"My dear," exclaimed Fanny, quite hurt, "he was patience itself while he
was with us."
"That's the difference between illness and recovery, dear Lady Temple!
I don't blame him. Any one might be irritable with fresh undetected
splinters of bone always working themselves out, all down one side;
and doubts which were worse, the fingers on, or the fingers off, and no
escape from folly or politeness, for he could not even use a crutch.
Oh, no, I don't blame him; I quite excuse the general dislike he took to
everything at poor dear Littleworthy. He viewed it all like that child
in Mrs. Browning's poem, 'seeing through tears the jugglers leap,' and
we have partaken of the juggler aspect to him ever since!"
"I don't think he could ever be very irritable," said Fanny, taking the
accusation much to heart.
"Sister and recovery!" lightly said Bessie; "they encounter what no one
else does! He only pined for Bishopsworthy, and when we let him move
there, after the first month, he and my uncle were happy. I stayed there
for a little while, but I was only in the way, the dear good folks were
always putting themselves out on my account; and as to Alick, you can't
think how the absence of his poor 'souffre-douleur,' invigorated
him. Every day I found him able to put more point into his cutting
compliments, and reading to my uncle with more energy; till at last by
the time the --th came home, he had not so much as a stiff leg to retire
upon. Luckily, he and my uncle both cared too much for my poor father's
wishes for him to do so without, though if any unlucky chance should
take Mr. Lifford away from my uncle, he threatens coming to supply the
vacancy, unless I should, and that is past hope."
"Your home is with your uncle," affirmed Rachel.
"Yes," she said, mournfully, "dear Littleworthy was too happy to last.
It broke itself up by its own charms--all married and gone, and the last
rose of summer in my poor person must float away. Jane wants her mother
and not me, and my uncle will submit to me as cheerfully as to other
necessary evils. It is not myself that I fear for; I shall be very happy
with the dear uncle, but it will be a dreadful overthrow to his habits."
"I do not see why it need be," said Rachel.
"What! two old bachelors with a young lady turned in on them! And the
housekeeper--think of her feelings!"
"I do not think you need be uneasy, my dear," said Fanny. "Your brother
is convinced that it will be the greatest pleasure and comfort to Mr.
Clare to have you; and though there may be difficulties at first, I am
sure anybody must be the happier for having you," and she caressed the
upturned face, which responded warmly, but with a sigh.