第5章

“Thereismoretruththanyouthink，inyourprettyfancy，Harry，“ rejoinedHugh，andwassilent——self-rebuked；forthememoryofDavidcamebackuponhim，recalledbythewordsoftheboy；ofDavid，whomhelovedandhonouredwiththebestpowersofhisnature，andwhomyethehadneglectedandseemedtoforget；nay，whomhehadpartiallyforgotten——hecouldnotdeny。Theoldman，whosethoughtswerejustthoseofawisechild，hadsaidtohimonce： “Wekennomore，MaisterSutherlan\'，whatwe\'regrowin\'till，thanthatneep-seedtherekenswhataneepis，thoughaneepitwillbe。 Theonlyoddsis，thatwekenthatwedinnaken，andtheneep-seedkensnothingatallabootit。Butaething，MaisterSutherlan\'，wemaybesureo\'：that，whateveritbe，itwillbeworthGod\'smakin\' an\'ourgrowin\'。“ AsolemnstillnessfelluponHugh\'sspirit，asherecalledthesewords；outofwhichstillness，Ipresume，grewthelittleparablewhichfollows；thoughHugh，afterhehadlearnedfarmoreaboutthethingsthereinhintedat，couldneverunderstandhowitwas，thathecouldhaveputsomuchmoreintoit，thanheseemedtohaveunderstoodatthatperiodofhishistory。 ForHarrysaid： “Wouldn\'tthisbeaniceplaceforastory，Mr。Sutherland？Doyouevertellstories，sir？” “Iwasjustthinkingofone，Harry；butitisasmuchyoursasmine，foryousowedtheseedofthestoryinmymind。“ “Doyoumeanastorythatneverwasinabook——astoryoutofyourownhead？Oh！thatwillbegrand！” “Waittillweseewhatitwillbe，Harry；forIcan\'ttellyouhowitwillturnout。“ Afteralittlefurtherpause，Hughbegan： “Long，longago，twoseedslaybesideeachotherintheearth，waiting。Itwascold，andratherwearisome；and，tobeguilethetime，theonefoundmeanstospeaktotheother。 “\'Whatareyougoingtobe？\'saidtheone。 “\'Idon\'tknow，\'answeredtheother。 “\'Forme，\'rejoinedthefirst，\'Imeantobearose。Thereisnothinglikeasplendidrose。Everybodywilllovemethen！\' “\'It\'sallright，\'whisperedthesecond；andthatwasallhecouldsay；forsomehowwhenhehadsaidthat，hefeltasifallthewordsintheworldwereusedup。Sotheyweresilentagainforadayortwo。 “\'Oh，dear！\'criedthefirst，\'Ihavehadsomewater。Ineverknewtillitwasinsideme。I\'mgrowing！I\'mgrowing！Good-bye！\' “\'Good-bye！\'repeatedtheother，andlaystill；andwaitedmorethanever。 “Thefirstgrewandgrew，pushingitselfstraightup，tillatlastitfeltthatitwasintheopenair，foritcouldbreathe。Andwhatadeliciousbreaththatwas！Itwasrathercold，butsorefreshing。 Theflowercouldseenothing，foritwasnotquiteafloweryet，onlyaplant；andtheyneverseetilltheireyescome，thatis，tilltheyopentheirblossoms——thentheyareflowersquite。Soitgrewandgrew，andkeptitsheadupverysteadily，meaningtoseetheskythefirstthing，andleavetheearthquitebehindaswellasbeneathit。Butsomehoworother，thoughwhyitcouldnottell，itfeltverymuchinclinedtocry。Atlengthitopeneditseye。Itwasmorning，andtheskywasoveritshead；but，alas！itselfwasnorose——onlyatinywhiteflower。Itfeltyetmoreinclinedtohangdownitsheadandtocry；butitstillresisted，andtriedhardtoopenitseyewide，andtoholditsheadupright，andtolookfullatthesky。 “\'IwillbeastarofBethlehematleast！\'saidtheflowertoitself。 “Butitsheadfeltveryheavy；andacoldwindrushedoverit，andboweditdowntowardstheearth。Andtheflowersawthatthetimeofthesingingofbirdswasnotcome，thatthesnowcoveredthewholeland，andthattherewasnotasingleflowerinsightbutitself。Andithalf-closeditsleavesinterrorandthedismayofloneliness。Butthatinstantitrememberedwhattheotherflowerusedtosay；anditsaidtoitself：\'It\'sallright；IwillbewhatIcan。\'Andthereonityieldedtothewind，droopeditsheadtotheearth，andlookednomoreonthesky，butonthesnow。Andstraightwaythewindstopped，andthecolddiedaway，andthesnowsparkledlikepearlsanddiamonds；andtheflowerknewthatitwastheholdingofitsheadupthathadhurtitso；forthatitsbodycameofthesnow，andthatitsnamewasSnow-drop。Andsoitsaidoncemore，\'It\'sallright！\'andwaitedinperfectpeace。Alltherestitneededwastohangitsheadafteritsnature。“ “Andwhatbecameoftheother？”askedHarry。 “Ihaven\'tdonewiththisoneyet，“answeredHugh。“Ionlytoldyouitwaswaiting。Onedayapale，sad-lookinggirl，withthinface，largeeyes，andlongwhitehands，came，hangingherheadlikethesnowdrop，alongthesnowwheretheflowergrew。Shespiedit，smiledjoyously，andsaying，\'Ah！mylittlesister，areyoucome？\' stoopedandpluckedthesnowdrop。Ittrembledanddiedinherhand； whichwasaheavenlydeathforasnowdrop；forhaditnotcastagleamofsummer，paleasithadbeenitself，upontheheartofasickgirl？” “Andtheother？”repeatedHarry。 “Theotherhadalongtimetowait；butitdidgrowoneoftheloveliestroseseverseen。Andatlastithadthehighesthonourevergrantedtoaflower：twoloverssmelledittogether，andwerecontentwithit。“ Harrywassilent，andsowasHugh；forhecouldnotunderstandhimselfquite。Hefelt，allthetimehewasspeaking，isifhewerelisteningtoDavid，insteadoftalkinghimself。Thefactwas，hewasonlyexpanding，inanimaginativesoil，thelivingseedwhichDavidhadcastintoit。Thereseemedtohimselftobemoreinhisparablethanhehadanyrighttoinvent。Butisitnotsowithallstoriesthatarerightlyrootedinthehuman？ “Whatadelightfulstory，Mr。Sutherland！”saidHarry，atlast。 “Euphratellsmestoriessometimes；butIdon\'tthinkIeverheardoneIlikedsomuch。Iwishweweremeanttogrowintosomething，liketheflower-seeds。“ “Soweare，Harry。“ “Areweindeed？HowdelightfulitwouldbetothinkthatIamonlyaseed，Mr。Sutherland！DoyouthinkImightthinkso？” “Yes，Ido。“ “Then，please，letmebegintolearnsomethingdirectly。Ihaven\'thadanythingdisagreeabletodosinceyoucame；andIdon\'tfeelasifthatwasright。“ PoorHarry，likesomanythousandsofgoodpeople，hadnotyetlearnedthatGodisnotahardtask-master。 “Idon\'tintendthatyoushouldhaveanythingdisagreeabletodo，ifIcanhelpit。Wemustdosuchthingswhentheycometous；butwemustnotmakethemforourselves，orforeachother。“ “ThenI\'mnottolearnanymoreLatin，amI？”saidHarry，inadoubtfulkindoftone，asiftherewereafterallalittlepleasureindoingwhathedidnotlike。 “IsLatinsodisagreeable，Harry？” “Yes；itisruleafterrule，thathasnothinginitIcarefor。HowcananybodycareforLatin？ButIamquitereadytobegin，ifIamonlyaseed——really，youknow。“ “Notyet，Harry。Indeed，weshallnotbeginagain——Iwon\'tletyou——tillyouaskmewithyourwholeheart，toletyoulearnLatin。“ “Iamafraidthatwillbealongtime，andEuphrawillnotlikeit。“ “Iwilltalktoheraboutit。Butperhapsitwillnotbesolongasyouthink。Now，don\'tmentionLatintomeagain，tillyouarereadytoaskme，heartily，toteachyou。Anddon\'tgiveyourselfanytroubleaboutiteither。Younevercanmakeyourselflikeanything。“ Harrywassilent。Theyreturnedtothehouse，throughthepouringrain；Harry，asusual，mountedonhisbigbrother。 Astheycrossedthehall，Mr。Arnoldcamein。Helookedsurprisedandannoyed。HughsetHarrydown，whoranupstairstogetdressedfordinner；whilehehimselfhalf-stopped，andturnedtowardsMr。 Arnold。ButMr。Arnolddidnotspeak，andsoHughfollowedHarry。 Hughspentallthatevening，afterHarryhadgonetobed，incorrectinghisimpressionsofsomeofthechiefstoriesofearlyRomanhistory；ofwhichstoriesheintendedcommencingalittlecoursetoHarrythenextday。 MeantimetherewasverylittleintercoursebetweenHughandEuphra，whosesurname，somehoworother，Hughhadneverinquiredafter。Hedislikedaskingquestionsaboutpeopletoanuncommondegree，andsopreferredwaitingforanaturalrevelation。Herlaterbehaviourhadrepelledhim，impressinghimwiththenotionthatshewasproud，andthatshehadmadeuphermind，notwithstandingherapparentfranknessatfirst，tokeephimatadistance。Thatshewasfitful，too，andincapableofshowingmuchtendernesseventopoorHarry，hehadalreadyconcludedinhisprivatejudgment-hall。Norcouldhedoubtthat，whetherfromwrongtheories，incapacity，orculpableindifference，shemusthavetakenverybadmeasuresindeedwithheryoungpupil。 Thenextdayresembledthetwoformer；withthisdifference，thattherainfellintorrents。Seatedintheirstrawybower，theycaredfornorain。Theyweresafefromthewholeworld，andallthetempersofnature。 ThenHughtoldHarryabouttheslowbeginningsandthemightybirthofthegreatRomanpeople。Hetoldhimtalesoftheirbattlesandconquests；theirstrifesathome，andtheirwarsabroad。Hetoldhimstoriesoftheirgrandmen，greatwiththeindividualityoftheirnationandtheirown。Hetoldhimtheircharacters，theirpeculiaropinionsandgroundsofaction，andtheresultsoftheirvariousschemesfortheirvariousends。Hetoldhimabouttheirlovetotheircountry，abouttheirpoetryandtheirreligion；theircourage，andtheirhardihood；theirarchitecture，theirclothes，andtheirarmour；theircustomsandtheirlaws；butallinsuchlanguage，ormostlyinsuchlanguage，asoneboymightuseintellinganotherofthesameage；forHughpossessedthegiftofageneralsimplicityofthought，oneofthemostvaluableamancanhave。Itcosthimagooddealoflabour(well-repaidinitself，nottospeakoftheevidentdelightofHarry)，tomakehimselfperfectlycompetentforthis；buthehadagoodfoundationofknowledgetoworkupon。 ThiswentonforalongtimeaftertheperiodtowhichIamnowmoreimmediatelyconfined。Everytimetheystoppedtorestfromtheirramblesorgames——asoften，infact，astheysatdownalone，Harry\'sconstantrequestwas： “Now，Mr。Sutherland，mightn\'twehavesomethingmoreabouttheRomans？” AndMr。Sutherlandgavehimsomethingmore。Butallthistimeheneverutteredtheword——Latin。 CHAPTERV。 LARCHANDOTHERHUNTING。 ForthereisneitherbuskenorhayInMay，thatitn\'illshroudedbene，Anditwithnew？leav閟wrene； Thesewood閟ekerecoverengrene，Thatdrieinwinterbentosene，Andtheerthwaxethproudwithall，Forswot？dewesthatonitfall，Andthepooreestateforget，Inwhichthatwinterhaditset： Andthanbecomesthegroundsoproude，Thatitwolhaveanew？shroude，Andmakethsoqueinthisrobeandfaire，Thatithathhewesanhundredpaire，Ofgrasseandfloures，ofIndandPers，Andmanyhew閟fulldivers： ThatistherobeImean，ywis，Throughwhichthegroundtopraisenis。 CHAUCER\'StranslationoftheRomauntoftheRose。 Sopassedthethreedaysofrain。Afterbreakfastthefollowingmorning，HughwenttofindHarry，accordingtocustom，inthelibrary。Hewasreading。 “Whatareyoureading，Harry？”askedhe。 “Apoem，“saidHarry；and，risingasbefore，hebroughtthebooktoHugh。ItwasMrs。Hemans\'sPoems。 “Youarefondofpoetry，Harry。“ “Yes，very。“ “Whosepoemsdoyoulikebest？” “Mrs。Hemans\'s，ofcourse。Don\'tyouthinksheisthebest，sir？” “Shewritesverybeautifulverses，Harry。Whichpoemareyoureadingnow？” “Oh！oneofmyfavourites——TheVoiceofSpring。“ “WhotaughtyoutolikeMrs。Hemans？” “Euphra，ofcourse。“ “Willyoureadthepoemtome？” Harrybegan，andreadthepoemthrough，withmuchtasteandevidentenjoyment；anenjoymentwhichseemed，however，tospringmorefromthemusicofthethoughtanditsembodimentinsound，thanfromsympathywiththeformsofnaturecalledupthereby。Thiswasshownbyhismodeofreading，inwhichthemusicwaseverything，andthesenselittleornothing。Whenhecametotheline，“Andthelarchhashungallhistasselsforth，“ hesmiledsodelightedly，thatHughsaid： “Areyoufondofthelarch，Harry？” “Yes，very。“ “Arethereanyabouthere？” “Idon\'tknow。Whatisitlike？” “Yousaidyouwerefondofit。“ “Oh，yes；itisatreewithbeautifultassels，youknow。IthinkI shouldliketoseeone。Isn\'titabeautifulline？” “Whenyouhavefinishedthepoem，wewillgoandseeifwecanfindoneanywhereinthewoods。Wemustknowwhereweareintheworld，Harry——whatisallroundaboutus，youknow。“ “Oh，yes，“saidHarry；“letusgoandhuntthelarch。“ “PerhapsweshallmeetSpring，ifwelookforher——perhapshearhervoice，too。“ “Thatwouldbedelightful，“answeredHarry，smiling。Andawaytheywent。 ImayjustmentionherethatMrs。Hemanswasallowedtoretiregradually，tillatlastshewastobefoundonlyinthemoreinaccessiblerecessesofthelibrary-shelves；whilebythattimeHarrymightbeheard，notalloverthehouse，certainly，butasfaroffasoutsidethecloseddoorofthelibrary，readingaloudtohimselfoneorotherofMacaulay\'sballads，withanevidentenjoymentofthegoinit。Astorywithdrumandtrumpetaccompanimentwasquiteenough，forthepresent，tosatisfyHarry； andMacaulaycouldgivehimthat，iflittlemore。 Astheywentacrossthelawntowardstheshrubbery，ontheirwaytolookforlarchesandSpring，Euphrajoinedtheminwalkingdress。 Itwasalovelymorning。 “Ihavetakenyouatyourword，yousee，Mr。Sutherland，“saidshe。 “Idon\'twanttolosemyHarryquite。“ “YoudearkindEuphra！”saidHarry，goingroundtohersideandtakingherhand。Hedidnotstaylongwithher，however，nordidEuphraseemparticularlytowanthim。 “TherewasonethingIoughttohavementionedtoyoutheothernight，Mr。Sutherland；andIdaresayIshouldhavementionedit，hadnotMr。Arnoldinterruptedourt阾e-？t阾e。IfeelnowasifIhadbeenguiltyofclaimingfarmorethanIhavearightto，onthescoreofmusicalinsight。IhaveScotchbloodinme，andwasindeedborninScotland，thoughIleftitbeforeIwasayearold。Mymother，Mr。Arnold\'ssister，marriedagentlemanwhowashalfSootch；andIwasbornwhiletheywereonavisittohisrelatives，theCameronsofLochnie。Hismother，mygrandmother，wasaBohemianlady，acountesswithsixteenquarterings——notagipsy，Ibegtosay。“ Hughthoughtshemighthavebeen，tojudgefrompresentappearances。 Buthowwashetoaccountforthistorrentofgenealogicalinformation，intowhichtheiceofherlateconstrainthadsuddenlythawed？Itwasoddthatsheshouldallatoncevolunteersomuchaboutherself。Perhapsshehadmadeuponeofthosemindswhichneedmakingup，everynowandthen，likeamonthlymagazine；andnowwaspreparedtopublishit。Hughrespondedwithaquestion： “DoIknowyourname，then，atlast？YouareMissCameron？” “EuphrasiaCameron；atyourservice，sir。“AndshedroppedagaylittlecourtesytoHugh，lookingupathimwithaflashofherblackdiamonds。 “Thenyoumustsingtometo-night。“ “Withallthepleasureingipsy-land，“repliedshe，withasecondcourtesy，lowerthanthefirst；takingforgranted，nodoubt，hissilentjudgmentonherpersonandcomplexion。 BythistimetheyhadreachedthewoodsinadifferentquarterfromthatwhichHughhadgonethroughtheotherdaywithHarry。Andhere，inverydeed，theSpringmetthem，withaprofusionofrichnesstowhichHughwasquiteastranger。Thegroundwascarpetedwithprimroses，andanemones，andotherspringflowers，whicharetheloveliestofallflowers。Theyweredrinkingthesunlight，whichfelluponthemthroughthebuddedboughs。Bythetimethelightshouldbehiddenfromthembytheleaves，whicharethecloudsofthelowerfirmamentofthewoods，theirneedofitwouldbegone：exquisitesinliving，theycaredonlyforthedelicatemorningoftheyear。 “Dolookatthisdarling，Mr。Sutherland！”exclaimedEuphrasiasuddenly，asshebentattherootofagreatbeech，wheregrewalargebushofroughleaves，withonetinybutperfectly-formedprimrosepeepingoutbetween。“Isitnotalittlepet？——alleyes——alloneeyestaringoutofitscurtainedbedtoseewhateverisgoingonintheworld——Youhadbetterliedownagain：itisnotaniceplace。“ Shespoketoitasifithadbeenakittenorababy。Andasshespoke，shepulledtheleavesyetcloseroverthelittlestarersoastohideitquite。 Astheywenton，shealmostobtrusivelyavoidedsteppingontheflowers，sayingshealmostfeltcruel，oratleastrude，whenshedidso。Yetshetrailedherdressovertheminquiteacarelessway，notliftingitatall。Thiswasapeculiarityofhers，whichHughneverunderstoodtillheunderstoodherself。 Allaboutinshadyplaces，thefernswerebusyuntuckingthemselvesfromtheirgrave-clothes，unrollingtheirmysteriouscoilsoflife，addingcontinuallytothehiddengrowthastheyunfoldedthevisible。Inthis，theywereliketheotherrevelationsofGodtheInfinite。Allthewildlovelythingswerecomingupfortheirmonth\'slifeofjoy。Orchis-harlequins，cuckoo-plants，wildarums，moreproperlylords-and-ladies，werecoming，andcoming——slowly；forhadtheynotalongwaytocome，fromthevalleyoftheshadowofdeathintothelandoflife？Atlastthewandererscameuponawholecompanyofbluebells——notwhatHughwouldhavecalledbluebells，forthebluebellsofScotlandarethesingle-poisedharebells——butwildhyacinths，growinginadampandshadyspot，inwonderfulluxuriance。Theywerequitethreefeetinheight，withlong，graceful，droopingheads；hangingdownfromthem，allalongoneside，thelargestandloveliestofbells——onelyingcloseabovetheother，onthelowerpart；whiletheypartedthinnerandthinnerastheyrosetowardsthelonelyoneatthetop。MissCameronwentintoecstasiesoverthese；notsayingmuch，butbreakingupwhatshedidsaywithmanyprettilypassionatepauses。 Shehadaveryhappyturnforseeingexternalresemblances，eitherhumorousorpathetic；forshehadmuchofoneelementthatgoestothemakingofapoet——namely，surfaceimpressibility。 “Look，Harry；theyareallsadathavingtogodownthereagainsosoon。Theyarelookingattheirgravessoruefully。“ Harrylookedsadandrathersentimentalimmediately。WhenHughglancedatMissCameron，hesawtearsinhereyes。 “Youhavenothinglikethisinyourcountry，haveyou，Mr。 Sutherland？”saidshe，withanapparenteffort。 “No，indeed，“answeredHugh。 Andhesaidnomore。Foravisionrosebeforehimoftheruggedpine-woodandthesingleprimrose；andofthethoughtfulmaiden，withunpolishedspeechandroughhands，and——butthishedidnotsee——asoulslowlyrefiningitselftoacrystallineclearness。Andhethoughtofthegrandoldgrey-hairedDavid，andofJanetwithherquaintmotherhood，andofalltheblessedbarenessoftheancienttime——insunlightandinsnow；andhefeltagainthathehadforgottenandforsakenhisfriends。 “Howthefairieswillberingingthebellsintheseairysteeplesinthemoonlight！”saidMissCamerontoHarry，whowassurprisedanddelightedwithitall。Hecouldnothelpwondering，however，afterhewenttobedthatnight，thatEuphrahadneverbeforetakenhimtoseethesebeautifulthings，andhadneverbeforesaidanythinghalfsoprettytohim，astheleastprettythingshehadsaidabouttheflowersthatmorningwhentheywereoutwithMr。Sutherland。HadMr。Sutherlandanythingtodowithit？WashegivingEuphraalessoninflowerssuchashehadgivenhiminpigs？ MissCameronpresentlydrewHughintoconversationagain，andtheoldtimeswereoncemoreforgottenforaseason。Theywereworthyofdistinguishingnote——thattriointhosespringwoods：theboywakinguptofeelthatflowersandbudswerelovelierinthewoodsthaninverses；Euphrafindingeverythingabouthersentimentallyuseful，andreallydelightingintheprettinessestheysuggestedtoher；andHughregardingthewholechieflyasamaterialandmeansforreproducinginversesuchimpressionsofdelightashehadreceivedandstillreceivedfromall(butthehighest)poetryaboutnature。ThepresenceofHarryandhisnecessitieswascertainlyasavinginfluenceuponHugh；but，howevermuchhesoughttorealizeHarry\'slife，hehimself，atthisperiodofhishistory，enjoyedeverythingartisticallyfarmorethanhumanly。 Margaretwouldhavewalkedthroughallthisinfantsummerwithoutspeakingatall，butwithadeeplightfarbackinherquieteyes。 Perhapsshewouldnothavehadmanythoughtsabouttheflowers。 Rathershewouldhavethoughttheveryflowersthemselves；wouldhavebeenathomewiththem，inadelightedonenesswiththeirlifeandexpression。Certainlyshewouldhavewalkedthroughthemwithreverence，andwouldnothavepettedorpatronisednaturebysayingprettythingsaboutherchildren。Theirlifewouldhaveenteredintoher，andshewouldhavehardlyknownitfromherown。I daresayMissCameronwouldhavecalledamountainadarlingorabeauty。Butthereareotherwaysofshowingaffectionthanbypattingandpetting——thoughMargaret，forherpart，wouldhaveneedednoart-expression，becauseshehadthethingsthemselves。Itisnotalwaysthosewhoutterbestwhofeelmost；andthedumbpoetsaresometimesdumbbecauseitwouldneedthe“largeutteranceoftheearlygods“tocarrytheirthoughtsthroughthegatesofspeech。 Butthefancyandskin-sympathyofMissCameronbeganalreadytotelluponHugh。Heknewverylittleofwomen，andhadneverheardawomantalkasshetalked。Hedidnotknowhowcheapthisaccomplishmentis，andtookitforsensibility，imaginativeness，andevenoriginality。Hethoughtshewasfarmoreenrapportwithnaturethanhewas。Itwasmucheasiertomakethismistakeafterhearingthereallydelightfulwayinwhichshesang。Certainlyshecouldnothavesungso，perhapsnotevenhavetalkedso，exceptshehadbeencapableofmore；buttobecapableofmore，andtobeableformore，aretwoverydistinctconditions。 Manywalksfollowedthis，extendingthemselvesfartherandfartherfromhome，asHarry\'sstrengthgraduallyimproved。Itwasquiteremarkablehowhisinterestineverythingexternalincreased，inexactproportionashelearnedtoseeintotheinsideorlifeofit。 Withmostchildren，theinterestintheexternalcomesfirst，andwithmanyceasesthere。Butitisinrealityonlyashallowerformofthedeepersympathy；andinthosecaseswhereitdoesleadtoadesireafterthehiddennatureofthings，itisperhapsthebetterbeginningofthetwo。InsuchexceptionalcasesasHarry\'s，itisofunspeakableimportancethatboththedifferenceandtheidentityshouldberecognized；andindoingso，HughbecametoHarryhisbigbrotherindeed，forheledhimwherehecouldnotgoalone。 AsoftenasMr。Arnoldwasfromhome，whichhappenednotunfrequently，MissCameronaccompaniedthemintheirrambles。Shegaveasherreasonfordoingsoonlyonsuchoccasions，thatsheneverlikedtobeoutofthewaywhenherunclemightwanther。 TracesofaninclinationtoquarrelwithHugh，oreventostanduponherdignity，hadallbutvanished；andashervivacityneverfailedher，asherintellectwasalwaysactive，andasbytheexerciseofherwillshecouldentersympathetically，orappeartoenter，intoeverything，herpresencewasnotintheleastarestraintuponthem。 Ononeoccasion，whenHarryhadactuallyrunalittlewayafterabutterfly，Hughsaidtoher： “Whatdidyoumean，MissCameron，bysayingyouwereonlyapoorrelation？Youarecertainlymistressofthehouse。“ “Onsufferance，yes。ButIamonlyapoorrelation。Ihavenofortuneofmyown。“ “ButMr。Arnolddoesnottreatyouassuch。“ “Oh！no。Helikesme。Heisverykindtome——Hegavemethisringonmylastbirthday。Isitnotabeauty？” Shepulledoffhergloveandshowedaveryfinediamondonafingerworthyoftheornament。 “Itismorelikeagentleman\'s，isitnot？”sheadded，drawingitoff。“Letmeseehowitwouldlookonyourhand。“ ShegavetheringtoHugh；who，laughing，gotitwithsomedifficultyjustoverthefirstjointofhislittlefinger，andhelditupforEuphratosee。 “Ah！IseeIcannotaskyoutowearitforme，“saidshe。“Idon\'tlikeitmyself。Iamafraid，however，“sheadded，withanarchlook，“myunclewouldnotlikeiteither——onyourfinger。Putitonmineagain。“ HoldingherhandtowardsHugh，shecontinued： “Itmustnotbepromotedjustyet。Besides，Iseeyouhaveastillbetteroneofyourown。“ AsHughdidaccordingtoherrequest，thewordssprangtohislips，“Thereareotherwaysofwearingaringthanonthefinger。“Buttheydidnotcrossthethresholdofspeech。Wasittherepressionofthemthatcausedthatstrangeflutterandslightpainattheheart，whichhecouldnotquiteunderstand？ CHAPTERVI。 FATIMA。 ThoselipsthatLove\'sownhanddidmakeBreathedforththesoundthatsaid，“Ihate，“ Tomethatlanguishedforhersake： Butwhenshesawmywoefulstate，Straightinherheartdidmercycome，Chidingthattonguethat，eversweet，Wasusedingivinggentledoom，Andtaughtitthusanewtogreet： “Ihate“shealteredwithanend，ThatfolloweditasgentledayDothfollownight，who，likeafiend，>Fromheaventohellisflownaway。 “Ihate“fromhateawayshethrew，Andsavedmylife，saying——“Notyou。“ SHAKSPERE。 Mr。Arnoldwasbusyathomeforafewdaysafterthis，andHughandHarryhadtogooutalone。Oneday，whenthewindwasrathercold，theytookrefugeinthebarn；foritwaspartofHugh\'sespecialcarethatHarryshouldberenderedhardy，byneverbeingexposedtomorethanhecouldbearwithoutasenseofsuffering。Assoonastheboybegantofeelfatigue，orcold，oranyotherdiscomfort，histutortookmeasuresaccordingly。 Harrywouldhavecreptintothestraw-house；butHughsaid，pullingabookoutofhispocket，“Ihaveapoemhereforyou，Harry。Iwanttoreadittoyounow； andwecan\'tseeinthere。“ Theythrewthemselvesdownonthestraw，andHugh，openingavolumeofRobertBrowning\'sPoems，readthefamousridefromGhenttoAix。 Heknewthepoemwell，andreaditwell。Harrywasinraptures。 “IwishIcouldreadthatasyoudo，“saidhe。 “Try，“saidHugh。 Harrytriedthefirstverse，andthrewthebookdownindisgustwithhimself。 “WhycannotIreadit？”saidhe。 “Becauseyoucan\'tride。“ “Icouldride，ifIhadsuchahorseasthattorideupon。“ “Butyoucouldneverhavesuchahorseasthatexceptyoucouldride，andridewell，first。Afterthat，thereisnosayingbutyoumightgetone。Youmight，infact，trainoneforyourself——tillfrombeingalittlefoalitbecameyourownwonderfulhorse。“ “Oh！thatwouldbedelightful！Willyouteachmehorsesaswell，Mr。Sutherland？” “PerhapsIwill。“ Thatevening，atdinner，HughsaidtoMr。Arnold： “Couldyouletmehaveahorseto-morrowmorning，Mr。Arnold？” Mr。Arnoldstaredalittle，ashealwaysdidatanythingnew。ButHughwenton： “HarryandIwanttohavearideto-morrow；andIexpectweshalllikeitsomuch，thatweshallwanttorideveryoften。“ “Yes，thatweshall！”criedHarry。 “CouldnotMr。Sutherlandhaveyourwhitemare，Euphra？”saidMr。 Arnold，reconciledatoncetotheproposal。 “Iwouldrathernot，ifyoudon\'tmind，uncle。MyFattyisnotusedtosuchaburdenasIfearMr。Sutherlandwouldprove。Shedropsalittlenow，onthehardroad。“ Thefactwas，EuphrawouldwantFatima。 “Well，Harry，“saidMr。Arnold，graciouslypleasedtobefacetious，“don\'tyouthinkyourWelshdray-horsecouldcarryMr。Sutherland？” “Ha！ha！ha！Papa，doyouknow，Mr。Sutherlandsethimuponhishindlegsyesterday，andmadehimwalkonthemlikeadancing-dog。 Hewasgoingtolifthim，buthekickedaboutsowhenhefelthimselfleavingtheground，thathetumbledMr。Sutherlandintothehorse-trough。“ Eventhesolemnfaceofthebutlerrelaxedintoasmile，butMr。 Arnold\'scloudedinstead。Hisboy\'stutoroughttobeagentleman。 “Wasn\'titfun，Mr。Sutherland？” “Itwastoyou，youlittlerogue！”saidSutherland，laughing。 “Andhowyoudidrunhome，drippinglikeawater-cart！——andallthedogsafteryou！” Mr。Arnold\'smonotonoussolemnitysooncheckedHarry\'sprattle。 “Iwillsee，Mr。Sutherland，whatIcandotomountyou。“ “Idon\'tcarewhatitis，“saidHugh；whothoughbynomeansathoroughhorseman，hadbeenfromboyhoodinthehabitofmountingeverythingintheshapeofahorsethathecouldlayhandsupon，fromacart-horseupwardsanddownwards。 “There\'sanoldbaythatwouldcarrymeverywell。“ “Thatismyownhorse，Mr。Sutherland。“ Thisstoppedtheconversationinthatdirection。Butnextmorningafterbreakfast，anexcellentchestnuthorsewaswaitingatthedoor，alongwithHarry\'snewpony。Mr。Arnoldwouldseethemgooff。ThisdidnotexactlysuitMissCameron，butifshefrowned，itwaswhennobodysawher。HughputHarryuphimself，toldhimtostickfastwithhisknees，andthenmountedhischestnut。Astheytrottedslowlydowntheavenue，EuphrasiaheardMr。Arnoldsaytohimself，“Thefellowsitswell，atallevents。“ShetookcaretomakeherselfagreeabletoHughbyreportingthis，withtheomissionoftheinitiatoryepithet，however。 Harryreturnedfromhisriderathertired，butinhighspirits。 “Oh，Euphra！”hecried，“Mr。Sutherlandissucharider！Hejumpshedgesandditchesandeverything。Andhehaspromisedtoteachmeandmyponytojumptoo。AndifIamnottootired，wearetobeginto-morrow，outonthecommon。Oh！jolly！” Thelittlefellow\'sheartwasfullofthesenseofgrowinglifeandstrength，andHughwasdelightedwithhisownsuccess。HecaughtsightofaserpentinemotioninEuphra\'seyebrows，asshebentherfaceagainovertheworkfromwhichshehadlifteditontheirentrance。Headdressedher。 “YouwillbegladtohearthatHarryhasriddenlikeaman。“ “Iamgladtohearit，Harry。“ Whydidshereplytothesubjectoftheremark，andnottothespeaker？Hughperplexedhimselfinvaintoanswerthisquestion； butaverysmallamountofexperiencewouldhavemadehimabletounderstandatonceasmuchofherbehaviouraswasgenuine。Atluncheonshespokeonlyinreply；andthensobriefly，asnottoaffordthesmallestpegonwhichtohangaresponse。 “Whatcanbethematter？”thoughtHugh。“Whatapeculiarcreaturesheis！Butafterwhathaspassedbetweenus，Ican\'tstandthis。“ Whendinnerwasoverthatevening，sheroseasusualandlefttheroom，followedbyHughandHarry；butassoonastheywereinthedrawing-room，sheleftit；and，returningtothedining-room，resumedherseatatthetable。 “Takeaglassofclaret，Euphra，dear？”saidMr。Arnold。 “Iwill，ifyouplease，uncle。Ishouldlikeit。Ihaveseldomaminutewithyoualonenow。“ Evidentlyflattered，Mr。Arnoldpouredoutaglassofclaret，roseandcarriedittohisniecehimself，andthentookachairbesideher。 “Thankyou，dearuncle，“shesaid，withoneofherbewitchingflashesofsmile。 “Harryhasbeengettingonbravelywithhisriding，hashenot？”shecontinued。 “Soitwouldappear。“ Harryhadbeenfullofthestoryofthedayatthedinner-table，wherehestillcontinuedtopresenthimself；forhisfatherwouldnotbesatisfiedwithouthint。Itwascertainlygoodmoraltrainingfortheboy，tosittherealmostwithouteating；andnonetheworsethathefounditratherhardsometimes。Hetalkedmuchmorefreelynow，andaskedtheservantsforanythinghewantedwithoutreferringtoEuphra。Nowandthenhewouldglanceather，asifafraidofoffendingher；butthecordswhichboundhimtoherwereevidentlyrelaxing；andshesawitplainlyenough，thoughshemadenoreferencetotheunpleasingfact。 “Iamonlyalittlefearful，uncle，lestMr。Sutherlandshouldurgetheboytodomorethanhisstrengthwilladmitof。Heisexceedinglykindtohim，buthehasevidentlyneverknownwhatweaknessishimself。“ “True，thereisdangerofthat。Butyouseehehastakenhimsoentirelyintohisownhands。Idon\'tseemtobeallowedawordinthematterofhiseducationanymore。“Mr。Arnoldspokewiththepeevishnessofweakimportance。“Iwishyouwouldtakecarethathedoesnotcarrythingstoofar，Euphra。“ ThiswasjustwhatEuphrawanted。 “Ithink，ifyoudonotdisapprove，uncle，IwillhaveFatimasaddledto-morrowmorning，andgowiththemmyself。“ “Thankyou，mylove；Ishallbemuchobligedtoyou。“Theglassofclaretwassoonfinishedafterthis。Alittlemoreconversationaboutnothingfollowed，andEuphrarosethesecondtime，andreturnedtothedrawing-room。Shefounditunoccupied。Shesatdowntothepiano，andsangsongaftersong——Scotch，Italian，andBohemian。ButHughdidnotmakehisappearance。Thefactwas，hewasbusywritingtohismother，whomhehadratherneglectedsincehecame。WritingtohermadehimthinkofDavid，andhebeganalettertohimtoo；butitwasneverfinished，andneversent。Hedidnotreturntothedrawing-roomthatevening。Indeed，exceptforashorttime，whileMr。Arnoldwasdrinkinghisclaret，heseldomshowedhimselfthere。HadEuphrarepelledhimtoomuch——hurthim？ Shewouldmakeupforitto-morrow。 Breakfastwasscarcelyover，whenthechestnutandtheponypassedthewindow，accompaniedbyalovelylittleArabmare，broad-chestedandlight-limbed，withawonderfullysmallhead。Shewaswhiteassnow，withkeen，darkeyes。Hercurb-reinwasredinsteadofwhite。 Hearingtheirapproach，andbeggingheruncletoexcuseher，Euphrarosefromthetable，andlefttheroom；butre-appearedinawonderfullylittlewhile，inawell-fittedriding-habitofblackvelvet，withabeltofdarkredleatherclaspingawaistoftheroundestandsmallest。Herlittlehat，likewiseblack，hadasinglelong，whitefeather，laidhorizontallywithintheupturnedbrim，anddroopingoveritattheback。Herwhitemarewouldbejusttherightpedestalfortheduskyfigure——blackeyes，tawnyskin，andall。Asshestoodreadytomount，andHughwasapproachingtoputherup，shecalledthegroom，seemedjusttotouchhishand，andwasinthesaddleinamoment，footinstirrup，andskirtfallingoverit。Hughthoughtshewascarryingoutthebehaviourofyesterday，andwasdeterminedtoaskherwhatitmeant。ThelittleArabbegantorearandplungewithpride，assoonasshefelthermistressonherback；butsheseemedasmuchathomeasifshehadbeenonthemusic-stool，andpattedherarchingneck，talkingtoherinthesametonealmostinwhichshehadaddressedtheflowers。 “Bequiet，Fattydear；you\'refrighteningMr。Sutherland。“ ButHugh，seeingthenextmomentthatshewasinnodanger，sprangintohissaddle。Awaytheywent，FatimainfusinglifeandfrolicintotheequineasEuphraintothehumanportionofthecavalcade。 Havingreachedthecommon，outofsightofthehouse，MissCameron，insteadoflookingafterHarry，lestheshouldhavetoomuchexercise，scamperedaboutlikeawildgirl，jumpingeverythingthatcameinherway，andsoexcitingHarry\'spony，thatitwasalmostmorethanhecoulddotomanageit，tillatlastHughhadtobeghertogomorequietly，forHarry\'ssake。Shedrewupalongsideofthematonce，andmadehermarestandasstillasshecould，whileHarrymadehisfirstessayuponalittleditch。Aftercrossingittwoorthreetimes，hegatheredcourage；andsettinghisponyatalargeronebeyond，boundedacrossitbeautifully。 “Bravo！Harry！”criedbothEuphraandHugh。Harrygallopedback，andoveritagain；thencameuptothemwithaglowofproudconfidenceonhispaleface。 “You\'llbeahorsemanyet，Harry，“saidHugh。 “Ihopeso，“saidHarry，inanaspiringtone，whichgreatlysatisfiedhistutor。Theboy\'sspiritwasevidentlyreviving。 Euphramusthavemanagedhimill。Yetshewasnotintheleasteffeminateherself。ItpuzzledHughagooddeal。Buthedidnotthinkaboutitlong；forHarrycanteringawayinfront，hehadanopportunityofsayingtoEuphra： “Areyouoffendedwithme，MissCameron？” “Offendedwithyou！Whatdoyoumean？Agirllikemeoffendedwithamanlikeyou？” Shelookedtwoandtwentyasshespoke；butevenatthatshewasolderthanHugh。He，however，certainlylookedconsiderablyolderthanhereallywas。 “Whatmakesyouthinkso？”sheadded，turningherfacetowardshim。 “Youwouldnotspeaktomewhenwecamehomeyesterday。“ “Notspeaktoyou？——Ihadalittleheadache——andperhapsIwasalittlesullen，fromhavingbeeninsuchbadcompanyallthemorning。“ “Whatcompanyhadyou？”askedHugh，gazingatherinsomesurprise。 “Myown，“answeredshe，withalovelylaugh，thrownfullinhisface。Thenafterapause：“Letmeadviseyou，ifyouwanttoliveinpeace，nottoembarkonthatoceanofdiscovery。“ “Whatocean？whatdiscovery？”askedHugh，bewildered，andstillgazing。 “Thetroubledoceanofladies\'looks，“shereplied。“Youwillneverbeabletoliveinthesamehousewithoneofourkind，ifitbenecessarytoyourpeacetofindoutwhateveryexpressionthatpuzzlesyoumaymean。“ “Ididnotintendtobeinquisitive——itreallytroubledme。“ “Thereitis。Youmustnevermindus。Weshowsomuchsoonerthanmen——but，takewarning，thereisnomakingoutwhatitiswedoshow。Yourfacesarelegible；oursaresoscratchedandinterlined，thatyouhadbestgiveupatoncetheideaofdecipheringthem。“ Hughcouldnothelplookingoncemoreatthesmooth，simple，na飗ecountenanceshininguponhim。 “Thereyouareatitagain，“shesaid，blushingalittle，andturningherheadaway。“Well，tocomfortyou，IwillconfessIwasrathercrossyesterday——because——becauseyouseemedtohavebeenquitehappywithonlyoneofyourpupils。“ Asshespokethewords，shegaveFatimatherein，andboundedoff，overtakingHarry\'sponyinamoment。Nordidsheleavehercousinduringalltherestoftheirride。 Mostwomeninwhomthesoulhasanythinglikeachanceofreachingthewindows，aremoreorlessbeautifulintheirbestmoments。 Euphra\'sbestwaswhenshewastryingtofascinate。Thenshewas——fascinating。DuringthefirstmorningthatHughspentatArnstead，shehadprobablybeenmakinguphermindwhether，betweenherandHugh，itwastobewartotheknife，orfascination。Thelatterhadcarriedtheday，andwasnowcarryinghim。Buthadshecalculatedthatfascinationmayre-actaswell？ Hugh\'sheartbounded，likeherArabsteed，assheutteredthewordslastrecorded。Hegavehischestnutthereininhisturn，toovertakeher；butFatima\'scanterquickenedintoagallop，and，inspiritedbyhercompanionship，andthefactthattheirheadswereturnedstablewards，Harry\'spony，oneofthequickestofitsrace，laiditselftotheground，andkeptup，takingthreestridesforFatty\'stwo，sothatHughnevergotwithinthreelengthsofthemtilltheydrewreinatthehall-door，wherethegroomswerewaitingthem。Euphrawasoffhermareinamoment，andhadalmostreachedherownroombeforeHughandHarryhadcrossedthehall。Shecamedowntoluncheoninawhitemuslindress，withthesmallestpossibleredspotinit；and，takingherplaceatthetable，seemedtoHughtohaveputoffnotonlyherridinghabit，buttheselfthatwasinitaswell；forshechattedawayinthemostunconcernedandeasymannerpossible，asifshehadnotbeenoutofherroomallthemorning。Shehadriddensohard，thatshehadleftherlastspeechinthemiddleofthecommon，anditsmoodwithit；andthereseemednownolikelihoodofeitherfindingitswayhome。 CHAPTERVII。 THEPICTUREGALLERY。 thehouseiscrencledtoandfro，Andhathsoqueintwaiesfortogo，Foritisshapenasthemaseiswrought。 CHAUCER——LegendofAriadne。 Luncheonover，andHarrydismissedasusualtoliedown，MissCameronsaidtoHugh： “Youhaveneverbeenovertheoldhouseyet，Ibelieve，Mr。 Sutherland。Wouldyounotliketoseeit？” “Ishouldindeed，“saidHugh。“ItiswhatIhavelonghopedfor，andhaveoftenbeenonthepointofbegging。“ “Come，then；Iwillbeyourguide——ifyouwilltrustyourselfwithamadcaplikeme，inthesolitudesoftheoldhive。“ “Leadontothefamilyvaults，ifyouwill，“saidHugh。 “Thatmightbepossible，too，frombelow。Wearenotsoveryfarfromthem。Evenwithinthehousethereisanoldchapel，andsomemonumentsworthlookingat。Shallwetakeitlast？” “Asyouthinkbest，“answeredHugh。 Sheroseandrangthebell。Whenitwasanswered，“Jacob，“shesaid，“getmethekeysofthehousefromMrs。Horton。“ Jacobvanished，andreappearedwithahugebunchofkeys。Shetookthem。 “Thankyou。Theyshouldnotbeallowedtogetquiterusty，Jacob。“ “Please，Miss，Mrs。Hortondesiredmetosay，shewouldhaveseentothem，ifshehadknownyouwantedthem。“ “Oh！nevermind。Justtellmymaidtobringmeanoldpairofgloves。“ Jacobwent；andthemaidcamewiththerequiredarmour。 “Now，Mr。Sutherland。Jane，youwillcomewithus。No，youneednottakethekeys。IwillfindthoseIwantaswego。“ Sheunlockedadoorinthecornerofthehall，whichHughhadneverseenopen。Passingthroughalonglowpassage，theycametoaspiralstaircaseofstone，upwhichtheywent，arrivingatanotherwidehall，verydusty，butinperfectrepair。Hughaskediftherewasnotsomecommunicationbetweenthishallandthegreatoakstaircase。 “Yes，“answeredEuphra；“butthisisthemoredirectway。“ Asshesaidthis，hefeltsomehowasifshecastonhimoneofherkeenestglances；buttheplacewasverydusky，andhestoodinaspotwherethelightfelluponhimfromanopeninginashutter，whileshestoodindeepshadow。 “Jane，openthatshutter。“ Thegirlobeyed；andtheenteringlightrevealedthewallscoveredwithpaintings，manyofthemapparentlyofnovalue，yetaddingmuchtotheeffectoftheplace。SeeingthatHughwasatonceattractedbythepictures，Euphrasaid： “Perhapsyouwouldliketoseethepicturegalleryfirst？” Hughassented。Euphrachosekeyafterkey，andopeneddoorafterdoor，tilltheycameintoalonggallery，welllightedfromeachend。Thewindowsweresoonopened。 “Mr。Arnoldisveryproudofhispictures，especiallyofhisfamilyportraits；butheiscontentwithknowinghehasthem，andnevervisitsthemexcepttoshowthem；orperhapsonceortwiceayear，whensomethingorotherkeepshimathomeforaday，withoutanythingparticulartodo。“ Inglancingovertheportraits，someofthembyfamousmasters，Hugh\'seyeswerearrestedbyablondebeautyinthedressofthetimeofCharlesII。Therewassucharealityofself-willedboldnessaswellassomethingworseinherface，that，thougharrestedbythepicture，HughfeltashamedoflookingatitinthepresenceofEuphraandhermaid。Thepicturedwomanalmostputhimoutofcountenance，andyetatthesametimefascinatedhim。 Dragginghiseyesfromit，hesawthatJanehadturnedherbackuponit，whileEuphraregardeditsteadily。 “Openthatoppositewindow，Jane，“saidshe；“thereisnotlightenoughonthisportrait。“ Janeobeyed。Whileshedidso，Hughcaughtaglimpseofherface，andsawthattheformerlyrosygirlwasdeadlypale。HesaidtoEuphra： “Yourmaidseemsill，MissCameron。“ “Jane，whatisthematterwithyou？” Shedidnotreply，but，leaningagainstthewall，seemedreadytofaint。 “Theplaceisclose，“saidhermistress。“Gointothenextroomthere，“——shepointedtoadoor——“andopenthewindow。Youwillsoonbewell。“ “Ifyouplease，Miss，Iwouldratherstaywithyou。Thisplacemakesmefeelthatstrange。“ Shehadcomebutlately，andhadneverbeenoverthehousebefore。 “Nonsense！”saidMissCameron，lookingathersharply。“Whatdoyoumean？” “Please，don\'tbeangry，Miss；butthefirstnighte\'erIslepthere，Isawthatverylady——“ “Sawthatlady！” “Well，Miss，Imean，IdreamedthatIsawher；andIrememberedhertheminuteIseeherupthere；andshegivemeaturnlike。I\'mallrightnow，Miss。“ Euphrafixedhereyesonher，andkeptthemfixed，tillshewasverynearlyallwrongagain。Sheturnedaspaleasbefore，andbegantodrawherbreathhard。 “Yousillygoose！”saidEuphra，andwithdrewhereyes；uponwhichthegirlbegantobreathemorefreely。 Hughwasmakingsomewiseremarksinhisownmindontheunsteadyconditionofanatureinwhichtheimaginationpredominatesoverthepowersofreflection，whenEuphraturnedtohim，andbegantotellhimthatthatwasthepictureofherthreeorfourtimesgreat-grandmother，paintedbySirPeterLely，justaftershewasmarried。 “Isn\'tshefair？”saidshe——“Sheturnednunatlast，theysay。“ “Sheismorefairthanhonest，“thoughtHugh。“Itwouldtakeagreatdealofnuntomakeherintoasaint。“Butheonlysaid，“Sheismorebeautifulthanlovely。Whatwashername？” “Ifyoumeanhermaidenname，itwasHalkar——LadyEuphrasiaHalkar——namedafterme，yousee。Shehadforeignbloodinher，ofcourse；and，totellthetruth，therewerestrangestoriestoldofher，ofmoresortsthanone。Iknownothingofherfamily。ItwasneverheardofinEngland，Ibelieve，tillaftertheRestoration。“ AllthetimeEuphrawasspeaking，Hughwasbeingperplexedwiththatmostannoyingofperplexities——theflittingphantomofaresemblance，whichhecouldnotcatch。Hewasforcedtodismissitforthepresent，utterlybaffled。 “Wereyoureallynamedafterher，MissCameron？” “No，no。Itisafamilynamewithus。But，indeed，Imaybesaidtobenamedafterher，forshewasthefirstofuswhoboreit。Youdon\'tseemtoliketheportrait。“ “Idonot；butIcannothelplookingatit，forallthat。“ “Iamsousedtothelady\'sface，“saidEuphra，“thatitmakesnoimpressiononmeofanysort。Butitissaid，“sheadded，glancingatthemaid，whostoodatsomedistance，lookinguneasilyabouther——andasshespokesheloweredhervoicetoawhisper——“itissaid，shecannotliestill。“ “Cannotliestill！Whatdoyoumean？” “Imeandownthereinthechapel，“sheanswered，pointing。 TheCelticnervesofHughshuddered。Euphralaughed；andhervoiceechoedinsilverybillows，thatbrokeonthefacesofthemenandwomenofoldtime，thathadownedthewhole；whoseliveshadflowedandebbedinvariedtidesthroughtheancienthouse；whohadmarriedandbeengiveninmarriage；andgonedowntothechapelbelow——belowtheprayersandbelowthepsalms——andmadeaSundayofalltheweek。 Ashamedofhisfeelingofpassingdismay，Hughsaid，justtosaysomething： “Whatastrangeornamentthatis！Isitabroochorapin？No，I declareitisaring——largeenoughforthreecardinals，andwornonherthumb。Itseemsalmosttosparkle。Isitruby，orcarbuncle，orwhat？” “Idon\'tknow：someclumsyoldthing，“answeredEuphra，carelessly。 “Oh！Isee，“saidHugh；“itisnotaredstone。Theglowisonlyareflectionfrompartofherdress。Itisasclearasadiamond。 Butthatisimpossible——suchasize。Thereseemstomesomethingcuriousaboutit；andthelongerIlookatit，themorestrangeitappears。“ Euphrastoleanotherofherpiercingglancesathim，butsaidnothing。 “Surely，“Hughwenton，“aringlikethatwouldhardlybelikelytobelostoutofthefamily？Yourunclemusthaveitsomewhere。“ Euphralaughed；butthislaughwasverydifferentfromthelast。Itrattledratherthanrang。 “Youarewonderfullytakenwithabauble——foramanofletters，thatis，Mr。Sutherland。Thestonemayhavebeencarrieddownanyoneofthehundredstreamsintowhichafamilyriverisalwaysdividing。“ “Itisaveryremarkableornamentforalady\'sfinger，notwithstanding，“saidHugh，smilinginhisturn。 “Butweshallnevergetthroughthepicturesatthisrate，“remarkedEuphra；andgoingon，shedirectedHugh\'sattentionnowtothis，nowtothatportrait，sayingwhoeachwas，andmentioninganythingremarkableinthehistoryoftheiroriginals。Shemanifestedathoroughacquaintancewiththefamilystory，andmade，infact，anexcellentshow-woman。Havinggonenearlytotheotherendofthegallery，“Thisdoor，“saidshe，stoppingatone，andturningoverthekeys，“leadstooneoftheoldestportionsofthehouse，theprincipalroominwhichissaidtohavebelongedespeciallytotheladyoverthere。“ Asshesaidthis，shefixedhereyesoncemoreonthemaid。 “Oh！don\'tyenow，Miss，“interruptedJane。“Hannahdusayashowawhitey-bluelightshinesinthewindowofadarknight，sometimes——thatlady\'swindow，youknow，Miss。Don\'tyeopenthedoor——pray，Miss。“ Janeseemedonthepointoffallingintothesameterrorasbefore。 “Really，Jane，“saidhermistress，“Iamashamedofyou；andofmyself，forhavingsuchsillyservantsaboutme。“ “Ibegyourpardon，Miss，but——“ “SoMr。SutherlandandImustgiveupourplanofgoingoverthehouse，becausemymaid\'snervesaretoodelicatetopermithertoaccompanyus。Forshame！” “Oh，duyenowgowithoutme！”criedthegirl，claspingherhands。 “Andyouwillwaitheretillwecomeback？” “Oh！don\'tyeleavemehere。Justshowmethewayout。“ Andoncemoresheturnedpaleasdeath。 “Mr。Sutherland，Iamverysorry，butwemustputofftherestofourrambletillanothertime。Iam，likeHamlet，veryvilelyattended，asyousee。Come，then，youfoolishgirl，“sheadded，moremildly。 Thepoormaid，whatwithterrorofLadyEuphrasia，andrespectforhermistress，wasinapitiableconditionofmoralhelplessness。 Sheseemedalmosttoofrightenedtowalkbehindthem。Butifshehadbeeninfrontitwouldhavebeennobetter；for，likeotherghost-fearers，sheseemedtofeelverypainfullythatshehadnoeyesinherback。 Theyreturnedastheycame；andJanereceivingthekeystotaketothehousekeeper，dartedaway。WhenshereachedMrs。Horton\'sroom，shesankonachairinhysterics。 “Imustgetridofthatgirl，Ifear，“saidMissCameron，leadingthewaytothelibrary；“shewillinfectthewholehouseholdwithherfoolishterrors。Weshallnothearthelastofthisforsometimetocome。WehadafitofitthesameyearIcame；andI supposethetimehascomeroundforanotherattackofthesameepidemic。“ “Whatisthereabouttheroomtoterrifythepoorthing？” “Oh！theysayitishaunted；thatisall。WasthereeveranoldhouseanywhereoverEurope，especiallyanoldfamilyhouse，butwassaidtobehaunted？Herethestorycentresinthatroom——oratleastinthatroomandtheavenueinfrontofitswindows。“ “IsthattheavenuecalledtheGhost\'sWalk？” “Yes。Whotoldyou？” “Harrywouldnotletmecrossit。“ “Poorboy！Thisisreallytoobad。Hecannotstandanythingofthatkind，Iamsure。Thoseservants！” “Oh！Ihopeweshallsoongethimtoowelltobefrightenedatanything。Aretheseplacessaidtobehauntedbyanyparticularghost？” “Yes。ByLadyEuphrasia——Rubbish！” HadHughpossessedayetkeenerperceptionofresemblance，hewouldhaveseenthatthephantom-likenesswhichhauntedhimintheportraitofEuphrasiaHalkar，wasthatofEuphrasiaCameron——byhissideallthetime。Butthemeredifferenceofcomplexionwassufficienttothrowhimout——insignificantdifferenceasthatis，besidethecorrespondenceoffeaturesandtheirrelations。Euphraherselfwasperfectlyawareofthelikeness，buthadnowishthatHughshoulddiscoverit。 Asifthelikeness，however，hadbeendimlyidentifiedbytheunconsciouspartofhisbeing，hesatinonecornerofthelibrarysofa，withhiseyesfixedonthefaceofEuphra，asshesatintheother。Presentlyhewasmadeawareofhisunintentionalrudeness，byseeingherturnpaleasdeath，andsinkbackinthesofa。Inamomentshestartedup，andbeganpacingabouttheroom，rubbinghereyesandtemples。Hewasbewilderedandalarmed。 “MissCameron，areyouill？”heexclaimed。 Shegaveakindofhalf-hystericallaugh，andsaid： “No——nothingworthspeakingof。Ifeltalittlefaint，thatwasall。Iambetternow。“ Sheturnedfulltowardshim，andseemedtotrytolookallright； buttherewasakindoffilmovertheclearnessofherblackeyes。 “Ifearyouhaveheadache。“ “Alittle，butitisnothing。Iwillgoandliedown。“ “Do，pray；elseyouwillnotbewellenoughtoappearatdinner。“ Sheretired，andHughjoinedHairy。 Euphrahadanotherglassofclaretwithherunclethatevening，inordertogiveherreportofthemorning\'sride。 “Really，thereisnotmuchtobeafraidof，uncle。HetakesverygoodcareofHarry。Tobesure，Ihadoccasionseveraltimestocheckhimalittle；buthehasthisgoodqualityinadditiontoaconsiderableaptitudeforteaching，thatheperceivesahint，andtakesitatonce。“ Knowingheruncle\'sformality，andpreferenceforpreciseandjudicialmodesofexpression，Euphramodelledherphrasetohismind。 “Iamgladhehasyourgoodopinionsofar，Euphra；forIconfessthereissomethingabouttheyouththatpleasesme。IwasafraidatfirstthatImightbeannoyedbyhisoversteppingthetrueboundariesofhispositioninmyfamily：heseemstohavebeeningoodsociety，too。Butyourassurancethathecantakeahint，lessensmyapprehensionconsiderably。To-morrow，Iwillaskhimtoresumehisseatafterdessert。“ ThiswasnotexactlytheobjectofEuphra\'squalifiedcommendationofHugh。Butshecouldnothelpitnow。 “Ithink，however，ifyouapprove，uncle，thatitwillbemoreprudenttokeepalittlewatchovertheridingforawhile。I confess，too，IshouldbegladofalittlemoreofthatexercisethanIhavehadforsometime：Ifoundmyseatnotverysecureto-day。“ “Verydesirableonbothconsiderations，mylove。“ Andsotheconferenceended。