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the daisy chain, or aspirations-第134部分
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happy in these visitsmother and child had both prospered so well;
and it was quite a treat to be able to expend his tenderness on
Flora。 His little grandchild seemed to renew his own happy days; and
he delighted to take her from her mother and fondle her。 No sooner
was the baby in his arms than Flora's hands were busy among the
papers; and she begged him to ring for lights。
〃Not yet;〃 he said。 〃Why can't you sit in the dark; and give
yourself a little rest?〃
〃I want you to hear George's address。 Norman has been looking at it;
and I hope you will not think it too strong;〃 and she turned; so that
the light might fall on the paper。
〃Let me see;〃 said Dr。 May; holding out his hand for it。
〃This is a rough copy; too much scratched for you to make out。〃
She read it accordingly; and her father admired it exceedingly
Norman's touches; above all; and Flora's reading had dovetailed all
so neatly together that no one knew where the joins were。 〃I will
copy it fairly;〃 she said; 〃if you will show it to Dr。 Spencer; and
ask whether he thinks it too strong。 Mr。 Dodsley too; he would be
more gratified if he saw it first; in private; and thought himself
consulted。〃
Dr。 May was dismayed at seeing her take up her pen; make a desk of
her blotting…book; and begin her copy by firelight。
〃Flora; my dear;〃 he said; 〃this must not be。 Have I not told you
that you must be content to rest?〃
〃I did not get up till ten o'clock; and have been lying here ever
since。〃
〃But what has this head of yours been doing? Has it been resting for
ten minutes together? Now I know what I am saying; FloraI warn
you; that if you will not give yourself needful quiet now; you will
suffer for it by and by。〃
Flora smiled; and said; 〃I thought I had been very good。 But; what
is to be done when one's wits will work; and there is work for them
to do?〃
〃Is not there work enough for them here?〃 said Dr。 May; looking at
the babe。 〃Your mother used to value such a retirement from care。〃
Flora was silent for a minute; then said; 〃Mr。 Esdaile should have
put off his resignation to suit me。 It is an unfortunate time for
the election。〃
〃And you can't let the election alone?〃
She shook her head; and smiled a negative; as if she would; but that
she was under a necessity。
〃My dear; if the election cannot go on without you; it had better not
go on at all。〃
She looked very much hurt; and turned away her head。
Her father was grieved。 〃My dear;〃 he added; 〃I know you desire to
be of use; especially to George; but do you not believe that he would
rather fail; than that you; or his child; should suffer?〃
No answer。
〃Does he stand by his own wish; or yours; Flora?〃
〃He wishes it。 It is his duty;〃 said Flora; collecting her dignity。
〃I can say no more; except to beg him not to let you exert yourself。〃
Accordingly; when George came home; the doctor read him a lecture on
his wife's over…busy brain; and was listened to; as usual; with
gratitude and deference。 He professed that he only wished to do what
was best for her; but she never would spare herself; and; going to
her side; with his heavy; fond solicitude; he made her promise not to
hurt herself; and she laughed and consented。
The promise was easily given; for she did not believe she was hurting
herself; and; as to giving up the election; or ceasing secretly to
prompt George; that was absolutely out of the question。 What could
be a greater duty than to incite her husband to usefulness?〃
Moreover it was but proper to invite Meta's aunt and cousin to see
her; and to project a few select dinners for their amusement and the
gratification of her neighbours。 It was only grateful and cousinly
likewise; to ask the 〃Master of Glenbracken〃; and as she saw the
thrill of colour on Ethel's cheeks; at the sight of the address to
the Honourable Norman Ogilvie; she thought herself the best of
sisters。 She even talked of Ogilvie as a second Christian name; but
Meta observed that old Aunt Dorothy would call it Leonorar Rogilvie
Rivers; and thus averted it; somewhat to Ethel's satisfaction。
Ethel scolded herself many times for wondering whether Mr。 Ogilvie
would come。 What was it to her? Suppose he should; suppose the
rest。 What a predicament! How unreasonable and conceited; even to
think of such a thing; when her mind was made up。 What could result;
save tossings to and fro; a passing gratification set against
infinite pain; and strife with her own heart and with her father's
unselfishness! Had he but come before Flora's marriage! No; Ethel
hated herself for the wish that arose for the moment。 Far better he
should keep away; if; perhaps; without the slightest inclination
towards her; his mere name could stir up such a tumultall; it might
be; founded in vanity。 Rebellious feelings and sense of tedium had
once been subduedwhy should they be roused again?
The answer came。 Norman Ogilvie was setting off for Italy; and
regretted that he could not take Abbotstoke on his way。 He desired
his kind remembrances and warm Christmas wishes to all his cousins。
If Ethel breathed more freely; there was a sense that tranquillity is
uninteresting。 It was; it must be confessed; a flat end to a
romance; that all the permanent present effect was a certain
softening; and a degree more attention to her appearance; and after
all; this might; as Flora averred; be ascribed to the Paris outfit
having taught her to wear clothes; as well as to that which had
awakened the feminine element; and removed that sense of not being
like other women; which sometimes hangs painfully about girls who
have learned to think themselves plain or awkward。
There were other causes why it should be a dreary winter to Ethel;
under the anxiety that strengthened by duration; and the strain of
acting cheerfulness for Margaret's sake。 Even Mary was a care。 Her
round rosy childhood had worn into height and sallowness; and her
languor and indifference fretted Miss Bracy; and was hunted down by
Ethel; till Margaret convinced her that it was a case for patience
and tenderness; which; thenceforth; she heartily gave; even
encountering a scene with Miss Bracy; who was much injured by the
suggestion that Mary was oppressed by perspective。 Poor Mary; no one
guessed the tears nightly shed over Harry's photograph。
Nor could Ethel quite fathom Norman。 He wore the dispirited;
burdened expression that she knew too well; but he would not; as
formerly; seek relief in confidence to her; shunning the being alone
with her; and far too much occupied to offer to walk to Cocksmoor。
When the intelligence came that good old Mr。 Wilmot of Settlesham had
peacefully gone to his rest; after a short and painless illness; Tom
was a good deal affected; in his peculiar silent and ungracious
fashion; but Norman did not seek to talk over the event; and the
feelings he had entertained two years agohe avoided the subject;
and threw himself into the election matters with an excitement
foreign to his nature。
He was almost always at Abbotstoke; or attending George Rivers at the
committee…room at the Swan; talking; writing; or consulting;
concocting squibs; and perpetrating bons mots; that were the delight
of friends and the confusion of foes。 Flora was delighted; George
adored him; Meta's eyes danced whenever he came near; Dr。 Spencer
admired him; and Dr。 Hoxton prophesied great things of him; but Ethel
did not feel as if he were the veritable Norman; and had an undefined
sensation of discomfort; when she heard his brilliant repartees; and
the laughter with which he accompanied them; so unlike his natural
rare and noiseless laugh。 She knew it was false excitement; to drive
away the suspense that none dared to avow; but which did not press on
them the less heavily for being endured in silence。 Indeed; Dr。 May
could not help now and then giving way to outbursts of despondency;
of which his friend; Dr。 Spencer; who made it his special charge to
try to lighten his troubles; was usually the kind recipient。
And though the bustle of the election was incongruous; and seemed to
make the leaden weight the more heavy; there was a compensation in
the tone of feeling that it elicited; which gave real and heartfelt
pleasure。
Dr。 May had undergone numerous fluctuations of popularity。 He had
always been the same man; excellent in intention; though hasty in
action; and heeding neither praise nor censure; and while the main
tenor of his course never varied; making many deviations by flying to
the reverse of the wrong; most immediately before him; still his
personal character gained esteem every year; and though sometimes his
merits; and sometimes his failings; gave violent umbrage; he had
steadily risen in the estimation of his fellow…townsmen; as much as
his own inconsistencies and theirs would allow; and every now and
then was the favourite with all; save with the few who abused him for
tyranny; because he prevented them from tyrannising。
He was just now on the top of the wave; and his son…in…law had
nothing to do but to float in on the tide of his favour。 The
opposite faction attempted a contest; but only rendered the triumph
more co
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