oy
te
Hanshh’y isl
eae Sd yi
a A
eas
ae abk f gh eae
Ve DO; an Aiea
oy ek OD
By had,
AS
ff
aan
cia
Bean
ieee
aes
Manet
Fh
Seta
7 ae
wats?
5 sh
Geis HK, » Neen
mt) Sete
as NN) Rane
ae ty
i os
Poten é
he Hho! ieee
aR
as
pny
atese 4
Ree eas
o >
CAA
On?
nt teens > tee
nails aie ite
Rest
u
Boe
>
Siz
AS Heth et oe
hk x) Mike
Py
Kraatbees
OLD
Ae
>
aeakite i.
i ea na
ie Gs
eis
‘ Re
se
es ee
} fe
ait eat
eek a
oe aoe
eA G rae
yp? edsteatit
re
Ne
4 ana ot
pecs
Aas Ait
ota he
ny ate
te
BRN
Wy, Ms
Hs hee " i Or
Se
LA hey
Hehe ry
Sy ee en ue
fe aes <2
es
rey
}, "5?
re peice
ana
hn?
He oF
a
i a i eiaait a
" ae
ue NS. us
POL
SHON
SAS tbh
oh ies,
aA Nahe
al
pe
ie
soph.
Shoals
a Ree +
a a
yk sett
PENA
oy SOR
Histon
sietat sara
\ 4a Me sans
Mh Areauatt es ofa
Ht ne *
Ke We
eee
nie Oe
acs
Ais ‘i A
a ae
ae
fa
cae
HG
ae
dite me
iy a
hae
Hone
Pas *
ay oe
ee
“
0 Se
as
Sees
ae
:
cree
Pt
toy it
Rete
UN A,
aenet ieieSes
uy
Sa
etait
unas
tae
sds
ae
a “ye
* OO
yh
a
ae a
Sune
—
“ be ay .
¥ shat soe
eet we 2
Mie a8 i
et
oh
i)
()
a akat ets
ee At
*
ae
ae
4s
x
eee
etata ted ot
eae =
ate ”
Ee
: ra Me
ee =
my
5
-,
vn,
POY
tama
yaar hy
Sy,
pes
Cae, EER yer)
¥
“a
>
=
a
” “<< Donovan,” Ei
2
of “A Hardy No
*
co.
ae
E
SEMAN,
DONO
FET.
R
NNEB
BORN STR
HE
‘DE!
429
BONOHUE & HENNEBERRY
PRINTERS AND BINDERS
CHICAG®
Hei en
AE Se,
Veet agg
$23
daa
B84 w
ae Eg oe
WON BY WAITING.
. °
CHAPTER L
One adequate support
¥or the calamities of mortal life
Exists, one only !—an assured belief
That the procession of our fate, howe’er
Sad or disturbed, is ordered by a Being
Of infinite benevolence and powo:,
Whose everlasting purposes embrace
All accidents, converting them to good.
? The Excursion.
_ fur Chateau de Mabillon stood on the summit of a low
\Y\ut abrupt hill, overlooking one of the most beautiful
alleys of France. In appearance it was scarcely habitable,
for it had suffered greatly in the Revolution; and though
- time had veiled the rough work of the incendiaries with
- loxuriant ivy and creepers, the chateau was but a ruiii,
5 ith the exception of a few rooms which had escaped the
©" y#eneral devastation, and were still occupied by the De
e@' |\fabillon family. :
&: Very small had that family become of late years, dwind-
MM fing as rapidly almost astheir fortune had diminished.
_ Alphonse de Mabillon, at the age of five-and-forty, found
| himself the sole survivor of his generation—brothers and
4 sisters were all dead, more distant relatives had emigrated,
aad were thus lost to him, his little English wife had
1 drooped and died loag ago, and he was now left alone, save
- for his two children.
=a The villagers and the curé wondered at monsieur’s grave,
, Gnd face, but they all loved him, for he was the very imper-
> jonation of gentleness and kindness, and gave more in alme
° ‘han many a far richer man.
ca ERS Ss ey A A RONEN i Se SD aoe a, te Ol ae SL es oe oii aie |. aes
SES Ma oy ay aaa Sa see Re Yok See ety
- cveK omy cite f. ir
: ie ieh. was
; dotde meer
OMe aah gs aah e
b ,
On the brow of the hill, surrounding the enatefu on all
- sides, was a broad terrace, upon which M. de Mabillon
might have been seen one atitumn afternoon, pacing up
and down. His face was more than ordinarily grave, hig
head bent.as if in anxious thought; so engrossed was he,
that he did not even notice the ringing of the vesper bell,
‘in the convent below the hill, although this was the wonted.
sign for the appearance of his little daughter.
- Esperance was full of wonder as, accompanied by old
vavette, the servant, she climbed the steep ascent to the
chateau. Her studies at the convent were over for the day,
and she was making all speed to join her father. Why was
he not watching for her as usual? What made him look
so grave and anxious? She reached the terrace out of
breath, and sprung to her father’s side with a merry Jaugh.
_- Why, papa! you have forgotten me, and I have given
you a surprise.” .
“For once,” replied her father, smiling and stooping to
kiss the little, flexible mouth which was pretending to
3 pout ; “I have much to think of just now, my child.” _
__. Esperance looked puzzled.
“ What can there be to think of, now that the harvest is
over, and the vintage, too, and Gaspard, our good Gas-
‘pard, has passed his examination ?—tell me what makes
you grave, papa.” | eae
M. de Mabillon paused for a minute, then, instead of
- answering the question, said, “ Gaspard will live at Paris
now, you know ; how would you like to live there, too?”
© At Paris!” exclaimed Esperance, wonderingly, “ and
leave the chateau? Oh! no, papa, we could not live in a
great fown, away from ail the woods and the flowers.
Besides, I love the sisters—except, indeed, Soeur Therese,
who is cross always—I could not bear to leave them.”
~ ©You will try to bear it for my sake, will you not?”
asked her father. - :
_ Esperance turned pale.
“Do you mean, papa, that we must really go quite away
from home, and leave everything ?”
“Dear child, it is indeed thus; I have kept it from you
as long as possible, but I have had losses of late, the vint-
age was, as you know, very bad, and Gaspard’s education
has been a great expense; we can not afford to live here
any longer, so the chateau and land are to be sold, and we
-_._ - wpust try te live cheaply with your brother at Paris.”
Esperance did not attempt to hide her tears, but ale |
7 ed to check them for her father’s sake. The under=
anding between father and daughter was perfect, and Hs-
erance, though only fourteen, was a real companion to M. ©
‘Mabillon; he knew her innermost heart. oh
They talked. long together over their future plans, and
Esperance was comforted by the trust and confidence which
he placed in her, and yet more by the perception of his
calm, unshaken faith in the great Right which governed
HW changes. | rig — :
_ Long years after his words rested in her memory ; surely
_ _ there are in many hearts words and scenes so deeply im-
ywressed that nothing can efface them, truly God-given
-memories—possessions for life. Esperance could always |
recall the close of that autumn day—the sun setting behind ©
he Auvergne mountains—the shadows gathering in the
yeautiful valley below—the river hurrying on its way,
earing on its bosom the reflection of a cloud crimson
_ with sunset glory, the beautiful old chateau, with its ivy-
covered walls—above all, her father’s face, grave no longer,
but full of the most serene trust, his eyes looking straight
into hers lovingly and confidently.
: “Pana!” she cried, impetuously, “I love you so dearly
hat I shall be happy always where you are; I shall not
nind leaving the chateau.”
“That will do for the present, but you will grow to some-
_ thing higher by and by,” was M. de Mabillon’s quiet an-
- swer; a riddle, indeed, to Esperance, but one which needed
solving sooner than either father or daughter expected.
_ Hitherto Esperance’s life had been singularly uneventful.
The neighborhood was small and quiet, and M, de Mabil-
jon, as a member of the Eglise Reformée, was cut off from
what little society was to be had. Ever since Esperance
could remember, she had read every day with her father,
played in the old, neglected garden, talked to imaginary
asters, and helped old Javotte. the maid-servant, in her
domestic duties ; while each afternoon there was the visit
o the convent, a music lesson from Scur Angelique, who
as young and pretty, and along lesson in needle work
om Sceur Therese, who has been already stigmatized as
eross.” Now and then M. de Mabillon would take her
othe nearest town to visit one of his few friends, but
ch treats were rare, and the unclouded happiness of
sperance’s childhood arose entirely from the love and
sympathy between her and her father, apart from all other
Pf 2aBULeS.
ar
6 | WON SY WAITING.
She was cheerful and buoyant by nature, and the news'
of the afternoon did not weigh upon her, though to a cer-
fain extent she felt it. Having left her father in the gar-
_ den, she ran into the chateau to find Javotte, actually
singing as she went.
Javotte, a middle-aged woman, with little, black eyes,
and a complexion brown and wrinkled with care and ex-
posure, looked up as Esperance entered the kitchen, and
said, in a grating but not really disagreeable voice, “ Ah,
well, ma’mselle! there are people who can always sing :
when you are as old asl am—” . ys
“T shall sing just as much,” interrupted Esperance,
laughing. ‘But after all, Javotte, I do not feel quite like
singing to-night, only you see it is no good to sit down and
cry ; dear old Javotte, you will come with us, will you not?
Now say ‘ yes,’ directly—do not clear your throat!”
Javotte, however, was in no condition for speaking. She
finished making an omelet before venturing to begin, and
_ then with many gesticulations opened her heart to Esper-
ance.
“It is this way, my child—monsieur tells me of the
¢thange which comes, and at onceI say to myself, ‘I love
ma 'mselle and monsieur, and M. Gaspard, they go—then I
must go also; and again I say to myself, L love my son
Pierre, he stays here, then I muststay.’ voitla/ Ma’m-
selle, how can I choose, then, between these two?”
“ Pierre could come too,” said Esperance, quickly. ‘In-
deed, Javotte, [can not live without you; have you noti
often said how my mother asked you to love me and care:
for me before she died, and will you leave me now to go
away alone ?”
-Javotte could not resist such an appeal; after all, she .
thought, Pierre would no doubt marry, and then she would
~ not be wanted—yes, she would accompany ma’mselle till
_ death.
Esperance, disregarding the foreboding tone of the last
word, promised to dance at Pierre’s wedding, and ran away
%o impart the good news to her father. |
WON BY WAITING. Sy
CHAPTER IL
No shade has come between
Thee and the sun;
Like some long childish dream,
Thy life has run.
But now the stream has reached
A dark, deep sea,
And sorrow, dim and crowned,
Is waiting thee.
A, A, Procror.
Javorre felt the change more than any one else. Per-
haps the actual parting from the chateau was not so pain-
ful to her as to its owners, but the life at Paris was far
less congenial. She was too rustic ever to feel at home in
acity; the stairs tried her temper, the noise tried her
head, and altogether she was for a time most unhappy.
Esperance only discovered a small part of her miseries, for .
the good old servant was far too unselfish to complain, and
devoted herself more than’ ever to the service of the De
Mabillons, |
~The winter was over, and the bright spring weather was
_ pleasant enough in Paris, even to those accustomed to a
- country life. Esperance, as she sat with her needle-work
by the open window, could think of her old home almost
without a sigh, so sweet and clear did the air feel, and so
bright and cheerful was the sunshine. The room in which
she was seated was bare of all luxuries ; a polished floor, a
_ stove, and the necessary chairs and tables sound cold
enough in ‘description, nevertheless, there was an air of
freshness and grace in the arrangement of the whole
_ which is often wanting in better furnished rooms.
Esperance was thoroughly French, and had all a
French woman’s delicate tact and taste. Her mother had
been of English birth, but had apparently bequeathed
little of her nationality to her child—perhaps, rather
to M. de Mabillon’s disappointment ; he would have
ox been pleased to have some likeness to his fair little
San English wife, but both Esperance and Gaspard were un-
| mistakably De Mabillons. Esperance was not, strictly speaks
ing, pretty, but there was a freshness and glow about her
complexion which made up for any want of actual beauty.
Her low, smooth brow and recular features were notin the
least striking, but the power of the face lay in her eyes,
‘which, though not large, were wonderfully bright and of
g : WON BY WAITING.
th. richest brown color, soft and velvety in the shade, and
-¢lewr as amber in the light. Her dark hair fell like a cloud
round her pretty, sloping shoulders, and her slight Sgure
and little round waist might have been the envy oi many
2 belle.
The afternoon was somewhat advanced, and Esperance,
neglecting her work, stationed herself at the window to
watch for her, brother’s return. Gaspard was now study-
ing for the bar, notwithstanding that his father’s fallen
fortunes would have made some less uphill profession far
more advisable. |
~ To be an advoeate, however, had long been his wish, and
M. de Mabillon, despite his poverty, would not _gainsay
him, and even went so far as to seek work himself in order
- to meet their expenses.
This, however, was not to be had ; he was too completely
the country gentleman, and too ignorant in business mat-
_ ters to meet with any suitable employment.
_ From her window au quatriéme, Esperance soon descried
_ her brother in the distance, accompanied, much to her
surprise, by a stranger, long-legeed and stalwart, and, on
- nearer view, decidedly English. Visitors were so rare in
the little salon that Esperance was in a flutter of excite-
ment at the very idea ; she listened eagerly for footsteps—
yes, there were assuredly two people mounting the flight
of stairs.
The door was opened by Gaspard. ye
“TI have brought you a visitor, chérie. Is my father not —
athome?’ . .
Then as Esperance bowed to the stranger,
“No, no, this is our cousin, Mr. George Palgrave; you
must give him an English hand-shake. We met each,
other most unexpectedly at Galignani’s, each recognizing
the other’s name.” |
Esperance looked up full of curiosity, for the English
relations had always been enveloped in a cloud of mys-
tery. She was not particularly struck with the specimen
before her. George Palgrave, might, perhaps, have been
five-and-twenty ; he was tall, large-made, fair-complex-
ioned, and, in Esperance’s eyes, awkward-looking, as com-
_ plete a contrast to the slight, dark-eyed Gaspard as could
have been found.
_She shook hands with him as directed, and noticiag
that his French was decidedly embarrassing to him, began
to display her small stock of English with some pride.
i ee Se? oe ee RT Ses eee at eS ee x 5 -
ee aS oe Fae Ae ee s . aa
7 Ba > z > Tash ae
«You have made a good voyage, I hope, my cousin ?”
“A fairly good crossing, thank you ; there was an ugly
sou’-wester when we started, but it soon went down.”
Hsperance had not the faintest idea of the meaning of
“an ugly sou’-wester,” but she went on bravely. |
“ And you are arrived at Paris to-day? I hope you will
pass some time here !” a
“T wish I could, but unfortunately I must leave this
evening, I am merely passing through, on my way to Switz
erland. It was most fortunate that I chanced to meet your
brother; I had no idea you were living at Paris.”
“Since the last four months. Do you know, monsieur,
_ you are the first of our English relations that I have seen ¥
Yell us of our cousins; we do not even know their rames;,
is it not so, Gaspard ?”
Mr. Palerave looked amused.
« And I have not yet had the honor of hearing yours.”
“Tor me, 1 am Esperance; now, please, our Puiglish
cousins.” |
“Tam the only one of the Palgrave family; then tera
are the three Miss Collinsons, or rather two, for the eldest
is married—Mrs. Mortlake. The others are called Curnelia
and Bertha.”
“Cornelia! ah! that is not pretty. Bertha, I hike; tell
me about her.”
Mr. Palgrave seemed embarrassed, and war glad to
= spared a description, by the entrance of M. de Mabil-
on.
Esperance hurried forward to meet her father.
“Papa, this is our English cousin, Mr. Palgreve; he is
_ telling me all about our relations.”
- M. de Mabillon’s ereeting was gravely polite, but scarcely
eordial; the conversation became at once more formal and
stiff, and Mr. Palgrave’s complexion grew so fiery that
Esperance felt her own cheeks tingle out of sympathy.
Her father was evidently well acquainted with’all the mys--
terious relations; she heard him inquire after Dean Collin-
son and his daughters, after Mr. and Mrs. Palerave, and
other unknown names, but there was a curious constraint
in his manner which Esperance could not account for.
She grew a little weary and oppressed, and was not sorry
when her cousin rose to go, having refused an invitation
to dinner.
Gaspard, also a little surprised at his father’s coldness,
proposed to act as guide to his cousin, and the two took
< WON BY WAITING. ge
10 WON BY WAITING.
their departure, leaving M. de Mabillon and Esperance
alone.
M. de Mabillon sighed heavily as the door closed upon
them. |
“So that is George Palgrave; poor fellow, I was but half
civil to him—you must not follow my bad example, dear
child.”
“Papa! I do not understand. Why do you not like our
cousin; and why have you never told me about our English
relations before ?”
“For many reasons,” said M. de Mabillon. “Weare cut
off from them, both by distance and by inclination. There
has never been any intercourse between us since your
mother’s death; [Tam too much disliked by them.”
“You disliked, papa! It is impossible!”
M. de Mabillon smiled.
“You had better hear the whole story, and then you will
understand. When I was a young man I was traveling in
Lxgland, and while spending some weeks in London, was
introduced to your mother, then a Miss Collinson, sister of
tbe dean whom I mentioned just now. He was then in pos-
session of some London living, and Amy, your mother, lived —
with him. Shey were the eldest and youngest of a large
family, most of whom had died, and one or two of whom were
married. Amy was very beautiful, and from the first I
loved ber. She had other admirers, however, and among
them a certain Sir Henry Worthington, a very rich and
influential man. Mr. Collinson thought the connection
would be a useful one, and urged your mother to consent.
At the same time I made my proposal to him for his sis-
ter’s hand, greatly to his annoyance. So anxious was he
for the other connection that he absolutely refused at first
to mention my name to her. His behavior at the time is
too bad to be recalled; however, at length he was obliged
to yield, in so far that I was allowed to speak to your
mother myself. To Mr. Collinson’s indignation, she
accepted me, and as she was of age he had no power to
prevent the engagement.”
But, papa, why did Mr. Collinson dislike yeu?’ asked
Esperance, greatly puzzled.
_ “Partly because I was not Engiish; partly on account
of my poverty; and, I fancy, in a great measure, because I
was the obstacle which had hindered the connection with
Sir Henry Worthington.”
“ And what happened ?” asked Esperance, eagerly. _
WON BY WAITING. 417
“Mr. Collinson refused to let the marriage take place
from his house, which greatly distressed -your mother.
His wife, however, was more kind-hearted, and it was
arranged that she should be married from the house of her
mother, a Mrs. Passmore. Mr. Collinson would not be
present ai our marriage, and never saw your mother after-
word. We returned to France immediately, and there has’
been scarcely any communication between the two families
since. George Palgrave is the first to have visited us, his
mother was your mother’s eldest sister.”
©“ Aod I have always wished to see them all!” exclaimed
FEisperance ; “ but now I know I should dishke them, since
they treated you so badly, papa.”
“No, no, dear, try for my sake not to continue the family
feud ; such quarrels should, if possible, be forgotten ; and
though I own that in my case the forgiveness has not been
hearty, yet there is no reason for the next generation to
- feel so strongly.”
“But they, that is to say, Mr. Collinson, insulted you,
apa.”
“Yes, that is true; I forgave that at once, but I never
_ ean forget his conduct to your mother, Esperance, it broke
her heart—I know it—though she tried hard to hide it
from me. But this is only grieving you, my child; and,
besides, you must not think too harshly of your uncle—he
is, I believe, a good man, only he was once cruelly mis-
. taken. We will say no more about those times;.come ani
walk with me a little; you lose your color shut up so much
in this room.”
Esperance went to put on her walking things, full of
wonder at the strange revelation which had just been made.
And yet it had been her greatest wish to visit Eneland,
and see these unknown relations; nay, even now she felt a
strange curiosity with regard to the second generation,
though the very name of her uncle, Dean Collinson roused
ber indignation,
19 WON BY WAITING.
‘CHAPTER IIL.
€ He wills to give you battle, power for power,
So please you on the morrow.”
“On the morrow |
We will join the battle, then,” repiied Dunois,
** And God befriend the right.”
SovutHEy’s Joan of Are.
Groren Parerave’s visit was now a thing of the past.
- Occasionally Esperance would recall the conversation she
had had with her father, and spend a few minutes in pic-
turing to herself her distant relations; but the sad story
had ceased to trouble her—she lived almost entirely in the
present. |
Already the clear horizon of her childhood was broken;
_ a little cloud had arisen, and, as time passed, it grew blacker
and more threatening, for week by week M. de Mabillon’s
money matters grew more and more involved, and Esperance
could not but share in his anxiety. Gaspard, too, was de-
pressed and unhappy, conscious that he was an additional
expense to his father, and yet unwilling to give up his profes-
sion. Esperance, his usual confidante, was not quite sosym-
pathizing as he could have wished; it was impossible she
could appreciate the sacrifice. “How could you really
care more for stupid, dull, law books than for helping
papa,” she argued day after day. .
“You do not understand, chérie, that it would be for
one’s whole life,” said Gaspard, anxious that his difficulties
should be fairly understood. | :
“ Bien! what more could one wish than to help one’s
father; besides, you would like your work in time.”
* What! the drudgery of a desk—a paltry clerkship—it_
is impossible !: however, as you say, I suppose it is one’s
duty.” | 2
«And you will do it; I know you will, by your face,”
exclaimed Esperance. ‘ Dear Gaspard! I love you more
than ever; and how glad papa will be! You willbe really
earning money, as well as spending it; and then in time,
who knows, perhaps we shall get the chateau back again,
all through you.”
“A Chateau en Espagne, indeed!” said Gaspard, laneh-
ing, as he twisted Esperance’s clossy hair between his fin-
gers. “You women have such notions about money
maiters; and yet you are fui; »: advice as to work,” —
~~
pr ae ; ay SF eS WON By WAITING, : 13
Then, as she ieeked a little indignant, “No, no, you
need not be offended, for after all have I not taken your —
advice, and consented to that abominable clerkship : Re
- “Tt is true ; and you are a real hero, mon ami,’ replied _
Esperance, with a fervent embrace. ‘“ How I wish papa
_ would come home, to hear the good news; let us wateh
for him,” and opening the jalousies, she looked eagerly
_ down the Sunny street.
Presently M. de Mabillon came into sight, walking ver,
quickly, in spite of the heat of the July day.
“Papa inust be bringing us some news!” exclaimed Fux-
perance ; “he walks like the wind. Look, Gaspard.”
— “Ahtno doubt there is something fr esh about this
Prussian business,” said Gaspard, coming forward uivkly;
“T thought everything was quieted down agai though |
apa did say there was thunder in the air.’
“What about Prussia?’ asked Esperas.cez, knowing
nothing of politics.
Some fuss about. Prince Leopold trying to get the
Spanish throne; but they said a day or two ago he had
resigned. Of course France would never hiave allowed it.”
Here the door was opened by M. de Mabillon, and there
‘was an eager inquiry from both occupaurcs of the room:
“© What news, papa?’ -
“There is tremendous excitement,” replied M. de
Mabillon, with more vehemence than Esperance lad ever
seen in him before. “The whole city is in a tumult; they
say that Mensieur Benedetti has been insulted by the
. King of Prussia, and war has been declared.”
“War! with Prussia!” exclaimed G: aspard, in delighted
excitement; while Esperance, startled and bewildered,
echoed the words in a very different tone.
She listened to the eager taik between her father and
brother, still suey taking in this strangely sudden
intelligence.
ee Papa, do tell me about it. Who is Monsieur Ben-
_ edetti, and why are we going to war. I don’t understand.”
__ “Monsieur Benedetti is cur.embassador at Berlin,” said
_ WM. de Mabillon; “and as to the reason of the war, I have
told you the pretext given; but privately I think that both
mations were anxious to provoke a quarrel, and fight it
out.”
“How can Baoule ever wish for war!” sighed Esperance,
4 _in such a sad tone that her father drew her toward him
a
caressing her in the way she liked best.
4 WON BY WAITING.
“T hope this war, at least, will not harm you, my child’
As to the innate love of war, it is such a mixture of patriot-
ism, policy, and personal vanity, that neither you nor I will
trouble about it.”
‘Women never can understand,” said Gaspard, a little
scornfully. ‘‘ Esperance does not seem to care for the honor
of the country. Father, you will let me enlist as a volun-
teer, will you not?” ,
Esperance turned pale, and clung more closely to her
father, waiting in anxiety for his answer. This seemed to
bring the war much nearer home.
M. de Mabillon had been fully expecting such a propo-
gal, yet he hesitated for a moment before replying.
“Of course, you naturally wish to go, Gaspard,” he said,
st length; “but there are many reasons against it,
pur present circumstances for instance, and many other
tunings, besides, if the war be of long duration, there will
be all the more need for volunteers to come forward later
on.”
This was evidently a grievous disappointment; and
Esperance, in her relief, was sympathetic.
“Poor Gaspard? He has given uptwo professions in
one day. Never mind; perhaps after all you will be
wanted later on. Dame/ how curious it would be te see
you in uniform !”
“Not much chance, I fear, of that,” said Gaspard, a lit-
tle sullenly. ‘‘ We shall be sure-to beat the Germans in.
in no time ; perhaps in a month we shall have taken Ber-
lin ; who knows?”
He spoke with such confidence that Esperance looked
up in surprise. _
“Ig it so, indeed, papa ?”
“My dear little girl, 1 don’t think itis possible to tell yet.
wivery one seems very confident of success; but it is per-
fectly well known that the German army is very well or-
panized.”
‘“‘But we have the soldiers of Jena?” said Gaspard, tri-
umphantly. “I shall go and see what is being done.”
He went out, promising to bring back the latest tidings;
but. M. de Mabillon did not put much faith in this, think-
- ing it far more probable that he would only join the crowd
on the boulevards to shout “ Vive la guerre!” and give vent,
to his enthusiasm,
Hisperance, still auch excited, hovered about unable te
settle to anything, antu, seeing that her father was ene
ery be el see Ss ria S =
j a eee eR : Se eae ee
WON BY WAITING. me 16
grossed in his newspaper, she ran down-stairs to discnss
the great topic with Mme. Lemercier. i
The Lemerciers were the occupants of the froisiéme étage,
and had already proved themselves pleasant neighbors to
the De Mabillons. Monsieur was connected with the press,
and was seldom at home; but madame,,who suffered from
ennui in his absence, was delighted to have visitors at any
hour of the day, and always made Esperance specially wel-
- come. ae
This evening madame seemed even more brisk and
cheery than usual. Esperance found her reading one of
her husband’s articles in a Republican paper, and brim<
ming over with excitement.
© Ah, mon enfant,” she exclaimed, with eagerness, ‘ what
news we have! You have heard ?”
. “Ves, a minute ago, papa came in to tell us, and Gas-
_ pard is almost frantic with delight.”
“Monsieur himself came in with the news,” said madame.
“He was panting, he was breathless, he had hurried from
a distance, for a moment I was afraid he was ill; ¢ Victor !’
I exclaimed, but he interrupted me, and told me with tri-
umph that war was declared. Then, before I had breath
- to speak or exclaim, ne was telling me the causes, the in-
sults, a thousand things which I could not understand, and
in a minute he was away again, leaving me bewildered—as-
tonished—excited.”
_ “And yet, madame, it is very terrible,” said Esperance,
with a shudder. ; |
- Tt is true, my child; you think of the suffering, the
- death, the destruction. Ah, yes, that indeed is terrible,”
Through the open window there floated the sound of a
broken chorus—“Mourir pour la Patrie.”
Esperance was silent till-it died away in the distance;
hoarse and unmusical as were the voices, there was never-
theless a strange pathos in the song, and there were tears
in her eyes as she said, “ Our men are brave, they do not
think of themselves ; but, dear madame, I can not love ‘la
patrie’ so well as papa or Gaspard.” 3
“ Do not cry, my child! of course you can not—they de>
not intend to volunteer, I trust?” ;
- *No3 Gaspard wished to do so, but papa will not le
him at present; by and by, perhaps, he may be more
wanted; but oh! I do hope not. Monsieur Lemercier —
does not go?” 3
“No, no; he will serve his country by contributing
es Nr hk, eS er er ee Ce ee gee Se en
abe cee ee 7 *
Pe te es
16 | WON BY WAITING.
accounts of its success to tho journals, Monsicur is a true —
patriot, he would gladiy handle the sword, but without 4
- doubt the pen is his best weapon.”
Esperance had heard her father speak of M. Lemercier
as hot-headed enthusiast, full of Republican ideas, and
rather questioned his “true patriotism.” She kept her
thoughts to herself, however, and asked if monsieur was ag
confident of success as Gaspard was.
" He says there is not the smallest doubt of our Suc.
cess,” said Mme. Lemercier with emphasis. “ Figure te
yourself our brave soldiers encountering the sausage-cat=
ing Germans. Ah! the victory will be ours.”
“Papa says the Ger mans are very brave, and that. their
army is well organized,” said Esperance, doubtfully. <<. =
“ Ma chére,” said Mme. Lemercier, excitedly, “ Monsieur
de Mabillon is wise without doubt, he is braye,° hei isa man
of honor, but he-is not sanguine. Witness ‘your very name
—feeling that he lacked the virtue he nape you ‘ Egpe-
rance.’”
“Ah! poor papa,” said Esperance, die Se cand me
when he was full of trouble. For this. once, then, I hope
he may be wrong 3 it would be terrible, indeed, if we did
not conquer.’
“Do not mention it, my child—excepf, aed: upon your -
knees; the very idea makes me tremble. But it is i |
sible—quite impossible |”
Mme. Lemercier was expressing a confidence which was”
very generally felt. M.de Mabillon was among the very
few who thought failure a possibility ; and even he was a
little surprised when the news of the first defeat reached —
Paris. Gaspard made as much of the victory at Saarbruc} —
as was possible, and believed that the subsequent defeats ~
were exaggerated ; but as time went on it became uselesa —
to disguise the truth, that the Germans were slowly but
surely advancing.
aE
~
ones "WON BY WAITING 17
CHAPTER IV.
Her eyes shine tearful as they glance :
6 Who shall give back my slaughtered Sons ?”
s¢‘ Bind up,” she saith, ‘‘ my wounded ones.”
. “ ‘¢ Alas, France {”
A time there is for change and chance,
A time for drinking of the cup.
And One abides can yet bind up
Broken France,
CHRISTINA ROSSETTI
‘fo Esperance each day’s events seemed to make it more
and 1aore probable that Gaspard would be obliged to enlist.
‘The evil seemed to be creeping almost imperceptibly nearer.
- and nearer home ; yet when in August preparations were
_made in Paris for an expected siege, she was beyond meas-
ure shocked and surprised.
M. de Mabillon was sorely perplexed, unable to make up
his mind to leave Paris himself, and yet anxious that
_ Esperance should be in safety. Esperance was not long in
discovering the cause of his anxiety, it was impossible for
her father to hide anything from her ; but she was indig-
~ nant at the very idea of being sent away. é
“Tfitis your duty to stay, papa, it must be mine, too;
and indeed! indeed! I could not live without you. Tobe
_ far away from you withouteven the chance of letters! No,
no, it is impossible !”
“But I am afraid even if you stay here, weshall sce little
of each other,” said M. de Mabillon, “for I must join the ©
National Guard, now that there is really.a call for service.”
_ And Gaspard also?” faltered Esperance. Oh, papa!”
Her tears fell fast; and M. de Mabillon, caressing her,
again urged her going away.
You and Javotte could return to Mabillon; I am sure
the curé, would take care of you, and you would like to see
_ the old place again. Isit not so, dear!”
_ “Papa, indeed I cannot go. Let me stay, and I will not
be any trouble ; Javotte and I can make charpie, and tear
bandages all day long, and that will be serving the country.
Promise me, dear papa, that I shall be with you.” :
She asked so beseechinely that M. de Mabillon could not
find it in his heart to refuse.
«Very well, my child,” he anawored, “it shall be as you
To a bee ia i pee ae) Beare NS, Lovten Tie ae Fd ae ge el aN I
18 "WON BY WAITING.
wish; you shall stay here and show. your patdobian) after
all, it may be best to keep together, and for aught we
know, Mabillon may not be safer from the enemy than
Paris,”
In spite of all the troubles which she knew must be in
store, Esperance felt as happy and light-hearted after this
promise had been given as in her most cloudless country
days. Moreover, there was a certain excitement in the at-
mosphere which could not fail to please the little Frenci:
girl.
From the windows might be seen much that was novel
and amusing. Gay uniforms—awkward-looking volun-
teers—and, above all, a perpetual stream of peasantry
flocking into Paris for protection, all their worldly goods
piled. up on carts in wild array; beds, clocks, useless old
armoires, sacks of potatoes, strings of onions, and not un-
cae frequently aced parents or tired children were all mingled
pr omiscuously. Esperance chose to see thelaughableside ~
of the picture; her father, with more insight, saw the ruin
of which this motley procession was the witness; while
_ Gaspard, with the selfishness of a citizen, inveighed against
the extra “mouths.” :
By degrees, however, such little excitements ceased to
please Esperance. She spent the long monotonous days
chiefly jin working with Mme. Lemercier, for the sick and
wounded; Javotte had already begun to find her marketing
a lengthy process, and was out almost all day; while M. de
Mabillon and Gaspard were constantly at drill.
And so the time wore slowly on; and although there was
atill the eager inquiry for news each day, almost every one
was learning that the official notices could not be trusted,
and that all disastrous tidings were kept back as long as
possible. Gaspard, who was always hopeful, maintained
that the dearth of all important news was a good sign ;
but M. de Mabillon was of very different opinion, and when
September began, felt more certain than ever that the lull
betokened aecrisis. «
And at length it came. Late on the evening of the 3d of
September, the terrible news of the defeat at Sedan became
generally known. The surrender of MacMahon’s army and
of the emperor raised a storm of indionation at Paris; and
tne Republican spirit, latent for so long, seemed to burst
forth hke wild-fire.
The De Mabillons were Tina but although, of
course, they took no active part in the next day’s proceed-
P
1, fe ae ee age is =) sae Foe
DHS Se Sat? inate pt Pgh hes
ae WON BY WAITING 19
- Ings, they were absent all day, and Esperance ind Mme.
J,emercier were obliged to console each other as best they
qould, both being very eager to know what was going
on.
~ Jtwas a long, weary Sunday ; Esperance wonld have -
‘liked to go out, but madame was afraid of the crowd, and —
had a wholesome terror of “les rouges,” although ‘they
__ were her husband’s party. Not till night did they hear all
that had happened on that memorable day.
Esperance was already in bed when she heard her father
come back. Her eager call brought him at once to her
side, and she asked what had kept him so long.
“T should have returned before had I not known that
Madame Lemercier would be with you, dear child. ‘What
has been done?’ youask. There has been another Rev:
_ olution, though, thank God, abloodlessone; the empress
-has fled, and “the republic is already proclaimed. x
“The republic! ! Ah! how delighted Monsieur Lemercier
will be. But, papa, did you expect this ?”
e Anythin g@ may be expected after such news as that of
_ yesterday,” said M. de Mabillon, sadly. “The capitulation
- of eighty thousand men is an unheard-of thing ; the Paris-
-jans would not have borne it so quietly had there not been
: - the excitement of setting up this Republic to content them.
_ But there, my little patriot, I must not keep you awake any
. longer—sleep, and forget these national disasters.”
But the national disasters began to thicken so soon that ;
Esperance had not much chafce of forgetting them. |
In less than a fortnight two of the German armies had
taken up their position begore Paris, and the actual siege —
had begun.
"Now was the time when courage was really needed, and
_ Esperance found herself sorely taxed at each parting with
her two National Guards. Yet, after a few wecks had gone
~ by, she grew almost accustomed. to it, and did her part
well, by her brave and unfailing cheerfulness really —
B refreshing the tired men.
Once only did she break down. It was early in Octo-
_ ber; a sudden change of weather was aflecting every one,
and the bitter cold seemed almost unbearable, particularly
as fuel was becoming very scarce. The privation and
suffering were beginning to tell on Esperance; and
when one day M. de Mabillon told her of an unexpected
gortie, in which his battalion would probably take part,
her courage gave way, and in spite of Gaspard’s rg
20 WON BY WAITING Fs
tion, she expressed the most ardent desire for a eapitular
tion. ?
Ilowever, when both her father and brother returned in
safety, begrimed with smcke and dust, and telling triumph-
antly of the hundred and fifty Prussians taken prisoners,
her patriotism revived again, and her courage too. The
Revolution of the 31st of October, consequent on the fall
of Metz, was an almost pleasurable excitement, since she
knew her father and brother to be in safety, and not even
ile sounding of the ‘“ genérale” in the dead of the night
tad power to alarm her.. :
The weeks passed by slowly, each one bringing fresh
privations—even horse-flesh was now a dearly purchased
luxury, and the price of bread rose daily. very one was
beginning to feel that some fresh effort must be made,
and Esperance was scarcely surprised, when, on the even-
ing of the 28th of November, M. de Mabillon told her
that a great sortie was to be attempted on the following
day.
“T tell you of it, chérie, because I know you would be
vexed if I did not,” he said, “and because you have shown
us that you can bear suspense well and bravely.”
Her troubles had certainly taught her to be more self-
controlled, for she only turned a shade paler as she asked,
falteringly, “Do you march to-night, dear papa ?”
“Yes, in an hour’s time, my darling; but let us have a
few words now, while we are alone. I have been talking
to Monsieur Lemercier, and he has promised me that if
anything should happen to us to-morrow he will take care
of you, and when the siege is over take you and Javotte
to England.” =H |
“To England, papa! but why ?” -
“Because, dear, I feel sure that in whatever way this war-
ends, some time must. pass before the country is settled.
You know the present state of the Government—the scénes
of the 31st of October will be sure to repeat themselves,
and will, 1 fear, lead to something worse; so, my child, if I
am no longer here to take care of you, the sooner you are
safely in England the better.”
Esperance shuddered. —
“We need not plan, papa. I will do just as Monsieur
Lemercier tells me; only do not talk as if—as if—”
She hid her face on his shoulder, and did not try to finish
the sentence. .
M. de Mabillon held her closely, now and then whispering
- WON BY WAITING. 21
= words of comfort and trust, but more generally keeping
unbroken silence; until in spite of the coming struggle
Esperance was soothed and strengthened to endure.
At length Gaspard came in, flushed and eager, but re«
membering Esperance, he stifled his enthusiasm. The
- room was almost dark, save for a faint gleam from the
stove, by this he could see her little white face raised.
“Gaspard,” she said, “is it you? Is it nearly time ?”
* Yes, chérie,” he answered, bending down to kiss her;
*T want you to be our prave little vivandiére, and find us
something before we start.”
Hsperance hastened to prepare some coffee, and in afew
minutes the three sat down to their scanty meal, none of
_ them sorry that the light was dim.
Ten o'clock struck. M. de Mabillon said it was time
to go, and Gaspard, ever on the alert, was ready at
once. ‘“ Courage, chérie!” he whispered, giving his sister
a farewell kiss; Lemercier will let you know how we get
- on to-morrow.”
She let him go passively, and with trembling fingers
tried to tie her father’s scarf.
“ My brave little girl!” he murmured; then, as the word
of praise proved too much for her, and her tears could no
_ longer be controlled, he took her in his arms.
ec My precious little Esperance, God bless you!
She clung to him in a last, long embrace, then watched
him go down the stairs in silence. The door closed upon
them, and she turned to sob out her grief in the arms of
the faithful old Javotte.
All the night a continuous stream of National Guards
marched past. Esperance took a strange pleasure in
watching them, and in trying to recognize her father’s bat-
talion. In the cold, gray dawn she slept, and Javotte put
1??
her to bed, hoping that she would sleep late the next morn-
_ ing, so that the suspense might not seem so long.
She woke unrefreshed and weary, her heart aching as
she heard the continual firing. Mme. Lemercier, knowing
that this would be a trying day for her, sent up an invita-
tion to déjeuner, and Esperance, who was a believer in “ dis
traction,” was very glad to accept it.
It isa strange meal, consisting of bad bread, cheese, aad
eoffee without milk, but so scarce had provisions become,
that Esperance thought it quite luxurious. M. Lemercier,
alittle, dried-up man with a fierce, black mustache, made
tac her laugh with his peste of the teas or of the
EOE | " OS PN ee ae OG Sig ae ee ion 2a tee mes. otal |
22 WON BY WAITING.
cheese, and madame was so kind and cheerful, that she
began to be comforted, and to look on the bright side of
things, even when later they heard that serious fighting
was going on, and that the ambulance was filling fast.
Esperance had spent the whole day with Mme. Lemer-
cier; it was now dusk, and she had just returned to her
own room, when her quick ear detected the sound of foot-
steps; it might be M. Lemercier, with fresh news. She
darted to the head of the stairs. Slowly the steps drew
nearer, and, straining her eyes into the darkness, she gave
a little cry of joy.
“Gaspard! Gaspard! is it really you?”
“ Myself, and no other, chérie,” replied the well-known
voice ; then, as she would have embraced him—“Tak«
care, this right arm of mine is damaged.”
“You are wounded !” cried Esperance, greatly shocked.
« A mere trifle, only a flesh wound ; I have just had tho
‘bullet extracted.”
“ Don’t speak of if ; it makes me shudder,” said Esper’
ance, lighting one of the few remaining candles, that shi
- might feast her eyes with the sight of her wounded hero.
He looked pale and exhausted, but seemed to enjoy talkin;;
about the day’s events. .
it seemed that nothing had been gained ; the losses ha}
been about equal on both sides, and the battle had sti}
been raging when he left the field.
«And papa ?” asked Esperance.
_ “Quite well when I left, and very glad that I could take
back the news to you.”
Then there is no chance of his coming home to:
night ?”
“Not the slightest, unless he follows my example. To-
morrow we will go up to the fortifications and see how
affairs are prospering.”
_ This. was an exciting prospect, and Esperance had a great
longing to be near her father; she thoughtin her ignorance,
that it would be easier to bear the suspense if she were
within sight of the battle. Gaspard was much refreshed
by a night’s rest, and the brother and sister set out on their
expedition eagerly and hopefully. The day was warm and
- bright, there was a holiday feeling in the air, which proved
irresistible to many. Esperance was startled on reaching
the ramparts to find the spectators laughing, chatting,
smoking, utterly regardless of the great tragedy that was
geing on. 3
\ c ¥ } i , =
“WON BY WAITING. — Caer
It was the first time she had seen any fighting, and ever
from a distance the scene was sufficiently terrible to be fore
ever imprinted on her memory.. Gaspard explained to her
the positions of the different divisions, and she tried to un-
durstand the plan of the attack, but her attention was soon
drawn away to the long file of ambulances which was con-
Stwntly passing into the city by one of the gates close by. »
Terrible havoc was being made among the French—
around the gate was a crowd of anxious relatives, watching ~
the ambulances eagerly as they passed; now and then there
wus a recognition, which made Esperance shiver.
“Let us come and watch too,” she said, at length; and
Gaspard consenting, they took up their position among the
- anxious little group. 3
‘They had waited long, and Esperance had begun to feel
faint with fatigue, and from the long train of terrible sights
passing before her. She closed her eyes for a minute,
when a half-smothered ejaculation from Gaspard roused
her—looking up she saw a litter being borne past, on it a
- National. Guard, his uniform covered with blood. Her
heart throbbed wildly, her head swam, but with a kind of
desperation she forced herself to look at the face—it was
indeed that of her father.
A great mist came before her eyes, she felt Gaspard pué
_ his left arm round her, and was conscious of relief. He
spoke to her. She caught the words “Ambulance Ameri-
-eaine,’ understood what they were to follow, and moved
mechanically through the crowd.
At length they reached the Avenue de IlTmperatrice, and
applied for admittance at the ambulance; they had to wait
long, however, and Esperance’s tears were by this time
flowing fast. ~A young American lady, touched by the
sight, tried to comfort her.
“ You are waiting for news of a friend ?”
“ Of my father,” sobbed she ; “oh! when will they tell.
as 2”?
-© As soon as is possible, everthing is done so quickly
now. See, here comes a messenger.”
_ She went forward and received the whispered message,
_ then turned to Gaspard.
“You must go in at once tosee your father ; be pre
33 - pared for the worst.”
“He is mortally wounded, then?” asked Gaspard, turner
ing pale. : : |
“1 fear so,’ replied the lady.
74 : WON BY WAITING.
Without a word, Gaspard took his sister by the hand,
and followed the messenger into a cool, airy tent, where,
notwithstanding the fresh cases which were constantly
pouring in, all was orderiy and well managed. They were
conducted past rows of pallid suiferers, to the bed where
M. de Mabillon lay. Gaspard saw at once that the end was
very near, and was more overcome than Esperance. Now
that the worst had come, she was tearless, her grief for the
time being overpowered by the joy of seeing herfather. The
nurse made room for her, and she knelt by the bedside,
smoothed his hair caressingly, and whispered his name.
He opened his eyes, smiling faintly.
“We have come to see you, dear papa, Gaspard and I.”
“ Gaspard’s wound ?” asked M. de Mabillon with diffi-
culty. | ,
“ Going on nicely, papa.”
He seemed relieved, then looking again to Gaspard,
spoke once more with great effort.
“Take care of Esperance, and promise me, Gaspard, to
leave Paris—when you can—take her to England.
Troubles will thicken here—”
He broke off suddenly—his features convulsed with pain,
his groans irrepressible. The nurse tried to persuade
_ Esperance to go, anxious to spare her the sight of her
father’s terrible suffering, but nothing could induce her te
leave him.
In the next lull he spoke to her..
‘We must not doubt, or question, little Esperance—
remember, ‘ Nous savons que toutes choses concourent ensemble
au bien.’” Then, as the agony grew more intense—*“ Speak
to me, Esperance—let me hear your voice.”
J] will sav your favorite lines, dear papa,” she faltered,
and in low, trembling tones, she repeated Victor Hugo's
beautiful verse : :
Vous qui pleurez, venez 4 ce Dieu, car i! pleure;
Vous qui souffrez, venez & lui, caril guérit,
Vous qui tremblez, venez 4 lui, car il sourit;
Vous qui passez, venez & Ini, car il demeure.”
The pain gradually died out of his face, and as Gaspard
and Hsperance bent down to kiss him, he even smiled.
Aiter that he noticed nothing, but lay with closed eyes,
sometimes murmuring the lines Esperance had repeated.
“ Venez ace Dieu,” aud the last time adding, faintly, «d
quérit.” 6 A faut minutes of unconsciousness elapsed, then 2
the last faint breath was drawn, and Benes de Mabillon’s
troubled life was over.
CHAPTER V.
Tout ce qui m’entourait me racontait ma perte:
Quand la nuit dans les airs jeta son crépe noir.
Mon pére & ses cdtés ne me fit plus asseoir,
- Et Jattendi en vain 4 sa place déserte
Une tendre: caresse, et le baiser du soir.
MULEVOYE.
Tur American lady, who had acted as nurse to M. de
Mabillon, did the kindest and most sensible thing she
could have done—took Esperance in her arms, and let her
cry quietly. Gaspard, meanwhile, was speaking to an at-
tendant about the funeral which was to take place early the
next morning. He soon returned to her side, speaking
very gently.
os Dear Espe1ance, we must come; we hinder mad-
ame.” |
With astrong effort, Esperance controlled herself suf-
ficiently to murmur thanks and farew ells, and allowed Gas-
pard to lead her away.
At the entrance they paused for a moment. It was
hard, very hard, to return tothe world. The sun shone
brightly, the street tratiic went on busily, all seemed
eruelly the same, while their lives had suddenly been
robbed of happiness.
Gaspard was, perhaps, the most to be pitied, for with
him _ rested, all the responsibility; already he felt the
charge of his little sister was no sinecure—already the
harassing thought of their poverty began to press upon
him. With this i in his mind, his first question was & prac-
tical one. :
“Can you walk, chérie? I think we ought hardly i
afford a fiacre.”
Perhaps she thought him a little heartless ; she just
inclined her head, and they walked home in perfect
gilence.
Meanwhile, Gaspard, tired out with the events of the
last two days, and weak from huuger and loss of blood,
began to grow faint. Once he stumbled and almost fell,
but Esperance was too much absorbed in her grief t&
Ko WON BY WAITING. ae
SUR TD i ate we tee
a a 5) oa oe >: Agee $
é
96 PAVON-BE OWATTING. ©.
_ notice, and from very necessity he forced himself to keep
up. | 3 |
- At length they reached home, and climbed the long
flight of stairs. Javotte, hearing their approach, came to
meet them, but Esperance cut short her inquiries and
clung to her sobbing. As for Gaspard, he passed on
quietly into the salon and groped his way to the sofa, just
conscious of relief in the feeling that he need no longer
make an effort to see through the gathering darkness—no
longer struggle to keep his sengas.
Javotte coming presently into the room gave a little
scream. “Mon Dieu! but it is impossible that we lose
Monsieur Gaspard, also!”
Esperance turned round in horror ; the white, uncon-
‘scious face did indeed look death-like.
She bent over him in an agony of grief. -
“ Ah, Javotte, I have been so selfish, I quite forgot how
tired he must be, and he said not a word.”
Wait then, child, he has only fainted; I will fetch some
wine—there! see, he revives. Ah! he grows like his
‘blessed father, who never complained.” . +
Esperance watched in anxious silence as by slow degrees
Gaspard struggled back to life. |
He would fain have resisted the returning consciousness,
- aware that there was a great weight upon his mind, and
- lenging to escape it. When, at last, he was recovered, and
-- openine his eyes saw Esperance’s tear-stained face, he ree
P 8 J
-» membered everything; and for the first time broke down
- eompletely.
- Esperance was thankful for those tears ; woman-like, she
loved Gaspard far more now that he gave way to his emo:
tion, than she had, when for her sake, he had borne up
-throuch the long walk. She crept nearer to him, and was
glad tofee] his arm round her, and his cold trembling
hand pressing hers. Nothing issuch a close umiter asa
- eommon grief; Gaspard and Esperance had never before
been so much to each other ! . Le2
Truth to. tell, Gaspard had hitherto been very much
_ gelf-engrossed. The early loss of his mother, and his sol-
itary education, had strengthened the natural tendency;
but privation, grief, and heavy responsibility, were doing
—*
Ve _ their best to rouse him.
Fsperance’s new love was a further help; she had always
_ been too much wrapped up in her father to spare many
thoughts for Gaspard, but now that he no longer needed
iat et Acts eer Mey Fr eh gna eles a gs JOU pe ON Te 0 eed | Po TE tn 4 A Pgh ert Se ca Pins ‘i
ashy ue NTN aes ee SS Sale OD ah yy « Apne ? a ‘ m=! y
‘ <- vir 4 Ne aK a } ‘| Pe Dee ae
‘WON BY WAITING. aw oe
her loving care, she was able to transfer all her solicitude -
to her brother. All this of course did not take place at _
once, but it had its date from that terrible evening when
in the cold, dark, lonely salon they first realized their a
orphanhood.
Who has HOE felt the utter misery of waking in the
morning after any great change, the sense of oppression,
‘the dawning consciousness, the awful realization? We
learn from the ver y keenness of the pain to value the for-
getfulness of sleep.
_ . Hsperance had passed through it all, when she awoke on —
that dreary ist of December. Everything reminded her
of her grief; the perpetual firing was still going on, but
one National Guard would never again serve his country;
there was the tramp of a battalion marching down the
_ street, but never more could she look from the window to
wave a farewell to her father ; within the house she could
hear Javotte preparing the coffee—only two cups would
_ be needed that morning. And then with a rush of tears,
Esperance for the first time asked the question which we
too often allow to imbitter our grief—“< Why?”
Why had this sorrow come to them? Why had her fa-
ther fallen, when hundreds of others had escaped? Why
_ did God allow war at all? If she could only see how good
—was to come out of evil!
Inthe midst of her questionings Javotte entered, a world
_ of love and tenderness in her wrinkled old face. Esperance,
for the first time, fully realized how great a comfort the
~_ faithful old servant was. _
“And my child has slept?’ she inquired, anxiously, her
harsh voice unusually softened.
“Yes,” sighed Hsperance, wearily. ‘Kiss me, please,
Javotte, I am ver y desolate.”
The old servant obeyed, murmuring soft terms of endear- -
ment over her, but Ksperance suddenly started back.
“Javotte, how terribly thin youhave grown! your bones
feel quite sharp.”
Javotte shruged her shoulders contentedly.
“That may be, child, but then one does not expect to — |
grow fat in a siege.”
But you are thinner than any one I have yet seen, much
more even than Madame Lemercier.’”’
__“Chut ! Why, child, I am an old woman,” replied
-- gavotte; shaking her head reprovingly ; one can not be
ie Ses young and unwrinkled But come ! take your -
38 + ‘WON BY WAITING.
ooffee, chérie, we lose our time, and I must go quickly te
the market or we shall grow thin too soon.’
paper ance was satistied for the time, and Javotte left the
room, glad to end the discussion, and murmuring under
her breath, “ My little blessed one! dost think I would net
rather starve than see thee suffer ?”.
sperance had just finished her toilet when she heare
Gaspard’s step on the staircase. She hastened to meet
~ him, surprised that he should have been out so early.
“Have you been to have yovr wound dressed?” she
asked. He did not answer for a minute, and then Esper-
ance understood that he had been to their father’s inter-
ment. |
“You should have taken m4, too,” she said, her eyes
2 filling. “Why did you go all alone?”
“1 did think of you, but you were sleeping, and I could
not bear to wake you ; bess/4es, it was a long walk to the
- cemetery ; you shall go t»: morrow, and take some immor-
telles.”
- She turned away and began to heat Gaspard’s coffee over
-a spirit-lamp.
* Did you see the Asmerican lady,” she asked, presently ;
“the one who was *0 kind ?”
Yes, I saw her for a moment, and she sent you this.”
He drew out a tittle packet, which Esperance opened
eagerly. Tt contained a lock of her father’s hair, and her
mother’s wedding-ring, which he had always worn.
“How geod, how kind of her to send them!” she ex-
claimed, tears running down her cheeks; “I shall always
love the Americans, Gaspard. a
- $he put on the slender ring reverently. It comforted
her a little on that dark day, and chee eh the a: ae
that *allowed.
CHAPTER VU
“Oh, blest are\they who live and die like thee ;
~ Loved with eh love, and with such sorrow mourned.
i The Excursion.
- Tas De Mabillons fet with a: creat aca. of sympathy,
notwithstanding that such losses-as theirs were now
every-day events. ‘ihe Lemerciers were kindness itself;
indeed, had it not been for madame’s solicitude, Esper:
oe
Shite %
~ ance wouid have fared badly. Gaspard’s wound healed all
too quickly, and by the middle of December he had re-
joined his battalion, leaving Esperance to her woman’s
WON BY WAITING 67 09
lot of anxious waiting. This, added to her grief and lone« -
liness, would soon have proved too much for her, had not _
Mme. Lemercier, on the very first day of Gaspard’s ab-
sence, paid a visit to the quairiéme étage, her kind little
eyes sparkling with satisfaction as she felt the briliancy
oi her new idea.
Esperance was sitting in a disconsolate attitude, wrapped |
in a shawl, and knitting as fast as her benumbed fingers
would allow. Madame’s bright eyes grew dim for @
moment; there was something inexpressibly sad in the
look of silent suffering, on such a young face. She made
haste to unfold her plan. =
“You feel very cold here,” she began, with a little. .
shiver put in for effect, as in reality she was burning with
excitement. ‘ Without doubt, the higher in the house, the
colder the rooms. Let me feel your hands, child. Dame!
but you will die of cold if you remain here much longer.”
“This is the worst day we have had,” said Zsperance,
“and Javotte says there is no possibility of getting coal,
or even coke; she has gone out now to try to obiain wood,
but they say it is very dear.”
: “Yes, and what is worse than that, it is scarce,” said
- madame, lowering her voice impressively; “1f you get it
to-day, you may not be able to-do so to-morrow.”:
Mme. Lemercier was usually so very sanguine that
Esperance was quite surprised to hear such gloomy fore-
bodings. Ske soon saw through the little device, how-
ever. Madame, thinking she had beaten about the bush
long enough, cleared her throat, smoothed her lace mit-
?
\
tens, and began. “My dear Esperance, I came to make a —
proposal to you. Yes, lay aside your knitting, for it is a
thing of importance—of importance, I repeat, for life is
- important even in a sieve.” :
- — Esperance thought of Gaspard, and said, “ Yes, madame.”
“It isa change of life, then, that I come to contemplate,”
continued madame. “Below, in our little salon, there
burns a fire of wood, a small fire. This morning, monsieur
said to me, ‘ Antoinette, which do you prefer, a fire or a
domestic? Wecan not keep both.’ After a little consid-
eration, I replied, ‘I prefer to have warmth.’ Thus you
see dear, I am without a servant. What takes place then?
- Tcome to pay a visit to recount my troubles. What do I
_” the 2st.
ee i , Be —- - — et i a hard ak ak
ed : Ps. yee. ~ ee s fd Se
7 ae, ¥ > " eye oR
30 WON BY WAITING. ,
find? That you have aservant, but no fire; while I have
a ure, but no servant.” |
| Madame paused, out of breath... Esperance clapped hex
- hands gayly. |
« And you think we might unite our forces? Ah! but it
is a good idea!” )
“Really? You finditso? And your brother, will he —
“g@pprove?”
e ‘““Oh, yes, doubtless. He and Monsieur Lemercier can
talk politics all the evening. Picture to yourself how they
will argue!” i
After a consultation with Javotte, the arrancement was
finally settled, and Esperance was so happily excited by
the aates of quarters that. the day passed by almost
quickly.
_ Gaspard returning in the evening, was thankful enough
tofind a fire awaiting him, and though the conversation
turned entirely on the proposed sortie, Esperance could not
find it in her heart to be wholly unhappy,’ buttresolved to
3 enjoy the present while it was hers, and for the future to
hope. :
he next few days were particularly trying; the sortie
_ ‘was several times arranged, and then put off ina way that
taxed every one’s patience sorely.
On the night of the 20th, however, Gaspard really was
obliged to march, and Esperance was painfully reminded
of the terrible parting before the last sortie. The recol-
lection, however, was not without its comfort, for was not
her father beyond the reach of all pain; and weariness, and.
- hardship? She could not help being really thankful now,
even though the desolation and loneliness were so hard to
_ bear,
- Mme. Lemercier devised all manner of distractions for
her, a visit to the Ladies’ Society for Working for the Sick
and Wounded, a walk with monsieur, and 1rew books ra
read, The news was not very cheering-—severe 4 vhting for
eight hours, and little, if anything, gained. this was ou
- _.,.On the evening of the next day every one felt dull and.
depressed; madame, her chair drawn close to the little fire,
- could not suppress a heavy sigh every now and then,
though each time it escaped her she would give a little
~ couch, hoping to deceive Esperance. Javotte—who, of
course, had a share in the one fire—sat, rosary in hand,
murmuring “Aves” for M. Gaspard. Esperance, looking
SEP Ary Saker roi | eek Nae E
Eee Sst Oe ON > .
i
<2 em
EE
WON BY WAITING. |
very pale and anxious, was eading Dumas’ ‘Tulipe
Noire” aloud, trying hard to seem interested im the ad-
ventures of Cornelius and Rosa, while she strained her
ears to catch the faintest sound from below.
Gryphus was in the very act of discovering “la tulipe,”
Cornelius in an agony of grief, when Esperance suddenly
stopped, and’ sprung to tke door. Steps were slowly
ascending the stairs, M. Lemercier’s voice was heard mak-
ing some uncomplimentary remark about Trochu—a hoarse
voice assenting, A minute more, and Gaspard dragged
himself into the dimly lighted room, almost falling into the
nearest chair, while M. Lemercier hastened to reassure
Esperance. .
“No, no, he is not wounded, my dear mademoiselle, only
~ worn out with the fatigue and the cold. Some hot brandy
and water, Antoinette ; we shall soon revive him, do not
fear.”
Esperance took the musket from the stiff, benumbed
hands, and bent down to kiss her brother, starting back in
‘ horror to find his mustache quite frozen. He was just
enough alive to be amused at her terror, and to whisper,
_ hoarsely, that it would thaw very soon.
_ Mme. Lemercier and Javotte began to tend him with
great delight; it was their first attempt at nursing, and
between their care, the warmth, and the restoratives,
Gaspard was soon relieved, and able to give some account
of the sortie, which had been unsuccessful.
This intense cold was of long duration. It told fearfully
upon the National Guard, so much so, indeed, that asmany
as could possibly be spared, were sent back to Paris. Gas-
pard had taken a violent chill and was ill in bed, and Espe-
rance, while thankful to have him safe at home, was ter-
ribly distressed at the short rations of unappetizing horse-
flesh, which, in his weak state, he found almost uneatable.
She, for the first time, fully realized all the discomforts ot
the siege, and longed impatiently for an end to their priva-
tion and misery. :
Christmas was not quite so sad as she had anticipated.
To begin with, Gaspard was much better, and able to come
down to the Lemerciers’ salon, and madame was so bricht
and cheerful that it was impossible not to cacch something
of her humor. ;
Then, too, there was a great surprise. Javotte returned
from her marketing with a beaming face; she had been
standing en queue for houre. but whatjoy} she had brought
ce OIE Era atl et REP ate See NEY toa, oe ee ede be her ns cartel Mapas
ea ae eee er een ahi lite ince XS ten BN Null? > het ara
AD eee ease = Hue samacauhiny py Sage kN an Tae hates eae mi
ss pea igi Ps. Rerakigt en ats Yat Ta te _] 2
~
32 WON BY WAITING
home rations of beef, and a little butter, luxuries long ua-
heard of. |
Such good fortune did not come again, however. Food
became more and more scarce, the thermometer still re-
mained twelve degrees below zero, and there was no pros-
pect of relief. :
The Jour de lan dawned gloomily, even Mme. Lemercier
felt a little depressed, everything was so triste; no presents, _
no amusements, no gayeties of any description, but a gray
sky, a mourning people, and distant firing. j
M. Lemercier went to a political lecture at-the republi-
cap club to which he belonged, Gaspard insisted on join-
ing his battalion, Javotte went out to the market, and Es-
perance and madame were left to their own devices.
_ Hsperance began to make a wreath of immortelles for
her father’s grave. Madame sat knitting for some time ;
at last she spoke—but hurriedly—and as if she disliked
her subject.
“Hsperance, mon amie, do you not think that our poor
Javotte grows very thin ?”
Esperance started. ee
“I told her so only the other day but she merely
laughed, and said one did not expect to grow fat in a siege.
Do you think she is ill, dear madame ?”
“ T have thought so for long, my poor child ; but do not
_ grieve, I may be mistaken. What makes me anxious is
this: for the last two days I have kept watch with great
care to see what she eats, and as far-as I can tell only two
amall pieces of bread has she taken.” |
Esperance’s eyes filled with tears.
_ “Jt must have been in order that Gaspard and = should
have enough! My poor Javotte! how selfish 1 have been!
but even then it seemed so little.” KE) :
While they were still talking of her, Javotte entered
with her small market-basket, which, though light enough,
seemed to hang heavily on her arm. She was an ugly
old woman, with a very yellow, wrinkled face, made still
more conspicuous by her pure white cap and scarlet neck-
erchief ; but there was something pathetic in her little
black eyes, and in her odd, harsh voice as she said, ‘‘' The
rations are but small to-day, chérie, but they say that at
-the Marché St. Germain there are some pretty little dogs
and cats for sale.” > 5
Esperance could not help laughing.
* Yes, yes, L told you so, madame—‘ Boucherie canine eo
WON BY WAITING. a 88
fhtine? T have seen it with my own eyes. - Doubtless that
is where my poor Minette went the other day, when we —
missed her! But, Javotte! Javotte! what is it?” for
davotte had suddenly turned pale and would have ieee
_ had madame not guided her to a chair.
‘© Dear child, do not fear,” faltered the old servant; “itis
only the cold—I shall be warm soon.’
Mme. Lemercier made her swallow some brandy, which
revived her for a few minutes, but she soon sank agaia
into a semi-conscious state, and though Esperance chafed
the-wrinkled old hands, she could get no warmth into them. |
Madame began to be alarmed, and M. Lemercier coming.
on at that minute, was sent to fetch the doctor. They made
a temporary bed close to the fire, and between them carried
her to it, shocked to find what a light weight she was.
- Then madame prepared some hot gruel, while Fisperance
sat sorrowfully watching the inanimate form, full of sad
- forebodings.
. At length the pale lips moved, and Esperanee bent down
“h to catch the faint words. :
“ Mon enfant bien-aimé, who will goto the market for
you when lam dead? You must not go out unprotected.”
~ ©Qh! my poor Javotte, do not Ree so. You must not
~ die, indeed you must not.”
_ Well, my pretty, I should like to live, I have eek
that I may live to the end of the siege, that I might take
care of you; but I think it will not be, for I feel mysel
~ very tired.”
“Dear, dear Javotte! you have done so much for us,
See, madame brings you some gruel, I will feed you.”
Javotte seemed thoroughly roused; her black eyes turned
anxiously in the direction of the eruel.
« Madame has not used the good oatmeal for me? Ah,
what a pity! it should have been for Monsieur Gaspard to-
nicht; and suchalarge cup. No,no, I cannot drink it.”
Even Mme. Lemercier could not restrain her teara
- Hsperance, with a bitter cry, threw herself down by the
- bedside.
“Oh! Javotte, Javotte! you have been starving your-~
self for our sake, and now it is too late!”
Before she had recovered herself, M. Lemercier re-
turned with the doctor. But alas, there was nothing to be
done, the poor old woman was evidently dying—cold,
hunger, and her own self-denial had nowy but surely
done their Work,
34 WON BY WAITING.
Esperance waited for the end in heart-broken silence.
At Javotte’s request she brought the carved, black rosary,
and placed it in the withered, nerveless fingers, while, with
failing breath, the old woman murmured a prayer; then,
with trembling fingers, she placed the beads round Esper-
ance’s neck. | ;
“ Pour souvenir of your poor Javotte,” she whispered.
Madame asked if she would not see a priest, and she ase ”
sented faintly, but before he arrived the soul of the faiti-
ful old servant had passed away. Her last look had been
for Esperance. The poor child, full of grief and self-re-
proach, had bent down to kiss the cold brow, and had
whispered, “ Dear Javotte, you have given your life for us!’
And Javotte had looked up with a beautiful smile, and
said, “ Mon enfant bien-aimé, what would you then? I love
you.”
Then the smile had died away, and she had fallen asleep
like a little child.
Javotte had seemed only an ignorant old peasant woman;
all- felt now that she was indéed a saint.
While they were still standing round the bed, the priest
entered with his salutation of peace. Madame hastened
to tell him that it was all over, and related poor Javotte’s
story; and Esperance felt a strange thrill at her heart as _
she heard him reply.
“¢And the king shall answer and say unto them, ‘ Verily
T say unto you, inasmuch as you have done it unto one of
the least of these My brethren, ye have done it unto me,’” —
CHAPTER ‘VIL
To fear is harder than to weep—
To watch, than to endure.
The hardest of all griefs to bear
Is a grief that is not sure,
FABER.
Tae horrors of the bombardment of the city were now
added to all the previous misery. Small-pox and famine
had been carrying off hundreds and hundreds of the inhab- _
itants; now a fresh agent of death made its appearance.
The first few days were full of terror to Mme. Lemer-
cier and to HMsperanee. Numbers of shells had fallen in
their immediate neighborhood, and they dreaded leaving —
the house. But this alarm wore off with the novelty, and ~
Ca yor. pe. eet a i. we a ¥ = >> = %
Glee ag! 6 “a Ok iat rs ‘ r ~
Sra WON BY WAITING. | Sea Sse
very soon they went about as unconcernedly as if no dan-
ger existed. : ~
Poor Esperance felt Javotte’s death deeply. Almost
unconsciously she had leaned upon the good old servant,
and now that her father was dead, and Gaspard scarcely
ever at home, she felt very lonely, and often in need of
adviee and help, which no one could give. Mme. Lemer-
cier, good and kind as she was, could not fill the vacant
place; hers was a good-natured, but weak character,
wholly unfit for any sort of guidance, and Esperance
needed a much stronger support.
_ The days passed by slowly and painfully. Once only,
a ray of comfort came, and for atime the sinking spirits
of the Parisians were raised. News was brought from the
provinces by a carrier-pigeon, that Faidherbe had driven
back the enemy in the Pas-de-Calais; that an unknown
general at Nuits, with 10,000 men, had beaten the Prus-
sians with 25.000; and that Garibaldi was at Dijon gather-
ine recruits.
_M. Lemercier was much elated at such an unexpected
turn of fortune ; and even Gaspard, who of late had been
despondent, grew more cheerful, and his spirits were a
better guage than M. Lemercier’s, for he was exposed to
far more danger and hardship.
Three months of real experience as a National Guard of
the marching battalions, had taught Gaspard more about
life than his whole previous education. The discipline
had been severe, the hardship great, the failure and disap-
- pointment very trying, but they had all done their work,
and under weir influence Gaspard was greatly changed.
Esperance soon iound this out, even in the short visits
he paid her, end ie! that he was growing far more like
their father than she had ever ventured to hope. This
knowledge, however, sweet as it was, served to make their
partings far more painful, and she looked forward with
dread to the next sortie, which all knew must soon be
attempted.
One last effort was to be made; if that failed there
would be no hope left for Paris. Even Esperance, in her
grief, was roused to a mo~e patriotic feeling than she had
hitherto shown, and this helped to make the parting, on
the night of the 18th of January, rather more bearable
for was not this the “sortie du desespoir?” There was
something grand, inspiring, in the very name.
The time passed by wearily to the anxious Parisians.
86 | WON BY WAITING,
isperance thought no day in the whole siege had been
quite so long and oppressive. M. Lemercier, coming in
about noon, reported that the movements of the troops had
been much hindered by a fog, but that the battle was now
at its height, the attempt being to force the Prussian lines
between Montretout and La Marche. _.
With this news they were obliged to content themselves
for some time. It was not till dark that M. Lemercier re- :
turned; and then to Eisperance’s joy, he was not alone. In -
the dim light she could just discern the uniform of a
National Guard, and with an eager exclamation she hur-
ried forward, but suddenly checked herself, unable to con-
ceal her disappointment, for it was not Gaspard.
M. Zemercier hastened to introduce the stranger, and
Esperance, with truly French politeness, recovered herself
at once. :
“Pardon, monsieur, I was expecting my brother. Do
you bring us news?” turning to M. Lemercier.
Yes, mon amie, news of Gaspard, but I trust not alto-
gether bad- news. Courage! Do not tremble so. Mon-
-sieur Ambrosin, who is a comrade of your brother, tells us
that he is wounded, but I hope not seriously.” —
“ Mon Dieu! when did he fall. Where did you leave
him, monsieur? Surely, surely he is not still on the field?”
She looked at M. Ambrosin, her eyes full of agonized
entreaty. 3 .
“T hope not; but mademoiselle will understand that,
in the midst of fighting, I can really hardly tell what hap-
pened. We had taken Montretout, for some time.our
men held it gallantly, but later in the day we were forced
to evacuate it. In the retreat 1 was beside monsieur, your
brother, when a ball struek him, and he fell. I think he
was only stunned, but mademoiselle knows that there is
no pause in a retreat. ‘There were ambulances near. . It is
very possible that he is at this moment in this city, being
carefully attended to.” — |
_ Hsperance shuddered. That ‘‘bien possible” was positive
torture to her. Wasit not also very possible that he was
still on the battle-field, lying out there in the cold, among
the dead and the dying, perhaps dying himself—and alone!
Her tears fell fast, as in imagination she pictured all this
to herself. A movement from M. Lemercier aroused her.
She found M. Ambrosin taking leave, and. in spite of her
swimming eyes, called up a sweet little farewell smile, and
a few broken words of gratitude for his xindness.,
oa:
_ He left the room, and madame, with loving words and
éaresses strove to comfort Esperance.
“ Poor little one,” she said, tenderly; “all the troubles of
life come to you. But do not cry, dear child; no doubt
Gaspard is but slightly wounded. Has he not passed
tirough the rest of the siege without hurt—save, indeed,
- tact arm wound, which was but a trifle?”
* Dat the uncertainty,” sobbed poor Esperance; “I could ©
bear it, if I only knew all, even if he were'dead.” Then as
_ madame could find no reply, she started up with despairing
- energy, “ Madame, I must know where heis! I must find
lim! Iwill go to the ambulances.”
_. She hurried: away to her own room, snatched up her ~
cloak and hat, and in half a minute was again in the salon,
where M. and Mme. Lemercier were discussing the possi-
/ bility of her enterprise.
_ Monsieur, who was oc kind-hearted little man, came to
mect her with a mixture of affected gallantry aud true
sympathy, which would have amused her at any other —
time. : | |
- Dear mademoiselle,” he began, “do you rightly under-
stand the difficulty of your task? ‘The ambulances are
scattered about the city in every direction; the night is
~ eold, it will be too much for you. Iwill make every pos- —
‘sible inquiry if you will permit—”
Aisperance interrupted him. y
“ Monsieur is too good ; if you will indeed go with me,
~ T ghall have no difficulty, it will be far easier for me to
bear than waiting here. Let us come at once if you cana
--_ really spare the time. Adieu, dear madame ; give us your
good wishes.” :
The night air felt cold and chill as Esperance and her
companion walked down thestreet; the lamps had long
aso ceased to be lighted, and their progress would have _
been slow had’ not M. Lemercier known every inch of the —
sround.
waited, though with scarcely any hope of success. It seemed
hours before her companion returned, and then, once more, ~
game the weary answer: “1t is no use—he is not there.”
M. Lemercier was now more than ever bent upon going
home, and she had scarcely strength to resist his urging.
Ié was not till he was on the very point of calling a jiacre
that she was fully roused. The very realization of wnat the
relief would be, reminded her also of her object, quicken-
ine all her powers, and renewing her grief, which for the
time had been half numbed. ~ :
“ Tndeed, monsieur, I would rather walk,” she exclaimed,
with sufficient energy to surprise M. Lemercier, “and we
have yet to inquire af. the Théatre Francais.”
“Ah, it is true,” said monsieur, reflectively. ‘You are |
a veritable heroine, mademoiselle; and if you are really —
wble to do so we will proceed. No, citoyen,’ to the driver |
WON BY WAITING. 39
of the fiacre, “ one must walk on foot during a siege. Take
my advice, and eat your horse while he is yours.’
The driver growled out something about “a fare,” and
“ adding to the rations;” but they were soon out of hearing
of his grumbling. Esperance had been a litile surprised
at the friendly “citoyen” bestowed by M. Lemercier on the
driver. She was still unaccustomed to Republican man-
ners, and this little incident, trifling as it was, filled hez
thoughts during the walk.
She was quite exhausted when they reached the Théatre
- Frangais, and waited wearily in the vestibule, unheedful of
the comers or goers—half stupefied by grief, cold, and fa-
tigue, while in her brain was a wild confusion of battle-
- fields, ambulances, and citoyen drivers. Before M. Lemer-
-eier returned she had quite lost consciousness, and in her
dark corner remained unnoticed for some time.
She returned to life a little later to find M. Lemercier
bending over her, a mixture of anxiety and half-suppressed
excitement in his face. He gave an exclamation of relief
as she opened her eyes. 3
*“ Ah, she recovers! Dear mademoiselle, be comforted; I
have good news for you. See, then, who is here!”
_ Hsperance, thus appealed to, opened her heavy eyelids
again, but only saw the statue of Voltaire. This roused
her. She sat up, rubbed her eyes, and before she had
_ time to look again, found Gaspard’s arms round her, his
well-known voice once more in her ears.
_ Poor tired little one! And so you have been wander-
- ing all over Paris to tind me!”
She could not look or speak then, but just put her head
down on his shoulder and sobbed for joy, while her whole
being waa raised in a wordless thanksgiving.
M. Lemercier, who luckily was too true a Frenchman to
_ dislike a “scene,” waited patiently till she recovered her-
self before he proposed that they should return.
Then, for the firct time, looking up, Esperance saw that
Gaspard’s head was bandaged, and, forgetting her own
fatigue, began to make eager inquiries.
The wound was happily but a slight one, and Gaspard
would have been sent home sooner, but when brought in
from the field he had been, like many others, overcome by
sleep, and so had been delayed. When ali had been thus.
satisfactorily explained, M. Lemercier went to find a car-
riage, this time in good earnest. He, however, declined to —
take a seat in it himself, and sent a message by Esperance
. oo PE UIRE ae Sean So Ac r= es ae
“ A t r, * V . 2 7
40 ; WON BY WAITING.
to his wife to the effect that she need not expect him to ms
return before morning.
During the long walk he had been making all manner of ©
observations; discontented words from passers-by had
caught his ear, disjointed sentences of murmuring against
Trochu, and vacue hopesof establishing Flourens. Fullof
hope for his ideal Commune, hoe walked off excitedly in the
direction of Belleville, thankful that good fortune had
. favored his search for Gaspard de Mabillon, and rejoicing -
that he was now free to serve ‘‘ da patrie.”
Esperance and Gaspard, mean while, had renchad home
safely, and were so much engrossed in each other that they
scarcely heeded the genérale, which, at eleven o'clock, re-
sounded through the city to summon the National Guard to
attack the Hotel de Ville. The insurrection, however, was -
but trifling ; and, although fora few days M. Lemercier
wag Very sanguine, he was soon obliged to confess that it
had been unsuccessful, and that for the present the Com-
munists must bide their time.
CHAPTER VIIL
Kingdoms that long have stood,
And slow to strength and power attain’d at last.
Thus from the summit of high fortune’s flood
Ebb to their ruin fast,
SourHey.
“Tr is shameful! abominable! unbearable! We could.
have held for another month, at least! We will resist ; we
will not allow it, such atrocious conditions—such conces-
sions to those beggarly Prussians!”
Gaspard was panting with rage and vexation, M. Le-
mercier having just brought in the news that the armis- -_
tice was signed.
Madame could not help giving a sigh of relief, and Espe-
rance might have followed her example had she not re-
ligiously ‘tried to sympathize with Gaspard’s views. She
asked @ safe question.
“Ts it all over then ?”
* Practically,” replied M. Lemercier, “unless, indeed,
we Communists can egg on the populace, which, as the
Flourens insurrection failed, is more than doubtful.”
“Think hcw tbey will exult over us, the monsters! Tt
is surely impossible that France can submit to such terms
ay
SS SSR. tao eee, | AAR Pat eee or ae
‘qhile her sons sill live! We will compel Vinoy to lead
us forward once more! We will show Trochu that his
signature is of no avail if the chiluren of France do not |
@pprove |”
= WON BY ‘ware a
Gaspard paused, out of breath and exhausted by his
excitement; for, despite his lofty projec’ of future resist-
ance and another sortie, his wound was by no means ree
- govered.
M. Lemercier seized the opportunity for lamenting his
pet grievance.
* And you have imprisoned the only man who has any
spirit—any public feeling! If Fleurens were—Bien / what
would you, Antoinette ? =
“Do you not see how you are exciting our convalesvent ?
Go, then, and find us some fresh news, and wait another
week before you try to make Monsieur Gaspard a Commu-
nist. Now tranquilize yonrself, mousieur, or your face will
be permanently disfigured.”
M. Lemercier obediently left the room, and Gaspard fol-
- lowed his nurse’s directions, though, perhaps, not for the
all-sufficient reason she had given. Hsperance wondered
why he looked so utterly miserable; she said nothing, how-
ever, until a trifling incident solved the mystery. Some one
passed the window singing the “ Marseillaise;’ the com- ~
plete mockery of the words could not but strike her, and,
looking up as the thoughtless passenger sung—
*¢Le jour de gloire est arrivé,”
she saw that tears of grief and humiliation had escaped
Gaspard. He hid his face with a bitter groan, and Esper-
ance realized for the first time how great was his love for
_ France.
The siege was virtually at an end, but it was not till
ane nearly the middle of February that food. became cheaper,
‘and still the Prussians were encamped round Paris, their
presence galling the humiliated people.
Every onc felt that the troubles of France were by no
means at an end, and M. Lemercier grew daily more hope-
ful for his Commune. Esperance was sorely disappointed;
~ ghe had ‘hoped for a speedy deliverance from all privation
and distress ; but, instead of this, the aspect of affairs grew
blacker each dav, and Gaspard. who, even in the worst ‘days
- of the siege, had been bright and hopeful, was now
given up either to indignant puleteiae or to settled —
p eeeacholy: |
/
* AD WON BY WAITIN |
Esperance trie? obediently to grow azsriotic, and suee
ceeded in hating he Prussians very cordially, taking great
pleasure in hang..:¢ a black fiack from the window to greet
them, when, on the Ist of March they entered to take pos-
session of Paris. Still she could not but look forward to
the time when they could leave France and find a safe,
quiet refuge in England. As the weary days passed cn,
and M. Lemercier talked of the Commune, she longed for
it more and more, and made up her mind to ask Gaspard
about it the very next opportunity.
Now that his wound was healed she saw very little of
him; he was out all day, and often far into the night, and
for the last few days Esperance had fancied him changed —
grown more hopeful, yet at the same time restless and ex
cited.
It was now the 17th of March, seven weeks from the
actual capitulation. ‘There was no longer any difficulty in
leaving the city, and as Esperance sat in the lonely salon
waiting for Gaspard’s return, she could not help thinking
of her father’s last charge, that they should leave Paris as
soon as possible. Had Gaspard forgotten, she wondered.
At any rate she would remind him of it, and that very
evening, too.
As if to favor her design he came in alone, and appar-
ently in good spirits.
“So you are alone, chérie; itis well T returned. Where
is madame ?”
“Gone to visit a friend. I am so glad you ure come
back, for I wanted to speak to you, Gaspard. I never seem
to see you now.”
“Tis true, dear; but what can you expect in such days
as these? The whole city is in agitation, the mob is
growing furious ; we may expect a second Revolution any
day, and this time I think we Communists shall succeed.
The country must stand first, you know ; itis not that I
love you less.”
Ksperance’s heart sunk. So this was Gaspard’s view of
the subject. Was it possible that he had really become
a Communist ? that his patriotism had degenerated to
this ?
For the first time she felt that it was impossible to agree
wita him, and there was a keenly pained tone in her voice
as she asked :
“Then you have adopted Monsieur Lemercier’s views ?
What would my father have thought of such a change ?”
WON BY WAITING. 43
Gaspard looked a little surprised, then doubtful, and
finally angry. :
“ Do not atten pt to talk politics, please, Esperance : I
trust no sister of mine will ever set up for a ‘/emme
savante.’ ”
Her lips grew white with pain, not so much from the
actual unkindness as from grief at the change which must
have passed over Gaspard ; never in her whole life had
he spoken to her so bitterly.
She replied, not angrily, but unadvisedly .
* As you would ; but have you forgotten your promise to
our father ?” :
“ What promise ?”
“'To leave France as soon as possible, and settle in Eng-
land.” :
“England?” Gaspards’s countenance fell; he had in-
deed forgotten.
He was so completely taken aback, the idea was evi-
dently so distasteful to him, that Esperance forgot their
quarrel in trying to comfoit Lim. But, alas! all she could
say only made matters still worse. Gaspard received her
caresses in gloomy silence, and finally rose, with an im}]a-
tient exclamation ceized his hat and strode out of the rocm
without a word of farewell or explanation.
It would be hard to say which was the more miserable
of the two; perhaps Esperance had less cause for self-re-
proach, but certainly her reflections were sad enough, as
hour by hour she sat watching and hoping for Gaspard’s
return.
She listened and waited in vain, however, for he did not
come home atall that night. Esperance’s words were ring-
ing in his ears, tormenting lim, hauting him, do what he
would. Must he indeed leave France just at this mest
exciting moment? Would his father have exacted such a
promise if he had foreseen all that would happen? M.
Lemercier had indoctrinated him, to some extent, in his
cominunistic principles, and he could not-fail to wish to be
present during the coming struggle.
And then to add to his difficulties, poverty began to
stare him in the face. He had been too much occupied of
_ late tospare many thoughts for money matters, but he was
aware that their income was oj the smallest. How could
they manage the removal into another country? How could
he support himself wben cnce they were there? Was not
Engiand already swarming with exiled Frenchmen ?
«44 2 WON BY WAITING,
In the midst of his reverie he was accosted by M. Lemefe
cier, who was walking excitedly in an opposite direction.
* De Mabillon! the : very man I wanted. Our little affair
is progressing most favorably; to-morrow we may expecta
fracas that will make all FKurope ring. Come, then, with
me, you shall be initiated.” And linking his arm in Gas-
pard’s he walked off in the direction of the Faubourg St. |
; jAntoine.
Bat in spite of the all-exciting plots and wild schemes
which were that night revealed ‘to him, Gaspard was per- -
sistently haunted by Esperance’s pale, reproachful. face;
and, though he listened with excited pleasure to M. Lemet-
cier’s proposals, he felt an uncomfortable. twinge when he
remembered how he had pained his sister.
Esperance slept little that night; she was sore at heart,
and full of anxiety for Gaspard. °Neither he nor M. - Lemer-
_ eier had returned nextimorning, andthe day wore onslowly
and gloomily. Madame, by way of “distraction,” took Hs-
perance to the cemetery; but the visit to her father’s grave
only renewed her grief, and made her lone more than ever
for his help and advice. She wept so passionately that
Mme. Lemercier wasiquite distressed, and began to apolo-
gize profusely for her foolish idea, her ill-conceived plan.
On the way home they heard confused reports of a Com-
munist insurrection, but nothing definite. Madame was, of
course, much interested, knowing that her husband would
probably take a prominent part in any rising, and Esp erance
shivered as she remembered that very possibly Gaspard
might be involved in it, too.
They walked home almost in silence. Madame was eager
for news, however, and stayed below talking to the porter,
while Esperance, taking her key, went up alone to their own
rooms.
She had not waited long before footsteps were heard
without. The door opened quickly and Gaspard entered,
looking very pale and exhausted.
Esperance gave an astonished exclamation at his appear-
ance, and her heart beat quickly as she wondered if he had
indeed been assisting in the insurrection. But her doubts
were soon dispelled ; in another moment she was in his
arms, while he poured out incoherent regrets and expla-
nations of his last night’s behavior.
She was wonder fully relieved, It was not for some min-
_ utes that she returned to the subject that had all day
‘ filled her thoughts, and asked what had been happening.
ee
WON BE TONG, =
Gaspard turned away with a groan. |
bE Do not ask for details, it is too horrible. Lemercier
told me yesterday that there would probably be a grand |
fracas. Hehad talked me into half believing in his ideal
BS Jommune—it sounds well enough in theory, and somehow
46nightit was exciting, and I, like a fool, really believed
‘it was for the best. But when it was broad daylight, and
- gone could see the mob looking more like demons than men,
-- thenI began to doubt. God be thanked, I had no hand
in it, for it was a butchery, Esperance, nothing less—
- General Lecomte and Clement Thomas both murdered !
Figure to yourself an old man, single-handed, against q
- multitude— dragged down—slaughtered! Ah! it waa’
frightful— frightful !” sae 23"
- Hepaused, shuddering with horror, as he saw once more, _
in imagination, the terrible scene. It was not that he had
for the first time gazed upon a horrible spectacle. For
- months he had been exposed to all the terrors of the siege,
‘war and bloodshed were perfectly {.miliar to him, but this
day every noble feeling within him had been outraged.
His whole soul revolted from the barbarity of the assault,
and the thought that only a few hours before he had well-
- _nigh sided with the murderers, added to his horror.
Esperance did not allow him to think over it all much
~- Jonger. She knelt down beside Lim, and strove, by every °
possible endearment to divert bis mind. He looked up,
. trying to smile, but something in her face upset him com-
_ pletely. He turned away with a quick sob.
_ Faithless wretch that I have been! forgetting my
_ promise, forgetting you, thinking only of that abominable
— ©Oommune. Esperance, we will leave Paris now ; I will not
let you stay here a single day longer. You areiil, I know,
_ though you have said nothing, and my hateful neglect has
been making you suffer. Ask Madame Lemercier to help
you in your preparations, and I will go out now, at once,
= see what can be arranged. It shall be to-morrow, at
latest.”
-___ _ He hurried away, leaving Esperance ina flutter of ex-
__ eitement, thankful indeed at the prospect of leaving Paris,
and yet with a little mixture of regret, and a vague, un-
__ defined fear, that, after all, England might not prove all
- ghe expected. :
_ ifme. Lemercier was much distressed at Gaspard’s sud-
_ den plan; she had grown very fond of Heperance, and to
se her now, at a time when she was like{ 3 to see scarcely
Monraten
es
-
cS
J * 7.
ri gill SaaS a alae
yep tae as Pua oe Sep ess hee es oh BD nce eae Reset 4 Ed ae RE SES ap ae oe
whet tage aia Ties | - ee ee o al SEER ain) See a .
x) WON BY WAITING. >
anything of her husband, was doubly trying. -She proved
her love, however, by the greatest kindness, and spent half
the nigitin helping Esperance to pack their wordlv goods.
They were tu start early the next morning. Gaspard
had obtained passports, and had done the best he could to
settle his various accounts, but everything was in such
confusion, owing to the war and the siege, that his ar-
rangements were anything but satisfactory, and he was.
obliged to leave much to M. Lemercier’s care. He went
home with the unpleasant conviction that everything was
in a very bad way, and that the war had put the finishing
touch to the fallen fortunes of the De Mabillons. |
They were just about to start the next morning, when
M. Lomercier returned, wearied with his labors, but full
of triumph; he was astonished to find a fiacre standing at
the door, and trunks being carried down-stairs, but still
more so, when, on reaching the salon, he saw that Esper-
ance and Gaspard were in traveling attire.
“ De Mabillon! I have been wondering where on earth
_you could be! What means this? You are not going
away on this most propitious of days?”
Gaspard answered gravely:
“T can not agree with you in thinking it propitious;
our country has disgraced herself by that foul murder
yesterday. Never, never, will your Commune prosper,
which began with such meanness, such barbarity !”
M. Lemercier looked pained and- surprised, but not
ashamed.
“ Monami! I grant that we had a painful scene yester-
day-——but it was necessary—I am convinced it was neces-
sary. Struggle and bloodshed there must be, but at last
we shall establish true liberty—true equality—-and Paris
will be free.”
Esperance was astonished to see how thoroughly in
earnest was the speaker.- His face lighted up with an
expectant hope, there was something noble in his aspect
—and yet surely he was greatly mistaken. She won-
dered whether Gaspard’s resolution would be shaken, and
_ looked up anxiously, but there was no sign of change in
his grave, determined face.
He dropped the subject of the Commune without fur-
ther remark, and began to thank the Lemerciers for all
their kindness; and then, amid tears, embraces, good
wishes, and regrets, the brother and sister took leave of
their home.
WON BY WAITING. 49 -
CHAPTER IX
Si le malheur te suit dans ta carriére
- Arme ton cour d’une noble fierté ;
On est timide alors qu’on désespére.
Un front serein brave l’adversité.
Mme. PERRIER.
Tar journey was a sad one. Now that the parting had
really come, Esperance longed to stay, and Gaspard,
though his resolve was quite immovable, felt as if he were
leaving his heart in Paris. Then,too, all their fellow-pas- -
sengers were sad and desponding, and the murder of Cle-
ment Thomas formed the staple of conversation, which did
not tend to raise Gaspard’s spirits.
Every one seemed relieved when they arrived at Calais;
the bustle at the station, the hurried search for luggage,
and going on board the steamer, all served to divert their
thoughts. It was not till they had fairly started, that Hs-
perance realized that they had actually left France, and
then a strange, dreary feeling of homelessness crept over
her, and she gazed at the receding shore through a mist
of tears. But in a minute or two Gaspard, elancing down,
saw her trouble, put his arm round her protectingly, and.
whispered, “ Courage, dear! we are doing what our father
wished. I do not doubt for 2 moment that it is best. You
will try to bear it?”
And Esperance, looking up with eves full of love and
trust, said, “I will bear anything—everything, with you”
—unconsciously repeating the words with which she had
answered her father when they were leaving the chateau.
The landing at Dover was inexpressibly dreary. It was
‘dark, and cold, and windy. All the French passengers were
in a fever of eood- tempered anxiety about their luggage,
and the few English passengers made matters worse by
their cool collectedness, and seemed persistently to stand
in every one’s way.
Esperanse was hurried along, she knew not whither
nor cared, so long as she had held of Gaspard’ s arm—and
eventually found herself safely in a railway carriage, being
scanned from head to foot by sundry pairs of En clish
eyes. She, herself, took a rapid survey of her fellow-
travelers, wondered why they were so quiet; hoped that
in the course of their staring they would notice Gaspard’s
honorable scar, and, aiter an animated discussion with her —
48 WON BY WAITING.
brother, as to the comparative merits of French and Eng-
lish railway accommodation, settled herself comfortably
and went to sleep, her head resting on Gaspard’s shoulder.
She woke just before they reached Victoria Station,
feeling dreadfully tired and hungry. The English travel-
érs had by this time thawed a little, and two or three of
the gentlemen were talking together. Esperance decided © 7
that English was certainly the harshest and most weari-
some of languages. ie
Then came the arrival at the station, the crowded plat- —
form, the pushing and struggling toward the luggage —
van, finally a civil porter, a springless cab, a drive to the
cheapest hotel in the neighborhood, despairing attempts
at Enelish speaking, and a nicht’s rest. Ser
Esperance woke the next morning much refreshed, and -
ready to enjoy the sense of ncvelty and adventure. Fortu-
nately, the day was fine, and their first impressions of Lon-
don were favorable. The morning was. an enjoyable one.
- They wandered about in Hyde Park, walked along the
Thames Embankment, and visited Vestminster Abbey. It
was not till the afternoon that Gaspard turned his thoughts
to the necessary search for cheap lodgings, and began to
make inquiries as to the most inexpensive quarter of Lon-
don. | . |
He was recommended to try Pentonville or Islington ;
- and, leaving Esperance to rest at the hotel, he went out to
try his fortune. It was certainly lodging-huntinge under
difficulties, for his English was sadly deficient, and though
between each failure he studied a book of dialogues in
which one page was devoted to “the hire of apartments,”
he was sure to be utterly puzzled by some ill-pronounced
word or unknown idiom. “Sixpence hextra for kitchen-
fire,” rapidly spoken, was quite unintelligible to him, and
even the different coinage was bewildering.
_. The afternoon was closing in, and still he had met with
no suitable rooms ; he began to think that Esperance
would be alarmed at his long absence, and was just about
to give up the search, when his eye caught an advertise-
ment of “Furnished Apartments” in the window of a
_baker’s shop. He entered without much hope of success. The .
sshop was small but clean. A stout, good-tempered woman |
stood behind the counter, and perched in front of her, be-
tween the fresh loaves of bread and the scales, was a
large, sleek, tabby cat, which stared at Gaspard in a patroe
_ mizing way with its great green eyes.
‘WON BY WAITING. eS Ag
- He made his “ dialogue book” inquiry, and was relieved
to find that the woman spoke distinctly. 3
Sitting-room and two bedrooms, sir? Yes; 1 think
we could suit you; step this way and see them, if you
please. Come, Bismarck !”
Gaspard started; then asa spring from the counter and a
loud purr followed, he laughed, and asked “That is your
vat ?”
“ Yes, sir, tis a queer name, to be sure, but my husband
is a rare politician, he is, and-so he went for to call the cat
Bismarck, after one of them Germans.”
“It is well-named. I observe already a likeness,” said
Gaspard, smiling. 3
By this time they had reached the second floor, and the
landlady, lighting the gas, began to do the honors of her
apartment, while Bismarck stalked about in a dignified
way, purring and rubbing himself against Gaspard’s legs.
The terms were moderate, the landlady looked honest and
kind, Esperance would be delighted with the eat, and
though the rooms were small and ill-furnished, they seemed
to be clean ; on the whole, Gaspard was pleased, and after
due consideration, he decided to take them.
Esperance was delighted to hear of his success, and
eager to settle in at once. The landlady had promised to
have everything in readiness for them that evening, so
after dinner they drove from the hotel to their new home,
Esperance in high spirits, Gaspard a little depressed. In-
voluntarily his thoughts had turned to the old chateau at
Mabillon, and, perhaps, he might be forgiven for feeling a
slisht pang, as he watched Esperance passing in between.
the bread baskets, the counter, and the loaves.
She, herself, was quite unconcerned—such things did
-not hurt her pride; the rooms were quiet and comfort-
able—for the rest she did not care. She did not attempt
to unpack that evening, but devoted all her energies to
cheering Gaspard, until gradually his brow cleared, and
-under the combined influence of a fire, some well-made
_ eoffee, and Esperance’s merry chatter, he began to think
that, after all, lifein Pentonville might be very pleasant.
‘The next day he lost no time in searching for work. He
was not very hopeful, 3t is true, but he had made up his
mind to do all in his power, and to leave no stone un-
_furned. - But day after day he returned disappointed and
weary, unable to meet with any employment.
His scanty knowledge of English was a great hindors
wy
50 "WON BY WAITING.
ance, and finding this out, he set to work really to study
the language. Esperance, too, spent some of her long
nours in the same way, and by the end of April was
abie, with the help of the dictionary, to read most
of the English books with which the landlady could
supply her. These were not of the most interesting
kind, “Fox’s Book of Martyrs,’ ‘The Pilgrim’s Prog-
ress,” “The Fairchild Family,” and a few dilapidated
numbers of the “ Youths’ Magazine,” being among the
most lively. Still they kept her employed, and the very
quaintness of the old-fashioned sayings and doings was
amusing.
Bat a sad time was coming, for as the weeks passed by,
and still Gaspard could find no work, their small store of
money was gradually melting away. Gaspard grew se-
riously uneasy at the prolonged silence of the Lemerciers ;
he was expecting a dividend to be forwarded to him, but
although he had written to ask the reason of the delay, no
answer had come. |
At length, one morning early in May, a letter arrived in
M. Lemercier’s well-known flourishy handwriting. It ran
as follows :
“My Dear De Manrtron,— I regret exceedingly that you
should have been inconvenienced by my tardiness in
writing, but I have been so much occupied in seeking the
welfare of our country, and in lending my feeble assist-
ance to the establishment of the Commune, that I -
am sure vou will pardon me. Regarding the divi-
dend which vou should have received ere now, it gives
me much pain to tell you that the Company has
‘entirely failed. Of course in this time of general avita-
tion, it is what we must expect. I fear this will prove a
serious and deplorable lossto you atthe present; but I
trust 1 am wrong in fearing that the chief part of our
capital was invested in it. Relieve me on that point as
soon as possible, and think well whether it would not be
best to return to France, where there is every prospect of a
speedy establishment of true liberty, equality and fraternity.
Make my friendly ereetings to your sister, and believe me,
3 * Yours, ete., Lrmencter.”
‘Gaspard turned pale as he read, and Esperance, cecing
that something was wrong. asked anxiously :.
“is Monsieur Lemercier in trouble? What has happened?
aotell me.”
“WON BY WAITING. pee.
Gaspard put his arm round her protectingly as he re-
lied: “ Monsieur Lemercier is well himself, chérie, but he
as written to tell me some bad news. We have lost some —
money, and it will leave us very poor—terribly poor.”
The troubles seemed to be never ending. Esperance did.
not speak, but a weary, care-worn look came over her face,
_-and Gaspard could hear a little quivering, half-stifled sigh.
Somehow that silent endurance cut him to the heart. He
turned away abruptly, and leaned with his elbows on the
mantel-piece, fighting hard with his emotion.
Esperance reproached herself with selfishness then, and
began to take her usual role of comforter.
* Darling, do not be so miserable,” she said, stroking
back the overhanging hair from his forehead. “It will
not be so bad as we think, perhaps; you will hear of some
work, or something will happen before long. After all we
still have each other, and besides that, we have not lost
everything.”
“ But it is impossible—utterly impossible—-that we can
live on what is left,” said Gaspard. “If we lived on bread
and water it would not last us both for a year—and what
is to come then ?” :
Esperance asked how much they really had left, and he
named astartlingly small sam—so small that, with all her
courage and hopefuiness, she was for a moment half para-
lyzed by the terrible realization. A heavy sigh from Gas-
pard roused her.
“Tt is very bad, chérie/” she said, in as bright a voice as
she could command ; “ but we will be very economical, we
will eat oatmeal, and I shall see to the bouilli myself, and I
dare say the landlady will let us have the very old bread
at a reduction. We shall fancy ourselves back in the
siege!” . |
Gaspard smiled, and for her sake tried to speak more
cheerfully ; but he knew too well that not even the moat.
rigid economy could keep them from want.
WU. OF ILL. LIB, :
VPLS, arte ee ES ES eee Pop ry aa arto ed 3 4 \ i ee
i 7 ; eit me ae wx STL Oe tag ag Oat ere ee aes, To Ee oe ee rs
goa | WON BY WAITING.
CHAPTER X.
My poverty, but not my will, consents,
Romeo and Juliet.
s THe long days dragged wearily on, while gradually
_ Esperance faded and drooped, till she was the mere shadow
3 of her former self. She was not strong enough now to
share in Gaspard’s long wanderings, and while he was out,
trying in vain to find employment of any kind, she was
af left alone in the dreary lodgings, to bear, as patiently as
s she could, the weary, aching fatigue of weakness, and the
a hunger which was now such a painful reality. It was
hard, too, to bein the midst of plenty, and yet to want.
Sometimes, when the fragrant steam rose from the bake-
house below, the craving for food grew almost unbearable.
af Nor could she control herself much in her weakness, her
long crying fits became more and more frequent; only,
when Gaspard came in, disappointed and exhausted after
his long, fruitless expedition, she always managed to be
bright and cheerful.
He was grateful for her love and patience, but he could
not be deceived. The long privations of the siege had
‘ried her severely, and he felt sure that she could not bear
these added hardships for any length of time. And yet
when, one evening on his return, he found the room
strangely quiet, and was met with no cheerful greeting,
he was terribly startled. Esperance was stretched on the
hard, horse-hair sofa, cold and motionless, while Bismarck,
with little troubled “mews,” crept about uneasily, and
tried to attract her notise.
For one awful minute Gaspard thought she was really
dead. With a great cry of despair he bent over her,
touched her icy lips, and her still nerveless hands, and lis-
tened in agony for the faintest sign of breathing.
At last he was reassured: she began to show indications
of returning consciousness, and in a few minutes was able
3 G0 look up with a little smile. He would not let her talk till
Be. he had made her some coffee, and, revived by this, she
AS volunteered her own explanation.
‘I was tired, and lay down a little, and it got very dark,
and cold waves ¢ame over me.”
Gaspard did not answer for a few minutes, he sat watching
Ser sadly, while Bismarck nestled up to her, purring cons
WON BY WAITING. | 68
tentedly, and rubbing his soft head up and dewn under her
ee -aimost shadowy hand. It. was the contrast between the
sleek, well-fed cat, and her worn-out, fragile form which
struck him so painfully. ©
He began to pass up and down the room, thinking
deeply, and evidently schooling himself to undertake some-
thing very distasteful. Esperance watched him with as
- much anxiety as she had strength to feel just then; his face
was dark with conflicting emotions. She spoke at last.
© You are not worrying about me Gaspard? Do not -
walk up and down like that, all alone; I want you to tell
me what is troubling you—what you are thinking about.”
He crossed the room then, and bent down to kiss her,
his resolution made. |
“Tam thinking, chérie,” he said, gravely, “that this
state of things can not goonany longer, or you will be ill.”
Esperance could not deny it, and Gaspard continued:
_ “Tonly see one thing to be done, and thatis about the
last thing in the world I should wish to do.”
«You do not mean to go back to Paris?” asked Espe-
rance, anxiously.
“No, indeed! that would be useless,and besides, our
father did not wish us to be there. No, Esperance, I was
- thinking of something far harder—we must ask our uncle,
Dean Collinson, to help us.
He paused. Esperance started up with sudden energy,
her pale cheek flushing crimson.
“ Ask for help—that is to say, monev? A De Mabillon
turn into a beggar! It is impossible you mean it,
Gaspard !” |
«?” asked Esperance, not a little ex- ae
cited at the prospect of a new arrival, and rightly conjec-
turing that “Grannie” was Mrs. Passmore.
“The Priory—my grandmother’s “house—is about two
miles out of the town, on the London road,” explained
Cornelia, after a moment’s pause.
Esperance was sorry that it lay in an opposite direction
to Worthington Hall. She did not make any more inquiries,
however, as her cousins were evidently put out, but her cu
riosity grew all the greater, and she looked forward much
to the first of the “pilgrimages” which Mrs. Mortlake had
~~ mentioned.
Mrs. Passmore arrived at Rilchester on Tuesday, and on
the Wednesday Mrs. Mortlake insisted that some one must
go to see her. This led to a disagreeable discussion be-
tween the sisters as to who should perform the tiresome
duty, to which Esperance listened with some scorn and @
good deal of amusement, congratulating herself that for
once she was out of it
oi Me tite NW tego el ee ae,
ys
ao oe
Dy
-
j a ir Boh Nat. repens Wy wae Shee Dene hea cy AP» = alt ae la
Dee e e rce eee ra er ya Te ae i
Meee et Se Se Cae? Letiterte cmyanau ere, Ri
» tad Wats
WON BY WAITING. oe ATS
After much areuing, Cornelia yielded, not very gra-
eiously, and consented to go to the Priory, provided she
could have the carriage.
« And you may as well come with me,” she added, turn:
ing to Esperance; “it will be useful for you to know the
way to the Priory.” ;
Esperance prudently refrained from expressing too much
satisfaction, aware that any “ foolishness” on her part
would put a stop to the whole thing; but inwardly she was
much excited. To meet Mrs. Passmore, her mother’s _
friend and helper, was indeed an unlooked-for pleasure,
and Cornelia would certainly have been scornfully sur-
iets had she known that Esperance spent a good half
our in curling her feather, preparing her dainty little
neck-tie, and mending her old but faultlessly neat gloves,
in view of the afternoon’s expedition.
By three o’clock the cousins were driving through the »
sleepy streets of Rilchester, Cornelia feeling virtuous
thouch inclined to be cross, and Esperance almost gay, in
Bpite of a thick November fog, which usually depressed her
more than anything. Almost for the first time she saw the
really poor quarter of the city, the deserted, tumble-down
houses, and the squalid, dirty little children.
“This is different from the rest of Rilchester,” she ex-
claimed. “Is this where Cousin Christabel goes to see her
poor people ?”
- “Qh, no, she merely visits a few of the respectable
houses near us,” replied Cornelia, shortly.
“But who takes care of all this poor part >”
“1m sure £ don’t know, it is not in our parish.”
The parish belonging to the cathedral merely included
the houses in the close, anda very small sprinkling of
- "respectable poor,” an arrangement singularly unfortunate
vince it gave all the rich people the same excuse for ignor-
ance and idleness which Cornelia had just made: “It is not
in our parish,’—while the clergy of the poorer districts
were sadly hampered by the dearth of church-workers.
Esperance asked no more questions, and in a few min-
utes the houses were left behind, and the bare, bleak coun-
4ry lay before them. Halfa mile beyond the town stood
the Priory, a gloomy, brown building, not really old, but
built in the antique style; Esperance’s heart beat quickly,
when, in one of the lancet-headed windows, she caught
sight of the snowy hair and widow’s cap which could be:
tong to no one but Mrs. Pecsmore.
118 WON BY WAITING.
The cap, however, speedily disappeared, and by the
time the carriage had driven up the gravel sweep, the oid
lady was standing by the open door, with what Esperance
considered quite the right kind of welcome.
«How good of you to come the very first day, my dear
children—in all this fog, too.”
“My dear grannie, do go in; how unwise to come out
to the door,” said Cornelia.
Whereupon the old lady, but half understanding, held
out her hand to Esperance, till Cornelia herself led the
way to the prim little drawing room, and taking up Mrs.
Passmore’s speaking-trumpet, made the deaf old lady un-
derstand who her companion was.
« Amy’s little girl come from France! dear me, dear me!
Come and kiss me, my dear.”
Esperance obeyed willingly enough, but when Cornelia
put the other end of the speaking-trumpet into her hand
with an injunction to “say something,” every word of.
Hnelish suddenly escaped her memory, and after a dread-
ful pause she could only say in French, “fam so pleased
to see the friend of my mother.” .
Whereupon Cornelia frowned angrily, and the old lady
herself put down the trumpet with a little laugh.
“Ah! you speak in French, and Iam not ‘such a good
scholar in that respect as I used to be. Never mind, never
mind, we shall understand each other soon.”
Esperance blushed crimson, vexed at her failure, and
some minutes passed before she had collected her theughts
enough to listen to the conversation.
“Yes, I crew tired of St. Leonards,” Mrs. Passmore was
saying. “The house was draughty, too,and I began to
long for my old haunts; after all, my dear, there is no place ~
like home.”
« And are you comfortably settled in >” asked Cornelia.
“ Well, pretty well; there isa great deal to see to, and
the days are short; my rheumatism has been troublesome
to-day, and that is a hinderance. _Could you spend a few
days with me, my dear, you or Bertha? Ishould be so glad
to have you.”
Cornelia did not at all wish to stay, and began to huni
for excuses.
“T am so busy just now, grannie, or I certainly would
come, and Bertha has—a cold, or she might have helped
ou.’
: Mrs. Passmore looked disappointed.
WON BY WAITING = ati itststi‘iéidzd
®7¥ am sorry for that, it would have been such a pleasure
to have you.” Then with a smile again, “Could Amy’s
little girl stay ?”
“Oh, certainly,” said Cornelia, without referring to Hs-
nerance. ‘She shall stay with you now, just as long as
you like.”
And so the matter was settled, and Cornelia soon took
jeave, turning just at the last to Esperance with tle words,
“T will send: down your things, and the books you wilk
want, and you must walkin on Friday morning for your
lessons; I will be ready for you at eleven.”
Then the carriage drove off, and Esperance was left be-
hind with mingled feelings of relief at being away from the
deanery, anger at béing so summarily disposed of, and awe
of Mrs. Passmore and the trumpet.
She was soon happy enough, however, for Mrs Passmore _
was delighted to have a companion, and spared no pains to
make her comfortable and at home. She was charmed
’ with her eurious old-fashioned bedroom, and with the ex-
quisite neatness of the whole house; there was a feeling
of calmness and repose, too, which, with all its dullness,
the deanery never could attain, and most of all, the sense
of being really wanted restored Esperance to much of her
old cheerful brightness.
The only drawback to her complete happiness was Mrs.
Passmore’s deafness ; this had now been of such long
duration that the old lady had fallen into silent habits,
~ and only twice in the long winter evenings did she take
up her trumpet. But though silence or dullness of any
description were usually very uncongenial to Esperance,
she was now too much out of health, and too weary of the
incessant “nagging” of her cousins not to be thankful for
the respite.
The busy idleness of the next morning, too, suited her
admirably. She enjoyed helping old Mrs. Passmore in her
manifold tidyings and arrangings ; and as the old lady
could not feel comfortable till every drawer and cupboard
in the house had been systematically searched and sorted,
she ,.was kept fully occupied. Her dainty little fingers
seemed to have a natural aptitude for such work, and noth-
ine came amiss to them, whether they dealt with stores of
old lace, artificial flowers, venerable silk dresses, or chaotic
odds and ends.
At last, while setting to rights the contents of an old
secretary, she came acress a drawer full of lettors, and,
Aes ; ; igs us <2 ote ; ie}. i = ra - Sd ae {iM Beets f
120 o WON BY WAITING. i
not liking to break in upon their wild confusion, drew Mrs
Passmore’s attention to them. 3 ,
“ Letters? dear me!” exclaimed the old lady; “I
thought I had sorted them all last year. This will be an
afternoon’s work for us, Esperance.”
Accordingly, after the two o’clock dinner was over, and
Mrs. Passmore had taken ‘her usual siesta, the two set to
work, destroying a few of the less precious documents, and
arranging the others carefully according to'their dates.
Esperance had just tied up and labeled a packet of 1847
letters when Mrs. Passmore gave an exclamation of sur-
rise.
“How strange to be sure! and that I should have come
across them to-day! “Iwo of poor Amy’s letters—your
mother, my dear.” And she handed them to Esperance.
They were folded together, though one was written on —
thin blue paper, the other on a little note-sized sheet, yel-
low with age. Esperance opened the latter and read
eagerly :
‘¢ Russell Square, 16th May, 1828.
‘My paar Mrs. Passmorz,—I can not thank you enough for
‘your great kindness in asking me to stay with you during next
‘month. Thank you, too, for your consideration in saying that,
if my brother changes his mind, I may still be free to stay in
London; but.of this I now feel sure there is no hope, for, be-
sides his former objection to our marriage, he has now, I fear, a
personal dislike to Monsieur de Mabillon. Ican not tell you how
terribly all this has grieved me. Had it not been for dear Christ-
abel’s kindness, I don’t think I could have borne it, She has,
indeed, been a good sister to me.
_ “Under the circumstances, both Alphonse and I think it will
be best that our wedding should be perfectly quiet ; so, withmany _
thanks, I will decline your kind offer of accommodation for any
guests. If it will be quite convenient to you, and to the clergyman -
of the parish, we should prefer some day in the first week of
June, and should like it to be early in the morning.
“‘ Again thanking you for your great kindness,
** Believe me, your affectionate
‘“* Amy ConLINson.” : *
“Christabel, then, was the name of my aunt?” asked
Esperance, looking up with swimming eyes.
Seeing how great an interest her companion took inthe
matter, Mrs. Passmore became at once both sympathetic
and communicative.
“Poor child! Yes, indeed, it was a sad story from first
to last, My daughtcr Christabel was devoted to your
“WON BY WAITING, © = =. ss «1
mother; and though, of course, she could not do much
to promote the marriage in direct opposition to your —
uncle, yet she always gave Amy her sympathy, and her- a
self begged me to help her. Poor young thing, she was. _
sad enough all the time she stayed with me. On the
very morning of the wedding 1 remember she received
a final letter of remonstrance from Dean Collinson, and ~
was terribly upset by it. And then came the service in
church, which seemed to give her new strength, for her
face which had been so troubled, grew quiet and serene; and
I remember thinking what a handsome couple they were,
and wishing that the dean could have been there to hear
- your father’s earnest, heartfelt vows, though perhaps his
foreign English might only have annoyed him. Lheard from
her two or three times after that, and then your father
_ wrote to tell me of her death when you were born; but
we shall not find that letter, for I believe it was sent on to
the dean.” - :
The conversation was interrupted by the servant bring-
ing in the tea things, and Esperance, having asked leave
to keep the two letters, put them away for a private read-
ing. In the evening, when Mrs. Passmore had. fallen
asleep in her arm-chair, she took them out again, and
eagerly though reverently opened the foreign one. It was —
written from the chateau, and dated in June, 1854. Much -~
of it was incomprehensible to Esperance, being in answer
to a letter of Mrs. Passmore’s, and full of references to
English matters, but on the third page she caught sight
of familiar names, which made her heart beat quickly.
She read on still more eagerly :
« And now I must tell you about my dear little boy, Gas-
~pard. HowIwishI could showhim to you. He is five
years old, the very image of his father, and so tall and
strong for hisage. Heisalways with me, for our good
bonne Javotte, though she is quite devoted to him, has plenty
_ to do, and I would not have him away from me for the world.
My husband tells me, too, that our nursery does not |
exist in France, the children are always with their mothers.
The only thing I have to wish for now is a little daughter;
it would be so good for Gaspard, and he is so loving that I
am sure he would make a good little protector! You ask if
Tam any strongér than I was last year, and I hardly know
what tosay. In some ways I think not, but I think I have
~ learned at last to be less fretful and impatient with regard
422 WON BY WAITING
to James’s continued displeasure. Still I can not help Jonge
ing to hear from him. If he could only know what Al-«
phonse really is! But you must not think that I am gviev-
ing unduly over this. I feel how wrong it was to do so the
first two or three years, and now I can not help hoping that
in some way all will come right at last—if not in our time,
at least to our child.”
;
Esperance read the last sentence over many times. Was
her mother’s hope coming true? Was all that now seemed
so hard to bear really helping its fulfillment? CertainJy it
was true that Dean Collinson had taken her into his own
house, that he had treated her kindly, that she showed al-
most everything to him; but then, had not Gaspard
humiliated himself to actual begging for assistance first,
and did not her uncle still detest the very name of De
Mabillon? No; there was still much to be done before all
- could be “right at last.” But from that evening Esperance
began to think seriously of the duty of reconciliation,
which certainly in some degree, rested with her, How, in
her peculiar position, she could effect any good she did not
at present see; but she was hopeful, and her mother’s wish
was a strong incentive.
Meanwhile, at the deanery, matters were not going very
smothly. Cornelia’s quiet disposal of Esperance at the
Priory had pleased no one; the dean even had for once ob-
jected to his favorite daughter’s proceedings.
“Out of respect to your grandmother, my dear, either
yor: or Bertha should have remained; to leave your cousin,
a mere child, and a perfect stranger, was really a mise -
take.”
“Grannie will never understand Esperance, with that
ridiculous accent, which Iam sure is all affectation,” ob-
served Mrs. Mortlake. ‘ Besides, itis awkward to be with-
out her here, there is no one to see to Bella when she ig
down stairs.” 3
“Christabel wants to turn me into the nursery-maid,
said Bertha, laughing; “ but neither Bella nor I approve.”
“IT don’t know what you mean,” said Mrs. Mortlake, with
an offended air. ‘“ Esperance has no idea of managing the
child ; she merely does what I tell her.”
“That is to say, she is your ‘ white slave; of course you
miss her.”
“Oh, if you use slang expressions we will drop the
argument at once, please,” said Mrs. Mortlake, feeling that
vou
tn Ln
WON BY WAITING. 123
she was being worsted, and leaving the .,., after one
final thrust— Your old fault of lazin) ¢, 1s eoming out
more strongly than ever ; you can neith »r do things your-
self, nor see others do them.”
Whereupon the door was closed sha ‘ply, while the dean
looked surprised, Cornelia annoyed, aid Bertha sublimely
indifferent.
“JT do not understand it,” said the dean, half nervously.
“Tt seems to me a great pity that B rtha does not go more
to the Priory. However, you must setile it among your-
selves, my dears, only pray have no more disputings.”
And then, having delivered his coiscience to hig family,
the dean left matters terrestrial to their own course, and
became engrossed with a disquisijion on the “Moons of
Jupiter.” |
At eleven o’clock on Friday, Esperance walked in from
the Priory carrying her Latin y¢imer, Wittich’s German
Tales, and a book on physical geography. To tell the
truth, she had scarcely opened t/1em for the last two days,
and, though anxious to make uj» for lost time, she walked
into Rilchester to the tune of ‘‘di-es, di-es, di-em,” etc., her
thoughts were generally so far away that the fifth declen-
sion did not make much impression on her memory.
The walk took rather longev than she had anticipated,
and, conscious of unpunctuality, she “tolled” the front-door
bell with some apprehension. The door was opened more
quickly than usual; but Esperance’s quick eye detected
the surly, ill-used expression on the face of the footman,
and was certain that Mrs. Mortlake was in one of her fault-
finding humors; these invariably affected the temper of the
_ whole household, and more especially of the servants.
She opened the dining-room door with still greater
anxiety, and found Mrs. Mortlake and Bertha hard at work
writing essays for the “True Blue Society,” a particular
hobby of Mrs. Mortlake’s. Her essay was generally put off,
till the lastest possible day, and then became a household
nuisance, so that Esperance had learned to dread the
sicht of blue foolscap, and to connect it with incessant
scoldings and general misery. Bertha had unwillingly
been induced to join the society, and she, too, was writing
for dear life, with a pucker in her forehead and a bored
expression.
_ “Don’t speak; we are so busy,” said Mrs. Mortlake, barely
looking up; ‘and what you’ve done with the quill pens I
can't imagine; Cornelia declares you had them last.”
124 - | WON BY WAITING. ‘eee
*T don’t remember having them,” said Esperancé,
thinking of various scoldings for writing with a pin-like
en.
~ Of course not; you never do remember anything that
is not convenient for you,” said Mrs. Mortlake, sharply.
Esperance began to open the drawers of a cabinet rather
hopeiessly, and, after a few minutes’ search, found the miss-
ing pens among Bella’s toys. She put them down beside
her cousin without speaking, and was moving away, when
Mrs. Mortlake pushed them from her again, saying, in her
quietly disagreeable voice: “ Oh, it’s no use now ; how
~é@an I change my pen in the middle of this? Couldn’t
your common sense tell you that ?”
Esperance shrugged her shoulders, and took back the
pen-box ; but her common sense did tell her it would be
best to leave the room quickly, and, without another word,
she ran away. ee
Jt was certainly a cheerless welcome for her, poor chila.
Already the quiet serenity which she had gained at the
Priory had changed to the “Mariana” expression, and it
was with a heavy heart that she entered Cornelia’s sanc-
tum with her burden of untouched lesson-beooks.
* Good-morning, Esperance. Why are you so late ?”
*T am very sorry, but I scarcely allowed the time neces-
sary for so long a walk,” said Esperance, who invariably —
_ spoke bad English when dispirited. |
“Don’t let it happen again, then, and let us lose no —
time now—your Latin first.”
- With one last despairing glance Esperance dashed off
_ with her fifth declension, stumbling terribly. Cornelia put
down the book gravely.
“Tt is no use doing things by halves; you had better
_gtay here and learn it, though I should have thought at
your age supervision was unnecessary.”
“Your age” was always being cast in Esperance’s teeth,
but it was as convenience suited—either “a mere child of
your age,” or “a great girl of your age,” as in the present
i ae She began to wish to be either one thing or the
other.
The “ physica] geography” was rather more successful;
but, alas! the German translation came utterly to grief.
The very sound of the language was distasteful to Esper-
ance, and, under the cireumstances, Cornelia would have
been much wiser not to have attempted it; but to her mind
- noone was properly educated who could not read and
eer aegis
MG Syed hes SAC, ee
Pri Le ee EL gee
Gosh heed ities. et oral Ll soa
ee
io Ag hk She hancs an Mi fe
Setheg Vf pee Ag
is i ee :
nasi +h ae pe: sees , tah
AP gh aN Ge Rly aS ote
es att ks
Lefora
dosilecaiet Fave: F
ate eae woe SLY
oe t
- speak German, and she persevered in spite of Esperance’s
wishes to the contrary. It really was a hardship to be set
_ to learn “ Was ist des Deutschen Vaterland >” and, after
Jaboriously translating it first into French in her brain, and
then into English with her tongue, Esperance could not
_ resist saying, “ Well, I think the Germans are the most
conceited people I ever heard of, boasting about all the
divisions of their country, so as to fill two pages!”
_ “Tt has been pretty clearly shown lately that the Ger
mans are not vain boasters,” said Cornelia, severely.
“Moreover, ‘people who live in glass houses shouldn’t
throw stones.’ Conceit is the proverbial character of a
certain other European nation.” |
- ©You may as well say it quite!” said Esperance, with
- flashing eyes. “I know what you mean—now that France
is fallen you will all trample on her! and that is what you
call English generosity! Ciet! if you speak of proverbial —
characters, it is fair that I may quote the English one—
- finsular pride and ill-manners,’ and it is true—true!”
Cornelia was secretly rather amused at the storm of
patriotism which she had evoked, but she answered grave-
ly, end in her repressive voice, “When you have quite
- done we will go on, please. Conjugate the verb ‘ Haven,’
te have.” . 3 /
The words seemed almost like an insult. This cold dig-
_nity.of Cornelia’s exasperated Esperance more than any-
thing ; moreover, to have her patriotism utterly ignored
was more unbearable than the severest scolding, and in
the worst possible humor she repeated the verb, taking no
pains to pronounce the lis. :
She left Cornelia’s room -much more unhappy than be-
fore, and conscious that her outbreak had been both
childish and useless. .Out of heart with herself and with
all around her, yet unable to. find the remedy, she grew
more and more miserable, and longed, with a sick longing,
for relief in any form—a Jetter from Gaspard, a sight of —
ane ae
Frances Neville, or even a ray of sunshine. But nothing
came ; the postman brought no letter, Franees did not
come into Rilchester—even the sun did not once-pierce
the gloom of that murky November day.
Mrs. Mortiake never spoke except to complain, Bertha
after her unusual effort was more taciturn than ever, Cor-
nelia was stiff and displeased, and Esperance was cross.
- Not that she would have allowed this to herself, even ; she
felt, and in some degree was, ill-used, but in fact the long
e
126 WON BY WAITING ©
strain of the past year had so completely worn hers &
that mind and body alike were unequal to the least har 68,
and trifling annoyances, which in good health she wcald
have laughed at, now seemed the deepest grievar 2es.
And go she sat wearily through the afternoon with her
book before her, wishing herself and “The Ge man
Fatherland ” at the bottom of the /sea, while no one t/ould
take the trouble to put her. into the right way, or‘ say
the few words of love and sympathy which she so sorely
needed.
“You had better get ready to go back,” said Cor celia, as
the clock struck half past four. “It is getting qd wk, and
you will be alone.”
Alone! It was a shock indeed to Esperance’s ideas of
propriety. To have. walked in broad daylight was per-
haps permissible in England, though she would. ever have
been allowed to do such a thing in France, eves at Mabil-
lon—but to walk through the town, and along a deserted
country road, with the darkness fast coming wn, was too
much—she felt sure that even in England this wuld not
be comme il faut. : 3
No escort was offered, however, so she saw no help for
it, and unwillingly—for once- -closed the doar of the dean-
ery behind her, and went out into the autunn twilight. At
first the novelty rather pleased her, but when she had.
passed the Vicar’s Court, and the close, a strange, eerie,
unprotected feeling mastered her, and she shivered at the
thought of the long way to come. The bright lights in
the windows looked tempting and home-like, she fancied
she could have been happy in every one of the Louses she
_ passed, forgetful that red curtains, warm fire light, and
bright picture frames existed also at the deanery. And
then she thought of the hero of “ Eixcelsior,” when
*‘TIn happy homes he saw the light
Of household fires gleam warm and bright,”
and wondered if he felt as lonely and desolate as she did ;
but then he was bound on a great enterprise, and she had
only to live on quietly in an uncongenial home, unless,
indeed, her enterprise were to be the fulfillment of her
mother’s wish. If so, how sadly forgetful of it she had
been that day! What harm had she done to her cause!
Great tears welled up into her eyes as. she thought of
* this ; perhaps she was partly blinded by them, or perhaps —
her little black figure was not very noticeable in the gathe
¥
ae
pt Ps
me
WON BY WAITING. 127
ing darkness, for she came violently into collision with a
gang of laborers returning from their day’s work, and ali
her books were strewn on the pavement. For a moment
she was horribly frightened, for they were rough-looking
men, and their voices and unintelligible dialect sounded
alarming to her unaccustomed ears. ;
“ Now then, Bill, you pick up them there books—knockin’
up agin young leddies in that way!” this in very uncouth
English. |
The rest of the men moved on, while Bill, thus addressed,
stooped to pick up the books. _ :
“1’m sure I ask pardon, miss,’ he began, rubbing each
book on his grimy jacket by way of taking off the mud.
“Thank you, it does not matter,” began Esperance in
French, then correcting herself, “there is no harm done,
thank you.”
“ Be you from France, miss >” asked the man.
“Yes,” replied Esperance, with a momentary terror that
some impertinence was intended, “yes, I am French.”
“Only asked, miss, because as how my missus is from.
them parts, and talks like what youdid. Good-evening |
to you, miss, and I ask your pardon.” |
He passed on, and Esperance went on her way, amused
by the incident, which, trifling though it was, served to
turn away her thoughts from her grievances. Certainly
‘her first encounter with a British laborer had been a happy
one; it all were so polite she need not fear to walk about
alone, but then this particular one had been blessed with
a Hrench wife, which no doubt accounted for his good
manners. Before long she ceased to dread the lonely
walks to the Priory, and to look forward to the gang of
laborers, and especially to “ Bill’s” invariable salute, as a
_kind of protection.
CHAPTER XIX.
There lies no desert in the land of life,
For e’en that tract that barrenest doth seem,
Labored of thee in faith and hope, shall teem
With heavenly harvests and rich gatherings rife.
: I’. A. KemBre.
Dinver-Partizs at the deanery were usually very dreary
affairs. Dean Collinson was not at all a sociable man, and
grudged an evening spent away from his beloved observa-
tory. Cornelia and Bertha lad an equal distaste to
iciety, and had it not been for, J[rs. Mortlake. and the
Es
be
“WON BY “WAITING. |
-ubsclute necessity of showing some hos apitality to thelr
neighbors, the diuner-parties would have been willingiy -
- dispensed with. And. not only were the hosts. thus
minded, but every one who had been a guest on previous
occasions groaned on receiving ja fresh invitation.
Certainly the deanery was the least popular house in
Rilchester, and it was thus that Esperance obtained hex
very unfavorable i impressions of English society.
After spending a fortnight at the Priory, she had re-
turned sorrowfully enough to her uncle’s house, nor were
her spirits raised when she heard that in the evening . |
that dreary English institution, a large dinner party,
“was to take place. In the afternoon, however, Bertha
happened to mention that Sir Henry and Lady Worthing-
ton were coming, whereupon Esperance became greatly
-_ excited.
“Coming this evening? Oh!Iam soglad. And does
- Miss Neville come, too?”
“No, she is not well enough. Ibelieve she was asked.
“But what makes you rave so about the Worthingtons ?”
* Lady Worthington was 80 kind to me, and I admire her
more than I can tell you.”
ye You had better be careful, or Christabel will call you
p toady.
“How?” asked Esperance, wonderingly.
“Oh, really, I can't teach you English—Cornelia wii?
explain it to you.”
Esperance was not very fond of Cornelia’s explanations,
so she resorted to dictionaries, where “Toad—crapaud ;“
_ *toad-eater—adulaleur-trice, parasite,” gave her some idea
of Bertha’s meaning.
She sighed over the difficulty of the terrible English
- Janguage, but found some comfort in a bulky Webster, in
which “toady” was stigmatized as ‘colloquial and vulgar.”
Lady Worthington came rather less reluctantly than usual
to the deanery, for she had special designs on Esperance,
and her successful maneuvering on the former occasion had
given her confidence. When the ladies returned to the
drawing-room after dinner, she lost no time in seeking her
Saprotéato, whom she found trying hard to make conversa-
tion between two young ladies “who were very stiff and
~ monosyllabic.
Esperance, delighted at any interruption, recoea Lady
Worthington’s cordial sreeting with a radiant face, and ine
uired after I’'rances Neville, her quaint, demure manner &
little belied by the eagerness of her expression.
oe ie OY Veh Wee en rs se 3 og yy) : 2
a ae
7a SS WON BY WAITING, He gee
“She has been poorly all this week,” said Lady Worth-
ington. “But she is much better to-day; she asked me to
tell you that she has been looking up her French, and is
very eager to have a good talk with you. Will you come
and see her some day?”
* Thank you a thousand times; it would be such a pleas-
ure,” said Esperance, delightedly.
‘Just then Mrs. Mortlake came to take possession of the
ehair next to Lady Worthington, and Esperance would
have moved away, but Lady Worthington, taking hoid of
her hand, detained her.
“Twas just telling Esperance how much Frances wants
to see her; it is the delight of her life to have some one to
talk French to.”
“Yes, [knew Miss Neville’s sympathies were all with
the French; I remember what arguments we used to have
during the Franco-Prussian war,” said Mrs. Mortlake.
Lady Worthington felt a quick movement in the hand
she was holding, and hastily turned from the subject.
“Now, when Frances gave me her message, a scheme
came into my head by which I shall come in for a share of
the enjoyment; will you not come over some day next
week, Mrs. Mortlake, bringing Esperance with you, then
whe and Frances can have their talk together, and you and
Ji shall be secure of a téte-d-téte.”
Mrs. Mortlake was flattered, and gave a ready consent.
An afternoon was fixed, and Esperance, as she went away
to do her duty toward the two young ladies, felt that any
amount of dullness could be endured with such a pleasure
in prospect. . aid
Lady Worthington, too, was satisfied with her success,
and late as it was on her return could not resist going to
_ her sister’s room to tell her of it.
She found her already in bed, and with some compune-
tion for disturbing her, would have gone away again.
“ Don't go,” said Frances, appealingly. “Tm not the least.
sleepy—my neuralgia is raging. Tell me about your party.”
* Oh, a very dull affair indeed—a regular dean and
chapter dinner, with a great array of canons and canon-
esses. Henry looked quite worldly in his dress clothes
among the somber clerics.”
“ How was Esperance ?”
“She looked much better. Certainly that French ani-
mation is very charming—Henry was immensely taken
with her, and insists that she was better dressed than any
one in the room, and thpneh,.there was nothing more ~
130 WON BY WAITING.
white muslin, and a dainty arrangement of ivy sprays, f
really think that he is right.” |
“The art of dressing is born in French women, cer~
tainly. But when is she coming here ?” |
“Next Tuesday afternoon, and Mrs. Mortlake, too ; and
Henry talks of getting up fire-works for the children that
night, so that we may persuade her tostay. Our triumph
will be complete.”
“Of course, now that you have taken an M. P. into your
eounsels,” said Frances, laughing.
Tuesday afternoon was as fine as could be wished ; the
sun, which for some days had scarcely penetrated the fog,
shone brightly, and the air was deliciously clear and frosty.
Esperance could not conceal her happiness, and indulged
in a rhapsody which did not fail to attract Mrs. Mortlake’s
disapproval. |
“What a perfect day, Christabel! we could not have hail.
a better, could we? Just look atthe sky: I do believn
we have had the last of those dreadful fogs. How good if
was of Lady Worthington to invite us! Is she not the
most kind-hearted of people ?”
“ Yes, certainly, Lady Worthington is good-natured ; but,
my dear Esperance, please do not take to running after
people with handles to their names—nothing is so vulgar.”
“TI do not understand you,” said Esperance, puzzled by
- the idiom, but coloring crimson at the last word.
“T mean that nothing shows such bad taste as any
eagerness to become familiar with those in a higher station —
than yourself ; nothing is so contemptible as a hankering
after nobility.”
Esperance blushed still more deeply, but there was «
dangerous light in her eyes as she answered, “Thank you
for warning me, Christabel, but in the present instance ~
it was unnecessary ; we, too, are of the noblesse.”
Mrs. Mortlake looked blankly astonished for a moment;
then, seeing that she had been worsted, took refuge in
silence.
Esperance, feeling triumphant and naughty, looked at
_ the flat landscape from the carriage window, and pretended | : ie
_ to be enjoying herself very much, though in reality she
was not quite happy, conscious that her retort had not
been in good taste, and sure that her father wouid have
disapproved of the little piece of ostentation.
It was a relief when they reached Worthington, passed
the green gates and unpretentious lodge, and drove through
the pleasant. well-timhers4
ve a ¥ a Lt Dele Oe | eh ten MS ag Oe ey ee a
& hes 7 ok on oa ba wt , 9 Oat qo re Yo
“WON BY WANING. =«s—i(ai‘(‘i‘i‘é«wdr‘SZ*«Y
“How beautiful it is!” said Esperance, breaking the
silence rather rashly, as she glanced at the sunny slopes.
' “A very poor approach,” said Mrs. Mortlake, ‘they |
might have made it at least halfa mile longer by a little
arrangement.”
After this nothing more was said and Esperance gave a
sigh of relief when the carriage drew up before the large,
plain, substantial house, more comfortable within than
artistic without.
In the drawing-room they found Lady Worthington and
her little girl. Esperance looked eagerly for Frances
Neville, but she was not there.
“Frances has such bad neuralgia to-day,” explained
Lady Worthington, as soon as the greetings were over. ‘“]
wonder whether you would mind going up to her little
sitting-room, Esperance ; it isthe only warm room in the
house, and she is rather afraid to leave it.” :
This was a delightful arrangement,and Esperance gave
glad consent, while little Kathie, ata word from her mother,
ran on before her to show the way.
Frances’s sitting-room was the most cozy of retreats;
the bay-window facing south was filled with ferns and
broad-leaved plants, the fire seemed to throw out more ~
heat than ordinary fires, miniature easy-chairs stood exact-
ly where they were wanted, and books and pictures filled
every available space on the walls. Frances herself was.
- Jying on a couch drawn close to the fire; looking very white
and exhaus@pd. She did not getup when Esperance came in,
“T shall not treat you as a visitor,” she said in French,
looking up with her peculiarly winning smile. “This iq
quite an unceremonious visit, I consider. Kathie dear,
bring Esperance the little Spanish chair, will you?”
Then after the double kiss—a little consideration of hex
nationality which was greatly appreciated—LEsperance
found herself comfortably installed beside Frances.
“Ts your head no better?” she asked, half timidly, for
Yrances really looked very ill.
“Well, it is bad just now, but you will talk and make me
forget 1t.”
The womanly instinct was strong in Esperance, and in 4
second her dainty little gloves were off, and she was stroke
ing Frances’s burning forehead with that soothing, half-
-mesmeric touch in her cool finger-tips which seems the
only remedy for neuralgia, ,
“Where did you learn this delicious spell?” asked
BPrances “it makes the nain almos’ ~ ~~ ~ ©
132 ‘WON BY WAITING.
Esperance laughed a little.
«TI don’t think there is anything to learn. I did it once
or twice to Scour Angelique when she was ill, and she used
to like it.” |
“Who is Scour Angelique ?” |
“One of the sisters in the convent at home; she used
ta teach me, and I loved her dearly. I think you must be
a little like her, for I always think of her when I see you.”
“Tell me about her—wkat was she like ?”
‘She was dark and pale, and her eyes were brown and
always shining. No, she can not really have been like you, ~
but she had a look on her face as if she were always think-
ing of holy things. It must be in that you remind me of
her.”
Frances colored a little.
“And were the other sisters like her?”
* No, Scour Therese was very cross, at least I thought so
then. She always talked of discipline—discipline, while
Sceur Angelique never talked at all like that, but only
loved. It seems so long since I had those afternoons at
the convent schocl. Sometimes I feel as if it had been an-
other Esperance of whom I had read—not myself at all.”
“You have had such changes.”
“Ah, yes, and things that used to seem troubles in the :
old times look so little now. I would bear them so well if
- only they would come again instead of—”
“Instead of present troubles ?” asked Frances, gently.
Bui Esperance’s hand ceased to caress her forehead, and
she was not-surprised at « sudden half-passionate outburst.
“TI do so haie England! If onty—if only I were at home —
again |”
“Poor little one,” said Frances, drawing her nearer, “ it
must be very lonely and sad for you, but you know it must
be best, or you would not be here.” _~
“J don’t believe it—I can’t,” sobbed Esperance; “if you
knew how naughty I am growing you would not say so. —
Tam miserable; and it makes me more wicked every day
—and—no one cares.”
Frances’s heart sunk. It was hard to contradict even
the last statement, knowing what she did of Mrs. Mort-
ae and the Collinsons. Happily she remembered Gas-
_ pard. ;
“Yonr brother cares,” she said.
“Gaspard!” with a fresh rush of tears; “yes, he does, —
but he is away, I may not see him avain for years. Ah, it =
ia cruel! heartless! Whv need ther *-~- conarated ust
WON BY WAITING. [3199
_ How can I be grateful!” and she sopbed over this griev-
ence more than over her home yearnings.
Then as Frances’s words recurred to her, she returned
to her tone of expostulation.
_ “ How can it be al! for the best? It is what all the ser-
mons say, and the hymns—it is what papa himself told
me, but I can not, can not believe it. When one sees and
feels that things are doing one harm, how is one to believe
that they ‘ work together for good ?’”
“But, dear Esperance, I don’t want to remind you of
Scour Therese ; but surely troubles are sent as discipline! |
My aches and pains, for instance, to teach me patience,
and your loneliness to teach you, perhaps, to love.”
“To love! no, it is knocking all the love out of me; I
_ loved before when I was happy, but this is making me
cold, hard, icy, just as they are.”
Frances. had wished to steer clear of the deanery, and
was not pleased at the allusion, nor in truth was Esper-
ance herself, for she was too well-bred not to feel that
mention of her cousins’ failings ought to be strictly
guarded against.
She gave a little, impatient sigh.
“T am getting rude and altogether bad, and as Cornelia
- is always saying, I have no self-control. Oh, dear! if one
could only understand things, and learn the lessons they
teach quickly, and see the reasons, and be happy !”
«You make me think of one of Keble’s hymns; if you
will put up with the English I will say you the lines.”
And clearly and softly, so that even that much-abused lan-
guage sounded sweetly in Hsperance’s ears, Frances
repeated :
*¢¢Till Death the weary spirit free,
Thy God hath said, ‘Tis good for thee
To walk by faith and not by sight ;”
Take it on trust a little while ;
Soon shalt thou read the mystery right
In the full sunshine of His smile.’”
- Esperance mused in silence for a few minutes, then gaiq!
- Ves, that is very beautiful, and itis just what I wanted:
Tt seems almost like talking with papa. I remember he
used to sav, if we could believe that it would make all life
happy, and I will indeed try. And yet I have tried, and
always failed. It is easy to think so now whenI am happy,
but by and by—” —
Ca alt ihe call Ws NG RPA sce UR (Tele a rn ORS em at 4 RN tal nc tia ee Scie ROMY AIA CA 7 I dink ee i = i eee
altar Rtas Pape Nae OP TOU AY, « Worse eee ete fay ahaa hes ae here ait Per Oe Te Pee
134 WON BY WAITING.
« By and by,” repeated Frances, “ you will learn to ‘ take
it on trust, and though the troubles will be troubles still,
you will try to learn the lessons they are meant to teach.
It all sounds trite and easy enough, I know, but, of course,
all discipline is grievous, and you must not expect to be
quite free from failures.” :
“But why did you say that I must learn to love ?”
asked Esperance, with a little reluctance.
«Why, is not that the beginning of everything? Your
father must have thought of the love as well as of the
faith when he spoke of all life being happy.”
“A ceux qui aiment Dieu,” repeated Esperance, under
her breath ; and therewith came before her that vividly
remembered scene, when, walking together on the moss-
grown terrace of the chateau, her father had prepared her ~
for coming troubles. And now all his pain was over, and
he had “read the mystery right.” She dwelt fora minute
or two on the happiness of the last thought before turn-
ing to her own difficulties. She was to learn to love,
Frances had said. Did she really love her unele, or Cor:
-nelia, or Christabel, or Bella? and was not her love fo1'
Bertha still very feeble? The questions were more easily!
than satisfactorily answered, and with a great sigh shi)
hurried back to make the most of the present.
“Thad forgotten your head ; let me stroke it again.”
Frances, fully understanding, allowed her to do so for
a few minutes, then drew her down to be fondled in her
turn, saying, half playfully, at the same time, “And never
say again to me that ‘no one cares,’ or I shall take it as a
personal insult.” :
— What a luxury that little bit of demonstration was!
After all, Esperance had a good deal of what Cornelia
called the “spoiled baby ” in her, and it was the hunger
for the tender caressing love she had been used to, which ~—
had been gnawing at her heart for the last six months.
After a time, eager footsteps were heard outside, and
with a hurried knock little Kathie burst into the room.
“Oh, Aunt Fanny! mamma sent me to ask if Esperance
will not stay with us to see the fire-works ; papa says we
shall have them to-night because it is so clear. And you
will stay, won’t you?” turning eagerly to Fsnerance. “It
will be such fun, and we may help to let them off, and yeu
can, too, you know.”
Esperance looked bewildered, till Frances explained.
Pe ET has been a lon g-talked-of treat for the children, and
my brother-in-law las indimsigkgapt Sre-works. Yor :
WON: BY WAITING. 135 |
will stay, will you not? It will be delightful to keep you
for the night.”
“To stay here for the ni ight I’ * and Esperance started to
her feet in such an ecstasy that Frances hardly knew
whether she felt inclined to laugh or ery at the sight.
“Then you will stay?” questioned Kathie, eagerly.
“Yes, indeed—that is, if there is really nothing to
hinder it,” said Esperance. ‘“ My cousin—"
« Suppose you go down-stairs aud settle it,” said Frances.
“ Kathie, take Ksperance to the drawing-room, and mind
you don’t let her run away.”
The two hastened away, hand in hand, while Frances
was left to muse over the conversation, marveling at Esper-
ance’s utter want of reserve, and wondering if she had
given good counsel.
In a few minutes she heard the deanery carriage drive
off; then after a pause, in which she grew a little impatient,
steps were heard approaching, and Lady Worthington
_ opened the door. Her face was a mixture of triumph and
amusement. -
“She stays?” asked Frances.
“Yes, she stays,” replied her sister, laughing. “ But if
only you had been down-stairs to have seen it all! Mrs.
Mortlake was all anxicty to put a stop to it, but was quite
non-plused; I only hope she is not offended with us.”
“ But why did she object ?”
“Qh, she invented all sorts of excuses, from the cathedral
service upward, and really, when it came to the dean not
liking her to be absent I was afraid we should have to give
it up, though a more lame excuse I can’timagine. Asif he
ever attended to such subiunary matters! However, then
Henry came in and took just the right line, laughed at me
for not even knowing whether Esperance would like to stay,
and sent Kathie up here with a message.”
Ra Poor Esperance, I pity her coming down to such a con-
clave.’
‘Oh, she was quite self-possessed, and, I fancy, very mueh
enjoyed being quit of Mrs. Mortlake. It was great fun to |
see them together, though Iam afraid they might have been
more plein- ‘spoken if they had been alone. As it was, Es-
perance deferred to her cousin just enough, but made it
very evident that she would like to stay, putting in half a
dozen pretty little speeches about giving trouble and want
of preparation, while Mrs. Mortlake was stumbling over
ene. Henry was enchanted with her, and I have left him
Soe ve. et ee ale 2 ie ey) SP ae eee ee OLE ET rr
pie paket gga RS NE Set |, ene eee ee, bao ey
een
136 _ ‘WON BY WAITING.
doing pater familias, with Esperance in one hand, Kathie in
the other, and boys every where, going to see the exhibition
of rabbits.”
“Poor child, she will enjoy it. Oh, Katharine, she does
want spoiling a little. She must have a dreadful time of it
at the deanery.” |
“Tam glad you have come to my way of thinking,” said |
Lady Worthington, with a smile.
“No, not altogether. I have tried my line, but it brought to
light so much unhappiness, that 1am sure we must vive her
all the love we can, to counteract the deanery infiuence.”
“T quite agree with you. Well, 1 must not waste any
more time in gossiping ; there will be just time to go down
to the village and ask the school children to-come up this
evening to see the show.” ,
“Tam glad they are coming ; but what will Miles say to
his beloved lawn being trampled on ?”
“My dear, what is the use of having a garden if you
can’t do what you like with it? I have conquered my
coachman, and I don’t mean to be a slave to my gardener.
I shall give a general invitation to the whole village.” .
It seemed that the whole village accepted the invitation,
for by seven o’clock the lawn was crowded with expectant
watchers, Mr. Miles himself being one of the number,
good-naturedly willing to make the best of this invasion
of his territory, and secretly enjoying the little excitement —
as much asanybody. On the terrace Sir Henry had ar-
ranged his apparatus, about which Harry and Fred hov.
ered importantly, while Kathie, half afraid of such un.
known things, kept fast hold of Esperance’s hand, and
when the first rocket was let off with a mysterious whiz
snd upward rush, fairly dragged her away.
There was something weird and wonderful about the
whole scene, and the awe-struck silence, or murmurs of
admiration of the rustic spectators, were equally impres-
tive. Esperance, though she had seen far grander displays
at Paris, had never enjoyed any so much, and she was as
eager as the boys were totry her hand at letting off squibs
or crackers, while Kathie soon lost her fear and pleaded
for a “Catherine wheel,” “to do all herself.” Then after
a shower of brilliant, many-colored snakes, and an elator-
ate device, the assembly broke up, the villagers oing home
with lusty cheers, in which Harry and Fred could not resist:
joining, in spite of their mother’s laughiag remonstrance.
. Afterward, there was arush to “Aunt Fanpy’s” room,
"WON BY WAITING. 137
and a rapturous account of all that had been done, Frances
listening with the greatest interest, and quite entering into
it all, though Esperance was sure—by the sharp contrac-
tion of her forehead every now and then—that she was in
great pain. :
~- Inafew minutes, however, Lady Worthington came in
and put an end to the chatter with—“ Now, children, go to
bed; I am sure you are all tired.”
“Not a bit, mamma,” said the boys. But they were
obedient enough, in spite cf their uproarious wildness, and
weut off at once. | 3
After they were gone, Lady Worthington, Frances, and
Esperance sat over the fire, talking, till Frances, thinking’
that three was no company, wished them good-night, and
left her sister to win Eisperance’s love in a ¢éle-d-téte.
And very well she succeeded. Any experience of real
motherly tenderness was entirely new to the poor child, -
and she was soon clinging to Lady Worthington with all
the ardor of newly awakened love, and talking almost more
freely than she had done with Frances. They did not
touch on Esperance’s present life at all, but Lady Worth-
ington, with the greatest tact, spoke of her mother, recall-
ing two or three incidents in her life, which her little
daughter listened to eagerly, and then going on to tell of
her brief visit to the Chateau de Mabillon, when Gaspard
was a baby, making Esperance smile by her descriptions,
though it is true the tears were not far off, and came down
in showers when the conversation turned to the troubles in
the siege. Yet it was a comfort to her to talk, particularly
to one who had known her father in however slight a de-
gree; and when Lady Worthington learned that she had
never spoken to her cousins, or to any one except Claude
Maenay, on the subject, she knew that it would be a real
kindness not to shux the topic, feeling sure that it must be
bad for one so unreserved by nature, to be shut into her-
self by the mistaken kindness of others.
So Esperance disburdened her heart, and was warmed
and cheered, and finally tucked up in bed by the motherly
Lady Worthington, who had found a protégée quite after
_ her own heart. .
When she went down to her husband in the drawing-
room, she could not resist giving vent to her feelings about
the Collinsons, and Rilchester people in general, who, by
their senseless want of tact and sympathy, had given the
vor child such a bad idea of English people. ‘
1d Re WON BY WAITING.
“Your patriotic soul is grieved, eh, Kate?” said Sir
Henry, smiling. :
“Well, I really don’t think it is fair. The dean isa
kind-hearted man—-at least you are always saying so, but
why does he not see to this child? They will ruin her
goon, if he does not descend from his celestial heights.”
“ Don’t speak evil of dignitaries, my dear.”
“TI can’t help it, I never did like Dean Collinson, and I
never shall. In this, as in everything else, he seems to me
blindly selfish. I can’t see why any man, however clever
he may be, should receive an enormous salary for dong
nothing in the world except looking through his own
telescope.”
“ Shocking ! shocking!” said Sir Henry, but he laughed,
nevertheless. “ Well, Kate, you are a wonderful woman,
and in time I dare say you will reform Rilchester, but I very
much doubt if you will sever the dean and his hobby, or
rouse him to a sense of his duties.”
And even hopeful and enterprising Lady Worthington
fully acquiesced.
CHAPTER XX.
Oh! ye, who sunk in beds of down,
Feel not a want, bnt what yourselves create,
Think for a moment on his wretched fate
Whom friends and fortune quite disown.
F BuRNS,
Esprranos went back to Rilchester reallv the better for
her visit to the Worthingtons, and with a desire to make
the best of everything at the deanery. She was far brighter
than she had been before, and made honest efforts to love
her cousins, and though she was daily in despair over her
failures the endeavor was doing her great good. Nor was
she by any means destitute of pleasures. Frances Neville
lent her books, took her for drives in her little pony-car-
riage, and talked in French as much as she pleased.
Mrs. Mortlake, it is true, was fond of making unpleasant
allusions to Esperance’s “new friend,” and Cornelia in-
dulged in a few sarcasms at her expense, but Esperance
could endure this as long as she was allowed still to see
Frances. ae
Soon after Christmas, Bella had a sharp attack of bron-
chitis, and wasso much pulled dewn by it that as soon as
the mild February days began it was decided that she
WON BY WAITING 139
should be taken to the south. Accordingly Mrs. Mortlake,
with Esperance as &@ companion and help, went down to
Bournemouth witu the iractious :ittle invalid. It was not
a lively prospect certainly, aud Esperance regretted leav-
ing Rilchester while the Worthingtons were still at home,
knowing that by the time they returned in the spring, the
Halli would be empty and deserted. Had it not been for
the delicious sea air, and the change of scene, she could
hardly have borne the ceaseless fret of her life. Bclla was
both cross and troublesome, and Mrs. Mortlake being
‘anxious and harassed, and at times rather dull, was more —
fault-finding and wearisome than usual.
Erances Neville’s good counsels, and still more her ex-
ample, were however fresh in Esperance’s mind, and she
struggled hard against the despondency and fretfulness
_ which were now her chief temptations, and at last her re-
ward came. ‘Toward the end of their stay at Bournemouth,
one rainy, dismal afternoon, when Bella had been more
provoking than ever, a letter arrived from Dean Collinson
to Mrs. Mortlake, with news which made Esperance almost
- frantic with delight.
“My father proposes meeting us in London,” said Mrs.
Mortlake, calmly. “He says:
* «Cornelia and I intend to come up to town next Tues-
day, the day you fixed for yourreturn, and if you will leave
Bournemouth by an early train, I will see you across Lon-
don ; in the afternoon we have an engagement. Cornelia
suggests that your cousin might like to see her brother on
the way through, in which case she can return with us by
a later train.’ ”
- Hsperance uttered half a dozen exclamations in French
—then, recovering her senses, went on more quietly in
Enelish.
« How very good of them to think of it. To see Gas-
pard once more! and so soon, too, scarcely a week; it seems
too good to be true!” |
“It will be very tiresome for me to have to take Beila
home all alone,” said Mrs. Mortlake, “you have no con-
sideration.”
Luckily, Esperance’s delight was too deep to be much
affected by this wet blanket, nor did she suffer from any
panes of conscience at her desertion of Bella—Gaspard
must stand first ; and she was in such spirits, that she even
turned Mrs. Mortlake’s complaint into a sort of compli+
ment, and made herself half believe that she liked it. | |
140 | WON BY WAITING,
How long that week seemed! Yet the anticipation was
so delightful that she could afford to wait patiently, and
she went about the house with such a radiant face, that
Mrs. Mortlake, in spite of herself, was touched.
At length the great day came. Early i in the morning the
first start was made, and without a shadow of regret—her
heart was too full of joy for that—Hsperance bade fare-
well to Bournemouth, to the sea, to the pine woods, to the
sands, and, in an ecstasy of happiness, counted the min-
utes till their arrival.
It was curious to be met by such quict, uninterested peo-
ple as the dean and Cornelia, and a little hard to be quite
attentive enough to cloaks and umbrellas. But at length
all was happily over, the drive across London accomplished,
and Mrs. Mortlake left with Cornelia at the station to
await her train, while the dean himself escorted Hisperance
to Gaspard’s rooms.
Perhaps had she not been so happy, she would have
eared more about the baker’s shop, and the shabby long-
ines which would probably shock her uncle; but she had
not a thought to spare for any one but Gaspard, and sprung
from the cab without the least diffidence, running into the ~
shop with all speed to shake hands with the landlady, and
leading the astonished and dismayed dean up the dark,
narrow staircase. In another momenta door on the first
landing was quickly opened, and Esperance, with a cry of
joy, flew into Gaspard’s arms, while the dean, shading his
eyes with his hand, looked on bewildered, but half touched.
Esperance soon remembered her uncle, ‘and disengaging
herself from Gaspard’s embrace, turned to him with an
apologetic, wistful glance.
“Forgive me for keeping you waiting, uncle; I ought to
introduce Gaspard to you.’
The dean held out his hand, muttered something polite,
and was taken into the dingy little room, which Esperance
remembered so weil, but looked far more shabby and com-
fortless than in her time.
No sooner had she turned to feast her eyes with the
sight of Gaspard, however, than her happiness was sud-
denly chilled, for he was looking very ill, pale, and worn,
and frightfully thin, while the scar on his cheek added to
the ghastliness of the whole face. She could not help con-
trasting him with the sleek, comfortable, well-to-do dean
who took everything so easily, and found life so pleasant,
Spparently, however, he w-. ut quite at his case pn. >
enone iit din, ES
ay hatha He * ‘gare. ae
WON BY WAITING 141
- for he moved his hat nervously between his hands, and
seemed to find conversation a difficulty, so Esperance
thought at least, for Gaspard, in very fairly good English,
did almost all the talking, while she counted from the
dean six consecutive remarks of “‘Oh, indeed.” He rose
to go very soon, to her relief, Gaspard promising to bring
her to the station in time for the 5:45 express, and escort-
ing his guest to the door, with a grave dignity, which re-
minded Esperance of her father.
She grudged the interruption, and waited impatiently
till he returned. |
“Ten minutes out of our precious time,” she said, half
petulantly, as after a few parting words with the dean,
Gaspard hurried upstairs. “What were you saying to
him?” |
“ Only a little gratitude, which I couldn’t bring myself
to with you near, my precious bien-aimée. What a delight
itis to have you! let me have a good look at you!”
Each surveyed the other in silence. Gaspard was
apparently well satisfied, for the “ Mariana” look which he
had feared, was not there; but Esperance, after a moment,
hid her face on his shoulder and burst into tears.
“ Ohérie, what is it?” he asked, full of concern. “Are
you unhappy at Rilchester ? is anything wrong ?”
“Tis not that,” she sobbed. “ But, oh, Gaspard, you
can’t think how ill you look!” SS
“Ts that all?” he said, laughing. ‘Don't break your
heart over such trifles—do let us eujoy ourselves in the
few hours we have together.”
‘She made an unsuccessful effort to cheek her sobs, and
he, fearing that his attempt to turn away from the subject
had wounded her, returned to it.
* Mon amie, it is very pleasant to be thought for, and
spoiled once more, but you must not really think I am ill.
~Itis not half so trying as life during the siege, and the
_ quality of the food is much better—thinness is natural to
the family.” ,
«“ But tell me, Gaspard, are you really living still with-
out meat?” asked Esperance, with an earnestness which
made him laugh. i :
“Yes Tam turned vegetarian, teetotale>, and all sorts of
virtuous things.”
«And at the deanery,” exclaimed Erperance, passion-
ately, “even Bella’s wretched Little cat has meat every:
Eo Oay, =.
142 WON BY WATTING.
Gaspard laughed uncontrollably, and Esperance, seeing
the ludicrous side of her remark, at length joined Lim.
* Poor Bismarck! don’t you think you could take him
back with you to that happy place; he is not half so well
used.”
“Tf only you were there.”
“What! to eat those terrible breakfasts at edeht o'clock,
and those joints of meat, which you described to me with
such horror? Have you forgotten what happened when
«¢ Autrefois le rat de ville
Ivita len rat des champs ?”
You would find me sighing for Bismarck and my eau sucré
by the end of the first day.”
Esperance was soon talked back to cheerfulness, and re-
lieved Gaspard greatly by the account she gave of herself,
and of the kindness Lady Worthington and Miss Neville
had shown her. She wisely refrained from showing the
darker side of her life at the deanery, aNx10Us, as far ag
possible, to make him easy about her.
“Your funds must want replenishing,’ ’ said Gaspard,
when he had heard all she had to tell of her present life.
“‘ How have you managed to get on? :
“Oh, ET have done very well,’ said Esperance, “and I
don’t want anything yet. I have been making up some of
my old colored dresses this spring.” |
“ But, chérie, you can’t have existed for ten months on
that sovereign L gave you last June and yet have suck a
nice turn-out.”
“You men know nothing whatever about such things,”
said Esperance, laughing gayly. “That sovereign lasted
me till Christmas, and then, luckily, uncle gave me another
as a Christmas present, and that is to last another six
months. Then besides, some one sent me three pairs of
gloves as a valentine, so now you know all my resources.
The idea of my having anything from you! What do you
take me for, Gaspard ?”
“For a very wonderful littleaanager,” said Gaspard,
smiling, ‘But, seriously, it will be the greatest help to
me, for, as you know, money is not too abundant, nor
likely to be.”
op used to hope that poor Monsieur Lemercier would
somehow come miraculously to the rescue, and “nd that
our losses had not, after all, heen so great. Have you
heard from him lately, Gaspard ie
oes PE ee Bee RE Say OW GT Sasi in ea ae a
WON BY WAITING. 143
iy “No, not from him, but from madame,” replied Gaspard,
gadly. Then, as Esperance looked up iuquiringly, “I
wanted you not to hear of it, chérie, but since you have
asked that can not be. Poor Monsieur Lemercier was
arrested as a Communist.” 3
“He was notshot!” exclaimed Esperance, horror-struck.
“No, no; that he did escape, though poor madame was
kept in suspense for some time. He is transpcrted for
life.”
“Poor monsieur! Oh, I am so evieved for him! Do you
not remember, Gaspard, how earnest—almost noble—he
looked when he wished us good-bye ?—how hopeful he
was about the Commune |”
Gaspard gave a heavy sigh. |
~©Poor Lemercier! if ever a man meant well, he did.
Well, chérie, if it had not been for you, I might perhaps
have been with him, and the disgrace of that would be
worse than starving here.”
‘The words slipped from him inadvertently. Esperance
shuddered, but took no notice of them, fearing to vex
him.
« And poor madame ?” she asked, after a brief silence.
“Ttis some months since I had her letter; she was in
France then, but bent on working her way out tohim. Of
course they are ruined, for Monsieur Lemercier never had -
a notion of Saving, so she was looking out for a situation as
governess.”
“Poor madame! how sad for her! But she is brave
and g@od-hearted; she will join monsieur before long,
without doubt. Oh, Gaspard, how I wish I were old
enough to go out as a governess, then I could help you,
perhaps.”
“You do that already by your economy; besides, I am
not in despair yet. I have heard it said, that if work is
| honestly wished for, and really sought, it comes sooner or
later.”
— “But in the meantime?” said Esperance, with a quiver in
her voice.
“We must endure, chérie, tary trust in God.”
His tones were grave and low, and Esperance, in spite of
a thrill of happiness, was awed by them. She was more
and more reminded of her father, and though her heart
ached when she thought of Gaspard’ S sufferings, there was
comfort in seeing how cood was being brought out of evil.
A year ago he had been miserable and depressod out of
—— — ae Se ey Wie SA oe AS 2
= a 3 = _ y aS
ae — A A i
144 WON BY WAITING.
heart with himself, and in every way unsettled ; now, note —
withstanding his troubles, he was more hopeful, and more
bravely patient, while Eisperance was conscious of a certain
growth and expansion of .his whole character, which,
though she could not in the least fathom it, enabled herto
lean where she had before upheld, and to reverence where
she had simply loved. |
The clock struck five all too soon ; and when Gaspard
spoke of preparing for the start, aterrible yearning to stay
with him almost overmastered her. To go back to the
weary, struggling, scolding life at Rilchester, after the ©
short respite, seemed almost unbearable,and had it not
been for her anxiety to leave Gaspard well satisfied with
her comfort and happiness, she must have given way. But
the loving little deception helped her, and she kept up
bravely. Just at the last the landlady, who had been very
fond of her, brought up some coffee, which she begged
ma'mnselle to accept ; and Esperance, who had tasted noth-
ing since the morning, made an effort to be grateful, drove
back her tears, and managed to swallow some of it, and to ©
éalk to the -good-natured woman. * ee
In spite of her dread of leaving Gaspard, she almost —
Jooked forward to the time when she might allow herself —
to break down, the torture of tiis prolonged parting was °'
worse than anything, and it was really a kind of relief —
when they set out for the station. They found Cornelia
and the dean walking up and down the platform, and Esper-
ance rather enjoyed introducing Gaspard to her cousin,
Oornelia, who had from the first been much more desir- _
ous to help Gaspard than to adopt his sister, was evidently Ee
struck with him, talked with him, at Srst patronizingly, —
but soon with real cordiality, and showed her best side,
while Esperance was unselfish enough to be thankful that —
her little plot was thus aided. Gaspard’s last words, spoken _
rapidly in French, proved how successful she had been. ———
“Good-bye, mon ceur, if you knew the unntterable coms
fort it is to see you thus well taken care of!” ec
He was satisfied; a care was taken off his mind: it was _
well! but as the train moved slowly off, and the necessity
for restrain was no longer felt, an agony of loneliness over=- _
whelmed the poor child. Would it have been better, she
wondered, if she ‘ad told all her troubles to Gaspard and
gained that symp thy for which she was craving? Was she _
right to let him think that she was happy and contented,
when in truth she was miserable And yet those thankfuj
WON BY WATTING. °__ 148
words at parling were worth suffering for; if she had
denied herself the relief of a complete outpouring of her
heart, it had at least gained peace of mind for him, had
taken something from his many troubles. But there her
self-control gave way, and the long pent-up tears burst
forth as she thought of the many privations he had tried
unsuccessfully to hide from her.
The dean was engrossed in his newspaper at the further
end of the carriace; moreover, he was a little deaf; but
from the all-observing Cornelia nothing could be con-
cealed. She had been prepared for a few natural tears, but
when the long-drawn, quivering sobs continued,- and
even grew more violent, she thought it time to interfere,
and began a low-toned but decided remonstrance.
**My dear Esperance do control yourself; itis so childish
to go on this way; you weaken your whole character by
is:
It was very true,no doubt, but she was past being reasoned
- with— what did her character signify when Gaspard was
starving ? So she sobbed on, while Cornelia scolded without
- any effect, until at last, alarmed at the increasing paleness
of Esperance’s face, she asked suddenly the startled matters
of-fact question, “ Have you had any dinner ?”
A half-impatient “No” os the answer.
“What! nothing at all since the morning?”
“Some coffee,” sobbed Esperance, still impatiently.
“You foolish child, then of course you are faint with
hunger. Why can’t you take proper care of yourself?”
“Do you think I would not rather bear that than take
anything from Gaspard ?” said Esperance, indignation fora
- moment checking her tears. ‘You rich people haveno
_ conception what real poverty means! would you have me
take eare of myself, when he has been starving for months
on bread and eau sucré?”
- * Tg that really a fact?” asked Cornelia, greatly shocked,
while the dean, hearing an unusual noise, looked up from
his paper, and bent forward to listen. Esperance was just
sufficiently alive to feel that a crisis had come; with an
effort she raised herself, grasped the arm of the seat, and
choking back her tears, said, “I have done wrong, Cor-
nelia; he would not wish any one to know of his priva-
tions; pray forget what I said.”
* «Jean make no such promise,” said Cornelia, eoldly;
* besides, if, as I infer, this is really true, it is not a thir;
io be forgotten.”
146 WON BY WAITING.
Tisperance had fallen back to her former position, but
throuch her tears Cornelia caught the words, “ He would
not like—more obligations.” —— z
Perhaps her vexation at this accounted for the very se-
vere way in which she administered wine from a flask to
Esperance. c
“Now pray drink this and stop crying at once; if you
had a tithe ot your brother’s powers of endurance, this
would not hive happened.”
It was certainly neither complimentary ror consoling,
but Esperance’s loving nature was more pleased by the
reference to Gaspard’s virtues, than stung by the reproach
to herself. She swallowed the wine, revived a little, dried
her eyes, and cowered down into her corner, where she
soon fell asleep.
Cornelia sat watching her gravely ; stern and unsympe
thetic as she had seemed, her heart was really touchew
and Esperance’s outburst, with its pride and pathos, ha.
awakened her compassion. She was genuinely sorry fous
the poor child, but to let this appear in word or deeu
seemed to her impossible, and after the salutary scoldin,:
she had administered, she would have deemed it mevas
weakness to change her tactics; so that it was not un«il
Esperance was fast asleep, that she undid her cloak strays,.
and spread a warm shawl over her.
Then she moved to the seat beside the dean, and began
in her business-like way, “Tather, I wish you would help:
that poor boy to some work, he looks so ill. Do you not
know of something he could do in Rilchester ? Did I not.
hear that the librarian wanted some copying done ?”
‘We do not want him at Rilchester,” said the dean, a
little sharply. ‘‘I have had foreigners to my house once.
too often; we don’t want your poor aunt Amy’s story acted
over again.”
“ Bertha!’ exclaimed Cornelia, “oh! that could never’
be; he isa mere boy, too.” ,
“A thorough De Mabillon,” said the dean. “The very:
image of his father, manners and all; a substratum of
pride, then a coating of dignity, and over all that, destest--
able French polish. Pshaw! why can’t a man be plain:
spoken! I hate palaver.”
Cornelia smiled at her father’s unwonted energy.
“ But you would scarcely wish to leave even a Frenchman:
to starve, and I am afraid it has nearly come to that with:
Gaspard de Mabillon.”
aS
WON BY WAITING. 149
«My dear Cornelia, you are quite mistaken if you think
Yam going to adopt both Monsieur de Mabillon’s children.
I have taken in the little girl for your poor aunt’s sake, but
further than that I will not go.”
“So her first-born must starve, because of that limit you
jput upon your good-will,” said Cornelia, with more sarcasm
than respect. 7
The dean shifted about uneasily, looking thoroughly
miserable. To be forced to talk of anything but the
heavenly bodies, was a pain and grief to him at any time,
but when the earthly bodies under dispute happened to be
De Mabillons, his wretchedness was complete, for he had
never forgiven M. de Mabillon, and yet was ashamed to
remember that he had not done so.
“ What can I do for him?” he asked at lengtk, galled by
the consciousness of this unrepented, yet would-be for-
gotten sin.
Cornelia had been thinking deeply for somne minutes,
and her answer was ready sooner than the dean cared for.
* [ have been thinking, father, could you not write to
‘Mir. Seymour ?”
* How do you know that the voune man has any liking
Yor coffee planting 2?” questioned the dean, glad of an ex-
cuse.
*T fancy he has a likine for anything that will give bim
bread, poor fellow. Mr. Seymour's furlough will be over
soon, LT should think, and if he knows of any opening for
him in Ceylon, they might go out together.”
“And pray who is to bear the cost of the premium?”
“Let us wait till we know there is a premium to pay,”
said Cornelia, eomposedly, and there she allowed the con-
versation to rest, satisfied that she had gained her point.
The dean soon forgot his vexation in sleep, and Cornelia
sat musing, while the silence was only broken by a little
half sob from Esperance every now and then. Cornelia
watched her apprehensively, hoping that she had heard
nothing of vhat had passed, and wondering how the new
idea would please her. On the whole, in spite of her ap-
parent contempt, she was nearer liking her than she had
ever been before, and even betrayed no irritation when,
on arriving at Rilchester, Esperance awoke confused and
weary, and persisted in speaking French.
Aa Nae Sei Dy EG got VM Whale Mi a Ea ce A) a Dna et eh bar gs TR re ie)
: eas Hoa = aes oe ae Ls
148 | WON BY WAITING.
CHAPTER XXL
Jf loving hearts were never lonely,
If all they wished might always be,
Accepting what they look for only,
They might be glad—but not in Thee,
‘We need as much the cross we bear
As air we breathe, as light we see}
— Jt draws us to Thy side in prayer,
It binds us to our strength in Thee.
A. L. WaRtna.
RiLcHESTER again with its quiet, undisturbed streets and
its busy tongues; the cathedral with its daily services and,
its thin congregations; the deanery, with all its luxurious
discomfort, and the weary, distasteful life once more.
Strive as Esperance would to be thankful and contented, it
was of no use—each day seemed more burdensome, each
petty trial more unbearable. It was an intolerable effort
to be even ordinarily polite to every one, and when Bella
was provoking she was sorely tempted to box her ears.
Cornelia told her openly that-her visit to Gaspard had
upset her, that she was ungrateful for the kindness shown
her, and that she ought to be ashamed of herself. Mrs.
Mortlake put everything down to the long holiday at
Bournemouth, and was always on the lookout for fresh
employment for her. Bella’s nurse, a kind-hearted, sensible
person, suggested that mademoiselle felt the spring
weather, and shouid take a tonic.
April passed into May, and the alternations of cold east
wind and hot sunshine did not improve matters. Esper-
ance grew more and more languid and depressed ; she
could not sleep, she could not eat, she vould not even
think clearly. The one idea impressed on her mind was
that Gaspard was alone and starving, and this thought
never left her; by day, she dwelt on it with bitter tears—
in her brief intervals of restless sleep it haunted her
~ dreams. ; |
Things went on in this way for about a month. Cornelia
was beginning to feel alarmed, and to watch her with re
though carefully diseuised anxiety.
One day when the lessons had gone worse than usual,
and Esperance felt that she really deserved a scolding, she
was surprised by the sudden quest.on, “You do not feeb
“ar bt bie
ct
See WON BY WAITING. 149
_ well, Esperance, I am sure. What is the matter with
you ?”
“1 do not know,” she answered, languidly.
« But you must know what you feel like; come, tell me
at once.”
“T don’t feel anything particular.”
“Would you like to see a doctor?”
“Oh, no, thank you; I have nothing to say.”
Cornelia was not at all satisfied with the epiritless tone
of her answers. She had lost all her brightness and energy, ©
and whereas she had before been eager and responsive,
she was now silent and apathetic.
“You need not prepare your lessons for to-morrow; we
will read together instead,” said Cornelia, after a minute's
thought, watching to see what effect this would have.
There was some slight shade of relief in Esperance’s
“ Thank you,” but it seemed as if nothing could make very
much difference to her now.
Just then the gong sounded for luncheon, and the two
went down-stairs together, Cornelia feeling uneasy and
puzzled. In the dining-room they found the dean and
their cousin, George Palgrave, who had just arrived on a
visif. Esperance looked at hinrrather curiously remem-
bering with a pang the scene of their last meeting. He
was not the least changed in appearance, but he seemed
less awkward, a fact which she naughtily explained as owing
to her increased acquaintance with Enelishmen. He won
her heart, however, by inquiring after Gaspard, for
though the question was hard to answer, and brought the
ready tears to her eyes, it showed that he was not for-
votten.
” Cornelia watched Esperance carefully, noticed her reply
to George Palgrave’s question, the sudden blush which
rose to her cheek quickly succeeded by deadly paleness,
the almcst impatient gesture with which she rejected the
dishes handed to her, and her languid attempts to eat a few
mouthfuls of what was beforeher. All brought to her
mind that sharp, despairing sentence, which had so
startled her, “Should I take care of myself, when he is
starving ?” It must then be this trouble which was weigh-
ing down Esperance ; she should know as soon as possible
that help was at hand.
Several letters had passed between Mr. Seymour and the
dean, and Cornelia knew that Mr. Seymour intended to
have a personal interview with Gaspard, and that if pleased
/
150 WON BY WAITING,
with him, it was highly probable that he would give him
employment. Matters were arranged even more quickly
than she had expeeted ; that very afternoon the dean re-
ceived letters both from. the coffée- -planter and from Gas-
ard.
Y “Mr. Seymour really takes him?” asked Cornelia, anx-
iously.
“Yes; he seems much pleased with him; you can read
his letter, and the young man himself writes very properly.
Tam glad something 1 is setiled; it has been a most trouble-
gome correspondence.”
«You will tell Esperance, will you not, father?”
- “Oh, well, yes, if you think best; but send her here
quickly, for Iam very busy, and have been sadly hindered
this morning by George.”
“‘She shall come at once. You remember, father, she has
no idea of this; it will be a great surprise to her.”
“Yes, yes, I understand, my dear; only let us waste no
more time.”
Cornelia hastened away in search of Esperar ance, not feel- —
ing quite satisfied. After all, would tlis help which she
had taken so much pains to secure be very acceptable to
her little cousin ? She wished Ceylon were not so far off,
or that she had persuaded her father to try for some Eng~
lish appointment for Gaspard ; and then wished heartily
that she had more tact and sympathy, or could fancy in the
least what her feelings would be on hearing that her im-
aginary brother was to be shipped off to the other side of
the world.
Poor Carnal in spite of all her wishes, her voice was
as cold and peremptory as ever when at last she found
Esperance.
“My father wants to speak to you in the library; no,
pray don’t fidget about your hair, it is quite tidy, and he
is in a hurry.”
Esperance went without a word. ” asked Esperance,
wondering how it was to be obtained, and turning almost
willingly to this practical difficulty, in the hope of stifling
the pain. _
“Thave not the least idea, but probably Mr. Seymour
will have told him all about that; does he not tell you in
his letter?” and Cornelia glanced at the closely written
sheet which lay before her.
_ Hsperance took it up and read to the end, and there, sure
snough, was the formidable list of necessaries suggested
by the coffee-planter, but which Gaspard looked upon as
30 impossible to obtain that he mentioned them half laugh-
ingly. She was greatly perplexed.
* Well 2?” asked Cornelia.
“ Yes, he speaks of it,” she replied, slowly. “But I do
not much understand such pines: Lam still only very
young.”
The combination of adverbs offended Cornelia ear but
she was touched by the pathos of the confession. 4.¢:9
NS My nt eke ee ke 8 Tis lee ae ee es Pe =* Soe CRP e melas se
CO METEEES BES DES NORTON Gate Toy ae SE eR ee ae a
" ; ° x 5a es J %
ey . ‘ :
154 WON BY WAITING.
was something weary in the tone, as if it were sad still to
have so much of life to look forward to, and it struck
that there was something strange and wrong in such a res
mark being made by a girl of scarcely seventeen, who
should have been rejoicing in the hope of coming life, and
proud of her age. ;
“T would not worry over the outfit if I were you,” she
said, more kindly. ‘No doubt your brother will ‘manage
it himself. You have a headache, I am sure, after all that
crying ; suppose you go out for a walk—you will have
time before afternoon service.”
Esperance was grateful for the kindness of this speech,
and wearily assenting, folded Gaspard’s letter and carried
it up to her room, her mind still full of the difficulties of
procuring his outfit. Whether it was from the relief of
thinking of anything except her grief, or from the anxiety
to being something for Gaspard while it was stil! possible,
this idea quite absorbed her. The nineteen shillings in
her purse were not consolatory—how little they would.
procure for him! She racked her brains for some means *
-of making money, but for some time it was quite in vain.
At length an idea struck her—her face lighted up with
eager hope, and hastily putting on her walking things, she
followed Cornelia’s advice and went out-of-doors. ne
No country walk was to be hers, however. She bent i
her steps toward the town, and walking hurriedly through ~
the more frequented parts, reached a quiet side street, and
entered a hair-dresser’s shop. Her heart was beating
quickly, and her voice was a little tremulous as she made
known her wishes to the master of the shop, a round-
faced, gray-headed, cheery old man, who would not have_
betrayed his profession but for the extreme accuracy of
his parting, and the elegant curve of the hair plastered ‘
down on his temples.
“For cutting only, miss? will you please to walk up-
stairs ?” . |
Esperance obeyed, following her conductor to the shabby
little room above, ostentatiously advertised as a “ Hair
Cutting and Shampooing Saloon.” There she took off her
hat, loosened her hair, and with heightened color drew it
out to its full length, and glanced at her reflection in the
gilt-framed mirror.
“Just tipped, I suppose, miss?” said the hair-dresser,
arranging lis implements and surveying Esperance’s beaue
éful hair with professional admiration, ;
@ON BY WAITING, 7 155
® No, f want it cut off,” she said, half caressssiy taking
the chair he had placed for her, and tossing her hair over
its back.
“ Cut off, miss!” exclaimed the astonished hair-dresser.
“Yes, please,” said Esperance, quietly.
« But, miss, you will excuse me, but it is such a pity. I
have not seen such hair for many a day—so long, so thick,
in such capital condition! Many ladies, miss, would give
any money to have such a head of hair; they would indeed,
miss.
* Would they ?” asked Esperanice, smiling. ‘Then that
is just what I want. In fact, Mr. Jenkinson, I may as well
tell you that I want to sell my. hair. How much would
you give me for it?”
“ Indeed, miss, I hardly know what I ought to say ; but
it seems a thuusand pities to cut off such beautiful hair as
that.”
“Never mind,” said Esperance, flushing crimson, “I
want monc7 ; what will you let me have for it?”
The man examined it more critically, felt its weight, and
again admired it. It was, indeed, very beautiful—long and
thick, yet at the same time both fine and glossy, the color of
the darkest shade of brown, while a soft waviness, ending
in tendril-like ringlets, added not a little to its value. He
thought for some minutes, then said, “I would give five
guineas for it, miss. If it were light-colored it would be
worth twice ‘that, light hair being fashionable. If you
care to part with it for five guineas, though, I will take it.”
Esperance did not hesitate a moment.
“Thank you,” she said, eagerly, “we will settle it
then.” And without a shadow of regret she submitted to
_the hair-dresser’s scissors, and thought of all that the five
guineas would buy.
In ten minutes all was done, and Esperance, feeling
rather cold and shorn, was walking back to the cathedral,
contemplating the little pile of coins in her hand with
great satisfaction. The service over, she returned to the
deanery, and found afternoon tea going on in the drawing-
room. Mrs. Mortlake had just returned from the mission-.
ary meeting; George Palgrave and Bertha were talking
together by the window, Cornelia was pouring out tea—an
unusual thing—holding the tea-pot ungracefully high, se
that the tea frothed into the cups.
«A very dull affair, indeed,” Mrs. Mortlake was saying.
«My father actually went to sleep in his chair, while »
156 WON BY WAITING.
young converted Kaffer was speaking through an inter
preter—such a creature—you should have seen— Whay,
Esperance!” breaking off suddenly, “whatin the world
have you done to yourself? Are you trying to imitate our
Kaffer friend ?”
Esperance laughed and colored, and there was a general
exclamation.
“JT have had my hair cut, that is all,” she said, quietly.
“Cut! Why, itis cropped all round your head! What is
the meaning of this extraordinary freak?”
“T thought I coula do very well without my hair, and I
wanted it for something else.”
© Absurd! What have you done with it?”
“‘T have sold it,” said Esperance, blushing, and wishing 5
Mrs. Mortlake would not be so inquisitive.
“Sold it!” Even Bertha joined in the exclamation.
Mrs. Mortlake, however, was more than surprised; an
anery flush rose to her cheek as she continued.
“You sold it in Rilchester? How could you think of
doing such an imprudent thing. It will be all over the place
' now, and every one will be gossiping about you.”
**T do not mind that,” said Esperance.
“‘Of course not,” said Cornelia, coming to the rescue.
«That is the the most sensible thing that has been said
yet. TmsureI don’t know why you make such a fuss, —
Christabel.” }
“Tt’s a disgrace to the house!” said Mrs Mortlake an-
grily. ‘A most unlady-like thing! and in a small place
like this, where every one must know! Why, all Rilchester
will talk!”
“Well, Esperance, the family seem to disagres about the
matter,” said Cornelia, calmly. ‘For my part i have never
respected you so much before.”
Esperance looked up gratefully. The unexpected kind-
ness was welcome enough, and she was still more thankful
when Cornelia quietly turned the conversation away from
the subject altogether, and succeeded in engrossing Mrs.
Mortlake’s attention.
As soon as possible she slipped out of the room, and went
to the nursery to discuss ways and means with Bella’s
nurse, and was soon so deeply engaged in the necessary
calculations for a set of shirts that she forgot the grievance
of the lost hair. .
“A spirited little creature,” said George Palgrave te
Bertha; “tat what induced her to do such a thing?”
PA ANS ON eslenny ae este WC ae TONG Mer phe a wi NPR ong ore
‘WON BY WAITING. | 157
«Probably to help her brother; he is going out to Cey-
lon, you know.” : é
“Will no one else help her? It really is a hard case; I
shall report it to grannie.”
“Well, that is not a bad idea, for she is a favorite with
grannie; but I doubt if she will thank you for begging for —
her—-she is very proud.”
“She must not know of our intervention,” said George.
«What do you say to a walk to the Priory this evening >?”
“Tt would be too late after dinner; besides, we should
-have to take Esperance as third party; you forget propriety
and gossip.”
“Hang propriety! you and I ought to be exempted from
such a tiresome thing; to-morrow morning, then, by broad
daylight,” and he looked up, persuasively. |
Bertha colored.
“Very well, on condition that you do the begging,” she
said. George willingly agreed, and the result was so suc-
cessful that Esperance found a five-pound note added to
her earnings, and given in such a kind and delicate way
that even her sensitive nature could not shrink from the
help. Ras
CHAPTER XXII.
Affliction’s sons are brothers in distress,
A brother to relieve how exquisite the bliss.
BuRNS,
“Poor Esperance! So your protégée is disposed of,
Katharine,” said Frances Neville, handing an open letter to
her sister. |
Lady Worthington read it in much surprise.
“Who would have thought of Dean Collinson coming to
the rescue! My opinion of him israised. But they might
have managed te keep him in England. This poor child!
what a heart-broken letter it is.”
“I suppose it is really a good thing,” said Frances, sigh-
ing. “ But it does seem hard to send him to the ends of
the earth like that.” 3
“Tf Henry could only have found something for him ;
but he is so very just, he would not hear of giving Gaspard
de Mabillon the chance of a situation till Julius Wright
was settled. ‘There was that capital secretaryship the
other day, but he got that fer Mr. Frankland, you knew."
158 WON BY WAITING.
“They have been waiting a long time,” said Frances,
“I suppose it is all right.”
“Of course: but still—” and Lady Worthington sighed
impatiently. She would have liked to help all the -world,
in her own way.
Just then Sir Henry came in, not too busy to listen to
his wife’s story.
“‘T am sorry we are forestalled,” he said, kindly. “But
it is a capital appointment for him, and Mr. Seymour is a
very pleasant sort of man ; I met him at the deanery once,
not so very long ago.’
« Ah, yes,” said Lady. Worthington. “I remember now,
it was at that dull dinner which they gave for some col-
lonian bishop, while Mrs. Mortlake was at Bournemouth.
Mr. Seymour was the little, dark, talkative man who ‘tried
so hard to put a little life into us all.”
Sir Henry smiled at this description.
* He is a kind-hearted man, I should think, and will be
a good friend to young De Mabillon.”
“But I do wish we could have helped him, Henry ; we
have done searcely anything, and now that: he is going out
of England there will not be a chance.”
«T will call on Mr. Seymour, and see if we can not be of
some use,” said Sir Henry. “Perhaps I might take his
| ee for him, it will be a heavier expense than he can ?
ar, [ should think.”
« Oh, that would be delightful,” cried Lady Worthington.
«I dare say the dean has not thought of it It would
please Esperance, too. . Poor child, Claude’s picture will
not be exaggerated now ; I could fancy her with just such
a look on her face. I assure you, Henry,I fairly cried over
that picture, when I saw it the other day in the Academy.”
“T hope you won't find it depressing in the house,” said
Sir Henry, laughing, “for I bought it yesterday.”
“Really! oh, Tam so glad. Claude will be pleased that .
we should have it; he was always very tender over his
‘ Mariana.’ ”
“Tt is one of his finest pictures, in my opinion,” said Sir
Henry, “and it has raised him immensely in the public
estimation, according to all accounts.”
“Yes, every one is talking of it. Ifind it hard work
sometimes not to tell the true story of the real ‘ Mariana.’
Well, [am very glad we shall have it. Claude must dine
with us soon, and we wiil consult him ss to the hanging;
i suppose he will wish it to be in tne riallat Worthington.?
eae i. a | % ae M Ae . hey
WON BY WAITING. 159
_ And thereupon Lady Worthington became engrossed in
another subject, and did not revert again to the De Mabil-
lons. They were not forgotten, however ; the next morn-
ing Zisperance received one of Frances Neville’s most com-
forting letters, and Sir Henry, in spite of a busy day, found
time to call on Mr. Seymour.
Meanwhile Gaspard, in his dreary lodging at Penton-
ville, was looking forward almost with impatience to the
time when he should leave England. To be ireed from the
vife of almost unbearable privation which he had been liv-
ing so long, to be working for Esperance, seemed to him
all that heart could wish ; and though he did shrink from
leaving her alone in a strange country, this could not mar
his happiness, for he was full of plans for the future, in
which he was to make a home for her in Ceylon, and end
ker exile at the deanery—an exile, the bitterness of which,
after all, he little understood. |
The practical difficulties of the present were first sug-_
gested to him by Esperance’s reply to his letter, in which
ehe scouted his notion of getting on with no outfit, and
told him of her preparations. ‘Then, when brought face to
face with money matiers, he began to think of his passage, -
and resorting to an old Bradshaw was dismayed to find
that at the lowest computation it would cost him forty
pounds. Such a sum was, of course, utterly beyond his
means, and for one miserable day he gave himself up to
despair. To lose such a situation seemed imporsible—
intolerable. Yet what could he do? Toask help of any
one was out of the question. He had, indeed, been
reduced to, actual begging once, but that had been for
Esperance, and under the conviction that she would die -
if he did not force himself to do it; in this case she was
not.so greatly affected, and for himself he could not beg.
What he had done fora year he could go on with, he argued
with himself. The semi-starvation had not killed him yet,
he would struggle on, and wait in the hope that some
other work might be found which would not require such
_ an outlay. Poor Gaspard! how many times that day he
arrived at the same conclusion, and how he fought against
it! |
_ ‘The privations which he was bearing so patiently seemed _
unpearapie Ior tne ruture, now that he had had a hope of
release. He faced all the trials his poverty had brought
him, a8 he naa never allowed himseli to do before. and
@aw all too plainly how much his bodily strength was be-
160 WON BY WAITING. | Seat
ginning to fail ; he remembered the days of ceaseless toil he
had borne during the siege, and thought kow a walk of two
or three miles would exhaust him now, and loathed the
thought. Then he grew angry with himself for not having
remembered the expenses of the voyage during his inter-
view with Mr. Seymour, and wondered with a vague misery
if his senses were deserting him, as well as his strength,
turning sick at the thought of this failing of his powers.
What would the end be if he waited much longer? There
could be only one answer to that question, and Gas-
pard could not repress a shudder. He was so young, and
clung to life with such ardor! moreover, he was so accus-
tomed to think of death as swift and sudden, and sweeten-
ed by patriotism like that of his father, that the idea of
this slow, dreary starvation seemed all the more terrible.
He was in the very depths of misery, when his solitude
was suddenly invaded. There was a brisk knock at his
door, and before his dejected response could have been
heard, Claude Magnay entered.
“ May I come in?” he asked. “Your landlady told me
you were at home, but there were so many customers be-
low that she allowed Bismarck to show me up.”
Gaspard brightened a little at the sight of his visitor,
for he had a oreat liking for Claude, and during the winter
had seen a good deal of lim, the only check to their inter-
course being that Claude was a little too pressing in his
hospitalities, and Gaspard too anxious to elude civilities
which he could not return. They were quite intimate
enough to discuss Gaspard’s present difficulties, and, in--
deed, Claude’s very first remark led to the topic.
“So I hear you are going out to Ceylon next month !”
* Yes—no—at least I was going, but I believe I me
ehanged my mind.”
“Indeed! oh, Iam sorry for that. I thought everythin e
was settled ; Sir Henry Worthington certainly led me to
think go.’
“Sir Henry Worthington! he has had nothing to de
with it. It was through Dean Collinson I got the situa-
tion.”
“Tho Worthingtons might have heard of it through
your sister, perhaps; certainly Sir Henry mentioned it te
me this very day. But you have changed your mind, you
say ?”
“Yos; I must wait till something turns up in England,”
replied Gaspard, trying to stifle a sigh of despair.
¢
ie
Pa ei 0 oe es
.
eo
fet A Radin «or
at,
5 : P i
aie sha yer af fae ;
ones “WON BY WAITING. Ber eOde
“But, my dear fellow, if I may say s0, surely if is made
~ ness to give up such .a chance as this. Coffee-planting is
the best thing going now; you will not hear of such an
opening every day. Besides, have you not spent this
whole year in “Mr. Micawber’s fashion—waiting for some-
thing to turn up ?”
Gaspard smiled a little.
“Yes, itis true. But there must be work, you know; I
never will believe that I shall not find it in time, If the
worst came to the worst, I would swallow my pride and
turn into a French waiter!”
“Ah, yes: Ican picture you at Gatti’s, for instance, with
a napkin tucked under your arw, scolding the cook down
the lift!” and Claude laughed heartily. Then, suddenly
growing grave, “But, seriously, De Mabillon, this is all
very absurd ; you must not give up Ceylon.”
“ Of course IT should not, if it could be helped, but it can
not be,” said Gaspard, decisively ; ‘so help me by consider-
ing my other capabilities.”
“ -Well, first, 1 hope and think you are capable of con-
fiding to me the reason of this sudden change,” said
Claude, quietly.
Gaspard, a little surprised, hesitated a moment, then an-
~ gwered, “ Well, as you can probably guess, the expenses
are too ereat, ‘and I, like a fool, did not think of that at
first.”
Claude, who had suspected this, gave an exclamation of
relief.
«There! now we have come to the bottom of the matter.
Why on earth did you not tell meat once? It shall be ar-
ranged as easily as possible. By good luck, too, I have it
with me—it will be quite a coup de thédtre;” and taking a
blue envelope from his pocket he handed it to Gaspard.
“There, De Mabillon, you will do me a great favor by tak-
ing that. No—don’t open itnow. I want to talk to you.”
“ This is impossible !” exclaimed Gaspard, disregarding
his last words. ‘It is very good of you to think of it, but
I could not dream of accepting such a sum. Thank you
a thousand times for the thought, however.”
“You insist on turning into a waiter!” asked Claude,
laughingly. “Then I shall make a point of dining every
- day at your Eeese Uren; and tipping you with threepenny
bits.”
te Gaspard laughed, but resolutely pushed back the ene
velope. Claude then began more seriously.
162 WON BY WAITING.
“But, De Mabillon, why will you not accept this?
Surely we are sutticiently intimate to be of some use to
each other. Why not let me have this pleasure ?”
“You are very good, butI can not accept it. What claim
have I on you ?”
“Claim? stuff and nonsense; every one ought to have a
a claim on every one, only the world is so eaten up with
selfishness and pride that it won't see it.”
“Tt may be pride in a measure,” said. Gaspard, “ but I
can not think it is right to sacrifice one’s independence,
therefore I must decline your kindness.”
“You aristocrats are terrible people to deal with. Are
we not fellow-men? Why should you be hard up for fifty
pounds, and yet refuse to relieve me of it when I have no
se for it? The early Christians got on very well that way,
why not you and 1?”
“ You believe in sucialism, and I do not; I heard too
much of it from Lemercier at Paris.”
“TI don't understand anything abont that nonsense,”
said Claude, half impatiently. ‘“ All I know is that things
must be very wrong indeed if one friend cant help an-
other. What’s the use of a friend if, directly trouble
comes, one must draw back into one’s shell of pride, and
refuse to take the hand that’s offered ?”
_ Gaspard paced up and down the room thinking. Claude’s
arguments did not at all coincide with the dictates of his —
pride of independence.
“You see,” he began, after a pause, “it is not as if this
were a matter of necessity. If I werc ill or helpless it
might be right to accept it ; but I can live asI have lived;
there is no immediate—”
“Eixcuse me,” said Claude, breaking in; “if I may
speak very plainly with you, I think you will own that this
mode of living is really killing you by inches. Nowl —
maintain that a man has no more right to do that than to
commit suicide outright—when he has the chance of
avoiding it, that is. Besides, you are not independent,
you have your sister to thinkof. For her sake, at least, if
not for your own, you will take this help now, will you
not? What right have you to sadden her life by wilfully
starving yourself and throwing away this first-rate oppor-
tunity in Ceylon >”
Gaspard took four or five turns up and down the
ont then stopped abruptly before Claude, his decision
made.
9 I ee ee a — “J iy eos ae eS ae
4 hin Gen ’ ore = fie oh Ficnicok 5
WON BY WAITING. 3 163
« You are right, Magnay ; I must think of her. How to
thank you for your generosity I do not know. You will
not think me ungrateful becausa I have withstood it so
long? You understand, I am sure, how it was, and I do
not now yield as to the duty of independence, only, as you
say, I believe Tam beginning to fail, and I must live to
free Esperance. Of course I take this fifty pounds asa
loan.”
“No, no,” interposed Claude. “Tl have no hand in
lending and borrowing ; a loan is a bad thing to begin life
with ; but if you like, we will make it a bargain, that when
you are a thriving coffee-pianter and I a spendthrift artist
with popularity on the wane, I may throw myself on your
mercy, and you will not turn your back onme. ‘Trust me
to ask you for afavor when I wantit. In the meantime I
shall study socialism ; I think it would agree with me.”
Gaspard laughed. “I wish you could feel the weight
you have taken off my shoulders.”
“ Charitable wish, certainly,” said Claude.
“ Well, the lightness of my heart, then,” said Gaspard.
“‘T must see Mr. Seymour this very day, and find out about
the passage, or I shall not feel that this is really true.”
“ Let me know when you sail, and come when you can
to my rooms,” said Claude, rising to go, and hurrying him-
self rather more than usual as Gaspard began to reiterate
his thanks.
The two parted at the door, Gaspard making all speed to
Mr. Seymour's rooms in Portland Place, Claude returning
to his studio, musing on the specimen of independent
pride he had met with, and congratulating himself on his
conquest.
He was not yet quit of the subject, however, for he had
scarcely been home an hour when there was a _ hasty ring
at his door, and Gaspard, flushed and breathless, was shown
up to his room.
“De Mabillon! why this hot pursuit?’ asked Claude,
with a gesture of feigned despair as he caught sight of his
blue envelope. “if you change your mind again about
that ridiculous thing, you are only fit for Colney Hatch!”
“No, not about Ceylon,” panted Gaspard. “ But the most
extraordinary thing has happened. IwenttoMr.Seymour ~
to make arrangements, and, to my astonishment, he hastold
me that my passage is taken—taken for me, you under-
stand—paid for. Of course I made inquiries, and after
gome hesitation, he tells me that it was Sir Henry Worth»
6-164 Se ‘WON BY WAITING.
ington who took it; that he wished me not to know—such
consideration! Of course I immediately hurried back to
you to return the money you lent me with such kindness—
you will—”
Claude leaned back in his fear and laughed heartily.
“Was ever anything so neatly manag ed! Three cheers
for Sir Henry Worthington! If he had breathed a word of
— it to me this morning I should not have caught you so
nicely! Was ever the pride of independence so sold!
Take it back? No, indeed; I don’t unmake bargains so
uickly.”
. “But, indeed, Magnay, I can not take it now; there is no
need; T have no right to it.”
“Don’t talk of busmess in my studio,” said Claude, pre-
tending to take up his palette and brushes. “It defiles
the air, and jesting apart, De Mabillon, I can not take this
back again. Give me the pleasure of making it really
useful to yourself; there must be hundreds of things you
want for Ceylon, and when you are there you won't live
upon air for the first six months. Besides, you will be
wanting to go up to Rilchester before you sail—why not
take a week there at the Spread Eagie? Confess now,
that you are longing to do so.”
“'T'o see Esperance ? Yes, indeed! you should not put
such temptations before me.’
“No temptation, but a duty,” said Claude, who saw this |
was the only way to win his point. “I should think you
culpably neglectful if you did not see your sister first—
why, you are her guardian, are you not?”
«“ Yes, with poor Lemercier. Perhaps I ought to see her,
as you say ; and it would be hard work to go without.
will then accept your generosity, on the understand-
ing—” - ;
“That I ask a favor at the next opportunity,” interrupted
Claude; “to which I pledge ycu my word of honor.
There! a truce to business. I am going to hear “Don
Giovanni’ to-night ; come with me ?”
This, however, Gaspard declined without Heaiatain nor
would he even accept a proffered cigar; to be under an
obligation was to him only bearable when Esperance was
in some way concerned. The two parted with the greatest
cordiality, Gaspard more light-hearted than he had been
for months, and feeling that the sense of obligation was
not too crushing with so frank and genial a helper; Clauda
more than ever convinced that life was, and ought to be,
Se
£
t¥ i y
the le neal
= A oe ee es _o = =
o>
Ceo cS
j
gives +4 4 . wee
a mee Te 4:
no eh
ay
: Reels
aN ees
%
ee J
ST)
ae
siptisen a ea i SGA Sa gh gs Nes aka at ene peaa ra aR ge
Pah ee ee : < *
WON BY WAITING. “Atk.
thoroughly enjoyable, and heartily glad that he had over-
come Gaspard’s scruples.
All this time, at the deanery, Esperance was toiling on,
with a fixed resolve not to break down till everything was
made ready for Gaspard. Her powers of physical endur-
ance had been well trained in the siege, and she bore pain ©
and fatigue bravely and patiently, only the dull gnawing
pain at her heart overmastered her sometimes. This very
_evening, which had been so momentous to Gaspard, found
her more exhausted than usual. There had been a dinner-
party, and it was almost twelve o’clock before she wearily
mounted the stairs to her attic room, her fiushed cheeks
and weary, yet too brilliant eyes, betraying her fatigue.
_ The rooms had been very hot and crowded, and the
constant standing had left her tired out. Wearily she sex
down her candle, and throwing open the window, leaned
out into the cool night air, resting her aching head against
the open lattice, and looking very much like Claude’s “ Mari-
ana.” She began to count the days; it was the 30th
of May, and Gaspard’s ship was to sail the second week in
June ; there was but litile time, and her head felt so heavy
that she knew she could get on but slowly with the last
of the shirts which she had resolved to finish that night.
With a long-drawn sigh she closed the window, and, tak-
ing her work, sat down to the table, stitching away at her
wristband at first very quickly, but gradually with more
and more difficulty. The clock struck one, but she toiled
on ; then two, but she was only beginning her first but-
ton-hole, so that faint glimmerings of dawn were begin-
ning to show themselves before the shirt was really finish- _
ed ; two candles were burned down to their sockets, and |
the poor little worker was almost too tired to cross the
room to her bed.
But with rest came no relief to her ; indeed, she looked
upou this time as the very worst of all, when, her work
being done, she had nothing to divert her mind from the
coming trouble. She threw herself on her bed, moaning
~ for Gaspard, now that there was no fear of being over-
heard, and longing—with an almost intolerable longing—
for the relief of tears. But Cornelia’s stern exhortation
seemed to have set up a barrier against these, and nothing
would come but long tearless sobs, which hurt instead of
relieving her.
So the night wore away, and, after wearily tossing to and
fro, she fell into a restless sleep just as the sun rose. The
166 WON BY WAITING.
morning call roused her before she seemed to have had
any rest at all, and, stiff and unrefreshed, she came down
to the breakfast-table, to the paraphernalia of silver dishes
and smoking viands, which was her daily bugbear.
No one but Cornelia noticed how very pale and ill she
looked, and Mrs. Mortlake made plans for a morning shop-
ping expedition, in which Esperance was to be her com-
panion. Cornelia tried to interfere.
“No, no, Christabel; I know what your shopping morn-
ings are. Hsperance does not look fit for it to- -day—why
not take Bella 2”
“ Really, Cornelia, when you leave your vantage-ground
of book-learning, I never met any one so wanting in com:
mon sense. Take poor little delicate Bella for a tiring
expedition, when she is only just recovering from that ill-
ness! I can’t think what would become of a child if you
had the management of it. It really is a providence that
you are not married.”
“Thank you, I agree with your last remark,” said Cor-
nelia, dryly. «If Bella is not fit, I should advise you to go
alone, then.”
“T shall do no such thing. You make the most absurd
fuss about Esperance. She is quite well, and only mopes
when there is no one to talk to. Don’t tell me that any
one can chatter away at a party one evening, and set up
for an invalid the next day.”
Poor Esperance! The “chattering” had been such
hard work. She gave a little sigh as she heard it brought
up against her, but anxious to put an end to the argument,
she said in as bright a voice as she could command, “TI
think I can go, thank you, Cornelia; don’t trouble about
it.”
“Qh, well, if you like to be so foolish, you can,” said
Cornelia, vexed that Mrs. Mortlake should conquer. “ You
know quite well that you would be better at home. Howe ~
ever, if you ike to spend your morning over dresses and
bonnets, ’m sure I don’t wish to hinder you.” And she
swept out of the room, leaving Esperance to reflect sorrow-
_ fully that she had offended the person who had wished to:
befriend her, and earned the credit of being desirous of
that which in reality she most disliked.
But the day was not all to be dark. The last Seat
brought a letter from Gaspard, containing his good news
of yesterday, and proposing to come to ‘Rilchester in a
week’s time, and this was such joy to Esperance that for q
ee ge ee ae ee
B lee 7
iS A Saas F PRS Se Se mE oracle
WON BY WAITING. ae 167
little while she forgot her troubles, and grew so lively and
cheerful that Cornelia was half inclined to retract ber opin-_
ion, and agree with Mrs. Mortlake that, after all, Espe-
rance’s ill health was only a fancy.
CHAPTER XXIIL
‘‘Les fleures des champs ne changent pas de place pour
rechercher les rayons du soleil. Dieu prend soin de les féconder
da ot elles sont. elles ne se jalousent pas. . . ... Restezot
Diev “ous a mis, et portez les fruits qu’il vous demande.”
Ture dean was not pleased when he heard that Gaspard
was coming to Rilchester. He had grown accustomed to
Esperance’s face, and was even in his way rather fond of
her, but Gaspard had reminded him painfully of M. de
Mabillon and he shrunk from seeing him. Cornelia’s pro.
posal of asking him to stay at the deanery, instead of the
hotel, met with approval from no one. The dean im-
mediately thought of other visitors whom he wished to ask.
Mrs. Mortlake talked of house-cleaning, and finally George
Palgrave was pressed to prolong his visit, while the other
guest-rooms were destined for the wife and daughters of
the bishop of a neighboring diocese, who were coming to
- Rilchester for a ball in the following week. There was no
particular reason why they should be asked to the deanery,
but Mrs. Mortlake remembered them in a lucky moment,
and felt that it would be a more dignified excuse than
house-cleaning. —
Cornelia hated this meanness with her whole soul, and
almost shrunk from meeting Gaspard after it. This made
her seem more stiff and cold than ever, and Esperance,
who had relied a good deal upon her cordial behavior to
Gaspard, when she had met him before in London, was dis-
inayed to find her manner so altered.
Mrs. Mortlake, on the contrary, did her very best to be
polite when his name was mentioned in Esperance’s pres-
ence, and even spoke of driving him back from the station
on the day when he was expected ; and though the car-
riage did not appear, still there was courtesy in the sug-
gestion, and, as Mrs. Mortlake remarked afterward to Cor-
nelia, “ Politeness is worth so much, and costs so little.”
“T don’t see any politeness if you don’t mean to carry
ont the suggestion,” said Cornelia, bluntly.
CY ee ce ee een eee ny ee, Gal PLES dale sl Pe Ee etces s gee ee gey Ee all 0 OT oh eh
Sage ff = Sgr heal aia aa ee Fee : :
168 - WON BY WAITING.
“My dear, youare so literal! Of course I can’t really |
spare the carriage then, the Lowdells must have a drive
this afternoon. But it pleased Esperance, and she can
quite well imagine that I forgot it.”
“A fine tissue of lies! That child is a great deal too
sharp not to find you out. Besides, why can’t you be honest?”
“ Really, Cornelia, if you employ such offensive words I -
will not argue with you! ‘Lies,’ and ‘honesty,’ indeed!
I don’t know what you mean.”
“TY like to call a spade a spade,” said Cornelia, sliortly,
“But if you prefer it, what is your object in this politic
politeness ?”
“Did you not see that Mrs. Lowdell was in the room ?”
said Mrs. Mortlake. “You know how observant she is, and
Doctor Lowdell is such a particular man, I would not for
the world have them guess that we are not perfectly
friendly with the De Mabillons. One must be careful, you
know, and father is so unguarded.”
“My father is no hypocrite, at least,” said Cornelia,
angrily. ‘Why did you ask the Lowdells here if you are -
so afraid they may guess ?—why not have asked Gaspard
de Mabillon ?” .
“The very last thing I wish. Of course we shall show
him some slight attention, just to avoid remark; he must
dine here to-morrow, but beyond that, I do not at all wish
to go.”
Cocnelia left the room, out of patience with ber sister's
contemptible arguments. Passing up the stairs, she
found Esperance in the deep window-seat on the landing,
busily engaged with paper and pencil. She looked up
brightly. |
“Only two hundred and ninety-two minutes, and Gas-
pard will be here, Cornelia, just think !”
“ How absurdly childish you are,” said Cornelia, vexed
anew. “If you want to improve your arithmetic, why not
master the rule of compound proportion which you were
go dull over yesterday ?”
Esperance shrugged her shoulders, glanced at the clock
to see that now it was only two hundred and ninety min-
utes, then followed her cousin to her study, and pored for
some time over a slate and book, in the vain endeavor ta
find an answer to the question: “If £240 be paid for
bread for 49 persons for 20 mo., when wheat is 48s. a Gra
how long will £234 find bread for 91 persons, when wheat
is at £2 16s. a qr. ?” .
fy ~ -
*
== WON BY WAITING, 169
- But her nead was far too painful just then for the solv-
ing of such a problem, and she multiplied and divided with
& vagueness attended by unhappy results, in which the
ninety-one persons existed for forty months instead of two,
and when Cornelia, in despair, showed her the absurdity
of this answer, she would only reply that perhaps it was in
time of siege. The idea of such a frivolous suggestion se
angered Cornelia that she summarily dismissed her un-
promising pupil, feeling that all the world was going con
trary to her that morning.
Esperance, in spite of her aching head, burried off ta
_ the station in the very hottest part of the afternoon, hex
- heart bounding at the thought of seeing Gaspard once
more, and far too happy to think of being ‘vexed with Mrs,
Mortlake for having “forgotten” the carriage. |
That was a rapturous meeting ! ! Happier tnan the last,
in many ways, for Esperance ‘received no great shock as
she had then done from Gaspard’s appearance, being
fully prepared for it. Nor was he at all aware how very
far from well she was, for her excitement and happiness
had brought color to her cheeks, and given her temporary
Be go that the only change he noticed was in her
air
“ Your mane is gone, then?” he asked, regretfully.
Esperance laughed.
“ Yes, quite gone ; if you very much wish, though, you
might perhaps see it once more ; I believe itis hanging up
in the window.”
“You have cut it off!” exclaimed Gaspard, dismayed.
“You masculine mind! yes, indeed, how else did you
think I had disposed of it? it brought me five guineas.”
“And you sold it for that wretched outfit of mine!
Chérie, [don’t know how to forgive you. I wondered where
you could have found the money for those garments you
spoke of. You are like the girl in the fairy tale, who wove
shirts of her own hair for her eleven brothers.”
“No, she wove stinging nettles,” said Esperance, “which
T would not promise to do even for you. Now do not
begin to scold again about my cropped hair. I only told
you because I was afraid you would talk of it at the
deanery.”
“Very well, it shall be as you wish, you are a wonderta
little sister. ButI wish we had known before of all the
belp that would come ; Iam afraid you have been tiring
Che hians with these prepar ations.”
170 - WON BY WAITING.
* Do you think I would have let others do everything
for you, and sit contentedly doing nothing ! ! But how
good it was of Claude Magnay to help you.
“Yes, he was most kind, most generous ; I could not
have borne it from every one: but his manner of doing it
was perfect. It will make a wonderful difference to us,
and I shall be able to leave you something in hand when I
go, besides being able to get on comfortably in my first Six
months in Cey lon.”
“Yes, I could not have borne to think of your starving
yourself over there, when you would have hard work, too.
And Iam so glad Sir Henry Worthington was 80 ‘kind.
When did you see him ?”
“Last week, the day I wrote to you. He was more kind
and considerate than I can tell vou, and Lady Worthing-
ton, too; Iam glad you know and like them, I shall feel
happier about you.”
Esperance turned a little pale at the reference to their
parting, and made haste to change the conversation.
See, that is the Spread Hagle on the left-hand side of the
street, though why, among all the hotels, you should have ~
chosen the one bearing the Prussian emblem, I can’t think.”
Gaspard laughed. “'Tis the only decent one, according
to Claude Magnay. Are those bells ringing for service?”
“Yes, will you come? I want you to see every one. You
can speak to them afterward.”
Gaspard consented, and Esperance led the way to the
cathedral, but she was disappointed to find Cornelia the
only occupant of the deanery pew. George Palgrave and
Bertha had walked over to the Priory, and Mrs. Mortlake
had chosen to prolong her drive that afternoon.
The service over, Cornelia, in spite of her shrinking from
the meeting, hastened after her two cousins, overtaking
them just as they reached the door, and greeting Gaspard
as warmly as she could, though as she was almost ashamed
to look at him, he could not think her anything but cold
and forbidding.
“You will bring your brother home, will you not?” she
said, turning to Esperance.
There was no great profession of eagerness to see him,
and she could not bring herself to express any regrets that
the deanery was too full for them totake himin. For a min-
ate Gaspard was almost inclined to give an excuse; this
cold hospitality seemed to him worse than nothing. How-
ever, Esperance seemed greatly pleased, and understood
WON BY WAITING. : 171
better‘what it meant from Cornelia, so the three walked back
together, and by degrees Cornelia thawed, forgot her shame
and the awkardness of her position, and began to feel and
to show more interest in Gaspard.
Esperance was delighted to see her being thus won over.
They sat inthe purple drawing-room, and she watched
Gaspard, who looked delightfully incongruous in one of
the ponderous arm-chairs, and listened contentedly to the
conversation going on, perfectly happy as long as she was
close by him.
Then some of the Miss Lowdells came in, and tea was
brought up, while Cornelia became more and more en-
grossed with Gaspard, and Esperance was called upon
. fo give Miss Grace Lowdell a full account. of the battle
in which he had earned his scar. This was delightful—she
had scarcely hoped to make others appreciate her
hero.
At last Mrs. Mortlake returned, and entering the room.
wholly unprepared, could not help starting with surprise
and vexation when she caught sight of the thin, olive-com-
plexioned, mustached stranger, who seemed quite estab-
lished in the house, and was hat\ding about-cups of tea
with a sort of careless ease which annoyed her.
Hsperance saw the start of dismay and could not help
being amused by it, particularly when it was quickly fol-
lowed by a prompt show of politeness, and a “ charming ”
smile.
“Monsieur de Mabillon! I am delighted to see you!
Iwas’beginning to think there was a fate against our
meeting. I was so sorry to miss you last.manth in Lon-
don, but my little girl was claiming all my attention just
then. You are well, I hope?”
In spite of the silky voice, and the well-regulated smiles,
Gaspard was by no means deceived; he remembered
Claude’s guarded description of the “ would-be charming
Jady, whom it was hard to trust,” and instinctively felt a
shrinking from her kindness. His antipathy was con-
firmed when, in a pause in his conversation with Cornelia,
he overheard a low-toned remark from Mrs. Mortlake to
his sister, not intended, of course, for other ears.
* Your usual want of thought! You might have seen we
should want another cup. Just ring at once.”
It was one of the difficulties of Esperance’s situation
that her duties were so undefined she could never find out
what was or what was not expected of her, and wag con-
172 WON BY WAITING.
stantly being brought to task, either for neglect or for for«
wardness and meddling.
To hear her scolded was so new, however, to Gaspard,
that he even magnified Mrs. Mortlake’s offeuse. Her words
were not so very severe after all, but her look and tone
angered him, and hastily crossing the room, he intercepted
Esperance on her way to the bell.
“Do not treuble, chérie, sit down. Allow me, Mrs. Mort-
lake ”’—thereby revealing that he had heard everything. |
Mrs. Mortlake was vexed. She had wished to keep up
appearances ; she was anxious that Gaspard should think
well of her, and now he had overheard her speaking cross-
ly and had humiliated her before Esperance. She hated
him, but strove to recover her place in his estimation.
“You gentlemen spoil us nowadays,” she said, smiling
graciously. «This is such a household of women, though,
that we are used to waiting on ourselves.”
* Oh, indeed !” said Gaspard, gravely. |
She dcleotea a& sarcasm in his voice, and winced ; then
thinking that a little flattery might be of use, she con- |
tinued more hopefully. “And Esperance is such a help to
us—such a very great help—we should miss her so much.
I can not tell you how I, in particular, should miss
her.”
“It is very good of you, I am sure,” said Gaspard, in
that grave manner which made Mrs. Mortlake so uncom- ~
fortable. Of all things she detested irony the most, and
there was, besides, an angry light in the clear brown eyes
confronting her, which bafiled ‘ther even more. She would
not give up, however, without one more Biss to win his ~
good opinion.
“Tam so vexed that we can not give you a room here, it
seems so very uncousinly, but I am sure you will under-
stand how it is. It just happens to be one of our full —
times, otherwise we should have been most happy to have
had you with us.’
There was something so very snake-like in her manner,
that Gaspard could not believe a word of this; he turned
with relief to Cornelia’s straightforward coldness. |
“Tam very sorry, too,” she said, gravely; “but I hope
it will not prevent your seeing as much of Hsperance. You |
must come in here whenever you like; my study shall be
quite at your disposal.” -
Gaspard thanked her warmly, and rose to go. Mrs. Mort
fake, in despair, sent off her last arrow.
‘Yes, pray come in as often as vou like, and you will, 1
Mn
~
ie
ave ‘
ie ee oo Se en Pe AR ee es eS eee a a te ee SP At". tt 2 em Lae Oe a ee, CS ee ES ee ery TEE ne Te
ee eh ht ye SA Fe ee Ba Nye Sa EE ee ey ples ee
ce a aes ; Sayan Sy Net eet g
WON BY WAITING. Se 478
hope, dine with us to-morrow; we shall be delighted to see
rou.” .
a Thank you. ~ I shall be very happy to come,” and Mrs
Mortlake tried not to look up, but felt once more the
searching look from those keen eyes. Esperance watched
with amusement, while Gaspard shook hands quite a
“Anglaisé, and followed him into the hall for a few last words:
. To her surprise, the door was scarcely shut before he
- eaught her in his arms, kissing her again and again.
“ Chérie, you should have told me before! Does that
woman always treat you so?”
“How?” asked Esperance, surprised. ‘ Mrs. Mortlake,
do you mean? She was only a little cross. What doI
care, now that I have you ?”
« And you never told me what you had to put up with !”
said Gaspard, reproachfully. “Itis a hard world, Esper-
ance, very hard!” ;
‘But happy for this one week,” she said, smiling. “ This
must be our carnival. HowTI do bless Mr. Magnay for
sending you here! There is plenty of happiness in the~
- world, after all, and kindness also. Cornelia was nice, too,
- this afternoon.” :
«Yes, we will take advantage of her study, I think. I
shall come to-morrow morning.”
To-morrow, yes ; how we shalltalk! and, Gaspard, do
notforget to send round all your socks ; I must have a ~
-grand darning.”
© You forget my new outfit.”
-- ‘No, but for the voyage, you extravagant bey; now
don’t forget, as early as you can this evening. There! I
- must go; some one is calling.”
: “ Bother them!” said Gaspard, impatiently. “I won’t
_ have you run off your legs ; you are as tired as you can
be.”
She let her head rest on his shoulder just fora minute,
then, as the call came again more impatiently, she started —
up. : |
“T must go. Enough treats for one day! Good-bye,
mon ami, and promise me to have a good dinner at the
Spread Eagle.” ane
She hurried away, and was greeted by expostulations on
her slowness, in a voice which Gaspard did not recognize,
put which he fancied must belong to Mrs. Mortlake. ?”
“Don’t talk ; go on!”
“«O—a—t— Oh! there’s a wasp on the window.”
-“ Bella, go on!”
«Will you give me a chocolate if I say it right § rele
“No, certainly not ; now, quickly !”
“Mamma always does,” said Bella, with an ominous
- drooping at the corners of her mouth.
“Are you going to read this word or not?”
“No; youre only French, and you don’t know a bit
how to teach me,” whined Bella.
Whereupon Esperance shut the book and carried hey
provoking little pupil to the corner, where she roared with
all her might.
“A very difficult child to manage, I should think,” said
Mrs. Lowdell, with a commiserating glance, as she hastily
left the room to be out of the sound of Bella's screams. _
Esperance, heartily ashamed that her pupil should be
WON BY WAITING. : 18h
driving people away by her naughtiness, longed to take
her up to the nursery ; but this was against Mrs. Mort-
lake’s rules, and Miss Bel la’s two hours” down-stairs were
apt to- make visitors beat a hasty retreat to their bedrooms.
She screamed on without the smallest diminuendo for —
-aome minutes, and Esperance sat down despairingly with —
her hands clasped over her forehead, half distracted by the
double noise of crying and singing.
On and on it went like some frightful nightmare.
*“* But men must work and women must weep’ ”—from
Miss Lowdell.
Roar, roar—from Bella.
ae Though storms be sudden and waters deep.’ ”
— “Qoh, hoo! ooh, hoo! I hate you!” from the corner.
_ Why must people sing those frightful sea-songs—on this
diy, ofall others? And, oh! why would Bella scream so
unmercifully ?. The physical and mental pain together
were almost maddening.
Justas Miss Lowdell left the drawing-room, Mrs. Mort-
lake came back, vexed at hearing Bella’s screams.
- “What is the matter? Things always go wrong if I.
leave the room for a minute. Come to me, my precious ;
what is it then?” |
Bella could not speak for sobbing, but by degrees Mrs.
Mortlake caught the words, “I hate her,” and “ chocolate,”
intermixed with the howling.
_ “You always do manage to irritate the poor child, Esper-
ance; of course she may have some chocolate if she likes.
_ You really are most provoking ; she has been as good as
possible with me, and now you have upset her. Why was
she in the corner ?”
“She was very inattentive and rude,” said poor Esper-
ance, looking down.
“ Rude, indeed ! it is your ridiculous pride which is so
ready to take offense ; she is never rude to any one else,
~ and I’m not going to have your French system of punish-
ments brought in; so please remember, no one punishes
Bella but myself. Nothing tends more to make a child
deceitful than constant punishment; your national character-
istic is quite accounted for.”
Then, as Esperance would have begun an indignant re-
monstrance:
“No, no, I will not have arguing before Bella; you have
_ wasted quite enough of my time already; the best thing vou
ean do now is to leave the room, for the child can’t bear
182 WON BY WAITING.
the sight of you. I wish, instead of sitting up at night
burning other people’s candles, you would learn to make
yourself useful by day. You think so much of French man-
ners; but for my part—”
Mrs. Mortlake broke off in dismay, for looking round she
saw Gaspard standing in the doorway, and from the ex-
pression of his face, she knew he must have heard most of
her angry speech.
Esperance turned, too, and with a cry of relief ran to
~ him.
“Gaspard! Gaspard!” and she clung to him as if for
protection.
He put his arm around her holding her closely, deaf to
all Mrs. Mortlake’s greetings, and only growing more and
more angry as he felt how Esperance was trembling. As
soon as he could trust himself to speak he turned upon
Mrs. Mortlake, but Christabe], with an instinctive dread of
what was coming, tried to intercept his speech.
“ Good-morning; you are later than usual to-day; have
you come to take Esperance for a walk ?”
Her cool, clear voice so angered him that he dared not
speak to her. He just bowed an assent.
'Christabel fairly trembled before that calm, dignified
anger, and she never forgot Gaspard’s look—the clear, un-
tlinching eyes, the proud, sensitive mouth, and the whole
face rigid with repressed indignation. She gave a sigh of
relief when he turned away, and led Esperance from the
room.
When they had reached Cornelia’s study, nowever, Esper-
ance had recovered herself ; and, indeed, though unable to
help a feeling of relief in having Gaspard for a protector,
she was very sorry that he had heard one of Mrs. Mortlake’s
scoldingy, and tired out as she was she roused herself, try-
ing to talk lightly of the morning’s occurrences, and to
laugh him out of his anger.
“You see, mon ami, -it is a busy day; people can’t help
being a little cross; there is to be a ball to-night, you
know.”
“Tt was not crossness, it was downright insolence,” said
Gaspard, angrily. ‘You may be patient for yourself, mon
ceur, but I can’t be patient for you. It is unbearable to
think of leaving you with such people.”
She stooped down and kissed his forehead. x
“ [ think it can be borne, when we believe that in three
er four years it may perhaps be all over.”
“WON BY WAITING. 183
“Three or four years! yes. But till then ?”
Esperance could not answer ; she turned away to hide
her quivering lips, till Gaspard, ‘ashamed of his despond-
ency, hurriedly rose and drew her toward him once more.
“ Chérie, I have been a wretch! you who have the heavier
burden to bear are preaching courage to me. We must, we
will endure, darling, and the waiting may not be so hard
as we think.” |
Esperance was soon at work again, in spite of Gaspard’s
entreaties that she would spare herself.
“ And by the bye,” he said, suddenly, “what did Mrs.
Mortlake mean by that reference to the burning of can-
dles ?”
“Tam sorry you heard that,” said Esperance, coloring.
“Tt was only that I used to sit up sometimes at night, and
she thought it extravagant, and was vexed.”
«You sat up over my outfit? You naughty child ; that
accounts for your white cheeks, and you mean that that
woman grudged you the candles 2”
“Yes; she puts little half-hour candies in my room
now,” said Esperance, Jaughing at Gaspard’s indignant
scorn.
“T only wish she were a man, and that I could have it
out with her,” he said, between his teeth. ‘ But there, we
will not waste any more of our time over such a disagree-
able subject.”
By the afternoon most of Gaspard’s things were ready,
and Esperance was much relieved at receiving from Cor-
nelia a dispensation from the cathedral service, so that she
had time to pack for him. This seemed to make her real-
ize things much more fully, and she began to feel that she
could not keep up much longer.
Very sorrowfully she walked back through the close and
the Vicar’s Court, glad enough to have Gaspard’s arm. He
was to dine at the deanery that evening, Cornelia having
taken pains to persuade her father to give the invitation ;
but to tell the truth though Esperance was glad he had
been invited, she could not enjoy his presence very much.
for she was on thorns the whole time lest he should speak
his mind to Mrs. Mortlake, or offend the dean still further
by rashly venturing on hazardous subjects.
She trembled, indeed, when at dinner le alluded to the
Tichborne case, for it was 2 very sore point, and the cause
of frequent and angry arguments between the dean and
George Palgrave, George believing firmly in the claimant.
~
ee Aaa re hina ete Sat te bee SES aS alee UNG a ee So a te tl
4 tee Sak - yr, boRo Yn ste Sas Dye el MU get af Bs TO ae ae eb a 3 Pos
+ = ‘t Sitbe es ae ris aes a>, Ee 2 . a ae Pe fs ~#
X : = ey ~ Ve ae eae ths
184 WON BY WAITING.
while the dean was furious if any cne doubted that he was
Arthur Orton. However, luckily, Gaspard could for once
agree with the dean, and George was much too good-tem-
pered that day to mind being “argued down, so that the
peace was kept.
The evening was uncomfortable and disturbed; first
there was some music, and Esperance was wanted to play
accompaniments, and then just as she hoped for a little
time with Gaspard, Grace Lowdell came up with a beseech-
ing face—the maid was helping her mother to dress for the
ball; would Espérance spare her just a few minutes? her
French fingers would be so invaluable, and there was no
getting: on “alone.
Of course she was obliged to go; and after Grace Low-
dell came her elder sister, and her younger sister, and
Bertha with her pink azaleas, far too happy and excited to
remember that they were taking up the very last evening
of Gaspard’s visit.
Esperance would almost have foresworn her nationality,
-go dearly did she pay that night for it. Just before ten
o’clock she went to Gornelia's room to offer her help, but ~
she found her cousin already dressed, looking for once
really handsome, in black velvet and some very fine old lace.
She was standing by a reading-desk, poring over a yellows
leaved volume, her white gloves suffering considerably from —
the dust accumulated on its cover.
“Is there anything I can do to help you, Cornelia?”
asked Esperance in her tired voice.
“No, Lam ready, thank you. I hoped you were with your
brother; Christabel has not been hindering you, has she?”
“There were several things to do; but we shall have a
little time after you are gone,” said Esperance.
“Very well, go to my study then, and you will not be in-
terrupted. Ah! I hear the carriage,” and Cornelia reluct-
antly closed her book, and took off her spectacles.
Esperance followed her down-stairs to the hall, where she
found Gaspard, with frigid politeness, helping Mrs. Mort-
lake with her cloak. Cornelia counted heads in a business-
like way, and marshaled her guests into the carriages, walke
ing about majestically with her velvet dress tucked up, _
and bestowing scornful pity on the younger ladics with
their trains of tarlatanand net. After some trouble, Esper-
ance gathered up the last of the dresses, and the party set
off, Bertha turning back once more to wish her cousins
good-night.
gong:
Ck EP a i Reese he a ad ae
x ers ee hee ante sey so aad
KAAS
ie eae = 3 a Sia
‘L wish you were coming, too,” she said, unable to under-
stand that Hsperance would far rather be at home with
Gaspard.
George Palgrave came up, however, before there was
time for more, ‘and she took his arm and hurried down the
- steps looking radiantly happy.
The footman closed the front door, and then turned to
- Esperance.
“ If you please, miss, the dean wished me to tell you that
he is engaged in watching an eclipse of the moon, and
there will be no family prayers to-night.”
Gaspard stroked his mustache to hide a smile,
«Well, chérie, where shall we go? I must have a few
minutes with you.”
Esperance led the way to Cornelia’s study, but when
the door was shut, her strength all at once deserted her ;
she turned suddenly faint and giddy, and clung sobbing to
Gaspard.
« Bien-aimée! what is it? You are ill, mon cour.”
“J—I don’t know,” she sobbed. “JT wish it would all
stop, I am so tired !”
Her ears were ringing with the words of Miss Lowdell’s
“For men must work, and women must weep,
And the sooner ’tis over, the sooner to sleep.”
Gaspard did not quite understand her, but he saw that
she was quite worn out.
“ You are tired, darling, and overdone,” he said, gently.
**' There, come to your old place, and be a baby once more.
He took her on his knee, and made her rest her head on
his shoulder; but the quivering, tearless sobs alarmed him.
“Where are your tears gone to, chérie—you used to have
no lack ?”
She tried to smile, and remembering that he knew noth-
ing of Cornelia’s former sternness made an effort to check |
her sobs. He had found out too many of her troubles al-
ready, and she was determined that he should go away
well satisfied with Cornelia.
“1am better,’ she faltered, still strugeling bravely to —
conquer herself; and Gaspard, relieved, did not questioy
her further, but began to talk of other things,
There were still - many matters to be discussed, and Gy
this last evening they both instinctively dwelt on old times,
“WON BY WAITING. = 165 ee
186 WON BY WAITING.
and talked over their recollections of home. The hour@
passed by unheeded, and Gaspard was first roused to look
_at the clock by finding that, in a brief silence, Esperance
had fallen asleep. It was long past twelve, but he could
not bear to disturb her, and sat on, not at all sorry for an
excuse for not leaving her. He was very uneasy now about
going away. Esperance seemed to him thoroughly out of
health, and wnfit to be left in this forlorn, motherless house-
hold. He felt a little bitter as he remembered that these
most unfeminine cousins were her only relations, and as he ~
watched her flushed cheeks, and quick, uneasy breathing,
longed more than he had ever longed before for his mother.
As he recalled the dim vision of tender gentleness and
love, treasured up among his childish memories, he might
perhaps be forgiven for uttering one passionate invective
against the dean, and the unrelenting hardness which had
so preyed upon his mother’s life. |
The clock had just struck one when he was startled by ap-
proaching footsteps, and the door was opened by Cornelia,
She was of course surprised to find her cousin still up.
Gaspard made a low-toned explanation, and Cornelia,
touched by the very unwonted sight before her, was unusu. ~ y
ally gracious. :
“One of the Miss Lowdells turned faint, and I came
home early with her. Iam sorry you and Esperance had
an interrupted evening.”
‘“‘T am afraid she is overtired, she has been slaving over
my outfit,” said Gaspard, anxiously. “I wish I could have
left her better. You will know, Miss Collinson, surely she
is very hot and feverish? Iwish I knew what was wreng ~ | 2
with her.”
Cornelia felt her hand in a hesitating way, painfully con-
scious of her own ignorance.
“T know nothing about illness,” she said, “ but certainly
she is very hot. I think, as you say, she has overtired her- -
self.” fie:
Gaspard’s face only grew more troubled, and Cornelia
would have given worlds for that womanly skill and wis-
dom which she feit the need of so much. ‘Their voices
- were making Esperance restless, she moved her arms un-
easily, and talked in her sleep, at first unintelligibly, but
afterward with terrible distinctness, though always in
French. Cornelia and Gaspard each received some wounds
from the unconscious tongue. - Now it was in relation to
Gaspard’s journey.
WON BY WAITING. 187
“'T'o-morrow, to-morrow! How shallI bearit? And
get it will be good for you, Gaspard.”
Then again, with little convulsive sobs between the
words, “It is so far away, so very far, and I am so lonely.
If only they would love me a little!”
By degrees she grew alittle more quiet,and Gaspard
looked up at Cornelia, great tears in his eyes.
__ © Miss Collinson,” he said, earnestly, “she is all I have
left ; you will take care of her.”
“Indeed I will,” said Cornelia, with real sympathy, and
Gaspard trusted those three words more than he would
have done countless protestations from Mrs. Mortlake. He
_ turned once more to his sister, while Cornelia watched
them sadly, yet with a sort of envy.
At last Esperance woke, wearied and confused, and Gas-
pard proposed that she should go up to her room.
“Yes, come,” urged Cornelia, ‘‘ you will never rest down
here ; I will help you.” :
She lighted a candle, and would have offered to help her
up the stairs, but Gaspard was before her.
“ Now, chérie, hold tight round my neck, and you shall
feel as if you were going up the old pigeonnier at home.”
Esperance obeyed, and was carried up stairs in his arms,
Cornelia staying to see her safely into bed.
The next morning dawned brightly, too brightly for
poor Esperance. It reminded her of that fatal 30th of
November, when the sun had shone down s0 cruelly upon
their desolation. She was too much worn out now to
feel more than a dull, aching pain at her heart, as she re-
membered what day it was ; she dressed wearily and went
down to the breakfast-room, with only one idea strongly
impressed on her mind—that for Gaspard’s sake she must
keep up.
As if in a dream, she went through the usual routine,
walked to the cathedral, meeting Gaspard at the door,
stood, sat, and knelt mechanically through the service,
went back to the deanery, and talked with Gaspard still
dreamily, in Cornelia’s room. At lunch she was pale and
quiet; only when in the afternoon the time for Gaspard’s
departure really came, and the omnibus drove up with his
luggage, a glow of intense color rose to her cheeks, and
the composure which all the morning had been her aid
forsook her. She could hardly see or stand, but true to her
resolution she struggled on, talking still, though she could
Vig Bn foun eg ee a Ree EN Deka Es Pr aah ane ee nee eT ay Rae ce ao teen ws Sob es
z BE aS Age pei Meee es Paap Sign eRe ee Ey eae ies
188 } WON BY WAITING.
Ry ae Area
scarcely hear her voice because of a strange ringing in her
ears.
Gaspard was much more visibly agitated. He hurried
through his good-byes in the drawing-room, and came out
into the hall where Esperance and Cornelia were waiting,
looking so haggard and miserable that Cornelia’s heart
ached for bim. ;
The sight seemed to give new courage to Esperance, 3
she clung to him with whispered words of hope and com-
fort, and soft caresses. He turned for one moment to :
Cornelia. Se
“Your promise—you will remember?” |
“Yes, always,” replied Cornelia, earnestly, pressing his
hand.
Then, with one long embrace, the brother and sister
parted, and Gaspard with bowed head passed down the
steps, and gave directions to the driver in French. a
Esperance with a great effort still stood at the door ;
the floor seemed rocking beneath her, a black mist was
gathering before her eyes, but she smiled and waved her
hand bravely. Gaspard looked back relieved, and when
the omnibus turned the corner of the Vicar’s Court, he.
saw her standing on the steps still watching him, —
while Cornelia had come forward, too, and was holding her |
hand. ae
The sound of the wheels died awayin the quiet tourt,
and Cornelia turned to Esperance, speaking gently.
“My dear, you will come upstairs and rest.”
But rest had already come to Esperance, and she sunk
back senseless in Cornelia’s arms.
Every one came flocking out of the drawing-room at
Cornelia’s call, and gathered round the white, still figure,
with exclamations of pity. The dean was greatly distress-
ed, and bent over her with more anxiety and earnestness
than he had ever shown before toa body that was not
“ heavenly.” se
“Some one should go for a doctor, surely, my dears,
she is very cold, poor child, poor ehild! I’m afraid this =a
has been a grief to her.” ee
“ My dear father,” said Mrs. Mortlake, impatiently, “shit
a
.
ae. melt gay fee ak i ate
Pa PW hy eyo, Se Rae) NRT MRT) elves eer Lh ee 2 RAR oP ee ee ee, ets nope at py NA eo See ee ee oe ls Me We geen tie Bil, ate ae
3 SE Cee a Fo AL ANE Soe roa et cE a eno
j ya tae Ff ‘ Meee: a is ’ 2 zhi : oid
E Aa ’ 4
Piet fil in
ARIAS
Lecis
a eS ae Fo a ee i a ae ea) ee at Yet ae
“WON BY WAITING. ~ 193.
er
_ eshudder what poor Gaspard would say when he heard.
_ “She is really in such danger, then ?”
“The most imminent danger,” replied the doctor, aceus-
tomed to regard Cornelia as a hard, matter-of-fact lady,
able to stana anything, ‘In fact, Miss Collinson, I fear it~
is my duty to tell you that I think it a great question if
~ she pulls through the next twenty-four hours.”
Cornelia turned ashy pale, and the doctor a little sur-
‘prised, hastened to add, “Unless we find there is more
_ fever to-night, it is just possible then that she may get
through.”
Cornelia could not speak. With a heavy sigh she turned
_ weain to the sick-room, where each moan of pain, each
delirious exclamation, seemed to pierce her heart. A
sense of responsibility, too, overpowered her ; there was
something dreadful in the thought that this child was left
alone save for her ; she wished she had loved her more, or
‘could make her understand even now that she loved her,
but it was too late, and the consciousness of her loneliness
evidently haunted Esperance, for to-day, mixed with her
entreaties to her father and Gaspard to come to her, were
_ piteous description of forlorn helplessness.
The time was so very critical that the doctor remained
for some hours, the nurse and Cornelia stood by the bed,
too, though there was little to do but to watch that terri-
ble struggle between life and death.
In the evening, the dean came to the door, as usual, to
make inquiries, and the doctor brought him into the room,
having prepared him for the worst. He was quite over-
come, and the mere sight of Esperance was a shock to him,
as she lay pillowed high, her forehead bandaged, her brown
eyes wild and glittering, her face drawn with pain, and
‘and crimson with the flush of fever.
She was moaning Gaspard’s name piteously enough, and
the dean felt a keen pang of remorse as he remembered how
gladly he had seen the last of his nephew afew weeks ago;
ho almost wished him back again now. Scarcely know-
- ing what he did, he bent down, and took Esperance’s thin,
burning hands in his. She had not noticed his entrance,
but this made her look up suddenly; a glad smile passed
over her troubled face, and half raising herself with the
_ strength of delirium, she cried, “Papa! papa! have you
be ome ?” then, falling back again, said, much more quietly,
“J am so tired! Won’t you carry me ?”
She closed her eyes, and they all watched in breathless
regia at eleanor Gee ein Ue Beg San AD et eg ha AS) phe Ne I SG a te
-4 ‘ : X . % 7 I wis : et A a aes ee ea ~~ Ay “e.4
~
py ater see dea WON BY WAITING,
oe Oo
suspense, till at length a look of entire peace stole ovew
her features, and her quiet, regular breathing showed that,
she had fallen into a natural sleep.
Hor two hours the dean stood in this novel position, per-
sonating M. de Mabillon, and patiently holding the hands
of his old enemys child. He was growing undoubtedly
fond of Esperance and, moreover, he felt something of the
sense of responsibility which had been oppressing Corne-
lia, and had a great terror of her death, feeling sure that
it would burden him with that sense of guiltiness which
had haunted him when his sister died. He wished he had
not overheard that cry for Gaspard, it rangin his ears
tormentingly. and though he reminded himself that the -
Ceylon appointment was a very good one, he could not
but remember that if he had chosen he might easily have
found a situation for Gaspard in England.
On the whole, the dean’s reflections were not very com-
fortable as he watched his sister’s child; and he was re-
lieved when, after a long sleep, she woke up much more |
free from fever than they had ventured to hope. His hands
being released, he stole away to the observatory and tried
to forget his annoyances ; but in spite of the attractions
of his beloved telescope, he was haunted all the night by
Gaspard’s name.
-In the sick-room matters ead on very hopefully. Hs-
perance took some nourishment, and then fell again into
a long, dreamless sleep, and in the morning the doctor was
so well satisfied with her improvement, that Cornelia began
to take heart again. She slept at intervals through the
day, and did not take much notice, but on the following
day she was much more herself. In the afternoon, when
the nurse was lying down, Cornelia was startled by a sud-
den question in Esperance’ S weak voice, the inglish words
.eoming with a sort of hesitation:
ts Gaspard does not know that I am ill, does he #
Cornelia crossed the room to the bedside.
“No, dear; but now you are better I will write.”
e Perhaps T shall be well enoug soon to putina letter,
What day is it?” :
“Tt is Saturday, the 13thof July. We will write by the
next mail, on Friday.” acy. :
Esperance was too weak to talk any more. She lay
musing over Cornelia’s words, greatly surprised to find
how long she had been ill. But she had still many days of
pain and weakness to look forward to, for although she
RPM a tt nisin "surah ey ae ea anche ene rh hy Lat
a iy ae =p Pia Cet eae al He AVR
- t |
WON BY WAITING. gee ys
was out of danger her recovery was very slow and weari-
“ome. Sie was as helpless as a baby, and though good
~ wnd patient, she could not withstand the sense of aching
loneliness that weighed upon her spirits. Every one was-
kind to her, but she longed unspeakably for Gaspard, and
day after day she lay crying quietly, wiping away her
tears and trying to smile when any one spoke to her, but
far too weak to be able to control herself. :
She saw a good deal of Cornelia, for the nurse al-
ways went to lie down in the afternoon after her night's
watching, but unluckily she was ratherin awe of her,
and Cornelia herself, though extremely anxious to be,
kind, had not the quick observation and ready tact
which are needed in sick nursing. She would sit
hour by hour reading quietly, taking the greatest pains
to make no noise, when perhaps Esperance was very low-
gpirited, and wanted a little cheerful talk, or at another —
time she would carry on long whispered conversations
with some unseen servant at the door, thereby disturbing
and exciting the invalid far more than if she had spoken
aloud. Her diffidénce, too, was a great hinderance, for
_ she never ventured to do anything for Esperance without
“an anxious questioning.
«Would you fancy this?” or, “ Shall I give you that?”
till the poor child was so worried that she would negative
everything rather than be troubled with the decision.
Her native politeness, however, stood her in good stead,
und Cornelia never found this out, but was only touched
by her gratitude, and as the weeks passed by she grew
yaore and more fond of her. : :
One afternoon early in August, Esperance was sitting
“lone in her bedroom, Cornelia being at the cathedral, and
the nurse having her tea; she was now so much better that
there was no reason she should not ‘be left sometime.
This was always the most miserable time of her
day, and this afternoon she was more forlorn than
ever, though she could not have told the reason.
Jiverything jarred on her nerves, the cathedral bells
seemed distractingly loud, the clock ticked unequally and
fidgeted her, and a provoking blue-bottle fly buzzed about
the windoy. She was too weak to. cross the room and try
to catch it, soshe lay back in her arm-chair_ wearily, watch-
ing the tops of the trees as they waved gently m the sums
mcr wind, and wondering where Gaspard was, and what
he was doing, while the tears coursed silently down
H
et: ahs ee at ea FIRS C= Win he ha ies oi oe ae Foti Aen ee Se. 5 2
ij 3 : x r: : a - ia ae cd < ane ie, 2 : ye aN
196 WON BY WAITING.
cheeks. Jiwtasg she was feeling a momentary relief at the
last stroke of the bells, a knock came at her door, and to hex
great surprise the servant announced ‘ Lady Worthing:
ton.” Esperance felt a thrill of joy as she looked up, and
saw Lady Worthington’s sympathetic, unchanged face, and
heard again her low, comforting voice.
¢ My } poor child! why, how pale and thin you are! but
they tell me you are better.”
“Yes, [ feel better, thank you,” said Esperance, wearily.
‘But convalescence is always dull work,” said Lady |
Worthisgton. “I met Cornelia just now, and she gave me
leave to come and see you; she tellsme you have hada
long illness.”
“Yes, it has seemed long,” sighed Esperance. “ You see,
can’t do anything even now, and it is hard to sit and
think allday, and then—I do so want Gaspard.”
Her tears fell anew, and Lady Worthington, seeing thah —
they arore quite as much from physical weakness and de-
pression as from grief, hardly knew what to do for her.
She glanced round the great, comfortless room, and could
not wonsler that the poor child felt forlorn. Fvery neces-
eary wag there, certainly; but there was an air of discomfort
and ,barrenness about everything. A little shaky table,
which night have been pretty enough with flowers, was
staggering under the weight of some of Cornelias bulky a
volumes ; a number of medicine-bottles were crowded an <2
to the window-sill, and Esperance herself had been left in
a slippery, American-cloth chair, called by oe “ easy,’
but in reality most uncomfortable.
Lady Worthington was perplexed. She could not make,
or even suggest, improvements in the dean’s house, and
yet this want of the little feminine comforts and adorn-
ments.vexed her, and she felt sure that it must be trying
to Esperance. With a sense of relief she perceived some
common property in the shape of the blue-bottle fly on
the window-pane.
“This great fly i ig worry ing you, my dear, I shall put an
end to his noise,” and kind-hearted Lady Worthington
rose with alacr ity to flick the poor insect mercilessly with
her handkerchief, till it fell out of the window stunned.
After that she felt a little better, and came again to Esper:
ance’s side, determined to make the most of her present
opportunity. A bright idea had struck her—the deanery
was forlorn and uncomfortable, but what if she could get
Esperance away from the ames She revolved variouf
2 > > a - Kia seen es 7 We il Liha Pe
WON BY WAITING 197
- plans in her mind, while fondling the little invalid in
&
silence. At last she made up her mind, and began by a
judicious course of questioning. | 7
“ Qught you not to have a change of air, dear? Has Cor
~ nelia said anything to you about going away ?”
“No; and I hope we shall not go,” said Esperance. “ We
ghould only go to Scarborough, where Mrs. Mortlake and
_ Bella are staying, and I would much rather be alone with
Cornelia.”
“But I think you should have a change, you want a
great deal of setting up yet. I wonder whether you would
like to come and pay a visit to Frances, she is down in —
Wales with the children. Sir Henry and I only left them
on Saturday, and they are to stay on for anotl.er month.”
Esperance started forward, a glow of color rising in her
pale cheeks, “ Oh, Lady Worthington, do you really mean
it? How good—how kind you are!”
“You would like it then >”
“More than anything in the world! It seems too good,
too wonderful! only I have been so cross and fretful, tkat
I really don’t deserve it.”
“Poor child, that is not your fault I am sure, you will
. soon get better when you are away, there is nothing like
Welsh air to my mind, and Llanfairfechan, the little village
where Sir Henry has taken a house, is a charming place,
with sea and mountains too. Frances will be so delighted
to have you.”
They were still talking over this plan, when Cornelia
came back from the service.
“T wonder whether you will spare us your invalid for a
little while,” said Lady Worthington, when she had joined
them. “I have been asking Esperance whether she will
stay with us in Wales for a month.”
Cornelia felt a sudden pang. Was she to lose this child
whom she had watched over so anxiously? she felt as if
- ghe were being robbed ; then looking up she saw the glow
of animation on Esperance’s face, and felt sadly that the
Worthingtons had been kind to her in the days of her own
coldness, and that naturally they were more loved. With
--an effort she spoke cheerfully.
“T think it would be very good for her indeed, if you
are sure it is quite convenient to you, Lady Worthington.”
“ Perfectly, there is a room doing nothing, and Frances
-_-wnil be so glad of a companion. Sir Henry andI are go-
- ing to Switzerland, but she is not strong enough really to _
=
ae
198 : WON BY WAITING.
eujoy traveling, and prefers stayiny in Wales. I wonder
whether Esperance would be well enough to travel down
on the 8th ; [ could take her myself then.”
Esperance declared she was well enough to go that very
minute, though an hour before she had not felt equal to
walking across the room; but the prospect of change
seemed to put new life into her, and Cornelia was so
pleased to see her better, that she was glad the invitation
had been given, and promised to talk matters over with
the doctor the next day, and to let Lady Worthington
know.
CHAPTER XXVI.
“There is a temptation, and a very common one—to withdraw
from those who are nncongenial. We so crave for sympathy,
that life seems scarcely endurable withoutit. But we may be
assured that when it is the trial putuponusbyGod . . . We
shall, as a rule, be far safer in accepting it than in trying te
escupe from it. . . . loneliness, isolation, misconception,
absence of sympathy, if accepted cheerfully, are doing a work
ae aero’ than can be achieved by any efforts of our own indi-
vidual.”
Miss SeweEtu’s, Thoughis on the Age.
Tre doctor highly approved of the proposed change, and —
as there were only afew days for preparation, Cornelia’s
hands were full. She found herself engrossed in all sorts
of feminine trivialties, in a most surprising and unnatural
way. There was a shady hat to be chosen for Esperance,
clothes to be overlooked and packed, and even a little
needle-work to be done. With this latter she was sadly
at a loss, but with a determination not to give it to the —
servants, she shut herself up in her study, and puzzled it
out for herself, by the help of mathematics and common
sense, and Esperance had certainly never worn anything
so scientifically made before.
The 8th of August was as fine as could be wished, and
toward the middle of the day Lady Worthington and
Esperance started on their journey. Poor Cornelia felt
very sad when the actual parting came, though Esperances
good-bye was as warm and affectionate as possible. She
threw her arms round her cousin’s neck, “ Dear Cornelia,
you have been so kind to me, and I have been such #
trouble, perhaps when I come back you will let me waik
upon you.”
WON BY WAITING. % 199
“You must get quite strong again, dear,” said Cornelia,
quietly returning her embrace. ‘And be sure to let me
know how you are after the journey.” |
The train moved slowly off, and Cornelia turned home
with a sigh, to find her study almost oppressively dulland
~ quiet, while Esperance lay back among her cushions, feast-
ing her eyes with the fresh green of the fields and trees,
and finding beauty even in the flat environs of Rilchester,
after her long imprisonment.
Lady Worthington was a perfect traveling companion ;
she did not tease her to take a rest just at first, but let her
enjoy the change and novelty. thoroughly ; produced a
tempting little luncheon just at the right time, and finally
made her so comfortable that it was impossible not
to go to sleep. She did not wake till they reached
Chester, and then, much refreshed by half an hour’s
rest and some coffee, was quite ready to go on again.
Tire first breath of sea air as they passed by Holy-
well and the broad estuary of the Dee seemed to revive
her, and when they reached the coast her Celight was
quite charming to watch, and her joyous exclamations
pleased and amused Lady Worthington.
The country was looking beautiful in the sunset light,
and fisperance was so enraptured with it all, that she even
compared it to her own well-beloved scenery; the moun-
tains reminded her. of the mountains of Auvergne, and
even in Conway Castle she traced some likeness to the
chateau, though a Welshman traveling in the same car-
riage evidently regarded this latter comparison as the re-
veyse of flattering.
Just ag the sun went down into the sea, looking like a
great ball of fire, they reached their journey’s end, and
Esperance with dazzled eyes was glad enough to sink back
again among her cushions and wait for orders. Harry and
Fred were waiting on the platform, looking cool and coun-
trified in their brown holland suits.
«“ Aunt Fanny is waiting in the pony-carriage, mamma,”
they both cried in a breath. “We will bring all your
things from here.”
“Very well,” said Lady Worthington, who was fond of
making even ten-year old boys usefnl. ‘Harry, you bring
these cushions and bags, and Fred, see that a black trunk
and my small box are sent round at once in the cart—now,
Esperance, we will come,” and putting a supporting arm
xound her little charge, she led her through the station te
~~
soe Aes
BSE EE ie LL Ne Re 2 SES Re Kea pare ee eC A ant tea el nS ae ee
. 5 r thie at hy A * ie ey eae ae ae ba 3 tel hf Seo
S ~ ea y. > te fae x SCE eS te a Te eee
ws is 5 By a te fs —* .
200 WON BY WAITING
ths pony-carriage, where Frances was waiting, looking
fairer and prettier than ever, in her ight summer dress. —
Esperance received a homelike greeting in French, ana
was made comfortable in the carriage, while Lady Worth-
ington talked to Frances. .
“She is tired of course with the journey ; you must not.
judge of her looks to-night. Ithink you had better drive
home at once, and let her have some supper and go to
bed. I shall stay and walk back with the boys.”
“Very well, we will start then,” and Frances gathered
up the reins, and the little bay ponies carried them swiftly
away.
Esperance looked round her with languid pleasure ag
they crossed a bridge over the little river, now scantily
covering its stony bed, ascended the hill, and then branch-
ing to the left, drove along the road in the direction o7
Penmaenmawr, till, nestling just at the foot of the moun-
tain, among a plantation of fir-trees, they came to the house
which Sir Henry had taken for the summer.
Frances took her upstairs at once, and indeed HEsper-
~ ance was quite tired out and thenkful to go to bed, but
with all her weariness was a restful consciousness that she
had come to the right place, and to-night for the first time
since her illness she did not cry herself to sleep. |
Lady Worthington was obliged to go the next day, for
she was to meet her husbaud in London and start at once
for the Continent. In fect her expedition to Rilchester
had been solely on Esperance’s account. She hed first
heard of her illness from the wife of the archdeacon, whom
she had met at Llandudno, and her motherly soul had
been so grieved at the thought of any one be‘ng nursed
by Cornelia, that she had at once found an °xcuse for a
short visit to Worthington Hall, and with much delicht
had been able to carry off her protégée for change of air.”
_ “It is, indeed, my dear, aclear proving of our two voca-
tions,” she said laughinoly to her sister. “I have brought
Esperance down here with all possible eare, and have left
the strictest orders for her diet, her sea-bathing, her after- |
noon siesta, and her quinine and steel ; to you I leave vour —
special function—the ‘ ghostly’ mission - only stipulating
that you will consider her body in the matter of church
services.” . . .
_ Lrances promised, langhing heartily, and Lady Worth-
ington started on her travels, after having seen the invalid
vomfortably established in a shady corner of the garden,
I. “Hs
. pO pct}
a we age)
- WON BY WAITING. OO =
Be ge none the worse for the fatigues of the previous
ay. : ,
ler the first day or two this was about all that Espe-
rance cared to do ; she lay contentedly under the fir-trees,
eatching glinpses of the sea, or looking up the grassy
slope to the more rugged side of Penmacnmawr, wonder-
ing how Kathie and the boys could ever have climbed to
the top, while the only sounds that broke the entire still-
ness were faint echoes from the neighboring quarry, and
the low plash of the waves on the beach. The railway
which ran not far from the house was no disturbance to
her—she rather liked it, and would watch the trains pass-
ing to and fro with an odd sort of affection, because they
were a connecting link with Gaspard. The distance be-
tween them, though so great, was quite bridged over by
railways and steamboats, and every train seemed to her in
consequence a kind of messenger of comfort. :
Frances was a most charniing nurse ; she had been ill so
much herself that she understood and sympathized per-
fectly, and Esperance could not help feeling what a con-
trast it was to Cornelia’s well-meant but wearisome attend-
ance. Itwasa pleasure to look at Frances as she moved
quietly about, or to watch her white hands as she sat
working, still more to listen to her delightful voice as she
read aloud. She had chosen “Fleurange” as the book
most likely to suit her visitor, and Esperance was so
delighted with it that she was never tired of being read to.
It was not until Sunday evening that she had much talk
with Frances. She had been a good deal alone during the
day, and Frances was afraid she had found the time long,
_ for her face had a little of the burdened expression which
it so often bore at Rilchester.
“We must have some reading, chérie,” she said, when
the children had started for the evening service. “I am
afraid you have been lonely.” |
“No, indeed,” said Esperance, looking up more brightly, .
_“T have only been thinking. This morning when you were ~
all at church, and I sat out here on the lawn, it reminded
-meso much of the Sundays at the chateau; you know in
the summer when there was no pasteur who could come to
us, papa used always to hold a service, and we used to sit
on the terrace under the great cedar. It was so beautiful
—better than a cathedral I think—and when one got tired,
one could look up through the branches to the blue sky,
or down the hill to the village, where all the chimneye
i a eet ¥ S ote sae =~ oe a aa een a : = it . sabe te _ Ma ar 2 “ Sole y al ar, ee es 3a
202 WON BY WAITING.
were sending up blue smoke because of the Sunday-dine
ners that were cooking, or right across the valley to the
mountains. Some one, one of the pasteurs I thiuk, told me
it was not right to look about in service time, so after that
I tried not to look at the village, but I thought it could
not be wrong to look at the mountains, because you know
in the Bible it says, ‘I will lift up mine eyes unto the
hills.’ ”
Frances could not help smiling.
« And did you have many people at your services ?”
* No, not many; just ourselves and about four or five
families from cottages nearus, and old Jacques Bonnier
and his wife, and Marie his daughter—they lad been ser-
vants of papa’s once, or of his father's, I think. Well, one
Sunday, I remember quite well, we were all under the
cedar, and it was very hot; papa was reading a sermon by
Monsieur Adolphe Monod, and somehow it seemed very
triste. It was about one of the very sad Psalms—tle
eighty-eighth, I think ; it spoke of living witlout any ray
of comfort in the midst of troubles, and, as I had no
troubles at all then, I thought it would not matterif I did >
not listen, so I just looked away a little. Butjust then | |
heard one sentence which somehow stayed in my head
just because it puzzled me so. It was something like this:
_ However we may be surrounded by the gifts of God, aid
however we may be blessed in body or soul, something is
wanting to enable God’s love to find its way to our hearis,
and that is—suffering.’” I could not understand this at all,
and talked to papa about it afterward, but he said le
thought it was quite true, and that I should, too, when I
was older. Well, I remembered this when you were ail
out this morning, and Frances, I am really afraid that my
life has been all wrong, for I have been trying how much
happiness I could possibly get, and feeling so miserable
when fresh troubles came.” 7
“Tt can not be wrong to wish for happiness, and one |
must naturally shrink from troubles,” said Frances ; “but
Ifancy, ma mie, like most of us, you are rather apt to
think that happiness is the great object. of life.”
Esperance mused in silence, then said, “ Yes, just now I
am sure my object in life is to be careful and saving, so
that Gaspard and I may live together again—to be happy, |
that is, in the future.” -
“And that is quite a right object, but I know you will
net live through thesu three years without any other
Wig Mah ries bee Nesta rs hay Orta yy oot Ae
WON BY WAITING. ee O0e
motive. You see we were not put into the world simply to
be happy, but to do something. You will say thatis a
truism ; but it is one we often lose sight of.” -
“T feel as if everything had ended now Gaspard has
gone ; there isnothing but just to live on at the deanery.”
“ But ‘just living on’ is rather a serious business,” said
Frances, quietly. ‘“Itis not easy to throw ourselves into
the lives of others, to help them and sympathize with
them, and love them. I think there is a good deal for you
to do.” ) |
*T should like it to be nice doing,” said Esperance, “and
that is so hard—if one could only choose one’s work.”
“Tt would ba much more risky, and we should lose
the discipline. Ah! I see the corners of your mouth
turn down at that quotation from your Scur Therese,
but we should be poor creatures if we were always al-
lowed our own way.”
“ But still, Ido not quite see that suffering does so very
much for one,” said Esperance, a little impatiently, ‘and
surely it doesn’t please God ?”
“TI think patient endurance does,” said Frances ; ‘and
He knows what suffering is best for us. You may talk
against it, ma mie, but I think if you remember last
autumn and what you said of it then, you will see that
suffsring has done something for you. I don’t think itis
good to dwell too much on such personal experiences,
but I cannot help remembering some rather bitter
words that I heard that day about the impossibility of
loving anybody. I think the love is growing.”
“You were very good to bear with me; I was dread-
ful that day, and so miserable. Yes, I think you and
papa and Monsieur Monod are right—life is very different
now to what it was last year, and if is not lack of pain
that has made me happier.” :
Frances looked down at the pale, shadowy face, and felt
that indeed it was not, but there was something in the ex-
pression of the gravely sweet mouth, which would not
allow her to grieve over Esperance’s early troubles. The
passing of a train changed the current of their thoughts.
“To-morrow perhaps I shall have a letter from Gaspard,”
said Esperance, with a glad light in her eyes. ‘ I have
been counting the days, and if the mail is early, a letter
would vet to Rilchester on Sunday, and I should have it
forwarded by to-morrow.”
And with that they began to talk over Gaspard’s pros
204 3 WON BY WAITING.
pects in Ceylon, and Frances heard, for the first time, all
the details of his visit to Rilchester.
On the Monday afternoon Esperance was quite well
enough to enjoy adrive, and Frances took her in the pony-
carriage along the shore; she was enchanted with the sea,
and was very desirous to go on it at once.
“Tam not sure what your doctor would say to that,”
suid Frances. “ But in a week or two you will be stronger,
and then we might try.”
“ And we will row to that little island, of which I can
not say the name,” said Esperance, eagerly, “ZT like it so
much, it looks so lonely, just broken off, as it were, from
Anglesea. Jt will be delightful to be really on the sea. I
shall know what the voyage to Ceylon will feel like—it
will be good practice.”
Frances smiled. “I was thinking about your letter— ~
shall we call at the post-office and see if it has come ?”
“Oh! af we might!” and Esperance breathed more
quickly as Frances turned the ponies’ heads, and drove up
the village street. She tried hard to believe: that she did _
not expect anything, and waited, trembling with excite- —
ment, till Frances appeared at the door of the post-office
with a reassuring face, and-—yes, it really was—a letter in
her hand.
“Tt has the Rilchestér post-mark,” she said, and Esper-—
ance let fall the reins, snatched at it, and almost tore the
envelope to pieces in her hurry toopen it. Within there
was indeed the precious inclosure, a thin, blue envelope, —
directed in Gaspard’s flourishy, copper -plate writing. She
_ did not hurry any more—now that she was secure of the
letter there was no need, and in truth her eyes were blinded
with tears; it was pleasure enough to hold it fast, and to
reflect that one of these messages would come to her now
each week.
Frances drove home quickly, and then in the quiet of
her own room Esperance opened her letter.
It was delightfully long and closely written each day so
fully described that she seemed to be living through
everything with him, and her happiness was all the greater
because she had not expected such details, for Gaspard’s
letters from London had been n ecessarily poor in this
respect, and had generally been written in a strain of
forced merriment in order to veil from her his sufferings.
But this was a really journal-like ceseriplion, written with
delightful ease, while little e-!!~quial expressions here and
eS Meee.
ote "WON BY WAITING. _ — 206
there brought the tears to Esperance’s eyes. “ Ah, mon
ceurif you could have seen this,” or “when you come,
chéme, you will enjoy that.”
‘She lived with him throughout the voyage, learned to
know the laconic captain, and the graphically described
passengers, entered into the landing at Colombo with its
bustle and confusion and heat, laughed over Mr. Sey-
monr’s jokes, and the accounts of the shopping and bar-
gaining in the town, then traveled with him to Dickoya,
and saw his future home in Mr. Seymour’s bungalow, tried
to understand the size of the estate given to her in an al-
most fabulous number of square kilometres, and sympathized
with Gaspard’s difficulty in learning Tamil. And if. when
at last it was ended, she came back to the present with
something of a shock, and was obliged to have a good ery,
yet Frances understood all perfectly, and instead of adopt-
ing Cornelia’s plan of pointing out the extreme ingratitude
and foolishness of such behavior, petted and caressed her
till her smiles returned, and she was eager to read some |
extracts from the letter to any one who could appreciate
its delights.
- Whether the pleasure of receiving her first letter from
Ceylon had anything to do with her recovery, it would be
hard to say; but certainly from that day Esperance took a
fresh start, not only in bodily strength, but in spirits.
Frances was delighted to hear her laughing and talking
with Kathie and the boys, and entering with a charming
enthusiasm into any game which was not too tiring for her.
“It seems rather shocking that I should enjoy this at
seventeen,” she said one day, looking up froma game of
ball, which she was teaching the children to play French
fashion. ‘Ihave not played a single game since » left the
convent. You can’t think what fun we had there! and such
skipping !—ah, if I only had a rope!”
A rope! a rope!” shouted Fred, running toward the
house; he had constituted himself Esperance’s cavalier, and
always ran on errands for her.
In a few minutes he came back with an unpromising-
looking piece of box-cord, and Esperance, with a delighted
exclamation, took it in her deft little hands, knotted some
handles, and began to skip with a grace and agility which
fairly astonished them all.
Two minutes was enough for her, liowever.
“T am growing old,” she said laughingly, to Frances,
snd willingly gave up the rope to Kathie, who tried a
206 WON BY WAITING.
feeole English imitation, good-naturedly putting wp with
the uncomplimentary comparisons of the boys.
After that skipping became the fashion, and Esperance,
_ in spite of her confession that she was growing old, was
evidently glad of an excuse to take the rope, though she
always said she was giving a lesson to Kathie.
CHAPTER XXVII.
‘‘ Avoir beaucoup souffert, c’est comme ceux qui savent beau-
coup de langues, avoir appris 4 tout comprendre, et a se faire
comprendre de tous.”
Aunt Fanny, we really must take you to Aber,” said
Harry, very beseechingly, one morning toward the end of
August. .
“Yes, auntie, we were there yesterday after the rain, and
the waterfall is just splendid. Can't we go to-day alto-
gether ?”
Frances looked across the table at the invalid, and being
reassured by her looks, thought that it might, perhaps,
be managed. The expedition had long been deferred,
for it was impossible to drive along the last mile of the
glen, and Esperance had not of course been able to walk
so far. She was so much better now, however, that the
scheme began to seem more feasible, and this day she was
so eager to go that Frances, after some consideration, gave
consent.
They started early in the afternoon, a very merry party,
Frances driving, Esperance and Kathie squeezed in beside
her, and the boys in the back seat. Tue day was most
glorious, and the richly wooded glen looked so beautiful
that Frances was obliged to drive slowly in order to give
her full sympathy to the eager entreaties to look at some
especially lovely view, either of the sea or the river, or
the mountains. Leaving the carriage at the rest-house,
they walked slowly on toward the falls, and whether
it was due to the beauty and novelty of the way, or to
the fresh mountain air, Esperance was not at all over-
tired, when at length they reached the end of the glen,
and sat down on the great, gray bowlders at the foot of the
waterfall.
She gazed in wonder at the down-rushing torrent, as it
‘came foaming over the brown rocks, here, white as snow,
AE, Bie goo
Dae 5
WON BY WAITING. _ 907
there, separating itself into little silvery streamlets, but all
mingling in the pool below, and hurrying away down the
rocky bed of the river. Frances was amused and charmed
by her naive expressions of rapture and amazement, and
watched with pleasure the healthful glow of color in her
cheeks, and the happy brightness of hereyes. She looked
delightfully at her ease, leaning back among the rocks, in
her shady straw hat and blue cambric polonaise, and
Frances was just wondering what constituted that happy
French faculty of perfect enjoyment, and contrasting it
with the heavy, bored looks of a party of tourists who were
finding fault with everything, when a sudden ery and
splash made her look round in terrer to see if the chil-
dren were all safe. To her relief they were all three in
sight, scrambling about the rocks on the other side of
the river, but Esperance had quitted her easy posture,
and was bending over the bowlders down to the water,
and just as Frances hurried to the spot, she had helped
to drag up a terrified little girl of above seven years
old, who had slipped into the river.
“There, do not cry, you are quite safe,” said Esperance,
panting a little with her exertions.
- But before Frances could speak, a little, dark, middle-
; aged lady, bustled up, her round, brown eyes all anxiety.
“Mareuerite, ma chére! what is it then? Ciel! you
have really been in the water! ah! what pity, with your
new boots, too. And this lady has kindly helped you? I
hope Marguerite has thanked you, mademoiselle ?”
Hsperance was on her feet now; her color came and
went, and she waited impatiently till the little lady had
finished speaking, then bending forward she said ina half-
choked voice, ‘Madame! Madame Lemercier! do you not
know me ?”
Mme. Lemercier looked, threw up her little hands, and
then with many exclamations, embraced Esperance with
fervor, quite regardless of the tourist eyes around.
«Mon enfant /—Ksperance!—ah! but this is a happiness.
We meet in a strange land, my child! ah! who would have
thought it?”
“Dear Madame! how long it seems since we parted!
how much has happened!” Then turning to Frances, “I
must introduce you to Madame Lemercier, a very deat
fricnd of ours, who took care of mein the siege. Miss
Neville knows you well by name, madame, I have told her
_ how good you were to me then.” _
Bk sR ORCUS i at aia ite ES) Jad pede ; 7 Sg ean Fake aa A
EM ee ee: a ar
208- WON BY WAITING.
* Ah! mon enfant, we each consoled the other. But let
us sit down and talk. I forgot you, though, ma pawure
Marguerite, pardon me; you are very wet, my child.”
“Not very,” said the little girl, blushing; “my stockings
wil dry inthe sun. See, here comes papa.”
A pleasant-looking man, of three-and-thirty, came stri-
ding over the rocks toward them as she spoke.
“Ho! Miss Maggie, so you have been in the river, I
hear, frightening the fishes, eh? What do yousay madame?
should she not get her things dried >?”
“J fear she will en-cold herself,’ said madame, anxiously.
‘ Perhaps, monsieur, we had better return at once.
Maggie interrupted, however..
“But, papa, madame has met a friend. The young lady
who helped me out of the water knew madame, at Paris.”
«* Ah, indeed!” and the gentleman took off his hat to
Esperance, while madame gravely introduced ‘“ Monsicur
- Henderson and Mademoiselle de Mabillon.”
“T hardly know how to thank you enough for kelping
my little girl,” he said, pleasantly. “I hope madame will
instillinto Maggie some of the ready adroitness of your
nation. But as to these wet clothes,” he continued, turn-
ing to Mme. Lemercier. “Suppose I take Maggie back
to the inn, madame, and let her dry them by the fire; we
shall be back in an hour, and you will like to have some
talk with Mademoiselle de Mabillon.”
“Monsieur is too good, but it will prevent you from —
searching for the ferns. Let me take Marguerite back.”
“No, no; I will find ferns on the way,”. said Mr. Hen-
derson, good-naturedly. “We will be back in an hour.
Come, Maggie.”
“A good gentleman, a kind gentleman,” said Mme.
Lemercier, relapsing into French, as she waved her last —
farewell to Maggie and her father. “She is my little
pupil, Marguerite, you know, and a very amiable little
girl. But ma chére, come, tell me all that has happened to you _ Ee
—you are thin, my poor child, thinner than in the siege;
that is very wrong; and you are altered, ah! very much
altered ; there is more of the angel in your face; it is
no more a naughty little piece of humanity ; you must
have suffered, my poor little one. ButI fear you grow too
good, and then you will die; keep a little naughtiness
~ ma chére, do net become too much like a saint.”
Esperance laughed merrily.
* Do not fear that, madame; I assure you there is too © -
ar cat ete ee ey y 4 nw *
eent oa ety mY rs mo eee tee Te aes oe
ead peyeres Sat 5 Nes Pe ee eae ©
se Waeeecro EG Seager See
dnt ‘ ee + SS ee Sr oe
. 4 : ’ see he OT yt eae >
WON BY WAITING. ~ = 209
little danger. I have had an illness; that is why I am
thin.” a
‘‘An illness? Ah! I was sure you would suffer from
the effects of that siege, it was too rigorous, too trying for
oneso young. I myself have never felt so well since that
time of starvation. But tell me of Gaspard, mon enfant.”
_ “He is in Ceylon, on a coffee plantation,” said Esper-
ance, and she told Mme. Lemercier all the details of Gas-
pard’s letter. Madame ncticed that there were tears in her
eyes.
Me Ah! ma chére, we women have our part in the hardness
_ of life; it is not easy to be left behind,” she said, gently
laying her hand on Esperance’s. ‘‘ But we must lave cour-
age, my child, and it is easier for us, for we know they are
strong, whereas they know that we are weak and unpro-
tected. You heard of course of monsieur’s arrest ?”
“Yes, dear madame; Gaspard told me. But do let me
hear what happened to you after we left.” |
“Ah, chérie! what a history it is! a thousand times didI
thank Heaveu that you were spared the horrors of that.sec-
ond siege. I knew not what to think; I scarcely saw Victor--
he was always engrossed either with his writing or—or with
more direct means in the furtherance of his cause. At first he
was certain of success, and I could bear the tumults and the
horrors better, because I hoped thatin the end his party
would be victorious, and that we should have peace and a
better constitution. What can a woman know of the rights
and wrongs of such questions? I trusted my husband. But
then came the furious repulse. Victor was in despair ; he
knew that all wasover. I entreated him to fly, to hide
himself ; but no, he was always brave ; he refused to do
so ; he said to me, ‘ Antoinette, the people I have incited
and led on can not fly; I must stay with them.’ So he
stayed, my brave husband, he stayed, and was arrested.”
Here madame was obliged to wipe away her tears, and
her voice was broken with sobs as she continued. “He
and many others that had been with him were ar-
rested, thrown into prison, then marched out of Paris,
away, I knew not whither; Ionly knew that it was
a burning summer day—that his sufferings would be ~
terrible. I found him again after a time; he was —
kmprisoned at Z He was still alive. J went there,
mon enfant, and with many of his colleagues he was
_ tried. Some were condemned to death, others to trans
portation; figure to yourself, Esperance, what my feelings
pe Pe Th gg RNY aan ee eae a a ay ue PSA ee
B10 WON BY WATTING.
were, as I waited to hear that awful sentence. But God
heard my prayers. Victor was not shot; he was trans-
ee for life. I saw him again before his ship sailed,
and then, though I was so thankful for his life, yet, mon
enfant, it was very hard, very bitter. He supported me,
however; he told me that this transportation was no real —
diserace, that he had merely done what he considered his
duty. But he could not hide his anguish at leaving France.
I think that but for me he would rather have died, and one
of the last things he said to me was, ‘Antoinette, I am
thankful that the young De Mabillon is saved from this; I
might have dragged him with me to his ruin, had he not ~
been so shocked by the death of Clement Thomas.’”
“Poor monsieur, he was always so brave and good,”
said Esperanee, crying from sympathy. “And you, dear
madame, what happened to you then ?”
“For days, mon enfant, I was like one stupefied; I could
only look at the sea, and walk up and down the pier from
which Ih d seen his ship sail. At last an Knelish lady, wha
guessed, I suppose, that I was a relative of one of the emi-
grants, introduced herself to me as I was walking backward _
and forward distractedly one day. She found ont my trouble,
inquired what I meant, to do, and showed me all possible
“kindness. I told her that I had scarcely any money, that I
meant to get a situation as a governessif I could meet with
one, and that in time I hoped to save enough money to join —
my husband ‘in his exile; not that. I was. very hopeful that
day, for the hardships and sorrows had made me ill, and I
half hoped I might die. But the lady, Mrs. Henderson,
said that she knew of a situation in England which she
thought would suit me; she herself was a widow, and had
been - helping in one of the ambulances during the war ; she
was now returning to England, and she kindly took me with
her. The situation was with her brother-in-law, whom you
have just now seen, to teach his little motherless girl Mar-
guerite. There! mon enfant, I have told you all now.” |
“Thank you, dear madame. You have had terrible suf-
fering indeed. You have not told me, though, where Mr.
Henderson lives.” |
“In Devonshire ma chére —a very pretty estate of which
Marguerite will be the heiress. We make now a tour in :
Wales, and arestaying for afew days at Bangor.” oe"
Frances, who had wandered away with the children,
came back in time to hear this. and began to persuade
Mme. Lemercier to spend a day with: them at Llanfairfechan,
Ras dO ce CR bas ead
elas aac Ng Sareea ts
WON BY WAITING. 211
* You are very good ; it would make me such pleasure,”
paid madame ; “but I think all the days are arranged ; we
go to-morrow ‘to the Ogwen, and shall leave Bangor in two
or three days.”
Franves was sorry, as she was sure Esperance would
like to see more of Mme. Lemercier; however, they
had another long ¢éte-a-iée when Mr. Henderson and
his little girl returned, for Kathie was eager to have
Maggie for a play-fellow, and, with the boys for pro-
tectors, they were allowed to follow their own devices ;
while Mr. Henderson was delighted to find a kindred
spiritin Frances, and talked for at least balf an hour over
his favorite hobby of ferns. It was not very often that
he found a lady who could so well enter into his talk on
such matters, but Frances really knew a good deal on the
subject, and kad, moreover, a fernery of her own at Worth-
ington ; so she was interested in the discussion.
“I have been disappointed in not finding more of the
parsley fern,” Mr. Henderson was saying. «Thad always
heard of it as being so abundant in W ales.”
“My brother -in-law found any quantity growing in
Snowdon,” said Frances. “Have you been there yet?”
“No, but Thad some thoughts of striking in land again in
a day or two. Ihave promised to take my little girl to
Llanberis. We might perhaps combine—. Well, Maggie,
‘what is it?” as the child ran up to him breathlessly.
“Oh, papa! we are so happy, and, do you know, Kathie
Worthington i is just my age—is it not funny?—and we
mean always to be friends. And, papa, she has never
been to Llanberis. Don’t you think it would be very nice
‘if we could go together ?”
Mr. Henderson laughed.
“Children’s thoughts run apace,” he said, glancing at
Frances. |
“Well, Maggie dear, we must see what Miss Neville
says to this idea of yours. Run off now, and enjoy your
play.” ;
The little girl ran away obediently, well content to leave
_ things in her father’s hands, and Mr. Henderson turned to
- Frances with a smile.
“'They have already sworn an eternal friendship. Poor
Mageie so seldom sees any one of her own age, that the
enjoyment is all the greater. It is very hard to fiud
amusements for an only child; but since Madame Le-
_mercier has been with us,I think she has been much
212 "WON BY WAITING.
happier. A most invaluable lady she is, and very cheerful
in site of all her troubles.”
“'I'here is a wonderful elasticity about the French,” said
Frances, “however much they are crushed down by trouble,
they always seem to rise above it in time. I have noticed
it very much in my little friend Esperance de Mabillon If
am so glad she chanced to meet Madame Lemercier to-day;
it has been a great pleasure to her, I know.”
“ Perhaps, after all, Magvie’s wish would give pleasure
tosome one beside herself,” said Mr. Henderson, halt
hesitatingly. ‘ Would it be possible for us to join forces
Miss Neville, and make the excursion to Llanberis to-
gether ?”
“Tt is very good of you to thinks of it,” said Frances:
‘‘but we are such a large purty we should only hamper
you, and, indeed, I am half afraid it would be too tiring
for our invalid.”
“There would be no walking,” explained Mr. Hender-
son, “and Madame Lemercier would so much eujoy Layv-
ing her.”
“We will talk it over with her,” suggested Frances. “ It
would be very delightful, and I know the boys. are crazy to
see Snowdon.”
“Ah! and we might look for the parsley fern,” said Mr.
Henderson, returning to his pet subject. © On the Capel
Curig side [ think you said it was to be found,’
Both Mme. Lemercier and Esperance were 80 delighted |
with the idea of the Llanberis expedition, that Frances
could hesitate no longer, and indeed, Esperance was look-
yng so much better, and appeared so little tired with her
walk up the glen that there seemed noreason against trying
the longer day. The whole party joined in a very merry
tea drinking on the banks of the river, and in the cool of
the evening walked down the glen, parting at the rest-
house, after having arranged to meet on the following
Monday at the Bangor station.
Esperance went “about now with a radiant expression;
the sight of Mme. Lemercier’s home-like face had made
her feel much less forlor n, and she had greatly enjoyed
their long talk together. Frances wrote glowing accounts
to her sister of the very satisfactory recovery of their in- —
valid, and Lady Worthineton’s proplccy seemed to be
coming true, that if once they could get Esperance a thors —
ough rest and change, she would ~ p-obably be-
stronger after this illness than she had been for
PS a
it Shed
Wo
WON BY WAITING. 913
years. Now, for the first time since they had left Mabillon,
er mind was really free from any pressing care; troubles,
of course, she had and must have, but Gaspard's privations
were at an end, and she was away from the frets and annoy-
ances of the deanery, among people who could love her and
sympathize with her. Her strength returned rapidly, her
spirits rose, and all the old cheerful courage, which had
for a time seemed well-nigh crushed out of her, came back
once more. Irances felt quite happy about her, for she
knew that she was taking the present happiness as a prep-
aration for the return to life at Rilchester, and she bent all
her efforts to make the month in Wales as enjoyable as pos-
sible. |
Monday proved to be one of those delicious days of
early September, when even the most inveterate weather-
erumbler can not complain—a day of sunshine and soft
breezy air, of blue sky and fleecy white clouds—a day,
Esperance declared, on which it was impossible not to feel
happy. ‘The start was made early in the morning, Frances,
with a sense of responsibility, driving with her four charges
to the station, and feeling glad to have Esperance’s help in
keeping watch over the numerous possessions, ranging
from butterfly-nets to air-cushions and luncleon-baskets.
Madame, Mr. Henderson and Maggie met them at Ban-
gor, and they went on by rail to Lianberis, the children in
a state of uproarious merriment, Mme. Lemercier and Hs«
perance talking and gesticulating, and Frances and Mr,
Henderson finding plenty of time for almost equally ani:
mated conversation. At Llanberis there was a division,
Mr. Henderson well armed with oilskin bags and fern-
- trowels, preparing to go up Snowdon, with Fred and Harry
as companions, while the rest of the party arranged them-
selves In a capacious wagonette and drove up the pass.
Maggie, who had a good deal of romance in her disposi-
tion, insisted on telling them all the legend of Dolbadarn
Castle, and, indeed, it was partly owing to her pity and ad- .
miration for the beautiful heroine, Margaret, that she had
been so very anxious to come to Llanberis.
Esperance listened half dreamily, but could not bring
herself to associate anything sad with the surrounding
beauty—the ruined tower, the calm lake, the rugged
-granite-crowned mountains, were too restfully beautiful,
too calmly grand—she could not think of the past at all,
and Maggie could not win her sympathy for the tragedy of
pocr Margaret
Ho
6 Ot4 WON BY WAITING.
oe ee
They drove slowly on, the pass getting more wild and ,
rugged, and in one of the grandest, most desolate-looking
spots, were surprised to see two or three cottages nestled
down among the wide-scattered granite blocks, "and to be
greeted by “Ar Hyd-»-Nos,” that most pathetic of all airs,
chanted by some little bright-eyed children, with the
sweetness and inborn pathos which seems to characterize
Welsh singing. Then on again into perfect stillness, amid
the green of the grass and the ever -varying hues of the
granite, now black and frowning, now shining like silver in
the sunlight, till at length they reached Pen- -y-pas, and
were elad to get out of the carriage, and rest among the
surrounding loveliness.
Esperance was very happy, and, though she could not
join in any of the climbings of the rest of the party, the
afternoon did not seem the least long to her; she lay in a
shady corner and gazed down the pass, seeing all manner
of fresh beauties in its rugged grandeur, and making the
view thoroughly her own. ‘Then, from time to time Maggie
and Kathie bring her treasures, bright pieces of spar, ov
handfuls of heather and ling, or Frances and Mme. Le-
mercier would bring back glowing descriptions of some
fresh view which they had found. Later in the day mad-
ame settled herself down for another long chat, and Esper-
ance had still many questions to ask and inquiries to make
after her Parisian acquaintances. Even if madame had
not been so kind and lovable, she must have enjoy ed talk-
ing with any one who had known her father and Gaspard,
and poor old Javotte; and though most of the recollec-
tions they had in common were sad ones, there was a
strange pleasure in dwelling on them.
Soon after four o’clock the Snowdon party arrived, having
had a very successful day. ‘The boys were so ravenous
that tea was obliged to be hurried, and Mme. Lemercier
and Esperance, who had learned all sorts of little devices _
in the siege, managed everything most daintily, while Mr.
Henderson and Frances examined the ferns, ane were se
_ much engrossed in their conversation that they continued.
it all through the picnic meal, leaving Fred and Harry to
describe the glories of Snowdon to the rest of the party. -
Then came the preparations for the return, the drive
down the pass, where already the shades were deepening,
the merry railway journey, and a general reeret as the
farewells were said at the Bangor station. Maggie and
Kathie were already arranging to write to each other; Mme..
WON BY WAITING. 216 |
Hemercier and Esperance indulged in fervent embraces
and a torrent of rapidly uttered French; but perhaps Mr.
Henderson was the gravest and inost regretful of all as the
train moved off, and he raised his hat to Frances Neville.
CHAPTER XXVIIL
Go, to the world return, nor fear to cast
Thy bread upon the waters, sure at last
In joy to find it after many days.
The work be thine, the fruit thy children’s part;
Choose to believe, not see; sight tempts the heart
From sober walking in true Gospel ways.
KEBLE,
Mrs. Morrniaxe had just returned from Scarborough,
and, to tell the truth, she was not sorry to be in Rilchester
again, for she had found two months at the watering-
place rather dull. She was fond of society, and had
been disappointed that scarcely any of her acquaintance
had come to the place, while Bella had been cutting her
seven-year-old teeth, and had been unusually fractious.
On the whole, Mrs. Mortlake did not feel the better
for her summer outing, and as she sat in the breakfast-
room at the deanery one sunny September morning,
her face bore a more than usually dissatisfied expression.
She was waiting for her father and Cornelia, and, although
the gong had twice sounded, and the breakfast was grow-
ing cold, they still lingered over their letters in the libra-
ry. Mrs. Mortlake, with growing dissatisfaction, cut the
leaves of the “Guardian,” and read the list of prefer-
ments, glanced through the topics of the week, skimmed
the correspondence, counted the humber of ladies want-
ing cooks, yawned repeated)y, and finally, with an impa- -
_- tient exclamation, rose and crossed the hall to the library
to remonstrate with the dean.
“My dear father, breakfast has been ready for half an
hour,” she said, in a reproachful tone. ‘Surely these let-
ters can wait.” |
Cornelia looked up ; - her face wore a startled, agitated
expression. |
_ * What is it, Christabel? Breakfast, did yousay? Yes,
I will come. You would like a cup of tea in here, quietly,
would you not?” she said, turning to the dean.
He assented, but did not look up, and Christabel, full of
Nat ~ ‘ a ee ao it Gaus Oe a
= 7a.
216 WON BY WAITING.
curiosity, hastened back to the breakfast- -room, wondering
what bad news the post could have brought. She fancied
it must be in some way connected with the De Mabillons ;
no doubt her father would feel it a good deal nowif either
Gaspard or Esperance met with any disaster, but, after all,
need he reproach himself? He had been very liberal, and
they were only cousins. Children and grandchildren cer
tainly ought to be the first consideration.
She had made so sure that the trouble was connected
with her cousins, that she was doubly startled by Cornelia’s
abrupt utterance as she came into the room, closing the
door behind her.
“Well, Christubel, I don’t know what is to be done ; Pye:
George Palgrave has proposed to Bertha.”
«To Bertia!” exclaimed Mrs. Mor tlake ; “how alto-
gether absurd. He must have known my father would not
allow it.”
“On the contrary,” said Cornelia, “they don't seem to
have the least idea “that he will object. George writes very
properly, apologizing for having spoken to Bertha before
he had asked father’s leave, and explaining how it was
that-he was betrayed into a confession of his love before —
he had intended. It seems that he went to see’grannie at
$t. Leonards, and found Bertha staying there; thay were
a great deal thrown together, and you know what grannig
is when she gets young people with her, she did nothing
but plan excursions for them, and kept George hanging
about the place, till this was the result.”
“ What will father do ?” |
“He can only write to George, and refuse his consent,
Bertha, poor child, must come home at once; I am afraid
we have been partly to blame in this, we ought to have
spoken to her in the summer, only of course I always
thought she looked upon him as a sort of substitute for a
brother.”
“ Of course,” said Mrs. Mortlake. ‘I have no patience
with her, she must have known that my father would never
tolerate such a thing. A poor man and a cousin—prepos-
terous !”
“Do not be hard on her,” said Cornelia, pityingly ; “I
feel as if it were all my fault for not speaking to her, and
now she will have such sorrow, poor cuild.”
Cornelia was unusually tender-hearted this morning 3
she was thinking of an episode in her own life, years and
years ago, when love and happiness had seemed just
.
Pings ed ee ee ah ee Ate ee ee Se 6 ee ele OM Ce
ah Cr bit | tien con Le ein ea SES hs
Sieh ce tee rele Ak 2 z ape S
Mh Sip tence
ess Cai
WON BY WAITING. ‘ O17
within her reach, and had been suddenly snatched from
her, leaving her chilled and imbittered. Her heart ached
for poor Bertha.
Mrs. Mortlake was more angry than pitiful.
* We have Esperance to thank for this,” she said, in hoz
vexed voice. “No doubt it was all brought on by that
visit to the Palgraves inthe summer. I knew no good
would ever come of it, when my father adopted that child.”
“That is sheer nonsense,” said Cornelia, in her abrupt
way. “tne only thing I do regret a little is, that you
have taken away Esperance’s attic, and put her in Bertha’s
room—the child will want to be alone.”
“On the contrary, I think it will be very good for her
to have a companion ; Esperance’s chatter will keep her
from brooding over her troubles; besides, I asked her in ©
my last letter, and she made no objection. ‘Theatticmakes
a capital play-room for Bella.”
Cornelia did not care to continue the conversation, and
soon left the table to begin the difficult task of writing to
Bertha, which Mrs. Mortlake altogether declined.
Bertha came home the next day, and early in the fol«
lowing week Tisperance also returned. Frances Neville
was coming back with the children to Worthington, so
she was able to take her home in hercarriage. Isperance
had made up her mind to be very brave—she had even
persuaded herself that she rather wished to get back to
the discipline of Rilchester, that she was anxious to be at
work again after her long holiday ; but in spite of this
her heart sunk when she found herself once more
alone in the dimly lighted hall of the deanery. The dean
and Miss Collinson were at afternoon service, the footman
told her, and Mrs. Mortlake had visitors in the drawing-
room ; then he carried her trunk upstairs and disappeared.
Esperance stood quite still, as if anxious to face her
position. Her eyes wandered from the blue-and-white
tiled floor to the frosted windows, up the dark oak stair-
case, and round the wainscoted walls, and she shivered a
little as she remembered that this was a ‘coming
home.” She looked at the pictures of the dcan’s prede-
cessors, and fancied they looked down at her pityingly,
while the brown, glassy eyes of two stags’ heads looked
almost tearful, and seemed to say, “ We are sorry for you;
we too are prisoners, out of our natural element.”
She felt the tears gathering in her own eyes, and with
@n impatient exclamation rouged herself, and went upstairs
Ae ae
218 WON BY WAITING.
to her room. Forlorn and uncomfortable as it had been,
she received a sharp pang when she found that the attic
was no longer hers ; it was all strewn with toys, Bella was
in one of the corners, beating a refractory doll, and her
nurse was working near the window.
She rose, and received Esperance with inquiries after
her health, and a warmth of welcome, which in the present
chilliness of her feelings was really comforting. Bella, too,
who was always much better bebaved when away from
her mother, ran up to kiss her, and, by the time the expla-
nation of the change of rooms had been made, Esperance
had quite recovered her spirits. She ran down-stairs to
Bertha’s room, and knocked at the door.
Bertha was sitting at her table writing; she put down
her pen, but Esperance was across the room in one bound,
and had both arms round her neck before she could rise.
She submitted to one of those warm, clinging French em-
braces, which Esperance was wont to give her, then said
in her quiet, impassive voice, “I did not know you had
come.’
“T have been here five minutes, and nota Be have I
seen except Bella and nurse—just ‘think of that! You will
have to kiss me for all the rest of the family.”
_ “You look much better,” said Bertha, still very lan-
guidly.
«Yes, Tam quite well; it is you who look like the invalid.
What is it, Bertha? Iam sure you are ill!”
But she was not prepared for a sudden outburst of tears
from her usually reserved cousin. Bertha had in truth
found Esperance’s endearments too much for her. In a
few minutes she had, whether wisely or not, sobbed out
the whole story to this most sympathetic of auditors. It
liad been no comfort to her to speak of it to the others. —
She had sat in one of the great library chairs, and heard
her father express his slow, hesitating regrets that he was
obliged to cross her wishes, and only grown more heavy-
hearted. She had listened to Mrs. Mortlake as she sat over
her bazaar work, showing the many worldly advantages she
would have lost had she been able to marry George Pal-
grave, and had hurried away, at once sore-hearted and
angry. She had seen Cornelia in her study and had only
listened to her grave words of pity, with a conviction that
her sister had never expcrienced this kind of sorrow, and
had no right to talk. Now, with a sense of relief, she told
all to one who would sympathize without reproof, who
WON BY WAITING. 919
would not add to her distress by saying, “You ought to
have known.”
And, luckily, Esperance was a safe comforter. She did
“not say, as some girls of seventeen would have done,
“Perhaps you father will change his mind or relent.” She
was so accustomed to think of a father’s slightest wish‘as
law, that this did not even enter her head; all her sympa-
thy was expressed either by outward demonstration, or by
soft, loving, pitiful ejaculations, yet Bertha was really com-
,orted.
They went down-stairs together, and Esperance received
a kind greeting from her uncle and Cornelia, and a cold
kiss from Mrs. Mortlake; there were some inquiries after
her health, and a little conversation about Welsh scenery,
and then she settled down into her old niche at the dean- ©
ery.
The old place, and yet certainly things were different
now, and Esperance herself was much changed. She did
not cease to feel Mrs. Mortlake’s snubs, but she would not,
allow herself to dwell upon them, and Cornelia was so much
kinder and less sarcastic than she had been, that her study
became a kind of refuge, though in the old times Esperance
had regarded it rather as a hornet’s nest where one was al-
ways liable to be stung.
She was constantly on the lookout for little ways of help-
ing Cornelia now, for she had a vivid remembrance of her
kindness to Gaspard, and the trouble she had taken during
her illness; and Cornelia was not insensible to the atten-
tions she received—it was pleasant to her to find the holes
in her gloves attended to, her pencils ready sharpened, and
her pens mended—it was also a comfort to the tempers of
both teacher and pupil, that the actual lessons were ended,
and an hour or two of solid reading substituted.
Bertha, too, was a constant interest ; she was much
more loving and dependent now, and Esperance was so
sorry for her in her trouble that she learned to love her
more than ever, and forgot her own sorrows in trying to
comfort her,
So the autumn passed away, and the frosty weather set
in ; furs and winter wraps were brought out, housekeepers
thought of their plum-puddings and mince-meat, and Lady
Worthington began to arrange the Christmas festivities.
“We must have a dance,” she said to her sister, one
December morning. “A delightfully mixed dance, te
which all Rilchester shall be invited, from the cathedral
a
220 . WON BY WAITING.
d:gnitaries down to Mr. Jones’ s dispagecr. I do like
everybody to be happy, and for once all the cliques will
be fused.”
“They will keep in their own sets, I fancy,” said F'ran-
ces, “ whatever you do.”
- “Well, we shall do our best,” said Lady Worthington,
hopefully, ““and at any rate they will be all under one
roof, dancing to the same music—surely that will estab-
lish a sort of fraternity? Claude Magnay will be here,
too, and he knows everybody, and will dance with any one ;
and Henry will have some of his cousins down here. We
can do a good deal, you see, with our own party.”
“ When does Claude come ?”
“On the 23d, and he has solemnly promised that he will
not overwork himselr as he did last year, and disappoint
us just at the last moment. JI have set my heart upon
having him for this dance.”
~“'To dance with the Miss Smiths?” said Frances, laugh-
ins. | .
“ Yes, to be useful, and to brighten everybody up. It
does one good to look at Claude, specially when he isin a
holiday humor. He is the most unspoiled genius I ever
knew, and so delightfully fresh and young still.”
“Yes, he does not look four-and-twenty. By the bye,
will not Esperance come out this winter >” 3
“T should think so, and we must have her to this dance,
whether or no. Let us write the invitations now, and we
will send her a separate one, so that Mrs. Mortlake shal)
not have a chance of preventing her acceptance.”
“You most cunning Katharine! I should never have
thought of that.”
“My dear, one must be careful with such people as Mrs.
Mortlake—TI do not trust her in the least.”
Tie invitations were received at the deanery with much
satisfaction. Mrs. Mortlake did indeed demur whether
isperance was old enough to go, but Cornelia was deter-
mined that she should have this pleasure, and made her
write to accept it, even condescending to talk of such trivial
matters as ball-dresses in order to please her.
+ seemed likelv to be what every one called an old-
fashioned Christmas, for on the 23d there was a heavy fall
_ of snow, and Claude Maenavy, as he traveled down to Ril-
chester, was not sorry to find the usually bare, bieak
country beautified by this white covering.
On Christmas eve Ladv Worthington secmed bent upov
She aly eT, SR EAT TT a SE ST eh se ie STE te RD oe | oie eS oe oie: Le i. a ae CA a" a te
- ee a Ca f $e SES Sg CRS ae Sab et ore ey Leyes: net ay, eee
- +: OS ad SPS! - é
boo
a
ra.
aad
im
“38
WON BY WAITING. 221
making him useful, and allowed him to be her slave through
~a morning of church decorating. In the afternoon a con-
tretemps arose. It was snowing so fast, and the roads were
so bad, that the coachman protested it was impossible to
take out the horses.
Lady Worthington was greatly distressed.
“But I really must goin to Rilchester,”’ she said, with
concern. “There are not half enough things for ihe —
school-children’s Christmas-tree, it is as bare as can be ;
and besides, ten new children came to school last Sunday,
and I have no presents for them.”
“They probably joined for the treat, my dear,” sail Sir
Henry.
“Well, Ican’t heln that ; they must have something,
poor little things. Surely Jenkins makes too much fuss
about the roads ?”
“T shall be very happy to walk in to Rilchester,” said
- Claude, “if I can be trusted to choose the things.”
“That is very good of you,” said Lady Worthington,
“but I am not quite sure that I could trust you, Claude.
‘I believe you would ruin me—you would not buy anything
that was not highly artistic. But if you will walk in with
me we might really manage something together.”
So the matter was arranged, and Lady Worthington and
her companion started at once on their snowy expedition,
rather enjoying the novelty of trudging along country
roads, with a keen north wind driving ihe snow-flakes in
their faces. They shopped continuously for two hours,
and it was quite dusk before they turned home again; but
buying Christmas presents is tiring work, and the air was
intensely cold. Lady Worthington paused involuntarily
as they passed the gateway of the Vicar’s Court.
“What do you say toa cup of tea, Claude, and justa
few minutes by a fire, before we leave the town? I am sure
the dean would be delighted to see you, and Mrs. Mort-
lake’s tea is excellent.”
Claude thought the idea a good one, and certainly it was
a relief even to stand in the shelter of the deanery porch,
for the night was bitterly cold.
When the door was thrown open, a pretty picture was
revealed. The hall was brightly lighted, the tiled floor was
strewn with holly and evergreen. Bertha stood in the back-
- ground struggling with some tough sprays of yew, while
Esperance sat at the top of a pair of steps putting the
finishing touches to a wreath for one of the pictures.
a Cia) - Fay ee dg pe ee hen eae eT a
993 WON BY WAITING.
She sprung down in a great hurry on seeing the visitors,
and Lady Worthington kissed her affectionately, while
Claude looked and wondered. His “Mariana” was gone!
this glowing-complexioned child of the south, with her in-
nocent wavy hair and her bright eyes, was not “ Mariana”
atall. Was it possible that it was indeed Esperance ?
He still gazed and wondered. Esperance half put out
her hand, then drew it back, a little vexed that he had so
| evidently forgotten her.
“My uncle will be delighted to see you, Mr. Magnay,”
she said, with a charming little touch of hauteur.
Claude started, as if from a dream, and the two shook
hands warmly.
“A thousand pardons!—but you are so altered that I
hardly recognized you.”
“Ah! itis my short hair,” said Esperance, coloring and
laughing.
Claude did not contradict her, but in reality it was the
change in her expression which he meant. ‘“ Mariana”
had fascinated him, but this was something far higher! ,
He longed for fresh opportunities of studying her face, so
bewitching, whether in its sweet gravity or its smiling ra-
diance and animation.
“T hope you have good accounts of your brother,” he |
said, delighting in the swift kindling of the eyes at his
words.
“ Yes, Gaspard is very well,” she replied ; “I hear from
him every week, such long letters, too, almost like a journal.”
* And does he like his work?”
“Very much indeed. He has to superintend the coolies
you know, and see that they work well; he is out-of-doors
all day long, and is getting so strong and well again. £
always feel when I read his letters how very much we owe -
to you and Sir Henry Worthington ; I have always longed
to tell you how very, very grateful I was, and Gaspard told
me it was quite your doing that he came to Rilchester—it
was. so good of you to send him ; it made the parting so
much less bitter.”
There was deep gratitude in her expression, Just touched _
with sadness, then in a moment she smiled again, that
pure, radiant, winning smile. Claude feli as if he were in
some delicious dream—he made some brief response, he
hardly knew what, and then Esperance spoke again.
“There is tea in the drawing-room, ae you not come
in? you must be very cold after your long walk.”
WON BY WAITING. | 993
Claude rubbed his snowy shoes on the mat, and followed
her into the almost oppressively hot drawing-room, where
he was warmly received by the rest of the family. He was
a favorite with the dean, and was at once pounced upon to
listen to something about the planet Mars, and some late
imprevements which had been made in the teleseope, and
fortunately the dean was too much engrossed to notice
that Claude’s answers were vague and monosyllabic, or to
perceive that he was bestowing all his attention on Esper-
ance.
He did not speak to her much more that evening. Lady
Worthington soon rose to go, and he was glad to hear her
gay to lisperance, “ We shall see you then on ‘Thursday
evening; mind you come in good time.”
Esperance promised, smiling, and then she followed them
into the hail, picking up her fallen wreath, and standing
in the doorway to wish them good-by, in spite of the cold.
~ Claude walked away in silence, treasuring up his last
vision of her as she stood on the white door-step, holding
her holly wreath. He began to think less about painting
her. Whatif he could make. her his own, not artistically
but in reality! What if he could shield her from some of
the sharp, piercing sorrows of this wintery world!
“ Well, Claude, you found your ‘ Mariana’ a good deal
changed, did you not?” said Lady Worthington.
~ “Quite; itis an angel face now,” and Claude did not
gpeak again, but fell into a deep reverie, and Lady Worth-
thington did not disturb him.
He was startled to find how strongly this new thought
possessed him; he could not believe that but a brief hour
ago he had been living without it, carelessly walking
through the Rilchester streets without even a thought that
he was near Esperance.
And yet it seemed to him that this was merely a revela-
tion, that he had really loved her since he first saw her,
more than a year ago. He tried to recall her as she was
then, the little, black-robed figure, with mournful look,
and wondering, interest-craving eyes, in the choir aisle;
the sad, wistful face, coloring at the accusation of admir-
ing only boulevards, in the dining-room of the deanery;
the drooping hopelessness and tearful eyes that had in- —
spired him for his “ Mariana,” and that last time when he
had interrupted Mrs. Mortlake’s scolding—-the despairing
look and quivering lips. All these images rose before him,
they were as so many steps 1n his love, but without to-day’
ie ae eh car or ce Gare Oe ae Gea ei FM ue miaks at
’ SFT, Sate Pt Dea PEM he Sie hy MOY ey oie Pa or Raa oar
_
224. WON BY WAITING.
vision of sweet, patient hope, they would have led to noth-
ing. But now! He thougit once more of the little brown
4 2 4
ss a1 ke i
ait Ge
diya’
\
hands holding the prickly wreath, of the dainty little feet.
on the slippery door-step, and felt that such things were
unsuitable to them. Esperance ought to be watched over,
guarded, caressed, she should not be left alone in the
world.
He was strangely absorbed that evening, alternating
between complete silence and excited merriment; when
any one spoke of the deanery, or of Esperance, his face
would suddenly wear en eager, expectant look, but he him-
self never mentioned her. Sir Henry proposed a rubber;
however, Claude was not fond of whist, and to-night felt
that it would be impossible to play; the quartet was made
up without him, and he leaned back again in lis chair
with a newspaper, of which he did not read a single word.
Frances was playing the “Moonlight Sonata ’—how could
he help dreaming of Esperance ? :
By and by he left the room, and Lady Worthington
coming down stairs from tucking up her clildren, found
him in the hall standing before his own picture of “ Mari-
ana.” He was too much absorbed to notice her presence
until she spoke.
that.
He started at the first word, and colored alittle. Yes,”
he replied, “I was just noticing what a difference there wag
—yet I don’t think this was at all exaggerated at the
time.”
He moved away, not feeling inclined to taik upon that
subject just then, and Lady Worthington said nothing,
but she had her own thoughts,
“Fisperance is very much altered since you painted _
t B)
PERL ea WV IN” RO aT RYE ah Fy ae oy ee a eS Tg ACP ym oe ‘eah kee
neat creh eet Requester Seek ES am ts x
CHAPTER XXIX.
Bonnie wee thing, cannie wee thing,
Lovely wee thing, wast thou miue
I wad wear thee in my bosom,
Lest my jewel I should tine.
Wistfully I look and languish
In that bonnie face of thine,
And my heart it stounds with anguish,
Lest my wee thing be na mine,
| BURNS.
Bzaraa and Esperance were in their room dressing for
Lady Worthington’s dance ; they were both of them quiet
«nd a little depressed, for Bertha naturally thought of the
ball in the summer, when George had been staying with
them and all had been so different, and Esperance had her
own troubles. It had been a harassing day. Mrs. Mort-
Jake was in a bad humor, and Bella was suffering from the
effects of her Christmas dissipation, and was more than
ordinarily peevish ; then, too, she had been hindered in
writing to Gaspard, and had missed the mail, and though,
as Mrs. Mortlake had reminded her, the letter could go the
next day via Brindisi, yet the weekly postage told so
heavily on her purse that this was an expense she did not
at all care to incur. .
The uninterrupted quiet of the room was at last broken
_ by a knock at the door, and Cornelia entered in her black
velvet, carrying some sprigs of holly. -
“Tam so vexed,” she said, putting down her prickly
burden on the dressing-table. “I wanted you to have had
one of those white camellias in the conservatory, Esper-
ance, but Christabel has taken them both, and declares
that they are the only things she can wear.”
Esperance was a little disappointed; she had set her
heart on one of the camellias, but she was too grateful to
Cornelia for thinking of it at all, not to make light of the
matter.
They did what they could with the holly sprigs, but
even Hsperance’s clever fingers could not effect much with
them, they would look stiff and uncompromising. The ivy,
too, was large-leaved and ugly, and altogether, the decor-
ations were unsuccessful, which was the more provoking
because she was entirely dependent on them, having ne
; jewelry.
WON BY WAITING 226
%
226 } WON BY WAITING.
Her vexation was but momentary, however; she soon
forgot it in helping Bertha, and she arranged the white
eamellias in Mrs. Mortlake’s hair without the least tinge
of envy.
Then they all started, and her spirits rose high with the
prospect of this novelty and excitement; she chattered un-
interruptedly through the two miles’ drive, till even
Bertha was a little roused and began to take some slight
_ interest in what was going on. |
There was no one in the cloak-room when they arrived,
and Esperance had just taken off her wraps when Frances’
little maid appeared—“ Miss Neville would be very glad if
Mademoiselle de Mabillon would come into the school-
room for a moment.”
“ To say good-night to the children, I suppose; you will
not wait for me, Cornelia? I can come down with Frances.”
Cornelia nodded assent, and Esperance followed the
maid to the school-room; but none of the children were
there, only Frances and Claude Magnay, bending over a
most lovely basketful of ferns and flowers.
‘‘T am so glad you have come early,” Frances said, kiss- —
ing her. “Mr. Magnay has been spoiling us all; he walked
over to the nursery gardens this morning, and brought
home the most beautiful flowers, and we want you to wear
some of them.”
Claude was glad to have it putin this way, for having
spent the morning in scouring Rilchester in search of
these flowers for Esperance, he now hardly liked to offer
them.
Her delighted gratitude was very charming; and Claude
colored deeply, as, for a moment, her beautiful eyes met
his.
“ How kind of you! and how lovely they are!” she ex-
claimed, rapturously, “ you can’t think how much I wanted
a flower—holly is so prickly.”
Frances began to take the flowers from the basket, and
Esperance struggled to take off her sprigs of holly, but
could not manage it- with her gloves on. Claude was
Aelighted at this excuse for helping her, and took away the
sharp leaves and scarlet berries with unmixed satisfac-
tion.
“You must enact Monsieur Worth, Claude,” said
Frances, looking up. ‘Now, Esperance, stand still, and
we shall hear exactly where your flowers are to be placed.”
She obeyed half laughingly, and Claude surveyed her in
ee mere | a ee ae a ee ey ee SP No ee *y ba ad Sy
ee 5 ie pa Seis ns ig twee pes Az: salad Der ae 3
= mA a eT Cw ma per; te
pe ae the me
—
. WON BY WAITING. OOF
silence, thinking but little of the flowers it must be con-
fessed. She had never looked prettier than at that mo-
ment, standing in her unadorned white dress, her lips just
parted, her eyes smiling half shyly, her cheeks glowing
with rich brown-red color, and the outline of her shapely
little head not at all veiled by the short, tendril-like curls
~ which clustered round her neck, and overshadowed her
low, smooth forehead.
Claude was recalled to his duties by her clear, ringing
laugh.
“It is as bad as having one’s photograph taken,” she
said. ‘Iam sure Monsieur Worth does not keep his ladies
so long.”
“The oracle is dumb,” said Claude, smiling. ‘Shall we
try the effect of Christmas roses and maiden hair, Miss
Neville ?”
So the dress was beautified with the exquisite white
flowers, and drooping lady-ferns, and light, feathery
maiden-hair ; but ‘“ Monsieur Worth” had stipulated that
the curls should be left as they were, in their unadorned
beauty.
Then they went down-stairs to the great drawing-room,
which had been turned out for the occasion, and where
many of the guests were already assembled. Lady Worth-
ington was at the door and came into the hall to meet
them, stooping down to kiss Esperance in defiance of
custom.
‘You have come in the character of the Christmas rose,”
she said, glancing at the happy, glowing face, “you will |
be just in time for the first dance ; Claude will take you in
to Mrs. Mortlake.” Claude assented, and led her across
the brightly-lighted room to the sofa where Mrs. Mortlake
and Cornelia were seated, and Esperance began to tell of
the surprise that had awaited her in the school-room, and
to show the flowers exultingly. Cornelia smiled kindly.
“She was disappointed of the flowers at home, but these
are far lovelier,’ she said to Claude, while Mrs. Mortlake
began abruptly to speak to her next neighbor.
He made some trifling response, and then turned eagerly
to Esperance, fearful that some one else might be before
him in asking her to dance. Cornelia watched her in secret
admiration as she was borne swiftly away, her pure, child-
like happiness was delightful to see; as they passed the
sofa every few minutes she caught a few words of French,
and knew that Claude was talking to Ler in her own lan-
Or A Ee age A) OR I Bae os eg aero f- Oa ie id a ae pot =
oS et SF ries By NE ewan sire A Rey ote a Te = ae ROR Sy BTyaR ei >
4 : “ a ie rie ste g ‘ vga ‘. c <1 den
925 «WON BY WAITING. a 4
guage, and onee, when they paused for a minute's rest He-
_ perance came to her, eager for sympathy. |
“It is so delightful, Cornelia, and is not this ‘Blue
Danube’ waltz a capital one ?”
Cornelia could not understand the delights of a trois-
temps; she had never cared for dancing or any kind of ex-
ercise, but she liked being appealed toin this way, and
watched her little cousin with a certain comfortable sense
of pride and possession. This child whom she had nursed
and tended was beginning to make large demands on her,
love.
soon vanished under the influence of Esperances naive re-
marks and free simplicity, and very soon they drifted into
their former habits of easy, half-confidential talk, though
Claude was more reverential and less pitying than he had
been in old times. 3
He would have liked to prolong their dance indefinitely,
but Esperance had not come simply to enjoy herself, and
he was obliged to resign her to Fred, who came up with
such an entreaty that he could not be resisted—every one
was so stupid, they would not dance with him, and would
Esperance have him just this once? Of course she con-
sented, and when Fred, proud and happy, had brought
her pack to Cornelia, she was at once pursued by Harry
who would not be content till he had written his name in
unsteady round-hand on her programme.
She danced with Claude, however, several times, only re-
fusing him once when she wanted to sit out with Cornelia,
who was having rather adull time. (Olaude divined her
motive, and loved her all the better for it, even accepting
the hint she gave him to dance with Bertha, though it
took him away from her to g most indifferent set of quad- _
rilles, in which every one danced languidly. He was re-
warded, however, later in the evening, by another waltz
with her ; as they were walking up and down the hall after
it was over he stopped for a moment before “ Mariana.”
_ “I-want you to look at this for a moment,” he said ; “it
is one of my pictures.”
She looked up eagerly.
_ “A new one of yours? I had not seen it—why, she is
- Just like Gaspard! that is exactly how he looked after the
capitulation.” / Sey os
Claude was much amused, and would not perhaps have
explained further had she not ppt a direct question.
Claude meantime was perfectly happy, his diffidence
i
WON BY WAITING. ~ 999
*Did you get the idea from Gaspard ?”
“No,” he replied, smiling. ‘Your brother saw the pic-
ture when it was done, and I made my confession to him
then. It was your face which inspired me.” |
“ Mine! how very funny!” cried Esperance, with her irre-
sistible laugh. ‘Do you mean that this is really meant for
me, and that I have been in the Academy without knowing
it? Ah! that is amusing! that is ridiculous!”
“J am afraid it was a great liberty,” said Claude, “but I
could not resist the temptation; perhaps some day you will
really give me a sitting; I should not paint you as ‘Mariana’
now.” 7
“Why not?” asked Esperance; because I have lost my
hair?”
“No,” said Claude, hesitating a little, “because you
have not ‘ Mariana’s’ expression now. ‘Mariana’ never
grew bright, and patient, and hopeful; she must have
“grown bitter in her loneliness instead of sweet.”
He paused, half afraid he had said too much ; but Hspe-
rance was not thinking of herself. She was looking at
the picture. poe 7
“ How dreary you have made the fen look; I like that
dull, watery reflection of the moonlight, and the torn cure
tain, and that worm-eaten window-frame—ah! itis won
derfully done! How sad she looks, too, so weary and so dis-
appointed.” Then, with a sudden smile, “Surely I never
looked so despairing ?”
“You used to look very miserable,” said Claude.
« Ah! and I wasmiserable ; that was just the time when
T was most homesick and unhappy ; howI did hate Ril-
chester !” 7
* You do not dislike it now, then ?”
- “No, TI believe Iam really growing fond of it,” she an-
swered, smiling. ‘I wonder whether you know our prov-
erb, ‘ Quand on n’a pas ce que &0n aime, il faut aimer ce que
fon a.’ I think it is one of the wisest sayings, and really
it answers.” 3
She had applied the proverb only to places ; but Claude
felt sure that she really referred to people as well. She
was schooling herself to love her English relations—was
it not evident? If not, why had she taken pains to se-
cure a partner for Bertha, or lingered talking with Corne-
lia, or answered Mrs. Mortlake’s disagreeable questions 80—
pleasantly ? :
Just then Christabel appeared, _
a
250
“x1ou are .ery imprudent to stand in that draught, Ee
perance,” she said, coldly.
“Would you have liked your shawl?” asked Claude.
“Pray let me fetch it.”
“ We are going, thank you,” said Mrs. Mortlake ; “so do
not trouble ; only people who are always complaining of
the cold should use common seuse in—”
Her words were checked by Sir Henry Worthington, who
suddenly emerged from the door of the billiard-room.
“ Why, Mrs. Mortlake, you are leaving us very early.”
She was at once all smiles and courtesy. Claude hated
her, and gnawed the endg of his mustache fiercely, till Es-
perance’s voice recalled him from his angry thoughts.
“T think it is wonderful,” she said, taking a farewell look
at “Mariana.” ‘I am so glad you told me all about it.
Are you painting anything while you are here ?”
“No; Igo back to town to-morrow,” said Claude, rather
wistfully; * this has only been a few days’ holiday. Will -
you really keep your promise some time, and give me a
sitting ?”
“Yes, indeed; but what will you paint meas?”
“ As an angel, I think,” said Claude, gravely.
She laughed uncontrollably, and was so much amused
biy the idea that she would talk of nothing else while he was
fielpine her with her cloak; but just as they were passing
‘fhrouch the hall again on their way to the carriage, she
aalf raised her scarf and showed him the Christmas roses.
“Your flowers are quite fresh still,” she said, glancing
ap at him half shyly.
And Claude was more thrilled by those words, than by
all her former thanks. “Your flowers ”—she called them
his and she wore them. Her hand lay in his for amoment
as he helped her into the carriage with elaborate care, then
the footman closed the door with vicious speed, and the
coachman urged on the horses. Claude felt desperate—he
must see her once more; this was a last chance for an in-
definite time, for he was to leave too early the following
day fora call at the de sanery to be possible. Regardless of
the snow, he hurried out all bareheaded as he was, threaded
his way among the crowd of carriages, and ran full speed
across the park to the lodge gate; it was a short cut over
the grass, and he easily custripped the deanery carriage ;
leaning breathlessly against the gate-post, he waited till the
sound of wheels aoe nearer, and the yellow lamps flashed
ito sight, the horses slackened their pace a little at the
WON BY WAITING. 231
turn, and for an instant he had what he longed for, a last
‘look at Esperance. She did notsee him, and he wished she
would raise her eyes just for a moment from something she
was looking at earnestly, but a sudden sense of gladness
filied his heart, when, as the carriage turued into the road,
the light fell for a minute on her hands, and he saw that
she was holding a Christmas rose.
Lady Worthington was no match-maker, and although
the union of her two favorite protegés could not but sug-
gest itself to her, she would not allow the idea to influence
her words or actions ; nor, although she strongly suspected]
that Claude had fallen in love with his former ideal, would
she make the slightest effort to win his confidence. He left
the Hall on the following day without saying a word to
her, and although she was a little curious, she wisely kept
silence, not even talking the matter over with lrances.
Claude went back to town, and worked hard at his paint-
ing, but owing to the short winter days much of his time
was necessarily unoccupied, and his thoughts were con-
* stantly reverting to Esperance. He took a fancy for going
to the afternoon service at the abbey, that he might be
hearing exactly what she was hearing; he took in the
“Guardian” and searched the columns anxiously for any-
thing relating to Rilchester. The very name of Dean Col-
linson was sufficient to set all his pulses throbbing, and
he took the most lively interest in all the special preachers
mentioned—men whom Esperance had seen, perhaps
shaken hands with.
This did all very well for a time; Parliament was
opened, and the Worthingtons returned to town. There
was plenty going on, the days were growing longer, but
yet as the spring advanced Claude grew more and more
restless; the brief allusions in the “Guardian” became
only tantalizing; the Westminster services no longer sat-
isfied him—he could not even succeed in drawing Esper-
ance’s face from memory, and had it not been for the hope
that he might really be working for her, his pictures would
have suffered considerably.
The opening of the Academy gave him some satisfaction.
Two of his pictures were on the line, and were very favor-
ably spoken of in thecritiques. He wondered if Esperance
ever read the papers, if by chance she would ‘see those
« Academy Notes.” By the third week in May both his
works wero sold. Evidently his reputation was greatly in-
ereased, and he felf @ certain sense of pleasure, but hig
232 WON BY WAITING.
restlessness only grew greater. At iength he resolved
that he would tell all to Lady Worthington, feeling sure
that she would be both a safe and a sympathetic confi«
dante.
Sacrificing for this purpose even the afternoon light, he
started early in hope of finding Lady Worthington disen-
gaged, and before three o’clock was shown upstairs to her
drawing-room. The room was empty, and he had some
minutes to wait. He stood in one of the windows and
looked out on Kensington Gardens, abstractedly watching
the procession of nurse-maids and children, and the-bright
sunlight flickering through the fresh green of the trees
on to the brown paths below. Then Lady Worthington
came in with her hearty greeting, and he was roused from
his reverie.
“T was wondering what had become of you, Claude,
you have not been here for weeks, aud I actually heard of
your successes in the Academy from some one else.”
“T should have come before, but the truth is I have not
been out much lately; I have had a good deal on hand,”
- said Claude, rather hesitatingly.
“ And that is the reason you are declining so many
invitations? Two or three people have been quite dis-
tressed, I know, by your refusal. You are a ‘lion’ now,
you see, and a lion should be gracious, I think. You must
be working too hard.” 3
“I know I deserve a scolding,” said. Claude; ‘but I
have not been in the humor for gayeties ; it is not that I
am doing too much—I can’t plead that asan excuse, but—”
“But youare getting blasé at four-and-twenty, is that it ?”
Claude did not answer fora moment. He moved rest-
lessly, deliberating whether he should tell all to Lady
- Worthington or not, then looking up suddenly and turning
his eager eyes fully on her, he said, abruptly,. “ The fact is,.
Lady Worthington, that visit to you at Christmas quite
unhinged me—it was a revelation to me, and now I em
wild to get to Rilchester once more. You know what I
mean ?” | :
“T think I do,” said Lady Worthington, kindly, “and I
am very glad, Claude.”
- “You think, then, there is really some hope for me ?”
“TI do not see why there should not be,” said Lady
Worthington; “but you will not do anything in a hurry,
If you will let me give you a piece of advice, I should say
write to her brother before you breathe a word to heg
LEA ta hee ae ead | 2 3 « + Cloaey | i, aa ae 7 CPt oe ae ae
ete a SNE ee 2 ey * pe es _ Py A m ~* re
PPE etre sis aes ba Me Bots ea Saha : Poe i oe: a
Ca bie Poae : 5 tee i Sor
about it ioe I know the French are very particular about
such things.”
“T thought I could speak to the dean; but the worst of
it is, 1 don’t think it will be any use, she would only be
startled and repulsed. I must see her again. If only I
had the faintest shadow of an excuse for going to Rilches-
ter I would start to-morrow, but there is none; and she
will forget me, or some one else will— 3
“Come,” said Lady Worthington, smiling, “I don’t
think you need make yourself miserable about that. I sup-
pose if I were prudent I should tell you to wait till next
Christmas, and then to come down to Worthington and
see if you were in the same mind.”
“T have waited all these months already,” said Claude,
pleadingly ; “and you don’t know what it is to think of
her in that ‘wretched place, among people who don’t care
for her.”
“She is fast making them care for her,” said Lady
Worthington ; “but for all that, I can understand that it
is hard for you. Suppose I am imprudent, and ask you to
go down to Rilchester at once, and paint me a very beau-
tiful picture in the cathedral. I think I should like it to
be in the south aisle.”
“You are too good,” said Claude, earnestly ; “but I
ought not to have everything made easy for me.”
“No, seriously, I should hke the picture ; I commission
you now, Mr. Maenay, if it is not trespassing too much on
your valuable time. Shall I stipulate how many feet of
canvas you are to cover, like that interesting manufacturer
we beard of the other day, who ordered pictures by tlie
ard ?”
2 Claude laughed and reiterated his thanks, and Lady
Worthington spoke more seriously.
“TI do wish you all possible success,” she said, earnestly.
“T shall wait very anxiouslv to hear of the result, a4 you
will come and see me when you return.’ ;
Claude promised to do so, and just at that piri some
other visitors arrived, and he hastily took leave. |
To have an excuse for a fortnight’s visit to Rilches-
ter seemed to him the greatest bliss. He longed to start —
that very moment, but a perverse engagement on the
next afternoon prevented this, and he could not possibly
reach Rilchester before the last. train; but he should see ~
her in two days’ time, and with this he might well be
—eontent.
93
ie “wor ‘By WAITING. | 233 ae
~*
234 ‘WON BY WAITING
CHAPTER XXX.
Oft though Wisdom wakes, Suspicion sleeps
At Wisdom’s gate, and to Simplicity resigns her charge,
While Goodness thinks no ill
Where no ill seems.
: Paradise Lost,
Tux arrival of the post-bag at the deanery was a source
of mingled pleasure and vexation; the dean always dislike
letters, and Cornelia thought them tiresome though neces-
sary evils; but the other members of the family regarded
them in a very different way, and were apt to grumble if
Cornelia was at all late in bringing the key, and dispensing
them to their owners.
It was Monday afternoon, and Esperance was waiting
impatiently in the drawing-room expecting the arrival of
the post with her weekly letters from Gaspard; she was
treading aloud to Bertha, not very well, it must be con-
fessed, for her eyes and ears were alive to the slightest sign
which might indicate the arrival of her letter, and when,
Cornelia at last entered the room, she sprung forward, wait-
ing with eager impatience while the bag was opened. Thera
were only two letters, one from Ceylon, which Esperance
seized eagerly, and another for Bertha. |
“Tt is from one of the Palgraves, I think,” said Cor-
nelia, glancing at the envelope; Bertha took it, coloring
deeply.
You, from Adelaide,” she said in a low voice. .
Cornelia did not reply, but locked the bag again, and
left the room, while Bertha nervously opened her letter;
she gave an astonished exclamation when, on unfolding it,
it proved not to be from Adelaide at all, but from George.
She trembled violently —ought she to readit? The temy)-
tation was too strong for her, however; she moved further
from her cousin, and with her heart throbbing wildly read
the few hurried lines. George was coming to Rilchester,
but no one must know of it; he begged to see her once for
a few moments, and proposed that they should meet in
the garden that evening as soon as it was dusk. It was
a short, straightforward letter without the least approach
to sentiment, and Bertha could not realize that the in-
terview spoken of in such a business-like way wes a clan-
destine meeting, or if the thought did occur to her she
stifled it at once. George was in Rilchester at that very
ili ein Shai Saka Grae MR, Alita nen See ES) iN) IB ey tan i Ot oo
ve fe. gee ee oe : sf.
WON BY WAITING, | 435
mvynute, and that evening she might—she must, see him.
It was all decided in a moment ; she dared not stop to
think ; she disregarded all the arguments against such a
step, while a train of arguments in favor of it passed rap-
idly through her brain; she was of age, she had a right
to rule her own actions; George was her cousin, why
should she not speak to him for a few moments? If
it was in a secret way, that was only because he had
been forbidden to come to the house—it was her father’s
fault not hers. The idea having been once admitted, she
began to feel that life would be intolerable without just
this one meeting, and remembered with terror her startled
exclamation on opening the letter. Had Esperance no-
ticed it? She glanced across the room and felt relieved,
for Esperance was smiling over her own letter in happy
unconsciousness, looking so bright and innocent that Ber-
tha felt a sharp sting of remorse, as she contrasted that
happiness with her own excited, half-terrified pleasure.
While she was still musing Esperance looked up.
“Such a long letter, Bertha, and do you know, Gas-
pard’s salary is to be raised !” ,
Bertha murmured something like a congratulation, and
‘eft the room abruptly, avoiding Esperance for the rest of
the afternoon, for fear she should allude to that exclama-
tion which she might have heard.
Never had the hours seemed so long as on that day.
Bertha was miserably restless and frightened, but she did
not waver. Soon after nine in the evening she excused her-
self on the pleaof having some copying todo, and stole away
to the dining-room, wishing she had not been so conscious
that she was doing wrong. She lighted a candle, shut
the door, and for a few minutes made some pretense of
writing ; then she softly drew aside the shutters, opened
the French window, and looked out into the dusky gar-
den. The night was fine, but cold. She shivered a little
as the fresh breeze played upon her burning cheeks ; the
cathedral clock chimed a quarter past nine, and she started
with sudden fright, then recovering herself trembled te
think that she was guiltily afraid of being discovered. For a
moment she hesitated—her hand was raised to close the
window. Should she not, even now, give up this stolen
pleasure? But while she paused a dark figure stole
silently across the lawn ; it was too late! The next mo-
nent her hand was clasped.in her cousin’s, and the power ~
ef willing anything seemed to have passed from her
—_—
, lecting;” but Bertha in her fright fancied that she spoke a
836 won BY WattiNné.
Tn the drawing-room the dean had fallen asleep over hia
paper. Cornelia read a volume of the “Bridgewater Trea-
tises,” and Mrs. Mortlake talked snappishly to Esperance.
Tt was very dull; Esperance caught herself yawning re-
peatedly, and she was not sorry when her cousin was.
roused to an expression of annoyance.
“ Really, if you're so sleepy, you had better go to bed;
perhaps it would wake you up to go to the dining-room .
and fetch me my book of knitting receipts.”
Esperance gladly hailed the ‘opportunity of escaping a
‘from the hot drawing-room, and walked leisurely across the
hall, indulging in fantastic arm exercises on the way to re~
lieve herself ; then she opened tke dining-room door, and
a little cry of astonishment escaped her as she saw Bertha __
in her white dress standing by the open window. Bertha
herself started violently, and hastily moved back into the
room.
“Oh, you are doing the copying,” said Esperance, recol-
satirically. She resolved to brave it out, however.
“ Yes, [am very busy; do you want anything?”
ce Only Christabel’s knitting-book,” said Esperance, and ‘
she made haste to find the book and leave the room, see-
ing that Bertha did not wish to be interrupted.
‘As soon ag the door had closed, Bertha turned again ue
the window.
“T am sure she suspected something,” she whispered.
“ Oh, George we must not risk it ; Esperance is so shar Dy
_ and she will put them on the right clew directly !”
“Tf there is any chance of that, you must find some
means of getting her out of the way. Could you not get —
grannie to invite her ?”
George spoke in low, authoritative tones: Bertha’s brief,
terrified whispers were evidently in subjection. She had
always bowed implicitly to his judgment.
“Stay, I have an idea,” he said, after a silence, and then
ensued a long, whispered dialogue, Bertha agreeing in
half-hesitating tones to all the propositions. The chimes
struck acain—they counted the notes breathlessly. It was
a quarter toten; George hurriedly took leave, and Bertha
closed the window, tremblingly put away ber writing ma-
- terials, and returned to the drawire-room. But her heart —
suddenly failed her when she saw the others sitting so
naturally at their work, and she felt a deep pang. of remorse
as she glanced at her father sleeping peacefully in his arme &
eae
+ pe
RE aN USE Si o> EL NG eels
pi paaketigen se bao os at ge Ns
ae oe
a a oe Atte Le at
soap hie NEA ees URSIN ae ae: ae
3 AIRED odes SAS 1 Ded AY | See as Ray ln RS Ue ee ett
Sar okt Rie el gaa eh ge see ea Oia <4 Lean atone A
2 tles = Te bs 3
vee
“WON BY WAITING. | apiye
ehair, quite unconscious what was in store for him. Should
she write to George and say that she could not. keep her
: oe while her father lived she must stay with
im? But just then Mis. Mortlake looked up with her dis«
agreeable smile.
““ Well, you've had a nice sociable evening, just after
‘own heart.”
Bertha shrugged her shoulders—she had caught the
trick from HEsperance—and remembered that after all,
home was by no means the peaceful haven it looked, and
besides, would they really miss her? Yor a week or two,
perhaps, but not more. |
“T am going to bed,” she said, in her usual voice, to Mrs.
Mortlake, “I have a bad headache.”
Esperance looked up compassionately.
“Tamso sorry! Lwish I had helped you with that
writing.” 3
No one else spoke ; and Bertha, coloring deeply, left the
room. How she longed that evening to be alone! Much
as she loved Esperance, she felt that her presence now
would be almost unbearable. She hurriedly made her
preparations for the night, and lay down in the darkness
thankful for afew moments of quiet, in which she migit
think over the extraordinary and most unexpected events
of the day. In the morning she had had no thought of
_ disobeying her father’s wishes, and before the evening was
over she had weakly yielded to George’s long-premeditated
plan ; this was to be her last night beneath her father’s
yoof! She sobbed a little as she thought of this, partly
- from an odd sort of attachment to the actual house, hardly
to be called love, but a great deal more from terror and
the sense that she was about to do what all the world ©
would blame.
“ While she was still crying, Esperance came up to bed,
shading the candle with her hand, and moving about the
room with noiseless steps for fear she should disturb her
cousin. Bertha watched her in silence for some minutes,
~~ but she could hardly bear to look at the pure, child-like
face, it made her feel so guilty; at length a great sob
escaped her, and Esperance hastened to comfort her.”
“Ts your head so bad, chérie? Let me stroke it for you.”
Bertha allowed herself to be caressed for a minute, ther
with an irrepressible burst of tears, she sobbed out, “Oh,
_ Usperance, if the others had been like you, it would have
been very different.”
Ne A aR SN cites an ete eed En Mah a me ae a TA
€ 7 te
238 WON BY WAITING.
_ © What would have been different?” asked Esperance,
anable to understand Ler words.
« Everything—life!” sobbed Bertha, frigutened to think
bow searly she had betrayed herself.
But Hsperance never dreamed of suspecting her; she
thought her merely unhappy and overtired, and said she
would sing her to sleep; and Bertha lay still, listening to
an old French hymn, and let her eyelids fall toward the end,
but in reality she never slept at all that night. She only
kept up the semblance of sleep until the candle was out;
she heard the soft “ batser du soir” as Esperance kissed her
father’s miniature, the slight rustle of foreign paper, as Gas-
pard’s letter found its place beneath her pillow, and a few
minutes later the calm, regular breathing, which told that
her little cousin was asleep. Then she gave the rein to her
misery, and tossed through the long, wakeful night in a»
agony of suspense, terror, and regret. .
The next day, however, she was quite self-possessed; it
was one of those suddenly hot spring days when every ont
feels languid. She easily persuaded Esperance to stay in:
doors, and they read together a great part of the afternoon. __
At dinner-time a note arrived for Bertha; her color cams ~~’
and went, but no one observed her. She opencd it, and
said it was from Mrs. Passmore.
“No one has been to see grannie for the last week,” ob:
served Cornelia. ‘“ What does she want, Bertha?”
“She wants me to go down with Esperance to spend the
evening with her; she says she is feeling very lonely and
depressed ; if we could stay the night so much the better ;
she has heard that the carriage is being painted, and we
might not care to walk both ways. What do you think,
Esperance ?”
“TI should like to go very much,” said Esperance,
brightly, “we have not been out all day, and it would be sw
hice and cool now.”
“We will go down after dinner then,” said Bertha,
quietly; “I don’t know about staying for the night,
though ; we will see how grannie is when we get there.
If we do not come back by half past ten, Christabel, you
will understand that grannie was very pressing, and that
we stayed.”
Bertha’s cheeks were burning now, but no one noticed
her. Everybody was hot that evening—there was nothing —
unnatural in it.
The curfew had just ceased ringing when the two cousins
SPC, Maus a Ye? Coke, NORM ae Spee ile at ttn ep EN) ty "ad 4d 1S
WON BY WAITING. 22
started. Bertha took her cloak and a small bag, just in
case they stayed for the nigit, she said. They passed
silently through the Vicar’s Court, then Bertha paused.
“Tam just going into the cathedral for a moment,” shg
said; “ I left my umbrella in the aisle at afternoon servict
_ —somebody may carry it off if it is left.”
“ But the great doors will be locked,” said Esperance.
« Yes, but I have both the keys. We will come in here
and go out by the west door—it will cut off a corner.”
_ She quietly opened the massive door, and locked it be-
hind them. The light within was already growing dim
owing to the stained-glass windows; they looked about for
the umbrella, walking slowly down the aisle to the closed
gate which led into the nave, but it was not to be found
Bertha unlocked the gate.
“Tam afraid we must give it up,” she said, in a strained,
unnatural voice; “the only place we did not look in was the
vestry; it is just possible that one of the vergers may have
put it there; just run and see, will you?”
Esperance obeyed, walking half-way up the aisle, ang
trying the vestry door, but it was fast locked; then she
turned back to rejoin her cousin, quickening her steps as
she saw that she had gone into the nave. ‘The iron gate
was closed; she supposed Bertha had left it on the latch;
but no, it was securely fastened, and pull or push as she
would, the gate would not yield. Was Bertha playing her
# trick,.she wondered. She called after her, feeling hali
amused, half frightened; her voice echoed long through
the vaulted roof, but thero was no reply, only she could see
that Bertha walked more quickly, and the next moment the
ereat west door closed behind her, the key grated in the
lock, and Esperance was left alone in the cathedral.
For an instant she stood half petrified with astonish-
ment, then glancing round she saw that Bertha had thrown
down her cloak within the choir aisle, and beside it a little
three-cornered note; she opened this eagerly, and read the
ee lines, which had evidently been written with a trembling
and:
‘Forgive me, dear Esperance; I would not have left you in
this way, but I feared you suspected me last night, and =
could not bear really to implicate grannie; the blame of this
will fall on no one but ourselves. We shall travel all to-night;
to-morrow, by the time you are released, I think we shall be
married. Once more, forgive me, and love me still, if you can,
| “* BanirHa,”
oo a * fi ES rap Poe EE ei Sar Gy er iry ge eee en eae aed Me nae tn May 2 in RN ae ae a ae eg el en ee Ee of et teal etl
: png Ne saa a eR a gaa erat oY irae he eae er GON ona in Same Bale Sar yh,
beep oe ; eae oS ol en e 3 Sh ea SRP eee
940 WON BY WAITING.
The note fell from Esperance’s hands, and a great cry of
despair rang through the cathedral. Bertha had eloped
with George, and she, the only person who knew of it, was
perfectly helpless! The horror of that moment, the dis-
may of that discovery altogether unnerved her. She
turned giddy, and sunk down on the cold stones, her hand
pressed against her temples as if to stay the fearful thoughts
which flashed through her brain. The cathedral waslocked
up for the night; the vergers had been their rounds ; no
cne would go up to the belfry even, for the curfew had
been rung. At the deanery no one would dream that any-.
thing was amiss; they thought them safely at Mrs. Pass-
more’s ; they were at this very moment going on with their
usual routine—the dean perhaps in his observatory, Cor-
aeliaand Christabel quietly reading and working, all within ~
five minutes walkof her, and yet ié was as impossible to let
them know those terrible tidings, as if they had been at the
North Pole, And when the dean did know, would it not
almost break his heart! It must, it must be prevented!
Azain she read through the note of explanation, and dwelt |
once more on the words, “ we shall travel all night.” They ~
would probably start by the 8:30 express, and already it
m13t be nearly time for it—even as she thought of it the
chimes struck the half hour, and the distant shriek of a
railway whistle made itself heard. Again that wail of —
anguish broke from Esperance, and reverberated through _
the vast emptiness of the cathedral; she sprung to her
feet, and a sort of madness seemed to seize her ; she pulled —
and shook the iron gate as if she would have torn it from
its hinges, then remembering that this would only lead to
the nave, and more locked doors, she rushed to the eastern
end of the aisle and knocked and hammered with all her — 4
might at the south door. But the door was far from a
thoroughfare, and no one was likely to hear her. Once
she caught the sound of footsteps passing on the pathway -
_ a few hundred yards from her, and knew that it must be
the policeman on his rounds, and she called and knocked —
with the strength of despair, but the echoes only mocked
her voice ; the ponderous door seemed to let no sound
penetrate it, and the footsteps died away in the distance—
it was of no use.
Her hands were all bruised and bleeding with the un. a
- availing attempt; she sat down onthe step and leaned her
head against the hard, iron-studded door, crying piteously.
dt was long past nine now, and she could scarcely seeg — .
start just asthe great clock was tolling twelve,to wonder why.
___her bed was so hard and cold, and then to realize every-
thing more fully than ever. Twelve o'clock, and George
AS Sid Nase SSO Sel tb Te ON ir at Ae, itp yn et ON ORLA ae
ara a) } F . . 4
the white pillars began to look grim and ghostly in the
gathering gloom. With a little shiver she roused herself
and began to pace up and down the aisle, though more
quietly. The doors of the vestry, the side chapels, and
~ the choir were all locked; she tried them over and over
again with a sort of craving to get into some smaller place,
where the loneliness would not feel so awful; for now that
she had found it ciearly impossible to hinder Bertha’s flight,
_ the thought of her own position began to find place in her
mind. ‘To stay alonein the cathedral all night long seemed
to her a terrible prospect. She sat huddled up in a corner,
glad to keep her eyes shut, and full of a nameless, un-
defined terror. The clock struck ten, and she looked up;
from the east there was a faint gleam of light, coming,
perhaps, from the gas-lamps without; she groped ter
‘way nearer to it and chose for her resting-place the
tomb of one of the great benefactors of the cathe-
dral, Baron de Gers, because he must originally have
been a Frenchman. And here she tried to go to
sleep, but for a long time without success, for the pain and
excitement of the evening had been too much for her. Then,
too, the eerie feeling of the place was the reverse of sooth-
ing. Esperance, thoughnot foolish, had been brought up
among the superstitions of the French peasants, and more-
over, she was very imaginative; she could not help pictur-
ing to herself the ghosts of those buried within the
_ eathedral coming to look at the unusual night visitant,
and, of course, she began to shiver a little. Just then
upon the awful stillness of the great building, there rose a
strange, weird, mysterious sound—a kind of onward rush-
ing, her teeth chattered, she trembled from head to foot,
and strained her terrified eyes into the darkness, fearing
she knew not what. The sound seemed now close to her,
then far away, then again it drew near and nearer, and
she distinctly felt her hand touched; she gave a little ery,
and, as if in- answer, the rushing sound passed by her’
- once more, and she heard a sharp, clicking squeak, and
- knew that her ghost was, after all, only a bat. The relief
was so intense that she fairly laughed aloud at her mistake,
hoping that it was not sacrilegious, and then in a few
minutes she said her prayers and slept.
But her frights were not quite over. She woke with a
WON BY WAITING, = i a
PPO SN SSS ET 9 LOE RE era) nCe aR TARR NT tek ee Re SONAR Tk eR) Ab ce as Me eee ae ee
os i SOR Raaei a: aire: ae ect ad chi ate PSE : AS +30 Ste BE ine ae eee
re ie: Peet ye ie LS aera Sy oy tay See era Tet ag.
} Opes : a ae :
- 942 WON BY WAITING.
and Bertha were far away, and every one at the deanery
must be sleeping peacefully, and she was alone in the
cathedral! Then, with the cold chill of terror creeping
over her once more, she looked up. What was that still,
white figure opposite her? It had not been there when
she fell asleep. She forccd herself to get up; and with
stiff benumbed limbs crossed the aisle to the object of her
alarm. But it proved to be no phantom—only the recumb-
ent figure of a crusader, the white stone being illumined by
a flood of silvery moonlight which shown through the south-
east windows.
She was relieved, and, in spite of her grief about Bertha
and the difficulties of her situation, she could not 1epress
an enraptured exclamation as she looked to the east end
of the cathedral. Hach arch and pillar rose in marble
whiteness, contrasting vividly with the black shadows .
around; the moon-beams fell with almost dazzling radiance
on the exquisite earving, while some of the windows re-
flected back the brightness, each tiny pane of glass spark-
ling like a diamond. Although the previous day had been
hot, Esperance was shivering with cold now. She crept
up to one of the stoves, knowing that for a great part of
the year they were kept up all night; but the fires had’
been discontinued for some days, and the iron bars felt as —
cold as ice. Then she remembered Bertha’s cloak, which
must, evidently, have been left for her, and she went down.
to the iron gate once more, her footsteps echoing strange-
ly in the silent night. The moonlight did not fall upon
the nave at all, and the yawning blackness looked awful.
She turned to look once more at the radiance of the east,
and then again looked through the gate, while that appall-
ing darkness seemed to surge in upon her overwhelming-
ly. She picked up the cloak and moved back again to the
crusader’s tomb, not sorry to be in the moonlight region
again. 3
Just then a fresh thought occurred to her mind. The
vergers would come round at eight o’clock to unlick the
gates! how should she explain her presence to them?
Bertha’s flight must, if possible, be kept secret, and yet if
she were found locked in the cathedral in this unaccounta-
ble way they would surely suspect something. She hoped
and prayed that the dean, or Cornelia, or some one who must
eventuaily know, mielit come before ikem, and in the ¢on-
viction that all would in some way be made right, she fell —
acloep.
efit
" ay i
oe lend
we Mak ef + P
wets
nD
tT ee ee ee
aa F <2 oe yy Y ein A
Se RES
rs
eh ta
ie ere ee
aly
| es
~
WON BY WAITING. | 948 ,
Claude Magnay wrote for rooms at the Spread Hagle-
and made eager preparations for his visit to Rilchester,
invoking blessings on Lady Worthington’s head. He went
by an evening train, and by an odd coincidence met two
of his Rilchester friends at the ticket-office—-the precentor
and Mr. White, the minor canon. T! ey traveled down to-
gether, Claude in very high spirits, finding the most trifling ~
piece of Rilchester gossip fuil of interest. The precentor
was a middle-aged man, very musical, and a most devoted
worshiper of Wagner. He related piteous anecdotes of
his revolutionary attempts on the cathedral music, and the
cruel persecutions he underwent at the hands of the dean
and the organist, while Mr. White gave a graphic descrip-
tion of a scene in the vestry after a wedding, when the
precentor had succeeded in having the “Bridal March” .
from “ Lohengrin” asa voluntary, and the dean, not know-
ing what it was, had particularly admired it. Somehow
Claude rather enjoyed hearing of weddings in the cathe.
dral. He mide many inquiries about this one, and listened
contentedly to a minute and particular account of the state
of the choir—how Jones had just cracked, and was ap-
prenticed to a book-seller, and a young Smith was develop:
ing capituly, and had turned out first-rate soloist, while
Brown, the tenor, had meanly deserted them and gone of
to some better-paid appointment.
Tne precentor liked Claude—every one did, in fact—and,
moreover, next to music, he enjoyed nothing more than
talking, so he invited him to supper at his house, and
kept up a brisk current of talk till the clock struck twelve;
then Claude started up, saying that he wished to be early
in the cathedral so as to get the morning light.
“Tt is too late, I suppose, to knock up one of the verg-
ers?” he asked. “I wanted to get the keys; the dean
used to lend me his, but I can hardly go around there
now.” \
The precenter at once produced his keys, and foliowed
his guest to the door.
«A beautiful moonlight night,” he said, looking out.
“T would give something to take you to the cathedral now,
but it’s against rules to go in at night, and except with
regard to Wagner, you know, I am very obedient.”
Claude laughed, and said he would be content with six
o’clock, then walked back to his hotel for a few hours
gleep and a dream of Esperance.
The morning was as bright and sunny as he could wish
MA WON BY WAITING.
He walked round by the deanery, and looked up wistfully
at the windows ; then remembering his work, he hastened ~
on to the cathedral, walkea up the long, flacced path, and
unlocked the south door. Putting down his easel and bag,
he gave himself up for a moment to silent enjoyment of
the beauty around ; he glanced down the long vista of -
arches, then his eye traveled back slowly till it was arrest-
ed at the crusader’s tomb. His heart beat wildly, and he
hurried forward with eager though noiseless steps. Could
it indeed be Esperance ? ? He gazed long and wonderinely
at the little figure. She was nestled up into a corner, her
head had fallen forward and rested against the tomb, the
soft waves of dark hair contrasting with the white stone;
her long, black lashes lay calmly, her cheeks were flushed
with sleep, one little brown hand clasped Javotte’s cross
tightly, and her whole attitude and expression were of un-
disturbed peace. Some slight sound ronse | her at last ;
she looked up expectantly, and a glad light came into her
eyes as she saw Claude.
“Ah, Tam so glad!” she said ; “I knew some one would
be sent ; I am so glad it was you, Claude.”
The name slipped from her inadvertently ; lie colored
with pleasure.
~“ Have you been locked in by accident?” he asked, won-
deringly.
Then the sorrowful look returned to Esperance’s face ;
~ghe told him all, and asked his advice. He was much
startled and shocked, but he would dwell on Bertha’s in-
justice to her, and the cruelty of shutting her thus into
the cathedral.
“That does not matter, 1 is all over now,” she inter-
rupted, “but how am Ito tellthem at home? What will
they say?” —
He at once turned his touplits to her present diffi-
culties, and self-denyingly advised her to go to the dean-
ery as soon as possible and tell Cornelia, leaving her to
break it to the dean. While they were still talking it over
the clock struck seven, and Esperance moved toward the
door, feeling dr eadfully stiff after her hard couch.
“JT must go,” she said firmly, though she was beginning
to tremble at the thought of this hard task. “The house
will be open now, and we must lose no time. You are
staying in Rilchester, then ?”
Clau le assented. -
Tbs Bere wonderful that you gots have hither t@
Ay berets
PEP neihigenniys
, re A eee re Te
he Der RSF fo eed
on eae’
Teh Pe
| WON BY WAITING. ~ 245 =
choose this day, but things always are arranged just
rightly, are they not?”
Claude thought so too, as he watched the little figure
till it passed out of sight. And then involuntarily an idea —
struck him—how would this unlooked-for turn of affairs
affect his hopes? Would the deanery people leave Ril-
chester at once, and bear Esperance with them?
CHAPTER XXXT.
Henceforward squall nor storm
Could keep me from that Eden where she dwelt,
* ¥ * *
Love trebled life within me, and with each
Lhe year increased.
TENNYSON.
Cornetia was like one stunned; she heard Hsperance’s .
words, felt her caresses, and struggled hard to grasp the
meaning of this terrible piece of news, reading over andl
over again poor Bertha’s farewell note. At last she burst
into tears; her head was bowed on Esperance’s shoulder .
and the strong, independent, hardened nature was thank
ful enough to feel itself infolded by loving, clinging arms
If she had been different, if the home had been a happier
one, this would never have happened—there was the sting!
She roused herself at last, and went to tell the dean and
Christabel, while Esperance hovered about restlessly, fear-
ing to meet any one, and yet finding solitude almost un-
endurable. . .
The dean did not appear at breakfast time; Cornelia
sent Esperance with a cup of tea to his study, and she
knocked, and entered tremblingly. Her uncle's. face was
so changed, even in that short time, that she could hardly |
bear to look at it ; his hand shook as he took the cup from
her ; he looked white and scared, yet there was a curious.
dreamy haze in hiseyes. She bent down to kiss him, but
did not say anything ; just as she was turning away, how-
ever, she fancied he spoke to her, and waiting, caught the
muttered words, “ Retribution! Retribution! the ohild is
like her father, too!” :
Esperance pondered long over that low ejaculation ; did _
her uncle take this trial as a punishment for his harsh- —
ness to her father and mother? Perhaps Cornelia had —
this in her thoughts too; it certainly did pass through
(an Arr ee —" y Sg PP ea ary - —_— eA, a A aera tele
246 WON BY WAITING.
her mind that some strange fatality must be attached te
marriages in their family. Christabel, after a brief and
not very happy union, had returned to her father’s house
as a widow, her own prospects of happiness had been diss
appointed, and Bertha had married rashly and disobe-
diently.
It was too late now to think of prevention 3 all thatcould
be done was to hush up the affair as much as possible, and _
Bertha was so often away from home, and had so few
friends in Rilchester, that for the present concealment}
would not be difficult. |
Perhaps it was well for them all that their thoughts
were necessarily diverted by the dean’s illness ; 1b seemed
advisable that they should all go away as soon as possible,
and this making a convenient pretext, it was arranged
that Cornelia should go with her father to Germany,
~ where he was to take a course of baths, while Mrs. Mort-
lake went to visit some of her husband's relatives, taking
Bella with her. .
Hsperance was sent to the Priory. It was a great relies
to her to be there once more; the strain of the last few
days had been great, and the quiet of old Mrs. Passmore’s
house seemed doubly restful. She had only been there a
few hours, however, when, from her retreat in the garden
she heard the front door bell, and fearing some visitor
from Rilchester who might ask tiresome questions, was a
little vexed. ‘The servant came across the lawn to her.
“ Mistress would be glad if she would step into the
drawing-room.” J
She obeyed, not very willingly, and the surprise was all
the greater when, on going in, she found the visitor to be
Claude Magnay.
Mrs. Passmore was in the middle of the stock remark
which old ladies seem to enjoy making to young men—
— ‘Remember him? of course she did, why she had
nursed him in long clothes!”
Esperance stood for a moment holding her brown straw
hat in her hand, her face was glowing, and her heait beat
quickly. Mrs. Mortlake had told her not to go into Ril-
whester more than she could help in order to ayoid ques-
tions; she had not been to the cathedral that day, and
vomehow she had so missed the bright morning greeting
und the few words which had always passed between her
snd Claude when she went in to service. »
Claude came forward eagerly to meet her, and she soo |
Wher Wat \ bic kraomice O. cikaa hs ah, AS seg he UM a aed Male no er
Die \ MEA Se, Ae SALE image fealty Pata ta
Sear Nek a an? ig OS : Wegnig S
aah OR ae TS 5 Mngt tf CBRE SAN cE HSA an cng gly) oa na
WON BY WATHING. avin
_ forgot her momentary embarrassments, and began to talkas
naturally as ever. Mrs. Passmore was certainly the most
charming old lady. Claude blessed her inwardly when —
she sent them out into the garden; her cheery “ Now, chil-
dren! go and see the roses,” was really delightful. Hedid
not mind being considered a “child,” when Esperance
made the plural. They walked about the old garden half
the afternoon, they gathered flowers for grannie, and were
told not to forget themselves, so Claude took the role of
M. Worth again, and gathered a deep crimson rose for
Esperance, and Esperance, after some consideration, chose
a crimson carnation for his bution-hole. They wandered
about, and paced up and down the trim box-edged paths,
while the time slipped by unnoticed, and at length grannie
had to call them into tea in the little, old-fashioned parlor.
Esperance sat at the head of the table, and poured out tea
for them. She looked more bewitching than ever as her
hands moved deftly about among the old blue and white
china, and there was a delightful copper tea-kettle on the
hearth which Claude had the pleasure of fetching back-
ward and forward for her, a task which he liked so much
that he would quite have spoiled the tea by his frequent
attentions if she had allowed him.
Then he reminded her of her promised sitting, and she
- referred prettily 1o Mrs. Passmore, whereupon Claude took
the speaking-trumpet, and succeeded in making grannie
understand that he wanted to paint Esperance. This
seemed quite to gratify the old lady, and before he left it —
was arranged that he should come every afternoon to carry
on his work. |
Of course while he painted he talked, and Esperance,
who was never quiet for long at a time, talked too, and
blushed, and showed the most puzzling varieties of
expression, sometimes even forgot herself so far as to
gesticulate, so that had she been an ordinary model,
Claude would have been enraged ; as it was, however, he
was all the more delighted, and in spite of her delinquen-
cies, the picture was a great success. He found it very
hard now not to tell her of his love, but he remembered
Lady Worthington’s advice, and with a sigh resolved to
respect French customs, He asked her instead for Gas-
pard’s address in Dickoya, hoping she might perhaps guess
why he wanted it, but she enly looked provokingly
innocent, and began to talk of coffee plantations.
ajne day, however, when he walked out to the priory, he
= hae
me
Sat
SOY cs WON BY WAITING.
snatches of song.
s &
a Ey ae Sc eb ee a ae Va a Soe "®
Lest ply Ee oe ys Soka rte Mee LES ame ee rial Geet Oe CP
SERA tin Nair Sap ae Bae Gh ah Nae NT Oe Be tan Shh
Re x. Saree a age: i
found Esperanee unmistakably grave and sad; .- .#e&
fancied she had been crying. In the course of the atter-
noon it transpired that Mrs. Mortlake had sent for her ;
Bella was poorly, and they were going at once to the sea-
side.
“TI do not want to leave grannie,” she explained, regret-
fully ; “it is so quiet and happy here at the Priory.
Besides, to-morrow is my jour de naissance, and we were to
have a féte.”
But the tears were not altogether for the lost féte, and,,
after all, the eighteenth birthday proved a day of strange,
dawning joy. Claude came to say good-bye to her just
before she started, bringing with him some exquisite flow-
ers. He would not have ventured to do so at another time,
but the féte day made a happy excuse, and his parting
words sent a glad thrill through Esperance.
“ You will not be at the sea-side all the summer, I hope,
for I shall be in Rilchester again in two months’ time.”
Her presence would make a difference to him, then!
She was glad to have the railway carriage to herself that
day, for she could not help bursting out into little ecstatie
* * * % *
Gaspard had had a rough, cross-country ride on his mare
Blanchette. It was Sunday morning, and he had been to a
store twelve miles off to service; now he was coming back
to Mr. Seymour’s-bungalow very hot and tired and hungry.
Mr. Seymour was standing at the door as he dismounted.
He himself did not manage to getto a Sunday service more
than once or twice in the year. mene
“You have had a hot ride, Gaspard,’—-the name of De
Mabillon was too long to please him. “I hope your parson
gave you something very superfine in the way of sermons
to make up for it.” |
‘“‘Two in one,” said Gaspard, with a yawn, “lasting just
an hour, and out of a congregation of thirty, twenty-two
were nodding before the end.” ,
Mr. Seymour made a gesture of compassion, then held
out two letters. :
“The post has come; there is a reward for you.”
Gaspard took the letters, scrutinizing them eagerly
while he led Blanchette round to her stable, then, having
banded her over to one of the coolies, he entered the —
bungalow, threw himself back in a wicker chair and opened —
Esperance’s letter. He was much startled by her news of
i Se
Map
Oleg
Bertha’s marriage, aud shocked to think of her night of |
loneliness and terror in the cathedral; but the end of her
letter reassured him. He liked to think of her with kind
old Mrs. Passmore, and with Claude Magnay to enliven
her every afternoon; there was a brightness of tone, too,
about her writing which made him feel happy about her.
However much she tried to make her letters uniformly
cheerful, he always managed to find out in what mood
they had been written, and about this letter there was an
unusually buoyant. happiness.
__- He opened the next one moreleisurely, wondering whom
it was from, then seeing the signature, was glad and yet
surprised that Claude should write to him. His bronzed
face wore a startled expression as he slowly deciphered the
large, irregular characters. He read on, however:
-**My pear Dr Masriton,—When we parted I did not know
how very soon I should have to come upon you for that promised
favor, which you were so pleased to have suggested to you last
summer. Iam taking you at your word, however, and am going
to make a very serious and great request. But first for a little
explanation. I was staying at Worthington Hall last Christmas,
and saw your sister twice. I realized then for the first time how
much I loved her, and since then time has only strengthened
these convictions. I -ritenowt ask if you will consent to my
proposing to your sister? I shall not dwell upon my love for
er—I can not write of it, and I believe you will understand me.
I think I could make her happy, and most earnestly beg that you
-will allow me to speak to her. With regard to money consider-
ations, you already know that I am notrich, but I am in receipt
of a small yearly income from invested capital, and am making
a good deal by my pictures, so that I think we could live very
_comfortably, and I would insure my life or do anything you like.
I shall await your reply very anxiously. My requestis a very
great one; but I know you too well not to feel certain that you
will grant it, if there is no real obstacle in the way.
s * Yours most truly,
** CuauDE Maanay.
** Riichester, 5th June, 1873.”
Gaspard’s face was a strange mixture of thankfulness,
joy, and regret when he put down the letter. He liked
Claude exceedingly, and felt that he could give Esperance
to him more willingly than to most men, but in any case
her marriage would involve a certain sense of loss to him-
self. There could be no happy visions of a home in Cey-
lon now. But Gaspard had unlearned his selfishness in a
hard school, and heloved Esperance far too mueh not t¢
WON BY WAITING. = m9
250 WON BY WAITING. c ‘i
rejoice in this gste., ect of happiness for her. Before the
Sunday was over he had written a brotherly letter to
Claude, inclosing another to be given to Esperance when
he had spoken to her ; and somehow the more he thought
uver this new suggestion the more he liked it, nor had he
much doubt what Esperance’s answer would be.
CHAPTER XXXII
It is not because your heart is mine, mine only, mine alone ;
It is not because you chose me, weak and fonely for your own $
Not because the earth is fairer, and the skies spread above you
Are more radiant for the shining of your eyes—that Ilove you!
But because this human love, though true and sweet—yours and
mine,
Has been sent by Love more tender, more complete, more di-
vine ;
That it leads our hearts to rest at last in Heaven, far above you ;
Do I take you as a gift that God has given—and I love you.
A. A, Proctor.
By the end of July the family at the deanery were all at
home again ; the dean seemed much better for his stay in ”
Germany, and Mrs. Mortlake had recovered her spirits,
too ; it was only Cornelia who was permanently altered
by that time of grief, and shame, and self-reproach. She
never lost the lines of sadness which gathered then around
her firm, compressed lips, but the expression rather
softened her face than otherwise. :
Bertha’s marriage had now of course been published.
It was generally known in Rilchester that she had been
married abroad to her cousin, but that her family did not —
approve of the connection, so the subject was avoided
with the Collinsons, and, with the exception of Claude
Magnay, none but the very nearest relatives ever heard the
real story. ;
Claude waited impatiently through those summer months
for Gaspard’s reply to his letter, working hard at his paint- ~
. ing, and alternating between hope and despair. At length
ore morning he found the long-expected letter on his
breakfast-table ; it was all that he could possibly wish ;
Gaspard was apparently pleased and gratified by his pro-
posal, and wrote most affectionately. Claude’s happiness
was complete—his long waiting had been rewarded ; he |
would lose no more time. He rang the bell at once and
wrdered the “angel-page ” to call a hansom, then unable
WON BY WAITING. 25)
- € touch his breakfast, he rushed up to his room, tossed 2
few clothes iuto a portmanteau, and in ten minutes was
on ig way to the station to catch an early train to the
north.
Lhe journey rather quieted him down. By the time the
flat barren plain warned him that he was near Rilchester,
- he had become far less hopeful and confident, and when
the magnificent pile of the cathedral appeared in the dis-:
tance, a dark mass against the blue sky, he even began to
feel doubtful as to‘the wisdom of going to the deanery at
all. Should he write to her instead? He sent his port-
manteau to the Spread Eagle, and walked slowly away
from the station. Rilchester looked as peaceful as ever,
and eyen more deserted, for it was a very hot afternoon
and few people were stirring : you might have fired a can-
non down the High Street without hurting a soul. Claude
walked on, trying to make up his mind, till at last
he found himself close to the Vicar’s Court, then with
the sudden perception of his nearness to Esperance,
his hesitation disappeared ; he walked quickly through
the silent court, and across the square, graveled ap-
proach to the deanery, and rang the funeral-sound-
ing bell. He asked boldly for Mlle. de Mabillon.
She was at home; he entered the blue-and-white tiled
hall where he had seen her last Christmas with her holly
wreath, and felt his courage rising. The footman, who, of
-eourse, remembered him well, turned just as they were
crossing the hall—there were visitors in the drawing-
room—he believed ma’mselle was in the dining-room—
would Mr. Maenay see her there? Claude eagerly assented,
blessing the thoughtful footman, and registering a mental
vow that he would ever after tip him in gold; then the
heavy door was thrown back, he caught a momentary vision
of mahogany and crimson rep, and the next moment was
only conscious that he was in the same room with Espe-
rance, that he held her hand in his. They sat down near
the open window, he heard her speaking to him in ler clear
voice, and was vaguely aware that she looked cool and
beautiful in her white dress, among the hot, ugly surround-
ings, and that she wore a deep crimson rose, like the one
he had given her at the Priory. She was telling him of
their stay at the sca-side; then she asked if he had come te
paint another picture in the cathedral, and Claude suddenly
roused himself from his half-dreamy happiness, and replie@
earnestly.
252 a WON BY WAITING. _
*sNo, I have not come to paint this time. You remem:
ber, perhaps, that I asked you for your brother's addresr, ©
when Lwas staying here before. Can you guess at all why ~
kB wrote to him?” — i
He had spoken hesitatingly, his color had risen, and hee
began to wish most heartily that he had written to her.
How was she to guess from his floundering speech that he
loved her? Why had he begun with such an unangwera-
ble question? Esperance looked up at him with her —
vely-sweét eyes, her heart was beating fast, but she saw
Big sibaer ‘assment, and said, gently, “Tell me.’
"Those two words, and the sweet, truthful, upward glanee
gave him fresh strength ; he stood up and drew nearer to
her, leaning against the window-frame. 7
set B wrote to: your brother,” he began, in a low voice, “be»
cause I had a favor to ask him. LIwrote to ask him if J
might come to see you; and this morning I heard from.
him-—he said I might.” Sarg
There was a pause—Esperance’s eyes were cast down _
now, her cheeks were glowing; : little tabby kitten stole — a
in through the French window and played about at her s
feet, but “she did not notice it. _ *)
*Do you remember,” Claude began again— do you rée-
member that snowy-Christmas eve when you were in the
hall decorating ? You thought I did not recognize you —
then, but it was at that moment, really, that I first saw—”
He broke off abruptly. Why did that wretched little
kitten distract her attention just then by springing on to ©
her knee? She took it in her arms, rose from her ehaie EY
and came to the window. Claude stroked the little in-
truder in silence, then Esperance looked up, and somehow —
their eyes met; he knew that she understood him then, and :
spoke with sudden confidence. us
‘Esperance! I have no words with.me, but I love va ‘
with my whole heart and soul! Tell me, darling, could —
you love me a little too, some day ?”
He had taken her hands in his, and could feel them —
trembling; her color came and went, but she did not keep Ae
him long in suspense; he knew his answer bythe rapturous
light that dawned in her eyes; and it was with his arms
round her that she sobbed out, * Oh, Claude, now-slayas
—with all the love I have!” Fs
Hither the kitten was endowed in the highest decree
with tact, or else she saw a biru in the garden, for when
Claude began to speak she suddenly scrambled down and e
et abs Fees fl a
yal
~~ oe. #y:
WON BY WAITING.” = i(isttitsi«éGD
ran away. The lovers were left undisturbed for at least an :
hour, then the cathedral bells began to ring for afternoon
service, and Claude rose to go, promising to call and see
the dean afterward. Esperance went up to her room, feel-
ing as if it were ali a wonderful dream, and glad to have
something tangible in the shape of Gaspuard’s letter of
congratulation to assure her that this great, awe-inspiring
joy was real and lasting. She was glad to be alone fora —
few minutes; then, hearing Cornelia pass along the gallery,
she opened her door and called timidly. :
Cornelia came with inquiry in her eyes, but one glance at
- Esperance told her all.
_ “So Claude Magnay has been here,” she said, quietly.
“Yes, he has been here a long time,” said Esperance,
- looking down. — “ And—and I have something to tell you,
dlear—he has asked me to be his wife.”
She had half hid her face on her cousin’s shoulder as she
said this; then, reassured by Cornelia’s embrace, she went
on more eagerly :
“And he loves me, Cornelia; he has loved me, he says, ever
- since Christmas. It seems so strange, so wonderful! Hesays
i shall sit with him in his studio while he paints, and we.
~ ghall havea dear little cozy house—think of having a house
- Of one’s very own! And you must come and stay with us,
Cornelia, and then you will be able to hear all the great
people preach, and go to all the lectures. | Dear Cornelia,
he isso good! so wonderful! It seems almost too much
10 ! 33 rs
Cones kissed her repeatedly, but could not speak; then
suddenly she turned away, hurriedly took off her specta-
cles and wiped them. ‘ Will you like to come fo the serv-
ice or not?” she asked, in an odd, choked voice.
Esperance said she would go, and the cousins went
down stairs hand in hand,
Ciaude sat in the stalls just behind the deanery pew, and
somehow the service that afternoon seemed on purpose for
them. Nothing could have suited them so well as those
thirtieth-day psalms, with their praise and thanksgiving,
nor could the precentor have chosen a more fitting anthem
_ than “I waited for the Lord.” Cornelia could not help
‘bears.
= glancing at Esperance’s sweet tranquil face as the full |
- chorus took up the words, “Oh, blessed are they that hope
- end trust in the Lord!” and when it was over, and she
was on her knees once more, she did not restrain her
-
254 WON BY WAITING, os
Claude joined them as they went out, and Cornelia spoke
afew words of congtatuiation to him—kind, true words,
with no effusion. He looked so radiantly happy that she
half trembled to think of his interview with the dean; but
it passed.off better than might have been expected. ‘The
dean had a great regard for Claude; he was flattered that
he had thought of his niece, and there was nothing to be
said against the marriage. .He said he should like to see
Esperance, and Claude went to fetch her from the drawing-
room, keeping her hand still in his as they passed into the
gloomy library, and leading her up'to the dean. It re-
minded her of that other summons more than a year ago,
when she had heard that Gaspard was going to Ceylon; —
but how different was everything now!
The dean sat in his great leatherarm-chair. He looked
grave and rather severe, but it was his usual expression
now, and in agreeing to Claude’s proposal he naturally
thought of George Palgrave, and remembered easily Ber-
tha’s defiance of his authority.
“Claude has just informed me, my dear, that he has —
asked you to be his wife, and I desired to see you for a
few minutes that I might give you some words of advice
and congratulation.”
“This beginning sounded rather formidable. Esperance —
os
shrunk nearer to Claude, while he held her hand closely. .
The dean continued :
“You are about to enter on a most serious and solemn
undertaking. I trust that you have gravely. considered —
the matter at your leisure, and that you are well certi-
fied of the wisdom and fitness of your choice. Do not
be deluded into thinking that married life is nothing but
‘bliss; if you prepare yourself to find it such, you will
be speedily disappointed, but act and think wisely and
soberly, and I most sincerely trust that such happinees as
is to be found in this world may be yours. You are greatly
‘honored by receiving the affection and esteem of a
clever and worthy man, and I have no doubt that you
will endeavor to prove your gratitude.”
Claude was struck dumb by the pomposity of this har-
, ABS oe
;
i!
angue, and Esperance could not help being amused by it, —
It had never entered her head to tiink of Claude as a —
“worthy man,” and tuere was something incongruous in’
the term ; nor would she have dreamed of applying the
words “ esteem and affection” to the beautiful, soul-satis-
fying love which had just been revealed to her. But thas —
+
WON BY WAITING. 255
happy French magic of saying the right thing at the right
tiine came to her aid. Before Claude had recovered from
his amazement she was kneeling beside the dean, and the
icy solemnity of the interview was at once broken.
“Dear uncle,” she said, eagerly, “I feel that we owe
everything to you. Ifit had not been for your kindness
to me I should never have seen Claude ; there is only one
more thing I want, and that is your blessing.”
The dean was touched. He put his hands on the two
young heads, and his words were unusually fervent, then
“or a few minutes they ali talked naturally, and before long
«laude had begged for the keys of the cathedral, and had
wandered away with Esperance for an hour's uninterrupted
peace before dinner. It was while they were standing in
the south aisle, beside the crusader’s tomb, that he drew
out a ring and placed it on Esperance’s finger.
“Do you remember,” he said, smiling, “that walk which
we had once together, when you told me your motto was
* Hspérez toujours’? I thought we would keep it still. If
you had said ‘No’ this afternoon I should have kept the
ring and the motto for my comfort.”
Esperance looked at the beautiful little ring and saw
what he meant. It was from his own design: a wide band
_ of gold with the motto in quaintly carved letters around
Pa a ae a On
~
wet
~en
it. Nothing could have delighted her more.
Just as they were coming out of the cathedral they met
the precentor; he had already heard of their engagement,
and was fairly overwhelming with his kind wishes, making
HisQerance color deeply by asking which was to be the
“auspicious day.
The a as set Claude thinking; he did not speak of
ib again that afternoon, but before long he introduced the
subject. There was no reason for a prolonged engagement,
and before he left Rilchester it was arranged that the
marriage should take place at the beginning of the next
ear.
: On the whole that autumn passed happily; Mrs. Mort-
lake was quite in her element at such a time, and was much
more kind than Esperance had expected; indeed, after she
had heard that Bella was to be a bride-maid, she was
' never tired of discussing the wedding-day. Cornelia was, -
however, the real sympathizer, and it was she who first
asked Esperance if there was no one she would like invited
_ to the wedding.
The Worthingtons and Frances Neville were, ef course
eae SW
ag a eres Ges, :
956 -——s WON BY WAITING.
to be present, and Esperance remembered Mme. Lemer-
cier, and wondered if Mr. Henderson would allow Maggie
to come too. “These, with an uncle of Claude's, a cousin,
whe acted ag best man, and Mr. White, the minor canon
made up the small wedding-party, for both Claude and
Esperance were singularly destitute of relations. Mrs.
Mortlake was quite sorry that the procession of guests
would not be more imposing ; she tried hard to find a few
friends for the occasion—sent a pressing invitation to Mr.
Henderson to accompany his little girl, and persuaded old
Mrs. Passmore to risk coming out in the winter. Then nb 3
Esperance had to choose who should marry them, and, ~
having considered the various cathedral dignitaries for
some time, she finally selected the good-natured precenter __
as the most kind-hearted among them, and a friend of
Claude’s as well. When this was arranged Mrs. Mortlake
suggested that the precentor’s eldest little girl would look -
charming as a bride-maid, and was exactly Bella’s height,
whereas Kathie was shorter, and would, no doubt, pair
much better with Maggie Henderson. Esperance, of —
course, agreed to this, and was a good deal relieved that
- Christabel should take such an interest in the preparations,
being quite well aware that if this had not been the case,
the autumn would have been a time of great discomfort. —
CHAPTER XXXTIT.
Love shall be purified by pain,
And Pain be soothed by Love again,
So let us now take heart and go
Cheerfully on through joy and woe;
No change the summer sun can bring,
Or the inconstant skies of spring, =
Or the bleak winter’s stormy weather,
For we shall meet them, Love, together !
A. A. Proctor.
Lapy Wortuneron was delighted to hear of. Claude’s
success, and felt much satisfaction in remembering the
share she had had in bringing the two together. She
and Frances saw a great deal of Esperance, and were very
anxious that she should spend Christmas at the Hall; —
but she was obliged to decline the invitation, as she —
felt snre that Cornelia, at least, would be grieved te
lose her at all before the wedding-day. This had been —
fixed for the 6th of January, and the time waa drawing —
“a
ae.
aaa z A
aN SY OH OMe yee ae Be : -
ee Sea ahh sg ne cde ee ee oe aa eae rf
otk ene ay Bee ees FL A ae en i ew ee OW gg
Ye . : : ms wee «
ey ep ee ey. eae, ie ae en De
WON BY WAITING. | O57
very near. Claude came down for a few days at Christ-
mas, vut he was obliged to go back to town again to make
his final arrangements ; as they intended to be abroad for
some months he had a good deal to do, and at the last
was so much hindered that he did not reach Rilchester till
the latest train on the evening of the fifth.
That was a strange day to Esperance—and rather a
dreary one. ‘J’rances Neville came to see her in the morn-
ing, and in the afternoon she drove to the Priory to see
Mrs. Passmore, hurrying back with the expectation of
Claude’s arrival. Instead of this, however, there was a
telegram to say that he must come by the later terain in-
stead, and, although the meeting was only postponed fora
few hours, she could not help feeling disappointed and de-
ressed,
: While she was sitting rather drearily with the tele-
gram in her hand, Mrs. Mortlake came in with a disturbed
face. 7
“Where have you been?” she asked, in a reproachful
tone. “So many callers have been here wishing to see
you and the presents—you really ought to have stayed in
this afternoon.”
“am wvery sorry 5 I went to the Pricry to see Mrs.
Passmore.”
“Oh! that is why the carriage is out! You really are
very inconsiderate, Esperance. I suppose you kept the
horses standing at the door for ever so long in that pour-
ing rain! You ought to be more thoughtful. I think it’s
the least you can do when you live in other people’s
houses.”
“T am very sorry, ’ repeated poor ER poranice. “but Cor-
nelia told me to drive.”
Mrs. Mortlake muttered something about the mistake of
having two mistresses, and left the room, while Esperance
* crouched down beside the fire and had a good cry. She
was tired and disappointed, and the gloomy twilight of the
dining-room made her feel still more dreary-and forlorn.
And to-morrow was to be her wedding-day! She tried
hard to realize it, and felt a little sad as she remembered
how far away Gaspard was, and wondered if other people
felt as lonely as she did on the eve of marriage. And then
that bitter reproach which Mrs. Mortlake was so fond of
using about “other people’s houses” stung her afresh, and
she felt that it was hard and cruel to have made it on thie
fast day.
BSE as eae ts Er hs gna CNET Sea eee tT eee nae
is = ; 2 iss Se
258 WON BY WAITING,
‘Her dismal thoughts were not put to flight till Cornelia
returned from the cathedral, and coming into the room —
was surprised to find her alone, curled up on the hearth-
rug.
“Claude does not ,come till half past ten,” she said,
mournfully. :
“Oh! I am sorry for that,” said Cornelia, kindly. Then
stirring the fire into a blaze, and glancing again at Espe-
-rance, “ Why, you have been crying; how is that, dear?”
“Tt was lonely, and Christabel was vexed with me, and I
think she will be glad when Tm gone, and somehow I
felt so wretched,” replied Esperance, nestling up to Cor-
nelia in the way which she had only lately dared to do.
“ Christabel will really miss you a great deal,’ said Cor-
nelia, decidedly, “ whether she says so or not. Iam sure
she will, for you have done a great deal for her; and you
know, Esperance, how much I shall miss you.’
Cornelia could not say more ; she could not tell Esper-
ance of the wonderful change which had been wrought in ~
her life during the last year and a half, of the cold, hard,
self-contained nature, which had first been softened by the
sight of her love for Gaspard, of the long-dormant
womanly tenderness which had been awakened at the time <
of her illness. Reserved she must always be, but no longer
with the cold suspiciousness of former times.
Esperance quite understood those few words, and an--
swered them with such gratitude for the love which she her-
self had stimulated, and such lavish endearments, that Cor-
nelia could not help feeling deeply touched. After that they
talked for a good half hour about Claude, by which time
Hsperance was quite herself again, and ready to take the ©
ereatest possible interest in the arrival of the “Hendersons
and Mme. Lemercier.
The 6th of January dawned gloomily enough; it was one
of those still, cold winter days, when not a ray of sunlight ~ é
seems able to pierce the gray, cloudy atmosphere. The
Rilchester people looked suspiciously at the sky, and quo-
ted the proverb about the bride whom the rain falls on,
and even the family at the deanery feit depressed, except
_ Indeed the little bride herself. Nothing could a‘fect her _
happy serenity that day.
Frances and Mme. Lemercier helped to dress her in 1 the
Indian muslin which Gaspard had sent home, relieved by —
its prevty trimming of airy-light swan ’s-down, and tiny —
sprays of myrtle and orange-blossom. It was a, little toe
‘WON BY WalTING. — 959
ginaple to please Mme. Lemercier, “too much like a dress
for a premiere communon, chérie,” she explained.
“T don’t think’it need be any better than that, dear
Madame,” said Esperance, simply. |
~ Mme. Lemercier hardly understood the remark, but she
- expressed complete satisfaction when the tiny wreath and
veil of tulle were added, and declared that the tout ensemble
was perfect when Claude’s bouquet of Christmas roses and
maiden-hair was brought upstairs—he hud arranged it
himself, and would not admit any other flower.
For afew minutes she was left alone; then, when the
last party of guests had started for the cathedral, she
went quietly down-stairs to the drawing-room, expecting
to find her uncle there. The room was empty, however ;
she waited till the carriage was announced, then feelin e
just-a little fevlorn, she crossed the hall and knocked at
the library door.
The dean was bending over a great dusty volume.
“Oh! is it time, my dear?” he said, looking up. “Tl
just finish tnis page, and perhaps you would see to that.”
He held up a white glove which had lost a button, and
she took it obediently, and ran to look for her work-box.
In spite of the hinderance of trembling fingers, the glove
was ready for the dean long before he was ready for it;
however, at last he. did get up, carefully placed a marker
in his book, adjusted his white tie, put on the gloves, and
turned to his niece with a little bow.
*‘ Now, my dear, I am at your service.” :
For; moment she felt an unutterable longing for her
father, but she would not allow herself to be really chilled
by the dean’s frigid manner, knowing that he intended to
be kind. She lifted up her face to be kissed, and then
allowed herself to be led in silence to the carriage. he
dean was very absent that morning; he muttered to him-
self about somebody’s comet which was expected, and made
numerous little calculations during the drive. Esperance
said nothing, but held her Christmas roses tightly, and
wondered whether Gaspard were thinking of her.
Then they reached the west door of the.cathedral, and
the dean suddealy rousing himself gave her his arm, and
led her into the nave. The gloom was intense, and the
darkness and awe of the building would have chilled Hs-
perance, had it not been for Wagner's beautiful march
- which pealed forth from the organ as she entered. Claude
joined them within the choir Bate, and they passed on
260 | WON BY “WAITING.
through the crowd of eager, curious faces, to the altar
Cornelia, from her place at She east end, watched anxiously,
but she could not feel otherwise than thankful and happy
when the little bride came into sight, a bright form in the
surrounding gloom. It could not be called an imposing
procession. Mrs. Mortlake, indeed, was vexed by its ex-
treme simplicity, and longed for more bride-maids and
more elaborate dresses, bub nevertheless there was some-
thing very striking aboufit. The dean, more erect than
usual, looked quite patriarchal, with his silvery hair and.
flowing white beard; Claude was eager-eyed and wistfully
grave; while between them was Esperance, with her ra»
diant brown eyes full of tender awe, and her sweet, tran-
quil face looking almost as child-like as those of her little
bride-maids.
The service proceeded, and the darkness grew more and
more oppressive, while the vows were interchanged between
“Claude” and ‘Kisperance Bien-Aimée;” the voices of the
choir sounded far away in the gloom as they chanted the
psalms, and the precentor could hardly see to read the
prayers. It was not till the very end of the service, when
Mendelssohn’s hymn “ Now thank we all our God” was
being sung, tbat the hght became suddenly brighter, and
as Claude led his wife from the altar, a gleam of sunslitne
penetrated the clear-story windows, and the dreary, op~
pressive obscurity was at once changed to golden, mellowed
brightness.
But the transformation scene that awaited them without
was still more wonderful. As the great west doors were
thrown open, and the pealing bells overpowered the distant
notes of the organ, a brightness more dazzling than
the winter sunlight greeted them. The heavy, omin-
ous clouds had discharged themselves, and during the
service there had been a brief but heavy snow-storm;
now the ground was covered with a veil of the purest
white, the heavy sky had . changed to clear,
frosty blue, and the day seemed turned from mournful
gloom to rejoicing. Mrs. Mortlake would have been greatly
disturbed, had she known that the bride and bridegroom
were actually obliged to wait while the vergers swept the —
snow from the carpeted path, but happily they themselves —
did not the least mind.
“How beautiful it all looks,” said Esperance, as they
drove through the silent, snowy streets, caud Iam so glad
‘the sun has come out to welcome us,”
WON BY WAITING. SOG
“Yes,” replied Claude, “this accounts for the darknese
‘ust now; it ought to be a good omen for our life, darling —
brightness and light after gloom.”
“Yes,” said Esperance, smiling quietly, “and a reason
and purpose in the gloom all the time.”
It was essentially a happy wedding; even Cornelia,
though feeling the loss of Esperance keenly, could not.
but rejoice for her, and there were no painful leave-takings.
~The dean seemed pleased, and, on the whole, relieved—
his sister’s child was marrying well; he had had some
share in introducing her to Claude Magnay, and now .
his responsibility was over. Another comfortable reflec- —
tion was that she was no longer a “De Mabillon.” He
took much pleasure in speaking of her as “my niece,
Mrs. Magnay,” and in the strength of this new con-
solation, endured Sir Henry Worthington’s speech, with
its kind-hearted and delicate allusions to M. de Ma-
billon and Gaspard. HEsperance’s stay at the deanery had
effected much, but it had not eured the dean of his old
antipathy, nor had it in the least convinced him that he
ought to have owned himself in the wrong.
Lady Worthington watched the farewells with a good
deal of interest ; her own motherly kiss had been civen,
then came Mrs. Mortlake with her properly expressed
wishes for future happiness, Cornelia with her long,
silent embrace, the dean with his patriarchal bless-
ing, and lastly poor hittle Bella in floods of tears,
which seemed all the more surprising as she had always
been Esperance’s arch-tormentor. Mme. Lemercier also
shed tears, but the next moment she was smiling and
assuring Cornelia that it was the most beautiful wedding
that had ever been, and that Rilchester had made Espe-
rance like a “true angel.” Madame took great interest
in matters matrimonial, and since their Welsh tour she
had had a charming little project ; not that she was a
match-maker, she was scarcely in the position for it, but
she watched with hope and anxiety, and gave a little nod of
satisfaction when Mr. Henderson was carried off to see
the fernery at Worthington. Her rapid imagination had
arranged everything most satisfactorily, and before the
afternoon was over she had arrived at the conclusion that
Devonshire air would suit, Miss Neville’s health admirae
biy, and that Maggie would have a charming belle-mere.
262 _ ‘WON BY WAITING.
CHAPTER XAXIV.
Thy branches are not bare, and iy
What storms have shook them to and fro.
To thee haz time brought many Joys,
Tf many it has bid to go. .
Trust in that veiled hand which leads,
None by the path that he would go,
And from the Lord all good expect, —
Who many mercies strews below.
From the Arabic, Asp. TRENCH.
ESPERANCE Rall never traveled much before, and her
“reshness and naivete, combined with a very real appre-
tiation of the beautiful, made her a perfect traveling
zompanion ; while the freedom from all formahty and —
yestraint, and the constant sense of love and protection,
made that year of wandering one of the happiest of
ber life. Of the actual idleness of a honeymoon they .,
lad none. Claude worked assiduously from the very
first, but the work took him to all the most beautiful
places, and was never allowed to interfere with her com-
fort or enjoyment. They spent the winter in Italy, wan-
dering on from place to place ‘as they pleased, with no fixed
limit to their stay.
- It was while they were spending a few: days at a little Mes
village near Ravenna, that Esperance first learned Claude’s _
strong predilection for waifs and strays. A certain black-
haired, large-eyed boy in tattered garments, had watched
him for some time when he was sketching one morning; __
this was no novelty, as he not unfrequently had a small ge
crowd of children to watch him; but this particular boy
appeared day after day, at first looking on intently and-in. ~
silence, but afterward venturing on intelligent questions, ~~
The third day he brought a rough attempt ‘of his own to ae
show, and Claude, struck by its merits, believed he had ~
discovered a second Giotto; the boy undoubtedly had great — 2
talent, and Claude at once offered to help him. Esperance ee
was amused and pleased at this novel addition to their
party. Beppo was a sharp boy, and was useful besides in
fetching and carrying; he also cleaned Clande’s palette
and washed his brushes: and seemed to be making real prog-- —
ress in his studies. But unfortunately one morning 2s
WON BY WAITING. —_3 263.
o .
Claude found his paint-box ransacked, aud all his most val-
~uable brushes missing—Beppo had ‘mysteriously disap-
peared in the night, and was never again heard of!
The next waif was rather more successful. She was a
lovely little Italian girl whom Claude picked up in the —
streets of Florence and brought home to paint. Esperance
liked her much better than the artistic Beppo, more espe-
cially when she found that she was homeless and without
belongings. “They kept her with them while they were in ~
the place, and afterward sent her to an orphanage where
she was happy and well cared for, and every year sent letters
of grateful remembrance to the “dear signora,’ *as she
called Esperance.
The third waif was an old half-blind and half-starved
artist whom Claude found out in Rome. He was a German,
with along, ragged, gray beard; but Esperance forgot his
nationality in his misfortunes, and was very kind to him.
He dined with them every day, and grew perceptibly fatter
toward the end of the time.
After Easter they left Rome and spent several quiet
weeks in the most lovely parts of the Engadine, and Claude
found Switzerland so beguiling that the weeks passed to
months, and summer changed to autumn beforea return to
England was thought of. At last they spoke of really
‘settling down in October,and Esperance began to think
how she should arrange her rooms at St. John’s Wood. But
a great surprise was being prepared for her. |
One day Claude came in with an open letter in his hand,
and his face brimming over with delight and triumph.
« Chérie,” he said, brightly. “ what do you say to spend-
ing the winter in Auvergne: oe
She gave a little ery of joy. They had always talked of
going home through France, but to spend the winter there
had never occurred to her. |
«You would really like it, then ?” said Claude, with setis-
faction. “I have been thinking of it for weeks, but the
tiresome proprietor of the chateau was so long in writing;
and I did not want you to be disappointed.”
“What! we shall really be at the dear old chateau ?” @x-
claimed Esperance, joyously.
“Yes, the present proprietor is away from home, and
he has agreed to let it to me for four months. Now at last
I shall be able to make good that promise I gave you 80 _
long ago—to paint your dear mountains of Auvergne.”
Jud wo it usppenes that on @ lovely October evening
264. WON BY WAITING.
er
a me (ree ee) ab
Esperance found herself once more in her old home. The
return might have been painful to her in other circum-
stances, but with her hand in Claude’s she could look with
happy recognition, and tender but not regretful memories
of the past, at all around her, from the beautiful Mont
d’Or itself to the dear old gray chateau, with its ruinous
walls and clinging ivy. It was all wonderfully litile
altered—the tiny village in the valley ; the convent where
she had spent her long afternoons ; the grassy terrace
on which she had so often walked with her father ; the
half-ruined pigeonnier, to the top of which Gaspard used to
carry her to the imminent peril of both their necks; lastly,
the great door itself, with its rough-hewn stone steps, and
a little crowd of old friends with an eager welcome.
There were a great many tears and embraces in spite of
Esperance’s newly acquired dignity. Mere Bonnier hung
about-her in an ecstasy of happiness; Marie was scarcely
less demonstrative, and Pierre, poor old Javotte’s son, now
a married man with two little black-eyed children of his
own, was eager to kiss “madame’s” hand. Claude was
amused and touched by the Jittle un-English scene, and
saw plainly enough that Esperance was not the only one
who would be gratified by his scheme for passing the winter
in Auvergne. ;
Nor was he inclined to accuse her of exaggerating the
beauties of her native place—the rich pasture-land, the fer-
tile valleys, the wild grandeur of the semi-volcanic moun-
tains, all filled him with admiration, while the beautiful au-
tumnal tints lent fresh glories to the thickly wooded
_ landscape. He worked hard for the next two months, and ~
Esperance watched the progress of each picture with a de-
light and pride greater than that which she had taken even
in the most enchanting Itahan view.
Those autumn days were very restful and happy; she
used to take her needle-work and sit beside him while he
painted, wandering about when she pleased among the
woods in search of late flowers, or resting when tired in a
cleverly contrived hammock which Claude used to rig up
for her.
Then, when the light began to fail, and the ranz des
vaches echoed among the mountains from the clear voices
of the village girls, Claude wonld pack up his easel and his
painting apparatus, and they would go back te the old
chateau through the rustling fallen leaves and the golden»
brown woods. It was met until the trees were quite bare —
=
ho
WON BY WAITING. ; 265
and leafless that Claude was obliged to go out alone to his ©
work ; and the painting did not prosper half so well thei,
_ for somehow there was alwaysa good excuse for a speedy
return to the chateau—either the hghts were not favorable
or it was too cold, or he had forgotten some very necessary
implement, But perhaps this was not very blameworthy,
for in one of the quaint, rough rooms of the chateau, there
awaited him a study of life worth all the mountains of —
- Auvergne put together. 8
Qn Christmas eve a little son had been born to them,
and though Alphonse Noel, as they called him, was heir
to nothing but his father’s genius, the villagers were en-
thusiastic in their delight, and with M. le Curé’s leave
pealed the church bells till the mountains rang with the
echoes. ~~
The baby grew and thrived, and was pronounced by
every one to be just like a De Mabillon. Claude wondered
what Dean Collinson would say ; but he himself was well
content that Noel should have inherited his mother’s radi-
ant, ever-varying brown eyes, her soft, dark hair, and
southern complexion.
_ Their time at the chateau was now nearly over; early
in February they were to return to England, and Esper-
ance began to dread all the farewells; however, they
passed off more happily than she had feared. Claude ar-
ranged a village féte in one of the great disused rooms,
and all Mabillon came to pay its respects to “madame”
and her baby. Nor was she to go back to England
alone; Murie Bonnier had pleaded hard to be allowed
to act a3 bonne to little Noel; and Esperance,
who knew well enough how faithful and devoted were
French country servants, gladly accepted her. Claude was
guilty of one other extravagance which perhaps pleased
lisperance more than anything—he insisted on conferring
a pension on Pierre, Javotte’s son, in memory of his
mother’s self-denying devotion. And Pierre was not too
proud to receive the substantial sowvenir, but gratefully
kissed madame’s hand, purchased a cow with part of his
newly acquired riches, and began to save up for his little
girl’s dot. |
The return to London was not without its pleasures.
Hisperance looked forward to arranging her new home, and
she was anxious to see Lady Worthington and Frances
again. Bertha and George, too, kad left their German —
home, and were now living at Bayswater, and the two
8 Nag ER TES Ie LE RS AR Oe RE SE NE ER? a
: : = “7 aa TPO, ey oe
266 WON BY WAITING.
cousins made many plans for meeting. Dean Collinson
still refused to see his daughter ; aud though Cornelia had
written, she had not been up to town since tueir return, so
that Bertha welcomed Esperance doubly, longing to see 4-
home face once more.
In spite of that, however, the meeting was a very trying
one; Bertha was strangely subdued and changed, and
Hisperance was dismayed at her pale, worn face, and hol-
low eyes; the old nonchalant expression had certainly
quite vanished, but it was replaced by a look of sorrowful,
harassed anxiety, which made Esperance’s heart ache.
All she could do at present was to sympathize with her,
and try to give her fresh interests ; and Bertha did seem
rather happier when she was fairly out of the dreary Bays-
water lodgings, and established in Esperance’s pretty
drawing-room. George was in the city all day, and the
time passed slowly when she was alone ; but in the Mag.
nays’ house there was a brightness and geniality in the
very atmosphere which roused her from her depression of
spirits. After a time her visits there became almost daily
institutions ; she would sit nursing little Noel by the hour,
or talking sadly yet with a kind of pleasure of Rilchester
and the deanery, and the by-gone times. LEsperance was
only too glad to have her, and was always bright and
cheerful while she was present; but after she had gone
her face would become thoughtful and sad, and sometimes
a tear would fall on the baby’s white frock as she thought
over poor Bertha’s troubles. :
“Tf my uncle would only relent,” she used to say to
Claude, when most troubled by Bertha’s paieness and
’ depression.
“ Well, chérie,” Claude would reply, “you and Noel must
20 to Rilchester and touch his heart, that is the only pian
I can think of.”
And Esperance would laugh, and hold her baby more
closely, while she declared that his little brown face would ~
be worse than useless.
Strangely enough, before the summer was over, it seemed
likely that a visit to Rilchester might really take place. Claude
had a comission for another picture in Rilchester Cathed-
ral from a friend of the Worthingtons, who had seen and-
greatly admired his picture of the south aisle, and it was
arranged that they should go there early in the autumn. —
Esperance was very anxious to see Cornelia, but perhaps
she was more relieved than otherwise when a letter arrived ©
ri} ae
e
a
re
ee
"WON BY WAITING. 267
house would be full all October, and that it would be im-
possible to accommodate them. She had no great love
for the deanery, and felt sure that it would be far more
convenient to have their own rooms at the Spread Eagle,
- where Claude could choose his own hours and 1gake as
great alitteras he pleased. Frances tried hard to per-
suade them to stay at Worthington ; bui much as they
would both have liked this, it was too far from the cathe-.
dral to be convenient, and Claude’s work was of course
the first cohsideration.
Cornelia was the only one who did not quite like the
arrangement ; she would greatly have preferred having
Esperance in the house; however, Christabel, as usual,
raised objections, and Cornelia, who never could argue on
household orderings without being worsted, was obliged
to submit. :
She came to the station to meet them on the day of their
arrival, and was delighted to find Esperance not the least
changed, perhaps looking even younger than before her
marriage. She could hardly realize at first that the bonne.
in the snowy-white cap,and the fine, dark-eyed boy of
nine months, really belonged to ber ; nor was Claude, with
his still boyish face, and easy, artistic dress, at all Tike a
paterfamilias.. 3
Rilchester seemed but little altered; and Esperance looked
at the quiet streets and picturesque houses with an odd
sort of affection ; she had learned a great deal while she
‘lived there, and she could look back upon the suffering
\
now with undisturbed serenity, seeing how good had come
out of the evil. It-was curious to drive down the very
streets which she used to pass through on her way to and
from the Priory, to recall the long, weary walks, her terro1
‘when it grew dusk, and her encounter with the gang of
workmen, and then to look to the other side of the car-
riage and to see Claude giving a blithe recognition to the
precentor, and little Noel gazing with wide-opened eyes
at all about him. How little she had dreamed in those
dark days of the possessions which were awaiting her in
the future.
On the following day they were to dine at the deanery
and Mrs. Mortlake and Dean Collinson came to see them
before the afternoon service. Christabel was, of course,
_as polite and amiable as possible, and put on her very best
company manners, but Esperance knew she did not really
_ from Mrs. Mortlake, expressing great regret that the . —
263 - WON BY WAITING.
like her any better than before, and disliked tha fussing
politeness almost more than the former sharp fault-finding.
The dean, too, seemed more pompous than ever; she had
mentioned Bertha’s name to him, but he had looked dis-
pleased, and had at once changed the subject. On the
whole the visit had been a disappointing one, ard she felt
weary and depressed.
“Why, my little ‘ Mariana,’ ” said Claude, as he returned
from seeing the visitors out, and found Esperance with
‘the shadow of that old book on her face, “ what. has been
troubling you?”
* T don’t know,” said Esperance, “half laughing, and al-
lowing herself to be ensconced on the sofa, “I am cross and
stupid to-day, and somehow after our long happiness it
seems rather a weight to come back to Christabel. And
Uncle Collinson seems heartless—he did not even care te
hear of Bertha.” 3
«And if you've no burden of your own, you take other
people’s,” said Claude, smiling. “Never mind, chérie, it
will come right in time; try to | go to sleep, and prepare for
this evening.”
“That tiresome dinner,” sighed Esperance, “the rooms
will be so hot.”
“We will not go if you are not up to it,” said Claude,
drawing down the blind. “From the look of the sky [
rather fancy there’s a storm brewing, and that will make an ~
excuse.”
“No, no! we must go,” said Esperance, more cheerfully.
“JT would not disappoint Cornelia for anything,” and she
closed her eyes and settled herself resolutely to go to sleep,
while Claude watched her a little anxiously, hoping it had
not been imprudent of him to bring her to Rilckester at
this time.
oe
WON BY WaITINg, == (GD
CHAPTER XXXV.
Why need I fear when night may come,
Tf it will bring its moon and star;
Or what to me is sorrow’s gloom,
If it will show me worlds afar ?
May we but keep a constant mood,
Thus changeless through vicissitude,
Till in the strength of holy love,
We see things in the light.in which they’re seen above.
REY. O WILLIAMS.
‘Mr. anp Mrs. Maanay!”
The heavy door was thrown back, the tall footman stood
aside, and Esperance found herself once more in the purple
_ drawing-room. Mrs. Mortlake had not come dewn; but
Cornelia came forward with her kind and real welcome, and
Esperance’s old friends, Mrs. Lowdell and her daughter
Grace, were also there. She was glad to be able to tell
them all about Gaspard, and she did not mind recalling the
past troubles which had happened during their last visit,
now that she could look across the room to where her hus-
band stood in conversation with the dean.
Dean Collinson had for the time lost his pomposity—he
was talking very eagerly. |
“T have been busy in the observatory,” Esperance heard
him say; “ we must go up there after dinner.”
Then in a minute both crossed the room to the window-
seat where she was sitting.
“Tet us come one moment, chérie; we want to see
what kind of a night it is,’ and Claude drew aside the
heavy purple curtains, and looked out intently, shading
his eyes from the light within.
-It was quite dusk, but not too dark to prevent their see-
ing great rolling masses of cloud away to the south-east.
“ A thunder-storm,” said Claude, “if I’m not mistaken; .
I thought it would have come on sooner, the sky was so
lurid this afternoon.”
“ Provoking!” said the dean, “it will prevent us from
taking our observations, but it will pasa over, I’ve no
doubt.” .
Dinner was announced just then. Esperance sat next
to Cornelia, and had so much to tell her that she got.
ae through the tediously long infliction better than she had
nae ps Se Ey ee Bm eel . Ae ee wre ae eet > + ee ee ee eee Se oo Fae
. =k ae Ss a pate ae es pe ere, os ae
- / 3 oy et u a Ee rete ae
379 - WON BY WAITING.
expected. The gentlemen did not stay down-stairs long;
directly after tea they adjourned to the cbservatory, aud
Miss Grace Lowdell having expressed a wish to go up too,
Cornelia and Esperance followed with her.
Esperance was glad to peep into her old attic room,
now filled with Bella’s playthings, and she could not re-
press a little shiver as she remembered how much she hag
gone through there. She held Cornelia’s hand more
closely, and crossed the landing quickly to the observa-
tory, where Claude was working away at the great cog-.
wheel which turned the domed r: of, so as to open it for
the telescope, which was not yet adjusted.
Miss Lowdell was enchanted; she had never been in the
observatory hefore, and had no idea ingenious machinery
existed there. The dean had called Cornelia to the adjoin-
ing room, and Esperance and Miss Lowdell had just
climbed up the flight of steps on to the.little wooden
stage, when a sudden and very vivid flash of lightning ©
startled them both.
“Oh, pray let us get down,” said Miss Lowdell, ner-
vously. We seem so terribly near to it up here. It must .
be the beginning of a storm.” -
“Yes,” said Esperance, with a slight shiver, as another _
flash succeeded, quickly followed by a tremendous clap of
thunder. .
Sne had a great horror of thunder-storms, and as Claude
came half-way up the steps to help her down, her hand
felt cold and tremulous.
“You must come down-stairs, darling,” he said de-
cisively. “ There is no use in our being up here till the
storm has passed.” 3
“ Noel will be so frightened,” she said, pleadingly, “don’t
you think I might go home to him ?”
«What! in the middle of the storm ?” E
“Tt has not begun to rain yet; and it is not far; besides, .
the lightning will not be worse out-of-doors than it is here.
- Cornelia will understand how it is—will you not?” she said,
turning to her cousin, who had just rejoined them.
“ Quite,’ said Cornelia, kindly, “ you must do just what
you like, dear.” — 3
«Then I will go, please, Claude, for I shall not feel
happy about Noel; you know Marie is very young.”
“Considerably older than her small mistress,” said_
- Claude, with a comical look.
Qornelia and Miss Lowdell both laughed, while Esper-
“WON BY WAITING, _ <-O71
ance drew Beret up with an expression of mock digs
nity.
“«T was twenty last birthday; and you’ ve no business to
Jaugh at me now [ am out of my teens.”
They laughed all the more, however, and it was not until
another still more vivid flash startled them all, that they
left the observatory, Cornelia and Miss Low dell j joining
-Christabel in the drawing-room, and Claude and Esperance
returning to their hotel.
There was a heavy oppressiveness about the atmosphere
—not a single star was visible—and as they crossed the
open square which led from the deanery to the Vicai’s
Court the darkness seemed to press almost painfully on
their sight. They had scarcely reached the old gate-way
when a flash—if flash it could be called—which seemed to
them like-a mass of golden-red fire, blazed past them, while
simultaneously came the most appalling thunder-clap.
Esperance was half deafened by it for a moment, but her
terror was conquered by her amaze. She had never seen
or heard anything so grandly awful. Claude put his arm
round her.
“Do not be frightened, darling, that is most likely the
worst we shall have.”
“Did the cathedral tower fall?” she asked. ‘ Surely
something fell in that great crash—something is falling
now! Qh, listen!”
Claude turned back toward the deanery—the direction
from which the noise came. The lamp-light was too dim to
_ reveal much, but the next moment the li¢htning illumined
the old house, and in that brief glance they could see that
the observatory had been altogether wrecked. The jagged
and irregular outline stood out darkly against the bright
sky, then in an instant the black darkness veiled it from
their sight.
“Qornelia! my uncle! Oh, Claude, they must .be
killed !” cried Esperance, in an agony of grief. “ Let us
go back !”
Claude was struck dumb by that terrible revelation ; he
could not refuse her, and they hurried back to the house,
~ where all was confusion. By the time they had reached
the door Mrs. Mortlake, with poor little terrified Bella,
had rushed out, Mrs. and Miss Lowdell hurried after her,
while the servants had already fled and were standing on
the grass in front of the house, huddled together in theiz—
fricht,
i ~ FE ea Ot Se ee ye ee ™ So «. ie ) ¢. et She ieee
973, | WON BY WAITING.
“Oh, Esperance, it has been so terrible!” said Mrs.
Mortlake, clinging to her. “If it had been ten minutes
later Bella would have been upstairs !”
« Are you all safe ?” asked Esperance, shuddering.
“JT do not know. We were sitting in the drawing-room
when that fearful crash came, and the whole house seemed
to tremble and vibrate, and—
But Esperance interrupted her—‘ Where is Cornelia ?”
No one knew.
“And the dean!” said Mrs. Lowdell. “ Where is the
dean ?”
The little crowd round the house had increased, but the
neighborhood was so quiet and retired that it was still
small ; there was a low, awed murmur, as a dead silence
followed Mrs. Lowdell’s question.
Just then a light was seen within the hall; it ap-
proached slowly, and Esperance gave a glad cry as she
discerned Cornelia carefully crossing the pavement, which
was strewn with fallen beams and broken fragments of
glass. But as she came nearer her fixed, ashy-white face
‘ SS aa . = 7 re a “alt ote tc ei |
red ae J Oren se ; - Anat:
put all rejoicing to flight, and fear made every one speech- —
less.
Claude went to meet her and first broke the silence.
“We have been so anxious about you!” he said, hurs
riedly. “I hope you bring us news of the dean?” |
She turned her rigid face toward him.
*T can not reach him. He was in the ante-room, close
to the observatory, when we came down—the way is im-
passable now!”
“Some one must go up and find him,” said Mrs. Mort-
lake, and she called the footman; but the danger was great, =
and the footman hung back reluctantly.
Claude left Cornelia then for a momert, and drew Es-
perance a little apart from the crowd.
“Darling,” he said, gently, “I must see if I can not
help to find your uncle. Will you go back to baby? Mrs.
Lowdell will go with you, Iam sure.” .
“i can not go till you come down again,” said Esper
ance, trembling. “ And oh, Claude, it will be so danger-
ous! Must you—need you go?”
He held her closely.
“It seems the only chance, darling. I know the house
thoroughly, and am young and strong. The deen is a. |
feeble old man, I can not leave him without help—you —
ould not wish me to do so.”
WON BY WAITING. 273
“No, no!” sobbed Esperance, “you must go, only let me
wait here.”
« But the rain is so heavy—it is so bad for you, and the
storm is not over.”
’ ‘IT do not mind it—see, I do not even start now at the
lightning!” she pleaded. “Only let me stay here and I
will be quite good and quiet—it would be much worse for
me to have to go.”
He yielded to her entreaties, and bending down, kissed
her, caught her hands in his, and said in low, hurried tones,
“Pray for us, darling—and trust.” __
“Yes,” she replied, earnestly —“ always.”
The last words passed her lips half-dreamily—she could
not have given her reason for adding it. The lamp-light
fell fully on Claude’s face now; she looked up into his
clear, grave, blue eyes—one last, long look,—then he
stooped once more to kiss her, wrapped her cloak more
closely round her, and walked hurriedly away. For a
minute Esperance strained her eyes to folow him in ths
dim light. Some one brought him a lantern, he spoke a
few words to Cornelia and then walked up the steps and
- disappeared in the darkness. Her head drooped then, and
she leaned against the lamp-post for support, waiting with
folded hands and closed eyes.
People gathered round her, and talked hopefully, but
she could not heed them, she never raised her eyes until a
half-whispered remark roused her—“ Poor Miss Collinson
seems quite stunned.” ‘Then she drew nearer to the door
where Cornelia was standing, and put her arm round her
waist, and held one of her cold hands in hers. Cornelia
looked at her pityingly.
“ My poor child, you ought not to be here.”
* Tt will not hurt me, he told me I might stay—we will
wait together,” she replied.
“Tell Christabel and the others to go under shelter
somewhere,” said Cornelia, uttering the words with diffi-
culty. |
operates obeyed, and Mrs. Mortlake and her guests
accepted the offer of one of the minor canons, and took
refuge in the Vicar’s Court. Then Esperance returned
again to Cornelia, and the two women waited in silence
through minutes which in their agony of suspense seemed
like hours—waited in the pouring rain, and the chill of the
autumn night, unheedful of all around, each knowing that |
the life most dear to her in the world wasin mortal danger.
Co oe Oe OE ns cn ae ee Vie en ta al eS — < ek, ye ert AY yA re eee Y a a a e
ie ae en eS a a ere £4 20 rm Sag SOS NORTE aT er, Sega ey EL ner ed aba ce
: Are . Eee: ial, ; N .
= : é pe 2 ce ; e
a ye= 2 WON ‘BY- "WAITING.
There was an expectant hgh ; every one was listening
intently for some sign which might teli of Claude’s suc-
cess, yet to Esperance it seemed as if the quiet court had
never before been so noisy. Her ears were strained to ~
cateh the faintest sound from the house, and the low
whispers of the lookers-on, the ceaseless drip of the rain
on the gravel, and the distant roll of the thunder, seemec\
almost more shan she could endure.
Claude’s friend, Mr. White, and two or three servants
and neighbors, had ventured as far as the hall, and were
the first to hear the shout from above. Cornelia and
Hsperance haard the voice but could not distinguish the
words. Mr. White hurried out to them, however—it was
all right, the dean was unhurt. Cornelia uttered a fervent —
thanksgiving, then again there was unbroken silence while
the perilous descent was made down the shattered and
almost impassable staircase. Ladders had been procured,
but they had proved too short and could not be adjusted,
nor was the feeble old dean very anxious to try them.
Claude had found him in the room adjoining the observ-
atory, or rather among its ruins, just recovering from the
shock of the accident which had at first stunned him. Ho
was safe and unhurt, but so much agitated that to convey —
him safely down again was no easy matter. The wooden
balustrade and more than half the stairs themselves had
- been crushed by the falling-in of the observatory, and the
débris was strewn so thickly on the remaining portion
that walking was very difficult; more than once the dean —
turned oiddy, and was obliged to pause, but at length the
worst part of the descent was over, and they could see the ~ :
faces of the watchers in the hall. They had just reached
the top of the last flight where the foothold was rather
more sure, when the dean with fresh confidence began to —
move more quickly, missed his footing, grasped hold of .
Claude, slipped down a step or two, but finally recovered —
himself.
Claud, however, could not resist the sudden shock; the
dean was next to the wall, but he was on the outside, on,
’ the very verge of the broken and shattered stairs. Foran —
instant he struggled hard to right himself, but in vain; the
dean glancing round, held the wall for protection with one _
hand, and with the other clutched despairingly at his
rescuer. But it was useless; Claude fell heavily into the Bs
nall below.
T e noise, the horrified exclamations of those within the
2
(6
eee
on
a etek he
1 ees
WON BY WAITING. 275
house, and the sudden movement to the foot of the stairs
all served to tell Cornelia and Esperance that some disas-
ter had happened. Cornelia at once hurried up the steps,
and Esperance instinctively followed her, but suddenly re-
membering that she had promised Claude not to go into
the house, she stopped herself, though the longing to know
if he were safe was almost irrepressible. It was the first
time that her vow of obedience had directly clashed with
her will; the temptation was great, but she resisted it, not
knowing that that simple obedience was to be her salva-
tion. She could not have borne the terrible shock of the
sight which greeted Cornelia as she hastened forward into
the hall and joined the group standing beside the stair-
_ case. Some one had helped the dean down in safety, but Cor-
nelia could hardly think of him, she could only gaze as if
spell-bound at Claude’s motionless, rigid form, and at the
blood flowing fast from a wound in hishead. Was he only
stunned, or was this—? She could not frame her lips to
__ the question, nor could any one present have answered it.
Mr. White hastily dispatched one of the servants for a
doctor, and Cornelia, remembering that Esperance must
be prepared, and spared as much as possible, returned to
the door.
But her heart failed her when she saw the anxiously ex-
pectant face of the poor little wife—wife was she, or
widow? She held out her hands and tried to speak, but
no words would come. Esperance gathered the worss from
that, but those awful moments of suspense had not been
wasted; she was strong enough to endure the anguish that
awaited her, and instinctively she thought first of sparing
Cornelia. |
“Do not be afraid to tell me,” she said, ina strangely calm
voice ; “it can not hurt me more than this. Claude is—?”
“Seriously hurt, dear Esperance; he has fallen and is
stunned.” i sire
«You are not deceiving me? You are sure?”
“We hope, darling. We shall be sure when the doctor
comes.”
“TI must go to him; take me please, Cornelia,” and she
held out her hand feebly to be guided.
- But Cornelia would not let her come beyond the porch;
she dared not take her to the scene of the accident, it would
be safer, she thought, if Claude were moved to the outer
air; and Mr. White and one of the servants raised him and.
-_ garried him out.
276 | WON BY WAITING.
Esperance had turned cold and faint, but the sight of
her husband revived her, terrible though it was. She took
off her eloak and spread it on the ground of the porch,
then signed to them where to place him, and, supporting
his head, wiped his face with her handkerchief. The others
.ooked on sadly; they had scarcely any hope. Cornelia
- quite dreaded the arrival of the doctor, so certain did she
feel that his first words would blast poor Esperance’s
hopes.
Claude’s death-like pallor and icy coldness had, however,
misled them, the doctor reassured them; he was still liv-
ing, but was unconscious from the effects of concussion of
the brain. The dean, who had been too much shocked till
now to speak, fairly burst into tears on hearing this; all
his pomposity vanished, and he sobbed like a child—* It is
my doing—my doing!”
Cornelia could not soothe him; but as Claude was placed
on a mattress, and borne slowly away to the hotel, Esper-
ance seemed to awake to the recollection of others, and
quickly perceiving how matters were, begged her uncle to
come back with her. ‘To Cornelia’s great relief the dean
at once assented, gave Esperance his arm, and walked
slowly away from the scene of the accident.
‘The storm had passed over and the rain had ceased 3
the air felt deliciously fresh and cool as they passed
through the gateway into the Vicar’s Court. It roused
Esperance from the chilly numbness of feeling into which
she had fallen, the wave of grief and desolation surged
in once more upon her heart, and it required all her
strength of will to prevent her from breaking down utter-
ly.
She struggled hard with herself, and the dean only
noticed that her breath came in short, quick gasps, and
slackened his pace. Just then they came to the cathedral; —
there was no moon that night, but they could see the out.
line of the great, massive building looming out blackly
even in the darkness. There was something so strong
and unchangeable about it that Esperance was scothed
and vomforted. ‘The lamp-light shone over the smooth-
cut turf, and revealed the old, white grave-stones, then
again in blackest shadow the great tower rose solemnly
into the night sky, unshaken by the storm, steadfast and
grand and immovable, just as it stood for generations. It
was merely a fancy of course, but the old walls seemed to
be echoing with the sound of a distant chant, and i in:
WON BY WAITING. 272
gtinctively she filled in the words, “Lord, Thou hast been
our refuge from one generation te another.”
There was need of strength that evening, and in spite of
her weariness Esperance kept up bravely, giving all the
necessary directions quietly and without fuss, comforting
the dean, reassuring Cornelia, and doing everything which
they would allow her to do for Claude. But hour after
hour passed and there was no s#n of returning conscious-
ness; and Cornelia, as she waited outside the door for
fresh tidings, knew that the doctors, feared the worst. It
was not till five in the morning that she saw Esperance
again ; she came out with a wan, wearied face, to order
fresh water for the hot bottles, and would have returned at
once had not Cornelia detained her,
“ You are not fit to go back, dear ; come and take a rest,
and you will be of much more use,” she said, earnestly.
“I can not leave him; you know it may be only—’ she
could not finish her sentence, and Cornelia again urged
her to rest, promising that she should be called at once if
there were the slightest change. She was too much worn
out to argue, and Cornelia led her into the room where
little Noel lay sleeping peacefully in his crib. She lay
down beside him on Marie’s bed, not trying to check her
fast-falline tears; and Cornelia, aware now that they
“would relieve her, was glad that it should be so. A
Before long she slept, and did not wake again till it wa
broad daylight ; the sunshine was streaming through the
half-drawn curtains, and Noel, surprised that no one
came to dress him, had pulled himself up in his crib, and
with one fat, dimpled arm thrust through the bars, was
stroking her face. It was certainly the most merciful
waking she could have had, and yet the pain was almost
unbearable; she took her boy in her arms and felt 4
momentary comfort as the soft baby face nestled against
hers, but the hot tears rained down her checks: and
Noel, who had never seen his mother ery, lifted up his big,
astonished, brown eyes to her face, and undoubled his tiny
hands to catch the drops, cooing to them in baby language
as they fell. |
After a time she recovered herself, and, hastily dressing,
left Noel with Marie and went to her husband’s room.
There was no improvement of any kind: Claude lay cold
and motionless—she only knew that he still lived by the
words spoken to her as she came in—‘“‘No change.” The
weary day passed on to its close and night came; tue nest
978 WON BY WAITING:
morning and the next night, and still only a cor’ auation 2
of that awfv] death in life. On the evening or the third
duy Esperance’s hopes were raised, the deathly stilloess and
palivr changed, the paralyzed limbs moved once more; she
watched breathlessly. But alas! there was no comfort in
the wandering, unrecognizing gaze of the blue vyesas they
rested on her; the awakening was only to delirious ravings
and te feverish paroxysms terrible to witness.
CHAPTER XXXVI.
Espére enfant demain, et puis demain encore,
Et puis toujours demain, croyons dans l'avenir 3
Espére et chaque fois que s’eléve l’aurore,
Soyons 14 pour prier comme Dieu pour bénir. :
Vicror Hueco.
Lapy Worrsineton and Frances were away at the time of
the accident ; there had been a wedding in the family,
and they had been from home a week, but the news of the |
disaster reached them very soon, and Lady Worthington’s
first object when she returned to Rilchester was to go at.
once to see Esperance. Frances thought it best to defer
her visit, and left her sister alone at the Spread Eagle, © |
after hearing at the door that Mr. Magnay was no better.
There was something very sad in that first visit. It was
scarcely three months since Lady Worthington had-seen ~ =
Claude and Esperance happily settled in their Lon-
don home, and had rejoiced in the happiness of
her two protegés; now everything was grievously ~
changed. She was shown into the deserted sitting-
room and looked sadly round. The room had that peculiar
air of desolation which hangs about any place where ~
work and living has been abruptly stopped. Claude's
palette and brushes were left on the sideboard just as he
had thrown them down on the afternoon of that fatal day ;
his easel and an unfinished picture stood in the corner —
opposite. Would that canvas ever be used again? Lady
Worthington could not bear to look at it, and turned to
the other side of the room; but it was only to see what —
touched her even more—a skein of soft, white wool, some ~
knitting-needles, and a tiny baby’s hood, evidently just —
made. “The tears were in her eyes, when MWsperance came
quietly into the roo with the hushed manner which peo- —
ple bring with them from a sick-bed; she was very pale, —
aie ek ts OS Re em ee ae RE ny We TD ee dD ey oS i
Wi gcbres Oe CSS Car anaes ee, Se Sie a Ri ai et Uy cana? i
ree poy aw 3 yi EA eS i
WON BY WAITING. _ 219
- but her smile hid lost none of its radiance as she actoned
forward to kiss Lady Worthington.
“It was very good of you vo cume—I have so wanted to
see you!”
* My poor child! I have been so anxious about you!
We only heard on Saturday, and could not come back till
this morning. Iam afraid you have no better account to :
give me?”
“No,” said Esperance, wearily. “On Saturday evening —
_ there was a change, and inflammation’set in. Now he has
sunk acain into a quiet, insensible state, and there seems
so little one can do. The dean has telegraphed this morn-
_ ing for some London doctor—he has been very kind.”
/
“Was he any the worse himself? I did not hear if he
was injured at all ?”
“No, he is unhurt.” And Esperance gave Lady Worth-
ington all the details of the accident. While she was still
talking a servant came in with the midday letters—two
directed to‘Claude Magnay, Esquire,” which Esperance
put down with a quick sigh, and one to herself from Gas-
ee The tears rose to her eyes then—it was the first
jatter she had had from him since Claude’s illness, and he
of course knew nothing of her trouble; she could not
bear to open it.
“Tam very weak and silly to-day,” she said, sadly. “ But
ever since that dreadful night I have had such a longing
for Gaspard—it is the feeling of having to stand alone, I
suppose. You see, I have been so taken care of—and now
it is such an effort to think and arrange!” —
“My dear, you are not fit for it—you are worn out
already.”
“T am only tired,” said Esperance, in a weary voice. ‘ On
va bien loin depuis qu’on est las’—there is great truth in that —
proverb.” | ak 7
‘But you will be very careful, dear—you will not over-
exert yourself? Will not Cornelia see that you are
prudent ?” 3
* Yes, oh, yes! Cornelia has been everything to me—she
fakes care of Noel—she does everything to save me—it
was wrong of me to complain. I must keep well for
Claude’s sake. But that is enough about it! Do tell me
about Frances—it is good for me to think of other
things!”
Lady Worthington could not enough admire the resolute
wav in which she turned from her troubles. nee
~ 5
ag! - >4 he fae. ees, oe a eS . 4% Sie Ye. ee oe. Se
. Cy $ < *y reer an gw
280 WON BY WAITING.
‘‘Rrances came back with me this morning,” she said,
‘¢T wonder whether you have heard any rumors of her piece
of news?” . .
“ What!” exclaimed Esperance ; “ is it really true, then!
I heard a true report that she was going to be married.”
“Trust Rilchester to be beforehand with gossip,” said
Lady Worthington, smiling. ‘But thisis reaily true. Can
you guess whom she is going to marry?” —
Esperance thought for a minute.
“A clergyman of some sort, I suppose; Frances would
make such a model clergyman’s wife.”
“No,” said Lady Worthington, with an amused look;
“you are quite wrong,” 7
“ Well,then—the squire of a country parish, where she will
be a Lady Bountiful.”
“Right!” said Lady Worthington. “And now who is
pe squire ?—you know him, but he lives a long way from
ere.” |
“The squire of a country parish, and I know him. ® said
Esperance, much puzzled. Then with a sudden rememe--
brance—“ Mr. Henderson! can it be Mr. Henderson ?”
“Yes, it really is,” said Lady Worthington, smiling. -
“You and Madame Lemercier, you see, have helped to find
a husband for Frances.” :
Esperance was really very much pleased at this piece of
news, and Lady Worthington’s visit had cheered and re-
freshed her. . sf
“You always do me good,” she said, gratefully. “Do
you remember that first time when you came to see me on
the jour des moris? That will be just four years ago to-
morrow.” ;
Lady Worthington remembered the visit well enough. .
Could it be only four years ago? How much had happened ~
gince then to her poor little protegée! She was taken up-
stairs to see Noel; and just as they passed Claude’s room
the door was opened, and Esperance, beckoning her in, ~ __
took her to the bedside.
She was greatly shocked; at first indeed she could hardly
believe that it was Claude at all, so greatly was he
changed. He was in a state of stupor, lying perfectly still,
‘and breathing heavily. His head had been shaved that
morning, and this of course made him look much more ill,
The sick-nurse had just left the room, and Esperance, put-
ting on a clean muslinette apron and bib, took her place
by the bed and began to change the ice bladders, It wag
WON BY WAITING. — 281
_ evidently a great relict to her to be able to do anything,
and she was engrossed heart and soul in the present; but
Lady Worthington trembled when she thought of the prob-
able future. ,
Leaving Esperance with her husband, she went down
again to the sitting-room, where she found the dean wait-
ing for the last accounts of Claude. He looked very much
aged and shaken, and Lady Worthington fancying he
woulg not care to see any one, would have left after the
first greeting and a few words of sympathy, but he begged
her almost pathetically to stay.
“Tf you could tell me, Lady Worthington, what I can
possibly do for that poor child, she is wearing herself out,
and I seem powerless to help—both their deaths will le at
my door.”
“ Hsperance told me that Cornelia has been the greatest
comfort to her,” said Lady Worthington, anxious to say
something soothing, but the dean only grew more agi-
tated.
“ Yes, Cornelia can help,” he said piteously, “ but I my-
seli—I who caused all the trouble, can do nothing but
watch the effects. Lady Worthington, I am an old man
-and a scholar, but now for the first time I have found that
all my life has been lived for self, and because of that
wrongs motive, I have been self-deceived. Isee it now ali
too plainly, but the punishment is very hard, very bitter.
{t is grievous to sit helplessly by, watching the ruin one
has caused in the present, haunted by the specters of past
deeds. My sister—whom you you yourself remember—
Monsieur de Mabillon, his son, even his own children,
all rise up before me with reproaches. I see that you
think this a strange confession for me to make; but I tell
you this that you may know how all important it is that I
should find some means of helping Esperance. You know
her better than any one, you and Miss Neville; can you not
think of something which I can do to relieve her ?”
_ Lady Worthineton’s still beautiful face was full of
sympathy ; her humorous gray eyes were softened, and
beamed with a kindly light ; years ago she had owned to
her husband that she felt that it would be a sheer im-
possibility to rouse the dean from his selfishness to a per-
ception of his duties, and now from his own lips she was
fearing that Claude and Esperance had succeeded in this.
She paused for a moment before answering, then, with the
hesitation of one who speake while yet thinking out some
Se GL SED) he Sa tS. Sa ee Leet eal aS aoe fey
SSS 5) ne cl ee ia We Se ee pei a.
he a
p
«i
382 WON BY WAITING.
doubtful point, she said, “There is one way that has just
occurred to me, in whieh I think you might perlaps help
Mrs. Magnay. J know from what she said just now hcw
much she longs to have her brother with Nees ould it be
possible for lim to be sent for 2”
The dean started to his feet with sudden animation.
“Lady Worthington, I don’t know how to thank you
enough; she must surely be relieved by that; and it had
never struck me—you see I am not accustc med to think of
other people, I have been self-engrossed, that is the fact,
and now when I long to see how to help, and what to
do, I am blind and powerless. But that is really a good
idea! I will telegraph to Mr. Seymour, tell him to advance
the necessary money to Monsieur de—to Gaspard, and of-
fer any compensation which Mr. Seymour may think to
cha rge for his sudden withdrawal,”
“TI think you can hardly fail to comfort Esperance in
this way,” said Lady Worthington, warmly ; “ perhaps in
case of disappointment, though, you would not tell ler of
the idea until ycu have an answer from Ceylon.”
The dean fnlly agreed to this, and having escorted Lady
Worthington to her carriage, sat down again in the Mag-
nays’ sitting-room to consider the wording of his all-im-
portant telegram. He had never been an illiberal man, al-
though he had gained a reputation for being close-handed
“because he disliked anything which caused him personal
discomfort’ or trouble, but now that he was roused to take
areal interest in something altogether outside himself he
was really generous.
‘The visit of the London doctor took place a little later |
in the week, and the dean built a great deal on it, hoping
that his opinion would be more favorable, or that he
would adopt some more active measures. He was terribly —
disappointed when Mr. Moore only confirmed the opinion
- of the Rilchester doctors—trepanning could not be at-
tempted ; in all probability the patient would never —
recover consciousness, but would sink in a few days. This
was the opinion given to the dean—the doctor faltered —
a little as Esperance drew him aside.
“You will not deceive me, I know,” she said, raising her
elear brown eyes to his. “Is there any hope of my
husband’s recovery ?”
Never had the doctor been so strongly tempted to hold re
cf Te EA
a
M
‘
tY
ty
Be iets att
a ric ots
Sorc ey,
4
oes
ae
; TES eH ‘ ee ee: bf in
Fs Re ye ee ns ee
& wis a TAY So eg (areata
out false hopes. He was silent for a moment, looking at
the poor little wife, so young and Bee so unable to so
WON BY WAITING. 283,
bear calamity. But those unflinching eyes would not
allow him to prevaricate. |
“1% is possible, madame,” he said, with emphasis.
Her lips quivered. She saw plainly how very little hope
he had. :
_ “ How long?” she asked, in a tremulous voice.
“Tt may be a few days,” he answered, “or it may pos-
sibly be weeks, or even months. There have been cases in
which the patient has lingered on in this way and ulti- —
mately recovered, but it is only fair to tell you, madame,
they are very rare.”
She asked a few more questions, keeping back her tears
bravely ; then with a few words of hearty sympathy Mr.
Moore took leave, hurrying away to catch the London
train. oe ; :
«A sad lookout for that poor young thing!” he said to
Mr. Maclaren, the Rilchester doctor, who accompanied him
to the station. “They have not been married long, I
“hear.”
‘Not two years,” replied Mr. Maciaren.
. “Humph! they say French women can’t speak the truth,
but they compel you to tellit, nevertheless. Fine eyes she
had, and uncommon—the color of Smyrna raisins ex-
_ actly!”
Then the two doctors fell to talking of other matters,
- and ina few minutes the celebrity upon whom Dean Col-
linson’s hopes had been centered was being whirled away
to London by the express. :
For a few minutes after his departure Esperance allowed
herself to give way to her overwhelming grief, then con-
trolling herself once more, she paced slowly up and down ~
the room, despairingly, but with the enforced quiet of a
strong restraint. She paused for a minute at the window,
- but the November sunshine was streaming full into try
room and she could not look out, her weary sight was
dazzled by the brightness ; as she lowered her eyes, how-
ever, they rested for an instant on her betrothal-ring. The
sunli¢ht was illumining the raised letters! She read them
over and over, at first dreamily, but afterward with a sud-
den glad realization —“ Hspérez toujours !” |
She twisted the ring slowly from side to side, letting
the light play brilliantly on each letter. What memo-
ries those words brought to her! She let her thought —
travel slowly back. Now she was in the little salon
a6 Paris, with her father and Gaspard in theixz
284 WON BY WAITING.
National Guard uniform, and those words were ring»
ing in her ears in her father’s own voice; then again she
was at a crowded London terminus, the door of the car-
riage was shut and locked, and Gaspard was whispering
those words of comfort to her; again—and her tears fell
fast at the remembrance—she was walking with Claude
along a straight, dusty road, bounded on each side by a
vast plain, and she had told him that this was her motto,
and he had remembered it, and reminded her of it as they
stood, later on still, by the crusader’s tomb; then on still
further to the old chateau, and the long hours of that
Christmas-eve when Claude had repeated the words, and
, they had soothed her like a sort of charm; later still
{fn that same day, and she was lying peacefully with her
little son beside her, and Claude’s bright face was bent
town to hers, to whisper, “‘ Hspérez toujours! But
\hat is the masculine for Esperance?” ‘Those two pre»
@ious words! Were not they indeed almost the last he
bad said to her? No, not quite! Aé that last terrible
parting in the darkness, and storm, and tumult, a broader,
grander word had risen to his lips ; it was hope, but yet
Nomething better than hope.
Could she disobey his last charge to her? Could she
~
shrink trembling from what must be best? For a few ©
minutes she knelt in silence, and when she rose the despair
and anguish had died out of her face—it was tear-stained,
but quiet and serene.
Before long she went down to the sitting-room, where
she found her uncle and Cornelia. The dean was standing
_ with his elbow on the mantel-piece; he looked up as she
entered, then hastily concealed his face again. Cornelia
made room for her by the fire, and for a few minutes no
one broke the silence. She knew that they waited for her~
to begin, and with an effort she turned to her uncle.
“Did Mr. Moore tell you anything, uncle ?” .
The dean looked up, and she was touched by the sight
of his silent grief.
“You saw him yourself, my dear, did you not?”
“Yes,” said Esperance; “and he told me the truth.”
“He fears the worst, my poor child—” but here the
dean’s voice suddenly failed him. He turned away, and
burying his face in his hands, sobbed unrestrainedly.
Cornelia, afraid that this would agitate Esperance, en-
treated him to control himself, but the disappointment of
this last hope seemed to nave crushed him, and ue only
eg. We
WON BY WAITING. 285 —
moaned out sad words of self-accusation, and vain regrets,
repeating again that aie sentence, “The worst—he
feurs the worst!” |
Esperance stood for a moment apart, as if gathering her
strength ; then she bent down gently and put her arm ~
round the dean’s neck, and laid her soft cheek against his
wrinkled one.
“Tt will be God’s best for all of us,” she whispered.
The dean could not but be comforted by her words; he
eels her hand in silence. Just then there was a quick
_knock at the door. Cornelia opened it and received a tele-
gram for her father. With trembling fingers the dean tore
open the envelope and read the brief lines. It was from
Mr. Seymour. Gaspard had already started, and in ac-
cordance with the dean’s wish woul! come by the overland
route ; they might expect him the last week in November.
They told Esperance quietly, and her thankful happi-
ness gladdened the dean’s heart. It seemed a ray of com-
fort in that dark day of disappointment ; yet none of them
dared to look forward to the end of those three weeks.
Day after day the dean’s voice, husky and trembling,
_asked the prayers of the congregation in the cathedral for
Claude Magnay; day after day Esperance watched and
waited beside her husband’s sick-bed—watched with an
intensity of hope, waited trustfully for that which should
be sent.
Cornelia tried not to be anxious about her, but she longed
unspeakably for Gaspard’s arrival, knowing that his pres-
ence would bea greater comfort and help to Esperance
than anything else. It was with a feeling of unspeakable
relief that she received the telesram. which he senf
from London. She herself went to the Rilchester Station
to meet him, longing for his arrival and yet dreading it,
and as she paced up and down the platicim, waiting for
the train, recalling sadly her first introduction to her
cousin years ago at the great London terminus.
_ He was not so greatly changed as she had expected. It |
was the same slight, trim fieure, the same rather grave
face, clear, brown eyes, and drooping mustache, only that
the healthy, bronzed complexion made him look younger
and handsomer than when she had last seen him.
She held out her hand, welcoming him with the answer
_to the question which she knew was on his ips.
“ Claude is still living, still unconscious.’
“And Esperance ?”
286 Won BY WAITING.
“As well as we can expect. She thought it better nos
tc come to meet you; she is bearing up wonderfully.”
Gaspard asked anxiously for detaiis of Claude’s accident:
and illness, for the telegram had been necessarily brief,
and had only furnished him with the leading facts and the
urgent need of his presence. He listened sadly to Cor:
nelia’s account ; she could not conceal from him the hope-
lessness of the case. Very sadly he walked up the steps
at the entrance of the hotel. Cornelia led the way to the
sitting-room, and he followed her down the long, - dark
corridor. At the sound of their footsteps, however, a door
at the end was quickly opened, the light streamed down es
the passage, and looking up, he saw Esperance in the door=
way.
« Chérie !” he cried.
“Gaspard!” It was the only word witli would pass
her lips; she let Lim fold her in his arms, while her tear
rained down silently.
Cornelia left them together, and after a few minutes _
Esperance was better able to feel the full comfort of Gas-
pard’s presence, and yet to both of them there was some-
thing inexpressibly sad about this return ; the meeting
which they had so often talked over, and had planned so .
joytuily, was indeed different to their expectations. It
was not tilt Noel’s baby voice was upraised that Esper-
ance dried her tears and Gaspard’s sorrowful face bright-
ened.
“Your little boy!” he exclaimed, “T have not seen him.”
Then as Noel crawled toward them: with slow but resolute —
baby efforts, “ Why heisa regular De Mabillon, eyes and
all.”
“‘T think he will be like our father.”
Just at that moment she was called away to Claude’ 8
room, and Gaspard was left alone with Noel, who did not
quite know what to make of this new arrival: he was be-
ginning to twist the corners of his baby mouth ominously,
when the door opened and Dean Collinson entered.
He had greatly dreaded meeting Gaspard, but when ho
saw his grave, sorrowful face, his courage suddenly re-
vived—the sorrow seemed to ares them.
“T am heartily glad you have come, Gaspard,” he said,
holding out his hand.
Gaspard made his grave and yather formal greeting; ey
- @ould not bring himself to speak very warmly, The old
“Yes,” said Esperance, lifting him upto greet his uncle, ote
Cpa Sat
£ - AY
ey grt ee PX ey rhe ba a
By GS Be it ne ae heen tes
+
ett
ess yee A
BL ae Ve
2
i
t yee 4
iets ae =
ar eee
¢
Lis ina as oe 18 a
ne vale oats Ai
Bry
SP Sole REE TE eG, Ve Ah LO
WON BY WAITING. = tts
-_ man was for a moment repulsed, but he had grown strangely
humble, and he said nothing, only a grieved lock passed
over his face. Then at once Gaspard’s better self returned,
he spoke courteously and gratefully.
“T have a great deal to thank you for,” he said; “it waa
very considerate of you to send for me, and the Jjourney—”
He was interrupted. Noel, unaccustomed to his voice, was
beginning to kick with all his might, and to hold out his
arms to the dean.
“Ah! you do not know your uncle, mon enfant,” said
Gaspard.
The dean received this new charge rather apprehen-
sively. It was many years since he had held a baby, and
Noel was at the most springy and troublesome age of
eleven months. He was pleased, however, at being looked
upon as a friend, and allowed the tiny fingers to play with
his long white beard. It was a pretty picture, the hoary-
headed old man, and the little bright-eyed baby. Gas-
pard looked and wondered. What would his mother’s
feelings have been could she have foreseen that her grand-
child would have been so caressed by her brother? The
dean, looking up, saw the expression of his face and guessed
his thoughts.
“You think it strange, Gaspard, that I should love Es-
perance’s child, but this boy has been more of a comfort
to me than [can tell you; [hope Imay be spared to be
of some use to him. You have probably been told the
reason of my dislike to your father. He crossed my plans,
he was poor, he was a foreigner, he unknowinely thwarted
my schemes for self-advancement. I see it plainly enough |
now, though at the time I should have said otherwise, but
- LT was blinded and self-deceived. You are a young man—
you can hardly realize what a terrible thing itis te look
back on years-of self-love and self-indulgence, to see all
the harm you have done, to think of the good left undone.
Yet I don’t think you are unmerciful—you have been
through too much trouble to be harsh in your judgments;
and I ask you now not to judge but to forgive me—to
forgive the injustice and hardness I showed to your father _
and mother, and the cold uncharitableness I showed te
you.”
The color glowed in Gaspard’s cheeks, his eyes shone
with a bright light, and his face expressed at once sure
prise, admiration and relief. For a moment there was
_ gilence, then he spoke warmly.
988 WON BY WAITING.
“Ta the name of my father and mother, I do forgive
you, uncle. As for my own pardon, I do not feel that I
have a right to use such a term to one so much my senior.
You disliked me—I was aware of it, and returned the dis-
like; necessarily there was coldness between us. I have to
thank you now for first breaking the ice.”
The dean held out his hand, and Gaspard grasped it in
silence, while Noel kicked and crowed lustily, evidently
finding the family reconciliation very amusing.
After this Dean Collinson seemed really happier; though
of course the long, wearing anxiety about Claude still
weighed heavily on his spirits. It was wonderful, how-
ever, how much comfort he met with from the least likely
quarters; people who a short time before would only have
bowed to him with cold respect, now ventured to stop him
in the street, and actually to sympathize with him—the
sensation was novel and pleasing. His observatory and
PANES on gE) eas ON SRL YR a TC ee ne ene dee ene Ue ar
his telescope were shattered to a thousand fragments. Ril- —
chester felt real pity for one thus rudely deprived of his
hobby, and people tried to interest him in other matters
instead. He meekly consented to be pleased with almost
anything; he allowed the precentor to persecute him with
Wagner, he gave his consent to several long-desired im-
provements in the cathedral, he made schemes for helping
the parochial clergy, and took a leading part in all the
winter charities. Even his sermons shared in the general
change: they were no longer the dry, learned discourses
of former years, but clever, earnest, powerful sermons,
-. which people flocked to hear; the dean was rapidly gaining
the respect and affection which, in the days of his exclu-
Biveness and self-indulgence, had never been accorded to,
him.
The short December days passed quickly by. The long —
nights succeeded each other one by one in needless monot-
ony, and still Claude lingered on almost miraculously; the
long unconsciousness still remained unbroken.
The last evening of the year came—a still, cold, frosty
, 7 i
night. Esperance found it hard then not to fear, almost —
impossible not to giance on tremblingly at the future. ~
She listened to the cathedral bells as they rang out clearly
in the frosty air, and tried to take courage, but never be-
fore had it seemed so hard to trust patiently. She had
little sleep that night—at last, when her restlessness grew
‘unbearable, she rose and dressed herself, and went to
WON BY WAITING. 289
her husband’s room, where Gaspard had been keeping
watch to relieve the sick-nurse.
He gave her his New-year’s greeting sadly. What a
Jour devan was this! She bent down to kiss her hus-
_ band’s unconscious brow, then turned away to the win-
_ dow to hide her tears. The night-lamp burned low; she
drew up the blind softly and looked out.
_ Many times before she had seen the dawn, but never
tad it looked so beautiful to her as now. Over the hard,
frozen earth there rose the soft, gray, pearly hue of morn-
ing ; far off in the city she could see the faint yellow
gleam of the street lamps, while above in brightest con-
trast, in the midst of the beautiful grayish-green haze,
hung the morning star, large and radiant, almost dazzling
in its brilliancy.
‘ Gaspard’s voice suddenly recalled her.
_. “ Chérie, come here |” |
_ She hastened to the bedside. The heavy breathing had
grown more quiet, the arms were moved slightly, the eye-
lids quivered. Gaspard went to summon the nurse from
the adjoining room ; Esperance waited, scarcely able to
breathe for the terrible suspense. Was this a change for
life or death? One minute more and the long, long waiting
was over! Claude’s blue eyes—quiet, unchanged, recog-
nizing, looked into hers! He smiled, and his long sealed
lips uttered one faint word—*‘ Esperance |”
The look, the smile, the one word were all she could have
—but she was contented, She let Gaspard lead her from the
room at once, and in a few minutes he had taken the news
to the deanery, and had brought Cornelia back to Esper-
ance. The reconciliation with the dean had long been
effected ; but even had he not asked so humbly for par-
don, Gaspard must have forgiven him all when he saw the
intensity of his thankfulness at Claude’s restoration. Even
Mrs. Mortlake gave a sincere expression of joy, and Dean
Collinson was so much agitated that it seemed doubtful if he
would be sufficiently recovered in time for the morning
service. He went, however, and endured the longNew-year’s
sermon patiently. It was twelye o’clock before the full ser.
fice was completed, then he hurried off at once to the hotel,
_ No one was in tne sitting-room. He waited anxiously for
gome minutes; at iast Uornelia stole quietly down the
passage with a reassuring face.
a “Claude?” asked the dean—he could hardy speak for —
emotion, : :
“
290 WON BY WATTING.
“He is going on well—the doctors are quite satise
aed—only he must be kept perfectly quiet.” Then as the
dean turned away she continued with a smile, ‘‘ But we have
another New-year’s gift, father, to be thankful for!”
the dean turned around half apprehensible, “ What!
cuey never told me—” - :
« All has gone well,” said Cornelia, ina caim, glad voice—
“ Esperance has a little daughter!”
Chat day the dean exercised his prerogative, and altered
the anthem chosen to the opening chorusfrom the “ Hymn
of Praise.”
Some people declared that it was an unsuitable anthem
for the New-year, but they knew very little about it. Dean °
Collinson’s head was bowed throughout ; people wondered
that he did not stand up, or show in some way that he
shared the spirit of the words, * All things with life and
breath, praise ye the Lord!’ But perhaps there had
never before been in the cathedral praise more true, and
humble, and heart-felt, than that which rose from the
hoary-headed dean, who shaded his eyes with his hand jest
any one should see the tears of thankfulness which he
could not check. |
‘CHAPTER XXXVIL
Blest be a dew, and blest Thy frost,
And happy to be so crost,
And cured by crosses at Thy cost.
For as te hand the weather steers,
8o thrive I best ’twixt joys and tears,
And all the year have some green earts 3
: Hurry Vaveaax,
CravupE’s recovery was slow, but uhere were no relapses
he had now nothing but weakness to struggle against, and
day by day he made real and perceptible progress. It —
was not for several weeks, however, that they ventured to
let Esperance come into his room; ihey dreaded the ex-
citement for both alike, and Esperance was obliged to con-
tent herself with her little blue-eyed baby, while Claude
was able to grumble to his heart’s content to Gaspard—
the only person allowed to come into his room except the
sick-nurse. He was the very man to be with an invalid—
quiet and ready, sympathetic and yet firm, and Claude
WON Ge WAITING. 5 ae
found some comfort in hie strong resemblance to Lsper-
ance
One day, however, when they were talking together,
Gaspard happened to say something in French; Claude
stared at him—he could not understand a word. It wa:
rather a shock to both of them, but the doctor made ligh:
of it, assuring him that in time 15 would come back to him.
It was exactly the samo im cther things. He took up a
newspaper ono day—the first time he had been allowed to
move from his bed, to = couch at the other end of the
- room—but to his dismay, instead of a refreshment it was a
serious labor—in ten minutes he had with difficulty
spelled through two or three lines—it was like learn-
ing to read over again.
Every time the doctor came he was besieged by impa-
tient questions—How was his wife, and when might he see
her? Esperance’s recovery had been very slow and pro-
tracted, and the meeting was postponed day after day till
Claude’s patience was fairly exhausted. One morning he
worked himself up into such an excitement, in trying to
prove how much better it would be for both of them to see
each other, that the doctor began to waver. Esperance
had had a bad night, however, and was really not equal
to any exertion. Mr. Maclaren wuuld not suggest it to
her, but he asked if she would spare the baby.
Claude was still talking fiercely to Gaspard of the folly
and uselessness of such precautions, when his door was
. opened and the doctor looked in once more.
“ Mrs. Magnay sends you a small deputy,” he said witha
_gmile, then standing back he made way forthe monthly,
nurse, who walked in with an important air, and placed a
small, closely wrapped bundle on Claude’sarm. ‘The baby
was asleep; he unfolded the shawls, and looked long and
earnestly at the little face. It was doubtless much
like other baby faces, but to his eyes a likeness wasto be
traced in every feature. The little, pointed dimpled chin,
the small mouth, the well-formed nose, at present almost
out of proportion to the rest of the face, the soft, dark,
clear skin, and a most unusual quantity of curly, dark,
brown hair, very noticeable in such a young baby, all
served to make his little girl a very comforting “ deputy.”
_ “She will be very like Esperance,” he said, glancing up,
and Gaspard fancied there were tears in his eyes, but he
hastily stooped down again and kissed the little uncon-
scious forehead gratefully, almost reverently.
292 WON BY WAITING,
-T believe Esperance has been comforting herself with
the small woman’s likeness to you,” said Gaspard with a
Jaugh. “Time will show which is right, but her eyes are
certainly yours.” |
_ She was obliging enough to wake before long, and slowly
- to lift her sleepy eyelids, and Gaspard was certainly right.
The eyes, which had been Esperance’s comfort for the last
five weeks, were not the least like the De Mabillons—the
color of Smyrna raisins as the London doctor said—but —
large, well-opened dark-blue eyes, already expressing some-
thing of Claude’s ready observation and intelligence.
It was two or three days after this that Hsperance was
allowed to make her first visit to the sick-room. Gaspard
brought her to the door, just witnessing the dawning joy
of each face, the glow of color which rose to Esperance’s ~
cheeks, and the bright, eager welcome from Claude; then
he left them to their happiness, and went to see Dean
Collinson.
One of the dean’s many schemes was to induce Mr. Sey-
mour to part with Gaspard. He could not endure the
thought of his return to Ceylon, and he had written some
time before to urge the coffee-planter to transfer him to the ~
house of business in London. Mr. Seymour was fond of
Gaspard, and of course grumbled at the proposal, but it
happened that at that time the change was really feasible.
Mr. Seymour’s younger brother had just died; Gaspard was
fully competent to take his place, and although, owing to
his want of capital, he could not at present be received as
a partner, yet the coffee-planter hinted that in time this
difficulty might be surmounted. The salary was a good
one, and the dean suggested the change hopefully. Gas-
pard did not take long to make up his mind. English fogs
and vapors with Esperance, and the perfect climate of =
Dickoya without her, was to him a choice which required
little weighing; the decision to stay in England was at once
made, and Esperance’s delight warmed the dean’s heart.
_ Itwas while she was talking to him on this subject one
afternoon in March that she resolved to speak to him of
what had long been on her mind. “You are doing so =
much tomake me happy, uncle,” she said with a momen-.
PM tbh yer eet sis
Piss West Sal as i thy
oo aS a by cee, on) me amen ae
tary hesitation, “it seems almost wrong to ask you to do re
something else, and yet there is one thing which I very — a
much want.”
“ My dear |” exclaimed the dean, “let me hear it at once; a
if it is anything I can do I shall be delighted”
ENG Se ae ee Pe en ee NP Sa ak Sinn A
aa Sed
‘WON BY WALTIRG. er 293
Yam notsure whether it is,” said Esperance, musing|y,
“but I hope itis. I want Bertha to come to Rilchester,
uncle. I want George and Bertha to be at baby’s christen-
- The dean paced up and down the room three or four
times in silence ; then he stopped, and taking Eisperance’s
hand in his, he said, gently. ‘“ Yes, my dear, you are
-right—what am_ I, indeed, that I should refuse forgive-
ness to any! I will write to Bertha myself. When is
your little girl to be christenod ?” ee
“We thought we should like Easter-day, if it will be con-
venient, uncle. Mr. Maclaren thinks that Claude may go
then.” |
“And is the name decided ?”
* Claude says one name must be Esperance, but we have
not chosen the other.”’ Then with a sudden thought she
continued, “Is there any name you would like, uncle ?”
There was a strange huskiness in the dean’s voice as he
replied, “Yes, Esperance ; if you and Claude approve,
there is one name I should very much like—your mother’s
name—Amy.”
Frances Neville, Cornelia, and Gaspard were to be the
god-parents. The christening had been deferred till
Easter on Claude’s account, but that was the utmost limit
which could be allowed, for Mr. Henderson and Fran-
ces were to be married in the following week, and Es- —
perance had set her heart on their presence.
“T feel that my little girl belongs to you in a way already,”
she said one day to Frances, who was driving her over to
Worthington Hall in her little pony-carriage. ‘‘ When she
is older you willhave to teach her all that you have taught
her mother. I think Maggie is a very happy little girl; we
shall all envy her when she has you to herself in the
country.” |
“‘ Dear little Maggie,” said Frances, thoughtfully, “if 1
thought I should be half as wise with her as Madame
Lemercier has been I should be happy.”
“JT heard from madame only last week,” said Esperance.
* She wrote so happily; her passage is taken, and she gous
to Australia to join monsieur next month.”
“Yes, she has promised to stay with Maggie till we
come home,” said Frances. ‘“ We mean to dispense with a
regular wedding-tour, and te have a few quiet weeks in
_ Cornwall instead; then in the summer Norman says we
feuat all meot down in Wales Maggie and Kathie will sa
294 |
joy bevag £0 chiar and I think you and Claude and the!
Feuies net e come too, it Bb not feel atall right if you
arerot there, and Qlauds Was Won. 2 lang? of am by that
time.” ‘e
“Tt would be very delightful, * gaid Esperance; 6 DUS
that is looking rather far ahead.
They reached the hall as she spoke, and Mr. Henderson,
who was staying there, came down the steps to greek,
them.
“ You remember Mrs. Magnay, Norman,” gaid Frances,
‘‘we have already been discussing our next meeting in
Wales.”
Mr. Henderson shook hands with her wartnly. He had
not seen her since her wedding-day, but in spite of all she
had been through she was not much altered ; it was the
same gravely -sweet face, only there seemed greater depth
ia the eyes, and a more patient firmness about the mobile
lips.
aes had much to talk of, and thete was a sort of
sadness about the visit, because it was probably the last
which Esperance would be able to make before the bustle
and confusion of the wedding week began. But Lady
Worthington reminded them cheerfully that Devonshire
was one of the loveliest counties, and prophesied that before — 3
long Claude would have commissions in the neighborhoog
of France’s new home.
Esperance stayed as long as she could well be spared
from home, and then, as Frances was tired, Mr. Hender-
son drove her back to Rilchester in the pony-carriage.
She wic giad to have this opportunity of seeing him, for
although she had from the first thought him very pleasant,
she was not quite sure that he was “altogether worthy of
Fraaces, indevd, from her very slight acquaintance it wag
impossible for her to judge. H< talked to her kindly, and
quite in the way she liked, of Claude’s illness; then the
conversation turned to Mme. Lemercier and her happiness .
at the prospect of rejoining her husband; and finally it
drifted on naturally to recollections of their meeting in
Wales, while Esperance was delighted to tell of all Frances’s
kindness to her, and Mr. Henderson was of course delighted
to listen. By the end of the drive they were firm friends,
and Esperance felt quite sure now that she liked Frances’s
future husband. :
George and Bertha were expected on the following day
eethe Thursday in Holy Week. Every one a little dreaded
eee) iad oe
3 > Shite
eek
WON BY WAITING. : 295
~ heir arrival; even Cornelia, though thankful that her
_. father had sent the invitation, half shrunk from seeing her
sister. All passed off, however, better than she had feared.
The real joy of having Bertha once more at home overcame
the painfulness of the first meeting, and though they were
quiet and subdued, they were none the less really glad and
thankful to be all together once more.
Esperance,fancying that the first return would not be very
pleasant to Bertha, had planned the excitement of Claude’s
first visit to the deanery for the following day, and their
coming was such apleasureto the dean, and such an event,
that it seemed to put them all at their ease again. No one
quite understood why it was that,on the second day no
more awkward silences fell in the family circle, excepting
perhaps George; he could not help letting Esperance know
that he appreciated her thoughtfulness.
“From the first time I saw you years ago in Paris, ]
knew that you were blessed with that rarest gift of tact,
Mrs. Magnay, but I did not imagine how much I should
be indebted to you in future years. Your visit to-day has
thawed us all.”
“Claude’s visit, you mean,” said Esperance, smiling.
“Tt is the first time he has been here since the accident,
mnd the dean wants to show him all the alterations and im-
provements.” 7
“TI hear the dean is not going to have his observatory
rebuilt—is that true ?”
“He says he shall aot at present,” replied Esperance,
* but he has engaged a first-rate lecturer to give a course
of lessons on astronomy in Rilchester ; and I believe if the
people take up the subject at all warmly, he wiil build
another observatory, which may be used by the public.”
“IT must say he looks all the better for being without his
hobby. I suppose he gets out-of-doors more, instead of
being shut up all day studying and spending half the night
in star-gazing.”
Esperance glanced across at the dean, and smiled. He
certainly did look much happier and much less infirm
than in former times, but she did not think the change
was altogether owing to the loss of the telescope.
Easter-day was cold and unseasonable ; in spite of its
being in the middle of April there was snow on the
ground, and the cold east wind blew gustily round the
walls of the cathedral, whistling through the louver-boards
in the towers, and vainly seeking for an entrance at the
5 a ‘| . id 2 we ee ras
S ce : alle By # ase ee ties
es
296 = ‘WON BY “WAITING.
closed doors and windows. But the hurricane without
only made the calm within seem more restful, and the —
fitful gleams of sunshine streaming through the stained-
glass windows cast a fleeting radiance on the group” ee.
gathered round the massive old front. ae
Lady Worthington, standing rather in the background, —__
- could watch the faces of those around; Claude, with the
gravely wistful expression which his face often bore, stood
close to the font, his color rather high, his short, newly- a
grown hair fairer and more bo yish-looking than ever. Es-
perance was close beside him, looking serene and happy,
and with a beautiful light in her soft, brown eyes; while
_ behind them stood Marie, in her fresh white cap, and little iS
Noel with his bright eyes full of grave wonder. Onthe
opposite side stood Frances and Mr. Henderson, Mme.
_Lemercier, using her handkerchief freely—Gaspard, with
an “unusually softened expression on his dark, handsome _
face, and Cornelia, holding the baby carefully ‘and rather
- anxiously, with a womanly tenderness and love which she .
would once have scorned. But, perhaps, in all the little s
group there was no face which arrested Lady Whe oe
ton’s attention with such real pleasure as the dean’s.
This Easter-day was indeed one of rejoicing to him. It_
was with mingled humility and joy that he received his
‘sister’s little “grandchild in his arms, and bestowed on ~—
her the name which meant so much to him—“ Amy Espe- _
rance.’ :
The short service over, the little group dispersed quickly,
Mrs. Mortlake lingering to help old Mrs. Passmore into
the carriage, and to hear her comments. can
«A most beautiful baby ! the finest I have seen for a
long time—and so healthy, too!”
“ Yes,” said Mrs. Mortlake, ‘‘ a nice plump little thing
but scarcely pretty. Just compare her with Bella at that
age! Bella really was a lovely baby!” ae
“Mrs. Passmore did not stay to dispute the point, and @
Mrs. Mortlake was recalled to the present by finding that 4
‘Bella was playing at snowballs with Maggie Henderson
and the little Worthingtons, to the great detriment of her —
Sunday clothes. ne
There was to be no christening dinner, for Claude was gi
atill too much of an invalid to bear any more fatigue thab —
day ; it was not indeed till the evening that he was enough _
rested to care even for conversation, but when Esperance ‘
had brought him his tesa be revived, z)
WON BY WAITING. — 297
*Ti has not been too much for you?” she asked, a little
anxiously.
— ©Not the least. I wouldn’t have missed it for any-
thing, he replied, with sufficient energy to reassure her.
“Tt was worth a little exertion if only for the pleasure of
seeing the dean's face.”
«Was it not bright and glad!” said Esperance, smiling.
“And he held the baby so nicely! JI could not help think. |
ing as he said her name, how my mother’s belief had really
come true, and all was being made right at last. I wonder
if in Paradise they are allowed to watch the working to-
gether of things down here—whether she and papa could
see how the poverty and the suffering and the long waiting
were all leading up to the reunion which they had so longed
for?”
Claude did not speak for a minute or two, but twisted
her betrothal ring round, and mused on the motto.
“You naughty child,” he said, playfully, yet with a vi-
bration in his voice, ‘see how loose this thing has grown!”
And with that he pressed the litile thin hand to his lipy
and Esperance sniled—her eyes full of happy tears.
Return this book on or before the
Latest Date stamped below. A
charge is made on all overdue
books.
University of Illinois Library
L161—H41
Ci
30112