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+The Project Gutenberg EBook of Niece Catherine, by Mary Hampden
+
+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: Niece Catherine
+
+Author: Mary Hampden
+
+Release Date: July 28, 2011 [EBook #36880]
+
+Language: English
+
+Character set encoding: ASCII
+
+*** START OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK NIECE CATHERINE ***
+
+
+
+
+Produced by Delphine Lettaum, Mary Meehan and the Online
+Distributed Proofreading Team at http://www.pgdp.net
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+                           NIECE CATHERINE
+
+                           By MARY HAMPDEN
+
+AUTHOR OF 'ALISON'S AMBITION' 'THE GIRL WITH A TALENT' 'STRANGER
+MARGARET' ETC.
+
+
+    LONDON
+    THE RELIGIOUS TRACT SOCIETY
+    56 PATERNOSTER ROW AND
+    65 ST PAUL'S CHURCHYARD
+
+    BUTLER & TANNER,
+    THE SELWOOD PRINTING WORKS
+    FROME, AND LONDON.
+
+
+
+
+[Illustration]
+
+
+
+
+Contents
+
+
+CHAPTER I. THE HEROINE
+
+CHAPTER II. UNCLE ROSS
+
+CHAPTER III. UNCLE JACK
+
+CHAPTER IV. CATHERINE'S RESOLUTION
+
+CHAPTER V. AN UNSHAKEN RESOLUTION
+
+CHAPTER VI. A SUNDAY'S EXPERIENCES
+
+CHAPTER VII. A RAY OF LIGHT
+
+CHAPTER VIII. THE COMING OF CATHERINE'S BETROTHED
+
+CHAPTER IX. AN IMPORTANT OFFER
+
+CHAPTER X. THE UNEXPECTED HAPPENS
+
+CHAPTER XI. CONFIDENCES AND AN ATTEMPT
+
+CHAPTER XII. GOOD-BYE
+
+CHAPTER XIII. THE FATE OF A LETTER
+
+CHAPTER XIV. CATHERINE'S APPEAL
+
+CHAPTER XV. AS GOD WILLED
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER I
+
+The Heroine
+
+
+'Catherine!--_Catherine!_'
+
+Mrs. Arderne stood at the foot of the staircase, looking upward, and
+calling her companion. Though her voice sounded impatient there was an
+amused smile on her face, because she could hear merry laughter from the
+night-nursery, where 'Catherine' was helping nurse to put Ted and Toddie
+into bed.
+
+The last call produced the effect desired. A tall slim young woman came
+running downstairs, explaining and apologising.
+
+'Oh, I am really very sorry! Have you been trying to make me hear? I
+didn't know that you were calling, not until a minute ago; and then Ted
+was on my lap, and made himself _so_ heavy when I tried to lift him back
+into his cot!'
+
+'You spoil my children.'
+
+The mother was still smiling. Catherine laughed aloud, and very
+musically, the laugh of a girl to whom people had always been kind.
+
+'If you seriously meant that accusation, Mrs. Arderne, I should have to
+try to prove my innocence; but as I am sure you didn't, I will only tell
+you what a darling Ted has been to-night. He said his hymn right
+through, and afterwards composed a dear little prayer for "mother's
+wicked headache to be taken right away." Now could I refuse to tell him
+about _Jack and the Beanstalk_ after that?'
+
+Catherine was trying to smooth back her brown hair with her hands as she
+spoke, for several curly locks were fluttering round her equally brown
+eyes, Toddie having 'rumpled dear Carr's head all up,' as the little
+girl herself would have expressed it.
+
+'Kiss the tiny fellow "good-night" for me, dear,' said Mrs. Arderne,
+leading the way into the villa drawing-room. 'I called you down that you
+might fasten this flower in my dress, your fingers are so deft.'
+
+After having performed the task Catherine stood back a few paces to
+survey the effect.
+
+'You look delightful,' she remarked. 'But I'm not certain that it's a
+"companion's" place to tell you so!'
+
+'The remark might be flattery. "Companions" are supposed to flatter.'
+
+Catherine made a grimace. This was a bad habit she had, a trick copied
+unconsciously from her boy cousins in Melbourne.
+
+'I won't ever be a first-rate "companion" then. Mrs. Arderne, it was
+tremendously good of you to take me, to give me a home, and a salary.
+Until I came to England I hadn't the least idea how ignorant, and
+peculiar, and--and--and independent a creature I am!'
+
+'You were just going to use a stronger term of opprobrium!'
+
+'Yes, dreadful slang. I checked myself for once, just because I am in
+real earnest. Oh, I _am_ grateful to you! I want to learn to be of use
+to you,--to repay some of your goodness to me; please teach me to be a
+satisfactory companion in every way but that of flattery!'
+
+There were tears sparkling in the brown eyes now, and a sweet pleading
+expression on the whole face. Mrs. Arderne, being a woman of the world,
+did not show how much she was touched, and answered laughingly,--
+
+'Catherine, you are beautiful! Why did you spoil all my best plans for
+you by getting engaged to Brian North?'
+
+A series of dimples played round the girl's lips. She put her hands
+behind her back, dropped a curtsey, after the manner of charity children
+before a benefactress, and blushed.
+
+'Please, ma'am, I think it was because--I love him.'
+
+'Romantic nonsense! My dear, you could as easily have loved another man.
+Mr. North is not a paragon of every virtue and charm. He happened to
+love you, and so, soft-heartedly, you tried to pay him back for love,
+just as you want to pay me back because I offered you a home when you
+were in want of one.'
+
+'You didn't try to patronise me. You came to me, and spoke like the dear
+true woman you are, as a sister might have spoken; and you burdened
+yourself, or rather let me burden you, with an untrained, wild,
+hot-tempered girl, an individual who knew simply nothing of etiquette,
+whose manners were all learned in the Bush! That is a gentle description
+of me,--you know it is! And I don't believe you needed a companion at
+all!'
+
+'I have learned to appreciate the advantages of possessing one, then.
+But seriously, Catherine, have you no expectations at all? Who is this
+uncle, who lives in this neighbourhood, to whom you were writing this
+afternoon?'
+
+'Uncle Ross, or Uncle Jack--which do you mean? I wrote to them both. Oh,
+Uncle Ross, I suppose, for he is the elder. He is Ross Carmichael, Esq.,
+of Carm Hall, Beverbridge, and he used to be very nice to me when I was
+a child. He and Uncle Jack came out to Australia once, years ago, before
+they quarrelled, and I have written to them every Christmas ever
+since.... Uncle Jack was quite a darling!'
+
+'Why did they quarrel?'
+
+'About an adopted nephew, named Loring Carmichael, whom they both loved.
+Uncle Ross wanted to make a business man of him; Uncle Jack wished him
+to go into the army. I never heard quite the rights of the matter, for
+I never met Loring, though my Melbourne cousins knew him well; in fact,
+one of them was in Egypt at the time he was. He became a soldier, but
+only a "private," for he enlisted; he left home hoping that his absence
+would heal the feud between his uncles.'
+
+'Whereabouts _is_ Carm Hall?'
+
+'I asked the stationmaster when we arrived this afternoon, and he said,
+"It's four miles straight up the road from Woodley Villa, miss." So I
+shall walk up to see my uncles to-morrow morning, with your consent.
+Four miles are nothing!'
+
+'Since they have quarrelled, they maybe living in different places, not
+in the old home.'
+
+'Oh, I hope not. The stationmaster said "Yes," when I asked if they were
+both well. He looked as though he wanted to talk a lot about them, but
+of course I could not allow him to gossip about my own relatives.'
+
+'But is the adopted nephew dead? There is the "fly" at the door, and I
+must go, but I want to find out first what expectations you have, my
+dear. Tell me, in a few words!'
+
+Catherine's face was quite grave now.
+
+'Yes, he died in battle, in the third year after he left home. Uncle
+Ross means to leave all his fortune to charities, and Uncle Jack never
+had any money to speak of, so my "expectations" are _nil_, Mrs. Arderne,
+dear. I shall earn my own living until Brian can afford to get married.
+If uncle's intentions had not been fully explained to me in one of his
+own letters, I should not have expected any part of his fortune, for my
+Melbourne cousins are nearer kin to him than I.... Now let me help you
+on with your cloak.... Wasn't it wonderful that you should have taken a
+furnished house in this very neighbourhood?'
+
+'I've many friends here, you see. After to-night you must come out with
+me, child. A little gaiety will do you good.'
+
+The expressive face lit up with smiles again, as Catherine cried,--
+
+'How kind you are! But please, please, don't worry over me. I believe
+you are often quite unhappy for my sake, just because my stepfather
+squandered all my money. Dear Mrs. Arderne, _money doesn't matter_, it
+really doesn't. If I were delicate, unable to earn my living, I might
+merit pity, but not as I am. Why, I've never been ill in my life, and
+I'm _so_ happy always, that it's not the least bit of a wonder that I
+feel I must thank God every minute for all His goodness to me!'
+
+Mrs. Arderne gave an impatient shrug, and hastily kissed her companion's
+rosy cheeks.
+
+'Child, you are rather ridiculous sometimes. There, good-night. That
+"fly" has been at the door five minutes, and I shall be late for Mrs.
+Dumbarton's dance.'
+
+Catherine ran out into the hall to wave a hand as her employer and
+friend was driven away, then went upstairs again to peep at the
+children, to whom she was devotedly attached. Six-year-old Ted was
+slumbering quite peacefully, his usually mischievous expression having
+given place to a seraphic smile. As the girl bent above him he laughed
+in his sleep, so she dared not linger by his side, lest he might wake to
+clamour for the history of _Jack and the Beanstalk_ all over again.
+
+Passing into the inner room, she found 'Toddie' (otherwise Nora)
+likewise wrapped in slumber, and not in danger of being disturbed by a
+kiss. Toddie was a very calm, sensible little person, a model of
+deportment and good conduct, compared with that enchanting rebel Ted,
+who was but one year her junior.
+
+Presently Catherine stole away, into the sanctum of her bedroom; and
+there, kneeling on the hearth, with her hands stretched out to the
+blaze of a glorious fire, she gave herself up to pleasant thoughts, many
+of which were connected with the portrait of Brian North, which occupied
+the place of honour on the mantelpiece.
+
+It was a fine photograph. The keen eyes looked straight out at the
+observer, with an earnestness of gaze betokening earnestness of purpose.
+The features and contour of the face were both delicate and strong; and
+the mouth, sensitive as well as resolute, was shadowed, not hidden, by
+the dark moustache.
+
+This young man was an intellectual worker--a journalist by profession,
+an author by predilection--and already the dark hair over his brow was
+streaked with grey, though he was only thirty.
+
+From her kneeling posture on the rug Catherine, looking up at the
+portrait, mentally apostrophized it.
+
+'My dear, hard-working old boy! Mrs. Arderne wonders why I accepted the
+offer you made me--why I valued it! She thinks I could have loved any
+one else just as well! Isn't it wonderful how dense the nicest people
+are sometimes? Ah, yes, even _you_, dear!'
+
+At this point in her meditation Catherine's eyes saddened.
+
+'You are dense on the greatest subject of all. Do you guess how much I
+pray God to _make you see_? If I were not so sure that you, being you,
+must grow wise before long, must shake off the contagion of the world's
+indifference, your want of faith would be enough to do away with all the
+happiness I have been boasting about. But you will soon learn, Brian
+dear; you will let my persuasion rouse you. God must love you so well
+that He will surely show the beauty of His love to you.'
+
+Brian North had been brought up by a father who had taught him to feel
+scorn for that profession of religion which so many men make without
+ruling life by it--the empty show of faith in God without any attempt
+to serve Him. No mother had ever shown Brian the truth of
+Christianity--since his birth he had been motherless. The clever lad had
+always admired his father, and had willingly been led by him. In early
+life he had even been proud of doubting that which the majority of men
+believe.
+
+Of late years, indeed, as his intellect had ripened, he had begun to
+perceive the folly of unbelief--had come to see that religion, pure and
+honest, is for every man the matter of supreme importance, and that
+faith, though dishonoured by some hypocrites, remains the chief glory in
+a glorious world. But, until Catherine Carmichael had talked to him of
+these subjects, he had tried to put them out of his thoughts, to imagine
+that he had not been specially 'called' to the leading of that Christian
+life which he owned was a noble one.
+
+His hours were spent in business struggles; his times of leisure were
+few, and he always brought to them a brain wearied by money-earning,
+and, often, the despondency of baffled ambitions.
+
+His Heavenly Father had now indeed 'called' to him by the voice of the
+woman of his love, and well might she hope for great things from his
+faith, when it was once thoroughly aroused.
+
+To-night nearly all her thoughts were of Brian, of his needs. She could
+scarcely spare one reflection for the matter which Mrs. Arderne
+considered all-important--the possible reception which rich Uncle Ross
+might give her. When she remembered the two old men, it was to feel
+pleasantly sure of their affection, not to long for a share in the
+fortune of the elder.
+
+Her heart was full of tenderness to-night, and it was partly because she
+was so earnestly sorry for Brian, who did not possess her secret of
+happiness, that she let him monopolize her thoughts to such a degree.
+
+It was not his lack of money of which she was thinking when she prayed,
+'O God, make my dear boy rich! He is so poor and needy, while I can
+never thank Thee enough for the gifts Thou hast lavished upon me. No one
+can be content without Thee, my God.'
+
+And long before Mrs. Arderne returned from the dance Catherine was
+sleeping soundly and peacefully, like Ted with the smile on his lips.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER II
+
+Uncle Ross
+
+
+Ross Carmichael, Esq., of Carm Hall, Beverbridge, was not a punctual
+person at the best of times, but on this particular morning he was the
+cause of his servants' despair, for never had he been so late in coming
+down to breakfast. The cook had begged the footman to let her have back
+the bacon to 'hot up,' but he had replied that he dared not remove the
+dish from the table: 'Master might come down any minute now, and it
+would never do for him to have to wait while the dish was carried
+upstairs again.'
+
+Now Mr. Carmichael had never been known to lose his temper with a
+servant, so their alarmed anxiety would have appeared ridiculous to any
+one ignorant of the peculiar awe that old gentleman inspired. He never
+scolded harshly, nor raised his voice in remonstrance, but his reproof
+would have been sarcasm, and the memory of the fault would have lingered
+for days in his mind. His expression was severe generally; only those
+persons who had not been so unfortunate as to offend him nearly always
+found out that his face did not do his heart justice.
+
+A man of prejudices, and keen, though controlled passions, was Ross
+Carmichael, very self-sufficient, and terribly unwilling to forgive or
+forget the smallest injury.
+
+This morning, however, he did not mind whether his bacon were well or
+ill-cooked, hot or cold, and the fact that one egg was boiled too hard
+quite escaped his attention.
+
+His 'Good-morning, James,' was spoken as usual, then he sat down to the
+breakfast-table and ate the habitual meal in silence. James began to
+grow anxious about his master. He was not often so taciturn. At the end
+of a quarter of an hour the man ventured to inquire whether his master
+felt the room cold and would like a fire.
+
+Mr. Carmichael lifted his eyes from his plate (fine, dark eyes they
+were, in striking contrast to the bent white brows above them), checked
+a desire to frown at the interruption to his reflections, and answered:
+
+'No, James, thank you. A fire? You know I never have one lit in this
+room until October. This is only September.'
+
+'Yes, sir; but unusually cold to-day is.'
+
+Mr. Carmichael returned to his breakfast and meditation. In a few
+seconds, however, he looked up again and smiled.
+
+'Do you remember that it was in September, ten years ago, that we
+returned from Australia, you and I, James?'
+
+'Yes, sir, that I do. It was a capital journey, so we was told, but the
+sea was a deal too playful for my tastes.'
+
+'Tut, tut; the sea was smooth--perfectly smooth--most of the time. You
+will not have forgotten the "station" then, the homestead, and little
+Miss Catherine?'
+
+'The young lady as used to ride better than most men do over here, sir?
+It was a sight, and no mistake, to see her clearing the paling round
+that place they called the Gum Paddock--and she not more than fourteen
+or fifteen, or thereabouts.'
+
+'I never gossip,' said the old gentleman, after another pause.
+
+'No, sir; of course not.'
+
+'I had a reason when I spoke about the journey to and from Australia,
+and the "homestead" where I stayed, You have served me tolerably well,
+and I am sure loyally, to the best of your ability for so long now,
+James, that I feel able to talk to you as I would to none of your
+fellow-servants.'
+
+'I'm sure I hope so, sir,' cried the man, sorely puzzled, and not a
+little hurt by the dictatorial and patronising tone of his master.
+
+His chagrined look touched Mr. Carmichael's heart.
+
+'Why, certainly, James; I regard you as a proved friend. Don't look as
+though I had called you a murderer. We've faced perils together,
+and--and----'
+
+Suddenly the 'squire' discovered that he was speaking strangely after
+the manner of his brother (Catherine's Uncle Jack), and this surprising
+fact made him break down altogether in his speech. The question to which
+he had been gently leading up, in order not to surprise James into
+feeling curious about it, burst without any warning from his lips.
+
+'Do you think Miss Catherine liked me--was fond of me--in those days,
+James?'
+
+'Indeed, yes, sir; why, she was for ever talking about her uncles.'
+
+'AH! but _which_ did she prefer?'
+
+'Which uncle, sir?'
+
+'Yes. It was her Uncle John, was it not, James?'
+
+'Mr. Jack, sir? Well, she was certainly remarkably attached to him, but
+then so she was to you, sir, and she seemed able to do anything she
+liked with you, sir, and it's not many people that could be said of.'
+
+The squire pondered the answer, until he chuckled over it. The chuckle
+ended with a sigh, though.
+
+Rising from the table, he drew a letter from his pocket and said
+shortly:
+
+'Wrongly addressed; send Newton at once with it. And, James, after all
+you may light the fire here, and another in the drawing-room, for I
+expect Miss Catherine to see me this morning.'
+
+James gave a start of surprise. Before he had recovered from his
+amazement sufficiently to reply, the squire had left the room, and was
+shut up in the library.
+
+'"Miss Catherine" coming to Carm Hall! Why, "Miss Catherine" must be
+quite grown up by this time!'
+
+Then James read the address on the letter in his hand:
+
+     'COLONEL J. CARMICHAEL,
+
+     CARM HALL,
+
+     BEVERBRIDGE.'
+
+     'Poor Mr. Jack! She reckoned he would be still here, in the old
+     home!' sighed the man to himself, as he hurried away to send Newton
+     at once with the missive. 'Strange, too, as the postman didn't know
+     better than to deliver his letter here; but no doubt he only looked
+     at the address, that's plain enough,--and where _he_ ought to be
+     too!'
+
+The elder Mr. Carmichael was not studying in the library. His
+account-books lay untouched on his secretary-table; his morning papers
+were not cut yet; the huge volumes of reference stood upright on the
+shelves. He was sitting in his 'office-chair' before the desk, and there
+was a lot of business correspondence awaiting his attention; but he was
+only reading and re-reading the letter from his niece Catherine.
+
+     'WOODLEY COTTAGE,
+
+     'BEVERBRIDGE.
+
+     'MY DEAR UNCLE ROSS,--
+
+     'I am coming to see you to-morrow morning--a few hours after you
+     will receive this! Since I wrote to you, last Christmas, my worldly
+     circumstances have undergone such a tremendous change that I am
+     obliged to earn my own living; for which fact many kind-hearted,
+     well-meaning folk have pitied me. _I wonder why_ they think me so
+     unfortunate? At the homestead I worked fifty times harder than my
+     duties as Mrs. Arderne's companion oblige me to do now; and, after
+     all, work is happiness, when God sanctions it. You shall hear no
+     grumbles from me, I promise you! My stepfather is not dead, only
+     bankrupt, and the station has passed into other hands. Mother's
+     money, the little fortune she left me, has vanished, and Alice is
+     married. Mrs. Arderne offered me a home just when I found myself
+     without one. The dear kind soul has no real need of a "companion,"
+     so I tell her often; yet, as she does not wish me to leave her, I
+     feel justified in remaining under her roof. _This_ is a hired roof,
+     by-the-bye, uncle--a furnished villa, taken for six months, because
+     she has friends in the neighbourhood. Is it not a splendid
+     opportunity for me to see you both again? It is ten years since we
+     last met, when I rode with you as far as the boundary-rider's hut
+     on the Curra Paddock. We said good-bye at Wattle Creek, do you
+     recollect? Uncle Jack, seeing that I was nearly crying, tried to
+     cheer me by inviting me to Beverbridge for next Christmas; but I
+     went home in tears, because I knew I shouldn't be allowed to go to
+     England all by myself. Yet here I am--ten years later! I'm grown up
+     now, though; not "little Catherine" any longer!
+
+     'My pen has been running on, while I ought to have reserved all my
+     news to tell you to-morrow, when I see you again; and I have not
+     been able to resist writing to Uncle Jack as well as to you.
+
+     'Good-bye again, dear uncle, for a very short time now.
+
+     'Your affectionate niece,
+
+     'CATHERINE CARMICHAEL.'
+
+'Ha!--couldn't resist writing to "Uncle Jack" as well!'
+
+The squire sighed and frowned as he pondered this admission.
+
+Ten minutes later the library door behind him opened and shut, and he
+was startled by a voice which cried:
+
+'Uncle, you didn't want me to wait ceremoniously in the drawing-room,
+did you?'
+
+'Bless my soul, it is you, Catherine!'
+
+The girl let both her hands remain in his grasp, and stood facing him,
+smiling, scrutinizing his face eagerly.
+
+'Yes, Catherine at twenty-five instead of fifteen! _You_ look very
+little older, only your beard has turned quite white!... How is Uncle
+Jack? Shall I see any difference in him? Is he as upright as ever?'
+
+'He--I--I really do not know, my dear.'
+
+'_Not know?_ Oh, you mean that people who are always together are easily
+deceived on such points.'
+
+'No, I did not, Catherine. It is three years since your Uncle John and I
+were always together!'
+
+'Your own, only brother! Perhaps he is abroad, serving his Queen and
+country?'
+
+'He lives in Beverbridge still, but not here. Your letter has been sent
+on to him by one of my servants, though I might reasonably have returned
+it to Jenkins, the postman, who should have known his business better
+than to have delivered it wrongly. Now come into the drawing-room, my
+dear; there is a fire there.'
+
+'Please let us stay here. You look at home in this room. The
+drawing-room will be a chilly-looking place, I know, in spite of the
+fire.'
+
+Mr. Carmichael's gaze softened as it rested on the merry pleading face.
+
+'Still the same roguish young lady, Catherine? Bent on having your own
+way, even in trivial matters! Ah, well, you _ought_ to have it, if it
+doesn't spoil you.'
+
+'That latter sentence was an after-thought, uncle! Thank you! Remember,
+I am not a spoilt child of fortune any longer, but poor Miss Carmichael,
+the companion!'
+
+Her hearty laugh was not echoed by her relative. In his opinion the loss
+of money was a great evil,--a few years earlier he would have been
+disposed to think it the greatest possible, only he was beginning to
+realize that riches are less powerful than is usually supposed.
+Catherine, being quick to note changes of expression in those dear to
+her, cried suddenly:
+
+'Uncle! you are sorry for me!'
+
+'Is that so remarkable, my dear?'
+
+'Perhaps not, only I--I regret it. Why should you worry over my case,
+when it does not in the least distress me? If I were _very_ rich, I
+should worry about the responsibility of such a stewardship, for fear I
+might not make the best use of it, and so disappoint God.'
+
+Mr. Carmichael smiled involuntarily.
+
+'You have an extraordinarily familiar way of speaking of God!'
+
+'Because I used the words "disappoint God"? Does He not yearn over
+sinners? Did Christ not weep over Jerusalem? Are we not told, "Ye have
+wearied the Lord with your words"? If you, uncle, had showered love and
+wonderful gifts upon a creature who cast away the affection and the
+help, would not you be disappointed?... Oh, forgive me! My
+thoughtlessness has hurt you! I--I forgot Loring!'
+
+Her penitence was very real, and tears had come into her eyes. She felt
+desperately angry with herself for having reminded Uncle Ross of the
+nephew who had run away to be a soldier.
+
+'Loring certainly disappointed me--he has left my home lonely; and you
+are right in supposing that I prefer not to speak of him.' The old man's
+brow had contracted with a frown, which deepened as he went on speaking.
+'While we are upon the subject, Catherine, let me remind you that, had
+not Loring despised money, as you seem to do, he would not have behaved
+badly to me. I consider that men and women ought to desire and respect
+wealth.'
+
+It was the office-chair in which Catherine was sitting. She swung it
+round, that she might face her uncle, who was standing beside her, and
+impulsively laid her hand on his, as she answered:
+
+'It is difficult to be quite frank with you, yet sincerity is always
+best, isn't it? I don't despise money,--indeed, I do desire it,--at
+least I should like more than I have, because--because I am engaged to a
+very poor hard-working man, and we shall not be able to marry until his
+circumstances have improved.'
+
+'Engaged, Catherine?'
+
+She blushed and nodded.
+
+'But please let me make my explanation first,--I will tell you all about
+_him_ presently. Some one suggested to me that--that some people might
+suppose that I--expected help from you, or--or----Oh, _please_
+understand, uncle dear, without any more explaining!'
+
+'Some one suggested that the pretty niece was going to see a rich old
+uncle who would probably make her his heiress,--was that it? In this
+cynical world motives are generally misjudged, my dear girl.'
+
+'I told the person (it was not Brian) that my Melbourne cousins were
+nearer kin to you than I,--I am only a stepniece, though we have the
+same surname,--and also that you have resolved to leave your fortune to
+charities, as you told me by letter. All the same, I was foolishly
+nervous lest you might misunderstand me; so I assured you, too bluntly,
+that I am quite happy with Mrs. Arderne, and enjoy earning my own
+living.'
+
+The frown had gone from the squire's brow. It was with a serene smile
+that he asked, pressing Catherine's hand:
+
+'And I may believe without undue vanity, that you wanted to see the old
+uncle again for his own sake?'
+
+'Yes; yes, indeed!'
+
+'Now tell me about this Brian. Is he worthy of you?'
+
+'Of course he is!'
+
+'That reply was expected.'
+
+'You mustn't tease me, if you want to hear about my first and last
+romance!'
+
+Catherine was not used to speaking much about herself, so it was the
+relation of Brian North's merits, talents, and history which she told
+Uncle Ross, rather than the story of how she had learned to love this
+man to whom her promise was plighted.
+
+The squire paid most attention to the description of Brian's abilities;
+in fact, the moneyed gentleman was trying to calculate the author's
+worth by estimating his possible financial success or failure.
+
+'If the young fellow has tact and imagination, and a practised pen, he
+may win you a fortune yet, my dear; but if, as I suspect, he is one of
+the large army of obstinate, blind, proud geniuses, then he isn't likely
+to be able to offer you a home at all; in which case, I can only trust
+you will grow tired of believing in him.'
+
+Catherine felt that her pleasure in meeting this uncle again was all
+gone--dissipated by a few unsympathetic words! Yet, being genuinely fond
+of him, and knowing that his worldly wisdom was far more on his lips
+than in his heart, she tried to make allowances for him. Still, her
+feelings had been really hurt.
+
+'You would not mistrust him if you knew him, uncle!' she cried eagerly.
+'You wouldn't like me to have given him a half-hearted kind of love,
+would you? If I didn't believe in him, trust him wholly, I should not
+have promised to be his wife.'
+
+'Girls are too tender-hearted,' said the squire. 'And where their
+affections are concerned they are utterly incapable of judgment. I will
+try to believe in your impecunious betrothed, Catherine, and soon you
+must make him come down to Beverbridge to see me, or rather that I may
+see him.... In the meantime we will not discuss him. You will stay and
+spend the day with me, of course?'
+
+'No, I cannot, uncle. I am sorry, but my time is not my own, you know. I
+have to be back for lunch at one o'clock.'
+
+'Then you certainly need not spring up now! Sit down again, and I will
+ring for my housekeeper, Mrs. Marlin,--a worthy soul,--to relieve you of
+your hat and jacket.'
+
+'But it is a four-mile walk home, and--I must go to see Uncle Jack.'
+
+Again the frown came on Mr. Ross Carmichael's brow, and his voice
+regained a cynical tone as he replied:
+
+'You are not likely to find my brother indoors in the morning; I believe
+he employs his time in the office of the 3rd Battalion of the Royal
+Beverbridge Volunteers. He will not have received your letter yet. If
+you can bear to postpone your visit to him until evening, you had better
+do so, unless indeed you want to spend some hours alone with Agatha.'
+
+'Poor Agatha! How is she?'
+
+'Worse, I believe. A life like that is better ended.'
+
+'God doesn't think so, that is evident,' said Catherine.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER III
+
+Uncle Jack
+
+
+Mrs. Arderne made Catherine give a full account of her visit to Uncle
+Ross, but wisely refrained from commenting upon the recital, knowing
+that her companion would be distressed by any expression of her own firm
+opinion that a fortune and a good position were to be had for even less
+than the asking. The kindly-natured, worldly woman was quite excited
+over Catherine's prospects, though she dared not speak of them. A rich,
+lonely old uncle, with no relatives near him but a brother from whom he
+was estranged, and that brother's invalid ward, a girl twelve years of
+age,--where could Catherine be more sure to find a benevolent patron for
+Brian North (if she was resolved to be faithful to her promise to him),
+or to whom could she more reasonably look for help in her orphanhood and
+poverty?
+
+But Catherine was such an oddly unpractical, independent young woman
+that she absolutely refused to speculate as to her chances! For this
+reason, Mrs. Arderne felt positively bound to speculate for her, and to
+persuade her to behave to Uncle Ross in a manner likely to please him.
+Needless to say, therefore, she strongly disapproved of Catherine's
+intention of visiting Uncle Jack on this, her first whole day at
+Beverbridge.
+
+'My dear child, you really ought not to go roaming about the country
+after nightfall,' she remonstrated.
+
+Ted and Toddie had just been sent back to the nursery, after the usual
+game of play following upon dessert, and Catherine's cheeks were
+flushed, her brown hair rumpled by exercise. She was now seated on a low
+stool at Mrs. Arderne's side, smiling up at her confidentially.
+
+'Why, I simply couldn't get lost on a starlight night,--besides, I have
+a compass on my watch-chain! Do you think I relied upon the aid of
+street-lamps and sign-posts in Australia? Uncle Jack lives quite near
+us, in a bye-lane or street of the village. The postman looked so
+pleased just now when I asked him about Colonel John Carmichael! "The
+nicest gentleman I ever met, miss," he said. "Quite one of the old sort.
+There's no telling the kindnesses he's shown to the poor; not so much
+money-giving, for folk do say he isn't well off enough for himself, but
+in other ways, that mean more, usually. Oh, that village postman is
+quite a philosopher, I assure you!'
+
+'You delayed Her Majesty's mail while you gossiped with him!'
+
+Catherine laughed.
+
+'I forgot that; he didn't seem in any hurry, and I'm sure he enjoyed
+telling me about Uncle Jack.'
+
+Mrs. Arderne reverted to the original subject.
+
+'I am not at all certain that I shall let you out to-night, Miss
+Carmichael.'
+
+'You--you _don't_ mean that, do you?'
+
+'Why should you annoy your Uncle Ross, who seems to have been very nice
+to you? I am certain he will be vexed by your going at once to seek out
+the brother with whom he has quarrelled.'
+
+'But the right of the quarrel is all on Uncle Jack's side,' said the
+girl simply. 'You will understand that when you have met him.'
+
+'He persuaded Loring Carmichael to rebel against his elder uncle's
+authority.'
+
+'He only talked to him enthusiastically of the army; Uncle Jack, dear
+old fellow, never could talk even to me for a quarter of an hour without
+mentioning Sebastopol! He is such a thorough, devoted soldier, and he
+always abhorred mere money-earning life-occupations!'
+
+'The world would say that, in persuading his rich brother's adopted son
+to rebel, he was probably actuated by money interests himself.'
+
+Catherine was silent and very grave. This was her habitual manner when
+disappointed or grieved.
+
+Mrs. Arderne bent down to glance at the saddened young face, and
+promptly repented for having banished its customary smile.
+
+'There, I'm sorry I said that! No doubt Mr. Jack is a guileless hero;
+but such persons are often tiresome! Go and find him this evening, if
+you must, only don't perversely quarrel with the other uncle on his
+account,--that other, who has certainly been very badly treated!'
+
+So, after tea, Catherine set forth at a brisk pace through the village,
+smiling to herself all the way so happily that many of the cottagers,
+seeing her, smiled too for sympathy.
+
+Yes, here was the lane, or street rather, of which the postman had told
+her, leading out of the old market square. A small white house stood on
+the right, planted sideways, within a high wall. There was no proper
+entrance to it, only a narrow wooden door, painted green, and inscribed
+with the name, Redan Cottage.
+
+At the sight of that address (which, after the manner of country
+dwellers, the postman had omitted to mention, having called the house
+'Carmichael's'), Catherine's smile widened, and her heart began to beat
+fast in her eagerness. Redan Cottage!--of course that was the name Uncle
+Jack _would_ have chosen for his house!
+
+No sooner had she rung the bell than the door opened as if by magic, and
+a rosy-cheeked lad invited her to follow him across a tiny
+stone-floored yard, under an ivied porch, and indoors.
+
+'I am expected!' thought Catherine.
+
+Indeed, the boy had not paused to ask her name or business, and now
+preceded her into a little dark room, with the announcement:
+
+'Miss Catherine's come at last, please, sir!'
+
+Uncle Jack had been pacing the room--a short promenade! His niece had
+just time to find out how overwhelmingly delighted she was to see him
+once again, before he had put his arm round her shoulders and kissed her
+cheek, as a father might have done.
+
+'My darling! What, crying? Oh, it's a long while since we said good-bye
+at Wattle Creek, isn't it? I couldn't tell you how often I've wanted my
+niece since then. But I believed we should meet again some day, and I've
+found out that the times chosen by the Great Commander are always best
+and fittest, lassie.'
+
+'Uncle Jack, why didn't you write oftener to me? Why did you let me
+forget even a little bit how good you were to me, and how fond we were
+of one another? When you call me "lassie" it all comes back to me. I
+used to fancy that my father must have been like you.'
+
+'An uncle isn't as much good as a father; still, he may be some use. And
+you are poor now--your possessions have melted away! We won't call the
+absent bad names, lassie, will we? but I always saw "rascal" written on
+your stepfather's brow. He couldn't stand fire properly, though he ought
+to have been used to it out there. I remember once I held my sword to
+his throat, too--to show him how poor Northcote died; and he winced
+under it. Still, I won't blame him, since we are the gainers by his
+wrong-doing, Agatha and I.'
+
+'Gainers? How is that?'
+
+'Because you are coming home, my dear, to live with us. Sit there in
+the basket-chair--it was bought for you this morning, for this room was
+rather short of chairs--and good old Harriet made the cushions. I verily
+believe she went without her dinner that she might get them finished.
+Ah, you kept us waiting a long time, lassie! Robert has been in the yard
+nearly all day, he was so anxious not to keep you on the doorstep.'
+
+Catherine sat down in the chair, and could not find words to answer with
+all at once. Home! Uncle Jack had taken her consent to his invitation
+for granted! _Home!_ And even the postman knew that he 'wasn't well
+enough off for himself'! Oh, the dear, true-hearted, generous old man!
+And what could she say? She could not bear to hurt his feelings, yet she
+must not be a burden upon him. Tears were in her eyes, and it was with
+the utmost difficulty that she steadied her voice to thank him.
+
+'Gratitude? Nonsense, my dear (if I may use such a word to a lady).
+Think of the joy your presence will be to us--Agatha, myself, old
+Harriet, and even Robert. I haven't been able to resist talking about
+you to the servants, and they have been very curious to see you; you
+would have laughed at Harriet's endeavour to get a cake made ready to
+greet you. She is not the typical, cross housekeeper, resenting
+interference. Indeed, she told me to-day that we all need some one to
+smarten us up, and that you, "being a travelled young lady," would be
+sure to do it!'
+
+In this way did Colonel Jack talk on, softly patting Catherine's hand,
+and trying to give her time to control her evident emotion.
+
+She understood this, and appreciated it. Soon her eyes began to smile
+through her tears, and she cried:
+
+'You _know_ I am grateful, so I need not speak any more thanks to you;
+but oh, Uncle Jack, dear, until you offered me a home I had not realized
+the loneliness of being without one. Mrs. Arderne has always been so
+kind to me (you remember her, don't you?) that I've never been sorry for
+myself while with her, and Uncle Ross's pity this morning only made me
+feel more independently cheerful!'
+
+'So I've taught you to be lonely, lassie?'
+
+'No; you first made me long for a home, and then you gave me one! I
+cannot come to live in it altogether, for I must earn my living--not be
+an idle creature, you know; but Redan Cottage is "home" for me from
+henceforth--"home," to love, to remember, to dream of, to visit, to
+spend my holidays in!'
+
+Uncle Jack looked troubled.
+
+'Catherine, you are not--what is commonly called "an advanced woman,"
+are you? You are not of opinion that women should do all the work in the
+world?'
+
+She laughed.
+
+'No, indeed! but a penniless young woman certainly should support
+herself, if she is able to do so. Dearest of uncles, don't you think
+that, by coming "home" to subsist upon the income which keeps up this
+establishment, I should be defrauding Agatha, if not you?'
+
+'The poor child would receive benefits that no money could buy her: your
+love and care--and counsel, especially counsel.'
+
+'Whose counsel can be better than yours?'
+
+There was a shake of the white head.
+
+'I'm a beginner in Christianity, Catherine,' said the colonel
+thoughtfully. 'In my youth I wasn't taught much about God, and then my
+ambitions and enthusiasm for the service left me no time, so I imagined,
+for other than military studies. Naturally, when my comrades were
+falling around me, I prayed, for them and for myself, if I were about to
+fall too; still, I knew next to nothing of the Lord whose help I asked.
+Lately I _have_ been studying the Bible, and I'm honestly ashamed of my
+purposeless past. Every time I pray I make the best excuse I can to the
+Creator, by assuring Him that had I been so fortunate as to know Him
+earlier, I would have served Him as loyally as, thanks be to Him, I have
+always served my Queen.'
+
+Catherine's smile was very tender as she looked at the colonel's
+reverential face.
+
+'God must quite understand you!'
+
+'Do you think so? You used to talk of Him in the old days, I recollect,
+but I regarded your piety as a mere part of a gentle girl's
+sentiments--as a sort of beautiful romance unsuitable for men to share.
+Dear, what a fool I was, Catherine (if you will excuse the strong
+expression)!'
+
+'You are God's own soldier now, dear uncle. I am glad indeed. Nothing is
+equal to the peace of serving Him who died for us.'
+
+'Ah, what a soldier He was!--the Great Commander is the title I like
+best to give Him. You will teach me all you know about Him, will you
+not, my child?'
+
+Catherine's fingers returned the pressure of his hand.
+
+'We will teach each other, Uncle Jack. And even when we are absent one
+from another we shall know that we are both looking in the same
+direction, towards the glory of the Prince of Peace and the King of
+Battles.'
+
+'If you _must_ earn your living, lassie!'
+
+'It seems to be a clear duty. I will never stay away from home out of
+pride, or because I do not like to take favours from you, you may be
+quite sure of that. And if Brian could only find employment in this
+neighbourhood, oh, how glad I should be! He is not very strong, his
+health would be so much better in the country, and he would have quiet
+hours in which to write.... Oh, I forget--you don't know about Brian
+yet!'
+
+'Your bright face tells your secret, lassie. Tell me you love him, and
+that he loves you with all his heart, and then I shall be quite
+satisfied!'
+
+'Yes, to both those questions! He is a poor, hard-working journalist,
+earning a bare livelihood for himself.'
+
+'That doesn't matter; his love will give him courage to work on for you,
+and God will reward him some day!'
+
+'He does not call God "Father" yet; his mind is only just groping nearer
+to the Light; his heart has not yet been taken captive by the Lord.'
+
+'You will teach him, as I want to be taught. God will help you.'
+
+'Uncle Jack, you are the dearest consoler and encourager possible! Brian
+shall love you almost as well as I do! He shall come to see you very,
+very soon! Uncle Ross wants to see him too; isn't it strange?'
+
+'Surely not strange, lassie. He would naturally be interested. If my
+brother offers you a home with him--what then? You will be standing in
+your own light if you refuse. He is a rich man; Carm Hall is more fitted
+than this cottage to be your shelter. You mustn't allow any--any
+affection for me to--to influence you in this matter.'
+
+Yet, bravely though the colonel was looking this possibility in the
+face, nobly though he was anxious for Catherine's welfare rather than
+for his own pleasure, the contemplation of his vision of what might be,
+cast a shadow into his eyes. Watching him, Catherine learned how
+sincerely he wanted her.
+
+Though a most unworldly young woman (as Mrs. Arderne had often told
+her), she could not help understanding that she had made a choice which
+most people would blame and ridicule. She had promised always to regard
+Redan Cottage as home. Though she honestly believed that Uncle Ross
+would keep to his intention of leaving his wealth to be divided among
+charities, she could not deny that he might offer her, and even her
+husband, a home during his lifetime--possibly a small portion of his
+fortune might be set aside for them.
+
+Yet, as she had said, she believed 'the right of the quarrel to be on
+Uncle Jack's side,' and never could she deny this belief.
+
+The result of her short reflection was that she said happily, 'I have
+got a home now, and I prefer it to any other at present existing in all
+the world, dear colonel!'
+
+'Then my duty is done! I need never again try to persuade you to desert
+me, lassie! And if Brian is vexed with me----'
+
+'But he won't be.'
+
+'No doubt you can answer for him, so I won't trouble over any
+supposition! Ross does not need you, as Agatha does. He is a good man,
+in his own way; Heaven forbid I should judge him harshly, but he would
+not be grateful for being taught religion.'
+
+'My choice is made, uncle dear, and you may be sure I shall never, never
+regret it!'
+
+'God bless you, lassie!'
+
+The old gentleman bent his lips to his niece's hand, and they were both
+silent for a minute or two, gazing into the fire. Then he said:
+
+'I must take you to Agatha now; the poor little maid will be wearying
+for you.'
+
+So Catherine was led out of the tiny parlour, across the hall of this
+doll's house of a cottage, past the open door of the kitchen, where old
+Harriet and Robert were waiting to catch a glimpse of her as she passed,
+and into another room as wee as the parlour, where bright pictures, pink
+curtains and upholstery generally, and the presence of flowers,
+betokened the colonel's fatherly care for his adopted ward.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER IV
+
+Catherine's Resolution
+
+
+Agatha had been an invalid all her short life. Suffering had made her
+fretful and terribly nervous, especially of death, which she always
+imagined to be coming soon to her. She was not at all resigned to her
+lot, nor anxious to learn resignation, unless to escape the punishment
+that she feared must be the result of rebellion.
+
+A more unhappy, self-tormenting child could scarcely exist.
+
+Directly Catherine caught sight of the piteous-looking countenance, with
+its great dark passionate eyes, her heart went out to Agatha.
+
+The little girl was lying flat on a wheel-couch before the fire, with
+her face turned away from the warmth, towards the door of the room.
+There were tears on her cheeks; she had been indulging in a stormy fit
+of crying because she had been, as the colonel had surmised, wearying
+for the coming of Catherine.
+
+'You might have come to me sooner!'
+
+These were her first words.
+
+Bending to kiss her--a greeting that was warmly returned--Catherine
+answered:
+
+'It is such a long while since I saw Uncle Jack that it was excusable
+for us to have a great deal to say to one another, wasn't it? Don't
+scold me on the very first evening of our acquaintance, Agatha, for you
+and I will be friends soon, I hope. It is very nice of you to be anxious
+to share your home with me, dear. I cannot come to live here, but I
+shall pay you frequent visits, and spend my holidays with you both.'
+
+'You won't come altogether?'
+
+'I cannot give up my work.'
+
+Agatha laughed bitterly, and shrugged her shoulders with the gesture of
+a spoiled child.
+
+'I suppose you're afraid of offending our enemy! Guardian, don't look
+cross with me because I said that! He _is_ our enemy, if he isn't more
+willing to make up the quarrel than you say he is. Miss Carmichael,
+you'll be very silly if you don't take Uncle Ross's side of the dispute,
+not ours! Being poor, and living in a tiny cottage, and having to be
+economical, _is_ so horrid!'
+
+The colonel showed no sign of being cross; there was only an expression
+of perplexity in the gaze he bent upon his ward.
+
+'Now, dearie, do not try to shock Catherine--she will not understand, as
+I do, that you never mean one half the shocking things you say.'
+
+'Oh, guardian, I can't be polite to her, just as though she were a
+stranger, for I'm much too glad she's come. Catherine, if you make Uncle
+Ross adopt you, I suppose you'll be cutting us out, spoiling any chances
+we may have, you know, but I don't mind that a bit, and you can see
+guardian doesn't. Will you promise _always_ to remember that? I _would_
+like the quarrel to be made up, just so that we went back to Carm Hail
+to live, but that's all! I don't want any one to leave money to us,
+because----Oh, never mind about why. Only say you won't misunderstand
+when I grumble! I want _you_ most of all; if you'd come and live here,
+it wouldn't be as dull, and it's only the dulness that matters much.'
+
+This extraordinary series of sentences was delivered in a jerky,
+half-shy, half-reckless fashion, and Agatha's glance remained fixed on
+Catherine's face.
+
+Stroking the child's thin cheek, Miss Carmichael asked playfully:
+
+'Don't you know that you would have to be still more economical if I
+came to live here, dear?'
+
+To her amazement Agatha burst into tears.
+
+'There! you will misunderstand me! I only mind economy because I'm
+miserable often, and dull, and frightened. Now you've forced me to tell
+the truth, and guardian's feelings will be hurt. Oh, I'm always doing
+wrong somehow!'
+
+Catherine sat down on the edge of the couch, and laid her face on the
+tumbled mass of brown curls.
+
+'You little goose! I was half in fun. I do believe that you want me to
+come; only I can't, so you must be content to have me sometimes.'
+
+The sobs still continued.
+
+Uncle Jack smiled wistfully at his niece, shook his head with a puzzled
+air, and stole out of the room, wisely thinking that the two girls, of
+ages so different, would arrive sooner at mutual understanding if they
+were left alone together.
+
+Catherine refrained from asking for an explanation of the sobs, and
+presently Agatha raised a tear-strewn face out of the pillows, and
+nestling her cheek against her new friend's arm, said penitently:
+
+'I'm sorry I'm such a little beast. My ideas are all in a muddle, so
+that it's impossible for me to make you understand what I mean. And I
+was trying to be diplomatic, and you've no notion how difficult that is
+when one's head is always aching!'
+
+'Poor little woman! But why want to be diplomatic? Simplicity is true,
+noble and best. Your guardian has a simple heart.'
+
+'I am going to _try_ to make you understand, Catherine!' cried Agatha
+resolutely. 'Ever since guardian adopted me I've heard praises of
+you--of your courage, and sincerity, and beauty, and talents--until
+you've become a sort of _ideal_ to me. Do you see?'
+
+'A very poor basis to found an ideal upon!' laughed Catherine.
+
+'I know all about your Australian life--how you found out when the
+stockman (Jock was his name, wasn't it?) was being cruel to the cattle,
+and you told your stepfather about him, in spite of his threats of
+revenge. I've made a map of the station, and guardian marked the
+paddock-fence where your pony threw you when you were a child, and you
+called to your mother that you were "all right," though your leg was
+broken! I know how you used to spend your time, working for poor people,
+and trying to make the awful rough men kinder to their wives and
+children--and teaching the children about God and reading the Bible to
+invalids. Oh, you're a very satisfactory ideal, I assure you!'
+
+Catherine's face was one bright blush at this enthusiastic commendation.
+She was about to protest against it, but Agatha went on eagerly:
+
+'Don't contradict, please don't, for it's all true. I told you about it,
+so that you might leave off being surprised at my wanting you so much.
+You _can't_ seem like a stranger. I made up my mind to love you, long
+before I guessed you'd come to England, so when your letter came this
+morning I went just wild with delight. Guardian said at once that you
+would live with us, and then I thought how beautiful life would be.
+There was nothing but happiness in my mind until then.'
+
+She paused, frowning at the consideration of what came afterwards.
+
+'Go on, dear,' said Catherine encouragingly.
+
+'Then I found out that my wishes were all in a muddle too. Living in a
+cottage _is_ so tedious! There's nothing to see, and nothing to do.
+Guardian's out a great deal, busy over the volunteers, and there's no
+one but Robert to help Harriet, so he can't be spared often to wheel my
+chair. I do most dreadfully want to go back to Carm Hall to live, to
+have nice food, and pretty rooms, and money to buy presents, and--oh,
+and everything I used to have! Now, I suppose, you think me horrid and
+mean!'
+
+'No, dearie.'
+
+'Uncle Ross--I always called him that, you know--won't make the first
+advance, so the quarrel won't ever be made up unless guardian tries to
+do it. He would if he wasn't so proud, for he's very unhappy about being
+at war with a brother. You should just hear him pray about it every
+morning and night,--for we've family prayers now, with Harriet and
+Robert,--his voice often shakes, and on Uncle Ross's birthday the
+prayers are ever so long. At Christmas, and Easter, and any
+home-anniversary, he is just wretched, Catherine. Yet he is too proud to
+be persuaded to make any more advances.'
+
+'Any _more_?' repeated Miss Carmichael, questioningly.
+
+'Yes, he made lots at first. He used to write, until Uncle Ross refused
+to open any more letters; he sent congratulations to him on his
+birthday, until that message came back unread; he always spoke on
+Sundays in the churchyard, until once, when it was the anniversary of
+Loring's going away, and through a chance word the quarrel got as bad as
+ever again; and now Uncle Ross always passes us by with a stiff bow. Oh,
+guardian is in the right, only he's unhappy, and Uncle Ross isn't.
+Catherine, I scarcely know _what_ I want! that is the truth! I should
+hate for uncle to adopt you, because that would take you away from us;
+yet I almost began to hope that your coming would patch up the feud
+somehow. Can't you be peacemaker?'
+
+'I will do everything in my power to promote peace, dear.'
+
+'Yet by choosing this cottage for "home" you'll offend Uncle Ross
+bitterly. It'll be like Loring's choice all over again!--between Carm
+Hall and riches, and guardian and poverty. For it was his love for
+guardian that made Loring want to be a soldier. Dear Loring! He was
+always so good to me! Catherine, most people would call your choice
+dreadfully silly!'
+
+Catherine was aware of this, but her brave spirit was quite undaunted by
+the reflection. The choice had been offered her suddenly, between
+hurting Uncle Jack's feelings and accepting the home he had so lovingly
+offered her; and as her heart had dictated, so had she acted. In
+gratitude and affection had the choice been made. Now, far from
+regretting it, she had become aware of many strong reasons in its
+favour.
+
+To begin with, it gave her the chance to be Uncle Jack's confidante,
+even in a humble way his helper, in religious questions; it provided her
+with freedom which she could use in trying to heal the quarrel between
+her uncles; it offered her a new task and duty, that of helping poor,
+fretful, ignorant, passionate Agatha to find peace in the thought of
+Jesus Christ.
+
+Had Catherine remained homeless, she could have done, perhaps, much of
+the work she was already yearning to perform, but Uncle Ross might have
+doubted her perfect sincerity. Now she could not be suspected of
+mercenary motives in trying to influence him. Had she waited until he
+had offered her a home at Carm Hall, which might have happened, she
+would either have been obliged to offend him by refusing, or probably
+would have been forbidden to visit Redan Cottage. No!--though the world
+might ridicule her unselfish choice, she was proud and glad of it!
+
+For Brian North's sake it was natural that she should momentarily regret
+the lost chance of Uncle Ross's help for him; but she was perfectly
+sincere in the hearty words by which she assured Agatha that, though
+her choice might be ridiculed by some, she was yet both determined and
+happy in it.
+
+The girl clung to her, and protested both against her resolution to stay
+with Mrs. Arderne and her obligation to return now to Woodley Villa. But
+Catherine was firm.
+
+'You'll come again to-morrow, won't you?'
+
+'If I possibly can, darling.'
+
+'Oh, I want you so badly! I think you'll help me not to be so miserable.
+I'm _very_ ill, you know; the pain's often bad, and then I think I'm
+going to die at once, and--and if I _did_, I'm certain I shouldn't--go
+to heaven.'
+
+'_Agatha!_'
+
+With attempted bravado Agatha laughed.
+
+'No, of course I shouldn't! I'm beastly selfish, and I've never done
+anything but _think_ grumbles at God. I'm not resigned a bit,--not meek
+and humble of heart,--I don't see why I should be.'
+
+'Don't you? Have you never thought about the debt we sinners owe to the
+Son of the Heavenly Father, who died upon the cross for us, that we
+might become entitled to the glorious eternity of heavenly life?'
+
+'But God made me,--crippled, useless, invalided as I am!'
+
+'But, dearie, suppose some great physician came to tell you that you
+must suffer and be helpless for one short hour, and that then you would
+recover your health and strength for eighty or ninety years, would you
+not bless his name?'
+
+'Of course I would!'
+
+'And supposing that the physician had obtained your cure through making
+some colossal sacrifice himself as a propitiation?'
+
+'Catherine--you--you mean that Christ is the Great Physician!'
+
+'Yes, dear. When from the eternal heavens you look back upon your life
+of pain and weariness on earth, it will seem but as a fleeting hour, and
+you will wonder why you couldn't understand God's loving promises better
+while you lived,--why you grumbled at the moments of suffering which His
+compassion sent you to purify your soul from sin, to prevent your caring
+too much for the things of this earth. Why, Agatha, don't we despise a
+little child who cries and storms about some momentary, necessary pain?
+Yet we all of us behave just as weakly before the eyes of our Father.'
+
+'But I shan't ever get to heaven. I'm not good.'
+
+'Jesus came on earth to save sinners. Remember how we are told, "The
+Lord thy God in the midst of thee is mighty; He will save, He will
+rejoice over thee with joy; He will rest in His love, He will joy over
+thee with singing." Tell me, is that a picture of a cruel God? of One
+who does not feel for the weakness and perversity of human nature? Oh,
+my dearie, think over those three words only, "He will save," and offer
+Him your heart, with all its imperfect longings. He is the Saviour who
+"pardoneth iniquity, and passeth by transgression," who "retaineth not
+His anger for ever, because He delighteth in mercy."'
+
+Agatha's dark eyes gazed wonderingly at Catherine's sweet, smiling face.
+
+'I--I will think about Him,' she whispered after a pause. 'But, oh, do
+come again to-morrow if you can. Guardian doesn't talk about God as
+clearly as you do; he's groping after Him still, Catherine, but you
+speak and look just as though you'd been to heaven yourself, and seen
+Him face to face!'
+
+'So may we all see Him, dear,--in the blessings of earth, in daisies,
+and sunsets, and storms; in love, and humility, and suffering. For
+heaven is where He is, and He is everywhere! I shall pray that you may
+receive Him into your heart, and so make heaven there, little Agatha.'
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER V
+
+An Unshaken Resolution
+
+
+When Catherine ran up the steps of the villa on her return that night,
+she caught sight of Mrs. Arderne's anxious eyes peeping through a front
+window at her, and the door was quickly opened by that lady herself.
+
+'My dear girl, I have been worrying about you! How dark it is outside!'
+
+'I am not late for supper, am I?'
+
+'No. I only worried because you were out alone in the darkness.'
+
+'You dear soul! It was very kind of you, but there was nothing at all
+terrible to be met with in this peaceful English village! The poorer
+people are all out now, shopping for to-morrow--it is Saturday night,
+you know. There! I don't believe that a companion ought to call her
+employer "You dear soul." Why don't you scold me when I forget our new
+relation to one another?'
+
+Mrs. Arderne patted Catherine's rosy cheek, and taking her arm led her
+into the sitting-room, where supper was spread for two.
+
+'Because I do not wish you to be a bit different, child, except in the
+way of having more worldly wisdom in your private affairs. I hoped that
+your impecunious Uncle Jack would disappoint you, and his ward prove a
+captious, annoying, spoiled invalid, instead of which he has evidently
+pleased you so well that even Miss Agatha has not been able to put you
+out of spirits.'
+
+'Poor little Agatha!--indeed, she too pleased me!'
+
+Mrs. Arderne sighed.
+
+'It is a disappointment to _me_, I assure you, to see you come back
+wearing that radiant face!'
+
+'They have been so good to me! And the night air is deliciously cold,
+and I'm as hungry as a hunter! I must be an expensive companion, for I
+eat so much, don't I?'
+
+'Not a morsel more than a healthy girl should. Satisfy your appetite,
+Catherine; then we will sit round the fire while you give me an honest
+account of your visit to Redan Cottage.'
+
+So, when the servant had cleared away, the two friends began a cosy
+chat, the younger seated as usual on a low stool, leaning her right arm
+on the elder's knee.
+
+It was a joy to Catherine, this description of her visit to her Uncle
+Jack and Agatha, for it enabled her to recall the incidents of an
+eventful evening, and helped her to understand better both his character
+and that of his ward. The more she reflected and spoke, the more did she
+see that she had chosen rightly, and Mrs. Arderne's well-meant regrets
+only made her own courage and gratitude the stronger.
+
+After some discussion Mrs. Arderne asked, in bewildered tones:
+
+'Is it mere preference for one uncle that has made you choose to
+sacrifice all your chances, child?'
+
+'No. There are many, many reasons why I could not have chosen otherwise.
+You would not have had me refuse a kind offer, hurt Uncle Jack's
+feelings, disappoint Agatha, and deny my own wishes as well, and all for
+the sake of a possible financial advantage, would you? Uncle Ross did
+not offer me a home at all; and if he had done so, I don't think I could
+have accepted it. He would have expected me to share his line of policy
+towards Uncle Jack. Besides, I should have felt a mercenary wretch.
+Since I am blessed with health and an opportunity to earn my own
+living, I ought not to live in idleness and luxury at any relative's
+expense. And I should be wrong, were I to accept from one uncle the
+wealth which belongs rightly to his nearest relative--the other uncle.'
+
+'Now I do begin to understand!' cried Mrs. Arderne. 'Your pride
+influenced you principally in the making of your choice.'
+
+Catherine raised her frank eyes to meet the disapproving gaze of her
+friend.
+
+'I don't think it was a bad kind of pride,' she answered simply. 'And I
+was only leading up to my biggest reason of all.'
+
+'Probably that is as absurd as the others, my dear!'
+
+'I hope you won't try to think lightly of it, dear Mrs. Arderne, for it
+is the best and sincerest part of me. It is--my love for God. Uncle Jack
+and Agatha are actually in need of help that I can give them, while they
+in their turn will help me to lead the higher life, which is the only
+worthy one. We shall encourage one another to serve God better.'
+
+'But you are not going to live at Redan Cottage, thank goodness!'
+
+'No. I shall only spend most of my spare hours there so long as we are
+in the neighbourhood, and all my holidays will pass there, at home. Then
+I can write to them very, very often during the times I am away. As a
+rule people do not make half enough use of the post. It offers a
+splendid means of communication between friends who are parted.'
+
+'And if you had agreed to live at Carm Hall, you would have been within
+five miles of these beloved relatives!'
+
+'I should have been dependent upon a man who behaves persistently ill to
+them. Dear, kind friend, do you not suppose that if Uncle Ross became my
+benefactor, to the extent of giving me my daily all, he would not try,
+and be more or less justified in expecting, to make me obedient to his
+wishes in all important matters? If I let him be as a father to me,
+shouldn't I owe him consideration? And "consideration" in his opinion
+would mean giving up constant intercourse with those who have offended
+him.'
+
+'But, child, child, your Uncle Jack and Agatha can surely become
+religious without your aid, if they desire to.'
+
+Catherine laughed blithely.
+
+'Why, of course--only I think that I can help them, and that God means
+me to do so. If a poor man asked you for an alms, and you were _sure_ he
+was very hungry, you wouldn't refuse to give to him because some one
+else might be just as well able to do so. I have had experience in
+regard to the destitution of souls that know not God's peace. There is a
+spiritual hunger which is worse, far, far worse, both to bear and to
+witness, than mere bodily starvation!'
+
+An impatient sigh escaped Mrs. Arderne's lips.
+
+'You are an incorrigible zealot, evidently!'
+
+'I hope so.'
+
+'At least you will admit that you could be just as religious yourself at
+Carm Hall as at Redan Cottage.'
+
+'Oh yes; but Uncle Ross doesn't like people to be religious. He would
+attack my faith daily with sharp little weapons of perfectly courteous
+ridicule, and when I repulsed the attack he would be angry at heart with
+me.'
+
+'You could have borne that for Brian's sake, I should have thought, and
+you could have told your Uncle Jack to apply for religious instruction
+to the proper person, namely, the clergyman of the parish.'
+
+'Mr. Burnley, if he is still here, could scarcely be expected to spare
+time to smooth away all my poor little Agatha's nervous fears and
+doubts, even supposing she could be persuaded to tell them to him. Dear
+Mrs. Arderne, do not try to destroy my choice, for it is irrevocably
+made, and I am very happy in it.'
+
+'It is full of conceit, Catherine! You imagine you have a solemn mission
+from God to convert your heathen relatives.'
+
+Catherine's face clouded.
+
+'_Don't, dear!_' she pleaded earnestly. 'Don't try to be bitter or
+cynical, for those moods are quite unlike you. I may be conceited, I
+daresay I am, about other matters, but not about my knowledge of the
+love and mercy of our Saviour. That is a subject upon which I own my
+ignorance, for every hour that I live I make some new, beautiful,
+blessed discovery in it! But it is certain that God gives to each one of
+us some particular duties, some work to be performed to His honour and
+glory, and I cannot refuse to do that which seems to me both right and
+necessary. You wouldn't really wish me to choose to serve Mammon instead
+of God!'
+
+Mrs. Arderne would not own that she was convinced of Catherine's wisdom,
+though she could not advance another argument against the latter's
+decision. She contented herself with exclaiming:
+
+'You are a most disappointing young woman, Catherine!'
+
+'As a companion, please, ma'am?' asked the culprit, who was genuinely
+amused by this description of herself.
+
+'N-no; disappointing to your friends--to me especially, because I had
+set my heart upon seeing you reinstated in a position suited to you,
+either by your uncle or by your marriage.'
+
+'My Brian does not please you?'
+
+'You will not please him by this last folly.'
+
+'He isn't a bit mercenary. You will see, he will approve my choice, when
+he has read the long letter I mean to write him before breakfast
+to-morrow morning. He will sympathise, too, with my great wish, which is
+that, with God's help, I may be able to act as peacemaker between my
+uncles.'
+
+'Good gracious, child, I never contemplated that possibility!'
+
+'Did you not? It will be a difficult task.'
+
+'So I should imagine.'
+
+'But if I could but do it, they would all be so much happier! Dear Uncle
+Jack frets about the quarrel; he is really attached to his brother.
+Uncle Ross is terribly lonely in his big house, with no one to love him.
+Then Agatha could have the care and nursing she needs.'
+
+'And Catherine Carmichael could have----'
+
+'I don't understand you,' said the girl slowly, trying to read Mrs.
+Arderne's meaning in her face. 'I--should lose Redan Cottage for a home.
+And--oh, I suppose "home" would be Carm Hall then. How funny!'
+
+'How ridiculously unpractical you are! A veritable _baby_! This new plan
+of yours, Miss Peacemaker, is the one way in which you can make up to
+your friends, your lover, and yourself for the folly of your choice!
+Reconcile your uncles and go to live with them. Mr. Ross Carmichael will
+alter his will, and leave his thousands to you instead of to charities.'
+
+There was a very mischievous smile playing round Catherine's lips while
+she listened to Mrs. Arderne's eagerly explained advice, a smile which
+increased as she answered, 'I _am_ glad that you approve of me for
+something, and that our wishes coincide for once! I mean to try my very
+hardest to bring about that reconciliation; but I shall work for dear
+Uncle Jack's sake principally, then for Agatha's, lastly for Uncle
+Ross's. And if I am happy enough to succeed, I shall be so glad and
+proud that no worldly prospects of my own could possibly make me
+happier!'
+
+'_I_ can be mercenary-minded for you--that is one comfort, child.'
+
+'It would be nicer if you would not.'
+
+'Nonsense; you surely aren't so mad that you despise wealth and power?'
+
+'No; only I hate to calculate about them, and I don't covet them. God
+will send me enough daily bread, and that is all that matters.'
+
+'For the sake of Brian----'
+
+'Riches and position are not always blessings, dear Mrs. Arderne. We are
+told in the Bible, "He that hasteth to be rich hath an evil eye," "He
+that loveth silver shall not be satisfied with silver," and "How hardly
+shall they that have riches enter into the kingdom of God!" Neither for
+Brian nor for myself can I covet a stewardship the duties of which we
+may not be fitted to perform, which might take from us the best
+wealth--God's love.'
+
+'Of course I cannot say any more, since you have taken to quoting the
+Bible, Catherine. My memory for texts was always a bad one.'
+
+'Ted and Toddie shall not be able to say that when they are grown
+up--not unless they wilfully forget all I teach them, and they love
+their Scripture lessons too well to do that. Do you know, Toddie told me
+yesterday that God seems ever so much _realer_ than other kings? Wasn't
+it sweet of her?'
+
+Mrs. Arderne gave Catherine's brow a quick kiss.
+
+'Naturally _I_ think most of Toddie's speeches sweet. Go on training my
+babes in the knowledge of the Creator, Catherine, for I--I shouldn't
+like them to grow up to be worldly like their mother.'
+
+'You only _try_ to be worldly, your heart isn't one bit so.'
+
+'Yes, it is; I love all the pleasures and vanities of life. Now go to
+bed, Catherine, child, or you will oversleep yourself in the morning,
+and not be able to write that lengthy letter to Brian North.'
+
+The girl sprang up, and clasped her strong young arms round her friend,
+crying:
+
+'Good-night, then, you dearest of employers. Tell me once again that you
+_do_ really want me, and that you will give me notice directly I cease
+to be of use to you.'
+
+'Have I not told you, just this minute, that I want you for my babies'
+sakes as well as for my own? If Ted and Nora had not their "dear Carr"
+to teach them about God, they might question mother, and find out how
+little her knowledge is on the subject. You have another mission here,
+Catherine, for the enlightenment of ignorance.'
+
+'And "mother" knows where to seek knowledge, whereas babies do not.
+Thank you again and again, dear, for making me welcome.'
+
+Mrs. Arderne turned the conversation into a more shallow channel by
+laughingly reminding her young friend:
+
+'We shall probably get on together famously for the future, because your
+plan and my plan for you are identical. We are both bent upon the
+reconciliation of your uncles.'
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER VI
+
+A Sunday's Experiences
+
+
+Catherine Carmichael was up and dressed next day fully two hours before
+any one else was stirring in Woodley Villa. Then she said her prayers,
+and read her Bible, and still had plenty of time left for the writing of
+her letter.
+
+Softly opening the bedroom window, which was in the front of the house,
+she placed her desk on a small table, and sat down where she could feel
+the fresh wind and look out occasionally over the country scene.
+
+A September sunrise, and an open window! Mrs. Arderne would have been
+horrified at Catherine's imprudence, but to this girl an open-air life
+had been natural in all weathers, and for early hours she had a strong
+preference.
+
+'Before breakfast' was always her thinking-time. She was of opinion that
+men and women need leisure in which to reflect upon their lives, and to
+remember both the high purpose and the unimportance of earthly
+existence. Beginning the day thus, with happy realization of the
+creature's indebtedness to the Creator, she found daily crosses and
+perplexities much easier to bear with serenity, while joys and innocent
+pleasures acquired double powers of satisfaction, by being hallowed with
+foreseeing gratitude.
+
+The country was very quiet at this early hour of the Sabbath; no
+agricultural workers were abroad, and smoke had scarcely begun to issue
+from the picturesquely irregular chimneys of the village. In front of
+the villa were fields, pasture land upon which grazed some venerable
+horses, and across which a path wound away to a distant wood. Over the
+trees hung a pearl-tinted mist, which the sunshine was beginning to
+dispel. When, presently, the sun contrived to peep between two barriers
+of cloud, the wood gleamed golden and gorgeous, as the light struck upon
+its copper beeches.
+
+Catherine unconsciously smiled at the loveliness spread out before her
+eyes, and remembered the words of a poet:
+
+    'What sweeter aid my matins could befall
+    Than this fair glory from the East hath made?
+    What holy sleights hath God, the Lord of All,
+    To bid us feel and see! We are not free
+    To say we see not, for the glory comes,
+    Nightly and daily, like the flowing sea.'
+
+Then she took up her pen and began to write to Brian.
+
+This was no hard task, for she knew that he liked her letters to be
+rambling and unstudied, consisting of sentences from her heart, just as
+she loved best to make them. All her pure girl's fancies and imaginings
+about the higher life, all her tender anxieties--on the subject of
+himself usually--her fears for his health, and longings for his complete
+understanding of God, all her merry discoveries in her daily life, all
+the kindnesses she received, all her hopes for the future, these were
+written down simply for his interest. Fortunately, Brian North could be
+trusted to appreciate and reverence Catherine's sincerity. The letter,
+when written, was a precious revelation of a good woman's very soul.
+
+Probably the 'good woman' herself would never guess how large an effect
+her letters wrought upon Brian's heart and intellect, how he was
+learning to accept her ideas, see God through her eyes, and exchange
+his worldly ambitions for her lofty content with aspirations infinitely
+nobler.
+
+She was quite unconsciously setting him a lovable model of a Christian
+life, as all God-serving girls should be able to do for those who are
+dear to them.
+
+Her pen flew over the several sheets of paper, until she felt satisfied
+that her lover had been given a really accurate description of her new
+experiences at Beverbridge. She had honestly tried not to allow her
+great affection for Uncle Jack to prejudice her in writing of Uncle
+Ross, yet she wanted Brian to be prepared to be devoted to the former.
+
+Mrs. Arderne's suggestion that Brian would not approve of his
+betrothed's acceptance of Redan Cottage as 'home' scarcely occurred to
+Catherine this morning. She had not the least doubt that she had acted
+in the best way in regard to Uncle Jack's offer, and so, loyally, she
+felt certain that Brian must agree with her when he considered the
+subject.
+
+The letter, though of even unusual length, was finished some time before
+the hour for breakfast, so Catherine began to write another to her
+cousin George in Melbourne, the cousin who had been in the same regiment
+with poor Loring Carmichael.
+
+After sending messages to George's relatives, and giving him a spirited
+account of her experiences in London, describing the sights she had
+seen, she continued as follows:
+
+'Do you remember that you used to call me "the most meddlesome of
+girls"?--that year when I tried to reconcile my stepfather and his men.
+Well, I am going to be meddlesome again, for I want, if God will let me,
+to make peace between our two English uncles. Would you believe that
+they are living in different houses in the same neighbourhood, and are
+still estranged because of Loring's choice of a profession? Yet I can
+see that they both desire to be friends again, if once their pride
+could be overcome. Now that Loring is dead, Uncle Jack must partly
+regret having persuaded him to be a soldier, and Uncle Ross should be
+able to forgive the choice, especially as he has been chiefly to blame
+for the strength to which this foolish family feud has attained. If you
+can tell me anything, George, about Loring's death, since you, his
+friend, were with him when he fell, I might be fortunate enough to
+effect a reconciliation through their mutual interest in the news. Did
+Loring send no messages to either uncle? Please let me know all you
+know, for I, being on the spot, can perhaps make good use of the
+knowledge.'
+
+This letter was also finished, and the envelope addressed and stamped,
+before the breakfast bell sounded.
+
+Catherine ran downstairs, to find Ted and Toddie awaiting her in the
+dining-room, two solemn-faced little people, wearing their best frocks,
+and standing side by side, hand in hand, on the hearth-rug.
+
+'We've been _vewwy_ good, an' we're so tired wiv it,' announced Toddie,
+with emphasis.
+
+'We didn't fink muvver was ever comin', nor you, nor bweakfast,'
+explained Ted. 'Bweakfast comed first though, an' we didn't peep one bit
+under the cover, did we, Toddie?'
+
+'No, but it's sausages, I fink, 'cause it smells like it.'
+
+'Then you comed next, dearie Carr, an' we won't have to be good no
+longer.'
+
+Ted's face was roguish again, and he scrambled on to Catherine's knee as
+she sat down in the arm-chair, while Toddie, regardless of her Sunday
+dress, sank down in a happy heap on the rug at her feet.
+
+'Not good any more! Oh, Ted, you know I always want you to be good!' she
+exclaimed, trying to preserve discipline.
+
+'Oh yes, of course!' cried the culprit, 'only the nurse says "Be vewwy
+good children," when she just wants us not to cwumple our clothes. _You_
+don't do that. _You_ don't like us best when we're _stiff_, does you,
+Carr?'
+
+'You mustn't spoil your nice clothes on purpose, Ted and Toddie, but
+you--you needn't keep on remembering them. Why, they are sensibly-chosen
+clothes, they will not easily take harm. Some poor little children are
+always dressed in silks and satins, so grand that they are expected to
+take great care of them, but your kind mamma likes you to be happy and
+able to romp about.'
+
+'_Silks an' satins!_' repeated Toddie. 'Gwacious!--_wouldn't_ we cwumple
+them all up!'
+
+Mrs. Arderne came into the room, and found the usual picture awaiting
+her vision--Catherine and the babies laughing together, clinging
+together, perfectly happy in their merriment.
+
+'Ah, chickies, plaguing "Carr" again. Catherine, dear, in a weak moment
+yesterday I promised those infants that they should spend Sunday with
+us, and come to church.'
+
+'We'll be _vewwy_ good.'
+
+'We'll twy dreffully hard not to laugh.'
+
+Catherine kissed them both as she lifted them comfortably on to their
+chairs close to the table.
+
+'You must promise faithfully not to talk in church, children, not even
+if there is a funny-looking old lady in front of you, or any naughty
+little boys try to make you laugh at them.'
+
+'Not if there's anover lady who can't find her pocket, Carr?'
+
+'Or an old, old man wiv a spider cweeping up his back?'
+
+'Not for any reason at all. You must promise to try to remember all the
+time that you are in church to please God, not to amuse yourselves.'
+
+'But we mustn't speak pwayers out loud.'
+
+'Muvver, you don't always 'member, _does_ you?'
+
+'I'se _sure_ muvver doesn't, 'cause once she laughed an' spoke to Carr
+something about bonnets,' cried Toddie delightedly.
+
+'Now you are beginning to talk too much, and about matters you do not
+properly understand,' said Miss Carmichael quickly. 'Say grace, and eat
+your breakfasts, dears.'
+
+The mother and children, and the companion, sallied forth early to find
+the village church. Ted and Toddie walked most demurely, one on either
+side of Catherine, sometimes uttering their quaint criticisms of the
+people and objects they passed, and proudly carrying their Prayer-books,
+so that their own destination was plainly intimated to all persons
+curious on the subject.
+
+'Won't look as though we was goin' no wicked walk,' explained Toddie.
+
+The church proved to be quite a long walk away. It was a beautiful old
+grey brick building, wreathed and wrapped round by ivies of many
+species, and stood, in the midst of its little graveyard, on the summit
+of a hill. Two roads approached it from different sides of the country,
+and there was also a much-used footpath leading from a vista of
+park-like meadows to the vestry door.
+
+By this path came the clergyman, a venerable-looking gentleman, whom
+Catherine guessed to be the Mr. Burnley of whom her uncles had told her
+many years ago.
+
+Just as Catherine passed at the wicket-gate of the churchyard she became
+aware of the approach of Mr. Ross Carmichael, who had just stepped out
+of his carriage. It was a rare event for him to be seen in the precincts
+of a church. The tall, straight old gentleman was dressed with his
+accustomed care, from the glossy hat to the perfectly-fitting _Suede_
+gloves, and the white 'spats' over patent-leather boots. Catherine
+noticed that his step was very firm, unlike that of Uncle Jack, who was
+approaching from a greater distance, coming slowly uphill, beside
+Agatha's wheel-chair, which Robert was pushing. The military uncle's
+face had none of the deep lines which creased that of the business man,
+yet he seemed the elder and less strong, and his moustache was quite as
+silvery as was the other's short beard.
+
+Probably Uncle Ross was aware of the approach of Uncle Jack, for he
+advanced quickly to greet his niece, who introduced him to Mrs. Arderne.
+
+'This is a pleasure. I trust you will add to it by helping to fill my
+pew.'
+
+Now this invitation could not easily be refused, though Catherine
+reflected regretfully that her other relative might object to her having
+accepted it. Mrs. Arderne settled the question by answering gratefully:
+
+'That is exceedingly kind of you, Mr. Carmichael. It is sometimes so
+difficult for strangers to find good seats in country churches. I only
+hope that the children will do nothing to make you regret your
+considerate offer.'
+
+Ted and Toddie were gazing in an awe-stricken manner up into the face of
+the austere-looking, handsome old gentleman, who now shook hands
+ceremoniously with them both.
+
+Uncle Jack and Agatha were nearly at the gate by this time. Uncle Ross,
+after a glance over his shoulder, lingered outside the porch to ask:
+
+'Catherine, I am anxious for another talk with you. Can you come to see
+me to-morrow? Will you be able to spare her, Mrs. Arderne?'
+
+'Oh, certainly.'
+
+'I will walk up in the afternoon then,' said the girl; adding, with a
+laugh and a blush, 'and if by any happy chance Brian should run down
+to-morrow to see me, may I bring him also?'
+
+'It will gratify me to make his acquaintance. Excuse my leading the way
+into church.'
+
+Uncle Jack and Agatha were not more than twelve steps behind now, but
+Catherine could not refuse to follow Uncle Ross through the porch and up
+the aisle. Ted and Toddie peeped across her skirts at one another, and
+murmured, '_Dwefful_!'
+
+'I will speak to Uncle Jack at all costs, even if I have to appear rude
+to Uncle Ross, after service,' Catherine decided.
+
+She tried her utmost to forget her family quarrel, at least its
+difficulties and perplexing incidents, while she listened to the sermon;
+and endeavoured, as she prayed for God's help in her effort at
+peace-making, not to be conscious of the reproachful glances which
+Agatha, from her chair in a side aisle, was directing towards her.
+
+Afterwards, when the congregation had nearly dispersed, Uncle Jack and
+Uncle Ross remained in church, each waiting for the other to move first.
+Each happened to be resolved not to do so. Uncle Ross wished to prevent
+Catherine from speaking to his brother. Uncle Jack was simply determined
+to speak to her, as he and Agatha both desired to do so.
+
+At length, when the long wait was becoming ridiculous, and Ted and
+Toddie were beginning to fidget, Mr. Ross Carmichael rose, and walking
+with more than usual stiffness, led the way out of church. Immediately
+the colonel marched out, too, down the side aisle.
+
+The groups joined in the porch, and passed into the open air together.
+
+Catherine saw the two old gentlemen exchange the stiffest of bows, but
+her quick eyes noted also the restrained impulse of Uncle Jack's right
+hand, and the wistful expression in the gaze with which he regarded his
+brother, who was now bending courteously over Agatha's chair, inquiring
+after her health.
+
+'I'm tired, and in pain, but then I always am,' said the child
+fretfully. 'And I've had a lot of neuralgia lately; the air seems damp
+and horrid down in the village, where _we_ live.'
+
+Uncle Ross murmured polite regrets, and after bowing to Mrs. Arderne,
+and reminding his niece, 'I shall expect you to-morrow afternoon, then,'
+turned away by the footpath across the fields.
+
+By this time Mrs. Arderne and the colonel were chatting together.
+
+Agatha beckoned to Catherine to come near, and whispered:
+
+'You ought to have sat in _our_ seat.'
+
+'No; if I have accepted a "home" from one uncle, surely I may accept the
+occasional loan of a pew from the other? You must not be unreasonable,
+dear, if you want me to try to effect a reconciliation; you must leave
+me free to use my own methods.'
+
+'Horrid old man! and you are going to him to-morrow!'
+
+'Well, I am coming to you to-day. Mrs. Arderne has kindly promised to
+spare me this evening.'
+
+'Come early, then, for I want some of you all to myself!'
+
+Ted and Toddie ran up to the side of the wheel-chair at this moment, and
+scrutinized Agatha.
+
+'Can't you get up?'
+
+'No.'
+
+'Never mind, though,' said Toddie, anxious to be consoling. 'You look
+vewwy nice, an' you must feel comfor'ble. I wish _we_ had sofas in
+church. Carr wouldn't let us even kneel back'ards this mornin'.'
+
+''Cause of the stiff old man,' Ted explained. '_Your_ old man's ever so
+much nicer!'
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER VII
+
+A Ray of Light
+
+
+'I don't suppose she'll come at all, guardian. Everything turns out
+disappointing. That Mrs. Arderne will keep her indoors, or she'll be
+afraid to walk in the rain, or she'll forget all about me, or
+those--those extraordinary children will coax her to stay with them.'
+
+Agatha had been fretting all the afternoon in this fashion, until she
+had forced herself to believe her own dismal prophecies, and no words of
+her guardian availed to comfort her.
+
+He was standing beside her couch now, holding her thin right hand in his
+firm grasp, smilingly trying to persuade her to be more reasonable, and
+to take the tea and hot buttered toast which Harriet had prepared with
+so much care.
+
+The colonel was enveloped in a huge cloak, for he was going out to read
+aloud at a Young Men's Club,--a habit of his on many Sunday evenings.
+
+'Catherine is true to her promises, I am certain of that, dear. She will
+come to you if she possibly can.'
+
+'Very likely; but she is sure to be afraid of the weather. Just listen
+to the wind and rain! It is a shame, when the morning was so lovely.'
+
+'God's weather, my little woman: that must be for the best.'
+
+'Oh, _bother_!' was the rude answer, and Agatha turned her head away
+from her best friend.
+
+The colonel did not take offence. He was grieved by her rebellion
+against God far more than by her impertinence to himself; and he was
+sufficiently humble to recollect how short a time it was since he had
+learned to trust the All-Father, saying in his thoughts, 'If I, a grown
+man, could be both ignorant and stubborn-willed, how dare I be shocked
+by this invalid child's foolishness?'
+
+So, instead of scolding, he slipped an arm under Agatha's shoulders to
+raise her up, that she might take her tea before he was obliged to leave
+her.
+
+'If Catherine comes, you will need strength to entertain her cheerfully.
+Be brave and good, dear.'
+
+Agatha longed to push the cup away from her, but his patient kindness
+prevailed over her cross mood.
+
+'I'm a savage little beast. Guardian, I'm--I'm sorry!'
+
+'There's a dear girl! No doubt pain is very bad to bear.'
+
+'I haven't any pain now--only in my temper. But I don't pretend to be
+_religiously_ sorry, you know; I don't want to be bad to you--that's
+all.'
+
+'Your Father in heaven loves you better than I, your adopted father on
+earth, can do.'
+
+'You only love me out of duty. It must be that, because I'm not a bit
+nice; so probably my Father in heaven gave me up long ago!'
+
+'Agatha, my darling, do you not know better than that?'
+
+'Better than _which_, guardian? better than to doubt God's love or
+yours?' she asked, smiling through tears that seemed to burn her weary
+eyes.
+
+'I might answer truthfully, "Both"; but if you cannot trust in my love,
+you should be able to lean confidently upon the love of your Maker.'
+
+'Are you _really_ fond of me? Would you be sorry if I were to die?'
+
+Colonel Jack looked his ward gravely in the face, his eyes filled with
+sincerity. He was a man of action, not of words, so he made no lengthy
+protestations, only saying with heartfelt fervour:
+
+'I love you, for your own sake and that of my old friend, your father;
+and I should be lonely without you.'
+
+Agatha gazed at him in silence for a minute or two, studying the
+sincerity of his eyes, which had so often looked at death calmly. Then
+she pressed her lips to his hand, and cried:
+
+'I'm happier now, then! It's dreadful to think that no one does.
+Perhaps--I mean, I'll believe God does.'
+
+'"Greater love hath no man than this, that he lay down his life for his
+friends,"' quoted the colonel reverently.
+
+'Guardian, you are always repeating that. I believe it's the only text
+you know by heart!'
+
+Seeing Agatha's natural expression come again to her face--the teasing,
+audacious, little smile he knew so well--he was contented.
+
+'It is the best I _could_ remember, little woman. Now, promise me you
+will not fret any more to-night, while I am away. Catherine will come to
+you, unless she is unavoidably prevented.'
+
+'I'll try to be reasonable. It would be much nicer if you could stay
+with me till she comes, though. There's something very odd about
+persuading young men and boys to go to a club on Sunday evenings, just
+to hear reading, when they could quite well go to church.'
+
+'None are allowed in but those who have been to church in the morning,
+and Mr. Burnley tells me that many go to service (who used never to be
+seen in church before), just that they may be entitled to join our
+Sunday evening circle. We read interesting books to them, and sometimes
+there are recitations of poems,--it is not surprising how many great
+literary works there are which raise the heart and mind to God. Then we
+always begin and end with prayer. It is not a bad service itself,
+Agatha; and the young fellows would not go to church twice a day--they
+would probably spend their evenings in gambling and drinking, or in the
+company of street loafers. Beverbridge has its bad characters.'
+
+'Now, why is it that you never address meetings of the club?' asked his
+ward mischievously. 'That was quite a speech!'
+
+He laughed.
+
+'_I_ speak? My courage fails me even when I begin to read aloud! No, no,
+that is not the kind of action for which my poor powers are suitable....
+Now, good-bye, my dear. Keep a brave heart until Catherine comes. Be
+God's plucky little soldier!'
+
+Only half an hour later Agatha was nestling her face against Catherine
+Carmichael's shoulder, smiling up at her radiantly. They were talking of
+Agatha's own life,--its trials, pleasures, wants, and blessings.
+
+'Oh, you can't guess how badly I've wanted a girl-friend, some one to
+tell everything to! I used to dream about you, when you were out in
+Australia, and I nearly began to write long letters to you.'
+
+'I wish you had written.'
+
+'You couldn't have known what I was like. I should have hated you to
+think me nice, and then to have come to England and been disappointed.
+It's best as it is. Help me, Cath; _do_ help me! What am I to do to be
+nicer?'
+
+'Leave off thinking so much about yourself.'
+
+'Why? I ought to meditate continually upon my faults, ought I not?
+People have told me so.'
+
+'That is a morbid idea of religion and duty, dear. Be as sorry as
+possible for your sins, but spare time to meditate upon God's mercy and
+goodness, otherwise how can you learn to love Him? Then again, by
+thinking always of your faults, you grow into a spiritual hypochondriac.
+How ill a person would feel who spent all his time in considering the
+exact strength and nature of every small pain or weariness! No, no,
+Agatha; to be healthily religious, you must trust in God a great deal
+more, and, in remembering Him, forget yourself!'
+
+'It must be much easier for you, Catherine,' said the little girl
+wistfully, 'for _you_ never feel too ill to do anything but be cross, do
+you?'
+
+'No, dear. But there will be a wonderful reward due to you in heaven,
+if, in spite of your bodily weakness, you serve the Father bravely. Tell
+Him your difficulties; speak to Him quite simply, at all hours, out of
+the fulness of your heart, and He will understand. You will learn to
+feel sure of His presence near you; you will love to bear pain
+patiently, to please Him, and in remembrance of the agony He chose for
+His portion in order that we, His rebellious servants, might be
+eternally happy. Once you have learned this lesson, you will never feel
+lonely any more.'
+
+Catherine's face was glorified by the light of the peace of which she
+was speaking, that peace which truly passeth understanding! Perhaps
+Agatha learned more by watching her friend's face than even by listening
+to her words. Certainly she was both convinced and comforted.
+
+'Catherine, I'll try.'
+
+The promise (for as a promise the words were spoken) came slowly,
+earnestly, eagerly from the child's lips. Then, laying her head on her
+friend's shoulder, she went on to say:
+
+'It won't be easy, I know that; and it means never trying to please
+myself only, never speaking angrily just to make other people angry,
+never calling Uncle Ross our enemy and trying to hate him, never.... Oh
+yes, it _will_ be difficult! Only now I seem to understand, as I never
+did before, that it isn't only people who want to be extra good, but
+it's _every one_ who ought to serve God _thoroughly_. Do you know what I
+mean?'
+
+'Yes, dear. It is very common for persons to say or think, "_I_ needn't
+devote my whole efforts to serving God. _I_ shall be all right, so long
+as I do not sin in great matters." But that is a form of ignorance.
+Directly such a person is asked, "Why were you created?" "Are you
+fulfilling the Creator's purpose?" there is no answer forthcoming,
+except an admission of failure. Now we all of us despise failures that
+are the result of idleness; so how can we expect God, at the last
+judgment, to reward us for failing through our ill-will and
+slothfulness?'
+
+'It all seems quite plain, when you talk of religion.'
+
+Catherine's gentle hands were stroking Agatha's hot forehead, passing
+and repassing over her eyes with a soft touch which was very soothing.
+
+'My mother taught me all these truths, and I have never forgotten them,'
+she answered. 'So you are going to give God your whole heart?'
+
+'I'll begin this very evening, and I shall write down the promise, in
+cypher, in my diary, that I mayn't ever be able to forget for long.
+Cath, if I were to die now ... should I go to hell?'
+
+'If _you_ had a servant who had neglected his duty, but who was honestly
+sorry, and promised you that he would never wilfully sin against you
+again, would you wish to condemn him to eternal misery? Oh, childie,
+when you doubt God's mercy, you do Him a terrible injustice, for He is
+many million times more generous than the greatest and best of His
+creatures can ever become.'
+
+'Oh, Catherine, you _are_ beautiful!'
+
+'Why, what sudden nonsense is this, my pet?' was the amused question.
+
+'I was watching you. Does Mr. North love you very, _very_ much? He ought
+to.'
+
+Blushes stole over the face that had been praised.
+
+'He loves me a great deal more than I deserve.'
+
+'I made guardian tell me all you told him. You don't mind my knowing, do
+you?'
+
+'Of course not. It will be nice to be able to talk and write of him to
+you, little one, for there was no one to sympathise with my romance
+until I found you and Uncle Jack.... Brian _may_ come down to see me
+to-morrow, but I am trying not to hope too much, or else I shall feel
+dismal if a disappointment follows. Still, he hasn't telegraphed yet,
+nor written for two whole days, so I think he must be coming.'
+
+'If he does, you will bring him here?' asked Agatha excitedly.
+
+Catherine nodded.
+
+'I am simply longing to show him to Uncle Jack; they are sure to love
+one another. In the afternoon I have agreed to go to see Uncle Ross, and
+to take Brian with me, if possible.... Now, Agatha! What a dreadful
+frown!'
+
+'It's gone, now, and I know you are quite right and wise, Cath. Please
+go on with what you were going to say.'
+
+'But I shall insist upon leaving Carm Hall in time to spend the evening
+here. I shall say you have invited me to supper. That will be true,
+won't it?'
+
+'Yes, yes, and Harriet shall lay the cloth and make the table look very
+nice, before she goes out for her "evening." Ah, Cath, you have made me
+happy!'
+
+'God bless you, darling! He will teach you to be a great deal happier
+yet, I hope.'
+
+When the colonel returned from his work at the club he heard Agatha's
+laughter resounding through the cottage,--a sound that was strange
+indeed. The girls were neither of them in the least tired of their
+_tete-a-tete_, yet they gladly welcomed him and soon the three were
+chatting as gaily as two had done.
+
+Before Catherine went home she shared in the evening prayer at Redan
+Cottage, and heard the colonel's voice falter as he offered up one
+special petition for the 'welfare, spiritual and temporal, of all
+relatives and friends.'
+
+No wonder that the girl's heart was filled with rejoicing as she walked
+back to Woodley Villa! She had been able to comfort poor little Agatha,
+and had persuaded her to serve God. And there was still plenty of work
+to be done, a beautiful reconciliation to effect, if God would give her
+grace and aid sufficient.
+
+Not for an instant did she count up the gains that might accrue to
+herself from this peace-making. Her intentions were pure and unselfish.
+
+Little world-loving Mrs. Arderne would have marvelled again, had she
+been able to read her companion's heart to-night.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER VIII
+
+The Coming of Catherine's Betrothed
+
+
+By ten o'clock on Monday morning Brian North had earned a holiday. He
+had been up and working since the small hours, but instead of going back
+to his lodgings to rest, he hurried to a station and took train for
+Beverbridge. Catherine's letter had been brought to him, and had made a
+precious interlude to his occupation. Generally he was as busy in the
+evening as in the morning, but his other occupation had been taken away
+from him,--a loss which he was obliged to regret, although it had
+obtained him an opportunity for a few days' holiday in the neighbourhood
+of Catherine Carmichael.
+
+Had she been in London, Brian would have remained there, too; so when
+the landscape began to be green, and the buildings few, and the sky
+showed a clear expanse above, his spirits revived with his gratitude for
+the fact that his dear girl was in the country. The fresh pure air
+strengthened him already.
+
+Beverbridge was a long journey from town, but he found time pass
+pleasantly, as he leaned back close to the open window, and let his
+thoughts rove over the subject of Catherine's perfections. There would
+be need to ponder over the question how to gain some new work, how
+secure a prize in an overcrowded amphitheatre, since his marriage would
+be delayed until he could earn not only a sufficient income to provide a
+home, but also a small sum 'laid by' as provision for 'rainy days.'
+
+Brian was resolved not to persuade Catherine to make an improvident
+marriage; he had seen much misery resulting from such folly, and his
+love for her was deep enough to make his plans unselfish.
+
+There was a smile on his lips as he sat thinking, alone in the railway
+carriage--the smile which thoughts of Catherine always created. Tired,
+disappointed, harassed though he was, his life was blessed by a great
+happiness, and but for the fear of being guilty of hypocrisy, he would
+have thanked God for it.
+
+These were the doubts which prompted the fear: 'Was he not supposed to
+be resigned to any possible manifestation of God's will? Without this
+resignation would not gratitude be guilty of mockery, since the Creator
+possessed undoubtedly the right to take, as well as to give? How could
+he honestly thank God for the gift of Catherine, if he were not prepared
+also to acknowledge God's right to take Catherine from him?
+
+It may be thought that Brian was too sincere with himself in this
+matter. The girl he loved was strong and healthy, and likely, humanly
+speaking, to live to a good old age. But he was essentially thorough,
+and now that he was groping after the light, he was anxious to invite it
+to shine into every corner of his heart. He had already perceived that
+religion must be all or nothing, a sham or a whole, so that he could not
+rest content with any reservations.
+
+If he was to love God, then to the Creator must be given more love than
+to the creature. Human tenderness and sympathy do not enter into the
+devotion that a soul must cherish for its Maker. He was not so foolish
+as to expect to feel the same impulses of longing for a vision of God,
+for instance, as it was natural for him to feel for the presence of
+Catherine; but he was not able yet to give the love which is commanded,
+the perfect acknowledgment of God as Author of all good, the resignation
+of praying 'Thy will be done,' of owning 'Thy will must be best,' and
+the confidence of leaving the future entirely, gladly, in God's care.
+
+Brian often worried about the future. His health suffered from the
+feverish manner in which he pursued Fortune--all for Catherine's sake.
+As a youth he had fretted for fame; now he spent his life in restlessly
+striving after money and a secured position.
+
+His pale, lined face, the grey hairs threading the dark curls over his
+temples, and his sunken eager eyes, proclaimed his want of peace.
+
+There was no one but a porter in the little Beverbridge station when
+Brian arrived. Just as he was calling the man to take charge of his bag,
+and to direct him to a respectable inn, he chanced to look up at the
+bridge which spanned the rail. A tall girl standing, holding a little
+boy in her arms--Catherine herself!
+
+Lovers' eyes are seldom deceived in such cases. Catherine, out for a
+walk with Ted and Toddie, had brought them within the precincts of the
+railway, not only because the small folks delighted in the sight of 'a
+big puffing engine,' but also because there was a possibility that Brian
+might come down to-day by the London express.
+
+Her beaming smile as she gazed down at him over the parapet of the
+bridge was the cause of sympathetic beams upon his face.
+
+'That gentleman is--a great friend of mine, Ted and Toddie!' she cried
+exultantly.
+
+'How nice!' said Ted. 'He _must_ be nice if _you_ like him, Carr.'
+
+'He's comin' up. Oh, poor, poor man! Is he ill, Carr?'
+
+'No, dears, only hard-worked; and he lives in smoky dark London.'
+
+By this time Brian had mounted the steps and emerged through the doorway
+on to the bridge.
+
+Catherine had put down the child, so she put both her hands into
+Brian's, and so they stood for a few minutes, smiling, silent, looking
+into one another's eyes, in delicious contentment at having met once
+more.
+
+Then the woman's practical mind read the significance of the presence of
+a bag.
+
+'You are come, and you haven't got to go away again yet!'
+
+'I may spend three days in Beverbridge, dear.'
+
+'God is good!' was Catherine's simple answer.
+
+'_I'm_ Ted Arderne,' announced a little voice.
+
+'And I'm Toddie,' said another.
+
+Brian responded warmly to the children's greeting, gave Ted his umbrella
+to play with, and made Toddie laugh at the energy with which he
+shouldered his bag. Together they went along the quiet country road and
+through the pretty village, Brian delighting in the autumnal crispness
+of the wind and in the beauty of the unpretentious scenery.
+
+'Did you expect me, Catherine?' he asked.
+
+'I only hoped for you.'
+
+Mrs. Arderne welcomed Brian most kindly. True, she did not think that in
+becoming engaged to him Catherine had acted wisely, but her womanly
+instinct was aroused to take benevolent interest in a love affair. She
+could not help being prepossessed in Brian's favour by the first glimpse
+of his expressive, clever-looking, worn face. And the manner in which
+she showed her kindness was the best evidence she could have given of
+her sympathy.
+
+'I will take care of the children,' she said. 'You and Mr. North can
+have a quiet half-hour in the garden before lunch. You must have reams
+to say to each other.'
+
+So Catherine led him out, and they strolled up and down the narrow
+gravel paths, under the gnarled branches of venerable apple trees, in
+and out among the flower beds, and past the vegetables. Then he began to
+tell her about his troubles.
+
+'You are much poorer, then, than you were?' she said quickly, glancing
+at his face. 'And I might have helped you--I mean, I might have schemed
+to gain a fortune--and I won't even try to do so. Brian, tell me all
+that is in your heart now, all the thoughts that came to you when you
+read my long letter.'
+
+'I love and admire my dear brave girl more than ever. When I had read
+her letter all through, I told myself that she was a woman in a
+thousand, that it was a privilege indeed to be allowed to work for her.
+Then, if you want a complete account, I smiled over the description of
+Uncles Ross and Jack, and reflected, "What a first-rate old chap the
+colonel must be!"'
+
+'Did you? I'm glad. You must love him. And you do not in the very least
+wee bit blame me for having accepted the home he offered me?'
+
+'No, Catherine; I would have you happy and free to follow your own
+ideal. We should neither of us know much happiness, my dear one, if we
+were a rich relative's pensioners, obliged to humour all his whims, and
+keep silent when we disapproved of his practices.'
+
+'You are--just the Brian I knew you were!' she exclaimed gratefully.
+
+'Only poorer.'
+
+'A new post will be found some day. Meanwhile you will have a
+badly-needed rest!'
+
+'The literary labour-market is fearfully overcrowded, Catherine. I doubt
+if I shall obtain more employment,--not before Christmas, at all events.
+Every week of idleness postpones our wedding day.'
+
+'God will help us, even in worldly matters, if we ask Him to, and if we
+trust Him, dearest. Tell me, have you _thought_, as you promised to
+think? Have you studied your Bible? Have you prayed for faith?'
+
+'Yes, to all three questions. I do believe, but my new faith is not
+strong enough to stand some tests I have put it to--one test
+especially.'
+
+'What is it?'
+
+'If God took you away from me, Cath, I could not forgive Him.'
+
+'Yet God gave me to you. But for His will we should never have crossed
+one another's paths, never loved one another.'
+
+'That truth would in no way minimise the loss we are supposing.'
+
+'If I were to die, you would not wish that we had never loved one
+another?'
+
+'No, no!'
+
+'Then, by your own admission, God would have conferred a boon upon you,
+even if He had done that which, in thought, appals you.'
+
+'The apparent cruelty of His will would not be less.'
+
+'You are not rebellious now because we are parted for weeks together,
+Brian.'
+
+'Because I am hoping for a time when we shall be always together,
+dearest.'
+
+She smiled radiantly.
+
+'Ah! you have answered your own doubt! _Life_ is only as a day compared
+with eternity. What though God, for some wise and good purpose, were to
+part us on earth! has He not promised an everlasting home of perfect
+happiness after life? Oh, dear boy, let us praise Him every hour for the
+gift of love He has generously bestowed on us. Don't let us use His gift
+to deny Him! Besides, it is wrong for a weak human creature to consider
+persistently and hopelessly all the possible sorrows of his future. God
+has promised not to fail us, to send us grace sufficient for the
+differing needs of every crisis. We can't expect to be brave _in
+advance_, but we must trust Him to give us our "daily bread."'
+
+'You mean that if God takes you from me some day, He will give me
+strength to bear the blow?'
+
+'Yes, dear; that is certain.'
+
+'And I am no hypocrite if I thank Him for a gift which I cannot yet bear
+the thought of His recalling?'
+
+'Not if you try honestly to pray, as He taught us, "Thy will be done."
+That does not mean that you think yourself ready, unaided, to bear the
+blow, only that you admit His right to do as He pleases with His own
+creations, and that you believe His will to be designed for our highest
+welfare.'
+
+Brian sighed, as a man does from whom a great trouble has departed.
+
+'I will believe that God is good, therefore that He is merciful to the
+weakness of His servants. My faith grows stronger when you teach me,
+Catherine.'
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER IX
+
+An Important Offer
+
+
+Mrs. Arderne had kindly invited Brian North to stay to lunch, as he and
+Catherine were to go to Carm Hall early that afternoon.
+
+'On your return from the visit to Mr. Carmichael you can take your bag
+and find an inn,' she suggested.
+
+During the meal she occupied herself in studying Brian, 'drawing him
+out,' by artful questions on literary and other matters. While quite
+aware of her scrutiny and purpose, he allowed himself to gratify her
+curiosity as much as possible, acknowledging tacitly her right as
+Catherine's friend to be anxious lest Catherine's lover should prove a
+simpleton or a cad!
+
+Brian was keenly amused. Not being a very young man, he was free from
+self-consciousness under the investigation, and was able to repay study
+by study. Vivacious, worldly little Mrs. Arderne, with her contradictory
+feelings towards Catherine's lover--half desirous of agreeing with
+Catherine's choice, yet disappointed because Catherine had been 'so
+romantic' as to accept a penniless suitor--was a charmingly inconsistent
+character for the writer to consider.
+
+The result of this mutual interest was naturally twofold. Brian decided
+that he was glad Catherine possessed so true-hearted a friend, and Mrs.
+Arderne came to the conclusion that Brian was a man of delightful
+manners, brilliant wit, good breeding, and undoubted talents--a fit
+husband for Catherine in every way but that of fortune!
+
+Lunch over, Ted and Toddie came down to be played with as usual, and
+immediately insisted upon questioning Mr. North at great length as to
+where he lived, and why he lived there, what he did all day long, and
+why he did it, etc., etc. By his answers he gave purposely an accurate
+account of his circumstances,--more for the information of Mrs. Arderne
+than to please her children.
+
+'I write for papers--sometimes all night long, while you little people
+are comfortably sleeping,' he said, laughingly lifting them on to his
+knees. 'It is tiring work, and I can't say I'm fond of doing it; I
+should like to sit at home and write about things that interest me--to
+make books, you know. Only people are not paid for doing the things that
+amuse them, and if I did not work for money I shouldn't ever have any
+jam to eat with my bread and butter. I really doubt if I should have
+even the bread without the butter!'
+
+Ted and Toddie stared solemnly at him.
+
+'It's _your_ lessons. We don't get money at all for doing ours, though.'
+
+'For shame, Ted!' cried Catherine. 'You get prizes when you are good,
+industrious children, and your work is not worth money yet. Some day,
+when you are quite grown up, you will be able to earn payment, as Mr.
+North does, but only if you learn well while you are young.'
+
+'Did _you_ learn well when you were six?' asked Toddie, anxiously
+peering into his face.
+
+'I am not quite certain, dear, but I was always very fond of reading.'
+
+'And I say, are you working for prizes too, as we are?'
+
+Brian glanced smilingly at Catherine, who blushed radiantly as he
+answered:
+
+'Yes, Ted, for a prize that is very beautiful; but I cannot stay to tell
+you now what the prize is, because I am going out with Miss Carmichael
+this afternoon.'
+
+'Carr, you'll tell us all about it to-night, won't you?'
+
+''Bout Mr. North's prize!' added Toddie.
+
+An interruption occurred at this moment. A servant brought in a note for
+Catherine, and explained that Mr. Carmichael's carriage had come for
+her.
+
+The letter was as follows:
+
+     'CARM HALL.
+
+     'MY DEAR NIECE,--
+
+     'I hope you will give me as much of your society as possible to-day
+     (bringing Mr. North with you, if he has arrived yet in
+     Beverbridge); but apart from this desire of mine, pray keep the
+     carriage waiting as long as suits your convenience.
+
+     'Believe me to be,
+
+     'Your affectionate uncle,
+
+     'ROSS CARMICHAEL.'
+
+'Oh, good-bye to our nice walk!' sighed the girl mischievously, as she
+handed the note to Brian. 'A closed carriage too! I see it through the
+window! And this is such a lovely autumn day! Dear old uncle, I ought to
+be ashamed of my grumbles, though, for he meant to show me a most
+considerate attention!'
+
+Brian laughed, as he answered:
+
+'The walk is a loss, certainly, but by driving we shall be able to spend
+a longer time at Carm Hall, and I am anxious to make the acquaintance of
+your relatives.'
+
+'Mr. Carmichael is a charming old gentleman,' said Mrs. Arderne.
+
+'And what is Colonel Carmichael, please, ma'am?'
+
+'My darling girl, don't question me in that impertinent fashion. My
+admiration for your elder uncle does not make me blind to the charm of
+the younger.'
+
+'Uncle Jack impressed you favourably, I am certain, though you saw so
+little of him!'
+
+'Mr. North, do you mean to allow Catherine to obstinately insist upon
+offending Mr. Ross Carmichael?'
+
+Brian looked from the interrogator to Catherine's demurely smiling face,
+then back again.
+
+'If I wished Catherine to be worldly-wise, Mrs. Arderne, I should be
+wishing her to give me up.'
+
+'No, not necessarily,' cried the kind little woman, anxious to make
+amends for having reminded him of his poverty. 'If Mr. Ross takes a
+fancy to you, he might--do anything for you both. He is already much
+attached to his niece. It is only her obstinate choice of a home with
+Uncle Jack that stands in the way of her heiress-ship!'
+
+'While Catherine sees a work awaiting her, she will become happy only by
+doing it. I would rather she should be happy than rich.'
+
+'Then _you_ believe in her possession of a serious vocation to convert
+the inhabitants of Redan Cottage?'
+
+'I always believe in a woman's vocation to do that good which she
+clearly sees ought to be done, and for which her gifts and sympathies
+fit her,' he answered gravely.
+
+'Oh, Brian, thank you!' the girl cried gratefully.
+
+'I thought that only Catherine was quixotic and imprudent, but now I see
+that you are both in the conspiracy to ruin your prospects!' was Mrs.
+Arderne's regretful reply. 'At least you need not let Uncle Ross's
+horses catch their deaths of cold! Go and get ready, Catherine, foolish
+child!'
+
+As they were driven along the well-kept country road leading to Carm
+Hall, Catherine and Brian talked of their 'prospects' almost as
+practically as Mrs. Arderne could have done, but they were the prospects
+of finding work for him, not an heiress-ship for her! And to an
+irreligious or God-forgetting person their trust in the efficacy of
+asking heavenly aid would, no doubt, have seemed childish. They were
+content, however, because now they both believed that God would provide
+for the necessities of those who turned to Him in faith.
+
+It was Mr. Carmichael's footman, not his personal attendant, James, who
+opened the door of Carm Hall to them, and they were ushered into the
+large drawing-room, where the master of the house was awaiting them.
+
+'Uncle Ross, I have brought Brian, you see!'
+
+'I am glad to make your acquaintance, Mr. North.'
+
+These were the first words spoken.
+
+Some time elapsed before the trio could shake off the strangeness of
+their meeting; even the elderly man was conscious of a feeling of
+awkwardness. Brian, who had come to be inspected, was perhaps most at
+ease. It was due, chiefly, to his adroit management of the situation
+that conversation became more confidential before long.
+
+In speaking of some news of the day, he alluded to the opinion advocated
+on the subject by the paper for which he had formerly worked, and
+expressed his regret at having lost his employment.
+
+'For, as you know, sir, I am a very poor man, with the best possible
+reason for desiring success in my profession.'
+
+'Catherine says you are a hard worker when work is ready for you to do,'
+said Mr. Carmichael.
+
+'It would be strange if I were not, since our home depends upon my
+industry,' answered Brian, with a smile. 'We have been making each other
+very hopeful--haven't we, Catherine?--by deciding that work usually
+comes to those who are anxious and _able_ to do it.'
+
+'Work, perhaps--though personally I doubt your optimistic theory--but
+not always the kind of work desired.'
+
+'It would only be a question of capability with me. I would do any
+honourable remunerative task.'
+
+Uncle Ross began to question Brian closely as to the writing he had
+done, and the extent of his literary and journalistic experience, and
+the talk became animated, interspersed with anecdotes of celebrated
+literature, and keen, clever expressions of opinion by the younger man.
+
+Catherine sat silent, listening and taking pride in her lover. That
+Uncle Ross was pleased was evident.
+
+It was after tea--over which Catherine presided--that a chance question
+brought discord among them. Mr. Carmichael asked their plans.
+
+Was Mr. North staying long in Beverbridge? and how much of his time was
+already allotted?
+
+'None, except this evening, when I believe I am to have the pleasure of
+making your brother's acquaintance,' answered Brian.
+
+The frown, almost habitual, but which had been invisible during the last
+hour, returned to the squire's brow.
+
+'I regret that my niece continues to court the favour of those
+persons--I should say of the person--who has wronged me.'
+
+'It was an involuntary wrong; Uncle Jack desires nothing so much as to
+have his share in the quarrel forgiven him!'
+
+'When trust has been once broken, trust can never again be established.
+Catherine, I wish you to be happy; Mr. North, I hope to make you an
+offer which you will be able to accept without loss of independence; but
+I do require from you both some practical evidence of your
+consideration.'
+
+'But, uncle dear, I have been offered a home at Redan Cottage, and
+though I do not mean to give up my situation as Mrs. Arderne's
+companion, I have promised always to regard Uncle Jack's home as my
+own.'
+
+'You have done this in defiance of my objection?'
+
+'Agatha wants me, poor lonely little soul! and from whom but an uncle
+could I accept a shelter?'
+
+'True. I regret that my offer was not made first. However, all that is
+necessary now is that you should inform--the--the other uncle that you
+are obliged, for Mr. North's sake, to withdraw your acceptance of the
+home.'
+
+'Why "for Mr. North's sake"?' asked the girl, going at once to the root
+of the matter. Uncle Ross knew that this inducement was the strongest he
+could offer, and she, by her question, admitted as much.
+
+'I will tell you my plan,' said Mr. Carmichael, 'though I had intended
+waiting for a day or two, until Mr. North and I had begun to understand
+one another more. It is this. I purchase the paper known as _The
+Circle_, and become sole proprietor. It is in the market, and is as safe
+an investment as any I know. Then I offer Mr. North the editorship, with
+a yearly increasing share in the profits. At my death he shall become
+proprietor in my stead. The sole return I require from either of you is
+a reasonable amount of companionship--say a frequent Saturday to Monday
+visit, as the paper is a weekly one, and occasional longer stays here at
+Carm Hall--with a cessation of your visits to the brother who has
+injured me. In the interests of peace and goodwill, I would sanction a
+meeting between you and him at Christmastide.'
+
+While the squire had been speaking he had watched the faces of his
+auditors, had noted and apprised the strength of glad surprise, of
+gratitude, of hope, of disappointment, of disapproval. He could scarcely
+believe that his offer would be refused, yet he saw how trustfully Brian
+turned towards Catherine, leaving her to answer, and how brave was the
+determination in Catherine's eyes.
+
+'Uncle, your offer of help is a very large one, and we both thank you
+for it; but I cannot, even for Brian's sake, break my word to Uncle
+Jack, who was the first to offer me a home, and to Agatha, who wants me.
+Neither could I enter upon a share in the quarrel, taking your part in
+it, since I believe that, though Uncle Jack may have acted imprudently,
+he never meant to make Loring turn against you. I think that you might
+hold out a hand to him. He would be so glad, for he frets over your
+estrangement, and prays for you every day.'
+
+'My dear niece, even a young and charming woman is not entitled to give
+advice to her elders. On my part, I advise you not to let mere sentiment
+stand in the way of your future husband's advancement in life.'
+
+'I could not be so much indebted to you while I blame you in my heart.
+Oh, uncle, if a young woman ought not to judge her elders, when she is
+called upon to decide between them, she is obliged to consider what is
+her duty! My choice was declared when Uncle Jack made to me the best
+offer in his power, and Brian will not wish me to break my word to him,
+to agree to behave towards him as though I possessed one tithe less of
+the respect, love and admiration I have always felt for him!'
+
+Brian responded to this appeal gravely and resolutely.
+
+'While regretting the necessity to refuse so generous an offer, I think
+Catherine is quite right. This family quarrel exists through no fault of
+ours, so maybe it is not fair that we should suffer through it; but as
+we have to choose a side in it, we are bound in honour to make the
+choice in sympathy with our honest opinion of the right, not letting
+ourselves be influenced by the gain or loss of any worldly advantage. In
+Catherine's name, as well as in my own, sir, I express a hope that our
+being unable to accept favours from you will not prevent our owning your
+friendship.'
+
+The squire turned abruptly aside and crossed the room to the window,
+where he stood for a few minutes gazing out. Land, houses, wealth,
+position, ease,--all these things had been scorned once by young Loring
+Carmichael; now they were once again refused by Catherine and her poor
+journalist lover. Yet the squire had spent his lifetime in amassing
+these goods,--had made great sacrifices for them, had toiled feverishly
+in his youth, and plodded through his best years of manhood,--had
+believed that wealth rules the world, and is the chief power over men
+and women. This second blow was a hard one, but he was too proud a man
+to wish to show chagrin.
+
+As he returned from the window he replied to Brian.
+
+'You must forgive me if I think you foolish. Having made you an offer,
+for which you have been good enough to express gratitude, it would be
+unreasonable were I to quarrel with you for refusing it. Your peculiarly
+delicate conscience will interfere with your chances in life, I fancy;
+but argument with an obstinate man is worse than useless.'
+
+Catherine approached him, and clasped his right arm with her two hands,
+crying pleadingly:
+
+'Uncle, say you forgive me for refusing. I don't want to lose your
+affection. I told you the other day that I sought you out for the sake
+of your old kindness to me, with no idea that a penniless niece might be
+helped by your money.'
+
+The ring of truth in her voice touched the old man's heart, making him
+yet more regret her refusal of his offer. Here was honesty shining
+behind those frank brown eyes, and he half repented having hedged his
+plan round with conditions. But obstinacy, the fault of his old age,
+prevented him from withdrawing one of his former words.
+
+'I forgive you, Catherine. I trust you may not suffer much through your
+folly,' was his sole answer.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER X
+
+The Unexpected Happens
+
+
+Catherine's choice had been finally made, approved by Brian and
+declared. They decided that there was no need to tell Uncle Jack of the
+offer Uncle Ross had made them, not unless he were to question them in
+such a manner that truth would be sacrificed by silence. And this did
+not happen. The colonel was anxious to be assured that his brother would
+not quarrel with them on account of Catherine's promise to regard Redan
+Cottage as home, and when he was gratified by receiving this assurance
+he believed that all was well.
+
+'Uncle Ross has forgiven me. I shall go to see him sometimes, just as I
+have been doing,' she said.
+
+Those were delightful days during which Brian remained in Beverbridge.
+Not only did Mrs. Arderne kindly invite him a great deal to her house,
+but she allowed her companion so much liberty that the young people were
+almost constantly in one another's company.
+
+'I'm afraid I haven't been of much service to you lately!' the girl
+exclaimed penitently, when Brian had returned to town.
+
+'Nonsense, my dear!' was the little lady's prompt answer. 'You simply
+obeyed my wishes, which happened to coincide with your own. I derived a
+great deal of entertainment as well as pleasure from observing you and
+your lover. Good gracious, what a weary-looking, thin fellow he is! But
+his holiday did him good, and his face was rapidly gaining a peaceful
+expression, which I hope it won't lose directly he sets to work again.'
+
+'Oh no, that expression has come to stay!' Catherine replied, with a
+happy smile.
+
+'What do you mean, you perplexing young woman? How can you possibly
+tell? Your Brian will begin to overwork himself again just as soon as he
+gets an opportunity. And unless he does, thanks to your united folly,
+you will never be able to get married.'
+
+'Brian's peace doesn't come from any cause that can be taken away from
+him, dear Mrs. Arderne. Not even great fatigue, nor a breakdown in
+health could rob him of it.'
+
+'Religion again, Catherine!'
+
+'Yes; trust in God. Oh, I wish you would rejoice with me over Brian's
+new knowledge! I wish you would understand what true happiness is, you
+dearest of employers!'
+
+Mrs. Arderne kissed the speaker, but shook her head.
+
+'I've not a religious mind, Catherine. It refuses to concern itself
+chiefly with spiritual matters. The unseen thing called faith was always
+a mystery to me. Of course, God must exist, since we do, and the earth
+must have been made by Him; but if He wants us to love Him, He should
+manifest Himself to us.'
+
+'So He does, in wonderful ways to those who seek Him. You would not have
+Him speak intimately to persons who will not listen for His voice? In
+countless mysteries He is always proving His power, in the things He has
+created; but human beings turn away their eyes from the evidences of His
+power and their own helplessness. Directly a soul begins to grope after
+the light, light comes in plenty. It is those souls which do not wish
+for faith which remain desolate for want of it!'
+
+'No wonder, say I, that some do not wish for it, since its possession
+seems to entail upon them such extremes of self-sacrifice.'
+
+Catherine pondered this remark, Mrs. Arderne watching her face
+meanwhile, and admiring the grace of her bended neck and the sweetness
+of her smile.
+
+'Do you know, dear friend, I think all the better parts of ourselves are
+in great sympathy with self-sacrifice' (this was the outcome of her
+reflections), 'since love is the greatest joy we know, and love means
+preferring another's happiness to our own. If a man loves a comrade, he
+will go into dangers for his sake; if a woman loves her husband, even if
+he be unkind to her, she will spend her life in trying to make his
+happiness, and in shielding him from blame; and what will not some
+mothers give up for the sake of their children? This seems to me to be
+the truth of the matter--that self-sacrifice becomes happiness when it
+is founded upon sufficient love. No doubt happiness follows any
+renunciation for the sake of duty; but the other is the more human point
+of view.'
+
+'And what lesson do you deduce from that truth, Catherine?' Mrs. Arderne
+was interested in the study of her companion's opinions.
+
+'That love of God makes sweet and easy every sacrifice made for Him.
+Christ, the great Model of self-renunciation, appeals for sympathy to
+the better self within each one of us--which was created in us--the
+breath of God in man. And it is only those who let God live within the
+soul, who do not hinder His work, who desire His guidance and control,
+who feel strong enough to be happy in a life which is all uncertainty.
+The luckiest man in all the world may be destined for overwhelming
+misery and pain to-morrow; it is only the man whose happiness consists
+in obedience to God's will, and in hope for an eternity cf perfect joy,
+whose peace neither fear nor suffering _can_ overwhelm!'
+
+'It is a pity that we do not have female clergy, my dear. If we did, you
+might become a popular preacher.'
+
+'Oh, you are laughing at me! Am I too fond of talking about my opinions?
+I was only trying my best to answer the questions you asked me.'
+
+'Yes, I know. I like to listen to you, though I wish you were less
+convincing. My own life always looks a poor, dreary, selfish one, filled
+with perils I've no courage to face, and my longing to be braver always
+frets me, after I have heard some of your sermonettes, child. If great
+misery or suffering were to overwhelm me to-morrow, I don't know what I
+should do!'
+
+'You would lay your burden upon the Saviour, would you not, you
+darling?'
+
+'How could I, after ignoring His existence so long as my life was
+placid. Certainly He must be generous, or He would send trials at once
+to test me, and to prove His power.'
+
+'If He did, it would only be in His mercy, in order to expose you to the
+influence without which you will not seek the only lasting happiness.'
+
+Mrs. Arderne sighed.
+
+'I _will_ turn over a new leaf; you shall help me, dear. I have been
+very much worried of late, because my husband wants me to rejoin him
+soon in India, and I don't want to go out there. My babes must stay in
+England. I will not have their health injured, perhaps permanently, by
+my selfish longing to keep them with me; and how can I bear to part from
+the darlings?'
+
+There was a tremor in the mother's voice.
+
+Catherine clasped the little woman in her arms, and laid her cheek
+against her face.
+
+'Oh, you might have told me sooner of your anxiety! Would it not have
+been easier to bear, if you had told some one, even me, who would have
+sympathised?'
+
+'I knew you would say I must go. It _is_ my duty, I admit. Henry has let
+me have a long holiday trip--first to Australia, now to England. I have
+seen all my friends and relatives, and recovered my own health. With the
+exception that it is terribly hard to leave my children, there is not
+the slightest excuse for me to stay here.'
+
+'Is the climate _really_ so bad?'
+
+'For children, yes. They shall not grow up sickly because their mother
+thought more of her own happiness than of their welfare.'
+
+'And you expressed a wonder, only a few minutes ago, that any one could
+desire faith which might entail self-sacrifice! Oh, you dear, brave
+little mother, even while you are lonely for want of your babies, will
+you not be proud and glad because you have loved them better than
+yourself? That is the way in which gladness comes from loving God. And
+it is He alone who can comfort you, to whom you can pray for Ted and
+Toddie; to whose loving care you can confide them, knowing that He can
+guard them better even than your love could do, were you always close
+beside them!'
+
+Mrs. Arderne laid her hand on her companion's shoulder, and indulged in
+a hearty cry.
+
+'Oh, Cath!' she said at last, 'I _must_ learn to love God now, for I
+shall be so lonely in India, and I must feel that I can do something for
+the babies when I am far away from them. He won't be angry and refuse to
+listen to me, will He, because so long as I was quite happy I did not
+serve Him?'
+
+'The labourer who came at the eleventh hour into the vineyard received
+the same pay as those who had borne the heat and labour of the whole
+day. For God sent not His Son into the world to condemn the world; but
+that the world through Him might be saved.'
+
+After another silence Mrs. Arderne said:
+
+'When I go, you will take charge of Ted and Toddie? Promise me that,
+Catherine. Whether you live in Redan Cottage, or in your husband's
+home, you can give a shelter to my babes. There need be no difficulty
+about money, for I can make a liberal allowance for their comfort, and
+to do _something_ towards recompensing your care of them. This idea only
+occurred to me the other day, after I received Henry's letter asking me
+to come back soon to him, and then I felt I could have hugged you for
+refusing to be adopted by your Uncle Ross!'
+
+'He did not want to adopt me, dear. I should have had a home of my own.
+Still, perhaps he would not have liked me to bring Ted and Toddie on
+constant visits to Carm Hall; and if I have charge of them, I will never
+be parted from them.'
+
+'If? Tell me you _will_, Catherine. I can only be happy about them if I
+leave them in your care.'
+
+'I promise I will have them, if Uncle Jack does not refuse, and he is
+not likely to do that.'
+
+'You do not speak of Brian's opinion.'
+
+'There is no need. Brian will be glad for me to do anything in the world
+that I can do to ease your anxiety. Besides, are you not making me a
+most helpful offer? You are going to keep on your companion, letting her
+live at home. She would be altogether delighted, were it not that she
+will be parted from you!'
+
+'You must write to me, Cath, very, _very_ often; and you won't let the
+babes forget me, will you? Oh, but I know you will not! Your salary must
+be doubled, so that you are no expense to Uncle Jack, and we will decide
+on a sum to pay for the board of Ted and Toddie. Dear child, it is a
+comfort to me to feel that you will benefit by my misfortune. You'll be
+able to save money, to help your lover, and in a few years Henry will
+bring me back to England.'
+
+After a little more discussion of this plan, Mrs. Arderne sent Catherine
+to take the news to Redan Cottage.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XI
+
+Confidences and an Attempt
+
+
+Only Agatha was at home this evening, and her joy may be imagined.
+
+'Oh, _Catherine_; you will come to live here, with those two dear
+children? We shall have you, just as we planned to do! and you are
+_glad_ to come!'
+
+A short while ago the little girl would have said, '_I_ shall have you,'
+and would not have troubled to question whether or not the arrangement
+would bring joy to others; but the influence of Catherine's teaching was
+working within this heart.
+
+'Glad?--yes indeed, dearie!'
+
+'And you will talk to me every day about God, until He seems real and
+near? Then I shall not be so dreadfully afraid of dying.'
+
+The colonel returned to the house early in the evening, to be greeted by
+the radiant smiles of his niece and ward. The former rose from her low
+seat by Agatha's couch, and advanced to meet him with her hands
+outstretched, and cried,--
+
+'I want to come "home" to stay, dear uncle. Will you have me?'
+
+It was sweet for her to see the joyous light that broke over his face as
+he listened to her explanations, for she learned to understand more and
+more how much he had wanted her. His earnest words of welcome were not
+necessary, though they also were sweet to Catherine. Later, when he was
+walking back to Woodley Villa with her, she learned a fact which robbed
+her prospects of some of their joyousness, but which made her trebly
+thankful that she was to live 'at home' for the future.
+
+They had reached the gate of Mrs. Arderne's house, when Uncle Jack laid
+his hand detainingly on his niece's arm, and said,--
+
+'Lassie, you know that my pension is a very small one, and that it will
+die with me?'
+
+'Yes?'
+
+'When Agatha comes of age, if she lives, she will come into a tiny
+fortune; but meanwhile, the sum that was allowed me for her maintenance
+is barely sufficient.'
+
+'Are you afraid that I shall prove an extravagant housekeeper?'
+
+'No, dear,--no. But if I were to die,--what would become of Agatha?'
+
+'Could I take care of her,--I mean, would she suffer if I had to provide
+for her altogether out of that sum which you say is barely sufficient?'
+
+'You could do it, lassie, but she would be a great tie.'
+
+'I will never desert her while she needs me. Even if Brian would not let
+me have her with me, and you know that is an unnecessary supposition, I
+could make arrangements for her to board and lodge somewhere quite near,
+so that I could be often with her. You meant, did you not, that you
+could not bear to think of her being left lonely, and obliged to think
+and manage for herself? I would prevent that.'
+
+Uncle Jack smiled, and squeezed the arm he was holding.
+
+'God bless you, dearest,--you have taken a load of anxiety off my mind!
+Yes, that _was_ all I meant. I couldn't endure the thought that my poor
+Agatha might be utterly alone. Probably my brother would offer her a
+home,--but I could not count upon that.'
+
+'But you--you are not going to die soon. I mean you--you are not ill?'
+
+'For a year past I have had need to be careful of myself. My heart is in
+a wrong condition, so the doctor tells me. In fact, lassie, his warnings
+simply amount to this, which we all believe of ourselves,--that I might
+die any moment, if God so pleased.'
+
+For a while Catherine was speechless. Then she realised the truth which
+the colonel's words had suggested--threatened his life might be, but it
+could not end until the Creator had ordained that he should die.
+
+'No wonder you have been anxious about Agatha. Dearest uncle, do not
+worry about her any more. Please God, we will keep you for many, many
+years to come, but if He were to call you away from us, we would cling
+to one another for all our lives.'
+
+'Lassie, lassie,--I didn't mean to bring tears into your eyes! You
+mustn't be less brave than your words. We are all under orders,--and a
+good soldier never lets himself fear the next command.'
+
+'No, I will remember your advice,--colonel.'
+
+There was a smile on her lips now, as she gazed lovingly into the old
+man's face.
+
+'This is a secret from Agatha, of course--she is not strong enough yet
+to bear burdens that can be spared her. You and I are more like
+comrades, lassie, who can hearten and strengthen one another by
+exchanging ideas and knowledge.'
+
+'I shall always ask God to help me to help you, then, Uncle Jack, for
+you are naturally a brave fighter, while I am but a girl.'
+
+'Many a woman's courage has shamed a man! I remember hearing how, just
+before the battle of Inkerman----'
+
+And then followed an anecdote, the telling of which brought fire into
+the eyes of the old soldier, and a thrill into his voice. Catherine,
+watching him, guessed that it was in this unconscious manner that he had
+inspired poor Loring Carmichael with that love for the military
+profession which had caused him to anger his Uncle Ross.
+
+An unconscious influence!--this it was for which Uncle Ross would not
+forgive his brother, who daily grieved for the estrangement between
+them!
+
+And though Loring had died young, had he not died honourably? Since
+there must be soldiers, why, some must die young,--and all honour be to
+them! Surely Uncle Jack had done Loring no great injury after all. The
+young man had been spared the temptations of long life, and had gone to
+find the reward which the King of Battles gives to all loyal-hearted
+fighters.
+
+While hearing the anecdote of the battle of Inkerman, Catherine
+Carmichael once more resolved to make every effort to bring about a
+reconciliation between her uncles.
+
+'That was a fine story!' she cried, when the tale was ended.
+
+'Yes, lassie; women are very brave,--often. You have made me happy
+to-night. I could say you have taken away my last trouble, if it were
+not for Ross' anger against me. God knows I would give the rest of my
+life, if possible, in exchange for the reinstating of the old regard we
+had for one another! We were devoted to one another as lads and young
+men, Catherine. There was never a quarrel between us,--and we were
+friends, true, absolute friends, until Ross caught the gold fever, that
+passion for money-earning and hoarding which ruins many men.'
+
+'That was the beginning of your estrangement?'
+
+'That began to put us out of sympathy; but I want him just as badly as
+ever, lassie. After almost a lifetime of brotherly affection, this
+separation is terrible. I think the tie that binds one man's heart to
+another is tremendously powerful. I shouldn't wonder if Ross were
+wishing for my friendship all the while almost as strongly as I long for
+his; but his pride has grown very stubborn, and I did him an undoubted
+injury, though I meant no harm.'
+
+'God will answer our prayers, Uncle Jack, dear. The reconciliation will
+come some day.'
+
+'His will be done!' was the reverent answer. Then the colonel suddenly
+remembered how long he had kept his niece standing talking by the
+gate,--and they parted with a great hand-clasp,--'just like
+comrade-soldiers,' as Catherine thought to herself.
+
+She ran indoors, and sought out Mrs. Arderne, who was in the nursery
+putting away the toys which Ted and Toddie had been playing with before
+they had been carried away to bed.
+
+'Cath! your face has a cloud over it!'
+
+'Oh, you quick-sighted friend!--Yes, I want to tell you about
+something--about Uncle Jack.'
+
+The little woman drew a chair forward, and made the tall girl sit down;
+then standing beside her, pillowed her brown head on her arm.
+
+'Let me hear all,--it is my turn to try to comfort you now!'
+
+Gradually the tale was told, and Catherine did not pretend not to be
+deeply grieved about her uncle's illness. Warm-hearted, tender-natured
+as she was, she could not fail to sorrow over the news he had told her
+of his state of health, although she never lost consciousness of that
+beautiful truth that God was taking care of him.
+
+'You see, God may mean to take him from me soon,' she explained,
+clinging to the encircling arm. 'I cannot tell _how_ soon. God has a
+right to do so. His decrees are always for our good, but--but--I love
+Uncle Jack so truly, and I have only just found him! It seems so hard to
+contemplate the possibility of having to give him up to God just yet.
+You won't think me wicked, or a hypocrite, to be feeling like this, will
+you?'
+
+'No, no, childie! Your religion would not be beautiful at all, if it did
+not make allowance for natural human feelings. Resignation must be the
+result of sorrow, mustn't it? Poor, dear old gentleman! I hope and trust
+that he may be spared to you for a long, long time. And you know, dear,
+threatened lives are often lengthy. You must take great care of him.'
+
+'Indeed I will! Do you not think that his trouble must be very bad for
+him?--his regret about the quarrel? He told me to-night that he would
+gladly give the rest of his life, if by so doing he could become friends
+again with his brother.'
+
+'Can't you soften Mr. Carmichael's heart by telling him of his brother's
+illness?'
+
+Catherine raised her face, and eagerly considered this suggestion.
+
+'Oh, if I only could coax him to make the least advance, or even to meet
+Uncle Jack somewhere for a talk, the battle would be won! It is
+dreadfully selfish of me to be sitting here crying, when I ought to be
+forming plans of action and praying for success with them!'
+
+'Oh, you energetic young woman, you need not grudge yourself five
+minutes' rest and indulgence in tears! Why, a good cry sometimes does a
+girl a world of good, and acts as a tonic, so that she can work fifty
+times better after it.'
+
+'I know, and you are such a dear to cry upon!'
+
+'We are to be parted so soon, Cath, that it is best for us to help one
+another all we can now.'
+
+'Will it be very soon? Agatha asked me, but I told her that I did not
+know.'
+
+'I have been making my plans while you were away, and I have decided to
+leave England the week after next. Nurse can have board wages instead of
+her notice, unless, indeed, you would like to keep her on. You are quite
+welcome to do so, if you prefer it.'
+
+'There would be no room for her in Redan Cottage, and I would much
+rather have Ted and Toddie all to myself. You do not imagine that I
+regard a nurse's daily work as hard or derogatory, do you? Why, it is
+some of the best and greatest labour a woman can possibly find to do!'
+
+'My children are extraordinarily lucky little people to be left in your
+care, Catherine!' said the mother gratefully.
+
+'So you will be with your husband for Christmas?'
+
+'Yes,--poor Henry! I had contemplated inviting lots of friends down to
+stay with me, and indulging in all the Yule-tide frivolities and
+entertainments of the neighbourhood--dances, etc.; but my heart has
+reproached me too strongly. Thanks to you, I'm not half as
+pleasure-craving a butterfly as I used to be. Duty seems not only best,
+but happiest. Once I have got over the parting with you and the chicks,
+I know I shall be glad to be with Henry, in spite of the climate.'
+
+The two women kissed one another, and clung together, feeling that their
+troubles had wrought a strong tie of sympathy between them. Then ensued
+a long, thoughtful silence, which was broken at last by Catherine's
+earnest, low-toned voice, saying,--
+
+'Do you remember the words of Jesus Christ to Simon Peter: "I have
+prayed for thee that thy faith fail not; and when thou are converted,
+strengthen thy brethren"? I have always thought that so touching an
+instance of our Lord's mercy! For He knew that Peter was about to deny
+Him, yet He prayed that in sin he might not lose his faith, but, in
+spite of his errors, come to be a teacher of others. Dearest of
+friends, I am only an ignorant, sinful creature, but if we ask God to
+help me, He will teach me how to watch over and train Ted and Toddie, so
+that they may not suffer for want of their mother's presence.'
+
+'Cath,--teach them to be like yourself, and I shall be more than
+satisfied!'
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XII
+
+Good-bye
+
+
+Catherine wrote two long letters next morning--one to Brian, the other
+to Uncle Ross--to acquaint them with her new prospects. She concluded
+the letter to her uncle in this way:--
+
+     'I shall be sorry if my going to live at Redan Cottage displeases
+     you, but I know you will be glad for me to do anything I can to
+     serve my kind friend, Mrs. Arderne,--and remember, you promised not
+     to quarrel seriously with
+
+     'Your affectionate niece,
+
+     'CATHERINE CARMICHAEL.'
+
+In the course of the same day she received his reply, brought down to
+her by a groom. Her uncle assured her of his esteem for Mrs. Arderne,
+and his unalterable affection for herself, and expressed satisfaction
+that the proposed change in her circumstances would be of pecuniary
+advantage to her. Redan Cottage was not so much as mentioned, nor was
+Uncle Jack nor Agatha.
+
+Brian's reply, which was lengthy, greatly comforted Catherine. Not only
+did he thoroughly approve Mrs. Arderne's plan, but he sent such earnest
+sympathy, combined with encouragement, on the subject of the colonel's
+state of health, that his promised wife felt that she possessed in him a
+consoler upon whose perfect understanding and stable judgments she could
+always rely. And, in advising her to hope for success in her efforts to
+effect reconciliation, he alluded to 'your happy faith, which you have
+taught me to share.'
+
+During the following days Uncle Jack and Mrs. Arderne, Agatha, and the
+children, met many times, and inaugurated friendships, greatly to
+Catherine's delight.
+
+'That old man is a hero and a darling!' the vivacious little lady told
+her companion one evening, after they had spent some hours at Redan
+Cottage.
+
+'Yet you once wanted me to give up his friendship, to refuse his offer,
+to practically behave as though I did not love him, and all for the sake
+of Uncle Ross's money!'
+
+'Cath, don't throw my past folly in my face! I didn't know your uncle
+then, and I felt sure you were championing the one because he was the
+poorer,--out of a mingling of quixotic chivalry and obstinate pride.'
+
+'What is your opinion of my poor little Agatha?'
+
+'I don't like her--I've not advanced far enough in the study or practice
+of universal charity to feel sure that I love her, as we are told to
+love all men! As for loving her specially, as you seem to do, that is
+quite out of the question for me,--a thing far beyond the bounds of
+possibility.'
+
+'She only shows you her outward self,--the bad manners and forgetfulness
+of others of a spoilt child; if she had shown you her heart, with all
+its pathetic longings, fears, and affections, all its contradictory
+beauty and ugliness, you would be just as fond of her as I am.'
+
+'I can't think so. The only reason why I feel the least tenderness
+towards her is the fondness she shows for my babies.'
+
+'The more you see of her the faster will grow that tenderness. She is
+one of the many girls who suffer countless deprivations on account of
+their unconciliatory manners, and who remain lonely and morbid because
+no one ever loves them well enough to gain their confidence.'
+
+'But supposing there seems nothing worth loving?'
+
+'That can't ever be--not to a person who sees God's
+handiwork--something, therefore, of God's own beauty--in every human
+face,' said Catherine.
+
+Before the day came for Mrs. Arderne's departure from Beverbridge, she
+had become genuinely interested in Agatha, and much more friendly
+towards her. Ted and Toddie, with the impulsiveness of their youth, had
+forced their passage into Agatha's love. 'We only just wanted to be nice
+at first, 'cause we was sowwy for you, 'cause you can't get up,' Ted
+announced once; 'but now we weally loves 'oo.'
+
+And after a speech of this description, delivered by a truthful,
+confiding, kissable urchin six years of age, and echoed by his more
+demure but equally kissable sister, what could Agatha's pride do but
+yield? She was always happy, even when suffering pain, if Ted and Toddie
+were playing about the room, running up to her couch every few minutes
+to ask her opinion or advice, or to bestow a 'weal good cuddle' upon
+her.
+
+'Muvver, you've _no_ idea how _vewwy_ nice Ag'tha is,' declared Toddie.
+
+Ted one evening determined to break the ice between his mother and
+Agatha, and proceeded to act upon his intention with his usual
+all-subduing bluntness.
+
+'Ag'tha,' he announced, 'you like muvver, don't you? and muvver, you
+like Ag'tha, don't you? So s'pose you just kiss one anover an' be fwends
+ever afterwards?'
+
+The kiss was given, laughingly; indeed, it could not well be refused.
+Agatha wondered if Ted were right, if Mrs. Arderne did really like her;
+and this thought made her manner gentle and timid, the consequence of
+which was that the child's surmise was proved accurate, even though it
+had been a mistake at first.
+
+The time for the mother's departure arrived all too rapidly. She had
+superintended the fitting up of Ted and Toddie's nursery in Redan
+Cottage, had found out, with pride, that the little people were already
+beloved by all the household, and knew that they were certain to be
+quite happy with Catherine. Perhaps her heart suffered a few pangs
+because of her knowledge that they would have grieved far more, had it
+been Catherine who was obliged to leave them; but this reflection she
+resolutely put away from her, as one likely to encourage selfishness.
+After all, the fact was not strange. It was Catherine who had appealed
+to the souls of the babies, taken notice of their young emotions,
+studied their characters, helped and consoled them in their troubles;
+she, the mother, had petted them egregiously when they pleased her, and
+banished them without remorse when their prattle had tired her. By
+assiduously caring for their health, she had imagined that her duty had
+been fully done, but now, when it was too late, she realized that even
+small children should be taught to respect the justice of praise and
+blame, punishment and reward, and that they turn naturally with the
+greatest affection to those who appeal to their generosity. While
+Catherine had taught them 'Be good, or you will grieve your loving
+Father in heaven, who sees you every minute of the day and night, who is
+sorry when you are naughty, and glad when you are trying to please Him,'
+Mrs. Arderne had ruled by alternate bribes and threats, such as, 'If you
+are naughty, you shall not have that picture-book I promised you,' or,
+'_Do_ be good, Ted and Toddie, then you shall have those nice chocolates
+out of the cupboard.'
+
+Often and often had Ted's spirit failed to be subdued by these means; he
+had been known to answer, 'Don't care! do wivout choc'lates'; but a few
+minutes' talk with Catherine had never been found to result in anything
+but meekness and repentance.
+
+It was the old story--when worldly measures proved worthless, God's love
+produced wonders.
+
+The day of farewells came at last, after a few days which had seemed to
+lag because they had been filled with sorrow. Mrs. Arderne was to start
+very early for London, so the parting with Ted and Toddie was a silent
+one. Bending over them where they lay happily asleep in their cots--Ted
+pouting and Toddie smiling seraphically--the mother would not waken them
+to gratify herself at their expense. 'It's best that they don't know,'
+she whispered, 'for they would cry, though you could soon comfort them.'
+Then she kissed the rosy cheeks, laid her hands on the golden head and
+the brown one, and let Catherine lead her out of the room.
+
+'Oh, Cath, Cath, be good to them!'
+
+'You know I will, dearest.'
+
+'Don't let them forget me. Try to make them remember their mother's good
+points only, if she has any. I have not been the best of mothers, but it
+was through ignorance; and, please God, I'll learn all about Him, so
+that the children may not find me wanting in sympathy when I come home
+to them.'
+
+'Pray for them night and morning, just when you feel sure they are
+saying their prayers and asking God to bless "muvver."'
+
+'Oh, their dear little lisps! They won't be babies any longer when I see
+them again, my darlings!'
+
+This was the worst parting; though the little woman clung to Catherine
+at the last moment in the railway carriage, and felt, as she owned, that
+she could scarcely bear to let her go, the mother's sorrow was naturally
+the stronger, as was proved by her last words.
+
+'Be good to them, Cath, take care of them.'
+
+As the girl returned alone to the villa, to superintend the removal of
+herself and the children to Redan Cottage and to part with the nurse,
+she was conscious of a feeling of dread at the responsibility she had
+adopted, as well as of a loneliness due to the loss of her friend; and
+it was only by means of prayer that she regained courage.
+
+Not until Ted and Toddie were installed in their new home did Catherine
+break the news to them of their mother's departure.
+
+'_Oh, Carr, she's not gone'd?_'
+
+The pathetic cry, the startled look went straight to the girl's heart.
+
+'Ted, she is coming back again!' she cried, clasping him to her breast,
+'and you must try ever so hard to grow good, wise, and clever, that she
+may be really proud of her boy!'
+
+Toddie sat down on the floor and began to weep, refusing utterly to be
+comforted until she had had her cry out, when she displayed healthy
+curiosity regarding her new doll's cradle, her mother's parting gift.
+
+Ted had by far the more affectionate disposition, and grieved trebly as
+much as his sister, as Catherine had expected. He tried to hide his
+unhappiness, even from her, until night, when she found him sobbing
+pitifully in the dark, and had to spend a long while in endeavouring to
+soothe him.
+
+At last he cried himself to sleep in her arms.
+
+It was many days before the little fellow ceased to fret, and at one
+time Catherine began to fear for his health; but she and Agatha managed
+him so adroitly that he was surprised into laughing over a new game one
+evening, and after that laugh his spirits gradually returned to him.
+
+'His mother will cry over the letter I have sent her, describing Ted's
+way of bearing his first big sorrow,' said Catherine to Agatha; 'but
+they will be tears that will do her heart good.'
+
+Toddie was quite placid again by this time, and was becoming the idol of
+all but Agatha and Catherine, who could not help loving Ted best, though
+they tried to show no preference.
+
+'Uncle Jack' was the tiny girl's favourite friend, and he spent most of
+his leisure in her company, which never failed to cheer him.
+
+How greatly he was in need of cheering, Catherine now began to discover.
+She loved him so well that her power of character-reading was greatly
+aided in his case. When Agatha thought him merely tired, Catherine knew
+that he was dejected; when he was laughing aloud over his games with the
+children, Catherine saw the weary look in his eyes, detected a wistful
+cadence in his voice, and knew that he was thinking of the quarrel which
+was as a dark shadow over these years of his old age.
+
+Morning and night, at family prayers, a petition was offered up for the
+reconciling of all family feuds, the forgiveness of injuries between
+friends, the health and happiness of relatives. And one day some time
+after Christmas the colonel turned to those around him, saying simply:--
+
+'This is the anniversary of the day when I and my brother Ross
+quarrelled, when he told me we could live together no longer. Will you
+all pray silently for his welfare, here and hereafter, and for our
+reconciliation, if God in His mercy wills it? I know I have always
+prayed aloud for this before, in other years; but to-day--my courage
+fails me.'
+
+'Catherine, if I should die suddenly,' he said when next alone with his
+niece, 'I trust to you to tell Ross I have never borne him any ill-will,
+and that I hope to meet him in the kingdom where all the secrets of
+men's hearts will be made plain, and where the God of love reigns for
+ever and ever.'
+
+'I promise to bear your wish in mind, dearest uncle,' was her answer.
+
+And she resolved that not another day should pass before she made one
+more attempt to soften her other uncle's heart and overrule his pride.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XIII
+
+The Fate of a Letter
+
+
+Next morning dawned fair. Catherine was astir early, as was her custom;
+but, instead of writing letters, devoted all her time to meditating upon
+her resolution to plead with Uncle Ross. These meditations were
+interspersed with earnest prayers, and with a study of those parts of
+the Bible which she thought would best help her in her task.
+
+'I must go to work very humbly,' she told herself, 'or else I may make
+some serious mistake, and maybe increase instead of lessening Uncle
+Jack's trouble. If I remember all the time that no action of mine can be
+the least use unless God helps me, then I am not likely to do harm.'
+
+Her desire to make another effort on Uncle Jack's behalf was just as
+strong by morning light as it had been the preceding evening, but the
+difficulties in the way of success looked more colossal. What could she
+say, that would not be mere repetition of all she had already said?
+Nothing, except that now she could plead for the reconciliation to take
+place because the colonel's life was in danger. And if Uncle Ross did
+not care sufficiently for his brother to be touched by this news,
+influenced by the dread lest the quarrel should continue until death,
+there was no strong argument upon which the pleader could fall back as a
+last resource.
+
+But surely, surely Uncle Ross _would_ care! The lonely old man,
+surrounded by riches and comforts, _must_ be longing all the while for
+the brotherly love he had cast away, and repeatedly refused to welcome
+back again!
+
+Catherine's warm heart glowed with affection for all who were good to
+her, but more especially for those to whom she felt drawn by the tie of
+sympathy; and she could not believe that a brother could possibly
+continue to refuse to clasp a brother's hand, nor that any one could
+long withstand the gentle fascination of Uncle Jack's sincerity.
+
+The more she prayed and meditated, the more hopeful did she become.
+She even found herself smiling over the contemplation of a
+dream-picture--the possible result of the efforts she was planning--of
+the brothers meeting once again as friends, not foes, and trying to
+outdo one another in their expressions of sorrow for the years of
+misunderstanding.
+
+'Uncle Ross is generous at heart, I feel sure he is!' she thought. 'It
+is only, as Uncle Jack told me, that he has allowed his business career
+to spoil his outward character--he has grown too fond of money--hard,
+calculating, and cynical. But, in spite of his wealth, he is unhappy and
+lonely--he has come to regard his life as a failure. He will welcome the
+friendship and unmercenary devotion of the brother who has never ceased
+to sorrow for the loss of his regard!'
+
+Before going downstairs to breakfast Catherine woke and dressed the
+children and listened to their prayers.
+
+They clung round her and begged for a 'talk,' and this too she gave
+them--a quaint little morning homily--dealing with the probable events
+of the day, containing a promise to have a real, long game of play with
+them in the evening, to make up for leaving them with Agatha until
+dinner-time.
+
+'You will be dear, good little people, will you not, so that I may go to
+see Uncle Ross quite happily, without worrying about having left you at
+home?'
+
+Ted laughed wickedly, but was instantly rebuked by Toddie.
+
+'Naughty boy not to pwomise at once! _I'll_ be good, Carr dear, but I
+can't keep Ted fwom bein' bad.'
+
+'Ted will not break his word to me, I am certain of that,' said
+Catherine, gravely regarding the mischievous-looking urchin.
+
+'That's why didn't want to pwomise,' explained the rebel. 'Feels naughty
+this mornin'.'
+
+'Come and kiss me.'
+
+This invitation could not be resisted. In a second he had scrambled on
+to her knee, was clasping both his fat little arms round her neck, and
+showering kisses upon her cheeks and brow.
+
+'Oh, Ted, you do not wish to vex our good God, and to worry your own
+Carr, do you?'
+
+'_Ni-ever!_' cried Ted with emphasis. 'Only wanted to play pwanks, go
+an' tease Hawwiet in the kitchen, an' make Ag'tha let me do everything I
+like best!'
+
+'You will do none of those things,' announced Catherine firmly.
+
+Ted, scarcely believing she could be angry, yet awed by the decided
+tone, gazed up at her, asking,--
+
+'_Why_ won't I?'
+
+'Because you love me, Ted. I cannot have that which _I_ like best, if
+you are determined to try to please yourself this morning. I shall have
+to stay at home to take charge of you, if you mean to be naughty.'
+
+'An' you _weally_ want to go to see that howwid old man?'
+
+'Oh, Ted,' put in Toddie the virtuous, 'you _are_ a wicked, bad boy
+to-day! I wonder Carr has any patience wiv 'oo.'
+
+'I shall be _very much_ disappointed if I cannot go to Carm Hall.'
+
+Ted meditated for a minute, then he laughed delightedly,--
+
+'Then I'll save all the pwanks up!' he announced. 'I promise dweffully
+solemnly that I'll be won'erful good all the times you'se away, Carr
+lovey!'
+
+When Catherine, having completed her conquest over Ted's mischievous
+longings, ran downstairs to breakfast, she found a letter awaiting her.
+It proved to be from her Melbourne cousin George, to whom she had
+written so long ago asking him for news of the last hours of poor Loring
+Carmichael.
+
+Robert was shovelling away at the fire, and Harriet was laying the meal,
+so after a few words to them Catherine slipped away into the garden to
+read the long letter in peace.
+
+She was not in the least cold, though the January air was fresh, as she
+paced round and round the narrow gravel walk which surrounded the small
+lawn.
+
+Her cheeks were glowing with a healthy colour, and her brown hair,
+having just been rumpled by that naughty Ted, was blown in bewitching
+locks and curls about her brow.
+
+There was a happy smile of pleased expectation on her lips as she began
+to read, but it faded away and was replaced by a look of anxiety and
+grief long before she had finished the letter.
+
+After a few unimportant sentences George Carmichael wrote:--
+
+'I know that I ought to have answered your letter long ago, and I should
+have done so, had I been certain how much I was justified in telling you
+about poor Loring. You say you are in a position to make use of any
+information I can send you, but my knowledge seems to me to be of a kind
+which, if shared with our uncles, would only increase their quarrel, not
+lessen it. Loring dictated two letters before he died, which I wrote and
+despatched as he desired--the one to Uncle Ross, the other to Uncle
+Jack. They were addressed to Carm Hall. As he was able to write through
+me, he did not give any verbal messages when he was dying. Have you
+never heard of these letters? It is not possible, is it, that Uncle Jack
+never received his? There! that question is as bad as a lie, so please
+consider it scratched out. I know, by something you said in your last
+letter to me, that Uncle J. can't have received it. These are the facts
+of the case. Loring was offered his choice between giving up his
+intention to be a soldier, or accepting an income of L2000 a year, with
+the prospect of inheriting almost all Uncle Ross's fortune. This sounds
+straight enough, but it was not straight, for he was bound over not to
+tell Uncle Jack of the bribe offered. Uncle J. thought he was choosing
+simply between the army and an office stool. Uncle Ross offered him
+money down, and a life of idleness, spent where he pleased; in fact,
+there was nothing he would not have offered in order to buy out his
+brother's influence. When Loring lay dying he considered himself freed
+from that promise of secrecy which he had made for his lifetime, and he
+wrote to Uncle Jack telling him how Ross had acted. He also explained
+that he had left home without any farewells, in order to leave them free
+to forget him, the cause of their quarrel, and because he was indignant
+at the secrecy, which seemed dishonourable, of the offer made him.
+"You," he wrote, "would have scorned to privately bribe me, had you
+possessed my other uncle's wealth. I chose to follow my own wish in the
+matter of choosing a profession, since I felt that, by attempting to
+bribe me, Uncle Ross had absolved me from all obligation due to his
+former care of me. Until he made that offer, which few young men would
+have refused, I was trying to subdue my longing for a soldier's life,
+that I might repay him for making me his heir. You never tried to
+influence me; you only told me true stories of a soldier's life. _It was
+entirely owing to Uncle Ross's secret persuasion that I left home to
+enlist._" There, my dear Catherine, as nearly as I can remember, those
+were the words poor Loring wrote to Uncle Jack by my hand in that
+letter which it is clear enough Uncle Jack has not received. My own
+opinion is, that it reached Carm Hall after the colonel's departure, and
+that Uncle Ross (knowing some of its contents through Loring's letter to
+him) purposely refrained from forwarding it. If my suspicion is correct,
+the news I send you will surely increase the family quarrel rather than
+lessen it; but I place it in your hands to be used or not used, as you
+judge best. My opinion is that a reconciliation will never take place,
+if it cannot come to pass without a confession by the squire. It is more
+often the person who has done the injury, not the person injured, who
+refuses to forgive. If you ever wish for it, Catherine, I can send you a
+copy of Loring's letter to the colonel, for I have at home the rough
+notes for it--the words that his failing breath dictated to me.'
+
+[Illustration]
+
+'Catherine, dear!'
+
+Uncle Jack had come to the open window of the dining-room, and was
+calling her in from the garden.
+
+'Coming!'
+
+There was no time to think over the letter she had been reading, and she
+must laugh and talk over the breakfast just as though no news had come
+to startle her.
+
+Catherine made a brave effort to appear unconcerned, and, luckily,
+Agatha was in a cheerful, unobservant mood; and the colonel, though he
+noticed that his niece's merriment was rather strained, guessed that she
+was tired, or maybe disappointed at having received no communication
+from Brian. When prayers had been said, and Agatha carried back to the
+couch in her own little sitting-room and given charge over Ted and
+Toddie, who promised to be 'beautifully good all mornin',' Catherine was
+free to put one or two careful questions to her uncle. She went to him
+where he was sitting before his writing-table, and clasping his arm,
+knelt by his side, gazing affectionately into his face.
+
+'Dear, I--have been thinking a great deal about poor Loring this
+morning.'
+
+'Ah! my dear boy! He was the best of lads; so honourable and
+high-spirited!'
+
+'Did he send you a message--or a letter--before he died, dear?'
+
+'No, not a word. But you must not blame him for that, lassie. He may
+have had no time, have remained unconscious until the end; or I
+sometimes think he may have learned to regret his adoption of the
+profession, since for a gentleman a "private's" life is a hard one, and
+he may have felt anger against me for having caused him to become a
+soldier.'
+
+'But you did not directly counsel him to enter the army, did you,
+uncle?'
+
+'No, no; I never counselled him to refuse to obey the wishes of the
+uncle to whom he owed all. I only pleaded with Ross for him, and no
+doubt I talked to him a great deal about the service--I could not help
+that; and he used to question me so eagerly. Yet I have no doubt that I
+was to blame, as Ross says I was, for the lad's rebellion and decision.'
+
+Catherine rose, and kissed the old man's forehead before leaving him.
+
+'I do not believe that Loring ever regretted his decision or ceased to
+be grateful to you, dear uncle,' she said softly.
+
+She thought over George's letter while she walked the four miles to Carm
+Hall; but her resolution had sprung into being directly she had heard
+the colonel's self-blaming answer to her questions. She was indignant
+now on his behalf. Had the squire indeed kept back the dying lad's
+letter to his best friend, the relative whom he had loved more than any
+other living creature? If so, then the time had come for her to make a
+bold attempt to force a reconciliation, unless she could persuade Uncle
+Ross to yield for reason's, for honour's, and for pity's sake. And
+Uncle Jack had said, 'I would gladly give the rest of my life, if
+possible, in exchange for the reinstating of the old regard we, Ross and
+I, had for one another. I want him just as badly as ever, lassie!'
+
+Oh, supposing the wrong were proved to have been done--and of this
+Catherine could not have much doubt--if Uncle Ross would but ask for
+pardon, how gladly, generously, would not Uncle Jack give it!
+
+'O my God, help me!' prayed the girl, as she hurried along the country
+road. 'Without Thy aid I can do nothing. Help me not to judge others
+harshly, to remember that I _can't judge_ of the strength of those
+temptations to which others have yielded. Let me forget myself and my
+own poor opinions; let me not speak angrily or foolishly; and if Thy
+will does not forbid it, let me see my uncles true brothers again--Uncle
+Ross forgiven by the man he has injured, as a prelude to being pardoned
+by Thee!'
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XIV
+
+Catherine's Appeal
+
+
+When Catherine Carmichael reached Carm Hall she found that a groom was
+leading the squire's horse up and down the carriage drive. Her uncle
+appeared at the hall door, booted for riding, just as she arrived at it;
+but he smilingly welcomed her, and gave orders that the spirited bay
+should be taken back to the stable.
+
+'I do not receive visits from you so often that I can afford to cut them
+short, my dear,' he replied to her promise that she would not detain him
+long.
+
+'Don't take me into the drawing-room,' she petitioned. 'I have a great
+deal to say to you, uncle, and the library is so much more cosy. If you
+treat me as a stranger, my courage will fail me, and I shall not be able
+to find words in which to explain my reason for coming to-day.'
+
+He smiled.
+
+'Your wish is, of course, a command to me. I trust that nothing is
+troubling you? Mr. North is not ill?'
+
+'No; the trouble does not concern Brian.'
+
+He wheeled the largest arm-chair near to the fire for her, and stood
+beside her, looking down into her face.
+
+His figure was upright, his eyes keen, but the lines in his brow were
+deeply cut, and his beard and hair were quite white. A fine old man, a
+typical squire, with an autocrat's expression.
+
+Even while admiring her uncle, Catherine was remembering the secret
+wrong he had done--the dishonouring small sins of which he had been
+guilty. His proud air and haughty manner hid remorse and
+self-condemnation; surely this must be so!
+
+'Your friend, Mrs. Arderne, is not ill either? The children cannot be
+unwell, or you would not have left them.'
+
+'The troubles all concern Uncle Jack and--and you.'
+
+There was a great fear in her heart, and her voice trembled. Oh, if this
+dread, this mastering weakness of will, were to continue, there would be
+no chance of influencing this stern, self-possessed man by her words! In
+that moment Catherine both despised and detested herself.
+
+But she had sought powerful aid; she had put her case into the hands of
+her Heavenly Father, beseeching Him to plead her cause for her through
+her own lips; and the remembrance of His mercy and goodness came back to
+her mind just as she needed it most. With God's help, wonders and
+miracles might be accomplished!
+
+At the mention of Uncle Jack the squire's frown had appeared. It was a
+visible effort to him to show the unvarying courtesy he deemed due to a
+woman when Catherine would speak of his enemy.
+
+'Forgive me if I say that you had better have chosen a different
+confidant, if you wish to discuss affairs concerning my brother.'
+
+'No other confidant would do, and I knew you would not refuse to listen
+to me.'
+
+'I am powerless to refuse a lady's request, when it is in my power to
+grant it, when the lady is my niece, to whom I am attached, and when she
+proffers the request under my own roof. I can only request her to desist
+from making it.'
+
+'Uncle, I have such strong motives that I cannot yield my will to yours
+this time!'
+
+He smiled cynically.
+
+'My dear Catherine, you have not exhibited any willingness ever to
+consider my desires rather than your own!'
+
+A hot retort was just springing from her lips, but she restrained the
+wrong impulse.
+
+'I am sorry, truly sorry, that I have not been able to please you. Had I
+been in your favour, my task to-day would have been so much easier.
+Uncle, let me stand beside you; I can talk better when I stand, and I am
+tall enough to look right into your eyes! Don't be angry with me, dear!
+You were never vexed with "little Catherine" in the old days. Do you
+recollect one great argument we had about the necessity for men, as well
+as women, to lead religious lives? I was only a child; it was not easy
+for me to bear my part in that argument. I lost my temper, and behaved
+very impertinently to you, I'm afraid, yet you were not angry--certainly
+not the least bit sarcastic! When I apologised afterwards, you told me
+you "liked my spirited defence of that which I believed right!"'
+
+The squire's expression softened, and he laid his hand on that small but
+firm one which had stolen through his arm.
+
+'Are you preparing to lose your temper again, Catherine?'
+
+'No, I will try not to do so; I don't think I shall want to. Uncle Ross,
+you have not the least idea how unhappy this family quarrel is making
+your brother. He longs for your friendship, for the old affection
+between you. He told me, only a little while ago, that he would gladly
+give the remainder of his life in exchange for the reconciliation; only
+God does not let His creatures bargain with Him in that way. I have come
+here to-day to plead for Uncle Jack, not to begin by defending him. I
+appeal to your sense of generosity first, to your memory of the love
+that united you brothers in your childhood, youth, and young manhood.'
+
+'There is an insuperable obstacle against the proposed reconciliation.'
+
+Catherine watched his face as he spoke this quiet sentence. Yes, there
+was the obstacle of his false pride. He would not confess himself in the
+wrong; he could not endure the thought of humbling himself. The harsh
+tone of voice, the fixed tension of the brows, the weary, cynical
+smile--all these betokened the squire's sacrifice to his idol, Self.
+
+That he still cared for his brother Catherine felt certain. A warm
+regard, the growth of years and years of intimacy, does not melt away in
+a short time, nor can it be entirely obliterated by any quarrel. The
+seeds of affection were springing ever fresh in a heart which would not
+let love blossom and bear fruit.
+
+There was sadness in the words 'an insuperable obstacle.'
+
+'You wish that obstacle did not exist?'
+
+For a few minutes Ross Carmichael hesitated. He was reading his own
+mind. Did he not regret that unworthy attempt to secretly bribe Loring
+to reject Uncle Jack's influence? Did he not repent of the impulsive
+hiding away of that last letter of Loring's--the deception of an instant
+which had obliged him to practise deceit ever since?
+
+'Yes, Catherine, I regret the obstacle.'
+
+'And is it not in your power to overcome it?'
+
+Yes, it was, in two ways. Either the squire could confess the injury he
+had done his brother, or he might make overtures of friendship without
+ever owning the secret wrong. The first method was too distasteful to
+his false pride; the second was impossible to a man whose honour had
+been twice denied, but had never succumbed beneath the treatment.
+
+Call Jack brother, welcome him home, press his hand, live in his
+company day after day, and all the while deceive him? No; the squire's
+nature rebelled fiercely against this idea.
+
+'You will find me a--tolerably patient listener, my dear; but I refuse
+to be "heckled,"' was his answer.
+
+'Forgive me, uncle! I am so much in earnest that maybe I am imprudent!
+You know that I care very truly for you; that I care also for Uncle
+Jack; and while I _know_ that he grieves for your friendship, I believe
+you miss his presence here more than you will own. God gave you to one
+another; let your warm affection be a joy to you; and now that you are
+estranged you both are sorry for the loss of one another. Uncle Jack
+tells me, "I long for Ross more than ever, now that I am growing old."'
+
+'Catherine, Catherine, for Heaven's sake desist from these appeals and
+arguments, which have no respect for my feelings, but which are totally
+useless!'
+
+'It is those feelings to which I wish to appeal. They have slept too
+long; it is well for them to be roused!' cried the girl, clasping his
+arm with both her hands. 'You will feel remorse and sorrow all the years
+of your life, if Uncle Jack dies before you have made all the amends in
+your power!'
+
+'_Dies!_'
+
+The squire's face had become ashen; his repetition of the word Catherine
+had used betrayed the shock it had caused him.
+
+'_Dies!_' he repeated. 'John is my junior. The chance is that I die
+before him.'
+
+'No, uncle; for his life is threatened; it might end any minute, so the
+doctors tell him.'
+
+There was silence in the library for a while, only the fire flickered
+and spluttered fiercely, and the heavy drops of a rain-storm dashed
+against the windows.
+
+The squire stood erect, gazing straight before him, with not a change
+of one muscle of his face. Yet no one, least of all Catherine, could
+have seen that face without learning that a struggle and a grief were
+tearing his heart. While he was silent he was looking into the far past,
+to the childish days when Jack had been all-in-all to him, when his
+affection for him had been of the loyal protecting order of the elder
+for the younger; looking back to the youth of mutual aspirations after
+higher things than worldly ambition, to the confidences of young
+manhood, to the devotion for one woman, which had never separated them,
+because for each it had been equally hopeless. How Jack had proposed,
+after that sorrow, 'Let us keep together through life, you and I, Ross.
+We shall always understand and respect one another's memories'! How the
+promise had been kept, even when absence made letter-writing the only
+method of communication! How nothing but the elder's change of
+disposition had weakened the old tie! Money, money, money,--this had
+become Ross's idol; in serving it he had lost touch with the finer
+nature of his soldier brother, whose loyal, pure heart had remained
+faithful. Then the episode of Loring Carmichael's adoption; their mutual
+pride in the prospects of the clever lad who was to carry the old name
+honourably into another generation, and keep the home and estate in
+order. Then Loring's favouritism for Uncle Jack; the squire's growing
+jealousy, and attempt to purchase his allegiance secretly. Later,
+Loring's choice, Loring's departure; lastly, Loring's death, and the
+concealed letter!
+
+No, not lastly, for years of estrangement had followed, beginning with a
+mere quarrel which could easily have been made up, but which had been
+sealed, as it were, by the squire's act of deception, that dishonouring
+wrong to which he would not own.
+
+He saw himself in his true colours now, and was bitterly shamed by the
+vision.
+
+But to be ashamed, and to own to the shame, were two different things.
+He contrived to hide his emotion.
+
+'I am exceedingly sorry to hear of my brother's ill-health, Catherine.
+Still, that does not efface the wrong he did me.'
+
+'What if I can prove to you that Loring was not influenced in his final
+choice by Uncle Jack?'
+
+'I fail to understand how that could be. You never met--my nephew.'
+
+'No, uncle, but you have another nephew, who was his friend, who was
+with him before his death, who wrote for him two letters of
+farewell--one to you, one to Uncle Jack--my Cousin George in Melbourne.'
+
+The squire's expression changed again. He glanced anxiously into
+Catherine's face. How much did she know? Was his wrong-doing to be
+exposed, brought home to him by this penniless niece, who had refused to
+sacrifice her sense of duty for the gain of a fortune?--this girl, whose
+spirit he had admired in times past?
+
+It was too strange that she should humble him! Could he not think of any
+way in which to make sure of her silence?
+
+No; for she was absolutely unselfish and honest.
+
+There was admiration for her in his mind, even while she was so calmly
+defying him. Her truthful brown eyes did not falter beneath his glance;
+her temper was not aroused. She was simply in earnest--doing battle for
+Uncle Jack.
+
+He could not think how to answer her, until she spoke again, quietly:
+
+'I know _all_ about the quarrel, Uncle Ross. George has written to me.
+The only thing I do not know is what became of Loring's letter to Uncle
+Jack, for it was not delivered to him.'
+
+If Catherine had expected to break down the reserve of his manner, she
+was disappointed. Ross Carmichael was bent upon enduring his position as
+well as possible.
+
+'The letter came here after my brother's departure, and I omitted to
+forward it. Had he sent for it at any time, he could have had it. It
+lies in the locked drawer of a bureau in the hall.'
+
+'Will you let me take it to him?'
+
+'Certainly.'
+
+'Oh, uncle, George told me one sentence that is in it. Loring declared,
+"It is entirely owing to Uncle Ross's secret persuasion that I left home
+to enlist." Now that you know that Uncle Jack did not do you the injury
+of influencing Loring to leave you, won't you forgive and be friends
+with him again?'
+
+Catherine's voice was no longer calm. Her appeal was made in impassioned
+tones, and her eyes were full of tears.
+
+The squire unclasped her hands from his arm and turned away.
+
+'If I am not mistaken, the--the position is changed between my brother
+and myself. John will probably be indignant because I--did not trouble
+to--to forward the letter. There was no absolute necessity for me to do
+so; it was his affair that he left me and went to live by himself.'
+
+'Since you have wronged him, do you not wish to make amends to him?'
+
+'That will be done--at least, the wrong will be ended when you have
+taken him the letter.'
+
+'No, uncle, for he cares far more for you than he ever cared for Loring.
+He longs for your love again--your confidence. Will you not make some
+advance to him, as he has made so many which you have ignored? Think--it
+is in your power to make these later years of his life happy instead of
+sad! Can you be so hard-hearted as not to do it?'
+
+The squire walked away to the window, where he stood, turning his back
+upon his niece,--silently fighting with his feelings.
+
+Catherine watched him, and prayed.
+
+At last the answer came, in a voice unlike the squire's usual harsh
+accents.
+
+'You shall take the letter, and you may tell John I--am sorry. I shall
+be in Beverbridge this evening, at the club quite near you. You can send
+for me if--if John wants me.'
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XV
+
+As God Willed
+
+
+'Let me be driven down, and let your carriage wait to bring Uncle Jack
+back to you as soon as he has read Loring's letter. Don't you know him
+better than to think that he will be content to wait to answer you until
+this evening?' pleaded the girl, with an odd little choke in her voice.
+
+Her mission was almost accomplished, for there was not the least doubt
+as to the nature of the reply one brother would make to the other. And
+at that instant the unexpected happened.
+
+The library door opened, and the colonel himself stood on the threshold.
+His gaze went past Catherine, to the tall, straight figure at the
+window.
+
+'_Ross!_'
+
+'_John!_'
+
+The squire had turned; the two men stood looking at one another. The
+younger advanced with his right hand outstretched:
+
+'Forgive me for coming, especially for forcing myself on you
+unannounced. My excuse was a telegram for Catherine. James let me in.
+Don't be angry with a faithful servant on my account. Ross, I've tried
+before to make up the quarrel between us, but I have not tried _hard_
+enough. To-day I've been reproaching myself.'
+
+'God knows you have no cause, Jack!'
+
+The two right hands were clasped now.
+
+'I've been thinking a great deal about Loring, poor, dear fellow, and I
+seem to have realised what a blow losing him was to you, Ross. You
+wanted some one to be proud of, and he was worthy; and I, garrulous old
+man that I was, persuaded him to long to be a soldier. It was a great
+injury to you.'
+
+'Hush, John, you mustn't say so. I----'
+
+'I have come to speak my mind out. Let me do it. Have patience with me
+just for a few moments. You refused my overtures towards reconciliation
+a few times, Ross, and my pride kept me from offering any more. That was
+where I was wrong--most wrong. I called myself a Christian, but my
+conduct was utterly un-Christlike. _Pride?_ What is that between
+brothers? We loved one another once, and it shall be no fault of mine if
+our hearts are divided. And to-day I have been remembering the
+exhortation, "Let brotherly love continue." Ross, if it is to end, it
+shall not be by my fault. So I have come to ask your pardon for all the
+ill I have ever done you, purposely or unconsciously.'
+
+'No, no, John. All the wrong has been mine. You will not want to ask my
+pardon when you know all. I have deceived you, and----'
+
+Catherine heard no more, for she stole out of the room, leaving the
+brothers together.
+
+       *       *       *       *       *
+
+'And to-morrow we go home!'
+
+Agatha was the speaker. It was the evening of the same day, and she was
+nestling in Catherine's arms. From the other little room across the hall
+came the sound of voices. Uncle Jack and Uncle Ross were together there,
+talking over the many memories they shared, making plans for their
+future, agreeing to forget the past.
+
+'Yes,' agreed the elder girl, in the happiest of tones. 'You and I, Ted
+and Toddie, even Harriet and Robert--we are all to leave the cottage for
+the Hall. My dear little woman, your wish has come true. I am so very
+glad.'
+
+'It is all your doing, Catherine. Oh, it is a lovely ending to the
+family quarrel! I never saw guardian look as radiant as he does now. You
+do believe I'm most pleased about that, don't you? I used to covet
+comforts and money most dreadfully, but you've taught me to understand
+how little joy they can give.'
+
+'You've grown a great deal wiser lately, dearie; but that is because you
+have learned to love God.'
+
+'And I never should have known much about Him and His wonderful love for
+us all, if you hadn't come to teach me, Catherine. Don't you feel proud
+of all the good you've done? You've made me less horrid (I _was_ a
+little wretch before you came). You've helped guardian to find peace in
+religion; you've reconciled him and Uncle Ross; you've taken care of Ted
+and Toddie, so that Mrs. Arderne can't be anxious about them. _When_ did
+she say she was coming home?'
+
+'The telegram said, "Henry has been offered a good post. We come home in
+a month's time."'
+
+'But you will live with us until you are married, won't you? You do not
+mean to go back to be Mrs. Arderne's companion?'
+
+The squire and the colonel entered the room, arm-in-arm, and heard
+Agatha's eager question.
+
+'My dear, Catherine has promised not to desert us,' said Uncle Ross with
+a smile--'not until she marries. But as I mean Brian North to become
+editor of _The Circle_ as soon as possible, her stay with us may not
+last as long as we could wish for our own sakes.'
+
+'Oh, uncle, you _are_ good to me!'
+
+The squire turned to his brother.
+
+'Niece Catherine scarcely seems to know the value of the work she has
+done for me, John. I am under an obligation to her which I can never
+repay. Money is not of the immense value I believed it to be, my dear;
+but I am thankful it can help you and Brian to be happy.'
+
+Catherine tried to express her feelings in words, but the task was a
+difficult one. Her eyes were full of tears of joy as she looked from one
+uncle to the other, as they stood side by side, smiling at one another.
+
+'God be blessed and praised for the mercy He has shown us, and the
+manner in which He has taken away our trials!' said Uncle Jack. 'The
+troubles are over for us all; it is well for us to remember the words,
+"Let us love one another, for love is of God." Lassie, this is the
+happiest day of my life!'
+
+'Even happier than the day when you first wore the Queen's uniform,
+guardian?' asked Agatha.
+
+'Yes, dear,' answered the colonel. 'I was a young, untried fellow then.
+It is when an old man, who has known sorrow, obtains his heart's desire,
+that happiness is greatest. The light is dearer to those who have lived
+in darkness.'
+
+'John, it was all my fault.'
+
+'No, no, Ross; we were both to blame.'
+
+Niece Catherine came forward and stood between them, radiantly smiling.
+
+'The past may be forgotten now, may it not, my dear uncles?' she asked.
+'Since the family quarrel is dead, let it be buried.'
+
+'It is well for a man to remember his faults,' said Colonel Carmichael
+firmly. 'I was un-Christian. I consider that my pride was----'
+
+'Nonsense, John!' interrupted the squire. 'As I have told you again and
+again, the wrong was entirely my doing. The part of the quarrel _I_
+don't wish to forget is the fact that, after all, you came to
+me,--though God knows I didn't deserve you should do it.'
+
+Niece Catherine listened to this friendly altercation, and knew that the
+brothers would continue to loyally endeavour each to bear the greater
+load of blame, and saw by their faces that their hearts were filled with
+emotion which, being men, they felt obliged to master, the old quarrel
+being mutually, forgiven, the old regard being not only renewed, but
+increased. Her 'mission,' as Mrs. Arderne had named it, was indeed
+accomplished; but she was certain that Uncle Jack had earned all praise
+for the happy consummation.
+
+But Agatha, silent upon her couch, was remembering some verses of a poem
+she had read that morning, and applying them to Catherine, her
+heroine:--
+
+    'Who toil aright, for those
+    Life's pathway, ere it close,
+    Is as the rose.
+
+    The spires of wisdom stand,
+    Piled by the unconscious hand,
+    From grains of sand.
+
+    And pleasure comes unsought,
+    To those who take but thought
+    For that they ought.'
+
+
+
+
+
+End of the Project Gutenberg EBook of Niece Catherine, by Mary Hampden
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