England -- Social life and customs -- 19th century -- Fiction
"Where are you living now?"
"At East Chester."
"But you come sometimes to town, don't you? Let us know always--whenever
you come; and Lady Corbet shall call on you. Indeed, I wish you'd let me
bring her to see you to-day."
"Thank you. I am going straight back to Hellingford; at least, as soon
as you can get me the pardon for Dixon."
He half smiled at her ignorance.
"The pardon must be sent to the sheriff, who holds the warrant for his
execution. But, of course, you may have every assurance that it shall be
sent as soon as possible. It is just the same as if he had it now."
"Thank you very much," said Ellinor rising.
"Pray don't go without breakfast. If you would rather not see Lady
Corbet just now, it shall be sent in to you in this room, unless you have
already breakfasted."
"No, thank you; I would rather not. You are very kind, and I am very
glad to have seen you once again. There is just one thing more," said
she, colouring a little and hesitating. "This note to you was found
under papa's pillow after his death; some of it refers to past things;
but I should be glad if you could think as kindly as you can of poor
papa--and so--if you will read it--"
He took it and read it, not without emotion. Then he laid it down on his
table, and said--
"Poor man! he must have suffered a great deal for that night's work. And
you, Ellinor, you have suffered, too."
Yes, she had suffered; and he who spoke had been one of the instruments
of her suffering, although he seemed forgetful of it. She shook her head
a little for reply. Then she looked up at him--they were both standing
at the time--and said:
"I think I shall be happier now. I always knew it must be found out.
Once more, good-by, and thank you. I may take this letter, I suppose?"
said she, casting envious loving eyes at her father's note, lying
unregarded on the table.
"Oh! certainly, certainly," said he; and then he took her hand; he held
it, while he looked into her face. He had thought it changed when he had
first seen her, but it was now almost the same to him as of yore. The
sweet shy eyes, the indicated dimple in the cheek, and something of fever
had brought a faint pink flush into her usually colourless cheeks.
Married judge though he was, he was not sure if she had not more charms
for him still in her sorrow and her shabbiness than the handsome stately
wife in the next room, whose looks had not been of the pleasantest when
he left her a few minutes before. He sighed a little regretfully as
Ellinor went away. He had obtained the position he had struggled for,
and sacrificed for; but now he could not help wishing that the
slaughtered creature laid on the shrine of his ambition were alive again.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
Reviews
Reviews
No reviews yet
Be the first to share your thoughts on this work.
Elsewhere in the archive
Join the Discussion
Join the discussion
Sign in to leave a comment or review.
Sign InorCreate an account