Recalled to Life eBook

This eBook from the Gutenberg Project consists of approximately 211 pages of information about Recalled to Life.

Recalled to Life eBook

This eBook from the Gutenberg Project consists of approximately 211 pages of information about Recalled to Life.

“As you may imagine, when we first saw you get into the Pullman car, both Elsie and I felt our hearts come up into our months with suspense and anxiety.  We’d arranged it all so on purpose, for we felt sure you were on your way to Palmyra to find us:  but when it came to the actual crisis, we wondered most nervously what effect the sight of us might have upon your system.  But in a moment, I saw you didn’t remember us at all, or only vaguely attached to us some faint sense of friendliness.  That was well, because it enabled us to gain your confidence easily.  As we spoke with you, the sense of friendly interest deepened.  I knew that, all unconsciously to yourself, you loved me still, and that in a very short time, if only I could see you and be with you, I might bring all back to you.”

Jack paused and looked at me.  As he paused, I felt my old self revive again more completely than ever with a rush.

“Oh, Jack,” I cried, “so you have done; so you have brought all back to me!  My Second State’s over:  I’m the same girl you used to know at Torquay once more.  I remember everything—­everything—­such a world—­such a lifetime!  I feel as if my head would burst with all the things I remember.  I don’t know what to do with it.  I’m so tired, so weary.”

“Lay it here,” Jack said simply.

And I laid it on his shoulder, just as I used to do years ago, and cried so long in silence, and was ever so much comforted.  For I’ve admitted all along that I’m only a woman.

There we sat, hand in hand, for many minutes more, saying never another word, but sympathising silently, till Elsie returned from Palmyra.

When she burst into the room, she called out lightly as she entered: 

“Well, I’ve got you your lemon, Una, and I do hope—­” Then she broke short suddenly.  “Oh, Jack,” she cried, faltering, and half guessing the truth, “what’s the meaning of this?  Why, Una’s been crying.  You bad boy, you’ve been frightening her.  I oughtn’t to have left her ten minutes alone with you!”

Jack rose and held up his hand in warning.

“Don’t talk to her at present, Elsie,” he said.  “You needn’t be afraid.  Una’s found out everything.  She remembers all now.  And she knows how everything happened.  And she’s borne it so bravely, without any more shock to her health and strength than was absolutely inevitable.—­Let her sleep if she can.  It’ll do her so much good.—­But, Elsie, there’s one thing I want to say to you both before I hand her over to you.  After all that’s happened, I don’t think Una’ll want to hear that hateful name of Callingham any more.  It never was really hers, and it never shall be.  We’ll let bygones be bygones in every other respect, and not rake up any details of that hateful story.  But she’s been Una to us always, and she shall be Una still.  It’s a very good name for her:  for there’s only one of her.  But next week, I propose, she shall be Una Ivor.”

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Recalled to Life from Project Gutenberg. Public domain.