Que la confiance fournit plus a la conversation que l'esprit." 1 About three weeks before Helen's departure, Mr. Cavendish, who had been some time in London, came selfinvited to dinner. Mrs. Middleton and he were alone, when he enquired, 'Where is Miss Sinclair ? I have not seen her, is she with you?' 'She will be down presently,' answered Mrs. Middleton, 'but I am sorry to say, we are going to lose her.' 'For a short time I presume.' 'To our great regret,' answered Mrs. Middleton, 'she will not return to us.' 'Not return!' echoed Mr. Cavendish, 'why, how is that? I thought you liked her so much.' 'Indeed I do,' replied Mrs. Middleton, and that is one reason, why I was reconciled to part with her; finding it would be more to her advantage, I could no longer hesitate.' 'Does she then wish it?' enquired he. 'In one sense,' replied Mrs. Middleton, 'she is anxious to go; though I think she would scarcely have decided upon taking this step, had not her brother given the casting vote.' - - - --*,* *** * 38. 'And why should he wish her to leave those, amongst whom she has always appeared so happy?T Because,' answered Mrs. Middleton, looking earnestly at Mr. Cavendish, he wishes her to remain so; and finds from circumstances which have reached his ear, (though not through the medium of Helen) that a much longer residence at Oakwood can only be productive of regret; for according to the Persian proverb, though "The moon looks on many flowers, the flowers see but one moon."" 1 Mr. Cavendish affected to laugh, as he said in a tone of chagrin, 'I have no doubt Miss Sinclair and her brother have ample reasons to produce, for their apparent inconsistency.' 'Helen,' said Mrs. Middleton, 'is guided by her brother, of whose wishes she was ignorant until he came; and though she thought him right, the effort was a painful one, for her mind is one of no common order.' Just as Mrs. Middleton had finished speaking, Helen entered; and Mr. Cavendish advanced with the deferential air he had lately chosen to assume. She shook hands with him, and politely thanking him for the many enquiries he poured into her ear, seated herself quietly near a window, and was soon apparently engaged in.. watching the heavy flakes of snow, which were falling through the lingering twilight, soft as down, upon the shrubs and evergreens around; also enveloping the leafless branches of the trees, with the white and beautiful mantle. The drawing room was not yet lighted up; and the fire alone gave a flickering, though bright hue, to the different parts of the room: of which the warmth and comfort contrasted cheerfully with the dreary aspect presented from the windows. 1. Mr. Cavendish followed Helen to the retreat she had chosen; and began his observations in the soft low tones he always had at his command. 'I should imagine Signora,' said he, 'you can find nothing in this desolate scene congenial to your taste, La Primavéra, è la vostra Dea; ma come una divinità, spring is ever on that brow." Helen made no answer, and he continued in a graver manner, Why Miss Sinclair will you, who once appeared all sunshine and gladness, now put on the chilling demeanour of winter? believe me your own sunny smile becomes you best.' 'I beg Mr. Cavendish,' interrupted Helen, as if afraid of the sound of her own voice, 'you will cease this strain of conversation; it neither becomes you to offer it, nor me to listen to it.' Mrs. Middleton,' continued he, (so as to be unheard by any one else but Helen,) 'tells me you are going to leave us, can it be true?' I 'Yes, perfectly true,' replied Helen, 'I have only a few weeks to remain;' and in spite of her endeavours to the contrary, tears filled her eyes; and she leant forwards to prevent Mr. Cavendish from observing it. 'Then,' said he, 'you will put the finishing stroke to the cruelty you have inflicted upon us.' Helen looked the surprise she felt; and he continued, as in answer to it, 'Yes, you came amongst us just to make us feel what it is to lose you, as "We never know how we have loved She coloured, half with vexation, as this plainly implied, it was only whilst she remained at Oakwood, that he would trouble himself about her; and that he was now leading her to understand as much, she was perfectly aware of. Whether he remarked the expression which passed over her telltale-face, we know not, but he resumed, Where are you going to, may I ask?' 'Into Cumberland.' 'Near what place?' 'K' 'And would you,' continued he, 'were I to come into the neighbourhood be glad to see me? Say so,' continued he bending, so as to catch her answer. She hesitated a moment, and then calmly replied, 'Your invitation if you wish for one, would I think be best given by my brother; you must therefore excuse me answering your question, except in the negative; but allow me to join Mrs. Middleton, I feel cold here.' You are indeed cold, cruelly cold,' said Mr. Cavendish, as he offered her his arm; but Helen tacitly refusing it, walked to the other side of the room, and called Adelaide to come and sit by her on the couch, thus precluding any further remarks. The hour of six had been struck by the silvery chimes of the hall clock, still Mr. Middleton was absent. Dinner had been postponed nearly half an hour, when they heard his voice; and Mrs. Middleton flew out to welcome her husband on his return, after an absence of some days. 'Mrs. Middleton is a delightful woman,' said Mr. Cavendish, 'in fact she is one whom I should wish my wife (when I have one) to resemble.' 'You would be highly favoured then,' said Helen. More so perhaps, replied Mr. Cavendish, 'than you think I deserve to be. I am unfortunate in having incurred the displeasure of one, who so much resembles her (or at least used to do) in the warmth and kindness of her manner.' Helen did not enquire who he meant by the "one," for she knew, he was aware the meaning could not be mistaken; yet how unworthy it appeared of him, thus to exculpate himself by throwing it all to her own ac count. 'I shall be ready in five minutes,' said a voice, that made her heart beat quicker; and she exclaimed, 'That must be Charles!' |