The Carved Cupboard

ard's

impotent conclusi

She was sometimes laughed at by her friends for her devotion to the clergy, and a

re Sunday, but really after such an encounter they may totally ignore us. It was not right

on't wish people to try the organ, they should not leave it open, or they should chain a bulldog to the organ stool. Wasn't that her suggestion, Clare? My dear Agatha, don't fuss yourself. This old woman must be quite

ed,' said Clare, 'and she is quite a Tartar in the village,

Jane know

ld her that Miss Miller sees better through her green

ersation, she said, 'I am going to unpack my books now. Who will come and help me? I am longing to

Clare. 'Are you going to take sole

cross at her

lready arranged a corner for herself there; her writing-table in the west window, her work-basket and books

orner, and that is where you will always find me, w

ng-room each,' said Clare; 'w

n you want to be quiet,' said Gwen.

it already, then? And what

a good deal, and if I'm voted a bore, I shall take my violin up to the bedroo

en deeply engrossed in some ancient histories of Egypt or Nineveh. The buried past had a fascination for her, and perhaps she of all the others had most reason for regretting the departure from London, for her constant visits to the readin

botany, natural history, and archaeology all had their turn, and she certainly seemed to get a good deal of interest and amusement out of them all. She announced to

ere is an old Dutch writer amongst them who gives the most minute directions for laying out a flower and vege

your capability f

the questi

cept teach a Sunday school

incapable of living eve

e admired Gwen's intellect, and there were times when Gwen knew that Clare had depths of which she knew nothing. Reason and practical co

blues!' exclaimed

, and leave some mark behind me as I go. Is that Browning you have in your hand?

help from you, if you

with her fair head resting against the carved cupbo

k, and it was a very tired little party that ga

very quiet, and different to either London or Dane Hall. When we used to stay there with Au

, if you always made the best of your circumstances. I remember you used to complain at Dane Hall of the fri

were dropped into a workhouse ward, you would look round and remark h

nt of her with a smile that showed she was not destitute of humour. 'I daresay I might,' she said. 'I al

d be very sorry for herself if she were. She soon went off to bed, and Elfie followed, and the

e in a different light. She vexed her aunt at first by gradually withdrawing from gaieties, and it was only with great difficulty that she was given permission to visit in the slums. The vicar was soon her betrothed, and Agatha had a few months of perpetual sunshine. But hard work, and a not very strong constitution, soon brought about a serious break-down, and he was ordered to the south of France to recruit his health. The parting was a sad one, and Agatha had wild thoughts of marrying then and there, and going with him as his wife and nurse. But this Miss Dane strenuously oppos

usin's unjust dealing to anyone; even her sisters h

he sat at dinner with them that night, 'but one of my sisters knows a lady in this neighbourhood, and she thinks you will like her. She lives somewhere on the outskirts of Brambleton. A Miss Villars. Sh

cause we have seen one, and, I was goi

ure in the church, and Cap

queer about Miss Villars, except t

uestioned Clare, a

very quietly; 'i

' retorted Captain Knox; 'that is, if

Gwen briskly. 'Religion is a matter to be lived, not t

Agatha. 'If you possess something g

thirsty, and like a glass of water, but need I insist

ment,' said Captain

ly, knowing that thirst can be a blessing, I

ith interest, 'thirst is not, ge

who hunger and thirst after righteo

dinner. You are not given to preach, so don't be tr

ah with Captain Knox, a little time after, she suddenly said, 'I think I am a thirsty person, Hugh, only I ne

t, pensive face of his betrothed. 'I

in earnest about anything; you alw

time, or in the clouds. Clare, darling, I cannot bear the thoughts of Africa sometimes; how shall I be able to

n again before you

ut I have a lot to do in town-it may be

nothing, and then Capta

very religi

t dinner to-night. Now, don't let us be gloomy; come indoors, and I will show you Bluebeard's cupboard in the study, It

d of a lamp, they examined the old oak cupboard

e. 'I have spent hours in trying to find out where it is opened. Do you think one day I

animation. Captain Knox passed his

e said. 'It is a handsome bit of handicraft. What

n says not, but I am sure thos

is so. Here, stop a minute; let me copy these in my notebook. I shall be studyi

ester told her once that he prized this cupboard more than anything else in the house. She thinks, foolish woman, that it is full of gold! I only hope she won't spread that notion about Brambleton.