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the daisy chain, or aspirations-第122部分

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with the same carelessness of his own life; and a severe illness;
which had broken up his health; had occasioned him to relinquish his
post。

It now appeared that he had thought himself coming home ever since。
He had gone to recruit in the Himalayas; and had become engrossed in
scientific observations on their altitudes; as well as investigations
in natural history。  Going to Calcutta; he had fallen in with a party
about to explore the Asiatic islands and he had accompanied them; as
well as going on an expedition into the interior of Australia。  He
had been employed in various sanitary arrangements there and in
India; and had finally worked his way slowly home; overland; visiting
Egypt and Palestine; and refreshing his memory with every Italian;
German; or French Cathedral; or work of art; that had delighted him
in early days。

He was a slight small man; much sunburned; nearly bald; and his hair
snowy; but his eyes were beautiful; very dark; soft; and smiling; and
yet their gaze peculiarly keen and steady; as if ready for any
emergency; and his whole frame was full of alertness and vigour。  His
voice was clear and sweet; and his manner most refined and polished;
indeed; his courtesy to Ethel; whenever there was a change of
carriage; was so exemplary; that she understood it as the effect on a
chivalrous mind; of living where a lady was a rare and precious
article。  It frightened Ethel a little at first; but; before the end
of the journey; she had already begun to feel towards him like an old
friendone of those inheritances who are so much valued and loved;
like a sort of uncles…in…friendship。  She had an especial grateful
honour for the delicate tact which asked no questions; as she saw his
eye often falling anxiously on her father's left hand; where the
wedding ring shone upon the little finger。

There was talk enough upon his travels; on public changes; and on old
friends; but; after those first few words; home had never been
mentioned。

When; at five o'clock; the engine blew its whistle; at the old
familiar station; Dr。 May had scarcely put his head out before Adams
hastened up to him with a note。

〃All well at home?〃

〃Yes; sir; Miss Margaret sent up the gig。〃

〃I must go at once;〃 said Dr May hastily〃the Larkins' child is
worse。  Ethel; take care of him; and introduce him。  Love to
Margaret。  I'll be at home before tea。〃

He was driven off at speed; and Ethel proposed to walk home。  Dr
Spencer gave her his arm; and was silent; but presently said; in a
low; anxious voice; 〃My dear; you must forgive me; I have heard
nothing for many years。  Your mother〃

〃It was an accident;〃 said Ethel looking straight before her。  〃It
was when papa's arm was hurt。  The carriage was over…turned。〃

〃And〃 repeated Dr Spencer earnestly

〃She was killed on the spot;〃 said Ethel; speaking shortly; and
abruptly。  If she was to say it at all; she could not do so
otherwise。

He was dreadfully shockedshe knew it by the shudder of his arm; and
a tight suppressed groan。  He did not speak; and Ethel; as if a
relief from the silence must be made; said what was not very
consoling; and equally blunt。  〃Margaret had some harm done to her
spineshe cannot walk。〃

He did not seem to hear; but walked on; as in a dream; where Ethel
guided him; and she would not interrupt him again。

They had just passed Mr Bramshaw's office; when a voice was heard
behind; calling; 〃Miss Ethel!  Miss Ethel!〃 and Edward Anderson; now
articled to Mr。 Bramshaw; burst out; pen in hand; and looking shabby
and inky。

〃Miss Ethel!〃 he said breathlessly; 〃I beg your pardon; but have you
heard from Harry?〃

〃No!〃 said Ethel。  〃Have they had that paper at home?〃

〃Not that I know of;〃 said Edward。  〃My mother wanted to send it; but
I would not take itnot while Dr。 May was away。〃

〃Thank youthat was very kind of you。〃

〃And oh! Miss Ethel; do you think it is true?〃

〃We hope not;〃 said Ethel kindly〃we saw a Captain at Oxford who
thought it not at all to be depended on。〃

〃I am so glad;〃 said Edward; and; shaking hands; he went back to his
high stool; Ethel feeling that he deserved the pains that Norman had
taken to spare and befriend him。  She spoke to her companion in
explanation。  〃We are very anxious for news of my next brother's
ship; Alcestis; in the Pacific〃

〃More!〃 exclaimed poor Dr。 Spencer; almost overpowered; 〃Good
Heavens!  I thought May; at least; was happy!〃

〃He is not unhappy;〃 said Ethel; not sorry that they had arrived at
the back entrance of the shrubbery。

〃How long ago was this?〃 said he; standing still; as soon as they had
passed into the garden。

〃Four years; next October。  I assure you; his spirits are almost
always good。〃

〃When I was at Adelaide; little thinking!〃 he sighed; then
recollecting himself。  〃Forgive me; I have given you pain。〃

〃No;〃 she said; 〃or rather; I gave you more。〃

〃I knew her〃 and there he broke off; paused for a minute; then
collecting himself; seemed resolutely to turn away from the subject;
and said; walking on; 〃This garden is not much altered。〃

At that moment; a little shrill voice broke out in remonstrance among
the laurels〃But you know; Daisy; you are the captain of the forty
thieves!〃

〃A startling announcement!〃 said Dr。 Spencer; looking at Ethel; and
the next two steps brought them in view of the play…place in the
laurels; where Aubrey lay on the ground; feigning sleep; but keeping
a watchful eye over Blanche; who was dropping something into the
holes of inverted flower…pots; Gertrude dancing about in a way that
seemed to have called for the reproof of the more earnest actors。

〃Ethel!  Ethel!〃 screamed the children; with one voice; and; while
the two girls stood in shyness at her companion; Aubrey had made a
dart at her neck; and hung upon her; arms; legs; body; and all; like
a wild cat。

〃That will do! that will do; old manlet go!  Speak to Dr。 Spencer;
my dear。〃

Blanche did so demurely; and asked where was papa?

〃Coming; as soon as he has been to Mrs。 Larkins's poor baby。〃

〃George Larkins has been here;〃 said Aubrey。  〃And I have finished
'Vipera et lima'; Ethel; but Margaret makes such false quantities!〃

〃What is your name; youngster?〃 said Dr。 Spencer; laying his hand on
Aubrey's head。

〃Aubrey Spencer May;〃 was the answer。

〃Hey day! where did you steal my name?〃 exclaimed Dr。 Spencer; while
Aubrey stood abashed at so mysterious an accusation。

〃Oh!〃 exclaimed Blanche; seizing on Ethel; and whispering; 〃is it
really the boy that climbed the market cross?〃

〃You see your fame lives here;〃 said Ethel; smiling; as Dr。 Spencer
evidently heard。

〃He was a little boy!〃 said Aubrey indignantly; looking at the gray…
haired man。

〃There!〃 said Ethel to Dr。 Spencer。

〃The tables turned!〃 he said; laughing heartily。  〃But do not let me
keep you。  You would wish to prepare your sister for a stranger; and
I shall improve my acquaintance here。  Where are the forty thieves?〃

〃I am all of them;〃 said the innocent; daisy…faced Gertrude; and
Ethel hastened towards the house; glad of the permission granted by
his true good…breeding。

There was a shriek of welcome from Mary; who sat working beside
Margaret。  Ethel was certain that no evil tidings had come to her
eldest sister; so joyous was her exclamation of wonder and rebuke to
her home…sick Ethel。  〃Naughty girl! running home at once!  I did
think you would have been happy there!〃

〃So I was;〃 said Ethel hastily; 〃but who do you think I have brought
home?〃  Margaret flushed with such a pink; that Ethel resolved never
to set her guessing again; and hurried to explain; and having heard
that all was well; and taken her housekeeping measures; she proceeded
to fetch the guest; but Mary; who had been unusually silent all this
time; ran after her; and checked her。

〃Ethel; have you heard?〃 she said。

〃Have you?〃 said Ethel。

〃George Larkins rode in this morning to see when papa would come
home; and he told me。  He said I had better not tell Margaret; for he
did not believe it。〃

〃And you have not!  That is very good of you; Mary。〃

〃Oh! I am glad you are come!  I could not have helped telling; if you
had been away a whole week!  But; Ethel; does papa believe it?〃  Poor
Mary's full lip swelled; and her eyes swam; ready to laugh or weep;
in full faith in her sister's answer。

Ethel told of Meta's captain; and the smile predominated; and settled
down into Mary's usual broad beamy look; like a benignant rising sun
on the sign of an inn; as Ethel praised her warmly for a fortitude
and consideration of which she had not thought her capable。

Dr。 Spencer was discovered full in the midst of the comedy of the
forty thieves; alternating; as required; between the robber…captain
and the ass; and the children in perfect ecstasies with him。

They all followed in his train to the drawing…room; and were so
clamorous; that he could have no conversation with Margaret。  He
certainly made them so; but Ethel; remembering what a blow her
disclosures had been; thought it would be only a kindness to send
Aubrey to show him to his room; where he might have some peace。

She was not sorry to be very busy; so as to have lit
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