it. And as for the roof, when that thunder-storm was, and I took shelter

with my pony--well, you know the state I came home in, and all my best

clothes on for the Visitation. Luckily there seems to be no rheumatism

in your family, Maria; and perhaps he is too young as yet to pay out for

it till he gets older. But if he comes for business, and to see to the

relics of his property, surely he might have a bedroom here, and come

and go at his liking. After all his foreign fanglements, a course of

quiet English life and the tone of English principles might be of the

greatest use to him. He would never wish to see the Continent again."

"It is not to be thought of," said Mrs. Twemlow. "I would not have him

to live in this house for fifty thousand pounds a year. You are a

great deal wiser than I am, Joshua; but of his nature you know nothing,

whereas I know it from his childhood. And Eliza is so strong-willed

and stubborn--you dislike, of course, to hear me say it, but it is the

fact--it is, my dear. And I would rather stand by our daughter's grave

than see her fall in love with Caryl Carne. You know what a handsome

young man he must be now, and full of French style and frippery. I am

sure it is most kind of you to desire to help my poor family; but you

would rue the day, my dear, that brought him beneath our quiet roof.

I have lost my only son, as it seems, by the will of the Lord, who

afflicts us. But I will not lose my only daughter, by any such folly of

my own."

Tears rolled down Mrs. Twemlow's cheeks as she spoke of her mysterious

affliction; and her husband, who knew that she was not weak-minded,

<<BackPagesTo menuNext>>