’You know, Rachel, the world must not see this—we
will carry our heads high. Wicked men, and brave
and suffering women—that is the history
of our family—and men and women always
quite unlike the rest of the world—unlike
the human race; and somehow they interest me unspeakably.
I wish I knew more about those proud, forlorn beauties,
whose portraits are fading on the walls. Their
spirit, I am sure, is in us, Rachel; and their pictures
and traditions have always supported me. When
I was a little thing, I used to look at them with
a feeling of melancholy and mystery. They were
in my eyes, reserved prophetesses, who could speak,
if they would, of my own future.’
’A poor support, Dorcas—a broken
reed. I wish we could find another—the
true one, in the present, and in the coming time.’
Dorcas smiled faintly, and I think there was a little
gleam of a ghastly satire in it. I am afraid
that part of her education which deals with futurity
had been neglected.
‘I am more likely to turn into a Lady Macbeth
than a devote,’ said she, coldly, with
the same painful smile. ’I found myself
last night sitting up in my bed, talking in the dark
about it.’
There was a silence for a time, and Rachel said,—
‘It is growing late, Dorcas.’
’But you must not go, Rachel—you
must stay and keep me company—you
must, indeed, Radie,’ said Dorcas.
‘So I will,’ she answered; ’but
I must send a line to old Tamar; and I promised Dolly
to go down to her to-night, if that darling little
boy should be worse—I am very unhappy about
him.’
‘And is he in danger, the handsome little fellow?’
said Dorcas.
‘Very great danger, I fear,’ said Rachel.
’Doctor Buddle has been very kind—but
he is, I am afraid, more desponding than poor William
or Dolly imagines—Heaven help them!’
‘But children recover wonderfully. What
is his ailment?’
’Gastric fever, the doctor says. I had
a foreboding of evil the moment I saw him—before
the poor little man was put to his bed.’
Dorcas rang the bell.
’Now, Radie, if you wish to write, sit down
here—or if you prefer a message, Thomas
can take one very accurately; and he shall call at
the vicar’s, and see Dolly, and bring us word
how the dear little boy is. And don’t fancy,
darling, I have forgotten what you said to me about
duty—though I would call it differently—only
I feel so wild, I can think of nothing clearly yet.
But I am making up my mind to a great and bold step,
and when I am better able, I will talk it over with
you—my only friend, Rachel.’
And she kissed her.
MR. LARKIN IS VIS-A-VIS WITH A CONCEALED COMPANION.
