"And will make you much more really useful and effective than ever you

could have been alone," said Ermine.

"He does talk of doing things together, but, oh! I feel as if I could

never dare put out my hand again!"

"Not alone perhaps."

"I like to hear him tell me about the soldiers' children, and what he

wants to have done for them."

"You and I little thought what Lady Temple was to bring us," said

Ermine, cheerfully, "but you see we are not the strongest creatures in

the world, so we must resign ourselves to our fate, and make the best of

it. They must judge how many imperfections they choose to endure, and we

can only make the said drawbacks as little troublesome as may be. Now, I

think I see Miss Curtis watching in fear that I am over-talking you."

"Oh, must you go? You have really comforted me! I wanted an external

opinion very much, and I do trust yours! Only tell me," she added,

holding Ermine's hand, "is this indeed so with you?"

"Not yet," said Ermine, softly, "do not speak about it, but I think you

will be comforted to hear that this matter of yours, by leading to the

matron's confession, may have removed an obstacle that was far more

serious in my eyes than even my own helplessness, willing as Colin was

to cast both aside. Oh, Rachel, there is a great deal to be thankful

for."

Rachel lay down on her sofa, and fell asleep, nor did Alick find any

occasion for blaming Grace when he returned the next day. The effect

of the conversation had been to bring Rachel to a meek submission, very

touching in its passiveness and weary peacefulness. She was growing

stronger, walked out leaning on Alick's arm, and was even taken out by

him in a boat, a wonderful innovation, for a dangerous accident to Mr.

Curtis had given the mother such a horror of the sea that no boating

excursions had ever taken place during her solitary reign, and the

present were only achieved by a wonderful stretch of dear Alexander's

influence. Perhaps she trusted him the more, because his maimed hand

prevented him from being himself an oarsman, though he had once been

devoted to rowing. At any rate, with an old fisherman at the oar, many

hours were spent upon the waters of the bay, in a tranquillity that was

balm to the harassed spirit, with very little talking, now and then some

reading aloud, but often nothing but a dreamy repose. The novelty and

absence of old association was one secret of the benefit that Rachel

thus derived. Any bustle or resumption of former habits was a trial to

her shattered nerves, and brought back the dreadful haunted nights. The

first sight of Conrade, still looking thin and delicate, quite overset

her; a drive on the Avoncester road renewed all she had felt on the way

thither; three or four morning visitors coming in on her unexpectedly,

made the whole morbid sense of eyes staring at her recur all night, and

when the London solicitor came down about the settlements, she shrank

in such a painful though still submissive way, from the sight of a

stranger, far more from the semblance of a dinner party, that the mother

yielded, and let her remain in her sitting-room.




readonlinefreebook.com Copyright 2016 - 2024