按键盘上方向键 ← 或 → 可快速上下翻页，按键盘上的 Enter 键可回到本书目录页，按键盘上方向键 ↑ 可回到本页顶部！
————未阅读完？加入书签已便下次继续阅读！
nearly crazy。 He wrote me word he should certainly have given up all
concern with Redclyffe； but for the especial desire of。What a state
of mind he will be in； when he remembers how he has been abusing the
captain to me！'
The afternoon was fresh and clear； and there was a spring brightness in
the sunshine that Amabel took as a greeting to her little maiden； as
she was carried along the churchyard path。 Many an eye was bent on the
mother and child； especially on the slight form； unseen since she had
last walked down the aisle； her arm linked in her bridegroom's。
'Little Amy Edmonstone；' as they had scarcely learnt to cease from
calling her； before she was among them again； the widowed Lady
Morville； and with those kind looks of compassion for her； were joined
many affectionate mourning thoughts of the young husband and father；
lying far away in his foreign grave； and endeared by kindly
remembrances to almost all present。 There was much of pity for his
unconscious infant； and tears were shed at the thought of what the wife
must be suffering； but if the face could have been seen beneath the
thick crape folds of her veil； it would have shown no tearsonly a
sweet； calm look of peace； and almost gladness。
The babe was on her knees when the time for the christening came； she
was awake； and now and then making a little sound and as she was
quieter with her than any one else； Amabel thought she might herself
carry her to the font。
It was deep； grave happiness to stand there； with her child in her
arms； and with an undefined sense that she was not alone as if in some
manner her husband was present with her； praying with her prayers； and
joining in offering up their treasure； when the babe was received into
Mr。 Ross's arms； and Amy； putting back her veil； gazed up with a
wistful but serene look。
'To her life's end？' Therewith came a vision of the sunrise at
Recoara； and the more glorious dawn that had shone in Guy's dying
smile； and Amabel knew what would be her best prayer for his little
Mary Verena； as she took her back； the drops glistening on her brow；
her eyes open； and arms outspread。 It was at that moment that Amabel
was first thrilled with a look in her child that was like its father。
She had earnestly and often sought a resemblance without being able
honestly to own that she perceived any； but now； though she knew not in
what it consisted； there was something in that baby face that recalled
him more vividly than picture or memory。
'Lord； now lettest Thou Thy servant depart in peace。'
Those words seemed to come from her own heart。 She had brought Guy's
daughter to be baptized； and completed his work of pardon； and she had
a yearning to be departing in peace； whither her sunshine was gone。
But he had told her not to wish that his child should be motherless；
she had to train her to be fit to meet him。 The sunshine was past； but
she had plenty to do in the shade； and it was for his sake。 She would；
therefore； be content to remain to fulfil her duties among the dear
ones to whom he had trusted her for comfort； and with the sense of
renewed communion with him that she had found in returning again to
church。
So felt Amabel； as she entered into the calm that followed the one year
in which she had passed through the great events of life； and known the
chief joy and deepest grief that she could ever experience。
It was far otherwise with her sister。 Laura's term of trouble seemed
to be ending； and the spring of life beginning to dawn on her。
Doubt and fear were past； she and Philip were secure of each other； he
was pardoned； and they could be together without apprehension； or
playing tricks with their consciences； but she had as yet scarcely been
able to spend any time with him； and as Charles said； their ways were
far more grave and less lover…like than would have seemed natural after
their long separation。
In truth； romantic and uncalculating as their attachment was； they
never had been lover…like。 They had never had any fears or doubts； her
surrender of her soul had been total； and every thought； feeling； and
judgment had taken its colour from him as entirely as if she had been a
wife of many years' standing。 She never opened her mind to perceive
that he had led her to act wrongly； and all her unhappiness had been
from anxiety for him； not repentance on her own account； for so
complete was her idolatry； that she entirely overlooked her failure in
duty to her parents。
It took her by surprise when； as they set out together that evening to
walk home from East…hill； he said； as soon as they were apart from the
village
'Laura； you have more to forgive than all。'
'Don't； speak so； Philip； pray don't。 Do you think I would not have
borne far more unhappiness willingly for your sake？ Is it not all
forgotten as if it had not been？'
'It is not unhappiness I meant；' he replied； 'though I cannot bear to
think of what you have undergone。 Unhappiness enough have I caused
indeed。 But I meant； that you have to forgive the advantage I took of
your reliance on me to lead you into error； when you were too young to
know what it amounted to。'
'It was not an engagement；' faltered Laura。
'Laura； don't； for mercy's sake； recall my own hateful sophistries；'
exclaimed Philip； as if unable to control the pain it gave him； 'I have
had enough of that from my sister；' then softening instantly： 'it was
self…deceit； a deception first of myself； then of you。 You had not
experience enough to know whither I was leading you； till I had
involved you； and when the sight of death showed me the fallacy of the
salve to my conscience； I had nothing for it but to confess； and leave
you to bear the consequences。 0 Laura！ when I think of my conduct
towards you； it seems even worse than that towardstowards your
brother…in…law！'
His low； stern tone of bitter suffering and self…reproach was something
new and frightful to Laura。 She clung to his arm and tried to say'0；
don't speak in that way！ You know you meant the best。 You could not
help being mistaken。'
'If I did know any such thing； Laura！ but the misery of perceiving that
my imagined anxiety for his good；his good； indeed！ was but a cloak
for my personal enmityyou can little guess it。'
Laura tried to say that appearances were against Guy； but he would not
hear。
'If they were； I triumphed in them。 I see now that a shade of honest
desire to see him exculpated would have enabled me to find the clue。
If I had gone to St。 Mildred's at onceinterrogated him as a friend
seen Wellwoodbut dwelling on the _ifs_ of the last two years can
bring nothing but distraction；' he added； pausing suddenly。
'And remember；' said Laura； 'that dear Guy himself was always grateful
to you。 He always upheld that you acted for his good。 Oh！ the way