"Now then, I have another plan to propose," pursued Hargrave. "You all
know the little hamlet of Cheswell, over the hill--and how, of late
years, it has increased to look more like a village of itself--and you
may, perhaps, know how valuable the stone quarries have become to this
estate. Well, I am thinking of erecting there, a small church, together
with a snug house for a clergyman, and school house for the neglected
children of that neighbourhood; partly from the knowledge of the great
utility of such a measure, and partly because I wish to give some public
testimony of my respect for the ordinances I once abused."
He colored deeply, as he made this confession, and then continued, more
rapidly--
"I intend to endow this church property--and if, by the time it is
finished, Clair is in orders, I shall present him with it. Why not, my
dear sir, let him remain with you, till that time. I am sure," he added,
with a bow to Miss Ware, "my cousin Lucy cannot learn to keep house, at
once with cheerfulness and economy, better anywhere than here."
"Delightful," exclaimed Mr. Ware. "Arthur, my dear fellow, I have long
known your intention of leaving the army; and may venture to say that
your plans have not been settled with lightness and inconsideration.
Will you come and live with us, for the present? Lucy can be with your
aunt, whenever you may be forced to be long absent--you need not doubt
that she shall be as welcome as you are."
"Should Lucy consent, I will gladly accept your offer, dear uncle,"
returned Clair; "but help me to thank Hargrave for this unexpected,
unlooked-for kindness."
"No, no," said Hargrave, rising, and looking really embarrassed--"oblige
me, by not saying a word. Come with me--I am going to carry you with me
to the Manor. I shall sleep there to-night, for the first time, for more
than six years--come and help me to do the polite to my faithful
housekeeper."
"Ah, Colonel Hargrave," said Miss Ware, as she pressed his hand with
reverence, for, with all his faults, she never forgot that she owed to
him the happy home they had enjoyed, for so many years, "you will be
welcome there, indeed, for you are come back to make us all happy."
Hargrave looked still more embarrassed, tried to say something, and
failed--so seizing Clair by the arm, he hurried him off, without waiting
for another word.
The first sound which greeted his ear, on the following morning, was a
merry peal from the old church. He started up, and almost glad to find
that Clair was still sleeping, he went, alone, to every part of the
house, so well known, and so well remembered. Once again he felt master
of his own--and the spell which had sent him forth a wilful wanderer was
broken for ever.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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