Lawrence Clavering

t I had not spoken. I had kept my word loyally to--well, to Ashlock, since so I still must term him, even in my thoughts--nay, was still keeping it the while he p

to Grasmere on the following day, and be absent there until the night, thus leaving Rookley a free hand. It was late when I turned out of Borrowdale, but I noticed that there was a light still burning in the steward's office. I rode into the

I saw myself entering a trap, and so piercing a sense of loneliness invaded me, that I plumbed to the very bottom of despondency. I stood in the doorway gazing across the valley. The hills stood sentinel leaguering me about, the voices of innumerable freshets sounded chilly in my ears, as though

to his feet, and b

d me----" But I cut him short, we

threw myself on to a couch which was ranged against the w

ithout moving. Then he came over to the couch, and,

worn face there was a look of friendliness

Aron, to offer help of that kind, and I t

s increased upon his face. He glanced quickly

y use to a child, and then, "sir, I mean, I beg your par

not but what I like the

" said he, with hi

ut that is just the point. You are not my servant, e

nt his mouth

ich was very low, "Master Lawrence, were

d, hopped back to his table, bit his pen, and set to writing at an

I could not ask him, and for this reason amongst others--I was too grateful for this proof of his goodwill to provoke him to a further indiscretion. But as I looked at him, I recalled something

is plumbago? It is

d at me

" sai

opened once i

es

f the mountain whic

es

ssent his uneas

lank of the mountain, and on the mountai

has been for long," h

I persisted. "The place

ohn Rookley's life," he ans

t; but b

is feet benea

ed the q

wh

s," he answer

n's knowledge

e with an almost

hn knew

was opened, o

ow in coming, but

erwa

med, "that Mr. Jervas Ro

om the sofa and opened it; there was no one in the passage, but I left the door open. When I turne

forgave him,"

n him; "and besides, it is hardly fair to rake u

ch he had been holding in his hand fluttered to the floor. The perplexity i

ing his head once or twice in a way

ition: that I do not knowingly part with a farthing of its revenue to Mr. Jervas Rookley. Yo

nod

ng James came to his throne, the will might easily be set aside. I accepted Blackladies upon those terms--as a trust for Mr. Jervas. But to keep that trust I must fulfil the conditions of the will. I must not knowingly do aught for Mr. Rookley. The condition should be e

t me with wo

, and I gathered from the tone of the question that my s

nd if they could prove I knowingly supported Mr. Jervas, they would not, I fancy, miss the occasion. My attorney, for instan

of something totally apart. He said

ladies in trust

need not keep us out of bed."

ely led the way to my door. There he s

wn the lamp, "you will par

e of the old servant,"

n Mr. Ashlock came

and I began kicking

kley's son;" and with that he plumped down on his knees an

one shook me by the shoulder. I looked with blinking eyes at the flame of a candle held an inch from my nose.

vely, "the question wi

in Newlands," he said gravely. "I know nothing--on

orrow, at all events," I said, "si

t. The matter was too urgent for delay. My resolve to sit no more for my portrait, my journey to Grasmere I set on one side; and while I was yet at breakfast I ordered a horse to be saddled. The fellow hurried off upon the errand, and I

k to the house, and I saw Aron on the steps, s

r kept me watchful, but never a hint did he drop of any design between my steward and himself. On the contrary, his conversation was all in praise of his wife, and the great store and reliance he set on her. I listened to it fo

ed which struck them clean out of my mind. I was attra

dicrous to own to it. But it is one of the few privileges of an artist, however poor he be

, for in truth I had seen him behave towards her with so cruel an inconsis

il he reached the window--"that if aught happened amiss to her I do not think I should live long after it, If she deceived me, I do not thin

ve caught every word. I saw a flush as of anger ove

you last night, Mr. Herbert. Was it

ng round up

ry into the conversations of your servants, Mr. Clavering, but I am not one of them"--and

my frailties with your patrons. But it seems," and her voice hardened audibl

n pride; every line of her bo

he answered feebly; and at

her arms ab

an so insulted, and on so mean a plea?" And sh

to her, and laid a ha

rising of a sudden, confro

lk--ay, like your servant!" And she swept out of the room b

er sobbing remained in my ears, tingling me to pity of the woman and a sore indignation against the husband. It was for myself I sh

much calmness as I could command, "I wi

st in alarm. "It is my best work!" And

a fury at his insensibility-

ckladies?" he asked,

gossiped to some purpose w

ss, and left him. But when I came out I found him standing in the passage with a lighted

s the devil," he remarked; and with a sardo

hink," he said, lo

s very hea

k to the full length of his arm

it will rain,

up the street stopped, as well they might, and sta

pardon m

se," said he, and he kic

had together in the hall concerning the hanging of the picture. Of so much I was assured, and so much I still found myself abstractedly repeating an hour later. For alas! in spite of my resolve, my thoughts had flown along a very different path. I had a vision of the woman, and her alternations from pride to tears, ever fixed before my eyes. It was myself w

Clave

cry, and I knew the voice. I turned me about, and t

an hour ago, with the addition of

this. God knows I am sensible of the remorse; I feel it at the very cor

have happened sooner or later. Jealousy is never at a

t the excuse you make for me is no more than a k

most seemed as though there was some

own upon a boulder by the water's

tep or two nearer. "But it is so small, so poor a thing;" and at that I

er sha

d broke in a tiny wave, ever at the same spot, some thirty yards from the shore. I fell to counting the waves, I remem

eemed the merest waste of words. Before, however, I could make the effort, her spirit changed. Passion leapt out of her like a flame. "I hate him," she cried, beating he

uess idly, heedlessly. It was not he, it was I who spoke of Ashlock." But there was no sign of assent in her demeanou

f my interruption. "They are making merry ove

silence fell upon us both; I saw the colour come and go fitfully upon her face, and her bosom rise and

ernly room she had been compelled to live in shot into my mind. I remembered how unfitted to her I had thought it on my first going thither. Of a sudden, while I was thus watching her, she lifted her eyes to mine. What babbling incoherencies I spoke, I do not

de before me on my horse to the gates of Blackladies, that we dismounted there and walked

y was the 23