Mattie:—A Stray (Vol 3 of 3)

o real love in his heart, he would not have drawn back from his offer. His life apart from business was akin to his business life in that; reflection on what was best, just and honourable, and

t on a preaching expedition. Maurice Hinchford's first inquiry was if Mr. Gray were within, and very much relieved in mind he appeared to be upon receiving the information that that formidable Christi

and waistcoat in a highly original manner. He was a man who took no interest in passing events, but sat "all of a heap" on that high chair

id Maurice, on entering. "

rning, M

t news-I have been abroad

ad ag

this morning, and I'm not too unwelcome an intruder, I shoul

annot say that there is any great amount of

pproachable, after fo

ou-I hear it in every accent of your voice; all the figure

o reproaches-wha

as keen as

ome act in it, perhaps?" sa

tal if we could look back

is the keene

ng question, as

f my own regrets instead. I regret h

e to err-I meant

earnest of that affection which only needed her presence to revive again-I aske

N

ely compressed his lips, and waited for the sequel. He would

e matter. By George, I shall never forget her fiery eyes, her angry gestures, her contempt

ould neve

; I might have guessed the truth, had I given it a moment's thought; but I put my trust in you, Sidney, and a nice mess I

rry at having offered all th

Sidney, I'm not sorry. To confes

dee

f you're half a Hinchford, you'll profi

set down again. The red blood mounted to his face, even those dreamy eyes fla

h to dwell up

it. I have been one gigantic, unmitigated schemer since I saw you last, planning for a happiness which is yours by a word, an

ve outlived my youthful follies, and am sober, serious, and unromantic-as I have made my choice, and know w

you a sketch of wh

he cried, with an impat

a big stone, and sunk for ever in the waters of oblivion. By George, Sid, that's a n

" asked Sid

ealth, loud voice, and self-sufficiency. This man paraded his own knowledge of human nature too obtrusively, and spoke as if his listener was a child; he professed to have discerned in Harriet Wesden an affection for the old lover to whom she had been engaged-as if he,

e you need not fear any old topics being intruded

im away

ggravating response; "I made my mind up to

-you ins

ans. He has come from Paris to see you; he would ha

s this

of cleverness beneath his eccentricity. A man who has made the defects of visio

ect a hopeless case; you will shame me by being

d got over the p

, bu

chford, if you hinder me making an

urse?" was t

r you-my regret for a f

ange f

man. I remember a case s

. I am resigned to despair, but not to such a hope as yours. Let h

called

r, and looked at Sidney very intently. His vacuity of exp

English; "you are the blind gentleman

same,

sure you'

, this m

rd of Dr. Bario-he has been res

Sidney, l

heory," said the Italian; "a something that comes suddenly l

or years-I was prepared for it b

t to you

Such is the jealousy of all professions-extending even to the disciples of the healing art. A neve

have half frightened you. People, odd mistakes do

ot," said S

n, "when I listened a leetle too much to

nfluenced by this man's remarks; but they had set his heart beating, and his temples painfully throbbing. He was a fool to feel unner

t one piece more to the

ctor bent over his patient, and there was a long silence-an anxious pause in th

rice ejacul

a chance,

do you mean that?-is it possible tha

"it's a chance, that's all-everything. It'

do you

or madness! I do not you advise to risk

l chan

placidity-he would risk his life for light; life without it,

to place yourself entire under my direction for more w

ything-may I acc

" was the a

he said, offering his hand, "howeve

ut if it e

be God'

I fancy it will, Sid-then you must pay

y can I eve

banker's desk, and showing me t

if-ah! what a mi

l the things," said the doctor; "if

Maurice withdrew. Maurice left the doc

t my cousin Sid. He reports not altogether unfavourabl

aw

t; he says that he will chance the danger, and I think he's right

," gaspe

isitor had left the shop; "hope for Sidney"-"goin

in at once and found our hero walking up and down the room with

coming back to me-a chance that entails danger, but which is surely worth the risk. Think

ed Mattie; adding the instant afterwar

-I don't care which-I can risk all for the one chance ahead of me

the darkness he had learned to love her, he said! But he was not thinking of love then, or

e than that of his benighted one-and he was strong in faith. He could talk of nothing else, and Mattie made no effort to distract his mind away from it. It was natural enough that he should forget her for awh

would rejoice in it with all her heart-as his father would

ey away. Sidney was equipped for departure, and had been waiting for his cous

dney's relations, made Mattie's heart sink somewhat-his wo

parlour. She had been watching for him al

ere sorry at a later day that it was not in

ling

arning of it, that his friends may be near him. If there be a

ise, Mi

ng Mr. Gray by a strategic movement, and a hurried "Good da

dy,

e door to carry Sidney's portmanteau, and then the two cousins entered the

ment, M

n his own anxiety for self, he did not

e's M

, Sid

, where neither Mr. Gray nor his cous

een always ready at my side. Pray for our bright future together; it will come now. Whatever happens you and I togeth

that, S

od-

had touched hers. He was going away from that house for ever, perhaps; they might never know each other again; and sh

ling a shoe for luck, after the receding carriage. A maniacal act, that the footman-who

ham," he said afterwards in the servants' hall, "and