By the afternoon, when Colonel Keith came to Bishopsworthy, Alick was

lying on the sofa with such a headache that he could neither see nor

spell, and Rachel was writing letters for him, both in the frame of mind

in which the Colonel's genuine warm affection and admiration for Bessie

was very comforting, assisting them in putting all past misgivings out

of sight. He had induced his brother to see Mr. Harvey, and the result

had been that Lord Keith had consented to a consultation the next day

with an eminent London surgeon, since it was clear that the blow, not

the sciatica, was answerable for the suffering which was evidently

becoming severe. The Colonel of course intended to remain with his

brother, at least till after the funeral.

"Can you?" exclaimed Alick. "Ought you not to be at Avoncester?"

"I am not a witness, and the case is in excellent hands."

"Could you not run down? I shall be available tomorrow, and I could be

with Lord Keith."

"Thank you, Alick, it is impossible for me to leave him," said Colin,

so quietly that no one could have guessed how keenly he felt the being

deprived of bringing her brother to Ermine, and being present at

the crisis to which all his thoughts and endeavours had so long been

directed.

That assize day had long been a dream of dread to Rachel, and perhaps

even more so to her husband. Yet how remote its interest actually

seemed! They scarcely thought of it for the chief part of the day. Alick

looking very pale, though calling himself well, went early to Timber

End, and he had not long been gone before a card was brought in, with an

urgent entreaty that Mrs. Keith would see Mrs. Carleton. Rachel longed

to consult Mr. Clare, but he had gone out to a sick person, and she

was obliged to decide that Alick could scarcely wish her to refuse,

reluctant and indignant as she felt. But her wrath lessened as she saw

the lady's tears and agitation, so great that for a moment no words were

possible, and the first were broken apologies for intruding, "Nothing

should have induced her, but her poor son was in such a dreadful state."

Rachel again became cold and stern, and did not relent at the

description of Charlie's horror and agony; for she was wondering at the

audacity of mentioning his grief to the wife of Lady Keith's brother,

and thinking that this weak, indulgent mother was the very person to

make a foolish, mischievous son, and it was on her tongue's end that

she did not see to what she was indebted for the favour of such a visit.

Perhaps Mrs. Carleton perceived her resentment, for she broke off, and

urgently asked if poor dear Lady Keith had alluded to anything that had

passed. "Yes," Rachel was is forced to say; and when again pressed as

to the manner of alluding, replied, that "she was exceedingly distressed

and displeased," with difficulty refraining from saying who had done

all the mischief. Mrs. Carleton was in no need of hearing it. "Ah!"

she said, "it was right, quite right. It was very wrong of my poor

boy. Indeed I am not excusing him, but if you only knew how he blames

himself."




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