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the heir of redclyffe-第117部分

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there is the school to be built; and I thought of enclosing that bit of 

waste; to make gardens for the people; but that you'll do much better。  

Well; don't you remember when you were at Redclyffe last year' (Philip 

winced) 'telling Markham that bit of green by Sally's gate ought to be 

taken into the park?  I hope you won't do that; for it is the only 

place the people have to turn out their cows and donkeys。  And you 

won't cut them off from the steps from the Cove; for it saves the old 

people from being late for church?  Thank you。  As to the rest; it is 

pleasant to think it will be in such hands if'



That 'if' gave Philip some comfort; though it did not mean what he 

fancied。  He thought of Guy's recovery; Guy referred to the possibility 

of Amabel's guardianship。



'Amy has a list of the old people who have had so much a week; or their 

cottages rent…free;' said Guy。  'If it comes to you; you will not let 

them feel the difference?  And don't turn off the old keeper Brown; he 

is of no use; but it would kill him。  And Ben Robinson; who was so 

brave in the shipwreck; a little notice now and then would keep him 

straight。  Will you tell him I hope he will never forget that morning…

service after the wreck?  He may be glad to think of it when he is as I 

am now。  You tell him; for he will mind more what comes from a man。'



All this had been spoken with pauses for recollection; and for Philip's 

signs of assent。  Amabel came to give him some cordial; and as soon as 

she had retreated he went on:



'My poor uncle; I have writtenthat is; caused Arnaud to write to him。  

I hope this may sober him; but one great favour I have to ask of you。  

I can't leave him money; it would only be a temptation; but will you 

keep an eye on him; and let Amy rely on you to tell her when to help 

him   I can't ask any one else; and she cannot do it for herself; but 

you would do it well。  A little kindness might save him; and you don't 

know how generous a character it is; run to waste。  Will you undertake 

this?'



'To be sure I will!'



'Thank you very much。  You will judge rightly; but he has delicate 

feelings。  Yes; really; and take care you don't run against them。'



Another silence followed; after which Guy said; smiling with his 

natural playfulness; 'One thing more。  You are the lawyer of the 

family; and I want a legal opinion。  I have been making Arnaud write my 

will。  I have wished Miss Wellwood of St。 Mildred's to have some money 

for a sisterhood she wants to establish。  Now; should I leave it to 

herself or name trustees?'



Philip heard as if a flash of light was blinding him; and he 

interrupted; with an exclamation:



'Tell me one thing!  Was that the thousand pounds?'



'Yes。  I was not at liberty to'



He stopped; for he was unheard。  At the first word Philip had sunk on 

his knees; hiding his face on the bed…clothes; in an agony of self…

abasement; before the goodness he had been relentlessly persecuting。



'It was that?' he said; in a sort of stifled sob。  'Oh; can you forgive 

me?'



He could not look up; but he felt Guy's hand touch his head; and heard 

him say; 'That was done long ago。  Even as you pardoned my fierce rage 

against you; which I trust is forgiven above。  It has been repented!'



As he spoke there was a knock at the door; and; with the instinctive 

dread of being found in his present posture; Philip sprang to his feet。  

Amabel went to the door; and was told that the physician was down…

stairs with two gentlemen; and a card was given her; on which she read 

the name of an English clergyman。



'There; again!' said Guy。  'Everything comes to me。  Now it is all 

quite right。'



Amabel was to go and speak to them; and Guy would see Mr。 Morris; the 

clergyman; as soon as the physician had made his visit。  'You must not 

go down;' he then said to Philip。  'You will wait in the sitting…room; 

won't you?  We shall want you again; you know;' and his calm brightness 

was a contrast to Philip's troubled look。  'All is clear between us 

now;' he added; as Philip turned away。



Long ago; letters had been written to Venice; begging that if an 

English clergyman should travel that way he might be told how earnestly 

his presence was requested; this was the first who had answered the 

summons。  He was a very young man; much out of health; and travelling 

under the care of a brother; who was in great dread of his doing 

anything to injure himself。  Amabel soon perceived that; though kind 

and right…minded; he could not help them; except as far as his office 

was concerned。  He was very shy; only just in priest's orders; he told 

her he had never had this office to perform before; and seemed almost 

to expect her to direct him; while his brother was so afraid of his 

over…exerting himself; that she could not hope he would take charge of 

Philip。



However; after the physician had seen Guy; she brought Mr。 Morris to 

him; and came forward; or remained in her room; according as she was 

wanted。  She thought her husband's face was at each moment acquiring 

more unearthly beauty; and feeling with him; she was raised above 

thought or sensation of personal sorrow。



When the first part of the service was over; and she exchanged a few 

words; out of Guy's hearing; with Mr。 Morris; he said to her; as from 

the very fullness of his heart; 'One longs to humble oneself to him。  

How it puts one to shame to hear such repentance with such a 

confession!'



The time came when Philip was wanted。  Amabel had called in Anne and 

the clergyman's brother; and went to fetch her cousin。  He was where 

she had left him in the sitting…room; his face hidden in his arms; 

crossed on the table; the whole man crushed; bowed down; overwhelmed 

with remorse。



'We are ready。  Come; Philip。'



'I cannot; I am not worthy;' he answered; not looking up。



'Nay; you are surely in no uncharitableness with him now;' said she; 

gently。



A shudder expressed his no。



'And if you are sorrythat is repentancemore fit now than ever

Won't you come?  Would you grieve him now?'



'You take it on yourself; then;' said Philip; almost sharply; raising 

his haggard face。



She did not shrink; and answered; 'A broken and contrite heart; 0 God; 

Thou wilt not despise。'



It was a drop of balm; a softening drop。  He rose; and trembling from 

head to foot; from the excess of his agitation; followed her into Guy's 

room。



The rite was over; and stillness succeeded the low tones; while all 

knelt in their places。  Amabel arose first; for Guy; though serene; 

looked greatly exhausted; and as she sprinkled him with vinegar; the 

others stood up。  Guy looked for Philip; and held out his hand。  

Whether it was his gentle force; or of Philip's own accord Amabel could 

not tell; but as he lay with that look of perfect peace and love; 

Philip bent down over him and kissed his forehead。



'Thank you!' he faintly whispered。  'Good night。  God bless you and my 

sister。'



Philip went; and he added to Amy;  'Poor fellow!  It will be worse for 

him than for you。  You must take care of him。'



She hardly heard the last words; for his head sunk on one side in a 

deathlike faintness; the room was cleared of all but herself; and Anne 

fetched the physician at once。



At length it passed off; and Guy slept。  The doctor felt his pulse; and 

she asked his opinion of it。  Very low and unequal; she was told: his 

strength was failing; and there seemed to be no power of rallying it; 

but they must do their best to support him with cordials; according to 

the state of his pulse。  The physician could not remain all night 

himself; but would come as soon as he could on the following day。



Amabel hardly knew when it was that he went away; the two Mr。 Morrises 

went to the other hotel; and she made her evening visit to Philip。  It 

was all like a dream; which she could afterwards scarcely remember; 

till night had come on; and for the first time she found herself 

allowed to keep watch over her husband。



He had slept quietly for some time; when she roused him to give him 

some wine; as she was desired to do constantly。  He smiled; and said; 

'Is no one here but you?'



'No one。'



'My own sweet wife; my Verena; as you have always been。  We have been 

very happy together。'



'Indeed we have;' said she; a look of suffering crossing her face; as 

she thought of their unclouded happiness。  'It will not be so long 

before we meet again。'



'A few months; perhaps'said Amabel; in a stifled voice; 'like your 

mother'



'No; don't wish that; Amy。  You would not wish it to have no mother。'



'You will pray' She could say no more; but struggled for calmness。



'Yes;' he answered; 'I trust you to it and to mamma for comfort。  And 

CharlieI shall not rob him any longer。 I only borrowed you for a 

little 
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