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CHAPTER I. THE SMUGGLED SUPPER.
CHAPTER I. THE SMUGGLED SUPPER.
Outside the bedroom the night was black and still. The small rain fell too softly to be heard in the garden; not a leaf stirred in the airless calm; the watch-dog was asleep, the cats were indoors; far or near, under the murky heaven, not a sound was stirring. Inside the bedroom the night was black and still. Miss Ladd knew her business as a schoolmistress too well to allow night-lights; and Miss Ladd’s young ladies were supposed to be fast asleep, in accordance with the rules of the house. Only
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CHAPTER II. BIOGRAPHY IN THE BEDROOM.
CHAPTER II. BIOGRAPHY IN THE BEDROOM.
The candle was instantly extinguished. In discreet silence the girls stole back to their beds, and listened. As an aid to the vigilance of the sentinel, the door had been left ajar. Through the narrow opening, a creaking of the broad wooden stairs of the old house became audible. In another moment there was silence. An interval passed, and the creaking was heard again. This time, the sound was distant and diminishing. On a sudden it stopped. The midnight silence was disturbed no more. What did t
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CHAPTER III. THE LATE MR. BROWN.
CHAPTER III. THE LATE MR. BROWN.
The woman’s lean, long-fingered hand pointed to the candle. “Don’t put it out.” Saying those words, she looked round the room, and satisfied herself that the other girls were asleep. Emily laid down the extinguisher. “You mean to report us, of course,” she said. “I am the only one awake, Miss Jethro; lay the blame on me.” “I have no intention of reporting you. But I have something to say.” She paused, and pushed her thick black hair (already streaked with gray) back from her temples. Her eyes, l
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CHAPTER IV. MISS LADD’S DRAWING-MASTER.
CHAPTER IV. MISS LADD’S DRAWING-MASTER.
Francine was awakened the next morning by one of the housemaids, bringing up her breakfast on a tray. Astonished at this concession to laziness, in an institution devoted to the practice of all virtues, she looked round. The bedroom was deserted. “The other young ladies are as busy as bees, miss,” the housemaid explained. “They were up and dressed two hours ago: and the breakfast has been cleared away long since. It’s Miss Emily’s fault. She wouldn’t allow them to wake you; she said you could be
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CHAPTER V. DISCOVERIES IN THE GARDEN.
CHAPTER V. DISCOVERIES IN THE GARDEN.
Left by herself, Miss de Sor turned back again by way of the trees. So far, her interview with the drawing-master had helped to pass the time. Some girls might have found it no easy task to arrive at a true view of the character of Alban Morris. Francine’s essentially superficial observation set him down as “a little mad,” and left him there, judged and dismissed to her own entire satisfaction. Arriving at the lawn, she discovered Emily pacing backward and forward, with her head down and her han
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CHAPTER VI. ON THE WAY TO THE VILLAGE.
CHAPTER VI. ON THE WAY TO THE VILLAGE.
Alban Morris—discovered by Emily in concealment among the trees—was not content with retiring to another part of the grounds. He pursued his retreat, careless in what direction it might take him, to a footpath across the fields, which led to the highroad and the railway station. Miss Ladd’s drawing-master was in that state of nervous irritability which seeks relief in rapidity of motion. Public opinion in the neighborhood (especially public opinion among the women) had long since decided that hi
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CHAPTER VII. “COMING EVENTS CAST THEIR SHADOWS BEFORE.”
CHAPTER VII. “COMING EVENTS CAST THEIR SHADOWS BEFORE.”
Miss De Sor and Miss Wyvil were still sitting together under the trees, talking of the murder at the inn. “And is that really all you can tell me?” said Francine. “That is all,” Cecilia answered. “Is there no love in it?” “None that I know of.” “It’s the most uninteresting murder that ever was committed. What shall we do with ourselves? I’m tired of being here in the garden. When do the performances in the schoolroom begin?” “Not for two hours yet.” Francine yawned. “And what part do you take in
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CHAPTER VIII. MASTER AND PUPIL.
CHAPTER VIII. MASTER AND PUPIL.
Emily’s impulse was to avoid the drawing-master for the second time. The moment afterward, a kinder feeling prevailed. The farewell interview with Cecilia had left influences which pleaded for Alban Morris. It was the day of parting good wishes and general separations: he had only perhaps come to say good-by. She advanced to offer her hand, when he stopped her by pointing to Sir Jervis Redwood’s card. “May I say a word, Miss Emily, about that woman?” he asked “Do you mean Mrs. Rook?” “Yes. You k
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CHAPTER IX. MRS. ROOK AND THE LOCKET.
CHAPTER IX. MRS. ROOK AND THE LOCKET.
As mistress of a prosperous school, bearing a widely-extended reputation, Miss Ladd prided herself on the liberality of her household arrangements. At breakfast and dinner, not only the solid comforts but the elegant luxuries of the table, were set before the young ladies “Other schools may, and no doubt do, offer to pupils the affectionate care to which they have been accustomed under the parents’ roof,” Miss Ladd used to say. “At my school, that care extends to their meals, and provides them w
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CHAPTER X. GUESSES AT THE TRUTH.
CHAPTER X. GUESSES AT THE TRUTH.
“What are we to do next? Oh, Mr. Morris, you must have seen all sorts of people in your time—you know human nature, and I don’t. Help me with a word of advice!” Emily forgot that he was in love with her—forgot everything, but the effect produced by the locket on Mrs. Rook, and the vaguely alarming conclusion to which it pointed. In the fervor of her anxiety she took Alban’s arm as familiarly as if he had been her brother. He was gentle, he was considerate; he tried earnestly to compose her. “We
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CHAPTER XI. THE DRAWING-MASTER’S CONFESSION.
CHAPTER XI. THE DRAWING-MASTER’S CONFESSION.
“Is there nothing else you can suggest?” Emily asked. “Nothing—at present.” “If my aunt fails us, have we no other hope?” “I have hope in Mrs. Rook,” Alban answered. “I see I surprise you; but I really mean what I say. Sir Jervis’s housekeeper is an excitable woman, and she is fond of wine. There is always a weak side in the character of such a person as that. If we wait for our chance, and turn it to the right use when it comes, we may yet succeed in making her betray herself.” Emily listened t
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CHAPTER XII. MRS. ELLMOTHER.
CHAPTER XII. MRS. ELLMOTHER.
The metropolis of Great Britain is, in certain respects, like no other metropolis on the face of the earth. In the population that throngs the streets, the extremes of Wealth and the extremes of Poverty meet, as they meet nowhere else. In the streets themselves, the glory and the shame of architecture—the mansion and the hovel—are neighbors in situation, as they are neighbors nowhere else. London, in its social aspect, is the city of contrasts. Toward the close of evening Emily left the railway
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CHAPTER XIII. MISS LETITIA.
CHAPTER XIII. MISS LETITIA.
Emily entered the room. The door was immediately closed on her from the outer side. Mrs. Ellmother’s heavy steps were heard retreating along the passage. Then the banging of the door that led into the kitchen shook the flimsily-built cottage. Then, there was silence. The dim light of a lamp hidden away in a corner and screened by a dingy green shade, just revealed the closely-curtained bed, and the table near it bearing medicine-bottles and glasses. The only objects on the chimney-piece were a c
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CHAPTER XIV. MRS. MOSEY.
CHAPTER XIV. MRS. MOSEY.
Emily’s first act—after the discovery of Mrs. Ellmother’s incomprehensible disappearance—was to invite the new servant to follow her into the sitting-room. “Can you explain this?” she began. “No, miss.” “May I ask if you have come here by Mrs. Ellmother’s invitation?” “By Mrs. Ellmother’s request , miss.” “Can you tell me how she came to make the request?” “With pleasure, miss. Perhaps—as you find me here, a stranger to yourself, in place of the customary servant—I ought to begin by giving you a
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CHAPTER XV. EMILY.
CHAPTER XV. EMILY.
“May I say a word?” Mrs. Mosey inquired. She entered the room—pale and trembling. Seeing that ominous change, Emily dropped back into her chair. “Dead?” she said faintly. Mrs. Mosey looked at her in vacant surprise. “I wish to say, miss, that your aunt has frightened me.” Even that vague allusion was enough for Emily. “You need say no more,” she replied. “I know but too well how my aunt’s mind is affected by the fever.” Confused and frightened as she was, Mrs. Mosey still found relief in her cus
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CHAPTER XVI. MISS JETHRO.
CHAPTER XVI. MISS JETHRO.
A fortnight after the disappearance of Mrs. Ellmother, and the dismissal of Mrs. Mosey, Doctor Allday entered his consulting-room, punctual to the hour at which he was accustomed to receive patients. An occasional wrinkling of his eyebrows, accompanied by an intermittent restlessness in his movements, appeared to indicate some disturbance of this worthy man’s professional composure. His mind was indeed not at ease. Even the inexcitable old doctor had felt the attraction which had already conquer
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CHAPTER XVII. DOCTOR ALLDAY.
CHAPTER XVII. DOCTOR ALLDAY.
Absorbed in the effort to overcome his patient’s reserve, the doctor had forgotten Emily’s letter. He opened it immediately. After reading the first sentence, he looked up with an expression of annoyance. “She has begun the examination of the papers already,” he said. “Then I can be of no further use to you,” Miss Jethro rejoined. She made a second attempt to leave the room. Doctor Allday turned to the next page of the letter. “Stop!” he cried. “She has found something—and here it is.” He held u
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CHAPTER XVIII. MISS LADD.
CHAPTER XVIII. MISS LADD.
Arriving at the cottage, Doctor Allday discovered a gentleman, who was just closing the garden gate behind him. “Has Miss Emily had a visitor?” he inquired, when the servant admitted him. “The gentleman left a letter for Miss Emily, sir.” “Did he ask to see her?” “He asked after Miss Letitia’s health. When he heard that she was dead, he seemed to be startled, and went away immediately.” “Did he give his name?” “No, sir.” The doctor found Emily absorbed over her letter. His anxiety to forestall a
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CHAPTER XIX. SIR JERVIS REDWOOD.
CHAPTER XIX. SIR JERVIS REDWOOD.
In the meantime, Emily, left by herself, had her own correspondence to occupy her attention. Besides the letter from Cecilia (directed to the care of Sir Jervis Redwood), she had received some lines addressed to her by Sir Jervis himself. The two inclosures had been secured in a sealed envelope, directed to the cottage. If Alban Morris had been indeed the person trusted as messenger by Sir Jervis, the conclusion that followed filled Emily with overpowering emotions of curiosity and surprise. Hav
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CHAPTER XX. THE REVEREND MILES MIRABEL.
CHAPTER XX. THE REVEREND MILES MIRABEL.
“I am making a little excursion from the Engadine, my dearest of all dear friends. Two charming fellow-travelers take care of me; and we may perhaps get as far as the Lake of Como. “My sister (already much improved in health) remains at St. Moritz with the old governess. The moment I know what exact course we are going to take, I shall write to Julia to forward any letters which arrive in my absence. My life, in this earthly paradise, will be only complete when I hear from my darling Emily. “In
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CHAPTER XXI. POLLY AND SALLY.
CHAPTER XXI. POLLY AND SALLY.
Without a care to trouble her; abroad or at home, finding inexhaustible varieties of amusement; seeing new places, making new acquaintances—what a disheartening contrast did Cecilia’s happy life present to the life of her friend! Who, in Emily’s position, could have read that joyously-written letter from Switzerland, and not have lost heart and faith, for the moment at least, as the inevitable result? A buoyant temperament is of all moral qualities the most precious, in this respect; it is the o
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CHAPTER XXII. ALBAN MORRIS.
CHAPTER XXII. ALBAN MORRIS.
Having looked at the card, Emily put her first question to the servant. “Did you tell Mr. Morris what your orders were?” she asked. “Yes, miss; I said I was to have shown him in, if you had been at home. Perhaps I did wrong; I told him what you told me when you went out this morning—I said you had gone to read at the Museum.” “What makes you think you did wrong?” “Well, miss, he didn’t say anything, but he looked upset.” “Do you mean that he looked angry?” The servant shook her head. “Not exactl
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CHAPTER XXIII. MISS REDWOOD.
CHAPTER XXIII. MISS REDWOOD.
“I got invited to Sir Jervis’s house,” Alban resumed, “by treating the old savage as unceremoniously as he had treated me. ‘That’s an idle trade of yours,’ he said, looking at my sketch. ‘Other ignorant people have made the same remark,’ I answered. He rode away, as if he was not used to be spoken to in that manner, and then thought better of it, and came back. ‘Do you understand wood engraving?’ he asked. ‘Yes.’ ‘And etching?’ ‘I have practiced etching myself.’ ‘Are you a Royal Academician?’ ‘I
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CHAPTER XXIV. MR. ROOK.
CHAPTER XXIV. MR. ROOK.
Emily’s first day in the City library proved to be a day wasted. She began reading the back numbers of the newspaper at haphazard, without any definite idea of what she was looking for. Conscious of the error into which her own impatience had led her, she was at a loss how to retrace the false step that she had taken. But two alternatives presented themselves: either to abandon the hope of making any discovery—or to attempt to penetrate Alban ‘s motives by means of pure guesswork, pursued in the
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CHAPTER XXV. “J. B.”
CHAPTER XXV. “J. B.”
Mr. Rook having completed his evidence, the police authorities were the next witnesses examined. They had not found the slightest trace of any attempt to break into the house in the night. The murdered man’s gold watch and chain were discovered under his pillow. On examining his clothes the money was found in his purse, and the gold studs and sleeve buttons were left in his shirt. But his pocketbook (seen by witnesses who had not yet been examined) was missing. The search for visiting cards and
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CHAPTER XXVI. MOTHER EVE.
CHAPTER XXVI. MOTHER EVE.
The servant received Emily, on her return from the library, with a sly smile. “Here he is again, miss, waiting to see you.” She opened the parlor door, and revealed Alban Morris, as restless as ever, walking up and down the room. “When I missed you at the Museum, I was afraid you might be ill,” he said. “Ought I to have gone away, when my anxiety was relieved? Shall I go away now?” “You must take a chair, Mr. Morris, and hear what I have to say for myself. When you left me after your last visit,
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CHAPTER XXVII. MENTOR AND TELEMACHUS.
CHAPTER XXVII. MENTOR AND TELEMACHUS.
If Emily’s eyes could have followed Alban as her thoughts were following him, she would have seen him stop before he reached the end of the road in which the cottage stood. His heart was full of tenderness and sorrow: the longing to return to her was more than he could resist. It would be easy to wait, within view of the gate, until the doctor’s visit came to an end. He had just decided to go back and keep watch—when he heard rapid footsteps approaching. There (devil take him!) was the doctor hi
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CHAPTER XXVIII. FRANCINE.
CHAPTER XXVIII. FRANCINE.
“You’re surprised to see me, of course?” Saluting Emily in those terms, Francine looked round the parlor with an air of satirical curiosity. “Dear me, what a little place to live in!” “What brings you to London?” Emily inquired. “You ought to know, my dear, without asking. Why did I try to make friends with you at school? And why have I been trying ever since? Because I hate you—I mean because I can’t resist you—no! I mean because I hate myself for liking you. Oh, never mind my reasons. I insist
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CHAPTER XXIX. “BONY.”
CHAPTER XXIX. “BONY.”
Mrs. Ellmother reluctantly entered the room. Since Emily had seen her last, her personal appearance doubly justified the nickname by which her late mistress had distinguished her. The old servant was worn and wasted; her gown hung loose on her angular body; the big bones of her face stood out, more prominently than ever. She took Emily’s offered hand doubtingly. “I hope I see you well, miss,” she said—with hardly a vestige left of her former firmness of voice and manner. “I am afraid you have be
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CHAPTER XXX. LADY DORIS.
CHAPTER XXX. LADY DORIS.
The arrival of Miss Ladd, some time before she had been expected, interrupted the two girls at a critical moment. She had hurried over her business in London, eager to pass the rest of the day with her favorite pupil. Emily’s affectionate welcome was, in some degree at least, inspired by a sensation of relief. To feel herself in the embrace of the warm-hearted schoolmistress was like finding a refuge from Francine. When the hour of departure arrived, Miss Ladd invited Emily to Brighton for the s
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CHAPTER XXXI. MOIRA.
CHAPTER XXXI. MOIRA.
When Alban presented himself the next morning, the hours of the night had exercised their tranquilizing influence over Emily. She remembered sorrowfully how Doctor Allday had disturbed her belief in the man who loved her; no feeling of irritation remained. Alban noticed that her manner was unusually subdued; she received him with her customary grace, but not with her customary smile. “Are you not well?” he asked. “I am a little out of spirits,” she replied. “A disappointment—that is all.” He wai
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CHAPTER XXXII. IN THE GRAY ROOM.
CHAPTER XXXII. IN THE GRAY ROOM.
The house inhabited by Miss Ladd and her pupils had been built, in the early part of the present century, by a wealthy merchant—proud of his money, and eager to distinguish himself as the owner of the largest country seat in the neighborhood. After his death, Miss Ladd had taken Netherwoods (as the place was called), finding her own house insufficient for the accommodation of the increasing number of her pupils. A lease was granted to her on moderate terms. Netherwoods failed to attract persons
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CHAPTER XXXIII. RECOLLECTIONS OF ST. DOMINGO.
CHAPTER XXXIII. RECOLLECTIONS OF ST. DOMINGO.
The night was oppressively hot. Finding it impossible to sleep, Francine lay quietly in her bed, thinking. The subject of her reflections was a person who occupied the humble position of her new servant. Mrs. Ellmother looked wretchedly ill. Mrs. Ellmother had told Emily that her object, in returning to domestic service, was to try if change would relieve her from the oppression of her own thoughts. Mrs. Ellmother believed in vulgar superstitions which declared Friday to be an unlucky day; and w
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CHAPTER XXXIV. IN THE DARK.
CHAPTER XXXIV. IN THE DARK.
A week later, Alban Morris happened to be in Miss Ladd’s study, with a report to make on the subject of his drawing-class. Mrs. Ellmother interrupted them for a moment. She entered the room to return a book which Francine had borrowed that morning. “Has Miss de Sor done with it already?” Miss Ladd asked. “She won’t read it, ma’am. She says the leaves smell of tobacco-smoke.” Miss Ladd turned to Alban, and shook her head with an air of good-humored reproof. “I know who has been reading that book
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CHAPTER XXXV. THE TREACHERY OF THE PIPE.
CHAPTER XXXV. THE TREACHERY OF THE PIPE.
Alban took Mrs. Ellmother at her word. “I am going to venture on a guess,” he said. “You have been with Miss de Sor to-night.” “Quite true, Mr. Morris.” “I am going to guess again. Did Miss de Sor ask you to stay with her, when you went into her room?” “That’s it! She rang for me, to see how I was getting on with my needlework—and she was what I call hearty, for the first time since I have been in her service. I didn’t think badly of her when she first talked of engaging me; and I’ve had reason
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CHAPTER XXXVI. CHANGE OF AIR.
CHAPTER XXXVI. CHANGE OF AIR.
The inmates of Netherwoods rose early, and went to bed early. When Alban and Mrs. Ellmother arrived at the back door of the house, they found it locked. The only light visible, along the whole length of the building, glimmered through the Venetian blind of the window-entrance to Francine’s sitting-room. Alban proposed to get admission to the house by that way. In her horror of again encountering Francine, Mrs. Ellmother positively refused to follow him when he turned away from the door. “They ca
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CHAPTER XXXVII. “THE LADY WANTS YOU, SIR.”
CHAPTER XXXVII. “THE LADY WANTS YOU, SIR.”
The pupils of the drawing-class put away their pencils and color-boxes in high good humor: the teacher’s vigilant eye for faults had failed him for the first time in their experience. Not one of them had been reproved; they had chattered and giggled and drawn caricatures on the margin of the paper, as freely as if the master had left the room. Alban’s wandering attention was indeed beyond the reach of control. His interview with Francine had doubled his sense of responsibility toward Emily—while
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CHAPTER XXXVIII. DANCING.
CHAPTER XXXVIII. DANCING.
The windows of the long drawing-room at Monksmoor are all thrown open to the conservatory. Distant masses of plants and flowers, mingled in ever-varying forms of beauty, are touched by the melancholy luster of the rising moon. Nearer to the house, the restful shadows are disturbed at intervals, where streams of light fall over them aslant from the lamps in the room. The fountain is playing. In rivalry with its lighter music, the nightingales are singing their song of ecstasy. Sometimes, the laug
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CHAPTER XXXIX. FEIGNING.
CHAPTER XXXIX. FEIGNING.
The next morning, Mr. Mirabel took two members of the circle at Monksmoor by surprise. One of them was Emily; and one of them was the master of the house. Seeing Emily alone in the garden before breakfast, he left his room and joined her. “Let me say one word,” he pleaded, “before we go to breakfast. I am grieved to think that I was so unfortunate as to offend you, last night.” Emily’s look of astonishment answered for her before she could speak. “What can I have said or done,” she asked, “to ma
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CHAPTER XL. CONSULTING.
CHAPTER XL. CONSULTING.
Out of the music room, and away from his violin, the sound side of Mr. Wyvil’s character was free to assert itself. In his public and in his private capacity, he was an eminently sensible man. As a member of parliament, he set an example which might have been followed with advantage by many of his colleagues. In the first place he abstained from hastening the downfall of representative institutions by asking questions and making speeches. In the second place, he was able to distinguish between t
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CHAPTER XLI. SPEECHIFYING.
CHAPTER XLI. SPEECHIFYING.
On the Monday, a plowboy from Vale Regis arrived at Monksmoor. In respect of himself, he was a person beneath notice. In respect of his errand, he was sufficiently important to cast a gloom over the household. The faithless Mirabel had broken his engagement, and the plowboy was the herald of misfortune who brought his apology. To his great disappointment (he wrote) he was detained by the affairs of his parish. He could only trust to Mr. Wyvil’s indulgence to excuse him, and to communicate his si
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CHAPTER XLII. COOKING.
CHAPTER XLII. COOKING.
The day after the political meeting was a day of departures, at the pleasant country house. Miss Darnaway was recalled to the nursery at home. The old squire who did justice to Mr. Wyvil’s port-wine went away next, having guests to entertain at his own house. A far more serious loss followed. The three dancing men had engagements which drew them to new spheres of activity in other drawing-rooms. They said, with the same dreary grace of manner, “Very sorry to go”; they drove to the railway, array
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CHAPTER XLIII. SOUNDING.
CHAPTER XLIII. SOUNDING.
Mirabel left Francine to enter the lodge by herself. His mind was disturbed: he felt the importance of gaining time for reflection before he and Emily met again. The keeper’s garden was at the back of the lodge. Passing through the wicket-gate, he found a little summer-house at a turn in the path. Nobody was there: he went in and sat down. At intervals, he had even yet encouraged himself to underrate the true importance of the feeling which Emily had awakened in him. There was an end to all self
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CHAPTER XLIV. COMPETING.
CHAPTER XLIV. COMPETING.
Time at Monksmoor had advanced to the half hour before dinner, on Saturday evening. Cecilia and Francine, Mr. Wyvil and Mirabel, were loitering in the conservatory. In the drawing-room, Emily had been considerately left alone with Alban. He had missed the early train from Netherwoods; but he had arrived in time to dress for dinner, and to offer the necessary explanations. If it had been possible for Alban to allude to the anonymous letter, he might have owned that his first impulse had led him t
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CHAPTER XLV. MISCHIEF—MAKING.
CHAPTER XLV. MISCHIEF—MAKING.
On Monday, Mirabel made his appearance—and the demon of discord returned with him. Alban had employed the earlier part of the day in making a sketch in the park—intended as a little present for Emily. Presenting himself in the drawing-room, when his work was completed, he found Cecilia and Francine alone. He asked where Emily was. The question had been addressed to Cecilia. Francine answered it. “Emily mustn’t be disturbed,” she said. “Why not?” “She is with Mr. Mirabel in the rose garden. I saw
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CHAPTER XLVI. PRETENDING.
CHAPTER XLVI. PRETENDING.
Miss de Sor began cautiously with an apology. “Excuse me, Mr. Mirabel, for reminding you of my presence.” Mr. Mirabel made no reply. “I beg to say,” Francine proceeded, “that I didn’t intentionally see you kiss Emily’s hand.” Mirabel stood, looking at the roses which Emily had left on her chair, as completely absorbed in his own thoughts as if he had been alone in the garden. “Am I not even worth notice?” Francine asked. “Ah, I know to whom I am indebted for your neglect!” She took him familiarl
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CHAPTER XLVII. DEBATING.
CHAPTER XLVII. DEBATING.
In the meanwhile Emily had been true to her promise to relieve Mirabel’s anxieties, on the subject of Miss Jethro. Entering the drawing-room in search of Alban, she found him talking with Cecilia, and heard her own name mentioned as she opened the door. “Here she is at last!” Cecilia exclaimed. “What in the world has kept you all this time in the rose garden?” “Has Mr. Mirabel been more interesting than usual?” Alban asked gayly. Whatever sense of annoyance he might have felt in Emily’s absence,
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CHAPTER XLVIII. INVESTIGATING.
CHAPTER XLVIII. INVESTIGATING.
Having revived his sinking energies in the fruit garden, Mirabel seated himself under the shade of a tree, and reflected on the critical position in which he was placed by Francine’s jealousy. If Miss de Sor continued to be Mr. Wyvil’s guest, there seemed to be no other choice before Mirabel than to leave Monksmoor—and to trust to a favorable reply to his sister’s invitation for the free enjoyment of Emily’s society under another roof. Try as he might, he could arrive at no more satisfactory con
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CHAPTER XLIX. EMILY SUFFERS.
CHAPTER XLIX. EMILY SUFFERS.
Mrs. Ellmother—left in charge of Emily’s place of abode, and feeling sensible of her lonely position from time to time—had just thought of trying the cheering influence of a cup of tea, when she heard a cab draw up at the cottage gate. A violent ring at the bell followed. She opened the door—and found Emily on the steps. One look at that dear and familiar face was enough for the old servant. “God help us,” she cried, “what’s wrong now?” Without a word of reply, Emily led the way into the bedcham
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CHAPTER L. MISS LADD ADVISES.
CHAPTER L. MISS LADD ADVISES.
Mrs. Ellmother sat by the dying embers of the kitchen fire; thinking over the events of the day in perplexity and distress. She had waited at the cottage door for a friendly word with Alban, after he had left Emily. The stern despair in his face warned her to let him go in silence. She had looked into the parlor next. Pale and cold, Emily lay on the sofa—sunk in helpless depression of body and mind. “Don’t speak to me,” she whispered; “I am quite worn out.” It was but too plain that the view of
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CHAPTER LI. THE DOCTOR SEES.
CHAPTER LI. THE DOCTOR SEES.
Alban returned to Netherwoods—to continue his services, until another master could be found to take his place. By a later train Miss Ladd followed him. Emily was too well aware of the importance of the mistress’s presence to the well-being of the school, to permit her to remain at the cottage. It was understood that they were to correspond, and that Emily’s room was waiting for her at Netherwoods, whenever she felt inclined to occupy it. Mrs. Ellmother made the tea, that evening, earlier than us
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CHAPTER LII. “IF I COULD FIND A FRIEND!”
CHAPTER LII. “IF I COULD FIND A FRIEND!”
Shortly after Miss Ladd had taken her departure, a parcel arrived for Emily, bearing the name of a bookseller printed on the label. It was large, and it was heavy. “Reading enough, I should think, to last for a lifetime,” Mrs. Ellmother remarked, after carrying the parcel upstairs. Emily called her back as she was leaving the room. “I want to caution you,” she said, “before Miss Wyvil comes. Don’t tell her—don’t tell anybody—how my father met his death. If other persons are taken into our confid
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CHAPTER LIII. THE FRIEND IS FOUND.
CHAPTER LIII. THE FRIEND IS FOUND.
Mrs. Ellmother looked into the parlor. “I told you Mr. Mirabel would call again,” she announced. “Here he is.” “Has he asked to see me?” “He leaves it entirely to you.” For a moment, and a moment only, Emily was undecided. “Show him in,” she said. Mirabel’s embarrassment was visible the moment he entered the room. For the first time in his life—in the presence of a woman—the popular preacher was shy. He who had taken hundreds of fair hands with sympathetic pressure—he who had offered fluent cons
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CHAPTER LIV. THE END OF THE FAINTING FIT.
CHAPTER LIV. THE END OF THE FAINTING FIT.
Emily recovered her presence of mind. She opened the door, so as to make a draught of air in the room, and called for water. Returning to Mirabel, she loosened his cravat. Mrs. Ellmother came in, just in time to prevent her from committing a common error in the treatment of fainting persons, by raising Mirabel’s head. The current of air, and the sprinkling of water over his face, soon produced their customary effect. “He’ll come round, directly,” Mrs. Ellmother remarked. “Your aunt was sometimes
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CHAPTER LV. MIRABEL SEES HIS WAY.
CHAPTER LV. MIRABEL SEES HIS WAY.
Reaching the hotel at which he was accustomed to stay when he was in London, Mirabel locked the door of his room. He looked at the houses on the opposite side of the street. His mind was in such a state of morbid distrust that he lowered the blind over the window. In solitude and obscurity, the miserable wretch sat down in a corner, and covered his face with his hands, and tried to realize what had happened to him. Nothing had been said at the fatal interview with Emily, which could have given h
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CHAPTER LVI. ALBAN SEES HIS WAY.
CHAPTER LVI. ALBAN SEES HIS WAY.
During the first days of Mirabel’s sojourn at his hotel in London, events were in progress at Netherwoods, affecting the interests of the man who was the especial object of his distrust. Not long after Miss Ladd had returned to her school, she heard of an artist who was capable of filling the place to be vacated by Alban Morris. It was then the twenty-third of the month. In four days more the new master would be ready to enter on his duties; and Alban would be at liberty. On the twenty-fourth, A
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CHAPTER LVII. APPROACHING THE END.
CHAPTER LVII. APPROACHING THE END.
Alban reached London early enough in the afternoon to find the doctor at his luncheon. “Too late to see Mrs. Ellmother,” he announced. “Sit down and have something to eat.” “Has she left any message for me?” “A message, my good friend, that you won’t like to hear. She is off with her mistress, this morning, on a visit to Mr. Mirabel’s sister.” “Does he go with them?” “No; he follows by a later train.” “Has Mrs. Ellmother mentioned the address?” “There it is, in her own handwriting.” Alban read t
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CHAPTER LVIII. A COUNCIL OF TWO.
CHAPTER LVIII. A COUNCIL OF TWO.
Early in the last century one of the picturesque race of robbers and murderers, practicing the vices of humanity on the borderlands watered by the river Tweed, built a tower of stone on the coast of Northumberland. He lived joyously in the perpetration of atrocities; and he died penitent, under the direction of his priest. Since that event, he has figured in poems and pictures; and has been greatly admired by modern ladies and gentlemen, whom he would have outraged and robbed if he had been luck
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CHAPTER LIX. THE ACCIDENT AT BELFORD.
CHAPTER LIX. THE ACCIDENT AT BELFORD.
Early in the morning Mirabel set forth for Redwood Hall, in one of the vehicles which Mrs. Delvin still kept at “The Clink” for the convenience of visitors. He returned soon after noon; having obtained information of the whereabout of Mrs. Rook and her husband. When they had last been heard of, they were at Lasswade, near Edinburgh. Whether they had, or had not, obtained the situation of which they were in search, neither Miss Redwood nor any one else at the Hall could tell. In half an hour more
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CHAPTER LX. OUTSIDE THE ROOM.
CHAPTER LX. OUTSIDE THE ROOM.
Emily found Mirabel in the waiting room at Belford. Her sudden appearance might well have amazed him; but his face expressed a more serious emotion than surprise—he looked at her as if she had alarmed him. “Didn’t you get my message?” he asked. “I told the groom I wished you to wait for my return. I sent a note to my sister, in case he made any mistake.” “The man made no mistake,” Emily answered. “I was in too great a hurry to be able to speak with Mrs. Delvin. Did you really suppose I could end
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CHAPTER LXI. INSIDE THE ROOM.
CHAPTER LXI. INSIDE THE ROOM.
A decent elderly woman was seated at the bedside. She rose, and spoke to Emily with a mingling of sorrow and confusion strikingly expressed on her face. “It isn’t my fault,” she said, “that Mrs. Rook receives you in this manner; I am obliged to humor her.” She drew aside, and showed Mrs. Rook with her head supported by many pillows, and her face strangely hidden from view under a veil. Emily started back in horror. “Is her face injured?” she asked. Mrs. Rook answered the question herself. Her vo
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CHAPTER LXII. DOWNSTAIRS.
CHAPTER LXII. DOWNSTAIRS.
In a moment more, the doctor came in—a brisk, smiling, self-sufficient man—smartly dressed, with a flower in his button-hole. A stifling odor of musk filled the room, as he drew out his handkerchief with a flourish, and wiped his forehead. “Plenty of hard work in my line, just now,” he said. “Hullo, Mrs. Rook! somebody has been allowing you to excite yourself. I heard you, before I opened the door. Have you been encouraging her to talk?” he asked, turning to Emily, and shaking his finger at her
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CHAPTER LXIII. THE DEFENSE OF MIRABEL.
CHAPTER LXIII. THE DEFENSE OF MIRABEL.
The discovery of the letter gave a new direction to Emily’s thoughts—and so, for the time at least, relieved her mind from the burden that weighed on it. To what question, on her father’s part, had “I say No” been Miss Jethro’s brief and stern reply? Neither letter nor envelope offered the slightest hint that might assist inquiry; even the postmark had been so carelessly impressed that it was illegible. Emily was still pondering over the three mysterious words, when she was interrupted by Mrs. E
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CHAPTER LXIV. ON THE WAY TO LONDON.
CHAPTER LXIV. ON THE WAY TO LONDON.
The parting words had been spoken. Emily and her companion were on their way to London. For some little time, they traveled in silence—alone in the railway carriage. After submitting as long as she could to lay an embargo on the use of her tongue, Mrs. Ellmother started the conversation by means of a question: “Do you think Mr. Mirabel will get over it, miss?” “It’s useless to ask me,” Emily said. “Even the great man from Edinburgh is not able to decide yet, whether he will recover or not.” “You
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CHAPTER LXV. CECILIA IN A NEW CHARACTER.
CHAPTER LXV. CECILIA IN A NEW CHARACTER.
Reaching the cottage at night, Emily found the card of a visitor who had called during the day. It bore the name of “Miss Wyvil,” and had a message written on it which strongly excited Emily’s curiosity. “I have seen the telegram which tells your servant that you return to-night. Expect me early to-morrow morning—with news that will deeply interest you.” To what news did Cecilia allude? Emily questioned the woman who had been left in charge of the cottage, and found that she had next to nothing
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CHAPTER LXVI. ALBAN’S NARRATIVE.
CHAPTER LXVI. ALBAN’S NARRATIVE.
“The information which I have obtained from Miss Jethro has been communicated to me, on the condition that I shall not disclose the place of her residence. ‘Let me pass out of notice (she said) as completely as if I had passed out of life; I wish to be forgotten by some, and to be unknown by others.’” With this one stipulation, she left me free to write the present narrative of what passed at the interview between us. I feel that the discoveries which I have made are too important to the persons
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CHAPTER LXVII. THE TRUE CONSOLATION.
CHAPTER LXVII. THE TRUE CONSOLATION.
Emily closed the pages which told her that her father had died by his own hand. Cecilia still held her tenderly embraced. By slow degrees, her head dropped until it rested on her friend’s bosom. Silently she suffered. Silently Cecilia bent forward, and kissed her forehead. The sounds that penetrated to the room were not out of harmony with the time. From a distant house the voices of children were just audible, singing the plaintive melody of a hymn; and, now and then, the breeze blew the first
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