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the heir of redclyffe-第139部分

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there was an excitability of brain and nerves which made care 

requisite; but depression of spirits was the chief thing to guard 

against; and a London life; provided he did not overwork himself; was 

better for him than solitude at Redclyffe。



Accordingly Philip went to Thorndale; and was returned for Moorworth 

without opposition。  Markham sent his nephew to transact business with 

him at Thorndale; for he could not bear to meet him himself; and while 

there was any prospect of his coming to Redclyffe; walked about in 

paroxysms of grunting and ill…humour。  The report that Mr。 Morville was 

engaged to the other Miss Edmonstone did but render him more furious; 

for he regarded it as a sort of outrage to Lady Morville's feelings 

that a courtship should be carried on in the house with her。  She was 

at present the object of all his devoted affection for the family; and 

he would not believe; but that she had been as much disappointed at the 

birth of her daughter; as he was himself。  He would not say one word 

against Mr。 Morville; but looked and growled enough to make Mr。 Ashford 

afraid that the new squire would find him very troublesome。



The Ashfords were in a state of mind themselves to think that Mr。 

Morville ought to be everything excellent to make up for succeeding Sir 

Guy; but having a very high opinion of him to begin with; they were 

very sorry to find all Redclyffe set against him。  In common with the 

parish; they were very anxious for the first report of his arrival and 

at length he came。  James Thorndale; as before; drove him thither; 

coming to the Ashfords while he was busy with Markham。  He would not go 

up to the Park; he only went through some necessary business with 

Markham; and then walked down to the Cove; afterwards sitting for about 

ten minutes in Mrs。 Ashford's drawing…room。



The result of the visit was that old James Robinson reported that the 

new squire took on as much about poor Sir Guy as any one could do; and 

turned as pale as if he had been going into a swoon; when he spoke his 

name and gave Ben his message。  And as to poor Ben; the old man said; 

he regularly did cry like a child; and small blame to him; to hear that 

Sir Guy had took thought of him at such a time and so far away; and he 

verily believed Ben could never take again to his bad ways; after such 

a message as that。



Markham was gruff with the Robinsons for some time after and was even 

heard to mutter something about worshipping the rising sun; an act of 

idolatry of which he could not be accused; since it was in the most 

grudging manner that he allowed; that Mr。 Morville's sole anxiety 

seemed to be to continue all Sir Guy had undertaken; while Mrs。 

Ashford; on the other hand was much affected by the account her cousin 

James had been giving her of the grief that he had suffered at Sir 

Guy's death; his long illness; his loss of spirits; the reluctance he 

had shown to come here at all; and his present unconquerable dread of 

going to the Park。



He was soon after in London; where; as far as could be judged in such 

early days; he seemed likely to distinguish himself according to the 

fondest hopes that Margaret or Laura could ever have entertained。  

Laura was only afraid he was overworking himself; especially as; having 

at present little command of ready money; he lived in a small lodging; 

kept no horse; and did not enter into society; but she was reassured 

when he came to Hollywell for a day or two at Whitsuntide; not having 

indeed regained flesh or colour; but appearing quite well; in better 

spirits; and very eager about political affairs。



All would have been right that summer; but that; as Philip observed; 

the first evening of his arrival; Amabel was not looking as well as she 

had done at the time of the christening。  She had; just after it; tried 

her strength and spirits too much; and had ever since been not exactly 

unwell; but sad and weary; more dejected than ever before; unable to 

bear the sight of flowers or the sound of music; and evidently 

suffering much under the recurrence of the season; which had been that 

of her great happinessthe summer sunshine; the long evenings; the 

nightingale's songs。  She was fatigued by the most trifling exertion; 

and seemed able to take interest in nothing but her baby; and a young 

widow in the village; who was in a decline; and though she was willing 

to do all that was asked of her; it was in a weary; melancholy manner; 

as if she had no peace but in being allowed to sit alone; drooping over 

her child。



From society she especially shrunk; avoiding every chance of meeting 

visitors; and distressed and harassed when her father brought home some 

of his casual dinner guests; and was vexed not to see her come into the 

drawing…room in the evening。  If she did make the effort of coming; to 

please him; she was so sure to be the worse for it; that her mother 

would keep her up…stairs the next time; and try to prevent her from 

knowing that her father was put out; and declared it was nonsense to 

expect poor Amy to get up her spirits; while she never saw a living 

soul; and only sat moping in the dressing…room。



A large dinner…party did not interfere with her; for even he could not 

expect her to appear at it; and one of these he gave during Philip's 

visit; for the pleasure of exhibiting such company as the M。P。 for 

Moorworth。  After dinner; Charlotte told Mary Ross to go and see Amy。  

Not finding her in the dressing…room; she knocked at her own door。  

'Come in;' answered the low soft voice; and in the window; overhung by 

the long shoots of the roses; Amabel's close cap and small head were 

seen against the deep…blue evening sky; as she sat in the summer 

twilight; her little one asleep in her cot。



'Thank you for coming;' said she。  'I thought you would not mind 

sitting here with baby and me。  I have sent Anne out walking。'



'How pretty she looks!' said Mary; stooping over the infant。  'Sleep is 

giving her quite a colour; and how fast she grows!'



'Poor little woman!' said Amy; sighing。



'Tired; Amy?' said Mary; sitting down; and taking up the little 

lambswool shoe; that Amy had been knitting。



'Nno; thank you;' said Amy; with another sigh。



'I am afraid you are。  You have been walking to Alice Lamsden's again。'



'I don't think that tires me。  Indeed; I believe the truth is;' and her 

voice sounded especially sad in the subdued tone in which she spoke; 

that she might not disturb the child; 'I am not so much tired with what 

I do; which is little enough; as of the long; long life that is before 

me。'



Mary's heart was full; but she did not show her thought otherwise than 

by a look towards the babe。



'Yes; poor little darling;' said Amabel; 'I know there is double 

quantity to be done for her; but I am so sorry for her; when I think 

she must grow up without knowing him。'



'She has you; though;' Mary could not help saying; as she felt that 

Amabel was superior to all save her husband。



Perhaps Amy did not hear; she went up to the cot; and went on:'If he 

had but once seen her; if she had but had one kiss; one touch that I 

could tell her of by and by; it would not seem as if she was so very 

fatherless。  Oh no; baby; I must wait; that you may know something 

about; him; for no one else can tell you so well what he was; though I 

can't tell much!'  She presently returned to her seat。  'No; I don't 

believe I really wish I was like poor Alice;' said she; 'I hope not; I 

am sure I don't for her sake。  But; Mary; I never knew till I was well 

again how much I had reckoned on dying when she was born。  I did not 

think I was wishing it; but it seemed likely; and I was obliged to 

arrange things in case of it。  Then somehow; as he came back last 

spring; after that sad winter; it seemed as if this spring; though he 

would not come back to me; I might be going to him。'



'But then she comforted you。'



'Yes; that she did; my precious one; I was so glad of her; it was a 

sort of having him again; and so it is still sometimes; and will be 

more so; I dare say。  I am very thankful for her; indeed I am; and I 

hope I am not repining; for it does not signify after all; in the end; 

if I am weary and lonely sometimes。  I wish I was sure it was not 

wrong。  I know I don't wish to alter things。'



'No; I am sure you don't。'



'Ah!' said Amabel; smiling; 'it is only the old; silly little Amy that 

does feel such a heart…aching and longing for one glance of his eye; or 

touch of his hand; or sound of his foot in the passage。  Oh; Mary; the 

worst of all is to wake up; after dreaming I have heard his voice。  

There is nothing for it but to take our baby and hold her very tight。'



'Dearest Amy!  But you are not blaming yourself for these feelings。  It 

might be wrong to indulge them and foster them; but while you struggle 

wi
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