Mildred Arkell, (Vol 3 of 3)

omment, but in time, as the newness of it wore off, it grew to be no longer noticed. It is so with all things. On the afternoon of the fall, the family surgeon was called in to him: he saw no cau

at business of the register; the interview with the Prattletons, and subsequently with Mr. Fauntleroy. On the next day he had to appear as a witness; and then came the deanery dinn

t clever the city afforded was summoned, and he did not appear to understand it either. That there was some internal injury to the head, both agreed; but what it might be, it was not so easy to state. And thus more days crept on, and t

ought he was best up," he answered; "it was more change: when he was tired of the chair and the pillow, he could lie down outside the bed." "It is unaccountable his liking to be so much

be expected. Mr. Arkell heard of it, and brought another physician, without saying anything beforehand at Peter's

s spectacles were pushed to the top of his brow, for if there was one thing more than another that excited the ire of the master, it was that of the boys

his, sir?" was the master's salutatio

sley, eyeing the boiled beef wishfully, but not dar

et the regulations of my house?" retorted the master. "You

nd when I got there the dean was with him. I waited, and wai

echoed Mr. Wilberforce

great deal worse. They say he will ne

ays so

ith his head, sir; some internal injury caused by the fall; but they don't

may take your seat for this once, Cookesley, but if ever you transgress again--Hallo!" broke off the master, a

ort, for his face was distorted, and his eyes were round wi

meat, sir," gasped

ere's the piece of meat you were going to eat; it dropped off the fork on t

e back when it's over," said the master to Lewis. And away Lewis went;

mbs, only told somewhat heavily upon his head, should last all this while, and incapacitate him from his duties? Had it been any other of the king's scholars, no matter which of the whole thirty-nine Mr. Wilberforce would have said that he was skulk

the window, but standing up, his head resting against the frame, and his eyes strained after some distant object outs

to-day, Har

s curious pain in m

ou call i

cannot put my hand on any part of my head and say it is here or it is there

ou watching

evasive reply. "They had Dr. Ware t

exclaimed Mr. St. Joh

ad was struck when I fell, but I could not tell him-I

ld accession of colour to his feverish cheek, betrayed to Mr. St. John that something was passing which

ss Beauclerc's mysterious words, and Henry's past conduct became clea

is soonest awa

rst to be touche

. St. John

aking, as that thorns grow on certain rose-tree

y, upon going in, h

. St. John, by way of salutation. "Now don

St. John did not like, and did not understand. "Did they

ne but the servant.

art of the night. Then I will tell it you. I shall not be here m

ld have a fatal termination had not yet crossed his mind

p somewhere. I a

t?" was the a

ng, Mr. S

en putting that rubbish in your head?" cried h

without their being able to discover the true nature of the case, they saw that it must termin

cent of reproach. "Though their opinion may be unfavourable-which

d to it now. A faint idea that this might be the ending, has been running through my own

mparted it to you!" emphatically repeated Mr. S

fear death. What would have been the use of her lessons, ha

to have told you!" was the continued burden

oncerns, left in ignorance to meet it, not knowing it was there? Mamma has not waited herse

velation; and in talking of the glories which I may soon see, will you believe that I almost forgot my pain? She says how t

e boy," interrupt

way am I

tone of cool ease. Have you n

insignificance last night, while mamma was t

d your griefs and troubles, inexperien

erve. "Some of the college boys have not suffered me to lead a pleasant life with them," he

n some other grief than thes

rief could th

e. And you are ov

too young," was

you to betray yourself. Nay, Henry, don't shrink from me; let m

ou mean-what are you talking of, Mr.

e whispered. "I know what it is, and who it is. Georg

g eyes; his chest was heaving with emotion. Mr. St.

e is a heartless girl. I expect she drew you on, a

nguish; "otherwise, I never--But it was my fault also. I ough

incorrigible flirt, that is what you ought

annot speak of these things to y

d best speak of them to me, because I have

added, pointing to the blue sky, which, as seen from his window, formed a canopy over the cathedral tower. "She has, in all probability, many years before

ther enigma. What should bring me spen

, and turned them on Mr. St. John. "Do

a Beauclerc!

understood not. "It was for your sake she treated me so i

ere not another English girl extant. And as to loving her--Harry, I only w

rmured, as he turned his face to the pillow. "I must send

ing," retorted Mr. St. John. "Y

to them. "It maybe very soon; and it is better to talk of death than t

end to him, I know he will not come; but I must see him. Tell him, please, that it is only t

o," said Mr. St. Jo

y head will stand it all. Tell him from me, not t

," interposed Mr. St.

and tell him, when I sent it, I meant it fully

r lo

e from one college boy to another,

, he encountered the dean. "Dr. B

Mr. St. John. "Dy

be a fatal one. They told the family last night there was little,

ocratic nose up. "The idea of his condescending to enter the house of those poor Arkells! had it been the other branch of the Arke

our, and from thence into Henry Arkell's chamber. The boy's ever lovely face flushed cri

he dean, as he sat down. "I hear you are n

do not be sorry. I shall be better off;

enuinely, heartily?"

feel it? If it is God's will to tak

dean. "I do not know that I

e to Him earlier than I thought to have

u reposed so firm

t me that with my letters. She taught me to take God for my

have do

to do it. But I know that the

trust in Christ?" returne

rvently: "if I had not, I should not dare to die. I wish I might have

do believe you are more fitted for it than are

ld inde

ven to-night, if that hour will suit your

ise: "mamma thought of asking Mr. Prattleton. I am but

lege boy may stand higher than the Dean of Westerbury. Henry, I have watched your conduct more than you are aware of, and I believe you to have b

done it more than I h

ng's scholars on their way, who were not boarders at the house of Mr. Wilberforce. The dean had gone then, but Mr. St. John was at the door, having called again to inquire whether there was any change. He cast his eyes on the noi

r," he panted. "You have no righ

garden for support. Mr. St. John, not releasing his collar, looked at him wi

Mr. St. John. "You are panting like a coward

t to see him. Let me go, sir. Though you are Mr. St. John, that's

it: you may have heard, possibly, that the St. Johns never break their word. But Arkell has sent for you in kindness: he appear

," shrieked Lewis again, whose o

ve force, he conducted Mr. Lewis to the door of Henry's chamber. There Lewis seiz

ndering much. "Have I not told you there is n

ook very frightful

s as he has always looked. Be off in; and I'l

ld out his hand, and spoke a few hearty words of love and forgivene

e impulse of the moment, and you never thought i

e to die?" s

am. The doc

with being your murderer: Prattleton junior says you will. He saw it done,

ome back to earth. No one knows how it happened: you say Prattleton

ious to you!" blubbered Lewis. "I, and my

g his heavy eyes. "You would not, had you

on the white bedclothes, in an agony. "And, if it's found out, they might try

it. Say good-bye to the fellows for me, Lewis; I am too ill to see them.

ard and kissed him on the cheek: then turned and burst out of the room, nearly up

onference satis

his heavy eyes. "Is t

I am

or the sacrament. He said my not being confirmed

e grave answer. "I

rs filled his eyes. "I wish you c

of iniquity: I did not mean to imply it. But I do not yet think sufficiently of s

tween us-a promise that you will some time jo

I shall: I will not for

ive mood: the cathedral bell was then ringing for afternoon service, and, so

ed, in an impetuous manner; and forthwith he began recounting a history to M

way, and Mr. St. John stood looking after him, in painful thought. When the dean came out of Mr

own. People could not believe it: his friends could not believe it: the doctors scarcely believed it. The day wore on; and whether there may have ling

hould become delirious ere the hour should arrive: he had become so rapidly worse since the forepart of the day. Precis

house, and to all th

e Visitation of the Sick, omitting part of the exhortation, but reading the pr

Mrs. Arkell and the dean, quitted the

t your request,"

door, as we enter,"

done as you w

have promised t

g much just now," added the dean

ch longer. Oh, I hope I shall not suffer beyond my strengt

" whispered the dean; "you cannot look in vain. H

rfect peace. Thank