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the heir of redclyffe-第130部分

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coming to tell us; and was only overcome by thinking of not having him 

to call first; and how happy he would have been。'



'And the dear Amy herself!'



'I can't tell。  She is a wonderful person for keeping herself composed 

when she ought。  I see she has his picture in full view; but she says 

not a word; except that mamma saw her to…day; when she thought no one 

was looking; fondling the little thing; and whispering to it〃Guy's 

baby!〃 and 〃Guy's little messenger!〃'  Charles gave up the struggle; 

and fairly cried; but in a moment rallying his usual tone; he went on; 

half laughing;'To be sure; what a morsel of a creature it is!  It is 

awful to see anything so small calling itself a specimen of humanity!'



'It is your first acquaintance with infant humanity; I suppose?  Pray; 

did you ever see a baby?'



'Not to look at。  In fact; Mary; I consider it a proof of your being a 

rational woman that you have not asked me whether it is pretty。'



'I thought you no judge of the article。'



'No; it was not to inspect it that Amy sent for me; though after all it 

was for a business I would almost as soon undertake; a thing I would 

not do for any other living creature。'



'Then I know what it is。  To write some kind message to Captain 

Morville。  Just like the dear Amy!'



'Just like her; and like no one else; except Of course my father 

wrote him an official communication yesterday; very short; but the fact 

must have made it sweet enough; savage as we all were towards him; as 

there was no one else to be savage to; unless it might be poor Miss 

Morville; who is the chief loser by being of the feminine gender;' said 

Charles; again braving what he was pleased to call sentimentality。  

'Well; by and by; my lady wants to know if any one has written to 〃poor 

Philip;〃 as she will call him; and; by no means contented by hearing 

papa had; she sends to ask me to come to her when I came in from 

wheeling in the garden; and receives me with a request that I would 

write and tell him how well she is; and how glad; and so on。  There's a 

piece of work for me!'



'Luckily you are not quite so savage as you pretend; either to him; or 

your poor little niece。'



'Whew!  I should not care whether she was niece or nephew but for him; 

at least not much; as long as she comforted Amy; but to see him at 

Redclyffe; and be obliged to make much of him at the same time; is more 

than I can very well bear; though I may as well swallow it as best I 

can; for she will have me do it; as well as on Laura's account。  Amy 

believes; you know; that he will think the inheritance a great 

misfortune; but that is only a proof that she is more amiable than any 

one else。'



'I should think he would not rejoice。'



'Not exactly; but I have no fear that he will not console himself by 

thinking of the good he will do with it。  I have no doubt that he was 

thoroughly cut up; and I could even go the length of believing that 

distress of mind helped to bring on the relapse; but it is some time 

ago。  And as to his breaking his heart after the first ten minutes at 

finding himself what he has all his life desired to be; in a situation 

where the full influence of his talents may be felt;' said Charles; 

with a shade of imitation of his measured tones; 'why that; no one but 

silly little Amy would ever dream of。'



'Well; I dare say you will grow merciful as you write。'



'No; that is not the way to let my indignation ooze out at my fingers' 

ends。  I shall begin by writing to condole with Markham。  Poor man! 

what a state he must be in; all the more pitiable because he evidently 

had entirely forgotten that there could ever be a creature of the less 

worthy gender born to the house of Morville; so it will take him quite 

by surprise。  What will he do; and how will he ever forgive Mrs。 

Ashford; who; I see in the paper; has a son whom nobody wants; as if 

for the express purpose of insulting Markham's feelings!  Well…a…day!  

I should have liked to have had the sound of Sir Guy Morville still in 

my ears; and yet I don't know that I could have endured its being 

applied to a little senseless baby!  And; after all; we are the 

gainers; for it would have been a forlorn thing to have seen Amy go off 

to reign queen…mother at Redclyffe;and most notably well would she 

have reigned; with that clear little head。  I vow 'tis a talent thrown 

away!  However; I can't grumble。  She is much happier without greatness 

thrust on her; and for my own part; I have my home…sister all to 

myself; with no rival but that small womanand how she will pet her!'



'And how you will!  What a spoiling uncle you will be!  But now; having 

heard you reason yourself into philosophy; I'll leave you to write。  We 

were so anxious; that I could not help coming。  I am so glad that 

little one thrives!  I should like to leave my love for Amy; if you'll 

remember it;'



'The rarity of such a message from you may enable me。  I was lying here 

alone; and received the collected love of five Harpers to convey up…

stairs; all which I forgot; though in its transit by Arnaud and his 

French; it had become 〃that they made their friendships to my lady and 

Mrs。 Edmonstone。〃'



Charles had not talked so like himself for months; and Mary felt that 

Amabel's child; if she had disappointed some expectations; had come 

like a spring blossom; to cheer Hollywell; after its long winter of 

sorrow and anxiety。  She seemed to have already been received as a 

messenger to comfort them for the loss; greatest of all to her; poor 

child; though she would never know how great。  Next Mary wondered what 

kind of letter Charles would indite; and guessed it would be all the 

kinder for the outpouring he had made to her; the only person with whom 

he ventured to indulge in a comfortable abuse of Philip; since his good 

sense taught him that; ending as affairs must; it was the only wise way 

to make the best of it; with father; mother; and Charlotte; all quite 

sufficiently disposed to regard Philip with aversion without his help。



Philip was at breakfast with the Henleys; on the following morning; a 

Sunday;or rather; sitting at the breakfast…table; when the letters 

were brought in。  Mrs。 Henley; pretending to be occupied with her own; 

had an eager; watchful eye on her brother; as one was placed before 

him。  She knew Mr。 Edmonstone's writing; but was restrained from 

exclaiming by her involuntary deference for her brother。  He flushed 

deep red one moment; then turned deadly pale; his hand; when first he 

raised it; trembled; but then became firm; as if controlled by the 

force of his resolution。  He broke the black seal; drew out the letter; 

paused another instant; unfolded it; glanced at it; pushed his chair 

from the table; and hastened to me door。



'Tell me; tell me; Philip; what is it?' she exclaimed; rising to follow 

him。



He turned round; threw the letter on the table; and with a sign that 

forbade her to come with him; left the room。



'Poor fellow! how he feels it!  That poor young creature!' said she; 

catching up the letter for explanation。



'Ha!  No!  Listen to this; Dr。 Henley。  Why; he must have read it 

wrong!'





       'Hollywell; March 5th。



'DEAR PHILIP;I have to announce to you that Lady Morville was safely 

confined this morning with a daughter。  I shall be ready to send all 

the papers and accounts of the Redclyffe estate to any place you may 

appoint as soon as she is sufficiently recovered to transact business。  

Both she and the infant are as well as can be expected。





        Yours sincerely; 

               'C。 EDMONSTONE。'





'A daughter!' cried Dr。 Henley。  'Well; my dear; I congratulate you!  

It is as fine a property as any in the kingdom。  We shall see him pick 

up strength now。'



'I must go and find him。  He surely has mistaken!' said Margaret; 

hastening in search of him; but he was not to be found; and she saw him 

no more till she found him in the seat at church。



She hardly waited to be in the churchyard; after the service; before 

she said; 'Surely you mistook the letter!'



'No; I did not。'



'You saw that she is doing well; and it is a girl。'



'I'



'And will you not let me congratulate you?'



She was interrupted by some acquaintance; but when she looked round he 

was nowhere to be seen; and she was obliged to be content with telling 

every one the news。  One or two of her many tame gentlemen came home 

with her to luncheon; and she had the satisfaction of dilating on the 

grandeur of Redclyffe。  Her brother was not in the drawing…room; but 

answered when she knocked at his door。



'Luncheon is ready。  Will you come down?'



'Is any one there?'



'Mr。 Brown and Walter Maitland。  Shall I send you anything; or do you 

like to come down?'



'I'll come; thank you;' said he; thus secured from 
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