The Pillars of the House; Or, Under Wode, Under Rode, Vol. 1 (of 2)

ne of Life and

village as the

on their face

es capped with

gfe

't,

thing to y

n't do. I must

not light a candle

is

stir the fire. If you kne

tu

ays not;' and Felix reared up in the

dgar-Oh,

oped to keep up for some weeks longer, had for the last two days been quite unlike herself. In the sick-room she was as tender and vigilant as ever in her silent way, but towards her children a strange fretful impatience had set in, almost a jealousy of their coming near their father, and an intolerance of the least interruption from them even for the most necessary cause. Moreover, the one

all go to the party at Cent

I don't believe there's the lea

you can think of such

Marilda's Christmas

gain,' entreate

,' said Wilmet, with abso

began

y's voice in the dark end of th

stories, and they're

one. There was once

tle brute, and I hate

ngue,' said C

have the match-girl,'

There was once an old gi

herry's critical public; an

n; papa told me. He was in an island-' but th

lbert h

hame! What is i

ng arm,' growled Fulbert. 'Oh!

what's that?' and he sprang to his feet with Angela in his arms, as the door

ndle. Wilmet alone had not stirred, as Bernard lay asleep across her lap. The flash of the

aid Mr. Audley, 'from St. Faith's, at Dear

tangling of which had been his solace. There was a sweet warm kiss on her brow, and her lost net was picked u

a sort of consent from you

lf resentfully. 'We have hardly been in

hink about it. Now, my dear, don't! I won't have anything done for m

' said Alda, the only smoo

, arranged her rug, and made her comfortable in a moment. A sense came over them all that they had among them a head on whom they might rest their cares; and as the black bonnet and veil were taken off, and they saw a sweet fair motherly face beaming on

ce as Lady Herbert Somerville, the wife of the late rector of Dearport. He had last met her when, some six or seven years before, he had been invited to preach at festivals at Dearport, and had seen her the sunbeam of her house. He knew that her husband, who was a connection of Mr. Aud

w how much I wis

he said, remembering her love for tending

ishing that I

d herself implicitly relying on and trusting Sister Constance with a wonderful sense of relief-a relief perhaps still greater to the patient himself, who had silently endured mo

afely be done, she left the two alone together, and applied herself to winning the hearts and soothing

to that spirit! At first the patient liked to talk, and drew out much of the hidden treasure of her spirit respecting her husband, who, though ailing for years, had finally passed a

rd to resign himself to leaving his plans half carried out to instruments which he had but half formed. He had wished with all his might to live, and though he had resigned himself dutifully, it had been with

only tired out, too tired to think about what is to follow. If I live three days longer I shall have just ha

t Mr. Audley had told her, that the doctor said that the end might yet be many weeks away. When in the dark winter's morning the wife crept back again to her post, and all that could be done in those early hours had been effected, Sister Constance

former never failed to see each child, and give it a smile and kiss, if no more. If they were to be sent, Felix supposed there was no one but himself to take t

ed the exceeding kindness, and declared it to be much

in assent, as she

ey were brought-Robina, Angela, and Bernard-and each stood for a moment on a chair at his bed-side. The two little on

hristmas tree! and I'll save all my

ep on Wilmet's bed, as much, she said, as she ever required; and she came from it all freshness and brightness, making the dinner-time very charming to all the diminished party, though Wilmet felt greatly lost without the little ones; and afterwards she earned the warmest gratitude from Edgar and

, as he said, 'uncommonly queer' at first, but at last deciding, to the great diversion of his father, that the sisters were a set of jolly old girls, but not one equal to 'our Sister Constance.' Then he had seen the church, and was almost bewilde

ale Leston again. However, when Felix crept in, about four o'clock in the morning, anxious at the sounds he heard, he found him asleep, and this l

and he looked at it with quiet pleasure. 'Mother,' he said, th

ry through the thin wall

d his two watchers hesitated what to do, until the door was slightly opened, and before the intended sign could b

n't fear to say,' he s

s well as can b

y? Alive

ok like to be-twins, and coming like this!' Perhaps Sibby was a little more lamentable, because

moment, saying in a far more encoura

ese Twelfth-day gifts live? Or do I take them with me? At least, let me baptize them-

he went to make ready, while Mr. Audley went down for the little Parian font, and Felix and Sibby arranged the pillows and cove

r,' she said, 'po

old twins, Sibby?'

ey came in a

ghtly. 'See, Sibby, can't you be thankful, like me, that your mistress is sh

by the pillow, and the boys stood against the wall, while the two babes, tiny and scarcely animate things, were carried, each by one of the elder pair; and t

ishes about names?' he

were brimming over with tears, and it

ar; I am not to be

we were the children of joy-these are the children of sor

id; then after a brie

st inappreciable as the weight was, he could only venture to lay one arm round that grasshopper burthen, as with his long thin fingers he dashed the water. 'Theodore

to me again

father's kiss a

k of them as children of sorrow, but of joy. She will remember how nearly you were called

uty to these helpless ones should be his first thought on earth. He did not

ask, 'Is Eudora a

ell Mother that I call them a double joy, a double comfort! Poor little maid!' and

how we will love t

smoothed the glossy hair; 'but

now,' broke fro

ke the burthen a blessing-the cross a crutch-eh,

but not appa

ating, and practise sliding; and Wilmet, with a view to quiet, actually ventured on the extravagance of

disappointed that the boy was gone. But he murmured, 'Maybe it is best!' and when the little girl came in, flushed and awe-struck, he took her hand, and said, 'May no

e time that she leant-for she could not kneel-by his bed. Her elder brother and sisters were there too, and he kissed and blessed each tenderly afterwards, and Sister Constance too knelt and asked his blessing. Then he thanked Mr.

r. Audley, who had just come in, began with Felix to dress him, and prepare to move him. But just as they were helping him towards the chair, there was a sort of choke, a gasping st

voice sounded strange an

uth. It was only an exclamation, it would have been a shriek if Felix had not grasped her wrist with a peremptory grasp. B

she added, as the stunned boy went past her, only hearing, and that as through a tempest, the feeble voice calling his name. He stood by the bed-

othes. A few holy words of commendation of the soul departed sounded from the

his face over her, as he rocked himself backwards and forwards with her, each straining the other closer, as though the mechanical action and motion could allay the pain. The table was all over baby-things, which numerous neighbours had sent in on

is? How is

deeply flushed, and rising, p

't say so,' said Mr.

Quite suddenly. Not very long ago,' he began, but he felt unable

f his hat, passing his hand over his forehead, and standing horro

just now,' said Felix, h

to his eyes. He spoke more gently after that. 'Well, this is a sudden thing

onfined la

state of things! Have you

from Dearport

ch are you?

poor Edgar!' he add

silence them; but at the threshold the sight of his face brought conviction to Edgar; and with a loud uncon

ting Edgar to the sofa. Of the other boys, Clement ran for water, Fulbert ru

witness. He was always-boy as he was-the most easily and entirely overthrown by anything that affected him strongly; and Mr. Thomas Underwood was so much struck and touched by his exceeding grief, especially now that he looked on him as his own property, that after putting i

e sent to Dearport yesterda

ort! Eh!

ters,' s

o make up to you. It will be much the best way for you to come out of this,' he added, g

not in the least supposing

le lad. One out of the way is something under the circumstanc

lix. 'I'll fetch Mr. Audley,' he added, as another trying grunt at the other

and further shown that it had been most merciful, since there might otherwise have been weeks, if not months, of much severer suffering. He

n offered to have the funeral at Vale Leston, 'if it were only to shame Fulbert Underwood;' but the wife was in no state to be asked, and the children shrank from th

oy seemed too unhappy not to be restless, and as if he

er remained in the same state, except when roused by an effort; and then there was an attention and presence of mind about her that gave anxiety lest excitem

ippians. It stopped at the words-'Yea, and if I be offered upon the s

, for whom indeed there were many tears shed. It seemed to suit with that solemn peace and nobleness that seemed like the 'likeness of the Resurrection face,' bringing back all the beauty of his counte

ad been spread for the mourners in the church in early morning; but afterwards she was forced to remain at home, while the white-robed

of the Dies Ir?, as it was sung on the way to the cemetery. It was a very aching heart, poor child! full of

one of his mother's steady reserve and resolute stillness had descended to him, he was all sensibility and nervousness; and Geraldine, though without saying this to herself, felt as if 'poor Edgar' might really have been nearly killed by the last few days of sadness, he could bear depression so little. She could hardly have gone through them but for Sister Constance's kindness, and that rocking process from Felix, which she and he called 'being his great baby.' And now, when her mother looked up at her, held out a hand, and called her Pa

was to return with the cousin, whispering to her by the way that it had been very beautiful. It was a day of bright sunshine, high wind, and scant sparkling feath

sent, the number of clergy-Mr. Ryder, too, came home from his holiday on purpose-the sobbing people, and the wreaths of camellias and of holly, that loving hands had made, and laid upon the coffin.

a timidly, 'you like b

ould like an

ou know what I mean. It

of sobbing came on, which made the other children stan

ar. Father would say it was not right; a

ause he has been away,' s

tween his sobs 'It d

re the

I had books, and things to copy; such an angel, Che

ummons from the ot

oing to tell him what is settled. Mr. Underwood wrote to the man at Vale Leston, and he won't do

re was a

t me?' as

re's a new governess coming, and you will start both together with her;

e won't be

it is in her! S

go till Mam

ossiping kind of way that jarred on he

rangements about the christening, contingent, of course, on the mother's consent, and on the possibility of taking the very small delicate babies to the church

readers we subjoin the firs