Section 60 of the Inheritance by Susan Edmundstone-Farrier Volume 2 Chapter 26 Listen to me, and if you speak me fair, I'll tell you news, Shakespeare. When Gertrude had left her mother in the morning, she'd left her as usual fretful and gloomy, but on returning she was struck with the change which in the course of a few hours had taken place. Her countenance was lightened, her air was almost joyous, and though some slight traces of agitation were visible, yet it was evidently of no painful kind. For the two to ensembles was that of a person who had thrown off a load of cares and of fears. She was seated at her toilette, which ever since the Earl's death had been much neglected, but upon her daughter's entrance she dismissed her maid, come away my love, cried she, holding out her arms, and affectionately embracing her. I've been tiring to death for you, where have you been, my sweetest? Gertrude but not without wondering if this sudden overflow of love and tenderness related to her the particulars of her visit to Mr. Ramsey and its consequences. Ah, nothing could be better managed, said Mrs. Sinclair, and his arrival today is quite apropos, as I mean to make my appearance at dinner, and it may very well pass for a compliment to my good uncle. Then, changing her tone to one of deep solemnity, since I saw you in the morning love, I've been a good deal shocked with a piece of news. I accidentally stumbled upon in a provincial paper I happened to take up. My nerves, to be sure, have been sadly shattered of late, and she sighed and took up her smelling bottle. But it is impossible not to be struck with such an event. Gertrude, you have no longer anything to fear from that unfortunate man. He, he has perished, added she, in strong but transient emotion. Gertrude involuntarily, shuddered, there is always something revolting in the gaiety that springs from the death of a fellow being, and for a moment she turned away her head from the wild unnatural pleasure that gleamed in her mother's eye. What was this man's life or death to me? exclaimed she, suddenly surely now the time has come when you will tell me all. Not now, my love, do not urge me. The time may come when I shall have no secret with you, but at present it can serve no purpose but that of agitating and distressing me. Perhaps I should not have mentioned this disagreeable occurrence to you at all, but for the fear that it might have come upon you unawares, and so have betrayed you into some symptom of recognition that had better be avoided. For I think you could scarcely fail to be struck as I was at reading the account, as yet it has got no further than the Barnford Chronicle, but it will of course appear in the London papers, and you will probably hear it read and commented on at all hands. So it is better you should receive it from mine, for warned is for armed. And taking up a newspaper, she pointed out a paragraph under the head of Mellon Collie Shipwreck. It set forth in the usual terms a most elaborate and high drawn narrative of the wreck of the dauntless packet bound for America on the coast of Ireland when every soul on board had perished. Several pieces of the wreck and some of the bodies of the unhappy sufferers had been cast on shore and were all minutely described amongst others that of a gentleman seemingly turned to 30 years of age, tall, fair complexion, light hair, blue eyes, high nose, linen marked J.L. On his person were found a watch, a small sum of money, and a pocketbook, the letter containing papers and bills, but so much damage by the water that the writing was wholly obliterated. Only on one of the bills the letter's S layer could be traced and those were the only marks which could throw any light on the unfortunate gentleman's identity, et cetera, et cetera, et cetera. It is very sad to be called upon to rejoice over an event fraught with so much misery, said the Countess with a sigh. As she finished it, I do not call upon you to rejoice, Gertrude, said Mrs. Sinclair solemnly. God forbid that I should. I merely wish you to see that you have nothing more to fear in that quarter. But after all, Mama, how can you be quite sure that this ill-fated sufferer is the very person you suppose, Lewiston, because I have it under his own hand that he had actually engaged his passage in that very vessel, and it is surely very improbable that there should have been two men on board a small packet answering so completely to the same description and every particular, and even if there were, both must have shared the same fate. And now, let us drop the subject and everything relating to it should it pass without any observation from those two tiresome fools. Lady Betty and Miss Pratt as well, if it is noticed and commented upon, you will of course be prepared to talk about it as anyone else would do. But Mr. Lindsey, said Gertrude, surely you will explain everything to him. I've already explained enough to Mr. Lindsey, said Mrs. Sinclair angrily. I know not what more he would require. Yet you said you promised to lay open the whole, but the whole is now at an end, and I do not feel myself called upon to revive old and disagreeable stories merely to gratify his curiosity. Injustice to yourself, to me, said Gertrude urgently, you ought not to lose a moment in clearing up, if possible, everything that appears wrong in your conduct and in mine. Injustice to myself, said Mrs. Sinclair, coloring with anger, I will not harrow up my feelings and endanger my health by recurring to anything of a painful or agitating nature at present. Mr. Lindsey, I repeat, knows all that it is necessary for him to know. If he would know more, let him know that the Countess of Rossville, in her own house and under the protection of her mother, stands in no need either of his advice or assistance. Know that he shall never hear from me, said Gertrude formally. Mr. Lindsey may have been duped. He shall never be insulted under my roof if I can prevent it. Is this the language I am now to hear, cried Mrs. Sinclair passionately, am I so degraded by your exaltation that I must submit to be stigmatized, and by you, but beware, Lewiston is gone, but his power remains. Lady Rossville remained silent, but tears fell from her eyes. At length, she said, I am no longer a child to be frightened by a bugbear.  Already cried she, giving scope to her emotion and speaking under its excitement. Already my feelings have been sacrificed. My reputation endangered, certainly solid in the eyes of one person, and yet to him you refuse that explanation which is due both to him and to me. While her daughter spoke, Mrs. Sinclair seemed to be struggling with her passions. At length by a violent effort she obtained the mastery over them, and in a feeble, languid tone said, I am unable to contend with you, Gertrude, you are mistress here, and may command, it seems even your mother to obey you, but exhausted as I am by a long and dangerous illness, my nerves shattered, my mind unstrung, you might have spared me yet a little, but why should you weep, Lady Rossville, you who have all that this world can bestow, he thinks you might at least have left tears for your mother, poor dependent, humble as she is, Gertrude, I am in no situation to oppose your will, with a worn out frame, broken spirits depending on your bounty, for my daily bread. Acustomed, she had all her life been to her mother's acting, still Gertrude never could hear a reproach from her lips without the bitter sorrow and compunction, and on the present occasion every word went as a dagger to her heart, her attention had artfully been led away from the point at issue, and now she only beheld herself as the oppressor of a mother, feeble, old, and poor. With her usual impetuosity she had once flung herself into her mother's power, sued for forgiveness, and the scene ended as such scenes always did end in Mrs. St. Clair's victory, still she felt it was but a temporary one, as a mere triumph over the feelings always is. There might be silence, but there was no submission at heart, for there could be no conviction of mind, such as it was, however it served for the present to hasty reconciliation was patched up on a sort of mutual understanding that all relating to the unfortunate Louison was to be consigned to oblivion. Mrs. St. Clair was not to be urged to any explanation, she should see fit to make it, and Lady Rossville was never more to be offended with the mention of a name connected as it was in her ideas with so much degradation. Mrs. St. Clair then wrung for her maid to resume her office, and the Countess returned to the saloon to her guest. End of section sixty. Section sixty-one of the inheritance by Susan Edmund Stoonfarier, this LibriVox recording is in the public domain. Volume two, chapter twenty-seven. Mazure, centraux, blessé, et la cour et la vie, ne m'en font rien, qu'objet, à me chauffer la bille. Je entre en une humeur noire en un chagrin profond. Quand je vois vivre entre eux, les hommes comme ils font, je n'y puis plus tenir, et mon déceint, et de rendre en visier à tout le genre humain molière. Upon entering the apartment, Gertrude's surprise was great at finding Mr. Ramsey and Ms. Pratt seated together, seemingly in a most harmonious tet-à-tet. She had anticipated almost with dread of meeting betwixt to such opposite natures, and had expected something to result from it little less discordant than the union of a bagpipe and fiddle, instead of which she found their tastes and sentiments completely blended into one beauteous whole, and the current of their conversation gliding on so smoothly that it did not seem even to require cowpers animated know to brush the surface and to make it flow. But the extraordinary conjunction of two such distant planets is easily accounted for. It was not brought about by any heavenly influences for such were not the test for their spirits, but simply by means of a sufficient quantity of well expressed, well applied abuse, which is perhaps the strongest of all cements for worldly minds. Uncle Adam, it is already known, had been left like one of the fortunate adventures in the Arabian tales in a luxurious apartment surrounded not with singing damsels and silver tissue and sherbet tis true, but with what to him were far greater enjoyments, silence and freedom, and a newspaper. Perhaps another in his place would have taken a survey of the room, or have pondered a little over his comforts, but he was none of these. He was quite unconscious of the difference that surrounded him and not at all aware of the difference between the crimson and gold damask foe terrier in which he was seated and his own little straight backed hair cloth one, neither was he at all struck with the contrast between the profusion of lamps, which diffused their enchanting light and his long wicked, dim streaming tallow candles. The bright blazing fire looked about that only drew forth a peevish exclamation as he pushed back from its overpowering influence and sought for his spectacles to see how stood the stocks, but no spectacles were to be found every pocket, and they were not a few was searched and their depths profound explored, but in vain the case, the chagrin case was there as if only to mock his hopes, or it was empty an uncle Adam at length collected with infinite vexation that he had left their precious contents on the little table in his own parlor. How tormenting to behold with the mind's eye the very object we are in want of lying on a particular spot where our own hands have placed it. Do see it as it were within our grasp and yet to be in torments for the want of it, such as have experienced this will sympathize in the sufferings of him as he saw his spectacles lying afar off upon their broad end, their arms extended as if to grasp his temples while yet the spectacles saw not him.  But at that critical moment the door opened and Miss Pratt, like another fairy, Para-Banon entered, she had discovered his arrival and having had the advantage of hearing his character and peculiarities thoroughly discussed upon various occasions she was prepared to meet him accordingly. Miss Pratt, like many other people, had a sort of instinctive reverence for riches even where she had not the slightest prospect of profiting by them. She therefore accosted Mr. Ramsey with the greatest respect and courtesy, expressed the pleasure, gave her to see him at Rossville, hoped he had taken something since he came, it wanted a long while to dinner yet and in short did the honors as though she had been mistress of the mansion. Uncle Adam, who knew not who he had to deal with, was not displeased at the all-impressed Samal testified in his behalf by a stranger and he declined the proffered in his politest manner, adding that he never took anything between breakfast and dinner. And an excellent rule it is, said Miss Pratt in her most emphatic tone for them who can keep it, for I really think there's a great deal too much eating and drinking goes on in the present day, especially amongst young people. The consequence is you hear of nothing but bile, bile, bile, from the oldest to the youngest. I really think poor Lord Rossville heard himself very much by his manner of eating, not but what he was a moderate man in the main, but to tell the truth. God knows, but I never can help thinking he dealt too deep in a fine, fat, venison pasty that was at dinner the very last day he sat at his own table, poor man. I denadude it, said Mr. Ramsey, secure that he never would come to an untimely end by any such means. I've given our young Countess a hint about that, resumed Miss Pratt, for I really think there's need for a little reform in the kitchen here. It was just yesterday I was saying to her that for all the cooks she had and for all the grand things they sent up, I didn't believe she had one that could make a drop-good plain barley broth or knew how to guide a sheep's head on trotters. She laughed and desired Phillips to a d'houtel to be sure to have one scotch dish on the table every day, but I've no great brew of any scotch dish that'll ever come out of the hands of a French cook. There'll be no want of far to cook the dinner, I'm sure said Uncle Adam pointing to the well-filled chimney. There's a far might roast a nox, there's no possibility of going near it. I'm sure that's true for I'm quite your opinion, Mr. Ramsey, as the old byword says, better be engulfed to warm me than a muck of fire to burn me. It's really a sin to see such fires, and it's all the same way every room in the house blazing with fires and lamps till I declare my eyes are like to be put out on my head, but Lady Rossville so fond of light she never can get enough of it, and her eyes are young and strong, but she'll maybe feel the frost of it yet when she comes to know the value of them like you and me, sir. These are the things that her stout active indefatigable eyes were not to be mentioned in the same breath with Mr. Ramsey's little weak pale bleared ones, but when people are resolved to please they must sometimes make great sacrifices. The compliment was not wholly thrown away, though it was not returned in kind, for with one of his vinegar smiles Uncle Adam replied, I said, Mayor, value upon my spectacles than my innu, for I find the tain real use to me wanting the tither. I forgot my glasses in my own hoose, and I cannot read a word of a papers that she put into my hands. That is really a hard case, exclaimed Miss Pratt with the most ardent expressions of sympathy, but I'll tell you what, Mr. Ramsey, you need be at no loss for spectacles in this house, for poor Lord Rossville, I'm sure, if he left one pair he left a score always changing his glasses. I really think he heard his sight by it. I would get you them in an instant, but Lady Rossville has the keys of all his places, and she's with her mother just now, so perhaps you'll wait till she comes out. But if you'll give me leave out, read the papers to you, for I haven't seen them myself yet. Somebody or other whipped them out of the room this morning before I had time to look at them. I suspect some of the servants for they are really getting out their horns at no allowance. Lady Rossville stands much in need of some experienced judicious friend to take some management, for they're really going off at the nail. I do not know what servants are to come to for my part. There'll be no living with them by and by. I have but one, and what do you think, sir, of that trick she played me the other day? It's but seldom I leave my own house, for I'm one of those who think there's no place like home, but you know one must give up their own way sometimes, and I had been away upon a visit and came home one dreadful night very weary and far from well, had been just comforting myself all the way with the thoughts of getting a warm cup of tea in my own bed when instead of that low and behold, I found my house shut up. My key nobody knew where, and might find madam often on some junk-continued match. The consequence was I must have lain in the street if you're worthy nieces. The Miss Blacks hadn't accidentally heard of the situation I was in and made a point of my coming to them, and after all this, I'm obliged to keep her for six months or pay her wages and board wages. All this was oil and honey to Uncle Adam's wounds and Christy car stairs, enormities great as they were, looked somewhat smaller beside the still more monstrous defense of babby broadfoot. He had had the satisfaction of turning the delinquent out of his doors instead of having endured the humiliation of being locked out by her. Consequently, whatever similarity there might be in their injuries, still he stood upon higher ground, and he gave a faint chuckle of delight at finding his new friend's misfortune so much worse than his own. Miss Pratt now turned to the newspaper. I'm just taking a glance of those stocks for though it's but little I have to do with them still, you know. We all bow to the bush, we give, build fray. I, there's another tumble I see down to eighty and a fraction rose to eighty and three-eight, some done so high as eighty and a fourth left off at the close of eighty and a half. That's the three percent. And what are India bonds, asked Mr. Ramsey. India bonds, sixty-one to sixty-three premium, long, annuity, short, due, etcetera, etcetera, etcetera. And Miss Pratt in the twinkling of an eye ran through the whole range of the money market displaying in her career the most complete knowledge of each and every branch as though she had been born and bred a stock job. Uncle Adam was astonished. He had read of women ascending to the skies and balloons and descending to the depths of the sea and bells before women to have entered the sanctum sanctorum of the stock exchange and to know to a fraction the difference between three percent reduction and three percent accumulation and to be mistress of all the dread mysteries of script and omnium it was what Uncle Adam in all his philosophy never had dreamed of and Miss Pratt rose at least five percent in his estimation. Having discussed the stocks and all their bearings she proceeded with the very contents of the paper but the fall of the three percent had not sweetened her temper and she was very bitter in her indignation at proposals for publishing by subscription a print of the Reverend Peter Pirey proofs pounds to shillings etcetera and at the announcement that the lady of a Senate Duncan Dow late of his majesties one hundred and nineteen regimen had presented him with a son and heir but the whole measure of her wrath was reserved for the obituary record which as usual contained the apotheosis of some it may be very worthy but certainly very insignificant individual as in the present instance died at the house of his father number two East Cotton Row where he had gone for the recovery of his health on the thirteenth page at forty-five Nathaniel Lam Esquire Hozier and Glover after a long and lingering illness which he bore with the most heroic patients and Christian resignation to the purest benevolence the most enlightened piety and the most devoted patriotism Mr. Lam Jr. united the firmest principles the most perfect integrity in the most affable address here Uncle Adam broke out with affable address the affability of Hozier I never could bear that word all days and far less new dinner read only mayor, man affable, affable I wonder what talk, affability off the hands of a Glover but it's just a piece of thing else in this world now have paid lieutenants, mon, hay leddies and heirs and bodies of shul masters and ministers mon sit for their picksters and add their faces printed as though they were kings and of course the newspapers are filled with the lives of folk that nobody ever heard until they were dead identical in what things are to come to indeed sir that's my wonder for I really think the world has been turned fairly topsy-turvy since our days but I assure you it would be well if people were satisfied with putting their deaths in the papers what do you think sir of having to pay as I had the other day 13 pence hay penny for the mortification of the death of a woman that wasn't a drop's blood to me just 13 pence hay penny out of my hand and that for a person that to tell the truth I thought had been dead 20 years ago this was another nut for uncle Adam who had long brooded over the mortification of having had to pay a penny for a similar compliment and even thought how he should have attained redress or at least revenge Miss Pratt went on as Anthony White my nephew Mr. White of White Hall says I've given orders again no letters from that post office now with black seals they're either disagreeable or expensive and sometimes both it's a very sensible regulation said uncle Adam warmly and as for burial letters what do you think sir of Anthony White being asked to three burials in one week and two of them people he never had broke bread with I think a man had better be a soli at once said Mr. Black vehemently but here the colloquy of these two annual souls was interrupted by the entrance of Lady Rossville that's an un common sensible woman said uncle Adam as his friend and ally padded away to the other end of the room for a fire screen for the counties I really am agreeably surprised with your uncle whispered Miss Pratt as she drew Lady Rossville a little aside a fine shrewd old man I assure you he knows odds for men it's not everybody that will do with him he puts you to your trumps in a hurry end of section 61 section 62 of the inheritance by Susan Edmund Stoonfarrier this Libra vox recording is in the public domain volume 2 chapter 28 if a man be gracious and courteous to strangers it shows he is a citizen of the world and that his heart is no island cut off from other lands but a continent that joins to them Lord Bacon Gertrude watched with some solicitude the meeting between her mother and Mr. Lindsay as she entered the drawing room before dinner leaning on her arm in all the parade of convalescence when he came up to offer his congratulations her cheek was slightly suffused and for a moment her eye fell beneath the mild yet searching expression of his but quickly regaining her self-possession she replied to his salutation in that distant ceremonious manner which plainly indicated the sort of footing they were henceforth to be upon Mr. Lindsay had too much tact not to feel what was implied and the he drew was that he must now cease to expect any explanation from her as to the past the Earl's death had deprived him of the only hold he had over her for there was no one now who had a right to interpose their authority a verse as he was to interference in general yet upon this occasion he considered himself called upon to act a decided part and he resolved to take the first opportunity of coming to an understanding with Mrs. St. Clair on the subject of the mysterious interviews Lady Rossville felt that some apology was due to her cousin for the introduction of so uncouth a companion as Uncle Adam and she hastened to explain to him the cause of his becoming her guest and to request that he might not consider him as any tax upon his politeness or think it incumbent upon him to entertain a person who she assured him despised entertainment in every shape but Lindsay was not one of those fastidious beings who can only tolerate the chosen few whose endowments placed them at least on a level with themselves although the gulf was wide which separated Mr. Ramsey in mind and manners yet he did not disdain all fellowship with him but welcomed the old man with that politeness which when it springs from benevolence can never fail to please and at the same time with that ease and simplicity which of all modes of expression are without doubt the most attractive although quite alive to the peculiar arities of his new associate and not a little amused with many of them yet his better feelings always prevailed over his sense of ridicule and instead of giving play to Uncle Adam's foibles he led the conversation to such subjects as were best calculated to show him to advantage it is only well informed people who are capable of extracting information from others we require to know something ourselves before we can even question others to any purpose upon it and perhaps it often happens that our own ignorance is in fault when we throw the blame upon other people's stupidity such was not Edward Lindsay's case and while he unconsciously displayed his own knowledge even in seeking information he drew forth the hidden stores of Mr. Ramsey and rendered him almost and an entertaining companion Uncle Adam was no Othello but still in the course of his long life he had met with his disastrous chances his moving accidents his hair breadth escapes and had traversed many and entre vast and desired idol and though he would have disdained anything like a regular recapitulation of all he had ever seen or met with yet by judicious management a great deal could be extracted from him in his own homely manner meanwhile Miss Pratt's cloven foot began to display itself to his piercing can vague notions that first floated through his brain about her but they were such as only wanted a little more time and opportunity to body forth into real shapes he had a notion that she spoke too much it took too much upon her that she tasted of too many different dishes instead of dining upon one thing which was one of his cardinal virtues then it was not her business to press him to eat in his own niece's house where he felt he had a better right to eat and to speak than she had but the head in front of her offending was her asking him to drink a glass of Madeira with him during dinner there was a piece of assurance he could not away with in his time it used to be a serious and solemn thing for a gentleman to invite a lady to drink wine with him but here was a total bou le vers ciment of the natural order of things and Uncle Adam actually blushed in acceptance as he wondered what was to come next to counterbalance these improprieties she had in the twinkling of an eye suited him in a pair of spectacles which seemed as though they had been made for him or he for them she had bespoke a haggis for dinner the following day and undertaken to direct Monsieur Morel in the art of stuffing it then she lost seven games at backgammon for which she paid down three and six pence with very evident reluctance to which always serves to enhance the value of the winnings so that upon the whole Uncle Adam was rather inclined for once to suspend his judgment and instead of decidedly condemning her he merely began to look upon her as a sort of doubtful character Lady Rossville had ordered an apartment for her uncle communicating with the yellow turret which contained the goddess of his idolatry and which she intended should henceforth be his sanctum sanctorum she therefore introduced him to it the following day but that he might feel more at liberty to indulge his soft emotions she was retiring when looking round he called to her but wars the picture you promise me there said Gertrude pointing to the Diana that exclaimed he in a tone of surprise and indignation that Lizzie Lundy no blight that evens her to it and he walked round and round the turret something in the manner of an obstreperous horse in a mill this is very strange said Gertrude both Lord Rossville and Miss Pratt seem to know the history of this picture so perfectly that I never imagined there could be a doubt about it I'm really sorry that you have been so disappointed disappointed repeated Uncle Adam stopping short and looking almost black with wrath I'm mere then disappointed I'm perfectly disgusted then taking another look Lizzie Lundy was a decent wise like sensible crater has ever lived and to compare her to that brazen face toppy we moon upon her head and a gray bow and arrow in her hand and again he turned away in increasing animosity against Diana but my dear uncle these are merely adventitious embellishments you see she is represented in the character of Diana and what business have they to represent her as only such thing this was a question Lady Rossville was aware she could not answer to his satisfaction therefore prudently waved it by asking another so then you don't discover any resemblance resemblance who is possible there can be only resemblance whatever saw her in that mad like ooh natural condition mere like a stage actress than an honest man's doctor you might just as well set me up for an Apollo the idea of Uncle Adam with his long cross blue face and a pyramidal peruk personating the god of day the worded Lady Rossville so much that she laughed outright but he retained his inflexible severity of countenance and seemed quite unconscious of the ridicule of such a supposition well since you don't like the picture you shall not be offended by it again said the countess laying her hand gently on his arm to lead him from the place of the dressing room to your apartment and you have only to forget the way to this one but Uncle Adam now fixed himself opposite to the huntress queen and having carefully wiped and adjusted his spectacles he contemplated her for some time without speaking at length with a groan he said I'll no say but what there may be something a likeness in the face when you come to consider it as the brow the bonnie brunt brow then kindling anew but what air saw her brow with that senseless light thing on the tappets they could may paint her ean to be sure for they might as wheel hay try to paint way diamonds the bit mouse no entirely unlike but it has named her bonnie smile raised and commented till he gradually lost sight of the moon and the bow and all the offensive peculiarities of the Sylvan goddess and at length saw only the image of his long loved Lizzie from that time the turret became his favorite haunt and as he was there perfectly unmolested and was left at liberty to follow his own devices secure from even the interruptions tolerably quiescent every day indeed he made an attempt to break off and returned to his own comfortless abode but every day he was overruled by lady Rossville whose influence over him was daily increasing although he was perfectly unconscious of it and would have spurned the idea of being influenced by anything but his own free will but there was also another inducement for him to prolong his stay which he would have been more ashamed to have acknowledged in the paroxysm of on we one bad day he had taken up the first volume of Guy Manoring with little expectation of deriving either amusement or instruction from it but once fairly entered upon it he found himself compelled no lens well lens to proceed which he did however in the most secret and stealthy manner Uncle Adam had been no novel reader even in his younger days and with him has with many other excellent but we must suppose mistaken people novels and mental imbecility were ideas inseparably united in his brain novel writers he'd always conceived to be born idiots and novel readers he considered as something still lower in the scale of intellect it was therefore with the feelings of the deepest humiliation he found himself thus irresistibly carried along on a sort of king's cushion as it were by Meg and Dominique not that he traversed the pages with the swiftness of a modern reader or that he read them probably with half the rapidity with which they were written for he was one of those solid substantial readers who make what they read their own he read and reread and paused and turned back but never looked forward even while experiencing the most intense anxiety as to the result in short Uncle Adam's whole being was completely absorbed in this to him new creation but at the same time he blushed even in private at his own weakness in filling his head with such idle havers and indeed never could have held it up again if he had been detected with a volume in his hand end of section 62 section 63 of the inheritance by Susan Edmundsstone this LibriVox recording is in the public domain volume 2 chapter 29 oh scene of fortune which dust fair appear to men that stand not near cowling and now visions of earthly bliss of pomp of power of pleasure began to float before those eyes scarce dried from natural tears but Gertrude had not now so much time as formally to indulge in the idle daydreams of romance with her change of situation the penalties of greatness came thronging upon her unthought of claims upon her time her talents, her attention followed in rapid and never a ceasing succession and she found with surprise and disappointment that the boundless freedom she has so fondly anticipated as the attribute of power was farther from her than ever to will indeed was hers but how many obstacles intervene to the accomplishing of the will even of the most absolute obstacles which conscience itself raises as barriers against the encroachments of self indulgence and natural inclination in which though as thin air to some are as rocks of adamant to others but Lady Rossville possessed a more powerful monitor and even conscience would have proved in the person of Edward Lindsey une femme d'aise à gouverner says a French satirist pour vous que ce soit un homme qui s'en d'un lapin and the truth of the assertion Gertrude seemed in a fair way to realize ardent and enthusiastic in her nature and as such always prone to fall into extremes the sense of dependence she felt towards her cousin as the only person on whose judgment and rectitude she could safely rely would gradually have assumed the habit of implicit deference to most of his views and opinions not from conviction for on many subjects they widely differed but simply because like many other people she loved to be directed in matters where her affections were not concerned and was always ready to sacrifice her judgment provided it did not interfere with her inclination there is indeed much of luxury to an indolent or a fanciful mind in thus casting its cares upon another while it floats calmly along in undisturbed serenity or abandons itself to the thick coming fancies of its own imagination in every situation of life this disposition alas has its dangers but how much more in those gifted ones whom God has set on the high places of the earth the Mr. Lindsey was not a person to take advantage of this flexible form of mind he had too much delicacy to assume any authority or interfere in any department openly too much honor to use his influence in an indirect or underhand manner he aimed to guide her principles not to direct her actions to strengthen her mind not to govern it but above all he strove to impress upon her the responsibility of the duties assigned her the account which would one day be required of the talents committed to her but such doctrine even though uttered in the mildest and most persuasive accents still sounded harsh to ears just opening to the blandishments of the world imagination had stretched a broad and flowery path in endless perspective before her and she recoiled from that straight and narrow which the Christian pilgrim has been commanded to tread life young lives enchanting scenes were now bursting on the site in all their exquisite but transient delusive beauty and at that joyous season when the common air the earth the sky seemed to the exalting heart to breathe the opening paradise how does it turn from the holy precepts the solemn admonitions of divine truth as from that which would annihilate all that is delightful in existence so felt the child of prosperity as she looked on all the pride of life and with the fallen cherub was ready to exclaim oh earth how like to heaven if not preferred but with all her faults and there were many, Gertrude selfish sordid spirits whose enjoyment center solely in their own gratification her nature was lofty and her disposition generous but her virtue was impulse her generosity profusion she wished to diffuse happiness around her and she imagined she had only to scatter money with a lavish hand and it would necessarily spring up a sense of peace and love and virtue and joy like all enthusiastic novices her schemes of philanthropy if schemes they might be called which plan had none were upon the most magnificent scale and it was with mortification she beheld her baseless fabrics melt away beneath the plain practical results of Mr. Lindsey's rational benevolence schools were the only establishments for which she could obtain his concurrence and even there she thought his ideas much too humble a plain school house was an odious frightful thing she must positively have it elegant if not expensive and the children must be all prettily dressed and she drew a design for the building and invented a uniform for the children both so classical and so unique that she was all impatience to behold these models of her taste and fancy realized there was another object which Gertrude was still more anxious to accomplish and that was to make the happiness of William Leslie and Anne Black by providing him with a church but the one for which her cousin had applied had been given away by Lord Rossville and there was no immediate prospect of another vacancy occurring even Mr. Lindsey could not assist her here for his interest was already deeply engaged but he was little less desirous than herself of befriending a young man whose amiable character evangelical doctrine and mild attractive manners were more powerful recommendations than ought that rank and beauty could have urged matters were in the statement and accompanied her father and mother one day on a visit of condolence to Rossville while Miss Brett as usual did the honors of the mansion to the seniors of the party Lady Rossville took her cousin apart to converse with her on the subject for although too modest and dividend to make a direct application there was an anxious appeal in her pensive countenance that could not be misunderstood she had once frankly owned that the cause of her rejection proceeded from the apparent hopelessness of her prospects but is the want of a church really the only obstacle to your union inquired Gertrude alas no said her cousin mournfully my father and mother and indeed my whole family oppose it now more than ever because of the superior establishments my sisters have got and they talk of that degradation I am bringing now by such a poor connection tell I am sometimes ready to give it up in despair and so I would were it only my own happiness that is at stake that I would willingly sacrifice to theirs but William loves me so truly and has loved me so long ever since we were children and to give him up now I am sure would break both our hearts here and drop some natural tears but wipe them and in a firmer tone at it but I am wrong, very wrong to give way to such desponding thoughts if it is God's will we shall yet be happy in his good time and if he sees good to disappoint us I trust we shall both be able from our hearts to say his will be done Gertrude was for an instant snot with the difference of her cousin's sentiments from her own her meek submission her humble acquiescence seemed as a reproach to the wayward feelings of her own rebellious heart but quickly she dispelled the gathering conviction she cannot love as I do thought she or she could not reason thus hers may be virtue but it is not love End of section 63 section 64 of the inheritance by Susan Edmund Stoonfarrier this LibriVox recording is in the public domain Volume 2 Chapter 30 Thy house and pleasing wife Horace the snow had now disappeared the waters had subsided the air was soft for the season the cloudy welcome had cleared up into a fleecy dappled sky and sanguine spirits deemed that winter was past and gone were in the quaint words of Cuddy in the shepherd's calendar when the shining sun laughed it once you demon the spring is come at once even the faintest breath of spring brings pleasure to all whose hearts are not seared and whose bodies are not iron we feel as if we were about to renew our existence the opening skies seem to smile upon us as they did in the days of our youth and again their plant influence steals upon our senses again we cast away the cares and the griefs of the world with its clouds and its storms and again spring up in our numbed hearts hopes that are angels in their birth but perish young like things of earth everyone who owns such influences among the inmates of Rossville castle a fine day produced its pleasures but they were of a different nature Mrs. Sinclair liked it that she might take an airing in state and accordingly set forth in all the pomp of a stately equipage Lady Betty liked the sun because it would shine upon that floor who was sent out to profit by it Miss Pratt having rummaged in the interior of the house took advantage of it to look about her a little without doors to see what abuses she could detect. Uncle Adam having seen dandy denmont and Dumple safe home closed his book and crept away with his hands behind his back to take a center. Lady Rossville taking Mr. Lindsey's arm set out as she had done on many a worse day to mark the progress of the improvements she had done to accelerate if possible by her impatience the building of her school house and to visit some of the cottages of her poor with his ways and wants she was now beginning to make herself acquainted her romantic expectation of finding elegant distress in my cabins was now gradually dwindling away for wherever she went she met only the homeliness of matter of fact poverty gratitude and respect and blessings indeed were hers for how easy is it for the great to make themselves beloved by the poor how cheap the purchase of the best feelings of humanity Gertrude was new to the luxury of doing good and her heart would swell and her eyes filled with tears as the trembling hand of age was raised to heaven to call down its blessings on her head and she could look almost with pleasure on the children her bounty had clothed though their features were coarse and their dialect uncouth in the course of her domiciliary visits she found herself at the door of the cottage she had visited the memorable morning after her arrival at Rossville and somewhat curious to know the state of affairs there she was about to enter when at that moment uncle Adam was described approaching they waited till he came up and then invited him to join in the visit which after a little humming and hawing he agreed to do the door was hard and fast shut but upon knocking it was banged open by our C. DeVal friend the name of the stoops who immediately recognized and most cordially welcomed her former visitor a my lady is this you I ask your pardon my lady but I really didn't I can we'll while you was the first time you was here just come forth my lady just step in our sir dinner be feared my lady just gang in by etc etc etc and carefully closing the door against the breath of heaven she ushered her guests into the dark precincts of her foul aired smoky cabin a pressed bed with a bit of blue checked stuff hanging down denoted that the poor sufferer had now exchanged his seat by the fire for his bed and the chair which he had formerly occupied stood with its back to the fire covered with clothes apparently drying how does your husband do inquired lady Rossville who did my lady he's just quite silly wise responded the dame in a whining melancholy key he just lies there snottering away pointing to the bed is he confined to bed asked Mr. Lindsay no no sir he's no confined only ways he gets subwiles but deed it's no I convenient for me to hay him up for as I tell him what can he do when he is up for he's no fit to put his hand to any thing and he's mayor the way there then he wide be only place else more out of the way of regaining health certainly said Mr. Lindsay health sir interrupted the host as deed heal their hay health as laying as he lives he's just been drag old on these 20 month martimus I'm sure I've had a weary time but with him I knew I kind of get a hands turn base done for him the who's sent all things just gone to destruction and I'm sure I really think shame on myself surveying to large dirty arms from top to toe and there's the winds poor things gone perfect rags right near can get a stick put in either to their duds or my aim here the voice of the sick man was heard in a faint accent calling the good whites that's just the way he gangs on my lady he just lies there and yups yups yups even on for me what is it new in her loudest sharpest key as she banged up to the bed a drink I wonder ye hay nay mayor sense man then to ask for a drink the new when her lady ships here and master Lindsay and all spearing for you Mr. Lindsay here took up a jug of water which is standing on the top of a chest by the bedside and held it to the sick man's lips but the reproof was thrown away or rather misconstrued by his soothing help mate oh sir I think shame are your taken say muck or trouble for he's just like a Baron he's I want something or another and he's just lost all discretion the Gither I wonder you did not think shame are yourself to her husband when you see the fastery you Mac Mr. Lindsay meanwhile having felt the in bullets pulse began to put a few queries to him touching his complaint have you much thirst past tea oh sir he wide drink the very ocean and let him pray let him speak for himself said Lindsay again putting the question to the patient you seemed so unused to the privilege that he was evidently at a loss how to make use of it have you any pain in your head deeds sir I did not think he has muck or pain in his heed though he complains that while but as I often tell him I wish he had my back I'm sure I've a pain while between my shoulders sir rolling up a huge fat strong looking back as she spoke I shall attend to your pain some other time if you will be so good as to keep them quiet for the present said Lindsay then once more turning to the sick man he asked whether he had pain or weakness in his limbs that prevented him from rising I'm sure I didn't can what it is again interpose the incorrigible matron he cannot be sir I'm positive of that for there's nothing like an income a boot him oh no no no sir he's I keep it a hail skin and that's a great mercy he's very silly to be sure but that cannot be help it again you never allow your husband to answer for himself as Mr. Lindsay at a loss whether to laugh or be provoked at this intolerable woman ooh sir I'm sure he's welcome to speak for me but we I didn't think he can very wheel what he'll say or what it is that heals him tam shouting into his ear the lady wants to hear and you can speak only can you thank her for the broad clays and that so she guide you should not you like to be up out of bed ask her to now trying her skill to extract an answer but before he had time to reply his mouthpiece again took up the word of my lady did he just create crates to be up and then one he's create crates to be doomed and it would be very inconvenient for to hay him up the day for you see pointing to the clothes that were spread over the chairs the fires all tamed up with his dead clays that I was getting an heir to for they had got uncoe dampish wise with the wet weather and I'm thinking he'll no be long a wanton them new and this is sick and a bonny day thought what between the fire and the Sunday what be sure to get a good toast uncle Adam had hitherto practiced a degree of forbearance which had scarcely a parallel in his whole life and conversation but indeed from the moment the dame had first opened her lips he had felt that words would be weak weapons to have recourse to and that nothing less than smiting could it all satisfy his outraged feelings luckily at this moment she was within reach of his arm otherwise it is to be feared his wrath would have bended itself not in thin air but in solid blows as it was he had linked burst forth like a volcano with airing the honest man's dead clays when the breath sent his body yet here ball to treat a living man as he was a swealed corpse and turn his very hoose into a Kirk yard how Dari set up your face to keep him fray his aimed fires for only are your dead duds and snatching up the pair for now you so ostentatious they displayed he thrust the hole into the fire there that'll give them a good toast for you said he and as they broke into a blaze he quitted the cabin a serves the body clays that cost say much call Siller saw the mistress in hysterical tone as she made in an effectual effort to save them the ill power of Carl that he is to tack upon him for to set low to only honest man's one didn't she lady Rossville was confounded for as she but imperfectly comprehended the pith of the parlay that had taken place the action appeared to her as indeed it was perfectly outrageous and her purse was instantly opened to repair this breach of law and justice but Lindsay could scarcely keep from laughing at the tragic comic place from his knowledge of the character modes of thinking of the Scottish peasantry he was not at all surprised at the good wife's preparations but while she was engrossed with her attempts to redeem some bits of the linen from the flames he took the opportunity of carrying on his colloquy with the husband so I see your wife does not attempt to conceal from you the danger you are in said he now now said the indolid perking up what for what she do that framed that what hide a man's danger for him we're already enough to hide it for a ourselves and forget the care of our aim immortal souls you've seen your minister then I suppose who I honest man he calls in hours and guns and my colledification I get for him then calling to his name he began to comfort her for the law she had sustained as though it had been her own holiday suit what a shocking woman exclaimed Gertrude as they quitted the cottage how worse than unfeeling to have prepared her husband's dead clothes and have them even displayed before his eyes in that manner she certainly is not a favorable specimen of a scotch good wife answered Mr. Lindsay but I've seen the most affectionate wife talk of the death of her husband even while a ministering to his wants with the greatest solicitude but they are much less sophisticated in their ideas upon these subjects than we are they would think it highly need deception at such a time but how shocking to hear once death talked of as inevitable but they do not talk of it in that manner they believe that all things are possible with God they send for the doctors they do for the minister and pray for a blessing on the means used they leave all in the hand of God I've seen many on their death beds in various circumstances never always found that they who were in the habit of hearing of death and eternity of conversing with their ministers and religious people have generally been speaking look forward to death with resignation and composure I can indeed easily imagine said lady Ross feel that the poor man we have just left must look forward to heaven with great complacency were it only to be rid of that tormenting creature and out of that vile smoky cabin a smoky house and a scolding wife have indeed always been looked upon as the nerve blues ultra of human misery but that is only amongst the rich when you have seen more of the poor you will be satisfied there are still greater evils you are still a novice in the miseries of life for true perhaps so and yet she stopped inside and they proceeded homeworks in silence end of section 64 section 65 of the inheritance by susan edmund student barrier this lever box recording is in the public domain volume 2 chapter 31 she have forgot how many a woeful stower for him she late endured she speaks no more of past true is it that true love hath no power to look in back Spencer all must have felt what it is in this ungenial climb to part with a fine day it seems as though we were bidding farewell to some long lost friend and we love to watch even with pensive regret the last rays of the softly sinking sun as we would trace the lingering steps of some loved one who it may be long air we behold again fatigued as I am still I must enjoy this lovely day to the last said lady Rossville as they approach the castle and she threw herself on a garden chair that stood upon the lawn it is one that sends such a summer feeling to the heart that I feel as though I were a better being while sitting here listening to the faint notes of that sweet thrush than I should be shut up in the drawing room with lady Betty and miss Pratt it is much more agreeable at least said Lindsay also seating himself as to its being more amiable and virtuous I fear I may scarcely lay that flattering unction to my soul I am apt to distrust myself since since when asked the countess since I knew you Gertrude this seemed rather to have burst from his lips involuntarily and to have been uttered deliberately and there was something in the tone which made Gertrude start as a vague suspicion darted across her mind that Lindsay loved her but she is scarcely time to admit the idea it was as quickly dispelled for when she turned to look on him the earnest expression with which he had been regarding her fled and in a gay manner he added I fluttered myself I had been an infinitely wiser better and more respectable person that I find I am try begin to feel myself under your influence gradually sinking into a soft simple neat-handed somewhat melancholic sort of a souffle do lure and if I stay much longer with you I must provide myself with a flute and a silk dressing gown and then but then ask Lady Roswell laughingly why then you must promise to look upon me as a very interesting creature and I will stand or sit half the night at my open window playing love lawn ditties that will cause as grace as the very cat to ring its hands while I shall provide the silk dressing gown and the flute boat for the lady in the cat you must find these for yourself but these will be only a small part of the stock in hand necessary for me to commence business with I must be able to write sonnets upon every occasion often upon no occasion at all I must be able to take the most correct and striking likenesses without a single sitting this time you have begun to practice that part of your profession certainly said Gortrude do you remember how long ago it is since you promised to draw my picture pray begin now I have nothing else to do and this lovely setting sun will invest me with a little of his radiance and soften down all my uglinesses see how beautiful everything looks in its light but you know I warned you I never flattered in my portraits mine profess to be true severe cold dry hard facsimiles without a single glowed lorraine tint no matter let me see myself such as I am or at least appear to my friends will not to shock you at the very outset I must say you appear to me to love truth and to be sincere in the search of it but you have some pride and not a little obstinacy to prevent your arriving at it then your fancy is too lively to permit you to take the right way and while you are under its fantastic dominion you will never judge correctly not very flattering certainly said the count is affecting to laugh is just not ugly it is just not mad seems to be the amount of your panagyric but pray go on you do not want penetration but you form your opinions to hastily you will be accused of inconsistency and caprice but unjustly you will only be undeceived I seem to have got into the hands of a fortune teller rather than a portrait painter said Lady Rossville somewhat patishly and as I never listened to predictions that both me no good none of yours tis an idle art and no coming events shall cast their shadows upon me come this is enough for one sitting you shall have another tomorrow and perhaps you will do me such as I am not as I may be tomorrow I must leave you said Lindsay no pray do not talk of leaving me cried very quickly what will become of me when you are gone I shall have no one being with whom I can have any companionship no one to talk with no one to read with no one to sing with no one to walk with no one to teach me any good thing my dear cousin say you will not leave me but Lindsay come Zoe do a little Italian greyhound that lay at her feet do you join your pretty little entreaties to mine and she made it assume a begging attitude the dog was a gift from Delmore and Lindsay turned away his eyes I must be gone said he nay rather say shall I will be gone cried the count as patishly I do not believe there is any must in the matter you are your own master free to go or stay as you yourself inclined even were it so do not be so much of a spoiled child Gertrude as to coral with your friend merely because he has what it is said all men have and some women to a will of his own but I have more than once of late sacrifice mine to Mr. Lindsay said Gertrude coldly but were I to sacrifice my will I must at the same time sacrifice my conscience along with it said Lindsay or rather to confess the truth they are somewhat a variance upon this occasion the one urges me to stay the other warns me to be gone the conscience may be mistaken as well as the will sometimes say Gertrude in this matter I suspect yours is otherwise it would have told you how much good you may do by remaining here no it never tells me such flattering tales that is the problems of hope or fancy and sometimes perhaps I may have been weak enough to listen to their idle tales he stopped in some emotion and for an instant fix desires on Gertrude's face but if his words had any particular meaning it was not caught by her or not the slightest change was perceptible on her speaking countenance if I thought I could be of any real service to you I would remain here even at the sacrifice of my own happiness was on his lips but he checked himself and substituted time but I have no right to interfere in the only way where I might be of use and I cannot linger on for an indefinite time as a sort of spy upon the actions of others you require protection I know and are now in that situation to claim it choose then guardians for yourself or allow the law to appoint them for you to think and to speak were commonly one and the same thing with Gertrude and she instantly exclaimed then I shall choose you for one of my guardians choose me exclaim Lindsay in astonishment no that cannot be why not I know nobody I should like so much to have for my guardian I am sure you would never scold me or lecture me however naughty I might be now they don't propose to me any of your old cross things with round wigs and square buckles and long pockets who would preach me at sermon upon every five pound note I squandered such guardians are scarcely to be met with now except upon the stage said Lindsay smiling perhaps the wigs and pockets but the long phases and long lectures I fear prevail everywhere I must know the person before I can put myself in such jeopardy you may be in greater jeopardy Gertrude said her cousin Gertrude and she said the danger which you seem to apprehend no longer exists the person who's audacious behavior to me you twice resented is no more he is perished at sea and she recapitulated the account of the shipwreck and her mother's testimony confirming the fate of Lewiston so for then I shall review with a lightened mind said Lindsay there seems no more to apprehend from that quarter at least if there are other dangers that are that moment a post chase and four the horses in a foam came driving up the avenue full speed who can this be exclaimed lady Rossville and as the fault flashed upon her that it might be colonel Delmore she started up her heart beat violently her color went and came she would have moved towards the house but her agitation was so great she sunk upon the seat while her eyes remained fixed upon the carriage it drew up at the castle gate and scarce they had it stopped when the person from within burst open the door and colonel Delmore himself sprung out with such impetuosity that it was but a single glance could be caught of him as he rushed into the house but that was enough again Gertrude rose but ashamed of her emotion she could not lift her eyes to Lindsay's or she would have seemed that he was little less agitated than herself she could only accept of the arm he offered her and in silence together towards the house as they entered the hall the voice of one of the servants was heard as in reply to an interrogatory her ladyship has been out for some hours with Mr. Lindsay and at this instant colonel Delmore with a hurried step and agitated air rushed from that saloon joy fear doubt displeasure love a thousand mingled emotions were all struggling in Gertrude's breast she tried to withdraw her arm from Lindsay's but she only clung the more helplessly to him while he felt her increasing rate in fear she would have fallen to the ground Lady Rossville is fatigued with her walks that he addressing Colonel Delmore and mastering his own agitation at sight of hers a glass of water here quickly to the half dozen of servants who stood idly lounging in the hall and the whole instantly vanished in all the bustle and importance of their bearing but mortified and ashamed of this display of her weakness the countess instantly regained herself to possession even while her heart beat high and her whole frame trembled with excessive emotion she said with a lofty air I have to apologize to Colonel Delmore for this uncourteous reception on his return to at that moment Lindsay taking the water from the servant presented it to her himself in the manner of one privilege to render those little attentions desire my carriage to wait cried Delmore in a loud and passionate voice as it was driving away Lady was now nerve to perfect self-command and without blush of offended dignity she passed on to the saloon where sad only Lady Betty still lost in wonder at her nephew's sudden appearance and no less sudden flight Lindsay's indignation had been excited by the rudeness and violence of Colonel Delmore's address but anger with him was at most but a transient feeling and a moment after they had entered the saloon he held out his hand to him in a friendly manner but the other one is healed and pays the room with this ordered step utterly regardless of the questions Lady Betty continued to pour out upon him at length approaching Gertrude he said I would speak with Lady Rossville alone for a moment the count is hesitated at the abruptness of the demand and her pride provoked it at the manner in which it was made but she rose and with an inclination of the head led that way to another apartment Colonel Delmore followed when having shot the door Gertrude cried he as he seized her hands and shook with the violence of his emotion now speak my doom from your own lips only will I hear it say but the word tell me I have been deceived forgotten forsaken oh no no never exclaimed Gertrude giving way to tears as her resentment began to subside at sight of her lover's anguish call it what you will then but do not wrack me by equivocating already I have endured tortures for your sake that worlds would not have brought me to undergo to spare itself would have been a blessing compared to these distracting doubts desire who have had cause to doubt said the countess as she seated herself at a table and shaded her eyes with her hand ashamed of the tenderness her tears betrayed for one loose consistency she had such cause to question you who have had cause to doubt cried Delmore impetuously could you then doubt me Gertrude had I not caused why was I left at such a time without a single word from you would have forever to poverty and obscurity is it not so you would have been mine had I been based and selfish enough to have plunged you in ruin to have sacrificed your happiness to my own ah by what a degrading standard did you measure my happiness if you thought pomp and wealth could ever compensate for broken vows for the sieved heart you would have renounced me no by heavens I would not I will not but yes you're right I would I will renounce you Gertrude if by doing so I can ensure your happiness it matters not though mine be a wreck Lady Rossville spoke not her heart heaved with emotion and Colonel Delmore leaning against the chimney piece contemplated her for some moments without speaking a link taking her past the hand he seated himself on that sofa by her then in a voice calmed into tenderness he said Gertrude there was a time when not had an angel spoke should I have believed that ought on earth could ever have induced me to resign this hand and even now should not rest it from me but fickle faithless as you are why should I seek to retain it release me Colonel Delmore quite the countess in a voice joking with emotion I have not deserved I will not listen to such language and she struggled to withdraw her hand yet hear me one moment my fate is on your lips tell me that our vows are canceled and in doing so seal my doom for Gertrude spoke not Gertrude in spite of all dearest most beloved I cannot resign you but with my dying breath why do you impose upon me so cruel a sacrifice he unclassed the hand in which he had held hers locked why suffer your hand to remain for an instant in mind Gertrude you are free Lady Rossville slowly withdrew it then raising her head she shook off the tears which gemmed her eyes and cast on him a look which spoke all the confiding tenderness of her soul then replacing her hand within his she turned away her head to hide the blush that mantled her cheek end of section 65 section 66 of the inheritance by Susan Edmund Stoonfarer this Gleber Vox recording is in the public domain volume 2 chapter 32 oh jove why hast thou given us certain proof to know adulterate gold but stamped no mark where it is needed most a man's base metal euripides Lindsay passed the intervening time and a state of feverish excitement very foreign to his natural equanimity of mind that he loved Gertrude he could no longer conceal from himself but his love was not of that violent yet contracted nature which had sought merely to engross and appropriate her affections exclusively to himself he had proposed a noble aim a pure gratification as his love was without idolatry so was it free from selfishness it not sought to undermine her affections it aimed at elevating and ennobling them by extending their sphere beyond the narrow perishable limits of human attachment and he had hoped that mind so pure so lofty so generous as hers might yet become enamored of virtue might yet be saved from uniting itself without nature so unworthy of its love and now was the test on this interview her fate seemed suspended her emotion at sight of colonel delmore had indeed events the power he still retained over her but that power might be urged too far the Gertrude was soft and feminine in her feelings yet her spirit was high and ever ready to rise against violence and injustice and thus the tie which a tender hand could not have unloosed might by his own impetuosity be broken such were the hopes and fears that ultimately rushed over Lindsay's heart as he waited in an agony of impatience the result of the conference still moveably upon the door which led to the adjoining apartment there usually soft benign expression a given way to darken trouble melancholy and lady Betty's question fell unheeded on his ear at length the door opened and the first glance sufficed to show Lindsay that his dune and hers were sealed Gertrude's eyes were still moist with tears to his truth but there was a smile on her lip a flash of joy on her cheek a lightness in her step an aerial grace diffused over her whole face and figure that told a tale of reconciled love and seemed as though happiness itself were embodied in a mortal form all had been explained and explanations were received as proofs of holy writ for what imperfect evidence suffices where the heart is willing to believe Colonel Delmore told a tale of suffering he told of the agonizing alternative that had been offered to him to make her his and in doing so to make her at the same time an outcast from the home of her fathers to reduce her to poverty and want he told her of the struggles of his mind of the menacing fears the half formed resolution as the desperate thoughts which had harassed his fancy and destroyed his peace by day the horrid dreams the agonizing forms which had haunted his couch by night till at length nature sunk under the conflict in a violent fever and so no sooner was he sufficiently recovered to encounter the voyage than unable to endure this state of suspense and yet still more unable to come to any decision until he had seen her he formed the resolution of returning to Britain be the consequences what they might of sounding the depths of her affection and of receiving his sentence from her own lips the voyage proved tedious and hazardous and on landing he proceeded direct to London he had there hurt for the first time of the death of Lord Rossville and his brother at the same time made known to him his rejection by the Countess and the fact that her marriage with Edward Lindsay was a subtle point and was to take place as soon as Propriety admitted almost maddened that this intelligence he had thrown himself into a post-jaze and traveled night and day till he had arrived there when his worst fears were confirmed by the answer he received to his inquiry for her as well as from the footing he appeared to be upon with Lindsay this was Colonel Delmore's way of telling his own story and it was correct and everything saved the motives what's done we fairly may compute but who can trace actions to their source who can fathom the depths of the human heart or discern those secret strings which although they send forth waters alike pure to the eye are yet as the issues of life and death Colonel Delmore had told detail which in every circumstance was true and yet the colouring was false he had ascribed to disinterested affection what in reality proceeded from self-interest for although he assuredly did love it was love compounded of such base materials as adversity like the touch of ethereal spear which soon have shivered to atoms but she saw nothing of all this and she gave her tears her faith her love to him whom she thought more than worthy of them all his looks too seemed to confirm his words for he looked thin and pale and harassed but as the cloud cleared away from his brow and the traces of passion which had disfigured his fine features disappeared that gave him an interest in her eyes which more than atoned for the want of more dazzling attributes on her part Gertrude could also have told much but his woman's part to suffer man's privilege to speak on those occasions and while Colonel Delmore poured forth the history of his feelings and all the eloquence it was plain to see that he touched an answering court in her heart and that she too had endured all that he expressed but now that the storm was past the sunshine of the soul was theirs only varied according to the different natures from which it emanated and as Lindsay beheld the April life joy that beamed in Gertrude's face and that the hearty exulting glance of Delmore he for a moment closed his eyes as though he could also have closed his heart against the conviction that Gertrude was lost to him lost to the higher happier destiny that he had fondly traced out for her what's taking you away in such a hurry Frederick asked Lady Betty laying down her book and her spectacles on their entrance only came in haste and have no intention of returning the same way answered he with a smile of meaning to the Countess then ringing the bell he gave orders to discharge his carriage where did you come from today was Lady Betty's second interrogatory that I really cannot tell having stayed a night since I landed at Falmouth their boundaries are not very accurately defined in my mind or my mind's eye either what was the need of that demanded her ladyship had you heard of your good uncle's death in London where I only stopped half an hour did you see your brother did he tell you that he had given up the election did your mother and sisters tell you that I did he did they did let us have done and what was the nonsense of your posting down then to absurd pretensions answered Colonel Delmore with a sort of incident now shallance as he looked at Mr. Lindsay but do you think you'll succeed Colonel Delmore smiled a smile of haughty disdain Lady Ross will color and Lindsay looking steadily at him said calmly I've heard of no absurd pretensions none who have not at least an equal right to try their merits if they had thought proper Air Colonel Delmore could out of the scornful retort which had risen to door opened an uncle Adam walked in with his auntie Peru Kim blue boot hose for he had now got so tame that he had learned to walk the house at all hours of the day he was not aware of the arrival of a stranger otherwise he would certainly have sculpt till the last moment if indeed he would not actually have fled the country to his own city of refuge in Barnford Colonel Delmore surveyed him for a moment from head to foot with unfaigned astonishment when Lady Ross will miss her uncle Mr Ramsey he then quickly recovering himself saluted him with a bow twice repeated so condescendingly profound and with such an air of high breeding as formed a little chris contrast to uncle Adam's awkward repulsive gate and dry uncouth manner the latter possessed too much tack not to feel what was implied in that such lofty courtesy only but token one proud enough to be humble and a new stock of wrath began to ferment within him that on hand obviously been disposed of at the expense of Dame Lowry's dead clothes for the first time Lady Ross will blushed for her relation but ashamed to show that she was ashamed she hastened to make some remark to him on the scene they have witnessed in the cottage then as if afraid to hear him answer she went on but I must tell the story and my cousin Lindsay will help me in my scotch and with her musical voice and refined accent she attempted to take off the barber's dialect but when she came to that day no more uncle Adam burst out with the impudent thief she deserved to hey Ben sent the same gate as her dad's Colonel Delmore absolutely stared and that was a great deal for a man like Colonel Delmore to do Lady Ross feel covered with confusion tried to laugh but the thought that Colonel Delmore was shocked with her uncle made it rather a difficult matter luckily at that moment her servant entered to say that Mrs. St. Clair had returned from her airing to see her ladyship immediately the countess rose to obey the summons Colonel Delmore attended her to the door pressed her hand whispered some soft nothing in her ear to which she replied with a blush and a smile then calling his servant said he should go to dress while she repaired to her mother's apartment end of section 66 section 67 of the inheritance by Susan Edmund Stoonfarier this LibriVox recording is in the public domain volume 2 chapter 33 oh how this spring of love resembled done certain glory of an April day which now shows all the beauty of the sun and by and by a cloud takes all away Shakespeare what is this here was the exclamation that greeted Gertrude on her entrance is it possible that Colonel Delmore has had the effrontery to come to this house is it credible that you have had the weakness to receive him under your roof after what has passed I know nothing but ought to render Colonel Delmore an unsuitable or an unwelcome guest in my house answer the countess endeavoring to speak calmly and decidedly then you do not know that as the poor dependent Gertrude St. Clair he slighted disowned and in a manner rejected you and that now as countess of Rossville he flies to you worships you would marry you is it not so and did I not foretell how it would be well we view Colonel Delmore's conduct in such different lights to as impossible we should agree mama I beseech you say no more I am satisfied completely perfectly satisfied that he has acted all along from the noblest and most disinterested motives how has he proved that who is there credulous enough to believe his averments of disinterested affection why should they be believed what right has he to expect such monstrous credulity the right which every generous mind feels it has upon the faith and confidence of another Gertrude your words are those of a child I may say of a fool who else could be weak enough to credit assertions contradicted by the whole tenor of the man's conduct be it so then cried Lady Rossville vainly struggling to retain her composure I am a child a fool for I believe in Colonel Delmore's truth and honor the prejudices of the whole world would not shake my conviction in what is to be the consequences of your madness will you dare to brave my authority and marry him against my consent cried Mrs. Sinclair giving way to one of her transports of passion Lady Rossville remain silent speak I desire you continued she with increasing impetuosity I repeat will you dare to marry him against my consent Mama I have twice solemnly passed my word to you that I will not marry until I have attained the age of twenty one if you would have me to trust to that then till that period arrives dismiss your lover this very day let Colonel Delmore leave your house and leave you free consent to that and I will leave you sincere impossible exclaim the countess in agitation how can you require of me to act in such a manner then leave it to me I'm the fittest act for you in this matter I will see Colonel Delmore myself and she was moving towards the door when Gertrude laid her hand upon her arm and with a cheek colored with resentment exclaimed if my friends are to be turned from under my roof then is my own house no longer a habitation for me I will seek another home other protection Mrs. Sinclair turn pale with passion and in a voice almost suffocated she said in the meantime I command you by the duty you owe me to confine yourself to your own apartment for the present do not think to brave my power I still possess it and will use it there are bounds beyond which passion cannot go without counteracting its own purpose and Mrs. Sinclair had scarcely uttered the words when she was sensible she had gone too far to be obeyed Lady Rossville instantly became calm but it was not the calm of fear or of submission but that of subtle determination as she bent her head in silent acquiescence and without uttering a syllable was about to withdraw stay where what do you mean cried her mother interrupting her inner progress to the door to obey answered Lady Rossville calmly Gertrude why why do you drive me to such extremities desire who am driven to extremities God help me exclaimed her daughter bursting into tears Gertrude what is your meaning what is your purpose cried her mother in violent agitation Lady Rossville was silent for a few moments the question was repeated when after a struggle to regain her composure she said this house and all that I call mine is yours to command but my affections my liberty will broke no control for this day I submit to be a prisoner in my own house tomorrow I will place myself under the protection of the laws of my country from these I shall surely meet with justice let these appoint guardians for me Mrs. St. Clair was struck with consternation she felt the error she had committed in goading to the utmost a spirit such as her daughters and there remained but one way to extricate herself from the dilemma she had brought herself into by her violence that was the old way but it had hitherto succeeded and might still answer the purpose better than any other no Gertrude cried she since it is your wish that we should part it is for me to seek another home suffer me to remain here for this night and tomorrow you shall be rid of me forever I feel I can neither contribute to your greatness nor your happiness but all that I would lay claim to peace of mind and respectability are in your hands spare me at least the misery and disgrace of being denounced to the world by one for whom I have done and suffered so much and Mrs. St. Clair wept real genuine tears but at that moment Mrs. St. Clair is made tapped at the door to inform her lady that dinner was upon the table and at the same moment the gong sounded in confirmation of the intelligence in an instant all high rock feeding was put to flight by this vulgar everyday occurrence heavens exclaimed she aware that her elaborate toilet required at least an hour to arrange what is to be done how came we to miss the dressing bell it is impossible for me to appear and both to be absent would have a strange appearance Gertrude you must join the company do make haste and as her daughter stood to resolute as you love me obey me now that there be mutual forgiveness mutual confidence away my love and she kissed her to avoid further contention Gertrude hastened to her apartment to dress and recover her composure as she best could end of section 67 section 68 of the inheritance by Susan Edmund Stune Therrier this LibriVox recording is in the public domain volume 2 chapter 34 my soul sit down a patient looker on judge not the play before the play is done her plot has many changes every day speaks a new scene the last act crowns the play quarrels but there was no fairy awaiting her there to dry her tears and decorate from head to foot by a touch of her wand but here human though very expert waiting made lost in a maze of conjecture at her ladies non-appearance at this the most important crisis of the day in her estimation I have put out your black crepe robe with bugles my lady began the important miss mashem and your black satin and your pearls my lady and your prey don't tease me mashem interrupted her lady in a fretful manner very foreign to her natural one my lady exclaimed the bewildered made desire Jordan to say that I beg the company may not wait for me I will join them at the second course and give me no matter what no not that odious velvet never let me see it again crepe to be sure my lady is much more suitable now though satin you know my lady is the most properist dummy shoe shong the countess sighed as she threw herself upon a seat and allowed herself for the first time to be according to miss mashem's taste what a frightful head was the reward of mashem's toys as her lady looked at herself in the glass then smote with frustration she had inflicted she added but I believed is because I look so cross don't I mashem cross dear my lady that is such an idea as if your ladyship could ever be cross and your head my lady looks charmingly becoming but her lady demolished part of miss mashem's work before she descended to the dining room notwithstanding that miss instantly voted that lady rossville's message should be acted upon and loudly protested that it would be very ill bred were they not to eat their dinner the same as if she were present when she had desired it yet colonel delmore as promptly decided otherwise and ordered the dinner to be taken downstairs again then quitting the room he repaired to the gallery through which he knew the countess bass from her own apartment there to wait her appearance and lead her to dinner the old feud between Pratt and him had lost nothing by absence and they had met with the same feelings of hostility as they had parted she had expressed in the loudest manner her astonishment outside of him he was the very last person she had dreamt of seeing at rossville had figured him still at his judgment it was so long since he had been heard of and sometimes it was out of sight out of mind etc etc etc on colonel delmore's part he in a contemptuous manner had congratulated miss Pratt on having accepted an official situation in lady rossville's household which ensured her friends the enjoyment of her company at all times and at all seasons however unseasonable no sooner was his back turned that miss Pratt and uncle adam began to lay their heads together for he had already become a new bond of union between them what do you think of this newcomer Mr. Ramsey whispered she as she made up to him in the out of the way corner where he usually sat uncle adam who scorned to whisper and indeed would not have whispered to have saved the capital only replied by an expressive grunt which was however sufficiently encouraging for his friend to proceed what do you think of his taking it upon him to order the dinner down again after lady rossville had sent to desire us to begin I'm sure I didn't care a pin head for my part about the thought it vastly important in him of all people to say black or white in this house for between ourselves I can tell you he is no favorite in a certain quarter I did not wonder at it for he's proud upsetting like puppy proud I only wish sir you had seen as much of his pride and impertinence as I've done I've just seen enough did not I see him boo to me as if he were the Prince of Wales that's exactly Anthony White my nephew Mr. White of White Hall he says he can stand anything but Colonel Del Morse bow for that he bows to him as if he was his shoemaker a man that could buy and sell and all his generation as for me I assure you I am thankfully gives me none of his civilities what's brought him here demanded Uncle Adam gradually winding up to the sticking point indeed sir that's more than I can tell you unless it's to try whether he can come better speed with the Countess than he did with the heirs but there's little chance of that or I'm mistaken she has there since I hope that she has not but that I will always think she might have waited and looked at her a little for you know to use an old saying there's as good fish in the sea as air came out and she needn't have been in any hurry I seen a good that comes awaiting said Uncle Adam with a sigh as he thought how he had waited in vain but I'm at a loss to understand why you cut the fish for dinner think she's tan up with only body that I've seen my dear Mr Ramsey is that possible I really would have given you credit for greater penetration I not to have found out what's been going on all this time and her eyes took the direction where Lindsay sat reading or at least appearing to read for his thoughts were otherwise employed Uncle Adam shook his head no Mr Ramsey you know if you doubt that you may see anything even Lady Betty honest woman who seldom sees over her nose asked me to the day if I did not think we were like to have a wedding soon in fact everything I believe was pretty much settled before poor Lord Rossville's death though whether he would have given his consent I can't pretend to say I only speak of what I know for a certainty Mr Ramsey still looked incredulous but what there's nothing very unlikely in it to be sure as I said before Edward Lindsay's no match for her in point of fortune you know but she is plenty for both and he's a gentile elegant looking creature and though I think his notions on some things a great deal too strict yet I know him to be an honorable fine creature as ever lived and she'll change him depend upon it she'll bring him around to her way of thinking before it's long a wheel we shall see time will show said Mr Ramsey still in that unconvinced manner which is infinitely more provoking than flat contradiction the old ram horned goose that he is thought she what can he know about these things then allowed see upon my word Mr Ramsey I think we've seen enough to satisfy anybody and her to some of us for instance what would you say if it had so happened that I was so situated as to be actually obliged to hear without the slightest intention of listening but this between you and me her give our friend the colonel there is Kong gay and at the same time acknowledge herself engaged to Edward Lindsay and that I heard with my own ears Miss Pratt had told this story so often that it had gradually grown upon her hands and was firmly impressed upon her own mind and she now told it with all the force of truth Uncle Adam was vanquished you can if you did that there need be nay mayor said about it but I widened the hay said that she was in love with him though I'll know say but I've sometimes thought there might be something on his side for her wheel if it is say as you say she might have done better and she might have done more but the worst is I didn't think there's love on her side and Uncle Adam heaved a sigh of fond remembrance I'll tell you what Mr. Ramsey loves a very different thing nowadays from what it was in our time preserve me I believe I would have sunk through the ground before I could have gone on as Lady Rossville does such a work as she makes with cousin Lindsay this and cousin Lindsay that and what's all this work about visiting the poor and building school rooms and such nonsense but to please him and yet she's a sweet modest like creature too and for as easy as she is there's really nothing flirting in her manner neither but just look at that with a jog on the elbow to her ally as Lady Rossville entered followed by Colonel Delmore I never see such impudence to be hunting her in that manner poor soul she looks quite fluttered I really think she has been crying Lady Rossville was beginning to apologize for the delay she had occasion when dinner was for the second time announced she motioned Lady Betty as usual to take the lead and looked at Colonel Delmore to offer his arm but with one of what Uncle Adam called his Prince of Wales's to Edward Lindsay he fell back and sees the Countess's hand with a look of haughty triumph I hope you observe that maneuver whispered Miss Cratt bending towards Uncle Adam as they started along side by side but a full yard a sunder for he would as soon have offered his head as his hand or even his arm upon these occasions but there's an old by word fan fires and forced love there did we and some people will maybe not crack quite so cross by and by Miss Pratt's ideas were further confirmed by Lady Rossville's manner at dinner for she observed she paid more attention to and seemed more at her ease with everybody then Colonel Delmore Uncle Adam likewise remarked this but he drew a different augury from it as he called to mind his own shame faciveness when Lizzie Lundy was in question he marked to Edward Lindsay's thoughtful melancholy expression so different from that of a favored suitor and the more striking from being contrasted with his rivals gay exalting air and as he revolved all these things his mind misgave him even in spite of Miss Pratt's confidential assurances I could wager you anything you're misstaying about Yon said he with a shake of his head to her done was promptly replied for it next to a legacy Miss Pratt liked the wager what shall it be I could lay you a crown a crown with contempt I'll take you five guineas five guineas that's a wager indeed we'll I didn't care though I do Oz no tent that's in hazard my uncle Adam and Miss Pratt touched thumbs upon it I'm very curious to know what you and my uncle are laying not only your heads but your hands together about said the Countess with a smile to Miss Pratt Mr. Ramsey blushed up to the eyes at having been so detected but Miss Pratt no wise abashed answered with a significant look your ladyship has perhaps a better right to know than anybody else but there's a good well that ends well even when a gentleman gives his left hand to a lady said Colonel Delmore I thought even Miss Pratt would scarcely have ventured on such a contract they say ill doers are ill dreaders Colonel retorted his antagonist and for my part I would prefer an honest man's left hand to a ne'er do wheels right any day of all the year there's my thumb out there was a favorite song in our day sir to Uncle Adam though it's maybe little too little in vogue now but we have not forgot it this was a random shot of Miss Pratt but it had the effect of raising Colonel Delmore's color as well as his anger though he prudently suppressed the latter for the present and dexterously managed to give the conversation a turn to Scottish songs and from thence by an easy transition to Italian music and poetry which gave him an opportunity of uttering and insinuating many a tender sentiment and at the same time put him completely beyond the reach of his enemy who had the command of no tongue but her own when the dessert was put upon the table the usual bustle announced the entrance of Mrs. Sinclair for an extraordinary a-claw now attended all that ladies movements she entered a room somewhat in the manner of a tragedy queen coming upon the stage and as she was really a fine looking woman dressed highly and had a good portly air the effect was very successful she really looked what she evidently intended to represent the Dowager Countess. Colonel Delmore rose in advance to meet her with an air of all press small he was far from feeling but the hand he held out to her was not accepted and a distant inclination of the head was the only acknowledgement about she saved that she moved on to the seat he had vacated by Lady Rossville and took possession of it I presume I interfere with no one's rights in taking this chair which to me possesses the double attraction of being next to my daughter and nearest the fire Lady Rossville blushed at this open display of her mother's hostility. Colonel Delmore bit his lip to repress the scornful retort which was ready to burst forth Miss Pratt hemmed and gave Uncle Adam a jog on the elbow you look fatigued love addressing her daughter in a fondling manner you have done too much today why you must have been out at least three hours this morning Mr. Lindsey I shall scarcely trust my daughter with you again I hope you ate something Lady Betty I hope you made a point of Gertrude taking something good now come let me dress a little pine for you in the way you used to like it abroad and taking off her gloves and displaying her large round white arms all glittering in rings and bracelets she began to cut up a pineapple and show her skill in this refined branch of elegant cookery Lady Rossville felt this display of her mother's affection was merely with a view to deceive others as to the footing they were upon she could therefore only sit in silent endurance of it and Mrs. St. Clair continued to overwhelm her with endearing epithets and tormenting aciduities which she could neither repel nor return the party was too small to admit of teta tets and to dissimilar parts to carry on anything of general conversation and the countess weary of the irksome and idle verbiage of the dinner table rose early and retired to the drawing room take you care of these two whispered Miss Pratt to Uncle Adam as she was leaving the room for I see a certain persons ready to fight with the wind no sooner had the ladies left the room than Colonel Delmore going to the already pleasing fire began to stir it so violently that it roared and crackled and burned till Uncle Adam felt as though he should be roasted alive sitting in his own seat but Colonel Delmore uttering an ejaculation about cold rang the bell and ordered some more cleric well spiced to be got ready immediately and placing himself before the fire he stood there humming an opera air and occasionally exciting the troublesome gambles of a large French poodle to whom he addressed a few words in its native tongue it will no be possible to live in a hoose where that puppy thought Uncle Adam and he began to meditate his retreat the following day but then as the thoughts of Guy Manning came over him he staggered in his resolution believe it he could not to borrow it he would have been ashamed to abstract it never entered into his primitive imagination for in his day it had not been the fashion for ladies and gentlemen to take other people's books or to lose other people's books or in short to do any of the free and easy things that are the privilege of the present age true there were libraries in Barnford but to have recourse to a circulating library to have it through the town that he was a navel reader there was distraction in the thought perished Dumple and Dandy Denmont, Dominique Samson and the whole host of them before he would stoop to such a measure but then not to see the end of that scoundrel glosson whom he could have hanged with his own hands only that hanging was too good for him there's the rub to be sure he might skip to the end but he never had skipped in his life and at such a thorough contempt for skippers that he would rather have burst in ignorance than have submitted to so degrading a mode of being relieved at one time during the dinner he had thoughts of sounding misprat as the result but his courage failed him he was hazarding too much with a woman now he revolved whether he might not by going about the bush with Mr. Lindsay extract the catastrophe from him but then he never had gone about the bush all his life and he was rather at a loss how to set about it now before he could make up his mind therefore the time came for a journey to the drawing room but instead of repairing there Uncle Adam stole away to his own apartment to try whether another chapter would not set the mat at rest in section 68