+Lord will give me grace so to conduct myself, as that I may never be
+suspected of confounding the two together, which, by the nature of the
+ordinances, ought to be kept as separate and distinct as possible. I
+will not now enter more fully with you into this interesting question,
+for much business presses upon me: but when we shall happen to find
+ourselves more at leisure, my dear friend, which I trust will be often
+the case, I will explain to you, in a manner that will, I think, be
+satisfactory, my opinions on the subject. Meanwhile, dear Mrs. Simpson,
+let me entreat you not spoil your charming eyes by weeping, nor let any
+thing lead you for an instant to doubt that my sentiments for you are
+exactly the same as they have ever been; and above all, cease not to
+work out your eternal salvation with fear and trembling. Mrs. Cartwright
+is by no means, I believe, a very active-minded person; and I think it
+probable that I shall often feel it borne in upon my mind, that by
+applying to you I shall be able to forward the great work of grace that
+I have in hand more effectually than by any personal assistance that she
+is likely to render me. Her wealth indeed is great, as I hope some
+little keepsakes from me may prove to you ere long; but as to energy and
+fervour of character, there is but one Mrs. Simpson."</p>
+
+<p>The reverend gentleman here saluted the fair lady's lips, and departed,
+leaving her exactly in the state he wished; that is to say, puzzled,
+confounded, mystified, and not knowing the least in the world what she
+should say to him next.</p>
+
+
+
+<hr style="width: 65%;" />
+<h2><a name="CHAPTER_IIIC" id="CHAPTER_IIIC"></a>CHAPTER III.</h2>
+
+<h3>CHARLES'S INTERVIEW WITH HIS STEPFATHER.&mdash;HIS SUDDEN DEPARTURE FROM
+WREXHILL.</h3>
+
+
+<p>There were moreover other ladies to be encountered, most of whom, as the
+vicar well knew, would not hear of his brilliant nuptials with pleasure;
+but this was a matter of small moment. The benevolent attentions he had
+bestowed upon them were chiefly for the purpose of ensuring popularity
+and acquiring influence,&mdash;and these were now too much at his command for
+him to experience the slightest anxiety from the fear of losing them.</p>
+
+<p>The remembrance of the three Misses Richards was indeed rather heavy
+upon him; especially from the circumstance of Miss Mary's having
+accidentally seen him kiss Miss Louisa, which he happened to do, in the
+little shrubbery behind their cottage, upon occasion of a serious
+discourse which they had been holding together upon the nature and
+influence of especial grace. Little Mary, who was purity and simplicity
+personified, firmly believed, in her very innocent heart, that this
+caress could only be given by such a gentleman as Mr. Cartwright as the
+ratification of a treaty of marriage; and had accordingly not only
+alluded to Louisa's happy prospects herself, but had fully persuaded her
+sister Charlotte likewise to believe that this blessed union would be
+the result of the vicar's soft attentions to them all. So that upon a
+smart discussion with their mother upon the sin of works, when matters
+had gone so far as to induce the young lady to declare that she
+considered the door of her mother's house as nothing less than a type of
+the gates of hell, she had, in relating the scene of this praiseworthy
+combat to their apostle, ventured these remarkable words:</p>
+
+<p>"There is sorrow and sin in dwelling under the roof of the scorner; but
+when dear Louisa has quite consented to all your wishes, Mr. Cartwright,
+her bowels will yearn towards her sisters, and you will both of you draw
+us out of the way of temptation under the shelter and the shadow of your
+wing."</p>
+
+<p>The only reply which the vicar made to this speech was the utterance of
+a fervent blessing.</p>
+
+<p>He now remembered with considerable satisfaction the cautious tendency
+of this reply, and, upon the whole, thought that there was no occasion
+to fatigue his spirits by making these young ladies a private visit to
+announce his change of condition, as in the case of Mrs. Simpson. He
+therefore turned from the widow's door, after the pause of a moment on
+her threshold, during which these thoughts were rapidly but healthily
+digested, leaving him, that is to say, neither loaded with remorse, nor
+fevered by anxiety.</p>
+
+<p>Upon this occasion, for some reason or other, connected perhaps with
+that tranquillity of mind in his lady which it was so unquestionably his
+duty to guard, the Vicar of Wrexhill had not made use of his carriage
+and servants. He walked therefore back to the Park, and met Charles
+Mowbray coming through the lodge gates, as he entered them.</p>
+
+<p>The young man touched his hat, and was walking on; but the vicar stopped
+him.</p>
+
+<p>"Where are you going, my dear Charles?" said he. "It is getting quite
+late; you will not have time for a walk before dinner&mdash;it is almost
+dark. You know my habits are those of great punctuality."</p>
+
+<p>"I shall never interfere with those habits, sir. It is probable that I
+may not return to dinner."</p>
+
+<p>"Indeed!&mdash;we shall be very sorry to lose you. Where are you going, then,
+my dear boy?"</p>
+
+<p>Charles hesitated. His heart seemed to swell in his bosom at this
+questioning; and though, in fact, he had strolled out without any idea
+of absenting himself at dinner, something like a spirit of rebellion
+induced him to answer, "To Sir Gilbert Harrington's, sir."</p>
+
+<p>"Good evening, then. Let me bespeak your ear for half an hour in my
+library to-morrow morning, between the hours of eleven and twelve."</p>
+
+<p>Charles bowed, but uttered not a word, and proceeded towards Oakley,
+inwardly muttering "<i>his library</i>!"</p>
+
+<p>He entered the mansion of his old friends without an apology, but stated
+the cause of his visit as it really was.</p>
+
+<p>"I could not bear to be examined by him as to where I was going, and
+when I was coming; and rather to prove my independence, than for any
+other reason, I am come to you. Can you forgive this?"</p>
+
+<p>"Ay, truly can we," replied the old lady; "and be sure to do the same
+next time, Charles. It makes me sick to think of this species of
+paternal admonishing."</p>
+
+<p>"I am to be lectured for my impatience under it, as I suspect; for he
+bade me meet him in <i>his library</i> to-morrow morning."</p>
+
+<p>"His library! Scoundrel!" exclaimed Sir Gilbert through his closed
+teeth.</p>
+
+<p>"Shall I obey the mandate, Sir Gilbert?" said Charles. "Or shall I take
+no notice of it?"</p>
+
+<p>"The question seems an easy one to answer, Charles?" replied the
+baronet; "and had I been to answer yesterday morning, I should have said
+without hesitation,&mdash;set fire to the library, and stifle him in it like
+a weazel as he is, rather than come at his call. But I have taken it
+into my head since, that our test game will be to keep things soft and
+smooth for a while. So wait upon him, Master Charles, in your father's
+library, and hear all he has got to say; and don't turn yourself out of
+the house; and don't spit upon him if you can help it. But I hope he
+won't sit in poor Mowbray's chair!"</p>
+
+<p>In consequence of this counsel, Charles did wait upon the vicar in his
+father's library at the appointed hour, and took what comfort he could
+from perceiving that he was not seated in that lamented father's chair,
+but had ensconced himself in a newly-invented fauteuil of surpassing
+softness, which he had caused to be brought from the drawing-room for
+his especial comfort.</p>
+
+<p>"You have not kept me waiting, and I commend you for it, my son. May he,
+in whom I trust, lead you in his own good time to be all that your pious
+mother can wish to see you. Sit down, Charles&mdash;pray sit down."</p>
+
+<p>Poor Charles!&mdash;the whole scene was purgatory to him; but his courage did
+not forsake him: and instead of running out of the room, as he felt
+terribly tempted to do, he sat down opposite to his stepfather,
+determined to hear every thing he had to say.</p>
+
+<p>"I think, Charles, that the pious nature of your mother, awakened as it
+has of late been, must by this time be so sufficiently known to you all,
+as to prevent the possibility of your mistaking her motives for marrying
+the second father, in whose presence you are now placed. Her motives
+have been of the holiest kind, and never, probably, did any person
+perform a more acceptable service than she did when, placing her hand
+within mine before his altar, she resigned that power over her children,
+which maternal weakness rendered almost nugatory, to one who is too
+strong in the Lord to permit any human feelings or motives ever to make
+him swerve from that course which he is taught to believe the best. It
+would be a very shining pleasure to me if your thankfulness for this
+most merciful dispensation were at this very moment to impel you to
+kneel down on one of these cushions;&mdash;of such there are always
+sufficient, and to spare, in the dwellings of the chosen:&mdash;I wish, I
+say, that even now I could see you fall down before me to give thanks
+for having sent to you and to your sisters one of his own, as your
+guide and protector through the pitfalls of this life, and to usher you
+with favour into his presence in the life to come. I would willingly see
+you thus grateful for manifest mercies,&mdash;but I shall not insist upon it
+at this moment, for I know, Charles, how different have been the paths
+in which your teachers have hitherto led you."</p>
+
+<p>The vicar here paused; but as there was no point in his harangue to
+which Mowbray could have replied in the spirit which his friend had
+recommended to him, he resolutely kept silence.</p>
+
+<p>"The time will come," resumed the vicar, "the time <i>shall</i> come, when
+your knees, young man, shall be less stubborn. But it is time that I
+unfold to you the business upon which I wished to speak when I permitted
+your attendance in this apartment. You have been led, doubtless by the
+active machinations of the devil, to turn your sinful thoughts towards
+that profession which, beyond all others, has made Satan its patron and
+its saint. In one word, you have thought of going into the army; and it
+is to inform you that I shall not permit this dreadful sin to be
+committed by one of my family, that you are now before me. Open not your
+mouth, young man, in defence of the God-abandoned set to whom you would
+wish to belong: my ears must not be profaned by any words of such
+abhorrent tendency. Instead of speaking yourself, hear me. My will is,
+that you return to College, there to prepare yourself for ordination. I
+utter this command with a conscience void of offence; for though your
+awful deficiency in religion is well known to me, I have confidence in
+the Lord, and in the power he will give me to work a change: and
+moreover, I know to what bishop I shall lead you for ordination; thereby
+securing to myself the consolation of knowing that no human learning
+will enable you to be received within the pale that we are strengthening
+around us, and within which none shall be admitted (if we can help it)
+but the regenerate and adopted, or such as we of the evangelical church
+may choose to pledge ourselves shall become so. As to the manner and
+amount of your future income, I shall take the arrangement of it
+entirely into my own hands, reserving to myself the power of varying
+your allowance from time to time, as shall seem good. You may have a few
+days' holidays here if you wish it, in honour of your mother's marriage;
+after which I will give you ten pounds for your journey and other
+contingent expenses, and permit you to employ such tradesmen at Oxford
+as I shall point out, for such necessaries as it is proper I should
+furnish you with. Their bills must be forwarded to Mr. Corbold, who, for
+the present, I shall probably continue as my agent; and when I have duly
+examined them, they shall be paid. Your College expenses I shall also
+order to be transmitted to him, and through him to me.&mdash;I must now
+dismiss you, for I have letters to write.&mdash;Be careful in passing these
+windows, if you please, not to approach them too closely. This room is a
+favourite apartment of mine, and I must not be interrupted or annoyed in
+it in any way. Remember this, if you please. Good morning."</p>
+
+<p>During the whole of this very trying interview Mowbray had not uttered a
+single word. He knew that if he opened his lips, the indignation that
+burned at his heart would burst forth with a vehemence he should no
+longer be able to control. He felt his heart throb, and every pulse so
+fiercely keeping time to it, that he was terrified at himself, and
+fearful lest the tide of passion that worked thus fearfully within him
+should drive him to do, or even to say what he might repent, he hastened
+from the room, leaving Mr. Cartwright very comfortably persuaded that
+the eloquence which had been bestowed on him, if it sometimes failed in
+converting those who heard him to his doctrine, was of a nature well
+calculated to enforce his authority; a species of success which perhaps
+satisfied him better still.</p>
+
+<p>The unfortunate Charles took refuge in Helen's dressing room from the
+storm that raged in his bosom. He longed to hear the gentle voice of his
+sister with as much eagerness as one panting in fever longs for a cool
+breeze or a refreshing stream; and when he entered the room and found it
+unoccupied, he felt as if that misfortune were greater than all which
+had fallen upon him before.</p>
+
+<p>In a state of the most pitiable depression of spirits he seated himself
+most forlornly on a <i>chaise longue</i> that stood in a recess as far as
+possible from the windows, and there, resting his head on the side of
+it, and covering his face with his hands, he remained for a considerable
+time perfectly immoveable, and quite as miserable as his worst enemy
+could wish.</p>
+
+<p>At length the door opened, and a female entered. Charles sprang forward
+to meet her, and very narrowly escaped encircling Miss Torrington in
+his arms. She drew back, certainly, but hardly with so sudden a movement
+as that of Mowbray, who, colouring and stammering in extreme confusion,
+said as he retreated to his former place, "I beg your pardon: I came
+here to look for Helen."</p>
+
+<p>"And so did I, Mr. Mowbray: I cannot think where she has hid
+herself.&mdash;But you do not look like yourself, Charles. Has Mr. Cartwright
+been speaking to you? I heard him tell his wife that he had desired you
+to meet him in the library."</p>
+
+<p>"In his library, Miss Torrington; pray call it as he does <i>his</i>
+library&mdash;But what a fool am I to care thus for a word! It is his
+library; the man says right. But what then is poor Helen? what is Fanny?
+what am I?"</p>
+
+<p>His features expressed such terrible agony of mind, that Rosalind almost
+felt afraid to leave him, and stood at some distance from him as he sat,
+with her looks riveted upon his face and her eyes overflowing with
+tears.</p>
+
+<p>"Tell me, dear Charles," she said, "what is it that has happened to you?
+I will go and seek Helen, and bring her to you in a moment. Only tell me
+before I go if any new thing has happened to make us all more miserable
+than we were. Is it not common cause, Mr. Mowbray? For Heaven's sake
+tell me what has befallen you!"</p>
+
+<p>"It is not common cause, Miss Torrington," he replied with bitterness.
+"My situation is, I heartily hope, without a parallel; and as none can
+share my wretchedness, as none can relieve it, it were better, I
+believe, that none should know it."</p>
+
+<p>"That is not the language of friendship, Mr. Mowbray. Were poor Helen
+here, I trust you would not answer her inquiries so harshly."</p>
+
+<p>"Harshly? If so, I have been very wrong. Forgive me.&mdash;Could you have
+heard the language this man held to me,&mdash;could you have seen him
+enthroned in my poor father's library, and heard him tell me that when I
+passed before the windows I must take care not to approach too
+nearly,&mdash;oh, Rosalind! could you have heard all this, you would not
+wonder if I answered even madly to any questions asked."</p>
+
+<p>Rosalind stood silently before him when he had ceased to speak, her
+hands tightly clasped, and her eyes riveted on the ground. "I will ask
+you but one question more," said she after a long pause.</p>
+
+<p>"And what is that, Miss Torrington?"</p>
+
+<p>"<i>Miss Torrington!</i>" said she, muttering between her teeth. "Alas!&mdash;how
+madly have I acted! and how difficult is it to retrace a wrong step once
+taken!"</p>
+
+<p>She trembled violently; so violently, that she was obliged to support
+herself by leaning on the back of a chair which stood near her. Charles
+Mowbray's head again rested on the sofa, and his eyes were hid from her.
+She felt that he saw her not, and this perhaps it was which gave her
+courage to proceed in the task she had determined to perform; but her
+breast heaved almost convulsively, and her mouth became so parched that
+it was with difficulty she could articulate these words: "I learn from
+Sir Gilbert Harrington, Mr. Mowbray that&mdash;I have the power&mdash;of making
+him my guardian"&mdash;</p>
+
+<p>"Thank Heaven!" exclaimed Charles, interrupting her; "I thank Heaven for
+it, Miss Torrington.&mdash;You may then escape, and immediately, from this
+place of torment. This will indeed help me to bear it better."</p>
+
+<p>He spoke the last words more composedly, but again buried his face on
+the sofa.</p>
+
+<p>"But think you, Mr. Mowbray, I would leave Helen here?"</p>
+
+<p>"I fear you will have no power to take her," he replied.</p>
+
+<p>"Not I&mdash;but you. Oh! Mr. Mowbray!&mdash;Charles! Charles!&mdash;will you not
+understand me? Will you spare me this agony? No? you will not. But I
+have deserved it all, and I will bear it. Charles Mowbray!&mdash;it is I who
+would now lay my fortune at your feet. Oh! do not answer me as I once
+answered you! Charles Mowbray, will you take me for your wife!"</p>
+
+<p>"No, by Heaven!" he exclaimed, falling on his knees before her. "Poor
+Rosalind! dear, generous, devoted friend! And for her sake, then&mdash;for my
+dear Helen's sake, you would submit to be my wife&mdash;<i>my wife!</i>&mdash;an
+outcast, penniless, insulted beggar!&mdash;No, Rosalind; by Heaven, no! I
+would rather perish in the lowest state of human wretchedness than so
+abuse your noble nature. But do me justice, noble Rosalind; let there on
+one point at least be some equality between us. Believe that I love
+you,&mdash;and that with a strength of passion of which, as I think, your
+unawakened heart has yet no power to judge. But should you, Rosalind,
+ever learn what it is to love, then do me justice, and know how dear was
+honour to my soul when I adored but could refuse you."</p>
+
+<p>He seized her dress and pressed it to his lips; and, then rising from
+his knees, he darted out of the room, without daring to trust his eyes
+to look at her.</p>
+
+<p>Had Mowbray's state of mind been somewhat less miserable&mdash;had the
+buoyant spirit given to him by nature been less completely crushed by
+the galling interview of the morning, it is probable that his memory
+might have suggested to him some circumstances in the hours passed
+heretofore with Rosalind, which might have raised some blessed hope upon
+his mind as to the motive and feelings that had led her to act as she
+had done. But, as it was, no such light from heaven fell upon him. In
+simplest sincerity he believed that she had rejected his suit because
+she did not love him, and that she had now offered to become his wife
+solely for Helen's sake, and in the generous hope of saving her by
+giving to him the power of offering her a home.</p>
+
+<p>With this conviction, he determined to spare her the embarrassment and
+himself the torture of meeting again. With all the feverish hurry of
+impatient suffering, he instantly sought his mother; informed her of Mr.
+Cartwright's wish that he should return to Oxford, and of his own desire
+to comply with this immediately.</p>
+
+<p>There was something in the suddenness of this unresisting obedience that
+seemed to startle her. She applauded his resolution, but seemed to wish
+that for some short time, at least, he should delay the execution of it.
+But on this point he was immoveable; and as Mr. Cartwright appeared well
+pleased that so it should be, he succeeded in so hastening the
+arrangements for his departure that within twenty-four hours he had left
+the house, and that without having again seen Rosalind. The greater part
+of this interval, indeed, was passed at Oakley, where his reiterated
+assurances that he should be much, very much happier at Oxford than at
+home, were accepted in excuse for the suddenness of his departure. Sir
+Gilbert, indeed, had so well read Rosalind's heart, and so confidently
+did he anticipate his speedy and even triumphant return, that both
+himself and his lady, who as usual was wholly in his confidence, saw him
+depart without regret, and uttered their farewells with a cheerfulness
+that grated sadly on the feelings of the poor exile.</p>
+
+
+
+<hr style="width: 65%;" />
+<h2><a name="CHAPTER_IVC" id="CHAPTER_IVC"></a>CHAPTER IV.</h2>
+
+<h3>THE VICAR'S PROSPERITY.&mdash;HE SETS ABOUT MAKING SOME IMPORTANT REFORMS IN
+THE VILLAGE.</h3>
+
+
+<p>The departure of Charles, so immediate and so unrepining, seemed to the
+vicar a most satisfactory proof that the talent and firmness which he
+had himself displayed in their final interview had produced exactly the
+effect which he hoped and intended. "He will, I think, trouble me no
+more:" such was the comfortable little mental soliloquy with which, as
+he sat in his noble library, the Vicar of Wrexhill listened to the
+wheels of the cab, lent to convey Mowbray to the nearest town through
+which the coach passed.</p>
+
+<p>This good work achieved, which was of that species permitted by the
+peculiar doctrine of his sect, Mr. Cartwright, of Cartwright Park, began
+to look around him among his neighbours and dependants for opportunities
+of displaying both his sanctity and his magnificence.</p>
+
+<p>Every thing seemed to prosper with him; and the satisfaction produced by
+this success was very greatly enhanced by the consciousness that he owed
+it all, from the humble courtesy of the village maidens up to the
+crowning glory of his lady's love, and all the wealth it brought, wholly
+and solely to himself. Ungrateful would he have been for such unnumbered
+blessings had he neglected to reward that self by every kind observance
+and by every thoughtful care which his active fancy, his fastidious
+taste, and his luxurious nature could suggest. But he did it all so
+"<i>doucely</i>," that no voice was raised to censure the dainty appetite of
+the high-fed priest; no lip was curled in scorn as every week brought
+forth some new indulgence, some exquisite refinement of elaborate
+luxury.</p>
+
+<p>Every thing seemed to prosper with him. The wines he ordered could
+hardly be accounted dear even at the unheard-of prices he gave for them.
+The beautiful creature he bought for his own riding, with just action
+enough to show off his handsome figure, and not sufficient to occasion
+him the least fatigue, appeared to be so born and bred on purpose for
+his use, that every eye was fixed in admiration as he paced along, and
+no tongue wagged to tell that while young Mowbray departed from his
+father's house with ten pounds in his pocket, his stepfather's ambling
+hack cost two hundred.</p>
+
+<p>Every thing seemed to prosper with him. Mrs. Simpson, instead of
+spoiling her fine eyes, and reducing by her secession his fair
+congregation of elected saints, which he had certainly good reason to
+fear, listened to his doctrine now with the same yielding obedience that
+she did before; and so far was the tongue of slander from finding any
+thing amiss in the frequent pastoral visits he continued to pay her,
+that her credit, particularly with her tradespeople, stood higher than
+ever, and her begging-boxes, and her tract-selling, and her albums,
+flourished quite as well as when she believed that she and they would
+ere long be translated to the Vicarage.</p>
+
+<p>Of Mrs. Richards's converted daughters, little Mary was the only one who
+ventured openly to declare that she thought the vicar had behaved
+extremely ill; that after what she saw pass between him and sister
+Louisa, it was a sin not to marry her; and that she did not think poor
+Mrs. Mowbray would ever be happy with a man who was so very much in love
+with another person.</p>
+
+<p>But it was only little Mary who said all this, and nobody paid much
+attention to it. The pious Louisa herself declared, indeed, that there
+never had been any thing but the purest evangelical love between them;
+and that the kiss about which silly Mary made such a fuss, was nothing
+in the world but a kiss of holy peace and brotherly love.</p>
+
+<p>The same eloquence which persuaded the young lady so to think, or at any
+rate, so to say, persuaded her likewise, and her sister Charlotte with
+her, to persevere in their avocations. They continued to compose tracts,
+to get them printed and sold when they could, and to read them aloud and
+give them away in manuscript when they could not. They also continued
+most perseveringly to expound both tracts and Scriptures for the
+edification of their very unhappy mother; who having passed the last
+twenty years of her life in exerting every faculty to render them happy
+around her, could not now so change her plan as to give them that
+portion of her house for the display of their inspired eloquence which
+she herself did not occupy&mdash;and thus she passed by far the greater
+portion of every day in listening to their ceaseless assurances that the
+pit of hell was yawning to receive her.</p>
+
+<p>Major Dalrymple being present on one occasion when this was going on
+with peculiar fervour, waited very patiently till there was a pause in
+the eloquence of Miss Charlotte, who was holding forth, and then said
+Scotchly and quietly, "Well, well, I see not but it is all very fair
+between you and your mother, my bonny lasses: she has been always
+forgetting herself for your sakes, and you are now forgetting yourselves
+for hers."</p>
+
+<p>It was not very long, however, after the marriage of the vicar, that a
+welcome and much-needed ray of hope once more gleamed upon her. It rose
+from the fair forehead of little Mary. From the time of her conversion,
+all her very pretty curls had been straightened and pushed behind her
+ears, and the little straw bonnet which covered them was the rival, or
+rather, the model of Fanny Mowbray's. But by degrees, a few of these
+curls began to reappear round her face; her sad-coloured ribbons were
+exchanged for the bright tints that suited so well with her clear brown
+skin: her laughing eyes began to recover their brightness, and at last
+she whispered in her mother's ear, "Forgive me, dearest mamma, for all
+my folly, my presumption. Forgive me, dearest mother; and pray God to
+forgive me too!"</p>
+
+<p>From that moment Mrs. Richards felt restored to happiness. She had too
+early learnt that, at the best, life is but like a changeable web of
+silk, in which the dark tints predominate, to poison the enjoyment which
+Mary's return to reason brought her, by remembering at any moment when
+it was possible to forget it, that she had still two daughters who
+declared their persuasion that they could never meet her in the life to
+come. She wisely and with true piety turned all her thoughts to Mary,
+soothed her remorse, and reconciled her to herself. In addition to this
+great joy, she thought she saw the promise of another, that for years
+had formed her favourite castle in the air. She thought she saw that
+Major Dalrymple looked at the recovered Mary with eyes expressive of
+love as well as of joy; and with this hope before her, and the
+delightful occupation of watching Mary sometimes blush, and always smile
+when the major entered, her life once more ceased to be a burden, and
+Rosalind again found that she sang the very sweetest second in the
+world.</p>
+
+<p>As soon as the occupation of receiving and returning the wedding visits
+was pretty well over, Mr. Cartwright set about making some important
+alterations and reforms in the village of Wrexhill.</p>
+
+<p>His attentive wife suggested to him, that he would find the fatigues of
+a large landed proprietor who so actively inquired into every thing, as
+he did, too much for his health and spirits, if he continued Vicar of
+Wrexhill. But to this he answered, "Heaven forbid, my lovely Clara, that
+I should ever suffer my cares for my earthly possessions to interfere
+with those especially relating to my heavenly ones! The cure of souls,
+my love, has ever been a favourite occupation with me. It greatly
+assists in giving one that sort of influence over the minds of ones
+fellow-creatures which every wise and holy man would wish to possess.
+But I have already secured the services of a very serious and exemplary
+curate, my dear love, who will relieve me from that part of the duty
+which, as you justly fear, might prove injurious to my health. This
+arrangement will, I trust, answer all your wishes for the present, sweet
+love; and in future I intend that our son Charles shall be my curate. He
+will, I have no doubt, like the Vicarage as a residence: it is really
+very pretty, and sufficiently near us to permit of easy, and I should
+hope, frequent intercourse. But it must be a year or two before this can
+be put in practice; and, in the mean time, I trust that we shall find
+Mr. Samuel Hetherington a pious and prayerful young man. I am not
+without hopes that he will arrive at the Vicarage to-night. I forget,
+dear, if I mentioned to you any thing about him?&mdash;I certainly, as you
+observe, am very much occupied!&mdash;However, don't let me forget to say,
+that if he comes to-night he must be invited to dine here to-morrow."</p>
+
+<p>Another of Mr. Cartwright's new arrangements arose from a scene that
+passed between Mr. Marsh, the quiet, peaceable, pains-taking village
+schoolmaster, and himself. This poor man, who had a wife and some
+half-dozen children, contrived to maintain them all by keeping school.
+He had a good house and extensive play-ground, which tempted many a
+tradesman in the county town, and some even in London, to send their
+sons to Wrexhill to improve at once their lungs and their learning. He
+had also a considerable number of day-boarders from all the farmers
+round, besides many of the most decent and well-born of the village
+children as day-scholars.</p>
+
+<p>To keep up this flourishing concern certainly took up every hour of Mr.
+Marsh's waking existence, and weary enough was he at night, poor man,
+when he laid his head on his pillow. But no one had ever heard him
+complain. His wife and children were comfortably clothed, fed, and
+lodged; his "<i>parents</i>" were all well contented with the learning and
+the health of their children, and all his neighbours esteemed and spoke
+well of him.</p>
+
+<p>Before Mr. Cartwright had been many weeks at Wrexhill, he took an
+opportunity of making a very kind and condescending call upon the worthy
+schoolmaster. Mr. Marsh happened at that moment to be superintending the
+afternoon writing-lessons; but he instantly obeyed the summons, and
+received the vicar in his best parlour with every demonstration of
+reverence.</p>
+
+<p>"You have good premises here, Mr. Marsh," said the newly-installed
+clergyman of the parish; "really a very decent and respectable-looking
+domain. How many boys have you, sir?"</p>
+
+<p>"Twenty-seven boarders, twelve day-boarders, and sixteen day-scholars."</p>
+
+<p>"Indeed!&mdash;that makes a considerable number of Christian souls. And what,
+sir, may be the method and the principle of your religious instruction?"</p>
+
+<p>"I take all my boarders, sir, to church twice every Sunday; and they
+read from the Bible twice a week. In addition to which, we have family
+prayer night and morning."</p>
+
+<p>"Then it is as I feared, Mr. Marsh," replied the vicar: "you altogether
+neglect, both for your pupils and yourself, sir, my nine o'clock Sabbath
+evening lecture in the church, together with the Tuesday evening's
+expounding and the Thursday evening's church lecture. This is awful
+negligence, sir; it is a terrible tempting of the Lord!"</p>
+
+<p>"I think, Mr. Cartwright," replied the poor schoolmaster, colouring,
+"that I shall be able to explain to your satisfaction my reasons for not
+attending your evening lectures. Some of my boys, sir, are almost
+grown-up lads: I have two hard upon seventeen, and I need not tell a
+gentleman like you that there is a deal of caution necessary at that age
+to keep lads out of harm's way. I have had the character of sending home
+very good, sober, decent lads; and this, I think, has done me more
+service in getting scholars than even my writing and book-keeping. But
+perhaps you don't know, sir, and I am sure I don't wish to put myself
+forward to tell you&mdash;but the truth is, Mr. Cartwright, that these late
+meetings, which break up quite in the dark, do bring together a great
+many disorderly people. 'Tis an excuse, sir, for every boy and girl that
+is in service to get out just when they ought to be at home, and
+altogether it is not quite the sort of thing I approve for my boys."</p>
+
+<p>"But when I tell you, Mr. Marsh," replied the vicar with much dignity,
+"that it is the sort of thing which I approve, for all the girls and
+boys too who live under my ministry, I presume that you do not intend to
+persevere in your very futile, and I must call it, impious objection. If
+you, sir, paid the attention that you ought to do to the religious
+object of the meeting, your impure imagination would not be quite so
+busy about its moral consequences. I am sorry to tell you, Mr. Marsh,
+that you are splitting on the rock which sends more wrecked and wretched
+souls to hell than any other peril of this mortal life, let it be what
+it may."</p>
+
+<p>"Well, sir," replied the schoolmaster mildly, "I must make up my account
+between God and my own conscience, and trust to his mercy to overlook my
+deficiencies."</p>
+
+<p>"Overlook your deficiencies?&mdash;poor deluded man!&mdash;Do you really hope that
+the Lord will pardon the clinging to works, and neglecting to hear his
+word?&mdash;Do you really doubt that Satan stands ready at the door to seize
+your soul, and bear it in his poisoned claws to everlasting torture?&mdash;Do
+you really doubt this, Mr. Marsh?"</p>
+
+<p>"Indeed I do, sir."</p>
+
+<p>"This is terrible!" cried the vicar, starting up and attempting to stop
+his ears. "Such blasphemy cannot be listened to without sin. I leave
+you, sir, and I will shake the dust off this your carpet from off my
+feet. But remember this,&mdash;I am your pastor and master, appointed to be
+the minister and guide of all the souls in my parish. As for your
+soul&mdash;I have no hope left for it: it must, and it will have its portion
+among the condemned, and will exist only to burn in unspeakable tortures
+for ever.&mdash;I have spoken, and you know your doom. But not so is it with
+the young persons committed to your charge; though, alas! the peril in
+which they now abide is sore to think of. Nevertheless, I will neither
+leave them nor forsake them as long as hope is left that a single brand
+can be snatched from the burning. Wherefore hear me!&mdash;This day is
+Thursday; let me this night see yourself, and every boy abiding in your
+house, in the gallery which you occupy in the church, or I will set to
+work to weed the vineyard. Yea! I will cleanse it root and branch from
+the corruption and abomination of you and your boys. Poor wretches, that
+you are labouring and striving to prepare for the kingdom of hell! But I
+speak sinfully in joining you and them together! and may the Lord
+forgive me, as I will strive to atone for it. I will clear the vineyard
+of you&mdash;but not till I have separated your boys from you. They shall be
+saved,&mdash;by my hand shall they be saved; and when I shall have effected
+this, you may perchance, while enjoying the leisure that will be your
+portion, remember this day, and value at its worth the wisdom which made
+you brave a minister of the evangelical church. Have I softened your
+hard heart, Mr. Marsh? Will you bring your school to my lecture this
+evening? Say 'Yes!' and you are forgiven."</p>
+
+<p>"No, sir, I will not!" was the quiet but firm reply of the good man.</p>
+
+<p>Not another syllable was spoken on either side; but well did the vicar
+of Wrexhill keep his word. Public estimation and private good-will
+appeared for a time to resist all the efforts he could make to persuade
+the villagers, and the farmers round about, that Mr. Marsh was a very
+impious and dangerous man, and one whom it was dangerous to trust with
+their children. They knew better; they knew that he was honest,
+pains-taking, intelligent, patient, and strictly attentive to his
+religious duties. But constant dropping will wear away a stone; and
+constant malevolence, kept in constant action, by one who was not very
+scrupulous as to the truth or falsehood of any statement that tended to
+produce the effect he wished, at length began, like rust upon steel, to
+cover and hide its true colour and its real brightness. One by one his
+daily scholars fell away from him,&mdash;one by one the neighbouring farmers
+came with some civil reason for not finding the sending their boys so
+likely to answer as formerly; and one by one his distant patrons found
+out the same thing: so that soon after the vicar's marriage he had the
+great delight of hearing that Mr. Marsh was sent to prison because he
+could not pay his rent, that his furniture was seized for taxes, and
+his tidy little wife lying ill of a brain fever at a small public-house
+near the prison, with her children starving round her.</p>
+
+<p>The sort of inward chuckle with which the prosperous vicar received this
+bit of village gossip from his valet has no letters by which it can be
+spelt;&mdash;it was the hosannah of a fiend.</p>
+
+<p>The supplying Mr. Marsh's place in Wrexhill was one of the things that
+now demanded Mr. Cartwright's immediate attention; and notwithstanding
+the many delicious temptations to idleness which surrounded him, his
+love of power, stronger even than his love of luxury, led him to hunt
+for and to find an individual to fill the situation, whose perfect
+obedience to his will made the dominion of the village school worth
+counting among the gratifying rights and immunities of his enviable
+position.</p>
+
+<p>Many of the country families, partly from curiosity, and partly from
+respect for the owner of the Park, let him be who he would, paid their
+visits, and sent their invitations with an appearance of consideration
+very dear to his heart, particularly when it chanced that this
+consideration proceeded from persons blessed by bearing a title. As to
+his domestic circle, it went on rather better than he expected: if not a
+happy, it was a very quiet one. Helen drooped, it is true, and looked
+wofully pale; but she seldom complained at all, and if she did, he heard
+her not. Rosalind was very wretched; but a host of womanly feelings were
+at work within her to prevent its being guessed by any. Even Helen
+thought that she had a wondrous portion of philosophy so speedily to
+forget poor Charles, and so very soon to reconcile herself to the
+hateful dominion of the usurper who had seized his place. But Helen knew
+not how she passed the hours when no eye saw and no ear heard her.
+Neither did Helen know the terrible effort she had made to redeem the
+folly and the pride shown in her answer to Charles, the first and only
+time that he had ever ventured to disclose his love. Had Helen known
+this, and the manner in which this offer of herself had been refused,
+she would have loved, and not blamed the resolution with which the
+heart-stricken Rosalind hid her wound from every eye.</p>
+
+<p>Fanny was gloomy, silent, and abstracted; but Mr. Cartwright only
+thought that the poor girl, having been passionately in love with him,
+was suffering a few natural pangs while teaching herself to consider
+him as her father. But all this was so natural, so inevitable indeed,
+that he permitted it not to trouble him: and, in truth, he was so
+accustomed in the course of his ministry to win young ladies, and
+sometimes old ones too, from the ordinary ways of this wicked world, to
+his own particular path of righteousness, by means of a little
+propitiatory love-making, that the moans and groans which usually
+terminated this part of the process towards perfect holiness among the
+ladies had become to him a matter of great indifference. Notwithstanding
+his long practice in the study of the female heart, however, he did not
+quite interpret that of Fanny Mowbray rightly. He knew nothing of the
+depth and reality of fanatic enthusiasm into which he had plunged her
+young mind; nor could he guess how that pure, but now fettered spirit,
+would labour and struggle to reach some vantage-ground of assurance on
+which to rest itself, and thence offer its unmixed adoration to the
+throne of grace. He had no idea how constantly Fanny was thinking of
+heaven, when he was talking of it.</p>
+
+<p>Of Henrietta he never thought much. She had given him some trouble, and
+he had used somewhat violent measures to bring her into such outward
+training as might not violently shock his adherents and disciples. But
+all this was now settled much to his satisfaction. She combed her hair
+quite straight, never wore pink ribands, and sat in church exactly as
+many hours as he commanded.</p>
+
+<p>Mr. Jacob was, as usual, his joy and his pride; and nothing he could do
+or say sufficed to raise a doubt in the mind of his admiring father of
+his being the most talented young man in Europe. That Jacob was not yet
+quite a saint, he was ready to allow; but so prodigiously brilliant an
+intellect could not be expected to fold its wings and settle itself at
+once in the temperate beatitude of saintship. He would come to it in
+time. It offered such inestimable advantages both in this world and the
+next, that Jacob, who had even now no objection to an easy chair, would
+be sure to discover the advantages of the calling.</p>
+
+<p>The wife of his bosom was really every thing he could wish a wife to be.
+She seemed to forget that there could be any other use for her ample
+revenue, than that of ministering to his convenience; and so complete
+was the devotion with which she seemed to lay herself and all that was
+hers at his feet, that no shadowy doubts or fears tormented him
+respecting that now first object of his life, the making her will.</p>
+
+<p>But though thus assured of becoming her heir whenever it should please
+Heaven to recall her, he took care to omit nothing to render assurance
+doubly sure. Not a caress, not a look, not a tender word, but had this
+for its object; and when his "dearest life" repaid him with a smile, and
+his "loveliest Clara" rewarded him with a kiss, he saw in his mind's eye
+visions of exquisite engrossings, forming themselves day by day more
+clearly into&mdash;"all my estates, real and personal, to my beloved
+husband."</p>
+
+<p>Thus, beyond contradiction, every thing seemed to prosper with him; and
+few perhaps of those who gratified his vanity by becoming his guests,
+guessed how many aching hearts sat around his daily banquet.</p>
+
+
+
+<hr style="width: 65%;" />
+<h2><a name="CHAPTER_VC" id="CHAPTER_VC"></a>CHAPTER V.</h2>
+
+<h3>THE VICAR AT HOME.</h3>
+
+
+<p>Spring succeeded to winter, and summer to spring, without producing any
+important change at Cartwright Park. Charles Mowbray requested and
+obtained permission to continue his studies without interruption, and
+for five months Helen and Rosalind lived upon his letters, which, spite
+of all his efforts to prevent it, showed a spirit so utterly depressed
+as to render them both miserable.</p>
+
+<p>They seemed both of them to be converted into parts of that stately and
+sumptuous machine which Mr. Cartwright had constructed around him, and
+of which he was himself the main spring. The number of servants was
+greatly increased, the equipages were much more splendid, and from an
+establishment remarkably simple and unostentatious for the income of its
+owners, the Park became one of the most magnificent in the country.</p>
+
+<p>Among the periodical hospitalities with which the vicar,&mdash;for Mr.
+Cartwright was still Vicar of Wrexhill,&mdash;among his periodical
+hospitalities was a weekly morning party, which opened by prayers read
+by his curate, and ended by a blessing pronounced by himself.</p>
+
+<p>At about two o'clock a déjeûner à la fourchette was laid in the
+dining-room, around which were discussed all the serious, and
+serio-political, and serio-literary subjects of the day. On this
+occasion the selection of company, though always pious, was not so
+aristocratical as at the pompous dinners occasionally given at the Park.
+But what was lost to vanity on one side by the unconspicuous rank of
+some of the guests, was gained to it on the other by the profound
+veneration for their host expressed in every word and in every look. Not
+only Mr. Corbold, the lawyer,&mdash;who was indeed in some sort ennobled by
+his relationship to the great man himself,&mdash;but the new curate, and the
+new apothecary, and even the new schoolmaster, were admitted.</p>
+
+<p>The company were always received by Mr. Cartwright and his lady in the
+drawing-room, where all the family were expected (that is, commanded on
+pain of very heavy displeasure) to assemble round them. The tables were
+covered with bibles, tracts, Evangelical Magazines, sanctified drawings,
+and missionary begging machines.</p>
+
+<p>Hardly could Chivers, who was become an example to all serious butlers
+in voice, in look, and in step, produce a more delightful sensation on
+his master's organs by announcing my Lord This, or my Lady That, than
+that master received from watching the reverential bows of the
+sycophants who hung upon his patronage. A sort of frozen blandishment on
+these occasions smoothed his proud face as he stood, with his lady
+beside him, to receive them. The tall, obsequious curate, who hardly
+dared to say his soul was his own, though he freely took upon himself to
+pronounce the destiny of other people's, bent before him, lower than
+mortal ever need bend to mortal; and he was rewarded for it by being
+permitted to aspire to the hand of the only daughter of Mr. Cartwright,
+of Cartwright Park. The little round apothecary, who by evangelical aid
+withal had pushed out his predecessor as effectually as ever pellet did
+pellet in a popgun, sighed, whined, bought tracts, expounded them,
+kneeled down, though almost too fat to get up again, and would have done
+aught else that to a canting doctor's art belongs so that it were not
+physically impossible, for one sole object, which for some months past
+had hardly quitted his thoughts by day or by night. This lofty object of
+ambition and of hope was the attending the lady of Mr. Cartwright, of
+Cartwright Park, at her approaching accouchement.</p>
+
+<p>The new schoolmaster, who was already making hundreds where his
+unprofessing predecessor made tens of pounds, was a huge, gaunt man, who
+had already buried three wives, and who had besides, as he hoped and
+believed, the advantage of being childless;&mdash;for he had always made it a
+custom to quarrel early with his sons and daughters, and send them to
+seek their fortune where they could find it;&mdash;this prosperous gentleman
+actually and bonâ fide fell in love with Miss Torrington; and having
+very tolerably good reasons for believing that there were few things at
+Cartwright Park which might not be won by slavish obedience and canting
+hypocrisy, he failed not to divide the hours during which he was weekly
+permitted an entrée there, between ogling the young lady, and
+worshipping the master of the mansion.</p>
+
+<p>Poor Rosalind had found means, after her dreadful scene with Mowbray,
+secretly to convey a note to Sir Gilbert, informing him that she no
+longer wished to change her guardian; as her doing so would not, she
+feared, enable her to free Helen from her thraldom: she was still
+therefore Mrs. Cartwright's ward, and the vicar had not yet quite
+abandoned the hope that his talented son might obtain her and her
+fortune; but hitherto Mr. Jacob had declined making proposals, avowing
+that he did not think he was sufficiently advanced in the fair lady's
+good graces to be quite sure of success. So, as no avowed claim had been
+hitherto made to her hand, the schoolmaster went on ogling every
+Wednesday morning, and dreaming every Wednesday night, unchecked by any:
+for the fair object of his passion was perfectly unconscious of having
+inspired it.</p>
+
+<p>Mrs. Simpson, of course, never failed to embellish these morning
+meetings with her presence when she happened to be in the country; but
+she had lately left it, for the purpose, as it was understood, of making
+a visit of a month or two to a distant friend, during which she had
+intended to place her charming little Mimima at a boarding-school in a
+neighbouring town; but Mr. Cartwright so greatly admired that sweet
+child's early piety that he recommended his lady to invite her to pass
+the period of her mamma's absence at Cartwright Park.</p>
+
+<p>Then there were the Richards' family, who for various reasons were among
+the most constant Wednesday visitors. Mrs. Richards came to see
+Rosalind, little Mary to whisper good counsel to her friend Fanny, and
+the two elder sisters to meet all the serious young men that the pompous
+vicar could collect round him from every village or town in the
+vicinity.</p>
+
+<p>Besides these, there were many others, too numerous indeed to be
+permitted a place in these pages, who came from far and near to pray and
+to gossip, to eat and to drink, at Cartwright Park.</p>
+
+<p>It happened at one of these meetings, about the middle of the month of
+June, when the beauty of the weather had brought together rather a
+larger party than usual, that a subject of great interest to the
+majority of the company was brought under discussion by Mr. Cartwright.</p>
+
+<p>No sooner had Mr. Samuel Hetherington, his curate, finished his prayer,
+and such of the company risen from their knees as chose to come early
+enough to take part in that portion of the morning's arrangements, than
+the vicar opened the subject.</p>
+
+<p>"My dear friends and neighbours," he said, "I have to communicate what I
+am sure will give you all pleasure: for are we not a society united in
+the Lord? Notwithstanding the little differences of station that may
+perhaps exist among us, have we not all one common object in view? It is
+for the furtherance of this divine object that I have now to mention to
+you a circumstance at which my soul and the soul of Mrs. Cartwright
+rejoice, and at which I am fully persuaded that your souls will rejoice
+likewise."</p>
+
+<p>This preface produced a movement of lively interest throughout the whole
+room, and there was hardly a person present who did not eagerly
+undertake to answer for the sympathy of his or her soul with those of
+the vicar and his lady.</p>
+
+<p>"Since we had the pleasure of seeing you last," resumed the vicar, "I
+have received a despatch from the secretary of the South Central African
+Bible Association, by which I learn that it is in contemplation to send
+out to Fababo a remarkably serious young Jew, recently converted, as
+missionary, and minister plenipotentiary in all spiritual affairs
+relative to the church about to be established for Fababo and its
+dependencies. But as you all well know that such a glorious enterprise
+as this cannot be undertaken without funding and it has been requested
+of me, in the despatch to which I have alluded, that I should exert such
+little influence as I have among you, my dear friends and neighbours,
+for the collecting a sum in aid of it, our good Mrs. Simpson's sweet
+little cherub Mimima is furnished with a box, which she will carry round
+as soon as the collation is ended, to petition your generous
+contributions."</p>
+
+<p>A murmur of approbation, admiration, and almost of adoration, burst from
+the whole company, and the conversation immediately turned upon the
+conversion of Jews, and the happiness of having found so very desirable
+a mission for Mr. Isaacs. While the enthusiasm was at its height, Mrs.
+Cartwright, having previously received a hint from her husband, proposed
+that a serious fancy-fair should be held on that day month, on the lawn
+before the drawing-room windows of Cartwright Park, for assisting the
+outfit of Mr. Isaacs.</p>
+
+<p>"If all the ladies present," continued Mrs. Cartwright, "and such of
+their friends as they can prevail upon to join them, will only occupy
+themselves during the ensuing month in the making of pincushions, the
+composition of tracts, the sketching some dozens of Apostles' heads,
+together with a few thousand allumettes and pen-wipers, we should, I
+have no doubt, collect a sum not only very serviceable to the exemplary
+Mr. Isaacs, but highly honourable to ourselves."</p>
+
+<p>"Delightful!" cried several ladies at once. "There is nothing," said the
+little girlish wife of a neighbouring curate, "that I dote upon like a
+fancy-fair;&mdash;a serious fancy-fair, of course I mean, my dear," she
+added, colouring, as she caught the eye of her alarmed young husband
+fixed upon her.</p>
+
+<p>"A serious fancy-fair for <i>such</i> an object," observed Mr. Cartwright,
+"is indeed a charming spectacle. If the Lord favours us by granting a
+fine day, the whole of the ceremonies,&mdash;I mean, including the opening
+prayers, the exposition of some chapters bearing upon the subject, the
+reading a tract which I will direct my curate to compose for the
+occasion, and the final blessing: all this, I think, if the weather
+prove favourable, should be performed out of doors, as well as the sale
+of the ladies' works. This, I question not, will produce a very imposing
+effect, and will, I think, be likely to bring many persons who, by a
+blessing upon our labours, may be induced to purchase. The elderly
+ladies will of course sell the articles; and the younger ones, whose
+piety will lead them to attend, may conceal themselves as much as
+possible from the public eye, by walking about in my groves and
+shrubberies, which shall be open for the occasion. It will be desirable,
+I imagine, to get handbills printed, to invite the attendance of the
+whole neighbourhood! Do you not think this will be advisable? I am sure
+that no one can avoid every thing like general display and ostentation
+more cautiously than I do; but I conceive this public announcement on
+the present occasion absolutely necessary to the profitable success of
+our endeavours."</p>
+
+<p>"Absolutely!" was the word caught by echo for the reply.</p>
+
+<p>"Have the goodness, Mr. Hetherington, to sit down at that small
+table&mdash;you will there find all things needful for writing, and indite
+the handbill that will be necessary for us. There is a warmth of feeling
+at this blessed moment generated among us towards this holy work, which
+it would be sin to neglect. Let it not, like those good feelings and
+resolutions of which we have been told by the preacher, pass away from
+us to pave the courts of hell, and be trodden under the feet of the
+scorners who inhabit there. No, my brethren; let it rather rise like a
+sweet savour of incense, to tell that not in vain do we pronounce His
+name on earth!"</p>
+
+<p>Before these words were all spoken, the assiduous curate was already
+seated, pen in hand, as nearly as possible in the attitude of
+Dominichino's St. John, and looking up to Mr. Cartwright for
+inspiration.</p>
+
+<p>In truth, the vicar, though the dignity of a secretary was in some sort
+necessary to his happiness, would by no means have intrusted the
+sketching out of this document to any hand but his own. He felt it to be
+probable that it might become matter of history, and as such it demanded
+his best attention. While Mr. Hetherington therefore sat with his pen
+between his fingers, like a charged gun waiting for the pressure of the
+finger that should discharge it, Mr. Cartwright, with the ready hand of
+a master produced the following outline in pencil.</p>
+
+<p class="center"><span class="smcap">Cartwright Park.</span><br /><br />
+On Wednesday the 12th July, 1834,<br />
+will be held<br />
+a serious<br />
+<span class="smcap">Fancy Fair,</span><br />
+on the lawn of the Rev. Mr. Cartwright's<br />
+Mansion,<br />
+at<br />
+Cartwright Park,<br />
+For the promotion of an object<br />
+most precious<br />
+in the eyes of all<br />
+<span class="smcap">Professing Christians:</span><br />
+namely,<br />
+The fitting out a mission to Fababo, of which the Rev. Isaac <br />
+Isaacs is to be the head and chief; to him being intrusted the <br />
+first formation of an organised Christian establishment for<br />
+<span class="smcap">Fababo</span><br />
+and its dependencies, together with the regulation of all adult<br />
+and infant schools therein, and the superintendance of all the<br />
+bible societies throughout the district.<br />
+<span class="smcap">Large Funds</span><br />
+being required for this very promising and useful mission, the<br />
+ladies and gentlemen in the neighbourhood of Cartwright<br />
+Park are religiously requested to attend the Serious Fancy<br />
+Fair hereby announced, both as contributors and purchasers;<br />
+whereby they will ensure the especial favour of Providence to<br />
+themselves, and the blessings of religious and civil freedom,<br />
+and the purest evangelical instruction, to unnumbered<br />
+<span class="smcap">thousands</span><br />
+yet unborn<br />
+of<br />
+the natives<br />
+of<br />
+<span class="smcap">Fababo.</span><br />
+N.B.&mdash;Collations will be served at three o'clock in five<br />
+of the principal saloons of Mr. Cartwright's mansion.<br />
+Prayers to be pronounced at one.<br />
+Blessing (from the Reverend Mr. Cartwright himself) at five.<br />
+The whole of the religious ceremonies to be performed in the open air.</p>
+
+<p>This sketch, as the inspired author called it, having been read aloud
+and approved by acclamation, was delivered to the curate to copy; and as
+soon as this was completed, Mr. Cartwright received it from him, and
+holding it aloft in his right hand, pronounced aloud, in a very solemn
+and impressive manner, these words: "May this service, dedicated to the
+Lord, be found acceptable in his sight, and bring forth honour and glory
+to us and to him in the world to come and the life everlasting. Amen."</p>
+
+<p>This business happily completed, the religious amusements of the morning
+continued to go on as usual;&mdash;Mr. Bateman, the enamoured schoolmaster,
+constantly sitting, standing, and moving, with his eyes fixed on Miss
+Torrington; and the despairing Corbold, whose six passionate proposals
+had been six times formally refused by Helen, reposing himself on a sofa
+in deep meditation on the ways and means by which he might so wheedle or
+work himself into the secrets of his magnificent cousin as to make it
+necessary for him to wink at any means by which he could get Helen into
+his power, and so oblige her to marry him.</p>
+
+<p>At length the elegant banquet drew the company from their tracts and
+their talk to the dinner-parlour; and iced champagne refreshed the
+spirits of all, but particularly of those exhausted by the zealous
+warmth with which they had discussed the sinful adherence to good works
+so frightfully prevalent among the unregenerated clergy of the Church of
+England and Ireland. This was a theme upon which the majority of the
+company at the Cartwright Park meetings never wearied.</p>
+
+<p>At length, the final blessing was pronounced, the party separated, and
+the tired family left to repose themselves as they best liked till the
+hour of dinner.</p>
+
+<p>The increasing delicacy of Miss Cartwright's health, and Rosalind's
+drooping spirits, had prevented the intimacy between them from gaining
+ground so rapidly as they had, perhaps, both expected, when the families
+of the Park and Vicarage became blended into one. Yet it was evident
+that Rosalind was the only person to whom the pale Henrietta ever wished
+to speak, and equally so that Rosalind always listened to her with
+interest.</p>
+
+<p>They were mounting the stairs together after the company were dispersed,
+when Henrietta said, "Are you not wearied to death by all this, Miss
+Torrington? Oh, how you are changed since the time I told you that I had
+pleasure in looking at your face! It was then the brightest looking
+countenance I ever gazed upon: but now&mdash;to use the words of, I know not
+whom&mdash;all the sunshine is out of you."</p>
+
+<p>"It is a sorry compliment you pay me, my dear Henrietta; but I believe I
+am not quite the same sort of person I was then." Tears started in her
+eyes as she spoke.</p>
+
+<p>"I have overheard painful comparisons, Miss Torrington, between times
+past and present, and I am sorry for it. I really would not willingly
+add to the sorrow and suffering my race has brought upon you. Do not go
+and sit by yourself and weep till you are sick, as I have done many's
+the time and oft. Let us take a very slow ramble into that very thickest
+part of the Reverend Mr. Cartwright's shrubbery, where the sun never
+enters&mdash;shall we? We are quite fine enough for such godly people,
+without any more dressing for dinner. So we can sit in the shade till
+the last bell rings."</p>
+
+<p>"I should like nothing so well," replied Rosalind: and hastily skirting
+the sunny lawn, they took their stations on a seat which the morning sun
+visited as if on purpose to prevent its being dark and damp, but which
+for the rest of the twenty-four hours remained almost as cool as if
+there were no such globe in the heavens.</p>
+
+<p>"We are growing very seriously gay, Rosalind,&mdash;are we not?" said
+Henrietta in a lighter tone than she usually indulged in. "Fancy-fairs
+used to be the exclusive property of the worldlings; but it seems that
+we are now to come in for a share of their fraudulent charity,&mdash;and
+their vain benevolence:&mdash;not a bad pun that, Rosalind, if I had but
+intended to make one? But do tell me if you do not think Mr. Cartwright
+has a magnificent taste?"</p>
+
+<p>"Very&mdash;for a person who professes himself so given to the contemplation
+of things above the world. But to tell you the truth, Henrietta, I am
+much less surprised at the vain-glorious manner in which he displays
+his newly-acquired riches, than at the continuance of his saintly
+professions. I expected that the Vicarage of Wrexhill would have been
+resigned, and all the world peaceably permitted to be just as wicked as
+they liked, without Mr. Cartwright of Cartwright Park giving himself the
+least trouble concerning it."</p>
+
+<p>"You little know the nature of the clique to which he belongs. That they
+value pleasure fully as much as other men, is quite certain; that they
+struggle for riches with anxiety as acute, and hold it with a grasp as
+tight, as any human beings can do, it were equally impossible to doubt:
+but that power is dearer to them than either, is a truth well known to
+all who have sat within the conventicle, and watched its professors, as
+I have done."</p>
+
+<p>"But how can a man so addicted to self-indulgence, as it is evident Mr.
+Cartwright is, endure the sort of trouble which the charge of a living
+must inevitably bring with it?&mdash;especially in the style so universally
+practised, I believe, by all serious ministers&mdash;that of interfering with
+the affairs of every individual in their parish."</p>
+
+<p>"It is that interference that makes the labour a joy. But you are not
+initiated, and cannot comprehend it. You do not, I am sure, conceive the
+delight of feeling, that not a man or woman&mdash;not a boy or girl in the
+parish either do, or leave undone, any single act of labour or of
+relaxation, without thinking whether Mr. Cartwright would approve it.
+And then, the dependence of so many on him for their daily bread!&mdash;the
+curate, the clerk, the sexton, the beadle,&mdash;and the schoolmaster, and
+the schoolmaster's assistant, and the apothecary, and the attorney, and
+the undertaker, and&mdash;dozens of poor dependent simpletons besides, who,
+if, like poor Seymour's organ-grinder, they "knew the walley of peace
+and quiet," would run away to batten on the first moor they came to,
+rather than endure the slavery of living dependent upon the favour of a
+fanatical divine. Whatever it may be to them, however, depend upon it,
+that to him, and the like of him, this petty power, this minute tyranny
+of interference, is dearer than the breath of life; and that, much as
+Mr. Cartwright loves his fair lady and all that belongs to her, he would
+think that all still dearly purchased, were he thereby to lose the right
+of entering every house in the parish, and unblushingly to ask them what
+they have done, are doing, and are about to do."</p>
+
+<p>The conversation then rambled on to all things connected with the
+fancy-fair and its object, till they had talked themselves tired; and
+then they sat silently watching the beautiful checker-work of light and
+shade which fell on the grass-carpet before them, till the languid
+Henrietta, resting her head against a tree, fell fast asleep. Rosalind
+sat beside her for some minutes; but, growing weary of the extreme
+stillness necessary to guard her slumbers, she quietly withdrew herself,
+and wandered on under the trees.</p>
+
+<p>Having left the sleeper for about half an hour, she turned to walk
+gently back again; but fancying as she approached the spot that she
+heard the sound of a man's voice, she slanted off by another path, which
+took her close behind the seat occupied by Miss Cartwright, though a
+thick trimly-cut laurel hedge rendered it impossible for any one to see
+or be seen from the other.</p>
+
+<p>The hedge, though a good one, had not however the same effect on sound
+as on sight, and Rosalind was not a little startled, as her soft
+footfall silently drew near the seat, to hear a very passionate
+declaration of love in the drawling voice of Mr. Hetherington.</p>
+
+<p>She stopped, by no means from any wish to hear more, but greatly
+embarrassed lest, her step being heard, she might appear to have stolen
+to this obscure spot for the express purpose of being a listener.</p>
+
+<p>"Make me the happiest of men, adored Miss Cartwright!" reiterated the
+young man. "Your father has permitted my addresses; then do not you,
+most charming Henrietta, refuse to listen to them!"</p>
+
+<p>"It would not be for your happiness, sir," replied the deep low voice of
+Henrietta, "that I should do so."</p>
+
+<p>"Let me be the judge of that! Oh! if such a fear be all that parts us,
+we shall not, lovely Miss Cartwright! be long asunder," replied the
+ardent Mr. Hetherington.</p>
+
+<p>"I know myself, sir," said Henrietta, "far better than you can know me;
+and though we have not been long acquainted, your situation as curate of
+the parish enables me to know your sentiments and opinions better than
+you can know mine. I hear you preach twice every Sunday, Mr.
+Hetherington, and I do assure you there is not a single question of
+importance on which we think alike."</p>
+
+<p>"Name them, sweet Henrietta! generously tell me wherein we differ, and
+trust me that it shall be the study of my life to bring my opinions into
+conformity with yours."</p>
+
+<p>"I heard you, in the middle of your sermon last Sunday, stop short to
+scold a little boy who had accidentally made a noise by letting his hat
+fall on the ground. You said to him, 'Before next Sunday you may be
+brought into this church in your coffin.' I saw the little fellow turn
+pale, yet you repeated the words. I really should not like to marry any
+one who could so terrify little boys, for he might perhaps think it
+right to terrify me also."</p>
+
+<p>"Never&mdash;oh, never again will I so offend you: and for yourself, beloved
+Miss Cartwright, what could I say to you but words of hope and joy?"</p>
+
+<p>"Neither your joy nor your hope, Mr. Hetherington, would do me much
+good, I am afraid. In one word, much as it will surprise you to hear it
+from my father's daughter, I am not evangelical, sir."</p>
+
+<p>"It is but a reason the more for my wishing to call you mine! If my
+opinions are unsound, you shall correct them."</p>
+
+<p>"I wish you would be persuaded, Mr. Hetherington, to desist from this
+suit. I know that if my father has permitted it, I may find it become
+very troublesome to me, unless you have yourself the generosity to
+withdraw it; for my father does not brook contradiction."</p>
+
+<p>"Ask any proof of my obedience but this, and you shall find me a slave,
+having no will but that of my charming mistress; but to resign you while
+I enjoy the inestimable privilege of your illustrious father's sanction,
+it is impossible."</p>
+
+<p>"Then, sir," said Henrietta, in an altered voice that betokened strong
+emotion, "if nothing less will save me from this persecution, I will
+disclose to you the great secret of my life; make of it what use you
+will. I am an Atheist."</p>
+
+<p>"Surely you cannot suppose, my beloved Miss Cartwright, that this
+confession can produce any effect upon my love, unless indeed it be to
+augment it. What noble frankness! what confiding trust! Believe me,
+there can be no difference of opinion between us on any subject
+sufficiently strong to conquer the tender and powerful passion you have
+inspired. Yield then to the soft violence which I know will be
+sanctioned by your respected father&mdash;let me thus&mdash;&mdash;"</p>
+
+<p>"Leave me, wretch!" exclaimed Henrietta in a voice that made Rosalind
+tremble. "He may lock me up and half-starve me, for he has done it
+before to make me obey his will, and I have obeyed it, and hated myself
+for my cowardice; but I will not marry you, Mr. Hetherington, even
+should he treat me worse than he has yet done&mdash;which would not be easy.
+Go, sir, go&mdash;I am an Atheist; but horrible as that sounds even to my own
+ears, it is better than to be what you have proved yourself."</p>
+
+<p>Rosalind, hardly less agitated than Henrietta appeared to be, stood
+trembling from head to foot in her retreat, till aware that the
+unscrupulous Mr. Hetherington had retreated in one direction, and the
+unhappy Henrietta returned to the house by another.</p>
+
+
+
+<hr style="width: 65%;" />
+<h2><a name="CHAPTER_VIC" id="CHAPTER_VIC"></a>CHAPTER VI.</h2>
+
+<h3>A SECOND VISIT TO THE LIME-TREE.</h3>
+
+
+<p>Rosalind, as she walked slowly back towards the house, repeated to
+herself in shuddering the fearful words of Henrietta Cartwright&mdash;<span class="smcap">I am an
+Atheist</span>,&mdash;and her very soul seemed sick and faint within her. She had
+sought in some degree the friendship of this unhappy girl, chiefly
+because it was evident that not even the connexion of father and
+daughter had sufficed to blind her to the hateful hypocrisy and unholy
+fanaticism of the vicar. Did, then, hatred and contempt for him lead to
+the hideous abyss of Atheism? She trembled as she asked herself the
+question; but the weakness lasted not a moment: the simple and true
+piety of her spirit awoke within her, and with kindly warmth cheered and
+revived her heart. That the unhappy Henrietta, when revolted by watching
+the false religion of her father, should have fled from it with such
+passionate vehemence as to plunge her into the extreme of scepticism,
+offered no precedent for what would be likely to befall a person who,
+like her, loathed the dark sin of hypocrisy, but who, unlike her, had
+learned the benignant truths of religion with no false and frightful
+commentaries to disfigure them.</p>
+
+<p>As she remembered this&mdash;as she remembered that, probably, the only
+religious lessons ever given to this most unhappy girl were such as her
+judgment must revolt from, and the sincerity of her nature detest as
+false and feigned, pity and compassion took place of terror and
+repugnance, and a timid, but most earnest wish, that she might herself
+be the means of sending a ray of divine light to cheer the fearful gloom
+of poor Henrietta's mind, took possession of her heart.</p>
+
+<p>The delightful glow of feeling that seemed to pervade every nerve of
+Rosalind as this thought took possession of her cannot be described.
+Tears again filled her beautiful eyes, but they were no longer the tears
+of disappointment and despondency; yet a dread of incurring the guilt of
+presumption, by assuming the office of teacher on a theme so awfully
+important, so sublimely exalted, mixed fear with her hope, and she
+determined to restrict her efforts wholly to the selection of such books
+as might tend to enlighten the dark night of that perverted mind,
+without producing in it the painful confusion of thought which must ever
+result from a loose and unlogical arrangement of proofs and arguments,
+however sound or however unquestionable they may individually be.</p>
+
+<p>When she met Henrietta in the drawing-room, where all the family were
+assembled before dinner, she was conscious of being so full of thoughts
+concerning her, that she almost feared to encounter her eyes, lest her
+own might prematurely disclose her being acquainted with the scene she
+had gone through.</p>
+
+<p>But the moment she heard Henrietta speak, the sound of her voice, so
+quiet, so cold, so perfectly composed, convinced her that the
+conversation which she had supposed must have agitated her so
+dreadfully, had in truth produced no effect on her whatever; and when,
+taking courage from this, she ventured to speak to and look at her, the
+civil smile, the unaltered eye, the easy allusion to their walk and
+their separation, led her almost to doubt her senses as to the identity
+of the being now before her, and the one to whom she had listened in
+horror a short half-hour ago. This perplexity was, however, in a great
+measure relieved by an interpretation suggested by her fancy, and
+immediately and eagerly received by her as truth.</p>
+
+<p>"It was in bitter irony, and shrewdly to test the sincerity of that
+man's assumed sanctity, that she uttered those terrible words," thought
+Rosalind; and inexpressibly relieved by the supposition, she determined
+to take an early opportunity of confessing to Miss Cartwright her
+involuntary participation of Mr. Hetherington's tender avowal, and of
+her own temporary credulity in believing for a moment that what was
+uttered, either to get rid of him or to prove the little worth of his
+pretended righteousness, was a serious avowal of her secret sentiments.</p>
+
+<p>This opportunity was not long wanting; for, perfectly unconscious that
+Miss Torrington's motive for hovering near her was to seek a
+confidential conversation,&mdash;a species of communication from which she
+always shrunk,&mdash;Henrietta, who really liked and admired her more than
+any person she had ever met with, readily seconded her wish, by again
+wandering into the garden-walks, on which the sun had just poured his
+parting beams, and where the full moon, rising at the same moment to
+take her turn of rule, shone with a splendour increasing every moment,
+and rendering the night more than a rival in beauty to the day.</p>
+
+<p>"Let us go to the same seat we occupied this morning," said Rosalind.</p>
+
+<p>"No, no; go anywhere else, and I shall like it better. Let us go where
+we can see the moon rise, and watch her till she reaches her highest
+noon;&mdash;of all the toys of creation it is the prettiest."</p>
+
+<p>"Shall you be afraid to go as far as the lime-tree?" asked Rosalind.</p>
+
+<p>"What! The tree of trees? the bower of paradise?&mdash;in short, the tree
+that you and I have once before visited together?"</p>
+
+<p>"The same. There is no point from whence the rising moon is seen to such
+advantage."</p>
+
+<p>"Come along, then; let us each put on the armour of a good shawl, and
+steal away from this superlatively dull party by the hall-door."</p>
+
+<p>The two girls walked on together arm-in-arm, both clad in white, both
+raising a fair young face to the clear heavens, both rejoicing in the
+sweet breath of evening, heavy with dew-distilling odours. Yet, thus
+alike, the wide earth is not ample enough to serve as a type whereby to
+measure the distance that severed them. The adoration, the joy, the hope
+of Rosalind, as her thoughts rose "from Nature up to Nature's God,"
+beamed from her full eye; thankfulness and love swelled her young heart,
+and every thought and every feeling was a hymn of praise.</p>
+
+<p>Henrietta, as she walked beside her, though sharing Nature's banquet so
+lavishly prepared for every sense, like a thankless guest, bestowed no
+thought upon the hand that gave it. Cold, dark, and comfortless was the
+spirit within her; she saw that all was beautiful, but remembered not
+that all was good,&mdash;and the thankless heart heaved with no throb of
+worship to the eternal Creator who made the lovely world, and then made
+her to use it.</p>
+
+<p>Notwithstanding the interpretation which Rosalind had put upon the works
+spoken by Henrietta in the morning, and the consolation she had drawn
+from it, it was not without considerable agitation that she anticipated
+the conversation she was meditating. "If she were mistaken?&mdash;if beneath
+that pure sky, from whence the eye of Heaven seemed to look down upon
+them, she were again to hear the same terrific words&mdash;how should she
+answer them? How should she find breath, and strength, and thought, and
+language, to speak on such a theme?"</p>
+
+<p>She trembled at her own temerity as this fear pressed upon her, and
+inwardly prayed, in most true and sweet humility, for forgiveness for
+her presumptuous sin. A prayer so offered never fails of leaving in the
+breast it springs from a cheering glow, that seems like an assurance of
+its being heard. Like that science-taught air, which blazes as it
+exhales itself, prayer&mdash;simple, sincere, unostentatious prayer, sheds
+light and warmth upon the soul that breathes it, even by the act of
+breathing.</p>
+
+<p>They had, however, reached the seat beneath the lime-tree before
+Rosalind found courage to begin: and then she said, as they seated
+themselves beneath the spreading canopy, "Miss Cartwright,&mdash;I have a
+confession to make to you."</p>
+
+<p>"To me?&mdash;Pray, what is it? To judge by the place you have chosen for
+your confessional, it should be something rather solemn and majestical."</p>
+
+<p>"Do you remember that I left you on the shrubbery-seat this morning fast
+asleep?"</p>
+
+<p>"Oh! perfectly.&mdash;You mean, then, to confess that the doing so was
+unwatchful and unfriendly: and, indeed, I think it was. How did you know
+but I might be awakened by some venomous reptile that should come to
+sting me?"</p>
+
+<p>"Believe me, I thought the place secure from interruption of every kind.
+But I had reason to think afterwards that it did not prove so."</p>
+
+<p>"What do you mean, Miss Torrington?" replied Henrietta, in an accent of
+some asperity. "I presume you did not creep away for the purpose of
+spying at me from a distance?"</p>
+
+<p>"Oh no!&mdash;You cannot, I am sure, suspect me of wishing to spy at you at
+all. And yet things have so fallen out, that when I tell you all, you
+must suspect me of it&mdash;unless you believe me, as I trust you do,
+incapable of such an action."</p>
+
+<p>"Pray do not speak in riddles," said Henrietta impatiently. "What is it
+you have got to confess to me? Tell me at once, Miss Torrington."</p>
+
+<p>"You really do not encourage me to be very frank with you, for you seem
+angry already. But the truth is, Miss Cartwright, that I did most
+unintentionally overhear your conversation with Mr. Hetherington."</p>
+
+<p>"The whole of it?&mdash;Did you hear the whole of it, Rosalind?"</p>
+
+<p>"Not quite. The gentleman appeared to be in the midst of his declaration
+when my unwilling ears became his confidants."</p>
+
+<p>"And then you listened to the end?"</p>
+
+<p>"I did."</p>
+
+<p>A deathlike silence followed this avowal, which was at last broken by
+Henrietta, who said in a low whisper, "Then at last you know me!"</p>
+
+<p>"Oh! do not say so;&mdash;do not say that the fearful words that I heard were
+spoken in earnest!&mdash;Do not say that;&mdash;I cannot bear to hear it!"</p>
+
+<p>"Poor girl!&mdash;poor Rosalind!" said Henrietta, in a voice of the deepest
+melancholy. "I have always wished to spare you this&mdash;I have always
+wished to spare myself the pain of reading abhorrence in the eyes of one
+that I do believe I could have loved, had not my heart been dead."</p>
+
+<p>"But if you feel thus, Henrietta,&mdash;if indeed you know that such words as
+I heard you utter must raise abhorrence,&mdash;it is because that you
+yourself must hate them. I know you are unhappy&mdash;I know that your
+nature scorns the faults that are but too conspicuous in your father;
+but is it not beneath a mind of such power as yours to think there is no
+God in heaven, because one weak and wicked man has worshipped him
+amiss?"</p>
+
+<p>"He worship!&mdash;Trust me, Rosalind, had I been the child of a Persian, and
+seen him, in spirit and in truth, worshipping the broad sun as it looked
+down from heaven upon earth, making its fragrant dews rise up to him in
+incense, I should not have been the wretched thing I am,&mdash;for I should
+have worshipped too."</p>
+
+<p>"Henrietta!&mdash;If to behold the Maker of the universe, and the Redeemer
+whom he sent to teach his law&mdash;if to see worship offered to their
+eternal throne could teach you to worship too, then look around you.
+Look at the poor in heart, the humble, pious Christians who, instead of
+uttering the horrible doom of eternal damnation upon their fellow-men,
+live and die in the delightful hope that all shall one day meet in the
+presence of their God and Father, chastised, purified, and pleading, to
+his everlasting mercy, with the promised aid of his begotten Son, for
+pardon and for peace.&mdash;Look out for this, Henrietta, and you will find
+it. Find it, and your heart will be softened, and you will share the
+healing balm that makes all the sorrow and suffering of this life seem
+but as the too close fitting of a heavy garment that galls but for an
+hour!"</p>
+
+<p>"Dear, innocent Rosalind!&mdash;How pure and beautiful your face looks in the
+bright moonlight!&mdash;But, alas! I know that very sinful faces may look
+just as fair. There is no truth to rest on. In the whole wide world,
+Rosalind, there is not honesty enough whereon to set a foot, that one
+may look around and believe, at least, that what one sees, one sees. But
+this is a perfection of holiness&mdash;a species of palpable and present
+divinity, that is only granted to mortals in their multiplication
+tables.&mdash;Twice two are four&mdash;I feel sure of it,&mdash;but my faith goes no
+farther."</p>
+
+<p>"I cannot talk to you," cried Rosalind in great agitation; "I am not
+capable of doing justice to this portentous theme, on which hangs the
+eternal life of all the men that have been, are, and shall be. It is
+profane in me to speak of it,&mdash;a child&mdash;a worm. Father of mercy, forgive
+me!" she cried suddenly dropping upon her knees.</p>
+
+<p>Henrietta uttered a cry which almost amounted to a shriek. "I had almost
+listened to you!" she exclaimed,&mdash;"I had almost believed that your voice
+was the voice of truth; but now you put yourself in that hateful
+posture, and what can I think of you, but that you are all alike&mdash;all
+juggling&mdash;all! The best of ye juggle yourselves,&mdash;the worst do as we saw
+Mr. Cartwright do;&mdash;on that very spot, Rosalind, beneath the shelter of
+that very tree, did he not too knuckle down? and for what?&mdash;to lure and
+cajole a free and innocent spirit to be as false and foul as himself!
+Yet this is the best trick of which you can bethink you to teach the
+sceptical Henrietta that there is a God."</p>
+
+<p>"Truth, Henrietta," said Rosalind, rising up and speaking in a tone that
+indicated more contempt than anger,&mdash;"neither truth nor falsehood can be
+tested by a posture of the body. It is but a childish cavil. The
+stupendous question, whether this world and all the wonders it contains
+be the work of chance, or of unlimited power and goodness, conceiving,
+arranging, and governing the whole, can hardly depend for its solution
+upon the angle in which the joints are bent. You have read much, Miss
+Cartwright,&mdash;read one little passage more, which I think may have
+escaped you. Read the short and simple instructions given as to the
+manner in which prayer should be offered up&mdash;read this passage of some
+dozen lines, and I think you will allow that in following these
+instructions, greatly as they have been misconstrued and abused, there
+is nothing that can justify the vehement indignation which you express."</p>
+
+<p>Poor Henrietta shrunk more abashed before this simple word of common
+sense, than she would have done before the revealed word. Rosalind saw
+this, and pointed out the anomaly to her, simply, but strongly.</p>
+
+<p>"Does it not show a mind diseased?" she continued. "You feel that you
+were wrong to make an attitude a matter of importance, and you are
+ashamed of it: but from the question, whether you shall exist in pure
+and intellectual beatitude through countless ages, or perish to-morrow,
+you turn with contempt, as too trifling and puerile to merit your
+attention."</p>
+
+<p>"If I do turn from it, Rosalind,&mdash;if I do think the examination of such
+a question a puerile occupation,&mdash;it is in the same spirit that I should
+decline to share the employment of a child who would set about counting
+the stars. Such knowledge is too excellent for me; I cannot attain unto
+it."</p>
+
+<p>"Your illustration would be more correct, Henrietta, were you to say
+that you shut your eyes and would not see the stars, upon the same
+principle that you declined inquiring into the future hopes of man. It
+would be quite as reasonable to refuse to look at the stars because you
+cannot count them, as to close your eyes upon the book of life because
+it tells of intellectual power beyond your own.&mdash;But this is all
+contrary to my resolution, Henrietta,&mdash;contrary to all my hopes for your
+future happiness. Do not listen to me; do not hang a chance dearer than
+life upon the crude reasonings of an untaught woman. Will you read,
+Henrietta?&mdash;if I will find you books and put them in your hands, will
+you read them, and keep your judgment free and clear from any foregone
+conclusion that every word that speaks of the existence and providence
+of God must be a falsehood? Will you promise me this?"</p>
+
+<p>"Let us go home, Rosalind; my head is giddy and my heart is sick. I had
+hoped never again to fever my aching brain in attempting to sift the
+truth from all the lies that may and must surround it. I have made my
+choice deliberately, Rosalind. I have never seen sin and wickedness
+flourish any where so rapidly and so vigorously as where it has been
+decked in the masquerading trappings of religion. I hate sin, Rosalind,
+and I have thrown aside for ever the hateful garb in which I have been
+used to see it clothed. If there be a God, can I stand guilty before his
+eyes for this?"</p>
+
+<p>"Oh yes! most guilty! If you have found hypocrisy and sin, turn from it
+with all the loathing that you will; and be very sure, let it wear what
+mask it will, that religion is not there. Look then elsewhere for it. Be
+not frightened by a bugbear, a phantom, from seeking what it is so
+precious to find! Dearest Henrietta! will you not listen to me?&mdash;will
+you not promise for a while to turn your thoughts from every lighter
+thing, till you are able to form a surer judgment upon this?"</p>
+
+<p>"Dearest?&mdash;Do you call me dear, and dearest, Rosalind? Know you that I
+have lived in almost abject terror lest you should discover the
+condition of my mind? I thought you would hate and shun me.&mdash;Rosalind
+Torrington! you are a beautiful specimen, and a very rare one. To please
+you, and to approach you if I could, I would read much, and think and
+reason more, and try to hope again, as I did once, until I was
+stretched upon the torturing rack of fear: but there is no time left
+me!"</p>
+
+<p>"Do not say that, dear friend," said Rosalind, gently drawing
+Henrietta's cold and trembling arm within her own. "You are still so
+young, that time is left for harder studies than any I propose to you."</p>
+
+<p>"I am dying, Rosalind. I have told you so before, but you cannot believe
+me because I move about and send for no doctor&mdash;but I am dying."</p>
+
+<p>"And if I could believe it, Henrietta, would not that be the greatest
+cause of all for this healing study that I want to give you?"</p>
+
+<p>"Perhaps so, Rosalind; but my mind, my intellect, is weak and wayward.
+If there be a possibility that I should ever again turn my eyes to seek
+for light where I have long believed that all was darkness, it must be
+even when and where my sickly fancy wills.&mdash;Here let the subject drop
+between us. Perhaps, sweet girl! I dread as much the chance of my
+perverting you, as you can hope to convert me."</p>
+
+<p>Rosalind was uttering a protest against this idle fear, when Henrietta
+stopped her by again saying, and very earnestly, "Let the subject drop
+between us; lay the books you speak of in my room, where I can find
+them, but let us speak no more."</p>
+
+<p>Satisfied, fully satisfied with this permission, Rosalind determined to
+obey her injunction scrupulously, and silently pressing her arm in
+testimony of her acquiescence, they returned to the house without
+uttering another word.</p>
+
+
+
+<hr style="width: 65%;" />
+<h2><a name="CHAPTER_VIIC" id="CHAPTER_VIIC"></a>CHAPTER VII.</h2>
+
+<h3>THE WILL.</h3>
+
+
+<p>It was about this time that Mr. Cartwright, for reasons which will be
+sufficiently evident in the sequel, set about convincing his wife that
+there was a very pressing necessity, from motives both temporal and
+spiritual, that her son Charles should be immediately ordained. There
+are many ways of convincing a woman and a wife besides beating&mdash;and Mr.
+Cartwright employed them all by turns, till his lady, like a bit of
+plastic dough, took exactly the impression he chose to give,&mdash;as
+evanescent too as it was deep, for he could make her act on Monday in
+direct opposition to the principles he had laid down on Saturday, yet
+leave her persuaded all the while that he was the wisest and best, as
+well as the most enamoured of men.</p>
+
+<p>But though living with the wife of his bosom in the most delightful
+harmony, and opening his heart to her with the most engaging frankness
+on a thousand little trifling concerns that a less tender husband might
+never have thought it necessary to mention, Mr. Cartwright nevertheless
+did not deem it expedient to trouble her with the perusal of his letter
+to Charles on the subject of his immediate ordination.</p>
+
+<p>The especial object of this letter was to obtain a decided refusal to
+the command it contained, and, like most of the Vicar of Wrexhill's
+plans, it answered completely. Mowbray's reply contained only these
+words:</p>
+
+<blockquote><p>"Sir,</p>
+
+<p>"Though all my hopes for this life have been blighted through
+your agency, I will not risk my happiness in that which is to
+come by impiously taking upon me the office of God's minister,
+for which I am in no way prepared.</p>
+
+<p>"<span class="smcap">Charles Mowbray.</span>"</p></blockquote>
+
+<p>As soon as this letter was received, read, and committed to the flames,
+Mr. Cartwright repaired to the dressing-room of his lady, where, as
+usual, he found her reposing on the sofa; a little table beside her
+loaded with tracts and other fanatical publications, and in her hand a
+small bit of very delicate embroidery, which was in time to take the
+form of a baby's cap.</p>
+
+<p>"My sweet love! how have you been since breakfast? Oh! my Clara! how
+that occupation touches my heart! But take care of your precious health,
+my angel! My life is now bound up with yours, sweet! ten thousand times
+more closely than it ever was before: and not mine only,&mdash;the life of
+the dear unborn being so inexpressibly dear to us both. Remember this,
+my lovely wife!"</p>
+
+<p>"Oh, Cartwright!&mdash;your tender affection makes me the happiest of women.
+Never, surely, was there a husband who continued so completely a lover!
+Were my children but one half as sensible of their happiness in having
+you for a father as I am in calling you my husband, I should have
+nothing left to wish!"</p>
+
+<p>"Turn not your thoughts that way, my Clara!&mdash;it is there that it hath
+pleased Heaven to visit us with very sore affliction. But our duty is to
+remember his mercies alway, and so to meet and wrestle with the
+difficulties which he hath for his own glory permitted the Evil One to
+scatter in our path, that in the end we may overcome them. Then shall we
+by the heel crush the head of the serpent, and so shall his mercy upon
+his chosen servants shine out and appear with exceeding splendour and
+with lasting joy!"</p>
+
+<p>"Heaven prosper your endeavours, my dear Cartwright, to bring the same
+to good effect! How I wish that Helen would make up her mind at once to
+marry Mr. Corbold! I am sure that, with your remarkably generous
+feelings, you would not object to giving her immediately a very handsome
+fortune if she would comply with our wishes in this respect. Mr. Corbold
+told me yesterday that he had every reason to believe she was
+passionately attached to him, but that her brother had made her promise
+to refuse. This interference of Charles is really unpardonable! I do not
+scruple to say, that in my situation it would be infinitely more
+agreeable to me if Helen were married,&mdash;we could give Miss Torrington
+leave to live with her, dear Cartwright,&mdash;and I am quite sure the change
+would be for the happiness of us all."</p>
+
+<p>"Unquestionably it would, my love;&mdash;but this unfortunate boy! Alas, my
+Clara! I have just received fresh proof of the rebellious spirit that
+mocks at all authority, and hates the hand that would use it. I have
+this morning received such a letter from him, in answer to that in which
+I expressed my wish that he should adopt a profession and prepare to
+settle himself in life, as wrung my heart. It shall never blast your
+eyes, my Clara! I watched it consume and burn, and turn to harmless
+ashes, before I came to cheer and heal my wounded heart by pressing thee
+to it!"</p>
+
+<p>The action answered to the word,&mdash;and it was from the bosom of her fond
+husband that Mrs. Cartwright murmured her inquiries as to what her
+unworthy son had now done to pain the best of fathers.</p>
+
+<p>"Not only refused, dearest, to adopt the sacred and saving profession we
+have chosen for him with the most ribald insolence, but addressed me in
+words of such bitter scorn, that not for worlds would I have suffered
+thy dear eyes to rest upon them."</p>
+
+<p>"Is it possible! What then, dear Cartwright, will it be best for us to
+do? It is terrible to leave him to his own wilful desire, and suffer him
+to enter the army, when we know it will lead him to inevitable
+perdition! What can we do to save him?"</p>
+
+<p>"It appears to me, my sweet love, that at the present moment it will be
+most consonant to the will of the Lord to use towards him the most
+indulgent gentleness."</p>
+
+<p>"My dearest Cartwright! After such conduct on his part! Oh! you are too
+good!"</p>
+
+<p>"Sweetest! he is your son. I can never forget that; though I fear that
+he himself does not too well remember this. If he did, my Clara! he
+would hardly utter such bitter jestings on what he is so cruel as to
+call 'my beggarly dependence' on you. This phrase has cut me to the
+heart's core, I will not deny it, Clara: it has made me feel my
+position, and shudder at it."</p>
+
+<p>Mr. Cartwright here rose from the sofa, and putting his handkerchief to
+his eyes, walked towards the window: his breast heaved with audible
+sobs.</p>
+
+<p>"My beloved Cartwright! what mean you?" exclaimed his affectionate wife,
+following him to the window, and gently attempting to withdraw the
+cambric that concealed his features: "what can that undutiful boy mean?
+Your dependence upon me? Good Heaven! is there any thing that was ever
+mine that is not now your own?"</p>
+
+<p>"Alas! dear love, he has not launched a random shot,&mdash;he knows but too
+well how to take aim, and how to point his dart,&mdash;and it has done its
+work."</p>
+
+<p>This was spoken in a tone of such profound sadness, that the soul of
+Mrs. Cartwright was moved by it. She threw her arms around her husband's
+neck, and fondly kissing him, implored that he would tell her if there
+were any thing she could do to prove her love, and place him in a
+situation at <i>once</i> to render the repetition of such a hateful phrase
+impossible.</p>
+
+<p>"I thought," she continued, "that your being my husband, dearest
+Cartwright, gave you a right to all I possess.&mdash;Is it not so, my love?"</p>
+
+<p>"To your income, dearest Clara, during your life; and as you are several
+years my junior, sweetest! this, as far as my wants and wishes are
+concerned, is quite enough. But the young man has doubtless found some
+wily lawyer to inform him, that should you die intestate he would be
+your heir; as by your late husband's will, my love, though he has left
+every thing to you, should you not make a will every shilling of the
+property will go to him, whatever other children you have now, or may
+have hereafter."</p>
+
+<p>"Oh, Cartwright! why did you not tell me this before! Should any thing
+happen to me in the hour of danger that is approaching, think what a
+dreadful injustice would be done to all! Let me not delay another
+day,&mdash;do send for Mr. Corbold,&mdash;I cannot rest till all this is set
+right. My dear unborn babe, as well as its beloved father, may reproach
+me for this cruel carelessness."</p>
+
+<p>"Compose yourself, sweet Clara! I <i>will</i> send for Corbold without delay.
+But for Heaven's sale do not agitate your dear spirits!&mdash;it was the fear
+of this which has alone prevented me from reminding you of the interest
+of our dear unborn babe."</p>
+
+<p>"And your own, my dear generous husband! Do you doubt, dear Cartwright,
+that the father's interest is as dear to me as the child's?"</p>
+
+<p>A tender caress answered this question. But delay in matters of business
+was not the besetting sin of Mr. Cartwright; and while the embrace yet
+lasted, he stretched his arm to the bell. The summons was answered, and
+the cab despatched for the lawyer with a celerity that did much credit
+to the establishment.</p>
+
+<p>When Mr. Corbold arrived, he was received by his cousin in the library,
+which, in conformity to the resolution announced long ago to Charles
+Mowbray, was preserved religiously for his own use and comfort; and a
+few minutes' short but pithy conversation sufficed to put the serious
+attorney <i>au fait</i> of what was expected of him.</p>
+
+<p>"You know, cousin Stephen," said the Vicar of Wrexhill, "that the Lord
+is about to bless my house with increase; and it is partly on this
+account, and partly for the purpose of making a suitable provision for
+me in case of her death,&mdash;which may he long delay!"</p>
+
+<p>"I am sure, cousin Cartwright, there is no work that I could set about
+with greater readiness and pleasure. Shall I receive my instructions
+from you, cousin, at this present time?" and the zealous Mr. Corbold
+accompanied the question by an action very germain to it,&mdash;namely, the
+pulling forth from a long breast-pocket a technically-arranged portion
+of draught-paper tied round with red tape.</p>
+
+<p>"By no means, cousin Stephen," replied the Vicar of Wrexhill; "it is
+from my beloved wife herself that I wish you to receive your
+instructions. Of course, what you do to-day can only be preparatory to
+the engrossing it on parchment: and though, from delicacy, I will not be
+present during your interview with her, yet before the document be
+finally signed, sealed, and delivered, I shall naturally wish to glance
+my eye over it. There is no longer, therefore, any occasion to delay;
+come with me, cousin Stephen, to my dear wife's dressing-room; and may
+Heaven bless to you and to me the fruits of this day's labour!"</p>
+
+<p>The master of the house then preceded the serious but admiring attorney
+through the stately hall, and up the stately staircase, and into the
+beautiful little apartment where Mrs. Cartwright, with a very pensive
+expression of countenance, sat ready to receive them.</p>
+
+<p>"Oh! Mr. Corbold," she said, kindly extending her hand to him, "I am
+very glad to see you. But my joy is dashed with remorse when I remember
+the thoughtless folly with which I have so long delayed this necessary
+interview.&mdash;My dearest Cartwright," she continued, turning to her
+husband, "can you forgive me for this?&mdash;Perhaps, dearest, you can,&mdash;for
+your soul is all generosity. But I shall never forgive myself. My only
+excuse rests in my ignorance. I believed that the law gave, as I am sure
+it ought to do, and as in fact it did in the case of my first marriage,
+every thing that belongs to me to my husband. It is true that I only
+brought my first husband about three hundred thousand pounds in money,
+and most of it has been since very profitably converted into land.
+Perhaps, Mr. Corbold, it is this which makes the difference."</p>
+
+<p>Mr. Corbold assured her that she was perfectly right, not considering
+himself as called upon at the present moment to allude to the accident
+of her having children.</p>
+
+<p>"Now then, my beloved Clara, I leave you," said Mr. Cartwright. "Not for
+worlds would I suffer my presence to influence you, even by a look, in
+the disposition of property so entirely your own!"</p>
+
+<p>"This generous delicacy, my beloved husband, is worthy of you. I shall,
+I own, prefer being left on this occasion with our pious kinsman and
+friend."</p>
+
+<p>The vicar kissed his lady's delicate fingers, and departed.</p>
+
+<p>"Heaven has been exceeding gracious to me, Mr. Corbold. It must be
+seldom, I fear, that in your profession you meet with so high-minded and
+exemplary a character as that of your cousin. Ah, my dear sir! how can I
+be thankful enough for so great mercy!"</p>
+
+<p>"The Lord hath rewarded his handmaiden," replied the serious attorney.
+"You have deserved happiness, excellent lady,&mdash;and you have it."</p>
+
+<p>Corbold now again pulled out his draught-paper, and with an air of much
+deference, placed himself opposite to Mrs. Cartwright.</p>
+
+<p>"I presume you have ink and pens at hand, my honoured lady?"</p>
+
+<p>"Take my keys, Mr. Corbold;&mdash;in that desk you will find every thing you
+want for writing; and in the drawer of it is the copy of my late
+husband's will. It is this that I mean to make the model of my own. He
+set me an example of generous confidence, Mr. Corbold, and I cannot, I
+think, do better than follow it."</p>
+
+<p>Mrs. Cartwright drew the desk towards her, and from the drawer of it
+took the instrument which had made her mistress, not only of all the
+property she had originally brought her husband, but also of an estate
+which had come to him after his marriage.</p>
+
+<p>"This deed, sir," she said, putting the parchment in Mr. Corbold's
+hands, "will, I hope, supersede the necessity of instructions from me. I
+am a very poor lawyer, Mr. Corbold, and I think it very probable that
+were you to write after my dictation, my will might turn out to be
+something very different from what I wish to make it. But if you take
+this as your model, it cannot fail to be right, as by this instrument I
+have been made to stand exactly in the position in which I now wish to
+place my exemplary husband Mr. Cartwright."</p>
+
+<p>"If such be your wish, dearest lady," said the attorney, "I will, with
+your permission, take this parchment with me; and by so doing, I shall
+not only avoid the necessity of troubling you, but, by the blessing of
+Heaven upon my humble endeavours, I shall be enabled accurately to
+prepare precisely such a document as it appears to be your wish to sign.
+In these matters no instructions can make us such plain sailing, my dear
+madam, as the having a satisfactory precedent in our hands.&mdash;Ah! dearest
+lady! when I witness the conjugal happiness of yourself and my
+ever-to-be-respected cousin, my heart sinks within me, as I remember
+that equal felicity would be my own, were it not for the cruel
+interference of one to whom I have never done an injury, and for whom I
+would willingly show, if he would let me, all a brother's love."</p>
+
+<p>"Keep up your spirits, my good cousin!" replied the lady. "If Helen
+favours your suit,&mdash;and on this point you must be a better judge than
+I,&mdash;Charles's opposition will not long avail to impede your union."</p>
+
+<p>The lover sighed, raised his eyes to heaven, and probably, not very well
+knowing what to say, departed without replying a word.</p>
+
+<p>As he reached the bottom of the stairs, he perceived his cousin standing
+within the door of his library, which he held ajar. He put out his hand
+and beckoned him in.</p>
+
+<p>"You have made quick work of it, cousin Stephen," said the anxious
+vicar. "I trust you have not hurried away without fully understanding my
+dear wife's wishes. I ask no questions, cousin Corbold, and do not, I
+beseech you, imagine that I wish you to betray any trust;&mdash;merely tell
+me if my dear Mrs. Cartwright appears to be easier in her mind now that
+she has disclosed her intentions to you."</p>
+
+<p>The best and soberest minded men are sometimes assailed by temptation;
+of which painful fact Mr. Stephen Corbold at that moment became proof.
+Some merry devil prompted him to affect the belief that his reverend
+cousin was in earnest, and, putting on a sanctified look of decorum, he
+replied, "Of course, cousin Cartwright, I know you too well to believe
+that you would wish to meddle or make with such an instrument as this.
+When your excellent and, I doubt not, well-intentioned lady shall be
+defunct, you will in the course of law be made acquainted with her will.
+I rejoice to tell you that her mind seems now to be perfectly unburdened
+and clear from all worldly anxieties whatever."</p>
+
+<p>As the attorney ended these words, he raised his eyes, which were fixed
+as he spoke upon the roll of parchment which he held in his hand, and
+caught, fixed full upon him, such a broadside of rage from the large and
+really very expressive eyes of his cousin, that he actually trembled
+from top to toe, and heartily repenting him of the temerity which led
+him to hazard so dangerous a jest, he quietly sat down at a table, and
+spreading open the parchment upon it, added, "But although it would be
+altogether foreign to your noble nature, cousin Cartwright, to express,
+or indeed to feel any thing like curiosity on the subject, it would be
+equally foreign to mine not to open my heart to you with all the
+frankness that our near kindred demands. Do not then refuse, dear
+cousin, to share with me the pleasure I feel in knowing that Heaven has
+taken care of its own! The only instruction I have received from your
+pious and exemplary wife, cousin Cartwright, was to draw her will
+exactly on the model of this, which, as you may perceive, is a copy of
+the one under which she herself was put into the possession of the
+splendid fortunes of which, by especial providence, you have already the
+control, and of which, should it please the merciful Disposer of all
+things so to order it that this lady, really fitter for heaven than
+earth, should be taken to Abraham's bosom before you, you will become
+the sole owner and possessor, you and your heirs for ever!"</p>
+
+<p>Mr. Cartwright had in general great command over himself, rarely
+betraying any feeling which he wished to conceal. Perhaps even the anger
+which gleamed in his eye a few moments before, and which had now given
+place to a placidity that would by every serious lady in England have
+been denominated "heavenly,"&mdash;perhaps even this, though it seemed to
+dart forth involuntarily, was in truth permitted to appear, as being a
+more safe and desirable mode of obtaining his object than the collaring
+his cousin and saying, "Refuse to let me see that paper, and I murder
+you!"</p>
+
+<p>But no object was now to be obtained by permitting his looks to express
+his feelings; and therefore, though he felt his heart spring within him
+in a spasm of joy and triumph, he looked as quiet and unmoved as if
+nothing extraordinary had happened.</p>
+
+<p>"It is very well, cousin Stephen," he said; "make not any unnecessary
+delay in the preparing of this deed. Life is very uncertain; and
+moreover, the time is known to no man. Wherefore, let this thing be done
+immediately."</p>
+
+<p>"Could I see Miss Helen for a moment alone, if I got this completed,
+signed, sealed, and delivered by to-morrow night?" said the attorney.</p>
+
+<p>"Yes, my good cousin, yes; I pledge you my word for it."</p>
+
+<p>In justice to the character of the unfortunate Mrs. Mowbray, it is but
+fair to remark, that notwithstanding the ceaseless process by which,
+from the very first hour of their acquaintance, the Vicar of Wrexhill
+had sought to estrange her from her children, he never ceased to speak
+of Charles as her undoubted heir, and of Helen and Fanny as young ladies
+of large fortune. The lamentable infatuation, therefore, which induced
+her to put every thing in his power, went not the length of intending to
+leave her children destitute; though it led her very sincerely to
+believe that the power thus weakly given would be properly&mdash;and as she
+would have said, poor woman! "religiously" exercised for their
+advantage.</p>
+
+
+
+<hr style="width: 65%;" />
+<h2><a name="CHAPTER_VIIIC" id="CHAPTER_VIIIC"></a>CHAPTER VIII.</h2>
+
+<h3>THE LETTER-BAG.</h3>
+
+
+<p>Among the many highly-valued comforts and privileges which Mr.
+Cartwright's exclusive possession of the library afforded him, that of
+receiving in solitary state&mdash;and privacy, the family letter-bag, was not
+the one least valued.</p>
+
+<p>It may, I believe, be laid down as a pretty general rule, that those
+persons who conceive, or profess it to be their duty, to dive into the
+hearts and consciences of their fellow-creatures, and to regulate the
+very thoughts and feelings of all the unfortunate people within their
+reach, are not very scrupulous as to the methods used to obtain that
+<i>inward</i> knowledge. Mr. Cartwright, according to the usual custom of
+divines of his class, had his village matron, ostensibly only a merchant
+of apples, gingerbread, and lollypops, but intrusted with as many secret
+missions of inquiry as the most jealous pontiff ever committed to a
+faithful and favoured nuncio on quitting the gates of Rome. She could
+tell, and was not ill paid for that precious knowledge, how often Betty
+Jackson went to buy baccy; and how many times in the day Sally Wright
+looked over her shoulder at the passers-by while walking out with her
+master's children; and how many pots of porter were carried to one
+house, and how many times the ladies walked forth from another; besides
+innumerable other facts and anecdotes, which, though apparently not of
+sufficient importance to record, were nevertheless of great value to the
+vicar and to his curate, as themes to lecture upon in private, and
+preach upon in public.</p>
+
+<p>Sources of information such as these had never been overlooked or
+neglected by Mr. Cartwright at any period of his ministry; but hitherto
+he had held them to be important rather to the general welfare of the
+Christian world than to his own family: no sooner, however, did he find
+himself placed in the responsible position of master of a large
+household, than, besides taking the butler into a sort of partnership
+for the discovery of petty offences, and having moreover an elected
+stable-boy, who made a daily report of all that he saw and heard, and a
+little more, he determined that all letters addressed to any member of
+the family should pass through his hand; and in like manner, that all
+those put into the letter-box in the hall, of which he kept the key
+himself, should be submitted to the same species of religious
+examination before they were deposited in the post-bag.</p>
+
+<p>In the execution of this part of his duty Mr. Cartwright displayed, to
+himself at least, considerable mechanical skill&mdash;for the letters were
+excellently well re-sealed&mdash;and likewise great equanimity of temper;
+for, scanty as the family correspondence proved to be, he chanced to
+fall upon some few passages which might have shaken the philosophy of a
+mind less admirably regulated.</p>
+
+<p>In former times, if any Mowbray had wished to send a note from the Park
+to the village, a groom or a groom's helper would have taken it: but
+now, though the establishment was greatly increased, there was no such
+privilege allowed them; and in order to escape the ceremony of asking
+permission to employ a servant, they all resorted to the post-bag.</p>
+
+<p>One of the letters thus sent and thus examined was from little Mary
+Richards to her friend Fanny; and many more important documents had
+passed through his hands without exciting an equal degree of emotion. It
+ran thus:</p>
+
+<blockquote><p>"I cannot express to you, my dearest Fanny, how anxious I feel
+to open my whole heart to you on a subject that has long
+occupied us both with, I believe, equal depth and sincerity of
+interest;&mdash;I mean, as I am sure you will instantly anticipate,
+that inward call to especial grace and favour which Mr.
+Cartwright taught us to expect would be the sure and certain
+consequence of unbounded faith in <i>himself</i>; for so only can we
+interpret the language he used to us. If I were to live a
+thousand years, dear Fanny, I should never cease to regret the
+dreadful, but, I thank Heaven brief interval, during which I
+firmly believed that I had received this call. While this
+frightful and most presumptuous notion had possession of me, I
+looked upon my dear and excellent mother&mdash;ay, and, to my bitter
+sorrow, treated her too, as a being almost unworthy of
+communion with me! Is not this of itself enough to prove the
+unholy tendency of the doctrine? Now that the madness is
+passed, I look back upon it with as much astonishment as
+sorrow; and can so clearly trace in it the workings of the most
+paltry vanity and egregious self-love, that while remembering
+how sincerely I believed myself <i>the better</i> for all the
+hateful crimes of impious presumption and filial ingratitude of
+which I was guilty, I cannot but think that the most
+contemptible follies into which vanity and fine speeches ever
+plunged a girl in the ordinary routine of this world's nonsense
+must be considered as innocent and respectable, when compared
+to those committed (oh! fearful impiety!) in the name of
+Heaven.</p>
+
+<p>"Though we frequently meet, I have never yet been able fully
+and clearly to state to you how completely I have made a
+recantation of all my religious errors. It is singular how Mr.
+Cartwright contrives, either by himself or his satellites, to
+be always hovering near us. For the three last Wednesdays I
+have set off for the Park with a firm determination to speak to
+you on this subject; but I have each time found it impossible.
+I believe that my countenance or manner must have expressed
+some part of the anxiety I felt to converse with you, and that
+my eagerness to obtain my object defeated it. On one occasion,
+as I think you must remember, Mr. Cartwright himself, though
+constantly drawn here and there to perform his gracious
+hospitalities to the rest of the company, ceased not again and
+again to return with his soft "Well, dear children! what are
+you talking about?"&mdash;on another it was his curate and deputy
+who performed the office of interrupter; and last Wednesday,
+that very unaccountable person Mr. Jacob seemed determined that
+no one should speak to you but himself. I have therefore,
+dearest Fanny, determined to write to you. I think it likely
+that I may soon leave this neighbourhood: Major Dalrymple, who
+has been greatly the means of bringing me back to happiness and
+common sense, will, I believe, undertake the charge of me for
+the rest of my life. This, I find, has long been my dear, dear
+mother's wish. Had I been quite sure of this a year ago, I
+think I should have been saved this wild interlude of fanatic
+raving. However, it is over; and greatly as I have been the
+worse, I hope and believe that for the future I shall be the
+humbler Christian and the better woman for it.</p>
+
+<p>"Major Dalrymple is at present in Scotland, attending the
+sick&mdash;I believe the dying hours of his cousin Lord Hilton.
+After his return, it is probable we shall leave Wrexhill; and I
+am therefore most anxious to make you acquainted with my
+present state of mind, for I cannot but suspect that we have
+run the farther into this lamentable folly because we ran
+together.</p>
+
+<p>"You have already said enough to make me hope that you too are
+recovering from your delusion; but I cannot be easy without
+telling you explicitly, that I am again the same unpretending
+little Church-of-England Christian that I was in the days of
+our good Mr. Wallace; that I am once more a loving and dutiful
+daughter to the best of mothers, and ever and always your very</p>
+
+<p>"Affectionate friend,</p>
+
+<p>"<span class="smcap">Mary Richards.</span>"</p>
+
+<p>"P. S. Pray let me hear from you."</p></blockquote>
+
+<p>This letter was wormwood to Mr. Cartwright from one end to the other.
+Had it rehearsed the kissing story, he would liked it infinitely better.
+He was quite aware of Mary Richards's "falling off," and attributed it,
+as well as that equally evident in Fanny, to jealousy&mdash;woman's jealousy,
+and drew thence a species of gratification that almost atoned for their
+secession; the more so perhaps as the all-important business of the will
+rendered it absolutely necessary that, cost what converts it might, he
+should bestow his love-making wholly and solely upon his lady.</p>
+
+<p>But to find that this pretty little girl really appeared to have
+forgotten the kiss altogether, and yet that she had escaped from his
+net&mdash;at the very moment too when, as it seemed she was on the very verge
+of becoming a viscountess, was a mortification so cutting, that he
+actually ground his fine teeth together with rage at it.</p>
+
+<p>His first impulse was to destroy it. But he recollected that by
+suffering it to reach Fanny, he should obtain a sight of her answer; and
+feeling considerable curiosity to discover how he should fare in the
+hands of the little melancholy poetess who had of late evidently avoided
+all tête-à-tête communication with him, he carefully re-sealed it, and
+sedulously pinching its folds into unsuspicious-looking flatness, put it
+aside to be delivered according to its address.</p>
+
+<p>The event proved that he was quite right in believing that Fanny Mowbray
+would answer this letter; but whether the perusal of her reply increased
+his satisfaction in being master of Cartwright Park, may be doubted.</p>
+
+<p>Fanny's reply was as follows:</p>
+
+<blockquote><p>"My very dear Mary,</p>
+
+<p>"I am most thankful to have received your letter; for one
+source of the mental misery I have endured has arisen from
+believing that I first led you to fix your attention on Mr.
+Cartwright, and your faith on the hateful dogmas he taught. You
+are freed&mdash;you have escaped, you are restored to the mother you
+love, and <i>you</i> will be happy! I thank Heaven, Mary, that my
+heart is not wholly perverted by all the unnatural struggles it
+has gone through; for I do rejoice, my dear friend, at your
+felicity with a pureness and freshness of joy that I have never
+felt at any thing since the death of my poor father came and
+blighted all our joys. Neither am I surprised at the end of
+your history. May you through life be as happy as I wish you,
+and you shall have no reason to complain.</p>
+
+<p>"Of myself I know not how to speak; and yet I am sure that you
+will not be easy without knowing something of the present state
+of my mind.</p>
+
+<p>"Yes, Mary, the mad fanaticism has passed away; but it has left
+me weak as a child recovered from the delirium of a raging
+fever; and I feel very doubtful if I shall ever wholly recover
+it. I am thankful that you have suffered less than I have done;
+indeed the mischief wrought so differently with you, that I
+almost doubt my power of making you understand all I have
+suffered. I cannot explain even to myself what species of
+feeling it was which took possession of me when first I became
+acquainted with Mr. Cartwright. Of this, however, I am quite
+sure, that I believed with all the simplicity of truth and
+innocence, that all I felt proceeded from the immediate
+influence of the Deity working within me to secure my eternal
+salvation. I could not more firmly have believed that Mr.
+Cartwright was Heaven's appointed agent on earth; and every
+thing he did and every thing he said appeared clothed in a sort
+of holiness in my eyes which would have rendered it impious to
+judge him as another would have been judged. During the first
+two or three months of our acquaintance, I was happy&mdash;oh! much
+more than happy; I lived in a sort of ecstasy. I believed
+myself the chosen of Heaven, and that all the agitating but
+delightful emotions which Mr. Cartwright's admiration and
+praises excited were only so many heavenly assurances that I
+was indeed one of the elected few predestined to eternal and
+unspeakable happiness. He caressed me&mdash;very often he caressed
+me. But even now, Mary, that I see clearly much that was then
+concealed, I cannot comprehend the sort of effect this had upon
+me. I think that had he asked me to marry him, I should have
+been conscious of the disparity of his age; and I think, too,
+that I should have been startled and shocked at discovering
+that his love, always so fervently expressed, and often shown
+by tender endearments, was in anyway an earthly love. And yet,
+weak and inconsistent creatures that we are! when I discovered
+that the object of my mother's last sudden journey to town, in
+which I accompanied her&mdash;when I discovered that her purpose
+was to marry Mr. Cartwright, the sick faintness that seemed to
+seize upon my heart and creep over all my limbs convinced me
+for a moment that I loved him ... not as I fancied I did, dear
+Mary, as a lower angel might love one of higher order, but with
+a love of a weak sinful woman. The tortures I endured that
+night can never be obliterated from my mind; a terrified
+conscience and a wounded heart seemed struggling together, as
+if to try which could torment me most. But the struggle did not
+last long. My heart&mdash;at least all that was tender and womanly
+in it&mdash;appeared to turn to stone, and was tranquil enough as
+far as any feelings connected with love for Mr. Cartwright were
+concerned; but religious terrors, frightful, hideous, almost
+maddening, took possession of me. I believed that the crime I
+had committed in loving the man whom Heaven had ordained to be
+my spiritual teacher, was a deadly sin. I now felt certain&mdash;or,
+in the language of the sect, an inward assurance, that I was
+pre-doomed to eternal perdition; and that the belief I had once
+entertained, exactly contrary to this, was of itself a sin
+never to be atoned, and only to be punished by eternal flames.
+Is there another torture of the mind equal to this? I do not
+think it; for true and reasonable remorse for crimes really
+committed cannot approach it. Not all the sins that man ever
+laid upon his soul could equal in atrocity what my guilt seemed
+to me. I suppose I was mad, quite mad; for as I now recall the
+hours that passed over me, and all the horrid images of the
+avenging fury of an angry God which entered and rested upon my
+spirit, I can call the state I was in nothing short of madness.</p>
+
+<p>"This state lasted, with little variation in the amount of
+suffering, during the first week after my mother's marriage;
+and then its feverish violence gave place to sullen, heavy
+gloom. The cure however was near, very near me, for I found it
+in Mr. Cartwright himself.</p>
+
+<p>"It was some trifling instance of contemptible artifice which
+first drew aside the veil from my mental vision, and caused me
+to see Mr. Cartwright, not as he is&mdash;oh no! that has been a
+work of steady study, and some length of time,&mdash;but as
+something of a very different species from that to which I had
+fancied he belonged.</p>
+
+<p>"One must have been under a delusion as complete as mine has
+been, to conceive the sensation produced by once more seeing
+things as they are. I can compare it only to walking out of a
+region peopled with phantoms and shadows into a world filled
+with sober, solid realities. It is the phantom world which
+produces the strongest effect on the imagination; and the first
+effect of the change was to make everything around me seem most
+earthly dull, stale, and unprofitable. I was still, however, a
+fanatic; I still deemed myself one of those foredoomed to
+eternal destruction. But one blessed day, some time after I had
+become convinced that Mr. Cartwright was a very pitiful
+scoundrel, I chanced to hear him in sweet and solemn accents
+expound his scheme of providence to one of our distant
+neighbours who came here to pass the morning, and who seemed
+well disposed to listen to him. I saw that every word he said,
+rendered soothing and attractive by the gentle kindness of his
+manner and the eloquent commentary of his eyes, was making its
+way to the poor lady's soul, just as a year before the selfsame
+words and looks had worked their way to mine.</p>
+
+<p>"It was at that moment I felt the first doubts of the truth of
+the doctrine I had imbibed from him. For himself I had long
+felt the most profound contempt; but I had hitherto shrunk from
+the impiety of confounding the doctrine and the teacher.
+Something artificial and forced in his manner recalled by the
+force of contrast the voice and look of our dear Mr. Wallace;
+and then came the bold but blessed thought that the awful
+dogmas by which he had kept my soul in thrall might be as false
+and worthless as himself. My recovery from my mental malady may
+be dated from that hour. Every day that has passed since has
+led me back nearer and nearer, I hope, to the happy state (of
+religious feeling at least) in which Mr. Cartwright found me.
+But the more fully I recover my senses, the more fully I become
+aware of the sad change he has wrought in every thing else. Not
+only do we all creep like permitted slaves through the house
+that we once felt to be our own, but he has stolen our mother
+from us. Poor, poor mamma! how dearly did she love us! how
+dearly did we love her! Where is the feeling gone? She has
+never quarrelled with us; with me, particularly, she has never
+expressed herself displeased in any way;&mdash;and yet her love
+seems blighted and dried up, as if some poisonous breath had
+blasted it;&mdash;and so it has&mdash;placid and fair as is the outward
+seeming of this hateful man, I question not but every hour
+brings forth some sorry trick to draw her farther from us.
+Poor, poor mamma! I know this cannot last; and when she finds
+him out&mdash;how dreadful will her feelings be!</p>
+
+<p>"Then, too, I have another sorrow, my dear Mary, which
+tarnishes, though it cannot destroy, the joy of my return to
+reason. While the fit lasted, I believed it a part of my dark
+duty to keep Helen and Rosalind, and our poor exiled Charles,
+as much at a distance from me as possible; and now I hardly
+dare to hope that this can ever be quite forgotten by them. I
+have not courage to enter with them into an explanation as full
+as this which I have now given you; yet, till I do this, I
+cannot hope that they will either understand or forgive me.</p>
+
+<p>"If Charles were at home, I think the task would be easier; but
+Rosalind and Helen both seem to avoid me. I believe they are
+too miserable themselves to look much at me, or they might see
+that I no longer turned from them as I did some months ago. All
+this, however, may some day or other come right again. But what
+is to become of poor Charles? I feel convinced this hypocrite
+will never rest till he has robbed him of his inheritance; and
+I sometimes think that as the doing this must be the act of my
+mother, it would be right in me to put her on her guard against
+his machinations. But this can only be done by opening her eyes
+to his real character; and though I think I could do this, I
+tremble at the misery into which it would plunge her.&mdash;But this
+is going beyond your request, dear Mary. You cannot be ignorant
+that my unhappy mother's marriage has plunged us all in misery;
+and there is little kindness in impressing this truth upon you
+when your own bright prospects ought to occupy you with
+pleasant thoughts of future happiness. Forgive me! and believe
+me with every wish that this happiness may be as great and as
+lasting as the nature of human life can permit,</p>
+
+<p>"Your ever affectionate friend,</p>
+
+<p>"<span class="smcap">Fanny Mowbray.</span>"</p></blockquote>
+
+<p>Some people might have found the perusal of these letters sufficient to
+damp the ardour of their curiosity in the pursuit of private
+information; but it had not this effect upon Mr. Cartwright. He even
+doubted whether he should not suffer this letter of Fanny's to reach
+its destination for the same reason that he had permitted that of her
+friend to reach hers&mdash;namely, the procuring a reply. But upon a
+re-perusal,&mdash;for he gave himself the gratification of reading it
+twice,&mdash;he tore it into tiny atoms, and then lighted a bougie to set
+fire to the fragments.</p>
+
+<p>The next letter of any importance which fell into his hands by the same
+means must also be given to the reader, as it contains some important
+information which, as it immediately shared the same fate as that of
+Fanny's, remained for a considerable time unknown to the person it most
+concerned, as well as to all others.</p>
+
+<p>This letter was addressed to Helen from one whom beyond all others in
+the wide world it would best have pleased her to receive any token of
+remembrance or attention. It came from Colonel Harrington, and contained
+the following lines:</p>
+
+<blockquote><p>"Were Miss Mowbray placed in other circumstances&mdash;were not all
+proper access to her barred by the hateful influence of an
+alien and a stranger to her and to her blood, I should not thus
+venture to address her. All application to your mother and
+natural guardian would be, we know but too well, in vain: nay,
+there is every reason to believe that any application to
+yourself through her would never be permitted to reach you.
+But, rascal as this Cartwright has proved himself, I presume he
+does not tamper with the post; and it is therefore by this
+vulgar and ordinary medium that I determine to make known to
+you what it is great misery to conceal. Yet, after all, in
+saying, '<i>Helen, I love you</i>,' I think I say nothing that you
+do not know already. But, nevertheless, it is delightful to say
+it; and were I, sweet Helen, once more within reach of being
+heard by you, I might perchance weary you with the repetition
+of it.</p>
+
+<p>"But this is not all I have to say, though it is only in the
+supposition of your listening to this without anger that I dare
+proceed. I believe, Helen, I ought to say something&mdash;a great
+deal perhaps about my presumption&mdash;and my fears, and I know not
+what beside,&mdash;but the simple truth is, that being quite
+conscious I loved you, and not feeling the least reason or wish
+to conceal it, my manner and words, too, I believe, must have
+let you into the secret the last time we met; and those dear
+eyes, with their long eyelashes, so constantly as they are
+before me, would long ago have looked me into despair if the
+memory of one soft glance at parting had not permitted me to
+hope. My father and mother, Helen, know that I love you, and
+that all my future happiness hangs on your consenting to become
+my wife, <i>even without your mother's consent</i>. Why should I
+conceal from you that I know it will be refused?&mdash;Why should I
+not frankly and fairly tell you at once, my beloved Helen, that
+something very like an elopement must be resorted to before you
+can be mine?&mdash;But what an elopement! It will only be to the
+house of your godmother, who already loves you as her child;
+and who not only sanctions my addressing you, but has
+commissioned me to say that she shall never know any thing
+approaching happiness till she can take you in her arms and
+call you her real daughter and her William's wife. For my
+father,&mdash;you know his oddities,&mdash;he declares that if you will
+come to Oakley and frankly consent to be his daughter, it will
+be the happiest moment of his life when he puts your hand in
+mine, and calls you so. But he swears lustily, Helen, that no
+application to your mother shall ever be made with his consent.
+This is rough wooing, sweet one! But do I overrate the
+generosity of your temper when I express my belief that you
+will not suffer what is inevitable, to destroy hopes that smile
+so sweetly on us?</p>
+
+<p>"Address your answer to Oakley, Helen: write it, if you will,
+to my mother. Dear and precious as one little line of kindness
+would be to me, I will not ask it if your proud heart would
+find it easier to open itself to her than to me. But keep me
+not long in suspense; before I shall have sealed my letter, I
+shall feel sick because the answer to it is not come. My
+regiment is not going abroad. This change in its destination
+was only known to us on Friday last.&mdash;Farewell! How wholly does
+my fate hang upon your answer!</p>
+
+<p>"Ever, ever yours,</p>
+
+<p>"<span class="smcap">William Harrington</span>."</p></blockquote>
+
+<p>The destruction of this letter was attended with a feeling of pleasure
+greatly superior both in quality and extent to that which he received
+from watching spark after spark die away from the fading embers of poor
+Fanny's long epistle. That was merely a matter of mawkish sentiment;
+this was an affair of business. "But Miss Helen shall have a lover,
+nevertheless." It was thus he ended his cogitation. "My cousin Stephen
+will not fail me. This evening he will be here with what will make the
+young lady's hand worth just as much as I please, and no more: and if my
+worthy cousin likes her, he shall have her." And as he thought these
+words, a smile curled his lips, and he playfully blackened the paper,
+and singed it, and finally set it in a blaze, uttering aloud as the
+flame expired, "A lieutenant-colonel of dragoons <i>versus</i> the Vicar of
+Wrexhill."</p>
+
+
+
+<hr style="width: 65%;" />
+<h2><a name="CHAPTER_IXC" id="CHAPTER_IXC"></a>CHAPTER IX.</h2>
+
+<h3>THE WILL EXECUTED.</h3>
+
+
+<p>The evening was pretty far advanced when at length the house-door bell
+was loudly rung; and immediately afterwards Mr. Stephen Corbold entered
+the drawing-room looking more assured, and, as Helen thought, more
+detestable than ever.</p>
+
+<p>Having deliberately sipped his tea, and indulged himself the while in a
+long steady stare in the face of the unfortunate object of his passion,
+he at length rose, and with an air of much confidential importance,
+raising himself on his toes, and playing with his watch-chain,
+approached Mrs. Cartwright, and whispered something in her ear.</p>
+
+<p>"Have the kindness to ring the bell, Mr. Hetherington," said the lady,
+addressing the curate, who, according to his frequent custom, had taken
+his tea at the Park, partly for the advantage of receiving the
+instructions of his principal upon sundry little points of Church and
+village discipline, and partly for the hope of finding some one among
+the young ladies less cruel than the inexorable Henrietta, who had never
+appeared to see him, from the moment they parted in the shrubbery.</p>
+
+<p>"Tell Curtis to carry lights to my dressing-room," said Mrs. Cartwright
+to the servant who answered the bell.</p>
+
+<p>The vicar's heart gave a bound. One hour more and he should clutch it!
+One short hour more and he should at last be master of his own destiny,
+dependent on no fond woman's whim, trembling before no children's power
+to change her purpose.</p>
+
+<p>"Once let her sign this will," thought he, "and if I ever leave her long
+enough unwatched to make another, the fault will be my own, and I will
+abide the consequence."</p>
+
+<p>With a placid countenance that manifested no emotion of any kind, Mr.
+Cartwright amused himself for a few minutes in examining a drawing just
+finished for the Fancy Fair, by the light of a lamp on the
+chimney-piece; and as he passed behind his cousin to set it down, he
+condescendingly stopped to show it to him, pointing out its merits with
+affectionate admiration, for the artist was no other than his
+accomplished lady.</p>
+
+<p>"Is not the expression of this head beautifully holy, cousin Stephen?
+Just look at the eyes.... Chivers the butler, her maid Curtis, and my
+valet can witness it.... Charming is it not?"</p>
+
+<p>In a short time afterwards Mrs. Cartwright rose; the attentive attorney
+sprang to the door, opened it, and silently followed her out of the
+room.</p>
+
+<p>Henrietta's eye followed them, and she sighed heavily. "You do not seem
+well to-night, Miss Cartwright," said Helen, "and I do not feel gay;
+what say you to our keeping each other in countenance, and both going to
+bed though the clock has not yet struck ten?"</p>
+
+<p>"A comfortable, and very wise proposal," replied Henrietta, rising at
+once. "I am much more inclined to be in bed than up; for I would rather
+be asleep than awake."</p>
+
+<p>"It is very right for you, Henrietta, who are an invalid, to be indulged
+in your wish to retire early," said her father. "Good night! I am sorry
+that the accidental absence of your mother renders it impossible for me
+to hasten the hour of evening prayer. But you shall have my blessing.
+May Heaven watch over your slumbers if you close your eyes in faith! If
+not, may he visit you in the night season, with such appalling thoughts
+as may awaken a right spirit within you! But for you, my dear child," he
+continued, turning to Helen, "I cannot suffer you to leave us so
+prematurely. We shall have prayers within an hour, and I do not permit
+any member of my family to absent herself from the performance of this
+sacred ordinance, without very good and sufficient reason for so
+doing."</p>
+
+<p>"I conceive that I have very good and sufficient reason for so doing,
+sir," replied Helen, approaching the door: "I wish you all good night."</p>
+
+<p>"She shall pay for this!" whispered one of the little demons that
+nestled in the vicar's heart. "Stephen must absolve me of my promise for
+to-night; but if I do not keep it with him nobly on some future
+occasion, I will give him leave to tear in fragments the parchment which
+at this very moment is growing into a rod wherewith to scourge the
+insolence of this proud vixen."</p>
+
+<p>It was probably not so much the failing to keep his promise with
+Corbold, which the late hour might readily excuse, as the displaying to
+his slave and curate that his power was not absolute, which galled him
+so severely. His wife and cousin, however, soon returned; they both
+looked placidly contented, as those do look, who, having had important
+business to transact, have done it well and thoroughly. Soon afterwards
+the numerous household were summoned to appear, and the labours of the
+day were closed with prayer, Mr. Hetherington uttering the extempore
+invocation, and the vicar pronouncing the blessing: an arrangement, by
+the way, approved by the master of Cartwright Park for three especial
+reasons. First, it gave to his establishment very greatly the effect of
+having a domestic chaplain at its head.</p>
+
+<p>Secondly, it afforded an opportunity, which the worthy Mr. Hetherington
+never neglected, of calling down sundry especial blessings on the
+vicar's own particular head, and, which was perhaps more important
+still, of pronouncing a lofty eulogium on his transcendent virtues.</p>
+
+<p>Thirdly, the having to rise from his knees and pronounce the final
+blessing, never failed to soothe his spirit with a delicious foreboding
+that he might one day do so likewise in his own cathedral, and from his
+own proper throne: this being an object of ambition to him as dear, or
+dearer still, than the possession of the precious will itself.</p>
+
+<p>Rarely indeed did he seat himself in his own soft chair, in his own
+noble library, without seeing in his mind's eye a mitre, as distinctly
+visible as Macbeth's air-drawn dagger was to him; and the hope that this
+crowning blessing would one day fall upon his favoured head, not only
+cheered every waking, and often every sleeping hour, but made him so
+generously come forward upon all occasions when a penniless Whig was to
+be accommodated with a seat in a Parliament, or any other subscription
+set on foot to help the radical poor and needy into political power and
+place, that he was already considered in the high places as one of the
+most conscientious and right-minded clergymen within the pale of the
+Established Church, and almost supernaturally gifted (considering he was
+not a Roman Catholic priest) with the power of judging political
+characters according to their real value.</p>
+
+<p>As soon as the prayers were ended, the blessing spoken, and the servants
+dismissed, Mr. Corbold, whose eyes had vainly wandered round the room in
+search of Helen, approached the vicar, and said in a very firm and
+intelligible tone, "I wish to speak to you, cousin Cartwright."</p>
+
+<p>"Certainly!" replied his kinsman in a voice of the most cordial
+friendship. "Come into my library with me, cousin Stephen."</p>
+
+<p>And into the library they went; and almost before the door was shut, Mr.
+Corbold exclaimed, "How am I to see Miss Helen, cousin Cartwright, if
+you have let her take herself off to bed?"</p>
+
+<p>This very pertinent question was, however, only answered by another.</p>
+
+<p>"Have you got the will, cousin Stephen?"</p>
+
+<p>"Yes, I have," answered the attorney with more boldness than he had ever
+used in speaking to his cousin since he became a great man. "But a
+bargain's a bargain."</p>
+
+<p>"I know it is, cousin,&mdash;and Heaven preserve to me my lawful rights and
+inheritance, as I faithfully keep to you the word I have given!"</p>
+
+<p>"And how is it to be managed then?... Am I to go to the girl's
+bed-room?"</p>
+
+<p>"Give me the will, cousin Stephen," said the vicar, holding out his hand
+to receive it, "and I will satisfy you fully upon this matter."</p>
+
+<p>Mr. Corbold, however, looked extremely rebellious, and no corner of
+parchment could be descried about any part of his person. "A bargain's a
+bargain, I tell you, cousin William," he repeated doggedly; "and you may
+as well remember that a lawyer that is intrusted with the keeping of a
+will is no way bound to give it up; particularly to the party whom it
+chiefly concerns."</p>
+
+<p>Mr. Cartwright measured his contumacious relative with his eye, very
+much as if he intended to floor and rifle him; but wiser thoughts
+prevailed, and he gently replied, seating himself in his own peculiar
+chair, and making a sign to his companion that he should place himself
+opposite: "May He, cousin Stephen, whose professing servants we are,
+save and deliver us from quarrelling with one another, especially at a
+blessed moment like this, when every thing seems fitted by his holy
+providence, so as to ensure us peace and prosperity in this world, and
+doubtless, everlasting glory in the life to come!"</p>
+
+<p>"All that's very true, cousin Cartwright; and if your cloth and calling
+set you to speak of heavenly things, especial grace, years ago
+manifested in me, makes me nothing behind you in the same. But, for all
+that, I know well enough, that there's many a worldly-minded
+unprofessing lawyer, who would gain credit and honour both, by taking
+care to let young Mowbray know what that pious lady his mother has been
+about, instead of keeping the thing as secret as if it were a forgery of
+my own; and it is but common justice between man and man, to say nothing
+of cousins and professing Christians, that conduct so every way
+convenient and considerate as mine, should not go unrewarded. I have set
+my heart upon having that girl Helen, and I don't wish for any thing in
+the end but lawful wedlock, and all that; and the more, because I take
+it for granted that you don't mean altogether to leave the young woman
+without fortune;&mdash;but she's restive, cousin, and that you know, and we
+are therefore called upon, as men and Christians, to make use and profit
+of that wit and strength which it hath pleased Providence in its wisdom
+to give us over the weaker vessel; and all I ask of you is so to put it
+within my reach and power to do this, that the righteous ends we have in
+view may be obtained through the same."</p>
+
+<p>"I have heard you to the end, cousin Stephen, which will, I trust,
+considering all things, be accepted in token of an humble spirit. What
+you have said, however, excepting that it was needless, is altogether
+reasonable, and betokens that wisdom of which the Lord hath seen fit to
+make you an example upon the earth. But you find that my conscience
+needed not your reproof. Few hours have passed since I gave proof
+sufficient of the sincerity with which I desire to strengthen the ties
+between us. By the accident of the post-bag's being brought into my
+room, I was made aware that it contained a letter addressed to Helen
+Mowbray, evidently in the handwriting of a man. And what could it be to
+me, cousin Stephen, whether that unconverted girl got a letter from a
+man, or went without it? Nothing, positively nothing. But I remembered
+me of you, cousin, and of the tender affections which you had fixed upon
+her, and, fearless of consequences, I instantly broke the seal, and
+found, as I expected, a very worldly-minded proposal of marriage,
+without the decency of any allusion whatever to my will in the business;
+and I therefore of course felt it my duty to destroy it both for your
+sake and that of the Lord, whose blessing the impious young man did not
+deem it necessary to mention. Nevertheless, the proposal came from one
+of the first families in the county, and the girl would have been my
+lady in due course of nature, a thing not altogether without value to
+her family and father-in-law. But I never hesitated for one moment, and
+you may see the ashes of Colonel Harrington's love-letter under the
+grate."</p>
+
+<p>"That was acting like the good and chosen servant, cousin William, that
+I have long known you to be. But, such being the case, why have you
+scrupled to let me speak to the young girl this night in private?"</p>
+
+<p>"For the good and sufficient reason, that she chose to go, even though I
+told her to stay, and, without exposing myself to a very unpleasant
+scene before my curate and the rest of my people, I could not have
+detained her. Besides, at the moment of her departure I knew that the
+will, which you still keep from me, cousin Stephen, was not either
+signed or executed,&mdash;another good and sufficient reason, as I take it,
+for not choosing to keep the girl back by force. But fear nothing; what
+I have promised, that I will perform. Give me the will, cousin Stephen,
+and I will tell you what my scheme is for you."</p>
+
+<p>"Tell me the scheme first, cousin William; that is but square and fair.
+We lawyers have got our ceremonies as well as the clergy, and I don't
+see why they should be broken through."</p>
+
+<p>"I don't very well know what you mean by ceremonies in this case,
+cousin, and I don't think you take the best way to oblige me; however, I
+am not going to shrink from my word for that. All I expect, cousin
+Stephen, is your word pledged to me in return, that, let what will
+happen, you will bring no scandal or dishonour upon my family, for so
+doing might be of the greatest injury to my hopes."</p>
+
+<p>"I mean nothing but honour, cousin William," replied Corbold eagerly:
+"let me have but a fair opportunity given me, and you shall find that,
+though I use it, I will not abuse it. Tell me, then, what is your
+scheme?"</p>
+
+<p>"You know that on the 12th of this month a Serious Fancy Fair is to be
+held in my grounds. Not only will all the rank and fashion of the county
+assemble on the occasion, but my park-gates will be open likewise to the
+people. At two o'clock a very splendid collation will be ready in five
+of my saloons; and it is after the company have risen and left the
+tables to resort once more to the booths, in order to assist in the
+disposal of the remaining articles, that I shall permit every servant in
+my establishment to leave the mansion, and repair to witness the busy
+and impressive scene in the booths. It will be a very impressive scene,
+cousin Stephen, for I shall myself pronounce a blessing upon the
+assembled crowd. From this I fear, my dear Stephen, that you must on
+this occasion absent yourself; but be assured, that as I speak those
+words of power, I will remember you.</p>
+
+<p>"When you shall see a rush of my hired servants pour forth from my
+mansion upon my lawns, it is then that I shall counsel you to retire,
+enter the house by the library windows, and if questioned, say you are
+sent there on an errand by me. From my library, find your way up the
+grand staircase to the small apartment which I permit my wife to
+appropriate as her dressing-room&mdash;the same in which you have this night
+executed, as I trust, her will. There remain, concealed perhaps behind
+the curtains, till Helen Mowbray enters. I will deposit in that room
+something valuable and curious for sale, which shall be forgotten till
+you are safely hidden there, and then I will command my very dear and
+obedient wife to send Miss Helen to seek for it. Does this plan please
+you, cousin?"</p>
+
+<p>Before speaking a word, Mr. Corbold drew the will from his long coat
+pocket, and placed it in the hands of the vicar. This was a species of
+mute eloquence most perfectly understood by the person to whom it was
+addressed:</p>
+
+<p>The Vicar of Wrexhill received the parchment with much solemnity in his
+two hands, and bending his head upon it, exclaimed "May the blessing of
+the Lord be with me and my heirs for ever!"</p>
+
+<p>It may possibly appear improbable to many persons that such a phrase as
+this last should recur in ordinary discourse so frequently as I have
+represented it to do. But to those not belonging to the sect, and
+therefore not so familiarized with its phraseology as to be unconscious
+of its peculiarity, and who yet have been thrown by accident within
+reach of hearing it, I need offer no explanation; for they must know by
+experience that this, or expressions of equally religious formation and
+import, are in constant use among them.</p>
+
+<p>Sometimes, especially in the company of the profane, they are uttered
+<i>sotto voce</i>, as if to satisfy the secret conscience. Sometimes, in
+equally un-elect society, they are pronounced aloud and with most
+distinct emphasis, as if to show that the speaker feared not the ribald
+laugh of the scorner, and held himself ready to perform this, or any
+other feat likely to ensure the same petty, but glorious martyrdom,
+despite any possible quantum of absurdity that may attach thereto.</p>
+
+<hr style="width: 45%;" />
+
+<p>The two kinsmen being now mutually satisfied with each other's conduct,
+shook hands and parted; Mr. Corbold ruminating, as he walked slowly back
+to Wrexhill, on the happy termination to which he was at last likely to
+bring his hitherto unpropitious wooing, and Mr. Cartwright gazing with
+unspeakable delight on the signatures and seals which secured to him,
+and his heirs for ever, the possession of all the wealth and state in
+which he now revelled. Having satisfied himself that all was right, he
+opened a secret drawer in his library table, laid the precious parchment
+within it, and having turned the lock, actually kissed the key that
+secured his treasure. He then carefully secured it to his watch-chain,
+and returned to escort his lady to her chamber.</p>
+
+
+
+<hr style="width: 65%;" />
+<h2><a name="CHAPTER_XC" id="CHAPTER_XC"></a>CHAPTER X.</h2>
+
+<h3>THE SERIOUS FANCY FAIR.</h3>
+
+
+<p>There were but few families within an ordinary visiting distance of the
+Park who had not called on Mrs. Cartwright upon her marriage. Some went
+from simple curiosity,&mdash;some expressly to quiz her,&mdash;a few from feelings
+of real kindness towards the young people, whom it would be, they said,
+a shame to give up merely because their mother had played the fool and
+ruined all their prospects:&mdash;not a few, for the fun of seeing Mowbray
+Park turned into a conventicle, and the inhabitants into its
+congregation; and the rest came principally because Mr. Cartwright was
+such a pious man, and likely to do so much good in the neighbourhood.
+Among all these, the Fancy Fair announced to be held there on the 12th
+of July, created a lively interest. All the world determined to attend;
+and half the world gave themselves up to the making of pincushions and
+pen-wipers with as much zeal as if the entire remnant of the Jewish
+people, as well as the whole population of Fababo, were to be converted
+thereby.</p>
+
+<p>The mansion and grounds of Mr. Cartwright's residence began to give note
+of very great and splendid preparation for this serious fête. Never had
+the reverend vicar been seen in such spirits on any former occasion;</p>
+
+<div class="poem"><div class="stanza">
+<span class="i0">"His bosom's lord sat lightly on his throne;"<br /></span>
+</div></div>
+
+<p>and (due allowance being made for the nature of the proceedings) it
+might safely be averred, that no entertainment ever given in the
+neighbourhood had caused more sensation, or been prepared for with a
+more lavish expenditure.</p>
+
+<p>The whole of the 9th, 10th, and 11th days of the month were entirely
+employed by the majority of the Cartwright household in receiving and
+arranging the different works of fancy contributed by the neighbouring
+ladies for the sale. By far the greater half of these articles were
+pincushions, and for the most part they packed and unpacked well and
+safely; but amidst the vast variety of forms into which this favourite
+vehicle of charity was turned, some among them were equally ingenious in
+design, delicate in execution, and difficult of carriage.</p>
+
+<p>There were harps, of which the strings were actually musical, and the
+foot a pincushion. Old women of pasteboard, washing their feet in a
+pasteboard tub, but with knees stuffed for pincushions. Pasteboard
+hunch-backs, the hunches being pincushions. Babies dressed with the
+nicest taste and care, their plump little necks and shoulders forming
+pincushions. Pretty silken volumes, lettered "pointed satires," and
+their yellow edges stuffed for pincushions. Ladies very fashionably
+dressed, with the crowns of their bonnets, and their graceful backs,
+prepared as pincushions. These, and ten thousand more, of which a
+prolonged description might probably prove tedious, formed the staple
+commodity of the elegant booths, which stretched themselves in two long
+rows from one extremity of the beautiful lawn to the other. Tracts, so
+numerous that it would be impossible to give their measure or their
+value by any other calculation than that of their weight, were made by
+the ingenuity of the fair and pious contributors to assume a very
+tempting aspect, bound by their own delicate hands in silks and velvets
+of every hue to be found between earth and heaven, green and blue
+inclusive.</p>
+
+<p>It would be quite impossible to give any thing deserving the name of a
+catalogue of the articles contributed to this charming exhibition; and
+it will therefore be better not to attempt it. It will be sufficient to
+observe, that, by a sentiment of elegant refinement which seemed to have
+pervaded all the contributors, every article to which the idea of
+utility could attach was scrupulously banished; it not being fair, as
+some of the ladies very judiciously observed, to injure the poor
+shopkeepers by permitting the sale of any thing that any body in the
+world could really wish to buy. One instance of very delicate attention
+on the part of Mrs. Cartwright towards the hero of the fête deserves to
+be recorded, as showing both the natural kindness of her temper, and the
+respect in which every feeling of this celebrated character was held.
+Among the almost incredible number of devices for winding silks, or for
+converting them into bobbins, or for some other of the ingenious little
+contrivances invented for&mdash;one hardly knows what, was a very pretty
+thing, more in the shape of a Jew's harp than any thing else. The
+instant Mrs. Cartwright cast her eyes on this, she ordered it to be
+withdrawn, observing that, as the Reverend Isaac Isaacs himself was
+expected to honour the entertainment with his presence, she could by no
+means permit any thing bearing such a name to appear.</p>
+
+<p>It may be feared that it was with a far different spirit Mr. Jacob
+Cartwright, on hearing his stepmother mention this exclusion, and the
+motive for it, proposed that all the cold chickens and turkies to be
+eaten at the banquet should appear without their usual accompaniment of
+cold hams,&mdash;a pleasantry which, though it won a smile from his indulgent
+father, was by no means well received by Mrs. Cartwright.</p>
+
+<p>The twelfth day of July itself arrived at last, and fortunately was as
+fine a day as ever shone. Helen asked Rosalind if she remembered the day
+on which Charles came of age, and the question brought tears to the eyes
+of both: this, however, was but a trifling exception to the general
+cheerfulness; all the world really looked as gay as if the Fancy Fair
+were not a serious one. In one of the long and elegantly decorated
+booths, indeed, one silly young girl was heard to exclaim, "Oh! what a
+beautiful place this would be for dancing!"&mdash;but the levity was checked
+by Mr. Cartwright, who, happening to overhear her, replied, "My dear
+young lady, there is no dancing in heaven!"</p>
+
+<p>It had been settled among the ladies of the neighbourhood, on the first
+announcement of this pious and charitable undertaking, that no <i>young</i>
+ladies, either married or single, should be invited to sell the
+articles; and for some time after the circulation of this decision, it
+appeared to be very doubtful whether there would be any ladies found
+(not actually too decrepit to endure the fatigue) who would be willing
+to undertake it. This circumstance threw poor Mrs. Cartwright into great
+embarrassment. The idea of having advertised a Fancy Fair, and then to
+be unable to procure ladies to preside at it, was a vexation almost
+beyond what even a professing Christian's patience could bear.</p>
+
+<p>When at length it appeared evident that every middle-aged lady for ten
+miles round had, for some excellent good reason or other, declined the
+office, Mr. Cartwright proposed that gentlemen, instead of ladies,
+should perform it. But to this Miss Charlotte Richards, who happened to
+be present when the difficulty was discussed, entered a violent protest,
+declaring that she was quite sure, if such a measure were resorted to,
+not one hundredth part of the goods would be sold. Neither Jew nor
+Gentile, she assured them, would ever make any thing by it, if such a
+project were resorted to; and in short she pleaded the cause of the
+ladies so well, that after some time it was agreed that the original
+principle should be altogether changed, and that the youngest and
+prettiest ladies should be selected, only with this condition
+annexed&mdash;that they should all be dressed in uniform, the form and
+material of which were to be specified by Mrs. Cartwright.</p>
+
+<p>The circular letter announcing this alteration was composed by Mr.
+Cartwright himself, and proved perfectly successful, although it
+contained but few words.</p>
+
+<p>"It having been decided at a meeting of some of the senior supporters of
+the South Central African Bible Association, that the cause of the poor
+inhabitants of Fababo was one which ought to be peculiarly interesting
+to the young and lovely, inasmuch as it is beyond all others the cause
+of piety; it was therefore strongly recommended that they should be
+especially chosen and elected to serve the office of vendors or sellers
+at the Fancy Fair instituted by the Reverend William Jacob Cartwright,
+and by him appointed to be held on his own premises."&mdash;After which
+followed a request that such ladies as were kindly willing to undertake
+the fatigues of the office, would forthwith forward their names to Mrs.
+Cartwright, that they might receive from her instructions respecting the
+uniform to be worn on the occasion.</p>
+
+<p>The number of applications for permission to sell, which followed the
+circulation of this letter, was quite extraordinary, and so greatly
+exceeded the number required, that the task of selection became
+difficult, if not impossible; so it was finally decided that a
+description of the uniform should be sent to them all, and that those
+who arrived first, should be installed in their office under condition
+of permitting a relay to succeed them after the enjoyment of two hours
+of duty.</p>
+
+<p>The consequence of this was, that at a very early hour, not only all the
+young and handsome part of the company expected, but all who considered
+themselves as belonging to that class, were seen arriving in their very
+becoming sad-coloured suits, with their smooth braided tresses, and
+Quakerish bonnets and caps.</p>
+
+<p>"Let all the ladies in the serious uniform stand up together behind the
+stalls if they like it," said the accommodating Mrs. Cartwright: "it
+would be so very difficult to select; and they will all look so very
+well!"</p>
+
+<p>As the stalls were all ready, having been walked round, through, and
+about, by Mr. and Mrs. Cartwright, Mr. Hetherington the curate, Chivers
+the butler, Curtis the lady's maid, as well as all the other serious
+servants, and all agreeing in the opinion that it was impossible any
+thing could be more beautiful, the uniform ladies were ushered into
+them, and begged to decide among themselves the order in which they
+should stand.</p>
+
+<p>The manner in which this self-regulating system worked was amusing, and
+Rosalind Torrington stood by, and enjoyed it greatly. As soon as it was
+notified to the young and pretty ladies that the booths were all ready,
+the prices of every article marked, and all things prepared so that they
+might take their places behind the stands in such order as they should
+agree among themselves, any one who had witnessed and watched the sweet
+universal smile with which each one regarded the other, and the charming
+accents in which all exclaimed as with one voice, "Oh! it is exactly the
+same to me where I stand," would have been ready to declare that even
+their youth and beauty were less attractive than the sweet temper which
+seemed to be so universal among them.</p>
+
+<p>The fair bevy, amounting to above fifty, poured themselves by various
+entrances into the booths, which were in fact a succession of very
+handsome tents, against the sides of which were ranged the elegantly
+decorated stands; while through the whole extent, a space of nearly
+thirty feet was left for promenading. In the centre of the range, the
+gaily painted canvass rose into a lofty point, from which, to the
+extremity of the circle round it, depended graceful draperies, festooned
+with large bunches of flowers. In the middle of this noble circular tent
+stood a lofty frame, supporting the finest greenhouse plants, and the
+stalls which here skirted the sides of the enclosure were decidedly more
+distinguished by their elegant decorations than the rest.</p>
+
+<p>"Oh dear! how lovely!" was the universal exclamation uttered by the
+ladies on entering this beautiful circle.</p>
+
+<p>"Well! I think I will stand here," said one of the most lively and
+enterprising among them, placing herself at the same time behind a world
+of many-tinted paper and silk commodities, close to which was a side
+entrance arched with evergreen boughs, and gay with a thousand blossoms.</p>
+
+<p>"And I will take this stand!" cried a stout and long-limbed demoiselle,
+stepping out with great activity to secure the one opposite.</p>
+
+<p>"This will just suit me!" said a third, popping into another of the
+enviable stations which flanked the garlanded entrances, and immediately
+taking possession of its lofty seat and comfortable footstool.</p>
+
+<p>Up to this point the universal smile continued, with an almost unabated
+display of charming teeth; but to the fourth place, promising equal
+affluence of passers-by to the three already taken, no less than four
+ladies rushed at once. And then began the civil war which in a greater
+or less degree, as circumstances may excite or assuage it, rages at all
+fancy fairs, bazaars, and charity sales of every class and denomination
+whatever.</p>
+
+<p>Some folks, uninitiated in such matters, may suppose that there is less
+of this at a serious fancy fair than at one professing to be gay. But a
+little experience will rapidly undeceive them. Whether the benevolent
+sale-ladies be beautiful saints or beautiful sinners, the inclination to
+show off Nature's gifts to the best advantage is pretty nearly the same;
+and whether the sweet graceful thanks, so softly uttered, be constructed
+after one form or another, the pleasure of speaking them is the same
+likewise. What matters it, whether a bright eye laugh from beneath a
+drapery of pendent curls, or is raised to heaven with no twisted meshes
+to obscure its upward ray? What matters it whether ruby lips open to
+say, "Heaven reward you, sir! Our poor missionaries shall pray for you!"
+or, "Thank you!" (with a familiar nod) "some dear Spanish whiskerandos
+shall buy a sword with this!" In both cases the speaker would
+indisputably prefer having a well-frequented stand to speak from; and if
+it chance to be placed beside some avenue through which the crowd must
+pass and repass incessantly, why so much the better.</p>
+
+<p>The four ladies that met together with more of haste than inclination at
+the last of the door-way stands, as above described, were really,
+considering all things, exceedingly civil to each other. At the early
+part of a busy day, the temper can bear much more without wincing, than
+after it has been battered and bruised by all the little <i>contretems</i>
+that are almost sure to beset it before the close of it.</p>
+
+<p>"I beg your pardon, ma'am, but I believe I was here first:"</p>
+
+<p>"Oh, dear! I hope I did not hurt you, but this is my place:"</p>
+
+<p>"You must let me stand here, dear ladies, for I have set my heart upon
+it:"&mdash;comprised very nearly all the spoken part of the contest. A few
+sidelong glances there might have been, and one or two almost invisible
+<i>nudges</i>; but after all, the person who finally got possession of the
+desired post, was a tall, thin, pale, and remarkably pious maiden, who
+having laid her hand upon the board, and her foot upon the stool, moved
+them no more, but who from first to last did not pronounce a single
+word.</p>
+
+<p>Though these four favourite seats were thus rapidly taken possession of,
+there was still a good deal to be struggled for. It appeared indeed for
+some time that all the fifty young and handsome ladies had firmly made
+up their minds to station themselves in the circular tent, and nowhere
+else.</p>
+
+<p>Greatly did the peaceable Mrs. Cartwright rejoice that she had from the
+first desired the ladies to please themselves; for it soon became
+evident that it would have been no easy task for her to please them.
+Very continuous buzzings made themselves heard around the canvass walls;
+and lady-like remonstrances were occasionally audible.</p>
+
+<p>"Really, ladies, I think we are very close here:"</p>
+
+<p>"Would it not be better for some of the ladies to move on?"</p>
+
+<p>"I believe, ma'am, that you will find no room just here:" and,</p>
+
+<p>"Upon my word I must beg you not to press upon me so!"&mdash;were sentences
+distinctly repeated in more places than one.</p>
+
+<p>At length things, or rather ladies, began to arrange themselves in
+tolerable order, the difficulty being got over at last, as always
+happens upon such occasions, by the best tempers taking the worst
+places.</p>
+
+<p>It was an almost simultaneous rush of carriages through the Park Gates,
+and the approach of many persons on foot by various entrances, which at
+last produced this desirable effect. Mr. Cartwright now came forth in
+all his glory from beneath the shelter of a sort of canvass portico that
+formed the entrance to the principal line of tents. Almost innumerable
+were the hands he shook, the bows he made, and the smiles he smiled. It
+is perfectly impossible that he could have sustained so radiant and
+benevolent a graciousness to all sorts and conditions of men, had not
+his animal spirits been sustained by the ever-present recollection that
+the little key which dangled from his watch-chain, and with which he
+constantly dallied when any of his ten fingers were disengaged from
+hand-shaking, kept watch and ward over his lady's will.</p>
+
+<p>Mrs. Cartwright, meanwhile, not being in a situation to endure the
+fatigue of standing, sat with some dozen chairs around her, waiting for
+the most distinguished guests, within the flowery shelter of this same
+pretty portico, round which were ranged orange-trees, and various other
+fragrant plants, reaching from the ground almost to the roof.</p>
+
+<p>Whenever any person arrived of sufficient importance to be so
+distinguished, the Vicar of Wrexhill himself ushered them to the
+presence of his lady, and those so honoured at length filled all the
+chairs around her. To all the rest Mrs. Cartwright bowed and smiled as
+they passed onward; as they all most obediently did, in compliance with
+the mandate of their host, who continued to utter with little
+intermission, "Straight on if you please&mdash;straight on,&mdash;and you will
+reach the centre pavilion."</p>
+
+<p>Between the spot at which the carriages set down the company, and the
+entrance to this portico, four servants in rich liveries were stationed
+to pass their names to Chivers, who stood within it. At length a party
+who had walked across the Park and entered on the lawn by the little
+hand gate, (to pass through which, the present master of the domain had
+once considered as his dearest privilege,) approached the entrance at a
+point by which they escaped three out of the four reverberations of
+their names, and were very quietly stepping under the draperied
+entrance, when the fourth now stopped them short to demand their style
+and title.</p>
+
+<p>"Mrs. and the Miss Richards,&mdash;Lord Hilton," screamed the trumpet-mouthed
+London-bred domestic, who, it may be observed in passing, had, like most
+of his fellows, answered one of Mr. Cartwright's advertisements headed
+thus,</p>
+
+<h4>"Wanted<br />
+to live in the country<br />
+<span class="smcap">A serious Footman.</span>"</h4>
+
+<p>No sooner did the title reach the vicar's ears, than he dropped pious
+Mr. Somebody's hand which he was affectionately pressing, and turning
+short round met the cold glance of the honest-hearted Major Dalrymple,
+who advanced with Mrs. Richards upon one arm, and his affianced Mary on
+the other. A moment of rather awkward deliberation ensued, as to whether
+the man, or the man's title, should modify the manner of his reception;
+but before the question could be decided, the party had quietly passed
+on, without appearing to perceive him. The two elder Miss Richards
+followed, both of them having been obliged to relinquish their hopes of
+presiding at a stand, in consequence of the expensive nature of the
+uniform. These two young ladies, who from the first hour of their
+conversion had really been among the most faithful followers of the
+Vicar of Wrexhill in all ways&mdash;ready to be in love with him&mdash;ready to
+pray with him&mdash;and now ready to bow before him as almost the greatest
+man in the county, were not perhaps greeted with all the distinguished
+kindness they deserved. Unfortunately for their feelings, Mr. Cartwright
+was more awake to the fact that they were sisters to little Mary, than
+to their very excellent chance of becoming sisters-in-law to a
+nobleman:&mdash;and so they too passed on, without pausing, as they had
+intended to do, for the expression of their unbounded admiration for him
+and his Fancy Fair.</p>
+
+<p>Nearly the whole of the invited society were already assembled, and the
+Park was beginning to fill with the multitude which was to be admitted
+to the tents after the collation, when, at length, the Reverend Isaac
+Isaacs was announced.</p>
+
+<p>The arrival of the hero of the day produced, as may be supposed, a very
+powerful sensation; his name was no sooner pronounced by the servants
+than it was caught up by the company, and borne along from mouth to
+mouth till every individual of the crowd which filled the tents was made
+acquainted with the interesting fact, that the Reverend Isaac Isaacs was
+approaching. The effect of this was for some moments really alarming;
+every Christian soul turned back to welcome the converted Jew, and
+something nearly resembling suffocation ensued. Indeed when the throng
+which pressed back to meet him, met that which had turned to follow him
+as he laboured to make his way between the stands, the crush was really
+terrible; and had there not fortunately been many lateral exits through
+which those escaped who loved their lives better than the gratification
+of their curiosity, the consequences might have been very serious.</p>
+
+<p>Not all, however, whose strength and whose zeal induced them to remain,
+could get a sight of this desired of all eyes: for, as Mr. Isaacs was a
+very short man, those only who were very close could distinguish him.
+The effect of this procession, however, through the double row of
+stands, still thickly studded with pincushions, every one of which had
+been made for his sake, was very impressive, and rendered greatly more
+so by every fair sales-woman mounting upon the high seat with which she
+was furnished for occasional rest, and thus looking down upon him as he
+passed in attitudes that displayed both courage and enthusiasm.</p>
+
+<p>The weather was intensely hot, and more than once he appeared nearly
+overcome by his emotions. He expressed the greatest concern for having
+arrived so late, and especially for having missed the opening prayer,
+which, as he imagined, had been pronounced by Mr. Cartwright himself;
+but when it was explained to him that this was not the case, and,
+moreover, that he was not too late to share the blessing to be given by
+that gentleman, he became more reconciled to the accident which had
+detained him, and gave himself wholly up to the enjoyment of the
+striking spectacle that surrounded him.</p>
+
+<p>After he had remained for some time in the central pavilion, gazing, and
+gazed at, in a manner which it was extremely interesting to watch, some
+one well acquainted with the best method of carrying on the business of
+such a meeting as the present, suggested that it would be advisable that
+the acolyte should retire till the sale of the goods was pretty well
+completed; for if the feeling among the charitable crowd were permitted
+to exhaust itself in affectionate glances towards Mr. Isaacs, no more
+money would be collected: and it was also judiciously remarked, that it
+might be as well to circulate through the company the assurance, that as
+soon as the stalls were about two-thirds cleared, the banquet would be
+announced.</p>
+
+<p>The effect of these suggestions was speedily visible; Mr. Isaacs stood
+in the enjoyment of space and fresh air before the entrance to the
+portico, engrossing the almost undivided attention of his great patron,
+while ladies peeped at him from a respectful distance; and Chivers
+himself, with a look as reverential as if he were waiting upon an
+apostle, approached him with Madeira and soda water.</p>
+
+<p>The sale, meanwhile, benefited equally by his near presence and his
+actual absence. Enthusiasm was raised without being disturbed in that
+great object of all English Christian enthusiasm&mdash;the disbursing of
+money; and by four o'clock such a report was made of the general
+receipts, that the selling ladies were waited upon by as many clergymen
+as could be collected to hand them from their stands to the banquet,
+and, when these were all furnished with a fair partner, the most serious
+gentlemen among the company were requested to take charge of the rest.</p>
+
+<p>Mrs. Cartwright herself was led to the great dining-room by Mr. Isaacs,
+and for this reason, or else because it was the great dining-room, the
+crowd which followed her became so oppressive that the doors of the room
+were ordered to be closed and strictly guarded. This measure was equally
+serviceable to those within and without; for no sooner was it fully
+understood that this decisive mode had been resorted to, than the other
+tables were instantly filled, and nothing could be more satisfactory
+than the activity with which eating and drinking proceeded in all
+directions.</p>
+
+<p>The champagne flowed freely; and whether it were that the sacred cause
+for which the meeting was assembled appeared to justify, or at least
+excuse, some little excess,&mdash;or that nothing furnished at Mr.
+Cartwright's board but must bring a blessing to him who swallowed
+it,&mdash;or that the fervent season led to thirst, and thirst to copious
+libations:&mdash;whatever the cause, it is certain that a very large quantity
+of wine was swallowed that day, and that even the most serious of the
+party felt their spirits considerably elevated thereby.</p>
+
+<p>But, in recording this fact, it should be mentioned likewise, that,
+excepting in some few instances in which thirst, good wine, and
+indiscretion united to overpower some unfortunate individuals, the
+serious gentlemen of the party, though elevated, were far from drunk;
+and the tone of their conversation only became more animated, without
+losing any portion of the peculiar jargon which distinguished it when
+they were perfectly sober.</p>
+
+<p>The discourse especially, which was carried on round Mr. Cartwright
+after the ladies retired, was, for the most part, of the most purely
+Calvinistical cast: though some of the anecdotes related might, perhaps,
+in their details, have partaken more of the nature of miracles than they
+would have done if fewer champagne corks had saluted the ceiling.</p>
+
+<p>One clerical gentleman, for instance, a Mr. Thompson, who was much
+distinguished for his piety, stated as a fact which had happened to
+himself, that, in his early days, before the gift of extempore preaching
+was fully come upon him, he was one Sabbath-day at the house of a
+reverend friend, who, being taken suddenly ill, desired Mr. Thompson to
+preach for him, at the same time furnishing him with the written
+discourse which he had been himself about to deliver. "I mounted the
+pulpit," said Mr. Thompson, "with this written sermon in my pocket; but
+the moment I drew it forth and opened it, I perceived, to my
+inexpressible dismay, that the handwriting was totally illegible to me.
+For a few moments I was visited with heavy doubts and discomfiture of
+spirit, but I had immediate recourse to prayer. I closed the book, and
+implored that its characters might be made legible to me;&mdash;and when I
+opened it again, the pages seemed to my eyes to be as a manuscript of my
+own."</p>
+
+<p>This statement, however, was not only received with every evidence of
+the most undoubting belief, but an elderly clergyman, who sat near the
+narrator, exclaimed with great warmth, "I thank you, sir,&mdash;I thank you
+greatly, Mr. Thompson, for this shining example of the effect of ready
+piety and ready wit. Though the cloth is removed, sir, I must ask to
+drink a glass of wine with you,&mdash;and may Heaven continue to you its
+especial grace!"</p>
+
+<p>There were some phrases too, which, though undoubtedly sanctioned by
+serious usage, sounded strangely when used in a scene apparently of such
+gay festivity.</p>
+
+<p>One gentleman confessed very frankly his inability to resist taking more
+of such wine as that now set before them than was altogether consistent
+with his own strict ideas of ministerial propriety. "But," added he,
+"though in so yielding, I am conscious of being in some sort wrong, I
+feel intimately persuaded at the same time, that by thus freely
+demonstrating the strength and power of original sin within me, I am
+doing a service to the cause of religion, by establishing one of its
+most important truths."</p>
+
+<p>This apology was received with universal applause; it manifested, as one
+of the company remarked, equal soundness of faith, and delicacy of
+conscience.</p>
+
+<p>One of the most celebrated of the regular London speakers, known at all
+meetings throughout the whole evangelical season, having silently
+emptied a bottle of claret, which he kept close to him, began, just as
+he had finished the last glass, to recover the use of his tongue. His
+first words were, "My king has been paying me a visit."</p>
+
+<p>"Indeed!" said Mr. Cartwright, whose attention was instantly roused by
+this very interesting statement; "where was the visit made, Mr. White?"</p>
+
+<p>"Even here, sir," replied Mr. White solemnly: "here, since I have been
+sitting silently at your hospitable board."</p>
+
+<p>"As how, sir?" inquired a certain Sir William Crompton, who was placed
+near him. "Do you mean that you have been sleeping, and that his Majesty
+has visited you in your dreams?"</p>
+
+<p>"The Majesty that I speak of, sir," replied Mr. White, "is the King of
+Heaven."</p>
+
+<p>"What other could it be!" exclaimed Mr. Cartwright, showing the whites
+of his eyes, and appearing scandalized at the blunder.</p>
+
+<p>"I wonder, Mr. Cartwright," said a young man of decidedly pious
+propensities, but not as yet considering himself quite assured of his
+election,&mdash;"I wonder, Mr. Cartwright, whether I shall be saved or not?"</p>
+
+<p>"It is a most interesting question, my young friend," replied the vicar
+mildly; "and you really cannot pay too much attention to it. I am happy
+to see that it leaves you not, even at the festive board; and I
+sincerely hope it will finally be settled to your satisfaction. But as
+yet it is impossible to decide."</p>
+
+<p>"I shall not fail to ride over to hear you preach, excellent Mr.
+Cartwright!" said a gentleman of the neighbourhood, who, though not
+hitherto enrolled in the evangelical calendar, was so struck on the
+present occasion with the hospitable entertainment he received, that he
+determined to cultivate the acquaintance.</p>
+
+<p>"You do me great honour, sir!" replied the vicar. "If you do, I hope it
+will be on a day when you can stay supper with us."</p>
+
+<p>"You are excessively kind, my dear sir!" answered the guest; "but as my
+place is at least ten miles distant from yours, I fear, if you sup in
+the same style that you dine, it would be somewhat late before I got
+home."</p>
+
+<p>Mr. Cartwright bowed, dropped his eyes, and said nothing.</p>
+
+<p>"Oh, sir!" said Mr. Hetherington, who, though he had drunk more than any
+man at table, excepting the cousin Corbold, had as yet in no degree lost
+his apprehension,&mdash;"Oh, sir! you quite mistake. The supper that the
+excellent Mr. Cartwright means, is to be taken at the table of the
+Lord!"</p>
+
+<p>"Dear me!" exclaimed the squire, who really meant to be both civil and
+serious, "I beg pardon, I made a sad blunder indeed!"</p>
+
+<p>"There is nothing sad but sin, Mr. Wilkins!" replied the vicar meekly.
+"A mistake is no sin. Even I myself have sometimes been mistaken."</p>
+
+<p>"What heavenly-minded humility there is in Mr. Cartwright!" said Mr.
+Hetherington in a loud whisper to his neighbour: "every day he lives
+seems to elevate my idea of his character. Is not this claret admirable,
+Mr. Dickson?"</p>
+
+<p>Just at this moment Chivers the butler entered the room and whispered
+something in his master's ear.</p>
+
+<p>"Indeed!" exclaimed Mr. Cartwright, "a very disagreeable accident, upon
+my word."</p>
+
+<p>"What is it, sir?" inquired several voices at once.</p>
+
+<p>"The head cook, gentlemen," replied Chivers, "has fallen off the
+larder-ladder, and has put out his shoulder."</p>
+
+<p>"A very disagreeable accident indeed," echoed the guests.</p>
+
+<p>The butler whispered again.</p>
+
+<p>"Certainly, Chivers, certainly. I am very glad Mr. Bird the surgeon
+happens to be on the premises. Let him immediately set the joint, and
+when this is done, and the poor fellow laid comfortably in bed, come for
+Mr. Hetherington, whom I will immediately order to awaken him."</p>
+
+<p>"Bless my soul, sir!" exclaimed the good-natured Sir William Crompton;
+"won't that be rather injudicious? If the poor fellow should get a nap,
+I should think it would be the worst thing in the world to awaken him."</p>
+
+<p>"Pardon me, Sir William," replied the vicar with great respect, "but
+persons of the world do not well understand the language of those who
+are not of the world. No accident, no illness ever occurs in my house,
+Sir William, but my first effort is to awaken the soul of the sufferer
+to a proper sense of his sins. I always take care they shall be told
+that the jaws of the tomb are opening before them, and that, as death
+comes like a thief in the night, they should be watching for him. This,
+in the language of a pious and professing Christian, is called an
+awakening; and needful as it is at all times, it is of course more
+needful still in sickness, or danger of any kind."</p>
+
+<p>Sir William Crompton filled his glass with the wealthy vicar's admirable
+wine, and said no more.</p>
+
+<p>The time was now approaching at which the populace were to be admitted
+to the tents on the lawn; and Mr. Cartwright having looked at his watch,
+rose and said, "Gentlemen,&mdash;It is distressing to me to be forced to
+disturb you, but the business of the meeting requires that we should all
+repair to the lawn. The populace are about to be admitted, and it is
+expected that our estimable Mr. Isaacs will benefit very considerably by
+the eagerness with which the farmers' wives and daughters will purchase
+the articles which remain of our Christian ladies' elegant handiworks.
+One bumper to the success of the Reverend Isaac Isaacs! and to the
+conversion of the people of Fababo!&mdash;And now we will return to our duty
+in the tents."</p>
+
+<p>"To your tents, O Israel!" shouted a young man, with more of wine than
+wit, as he turned towards the converted Jew; "for myself," he added,
+"I'll be d&mdash;d if I stir an inch till I have finished this bottle."</p>
+
+<p>Mr. Cartwright stopped short in his progress towards the door. He turned
+a glance, more inquiring perhaps than stern, on the face of the
+intoxicated speaker, and perceived that he was the nephew of an earl;
+the sole reason indeed which had procured him the honour of a seat in
+that distinguished circle.</p>
+
+<p>The vicar balanced for a moment whether he should reprimand him or not.
+Had he been the son, instead of the nephew of the noble lord, he would
+certainly have passed on in holy meditation, but, as it was, he stopped.
+There were many serious eyes upon him, notwithstanding the claret. He
+remembered that the earl had a "goodly progeny," and that consequently
+his nephew would never be likely to succeed to his title; and therefore
+with great dignity, and much pious solemnity, he thus addressed his
+curate, who, in his capacity of domestic chaplain, was ever near him.</p>
+
+<p>"Mr. Hetherington! you have heard the awful words spoken by Mr. Augustus
+Mappleton. Remember, sir, that his repentance and conversion be prayed
+for at our concluding service this evening, and also in your extempore
+prayer before sermon on next Sabbath morning."</p>
+
+<p>These words had a very sobering effect on the company, and the whole
+party made, all things considered, a very orderly exit from the
+dining-room, not however without Mr. Cartwright finding an opportunity
+of whispering in the ear of his cousin&mdash;</p>
+
+<p>"Now is your time, Stephen, to go into the dressing-room."</p>
+
+
+
+<hr style="width: 65%;" />
+<h2><a name="CHAPTER_XIC" id="CHAPTER_XIC"></a>CHAPTER XI.</h2>
+
+<h3>THE "ELOPEMENT."</h3>
+
+
+<p>When the gentlemen reached the lawn, they found it already covered, not
+only with the company from all the other rooms, but likewise with crowds
+of people from the Park, who came rushing in through different entrances
+from all quarters.</p>
+
+<p>In the midst of all this bustle and confusion, however, Mr. Cartwright
+remembered his engagement with Mr. Stephen Corbold, and, only waiting
+till he saw that the servants of his house were among the throng, he
+sought Mrs. Cartwright, and finding, as he expected, her daughter close
+beside her, whispered in her ear, "Oblige me, dearest Clara! by sending
+Helen to your dressing-room for a small packet of very important papers
+which I left on the chimney-piece. I cannot go myself; and there is not
+a servant to be found."</p>
+
+<p>Mrs. Cartwright immediately spoke the command to Helen, and the vicar
+had the satisfaction of watching her make her way through the crowd, and
+enter the window of the drawing-room.</p>
+
+<p>Poor Helen was not happy enough to have enjoyed in any degree the
+splendid bustle of the day, and the total repose and silence of the
+house was quite refreshing to her. She passed through the drawing-room
+into the hall, from whence not even the loud buzz of the multitude
+without could reach her; and untying her bonnet, and throwing that and
+her scarf on a slab, she sat down to enjoy for a few moments the cool
+quiet of the lofty silent room.</p>
+
+<p>At length she reluctantly rose to perform her mother's bidding, walked
+slowly and languidly up the stairs, along the spacious corridor, and
+into Mrs. Cartwright's dressing-room. This little apartment was no
+longer the dear familiar scene of maternal fondness that it once was, or
+Helen might here again have been tempted to sit down for the enjoyment
+of temporary repose. But, in truth, she no longer loved that
+dressing-room; and walking straight to the chimney-piece, she took the
+packet she found there, and turned to retrace her steps.</p>
+
+<p>It was with a start of disagreeable surprise, though hardly of alarm,
+that she saw Mr. Stephen Corbold standing between her and the door. The
+persevering impertinence of his addresses had long ago obliged her to
+decline all communication with him, and it was therefore without
+appearing to notice him that she now pursued her way towards the door.
+But hardly had she made a step towards it, when the odious wretch
+enclosed her in his arms. She uttered a loud shriek, and by a violent
+effort disengaged herself; but ere she could reach the door, he had
+closed, locked it, and put the key in his pocket.</p>
+
+<p>A dreadful sensation of terror now seized upon her; yet even then she
+remembered that she was in her mother's house, and a feeling of
+confidence returned.</p>
+
+<p>"You are intoxicated, sir!" said she drawing back from him towards the
+bell. "But you surely cannot be so mad as to insult me here!"</p>
+
+<p>"I will insult you nowhere, Miss Helen, if you will behave as you ought
+to do to the man whom Heaven hath chosen for your husband. But as for
+your ringing the bell, or screeching either, I'll fairly tell you at
+once, it is of no use. There is not a single human being left in the
+house but our two selves; so you may as well give me satisfaction at
+once, and promise to marry me without more trouble, or else, I will make
+you thankful for the same, without my ever asking you again."</p>
+
+<p>"Open that door, sir, and let me out instantly," said Helen, pale as
+death, yet still not believing that the monster before her would dare to
+attempt any outrage. "Even Mr. Cartwright," she added, "would resent any
+impertinence offered to me under my mother's roof. Let me pass, sir:
+believe me, you had better."</p>
+
+<p>"Believe me; I had better not, Miss Helen. You have been playing the
+fool with me long enough; and as to my cousin Cartwright, he is quite of
+the same opinion, I assure you. Charming Helen!" he exclaimed, again
+stretching out his arms to enclose her, "be only half as kind as you are
+beautiful, and we shall be the happiest couple in the world!"</p>
+
+<p>"At least, sir, you must let me consult my mother about it," said Helen,
+contriving to keep the table between them, and believing that he was
+there only in consequence of his being intoxicated. "Let me ask my
+mother's consent, Mr. Corbold."</p>
+
+<p>Corbold laughed aloud. "You think me tipsy, my sweet girl; but if I am,
+trust me it's no more than just to give me courage to teach you your
+duty. My charming Helen! let go the table, and understand the thing at
+once. My cousin. Mr. Cartwright is under some obligations to me, and he
+means to settle them all by giving me a pretty fortune with you; and as
+he knows that unhappily you are not converted as yet, and have shown
+yourself not over christian-like in return for my love, it is he himself
+who invented this scheme of having you sent up here when all the
+servants were out of the house&mdash;and of my being here ready to meet you,
+and to teach you your duty to him, and to your mother, and to your
+heavenly father, and to me;&mdash;and so now you know all and every thing,
+and I have got the key of the room in my pocket.&mdash;And will you consent
+to be my wife, beginning from this very minute?"</p>
+
+<p>Dreadful as Helen's terror was, her senses did not leave her; on the
+contrary, all the strength of her mind seemed to be roused, and her
+faculties sharpened, by the peril that beset her. She doubted not for a
+moment that his statement respecting Mr. Cartwright's part in this
+villany was true, and that she was indeed left in the power of this
+detested being, with no help but the protection of Heaven and her own
+courage. She fixed her eye steadily on that of Corbold, and perceived
+that as he talked, the look of intoxication increased; she therefore
+skilfully prolonged the conversation by asking him, if indeed she must
+be his wife, where they were to live, whether her sister Fanny might
+live with them, whether he ever meant to take her to London, and the
+like; contriving, as she did so, to push the table, which still
+continued between them, in such a direction as to leave her between it
+and the door of her mother's bed-chamber. Corbold was evidently losing
+his head, and appeared aware of it; for he stopped short in his replies
+and professions of passionate love that he was making: and exclaiming
+with an oath that he would be trifled with no longer, he suddenly thrust
+the table from between them, and again threw his arms round Helen's
+waist.</p>
+
+<p>She was not, however, wholly unprepared to receive him. On first
+approaching the table that had hitherto befriended her, she perceived on
+it a large vial of spirits of hartshorn: this she had taken possession
+of, and held firmly in her hand; and at the moment that Corbold bent his
+audacious head to kiss her, she discharged the whole contents upon his
+eyes and face, occasioning a degree of blindness and suffocation, that
+for the moment totally disabled him. He screamed with the sudden pain,
+and raised his hands to his tortured eyes. Before he removed them, Helen
+had already passed through her mother's bed-room, and was flying by a
+back staircase to the servants' room below. Without waiting to see if
+she were pursued, she opened a back door that led into the stable-yard,
+and, after a moment's consideration, proceeded across it, into a lane
+which led in one direction to the kitchen gardens, and in the other into
+the road to Oakley.</p>
+
+<p>Even at that moment Helen had time to remember that if she turned her
+steps towards the kitchen gardens, she should pass by a park gate which
+would immediately lead her to all the safety that the protection of an
+assembled multitude could give. But she remembered also that in a few
+hours she should again be left in the hands of Mr. Cartwright, and,
+inwardly uttering a solemn vow that nothing should ever again make her
+wilfully submit to this, she darted forward, unmindful of her uncovered
+head, and, with a degree of speed more proportioned to her agitation
+than her strength, pursued the short cut across the fields to Oakley,
+and entering the grounds by the gate which led to the lawn, perceived
+Sir Gilbert, Lady Harrington, and their son, seated on a garden bench,
+under the shelter of a widely spreading cedar-tree.</p>
+
+<p>Helen knew that she was now safe, and she relaxed her speed, slowly and
+with tottering steps approaching the friends from whom, notwithstanding
+their long estrangement, her heart anticipated a warm and tender
+welcome. Yet they did not rise to meet her.</p>
+
+<p>"Perhaps," thought she, "they do not know me;" and it was then she
+recollected that her hair was hanging dishevelled about her face without
+hat or cap to shelter it. She was greatly heated, and her breath and
+strength barely sufficed to bring her within a few yards of the party,
+when totally exhausted, she sat down upon the turf, and burst into
+tears.</p>
+
+<p>Colonel Harrington had not written the letter to Helen, which the Vicar
+of Wrexhill destroyed, without having put both his parents in his
+confidence. Lady Harrington's fond affection for her god-daughter, which
+her enforced absence had in no degree lessened, rendered the avowal of
+her son's attachment a matter of unmixed joy; and though Sir Gilbert
+declared that he would as soon stand in the relation of brother to his
+Satanic Majesty as to Cartwright, he at length gave his apparently sulky
+consent with perhaps as much real pleasure as his lady herself.</p>
+
+<p>Both the one and the other, however, knew perfectly well that their son
+would have been an excellent match for Helen, even when her father was
+alive, and would, as it was supposed, have given her a fortune of forty
+thousand pounds; and they felt some degree of triumph, neither unamiable
+nor ungenerous in its nature, at the idea of securing to one at least of
+poor Mowbray's family a station in society that not even their connexion
+with Mr. Cartwright could tarnish.</p>
+
+<p>The whole family understood the position of things at the Park too well
+to be surprised at no answer being sent express to Colonel Harrington's
+letter, and the following post was waited for with pleasurable though
+impatient anxiety. But when it arrived without bringing any answer, and
+another and another followed with no notice taken of a proposal of
+marriage, which, as Sir Gilbert said, the proudest woman in England
+might have been glad to accept, the misery of the young man himself, and
+the anger and indignation of his parents, were about equally vehement.</p>
+
+<p>Considering the opinion entertained by Sir Gilbert of what he was
+pleased to term Mr. Cartwright's finished character, it is surprising
+that no idea should even have occurred to him of the possible
+suppression of this important epistle; but, in truth, the same
+interpretation of it had suggested itself to the minds of them all. They
+believed that Helen, from a sense of duty, had submitted the proposal to
+her mother, and that, forbidden to accept it by the vindictive feelings
+of the "parvenu priest," she had been weak enough to obey even his
+commands, to leave the letter unanswered&mdash;a degree of timidity, and want
+of proper feeling, productive of almost equal disappointment to all
+three.</p>
+
+<p>Impressed with such feelings against her, it is perhaps not very
+surprising, that neither the heart-stricken lover, nor his offended
+parents, rose to welcome the approach of poor Helen.</p>
+
+<p>"Some family quarrel, I suppose," said Lady Harrington. "They seem to
+have turned her out of doors in some haste."</p>
+
+<p>"I will promise her that she shall not now find an entrance into mine,"
+said Sir Gilbert. "Perhaps the young lady thinks better of it, and that
+it may be as well to contradict pa and ma a little for the sake of being
+Mrs. Harrington. Those who will not when they may, when they will they
+shall have&mdash;" But before Sir Gilbert could finish his stave, Helen
+Mowbray was stretched upon the turf.</p>
+
+<p>Colonel Harrington, not too well knowing what he did, ran to the spot
+where she lay, and hardly daring to look at her, stammered out&mdash;"Miss
+Mowbray! Gracious Heaven, how fearfully she changes colour! So red, and
+now so deadly pale! Speak to me, Helen&mdash;What has happened to you?&mdash;How
+comes it that you are here? After&mdash;&mdash;Oh, Helen, open your eyes, and
+speak to me! Mother! mother! she is very ill!"</p>
+
+<p>Lady Harrington now rose slowly and gloomily from her seat, and walked
+to the place where Helen lay, her head supported by the arm of Colonel
+Harrington; every tinge of colour fled from her cheeks, her eyes closed,
+and no symptom of life remaining, excepting that tears from time to time
+escaped from beneath her long eyelashes.</p>
+
+<p>It is difficult to see a person one has ever loved, asleep, and yet
+retain anger towards them; they look so helpless, so innocent, so free
+from all that could have ever moved our spleen, that not the most
+eloquent defence that language ever framed could plead their cause so
+well as that mute slumber. Still more difficult would it be to look at a
+fair creature in the state in which Helen now lay, and retain any
+feeling harsher than pity.</p>
+
+<p>"There is something more in all this, William, than we yet understand,"
+said Lady Harrington, after gazing silently at Helen for some minutes.
+"This poor child has not fainted, her tears prove that; but she is
+suffering from bodily fatigue and mental misery.&mdash;Helen! rouse yourself.
+Let us understand each other at once. Why did you not reply to my son
+William's letter?"</p>
+
+<p>Helen did rouse herself. She opened her eyes, and fixing them on Lady
+Harrington, while the colour for a moment rapidly revisited her cheeks,
+she said, in a voice so low as to be scarcely audible, "A letter from
+Colonel Harrington?&mdash;To me?&mdash;A letter to me?&mdash;I never received it."</p>
+
+<p>"Thank Heaven!" cried Colonel Harrington, springing from the ground, for
+Helen's head no longer rested on his arm. "Oh! what suffering should we
+have been spared, if we had done her but the justice to think of this!"</p>
+
+<p>He hastily returned to his father, who, though he had not advanced a
+step, had risen from his seat, and, to do him justice, was looking
+towards Helen with great anxiety. "She never received it, sir!" said he,
+in a voice husky from agitation: "Oh! come to her; soothe her with
+kindness, my dearest father, and all may yet be happiness amongst us."</p>
+
+<p>"What, Helen!&mdash;Helen, my poor girl, are you come to us with some new
+trouble?&mdash;And did you indeed never get William's letter, my dear child?"</p>
+
+<p>The mention of such a letter again dyed Helen's cheeks with blushes; but
+she raised her eyes to Sir Gilbert's face, with a look that seemed to
+ask a thousand questions as she replied, "I never received any letter
+from Colonel Harrington in my life."</p>
+
+<p>"I am devilish glad to hear it, my dear, that's all. So, then, you don't
+know that&mdash;&mdash;"</p>
+
+<p>"Hold your peace, Sir Knight," said Lady Harrington, interrupting
+him.&mdash;"And you come with me, sweet love. I'll lay my best herbal to that
+dead leaf, that you are the only one perfectly faultless among us; and
+that one, two, and three of us deserve to be&mdash;I can hardly tell what&mdash;in
+the power of the vicar, I think, for having been so villanous as to
+suspect you; and worse still, for having lived so close to you without
+ever having found out whether you were really watched like a state
+prisoner or not."</p>
+
+<p>"Has the rascal dared&mdash;&mdash;" cried Sir Gilbert, but before he could finish
+his sentence, Lady Harrington and her son were leading Helen between
+them towards the house, her ladyship laying a finger on her lip as she
+passed her husband, in token that he was to say no more.</p>
+
+<p>Having reached what Lady Harrington called a place of safety, where, as
+she said the men could neither come nor hear, she made Helen lay herself
+upon a sofa, and then said, "Now, my Helen, if you are ill at ease in
+body, lay there quiet, and try to sleep; but if you are only, or chiefly
+ill at ease in mind, let your limbs only remain at rest, and relieve
+yourself and me by telling me every thing that has happened since we
+parted last."</p>
+
+<p>"It is a long and sad history, my dearest friend," replied Helen,
+kissing the hand which still held hers, "but I am very anxious that you
+should know it all; for so only can the action I have committed to-day
+be excused."</p>
+
+<p>"What action, Helen?&mdash;what is it you have done, my child?"</p>
+
+<p>"I have eloped from my mother's house, Lady Harrington."</p>
+
+<p>"But you have eloped alone, Helen?"</p>
+
+<p>"Yes! alone."</p>
+
+<p>"Well then, my dear, I will give you absolution for that. Perhaps there
+are those among us who may not find it so easy to absolve you from all
+blame for not doing it before. But now for particulars.&mdash;Will you have a
+glass of water, Helen? Mercy on me! I believe it must be a glass of
+wine. What can you have got to tell? You change colour every moment, my
+dear child."</p>
+
+<p>Helen's narrative, however, being of necessity less full then that
+contained in the preceding pages, need not be repeated. It was given
+indeed with all the force and simplicity of truth and deep feeling, and
+told all she knew of Mr. Cartwright's plans and projects; but, excepting
+what she had that day learned during her dreadful interview with
+Corbold, she had little to add to what Lady Harrington knew before.</p>
+
+<p>This interview, however, was itself fully enough to justify the
+"elopement," of which Helen still spoke with such dismay; and, together
+with the fact, again asked for, and again repeated, that no letter from
+Colonel Harrington had reached her hands, was sufficient to make her
+ladyship burst forth into a passion of indignation against the Vicar of
+Wrexhill, and to make her, while overpowering Helen with the tenderest
+caresses, bless her again and again for having at last flown to seek
+shelter where it would be given with such heartfelt joy.</p>
+
+<p>Soothed, consoled, and almost happy as Helen was made by this recovered
+kindness, her anxiety to know why, and upon what subject Colonel
+Harrington could have written to her, was becoming every moment more
+powerful. There was something so very fond, so very maternal in Lady
+Harrington's manner to her,&mdash;something that seemed to say that
+she was of more consequence to her now than she had ever been
+before,&mdash;something, in short, quite indescribable, but which gave birth
+to such delicious hopes in the breast of Helen, that she almost feared
+to meet the eye of the old lady, lest all she guessed, and all she
+wished, should be read in her own.</p>
+
+<p>It is possible, that with all the care she took to avoid the betraying
+this anxiety, she did not succeed; for, in answer to some very delicate
+and very distant hint, that it was extremely disagreeable to have one's
+letters intercepted, Lady Harrington, though she only replied, "Yes, it
+is, Helen," rose and left the room, only adding as she closed the door,
+"Keep yourself quiet, my dear child: I shall return to you presently."</p>
+
+<p>"Presently" is a word that certainly appears, by common usage, to admit
+of very considerable variety of interpretation; and it was evident that
+on the present occasion the two parties between whom it passed
+understood it differently. Long before Lady Harrington again appeared,
+Helen felt persuaded that some important circumstance must have occurred
+to make her so completely change her purpose; yet the good lady herself,
+when she re-entered the room, looked and was perfectly unconscious of
+having made any delay at all inconsistent with her "presently."</p>
+
+<p>She held a folded paper in her hand. "You have not asked me, Helen," she
+said, "on what subject it was that my son wrote to you; and yet I
+suspect that you have some wish to know. I have been down stairs to
+consult him on the best mode of repairing your precious vicar's
+treachery, and he suggested my putting into your hands the copy of the
+letter which has been so basely intercepted; which copy, it seems, has
+remained safely in his desk, while its original has probably fed the
+flames in Mr. Cartwright's secret chamber, kindling thereby a
+sympathetic and very consuming fire in the breast of the writer."</p>
+
+<p>Helen stretched forth a very trembling hand to receive the paper; her
+eyes were fixed upon it, either to read through its enclosure the
+characters within, or to avoid at that moment meeting the eye of her
+godmother.</p>
+
+<p>"I shall leave you, my love, to peruse it alone; and presently, when I
+think you have done so, will return to ask if you cannot in some degree
+comprehend what must have been felt at its not obtaining an answer."</p>
+
+<p>Having said this, Lady Harrington retired without waiting for a reply,
+and leaving Helen unable for a moment to learn what her heart throbbed
+with such violence to know.</p>
+
+<p>The letter of which Helen now held the copy has been already presented
+to the reader; and if she chance to be one of Helen's age, having at her
+heart a love unbreathed to any human ear, she may guess what my Helen's
+feelings were at finding such love had met an equal, an acknowledged
+return. Such a one may guess Helen's feelings;&mdash;but no other can.</p>
+
+<p>Lady Harrington's <i>presently</i> now seemed to Helen as much shorter than
+it really was as the last had seemed longer. She had read the letter but
+four times through, and pressed it to her heart, kissed it, and so
+forth, not half so much as she desired, and it deserved, when a knock
+was heard at the door, and the old lady again entered.</p>
+
+<p>The happy, but agitated girl stood up to receive her, and though she
+spoke not a single word, the manner in which she rushed into her
+maternal arms, and hid her face upon her bosom, spoke plainly enough
+that the gallant colonel had no reason to despair.</p>
+
+<p>"What must he have thought of me!" were Helen's first words&mdash;"And
+you?&mdash;and Sir Gilbert?&mdash;Such a letter! Dearest, dearest Lady Harrington,
+you could not really think I had ever received it!"</p>
+
+<p>"You have struck the right chord there, my Helen. We all deserve to have
+suffered ten thousand times more than we have done, for having for a
+moment believed it possible you should have received that letter and not
+invented some means to answer it&mdash;let the answer be what it might. And
+this answer?&mdash;you have not yet told me what it is to be. I do not know
+how much, or how little, you may happen to like William, my dear; but in
+case you should have no insuperable aversion to him, the business is
+made delightfully easy by this adventure. The elopement is done and
+over already."</p>
+
+<p>Helen only pressed Lady Harrington's hand to her heart, but said
+nothing.</p>
+
+<p>"Yes,&mdash;you have found the way to let me into your secret, without
+speaking. This little heart throbs violently enough to prevent any
+suspicion of indifference. But what am I to say to my impatient hero
+below?&mdash;That you will, or you won't marry him, as soon as the lawyers
+will let you?"</p>
+
+<p>"Oh! Lady Harrington!"</p>
+
+<p>"Come down stairs, my dear;&mdash;you had better come down, I do assure you;
+for I expect Sir Gilbert will be up in a moment, and you cannot suppose
+that William will remain behind; and my bed-room would by no means be so
+dignified a scene for the denouement as the great saloon. Come, dear,
+come."</p>
+
+<p>And Helen went&mdash;trembling, blushing, with tears in her eyes, and such
+palpitation at her heart that she was very sure she could not pronounce
+a word. But what need was there of words? The happy colonel was soon
+perfectly satisfied, and thanked her on his bended knee for a consent
+more looked than spoken.</p>
+
+<p>Even Sir Gilbert himself, though singularly attached to plain speaking,
+seemed well content on the present occasion to dispense with it; and
+pressed Helen to his heart, and kissed her forehead, and called her his
+dear daughter, apparently with as much satisfaction as if she had
+declared herself ready to accept of his son in the very best arranged
+words ever spoken upon such an occasion.</p>
+
+<p>When the first few decisive moments were past, and each one of the party
+felt that all things were settled, or about to be settled, in exact
+conformity to their most inward and earnest desires, and when Helen was
+placed as the centre of the six loving and admiring eyes that were fixed
+upon her, she closed her own; but it was neither to faint, nor to sleep,
+but to meditate for a moment with the more intensity upon the miraculous
+change wrought in her destiny within the last few hours.</p>
+
+<p>"What are you thinking of, my Helen?" said the colonel, jealous, as it
+should seem, of losing sight of those dear eyes, even for a moment.</p>
+
+<p>"I am endeavouring to believe that it is all real," replied Helen with
+beautiful simplicity.</p>
+
+<p>"Bless you, my darling child," said the rough baronet, greatly touched.
+"What an old villain I have been to you, Helen!&mdash;abusing you, hating
+you, calling you all manner of hard names,&mdash;and your little heart as
+true as steel all the time."</p>
+
+<p>"Real?&mdash;real that you are beloved by me, Helen?" cried Colonel
+Harrington, absolutely forgetting that he was not tête-à-tête with his
+fair mistress.</p>
+
+<p>"And how is she to answer him, with you and me peering in her face, my
+lady? Ought we not to be ashamed of ourselves?&mdash;Come along this moment."</p>
+
+<p>"Very well,&mdash;I will go, but only upon one condition, Helen. Remember,
+William, she is to indulge in no disagreeable reminiscences, and no
+melancholy anticipations, but look just as beautiful and as happy when I
+come back, as she does now."</p>
+
+<p>This farewell advice was not thrown away; for it assisted Colonel
+Harrington to baffle, or to banish, all the fears and regrets respecting
+her mother's displeasure at her conduct, which came like a cloud across
+the bright perspective of Helen's hopes for the future. Her lover showed
+himself, indeed, sufficiently adroit, both in turning to account all the
+favourable circumstances attending their sudden engagement, and in using
+his mother's authority to prevent her dwelling upon what was
+unfavourable. "Might not a second home," he asked, "be of great
+advantage both to Fanny and Miss Torrington? Might not the connexion
+tend to keep Mr. Cartwright in order, and prevent his finally injuring
+Charles? And lastly, did she not think it would give pleasure to that
+Charles himself?"</p>
+
+<p>To Lady Harrington Helen had frankly recounted the history of Corbold's
+hateful persecution, from its first beginning in London, to the fearful
+outrage it had led to on that eventful day; but she had begged her to
+repeat no more of it to Sir Gilbert and the colonel than might be
+sufficient to render her running away intelligible; and this request
+having been strictly complied with, for Lady Harrington seemed as
+unwilling as Helen to trust her men-folk with this history, Colonel
+Harrington, in conversing with her on all she had felt and suffered
+since her mother's marriage, spoke of him only as a presumptuous man who
+had dared to persevere in addressing her after she had refused him.</p>
+
+<p>It was, probably, the heightened colour of Helen as she listened to this
+mention of his name that excited a greater degree of interest and
+curiosity concerning him than her lover had at first bestowed upon him.</p>
+
+<p>"Were these hateful addresses repeated by letter or in person, Helen?"
+said he, fixing his eyes upon her agitated face.</p>
+
+<p>"In person&mdash;in person," answered Helen, impatiently.</p>
+
+<p>"Did your mother know, Helen, how greatly these addresses annoyed you?"</p>
+
+<p>"I have often attempted to tell her; but she has always evaded the
+subject, telling me strangely enough, and Heaven knows not very
+correctly, that it was plain I did not know my own mind, or else that I
+was guilty of affectation."</p>
+
+<p>"Your mother, then, Helen, would have approved of this man's addresses?"</p>
+
+<p>"I fear so."</p>
+
+<p>"It was, then, to avoid her importunity that you left her house to-day?"</p>
+
+<p>Helen looked uneasy and distressed under this questioning, but answered,
+"No, Colonel Harrington; not her importunity, but his own."</p>
+
+<p>The blood mounted to the young soldier's face, and an angry glance shot
+from his eye, as if he suspected something approaching&mdash;but at great
+distance&mdash;to the truth.</p>
+
+<p>"He surely did not dare to be impertinent? Helen, you have not told me
+all: you came here in a state of dreadful agitation; tell me, I conjure
+you, all that has happened to you.&mdash;You will not, Helen? What am I to
+think of this?&mdash;that you have been insulted in a manner that you will
+not repeat to your affianced husband? For Heaven's sake, put an end to
+this torture; I must know all."</p>
+
+<p>"Your mother does know all, Colonel Harrington; make me not repeat the
+hateful history again."</p>
+
+<p>"Will you refer me to my mother? Will you permit me to tell her that you
+have done so?"</p>
+
+<p>"Why, Colonel Harrington," replied Helen, "should you wish to know more
+than I have told you? But of course I cannot object to your knowing all
+that has passed between us,&mdash;only I think he does not deserve the
+trouble you take in speaking of him."</p>
+
+<p>Much to the surprise of Sir Gilbert and his lady, who were very amiably
+undergoing a real penance, by absenting themselves from the sight of
+happiness which touched them so nearly, Colonel Harrington was seen
+hurrying towards them, where they were beguiling the time as they could,
+by inhaling the cool breath of evening under the cedar-tree.</p>
+
+<p>"Take a turn with me, mother, will you?" said he in a voice not quite so
+gay as they expected to hear from him.</p>
+
+<p>Lady Harrington immediately rose, and passing her arm under his they
+walked off together at a rapid pace to a distant walk.</p>
+
+<p>"Mother!" he said stopping short and looking earnestly in her face,
+"tell me, I beseech you, every thing that you have learnt from Helen
+respecting that wretch Corbold. For some reason or other which I cannot
+understand, she is averse to entering upon the subject with me; but she
+assures me that you know every thing that has passed, and she has
+authorized my asking you for the particulars."</p>
+
+<p>"Has she, William? Then she is a silly girl for her pains. But it is
+your fault, I dare say. You have been tormenting her with
+cross-questions about a vulgar villain that neither of you ought ever
+again to call to remembrance. Say no more about him or his precious
+cousin either. Surely we can find more agreeable subjects to talk about
+than the vicar and his cousin."</p>
+
+<p>"Very likely, mother. But I cannot be easy till I know exactly what it
+was which caused Helen to leave her mother's house in the manner she did
+this afternoon. Have I not a right to inquire?&mdash;can you blame me for
+doing so?"</p>
+
+<p>"No, my dear William, I do not. But heavily shall I blame you if you
+make an extorted confidence the source of quarrel between an officer of
+rank in his majesty's service and a pettifogging methodist attorney of
+Wrexhill."</p>
+
+<p>"Is it possible, mother, that you know me so little as to think there
+can exist the slightest chance of my doing this? Pray do not keep me in
+this fever for the sake of protecting me from a duel with Mr. Stephen
+Corbold."</p>
+
+<p>"There you are, hot-head,&mdash;your father's own son beyond all question.
+Now listen then to this infamous story, and take care that you do not
+renew a sorrow that is past, by improperly resenting it."</p>
+
+<p>After this preface, Lady Harrington ventured to repeat to her son the
+narrative she had heard from Helen. He listened with very exemplary
+tranquillity, only occasionally biting his lips, but uttering no single
+word of any kind till it was concluded. He then said very quietly,&mdash;"Let
+us return to poor Helen, mother.&mdash;How admirably has she behaved
+throughout!"</p>
+
+<p>Lady Harrington looked up into her son's face as if to discover whether
+his calmness were genuine; but his pocket handkerchief at that moment
+concealed his features, and, as he walked rapidly towards the house, she
+could only take it for granted that all was right, and follow him.</p>
+
+<p>Having reached the door of the room where he had left Helen, he opened
+it, but waited outside till his mother overtook him.</p>
+
+<p>"Go to her, mother," said he, "and confess that you have told me every
+thing. I would rather you did this than me;&mdash;tell her too, that she has
+behaved gloriously, and, when I think you have put her at her ease about
+me, I will come to you."</p>
+
+<p>So saying, he passed on, and entered a small parlour that was called his
+own at the front of the house.</p>
+
+<p>Sir Gilbert soon followed his lady, and, without going again over the
+disagreeable narrative at length, the whole business was made
+sufficiently intelligible to the baronet to make him extol in high terms
+the courage and presence of mind of his future daughter. This occupied a
+quarter of an hour excellently well, but still the colonel came not: and
+Helen, though with no feeling of alarm, certainly kept her eye upon the
+door with more steadiness than she was herself aware of. At length, Lady
+Harrington began to show evident symptoms of that state of mind usually
+called fidgeting. She rang the bell and asked if the colonel were at
+home. The servant did not know. Tea was ordered, and when it came the
+same question was repeated; but the same answer was not given, for the
+man said that the colonel had been seen to go out about half an hour
+ago.</p>
+
+<p>"Who saw him go, John?" said her ladyship; "did you?"</p>
+
+<p>"No, my lady,&mdash;it was the colonel's own groom."</p>
+
+<p>"Send him here."</p>
+
+<p>The groom came, and was questioned as to how and when he had seen his
+master go out.</p>
+
+<p>"I was in the harness-room, my lady, and the colonel came in, and took
+down, one after another, all the coachman's whips from the pegs, and at
+last, my lady, he chose the newest and the stoutest, and carried it away
+with him:&mdash;but he said never a word."</p>
+
+<p>"Wheugh!" whistled Sir Gilbert with very considerable continuity of
+sound. "That will do, Dick&mdash;you may go. And so, his colonelship is gone
+forth with the stoutest and the best horsewhip he could find. Well, upon
+my word, I do not think he could have done better."</p>
+
+<p>"Foolish boy!" exclaimed Lady Harrington. "He will get into some
+abominable scrape or other!"</p>
+
+<p>"Yes, my lady;&mdash;he will horsewhip the lawyer, you may depend upon
+it:&mdash;and then he will have damages to pay. But, for an only son, William
+is far from extravagant, and I really don't feel inclined to begrudge
+him this little amusement."</p>
+
+<p>"Nor I, either, Sir Gilbert, provided he takes care not to get into a
+downright vulgar brawl."</p>
+
+<p>"Come, come, Helen," said Sir Gilbert, turning towards her, "you must
+not look pale, my child, for this. You are not afraid that there will be
+any blunder, are you? and that the attorney will horsewhip the
+soldier?&mdash;No harm will be done, depend upon it,&mdash;except to my new
+horsewhip."</p>
+
+
+
+<hr style="width: 65%;" />
+<h2><a name="CHAPTER_XIIC" id="CHAPTER_XIIC"></a>CHAPTER XII.</h2>
+
+<h3>MR. CORBOLD'S ADVENTURES.</h3>
+
+
+<p>It was some time before Mr. Stephen Corbold recovered sufficiently from
+the effects of Helen's libation to enable him to see where he was, or to
+perceive that where he was, she was not. The ceremony had, indeed been a
+painful one; but it at least did him the good service of dispelling the
+effects of the wine he had taken; and after a few moments more of
+winking and blinking, and wiping his smarting eyes, he descended the
+stairs to seek his cousin, a soberer, if not a better man than when he
+mounted them.</p>
+
+<p>Every thing was at this time in full activity on the lawn. Above two
+thousand people were assembled there, all more more than decently clad,
+and presenting altogether a very striking spectacle. Those who before
+dinner had been the company were now converted into spectators; many of
+them accommodated with seats in the shade, from whence they watched the
+chequered movements of the motley crowd. This cool and quiet position
+was in every way beneficial to those who had been tempted to heat
+themselves by drinking somewhat too freely of the vicar's wine. Among
+these Mr. Corbold introduced himself: probably, more sober than any of
+them,&mdash;except, perhaps, the vicar himself,&mdash;but bearing in his "altered
+eye," and general discomfiture of aspect, more visible traces of
+intemperance than any individual amongst them.</p>
+
+<p>Mr. Cartwright rose to meet him with sensations of considerable alarm.
+He fancied, from his appearance, that he was quite intoxicated, and
+feared the utterance of some folly which might explain the cause of his
+having absented himself more fully than was at all necessary.</p>
+
+<p>This idea was by no means lessened when his cousin beckoned him from the
+party amidst whom he sat, and gravely assured him that Miss Helen had
+very nearly murdered him.</p>
+
+<p>"Compose yourself, cousin Stephen&mdash;compose yourself. Where have you left
+her?"</p>
+
+<p>"Left her?&mdash;She left me, I tell you, blind, and almost suffocated. If
+you don't wish to have the whole county set gossiping about Mrs.
+Mowbray's will&mdash;your wife's will I mean,&mdash;you had better let me see that
+vixen properly punished, cousin. As I live and breathe I will have
+revenge somehow."</p>
+
+<p>"You shall, you shall, Stephen," answered the vicar, endeavouring to
+quiet him. "She shall be treated in any way that you like, only don't
+make a noise now."</p>
+
+<p>"Will you give orders that she shall be confined to her room and kept on
+bread and water?"</p>
+
+<p>"To be sure I will, if you desire it. She shall be locked up as soon as
+the place is cleared: and you shall see it done, Stephen, if you will
+only step in, and take a nap in my library to recover yourself a
+little."</p>
+
+<p>This proposal was, on the whole, a very tempting one; for Mr. Stephen
+Corbold's head ached with considerable violence, not to mention that he
+had hardly yet recovered his eyesight, and was otherwise very ill at
+ease. So, without arguing the matter farther, he retreated to the
+comfortable station recommended to him, and soon fell into a slumber
+that lasted till the whole business of the day, prayers, blessing, and
+all, were done and over, and the place as solitary and forsaken as if no
+Serious Fancy Fair, no Israelitish missionary, and no Fababo had ever
+been heard of.</p>
+
+<p>It was then that the Vicar of Wrexhill remembered his cousin Stephen.
+And it was then that Fanny Mowbray, looking round the room in which the
+whole family was assembled, said, "Where is Helen?"</p>
+
+<p>This question, which, as it seemed, no one could answer, and the
+recollection of his library guest, coming at one and the same moment
+across him, made Mr. Cartwright start. Poor man! He was most heartily
+fatigued and worn out by the honours, glories, and hospitalities of the
+day, and wished for nothing on earth so much as soda-water and a
+bed-room bougie. But he felt that his labours were not over, though not
+exactly aware how much remained to be done.</p>
+
+<p>Having furnished himself with a light, and commanded that Miss Mowbray
+should be desired to meet him in the library, he repaired immediately to
+that room, where he found, as he expected, his serious and legal
+relative as fast asleep in his favourite arm-chair, as he himself wished
+to be in his bed.</p>
+
+<p>The ceremony of awaking him was soon performed; and when he once more
+stood on his feet, and had rubbed his still suffering eyes sufficiently
+to perceive where he was, the vicar addressed him thus, in the most
+gentle voice imaginable, hoping to soothe and get rid of him.</p>
+
+<p>"Well, cousin Stephen, you have had a nice nap; and now you had better
+go home. It is getting quite late. Good night, Stephen."</p>
+
+<p>"What have you done with that murderous vixen, cousin Cartwright? I
+won't stir till I know you have locked her up, as you promised to do."</p>
+
+<p>"I have ordered her to come here, Stephen, that you may yourself hear
+what I mean to say to her."</p>
+
+<p>"I don't want to see her, cousin Cartwright," replied the attorney, in a
+tone that betokened as much fear as dislike; "I only want to have her
+punished."</p>
+
+<p>"And punished she shall be, depend upon that; but if you really do not
+wish to see her, cousin Stephen, you had better be off at once, for I
+expect her here every moment. Come along&mdash;I will walk with you myself as
+far as the lodge."</p>
+
+<p>Whatever vengeance he wished executed on Helen, that he had no
+inclination to be present at it himself, was proved by the alacrity with
+which the attorney acceded to this proposal.</p>
+
+<p>"Only let me get my hat,&mdash;it's quite a new hat,&mdash;and I'll come with you
+this moment, cousin Cartwright."</p>
+
+<p>The hat was found, and the two serious gentlemen set off together across
+the lawn; from that point, to within a few yards of the lodge, the
+lawyer entertained the minister with such an account of Helen's attack
+upon him, as convinced the latter, that it would be quite necessary, in
+his parental character, to exercise such a degree of authority as might
+speedily bring the rebellious young lady to reason. It was already as
+dark as a fine night in July ever is, and the fine large oaks which in
+many places overhung the road, rendered some spots particularly sombre.
+At one of these, and just before they arrived at the Park gates, they
+heard the steps of a man whom they appeared to be overtaking.</p>
+
+<p>"Who can this loiterer be?" said Mr. Cartwright, "My people had orders
+to see that the grounds were cleared, and all the gates locked before
+this time."</p>
+
+<p>"We shall be able to see him when we get beyond these trees," replied
+Corbold.</p>
+
+<p>He was quite right: a few steps farther brought them to an open space,
+and there, as if waiting for them, stood the intruder, as still and
+silent as if he had been a statue.</p>
+
+<p>"We are two to one, however," observed the attorney, "but he is a
+monstrous tall fellow."</p>
+
+<p>The next breath that issued from the lips of the vicar's cousin came not
+in words, but in a most dismal, hideous, and prolonged yell; for the
+"tall fellow" had seized him by the collar with one hand, while with the
+other he brandished and applied a huge horsewhip to his shoulders with
+such energy, activity, and perseverance, that his howling startled the
+dull ear of night, as well as the frightened organs of his astonished
+kinsman. Though Mr. Cartwright had not the slightest intention of doing
+so unclerical a thing as interfering in the fray, he drew a little
+nearer to it than was quite prudent, from a natural curiosity to know
+who the bold mortal was who dared thus belabour his cousin.</p>
+
+<p>The light was quite sufficient to enable him to discern Colonel
+Harrington in the aggressor; but it should seem that it was not equally
+effective to the eyes of that gentleman himself, or he would hardly have
+ventured to permit a few apparently random, but very sharp cuts to visit
+the reverend shoulders of the owner of the soil on which he stood. This
+prodigious impiety, however, certainly took place, upon which the vicar,
+very properly anxious to put the earliest possible stop to such indecent
+proceedings, ran off as fast as his legs could carry him, and in about
+half an hour returned again with eight stout servingmen, armed with
+bludgeons, broom-sticks, and the great kitchen-poker.</p>
+
+<p>That he had not, in his agitation, forgotten the spot on which he had
+left his unfortunate cousin, was quickly made manifest to the ears of
+all who accompanied him; for dismal groans made themselves heard exactly
+from the place where the operation had been performed, and on
+examination the bruised body of Mr. Stephen Corbold was found extended
+on the grass, apparently too stiff and sore to have much power of
+movement left.</p>
+
+<p>Even during the hurried interval which Mr. Cartwright spent in his house
+while waiting for the gathering together of his host, he had found time
+to inquire of his wife if she had seen Helen, and being told in reply
+that she was nowhere to be found, the extremely disagreeable truth
+immediately suggested itself to him. In one short, sharp moment he
+remembered Colonel Harrington's suppressed letter, Corbold's permitted
+outrage, Helen's escape, and the degrading lash that had so vigorously
+saluted his own shoulders.</p>
+
+<p>How was it possible, that being, as he most undoubtedly was, the lord
+and master of Cartwright Park, and all the wealth annexed thereto, and
+holding his lady's comprehensive will, signed, sealed, and duly
+executed, in his own possession,&mdash;how could it be that he should feel so
+utterly beat down, overpowered, and degraded?</p>
+
+<p>The bitter pang, however, lasted but a moment. What was the gossip of an
+hour, or a day, when set against the solid happiness of wealth? This was
+still his, to have and to hold; and after one little pinch at his heart,
+as he thought of the longed-for mitre, he struggled manfully to despise
+the paltry annoyance, and hastened, with all the speed he could make,
+to the rescue of his cousin, and, if Heaven so willed, to inflict
+vengeance, even unto death, upon his enemy.</p>
+
+<p>Heaven, however, did not so will; Colonel Harrington having given the
+attorney exactly the quantum of flogging he intended, stuck his card,
+with his name and address both in town and country, into the groaning
+man's pocket, laid him down very gently on the grass, and departed.</p>
+
+<p>The disposal of the flogged gentleman's person was now taken into
+consideration. Some cousins, perhaps, might have thought that a bed at
+Cartwright Park would have been the best thing to propose for it; but it
+appeared that such was not the opinion of Mr. Cartwright; for having
+quickly ascertained the situation of affairs, and assured himself that
+Colonel Harrington was no longer within his reach, he instantly ordered
+the coachman and stable-boy, who were among his suite, to return with
+all possible haste to the house, and prepare a carriage instantly to
+take his ill-used cousin home.</p>
+
+<p>"Take me to your house, cousin!" murmured the smarting man, "I shall die
+if you send me to Wrexhill!" But Mr. Cartwright did not happen to hear
+him; and indeed his time and attention were wholly engrossed till the
+carriage arrived, and his kinsman lifted into it, by a strict
+examination of his people at the lodge, as to when Colonel Harrington
+had entered the Park, and whether they were at all aware that he was
+still lurking there.</p>
+
+<p>To all which inquiries he of course received for answer,&mdash;"Law! your
+honour, upon such a day as this, how was any body to mark who went in,
+or who went out of the Park?"</p>
+
+<p>Mr. Stephen Corbold was therefore safely conveyed to his own dwelling in
+Wrexhill; and the vicar returned to tell his lady, that from
+circumstances which had transpired, there could be no doubt that her
+daughter Helen had eloped with Colonel Harrington.</p>
+
+<p>"On my word, my dearest Cartwright, I hardly know how to be sorry for
+it. William Harrington would be an excellent match for any woman. They
+were very fond of each other when they were children; and Helen has been
+so miserable and moping ever since I married, that it has been quite a
+misery to see her. I thought she was in love with your cousin? However,
+I suppose she has changed her mind again, and that it was a fit of
+jealousy on the part of Harrington that made him attack poor Mr.
+Corbold. But we can't help it, you know. I am tired to death, my dear
+Cartwright;&mdash;do not let us stay up any longer talking about it; I dare
+say Helen will be very happy."</p>
+
+<p>So ended the eventful day of the Fababo Fancy Fair.</p>
+
+<hr style="width: 45%;" />
+
+<p>It is not necessary to inquire what were the reports, or what the
+gossipings to which this day's events gave rise. The papers announced
+that a very large sum had been collected for the interesting missionary;
+and all the Hampshire world soon said that Colonel Harrington was going
+to be married to Miss Mowbray. But the attention of the Park family
+themselves was at this time greatly engrossed by Henrietta. She had long
+been in a very delicate state of health, but, probably from some cold
+caught at the late fête, her symptoms had become rapidly more alarming;
+she was soon confined to her bed, and the most skilful physician in the
+county gave it as his opinion that she could not live many weeks.</p>
+
+<p>Rosalind was indefatigable in her attentions to her; and when the awful
+judgment of the physician was made known to her, she at once resolved
+that Henrietta should be made acquainted with it, in the hope that the
+prospect of approaching dissolution might soften her heart and lead her
+to seek and receive the only consolation of which such a situation
+admits.</p>
+
+<p>Rosalind was too truly attached to Helen not to rejoice at the
+unexpected step she had taken, though her surprise at it was unbounded.
+She knew Helen's character well, she knew too how implicitly they had
+trusted each other; and that this known, trusted and trusting friend
+should have eloped without having even hinted to her that Colonel
+Harrington had confessed the love which in happier moments she owned she
+hoped he felt, was inconceivable! Still it was true. And though no line
+of explanation had ever been permitted to reach her, still she rejoiced;
+and with all the trusting confidence of her nature believed that
+whatever appeared wrong or unkind, would some day or other be explained.</p>
+
+<p>She now rejoiced yet more at Helen's absence. Henrietta had never
+admitted her even to the uncertain and capricious degree of friendship
+which she had bestowed on herself; and had she been still at the Park,
+it would have been difficult for Rosalind to have devoted herself so
+wholly to the poor sufferer as she now did. Mrs. Cartwright's situation
+prevented her from being much in the room. Fanny was still less there.
+She and Henrietta had never loved each other. At first Fanny disliked
+her because it was easy to perceive that she was neither beloved nor
+approved by Mr. Cartwright; and Henrietta despised her in return for the
+easy weakness with which she had become her father's convert. So that,
+in this awful hour, Rosalind was the only friend who drew near her with
+affection; and most tender and constant was the care she bestowed upon
+her.</p>
+
+<p>To the communication which she so much dreaded to make, though she
+considered it her duty to do it, Henrietta only replied by assuring her
+that for more than a year she had been fully aware that death was
+rapidly approaching her. "Alas! how lightly have I listened to you, dear
+Henrietta, when you have said this!" replied the weeping Rosalind. "But
+the reason, dear friend, why I did not, why I could not believe you were
+in earnest, was&mdash;&mdash;"</p>
+
+<p>"Speak fearlessly, dear Rosalind&mdash;&mdash;was&mdash;that you thought I was unfit to
+die. But so are many, Rosalind, who yet must go when nature bids them."</p>
+
+<p>"But now, now Henrietta! Oh! tell me that you do not still doubt all
+things&mdash;doubt even the being of the eternal power that made you; tell
+me, I beseech you, that you have read and thought on these things since
+that dreadful day that I overheard you make the confession to Mr.
+Hetherington which has rung in my ears ever since."</p>
+
+<p>"Yes, Rosalind, I have read, and I have thought&mdash;but not now only, my
+kind friend. My short life, Rosalind, has been but one series of
+perturbed thinking&mdash;my brain has been racked by it. But I have gained
+nothing."</p>
+
+<p>"I have no power, Henrietta, no learning, no strength of reason to
+remove the doubts that so fearfully darken these your last hours. Yet
+what would I not give that you could taste the ineffable comfort of
+perfect hope and perfect faith!"</p>
+
+<p>"Perfect faith!" repeated Henrietta impatiently&mdash;"why do you have
+recourse to the slang I hate? Teach me to hope&mdash;oh! that you could! but
+let me not hear the hateful words, the false use of which has been my
+destruction."</p>
+
+<p>"Henrietta! dearest Henrietta! will you consent to see a clergyman who
+can speak to you with the authority of age and wisdom?"</p>
+
+<p>"A clergyman?" she replied, scoffingly. "Perhaps you will propose that I
+should see the Reverend Mr. Cartwright?"</p>
+
+<p>"No, no. You do not think that it is such as him I would wish to send to
+you."</p>
+
+<p>"Yet he is my father, Miss Torrington. And there it is, you see&mdash;there
+lies the difficulty. Name a clergyman, and Mr. Cartwright seems to rise
+before me. And shall I use my dying breath to say that I would hear with
+reverence what such as he could say? Leave me in peace, Rosalind. Let me
+sleep, I tell you. If there be a God, he will pity me!"</p>
+
+<p>There was so much feverish excitement in her manner of speaking, that
+Rosalind, terrified lest she might hasten the hour she so earnestly
+wished to retard, in the hope that light might break upon that darkness
+which it was so terrible to witness, forbore to answer her, and tenderly
+arranging her pillows under her head, kissed her pale cheek and set
+herself down behind the curtain, in the place that she now almost
+constantly occupied.</p>
+
+<p>After a moment, however, Henrietta spoke again, but it was gently and
+calmly. "Leave me, my most kind Rosalind," said she! "leave me for an
+hour or two: you must want the fresh air, and I want perfect solitude.
+Rosalind, I will think. Let no one come to me till I ring my bell. Go,
+my dear friend!"</p>
+
+<p>Rosalind, greatly affected by the changed voice and manner, pressed to
+her lips the emaciated hand held out to her, and retired.</p>
+
+<p>Rosalind did indeed require the refreshment of air and exercise, from
+which she had almost wholly debarred herself for above a week; and such
+refreshment will certainly do more towards restoring the exhausted
+strength, both to body and mind, than any other remedy which can be
+devised. Yet, though it acts well, and almost infallibly, on the system,
+the benefit does not at once reach the consciousness of the weary
+watcher. Rosalind, as she slowly dragged her languid steps along, felt
+none of the pleasurable effects of the sweet breeze that blew in her
+face, for she was not aware of it. Her heart and soul were still in the
+chamber of the dying Henrietta; and though greatly too well taught to
+believe that a few feverish moments of changed opinions can put the
+passing spirit into a state of fitness for heaven, still she clung to
+the hope of hearing the unhappy girl avow better thoughts and feelings
+than those which had so long brooded over her misguided spirit. Fully
+occupied with these meditations, Rosalind walked for an hour, almost
+mechanically, through the shrubberies, unmindful of the sweet voice of
+nature that greeted her in the songs of birds and in the breath of
+flowers, and thinking only of what she might say or do to make the light
+of truth send one cheering ray upon the last hours of her unhappy
+friend.</p>
+
+<p>When she re-entered the house, her maid, who was watching for her, said
+that Miss Cartwright had rung her bell, and requested to know when she
+returned.</p>
+
+<p>Blaming herself for her long absence, Rosalind hastened to the sick
+room, and found Henrietta seated upright in her bed, with rather more
+animation and brightness in her eyes than she wished to see, for she
+thought it betokened fever; but her voice and manner were gentle and
+composed.</p>
+
+<p>"Your words have not fallen to the ground, my most kind Rosalind," said
+she; "and if it be possible, during the short period that remains for me
+to live, that I should attain a clearer knowledge of what I am than I
+have hitherto possessed, I shall welcome it most gladly. But of all the
+attributes with which the beautiful idea that you call God is invested,
+the only one that I conceive it possible for mortals to share with Him,
+is <span class="smcap">Truth</span>. Power, alas! we have none&mdash;of knowledge very little, of wisdom
+less&mdash;and as to perfect goodness, perfect benevolence, we are not framed
+to feel it. But <span class="smcap">Truth</span>, clear pure, beautiful, and bright, we can know
+and we can feel! It can make a part of us, even as it makes a part of
+Him; and by this only, as it seems to me, can we approach Him, touch
+Him, and, as it were be part of Him. For truth in a mortal, Rosalind, if
+it exist at all, is perfect as in a God. It is therefore, my dear
+friend, that though I feel, ay, and have always felt, that there may be
+an existing cause, endowed with will, productive of all the wonders of
+creation&mdash;and though this wondrous existence, if it be! deserves all
+worship&mdash;and though I (more sinned against than sinning) have offered
+none, yet still I feel that I may be forgiven. If I have kept far off
+from him my worship and my thoughts, at least I never have approached
+him with falsehood on my tongue or in my heart; and, to my judgment,
+this is the only crime relating to our intercourse with God at which we
+need to tremble. If such a Being be, can our blundering theories so
+touch his greatness that he should deign to frown upon us for them? No,
+no, no! <span class="smcap">We cannot know Him;</span> and those who guess the nearest, can guess
+but very darkly. But truth and falsehood are as much within the compass
+of man's nature as of God's, and therefore are they, as concerning Him,
+the only virtue and the only sin."</p>
+
+<p>Henrietta spoke these words with her eyes closed, slowly and
+deliberately, as if her mind, like a cloud that</p>
+
+<div class="poem"><div class="stanza">
+<span class="i0">&mdash;&mdash;"Turns forth its silver lining to the night,"<br /></span>
+</div></div>
+
+<p>sought in the midst of darkness to show the faint gleam within.</p>
+
+<p>But every word she uttered made Rosalind more deeply feel the necessity
+of letting her hear the truths of religion from some one who had made
+its laws the study of a holy life. She longed that she should hear with
+more authority than she could lend to it, the voice of God himself, as
+revealed to man in records enduring as the world;&mdash;but where was she to
+seek such a one? As poor Henrietta had said, the name of a minister
+could to her suggest no other image than that of her father;&mdash;and from
+him she ever seemed to turn with horror.</p>
+
+<p>Yet still Rosalind could not endure to abandon the hope that such a one
+might be found, and only waited till Henrietta would promise to see him
+before she took measures for the purpose. In answer to this request, the
+dying girl replied "But my permission is not all that is necessary,
+dearest Rosalind. What would my father say if you were fortunate enough
+to obtain for me a visit from such a one as you describe? He would not
+bear it. He would not admit his approach. I know he would not."</p>
+
+<p>"Let me ask him, Henrietta."</p>
+
+<p>"No!" cried the invalid with sudden energy, as if she had at that moment
+conceived and decided on her line of conduct. "I will ask him myself!
+This doubt, this darkness, this fearful mist that seems to hang about
+me, is terrible. Why should I not feel hopeful and assured as you do?
+Send to him, Rosalind&mdash;send to my father; and send too for his besotted
+wife, and for the poor, weak, wavering Fanny. Send for them all.&mdash;But
+don't you leave me, Rosalind. I have a strange, anxious fluttering at
+my heart. It will be better when I have spoken to him."</p>
+
+<p>Rosalind delayed not a moment to do her bidding. There was an inequality
+in her manner that frightened her. She feared her time was short; and so
+worded the summons she sent to Mr. Cartwright and his wife, that they
+came instantly. Fanny entered the room nearly at the same moment; and it
+was evident from their manner that they all thought they were come to
+receive her last farewell.</p>
+
+<p>The feeble Henrietta asked Rosalind so to arrange her pillows that she
+might sit upright. Rosalind did so, and then kneeled down beside the
+bed.</p>
+
+<p>Mr. Cartwright stood with his back leaning against the bed-post, and his
+eyes fixed on the ground; his wife entered leaning on his arm, and had
+not quitted it; but for some reason or other, Henrietta, who rarely took
+notice of her in any way, now asked her to place herself in a chair
+beside her bed.</p>
+
+<p>"You had better sit," said she. "You are not very strong in any way."</p>
+
+<p>Fanny stood apart, and alone; and having looked round upon each of them,
+the dying girl fixed her eyes upon her father, and thus addressed him,
+"I have heard you say&mdash;a thousand times perhaps&mdash;that religion was the
+business of your life; and for that reason, sir, its very name hath
+become abhorrent to me. Oh, father!&mdash;you have much to answer for! I
+would have given my own right hand to believe in a good, a merciful, a
+forgiving God!&mdash;and I turned my young eyes to you. You told me that few
+could be saved, and that it was not what I deemed innocence could save
+me. You told me too, that I was in danger, but that you were safe. You
+told me that Heaven had set its seal upon you. And then I watched
+you&mdash;oh, how earnestly!&mdash;I spied out all your ways!&mdash;I found fraud,
+pride, impurity, and falsehood, mix with your deeds through every day
+you lived! Yet still you said that Heaven had set its seal upon
+you,&mdash;that your immortal soul was safe,&mdash;that happiness eternal was your
+predestined doom. I listened to you as a child listens to a father; not
+a word was lost; no, nor an action either. And then it was, father, that
+I became an unbeliever! an hardened infidel! a daring atheist! If it
+were true that God had chosen you, then was it true my soul rejected
+him!&mdash;Yet Rosalind, dear Rosalind, do not hate me,&mdash;do not shudder at my
+words. It was because I found no truth in him, that I could not, would
+not believe his doctrine true. But you&mdash;good, kind, and innocent,&mdash;I
+believe you."</p>
+
+<p>The harsh and awful accents of her voice changed into a tone of the
+deepest tenderness as she continued to address Rosalind. "When did you
+ever lie? You tell me there is a God, and I may trust you. You do not
+prate of grace, and then labour to corrupt the innocence that looks into
+your face to ask the way to Heaven. You do not bid me wear a mask of
+feigned assurance of salvation; nor will you bind my hands, nor keep me
+from the light of day, when I refuse to kneel, and sigh, and play the
+hypocrite. You will not bid me lie, and tell me that so only I can find
+the way to Heaven. You will not&mdash;&mdash;"</p>
+
+<p>With slow and stealthy pace Mr. Cartwright at this moment began to creep
+from his station and approach the door. But Henrietta, whose eyes were
+half closed&mdash;for the lashes seemed heavy with tears&mdash;instantly opened
+them, and cried aloud, "Stay! I have a right to bid you.&mdash;Father!&mdash;This
+good girl is kind and innocent; but she is young and very
+ignorant.&mdash;What can she know of Heaven? Is there&mdash;speak truly, these are
+the last words you will ever utter to me&mdash;is there within our reach some
+pious, holy, humble man of God,&mdash;such as I have read of,&mdash;but no saint,
+no saint? Father! is there such a one?&mdash;and may he come and pray with
+me?"</p>
+
+<p>Every eye in the room was fixed on Mr. Cartwright, as his daughter made
+the appeal. For some moments he did not answer; but upon Henrietta's
+repeating loudly, and almost wildly, "May he come?" he answered in a
+low, husky voice. "This is mere bravado! You have lived a scoffing
+infidel,&mdash;and a scoffing infidel will you die. If, indeed, you wished
+for prayer and pardon, you would turn to me for it.&mdash;My curate may pray
+with her,&mdash;but none else."</p>
+
+<p>And with these words he turned away without looking at her, and quitted
+the room.</p>
+
+<p>The silence of death seemed already to have settled on the chamber;
+which was broken, at length, by the deep sobbings of the unfortunate
+Mrs. Cartwright.</p>
+
+<p>"Poor soul!" said Henrietta, turning towards her. "She is not wholly
+bad, but more unfit to judge and act than a baby:&mdash;for they can do
+nothing, and she, alas! can do much dreadful mischief. With my dying
+breath, unhappy victim of a most finished hypocrite, I do conjure you
+not to wrong your children, to enrich him. Poor soul!&mdash;He loves her not;
+no not even so much as, silly as she is, she well deserves from him. He
+will have a child born to him here, and another at Gloucester, much at
+the same time. Do not ruin your poor helpless children for him!"</p>
+
+<p>Mrs. Cartwright sat with her eyes immoveably fixed on those of
+Henrietta, even after she had ceased to speak: she sighed deeply, but
+uttered no syllable in reply.</p>
+
+<p>"Take her away, Rosalind. I have no more to say to her. And poor Fanny
+too. Heaven bless you, Fanny!&mdash;you may go now, my dear. All go, but
+Rosalind."</p>
+
+<p>Her commands were instantly obeyed, and once more the two strangely
+matched friends were left alone together.</p>
+
+<p>"It is too late now, my Rosalind! My strength is failing fast. I can
+hardly see your sweet kind eyes, dear Rosalind!&mdash;but I can hear. Read to
+me, dearest;&mdash;quick, open the Bible that you left for me:&mdash;open it where
+the man says to Paul, 'Almost thou persuadest me to be a Christian.'"</p>
+
+<p>Rosalind opened the precious volume, and read to her, slowly and
+distinctly, that exquisite passage of heaven-taught eloquence, which
+produced in reply the words she had quoted.</p>
+
+<p>Henrietta's eyes were closed; but now and then a gentle pressure of the
+hand she held in hers persuaded Rosalind that she heard and understood
+each powerful word of that majestic pleading.</p>
+
+<p>When she had reached, and read the words Henrietta had quoted, she
+paused, and in a moment afterwards the now expiring girl uttered in
+broken accents, "Yes,&mdash;stop there. It has reached my soul&mdash;from your
+lips only, Rosalind!"</p>
+
+<p>Then suddenly her dying eyes opened, and fixed themselves on Rosalind;
+she clasped her hands, as if in prayer, and then with a strong effort
+pronounced these words, "Lord! I believe!&mdash;Help thou my unbelief!"</p>
+
+<p>Her head sank on her breast. The breath that uttered these words was her
+last.</p>
+
+
+
+<hr style="width: 65%;" />
+<h2><a name="CHAPTER_XIIIC" id="CHAPTER_XIIIC"></a>CHAPTER XIII.</h2>
+
+<h3>A CHANGE COMES O'ER THE SPIRIT OF HER DREAM.</h3>
+
+
+<p>Helen had been nearly six weeks at Oakley without receiving a single
+line or message from any individual at the Park. She had written to her
+mother, fully explaining the reasons which had led her so suddenly to
+absent herself; and also, in the most respectful and affectionate
+manner, announced to her the proposal of Colonel Harrington and the
+approbation of his parents,&mdash;adding her earnest entreaties that her
+mother would not withhold her consent to their marriage. To this letter
+she received no answer; a circumstance which would have occasioned her
+the most cruel uneasiness, had not the fate of Colonel Harrington's
+letter to herself enabled her to guess that of her own to her mother. To
+Fanny and to Rosalind she likewise wrote, and with the same ill success:
+but, fortunately for her tranquillity, their silence was reasonably
+interpreted in the same manner; and though this could but ill console
+her for the separation existing between them, it at least prevented her
+from feeling the pang of neglected affection.</p>
+
+<p>From her brother she received the only letter that had reached her since
+they parted; and though it was written in a strain of very melancholy
+despondency respecting himself, it spoke of her prospects with an energy
+of satisfaction and hope that it was delightful to have inspired.</p>
+
+<p>The report of Henrietta's death reached her through the servants; and
+though no cordial intimacy had ever existed between them, she felt as a
+gentle-hearted young creature must ever feel on hearing that a companion
+of her own age and sex was gone hence to be no more seen.</p>
+
+<p>More than ever did she wish for tidings of her family; and of Rosalind,
+perhaps, more than of any other: for she knew that if her feelings for
+the poor Henrietta had not amounted to affection, she had inspired a
+very powerful interest in her bosom, and that Rosalind was likely to
+feel her early death very painfully. It was therefore with the strongest
+emotions of joy that one morning, rather more than a week after the
+event, she saw Rosalind approaching the principal entrance of the house,
+alone and on foot.</p>
+
+<p>Helen flew down stairs, through the hall, and out upon the steps to meet
+her, opening her arms to receive her with all the eager warmth of
+welcome natural after such an absence. But before Rosalind returned the
+embrace, she exclaimed, "You have seen your mother, Helen!"</p>
+
+<p>"Alas! no!" replied Helen. "Would to Heaven I had, Rosalind! What is it
+makes you think I have had this great happiness?"</p>
+
+<p>"Because I have just met her,&mdash;just seen her with my own eyes driving
+down the avenue."</p>
+
+<p>"Impossible! Rosalind you must be mistaken. I have been sitting in my
+own room these two hours, copying a long act of parliament for Sir
+Gilbert; and if any carriage had been here, I must have seen it."</p>
+
+<p>"No, no, you would not: I observed that the carriage drove direct from
+the stable-yard, and out into the avenue below the second gate. When I
+saw the carriage, spite of my astonishment, my first feeling was terror
+lest I should be seen myself; and accordingly I retreated behind one of
+the enormous trees, which I am sure hid me effectually, but from whence
+I had not only a full view of the Cartwright equipage, but of Mrs.
+Cartwright in it, looking, I am sorry to say, even paler and more ill
+than usual."</p>
+
+<p>"Is my mother looking ill, Rosalind?" said Helen anxiously, and seeming
+for the moment to be unmindful of the strange circumstance of her having
+been at Oakley. "Is she unwell?"</p>
+
+<p>"I grieve to say that I think she is. A scene which took place in poor
+Henrietta's room only a few moments before she died, and at which Mrs.
+Cartwright was present, has, I think, shaken her severely. But what can
+have brought her here, Helen, unless it were her wish to see you?&mdash;And
+yet she has been, and is gone, without your hearing of it."</p>
+
+<p>"It is indeed most strange," replied Helen, ringing the bell of the
+drawing-room, into which they had entered. "Lady Harrington is, I know,
+in her closet,&mdash;perhaps my mother has seen her."</p>
+
+<p>"Has my mother been here, Thomas?" inquired Helen of the old servant who
+answered the bell.</p>
+
+<p>"Oh, dear, no, Miss Mowbray: that was noways likely."</p>
+
+<p>"Likely or not, Thomas, I assure you she has been here," said Miss
+Torrington; "for I myself met her coming away."</p>
+
+<p>"Then if that is the case, young ladies, there is certainly no use in my
+telling any more lies about it; for that's a job I don't like to be put
+upon, seeing as I am not over and above used to it. And so, as you know
+it already, I'm quite ready and willing to tell you the truth.&mdash;Mrs.
+Mowbray,&mdash;I ask your pardon, ladies, but I really can't call her by no
+other name,&mdash;Mrs. Mowbray has been shut up in the library for above two
+hours with my master."</p>
+
+<p>"How very strange!" exclaimed Rosalind thoughtfully. "Then I am sure she
+has chosen this day for the same reason that I did. Mr. Cartwright was
+sent for last night by the Earl of Harrowmore. Though he is not very
+communicative about his adventures in general, he could not resist
+mentioning this flattering circumstance at tea last night; adding, that
+he could not refuse the excellent and pious old nobleman, who probably
+was desirous of obtaining the benefit of his advice on some business of
+importance. And this morning he set off in his travelling-carriage and
+four post-horses with two out-riders, leaving word, as Judy told me,
+that he should not return till to-morrow. But, good heavens! what can
+Mrs. Cartwright have to say to Sir Gilbert? and how in the world did he
+come to admit her, Thomas?"</p>
+
+<p>"Since you know so much, you may as well know all, ladies. The carriage,
+sure enough, did not venture to drive up even to the back door without
+leave asked of Sir Gilbert;&mdash;at least I suppose it was to ask leave,
+that one of the new Park servants brought a note for him first. I took
+it in myself to him, and said, as I was bid, that the man was to wait
+for an answer. Never did I see mortal face screw itself up funnier than
+Sir Gilbert's when he was reading that note: he looked for all the world
+as if he wanted to whistle; howsomever, he did no such thing, but only
+scrawled a bit of an answer as grave as a judge; and then it was, Miss
+Mowbray, that he ordered me to say no word whatever of the Park
+servant's coming, or of the carriage coming after, as it was likely to
+do; and he sealed up his answer, and told me to give it to the man, and
+then to go into the garden to look for you and the colonel, Miss
+Mowbray, and bid you come in, as you know I did, miss: and after a bit
+you went up stairs, miss, and the colonel's horse was ordered; and when
+he was off and all clear, then, and not before, the carriage drove into
+the stable-yard; and your poor mamma, Miss Mowbray, looking as white as
+a sheet, went tottering and trembling in to Sir Gilbert, and there she
+stayed till about ten minutes ago, when the bell rang and out she came
+again, but looking, I thought, a deal less miserable."</p>
+
+<p>"Thank you, Thomas," said Helen. "This is, I believe, all we wish to
+know."</p>
+
+<p>The venerable-serving man took the hint and departed.</p>
+
+<p>"What can all this mean, Rosalind?" said her friend the moment the door
+closed behind him. "Has any thing happened at home that can account for
+it?"</p>
+
+<p>"I hardly know how to answer you, my Helen, without appearing to know
+more than I really do&mdash;for in honest truth I know nothing. Your mother,
+it would be wrong to conceal it from you, Helen, is certainly very much
+out of health, and for some weeks past has appeared, I think, out of
+spirits and unhappy."</p>
+
+<p>"Oh, Rosalind! Do you think it is I who have made her so? Do you think
+that my coming here has made her really unhappy?"</p>
+
+<p>"Indeed I do not: on the contrary, I am firmly persuaded she rejoices at
+it. You know, dearest, that since her marriage I have never been in
+great favour; and no wonder, considering the very particular aversion I
+have ever felt, and perhaps manifested, towards her bridegroom. But more
+than once, since you left us, she has spoken to me in a manner which
+reminded me of the days that are gone; and once she said, when that
+hateful cause of all harm, her Tartuffe husband, was not in the room,
+'You must greatly miss poor Helen, my dear Rosalind.' I involuntarily
+caught her hand and kissed it, earnestly fixing my eyes on hers, to
+discover, if possible, what she thought and felt about you. She guessed
+as much, I fancy, for she turned her head away from me; but she pressed
+my hand, and said, almost in a whisper, 'Dear Helen! I trust that the
+step she has taken will end in her happiness.' He entered just as she
+had uttered these words; and the manner in which she started, and
+withdrew her hand, when the handle of the door turned, told me plainly
+enough that her love for her holy spouse was not of that perfect kind
+which casteth out fear. There was, moreover, Helen, a tear in her eye
+when she named you."</p>
+
+<p>"Oh! my dear, dear mother!" cried Helen, her own eyes overflowing with
+freshly-awakened tenderness. "To hear this, Rosalind, is a joy far
+greater than I can express: and yet, if this returning love is obtained
+at the expense of her own happiness, I am a wretch to rejoice at it."</p>
+
+<p>"You would be a wretch to purchase it at that price perhaps," replied
+Rosalind,&mdash;"but not for rejoicing at it, now that, poor soul! she has
+already paid the penalty, as, in truth, I fear she has, of peace of mind
+for returning reason."</p>
+
+<p>"And what has occurred, Rosalind, to make you think her less happy than
+heretofore?"</p>
+
+<p>"It is not very easy to answer that question, Helen. Excepting the death
+of poor Henrietta, and the awful scene which preceded it, in which she
+accused her father, in the presence of Mrs. Cartwright, Fanny, and
+myself, of pretty nearly all the sins and iniquities of which a man can
+be guilty;&mdash;excepting this, I can hardly say that any particular
+circumstance has occurred which can account for the evident change in
+your mother's spirits, which was quite as evident before the death of
+Henrietta as since."</p>
+
+<p>"You have observed no unkindness towards her on his part, Rosalind?"
+said Helen anxiously.</p>
+
+<p>"N ... o; certainly I have witnessed nothing that could be called
+unkindness. You know, Helen, he can smile and smile&mdash;but he seems, I
+think, to watch her. More than once, when I have been going to her, I
+have met him coming away; and when he has seen me, he has turned back,
+and re-entered her room with me. I know I have been savagely cross to
+her ever since her hateful marriage: but since I have seen her looking
+ill and miserable, my hard heart has softened towards her, and I have
+sought, instead of avoiding her; and I am quite sure, that from the
+moment he perceived this change, he has been on the <i>qui vive</i> to
+prevent our being alone together."</p>
+
+<p>"My poor dear mother! I fear, I fear that she may live to deplore this
+marriage as much as we have ever done. You know, Rosalind, that we never
+believed Mr. Cartwright to be the holy man he proclaimed himself; but
+since I have been here, I have heard dreadful stories of him. Lady
+Harrington's maid is a prodigious gossip; and though I really give her
+no encouragement, she never dresses me without telling me some new
+report respecting him. He has, however, a very strong party at
+Wrexhill, who appear firmly to believe that he is a perfect saint. But
+here, you know, they are literally and figuratively of another parish,
+and seem to make it a matter of duty to their own pastor to believe all
+the tales they can pick up about him. There is one very shocking story
+indeed, that is, I think, quite incredible. They say that Mrs. Simpson
+has been seduced by him, and only went away to be confined."</p>
+
+<p>"Incredible. No!&mdash;this story is a commentary on one part of Henrietta's
+dying accusation. She said he would have a child born to him at
+Gloucester nearly at the same time as that expected here."</p>
+
+<p>"And it is to Gloucester she is gone!" exclaimed Helen. "Gracious
+heaven, what a wretch!"</p>
+
+<p>"That this at least is true, I have not the slightest doubt," rejoined
+Rosalind: "and what is more, I am certain your mother has heard it. You
+know that this precious vicar invited Mrs. Simpson's child to pass the
+period of her absence at the Park; and you must remember how very fond
+of the poor little thing your mother seemed to be, actually listening to
+her parrot performances in the fanatical line as if she had been
+inspired. It was before you went, I think, that I laughed at her so
+immoderately for saying that she prayed for currant pudding every night,
+and that Mrs. Cartwright was so very angry with me about it. Well!
+observe the change, and account for it as you will. For the last two or
+three weeks she has hardly spoken to the child, or taken the least
+notice of her: and if I am not greatly mistaken, it is for about the
+same period that her health and her spirits have appeared to droop.
+Depend upon it, Helen, some one has carried this report to her."</p>
+
+<p>"It certainly seems probable. Poor, poor mamma! How terrible her
+feelings must be, Rosalind, if from thinking this man something half-way
+between heaven and earth, she has really found out that he is an
+hypocrite and a villain!"</p>
+
+<p>"Terrible indeed! I would that she had not so well deserved it, Helen.
+But now comes the question: <i>what has brought her here</i>?"</p>
+
+<p>"I think I understand that perfectly," replied Helen. "No sooner are her
+eyes opened to the real character of this man, than her tenderness for
+us returns. I have little doubt that she came here to speak of me.
+Perhaps, Rosalind, she has heard, and you too, of my engagement with
+Colonel Harrington?"</p>
+
+<p>"Perhaps we have, Helen," replied Rosalind, laughing: "and I think it
+likely that you have partly read the riddle right, and that she may have
+taken advantage of her watchful husband's absence to express to Sir
+Gilbert her approbation,&mdash;which, you know, is necessary before you can
+be married, Helen."</p>
+
+<p>"I know it is," replied Helen, colouring: "and if indeed she has given
+this consent, she has removed the only obstacle to our immediate
+marriage."</p>
+
+<p>"Then heartily I wish you joy, sweet friend!" said Rosalind, kissing
+her. "Novice as I am, I found out long ago&mdash;did I not, Helen?&mdash;that you
+and Colonel Harrington, or Colonel Harrington and you&mdash;I really do not
+know how to express myself to spare your beautiful blushes, my dear
+friend,&mdash;but I am very, very glad of this&mdash;in every way it is so
+desirable. Poor dear little Fanny, whose hair is gently creeping down
+into ringlets again, will find a fitter home with you, Helen, than
+Cartwright Park can be for her."</p>
+
+<p>"How fast your fancy runs, Rosalind! How do we know that my mother's
+visit," (and Helen's bright blushes all forsook her as she spoke,)&mdash;"how
+do we know that it was not to forbid this marriage that she came, and
+not to permit it?"</p>
+
+<p>"Two months ago, had the same thing occurred, I should have thought so:
+now I cannot think it. However, Helen, this suspense cannot last long.
+Although Sir Gilbert forbad his servants to mention your mother's visit,
+for fear perhaps that it should reach the ears of her husband, you may
+depend upon it that he will inform you of it himself. But I must go,
+dearest!&mdash;I by no means wish this instance of positive rebellion to the
+commands of my guardian should be known. You must remember the command I
+long ago received not to carry on any correspondence with the family at
+Oakley; and this command has never been rescinded. So adieu, my dearest
+Helen!&mdash;I am quite persuaded now that nothing which you could write
+would reach me at the Park; but unless I am positively locked up, we may
+surely contrive to meet without my again performing this desperate feat
+of disobedience. Could you not wander in the fields sometimes?"</p>
+
+<p>"I have done so constantly, dear Rosalind; but ever and always in vain."</p>
+
+<p>"That has not been because you were forgotten; but I have seldom left
+poor Henrietta, and never long enough to have reached the fields. But
+now I certainly can manage this. I should like to bring poor Fanny with
+me: but this I will not do, for fear of drawing down the anger of Mr.
+Cartwright upon her&mdash;which she would not bear, I think, so well as
+I.&mdash;But ought I not, before I go, to ask for Lady Harrington?"</p>
+
+<p>"Oh yes!&mdash;I am sure she would be so very glad to see you!"</p>
+
+<p>A message was accordingly sent to my lady's closet, and the two girls
+requested to go to her there. Helen was not without hope that she would
+mention to her Mrs. Cartwright's visit; but she was disappointed: nor
+was there the slightest reason to believe from her manner that she was
+acquainted with it. She appeared exceedingly pleased at seeing Miss
+Torrington, and told her that whenever she could venture to repeat the
+visit without endangering the tranquillity of her present irksome home,
+they should all be delighted to see her.</p>
+
+<p>It was now, however, high time for her to depart; but while returning
+through the breakfast-room in her way to the hall-door, she met Sir
+Gilbert. The remembrance of her last interview with him, and its
+abortive result, brought sudden blushes to her cheeks. She remembered,
+too, that she had never offered any explanation to Sir Gilbert for so
+suddenly changing her mind; and altogether she felt so painfully
+embarrassed, that she hardly ventured to raise her eyes to his face. The
+voice in which he greeted her, however, soon chased every feeling of
+embarrassment, or any thing else that was not agreeable, for it spoke
+nothing but welcome and hilarity.</p>
+
+<p>"What!&mdash;The bright-eyed Rosalind? Come to look after the runaway?&mdash;But I
+hope you have not scolded her, Miss Torrington, for leaving you all in
+the lurch? Upon my honour, young lady, she was very right. Take my word
+for it, she never did a wiser thing in her life. But has she told you
+the scrape she has got into, Miss Torrington? Poor child!&mdash;no sooner ran
+away from a snake of a stepfather, than she has got noosed by a tiger
+of a father-in-law.&mdash;Ask my lady else. Has she told you all about it, my
+dear?"</p>
+
+<p>"Perhaps not quite all, Sir Gilbert;&mdash;but quite enough to make me very
+happy, and wish her joy, and you too, most heartily."</p>
+
+<p>"Thankye my dear;&mdash;I am very much obliged to you. I feel very much
+inclined to wish myself joy, I assure you, and my pretty daughter too.
+Kiss me, Helen! Bless you, my dear child, and Charles too! That's a fine
+fellow, Miss Torrington! And bless your pretty Fanny!&mdash;especially as her
+soul, you say, has found its way out of Limbo. It is a remarkably fine,
+pleasant day, Miss Torrington: such a day as this always puts one in
+spirits."</p>
+
+<p>Rosalind turned to give a farewell embrace to her friend, whispering in
+her ear as she did so, "At least there has been no refusal of consent,
+Helen!&mdash;Adieu!"</p>
+
+
+
+<hr style="width: 65%;" />
+<h2><a name="CHAPTER_XIVC" id="CHAPTER_XIVC"></a>CHAPTER XIV.</h2>
+
+<h3>IN WHICH SUNDRY VISITS ARE MADE.</h3>
+
+
+<p>Whatever kind or remorseful feelings had led Mrs. Cartwright to make
+this unexpected visit to Oakley, she seemed to consider this one visit
+enough&mdash;for it was never repeated: and however tenderly she might watch
+over the fate of Helen, it was evident that she could only venture to do
+so secretly; for Sir Gilbert never mentioned her visit to any one. But,
+knowing she had been there, Helen's heart was satisfied when Sir
+Gilbert, joining her hand and his son's together, said, "Make haste,
+children;&mdash;get your courting done without loss of time; or you may find
+yourselves married before it is finished, and so continue lovers after
+the knot is tied,&mdash;a thing never heard of in civilised society."</p>
+
+<p>"&mdash;But very likely, nevertheless, to happen to my Helen's husband, let
+her marry when she will," said Colonel Harrington.</p>
+
+<p>To her affianced husband Helen could have no secrets, and accordingly he
+had been made acquainted with all that she knew respecting her mother's
+most unexpected appearance at Oakley. He drew the same inference from
+his father's joyous manner after it that Rosalind had done; and when Sir
+Gilbert alluded to their marriage as an event which was speedily to take
+place, no doubt remained either on his mind, or on that of the happy
+Helen, that Mrs. Cartwright, having learned, from some source which her
+husband could not impede, the proposal that had been made her, she had
+proved her maternal feelings not extinct, though they had seemed
+obscured, and ventured to make this secret visit for the purpose of
+formally giving her consent, and thereby removing the only obstacle to
+their marriage.</p>
+
+<p>Instructions were accordingly immediately given by Sir Gilbert in
+person, for he declared that he must see the lawyer himself; and every
+thing relating to settlements was speedily put in train. The day after
+the baronet's return to Oakley, he sent to Miss Mowbray, requesting that
+she would meet him in the library; and having greeted her on her
+entrance with even more than usual affection, he said, "Do you think, my
+dear Helen, that you should have courage to make your mother a visit
+even in the lion's den? Do you think you could have courage to spend
+half an hour at the Park? I don't think it likely that Master Corbold
+has forgotten his horsewhipping as yet;&mdash;so I own I think you may
+venture."</p>
+
+<p>"I will go anywhere, or do any thing that you think I ought to do, Sir
+Gilbert; and to see my dear mother and poor Fanny once more would indeed
+be a pleasure to me. We have met Rosalind twice since you went to
+London, and she gives a very indifferent account of mamma's health."</p>
+
+<p>"Poor thing! you shall go immediately, my dear child; if you have no
+objection. I have ordered the carriage. William and I will go in it with
+you as far as the Lodge, and there we will wait your return. If you
+delay it above an hour, we shall drive up to the house to inquire what
+is become of you; but you may return to us as much sooner as you like."</p>
+
+<p>The carriage drove to the door as he spoke; but Helen kept it not
+waiting long, and on returning from her room to the hall found Colonel
+Harrington waiting to hand her into it. The two gentlemen stepped in
+after her, and in a moment she found herself on her road to
+<i>Cartwright</i> Park, accompanied by Sir Gilbert and Colonel Harrington.</p>
+
+<p>The strangeness of this came upon her so forcibly, that she exclaimed,
+almost unconsciously, "Is it possible!"</p>
+
+<p>"I don't wonder at your saying that, my dear," said Sir Gilbert: "It is
+very natural. But you see, Helen, that as your mother has testified no
+dislike to your approaching marriage, or taken any steps to oppose it, I
+feel that she may expect, perhaps,&mdash;in short, I think it is very right
+that you should call upon her; and to prove that, angry as I have been,
+I do not bear malice, you may give her this little note from me, Helen.
+But for your life, child, do not let that wretch her husband see her
+receive it. I believe, in my soul, he would be the death of her if he
+thought she could touch a bit of paper from me.&mdash;But the truth is,
+Helen, I think she has suffered enough,&mdash;and, in short my dear, I
+forgive her with all my heart: and I should like her to have this bit of
+a note from me, and to get a friendly word of answer in return, if I
+could. But for Heaven's sake be careful, child!"</p>
+
+<p>"Fear not, Sir Gilbert, that I should run any risk of bringing more
+misery upon her than, I fear, she has already. I will be very
+careful,&mdash;and most thankful am I to be the bearer of a word of kindness
+to her from you!"</p>
+
+<p>"Well, well, Helen, that's all right,&mdash;by-gones are by-gones. Here we
+are at the Lodge. Look at your watch, my dear; and remember, if you do
+not return in an hour, we shall come and fetch you. I fear nothing, for
+the fellow knows you are under the protection of the Oakley horsewhips;
+only it is as well to leave nothing to chance. If you cannot in any way
+escape the eyes of the villain, bring my note back again.&mdash;There, now,
+dear, get out. Good b'ye!"</p>
+
+<p>The colonel was already at the door to assist her, and whispered
+earnestly as he quitted her hand, "You will not stay the full hour,
+Helen, if&mdash;you love me."</p>
+
+<p>With a step as light as Camilla's, Helen traversed the Park, and, with a
+heart throbbing with many feelings, wound her way through sundry
+well-known twistings and turnings that brought her to the same door by
+which she had quitted the house on the memorable day of the Fancy Fair.
+From what Rosalind had told her, she thought that if she could find her
+way unannounced to her mother's dressing-room, it was probable she
+should find her alone, and thereby be enabled to perform her errand
+without danger. In the stable-yard she saw one of the vicar's
+regenerated stable-boys; but he did not appear to take much notice of
+her, and she succeeded in reaching her mother's dressing-room without
+interruption.</p>
+
+<p>She had calculated rightly. Mrs. Cartwright was sitting, or rather
+lying, alone in her dressing-room; for she was stretched upon a sofa,
+totally unemployed, and appearing so ill that Helen almost uttered a cry
+as she looked at her.</p>
+
+<p>At the sight of her daughter, Mrs. Cartwright started violently, and
+rising from her recumbent posture, threw her arms round her with even
+passionate fondness. But dear, inexpressibly dear as was this moment to
+Helen's heart, she did not forget her commission; and while her lips
+still rested on her mother's cheek, she drew Sir Gilbert's note from her
+pocket and placed it in her hand.</p>
+
+<p>"Read it quick, dearest mother! I know not what it contains; but Sir
+Gilbert charged me to let no one see you read it."</p>
+
+<p>Mrs. Cartwright seemed not to require any stimulant to caution, for
+reading it rapidly, she tore it into atoms, and then, removing some of
+the fuel from the grate, which though not lighted was prepared for fire,
+she carefully placed the fragments on the rest, and covered them up so
+that no speck remained visible. While thus employed, she said to Helen
+almost in a whisper, "Thank Sir Gilbert; tell him I am better,&mdash;at least
+well enough to take an airing."</p>
+
+<p>Helen had reason to rejoice that she had lost no time in executing her
+commission; for scarcely had her mother in all haste resumed her place
+upon the sofa, when Mr. Cartwright entered.</p>
+
+<p>By some means or other her arrival had certainly been announced to him,
+for his countenance and manner expressed agitation, but not surprise. He
+looked keenly first at his wife, and then at her; but they were prepared
+for it; and excepting that Mrs. Cartwright's pale cheek was slightly
+flushed, and Helen's brow contracted by an involuntary frown, they
+neither of them betrayed any symptom of agitation.</p>
+
+<p>The Vicar of Wrexhill uttered no word of salutation or of welcome to his
+unexpected guest; nor did Helen address him. He placed himself, without
+any pretext of occupation whatever, in a chair commanding a full view
+of his wife and her daughter, and folding his arms, fixed his eyes first
+on one and then on the other with the most undisguised determination of
+watching them both.</p>
+
+<p>The first words spoken were by Helen.</p>
+
+<p>"May I be permitted to see my sister Fanny?" said she.</p>
+
+<p>She addressed herself to her mother, but received her answer from Mr.
+Cartwright.</p>
+
+<p>"Most assuredly no!&mdash;You have stolen into my house by a back entrance,
+and by the same you may leave it; you are used to the mode, it will not
+puzzle you; and, if I may venture to give my opinion on the subject, the
+sooner you again make use of this appropriate mode of retreat the
+better."</p>
+
+<p>"I believe you are right, sir," replied Helen coldly; adding very
+judiciously, "The reception I have met with has not been such as to give
+me any inclination to repeat the visit. Good morning, ma'am,&mdash;Good
+morning, Mr. Cartwright."</p>
+
+<p>Mrs. Cartwright, inexpressibly relieved by this happy stroke of policy,
+stiffly bowed her head; and Helen retreated, very literally obeying the
+mandate of the imperious master of the mansion, and returning by the way
+she came, soon rejoiced her friends by her unhoped-for reappearance
+before half the allotted time had expired. Helen most accurately
+reported every word and look; which seemed not only to satisfy, but
+perfectly to enchant Sir Gilbert. He laughed, rubbed his hands, made her
+repeat every word again, and literally chuckled with delight as she
+dwelt upon the fortunate rapidity with which she had seized the only
+available moment to do his bidding.</p>
+
+<p>On the following morning, Sir Gilbert, when asked by his lady what he
+was going to do with himself, replied that he thought he should ride
+over to Wrexhill. He did so, and returned only in time to dress himself
+for dinner. The following day, and again the day after, the same
+question, answer, and result occurred; it being quietly remarked
+moreover by the rest of the party, that the particularly sweet temper
+which the worthy baronet had brought from London appeared day by day to
+be wearing away, and something of what his lady called his "tiger mood"
+taking its place.</p>
+
+<p>On the fourth morning, her ladyship's daily inquiry having received in
+very sullen accents the same reply. Colonel Harrington remarked upon it
+as soon as he was gone; adding, that he had a great inclination to go
+over to Wrexhill, in order to discover, if possible, how his honoured
+but mysterious father employed himself there.</p>
+
+<p>"I really shall be very much obliged to you, William, if you will find
+this out," said Lady Harrington. "It is the first time since we two
+became one that I have ever suspected him of having a secret; and the
+consequence is, that I am like to die of curiosity."</p>
+
+<p>"Thus encouraged, I shall be gone instantly. Take care of Helen, mother,
+till I come back." And with these words he departed, leaving the two
+ladies leisure and inclination to discuss at length the many singular
+caprices of which Sir Gilbert had been lately guilty.</p>
+
+<p>At about four o'clock Colonel Harrington returned; but his report tended
+rather to thicken than to elucidate the mystery. He had, without being
+remarked himself, seen his father walking up and down the town
+apparently in a state of the most perfect idleness; and then the
+Cartwright carriage drove by the shop in which he had fixed his
+look-out. Mr. and Mrs. Cartwright were both in it. It stopped at the
+next door, which was that of the haberdasher, and they entered the shop
+together. In about ten minutes Mr. Cartwright came out; and he heard him
+say to his lady, (as he supposed,) "Get your business done as quickly as
+you can: I shall be back in ten minutes." He then re-entered the
+carriage and drove off. The instant he was gone, Sir Gilbert came out of
+the post-office into which he had darted as the carriage passed, and
+entered the shop in which Mrs. Cartwright was left. The interview, if he
+had sought one with her, certainly did not last above five minutes; when
+he reappeared, followed by the master of the shop making innumerable
+bows. Sir Gilbert cut his obsequious civilities short by heartily
+shaking hands with him, and then departed.</p>
+
+<p>"Where he went next," continued the colonel, "I know not; but not
+choosing to meet him, and feeling somehow or other perfectly persuaded
+that he had seen Mrs. Cartwright, and that this interview, short as it
+was, had been what he waited for, I got my horse and galloped home as
+fast as I could."</p>
+
+<p>Scarcely had he finished his narrative, when Sir Gilbert arrived. He
+said not a word, however, to throw any light upon his own adventures;
+yet was he neither silent nor sad.</p>
+
+<hr style="width: 45%;" />
+
+<p>Several weeks elapsed after this without bringing to Helen any tidings
+of her mother. Her appearance and manner during their short interview
+had indicated so much languor and ill-health, that her anxiety
+respecting her became very acute, and daily did she haunt every spot
+where it was probable she should meet with Rosalind, but in vain&mdash;no
+Rosalind came, and nothing was left but to inquire through servants and
+tradespeople the news of the Park. Nothing however, obtained in this way
+afforded her satisfaction: for not only did every report so obtained
+tend to confirm the idea that Mrs. Cartwright was an invalid, but
+notwithstanding they were on many points uncertain and contradictory,
+they all agreed in representing the conduct of Mr. Cartwright as being
+strangely altered, and giving ground of fear to those who loved or
+pitied his unfortunate wife, that he would every day become a harsher
+and more jealous tyrant to her, for that of late he appeared fearful of
+leaving her for an hour alone.</p>
+
+<p>Happy therefore as Helen's individual prospects appeared to be, a heavy
+weight and sad foreboding hung upon her spirits. Her brother's letters
+too, though eloquent in affection, and in every expression of joy at her
+approaching marriage, spoke of himself in a tone of such hopeless
+despondency as dashed her happier destiny with bitterness. It was no
+slight augmentation of these sorrows that she felt herself in a great
+measure obliged to conceal them. To Colonel Harrington, indeed she
+ventured to confess that her anxious solicitude for those she loved
+tarnished her happiness: but this confidence brought with it more sorrow
+than comfort, for she perceived but too plainly that she had blighted
+his happiness while confessing the imperfection of her own.</p>
+
+<p>Lady Harrington, though all kindness and even tenderness to her, seemed
+almost cautiously to avoid every subject that led her to talk of her
+family: and as for Sir Gilbert, he appeared to be enjoying a state of
+spirits so enviable in their uniform cheerfulness, that to mention fear
+or sorrow to him would have been wanton cruelty.</p>
+
+<p>At length, from the butcher, or the baker, or some other of those
+indispensable functionaries who know all things concerning those who
+live, move, and have their being, by means of their ministering
+ambulations, and who fail not to make all they know to circulate as
+freely as they do themselves,&mdash;at length, from some such the news
+arrived at Oakley that Mrs. Cartwright had presented her husband with a
+son; and moreover, that the mother and child were as well as could be
+expected.</p>
+
+<p>To Helen this intelligence brought the most unfeigned joy. She believed
+that all her fears for her mother's health had been unfounded; and that,
+though it seemed certain that she must live banished from her recovered
+love, she might at least enjoy the comfort of believing that she was
+well and happy.</p>
+
+<p>On Sir Gilbert the intelligence produced a very different effect. As
+Helen regained her spirits, he lost his; and though he was still gentle
+and kind to her, he was upon the whole as cross, crusty, and
+disagreeable as it is easy to imagine.</p>
+
+<p>One morning, while Colonel Harrington and Helen were, sauntering in the
+avenue, he enjoying her improved cheerfulness, and she secretly blaming
+herself for having ever suffered him to pine for the want of it, they
+perceived a servant in the Cartwright livery galloping towards the
+house. The same idea, the same terror, though felt in a most unequal
+degree, struck them both. Helen turned deadly pale; and so persuaded did
+she feel that her mother was dead, that when they stopped the man and
+received from him a verbal notice that her mother was very ill and
+wished to see her, the words, though alarming enough in themselves,
+seemed to be a relief. They returned with all haste to the house to
+order the carriage for her; and while she was preparing for this sad and
+most unexpected expedition, the colonel questioned the servant, and
+learned from him that Mrs. Cartwright's infant having died in
+convulsions in her arms, she had fallen into a state considered by her
+attendants as extremely dangerous; that during the whole of the last
+night she had remained nearly insensible, but having recovered her
+intellects and speech, her entreaties to see Helen were so urgent that
+Mr. Cartwright (who, as the man said, never left her bedside for an
+instant,) consented that she should be sent for. Miss Fanny and Miss
+Torrington were also with her, he added, and young Mr. Mowbray had been
+written to; but he believed, from what the people about her said, that
+there was little chance of her surviving till he arrived.</p>
+
+<p>Having learned these particulars, the colonel sought his father, not
+only to communicate them, but to ask his opinion as to the propriety of
+his accompanying Helen on this sad visit.</p>
+
+<p>"I cannot bear," he added, "that she should go alone."</p>
+
+<p>"Of course, young sir, you cannot," replied Sir Gilbert, with a sudden,
+and, as his son thought, not very feeling return of cheerfulness, "I
+should as soon think of letting her walk thither on all-fours: but your
+lovership must excuse me if I declare that it is my intention to
+accompany the young lady myself. I am sorry for you, William;&mdash;but so it
+must be. There's the carriage;&mdash;go to my lady's closet, and let her hear
+the news."</p>
+
+<p>So saying, the baronet, without waiting to receive any answer, hastened
+to the door, and reached it just as Helen was stepping into the
+carriage. Without consulting her on the subject, he stepped in after
+her, and they drove away.</p>
+
+<p>It would be doing an injustice to the essentially kind feelings of Sir
+Gilbert not to avow that his manner expressed very tender sympathy with
+Helen's natural and heavy sorrow: but the minds of both were full, and
+few words passed between them during their drive.</p>
+
+<p>The lodge-gates were standing wide open, and they dashed through them
+without seeing any one of whom the trembling Helen could make inquiry;
+but once arrived at the house, all suspense was soon over: Mrs.
+Cartwright had breathed her last about ten minutes before they got
+there.</p>
+
+<p>Poor Helen's first burst of grief was terrible. The remembrance of her
+poor mother's last embrace, though it became the most soothing comfort
+to her during her after life, seemed at that moment only to soften her
+heart to greater suffering. Passive, and almost unconscious, she
+suffered Sir Gilbert to lift her out of the carriage and lay her on a
+sofa in the drawing-room: and there, her tears flowing fast, and her
+very soul, as it seemed, melting within her, she might probably have
+long given way to her absorbing grief, had not surprise acted on her
+faculties more powerfully than salts or hartshorn, and forced her to
+open her eyes and her ears to witness the scene that passed before her.</p>
+
+<p>Having seen her placed on a sofa with a female servant standing by her,
+Sir Gilbert turned his attention from Helen, and politely requested
+permission to wait on Mr. Cartwright.</p>
+
+<p>Many, many things of an ordinary nature might have passed around her
+without rousing Helen from her deep and most true sorrow; but this
+request, and still more the tone in which it was spoken, awakened all
+her attention to what followed.</p>
+
+<p>The servant to whom Sir Gilbert addressed himself executed his
+commission promptly and effectually; for almost immediately after
+closing the drawing-room door, he threw it open again, and his master
+entered.</p>
+
+<p>Mr. Cartwright walked into the room with a proud and lofty aspect, and a
+something both of sternness and of triumph on his brow, which Helen
+thought Sir Gilbert would not easily endure; but, to her extreme
+surprise, the baronet accosted him with a degree of almost servile
+civility, bowing low, and uttering a few words of respectful condolence
+with as much deference and ceremony as if addressing a sovereign prince
+on the loss of his consort.</p>
+
+<p>Mr. Cartwright replied with equal decorum; but the glance of pride and
+triumph, not quite unmixed with something that gleamed like malice too,
+shot from his eye, and Helen shuddered as she looked at him.</p>
+
+<p>"I presume that you are aware, Mr. Cartwright," said Sir Gilbert with
+imperturbable suavity, "that your late lady's eldest daughter, Miss
+Mowbray, is about to contract a marriage with my son. Her remaining
+therefore a member of my family will certainly be very agreeable to us
+all; but at this painful moment, it would doubtless be a consolation to
+the sisters, as well as to their friend, Miss Torrington, could they be
+together. Will you therefore permit me, sir, to convey the three young
+ladies to my house together, there to await the opening of the late Mrs.
+Cartwright's will?"</p>
+
+<p>"For this young lady, sir," replied the Vicar of Wrexhill, pointing to
+Helen, "as she has chosen to exchange the protection of her own mother
+for that of your son, I have nothing to say,&mdash;excepting, perhaps, that
+the sooner she leaves my house, the better satisfied I shall feel
+myself. But for Miss Torrington and Miss Fanny Mowbray, I must think
+further of it before I resign them to any one."</p>
+
+<p>"Well, sir," replied Sir Gilbert with, if possible, still-increasing
+urbanity, "we must in this and all things submit ourselves wholly to
+your will and pleasure. But may I, in testimony of my respect to the
+memory of a lady towards whom perhaps I have behaved with some
+harshness,&mdash;may I hope, Mr. Cartwright, that you will permit me to
+attend her funeral?"</p>
+
+<p>"Of this too I must think further," replied Mr. Cartwright with much
+haughtiness.</p>
+
+<p>"And her son?" rejoined the humbled baronet;&mdash;"I trust he will be
+present at the last sad ceremony?"</p>
+
+<p>"It is probable I may permit him to be so," replied the vicar, drawing
+himself up into an attitude that might really have been called majestic.
+"But permit me to observe, Sir Gilbert Harrington,&mdash;such is, I think,
+your name,&mdash;that I require not in the arrangement of my affairs counsel
+or advice from any man,&mdash;and least of all&mdash;from you."</p>
+
+<p>So saying, he turned on his heel and stalked out of the room.</p>
+
+<p>"Come, my poor Helen!" said the repulsed baronet with great gentleness,
+and not in the least, as it seemed, resenting the insolence with which
+he had been treated,&mdash;"Come&mdash;I would have wished to have taken your poor
+little sister and and your friend Rosalind home with us. But Heaven's
+will&mdash;and the vicar's&mdash;must be done."</p>
+
+
+
+<hr style="width: 65%;" />
+<h2><a name="CHAPTER_XVC" id="CHAPTER_XVC"></a>CHAPTER XV.</h2>
+
+<h3>MRS. CARTWRIGHT'S LAST WILL AND TESTAMENT.</h3>
+
+
+<p>It was probably the love of seeing an enemy mortified,&mdash;which, it may be
+feared, is too common to all men,&mdash;which induced the Vicar of Wrexhill,
+notwithstanding the deep aversion he felt for Sir Gilbert Harrington, to
+suffer him not only to be invited to attend Mrs. Cartwright's funeral,
+but also to be present at the opening of her will.</p>
+
+<p>To both invitations the baronet returned a gracious acceptance, and
+accordingly once more found himself at the Park on the day that its
+gates were again to open to the funeral array of its owner.</p>
+
+<p>Charles Mowbray, as Sir Gilbert's carriage drew up, stood ready on the
+steps of the mansion to receive him; and tears moistened the eyes of
+both as they silently shook hands and entered the drawing-room, where
+the funeral guests were assembled.</p>
+
+<p>The room was full. Not only all such saintly scions of the new birth as
+their esprit de corps always brought together were present there, but as
+many of the neighbouring gentry as he could collect were now assembled
+to witness the proud fanatic's crowning triumph. One circumstance only
+tended to damp the happiness of this full success, this great conclusion
+to all his hopes and wishes,&mdash;his son was not present at it: and indeed
+so great had been the licence granted him, that he was at this time
+wandering, his proud father knew not where.</p>
+
+<p>Nothing however, notwithstanding his deep-felt happiness, could be
+better got up than Mr. Cartwright's sorrow as he watched his wife laid
+in the tomb: never was white cambric used with better grace. Poor
+Charles the while sheltered himself behind the stalwart figure of Sir
+Gilbert, and wept unseen.</p>
+
+<p>Nearly the whole of the company who attended the funeral were invited to
+be present at the ceremony of opening of the will, which it was the
+pleasure of the bereaved widower should follow immediately after it.</p>
+
+<p>Again the large drawing-room was surrounded by a circle of sable guests;
+not one of whom but felt more than usual curiosity at the opening a will
+upon which hung so large a property, and concerning which there were
+such conflicting interests.</p>
+
+<p>Sir Gilbert considerately led his friend Charles into a corner where he
+was not conspicuous, and placed himself beside him; both of them being
+in good part concealed by the tall and portly person of a gentleman whom
+young Mowbray had never seen before, and whom indeed several persons,
+not too much interested in the scene to note what passed, had observed
+to enter with the funeral train after its return from the church,
+although he had not been present at the interment.</p>
+
+<p>It is probable, however, that the master of the house himself was not
+aware of this; for he took no notice of him, and was in fact too fully
+occupied by the business afoot to know more or to think more of those
+around him than that they were there to witness the proudest and
+happiest moment of his life.</p>
+
+<p>All the company being seated, and mute attentive silence hovering over
+all, Mr. Corbold, after bowing to two or three distinguished personages,
+whose seats were placed near the table at which he had stationed himself
+as if to assure their attentive witnessing of the act he was about to
+perform, broke open the seals of the parchment he held in his hand, and
+having spread it fairly open upon the table, read its contents aloud
+with a clear voice.</p>
+
+<p>Never man had a more attentive auditory; no sound or movement
+interrupted the lecture; and when it was concluded, a murmur only, of
+rather shame-faced congratulation from the particular friends of Mr.
+Cartwright, broke the continued silence.</p>
+
+<p>Something, meanwhile, very like a groan burst from the breast of the
+unhappy Mowbray; but Sir Gilbert Harrington hemmed so stoutly at the
+same moment, that no one heard it.</p>
+
+<p>The company had already risen from their seats, and some were crowding
+round the meek and tranquil-looking vicar,&mdash;nay, one active carrier of
+evil tidings had slipped out of the room to inform Miss Torrington and
+Fanny of the nature of the departed lady's testament,&mdash;when the tall
+gentleman who sat before the disinherited son arose, and with great
+politeness requested the attention of the company for one moment before
+they separated, for the purpose of hearing a document which he should be
+happy to have the pleasure of reading to them, and which, if not of so
+extraordinary a nature as the one they had just listened to, and
+therefore less likely to excite general attention, was at least of later
+date.</p>
+
+<p>Every one appeared to listen to this address with interest, and nearly
+the whole company immediately reseated themselves. Some keen-eyed
+persons fancied they perceived the Vicar of Wrexhill change colour; but
+they were probably mistaken; for when Mr. Corbold whispered to him, "In
+the name of Heaven, what does this mean, cousin!&mdash;You never left her,
+did you?" he replied, also in a whisper, but in a steady voice, "Never
+for time enough to draw a codicil,&mdash;it is impossible!" And having so
+spoken, he too reseated himself in the attitude of a listener.</p>
+
+<p>The tall gentleman then drew forth from his pocket another parchment,
+purporting to be the last will of the same lady, containing even more
+skins that the first; and running over with technical volubility a
+preamble, only important as describing the testator's state of mind, he
+proceeded to the more essential portion of the document, and then read
+slowly and loudly, so that all men might hear, the bequest of all she
+died possessed of to her beloved son Charles Mowbray; the only
+deductions being legacies of fifty thousand pounds to each of her
+younger children, and her jewels to her daughter Helen, provided that
+within one year from the date of the will she should marry, or have
+married, Colonel William Harrington, of his Majesty's &mdash;&mdash; Dragoons.</p>
+
+<p>The name of Cartwright appeared not in any shape; probably because the
+provision for her younger children would have included the infant yet
+unborn when this will was made, had it survived her.</p>
+
+<p>This document was as fully and satisfactorily signed, sealed, witnessed,
+and delivered, as the former one; the only difference being that it was
+dated some months later.</p>
+
+<p>The pen that has traced these events is too feeble to portray the state
+into which this change of scenery and decorations threw the Vicar of
+Wrexhill. It would have been a great mercy for him if he had altogether
+lost his senses; but no symptom of this sort appeared, beyond a short
+paroxysm, during which he called upon Heaven to witness his promise of
+going to law with Mr. Mowbray for the purpose of setting aside his
+mother's will.</p>
+
+<p>After the first buzz produced by this second lecture had subsided, Sir
+Gilbert Harrington arose and addressed the company with equal good taste
+and good feeling. A few minutes' conversation with his young friend Mr.
+Mowbray, he said, authorized him to assure the Vicar of Wrexhill that
+whatever private property he could lay claim to (a wag here whispered,
+"Sermons, surplices, and the like") should be packed up and sent to the
+Vicarage, or any other place he would name, with the utmost attention
+and care. He added very succinctly, and without a single syllable
+unnecessarily irritating, that circumstances connected with the
+situation of the ladies of the family rendered it necessary that the
+reverend gentleman should not continue in the house; a necessity which,
+it might be hoped, would be the less inconvenient from the circumstance
+of his former residence being so near.</p>
+
+<p>While his old friend was uttering this extremely judicious harangue,
+Charles escaped by a side door from the room, and bounding up the stairs
+to Rosalind's dressing-room, where (though as yet he had hardly spoken
+to her) he pretty well knew she was sitting with his sister Fanny, he
+burst open the door, rushed in, and fell on his knees before her,
+clasping her most daringly in his arms, and almost devouring her hands
+with kisses.</p>
+
+<p>Fanny stood perfectly aghast at this scene. During the few days that
+Charles had been at home she had truly grieved to see the decided
+coldness and estrangement that was between Rosalind and him; and what
+could have produced this sudden change she was totally unable to guess.</p>
+
+<p>Not one of the family party had entertained the slightest doubt that the
+will, which Mr. Cartwright had more than once alluded to, was such as to
+render his late wife's children wholly dependent upon him; and this
+painful expectation had been already fully confirmed: but even if it had
+proved otherwise, Fanny knew no reason why this should so change the
+conduct of Charles towards Miss Torrington.</p>
+
+<p>Not so, however, the young lady herself. The vehement caresses of
+Mowbray explained the whole matter to her as fully and as clearly as the
+will itself could have done; and if she did bend forward her head till
+her dark tresses almost covered his&mdash;and if under that thick veil she
+impressed a wild and rapid kiss of joy upon his forehead, most people
+would forgive her if they knew how well she had all the while guessed at
+his misery, and how often her young heart had ached to think of it.</p>
+
+<p>This impropriety, however, such as it was, was really the only one
+committed on the occasion. Sir Gilbert was an excellent man of business,
+as was likewise the tall gentleman his attorney; so seals were put upon
+all plate-chests, jewel-cases, and the like, except such as were proved
+satisfactorily by Mr. Stephen Corbold to have been purchased since the
+marriage of the widow Mowbray and Mr. Cartwright. All such were given
+over to the packing-cases of the serious attorney and the serious
+butler, and at half-past nine p.m. the Vicar of Wrexhill stepped into
+his recently-purchased (but not paid-for) travelling carriage, and
+turned his back on the Park&mdash;once more <i>Mowbray Park</i>&mdash;for ever.</p>
+
+<hr style="width: 45%;" />
+
+<p>But little remains to be said that may not easily be guessed at by the
+accomplished novel-reader:&mdash;and for such, of course, these pages are
+prepared.</p>
+
+<p>Little Mary Richards speedily became Lady Hilton; and Fanny Mowbray,
+during a visit of some months at her Scotch castle, learned to think of
+her religious sufferings with sufficient composure to enable her once
+more to look forward as well as around her, with hope and enjoyment. And
+who is there that can doubt that the lovely Fanny Mowbray, with
+recovered senses and fifty thousand pounds, even though she did for ever
+abandon her poetic pursuits, met, at no very advanced age, with a
+husband worthy of her?</p>
+
+<p>The two tall Misses Richards ceased to be serious as soon as it became
+decidedly <i>mauvais ton</i> at Wrexhill to be so: and in process of time
+they too married; leaving their charming little mother leisure to
+cultivate the friendship of Rosalind, who retained her partiality for
+her, and enjoyed her friendship and society for many happy years.</p>
+
+<p>Need it be said that Rosalind and Helen were married on the same
+day?&mdash;So it was, however; and Mr. Edward Wallace performed the ceremony,
+the Vicar of Wrexhill being indisposed. Indeed the air of the Vicarage
+evidently disagreed with him; but, by the influence of some of the most
+distinguished of his party, both in religion and politics, he soon
+obtained an exchange with a gentleman who held preferment in the Fens.
+He did not, however, obtain a mitre, though a great many serious people
+declared that he deserved it: a disappointment which was perhaps the
+more cutting from the circumstance of Mr. Jacob's having joined a troop
+of strolling players; and as he was not sufficiently successful amongst
+them to add any glory thereby to the family name, the loss of episcopal
+honours was the more severely felt.</p>
+
+<p>Every thing else, I think, went just as it ought to do. Poor Miss Mimima
+was sent off to her mamma, who never again ventured to show her face at
+Wrexhill; probably fearing that she might cease to be considered as the
+principal person of the village.</p>
+
+<p>Mr. Mowbray speedily re-established Mr. Marsh in his school; the old
+lawyer and apothecary returned; the newly-hired serious servants
+retreated before the returning honest ones&mdash;and, in short, a whole
+flight of fanaticals followed their incomparable vicar, till the pretty
+village of Wrexhill once more became happy and gay, and the memory of
+their serious epidemic rendered its inhabitants the most orderly,
+peaceable, and orthodox population in the whole country.</p>
+
+
+<h3>THE END.</h3>
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+<pre>
+
+
+
+
+
+End of Project Gutenberg's The Vicar of Wrexhill, by Mrs [Frances] Trollope
+
+*** END OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK THE VICAR OF WREXHILL ***
+
+***** This file should be named 36686-h.htm or 36686-h.zip *****
+This and all associated files of various formats will be found in:
+        http://www.gutenberg.org/3/6/6/8/36686/
+
+Produced by Delphine Lettau, Mary Meehan and the Online
+Distributed Proofreading Team at http://www.pgdp.net (This
+file was produced from images generously made available
+by The Internet Archive/Canadian Libraries)
+
+
+Updated editions will replace the previous one--the old editions
+will be renamed.
+
+Creating the works from public domain print editions means that no
+one owns a United States copyright in these works, so the Foundation
+(and you!) can copy and distribute it in the United States without
+permission and without paying copyright royalties.  Special rules,
+set forth in the General Terms of Use part of this license, apply to
+copying and distributing Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works to
+protect the PROJECT GUTENBERG-tm concept and trademark.  Project
+Gutenberg is a registered trademark, and may not be used if you
+charge for the eBooks, unless you receive specific permission.  If you
+do not charge anything for copies of this eBook, complying with the
+rules is very easy.  You may use this eBook for nearly any purpose
+such as creation of derivative works, reports, performances and
+research.  They may be modified and printed and given away--you may do
+practically ANYTHING with public domain eBooks.  Redistribution is
+subject to the trademark license, especially commercial
+redistribution.
+
+
+
+*** START: FULL LICENSE ***
+
+THE FULL PROJECT GUTENBERG LICENSE
+PLEASE READ THIS BEFORE YOU DISTRIBUTE OR USE THIS WORK
+
+To protect the Project Gutenberg-tm mission of promoting the free
+distribution of electronic works, by using or distributing this work
+(or any other work associated in any way with the phrase "Project
+Gutenberg"), you agree to comply with all the terms of the Full Project
+Gutenberg-tm License (available with this file or online at
+http://gutenberg.org/license).
+
+
+Section 1.  General Terms of Use and Redistributing Project Gutenberg-tm
+electronic works
+
+1.A.  By reading or using any part of this Project Gutenberg-tm
+electronic work, you indicate that you have read, understand, agree to
+and accept all the terms of this license and intellectual property
+(trademark/copyright) agreement.  If you do not agree to abide by all
+the terms of this agreement, you must cease using and return or destroy
+all copies of Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works in your possession.
+If you paid a fee for obtaining a copy of or access to a Project
+Gutenberg-tm electronic work and you do not agree to be bound by the
+terms of this agreement, you may obtain a refund from the person or
+entity to whom you paid the fee as set forth in paragraph 1.E.8.
+
+1.B.  "Project Gutenberg" is a registered trademark.  It may only be
+used on or associated in any way with an electronic work by people who
+agree to be bound by the terms of this agreement.  There are a few
+things that you can do with most Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works
+even without complying with the full terms of this agreement.  See
+paragraph 1.C below.  There are a lot of things you can do with Project
+Gutenberg-tm electronic works if you follow the terms of this agreement
+and help preserve free future access to Project Gutenberg-tm electronic
+works.  See paragraph 1.E below.
+
+1.C.  The Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation ("the Foundation"
+or PGLAF), owns a compilation copyright in the collection of Project
+Gutenberg-tm electronic works.  Nearly all the individual works in the
+collection are in the public domain in the United States.  If an
+individual work is in the public domain in the United States and you are
+located in the United States, we do not claim a right to prevent you from
+copying, distributing, performing, displaying or creating derivative
+works based on the work as long as all references to Project Gutenberg
+are removed.  Of course, we hope that you will support the Project
+Gutenberg-tm mission of promoting free access to electronic works by
+freely sharing Project Gutenberg-tm works in compliance with the terms of
+this agreement for keeping the Project Gutenberg-tm name associated with
+the work.  You can easily comply with the terms of this agreement by
+keeping this work in the same format with its attached full Project
+Gutenberg-tm License when you share it without charge with others.
+
+1.D.  The copyright laws of the place where you are located also govern
+what you can do with this work.  Copyright laws in most countries are in
+a constant state of change.  If you are outside the United States, check
+the laws of your country in addition to the terms of this agreement
+before downloading, copying, displaying, performing, distributing or
+creating derivative works based on this work or any other Project
+Gutenberg-tm work.  The Foundation makes no representations concerning
+the copyright status of any work in any country outside the United
+States.
+
+1.E.  Unless you have removed all references to Project Gutenberg:
+
+1.E.1.  The following sentence, with active links to, or other immediate
+access to, the full Project Gutenberg-tm License must appear prominently
+whenever any copy of a Project Gutenberg-tm work (any work on which the
+phrase "Project Gutenberg" appears, or with which the phrase "Project
+Gutenberg" is associated) is accessed, displayed, performed, viewed,
+copied or distributed:
+
+This eBook is for the use of anyone anywhere at no cost and with
+almost no restrictions whatsoever.  You may copy it, give it away or
+re-use it under the terms of the Project Gutenberg License included
+with this eBook or online at www.gutenberg.org
+
+1.E.2.  If an individual Project Gutenberg-tm electronic work is derived
+from the public domain (does not contain a notice indicating that it is
+posted with permission of the copyright holder), the work can be copied
+and distributed to anyone in the United States without paying any fees
+or charges.  If you are redistributing or providing access to a work
+with the phrase "Project Gutenberg" associated with or appearing on the
+work, you must comply either with the requirements of paragraphs 1.E.1
+through 1.E.7 or obtain permission for the use of the work and the
+Project Gutenberg-tm trademark as set forth in paragraphs 1.E.8 or
+1.E.9.
+
+1.E.3.  If an individual Project Gutenberg-tm electronic work is posted
+with the permission of the copyright holder, your use and distribution
+must comply with both paragraphs 1.E.1 through 1.E.7 and any additional
+terms imposed by the copyright holder.  Additional terms will be linked
+to the Project Gutenberg-tm License for all works posted with the
+permission of the copyright holder found at the beginning of this work.
+
+1.E.4.  Do not unlink or detach or remove the full Project Gutenberg-tm
+License terms from this work, or any files containing a part of this
+work or any other work associated with Project Gutenberg-tm.
+
+1.E.5.  Do not copy, display, perform, distribute or redistribute this
+electronic work, or any part of this electronic work, without
+prominently displaying the sentence set forth in paragraph 1.E.1 with
+active links or immediate access to the full terms of the Project
+Gutenberg-tm License.
+
+1.E.6.  You may convert to and distribute this work in any binary,
+compressed, marked up, nonproprietary or proprietary form, including any
+word processing or hypertext form.  However, if you provide access to or
+distribute copies of a Project Gutenberg-tm work in a format other than
+"Plain Vanilla ASCII" or other format used in the official version
+posted on the official Project Gutenberg-tm web site (www.gutenberg.org),
+you must, at no additional cost, fee or expense to the user, provide a
+copy, a means of exporting a copy, or a means of obtaining a copy upon
+request, of the work in its original "Plain Vanilla ASCII" or other
+form.  Any alternate format must include the full Project Gutenberg-tm
+License as specified in paragraph 1.E.1.
+
+1.E.7.  Do not charge a fee for access to, viewing, displaying,
+performing, copying or distributing any Project Gutenberg-tm works
+unless you comply with paragraph 1.E.8 or 1.E.9.
+
+1.E.8.  You may charge a reasonable fee for copies of or providing
+access to or distributing Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works provided
+that
+
+- You pay a royalty fee of 20% of the gross profits you derive from
+     the use of Project Gutenberg-tm works calculated using the method
+     you already use to calculate your applicable taxes.  The fee is
+     owed to the owner of the Project Gutenberg-tm trademark, but he
+     has agreed to donate royalties under this paragraph to the
+     Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation.  Royalty payments
+     must be paid within 60 days following each date on which you
+     prepare (or are legally required to prepare) your periodic tax
+     returns.  Royalty payments should be clearly marked as such and
+     sent to the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation at the
+     address specified in Section 4, "Information about donations to
+     the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation."
+
+- You provide a full refund of any money paid by a user who notifies
+     you in writing (or by e-mail) within 30 days of receipt that s/he
+     does not agree to the terms of the full Project Gutenberg-tm
+     License.  You must require such a user to return or
+     destroy all copies of the works possessed in a physical medium
+     and discontinue all use of and all access to other copies of
+     Project Gutenberg-tm works.
+
+- You provide, in accordance with paragraph 1.F.3, a full refund of any
+     money paid for a work or a replacement copy, if a defect in the
+     electronic work is discovered and reported to you within 90 days
+     of receipt of the work.
+
+- You comply with all other terms of this agreement for free
+     distribution of Project Gutenberg-tm works.
+
+1.E.9.  If you wish to charge a fee or distribute a Project Gutenberg-tm
+electronic work or group of works on different terms than are set
+forth in this agreement, you must obtain permission in writing from
+both the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation and Michael
+Hart, the owner of the Project Gutenberg-tm trademark.  Contact the
+Foundation as set forth in Section 3 below.
+
+1.F.
+
+1.F.1.  Project Gutenberg volunteers and employees expend considerable
+effort to identify, do copyright research on, transcribe and proofread
+public domain works in creating the Project Gutenberg-tm
+collection.  Despite these efforts, Project Gutenberg-tm electronic
+works, and the medium on which they may be stored, may contain
+"Defects," such as, but not limited to, incomplete, inaccurate or
+corrupt data, transcription errors, a copyright or other intellectual
+property infringement, a defective or damaged disk or other medium, a
+computer virus, or computer codes that damage or cannot be read by
+your equipment.
+
+1.F.2.  LIMITED WARRANTY, DISCLAIMER OF DAMAGES - Except for the "Right
+of Replacement or Refund" described in paragraph 1.F.3, the Project
+Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation, the owner of the Project
+Gutenberg-tm trademark, and any other party distributing a Project
+Gutenberg-tm electronic work under this agreement, disclaim all
+liability to you for damages, costs and expenses, including legal
+fees.  YOU AGREE THAT YOU HAVE NO REMEDIES FOR NEGLIGENCE, STRICT
+LIABILITY, BREACH OF WARRANTY OR BREACH OF CONTRACT EXCEPT THOSE
+PROVIDED IN PARAGRAPH 1.F.3. YOU AGREE THAT THE FOUNDATION, THE
+TRADEMARK OWNER, AND ANY DISTRIBUTOR UNDER THIS AGREEMENT WILL NOT BE
+LIABLE TO YOU FOR ACTUAL, DIRECT, INDIRECT, CONSEQUENTIAL, PUNITIVE OR
+INCIDENTAL DAMAGES EVEN IF YOU GIVE NOTICE OF THE POSSIBILITY OF SUCH
+DAMAGE.
+
+1.F.3.  LIMITED RIGHT OF REPLACEMENT OR REFUND - If you discover a
+defect in this electronic work within 90 days of receiving it, you can
+receive a refund of the money (if any) you paid for it by sending a
+written explanation to the person you received the work from.  If you
+received the work on a physical medium, you must return the medium with
+your written explanation.  The person or entity that provided you with
+the defective work may elect to provide a replacement copy in lieu of a
+refund.  If you received the work electronically, the person or entity
+providing it to you may choose to give you a second opportunity to
+receive the work electronically in lieu of a refund.  If the second copy
+is also defective, you may demand a refund in writing without further
+opportunities to fix the problem.
+
+1.F.4.  Except for the limited right of replacement or refund set forth
+in paragraph 1.F.3, this work is provided to you 'AS-IS' WITH NO OTHER
+WARRANTIES OF ANY KIND, EXPRESS OR IMPLIED, INCLUDING BUT NOT LIMITED TO
+WARRANTIES OF MERCHANTIBILITY OR FITNESS FOR ANY PURPOSE.
+
+1.F.5.  Some states do not allow disclaimers of certain implied
+warranties or the exclusion or limitation of certain types of damages.
+If any disclaimer or limitation set forth in this agreement violates the
+law of the state applicable to this agreement, the agreement shall be
+interpreted to make the maximum disclaimer or limitation permitted by
+the applicable state law.  The invalidity or unenforceability of any
+provision of this agreement shall not void the remaining provisions.
+
+1.F.6.  INDEMNITY - You agree to indemnify and hold the Foundation, the
+trademark owner, any agent or employee of the Foundation, anyone
+providing copies of Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works in accordance
+with this agreement, and any volunteers associated with the production,
+promotion and distribution of Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works,
+harmless from all liability, costs and expenses, including legal fees,
+that arise directly or indirectly from any of the following which you do
+or cause to occur: (a) distribution of this or any Project Gutenberg-tm
+work, (b) alteration, modification, or additions or deletions to any
+Project Gutenberg-tm work, and (c) any Defect you cause.
+
+
+Section  2.  Information about the Mission of Project Gutenberg-tm
+
+Project Gutenberg-tm is synonymous with the free distribution of
+electronic works in formats readable by the widest variety of computers
+including obsolete, old, middle-aged and new computers.  It exists
+because of the efforts of hundreds of volunteers and donations from
+people in all walks of life.
+
+Volunteers and financial support to provide volunteers with the
+assistance they need, are critical to reaching Project Gutenberg-tm's
+goals and ensuring that the Project Gutenberg-tm collection will
+remain freely available for generations to come.  In 2001, the Project
+Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation was created to provide a secure
+and permanent future for Project Gutenberg-tm and future generations.
+To learn more about the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation
+and how your efforts and donations can help, see Sections 3 and 4
+and the Foundation web page at http://www.pglaf.org.
+
+
+Section 3.  Information about the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive
+Foundation
+
+The Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation is a non profit
+501(c)(3) educational corporation organized under the laws of the
+state of Mississippi and granted tax exempt status by the Internal
+Revenue Service.  The Foundation's EIN or federal tax identification
+number is 64-6221541.  Its 501(c)(3) letter is posted at
+http://pglaf.org/fundraising.  Contributions to the Project Gutenberg
+Literary Archive Foundation are tax deductible to the full extent
+permitted by U.S. federal laws and your state's laws.
+
+The Foundation's principal office is located at 4557 Melan Dr. S.
+Fairbanks, AK, 99712., but its volunteers and employees are scattered
+throughout numerous locations.  Its business office is located at
+809 North 1500 West, Salt Lake City, UT 84116, (801) 596-1887, email
+business@pglaf.org.  Email contact links and up to date contact
+information can be found at the Foundation's web site and official
+page at http://pglaf.org
+
+For additional contact information:
+     Dr. Gregory B. Newby
+     Chief Executive and Director
+     gbnewby@pglaf.org
+
+
+Section 4.  Information about Donations to the Project Gutenberg
+Literary Archive Foundation
+
+Project Gutenberg-tm depends upon and cannot survive without wide
+spread public support and donations to carry out its mission of
+increasing the number of public domain and licensed works that can be
+freely distributed in machine readable form accessible by the widest
+array of equipment including outdated equipment.  Many small donations
+($1 to $5,000) are particularly important to maintaining tax exempt
+status with the IRS.
+
+The Foundation is committed to complying with the laws regulating
+charities and charitable donations in all 50 states of the United
+States.  Compliance requirements are not uniform and it takes a
+considerable effort, much paperwork and many fees to meet and keep up
+with these requirements.  We do not solicit donations in locations
+where we have not received written confirmation of compliance.  To
+SEND DONATIONS or determine the status of compliance for any
+particular state visit http://pglaf.org
+
+While we cannot and do not solicit contributions from states where we
+have not met the solicitation requirements, we know of no prohibition
+against accepting unsolicited donations from donors in such states who
+approach us with offers to donate.
+
+International donations are gratefully accepted, but we cannot make
+any statements concerning tax treatment of donations received from
+outside the United States.  U.S. laws alone swamp our small staff.
+
+Please check the Project Gutenberg Web pages for current donation
+methods and addresses.  Donations are accepted in a number of other
+ways including checks, online payments and credit card donations.
+To donate, please visit: http://pglaf.org/donate
+
+
+Section 5.  General Information About Project Gutenberg-tm electronic
+works.
+
+Professor Michael S. Hart is the originator of the Project Gutenberg-tm
+concept of a library of electronic works that could be freely shared
+with anyone.  For thirty years, he produced and distributed Project
+Gutenberg-tm eBooks with only a loose network of volunteer support.
+
+
+Project Gutenberg-tm eBooks are often created from several printed
+editions, all of which are confirmed as Public Domain in the U.S.
+unless a copyright notice is included.  Thus, we do not necessarily
+keep eBooks in compliance with any particular paper edition.
+
+
+Most people start at our Web site which has the main PG search facility:
+
+     http://www.gutenberg.org
+
+This Web site includes information about Project Gutenberg-tm,
+including how to make donations to the Project Gutenberg Literary
+Archive Foundation, how to help produce our new eBooks, and how to
+subscribe to our email newsletter to hear about new eBooks.
+
+
+</pre>
+
+</body>
+</html>
diff --git a/36686-h/images/illus1.jpg b/36686-h/images/illus1.jpg
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..3dbe5df
--- /dev/null
+++ b/36686-h/images/illus1.jpg
diff --git a/36686-h/images/illus2.jpg b/36686-h/images/illus2.jpg
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..68d3b8e
--- /dev/null
+++ b/36686-h/images/illus2.jpg
diff --git a/36686-h/images/tp.jpg b/36686-h/images/tp.jpg
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..f140bb5
--- /dev/null
+++ b/36686-h/images/tp.jpg
diff --git a/36686.txt b/36686.txt
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..73e5ef0
--- /dev/null
+++ b/36686.txt
@@ -0,0 +1,18884 @@
+Project Gutenberg's The Vicar of Wrexhill, by Mrs [Frances] Trollope
+
+This eBook is for the use of anyone anywhere at no cost and with
+almost no restrictions whatsoever.  You may copy it, give it away or
+re-use it under the terms of the Project Gutenberg License included
+with this eBook or online at www.gutenberg.org
+
+
+Title: The Vicar of Wrexhill
+
+Author: Mrs [Frances] Trollope
+
+Release Date: July 11, 2011 [EBook #36686]
+
+Language: English
+
+Character set encoding: ASCII
+
+*** START OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK THE VICAR OF WREXHILL ***
+
+
+
+
+Produced by Delphine Lettau, Mary Meehan and the Online
+Distributed Proofreading Team at http://www.pgdp.net (This
+file was produced from images generously made available
+by The Internet Archive/Canadian Libraries)
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+                           STANDARD NOVELS.
+
+                             No. LXXVIII.
+
+"No kind of literature is so generally attractive as Fiction. Pictures
+of life and manners, and Stories of adventure, are more eagerly received
+by the many than graver productions, however important these latter may
+be. APULEIUS is better remembered by his fable of Cupid and Psyche than
+by his abstruser Platonic writings; and the Decameron of BOCCACCIO has
+outlived the Latin Treatises, and other learned works of that author."
+
+
+                       THE VICAR OF WREXHILL.
+
+                       COMPLETE IN ONE VOLUME.
+
+                         BY FRANCES TROLLOPE
+
+AUTHOR OF "JONATHAN JEFFERSON WHITLAW," "DOMESTIC MANNERS OF THE
+AMERICANS," "ONE FAULT," ETC.
+
+
+    Les bons et vrais devots qu'on doit suivre a la trace
+    Ne sont pas ceux aussi qui font taut de grimace.
+    He, quoi!... vous ne ferez nulle distinction
+    Entre l'hypocrisie et la devotion?
+    Vous les voulez traiter d'un semblable langage,
+    Et rendre meme honneur au masque qu'au visage?
+
+                                MOLIERE.
+
+
+    NEW EDITION, REVISED.
+
+    LONDON:
+    RICHARD BENTLEY,
+    NEW BURLINGTON STREET;
+    BELL AND BRADFUTE, EDINBURGH;
+    J. CUMMING, DUBLIN.
+
+    1840.
+
+    LONDON:
+    Printed by A. SPOTTISWOODE,
+    New-Street-Square.
+
+
+
+
+[Illustration: "A sort of frozen blandishment smoothed the proud face of
+the Vicar as he stood with his lady beside him, to receive the
+sycophants."]
+
+
+
+
+THE VICAR OF WREXHILL.
+
+
+
+
+[Illustration: "On the turf before the bench and with their backs
+towards the spot where Rosalind and Henrietta stood, knelt the Vicar and
+Fanny."]
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER I.
+
+THE VILLAGE OF WREXHILL.--THE MOWBRAY FAMILY.--A BIRTHDAY.
+
+
+The beauties of an English village have been so often dwelt upon, so
+often described, that I dare not linger long upon the sketch of
+Wrexhill, which must of necessity precede my introduction of its vicar.
+And yet not even England can show many points of greater beauty than
+this oak-sheltered spot can display. Its peculiar style of scenery, half
+garden, half forest in aspect, is familiar to all who are acquainted
+with the New Forest, although it has features entirely its own. One of
+these is an overshot mill, the sparkling fall of which is accurately and
+most nobly overarched by a pair of oaks which have long been the glory
+of the parish. Another is the grey and mellow beauty of its antique
+church, itself unencumbered by ivy, while the wall and old stone gateway
+of the churchyard look like a line and knot of sober green, enclosing it
+with such a rich and unbroken luxuriance of foliage "never sear," as
+seems to show that it is held sacred, and that no hand profane ever
+ventured to rob its venerable mass of a leaf or a berry. Close beside
+the church, and elevated by a very gentle ascent, stands the pretty
+Vicarage, as if placed expressly to keep watch and ward over the safety
+and repose of its sacred neighbour. The only breach in the ivy-bound
+fence of the churchyard, is the little wicket gate that opens from the
+Vicarage garden; but even this is arched over by the same immortal and
+unfading green,--a fitting emblem of that eternity, the hope of which
+emanates from the shrine it encircles. At this particular spot, indeed,
+the growth of the plant is so vigorous, that it is controlled with
+difficulty, and has not obeyed the hand which led it over the rustic
+arch without dropping a straggling wreath or two, which if a vicar of
+the nineteenth century could wear a wig, might leave him in the state
+coveted for Absalom by his father. The late Vicar of Wrexhill,
+however,--I speak of him who died a few weeks before my story
+begins,--would never permit these graceful pendants to be shorn,
+declaring that the attitude they enforced on entering the churchyard was
+exactly such as befitted a Christian when passing the threshold of the
+court of God.
+
+Behind the Vicarage, and stretching down the side of the little hill on
+which it stood, so as to form a beautiful background to the church, rose
+a grove of lofty forest-trees, that seemed to belong to its garden, but
+which in fact was separated from it by the road which led to Mowbray
+Park, on the outskirts of which noble domain they were situated. This
+same road, having passed behind the church and Vicarage, led to the
+village street of Wrexhill, and thence, towards various other parishes,
+over a common, studded with oaks and holly-bushes, on one side of which,
+with shelving grassy banks that gave to the scene the appearance of
+noble pleasure-grounds, was a sheet of water large enough to be
+dignified by the appellation of Wrexhill Lake. Into this, the little
+stream that turned the mill emptied itself, after meandering very
+prettily through Mowbray Park, where, by the help of a little artifice,
+it became wide enough at one spot to deserve a boat and boat-house, and
+at another to give occasion for the erection of one of the most graceful
+park-bridges in the county of Hampshire.
+
+On one side of the common stands what might be called an alehouse, did
+not the exquisite neatness of every feature belonging to the little
+establishment render this vulgar appellation inappropriate. It was in
+truth just such a place as a town-worn and fastidious invalid might have
+fixed his eyes upon and said, "How I should like to lodge in that house
+for a week or two!" Roses and honeysuckles battled together for space to
+display themselves over the porch, and above the windows. The little
+enclosure on each side the post whence swung the "Mowbray Arms"
+presented to the little bay windows of the mansion such a collection of
+odorous plants, without a single weed to rob them of their strength,
+that no lady in the land, let her flower-garden be what it may, but
+would allow that Sally Freeman, the daughter, bar-maid, waiter, gardener
+at the "Mowbray Arms," understood how to manage common flowers as well
+as any Scotchman in her own scientific establishment.
+
+Industry, neatness, and their fitting accompaniment and reward, comfort,
+were legible throughout the small domain. John Freeman brewed his own
+beer, double and single; Dorothy, his loving wife, baked her own bread,
+cured her own bacon, churned her own butter, and poached her own eggs,
+or roasted her own chicken, when they were called for by any wandering
+lover of woodland scenery who was lucky enough to turn his steps towards
+Wrexhill. The other labours of the household were performed by Sally,
+except indeed the watering of horses, and the like, for which services a
+stout, decent peasant-boy received a shilling a week, and three good
+meals a day: and happy was the cottager whose son got the appointment,
+for both in morals and manners the horse-boy at the Mowbray Arms might
+have set an example to his betters.
+
+There are many other pretty spots and many more good people at Wrexhill;
+but they must show themselves by degrees, as it is high time the
+business of my story should begin.
+
+The 2nd of May 1833 was a gay day at Wrexhill, for it was that on which
+Charles Mowbray came of age, and the fete given on the occasion was
+intended to include every human being in the parish, besides about a
+hundred more, neighbours and friends, who came from a greater distance
+to witness and share in the festivities.
+
+A merrier, or in truth a happier set of human beings, than those
+assembled round the breakfast-table at Mowbray Park on the morning of
+that day, could hardly be found anywhere. This important epoch in the
+young heir's life had been long anticipated with gay impatience, and
+seemed likely to be enjoyed with a fulness of contentment that should
+laugh to scorn the croaking prophecy which speaks of hopes fulfilled as
+of something wherein doubtful good is ever blended with certain
+disappointment. The Mowbray family had hoped to wake upon a joyous
+morning, and they did so: no feeling of anxiety, no touch of disease, no
+shadow of unkindness to any being who shared with them the breath of
+life, came to blight the light-hearted glee which pervaded the whole
+circle.
+
+Charles Mowbray senior had hardly passed the prime of life, though a
+constitutional tendency to something like corpulency made him look older
+than he really was. Throughout his fifty summers he had scarcely known
+an ailment or a grief, and his spirit was as fresh within him as that of
+the noble-looking young man on whom his eyes rested with equal pride and
+love.
+
+Mrs. Mowbray, just seven years his junior, looked as little scathed by
+time as himself; her slight and graceful figure indeed gave her almost
+the appearance of youth; and though her delicate face had lost its
+bloom, there was enough of beauty left to render her still a very lovely
+woman.
+
+Charles Mowbray junior, the hero of the day, was, in vulgar but
+expressive phrase, as fine a young fellow as ever the sun shone upon.
+His mind, too, was in excellent accordance with the frame it
+inhabited,--powerful, elastic, unwearying, and almost majestic in its
+unbroken vigour and still-increasing power.
+
+"Aux coeurs heureux les vertus sont faciles," says the proverb; and as
+Charles Mowbray was certainly as happy as it was well possible for a man
+to be, he must not be overpraised for the fine qualities that warmed his
+heart and brightened his eye. Nevertheless, it is only justice to
+declare, that few human beings ever passed through twenty-one years of
+life with less of evil and more of good feeling than Charles Mowbray.
+
+Helen, his eldest sister, was a fair creature of nineteen, whose history
+had hitherto been, and was probably ever doomed to be, dependant upon
+her affections. As yet, these had been wholly made up of warm and
+well-requited attachment to her own family; but few people capable of
+loving heartily are without the capacity of suffering heartily also, if
+occasion calls for it, and this strength of feeling rarely leaves its
+possessor long in the enjoyment of such pure and unmixed felicity as
+that which shone in Helen's hazel eye as she threw her arms around her
+brother's neck, and wished him a thousand and a thousand times joy!
+
+Fanny Mowbray, the youngest of the family, wanted three months of
+sixteen. Poets have often likened young creatures of this age to an
+opening rose-bud, and it was doubtless just such a being as Fanny
+Mowbray that first suggested the simile. Any thing more bright, more
+delicate, more attractive in present loveliness, or more full of promise
+for loveliness more perfect still, was never seen.
+
+In addition to this surprising beauty of form and feature, she possessed
+many of those qualities of mind which are attributed to genius.
+Meditative and imaginative in no common degree, with thoughts
+occasionally both soaring and profound, she passed many hours of her
+existence in a manner but little understood by her family--sometimes
+devouring with unwearying ardour the miscellaneous contents of the large
+library, and sometimes indulging in the new delight of pouring forth her
+own wild, rambling thoughts in prose or rhyme. Unfortunately, the
+excellent governess who had attended the two girls from the time that
+Helen attained her eighth year died when Fanny was scarcely fourteen;
+and the attachment of the whole family being manifested by a general
+declaration that it would be impossible to permit any one to supply her
+place, the consequence was, that the cadette of the family had a mind
+less well and steadily regulated than it might have been, had her good
+governess been spared to her a few years longer.
+
+Though so many persons were expected before night to share the
+hospitalities of Mowbray Park, that, notwithstanding the ample size of
+its mansion, both the lady and her housekeeper were obliged to exert
+considerable skill in arranging their accommodation, there was but one
+person besides the family present at the happy breakfast-table; and she
+was not a guest, but an inmate.
+
+Rosalind Torrington was a young Irish girl from the province of Ulster,
+who had passed the first seventeen years of her life in great
+retirement, in a village not far distant from the coast, with no other
+society than the immediate neighbourhood afforded. Since that time her
+destiny had undergone a great change. She was an only child, and lost
+both father and mother in one of those pestilential fevers which so
+frequently ravage the populous districts of Ireland. Her father was one
+of that frightfully-wronged and much-enduring race of Protestant
+clergy, who, during the last few years, have suffered a degree of
+oppression and persecution unequalled for its barefaced injustice by any
+thing that the most atrocious page of history can record.
+
+Her mother, of high English descent, had been banished from all
+intercourse with her patrician family, because she refused to use her
+influence with her exemplary husband to induce him to abandon his
+profitless and often perilous preferment in Ireland, where he felt he
+had the power as well the will to do good, in order to place himself in
+dependence upon his wife's brother, a bachelor viscount who had invited
+the impoverished family to his house, and promised some time or other to
+do something for him in his profession--if he could. This invitation was
+politely but most positively refused, and for the last three years no
+intercourse of any kind had taken place between them. At the end of that
+time, Mr. Torrington and his exemplary wife, while sedulously
+administering to the sick souls of their poor parishioners, caught the
+fever that raged among them, and perished. Mrs. Torrington survived her
+husband three days; and during that time her thoughts were painfully
+occupied by the future prospects of her highly-connected but
+slenderly-portioned girl.
+
+All she could do for her, she did. She wrote to her haughty brother in
+such a manner as she thought, from her deathbed, must produce some
+effect: but lest it should not, she addressed another letter to Mrs.
+Mowbray, the favourite friend of her youth, entreating her protection
+for her orphan child.
+
+This letter enclosed a will fully executed, by which she left to her
+daughter whatever property she might die possessed of, (amounting at the
+utmost, as she supposed, to about five thousand pounds,) and
+constituting Mrs. Mowbray sole guardian of her person and property.
+
+During the interval which had elapsed since Mrs. Torrington's
+estrangement from her noble brother, his lordship had contrived to
+quarrel also with his nephew and heir, and in the height of his
+resentment against him made a will, leaving the whole of his unentailed
+property, amounting to above eighty thousand pounds, to his sister. By a
+singular coincidence, Lord Trenet died two days before Mrs. Torrington;
+so that her will was made exactly one day after she had unconsciously
+become the possessor of this noble fortune. Had this most unexpected
+event been made known to her, however, it would probably have made no
+other alteration in her will than the addition of the name of some male
+friend, who might have taken care of the property during the minority of
+her child: and even this would only have been done for the purpose of
+saving her friend trouble; for such was her opinion of Mrs. Mowbray,
+that no circumstances attending her daughter's fortune could have
+induced her to place the precious deposit of her person in other hands.
+
+The poor girl herself, while these momentous events were passing, was
+stationed at the house of an acquaintance at a few miles' distance,
+whither she had been sent at the first appearance of infection; and thus
+in the short space of ten days, from the cherished, happy darling of
+parents far from rich, she became an heiress and an orphan.
+
+Rosalind Torrington was a warm-hearted, affectionate girl, who had
+fondly loved her parents, and she mourned for them with all her soul.
+But the scene around her was so rapidly and so totally changed, and so
+much that was delightful mixed with the novelty, that it is not
+wonderful if at her age her grief wore away, and left her, sooner than
+she could have believed the change possible, the gay and happy inmate of
+Mowbray Park.
+
+About four months had elapsed since her arrival, and she was already
+greatly beloved by the whole family. In age she was about half-way
+between the two sisters; and as she did not greatly resemble either of
+them in temper or acquirements, she was at this time equally the friend
+of both.
+
+In most branches of female erudition Miss Torrington was decidedly
+inferior to the Miss Mowbrays: but nature had given her a voice and a
+taste for music which led her to excel in it; and so much spirit and
+vivacity supplied on other points the want of regular study, that by the
+help of her very pretty person, her good birth, and her large fortune,
+nobody but Charles Mowbray ever discovered deficiency or inferiority of
+any kind in Rosalind Torrington: but he had declared vehemently, the
+moment she arrived, that she was not one quarter so pretty as his sister
+Fanny, nor one thousandth part so angelic in all ways as his sister
+Helen.
+
+Such was the party who, all smiles and felicitations, first crowded
+clamorously round the hero of the fete which now occupied the thoughts
+of all, and then seated themselves at the breakfast-table, more intent
+upon talking of its coming glories than on doing justice to the good
+things before them.
+
+"Oh, you lucky twenty-one!" exclaimed Miss Torrington, addressing young
+Mowbray. "Did any one ever see such sunshine!... And just think what it
+would have been if all the tents of the people had been drenched with
+rain! The inward groans for best bonnets would have checked the
+gratulations in their throats, and we should have had sighs perchance
+for cheers."
+
+"I do not believe any single soul would have cared for rain, or thought
+for one moment of the weather, let it have been what it would,
+Rosalind," observed Helen. "Charles," she continued, "is so adored and
+doted upon by all the people round, both rich and poor, that I am
+persuaded, while they were drinking his health, there would not have
+been a thought bestowed on the weather."
+
+"Oh!... To be sure, dear Helen.... I quite forgot that. Of course, a
+glance at the Mowbray would be worth all the Mackintosh cloaks in the
+world, for keeping a dry skin in a storm;--but then, you know, the hero
+himself might have caught cold when he went out to shine upon them--and
+the avoiding this is surely a blessing for which we all ought to be
+thankful: not but what I would have held an umbrella over him with the
+greatest pleasure, of course ... but, altogether, I think it is quite as
+well as it is."
+
+"You won't quiz my Helen out of her love for me, Miss Rosalind
+Torrington," replied Charles, laughing; "so do not hope it."
+
+"Miss Rosalind Torrington!" ... repeated the young lady indignantly.
+Then rising and approaching Mrs. Mowbray, she said very solemnly, "Is
+that my style and title, madam? Is there any other Miss Torrington in
+all the world?... Is there any necessity, because he is one-and-twenty,
+that he should call me Miss Rosalind?... And is it not your duty, oh! my
+guardianess! to support me in all my rights and privileges? And won't
+you please to scold him if he calls me Miss Rosalind again?"
+
+"Beyond all question you are Miss Torrington, my dear," replied Mrs.
+Mowbray; "and were not Charles unfortunately of age, and therefore
+legally beyond all control, I would certainly command him never to say
+Rosalind again."
+
+"That is not exactly what I said. Most Respected!" replied the young
+lady. "He may call me Rosalind if he will; but if I am Miss any thing, I
+am Miss Torrington."
+
+"You certainly are a lucky fellow, Charles," said his Father, "and
+Rosalind is quite right in praising the sunshine. Helen with her coaxing
+ways may say what she will, but our fete would have been spoilt without
+it."
+
+"Indeed I think so, sir.... Pray do not believe me ungrateful. Besides,
+I like to see everything accord--and your bright beaming faces would
+have been completely out of keeping with a dark frowning sky."
+
+"Yon are quite right.... But come, make haste with your breakfast ...
+let us leave the ladies to give an inquiring glance to the decorations
+of the ball-room, and let you and I walk down to the walnut-trees, and
+see how they are getting on with the tents and the tables, and all the
+rest of it."
+
+"I shall be ready in a minute, sir; but I have been scampering round the
+whole park already this morning, and I am as hungry as a hound. Give me
+one more egg, Helen, and then...."
+
+"It is really a comfort to see what a fine appetite he has!--is it not,
+Helen?" said Rosalind, surrounding his plate with rolls of all sorts and
+sizes.
+
+"I will call you '_Wild Irish Girl_' in the very midst of the ball this
+evening if you do not behave better," said young Mowbray.
+
+"And if you do, I will...."
+
+"Come along, Charles," said his father; "her threats may put you out of
+heart for the whole day."
+
+"And might not we too take a walk before any of the people arrive?" said
+Fanny. "I have heard the cuckoo this morning for the first time. He was
+certainly thanking God for the sunshine; and I really think we ought to
+go out, and then we shall do so too."
+
+"A most delightful proposal!" cried Rosalind; "and if the birds should
+happen to introduce a jig movement, we can practise our dancing steps as
+we go along."
+
+"Wait half an hour for me," said Charles, rising to accompany his
+father, "and I will join your party. Let us go to the Pebble-Ford,
+Rosalind; and you shall all three drink my health out of that dear pool
+beside it, that Ros.... Miss Torrington--admired so much the other day."
+
+"No, no, we can't wait a moment, Char.... Mr. Mowbray--" said Rosalind.
+"Come, dear girls, let us be gone instantly."
+
+"Not wait for him on his birthday!" cried Helen. "But you are not in
+earnest, Rosalind?"
+
+"How you do labour and toil to spoil that man, Helen!" said Miss
+Torrington, raising her hands and eyes as he left the room. "It is a
+great blessing for him that I have come amongst you! If any thing can
+save him from utter destruction, it is I shall do it."
+
+Charles however was waited for, and that for at least three times the
+period he had named; but he came at last, and the walk was taken, and
+the birds sang, and the brook sparkled, and the health was drunk
+cordially, even by Rosalind; and the gay party returned in time to see
+the first carriage approach, bearing guests invited to be present at the
+tenants' dinner in the Park. Their morning toilet was hastily
+readjusted, as another and another equipage rolled onwards towards the
+house; and then the business of the day began. Lords and ladies, knights
+and squires, yeomen and peasants, were seen riding, driving, running,
+and walking through the spacious park in all directions. Then followed
+the rustic fete and the joyous carouse, in which the name of Charles
+Mowbray made the welkin ring; and then, the company having retreated to
+the house, came the hurried steps of a dozen lady's-maids hastening to
+their various scenes of action, and valets converting closets of all
+sorts and sizes into dressing-rooms for unnumbered gentlemen; and then
+the banquet, and then the coffee and the short repose--and then the
+crowded ball.
+
+All this came and went in order, and without the intervention of a
+single circumstance that might mar the enjoyment of a day long set apart
+for happiness, and which began and ended more exactly according to the
+wishes and intentions of those who arranged its festivities than often
+falls out at galas planned by mortals.
+
+At five o'clock on the following morning the joyous din at length sank
+into silence, and as many as hospitable ingenuity could find room for
+lay down at Mowbray Park to enjoy again in dreams the untarnished gaiety
+of that happy day.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER II.
+
+THE MORNING AFTER THE BIRTHDAY.
+
+
+Even the stable-boys deemed themselves privileged to sleep later than
+usual on the day after; and the ploughboy, as he went afield, missed the
+merry smile of the park dairy-maid, who, like her superiors, seemed to
+think on such an occasion time was made for very vulgar souls indeed,
+and that none who had joined in so illustrious a gala, could be expected
+to recover the full possession of their waking senses for some hours
+after the usual time.
+
+By slow degrees, however, the different members of the establishment
+began to stretch themselves and give sign of reviving animation. The
+housemaids yawningly opened the window-shutters; the footmen crept after
+them to aid in removing from one room at least the traces of the
+jubilee, which, like the relics of a lamp that has burnt out, showed but
+the more unsightly from its past splendour; and at length, to a
+superficial eye, the breakfast-room looked like the breakfast-room of
+former years; though a more discriminating glance might have detected
+girandoles where no such things had ever glittered before, card-tables
+in the place of work-tables, and flowers, still blooming in situations
+as little usual to them as a bed of strawberries would have been the day
+before.
+
+But it was long after these hireling efforts of forced labour had
+prepared the table for the morning meal, that any one of the favoured
+sleepers destined to partake of it left his or her downy pillow.... In
+short ... it was past mid-day before the family and their guests began
+to assemble; and even then many stragglers were still waited for before
+they appeared, and Mrs. Mowbray and Helen began at length to talk of
+breaking up the long session, and of giving orders to the butler to take
+care of all those who should come after.
+
+"It is not very surprising that the Davenports, who never ceased
+dancing till long after the sun came to look at them," said Helen,--"it
+is not all wonderful that they should sleep late, and I believe Mr.
+Vivian makes it a principle to be the last on all occasions. But I am
+quite astonished that papa does not appear: was he asleep, mamma, when
+you came down this morning?"
+
+"No, Helen, not quite asleep, for he spoke to me. But I think he was
+very sleepy, for I hardly understood what he said; and as he appeared
+extremely tired when he went to bed, I told Curtis to darken the room
+again, and leave him quiet."
+
+Another half-hour brought forth the Davenports and Mr. Vivian; but still
+Mr. Mowbray did not appear, and Helen, though hitherto she had been
+quite satisfied by her mother's account of his prolonged slumbers, again
+began to feel uneasy about him.
+
+"Do you not think, mamma," said she, "that I might venture to go up to
+him?"
+
+"I see not the least objection to it, Helen; especially as we know, that
+if it were you who happened to wake him out of the soundest sleep he
+ever enjoyed, the pleasure of seeing you near him would quite atone for
+it."
+
+"Very well mamma,--then I shall certainly let him sleep no longer now;"
+and, so saying, Helen left the room.
+
+"Is not Helen Mowbray a charming creature!" said a gentleman who was
+seated next Miss Torrington, and who, being neither young, handsome,
+rich, nor noble, felt that he could wound no feelings by expressing his
+admiration of one young lady to another.
+
+"I will tell you what she is," answered Rosalind warmly: "she is just as
+much better than every body else in the world, as her sister, there, is
+more beautiful."
+
+"And you are...." said the middle-aged gentleman, fixing a pair of very
+intelligent eyes on her face,--"you are...."
+
+But notwithstanding the look of curiosity with which Miss Torrington
+listened, the speaker suddenly stopped, for a bell was rung with that
+sort of sudden and continued vehemence which denotes haste and agitation
+in the hand that gives it movement.
+
+"That is my father's bell!" said Charles in an accent of alarm; and
+starting up, he was out of the room in an instant.
+
+Mrs. Mowbray immediately followed him, and for several minutes a sort of
+heavy silence seemed to have fallen on every individual present--not a
+word being uttered by any one, and the eyes of all fixing themselves on
+the face of Fanny, who kept her place as if spell-bound, but with a
+countenance that expressed a feeling approaching to terror.
+
+"This is not to be borne!" exclaimed Rosalind abruptly. "Excuse us for a
+moment," she added, addressing those who still remained in the
+breakfast-room.--"Come with me, Fanny, and let us know the worst at
+once."
+
+The two girls left the room together; and in a very few minutes
+afterwards a servant entered, the violent agitation of whose manner
+announced the news he brought before he spoke it.
+
+"My master ... my poor master is dead!" were the words he uttered; and
+their effect upon a party assembled for an occasion of so much
+festivity, and who had so lately parted with their kind and happy host
+in perfect health, may be easily imagined.
+
+One single word in reply to the eager chorus of inquiry told the manner
+of his death--
+
+"Apoplexy!"
+
+The scene which followed was what such an event must necessarily
+produce. No single creature present, except one pretty portionless young
+lady who thought it very likely that Mr. Charles might now fall in love
+with her, could by possibility be benefited by the death of the amiable
+man who had just breathed his last, and it is therefore probable that
+the universal expression of regret was sincere in quality, though its
+quantity might have been somewhat preternaturally increased by the
+circumstances in which the parties were relatively placed when the awful
+event was made known. Several tears were shed, and some glasses of cold
+water called for, while the carriages were getting ready; the gentlemen
+all looked grave, and many of the ladies pale; but in less than half an
+hour they had all left the house, not one of them, as it happened, being
+on terms of sufficient intimacy with the family to justify their
+offering to remain at such a moment.
+
+It is easy enough to dismiss from the scene persons whose feelings were
+so slightly interested in it; but far different would be the task were I
+to attempt painting the heartfelt anguish of those who remained. Mr.
+Mowbray had been so deeply yet so tranquilly loved by every member of
+his family--his intercourse with them had been so uniformly that of
+constant endearment, unchequered by any mixture of rough temper or
+unreasonable caprice, that their love for him was so natural and
+inevitable, that they had never reasoned upon it, or were fully aware of
+its intensity, till the dreadful moment in which they learned that they
+had lost him for ever.
+
+The feelings of Mrs. Mowbray for many hours amounted to agony; for till
+a medical gentleman who examined the body at length succeeded in
+convincing her that she was mistaken, she felt persuaded that her
+beloved husband owed his death to her neglect, and that if, when she
+mistook his unintelligible speech for sleepiness, she had discovered his
+condition, and caused him to be bled, his precious life might have been
+saved. It was evident, however, from many circumstances, that the
+seizure was of a nature not to be baffled or parried by art; and the
+relief this conviction at length afforded the widow was so great, that
+her having first formed a contrary opinion was perhaps a blessing to
+her.
+
+The grief of Charles was that of a young, ardent, and most affectionate
+spirit; but his mother and his sisters now seemed to hang upon him
+wholly, and the Being who alone can read all hearts only knew how deep
+was the sorrow he felt. The young Fanny, stealing away to her chamber,
+threw herself, in an agony of tears, upon her bed, and, forgotten in the
+general dismay that had fallen upon all, wept herself into a sleep that
+lasted till she awakened on the following morning to a renewed sense of
+sorrow which came over her like the dreadful memory of some frightful
+dream.
+
+But of all those whom poor Mowbray had left to deplore his loss, it was
+Helen--his darling Helen--who unquestionably felt it the most
+profoundly. His love for her had all that is most touching in
+partiality, without one atom of the injustice which renders such a
+feeling criminal; and its effect upon her loving and enthusiastic temper
+was stronger than any words can describe.
+
+Miss Torrington was perhaps beyond any other member of the family aware
+of this, and the tenderest pity for the silent, suffering Helen took
+possession of her. She was in truth a looker-on upon the melancholy
+scene, and as such, was more qualified to judge how sorrow worked in
+each of them than any other could be. Her residence in the family,
+though sufficient to impress her with the kindest feelings towards its
+chief, and the deepest impression of his worth, had hardly been long
+enough to awaken thoroughly her affections towards him, and she wept
+more in pity for those around her than from any personal feeling of
+grief for the loss she had herself sustained. To soothe poor Helen, to
+lead her thoughts even for a moment from the subject that engrossed
+them, and to keep her as much as possible from gazing in vain tenderness
+and hopeless agony upon the body of her father, became the sole
+occupation of Rosalind during the dreadful interval between the real
+loss of the beloved being to whom the soul of his child still fondly
+clung, and the apparently more final separation still which took place
+when all that was left of him was borne from the house.
+
+Helen made little apparent return to all these tender cares, but she was
+fully conscious of them. She felt that Rosalind read her heart, and knew
+how to pity her; and the conviction turned liking into love, of that
+enduring kind which such hearts as Helen's alone know how to give.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER III.
+
+THE VICAR OF WREXHILL.
+
+
+On the day preceding that appointed for the funeral, Mrs. Mowbray
+received the following letter:--
+
+     "MADAM,
+
+     "I trust that, as the minister of your parish, my venturing to
+     break in upon your grief will not be considered as an
+     intrusion. In the festivities which have ended so awfully, your
+     hospitality invited me and my children to bear a part; and
+     although I declined the invitation, I am most anxious to prove
+     to you, madam, and to your family, that no deficiency of
+     friendly feeling induced me to do so. But 'it is better to go
+     to the house of mourning than to the house of feasting,' and I
+     now therefore ask your permission to wait on you, with the most
+     earnest hope that the sacred office I hold may enable you to
+     receive me rather with a feeling of comfort than of pain. Be
+     assured, madam, that short as the period of my ministry in the
+     Parish of Wrexhill has been, it is with deep sympathy in the
+     grief that afflicts you that I subscribe myself, madam,
+
+     "Your humble servant and friend,
+
+     "WILLIAM JACOB CARTWRIGHT.
+
+     "Wrexhill Vicarage, May 9th, 1833."
+
+Little calculated as this letter may seem to excite violent emotion, it
+threw poor Mrs. Mowbray into an agony of renewed grief. The idea of
+seeing for the first time since her loss a person who, however
+well-meaning in his wish to visit her, must be classed as a stranger,
+was inexpressibly painful; and, unused to encounter difficulty or
+inconvenience of any kind, she shrank from receiving Mr. Cartwright with
+a degree of weakness which made her son, who had seldom left her side,
+tremble to think how little she was calculated to endure with firmness
+the desolation that had fallen upon her.
+
+"Oh! no! no! no!" she exclaimed vehemently, "I cannot see him--I can see
+no one!--keep him from me, Charles,--keep every one from me, if you
+would not see me sink to the earth before your eyes!"
+
+"My poor mother!..." said Charles, tenderly taking her hand, "do not let
+me see you tremble thus--you will make me tremble too! and we have need
+of strength--we have all great need of strength in this time of trial."
+
+"But you will not let this clergyman come to me, Charles!... Oh no! you
+cannot be so cruel!"
+
+"The very weakness which makes you shrink from this, my dearest mother,
+is the strongest proof that such a visit should be sought, and not
+avoided. Where, mother, are we any of us to look for the strength we
+want, except from Him whose minister now seeks to comfort us?"
+
+"He cannot comfort me!... Can you, can Helen, can my pretty Fanny
+comfort me?... Then how should he?... Charles, Charles, there is no
+comfort in seeing this strange man; you cannot think there is: then why
+do you still stand with his note in your hand as if doubtful how you
+ought to answer it?"
+
+"No, mother, I am not doubtful: my very soul seems to sink within me,
+when I think that he whose precepts...."
+
+Tears--copious woman-like tears choked the utterance of the athletic
+youth, who looked as if he could fight and conquer in any strife to
+which fortune or misfortune could lead him. But the softness that now
+mastered him came not of weakness, but of strength--strength of every
+feeling that might do honour to a man. For a few moments he gave way to
+this burst of passionate sorrow, and the mother and son wept together.
+
+"My own dear Charles!" said Mrs. Mowbray, taking his hand and pressing
+it to her heart, "how could I think for a moment that you would urge me
+to do what was so very painful!"
+
+"It can hardly be so painful for you to do as for me to urge it, dearest
+mother; and yet I must do so ... because I think it right. There is no
+other person in the world, I think, of what rank or station soever, for
+whose admittance I would plead so earnestly, unless it were one who,
+like this gentleman, offered to visit you as the minister of God."
+
+Mrs. Mowbray buried her face in her handkerchief, and turned from him
+with a movement of impatience. At this moment, Helen, and her constant
+attendant Rosalind, entered the room. Mr. Cartwright's note was still in
+Charles's hand, and he gave it to his sister, saying, "Helen, I think my
+mother ought not to refuse this visit; but she is very averse to it. I
+would not pain her for the world; but this is not a moment to refuse any
+one who offers to visit us as the minister of Heaven."
+
+Helen read the note, and her pale cheeks were washed anew with tears as
+she did so.
+
+"It is meant kindly," she said as she laid it upon the table; "but it is
+very soon for my poor mother to meet a stranger."
+
+Rosalind's eyes rested on the folded note, and some feeling suggested by
+the consciousness that she too was almost a stranger brought a flush to
+her cheek, and led her to step back towards a distant sofa. Whether
+Charles observed or understood the movement, she knew not; but he
+followed and placed the letter in her hand.
+
+The words of Helen seemed to comfort her mother, for she again looked
+up, and addressing Charles, almost reproachfully, said,
+
+"Your sister Helen thinks as I do, Charles: it would almost be an
+outrage against decency to receive a stranger on such a day as this."
+
+"Had the request to wait upon you come from our late clergyman, mother,
+would you have refused it?"
+
+"Certainly not: but he was a friend of long standing, not a stranger,
+Charles."
+
+"But had he not been a clergyman, mother, you would hardly have wished
+him to choose such a time to make a visit here; and our not having yet
+become familiar with Mr. Cartwright in the common intercourse of
+society, seems to me no sufficient reason for refusing to see him in the
+sacred character in which he has offered to come...."
+
+Some powerful emotion checked his utterance; but in a moment he added,
+
+"I would wish once more to pray beside my father before he goes hence to
+be no more seen by us on earth."
+
+"Mother!..." cried Helen, dropping on her knees and throwing her arms
+round her.
+
+The appeal was answered by an embrace in which their tears mingled, and
+poor Mrs. Mowbray, whose aching heart seemed to dread every new emotion,
+said, while something like a shudder ran through her frame, "Do with me
+as you will, my children.... I cannot bear much more.... But perhaps it
+would be better for me that I should sink to rest beside him!"
+
+"My dearest friend!" exclaimed Rosalind, coming softly towards her and
+impressing a kiss upon her forehead, "you have not lost all for which
+you might wish to live."
+
+"Oh, true ... most true!... Where is my poor Fanny, Rosalind? You will
+answer this letter for me, Charles?... I will be ready to see Mr.
+Cartwright whenever he chooses to come.... It will be a dreadful
+trial--but I am willing to endure it."
+
+The young man left the room, and such an answer was returned to the
+clergyman's note as brought him to the door within an hour after it was
+despatched.
+
+Rosalind, in obedience to Mrs. Mowbray's hint, had sought Fanny in her
+chamber, where she seemed to find a sad consolation in versifying all
+the tender recollections of her lost father that her memory could
+supply; but she instantly obeyed the summons, and when Mr. Cartwright
+arrived, the whole family were assembled in the drawing-room to receive
+him.
+
+The person, voice, and address of this gentleman were singularly well
+calculated to touch and soothe hearts suffering from affliction; and
+after the first painful moment in which they raised their eyes to meet
+those of the first stranger who had been admitted to look upon their
+sorrow, there was nothing in the interview to justify the terror with
+which the thought of it had inspired the poor widow.
+
+Either from tact or feeling, Mr. Cartwright seemed to avoid speaking to
+Mrs. Mowbray, and it was to her son that he addressed such words as the
+occasion called for. Meanwhile, from time to time his eyes rested with
+gentle pity on the three beautiful girls, whose tears flowed silently as
+they listened to him.
+
+But though the manner of Mr. Cartwright was full of the tenderest
+kindness, it was apparently embarrassed. He evidently feared to touch or
+to dwell upon the agonising subject which occupied all their thoughts,
+and it was Charles who had the courage to turn this melancholy meeting
+to the only purpose for which it could be desirable, by saying--though
+with a faltering voice,--
+
+"Mr. Cartwright ... may we ask you to pray with us beside the coffin
+that contains the body of my father?"
+
+The clergyman started, and his countenance expressed a mixture of
+satisfaction and surprise, his manner instantly became more solemn--more
+devout, and he replied eagerly, rising from his chair as he spoke, as if
+willing to hasten to the scene to which he was called,
+
+"Most gladly--most joyfully, my dear sir, will I kneel with you and your
+amiable family to implore the Divine grace. I did not know.... I had
+hardly dared to hope.... Indeed I feared from the festivities ... from
+the style in which...."
+
+"I trust, sir," interrupted young Mowbray almost in a whisper, "that you
+do not suppose us unused to prayer, because we have rejoiced in the
+blessings which Heaven has bestowed?"
+
+"I thank my God that it is not so," replied the clergyman, pressing the
+young man's hand affectionately; "and I will praise His holy name for
+every symptom I find that the world, my dear young friend, has not taken
+too strong a hold upon your heart. May we through His grace walk
+righteously together in the path in which it hath pleased Him to place
+us side by side!"
+
+Charles Mowbray's heart was ever open to every expression of kindness;
+and now, softened by sorrow, and warmed by a feeling of the purest
+piety, he returned the friendly pressure with interest, and then, taking
+his poor mother's arm within his own, led the way to the chamber of
+death.
+
+The mourning family knelt beside the coffin, and listened with
+suppressed sobs to an extempore prayer, by no means ill suited to the
+occasion, though it was not, as poor Charles had expected, chosen from
+among the many solemn and beautiful orisons which the Church has
+furnished or which the Scriptures might supply for such an hour of need.
+But he was not disposed at this moment to cavil at any words calculated
+to raise his thoughts and those of the beings he most fondly loved to
+that Power which had hitherto blessed their existence, and from whence
+alone they could hope for support under the affliction with which He had
+now visited them. Fervently and earnestly he prayed for them and for
+himself; and when he rose from his knees and again pressed his suffering
+mother to his heart, it was with a feeling of renovated hope and
+confidence in the future protection of Heaven which nothing but prayer
+uttered with genuine piety can give.
+
+Mr. Cartwright did not take his leave till he had spoken an individual
+blessing to each of them, which was accompanied by a pressure of the
+hand that seemed to express more sympathy in what each felt than any
+words could have done.
+
+Young Mowbray then retired with him to arrange everything respecting the
+ceremony which was to take place on the morrow. His mother expressed a
+wish to lie down for an hour; and the three girls, after attending her
+to her room, carefully shutting out the light in the hope that she might
+sleep, and each one bidding her do so, with a fond caress, retreated to
+the dressing-room of Helen, when their conversation naturally turned on
+Mr. Cartwright.
+
+This gentleman had taken possession of the little living of Wrexhill
+only one month before the death of his most distinguished parishioner.
+During the week which followed his first performance of duty in the
+church, the family at the Park made a visit at the Vicarage: for though
+Mr. Cartwright was a widower, he had a daughter nearly twenty years of
+age, who, as mistress of her father's house, was of course visited by
+the ladies. When this visit was returned, the Mowbray family were all
+absent; and during the short interval which followed before the day on
+which young Mowbray came of age, the preparations for the fete by which
+this event was to be celebrated had prevented Mr. Cartwright and his
+family from receiving any other invitation than that which requested
+their attendance at it. This having been declined, he was as nearly as
+possible a personal stranger to the whole Mowbray family.
+
+"What exquisite benevolence his countenance expresses!" exclaimed Fanny:
+"I never saw eyes so full of gentleness."
+
+"His eyes are remarkably handsome," replied Rosalind; "but I am not
+quite sure that I like him."
+
+"The moments we passed with him were moments of agony," said Helen: "it
+would hardly be fair to pronounce any judgment upon him from such an
+interview."
+
+"Perhaps you are right, dear Helen, and I will endeavour to suspend
+mine," replied Rosalind. "But at least I may venture to remark that he
+is a very young-looking father for the full-grown son and daughter we
+have seen."
+
+"I do not think he can be their father," observed Fanny. "Perhaps he is
+only the husband of their mother?... Don't you think that is most
+likely, Helen?"
+
+"I don't know, dear," answered Helen: "I believe I hardly saw him."
+
+"I really doubt if you did, my poor Helen," said Rosalind; "but if he
+speak sooth, he could not say the same of us. If the Reverend gentleman
+be given to sketching of portraits, he might, I think, produce a good
+likeness of either of us, for, like Hamlet when he looked at Ophelia,
+'he fell to such perusal of our faces, as he would draw them'.... I do
+not think I shall like this Mr. Cartwright.... I do not mean now, Helen;
+I speak only of what I think I shall do when I know more of him."
+
+"Do you call that suspending your judgment, Rosalind?" said Helen with a
+feeble smile.
+
+"Well, then, do not try to make a hypocrite of me, dearest: it will
+never answer: Wisdom is of too slow a growth for my little unprofitable
+hotbed of an intellect, which forces every thought to run up to full
+growth, lanky and valueless, as soon as it is sown. But by-and-by you
+shall transplant some of my notions, Helen, into the fine natural soil
+of your brain; and then, if they flourish, we shall see what they are
+really worth."
+
+For all reply, the pale Helen shook her head, as one who knows not well
+what has been said to him; and the conversation languished and dropped,
+as every other had done since the blow had fallen which had levelled her
+young and joyous spirit to the dust.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER IV.
+
+THE WILL.
+
+
+The day which saw the honoured remains of Mr. Mowbray committed to the
+tomb was one of dreadful suffering to his family, and to none more than
+to his son, who with a heart swelling with the most genuine grief, was
+obliged to assume the garb of ceremony, and do the now gloomy honours of
+the mansion to many of the same friends and neighbours who had so
+recently received the joyous greeting of his father. Most thankful was
+he for the relief which followed the departure of the last of those who
+came to do honour to these splendid obsequies; and most soothing was it
+to his wounded and weary spirits to find himself once more surrounded
+only by those who could read in a look all he wished to express, and who
+required no welcome to share in the sorrow of that bitter day.
+
+But, like all other periods of human life, whether marked by sorrow or
+by joy, it passed away with as even and justly-measured a pace as if no
+event distinguished it from its fellow days; and then, by slow but sure
+degrees, the little trifling ordinary routine of daily circumstance came
+with its invisible and unnoticed magic, to efface, or at least to
+weaken, feelings which seemed to have been impressed by the stamp of
+burning iron on their souls.
+
+Charles Mowbray had not yet taken his degree, and wishing to do so as
+soon as possible, he was anxious to return to Christ Church without
+delay; but his father's will had not yet been opened, and, at the
+request of his mother, he postponed his departure till this could be
+done. This important document was in the hands of Sir Gilbert
+Harrington, an intimate friend and neighbour, who being in London at the
+time of Mr. Mowbray's death, had been unable to obey the summons sent to
+him in time to attend the funeral; but within a week after he arrived,
+and the following morning was fixed upon for this necessary business.
+
+The persons present were Sir Gilbert Harrington, Mr. Cartwright, a
+respectable solicitor from the country town who had himself drawn the
+instrument, and Charles Mowbray.
+
+It was dated rather more than ten years back, and, after the usual
+preamble, ran thus:
+
+"In order that my children, or any other persons whom it may concern,
+may know the reason and motive of the disposition of my property which I
+am about to make, it is necessary that I should therewith state the
+manner of my marriage with Clara Helena Frances, my dearly-beloved wife.
+Notwithstanding her vast possessions, I wooed and married her solely
+because I loved her; and this she had the generosity to believe, though
+I was nearly penniless, having nothing but my true affection and good
+blood to offer in return for all the wealth she brought. For several
+months she withstood my earnest solicitations for an immediate union,
+because, had she married before she became of age, her guardian would
+have insisted upon settlements and restrictions, which would have
+deprived me of all control over her property; nor would she subsequently
+sign any document whatever previous to her marriage, thereby rendering
+me the sole possessor of her fortune. WHEREFORE, to show my sense of
+this unparalleled confidence and generosity, I hereby make her the sole
+inheritrix of all I possess, to be ultimately disposed of according
+wholly and solely to her own own will and pleasure...." And then
+followed, with every necessary and unnecessary technicality of the law,
+such a disposition of his property as left his children entirely
+dependent on their mother both for their present and future subsistence.
+
+That this will was very different from anything that Charles Mowbray
+expected, is most certain, and there might perhaps have been some
+slight feeling of disappointment at finding himself dependent even upon
+his mother; but if such there were, it was not sufficiently strong to
+prevent his doing justice to the noble feeling which had led to it; and,
+in truth he felt so certain of the fond affection of his mother, that
+not a shadow of fear either for his own interest or that of his sisters
+crossed his mind.
+
+The lawyer who read aloud the deed he had penned, had of course no
+observation to make upon it, and Mr. Cartwright only remarked that it
+was a proof of very devoted love and confidence.
+
+Of the small party present at this lecture, Sir Gilbert Harrington was
+the only one who testified any strong emotion respecting it; and his
+displeasure and vexation were expressed in no very measured terms. His
+warmth was at length checked, not because he had uttered all he had to
+say, but because he met the eye of Mr. Cartwright fixed upon him with a
+sort of scrutiny that was unpleasing to his feelings. He therefore
+stopped short in the philippic he was pouring forth upon the infernal
+folly of a man's acting in matters of importance without consulting his
+friends, and taking the arm of Charles, walked through the hall into the
+grounds without appearing to remember that as he was left joint executor
+with Mrs. Mowbray to the will, it might be expected that he should make
+some notification of its contents to her before he left the house.
+
+"Shall we not speak to my mother, Sir Gilbert?" said Mowbray,
+endeavouring to restrain the eager step of the Baronet as he was passing
+through the hall-door.
+
+"No, sir," was the laconic reply; and on he stalked with a more rapid
+step than before.
+
+The conversation which passed between them during the hour which
+intervened before Sir Gilbert clambered up to his saddle and galloped
+off, was made up of something between lamentation and anathema on his
+side, and the most earnest assurances that no mischief could ensue from
+his father's will on the part of Charles. The testy old gentleman could
+not, however, be wrought upon to see the widow, who, as he said, must
+have used most cursed cunning in obtaining such a will; of which,
+however, poor lady, she was as innocent as the babe unborn; and he at
+length left the Park, positive that he should have a fit of the gout,
+and that the widow Mowbray would marry within a year.
+
+As soon as he had got rid of his warm-hearted but passionate old friend,
+Mowbray hastened to repair the neglect he had been forced into
+committing, and sought his mother in the drawing-room. But she was no
+longer there.
+
+The room, indeed, appeared to be wholly untenanted, and he was on the
+point of leaving it to seek his mother elsewhere, when he perceived that
+Miss Torrington was seated at the most distant corner of it, almost
+concealed by the folds of the farthest window-curtain.
+
+"Rosalind!" ... he exclaimed, "are you hid there?... Where are all the
+rest? and how come you to be left alone?"
+
+"I am left alone, Mr. Mowbray ... because I wished it. Helen and Fanny
+are with your mother, I believe, in her room."
+
+Charles wished to see them all, and to see them together, and had almost
+turned to go; but there was something in the look and manner of Rosalind
+that puzzled him, and going up to her, he said kindly, "Is anything the
+matter, Rosalind? You look as if something had vexed you."
+
+To his great astonishment she burst into tears, and turning from him as
+if to hide an emotion she could not conquer, she said, "Go, go, Mr.
+Mowbray--go to your mother--you ought to have gone to her instantly."
+
+"Instantly?... When?... What do you mean, Miss Torrington?"
+
+"Miss Torrington means, Mr. Mowbray, that it would in every way have
+been more proper for you to have announced to your mother yourself the
+strange will it has pleased your father to leave, instead of sending a
+stranger to do it."
+
+"Who then has told her of it, Rosalind? Was it the lawyer? was it Mr.
+Humphries?"
+
+"No sir--it was Mr. Cartwright."
+
+"But why should you be displeased with me for this, dear Rosalind? Sir
+Gilbert led me out of the library by force, and would not let me go to
+my mother, as I wished to do, and I have but this instant got rid of
+him; but I did not commission either Mr. Cartwright or any one else to
+make a communication to her which I was particularly desirous of making
+myself."
+
+"You did not send Mr. Cartwright to her?" said Rosalind colouring, and
+looking earnestly in his face.
+
+"No, indeed I did not. Did he say I had sent him?"
+
+"How very strange it is," she replied after a moment's consideration,
+"that I should be perfectly unable to say whether he did or did not! I
+certainly do not remember that he explicitly said 'Madam, your son has
+sent me here;' but this I do remember--that somehow or other I
+understood that you had done so."
+
+"And how did he announce to my mother that she.... I mean, how did he
+communicate to her the purport of my father's will?"
+
+"Charles Mowbray!" exclaimed Rosalind passionately, clenching her small
+hands and stamping her little foot upon the ground--"I may be a very,
+very wicked girl: I know I am wilful, headstrong, obstinate, and vain;
+and call me also dark-minded, suspicious, what you will; but I do hate
+that man."
+
+"Hate whom, Rosalind?" said Charles, inexpressibly astonished at her
+vehemence. "What is it you mean?... Is it Mr. Cartwright, our good
+friendly clergyman, that you hate so bitterly?"
+
+"Go to your mother, Mr. Mowbray. I am little more than seventeen years
+old, and have always been considered less instructed, and therefore
+sillier of course than was to be expected even from my age and sex; then
+will it not be worse than waste of time to inquire what I
+mean--especially when I confess, as I am bound to do, that I do not well
+know myself?... Go to your mother, Charles, and let her know exactly all
+you feel. You, at least, have no cause to hide your faults."
+
+"I will go--but I wish I knew what has so strangely moved you."
+
+"Ask your sisters--they saw and heard all that I did; at least, they
+were present here, as I was;--ask them, examine them, but ask me
+nothing; for I do believe, Charles, that I am less to be depended on
+than any other person in the world."
+
+"And why so, my dear Rosalind?" replied Mowbray, almost laughing. "Do
+you mean that you tell fibs against your will?"
+
+"Yes ... I believe so. At least, I feel strangely tempted to say a great
+deal more than I positively know to be true; and that is very much like
+telling fibs, I believe."
+
+"Well, Rosalind, I will go, for you grow more mysterious every moment;
+only, remember that I should greatly like to know all the thoughts that
+come into that strange little head of yours. Will you promise that I
+shall?"
+
+"No," was the ungracious reply; and turning away, she left the room by a
+door that led into a conservatory.
+
+On entering his mother's dressing-room, Mowbray found her seated between
+her two daughters, and holding a hand of each.
+
+She looked up as he entered: the traces of tears were on her cheeks, and
+her eyes rested on him with an expression of melancholy reproach such as
+he had never read in them before.
+
+"My dear, dear mother!" he exclaimed as he approached her, "has my
+absence then vexed you so grievously?... I could not help it, mother;
+Sir Gilbert literally made me his prisoner."
+
+"Sir Gilbert, Charles, might have shown more respect to the memory of
+the friend he has lost, than by keeping his son to listen to his own
+wild invectives against the wife that friend so loved and trusted."
+
+"Whoever has repeated to you the hasty expressions of Sir Gilbert, my
+dear mother, in such a manner as to leave a painful impression on your
+mind against him, has not acted well. You know his temper, but you know
+his heart also; and I should not have thought that it could have been in
+the power of any one to make you doubt the real friendship of Sir
+Gilbert for us all."
+
+"Surely, Charles, it was no symptom of friendship to me, to say that
+your dear father had made an accursed will!"
+
+"Good heavens!... what a strange misrepresentation, mother!... and all
+hanging, as it should seem, upon one little syllable!... Our friend, as
+you well know, is what Rosalind calls a manish man; he denies the
+supremacy of woman, and might, and I verily believe did say, that a will
+which vested power in her must be a cursed will. But we know too well
+his long-licensed coarseness of expression to greatly marvel at that;
+but for the solemn and most awful word ac-cursed, believe me, mother, he
+never said it."
+
+"It matters little, my dear son, what particular words of abuse Sir
+Gilbert uttered against me, provided that your heart did not echo them."
+
+"Mother! dearest mother!" cried Helen, rising and going towards her
+brother, who seemed petrified at the words he heard, "how for a single
+moment could you believe that Charles's heart could echo any word that
+spoke not honour and love towards you!"
+
+"He might have been mistaken, Helen," replied her mother with a heavy
+sigh: "Charles could not indeed suspect that the mother his dear father
+so fully trusted should prove unworthy of the trust.--But let us quit
+this painful theme; and believe me, my children, that the first wish of
+my heart is to prove myself worthy of his trust and your love."
+
+"Such words are just what we might expect to hear from you, mother,"
+said Mowbray, "were any profession from you to us necessary; but I would
+gladly forget that you have ever thought such an assurance called for."
+
+He bent down and kissed her fervently; and then making a sign to Helen,
+who seemed about to follow him, that she should remain where she was, he
+walked out for a couple of hours among the darkest thickets he could
+find, with more of melancholy feeling than had ever before rested on his
+spirits.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER V.
+
+THE ARISTOCRACY OF WREXHILL.
+
+
+There was no longer any thing to prevent Charles Mowbray's return to
+Oxford, and the following day the time of his departure was canvassed,
+and at length fixed for the early part of the following week. During the
+few days that intervened, Mrs. Mowbray seemed quite to have forgotten
+their painful conversation respecting the will; she resumed all her
+former confiding tenderness of manner, and told him before they parted,
+that henceforward his liberal allowance would be doubled.
+
+The day preceding his departure was Sunday, and for the first time since
+their heavy loss the whole family appeared at church. They had all
+dreaded the moment of reappearing before the eyes of the little village
+world, and of thus giving public notice, as it were, that they no longer
+required to be left to mourn in secret: but this painful ceremony came,
+and was endured, like those that had preceded it; and poor Helen, as she
+laid her head upon her pillow, exclaimed, "What is there that we could
+not bear, and live."
+
+The sad parting of the next morning having also passed over them, they
+at once, and by necessity, fell into the mode of life which they were
+hereafter to pursue. But dreary and heavy was the change that had fallen
+on them, and it was long ere the mere act of assembling for their daily
+meals ceased to be a source of suffering--for fearful was the blank left
+by the absence of the kind, the gentle, the beloved, the venerated
+being, whose voice was used to speak a blessing and a welcome over every
+repast. But our natures seize with avidity the healing balm which time
+and occupation offer: much variety of disposition was, however,
+manifested in the manner in which each one of the family sought the
+consolation they needed.
+
+Mrs. Mowbray became evidently, though perhaps unconsciously, better both
+in health and spirits from the time that her neighbours, according to
+their different ranks, resumed their visits of friendship, civility, and
+respect. She had testified outwardly, excepting to such an eye as
+Rosalind's, more intense suffering than any other member of the family.
+Nor was this in the smallest degree the result of affectation: she felt
+all, and more than all, that she had ever expressed, and would gladly,
+for the sake of her poor children, have concealed a part of it, had the
+fibre of her character permitted her doing so. But she was demonstrative
+by nature: with great softness and sweetness of temper, was joined that
+species of weakness which is often said to be the most attractive
+feature in the female character;--a weakness that induced her to seize
+gladly and gratefully any hand extended to lead her, and which, while it
+made her distrust herself, gave most sovereign sway and masterdom to
+any one ready and willing to supply the strength and decision of purpose
+which she wanted.
+
+Many female philippics have been penned, I believe, against that manly
+passion for superiority which leads our masters to covet in a companion
+chosen for life the temper of mind here described; but I am tempted to
+think that this longing to possess a being that wants protection, far
+from demonstrating a disposition prone to tyranny, shows a nature
+disposed to love and to cherish, in a manner perfectly accordant to the
+most perfect _beau ideal_ of married life. But, on the other hand, there
+may perhaps be more of fondness than judgment in those who make such
+mallability of mind their first requisite in a choice so awfully
+important.
+
+Mrs. Mowbray, however, had a thousand good qualities to justify the
+devoted affection of her husband. Generous, unsuspicious, and confiding,
+she was almost as incapable of doubting the goodness of others, as of
+deserving such doubts herself. Though heiress to immense property, no
+feeling in the slightest degree approaching to pride had even for a
+single instant swelled her heart; and though good, beautiful, and
+accomplished, her estimate of herself was lower than that formed of her
+by any other human being. Her heart was now more than ever opened to
+every expression of sympathy and kindness, and she experienced the most
+salutary effects from admitting those who uttered such, yet she was
+still a mourner in her very heart and soul; and there were moments in
+which she felt so bitterly that all her youthful affections were buried,
+and every hope of earthly happiness past, that the fair young faces of
+the three affectionate girls who were ready to devote themselves to her
+seemed too bright and beautiful to be kept within the influence of her
+melancholy, and she often sent them from her to their music-room, their
+flower-gardens, or the Park, with a sort of feverish anxiety, lest their
+youth and health should be sacrificed to their affection for her.
+
+Helen had all the tenderness with none of the weakness of her mother's
+character. She soon ceased to speak of her father, except occasionally,
+when walking or sitting quite alone with Rosalind, when sheltering
+boughs or thickening twilight might conceal the working features of her
+face even from her. At such a moment, if some kind caress from her young
+companion touched unawares the feelings over which she unceasingly kept
+guard, as if they were a secret treasure too precious to be exposed to
+vulgar eyes, she would from time to time give way to the sacred pleasure
+of discoursing on the character of the father she had lost.
+
+But she had resumed all her former occupations, and added to them the
+far from unpleasing task of imparting to Rosalind much that had either
+been ill taught or altogether neglected in her early education. This, as
+well as their daily-increasing affection for each other, kept them much
+together, without any blameable desertion either of Mrs. Mowbray or
+Fanny: for the former was really wretched if she thought they confined
+themselves too much to her drawing-room and herself; and the latter was
+hourly becoming more devoted to solitary study, and to speculations too
+poetical and sublime to be shared by any one less romantic and
+imaginative than herself.
+
+The neighbourhood was not a large one: Mowbray Park, and the estate
+attached to it, stretched itself so far in all directions, that Oakley,
+the residence of Sir Gilbert Harrington, the nearest landed proprietor,
+was at the distance of more than a mile. The little village of Wrexhill,
+however, had one or two pretty houses in it, inhabited by ladies and
+gentlemen of moderate but independent fortune, with whom the family at
+the Park associated on terms of intimacy.
+
+Among these, the late Vicar and his family had been the decided
+favourites of the whole race of Mowbrays,--and most deservedly so; for
+the father was a man of piety, learning, and most amiable deportment;
+his wife, a being whose temper, to say nothing of sundry other good
+qualities, had made her the idol of the whole parish; and his two sons
+and two daughters, just such sons and daughters as such parents deserved
+to have. But, as Gregory Dobbs, the old parish clerk, observed, after
+officiating at the funeral of Mr. Mowbray, "Death seemed to have taken a
+spite against the village of Wrexhill, for within one short month he had
+mowed down and swept away the two best and _most powerful_ men in the
+parish, and 'twas no easy matter to say how long the inhabitants might
+be likely to wear mourning."
+
+The dispersion and departure of the good Vicar's family was an
+additional misfortune that his parishioners had not looked for. The
+living, more valuable for its pleasant house and pretty glebe than for
+its revenue, was in the gift of one who through life had been, not in
+appearance or profession only, but in most true sincerity, the attached
+friend of the late incumbent; and Edward Wallace, his eldest son, was
+bred to the church with the express understanding that the next
+presentation should be his. With this persuasion, the young man's first
+act on the death of his father was to tell his mother and sisters that
+they should continue to inhabit the home they had so long loved. But
+this arrangement was speedily overthrown; for in reply to the letter
+which announced the death of his father to Sir J. C. Blackhouse, the
+patron of the living, he received the following answer:
+
+     "My dear Fellow,
+
+     "As the devil would have it, I am now a cabinet minister, and I
+     no more dare give the living to your Tory father's son, than I
+     dare blow up Westminster Hall, or pull the Lord Chancellor's
+     nose in public. I do assure you I am very sorry for this, for I
+     believe you are likely to be as good a man as your excellent
+     father, who, when he was my tutor, had certainly no notion that
+     I should turn out such a first-rate Radical. However, there is
+     no resisting destiny; and so here I am, just going to give my
+     pretty little living to some Reverend Mr. Somebody that I don't
+     care a straw about, because my Lord M---- says, that though a
+     bit of a saint, he is a _capital clerical Whig_. I wish,
+     Edward, you'd try to forget all the fusty old nonsense about
+     Church and State,--upon my life I do. By-gones are by-gones, my
+     dear fellow; and if you could get up a clever pamphlet on the
+     Tithe Laws, or on the Protestant affinities to the Church of
+     Rome, or anything else with a good rich vein of whiggery
+     running through it, I really think I might still be able to do
+     something for you. Do think of this, and believe me,
+
+     "My dear fellow,
+
+     "Very affectionately,
+
+     "Your friend,
+
+     "J. C. BLACKHOUSE."
+
+This most unlooked-for disappointment of course banished the Wallace
+family from Wrexhill; and the regret their departure left was so
+general, that it would be hardly saying too much to declare that no
+interference of the Whig government, however personal or tyrannical,
+ever produced a stronger sensation of disgust in the circle to which its
+influence extended than this.
+
+It was greatly owing to the influence of Mr. Mowbray, that Mr.
+Cartwright, his son and daughter, were visited by the neighbourhood on
+their arrival; but the obvious injustice and impropriety of treating
+with indignity and disrespect the clergyman who was placed among them,
+solely because they would have preferred one of their own choosing, had
+led the benevolent owner of "the great house" to banish the painful
+feelings to which this unpopular appointment had given rise, and before
+he died, he had the satisfaction of knowing that those who looked up to
+him as authority had followed his example, and that the new Vicar had
+been called upon by all the visiting families of Wrexhill.
+
+The handsomest house in the village was inhabited by a widow lady still
+young enough to be called handsome, and living with sufficient show to
+be supposed rich. She played a little, sang a little, sketched a little,
+and talked and dressed a great deal. Some people declared that when she
+was young, her complexion must have been as beautiful as that of Miss
+Fanny Mowbray: but these were only the young farmers, who did not know
+rouge when they saw it. This lady, whose name was Simpson, had one
+little girl, a pretty little creature of eight years old, who was
+sometimes petted and played with till she was completely spoiled, and
+sometimes left in the nursery for days together, while her mamma was
+absorbed in the perusal of a new novel or the fabrication of a new
+dress.
+
+At the next turn of the village street was the entrance to a little
+place of much less pretension, but infinitely prettier, and in better
+taste: this also was tenanted by a fair widow, who, had she not been
+surrounded by three daughters, all taller than herself, might have
+passed for being as young and as handsome as Mrs. Simpson. She was,
+however, as little like her as possible in every other respect, being
+subject to no caprice, remarkably simple in her dress, and her hair and
+her cheeks always remaining of the colour that pleased God. This lady
+had been early left a widow by the gallant and unfortunate Colonel
+Richards, who lost a life in a skirmish with the native troops of India
+which might have done honour to his country in a nobler field. What his
+young widow endured in returning from a remote part of the country to
+Madras, with her three infants and very little means, had doubtless
+contributed, with the good gifts born with her, to make her what she
+was; for there was a firmness and strength of mind enveloped in her
+miniature frame, which seemed as if her brave husband had bequeathed to
+her the legacy of his dauntless spirit to sustain her under all the
+privations and misery his early death left her to encounter alone.
+
+The character of her three girls will be easily understood hereafter.
+
+Mrs. Richards's cottage was the only residence in Wrexhill except the
+Vicar's that did not open upon the village street, so that she had no
+immediate neighbour; but close to the corner of the pretty field that
+fronted her dwelling and fed her cow, lived a bachelor half-pay officer,
+who among many other excellent qualities possessed one which made him
+pre-eminently interesting in her eyes:--he had known Colonel Richards
+well, and less than half the reverence he felt for his memory has often
+sufficed to enrich the church of Rome with a saint. It was not Major
+Dalrymple's fault if the widow of his umqwhile commanding officer had
+not long ago exchanged her comparative poverty for his very comfortable
+independence; and considering that he was five years younger than the
+lady, was the presumptive heir to a noble Scotch cousin who was thought
+consumptive, played the flute exquisitely, and was moreover a tall and
+gentlemanly figure, with no other fault imputed to him than a somewhat
+obstinate pertinacity of attachment to herself, many people both in and
+out of Wrexhill wondered at her obduracy, especially as she had never
+been heard to say, even by her most intimate friends, "that her heart
+was buried in the grave of her dear Richards."
+
+The remaining aristocracy of Wrexhill need hardly be enumerated, as they
+will not make any very considerable figure in the following pages. But
+there was an attorney, an apothecary, and a schoolmaster. The latter,
+indeed, was an excellent person, of whom we may hear more in the sequel;
+but a _catalogue raisonne_ of names makes but a dull chapter.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER VI.
+
+THE PRINCIPAL PERSON IN THE VILLAGE.--THE VICAR'S FAMILY.
+
+
+Two days after the Mowbray family appeared at church, the village gentry
+began to offer their visits of condolence, which, happily however for
+the tranquillity of the persons chiefly concerned, were performed in the
+improved manner of modern times; that is to say, every allusion to the
+recent event being by all but their intimate friends most cautiously
+avoided by all parties.
+
+The first person who entered the drawing-room was Mrs. Simpson. On all
+occasions, indeed, this lady exerted herself to sustain the position of
+"the principal person in the village." She seldom gave an order for "the
+fly," which, weak as were its own springs, was, in truth, the
+main-spring of all the rural visitings; she seldom ordered this
+indispensable commodity without adding to her instructions, "Pray be
+punctual, Mr. Sims,--I say this for your sake as well as my own; for if
+the principal person in the village is made to wait, you may depend upon
+it an opposition will be started immediately, and in that case, you
+know, I should be obliged to give it my patronage." In like manner, the
+butcher and baker in the village, the ruddy-faced milkman out of it, the
+shoemaker, the dressmaker, the carpenter, the glazier, the dealer in
+small wares and all wares, were severally and collectively given to
+understand that Mrs. Simpson, as the principal person in the village,
+had a right to expect the first-fruits of their civility, attention,
+industry, and general stock-in-trade.
+
+Her entrance into the presence of Mrs. Mowbray was as pregnant with
+sentiment and sympathy as the degree of intimacy to which she was
+admitted would permit. The hand-shaking was performed with a little
+pressure and a little sigh; every pause in the conversation was made to
+speak volumes by the sad tone in which the next sentence was spoken: in
+short, if the minds of Mrs. Mowbray, her eldest daughter, and her ward,
+who kindly volunteered to sustain this ordeal with her, had not been
+fully occupied by the recent event, almost every word, look, and gesture
+of the principal person of Wrexhill were calculated to recall it.
+
+Mrs. Simpson was accompanied by her pretty little girl, flowered and
+furbelowed into as near a resemblance to a bantam chicken as it was
+possible for a pretty little girl to take.
+
+The distance from the village to the Park was almost too great for so
+young a child to walk, and the poor little thing looked heated, cross,
+and weary; but her mamma declared that a ramble through those delicious
+fields was the greatest treat in the world. "I trust in Heaven," she
+continued, using her near-sighted eye-glass to look at a drawing which
+lay on the table, "that Mimima" (her abbreviation of Jemima) "will have
+my taste for sketching--I like to take her out with me, dear pet, she
+enjoys it so! but at this lovely season it is the most difficult thing
+in the world not to sketch as one goes. Indeed, when the mind is
+pre-occupied"--(a sigh)--"every object, however"--(a pause)--"I beg your
+pardon, but it is so difficult--"
+
+"Come to me, Jemima," said Helen, holding out her hand, "and let me take
+your bonnet off."
+
+The child put up her shoulder, and pressed with distressing closeness
+upon the delicate lilac of her mother's new silk dress.
+
+"It is such a shy puss!" said Mrs. Simpson; "I often think what would
+become of her"--(a sigh). "I beg your pardon--but sad thoughts will
+press--"
+
+"Little girl, do you love eau de Cologne?" said Rosalind, taking a
+bottle from the table and holding it towards her.
+
+Either the look, the accent, or the action of Rosalind had attraction
+sufficient to draw the child towards her; when she good-humouredly
+relieved the glowing cheeks from the stifling encumbrance of a very
+close pink bonnet and thick green veil, and then copiously bedewed the
+pretty head with the fragrant and refreshing water.
+
+"Do you like it, dear?"
+
+"Yes, very much; do it again! again!" said the child, laughing aloud.
+
+"Mimima!--what did I tell you, dear! Alas!--young heads--I beg your
+pardon--" (a sigh). "You are too good!--I fear you will spoil her, Miss
+Torrington."
+
+"I am only trying to cool her a little, ma'am; she looks quite in a
+fever."
+
+"She has sported along before me like a little fawn! I brought my maid
+and the man servant, as I thought they might carry her between them if
+she was tired; but she would not hear of it--the step of childhood is so
+elastic!--Alas!--I beg your pardon!--"
+
+"Don't you like to ride _a-cushion_, Miss Jemima?" said Rosalind, struck
+by the idea of the maid and the man carrying the young lady between
+them.
+
+"What is that?" inquired the child.
+
+Rosalind laughed a little, and coloured a little, at being obliged to
+explain herself; but making the best of it, she took Mimima's little
+hands and interlaced them with her own, after the most approved manner
+of preparing to treat somebody with riding _a-cushion_.
+
+No persons resent ridicule so much as those who are perpetually exposing
+themselves to it. Mrs. Simpson out-glowed her rouge as she said, "I did
+not mean, Miss Torrington, that my servants were to carry the child
+together,--I really wonder such a very droll idea.--I beg your
+pardon--but at such a time--"
+
+Miss Torrington looked at her for a moment, and then rose and left the
+room.
+
+Mrs. Simpson saw that she had offended the heiress, and from that moment
+conceived towards her one of those little feminine antipathies, which if
+they do not as often lead to daggers and bowls in the higher ranks of
+society as to black eyes and broken noses in the lower, are nevertheless
+seldom quite innoxious.
+
+The conversation now began to languish, for the principal person in
+Wrexhill was decidedly out of humour, and Helen was painfully seeking
+for what she was to say next, when the door was thrown open, and Mr. and
+Miss Cartwright, and Mr. Jacob Cartwright, were announced.
+
+No sudden and unexpected burst of sunshine ever produced a greater
+change in the aspect of a watery landscape, than the entrance of this
+party on the countenance of the handsome widow. Had Rosalind been
+present, she would have found some amusement, or at least some
+occupation, in seeking to discover whether it were the father or son who
+possessed this vivifying power. To the pale, hollow-eyed daughter she
+would certainly have attributed no such influence. But as we have not
+her help to decide the doubt, we must leave the matter to the slower
+hand of time.
+
+Mr. Jacob Cartwright was a tall, straight, young man, but as yet a
+little inclining to that line of contour, which can only be described by
+the expressive word lanky. Neither was his hair handsome, for,
+designated as "light" by his particular friends and admirers, it was
+called "sandy" by the rest of the world. But the young gentleman had a
+finely-formed mouth, with a very beautiful set of teeth, and a large
+clear light blue eye, which many persons declared to be beautiful.
+
+This young man was said to resemble greatly the mother he had lost: to
+his father he was certainly as unlike as possible. Mr. Cartwright,
+though somewhat above the middle height, was shorter than his son, and
+his person incomparably better built; his features were very regularly
+handsome, and the habitual expression of his countenance gentle and
+attractive. His eyes were large, dark, and very beautifully formed, and
+his hair and beard as black as those of a Spaniard, save here and there
+a silver line which about the temples began to mix itself with the
+sable. His mouth and teeth perhaps might have been said to resemble
+those of his son, had not the expression been so different. In the son
+these constituted merely a well-formed feature; to the father they
+seemed to give a power when he spoke that might work wonders either for
+good or evil.
+
+Henrietta Cartwright resembled neither of them: of the two, she would
+have been said to be most like her father, because her hair and eyes
+were dark; but the form of the head and face, and above all, the cynic
+expression of the mouth, were in perfect contrast to his. Like her
+brother she was extremely thin; but she was not proportionably tall, and
+in her this ascetic form seemed rather the result of ill health than of
+make. She was moreover deadly pale, and seldom spoke in general society
+if she could possibly avoid it.
+
+Mrs. Mowbray received all the party with cordial kindness. In Helen's
+manner there was a shade of coldness, especially to the father, whose
+offered hand she did not appear to see; but the whole trio shared the
+affectionate greetings of Mrs. Simpson.
+
+"How _very_ lucky I am to meet you! Such a dismal long walk, all
+alone!--but now we can return together. How are you, my dear Miss
+Henrietta? has your headache left you?--No?--Oh, how I grieve to see you
+suffer so! I need not inquire for you, Mr. Jacob--what a picture of
+youth and activity you are! Mimima, come here. Don't you remember your
+friend?--don't you remember Mr. Jacob Cartwright?--Ah! I thought you
+could not forget him! You would not be your mother's child, dearest, if
+you could ever forget kindness."
+
+In her address to the elder gentleman there seemed to be a little more
+caution in the expression of her affectionate feelings; but she looked
+at him, and she listened to him, and more than once repeated what he
+said, as if to impress the precious words on her memory. In short, from
+the moment the Vicar and his family entered the room, it was evident the
+ladies of the Park were completely put
+
+    ----"In non cale;"
+
+and this, considering the undeviating respect which through life Mrs.
+Simpson had ever paid to wealth and station, was no trifling proof of
+the sincerity of that friendship which she professed for her new
+friends.
+
+"I hope your youngest daughter is well, and Miss Torrington also?" said
+Mr. Cartwright.
+
+"Quite well, thank you. Helen, do you know where your sister is?"
+
+"In the library, I believe, mamma."
+
+"Miss Cartwright, would you not like some refreshment?... Do ring the
+bell, Helen. I am sure, Mrs. Simpson, you ought to take some
+wine-and-water after your long walk."
+
+It was not difficult to see that this civility was the result of a
+strong and painful effort on the part of Mrs. Mowbray, and Helen was
+provoked with the whole party for not declining it; but no choice was
+left her--the bell was rung, and the tray arrived. One comfort she had,
+and that no trifling one: neither herself nor her mother had any further
+occasion to seek subjects of conversation; Mrs. Simpson took the whole
+of this troublesome business upon herself, and for the period that the
+luncheon lasted was so completely engaged in eating and talking, that
+she had not time for a single sigh.
+
+The two gentlemen and the little girl were very nearly as busily
+employed as herself; but Miss Cartwright sat silently apart, and a
+feeling as nearly allied perhaps to curiosity as politeness, induced
+Helen to change her place and seat herself near her.
+
+"Will you not take some refreshment, Miss Cartwright?... Let me get you
+some grapes."
+
+"I thank you--none."
+
+"Not even a little soda-water and wine? The morning seems unusually
+warm."
+
+"Nothing, I thank you."
+
+"Are you a great walker?"
+
+"Yes."
+
+"This is a charming country for it--such a beautiful variety of lanes
+and fields."
+
+"I seldom vary my walk."
+
+"Indeed! And what is the favourite spot you have chosen?"
+
+"The ugliest and most gloomy I could find, that I might be sure of never
+meeting any one."
+
+Helen was silenced--she had not courage for another word, and in order
+to cover her retreat, moved towards the table, and bestowed her
+attention on the little girl, who, totally forgotten by her mamma, was
+quaffing long draughts of wine from a tumbler which Mr. Jacob had been
+preparing for himself, but which he had willingly yielded to her, and
+now seemed waiting for the inevitable effect of such excess with a sort
+of sly and covert glee that made Helen very angry.
+
+"Your little girl will make herself ill, I am afraid, Mrs. Simpson, by
+the quantity of wine she is taking: I am afraid there is no water with
+it."
+
+The lady, who was talking very earnestly in an under tone to Mr.
+Cartwright, started at this appeal, and with a glance of more anger than
+the age of the child could justify, drew her back from the table and
+made her stand at some distance from it.
+
+"I really think that it is Mr. Jacob Cartwright who should be punished,"
+said Helen: "for he knew a great deal more about the matter than the
+little girl herself."
+
+"Oh no!... naughty little thing!"--said the mamma.
+
+"I am very sorry if I have been the occasion of the little girl's doing
+what was wrong," said Mr. Jacob slowly and in a very gentle tone. "I did
+not think she would have taken so much; and she looked very tired and
+warm."
+
+Mrs. Simpson made some civil answer, and turned to renew her
+conversation with the Vicar; but he was gone. She positively started,
+and looked about her with great interest to discover what had become of
+him. The windows of the room opened upon the lawn, and though she had
+not seen his exit, she very naturally guessed that it must have been
+made in that direction. After rising from the table, and making one or
+two unmeaning movements about the room, taking up a book and laying it
+down again without looking at its title, examining a vase on the
+chimney-piece and a rose on the flower-stand, she gradually drew towards
+the open window, and after pausing for half a minute, walked through it
+upon the grass.
+
+The little girl trotted after her; Mr. Jacob followed, probably hoping
+to see her stagger about a little; and Helen, though sadly vexed at this
+new device to prolong the tedious visit, could do no less than walk
+after them.
+
+The conservatory, drawing-room, and library, formed this side of the
+house, the whole range of windows opening uniformly upon the lawn. As
+Helen stepped out, she perceived that the party who had preceded her
+were entering by the window of the library, and she quickly followed
+them, thinking it probable that Fanny might be startled and vexed at
+this unexpected interruption, when, as was very likely, she might be in
+the very act of invoking the "sacred nine."
+
+Upon entering the room, however, she found her sister, to her great
+surprise, conversing earnestly with Mr. Cartwright, and appearing to be
+hardly yet conscious of the presence of the others.
+
+Mrs. Simpson gave a little, almost imperceptible toss of the head, at
+discovering how the gentleman was engaged.
+
+"We could not think whither you had vanished, Mr. Cartwright," said she,
+in her sweetest voice; "but you really were very lucky to ramble in this
+direction. Miss Fanny ought to have her picture taken in this fine room,
+with all her books about her."
+
+While she said this, Mr. Cartwright continued in a whisper to finish
+what he was addressing to Fanny; and having done so, he turned to the
+party which had followed him, saying, "The bright verdure of your
+beautiful lawn, Miss Mowbray, tempted me out; but I hope our intrusion
+has not disturbed your sister?"
+
+Fanny answered eagerly that she was very glad to see him. At that moment
+Helen chanced to turn her eyes towards the window by which they entered;
+when she perceived that Miss Cartwright had followed them. She was,
+however, more than half concealed by a large orange tree which stood in
+a high square box beside the window; but her head was bent forward to
+look into the room, and a sneer of such very singular expression rested
+on her lip and in her eye as she looked at her father and Fanny, who
+were still standing close together, that Helen remained perfectly still,
+staring at her. In another moment Miss Cartwright changed the direction
+of her eyes, and encountered those of Helen fixed upon her with a look
+of unconcealed astonishment; but her own did not sink before them, and
+she turned away with a smile quite as strange and unintelligible as the
+look she had bestowed on Fanny.
+
+At length this tedious visit was brought to its conclusion; the bonnet
+of the tipsy and now very pale little girl was replaced, a number of
+civil speeches spoken, and the whole party walked off together across
+the lawn to a gate which was to take them by a short cut through the
+Park.
+
+"I quite envy Mrs. Simpson her walk home!" said Fanny. "I see she has
+taken Mr. Cartwright's arm: I really do think he is the very handsomest
+and most agreeable man I ever saw in my life!"
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER VII.
+
+THE FIRST IMPRESSIONS MADE BY MR. CARTWRIGHT.--LETTER FROM LADY
+HARRINGTON.
+
+
+The three girls rallied round Mrs. Mowbray as soon as the guests had
+departed, all kindly anxious to see how she bore this first step back
+into a world so wholly changed for her.
+
+She looked pale, and there was an air of languor and weariness about
+her: nevertheless, to the great surprise of Helen, she expressed herself
+much pleased by the visit:
+
+"Mr. Cartwright," said she, "appears to me to be one of the most amiable
+men I ever saw; every tone of his voice speaks kindness, and indeed, if
+he did not speak at all, one look of his has more feeling and pity in it
+than other people could express by a volume of words."
+
+"Do you really think so, mamma?" said Helen eagerly, but suddenly
+stopped herself, aware that in truth she had no grounds whatever for the
+strong feeling of dislike towards him of which she was conscious. She
+remembered, too, that her father had expressed himself greatly pleased
+by the urbanity of his manners, and that the last act of the benign
+influence he was wont to exercise on those around him had been to
+conquer the prejudice against him, to which the exclusion of the Wallace
+family had unjustly given rise. Helen remembered all this in a moment;
+the colour mounted to her cheeks, and she was silent.
+
+Rosalind, too, was silent, at least from words; but her eyes could speak
+as many volumes at a glance as Mr. Cartwright's, and she fixed them for
+an instant on Helen with a look that told her plainly her prejudices
+against their new neighbour, however unreasonable, were fully shared by
+her.
+
+Meanwhile Fanny had thrown her arms round her mother's neck in a sort of
+rapture at hearing her own opinions confirmed by such authority. "Oh,
+how true that is, dearest mamma!" she exclaimed; "how exactly I feel the
+same when he speaks to me!... Such goodness, such gentleness, so much
+superiority, yet so much humility! Poor dear Mr. Wallace was an
+excellent good man, certainly, but no more to be compared to Mr.
+Cartwright than I to Hercules!"
+
+"How many times have you seen Mr. Cartwright, Fanny?" said Rosalind.
+
+"I have heard him preach three times," she replied, "and they were all
+the most beautiful sermons in the world; and I have seen and spoken to
+him four times more."
+
+"Poor Mr. Wallace!" said Rosalind. "It was he who christened you, Fanny;
+and from that time to the hour of his death, you seldom passed many days
+together, I believe, without seeing and receiving affectionate words and
+kind looks from him: and yet four times speaking to this gentle
+gentleman has driven the memory of the poor old man from your heart!"
+
+"No, it has not, Rosalind," replied Fanny, deeply blushing: "I am sure I
+did not say that, did I, mamma?--But my loving and remembering Mr.
+Wallace all the days of my life need not make me dislike everybody else,
+I suppose?"
+
+"It would be a great misfortune to you if it did, Fanny," said Mrs.
+Mowbray. "I am delighted to see, both in you and many others, that the
+violent and most unjustifiable prejudice which was conceived against Mr.
+Cartwright before he was seen and known, is giving way before his
+amiable and excellent qualities: I have no doubt that he will soon be
+quite as popular in the parish as Mr. Wallace was."
+
+"And Miss Cartwright, mamma?" said Helen; "do you think we shall love
+her as well as we did Emma Wallace?"
+
+"I know nothing whatever of Miss Cartwright as yet, Helen; she appears
+very shy, but we must try to give her courage, my dear girls. I hope we
+shall be on terms of as great intimacy with our new Clergyman as with
+our former one: it was a sort of association that your dear father
+particularly approved, and that alone is a sufficient reason for our
+wishing to cultivate it."
+
+This allusion was too solemn to admit any light conversation to follow
+it. Mrs. Mowbray strolled with Fanny into the conservatory, and Rosalind
+persuaded Helen that they should find the shrubberies infinitely cooler
+and more agreeable than the house.
+
+But even under the thickest cover that the grounds could offer, Helen
+could not be tempted fully to open her heart upon the subject of Mr.
+Cartwright, an indulgence which Rosalind certainly expected to obtain
+when she proposed the walk; but the name of her father had acted like a
+spell on Helen, and all that she could be brought positively to advance
+on the subject of the Cartwright family was, that she did not think Miss
+Cartwright was shy.
+
+Within the next fortnight nearly every one who claimed a visiting
+acquaintance with the Mowbray family, both in the village and the
+neighbourhood round it, had called at the Park.
+
+"All the calling is over now," said Helen, "and I am very glad of it."
+
+"Every body has been very kind and attentive," replied her mother, "and
+next week we must begin to return their calls. I hope nobody will be
+offended, for some of them must be left for many days; the weather is
+very hot, and the horses must not be overworked."
+
+"I wonder why that charming little person that I fell in love with--the
+widow, I mean, that lives in the Cottage at Wrexhill," said
+Rosalind,--"I wonder she has not been to see you! She appeared to like
+you all very much."
+
+"I have thought of that two or three times," replied Helen. "I think, if
+they had any of them been ill, we should have heard it; and yet
+otherwise I cannot account for such inattention."
+
+"It is merely accidental, I am sure," said Mrs. Mowbray. "But there is
+one omission, Helen, that cuts me to the heart!" Tears burst from her
+eyes as she spoke.
+
+Poor Helen knew not how to answer: she was well aware that the omission
+her mother alluded to was that of Sir Gilbert and Lady Harrington; and
+she knew too the cause of it. Lady Harrington, who, with one of the best
+hearts in the world, was sometimes rather blunt in her manner of showing
+it, had sent over a groom with a letter to Helen, her god-daughter and
+especial favourite, very fully explaining the cause of their not
+calling, but in a manner that could in no degree enable her to remove
+her mother's uneasiness respecting it. This letter, which by her
+ladyship's especial orders was delivered privately into the hands of
+Helen, ran thus:
+
+     "My darling Child!
+
+     "Can't you think what a way I must be in at being prevented
+     coming to see you? Sir Gilbert excels himself this time for
+     obstinacy and wilfulness. Every breakfast, every dinner, and
+     every tea since it happened, William and I do nothing but beg
+     and entreat that I may be permitted to go over and see your
+     poor mother! Good gracious! as I tell him, it is not her
+     fault--though God knows I do think just as much as he does,
+     that no man ever did make such a tom-fool of a will as your
+     father. Such a man as Charles! as Sir Gilbert says. 'Twas made
+     at the full of the moon, my dear, and that's the long and the
+     short of it; he was just mad, Helen, and nothing else. But is
+     that any reason that your poor dear mother should be neglected
+     and forsaken this way! God bless her dear soul! she's more like
+     a baby than any thing I ever saw, about money; and as to her
+     being an heiress, why I don't believe, upon my honour, that she
+     has ever recollected it from the day she married to the time
+     that your unlucky, poor dear distracted madman of a father
+     threw all her money back at her in this wild way. He had much
+     better have pelted her with rotten eggs, Helen! Such a friend
+     as Sir Gilbert, so warm-hearted, so steady, and so true, is not
+     to be found every day--old tiger as he is. But what on earth am
+     I to do about it? I shall certainly go mad too, if I can't get
+     at you; and yet, I give you my word, I no more dare order the
+     coachman to drive me to Mowbray Park than to the devil. You
+     never saw such a tyrannical brute of a husband as Sir Gilbert
+     is making himself about it! And poor William, too--he really
+     speaks to him as if he were a little beggar-boy in the streets,
+     instead of a colonel of dragoons. William said last night
+     something very like, 'I shall ride over to Wrexhill to-morrow,
+     and perhaps I shall see the family at Mow....' I wish you had
+     seen him--I only wish you had seen Sir Gilbert, Helen, for half
+     a moment!--you would never have forgotten it, my dear, and it
+     might have given you a hint as to choosing a husband. Never
+     marry a man with great, wide, open, light-coloured eyes, and
+     enormous black eyebrows, for fear he should swallow you alive
+     some day before you know where you are. 'See them! 'roared Sir
+     Gilbert. 'If you do, by G--d, sir, I'll leave every sou I have
+     in the world to some cursed old woman myself; but it shan't be
+     to you, madam,' turning short round as if he would bite
+     me:--'laugh if you will, but go to Mowbray if you dare!'
+
+     "'But are we never to see any of the family again, sir?' said
+     the colonel very meekly. 'I never told you so, Colonel Booby,'
+     was the reply. 'You may see that glorious fellow Charles as
+     often as you will, and the more you see of him the better; and
+     I'll manage if I can, as soon as he has taken this degree that
+     his heart's set upon, to get a commission for him in your
+     regiment; so you need not palaver about my wanting to part you
+     from him. And as for you, my lady, I give you full leave to
+     kidnap the poor destitute, penniless girls if you can; but if I
+     ever catch you doing any thing that can be construed into
+     respect or civility to that sly, artful hussy who cajoled my
+     poor friend Mowbray to make that cursed will, may I.... You
+     shall see, old lady, what will come of it!'
+
+     "Now what on earth can I do, dear darling? I believe your
+     mother's as innocent of cajoling as I am, and that's saying
+     something; and as for your being destitute, sweethearts, you'll
+     have fifty thousand pounds apiece if you've a farthing. I know
+     all about the property, and so does Sir Gilbert too; only the
+     old tiger pretends to believe, just to feed his rage, that your
+     mother will marry her footman, and bequeath her money to all
+     the little footboys and girls that may ensue: for one principal
+     cause of his vengeance against your poor mother is, that she is
+     still young enough to have children. Was there ever such a
+     man!--But here have I, according to custom, scribbled my paper
+     as full as it will hold, and yet have got a hundred thousand
+     more things to say; but it would all come to this, if I were to
+     scrawl over a ream. I am miserable because I can't come to see
+     your mother and you, and yet I can't help myself any more than
+     if I were shut up in Bridewell: for I never did do any thing
+     that my abominable old husband desired me not to do, and I
+     don't think I could do it even to please you, my pretty Helen;
+     only don't fancy I have forgotten you: but for God's sake don't
+     write to me! I am quite sure I should get my ears boxed.
+
+     "Believe me, darling child,
+
+     "Your loving friend and godmother,
+
+     "JANE MATILDA HARRINGTON."
+
+     "P. S. I am quite sure that the colonel would send pretty
+     messages if he knew what I was about: but I will not make him a
+     party in my sin. I was just going to tell him this morning; but
+     my conscience smote me, and I turned very sublimely away,
+     muttering, in the words of Macbeth--'Be innocent of this, my
+     dearest chuck!'"
+
+This coarse but well-meaning letter gave inexpressible pain to Helen.
+She dared not show it to her mother, who, she felt quite sure, would
+consider the unjust suspicions of Sir Gilbert as the most cruel insult:
+not could she, after Lady Harrington's prohibition, attempt to answer
+it, though she greatly wished to do it, in the hope that she might be
+able to place her mother's conduct and feelings in a proper light. But
+she well knew that, with all her friend's rhodomontade, she was most
+devotedly attached to her excellent though hot-headed husband, and that
+she could not disoblige her more than by betraying a secret which, under
+the present circumstances, would certainly make him very angry.
+
+But the sight of her mother's tears, and her utter inability to say any
+thing that might console her very just sorrow, inspired Helen with a
+bold device. To Rosalind only had she shown Lady Harrington's letter,
+and to Rosalind only did she communicate her project of boldly writing
+to the enraged baronet himself.
+
+"Do so, Helen," said Rosalind promptly: "it is the only measure to
+pursue--unless indeed you and I were to set off and surprise him by a
+visit."
+
+"But my mother?..." replied Helen, evidently struck by the advantages of
+this bolder scheme over her own,--"what would my mother say to our
+going?"
+
+"If she knew of it, Helen, I suspect it would lose all favour in Sir
+Gilbert's eyes, and you would have no chance whatever of softening his
+rage towards her. The expedition, if undertaken at all, must be a secret
+one. When he learns it is so, I think it will touch his tough heart,
+Helen, for he knows, I fancy, that such escapades are not at all in your
+line. I only hope that he will not find out that I proposed it, as that
+might lessen your merit in his eyes."
+
+"No, no, that would do no harm. My doing it would be quite proof enough
+how near this matter is to my heart."
+
+"Well, then, Helen, shall we go?"
+
+"Let me sleep upon it, Rosalind. If we do go, it must, I think, be quite
+early in the morning, so as to have no questions asked before we set
+out. It is not a long walk. Shall we see if he will give us some
+breakfast?"
+
+"A most diplomatic project!" replied Rosalind; "for it will enlist his
+hospitality on our side, and ten to one but the rough coating of his
+heart will thaw and resolve itself into a dew, as Fanny would say, by
+the mere act of administering coffee and hot cakes to us; and then the
+field is won."
+
+"I think we will try," said Helen, smiling with a sort of inward
+strengthening, from the conviction that such would very probably be the
+result.
+
+A few more words settled the exact time and manner of the expedition,
+and the friends parted to dress for dinner.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER VIII.
+
+MRS. RICHARDS AND HER DAUGHTERS.--THE TEA-PARTY.
+
+
+On the evening of that day, the three girls for the first time induced
+Mrs. Mowbray to go beyond the limits of the flower-garden, and walk
+under the avenue of beautiful elms in the Park. The simple and
+unostentatious tone of her character had influenced all her habits, and
+Mrs. Mowbray was a better and more constant walker than ladies generally
+who have two or three carriages ready to attend them. She appeared to
+enjoy the exercise from which for several weeks she had been debarred;
+and when the end of the avenue was reached, and Fanny almost
+mechanically opened the wide gate at the bottom, of it, her mother
+passed through it without making any observation, and in truth
+forgetting at that moment all that had happened since she had last done
+so. The gate opened upon a road, which, according to long-established
+custom, they crossed nearly at right angles, and then mounted and
+descended half a dozen steps, which conducted them into a wide and
+beautiful meadow, now fragrant with the new-made hay that several
+waggons were conveying to augment a lofty rick in a distant corner of
+it.
+
+It was not till Mrs. Mowbray perceived another party seated round the
+base of a haycock which an empty waggon had nearly reached, that she
+remembered all the circumstances which made every casual meeting a
+matter of importance and agitation to her. The group which seemed a very
+merry one, retained their places, till two stout haymakers saucily but
+playfully presented their pitch-forks as if to dislodge them. They then
+started to their feet to the number of five; and the Park family
+recognized Mrs. Richards, her three daughters, and Major Dalrymple.
+
+"I have not seen them yet, Helen!" said Mrs. Mowbray with nervous
+trepidation:--"how very wrong I have been to come so far!"
+
+"Why so, my dearest mother?" replied Helen, "I am sure it is less
+painful to meet thus, than at those dreadful visits in the
+drawing-room."
+
+"But they have not called, Helen ... certainly, we had better go back."
+
+"Dear mamma, it is not possible," said Fanny, stepping forward to meet a
+favourite companion in the youngest Miss Richards: "you see Rosalind has
+got to them already."
+
+It was indeed too late to retreat; nor did the wish to do so last long.
+Mrs. Richards pressed the hand of Rosalind, who had taken hers, but,
+throwing it off at the same moment, hastened forward to greet the
+widowed friend she had wanted courage to seek. Her colour was
+heightened, perhaps, from feeling it possible that the cause of her
+absence had been mistaken; but large tears trembled in her dark eyes,
+and when she silently took the hand of Mrs. Mowbray and pressed it to
+her lips, every doubt upon the subject was removed.
+
+Major Dalrymple and the three girls followed; and the first moment of
+meeting over, the two parties seemed mutually and equally pleased to
+join. Mrs. Richards was the only person in the neighbourhood to whom
+Rosalind, during her six months' residence in it, had at all attached
+herself: there was something about her that had fascinated the young
+heiress's fancy, and the circumstance of her being the only good second
+in a duet to be found within the circle of the Mowbray Park visitings
+had completed the charm.
+
+With the two eldest Misses Richards, Helen was on that sort of intimate
+footing which a very sweet-tempered, unpretending girl of nineteen, who
+knows she is of some consequence from her station, and is terribly
+afraid of being supposed to be proud, is sure to be with young ladies of
+nearly her own age, blessed with most exuberant animal spirits, and
+desirous of making themselves as agreeable to her as possible.
+
+Louisa and Charlotte Richards were fine, tall, showy young women, with
+some aspirations after the reputation of talent; but they were neither
+of them at all like their mother, who was at least six inches shorter
+than either of them, and aspired to nothing in the world but to make
+her three children happy.
+
+Little Mary, as her sisters still persisted to call her, approached much
+nearer to the stature, person, and character of Mrs. Richards; she was
+not quite so _mignonne_ in size, but she
+
+    "Had her features, wore her eye,
+    Perhaps some feeling of her heart,"
+
+and was, spite of all the struggles which her mother could make to
+prevent it, the darling of her eyes and the hope of her heart. Moreover,
+little Mary was, as we have before hinted, the especial friend of Fanny
+Mowbray.
+
+The delights of a balmy evening in the flowery month of June--the
+superadded delights of a hay-field, and above all, the supreme delight
+of unexpectedly meeting a party of friends, were all enthusiastically
+descanted upon by the two tall Misses Richards. They had each taken one
+of Helen's slight arms, and borne her along over the stubble grass with
+a degree of vehemence which hardly left her breath to speak.
+
+"I do not think mamma is going any farther," she continued to utter,
+while Miss Louisa stopped to tie a shoe-string.
+
+"Oh, but you must!" screamed Miss Charlotte, attempting to drag her
+onward singly.
+
+"Stop, Charlotte!... stop!" cried the eldest sister, snapping off the
+shoe-string in her haste--"you shall not carry her away from me. What a
+shame! Isn't it a shame, when it is such an age since we met?"
+
+There is nothing against which it is so difficult to rally, as the
+exaggerated expression of feelings in which we do not share. The quiet
+Helen could not lash herself into answering vehemence of joy, and having
+smiled, and smiled till she was weary, she fairly slipped from her
+companions, and hastened back with all the speed she could make to the
+tranquil party that surrounded her mother.
+
+The lively young ladies galloped after her, declaring all the way that
+she was the cruellest creature in the world.
+
+Mrs. Mowbray now said that she hoped they would all accompany her home
+to tea;--a proposal that met no dissenting voice; but it was some time
+before the whole party could be collected, for Fanny Mowbray and little
+Mary were nowhere to be seen. Major Dalrymple, however, who was taller
+even than the Misses Richards, by means of standing upon the last left
+haycock, at length discovered them sitting lovingly side by side under
+the shelter of a huge lime-tree that filled one corner of the field. He
+was dismissed to bring them up to the main body, and executed his
+commission with great gallantry and good-nature, but not without feeling
+that the two very pretty girls he thus led away captive would much
+rather have been without him; for as he approached their lair, he
+perceived, not only that they were in very earnest conversation, but
+that various scraps of written paper lay in the lap of each, which at
+his approach were hastily exchanged, and conveyed to reticules, pockets,
+or bosoms, beyond the reach of his eye.
+
+They nevertheless smilingly submitted themselves to his guidance, and in
+order to prove that he was not very troublesome, Fanny so far returned
+to their previous conversation as to say,
+
+"We must ask your judgment, Major Dalrymple, upon a point on which we
+were disputing just before you joined us: which do you prefer in the
+pulpit--and out of it--Mr. Wallace, or Mr. Cartwright?"
+
+"You were disputing the point, were you?" he replied. "Then I am afraid,
+Miss Fanny, I must give it against you; for I believe I know Mary's
+opinion already, and I perfectly agree with her."
+
+"Then I shall say to you, as I say to her," replied Fanny, eagerly "that
+you are altogether blinded, benighted, deluded, and wrapt up in
+prejudice! I have great faith both in her sincerity and yours, major;
+and yet I declare to you, that it does seem to me so impossible for any
+one to doubt the superiority of Mr. Cartwright in every way, that I can
+hardly persuade myself you are in earnest."
+
+"What do you mean by _every way_, Miss Fanny?--you cannot surely believe
+him to be a better man than our dear old vicar?" said the major.
+
+"We can none of us, I think, have any right to make comparisons of their
+respective goodness--at least not as yet," replied Fanny. "When I said
+_every way_, I meant in the church and in society."
+
+"On the latter point I suppose I ought to leave the question to be
+decided between you, as in all cases of the kind where gentlemen are to
+be tried, ladies alone, I believe, are considered competent to form the
+jury;--not that Mary can have much right to pronounce a verdict either,
+for I doubt if she has ever been in a room with Mr. Cartwright in her
+life."
+
+"Yes, I have," said Mary eagerly, "and he is perfectly delightful!"
+
+"Indeed!--I did not know you had seen him."
+
+"Yes--we met him at Smith's."
+
+"Oh! you saw him in a shop, did you?--and even that was sufficient to
+prove him delightful?"
+
+"Quite enough!" replied Mary, colouring a little as she observed Major
+Dalrymple smile.
+
+"The more you see of him, the more you will be aware of his excellence,"
+said Fanny, coming to the aid of her friend, and with an air of gravity
+that was intended to check the levity of the major. "I have seen him
+repeatedly at the Park, Major Dalrymple, and under circumstances that
+gave sufficient opportunity to show the excellence of his heart, as well
+as the charm of his friendly, affectionate, and graceful manner."
+
+"He has certainly been a very handsome man," said the major.
+
+"Has been!" exclaimed both the girls at once.
+
+"He is still very well-looking," added the gentleman.
+
+"Well-looking!" was again indignantly echoed by the ladies.
+
+"You do not think the term strong enough? but when a man gets on the
+wrong side of forty it is, I think, as much as he can expect."
+
+"I don't care a farthing what his age maybe," cried Mary; "do you, Miss
+Mowbray?... If he were a hundred and forty, with that countenance and
+that manner, I should still think him the handsomest and most perfect
+person I ever saw."
+
+"Dear Mary!" replied Fanny affectionately, "how exactly we feel alike
+about him! I love you dearly for fighting his battles so warmly."
+
+"There is surely no fighting in the case," said Major Dalrymple,
+laughing,--"at least not with me. But have a care, young ladies: such
+perfect conformity of taste on these subjects does not always, I
+believe, tend to the continuance of female friendship. What a sad thing
+it would be if those two little hands were some day to set pulling caps
+between their respective owners!"
+
+"There is not the least danger of any such dismal catastrophe, I assure
+you. Is there Mary?"
+
+"Good heavens, no!" replied little Mary in a voice of great indignation.
+"What a hateful idea!"
+
+"One reason why it is so delightful to love and admire Mr. Cartwright,"
+rejoined Fanny, "is, that one may do it and talk of it too, without any
+danger that _rational people_, Major Dalrymple, should make a jest of
+it, and talk the same sort of nonsense that every body is so fond of
+doing whenever a lady is heard to express admiration for a gentleman.
+But we may surely love and admire the clergyman of the parish; indeed I
+think it is a sort of duty for every one to do so."
+
+"I assure you," replied the major, "that I both loved and admired Mr.
+Wallace exceedingly, and that I shall gladly pay the same homage to his
+successor as soon as I know him to deserve it. But
+
+    "Cautious age and youth....
+
+you know the song, Mary?"
+
+"I know your meaning, Major Dalrymple: you are always boasting of your
+age; but I don't know any one but yourself who thinks so very much
+of...."
+
+"... My antiquity and my wisdom."
+
+"Just that.... But, good heavens! Fanny Mowbray, who is that to whom
+your mother is speaking on the lawn?"
+
+"It is Mr. Cartwright!" cried Fanny with animation; "and now, Major
+Dalrymple, you will have an opportunity of judging for yourself."
+
+"I fear not," he replied, taking out his watch; "it is now eight
+o'clock, and Mrs. Richards seldom walks much after nine."
+
+The two girls now withdrew their arms, and hastened forward to the group
+of which Mr. Cartwright made one. Fanny Mowbray held out her hand to
+him, which was taken and held very affectionately for two or three
+minutes.
+
+"You have been enjoying this balmy air," said he to her in a voice
+sweetly modulated to the hour and the theme. "It is heaven's own breath,
+Miss Fanny, and to such a mind as yours must utter accents worthy of the
+source from whence it comes."
+
+Fanny's beautiful eyes were fixed upon his face, and almost seemed to
+say,
+
+    "When you speak, I'd have you do it ever."
+
+"I do not think he recollects me," whispered Mary Richards in her ear:
+"I wish you'd introduce me."
+
+Fanny Mowbray started, but recovering herself, said, "Mr. Cartwright,
+give me leave to introduce my friend Miss Mary Richards to you. She is
+one of your parishioners, and one that you will find capable of
+appreciating the happiness of being so."
+
+Mr. Cartwright extended his pastoral hand to the young lady with a most
+gracious smile.
+
+"Bless you both!" said he, joining their hands between both of his. "To
+lead you together in the path in which we must all wish to go, would be
+a task that might give a foretaste of the heaven we sought!"
+
+He then turned towards Mrs. Mowbray, and with a look and tone which
+showed that though he never alluded to her situation, he never forgot
+it, he inquired how far she had extended her ramble.
+
+"Much farther than I intended when I set out," replied Mrs. Mowbray.
+"But my children, the weather, and the hay, altogether beguiled me to
+the bottom of Farmer Bennet's great meadow."
+
+"Quite right, quite right," replied Mr. Cartwright, with something
+approaching almost to fervour of approbation: "this species of quiet
+courage, of gentle submission, is just what I expected from Mrs.
+Mowbray. It is the sweetest incense that you can offer to Heaven; and
+Heaven will repay it."
+
+Mrs. Mowbray looked up at his mild countenance, and saw a moisture in
+his eye that spoke more tender pity than he would permit his lips to
+utter. It touched her to the heart.
+
+Mrs. Richards, who was something of a florist, was examining, with the
+assistance of Rosalind, some new geraniums that were placed on circular
+stands outside the drawing-room, filling the spaces between the windows.
+As this occupation had drawn them from the rest of the party from the
+time Mr. Cartwright approached to join it, they had not yet received
+that gentleman's salutation, and he now went up to them.
+
+"Miss Torrington looks as if she were discoursing of her kindred. Are
+these fair blossoms the children of your especial care?"
+
+"They are the children of the gardener and the greenhouse, I believe,"
+she replied carelessly, and stepped on to another stand.
+
+"Mrs. Richards, I believe?" said the graceful vicar, taking off his hat
+to her.
+
+"I hope you are well, Mr. Cartwright?" replied the lady, following the
+steps of Rosalind.
+
+The two eldest Misses Richards were still assiduously besieging the two
+ears of Helen; but as the subjects of which they discoursed did not
+always require the same answers, she began to feel considerable fatigue
+from the exertion necessary for carrying on this double conversation,
+and was therefore not sorry to see Mr. Cartwright approach them, which
+must, she thought, produce a diversion in her favour. But she found that
+the parties were still personally strangers to each other; for though
+his bow was general, his address was only to herself.
+
+"And have you, too, Miss Mowbray, been venturing upon as long a walk as
+the rest of the party?"
+
+"We have all walked the same distance, Mr. Cartwright; but I believe we
+none of us consider it to be very far. We are all good walkers."
+
+"I rejoice to hear it, for it is the way to become good Christians.
+Where or how can we meet and _meetly_ examine the works of the great
+Creator so well as on the carpet he has spread, and beneath the azure
+canopy which his hands have reared above us?--The Misses Richards, I
+believe? May I beg an introduction, Miss Mowbray?"
+
+"Mr. Cartwright, Miss Richards--Miss Charlotte Richards," said Helen,
+without adding another word.
+
+"I need hardly ask if you are walkers," said the vicar, as he passed a
+smiling and apparently an approving glance over their rather remarkable
+length of limb. "Your friends, Miss Mowbray, look like young antelopes
+ready to bound over the fair face of Nature; and their eyes look as if
+there were intelligence within wherewith to read her aright."
+
+"Mamma is going into tea, I believe," said Helen, moving off.
+
+The whole manner and demeanour of the two Misses Richards had changed
+from the moment Mr. Cartwright approached. They became quite silent and
+demure; but as they followed Helen, one on each side of him, they
+coloured with pleasure as he addressed a gentle word, first to one, then
+to the other; and when, after entering the drawing-room, he left them
+for the purpose of making his farewell bow, or the semblance of it, to
+Mrs. Mowbray, Miss Louisa whispered to Miss Charlotte, "Little Mary is
+quite right: he _is_ the most delightful man in the world."
+
+"You are not going to leave us, Mr. Cartwright?" said Mrs. Mowbray
+kindly. "We are going to tea this moment."
+
+"You are very obliging; but I had no intention of intruding on you
+thus."
+
+"Pray do not call it an intrusion. We shall be always most happy to see
+you. I only wish your son and daughter were with us also."
+
+"My daughter, thank you, is a sad invalid; and Jacob generally wanders
+farther afield in such weather as this.... Is that gentleman Major
+Dalrymple? May I ask you to introduce me?"
+
+"I shall have much pleasure in doing so, I am sure. He is a very amiable
+and estimable person."
+
+Mrs. Mowbray crossed the room towards him, followed by the vicar. The
+introduction took place, and the two gentlemen conversed together for a
+few minutes on the ordinary topics of Russia, the harvest, the
+slave-trade, and reform. On every subject, except the harvest, which Mr.
+Cartwright despatched by declaring that it would be peculiarly abundant,
+the reverend gentleman expressed himself with an unusual flow of words,
+in sentences particularly well constructed; yet nevertheless his
+opinions seemed enveloped in a mist; and when Mrs. Richards afterwards
+asked the major his opinion of the new vicar, he replied that he thought
+his manners very gentlemanlike and agreeable, but that he did not
+perfectly remember what opinions he had expressed on any subject.
+
+At first the company seemed inclined to disperse themselves in knots
+about the room; but by degrees Mr. Cartwright very skilfully contrived,
+on one pretence or another, to collect them all round a table that was
+covered with the usual incitements to talk, and the conversation became
+general. At least Mr. Cartwright was very generally listened to; the
+major did not speak at all; and the ladies did little more than agree
+with and applaud from time to time the placid, even, dulcet flow of
+words which fell like a gentle rivulet from the lips of their new vicar.
+This description, indeed, would not apply quite generally to all the
+ladies; but the majority in his favour was five to three, and with this
+advantage,--that whereas his admirers were loud and eloquent in their
+expressions of approval, the minority contented themselves by preserving
+silence.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER IX.
+
+HELEN AND ROSALIND CALL UPON SIR GILBERT HARRINGTON
+
+
+Helen Mowbray knew that the choleric friend whose gentler feelings she
+wished to propitiate was an early riser himself, and was never better
+disposed to be well pleased with others than when they showed themselves
+capable of following his example. She was therefore anxious to arrive at
+his house in time to have the conversation she sought, yet dreaded,
+before nine o'clock, the usual family breakfast-hour; though in the
+shooting-season Sir Gilbert generally contrived to coax my lady and her
+housekeeper to have hot rolls smoking on the table by eight. But,
+luckily for the young ladies' morning repose, it was not
+shooting-season; and they calculated that if they started about half
+past seven they should have time for their walk, and a reasonably long
+conversation afterwards, before the breakfast, to which they looked as
+the pacific conclusion of the negotiation, should be ready.
+
+At half past seven, accordingly, the fair friends met at the door of
+Rosalind's dressing-room, and set off, fearless, though unattended,
+through the shrubberies, the park, the flowery lanes, and finally,
+across one or two hay-fields, which separated the two mansions.
+
+Nothing can be better calculated to raise the animal spirits than an
+early walk in the gay month of June; and on those not accustomed to the
+elasticity, the freshness, the exhilarating clearness of the morning
+air, the effect is like enchantment. All the sad thoughts which had of
+late so constantly brooded round Helen's heart seemed to withdraw their
+painful pressure, and she again felt conscious of the luxury of life,
+with youth, health, and innocence, a clear sky, bright verdure, flowery
+banks, and shady hedge-rows, to adorn it.
+
+Rosalind, by an irresistible impulse of gaiety, joined her voice to
+those of the blackbirds that carolled near her, till she was stopped by
+Helen's exclaiming, "Rosalind, I feel courage for anything this
+morning!"
+
+"Yes," answered her companion, "let Sir Gilbert appear in any shape but
+that of the Vicar of Wrexhill, and I should great him with a degree of
+confidence and kindness that I am positive would be irresistible."
+
+They were now within a short distance of the baronet's grounds, and
+another step brought their courage to the proof; for on mounting a
+stepping-stile which had originally been placed for the especial
+accommodation of the Mowbray ladies, they perceived the redoubtable Sir
+Gilbert at the distance of fifty paces, in the act of removing an
+offending dock-root with his spud.
+
+He raised his eyes, and recognising his young visitors, stepped eagerly
+forward to meet them. To Rosalind, however, though usually a great
+favourite, he now paid not the slightest attention; but taking Helen in
+his arms, kissing her on both cheeks and on the forehead, and then
+looking her in the face very much as if he were going to weep over her,
+he exclaimed,
+
+"My poor, poor child!... Why did not you bring poor Fanny too?... You
+are right to come away, quite right, my dear child: it's dreadful to
+live in dependence upon any one's caprice for one's daily bread! Your
+home shall be here, Helen, and Fanny's too, as long as you like. Come,
+my dear, take my arm: my lady will dance, you may depend upon it, when
+she sees you, for we have had dreadful work about keeping her from
+Mowbray! I'd just as soon keep a wild cat in order as your godmother,
+Helen, when she takes a fancy: but you know, my dear, her going to
+Mowbray was a thing not to be thought of, You are a good girl to
+come--it shows that you see the matter rightly. I wish Fanny were here
+too!"
+
+All this was said with great rapidity, and without pausing for any
+answer. Meanwhile he had drawn Helen's arm within his, and was leading
+her towards the house.
+
+Rosalind followed them quietly for a few steps; and then, either moved
+thereto by the feeling of courage her walk had inspired, or from some
+latent consciousness of the baronet's partiality to herself, she boldly
+stepped up and took his arm on the other side.
+
+"Bless my soul, Miss Torrington!... by the honour of a knight, I never
+saw you; nor do I think I should have seen a regiment of young ladies,
+though they had been all as handsome as yourself, if they had happened
+to come with my poor dear Helen. It was very good of you to walk over
+with her, poor little thing!... Your fortune is quite safe and
+independent, my dear, isn't it? Nobody's doing a foolish thing can
+involve you in any way, can it?"
+
+"Not unless the foolish thing happened to be done by myself, Sir
+Gilbert."
+
+"That's a great blessing, my dear,--a very great blessing!... And you'll
+be kind to our two poor girls, won't you, my dear?"
+
+"I have more need that they should be kind to me--and so they are,--and
+we are all very kind to one another; and if you will be but very kind
+too, and come and see us all as you used to do, we shall be very happy
+again in time."
+
+"Stuff and nonsense, child!... You may come here, I tell you, and see me
+as much as you like, under my own roof,--because I know who that belongs
+to, and all about it; but I promise you that you will never see me going
+to houses that don't belong to their right owner,--it would not suit me
+in the least--quite out of my way; I should be making some confounded
+blunder, and talking to poor Charles about his estate and his
+property:--poor fellow! and he not worth sixpence in the world."
+
+During all this time Helen had not spoken a word. They had now nearly
+reached the house; and drawing her arm away, she held out her hand to
+Sir Gilbert, and said in a very humble and beseeching tone,
+
+"Sir Gilbert!... may I speak to you alone for a few minutes?"
+
+"Speak to me, child?--what about? Is it about a sweet-heart? Is it about
+wanting pocket-money, my poor child?--I'm executor to your father's
+will, you know, Helen; and if you were starving in a ditch, and Fanny in
+another, and poor Charles begging his bread on the high road, I have not
+the power of giving either of ye a shilling of his property, though he
+has left above fourteen thousand a year!"
+
+Sir Gilbert was now lashing himself into a rage that it was evident
+would render the object of Helen's visit abortive if she attempted to
+bring it forward now. She exchanged a glance with Rosalind, who shook
+her head, and the next moment contrived to whisper in her ear, "Wait
+till after breakfast."
+
+Sir Gilbert was now striding up the steps to the hall-door: the two
+girls silently followed him, and were probably neither of them sorry to
+see Colonel Harrington coming forward to meet them.
+
+This young man had for the two or three last years seen but little of
+the Mowbray family, having been abroad during nearly the whole of that
+time; but he returned with something very like a tender recollection of
+Helen's having been the prettiest little nymph at fifteen that he had
+ever beheld, and her appearance at this moment was not calculated to
+make him think she had lost her delicate beauty during his absence. Her
+slight tall figure was shown to great advantage by her mourning dress;
+and the fair and abundant curls that crowded round her face, now a
+little flushed by exercise and agitation, made her altogether as pretty
+a creature in her peculiar style as a young soldier would wish to look
+upon.
+
+The coal-black hair and sparkling dark eyes of Rosalind, her ruby lips
+and pearl-like teeth, her exquisite little figure, and the general air
+of piquant vivacity which made her perfectly radiant when animated,
+rendered her in most eyes the more attractive of the two; but Colonel
+Harrington did not think so; and giving her one glance of
+curiosity,--for he had never seen her before,--he decided, that neither
+she, nor any other woman he had ever beheld, could compare in loveliness
+with his former friend and favourite.
+
+His greeting to Helen was just what might be expected from a man who had
+known her with great intimacy when she was some half-dozen inches
+shorter, and who felt the strongest possible desire to renew the
+acquaintance with as little delay as possible.
+
+"Helen Mowbray!" he exclaimed, springing forward and seizing her hand,
+"how delighted I am to see you! How is dear little Fanny?--how is
+Charles? I trust you have none of you forgotten me?"
+
+Helen blushed deeply at the unexpected ardour of this address from a
+very tall, handsome, fashionable-looking personage, whose face she
+certainly would not have recognised had she met him accidentally: but a
+happy smile accompanied the blush, and he had no reason to regret the
+politic freedom of his first salutation, which had thus enabled him to
+pass over an infinity of gradations towards the intimacy he coveted, at
+one single step placing him at once on the footing of a familiar friend.
+It was indeed nearly impossible that Helen could be offended by the
+freedom; for not only was it sanctioned by the long-established union of
+their two families, but at this moment she could not but be pleased at
+finding another dear old friend in the garrison, who would be sure to
+add his influence to that of her godmother, that what she so greatly
+wished to obtain should not be refused.
+
+Before they reached the breakfast-room, therefore, the most perfect
+understanding was established between them. Her friend Miss Torrington
+was gaily introduced, for her heart felt gladdened by this important
+addition to her supporters in the cause she had undertaken; and she was
+disposed to believe that Rosalind's proposal to make this alarming visit
+would turn out to have been one of the most fortunate things that ever
+happened.
+
+Within the breakfast-room, and approachable by no other access, was a
+small room, known throughout the mansion, and indeed throughout the
+neighbourhood also, as "My Lady's Closet." This sacred retreat was an
+oblong room, about eighteen feet by eight; a large and lofty window
+occupied nearly one end of it, across which was placed a deal-dresser or
+table of three feet wide, filling the entire space between the walls.
+The whole room was lined with shelves and drawers, the former of which
+were for the most part sheltered by heavy crimson damask curtains. A few
+small tables stood scattered here and there; and the sole accommodation
+for sitting consisted of one high stool, such as laundresses use when
+ironing.
+
+To the door of this apartment Sir Gilbert approached, and there
+reverently stopped; for by the law of the land, even he, though a pretty
+extensively privileged personage, was permitted to go no farther, unless
+licensed by an especial warrant from its mistress.
+
+"My lady," he said, in the cheerful lusty voice that announces
+agreeable tidings,--"My lady, I have brought home company to breakfast."
+
+"Have you, Sir Knight?" replied Lady Harrington, without turning her
+head, or otherwise interrupting herself in the performance of some
+apparently delicate process upon which she was occupied.
+
+"I'd rather have Mrs. Bluebeard for a wife than such an incurious old
+soul as you are!" said the testy baronet.--"And so you have not even the
+grace to ask who it is?"
+
+"Why, my dear Sir Tiger, I shall be sure to know within two minutes
+after Tomkins gives his passing thump to announce that he is carrying in
+the coffee; then why should I disturb this fairest of the Pentandria
+class?--my charming high-dried mirabilis?"
+
+"The devil take you, and all your classes, orders, and tribes, to his
+own hothouse!--I'll be hanged if I don't lock you into your den while I
+breakfast with her;--you shan't see her at all!"
+
+"Mother! mother!" exclaimed the colonel hastily, to anticipate the
+execution of the threat--"it is Helen Mowbray!"
+
+"Helen Mowbray!" cried the old lady, thrusting her hot smoothing-iron on
+one side, and her blossom blotting-paper on the other, while the
+precious mirabilis fell to the ground; "Helen Mowbray!" and pushing
+aside the baronet by no very gentle movement of her tall and substantial
+person, she rushed forward, and Helen was speedily folded in a very
+close embrace.
+
+"There, there, there! don't stifle the girl, old lady!--And supposing
+you were to bestow one little monosyllable of civility upon this pretty
+creature, Miss Torrington, who stands smiling at us all like an angel,
+though every soul amongst us is as rude as a bear to her.--I don't
+believe you ever found yourself so entirely neglected before, my dear?"
+
+"I have never witnessed attention more gratifying to me than that which
+I have seen displayed this morning," replied Rosalind.
+
+"You are a good girl, a very good girl, my dear, and I shall always love
+you for coming over with this poor dear disinherited child."
+
+"Miss Torrington, I am delighted to see you, now and ever, my dear
+young lady," said Lady Harrington, who, when she chose it, could be as
+dignified, and as courteous too, as any lady in the land.
+
+"You have walked over, I am sure, by the bright freshness of your looks.
+Now, then, sit down one on each side of me, that I may be able to see
+you without hoisting a _lunette d'approche_ across this prodigious
+table."
+
+"And so, because your ladyship is near-sighted," said Sir Gilbert,
+"William and I are to sit at this awful distance from these beautiful
+damsels? You are a tiresome old soul as ever lived!"
+
+"And that's the reason you appear so profoundly melancholy and miserable
+at this moment," said Lady Harrington, looking with no trifling degree
+of satisfaction at the radiant good-humour and happiness which the
+unexpected arrival of Helen had caused to be visible in the countenance
+of her boisterous husband. "Do you find William much altered, Helen?"
+she continued. "I wonder if any one has had the grace to present Colonel
+Harrington to Miss Torrington?"
+
+"Helen did me that kind office," said the colonel, "and I suppose she
+must do the same for me to little Fanny. I long to see if she continues
+as surpassingly beautiful as she was when I took my sad, reluctant leave
+of Mowbray Park."
+
+Rosalind immediately became answerable for the undiminished beauty of
+Fanny, adding to her report on this point a declaration that the whole
+family were anxious to renew their acquaintance with him.
+
+This was the nearest approach that any of the party ventured to make
+towards the mention of Mowbray Park or its inhabitants. Nevertheless,
+the breakfast passed cheerfully, and even without a word from Sir
+Gilbert in allusion to the destitute condition of Helen, and her brother
+and sister. But when even the baronet had disposed of his last
+egg-shell, pushed the ham fairly away from him, and swallowed his last
+bowl of tea, the beautiful colour of Helen began gradually to deepen;
+she ceased to speak, and hardly seemed to hear what was said to her.
+
+Rosalind took the hint, and with more tact than is usually found in the
+possession of seventeen and a half, she said to Lady Harrington,
+
+"If I promise to keep my hands not only from picking and stealing, but
+from touching, will your ladyship indulge me with a sight of your press,
+and your boxes, and a volume or two of your _hortus siccus_? for I feel
+considerable aspirations after the glory of becoming a botanist myself."
+
+"My ladyship will show you something infinitely more to the purpose,
+then, if you will come to the hothouse with me," replied Lady
+Harrington, rising, and giving an intelligible glance to her son as she
+did so, which immediately caused him to rise and follow her. "I cannot
+take you where I should be sure to overhear them, my dear," she added in
+a whisper as she led Rosalind from the room; "for if my rough diamond
+should chance to be too rough with her, I should infallibly burst out
+upon them; and yet I know well enough that I should do nothing but
+mischief."
+
+Helen was thus left alone with the kind-hearted but pertinacious
+baronet. He seemed to have a misgiving of the attack that was about to
+be opened upon him; for he made a fidgetty movement in his chair, pushed
+it back, and looked so very much inclined to run away, that Helen saw no
+time was to be lost, and, in a voice not over-steady, said,
+
+"I want to speak to you, Sir Gilbert, about my dear mamma. I fear from
+what you said to Charles, and more still by nobody's coming from Oakley
+to see us, that you are angry with her.--If it is about the will, Sir
+Gilbert, you do her great injustice: I am very, very sure that she
+neither wished for such a will, nor knew any thing about it."
+
+"It is very pretty and dutiful in you, Miss Helen, to say so, and to
+think so too if you can. Perhaps I might have done the same at nineteen;
+but at sixty-five, child, one begins to know a little better what signs
+and tokens mean.--There is no effect without a cause, Miss Helen. The
+effect in this affair is already pretty visible to all eyes, and will
+speedily become more so, you may depend upon it. The cause may be still
+hid from babes and sucklings, but not from an old fellow like me, who
+knew your poor father, girl, before you were hatched or thought of,--and
+knew him to be both a good and a wise man, who would never have done the
+deed he did unless under the influence of one as ever near and ever dear
+to him as your mother."
+
+"You have known my mother too, Sir Gilbert, for many, many years:--did
+you ever see in her any symptom of the character you now attribute to
+her?"
+
+"If I had, Miss Helen, I should not loathe and abominate her hypocrisy
+as I now do. I will never see her more--for all our sakes: for if I did,
+I know right well that I could not restrain my indignation within
+moderate bounds."
+
+"Then certainly it would be better that you should not see her," said
+the weeping Helen: "for indeed, sir, I think such unmerited indignation
+would almost kill her."
+
+"If you knew any thing about the matter, child, you would be aware that
+_merited_ indignation would be more likely to disagree with her.
+Unmerited indignation does one no harm in the world, as I can testify
+from experience; for my lady is dreadfully indignant, as I dare say you
+guess, at my keeping her and William away from Mowbray Park: and it's
+ten to one but you will be indignant too, child;--but I can't help it. I
+love you all three very much, Helen; but I must do what I think right,
+for all that."
+
+"Not indignant, Sir Gilbert;--at least, that would not be the prevailing
+feeling with me, though a sense of injustice might make it so with my
+poor mother. What I shall feel will be grief--unceasing grief, if the
+friend my beloved father most valued and esteemed continues to refuse
+his countenance and affection to the bereaved family he has left."
+
+From the time this conversation began, Sir Gilbert had been striding up
+and down the room, as it was always his custom to do when he felt
+himself in a rage, or was conscious that he was about to be so. He now
+stopped opposite Helen; and while something very like tenderness almost
+impeded his utterance, he said,
+
+"That's trash--abominable false trash! Miss Helen. After what's passed
+to-day, to say nothing of times past, you must know well enough that I'm
+not likely to refuse my countenance and affection to your father's
+children;--bereaved they are, sure enough! You know as well as I do,
+that I love you all three--for your own sakes, girl, as well as for
+his;--and your pretending to doubt it, was a hit of trumpery womanhood,
+Helen,--so never make use of it again: for you see I understand the
+sex,--and that's just the reason why I like my old woman better than any
+other _she_ in the wide world;--she never tries any make-believe tricks
+upon me."
+
+"Believe me, Sir Gilbert," said Helen, smiling, "I hate tricks as much
+as my godmother can: and if it were otherwise, you are the last person I
+should try them upon. But how can we think you love us, if you will not
+come near Mowbray?"
+
+"You may think it, and know it, very easily, child, by the welcome you
+shall always find here. It is very likely that you may not be long
+comfortable at home; and before it happens, remember I have told you
+that you shall always have a home at Oakley: but it must not be on
+condition of bringing your mother with you; for see her I will not,--and
+there's an end."
+
+Helen remained silent. She felt painfully convinced that, at least for
+the present, she should gain nothing by arguing the cause of her mother
+any farther; and after a long pause, during which Sir Gilbert continued
+to pace up and down before her, she rose, and sighing deeply, said,
+
+"I believe it is time for us to return.--Good-b'ye, Sir Gilbert."
+
+There was something in the tone of her voice which very nearly overset
+all the sturdy resolution of the baronet; but instead of yielding to the
+weakness, as he would have called it, like a skilful general he marched
+off the field with his colours still flying, and certainly without
+giving his adversary any reasonable ground to hope for victory.
+
+"They are all in the hothouse, I believe," said he, walking before Helen
+to a door of the hall which opened upon the beautiful gardens. "You have
+not seen my lady's heaths for many a day, Helen:--she'll be savage if
+you go without taking a look at them."
+
+Helen followed without saying a word in reply, for her heart was full;
+and when she joined the trio who had so considerately left her to the
+uninterrupted possession of Sir Gilbert's ear, there was no need of any
+questioning on their part, or answering on hers, to put them all in full
+possession of the result of the tete-a-tete.
+
+It would be difficult to say which of the three looked most vexed:
+perhaps Lady Harrington gave the strongest outward demonstrations of
+what she felt on the occasion.
+
+She glanced frowningly at Sir Gilbert, who looked as if he intended to
+say something amiable, and seizing upon Helen's two hands, kissed them
+both, exclaiming, "Dearest and best! what a heart of flint must that
+being have who could find the cruel strength to pain thee!"
+
+Colonel Harrington, who, discomposed and disappointed, had thrown
+himself on a bench, gave his mother a very grateful look for this; while
+Rosalind, after examining her sad countenance for a moment, pressed
+closely to her friend and whispered, "Let us go, Helen."
+
+Poor Helen had no inclination to delay her departure; and knowing that
+her partial godmother was fully capable of understanding her feelings,
+she said, returning her carresses,
+
+"Do not keep me a moment longer, dearest friend, for fear I should weep!
+and then I am sure he would call it a trick."
+
+"I will not keep you, Helen," replied Lady Harrington aloud. "You have
+come on a mission of love and peace; and if I mistake not that heavy eye
+and feverish cheek, you have failed. Poor child! she does not look like
+the same creature that she did an hour and a half ago--does she,
+William?"
+
+"Adieu, Lady Harrington!" said Helen, the big tears rolling down her
+cheeks despite her struggles to prevent them. "Good morning, Colonel
+Harrington;--farewell, Sir Gilbert!"
+
+"This is hard, Miss Torrington!" said the baronet, turning from Helen's
+offered hand; "this is confounded hard! I'm doing my duty, and acting
+according to my conscience as a man of honour, and yet I shall be made
+to believe that Nero was a dove, and Bluebeard a babe of grace, compared
+to me!"
+
+But Miss Torrington being in no humour to answer him playfully, said
+gravely,
+
+"I am very sorry we broke in upon you so unadvisedly, Sir Gilbert. It is
+plain our hopes have not been realised."
+
+The young lady bowed silently to the colonel, and taking a short
+farewell of Lady Harrington, but one in which mutual kindness was
+mutually understood, she took the arm of her discomfited friend, and
+they proceeded towards a little gate in the iron fencing which divided
+the garden from the paddock in front of the house.
+
+"And you won't shake hands with me, Helen!" said Sir Gilbert, following.
+
+"Do not say so, sir," replied Helen, turning back and holding out her
+hand.
+
+"And when shall we see you here again?"
+
+"Whenever you will come and fetch me, Sir Gilbert," she replied,
+endeavouring to look cheerful. He took her hand, wrung it, and turned
+away without speaking.
+
+"Your interdict, sir," said Colonel Harrington, "does not, I hope,
+extend beyond Mowbray Park paling?--I trust I may be permitted to take
+care of these young ladies as far as the lodges?"
+
+"If you did not do it, you know very well that I should, you puppy!"
+replied his father: and so saying, he turned into a walk which led in a
+direction as opposite as possible from that which his ireful lady had
+chosen.
+
+Colonel Harrington felt that it required some exertion of his
+conversational powers to bring his fair companions back to the tone of
+cheerful familiarity which had reigned among them all at the
+breakfast-table; but the exertion was made, and so successfully, that
+before the walk was ended a feeling of perfect confidence was
+established between them. When they were about to part, he said,
+
+"My mother and I shall labour, and cease not, to work our way through
+the _ecorce_ to the kernel of my good father's heart; and there we shall
+find exactly the material we want, of which to form a reconciliation
+between your mother and him.--Farewell, Helen!--farewell, Miss
+Torrington! I trust that while the interdict lasts, chance will
+sometimes favour our meeting beyond the forbidden precincts."
+
+He stepped forward to open the Park gate for them, shook hands, uttered
+another "Farewell!" and departed.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER X.
+
+MRS. MOWBRAY CONSULTS MR. CARTWRIGHT UPON THE SUBJECT OF HER LATE
+HUSBAND'S WILL.
+
+
+The first person they encountered on entering the house was Fanny.
+
+"Where _have_ you been!" she exclaimed. "My mother is half frightened to
+death. Do go to her this moment, Helen, to set her heart at ease."
+
+"Where is she, Fanny?" inquired Helen, with a sigh, as she remembered
+how little the answers she must necessarily give to the questions she
+would be sure to ask were likely to produce that effect.
+
+"In her dressing-room, Helen. But where _have_ you been?"
+
+"To Oakley."
+
+"Good gracious, Helen!--and without asking mamma's leave?"
+
+"I did it with a good intention, Fanny. Do you think I was wrong in
+endeavouring to restore the intimacy that has been so cruelly
+interrupted? Do you think mamma will be very angry? I am sure it was
+chiefly for her sake that I went."
+
+"No, I am sure she will not when you tell her that. But come directly: I
+do assure you she has been seriously uneasy.--Did you find Sir Gilbert
+very savage, Rosalind?"
+
+"_Pas mal_, my dear."
+
+Another moment brought them to Mrs. Mowbray. "Thank Heaven!" was her
+first exclamation on seeing them; and the repetition of Fanny's emphatic
+"Where _have_ you been?" followed it.
+
+"Dearest mother!" said Helen, fondly embracing her, "do not chide us
+very severely, even if we have been wrong; for indeed we meant to be
+very, very right; and when we set out the expedition appeared to us
+anything but a pleasant one. We have been to Oakley."
+
+"I am too thankful at seeing you returned in safety, my dear girls, to
+be very angry at any thing. But do tell me, Helen, what could have
+induced you to volunteer a visit to the only people who have been unkind
+to us since your poor father's death?"
+
+"In the hope, mamma, of putting an end to an estrangement which I
+thought was very painful to you."
+
+"Dearest Helen! it was just like you! And have you succeeded, my love?"
+
+"No, mamma, I have not."
+
+Mrs. Mowbray coloured.
+
+"And pray, Helen, have they explained to you the cause of their
+extraordinary and most unfeeling conduct?"
+
+"Do not say _they_, dearest mother! Lady Harrington is greatly
+distressed at Sir Gilbert's conduct: so is the colonel, who is just come
+home. Whatever fault there may be, it is Sir Gilbert's alone."
+
+"Did he, then, explain himself to you?"
+
+Helen remained silent.
+
+"I must request, Helen," resumed her mother, "that you make no farther
+mystery about the Harringtons. I am willing to excuse the strange step
+you took this morning; but I shall be seriously displeased if you refuse
+to tell me what passed during your visit. Of what is it that Sir Gilbert
+accuses me?"
+
+"I pointed out to him, mamma, the injustice of being angry with you
+because papa made a will that he did not approve."
+
+"Well, Helen! and what did he say to that?"
+
+"Upon my word, mamma, I could not find a shadow of reason in any thing
+he said."
+
+"You evade my questions, Helen. I insist upon knowing what it is that
+Sir Gilbert lays to my charge.--Helen!--do you refuse to answer me?"
+
+"Oh no, mamma!--but you cannot think how painful it would be for me to
+repeat it!"
+
+"I cannot help it, Helen: you have brought this pain on yourself by your
+very unadvised visit of this morning. But since you have gone to the
+house of one who has declared himself my enemy, you must let me know
+exactly what it is he has chosen to accuse me of; unless you mean that I
+should imagine you wish to shield him from my resentment because you
+think him right."
+
+"Oh, my mother!" cried Helen; "what a word is that!"
+
+"Well, then, do not trifle with me any longer, but repeat at once all
+that you heard him say."
+
+Thus urged, poor Helen stated Sir Gilbert's very unjust suspicions
+respecting the influence used to induce Mr. Mowbray to make the will he
+had left. It was in vain she endeavoured to modify and soften the
+accusation,--the resentment and indignation of Mrs. Mowbray were
+unbounded; and Helen had the deep mortification of perceiving that the
+only result of her enterprise was to have rendered the breach she so
+greatly wished to repair a hundred times wider than before.
+
+"And this man, with these base and vile suspicions, is the person your
+father has left as joint executor with me!--What a situation does this
+place me in! Did he make any allusion to this, Helen?--did he say any
+thing of the necessary business that we have, most unfortunately, to
+transact together?"
+
+"No, mamma, he did not."
+
+A long silence followed this question and answer. Mrs. Mowbray appeared
+to suffer greatly, and in fact she did so. Nothing could be farther from
+the truth than the idea Sir Gilbert Harrington had conceived, and its
+injustice revolted and irritated her to a degree that she never before
+experienced against any human being. That Helen should have listened to
+such an accusation, pained her extremely; and a feeling in some degree
+allied to displeasure against her mingled with the disagreeable
+meditations in which she was plunged.
+
+"My head aches dreadfully!" she said at last. "Fanny, give me my shawl
+and parasol: I will try what a walk in the fresh air will do for me."
+
+"May I go with you, mamma?" said Helen.
+
+"No, my dear; you have had quite walking enough. Fanny has not been out
+at all: she may come with me."
+
+These words were both natural and reasonable, but there was something in
+them that smote Helen to the heart. She fondly loved her mother, and,
+for the first time, she suspected that her heart and feelings were not
+understood.
+
+Mrs. Mowbray and Fanny had just walked through the library windows into
+the garden, when they perceived Mr. Cartwright approaching the house.
+They both uttered an exclamation of pleasure at perceiving him, and
+Fanny said eagerly, "He must see us, mamma! Do not let him go all the
+way round to the hall-door! May we not walk across and meet him?"
+
+"To be sure. Run forward, Fanny; and when he sees you coming to him, he
+will turn this way."
+
+She was not mistaken: Fanny had not made three steps in advance of her
+mother, before Mr. Cartwright turned from the road, and passing through
+a gate in the invisible fence, joined her in a moment.
+
+"How kind this is of you!" said he as he drew near;--"to appear thus
+willing to receive again an intruder, whose quick return must lead you
+to suspect that you are in danger of being haunted by him! And so I
+think you are, Miss Fanny; and I will be generous enough to tell you at
+once, that if you greet me thus kindly, I shall hardly know how to keep
+away from Mowbray Park."
+
+"But mamma is so glad to see you," said Fanny, blushing beautifully,
+"that I am sure you need not try to keep away!"
+
+Mrs. Mowbray now drew near to answer for herself; which she did very
+cordially, assuring him that she considered these friendly and
+unceremonious visits as the greatest kindness he could show her.
+
+"It will be long, I think," said she, "before I shall have courage
+sufficient to invite any one to this mournful and sadly-altered mansion:
+but those whose friendship I really value will, I trust, have the
+charity to come to us without waiting for an invitation."
+
+"I wish I could prove to you, my dear madam," replied Mr. Cartwright
+with respectful tenderness, "how fervently I desire to serve you: but,
+surrounded by old and long-tried friends as you must be, how can a
+new-comer and a stranger hope to be useful?"
+
+This was touching a very tender point--and it is just possible that Mr.
+Cartwright was aware of it, as he was present at the reading of the
+will, and heard Sir Gilbert Harrington's first burst of rage on becoming
+acquainted with its contents. But Mrs. Mowbray had either forgotten this
+circumstance, or, feeling deeply disturbed at the fresh proof which
+Helen had brought her of the falling off of an old friend, was disposed
+to revert anew to it, in the hope of moving the compasssion and
+propitiating the kindness of a new one.
+
+"Alas! my dear sir," she said feelingly, "even old friends will
+sometimes fail us; and then it is that we ought to thank God for such
+happy accidents as that which has placed near us one so able and kindly
+willing to supply their place as yourself.--Fanny, my love, the business
+on which I have to speak is a painful one: go to your sister, dearest,
+while I ask our kind friend's advice respecting this unhappy business."
+
+"Good-b'ye then, Mr. Cartwright," said Fanny, holding out her hand to
+him.--"But perhaps I shall see you again as you go away, for I shall be
+in the garden."
+
+"Bless you, my dear child!" said he fervently, as he led her a few steps
+towards the shrubberies; "God bless, and have you in his holy keeping!"
+
+"What an especial blessing have you, my dear friend," he said, returning
+to Mrs. Mowbray, "in that charming child!--Watch over her, and guard her
+from all evil! for she is one who, if guided in that only path which
+leads to good, will be a saving and a precious treasure to all who
+belong to her: but if led astray--alas! the guilt that the downfall of
+so pure a spirit would entail on those whose duty it is to watch over
+her!"
+
+"She is indeed an excellent young creature!" said the proud mother,
+whose darling the lovely Fanny had ever been; "but I think she wants
+less guiding than any child I ever saw,--and it has always been so. She
+learned faster than she could be taught; and her temper is so sweet, and
+her heart so affectionate, that I really do not remember that she has
+ever deserved a reprimand in her life."
+
+"May the precepts of her admirable mother ever keep her thus!" said Mr.
+Cartwright, as they seated themselves in the library, into which they
+had entered. "But, oh! my dear lady! know you not that it is just such
+sweet and gifted creatures as your Fanny that the Evil One seeks for his
+own?--Nay, look not thus terrified, my excellent, my exemplary
+friend,--look not thus terrified: if it be thus, as most surely it
+is--think you that we are left without help to resist? My dear, my
+admirable Mrs. Mowbray! yours is the hand appointed to lead this fair
+and attractive being unspotted through the world. If great--awfully
+great, as assuredly it is, be the responsibility, great--unspeakably
+great, will be the reward. Then tremble not, dear friend! watch and
+pray, and this unmeasurable reward shall be yours!"
+
+Mrs. Mowbray, however, did tremble; but her trembling was accompanied by
+a sweet and well-pleased consciousness of being considered by the
+excellent man beside her as capable of leading this darling child to
+eternal happiness and glory. The look, the accent of Mr. Cartwright went
+farther than his words to convince her that he believed this power to be
+hers, and she gazed at him with something of the reverence and humble
+love with which Catholics contemplate the effigies of the saints they
+worship.
+
+"But what was the business, the painful business, my poor friend, upon
+which you wished to consult me, before that vision of light had drawn
+all our attention upon herself? What was it, my dear Mrs. Mowbray, you
+wished to say to me?"
+
+"I am hardly justified, I fear, Mr. Cartwright, thus early in our
+acquaintance, in taking up your valuable time in listening to my sorrows
+and my wrongs; but in truth I have both to bear; and I have at this
+moment no friend near me to whom I can apply for advice how to proceed
+with business that puzzles almost as much as it distresses me. May I,
+then, my dear sir, intrude on your kindness for half an hour, while I
+state to you the singular predicament in which I am placed?"
+
+"Were it not, as most assuredly it is--were it not, dearest Mrs.
+Mowbray, a true and deep-felt pleasure to me to believe that I might
+possibly be useful to you, it would be my especial and bounden duty to
+strive to be so. For what are the ministers of the Most High placed
+amidst the people? wherefore are their voices raised, so that all should
+hear them? Is it not, my friend, because their lives, their souls, their
+bodies, are devoted to the service of those committed by Providence to
+their care? And, trust me, the minister who would shrink from this is
+unworthy--utterly unworthy the post to which he has been called. Speak,
+then, dearest Mrs. Mowbray, as to one bound alike by duty and the most
+fervent good-will to aid and assist you to the utmost extent of his
+power."
+
+The great natural gift of Mr. Cartwright was the power of making his
+voice, his eye, and the flexible muscles of his handsome mouth, echo,
+and, as it were reverberate and reiterate every word he spoke, giving to
+his language a power beyond its own. What he now said was uttered
+rapidly, but with an apparent depth and intensity of feeling that
+brought tears of mingled gratitude and admiration to the eyes of Mrs.
+Mowbray. After a moment given to this not unpleasing emotion, she said,
+
+"It was from you, Mr. Cartwright, if I remember rightly, that I first
+heard the enactments of my husband's will. When I give you my word, as I
+now most solemnly do, that I had never during his life the slightest
+knowledge of what that will was to be, I think you will believe me."
+
+"Believe you!" exclaimed Mr. Cartwright. "Is there on earth a being
+sufficiently depraved to doubt an assertion so vouched by you?"
+
+"Oh, Mr. Cartwright! if all men had your generous, and, I will say, just
+confidence in me, I should not now be in the position I am! But Sir
+Gilbert Harrington, the person most unhappily chosen by Mr. Mowbray as
+joint executor with myself, is persuaded that this generous will was
+made in my favour solely in consequence of my artful influence over him;
+and so deeply does he resent this imputed crime, that instead of
+standing forward, as he ought to do, as the protector and agent of his
+friend's widow, he loads the memory of that friend with insult, and
+oppresses me with scorn and revilings, the more bitter because conveyed
+to me by my own child."
+
+Mrs. Mowbray wept.--Mr. Cartwright hid his face with his hands, and for
+some moments seemed fearful of betraying all he felt. At length he fixed
+his eyes upon her--eyes moistened by a tear, and in a low, deep voice
+that seemed to indicate an inward struggle, he uttered, "_Vengeance is
+mine, saith the Lord_!"
+
+He closed his eyes, and sat for a moment silent,--then added, "Perhaps
+of all the trials to which we are exposed in this world of temptation,
+the obeying this mandate is the most difficult! But, like all uttered by
+its Divine Author, it is blessed alike by its authority and its use.
+Without it!--my friend! without it, would not my hand be grappling the
+throat of your malignant enemy?--Without it, should I not even now be
+seeking to violate the laws of God and man, to bring the wretch who can
+thus stab an angel woman's breast to the dust before her? But, thanks to
+the faith that is in me, I _know_ that his suspicious heart and cruel
+soul shall meet a vengeance as much greater than any I could inflict, as
+the hand that wields it is more powerful than mine! I humbly thank
+Heaven for this, and remembering it, turn with chastened spirit from the
+forbidden task of punishing him, to the far more Christian one of
+offering aid to the gentle being he would crush.--Was it indeed from the
+lips of your child, my poor friend, that these base aspersions reached
+you?"
+
+"It was indeed, Mr. Cartwright; and it was this which made them cut so
+deeply. Poor Helen knew not what she was about when she secretly left
+her mother's roof to visit this man, in the hope of restoring the
+families to their former habits of intimacy!"
+
+"Did Helen do this?" said Mr. Cartwright, with a sort of shiver.
+
+"Yes, poor thing, she did; and perhaps for her pains may have won
+caresses for herself. But, by her own statement--most reluctantly given,
+certainly,--she seems to have listened to calumnies against her mother,
+which I should have thought no child of mine would have borne to hear;"
+and again Mrs. Mowbray shed tears.
+
+"Gracious Heaven!" exclaimed Mr. Cartwright, fervently clasping his
+hands, "Dear, tortured Mrs. Mowbray, turn your weeping eyes to Heaven!
+those drops shall not fall in vain. It was your child--a child nurtured
+in that gentle bosom, who repeated to you this blasphemy? Oh, fie! fie!
+fie! But let us not think of this,--at least, not at this trying moment.
+Hereafter means must be taken to stay this plague-spot from spreading
+over the hearts of all whom nature has given to love and honour you.
+Your pretty, gentle Fanny! she at least will not, I think, be led to
+listen to any voice that shall speak ill of you:--sweet child! let her
+be near your heart, and that will comfort you.--But, alas! my poor
+friend, this maternal disappointment, grievous as it is, will not be all
+you have to bear from this wretch, whom Heaven, for its good but
+inscrutable purposes, permits to persecute you. There must be business,
+my dear Mrs. Mowbray, business of great importance that this man must be
+immediately called upon to execute with you,--the proving the will, for
+instance; he must either do this, or refuse to act."
+
+"Would to Heaven he might refuse!" said Mrs. Mowbray eagerly; "what a
+relief would this be to me, Mr. Cartwright! Do you think there would be
+any possibility of leading him to it?"
+
+"Of leading him,--certainly not; for it is very clear, from his conduct,
+that whatever you appeared to wish, _that_ he would be averse to do.
+Your only hope of obtaining what would most assuredly be an especial
+blessing for you, his formal renunciation of the executorship, would, I
+think, be from writing to him immediately, and imperatively demanding
+his joining you forthwith in proving the will. In such a state of mind
+as he must be in before he would bear to utter his vile suspicions to
+your daughter, I think it very likely he may refuse."
+
+"And what would happen then, Mr. Cartwright?"
+
+"You must place yourself in the hands of a respectable lawyer, totally a
+stranger and unconnected with him, and he would put you in a way to
+prove it yourself; after which he could give you no further trouble of
+any kind: unless, indeed, your misguided children should continue to
+frequent his house, and so become the means of wounding your ears and
+your heart by repeating his calumnies. But this, I trust, the source of
+all wisdom and goodness will give you power to prevent."
+
+"With your help and counsel, Mr. Cartwright, I may yet hope to weather
+the storm that seems to have burst upon me; but indeed it could hardly
+have burst upon any one less capable of struggling with it! In what
+language should I write to this, cruel man, who has so undeservedly
+become my enemy?"
+
+"There is no difficulty there, my friend. The shortest and most strictly
+ceremonious form must be the best."
+
+Mrs. Mowbray drew towards her materials for writing,--opened the
+portfolio, which between its leaves of blotting-paper contained sundry
+sheets of wire-wove, black-edged post,--placed one of them before
+her,--took a pen and curiously examined its tip--dipped it delicately in
+the ink, and finally turned to Mr. Cartwright, saying,
+
+"How very grateful I should be if you would have the great kindness to
+write it for me!"
+
+"But the handwriting, my dear lady, must be yours."
+
+"Oh yes! I know. But it would be so much more satisfactory if you would
+sketch the form!"
+
+"Then I am sure I will do it most readily." He drew the paper to him and
+wrote,
+
+"Mrs. Mowbray presents her compliments to Sir Gilbert Harrington, and
+requests to know on what day it will suit him to meet her and her lawyer
+in London, for the purpose of proving her late husband's will at
+Doctors' Commons. The amount of the real property may be ascertained by
+the rent-roll; that of the personal, by means of papers left by the
+deceased, and a valuation of the effects made by competent persons. Mrs.
+Mowbray begs leave to intimate that she wishes as little delay as
+possible to intervene before the completion of this transaction."
+
+Mr. Cartwright turned what he had written towards her, saying, "This is
+the sort of letter which I should think it advisable to send."
+
+Mrs. Mowbray drew forth another sheet, and transcribed it so rapidly
+that it might be doubted whether she allowed herself time to read it as
+she did so.
+
+"And this should be despatched instantly, should it not?" she said,
+folding and directing it.
+
+"Indeed, I think so."
+
+"Then will you have the kindness to ring the bell, Mr. Cartwright?"
+
+"Bring me a lighted taper, John," said Mrs. Mowbray to the servant who
+entered; "and let Thomas get a horse ready to take this letter
+immediately to Oakley."
+
+The taper was brought, the letter sealed and delivered, with
+instructions that the bearer was to wait for an answer.
+
+This important business concluded, Mr. Cartwright rose to go, saying,
+"You have filled my heart and my head so completely by the communication
+of Sir Gilbert Harrington's conduct, that I protest to you I do not at
+this moment recollect why it was I troubled you with a visit this
+morning. I shall recollect it, I dare say, when I see you no longer; and
+if I do, you must let me come back before very long to tell you."
+
+"But whether you recollect it or not," replied Mrs. Mowbray in a
+plaintive tone, "I trust you will not let it be long before I see you:
+otherwise, Mr. Cartwright, I shall not know how to proceed when I
+receive Sir Gilbert's answer."
+
+This appeal was answered by an assurance, uttered in a tone of the most
+soothing kindness, that he would never be far from her when she wished
+him near; and then, with a pastoral and affectionate pressure of her
+hand, he left her.
+
+Fanny kept her word, and was walking up and down about a dozen yards
+from that end of the shrubbery which terminated in the road leading to
+the house. Mr. Cartwright looked in that direction as he stepped from
+the library window, and walking quickly to the spot, conversed with her
+for several minutes as she stood leaning over the gate. Fanny smiled,
+blushed, and looked delighted: her hand, too, was pressed with
+affectionate kindness; and Mr. Cartwright returned to his vicarage and
+his early dinner.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XI.
+
+HELEN'S MISERY AT HER MOTHER'S DISPLEASURE.--SIR G. HARRINGTON'S LETTER
+ON THE SUBJECT OF THE WILL.
+
+
+When Miss Torrington and Helen retreated to the dressing-room
+appropriated to the former, which was the apartment in which they
+generally pursued their morning studies, they sat down disconsolately
+enough to review the results of their enterprise.
+
+"Everything is ten times worse than it was before, Helen!" said her
+friend; "and it is all my fault!"
+
+"Your fault?--Oh no! But I believe we are both of us too young to
+interfere, with any reasonable hope of doing good, between those who in
+age and wisdom are so greatly our superiors. Oh, Rosalind! I fear, I
+fear that my dearest mother is very angry with me!"
+
+"I cannot believe it, Helen. I hardly know how far a dutiful daughter
+may be permitted to act like a rational human being; but to the best of
+my knowledge and belief, your conduct has been such as to ensure you the
+approbation and gratitude of any mother in the world--at least of any
+reasonable mother. You know, Helen, how truly fond I have become of my
+sweet-tempered guardianess.--Is there such a word?--I believe not;--of
+my guardian, then. During the eight months that I have made one of her
+family, I have never yet received a harsh word or unkind look from her,
+though I have not the slightest doubt that I have deserved many: but
+nevertheless, my own dear Helen, if she should blunder so egregiously as
+to be really angry with you for acting with such zealous, tender
+affection as you have done this morning merely because that obstinate
+old brute Sir Gilbert was not to be brought to reason; if she should
+really act thus--which I trust in God she will not--but if she should, I
+do verily believe, in all sincerity, that I should hate her."
+
+"No, you would not,--you would not be so unjust, Rosalind. What right
+had we to volunteer our silly services? What right had I, in particular,
+to fancy that if Sir Gilbert would not listen to the remonstrances of
+his excellent and very clever wife, he would listen to mine?--I really
+am ashamed of my silly vanity and most gross presumption; and if my
+dear, dearest mother will but forgive me this once, as all naughty
+children say, I do not believe she will ever have cause to chide me for
+meddling again. Oh, Rosalind! if she did but know how I love her, she
+could never have looked so coldly on me as she did when she told me I
+had had walking enough!"
+
+"I hope you are mistaken; I hope she did not look coldly on you. I hope
+she is not angry; for if she be ... I shall go over to the enemy, Helen,
+as sure as my name is Rosalind, and you may live to see me patting the
+rough hide of that very shaggy British bull-dog, Sir Gilbert, every time
+he says something impertinent against your mother."
+
+"There is one thing," said Helen, slightly colouring, "that does in some
+little degree reconcile me to the unfortunate visit of this morning--and
+that this...."
+
+"The having met Colonel Harrington!" cried Rosalind, interrupting her.
+"Is it not so?"
+
+"You are right," replied her friend composedly. "William Harrington,
+when he was simply William Harrington, and not a dashing colonel of
+dragoons, was kindness itself to me, when I was a puny, fretful girl,
+that cried when I ought to have laughed. I cannot forget his
+good-natured protecting ways with me, and I should have been truly sorry
+if he had left the country again, as I suppose he will soon do, without
+my seeing him."
+
+"Truly, I believe you, my dear," replied Rosalind, laughing. "And your
+plain William Harrington, too, seemed as willing to renew the
+acquaintance as yourself. To tell you the truth, Helen, I thought I saw
+symptoms of a mighty pretty little incipient flirtation."
+
+"How can you talk such nonsense, when we have so much to make us sad!
+Don't you think I had better go and see if mamma is come in, Rosalind? I
+cannot express to you how miserable I shall be as long as I think that
+she is angry with me."
+
+At this moment the bell which announced that the luncheon was ready,
+sounded, and poor Helen exclaimed, "Oh, I am so sorry! I ought to have
+sought her again, before meeting her in this manner. But come! perhaps
+her dear face will look smilingly at me again: how I will kiss her if it
+does!"
+
+But the warm heart was again chilled to its very core by the look Mrs.
+Mowbray wore as the two girls entered the room. Fanny was already seated
+next her. This was a place often playfully contested between the
+sisters, and Helen thought, as she approached the door, that if she
+could get it, and once more feel her mother's hand between her own, she
+should be the happiest creature living.
+
+But nothing could be less alike, than what followed her entrance, to the
+imaginings which preceded it. Mrs. Mowbray was unusually silent to them
+all, but to Helen she addressed not a single word. This was partly owing
+to the feeling of displeasure which had recently been so skilfully
+fastened in her breast, and partly to the anxiety she felt respecting
+the answer of Sir Gilbert to her note.
+
+In the middle of the silent and nearly untasted meal, the poetical Fanny
+being in truth the only one who appeared to have much inclination to
+eat, a salver was presented to Mrs. Mowbray, from whence, with a
+heightened colour and almost trembling hand, she took a note. She
+instantly rose from table and left the room. Helen rose too, but not to
+follow her: she could no longer restrain her tears, and it was to hide
+this from Fanny, and if possible from Rosalind, that she hastened to
+leave them both, and shut herself in her own chamber to weep alone.
+
+The present emotion of Helen cannot be understood without referring to
+the manner in which she had hitherto lived with her mother, and indeed
+to the general habits of the family. Mystery of any kind was unknown
+among them; and to those who have observed the effect of this, its
+prodigious influence on the general tone of family intercourse must be
+well known. To those who have not, it would be nearly impossible to
+convey in words an adequate idea of the difference which exists in a
+household where the parents make a secret of all things of important
+interest, and where they do not. It is not the difference between ease
+and restraint, or even that more striking still, between sweet and sour
+tempers in the chief or chiefs of the establishment; it is a thousand
+times more vital than either. Without this easy, natural spontaneous
+confidence, the family union is like a rope of sand, that will fall to
+pieces and disappear at the first touch of any thing that can attract
+and draw off its loose and unbound particles. But if it be important as
+a general family habit, it is ten thousand times more so in the
+intercourse between a mother and her daughters. Let no parent believe
+that affection can be perfect without it; and let no mother fancy that
+the heart of her girl can be open to her if it find not an open heart in
+return. Mothers! if you value the precious deposit of your dear girls'
+inmost thoughts, peril not the treasure by chilling them with any
+mystery of your own! It is not in the nature of things that confidence
+should exist on one side only: it must be mutual.
+
+Never was there less of this hateful mildew of mystery than in the
+Mowbray family during the life of their father. Whatever were the
+questions that arose,--whether they concerned the purchase of an estate,
+or the giving or accepting an invitation to dinner,--whether it were a
+discussion respecting the character of a neighbour, or the flavour of
+the last packet of tea,--they were ever and always canvassed in full
+assembly; or if any members were wanting, it was because curiosity,
+which lives only by searching for what is hid, lacking its proper
+aliment, had perished altogether, and so set the listeners free.
+
+This new-born secrecy in her mother struck therefore like a bolt of ice
+into the very heart of the sensitive Helen. "Have I lost her for ever!"
+she exclaimed aloud, though in solitude. "Mother! mother!--is it to be
+ever thus!--If this be the consequence of my poor father's will, well
+might Sir Gilbert deplore it! How happily could I have lived for ever,
+dependent on her for my daily bread, so I could have kept her heart for
+ever as open as my own!"
+
+At this period, Helen Mowbray had much suffering before her; but she
+never perhaps felt a pang more bitter in its newness than that which
+accompanied the conviction that her mother had a secret which she meant
+not to communicate to her. She felt the fact to be what it really was,
+neither more nor less; she felt that it announced the dissolution of
+that sweet and perfect harmony which had hitherto existed between them.
+
+The note from Sir Gilbert Harrington was as follows:
+
+     "Sir Gilbert Harrington presents his compliments to Mrs.
+     Mowbray, and begs to inform her that he has not the slightest
+     intention of ever acting as executor to the very singular and
+     mysterious document opened in his presence on the 12th of May
+     last past, purporting to be the last will and testament of his
+     late friend, Charles Mowbray, Esquire.
+
+     "Oakley, June 59th, 1834."
+
+"The lady had gone to her secret bower" to peruse this scroll; and it
+was fortunate perhaps that she did so, for it produced in her a
+sensation of anger so much more violent than she was accustomed to feel,
+that she would have done herself injustice by betraying it.
+
+Mrs. Mowbray had passed her life in such utter ignorance of every kind
+of business, and such blind and helpless dependence, first on her
+guardians, and then on her husband, that the idea of acting for herself
+was scarcely less terrible than the notion of navigating a seventy-four
+would be to ladies in general. Her thoughts now turned towards Mr.
+Cartwright, as to a champion equally able and willing to help and defend
+her, and she raised her eyes to Heaven with fervent gratitude for the
+timely happiness of having met with such a friend.
+
+That friend had pointed out to her the fault committed by Helen in a
+manner that made it appear to her almost unpardonable. To have doubted
+the correctness of his judgment on this, or any point, would have been
+to doubt the stability of that staff which Providence had sent her to
+lean upon in this moment of her utmost need. She doubted him not: and
+Helen was accordingly thrust out, not without a pang perhaps, from that
+warm and sacred station in her mother's heart that it had been the first
+happiness of her existence to fill. Poor Helen! matters were going worse
+for her--far worse than she imagined, though she was unhappy and out of
+spirits. She believed, indeed, that her mother was really angry; but,
+terrible as her forebodings were, she dreamed not that she was already
+and for ever estranged.
+
+As soon as the first burst of passionate anger had been relieved by a
+solitary flood of tears, Mrs. Mowbray called a council with herself as
+to whether she should immediately despatch a messenger to request Mr.
+Cartwright to call upon her in the evening, or whether she should trust
+to the interest he had so warmly expressed, which, if sincere, must
+bring him to her, she thought, on the morrow.
+
+After anxiously debiting this point for nearly an hour, and deciding
+first on one line of conduct, and then on the other, at least six
+different times within that period, she at last determined to await his
+coming; and concealing the doubts and fears which worried her by
+confining herself to her room under pretence of headach, the three girls
+were left to pass the remainder of the day by themselves, when, as may
+easily be imagined, the important events of the morning were fully
+discussed among them.
+
+Fanny, after the motives of the visit to Oakley had been fully explained
+to her, gave it as her opinion that Helen was wrong in going without the
+consent of her mother, but that her intention might plead in atonement
+for it. But her indignation at hearing of the pertinacious obstinacy of
+Sir Gilbert was unbounded.
+
+"Oh! how my poor father was deceived in him!" she exclaimed. "He must
+have a truly bad heart to forsake and vilify my mother at the time she
+most wants the assistance of a friend. For you know there is business,
+Helen, relative to the will, and the property, and all that--Sir Gilbert
+understands it all,--hard-hearted wretch! and I doubt not he thinks he
+shall crush poor mamma to the dust by thus leaving her, as he believes,
+without a friend. But, thank God! he will find he is mistaken."
+
+"What do you mean, Fanny?" said Rosalind sharply.
+
+"I mean, Rosalind, that mamma is _not_ without a friend," replied Fanny
+with emphasis. "It has pleased God in his mercy to send her one when she
+most needed it."
+
+"I trust that God will restore to her and to us the old, well known, and
+trusted friend of my father," said Helen gravely. "On none other can we
+rest our hope for counsel and assistance, when needed, so safely."
+
+"Even if you were right, Helen," replied her sister, "there would be
+small comfort in your observation. Of what advantage to mamma, or to us,
+would the good qualities of Sir Gilbert he, if it be his will, as it
+evidently is, to estrange himself from us? What a contrast is the
+conduct of Mr. Cartwright to his!"
+
+"Mr. Cartwright!" cried Rosalind, distorting her pretty features into a
+grimace that intimated abundant scorn,--"Mr. Cartwright! There is much
+consolation, to be sure, in what an acquaintance of yesterday can do or
+say, for the loss of such an old friend as Sir Gilbert Harrington!"
+
+"It would be a sad thing for poor mamma if there were not," replied
+Fanny. "Of what advantage to her, I ask you, is the long standing of her
+acquaintance with Sir Gilbert, if his caprice and injustice are to make
+him withdraw himself at such a time as this?--And how unreasonable and
+unchristianlike would it be, Rosalind, were she to refuse the friendship
+of Mr. Cartwright, because she has not known him as long?"
+
+"The only objection I see to her treating Mr. Cartwright as a
+confidential friend is, that she does not know him at all," said
+Rosalind.
+
+"Nor ever can, if she treats him as you do, Miss Torrington," answered
+Fanny, colouring. "I believe Mr. Edward Wallace was an especial
+favourite of yours, my dear; and that perhaps may in some degree account
+for your prejudice against our good Mr. Cartwright.--Confess,
+Rosalind;--is it not so?"
+
+"He was indeed an especial favourite with me!" replied Rosalind gravely;
+"and for the love I bear you all, and more particularly for your sake,
+Fanny, and your poor mother's, I would give much--much--much, that he
+were in the place which Mr. Cartwright holds."
+
+"But if mamma is in want of a man to transact her business, why does she
+not write to Charles and desire him to return?" said Helen. "The taking
+his degree a few months later would be of little consequence."
+
+"Charles?" said Fanny with a smile that seemed to mean a great
+deal.--"Charles is one of the most amiable beings in the world, but the
+most incapable of undertaking the management of business."
+
+"How can you know any thing about it, Fanny?" said Helen, looking at her
+with surprise.
+
+"I heard Mr. Cartwright say to mamma, that Charles was quite a boy,
+though a very charming one."
+
+Helen looked vexed, and Rosalind fixed her eyes upon Fanny as if wishing
+she would say more.
+
+"In short," continued Fanny, "if Sir Gilbert chooses to cut us, I don't
+see what mamma _can_ do so proper and so right as to make a friend of
+the clergyman of the parish."
+
+Her two companions answered not a word, and the conversation was brought
+to a close by Fanny's drawing from her pocket, her bag, and her bosom,
+sundry scraps of paper, on which many lines of unequal length were
+scrawled; and on these she appeared inclined to her fix whole attention.
+This was always considered by Helen and Rosalind as a signal for
+departure: for then Fanny was in a poetic mood; a word spoken or a
+movement made by those around her produced symptoms of impatience and
+suffering which they did not like to witness. Their absence was indeed a
+relief: for pretty Fanny, during the few moments of conversation which
+she had enjoyed at the gate of the shrubbery in the morning, had
+promised Mr. Cartwright to compose a hymn. To perform this promise to
+the best of her power was at this moment the first wish of her heart:
+for the amiable vicar had already contrived to see some of those
+numerous offerings to Apollo with which this fairest and freshest of
+Sapphos beguiled her too abundant leisure. He had pronounced her poetic
+powers great, and worthy of higher themes than any she had hitherto
+chosen: if was most natural, therefore, that she should now tax her
+genius to the utmost, to prove that his first judgment had not been too
+favourable: so the remainder of that long day passed in melancholy
+enough _tete-a-tete_ between Rosalind and Helen, and in finding rhymes
+for all the epithets of heaven on the part of Fanny.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XII.
+
+MR. CARTWRIGHT'S LETTER TO HIS COUSIN.--COLONEL HARRINGTON.
+
+
+The intelligent reader will not be surprised to hear that Mr. Cartwright
+did not suffer himself to be long expected in vain on the following
+morning. Fanny, however, was already in the garden when he arrived; and
+as it so happened that he saw her as she was hovering near the shrubbery
+gate, he turned from the carriage-road and approached her.
+
+"How sweetly does youth, when blessed with such a cheek and eye as
+yours, Miss Fanny, accord with the fresh morning of such a day as
+this!--I feel," he added taking her hand and looking in her blushing
+face, "that my soul never offers adoration more worthy of my Maker than
+when inspired by intercourse with such a being as you!"
+
+"Oh! Mr. Cartwright!" cried Fanny, avoiding his glance by fixing her
+beautiful eyes upon the ground.
+
+"My dearest child! fear not to look at me--fear not to meet the eye of a
+friend, who would watch over you, Fanny, as the minister of Heaven
+should watch over that which is best and fairest, to make and keep it
+holy. Let me have that innocent heart in my keeping, my dearest child,
+and all that is idle, light, and vain shall be banished thence, while
+heavenward thoughts and holy musings shall take its place. Have you
+essayed to hymn the praises of your God, Fanny, since we parted
+yesterday?"
+
+This question was accompanied by an encouraging pat upon her glowing
+cheek; and Fanny, her heart beating with vanity, shyness, hope, fear,
+and sundry other feelings, drew the MS. containing a fairly-written
+transcript of her yesterday's labours from her bosom, and placed it in
+his hand.
+
+Mr. Cartwright pressed it with a sort of pious fervour to his lips, and
+enclosing it for greater security in a letter which he drew from his
+pocket, he laid it carefully within his waistcoat, on the left side of
+his person, and as near, as possible to that part of it appropriated for
+the residence of the heart.
+
+"This must be examined in private, my beloved child," said he solemnly.
+"The first attempt to raise such a spirit as yours in holy song has, to
+my feelings, something as awful in it as the first glad movement of a
+seraph's wing!... Where is your mother, Fanny?"
+
+"She is in the library."
+
+"Alone?"
+
+"Oh yes!--at least I should think so, for I am sure she is expecting
+you."
+
+"Farewell, then, my dear young friend!--Pursue your solitary musing
+walk; and remember, Fanny, that as by your talents you are marked and
+set apart, as it were, from the great mass of human souls, so will you
+be looked upon the more fixedly by the searching eye of God. It is from
+him you received this talent--keep it sacred to his use, as David did,
+and great shall be your reward!--Shall I startle your good mother,
+Fanny, if I enter by the library window?"
+
+"Oh no! Mr. Cartwright--I am sure mamma would be quite vexed if you
+always went round that long way up to the door, especially in summer you
+know, when the windows are always open."
+
+"Once more, farewell, then!"
+
+Fanny's hand was again tenderly pressed, and they parted.
+
+It would be a needless lengthening of my tale, were I to record all that
+passed at this and three or four subsequent interviews which took place
+between the vicar and Mrs. Mowbray on the subject of proving the will.
+Together with the kindest and most soothing demonstrations of rapidly
+increasing friendship and esteem, Mr. Cartwright conveyed to her very
+sound legal information respecting what it was necessary for her to do.
+The only difficulty remaining seemed to arise from Mrs. Mowbray's
+dislike to apply to any friend in London, either for their hospitality
+or assistance, during the visit it was necessary she should make there
+for the completion of the business. This dislike arose from the very
+disagreeable difficulties which had been thrown in her way by Sir
+Gilbert Harrington's refusing to act. It would have been very painful to
+her, as she frankly avowed to her new friend, to announce and explain
+this refusal to any one; and it was therefore finally arranged between
+them, that he should give her a letter of introduction to a most
+excellent and trustworthy friend and relation of his, who was
+distinguished, as he assured her, for being the most honourable and
+conscientious attorney in London,--and perhaps, as he added with a sigh,
+the only one who constantly acted with the fear of the Lord before his
+eyes.
+
+Gladly did Mrs. Mowbray accede to this proposal, for in truth it removed
+a world of anxiety from her mind; and urged as much by a wish to prove
+how very easy it was to be independent of Sir Gilbert, as by the
+strenuous advice of Mr. Cartwright to lose no time in bringing the
+business to a conclusion, she fixed upon the following week for this
+troublesome but necessary expedition.
+
+It may serve to throw a light upon the kind and anxious interest which
+the Vicar of Wrexhill took in the affairs of his widowed parishioner, if
+a copy of his letter to his cousin and friend Mr. Stephen Corbold be
+inserted.
+
+     "TO STEPHEN CORBOLD, ESQ. SOLICITOR, GRAY'S INN, LONDON.
+
+     "My dear and valued Friend and Cousin,
+
+     "It has at length pleased God to enable me to prove to you how
+     sincere is the gratitude which I have ever professed for the
+     important service your father conferred upon me by the timely
+     loan of two hundred pounds, when I was, as I believe you know,
+     inconvenienced by a very troublesome claim. It has been a
+     constant matter of regret to me that I should never, through
+     the many years which have since passed, been able to repay it:
+     but, if I mistake not, the service which I am now able to
+     render you will eventually prove such as fairly to liquidate
+     your claim upon me; and from my knowledge of your pious and
+     honourable feelings, I cannot doubt your being willing to
+     deliver to me my bond for the same, should your advantages from
+     the transaction in hand prove at all commensurate to my
+     expectations."
+
+     [Here followed a statement of the widow Mowbray's business in
+     London, with the commentary upon the ways and means which she
+     possessed to carry that, and all other business in which she
+     was concerned, to a satisfactory conclusion, much to the
+     contentment of all those fortunate enough to be employed as her
+     assistants therein. The reverend gentleman then proceeded
+     thus.]
+
+     "Nor is this all I would wish to say to you, cousin Stephen, on
+     the subject of the widow Mowbray's affairs, and the advantages
+     which may arise to you from the connexion which equally, of
+     course, for her advantage as for yours, I am desirous of
+     establishing between you.
+
+     "I need not tell _you_, cousin Stephen, who, by the blessing of
+     Heaven upon your worthy endeavours, have already been able in a
+     little way to see what law is,--I need not, I say, point out to
+     you at any great length, how much there must of necessity be to
+     do in the management of an estate and of funds which bring in a
+     net income somewhat exceeding fourteen thousand pounds per
+     annum. Now I learn from my excellent friend Mrs. Mowbray, that
+     her late husband transacted the whole of this business himself;
+     an example which it is impossible, as I need not remark, for
+     his widow and sole legatee to follow. She is quite aware of
+     this, and by a merciful dispensation of the Most High, her
+     mind appears to be singularly ductile, and liable to receive
+     such impressions as a pious and attentive friend would be able
+     to enforce on all points. In addition to this great and heavy
+     charge, which it has pleased Providence, doubtless for his own
+     good purposes, to lay upon her, she has also the entire
+     management, as legal and sole guardian of a young Irish
+     heiress, of another prodigiously fine property, consisting,
+     like her own, partly of money in the English funds, and partly
+     in houses and lands in the north part of Ireland. The business
+     connected with the Torrington property is therefore at this
+     moment, as well as every thing concerning the widow Mowbray's
+     affairs, completely without any agent whatever; and I am not
+     without hopes, cousin Stephen, that by the blessing of God to
+     usward, I may be enabled to obtain the same for you.
+
+     "I know the pious habit of your mind, cousin, and that you,
+     like myself, never see any remarkable occurrence without
+     clearly tracing therein the immediate finger of Heaven. I
+     confess that throughout the whole of this affair;--the sudden
+     death of the late owner of this noble fortune; the singular
+     will he left, by which it all has become wholly and solely at
+     the disposal of his excellent widow; the hasty and not overwise
+     determination to renounce the executorship on the part of this
+     petulant Sir Gilbert Harrington; the accident or rather series
+     of accidents, by which I have become at once and so
+     unexpectedly, the chief stay, support, comfort, consolation,
+     and adviser of this amiable but very helpless lady;--throughout
+     the whole of this, I cannot, I say, but observe the gracious
+     Providence of my Master, who wills that I should obtain power
+     and mastery even over the things of this world, worthless
+     though they be, cousin Stephen, when set in comparison with
+     those of the world to come. It is my clear perception of the
+     will of Heaven in this matter which renders me willing,--yea,
+     ardent in my desire to obtain influence over the Mowbray
+     family. They are not all, however, equally amiable to the
+     wholesome guidance I would afford them: on the contrary, it is
+     evident to me that the youngest child is the only one on whom
+     the Lord is at present disposed to pour forth a saving light.
+     Nevertheless I will persevere. Peradventure the hearts of the
+     disobedient may in the end be turned to the wisdom of the just;
+     and we know right well who it is that can save from all
+     danger, even though a man, went to sea without art; a tempting
+     of Providence which would in my case be most criminal,--for
+     great in that respect has been its mercy, giving unto me that
+     light which is needful to guide us through the rocks and shoals
+     for ever scattered amidst worldly affairs.
+
+     "Thus much have I written to you, cousin Stephen, with my own
+     hand, that you might fully comprehend the work that lies before
+     us. But I will not with pen and ink write more unto you, for I
+     trust I shall shortly see you, and that we shall speak face to
+     face.
+
+     "I am now and ever, cousin Stephen, your loving kinsman and
+     Christian friend,
+
+     "WILLIAM JACOB CARTWRIGHt.
+
+     "Wrexhill Vicarage, 9th July, 1834."
+
+     "P.S. Since writing the above, the widow Mowbray has besought
+     me to instruct _the gentleman who is to act as her agent_ to
+     obtain lodgings for her in a convenient quarter of the town;
+     and therefore this letter will precede her. Nor can she indeed
+     set forth till you shall have written in return to inform her
+     whereunto her equipage must be instructed to drive. Remember,
+     cousin, that the apartments be suitable; and in choosing them
+     recollect that it is neither you nor I who will pay for the
+     same. Farewell. If I mistake not, the mercy of Heaven
+     overshadows you, my cousin."
+
+Poor Mrs. Mowbray would have rejoiced exceedingly had it been possible
+for her kind and ever-ready adviser and friend to accompany her to
+London; but as he did not himself propose this, she would not venture to
+do it, and only asked him, such as an obedient child might ask a parent,
+whether he thought she ought to go attended only by a man and maid
+servant, or whether she might have the comfort of taking one of her
+daughters with her.
+
+Mr. Cartwright looked puzzled; indeed the question involved considerable
+difficulties. It was by no means the vicar's wish to appear harsh or
+disagreeable in his enactments; yet neither did he particularly desire
+that the eldest Miss Mowbray should be placed in circumstances likely to
+give her increased influence over her mother: and as to Fanny, his
+conscience reproached him for having for an instant conceived the idea
+of permitting one to whom the elective finger of grace had so recently
+pointed to be removed so far from his fostering care.
+
+After a few moments of silent consideration, he replied,
+
+"No! my dearest lady, you ought not to be without the soothing presence
+of a child; and if I might advise you on the subject, I should recommend
+your being accompanied by Miss Helen,--both, because, as being the
+eldest, she might expect this preference, and because, likewise, I
+should deem it prudent to remove her from the great risk and danger of
+falling into the society of your base and injurious enemy during your
+absence."
+
+"You are quite right about that, as I'm sure you are about every thing,
+Mr. Cartwright. I really would not have Helen see more of Sir Gilbert's
+family for the world! She has such wild romantic notions about old
+friendships being better than new ones, that I am sure it would be the
+way to make terrible disputes between us. She has never yet known the
+misery of having an old friend turn against her,--nor the comfort, Mr.
+Cartwright, of finding a new one sent by Providence to supply his
+place!"
+
+"My dearest lady! I shall ever praise and bless the dispensation that
+has placed me near you during this great trial;--and remember always,
+that those whom the Lord loveth he chasteneth!"
+
+"Ah! Mr. Cartwright, I fear that I have not been hitherto sufficiently
+mindful of this, and that I have repined where I ought to have blessed.
+But I trust that a more christian spirit is now awakened within me, and
+that henceforward, with your aid, and by the blessing of Heaven upon my
+humble endeavours, I may become worthy of the privilege I enjoy as being
+one of your congregation."
+
+"May the Lord hear, receive, record, and bless that hope!" cried the
+vicar fervently, seizing her hand and kissing it with holy zeal.
+
+Mrs. Mowbray coloured slightly; but feeling ashamed of the weak and
+unworthy feeling that caused this, she made a strong effort to recover
+from the sort of embarrassment his action caused, and said, with as much
+ease as she could assume,
+
+"Rosalind and Fanny are both very young and very giddy, Mr. Cartwright.
+May I hope that during my short absence--which I shall make as short as
+possible,--may I hope, my kind friend, that you will look in upon them
+every day?"
+
+"You cannot doubt it!--what is there I would not do to spare you an
+anxious thought!--They are young and thoughtless, particularly your
+ward. Miss Torrington is just the girl, I think, to propose some wild
+frolic--perhaps another visit to Sir Gilbert; and your sweet Fanny is
+too young and has too little authority to prevent it."
+
+"Good Heaven! do you think so? Then what can I do?"
+
+"An idea has struck me, my dear friend, which I will mention to you with
+all frankness, certain that if you disapprove it, you will tell me so
+with an openness and sincerity equal to my own.--I think that if my
+staid and quiet daughter Henrietta were to pass the short interval of
+your absence here, you might be quite sure that nothing gay or giddy
+would be done:--her delicate health and sober turn of mind preclude the
+possibility of this;--and her being here would authorize my daily
+visit."
+
+"There is nothing in the world I should like so well," replied Mrs.
+Mowbray. "Any thing likely to promote an intimacy between my young
+people and a daughter brought up by you must be indeed a blessing to us.
+Shall I call upon her?--or shall I write the invitation?"
+
+"You are very kind, dear lady!--very heavenly-minded!--but there is no
+sort of necessity that you should take the trouble of doing either. I
+will mention to Henrietta your most flattering wish that she should be
+here during your absence: and, believe me, she will be most happy to
+comply with it."
+
+"I shall be very grateful to her.--But will it not be more agreeable for
+her, and for us also, that she should come immediately? I cannot go
+before Monday--this is Thursday; might she not come to us to-morrow?"
+
+"How thoughtful is that!--how like yourself!--Certainly it will be
+pleasanter for her, and I will therefore bring her."
+
+The conversation was here interrupted by the entrance of a servant with
+a note. But for the better understanding its effect both on the lady and
+gentleman, it will be necessary to recount one or two circumstances
+which had occurred to the anti-Cartwright party in the Mowbray family,
+subsequent to their visit to Oakley.
+
+A few days after that which witnessed poor Helen's disgrace, after
+entering the drawing-room and receiving a hint from her mother (whom
+she found there in close conclave with the vicar) that she had better
+take her morning walk, it happened that she and Rosalind, as they were
+earnestly discoursing of their yesterday's visit, and enjoying the
+perfect shade of a lane leading to the village of Wrexhill, perceived a
+horseman approaching them as slowly as it was possible to make a fine
+horse walk. In the next moment, however, something appeared to have
+pricked the sides of his intent, as well as those of his horse; for with
+a bound or two he was close to them, and in the next instant dismounted
+and by their side.
+
+The gentleman proved to be Colonel Harrington, who immediately declared,
+with very soldierly frankness, that he had been riding through every
+avenue leading to Mowbray Park, in the hope of being fortunate enough to
+meet them.
+
+Rosalind smiled; while Helen, without knowing too well what she said,
+answered with a deep blush, "You are very kind."
+
+Colonel Harrington carefully tied up his reins and so arranged them as
+to leave no danger of their getting loose; then giving his steed a
+slight cut with his riding-whip, the obedient animal set off at an easy
+trot for Oakley.
+
+"He knows his way, at least, as well as I do," said the colonel. "It is
+my father's old hunter, and I selected him on purpose, that if I were
+lucky enough to meet you, I might have no trouble about getting rid of
+him. And now tell me, Helen, how did your mother bear the answer my
+father sent to her note?"
+
+"An answer from Sir Gilbert?--and to a note from my mother?" said Helen.
+"Alas! it was kept secret from me; and therefore, Colonel Harrington, I
+had rather you should not talk of it to me."
+
+"It is hardly reasonable that you should insist upon my keeping secret
+what I have to tell you, Helen, because others are less communicative.
+The letters he receives and writes are surely my father's business
+either to impart or conceal, as he thinks best; and he is extremely
+anxious to learn your opinion respecting your mother's letter, and his
+answer to it. He certainly did not imagine that they had been kept
+secret from you."
+
+"Indeed I have never heard of either."
+
+"Do you suppose, then, that she has mentioned them to no one?"
+
+Helen did not immediately reply, but Rosalind did. "I am very
+particularly mistaken, Colonel Harrington," said she, "if the Reverend
+William Jacob Cartwright, vicar of Wrexhill, and privy counsellor at
+Mowbray Park, did not superintend the writing of the one, and the
+reading of the other."
+
+"Do you really think so, Miss Torrington? What do you say, Helen? do you
+believe this to have been the case?"
+
+"He is very often at the Park," replied Helen.
+
+"But do you think it possible that Mrs. Mowbray would communicate to him
+what she would conceal from you?" said Colonel Harrington.
+
+This question was also left unanswered by Helen; but Rosalind again
+undertook to reply. "You will think me a very interfering person, I am
+afraid, Colonel Harrington," said she; "but many feelings keep Helen
+silent which do not influence me; and, as far as I am capable of
+judging, it is extremely proper, and perhaps important, that Sir Gilbert
+should know that this holy vicar never passes a day without finding or
+making an excuse for calling at the Park. I can hardly tell how it is,
+but it certainly does happen, that these visits generally take place
+when we--that is, Helen and I--are not in the house; but ... to confess
+my sins, and make a clear breast at once, I will tell you what I have
+never yet told Helen, and that is, that I have ordered my maid to find
+out, if she can, when Mr. Cartwright comes. He slipped in, however,
+through the library window twice yesterday, so it is possible that he
+may sometimes make good an entry without being observed; for it is
+impossible that my Judy can be always on the watch, though she is so
+fond of performing her needlework in that pretty trellised summer-house
+in the Park."
+
+"What an excellent vidette you would make, Miss Torrington," said the
+young man, laughing. "But will you tell me, sincerely, and without any
+shadow of jesting, why it is that you have been so anxious to watch the
+movements of this reverend gentleman?"
+
+"If I talk on the subject at all," she replied, "it will certainly be
+without any propensity to jesting; for I have seldom felt less inclined
+to be merry than while watching the increasing influence of Mr.
+Cartwright over Mrs. Mowbray and Fanny. It was because I remarked that
+they never mentioned his having called, when I knew he had been there,
+that I grew anxious to learn, if possible, how constant his visits had
+become; and the result of my _espionage_ is, that no day passes without
+a visit."
+
+"But what makes you speak of this as of an evil, Miss Torrington?"
+
+"That is more than I have promised to tell you," replied Rosalind; "but,
+as we _have_ become so very confidential, I have no objection to tell
+you all--and that, remember, for the especial use of Sir Gilbert, who
+perhaps, if he knew all that I guess, would _not_ think he was doing
+right to leave Mrs. Mowbray in such hands."
+
+"And what then, Miss Torrington, is there, _as you guess_, against this
+gentleman?"
+
+Rosalind for an instant looked puzzled; but, by the rapidity with which
+she proceeded after she began, the difficulty seemed to arise solely
+from not knowing what to say first. "There is against him," said she,
+"the having hurried away from hearing the will read to the presence of
+Mrs. Mowbray, and not only announcing its contents to her with what
+might well be called indecent haste, considering that there were others
+to whom the task more fitly belonged, and who would have performed it
+too, had they not been thus forestalled;--not only did he do this, but
+he basely, and, I do believe, most falsely, gave her to understand that
+her son, the generous, disinterested, warm-hearted Charles Mowbray, had
+manifested displeasure at it. Further, he has turned the head of poor
+little Fanny, by begging copies of her verses to send--Heaven knows
+where; and he moreover has, I am sure, persuaded Mrs. Mowbray to think
+that my peerless Helen is in fault for something--Heaven knows what. He
+has likewise, as your account of those secret letters renders certain,
+dared to step between an affectionate mother and her devoted child, to
+destroy their dear and close union by hateful and poisonous mystery. He
+has also fomented the unhappy and most silly schism between your pettish
+father and my petted guardian; and moreover, with all his far-famed
+beauty and saint-like benignity of aspect, his soft crafty eyes dare not
+look me in the face. And twelfthly and lastly, I hate him."
+
+"After this, Miss Torrington," said the Colonel, laughing, "no man
+assuredly could be sufficiently hardy to say a word in his
+defence;--and, all jesting apart," he added very seriously, "I do think
+you have made out a very strong case against him. If my good father sees
+this growing intimacy between the Vicarage and the Park with the same
+feelings that you do, I really think it might go farther than any other
+consideration towards inducing him to rescind his refusal--for he _has_
+positively refused to act as executor--and lead him at once and for ever
+to forget the unreasonable cause of anger he has conceived against your
+mother, Helen."
+
+"Then let him know it without an hour's delay," said Helen. "Dear
+Colonel Harrington! why did you let your horse go? Walk you must, but
+let it be as fast as you can, and let your father understand exactly
+every thing that Rosalind has told you; for though I should hardly have
+ventured to say as much myself, I own that I think she is not much
+mistaken in any of her conclusions."
+
+"And do you follow her, Helen, up to her twelfthly and lastly? Do you
+too _hate_ this reverend gentleman?"
+
+Helen sighed. "I hope not, Colonel Harrington," she replied; "I should
+be sorry to believe myself capable of hating, but surely I do not love
+him."
+
+The young ladies, in their eagerness to set the colonel off on his road
+to Oakley, were unconsciously, or rather most obliviously, guilty of the
+indecorum of accompanying him at least half the distance; and at last it
+was Rosalind, and not the much more shy and timid Helen, who became
+aware of the singularity of the proceeding.
+
+"And where may _we_ be going, I should like to know?" she said, suddenly
+stopping short. "Helen! is it the fashion for the Hampshire ladies to
+escort home the gentlemen they chance to meet in their walks? We never
+do that in my country."
+
+Colonel Harrington looked positively angry, and Helen blushed celestial
+rosy red, but soon recovered herself, and said, with that species of
+frankness which at once disarms quizzing,
+
+"It is very true, Rosalind; we seem to be doing a very strange thing:
+but we have had a great deal to say that was really important; yet
+nothing so much so, as leading Colonel Harrington to his father with as
+little delay as possible.--But now I think we have said all. Good-b'ye,
+Colonel Harrington: I need not tell you how grateful we shall all be if
+you can persuade Sir Gilbert to restore us all to favour."
+
+"The all is but one, Helen; but the doing so I now feel to be very
+important. Farewell! Take care of yourselves; for I will not vex you,
+Helen, by turning back again. Farewell!"
+
+The letter which interrupted the tete-a-tete between Mrs. Mowbray and
+the vicar was an immediate consequence of this conversation, and was as
+follows:--
+
+     "Madam,
+
+     "Upon a maturer consideration of the possible effects to the
+     family of my late friend which my refusal to act as his
+     executor may produce, I am willing, notwithstanding my
+     repugnance to the office, to perform the duties of it, and
+     hereby desire to revoke my late refusal to do so.
+
+     (Signed) "GILBERT HARRINGTON.
+
+     "Oakley, July 12th, 1833."
+
+"Thank Heaven," exclaimed Mrs. Mowbray as soon as she had read the
+note,--"Thank Heaven that I have no longer any occasion to submit myself
+to the caprices of any man!--And yet," she added, putting the paper into
+Mr. Cartwright's hands, "I suppose it will be best for me to accept his
+reluctant and ungracious offer?"
+
+Mr. Cartwright took the paper, and perused it with great attention, and
+more than once. At length he said,
+
+"I trust I did not understand you. What was it you said, dearest Mrs.
+Mowbray, respecting this most insulting communication?"
+
+"I hardly know, Mr. Cartwright, what I said," replied Mrs. Mowbray,
+colouring. "How can I know what to say to a person who can treat a woman
+in my painful situation with such cruel caprice, such unfeeling
+inconsistency?"
+
+"Were I you, my valued friend, I should make the matter very easy, for I
+should say nothing to him."
+
+"Nothing?--Do you mean that you would not answer the letter?"
+
+"Certainly: that is what I should recommend as the only mode of noticing
+it, consistently with the respect you owe yourself."
+
+"I am sure you are quite right," replied Mrs. Mowbray, looking relieved
+from a load of difficulty.
+
+"It certainly does not deserve an answer," said she, "and I am sure I
+should not in the least know what to say to him."
+
+"Then let us treat the scroll as it does deserve to be treated," said
+the vicar with a smile. "Let the indignant wind bear it back to the face
+of the hard-hearted and insulting writer!"
+
+And so saying, he eagerly tore the paper into minute atoms, and appeared
+about to consign them to the conveyance he mentioned, but suddenly
+checked himself, and with thoughtful consideration for the gardener
+added,
+
+"But no! we will not disfigure your beautiful lawn by casting these
+fragments upon it: I will dispose of them on the other side of the
+fence."
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XIII.
+
+MRS. MOWBRAY'S DEPARTURE FOR TOWN.--AN EXTEMPORARY PRAYER.
+
+
+It was about nine o'clock in the evening of this same day, that Mr.
+Cartwright was seen approaching across the lawn towards the drawing-room
+windows,--and that not only by Judy, but by the whole family, who were
+assembled there and preparing to take their tea. His daughter Henrietta
+was on his arm; yet still she rather followed than walked with him, so
+evidently did she hang back, while he as evidently endeavoured to
+quicken his pace and draw her forward.
+
+The eyes of the whole party were attracted to the windows. Mrs. Mowbray
+and Fanny, approaching different sashes, each stepped out to welcome
+them; while Miss Torrington and Helen were content to watch the meeting
+from their places on a sofa.
+
+"Did you ever see a man drive a pig to market, Helen?" said Rosalind.
+"In my country they do it so much more cleverly! for look you, if that
+man were half as clever as he thinks himself, he would just go behind
+the young lady and pull her backwards."
+
+"I am not quite sure that the scheme would answer in this case," replied
+Helen. "Look at the expression of her face, and I think you will
+perceive that nothing but a very straightforward pull could induce her
+to approach at all."
+
+"Perhaps she is disgusted at her odious father's presumption and
+forwardness?" cried Rosalind, starting up. "If that be so, I will
+patronise her.--Poor thing! look at her eyes; I am positive she has been
+weeping."
+
+With this impression, Miss Torrington stepped forward, and, as the party
+entered, greeted the young lady very kindly: though she hardly appeared
+to perceive that her father entered with her.
+
+She received in return a look which, with all her acuteness, she found
+it extremely difficult to interpret. There was a strong and obvious
+expression of surprise in it; and then, in the faint attempt at a smile
+about the corners of the mouth,--which attempt, however, was finally
+abortive,--Rosalind fancied that she traced a movement of gratitude,
+though not of pleasure; but over every feature a settled gloom seemed to
+hang, like a dark veil, obscuring, though not quite hiding every
+emotion.
+
+The difficulty of understanding why and wherefore she looked as she did,
+was quite enough, with such a disposition as Rosalind's, to make her an
+object of interest; and therefore, when Mrs. Mowbray made her the speech
+that she was expressly brought to hear, expressive of hope that she
+would have the great kindness to console that part of her family who
+were to remain at home by affording them the pleasure of her company,
+Rosalind relieved her from the immediate necessity of replying, by
+saying gaily,
+
+"She will and she must, Mrs. Mowbray, for we will take her prisoner; but
+I will promise, as far as I am concerned, that her durance shall be as
+gentle as possible."
+
+It was now the vicar's turn to look astonished, which he certainly did
+in no small degree, and ran some risk of destroying the favourable
+impression which his daughter's look of misery had created, by saying,
+in the sweet tone that Miss Torrington relished so little,
+
+"Henrietta, my love--I trust you will be sensible of, and grateful for,
+the amiable and condescending kindness of this young lady."
+
+What the gloomy Henrietta answered, Rosalind did not stay to hear; for
+by a movement of that impatience with which she always listened to all
+that Mr. Cartwright spoke, she turned from him and walked out of the
+window. She only stayed, however, long enough to gather a bunch of
+geranium blossoms, which she put into the hand of Henrietta as she
+placed herself beside her on re-entering.
+
+"Are they not superb, Miss Cartwright?"
+
+Miss Cartwright again answered by a look which once more set all
+Rosalind's ingenuity at defiance. It now spoke awakened interest, and an
+almost eager desire to look at and listen to her; but the heavy gloom
+remained, while her almost total silence gave her an appearance of
+reserve greatly at variance with the expression which, for a moment at
+least, she had read in her eyes.
+
+Helen was now, in full assembly, informed for the first time that she
+was to attend her mother to town. Had this been told her, as every thing
+was wont to be, in the dear seclusion of her mother's dressing-room, she
+would have hailed the news with joy and gratitude, and believed that it
+predicted a return of all the happiness she had lost: but now the effect
+was wholly different; and though she mastered herself sufficiently to
+send back the tears before they reached her eyes, and to declare, in the
+gentle voice of genuine unaffected obedience, that she should be
+delighted if she could be useful to her, the manner of the communication
+sank deeply and painfully into her heart.
+
+An answer having arrived by return of post from Stephen Corbold, Esq.,
+solicitor, stating that commodious apartments were secured in
+Wimpole-street, and himself ready, body and spirit, to do the lady's
+bidding, Mrs. Mowbray fixed on the following day for her journey. Miss
+Cartwright gave one mutter beyond a tacit consent to remain at the Park
+during her absence, and the party separated; Fanny however declaring, as
+she wrapped a shawl of her mother's about her head, that she must enjoy
+the delicious moonlight by accompanying the vicar and his daughter as
+far as the Park gates.
+
+"And return alone, Fanny?" said her mother.
+
+"Why not, dear lady?" replied Mr. Cartwright. "Her eye will not be
+raised to the lamp of night without her heart's rising also in a hymn to
+her Lord and Saviour; and I am willing to believe that her remaining
+for a few moments beside her pastor and her friend, while under its soft
+influence, will not be likely to make her thoughts wander in a wrong
+direction."
+
+"Oh no, Mr. Cartwright," replied the mother; "I am sure, if you think it
+right, she shall go."
+
+At this moment Miss Torrington was giving a farewell shake of the hand
+to Henrietta when, instead of receiving from her an answering "Good
+night!" something very like a groan smote her ear.
+
+"How very strange!" she exclaimed aloud, after a silence that lasted
+till the vicar, with Fanny leaning on his arm, and his sulky daughter
+following, had half traversed the lawn towards the gate that opened upon
+the drive.
+
+"What is strange, Miss Torrington?" said Mrs. Mowbray.
+
+"Almost every thing I see and hear, ma'am," replied the young lady.
+
+"At what hour are we to set off to-morrow, mamma?" inquired Helen.
+
+"At ten o'clock, my dear. You had better give your orders to Curtis
+to-night, Helen, as to what she is to put up for you. I hope we shall
+not be obliged to remain in town above two or three days."
+
+"If you have any thing to do in your room to-night, Helen, it is time to
+betake yourself to it," observed Rosalind; "for," looking at her watch,
+"it is very near midnight, though Miss Fanny Mowbray is walking in the
+Park.--Good night, Mrs. Mowbray." But Mrs. Mowbray did not appear to
+hear her.
+
+"Good night, mamma," said Helen, approaching to kiss her.
+
+She received a very cold salute upon her forehead, and a "Good night,
+Helen," in a tone that answered to it.
+
+Rosalind took the arm of her friend within hers as they left the room
+together, and a silent pressure spoke her sympathy; but neither of them
+uttered a word that night, either concerning Mr. Cartwright's increasing
+influence, or Mrs. Mowbray's continued coldness to Helen. They both of
+them felt more than they wished to speak.
+
+The following morning brought Mr. Cartwright and his daughter again to
+the Park a few minutes before the post-horses arrived for Mrs. Mowbray's
+carriage, and in a few minutes more every thing was ready for the
+departure of the travellers. Helen gave a farewell embrace to Fanny and
+Rosalind; while the attentive vicar stepped into the carriage before
+Mrs. Mowbray entered it, to see that as many windows were up and as many
+windows down as she wished, and likewise for the purpose of placing a
+small volume in the side pocket next the place she was to occupy. He
+then returned to her side, and as he handed her in, whispered, while he
+pressed her hand,
+
+"Do not fatigue yourself with talking, my dear friend: it is a great
+while since you have taken a journey even so long as this. In the pocket
+next you I have placed a little volume that I wish--oh, how
+ardently!--that you would read with attention. Will you promise me
+this?"
+
+"I will," replied Mrs. Mowbray, deeply affected by his earnestness--"God
+bless you!"
+
+"The Lord watch over you!" responded Mr. Cartwright with a sigh. He then
+retreated a step, and Helen sprang hastily into the carriage without
+assistance; the door was closed, and before the equipage reached the
+lodges Mrs. Mowbray had plunged into a disquisition on regeneration and
+faith--the glory of the new birth--and the assured damnation of all who
+cannot, or do not, attain thereto.
+
+Meanwhile the party left under the shade of the portico looked at each
+other as if to inquire what they were to do next. On all occasions of
+morning departure there is generally a certain degree of
+_desoeuvrement_ left with those who remain behind. In general,
+however, this is soon got over, except by a desperate idler or a very
+mournful residuary guest; but on the present occasion the usual
+occupations of the parties were put completely out of joint, and
+Rosalind, at least, was exceedingly well disposed to exclaim--
+
+    ----"Accursed spite,
+    That ever I was born to set it right!"
+
+She remained stationary for a few minutes, hoping and expecting that the
+reverend gentleman would depart: but as this did not happen, she quietly
+re-entered the house and retired to her own dressing-room.
+
+Fanny then made a motion to enter also, but took very hospitable care
+that it should include both her companions. Mr. Cartwright spoke not of
+going--he even led the way to the library himself, and having closed the
+door and put down the ever-open sash windows, he turned to Fanny, and,
+with a smile that might have accompanied a proposal to sing or dance,
+said,
+
+"My dear Miss Fanny! does not your heart feel full of kind and tender
+wishes for the safety of your beloved mother during her absence from
+you?"
+
+"It does indeed!" said Fanny, shaking back her chesnut ringlets.
+
+"Then should we not," rejoined the vicar, assisting her action by gently
+putting back her redundant curls with his own hand,--"should we not, my
+dear child, implore a blessing upon her from the only source from whence
+it can come!"
+
+"Oh yes," replied Fanny, with affectionate earnestness, but by no means
+understanding his immediate purpose,--"Oh yes, Mr. Cartwright; I am sure
+I never pray so heartily as when praying for mamma."
+
+"Then let us kneel," said he, placing a chair before her, and kneeling
+down himself at the one that was next to it. Fanny instantly obeyed,
+covering her face with her hands, while her young heart beat with a
+timid and most truly pious feeling of fear lest the act was not
+performed with suitable deference; for hitherto her private devotions
+had been performed in strict obedience to the solemn and explicit words
+of Scripture--"_When thou prayest, enter into thy closet, and when thou
+hast shut thy door, pray to thy Father which is in secret; and thy
+Father which seeth in secret shall reward thee openly._"
+
+But though conscious that the mode of prayer in which she was now so
+unexpectedly invited to join was very unlike what she was used to, her
+unbounded love and admiration for Mr. Cartwright rendered it absolutely
+impossible for her to conceive it wrong, and she prepared herself to
+pray with all the fervour of her young and ardent spirit.
+
+There was a moment's pause, during which a look was exchanged between
+the father and daughter unseen by Fanny; but had it met her eye, it
+would only have appeared to her as a mystery that she was incapable of
+comprehending. Had Rosalind caught a sight of it, she might perhaps
+have fancied that the glance of the father spoke command, accompanied
+by direful threatenings, while that of his daughter betrayed disgust and
+bitterest contempt mingled with fear.
+
+Mr. Cartwright began, almost in a whisper, to utter his extemporary
+prayer. It first invoked a blessing on _the little knot of united
+hearts_ that now offered their homage, and then proceeded to ask, in
+flowing periods, for exemption from all dangers likely to beset
+travellers by land for "our beloved sister who is this day gone forth."
+In a tone somewhat more loud he went on to implore especial grace for
+the not yet awakened soul of the child she led with her; and then, his
+rich and powerful voice resounding through the room, his eyes raised to
+the ceiling, and his clasped and extended hands stretched out before
+him, he burst into an ecstasy of enthusiastic rantings, in which he
+besought blessings on the head of Fanny.
+
+It is impossible to repeat such language as Mr. Cartwright and those who
+resemble him think fit to use in their extemporary devotions, without
+offending against that sensitive horror of profanation which happily
+still continues to be one of the strongest feelings in the minds of
+Christians not converted--_i. e._ perverted from the solemn reverence
+our church enjoins in the utterance of every word by which we venture to
+approach the Deity. To such, the unweighed flippant use of those
+momentous words "LET US PRAY," followed as they often are, by turgid
+rantings, and familiar appeals to the most High God, in volumes of
+rapid, careless wordiness, is perhaps the most offensive outrage to
+which their religions feelings can be exposed. One might be almost
+tempted to believe that the sectarians who, rejecting the authorized
+forms in which the bishops and fathers of our church have cautiously,
+reverently, and succinctly rehearsed the petitions which the Scriptures
+permit man to offer to his Creator;--one might, I say, almost be tempted
+to believe that these men have so misunderstood the Word of God, as to
+read:--USE _vain repetitions as the Heathen do, for they_ SHALL BE
+_heard for their much speaking_. But this "much speaking," with all its
+irreverent accompaniments of familiar phraseology, is an abomination to
+those who have preserved their right to sit within the sacred pale of
+our established church; and as it is among such that I wish to find my
+readers, I will avoid, as much as possible, offending them by
+unnecessary repetitions of Mr. Cartwright's rhapsodies, preserving only
+so much of their substance as may be necessary to the making his
+character fully understood.
+
+While imploring Heaven to soften the heart of poor Fanny, who knelt
+weeping beside him like a Niobe, he rehearsed her talents and good
+qualities, earnestly praying that they might not be turned by the Prince
+of Darkness into a snare.
+
+"Let not her gift--her shining gift of poesy, lead her, as it has so
+often done others, to the deepest pit of hell! Let not the gentle and
+warm affections of her heart cling to those that shall carry her soul,
+with their own, down to the worm that dieth not, and to the fire that
+cannot be quenched! Rather, fix thou her love upon those who will seek
+it in thy holy name. May she know to distinguish between the true and
+the false, the holy and the unholy!"
+
+"Amen!" was here uttered by Henrietta, but in so low a whisper that only
+her father's ear caught it. He paused for half a moment, and then
+continued with still-increasing zeal, so that his voice shook and tears
+fell from his eyes.
+
+Fanny was fully aware of all this strong emotion; for though she
+uncovered not her own streaming eyes, she could not mistake the
+trembling voice that pronounced its fervent blessing on her amidst sobs.
+
+Meanwhile Miss Torrington, who had seated herself before a book in her
+dressing-room, began to think that she was not acting very kindly
+towards Fanny, who, she knew, was so nearly childish in her manners as
+to render the entertaining company a very disagreeable task to her.
+
+"Poor little soul!" she exclaimed; "between the manna of the father, and
+the crabbishness of the daughter, she will be done to death if I go not
+to her rescue." So she closed her book and hastened to the library.
+
+The sound she heard on approaching the door startled her, and she paused
+to listen a moment before she entered; for not having the remotest idea
+that it was the voice of prayer, she really believed that some one had
+been taken ill,--and the notion of convulsions, blended with the
+recollection of Henrietta's sickly appearance, took possession of her
+fancy. She determined, however, to enter; but turned the lock with a
+very nervous hand,--and on beholding the scene which the opening door
+displayed, felt startled, awed, and uncertain whether to advance or
+retreat.
+
+She immediately met Henrietta's eye, which turned towards her as she
+opened the door, and its expression at once explained the nature of the
+ceremony she so unexpectedly witnessed. Contempt and bitter scorn shot
+from it as she slowly turned it towards her father; and a smile of pity
+succeeded, as she mournfully shook her head, when, for a moment, she
+fixed her glance upon the figure of Fanny. Had the poor girl for whose
+especial sake this very unclerical rhapsody was uttered--had she been a
+few years older, and somewhat more advanced in the power of judging
+human actions, she must have been struck by the remarkable change which
+the entrance of Rosalind produced in the language and manner of the
+vicar. He did not for an instant suspend the flow of his eloquence, but
+the style of it altered altogether.
+
+"Bless her! bless this lovely and beloved one!" were the words which
+preceded the opening of the door, accompanied by the sobbings of
+vehement emotion.--"Bless all this worthy family, and all sorts and
+conditions of men; and so lead them home" ... &c. were those which
+followed,--uttered, too, with very decent sobriety and discretion.
+
+Rosalind, however, was not quite deceived by this, though far from
+guessing how perfectly indecent and profane had been the impassioned
+language and vehement emotion which preceded her appearance.
+
+After the hesitation of a moment, she closed the door, and walking up to
+the side of Fanny, stood beside her for the minute and a half which it
+took Mr. Cartwright to bring his harangue to a conclusion. He then
+ceased, rose from his knees, and bowed to the intruder with an air so
+meek and sanctified, but yet with such a downcast avoidance of her eye
+withal, that Rosalind shrank from him with ill-concealed dislike, and
+would instantly have left the room, but that she did not choose again to
+leave Fanny, who still continued kneeling beside her, to a repetition of
+the scene she had interrupted.
+
+"Fanny!" she said, in an accent a little approaching to impatience.
+
+But Fanny heeded her not. Vexed and disgusted at this display of a
+devotion so unlike the genuine, unaffected, well-regulated piety in
+which she had been herself brought up, she repeated her call,--adding,
+as she laid her hand lightly on her shoulder,
+
+"This is not the sort of worship which your excellent father, or good
+Mr. Wallace either, would have approved."
+
+Fanny now rose from her knees, and the cause of her not doing so before
+became evident. Her face was as pale as ashes, and traces of violent
+weeping were visible on her swollen eyelids.
+
+"Good Heaven, Fanny! what can have affected you thus?--What, sir, have
+you been saying to produce so terrible an effect on Miss Mowbray? The
+prayers of the church, in the discipline of which she has been most
+carefully bred up, produce no such paroxysms as these, Mr.
+Cartwright.--Come with me, Fanny, and do endeavour to conquer this
+extraordinary vehemence of emotion."
+
+Fanny took her arm; but she trembled so violently that she could
+scarcely stand.
+
+"Mr. Cartwright," said Rosalind with a burst of indignation that she
+could not control, "I must beg of you not to repeat this species of
+experiment on the feelings of this young lady during the absence of her
+mother. At her return she will of course decide upon your continuance,
+or discontinuance, in the office you have been pleased to assume; but,
+till then, I must beg, in her name, that we may have no more of this."
+
+"Oh! Rosalind!" exclaimed Fanny, while a fresh shower of tears burst
+from her eyes, "how can you speak so!"
+
+"Tell me, my dear young lady," said Mr. Cartwright, addressing Miss
+Torrington in a voice of the gentlest kindness, "did good Mrs. Mowbray,
+on leaving home, place Miss Fanny under your care?"
+
+"No, sir, she did not," replied Rosalind, a crimson flush of anger and
+indignation mounting to her cheeks; "but, being considerably older than
+Fanny, I deem it my duty to prevent her if possible from again becoming
+an actor in such a scene as this."
+
+Fanny withdrew her arm, and clasping her hands together, again
+exclaimed, "Oh! Rosalind!"
+
+"Do not agitate yourself, my good child," said the vicar; "I shall never
+suspect you of that hardening of the heart which would lead you to be of
+those who wish to banish the voice of prayer from the roof that shelters
+you. Nor shall I," he continued meekly, but firmly,--"nor shall I
+consider myself justified in remitting that care and attention which I
+promised your excellent mother to bestow on you, because this unhappy
+young person lifts her voice against the holy duties of my calling. I
+shall return to you in the evening, and then, I trust, we shall again
+raise our voices together in praise and prayer."
+
+So saying, Mr. Cartwright took his hat and departed.
+
+The three young ladies were left standing, but not in one group. Miss
+Cartwright, as soon as released from her kneeling position, had
+approached a window, and was assiduously paring her nails; Rosalind
+fixed her eyes upon the floor, and seemed to be revolving some question
+that puzzled her; and Fanny, after the interval of a moment, left the
+room.
+
+Miss Torrington approached the window, and said coldly, but civilly, "I
+am sorry, Miss Cartwright, to have spoken so sternly to your father,--or
+rather, for the cause which led me to do so,--but I really considered it
+as my duty."
+
+"Oh! pray, ma'am, do not apologise to me about it."
+
+"I do not wish to offer an apology for doing what I believe to be right;
+but only to express my sorrow to a guest, in the house that is my home,
+for having been obliged to say any thing that might make her feel
+uncomfortable."
+
+"I do assure you, Miss Torrington," replied the vicar's daughter, "that
+my feelings are very particularly independent of any circumstance,
+accident, or event, that may affect Mr. Cartwright ... my father."
+
+"Indeed!" said Rosalind, fixing on her a glance that seemed to invite
+her confidence.
+
+"Indeed!" repeated Henrietta, quietly continuing the occupation
+furnished by her fingers' ends, but without showing any inclination to
+accept the invitation.
+
+Rosalind was disconcerted. The singularity of Miss Cartwright's manner
+piqued her curiosity, and though by no means inclined to form a party
+with her against her father, she had seen enough to convince her that
+they were far from being on very affectionate terms together. A feeling
+of pity, too, though for sorrows and sufferings suggested chiefly by her
+own imagination, gave her a kind-hearted inclination for more intimate
+acquaintance; but she began to suspect that the wish for this was wholly
+on her side, and not shared in any degree by her companion.
+
+Chilled by this idea, and out of spirits from the prospect of being
+daily exposed to Mr. Cartwright's visits, Rosalind prepared to leave the
+room; but good-nature, as was usual with her, prevailed over every other
+feeling, and before she reached the door, she turned and said,
+
+"Is there any thing, Miss Cartwright, that I can offer for your
+amusement? The books of the day are chiefly in our dressing-rooms, I
+believe--and I have abundance of new music--and in this room I can show
+you where to find a very splendid collection of engravings."
+
+"I wish for nothing of the kind, I am much obliged to you."
+
+"Shall I send Fanny to you? Perhaps, notwithstanding the ocean of tears
+you have seen her shed, she would prove a much more cheerful companion
+than I could do at this moment."
+
+"I do not wish for a cheerful companion," said Henrietta.
+
+"Is there any thing, then, that I can do," resumed Rosalind, half
+smiling, "that may assist you in getting rid of the morning?"
+
+"You may sit with me yourself."
+
+"May I?--Well, then, so I will. I assure you that I only thought of
+going because it appeared to me that you did not particularly desire my
+company."
+
+"To say the truth, Miss Torrington, I do not think there is any thing on
+earth particularly worth desiring; but your conversation may perhaps be
+amongst the most endurable. Besides, it is agreeable to look at you."
+
+"You are very civil," replied Rosalind, laughing. "Perhaps you would
+like me to hold a nosegay in my hand, or to put on a bonnet and
+feathers, that I might be still better worth looking at."
+
+"No.--If I had a bunch of flowers before my eyes, I should not want you:
+no woman can be so beautiful as a collection of flowers. But I shall do
+very well, I dare say. Nothing, you know, lasts very long."
+
+"Your father, then, I presume, has taught your thoughts, Miss
+Cartwright, to fix themselves altogether on a future and a better
+world."
+
+"As to a future world, Miss Torrington, I must have better authority
+than Mr. Cartwright's before I pretend to know any thing about it."
+
+"But I hope your distaste for that which we enjoy at present does not
+arise from its having been unkind to you?"
+
+"When I was a child," answered Henrietta, "I had a kind of sickly
+longing for kindness; but now, that I am older and wiser, I cannot say
+that I think kindness or unkindness are matters of much consequence."
+
+"That, indeed, is a feeling that must put one speedily either above or
+below sorrow."
+
+"I am below it."
+
+"It would be just as easy to say, above, Miss Cartwright; and if you
+really have reached to a state of such stoical indifference, I rather
+wonder you should not feel that it sets you above all the poor sensitive
+souls whom you must see longing for a smile, and trembling at a frown."
+
+"Because, Miss Torrington, I have constantly felt that in approaching
+this state of mind I have been gradually sinking lower and lower in my
+own estimation: I am become so hatefully familiar with sin and
+wickedness, that I perfectly loathe myself--though assuredly it has
+ended by giving me a very pre-eminent degree of indifference concerning
+all that may hereafter happen to me."
+
+"Is it in your own person," said Rosalind jestingly, "that you have
+become thus familiar with sin?"
+
+"No. It is in that of my father."
+
+Rosalind started. "You talk strangely to me, Miss Cartwright," said she
+gravely; "and if you are playing upon my credulity or curiosity, I must
+submit to it. But if there be any serious meaning in what you say, it
+would be more generous if you would permit me to understand you. I
+believe you are aware that I do not esteem Mr. Cartwright: an avowal
+which delicacy would have certainly prevented my making to you, had you
+not given me reason to suspect----"
+
+"--That I do not very greatly esteem him either," said Henrietta,
+interrupting her.
+
+"Exactly so: and as I am deeply interested for the welfare and happiness
+of the family amongst whom he seems disposed to insinuate himself upon
+terms of very particular intimacy, I should consider it as a great
+kindness if you would tell me what his character really is."
+
+"The request is a very singular one, considering to whom it is
+addressed," said Miss Cartwright; "and besides I really cannot perceive
+any reason in the world why I should be guilty of an indecorum in order
+to do you _a great kindness_."
+
+"The indecorum, Miss Cartwright, has been already committed," said
+Rosalind. "You have already spoken of your father as you should not have
+spoken, unless you had some strong and virtuous motive for it."
+
+"How exceedingly refreshing is the unwonted voice of truth!" exclaimed
+Henrietta. "Rosalind Torrington, you are an honest girl, and will not
+betray me; for I do fear him--coward that I am--I do fear his cruelty,
+even while I despise his power. I think but lightly," she continued, "of
+the motes that people this paltry world of ours; yet there are
+gradations amongst us, from the pure-hearted kind fool, who, like you,
+Rosalind, would wish to spend their little hour of life in doing good,
+down to the plotting knave who, like my father, Miss Torrington, cares
+not what mischief he may do, so that his own unholy interest, and unholy
+joys, may be increased thereby: and so, look you, there are gradations
+also in my feelings towards them, from very light and easy indifference,
+down, down, down to the deepest abyss of hatred and contempt. I know not
+what power you may have here--not much, I should fear; for though you
+are rich, the Mowbrays are richer; yet it is possible, I think, that if
+the energy which I suspect makes part of your character be roused, you
+may obtain some influence. If you do, use it to keep Mr. Cartwright as
+far distant from all you love as you can. Mistrust him yourself, and
+teach all others to mistrust him.--And now, never attempt to renew this
+conversation. I may have done you some service--do not let your
+imprudence make me repent it. Let us now avoid each other if you please:
+I do not love talking, and would not willingly be led into it again."
+
+Miss Cartwright left the room as soon as these words were spoken,
+leaving Rosalind in a state of mind extremely painful. Through all the
+strange wildness of Henrietta's manner she thought that she could trace
+a friendly intention to put her on her guard; but she hardly knew what
+the mischief was which she feared, and less still perhaps what she could
+do to guard against it. The most obvious and the most desirable thing,
+if she could achieve it, was the preventing Mr. Cartwright's making the
+constant morning and evening visits which he threatened; but she felt
+that her power was indeed small, and, such as it was, she knew not well
+how to use it.
+
+Having remained for above an hour exactly in the place where Miss
+Cartwright had left her, inventing and rejecting a variety of schemes
+for keeping Mr. Cartwright from the house during the absence of Mrs.
+Mowbray, she at length determined to write to him, and after a good deal
+of meditation produced the following note:
+
+     "Miss Torrington presents her compliments to Mr. Cartwright,
+     and begs to inform him, that having been very strictly brought
+     up by her father, a clergyman of the established church, she
+     cannot, consistently with her ideas of what is right, continue
+     to make her residence in a house where irregular and extempore
+     prayer-meetings are held. She therefore takes this method of
+     announcing to Mr. Cartwright, that if he perseveres in
+     repeating at Mowbray Park the scene she witnessed this morning,
+     she shall be obliged to leave the house of her guardian, and
+     will put herself under the protection of Sir Gilbert Harrington
+     till such time as Mrs. Mowbray shall return.
+
+     "Mowbray Park, 13th July 1833."
+
+This note she immediately despatched to the Vicarage by her own footman,
+who was ordered to wait for an answer, and in the course of an hour
+returned with the following short epistle:
+
+     "Mr. Cartwright presents his compliments to Miss Torrington,
+     and respectfully requests permission to wait upon her for a few
+     minutes to-morrow morning.
+
+     "Wrexhill Vicarage, July 13th, 1833."
+
+Nothing could be less like the answer she expected than this note, and
+she might possibly have been doubtful whether to grant the audience
+requested, or not, had she not perceived, with very considerable
+satisfaction, that she had already obtained a remission of the evening
+rhapsody he had threatened in the morning, which inspired her with
+reasonable hope that her remonstrance would not prove altogether in
+vain. She determined therefore to receive Mr. Cartwright on the morrow,
+but did not deem it necessary to send another express to say so, feeling
+pretty certain that the not forbidding his approach would be quite
+sufficient to ensure its arrival.
+
+The evening passed in very evident and very fidgetty expectation on the
+part of Fanny, who more than once strolled out upon the lawn, returning
+with an air of restlessness and disappointment. But Rosalind was in
+excellent spirits, and contrived to amuse Miss Cartwright, and even
+elicit an expression of pleasure from her, by singing some of her
+sweetest native melodies, which she did with a delicacy and perfection
+of taste and feeling that few could listen to without delight.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XIV.
+
+AN INTERVIEW.--THE LIME TREE.--ROSALIND'S LETTER TO MR. MOWBRAY.
+
+
+At about eleven o'clock the following morning, Miss Torrington was
+informed that Mr. Cartwright requested to speak to her for a few minutes
+in the drawing-room. Henrietta was with her when the message was
+delivered, and seemed to await her reply with some curiosity.
+
+"I will wait upon him immediately," was the civil and ready answer; and
+as Rosalind gave it, and at the same moment rose from her chair to obey
+the summons, she looked in the face of her companion to see if there
+were any wish expressed there that the silence so strictly enjoined
+should be broken. But Miss Cartwright was occupied by a volume of
+engravings which lay before her, and Rosalind left the room without
+having met her eye.
+
+It is impossible to imagine a demeanour or address more perfectly
+gentlemanlike and respectful than those of Mr. Cartwright as he walked
+across the room to receive Miss Torrington. Strong as her feelings were
+against him, this still produced some effect; and as she seated herself,
+and motioned to him to do the same, her mental soliloquy amounted to
+this:--"At any rate, I will listen patiently to what he has to say."
+
+"I have taken the liberty of requesting to speak to you, Miss
+Torrington, because I feel persuaded that my conduct and principles have
+from some accident been misunderstood; and I cannot but hope that it
+may be in my power to explain them, so as in some degree to remove the
+prejudice which I fear you have conceived against me."
+
+"It is my duty, sir, both as a matter of courtesy and justice, to hear
+whatever you wish to say in justification or excuse of the scene I
+witnessed yesterday morning. Miss Fanny Mowbray is not yet recovered
+from the effects of the agitation into which she was thrown by it; and I
+have no objection, Mr. Cartwright, to repeat to you in person my fixed
+determination not to continue in the house if that scene be repeated."
+
+"It is impossible," replied Mr. Cartwright "to find a lady of your age
+so steadfast in adhering to what she believes to be right, without
+feeling both admiration and respect for her; and I should think--forgive
+me if I wound you--I should think that such an one cannot altogether
+condemn the offering of prayer and thanksgiving?"
+
+"Mr. Cartwright," replied Rosalind, her colour rising, and her voice
+expressive of great agitation, "you talk of having been misunderstood;
+but it is I, sir, who have reason to make this complaint. From which of
+my words, either written or spoken, do you presume to infer that I
+contemn the offering of prayer and thanksgiving?"
+
+"I beseech you to bear with me patiently," said Mr. Cartwright with a
+look and tone of the most touching mildness; "and be assured that by
+doing so, we shall not only be more likely to make ourselves mutually
+understood, but finally to arrive at that truth which, I am willing to
+believe, is equally the object of both. And the theme, my dear young
+lady, on which we speak should never be alluded to,--at least, I think
+not,--with any mixture of temper."
+
+Poor Rosalind! Honest as her vehemence was, she felt that she had been
+wrong to show it, and with an effort that did her honour she contrived
+to say "You are quite right, sir. As far as manner is concerned, you
+have greatly the advantage of me by your self-possession and calmness.
+Herein I will endeavour to imitate you, and assure you, with a _sang
+froid_ as perfect as your own, that I consider the offering of prayer
+and thanksgiving as the first duty of a Christian. It is in consequence
+of the reverence in which I hold this sacred duty, that I shrink from
+seeing it performed irreverently. I have been taught to believe, sir,
+that the deepest learning, the most deliberative wisdom, and the most
+grave and solemn meditation given to the subject by the fathers and
+founders of our church, were not too much to bestow on the sublime and
+awful attempt to address ourselves suitably to God in prayer. Prayers so
+framed, and fitted for every exigency that human nature can know, have
+been prepared for us with equal piety and wisdom; and while such exist,
+I will never join in any crude, unweighed, unauthorised jargon addressed
+to the Deity, however vehement the assumption of piety may be in the
+bold man who uses it."
+
+"It is seldom that so young a lady," replied the vicar with a kind and
+gentle smile, "can have found time to give this important question so
+much attention as you appear to have done. Yet, perhaps,--yet, perhaps,
+Miss Torrington, when a few years more of deep consideration have been
+given by you to the subject, you may be led to think that fervour of
+feeling may more than atone for imperfection in expression."
+
+"If you imagine, sir," replied Rosalind, in a voice as tranquil and
+deliberate as his own, "that I have dared to regulate my conduct and
+opinions on such a point as this by any wisdom of my own, you do me
+great injustice. Such conduct, if general, would make as many churches
+upon earth as there are audacious spirits who reject control. My father,
+Mr. Cartwright, was one whose life was passed in the situation which,
+perhaps, beyond all others in the world, taught him the value of the
+establishment to which he belonged. To those of another and an adverse
+faith he was a kind friend and generous benefactor; but he could not be
+insensible, nor did he leave me so, of the superior purity and moral
+efficacy of his own;--and I hope not to live long enough to forget the
+reverence which he has left impressed upon my mind for all that our
+church holds sacred."
+
+"Not for worlds, my excellent young lady," exclaimed Mr. Cartwright with
+warmth, "would I attempt to shake opinions so evidently sustained by a
+sense of duty! Respect for such will assuredly prevent my again
+attempting to perform the office which offended your opinions this
+morning, as long as you continue, what you certainly ought to be at this
+time, the mistress of this family. I will only ask, Miss Torrington, in
+return for the sincere veneration I feel for your conscientious
+scruples, that you will judge me with equal candour, and will believe
+that however we may differ in judgment, I am not less anxious to be
+right than yourself."
+
+Rosalind answered this appeal by a silent bow.
+
+"May I, then, hope that we are friends?" said he, rising and presenting
+his hand; "and that I may venture to call, as I promised Mrs. Mowbray I
+would do, on yourself, Miss Fanny, and my daughter, without driving you
+from the house?"
+
+"Certainly, sir," was Rosalind's cold reply. The request appeared as
+reasonable in itself as it was politely and respectfully made, and to
+refuse it would have been equally churlish, presumptuous and unjust.
+Nevertheless, there was something at the bottom of her heart that
+revolted against the act of shaking hands with him; and feigning to be
+occupied by arranging some flowers on the table, she suffered the
+offered hand to remain extended, till at length its patient owner
+withdrew it.
+
+Though well pleased that her remonstrance had put a stop to the vicar's
+extempore prayings at the house, Rosalind was not altogether satisfied
+by the result of the interview. "We are still upon infinitely too civil
+terms," thought she: "but I see that just at present it would be an
+Herculean labour to quarrel with him:--if I smite him on one cheek, he
+will turn himself about as unresistingly as a sucking pig upon the spit,
+and submit to be basted all round without uttering a single squeak. But
+when Mrs. Mowbray returns I suspect that it will be my turn to be
+basted:--_n'importe_--I am sure I have done no more than my father would
+have thought right."
+
+With this consolation she returned to her dressing-room and applied
+herself to her usual occupations. Henrietta was no longer there; but as
+the fashion of the house was for every one to find employment and
+amusement for themselves during the morning, she did not think it
+necessary to pursue her in order to prove her wish to be agreeable.
+
+At luncheon the three young ladies met as usual in the dining-room:
+Fanny appeared to have recovered her spirits and good-humour, and
+Henrietta seemed to wish to be more conversable than usual. They then
+strolled into the gardens, visited the hothouses, and finally placed
+themselves in a shady and fragrant bower, where they discoursed of
+poetry and music for an hour or two.
+
+When these subjects seemed to be wellnigh exhausted, Miss Cartwright
+rose and slowly walked towards the house without intimating to her
+companions what it was her purpose to do next.
+
+Rosalind and Fanny being thus left tete-a-tete, the former said, "What
+do you think of our new acquaintance, Fanny?--How do you like Miss
+Cartwright?"
+
+"I do not think she seems at all an amiable girl," replied Fanny. "With
+such advantages as she has, it is quite astonishing that her manners are
+so little agreeable."
+
+"She is not remarkably conversable, certainly," said Rosalind; "but I
+suspect that she has very bad health. How dreadfully sallow she is!"
+
+"I suspect that she has a worse infirmity than bad health," answered
+Fanny;--"she has, I fear, an extremely bad temper."
+
+"She has not a violent temper, at any rate," observed Rosalind; "for I
+never remember to have seen any one who gave me a greater idea of being
+subdued and spirit-broken."
+
+"That is not at all the impression she makes upon me," said Fanny: "I
+should call her rather sullen than gentle, and obstinate instead of
+subdued. But this gossiping is sad idle work, Rosalind: as Miss
+Henrietta has fortunately taken herself off, I may go on with what I was
+doing before luncheon."
+
+       *       *       *       *       *
+
+Late in the evening, Mr. Cartwright and his son Jacob paid the young
+ladies a visit. The vicar's conversation was chiefly addressed to Miss
+Torrington; and if she had never seen him before, she must have agreed
+with Fanny in thinking him one of the most agreeable persons in the
+world--for he spoke fluently and well upon every subject, and with a
+person and voice calculated to please every eye and every ear. There
+were probably, indeed, but few who could retain as steady a dislike to
+him as our Rosalind did.
+
+The young man got hold of a purse that Fanny was netting, and did his
+best to entangle her silks; but his chief amusement was derived from
+attempts to quiz and plague his sister, who treated him much as a large
+and powerful dog does a little one,--enduring his gambols and annoying
+tricks with imperturbable patience for a while, and then suddenly
+putting forth a heavy paw and driving him off in an instant.
+
+The following day passed very nearly in the same manner, excepting that
+the three girls separated immediately after breakfast, and did not meet
+again till luncheon-time. On the third, Fanny was the first to leave the
+breakfast-room; and Miss Cartwright and Rosalind being left together,
+the former said,
+
+"I suppose we owe our repose from morning and evening ranting to you,
+Miss Torrington?"
+
+"I certainly did not approve it, Miss Cartwright, and I took the liberty
+of telling your father so."
+
+"You were undoubtedly very right and very wise, and I dare say you feel
+some inward satisfaction at your success. Mr. Cartwright has really
+shown great deference to your opinion by so immediately abandoning, at
+your request, so very favourite an occupation."
+
+Rosalind was about to reply, when Miss Cartwright changed the
+conversation by abruptly saying,
+
+"Will you take a stroll with me this morning, Miss Torrington?"
+
+"Yes, certainly, if you wish it;--but I think we shall find it very
+warm."
+
+"Oh! no. I will lead you a very nice shady walk to the prettiest and
+most sheltered little thicket in the world. Let us put on our bonnets
+directly;--shall we?"
+
+"I will not delay you a moment," said Rosalind. "Shall I ask Fanny to go
+with us?"
+
+"Why no," replied Miss Cartwright; "I think you had better not;--the
+chances are ten to one against her finding it convenient. You know she
+is so fond of solitary study----"
+
+"I believe you are right," said Rosalind; and the young ladies parted,
+to meet again a few minutes after, with bonnets and parasols, at the
+hall-door.
+
+"And which way are we to go to find this welcome shade?" said Rosalind,
+holding her parasol low down to shelter her pretty face. "The sun is
+almost intolerable."
+
+"This way," said Henrietta, turning aside from the drive in a direction
+which soon brought them to a thickly-planted ride that surrounded the
+Park. "We shall find it delightful here."
+
+It was an hour which, in the month of July, few ladies would choose for
+walking; but Miss Torrington politely exerted herself to converse,
+though she secretly longed to be lying silent and alone on the sofa in
+her own dressing-room, with no greater exertion than was necessary for
+the perusal of--
+
+    "The dear pages of some new romance."
+
+Henrietta, however, only answered her dryly and shortly, and presently
+said,
+
+"I should be really very much obliged to you, Miss Torrington, if you
+would not speak to me any more. Just listen to the blackbirds, will
+you?--depend upon it we can neither of us express ourselves one half so
+well as they do."
+
+Rosalind willingly submitted to this request; and the young ladies
+walked onward, producing no other sound than the occasional brushing of
+their dresses against the underwood, which at every step became thicker,
+rendering the path almost too narrow for two to walk abreast.
+
+"Now, let us just turn down through this little opening," said Henrietta
+in a whisper; "and pray do not speak to me."
+
+Rosalind, who began to believe that she must have some meaning for her
+strange manner of proceeding, followed her in perfect silence; and they
+had not gone far into the intricacies of the tangled copse, before she
+heard the sound of a human voice at no great distance from her.
+Henrietta, who was in advance, turned round and laid her finger on her
+lips. The caution was not needed: Rosalind had already recognised the
+tones of Mr. Cartwright, and a few more silent steps brought them to a
+spot thickly surrounded on all sides, but from whence they could look
+out upon a small and beautiful opening, in the centre of which a
+majestic lime-tree stretched its arms in all directions over the soft
+green turf.
+
+Rosalind instantly recognised the spot as one frequently resorted to in
+their evening rambles, for the sake of its cool and secluded beauty, and
+also because a bench, divided into commodious stalls, surrounded the
+capacious tree, from whence opened a vista commanding a charming view
+across the Park.
+
+On the turf before this bench, and with their backs turned towards the
+spot where Rosalind and Henrietta stood, knelt Mr. Cartwright and Fanny.
+His eyes were fixed upon her with passionate admiration, and the first
+words they distinctly heard were these, spoken with great vehemence by
+the vicar:--
+
+"Persecuted--trampled on--turned forth from every other roof, let thy
+blue vault spread over us, and while I struggle to snatch this precious
+brand from the eternal fire of thy wrath, pour upon our heads the dew of
+thy love! Grant me power to save this one dear soul alive, though it
+should seem good in thy sight that millions should perish around her!
+Save her from the eternal flame that even now rises to lick her feet,
+and if not stayed by prayer--the prayer of thy saints,--will speedily
+envelope and consume her!"
+
+Rosalind remained to hear no more. Heartsick, indignant, disgusted, and
+almost terrified by what she saw and heard, she retreated hastily, and,
+followed by Henrietta, rapidly pursued her way to the house.
+
+Her companion made an effort to overtake her, and, almost out of breath
+by an exertion to which she was hardly equal, she said,
+
+"I have shown you this, Miss Torrington, for the sake of giving you a
+useful lesson. If you are wise, you will profit by it, and learn to know
+that it is not always safe to suppose you have produced an effect,
+merely because it may be worth some one's while to persuade you into
+believing it. Having said thus much to point the moral of our walk in
+the sun, you may go your way, and I will go mine. I shall not enter upon
+any more elaborate exposition of Mr. Cartwright's character."
+
+So saying, she fell back among the bushes, and Rosalind reached the
+house alone.
+
+On entering her dressing-room, Miss Torrington sat herself down, with
+her eau de Cologne bottle in one hand and a large feather fan in the
+other, to meditate--coolly, if she could, but at any rate to
+meditate--upon what she ought to do in order immediately to put a stop
+to the very objectionable influence which Mr. Cartwright appeared to
+exercise over the mind of Fanny.
+
+Had she been aware of Sir Gilbert Harrington's having written to recall
+his refusal of the executorship, she would immediately have had recourse
+to him; but this fact had never transpired beyond Mrs. Mowbray and the
+vicar; and the idea that he had resisted the representation which she
+felt sure his son had made to him after the conversation Helen and
+herself had held with him, not only made her too angry to attempt any
+farther to soften him, but naturally impressed her with the belief that,
+do or say what she would on the subject, it must be in vain.
+
+At length it struck her that Charles Mowbray was the most proper person
+to whom she could address herself; yet the writing such a letter as
+might immediately bring him home, was a measure which, under all
+existing circumstances, she felt to be awkward and disagreeable. But the
+more she meditated the more she felt convinced, that, notwithstanding
+the obvious objections to it, this was the safest course she could
+pursue: so having once made up her mind upon the subject, she set about
+it without farther delay, and, with the straightforward frankness and
+sincerity of her character, produced the following epistle:--
+
+     "Dear Mr. Mowbray,
+
+     "Your last letter to Helen, giving so very agreeable an account
+     of the style and manner of your _Little-go_, makes it an
+     ungracious task to interrupt your studies--and yet that is what
+     I am bent upon doing. You will be rather puzzled, I suspect, at
+     finding me assuming the rights and privileges of a
+     correspondent, and moreover of an adviser, or rather a
+     dictator: but so it is--and you must not blame me till you are
+     quite sure you know all my reasons for it.
+
+     "Mrs. Mowbray is gone to London, accompanied by Helen, for the
+     purpose of proving (I think it is called) your father's will; a
+     business in which Sir Gilbert Harrington has, most unkindly for
+     all of you, refused to join her. This journey was so suddenly
+     decided upon, that dear Helen had no time to write to you about
+     it: she knew not she was to go till about nine o'clock the
+     evening preceding.
+
+     "The Vicar of Wrexhill was probably acquainted with the
+     intended movement earlier; for no day passes, or has passed for
+     some weeks, without his holding a private consultation with
+     your mother.
+
+     "Oh! that vicar, Charles! I think I told you that I hated him,
+     and you seemed to smile at my hatred as a sort of missish
+     impertinence and caprice; but what was instinct then has become
+     reason now, and I am strangely mistaken if your hatred would
+     not fully keep pace with mine had you seen and heard what I
+     have done.
+
+     "When I decided upon writing to you I intended, I believe, to
+     enter into all particulars; but I cannot do this--you must see
+     for yourself, and draw your own inferences. My dislike for this
+     man may carry me too far, and you must be much more capable of
+     forming a judgment respecting his motives than I can be. Of
+     this however I am quite sure,--Fanny ought at this time to have
+     some one near her more capable of protecting her from the
+     mischievous influence of this hateful man than I am. I know,
+     Mr. Charles, that you have no very exalted idea of my wisdom;
+     and I am not without some fear that instead of coming home
+     immediately, as I think you ought to do, you may write me a
+     very witty, clever answer, with reasons as plenty as
+     blackberries to prove that I am a goose. _Do not do this, Mr.
+     Mowbray._ I do not think that you know me very well, but in
+     common courtesy you ought not to believe that any young lady
+     would write you such a summons as this without having very
+     serious reasons for it.
+
+     "As one proof of the rapidly-increasing intimacy between the
+     family of the vicar and your own, you will, on your arrival,
+     find the daughter, Miss Cartwright, established here to console
+     us for your mother's (and Helen's!) absence. She is a very
+     singular personage: but on her I pass no judgment, sincerely
+     feeling that I am not competent to it. If my opinion be of
+     sufficient weight to induce you to come, Mr. Mowbray, I must
+     beg you to let your arrival appear the result of accident; and
+     not to let any one but Helen know of this letter.
+
+     "Believe me, very sincerely,
+
+     "Your friend,
+
+     "ROSALIND TORRINGTON."
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XV.
+
+ROSALIND'S CONVERSATION WITH MISS CARTWRIGHT.--MRS. SIMPSON AND MISS
+RICHARDS MEET THE VICAR AT THE PARK.--THE HYMN.--THE WALK HOME.
+
+
+In the course of the morning after this letter was despatched, Miss
+Cartwright and Rosalind again found themselves tete-a-tete. The nature
+of Rosalind Torrington was so very completely the reverse of mysterious
+or intriguing, that far from wishing to lead Henrietta to talk of her
+father in that style of hints and innuendos to which the young lady
+seemed addicted, she determined, in future, carefully to avoid the
+subject; although it was very evident, from the preconcerted walk to the
+lime-tree, that, notwithstanding her declaration to the contrary, Miss
+Cartwright was desirous to make her acquainted with the character and
+conduct of her father.
+
+Whether it were that spirit of contradiction which is said to possess
+the breast of woman, or any other more respectable feeling, it may be
+difficult to decide, but it is certain that the less Rosalind appeared
+disposed to speak of the adventure of yesterday, the more desirous did
+Henrietta feel to lead her to it.
+
+"You were somewhat disappointed, I fancy, Miss Torrington," said she,
+"to discover that though you had contrived to banish the conventicle
+from the house, it had raised its voice in the grounds."
+
+"Indeed I was," replied Rosalind.
+
+"I rather think that you are addicted to speaking truth--and perhaps you
+pique yourself upon it," resumed Miss Cartwright. "Will you venture to
+tell me what you think of the scene you witnessed?"
+
+"You are not the person I should most naturally have selected as the
+confidant of my opinions respecting Mr. Cartwright," said Rosalind; "but
+since you put the question plainly I will answer it plainly, and confess
+that I suspect him not only of wishing to inculcate his own Calvinistic
+doctrines on the mind of Fanny Mowbray, but moreover, notwithstanding
+his disproportionate age, of gaining her affections."
+
+"Her affections?" repeated Henrietta. "And with what view do you imagine
+he is endeavouring to gain her affections?"
+
+"Doubtless with a view to making her his wife; though, to be sure, the
+idea is preposterous."
+
+"Sufficiently. Pray, Miss Torrington, has Miss Fanny Mowbray an
+independent fortune?"
+
+"None whatever. Like the rest of the family, she is become by the death
+of her father entirely dependent upon Mrs. Mowbray."
+
+"Your fortune is entirely at your own disposal, I believe."
+
+Rosalind looked provoked at the idle turn Miss Cartwright was giving to
+a conversation which, though she had not led to it, interested her
+deeply.
+
+"Do not suspect me of impertinence," said Henrietta in a tone more
+gentle than ordinary. "But such is the case, is it not?"
+
+"Yes, Miss Cartwright," was Rosalind's grave reply.
+
+"Then, do you know that I think it infinitely more probable Mr.
+Cartwright may have it in contemplation to make you his wife."
+
+"I beg your pardon, Miss Cartwright," said Rosalind, "but I really
+thought that you were speaking of your father seriously; and it seems
+you are disposed to punish me for imagining you would do so, to one so
+nearly a stranger."
+
+"I never jest on any subject," replied the melancholy-looking girl,
+knitting her dark brows into a frown of such austerity as almost made
+Rosalind tremble. "A reasoning being who has nothing to hope among the
+realities on this side the grave, and hopes nothing on the other, is not
+very likely to be jocose."
+
+"Good Heavens! Miss Cartwright," exclaimed Rosalind, "what dreadful
+language is this? Are you determined to prove to me that there may be
+opinions and doctrines more terrible still than those of your father?"
+
+"I had no meaning of the kind, I assure you," replied Henrietta, in her
+usual quiet manner, which always seemed to hover between the bitterness
+of a sneer, and the quietude or indifference of philosophy. "Pray do not
+trouble yourself for a moment to think about me or my opinions. You
+might, perhaps, as you are a bold-spirited, honest-minded girl, do some
+good if you fully comprehended all that was going on around you; though
+it is very doubtful, for it is impossible to say to what extent the
+besotted folly of people may go. But don't you think it might on the
+whole be quite as probable that Mr. Cartwright may wish to marry the
+mother as the daughter?"
+
+"Mrs. Mowbray!--Good gracious! no."
+
+"Then we differ. But may I ask you why you think otherwise?"
+
+"One reason is, that Mrs. Mowbray's recent widowhood seems to put such
+an idea entirely out of the question; and another, that he appears to be
+positively making love to Fanny."
+
+"Oh!--is that all? I do assure you there is nothing at all particular in
+that. He would tell you himself, I am sure, if you were to enter upon
+the subject with him, that it is his duty to influence and lead the
+hearts of his flock into the way he would have them go, by _every_ means
+in his power."
+
+"Then you really do not think he has been making love to Fanny?"
+
+"I am sure, Miss Torrington," replied Henrietta very gravely, "I did not
+mean to say so."
+
+"Indeed! indeed! Miss Cartwright," said Rosalind with evident symptoms
+of impatience, "these riddles vex me cruelly. If your father _does_
+make love to this dear fanciful child, he must, I suppose, have some
+hope that she will marry him?"
+
+"How can I answer you?" exclaimed Henrietta with real feeling. "You
+cannot be above two or three years younger than I am, yet your purity
+and innocence make me feel myself a monster."
+
+"For Heaven's sake do not trifle with me!" cried Rosalind, her face and
+neck dyed with indignant blood; "you surely do not mean that your father
+is seeking to seduce this unhappy child?"
+
+"Watch Mr. Cartwright a little while, Rosalind Torrington, as I have
+done for the six last terrible years of my hateful life, and you may
+obtain perhaps some faint idea of the crooked, complex machinery--the
+movements and counter-movements, the shiftings and the balancings, by
+which his zig-zag course is regulated. Human passions are in him for
+ever struggling with, and combating, what may be called, in their
+strength, _superhuman_ avarice and ambition.
+
+"To touch, to influence, to lead, to rule, to tyrannise over the hearts
+and souls of all he approaches, is the great object of his life. He
+would willingly do this in the hearts of men,--but for the most part he
+has found them tough; and he now, I think, seems to rest all his hopes
+of fame, wealth, and station on the power he can obtain over women.--I
+say not," she added after a pause, while a slight blush passed over her
+pallid cheek, "that I believe his senses uninfluenced by beauty;--this
+is far, hatefully far from being the case with Mr. Cartwright;--but he
+is careful, most cunningly careful, whatever victims he makes, never to
+become one in his own person.
+
+"You would find, were you to watch him, that his system, both for
+pleasure and profit, consists of a certain graduated love-making to
+every woman within his reach, not too poor, too old, or too ugly. But if
+any among them fancy that he would sacrifice the thousandth part of a
+hair's breadth of his worldly hopes for all they could give him in
+return--they are mistaken."
+
+"The character you paint," said Rosalind, who grew pale as she listened,
+"is too terrible for me fully to understand, and I would turn my eyes
+from the portrait, and endeavour to forget that I had ever heard of it,
+were not those I love endangered by it. Hateful as all this new
+knowledge is to me, I must still question you further, Miss Cartwright:
+What do you suppose to be his object in thus working upon the mind of
+Fanny Mowbray?"
+
+"His motives, depend upon it, are manifold. Religion and love, the new
+birth and intellectual attachment--mystical sympathy of hearts, and the
+certainty of eternal perdition to all that he does not take under the
+shadow of his wing;--these are the tools with which he works. He has got
+his foot--perhaps you may think it a cloven one, but, such as it is, he
+seems to have got it pretty firmly planted within the paling of Mowbray
+Park. He made me follow him hither as a volunteer visiter, very much
+against my inclination; but if by what I have said you may be enabled to
+defeat any of his various projects among ye,--for he never plots
+single-handed,--I shall cease to regret that I came."
+
+"My power of doing any good," replied Rosalind, "must, I fear, be
+altogether destroyed by my ignorance of what Mr. Cartwright's intentions
+and expectations are. You have hinted various things, but all so
+vaguely, that I own I do not feel more capable of keeping my friends
+from any danger which may threaten them, than before this conversation
+took place."
+
+"I am sorry for it," said Henrietta coldly, "but I have really no
+information more accurate to give."
+
+"I truly believe that you have meant very kindly," said Rosalind,
+looking seriously distressed. "Will you go one step farther, and say
+what you would advise me to do, Miss Cartwright?"
+
+"No, certainly, Miss Torrington, I will not. But I will give you a hint
+or two what not to do. Do not appear at all better acquainted with me
+than I show myself disposed to be with you. Do not make the slightest
+alteration in your manner of receiving Mr. Cartwright; and do not, from
+any motive whatever, repeat one syllable of this conversation to Fanny
+Mowbray. Should you disobey this last injunction, you will be guilty of
+very cruel and ungrateful treachery towards me." Having said this, with
+the appearance of more emotion than she had hitherto manifested,
+Henrietta rose and left the room.
+
+"At length," thought Rosalind, "she has spoken out; yet what are we
+likely to be the better for it? It seems that there is a great net
+thrown over us, of which we shall feel and see the meshes by-and-by,
+when he who has made prey of us begins to pull the draught to shore; but
+how to escape from it, the oracle sayeth not!"
+
+       *       *       *       *       *
+
+On the evening of that day, Mrs. Simpson and the eldest Miss Richards
+walked over from Wrexhill to pay a visit at the Park. They were not
+aware of the absence of Mrs. Mowbray, and seemed disposed to shorten
+their visit on finding she was not at home; but Rosalind, who for the
+last hour had been sitting on thorns expecting Mr. Cartwright to make
+his evening call, most cordially and earnestly invited them to stay till
+after tea, feeling that their presence would greatly relieve the
+embarrassment which she feared she might betray on again seeing the
+vicar.
+
+"But it will be so late!" said Miss Richards. "How are we to get home
+after it is dark? Remember, Mrs. Simpson, there is no moon."
+
+"It is very true," said Mrs. Simpson. "I am afraid, my dear Miss
+Torrington, that we must deny ourselves the pleasure you offer;--but I
+am such a nervous creature! It is very seldom that I stir out without
+ordering a man-servant to follow me; and I regret excessively that I
+omitted to do so this evening."
+
+"I think," said Rosalind, colouring at her own eagerness, which she was
+conscious must appear rather new and rather strange to Mrs. Simpson,
+with whom she had hardly ever exchanged a dozen words before,--"I think
+Mr. Cartwright will very likely be here this evening, and perhaps he
+might attend you home. Do you not think, Miss Cartwright," she added,
+turning to Henrietta, "that it is very likely your father will call this
+evening?"
+
+"Good gracious!--Miss Cartwright--I beg your pardon, I did not know you.
+I hope you heard that I called;--so very happy to cultivate your
+acquaintance!--Oh dear! I would not miss seeing Mr. Cartwright for the
+world!--Thank you, my dear Miss Torrington;--thank you, Miss Fanny: I
+will just set my hair to rights a little, if you will give me leave.
+Perhaps, Miss Fanny, you will permit me to go into your bed-room?" Such
+was the effect produced by the vicar's name upon the handsome widow.
+
+Miss Richards coloured, smiled, spoke to Henrietta with very respectful
+politeness, and finally followed her friend Mrs. Simpson out of the
+room, accompanied by Fanny, who willingly undertook to be their
+gentlewoman usher.
+
+"Mr. Cartwright has already made some impression on these fair ladies,
+or I am greatly mistaken," said Henrietta. "Did you remark, Miss
+Torrington, the effect produced by his name?"
+
+"I did," replied Rosalind, "and my reasonings upon it are very
+consolatory; for if he has already found time and inclination to produce
+so great effect there, why should we fear that his labours of love here
+should prove more dangerous in their tendency?"
+
+"Very true. Nor do I see any reason in the world why the Mowbray is in
+greater peril than the Simpson, or the Fanny than the Louisa,--excepting
+that one widow is about twenty times richer than the other, and the
+little young lady about five hundred times handsomer than the great
+one."
+
+At this moment the Mr. Cartwrights, father and son, were seen turning
+off from the regular approach to the house, towards the little gate that
+opened from the lawn; a friendly and familiar mode of entrance, which
+seemed to have become quite habitual to them.
+
+Rosalind, who was the first to perceive them, flew towards the door,
+saying, "You must excuse me for running away, Miss Cartwright. I invited
+that furbelow widow to stay on purpose to spare me this almost
+tete-a-tete meeting. I will seek the ladies and return with them."
+
+"Then so will I too," said Henrietta, hastily following her. "I am by no
+means disposed to stand the cross-examination which I know will ensue if
+I remain here alone."
+
+The consequence of this movement was, that the vicar and his son
+prepared their smiles in vain; for, on entering the drawing-room, sofas
+and ottomans, footstools, tables, and chairs, alone greeted them.
+
+Young Cartwright immediately began peeping into the work-boxes and
+portfolios which lay on the tables.
+
+"Look here, sir," said he, holding up a caricature of Lord B----m. "Is
+not this sinful?"
+
+"Do be quiet, Jacob!--we shall have them here in a moment;--I really
+wish I could teach you when your interest is at stake to make the best
+of yourself. You know that I should be particularly pleased by your
+marrying Miss Torrington; and I do beg, my dear boy, that you will not
+suffer your childish spirits to put any difficulties in my way."
+
+"I will become an example unto all men," replied Jacob, shutting up his
+eyes and mouth demurely, and placing himself bolt upright upon the
+music-stool.
+
+"If you and your sister could but mingle natures a little," said Mr.
+Cartwright, "you would both be wonderfully improved. Nothing with which
+I am acquainted, however joyous, can ever induce Henrietta to smile; and
+nothing, however sad, can prevent your being on the broad grin from
+morning to night. However, of the two, I confess I think you are the
+most endurable."
+
+"A whip for the horse, a bridle for the ass, and a rod for the fool's
+back," said Jacob in a sanctified tone.
+
+"Upon my honour, Jacob, I shall be very angry with you if you do not set
+about this love-making as I would have you. Don't make ducks and drakes
+of eighty thousand pounds:--at least, not till you have got them."
+
+"Answer not a fool according to his folly, least he be wise in his own
+conceit," said Jacob.
+
+Mr. Cartwright smiled, as it seemed against his will, but shook his head
+very solemnly. "I'll tell you what, Jacob," said he,--"if I see you set
+about this in a way to please me, I'll give you five shillings to-morrow
+morning."
+
+"Wherefore is there a price in the hand of a fool to get wisdom, seeing
+he hath no heart to it?" replied Jacob. "Nevertheless, father, I will
+look lovingly upon the maiden, and receive thy promised gift, even as
+thou sayest."
+
+"Upon my word, Jacob, you try my patience too severely," said the
+vicar; yet there was certainly but little wrath in his eye as he said
+so, and his chartered libertine of a son was preparing again to answer
+him in the words of Solomon, but in a spirit of very indecent
+buffoonery, when the drawing-room door opened, and Mrs. Simpson, Miss
+Richards, and Fanny Mowbray entered.
+
+It appeared that Rosalind and Miss Cartwright on escaping from the
+drawing-room had not sought the other ladies, but taken refuge in the
+dining-parlour, from whence they issued immediately after the others had
+passed the door, and entering the drawing-room with them, enjoyed the
+gratification of witnessing the meeting of the vicar and his fair
+parishioners.
+
+To the surprise of Rosalind, and the great though silent amusement of
+her companion, they perceived that both the stranger ladies had
+contrived to make a very edifying and remarkable alteration in the
+general appearance of their dress.
+
+Miss Richards had combed her abounding black curls as nearly straight as
+their nature would allow, and finally brought them into very reverential
+order by the aid of her ears, and sundry black pins to boot,--an
+arrangement by no means unfavourable to the display of her dark eyes and
+eyebrows.
+
+But the change produced by the _castigato_ toilet of the widow was
+considerably more important. A transparent blond _chemisette_, rather
+calculated to adorn than conceal that part of the person to which it
+belonged, was now completely hidden by a lavender-coloured silk
+handkerchief, tightly, smoothly, and with careful security pinned
+behind, and before, and above, and below, upon her full but graceful
+bust.
+
+Rosalind had more than once of late amused herself by looking over the
+pages of Moliere's "Tartuffe;" and a passage now occurred to her that
+she could not resist muttering in the ear of Henrietta:--
+
+                          "Ah, mon Dieu! je vous prie,
+    Avant que de parler, prenez-moi ce mouchoir"--&c.
+
+The comer of Miss Cartwright's mouth expressed her appreciation of the
+quotation, but by a movement so slight that none but Rosalind could
+perceive it.
+
+Meanwhile the vicar approached Mrs. Simpson with a look that was full of
+meaning, and intended to express admiration both of her mental and
+personal endowments. She, too, had banished the drooping ringlets from
+her cheeks, and appeared before him with all the pretty severity of a
+Madonna band across her forehead.
+
+Was it in the nature of man to witness such touching proofs of his
+influence without being affected thereby? At any rate, such indifference
+made no part of the character of the Vicar of Wrexhill, and the murmured
+"Bless you, my dear lady!" which accompanied his neighbourly pressure of
+the widow Simpson's hand, gave her to understand how much his grateful
+and affectionate feelings were gratified by her attention to the hints
+he had found an opportunity to give her during a tete-a-tete
+conversation at her own house a few days before.
+
+Nor was the delicate attention of Miss Richards overlooked. She, too,
+felt at her fingers' ends how greatly the sacrifice of her curls was
+approved by the graceful vicar, who now sat down surrounded by this fair
+bevy of ladies, smiling with bland and gentle sweetness on them all.
+
+Mr. Jacob thought of the promised five shillings, and displaying his
+fine teeth from ear to ear, presented a chair to Miss Torrington.
+
+"I wish you would let us have a song, Miss Rosalind Torrington," said
+he, stationing himself at the back of her chair and leaning over her
+shoulder. "I am told that your voice beats every thing on earth hollow."
+
+His eye caught an approving glance from his father as he took this
+station, and he wisely trusted to his attitude for obtaining his reward,
+for these words were audible only to the young lady herself.
+
+"You are a mighty odd set of people!" said she, turning round to him. "I
+cannot imagine how you all contrive to live together! There is not one
+of you that does not appear to be a contrast to the other two."
+
+"Then, at any rate, you cannot dislike us all _equally_," said the
+strange lad, with a grimace that made her laugh, despite her inclination
+to look grave.
+
+"I do not know that," was the reply. "I may dislike you all equally, and
+yet have a different species of dislike for each."
+
+"But one species must be stronger and more vigorous than the others.
+Besides, I will assist your judgment. I do not mean to say I am quite
+perfect; but, depend upon it, I'm the best of the _set_, as you call
+us."
+
+"Your authority, Mr. Jacob, is the best in the world, certainly.
+Nevertheless, there are many who on such an occasion might suspect you
+of partiality."
+
+"Then they would do me great injustice, Miss Torrington. I am a man, or
+a boy, or something between both: take me for all in all, it is five
+hundred to one you ne'er shall look upon my like again. But that is a
+play-going and sinful quotation, Miss Rosalind, like your name: so be
+merciful unto me, and please not to tell my papa."
+
+"You may be very certain, Mr. Jacob, that I shall obey you in this."
+
+    "Sweetest nut hath sourest rind,--
+    Such a nut is Rosalind."
+
+responded the youth; and probably thinking that he had fairly won his
+five shillings, he raised his tall thin person from the position which
+had so well pleased his father, and stole round to the sofa on which
+Fanny was sitting.
+
+Fanny was looking very lovely, but without a trace of that bright and
+beaming animation which a few short months before had led her poor
+father to give her the _sobriquet_ of "Firefly." He was wont to declare,
+and no one was inclined to contradict him, that whenever she appeared,
+something like a bright coruscation seemed to flash upon the eye. No
+one, not even a fond father, would have hit upon such a simile for her
+now. Beautiful she was, perhaps more beautiful than ever; but a sad and
+sombre thoughtfulness had settled itself on her young brow,--her voice
+was no longer the echo of gay thoughts, and, in a word, her whole aspect
+and bearing were changed.
+
+She now sat silently apart from the company, watching, with an air that
+seemed to hover between abstraction and curiosity, Mrs. Simpson's manner
+of making herself agreeable to Mr. Cartwright.
+
+This lady was seated on one side of the vicar, and Miss Richards on the
+other: both had the appearance of being unconscious that any other
+person or persons were in the room, and nothing but his consummate skill
+in the art of uttering an aside both with eyes and lips could have
+enabled him to sustain his position.
+
+"My sisters and I are afraid you have quite forgotten us," murmured Miss
+Richards; "but we have been practising the hymns you gave us, and we
+are all quite perfect, and ready to sing them to you whenever you come."
+
+"The hearing this, my dear young lady, gives me as pure and holy a
+pleasure as listening to the sacred strains could do:--unless, indeed,"
+he added, bending his head sideways towards her, so as nearly to touch
+her cheek, "unless, indeed, they were breathed by the lips of Louisa
+herself. That must be very like hearing a seraph sing!"
+
+Not a syllable of this was heard save by herself.
+
+"I have thought incessantly," said Mrs. Simpson, in a very
+low voice, as soon as Mr. Cartwright's head had recovered the
+perpendicular,--"incessantly, I may truly say, on our last conversation.
+My life has been passed in a manner so widely different from what I am
+sure it will be in future, that I feel as if I were awakened to a new
+existence!"
+
+"The great object of my hopes is, and will ever be," replied the Vicar
+of Wrexhill almost aloud, "to lead my beloved flock to sweet and safe
+pastures.--And for you," he added, in a voice so low, that she rather
+felt than heard his words, "what is there I would not do?" Here his eyes
+spoke a commentary; and hers, a note upon it.
+
+"Which is the hymn, Mr. Cartwright, that you think best adapted to the
+semi-weekly Sabbath you recommended us to institute?" said Miss
+Richards.
+
+"The eleventh, I think.--Yes, the eleventh;--study that, my dear child.
+Early and late let your sweet voice breathe those words,--and I will be
+with you in spirit, Louisa."
+
+Not even Mrs. Simpson heard a word of this, beyond "dear child."
+
+"But when shall I see you?--I have doubts and difficulties on some
+points, Mr. Cartwright," said the widow aloud. "How shamefully
+ignorant--I must call it _shamefully_ ignorant--did poor Mr. Wallace
+suffer us to remain!--Is it not true, Louisa? Did he ever, through all
+the years we have known him, utter an awakening word to any of us?"
+
+"No, _indeed_ he never did," replied Miss Louisa, in a sort of penitent
+whine.
+
+"I am rather surprised to hear you say that, Miss Richards," said
+Rosalind, drawing her chair a little towards them. "I always understood
+that Mr. Wallace was one of the most exemplary parish priests in
+England. Did not your father consider him to be so, Fanny?"
+
+"I--I believe so,--I don't know," replied Fanny, stammering and
+colouring painfully.
+
+"Not know, Fanny Mowbray!" exclaimed Rosalind;--"not know your father's
+opinion of Mr. Wallace! That is very singular indeed."
+
+"I mean," said Fanny, struggling to recover her composure, "that I never
+heard papa's opinion of him as compared with--with any one else."
+
+"I do not believe he would have lost by the comparison," said Rosalind,
+rising, and walking out of the window.
+
+"Is not that prodigiously rich young lady somewhat of the tiger breed?"
+said young Cartwright in a whisper to Fanny.
+
+"Miss Torrington is not at all a person of serious notions," replied
+Fanny; "and till one is subdued by religion, one is often very
+quarrelsome."
+
+"I am sure, serious or not, you would never quarrel with any one,"
+whispered Jacob.
+
+"Indeed I should be sorry and ashamed to do so now," she replied. "Your
+father ought to cure us all of such unchristian faults as that."
+
+"I wish I was like my father!" said Jacob very sentimentally.
+
+"Oh! how glad I am to hear you say that!" said Fanny, clasping her hands
+together. "I am sure it would make him so happy!"
+
+"I can't say I was thinking of making him happy, Miss Fanny: I only
+meant, that I wished I was like any body that you admire and approve so
+much."
+
+"A poor silly motive for wishing to be like such a father!" replied
+Fanny, blushing; and leaving her distant place, she established herself
+at the table on which the tea equipage had just been placed, and busied
+herself with the tea-cups.
+
+This remove brought her very nearly opposite Mr. Cartwright and the two
+ladies who were seated beside him, and from this moment the conversation
+proceeded without any "asides" whatever.
+
+"At what age, Mr. Cartwright," said Mrs. Simpson, "do you think one
+should begin to instil the doctrine of regeneration into a little
+girl?"
+
+"Not later than ten, my dear lady. A very quick and forward child might
+perhaps be led to comprehend it earlier. Eight and three-quarters I have
+known in a state of the most perfect awakening; but this I hold to be
+rare."
+
+"What a spectacle!" exclaimed Miss Richards in a sort of rapture. "A
+child of eight and three-quarters! Did it speak its thoughts, Mr.
+Cartwright?"
+
+"The case I allude to, my dear young lady, was published. I will bring
+you the pamphlet. Nothing can be more edifying than the out-breakings of
+the Spirit through the organs of that chosen little vessel."
+
+"I hope, Mr. Cartwright, that _I_ shall have the benefit of this dear
+pamphlet also. Do not forget that I have a little girl exactly eight
+years three-quarters and six weeks.--I beg your pardon, my dear Louisa,
+but this must be so much more interesting to me than it can be to you as
+yet, my dear, that I trust Mr. Cartwright will give me the precedence in
+point of time. Besides, you know, that as the principal person in the
+village, I am a little spoiled in such matters. I confess to you, I
+should feel hurt if I had to wait for this till you had studied it. You
+have no child, you know."
+
+"Oh! without doubt, Mrs. Simpson, you ought to have it first," replied
+Miss Richards. "I am certainly not likely as yet to have any one's soul
+to be anxious about but my own.--Is this blessed child alive, Mr.
+Cartwright?"
+
+"In heaven, Miss Louisa,--not on earth. It is the account of its last
+moments that have been so admirably drawn up by the Reverend Josiah
+Martin. This gentleman is a particular friend of mine, and I am much
+interested in the sale of the little work. I will have the pleasure, my
+dear ladies, of bringing a dozen copies to each of you; and you will
+give me a very pleasing proof of the pious feeling I so deeply rejoice
+to see, if you will dispose of them at one shilling each among your
+friends."
+
+"I am sure I will try all I can!" said Miss Richards.
+
+"My influence could not be better employed, I am certain, than in
+forwarding your wishes in all things," added Mrs. Simpson.
+
+Young Jacob, either in the hope of amusement, or of more certainly
+securing his five shillings, had followed the indignant Rosalind out of
+the window, and found her refreshing herself by arranging the vagrant
+tendrils of a beautiful creeping plant outside it.
+
+"I am afraid, Miss Rosalind Torrington," said he, "that you would not
+say Amen! if I did say, May the saints have you in their holy keeping! I
+do believe in my heart that you would rather find yourself in the
+keeping of sinners."
+
+"The meaning of words often depends upon the character of those who
+utter them," replied Rosalind. "There is such a thing as slang, Mr.
+Jacob; and there is such a thing as cant."
+
+"Did you ever mention that to my papa, Miss Rosalind?" inquired Jacob in
+a voice of great simplicity.
+
+Rosalind looked at him as if she wished to discover what he was
+at,--whether his object were to quiz her, his father, or both. But
+considering his very boyish appearance and manner, there was more
+difficulty in achieving this than might have been expected. Sometimes
+she thought him almost a fool; at others, quite a wag. At one moment she
+was ready to believe him more than commonly simple-minded; and at
+another felt persuaded that he was an accomplished hypocrite.
+
+It is probable that the youth perceived her purpose, and felt more
+gratification in defeating it than he could have done from any
+love-making of which she were the object. His countenance, which was
+certainly intended by nature to express little besides frolic and fun,
+was now puckered up into a look of solemnity that might have befitted
+one of the Newman-street congregation when awaiting an address in the
+unknown tongue.
+
+"I am sure," he said, "that my papa would like to hear you talk about
+all those things very much, Miss Torrington. I do not think that he
+would exactly agree with you in every word you might say: but that never
+seems to vex him: if the talk does but go about heaven and hell, and
+saints and sinners, and reprobation and regeneration, and the old man
+and the new birth, that is all papa cares for. I think he likes to be
+contradicted a little; for that, you know, makes more talk again."
+
+"Is that the principle upon which you proceed with him yourself, Mr.
+Jacob? Do you always make a point of contradicting every thing he says?"
+
+"Pretty generally, Miss Torrington, when there is nobody by, and when I
+make it all pass for joke. But there _is_ a law that even Miss
+Henrietta has been taught to obey; and that is, never to contradict him
+in company. Perhaps you have found that out, Miss Rosalind?"
+
+"Perhaps I have, Mr. Jacob."
+
+"Will you not come in to tea, Miss Torrington?" said Henrietta,
+appearing at the window, with the volume in her hand which had seemed to
+occupy her whole attention from the time she had re-entered the
+drawing-room with Rosalind.
+
+"I wish, sister," said Jacob, affecting to look extremely cross, "that
+you would not pop out so, to interrupt one's conversation! You might
+have a fellow feeling, I think, for a young lady, when she walks out of
+a window, and a young gentleman walks after her!"
+
+Rosalind gave him a look from one side, and Henrietta from the other.
+
+"Mercy on me!" he exclaimed, putting up his hands as if to guard the two
+sides of his face. "Four black eyes at me at once!--and so very black in
+every sense of the word!"
+
+The young ladies walked together into the room, and Jacob followed,
+seeking the eye of his father, and receiving thence, as he expected, a
+glance of encouragement and applause.
+
+When the tea was removed, Mr. Cartwright went to the piano-forte, and
+run his fingers with an appearance of some skill over the keys.
+
+"I hope, my dear Miss Fanny, that you intend we should have a little
+music this evening?"
+
+"If Mrs. Simpson, Miss Richards, and Miss Torrington will sing," said
+Fanny, "I shall be very happy to accompany them."
+
+"What music have you got, my dear young lady?" said the vicar.
+
+Miss Torrington had a large collection of songs very commodiously stowed
+beneath the instrument; and Helen and herself were nearly as amply
+provided with piano-forte music of all kinds: but though this was the
+first time Mr. Cartwright had ever approached the instrument, or asked
+for music, Fanny had a sort of instinctive consciousness that the
+collection would be found defective in his eyes.
+
+"We have several of Handel's oratorios," she replied; "and I think Helen
+has got the 'Creation.'"
+
+"Very fine music both," replied Mr. Cartwright; "but in the social
+meetings of friends, where many perhaps may be able to raise a timid
+note toward heaven, though incapable of performing the difficult
+compositions of these great masters, I conceive that a simpler style is
+preferable. If you will permit me," he continued, drawing a small volume
+of manuscript music from his pocket, "I will point out to you some very
+beautiful, and, indeed, popular melodies, which have heretofore been
+sadly disgraced by the words applied to them. In this little book many
+of my female friends have, at my request, written words fit for a
+Christian to sing, to notes that the sweet voice of youth and beauty may
+love to breathe. Miss Torrington, I have heard that you are considered
+to be a very superior vocalist:--will you use the power that God has
+given, to hymn his praise?"
+
+There was too much genuine piety in Rosalind's heart to refuse a
+challenge so worded, without a better reason for doing it than personal
+dislike to Mr. Cartwright; nevertheless, it was not without putting some
+constraint upon herself that she replied,
+
+"I very often sing sacred music, sir, and am ready to do so now, if you
+wish it."
+
+"A thousand thanks," said he, "for this amiable compliance! I hail it as
+the harbinger of harmony that shall rise from all our hearts in sweet
+accord to heaven."
+
+Rosalind coloured, and her heart whispered, "I will not be a hypocrite."
+But she had agreed to sing, and she prepared to do so, seeking among her
+volumes for one of the easiest and shortest of Handel's songs, and
+determined when she had finished to make her escape.
+
+While she was thus employed, however, Mr. Cartwright was equally active
+in turning over the leaves of his pocket companion; and before Miss
+Torrington had made her selection, he placed the tiny manuscript volume
+open upon the instrument, saying, "There, my dear young lady! this is an
+air, and these are words which we may all listen to with equal innocence
+and delight."
+
+Rosalind was provoked; but every one in the room had already crowded
+round the piano, and having no inclination to enter upon any discussion,
+she sat down prepared to sing whatever was placed before her.
+
+The air was undeniably a popular one, being no other than "Fly not
+yet!" which, as all the world knows, has been performed to millions of
+delighted listeners, in lofty halls and tiny drawing-rooms, and,
+moreover, ground upon every hand-organ in Great Britain for many years
+past. Rosalind ran her eyes over the words, which, in fair feminine
+characters, were written beneath the notes as follow:
+
+    Fly not yet! 'Tis just the hour
+    When prayerful Christians own the power
+    That, inly beaming with new light,
+    Begins to sanctify the night
+    For maids who love the moon.
+                           Oh, pray!--oh, pray!
+
+    'Tis but to bless these hours of shade
+    That pious songs and hymns are made;
+    For now, their holy ardour glowing,
+    Sets the soul's emotion flowing.
+                           Oh, pray!--oh, pray!
+
+    Prayer so seldom breathes a strain
+    So sweet as this, that, oh! 'tis pain
+    To check its voice too soon.
+                           Oh, pray!--oh, pray!
+
+An expression of almost awful indignation rose to the eyes of Rosalind.
+"Do you give me this, sir," she said, "as a jest?--or do you propose
+that I should sing it as an act of devotion?"
+
+Mr. Cartwright withdrew the little book and immediately returned it to
+his pocket.
+
+"I am sorry, Miss Torrington, that you should have asked me such a
+question," he replied with a kind of gentle severity which might have
+led almost any hearer to think him in the right. "I had hoped that my
+ministry at Wrexhill, short as it has been, could not have left it a
+matter of doubt whether, in speaking of singing or prayer, I was in
+jest?"
+
+"Nevertheless, sir," rejoined Rosalind, "it does to me appear like a
+jest, and a very indecent one too, thus to imagine that an air long
+familiar to all as the vehicle of words as full of levity as of poetry
+can be on the sudden converted into an accompaniment to a solemn
+invocation to prayer--uttered, too, in the form of a vile parody."
+
+"I think that a very few words may be able to prove to you the sophistry
+of such an argument," returned the vicar. "You will allow, I believe,
+that this air is very generally known to all classes.--Is it not so?"
+
+Rosalind bowed her assent.
+
+"Well, then, let me go a step farther, and ask whether the words
+originally set to this air are not likely to be recalled by hearing it?"
+
+"Beyond all doubt."
+
+"Now observe, Miss Torrington, that what you have been pleased to call
+levity and poetry, I, in my clerical capacity, denounce as indecent and
+obscene."
+
+"Is that your reason for setting me to play it?" said Rosalind in a tone
+of anger.
+
+"That question again, does not, I fear, argue an amiable and pious state
+of mind," replied Mr. Cartwright, appealing meekly with his eyes to the
+right and left. "It is to substitute other thoughts for those which the
+air has hitherto suggested that I conceive the singing this song, as it
+now stands, desirable."
+
+"Might it not be as well to leave the air alone altogether?" said
+Rosalind.
+
+"Decidedly not," replied the vicar. "The notes, as you have allowed, are
+already familiar to all men, and it is therefore a duty to endeavour to
+make that familiarity familiarly suggest thoughts of heaven."
+
+"Thoughts of heaven," said Rosalind, "should never be suggested
+familiarly."
+
+"Dreadful--very dreadful doctrine that, Miss Torrington! and I must tell
+you, in devout assurance of the truth I speak, that it is in order to
+combat and overthrow such notions as you now express, that Heaven hath
+vouchsafed, by an act of special providence, to send upon earth in these
+later days my humble self, and some others who think like me."
+
+"And permit me, sir, in the name of the earthly father I have lost,"
+replied Rosalind, while her eyes _almost_ overflowed with the glistening
+moisture her earnestness brought into them,--"permit me in his
+reverenced name to say, that constant prayer can in no way be identified
+with familiarity of address; and that of many lamentable evils which the
+class of preachers to whom you allude have brought upon blundering
+Christians, that of teaching them to believe that there is righteousness
+in mixing the awful and majestic name of God with all the hourly, petty
+occurrences of this mortal life, is one of the most deplorable."
+
+"May your unthinking youth, my dear young lady, plead before the God of
+mercy in mitigation of the wrath which such sentiments are calculated to
+draw down!"
+
+"Oh!" sobbed Miss Richards.
+
+"Alas!" sighed Mrs. Simpson.
+
+"How can you, Rosalind, speak so to the pastor and master of our souls?"
+said Fanny, while tears of sympathy for the outraged vicar fell from her
+beautiful eyes.
+
+"My dear children!--my dear friends!" said Mr. Cartwright in a voice
+that seemed to tremble with affectionate emotion, "think not of
+me!--Remember the words 'Blessed are they which are persecuted for
+righteousness' sake!' I turn not from the harsh rebuke of this young
+lady, albeit I am not insensible to its injustice,--nor, indeed, blind
+to its indecency. But blessed--oh! most blessed shall I hold this trial,
+if it lead to the awakening holy thoughts in you!--My dear young lady,"
+he continued, rising from his seat and approaching Rosalind with an
+extended hand, "it may be as well, perhaps, that I withdraw myself at
+this moment. Haply, reflection may soften your young heart.--But let us
+part in peace, as Christians should do."
+
+Rosalind did not take his offered hand. "In peace, sir," she
+said,--"decidedly I desire you to depart in peace. I have no wish to
+molest you in any way. But you must excuse my not accepting your
+proffered hand. It is but an idle and unmeaning ceremony perhaps, as
+things go; but the manner in which you now stretch forth your hand gives
+a sort of importance to it which would make it a species of falsehood in
+me to accept it. When it means any thing, it means cordial liking; and
+this, sir, I do not feel for you."
+
+So saying, Rosalind arose and left the room.
+
+Fanny clasped her hands in a perfect agony, and raising her tearful eyes
+to Heaven as if to deprecate its wrath upon the roof that covered so
+great wickedness, exclaimed, "Oh, Mr. Cartwright! what can I say to
+you!"
+
+Mrs. Simpson showed symptoms of being likely to faint; and as Mr.
+Cartwright and Fanny approached her, Miss Richards, with a vehemence of
+feeling that seemed to set language at defiance, seized the hand of the
+persecuted vicar and pressed it to her lips.
+
+Several minutes were given to the interchange of emotions too strong to
+be described in words. Female tears were blended with holy blessings;
+and, as Jacob afterwards assured his sister, who had contrived
+unobserved to escape, he at one time saw no fewer than eight human
+hands, great and small, all mixed together in a sort of chance-medley
+heap upon the chair round which they at length kneeled down.
+
+It will be easily believed that Miss Torrington appeared no more that
+night; and after an hour passed in conversation on the persecutions and
+revilings to which the godly are exposed, Mrs. Simpson, who declared
+herself dreadfully overcome, proposed to Miss Richards that they should
+use such strength as was left them to walk home. A very tender leave was
+taken of Fanny, in which Mr. Jacob zealously joined, and the party set
+out for a star-lit walk to Wrexhill, its vicar supporting on each arm a
+very nervous and trembling hand.
+
+Mr. Cartwright soon after passing the Park-lodge, desired his son to
+step forward and order the clerk to come to him on some urgent parish
+business before he went to bed. The young man darted forward nothing
+loth, and the trio walked at a leisurely pace under the dark shadows of
+the oak-trees that lined the road to the village.
+
+They passed behind the Vicarage; when the two ladies simultaneously
+uttered a sigh, and breathed in a whisper, "Sweet spot!" Can it be
+doubted that both were thanked by a gentle pressure of the arm?
+
+The house of Mrs. Simpson lay on the road to that of Mrs. Richards, and
+Miss Louisa made a decided halt before the door, distinctly pronouncing
+at the same time,
+
+"Good night, my dear Mrs. Simpson!"
+
+But this lady knew the duties of a chaperon too well to think of leaving
+her young companion till she saw her safely restored to her mother's
+roof.
+
+"Oh! no, my dear!" she exclaimed: "if your house were a mile off,
+Louisa, I should take you home."
+
+"But you have been so poorly!" persisted the young lady, "and it is so
+unnecessary!"
+
+"_It is right_," returned Mrs. Simpson with an emphasis that marked too
+conscientious a feeling to be further resisted. So Miss Richards was
+taken home, and the fair widow languidly and slowly retraced her steps
+to her own door, with no other companion than the Vicar of Wrexhill.
+
+END OF THE FIRST VOLUME.
+
+
+
+
+VOLUME THE SECOND.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER I.
+
+CHARLES MOWBRAY'S ARRIVAL AT THE PARK.
+
+
+Never had Rosalind Torrington so strongly felt the want of some one to
+advise her what to do, as the morning after this disagreeable scene. Had
+she consulted her inclination only, she would have remained in her own
+apartments till the return of Mrs. Mowbray and Helen. But more than one
+reason prevented her doing so. In the first place, she was not without
+hope that her letter would immediately bring young Mowbray home; and it
+would be equally disagreeable to miss seeing him, by remaining in her
+dressing-room, or to leave it expressly for the purpose of doing so: and
+secondly, however far her feelings might be from perfect confidence and
+esteem towards Miss Cartwright, she felt that she owed her something,
+and that it would be ungrateful and almost cruel to leave her
+tete-a-tete with the bewildered Fanny, or en tiers with her and the
+vicar.
+
+She therefore determined to run the risk of encountering Mr. Cartwright
+as usual, but felt greatly at a loss how to treat him. Their last demele
+had been too serious to be forgotten by either; and her opinion of him
+was such, that far from wishing to conciliate him, or in any way to
+efface the impression of what she had said on leaving him, her
+inclination and her principles both led her to wish that it should be
+indelible, and that nothing should ever lessen the distance that was now
+placed between them. But Rosalind felt all the difficulty of maintaining
+this tone towards a person not only on terms of intimate friendship with
+the family, but considered by part of it as a man whose word ought to be
+law. She began to fear, as she meditated on the position in which she
+was placed, that Mowbray Park could not long continue to be her home.
+The idea of Helen, and what she would feel at losing her, drew tears
+from her eyes; and then the remembrance of her Irish home, of her lost
+parents, and the terrible contrast between what she had heard last
+night, and the lessons and opinions of her dear father, made them flow
+abundantly.
+
+The day passed heavily. Miss Cartwright appeared to think she had done
+enough, and devoted herself almost wholly to the perusal of a French
+metaphysical work which she had found in the library, Fanny was silent
+and sad, and seemed carefully to avoid being left for a moment alone
+with Rosalind. Mr. Cartwright made no visit to the house during the
+morning: but Judy informed her mistress, when she came to arrange her
+dress for dinner, that the reverend gentleman had been walking in the
+shrubberies with Miss Fanny; and in the evening he made his entrance, as
+usual, through the drawing-room window.
+
+It was the result of a strong effort produced by very excellent feeling,
+that kept Rosalind in the room when she saw him approach; but she had
+little doubt that if she went, Miss Cartwright would follow her, and she
+resolved that his pernicious tete-a-tetes with Fanny should not be
+rendered more frequent by any selfishness of hers.
+
+It was evident to her from Mr. Cartwright's manner through the whole
+evening, that it was his intention to overload her with gentle kindness,
+in order to set off in strong relief her harsh and persecuting spirit
+towards him. But not even her wish to defeat this plan could enable her
+to do more than answer by civil monosyllables when he spoke to her.
+
+Miss Cartwright laid aside her book and resumed her netting as soon as
+she saw him approach; but as usual, she sat silent and abstracted, and
+the conversation was wholly carried on by the vicar and his pretty
+proselyte. No man, perhaps, had a greater facility in making
+conversation than the Vicar of Wrexhill: his habit of extempore
+preaching, in which he was thought by many to excel, probably
+contributed to give him this power. But not only had he an endless flow
+of words wherewith to clothe whatever thoughts suggested themselves, but
+moreover a most happy faculty of turning every thing around him to
+account. Every object, animate or inanimate, furnished him a theme; and
+let him begin from what point he would, (unless in the presence of noble
+or influential personages to whom he believed it would be distasteful,)
+he never failed to bring the conversation round to the subject of
+regeneration and grace, the blessed hopes of himself and his sect, and
+the assured damnation of all the rest of the world.
+
+Fanny Mowbray listened to him with an earnestness that amounted to
+nervous anxiety, lest she should lose a word. His awful dogmas had taken
+fearful hold of her ardent and ill-regulated imagination; while his
+bland and affectionate manner, his fine features and graceful person,
+rendered him altogether an object of the most unbounded admiration and
+interest to her.
+
+As an additional proof, probably, that he did not shrink from
+persecution, Mr. Cartwright again opened the piano-forte as soon as the
+tea equipage was removed, and asked Fanny if she would sing with him.
+
+"With you, Mr. Cartwright!" she exclaimed in an accent of glad surprise:
+"I did not know that you sang. Oh! how I wish that I were a greater
+proficient, that I might sing with you as I would wish to do!"
+
+"Sing with me, my dear child, with that sweet and pious feeling which I
+rejoice to see hourly increasing in your heart. Sing thus, my dearest
+child, and you will need no greater skill than Heaven is sure to give to
+all who raise their voice to it. This little book, my dear Miss Fanny,"
+he continued, drawing once more the manuscript volume from his pocket,
+"contains much that your pure and innocent heart will approve. Do you
+know this air?" and he pointed to the notes of "La ci darem' la mano."
+
+"Oh yes!" said Fanny; "I know it very well."
+
+"Then play it, my good child. This too we have taken as spoil from the
+enemy, and instead of profane Italian words, you will here find in your
+own language thoughts that may be spoken without fear."
+
+Fanny instantly complied; and though her power of singing was greatly
+inferior to that of Rosalind, the performance, aided by the fine bass
+voice of Mr. Cartwright, and an accompaniment very correctly played, was
+very agreeable. Fanny herself thought she had never sung so well before,
+and required only to be told by the vicar what she was to do next, to
+prolong the performance till considerably past Mr. Cartwright's usual
+hour of retiring.
+
+About an hour after the singing began, Henrietta approached Miss
+Torrington, and said in a whisper too low to be heard at the instrument,
+"My head aches dreadfully. Can you spare me?"
+
+As she had not spoken a single syllable since the trio entered the
+drawing-room after dinner, Rosalind could not wholly refrain from a
+smile as she replied "Why, yes; I think I can."
+
+"I am not jesting; I am suffering, Rosalind. You will not leave that
+girl alone with him?"
+
+"Dear Henrietta!" cried Rosalind, taking her hand with ready sympathy,
+"I will not, should they sing together till morning. But is there
+nothing I can do for you--nothing I can give you that may relieve your
+head?"
+
+"Nothing, nothing! Good night!" and she glided out of the room unseen by
+Fanny and unregarded by her father.
+
+It more than once occurred to Miss Torrington during the two tedious
+hours that followed her departure, that Mr. Cartwright, who from time to
+time stole a glance at her, prolonged his canticles for the purpose of
+making her sit to hear them; a species of penance for her last night's
+offence by no means ill imagined.
+
+At length, however, he departed; and after exchanging a formal "Good
+night," the young ladies retired to their separate apartments.
+
+Rosalind rose with a heavy heart the following morning, hardly knowing
+whether to wish for a letter from Charles Mowbray, which it was just
+possible the post might bring her, or not. If a letter arrived, there
+would certainly be no hope of seeing him; but if it did not, she should
+fancy every sound she heard foretold his approach, and she almost
+dreaded the having to answer all the questions he would come prepared to
+ask.
+
+This state of suspense, however, did not last long; for, at least one
+hour before it was possible that a letter could arrive, Charles Mowbray
+in a chaise with four foaming post-horses rattled up to the door.
+
+Rosalind descried him from her window before he reached the house; and
+her first feeling was certainly one of embarrassment, as she remembered
+that it was her summons which had brought him there. But a moment's
+reflection not only recalled her motives, but the additional reasons she
+now had for believing she had acted wisely; so, arming herself with the
+consciousness of being right, she hastened down stairs to meet him, in
+preference to receiving a message through a servant, requesting to see
+her.
+
+She found him, as she expected, in a state of considerable agitation and
+alarm; and feeling most truly anxious to remove whatever portion of this
+was unnecessary, she greeted him with the most cheerful aspect she could
+assume, saying, "I fear my letter has terrified you, Mr. Mowbray, more
+than I wished it to do. But be quite sure that now you are here every
+thing will go on as it ought to do; and of course, when your mother
+returns, we can neither of us have any farther cause of anxiety about
+Fanny."
+
+"And what is your cause of anxiety about her at present, Miss
+Torrington? For Heaven's sake explain yourself fully; you know not how I
+have been tormenting myself by fearing I know not what."
+
+"I am bound to explain myself fully," said Rosalind gravely; "but it is
+not easy, I assure you."
+
+"Only tell me at once what it is you fear. Do you imagine Mr. Cartwright
+hopes to persuade Fanny to marry him?"
+
+"I certainly did think so," said Rosalind; "but I believe now that I was
+mistaken."
+
+"Thank Heaven!" cried the young man fervently. "This is a great relief,
+Rosalind, I assure you. I believe now I can pretty well guess what it is
+you do fear; and though it is provoking enough, it cannot greatly
+signify. We shall soon cure her of any fit of evangelicalism with which
+the vicar is likely to infect her."
+
+"Heaven grant it!" exclaimed Rosalind, uttering a fervent ejaculation in
+her turn.
+
+"Never doubt it, Miss Torrington. I have heard a great deal about this
+Cartwright at Oxford. He is a Cambridge man, by the way, and there are
+lots of men there who think him quite an apostle. But the thing does not
+take at Oxford, and I assure you he is famously quizzed. But the best of
+the joke is, that his son was within an ace of being expelled for
+performing more outrageous feats in the larking line than any man in the
+university; and in fact he must have been rusticated, had not his pious
+father taken him home before the business got wind, _to prepare him
+privately for his degree_. They say he is the greatest Pickle in Oxford;
+and that, spite of the new light, his father is such an ass as to
+believe that all this is ordained only to make his election more
+glorious."
+
+"For his election, Mr. Mowbray, I certainly do not care much; but for
+your sister--though I am aware that at her age there may be very
+reasonable hope that the pernicious opinions she is now imbibing may be
+hereafter removed, yet I am very strongly persuaded that if you were
+quite aware of the sort of influence used to convert her to Mr.
+Cartwright's Calvinistic tenets, you would not only disapprove it, but
+use very effectual measures to put her quite out of his way."
+
+"Indeed!--I confess this appears to me very unnecessary. Surely the best
+mode of working upon so pure a mind as Fanny's is to reason with her,
+and to show her that by listening to those pernicious rhapsodies she is
+in fact withdrawing herself from the church of her fathers; but I think
+this may be done without sending her out of Mr. Cartwright's way."
+
+"Well," replied Rosalind very meekly, "now you are here, I am quite sure
+that you will do every thing that is right and proper. Mrs. Mowbray
+cannot be much longer absent; and when she returns, you will perhaps
+have some conversation with her upon the subject."
+
+"Certainly.--And so Sir Gilbert has absolutely refused to act as
+executor?"
+
+"He has indeed, and spite of the most earnest entreaties from Helen.
+Whatever mischief happens, I shall always think he is answerable for it;
+for his refusal to act threw your mother at once upon seeking counsel
+from Mr. Cartwright, as to what it was necessary for her to do; and from
+that hour the house has never been free from him for a single day."
+
+"Provoking obstinacy!" replied Mowbray: "yet after all, Rosalind, the
+worst mischief, as you call it, that can happen, is our not being on
+such pleasant terms with them as we used to be. And the colonel is at
+home too; I must and will see him, let the old man be as cross as he
+will.--But where is your little saint? you don't keep her locked up, I
+hope, Rosalind? And where is this Miss of the new birth that you told me
+of?"
+
+Young Mowbray threw a melancholy glance round the empty room as he
+spoke, and the kind-hearted Rosalind understood his feelings and truly
+pitied him. How different was this return home from any other he had
+ever made!
+
+"The room looks desolate--does it not, Mr. Mowbray?--Even I feel it so.
+I will go and let Fanny know you are here; but what reason shall I
+assign for your return?"
+
+"None at all, Miss Torrington. The whim took me, and I am here. Things
+are so much better than I expected, that I shall probably be back again
+in a day or two; but I must contrive to see young Harrington."
+
+Rosalind left the room, heartily glad that Fanny's brother was near her,
+but not without some feeling of mortification at the little importance
+he appeared to attach to the information she had given him.
+
+A few short weeks before, Rosalind would have entered Fanny's room with
+as much freedom as her own; but the schism which has unhappily entered
+so many English houses under the semblance of superior piety was rapidly
+doing its work at Mowbray Park; and the true friend, the familiar
+companion, the faithful counsellor, stood upon the threshold, and
+ventured not to enter till she had announced her approach by a knock at
+the dressing-room door.
+
+"Come in," was uttered in a gentle and almost plaintive voice by Fanny.
+
+Miss Torrington entered, and, to her great astonishment, saw Mr.
+Cartwright seated beside Fanny, a large Bible lying open on the table
+before them.
+
+She looked at them for one moment without speaking. The vicar spread his
+open hand upon the volume, as if to point out the cause of his being
+there; and as his other hand covered the lower part of his face the
+expression of his countenance was concealed.
+
+Fanny coloured violently,--and the more so, perhaps, because she was
+conscious that her appearance was considerably changed since she met
+Miss Torrington at breakfast. All her beautiful curls had been carefully
+straightened by the application of a wet sponge; and her hair was now
+entirely removed from her forehead, and plastered down behind her poor
+little distorted ears as closely as possible.
+
+Never was metamorphosis more complete. Beautiful as her features were,
+the lovely picture which Fanny's face used to present to the eye
+required her bright waving locks to complete its charm; and without them
+she looked more like a Chinese beauty on a japan skreen, than like
+herself.
+
+Something approaching to a smile passed over Rosalind's features, which
+the more readily found place there, perhaps, from the belief that
+Charles's arrival would soon set her ringlets curling again.
+
+"Fanny, your brother is come," said she, "and he is waiting for you in
+the drawing-room."
+
+"Charles?" cried Fanny, forgetting for a moment her new character; and
+hastily rising she had almost quitted the room, when she recollected
+herself, and turning back, said,
+
+"You will come too, to see Charles, Mr. Cartwright?"
+
+"I will come, as usual, this evening, my dear child," said he, with the
+appearance of great composure; "but I will not break in upon him now.
+Was his return expected?" he added carelessly, as he took up his hat;
+and as he spoke Rosalind thought that his eye glanced towards her.
+
+"No indeed!" replied Fanny: "I never was more surprised. Did he say,
+Rosalind, what it was brought him home?"
+
+"I asked him to state his reason for it," replied Miss Torrington, "and
+he told me he could assign nothing but whim."
+
+Rosalind looked in the face of the vicar as she said this, and she
+perceived a slight, but to her perfectly perceptible, change in its
+expression. He was evidently relieved from some uneasy feeling or
+suspicion by what she had said.
+
+"Go to your brother, my dear child; let me not detain you from so happy
+a meeting for a moment."
+
+Fanny again prepared to leave the room; but as she did so, her eye
+chanced to rest upon her own figure reflected from a mirror above the
+chimney-piece. She raised her hand almost involuntarily to her hair.
+
+"Will not Charles think me looking very strangely?" said she, turning
+towards Mr. Cartwright with a blushing cheek and very bashful eye.
+
+He whispered something in her ear in reply, which heightened her blush,
+and induced her to answer with great earnestness, "Oh no!" and, without
+farther doubt or delay, she ran down stairs. Miss Torrington followed
+her, not thinking it necessary to take any leave of the vicar, who
+gently found his way down stairs, and out of the house, as he had found
+his way into it, without troubling any servant whatever.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER II.
+
+CHARLES'S AMUSEMENT AT HIS SISTER'S APPEARANCE.--HE DISCUSSES HER CASE
+WITH ROSALIND.
+
+
+Rosalind and Fanny entered the drawing-room together; and young Mowbray,
+at the sound of their approach, sprang forward to meet them; but the
+moment he threw his eyes on his sister he burst forth into a fit of
+uncontrollable laughter; and though he kissed her again and again,
+still, between every embrace, he broke out anew, with every
+demonstration of vehement mirth.
+
+"I am very glad to see you, Charles," said Fanny, with a little
+sanctified air that certainly was very amusing; "but I should like it
+better if you did not laugh at me."
+
+"But, my dear, dear, dearest child! how can I help it?" replied her
+brother, again bursting into renewed laughter. "Oh, Fanny, if you could
+but see yourself just as you look at this moment! Oh! you hideous little
+quiz! I would not have believed it possible that any plastering or
+shearing in the world could have made you look so very ugly. Is it not
+wonderful, Miss Torrington?"
+
+"It certainly alters the expression of her countenance in a very
+remarkable manner," replied Rosalind.
+
+"The expression of a countenance may be changed by an alteration from
+within, as well as from without," said Fanny, taking courage, and not
+without some little feeling of that complacency which the persuasion of
+superior sanctity is generally observed to bestow upon its possessors.
+
+"Why, you most ugly little beauty!" cried Charles, again giving way to
+merriment; "you don't mean to tell me that the _impayable_ absurdity of
+that poor little face is owing to any thing but your having just washed
+your hair?"
+
+"It is owing to conviction, Charles," replied Fanny with great
+solemnity.
+
+"Owing to conviction?--To conviction of what, my poor little girl?"
+
+"To conviction that it is right, brother."
+
+"Right, child, to make that object of yourself? What in the world can
+you mean, Fanny?"
+
+"I mean, brother, that I have an inward conviction of the sin and folly
+of dressing our mortal clay to attract the eyes and the admiration of
+the worldly."
+
+"By worldly, do you mean of all the world?" said Rosalind.
+
+"No, Miss Torrington. By worldly, I mean those whose thoughts and wishes
+are fixed on the things of the earth."
+
+"And it is the admiration of such only that you wish to avoid?" rejoined
+Rosalind.
+
+"Certainly it is. Spiritual-minded persons see all things in the
+spirit--do all things in the spirit: of such there is nothing to fear."
+
+Young Mowbray meanwhile stood looking at his sister, and listening to
+her words with the most earnest attention.
+
+At length he said, more seriously than he had yet spoken, "To tell you
+the truth, little puritan, I do not like you at all in your new
+masquerading suit: though it must be confessed that you play your part
+well. I don't want to begin lecturing you, Fanny, the moment I come
+home; but I do hope you will soon get tired of this foolery, and let me
+see my poor father's daughter look and behave as a Christian young woman
+ought to do. Rosalind, will you take a walk with me? I want to have a
+look at my old pony."
+
+Miss Torrington nodded her assent, and they both left the room together,
+leaving Fanny more triumphant than mortified.
+
+"He said that my persecutions would begin as soon as my election was
+made sure! Oh! why is he not here to sustain and comfort me! But I will
+not fall away in the hour of trial!"
+
+The poor girl turned her eyes from the window whence she saw her brother
+and Rosalind walking gaily and happily, as she thought, in search of the
+old pony, and hastened to take refuge in her dressing-room, now rendered
+almost sacred in her eyes by the pastoral visit she had that morning
+received there.
+
+The following hour or two gave Fanny her first taste of martyrdom. She
+was, or at least had been, devotedly attached to her brother, and the
+knowing him to be so near, yet so distant from her, was terrible. Yet
+was she not altogether without consolation. She opened the volume, that
+volume that _he_ had so lately interpreted to her (fearful profanation!)
+in such a manner as best to suit his own views, and by means of using
+the process he had taught her, though unconsciously perhaps, she
+contrived to find a multitude of texts, all proving that she and the
+vicar were quite right, and all the countless myriads who thought
+differently, quite wrong. Then followed a thanksgiving which might have
+been fairly expressed in such words as "I thank thee, I am not like
+other men!" and then, as the sweet summer air waved the acacias to and
+fro before her windows, and her young spirit, panting for lawns and
+groves, sunshine and shade, suggested the idea of her brother and
+Rosalind enjoying it all without her, her poetical vein came to her
+relief, and she sat down to compose a hymn, in which, after rehearsing
+prettily enough all the delights of summer rambles through verdant
+fields, for four stanzas, she completed the composition by a fifth, of
+which "sin," "begin," and "within," formed the rhymes.
+
+This having recourse to "song divine" was a happy thought for her,
+inasmuch as it not only occupied time which must otherwise have hung
+with overwhelming weight upon her hands, but the employment soon
+conjured up, as she proceeded, the image of Mr. Cartwright, and the
+pious smile with which he would receive it from her hands, and the soft
+approval spoken more by the eyes than the lips, and the holy
+caress--such, according to his authority, as that with which angel meets
+angel in the courts of heaven.
+
+All this was very pleasant and consoling to her feelings; and when her
+hymn was finished she determined to go down stairs, in order to sing it
+to some (hitherto) profane air, which she might select from among the
+songs of her sinful youth.
+
+As she passed the mirror she again glanced at her disfigured little
+head; but at that moment she was so strong in "conviction," that, far
+from wishing to accommodate her new birth of _coiffure_ to worldly eyes,
+she employed a minute or two in sedulously smoothing and controlling her
+rebellious tresses, and even held her head in stiff equilibrium to
+prevent their escape from behind her ears.
+
+"Good and holy man!" she exclaimed aloud, as she gave a parting glance
+at the result of all these little pious coquetries. "How well I know
+what his kind words would be if he could see me now! Such" she added
+with a gentle sigh, "will I strive to be, though all the world should
+join together to persecute me for it."
+
+While Mr. Cartwright's prettiest convert was thus employed, Miss
+Torrington and Charles Mowbray, far from being engaged in chasing a
+pony, or even in looking at the summer luxury of bloom which breathed
+around them as they pursued their way through the pleasure-grounds, were
+very gravely discussing the symptoms of her case.
+
+"It is a joke, Rosalind, and nothing more," said the young man, drawing
+her arm within his. "I really can do nothing but laugh at such folly,
+and I beg and entreat that you will do the same."
+
+"Then you think, of course, Mr. Mowbray, that I have been supremely
+absurd in sending you the summons I did?"
+
+"Far, very far otherwise," he replied gravely. "It has shown me a new
+feature in your character, Miss Torrington, and one which not to admire
+would be a sin, worse even than poor Mr. Cartwright would consider your
+wearing these pretty ringlets, Rosalind."
+
+"_Poor_ Mr. Cartwright!" repeated Rosalind, drawing away her arm. "How
+little do we think alike, Mr. Mowbray, concerning that man!"
+
+"The chief difference between us on the subject, I suspect arises from
+your thinking of him a great deal, Rosalind, and my thinking of him very
+little. I should certainly, if I set about reasoning on the matter, feel
+considerable contempt for a middle-aged clergyman of the Church of
+England who manifested his care of the souls committed to his charge by
+making their little bodies comb their hair straight, for the pleasure of
+saying that it was done upon conviction. But surely there is more room
+for mirth than sorrow in this."
+
+"Indeed, indeed, you are mistaken!--and that not only as regards the
+individual interests of your sister Fanny,--though, Heaven knows, I
+think that no light matter,--but as a subject that must be interesting
+to every Christian soul that lives. Do not make a jest of what involves
+by far the most important question that can be brought before poor
+mortals: it is unworthy of you, Mr. Mowbray."
+
+"If you take the subject in its general character," replied Charles, "I
+am sure we shall _not_ differ. I deplore as sincerely as you can do,
+Miss Torrington, the grievously schismatic inroad into our national
+church which these self-chosen apostles have made. But as one objection
+against them, though perhaps not the heaviest, is the contempt which
+their absurd puritanical ordinances have often brought upon serious
+things, I cannot but think that ridicule is a fair weapon to lash them
+withal."
+
+"It may be so," replied Rosalind, "and in truth it is often impossible
+to avoid using it; but yet it does not follow that the deeds and
+doctrines of these _soi-disant_ saints give more room for mirth than
+sorrow."
+
+"Well, Rosalind, give me your arm again, and I will speak more
+seriously. The very preposterous and ludicrous manner which Fanny, or
+her spiritual adviser, has chosen for showing forth her own particular
+regeneration, has perhaps led me to treat it more slightly than I should
+have done had the indications of this temporary perversion of judgment
+been of a more serious character. That is doubtless one reason for the
+mirth I have shown. Another is, that I conceive it would be more easy to
+draw poor little Fanny back again into the bosom of Mother Church by
+laughing at her, rather than by making her believe herself a martyr."
+
+"Your laughter is a species of martyrdom which she will be taught to
+glory in enduring. But at present I feel sure that all our discussions
+on this topic must be in vain. I rejoice that you are here, though it is
+plain that you do not think her situation requires your presence; and I
+will ask no further submission of your judgment to mine, than requesting
+that you will not leave Mowbray till your mother returns."
+
+"Be assured I will not; and be assured also, that however much it is
+possible we may differ as to the actual atrocity of this new vicar, or
+the danger Fanny runs in listening to him, I shall never cease to be
+grateful, dearest Miss Torrington, for the interest you have shown for
+her, and indeed for us all."
+
+"Acquit me of silly interference," replied Rosalind, colouring, "and I
+will acquit you of all obligation."
+
+"But I don't wish to be acquitted of it," said Charles rather tenderly:
+"you do not know how much pleasure I have in thinking that you already
+feel interested about us all!"
+
+This was giving exactly the turn to what she had done which poor
+Rosalind most deprecated. The idea that young Mowbray might imagine she
+had sent for him from _a general feeling of interest for the family_,
+had very nearly prevented her writing at all--and nothing but a sense of
+duty had conquered the repugnance she felt at doing it. It had not been
+a little vexing to perceive that he thought lightly of what she
+considered as so important; and now that in addition to this he appeared
+to conceive it necessary to return thanks for the _interest_ she had
+manifested, Rosalind turned away her head, and not without difficulty
+restrained the tears which were gathering in her eyes from falling. She
+was not in general slow in finding words to express what she wished to
+say; but at this moment, though extremely desirous of answering
+_suitably_, as she would have herself described the power she wanted,
+not a syllable would suggest itself which she had courage or inclination
+to speak: so, hastening her steps towards the house, she murmured, "You
+are very kind--it is almost time to dress, I believe," and left him.
+
+Charles felt that there was something wrong between them, and decided at
+once very generously that it must be his fault. There is nothing more
+difficult to trace with a skilful hand than the process by which a young
+man and maiden often _creep_ into love, without either of them being at
+all aware at what moment they were first seized with the symptoms. When
+the parties _fall_ in love, the thing is easy enough to describe: it is
+a shot, a thunderbolt, a whirlwind, or a storm; nothing can be more
+broadly evident than their hopes and their ecstasies, their agonies and
+their fears. But when affection grows unconsciously, and, like a seed of
+minionette thrown at random, unexpectedly shows itself the sweetest and
+most valued of the heart's treasures, overpowering by its delicious
+breath all other fragrance, the case is different.
+
+Something very like this creeping process was now going on in the heart
+of young Mowbray. Rosalind's beauty had appeared to him veiled by a very
+dark cloud on her first arrival from Ireland: she was weary, heartsick,
+frightened, and, moreover, dressed in very unbecoming mourning. But as
+tears gave place to smiles, fears to hopes, and exhausted spirits to
+light-hearted cheerfulness, he found out that "she was very pretty
+indeed"--and then, and then, and then, he could not tell how it happened
+himself, so neither can I; but certain it is, that her letter gave him
+almost as much pleasure as alarm; and if, after being convinced that
+there was no danger of Mr. Cartwright's becoming his brother-in-law, he
+showed a somewhat unbecoming degree of levity in his manner of treating
+Fanny's case, it must be attributed to the gay happiness he felt at
+being so unexpectedly called home.
+
+As for the heart of Rosalind, if any thing was going on therein at all
+out of the common way, she certainly was not aware of it. She felt
+vexed, anxious, out of spirits, as she sought her solitary
+dressing-room: but it would have been no easy task to persuade her that
+LOVE had any thing to do with it.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER III.
+
+CHARLES WALKS OVER TO OAKLEY.--THE VICAR IMPROVES IN HIS OPINION.
+
+
+At the time Miss Torrington observed to Mr. Mowbray that it was near
+dressing-time, it wanted about four hours of dinner; so, having followed
+her with his eyes as she mounted the steps and entered the house, he
+drew out his watch, and perceiving that he had quite enough time for the
+excursion before "dressing-time" would be over, set off to walk to
+Oakley.
+
+How far Rosalind might have been disposed to quarrel with him for the
+very small proportion of meditation which he bestowed on Fanny during
+his delightful stroll through the well-known shady lanes, or how far she
+might have been tempted to forgive him for the much greater portion
+devoted to herself, it is impossible to say; but he arrived at Sir
+Gilbert's hall-door in that happy state of mind which is often the
+result of a delicious day-dream, when Hope lends the support of her
+anchor to Fancy.
+
+Sir Gilbert and the colonel were out on horseback, the servant said--but
+"my lady is in the garden." And thither Mowbray went to seek her.
+
+He was somewhat startled at his first reception; for the old lady
+watched his approach for some steps, standing stock-still, and without
+giving the slightest symptom of recognition. At length she raised her
+glass to her eye and discovered who the tall stranger was; upon which
+she sent forth a sound greatly resembling a view "hollo!" which
+immediately recalled the servant who had marshalled Mowbray to the
+garden, and without uttering a word of welcome, gave the following
+order very distinctly:
+
+"Let Richard take the brown mare and ride her sharp to Ramsden. Sir
+Gilbert is gone to the post-office, the bank, the sadler's, and the
+nursery-garden. Let him be told that Mr. Mowbray is waiting for him at
+Oakley--and let not a single instant be lost."
+
+The rapid manner in which "Very well, my lady," was uttered in reply,
+and the man vanished out of sight, showed that the order was likely to
+be as promptly executed as spoken.
+
+"My dear, dear Charles!" cried the old lady; then stepping forward and
+placing her hands in his, "What brings you back to Mowbray? But never
+mind what it is--nothing very bad, I hope, and then I must rejoice at
+it. I am most thankful to see you here, my dear boy. How is my sweet
+Helen?--could you not bring her with you, Charles?"
+
+"She is in London, my dear Lady Harrington, with my mother. Where is the
+colonel?"
+
+"With his father;--they will return together; no grass will grow under
+their horses' feet as they ride homeward to meet you, Charles! But how
+comes it that you are at home? If you have left Oxford, why are you not
+with your mother and Helen?"
+
+A moment's thought might have told Mowbray that this question would
+certainly be asked, and must in some manner or other be answered; but
+the moment's thought had not been given to it, and he now felt
+considerably embarrassed how to answer. He lamented the estrangement
+already existing, however, too sincerely, to run any risk of increasing
+it by ill-timed reserve, and therefore, after a moment's hesitation,
+very frankly answered--"I can tell you, my dear lady, why I am here,
+more easily than I can explain for what purpose. I returned post to
+Mowbray this morning, because Miss Torrington gave me a private
+intimation by letter, that she thought the new Vicar of Wrexhill was
+obtaining an undue influence over the mind of Fanny. She did not express
+herself very clearly, and I was fool enough to imagine that she supposed
+he was making love to her; but I find that her fears are only for poor
+little Fanny's orthodoxy. Mr. Cartwright is one of, I believe, the most
+mischievous sect that ever attacked the established Church; and Miss
+Torrington, not without good reason, fears that Fanny is in danger of
+becoming a proselyte to his gloomy and unchristianlike doctrine. But, at
+her age, such a whim as this is not, I should hope, very likely to be
+lasting."
+
+"I don't know that," replied Lady Harrington sharply. "Miss Torrington
+has acted with great propriety, and exactly with the sort of promptitude
+and decision of character for which I should have given her credit.
+Beware, Mr. Mowbray, how you make light of the appearance of religious
+schism among you: it is a deadly weapon of discord, and the poison in
+which it is dipped seldom finds an antidote either in family affection
+or filial obedience."
+
+"But Fanny is so nearly a child, Lady Harrington, that I can hardly
+believe her capable of manifesting any very dangerous religious zeal at
+present."
+
+"You don't know what you are talking about, Charles! Of every family
+into which this insidious and most anti-christian schism has crept, you
+would find, upon inquiry, that in nine instances out of ten, it has been
+the young girls who have been selected as the first objects of
+conversion, and then made the active means of spreading it afterwards.
+Don't treat this matter lightly, my dear boy! Personally I know nothing
+of this Mr. Cartwright;--we never leave our parish church and our
+excellent Dr. Broughton, to run after brawling extempore preachers;--but
+I have been told by one or two of our neighbours who do, that he is what
+is called a _shining light_; which means, being interpreted, a ranting,
+canting, fanatic. Take care, above all things, that your mother does not
+catch the infection."
+
+"My mother!--Oh no! Her steady principles and quiet good sense would
+render such a falling off as that quite impossible."
+
+"Very well! I am willing to hope so. And yet, Charles, I cannot for the
+life of me help thinking that she must have had some other adviser than
+her own heart when she left my good Sir Gilbert's letter without an
+answer."
+
+"Of what letter do you speak, Lady Harrington?" said young Mowbray,
+colouring;--"of that whereby he refused to execute the trust my father
+bequeathed him?"
+
+"No, Charles! Of that whereby he rescinded his refusal."
+
+"Has such a letter been sent?" inquired Mowbray eagerly. "I never heard
+of it."
+
+"Indeed! Then we must presume that Mrs. Mowbray did not think it worth
+mentioning. Such a letter has, however, been sent, Mr. Mowbray; and I
+confess, I hoped, on seeing you arrive, that you were come to give it an
+amicable, though somewhat tardy answer, in person."
+
+"I am greatly surprised," replied Charles, "to hear that such a letter
+has been received by my mother, because I had been led to believe that
+Sir Gilbert had declared himself immoveable on the subject; but still
+more am I surprised that I should not have heard of it. Could Helen know
+it, and not tell me? It must have been to her a source of the greatest
+happiness, as the one which preceded had been of the deepest
+mortification and sorrow."
+
+"Your sister, then, saw the first letter?"
+
+"She did, Lady Harrington, and wrote me word of it, with expressions of
+the most sincere regret."
+
+"But of the second she said nothing? That is not like Helen."
+
+"So little is it like her, that I feel confident she never heard of the
+second letter."
+
+"I believe so too, Charles. But what, then, are we to think of your
+mother's having shown the first letter, and concealed the second?"
+
+"It cannot be! my mother never conceals any thing from us. We have
+never, from the moment we left the nursery, been kept in ignorance of
+any circumstance of general interest to the family. My poor father's
+constant phrase upon all such occasions was--'Let it be discussed in a
+committee of the whole house.'"
+
+"I cannot understand it," replied the old lady, seating herself upon a
+bench in the shade; "but, at any rate, I rejoice that you did not all
+think Sir Gilbert's recantation--which was not written without an
+effort, I promise you--so totally unworthy of notice as you have
+appeared to do."
+
+Charles Mowbray seated himself beside her, and nearly an hour was passed
+in conversation on the same subject, or others connected with it. At the
+end of that time, Sir Gilbert, booted and spurred, appeared at the door
+of the mansion, followed by his son. There was an angry spot upon his
+cheek, and though it was sufficiently evident that he was eager to meet
+young Mowbray, it was equally so that he was displeased with him.
+
+Lady Harrington, however, soon cleared the way to the most frank and
+cordial communication, rendering all explanation unnecessary by
+exclaiming, "He has never seen nor heard of your second letter, Sir
+Gilbert--nor Helen either."
+
+The baronet stood still for a moment, looking with doubt and surprise
+first at his wife, and then at his guest. The doubt, however, vanished
+in a moment, and he again advanced, and now with an extended hand
+towards Charles.
+
+A conversation of some length ensued; but as it consisted wholly of
+conjectures upon a point that they were all equally unable to explain,
+it is unnecessary to repeat it. The two young men met each other with
+expressions of the most cordial regard, and before they parted, Colonel
+Harrington related the conversation he had held with Helen and Miss
+Torrington, the result of which was his father's having despatched the
+letter whose fate appeared involved in so much mystery.
+
+Lady Harrington, notwithstanding they who did not love her called her
+masculine, showed some feminine tact in not mentioning to Sir Gilbert
+that it was a letter from Miss Torrington which had recalled Charles. It
+is probable that when her own questionings had forced this avowal from
+him, she had perceived some shade of embarrassment in his answer; but
+she failed not to mention the _serious_ turn that Fanny Mowbray appeared
+to have taken, and her suspicions that the new Vicar of Wrexhill must
+have been rather more assiduous than was desirable in his visit at the
+Park.
+
+"The case is clear--clear as daylight, my lady: I understand it all.
+Stop a moment, Charles: if you won't stay dinner, you must stay while I
+furnish you with a document by means of which you may, I think, make a
+useful experiment."
+
+Without waiting for an answer, Sir Gilbert left the party in the garden,
+and hurried into the house, whence he returned in a few minutes with a
+scrap of paper in his hand.
+
+"Fortunately, Charles, very fortunately, I have kept a copy of my last
+note to your mother. I am sure I know not what induced me to keep it:
+had such a thing happened to Mr. Cartwright, he would have declared it
+providential--but I, in my modesty, only call it lucky.--Take this
+paper, Charles, and read it if you will: 'tis a shame you have not read
+it before! You say, I think, that the vicar is expected at Mowbray this
+evening: just put this scrap of paper into his hand, and ask him if he
+ever read it before. Let him say what he will, I give you credit for
+sufficient sharpness to find out the truth. If he has seen it, I shall
+know whom I have to thank for the insolent contempt it has met with."
+
+"But my mother!" cried Charles with emotion. "Is it possible that she
+could conceal such a note as this from her children, and show it to this
+man? Sir Gilbert, I cannot believe it."
+
+"I don't like to believe it myself, Charles; upon my life I don't. But
+what can we think? At any rate, make the experiment to-night; it can do
+no harm; and come here to dinner to-morrow to tell us the result."
+
+"I will come to you with the greatest pleasure, and bring you all the
+intelligence I can get. My own opinion is, that the note was lost before
+it reached my mother's hands. The usual hour, I suppose, Sir
+Gilbert,--six o'clock?"
+
+"Six o'clock, Charles,--and, as usual, punctual to a moment."
+
+When Mowbray reached his home, it was, in truth, rather more than time
+to dress; but he kept the young ladies waiting as short a time as
+possible. Fanny presented him in proper style to Miss Cartwright as soon
+as he appeared in the drawing-room; and he had the honour of giving that
+silent young lady his arm to the dining-room.
+
+Charles thought her deep-set black eyes very handsome; nevertheless, he
+secretly wished that she were a hundred miles off, for her presence, of
+course, checked every approach to confidential conversation.
+
+Nothing, indeed, could well be more dull and unprofitable than this
+dinner. Miss Cartwright spoke not at all; Fanny, no more than was
+necessary for the performance of her duty at the head of the table; and
+Rosalind looked pale and languid, and so completely out of spirits, that
+every word she spoke seemed a painful effort to her. She was occupied in
+recalling to mind the tone and air of the party who dined together in
+that same room about six months before, when Charles had last returned
+from Oxford. The contrast these recollections offered to the aspect of
+the present party was most painful; and as Rosalind turned her eyes
+round the table with a look of wistful melancholy, as if looking for
+those who were no longer there, her thoughts were so legibly written on
+her countenance, that Mowbray understood them as plainly as if they had
+been spoken.
+
+"Rosalind, will you take wine with me?--You look tired and pale." This
+was said in a tone of affectionate interest that seemed to excite the
+attention of Henrietta; and when Miss Torrington raised her eyes to
+answer it, she observed that young lady's looks fixed on Mr. Mowbray's
+countenance with an expression that denoted curiosity.
+
+The whole party seemed glad to escape from the dinner-table; and the
+young ladies, with light shawls and parasols, had just wandered out upon
+the lawn, when they met Mr. Cartwright approaching the house.
+
+Fanny coloured, and looked at her brother. Miss Cartwright coloured too;
+and her eyes followed the direction of Fanny's, as if to see how this
+familiar mode of approach was approved by Mr. Mowbray.
+
+Charles certainly felt a little surprised, and did not take much pains
+to conceal it. For a moment he looked at the vicar, as if not quite
+certain who it was, and then, touching his hat with ceremonious
+politeness, said, haughtily enough, "Mr. Cartwright, I believe?"
+
+It would have been difficult for any one to find fault with the manner
+in which this salutation was returned. In a tone admirably modulated
+between profound respect and friendly kindness, his hat raised
+gracefully from his head to greet the whole party, and his handsome
+features wearing an expression of the gentlest benevolence, Mr.
+Cartwright hoped that he had the happiness of seeing Mr. Mowbray well.
+
+Charles felt more than half ashamed of the reception he had given him,
+and stretched out his hand as if to atone for it. The vicar felt his
+advantage, and pursued it by the most easy, winning, yet respectful
+style of conversation. His language and manners became completely those
+of an accomplished man of the world; his topics were drawn from the
+day's paper and the last review: he ventured a jest upon Don Carlos, and
+a _bon mot_ upon the Duke of Wellington; took little or no notice of
+Fanny; spoke affectionately to his daughter, and gaily to Miss
+Torrington; and, in short, appeared to be as little deserving of all
+Rosalind had said of him, as it was well possible for a gentleman to
+be.
+
+"Fair Rosalind has certainly suffered her imagination to conjure up a
+bugbear in this man," thought Charles. "It is impossible he can be the
+violent fanatic she describes."
+
+After wandering about the gardens for some time, Fanny proposed that
+they should go in to tea; but before they reached the house, Mr.
+Cartwright proposed to take his leave, saying that he had an engagement
+in Wrexhill, which was to prevent his lengthening his visit.
+
+The adieu had been spoken on all sides, and the vicar turned from them
+to depart, when Charles recollected the commission he had received from
+Sir Gilbert, and that he had promised to report the result on the
+morrow. Hastily following him, therefore, he said, "I beg your pardon,
+Mr. Cartwright; hut, before you go, will you have the kindness to read
+this note, and tell me if you know whether my mother received such a one
+before she went to London?"
+
+Mr. Cartwright took the note, read it attentively, and then returned it,
+saying, "No, Mr. Mowbray, I should certainly think not: not because I
+never saw or heard of it, but because I imagine that if she had, she
+would not have proceeded to London without Sir Gilbert. Was such a note
+as that sent, Mr. Mowbray?"
+
+Charles had kept his eye very steadily fixed on the vicar, both while he
+read the note, and while he spoke of it. Not the slightest indication,
+however, of his knowing any thing about it was visible in his
+countenance, voice, or manner; and, again as he looked at him, young
+Mowbray felt ashamed of suspicions for which there seemed to be so
+little cause.
+
+"Such a note as this was sent, Mr. Cartwright," he frankly replied: "but
+I suspect that by some unlucky accident it never reached my mother's
+hands; otherwise, as you well observe, she would not, most assuredly,
+have set off to London on this business without communicating with Sir
+Gilbert Harrington."
+
+"I conceive it must be so, indeed, Mr. Mowbray; and it is greatly to be
+lamented, for the receiving it would have saved poor Mrs. Mowbray much
+anxiety and trouble."
+
+"She expressed herself to you as being annoyed by Sir Gilbert's refusing
+to act?"
+
+"Oh yes, repeatedly; so much so, indeed, that nothing but the
+indispensable duty of my parish, prevented my offering to accompany her
+to London myself. I wished her very much to send for you; but nothing
+would induce her to interrupt your studies."
+
+It is not in the nature of a frank-hearted young man to doubt statements
+thus simply uttered by one having the bearing and appearance of a
+gentleman; and Charles Mowbray reported accordingly at the dinner-table
+of Sir Gilbert, assuring him that the _test_ had proved Mr. Cartwright's
+innocence on this point most satisfactorily.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER IV.
+
+MR. STEPHEN CORBOLD.
+
+
+We must now follow Mrs. Mowbray and Helen to London, as some of the
+circumstances which occurred there proved of importance to them
+afterwards. The journey was a very melancholy one to Helen, and her
+feelings as unlike as possible to those which usually accompany a young
+lady of her age, appearance, and station, upon a visit to the
+metropolis. Mrs. Mowbray spoke very little, being greatly occupied by
+the volume recommended to her notice, at parting, by Mr. Cartwright; and
+more than once Helen felt something like envy at the situation of the
+two servants, who, perched aloft behind the carriage, were enjoying
+without restraint the rapid movement, the fresh air, and the beautiful
+country through which they passed; while she, like a drooping flower on
+which the sun has ceased to shine, hung her fair hand and languished for
+the kindly warmth she had lost.
+
+They reached Wimpole Street about eight o'clock in the evening, and
+found every thing prepared for them with the most sedulous attention in
+their handsome and commodious apartments.
+
+Mrs. Mowbray was tired, and, being really in need of the refreshment,
+blessed the hand, or rather the thought, which had forestalled all her
+wants and wishes, and spread that dearest of travelling banquets, tea
+and coffee, ready to greet her as she entered the drawing-room.
+
+"This letter has been left for you, ma'am, by the gentleman who took the
+apartment," said the landlady, taking a packet from the chimney-piece;
+"and he desired it might be given to you immediately."
+
+Mrs. Mowbray opened it; but perceiving it enclosed another, the address
+of which she glanced her eye upon, she folded it up again, and begged to
+be shown to her room while the tea was made.
+
+Her maid followed her, but was dismissed with orders to see if Miss
+Mowbray wanted any thing. As soon as she was alone, she prepared to
+examine the packet, the receipt of which certainly startled her, for it
+was in the handwriting of Mr. Cartwright, from whom she had parted but a
+few hours before.
+
+The envelope contained only these words:
+
+     "Mr. Stephen Corbold presents his respectful compliments to
+     Mrs. Mowbray, and will do himself the honour of waiting upon
+     her to-morrow morning at eleven o'clock."
+
+     "Gray's Inn, July 13th, 1833."
+
+Mrs. Mowbray ran her eyes very rapidly over these words, and then opened
+the enclosed letter. It was as follows:--
+
+     "Do not let the unexpected sight of a letter from your minister
+     alarm you, my dear and much-valued friend. I have nothing
+     painful to disclose; and my sole object in writing is to make
+     you feel that though you are distant from the sheltered spot
+     wherein the Lord hath caused you to dwell, the shepherd's eye
+     which hath been appointed to watch over you is not withdrawn.
+
+     "I am no longer a young man, my dear Mrs. Mowbray; and during
+     the years through which I have passed, my profession, my duty,
+     and my inclination have alike led me to examine my
+     fellow-creatures, and to read them, as it were, athwart the
+     veil of their mortal bodies. Habit and application have given
+     me, I believe, some skill in developing the inward character of
+     those amongst whom I am thrown: nor can I doubt that the hand
+     of Heaven is in this, as in truth it is in all things if we do
+     but diligently set ourselves to trace it;--I cannot, I say, but
+     believe that this faculty which I feel so strong within me, of
+     discerning in whom those spirits abide that the Lord hath
+     chosen for his own,--I cannot but believe that this faculty is
+     given me by his especial will and for his especial glory. I
+     wish well, sincerely well, to the whole human race: I would
+     never lose an opportunity of lifting my voice in warning to
+     them, in the hope that peradventure there may be one among the
+     crowd who may turn and follow me. But, my friend, far different
+     is the feeling with which my heart clings with stedfast care
+     and love to those on whom I see the anointing finger of Heaven.
+     It is such that I would lead, even as a pilot leadeth the
+     vessel intrusted to his skill, into the peaceful waters, where
+     glory, and honour, and joy unspeakable and without end, shall
+     abide with them for ever!
+
+     "Repine not, oh! my friend, if all your race are not of these.
+     Rather rejoice with exceeding great joy that it hath pleased
+     Heaven to set its seal on two. To this effect, look round the
+     world, my gentle friend, and see what myriads of roofs arise
+     beneath which not one can be found to show forth the saving
+     power. Mark them! how they thread the giddy maze, and dance
+     onward down the slippery path that leads to everlasting
+     perdition! Mark this, sweet spirit! and rejoice that you and
+     your Fanny are snatched from the burning! My soul revels in an
+     ecstasy of rapture unspeakable, as I gaze upon you both, and
+     know that it is I, even I, am chosen to lead you. What are all
+     the victories and glories of the world to this? Think you, my
+     gentle friend, that if all the worldly state and station of
+     Lambeth were offered me on one side, and the task of leading
+     thy meek steps into the way of life called me to the other,
+     that I should hesitate for one single instant which to choose?
+
+     "Oh no! Trust me, I would meet the scorn and revilings of all
+     men--aye, and the bitterest persecutions that ever the saints
+     of old were called upon to bear, rather than turn mine eyes
+     from thee and the dear work, though princedoms, principalities,
+     and powers might be gained thereby!
+
+     "Be strong then in faith, be strong in hope; for thou art well
+     loved of Heaven, and of him whom it hath been its will to place
+     near thee as its minister on earth!
+
+     "Be strong in faith! Kneel down, sweet friend!--even now, as
+     thine eye reads these characters traced by the hand of one who
+     would give his life to guard thee from harm, kneel down, and
+     ask that Heaven may be with thee,--well assured that he who
+     bids thee to do so will at the same moment be kneeling,
+     likewise, to invoke blessings on thy fair and virtuous head!
+
+     "At a moment when the heart is drawn heavenward, as mine is
+     now, how hateful--I may say, how profane, seem those worldly
+     appellations and distinctions with which the silly vanity of
+     man has sought to decorate our individual nothingness! How much
+     more befitting a serious Christian is it, in such a moment as
+     this, to use that name which was bestowed by a higher
+     authority! You have three such, my sweet friend. The two first
+     are now appropriated, as it were, to your daughters; but the
+     third is more especially your own.--Clara! On Clara may the dew
+     of Heaven descend like healing balm!--Kneel then, sweet
+     Clara--thou chosen handmaid; kneel down, and think that William
+     Cartwright kneels beside thee!
+
+     "Written on my knees in the secret recesses of my own
+     chamber--W. C."
+
+No sooner did Mrs. Mowbray's eye reach the words "kneel down," than she
+obeyed them, and in this attitude read to the end of the epistle. Mrs.
+Mowbray's feelings whenever strongly excited, either by joy, sorrow, or
+any other emotion, always showed themselves in tears, and she now wept
+profusely--vehemently; though it is probable she would have been greatly
+puzzled to explain why, even to herself. She would certainly, however,
+have declared, had she spoken on the subject to any one, that those
+tears were a joy, a blessing, and a comfort to her. But as she had
+nobody to whom she could thus open her heart, she washed her eyes with
+cold water, and descended with all the composure she could assume to
+Helen and the tea-table.
+
+Notwithstanding this precaution, Helen's watchful eye perceived that her
+mother had been weeping, and, forgetting the unnatural coldness which a
+breath more fatal than pestilence had placed between them, she exclaimed
+with all her wonted tenderness,
+
+"What is the matter, dear mamma?--I trust that no bad news has met you?"
+
+If all other circumstances left it a matter of doubt whether evangelical
+influence (as it is impiously called) were productive of good or evil,
+the terrible power which it is so constantly seen to have of destroying
+family union must be quite sufficient to settle the question. Any person
+who will take the trouble to inquire into the fact, will find that
+family affection has been more blighted and destroyed by the workings of
+this fearful superstition than by any other cause of which the history
+of man bears record.
+
+The tone of Helen's voice seemed for a moment to recall former feelings,
+and her mother looked at her kindly: but before she could give utterance
+to any word of affection, the recollection of all Mr. Cartwright had
+said to prove that Helen deserved not the affection of her mother, and
+that the only chance left to save herself was to be found in the most
+austere estrangement, till such time as her hard heart should be
+softened; the recollection of all this came across the terrified mind of
+Mrs. Mowbray, and she resumed the solemn and distant bearing she had of
+late resumed, with a nervous sensation of alarm at the great crime she
+had been on the point of committing.
+
+Poor Helen saw the look, and listened with her whole soul in her eyes
+for the kind words which had so nearly followed it; but when they came
+not, her heart sank within her, and pleading fatigue, she begged to be
+shown to her own room, where she spent half the night in weeping.
+
+Most punctually at eleven o'clock on the following morning, Mr. Stephen
+Corbold was announced, and a stiff priggish-looking figure entered the
+drawing-room, who, though in truth a "special attorney," looked much
+more like a thorough-bred methodistical preacher than his friend and
+cousin Mr. Cartwright. In age he was a few years that gentleman's
+junior, but in all outward gifts most lamentably his inferior; being, in
+truth, as ill-looking and ungentlemanlike a person as any congregation
+attached to the "Philo-Calvin Frybabe" principles could furnish.
+
+The footman might have announced him in the same words as Lepine did
+Vadius:
+
+    "Madame, un homme est la, qui veut parler a vous.
+    Il est vetu de noir, et parle d'un ton doux."
+
+For, excepting his little tight cravat, he appeared to have nothing
+white about him, and he seldom raised his cautious voice above a
+whisper.
+
+"I am here, madam," he began, addressing himself to Mrs. Mowbray, who
+felt rather at a loss what to say to him, "at the request of my cousin,
+the Reverend William Jacob Cartwright, Vicar of Wrexhill. He hath given
+me to understand that you have business to transact at Doctors' Commons,
+relative to the last will and testament of your late husband. Am I
+correct, madam?"
+
+"Quite so, Mr. Corbold. I wish to despatch this business as quickly as
+possible, as I am anxious to return again to my family."
+
+"No delay shall intervene that I can prevent," replied the attorney. "Is
+there any other business, madam, in which my services can be available?"
+
+"You are very kind, sir. I believe there are several things on which I
+shall have to trouble you. Mr. Mowbray generally transacted his own
+business, which in London consisted, I believe, solely in receiving
+dividends and paying tradesmen's bills: the only lawyer he employed,
+therefore, was a gentleman who resides in our county, and who has
+hitherto had the care of the estates. But my excellent minister and
+friend Mr. Cartwright has written upon this sheet of paper, I believe,
+what it will be necessary for me to do in order to arrange things for
+the future."
+
+Mrs. Mowbray put the paper into the lawyer's hands, who read it over
+with great attention, nodding his head slightly from time to time as any
+item struck him as particularly interesting and important.
+
+"Three per Cents--very good. Bank Stock--very good. Power of
+Attorney.--All right, madam, all right. It hath pleased the Lord to give
+my cousin, his servant, a clear and comprehending intellect. All shall
+be done even as it is here set down."
+
+"How long, sir, do you think it will be necessary for me to remain in
+town?"
+
+"Why, madam, there are many men would run this business out to great
+length. Here is indeed sufficient to occupy a very active professional
+man many weeks: but by the blessing of Heaven, which is often
+providentially granted to me in time of need, I question not but I may
+be able to release you in a few days, madam, provided always that you
+are prepared to meet such expenses as are indispensable upon all
+occasions when great haste is required."
+
+"Expense will be no object with me, Mr. Corbold; but a prolonged absence
+from home would be extremely inconvenient. Pray remember that I shall be
+most happy to pay any additional sum which hastening through the
+business may require."
+
+"Very good, madam, very good. That Heaven will be good unto me in this
+business, I cannot presume to doubt; for it hath been consigned unto me
+by one of its saints on earth, and it is for the service of a lady who,
+I am assured by him, is likely to become one of the most favoured agents
+that it hath ever selected to do its work on earth."
+
+Mrs. Mowbray coloured from a mixed feeling of modesty and pleasure. That
+Mr. Cartwright should have thus described her, was most soothing to her
+heart; but when she recollected how far advanced he was, and how very
+near the threshold she as yet stood, her diffidence made her shrink from
+hearing herself named in language so flattering.
+
+"Is that fair young person who left the room soon after I entered it
+your daughter, madam?"
+
+"Yes, sir."
+
+"Very good. I rejoice to hear it: that is, I would be understood to say,
+that I rejoice with an exceeding great joy that the child of a lady who
+stands in such estimation as you do with a chosen minister of the
+elected church, should wear an aspect so suitable to one who, by
+especial Providence, will be led to follow her example."
+
+Mrs. Mowbray sighed.
+
+"I lament, madam," resumed Mr. Corbold, "I may say with great and bitter
+lamentation, both for your sake, and that of the young person who has
+left the room, that the London season should be so completely over."
+
+"Sir!" said Mrs. Mowbray in an accent of almost indignant surprise, "is
+it possible that any friend and relation of Mr. Cartwright's can imagine
+that I, in my unhappy situation--or indeed, without that, as a Christian
+woman hoping with fear and trembling to become one of those set apart
+from worldly things,--is it possible, sir, that you can think I should
+partake, or let my daughter partake, in the corrupt sinfulness and
+profane rioting of a London season!"
+
+"May Heaven forgive you for so unjust a suspicion, most respected
+madam!" cried Mr. Corbold, clasping his hands and raising his eyes to
+Heaven. "The language of the saints on earth is yet new to you, most
+excellent and highly to be respected convert of my cousin! The London
+season of which I speak, and which you will hear alluded to by such
+sinful creatures as, like me, have reason to believe by an especial
+manifestation of grace that they are set apart,--the London season of
+which I and they speak, is that, when during about six blessed weeks in
+the spring, the chosen vessels resort in countless numbers to London,
+for the purpose of being present at all the meetings which take place
+during that time, with as much ardour and holy zeal as the
+worldly-minded show in arranging their fetes and their fooleries at the
+instigation of Satan--in anticipation, as it should seem, poor deluded
+creatures! of the crowds that they shall hereafter meet amidst fire and
+brimstone in his realms below. The season of which I speak, and of which
+you will hear all the elect speak with rapture and thanksgiving,
+consists of a quick succession of splendid and soul-stirring meetings,
+at which all the saints on whom the gift of speech hath descended, some
+for one, some for two, some for three, some for four--ay, some for five
+hours at a time, sustained, as you may suppose, by a visible resting of
+the Divine power upon them. This, madam, is the season that, for your
+sake, and for the sake of the fair young person your daughter, I wished
+was not yet over."
+
+Mrs. Mowbray made a very penitent and full apology for the blunder she
+had committed, and very meekly confessed her ignorance, declaring that
+she had never before heard the epithet of "London season" given to any
+thing so heavenly-minded and sublime as the meetings he described.
+
+The discovery of this species of ignorance on the part of Mrs. Mowbray,
+which was by no means confined to the instance above mentioned, was a
+very favourable circumstance for Mr. Corbold. There was, perhaps, no
+other subject in the world upon which he was competent to give
+information (except in the technicalities of his own profession); but in
+every thing relating to missionary meetings, branch-missionary meetings'
+reports, child's missionary branch committees, London Lord's day's
+societies, and the like, he was quite perfect. All this gave him a value
+in Mrs. Mowbray's eyes as a companion which he might have wanted without
+it. At all conversations of this kind, Mrs. Mowbray took great care that
+Helen should be present, persuaded that nothing could be so likely to
+give her that savour of righteousness in which, as yet, she was so
+greatly deficient.
+
+The consequence of this arrangement was twofold. On Helen's side, it
+generated a feeling compounded of contempt and loathing towards the
+fanatical attorney, which in most others would have led to the passion
+called hatred; but in her it seemed rather a passive than an active
+sentiment, which would never have sought either nourishment or relief in
+doing injury to its object, but which rendered her so ill at ease in his
+presence that her life became perfectly wretched from the frequency of
+it.
+
+On the part of the gentleman, the effect of these frequent interviews
+was different. From thinking Mrs. Mowbray's daughter a very fair young
+person, he grew by gradual, but pretty rapid degrees, to perceive that
+she was the very loveliest tabernacle in which had ever been enshrined
+the spirit of a woman; and by the time Mrs. Mowbray had learned by rote
+the names, titles, connexions, separations, unions, deputations, and
+endowments of all the missionary societies, root and branch, and of all
+the central and eccentric establishments for the instruction of
+ignorance in infants of four months to adults of fourscore, Mr. Stephen
+Corbold had made up his mind to believe that, by fair means or foul, it
+was his bounden duty, as a pious man and serious Christian, to
+appropriate the fair Helen to himself in this life, and thereby ensure
+her everlasting happiness in the life to come.
+
+It must not be supposed that while these things passed in London the
+Vicar of Wrexhill was forgotten. Mrs. Mowbray's heart and conscience
+both told her that such a letter as she had received from him must not
+remain unanswered: she therefore placed Helen in the drawing-room, with
+a small but very closely-printed volume on "Free Grace," recommended by
+Mr. Corbold, and having desired her, in the voice of command, to study
+it attentively till dinner-time, she retired to her own room, where,
+having knelt, wept, prayed, written, and erased, for about three hours,
+she finally signed and sealed an epistle, of which it is unnecessary to
+say more than that it conveyed a very animated feeling of satisfaction
+to the heart of the holy man to whom it was addressed.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER V.
+
+MR. STEPHEN CORBOLD RETURNS WITH MRS. MOWBRAY AND HELEN TO WREXHILL.
+
+
+Mrs. Mowbray's business in London, simple and straightforward as it was,
+might probably under existing circumstances have occupied many weeks,
+had not a lucky thought which visited the restless couch of Mr. Stephen
+Corbold been the means of bringing it to a speedy conclusion.
+
+"_Soyez amant, et vous serez inventif_," is a pithy proverb, and has
+held good in many an illustrious instance, but in none, perhaps, more
+conspicuously than in that of Mr. Stephen Corbold's passion for Miss
+Mowbray. One of the earliest proofs he gave of this, was the persuading
+Mrs. Mowbray that the only way in which he could, consistently with his
+other engagements, devote to her as much time as her affairs required,
+would be, by passing every evening with her. And he did pass every
+evening with her: and poor Helen was given to understand, in good set
+terms, that if she presumed to retire before that excellent man Mr.
+Stephen Corbold had finished his last tumbler of soda-water and Madeira,
+not only would she incur her mother's serious displeasure, but be
+confided (during their absence from Mowbray) to the spiritual
+instruction of some _earnest_ minister, who would teach her in what the
+duty of a daughter consisted.
+
+And so Helen Mowbray sat till twelve o'clock every night, listening to
+the works of the saints of the nineteenth century, and exposed to the
+unmitigated stare of Mr. Stephen Corbold's grey eyes.
+
+The constituting himself the guide and protector of the ladies through a
+series of extemporary preachings and lecturings on Sunday, was perhaps
+too obvious a duty to be classed as one of love's invention: but the
+ingenuity shown in persuading Mrs. Mowbray that it would be necessary
+for the completion of her business that he should attend her home, most
+certainly deserves this honour.
+
+Though no way wanting in that quality of mind which the invidious
+denominate "impudence," and the judicious "proper confidence,"--a
+quality as necessary to the fitting out of Mr. Stephen Corbold as
+parchment and red tape,--he nevertheless felt some slight approach to
+hesitation and shame-facedness when he first hinted the expediency of
+this measure. But his embarrassment was instantly relieved by Mrs.
+Mowbray's cordial assurance that she rejoiced to hear such a manner of
+concluding the business was possible, as she knew it would give their
+"excellent minister" pleasure to see his cousin.
+
+There is no Christian virtue, perhaps, to which a serious widow lady is
+so often called (unless she belong to that class invited by the
+"exemplary" in bevies, by way of charity, when a little teapot is set
+between every two of them,)--there is no Christian virtue more
+constantly inculcated on the minds of _rich_ serious widows than that of
+hospitality; nor is there a text that has been quoted oftener to such,
+or with greater variety of accent, as admonitory, encouragingly,
+beseechingly, approvingly, jeremiadingly in reproach, and
+hallelujahingly in gratitude and admiration, than those three impressive
+and laudatory words,--
+
+    "GIVEN TO HOSPITALITY!"
+
+During a snug little morning visit at the Park, at which only Mrs.
+Mowbray and Fanny were present, Mr. Cartwright accidentally turned to
+these words; and nothing could be more touchingly eloquent than the
+manner in which he dwelt upon and explained them.
+
+From that hour good Mrs. Mowbray had been secretly lamenting the want of
+sufficient opportunity to show how fully she understood and valued this
+Christian virtue, and how willing she was to put it in practice toward
+all such as her "excellent minister" should approve: it was, therefore,
+positively with an out-pouring of fervent zeal that she welcomed the
+prospect of a visit from _such a man_ as Mr. Stephen Corbold.
+
+"It is indeed a blessing and a happiness, Mr. Corbold," said she, "that
+what I feared would detain me many days from my home and my family
+should be converted into such a merciful dispensation as I must consider
+your coming to be. When shall you be able to set out, my dear sir?"
+
+"I could set out to-morrow, or, at the very latest, the day after, if I
+could obtain a conveyance that I should deem perfectly safe for the
+papers I have to carry."
+
+Helen shuddered, for she saw his meaning lurking in the corner of his
+eye as he turned towards her one of his detested glances.
+
+"Perhaps," said Mrs. Mowbray, hesitatingly, and fearful that she might
+be taxing his great good-nature too far,--"perhaps, upon such an urgent
+occasion, you might have the great goodness Mr. Corbold, to submit to
+making a third in my travelling-carriage?"
+
+"My gratitude would indeed be very great for such a permission," he
+replied, endeavouring to betray as little pleasure as possible. "I do
+assure you, my dear lady, such precautions are far from unnecessary.
+Heaven, for its own especial purposes, which are to us inscrutable,
+ordains that its tender care to usward shall be shown rather by giving
+us prudence and forethought to avoid contact with the wicked, than by
+any removal of them from our path: wherefore I hold myself bound in
+righteousness to confess that the papers concerning your affairs--even
+yours, my honoured lady, might run a very fearful risk of being
+abducted, and purloined, by some of the many ungodly persons with whom
+no dispensation of Providence hath yet interfered to prevent their
+jostling its own people when they travel, as sometimes unhappily they
+must do, in stage-coaches."
+
+"Ah, Mr. Corbold!" replied the widow, (mentally alluding to a
+conversation which she had held with Mr. Cartwright on the separation to
+be desired between the chosen and the not-chosen even in this world;
+such being, as he said, a sort of type or foreshowing of that eternal
+separation promised in the world to come;)--"Ah, Mr. Corbold! if I had
+the power to prevent it, none of the chosen should ever again find
+themselves obliged to submit to such promiscuous mixture with the
+ungodly as this unsanctified mode of travelling must lead to. Had I
+power and influence sufficient to carry such an undertaking into effect,
+I would certainly endeavour to institute a society of Christians, who,
+by liberal subscriptions among themselves, might collect a fund for
+defraying the travelling expenses of those who are set apart. It must be
+an abomination, Mr. Corbold, that such should be seen travelling on
+earth by the same vehicles as those which convey the wretched beings who
+are on their sure and certain road to eternal destruction!"
+
+"Ah, dearest madam!" replied the attorney, with a profound sigh, "such
+thoughts as those are buds of holiness that shall burst forth into
+full-blown flowers of eternal glory round your head in heaven! But,
+alas! no such society is yet formed, and the sufferings of the
+righteous, for the want of it, are truly great!"
+
+"I am sure they must be, Mr. Corbold," replied the kind Mrs. Mowbray in
+an accent of sincere compassion; "but, at least in the present instance,
+you may be spared such unseemly mixture, if you will be good enough not
+to object to travelling three in the carriage. Helen is very slight, and
+I trust you will not be greatly incommoded."
+
+Mr. Corbold's gratitude was too great to be expressed in a sitting
+attitude; he therefore rose from his chair, and pressing his extended
+hands together as if invoking a blessing on the meek lady's holy head,
+he uttered, "Heaven reward you, madam, for not forgetting those whom it
+hath remembered!" and as he spoke, he bowed his head low, long, and
+reverently. As he recovered the erect position on ordinary occasions
+permitted to man, he turned a little round to give a glance of very
+lover-like timidity towards Helen, who when he began his reverence to
+her mother was in the room; but as he now turned his disappointed eyes
+all round it, he discovered that she was there no longer.
+
+After this, the business which could, as Mr. Corbold said, be
+conveniently transacted in London, was quickly despatched, and the day
+fixed for their return to Mowbray, exactly one week after they left it.
+
+Mr. Stephen Corbold was invited to breakfast previous to the departure;
+and he came accompanied by so huge a green bag, as promised a long stay
+among those to whose affairs the voluminous contents related.
+
+When all things in and about the carriage were ready, Mr. Stephen
+Corbold presented his arm to the widow, and placed her in it. He then
+turned to Helen, who on this occasion found it not so easy as at setting
+off to avoid the hand extended towards her; that is to say, she could
+not spring by it unheeded: but as she would greatly have preferred the
+touch of any other reptile, she contrived to be very awkward, and
+actually caught hold of the handle beside the carriage-door, instead of
+the obsequious ungloved fingers which made her shudder as she glanced
+her eyes towards them.
+
+"You will sit in the middle, Helen," said Mrs. Mowbray.
+
+"I wish, mamma, you would be so kind as to let me sit in the dickey,"
+replied the young lady, looking up as she spoke to the very comfortable
+and unoccupied seat in front of the carriage which, but for Mrs.
+Mowbray's respectful religious scruples, might certainly have
+accommodated Mr. Corbold and his bag perfectly well. "I should like it
+so much better, mamma!"
+
+"Let me sit in the middle, I entreat!" cried Mr. Corbold, entering the
+carriage in haste, to prevent farther discussion. "My dear young lady,"
+he continued, placing his person in the least graceful of all imaginable
+attitudes,--"my dear young lady, I beseech you----"
+
+"Go into the corner, Helen!" said Mrs. Mowbray hastily wishing to put so
+exemplary a Christian more at his ease, and without thinking it
+necessary to answer the insidious petition of her daughter, which, as
+she thought, plainly pointed at the exclusion of the righteous attorney.
+
+Helen ventured not to repeat it, and the carriage drove off. For the
+first mile Mr. Stephen Corbold sat, or rather perched himself, at the
+extremest edge of the seat, his hat between his knees, and every muscle
+that ought to have been at rest in active exercise, to prevent his
+falling forward on his nose; every feature, meanwhile, seeming to say,
+"This is not my carriage." But by gentle degrees he slid farther and
+farther backwards, till his spare person was not only in the enjoyment
+of ease, but of great happiness also.
+
+Helen, as her mother observed, was "very slight," and Mr. Corbold began
+almost to fancy that she would at last vanish into thin air, for, as he
+quietly advanced, so did she quietly retreat till she certainly did
+appear to shrink into a very small compass indeed.
+
+"I fear I crowd you, my dearest lady!" he said, addressing Mrs. Mowbray
+at least ten times during as many miles; and every time this fear came
+over him he gave her a little more room, dreadfully to the annoyance of
+the slight young lady on the other side of him. Poor Helen had need to
+remember that she was going home--going to Rosalind, to enable her to
+endure the disgust of her position; but for several hours she did bear
+it heroically. She thought of Mowbray,--of her flower-garden,--of the
+beautiful Park,--of Rosalind's snug dressing-room, and the contrast of
+all this to the life she had led in London. She thought too of Oakley,
+and of the possibility that some of the family might, by some accident
+or other, be met in some of the walks which Rosalind and she would be
+sure to take. In short, with her eyes incessantly turned through the
+open window towards the hedges and ditches, the fields and the flowers
+by the road-side, she contrived to keep herself, body and soul, as far
+as possible from the hated being who sat beside her.
+
+On the journey to London, Mrs. Mowbray had not thought it necessary to
+stop for dinner on the road, both she and Helen preferring to take a
+sandwich in the carriage; but, from the fear of infringing any of the
+duties of that hospitality which she now held in such high veneration,
+she arranged matters differently, and learning, upon consulting her
+footman, that an excellent house was situated about half-way between
+London and Wrexhill, she not only determined on stopping there, but
+directed the man to send forward a note, ordering an early dinner to be
+ready for them.
+
+This halt was an agreeable surprise to Mr. Stephen Corbold. It was
+indeed an arrangement such as those of his peculiar sect are generally
+found to approve; for it is a remarkable fact, easily ascertained by any
+who will give themselves the trouble of inquiry, that the serious
+Christians of the present age indulge themselves bodily, whenever the
+power of doing so falls in their way, exactly in proportion to the
+mortifications and privations with which they torment their spirits: so
+that while a young sinner would fly from an untasted glass of claret
+that he might not lose the prologue to a new play, a young saint would
+sip up half-a-dozen (if he could get them) while descanting on the
+grievous pains of hell which the pursuit of pleasure must for ever
+bring.
+
+The repast, and even the wine, did honour to the recommendation of the
+careful and experienced Thomas: and Mrs. Mowbray had the sincere
+satisfaction of seeing Mr. Corbold ("_le pauvre homme!_") eat half a
+pound of salmon, one-third of a leg of lamb, and three-quarters of a
+large pigeon-pie, with a degree of relish that proved to her that she
+was "very right to stop for dinner."
+
+Nothing can show gratitude for such little attentions as these so
+pleasantly and so effectually as taking full advantage of them. Mr.
+Corbold indeed carried this feeling so far, that even after the two
+ladies had left the room, he stepped back and pretty nearly emptied the
+two decanters of wine before he rejoined them.
+
+The latter part of the journey produced a very disagreeable scene,
+which, though it ended, as Helen thought at the time most delightfully
+for her, was productive in its consequences of many a bitter heart-ache.
+
+It is probable that the good cheer at D----, together with the final
+libation that washed it down, conveyed more than ordinary animation to
+the animal spirits of the attorney, and for some miles he discoursed
+with more than his usual unction on the sins of the sinful, and the
+holiness of the holy, till poor dear Mrs. Mowbray, despite her vehement
+struggles to keep her eyes open, fell fast asleep.
+
+No sooner was Mr. Stephen Corbold fully aware of this fact, than he
+began making some very tender speeches to Helen. For some time her only
+reply was expressed by thrusting her head still farther out of the side
+window. But this did not avail her long. As if to intimate to her that a
+person whose attention could not be obtained through the medium of the
+ears must be roused from their apathy by the touch, he took her hand.
+
+Upon this she turned as suddenly as if an adder had stung her, and
+fixing her eyes, beaming with rage and indignation, upon him, said,
+
+"If you venture, sir, to repeat this insult, I will call to the
+postillions to stop, and order the footman instantly to take you out of
+the carriage."
+
+He returned her glance, however, rather with passion than repentance,
+and audaciously putting his arm round her waist, drew her towards him,
+while he whispered in her ear, "What would your dear good mamma say to
+that?"
+
+Had he possessed the cunning of Mephistophiles, he could not have
+uttered words more calculated to unnerve her. The terrible conviction
+that it was indeed possible her mother might justify, excuse, or, at any
+rate, pardon the action, came upon her heart like ice, and burying her
+face in her hands, she burst into tears.
+
+Had Mr. Stephen Corbold been a wise man, he would have here ceased his
+persecution: he saw that she was humbled to the dust by the reference he
+had so skilfully made to her mother; and perhaps, had he emptied only
+one decanter, he might have decided that it would be desirable to leave
+her in that state of mind. But, as it was, he had the very exceeding
+audacity once more to put his arm round her, and, by a sudden and most
+unexpected movement, impressed a kiss upon her cheek.
+
+Helen uttered a piercing scream; and Mrs. Mowbray, opening her eyes,
+demanded, in a voice of alarm, "What is the matter?"
+
+Mr. Corbold sat profoundly silent; but Helen answered, in great
+agitation, "I can remain in the carriage no longer, mamma, unless you
+turn out this man!"
+
+"Oh, Helen! Helen! what can you mean by using such language?" answered
+her mother. "It is pride, I know, abominable pride,--I have seen it from
+the very first,--which leads you to treat this excellent man as you do.
+Do you forget that he is the relation as well as the friend of our
+minister? Fie upon it, Helen! you must bring down this haughty spirit to
+something more approaching meek Christian humility, or you and I shall
+never be able to live together."
+
+It seems almost like a paradox, and yet it is perfectly true, that had
+not Mrs. Mowbray from _the very first_, as she said, perceived the utter
+vulgarity, in person, language, and demeanour, of the vicar's cousin,
+she would have been greatly less observant and punctilious in her
+civilities towards him; nor would she have been so fatally ready to
+quarrel with her daughter for testifying her dislike of a man who, her
+own taste told her, would be detestable, were not the holiness of his
+principles such as to redeem every defect with which nature, education,
+and habit had afflicted him.
+
+The more Mrs. Mowbray felt disposed to shrink from an intimate
+association with the serious attorney, the more strenuously did she
+force her nature to endure him; and feeling, almost unconsciously
+perhaps, that it was impossible Helen should not detest him, she put all
+her power and authority in action, not only to prevent her showing it,
+but to prevent also so very sinful and worldly-minded a sentiment from
+taking hold upon her young mind.
+
+Helen, however, was too much irritated at this moment to submit, as she
+had been ever used to do, to the commands of her mother; and still
+feeling the pressure of the serious attorney's person against her own,
+she let down the front glass, and very resolutely called to the
+postillions to stop.
+
+The boy who rode the wheeler immediately heard and obeyed her.
+
+"Tell the servant to open the door," said she with a firmness and
+decision which she afterwards recalled to herself with astonishment.
+
+Thomas, who, the moment the carriage stopped, had got down, obeyed the
+call she now addressed to him,--opened the door, gave her his arm; and
+before either Mrs. Mowbray, or the serious attorney either, had fully
+recovered from their astonishment, Helen was comfortably seated on the
+dickey, enjoying the cool breeze of a delicious afternoon upon her
+flushed cheek.
+
+The turn which was given to this transaction by Mr. Stephen Corbold
+during the tete-a-tete conversation he enjoyed for the rest of the
+journey with the young lady's mother was such as to do credit to his
+acuteness; and that good lady's part in it showed plainly that the new
+doctrines she had so rapidly imbibed, while pretending to purify her
+heart, had most lamentably perverted her judgment.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER VI.
+
+THE RETURN.
+
+
+On reaching Mowbray, the first figure which greeted the eyes of the
+travellers was that of Charles, stationed on the portico steps waiting
+to receive them. A line from Helen to Rosalind, written only the day
+before, announced their intended return; but the appearance of Charles
+was a surprise to them, and to Helen certainly the most delightful that
+she could have experienced.
+
+Mr. Cartwright had written a long and very edifying letter to Mrs.
+Mowbray, informing her of the unexpected arrival of her son from the
+scene of his studies, and making such comments upon it as in his wisdom
+seemed good. But though this too was written in the secret recesses of
+his own chamber, with many affecting little circumstances demonstrative
+of his holy and gentle emotions while so employed, it was, nevertheless,
+under the influence of still riper wisdom, subsequently destroyed,
+because he thought that the first surprise occasioned by the young man's
+unwonted appearance would be more likely to produce the effect he
+desired than even his statement.
+
+Neither Rosalind nor Charles himself had written, because they were both
+unwilling to state the real cause of his coming, and thought the plea of
+_whim_ would pass off better in conversation than on paper. That Fanny
+should write nothing which good Mr. Cartwright did not wish known, can
+be matter of surprise to no one.
+
+Helen, who had descried Charles before the carriage stopped, descended
+from her lofty position with dangerous rapidity, and sprang into his
+arms with a degree of delight, greater, perhaps, than she had ever
+before felt at seeing him.
+
+The exclamation of Mrs. Mowbray certainly had in it, as the wise vicar
+predicted, a tone that indicated displeasure as well as surprise; and
+the embrace, which she could not refuse, was so much less cordial than
+it was wont to be, that he turned again to Helen, and once more pressed
+her to his heart, as if to console him for the want of tenderness in his
+mother's kiss.
+
+Meanwhile, Mr. Stephen Corbold stood under the lofty portico, lost in
+admiration at the splendid appearance of the house and grounds. Mrs.
+Mowbray, with a sort of instinctive feeling that this excellent person
+might not altogether find himself at his ease with her family, hastened
+towards him, determined that her own Christian humility should at least
+set them a good example, and putting out both her hands towards him,
+exclaimed, with an earnestness that sounded almost like the voice of
+prayer, "Welcome, _dear_, DEAR, Mr. Corbold, to my house and home! and
+may you find in it the comfort and hospitality your exemplary character
+deserves!" Then turning to her son, she added, "I know not how long you
+are likely to stay away from college, Charles; but while you are here, I
+beg that you will exert yourself to the very utmost to make Mowbray
+agreeable to this gentleman; and remember, if you please, that his
+religious principles, and truly edifying Christian sentiments, are
+exactly such as I would wish to place before you as an example."
+
+Charles turned round towards the serious attorney, intending to welcome
+him by an extended hand; but the thing was impossible. There was that in
+his aspect with which he felt that he could never hold fellowship, and
+his salutation was turned into a ceremonious bow; a change which it was
+the less difficult to make, from the respectful distance at which the
+stranger guest placed himself, while preparing to receive the young
+man's welcome.
+
+Though Rosalind had purposely remained in her own apartment till the
+first meeting with Charles was over, Helen was already in her arms;
+having exchanged a hasty kiss with Fanny, whom she met in the hall,
+hastening to receive her mother.
+
+"Oh! my dearest Rosalind! How thankful am I to be once more with you
+again! I never, I think, shall be able to endure the sight of London
+again as long as I live. I have been so very, very wretched there!"
+
+"Upon my word, Helen, I have not lived upon roses since you went. You
+can hardly be so glad to come back, as I am to have you. What did your
+mother say on seeing Charles?"
+
+"I hardly know. She did not, I think, seem pleased to see him: but I am
+more delighted at the chance that has brought him, let it be what it
+will, than I have words to express. Oh! it is such a blessing to
+me!--dear, dear, Charles! he knows not what a treasure he is. The very
+sight of him has cured all my sorrows--and yet I was dreadfully
+miserable just now."
+
+"Then, thank Heaven! he is here, my own Helen! But tell me, dearest,
+what is it has made you miserable? Though you tell me it is over, the
+tears seemed ready to start when you said so."
+
+"Oh! my woes will make a long story, Rosalind; and some of them must be
+for your ear only; but this shall be at night, when nobody is near to
+hear us:--but, by the way, you must have a great deal to tell me. How
+comes it that Charles is here? And, what seems stranger still, how comes
+it that, as he is here, you have not been living upon roses?"
+
+"My woes may make a story as well as yours, Helen; and a long one too,
+if I tell all: but it must come out by degrees,--a series of sketches,
+rather than an history."
+
+"Have you seen any body from Oakley, Rosalind?"
+
+"Ah, Helen!" said Rosalind smiling, as she watched the bright colour
+mounting even to the brows of her friend; "your history, then, has had
+nothing in it to prevent your remembering Oakley?"
+
+"My history, as you call it, Rosalind, has been made up of a series of
+mortifications: some of them have almost broken my heart, and my spirit
+too; but others have irritated me into a degree of courage and daring
+that might perhaps have surprised you; and every thing that has happened
+to me, has sent my thoughts back to my home and to my friends,--all my
+friends, Rosalind,--with a degree of clinging and dependent affection
+such as I never felt before."
+
+"My poor Helen! But look up, dearest! and shed no tears if you can help
+it. We all seem to be placed in a very singular and unexpected position,
+my dear friend; but it is not tears that will help us out of it. This
+new man, this vicar, seems inclined to go such lengths with his
+fanatical hypocrisy, that I have good hopes your mother and Fanny will
+ere long get sick of him and his new lights, and then all will go right
+again. Depend upon it, all that has hitherto gone wrong, has been wholly
+owing to him. I certainly do not think that your poor father's will was
+made in the spirit of wisdom; but even _that_ would have produced none
+of the effects it has done, had not this hateful man instilled, within
+ten minutes after the will was read, the poison of doubt and suspicion
+against Charles, into the mind of your mother. Do you not remember his
+voice and his look, Helen, when he entered the room where we were all
+three sitting with your mother? I am sure I shall never forget him! I
+saw, in an instant, that he intended to make your mother believe that
+Charles resented the will; and that, instead of coming himself, he had
+sent him to your mother to tell her of it. I hated him then; and every
+hour that has passed since has made me hate him more. But let us take
+hope, Helen, even from the excess of the evil. Your mother cannot long
+remain blind to his real character; and, when once she sees him as he
+is, she will again become the dear kind mother you have all so fondly
+loved."
+
+"Could I hope this, Rosalind, for the future, there is nothing I could
+not endure patiently for the present,--at least nothing that could
+possibly happen while Charles is here; but I do not hope it."
+
+There was a melancholy earnestness in Helen's voice, as she pronounced
+the last words, that sounded like a heavy prophecy of evil to come, in
+the ears of Rosalind. "Heaven help us, then!" she exclaimed. "If we are
+really to live under the influence and authority of the Vicar of
+Wrexhill, our fate will be dreadful. If your dear father had but been
+spared to us a few years longer,--if you and I were but one-and-twenty
+Helen,--how different would be the light in which I should view all that
+now alarms us; my fortune would be plenty for both of us, and I would
+take you with me to Ireland, and we would live with----"
+
+"Oh Rosalind! how can you talk so idly? Do you think that any thing
+would make me leave my poor dear mother?"
+
+"If you were to marry, for instance?"
+
+"I should never do that without her consent; and that, you know, would
+hardly be leaving her."
+
+"Well! 'Heaven and our innocency defend and guard us!' for I do think,
+Helen, we are in a position that threatens vexation, to say the least of
+it. I wonder if Miss Cartwright's visit is to end with your absence? She
+is the very oddest personage! sometimes I pity her; sometimes I almost
+admire her; sometimes I feel afraid of her, but never by any chance can
+I continue even to fancy that I understand her character."
+
+"Indeed! Yet in general you set about that rather rapidly, Rosalind. But
+must we not go down? I have hardly seen Fanny, and I long to talk a
+little to my own dear Charles."
+
+"And you will like to have some tea after your journey. Mrs. Mowbray, I
+think, never stops _en route_?"
+
+"In general she does not; but to-day----" a shudder ran through Helen's
+limbs as she remembered the travelling adventures of the day, and she
+stopped.
+
+"You look tired and pale, Helen! Come down, take some tea, and then go
+to bed directly. If we do not act with promptitude and decision in this
+matter, we shall set up talking all night."
+
+As they passed Miss Cartwright's door, Rosalind knocked, and that young
+lady immediately opened it.
+
+"Oh! you are come back then? I fancied, by Mr. Cartwright's not coming
+this evening, that something might have occurred to prevent you?"
+
+"If it had," said Helen, smiling, "it must have been announced by
+express, for you can only have had my letter this morning."
+
+"True!" replied Miss Cartwright.
+
+When the three young ladies entered the drawing-room, they found nobody
+in it but Mr. Stephen Corbold; Mrs. Mowbray having gone with Fanny to
+her own room, and Charles ensconced himself in the library, to avoid a
+tete-a-tete with the unpromising-looking stranger.
+
+Rosalind gave him a glance, and then looked at Helen with an eye that
+seemed to say, "Who in the world have you brought us?" Helen, however,
+gave no glance of intelligence in return; but, walking to a table which
+stood in that part of the room which was at the greatest distance from
+the place occupied by Mr. Corbold, she sat down, and began earnestly
+reading an old newspaper that she found upon it.
+
+Miss Cartwright started on recognising her cousin, and though she
+condescended to pronounce, "How do you do, Mr. Corbold?" there was but a
+cold welcome to him expressed either by her voice or manner. No one
+presented him to Rosalind, and altogether he felt as little at his ease
+as it was well possible for a gentleman to do, when the door opened, and
+Mrs. Mowbray and Fanny appeared. From that moment he became as much
+distinguished as he was before overlooked. Fanny, who knew that it was
+Mr. Cartwright's cousin who stood bowing to her, delighted at the honour
+of being told that she was "Miss Fanny Mowbray," received him with a
+kindness and condescension which soothed her own feelings as much as
+his, for she felt that every word she spoke to him was a proof of her
+devotion to her dear, good Mr. Cartwright! and that, when he heard of
+it, he could not fail to understand that it was for his sake.
+
+The party retired early, ostensibly for the sake of the travellers; but
+perhaps the real cause of this general haste to separate, was, that they
+all felt themselves singularly embarrassed in each other's company.
+Before Mrs. Mowbray had been five minutes in her house, she had ordered
+a splendid sleeping apartment to be made ready for Mr. Corbold; and the
+first half-hour after retiring to it, was spent by him in taking an
+accurate survey of its furniture, fittings-up, and dimensions: after
+which, he very nearly stifled himself (forgetful of the dog-days) by
+striving to enjoy the full luxury of the abounding pillows with which
+his magnificent couch was furnished.
+
+Mrs. Mowbray and Fanny separated after a short but confidential
+colloquy. Miss Cartwright took her solitary way to her chamber, where,
+as the housemaids asserted, she certainly spent half the night in
+reading, or writing, or something or other, before she put out her
+light: and Rosalind and Helen, spite of their good resolutions, not only
+sat up talking in the library themselves, but permitted Charles to share
+their watch with them; so that, before they separated, every fact,
+thought, or opinion, treasured in the minds of each, were most
+unreservedly communicated to the others,--excepting that Helen did not
+disclose at full length _all_ the reasons she had for detesting Mr.
+Corbold, and Charles did not think it necessary to mention, that
+Rosalind grew fairer to his eyes, and dearer to his heart, every hour.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER VII.
+
+THE VICAR AND HIS COUSIN.
+
+
+None of the Mowbray family were present at the meeting between the Vicar
+of Wrexhill and his cousin. The latter, indeed, set out from the Park at
+a very early hour on the morning after his arrival, in order to
+breakfast with his much esteemed relation, and to enjoy in the privacy
+of his Vicarage a little friendly and confidential conversation as to
+the projects and intentions concerning him, which had been hinted at in
+his letters.
+
+He was welcomed by Mr. Cartwright with very obliging civility; not but
+that the vicar felt and showed, upon this, as well as all other
+occasions, a very proper consciousness of his own superiority in all
+ways. However, the Corbold connexion had been very essentially useful to
+him in days past; and Mr. Stephen, the present representative of the
+family, might _possibly_ be extremely useful to him in days to come.
+Several fresh-laid eggs were therefore placed on the table,--coffee was
+added to tea,--and his reception in all ways such as to make Mr. Stephen
+feel himself extremely comfortable.
+
+When the repast was ended, Mr. Jacob received a hint to withdraw; and
+as soon as the door was closed behind him, the serious vicar approached
+his chair to that of the serious attorney, with the air of one who had
+much to hear, and much to communicate.
+
+"You seem hereunto, cousin Stephen, to have managed this excellent
+business, which under Providence I have been enabled to put into your
+hands, with great ability; and, by a continuation of mercy, I am not
+without hope, that you will, as I heretofore hinted, bring the same to
+good effect."
+
+"There is hope, great and exceeding merciful hope, cousin William, that
+all you have anticipated, and peradventure more too, may come to pass. A
+blessing and a providence seem already to have lighted upon you, cousin,
+in your new ministry, for into this vessel which your cousinly kindness
+hath set within my sight, you have poured grace and abounding
+righteousness. Surely there never was a lady endowed with such goodly
+gifts who was more disposed to make a free-will offering of them to the
+saints, than this pious and in all ways exemplary widow."
+
+"Your remarks, cousin, are those of a man on whom the light shines. May
+the mercy of Heaven strengthen unto you, for its glory, the talent it
+hath bestowed! And now with the freedom of kinsmen who speak together,
+tell to me what are the hopes and expectations to which your
+conversation with this excellent, and already very serious lady, have
+given birth."
+
+"I have no wish or intention, cousin William, of hiding from you any
+portion of the thoughts which it has pleased Providence to send into my
+heart; the which are in fact, for the most part, founded upon the
+suggestions which, by the light of truth, I discerned in the first
+letter upon the widow Mowbray's affairs which you addressed unto me."
+
+"Respecting the agency of her own business, and peradventure that of her
+ward's also?"
+
+"Even so. I have, in truth, well-founded faith and hope that by the
+continuation of your friendship and good report, cousin William, I may
+at no distant period attain unto both."
+
+"And if you do, cousin Stephen," returned the vicar, with a smile; "your
+_benefice_ in the parish of Wrexhill will be worth considerably more
+than mine."
+
+A serious, waggish, holy, cunning smile now illuminated the
+red, dry features of the attorney, and shaking his head with a
+Burleigh-like-pregnancy of meaning, he said, "Ah, cousin!"
+
+The vicar smiled again, and rising from his chair, put his head and
+shoulders out of the open window, looking carefully, as it seemed, in
+all directions; then, drawing them in again, he proceeded to open the
+door of the room, and examined the passage leading to it in the same
+cautious manner.
+
+"My son Jacob is one of the finest young men in Europe, cousin Stephen,"
+said the vicar, reseating himself; "but he is young, and as full of
+little childish innocent fooleries as any baby: so it is as well not to
+speak all we may have to say, without knowing that we are alone; for
+many an excellent plan in which Providence seemed to have taken a great
+share, has been impiously spoiled, frustrated, and destroyed, by the
+want of caution in those to whom it was intrusted. Let not such sin lie
+at our door! Now tell me then, cousin Stephen, and tell me frankly, why
+did you smile and say, 'Ah cousin'?"
+
+"Because, while speaking of what, through mercy, I may get at Wrexhill,
+it seemed to me like a misdoubting of Providence not to speak a little
+hint of what its chosen minister there may get too."
+
+"I get my vicar's dues, cousin Stephen; and it may be, by a blessing
+upon my humble endeavours, I may, when next Easter falls, obtain some
+trifle both from high and low in the way of Easter offering."
+
+"Ah, cousin!" repeated the attorney, renewing his intelligent smile.
+
+"Well then," said the well-pleased vicar, "speak out."
+
+"I am but a plodding man of business," replied Mr. Corbold, "with such
+illumination upon matters of faith as Providence hath been pleased to
+bestow; but my sense, such as it is, tells me that the excellent and
+pious widow of Mowbray Park will not always be permitted by Providence
+to remain desolate."
+
+"She does, in truth, deserve a better fate," rejoined the vicar.
+
+"And what better fate can befall her, cousin William, than being bound
+together in holy matrimony with one of the most shining lights to be
+found among the saints on earth?"
+
+"Yes!" responded the vicar with a sigh; "that is the fate she merits,
+and that is the fate she ought to meet!"
+
+"And shall we doubt Providence?--shall we doubt that a mate shall be
+found for her? No, cousin William; doubt not, for I say unto thee, 'Thou
+art the man!'"
+
+The vicar endeavoured to look solemn; but, though his handsome features
+were in general under excellent control, he could not at this moment
+repress a pleasant sort of simpering smile that puckered round his
+mouth. Mr. Stephen Corbold, perceiving that his cousin was in nowise
+displeased by the prophecy he had taken the liberty to utter, returned
+to the subject again, saying, "I wish you had seen her face,--she must
+have been very like her daughter,--I wish you could have seen her,
+cousin William, every time I named you!"
+
+"Indeed! Did she really testify some emotion? I trust you are not
+jesting, cousin Stephen; this is no subject for pleasantry."
+
+"Most assuredly it is not! and I think that you must altogether have
+forgotten my temper and character, if you suppose that I should think it
+such. To tell you the truth, cousin, I look upon the time present as a
+period marked and settled by Providence for the calling you up to the
+high places. Will it not be a glory to have its minister and servant
+placed in such a palace as Mowbray? and will it not be converting what
+hitherto has doubtless been the abode of sinners, into a temple for the
+elect?"
+
+"I will not deny," replied the vicar, "that such thoughts have
+occasionally found place in my own mind. There have already been some
+very singular and remarkable manifestations in this matter; and it is
+the perceiving this, which has led me to believe, and indeed feel
+certain, that my duty calls upon me so to act, that this wealthy relict
+of a man too much addicted to the things of this world may, finally by
+becoming part and parcel of myself, lose not the things eternal."
+
+"I greatly rejoice," rejoined Mr. Corbold, "that such is your decision
+in this matter; and if it should so fall out that Heaven in its wisdom
+and goodness shall ordain you to become the master of Mowbray Park, (at
+these words the vicar cast his eyes upon the ground and meekly bowed his
+head,) and I have a persuasion that it will so ordain, borne strongly in
+upon my mind, then and in that case, cousin William, I trust that your
+patronage and support will not be withdrawn from me."
+
+"Cousin Stephen," replied the vicar, "you are a man that on many
+occasions I shall covet and desire to have by me and near me, both for
+your profit and advantage and my own; but in the case which you have
+put, and which Heaven seems to have whispered to your soul--in the
+case, Stephen, that I should ever become the master and owner of
+Mowbray, and all the sundry properties thereunto belonging, I think--no
+offence to you, cousin--that I should prefer managing the estates
+myself."
+
+The serious attorney looked somewhat crestfallen, and perhaps some such
+questionings were borne in upon his mind as--"What is it to me if he
+marries the widow, if I do not get the management of the estates?"
+
+When the vicar raised his eyes to the face of his cousin, he probably
+perceived the impression his words had produced, and kindly anxious to
+restore him to more comfortable feelings, he added,--"The fine property
+of Miss Torrington, cousin Stephen, might certainly be placed entirely
+in your hands--the management of it I mean--till she comes of age; but
+then if she marries my son, which I think not unlikely, it is probable
+that Jacob may follow my example, and prefer taking care of the property
+himself."
+
+"Then, at the very best," replied Mr. Corbold, "I can only hope to
+obtain an agency for a year or two?"
+
+"I beg your pardon, cousin; my hopes for you go much farther than that.
+In the first place, I would recommend it to you, immediately to settle
+yourself at Wrexhill: I am told that there is a good deal of business up
+and down the country hereabouts; and, if I obtain the influence that I
+hope to do in more ways than one, I shall take care that no attorney is
+employed but yourself, cousin Stephen. Besides this, I know that there
+may happen to be settlements or wills wanting amongst us, my good
+friend, which may make your being at hand very convenient; and, in all
+such cases, you would do your work, you know, pretty much at your own
+price. All this, however, is only contingent, I am quite aware of that;
+and therefore, in order that you may in some sort share my good
+fortune,--if such indeed should fall upon me,--I have been thinking,
+cousin Stephen, that when I shall be married to this lady, whom it has
+pleased Providence to place in my path, you, being then the near
+relative of a person of consequence and high consideration in the
+county, may also aspire to increase your means by the same holy
+ordinance; and if such a measure should seem good to your judgment, I
+have a lady in my eye,--also a widow, and a very charming one, my dear
+friend,--who lives in a style that shows her to be favoured by
+Providence with the goods of fortune. What say you to this, cousin
+Stephen?"
+
+"Why, it is borne in upon me to say, cousin William, that, in such a
+case as this, I should be inclined to follow your good example, and
+choose for myself. And, truth to speak, I believe the choice is in some
+sort made already; and I don't see but your marriage may be as likely to
+help me in this case as in the other; and as to fortune, it is probable
+that you may be able to lend me a helping hand there, too; for the young
+lady, I fancy, is no other than your own daughter-in-law that is to
+be--the pretty Miss Helen, cousin William?"
+
+The vicar as he listened to these words, very nearly uttered a whistle.
+He was, however, as he whispered to himself, mercifully saved from such
+an indecorum by the timely remembrance that his cousin, though an
+attorney, was a very serious man; but, though he did not whistle, he
+deemed it necessary to express in a more solemn and proper manner his
+doubts of the success to be hoped from the scheme proposed by Mr.
+Corbold.
+
+"As to the fortune of the young person who may, as you observe, some day
+by the blessing of Providence become my daughter-in-law, I must tell you
+as a friend and kinsman, cousin Stephen, that I hold it to be very
+doubtful if she ever have any fortune at all. Are you aware that she is
+not regenerate?"
+
+"I partly guess as much," replied the attorney. "But," he added with a
+smile, "I can't say I should have any objection to marrying her first,
+and leading her into the way of salvation afterwards. And when I can
+testify to her having forsaken the errors of her ways, and that I have
+made her a light to lighten the Gentiles, I suppose you won't object
+then to her coming in for a share of her mother's inheritance?"
+
+"That would certainly make a difference; but I won't disguise from you,
+cousin, that I consider this young person's as a hopeless case. She was
+foredoomed from the beginning of the world: I see the mark upon her.
+However, that might not perhaps make such difference in your
+determination, for I know you to be a man very steadfast in hope, cousin
+Stephen. But there is, moreover, I think, another obstacle. You must not
+take my frankness amiss; but I have an inward misgiving as to her being
+willing to accept you."
+
+"As the young lady is a minor, cousin William, I should count upon its
+being in your power to make her marry pretty well whom you please. And
+this you may rely upon, that, in case you favour me heartily in this
+matter, there is no work of any kind that you could put me to, that I
+should not think it my bounden duty to perform."
+
+"You speak like a just and conscientious man, cousin Corbold; and, by
+the blessing of Heaven upon us, I trust that we shall be so able to work
+together for righteousness' sake, that in the end we may compass that
+which we desire. Nevertheless, I confess that it is still borne in upon
+me that the fair and excellent widow Simpson would be the wisest choice
+for you."
+
+"Should it please Providence that such should be my own opinion
+hereafter, cousin Cartwright, I will not fail to make it known unto
+you."
+
+"I will rest my faith on your wisdom therein," replied the vicar: "but
+it is now time that I should go to speak the blessing of a minister, and
+the welcome of a friend, to the excellent lady at the Park. And remember
+two things, cousin Stephen: the first is, never to remain in the room
+with the widow Mowbray and myself, when no other persons are present;
+and the next is in importance like unto it,--remember that the lady is
+even yet new in widowhood, and that any imprudent and premature allusion
+to my possibly taking her in marriage might ruin all. There are those
+near her, cousin Stephen, who I question not will fight against me."
+
+The attorney promised to be awake and watchful, and never to permit his
+tongue to betray the counsels of his heart.
+
+The cousins and friends (who, notwithstanding the difference of their
+callings, considered themselves, as Mr. Corbold observed,
+fellow-labourers in the vineyard,) then walked forth together towards
+Mowbray Park, well pleased with themselves and all things around them at
+the present, and with pious confidence in the reward of their labours
+for the future.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER VIII.
+
+CHARLES'S SORROW.--MRS. SIMPSON IN HER NEW CHARACTER.--THE VICAR'S
+PROCEEDINGS DISCUSSED.
+
+
+The two gentlemen found the family at the Park very sociably seated
+round a late breakfast table. Helen, Rosalind, and Charles, before they
+broke up their conclave in the library the night before, or rather that
+morning, had all decided that in the present thorny and difficult
+position of affairs, it was equally their duty and interest to
+propitiate the kind feelings of Mrs. Mowbray by every means in their
+power, and draw her thereby, if possible, from the mischievous and
+insidious influence of her new associates.
+
+"It is hardly possible to believe," said Charles, "that my mother can
+really prefer the society of such an animal as this methodistical
+attorney to that of her own family, or of those neighbours and friends
+from whom, since my father's death, she has so completely withdrawn
+herself. It is very natural she should be out of spirits, poor dear
+soul! and Mr. Cartwright is just the sort of person to obtain influence
+at such a time; but I trust this will wear off again. She will soon get
+sick of the solemn attorney, and we shall all be as happy again as
+ever."
+
+"Heaven grant it!" said Helen with a sigh.
+
+"Heaven grant it!" echoed Rosalind with another.
+
+It was in consequence of this resolution, that the trio continued to sit
+at the table much longer than usual; exerting themselves to amuse Mrs.
+Mowbray, to win from Fanny one of her former bright smiles, and even to
+make Miss Cartwright sociable.
+
+Their efforts were not wholly unsuccessful. There was a genuine
+animation and vivacity about Charles that seemed irresistible: Mrs.
+Mowbray looked at him with a mother's eye; Miss Cartwright forsook her
+monosyllables, and almost conversed; and Fanny, while listening first to
+Helen, and then to her brother, forgot her duty as a professing
+Christian as far as to let a whole ringlet of her sunny hair get loose
+from behind her ear, and not notice it.
+
+In the midst of this gleam of sunshine the door opened, and Mr.
+Cartwright and Mr. Corbold were announced. Ambitions of producing effect
+as both these serious gentlemen certainly were, they could hardly have
+hoped, when their spirits were most exalted within them, to have caused
+a more remarkable revolution in the state of things than their
+appearance now produced.
+
+Mrs. Mowbray coloured, half rose from her chair, sat down again, and
+finally exclaimed, "Oh! Mr. Cartwright!" in a tone of voice that
+manifested almost every feeling he could wish to inspire.
+
+Fanny, who was in the very act of smiling when the door opened,
+immediately became conscious that her hair was out of order, and that
+her whole attitude and manner were wanting in that Christian grace and
+sobriety which had been of late her chiefest glory. Such Christian grace
+and sobriety, however, as she had lately learned, poor child! are not
+difficult to assume, or long in putting on; so that before "her
+minister" had completed his little prayer and thanksgiving in the ear of
+her mother, for her eternal happiness and her safe return, Fanny was
+quite in proper trim to meet his eye, and receive his blessing.
+
+Henrietta at once fell back into her wonted heavy silent gloom, like a
+leaden statue upon which the sun, shining for a moment, had thrown the
+hue of silver.
+
+Charles stood up, and saluted the vicar civilly but coldly; while to his
+companion's low bow he returned a slight and stiff inclination of the
+head.
+
+It should be observed that, during the few days which intervened between
+the arrival of Charles and the return of his mother, the vicar had
+greatly relaxed in his attentions to Fanny, and indeed altogether in the
+frequency of his pastoral visitations at the Park. He had explained this
+in the ear of his pretty proselyte, by telling her that he was much
+engaged in pushing forward the work of regeneration in his parish, to
+the which holy labour he was the more urgently incited by perceiving
+that the seed was not thrown upon barren ground. Nor indeed was this
+statement wholly untrue. He had taken advantage of the leisure which the
+present posture of affairs at the Park left upon his hands, in seeking
+to inflame the imaginations of as many of his parishioners as he could
+get to listen to him.
+
+Among the females he had been particularly successful; and, indeed, the
+proportion of the fair sex who are found to embrace the tenets which
+this gentleman and his sect have introduced in place of those of the
+Church of England, is so great, that, as their faith is an exclusive
+one, it might be conjectured that the chief object of the doctrine was
+to act as a balance-weight against that of Mahomet, who, atrocious
+tyrant as he was, shut the gates of heaven against all woman-kind
+whatsoever; were it not that an occasional nest of he-saints may here
+and there be found,--sometimes in a drum-profaned barrack, and sometimes
+in a cloistered college, which show that election is not wholly confined
+to the fair. There are, however, some very active and inquiring persons
+who assert, that upon a fair and accurate survey throughout England and
+Wales, Ireland, Scotland, and the Town of Berwick-upon-Tweed, no greater
+number of this sect can be found of the masculine gender than may
+suffice to perform the duties of ministers, deputy ministers,
+missionaries, assistant missionaries, speech-makers both in and out of
+parliament, committee-men, and such serious footmen, coachmen, butchers,
+and bakers, as the fair inhabitants of the Calvinistic heaven require to
+perform the unfeminine drudgery of earth.
+
+It was in consequence of this remission in the vicar's labours for the
+regeneration of Fanny, that Charles Mowbray still treated him with the
+respect due to the clergyman of his parish. Rosalind felt it quite
+impossible to describe to him all she had seen, and her promise to
+Henrietta forbade her to repeat what she had heard; so that young
+Mowbray, though he disapproved of the puritanic innovations of Fanny's
+toilet, and so much disliked Mr. Cartwright's extempore preaching as to
+have decided upon attending divine service at Oakley church for the
+future, to avoid hearing what he considered as so very indecent an
+innovation, he was still quite unaware of Rosalind's real motives for
+recalling him, though extremely well inclined to think her right in
+having done so.
+
+Miss Torrington and Helen left the room very soon after the two
+gentlemen entered it. Henrietta, with the stealthy step of a cat,
+followed them, and young Mowbray felt strongly tempted to do the like;
+but was prevented, not so much by politeness perhaps, as by curiosity to
+ascertain, if possible, the terms on which both these gentlemen stood
+with his mother.
+
+But it was not possible. As long as he remained with them, the very
+scanty conversation which took place was wholly on uninteresting
+subjects; and Charles at length left the room, from feeling that it was
+not his mother's pleasure to talk to the attorney of the business that
+he presumed must have brought him there, as long as he remained in it.
+
+There is in the domestic history of human life no cause productive of
+effects so terrible as the habit of acting according to the impulse, or
+the convenience, of the moment, without fully considering the effect
+what we are doing may produce on others.
+
+Mrs. Mowbray, in waiting till Charles left the room before she spake to
+Mr. Corbold of the title-deeds and other papers which she was to put
+into his hands, was almost wholly actuated by the consciousness that the
+attorney she was employing (though a serious) was a very vulgar man. She
+knew that her son was rather fastidious on such points; and she disliked
+the idea that a man, whose distinguished piety rendered him so
+peculiarly eligible as a man of business, should, at his first
+introduction to the confidential situation she intended he should hold,
+lay himself open to the ridicule of a youth, who, she sighed to think,
+was as yet quite incapable of appreciating his merit in any way.
+
+If any secondary motive mixed with this, it arose from the averseness
+she felt, of which she was not herself above half conscious, that any
+one should hear advice given by Mr. Cartwright, who might think
+themselves at liberty to question it; but, with all this, she never
+dreamed of the pain she was giving to Charles's heart. She dreamed not
+that her son,--her only son,--with a heart as warm, as generous, as
+devoted in its filial love, as ever beat in the breast of a man, felt
+all his ardent affection for her,--his proud fond wish of being her
+protector, her aid, her confidential friend--now checked and chilled at
+once, and for ever!
+
+This consequence of her cold, restrained manner in his presence, was so
+natural,--in fact, so inevitable,--that had she turned her eyes from
+herself and her own little unimportant feelings, to what might be their
+effect upon his, it is hardly possible that she could have avoided
+catching some glimpse of the danger she ran,--and much after misery
+might have been spared; as it was, she felt a movement of unequivocal
+satisfaction when he departed; and, having told Fanny to join the other
+young ladies while she transacted business, she was left alone with the
+two gentlemen, and, in a few minutes afterwards, the contents of her
+late husband's strong-box, consisting of parchments, memoranda, and
+deeds almost innumerable, overspread the large table, as well as every
+sofa and chair within convenient reach.
+
+The two serious gentlemen smiled, but it was inwardly. Their eyes ran
+over the inscription of every precious packet; and if those of the
+professional man caught more rapidly at a glance the respective
+importance of each, the vicar had the advantage of him in that prophetic
+feeling of their future importance to himself, which rendered the
+present hour one of the happiest of his life.
+
+Meanwhile, Charles sought Helen and her friend. Far, however, from
+wishing to impart to them the painful impression he had received, his
+principal object in immediately seeking them was, if possible, to forget
+it. He found the four girls together in the conservatory, and, affecting
+more gaiety than he felt, exclaimed, "How many recruits shall I get
+among you to join me in a walk to Wrexhill? One, two, three, four!
+That's delightful! Make haste; bonnet and veil yourselves without delay:
+and if we skirt round the plantations to the lodge, we shall escape
+being broiled, for the lanes are always shady."
+
+When he had got his convoy fairly under weigh, they began to make
+inquiries as to what he was going to do at Wrexhill. "I will tell you,"
+he replied, "if you will promise not to run away and forsake me."
+
+They pledged themselves to be faithful to their escort, and he then
+informed them, that it was his very particular wish and desire to pay
+sundry visits to the _beau monde_ of Wrexhill.
+
+"It is treason to the milliner not to have told us so before, Charles,"
+said Helen; "only look at poor Fanny's little straw-bonnet, without even
+a bow to set it off. What will Mrs. Simpson think of us?"
+
+"I assure you, Helen," said Fanny, "that if I had known we were going to
+visit all the fine people in the county, I should have put on no other
+bonnet; and as for Mrs. Simpson, I believe you are quite mistaken in
+supposing she would object to it. I hope she has seen the error of her
+ways, as well as I have, Charles; and that we shall never more see her
+dressed like a heathenish woman, as she used to do."
+
+"Oh Fanny! Fanny!" exclaimed Charles, laughing. "How long will this
+spirit vex you."
+
+Fortunately, however, for the harmony of the excursion, none of the
+party appeared at this moment inclined to controversy, and the subject
+dropped. Instead, therefore, of talking of different modes of faith, and
+of the bonnets thereunto belonging, the conversation turned upon the
+peculiar beauty of the woodland scenery around Wrexhill; and Miss
+Cartwright, as almost a stranger, was applied to for her opinion of it.
+
+"I believe I am a very indifferent judge of scenery," she replied. "The
+fact is, I never see it."
+
+"Do you not see it now?" said Rosalind. "Do you not see that beautiful
+stretch of park-like common, with its tufts of holly, its rich groups of
+forest-trees, with their dark heavy drapery of leaves, relieved by the
+light and wavy gracefulness of the delicate and silvery birch? and,
+loveliest of all, do you not see that stately avenue of oaks, the turf
+under them green in eternal shade, and the long perspective, looking
+like the nave of some gigantic church?"
+
+Rosalind stood still as she spoke, and Henrietta remained beside her.
+They were descending the bit of steep road which, passing behind the
+church and the vicarage, led into the village street of Wrexhill, and
+the scene described by Miss Torrington was at this point completely
+given to their view.
+
+Henrietta put her arm within that of Rosalind with a degree of
+familiarity very unusual with her, and having gazed on the fair expanse
+before her for several minutes, she replied, "Yes, Rosalind, I do see it
+now, and I thank you for making it visible to me. Perhaps, in future,
+when I may perchance be thinking of you, I may see it again."
+
+Rosalind turned to seek her meaning in her face, and saw that her dark
+deep-set eyes were full of tears. This was so unexpected, so
+unprecedented, so totally unlike any feeling she had ever remarked in
+her before, that Rosalind was deeply touched by it, and, pressing the
+arm that rested on hers, she said: "Dear Henrietta! Why are you so
+averse to letting one understand what passes in your heart? It is only
+by an accidental breath, which now and then lifts the veil you hang
+before it, that one can even find out you have any heart at all."
+
+"Did you know all the darkness that dwells there, you would not thank me
+for showing it to you."
+
+Having said this, she stepped hastily forward, and drawing on Rosalind,
+who would have lingered, with her, till they had overtaken the others,
+they all turned from the lane into the village street together.
+
+They had not proceeded a hundred yards, before they were met by a dozen
+rosy and riotous children returning from dinner to school. At sight of
+the Mowbray party, every boy uncapped, and every little girl made her
+best courtesy; but one unlucky wag, whose eyes unfortunately fixed
+themselves on Fanny, being struck by the precision of her little bonnet,
+straight hair, and the total absence of frill, furbelow, or any other
+indication of worldly-mindedness, restrained his bounding steps for a
+moment, and, pursing up his little features into a look of sanctity,
+exclaimed--"Amen!"--and then, terrified at what he had done, galloped
+away and hid himself among his fellows.
+
+Fanny coloured, but immediately assumed the resigned look that
+announceth martyrdom. Charles laughed, though he turned round and shook
+his switch at the saucy offender. Helen looked vexed, Rosalind amused,
+and Henrietta very nearly delighted.
+
+A few minutes more brought them to the door of Mrs. Simpson. Their
+inquiry for the lady was answered by the information that she "was
+schooling miss; but if they would be pleased to walk in, she would come
+down directly." They accordingly entered the drawing-room, where they
+were kept waiting for some time, which was indeed pretty generally the
+fate of morning visitors to Mrs. Simpson.
+
+The interval was employed as the collectors of albums and annuals intend
+all intervals should be, namely, in the examination of all the
+morocco-bound volumes deposited on the grand round table in the middle
+of the room, and on all the square, oblong, octagon, and oval minor
+tables, in the various nooks and corners of it.
+
+On the present occasion they seemed to promise more amusement than usual
+to the party, who had most of them been frequently there before,--for
+they were nearly all new. Poor little Fanny, though she knew that not
+one of those with her were capable of enjoying the intellectual and
+edifying feast that almost the first glance of her eye showed her was
+set before them, could not restrain an exclamation of--"Oh! How
+heavenly-minded!"
+
+The whole collection indeed, which though recently and hastily formed,
+had evidently been brought together by the hand of a master of such
+matters, was not only most strictly evangelical, but most evangelically
+ingenious.
+
+Helen, however, appeared to find food neither for pleasantry nor
+edification there; for having opened one or two slender volumes, and as
+many heavy pamphlets, she abandoned the occupation with a sigh, that
+spoke sadness and vexation. Miss Cartwright, who had seated herself on
+the same sofa, finished her examination still more quickly, saying in a
+low voice as she settled herself in a well-pillowed corner--
+
+    "Surfeit is the father of much fast."
+
+Miss Torrington and young Mowbray got hold of by far the finest volume
+of all, whose gilt leaves and silken linings showed that it was intended
+as the repository of the most precious gifts, that, according to the
+frontispiece, Genius could offer to Friendship. Having given a glance at
+its contents, Charles drew out his pencil, and on the blank side of a
+letter wrote the following catalogue of them, which, though imperfect as
+not naming them all, was most scrupulously correct as far as it went:
+
+    "Saint Paul's head, sketched in pen and ink;
+      'Here's the bower,' to words of grace;
+    The death-bed talk of Master Blink;
+      Lines on a fallen maiden's case.
+    Sonnet upon heavenly love;
+      A pencil drawing of Saint Peter.
+    Emblems--the pigeon and the dove.
+      Gray's Odes, turned to psalm-tune metre.
+    A Christian ode in praise of tea,
+    Freely translated from Redi."
+
+He had just presented the scrap to Rosalind when Mrs. Simpson entered,
+leading her little girl in her hand; but the young lady had leisure to
+convey it unnoticed to her pocket, as the mistress of the house had for
+the first few minutes eyes only for Fanny. In fact, she literally ran to
+her the instant she perceived her little bonnet, and, folding her arms
+round her, exclaimed--
+
+"My dear, dear child! My dear, dear sister! This is providential! It is
+a blessing I shall remember alway! Our minister told me that I should
+read at a glance the blessed change wrought upon you: I do read it, and
+I will rejoice therefore! I beg your pardon, ladies. Mr. Mowbray, pray
+sit down--I beg your pardon: I rejoice to see you, though as yet----"
+
+Her eyes fixed themselves on the bonnet of Rosalind, which, besides
+being large, had the abomination of sundry bows, not to mention a bunch
+of laburnum blossoms.
+
+"Ah! my dear Miss Helen! The time will come--I will supplicate that it
+may--when you too, like your precious sister, shall become a sign and
+example to all men. How the seed grows, my sweet Miss Fanny!" she
+continued, turning to the only one of her guests whom, strictly
+speaking, she considered it right to converse with. "How it grows and
+spreads under the dew of faith and the sunshine of righteousness. It is
+just three months, three little blessed months, since the beam first
+fell upon my heart, Miss Fanny; and look at me, look at my child, look
+at my albums, look at my books, look at my card-racks, look at my
+missionary's box on one side, and my London Lord-days' society box on
+the other. Is not this a ripening and preparing for the harvest, Miss
+Fanny?"
+
+Fanny coloured, partly perhaps from pride and pleasure; but partly,
+certainly, from shyness at being so distinguished, and only murmured the
+word "Beautiful!" in reply.
+
+Miss Mowbray felt equally provoked and disgusted; but, while inwardly
+resolving that she would never again put herself in the way of
+witnessing what she so greatly condemned, she deemed it best to stay, if
+possible, the torrent of nonsense which was thus overwhelming her
+sister, by giving another turn to the conversation.
+
+"Have you seen Mrs. Richards lately, Mrs. Simpson?" she said.
+
+"Mrs. Richards and I very rarely meet now, Miss Mowbray," was the reply.
+"The three young ladies indeed, I am happy to say, have wholly separated
+themselves from their mother in spirit, and are all of them becoming
+shining lights. Oh, Miss Fanny! how sweetly pious are those lines
+written between you and little Mary!"
+
+Fanny suddenly became as red as scarlet.
+
+"The alternate verses, I mean, in praise and glory of our excellent
+minister. He brought them to me himself, and we read them together, and
+we almost shed tears of tender blessing on you both, dear children!"
+
+Charles, who thought, and with great satisfaction, that whatever stuff
+his poor little sister might have written, she was now very heartily
+ashamed of it, wishing to relieve her from the embarrassment, which
+nevertheless he rejoiced to see, rose from his chair, and approaching a
+window, said, "What a very pleasant room you have here, Mrs. Simpson; it
+is almost due east, is it not? If the room over it be your apartment, I
+should think the sun must pay you too early a visit there, unless your
+windows are well curtained."
+
+"Oh, Mr. Mowbray! Sunrise is such a time of praise and blessing, that,
+even though the curtains are drawn, I always try, if I am awake, to
+think how heavenly it is looking outside."
+
+"Are you an early riser, Mrs. Simpson?" said Helen.
+
+"Not very,--at least not always; but since my election I have been
+endeavouring to get down to prayers by about half-past eight. It is so
+delightful to think how many people are coming down stairs to prayers
+just at half-past eight!"
+
+"Your little girl is very much grown, Mrs. Simpson," said Miss
+Torrington, willing to try another opening by which to escape from under
+the heels of the lady's hobby; but it did not answer.
+
+"Hold up your head, Mimima dear!" said the mamma; "and tell these ladies
+what you have been learning lately. She is still rather shy; but it is
+going off, I hope. Precious child! she is grown such a prayerful thing,
+Miss Fanny, you can't imagine. Mimima, why did you not eat up all your
+currant-pudding yesterday? tell Miss Fanny Mowbray!"
+
+"Because it is wicked to love currant-pudding," answered the child,
+folding her little hands one over the other upon the bosom of her plain
+frock, no longer protruding in all directions its sumptuous
+chevaux-de-frise of lace and embroidery.
+
+"Darling angel! And why, my precious! is it wicked?"
+
+"Because it is a sin to care for our vile bodies, and because we ought
+to love nothing but the Lord."
+
+"Is not that a blessing?" said Mrs. Simpson, again turning to Fanny.
+"And how can I be grateful enough to the angelic man who has put me and
+my little one in the right way?"
+
+It was really generous in good Mrs. Simpson to give all the praise due
+for the instruction and religious awakening of her little girl to the
+vicar, for it was in truth entirely her own work; as it generally
+happened, that when Mr. Cartwright paid her a visit, fearing probably
+that the movements of a child might disturb his nerves, she dismissed
+her little Mimima to her nursery.
+
+One or two more attempts on the part of Helen to bring the conversation
+to a tone that she should consider as more befitting the neighbourly
+chit-chat of a morning visit, and, in plain English, less tinctured with
+blasphemy, having been made and failed, she rose and took her leave, the
+rest of her party following; but not without Fanny's receiving another
+embrace, and this fervent farewell uttered in her ear:
+
+"The saints and angels bless and keep you, dear sister!"
+
+After quitting the house of this regenerated lady, the party proposed to
+make a visit to that of Mrs. Richards; but Miss Cartwright expressed a
+wish to go to the Vicarage instead, and begged they would call at the
+door for her as they passed. Miss Torrington offered to accompany her,
+but this was declined, though not quite in her usual cynical manner upon
+such occasions; and, could Rosalind have followed her with her eye up
+the Vicarage hill, she would have seen that she stopped and turned to
+look down upon the common and its trees, just at the spot where they had
+stood together before.
+
+On entering Mrs. Richards's pretty flower-scented little saloon, they
+were startled and somewhat embarrassed at finding that lady in tears,
+and Major Dalrymple walking about the room with very evident symptoms of
+discomposure. Helen, who, like every body else in the neighbourhood, was
+perfectly aware of the major's unrequited attachment, or, at any rate,
+his unsuccessful suit, really thought that the present moment was
+probably intended by him to decide his fate for ever; and felt
+exceedingly distressed at having intruded, though doubtful whether to
+retreat now would not make matters worse. Those who followed her shared
+both her fears and her doubts; but not so the widow and the major; who
+both, after the interval of a moment, during which Mrs. Richards wiped
+her eyes, and Major Dalrymple recovered his composure, declared with
+very evident sincerity that they were heartily glad to see them.
+
+"We are in the midst of a dispute, Mowbray," said the major, addressing
+Charles; "and I will bet a thousand to one that you will be on my side,
+whatever the ladies may be. Shall I refer the question to Charles
+Mowbray, Mrs. Richards?"
+
+"Oh yes! I shall like to have it referred to the whole party!" she
+replied.
+
+"Well then, this it is:--I need not tell you, good people, that the
+present vicar of Wrexhill is--but _holt la_!" he exclaimed, suddenly
+stopping himself and fixing his eyes on Fanny; "I am terribly afraid by
+the trim cut of that little bonnet, that there's one amongst us that
+will be taking notes. Is it so, Miss Fanny? Are you as completely over
+head and ears in love with the vicar, as your friend little Mary? and,
+for that matter, Louisa, Charlotte, Mrs. Simpson, Miss Mimima Simpson,
+Dame Rogers the miller's wife, black-eyed Betsey the tailor's daughter,
+Molly Tomkins, Sally Finden, Jenny Curtis, Susan Smith, and about
+threescore and ten more of our parish, have all put on the armour of
+righteousness, being buckled, belted, and spurred by the vicar himself.
+Are you really and truly become one of his babes of grace, Fanny?"
+
+"If it is your intention to say any thing disrespectful of Mr.
+Cartwright," replied Fanny, "I had much rather not hear it. I will go
+and look at your roses, Mrs. Richards;" and, as Mrs. Richards did not
+wish her to remain, she quietly opened the glass-door which led into the
+garden, let her pass through it, and then closed it after her.
+
+"Pretty creature!" exclaimed Major Dalrymple; "what a pity!"
+
+"It will not last, major," said Charles. "He has scared her conscience,
+which is actually too pure and innocent to know the sound of its own
+voice; and then he seized upon her fanciful and poetic imagination, and
+set it in arms against her silly self, till she really seems to see the
+seven mortal sins, turn which way she will; and I am sure she would
+stand for seven years together on one leg, like an Hindoo, to avoid
+them. She is a dear good little soul, and she will get the better of all
+this trash, depend upon it."
+
+"I trust she will, Mowbray; but tell me, while the mischief is still at
+work, shall you not think it right to banish the causer of it from your
+house? For you must know this brings us exactly to the point at issue
+between Mrs. Richards and me. She is breaking her heart because her
+three girls--ay, little Mary and all--have been bit by this black
+tarantula; and because she (thank Heaven!) has escaped, her daughters
+have thought proper to raise the standard of rebellion, and to tell her
+very coolly, upon all occasions, that she is doomed to everlasting
+perdition, and that their only chance of escape is never more to give
+obedience or even attention to any word she can utter."
+
+The major stopped, overcome by his own vehemence; and Charles would have
+fancied that he saw tears in his eyes, if he had dared to look at him
+for another moment.
+
+Rosalind, who had more love and liking for Mrs. Richards than is usually
+the growth of six months' acquaintance, had placed herself close beside
+her, and taken her hand; but, when Major Dalrymple ceased speaking, she
+rose up, and with a degree of energy that probably surprised all her
+hearers, but most especially Charles and Helen, she said: "If, Major
+Dalrymple, you should be the first in this unfortunate parish of
+Wrexhill to raise your voice against this invader of the station,
+rights, and duties of a set of men in whose avocations he has neither
+part nor lot, you will deserve more honour than even the field of
+Waterloo could give you! Yes! turn him from your house, dear friend, as
+you would one who brought poison to you in the guise of wholesome food
+or healing medicine. Let him never enter your doors again; let him
+preach (if preach he must) in a church as empty as his own pretensions
+to holiness; and if proper authority should at length be awaked to chase
+him from a pulpit that belongs of right to a true and real member of the
+English church, then let him buy a sixpenny licence, if he can get it,
+to preach in a tub, the only fitting theatre for his doctrines."
+
+"Bravo!" cried the major in a perfect ecstasy; "do you hear her, Mrs.
+Richards? Charles Mowbray, do you hear her? and will either of you ever
+suffer Cartwright to enter your doors again?"
+
+"I believe in my heart that she is quite right," said Charles: "the
+idiot folly I have witnessed at Mrs. Simpson's this morning; and the
+much more grievous effects which his ministry, as he calls it, has
+produced here, have quite convinced me that such _ministry_ is no
+jesting matter. But I have no doors, Dalrymple, to shut against him; all
+I can do is to endeavour to open my mother's eyes to the mischief he is
+doing."
+
+Helen sighed, and shook her head.
+
+"Is, then, your good mother too far gone in this maudlin delirium to
+listen to him?" said the major in an accent of deep concern.
+
+"Indeed, major, I fear so," replied Helen.
+
+"I told you so, Major Dalrymple," said Mrs. Richards; "I told you that
+in such a line of conduct as you advise I should be supported by no one
+of any consequence, and I really do not feel courage to stand alone in
+it."
+
+"And it is that very want of courage that I deplore more than all the
+rest," replied the major. "You, that have done and suffered so much,
+with all the quiet courage of a real heroine--that you should now sink
+before such an enemy as this, is what I really cannot see with
+patience."
+
+"And whence comes this new-born cowardice, my dear Mrs. Richards?" said
+Rosalind.
+
+"I will tell you, Miss Torrington," replied the black-eyed widow, her
+voice trembling with emotion as she spoke,--"I will tell you: all the
+courage of which I have ever given proof has been inspired,
+strengthened, and set in action by my children,--by my love for them,
+and their love for me. This is over: I have lost their love, I have lost
+their confidence. They look upon me,--even my Mary, who once shared
+every feeling of my heart,--they all look upon me as one accursed,
+separated from them through all eternity, and doomed by a decree of my
+Maker, decided on thousands of years before I was born, to live for
+countless ages in torments unspeakable. They repeat all this, and hug
+the faith that teaches it. Is not this enough to sap the courage of the
+stoutest heart that ever woman boasted?"
+
+"It is dreadful!" cried Helen; "oh! most dreadful! Such then will be,
+and already are, the feelings of my mother respecting me,--respecting
+Charles. Yet, how she loved us! A few short months ago, how dearly she
+loved us both!"
+
+"Come, come, Miss Mowbray; I did not mean to pain you in this manner,"
+said the major. "Do not fancy things worse than they really are: depend
+upon it, your brother will take care to prevent this man's impious
+profanation of religion from doing such mischief at Mowbray as it has
+done here. Had there been any master of the House at Meadow Cottage,
+this gentleman, so miscalled _reverend_, would never, never, never, have
+got a footing there."
+
+"Then I heartily wish there were," said Charles, "if only for the sake
+of setting a good example to the parish in general; but, for the Park in
+particular, it is as masterless as the cottage."
+
+"I believe," said Mrs. Richards, "that amongst you I shall gain courage
+to be mistress here; and this, if effectually done, may answer as well.
+You really advise me, then, all of you, to forbid the clergyman of the
+parish from entering my doors?"
+
+"Yes," replied the major firmly; and he was echoed zealously by the rest
+of the party.
+
+"So be it then," said Mrs. Richards. "But I would my enemy, for such
+indeed he is, held any other station among us. I could shut my doors
+against all the lords and ladies in the country with less pain than
+against the clergyman."
+
+"I can fully enter into that feeling," said Helen: "but surely, in
+proportion as the station is venerable, the abuse of it is unpardonable.
+Let this strengthen your resolution; and your children will recover
+their wits again, depend upon it. I would the same remedy could be
+applied with us! but you are so much respected, my dear Mrs. Richards,
+that I am not without hope from your example. Adieu! We shall be anxious
+to hear how you go on; and you must not fail to let us see you soon."
+
+The Mowbray party, having recalled the self-banished Fanny, then took
+leave, not without the satisfaction of believing that their visit had
+been well-timed and useful.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER IX.
+
+DISCUSSION ON TRUTH.--MR. CORBOLD INSTALLED.
+
+
+Having called at the Vicarage for Miss Cartwright, they proceeded
+homeward along the pleasant paths they had so often trod with
+light-hearted gaiety; but now there was a look of care and anxious
+thoughtfulness on each young brow, that seemed to say their happiness
+was blighted by the fear of sorrow to come.
+
+Though not at all able to understand Henrietta, and not above half
+liking her, there was yet more feeling of intimacy between Miss
+Torrington and her than had been attained by any other of the family.
+It was she, therefore, who, after preceding the others by a few rapid
+steps up the hill, rang the bell of the Vicarage, and waited in the
+porch for Miss Cartwright.
+
+During these few moments the trio had passed on, and Miss Torrington,
+finding herself tete-a-tete with the vicar's daughter, ventured to
+relate to her pretty nearly all that occurred at the house of Mrs.
+Richards; by no means omitting the resolution that lady had come to
+respecting Mr. Cartwright.
+
+"I am very sorry for it," said Henrietta.
+
+"You regret the loss of their society? Then for your sake, Henrietta, I
+am sorry too."
+
+"For my sake? _I_ regret the loss of their society! Are you not mocking
+me?"
+
+"You know I am not," replied Rosalind in a tone of vexation; "why should
+you not regret the loss of Mrs. Richards' society?"
+
+"Only because there is no society in the world that I could either wish
+for,--or regret."
+
+"It is hardly fair in you, Miss Cartwright," said Rosalind, "to excite
+my interest so often as you do, and yet to leave it for ever pining, for
+want of a more full and generous confidence."
+
+"I have no such feeling as generosity in me; and as to exciting your
+interest, I do assure you it is quite involuntarily; and, indeed, I
+should think that no human being could be less likely to trouble their
+fellow creatures in that way than myself."
+
+"But is there not at least a little wilfulness, Henrietta, in the manner
+in which from time to time you throw out a bait to my curiosity?"
+
+"It is weakness, not wilfulness, Rosalind. I am ashamed to confess, even
+to myself, that there are moments when I fancy I should like to love
+you; and then I would give more than my worthless life, if I had it,
+that you should love me. When this contemptible folly seizes me, I may,
+perhaps, as you say, throw out a bait to catch your curiosity, and then
+it is I utter the words of which you complain. But you must allow that
+this childishness never holds me long, and that the moment it is past I
+become as reasonable and as wretched again as ever."
+
+"Will you tell me whether this feeling of profound contempt for
+yourself, whenever you are conscious of a kindly sentiment towards me,
+arises from your conviction of my individual despicability, or from
+believing that all human affections are degrading?"
+
+"Not exactly from either. As for you, Rosalind,--is it not the weak and
+wavering Hamlet who says, in one of those flashes of fine philosophy
+that burst athwart the gloom of his poor troubled spirit,
+
+    'Give me that man that is not passion's slave?'
+
+My wits are often as much diseased as his, I believe; but I too have my
+intervals; and, when the moon is not at the full, I sometimes sketch the
+portrait of a being that one might venture to love. I, however, have no
+quarrel against passion,--it is not from thence my sorrows have
+come;--but I would say,
+
+                   'Give me that friend
+    That is not _falsehood's_ slave, and I will wear him
+        (or her, Rosalind,)
+    In my heart's core,--ay, in my heart of heart.'
+
+And if after all my hard schooling I could be simple enough to believe
+that any thing in human form could be true, I should be more likely to
+commit the folly about you than about any one I ever saw in my life."
+
+"But still you believe me false?"
+
+"I do."
+
+"And why, Henrietta?"
+
+"Because you are a woman;--no, no, because you are a human being."
+
+"And you really, without meaning to season your speech with pungent
+crystals of satire--you really do not believe that truth can be found in
+any human being?"
+
+"I really do not."
+
+"Heaven help you, then! I would rather pass my life in a roofless cabin,
+and feed on potato-parings, than live in such a persuasion."
+
+"And so would I, Rosalind."
+
+"Then why do you nourish such hateful theories? I shall begin to think
+your jesting words too true, Henrietta; and believe, indeed, that your
+wits are not quite healthy."
+
+"Would I could believe it! I would submit to a strait-waistcoat and a
+shaven crown to-morrow if I could but persuade myself that I was mad,
+and that all that I have fancied going on around me were but so many
+vapours from a moon-sick brain."
+
+"And so they have been, if you construe every word you hear, and every
+act you see, into falsehood and delusion."
+
+"Rosalind! Rosalind!--how can I do otherwise? Come, come, enough of
+this: do not force me against my will, against my resolution, to tell
+you what has brought me to the wretched, hopeless state of apathy in
+which you found me. Were I to do this, you would only have to follow the
+weakness of your nature, and believe, in order to become as moody and as
+miserable as myself."
+
+"But you do not mean to tell me that I should be proving my weakness in
+believing _you_?"
+
+"Indeed I do. You surely cannot be altogether so credulous as to suppose
+that all you see in me is true, sincere, candid, open, honest?"
+
+"Are you honest now in telling me that you are false?"
+
+"Why, partly yes, and partly no, Rosalind; and it is just such a
+question as that which sets one upon discovering how contrary to our
+very essence it is, to be purely and altogether true. But were I one of
+those who fancy that pincushions are often made by the merciful decrees
+of an all-wise Providence, I should say that we were ordained to be
+false, in order to prevent our being straightforward, undisguised
+demons. Why, I,--look you,--who sit netting a purse that I hope will
+never be finished, as diligently as if my life would be saved by
+completing the last stitch by a given time, and as quietly as if I had
+no nails upon my fingers, and no pointed scissors in my
+netting-case,--even I, all harmless as I seem, would be likely, were it
+not for my consummate hypocrisy, to be stabbing and scratching half a
+dozen times a day."
+
+"And, were you freed from this restraint, would your maiming
+propensities betray themselves promiscuously, or be confined to one or
+more particular objects?"
+
+"Not quite promiscuously, I think. But, hypocrisy apart for a moment, do
+you not perceive that Mr. Charles Mowbray has been looking round at
+us,--at both of us, observe,--about once in every second minute? Do you
+know that I think he would like us,--both of us, observe,--to walk on
+and join the party."
+
+"Well, then, let us do so," said Rosalind.
+
+       *       *       *       *       *
+
+As they drew near the house, they perceived Mr. Stephen Corbold
+wandering round it, his hands behind his back and under his coat, and
+his eyes now raised to the stately portico, now lowered to the long
+range of windows belonging to the conservatory; at one moment sent
+afield over the spacious park, and in the next brought back again to
+contemplate anew the noble mansion to which it belonged. During one of
+the wanderings of those speculating orbs, he spied the advancing party;
+and immediately settling himself in his attire, and assuming the more
+graceful attitude obtained by thrusting a hand in each side-pocket of
+his nether garments, he resolutely walked forward to meet them.
+
+Fanny, his friends and kinsfolk being ever in her memory, made an effort
+which seemed to combat instinct, and put out her little hand to welcome
+him; but before he was fully aware of the honour, for indeed his eyes
+were fixed upon her elder sister, she coloured, and withdrew it again,
+satisfying her hospitable feelings by pronouncing simply his name, but
+with a sort of indistinctness in the accent which seemed to signify that
+something more had either preceded or followed it.
+
+This word, the only one which greeted him, brought him instantly to her
+side, and even gave him the prodigious audacity to offer his arm, which,
+however, she did not accept; for at that moment the hook of her parasol
+became entangled in the fringe of her shawl, and it seemed to require
+vast patience and perseverance to extricate it. Still, notwithstanding
+this little disappointment, he kept close to her side, for Helen leaned
+upon the arm of her brother; and, though still persuaded that by the aid
+of his reverend cousin he should be able to obtain her, and pretty
+nearly every thing else he wished for, he had no particular inclination
+to renew the courtship he had begun on the journey in the presence of
+Charles.
+
+Fanny, therefore, and her attendant entered the house together; while
+the rest wheeled off in order to avail themselves of a postern entrance,
+by which the ladies might reach their rooms without any risk of again
+encountering Mr. Corbold, who by a sort of tacit consent seemed equally
+avoided by all.
+
+The survey which this person was taking of the premises when the walking
+party returned was neither the first, second, third, nor fourth which he
+had had the opportunity of making since their setting out; for, in
+obedience to Mr. Cartwright's hint, he had no sooner received from Mrs.
+Mowbray, under the instructions from that reverend person, the orders
+necessary for the new arrangements about to be made, than he
+retired,--the vicar remaining with the widow and the keys of her
+title-deeds, which perhaps he had reason for thinking would be as safe
+anywhere else as in his cousin Stephen's pocket.
+
+The tete-a-tete which followed the attorney's departure was long,
+interesting, and very confidential. On the part of the gentleman great
+skill was displayed by the manner in which the following subjects were
+made to mix and mingle together, till, like to a skilfully composed
+ragout, no flavour of any kind was left distinctly perceptible, but the
+effect of the whole was just what the artist intended it should be. The
+subjects leading to and composing this general effect, were: first, the
+deep interest raised in the breast of every good man by the sight of a
+gentle and heavenly-minded woman in want of assistance to carry her
+through the wearying and unspiritual cares incident to our passage
+through this world of sin; secondly, the exceeding out-pouring of mercy
+to be traced in such dispensations as led the unawakened to look for
+such aid and assistance from those who have been called and elected;
+thirdly, the blessed assurance of everlasting joy that never failed to
+visit those who left husband or child for the Lord's sake; fourthly, the
+unerring wisdom of Providence in the placing the tender consciences of
+the newly-chosen in the keeping of those who best know how to lead them
+aright; fifthly, the damnable and never-to-be-atoned-for wickedness of
+struggling against Heaven for the sake of any worldly feelings or
+affections whatever; and sixthly, the saving merit, surpassing all the
+works that our sinful nature could ever permit us to perform, which is
+found in such as cling to the spoken word, and who hold fast to the
+persecuted and oppressed who preach it. On these themes, blended and
+harmonised together so as completely to mystify the mind of the weak and
+nervous Mrs. Mowbray, and accompanied with just so much gentle
+demonstration of affectionate tenderness as might soften, without
+alarming her, did the Vicar of Wrexhill discourse for the three hours
+that they were left alone.
+
+It would lead my narrative into too great length were every step
+recorded by which all Mrs. Mowbray's other feelings were made to merge
+in the one overwhelming influence of Calvinistic terror on one side,
+and Calvinistic pride at presumed election on the other. The wily vicar
+contrived in the course of a few months so completely to rule the heart
+and head of this poor lady, that she looked upon her son Charles as a
+reprobate, who, unless speedily changed in spirit by severe discipline
+and the constant prayers of Mr. Cartwright, must inevitably pass from
+this mortal life to a state of endless torture in the life to come. For
+Helen she was bade to hope that the time of election, after much
+wrestling, would come; in Fanny she was told to glory and rejoice; and
+for Miss Torrington, quietly to wait the appointed time, till Heaven
+should make its voice heard, when it would be borne in upon his mind, or
+upon that of some one of the elect, whether she must be given over to
+eternal destruction, or saved with the remnant of the true flock which
+he and his brother shepherds were bringing together into one fold.
+
+But with all this, though eternally talking of mystical and heavenly
+love, which was ever blended with insidious demonstrations of holy,
+brotherly, and Christian tenderness, Mr. Cartwright had never yet spoken
+to the widow Mowbray of marriage.
+
+She had been six months a widow, and her deep mourning weeds were
+exchanged for a dress elegantly becoming, but still marking her as
+belonging to what Mr. Cartwright constantly called, in the midst of all
+his prosperous intrigues, the "persecuted church." Mr. Stephen Corbold
+was comfortably settled in a snug little mansion in the village, and
+though he had never yet got hold of the title-deeds, he had begun to
+receive the rents of the Mowbray estates. He too was waiting the
+appointed time,--namely, the installing of his cousin at the Park,--for
+the fruition of all his hopes in the possession of Helen, and in such a
+fortune with her as his report of her progress towards regeneration
+might entitle her to. Mrs. Richards had been refused bread by a
+converted baker; beer, by an elected brewer; and soap and candles, by
+that pious, pains-taking, prayerful servant of the Lord, Richard White,
+the tallow-chandler. Her daughters, however, still held fast to the
+faith, though their poor mother grew thinner and paler every day, and
+continued to meet the vicar sometimes in the highways, sometimes in the
+byways, and sometimes in the exemplary Mrs. Simpson's drawing-room.
+Colonel Harrington had returned to his regiment without ever again
+seeing Helen, who had been forbidden with such awful denunciations in
+case of disobedience from ever holding any intercourse direct or
+indirect with the family at Oakley, that though she pined in thought,
+she obeyed, and was daily denounced by Sir Gilbert and his lady, though
+happily she knew it not, as the most ungrateful and heartless of girls.
+Fanny was growing tall, thin, sour-looking, and miserable; for having a
+sort of stubborn feeling within her which resisted the assurances she
+almost hourly received of having been elected to eternal grace, she was
+secretly torturing her distempered conscience with the belief that she
+was deluding every one but her Creator,--that he alone read her heart
+and knew her to be reprobate, hardened, and unregenerate, and that she
+must finally and inevitably come to be the prey of the worm that dieth
+not and the fire that is never quenched. The sufferings of this innocent
+young creature under this terrible persuasion were dreadful, and the
+more so because she communicated them to none. Had she displayed the
+secret terrors of her soul to Mr. Cartwright or her mother, she knew she
+should be told with praises and caresses that she was only the more
+blessed and sure of immortal glory for feeling them. Had she opened her
+heart to her sister, her brother, or Rosalind, her sufferings would
+probably have soon ceased; but from this she shrank as from degradation
+unbearable.
+
+Poor Rosalind, meanwhile, was as profoundly unhappy as it was well
+possible for a girl to be who was young, beautiful, rich, talented,
+well-born, sweet-tempered, high-principled, not crossed in love, and
+moreover in perfect health.
+
+Young Mowbray had just taken a distinguished degree at Oxford, and
+having given a farewell banquet to his college friends, returned home
+with the hope of speedily obtaining the commission in a regiment of
+horse for which his name had been long ago put down by his father.
+
+It was at this time that several circumstances occurred at Wrexhill
+sufficiently important to the principal personages of my narrative to be
+recorded at some length.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER X.
+
+FANNY'S RELIGION.--A VISIT TO OAKLEY.
+
+
+It was towards the end of November that young Mowbray returned from
+Oxford to his mother's house in Hampshire. As usual, the first three or
+four hours' chat with Helen and Rosalind put him _au fait_ of all that
+had taken place during his absence. The retrospect was not a cheering
+one; yet most of the circumstances which tended to annoy him were of
+that minor kind which none but a very gossiping correspondent would
+detail--and Helen was not such. Besides, since the mysterious letter
+which had recalled Charles to keep watch over Fanny, (the full and true
+purpose of which letter he had never yet discovered,) Miss Torrington
+had not written to him; and as she was now the chief historian, her
+round and unvarnished tale made him acquainted with many particulars to
+which Helen had scarcely alluded in her correspondence with him.
+
+Helen Mowbray's was not a spirit to exhaust itself and its sorrows by
+breathing unavailing complaints; and though her brother had pretty
+clearly understood from her letters that she was not happy or
+comfortable at home, it was from Rosalind he first learned how many
+circumstances were daily occurring to make her otherwise.
+
+The only point on which he blamed her, or in which, according to
+Rosalind's account, she had shown more yielding, and, as he called it,
+weakness than her helpless and most unhappy position rendered
+unavoidable, was in the never having attempted to see Lady Harrington.
+This he declared was in itself wrong, and rendered doubly so by her
+situation, which would have rendered the society and counsel of such a
+friend invaluable. But he did not know--even Rosalind did not know--that
+this forbearance for which he blamed her was the result of those
+qualities for which they most loved her. But Helen knew, though they did
+not, that if she had gone to Oakley, she should have thought more of
+hearing news of Colonel Harrington than of any advice her godmother
+could have given her, and have been infinitely more anxious to learn if
+he ever mentioned her in his letters, than to know whether Lady
+Harrington thought it best that she should be civil, or that she should
+be rude, in her demeanour towards the Vicar of Wrexhill.
+
+It was this conscious weakness which lent strength to the unreasonable
+violence of her mother on this point. Had Helen been quite fancy-free
+and altogether heart-whole, she would have had courage to discover that
+a passionate prohibition, originating, as she could not doubt it did,
+with a man for whom she entertained no species of esteem, ought not to
+make her abandon one of the kindest friends she had ever known. But
+there is a feeling stronger than reason in a young girl's breast; and
+again and again this feeling had whispered to Helen,
+
+    "'It is not maidenly--'
+
+to go to the house of a man that I fear I love, and that I hope loves
+me, for the chance of hearing his name mentioned--and that too when my
+mother forbids me to enter his father's doors."
+
+But there was an authority in Charles's voice when he said, "You have
+been wrong, Helen," which seemed to have power even over this, and she
+promised that if after he paid the visit to Oakley, which he was fully
+determined to do on the morrow, he should report that her friends there
+were not too angry to receive her, she would consent to volunteer a
+visit to them, assigning as her reason for doing so, to her mother, that
+it was Charles's wish.
+
+This conversation took place on the night of his arrival, and lasted for
+some hours after every individual of the household, excepting those
+engaged in it, were in bed. Poor Fanny was among those who had the
+earliest retired, but she was not among the sleepers. She too had once
+loved Charles most dearly, and most dearly had she been loved in return.
+But now she felt that they were separated for ever in this world, and
+that if they were doomed to meet in the world to come, it could only be
+amidst torturing and devouring flames. As she knelt for long hours
+beside her bed before she dared to lay her aching head on the pillow,
+her thoughts reverted to her early youth, and to all the innocent
+delights she had enjoyed with him and the now avoided Helen; and as she
+remembered the ecstasy with which she once enjoyed the bloom of flowers,
+the songs of birds, the breath of early morning, and all the poetry of
+Nature, tears of silent, unacknowledged, but most bitter regret,
+streamed from her eyes. But then again came the ague fit of visionary
+remorse and genuine Calvinistic terror, and she groaned aloud in agony
+of spirit for having suffered these natural tears to fall.
+
+This dreadful vigil left such traces on the pale cheek and heavy eye of
+the suffering girl, that her brother's heart ached as he looked at her;
+and though with little hope, after what he had heard, of doing any good,
+he determined to seek half an hour's conversation with her before he
+went out.
+
+When she rose to leave the breakfast-table therefore, Charles rose too,
+and following her out of the room, stopped her as she was in the act of
+ascending the stairs by putting his arms round her waist and saying,
+"Fanny, will you take a walk with me in the shrubbery?"
+
+Fanny started, and coloured, and hesitated, as if some deed of very
+doubtful tendency had been proposed to her. But he persevered "Come,
+dear! put your bonnet on--I will wait for you here--make haste Fanny!
+Think how long it is since you and I took a walk together!"
+
+"Is Helen going?" The question was asked in a voice that trembled; for
+the idea that Charles meant during this walk to question her concerning
+her faith occurred to her, and she would have given much to avoid it.
+But before she could invent an excuse for doing so, her conscience,
+always ready to enforce the doing whatever was most disagreeable to her,
+suggested that this shrinking looked like being ashamed of her
+principles; and no sooner had this idea suggested itself, than she said
+readily, "Very well, Charles; I will come to you in a moment."
+
+But the moment was rather a long one; for Fanny, before she rejoined
+him, knelt down and made an extempore prayer for courage and strength to
+resist and render of no effect whatever he might say to her. Thus
+prepared, she set forth ready to listen with the most determined
+obstinacy to any argument which might tend to overthrow any part of the
+creed that was poisoning the very sources of her life.
+
+"You are not looking well, my Fanny," said her brother, fondly pressing
+her arm as they turned into the most sheltered part of the garden. "Do
+you think the morning too cold for walking, my love? You used to be such
+a hardy little thing, Fanny, that you cared for nothing; but I am afraid
+the case is different now."
+
+This was not exactly the opening that Fanny expected, and there was a
+tenderness in the tone of his voice that almost softened her heart
+towards him; but she answered not a word,--perhaps she feared to trust
+her voice.
+
+"I wish you would tell me, dearest, if any sorrow or vexation has chased
+away the bloom and the gladness that we all so loved to look upon. Tell
+me, Fanny, what is it that has changed you so sadly? You will not?--Then
+you do not love me as I love you; for I am sure if I had a sorrow I
+should open my heart to you."
+
+"When a Christian has a sorrow, brother Charles, he should open his
+heart to Heaven and not to a poor sinful mortal as wicked and as weak as
+himself."
+
+"But surely, my dear Fanny, that need not prevent a brother and sister
+from conversing with the greatest confidence together. How many texts I
+could quote you in which family unity and affection are inculcated in
+the Bible!"
+
+"Pray do not quote the Bible," said Fanny in a voice of alarm, "till the
+right spirit has come upon you. It is a grievous sin to do it, or to
+hear it."
+
+"Be assured, Fanny, that I feel quite as averse to quoting the Bible
+irreverently as you can do. But tell me why it is you think that the
+right spirit, as you call it, has not come upon me."
+
+"As I call it!" repeated Fanny, shuddering, "It is not I, Charles,--it
+is one of Heaven's saints who says it; and it is a sin for me to listen
+to you."
+
+"It is doubtless Mr. Cartwright who says it, Fanny. Is it not so?"
+
+"And who has so good a right to say it as the minister of your parish,
+and the friend and protector that Heaven has sent to your widowed
+mother?"
+
+Poor Mowbray felt his heart swell. It was difficult to hear the man who
+had come between him and all his best duties and affections named in
+this manner as his own maligner, and restrain his just and natural
+indignation;--yet he did restrain it, and said in a voice of the utmost
+gentleness,
+
+"Do you think, my beloved Fanny, Mr. Cartwright's influence in this
+house has been for our happiness?"
+
+"May the Lord forgive me for listening to such words!" exclaimed Fanny,
+with that look of nervous terror which her beautiful face now so often
+expressed. "But he can't! he can't!--I know it, I know it! It is my doom
+to sin, and you are only an agent of that enemy who is for ever seeking
+my soul to destroy it.--Leave me! leave me!"
+
+"Fanny, this is dreadful! Can you really believe that the God of love
+and mercy will hold you guilty for listening to the voice of your
+brother? What have I ever done, my Fanny, to deserve to be thus driven
+from your presence?"
+
+The unhappy girl look bewildered. "Done!" she exclaimed. "What have you
+done?--Is not that works?--is not that of works you speak, Charles?--Oh!
+he knew, he foretold, he prophesied unto me that I should be spoken to
+of works, and that I should listen thereunto, to my everlasting
+destruction, if I confessed not my soul to him upon the instant. I must
+seek him out: he said IF,--oh, that dear blessed IF! Let go my arm,
+brother Charles!--let me seek my salvation!"
+
+"Fanny, this is madness!"
+
+She looked at him, poor girl, as he said this, with an expression that
+brought tears to his eyes. That look seemed to speak a dreadful doubt
+whether the words he had spoken were not true. She pressed her hand
+against her forehead for a moment, and then said in a voice of the most
+touching sadness, "Heaven help me!"
+
+"Oh, Fanny!--darling Fanny!" cried the terrified brother, throwing his
+arms round her: "save us from the anguish of seeing you destroyed body
+and mind by this frightful, this impious doctrine! Listen to me, my own
+sweet girl! Think that from me you hear the voice of your father--of the
+good and pious Wallace--of your excellent and exemplary governess, and
+drive this maddening terror from you. Did you live without God in the
+world, Fanny, when you lived under their virtuous rule? How often have
+you heard your dear father say, when he came forth and looked upon the
+beauty of the groves and lawns, bright in the morning sunshine, 'Praise
+the Lord, my children, for his goodness, for his mercy endureth for
+ever!' Did not these words raise your young heart to heaven more than
+all the frightful denunciations which have almost shaken your reason?"
+
+"Works! works!--Oh, Charles, let me go from you! Your voice is like the
+voice of a serpent: It creeps dreadfully near my heart, and I shall
+perish, everlastingly perish, if I listen to you. IF:--is there yet an
+IF for me now? Let me go, Charles: let me seek him;--if you love me, let
+me seek my salvation."
+
+"Do you mean that you would seek Mr. Cartwright, Fanny? You do not mean
+to go to his house, do you?"
+
+"His house? How little you know him, Charles! Think you that he would
+leave me and my poor mother to perish! Poor, poor Charles, you do not
+even know that this shepherd and guardian of our souls prays with us
+daily?"
+
+"Prays with you? Where does he pray with you?"
+
+"In mamma's dressing-room."
+
+"And who are present at these prayers?"
+
+"Mamma, and I, and Curtis, and Jem."
+
+"Jem? Who is Jem, Fanny?"
+
+"The new stable-boy that our minister recommended, Charles, when that
+poor deluded Dick Bragg was found walking in the fields with his sister
+Patty on the Sabbath."
+
+"You don't mean that Dick Bragg is turned away? He was, without
+exception, the steadiest lad in the parish."
+
+"Works! works!" exclaimed Fanny, wringing her hands. "Oh, Charles! how
+your poor soul clings to the perdition of works!"
+
+"Gracious Heaven!" exclaimed Mowbray with great emotion, "where will all
+this end? What an existence for Helen, for Rosalind? Is there no cure
+for this folly,--this madness on one side, and this infernal craft and
+hypocrisy on the other?"
+
+On hearing these words, Fanny uttered a cry which very nearly amounted
+to a scream, and running off towards the house with the fleetness of a
+startled fawn, left her brother in a state of irritation and misery such
+as he had never suffered before.
+
+The idea of seeing Sir Gilbert Harrington immediately had perhaps more
+comfort and consolation in it than any other which could have suggested
+itself, and the lanes and the fields which divided Oakley from Mowbray
+were traversed at a pace that soon brought the agitated young man to the
+baronet's door.
+
+"Is Sir Gilbert at home, John?" he demanded of an old servant who had
+known him from childhood; but instead of the widely-opened door, and
+ready smile which used to greet him, he received a grave and hesitating
+"I don't know sir," from the changed domestic.
+
+"Is Lady Harrington at home?" said Charles, vexed and colouring.
+
+"It is likely she may be, Mr. Mowbray," said the old man relentingly.
+"Will you please to wait one moment, Master Charles? I think my lady
+can't refuse--"
+
+Charles's heart was full; but he did wait, and John speedily returned,
+saying almost in a whisper, "Please to walk in, sir; but you must go
+into my lady's closet,--that's the only safe place, she says."
+
+"Safe?" repeated Charles; but he made no objection to the taking refuge
+in my lady's closet, and in another moment he found himself not only in
+the closet, but in the arms of the good old lady.
+
+"Oh!--if Sir Gilbert could see me!" she exclaimed after very heartily
+hugging the young man. "He's a greater tiger than ever, Charles, and I
+really don't know which of us would be torn to pieces first;--but only
+tell me one thing before I abuse him any more:--how long have you been
+at home?"
+
+"The coach broke down at Newberry," replied Charles, "and I did not get
+to Mowbray till nine o'clock last night."
+
+"Thank Heaven!" ejaculated Lady Harrington very fervently. "Then there's
+hope at least for you.--But what on earth can you say to me of my
+beautiful Helen? Three months, Charles, three whole months since she has
+been near me--and she knows I dote upon her, and that Sir Gilbert
+himself, untameable hyena as he is, has always been loving and gentle to
+her, as far as his nature would permit. Then why has she treated us
+thus? You can't wonder, can you, that he swears lustily every morning
+that ingratitude is worse than all the mortal sins put together?"
+
+"I dare not throw the charge back upon you, my dear lady; and yet it is
+being ungrateful for poor Helen's true affection to believe it possible
+that she should so long have remained absent from you by her own free
+will. You know not, dearest Lady Harrington, what my poor Helen has to
+endure."
+
+"Endure? What do you mean, Charles? Surely there is nobody living who
+dares to be unkind to her? My poor boy,--I am almost ashamed to ask the
+question, but you will forgive an old friend: is there any truth,
+Charles, in that abominable report? that horrid report, you know, about
+your mother?"
+
+"What report, Lady Harrington?" said Mowbray, colouring like scarlet. "I
+have heard no report, excepting that which is indeed too sure and
+certain to be called a report;--namely, that she has become a violent
+Calvinistic Methodist."
+
+"That's bad enough, my dear Charles,--bad enough of all conscience; and
+yet I have heard of what would be worse still: I have heard, Charles,
+that she is going to be weak and wicked enough to marry that odious
+hypocritical Tartuffe, the Vicar of Wrexhill."
+
+Mowbray put his hand before his eyes, as if he had been blasted by
+lightning, and then replied, as steadily as he could, "I have never
+heard this, Lady Harrington."
+
+"Then I trust--I trust it is not true, Charles. Helen, surely, and that
+bright-eyed creature Miss Torrington, who have both, I believe, (for,
+Heaven help me, I don't know!)--both, I believe, been staying all the
+time at Mowbray;--and surely--and surely, if this most atrocious deed
+were contemplated, they must have some knowledge of it."
+
+"And that they certainly have not," returned Charles with recovered
+courage; "for I sat with them both for two or three hours last night,
+listening to their miserable account of this man's detestable influence
+over my mother and Fanny; and certainly they would not have concealed
+from me such a suspicion as this, had any such existed in the breast of
+either."
+
+"Quite true, my dear boy, and I can hardly tell you how welcome this
+assurance is to me--not for your mother's sake, Charles; if you cannot
+bear the truth, you must not come to me,--and on this point the truth
+is, that I don't care one single straw about your mother. I never shall
+forgive her for not answering Sir Gilbert's note. I know what the
+writing it cost him--dear, proud, generous-hearted old fellow! And not
+to answer it! not to tell her children of it! No, I never shall forgive
+her, and I should not care the value of a rat's tail if she were to
+marry every tub preacher throughout England, and all their clerks in
+succession--that is, not for her own sake. I dare say she'll preach in a
+tub herself before she has done with it; but for your sakes, my dear
+souls, I do rejoice that it is not true."
+
+"That would indeed complete our misery; and it is already quite bad
+enough, I assure you. The house, Helen says, is a perfect conventicle.
+The girls are ordered to sing nothing but psalms and hymns; some of the
+latter so offensively ludicrous, too, as to be perfectly indecent and
+profane. A long extempore sermon, or lecture as he calls it, is
+delivered to the whole family in the great drawing-room every night;
+missionary boxes are not only hung up beside every door, but actually
+carried round by the butler whenever any one calls; and a hundred and
+fifty other absurdities, at which we should laugh were we in a gayer
+mood: but this farce has produced the saddest tragedy I ever witnessed,
+in the effect it has had upon our poor Fanny. I have had some
+conversation with her this morning, and I do assure you that I greatly
+fear her reason is unsettled, or like to be so."
+
+"Heaven forbid, Charles! Pretty innocent young thing! that would be too
+horrible to think of."
+
+The old lady's eyes were full of tears, a circumstance very unusual with
+her, but the idea suggested struck her to the heart; and she had not yet
+removed the traces of this most unwonted proof of sensibility, when a
+heavy thump was heard at the door of the closet.
+
+"Who's there?" said her ladyship in a voice rather raised than lowered
+by the emotion which dimmed her eyes.
+
+"Let me in, my lady!" responded the voice of Sir Gilbert.
+
+"What do you want, Sir Gilbert? I am busy."
+
+"So I understand, my lady, and I'm come to help you."
+
+"Will you promise, if I let you in, not to hinder me, instead?"
+
+"I'll promise nothing, except to quarrel with you if you do not."
+
+"Was there ever such a tyrant! Come in then; see, hear, and understand."
+
+The door was opened, and Sir Gilbert Harrington and Charles Mowbray
+stood face to face. Charles smiled, and held out his hand. The baronet
+knit his brows, but the expression of his mouth told her experienced
+ladyship plainly enough that he was well enough pleased at the sight of
+his unexpected guest.
+
+"He only got to Mowbray at nine o'clock last night," said Lady
+Harrington.
+
+Sir Gilbert held out his hand. "Charles, I am glad to see you," said he.
+"Thank Heaven!" ejaculated the old lady.
+
+"My dear Sir Gilbert," said Charles, "I have learnt your kind and
+friendly anger at the prolonged absence of my poor sister. The fault is
+not hers, Sir Gilbert; she has been most strictly forbidden to visit
+you."
+
+"By her mother?"
+
+"By her mother, Sir Gilbert."
+
+"And pray, Charles, do you think it her duty to obey?"
+
+"I really know not how to answer you. For a girl just nineteen to act in
+declared defiance of the commands of her mother, and that mother her
+sole surviving parent, is a line of conduct almost too bold to advise.
+And yet, such is the lamentable state of infatuation to which my
+mother's mind appears to be reduced by the pernicious influence of this
+Cartwright, that I think it would be more dangerous still to recommend
+obedience."
+
+"Upon my life I think so," replied Sir Gilbert, in an accent that showed
+he thought the proposition too self-evident to be discussed. "I have
+been devilish angry with the girls,--with Helen, I mean,--for I
+understand that little idiot, Fanny, is just as mad as her mother; but
+that Helen, and that fine girl, Rosalind Torrington, should shut
+themselves up with an hypocritical fanatic and a canting mad woman, is
+enough to put any man out of patience."
+
+"The situation has been almost enough to put Helen in her grave; she
+looks wretchedly; and Miss Torrington is no longer the same creature. It
+would wring your heart to see these poor girls, Sir Gilbert; and what
+are they to do?"
+
+"Come to us, Charles. Let them both come here instantly, and remain here
+till your mother's mad fit is over. If it lasts, I shall advise you to
+take out a commission of lunacy."
+
+"The madness is not such as a physician would recognise, Sir Gilbert;
+and yet I give you my honour that, from many things which my sister and
+Miss Torrington told me last night, I really do think my mother's reason
+must be in some degree deranged. And for my poor little Fanny, six
+months ago the pride and darling of us all, she is, I am quite
+persuaded, on the verge of insanity."
+
+"And you mean to leave her in the power of that distracted driveller,
+her mother, that the work may be finished?"
+
+"What can I do, Sir Gilbert?"
+
+"Remove them all. Take them instantly away from her, I tell you."
+
+The blood rushed painfully to poor Mowbray's face. "You forget, Sir
+Gilbert," he said, "that I have not the means: you forget my father's
+will."
+
+"No, sir; I do not forget it. Nor do I forget either that, had I not in
+a fit of contemptible passion refused to act as executor, I might, I
+think it possible,--I might have plagued her heart out, and so done some
+good. I shall never forgive myself!"
+
+"But you could have given us no power over the property, Sir Gilbert.
+We are beggars."
+
+"I know it, I know it!" replied the old gentleman, clenching his fists.
+"I told you so from the first: and now mark my words,--she'll marry her
+saint before she's six months older."
+
+"I trust that in this you are mistaken. The girls have certainly no
+suspicions of the sort."
+
+"The girls are fools, as girls always are. But let them come here, I
+tell you, and we may save their lives at any rate."
+
+"Tell them both from me, Charles, that they shall find a home, and a
+happy one, here; but don't let them chill that old man's heart again by
+taking no notice of this, and keeping out of his sight for another three
+months. He'll have the gout in his stomach as sure as they're born; just
+tell Helen that from me."
+
+Mowbray warmly expressed his gratitude for their kindness; and though he
+would not undertake to promise that either Helen or Miss Torrington
+would immediately decide upon leaving his mother's house, in open
+defiance of her commands, he promised that they should both come over on
+the morrow, to be cheered and supported by the assurance of their
+continued friendship. He was then preparing to take his leave when Lady
+Harrington laid her hand upon his arm, saying, "Listen to me, Charles,
+for a moment. Those dear girls, and you too, my dear boy, you are all
+surrounded with great difficulties, and some consideration is necessary
+as to how you shall meet them best. It won't do, Sir Gilbert; it will be
+neither right nor proper in any way for Helen to set off at once in
+utter and open defiance of Mrs. Mowbray. What I advise is, that Charles
+should go home, take his mother apart, and, like Hamlet in the closet
+scene, 'speak daggers, but use none.' It does not appear, from all we
+have yet heard, that any one has hitherto attempted to point out to her
+the deplorable folly, ay, and wickedness too, which she is committing. I
+do not believe she would admit Sir Gilbert; and, to say the truth, I
+don't think it would be very safe to trust him with the job."
+
+"D--n it! I wish you would," interrupted Sir Gilbert. "I should like to
+have the talking to her only just for an hour, and I'd consent to have
+the gout for a month afterwards; I would, upon my soul!"
+
+"Do be tame for a moment, you wild man of the woods," said her
+ladyship, laying her hand upon his mouth, "and let me finish what I was
+saying. No, no, Sir Gilbert is not the proper person; but you are,
+Charles. Speak to her with gentleness, with kindness, but tell her _the
+truth_. If you find her contrite and yielding, use your victory with
+moderation; and let her down easily from her giddy elevation of
+saintship to the sober, quiet, even path of rational religion, and
+domestic duty. But if she be restive--if she still persist in forbidding
+Helen to visit her father's oldest friends, while making her own once
+happy home a prison, and a wretched one,--then, Charles Mowbray, I would
+tell her roundly that she must choose between her children and her
+Tartuffe, and that if she keeps him she must lose you."
+
+"Bravo! capital! old lady; if Charles will just say all that, we shall
+be able to guess by the result as to how things are between them, and we
+must act accordingly. You have your allowance paid regularly, Charles? I
+think she doubled it, did'nt she, after your father died?"
+
+Charles looked embarrassed, but answered "Yes, Sir Gilbert, my allowance
+was doubled."
+
+"Come boy, don't answer like a Jesuit.--Is it regularly paid?--That was
+my question, my main question."
+
+"The first quarter was paid, Sir Gilbert; but before I left the
+University, instead of the remittance, I received a letter from my
+mother, desiring me to transmit a statement of all my debts to Stephen
+Corbold, Esq. solicitor, Wrexhill; and that they should be attended to;
+which would, she added, be more satisfactory to her than sending my
+allowance without knowing how I stood with my tradesmen."
+
+"And have you done this, my fine sir?" said Sir Gilbert, becoming almost
+purple with anger. "No, Sir Gilbert, I have not."
+
+The baronet threw his arms round him, and gave him a tremendous hug.
+
+"I see you are worth caring for, my boy; I should never have forgiven
+you if you had. Audacious rascal! Why, Charles, that Corbold has been
+poking his snuffling, hypocritical nose, into every house, not only in
+your parish but in mine, and in at least a dozen others, and has
+positively beat poor old Gaspar Brown out of the field. The old man
+called to take leave of me not a week ago, and told me that one after
+another very nearly every client he had in this part of the world had
+come or sent to him for their papers, in order to deposit them with this
+canting Corbold; and, as I hear, all the little farmers for miles round,
+are diligently going to law in the name of the Lord. But what did you
+do, my dear boy, for money?"
+
+"Oh! I have managed pretty well. It was a disappointment certainly, and
+at first I felt a little awkward, for the letter did not reach me till I
+had ordered my farewell supper; and as in truth I had no tradesmen's
+bills to pay, I gave my orders pretty liberally, and of course have been
+obliged to leave the account unpaid,--an arrangement which to many
+others would have had nothing awkward in it at all; but as my allowance
+has been always too liberal to permit my being in debt during any part
+of the time I have been at college, the not paying my last bill there
+was disagreeable. However the people were abundantly civil, and I
+flatter myself that, without the assistance of Mr. Corbold, I shall be
+able to settle this matter before long."
+
+"What is the sum you have left unpaid, Charles?" inquired the baronet
+bluntly. "Seventy-five pounds, Sir Gilbert."
+
+"Then just sit down for half a moment, and write a line enclosing the
+money; you may cut the notes in half if you think there is any danger."
+
+And as he spoke he laid bank-notes to the amount of seventy-five pounds
+on her ladyship's botanical dresser.
+
+Young Mowbray, who had not the slightest doubt of receiving his
+allowance from his mother as soon as he should ask her for it, would
+rather not have been under a pecuniary obligation even for a day; but he
+caught the eye of Lady Harrington, who was standing behind her impetuous
+husband, and received thence a perfectly intelligible hint that he must
+not refuse the offer. Most anxious to avoid renewing the coldness so
+recently removed, he readily and graciously accepted the offered loan,
+and thereby most perfectly re-established the harmony which had existed
+throughout his life between himself and the warm-hearted but impetuous
+Sir Gilbert.
+
+"Now, then," said the old gentleman with the most cordial and happy
+good-humour, "be off, my dear boy; follow my dame's advice to the
+letter, and come back as soon as you conveniently can, to let us know
+what comes of it."
+
+Cheered in spirit by this warm renewal of the friendship he so truly
+valued, young Mowbray set off on his homeward walk, pondering, as he
+went, on the best mode of opening such a conversation with his mother as
+Lady Harrington recommended; a task both difficult and disagreeable, but
+one which he believed it his duty not to shrink from.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XI.
+
+CHARLES'S CONFERENCE WITH MRS. MOWBRAY.
+
+
+Strolling in the shrubbery near the house, where for some time they had
+been anxiously awaiting his return, he met his eldest sister and Miss
+Torrington. Helen's first words were "Are they angry with me?" and the
+reply, and subsequent history of the visit, filled her heart with
+gladness. "And now, my privy counsellors," continued Charles, "tell me
+at what hour you should deem it most prudent for me to ask my mother for
+an audience."
+
+"Instantly!" said Rosalind.
+
+"Had he not better wait till to-morrow?" said Helen, turning very pale.
+
+"If my advisers disagree among themselves, I am lost," said Charles;
+"for I give you my word that I never in my whole life entered upon an
+undertaking which made me feel so anxious and undecided. Let me hear
+your reasons for thus differing in opinion? Why, Rosalind, do you
+recommend such prodigious promptitude?"
+
+"Because I hate suspense,--and because I know the scene will be
+disagreeable to you,--wherefore I opine that the sooner you get over it
+the better."
+
+"And you, Helen, why do you wish me to delay it till to-morrow?"
+
+"Because,--oh! Charles,--because I dread the result. You have no idea as
+yet how completely her temper is changed. She is very stern, Charles,
+when she is contradicted; and if you should make her angry, depend upon
+it that it would be Mr. Cartwright who would dictate your punishment."
+
+"My punishment! Nonsense, Helen! I shall make Miss Torrington both my
+Chancellor and Archbishop, for her advice has infinitely more wisdom in
+it than yours. Where is she? in her own dressing-room?"
+
+"I believe so," faltered Helen.
+
+"Well, then,--adieu for half an hour,--perhaps for a whole one. Where
+shall I find you when it is over?"
+
+"In my dressing-room," said Helen.
+
+"No, no," cried Rosalind; "I would not have to sit with you there for an
+hour, watching you quiver and quake every time a door opened, for my
+heiresship. Let us walk to the great lime-tree, and stay there till you
+come."
+
+"And so envelop yourselves in a November woodland fog, wherein to sit
+waiting till about four o'clock! The wisdom lies with Helen this time,
+Miss Torrington; I think you have both of you been pelted long enough
+with falling leaves for to-day, and therefore I strongly recommend that
+you come in and wait for my communication beside a blazing fire. Have
+you no new book, no lively novel or fancy-stirring romance, wherewith to
+beguile the time?"
+
+"Novels and romances! Oh! Mr. Mowbray,--what a desperate sinner you must
+be! The subscription at Hookham's has been out these three months; and
+the same dear box that used to be brought in amidst the eager rejoicings
+of the whole family, is now become the monthly vehicle of Evangelical
+Magazines, Christian Observers, Missionary Reports, and Religious
+Tracts, of all imaginable sorts and sizes. We have no other modern
+literature allowed us."
+
+"Poor girls!" said Charles, laughing; "what do you do for books?"
+
+"Why, the old library supplies us indifferently well, I must confess;
+and as Fanny has changed her morning quarters from thence to the
+print-room, which is now converted into a chapel of ease for the vicar,
+we contrive to abduct from thence such volumes as we wish for without
+difficulty. But we were once very near getting a book, which, I have
+been told, is of the most exquisite interest and pathos of any in the
+language, by a pleasant blunder of Mrs. Mowbray's. I chanced to be in
+the room with her one day when she read aloud an old advertisement which
+she happened to glance her eye upon, stitched up in a Review of some
+dozen years standing I believe, 'Some passages in the life of Mr. Adam
+Blair, Minister of the Gospel.' 'That's a book we ought to have,' said
+she very solemnly; 'Rosalind, give me that list for Hatchard's, I will
+add this.' I took up the advertisement as she laid it down and, not
+having it before her eyes, I suspect that she made some blunder about
+the title; for, when the box came down, I took care to be present at the
+opening of it, and to my great amusement, instead of the little volume
+that I was hoping to see, I beheld all Blair's works, with a scrap of
+paper from one of the shopmen, on which was written, 'Mrs. Mowbray is
+respectfully informed that the whole of Blair's works are herewith
+forwarded, but that J. P. is not aware of any other life of Adam than
+that written by Moses.' This was a terrible disappointment to me, I
+assure you."
+
+They had now reached the house; the two girls withdrew their arms, and,
+having watched Charles mount the stairs, they turned into the drawing
+room,--and from thence to the conservatory,--and then back again,--and
+then up stairs to lay aside their bonnets and cloaks,--and then down
+again; first one and then the other looking at their watches, till they
+began to suspect that they must both of them stand still, or something
+very like it, so creepingly did the time pass during which they waited
+for his return.
+
+On reaching the dressing-room door, Charles knocked, and it was opened
+to him by Fanny.
+
+The fair brow of his mother contracted at his approach; and he
+immediately suspected, what was indeed the fact, that Fanny had been
+relating to her the conversation which had passed between them in the
+morning.
+
+He rather rejoiced at this than the contrary, as he thought the
+conversation could not be better opened than by his expressing his
+opinions and feelings upon what had fallen from her during this
+interview. He did not however, wish that she should be present, and
+therefore said,
+
+"Will you let me, dear mother, say a few words to you tete-a-tete. Come,
+Fanny; run away, will you, for a little while?"
+
+Fanny instantly left the room, and Mrs. Mowbray, without answering his
+request, sat silently waiting for what he was about to say.
+
+"I want to speak, to you, mother, about our dear Fanny. I assure you I
+am very uneasy about her; I do not think she is in good health, either
+of body or mind."
+
+"Your ignorance of medicine is, I believe, total, Charles," she replied
+dryly, "and therefore your opinion concerning her bodily health does not
+greatly alarm me; and you must pardon me if I say that I conceive your
+ignorance respecting all things relating to a human soul, is more
+profound still."
+
+"I am sorry you should think so, dearest mother; but I assure you that
+neither physic nor divinity have been neglected in my education."
+
+"And by whom have you been taught? Blind guides have been your teachers,
+who have led you, I fear, to the very brink of destruction. When light
+is turned into darkness, how great is that darkness!"
+
+"My teachers have been those that my dear father appointed me, and I
+have never seen any cause to mistrust either their wisdom or their
+virtue, mother."
+
+"And know you not that your poor unhappy father was benighted, led
+astray, and lost by having himself listened to such teaching as he
+caused to be given to you? But you, Charles, if you did not harden your
+heart, even as the nether millstone, might even yet be saved among the
+remnant. Put yourself into the hands and under the training of the
+pious, blessed minister whom the Lord hath sent us. Open your sinful
+heart to Mr. Cartwright, Charles, and you may save your soul alive!"
+
+"Mother!" said Charles with solemn earnestness, "Mr. Cartwright's
+doctrines are dreadful and sinful in my eyes. My excellent and most
+beloved father was a Protestant Christian, born, educated, and abiding
+to his last hour in the faith and hope taught by the established church
+of his country. In that faith and hope, mother, I also have been reared
+by him and by you; and rather than change it for the impious and
+frightful doctrines of the sectarian minister you name, who most
+dishonestly has crept within the pale of an establishment whose dogmas
+and discipline he profanes,--rather, mother, than adopt this Mr.
+Cartwright's unholy belief, and obey his unauthorised and unscriptural
+decrees, I would kneel down and implore that my bones might be at once
+laid beside my father's."
+
+"Leave the room, Charles Mowbray!" exclaimed his mother almost in a
+scream; "let not the walls that shelter me be witness to such fearful
+blasphemy!"
+
+"I cannot, and I will not leave you, mother, till I have told you how
+very wretched you are making me and my poor sister Helen by thus
+forsaking that form of religion in which from our earliest childhood we
+have been accustomed to see you worship. Why,--why, dearest mother,
+should you bring this dreadful schism upon your family? Can you believe
+this to be your duty?"
+
+"By what right, human or divine, do you thus question me, lost, unhappy
+boy? But I will answer you; and I trust that I shall be forgiven for
+intercommuning with one who lives in open rebellion to the saints! Yes,
+sir; I do believe it is my duty to hold fast the conviction which Heaven
+in its goodness has sent me. I do believe it is my duty to testify by my
+voice, and by every act of my life during the remaining time for which
+the Lord shall spare me for the showing forth of his glory, that I
+consider the years that are past as an abomination in his sight; that my
+living in peace and happiness with your unawakened and unregenerate
+father was an abomination in the sight of the Lord; and that now, at the
+eleventh hour, my only hope of being received rests in my hating and
+abhorring, and forsaking and turning away from, all that is, and has
+been, nearest and dearest to my sinful heart!"
+
+Charles listened to this rant with earnest and painful attention, and,
+when she ceased, looked at her through tears that presently overflowed
+his eyes.
+
+"Have I then lost my only remaining parent?" said he. "And can you thus
+close your heart against me, and your poor Helen, my mother?"
+
+"By the blessing of providence I am strong," replied the deluded lady,
+struggling to overcome Heaven's best gift of pure affection in her
+heart. "By its blessing, and by the earnest prayers of its holiest
+saint, I am able, wretched boy, to look at thee, and say, Satan avaunt!
+But I am tried sorely," she continued, turning her eyes from the manly
+countenance of her son, now wet with tears. "Sorely, sorely, doomed and
+devoted boy, am I tried? But he, the Lord's vicar upon earth, the chosen
+shepherd, the anointed saint,--he, even he tells me to be of good cheer,
+for whom the Lord loveth he chasteneth."
+
+"Can you then believe, mother, that the merciful God of heaven and of
+earth approves your forsaking your children, solely because they worship
+him as they have been taught to do? Can you believe that he approves
+your turning your eyes and heart from them to devote yourself to a
+stranger to your blood, a preacher of strange doctrine, and one who
+loves them not?"
+
+"I have already told you, impious maligner of the holiest of men, that I
+know where my duty lies. I know, I tell you, that I not only know it,
+but will do it.--Torment me no more! Leave me, leave me, unhappy boy!
+leave me that I may pray for pardon for having listened to thee so
+long."
+
+She rose from her seat and approached him, as if to thrust him from the
+chamber; but he suffered her to advance without moving, and when she was
+close to him, he threw his arms round her, and held her for a moment in
+a close embrace. She struggled violently to disengage herself, and he
+relaxed his hold; but, dropping on his knees before her, at the same
+moment he exclaimed with passionate tenderness, "My dear, dear mother!
+have I then received your last embrace? Shall I never again feel your
+beloved lips upon my cheeks, my lips, my forehead? Mother! what can
+Helen and I do to win back your precious love?"
+
+"Surely I shall be rewarded for this!" said the infatuated woman almost
+wildly. "Surely I shall be visited with an exceeding great reward! and
+will he not visit thee too, unnatural son, for art not thou plotting
+against my soul to destroy it?"
+
+"There is, then, no hope for us from the voice of nature, no hope from
+the voice of reason and of truth? Then hear me, mother, for I too must
+act according to the voice of conscience. Helen and I must leave you; we
+can no longer endure to be so near you in appearance, while in reality
+we are so fearfully estranged. You have been very generous to me in the
+sum which you named for my allowance at my father's death; and as soon
+as my commission is obtained, that allowance will suffice to support me,
+for my habits have never been extravagant. May I ask you to assign a
+similar sum to Helen? This will enable her to command such a home with
+respectable people as may befit your daughter; and you will not doubt, I
+think, notwithstanding the unhappy difference in our opinions on points
+of doctrine, that I shall watch over her as carefully as our dear father
+himself could have done."
+
+"He is a prophet! yea, a prophet!" exclaimed Mrs. Mowbray; "and shall I
+be blind even as the ungodly, and doubt his word into whose mouth Heaven
+hath put the gift of prophecy and the words of wisdom? He hath spoken,
+and very terrible things are come to pass. Can your heart resist such
+proof as this, Charles?" she continued, raising her eyes and hands to
+heaven:--"even what you have now spoken, that did he predict and
+foretell you should speak!"
+
+"He guessed the point, then, at which we could bear no more," replied
+Charles with bitterness: "and did he predict too what answer our
+petition should receive?"
+
+"He did," returned Mrs. Mowbray either with real or with feigned
+simplicity; "and even that too shall be verified. Now, then, hear his
+blessed voice through my lips; and as I say, so must thou do. Go to your
+benighted sister, and tell her that for her sake I will wrestle in
+prayer. With great and exceeding anguish of spirit have I already
+wrestled for her; but she is strong and wilful, and resisteth
+alway.--Nevertheless, I will not give her over to her own heart's
+desire; nor will I turn mine eyes from her. For a while longer I will
+endure; and for you, unhappy son, I must take counsel from the same holy
+well-spring of righteousness, and what he shall speak, look that it come
+to pass."
+
+"You have denounced a terrible sentence against Helen, mother! for
+nearly two years, then, she must look forward to a very wretched life;
+but, without your consent, I cannot till she is of age remove her. Dear
+girl! she has a sweet and gentle spirit, and will, I trust, be enabled
+to bear patiently her most painful situation. But as for myself it may
+be as well to inform Mr. Cartwright at once, through you, that any
+interference with me or my concerns will not be endured; and that I
+advise him, for his own sake, to let me hear and see as little of him as
+possible."
+
+Mrs. Mowbray seemed to listen to these words in perfect terror, as if
+she feared a thunderbolt must fall and crush at once the speaker and the
+hearer of such daring impiety. But the spirit of Charles was chafed; and
+conscious perhaps that he was in danger of saying what he might wish to
+recall on the influence which his mother avowed that the vicar had
+obtained over her, he hastened to conclude the interview, and added: "I
+will beg you ma'am, immediately to give me a draft for my quarter's
+allowance, due on the first of this month. I want immediately to send
+money to Oxford."
+
+"Did I not tell you, Charles, to inform my man of business,--that
+serious and exemplary man, Mr. Corbold,--what money you owed in Oxford,
+and to whom? And did I not inform you at the same time that he should
+have instructions to acquit the same forthwith?"
+
+"Yes, mother, you certainly did send me a letter to that effect; but as
+my father permitted me before I came of age to pay my own bills, and to
+dispose of my allowance as I thought fit, I did not choose to change my
+usual manner of proceeding, and therefore left what I owed unpaid,
+preferring to remit the money myself. Will you please to give me the
+means of doing this now?"
+
+"May Heaven be gracious to me and mine, as I steadily now, and for ever,
+refuse to do so great iniquity! Think you, Charles, that I, guided and
+governed, as I glory to say I am, by one sent near me by providence to
+watch over me now in my time of need,--think you that I will hire and
+pay your wicked will to defy it."
+
+"Do you mean, then, mother, to withdraw my allowance?" said Charles.
+
+"I thank Heaven that I do!" she replied, uplifting her eyes: "and humbly
+on my knees will I thank it for giving me that strength, even in the
+midst of weakness!"
+
+As she spoke, she dropped upon her knees on the floor, with her back
+towards her unhappy son. He remained standing for a few moments,
+intending to utter some nearly hopeless words of remonstrance upon the
+cruel resolution she had just announced; but as she did not rise, he
+left the room, and with a heavy heart proceeded to look for Helen and
+her friend; though he would gladly have prepared himself by an hour of
+solitude for communicating tidings which had very nearly overthrown his
+philosophy. But he had promised to see them and to tell them all that
+passed; and he prepared to perform this promise with a heavier heart
+than had ever before troubled his bosom. He shrank from the idea of
+appearing before Rosalind in a situation so miserably humiliating, for
+at this moment fears that the report mentioned by Lady Harrington might
+be true pressed upon him; and though his better judgment told him that
+such feelings were contemptible, when about to meet the eye of a friend
+he could not subdue them, and as he opened the drawing-room door, the
+youthful fire of his eye was quenched and his pale lip trembled.
+
+"Oh! Charles, how dreadfully ill you look!" exclaimed Helen.
+
+"What can have passed?" said Miss Torrington, looking almost as pale
+himself.
+
+"Much that has been very painful," he replied; "but I am ashamed at
+being thus overpowered by it. Tell me, both of you, without any reserve,
+have you ever thought--has the idea ever entered your heads, that my
+unfortunate mother was likely to marry Cartwright?"
+
+"No,--never," replied Helen firmly.
+
+"Yes," said Rosalind falteringly;--but less with the hesitation of
+doubt, than from fear of giving pain.
+
+"Lady Harrington told me it was spoken of," said Mowbray with a deep
+sigh.
+
+"It is impossible!" said Helen, "I cannot:--I will not believe it.
+Rosalind! if you have had such an idea, how comes it that you have kept
+it secret from me?"
+
+"If instead of darkly fearing it," replied Rosalind, "I had positively
+known it to be true, I doubt if I should have named it, Helen;--I could
+not have borne that words so hateful should have first reached the
+family from me."
+
+"Has she told you it is so?" inquired Helen, her lips so parched with
+agitation that she pronounced the words with difficulty.
+
+"No, dearest, she has not; and perhaps I am wrong both in conceiving
+such an idea, and in naming it. But her mind is so violently, so
+strangely wrought upon by this detestable man, that I can only account
+for it by believing that he is----"
+
+There was much filial piety in the feeling that prevented his finishing
+the sentence.
+
+"It is so that I have reasoned," said Rosalind. "Heaven grant that we be
+both mistaken!--But will you not tell us, Charles, what it is that has
+suggested the idea to you? For Heaven's sake relate, if you can, what
+has passed between you?"
+
+"If I can!--Indeed I doubt my power. She spoke of me as of one condemned
+of Heaven."
+
+Rosalind started from her seat.--"Do not go on, Mr. Mowbray!" she
+exclaimed with great agitation; "I cannot bear this, and meet her with
+such external observance and civility as my situation demands. It can do
+us no good to discuss this wicked folly,--this most sinful madness. I,
+at least, for one, feel a degree of indignation--a vehemence of
+irritation on the subject, that will not, I am sure, produce good to any
+of us. She must go on in the dreadful path in which she has lost
+herself, till she meet something that shall shock and turn her back
+again. But all that can be done or said by others will but drive her on
+the faster, adding the fervour of a martyr to that of a convert."
+
+"You speak like an oracle, dear Rosalind," said poor Mowbray,
+endeavouring to smile, and more relieved than he would have avowed to
+himself at being spared the task of narrating his downfall from supposed
+wealth to actual penury before her.
+
+"She speaks like an oracle, but a very sad one," said Helen.
+"Nevertheless, we will listen and obey.--You have spoken to my mother,
+and what you have said has produced no good effect: to me, therefore, it
+is quite evident that nothing can. Were it not that the fearful use
+which we hear made of the sacred name makes me tremble lest I too should
+use it irreverently, I would express the confidence I feel, that if we
+bear this heavy sorrow well, his care will be with us: and whether we
+say it or not, let us feel it. And now, Rosalind, we must redeem our
+lost time, and read for an hour or so upstairs. See! we have positively
+let the fire go out;--a proof how extremely injurious it is to permit
+our thoughts to fix themselves too intensely on any thing:--it renders
+one incapable of attending to the necessary affairs of life.--There,
+Charles, is a sermon for you. But don't look so miserable, my dear
+brother; or my courage will melt into thin air."
+
+"I will do my best to master it, Helen," he replied; "but I shall not be
+able to make a display of my stoicism before you this evening, for I
+must return to Oakley."
+
+"Are you going to dine there? Why did you not tell me so?"
+
+"If my conversation with my mother had ended differently, Helen, I
+should have postponed my visit till to-morrow; but as it is, it will be
+better for me to go now. I will drive myself over in the cab. I suppose
+I can have Joseph?" He rang the bell as he spoke.
+
+"Let the cab be got ready for me in half an hour: and tell Joseph I
+shall want him to go out with me to dinner."
+
+"The cab is not at home, sir," replied the servant.
+
+"Is it gone to the coach-maker's?--What is the matter with it."
+
+"There is nothing the matter with it, sir; but Mr. Cartwright has got
+it."
+
+"Then let my mare be saddled. She is in the stable, I suppose?"
+
+"Mr. Corbold has had the use of your mare, Mr. Charles, for more than a
+month, sir: and terribly worked she has been, Dick says."
+
+"Very well--it's no matter: I shall walk, William."
+
+The servant retired, with an expression of more sympathy than etiquette
+could warrant. Helen looked at her brother in very mournful silence; but
+tears of indignant passion started to the bright eyes of Rosalind. "Is
+there no remedy for all this?" she exclaimed. "Helen, let us run away
+together. They cannot rob me of my money, I suppose. Do ask Sir Gilbert,
+Charles, if I am obliged to stay here and witness these hateful
+goings-on."
+
+"I will--I will, Miss Torrington. It would, indeed, be best for you to
+leave us. But my poor Helen,--she must stay and bear it."
+
+"Then I shall stay too: and that I think you might guess, Mr. Mowbray."
+
+Rosalind's tears overflowed as she spoke; and Charles Mowbray looked at
+her with that wringing of the heart which arises from thinking that all
+things conspire to make us wretched. When he was the reputed heir of
+fourteen thousand a year he had passed whole weeks in the society of
+Rosalind, and never dreamed he loved her;--but now, now that he was a
+beggar, and a beggar too, as it seemed, not very likely to be treated
+with much charity by his own mother,--now that it would be infamy to
+turn his thoughts towards the heiress with any hope or wish that she
+should ever be his, he felt that he adored her--that every hour added
+strength to a passion that he would rather die than reveal, and that
+without a guinea in the world to take him or to keep him elsewhere, his
+remaining where he was would expose him to sufferings that he felt he
+had no strength to bear.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XII.
+
+THE VICAR'S PROGRESS, AND HIS COUNSEL TO FANNY AS TO THE BEST MEANS OF
+ASSISTING THE POOR.
+
+
+When the family assembled at dinner, and Mrs. Mowbray perceived the
+place of her son vacant, she changed colour, and appeared discomposed
+and absent during the whole time she remained at table. This, however,
+was not long; for, a very few minutes after the cloth was removed, she
+rose, and saying, "I want you, Fanny," left the room with her youngest
+daughter without making either observation or apology to those she left.
+The result of this conference between the mother and daughter was the
+despatching a note to the Vicarage, which brought the vicar to join them
+with extraordinary speed.
+
+Mrs. Mowbray then related with a good deal of emotion the scene which
+had taken place between herself and her son in the morning; concluding
+it with mentioning his absence at dinner, and her fears that, in his
+unregenerate state of mind, he might be led to withdraw himself
+altogether from a home where godliness had begun to reign, and where, by
+the blessing of heaven, it would multiply and increase every day that
+they were spared to live.
+
+When she had concluded, Mr. Cartwright remained for several minutes
+silent, his eyes fixed upon the carpet, his arms folded upon his breast,
+and his head from time to time moved gently and sadly to and fro, as if
+the subject on which he was meditating were both important and
+discouraging. At length he raised his eyes, and fixed them upon Fanny.
+
+"My dear child," he said, "withdraw yourself, and pray, while your
+mother and I remain together. Pray for us, Fanny!--pray for both of us,
+that we may so do the duty appointed unto us, as what we may decide to
+execute shall redound to the glory of heaven, and to our everlasting
+salvation, world without end, amen!"
+
+Fanny rose instantly, and clasping her innocent hands together,
+fervently exclaimed "I will!--I will!"
+
+Having opened the door, and laid his delicate white hand upon her head,
+whispering an ardent blessing as she passed through it, he watched her
+as she retreated with a rapid step to her chamber anxious to perform the
+duty assigned her; and then closing and bolting it after her, he
+returned to the sofa near the fire, and seated himself beside Mrs.
+Mowbray.
+
+"My friend!" said Mr. Cartwright, taking her hand; "my dear, dear
+friend! you are tried, you are very sorely tried. But it is the will of
+the Lord, and we must not repine at it: rather let us praise his name
+alway!"
+
+"I do!" ejaculated the widow with very pious emotion; "I do praise and
+bless his holy name for all the salvation he hath vouchsafed to me, a
+sinner--and to my precious Fanny with me. Oh, Mr. Cartwright, it is very
+dear to me to think that I shall have that little holy angel with me in
+paradise! But be my guide and helper"--and here the good and serious
+lady very nearly returned the pressure with which her hand was
+held,--"oh! be my guide and helper with my other misguided children!
+Tell me, dear Mr. Cartwright, what must I do with Charles?"
+
+"It is borne in upon my mind, my dear and gentle friend, that there is
+but one chance left to save that deeply-perilled soul from the
+everlasting gulf of gnawing worms and of eternal flame."
+
+"Is there one chance?" exclaimed the poor woman in a real ecstasy. "Oh!
+tell me what it is, and there is nothing in the wide world that I would
+not bear and suffer to obtain it."
+
+"He must abandon the profession of arms and become a minister of the
+gospel."
+
+"Oh! Mr. Cartwright, he never will consent to this. From his earliest
+childhood, his unhappy and unawakened father taught him to glory in the
+thought of fighting the battles of his country; and with the large
+fortune he must one day have, is it not probable that he might be
+tempted to neglect the cure of souls? And then, you know, Mr.
+Cartwright, that the last state of that man would be worse than the
+first."
+
+Mr. Cartwright dropped the lady's hand and rose from his seat. "I must
+leave you, then," he said, his rich voice sinking into a tone of the
+saddest melancholy. "I must not--I may not give any other counsel; for
+in doing so, I should betray my duty, and betray the confidence you
+have placed in me. Adieu, then, beloved friend! adieu for ever! My
+heart--the weak and throbbing heart of a man is even now heaving in my
+breast. That heart will for ever forbid my speaking with harshness and
+austerity to you. Therefore, beloved but too feeble friend, adieu!
+Should I stay longer with you, that look might betray me into
+forgetfulness of every thing on earth--and heaven too!"
+
+The three last words were uttered in a low and mournful whisper. He then
+walked towards the door, turned to give one last look, and having
+unfastened the lock and shot back the bolt, was in the very act of
+departing, when Mrs. Mowbray rushed towards him, exclaiming "Oh, do not
+leave us all to everlasting damnation! Save us! save us! Tell me only
+what to do, and I will do it."
+
+In the extremity of her eagerness, terror, and emotion, she fell on her
+knees before him, and raising her tearful eyes to his, seemed silently
+to reiterate the petition she had uttered.
+
+Mr. Cartwright looked down upon her, turned away for one short instant
+to rebolt the door, and then, raising his eyes to heaven, and dropping
+on his knees beside her, he threw his arms around her, impressed a holy
+kiss upon her brow, exclaiming in a voice rendered tremulous, as it
+should seem, by uncontrollable agitation, "Oh, never! never!"
+
+After a few moments unavoidably lost by both in efforts to recover their
+equanimity, they rose and reseated themselves on the sofa.
+
+The handkerchief of Mrs. Mowbray was at her eyes. She appeared greatly
+agitated, and totally unable to speak herself, sat in trembling
+expectation of what her reverend friend should say next.
+
+It was not immediately, however, that Mr. Cartwright could recover his
+voice; but at length he said, "It is impossible, my too lovely friend,
+that we can either of us any longer mistake the nature of the sentiment
+which we feel for each other. But we have the comfort of knowing that
+this sweet and blessed sentiment is implanted in us by the will of the
+Lord! And if it be sanctified to his honour and glory, it becometh the
+means of raising us to glory everlasting in the life to come. Wherefore,
+let us not weep and lament, but rather be joyful and give thanks that so
+it hath seemed good in his sight!"
+
+Mrs. Mowbray answered only by a deep sigh, which partook indeed of the
+nature of a sob; and by the continued application of her handkerchief,
+it appeared that she wept freely. Mr. Cartwright once more ventured to
+take her hand; and that she did not withdraw it, seemed to evince such a
+degree of Christian humility, and such a heavenly-minded forgiveness of
+his presumption, that the pious feelings of his heart broke forth in
+thanksgiving.
+
+"Praise and glory to the Lord alway!" he exclaimed, "your suffering
+sweetness, dearest Clara, loveliest of women, most dearly-beloved--your
+suffering sweetness shall be bruised no more! Let me henceforward be as
+the shield and buckler that shall guard thee, so that thou shalt not be
+afraid for any terror by night, nor for the arrow that flieth by day.
+And tell me, most beloved! does not thy spirit rejoice, and is not thy
+heart glad, even as my heart, that the Lord hath been pleased to lay his
+holy law upon us--even upon thee and me?"
+
+"Oh, Mr. Cartwright!" replied the agitated Mrs. Mowbray, "I know not
+what I can--I know not what I ought to do. May Heaven guide me!--for,
+alas! I know not how to guide myself!"
+
+"And fear not, Clara, but he will guide thee! for he hath made thee but
+a little lower than the angels, and hath crowned thee with glory and
+honour. And tell me, thou highly-favoured one, doth not thy own heart
+teach thee, that heart being taught of him, that I am he to whom thou
+shouldst look for comfort now in the time of this mortal life? Speak to
+me, sweet and holy Clara. Tell me, am I deceived in thee? Or art thou
+indeed, and wilt thou indeed be mine?"
+
+"If I shall sin not by doing so, I will, Mr. Cartwright; for my spirit
+is too weak to combat all the difficulties I see before me. My soul
+trusts itself to thee--be thou to me a strong tower, for I am afraid."
+
+"Think you, Clara, that he who has led you out of darkness into the way
+of life would now, for the gratification of his own earthly love, become
+a stumbling-block in thy path? My beloved friend! how are you to wrestle
+and fight for and with that misguided young man, who hath now, even now,
+caused you such bitter sufferings? He is thine; therefore he is dear to
+me. Let me lead him, even as I have led thee, and his spirit too, as
+well as thine and Fanny's, shall rejoice!"
+
+"Then be it so!" exclaimed Mrs. Mowbray. "Promise me only to lead Helen
+also into life everlasting, and not to leave the poor benighted Rosalind
+for ever in darkness, and I will consent, Mr. Cartwright, to be your
+wife!"
+
+Nothing could be more satisfactory than the vicar's answer to this
+appeal, and had not the good Mrs. Mowbray been too generous to exact a
+penalty in case of failure, there can be little doubt but that he would
+willingly have bound himself under any forfeiture she could have named,
+to have ensured a place in heaven, not only to all those she mentioned,
+but to every individual of her household, the scullion and stable-boys
+included.
+
+The great question answered of "To be or not to be the husband of Mrs.
+Mowbray?" the vicar began to point out to her in a more composed and
+business-like manner the great advantages both temporal and spiritual
+which must of necessity result to her family from this arrangement; and
+so skilfully did he manage her feelings and bend her mind to his
+purpose, that when at length he gave her lips the farewell kiss of
+affianced love, and departed, he left her in the most comfortable and
+prayerful state of composure imaginable. In about ten minutes after he
+was gone, she rang her bell, and desired that Miss Fanny might come to
+her; when, without exactly telling her the important business which had
+been settled during the time she passed upon her knees, she gave her to
+understand that Mr. Cartwright had probably thought of the only means by
+which all the unhappy disagreements in the family could be settled.
+
+"Indeed, mamma, I prayed for him," said Fanny, lifting her eyes to
+Heaven; "I prayed most earnestly, that Heaven might bring him wisdom to
+succour you according to your wish, and therein to heal all our
+troubles."
+
+"And your prayers have been heard, my dear child; and it hath sent him
+the wisdom that we all so greatly needed.--Have they had tea in the
+drawing-room, Fanny?"
+
+"I don't know, mamma. I have been kneeling and praying all the time."
+
+"Then, my dear, you must want refreshment. Go down and tell them that I
+am not quite well this evening, and shall therefore not come down again;
+but they may send me some tea by Curtis."
+
+"I hope you are not very ill, my dearest mother?" said Fanny, looking,
+anxiously at her.
+
+"No, dear,--not very ill--only a little nervous."
+
+       *       *       *       *       *
+
+While these scenes passed at Mowbray Park, poor Charles was relieving
+his heart by relating, without reserve, what had passed between him and
+his mother. His first words on entering the library, where Sir Gilbert
+and Lady Harrington were seated, were, "Have you sent that letter to
+Oxford, Sir Gilbert?"
+
+"Yes, I have," was the reply. "But why do you inquire, Charles?"
+
+"Because, if you had not, I would have begged you to delay it."
+
+"And why so?"
+
+In reply to this question, young Mowbray told all that had passed;
+observing, when his painful tale was ended, that such being his mother's
+decision, he intended to apply immediately to Corbold for the money he
+wanted.
+
+"Not you, by Jove, Charles! You shall do no such thing, I tell you!
+What! knuckle and truckle to this infernal gang of hypocrites! You shall
+do no such thing. Just let me know all that is going on in the garrison,
+and if I don't counterplot them, I am a Dutchman."
+
+"Puff not up your heart, Sir Knight, with such vain conceits," said Lady
+Harrington. "You will plot like an honest man, and the Tartuffe will
+plot like a rogue. I leave you to guess which will do the most work in
+the shortest time. Nevertheless, you are right to keep him out of the
+way of these people as long as you can."
+
+Notwithstanding the heavy load at his heart which Mowbray brought with
+him to Oakley, before he had passed an hour with his old friends his
+sorrows appeared lighter, and his hopes from the future brighter and
+stronger. Sir Gilbert, though exceedingly angry with Mrs. Mowbray, still
+retained some respect for her; and, spite of all his threatening hints
+to the contrary, he no more believed that the widow of his old friend
+would marry herself to the Reverend William Jacob Cartwright, than that
+he, when left a widower by my lady, should marry the drunken landlady of
+the Three Tankards at Ramsden. He therefore spoke to Charles of his
+present vexatious embarrassments as of all evils that must naturally
+clear away, requiring only a little temporary good management to render
+them of very small importance to him. Of Helen's situation, however,
+Lady Harrington spoke with great concern, and proposed that she and Miss
+Torrington should transfer themselves from the Park to Oakley as soon as
+Charles joined his regiment, and there remain till Mrs. Mowbray had
+sufficiently recovered her senses to make them comfortable at home.
+
+Before the young man left them, it was settled that Colonel Harrington
+should immediately exert himself to obtain the commission so long
+promised; a service in the performance of which no difficulty was
+anticipated, as the last inquiries made on the subject at the Horse
+Guards were satisfactorily answered.
+
+"Meanwhile," said the baronet as he wrung his hand at parting, "give not
+way for one single inch before the insolent interference of these
+canters and ranters: remember who and what you are, and that you have a
+friend who will make the county too hot to hold any one, male or female,
+who shall attempt to shake or shackle you in your natural rights. Treat
+your mother with the most perfect respect and politeness; but make her
+understand that you are your father's son, and that there is such a
+thing as public opinion, which, on more occasions than one, has been
+found as powerful as any other law of the land. Cheer the spirits of the
+poor woe-begone girls as much as you can; and tell Helen that her duty
+to her father's memory requires that she should not neglect her father's
+friends. And now good night, Charles! Come to us as often as you can;
+and God bless you, my dear boy!"
+
+By this advice young Mowbray determined to act; and wishing to escape
+any discussion upon lesser points, he avoided all tete-a-tete
+conversations with his mother, kept as much out of Mr. Cartwright's way
+as possible, turned his back upon the serious attorney whenever he met
+him, and devoted his time to walking, reading, and singing, with Miss
+Torrington and his sister Helen, while waiting to receive the news of
+his appointment. When this should arrive, he determined once more to see
+his mother in private, and settle with her, on the best footing he
+could, the amount and manner of his future supplies.
+
+This interval, which lasted nearly a month, was by no means an unhappy
+one to Charles. He had great confidence in the judgment of Sir Gilbert
+Harrington, and being much more inclined to believe in his mother's
+affection than to doubt it, he resolutely shut his eyes upon whatever
+was likely to annoy him, and gave himself up to that occupation which
+beyond all others enables a man, or a woman either, to overlook and
+forget every other,--namely, the making love from morning to night.
+
+The manner in which this undeclared but very intelligible devotion of
+the heart was received by the fair object of it was such, perhaps, as to
+justify hope, though it by no means afforded any certainty that the
+feeling was returned. Even Helen, who fully possessed her brother's
+confidence, and had hitherto, as she believed, fully possessed the
+confidence of Rosalind also,--even Helen knew not very well what to make
+of the varying symptoms which her friend's heart betrayed. That Miss
+Torrington took great pleasure in the society of Mr. Mowbray, it was
+impossible to doubt; and that she wished him to find pleasure in hers,
+was equally clear. His favourite songs only were those which she
+practised in his absence and sang in his presence; he rarely praised a
+passage in their daily readings which she might not, by means of a
+little watching, be found to have read again within the next twenty-four
+hours. The feeble winter-blossoms from the conservatory, of which he
+made her a daily offering, might be seen preserved on her toilet in a
+succession of glasses, and only removed at length by a remonstrance from
+her maid, who assured her that "stale flowers were unwholesome; though,
+to be sure, coming out of that elegant conservatory did make a
+difference, no doubt." Yet even then, the bouquet of a week old was not
+permitted to make its exit till some aromatic leaf or still green sprig
+of myrtle had been drawn from it, and deposited somewhere or other,
+where its pretty mistress, perhaps, never saw it more, but which
+nevertheless prevented her feeling that she had thrown the flowers he
+had given her on Sunday in the breakfast-room, or on Monday in the
+drawing-room, &c. &c. &c., quite away.
+
+Yet, with all this, it was quite impossible that Charles, or even Helen,
+who knew more of these little symptomatic whims than he did, could feel
+at all sure what Rosalind's answer would be if Mr. Mowbray made her a
+proposal of marriage.
+
+From time to time words dropped from Rosalind indicative of her extreme
+disapprobation of early marriages both for women and men, and declaring
+that there was nothing she should dread so much as forming a union for
+life with a man too young to know his own mind. When asked by Charles at
+what age she conceived it likely that a man might attain this very
+necessary self-knowledge, she answered with a marked emphasis,
+
+"Decidedly not till they are many years older than you are, Mr.
+Mowbray."
+
+Even to her own heart Rosalind would at this time have positively
+denied, not only that she loved Charles Mowbray, but that Charles
+Mowbray loved her. She was neither insensible nor indifferent to his
+admiration, or to the pleasure he took in her society; but she had heard
+Charles's judgment of her on her arrival more than once repeated in
+jest. He had said, that she was neither so amiable as Helen, nor so
+handsome as Fanny. To both of these opinions she most sincerely
+subscribed, and with such simple and undoubting acquiescence, that it
+was only when she began to read in his eyes the legible "I love you,"
+that she remembered his having said it. Then her woman's heart told her,
+that inferior though she might be, it was not her husband that must be
+the first to discover it; and superior as he was,--which she certainly
+was not disposed to deny,--it was not with such disproportionate
+excellence that she should be most likely to form a happy union.
+
+Had Mowbray guessed how grave and deeply-seated in Rosalind's mind were
+the reasons which would have led her decidedly to refuse him, this
+flowery portion of his existence would have lost all its sweetness. It
+was therefore favourable to his present enjoyment that, confident as he
+felt of ultimately possessing the fortune to which he was born, he
+determined not to propose to Rosalind till his mother had consented to
+assure to him an independence as undoubted as her own. The sweet vapour
+of hope, therefore,--the incense with which young hearts salute the
+morning of life,--enveloped him on all sides: and pity is it that the
+rainbow-tinted mist should ever be blown away from those who, like him,
+are better, as well as happier, for the halo that so surrounds them.
+
+Many a storm is preceded by a calm,--many a gay and happy hour only
+gives the frightful force of contrast to the misery that follows it.
+
+Mr. Cartwright having once and again received the plighted faith of Mrs.
+Mowbray, for the present confined his operations solely to the gentle
+task of urging her to hasten his happiness, and the assurance of eternal
+salvation to all her family.
+
+But here, though the obstacles he had to encounter were of a soft and
+malleable nature, easily yielding to the touch, and giving way at one
+point, they were yet difficult to get rid of altogether; for they were
+sure to swell up like dough, and meet him again in another place.
+
+Thus, when he proved to the pious widow that Heaven could never wish her
+to delay her marriage till her year of mourning was out, seeing that its
+honour and glory would be so greatly benefited and increased thereby,
+she first agreed perfectly in his view of the case as so put, but
+immediately placed before him the violent odium which they should have
+to endure from the opinion of the world. And then, when his eloquence
+had convinced her, that it was sinful for those who put not their faith
+in princes, nor in any child of man, to regulate their conduct by such
+worldly considerations,--though she confessed to him that as their
+future associations would of course be wholly and solely among the
+elect, she might perhaps overcome her fear of what her neighbours and
+unregenerate acquaintance might say, yet nevertheless she doubted if she
+could find courage to send orders to her milliner and dressmaker for
+coloured suits, even of a sober and religious tint, as it was so very
+short a time since she had ordered her half-mourning.
+
+It was more difficult perhaps to push this last difficulty aside than
+any other; for Mr. Cartwright could not immediately see how to bring the
+great doctrine of salvation to bear upon it.
+
+However, though the lady had not yet been prevailed upon to fix the day,
+and even at intervals still spoke of the eligibility of waiting till the
+year of mourning was ended, yet on the whole he had no cause to complain
+of the terms on which he stood with her, and very wisely permitted the
+peace of mind which he himself enjoyed to diffuse itself benignly over
+all the inhabitants of the Park and the Vicarage.
+
+Henrietta, who throughout the winter had been in too delicate a state of
+health to venture out of the house, was permitted to read what books she
+liked at the corner of the parlour fire; while Mr. Jacob, far from being
+annoyed by any particular strictness of domestic discipline, became
+extremely like the wind which bloweth where it listeth, wandering from
+farm-house to farm-house--nay, even from village to village, without
+restriction of any kind from his much-engaged father.
+
+Fanny, however, was neither overlooked nor neglected; though to have now
+led her about to little tete-a-tete prayer-meetings in the woods was
+impossible. First, the wintry season forbad it; and secondly, the very
+particular and important discussions which business rendered necessary
+in Mrs. Mowbray's dressing-room--or, as it had lately been designated,
+Mrs. Mowbray's morning parlour--must have made such an occupation as
+difficult as dangerous.
+
+At these discussions Fanny was never invited to appear. She prayed in
+company with her mother and Mr. Cartwright, and some of the most
+promising of the domestics, for an hour in the morning and an hour in
+the evening; but the manner in which the interval between these two
+prayings was spent showed very considerable tact and discrimination of
+character in the Vicar of Wrexhill.
+
+Soon after the important interview which has been stated to have taken
+place between the lady of the manor and the vicar had occurred, Mr.
+Cartwright having met Fanny on the stairs in his way to her mamma's
+morning parlour, asked her, with even more than his usual tender
+kindness, whether he might not be admitted for a few minutes into her
+"study;" for it was thus that _her_ dressing-room was now called by as
+many of the household as made a point of doing every thing that Mr.
+Cartwright recommended.
+
+"Oh yes," she replied with all the zealous piety which distinguishes the
+sect to which she belonged, whenever their consent is asked to do or
+suffer any thing that nobody else would think it proper to do or
+suffer,--"Oh yes!--will you come now, Mr. Cartwright?"
+
+"Yes, my dear child, it is now that I wish to come;"--and in another
+moment the Vicar of Wrexhill and his beautiful young parishioner were
+sitting tete-a-tete on the sofa of the young lady's dressing-room.
+
+As usual with him on all such occasions, he took her hand. "Fanny!" he
+began,--"dear, precious Fanny! you know not how much of my
+attention--how many of my thoughts are devoted to you!"
+
+"Oh! Mr. Cartwright, how very, very kind you are to think of me at all!"
+
+"You must listen to me Fanny," (he still retained her hand,) "you must
+now listen to me with very great attention. You know I think highly of
+your abilities--indeed I have not scrupled to tell you it was my opinion
+that the Lord had endowed you with great powers for his own especial
+service and glory. That last hymn, Fanny, confirms and strengthens me in
+this blessed belief, and I look upon you as a chosen vessel. But, my
+child, we must be careful that we use, and not abuse, this exceeding
+great mercy and honour. Your verses, Fanny, are sweet to my ear, as the
+songs of the children of Israel to those who were carried away captive.
+But not for me--not for me alone, or for those who, like me, can taste
+the ecstasy inspired by holy song, has that power been given unto you.
+The poor, the needy, those of no account in the reckoning of the
+proud--they have all, my dearest Fanny, a right to share in the precious
+gift bestowed on you. Wherefore, I am now about to propose to you a work
+to which the best and the holiest devote their lives, but on which you
+have never yet tried your young strength:--I mean, my dearest child, the
+writing of tracts for the poor."
+
+"Oh! Mr. Cartwright! Do you really think it possible that I can be
+useful in such a blessed way?"
+
+"I am sure you may, my dear Fanny; and you know this will be the means
+of doing good both to the souls and bodies of the saints. For what you
+shall write, will not only be read to the edification and salvation of
+many Christian souls, but will be printed and sold for the benefit
+either of the poor and needy, or for the furthering such works and
+undertakings as it may be deemed most fit to patronise and assist."
+
+"Oh! Mr. Cartwright! If I could be useful in such a way as that, I
+should be very thankful;--only--I have a doubt."
+
+Here the bright countenance of Fanny became suddenly overclouded; she
+even trembled, and turned pale.
+
+"What is it, my dear child, that affects you thus?" said the vicar with
+real surprise; "tell me, my sweet Fanny, what I have said to alarm you?"
+
+"If I do this," said Fanny, her voice faltering with timidity, "shall I
+not seem to be trusting to works?"
+
+"Do you mean, because the writings of authors are called their works?"
+said Mr. Cartwright very gravely.
+
+"No! Mr. Cartwright!" she replied, colouring from the feeling, that if
+so good and holy a man could quiz, she should imagine that he was now
+quizzing her,--"No! Mr. Cartwright!--but if I do this, and trust to get
+saving grace as a reward for the good I may do, will not this be
+trusting to works?"
+
+"My dear child," he said; gently kissing her forehead, "such tenderness
+of conscience is the best assurance that what you will do will be done
+in a right spirit. Then fear not, dear Fanny, that those things which
+prove a snare to the unbeliever should, in like manner, prove a snare to
+the elect."
+
+Again Fanny Mowbray trembled. "Alas! then I may still risk the danger of
+eternal fire by this thing,--for am I of the elect?"
+
+The vicar knew that Mrs. Mowbray was waiting for him, and fearing that
+this long delay might have a strange appearance, he hastily concluded
+the conversation by exclaiming with as much vehemence as brevity, "You
+are! You are!"
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XIII.
+
+MRS. SIMPSON'S CHARITABLE VISIT.--CHARLES'S TROUBLES CONTINUE.
+
+
+From this time most of Fanny Mowbray's hours were spent in writing
+tracts; which, as soon as completed, were delivered to Mr. Cartwright.
+He received them ever with expressions of mingled admiration and
+gratitude, constantly assuring her, the next time they met, that nothing
+could be more admirably calculated to answer the effect intended, and
+that the last was incomparably superior to all which had preceded it.
+
+This occupation of writing tracts, first hit upon for the convenient
+occupation of Fanny Mowbray, was soon converted, by the ready wit of Mr.
+Cartwright, into an occupation, in one way or another, for all the
+professing Christians in his parish who happened to have nothing to do.
+
+Those who are at all acquainted with the manner in which the "Church
+Methodists," as they are called, obtain the unbounded influence which
+they are known to possess in their different parishes, particularly over
+the female part of their congregations, must be aware, that, great and
+violent as the effect of their passionate extempore preaching often is,
+it is not to that alone that they trust for obtaining it. From the time
+Mr. Cartwright became Vicar of Wrexhill, he had been unremitting in his
+exertions of every kind to obtain power, influence, and dominion
+throughout the parish, and, on the whole, had been pretty generally
+successful. How far his handsome person and pleasing address contributed
+to this, it is not here necessary to inquire; but it is certain that he
+drew upon these advantages largely in his intercourse with the females
+in general, and with the ladies in particular. But though at first this
+particular species of devotion was exceedingly agreeable to him, both in
+its exercise and its success, he now found very considerable
+inconvenience from the difficulty of keeping up the frequency of his
+pastoral visits to his fair converts without giving more time to them
+than was consistent with his infinitely more important avocations at the
+Park.
+
+As soon, however, as he perceived how completely the writing of tracts
+occupied Fanny Mowbray during the time that was formerly bestowed upon
+listening to his sentimental divinity, he determined that several others
+of his female parishioners should dispose of their superfluous time in
+the same manner.
+
+Within twenty-four hours after he came to this decision, the three
+Misses Richards had, each and every of them, purchased a quire of
+foolscap paper, a quarter of a hundred of goose-quills, with a bottle of
+ink, and a Concordance, in common between them. Miss Stokes too, the
+little blue-eyed milliner, and Mrs. Knighton, the late post-master's
+widow, and Mrs. Watkins, the haberdasher's wife, were all furnished with
+abundant materials of the same value; and all of them determined to give
+up every earthly thing, if it were necessary, rather than disappoint the
+dear, blessed Mr. Cartwright of the comfort of receiving any thing he
+expected from them.
+
+The widow Simpson, and even her little holy Mimima, had also employment
+found for them; which, though it could but ill supply to that regenerate
+lady the loss of Mr. Cartwright's society, which at this particular
+time she was in a great degree deprived of, served, nevertheless, to
+soothe her by the conviction, that though not seen, she was remembered.
+
+The part of the business consigned to Mrs. Simpson was the selling the
+tracts. It was not without surprise that the people of the
+neighbourhood, particularly the unawakened, saw the parlour-windows of
+"the principal person in the village" disfigured by a large square
+paper, looking very much as if it announced lodgings to let, but which,
+upon closer examination, proved to be inscribed as follows: "Religious
+tracts, hymns, and meditations sold here, at one penny each, or
+ninepence halfpenny for the dozen."
+
+Miss Mimima's duty was to hold in her hand a square box, with a slit cut
+in the lid thereof, in which all who purchased the tracts were requested
+to deposit their money for the same; and when the customer's appearance
+betokened the possession of more pennies than their purchase required,
+the little girl was instructed to say, "One more penny, please ma'am,
+(or sir,) for the love of the Lord."
+
+Thus, for the pleasant interval of a few weeks, every thing went on
+smoothly. Helen, at the earnest request of her brother, and convinced by
+his arguments, as well as those of Lady Harrington and Rosalind, that,
+under existing circumstances, it was right to do so, made several
+morning visits to Oakley.
+
+Had she been questioned concerning this, she would most frankly have
+avowed both the act and the motives for it. But no such questionings
+came. Charles himself dined there repeatedly, but was never asked why he
+absented himself, nor where he had been.
+
+During this period, Mrs. Mowbray seemed to encourage rather more than
+usual the intercourse of the family with their Wrexhill neighbours. The
+season being no longer favourable for walking, the Mowbray carriage was
+to be seen two or three times in a week at Mrs. Simpson's, Mrs.
+Richards's and the Vicarage; but it often happened, that though Mrs.
+Mowbray proposed a visit to Wrexhill while they were at the
+breakfast-table, and that the coachman immediately received orders to be
+at the door accordingly, when the time arrived her inclination for the
+excursion was found to have evaporated, and the young people went
+thither alone.
+
+Upon one occasion of this kind, when, Fanny being deeply engaged in the
+composition of a tract, and Charles gone to Oakley, Miss Torrington and
+Helen had the carriage to themselves, they agreed that instead of making
+the proposed visit to Mrs. Simpson, they should go to inquire for a
+little patient of Helen's, the child of a poor hard-working woman, who
+had long been one of her pensioners at Wrexhill.
+
+The entrance to the house was by a side door from a lane too narrow to
+permit the carriage to turn; the two young ladies therefore were put
+down at the corner of it, and their approach was unheard by those who
+occupied the room upon which the door of the house opened, although it
+stood ajar. But as they were in the very act of entering, they were
+stopped by words so loud and angry, that they felt disposed to turn back
+and abandon their charitable intention altogether.
+
+But Rosalind's ear caught a sound that made her curious to hear more;
+and laying her hand on Helen's arm, and at the same time making a sign
+that she should be silent, they stood for a moment on the threshold,
+that they might decide whether to retreat or advance.
+
+"You nasty abominable woman, you!" these were the first words which
+distinctly reached them; "you nasty untidy creature! look at the
+soap-suds, do, all splashed out upon the ground! How can you expect a
+Christian lady, who is the principal person in the parish, to come and
+look after your nasty dirty soul, you untidy pig, you?"
+
+"Lord love you, my lady! 'tis downright unpossible to keep one little
+room neat, and fit for the like of you, when I have the washing of three
+families to do in it.--Heaven be praised for it!--and to cook my
+husband's bit of dinner, and let three little ones crawl about in it,
+besides."
+
+"Stuff and nonsense!" responded the principal person in the village,
+"whoever heard of washing making people dirty? Look here,--put out your
+hand, can't you? I am sure I shall come no nearer to you and your tub.
+Take these three tracts, and take care you expound them to your husband;
+and remember that you are to bring them back again in one month without
+a single speck of dirt upon them."
+
+"You be sent by the new vicar, beant you, Madam Simpson?" inquired the
+woman.
+
+"Sent, woman? I don't know what you mean by 'sent.' As a friend and
+joint labourer with Mr. Cartwright in the vineyard, I am come to take
+your soul out of the nethermost pit; but if you will persist in going on
+soaping and rubbing at that rate instead of listening to me, I don't see
+that you have any more chance of salvation than your black kettle there.
+Mercy on me! I shall catch my death of cold here! Tell me at once, do
+you undertake to expound these tracts to your husband?"
+
+"Dear me! no, my lady; I was brought up altogether to the washing line."
+
+"What has that to do with it, you stupid sinner? I can't stay any longer
+in this horrid, damp, windy hole; but take care that you expound, for I
+insist upon it; and if you don't you may depend upon it Mr. Cartwright
+won't give you one penny of the sacrament money."
+
+So saying, the pious lady turned away and opened the door upon Miss
+Torrington and Helen.
+
+Conscious, perhaps, that her _Christian duty_ had not been performed in
+so lady-like a manner as it might have been, had she known that any
+portion of the Park family were within hearing, the principal person in
+the village started and coloured at seeing them; but, aware how greatly
+she had outrun the two young ladies in the heavenly race, she
+immediately recovered herself and said, "I am afraid, young ladies, that
+your errand here is not the same as mine. Betty Thomas is a poor sinful
+creature, and I hope you are not going to give her money till she is
+reported elect, Miss Mowbray? It will really be no less than a sin if
+you do."
+
+"She has a sick child, Mrs. Simpson," replied Helen, "and I am going to
+give her money to buy what will make broth for it."
+
+Helen then entered the room, made her inquiries for the little sufferer,
+and putting her donation into sinful Betty Thomas's soapy hand, returned
+to Mrs. Simpson and Rosalind, who remained conversing at the door.
+
+It was raining hard, and Miss Mowbray asked Mrs. Simpson if she should
+take her home.
+
+"That is an offer that I won't refuse, Miss Mowbray, though I am within,
+and you are without, the pale. But I am terribly subject to catching
+cold; and I do assure you that this winter weather makes a serious
+Christian's duty very difficult to do, I have got rid of seventy tracts
+since first of December."
+
+"You sell the tracts, do you not, Mrs. Simpson?" said Rosalind.
+
+"Yes, Miss Torrington,--I sell them and lend them, and now and then give
+them, when I think it is a great object to have them seen in any
+particular house."
+
+"Have you collected much, ma'am, by the sale?"
+
+"Not a very large sum as yet, Miss Torrington; but I am getting on in
+many different ways for the furtherance of Heaven's work. Perhaps,
+ladies, though you have not as yet put your own hands to the plough that
+shall open the way for you to a place among the heavenly host, you may
+like to see my account?"
+
+"I should like it very much, Mrs. Simpson," said Rosalind.
+
+The lady then drew from her reticule a small pocket-book, from which she
+read several items, which from various sources contributed, as she said,
+"to fill a bag for the Work," to be expended upon the saints by the
+hands of their pious vicar.
+
+By the time this interesting lecture was finished, the carriage had
+reached Mrs. Simpson's door, and having set her down, was ordered home.
+
+"Now will I give Charles a _pendant_ to the exquisite poetical effusion
+which he bestowed on me some time since," said Rosalind, drawing forth
+pencil and paper from a pocket of the carriage, in which Mrs. Mowbray
+was accustomed of late to deposit what the vicar called "sacred
+memoranda;" by which were signified all the scraps of gossip respecting
+the poor people among whom she distributed tracts, that she could
+collect for his private ear.
+
+Having invoked the Sisters Nine for the space of five minutes, she read
+aloud the result to Helen, who declared herself willing to give
+testimony, if called upon, to the faithful rendering (save and except
+the rhymes) of the financial document to which they had just listened.
+
+    Sixpence a week paid by each serious pew
+    In Mr. Cartwright's church, makes--one pound two;
+    From Wrexhill workhouse, by a farthing rate
+    Collected by myself, just one pound eight;
+    Crumbs for the Lord, gather'd from door to door
+    Through Hampshire, makes exactly two pound four;
+    From twelve old ladies, offerings from the hive
+    In various sums, amount to three pound five;
+    From our new Sunday school, as the Lord's fee,
+    By pennies from each child, we've shillings three;
+    And last of all, and more deserving praise
+    Than all the sums raised by all other ways,
+    "The desperate Sinner's certain Road to Heaven,"
+    Sold at the gallows foot,--thirteen pound seven.
+
+"This is a new accomplishment," said Helen, laughing; "and I declare to
+you, Rosalind, I think it very unnecessary, Roman Catholic-like, and
+unkind, to perform any more works of supererogation in that fascinating
+style upon the heart of poor Charles. I am afraid he has had more than
+is good for him already."
+
+"I do not think the beauty of my verses will at all tend to injure Mr.
+Mowbray's peace of mind," replied Rosalind rather coldly. "However, we
+can watch their effects, you know, and if we see any alarming symptoms
+coming on we can withdraw them."
+
+Just before they reached the lodge-gates, they perceived Charles on foot
+before them; and stopping the carriage, Helen made him get in, just to
+tell them, as she said, how her dear godmother was, what kind messages
+she had sent her, and though last, not least, whether any tidings had
+been heard of the commission.
+
+Charles appeared to be in excellent spirits; repeated many pleasant
+observations uttered by Sir Gilbert on the effervescent nature of his
+mother's malady; told them that a commission in the Horse Guards was
+declared to be at his service as soon as the money for it was
+forthcoming, for which, if needs must, even Sir Gilbert had permitted
+him to draw on Mr. Corbold; and finally, that he believed they had all
+alarmed themselves about Mr. Cartwright and his pernicious influences in
+a very wrong and unreasonable manner.
+
+On reaching the house, they entered the library, which was the usual
+winter sitting-room; but it was quite deserted. They drew round the fire
+for a few minutes' further discussion of the news and the gossip which
+Charles had brought; and, apropos of some of the Oakley anecdotes of the
+proceedings at Wrexhill, Helen requested Rosalind to produce her version
+of Mrs. Simpson's deeds of grace.
+
+"Willingly," replied Miss Torrington, drawing the paper from her pocket.
+"You dedicated a poem to me, Mr. Mowbray, some weeks ago; and I now beg
+to testify my gratitude by presenting you with this."
+
+Charles took the paper, and while fixing his eyes with a good deal of
+meaning upon the beautiful giver, kissed it, and said, "Do you make it a
+principle, Miss Torrington, to return in kind every offering that is
+made you?"
+
+"That is _selon_," she replied, colouring, and turning round to say
+something to Helen: but she was gone.
+
+"Rosalind!" said Charles, thrusting her paper unread into his bosom.
+"This commission, though we hail it as good fortune, will yet put an end
+to by far the happiest period of my existence, unless--I may hope,
+Rosalind, that--if ever the time should come--and I now think it will
+come--when I may again consider myself as the heir to a large property,
+I may hope that you will some day suffer me to lay this property at your
+feet."
+
+"Never lay your property at the feet of any one, Mr. Mowbray," she
+replied carelessly.
+
+Charles coloured and looked grievously offended. "You teach me at least,
+Miss Torrington, to beware how I venture again to hope that you would
+accept any thing I could lay at yours."
+
+"Nay, do not say so, Mr. Mowbray: I accept daily from you most willingly
+and gratefully unnumbered testimonies of friendship and good will; and
+if their being kindly welcomed will ensure their continuance, you will
+not let them cease."
+
+"I am a coxcomb for having ever hoped for more," said Charles, leaving
+the room with cheeks painfully glowing and a heart indignantly
+throbbing. He had not looked for this repulse, and his disappointment
+was abundantly painful. Over and over again had he decided, while
+holding counsel with himself on the subject, that he would not propose
+to Rosalind till his mother had made him independent; but these
+resolutions were the result rather of a feeling of generosity than of
+timidity. Yet Charles Mowbray was no coxcomb. Miss Torrington was not
+herself aware how many trifling but fondly-treasured symptoms of partial
+liking she had betrayed towards him during the last few weeks; and as it
+never entered his imagination to believe that she could doubt the
+reality of his strong attachment, he attributed the repulse he had
+received, as well as all the encouragement which led him to risk it, as
+the result of the most cruel and cold-hearted coquetry.
+
+It is probable that he left Rosalind little better satisfied with
+herself than he was with her; but unfortunately there is no medium by
+which thoughts carefully hid in one bosom can be made to pour their
+light and warmth into another, and much misery was in this instance, as
+well as in ten thousand others, endured by each party, only for want of
+understanding what was going on in the heart of the other.
+
+Mowbray determined not to waste another hour in uncertainty as to the
+manner in which his commission was to be paid for, and his future
+expenses supplied. But in his way to his mother, he delayed long enough
+to say to Helen, "I have proposed, and been most scornfully rejected,
+Helen. How could we either of us ever dream that Miss Torrington showed
+any more favour to me than she would have done to any brother of yours,
+had he been a hunchbacked idiot?"
+
+Without waiting to receive any expression either of surprise or
+sympathy, he left his sister with the same hurried abruptness with which
+he sought her, and hastened on to find his mother.
+
+She was sitting alone, with a bible on one side of her, and two tracts
+on the other. In her hand was a little curiously-folded note, such as
+she now very constantly received at least once a day, even though the
+writer might have left her presence in health and perfect contentment
+one short hour before.
+
+She started at the sudden entrance of her son, and her delicately pale
+face became as red as a milkmaid's as she hastily placed the note she
+was reading between the leaves of her book. But Charles saw it not;
+every pulse within him was beating with such violence, that it required
+all the power left him to speak that which he had to say. Had his mother
+been weighing out a poison, and packets before her labelled for himself
+and his sisters, he would not have seen it.
+
+"Mother," he said, "I have received notice that the commission in the
+Horse Guards which my father applied for some time before he died is now
+ready for me. Will you have the kindness to furnish me with the means of
+paying for it? and will you also inform me on what sum I may reckon for
+my yearly expenses? I mean to join immediately."
+
+Mrs. Mowbray's little agitation had entirely subsided, and she answered
+with much solemnity, "You come to me, Charles, in a very abrupt manner,
+and apparently in a very thoughtless frame of mind, to speak on
+subjects which to my humble capacity seem fraught with consequences most
+awfully important.--The Horse Guards! Oh! Charles! is it possible you
+can have lived for many weeks in such a regenerated family as mine, and
+yet turn your thoughts towards a life so profane as that of an officer
+in the Horse Guards?"
+
+"Let my life pass where it may, mother, I trust it will not be a profane
+one. I should ill repay my father's teaching if it were. This is the
+profession which he chose for me; it is the one to which I have always
+directed my hopes, and it is that which I decidedly prefer. I trust,
+therefore, that you will not object to my following the course which my
+most excellent father pointed out to me."
+
+"I shall object to it, sir: and pray understand at once, that I will
+never suffer the intemperate pleadings of a hot-headed young man to
+overpower the voice of conscience in my heart."
+
+Poor Mowbray felt inclined to exclaim,
+
+    "When sorrows come, they come not single spies,
+    But in battalions."
+
+For a moment he remained perfectly silent, and then said, "This is very
+terrible news for me, mother. You shall hear, I trust, no intemperate
+pleadings, but I hope you will let me reason with you on the subject.
+Surely you will not blame me for wishing in this, and in all things, to
+adhere as closely as may be to my dear father's wishes?"
+
+"If your poor father, Charles, groped through life surrounded on all
+sides with outer darkness, is that any reason that I should suffer the
+son he left under my care and control to do so likewise? When he left
+the whole of my property at my whole and sole disposal, it was plain
+that he felt there was more hope of wisdom abiding in me than in you. It
+is herein, and herein only, that I must labour to do according to his
+wishes and his will, and endeavour so to act that all may see his
+confidence in me was not misplaced."
+
+"For Heaven's sake, mother! think well before you determine upon
+disappointing all my hopes in this most cruel manner; and believe me,
+that no lookers-on between you and me--except perhaps the mischievous
+fanatic who has lately chosen to meddle so impertinently in our
+affairs--but will feel and say that I have been ill treated."
+
+Had Mowbray not been stung and irritated as he was before this
+conversation, it is probable he would not have remonstrated thus warmly
+with a mother, whom he had ever been accustomed to treat with the most
+tender observance and respect.
+
+She looked at him with equal anger and astonishment, and remained for
+some time without speaking a word, or withdrawing her eyes from his
+face. If her son felt inclined to quote Shakspeare at the beginning of
+the conversation, she might have done so at the end of it; for all she
+wished to say was comprised in these words:
+
+    "Nay, then, I'll send those to you that can speak."
+
+She did not, however, express herself exactly thus, but ended her long
+examination of his flushed and agitated countenance by pronouncing
+almost in a whisper,
+
+"This is very terrible! But I thank Heaven I am not left quite alone in
+the world!"
+
+Having thus spoken, she rose and retired to her bed-room, leaving her
+very unhappy son in possession of her "morning parlour," and of more
+bitter thoughts than had ever before been his portion.
+
+Having continued for some moments exactly in the position in which she
+left him, he at length started up, and endeavouring to rouse himself
+from the heavy trance that seemed to have fallen on him, he hastened to
+find Helen.
+
+"It is all over with me, Helen!" said he. "You know what I met with in
+the library;--and now my mother protests against my accepting my
+commission, because she says that officers lead profane lives. What is
+to become of me, Helen!"
+
+"Have patience, dearest Charles! All this cannot last. It cannot be
+supposed that we can submit ourselves to the will of Mr. Cartwright: and
+depend upon it that it is he who has dictated this refusal. Do not look
+so very miserable, my dear brother! I think you would do very wisely if
+you returned to Oakley to dinner,--for many reasons."
+
+"Bless you, love, for the suggestion! It will indeed be a relief to me.
+I know not at this moment which I most desire to avoid--my mother, or
+Miss Torrington. Have you seen her--Rosalind, I mean?"
+
+"No, Charles,--not since you parted from her. I heard her enter her
+room and lock the door. The answer you have received from her surprises
+me more, and vexes me more, than even my mother's."
+
+"Bless you, Helen! you are a true sister and a true friend. I will go to
+Sir Gilbert;--but it rains hard--I wish I had the cab, or my own dear
+mare to ride. But that's a minor trouble;--it irks me though, for it
+comes from the same quarter."
+
+"It does indeed;--and it irks me too, believe me. But patience,
+Charles!--courage and patience will do much."
+
+"Will it give me the heart of the woman I love, Helen?--or rather, will
+it give her a heart? It is that which galls me. I have been
+deceived--trifled with, and have loved with my whole heart and soul a
+most heartless, fair-seeming coquette."
+
+"That you have not, Charles!" replied Helen warmly; "that you have not!
+I too have mistaken Rosalind's feelings towards you. Perhaps she has
+mistaken them herself: but she is not heartless; and above all, there is
+no seeming about her."
+
+"How I love you for contradicting me, Helen!--and for that bright flush
+that so eloquently expresses anger and indignation at my injustice! But
+if she be not a coquette, then must I be a most consummate puppy; for as
+I live, Helen, I thought she loved me."
+
+"I cannot understand it. But I know that Rosalind Torrington is
+warm-hearted, generous, and sincere; and whatever it is which has led us
+to misunderstand her, either now or heretofore, it cannot be coquetry,
+or false-seeming of any kind."
+
+"Well--be it so: I would rather the fault were mine than hers. But I
+will not see her again to-day if I can help it. So good-b'ye, Helen: my
+lady must excuse my toilet;--I cannot dress and then walk through Oakley
+lane."
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XIV.
+
+THE ENTRY.
+
+
+It was very nearly midnight when Mowbray returned from his visit to Sir
+Gilbert Harrington's. To his great surprise, he found Helen waiting for
+him, even in the hall; for the moment she heard the door-bell she ran
+out to meet him.
+
+"Why are you up so late, Helen?" he exclaimed: "and for Heaven's sake
+tell me what makes you look so pale.--Where is Rosalind?"
+
+"She is in bed;--she has been in tears all day; I made her go to bed.
+But, oh, Charles! my mother!--she has left the house."
+
+"Gracious Heaven! what do you mean? Did she leave the house in anger?
+Did she ask for me?"
+
+"No, Charles: nor for me either!"
+
+"And where on earth is she gone?"
+
+"No one in the house has the remotest idea: it is impossible even to
+guess. But she has taken Fanny and Curtis with her."
+
+"When did she set out?"
+
+"While Rosalind and I were eating our miserable melancholy dinner. Mr.
+Cartwright, I find, called after you went, and was shown, as usual, to
+her dressing-room; but he did not stay, Thomas says, above half an hour,
+for he both let him in and out. Soon after he went away, Fanny was sent
+for; and she and Curtis remained with her till a few minutes before
+dinner-time. Curtis then went into the kitchen, it seems, and ordered a
+tray to be taken for my mother and Fanny into the dressing-room, and the
+only message sent to Rosalind and me was, that mamma was not well, and
+begged not to be disturbed. Curtis must have seen the coachman and
+settled every thing with him very secretly; for not one of the servants,
+except the new stable-boy, knew that the carriage was ordered."
+
+"How are we to interpret this, Helen?--Such a night too!--as dark as
+pitch. Had I not known the way blindfold, I should never have got home.
+I left Sir Gilbert in a rage because I would not sleep there;--but my
+heart was heavy; I felt restless and anxious at the idea of remaining
+from you during the night: I think it was a presentiment of this
+dreadful news.--Oh! what a day has this been to me! So gay, so happy in
+the morning! so supremely wretched before night!--I can remember nothing
+that I said which could possibly have driven her to leave her home. What
+can it mean, Helen?"
+
+"Alas! Charles, I have no power to answer you. If asking questions could
+avail, might I not ask what I have done? And yet, at the moment of her
+leaving home for the night, she sent me word that I was _not to disturb
+her_!"
+
+"The roads too are so bad! Had she lamps, Helen?"
+
+"Oh yes. Some of the maids, while shutting up the rooms upstairs, saw
+the lights moving very rapidly towards the lodges."
+
+"It is an inexplicable and very painful mystery. But go to bed, my
+dearest Helen! you look most wretchedly ill and miserable."
+
+"Ill?--No, I am not ill, Charles, but miserable; yes, more miserable
+than I have ever felt since my poor father's death was first made known
+to me."
+
+The following morning brought no relief to the anxiety which this
+strange absence occasioned. Rosalind joined the brother and sister at
+breakfast, and her jaded looks more than confirmed Helen's report of the
+preceding night. Charles, however, hardly saw her sufficiently to know
+how she looked, for he carefully avoided her eyes; but if the gentlest
+and most soothing tone of voice, and the expression of her almost tender
+sympathy in the uneasiness he was enduring, could have consoled the
+young man for all he had suffered and was suffering, he would have been
+consoled.
+
+The day passed heavily; but Helen looked so very ill and so very
+unhappy, that Charles could not bear to leave her; and though a mutual
+feeling of embarrassment between himself and Rosalind made his remaining
+with them a very doubtful advantage, he never quitted them.
+
+But it was quite in vain that he attempted to renew the occupations
+which had made the last six weeks pass so delightfully. He began to
+read; but Helen stopped him before the end of the page, by saying, "I
+cannot think what is the reason of it, Charles, but I cannot comprehend
+a single syllable of what you are reading."
+
+Rosalind, blushing to the ears, and actually trembling from head to
+foot, invited him to play at chess with her. Without replying a word, he
+brought the table and set up the men before her; but the result of the
+game was, that Charles gave Rosalind checkmate, and it was Helen only
+who discovered it.
+
+At an early hour they separated for the night; for the idea of waiting
+for Mrs. Mowbray seemed equally painful to them all, and the morrow's
+sun rose upon them only to bring a repetition of the sad and restless
+hours of the day that was past. Truly might they have said they were
+weary of conjecture; for so completely had they exhausted every
+supposition to which the imagination of either of the party could reach,
+without finding one on which common sense would permit them to repose,
+that, by what seemed common consent, they ceased to hazard a single "may
+be" more.
+
+They were sitting with their coffee-cups before them, and Rosalind was
+once more trying to fix the attention of Charles, as well as her own, to
+the chess-board, when a lusty pull at the door-bell produced an alarm
+which caused all the servants in the house to jump from their seats, and
+one half of the chessmen to be overturned by the violent start of
+Rosalind.
+
+A few moments of breathless expectation followed. The house door was
+opened, and the steps of several persons were heard in the hall, but no
+voice accompanied them. Helen rose, but trembled so violently, that her
+brother threw his arms round her and almost carried her to a sofa.
+Rosalind stood beside her, looking very nearly as pale as herself; while
+Charles made three steps forward and one back again, and then stood with
+his hands clasped and his eyes fixed on the door in a manner which
+showed that, in spite of his manhood, he was very nearly as much
+agitated as his companions.
+
+The next sound they heard was the voice of the lady of the mansion, and
+she spoke loud and clear, as she laid her hand on the lock, and partly
+opening the door, said addressing the butler, who with half a dozen
+other servingmen had hurried to answer the bell, "Chivers! order all the
+servants to meet me in this room immediately; and fail not to come
+yourself."
+
+Mowbray had again stepped forward upon hearing his mother's voice, but
+stopped short to listen to her words; and having heard them, he turned
+back again, and placing himself behind the sofa on which Helen sat,
+leaned over it to whisper in her ear--"Let me not see you overcome,
+Helen! and then I shall be able to bear any thing."
+
+As he spoke, the door was thrown widely open, and a lady entered dressed
+entirely in white and very deeply veiled, followed by Fanny Mowbray and
+Mr. Cartwright.
+
+A heavy sense of faintness seized on the heart of Helen, but she stood
+up and endeavoured to advance; Rosalind, on the contrary, stepped back
+and seated herself in the darkest corner of the room; while Charles
+hastily walked towards the veiled lady, and in a voice thick from
+emotion, exclaimed, "My mother!"
+
+"Yes, Charles!" she replied; "your mother; but no longer a widowed,
+desolate mother, shrinking before the unnatural rebuke of her son. I
+would willingly have acted with greater appearance of deliberation, but
+your conduct rendered this impossible. Mr. Cartwright! permit me to
+present you to this hot-headed young man and his sister, as my husband
+and their father."
+
+This terrible but expected annunciation was received in total silence.
+Mowbray seemed to think only of his sister; for without looking towards
+the person thus solemnly presented to him, he turned to her, and taking
+her by the arm, said, "Helen!--you had better sit down."
+
+Fanny, who had entered the room immediately after her mother, looked
+pale and frightened; but though she fixed a tearful eye on Helen, she
+attempted not to approach her.
+
+Mr. Cartwright himself stood beside his bride, or rather a little in
+advance of her: his tall person drawn up to its greatest height.
+Meekness, gentleness, and humility appeared to have his lips in their
+keeping; but unquenchable triumph was running riot in his eyes, and
+flashed upon every individual before him with a very unequivocal and
+somewhat scornful air of authority.
+
+This tableau endured till the door was again thrown open, and one by one
+the servants entered, forming at last a long line completely across the
+room. When all were in their marshalled places, which here, as
+elsewhere, were in as exact conformity to the received order of
+precedence as if they had been nobles at a coronation, the lady bride
+again lifted her voice and addressed them thus: "I have called you all
+together on the present occasion in order to inform you that Mr.
+Cartwright is my husband and your master. I hope it is unnecessary for
+me to say that every thing in the family must henceforward be submitted
+solely to his pleasure, and that his commands must on all occasions
+supersede those of every other person. I trust you will all show
+yourselves sensible of the inestimable blessing I have bestowed upon you
+in thus giving you a master who can lead you unto everlasting life; and
+as I have married for the glory of Heaven, so I trust to receive its
+blessing upon the same, and to see every member of my family advancing
+daily under the guidance of their earthly master's hand to that state
+which shall ensure them favour from their heavenly one in the life to
+come. Amen! Repeat, I beg you--all of you repeat with me Amen!"
+
+Though there were some throats there in which Amen would have stuck,
+there were enough present besides these to get up a tolerably articulate
+Amen.
+
+Mr. Cartwright then stepped forward, and laying his hat and gloves on
+the table, said aloud, "Let us pray!"
+
+The obedient menials knelt before him,--all save one. This bold
+exception was the housekeeper; a staid and sober person of fifty years
+of age, who during the dozen years she had presided over the household,
+had constantly evinced a strict and conscientious adherence to her
+religious duties, and was, moreover, distinguished for her uniformly
+respectful, quiet, and unobtrusive demeanour. But she now stepped
+forward from her place at the head of the line, and said in a low voice,
+but very slowly and distinctly, "I cannot, sir, on this occasion kneel
+down to pray at your bidding. This is not a holy business at all, Mr.
+Cartwright; and if you were to give me for salary the half of what you
+are about to wring from the orphan children of my late master, (deceased
+just eight calendar months ago,) I would not take it, sir, to live here
+and witness what I cannot but look upon as great sin."
+
+The good woman then gave a sad look at Helen and her brother, who were
+standing together, dropped a respectful curtesy as her eyes rested on
+them, and then left the room.
+
+"Her sin be on her own head!" said Mr. Cartwright as he himself kneeled
+down upon a footstool which stood near the table. He drew a cambric
+handkerchief from his pocket, gave a preparatory "hem," and apparently
+unconscious that Miss Torrington had darted from the remote corner in
+which she had been ensconced and followed the housekeeper out of the
+room, remained for a moment with his eyes fixed on Mowbray and Helen,
+who remained standing.
+
+"It would be a frightful mockery for us to kneel!" said Charles, drawing
+his sister back to the sofa she had quitted. "Sit down with me, Helen;
+and when we are alone we will pray for strength to endure as we ought to
+do whatever calamity it is Heaven's will to try us with."
+
+The bride was kneeling beside her husband; but she rose up and said,
+"You are of age, Charles Mowbray, and too stiff-necked and wilful to
+obey your mother: but you, Helen, I command to kneel."
+
+She then replaced herself with much solemnity; and Helen knelt too,
+while breathing a silent prayer to be forgiven for what she felt to be
+profanation.
+
+Charles stood for a moment irresolute, and then said, dropping on his
+knees beside her, "Heaven will pardon me for your sake, dear
+Helen,--even for kneeling at a service that my heart disclaims."
+
+Mr. Cartwright hemmed again, and began.
+
+"I thank thee! that by thy especial calling and election I am placed
+where so many sinful souls are found, who through and by me may be shown
+the path by which to escape the eternal pains of hell. But let thy
+flames blaze and burn, O Lord! for those who neglect so great salvation!
+Pour down upon them visibly thy avenging judgments, and let the earth
+see it and be afraid. To me, O Lord! grant power, strength, and courage
+to do the work that is set before me. Let me be a rod and a scourge to
+the ungodly; and let no sinful weakness on the part of the wife whom
+thou hast given me come across or overshadow the light received from
+thee for the leading of the rebellious back unto thy paths. Bless my
+virtuous wife; teach her to be meekly obedient to my word, and to thine
+through me; and make her so to value the inestimable mercy of being
+placed in the guiding hands of thy elected servant, that the miserable
+earthly dross which she maketh over to me in exchange for the same may
+seem but as dirt and filthiness in her sight! May such children as are
+already born unto her be brought to a due sense of thy exceeding mercy
+in thus putting it into their mother's heart to choose thine elected
+servant to lead them through the dangerous paths of youth; make them
+rejoice and be exceeding glad for the same, for so shall it be good in
+thy sight!"
+
+This terrible thanksgiving, with all its minute rehearsing of people and
+of things, went on for a considerable time longer; but enough has been
+given to show the spirit of it. As soon as it was ended, the new master
+of the mansion rose from his knees, and waiting with an appearance of
+some little impatience till his audience had all recovered their feet,
+he turned to his bride with a smile of much complacency, and said,
+"Mrs. Cartwright, my love, where shall I order Chivers to bring us some
+refreshments? Probably the dining-room fire is out. Shall we sup here?"
+
+"Wherever you please," answered the lady meekly, and blushing a little
+at the sound of her new name pronounced for the first time before her
+children.
+
+This address and the answer to it were too much for Helen to endure with
+any appearance of composure. She hid her face in her handkerchief as she
+passed her mother, and giving Fanny, who was seated near the door, a
+hasty kiss, left the room, followed by her brother.
+
+Helen ran to the apartment of Rosalind; and Mowbray ran with her,
+forgetful, as it seemed, of the indecorum of such an unauthorized
+intrusion at any time, and more forgetful still of the icy barrier which
+had seemed to exist between him and its fair inhabitant since the first
+expression of his love and of his hope had been so cruelly chilled by
+her light answer to it. But in this moment of new misery every thing was
+forgotten but the common sorrow: they found Rosalind passionately
+sobbing, and Mrs. Williams, the housekeeper, weeping very heartily
+beside her.
+
+"Oh, my Helen!" exclaimed the young heiress, springing forward to meet
+her; "Williams says they cannot take my money from me. Will you let us
+divide my fortune and live together?"
+
+"Williams forgets your age, Rosalind," replied Helen: but though there
+was pain in recalling this disqualifying truth, there was a glance of
+pleasure too in the look with which Helen thanked her; and Charles, as
+he gazed on her swollen eyes and working features, felt that, cruel as
+she had been to him, she must ever be the dearest, as she was the best
+and the loveliest, being in the world.
+
+And there was assuredly comfort, even at such a moment, in the devoted
+friendship of Rosalind, and in the respectful but earnest expressions of
+affection from the good housekeeper; but the future prospects of Charles
+and his sisters was one upon which it was impossible to look without
+dismay.
+
+"What ought we to do?" said Helen, appealing as much to her old servant
+as her young friend. "Can it be our duty to live with this hypocritical
+and designing wretch, and call him _father_?"
+
+"No!" replied Rosalind vehemently. "To do so would be shame and sin."
+
+"But where can the poor girls take refuge? You forget, Miss Torrington,
+that they are penniless," said Charles.
+
+"But I am not penniless, sir," replied Rosalind, looking at him with an
+expression of anger that proceeded wholly from his formal mode of
+address, but which he interpreted as the result of a manner assumed to
+keep him at a distance.
+
+"May I venture to say one word, my dear children, before I take my leave
+of you?" said Mrs. Williams.
+
+"Oh yes," said Helen, taking her by the hand; "I wish you would give us
+your advice, Williams: we are too young to decide for ourselves at such
+a dreadful moment as this."
+
+"And for that very reason, my dear Miss Helen, I would have you wait a
+little before you decide at all. Master Charles,--I beg his pardon--Mr.
+Mowbray,--is altogether a different consideration; and if so be it is
+any way possible for him, I think he should leave, and wait for the end
+elsewhere: but for you and poor Miss Fanny, my dear young lady, I do
+think you must learn to bear and forbear till such time as you may leave
+your misguided mamma, and perhaps accept this noble young lady's offer,
+and share her great fortune with her,--for a time I mean, Miss
+Helen,--for it can't be but my mistress will come to her senses sooner
+or later, and then she will remember she is a mother; and she will
+remember too, take my word for it, the noble-hearted but too confiding
+gentleman, who was your father."
+
+Tears flowed from every eye, for poor Mowbray was no exception, at this
+allusion to the beloved father, the gentle master, and the friendly
+guardian; but this did not prevent the good woman's words from having
+their full weight,--it rather added to it, for it brought back the vivid
+remembrance of one in whose temper there was no gall.
+
+"It will be hard to bear, Williams," replied Helen; "but I do indeed
+believe that you are right, and that, for a time at least, this cruelly
+changed house must be our home. But do you know that in the midst of all
+our misery, I have one comfort,--I think poor Fanny will be restored to
+us. Did you see the expression of her lovely face as she looked at us,
+Charles? Even you did not look more miserable."
+
+"And if that be so, Miss Helen, it may atone for much; for it was a
+grievous sight to see the poor innocent child taking all Mr.
+Cartwright's brass for gold. If she has got a peep at his cloven foot, I
+shall leave you almost with a light heart--for I have grieved over her."
+
+"I will take all the comfort I can, Williams, from your words, and will
+follow your counsel too, upon one condition; and that is, nobody must
+prevent my setting off betimes to-morrow morning, as you and I did,
+Rosalind, once before, for Oakley. If my dear godmother advises me as
+you do, Williams, I will return and quietly put my neck into this
+hateful yoke, and so remain till Heaven shall see fit to release me."
+
+"Heaven knows, I shall not oppose that plan," said Rosalind eagerly;
+"for to my judgment, it is the very best you can pursue."
+
+"Indeed I think so," added Charles; "and, dark and dismal as the
+mornings are, I would advise you, Helen, to set out before the time
+arrives for either accepting or refusing the general summons to join the
+family breakfast-table."
+
+"And may I go too?" said Rosalind with a glance half reproachful at
+Charles for the manner in which he seemed to avoid speaking to her.
+
+"May you, Rosalind?" cried Helen. "For pity's sake, do not fancy it
+possible that I can do anything without you now: I should feel that you
+were forsaking me."
+
+"I never forsake any one that I have ever loved," said Rosalind with
+emotion, "whatever you or any one else may think to the contrary."
+
+"Well, then, we will all three go together. But you little thought,
+Rosalind, when you first came here, that you would have to trudge
+through muddy lanes, and under wintry skies for want of a carriage: but
+on this occasion, at least, we will not ask Mr. Cartwright to permit us
+the use of one of his."
+
+"Then go to bed, my dear young ladies," said Mrs. Williams, "that you
+may be early up to-morrow: and let me hear from you, Miss Helen. I shall
+not go from Wrexhill, at least not till I know a little how you will
+settle every thing. I will take Mrs. Freeman's pretty little rooms, that
+you always admire so much, Master Charles; and there I will stay for the
+present."
+
+"Oh! that beautiful little cottage that they call the Mowbray Arms!"
+said Rosalind. "How we shall envy her, Helen!"
+
+The party then separated; for the good housekeeper most strenuously
+opposed Rosalind's proposition of passing the night with her friend.
+
+"You would neither of you sleep a wink, ladies, if you bide together.
+And now, though there is more sorrow with you than such young hearts
+ought to have, yet you will sleep when you have nobody to talk to about
+it; for what makes old folks wake and watch, will often made young folks
+sleep."
+
+And the good woman's prediction proved true; though the sleep that
+followed the tremendous blow they had received was too feverish and full
+of dreams to make the waking feel like that delightful return to new
+life and new joy which the waking of the young should ever be.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XV.
+
+WALK TO OAKLEY--DOMESTIC ARRANGEMENTS--THE VILLAGE INN.
+
+
+Fortunately for their proposed expedition, the morning broke more
+brightly than a December morning could reasonably be expected to do, and
+the trio set off on their walk to Oakley almost as soon as it was light.
+The expedition, notwithstanding the unhappy cause of it, would have been
+less silent and less sad, had not Charles thought Rosalind capricious
+and cruel, and had not Rosalind thought Charles unkind and cold.
+
+Nothing could appear more likely to perpetuate the unfortunate
+misunderstanding between them than the heavy misfortune that had fallen
+upon Mowbray. His total dependence, contrasted with Miss Torrington's
+wealth, was perpetually recurring to him, producing a degree of
+restraint in his manner that cut Rosalind to the heart, and roused all
+her womanly pride to prevent the long-combated feeling of attachment to
+which his present sorrows gave tenfold strength from betraying itself.
+
+The tripping lightly through summer paths, and the picking one's way
+through wintry lanes, are two very different operations; and
+notwithstanding their early rising, they found the baronet and his lady
+already at the breakfast-table.
+
+The astonishment occasioned by their appearance was great, but yet it
+was a joyous astonishment, and it was some time before Sir Gilbert's
+noisy welcome subsided sufficiently for her ladyship's more quiet and
+more anxious inquiries could be either answered or heard.
+
+At length there was something in the tone of Helen's voice, the glance
+of Rosalind's eye, and the silent pressure of Mowbray's hand, which
+awakened his attention.
+
+"Why, you have walked over to see us, my dear girls, and it was behaving
+like a pair of little angels to do so; but you're not one half as well
+pleased to see me as I am to see you. Come here, Helen; sit down in my
+own chair here, and get warm, and then the words will thaw and come
+forth like the notes from the horn of Munchausen's postboy. And your
+black eyes, Miss Rose, don't look half as saucy as they used do: and as
+for Charles,--What, on earth, is the matter with ye all?"
+
+Helen burst into tears and buried her face in Lady Harrington's bosom.
+
+"Sir Gilbert," said Mowbray, colouring to the temples, "my mother is
+married!"
+
+"The devil she is!" thundered the old man, clenching his fists.
+"Married, is she?--Jezebel!--May your poor father's ghost haunt her to
+her dying hour!--Married! To that canting cur the Vicar of Wrexhill? Is
+it not so?"
+
+"Even so, Sir Gilbert."
+
+"Heaven help you, my poor children!" said Lady Harrington in accents of
+the deepest sorrow; "this is a grief that it will indeed be hard to
+bear!"
+
+"And we come to you for counsel how to bear it, my dear lady," said
+Mowbray, "though little choice is left us. Yet, Helen says, if you tell
+her that she must submit to call this man her father, it will be easier
+for her to do it."
+
+"Bless her, darling child!" said the old lady, fondly caressing her;
+"how shall I ever find the heart to bid her do what it must break her
+heart to think of?"
+
+"Bid her call that rascal father?" cried Sir Gilbert. "My Lady
+Harrington must be strangely altered, Mowbray, before she will do that:
+she is a very rebellious old lady, and a most prodigious shrew; but you
+do her no justice, Charles, in believing she would utter such atrocious
+words."
+
+"But what is to become of Helen, my dear Sir Gilbert, if she quarrel
+with this man?"
+
+"Come to us, to be sure,--what's the man to her? Has your precious
+mother made any settlement upon you all?"
+
+"I imagine not; indeed I may say that I am sure she has not."
+
+"Am I a prophet, my lady? how did I tell you Mowbray's sentimental will
+would answer? And has this meek and gentle lady proved herself deserving
+of all the pretty things I said of her?"
+
+"There is but small comfort in remembering how truly, how very truly,
+your predictions foretold what has happened, Sir Gilbert: and he has
+predicted that you must come here, my sweet Helen; let this come true
+likewise."
+
+"I cannot leave poor Fanny, Lady Harrington," replied Helen; "I cannot
+leave my dear and generous friend Rosalind: and yet your offered
+kindness cheers my heart, and I shall think of it with pleasure and
+gratitude as long as I live."
+
+"But I thought Fanny was a disciple of this Calvinistic gentleman's? If
+so, it were better she remained with him till she has learned to
+distinguish hypocrisy from virtue, and cant from true religion. And for
+Miss Torrington, I shall rejoice to have her for my guest for as long a
+time as she can find our old-fashioned mansion agreeable to her."
+
+"You are very, very kind!" replied the two friends in the same breath.
+
+"Then so let it be. Charles, these good girls will stay here for the
+present; so let us eat our breakfast. Let me save them from the odious
+spectacle of the Vicar of Wrexhill establishing himself at Mowbray Park,
+and the future must take care of itself."
+
+"But, Fanny," said Helen doubtingly, "she looked so unhappy as she
+followed my mother in last night, that I feel almost certain her fit of
+enthusiasm is already over."
+
+"So much the better, my dear," said Sir Gilbert; "but it will do her a
+vast deal of good to watch the reverend gentleman's proceedings in his
+new character. That scratch upon her intellect must be cauterized before
+I shall believe it cured; and when the operation is complete, she may
+join the party here. As for you, my dear boy, when your breakfast is
+finished I have something for your ear in private."
+
+This _something_ was the proposal of a loan sufficient for the purchase
+of the commission, and for the supply of the expenses consequent upon
+joining his corps. But this Mowbray could not be prevailed upon to
+accept; and his reasons for refusing it were such, that when he could
+prevail on the friendly old gentleman to listen to him, he could not
+deny that there was much weight in them.
+
+"If I withdraw myself altogether from my mother at this moment," said
+Charles, "I shall give her husband an excellent and very plausible
+excuse for persuading her to banish me from her house and her heart for
+ever. Whereas if I remain near her, it can hardly, I think, be doubted
+that some reaction will take place in her feelings, and that she will at
+last be induced to treat me as a son. At any rate, Sir Gilbert, not even
+your generous kindness shall induce me to abandon this hope till I feel
+persuaded that it is a vain one. In my opinion, my duty and my interest
+equally dictate this line of conduct; and if so, you are the last man in
+the world to dissuade me from pursuing it."
+
+Whether there were too much of firm decision in Mowbray's manner to
+leave any hope of overcoming it, or that Sir Gilbert was really
+convinced by his arguments, was difficult to decide; but he yielded the
+point, on condition that the two girls should be left at Oakley, at
+least for the present, and be regulated as to their future conduct by
+the manner in which affairs went on at the Park.
+
+This being settled much to the satisfaction of all parties, Lady
+Harrington made Miss Torrington describe the entree of this most
+undesired interloper; a task which the fair Rosalind performed with
+great spirit, though she confessed that the impatient feeling to which
+she yielded in leaving the room was now a cause of regret, as she had
+lost thereby some notable traits in the history of that eventful hour.
+
+Lady Harrington was greatly delighted at the conduct of Mrs. Williams;
+and when Charles left them to inform Mrs. Cartwright that her daughter
+and her ward had accepted an invitation to remain at Oakley for a few
+days, she proposed that they should pay her a visit at the Mowbray Arms,
+both to give her the satisfaction of knowing that her conduct was
+approved, and likewise to give her the comfort of knowing that Helen and
+Miss Torrington were for the present removed from such scenes as they
+had witnessed the night before.
+
+It was about two o'clock in the afternoon when Lady Harrington's
+carriage drove across the common to the little public-house already
+described as the Mowbray Arms. As they approached, they perceived
+several persons who appeared to be occupied in very eager and deep
+discussion before the door.
+
+"What are they doing there?" said Lady Harrington.
+
+Rosalind put forward her head to ascertain this, but in an instant drew
+it back again, exclaiming, "Mr. Cartwright is there!"
+
+"Mr. Cartwright!" exclaimed Helen, turning very pale. "Oh, Lady
+Harrington, do not let me see him!"
+
+Lady Harrington let down the glass behind the coachman, and said aloud,
+"Turn round instantly, and drive home."
+
+This order being immediately obeyed, the party escaped the sight of the
+vicar; but in gaining this advantage they lost that of beholding a scene
+which must have drawn forth a smile, even from Helen herself.
+
+The parties engaged in it were Mrs. Freeman, her daughter Sally, Jem the
+horse-boy, an elderly traveller called forth by the clamour from the
+warm comforts of Mrs. Freeman's fireside, and Mr. Cartwright himself. A
+short retrospect will be necessary to explain his business there.
+
+As soon as the prayer of that morning had reached its final Amen--for as
+the subject-matter of it consisted chiefly in vehement implorings of the
+divine favour on such of his new family and household as should show
+unto him the most perfect submission and obedience, the Amen, to make
+assurance doubly sure, was three several times repeated;--as soon,
+however, as it was finally pronounced, the vicar, his lady, and the pale
+Fanny, sat down to breakfast. It would be tedious to tell how many
+glances of furtive but deep-felt delight the newly-made master of the
+house cast on each and every of the minute, yet not unimportant,
+differences between this breakfast-table and any others at which he had
+occupied a place of equal authority: suffice it to say, that there were
+many. The meal, indeed, altogether lasted much longer than usual; but as
+soon as it was ended, and that Mr. Cartwright had watched with feelings
+of great complacency the exit of its component parts by the hands of two
+footmen and a butler, he told his wife that he should be obliged, though
+most unwillingly, to leave her for some hours, as there were many things
+to which his personal attention was required.
+
+"Will the rooms be ready to-day for Jacob and Henrietta, my love?"
+
+"They are quite ready now, my dear Mr. Cartwright. When may we hope to
+see them?"
+
+"To call and give them their orders about coming here is one part of the
+business that takes me from you, my sweet Clara. There are some small
+bills in the village, too, with which your happy husband must not be
+dunned, sweet love. What ready-money have you, dearest, in the house?"
+
+"Of money I have very little indeed," said Mrs. Cartwright, unlocking
+her desk, and drawing thence a purse with ten or twelve sovereigns in
+it. "I pay every thing by drafts."
+
+"By far the best way, my love. But your drafts, dear, are no longer
+worth any thing; and I must therefore see Corbold, to give orders that
+every thing is put right about that at the banker's, and so forth: and
+this must really be done without delay."
+
+"Certainly it must," said the lady. "Shall I ... I mean, will you send
+one of the men to Wrexhill to bring him here?"
+
+Mr. Cartwright laid his hand on the bell, but, ere he pulled it, checked
+his hand, and said, "No! I must walk to the village, and therefore I
+will call on him myself."
+
+"Shall you prefer walking, my dear Mr. Cartwright?"
+
+"Why no: I had forgot: perhaps it would be as well to take the
+carriage."
+
+"Oh, certainly! And you can bring Henrietta back with you."
+
+"True, dear,--she will certainly want the carriage: I will go, and send
+her and her bandboxes back in it--and then, perhaps, drive myself back
+in the cab. It is at the Vicarage, you know."
+
+"Is it? I did not remember that. Then how are they gone this
+morning?--those undutiful children, I mean, who have chosen to set off
+this morning without even leaving a message for us. I imagined that
+Charles had packed them both into the cab, as he has often done his
+sisters."
+
+"Do not waste a thought on them, my beloved Clara! It is evident that
+they have neither of them ever felt the slightest affection for you; and
+would it not be worse than folly for you, beloved and adored as you are,
+to let any thought of them come to blight our happiness?"
+
+After this and many more tender and affectionate passages had passed
+between them, Mr. Cartwright set off for the Vicarage _in his own
+coach_, as he told himself more than once as he drove along; and having
+informed his son and daughter, not greatly to the surprise of either,
+that Mowbray Park was to be their future home, he left them to prepare
+for their removal, telling Henrietta that he would send his carriage
+back from Mr. Corbold's, where it should set him down, and that she
+might fill it, if she chose, with her own luggage, as he should drive
+Jacob _home_ in his cab.
+
+At Mr. Corbold's the conversation was rather religious, and moreover
+extremely satisfactory to both parties. One or two of his most prayerful
+parishioners among the tradespeople were next called upon, and permitted
+to offer their congratulations and thanksgivings, and then told to send
+their bills to the Park. After this, the reverend bridegroom walked down
+the village street to the common, returning the humble bowings and
+curtsyings that crossed his path with a benignant sweetness of
+countenance that spoke much of the placid contentment that dwelt within.
+
+It was not, however, solely to enjoy this pleasing interchange of
+heavenly-minded civility that he directed his steps along this
+well-frequented path--though that was something,--but for the purpose
+also of transacting a little business with Freeman, the prosperous
+landlord of the Mowbray Arms.
+
+This good man and his family, it may be observed, had been great
+favourites with the family of Mr. Wallace, the late vicar, but stood not
+so high by many degrees in the estimation of the present. They were
+honest, industrious, regular church-going people, who had never, during
+the twenty years they had kept the village inn, been accused or even
+suspected of having neglected a Sabbath, or of having ever permitted any
+indecorum either on that or any other day, to be practised under their
+roof. But they had steadily refused to attend Mr. Cartwright's Tuesday
+evening's expounding, and his Thursday evening's lecture; the good
+woman, who was no bad scholar, alleging as the reason for this, that
+they knew of no such religious service being enjoined by the church of
+which they were members, and that not considering themselves in any way
+called upon to amend the ordinances of the religion in which they were
+born and bred, they thought it more according to their condition to
+remain at home and endeavour to do their duty in that state of life to
+which it had pleased God to call them.
+
+This explanation having been very clearly and distinctly given to the
+vicar in the presence of several witnesses, before whom he had intended
+to make a rather marked display of pastoral piety and eloquence, though
+uttered with very becoming modesty and respect, had produced an
+impression against the pains-taking Dorothy and all her household never
+to be forgotten or forgiven.
+
+Mr. Cartwright had even taken the trouble of waiting upon the
+magistrates of the neighbourhood, requesting them to refuse to continue
+Freeman's licence, assuring them that he was a man whose character was
+likely to produce a very demoralising influence on his parish. But as
+these gentlemen had happened to know the good man for many years, they
+begged to consider of it; and the Vicar of Wrexhill was thus left to
+discover other ways and means by which to dislodge his obnoxious
+parishioner.
+
+A very favourable occasion for this now seemed to offer itself, and he
+accordingly proceeded with an elastic step and dignified gait towards
+the Mowbray Arms.
+
+At the moment he appeared in sight, the ex-housekeeper of the Park was
+describing to Mrs. Freeman and her daughter Sally the return of its
+mistress and most unwelcome master on the preceding evening.
+
+"Why, here he comes, as sure as I live!" exclaimed Dorothy. "What in the
+wide world can bring him here? It must be to preachify you, Mrs.
+Williams."
+
+"And that's what he shall never do again:--so step out and speak to him
+outside--there's a dear good woman; and if I see you can't get rid of
+him, I'll make my way out of the back door, and so go round and slip in
+again and up to my own room before he can catch me."
+
+To facilitate this escape, Mrs. Freeman walked forth and met the
+reverend bridegroom just as he had reached the foot of the post from
+whence depended the Mowbray Arms.
+
+"Good morning, Mrs. Freeman," he said, in the peculiar accent in which
+he always addressed those who were not (to use his own phrase) of his
+father's house,--a tone in which cold outward civility was struggling
+with hot internal hatred;--"Good morning, Mrs. Freeman."
+
+"Good morning, sir," responded Mrs. Freeman with a very proper and
+ceremonious curtsy.
+
+"I have called to mention to you a necessary alteration that must
+immediately take place on your premises. You must forthwith take down
+the Mowbray Arms, which have no longer any connexion with the
+neighbourhood; and it may be, if you conduct yourselves properly, I may
+permit you to substitute the Cartwright Arms."
+
+"I believe, sir," said Mrs. Freeman in a tone rather too much
+approaching to indifference, "that a publican may exhibit what sign he
+likes, provided it be not offensive to common decency: and I think there
+may be a many," she added, turning away to re-enter her house, "who
+might object to the sign you propose, as not coming within that line."
+
+She had made a step or two towards the door, when she turned again upon
+hearing the voice of the vicar raised to a very unusual pitch. He was
+not addressing her, however, but the boy Jem, who chanced at that moment
+to be entering the little rickyard with a ladder upon his shoulder.
+
+"Bring here that ladder, boy!" vociferated the imperious great man.
+
+The boy obeyed, saying, as he drew near, "What's your pleasure, sir?"
+
+"Fix your ladder against this post, d'ye hear? and mount--steady,
+mind,--and take the sign off the hooks. When you have got it loose, you
+may let it drop. If it breaks, it's no matter,--it is of no farther
+value."
+
+"Take down master's sign, your honour?" said Jem, opening his mouth and
+eyes to their greatest dimensions, but not approaching an inch nearer to
+the sign-post.
+
+"Do you dispute my orders, you little ruffian?" cried the holy vicar,
+his eyes flashing, and his cane raised in a very threatening attitude.
+
+"You be the parson of the parish, I know," said the boy, looking
+steadily in his face; "and they do say you be something else besides,
+now; but I don't see that's a reason for my lugging master's sign down."
+
+At this moment the feelings of the man overcame those of the saint, and
+Mr. Cartwright seizing upon the ladder, succeeded in disengaging it from
+the boy's hands, and himself placing it against the post, had already
+got one foot upon it, when Mrs. Freeman stepped back, and taking a quiet
+but firm hold of his arm, said, "It is a trespass and a damage you are
+committing, sir, and I warn you to desist; and I wish with all my heart
+that there was no worser trespass and damage upon your conscience--or at
+least that there was still as good time to stop it. But, married or not
+to the lady, we won't have nothing to do with your arms, Mr. Cartwright,
+nor your legs, neither, if you please, sir; so don't be after climbing
+that fashion to disturb our property, for it don't look clerical nohow."
+
+Mr. Cartwright raised his voice much beyond its usual pitch, to answer;
+and at this moment Sally and the traveller, moved by a very natural
+feeling of curiosity, joined the group.
+
+"Why, what's the gentleman after?" said the wayfaring man, deliberately
+taking out a pair of huge near-sighted spectacles to examine into the
+mystery. "I should take un to be a parson by his cloth; only I never did
+hear of a reverend climbing a ladder, save and except the famous Dr.
+Dodd, as I've read of in the Newgate Calendar."
+
+This harangue, short as it was, saved the Mowbray Arms from farther
+molestation for the present; for the vicar withdrew his foot. But the
+glance with which he greeted the speaker was very nearly awful. Dorothy
+Freeman, however, turned on her heel, nothing heeding it: her guest and
+daughter followed her into the house; Jem quietly took up his ladder and
+proceeded on his business; and the Vicar of Wrexhill, with feelings
+which the hope of future vengeance alone enabled him to endure with
+decent philosophy, was fain to turn on his heel also and walk off.
+
+
+END OF THE SECOND VOLUME.
+
+
+
+
+VOLUME THE THIRD.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER I.
+
+MR. AND MRS. CARTWRIGHT'S LETTER.
+
+
+The very elegant cab, with its beautiful horse and accoutrements, led
+round to the door of the Vicarage as his own--the agreeable vivacity, as
+he always thought it, of his remarkably clever son--the multitude of low
+bows and lower curtsies which greeted him as he drove along--and above
+all, perhaps, the merry peal from the church tower, which had been
+ordered by himself to ring him into Mowbray Park, produced altogether so
+favourable an effect upon the nerves of the vicar, that when he stopped
+at the portico of his mansion, his spirits and his temper appeared
+altogether to have recovered the shock they had received at the foot of
+the sign-post.
+
+The family party which met at dinner consisted of Mr. and Mrs.
+Cartwright, Miss Cartwright, Mr. Jacob Cartwright, and poor Charles
+Mowbray and his sister Fanny.
+
+Mowbray thought the genial hour of dinner might probably be the most
+favourable for mentioning the invitation of Sir Gilbert and Lady
+Harrington to his sister and Miss Torrington; an idea which probably
+occurred to him in consequence of the remarkably well pleased and
+complaisant air visible on his stepfather's countenance as he took his
+place at the bottom of the table. Poor Charles! he made this
+observation, and he determined to profit by it; though it was not
+without a pang that he saw himself thus pushed from the stool that
+nature and fortune seemed to have assigned to him.
+
+"I am glad," thought he, "that the proud Rosalind, who advised me to lay
+my fortune at the feet of no one, is not here to witness the moment at
+which I take my place at my father's board, Lord of my presence and no
+land beside!"
+
+But his young spirit soon o'er mastered the sensation which seemed
+threatening to choke him, when Mr. Cartwright said in the most obliging
+voice in the world, "Charles, let me give you some soup."
+
+This over, he said with the easiest accent he could assume, and
+addressing his mother, "I am the bearer, ma'am, of a message from Lady
+Harrington. She hopes that you will spare her the society of Miss
+Torrington and Helen for a short time."
+
+Mrs. Cartwright looked at her husband to ascertain his sentiments,
+before she ventured to have any of her own.
+
+"It is very considerate of the old lady," said the vicar, with a soft
+smile, of which his daughter only knew the full value. "I dare say she
+thought we should be a good deal engaged just at first.... Chivers!
+don't you see Mr. Jacob Cartwright is waiting for sauce?... I think, my
+love, we shall make no objection to the arrangement: however, we will
+talk together on the subject before we decide."
+
+As this amiable speech will not be found to accord exactly with his
+subsequent conduct, it may be well to remark that the servants were
+waiting at table, who doubtless would report his answer, and speculate
+on the temper of it.
+
+The family party seemed expected to sit at table rather longer than
+usual. The master of the banquet was evidently enjoying himself; and
+though Charles sickened alike at his dignity and his condescension, and
+Henrietta looked more pale and Fanny more melancholy every moment, still
+Mr. Jacob appeared in ecstacies; and as Mrs. Cartwright continued to
+smile upon her handsome husband with every symptom of satisfaction, he
+continued to perform his new and delightful task at the bottom of the
+table till long past the usual hour of withdrawing.
+
+At length, however, the watchful bride received the little nod which her
+husband had that morning informed her must always precede her moving
+from table. The ladies retired, and Charles followed them as far as the
+hall, where, impatiently seizing upon his hat, and wrapping himself in
+his cloak, he set off, despite the heavy darkness of the night, to
+relieve his heart from the load that oppressed it, by passing an hour at
+Oakley.
+
+Mr. Cartwright and Jacob remained in the dining-room for another very
+delightful half-hour; and then followed coffee and tea, and Fanny's own
+hymns sung to Irish melodies, and a few conjugal kindnesses exchanged on
+the sofa; and Henrietta pleaded illness and went to bed; and then
+another very appropriate extempore prayer was uttered, and the family
+separated.
+
+"Will you not take a little wine and water, and a biscuit, my dear Mr.
+Cartwright?" said his attentive wife. "You always used to do it."
+
+"I had rather the tray were taken to your dressing-room, my love."
+
+There was something so affectionately comfortable in the proposition,
+that the lady added a tender smile to her nodded assent, and in a few
+minutes the newly-married pair found themselves in robes de chambre,
+luxuriously seated in two soft arm-chairs before a blazing fire, in the
+very room that a few short weeks before had witnessed the first full
+disclosure of the vicar's love.
+
+Madeira, sugar, nutmeg, hot water, and dainty biscuits, tempted to negus
+and to chat; and thus the conversation ran:
+
+"Only second to my service to the Lord, my Clara, is my adoration of
+you!" began the fond husband; "and in nothing perhaps shall I be more
+likely to show this, than in the pains I shall almost involuntarily take
+to guard you from every spiteful and envious observation which our
+union, sweetest, is likely to excite. It was in this spirit, my
+beauteous Clara, that I replied in the manner I did to the message from
+those very infamous people the Harringtons. Had I, my love, at once
+proclaimed my feelings on the subject, I well knew what the result would
+be. You would have been abused throughout the country for having married
+a tyrant, whose first act of power was to vex and thwart your children.
+Therefore, when your sweet eyes looked towards mine, for the purpose of
+consulting me, I at once decided upon the line of conduct most certain
+of securing you from any invidious remark."
+
+"How very kind! My dearest husband, I must pray for power to prove my
+gratitude for such kindness as I ought!"
+
+"Sweet love! Together will we pray--together learn how best to prove the
+virtuous tenderness of our souls! But do not, my Clara, suspect me
+guilty of the contemptible weakness of really intending that your
+daughter and your ward should remain inmates in a family that has so
+cruelly insulted you. Oh! do not believe it! No! I would rather submit
+to insult myself in the most painful form, than permit you, my best
+beloved, to encounter it unresisted. You must write, my Clara--you must
+write a letter to Helen, and send it with the carriage early to-morrow
+morning to Oakley. It must be such a letter, dearest, as shall bring her
+home without an hour's delay."
+
+"But, my dearest Mr. Cartwright, Charles is gone there to-night, you may
+depend upon it, and probably for the express purpose of telling the
+girls how graciously you received the invitation."
+
+"You think so, my Clara? I own I hoped it was the case. This, you see,
+is exactly what we could most wish to happen. My answer was spoken
+precisely in the spirit which I thought could be repeated most
+favourably for you. Now therefore your asserting a mother's rights and a
+mother's feelings must do you honour even in the eyes of those you
+disoblige, and no sort of reflection fall upon the blessed choice which
+has made me the happiest of men."
+
+"That was so thoughtful of you!" replied Mrs. Cartwright, kissing the
+hand that clasped hers. "But what shall I say to Helen, dearest?"
+
+"Give me your desk, my Clara, and I will write a line or two, that you
+shall copy. It must be expressed with strength and firmness, my best
+love, and it may prevent a repetition of this very improper request for
+the future."
+
+The desk was brought; and while Mrs. Cartwright prepared a second glass
+of negus for the vicar, who declared that the night was unusually
+chilly, he composed the following epistle:
+
+     "Helen!
+
+     "That it should have entered into your heart, into the heart of
+     my own dear child, to wish for permission to become the guest
+     of a family who from the hour of your late father's death has
+     ever treated me with the most cruel and unmerited unkindness,
+     is a mystery that I cannot understand. It was this unkindness
+     which drove me, sooner than I could have wished to do it, to
+     find a friend and adviser in Mr. Cartwright; and my only fear
+     now is, that his indulgent gentleness towards my children may
+     prevent his being so firm a support to me in the guiding them
+     as I may sometimes require. But in the present instance I want
+     no strength beyond my own to declare to you, that I will not
+     permit you to remain an hour longer at Sir Gilbert
+     Harrington's; that I command you instantly to put yourself into
+     the carriage I send for you, and return to Cartwright Park;
+     (for so, of course, will my residence be called for the
+     future;) and moreover, I beg you to inform the unprincipled
+     pair who would seduce you from your mother's roof, that if on
+     the present or any future occasion they should persuade you to
+     commit so great a sin, I shall take legal measures to recover
+     the possession of your person till such time as you shall be of
+     age; when, if unhappily evil counsellors should still have
+     influence over you, I shall give you up to them, to penniless
+     obscurity, to your own heart's remorse, and to that sentence of
+     everlasting condemnation which will in such case infallibly
+     doom you to the region where there is howling and gnashing of
+     teeth.
+
+     "As for my ward Miss Torrington, I must of course take the same
+     summary mode of getting her again under my protection, for such
+     time as I shall continue to be her legal guardian.
+
+     "CLARA HELENA FRANCES CARTWRIGHT.
+
+     "Cartwright Park, Wednesday."
+
+When this composition was completed, Mr. Cartwright turned the desk to
+his lady, laid a fair sheet of blank paper before her, put a pen into
+her hand, drew the wax-lights near her, and then set about sipping the
+negus she had so kindly prepared for him, without appearing to think it
+at all necessary to ask her opinion of the document she was about to
+copy.
+
+Being, however, rather new to the yoke into which it had pleased her to
+thrust her head, she took the liberty of reading it. A slight
+augmentation of colour was perceived on her delicate cheek as she
+proceeded, by the watchful eye of her husband, as he turned it towards
+her, over the top of the beautifully cut goblet he held in his hand. But
+he nibbled a biscuit, and said nothing.
+
+When the perusal of it was completed, Mrs. Cartwright dipped the pen she
+still held between her fingers, in the ink; but before she began to use
+it, she paused, the colour mounted a little higher still, and she
+ventured to say in the very gentlest accent in the world, "My dear
+friend,--do you not think this might be a little softened?"
+
+"As how, my sweetest?"
+
+Mrs. Cartwright's eye again ran over it, but she seemed unwilling to
+speak: at length she said, "If you, dear Cartwright, agree with me
+about it, you would make the alteration so much better yourself!"
+
+"Perhaps I might, my lovely Clara; but as the fact is that I do not
+agree with you at all on the subject, I suspect your epistle would be
+rather the worse than the better for any thing further that I could do
+to it."
+
+He rose as he spoke, and going behind her, appeared to read the paper
+over her shoulder, and having satisfied himself with the examination,
+kissed her fair throat as he bent over it, adding, as he took a light
+from the table, "I am going to the library to look for a book, my love:
+write it exactly as you like, and I will seal it for you when I return."
+
+No one who knew Mrs. Cartwright could have the slightest doubt that the
+letter would be very fairly copied by the time her obliging husband
+returned: and so it was every word of it excepting the date. She
+appeared to be in the very act of writing this when he came back, and
+stopping short as he entered, she said in a voice that certainly
+faltered a little, "My dear Cartwright,--don't you think it would be
+better to let those odious Harringtons hear from some other quarter of
+this change in the name of our place? Not but that I approve it, I
+assure you perfectly; but I know Lady Harrington so well! and I can
+guess so exactly the sort of style in which she will observe upon it!"
+
+"Then, perhaps, dearest," said he, again coming behind her and caressing
+her neck,--"perhaps you may think it would please her ladyship better if
+your own name, as you have accepted it from me, were to be
+suppressed?--Is it so, my fairest?"
+
+"Good Heaven, no!--May I be forgiven for using such an expression,
+Cartwright! How could you say such cruel words?"
+
+"Nay!--my own Clara!--what could I think of your wishing that the house
+we dwell in should retain the name of your former husband? Ah, dearest!
+you know not all the jealousy of affection so ardent as mine! What is
+the importance of the name of the place, Clara, compared to your own?
+Are you not mine?" he continued, throwing his arms round her; "and if
+you are--why should you torture me with the remembrance that another has
+called you his?--that another's name has been your signature, your date,
+your history? Oh, Clara! spare me such thoughts as these!--they unman
+me!"
+
+"My dearest Cartwright!" returned the lady, only disengaging herself
+from his arms sufficiently to write with firm though hurried characters
+the name of CARTWRIGHT PARK,--"how deeply you have touched me!"
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER II.
+
+THE WIDOW SIMPSON'S DISAPPOINTMENT.
+
+
+This letter was certainly commented upon pretty freely in all its parts
+by the knight and lady of Oakley; but not the less did it produce the
+effect intended: for not even could Sir Gilbert, after the first hot fit
+of rage was over, advise poor Helen to expose herself to be recalled by
+force. In the case of Miss Torrington, the hated authority of Mr.
+Cartwright, though not necessarily so lasting, was for the present
+equally imperative, and he therefore advised her peaceably to accompany
+her friend to her unhappy home, and then to set about applying to
+Chancery in order to emancipate herself from it.
+
+The parting was a very sad one. Poor Helen wept bitterly. She had felt
+more consolation perhaps than she was aware in having been received with
+such very _parental_ kindness at Oakley; and her present departure from
+it was, she thought, exceedingly like being driven, or rather dragged,
+out of paradise. But there was no help for it. The carriage was waiting
+at the door, and even the rebellious Sir Gilbert himself said she must
+go,--not without adding, however, that it should go hard with him if he
+did not find some means or other, before she were twenty-one, of
+releasing her from such hateful thraldom.
+
+Helen had given, as she thought, her last kiss to her warm-hearted
+godmother, and was in the very act of stepping aside that Miss
+Torrington might take her place in the carriage, when that young lady
+blushing most celestial rosy red, said abruptly, as if prompted thereto
+by a sudden and desperate effort of courage, "Sir Gilbert
+Harrington!--may I speak to you for one single minute alone?"
+
+"For a double century, fair Rose, if we can but make the tete-a-tete
+last so long.--You may give poor god-mamma another hug, Helen: and don't
+hurry yourself about it,--Miss Rose and I shall find a great deal to say
+to each other."
+
+As soon as the old baronet had completed the flourish with which he led
+her into his library, Miss Torrington turned to him, and with a voice
+and manner that betrayed great agitation, she said, "I believe, Sir
+Gilbert, I may change my present guardian, by applying to the Court of
+Chancery. If I make myself a ward of the court, it will be necessary, I
+believe, for me to obtain the Lord Chancellor's consent if I should wish
+to marry before I am of age?"
+
+"Certainly, my dear."
+
+"And what is necessary for the obtaining such consent, Sir Gilbert?"
+
+"That the person who proposes to marry you should be able to offer
+settlements in proportion to your own fortune."
+
+"And if I should choose a person unable to do so?"
+
+"To guard against such imprudence, Miss Torrington, the Chancellor has
+the power of preventing such a marriage."
+
+Rosalind's colour came, and went and came again, before she could utter
+another word; but at length she said, "Have I not the power of choosing
+another guardian, Sir Gilbert?"
+
+"I believe you have, my dear."
+
+"If I have,--then will you let me choose you?"
+
+These words burst so eagerly from her, and she clasped her hands, and
+fixed eyes upon him with a look so supplicating, that no man would have
+found it an easy task to refuse her. Sir Gilbert probably felt little
+inclination to do so, though he had, in the course of his life,
+repeatedly refused to take the office now offered him in so singular a
+manner.
+
+"This request, my dear Miss Rose," said he, smiling, "looks very much as
+if you thought I should prove such an old fool of a guardian as to let
+you have your own way in all things. I hardly know whether I ought to
+thank you for the compliment or not. However, I am very willing to
+accept the office; for I think, somehow or other, that you will not
+plague me much.--What is your fortune, my dear?--and is it English or
+Irish property?"
+
+"Entirely English, Sir Gilbert; and produces, I believe, between three
+and four thousand a year."
+
+"A very pretty provision, my dear young lady. Would you wish to proceed
+in this immediately?"
+
+"Immediately,--without a day's delay, if I could help it."
+
+Sir Gilbert patted her cheek, and smiled again with a look of very great
+contentment and satisfaction. "Very well, my dear--I think you are quite
+right--quite right to get rid of such a guardian as the Reverend
+Mistress Cartwright with as little delay as possible. I imagine you
+would not find it very easy to negotiate the business yourself, and I
+will therefore recommend my lawyer to you. Shall I put the business into
+his hands forthwith?"
+
+So bright a flash of pleasure darted from the eyes of Rosalind, as made
+the old gentleman wink his own--and, in truth, he appeared very nearly
+as well pleased as herself. "Now then," she said, holding her hand
+towards him that he might lead her out again, "I will keep Mr.
+Cartwright's carriage waiting no longer.--Bless you, Sir Gilbert! Do not
+talk to any body about this till it is done. Oh! how very kind you are!"
+
+Sir Gilbert gallantly and gaily kissed the tips of her fingers, and led
+her again into the drawing-room. Helen, who was still weeping, and
+seemed as much determined to persevere in it as ever Beatrice did,
+looked with astonishment in the face of her friend, which, though still
+covered with blushes, was radiant with joy. It was in vain she looked at
+her, however--it was a mystery she could not solve: so, once more
+uttering a mournful farewell, Helen gave a last melancholy gaze at her
+old friends, and followed Rosalind into the carriage.
+
+"May I ask you, Rosalind," she said as soon as it drove off, "what it is
+that you have been saying to Sir Gilbert, or Sir Gilbert to you, which
+can have caused you to look so particularly happy at the moment that you
+are about to take up your residence at Cartwright Park, under the
+guardianship of its master the Vicar of Wrexhill?"
+
+"I will explain the mystery in a moment, Helen. I have asked Sir Gilbert
+Harrington to let me name him as my guardian, and he has consented."
+
+"Have you such power?" replied Helen. "Oh, happy, happy Rosalind!"
+
+"Yes, Helen, there may be happiness in that;--but I may find
+difficulties, perhaps:--and if I do!--"
+
+"I trust you will not.--I trust that ere long you will be able to
+withdraw yourself from a house so disgraced and afflicted as ours!"
+
+"And leave you behind, Helen? You think that is part of my scheme?"
+
+"How can you help it, Rosalind? You have just read my my mother's
+letter:--you see the style and tone in which she announces her right
+over _my person_;--and this from the mother I so doated on! I do assure
+you, Rosalind, that I often seem to doubt the reality of the misery that
+surrounds me, and fancy that I must be dreaming. Throw back your
+thoughts to the period of your first coming to us, and then say if such
+a letter as this can really come to me from my mother."
+
+"The letter is a queer letter--a very queer letter indeed. And yet I am
+under infinite obligations to it: for had she not used that pretty
+phrase,--'for such time as I shall continue to be her legal
+guardian,'--it might never have entered my head to inquire for how long
+a time that must of necessity be."
+
+"I rejoice for you, Rosalind, that the odious necessity of remaining
+with us is likely to be shortened; and will mix no malice with my envy,
+even when I see you turn your back for ever upon Cartwright Park."
+
+"There would be little cause to envy me, Helen, should I go without
+taking you with me."
+
+A tear stood in Rosalind's bright eye as she said this, and Helen felt
+very heartily ashamed of the petulance with which she had spoken. As a
+penance for it, she would not utter the sad prognostic that rose to her
+lips, as to the impossibility that any thing could give her power to
+bestow the freedom she might herself obtain.
+
+Their return seemed to be unnoticed by every individual of the family
+except Henrietta. She saw the carriage approach from her own room, and
+continued to waylay Rosalind as she passed to hers.
+
+"I know the sight of me must be hateful to you Miss Torrington," she
+said, "and I have been looking out for you in order that the shock of
+first seeing me might be over at once. Poor, pretty Helen
+Mowbray!--notwithstanding the hardness of heart on which I pique
+myself, I cannot help feeling for her. How does she bear it, Miss
+Torrington?"
+
+"She is very unhappy, Henrietta: and I think it is your duty, as well as
+mine, to make her feel her altered home as little miserable as
+possible."
+
+"I should think so too, if I believed I had any power to make it better
+or worse,--except, indeed, that of meeting her eyes, or avoiding them.
+The sight of any of us must be dreadful to her."
+
+"You have such a remarkable way of shutting yourself up--your
+intellectual self I mean, from every one, that it is not very easy to
+say how great or how little your power might be. From the slight and
+transient glances which you have sometimes permitted me to take through
+your icy casing, I am rather inclined to believe that you ought to
+reckon for something in the family of which you make a part."
+
+Henrietta shook her head. "Your glances have not penetrated to the
+centre yet, Miss Torrington. Should you ever do so, you, and your friend
+Helen too, would hate me,--even if my name were not Cartwright."
+
+"I would not hear your enemy say so," replied Rosalind. "However, we are
+now likely to be enough together to judge each other by the severest of
+all tests, daily experience."
+
+"An excellent test for the temper,--but not for the heart," replied
+Henrietta.
+
+"You seem determined to make me afraid of you, Miss Cartwright. I have
+no great experience of human nature as yet; but I should think a corrupt
+heart would rather seek to conceal than proclaim itself."
+
+"I think you are right; but I have no idea that my heart is corrupt:--it
+is diseased."
+
+"I wish I could heal it," said Rosalind kindly, "for I suspect its
+illness, be it what it may, causes your cheek to grow pale. You do not
+look well, Miss Cartwright."
+
+"Well?--Oh no! I have long known I am dying."
+
+"Good Heaven!--what do you mean? Why do you not take advice?"
+
+"Because no advice could save me;--and because if it could, I would not
+take it."
+
+"I hope you are not in earnest. Perhaps this strange marriage, if it do
+no other good, may benefit your health by placing you in a larger
+family. I cannot think you are happy at the Vicarage."
+
+"Indeed!" replied Henrietta with a melancholy smile.
+
+"And I cannot but hope that you will be more happy here."
+
+"Well!--we shall see. But I should take it very kind of you if you would
+make the three young Mowbrays understand, that if I could have prevented
+this iniquitous marriage, I would have done it."
+
+"Would it be safe to say so much to Fanny?"
+
+"Yes. Mr. Cartwright will never hear her bosom secrets more."
+
+       *       *       *       *       *
+
+In the midst of the tide of triumph and of joy which seemed at this time
+to bear the Vicar of Wrexhill far above the reach of any earthly sorrow,
+there was a little private annoyance that beset him,--very trifling
+indeed, but which required a touch of his able diplomatic adroitness to
+settle satisfactorily.
+
+The widow Simpson was as thorough a coquette as ever decorated the
+street of a country village; and often had it happened, since her weeds
+were laid aside, that Mr. This, or Mr. That, had been congratulated as
+likely to succeed to her vacant heart and hand. But hitherto Mrs.
+Simpson had preferred the reputation of having many adorers, to the
+humdrum reality of a second husband. But when Mr. Cartwright appeared,
+her hopes, her wishes, her feelings underwent a sudden and violent
+change. At first, indeed, she only looked at him as a very handsome man,
+who must, by some means or other, be brought to think her a very
+handsome woman: but more serious thoughts quickly followed, and the idea
+of a home at the Vicarage, and the advantage of having all her bills
+made out to the Rev. Mr. Cartwright, became one of daily and hourly
+recurrence. Mrs. Simpson was not a person to let such a notion lie idle;
+nor was Mr. Cartwright a man to permit the gentle advances to intimacy
+of a Mrs. Simpson stop short, or lead to nothing. But from any idea of
+her becoming mistress of the Vicarage, or of her bills being made out to
+him, he was as pure as the angels in heaven.
+
+Nevertheless, the intimacy did advance. One by one, every personal
+decoration that marks the worldling was laid aside, and the livery of
+holiness adopted in its stead. False ringlets were exchanged for false
+bands; gauze bonnets covered with bows gave place to straw bonnets
+having no bows at all; lilac faded into grey, and the colour of the rose
+was exchanged for that of its leaf. These important and very
+heavenly-minded reforms were soon followed by others, not more
+essential, for that is hardly possible; but they went the length of
+turning her little girl into a methodist monkey; her card-boxes, into
+branch missionary fund contribution cases; her footstools into praying
+cushions; and her sofa into a pulpit and a pew, whence and where she
+very often listened to "the word" when pretty nearly all the parish of
+Wrexhill were fast asleep.
+
+In all former affairs of the heart in which Mrs. Simpson had engaged
+since the demise of her husband, she had uniformly come off the
+conqueror; for she had never failed to obtain exactly as much flirtation
+as she required to keep her on good terms with herself, and on bad terms
+with all coquettish young ladies for five miles round, and never had
+granted any favour in return that she did not consider as a fair price
+for the distinction she received.
+
+But poor Mrs. Simpson's example should be a warning to all widow ladies
+to be careful how they enter into holy dalliance and sanctified trifling
+with the elect. Common prudence, in short, is no fair match for uncommon
+holiness, and the principal person in the village of Wrexhill was at the
+time of Mrs. Mowbray's marriage with its vicar really very much to be
+pitied.
+
+It is probably no very agreeable task for a bridegroom to pay a visit to
+a lady under such circumstances; but Mr. Cartwright felt that it must be
+done, and with nerves braced to the task by the remembrance of the
+splendid silver urn, tea and coffee pots, the exquisite French china,
+and all the pretty elaborate finishing of his breakfast equipage,--in a
+word, at about eleven o'clock on the next morning but one after his
+installation (as Jacob called it), he set off on foot, like an humble
+and penitent pilgrim, to call on the widow Simpson.
+
+He was, as usual, shown into the quiet parlour, overlooked by no village
+eye, that opened upon the garden. Here he found every thing much as it
+used to be--sofas, footstools, albums, missionary boxes and all--but no
+Mrs. Simpson.
+
+"Let missis know, sir," said the boy-servant; and he closed the door,
+leaving the vicar to his meditations.
+
+At length the door reopened, and the pale and languid Mrs. Simpson, her
+eyes red with weeping, and her rouge (not partially, as during the
+process of election, but really and altogether) laid aside, entered. The
+air and manner with which the vicar met her was something of a mixed
+breed between audacity and confusion. He was in circumstances, however,
+highly favourable to the growth of the former and equally so to the
+stifling of the latter feeling.
+
+He took the widow's hand, kissed it, and led her to the sofa.
+
+Her handkerchief was at her eyes, and though she made no resistance, she
+manifested no inclination to return the tender pressure bestowed upon
+her fingers.
+
+"You weep, my dear friend!" said the vicar in an accent of surprise. "Is
+it thus you congratulate me on the great change that has taken place in
+my circumstances?"
+
+"Congratulate you! Oh, Mr. Cartwright! is it possible that you can be so
+coldly cruel?--Congratulate you! Gracious Heaven! have you no thought,
+no pity for all the anguish that you have made me suffer?"
+
+"I know not why you should talk of suffering, my dear friend. I had
+hoped that the sweet friendship which for several months past has united
+us, was to you, as to me, a source of the tenderest satisfaction. But
+our feelings for each other must indeed be widely different. There is no
+circumstance that could befall you, productive of even worldly
+convenience and advantage, but I should rejoice at it as if sent to
+myself: but you, my friend, appear to mourn because from a poor man I am
+become a rich one."
+
+"Alas!--Cruel!--Is it for that I mourn? Think you that my heart can
+forget what I have been to you, or what I hoped to be? Can you forget
+the hours that you have devoted to me? And is this the end of it?"
+
+"I neither can nor will forget the happy period of our tender
+friendship. Nor is there any reason, my excellent Mrs. Simpson, that it
+should not continue, even as the Lord hath permitted that it should
+begin. Believe me, that were a similar circumstance to happen to you:--I
+mean, were you accidentally to connect yourself by means of marriage
+with great wealth and extended influence;--instead of complaining of it,
+I should rejoice with an exceeding great joy. It could, as I should
+imagine, make no possible difference in our friendly and affectionate
+feelings for each other; and I should know that your piety and
+heavenly-minded zeal in the cause of grace and faith would be rendered
+greatly more profitable and efficient thereby."
+
+"You do not, then, understand a woman's heart, Mr. Cartwright! What is
+there, short of the torments of the bottomless pit, that can compare to
+the suffering of seeing the heart one believed to be one's own given to
+another?"
+
+"I dare say it must be very disagreeable indeed, my dear friend. But no
+such idea, I do assure you, would occur to me were you to marry. Indeed,
+my own view of the case is, that as an holy ordinance, it should be
+entered into with as little attention as possible to mere pleasure. To a
+man like myself, whose heart is altogether given to things above, the
+idea of making a marriage of love, as it is called, would be equally
+absurd and profane. My object in the connexion I have just formed, was
+to increase my sphere of influence and utility; and nothing, I assure
+you, can be more opportune and fortunate than my having found this very
+worthy and richly-endowed person. It would give me unfeigned
+satisfaction, my dear friend, to hear that you had been equally
+fortunate, and, permit me to say, equally wise."
+
+"Oh, Mr. Cartwright! I am sure I had no idea when--when I attached
+myself to you, that you disapproved of marriage among those who love, as
+I thought you and I did; for most surely I thought, Mr. Cartwright, that
+I should have been your wife."
+
+"No?--Is it possible, my dear friend, that such an idea as that, so
+perfectly unauthorized, could have occurred to you? I really am greatly
+surprised, for I thought that we understood one another perfectly."
+
+"Indeed, indeed, Mr. Cartwright, I never was more mistaken in any one in
+my whole life; and I am sure that if poor Mrs. Mowbray is as much
+deceived in you as I was, she will be a very unhappy woman when she
+finds it out, poor thing."
+
+"My dear friend, allow me to assure you that you altogether mistake the
+nature of the friendship I have been so happy as to form with you, as
+well as that of the connexion I have just ratified with her. I trust the
+Lord will give me grace so to conduct myself, as that I may never be
+suspected of confounding the two together, which, by the nature of the
+ordinances, ought to be kept as separate and distinct as possible. I
+will not now enter more fully with you into this interesting question,
+for much business presses upon me: but when we shall happen to find
+ourselves more at leisure, my dear friend, which I trust will be often
+the case, I will explain to you, in a manner that will, I think, be
+satisfactory, my opinions on the subject. Meanwhile, dear Mrs. Simpson,
+let me entreat you not spoil your charming eyes by weeping, nor let any
+thing lead you for an instant to doubt that my sentiments for you are
+exactly the same as they have ever been; and above all, cease not to
+work out your eternal salvation with fear and trembling. Mrs. Cartwright
+is by no means, I believe, a very active-minded person; and I think it
+probable that I shall often feel it borne in upon my mind, that by
+applying to you I shall be able to forward the great work of grace that
+I have in hand more effectually than by any personal assistance that she
+is likely to render me. Her wealth indeed is great, as I hope some
+little keepsakes from me may prove to you ere long; but as to energy and
+fervour of character, there is but one Mrs. Simpson."
+
+The reverend gentleman here saluted the fair lady's lips, and departed,
+leaving her exactly in the state he wished; that is to say, puzzled,
+confounded, mystified, and not knowing the least in the world what she
+should say to him next.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER III.
+
+CHARLES'S INTERVIEW WITH HIS STEPFATHER.--HIS SUDDEN DEPARTURE FROM
+WREXHILL.
+
+
+There were moreover other ladies to be encountered, most of whom, as the
+vicar well knew, would not hear of his brilliant nuptials with pleasure;
+but this was a matter of small moment. The benevolent attentions he had
+bestowed upon them were chiefly for the purpose of ensuring popularity
+and acquiring influence,--and these were now too much at his command for
+him to experience the slightest anxiety from the fear of losing them.
+
+The remembrance of the three Misses Richards was indeed rather heavy
+upon him; especially from the circumstance of Miss Mary's having
+accidentally seen him kiss Miss Louisa, which he happened to do, in the
+little shrubbery behind their cottage, upon occasion of a serious
+discourse which they had been holding together upon the nature and
+influence of especial grace. Little Mary, who was purity and simplicity
+personified, firmly believed, in her very innocent heart, that this
+caress could only be given by such a gentleman as Mr. Cartwright as the
+ratification of a treaty of marriage; and had accordingly not only
+alluded to Louisa's happy prospects herself, but had fully persuaded her
+sister Charlotte likewise to believe that this blessed union would be
+the result of the vicar's soft attentions to them all. So that upon a
+smart discussion with their mother upon the sin of works, when matters
+had gone so far as to induce the young lady to declare that she
+considered the door of her mother's house as nothing less than a type of
+the gates of hell, she had, in relating the scene of this praiseworthy
+combat to their apostle, ventured these remarkable words:
+
+"There is sorrow and sin in dwelling under the roof of the scorner; but
+when dear Louisa has quite consented to all your wishes, Mr. Cartwright,
+her bowels will yearn towards her sisters, and you will both of you draw
+us out of the way of temptation under the shelter and the shadow of your
+wing."
+
+The only reply which the vicar made to this speech was the utterance of
+a fervent blessing.
+
+He now remembered with considerable satisfaction the cautious tendency
+of this reply, and, upon the whole, thought that there was no occasion
+to fatigue his spirits by making these young ladies a private visit to
+announce his change of condition, as in the case of Mrs. Simpson. He
+therefore turned from the widow's door, after the pause of a moment on
+her threshold, during which these thoughts were rapidly but healthily
+digested, leaving him, that is to say, neither loaded with remorse, nor
+fevered by anxiety.
+
+Upon this occasion, for some reason or other, connected perhaps with
+that tranquillity of mind in his lady which it was so unquestionably his
+duty to guard, the Vicar of Wrexhill had not made use of his carriage
+and servants. He walked therefore back to the Park, and met Charles
+Mowbray coming through the lodge gates, as he entered them.
+
+The young man touched his hat, and was walking on; but the vicar stopped
+him.
+
+"Where are you going, my dear Charles?" said he. "It is getting quite
+late; you will not have time for a walk before dinner--it is almost
+dark. You know my habits are those of great punctuality."
+
+"I shall never interfere with those habits, sir. It is probable that I
+may not return to dinner."
+
+"Indeed!--we shall be very sorry to lose you. Where are you going, then,
+my dear boy?"
+
+Charles hesitated. His heart seemed to swell in his bosom at this
+questioning; and though, in fact, he had strolled out without any idea
+of absenting himself at dinner, something like a spirit of rebellion
+induced him to answer, "To Sir Gilbert Harrington's, sir."
+
+"Good evening, then. Let me bespeak your ear for half an hour in my
+library to-morrow morning, between the hours of eleven and twelve."
+
+Charles bowed, but uttered not a word, and proceeded towards Oakley,
+inwardly muttering "_his library_!"
+
+He entered the mansion of his old friends without an apology, but stated
+the cause of his visit as it really was.
+
+"I could not bear to be examined by him as to where I was going, and
+when I was coming; and rather to prove my independence, than for any
+other reason, I am come to you. Can you forgive this?"
+
+"Ay, truly can we," replied the old lady; "and be sure to do the same
+next time, Charles. It makes me sick to think of this species of
+paternal admonishing."
+
+"I am to be lectured for my impatience under it, as I suspect; for he
+bade me meet him in _his library_ to-morrow morning."
+
+"His library! Scoundrel!" exclaimed Sir Gilbert through his closed
+teeth.
+
+"Shall I obey the mandate, Sir Gilbert?" said Charles. "Or shall I take
+no notice of it?"
+
+"The question seems an easy one to answer, Charles?" replied the
+baronet; "and had I been to answer yesterday morning, I should have said
+without hesitation,--set fire to the library, and stifle him in it like
+a weazel as he is, rather than come at his call. But I have taken it
+into my head since, that our test game will be to keep things soft and
+smooth for a while. So wait upon him, Master Charles, in your father's
+library, and hear all he has got to say; and don't turn yourself out of
+the house; and don't spit upon him if you can help it. But I hope he
+won't sit in poor Mowbray's chair!"
+
+In consequence of this counsel, Charles did wait upon the vicar in his
+father's library at the appointed hour, and took what comfort he could
+from perceiving that he was not seated in that lamented father's chair,
+but had ensconced himself in a newly-invented fauteuil of surpassing
+softness, which he had caused to be brought from the drawing-room for
+his especial comfort.
+
+"You have not kept me waiting, and I commend you for it, my son. May he,
+in whom I trust, lead you in his own good time to be all that your pious
+mother can wish to see you. Sit down, Charles--pray sit down."
+
+Poor Charles!--the whole scene was purgatory to him; but his courage did
+not forsake him: and instead of running out of the room, as he felt
+terribly tempted to do, he sat down opposite to his stepfather,
+determined to hear every thing he had to say.
+
+"I think, Charles, that the pious nature of your mother, awakened as it
+has of late been, must by this time be so sufficiently known to you all,
+as to prevent the possibility of your mistaking her motives for marrying
+the second father, in whose presence you are now placed. Her motives
+have been of the holiest kind, and never, probably, did any person
+perform a more acceptable service than she did when, placing her hand
+within mine before his altar, she resigned that power over her children,
+which maternal weakness rendered almost nugatory, to one who is too
+strong in the Lord to permit any human feelings or motives ever to make
+him swerve from that course which he is taught to believe the best. It
+would be a very shining pleasure to me if your thankfulness for this
+most merciful dispensation were at this very moment to impel you to
+kneel down on one of these cushions;--of such there are always
+sufficient, and to spare, in the dwellings of the chosen:--I wish, I
+say, that even now I could see you fall down before me to give thanks
+for having sent to you and to your sisters one of his own, as your
+guide and protector through the pitfalls of this life, and to usher you
+with favour into his presence in the life to come. I would willingly see
+you thus grateful for manifest mercies,--but I shall not insist upon it
+at this moment, for I know, Charles, how different have been the paths
+in which your teachers have hitherto led you."
+
+The vicar here paused; but as there was no point in his harangue to
+which Mowbray could have replied in the spirit which his friend had
+recommended to him, he resolutely kept silence.
+
+"The time will come," resumed the vicar, "the time _shall_ come, when
+your knees, young man, shall be less stubborn. But it is time that I
+unfold to you the business upon which I wished to speak when I permitted
+your attendance in this apartment. You have been led, doubtless by the
+active machinations of the devil, to turn your sinful thoughts towards
+that profession which, beyond all others, has made Satan its patron and
+its saint. In one word, you have thought of going into the army; and it
+is to inform you that I shall not permit this dreadful sin to be
+committed by one of my family, that you are now before me. Open not your
+mouth, young man, in defence of the God-abandoned set to whom you would
+wish to belong: my ears must not be profaned by any words of such
+abhorrent tendency. Instead of speaking yourself, hear me. My will is,
+that you return to College, there to prepare yourself for ordination. I
+utter this command with a conscience void of offence; for though your
+awful deficiency in religion is well known to me, I have confidence in
+the Lord, and in the power he will give me to work a change: and
+moreover, I know to what bishop I shall lead you for ordination; thereby
+securing to myself the consolation of knowing that no human learning
+will enable you to be received within the pale that we are strengthening
+around us, and within which none shall be admitted (if we can help it)
+but the regenerate and adopted, or such as we of the evangelical church
+may choose to pledge ourselves shall become so. As to the manner and
+amount of your future income, I shall take the arrangement of it
+entirely into my own hands, reserving to myself the power of varying
+your allowance from time to time, as shall seem good. You may have a few
+days' holidays here if you wish it, in honour of your mother's marriage;
+after which I will give you ten pounds for your journey and other
+contingent expenses, and permit you to employ such tradesmen at Oxford
+as I shall point out, for such necessaries as it is proper I should
+furnish you with. Their bills must be forwarded to Mr. Corbold, who, for
+the present, I shall probably continue as my agent; and when I have duly
+examined them, they shall be paid. Your College expenses I shall also
+order to be transmitted to him, and through him to me.--I must now
+dismiss you, for I have letters to write.--Be careful in passing these
+windows, if you please, not to approach them too closely. This room is a
+favourite apartment of mine, and I must not be interrupted or annoyed in
+it in any way. Remember this, if you please. Good morning."
+
+During the whole of this very trying interview Mowbray had not uttered a
+single word. He knew that if he opened his lips, the indignation that
+burned at his heart would burst forth with a vehemence he should no
+longer be able to control. He felt his heart throb, and every pulse so
+fiercely keeping time to it, that he was terrified at himself, and
+fearful lest the tide of passion that worked thus fearfully within him
+should drive him to do, or even to say what he might repent, he hastened
+from the room, leaving Mr. Cartwright very comfortably persuaded that
+the eloquence which had been bestowed on him, if it sometimes failed in
+converting those who heard him to his doctrine, was of a nature well
+calculated to enforce his authority; a species of success which perhaps
+satisfied him better still.
+
+The unfortunate Charles took refuge in Helen's dressing room from the
+storm that raged in his bosom. He longed to hear the gentle voice of his
+sister with as much eagerness as one panting in fever longs for a cool
+breeze or a refreshing stream; and when he entered the room and found it
+unoccupied, he felt as if that misfortune were greater than all which
+had fallen upon him before.
+
+In a state of the most pitiable depression of spirits he seated himself
+most forlornly on a _chaise longue_ that stood in a recess as far as
+possible from the windows, and there, resting his head on the side of
+it, and covering his face with his hands, he remained for a considerable
+time perfectly immoveable, and quite as miserable as his worst enemy
+could wish.
+
+At length the door opened, and a female entered. Charles sprang forward
+to meet her, and very narrowly escaped encircling Miss Torrington in
+his arms. She drew back, certainly, but hardly with so sudden a movement
+as that of Mowbray, who, colouring and stammering in extreme confusion,
+said as he retreated to his former place, "I beg your pardon: I came
+here to look for Helen."
+
+"And so did I, Mr. Mowbray: I cannot think where she has hid
+herself.--But you do not look like yourself, Charles. Has Mr. Cartwright
+been speaking to you? I heard him tell his wife that he had desired you
+to meet him in the library."
+
+"In his library, Miss Torrington; pray call it as he does _his_
+library--But what a fool am I to care thus for a word! It is his
+library; the man says right. But what then is poor Helen? what is Fanny?
+what am I?"
+
+His features expressed such terrible agony of mind, that Rosalind almost
+felt afraid to leave him, and stood at some distance from him as he sat,
+with her looks riveted upon his face and her eyes overflowing with
+tears.
+
+"Tell me, dear Charles," she said, "what is it that has happened to you?
+I will go and seek Helen, and bring her to you in a moment. Only tell me
+before I go if any new thing has happened to make us all more miserable
+than we were. Is it not common cause, Mr. Mowbray? For Heaven's sake
+tell me what has befallen you!"
+
+"It is not common cause, Miss Torrington," he replied with bitterness.
+"My situation is, I heartily hope, without a parallel; and as none can
+share my wretchedness, as none can relieve it, it were better, I
+believe, that none should know it."
+
+"That is not the language of friendship, Mr. Mowbray. Were poor Helen
+here, I trust you would not answer her inquiries so harshly."
+
+"Harshly? If so, I have been very wrong. Forgive me.--Could you have
+heard the language this man held to me,--could you have seen him
+enthroned in my poor father's library, and heard him tell me that when I
+passed before the windows I must take care not to approach too
+nearly,--oh, Rosalind! could you have heard all this, you would not
+wonder if I answered even madly to any questions asked."
+
+Rosalind stood silently before him when he had ceased to speak, her
+hands tightly clasped, and her eyes riveted on the ground. "I will ask
+you but one question more," said she after a long pause.
+
+"And what is that, Miss Torrington?"
+
+"_Miss Torrington!_" said she, muttering between her teeth. "Alas!--how
+madly have I acted! and how difficult is it to retrace a wrong step once
+taken!"
+
+She trembled violently; so violently, that she was obliged to support
+herself by leaning on the back of a chair which stood near her. Charles
+Mowbray's head again rested on the sofa, and his eyes were hid from her.
+She felt that he saw her not, and this perhaps it was which gave her
+courage to proceed in the task she had determined to perform; but her
+breast heaved almost convulsively, and her mouth became so parched that
+it was with difficulty she could articulate these words: "I learn from
+Sir Gilbert Harrington, Mr. Mowbray that--I have the power--of making
+him my guardian"--
+
+"Thank Heaven!" exclaimed Charles, interrupting her; "I thank Heaven for
+it, Miss Torrington.--You may then escape, and immediately, from this
+place of torment. This will indeed help me to bear it better."
+
+He spoke the last words more composedly, but again buried his face on
+the sofa.
+
+"But think you, Mr. Mowbray, I would leave Helen here?"
+
+"I fear you will have no power to take her," he replied.
+
+"Not I--but you. Oh! Mr. Mowbray!--Charles! Charles!--will you not
+understand me? Will you spare me this agony? No? you will not. But I
+have deserved it all, and I will bear it. Charles Mowbray!--it is I who
+would now lay my fortune at your feet. Oh! do not answer me as I once
+answered you! Charles Mowbray, will you take me for your wife!"
+
+"No, by Heaven!" he exclaimed, falling on his knees before her. "Poor
+Rosalind! dear, generous, devoted friend! And for her sake, then--for my
+dear Helen's sake, you would submit to be my wife--_my wife!_--an
+outcast, penniless, insulted beggar!--No, Rosalind; by Heaven, no! I
+would rather perish in the lowest state of human wretchedness than so
+abuse your noble nature. But do me justice, noble Rosalind; let there on
+one point at least be some equality between us. Believe that I love
+you,--and that with a strength of passion of which, as I think, your
+unawakened heart has yet no power to judge. But should you, Rosalind,
+ever learn what it is to love, then do me justice, and know how dear was
+honour to my soul when I adored but could refuse you."
+
+He seized her dress and pressed it to his lips; and, then rising from
+his knees, he darted out of the room, without daring to trust his eyes
+to look at her.
+
+Had Mowbray's state of mind been somewhat less miserable--had the
+buoyant spirit given to him by nature been less completely crushed by
+the galling interview of the morning, it is probable that his memory
+might have suggested to him some circumstances in the hours passed
+heretofore with Rosalind, which might have raised some blessed hope upon
+his mind as to the motive and feelings that had led her to act as she
+had done. But, as it was, no such light from heaven fell upon him. In
+simplest sincerity he believed that she had rejected his suit because
+she did not love him, and that she had now offered to become his wife
+solely for Helen's sake, and in the generous hope of saving her by
+giving to him the power of offering her a home.
+
+With this conviction, he determined to spare her the embarrassment and
+himself the torture of meeting again. With all the feverish hurry of
+impatient suffering, he instantly sought his mother; informed her of Mr.
+Cartwright's wish that he should return to Oxford, and of his own desire
+to comply with this immediately.
+
+There was something in the suddenness of this unresisting obedience that
+seemed to startle her. She applauded his resolution, but seemed to wish
+that for some short time, at least, he should delay the execution of it.
+But on this point he was immoveable; and as Mr. Cartwright appeared well
+pleased that so it should be, he succeeded in so hastening the
+arrangements for his departure that within twenty-four hours he had left
+the house, and that without having again seen Rosalind. The greater part
+of this interval, indeed, was passed at Oakley, where his reiterated
+assurances that he should be much, very much happier at Oxford than at
+home, were accepted in excuse for the suddenness of his departure. Sir
+Gilbert, indeed, had so well read Rosalind's heart, and so confidently
+did he anticipate his speedy and even triumphant return, that both
+himself and his lady, who as usual was wholly in his confidence, saw him
+depart without regret, and uttered their farewells with a cheerfulness
+that grated sadly on the feelings of the poor exile.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER IV.
+
+THE VICAR'S PROSPERITY.--HE SETS ABOUT MAKING SOME IMPORTANT REFORMS IN
+THE VILLAGE.
+
+
+The departure of Charles, so immediate and so unrepining, seemed to the
+vicar a most satisfactory proof that the talent and firmness which he
+had himself displayed in their final interview had produced exactly the
+effect which he hoped and intended. "He will, I think, trouble me no
+more:" such was the comfortable little mental soliloquy with which, as
+he sat in his noble library, the Vicar of Wrexhill listened to the
+wheels of the cab, lent to convey Mowbray to the nearest town through
+which the coach passed.
+
+This good work achieved, which was of that species permitted by the
+peculiar doctrine of his sect, Mr. Cartwright, of Cartwright Park, began
+to look around him among his neighbours and dependants for opportunities
+of displaying both his sanctity and his magnificence.
+
+Every thing seemed to prosper with him; and the satisfaction produced by
+this success was very greatly enhanced by the consciousness that he owed
+it all, from the humble courtesy of the village maidens up to the
+crowning glory of his lady's love, and all the wealth it brought, wholly
+and solely to himself. Ungrateful would he have been for such unnumbered
+blessings had he neglected to reward that self by every kind observance
+and by every thoughtful care which his active fancy, his fastidious
+taste, and his luxurious nature could suggest. But he did it all so
+"_doucely_," that no voice was raised to censure the dainty appetite of
+the high-fed priest; no lip was curled in scorn as every week brought
+forth some new indulgence, some exquisite refinement of elaborate
+luxury.
+
+Every thing seemed to prosper with him. The wines he ordered could
+hardly be accounted dear even at the unheard-of prices he gave for them.
+The beautiful creature he bought for his own riding, with just action
+enough to show off his handsome figure, and not sufficient to occasion
+him the least fatigue, appeared to be so born and bred on purpose for
+his use, that every eye was fixed in admiration as he paced along, and
+no tongue wagged to tell that while young Mowbray departed from his
+father's house with ten pounds in his pocket, his stepfather's ambling
+hack cost two hundred.
+
+Every thing seemed to prosper with him. Mrs. Simpson, instead of
+spoiling her fine eyes, and reducing by her secession his fair
+congregation of elected saints, which he had certainly good reason to
+fear, listened to his doctrine now with the same yielding obedience that
+she did before; and so far was the tongue of slander from finding any
+thing amiss in the frequent pastoral visits he continued to pay her,
+that her credit, particularly with her tradespeople, stood higher than
+ever, and her begging-boxes, and her tract-selling, and her albums,
+flourished quite as well as when she believed that she and they would
+ere long be translated to the Vicarage.
+
+Of Mrs. Richards's converted daughters, little Mary was the only one who
+ventured openly to declare that she thought the vicar had behaved
+extremely ill; that after what she saw pass between him and sister
+Louisa, it was a sin not to marry her; and that she did not think poor
+Mrs. Mowbray would ever be happy with a man who was so very much in love
+with another person.
+
+But it was only little Mary who said all this, and nobody paid much
+attention to it. The pious Louisa herself declared, indeed, that there
+never had been any thing but the purest evangelical love between them;
+and that the kiss about which silly Mary made such a fuss, was nothing
+in the world but a kiss of holy peace and brotherly love.
+
+The same eloquence which persuaded the young lady so to think, or at any
+rate, so to say, persuaded her likewise, and her sister Charlotte with
+her, to persevere in their avocations. They continued to compose tracts,
+to get them printed and sold when they could, and to read them aloud and
+give them away in manuscript when they could not. They also continued
+most perseveringly to expound both tracts and Scriptures for the
+edification of their very unhappy mother; who having passed the last
+twenty years of her life in exerting every faculty to render them happy
+around her, could not now so change her plan as to give them that
+portion of her house for the display of their inspired eloquence which
+she herself did not occupy--and thus she passed by far the greater
+portion of every day in listening to their ceaseless assurances that the
+pit of hell was yawning to receive her.
+
+Major Dalrymple being present on one occasion when this was going on
+with peculiar fervour, waited very patiently till there was a pause in
+the eloquence of Miss Charlotte, who was holding forth, and then said
+Scotchly and quietly, "Well, well, I see not but it is all very fair
+between you and your mother, my bonny lasses: she has been always
+forgetting herself for your sakes, and you are now forgetting yourselves
+for hers."
+
+It was not very long, however, after the marriage of the vicar, that a
+welcome and much-needed ray of hope once more gleamed upon her. It rose
+from the fair forehead of little Mary. From the time of her conversion,
+all her very pretty curls had been straightened and pushed behind her
+ears, and the little straw bonnet which covered them was the rival, or
+rather, the model of Fanny Mowbray's. But by degrees, a few of these
+curls began to reappear round her face; her sad-coloured ribbons were
+exchanged for the bright tints that suited so well with her clear brown
+skin: her laughing eyes began to recover their brightness, and at last
+she whispered in her mother's ear, "Forgive me, dearest mamma, for all
+my folly, my presumption. Forgive me, dearest mother; and pray God to
+forgive me too!"
+
+From that moment Mrs. Richards felt restored to happiness. She had too
+early learnt that, at the best, life is but like a changeable web of
+silk, in which the dark tints predominate, to poison the enjoyment which
+Mary's return to reason brought her, by remembering at any moment when
+it was possible to forget it, that she had still two daughters who
+declared their persuasion that they could never meet her in the life to
+come. She wisely and with true piety turned all her thoughts to Mary,
+soothed her remorse, and reconciled her to herself. In addition to this
+great joy, she thought she saw the promise of another, that for years
+had formed her favourite castle in the air. She thought she saw that
+Major Dalrymple looked at the recovered Mary with eyes expressive of
+love as well as of joy; and with this hope before her, and the
+delightful occupation of watching Mary sometimes blush, and always smile
+when the major entered, her life once more ceased to be a burden, and
+Rosalind again found that she sang the very sweetest second in the
+world.
+
+As soon as the occupation of receiving and returning the wedding visits
+was pretty well over, Mr. Cartwright set about making some important
+alterations and reforms in the village of Wrexhill.
+
+His attentive wife suggested to him, that he would find the fatigues of
+a large landed proprietor who so actively inquired into every thing, as
+he did, too much for his health and spirits, if he continued Vicar of
+Wrexhill. But to this he answered, "Heaven forbid, my lovely Clara, that
+I should ever suffer my cares for my earthly possessions to interfere
+with those especially relating to my heavenly ones! The cure of souls,
+my love, has ever been a favourite occupation with me. It greatly
+assists in giving one that sort of influence over the minds of ones
+fellow-creatures which every wise and holy man would wish to possess.
+But I have already secured the services of a very serious and exemplary
+curate, my dear love, who will relieve me from that part of the duty
+which, as you justly fear, might prove injurious to my health. This
+arrangement will, I trust, answer all your wishes for the present, sweet
+love; and in future I intend that our son Charles shall be my curate. He
+will, I have no doubt, like the Vicarage as a residence: it is really
+very pretty, and sufficiently near us to permit of easy, and I should
+hope, frequent intercourse. But it must be a year or two before this can
+be put in practice; and, in the mean time, I trust that we shall find
+Mr. Samuel Hetherington a pious and prayerful young man. I am not
+without hopes that he will arrive at the Vicarage to-night. I forget,
+dear, if I mentioned to you any thing about him?--I certainly, as you
+observe, am very much occupied!--However, don't let me forget to say,
+that if he comes to-night he must be invited to dine here to-morrow."
+
+Another of Mr. Cartwright's new arrangements arose from a scene that
+passed between Mr. Marsh, the quiet, peaceable, pains-taking village
+schoolmaster, and himself. This poor man, who had a wife and some
+half-dozen children, contrived to maintain them all by keeping school.
+He had a good house and extensive play-ground, which tempted many a
+tradesman in the county town, and some even in London, to send their
+sons to Wrexhill to improve at once their lungs and their learning. He
+had also a considerable number of day-boarders from all the farmers
+round, besides many of the most decent and well-born of the village
+children as day-scholars.
+
+To keep up this flourishing concern certainly took up every hour of Mr.
+Marsh's waking existence, and weary enough was he at night, poor man,
+when he laid his head on his pillow. But no one had ever heard him
+complain. His wife and children were comfortably clothed, fed, and
+lodged; his "_parents_" were all well contented with the learning and
+the health of their children, and all his neighbours esteemed and spoke
+well of him.
+
+Before Mr. Cartwright had been many weeks at Wrexhill, he took an
+opportunity of making a very kind and condescending call upon the worthy
+schoolmaster. Mr. Marsh happened at that moment to be superintending the
+afternoon writing-lessons; but he instantly obeyed the summons, and
+received the vicar in his best parlour with every demonstration of
+reverence.
+
+"You have good premises here, Mr. Marsh," said the newly-installed
+clergyman of the parish; "really a very decent and respectable-looking
+domain. How many boys have you, sir?"
+
+"Twenty-seven boarders, twelve day-boarders, and sixteen day-scholars."
+
+"Indeed!--that makes a considerable number of Christian souls. And what,
+sir, may be the method and the principle of your religious instruction?"
+
+"I take all my boarders, sir, to church twice every Sunday; and they
+read from the Bible twice a week. In addition to which, we have family
+prayer night and morning."
+
+"Then it is as I feared, Mr. Marsh," replied the vicar: "you altogether
+neglect, both for your pupils and yourself, sir, my nine o'clock Sabbath
+evening lecture in the church, together with the Tuesday evening's
+expounding and the Thursday evening's church lecture. This is awful
+negligence, sir; it is a terrible tempting of the Lord!"
+
+"I think, Mr. Cartwright," replied the poor schoolmaster, colouring,
+"that I shall be able to explain to your satisfaction my reasons for not
+attending your evening lectures. Some of my boys, sir, are almost
+grown-up lads: I have two hard upon seventeen, and I need not tell a
+gentleman like you that there is a deal of caution necessary at that age
+to keep lads out of harm's way. I have had the character of sending home
+very good, sober, decent lads; and this, I think, has done me more
+service in getting scholars than even my writing and book-keeping. But
+perhaps you don't know, sir, and I am sure I don't wish to put myself
+forward to tell you--but the truth is, Mr. Cartwright, that these late
+meetings, which break up quite in the dark, do bring together a great
+many disorderly people. 'Tis an excuse, sir, for every boy and girl that
+is in service to get out just when they ought to be at home, and
+altogether it is not quite the sort of thing I approve for my boys."
+
+"But when I tell you, Mr. Marsh," replied the vicar with much dignity,
+"that it is the sort of thing which I approve, for all the girls and
+boys too who live under my ministry, I presume that you do not intend to
+persevere in your very futile, and I must call it, impious objection. If
+you, sir, paid the attention that you ought to do to the religious
+object of the meeting, your impure imagination would not be quite so
+busy about its moral consequences. I am sorry to tell you, Mr. Marsh,
+that you are splitting on the rock which sends more wrecked and wretched
+souls to hell than any other peril of this mortal life, let it be what
+it may."
+
+"Well, sir," replied the schoolmaster mildly, "I must make up my account
+between God and my own conscience, and trust to his mercy to overlook my
+deficiencies."
+
+"Overlook your deficiencies?--poor deluded man!--Do you really hope that
+the Lord will pardon the clinging to works, and neglecting to hear his
+word?--Do you really doubt that Satan stands ready at the door to seize
+your soul, and bear it in his poisoned claws to everlasting torture?--Do
+you really doubt this, Mr. Marsh?"
+
+"Indeed I do, sir."
+
+"This is terrible!" cried the vicar, starting up and attempting to stop
+his ears. "Such blasphemy cannot be listened to without sin. I leave
+you, sir, and I will shake the dust off this your carpet from off my
+feet. But remember this,--I am your pastor and master, appointed to be
+the minister and guide of all the souls in my parish. As for your
+soul--I have no hope left for it: it must, and it will have its portion
+among the condemned, and will exist only to burn in unspeakable tortures
+for ever.--I have spoken, and you know your doom. But not so is it with
+the young persons committed to your charge; though, alas! the peril in
+which they now abide is sore to think of. Nevertheless, I will neither
+leave them nor forsake them as long as hope is left that a single brand
+can be snatched from the burning. Wherefore hear me!--This day is
+Thursday; let me this night see yourself, and every boy abiding in your
+house, in the gallery which you occupy in the church, or I will set to
+work to weed the vineyard. Yea! I will cleanse it root and branch from
+the corruption and abomination of you and your boys. Poor wretches, that
+you are labouring and striving to prepare for the kingdom of hell! But I
+speak sinfully in joining you and them together! and may the Lord
+forgive me, as I will strive to atone for it. I will clear the vineyard
+of you--but not till I have separated your boys from you. They shall be
+saved,--by my hand shall they be saved; and when I shall have effected
+this, you may perchance, while enjoying the leisure that will be your
+portion, remember this day, and value at its worth the wisdom which made
+you brave a minister of the evangelical church. Have I softened your
+hard heart, Mr. Marsh? Will you bring your school to my lecture this
+evening? Say 'Yes!' and you are forgiven."
+
+"No, sir, I will not!" was the quiet but firm reply of the good man.
+
+Not another syllable was spoken on either side; but well did the vicar
+of Wrexhill keep his word. Public estimation and private good-will
+appeared for a time to resist all the efforts he could make to persuade
+the villagers, and the farmers round about, that Mr. Marsh was a very
+impious and dangerous man, and one whom it was dangerous to trust with
+their children. They knew better; they knew that he was honest,
+pains-taking, intelligent, patient, and strictly attentive to his
+religious duties. But constant dropping will wear away a stone; and
+constant malevolence, kept in constant action, by one who was not very
+scrupulous as to the truth or falsehood of any statement that tended to
+produce the effect he wished, at length began, like rust upon steel, to
+cover and hide its true colour and its real brightness. One by one his
+daily scholars fell away from him,--one by one the neighbouring farmers
+came with some civil reason for not finding the sending their boys so
+likely to answer as formerly; and one by one his distant patrons found
+out the same thing: so that soon after the vicar's marriage he had the
+great delight of hearing that Mr. Marsh was sent to prison because he
+could not pay his rent, that his furniture was seized for taxes, and
+his tidy little wife lying ill of a brain fever at a small public-house
+near the prison, with her children starving round her.
+
+The sort of inward chuckle with which the prosperous vicar received this
+bit of village gossip from his valet has no letters by which it can be
+spelt;--it was the hosannah of a fiend.
+
+The supplying Mr. Marsh's place in Wrexhill was one of the things that
+now demanded Mr. Cartwright's immediate attention; and notwithstanding
+the many delicious temptations to idleness which surrounded him, his
+love of power, stronger even than his love of luxury, led him to hunt
+for and to find an individual to fill the situation, whose perfect
+obedience to his will made the dominion of the village school worth
+counting among the gratifying rights and immunities of his enviable
+position.
+
+Many of the country families, partly from curiosity, and partly from
+respect for the owner of the Park, let him be who he would, paid their
+visits, and sent their invitations with an appearance of consideration
+very dear to his heart, particularly when it chanced that this
+consideration proceeded from persons blessed by bearing a title. As to
+his domestic circle, it went on rather better than he expected: if not a
+happy, it was a very quiet one. Helen drooped, it is true, and looked
+wofully pale; but she seldom complained at all, and if she did, he heard
+her not. Rosalind was very wretched; but a host of womanly feelings were
+at work within her to prevent its being guessed by any. Even Helen
+thought that she had a wondrous portion of philosophy so speedily to
+forget poor Charles, and so very soon to reconcile herself to the
+hateful dominion of the usurper who had seized his place. But Helen knew
+not how she passed the hours when no eye saw and no ear heard her.
+Neither did Helen know the terrible effort she had made to redeem the
+folly and the pride shown in her answer to Charles, the first and only
+time that he had ever ventured to disclose his love. Had Helen known
+this, and the manner in which this offer of herself had been refused,
+she would have loved, and not blamed the resolution with which the
+heart-stricken Rosalind hid her wound from every eye.
+
+Fanny was gloomy, silent, and abstracted; but Mr. Cartwright only
+thought that the poor girl, having been passionately in love with him,
+was suffering a few natural pangs while teaching herself to consider
+him as her father. But all this was so natural, so inevitable indeed,
+that he permitted it not to trouble him: and, in truth, he was so
+accustomed in the course of his ministry to win young ladies, and
+sometimes old ones too, from the ordinary ways of this wicked world, to
+his own particular path of righteousness, by means of a little
+propitiatory love-making, that the moans and groans which usually
+terminated this part of the process towards perfect holiness among the
+ladies had become to him a matter of great indifference. Notwithstanding
+his long practice in the study of the female heart, however, he did not
+quite interpret that of Fanny Mowbray rightly. He knew nothing of the
+depth and reality of fanatic enthusiasm into which he had plunged her
+young mind; nor could he guess how that pure, but now fettered spirit,
+would labour and struggle to reach some vantage-ground of assurance on
+which to rest itself, and thence offer its unmixed adoration to the
+throne of grace. He had no idea how constantly Fanny was thinking of
+heaven, when he was talking of it.
+
+Of Henrietta he never thought much. She had given him some trouble, and
+he had used somewhat violent measures to bring her into such outward
+training as might not violently shock his adherents and disciples. But
+all this was now settled much to his satisfaction. She combed her hair
+quite straight, never wore pink ribands, and sat in church exactly as
+many hours as he commanded.
+
+Mr. Jacob was, as usual, his joy and his pride; and nothing he could do
+or say sufficed to raise a doubt in the mind of his admiring father of
+his being the most talented young man in Europe. That Jacob was not yet
+quite a saint, he was ready to allow; but so prodigiously brilliant an
+intellect could not be expected to fold its wings and settle itself at
+once in the temperate beatitude of saintship. He would come to it in
+time. It offered such inestimable advantages both in this world and the
+next, that Jacob, who had even now no objection to an easy chair, would
+be sure to discover the advantages of the calling.
+
+The wife of his bosom was really every thing he could wish a wife to be.
+She seemed to forget that there could be any other use for her ample
+revenue, than that of ministering to his convenience; and so complete
+was the devotion with which she seemed to lay herself and all that was
+hers at his feet, that no shadowy doubts or fears tormented him
+respecting that now first object of his life, the making her will.
+
+But though thus assured of becoming her heir whenever it should please
+Heaven to recall her, he took care to omit nothing to render assurance
+doubly sure. Not a caress, not a look, not a tender word, but had this
+for its object; and when his "dearest life" repaid him with a smile, and
+his "loveliest Clara" rewarded him with a kiss, he saw in his mind's eye
+visions of exquisite engrossings, forming themselves day by day more
+clearly into--"all my estates, real and personal, to my beloved
+husband."
+
+Thus, beyond contradiction, every thing seemed to prosper with him; and
+few perhaps of those who gratified his vanity by becoming his guests,
+guessed how many aching hearts sat around his daily banquet.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER V.
+
+THE VICAR AT HOME.
+
+
+Spring succeeded to winter, and summer to spring, without producing any
+important change at Cartwright Park. Charles Mowbray requested and
+obtained permission to continue his studies without interruption, and
+for five months Helen and Rosalind lived upon his letters, which, spite
+of all his efforts to prevent it, showed a spirit so utterly depressed
+as to render them both miserable.
+
+They seemed both of them to be converted into parts of that stately and
+sumptuous machine which Mr. Cartwright had constructed around him, and
+of which he was himself the main spring. The number of servants was
+greatly increased, the equipages were much more splendid, and from an
+establishment remarkably simple and unostentatious for the income of its
+owners, the Park became one of the most magnificent in the country.
+
+Among the periodical hospitalities with which the vicar,--for Mr.
+Cartwright was still Vicar of Wrexhill,--among his periodical
+hospitalities was a weekly morning party, which opened by prayers read
+by his curate, and ended by a blessing pronounced by himself.
+
+At about two o'clock a dejeuner a la fourchette was laid in the
+dining-room, around which were discussed all the serious, and
+serio-political, and serio-literary subjects of the day. On this
+occasion the selection of company, though always pious, was not so
+aristocratical as at the pompous dinners occasionally given at the Park.
+But what was lost to vanity on one side by the unconspicuous rank of
+some of the guests, was gained to it on the other by the profound
+veneration for their host expressed in every word and in every look. Not
+only Mr. Corbold, the lawyer,--who was indeed in some sort ennobled by
+his relationship to the great man himself,--but the new curate, and the
+new apothecary, and even the new schoolmaster, were admitted.
+
+The company were always received by Mr. Cartwright and his lady in the
+drawing-room, where all the family were expected (that is, commanded on
+pain of very heavy displeasure) to assemble round them. The tables were
+covered with bibles, tracts, Evangelical Magazines, sanctified drawings,
+and missionary begging machines.
+
+Hardly could Chivers, who was become an example to all serious butlers
+in voice, in look, and in step, produce a more delightful sensation on
+his master's organs by announcing my Lord This, or my Lady That, than
+that master received from watching the reverential bows of the
+sycophants who hung upon his patronage. A sort of frozen blandishment on
+these occasions smoothed his proud face as he stood, with his lady
+beside him, to receive them. The tall, obsequious curate, who hardly
+dared to say his soul was his own, though he freely took upon himself to
+pronounce the destiny of other people's, bent before him, lower than
+mortal ever need bend to mortal; and he was rewarded for it by being
+permitted to aspire to the hand of the only daughter of Mr. Cartwright,
+of Cartwright Park. The little round apothecary, who by evangelical aid
+withal had pushed out his predecessor as effectually as ever pellet did
+pellet in a popgun, sighed, whined, bought tracts, expounded them,
+kneeled down, though almost too fat to get up again, and would have done
+aught else that to a canting doctor's art belongs so that it were not
+physically impossible, for one sole object, which for some months past
+had hardly quitted his thoughts by day or by night. This lofty object of
+ambition and of hope was the attending the lady of Mr. Cartwright, of
+Cartwright Park, at her approaching accouchement.
+
+The new schoolmaster, who was already making hundreds where his
+unprofessing predecessor made tens of pounds, was a huge, gaunt man, who
+had already buried three wives, and who had besides, as he hoped and
+believed, the advantage of being childless;--for he had always made it a
+custom to quarrel early with his sons and daughters, and send them to
+seek their fortune where they could find it;--this prosperous gentleman
+actually and bona fide fell in love with Miss Torrington; and having
+very tolerably good reasons for believing that there were few things at
+Cartwright Park which might not be won by slavish obedience and canting
+hypocrisy, he failed not to divide the hours during which he was weekly
+permitted an entree there, between ogling the young lady, and
+worshipping the master of the mansion.
+
+Poor Rosalind had found means, after her dreadful scene with Mowbray,
+secretly to convey a note to Sir Gilbert, informing him that she no
+longer wished to change her guardian; as her doing so would not, she
+feared, enable her to free Helen from her thraldom: she was still
+therefore Mrs. Cartwright's ward, and the vicar had not yet quite
+abandoned the hope that his talented son might obtain her and her
+fortune; but hitherto Mr. Jacob had declined making proposals, avowing
+that he did not think he was sufficiently advanced in the fair lady's
+good graces to be quite sure of success. So, as no avowed claim had been
+hitherto made to her hand, the schoolmaster went on ogling every
+Wednesday morning, and dreaming every Wednesday night, unchecked by any:
+for the fair object of his passion was perfectly unconscious of having
+inspired it.
+
+Mrs. Simpson, of course, never failed to embellish these morning
+meetings with her presence when she happened to be in the country; but
+she had lately left it, for the purpose, as it was understood, of making
+a visit of a month or two to a distant friend, during which she had
+intended to place her charming little Mimima at a boarding-school in a
+neighbouring town; but Mr. Cartwright so greatly admired that sweet
+child's early piety that he recommended his lady to invite her to pass
+the period of her mamma's absence at Cartwright Park.
+
+Then there were the Richards' family, who for various reasons were among
+the most constant Wednesday visitors. Mrs. Richards came to see
+Rosalind, little Mary to whisper good counsel to her friend Fanny, and
+the two elder sisters to meet all the serious young men that the pompous
+vicar could collect round him from every village or town in the
+vicinity.
+
+Besides these, there were many others, too numerous indeed to be
+permitted a place in these pages, who came from far and near to pray and
+to gossip, to eat and to drink, at Cartwright Park.
+
+It happened at one of these meetings, about the middle of the month of
+June, when the beauty of the weather had brought together rather a
+larger party than usual, that a subject of great interest to the
+majority of the company was brought under discussion by Mr. Cartwright.
+
+No sooner had Mr. Samuel Hetherington, his curate, finished his prayer,
+and such of the company risen from their knees as chose to come early
+enough to take part in that portion of the morning's arrangements, than
+the vicar opened the subject.
+
+"My dear friends and neighbours," he said, "I have to communicate what I
+am sure will give you all pleasure: for are we not a society united in
+the Lord? Notwithstanding the little differences of station that may
+perhaps exist among us, have we not all one common object in view? It is
+for the furtherance of this divine object that I have now to mention to
+you a circumstance at which my soul and the soul of Mrs. Cartwright
+rejoice, and at which I am fully persuaded that your souls will rejoice
+likewise."
+
+This preface produced a movement of lively interest throughout the whole
+room, and there was hardly a person present who did not eagerly
+undertake to answer for the sympathy of his or her soul with those of
+the vicar and his lady.
+
+"Since we had the pleasure of seeing you last," resumed the vicar, "I
+have received a despatch from the secretary of the South Central African
+Bible Association, by which I learn that it is in contemplation to send
+out to Fababo a remarkably serious young Jew, recently converted, as
+missionary, and minister plenipotentiary in all spiritual affairs
+relative to the church about to be established for Fababo and its
+dependencies. But as you all well know that such a glorious enterprise
+as this cannot be undertaken without funding and it has been requested
+of me, in the despatch to which I have alluded, that I should exert such
+little influence as I have among you, my dear friends and neighbours,
+for the collecting a sum in aid of it, our good Mrs. Simpson's sweet
+little cherub Mimima is furnished with a box, which she will carry round
+as soon as the collation is ended, to petition your generous
+contributions."
+
+A murmur of approbation, admiration, and almost of adoration, burst from
+the whole company, and the conversation immediately turned upon the
+conversion of Jews, and the happiness of having found so very desirable
+a mission for Mr. Isaacs. While the enthusiasm was at its height, Mrs.
+Cartwright, having previously received a hint from her husband, proposed
+that a serious fancy-fair should be held on that day month, on the lawn
+before the drawing-room windows of Cartwright Park, for assisting the
+outfit of Mr. Isaacs.
+
+"If all the ladies present," continued Mrs. Cartwright, "and such of
+their friends as they can prevail upon to join them, will only occupy
+themselves during the ensuing month in the making of pincushions, the
+composition of tracts, the sketching some dozens of Apostles' heads,
+together with a few thousand allumettes and pen-wipers, we should, I
+have no doubt, collect a sum not only very serviceable to the exemplary
+Mr. Isaacs, but highly honourable to ourselves."
+
+"Delightful!" cried several ladies at once. "There is nothing," said the
+little girlish wife of a neighbouring curate, "that I dote upon like a
+fancy-fair;--a serious fancy-fair, of course I mean, my dear," she
+added, colouring, as she caught the eye of her alarmed young husband
+fixed upon her.
+
+"A serious fancy-fair for _such_ an object," observed Mr. Cartwright,
+"is indeed a charming spectacle. If the Lord favours us by granting a
+fine day, the whole of the ceremonies,--I mean, including the opening
+prayers, the exposition of some chapters bearing upon the subject, the
+reading a tract which I will direct my curate to compose for the
+occasion, and the final blessing: all this, I think, if the weather
+prove favourable, should be performed out of doors, as well as the sale
+of the ladies' works. This, I question not, will produce a very imposing
+effect, and will, I think, be likely to bring many persons who, by a
+blessing upon our labours, may be induced to purchase. The elderly
+ladies will of course sell the articles; and the younger ones, whose
+piety will lead them to attend, may conceal themselves as much as
+possible from the public eye, by walking about in my groves and
+shrubberies, which shall be open for the occasion. It will be desirable,
+I imagine, to get handbills printed, to invite the attendance of the
+whole neighbourhood! Do you not think this will be advisable? I am sure
+that no one can avoid every thing like general display and ostentation
+more cautiously than I do; but I conceive this public announcement on
+the present occasion absolutely necessary to the profitable success of
+our endeavours."
+
+"Absolutely!" was the word caught by echo for the reply.
+
+"Have the goodness, Mr. Hetherington, to sit down at that small
+table--you will there find all things needful for writing, and indite
+the handbill that will be necessary for us. There is a warmth of feeling
+at this blessed moment generated among us towards this holy work, which
+it would be sin to neglect. Let it not, like those good feelings and
+resolutions of which we have been told by the preacher, pass away from
+us to pave the courts of hell, and be trodden under the feet of the
+scorners who inhabit there. No, my brethren; let it rather rise like a
+sweet savour of incense, to tell that not in vain do we pronounce His
+name on earth!"
+
+Before these words were all spoken, the assiduous curate was already
+seated, pen in hand, as nearly as possible in the attitude of
+Dominichino's St. John, and looking up to Mr. Cartwright for
+inspiration.
+
+In truth, the vicar, though the dignity of a secretary was in some sort
+necessary to his happiness, would by no means have intrusted the
+sketching out of this document to any hand but his own. He felt it to be
+probable that it might become matter of history, and as such it demanded
+his best attention. While Mr. Hetherington therefore sat with his pen
+between his fingers, like a charged gun waiting for the pressure of the
+finger that should discharge it, Mr. Cartwright, with the ready hand of
+a master produced the following outline in pencil.
+
+                          CARTWRIGHT PARK.
+
+                  On Wednesday the 12th July, 1834,
+                           will be held
+                            a serious
+                           FANCY FAIR,
+             on the lawn of the Rev. Mr. Cartwright's
+                            Mansion,
+                               at
+                        Cartwright Park,
+                  For the promotion of an object
+                         most precious
+                       in the eyes of all
+                     PROFESSING CHRISTIANS:
+                            namely,
+
+    The fitting out a mission to Fababo, of which the Rev. Isaac
+    Isaacs is to be the head and chief; to him being intrusted the
+    first formation of an organised Christian establishment for
+
+                            FABABO
+
+    and its dependencies, together with the regulation of all adult
+    and infant schools therein, and the superintendance of all the
+    bible societies throughout the district.
+
+                          LARGE FUNDS
+
+    being required for this very promising and useful mission, the
+    ladies and gentlemen in the neighbourhood of Cartwright
+    Park are religiously requested to attend the Serious Fancy
+    Fair hereby announced, both as contributors and purchasers;
+    whereby they will ensure the especial favour of Providence to
+    themselves, and the blessings of religious and civil freedom,
+    and the purest evangelical instruction, to unnumbered
+
+                           THOUSANDS
+                           yet unborn
+                              of
+                          the natives
+                              of
+                            FABABO.
+
+     N.B.--Collations will be served at three o'clock in five of the
+     principal saloons of Mr. Cartwright's mansion. Prayers to be
+     pronounced at one. Blessing (from the Reverend Mr. Cartwright
+     himself) at five.
+
+     The whole of the religious ceremonies to be performed in the
+     open air.
+
+This sketch, as the inspired author called it, having been read aloud
+and approved by acclamation, was delivered to the curate to copy; and as
+soon as this was completed, Mr. Cartwright received it from him, and
+holding it aloft in his right hand, pronounced aloud, in a very solemn
+and impressive manner, these words: "May this service, dedicated to the
+Lord, be found acceptable in his sight, and bring forth honour and glory
+to us and to him in the world to come and the life everlasting. Amen."
+
+This business happily completed, the religious amusements of the morning
+continued to go on as usual;--Mr. Bateman, the enamoured schoolmaster,
+constantly sitting, standing, and moving, with his eyes fixed on Miss
+Torrington; and the despairing Corbold, whose six passionate proposals
+had been six times formally refused by Helen, reposing himself on a sofa
+in deep meditation on the ways and means by which he might so wheedle or
+work himself into the secrets of his magnificent cousin as to make it
+necessary for him to wink at any means by which he could get Helen into
+his power, and so oblige her to marry him.
+
+At length the elegant banquet drew the company from their tracts and
+their talk to the dinner-parlour; and iced champagne refreshed the
+spirits of all, but particularly of those exhausted by the zealous
+warmth with which they had discussed the sinful adherence to good works
+so frightfully prevalent among the unregenerated clergy of the Church of
+England and Ireland. This was a theme upon which the majority of the
+company at the Cartwright Park meetings never wearied.
+
+At length, the final blessing was pronounced, the party separated, and
+the tired family left to repose themselves as they best liked till the
+hour of dinner.
+
+The increasing delicacy of Miss Cartwright's health, and Rosalind's
+drooping spirits, had prevented the intimacy between them from gaining
+ground so rapidly as they had, perhaps, both expected, when the families
+of the Park and Vicarage became blended into one. Yet it was evident
+that Rosalind was the only person to whom the pale Henrietta ever wished
+to speak, and equally so that Rosalind always listened to her with
+interest.
+
+They were mounting the stairs together after the company were dispersed,
+when Henrietta said, "Are you not wearied to death by all this, Miss
+Torrington? Oh, how you are changed since the time I told you that I had
+pleasure in looking at your face! It was then the brightest looking
+countenance I ever gazed upon: but now--to use the words of, I know not
+whom--all the sunshine is out of you."
+
+"It is a sorry compliment you pay me, my dear Henrietta; but I believe I
+am not quite the same sort of person I was then." Tears started in her
+eyes as she spoke.
+
+"I have overheard painful comparisons, Miss Torrington, between times
+past and present, and I am sorry for it. I really would not willingly
+add to the sorrow and suffering my race has brought upon you. Do not go
+and sit by yourself and weep till you are sick, as I have done many's
+the time and oft. Let us take a very slow ramble into that very thickest
+part of the Reverend Mr. Cartwright's shrubbery, where the sun never
+enters--shall we? We are quite fine enough for such godly people,
+without any more dressing for dinner. So we can sit in the shade till
+the last bell rings."
+
+"I should like nothing so well," replied Rosalind: and hastily skirting
+the sunny lawn, they took their stations on a seat which the morning sun
+visited as if on purpose to prevent its being dark and damp, but which
+for the rest of the twenty-four hours remained almost as cool as if
+there were no such globe in the heavens.
+
+"We are growing very seriously gay, Rosalind,--are we not?" said
+Henrietta in a lighter tone than she usually indulged in. "Fancy-fairs
+used to be the exclusive property of the worldlings; but it seems that
+we are now to come in for a share of their fraudulent charity,--and
+their vain benevolence:--not a bad pun that, Rosalind, if I had but
+intended to make one? But do tell me if you do not think Mr. Cartwright
+has a magnificent taste?"
+
+"Very--for a person who professes himself so given to the contemplation
+of things above the world. But to tell you the truth, Henrietta, I am
+much less surprised at the vain-glorious manner in which he displays
+his newly-acquired riches, than at the continuance of his saintly
+professions. I expected that the Vicarage of Wrexhill would have been
+resigned, and all the world peaceably permitted to be just as wicked as
+they liked, without Mr. Cartwright of Cartwright Park giving himself the
+least trouble concerning it."
+
+"You little know the nature of the clique to which he belongs. That they
+value pleasure fully as much as other men, is quite certain; that they
+struggle for riches with anxiety as acute, and hold it with a grasp as
+tight, as any human beings can do, it were equally impossible to doubt:
+but that power is dearer to them than either, is a truth well known to
+all who have sat within the conventicle, and watched its professors, as
+I have done."
+
+"But how can a man so addicted to self-indulgence, as it is evident Mr.
+Cartwright is, endure the sort of trouble which the charge of a living
+must inevitably bring with it?--especially in the style so universally
+practised, I believe, by all serious ministers--that of interfering with
+the affairs of every individual in their parish."
+
+"It is that interference that makes the labour a joy. But you are not
+initiated, and cannot comprehend it. You do not, I am sure, conceive the
+delight of feeling, that not a man or woman--not a boy or girl in the
+parish either do, or leave undone, any single act of labour or of
+relaxation, without thinking whether Mr. Cartwright would approve it.
+And then, the dependence of so many on him for their daily bread!--the
+curate, the clerk, the sexton, the beadle,--and the schoolmaster, and
+the schoolmaster's assistant, and the apothecary, and the attorney, and
+the undertaker, and--dozens of poor dependent simpletons besides, who,
+if, like poor Seymour's organ-grinder, they "knew the walley of peace
+and quiet," would run away to batten on the first moor they came to,
+rather than endure the slavery of living dependent upon the favour of a
+fanatical divine. Whatever it may be to them, however, depend upon it,
+that to him, and the like of him, this petty power, this minute tyranny
+of interference, is dearer than the breath of life; and that, much as
+Mr. Cartwright loves his fair lady and all that belongs to her, he would
+think that all still dearly purchased, were he thereby to lose the right
+of entering every house in the parish, and unblushingly to ask them what
+they have done, are doing, and are about to do."
+
+The conversation then rambled on to all things connected with the
+fancy-fair and its object, till they had talked themselves tired; and
+then they sat silently watching the beautiful checker-work of light and
+shade which fell on the grass-carpet before them, till the languid
+Henrietta, resting her head against a tree, fell fast asleep. Rosalind
+sat beside her for some minutes; but, growing weary of the extreme
+stillness necessary to guard her slumbers, she quietly withdrew herself,
+and wandered on under the trees.
+
+Having left the sleeper for about half an hour, she turned to walk
+gently back again; but fancying as she approached the spot that she
+heard the sound of a man's voice, she slanted off by another path, which
+took her close behind the seat occupied by Miss Cartwright, though a
+thick trimly-cut laurel hedge rendered it impossible for any one to see
+or be seen from the other.
+
+The hedge, though a good one, had not however the same effect on sound
+as on sight, and Rosalind was not a little startled, as her soft
+footfall silently drew near the seat, to hear a very passionate
+declaration of love in the drawling voice of Mr. Hetherington.
+
+She stopped, by no means from any wish to hear more, but greatly
+embarrassed lest, her step being heard, she might appear to have stolen
+to this obscure spot for the express purpose of being a listener.
+
+"Make me the happiest of men, adored Miss Cartwright!" reiterated the
+young man. "Your father has permitted my addresses; then do not you,
+most charming Henrietta, refuse to listen to them!"
+
+"It would not be for your happiness, sir," replied the deep low voice of
+Henrietta, "that I should do so."
+
+"Let me be the judge of that! Oh! if such a fear be all that parts us,
+we shall not, lovely Miss Cartwright! be long asunder," replied the
+ardent Mr. Hetherington.
+
+"I know myself, sir," said Henrietta, "far better than you can know me;
+and though we have not been long acquainted, your situation as curate of
+the parish enables me to know your sentiments and opinions better than
+you can know mine. I hear you preach twice every Sunday, Mr.
+Hetherington, and I do assure you there is not a single question of
+importance on which we think alike."
+
+"Name them, sweet Henrietta! generously tell me wherein we differ, and
+trust me that it shall be the study of my life to bring my opinions into
+conformity with yours."
+
+"I heard you, in the middle of your sermon last Sunday, stop short to
+scold a little boy who had accidentally made a noise by letting his hat
+fall on the ground. You said to him, 'Before next Sunday you may be
+brought into this church in your coffin.' I saw the little fellow turn
+pale, yet you repeated the words. I really should not like to marry any
+one who could so terrify little boys, for he might perhaps think it
+right to terrify me also."
+
+"Never--oh, never again will I so offend you: and for yourself, beloved
+Miss Cartwright, what could I say to you but words of hope and joy?"
+
+"Neither your joy nor your hope, Mr. Hetherington, would do me much
+good, I am afraid. In one word, much as it will surprise you to hear it
+from my father's daughter, I am not evangelical, sir."
+
+"It is but a reason the more for my wishing to call you mine! If my
+opinions are unsound, you shall correct them."
+
+"I wish you would be persuaded, Mr. Hetherington, to desist from this
+suit. I know that if my father has permitted it, I may find it become
+very troublesome to me, unless you have yourself the generosity to
+withdraw it; for my father does not brook contradiction."
+
+"Ask any proof of my obedience but this, and you shall find me a slave,
+having no will but that of my charming mistress; but to resign you while
+I enjoy the inestimable privilege of your illustrious father's sanction,
+it is impossible."
+
+"Then, sir," said Henrietta, in an altered voice that betokened strong
+emotion, "if nothing less will save me from this persecution, I will
+disclose to you the great secret of my life; make of it what use you
+will. I am an Atheist."
+
+"Surely you cannot suppose, my beloved Miss Cartwright, that this
+confession can produce any effect upon my love, unless indeed it be to
+augment it. What noble frankness! what confiding trust! Believe me,
+there can be no difference of opinion between us on any subject
+sufficiently strong to conquer the tender and powerful passion you have
+inspired. Yield then to the soft violence which I know will be
+sanctioned by your respected father--let me thus----"
+
+"Leave me, wretch!" exclaimed Henrietta in a voice that made Rosalind
+tremble. "He may lock me up and half-starve me, for he has done it
+before to make me obey his will, and I have obeyed it, and hated myself
+for my cowardice; but I will not marry you, Mr. Hetherington, even
+should he treat me worse than he has yet done--which would not be easy.
+Go, sir, go--I am an Atheist; but horrible as that sounds even to my own
+ears, it is better than to be what you have proved yourself."
+
+Rosalind, hardly less agitated than Henrietta appeared to be, stood
+trembling from head to foot in her retreat, till aware that the
+unscrupulous Mr. Hetherington had retreated in one direction, and the
+unhappy Henrietta returned to the house by another.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER VI.
+
+A SECOND VISIT TO THE LIME-TREE.
+
+
+Rosalind, as she walked slowly back towards the house, repeated to
+herself in shuddering the fearful words of Henrietta Cartwright--I AM AN
+ATHEIST,--and her very soul seemed sick and faint within her. She had
+sought in some degree the friendship of this unhappy girl, chiefly
+because it was evident that not even the connexion of father and
+daughter had sufficed to blind her to the hateful hypocrisy and unholy
+fanaticism of the vicar. Did, then, hatred and contempt for him lead to
+the hideous abyss of Atheism? She trembled as she asked herself the
+question; but the weakness lasted not a moment: the simple and true
+piety of her spirit awoke within her, and with kindly warmth cheered and
+revived her heart. That the unhappy Henrietta, when revolted by watching
+the false religion of her father, should have fled from it with such
+passionate vehemence as to plunge her into the extreme of scepticism,
+offered no precedent for what would be likely to befall a person who,
+like her, loathed the dark sin of hypocrisy, but who, unlike her, had
+learned the benignant truths of religion with no false and frightful
+commentaries to disfigure them.
+
+As she remembered this--as she remembered that, probably, the only
+religious lessons ever given to this most unhappy girl were such as her
+judgment must revolt from, and the sincerity of her nature detest as
+false and feigned, pity and compassion took place of terror and
+repugnance, and a timid, but most earnest wish, that she might herself
+be the means of sending a ray of divine light to cheer the fearful gloom
+of poor Henrietta's mind, took possession of her heart.
+
+The delightful glow of feeling that seemed to pervade every nerve of
+Rosalind as this thought took possession of her cannot be described.
+Tears again filled her beautiful eyes, but they were no longer the tears
+of disappointment and despondency; yet a dread of incurring the guilt of
+presumption, by assuming the office of teacher on a theme so awfully
+important, so sublimely exalted, mixed fear with her hope, and she
+determined to restrict her efforts wholly to the selection of such books
+as might tend to enlighten the dark night of that perverted mind,
+without producing in it the painful confusion of thought which must ever
+result from a loose and unlogical arrangement of proofs and arguments,
+however sound or however unquestionable they may individually be.
+
+When she met Henrietta in the drawing-room, where all the family were
+assembled before dinner, she was conscious of being so full of thoughts
+concerning her, that she almost feared to encounter her eyes, lest her
+own might prematurely disclose her being acquainted with the scene she
+had gone through.
+
+But the moment she heard Henrietta speak, the sound of her voice, so
+quiet, so cold, so perfectly composed, convinced her that the
+conversation which she had supposed must have agitated her so
+dreadfully, had in truth produced no effect on her whatever; and when,
+taking courage from this, she ventured to speak to and look at her, the
+civil smile, the unaltered eye, the easy allusion to their walk and
+their separation, led her almost to doubt her senses as to the identity
+of the being now before her, and the one to whom she had listened in
+horror a short half-hour ago. This perplexity was, however, in a great
+measure relieved by an interpretation suggested by her fancy, and
+immediately and eagerly received by her as truth.
+
+"It was in bitter irony, and shrewdly to test the sincerity of that
+man's assumed sanctity, that she uttered those terrible words," thought
+Rosalind; and inexpressibly relieved by the supposition, she determined
+to take an early opportunity of confessing to Miss Cartwright her
+involuntary participation of Mr. Hetherington's tender avowal, and of
+her own temporary credulity in believing for a moment that what was
+uttered, either to get rid of him or to prove the little worth of his
+pretended righteousness, was a serious avowal of her secret sentiments.
+
+This opportunity was not long wanting; for, perfectly unconscious that
+Miss Torrington's motive for hovering near her was to seek a
+confidential conversation,--a species of communication from which she
+always shrunk,--Henrietta, who really liked and admired her more than
+any person she had ever met with, readily seconded her wish, by again
+wandering into the garden-walks, on which the sun had just poured his
+parting beams, and where the full moon, rising at the same moment to
+take her turn of rule, shone with a splendour increasing every moment,
+and rendering the night more than a rival in beauty to the day.
+
+"Let us go to the same seat we occupied this morning," said Rosalind.
+
+"No, no; go anywhere else, and I shall like it better. Let us go where
+we can see the moon rise, and watch her till she reaches her highest
+noon;--of all the toys of creation it is the prettiest."
+
+"Shall you be afraid to go as far as the lime-tree?" asked Rosalind.
+
+"What! The tree of trees? the bower of paradise?--in short, the tree
+that you and I have once before visited together?"
+
+"The same. There is no point from whence the rising moon is seen to such
+advantage."
+
+"Come along, then; let us each put on the armour of a good shawl, and
+steal away from this superlatively dull party by the hall-door."
+
+The two girls walked on together arm-in-arm, both clad in white, both
+raising a fair young face to the clear heavens, both rejoicing in the
+sweet breath of evening, heavy with dew-distilling odours. Yet, thus
+alike, the wide earth is not ample enough to serve as a type whereby to
+measure the distance that severed them. The adoration, the joy, the hope
+of Rosalind, as her thoughts rose "from Nature up to Nature's God,"
+beamed from her full eye; thankfulness and love swelled her young heart,
+and every thought and every feeling was a hymn of praise.
+
+Henrietta, as she walked beside her, though sharing Nature's banquet so
+lavishly prepared for every sense, like a thankless guest, bestowed no
+thought upon the hand that gave it. Cold, dark, and comfortless was the
+spirit within her; she saw that all was beautiful, but remembered not
+that all was good,--and the thankless heart heaved with no throb of
+worship to the eternal Creator who made the lovely world, and then made
+her to use it.
+
+Notwithstanding the interpretation which Rosalind had put upon the works
+spoken by Henrietta in the morning, and the consolation she had drawn
+from it, it was not without considerable agitation that she anticipated
+the conversation she was meditating. "If she were mistaken?--if beneath
+that pure sky, from whence the eye of Heaven seemed to look down upon
+them, she were again to hear the same terrific words--how should she
+answer them? How should she find breath, and strength, and thought, and
+language, to speak on such a theme?"
+
+She trembled at her own temerity as this fear pressed upon her, and
+inwardly prayed, in most true and sweet humility, for forgiveness for
+her presumptuous sin. A prayer so offered never fails of leaving in the
+breast it springs from a cheering glow, that seems like an assurance of
+its being heard. Like that science-taught air, which blazes as it
+exhales itself, prayer--simple, sincere, unostentatious prayer, sheds
+light and warmth upon the soul that breathes it, even by the act of
+breathing.
+
+They had, however, reached the seat beneath the lime-tree before
+Rosalind found courage to begin: and then she said, as they seated
+themselves beneath the spreading canopy, "Miss Cartwright,--I have a
+confession to make to you."
+
+"To me?--Pray, what is it? To judge by the place you have chosen for
+your confessional, it should be something rather solemn and majestical."
+
+"Do you remember that I left you on the shrubbery-seat this morning fast
+asleep?"
+
+"Oh! perfectly.--You mean, then, to confess that the doing so was
+unwatchful and unfriendly: and, indeed, I think it was. How did you know
+but I might be awakened by some venomous reptile that should come to
+sting me?"
+
+"Believe me, I thought the place secure from interruption of every kind.
+But I had reason to think afterwards that it did not prove so."
+
+"What do you mean, Miss Torrington?" replied Henrietta, in an accent of
+some asperity. "I presume you did not creep away for the purpose of
+spying at me from a distance?"
+
+"Oh no!--You cannot, I am sure, suspect me of wishing to spy at you at
+all. And yet things have so fallen out, that when I tell you all, you
+must suspect me of it--unless you believe me, as I trust you do,
+incapable of such an action."
+
+"Pray do not speak in riddles," said Henrietta impatiently. "What is it
+you have got to confess to me? Tell me at once, Miss Torrington."
+
+"You really do not encourage me to be very frank with you, for you seem
+angry already. But the truth is, Miss Cartwright, that I did most
+unintentionally overhear your conversation with Mr. Hetherington."
+
+"The whole of it?--Did you hear the whole of it, Rosalind?"
+
+"Not quite. The gentleman appeared to be in the midst of his declaration
+when my unwilling ears became his confidants."
+
+"And then you listened to the end?"
+
+"I did."
+
+A deathlike silence followed this avowal, which was at last broken by
+Henrietta, who said in a low whisper, "Then at last you know me!"
+
+"Oh! do not say so;--do not say that the fearful words that I heard were
+spoken in earnest!--Do not say that;--I cannot bear to hear it!"
+
+"Poor girl!--poor Rosalind!" said Henrietta, in a voice of the deepest
+melancholy. "I have always wished to spare you this--I have always
+wished to spare myself the pain of reading abhorrence in the eyes of one
+that I do believe I could have loved, had not my heart been dead."
+
+"But if you feel thus, Henrietta,--if indeed you know that such words as
+I heard you utter must raise abhorrence,--it is because that you
+yourself must hate them. I know you are unhappy--I know that your
+nature scorns the faults that are but too conspicuous in your father;
+but is it not beneath a mind of such power as yours to think there is no
+God in heaven, because one weak and wicked man has worshipped him
+amiss?"
+
+"He worship!--Trust me, Rosalind, had I been the child of a Persian, and
+seen him, in spirit and in truth, worshipping the broad sun as it looked
+down from heaven upon earth, making its fragrant dews rise up to him in
+incense, I should not have been the wretched thing I am,--for I should
+have worshipped too."
+
+"Henrietta!--If to behold the Maker of the universe, and the Redeemer
+whom he sent to teach his law--if to see worship offered to their
+eternal throne could teach you to worship too, then look around you.
+Look at the poor in heart, the humble, pious Christians who, instead of
+uttering the horrible doom of eternal damnation upon their fellow-men,
+live and die in the delightful hope that all shall one day meet in the
+presence of their God and Father, chastised, purified, and pleading, to
+his everlasting mercy, with the promised aid of his begotten Son, for
+pardon and for peace.--Look out for this, Henrietta, and you will find
+it. Find it, and your heart will be softened, and you will share the
+healing balm that makes all the sorrow and suffering of this life seem
+but as the too close fitting of a heavy garment that galls but for an
+hour!"
+
+"Dear, innocent Rosalind!--How pure and beautiful your face looks in the
+bright moonlight!--But, alas! I know that very sinful faces may look
+just as fair. There is no truth to rest on. In the whole wide world,
+Rosalind, there is not honesty enough whereon to set a foot, that one
+may look around and believe, at least, that what one sees, one sees. But
+this is a perfection of holiness--a species of palpable and present
+divinity, that is only granted to mortals in their multiplication
+tables.--Twice two are four--I feel sure of it,--but my faith goes no
+farther."
+
+"I cannot talk to you," cried Rosalind in great agitation; "I am not
+capable of doing justice to this portentous theme, on which hangs the
+eternal life of all the men that have been, are, and shall be. It is
+profane in me to speak of it,--a child--a worm. Father of mercy, forgive
+me!" she cried suddenly dropping upon her knees.
+
+Henrietta uttered a cry which almost amounted to a shriek. "I had almost
+listened to you!" she exclaimed,--"I had almost believed that your voice
+was the voice of truth; but now you put yourself in that hateful
+posture, and what can I think of you, but that you are all alike--all
+juggling--all! The best of ye juggle yourselves,--the worst do as we saw
+Mr. Cartwright do;--on that very spot, Rosalind, beneath the shelter of
+that very tree, did he not too knuckle down? and for what?--to lure and
+cajole a free and innocent spirit to be as false and foul as himself!
+Yet this is the best trick of which you can bethink you to teach the
+sceptical Henrietta that there is a God."
+
+"Truth, Henrietta," said Rosalind, rising up and speaking in a tone that
+indicated more contempt than anger,--"neither truth nor falsehood can be
+tested by a posture of the body. It is but a childish cavil. The
+stupendous question, whether this world and all the wonders it contains
+be the work of chance, or of unlimited power and goodness, conceiving,
+arranging, and governing the whole, can hardly depend for its solution
+upon the angle in which the joints are bent. You have read much, Miss
+Cartwright,--read one little passage more, which I think may have
+escaped you. Read the short and simple instructions given as to the
+manner in which prayer should be offered up--read this passage of some
+dozen lines, and I think you will allow that in following these
+instructions, greatly as they have been misconstrued and abused, there
+is nothing that can justify the vehement indignation which you express."
+
+Poor Henrietta shrunk more abashed before this simple word of common
+sense, than she would have done before the revealed word. Rosalind saw
+this, and pointed out the anomaly to her, simply, but strongly.
+
+"Does it not show a mind diseased?" she continued. "You feel that you
+were wrong to make an attitude a matter of importance, and you are
+ashamed of it: but from the question, whether you shall exist in pure
+and intellectual beatitude through countless ages, or perish to-morrow,
+you turn with contempt, as too trifling and puerile to merit your
+attention."
+
+"If I do turn from it, Rosalind,--if I do think the examination of such
+a question a puerile occupation,--it is in the same spirit that I should
+decline to share the employment of a child who would set about counting
+the stars. Such knowledge is too excellent for me; I cannot attain unto
+it."
+
+"Your illustration would be more correct, Henrietta, were you to say
+that you shut your eyes and would not see the stars, upon the same
+principle that you declined inquiring into the future hopes of man. It
+would be quite as reasonable to refuse to look at the stars because you
+cannot count them, as to close your eyes upon the book of life because
+it tells of intellectual power beyond your own.--But this is all
+contrary to my resolution, Henrietta,--contrary to all my hopes for your
+future happiness. Do not listen to me; do not hang a chance dearer than
+life upon the crude reasonings of an untaught woman. Will you read,
+Henrietta?--if I will find you books and put them in your hands, will
+you read them, and keep your judgment free and clear from any foregone
+conclusion that every word that speaks of the existence and providence
+of God must be a falsehood? Will you promise me this?"
+
+"Let us go home, Rosalind; my head is giddy and my heart is sick. I had
+hoped never again to fever my aching brain in attempting to sift the
+truth from all the lies that may and must surround it. I have made my
+choice deliberately, Rosalind. I have never seen sin and wickedness
+flourish any where so rapidly and so vigorously as where it has been
+decked in the masquerading trappings of religion. I hate sin, Rosalind,
+and I have thrown aside for ever the hateful garb in which I have been
+used to see it clothed. If there be a God, can I stand guilty before his
+eyes for this?"
+
+"Oh yes! most guilty! If you have found hypocrisy and sin, turn from it
+with all the loathing that you will; and be very sure, let it wear what
+mask it will, that religion is not there. Look then elsewhere for it. Be
+not frightened by a bugbear, a phantom, from seeking what it is so
+precious to find! Dearest Henrietta! will you not listen to me?--will
+you not promise for a while to turn your thoughts from every lighter
+thing, till you are able to form a surer judgment upon this?"
+
+"Dearest?--Do you call me dear, and dearest, Rosalind? Know you that I
+have lived in almost abject terror lest you should discover the
+condition of my mind? I thought you would hate and shun me.--Rosalind
+Torrington! you are a beautiful specimen, and a very rare one. To please
+you, and to approach you if I could, I would read much, and think and
+reason more, and try to hope again, as I did once, until I was
+stretched upon the torturing rack of fear: but there is no time left
+me!"
+
+"Do not say that, dear friend," said Rosalind, gently drawing
+Henrietta's cold and trembling arm within her own. "You are still so
+young, that time is left for harder studies than any I propose to you."
+
+"I am dying, Rosalind. I have told you so before, but you cannot believe
+me because I move about and send for no doctor--but I am dying."
+
+"And if I could believe it, Henrietta, would not that be the greatest
+cause of all for this healing study that I want to give you?"
+
+"Perhaps so, Rosalind; but my mind, my intellect, is weak and wayward.
+If there be a possibility that I should ever again turn my eyes to seek
+for light where I have long believed that all was darkness, it must be
+even when and where my sickly fancy wills.--Here let the subject drop
+between us. Perhaps, sweet girl! I dread as much the chance of my
+perverting you, as you can hope to convert me."
+
+Rosalind was uttering a protest against this idle fear, when Henrietta
+stopped her by again saying, and very earnestly, "Let the subject drop
+between us; lay the books you speak of in my room, where I can find
+them, but let us speak no more."
+
+Satisfied, fully satisfied with this permission, Rosalind determined to
+obey her injunction scrupulously, and silently pressing her arm in
+testimony of her acquiescence, they returned to the house without
+uttering another word.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER VII.
+
+THE WILL.
+
+
+It was about this time that Mr. Cartwright, for reasons which will be
+sufficiently evident in the sequel, set about convincing his wife that
+there was a very pressing necessity, from motives both temporal and
+spiritual, that her son Charles should be immediately ordained. There
+are many ways of convincing a woman and a wife besides beating--and Mr.
+Cartwright employed them all by turns, till his lady, like a bit of
+plastic dough, took exactly the impression he chose to give,--as
+evanescent too as it was deep, for he could make her act on Monday in
+direct opposition to the principles he had laid down on Saturday, yet
+leave her persuaded all the while that he was the wisest and best, as
+well as the most enamoured of men.
+
+But though living with the wife of his bosom in the most delightful
+harmony, and opening his heart to her with the most engaging frankness
+on a thousand little trifling concerns that a less tender husband might
+never have thought it necessary to mention, Mr. Cartwright nevertheless
+did not deem it expedient to trouble her with the perusal of his letter
+to Charles on the subject of his immediate ordination.
+
+The especial object of this letter was to obtain a decided refusal to
+the command it contained, and, like most of the Vicar of Wrexhill's
+plans, it answered completely. Mowbray's reply contained only these
+words:
+
+     "Sir,
+
+     "Though all my hopes for this life have been blighted through
+     your agency, I will not risk my happiness in that which is to
+     come by impiously taking upon me the office of God's minister,
+     for which I am in no way prepared.
+
+     "CHARLES MOWBRAY."
+
+As soon as this letter was received, read, and committed to the flames,
+Mr. Cartwright repaired to the dressing-room of his lady, where, as
+usual, he found her reposing on the sofa; a little table beside her
+loaded with tracts and other fanatical publications, and in her hand a
+small bit of very delicate embroidery, which was in time to take the
+form of a baby's cap.
+
+"My sweet love! how have you been since breakfast? Oh! my Clara! how
+that occupation touches my heart! But take care of your precious health,
+my angel! My life is now bound up with yours, sweet! ten thousand times
+more closely than it ever was before: and not mine only,--the life of
+the dear unborn being so inexpressibly dear to us both. Remember this,
+my lovely wife!"
+
+"Oh, Cartwright!--your tender affection makes me the happiest of women.
+Never, surely, was there a husband who continued so completely a lover!
+Were my children but one half as sensible of their happiness in having
+you for a father as I am in calling you my husband, I should have
+nothing left to wish!"
+
+"Turn not your thoughts that way, my Clara!--it is there that it hath
+pleased Heaven to visit us with very sore affliction. But our duty is to
+remember his mercies alway, and so to meet and wrestle with the
+difficulties which he hath for his own glory permitted the Evil One to
+scatter in our path, that in the end we may overcome them. Then shall we
+by the heel crush the head of the serpent, and so shall his mercy upon
+his chosen servants shine out and appear with exceeding splendour and
+with lasting joy!"
+
+"Heaven prosper your endeavours, my dear Cartwright, to bring the same
+to good effect! How I wish that Helen would make up her mind at once to
+marry Mr. Corbold! I am sure that, with your remarkably generous
+feelings, you would not object to giving her immediately a very handsome
+fortune if she would comply with our wishes in this respect. Mr. Corbold
+told me yesterday that he had every reason to believe she was
+passionately attached to him, but that her brother had made her promise
+to refuse. This interference of Charles is really unpardonable! I do not
+scruple to say, that in my situation it would be infinitely more
+agreeable to me if Helen were married,--we could give Miss Torrington
+leave to live with her, dear Cartwright,--and I am quite sure the change
+would be for the happiness of us all."
+
+"Unquestionably it would, my love;--but this unfortunate boy! Alas, my
+Clara! I have just received fresh proof of the rebellious spirit that
+mocks at all authority, and hates the hand that would use it. I have
+this morning received such a letter from him, in answer to that in which
+I expressed my wish that he should adopt a profession and prepare to
+settle himself in life, as wrung my heart. It shall never blast your
+eyes, my Clara! I watched it consume and burn, and turn to harmless
+ashes, before I came to cheer and heal my wounded heart by pressing thee
+to it!"
+
+The action answered to the word,--and it was from the bosom of her fond
+husband that Mrs. Cartwright murmured her inquiries as to what her
+unworthy son had now done to pain the best of fathers.
+
+"Not only refused, dearest, to adopt the sacred and saving profession we
+have chosen for him with the most ribald insolence, but addressed me in
+words of such bitter scorn, that not for worlds would I have suffered
+thy dear eyes to rest upon them."
+
+"Is it possible! What then, dear Cartwright, will it be best for us to
+do? It is terrible to leave him to his own wilful desire, and suffer him
+to enter the army, when we know it will lead him to inevitable
+perdition! What can we do to save him?"
+
+"It appears to me, my sweet love, that at the present moment it will be
+most consonant to the will of the Lord to use towards him the most
+indulgent gentleness."
+
+"My dearest Cartwright! After such conduct on his part! Oh! you are too
+good!"
+
+"Sweetest! he is your son. I can never forget that; though I fear that
+he himself does not too well remember this. If he did, my Clara! he
+would hardly utter such bitter jestings on what he is so cruel as to
+call 'my beggarly dependence' on you. This phrase has cut me to the
+heart's core, I will not deny it, Clara: it has made me feel my
+position, and shudder at it."
+
+Mr. Cartwright here rose from the sofa, and putting his handkerchief to
+his eyes, walked towards the window: his breast heaved with audible
+sobs.
+
+"My beloved Cartwright! what mean you?" exclaimed his affectionate wife,
+following him to the window, and gently attempting to withdraw the
+cambric that concealed his features: "what can that undutiful boy mean?
+Your dependence upon me? Good Heaven! is there any thing that was ever
+mine that is not now your own?"
+
+"Alas! dear love, he has not launched a random shot,--he knows but too
+well how to take aim, and how to point his dart,--and it has done its
+work."
+
+This was spoken in a tone of such profound sadness, that the soul of
+Mrs. Cartwright was moved by it. She threw her arms around her husband's
+neck, and fondly kissing him, implored that he would tell her if there
+were any thing she could do to prove her love, and place him in a
+situation at _once_ to render the repetition of such a hateful phrase
+impossible.
+
+"I thought," she continued, "that your being my husband, dearest
+Cartwright, gave you a right to all I possess.--Is it not so, my love?"
+
+"To your income, dearest Clara, during your life; and as you are several
+years my junior, sweetest! this, as far as my wants and wishes are
+concerned, is quite enough. But the young man has doubtless found some
+wily lawyer to inform him, that should you die intestate he would be
+your heir; as by your late husband's will, my love, though he has left
+every thing to you, should you not make a will every shilling of the
+property will go to him, whatever other children you have now, or may
+have hereafter."
+
+"Oh, Cartwright! why did you not tell me this before! Should any thing
+happen to me in the hour of danger that is approaching, think what a
+dreadful injustice would be done to all! Let me not delay another
+day,--do send for Mr. Corbold,--I cannot rest till all this is set
+right. My dear unborn babe, as well as its beloved father, may reproach
+me for this cruel carelessness."
+
+"Compose yourself, sweet Clara! I _will_ send for Corbold without delay.
+But for Heaven's sale do not agitate your dear spirits!--it was the fear
+of this which has alone prevented me from reminding you of the interest
+of our dear unborn babe."
+
+"And your own, my dear generous husband! Do you doubt, dear Cartwright,
+that the father's interest is as dear to me as the child's?"
+
+A tender caress answered this question. But delay in matters of business
+was not the besetting sin of Mr. Cartwright; and while the embrace yet
+lasted, he stretched his arm to the bell. The summons was answered, and
+the cab despatched for the lawyer with a celerity that did much credit
+to the establishment.
+
+When Mr. Corbold arrived, he was received by his cousin in the library,
+which, in conformity to the resolution announced long ago to Charles
+Mowbray, was preserved religiously for his own use and comfort; and a
+few minutes' short but pithy conversation sufficed to put the serious
+attorney _au fait_ of what was expected of him.
+
+"You know, cousin Stephen," said the Vicar of Wrexhill, "that the Lord
+is about to bless my house with increase; and it is partly on this
+account, and partly for the purpose of making a suitable provision for
+me in case of her death,--which may he long delay!"
+
+"I am sure, cousin Cartwright, there is no work that I could set about
+with greater readiness and pleasure. Shall I receive my instructions
+from you, cousin, at this present time?" and the zealous Mr. Corbold
+accompanied the question by an action very germain to it,--namely, the
+pulling forth from a long breast-pocket a technically-arranged portion
+of draught-paper tied round with red tape.
+
+"By no means, cousin Stephen," replied the Vicar of Wrexhill; "it is
+from my beloved wife herself that I wish you to receive your
+instructions. Of course, what you do to-day can only be preparatory to
+the engrossing it on parchment: and though, from delicacy, I will not be
+present during your interview with her, yet before the document be
+finally signed, sealed, and delivered, I shall naturally wish to glance
+my eye over it. There is no longer, therefore, any occasion to delay;
+come with me, cousin Stephen, to my dear wife's dressing-room; and may
+Heaven bless to you and to me the fruits of this day's labour!"
+
+The master of the house then preceded the serious but admiring attorney
+through the stately hall, and up the stately staircase, and into the
+beautiful little apartment where Mrs. Cartwright, with a very pensive
+expression of countenance, sat ready to receive them.
+
+"Oh! Mr. Corbold," she said, kindly extending her hand to him, "I am
+very glad to see you. But my joy is dashed with remorse when I remember
+the thoughtless folly with which I have so long delayed this necessary
+interview.--My dearest Cartwright," she continued, turning to her
+husband, "can you forgive me for this?--Perhaps, dearest, you can,--for
+your soul is all generosity. But I shall never forgive myself. My only
+excuse rests in my ignorance. I believed that the law gave, as I am sure
+it ought to do, and as in fact it did in the case of my first marriage,
+every thing that belongs to me to my husband. It is true that I only
+brought my first husband about three hundred thousand pounds in money,
+and most of it has been since very profitably converted into land.
+Perhaps, Mr. Corbold, it is this which makes the difference."
+
+Mr. Corbold assured her that she was perfectly right, not considering
+himself as called upon at the present moment to allude to the accident
+of her having children.
+
+"Now then, my beloved Clara, I leave you," said Mr. Cartwright. "Not for
+worlds would I suffer my presence to influence you, even by a look, in
+the disposition of property so entirely your own!"
+
+"This generous delicacy, my beloved husband, is worthy of you. I shall,
+I own, prefer being left on this occasion with our pious kinsman and
+friend."
+
+The vicar kissed his lady's delicate fingers, and departed.
+
+"Heaven has been exceeding gracious to me, Mr. Corbold. It must be
+seldom, I fear, that in your profession you meet with so high-minded and
+exemplary a character as that of your cousin. Ah, my dear sir! how can I
+be thankful enough for so great mercy!"
+
+"The Lord hath rewarded his handmaiden," replied the serious attorney.
+"You have deserved happiness, excellent lady,--and you have it."
+
+Corbold now again pulled out his draught-paper, and with an air of much
+deference, placed himself opposite to Mrs. Cartwright.
+
+"I presume you have ink and pens at hand, my honoured lady?"
+
+"Take my keys, Mr. Corbold;--in that desk you will find every thing you
+want for writing; and in the drawer of it is the copy of my late
+husband's will. It is this that I mean to make the model of my own. He
+set me an example of generous confidence, Mr. Corbold, and I cannot, I
+think, do better than follow it."
+
+Mrs. Cartwright drew the desk towards her, and from the drawer of it
+took the instrument which had made her mistress, not only of all the
+property she had originally brought her husband, but also of an estate
+which had come to him after his marriage.
+
+"This deed, sir," she said, putting the parchment in Mr. Corbold's
+hands, "will, I hope, supersede the necessity of instructions from me. I
+am a very poor lawyer, Mr. Corbold, and I think it very probable that
+were you to write after my dictation, my will might turn out to be
+something very different from what I wish to make it. But if you take
+this as your model, it cannot fail to be right, as by this instrument I
+have been made to stand exactly in the position in which I now wish to
+place my exemplary husband Mr. Cartwright."
+
+"If such be your wish, dearest lady," said the attorney, "I will, with
+your permission, take this parchment with me; and by so doing, I shall
+not only avoid the necessity of troubling you, but, by the blessing of
+Heaven upon my humble endeavours, I shall be enabled accurately to
+prepare precisely such a document as it appears to be your wish to sign.
+In these matters no instructions can make us such plain sailing, my dear
+madam, as the having a satisfactory precedent in our hands.--Ah! dearest
+lady! when I witness the conjugal happiness of yourself and my
+ever-to-be-respected cousin, my heart sinks within me, as I remember
+that equal felicity would be my own, were it not for the cruel
+interference of one to whom I have never done an injury, and for whom I
+would willingly show, if he would let me, all a brother's love."
+
+"Keep up your spirits, my good cousin!" replied the lady. "If Helen
+favours your suit,--and on this point you must be a better judge than
+I,--Charles's opposition will not long avail to impede your union."
+
+The lover sighed, raised his eyes to heaven, and probably, not very well
+knowing what to say, departed without replying a word.
+
+As he reached the bottom of the stairs, he perceived his cousin standing
+within the door of his library, which he held ajar. He put out his hand
+and beckoned him in.
+
+"You have made quick work of it, cousin Stephen," said the anxious
+vicar. "I trust you have not hurried away without fully understanding my
+dear wife's wishes. I ask no questions, cousin Corbold, and do not, I
+beseech you, imagine that I wish you to betray any trust;--merely tell
+me if my dear Mrs. Cartwright appears to be easier in her mind now that
+she has disclosed her intentions to you."
+
+The best and soberest minded men are sometimes assailed by temptation;
+of which painful fact Mr. Stephen Corbold at that moment became proof.
+Some merry devil prompted him to affect the belief that his reverend
+cousin was in earnest, and, putting on a sanctified look of decorum, he
+replied, "Of course, cousin Cartwright, I know you too well to believe
+that you would wish to meddle or make with such an instrument as this.
+When your excellent and, I doubt not, well-intentioned lady shall be
+defunct, you will in the course of law be made acquainted with her will.
+I rejoice to tell you that her mind seems now to be perfectly unburdened
+and clear from all worldly anxieties whatever."
+
+As the attorney ended these words, he raised his eyes, which were fixed
+as he spoke upon the roll of parchment which he held in his hand, and
+caught, fixed full upon him, such a broadside of rage from the large and
+really very expressive eyes of his cousin, that he actually trembled
+from top to toe, and heartily repenting him of the temerity which led
+him to hazard so dangerous a jest, he quietly sat down at a table, and
+spreading open the parchment upon it, added, "But although it would be
+altogether foreign to your noble nature, cousin Cartwright, to express,
+or indeed to feel any thing like curiosity on the subject, it would be
+equally foreign to mine not to open my heart to you with all the
+frankness that our near kindred demands. Do not then refuse, dear
+cousin, to share with me the pleasure I feel in knowing that Heaven has
+taken care of its own! The only instruction I have received from your
+pious and exemplary wife, cousin Cartwright, was to draw her will
+exactly on the model of this, which, as you may perceive, is a copy of
+the one under which she herself was put into the possession of the
+splendid fortunes of which, by especial providence, you have already the
+control, and of which, should it please the merciful Disposer of all
+things so to order it that this lady, really fitter for heaven than
+earth, should be taken to Abraham's bosom before you, you will become
+the sole owner and possessor, you and your heirs for ever!"
+
+Mr. Cartwright had in general great command over himself, rarely
+betraying any feeling which he wished to conceal. Perhaps even the anger
+which gleamed in his eye a few moments before, and which had now given
+place to a placidity that would by every serious lady in England have
+been denominated "heavenly,"--perhaps even this, though it seemed to
+dart forth involuntarily, was in truth permitted to appear, as being a
+more safe and desirable mode of obtaining his object than the collaring
+his cousin and saying, "Refuse to let me see that paper, and I murder
+you!"
+
+But no object was now to be obtained by permitting his looks to express
+his feelings; and therefore, though he felt his heart spring within him
+in a spasm of joy and triumph, he looked as quiet and unmoved as if
+nothing extraordinary had happened.
+
+"It is very well, cousin Stephen," he said; "make not any unnecessary
+delay in the preparing of this deed. Life is very uncertain; and
+moreover, the time is known to no man. Wherefore, let this thing be done
+immediately."
+
+"Could I see Miss Helen for a moment alone, if I got this completed,
+signed, sealed, and delivered by to-morrow night?" said the attorney.
+
+"Yes, my good cousin, yes; I pledge you my word for it."
+
+In justice to the character of the unfortunate Mrs. Mowbray, it is but
+fair to remark, that notwithstanding the ceaseless process by which,
+from the very first hour of their acquaintance, the Vicar of Wrexhill
+had sought to estrange her from her children, he never ceased to speak
+of Charles as her undoubted heir, and of Helen and Fanny as young ladies
+of large fortune. The lamentable infatuation, therefore, which induced
+her to put every thing in his power, went not the length of intending to
+leave her children destitute; though it led her very sincerely to
+believe that the power thus weakly given would be properly--and as she
+would have said, poor woman! "religiously" exercised for their
+advantage.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER VIII.
+
+THE LETTER-BAG.
+
+
+Among the many highly-valued comforts and privileges which Mr.
+Cartwright's exclusive possession of the library afforded him, that of
+receiving in solitary state--and privacy, the family letter-bag, was not
+the one least valued.
+
+It may, I believe, be laid down as a pretty general rule, that those
+persons who conceive, or profess it to be their duty, to dive into the
+hearts and consciences of their fellow-creatures, and to regulate the
+very thoughts and feelings of all the unfortunate people within their
+reach, are not very scrupulous as to the methods used to obtain that
+_inward_ knowledge. Mr. Cartwright, according to the usual custom of
+divines of his class, had his village matron, ostensibly only a merchant
+of apples, gingerbread, and lollypops, but intrusted with as many secret
+missions of inquiry as the most jealous pontiff ever committed to a
+faithful and favoured nuncio on quitting the gates of Rome. She could
+tell, and was not ill paid for that precious knowledge, how often Betty
+Jackson went to buy baccy; and how many times in the day Sally Wright
+looked over her shoulder at the passers-by while walking out with her
+master's children; and how many pots of porter were carried to one
+house, and how many times the ladies walked forth from another; besides
+innumerable other facts and anecdotes, which, though apparently not of
+sufficient importance to record, were nevertheless of great value to the
+vicar and to his curate, as themes to lecture upon in private, and
+preach upon in public.
+
+Sources of information such as these had never been overlooked or
+neglected by Mr. Cartwright at any period of his ministry; but hitherto
+he had held them to be important rather to the general welfare of the
+Christian world than to his own family: no sooner, however, did he find
+himself placed in the responsible position of master of a large
+household, than, besides taking the butler into a sort of partnership
+for the discovery of petty offences, and having moreover an elected
+stable-boy, who made a daily report of all that he saw and heard, and a
+little more, he determined that all letters addressed to any member of
+the family should pass through his hand; and in like manner, that all
+those put into the letter-box in the hall, of which he kept the key
+himself, should be submitted to the same species of religious
+examination before they were deposited in the post-bag.
+
+In the execution of this part of his duty Mr. Cartwright displayed, to
+himself at least, considerable mechanical skill--for the letters were
+excellently well re-sealed--and likewise great equanimity of temper;
+for, scanty as the family correspondence proved to be, he chanced to
+fall upon some few passages which might have shaken the philosophy of a
+mind less admirably regulated.
+
+In former times, if any Mowbray had wished to send a note from the Park
+to the village, a groom or a groom's helper would have taken it: but
+now, though the establishment was greatly increased, there was no such
+privilege allowed them; and in order to escape the ceremony of asking
+permission to employ a servant, they all resorted to the post-bag.
+
+One of the letters thus sent and thus examined was from little Mary
+Richards to her friend Fanny; and many more important documents had
+passed through his hands without exciting an equal degree of emotion. It
+ran thus:
+
+     "I cannot express to you, my dearest Fanny, how anxious I feel
+     to open my whole heart to you on a subject that has long
+     occupied us both with, I believe, equal depth and sincerity of
+     interest;--I mean, as I am sure you will instantly anticipate,
+     that inward call to especial grace and favour which Mr.
+     Cartwright taught us to expect would be the sure and certain
+     consequence of unbounded faith in _himself_; for so only can we
+     interpret the language he used to us. If I were to live a
+     thousand years, dear Fanny, I should never cease to regret the
+     dreadful, but, I thank Heaven brief interval, during which I
+     firmly believed that I had received this call. While this
+     frightful and most presumptuous notion had possession of me, I
+     looked upon my dear and excellent mother--ay, and, to my bitter
+     sorrow, treated her too, as a being almost unworthy of
+     communion with me! Is not this of itself enough to prove the
+     unholy tendency of the doctrine? Now that the madness is
+     passed, I look back upon it with as much astonishment as
+     sorrow; and can so clearly trace in it the workings of the most
+     paltry vanity and egregious self-love, that while remembering
+     how sincerely I believed myself _the better_ for all the
+     hateful crimes of impious presumption and filial ingratitude of
+     which I was guilty, I cannot but think that the most
+     contemptible follies into which vanity and fine speeches ever
+     plunged a girl in the ordinary routine of this world's nonsense
+     must be considered as innocent and respectable, when compared
+     to those committed (oh! fearful impiety!) in the name of
+     Heaven.
+
+     "Though we frequently meet, I have never yet been able fully
+     and clearly to state to you how completely I have made a
+     recantation of all my religious errors. It is singular how Mr.
+     Cartwright contrives, either by himself or his satellites, to
+     be always hovering near us. For the three last Wednesdays I
+     have set off for the Park with a firm determination to speak to
+     you on this subject; but I have each time found it impossible.
+     I believe that my countenance or manner must have expressed
+     some part of the anxiety I felt to converse with you, and that
+     my eagerness to obtain my object defeated it. On one occasion,
+     as I think you must remember, Mr. Cartwright himself, though
+     constantly drawn here and there to perform his gracious
+     hospitalities to the rest of the company, ceased not again and
+     again to return with his soft "Well, dear children! what are
+     you talking about?"--on another it was his curate and deputy
+     who performed the office of interrupter; and last Wednesday,
+     that very unaccountable person Mr. Jacob seemed determined that
+     no one should speak to you but himself. I have therefore,
+     dearest Fanny, determined to write to you. I think it likely
+     that I may soon leave this neighbourhood: Major Dalrymple, who
+     has been greatly the means of bringing me back to happiness and
+     common sense, will, I believe, undertake the charge of me for
+     the rest of my life. This, I find, has long been my dear, dear
+     mother's wish. Had I been quite sure of this a year ago, I
+     think I should have been saved this wild interlude of fanatic
+     raving. However, it is over; and greatly as I have been the
+     worse, I hope and believe that for the future I shall be the
+     humbler Christian and the better woman for it.
+
+     "Major Dalrymple is at present in Scotland, attending the
+     sick--I believe the dying hours of his cousin Lord Hilton.
+     After his return, it is probable we shall leave Wrexhill; and I
+     am therefore most anxious to make you acquainted with my
+     present state of mind, for I cannot but suspect that we have
+     run the farther into this lamentable folly because we ran
+     together.
+
+     "You have already said enough to make me hope that you too are
+     recovering from your delusion; but I cannot be easy without
+     telling you explicitly, that I am again the same unpretending
+     little Church-of-England Christian that I was in the days of
+     our good Mr. Wallace; that I am once more a loving and dutiful
+     daughter to the best of mothers, and ever and always your very
+
+     "Affectionate friend,
+
+     "MARY RICHARDS."
+
+     "P. S. Pray let me hear from you."
+
+This letter was wormwood to Mr. Cartwright from one end to the other.
+Had it rehearsed the kissing story, he would liked it infinitely better.
+He was quite aware of Mary Richards's "falling off," and attributed it,
+as well as that equally evident in Fanny, to jealousy--woman's jealousy,
+and drew thence a species of gratification that almost atoned for their
+secession; the more so perhaps as the all-important business of the will
+rendered it absolutely necessary that, cost what converts it might, he
+should bestow his love-making wholly and solely upon his lady.
+
+But to find that this pretty little girl really appeared to have
+forgotten the kiss altogether, and yet that she had escaped from his
+net--at the very moment too when, as it seemed she was on the very verge
+of becoming a viscountess, was a mortification so cutting, that he
+actually ground his fine teeth together with rage at it.
+
+His first impulse was to destroy it. But he recollected that by
+suffering it to reach Fanny, he should obtain a sight of her answer; and
+feeling considerable curiosity to discover how he should fare in the
+hands of the little melancholy poetess who had of late evidently avoided
+all tete-a-tete communication with him, he carefully re-sealed it, and
+sedulously pinching its folds into unsuspicious-looking flatness, put it
+aside to be delivered according to its address.
+
+The event proved that he was quite right in believing that Fanny Mowbray
+would answer this letter; but whether the perusal of her reply increased
+his satisfaction in being master of Cartwright Park, may be doubted.
+
+Fanny's reply was as follows:
+
+     "My very dear Mary,
+
+     "I am most thankful to have received your letter; for one
+     source of the mental misery I have endured has arisen from
+     believing that I first led you to fix your attention on Mr.
+     Cartwright, and your faith on the hateful dogmas he taught. You
+     are freed--you have escaped, you are restored to the mother you
+     love, and _you_ will be happy! I thank Heaven, Mary, that my
+     heart is not wholly perverted by all the unnatural struggles it
+     has gone through; for I do rejoice, my dear friend, at your
+     felicity with a pureness and freshness of joy that I have never
+     felt at any thing since the death of my poor father came and
+     blighted all our joys. Neither am I surprised at the end of
+     your history. May you through life be as happy as I wish you,
+     and you shall have no reason to complain.
+
+     "Of myself I know not how to speak; and yet I am sure that you
+     will not be easy without knowing something of the present state
+     of my mind.
+
+     "Yes, Mary, the mad fanaticism has passed away; but it has left
+     me weak as a child recovered from the delirium of a raging
+     fever; and I feel very doubtful if I shall ever wholly recover
+     it. I am thankful that you have suffered less than I have done;
+     indeed the mischief wrought so differently with you, that I
+     almost doubt my power of making you understand all I have
+     suffered. I cannot explain even to myself what species of
+     feeling it was which took possession of me when first I became
+     acquainted with Mr. Cartwright. Of this, however, I am quite
+     sure, that I believed with all the simplicity of truth and
+     innocence, that all I felt proceeded from the immediate
+     influence of the Deity working within me to secure my eternal
+     salvation. I could not more firmly have believed that Mr.
+     Cartwright was Heaven's appointed agent on earth; and every
+     thing he did and every thing he said appeared clothed in a sort
+     of holiness in my eyes which would have rendered it impious to
+     judge him as another would have been judged. During the first
+     two or three months of our acquaintance, I was happy--oh! much
+     more than happy; I lived in a sort of ecstasy. I believed
+     myself the chosen of Heaven, and that all the agitating but
+     delightful emotions which Mr. Cartwright's admiration and
+     praises excited were only so many heavenly assurances that I
+     was indeed one of the elected few predestined to eternal and
+     unspeakable happiness. He caressed me--very often he caressed
+     me. But even now, Mary, that I see clearly much that was then
+     concealed, I cannot comprehend the sort of effect this had upon
+     me. I think that had he asked me to marry him, I should have
+     been conscious of the disparity of his age; and I think, too,
+     that I should have been startled and shocked at discovering
+     that his love, always so fervently expressed, and often shown
+     by tender endearments, was in anyway an earthly love. And yet,
+     weak and inconsistent creatures that we are! when I discovered
+     that the object of my mother's last sudden journey to town, in
+     which I accompanied her--when I discovered that her purpose
+     was to marry Mr. Cartwright, the sick faintness that seemed to
+     seize upon my heart and creep over all my limbs convinced me
+     for a moment that I loved him ... not as I fancied I did, dear
+     Mary, as a lower angel might love one of higher order, but with
+     a love of a weak sinful woman. The tortures I endured that
+     night can never be obliterated from my mind; a terrified
+     conscience and a wounded heart seemed struggling together, as
+     if to try which could torment me most. But the struggle did not
+     last long. My heart--at least all that was tender and womanly
+     in it--appeared to turn to stone, and was tranquil enough as
+     far as any feelings connected with love for Mr. Cartwright were
+     concerned; but religious terrors, frightful, hideous, almost
+     maddening, took possession of me. I believed that the crime I
+     had committed in loving the man whom Heaven had ordained to be
+     my spiritual teacher, was a deadly sin. I now felt certain--or,
+     in the language of the sect, an inward assurance, that I was
+     pre-doomed to eternal perdition; and that the belief I had once
+     entertained, exactly contrary to this, was of itself a sin
+     never to be atoned, and only to be punished by eternal flames.
+     Is there another torture of the mind equal to this? I do not
+     think it; for true and reasonable remorse for crimes really
+     committed cannot approach it. Not all the sins that man ever
+     laid upon his soul could equal in atrocity what my guilt seemed
+     to me. I suppose I was mad, quite mad; for as I now recall the
+     hours that passed over me, and all the horrid images of the
+     avenging fury of an angry God which entered and rested upon my
+     spirit, I can call the state I was in nothing short of madness.
+
+     "This state lasted, with little variation in the amount of
+     suffering, during the first week after my mother's marriage;
+     and then its feverish violence gave place to sullen, heavy
+     gloom. The cure however was near, very near me, for I found it
+     in Mr. Cartwright himself.
+
+     "It was some trifling instance of contemptible artifice which
+     first drew aside the veil from my mental vision, and caused me
+     to see Mr. Cartwright, not as he is--oh no! that has been a
+     work of steady study, and some length of time,--but as
+     something of a very different species from that to which I had
+     fancied he belonged.
+
+     "One must have been under a delusion as complete as mine has
+     been, to conceive the sensation produced by once more seeing
+     things as they are. I can compare it only to walking out of a
+     region peopled with phantoms and shadows into a world filled
+     with sober, solid realities. It is the phantom world which
+     produces the strongest effect on the imagination; and the first
+     effect of the change was to make everything around me seem most
+     earthly dull, stale, and unprofitable. I was still, however, a
+     fanatic; I still deemed myself one of those foredoomed to
+     eternal destruction. But one blessed day, some time after I had
+     become convinced that Mr. Cartwright was a very pitiful
+     scoundrel, I chanced to hear him in sweet and solemn accents
+     expound his scheme of providence to one of our distant
+     neighbours who came here to pass the morning, and who seemed
+     well disposed to listen to him. I saw that every word he said,
+     rendered soothing and attractive by the gentle kindness of his
+     manner and the eloquent commentary of his eyes, was making its
+     way to the poor lady's soul, just as a year before the selfsame
+     words and looks had worked their way to mine.
+
+     "It was at that moment I felt the first doubts of the truth of
+     the doctrine I had imbibed from him. For himself I had long
+     felt the most profound contempt; but I had hitherto shrunk from
+     the impiety of confounding the doctrine and the teacher.
+     Something artificial and forced in his manner recalled by the
+     force of contrast the voice and look of our dear Mr. Wallace;
+     and then came the bold but blessed thought that the awful
+     dogmas by which he had kept my soul in thrall might be as false
+     and worthless as himself. My recovery from my mental malady may
+     be dated from that hour. Every day that has passed since has
+     led me back nearer and nearer, I hope, to the happy state (of
+     religious feeling at least) in which Mr. Cartwright found me.
+     But the more fully I recover my senses, the more fully I become
+     aware of the sad change he has wrought in every thing else. Not
+     only do we all creep like permitted slaves through the house
+     that we once felt to be our own, but he has stolen our mother
+     from us. Poor, poor mamma! how dearly did she love us! how
+     dearly did we love her! Where is the feeling gone? She has
+     never quarrelled with us; with me, particularly, she has never
+     expressed herself displeased in any way;--and yet her love
+     seems blighted and dried up, as if some poisonous breath had
+     blasted it;--and so it has--placid and fair as is the outward
+     seeming of this hateful man, I question not but every hour
+     brings forth some sorry trick to draw her farther from us.
+     Poor, poor mamma! I know this cannot last; and when she finds
+     him out--how dreadful will her feelings be!
+
+     "Then, too, I have another sorrow, my dear Mary, which
+     tarnishes, though it cannot destroy, the joy of my return to
+     reason. While the fit lasted, I believed it a part of my dark
+     duty to keep Helen and Rosalind, and our poor exiled Charles,
+     as much at a distance from me as possible; and now I hardly
+     dare to hope that this can ever be quite forgotten by them. I
+     have not courage to enter with them into an explanation as full
+     as this which I have now given you; yet, till I do this, I
+     cannot hope that they will either understand or forgive me.
+
+     "If Charles were at home, I think the task would be easier; but
+     Rosalind and Helen both seem to avoid me. I believe they are
+     too miserable themselves to look much at me, or they might see
+     that I no longer turned from them as I did some months ago. All
+     this, however, may some day or other come right again. But what
+     is to become of poor Charles? I feel convinced this hypocrite
+     will never rest till he has robbed him of his inheritance; and
+     I sometimes think that as the doing this must be the act of my
+     mother, it would be right in me to put her on her guard against
+     his machinations. But this can only be done by opening her eyes
+     to his real character; and though I think I could do this, I
+     tremble at the misery into which it would plunge her.--But this
+     is going beyond your request, dear Mary. You cannot be ignorant
+     that my unhappy mother's marriage has plunged us all in misery;
+     and there is little kindness in impressing this truth upon you
+     when your own bright prospects ought to occupy you with
+     pleasant thoughts of future happiness. Forgive me! and believe
+     me with every wish that this happiness may be as great and as
+     lasting as the nature of human life can permit,
+
+     "Your ever affectionate friend,
+
+     "FANNY MOWBRAY."
+
+Some people might have found the perusal of these letters sufficient to
+damp the ardour of their curiosity in the pursuit of private
+information; but it had not this effect upon Mr. Cartwright. He even
+doubted whether he should not suffer this letter of Fanny's to reach
+its destination for the same reason that he had permitted that of her
+friend to reach hers--namely, the procuring a reply. But upon a
+re-perusal,--for he gave himself the gratification of reading it
+twice,--he tore it into tiny atoms, and then lighted a bougie to set
+fire to the fragments.
+
+The next letter of any importance which fell into his hands by the same
+means must also be given to the reader, as it contains some important
+information which, as it immediately shared the same fate as that of
+Fanny's, remained for a considerable time unknown to the person it most
+concerned, as well as to all others.
+
+This letter was addressed to Helen from one whom beyond all others in
+the wide world it would best have pleased her to receive any token of
+remembrance or attention. It came from Colonel Harrington, and contained
+the following lines:
+
+     "Were Miss Mowbray placed in other circumstances--were not all
+     proper access to her barred by the hateful influence of an
+     alien and a stranger to her and to her blood, I should not thus
+     venture to address her. All application to your mother and
+     natural guardian would be, we know but too well, in vain: nay,
+     there is every reason to believe that any application to
+     yourself through her would never be permitted to reach you.
+     But, rascal as this Cartwright has proved himself, I presume he
+     does not tamper with the post; and it is therefore by this
+     vulgar and ordinary medium that I determine to make known to
+     you what it is great misery to conceal. Yet, after all, in
+     saying, '_Helen, I love you_,' I think I say nothing that you
+     do not know already. But, nevertheless, it is delightful to say
+     it; and were I, sweet Helen, once more within reach of being
+     heard by you, I might perchance weary you with the repetition
+     of it.
+
+     "But this is not all I have to say, though it is only in the
+     supposition of your listening to this without anger that I dare
+     proceed. I believe, Helen, I ought to say something--a great
+     deal perhaps about my presumption--and my fears, and I know not
+     what beside,--but the simple truth is, that being quite
+     conscious I loved you, and not feeling the least reason or wish
+     to conceal it, my manner and words, too, I believe, must have
+     let you into the secret the last time we met; and those dear
+     eyes, with their long eyelashes, so constantly as they are
+     before me, would long ago have looked me into despair if the
+     memory of one soft glance at parting had not permitted me to
+     hope. My father and mother, Helen, know that I love you, and
+     that all my future happiness hangs on your consenting to become
+     my wife, _even without your mother's consent_. Why should I
+     conceal from you that I know it will be refused?--Why should I
+     not frankly and fairly tell you at once, my beloved Helen, that
+     something very like an elopement must be resorted to before you
+     can be mine?--But what an elopement! It will only be to the
+     house of your godmother, who already loves you as her child;
+     and who not only sanctions my addressing you, but has
+     commissioned me to say that she shall never know any thing
+     approaching happiness till she can take you in her arms and
+     call you her real daughter and her William's wife. For my
+     father,--you know his oddities,--he declares that if you will
+     come to Oakley and frankly consent to be his daughter, it will
+     be the happiest moment of his life when he puts your hand in
+     mine, and calls you so. But he swears lustily, Helen, that no
+     application to your mother shall ever be made with his consent.
+     This is rough wooing, sweet one! But do I overrate the
+     generosity of your temper when I express my belief that you
+     will not suffer what is inevitable, to destroy hopes that smile
+     so sweetly on us?
+
+     "Address your answer to Oakley, Helen: write it, if you will,
+     to my mother. Dear and precious as one little line of kindness
+     would be to me, I will not ask it if your proud heart would
+     find it easier to open itself to her than to me. But keep me
+     not long in suspense; before I shall have sealed my letter, I
+     shall feel sick because the answer to it is not come. My
+     regiment is not going abroad. This change in its destination
+     was only known to us on Friday last.--Farewell! How wholly does
+     my fate hang upon your answer!
+
+     "Ever, ever yours,
+
+     "WILLIAM HARRINGTON."
+
+The destruction of this letter was attended with a feeling of pleasure
+greatly superior both in quality and extent to that which he received
+from watching spark after spark die away from the fading embers of poor
+Fanny's long epistle. That was merely a matter of mawkish sentiment;
+this was an affair of business. "But Miss Helen shall have a lover,
+nevertheless." It was thus he ended his cogitation. "My cousin Stephen
+will not fail me. This evening he will be here with what will make the
+young lady's hand worth just as much as I please, and no more: and if my
+worthy cousin likes her, he shall have her." And as he thought these
+words, a smile curled his lips, and he playfully blackened the paper,
+and singed it, and finally set it in a blaze, uttering aloud as the
+flame expired, "A lieutenant-colonel of dragoons _versus_ the Vicar of
+Wrexhill."
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER IX.
+
+THE WILL EXECUTED.
+
+
+The evening was pretty far advanced when at length the house-door bell
+was loudly rung; and immediately afterwards Mr. Stephen Corbold entered
+the drawing-room looking more assured, and, as Helen thought, more
+detestable than ever.
+
+Having deliberately sipped his tea, and indulged himself the while in a
+long steady stare in the face of the unfortunate object of his passion,
+he at length rose, and with an air of much confidential importance,
+raising himself on his toes, and playing with his watch-chain,
+approached Mrs. Cartwright, and whispered something in her ear.
+
+"Have the kindness to ring the bell, Mr. Hetherington," said the lady,
+addressing the curate, who, according to his frequent custom, had taken
+his tea at the Park, partly for the advantage of receiving the
+instructions of his principal upon sundry little points of Church and
+village discipline, and partly for the hope of finding some one among
+the young ladies less cruel than the inexorable Henrietta, who had never
+appeared to see him, from the moment they parted in the shrubbery.
+
+"Tell Curtis to carry lights to my dressing-room," said Mrs. Cartwright
+to the servant who answered the bell.
+
+The vicar's heart gave a bound. One hour more and he should clutch it!
+One short hour more and he should at last be master of his own destiny,
+dependent on no fond woman's whim, trembling before no children's power
+to change her purpose.
+
+"Once let her sign this will," thought he, "and if I ever leave her long
+enough unwatched to make another, the fault will be my own, and I will
+abide the consequence."
+
+With a placid countenance that manifested no emotion of any kind, Mr.
+Cartwright amused himself for a few minutes in examining a drawing just
+finished for the Fancy Fair, by the light of a lamp on the
+chimney-piece; and as he passed behind his cousin to set it down, he
+condescendingly stopped to show it to him, pointing out its merits with
+affectionate admiration, for the artist was no other than his
+accomplished lady.
+
+"Is not the expression of this head beautifully holy, cousin Stephen?
+Just look at the eyes.... Chivers the butler, her maid Curtis, and my
+valet can witness it.... Charming is it not?"
+
+In a short time afterwards Mrs. Cartwright rose; the attentive attorney
+sprang to the door, opened it, and silently followed her out of the
+room.
+
+Henrietta's eye followed them, and she sighed heavily. "You do not seem
+well to-night, Miss Cartwright," said Helen, "and I do not feel gay;
+what say you to our keeping each other in countenance, and both going to
+bed though the clock has not yet struck ten?"
+
+"A comfortable, and very wise proposal," replied Henrietta, rising at
+once. "I am much more inclined to be in bed than up; for I would rather
+be asleep than awake."
+
+"It is very right for you, Henrietta, who are an invalid, to be indulged
+in your wish to retire early," said her father. "Good night! I am sorry
+that the accidental absence of your mother renders it impossible for me
+to hasten the hour of evening prayer. But you shall have my blessing.
+May Heaven watch over your slumbers if you close your eyes in faith! If
+not, may he visit you in the night season, with such appalling thoughts
+as may awaken a right spirit within you! But for you, my dear child," he
+continued, turning to Helen, "I cannot suffer you to leave us so
+prematurely. We shall have prayers within an hour, and I do not permit
+any member of my family to absent herself from the performance of this
+sacred ordinance, without very good and sufficient reason for so
+doing."
+
+"I conceive that I have very good and sufficient reason for so doing,
+sir," replied Helen, approaching the door: "I wish you all good night."
+
+"She shall pay for this!" whispered one of the little demons that
+nestled in the vicar's heart. "Stephen must absolve me of my promise for
+to-night; but if I do not keep it with him nobly on some future
+occasion, I will give him leave to tear in fragments the parchment which
+at this very moment is growing into a rod wherewith to scourge the
+insolence of this proud vixen."
+
+It was probably not so much the failing to keep his promise with
+Corbold, which the late hour might readily excuse, as the displaying to
+his slave and curate that his power was not absolute, which galled him
+so severely. His wife and cousin, however, soon returned; they both
+looked placidly contented, as those do look, who, having had important
+business to transact, have done it well and thoroughly. Soon afterwards
+the numerous household were summoned to appear, and the labours of the
+day were closed with prayer, Mr. Hetherington uttering the extempore
+invocation, and the vicar pronouncing the blessing: an arrangement, by
+the way, approved by the master of Cartwright Park for three especial
+reasons. First, it gave to his establishment very greatly the effect of
+having a domestic chaplain at its head.
+
+Secondly, it afforded an opportunity, which the worthy Mr. Hetherington
+never neglected, of calling down sundry especial blessings on the
+vicar's own particular head, and, which was perhaps more important
+still, of pronouncing a lofty eulogium on his transcendent virtues.
+
+Thirdly, the having to rise from his knees and pronounce the final
+blessing, never failed to soothe his spirit with a delicious foreboding
+that he might one day do so likewise in his own cathedral, and from his
+own proper throne: this being an object of ambition to him as dear, or
+dearer still, than the possession of the precious will itself.
+
+Rarely indeed did he seat himself in his own soft chair, in his own
+noble library, without seeing in his mind's eye a mitre, as distinctly
+visible as Macbeth's air-drawn dagger was to him; and the hope that this
+crowning blessing would one day fall upon his favoured head, not only
+cheered every waking, and often every sleeping hour, but made him so
+generously come forward upon all occasions when a penniless Whig was to
+be accommodated with a seat in a Parliament, or any other subscription
+set on foot to help the radical poor and needy into political power and
+place, that he was already considered in the high places as one of the
+most conscientious and right-minded clergymen within the pale of the
+Established Church, and almost supernaturally gifted (considering he was
+not a Roman Catholic priest) with the power of judging political
+characters according to their real value.
+
+As soon as the prayers were ended, the blessing spoken, and the servants
+dismissed, Mr. Corbold, whose eyes had vainly wandered round the room in
+search of Helen, approached the vicar, and said in a very firm and
+intelligible tone, "I wish to speak to you, cousin Cartwright."
+
+"Certainly!" replied his kinsman in a voice of the most cordial
+friendship. "Come into my library with me, cousin Stephen."
+
+And into the library they went; and almost before the door was shut, Mr.
+Corbold exclaimed, "How am I to see Miss Helen, cousin Cartwright, if
+you have let her take herself off to bed?"
+
+This very pertinent question was, however, only answered by another.
+
+"Have you got the will, cousin Stephen?"
+
+"Yes, I have," answered the attorney with more boldness than he had ever
+used in speaking to his cousin since he became a great man. "But a
+bargain's a bargain."
+
+"I know it is, cousin,--and Heaven preserve to me my lawful rights and
+inheritance, as I faithfully keep to you the word I have given!"
+
+"And how is it to be managed then?... Am I to go to the girl's
+bed-room?"
+
+"Give me the will, cousin Stephen," said the vicar, holding out his hand
+to receive it, "and I will satisfy you fully upon this matter."
+
+Mr. Corbold, however, looked extremely rebellious, and no corner of
+parchment could be descried about any part of his person. "A bargain's a
+bargain, I tell you, cousin William," he repeated doggedly; "and you may
+as well remember that a lawyer that is intrusted with the keeping of a
+will is no way bound to give it up; particularly to the party whom it
+chiefly concerns."
+
+Mr. Cartwright measured his contumacious relative with his eye, very
+much as if he intended to floor and rifle him; but wiser thoughts
+prevailed, and he gently replied, seating himself in his own peculiar
+chair, and making a sign to his companion that he should place himself
+opposite: "May He, cousin Stephen, whose professing servants we are,
+save and deliver us from quarrelling with one another, especially at a
+blessed moment like this, when every thing seems fitted by his holy
+providence, so as to ensure us peace and prosperity in this world, and
+doubtless, everlasting glory in the life to come!"
+
+"All that's very true, cousin Cartwright; and if your cloth and calling
+set you to speak of heavenly things, especial grace, years ago
+manifested in me, makes me nothing behind you in the same. But, for all
+that, I know well enough, that there's many a worldly-minded
+unprofessing lawyer, who would gain credit and honour both, by taking
+care to let young Mowbray know what that pious lady his mother has been
+about, instead of keeping the thing as secret as if it were a forgery of
+my own; and it is but common justice between man and man, to say nothing
+of cousins and professing Christians, that conduct so every way
+convenient and considerate as mine, should not go unrewarded. I have set
+my heart upon having that girl Helen, and I don't wish for any thing in
+the end but lawful wedlock, and all that; and the more, because I take
+it for granted that you don't mean altogether to leave the young woman
+without fortune;--but she's restive, cousin, and that you know, and we
+are therefore called upon, as men and Christians, to make use and profit
+of that wit and strength which it hath pleased Providence in its wisdom
+to give us over the weaker vessel; and all I ask of you is so to put it
+within my reach and power to do this, that the righteous ends we have in
+view may be obtained through the same."
+
+"I have heard you to the end, cousin Stephen, which will, I trust,
+considering all things, be accepted in token of an humble spirit. What
+you have said, however, excepting that it was needless, is altogether
+reasonable, and betokens that wisdom of which the Lord hath seen fit to
+make you an example upon the earth. But you find that my conscience
+needed not your reproof. Few hours have passed since I gave proof
+sufficient of the sincerity with which I desire to strengthen the ties
+between us. By the accident of the post-bag's being brought into my
+room, I was made aware that it contained a letter addressed to Helen
+Mowbray, evidently in the handwriting of a man. And what could it be to
+me, cousin Stephen, whether that unconverted girl got a letter from a
+man, or went without it? Nothing, positively nothing. But I remembered
+me of you, cousin, and of the tender affections which you had fixed upon
+her, and, fearless of consequences, I instantly broke the seal, and
+found, as I expected, a very worldly-minded proposal of marriage,
+without the decency of any allusion whatever to my will in the business;
+and I therefore of course felt it my duty to destroy it both for your
+sake and that of the Lord, whose blessing the impious young man did not
+deem it necessary to mention. Nevertheless, the proposal came from one
+of the first families in the county, and the girl would have been my
+lady in due course of nature, a thing not altogether without value to
+her family and father-in-law. But I never hesitated for one moment, and
+you may see the ashes of Colonel Harrington's love-letter under the
+grate."
+
+"That was acting like the good and chosen servant, cousin William, that
+I have long known you to be. But, such being the case, why have you
+scrupled to let me speak to the young girl this night in private?"
+
+"For the good and sufficient reason, that she chose to go, even though I
+told her to stay, and, without exposing myself to a very unpleasant
+scene before my curate and the rest of my people, I could not have
+detained her. Besides, at the moment of her departure I knew that the
+will, which you still keep from me, cousin Stephen, was not either
+signed or executed,--another good and sufficient reason, as I take it,
+for not choosing to keep the girl back by force. But fear nothing; what
+I have promised, that I will perform. Give me the will, cousin Stephen,
+and I will tell you what my scheme is for you."
+
+"Tell me the scheme first, cousin William; that is but square and fair.
+We lawyers have got our ceremonies as well as the clergy, and I don't
+see why they should be broken through."
+
+"I don't very well know what you mean by ceremonies in this case,
+cousin, and I don't think you take the best way to oblige me; however, I
+am not going to shrink from my word for that. All I expect, cousin
+Stephen, is your word pledged to me in return, that, let what will
+happen, you will bring no scandal or dishonour upon my family, for so
+doing might be of the greatest injury to my hopes."
+
+"I mean nothing but honour, cousin William," replied Corbold eagerly:
+"let me have but a fair opportunity given me, and you shall find that,
+though I use it, I will not abuse it. Tell me, then, what is your
+scheme?"
+
+"You know that on the 12th of this month a Serious Fancy Fair is to be
+held in my grounds. Not only will all the rank and fashion of the county
+assemble on the occasion, but my park-gates will be open likewise to the
+people. At two o'clock a very splendid collation will be ready in five
+of my saloons; and it is after the company have risen and left the
+tables to resort once more to the booths, in order to assist in the
+disposal of the remaining articles, that I shall permit every servant in
+my establishment to leave the mansion, and repair to witness the busy
+and impressive scene in the booths. It will be a very impressive scene,
+cousin Stephen, for I shall myself pronounce a blessing upon the
+assembled crowd. From this I fear, my dear Stephen, that you must on
+this occasion absent yourself; but be assured, that as I speak those
+words of power, I will remember you.
+
+"When you shall see a rush of my hired servants pour forth from my
+mansion upon my lawns, it is then that I shall counsel you to retire,
+enter the house by the library windows, and if questioned, say you are
+sent there on an errand by me. From my library, find your way up the
+grand staircase to the small apartment which I permit my wife to
+appropriate as her dressing-room--the same in which you have this night
+executed, as I trust, her will. There remain, concealed perhaps behind
+the curtains, till Helen Mowbray enters. I will deposit in that room
+something valuable and curious for sale, which shall be forgotten till
+you are safely hidden there, and then I will command my very dear and
+obedient wife to send Miss Helen to seek for it. Does this plan please
+you, cousin?"
+
+Before speaking a word, Mr. Corbold drew the will from his long coat
+pocket, and placed it in the hands of the vicar. This was a species of
+mute eloquence most perfectly understood by the person to whom it was
+addressed:
+
+The Vicar of Wrexhill received the parchment with much solemnity in his
+two hands, and bending his head upon it, exclaimed "May the blessing of
+the Lord be with me and my heirs for ever!"
+
+It may possibly appear improbable to many persons that such a phrase as
+this last should recur in ordinary discourse so frequently as I have
+represented it to do. But to those not belonging to the sect, and
+therefore not so familiarized with its phraseology as to be unconscious
+of its peculiarity, and who yet have been thrown by accident within
+reach of hearing it, I need offer no explanation; for they must know by
+experience that this, or expressions of equally religious formation and
+import, are in constant use among them.
+
+Sometimes, especially in the company of the profane, they are uttered
+_sotto voce_, as if to satisfy the secret conscience. Sometimes, in
+equally un-elect society, they are pronounced aloud and with most
+distinct emphasis, as if to show that the speaker feared not the ribald
+laugh of the scorner, and held himself ready to perform this, or any
+other feat likely to ensure the same petty, but glorious martyrdom,
+despite any possible quantum of absurdity that may attach thereto.
+
+       *       *       *       *       *
+
+The two kinsmen being now mutually satisfied with each other's conduct,
+shook hands and parted; Mr. Corbold ruminating, as he walked slowly back
+to Wrexhill, on the happy termination to which he was at last likely to
+bring his hitherto unpropitious wooing, and Mr. Cartwright gazing with
+unspeakable delight on the signatures and seals which secured to him,
+and his heirs for ever, the possession of all the wealth and state in
+which he now revelled. Having satisfied himself that all was right, he
+opened a secret drawer in his library table, laid the precious parchment
+within it, and having turned the lock, actually kissed the key that
+secured his treasure. He then carefully secured it to his watch-chain,
+and returned to escort his lady to her chamber.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER X.
+
+THE SERIOUS FANCY FAIR.
+
+
+There were but few families within an ordinary visiting distance of the
+Park who had not called on Mrs. Cartwright upon her marriage. Some went
+from simple curiosity,--some expressly to quiz her,--a few from feelings
+of real kindness towards the young people, whom it would be, they said,
+a shame to give up merely because their mother had played the fool and
+ruined all their prospects:--not a few, for the fun of seeing Mowbray
+Park turned into a conventicle, and the inhabitants into its
+congregation; and the rest came principally because Mr. Cartwright was
+such a pious man, and likely to do so much good in the neighbourhood.
+Among all these, the Fancy Fair announced to be held there on the 12th
+of July, created a lively interest. All the world determined to attend;
+and half the world gave themselves up to the making of pincushions and
+pen-wipers with as much zeal as if the entire remnant of the Jewish
+people, as well as the whole population of Fababo, were to be converted
+thereby.
+
+The mansion and grounds of Mr. Cartwright's residence began to give note
+of very great and splendid preparation for this serious fete. Never had
+the reverend vicar been seen in such spirits on any former occasion;
+
+    "His bosom's lord sat lightly on his throne;"
+
+and (due allowance being made for the nature of the proceedings) it
+might safely be averred, that no entertainment ever given in the
+neighbourhood had caused more sensation, or been prepared for with a
+more lavish expenditure.
+
+The whole of the 9th, 10th, and 11th days of the month were entirely
+employed by the majority of the Cartwright household in receiving and
+arranging the different works of fancy contributed by the neighbouring
+ladies for the sale. By far the greater half of these articles were
+pincushions, and for the most part they packed and unpacked well and
+safely; but amidst the vast variety of forms into which this favourite
+vehicle of charity was turned, some among them were equally ingenious in
+design, delicate in execution, and difficult of carriage.
+
+There were harps, of which the strings were actually musical, and the
+foot a pincushion. Old women of pasteboard, washing their feet in a
+pasteboard tub, but with knees stuffed for pincushions. Pasteboard
+hunch-backs, the hunches being pincushions. Babies dressed with the
+nicest taste and care, their plump little necks and shoulders forming
+pincushions. Pretty silken volumes, lettered "pointed satires," and
+their yellow edges stuffed for pincushions. Ladies very fashionably
+dressed, with the crowns of their bonnets, and their graceful backs,
+prepared as pincushions. These, and ten thousand more, of which a
+prolonged description might probably prove tedious, formed the staple
+commodity of the elegant booths, which stretched themselves in two long
+rows from one extremity of the beautiful lawn to the other. Tracts, so
+numerous that it would be impossible to give their measure or their
+value by any other calculation than that of their weight, were made by
+the ingenuity of the fair and pious contributors to assume a very
+tempting aspect, bound by their own delicate hands in silks and velvets
+of every hue to be found between earth and heaven, green and blue
+inclusive.
+
+It would be quite impossible to give any thing deserving the name of a
+catalogue of the articles contributed to this charming exhibition; and
+it will therefore be better not to attempt it. It will be sufficient to
+observe, that, by a sentiment of elegant refinement which seemed to have
+pervaded all the contributors, every article to which the idea of
+utility could attach was scrupulously banished; it not being fair, as
+some of the ladies very judiciously observed, to injure the poor
+shopkeepers by permitting the sale of any thing that any body in the
+world could really wish to buy. One instance of very delicate attention
+on the part of Mrs. Cartwright towards the hero of the fete deserves to
+be recorded, as showing both the natural kindness of her temper, and the
+respect in which every feeling of this celebrated character was held.
+Among the almost incredible number of devices for winding silks, or for
+converting them into bobbins, or for some other of the ingenious little
+contrivances invented for--one hardly knows what, was a very pretty
+thing, more in the shape of a Jew's harp than any thing else. The
+instant Mrs. Cartwright cast her eyes on this, she ordered it to be
+withdrawn, observing that, as the Reverend Isaac Isaacs himself was
+expected to honour the entertainment with his presence, she could by no
+means permit any thing bearing such a name to appear.
+
+It may be feared that it was with a far different spirit Mr. Jacob
+Cartwright, on hearing his stepmother mention this exclusion, and the
+motive for it, proposed that all the cold chickens and turkies to be
+eaten at the banquet should appear without their usual accompaniment of
+cold hams,--a pleasantry which, though it won a smile from his indulgent
+father, was by no means well received by Mrs. Cartwright.
+
+The twelfth day of July itself arrived at last, and fortunately was as
+fine a day as ever shone. Helen asked Rosalind if she remembered the day
+on which Charles came of age, and the question brought tears to the eyes
+of both: this, however, was but a trifling exception to the general
+cheerfulness; all the world really looked as gay as if the Fancy Fair
+were not a serious one. In one of the long and elegantly decorated
+booths, indeed, one silly young girl was heard to exclaim, "Oh! what a
+beautiful place this would be for dancing!"--but the levity was checked
+by Mr. Cartwright, who, happening to overhear her, replied, "My dear
+young lady, there is no dancing in heaven!"
+
+It had been settled among the ladies of the neighbourhood, on the first
+announcement of this pious and charitable undertaking, that no _young_
+ladies, either married or single, should be invited to sell the
+articles; and for some time after the circulation of this decision, it
+appeared to be very doubtful whether there would be any ladies found
+(not actually too decrepit to endure the fatigue) who would be willing
+to undertake it. This circumstance threw poor Mrs. Cartwright into great
+embarrassment. The idea of having advertised a Fancy Fair, and then to
+be unable to procure ladies to preside at it, was a vexation almost
+beyond what even a professing Christian's patience could bear.
+
+When at length it appeared evident that every middle-aged lady for ten
+miles round had, for some excellent good reason or other, declined the
+office, Mr. Cartwright proposed that gentlemen, instead of ladies,
+should perform it. But to this Miss Charlotte Richards, who happened to
+be present when the difficulty was discussed, entered a violent protest,
+declaring that she was quite sure, if such a measure were resorted to,
+not one hundredth part of the goods would be sold. Neither Jew nor
+Gentile, she assured them, would ever make any thing by it, if such a
+project were resorted to; and in short she pleaded the cause of the
+ladies so well, that after some time it was agreed that the original
+principle should be altogether changed, and that the youngest and
+prettiest ladies should be selected, only with this condition
+annexed--that they should all be dressed in uniform, the form and
+material of which were to be specified by Mrs. Cartwright.
+
+The circular letter announcing this alteration was composed by Mr.
+Cartwright himself, and proved perfectly successful, although it
+contained but few words.
+
+"It having been decided at a meeting of some of the senior supporters of
+the South Central African Bible Association, that the cause of the poor
+inhabitants of Fababo was one which ought to be peculiarly interesting
+to the young and lovely, inasmuch as it is beyond all others the cause
+of piety; it was therefore strongly recommended that they should be
+especially chosen and elected to serve the office of vendors or sellers
+at the Fancy Fair instituted by the Reverend William Jacob Cartwright,
+and by him appointed to be held on his own premises."--After which
+followed a request that such ladies as were kindly willing to undertake
+the fatigues of the office, would forthwith forward their names to Mrs.
+Cartwright, that they might receive from her instructions respecting the
+uniform to be worn on the occasion.
+
+The number of applications for permission to sell, which followed the
+circulation of this letter, was quite extraordinary, and so greatly
+exceeded the number required, that the task of selection became
+difficult, if not impossible; so it was finally decided that a
+description of the uniform should be sent to them all, and that those
+who arrived first, should be installed in their office under condition
+of permitting a relay to succeed them after the enjoyment of two hours
+of duty.
+
+The consequence of this was, that at a very early hour, not only all the
+young and handsome part of the company expected, but all who considered
+themselves as belonging to that class, were seen arriving in their very
+becoming sad-coloured suits, with their smooth braided tresses, and
+Quakerish bonnets and caps.
+
+"Let all the ladies in the serious uniform stand up together behind the
+stalls if they like it," said the accommodating Mrs. Cartwright: "it
+would be so very difficult to select; and they will all look so very
+well!"
+
+As the stalls were all ready, having been walked round, through, and
+about, by Mr. and Mrs. Cartwright, Mr. Hetherington the curate, Chivers
+the butler, Curtis the lady's maid, as well as all the other serious
+servants, and all agreeing in the opinion that it was impossible any
+thing could be more beautiful, the uniform ladies were ushered into
+them, and begged to decide among themselves the order in which they
+should stand.
+
+The manner in which this self-regulating system worked was amusing, and
+Rosalind Torrington stood by, and enjoyed it greatly. As soon as it was
+notified to the young and pretty ladies that the booths were all ready,
+the prices of every article marked, and all things prepared so that they
+might take their places behind the stands in such order as they should
+agree among themselves, any one who had witnessed and watched the sweet
+universal smile with which each one regarded the other, and the charming
+accents in which all exclaimed as with one voice, "Oh! it is exactly the
+same to me where I stand," would have been ready to declare that even
+their youth and beauty were less attractive than the sweet temper which
+seemed to be so universal among them.
+
+The fair bevy, amounting to above fifty, poured themselves by various
+entrances into the booths, which were in fact a succession of very
+handsome tents, against the sides of which were ranged the elegantly
+decorated stands; while through the whole extent, a space of nearly
+thirty feet was left for promenading. In the centre of the range, the
+gaily painted canvass rose into a lofty point, from which, to the
+extremity of the circle round it, depended graceful draperies, festooned
+with large bunches of flowers. In the middle of this noble circular tent
+stood a lofty frame, supporting the finest greenhouse plants, and the
+stalls which here skirted the sides of the enclosure were decidedly more
+distinguished by their elegant decorations than the rest.
+
+"Oh dear! how lovely!" was the universal exclamation uttered by the
+ladies on entering this beautiful circle.
+
+"Well! I think I will stand here," said one of the most lively and
+enterprising among them, placing herself at the same time behind a world
+of many-tinted paper and silk commodities, close to which was a side
+entrance arched with evergreen boughs, and gay with a thousand blossoms.
+
+"And I will take this stand!" cried a stout and long-limbed demoiselle,
+stepping out with great activity to secure the one opposite.
+
+"This will just suit me!" said a third, popping into another of the
+enviable stations which flanked the garlanded entrances, and immediately
+taking possession of its lofty seat and comfortable footstool.
+
+Up to this point the universal smile continued, with an almost unabated
+display of charming teeth; but to the fourth place, promising equal
+affluence of passers-by to the three already taken, no less than four
+ladies rushed at once. And then began the civil war which in a greater
+or less degree, as circumstances may excite or assuage it, rages at all
+fancy fairs, bazaars, and charity sales of every class and denomination
+whatever.
+
+Some folks, uninitiated in such matters, may suppose that there is less
+of this at a serious fancy fair than at one professing to be gay. But a
+little experience will rapidly undeceive them. Whether the benevolent
+sale-ladies be beautiful saints or beautiful sinners, the inclination to
+show off Nature's gifts to the best advantage is pretty nearly the same;
+and whether the sweet graceful thanks, so softly uttered, be constructed
+after one form or another, the pleasure of speaking them is the same
+likewise. What matters it, whether a bright eye laugh from beneath a
+drapery of pendent curls, or is raised to heaven with no twisted meshes
+to obscure its upward ray? What matters it whether ruby lips open to
+say, "Heaven reward you, sir! Our poor missionaries shall pray for you!"
+or, "Thank you!" (with a familiar nod) "some dear Spanish whiskerandos
+shall buy a sword with this!" In both cases the speaker would
+indisputably prefer having a well-frequented stand to speak from; and if
+it chance to be placed beside some avenue through which the crowd must
+pass and repass incessantly, why so much the better.
+
+The four ladies that met together with more of haste than inclination at
+the last of the door-way stands, as above described, were really,
+considering all things, exceedingly civil to each other. At the early
+part of a busy day, the temper can bear much more without wincing, than
+after it has been battered and bruised by all the little _contretems_
+that are almost sure to beset it before the close of it.
+
+"I beg your pardon, ma'am, but I believe I was here first:"
+
+"Oh, dear! I hope I did not hurt you, but this is my place:"
+
+"You must let me stand here, dear ladies, for I have set my heart upon
+it:"--comprised very nearly all the spoken part of the contest. A few
+sidelong glances there might have been, and one or two almost invisible
+_nudges_; but after all, the person who finally got possession of the
+desired post, was a tall, thin, pale, and remarkably pious maiden, who
+having laid her hand upon the board, and her foot upon the stool, moved
+them no more, but who from first to last did not pronounce a single
+word.
+
+Though these four favourite seats were thus rapidly taken possession of,
+there was still a good deal to be struggled for. It appeared indeed for
+some time that all the fifty young and handsome ladies had firmly made
+up their minds to station themselves in the circular tent, and nowhere
+else.
+
+Greatly did the peaceable Mrs. Cartwright rejoice that she had from the
+first desired the ladies to please themselves; for it soon became
+evident that it would have been no easy task for her to please them.
+Very continuous buzzings made themselves heard around the canvass walls;
+and lady-like remonstrances were occasionally audible.
+
+"Really, ladies, I think we are very close here:"
+
+"Would it not be better for some of the ladies to move on?"
+
+"I believe, ma'am, that you will find no room just here:" and,
+
+"Upon my word I must beg you not to press upon me so!"--were sentences
+distinctly repeated in more places than one.
+
+At length things, or rather ladies, began to arrange themselves in
+tolerable order, the difficulty being got over at last, as always
+happens upon such occasions, by the best tempers taking the worst
+places.
+
+It was an almost simultaneous rush of carriages through the Park Gates,
+and the approach of many persons on foot by various entrances, which at
+last produced this desirable effect. Mr. Cartwright now came forth in
+all his glory from beneath the shelter of a sort of canvass portico that
+formed the entrance to the principal line of tents. Almost innumerable
+were the hands he shook, the bows he made, and the smiles he smiled. It
+is perfectly impossible that he could have sustained so radiant and
+benevolent a graciousness to all sorts and conditions of men, had not
+his animal spirits been sustained by the ever-present recollection that
+the little key which dangled from his watch-chain, and with which he
+constantly dallied when any of his ten fingers were disengaged from
+hand-shaking, kept watch and ward over his lady's will.
+
+Mrs. Cartwright, meanwhile, not being in a situation to endure the
+fatigue of standing, sat with some dozen chairs around her, waiting for
+the most distinguished guests, within the flowery shelter of this same
+pretty portico, round which were ranged orange-trees, and various other
+fragrant plants, reaching from the ground almost to the roof.
+
+Whenever any person arrived of sufficient importance to be so
+distinguished, the Vicar of Wrexhill himself ushered them to the
+presence of his lady, and those so honoured at length filled all the
+chairs around her. To all the rest Mrs. Cartwright bowed and smiled as
+they passed onward; as they all most obediently did, in compliance with
+the mandate of their host, who continued to utter with little
+intermission, "Straight on if you please--straight on,--and you will
+reach the centre pavilion."
+
+Between the spot at which the carriages set down the company, and the
+entrance to this portico, four servants in rich liveries were stationed
+to pass their names to Chivers, who stood within it. At length a party
+who had walked across the Park and entered on the lawn by the little
+hand gate, (to pass through which, the present master of the domain had
+once considered as his dearest privilege,) approached the entrance at a
+point by which they escaped three out of the four reverberations of
+their names, and were very quietly stepping under the draperied
+entrance, when the fourth now stopped them short to demand their style
+and title.
+
+"Mrs. and the Miss Richards,--Lord Hilton," screamed the trumpet-mouthed
+London-bred domestic, who, it may be observed in passing, had, like most
+of his fellows, answered one of Mr. Cartwright's advertisements headed
+thus,
+
+           "Wanted
+    to live in the country
+      A SERIOUS FOOTMAN."
+
+No sooner did the title reach the vicar's ears, than he dropped pious
+Mr. Somebody's hand which he was affectionately pressing, and turning
+short round met the cold glance of the honest-hearted Major Dalrymple,
+who advanced with Mrs. Richards upon one arm, and his affianced Mary on
+the other. A moment of rather awkward deliberation ensued, as to whether
+the man, or the man's title, should modify the manner of his reception;
+but before the question could be decided, the party had quietly passed
+on, without appearing to perceive him. The two elder Miss Richards
+followed, both of them having been obliged to relinquish their hopes of
+presiding at a stand, in consequence of the expensive nature of the
+uniform. These two young ladies, who from the first hour of their
+conversion had really been among the most faithful followers of the
+Vicar of Wrexhill in all ways--ready to be in love with him--ready to
+pray with him--and now ready to bow before him as almost the greatest
+man in the county, were not perhaps greeted with all the distinguished
+kindness they deserved. Unfortunately for their feelings, Mr. Cartwright
+was more awake to the fact that they were sisters to little Mary, than
+to their very excellent chance of becoming sisters-in-law to a
+nobleman:--and so they too passed on, without pausing, as they had
+intended to do, for the expression of their unbounded admiration for him
+and his Fancy Fair.
+
+Nearly the whole of the invited society were already assembled, and the
+Park was beginning to fill with the multitude which was to be admitted
+to the tents after the collation, when, at length, the Reverend Isaac
+Isaacs was announced.
+
+The arrival of the hero of the day produced, as may be supposed, a very
+powerful sensation; his name was no sooner pronounced by the servants
+than it was caught up by the company, and borne along from mouth to
+mouth till every individual of the crowd which filled the tents was made
+acquainted with the interesting fact, that the Reverend Isaac Isaacs was
+approaching. The effect of this was for some moments really alarming;
+every Christian soul turned back to welcome the converted Jew, and
+something nearly resembling suffocation ensued. Indeed when the throng
+which pressed back to meet him, met that which had turned to follow him
+as he laboured to make his way between the stands, the crush was really
+terrible; and had there not fortunately been many lateral exits through
+which those escaped who loved their lives better than the gratification
+of their curiosity, the consequences might have been very serious.
+
+Not all, however, whose strength and whose zeal induced them to remain,
+could get a sight of this desired of all eyes: for, as Mr. Isaacs was a
+very short man, those only who were very close could distinguish him.
+The effect of this procession, however, through the double row of
+stands, still thickly studded with pincushions, every one of which had
+been made for his sake, was very impressive, and rendered greatly more
+so by every fair sales-woman mounting upon the high seat with which she
+was furnished for occasional rest, and thus looking down upon him as he
+passed in attitudes that displayed both courage and enthusiasm.
+
+The weather was intensely hot, and more than once he appeared nearly
+overcome by his emotions. He expressed the greatest concern for having
+arrived so late, and especially for having missed the opening prayer,
+which, as he imagined, had been pronounced by Mr. Cartwright himself;
+but when it was explained to him that this was not the case, and,
+moreover, that he was not too late to share the blessing to be given by
+that gentleman, he became more reconciled to the accident which had
+detained him, and gave himself wholly up to the enjoyment of the
+striking spectacle that surrounded him.
+
+After he had remained for some time in the central pavilion, gazing, and
+gazed at, in a manner which it was extremely interesting to watch, some
+one well acquainted with the best method of carrying on the business of
+such a meeting as the present, suggested that it would be advisable that
+the acolyte should retire till the sale of the goods was pretty well
+completed; for if the feeling among the charitable crowd were permitted
+to exhaust itself in affectionate glances towards Mr. Isaacs, no more
+money would be collected: and it was also judiciously remarked, that it
+might be as well to circulate through the company the assurance, that as
+soon as the stalls were about two-thirds cleared, the banquet would be
+announced.
+
+The effect of these suggestions was speedily visible; Mr. Isaacs stood
+in the enjoyment of space and fresh air before the entrance to the
+portico, engrossing the almost undivided attention of his great patron,
+while ladies peeped at him from a respectful distance; and Chivers
+himself, with a look as reverential as if he were waiting upon an
+apostle, approached him with Madeira and soda water.
+
+The sale, meanwhile, benefited equally by his near presence and his
+actual absence. Enthusiasm was raised without being disturbed in that
+great object of all English Christian enthusiasm--the disbursing of
+money; and by four o'clock such a report was made of the general
+receipts, that the selling ladies were waited upon by as many clergymen
+as could be collected to hand them from their stands to the banquet,
+and, when these were all furnished with a fair partner, the most serious
+gentlemen among the company were requested to take charge of the rest.
+
+Mrs. Cartwright herself was led to the great dining-room by Mr. Isaacs,
+and for this reason, or else because it was the great dining-room, the
+crowd which followed her became so oppressive that the doors of the room
+were ordered to be closed and strictly guarded. This measure was equally
+serviceable to those within and without; for no sooner was it fully
+understood that this decisive mode had been resorted to, than the other
+tables were instantly filled, and nothing could be more satisfactory
+than the activity with which eating and drinking proceeded in all
+directions.
+
+The champagne flowed freely; and whether it were that the sacred cause
+for which the meeting was assembled appeared to justify, or at least
+excuse, some little excess,--or that nothing furnished at Mr.
+Cartwright's board but must bring a blessing to him who swallowed
+it,--or that the fervent season led to thirst, and thirst to copious
+libations:--whatever the cause, it is certain that a very large quantity
+of wine was swallowed that day, and that even the most serious of the
+party felt their spirits considerably elevated thereby.
+
+But, in recording this fact, it should be mentioned likewise, that,
+excepting in some few instances in which thirst, good wine, and
+indiscretion united to overpower some unfortunate individuals, the
+serious gentlemen of the party, though elevated, were far from drunk;
+and the tone of their conversation only became more animated, without
+losing any portion of the peculiar jargon which distinguished it when
+they were perfectly sober.
+
+The discourse especially, which was carried on round Mr. Cartwright
+after the ladies retired, was, for the most part, of the most purely
+Calvinistical cast: though some of the anecdotes related might, perhaps,
+in their details, have partaken more of the nature of miracles than they
+would have done if fewer champagne corks had saluted the ceiling.
+
+One clerical gentleman, for instance, a Mr. Thompson, who was much
+distinguished for his piety, stated as a fact which had happened to
+himself, that, in his early days, before the gift of extempore preaching
+was fully come upon him, he was one Sabbath-day at the house of a
+reverend friend, who, being taken suddenly ill, desired Mr. Thompson to
+preach for him, at the same time furnishing him with the written
+discourse which he had been himself about to deliver. "I mounted the
+pulpit," said Mr. Thompson, "with this written sermon in my pocket; but
+the moment I drew it forth and opened it, I perceived, to my
+inexpressible dismay, that the handwriting was totally illegible to me.
+For a few moments I was visited with heavy doubts and discomfiture of
+spirit, but I had immediate recourse to prayer. I closed the book, and
+implored that its characters might be made legible to me;--and when I
+opened it again, the pages seemed to my eyes to be as a manuscript of my
+own."
+
+This statement, however, was not only received with every evidence of
+the most undoubting belief, but an elderly clergyman, who sat near the
+narrator, exclaimed with great warmth, "I thank you, sir,--I thank you
+greatly, Mr. Thompson, for this shining example of the effect of ready
+piety and ready wit. Though the cloth is removed, sir, I must ask to
+drink a glass of wine with you,--and may Heaven continue to you its
+especial grace!"
+
+There were some phrases too, which, though undoubtedly sanctioned by
+serious usage, sounded strangely when used in a scene apparently of such
+gay festivity.
+
+One gentleman confessed very frankly his inability to resist taking more
+of such wine as that now set before them than was altogether consistent
+with his own strict ideas of ministerial propriety. "But," added he,
+"though in so yielding, I am conscious of being in some sort wrong, I
+feel intimately persuaded at the same time, that by thus freely
+demonstrating the strength and power of original sin within me, I am
+doing a service to the cause of religion, by establishing one of its
+most important truths."
+
+This apology was received with universal applause; it manifested, as one
+of the company remarked, equal soundness of faith, and delicacy of
+conscience.
+
+One of the most celebrated of the regular London speakers, known at all
+meetings throughout the whole evangelical season, having silently
+emptied a bottle of claret, which he kept close to him, began, just as
+he had finished the last glass, to recover the use of his tongue. His
+first words were, "My king has been paying me a visit."
+
+"Indeed!" said Mr. Cartwright, whose attention was instantly roused by
+this very interesting statement; "where was the visit made, Mr. White?"
+
+"Even here, sir," replied Mr. White solemnly: "here, since I have been
+sitting silently at your hospitable board."
+
+"As how, sir?" inquired a certain Sir William Crompton, who was placed
+near him. "Do you mean that you have been sleeping, and that his Majesty
+has visited you in your dreams?"
+
+"The Majesty that I speak of, sir," replied Mr. White, "is the King of
+Heaven."
+
+"What other could it be!" exclaimed Mr. Cartwright, showing the whites
+of his eyes, and appearing scandalized at the blunder.
+
+"I wonder, Mr. Cartwright," said a young man of decidedly pious
+propensities, but not as yet considering himself quite assured of his
+election,--"I wonder, Mr. Cartwright, whether I shall be saved or not?"
+
+"It is a most interesting question, my young friend," replied the vicar
+mildly; "and you really cannot pay too much attention to it. I am happy
+to see that it leaves you not, even at the festive board; and I
+sincerely hope it will finally be settled to your satisfaction. But as
+yet it is impossible to decide."
+
+"I shall not fail to ride over to hear you preach, excellent Mr.
+Cartwright!" said a gentleman of the neighbourhood, who, though not
+hitherto enrolled in the evangelical calendar, was so struck on the
+present occasion with the hospitable entertainment he received, that he
+determined to cultivate the acquaintance.
+
+"You do me great honour, sir!" replied the vicar. "If you do, I hope it
+will be on a day when you can stay supper with us."
+
+"You are excessively kind, my dear sir!" answered the guest; "but as my
+place is at least ten miles distant from yours, I fear, if you sup in
+the same style that you dine, it would be somewhat late before I got
+home."
+
+Mr. Cartwright bowed, dropped his eyes, and said nothing.
+
+"Oh, sir!" said Mr. Hetherington, who, though he had drunk more than any
+man at table, excepting the cousin Corbold, had as yet in no degree lost
+his apprehension,--"Oh, sir! you quite mistake. The supper that the
+excellent Mr. Cartwright means, is to be taken at the table of the
+Lord!"
+
+"Dear me!" exclaimed the squire, who really meant to be both civil and
+serious, "I beg pardon, I made a sad blunder indeed!"
+
+"There is nothing sad but sin, Mr. Wilkins!" replied the vicar meekly.
+"A mistake is no sin. Even I myself have sometimes been mistaken."
+
+"What heavenly-minded humility there is in Mr. Cartwright!" said Mr.
+Hetherington in a loud whisper to his neighbour: "every day he lives
+seems to elevate my idea of his character. Is not this claret admirable,
+Mr. Dickson?"
+
+Just at this moment Chivers the butler entered the room and whispered
+something in his master's ear.
+
+"Indeed!" exclaimed Mr. Cartwright, "a very disagreeable accident, upon
+my word."
+
+"What is it, sir?" inquired several voices at once.
+
+"The head cook, gentlemen," replied Chivers, "has fallen off the
+larder-ladder, and has put out his shoulder."
+
+"A very disagreeable accident indeed," echoed the guests.
+
+The butler whispered again.
+
+"Certainly, Chivers, certainly. I am very glad Mr. Bird the surgeon
+happens to be on the premises. Let him immediately set the joint, and
+when this is done, and the poor fellow laid comfortably in bed, come for
+Mr. Hetherington, whom I will immediately order to awaken him."
+
+"Bless my soul, sir!" exclaimed the good-natured Sir William Crompton;
+"won't that be rather injudicious? If the poor fellow should get a nap,
+I should think it would be the worst thing in the world to awaken him."
+
+"Pardon me, Sir William," replied the vicar with great respect, "but
+persons of the world do not well understand the language of those who
+are not of the world. No accident, no illness ever occurs in my house,
+Sir William, but my first effort is to awaken the soul of the sufferer
+to a proper sense of his sins. I always take care they shall be told
+that the jaws of the tomb are opening before them, and that, as death
+comes like a thief in the night, they should be watching for him. This,
+in the language of a pious and professing Christian, is called an
+awakening; and needful as it is at all times, it is of course more
+needful still in sickness, or danger of any kind."
+
+Sir William Crompton filled his glass with the wealthy vicar's admirable
+wine, and said no more.
+
+The time was now approaching at which the populace were to be admitted
+to the tents on the lawn; and Mr. Cartwright having looked at his watch,
+rose and said, "Gentlemen,--It is distressing to me to be forced to
+disturb you, but the business of the meeting requires that we should all
+repair to the lawn. The populace are about to be admitted, and it is
+expected that our estimable Mr. Isaacs will benefit very considerably by
+the eagerness with which the farmers' wives and daughters will purchase
+the articles which remain of our Christian ladies' elegant handiworks.
+One bumper to the success of the Reverend Isaac Isaacs! and to the
+conversion of the people of Fababo!--And now we will return to our duty
+in the tents."
+
+"To your tents, O Israel!" shouted a young man, with more of wine than
+wit, as he turned towards the converted Jew; "for myself," he added,
+"I'll be d--d if I stir an inch till I have finished this bottle."
+
+Mr. Cartwright stopped short in his progress towards the door. He turned
+a glance, more inquiring perhaps than stern, on the face of the
+intoxicated speaker, and perceived that he was the nephew of an earl;
+the sole reason indeed which had procured him the honour of a seat in
+that distinguished circle.
+
+The vicar balanced for a moment whether he should reprimand him or not.
+Had he been the son, instead of the nephew of the noble lord, he would
+certainly have passed on in holy meditation, but, as it was, he stopped.
+There were many serious eyes upon him, notwithstanding the claret. He
+remembered that the earl had a "goodly progeny," and that consequently
+his nephew would never be likely to succeed to his title; and therefore
+with great dignity, and much pious solemnity, he thus addressed his
+curate, who, in his capacity of domestic chaplain, was ever near him.
+
+"Mr. Hetherington! you have heard the awful words spoken by Mr. Augustus
+Mappleton. Remember, sir, that his repentance and conversion be prayed
+for at our concluding service this evening, and also in your extempore
+prayer before sermon on next Sabbath morning."
+
+These words had a very sobering effect on the company, and the whole
+party made, all things considered, a very orderly exit from the
+dining-room, not however without Mr. Cartwright finding an opportunity
+of whispering in the ear of his cousin--
+
+"Now is your time, Stephen, to go into the dressing-room."
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XI.
+
+THE "ELOPEMENT."
+
+
+When the gentlemen reached the lawn, they found it already covered, not
+only with the company from all the other rooms, but likewise with crowds
+of people from the Park, who came rushing in through different entrances
+from all quarters.
+
+In the midst of all this bustle and confusion, however, Mr. Cartwright
+remembered his engagement with Mr. Stephen Corbold, and, only waiting
+till he saw that the servants of his house were among the throng, he
+sought Mrs. Cartwright, and finding, as he expected, her daughter close
+beside her, whispered in her ear, "Oblige me, dearest Clara! by sending
+Helen to your dressing-room for a small packet of very important papers
+which I left on the chimney-piece. I cannot go myself; and there is not
+a servant to be found."
+
+Mrs. Cartwright immediately spoke the command to Helen, and the vicar
+had the satisfaction of watching her make her way through the crowd, and
+enter the window of the drawing-room.
+
+Poor Helen was not happy enough to have enjoyed in any degree the
+splendid bustle of the day, and the total repose and silence of the
+house was quite refreshing to her. She passed through the drawing-room
+into the hall, from whence not even the loud buzz of the multitude
+without could reach her; and untying her bonnet, and throwing that and
+her scarf on a slab, she sat down to enjoy for a few moments the cool
+quiet of the lofty silent room.
+
+At length she reluctantly rose to perform her mother's bidding, walked
+slowly and languidly up the stairs, along the spacious corridor, and
+into Mrs. Cartwright's dressing-room. This little apartment was no
+longer the dear familiar scene of maternal fondness that it once was, or
+Helen might here again have been tempted to sit down for the enjoyment
+of temporary repose. But, in truth, she no longer loved that
+dressing-room; and walking straight to the chimney-piece, she took the
+packet she found there, and turned to retrace her steps.
+
+It was with a start of disagreeable surprise, though hardly of alarm,
+that she saw Mr. Stephen Corbold standing between her and the door. The
+persevering impertinence of his addresses had long ago obliged her to
+decline all communication with him, and it was therefore without
+appearing to notice him that she now pursued her way towards the door.
+But hardly had she made a step towards it, when the odious wretch
+enclosed her in his arms. She uttered a loud shriek, and by a violent
+effort disengaged herself; but ere she could reach the door, he had
+closed, locked it, and put the key in his pocket.
+
+A dreadful sensation of terror now seized upon her; yet even then she
+remembered that she was in her mother's house, and a feeling of
+confidence returned.
+
+"You are intoxicated, sir!" said she drawing back from him towards the
+bell. "But you surely cannot be so mad as to insult me here!"
+
+"I will insult you nowhere, Miss Helen, if you will behave as you ought
+to do to the man whom Heaven hath chosen for your husband. But as for
+your ringing the bell, or screeching either, I'll fairly tell you at
+once, it is of no use. There is not a single human being left in the
+house but our two selves; so you may as well give me satisfaction at
+once, and promise to marry me without more trouble, or else, I will make
+you thankful for the same, without my ever asking you again."
+
+"Open that door, sir, and let me out instantly," said Helen, pale as
+death, yet still not believing that the monster before her would dare to
+attempt any outrage. "Even Mr. Cartwright," she added, "would resent any
+impertinence offered to me under my mother's roof. Let me pass, sir:
+believe me, you had better."
+
+"Believe me; I had better not, Miss Helen. You have been playing the
+fool with me long enough; and as to my cousin Cartwright, he is quite of
+the same opinion, I assure you. Charming Helen!" he exclaimed, again
+stretching out his arms to enclose her, "be only half as kind as you are
+beautiful, and we shall be the happiest couple in the world!"
+
+"At least, sir, you must let me consult my mother about it," said Helen,
+contriving to keep the table between them, and believing that he was
+there only in consequence of his being intoxicated. "Let me ask my
+mother's consent, Mr. Corbold."
+
+Corbold laughed aloud. "You think me tipsy, my sweet girl; but if I am,
+trust me it's no more than just to give me courage to teach you your
+duty. My charming Helen! let go the table, and understand the thing at
+once. My cousin. Mr. Cartwright is under some obligations to me, and he
+means to settle them all by giving me a pretty fortune with you; and as
+he knows that unhappily you are not converted as yet, and have shown
+yourself not over christian-like in return for my love, it is he himself
+who invented this scheme of having you sent up here when all the
+servants were out of the house--and of my being here ready to meet you,
+and to teach you your duty to him, and to your mother, and to your
+heavenly father, and to me;--and so now you know all and every thing,
+and I have got the key of the room in my pocket.--And will you consent
+to be my wife, beginning from this very minute?"
+
+Dreadful as Helen's terror was, her senses did not leave her; on the
+contrary, all the strength of her mind seemed to be roused, and her
+faculties sharpened, by the peril that beset her. She doubted not for a
+moment that his statement respecting Mr. Cartwright's part in this
+villany was true, and that she was indeed left in the power of this
+detested being, with no help but the protection of Heaven and her own
+courage. She fixed her eye steadily on that of Corbold, and perceived
+that as he talked, the look of intoxication increased; she therefore
+skilfully prolonged the conversation by asking him, if indeed she must
+be his wife, where they were to live, whether her sister Fanny might
+live with them, whether he ever meant to take her to London, and the
+like; contriving, as she did so, to push the table, which still
+continued between them, in such a direction as to leave her between it
+and the door of her mother's bed-chamber. Corbold was evidently losing
+his head, and appeared aware of it; for he stopped short in his replies
+and professions of passionate love that he was making: and exclaiming
+with an oath that he would be trifled with no longer, he suddenly thrust
+the table from between them, and again threw his arms round Helen's
+waist.
+
+She was not, however, wholly unprepared to receive him. On first
+approaching the table that had hitherto befriended her, she perceived on
+it a large vial of spirits of hartshorn: this she had taken possession
+of, and held firmly in her hand; and at the moment that Corbold bent his
+audacious head to kiss her, she discharged the whole contents upon his
+eyes and face, occasioning a degree of blindness and suffocation, that
+for the moment totally disabled him. He screamed with the sudden pain,
+and raised his hands to his tortured eyes. Before he removed them, Helen
+had already passed through her mother's bed-room, and was flying by a
+back staircase to the servants' room below. Without waiting to see if
+she were pursued, she opened a back door that led into the stable-yard,
+and, after a moment's consideration, proceeded across it, into a lane
+which led in one direction to the kitchen gardens, and in the other into
+the road to Oakley.
+
+Even at that moment Helen had time to remember that if she turned her
+steps towards the kitchen gardens, she should pass by a park gate which
+would immediately lead her to all the safety that the protection of an
+assembled multitude could give. But she remembered also that in a few
+hours she should again be left in the hands of Mr. Cartwright, and,
+inwardly uttering a solemn vow that nothing should ever again make her
+wilfully submit to this, she darted forward, unmindful of her uncovered
+head, and, with a degree of speed more proportioned to her agitation
+than her strength, pursued the short cut across the fields to Oakley,
+and entering the grounds by the gate which led to the lawn, perceived
+Sir Gilbert, Lady Harrington, and their son, seated on a garden bench,
+under the shelter of a widely spreading cedar-tree.
+
+Helen knew that she was now safe, and she relaxed her speed, slowly and
+with tottering steps approaching the friends from whom, notwithstanding
+their long estrangement, her heart anticipated a warm and tender
+welcome. Yet they did not rise to meet her.
+
+"Perhaps," thought she, "they do not know me;" and it was then she
+recollected that her hair was hanging dishevelled about her face without
+hat or cap to shelter it. She was greatly heated, and her breath and
+strength barely sufficed to bring her within a few yards of the party,
+when totally exhausted, she sat down upon the turf, and burst into
+tears.
+
+Colonel Harrington had not written the letter to Helen, which the Vicar
+of Wrexhill destroyed, without having put both his parents in his
+confidence. Lady Harrington's fond affection for her god-daughter, which
+her enforced absence had in no degree lessened, rendered the avowal of
+her son's attachment a matter of unmixed joy; and though Sir Gilbert
+declared that he would as soon stand in the relation of brother to his
+Satanic Majesty as to Cartwright, he at length gave his apparently sulky
+consent with perhaps as much real pleasure as his lady herself.
+
+Both the one and the other, however, knew perfectly well that their son
+would have been an excellent match for Helen, even when her father was
+alive, and would, as it was supposed, have given her a fortune of forty
+thousand pounds; and they felt some degree of triumph, neither unamiable
+nor ungenerous in its nature, at the idea of securing to one at least of
+poor Mowbray's family a station in society that not even their connexion
+with Mr. Cartwright could tarnish.
+
+The whole family understood the position of things at the Park too well
+to be surprised at no answer being sent express to Colonel Harrington's
+letter, and the following post was waited for with pleasurable though
+impatient anxiety. But when it arrived without bringing any answer, and
+another and another followed with no notice taken of a proposal of
+marriage, which, as Sir Gilbert said, the proudest woman in England
+might have been glad to accept, the misery of the young man himself, and
+the anger and indignation of his parents, were about equally vehement.
+
+Considering the opinion entertained by Sir Gilbert of what he was
+pleased to term Mr. Cartwright's finished character, it is surprising
+that no idea should even have occurred to him of the possible
+suppression of this important epistle; but, in truth, the same
+interpretation of it had suggested itself to the minds of them all. They
+believed that Helen, from a sense of duty, had submitted the proposal to
+her mother, and that, forbidden to accept it by the vindictive feelings
+of the "parvenu priest," she had been weak enough to obey even his
+commands, to leave the letter unanswered--a degree of timidity, and want
+of proper feeling, productive of almost equal disappointment to all
+three.
+
+Impressed with such feelings against her, it is perhaps not very
+surprising, that neither the heart-stricken lover, nor his offended
+parents, rose to welcome the approach of poor Helen.
+
+"Some family quarrel, I suppose," said Lady Harrington. "They seem to
+have turned her out of doors in some haste."
+
+"I will promise her that she shall not now find an entrance into mine,"
+said Sir Gilbert. "Perhaps the young lady thinks better of it, and that
+it may be as well to contradict pa and ma a little for the sake of being
+Mrs. Harrington. Those who will not when they may, when they will they
+shall have--" But before Sir Gilbert could finish his stave, Helen
+Mowbray was stretched upon the turf.
+
+Colonel Harrington, not too well knowing what he did, ran to the spot
+where she lay, and hardly daring to look at her, stammered out--"Miss
+Mowbray! Gracious Heaven, how fearfully she changes colour! So red, and
+now so deadly pale! Speak to me, Helen--What has happened to you?--How
+comes it that you are here? After----Oh, Helen, open your eyes, and
+speak to me! Mother! mother! she is very ill!"
+
+Lady Harrington now rose slowly and gloomily from her seat, and walked
+to the place where Helen lay, her head supported by the arm of Colonel
+Harrington; every tinge of colour fled from her cheeks, her eyes closed,
+and no symptom of life remaining, excepting that tears from time to time
+escaped from beneath her long eyelashes.
+
+It is difficult to see a person one has ever loved, asleep, and yet
+retain anger towards them; they look so helpless, so innocent, so free
+from all that could have ever moved our spleen, that not the most
+eloquent defence that language ever framed could plead their cause so
+well as that mute slumber. Still more difficult would it be to look at a
+fair creature in the state in which Helen now lay, and retain any
+feeling harsher than pity.
+
+"There is something more in all this, William, than we yet understand,"
+said Lady Harrington, after gazing silently at Helen for some minutes.
+"This poor child has not fainted, her tears prove that; but she is
+suffering from bodily fatigue and mental misery.--Helen! rouse yourself.
+Let us understand each other at once. Why did you not reply to my son
+William's letter?"
+
+Helen did rouse herself. She opened her eyes, and fixing them on Lady
+Harrington, while the colour for a moment rapidly revisited her cheeks,
+she said, in a voice so low as to be scarcely audible, "A letter from
+Colonel Harrington?--To me?--A letter to me?--I never received it."
+
+"Thank Heaven!" cried Colonel Harrington, springing from the ground, for
+Helen's head no longer rested on his arm. "Oh! what suffering should we
+have been spared, if we had done her but the justice to think of this!"
+
+He hastily returned to his father, who, though he had not advanced a
+step, had risen from his seat, and, to do him justice, was looking
+towards Helen with great anxiety. "She never received it, sir!" said he,
+in a voice husky from agitation: "Oh! come to her; soothe her with
+kindness, my dearest father, and all may yet be happiness amongst us."
+
+"What, Helen!--Helen, my poor girl, are you come to us with some new
+trouble?--And did you indeed never get William's letter, my dear child?"
+
+The mention of such a letter again dyed Helen's cheeks with blushes; but
+she raised her eyes to Sir Gilbert's face, with a look that seemed to
+ask a thousand questions as she replied, "I never received any letter
+from Colonel Harrington in my life."
+
+"I am devilish glad to hear it, my dear, that's all. So, then, you don't
+know that----"
+
+"Hold your peace, Sir Knight," said Lady Harrington, interrupting
+him.--"And you come with me, sweet love. I'll lay my best herbal to that
+dead leaf, that you are the only one perfectly faultless among us; and
+that one, two, and three of us deserve to be--I can hardly tell what--in
+the power of the vicar, I think, for having been so villanous as to
+suspect you; and worse still, for having lived so close to you without
+ever having found out whether you were really watched like a state
+prisoner or not."
+
+"Has the rascal dared----" cried Sir Gilbert, but before he could finish
+his sentence, Lady Harrington and her son were leading Helen between
+them towards the house, her ladyship laying a finger on her lip as she
+passed her husband, in token that he was to say no more.
+
+Having reached what Lady Harrington called a place of safety, where, as
+she said the men could neither come nor hear, she made Helen lay herself
+upon a sofa, and then said, "Now, my Helen, if you are ill at ease in
+body, lay there quiet, and try to sleep; but if you are only, or chiefly
+ill at ease in mind, let your limbs only remain at rest, and relieve
+yourself and me by telling me every thing that has happened since we
+parted last."
+
+"It is a long and sad history, my dearest friend," replied Helen,
+kissing the hand which still held hers, "but I am very anxious that you
+should know it all; for so only can the action I have committed to-day
+be excused."
+
+"What action, Helen?--what is it you have done, my child?"
+
+"I have eloped from my mother's house, Lady Harrington."
+
+"But you have eloped alone, Helen?"
+
+"Yes! alone."
+
+"Well then, my dear, I will give you absolution for that. Perhaps there
+are those among us who may not find it so easy to absolve you from all
+blame for not doing it before. But now for particulars.--Will you have a
+glass of water, Helen? Mercy on me! I believe it must be a glass of
+wine. What can you have got to tell? You change colour every moment, my
+dear child."
+
+Helen's narrative, however, being of necessity less full then that
+contained in the preceding pages, need not be repeated. It was given
+indeed with all the force and simplicity of truth and deep feeling, and
+told all she knew of Mr. Cartwright's plans and projects; but, excepting
+what she had that day learned during her dreadful interview with
+Corbold, she had little to add to what Lady Harrington knew before.
+
+This interview, however, was itself fully enough to justify the
+"elopement," of which Helen still spoke with such dismay; and, together
+with the fact, again asked for, and again repeated, that no letter from
+Colonel Harrington had reached her hands, was sufficient to make her
+ladyship burst forth into a passion of indignation against the Vicar of
+Wrexhill, and to make her, while overpowering Helen with the tenderest
+caresses, bless her again and again for having at last flown to seek
+shelter where it would be given with such heartfelt joy.
+
+Soothed, consoled, and almost happy as Helen was made by this recovered
+kindness, her anxiety to know why, and upon what subject Colonel
+Harrington could have written to her, was becoming every moment more
+powerful. There was something so very fond, so very maternal in Lady
+Harrington's manner to her,--something that seemed to say that
+she was of more consequence to her now than she had ever been
+before,--something, in short, quite indescribable, but which gave birth
+to such delicious hopes in the breast of Helen, that she almost feared
+to meet the eye of the old lady, lest all she guessed, and all she
+wished, should be read in her own.
+
+It is possible, that with all the care she took to avoid the betraying
+this anxiety, she did not succeed; for, in answer to some very delicate
+and very distant hint, that it was extremely disagreeable to have one's
+letters intercepted, Lady Harrington, though she only replied, "Yes, it
+is, Helen," rose and left the room, only adding as she closed the door,
+"Keep yourself quiet, my dear child: I shall return to you presently."
+
+"Presently" is a word that certainly appears, by common usage, to admit
+of very considerable variety of interpretation; and it was evident that
+on the present occasion the two parties between whom it passed
+understood it differently. Long before Lady Harrington again appeared,
+Helen felt persuaded that some important circumstance must have occurred
+to make her so completely change her purpose; yet the good lady herself,
+when she re-entered the room, looked and was perfectly unconscious of
+having made any delay at all inconsistent with her "presently."
+
+She held a folded paper in her hand. "You have not asked me, Helen," she
+said, "on what subject it was that my son wrote to you; and yet I
+suspect that you have some wish to know. I have been down stairs to
+consult him on the best mode of repairing your precious vicar's
+treachery, and he suggested my putting into your hands the copy of the
+letter which has been so basely intercepted; which copy, it seems, has
+remained safely in his desk, while its original has probably fed the
+flames in Mr. Cartwright's secret chamber, kindling thereby a
+sympathetic and very consuming fire in the breast of the writer."
+
+Helen stretched forth a very trembling hand to receive the paper; her
+eyes were fixed upon it, either to read through its enclosure the
+characters within, or to avoid at that moment meeting the eye of her
+godmother.
+
+"I shall leave you, my love, to peruse it alone; and presently, when I
+think you have done so, will return to ask if you cannot in some degree
+comprehend what must have been felt at its not obtaining an answer."
+
+Having said this, Lady Harrington retired without waiting for a reply,
+and leaving Helen unable for a moment to learn what her heart throbbed
+with such violence to know.
+
+The letter of which Helen now held the copy has been already presented
+to the reader; and if she chance to be one of Helen's age, having at her
+heart a love unbreathed to any human ear, she may guess what my Helen's
+feelings were at finding such love had met an equal, an acknowledged
+return. Such a one may guess Helen's feelings;--but no other can.
+
+Lady Harrington's _presently_ now seemed to Helen as much shorter than
+it really was as the last had seemed longer. She had read the letter but
+four times through, and pressed it to her heart, kissed it, and so
+forth, not half so much as she desired, and it deserved, when a knock
+was heard at the door, and the old lady again entered.
+
+The happy, but agitated girl stood up to receive her, and though she
+spoke not a single word, the manner in which she rushed into her
+maternal arms, and hid her face upon her bosom, spoke plainly enough
+that the gallant colonel had no reason to despair.
+
+"What must he have thought of me!" were Helen's first words--"And
+you?--and Sir Gilbert?--Such a letter! Dearest, dearest Lady Harrington,
+you could not really think I had ever received it!"
+
+"You have struck the right chord there, my Helen. We all deserve to have
+suffered ten thousand times more than we have done, for having for a
+moment believed it possible you should have received that letter and not
+invented some means to answer it--let the answer be what it might. And
+this answer?--you have not yet told me what it is to be. I do not know
+how much, or how little, you may happen to like William, my dear; but in
+case you should have no insuperable aversion to him, the business is
+made delightfully easy by this adventure. The elopement is done and
+over already."
+
+Helen only pressed Lady Harrington's hand to her heart, but said
+nothing.
+
+"Yes,--you have found the way to let me into your secret, without
+speaking. This little heart throbs violently enough to prevent any
+suspicion of indifference. But what am I to say to my impatient hero
+below?--That you will, or you won't marry him, as soon as the lawyers
+will let you?"
+
+"Oh! Lady Harrington!"
+
+"Come down stairs, my dear;--you had better come down, I do assure you;
+for I expect Sir Gilbert will be up in a moment, and you cannot suppose
+that William will remain behind; and my bed-room would by no means be so
+dignified a scene for the denouement as the great saloon. Come, dear,
+come."
+
+And Helen went--trembling, blushing, with tears in her eyes, and such
+palpitation at her heart that she was very sure she could not pronounce
+a word. But what need was there of words? The happy colonel was soon
+perfectly satisfied, and thanked her on his bended knee for a consent
+more looked than spoken.
+
+Even Sir Gilbert himself, though singularly attached to plain speaking,
+seemed well content on the present occasion to dispense with it; and
+pressed Helen to his heart, and kissed her forehead, and called her his
+dear daughter, apparently with as much satisfaction as if she had
+declared herself ready to accept of his son in the very best arranged
+words ever spoken upon such an occasion.
+
+When the first few decisive moments were past, and each one of the party
+felt that all things were settled, or about to be settled, in exact
+conformity to their most inward and earnest desires, and when Helen was
+placed as the centre of the six loving and admiring eyes that were fixed
+upon her, she closed her own; but it was neither to faint, nor to sleep,
+but to meditate for a moment with the more intensity upon the miraculous
+change wrought in her destiny within the last few hours.
+
+"What are you thinking of, my Helen?" said the colonel, jealous, as it
+should seem, of losing sight of those dear eyes, even for a moment.
+
+"I am endeavouring to believe that it is all real," replied Helen with
+beautiful simplicity.
+
+"Bless you, my darling child," said the rough baronet, greatly touched.
+"What an old villain I have been to you, Helen!--abusing you, hating
+you, calling you all manner of hard names,--and your little heart as
+true as steel all the time."
+
+"Real?--real that you are beloved by me, Helen?" cried Colonel
+Harrington, absolutely forgetting that he was not tete-a-tete with his
+fair mistress.
+
+"And how is she to answer him, with you and me peering in her face, my
+lady? Ought we not to be ashamed of ourselves?--Come along this moment."
+
+"Very well,--I will go, but only upon one condition, Helen. Remember,
+William, she is to indulge in no disagreeable reminiscences, and no
+melancholy anticipations, but look just as beautiful and as happy when I
+come back, as she does now."
+
+This farewell advice was not thrown away; for it assisted Colonel
+Harrington to baffle, or to banish, all the fears and regrets respecting
+her mother's displeasure at her conduct, which came like a cloud across
+the bright perspective of Helen's hopes for the future. Her lover showed
+himself, indeed, sufficiently adroit, both in turning to account all the
+favourable circumstances attending their sudden engagement, and in using
+his mother's authority to prevent her dwelling upon what was
+unfavourable. "Might not a second home," he asked, "be of great
+advantage both to Fanny and Miss Torrington? Might not the connexion
+tend to keep Mr. Cartwright in order, and prevent his finally injuring
+Charles? And lastly, did she not think it would give pleasure to that
+Charles himself?"
+
+To Lady Harrington Helen had frankly recounted the history of Corbold's
+hateful persecution, from its first beginning in London, to the fearful
+outrage it had led to on that eventful day; but she had begged her to
+repeat no more of it to Sir Gilbert and the colonel than might be
+sufficient to render her running away intelligible; and this request
+having been strictly complied with, for Lady Harrington seemed as
+unwilling as Helen to trust her men-folk with this history, Colonel
+Harrington, in conversing with her on all she had felt and suffered
+since her mother's marriage, spoke of him only as a presumptuous man who
+had dared to persevere in addressing her after she had refused him.
+
+It was, probably, the heightened colour of Helen as she listened to this
+mention of his name that excited a greater degree of interest and
+curiosity concerning him than her lover had at first bestowed upon him.
+
+"Were these hateful addresses repeated by letter or in person, Helen?"
+said he, fixing his eyes upon her agitated face.
+
+"In person--in person," answered Helen, impatiently.
+
+"Did your mother know, Helen, how greatly these addresses annoyed you?"
+
+"I have often attempted to tell her; but she has always evaded the
+subject, telling me strangely enough, and Heaven knows not very
+correctly, that it was plain I did not know my own mind, or else that I
+was guilty of affectation."
+
+"Your mother, then, Helen, would have approved of this man's addresses?"
+
+"I fear so."
+
+"It was, then, to avoid her importunity that you left her house to-day?"
+
+Helen looked uneasy and distressed under this questioning, but answered,
+"No, Colonel Harrington; not her importunity, but his own."
+
+The blood mounted to the young soldier's face, and an angry glance shot
+from his eye, as if he suspected something approaching--but at great
+distance--to the truth.
+
+"He surely did not dare to be impertinent? Helen, you have not told me
+all: you came here in a state of dreadful agitation; tell me, I conjure
+you, all that has happened to you.--You will not, Helen? What am I to
+think of this?--that you have been insulted in a manner that you will
+not repeat to your affianced husband? For Heaven's sake, put an end to
+this torture; I must know all."
+
+"Your mother does know all, Colonel Harrington; make me not repeat the
+hateful history again."
+
+"Will you refer me to my mother? Will you permit me to tell her that you
+have done so?"
+
+"Why, Colonel Harrington," replied Helen, "should you wish to know more
+than I have told you? But of course I cannot object to your knowing all
+that has passed between us,--only I think he does not deserve the
+trouble you take in speaking of him."
+
+Much to the surprise of Sir Gilbert and his lady, who were very amiably
+undergoing a real penance, by absenting themselves from the sight of
+happiness which touched them so nearly, Colonel Harrington was seen
+hurrying towards them, where they were beguiling the time as they could,
+by inhaling the cool breath of evening under the cedar-tree.
+
+"Take a turn with me, mother, will you?" said he in a voice not quite so
+gay as they expected to hear from him.
+
+Lady Harrington immediately rose, and passing her arm under his they
+walked off together at a rapid pace to a distant walk.
+
+"Mother!" he said stopping short and looking earnestly in her face,
+"tell me, I beseech you, every thing that you have learnt from Helen
+respecting that wretch Corbold. For some reason or other which I cannot
+understand, she is averse to entering upon the subject with me; but she
+assures me that you know every thing that has passed, and she has
+authorized my asking you for the particulars."
+
+"Has she, William? Then she is a silly girl for her pains. But it is
+your fault, I dare say. You have been tormenting her with
+cross-questions about a vulgar villain that neither of you ought ever
+again to call to remembrance. Say no more about him or his precious
+cousin either. Surely we can find more agreeable subjects to talk about
+than the vicar and his cousin."
+
+"Very likely, mother. But I cannot be easy till I know exactly what it
+was which caused Helen to leave her mother's house in the manner she did
+this afternoon. Have I not a right to inquire?--can you blame me for
+doing so?"
+
+"No, my dear William, I do not. But heavily shall I blame you if you
+make an extorted confidence the source of quarrel between an officer of
+rank in his majesty's service and a pettifogging methodist attorney of
+Wrexhill."
+
+"Is it possible, mother, that you know me so little as to think there
+can exist the slightest chance of my doing this? Pray do not keep me in
+this fever for the sake of protecting me from a duel with Mr. Stephen
+Corbold."
+
+"There you are, hot-head,--your father's own son beyond all question.
+Now listen then to this infamous story, and take care that you do not
+renew a sorrow that is past, by improperly resenting it."
+
+After this preface, Lady Harrington ventured to repeat to her son the
+narrative she had heard from Helen. He listened with very exemplary
+tranquillity, only occasionally biting his lips, but uttering no single
+word of any kind till it was concluded. He then said very quietly,--"Let
+us return to poor Helen, mother.--How admirably has she behaved
+throughout!"
+
+Lady Harrington looked up into her son's face as if to discover whether
+his calmness were genuine; but his pocket handkerchief at that moment
+concealed his features, and, as he walked rapidly towards the house, she
+could only take it for granted that all was right, and follow him.
+
+Having reached the door of the room where he had left Helen, he opened
+it, but waited outside till his mother overtook him.
+
+"Go to her, mother," said he, "and confess that you have told me every
+thing. I would rather you did this than me;--tell her too, that she has
+behaved gloriously, and, when I think you have put her at her ease about
+me, I will come to you."
+
+So saying, he passed on, and entered a small parlour that was called his
+own at the front of the house.
+
+Sir Gilbert soon followed his lady, and, without going again over the
+disagreeable narrative at length, the whole business was made
+sufficiently intelligible to the baronet to make him extol in high terms
+the courage and presence of mind of his future daughter. This occupied a
+quarter of an hour excellently well, but still the colonel came not: and
+Helen, though with no feeling of alarm, certainly kept her eye upon the
+door with more steadiness than she was herself aware of. At length, Lady
+Harrington began to show evident symptoms of that state of mind usually
+called fidgeting. She rang the bell and asked if the colonel were at
+home. The servant did not know. Tea was ordered, and when it came the
+same question was repeated; but the same answer was not given, for the
+man said that the colonel had been seen to go out about half an hour
+ago.
+
+"Who saw him go, John?" said her ladyship; "did you?"
+
+"No, my lady,--it was the colonel's own groom."
+
+"Send him here."
+
+The groom came, and was questioned as to how and when he had seen his
+master go out.
+
+"I was in the harness-room, my lady, and the colonel came in, and took
+down, one after another, all the coachman's whips from the pegs, and at
+last, my lady, he chose the newest and the stoutest, and carried it away
+with him:--but he said never a word."
+
+"Wheugh!" whistled Sir Gilbert with very considerable continuity of
+sound. "That will do, Dick--you may go. And so, his colonelship is gone
+forth with the stoutest and the best horsewhip he could find. Well, upon
+my word, I do not think he could have done better."
+
+"Foolish boy!" exclaimed Lady Harrington. "He will get into some
+abominable scrape or other!"
+
+"Yes, my lady;--he will horsewhip the lawyer, you may depend upon
+it:--and then he will have damages to pay. But, for an only son, William
+is far from extravagant, and I really don't feel inclined to begrudge
+him this little amusement."
+
+"Nor I, either, Sir Gilbert, provided he takes care not to get into a
+downright vulgar brawl."
+
+"Come, come, Helen," said Sir Gilbert, turning towards her, "you must
+not look pale, my child, for this. You are not afraid that there will be
+any blunder, are you? and that the attorney will horsewhip the
+soldier?--No harm will be done, depend upon it,--except to my new
+horsewhip."
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XII.
+
+MR. CORBOLD'S ADVENTURES.
+
+
+It was some time before Mr. Stephen Corbold recovered sufficiently from
+the effects of Helen's libation to enable him to see where he was, or to
+perceive that where he was, she was not. The ceremony had, indeed been a
+painful one; but it at least did him the good service of dispelling the
+effects of the wine he had taken; and after a few moments more of
+winking and blinking, and wiping his smarting eyes, he descended the
+stairs to seek his cousin, a soberer, if not a better man than when he
+mounted them.
+
+Every thing was at this time in full activity on the lawn. Above two
+thousand people were assembled there, all more more than decently clad,
+and presenting altogether a very striking spectacle. Those who before
+dinner had been the company were now converted into spectators; many of
+them accommodated with seats in the shade, from whence they watched the
+chequered movements of the motley crowd. This cool and quiet position
+was in every way beneficial to those who had been tempted to heat
+themselves by drinking somewhat too freely of the vicar's wine. Among
+these Mr. Corbold introduced himself: probably, more sober than any of
+them,--except, perhaps, the vicar himself,--but bearing in his "altered
+eye," and general discomfiture of aspect, more visible traces of
+intemperance than any individual amongst them.
+
+Mr. Cartwright rose to meet him with sensations of considerable alarm.
+He fancied, from his appearance, that he was quite intoxicated, and
+feared the utterance of some folly which might explain the cause of his
+having absented himself more fully than was at all necessary.
+
+This idea was by no means lessened when his cousin beckoned him from the
+party amidst whom he sat, and gravely assured him that Miss Helen had
+very nearly murdered him.
+
+"Compose yourself, cousin Stephen--compose yourself. Where have you left
+her?"
+
+"Left her?--She left me, I tell you, blind, and almost suffocated. If
+you don't wish to have the whole county set gossiping about Mrs.
+Mowbray's will--your wife's will I mean,--you had better let me see that
+vixen properly punished, cousin. As I live and breathe I will have
+revenge somehow."
+
+"You shall, you shall, Stephen," answered the vicar, endeavouring to
+quiet him. "She shall be treated in any way that you like, only don't
+make a noise now."
+
+"Will you give orders that she shall be confined to her room and kept on
+bread and water?"
+
+"To be sure I will, if you desire it. She shall be locked up as soon as
+the place is cleared: and you shall see it done, Stephen, if you will
+only step in, and take a nap in my library to recover yourself a
+little."
+
+This proposal was, on the whole, a very tempting one; for Mr. Stephen
+Corbold's head ached with considerable violence, not to mention that he
+had hardly yet recovered his eyesight, and was otherwise very ill at
+ease. So, without arguing the matter farther, he retreated to the
+comfortable station recommended to him, and soon fell into a slumber
+that lasted till the whole business of the day, prayers, blessing, and
+all, were done and over, and the place as solitary and forsaken as if no
+Serious Fancy Fair, no Israelitish missionary, and no Fababo had ever
+been heard of.
+
+It was then that the Vicar of Wrexhill remembered his cousin Stephen.
+And it was then that Fanny Mowbray, looking round the room in which the
+whole family was assembled, said, "Where is Helen?"
+
+This question, which, as it seemed, no one could answer, and the
+recollection of his library guest, coming at one and the same moment
+across him, made Mr. Cartwright start. Poor man! He was most heartily
+fatigued and worn out by the honours, glories, and hospitalities of the
+day, and wished for nothing on earth so much as soda-water and a
+bed-room bougie. But he felt that his labours were not over, though not
+exactly aware how much remained to be done.
+
+Having furnished himself with a light, and commanded that Miss Mowbray
+should be desired to meet him in the library, he repaired immediately to
+that room, where he found, as he expected, his serious and legal
+relative as fast asleep in his favourite arm-chair, as he himself wished
+to be in his bed.
+
+The ceremony of awaking him was soon performed; and when he once more
+stood on his feet, and had rubbed his still suffering eyes sufficiently
+to perceive where he was, the vicar addressed him thus, in the most
+gentle voice imaginable, hoping to soothe and get rid of him.
+
+"Well, cousin Stephen, you have had a nice nap; and now you had better
+go home. It is getting quite late. Good night, Stephen."
+
+"What have you done with that murderous vixen, cousin Cartwright? I
+won't stir till I know you have locked her up, as you promised to do."
+
+"I have ordered her to come here, Stephen, that you may yourself hear
+what I mean to say to her."
+
+"I don't want to see her, cousin Cartwright," replied the attorney, in a
+tone that betokened as much fear as dislike; "I only want to have her
+punished."
+
+"And punished she shall be, depend upon that; but if you really do not
+wish to see her, cousin Stephen, you had better be off at once, for I
+expect her here every moment. Come along--I will walk with you myself as
+far as the lodge."
+
+Whatever vengeance he wished executed on Helen, that he had no
+inclination to be present at it himself, was proved by the alacrity with
+which the attorney acceded to this proposal.
+
+"Only let me get my hat,--it's quite a new hat,--and I'll come with you
+this moment, cousin Cartwright."
+
+The hat was found, and the two serious gentlemen set off together across
+the lawn; from that point, to within a few yards of the lodge, the
+lawyer entertained the minister with such an account of Helen's attack
+upon him, as convinced the latter, that it would be quite necessary, in
+his parental character, to exercise such a degree of authority as might
+speedily bring the rebellious young lady to reason. It was already as
+dark as a fine night in July ever is, and the fine large oaks which in
+many places overhung the road, rendered some spots particularly sombre.
+At one of these, and just before they arrived at the Park gates, they
+heard the steps of a man whom they appeared to be overtaking.
+
+"Who can this loiterer be?" said Mr. Cartwright, "My people had orders
+to see that the grounds were cleared, and all the gates locked before
+this time."
+
+"We shall be able to see him when we get beyond these trees," replied
+Corbold.
+
+He was quite right: a few steps farther brought them to an open space,
+and there, as if waiting for them, stood the intruder, as still and
+silent as if he had been a statue.
+
+"We are two to one, however," observed the attorney, "but he is a
+monstrous tall fellow."
+
+The next breath that issued from the lips of the vicar's cousin came not
+in words, but in a most dismal, hideous, and prolonged yell; for the
+"tall fellow" had seized him by the collar with one hand, while with the
+other he brandished and applied a huge horsewhip to his shoulders with
+such energy, activity, and perseverance, that his howling startled the
+dull ear of night, as well as the frightened organs of his astonished
+kinsman. Though Mr. Cartwright had not the slightest intention of doing
+so unclerical a thing as interfering in the fray, he drew a little
+nearer to it than was quite prudent, from a natural curiosity to know
+who the bold mortal was who dared thus belabour his cousin.
+
+The light was quite sufficient to enable him to discern Colonel
+Harrington in the aggressor; but it should seem that it was not equally
+effective to the eyes of that gentleman himself, or he would hardly have
+ventured to permit a few apparently random, but very sharp cuts to visit
+the reverend shoulders of the owner of the soil on which he stood. This
+prodigious impiety, however, certainly took place, upon which the vicar,
+very properly anxious to put the earliest possible stop to such indecent
+proceedings, ran off as fast as his legs could carry him, and in about
+half an hour returned again with eight stout servingmen, armed with
+bludgeons, broom-sticks, and the great kitchen-poker.
+
+That he had not, in his agitation, forgotten the spot on which he had
+left his unfortunate cousin, was quickly made manifest to the ears of
+all who accompanied him; for dismal groans made themselves heard exactly
+from the place where the operation had been performed, and on
+examination the bruised body of Mr. Stephen Corbold was found extended
+on the grass, apparently too stiff and sore to have much power of
+movement left.
+
+Even during the hurried interval which Mr. Cartwright spent in his house
+while waiting for the gathering together of his host, he had found time
+to inquire of his wife if she had seen Helen, and being told in reply
+that she was nowhere to be found, the extremely disagreeable truth
+immediately suggested itself to him. In one short, sharp moment he
+remembered Colonel Harrington's suppressed letter, Corbold's permitted
+outrage, Helen's escape, and the degrading lash that had so vigorously
+saluted his own shoulders.
+
+How was it possible, that being, as he most undoubtedly was, the lord
+and master of Cartwright Park, and all the wealth annexed thereto, and
+holding his lady's comprehensive will, signed, sealed, and duly
+executed, in his own possession,--how could it be that he should feel so
+utterly beat down, overpowered, and degraded?
+
+The bitter pang, however, lasted but a moment. What was the gossip of an
+hour, or a day, when set against the solid happiness of wealth? This was
+still his, to have and to hold; and after one little pinch at his heart,
+as he thought of the longed-for mitre, he struggled manfully to despise
+the paltry annoyance, and hastened, with all the speed he could make,
+to the rescue of his cousin, and, if Heaven so willed, to inflict
+vengeance, even unto death, upon his enemy.
+
+Heaven, however, did not so will; Colonel Harrington having given the
+attorney exactly the quantum of flogging he intended, stuck his card,
+with his name and address both in town and country, into the groaning
+man's pocket, laid him down very gently on the grass, and departed.
+
+The disposal of the flogged gentleman's person was now taken into
+consideration. Some cousins, perhaps, might have thought that a bed at
+Cartwright Park would have been the best thing to propose for it; but it
+appeared that such was not the opinion of Mr. Cartwright; for having
+quickly ascertained the situation of affairs, and assured himself that
+Colonel Harrington was no longer within his reach, he instantly ordered
+the coachman and stable-boy, who were among his suite, to return with
+all possible haste to the house, and prepare a carriage instantly to
+take his ill-used cousin home.
+
+"Take me to your house, cousin!" murmured the smarting man, "I shall die
+if you send me to Wrexhill!" But Mr. Cartwright did not happen to hear
+him; and indeed his time and attention were wholly engrossed till the
+carriage arrived, and his kinsman lifted into it, by a strict
+examination of his people at the lodge, as to when Colonel Harrington
+had entered the Park, and whether they were at all aware that he was
+still lurking there.
+
+To all which inquiries he of course received for answer,--"Law! your
+honour, upon such a day as this, how was any body to mark who went in,
+or who went out of the Park?"
+
+Mr. Stephen Corbold was therefore safely conveyed to his own dwelling in
+Wrexhill; and the vicar returned to tell his lady, that from
+circumstances which had transpired, there could be no doubt that her
+daughter Helen had eloped with Colonel Harrington.
+
+"On my word, my dearest Cartwright, I hardly know how to be sorry for
+it. William Harrington would be an excellent match for any woman. They
+were very fond of each other when they were children; and Helen has been
+so miserable and moping ever since I married, that it has been quite a
+misery to see her. I thought she was in love with your cousin? However,
+I suppose she has changed her mind again, and that it was a fit of
+jealousy on the part of Harrington that made him attack poor Mr.
+Corbold. But we can't help it, you know. I am tired to death, my dear
+Cartwright;--do not let us stay up any longer talking about it; I dare
+say Helen will be very happy."
+
+So ended the eventful day of the Fababo Fancy Fair.
+
+       *       *       *       *       *
+
+It is not necessary to inquire what were the reports, or what the
+gossipings to which this day's events gave rise. The papers announced
+that a very large sum had been collected for the interesting missionary;
+and all the Hampshire world soon said that Colonel Harrington was going
+to be married to Miss Mowbray. But the attention of the Park family
+themselves was at this time greatly engrossed by Henrietta. She had long
+been in a very delicate state of health, but, probably from some cold
+caught at the late fete, her symptoms had become rapidly more alarming;
+she was soon confined to her bed, and the most skilful physician in the
+county gave it as his opinion that she could not live many weeks.
+
+Rosalind was indefatigable in her attentions to her; and when the awful
+judgment of the physician was made known to her, she at once resolved
+that Henrietta should be made acquainted with it, in the hope that the
+prospect of approaching dissolution might soften her heart and lead her
+to seek and receive the only consolation of which such a situation
+admits.
+
+Rosalind was too truly attached to Helen not to rejoice at the
+unexpected step she had taken, though her surprise at it was unbounded.
+She knew Helen's character well, she knew too how implicitly they had
+trusted each other; and that this known, trusted and trusting friend
+should have eloped without having even hinted to her that Colonel
+Harrington had confessed the love which in happier moments she owned she
+hoped he felt, was inconceivable! Still it was true. And though no line
+of explanation had ever been permitted to reach her, still she rejoiced;
+and with all the trusting confidence of her nature believed that
+whatever appeared wrong or unkind, would some day or other be explained.
+
+She now rejoiced yet more at Helen's absence. Henrietta had never
+admitted her even to the uncertain and capricious degree of friendship
+which she had bestowed on herself; and had she been still at the Park,
+it would have been difficult for Rosalind to have devoted herself so
+wholly to the poor sufferer as she now did. Mrs. Cartwright's situation
+prevented her from being much in the room. Fanny was still less there.
+She and Henrietta had never loved each other. At first Fanny disliked
+her because it was easy to perceive that she was neither beloved nor
+approved by Mr. Cartwright; and Henrietta despised her in return for the
+easy weakness with which she had become her father's convert. So that,
+in this awful hour, Rosalind was the only friend who drew near her with
+affection; and most tender and constant was the care she bestowed upon
+her.
+
+To the communication which she so much dreaded to make, though she
+considered it her duty to do it, Henrietta only replied by assuring her
+that for more than a year she had been fully aware that death was
+rapidly approaching her. "Alas! how lightly have I listened to you, dear
+Henrietta, when you have said this!" replied the weeping Rosalind. "But
+the reason, dear friend, why I did not, why I could not believe you were
+in earnest, was----"
+
+"Speak fearlessly, dear Rosalind----was--that you thought I was unfit to
+die. But so are many, Rosalind, who yet must go when nature bids them."
+
+"But now, now Henrietta! Oh! tell me that you do not still doubt all
+things--doubt even the being of the eternal power that made you; tell
+me, I beseech you, that you have read and thought on these things since
+that dreadful day that I overheard you make the confession to Mr.
+Hetherington which has rung in my ears ever since."
+
+"Yes, Rosalind, I have read, and I have thought--but not now only, my
+kind friend. My short life, Rosalind, has been but one series of
+perturbed thinking--my brain has been racked by it. But I have gained
+nothing."
+
+"I have no power, Henrietta, no learning, no strength of reason to
+remove the doubts that so fearfully darken these your last hours. Yet
+what would I not give that you could taste the ineffable comfort of
+perfect hope and perfect faith!"
+
+"Perfect faith!" repeated Henrietta impatiently--"why do you have
+recourse to the slang I hate? Teach me to hope--oh! that you could! but
+let me not hear the hateful words, the false use of which has been my
+destruction."
+
+"Henrietta! dearest Henrietta! will you consent to see a clergyman who
+can speak to you with the authority of age and wisdom?"
+
+"A clergyman?" she replied, scoffingly. "Perhaps you will propose that I
+should see the Reverend Mr. Cartwright?"
+
+"No, no. You do not think that it is such as him I would wish to send to
+you."
+
+"Yet he is my father, Miss Torrington. And there it is, you see--there
+lies the difficulty. Name a clergyman, and Mr. Cartwright seems to rise
+before me. And shall I use my dying breath to say that I would hear with
+reverence what such as he could say? Leave me in peace, Rosalind. Let me
+sleep, I tell you. If there be a God, he will pity me!"
+
+There was so much feverish excitement in her manner of speaking, that
+Rosalind, terrified lest she might hasten the hour she so earnestly
+wished to retard, in the hope that light might break upon that darkness
+which it was so terrible to witness, forbore to answer her, and tenderly
+arranging her pillows under her head, kissed her pale cheek and set
+herself down behind the curtain, in the place that she now almost
+constantly occupied.
+
+After a moment, however, Henrietta spoke again, but it was gently and
+calmly. "Leave me, my most kind Rosalind," said she! "leave me for an
+hour or two: you must want the fresh air, and I want perfect solitude.
+Rosalind, I will think. Let no one come to me till I ring my bell. Go,
+my dear friend!"
+
+Rosalind, greatly affected by the changed voice and manner, pressed to
+her lips the emaciated hand held out to her, and retired.
+
+Rosalind did indeed require the refreshment of air and exercise, from
+which she had almost wholly debarred herself for above a week; and such
+refreshment will certainly do more towards restoring the exhausted
+strength, both to body and mind, than any other remedy which can be
+devised. Yet, though it acts well, and almost infallibly, on the system,
+the benefit does not at once reach the consciousness of the weary
+watcher. Rosalind, as she slowly dragged her languid steps along, felt
+none of the pleasurable effects of the sweet breeze that blew in her
+face, for she was not aware of it. Her heart and soul were still in the
+chamber of the dying Henrietta; and though greatly too well taught to
+believe that a few feverish moments of changed opinions can put the
+passing spirit into a state of fitness for heaven, still she clung to
+the hope of hearing the unhappy girl avow better thoughts and feelings
+than those which had so long brooded over her misguided spirit. Fully
+occupied with these meditations, Rosalind walked for an hour, almost
+mechanically, through the shrubberies, unmindful of the sweet voice of
+nature that greeted her in the songs of birds and in the breath of
+flowers, and thinking only of what she might say or do to make the light
+of truth send one cheering ray upon the last hours of her unhappy
+friend.
+
+When she re-entered the house, her maid, who was watching for her, said
+that Miss Cartwright had rung her bell, and requested to know when she
+returned.
+
+Blaming herself for her long absence, Rosalind hastened to the sick
+room, and found Henrietta seated upright in her bed, with rather more
+animation and brightness in her eyes than she wished to see, for she
+thought it betokened fever; but her voice and manner were gentle and
+composed.
+
+"Your words have not fallen to the ground, my most kind Rosalind," said
+she; "and if it be possible, during the short period that remains for me
+to live, that I should attain a clearer knowledge of what I am than I
+have hitherto possessed, I shall welcome it most gladly. But of all the
+attributes with which the beautiful idea that you call God is invested,
+the only one that I conceive it possible for mortals to share with Him,
+is TRUTH. Power, alas! we have none--of knowledge very little, of wisdom
+less--and as to perfect goodness, perfect benevolence, we are not framed
+to feel it. But TRUTH, clear pure, beautiful, and bright, we can know
+and we can feel! It can make a part of us, even as it makes a part of
+Him; and by this only, as it seems to me, can we approach Him, touch
+Him, and, as it were be part of Him. For truth in a mortal, Rosalind, if
+it exist at all, is perfect as in a God. It is therefore, my dear
+friend, that though I feel, ay, and have always felt, that there may be
+an existing cause, endowed with will, productive of all the wonders of
+creation--and though this wondrous existence, if it be! deserves all
+worship--and though I (more sinned against than sinning) have offered
+none, yet still I feel that I may be forgiven. If I have kept far off
+from him my worship and my thoughts, at least I never have approached
+him with falsehood on my tongue or in my heart; and, to my judgment,
+this is the only crime relating to our intercourse with God at which we
+need to tremble. If such a Being be, can our blundering theories so
+touch his greatness that he should deign to frown upon us for them? No,
+no, no! WE CANNOT KNOW HIM; and those who guess the nearest, can guess
+but very darkly. But truth and falsehood are as much within the compass
+of man's nature as of God's, and therefore are they, as concerning Him,
+the only virtue and the only sin."
+
+Henrietta spoke these words with her eyes closed, slowly and
+deliberately, as if her mind, like a cloud that
+
+    ----"Turns forth its silver lining to the night,"
+
+sought in the midst of darkness to show the faint gleam within.
+
+But every word she uttered made Rosalind more deeply feel the necessity
+of letting her hear the truths of religion from some one who had made
+its laws the study of a holy life. She longed that she should hear with
+more authority than she could lend to it, the voice of God himself, as
+revealed to man in records enduring as the world;--but where was she to
+seek such a one? As poor Henrietta had said, the name of a minister
+could to her suggest no other image than that of her father;--and from
+him she ever seemed to turn with horror.
+
+Yet still Rosalind could not endure to abandon the hope that such a one
+might be found, and only waited till Henrietta would promise to see him
+before she took measures for the purpose. In answer to this request, the
+dying girl replied "But my permission is not all that is necessary,
+dearest Rosalind. What would my father say if you were fortunate enough
+to obtain for me a visit from such a one as you describe? He would not
+bear it. He would not admit his approach. I know he would not."
+
+"Let me ask him, Henrietta."
+
+"No!" cried the invalid with sudden energy, as if she had at that moment
+conceived and decided on her line of conduct. "I will ask him myself!
+This doubt, this darkness, this fearful mist that seems to hang about
+me, is terrible. Why should I not feel hopeful and assured as you do?
+Send to him, Rosalind--send to my father; and send too for his besotted
+wife, and for the poor, weak, wavering Fanny. Send for them all.--But
+don't you leave me, Rosalind. I have a strange, anxious fluttering at
+my heart. It will be better when I have spoken to him."
+
+Rosalind delayed not a moment to do her bidding. There was an inequality
+in her manner that frightened her. She feared her time was short; and so
+worded the summons she sent to Mr. Cartwright and his wife, that they
+came instantly. Fanny entered the room nearly at the same moment; and it
+was evident from their manner that they all thought they were come to
+receive her last farewell.
+
+The feeble Henrietta asked Rosalind so to arrange her pillows that she
+might sit upright. Rosalind did so, and then kneeled down beside the
+bed.
+
+Mr. Cartwright stood with his back leaning against the bed-post, and his
+eyes fixed on the ground; his wife entered leaning on his arm, and had
+not quitted it; but for some reason or other, Henrietta, who rarely took
+notice of her in any way, now asked her to place herself in a chair
+beside her bed.
+
+"You had better sit," said she. "You are not very strong in any way."
+
+Fanny stood apart, and alone; and having looked round upon each of them,
+the dying girl fixed her eyes upon her father, and thus addressed him,
+"I have heard you say--a thousand times perhaps--that religion was the
+business of your life; and for that reason, sir, its very name hath
+become abhorrent to me. Oh, father!--you have much to answer for! I
+would have given my own right hand to believe in a good, a merciful, a
+forgiving God!--and I turned my young eyes to you. You told me that few
+could be saved, and that it was not what I deemed innocence could save
+me. You told me too, that I was in danger, but that you were safe. You
+told me that Heaven had set its seal upon you. And then I watched
+you--oh, how earnestly!--I spied out all your ways!--I found fraud,
+pride, impurity, and falsehood, mix with your deeds through every day
+you lived! Yet still you said that Heaven had set its seal upon
+you,--that your immortal soul was safe,--that happiness eternal was your
+predestined doom. I listened to you as a child listens to a father; not
+a word was lost; no, nor an action either. And then it was, father, that
+I became an unbeliever! an hardened infidel! a daring atheist! If it
+were true that God had chosen you, then was it true my soul rejected
+him!--Yet Rosalind, dear Rosalind, do not hate me,--do not shudder at my
+words. It was because I found no truth in him, that I could not, would
+not believe his doctrine true. But you--good, kind, and innocent,--I
+believe you."
+
+The harsh and awful accents of her voice changed into a tone of the
+deepest tenderness as she continued to address Rosalind. "When did you
+ever lie? You tell me there is a God, and I may trust you. You do not
+prate of grace, and then labour to corrupt the innocence that looks into
+your face to ask the way to Heaven. You do not bid me wear a mask of
+feigned assurance of salvation; nor will you bind my hands, nor keep me
+from the light of day, when I refuse to kneel, and sigh, and play the
+hypocrite. You will not bid me lie, and tell me that so only I can find
+the way to Heaven. You will not----"
+
+With slow and stealthy pace Mr. Cartwright at this moment began to creep
+from his station and approach the door. But Henrietta, whose eyes were
+half closed--for the lashes seemed heavy with tears--instantly opened
+them, and cried aloud, "Stay! I have a right to bid you.--Father!--This
+good girl is kind and innocent; but she is young and very
+ignorant.--What can she know of Heaven? Is there--speak truly, these are
+the last words you will ever utter to me--is there within our reach some
+pious, holy, humble man of God,--such as I have read of,--but no saint,
+no saint? Father! is there such a one?--and may he come and pray with
+me?"
+
+Every eye in the room was fixed on Mr. Cartwright, as his daughter made
+the appeal. For some moments he did not answer; but upon Henrietta's
+repeating loudly, and almost wildly, "May he come?" he answered in a
+low, husky voice. "This is mere bravado! You have lived a scoffing
+infidel,--and a scoffing infidel will you die. If, indeed, you wished
+for prayer and pardon, you would turn to me for it.--My curate may pray
+with her,--but none else."
+
+And with these words he turned away without looking at her, and quitted
+the room.
+
+The silence of death seemed already to have settled on the chamber;
+which was broken, at length, by the deep sobbings of the unfortunate
+Mrs. Cartwright.
+
+"Poor soul!" said Henrietta, turning towards her. "She is not wholly
+bad, but more unfit to judge and act than a baby:--for they can do
+nothing, and she, alas! can do much dreadful mischief. With my dying
+breath, unhappy victim of a most finished hypocrite, I do conjure you
+not to wrong your children, to enrich him. Poor soul!--He loves her not;
+no not even so much as, silly as she is, she well deserves from him. He
+will have a child born to him here, and another at Gloucester, much at
+the same time. Do not ruin your poor helpless children for him!"
+
+Mrs. Cartwright sat with her eyes immoveably fixed on those of
+Henrietta, even after she had ceased to speak: she sighed deeply, but
+uttered no syllable in reply.
+
+"Take her away, Rosalind. I have no more to say to her. And poor Fanny
+too. Heaven bless you, Fanny!--you may go now, my dear. All go, but
+Rosalind."
+
+Her commands were instantly obeyed, and once more the two strangely
+matched friends were left alone together.
+
+"It is too late now, my Rosalind! My strength is failing fast. I can
+hardly see your sweet kind eyes, dear Rosalind!--but I can hear. Read to
+me, dearest;--quick, open the Bible that you left for me:--open it where
+the man says to Paul, 'Almost thou persuadest me to be a Christian.'"
+
+Rosalind opened the precious volume, and read to her, slowly and
+distinctly, that exquisite passage of heaven-taught eloquence, which
+produced in reply the words she had quoted.
+
+Henrietta's eyes were closed; but now and then a gentle pressure of the
+hand she held in hers persuaded Rosalind that she heard and understood
+each powerful word of that majestic pleading.
+
+When she had reached, and read the words Henrietta had quoted, she
+paused, and in a moment afterwards the now expiring girl uttered in
+broken accents, "Yes,--stop there. It has reached my soul--from your
+lips only, Rosalind!"
+
+Then suddenly her dying eyes opened, and fixed themselves on Rosalind;
+she clasped her hands, as if in prayer, and then with a strong effort
+pronounced these words, "Lord! I believe!--Help thou my unbelief!"
+
+Her head sank on her breast. The breath that uttered these words was her
+last.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XIII.
+
+A CHANGE COMES O'ER THE SPIRIT OF HER DREAM.
+
+
+Helen had been nearly six weeks at Oakley without receiving a single
+line or message from any individual at the Park. She had written to her
+mother, fully explaining the reasons which had led her so suddenly to
+absent herself; and also, in the most respectful and affectionate
+manner, announced to her the proposal of Colonel Harrington and the
+approbation of his parents,--adding her earnest entreaties that her
+mother would not withhold her consent to their marriage. To this letter
+she received no answer; a circumstance which would have occasioned her
+the most cruel uneasiness, had not the fate of Colonel Harrington's
+letter to herself enabled her to guess that of her own to her mother. To
+Fanny and to Rosalind she likewise wrote, and with the same ill success:
+but, fortunately for her tranquillity, their silence was reasonably
+interpreted in the same manner; and though this could but ill console
+her for the separation existing between them, it at least prevented her
+from feeling the pang of neglected affection.
+
+From her brother she received the only letter that had reached her since
+they parted; and though it was written in a strain of very melancholy
+despondency respecting himself, it spoke of her prospects with an energy
+of satisfaction and hope that it was delightful to have inspired.
+
+The report of Henrietta's death reached her through the servants; and
+though no cordial intimacy had ever existed between them, she felt as a
+gentle-hearted young creature must ever feel on hearing that a companion
+of her own age and sex was gone hence to be no more seen.
+
+More than ever did she wish for tidings of her family; and of Rosalind,
+perhaps, more than of any other: for she knew that if her feelings for
+the poor Henrietta had not amounted to affection, she had inspired a
+very powerful interest in her bosom, and that Rosalind was likely to
+feel her early death very painfully. It was therefore with the strongest
+emotions of joy that one morning, rather more than a week after the
+event, she saw Rosalind approaching the principal entrance of the house,
+alone and on foot.
+
+Helen flew down stairs, through the hall, and out upon the steps to meet
+her, opening her arms to receive her with all the eager warmth of
+welcome natural after such an absence. But before Rosalind returned the
+embrace, she exclaimed, "You have seen your mother, Helen!"
+
+"Alas! no!" replied Helen. "Would to Heaven I had, Rosalind! What is it
+makes you think I have had this great happiness?"
+
+"Because I have just met her,--just seen her with my own eyes driving
+down the avenue."
+
+"Impossible! Rosalind you must be mistaken. I have been sitting in my
+own room these two hours, copying a long act of parliament for Sir
+Gilbert; and if any carriage had been here, I must have seen it."
+
+"No, no, you would not: I observed that the carriage drove direct from
+the stable-yard, and out into the avenue below the second gate. When I
+saw the carriage, spite of my astonishment, my first feeling was terror
+lest I should be seen myself; and accordingly I retreated behind one of
+the enormous trees, which I am sure hid me effectually, but from whence
+I had not only a full view of the Cartwright equipage, but of Mrs.
+Cartwright in it, looking, I am sorry to say, even paler and more ill
+than usual."
+
+"Is my mother looking ill, Rosalind?" said Helen anxiously, and seeming
+for the moment to be unmindful of the strange circumstance of her having
+been at Oakley. "Is she unwell?"
+
+"I grieve to say that I think she is. A scene which took place in poor
+Henrietta's room only a few moments before she died, and at which Mrs.
+Cartwright was present, has, I think, shaken her severely. But what can
+have brought her here, Helen, unless it were her wish to see you?--And
+yet she has been, and is gone, without your hearing of it."
+
+"It is indeed most strange," replied Helen, ringing the bell of the
+drawing-room, into which they had entered. "Lady Harrington is, I know,
+in her closet,--perhaps my mother has seen her."
+
+"Has my mother been here, Thomas?" inquired Helen of the old servant who
+answered the bell.
+
+"Oh, dear, no, Miss Mowbray: that was noways likely."
+
+"Likely or not, Thomas, I assure you she has been here," said Miss
+Torrington; "for I myself met her coming away."
+
+"Then if that is the case, young ladies, there is certainly no use in my
+telling any more lies about it; for that's a job I don't like to be put
+upon, seeing as I am not over and above used to it. And so, as you know
+it already, I'm quite ready and willing to tell you the truth.--Mrs.
+Mowbray,--I ask your pardon, ladies, but I really can't call her by no
+other name,--Mrs. Mowbray has been shut up in the library for above two
+hours with my master."
+
+"How very strange!" exclaimed Rosalind thoughtfully. "Then I am sure she
+has chosen this day for the same reason that I did. Mr. Cartwright was
+sent for last night by the Earl of Harrowmore. Though he is not very
+communicative about his adventures in general, he could not resist
+mentioning this flattering circumstance at tea last night; adding, that
+he could not refuse the excellent and pious old nobleman, who probably
+was desirous of obtaining the benefit of his advice on some business of
+importance. And this morning he set off in his travelling-carriage and
+four post-horses with two out-riders, leaving word, as Judy told me,
+that he should not return till to-morrow. But, good heavens! what can
+Mrs. Cartwright have to say to Sir Gilbert? and how in the world did he
+come to admit her, Thomas?"
+
+"Since you know so much, you may as well know all, ladies. The carriage,
+sure enough, did not venture to drive up even to the back door without
+leave asked of Sir Gilbert;--at least I suppose it was to ask leave,
+that one of the new Park servants brought a note for him first. I took
+it in myself to him, and said, as I was bid, that the man was to wait
+for an answer. Never did I see mortal face screw itself up funnier than
+Sir Gilbert's when he was reading that note: he looked for all the world
+as if he wanted to whistle; howsomever, he did no such thing, but only
+scrawled a bit of an answer as grave as a judge; and then it was, Miss
+Mowbray, that he ordered me to say no word whatever of the Park
+servant's coming, or of the carriage coming after, as it was likely to
+do; and he sealed up his answer, and told me to give it to the man, and
+then to go into the garden to look for you and the colonel, Miss
+Mowbray, and bid you come in, as you know I did, miss: and after a bit
+you went up stairs, miss, and the colonel's horse was ordered; and when
+he was off and all clear, then, and not before, the carriage drove into
+the stable-yard; and your poor mamma, Miss Mowbray, looking as white as
+a sheet, went tottering and trembling in to Sir Gilbert, and there she
+stayed till about ten minutes ago, when the bell rang and out she came
+again, but looking, I thought, a deal less miserable."
+
+"Thank you, Thomas," said Helen. "This is, I believe, all we wish to
+know."
+
+The venerable-serving man took the hint and departed.
+
+"What can all this mean, Rosalind?" said her friend the moment the door
+closed behind him. "Has any thing happened at home that can account for
+it?"
+
+"I hardly know how to answer you, my Helen, without appearing to know
+more than I really do--for in honest truth I know nothing. Your mother,
+it would be wrong to conceal it from you, Helen, is certainly very much
+out of health, and for some weeks past has appeared, I think, out of
+spirits and unhappy."
+
+"Oh, Rosalind! Do you think it is I who have made her so? Do you think
+that my coming here has made her really unhappy?"
+
+"Indeed I do not: on the contrary, I am firmly persuaded she rejoices at
+it. You know, dearest, that since her marriage I have never been in
+great favour; and no wonder, considering the very particular aversion I
+have ever felt, and perhaps manifested, towards her bridegroom. But more
+than once, since you left us, she has spoken to me in a manner which
+reminded me of the days that are gone; and once she said, when that
+hateful cause of all harm, her Tartuffe husband, was not in the room,
+'You must greatly miss poor Helen, my dear Rosalind.' I involuntarily
+caught her hand and kissed it, earnestly fixing my eyes on hers, to
+discover, if possible, what she thought and felt about you. She guessed
+as much, I fancy, for she turned her head away from me; but she pressed
+my hand, and said, almost in a whisper, 'Dear Helen! I trust that the
+step she has taken will end in her happiness.' He entered just as she
+had uttered these words; and the manner in which she started, and
+withdrew her hand, when the handle of the door turned, told me plainly
+enough that her love for her holy spouse was not of that perfect kind
+which casteth out fear. There was, moreover, Helen, a tear in her eye
+when she named you."
+
+"Oh! my dear, dear mother!" cried Helen, her own eyes overflowing with
+freshly-awakened tenderness. "To hear this, Rosalind, is a joy far
+greater than I can express: and yet, if this returning love is obtained
+at the expense of her own happiness, I am a wretch to rejoice at it."
+
+"You would be a wretch to purchase it at that price perhaps," replied
+Rosalind,--"but not for rejoicing at it, now that, poor soul! she has
+already paid the penalty, as, in truth, I fear she has, of peace of mind
+for returning reason."
+
+"And what has occurred, Rosalind, to make you think her less happy than
+heretofore?"
+
+"It is not very easy to answer that question, Helen. Excepting the death
+of poor Henrietta, and the awful scene which preceded it, in which she
+accused her father, in the presence of Mrs. Cartwright, Fanny, and
+myself, of pretty nearly all the sins and iniquities of which a man can
+be guilty;--excepting this, I can hardly say that any particular
+circumstance has occurred which can account for the evident change in
+your mother's spirits, which was quite as evident before the death of
+Henrietta as since."
+
+"You have observed no unkindness towards her on his part, Rosalind?"
+said Helen anxiously.
+
+"N ... o; certainly I have witnessed nothing that could be called
+unkindness. You know, Helen, he can smile and smile--but he seems, I
+think, to watch her. More than once, when I have been going to her, I
+have met him coming away; and when he has seen me, he has turned back,
+and re-entered her room with me. I know I have been savagely cross to
+her ever since her hateful marriage: but since I have seen her looking
+ill and miserable, my hard heart has softened towards her, and I have
+sought, instead of avoiding her; and I am quite sure, that from the
+moment he perceived this change, he has been on the _qui vive_ to
+prevent our being alone together."
+
+"My poor dear mother! I fear, I fear that she may live to deplore this
+marriage as much as we have ever done. You know, Rosalind, that we never
+believed Mr. Cartwright to be the holy man he proclaimed himself; but
+since I have been here, I have heard dreadful stories of him. Lady
+Harrington's maid is a prodigious gossip; and though I really give her
+no encouragement, she never dresses me without telling me some new
+report respecting him. He has, however, a very strong party at
+Wrexhill, who appear firmly to believe that he is a perfect saint. But
+here, you know, they are literally and figuratively of another parish,
+and seem to make it a matter of duty to their own pastor to believe all
+the tales they can pick up about him. There is one very shocking story
+indeed, that is, I think, quite incredible. They say that Mrs. Simpson
+has been seduced by him, and only went away to be confined."
+
+"Incredible. No!--this story is a commentary on one part of Henrietta's
+dying accusation. She said he would have a child born to him at
+Gloucester nearly at the same time as that expected here."
+
+"And it is to Gloucester she is gone!" exclaimed Helen. "Gracious
+heaven, what a wretch!"
+
+"That this at least is true, I have not the slightest doubt," rejoined
+Rosalind: "and what is more, I am certain your mother has heard it. You
+know that this precious vicar invited Mrs. Simpson's child to pass the
+period of her absence at the Park; and you must remember how very fond
+of the poor little thing your mother seemed to be, actually listening to
+her parrot performances in the fanatical line as if she had been
+inspired. It was before you went, I think, that I laughed at her so
+immoderately for saying that she prayed for currant pudding every night,
+and that Mrs. Cartwright was so very angry with me about it. Well!
+observe the change, and account for it as you will. For the last two or
+three weeks she has hardly spoken to the child, or taken the least
+notice of her: and if I am not greatly mistaken, it is for about the
+same period that her health and her spirits have appeared to droop.
+Depend upon it, Helen, some one has carried this report to her."
+
+"It certainly seems probable. Poor, poor mamma! How terrible her
+feelings must be, Rosalind, if from thinking this man something half-way
+between heaven and earth, she has really found out that he is an
+hypocrite and a villain!"
+
+"Terrible indeed! I would that she had not so well deserved it, Helen.
+But now comes the question: _what has brought her here_?"
+
+"I think I understand that perfectly," replied Helen. "No sooner are her
+eyes opened to the real character of this man, than her tenderness for
+us returns. I have little doubt that she came here to speak of me.
+Perhaps, Rosalind, she has heard, and you too, of my engagement with
+Colonel Harrington?"
+
+"Perhaps we have, Helen," replied Rosalind, laughing: "and I think it
+likely that you have partly read the riddle right, and that she may have
+taken advantage of her watchful husband's absence to express to Sir
+Gilbert her approbation,--which, you know, is necessary before you can
+be married, Helen."
+
+"I know it is," replied Helen, colouring: "and if indeed she has given
+this consent, she has removed the only obstacle to our immediate
+marriage."
+
+"Then heartily I wish you joy, sweet friend!" said Rosalind, kissing
+her. "Novice as I am, I found out long ago--did I not, Helen?--that you
+and Colonel Harrington, or Colonel Harrington and you--I really do not
+know how to express myself to spare your beautiful blushes, my dear
+friend,--but I am very, very glad of this--in every way it is so
+desirable. Poor dear little Fanny, whose hair is gently creeping down
+into ringlets again, will find a fitter home with you, Helen, than
+Cartwright Park can be for her."
+
+"How fast your fancy runs, Rosalind! How do we know that my mother's
+visit," (and Helen's bright blushes all forsook her as she spoke,)--"how
+do we know that it was not to forbid this marriage that she came, and
+not to permit it?"
+
+"Two months ago, had the same thing occurred, I should have thought so:
+now I cannot think it. However, Helen, this suspense cannot last long.
+Although Sir Gilbert forbad his servants to mention your mother's visit,
+for fear perhaps that it should reach the ears of her husband, you may
+depend upon it that he will inform you of it himself. But I must go,
+dearest!--I by no means wish this instance of positive rebellion to the
+commands of my guardian should be known. You must remember the command I
+long ago received not to carry on any correspondence with the family at
+Oakley; and this command has never been rescinded. So adieu, my dearest
+Helen!--I am quite persuaded now that nothing which you could write
+would reach me at the Park; but unless I am positively locked up, we may
+surely contrive to meet without my again performing this desperate feat
+of disobedience. Could you not wander in the fields sometimes?"
+
+"I have done so constantly, dear Rosalind; but ever and always in vain."
+
+"That has not been because you were forgotten; but I have seldom left
+poor Henrietta, and never long enough to have reached the fields. But
+now I certainly can manage this. I should like to bring poor Fanny with
+me: but this I will not do, for fear of drawing down the anger of Mr.
+Cartwright upon her--which she would not bear, I think, so well as
+I.--But ought I not, before I go, to ask for Lady Harrington?"
+
+"Oh yes!--I am sure she would be so very glad to see you!"
+
+A message was accordingly sent to my lady's closet, and the two girls
+requested to go to her there. Helen was not without hope that she would
+mention to her Mrs. Cartwright's visit; but she was disappointed: nor
+was there the slightest reason to believe from her manner that she was
+acquainted with it. She appeared exceedingly pleased at seeing Miss
+Torrington, and told her that whenever she could venture to repeat the
+visit without endangering the tranquillity of her present irksome home,
+they should all be delighted to see her.
+
+It was now, however, high time for her to depart; but while returning
+through the breakfast-room in her way to the hall-door, she met Sir
+Gilbert. The remembrance of her last interview with him, and its
+abortive result, brought sudden blushes to her cheeks. She remembered,
+too, that she had never offered any explanation to Sir Gilbert for so
+suddenly changing her mind; and altogether she felt so painfully
+embarrassed, that she hardly ventured to raise her eyes to his face. The
+voice in which he greeted her, however, soon chased every feeling of
+embarrassment, or any thing else that was not agreeable, for it spoke
+nothing but welcome and hilarity.
+
+"What!--The bright-eyed Rosalind? Come to look after the runaway?--But I
+hope you have not scolded her, Miss Torrington, for leaving you all in
+the lurch? Upon my honour, young lady, she was very right. Take my word
+for it, she never did a wiser thing in her life. But has she told you
+the scrape she has got into, Miss Torrington? Poor child!--no sooner ran
+away from a snake of a stepfather, than she has got noosed by a tiger
+of a father-in-law.--Ask my lady else. Has she told you all about it, my
+dear?"
+
+"Perhaps not quite all, Sir Gilbert;--but quite enough to make me very
+happy, and wish her joy, and you too, most heartily."
+
+"Thankye my dear;--I am very much obliged to you. I feel very much
+inclined to wish myself joy, I assure you, and my pretty daughter too.
+Kiss me, Helen! Bless you, my dear child, and Charles too! That's a fine
+fellow, Miss Torrington! And bless your pretty Fanny!--especially as her
+soul, you say, has found its way out of Limbo. It is a remarkably fine,
+pleasant day, Miss Torrington: such a day as this always puts one in
+spirits."
+
+Rosalind turned to give a farewell embrace to her friend, whispering in
+her ear as she did so, "At least there has been no refusal of consent,
+Helen!--Adieu!"
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XIV.
+
+IN WHICH SUNDRY VISITS ARE MADE.
+
+
+Whatever kind or remorseful feelings had led Mrs. Cartwright to make
+this unexpected visit to Oakley, she seemed to consider this one visit
+enough--for it was never repeated: and however tenderly she might watch
+over the fate of Helen, it was evident that she could only venture to do
+so secretly; for Sir Gilbert never mentioned her visit to any one. But,
+knowing she had been there, Helen's heart was satisfied when Sir
+Gilbert, joining her hand and his son's together, said, "Make haste,
+children;--get your courting done without loss of time; or you may find
+yourselves married before it is finished, and so continue lovers after
+the knot is tied,--a thing never heard of in civilised society."
+
+"--But very likely, nevertheless, to happen to my Helen's husband, let
+her marry when she will," said Colonel Harrington.
+
+To her affianced husband Helen could have no secrets, and accordingly he
+had been made acquainted with all that she knew respecting her mother's
+most unexpected appearance at Oakley. He drew the same inference from
+his father's joyous manner after it that Rosalind had done; and when Sir
+Gilbert alluded to their marriage as an event which was speedily to take
+place, no doubt remained either on his mind, or on that of the happy
+Helen, that Mrs. Cartwright, having learned, from some source which her
+husband could not impede, the proposal that had been made her, she had
+proved her maternal feelings not extinct, though they had seemed
+obscured, and ventured to make this secret visit for the purpose of
+formally giving her consent, and thereby removing the only obstacle to
+their marriage.
+
+Instructions were accordingly immediately given by Sir Gilbert in
+person, for he declared that he must see the lawyer himself; and every
+thing relating to settlements was speedily put in train. The day after
+the baronet's return to Oakley, he sent to Miss Mowbray, requesting that
+she would meet him in the library; and having greeted her on her
+entrance with even more than usual affection, he said, "Do you think, my
+dear Helen, that you should have courage to make your mother a visit
+even in the lion's den? Do you think you could have courage to spend
+half an hour at the Park? I don't think it likely that Master Corbold
+has forgotten his horsewhipping as yet;--so I own I think you may
+venture."
+
+"I will go anywhere, or do any thing that you think I ought to do, Sir
+Gilbert; and to see my dear mother and poor Fanny once more would indeed
+be a pleasure to me. We have met Rosalind twice since you went to
+London, and she gives a very indifferent account of mamma's health."
+
+"Poor thing! you shall go immediately, my dear child; if you have no
+objection. I have ordered the carriage. William and I will go in it with
+you as far as the Lodge, and there we will wait your return. If you
+delay it above an hour, we shall drive up to the house to inquire what
+is become of you; but you may return to us as much sooner as you like."
+
+The carriage drove to the door as he spoke; but Helen kept it not
+waiting long, and on returning from her room to the hall found Colonel
+Harrington waiting to hand her into it. The two gentlemen stepped in
+after her, and in a moment she found herself on her road to
+_Cartwright_ Park, accompanied by Sir Gilbert and Colonel Harrington.
+
+The strangeness of this came upon her so forcibly, that she exclaimed,
+almost unconsciously, "Is it possible!"
+
+"I don't wonder at your saying that, my dear," said Sir Gilbert: "It is
+very natural. But you see, Helen, that as your mother has testified no
+dislike to your approaching marriage, or taken any steps to oppose it, I
+feel that she may expect, perhaps,--in short, I think it is very right
+that you should call upon her; and to prove that, angry as I have been,
+I do not bear malice, you may give her this little note from me, Helen.
+But for your life, child, do not let that wretch her husband see her
+receive it. I believe, in my soul, he would be the death of her if he
+thought she could touch a bit of paper from me.--But the truth is,
+Helen, I think she has suffered enough,--and, in short my dear, I
+forgive her with all my heart: and I should like her to have this bit of
+a note from me, and to get a friendly word of answer in return, if I
+could. But for Heaven's sake be careful, child!"
+
+"Fear not, Sir Gilbert, that I should run any risk of bringing more
+misery upon her than, I fear, she has already. I will be very
+careful,--and most thankful am I to be the bearer of a word of kindness
+to her from you!"
+
+"Well, well, Helen, that's all right,--by-gones are by-gones. Here we
+are at the Lodge. Look at your watch, my dear; and remember, if you do
+not return in an hour, we shall come and fetch you. I fear nothing, for
+the fellow knows you are under the protection of the Oakley horsewhips;
+only it is as well to leave nothing to chance. If you cannot in any way
+escape the eyes of the villain, bring my note back again.--There, now,
+dear, get out. Good b'ye!"
+
+The colonel was already at the door to assist her, and whispered
+earnestly as he quitted her hand, "You will not stay the full hour,
+Helen, if--you love me."
+
+With a step as light as Camilla's, Helen traversed the Park, and, with a
+heart throbbing with many feelings, wound her way through sundry
+well-known twistings and turnings that brought her to the same door by
+which she had quitted the house on the memorable day of the Fancy Fair.
+From what Rosalind had told her, she thought that if she could find her
+way unannounced to her mother's dressing-room, it was probable she
+should find her alone, and thereby be enabled to perform her errand
+without danger. In the stable-yard she saw one of the vicar's
+regenerated stable-boys; but he did not appear to take much notice of
+her, and she succeeded in reaching her mother's dressing-room without
+interruption.
+
+She had calculated rightly. Mrs. Cartwright was sitting, or rather
+lying, alone in her dressing-room; for she was stretched upon a sofa,
+totally unemployed, and appearing so ill that Helen almost uttered a cry
+as she looked at her.
+
+At the sight of her daughter, Mrs. Cartwright started violently, and
+rising from her recumbent posture, threw her arms round her with even
+passionate fondness. But dear, inexpressibly dear as was this moment to
+Helen's heart, she did not forget her commission; and while her lips
+still rested on her mother's cheek, she drew Sir Gilbert's note from her
+pocket and placed it in her hand.
+
+"Read it quick, dearest mother! I know not what it contains; but Sir
+Gilbert charged me to let no one see you read it."
+
+Mrs. Cartwright seemed not to require any stimulant to caution, for
+reading it rapidly, she tore it into atoms, and then, removing some of
+the fuel from the grate, which though not lighted was prepared for fire,
+she carefully placed the fragments on the rest, and covered them up so
+that no speck remained visible. While thus employed, she said to Helen
+almost in a whisper, "Thank Sir Gilbert; tell him I am better,--at least
+well enough to take an airing."
+
+Helen had reason to rejoice that she had lost no time in executing her
+commission; for scarcely had her mother in all haste resumed her place
+upon the sofa, when Mr. Cartwright entered.
+
+By some means or other her arrival had certainly been announced to him,
+for his countenance and manner expressed agitation, but not surprise. He
+looked keenly first at his wife, and then at her; but they were prepared
+for it; and excepting that Mrs. Cartwright's pale cheek was slightly
+flushed, and Helen's brow contracted by an involuntary frown, they
+neither of them betrayed any symptom of agitation.
+
+The Vicar of Wrexhill uttered no word of salutation or of welcome to his
+unexpected guest; nor did Helen address him. He placed himself, without
+any pretext of occupation whatever, in a chair commanding a full view
+of his wife and her daughter, and folding his arms, fixed his eyes first
+on one and then on the other with the most undisguised determination of
+watching them both.
+
+The first words spoken were by Helen.
+
+"May I be permitted to see my sister Fanny?" said she.
+
+She addressed herself to her mother, but received her answer from Mr.
+Cartwright.
+
+"Most assuredly no!--You have stolen into my house by a back entrance,
+and by the same you may leave it; you are used to the mode, it will not
+puzzle you; and, if I may venture to give my opinion on the subject, the
+sooner you again make use of this appropriate mode of retreat the
+better."
+
+"I believe you are right, sir," replied Helen coldly; adding very
+judiciously, "The reception I have met with has not been such as to give
+me any inclination to repeat the visit. Good morning, ma'am,--Good
+morning, Mr. Cartwright."
+
+Mrs. Cartwright, inexpressibly relieved by this happy stroke of policy,
+stiffly bowed her head; and Helen retreated, very literally obeying the
+mandate of the imperious master of the mansion, and returning by the way
+she came, soon rejoiced her friends by her unhoped-for reappearance
+before half the allotted time had expired. Helen most accurately
+reported every word and look; which seemed not only to satisfy, but
+perfectly to enchant Sir Gilbert. He laughed, rubbed his hands, made her
+repeat every word again, and literally chuckled with delight as she
+dwelt upon the fortunate rapidity with which she had seized the only
+available moment to do his bidding.
+
+On the following morning, Sir Gilbert, when asked by his lady what he
+was going to do with himself, replied that he thought he should ride
+over to Wrexhill. He did so, and returned only in time to dress himself
+for dinner. The following day, and again the day after, the same
+question, answer, and result occurred; it being quietly remarked
+moreover by the rest of the party, that the particularly sweet temper
+which the worthy baronet had brought from London appeared day by day to
+be wearing away, and something of what his lady called his "tiger mood"
+taking its place.
+
+On the fourth morning, her ladyship's daily inquiry having received in
+very sullen accents the same reply. Colonel Harrington remarked upon it
+as soon as he was gone; adding, that he had a great inclination to go
+over to Wrexhill, in order to discover, if possible, how his honoured
+but mysterious father employed himself there.
+
+"I really shall be very much obliged to you, William, if you will find
+this out," said Lady Harrington. "It is the first time since we two
+became one that I have ever suspected him of having a secret; and the
+consequence is, that I am like to die of curiosity."
+
+"Thus encouraged, I shall be gone instantly. Take care of Helen, mother,
+till I come back." And with these words he departed, leaving the two
+ladies leisure and inclination to discuss at length the many singular
+caprices of which Sir Gilbert had been lately guilty.
+
+At about four o'clock Colonel Harrington returned; but his report tended
+rather to thicken than to elucidate the mystery. He had, without being
+remarked himself, seen his father walking up and down the town
+apparently in a state of the most perfect idleness; and then the
+Cartwright carriage drove by the shop in which he had fixed his
+look-out. Mr. and Mrs. Cartwright were both in it. It stopped at the
+next door, which was that of the haberdasher, and they entered the shop
+together. In about ten minutes Mr. Cartwright came out; and he heard him
+say to his lady, (as he supposed,) "Get your business done as quickly as
+you can: I shall be back in ten minutes." He then re-entered the
+carriage and drove off. The instant he was gone, Sir Gilbert came out of
+the post-office into which he had darted as the carriage passed, and
+entered the shop in which Mrs. Cartwright was left. The interview, if he
+had sought one with her, certainly did not last above five minutes; when
+he reappeared, followed by the master of the shop making innumerable
+bows. Sir Gilbert cut his obsequious civilities short by heartily
+shaking hands with him, and then departed.
+
+"Where he went next," continued the colonel, "I know not; but not
+choosing to meet him, and feeling somehow or other perfectly persuaded
+that he had seen Mrs. Cartwright, and that this interview, short as it
+was, had been what he waited for, I got my horse and galloped home as
+fast as I could."
+
+Scarcely had he finished his narrative, when Sir Gilbert arrived. He
+said not a word, however, to throw any light upon his own adventures;
+yet was he neither silent nor sad.
+
+       *       *       *       *       *
+
+Several weeks elapsed after this without bringing to Helen any tidings
+of her mother. Her appearance and manner during their short interview
+had indicated so much languor and ill-health, that her anxiety
+respecting her became very acute, and daily did she haunt every spot
+where it was probable she should meet with Rosalind, but in vain--no
+Rosalind came, and nothing was left but to inquire through servants and
+tradespeople the news of the Park. Nothing however, obtained in this way
+afforded her satisfaction: for not only did every report so obtained
+tend to confirm the idea that Mrs. Cartwright was an invalid, but
+notwithstanding they were on many points uncertain and contradictory,
+they all agreed in representing the conduct of Mr. Cartwright as being
+strangely altered, and giving ground of fear to those who loved or
+pitied his unfortunate wife, that he would every day become a harsher
+and more jealous tyrant to her, for that of late he appeared fearful of
+leaving her for an hour alone.
+
+Happy therefore as Helen's individual prospects appeared to be, a heavy
+weight and sad foreboding hung upon her spirits. Her brother's letters
+too, though eloquent in affection, and in every expression of joy at her
+approaching marriage, spoke of himself in a tone of such hopeless
+despondency as dashed her happier destiny with bitterness. It was no
+slight augmentation of these sorrows that she felt herself in a great
+measure obliged to conceal them. To Colonel Harrington, indeed she
+ventured to confess that her anxious solicitude for those she loved
+tarnished her happiness: but this confidence brought with it more sorrow
+than comfort, for she perceived but too plainly that she had blighted
+his happiness while confessing the imperfection of her own.
+
+Lady Harrington, though all kindness and even tenderness to her, seemed
+almost cautiously to avoid every subject that led her to talk of her
+family: and as for Sir Gilbert, he appeared to be enjoying a state of
+spirits so enviable in their uniform cheerfulness, that to mention fear
+or sorrow to him would have been wanton cruelty.
+
+At length, from the butcher, or the baker, or some other of those
+indispensable functionaries who know all things concerning those who
+live, move, and have their being, by means of their ministering
+ambulations, and who fail not to make all they know to circulate as
+freely as they do themselves,--at length, from some such the news
+arrived at Oakley that Mrs. Cartwright had presented her husband with a
+son; and moreover, that the mother and child were as well as could be
+expected.
+
+To Helen this intelligence brought the most unfeigned joy. She believed
+that all her fears for her mother's health had been unfounded; and that,
+though it seemed certain that she must live banished from her recovered
+love, she might at least enjoy the comfort of believing that she was
+well and happy.
+
+On Sir Gilbert the intelligence produced a very different effect. As
+Helen regained her spirits, he lost his; and though he was still gentle
+and kind to her, he was upon the whole as cross, crusty, and
+disagreeable as it is easy to imagine.
+
+One morning, while Colonel Harrington and Helen were, sauntering in the
+avenue, he enjoying her improved cheerfulness, and she secretly blaming
+herself for having ever suffered him to pine for the want of it, they
+perceived a servant in the Cartwright livery galloping towards the
+house. The same idea, the same terror, though felt in a most unequal
+degree, struck them both. Helen turned deadly pale; and so persuaded did
+she feel that her mother was dead, that when they stopped the man and
+received from him a verbal notice that her mother was very ill and
+wished to see her, the words, though alarming enough in themselves,
+seemed to be a relief. They returned with all haste to the house to
+order the carriage for her; and while she was preparing for this sad and
+most unexpected expedition, the colonel questioned the servant, and
+learned from him that Mrs. Cartwright's infant having died in
+convulsions in her arms, she had fallen into a state considered by her
+attendants as extremely dangerous; that during the whole of the last
+night she had remained nearly insensible, but having recovered her
+intellects and speech, her entreaties to see Helen were so urgent that
+Mr. Cartwright (who, as the man said, never left her bedside for an
+instant,) consented that she should be sent for. Miss Fanny and Miss
+Torrington were also with her, he added, and young Mr. Mowbray had been
+written to; but he believed, from what the people about her said, that
+there was little chance of her surviving till he arrived.
+
+Having learned these particulars, the colonel sought his father, not
+only to communicate them, but to ask his opinion as to the propriety of
+his accompanying Helen on this sad visit.
+
+"I cannot bear," he added, "that she should go alone."
+
+"Of course, young sir, you cannot," replied Sir Gilbert, with a sudden,
+and, as his son thought, not very feeling return of cheerfulness, "I
+should as soon think of letting her walk thither on all-fours: but your
+lovership must excuse me if I declare that it is my intention to
+accompany the young lady myself. I am sorry for you, William;--but so it
+must be. There's the carriage;--go to my lady's closet, and let her hear
+the news."
+
+So saying, the baronet, without waiting to receive any answer, hastened
+to the door, and reached it just as Helen was stepping into the
+carriage. Without consulting her on the subject, he stepped in after
+her, and they drove away.
+
+It would be doing an injustice to the essentially kind feelings of Sir
+Gilbert not to avow that his manner expressed very tender sympathy with
+Helen's natural and heavy sorrow: but the minds of both were full, and
+few words passed between them during their drive.
+
+The lodge-gates were standing wide open, and they dashed through them
+without seeing any one of whom the trembling Helen could make inquiry;
+but once arrived at the house, all suspense was soon over: Mrs.
+Cartwright had breathed her last about ten minutes before they got
+there.
+
+Poor Helen's first burst of grief was terrible. The remembrance of her
+poor mother's last embrace, though it became the most soothing comfort
+to her during her after life, seemed at that moment only to soften her
+heart to greater suffering. Passive, and almost unconscious, she
+suffered Sir Gilbert to lift her out of the carriage and lay her on a
+sofa in the drawing-room: and there, her tears flowing fast, and her
+very soul, as it seemed, melting within her, she might probably have
+long given way to her absorbing grief, had not surprise acted on her
+faculties more powerfully than salts or hartshorn, and forced her to
+open her eyes and her ears to witness the scene that passed before her.
+
+Having seen her placed on a sofa with a female servant standing by her,
+Sir Gilbert turned his attention from Helen, and politely requested
+permission to wait on Mr. Cartwright.
+
+Many, many things of an ordinary nature might have passed around her
+without rousing Helen from her deep and most true sorrow; but this
+request, and still more the tone in which it was spoken, awakened all
+her attention to what followed.
+
+The servant to whom Sir Gilbert addressed himself executed his
+commission promptly and effectually; for almost immediately after
+closing the drawing-room door, he threw it open again, and his master
+entered.
+
+Mr. Cartwright walked into the room with a proud and lofty aspect, and a
+something both of sternness and of triumph on his brow, which Helen
+thought Sir Gilbert would not easily endure; but, to her extreme
+surprise, the baronet accosted him with a degree of almost servile
+civility, bowing low, and uttering a few words of respectful condolence
+with as much deference and ceremony as if addressing a sovereign prince
+on the loss of his consort.
+
+Mr. Cartwright replied with equal decorum; but the glance of pride and
+triumph, not quite unmixed with something that gleamed like malice too,
+shot from his eye, and Helen shuddered as she looked at him.
+
+"I presume that you are aware, Mr. Cartwright," said Sir Gilbert with
+imperturbable suavity, "that your late lady's eldest daughter, Miss
+Mowbray, is about to contract a marriage with my son. Her remaining
+therefore a member of my family will certainly be very agreeable to us
+all; but at this painful moment, it would doubtless be a consolation to
+the sisters, as well as to their friend, Miss Torrington, could they be
+together. Will you therefore permit me, sir, to convey the three young
+ladies to my house together, there to await the opening of the late Mrs.
+Cartwright's will?"
+
+"For this young lady, sir," replied the Vicar of Wrexhill, pointing to
+Helen, "as she has chosen to exchange the protection of her own mother
+for that of your son, I have nothing to say,--excepting, perhaps, that
+the sooner she leaves my house, the better satisfied I shall feel
+myself. But for Miss Torrington and Miss Fanny Mowbray, I must think
+further of it before I resign them to any one."
+
+"Well, sir," replied Sir Gilbert with, if possible, still-increasing
+urbanity, "we must in this and all things submit ourselves wholly to
+your will and pleasure. But may I, in testimony of my respect to the
+memory of a lady towards whom perhaps I have behaved with some
+harshness,--may I hope, Mr. Cartwright, that you will permit me to
+attend her funeral?"
+
+"Of this too I must think further," replied Mr. Cartwright with much
+haughtiness.
+
+"And her son?" rejoined the humbled baronet;--"I trust he will be
+present at the last sad ceremony?"
+
+"It is probable I may permit him to be so," replied the vicar, drawing
+himself up into an attitude that might really have been called majestic.
+"But permit me to observe, Sir Gilbert Harrington,--such is, I think,
+your name,--that I require not in the arrangement of my affairs counsel
+or advice from any man,--and least of all--from you."
+
+So saying, he turned on his heel and stalked out of the room.
+
+"Come, my poor Helen!" said the repulsed baronet with great gentleness,
+and not in the least, as it seemed, resenting the insolence with which
+he had been treated,--"Come--I would have wished to have taken your poor
+little sister and and your friend Rosalind home with us. But Heaven's
+will--and the vicar's--must be done."
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XV.
+
+MRS. CARTWRIGHT'S LAST WILL AND TESTAMENT.
+
+
+It was probably the love of seeing an enemy mortified,--which, it may be
+feared, is too common to all men,--which induced the Vicar of Wrexhill,
+notwithstanding the deep aversion he felt for Sir Gilbert Harrington, to
+suffer him not only to be invited to attend Mrs. Cartwright's funeral,
+but also to be present at the opening of her will.
+
+To both invitations the baronet returned a gracious acceptance, and
+accordingly once more found himself at the Park on the day that its
+gates were again to open to the funeral array of its owner.
+
+Charles Mowbray, as Sir Gilbert's carriage drew up, stood ready on the
+steps of the mansion to receive him; and tears moistened the eyes of
+both as they silently shook hands and entered the drawing-room, where
+the funeral guests were assembled.
+
+The room was full. Not only all such saintly scions of the new birth as
+their esprit de corps always brought together were present there, but as
+many of the neighbouring gentry as he could collect were now assembled
+to witness the proud fanatic's crowning triumph. One circumstance only
+tended to damp the happiness of this full success, this great conclusion
+to all his hopes and wishes,--his son was not present at it: and indeed
+so great had been the licence granted him, that he was at this time
+wandering, his proud father knew not where.
+
+Nothing however, notwithstanding his deep-felt happiness, could be
+better got up than Mr. Cartwright's sorrow as he watched his wife laid
+in the tomb: never was white cambric used with better grace. Poor
+Charles the while sheltered himself behind the stalwart figure of Sir
+Gilbert, and wept unseen.
+
+Nearly the whole of the company who attended the funeral were invited to
+be present at the ceremony of opening of the will, which it was the
+pleasure of the bereaved widower should follow immediately after it.
+
+Again the large drawing-room was surrounded by a circle of sable guests;
+not one of whom but felt more than usual curiosity at the opening a will
+upon which hung so large a property, and concerning which there were
+such conflicting interests.
+
+Sir Gilbert considerately led his friend Charles into a corner where he
+was not conspicuous, and placed himself beside him; both of them being
+in good part concealed by the tall and portly person of a gentleman whom
+young Mowbray had never seen before, and whom indeed several persons,
+not too much interested in the scene to note what passed, had observed
+to enter with the funeral train after its return from the church,
+although he had not been present at the interment.
+
+It is probable, however, that the master of the house himself was not
+aware of this; for he took no notice of him, and was in fact too fully
+occupied by the business afoot to know more or to think more of those
+around him than that they were there to witness the proudest and
+happiest moment of his life.
+
+All the company being seated, and mute attentive silence hovering over
+all, Mr. Corbold, after bowing to two or three distinguished personages,
+whose seats were placed near the table at which he had stationed himself
+as if to assure their attentive witnessing of the act he was about to
+perform, broke open the seals of the parchment he held in his hand, and
+having spread it fairly open upon the table, read its contents aloud
+with a clear voice.
+
+Never man had a more attentive auditory; no sound or movement
+interrupted the lecture; and when it was concluded, a murmur only, of
+rather shame-faced congratulation from the particular friends of Mr.
+Cartwright, broke the continued silence.
+
+Something, meanwhile, very like a groan burst from the breast of the
+unhappy Mowbray; but Sir Gilbert Harrington hemmed so stoutly at the
+same moment, that no one heard it.
+
+The company had already risen from their seats, and some were crowding
+round the meek and tranquil-looking vicar,--nay, one active carrier of
+evil tidings had slipped out of the room to inform Miss Torrington and
+Fanny of the nature of the departed lady's testament,--when the tall
+gentleman who sat before the disinherited son arose, and with great
+politeness requested the attention of the company for one moment before
+they separated, for the purpose of hearing a document which he should be
+happy to have the pleasure of reading to them, and which, if not of so
+extraordinary a nature as the one they had just listened to, and
+therefore less likely to excite general attention, was at least of later
+date.
+
+Every one appeared to listen to this address with interest, and nearly
+the whole company immediately reseated themselves. Some keen-eyed
+persons fancied they perceived the Vicar of Wrexhill change colour; but
+they were probably mistaken; for when Mr. Corbold whispered to him, "In
+the name of Heaven, what does this mean, cousin!--You never left her,
+did you?" he replied, also in a whisper, but in a steady voice, "Never
+for time enough to draw a codicil,--it is impossible!" And having so
+spoken, he too reseated himself in the attitude of a listener.
+
+The tall gentleman then drew forth from his pocket another parchment,
+purporting to be the last will of the same lady, containing even more
+skins that the first; and running over with technical volubility a
+preamble, only important as describing the testator's state of mind, he
+proceeded to the more essential portion of the document, and then read
+slowly and loudly, so that all men might hear, the bequest of all she
+died possessed of to her beloved son Charles Mowbray; the only
+deductions being legacies of fifty thousand pounds to each of her
+younger children, and her jewels to her daughter Helen, provided that
+within one year from the date of the will she should marry, or have
+married, Colonel William Harrington, of his Majesty's ---- Dragoons.
+
+The name of Cartwright appeared not in any shape; probably because the
+provision for her younger children would have included the infant yet
+unborn when this will was made, had it survived her.
+
+This document was as fully and satisfactorily signed, sealed, witnessed,
+and delivered, as the former one; the only difference being that it was
+dated some months later.
+
+The pen that has traced these events is too feeble to portray the state
+into which this change of scenery and decorations threw the Vicar of
+Wrexhill. It would have been a great mercy for him if he had altogether
+lost his senses; but no symptom of this sort appeared, beyond a short
+paroxysm, during which he called upon Heaven to witness his promise of
+going to law with Mr. Mowbray for the purpose of setting aside his
+mother's will.
+
+After the first buzz produced by this second lecture had subsided, Sir
+Gilbert Harrington arose and addressed the company with equal good taste
+and good feeling. A few minutes' conversation with his young friend Mr.
+Mowbray, he said, authorized him to assure the Vicar of Wrexhill that
+whatever private property he could lay claim to (a wag here whispered,
+"Sermons, surplices, and the like") should be packed up and sent to the
+Vicarage, or any other place he would name, with the utmost attention
+and care. He added very succinctly, and without a single syllable
+unnecessarily irritating, that circumstances connected with the
+situation of the ladies of the family rendered it necessary that the
+reverend gentleman should not continue in the house; a necessity which,
+it might be hoped, would be the less inconvenient from the circumstance
+of his former residence being so near.
+
+While his old friend was uttering this extremely judicious harangue,
+Charles escaped by a side door from the room, and bounding up the stairs
+to Rosalind's dressing-room, where (though as yet he had hardly spoken
+to her) he pretty well knew she was sitting with his sister Fanny, he
+burst open the door, rushed in, and fell on his knees before her,
+clasping her most daringly in his arms, and almost devouring her hands
+with kisses.
+
+Fanny stood perfectly aghast at this scene. During the few days that
+Charles had been at home she had truly grieved to see the decided
+coldness and estrangement that was between Rosalind and him; and what
+could have produced this sudden change she was totally unable to guess.
+
+Not one of the family party had entertained the slightest doubt that the
+will, which Mr. Cartwright had more than once alluded to, was such as to
+render his late wife's children wholly dependent upon him; and this
+painful expectation had been already fully confirmed: but even if it had
+proved otherwise, Fanny knew no reason why this should so change the
+conduct of Charles towards Miss Torrington.
+
+Not so, however, the young lady herself. The vehement caresses of
+Mowbray explained the whole matter to her as fully and as clearly as the
+will itself could have done; and if she did bend forward her head till
+her dark tresses almost covered his--and if under that thick veil she
+impressed a wild and rapid kiss of joy upon his forehead, most people
+would forgive her if they knew how well she had all the while guessed at
+his misery, and how often her young heart had ached to think of it.
+
+This impropriety, however, such as it was, was really the only one
+committed on the occasion. Sir Gilbert was an excellent man of business,
+as was likewise the tall gentleman his attorney; so seals were put upon
+all plate-chests, jewel-cases, and the like, except such as were proved
+satisfactorily by Mr. Stephen Corbold to have been purchased since the
+marriage of the widow Mowbray and Mr. Cartwright. All such were given
+over to the packing-cases of the serious attorney and the serious
+butler, and at half-past nine p.m. the Vicar of Wrexhill stepped into
+his recently-purchased (but not paid-for) travelling carriage, and
+turned his back on the Park--once more _Mowbray Park_--for ever.
+
+       *       *       *       *       *
+
+But little remains to be said that may not easily be guessed at by the
+accomplished novel-reader:--and for such, of course, these pages are
+prepared.
+
+Little Mary Richards speedily became Lady Hilton; and Fanny Mowbray,
+during a visit of some months at her Scotch castle, learned to think of
+her religious sufferings with sufficient composure to enable her once
+more to look forward as well as around her, with hope and enjoyment. And
+who is there that can doubt that the lovely Fanny Mowbray, with
+recovered senses and fifty thousand pounds, even though she did for ever
+abandon her poetic pursuits, met, at no very advanced age, with a
+husband worthy of her?
+
+The two tall Misses Richards ceased to be serious as soon as it became
+decidedly _mauvais ton_ at Wrexhill to be so: and in process of time
+they too married; leaving their charming little mother leisure to
+cultivate the friendship of Rosalind, who retained her partiality for
+her, and enjoyed her friendship and society for many happy years.
+
+Need it be said that Rosalind and Helen were married on the same
+day?--So it was, however; and Mr. Edward Wallace performed the ceremony,
+the Vicar of Wrexhill being indisposed. Indeed the air of the Vicarage
+evidently disagreed with him; but, by the influence of some of the most
+distinguished of his party, both in religion and politics, he soon
+obtained an exchange with a gentleman who held preferment in the Fens.
+He did not, however, obtain a mitre, though a great many serious people
+declared that he deserved it: a disappointment which was perhaps the
+more cutting from the circumstance of Mr. Jacob's having joined a troop
+of strolling players; and as he was not sufficiently successful amongst
+them to add any glory thereby to the family name, the loss of episcopal
+honours was the more severely felt.
+
+Every thing else, I think, went just as it ought to do. Poor Miss Mimima
+was sent off to her mamma, who never again ventured to show her face at
+Wrexhill; probably fearing that she might cease to be considered as the
+principal person of the village.
+
+Mr. Mowbray speedily re-established Mr. Marsh in his school; the old
+lawyer and apothecary returned; the newly-hired serious servants
+retreated before the returning honest ones--and, in short, a whole
+flight of fanaticals followed their incomparable vicar, till the pretty
+village of Wrexhill once more became happy and gay, and the memory of
+their serious epidemic rendered its inhabitants the most orderly,
+peaceable, and orthodox population in the whole country.
+
+
+THE END.
+
+
+
+
+
+End of Project Gutenberg's The Vicar of Wrexhill, by Mrs [Frances] Trollope
+
+*** END OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK THE VICAR OF WREXHILL ***
+
+***** This file should be named 36686.txt or 36686.zip *****
+This and all associated files of various formats will be found in:
+        http://www.gutenberg.org/3/6/6/8/36686/
+
+Produced by Delphine Lettau, Mary Meehan and the Online
+Distributed Proofreading Team at http://www.pgdp.net (This
+file was produced from images generously made available
+by The Internet Archive/Canadian Libraries)
+
+
+Updated editions will replace the previous one--the old editions
+will be renamed.
+
+Creating the works from public domain print editions means that no
+one owns a United States copyright in these works, so the Foundation
+(and you!) can copy and distribute it in the United States without
+permission and without paying copyright royalties.  Special rules,
+set forth in the General Terms of Use part of this license, apply to
+copying and distributing Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works to
+protect the PROJECT GUTENBERG-tm concept and trademark.  Project
+Gutenberg is a registered trademark, and may not be used if you
+charge for the eBooks, unless you receive specific permission.  If you
+do not charge anything for copies of this eBook, complying with the
+rules is very easy.  You may use this eBook for nearly any purpose
+such as creation of derivative works, reports, performances and
+research.  They may be modified and printed and given away--you may do
+practically ANYTHING with public domain eBooks.  Redistribution is
+subject to the trademark license, especially commercial
+redistribution.
+
+
+
+*** START: FULL LICENSE ***
+
+THE FULL PROJECT GUTENBERG LICENSE
+PLEASE READ THIS BEFORE YOU DISTRIBUTE OR USE THIS WORK
+
+To protect the Project Gutenberg-tm mission of promoting the free
+distribution of electronic works, by using or distributing this work
+(or any other work associated in any way with the phrase "Project
+Gutenberg"), you agree to comply with all the terms of the Full Project
+Gutenberg-tm License (available with this file or online at
+http://gutenberg.org/license).
+
+
+Section 1.  General Terms of Use and Redistributing Project Gutenberg-tm
+electronic works
+
+1.A.  By reading or using any part of this Project Gutenberg-tm
+electronic work, you indicate that you have read, understand, agree to
+and accept all the terms of this license and intellectual property
+(trademark/copyright) agreement.  If you do not agree to abide by all
+the terms of this agreement, you must cease using and return or destroy
+all copies of Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works in your possession.
+If you paid a fee for obtaining a copy of or access to a Project
+Gutenberg-tm electronic work and you do not agree to be bound by the
+terms of this agreement, you may obtain a refund from the person or
+entity to whom you paid the fee as set forth in paragraph 1.E.8.
+
+1.B.  "Project Gutenberg" is a registered trademark.  It may only be
+used on or associated in any way with an electronic work by people who
+agree to be bound by the terms of this agreement.  There are a few
+things that you can do with most Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works
+even without complying with the full terms of this agreement.  See
+paragraph 1.C below.  There are a lot of things you can do with Project
+Gutenberg-tm electronic works if you follow the terms of this agreement
+and help preserve free future access to Project Gutenberg-tm electronic
+works.  See paragraph 1.E below.
+
+1.C.  The Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation ("the Foundation"
+or PGLAF), owns a compilation copyright in the collection of Project
+Gutenberg-tm electronic works.  Nearly all the individual works in the
+collection are in the public domain in the United States.  If an
+individual work is in the public domain in the United States and you are
+located in the United States, we do not claim a right to prevent you from
+copying, distributing, performing, displaying or creating derivative
+works based on the work as long as all references to Project Gutenberg
+are removed.  Of course, we hope that you will support the Project
+Gutenberg-tm mission of promoting free access to electronic works by
+freely sharing Project Gutenberg-tm works in compliance with the terms of
+this agreement for keeping the Project Gutenberg-tm name associated with
+the work.  You can easily comply with the terms of this agreement by
+keeping this work in the same format with its attached full Project
+Gutenberg-tm License when you share it without charge with others.
+
+1.D.  The copyright laws of the place where you are located also govern
+what you can do with this work.  Copyright laws in most countries are in
+a constant state of change.  If you are outside the United States, check
+the laws of your country in addition to the terms of this agreement
+before downloading, copying, displaying, performing, distributing or
+creating derivative works based on this work or any other Project
+Gutenberg-tm work.  The Foundation makes no representations concerning
+the copyright status of any work in any country outside the United
+States.
+
+1.E.  Unless you have removed all references to Project Gutenberg:
+
+1.E.1.  The following sentence, with active links to, or other immediate
+access to, the full Project Gutenberg-tm License must appear prominently
+whenever any copy of a Project Gutenberg-tm work (any work on which the
+phrase "Project Gutenberg" appears, or with which the phrase "Project
+Gutenberg" is associated) is accessed, displayed, performed, viewed,
+copied or distributed:
+
+This eBook is for the use of anyone anywhere at no cost and with
+almost no restrictions whatsoever.  You may copy it, give it away or
+re-use it under the terms of the Project Gutenberg License included
+with this eBook or online at www.gutenberg.org
+
+1.E.2.  If an individual Project Gutenberg-tm electronic work is derived
+from the public domain (does not contain a notice indicating that it is
+posted with permission of the copyright holder), the work can be copied
+and distributed to anyone in the United States without paying any fees
+or charges.  If you are redistributing or providing access to a work
+with the phrase "Project Gutenberg" associated with or appearing on the
+work, you must comply either with the requirements of paragraphs 1.E.1
+through 1.E.7 or obtain permission for the use of the work and the
+Project Gutenberg-tm trademark as set forth in paragraphs 1.E.8 or
+1.E.9.
+
+1.E.3.  If an individual Project Gutenberg-tm electronic work is posted
+with the permission of the copyright holder, your use and distribution
+must comply with both paragraphs 1.E.1 through 1.E.7 and any additional
+terms imposed by the copyright holder.  Additional terms will be linked
+to the Project Gutenberg-tm License for all works posted with the
+permission of the copyright holder found at the beginning of this work.
+
+1.E.4.  Do not unlink or detach or remove the full Project Gutenberg-tm
+License terms from this work, or any files containing a part of this
+work or any other work associated with Project Gutenberg-tm.
+
+1.E.5.  Do not copy, display, perform, distribute or redistribute this
+electronic work, or any part of this electronic work, without
+prominently displaying the sentence set forth in paragraph 1.E.1 with
+active links or immediate access to the full terms of the Project
+Gutenberg-tm License.
+
+1.E.6.  You may convert to and distribute this work in any binary,
+compressed, marked up, nonproprietary or proprietary form, including any
+word processing or hypertext form.  However, if you provide access to or
+distribute copies of a Project Gutenberg-tm work in a format other than
+"Plain Vanilla ASCII" or other format used in the official version
+posted on the official Project Gutenberg-tm web site (www.gutenberg.org),
+you must, at no additional cost, fee or expense to the user, provide a
+copy, a means of exporting a copy, or a means of obtaining a copy upon
+request, of the work in its original "Plain Vanilla ASCII" or other
+form.  Any alternate format must include the full Project Gutenberg-tm
+License as specified in paragraph 1.E.1.
+
+1.E.7.  Do not charge a fee for access to, viewing, displaying,
+performing, copying or distributing any Project Gutenberg-tm works
+unless you comply with paragraph 1.E.8 or 1.E.9.
+
+1.E.8.  You may charge a reasonable fee for copies of or providing
+access to or distributing Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works provided
+that
+
+- You pay a royalty fee of 20% of the gross profits you derive from
+     the use of Project Gutenberg-tm works calculated using the method
+     you already use to calculate your applicable taxes.  The fee is
+     owed to the owner of the Project Gutenberg-tm trademark, but he
+     has agreed to donate royalties under this paragraph to the
+     Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation.  Royalty payments
+     must be paid within 60 days following each date on which you
+     prepare (or are legally required to prepare) your periodic tax
+     returns.  Royalty payments should be clearly marked as such and
+     sent to the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation at the
+     address specified in Section 4, "Information about donations to
+     the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation."
+
+- You provide a full refund of any money paid by a user who notifies
+     you in writing (or by e-mail) within 30 days of receipt that s/he
+     does not agree to the terms of the full Project Gutenberg-tm
+     License.  You must require such a user to return or
+     destroy all copies of the works possessed in a physical medium
+     and discontinue all use of and all access to other copies of
+     Project Gutenberg-tm works.
+
+- You provide, in accordance with paragraph 1.F.3, a full refund of any
+     money paid for a work or a replacement copy, if a defect in the
+     electronic work is discovered and reported to you within 90 days
+     of receipt of the work.
+
+- You comply with all other terms of this agreement for free
+     distribution of Project Gutenberg-tm works.
+
+1.E.9.  If you wish to charge a fee or distribute a Project Gutenberg-tm
+electronic work or group of works on different terms than are set
+forth in this agreement, you must obtain permission in writing from
+both the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation and Michael
+Hart, the owner of the Project Gutenberg-tm trademark.  Contact the
+Foundation as set forth in Section 3 below.
+
+1.F.
+
+1.F.1.  Project Gutenberg volunteers and employees expend considerable
+effort to identify, do copyright research on, transcribe and proofread
+public domain works in creating the Project Gutenberg-tm
+collection.  Despite these efforts, Project Gutenberg-tm electronic
+works, and the medium on which they may be stored, may contain
+"Defects," such as, but not limited to, incomplete, inaccurate or
+corrupt data, transcription errors, a copyright or other intellectual
+property infringement, a defective or damaged disk or other medium, a
+computer virus, or computer codes that damage or cannot be read by
+your equipment.
+
+1.F.2.  LIMITED WARRANTY, DISCLAIMER OF DAMAGES - Except for the "Right
+of Replacement or Refund" described in paragraph 1.F.3, the Project
+Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation, the owner of the Project
+Gutenberg-tm trademark, and any other party distributing a Project
+Gutenberg-tm electronic work under this agreement, disclaim all
+liability to you for damages, costs and expenses, including legal
+fees.  YOU AGREE THAT YOU HAVE NO REMEDIES FOR NEGLIGENCE, STRICT
+LIABILITY, BREACH OF WARRANTY OR BREACH OF CONTRACT EXCEPT THOSE
+PROVIDED IN PARAGRAPH 1.F.3. YOU AGREE THAT THE FOUNDATION, THE
+TRADEMARK OWNER, AND ANY DISTRIBUTOR UNDER THIS AGREEMENT WILL NOT BE
+LIABLE TO YOU FOR ACTUAL, DIRECT, INDIRECT, CONSEQUENTIAL, PUNITIVE OR
+INCIDENTAL DAMAGES EVEN IF YOU GIVE NOTICE OF THE POSSIBILITY OF SUCH
+DAMAGE.
+
+1.F.3.  LIMITED RIGHT OF REPLACEMENT OR REFUND - If you discover a
+defect in this electronic work within 90 days of receiving it, you can
+receive a refund of the money (if any) you paid for it by sending a
+written explanation to the person you received the work from.  If you
+received the work on a physical medium, you must return the medium with
+your written explanation.  The person or entity that provided you with
+the defective work may elect to provide a replacement copy in lieu of a
+refund.  If you received the work electronically, the person or entity
+providing it to you may choose to give you a second opportunity to
+receive the work electronically in lieu of a refund.  If the second copy
+is also defective, you may demand a refund in writing without further
+opportunities to fix the problem.
+
+1.F.4.  Except for the limited right of replacement or refund set forth
+in paragraph 1.F.3, this work is provided to you 'AS-IS' WITH NO OTHER
+WARRANTIES OF ANY KIND, EXPRESS OR IMPLIED, INCLUDING BUT NOT LIMITED TO
+WARRANTIES OF MERCHANTIBILITY OR FITNESS FOR ANY PURPOSE.
+
+1.F.5.  Some states do not allow disclaimers of certain implied
+warranties or the exclusion or limitation of certain types of damages.
+If any disclaimer or limitation set forth in this agreement violates the
+law of the state applicable to this agreement, the agreement shall be
+interpreted to make the maximum disclaimer or limitation permitted by
+the applicable state law.  The invalidity or unenforceability of any
+provision of this agreement shall not void the remaining provisions.
+
+1.F.6.  INDEMNITY - You agree to indemnify and hold the Foundation, the
+trademark owner, any agent or employee of the Foundation, anyone
+providing copies of Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works in accordance
+with this agreement, and any volunteers associated with the production,
+promotion and distribution of Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works,
+harmless from all liability, costs and expenses, including legal fees,
+that arise directly or indirectly from any of the following which you do
+or cause to occur: (a) distribution of this or any Project Gutenberg-tm
+work, (b) alteration, modification, or additions or deletions to any
+Project Gutenberg-tm work, and (c) any Defect you cause.
+
+
+Section  2.  Information about the Mission of Project Gutenberg-tm
+
+Project Gutenberg-tm is synonymous with the free distribution of
+electronic works in formats readable by the widest variety of computers
+including obsolete, old, middle-aged and new computers.  It exists
+because of the efforts of hundreds of volunteers and donations from
+people in all walks of life.
+
+Volunteers and financial support to provide volunteers with the
+assistance they need, are critical to reaching Project Gutenberg-tm's
+goals and ensuring that the Project Gutenberg-tm collection will
+remain freely available for generations to come.  In 2001, the Project
+Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation was created to provide a secure
+and permanent future for Project Gutenberg-tm and future generations.
+To learn more about the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation
+and how your efforts and donations can help, see Sections 3 and 4
+and the Foundation web page at http://www.pglaf.org.
+
+
+Section 3.  Information about the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive
+Foundation
+
+The Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation is a non profit
+501(c)(3) educational corporation organized under the laws of the
+state of Mississippi and granted tax exempt status by the Internal
+Revenue Service.  The Foundation's EIN or federal tax identification
+number is 64-6221541.  Its 501(c)(3) letter is posted at
+http://pglaf.org/fundraising.  Contributions to the Project Gutenberg
+Literary Archive Foundation are tax deductible to the full extent
+permitted by U.S. federal laws and your state's laws.
+
+The Foundation's principal office is located at 4557 Melan Dr. S.
+Fairbanks, AK, 99712., but its volunteers and employees are scattered
+throughout numerous locations.  Its business office is located at
+809 North 1500 West, Salt Lake City, UT 84116, (801) 596-1887, email
+business@pglaf.org.  Email contact links and up to date contact
+information can be found at the Foundation's web site and official
+page at http://pglaf.org
+
+For additional contact information:
+     Dr. Gregory B. Newby
+     Chief Executive and Director
+     gbnewby@pglaf.org
+
+
+Section 4.  Information about Donations to the Project Gutenberg
+Literary Archive Foundation
+
+Project Gutenberg-tm depends upon and cannot survive without wide
+spread public support and donations to carry out its mission of
+increasing the number of public domain and licensed works that can be
+freely distributed in machine readable form accessible by the widest
+array of equipment including outdated equipment.  Many small donations
+($1 to $5,000) are particularly important to maintaining tax exempt
+status with the IRS.
+
+The Foundation is committed to complying with the laws regulating
+charities and charitable donations in all 50 states of the United
+States.  Compliance requirements are not uniform and it takes a
+considerable effort, much paperwork and many fees to meet and keep up
+with these requirements.  We do not solicit donations in locations
+where we have not received written confirmation of compliance.  To
+SEND DONATIONS or determine the status of compliance for any
+particular state visit http://pglaf.org
+
+While we cannot and do not solicit contributions from states where we
+have not met the solicitation requirements, we know of no prohibition
+against accepting unsolicited donations from donors in such states who
+approach us with offers to donate.
+
+International donations are gratefully accepted, but we cannot make
+any statements concerning tax treatment of donations received from
+outside the United States.  U.S. laws alone swamp our small staff.
+
+Please check the Project Gutenberg Web pages for current donation
+methods and addresses.  Donations are accepted in a number of other
+ways including checks, online payments and credit card donations.
+To donate, please visit: http://pglaf.org/donate
+
+
+Section 5.  General Information About Project Gutenberg-tm electronic
+works.
+
+Professor Michael S. Hart is the originator of the Project Gutenberg-tm
+concept of a library of electronic works that could be freely shared
+with anyone.  For thirty years, he produced and distributed Project
+Gutenberg-tm eBooks with only a loose network of volunteer support.
+
+
+Project Gutenberg-tm eBooks are often created from several printed
+editions, all of which are confirmed as Public Domain in the U.S.
+unless a copyright notice is included.  Thus, we do not necessarily
+keep eBooks in compliance with any particular paper edition.
+
+
+Most people start at our Web site which has the main PG search facility:
+
+     http://www.gutenberg.org
+
+This Web site includes information about Project Gutenberg-tm,
+including how to make donations to the Project Gutenberg Literary
+Archive Foundation, how to help produce our new eBooks, and how to
+subscribe to our email newsletter to hear about new eBooks.
diff --git a/36686.zip b/36686.zip
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..49ebb24
--- /dev/null
+++ b/36686.zip
diff --git a/LICENSE.txt b/LICENSE.txt
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..6312041
--- /dev/null
+++ b/LICENSE.txt
@@ -0,0 +1,11 @@
+This eBook, including all associated images, markup, improvements,
+metadata, and any other content or labor, has been confirmed to be
+in the PUBLIC DOMAIN IN THE UNITED STATES.
+
+Procedures for determining public domain status are described in
+the "Copyright How-To" at https://www.gutenberg.org.
+
+No investigation has been made concerning possible copyrights in
+jurisdictions other than the United States. Anyone seeking to utilize
+this eBook outside of the United States should confirm copyright
+status under the laws that apply to them.
diff --git a/README.md b/README.md
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..240d176
--- /dev/null
+++ b/README.md
@@ -0,0 +1,2 @@
+Project Gutenberg (https://www.gutenberg.org) public repository for
+eBook #36686 (https://www.gutenberg.org/ebooks/36686)