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the heir of redclyffe-第137部分

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'A good way from it;' said Charles。  'He is pretty well to…day; 

comparatively; though that obstinate headache hangs about him。  If this 

change last longer than that and his white looks; I shall not even 

grudge him the sponsorship Amy owed me。'



'Very magnanimous!' said Mary。  'Poor Laura!  I am glad her suspense is 

over。  I wondered to see her at school。'



'They are very sad and sober lovers; and it is the best way of not 

making themselves unbearable; consideringWell; that was a different 

matter。  How little we should have believed it; if any one had told us 

last year what would be the state of affairs to…day。 By the bye; Amy's 

godson is christened to…day。'



'Who?'



'Didn't you hear that the Ashfords managed to get Amy asked if she 

would dislike their calling their boy by that name we shall never hear 

again; and she was very much pleased; and made offer in her own pretty 

way to be godmother。  I wonder how Markham endures it!  I believe he is 

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 he 

took it was the one comfort I had last year。'



'The acutest sting; and yet the only balm;' murmured Philip; 'see; 

Laura;' and he opened the first leaf of Guy's prayer…book; which he had 

been using at the christening。



A whispered 'Dear Guy!' was the best answer she could make; and the 

tears were in her eyes。  'He was so very kind to me; when he saw me 

that unhappy wedding…day。'



'Did Amy tell you his last words to me?'



'No;' said Laura。



'God bless you and my sister!' he repeated; so low that she could 

hardly hear。



'Amy left that for you to tell;' said Laura; as her tears streamed 

fast。  How can we speak of her; Philip?'



'Only as an angel of pardon and peace!' he answered。



'I don't know how to tell you of all her kindness;' said Laura; 'half 

the bitterness of it seemed to be over when once she was in the house 

again; and; all the winter; going into her room was like going into 

some peaceful place where one 
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