Henrietta's Wish eBook

This eBook from the Gutenberg Project consists of approximately 323 pages of information about Henrietta's Wish.

Henrietta's Wish eBook

This eBook from the Gutenberg Project consists of approximately 323 pages of information about Henrietta's Wish.

“I think not,” said her father, “I shall tell her she had better wait to see how things go on, and keep herself in reserve.  At present it is needlessly tormenting your aunt to ask her to leave Fred for a moment, and I do not think she has even the power to rest.  While this goes on, I am of more use in attending to him than your mamma could be; but if he is a long time recovering, it will be a great advantage to have her coming fresh, and not half knocked up with previous attendance.”

“But how she will wish to be here!” exclaimed Beatrice, “and how you will want her!”

“No doubt of that, Queenie,” said her father smiling, “but we must reserve our forces, and I think she will be of the same mind.  Well, I must go.  Where is Henrietta to sleep to-night?”

“With me,” said Beatrice.

“I will send her to you as soon as I can.  You must do what you can with her, Bee, for I can see that the way she hangs on her mamma is quite oppressive.  If she had but a little vigour!”

“I don’t know what to do about her!” said Beatrice with more dejection than she had yet shown, “I wish I could be of any comfort to her, but I can’t—­I shall never do good to anybody—­only harm.”

“Fear the harm, and the good will come,” said Mr. Geoffrey Langford.  “Good night, my dear.”

Beatrice threw herself on her knees as soon as the door had closed on her father, and so remained for a considerable time in one earnest, unexpressed outpouring of confession and prayer, for how long she knew not, all that she was sensible of was a feeling of relief, the repose of such humility and submission, such heartfelt contrition as she had never known before.

So she continued till she heard Henrietta’s approaching steps, when she rose and opened the door, ready to welcome her with all the affection and consolation in her power.  There stood Henrietta, a heavy weight on her eyes, her hair on one side all uncurled and flattened, the colour on half her face much deepened, and a sort of stupor about her whole person, as if but one idea possessed her.  Beatrice went up to meet her, and took her candle, asking what account she brought of the patient.  “No better,” was all the answer, and she sat down making no more detailed answers to all her cousin’s questions.  She would have done the same to her grandmamma, or any one else, so wrapped up was she in her own grief, but this conduct gave more pain to Beatrice than it could have done to any one else, since it kept up the last miserable feeling of being unforgiven.  Beatrice let her sit still for some minutes, looking at her all the time with an almost piteous glance of entreaty, of which Henrietta was perfectly unconscious, and then began to beg her to undress, seconding the proposal by beginning to unfasten her dress.

Henrietta moved pettishly, as if provoked at being disturbed.

“I beg your pardon, dear Henrietta,” said Beatrice; “if you would but let me!  You will be ill to-morrow, and that would be worse still.”

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Henrietta's Wish from Project Gutenberg. Public domain.