"I had a letter from Justin the other day. Yes--I know Mary showed it
to you. There was a private note in it that Mary did not see. Eunice,
Justin wrote to me about Fidelia."
He had moved away a little, and was watching Miss Eunice's face with
some anxiety. She was silent a moment, and she said gravely--"I am not
sure that it was wise in him to do so."
"You are not surprised?"
"I am surprised that he should have written to you. I am not surprised
at what he had to say--if it is as I think. He spoke to me before he
went away."
"He spoke to you?" said the doctor in astonishment, coming forward and
sitting down again. "And Fidelia?"
"No," answered Eunice gravely; "she is too young. I would not let him
speak; and indeed he had not the chance. I would not have her disturbed
by any such thoughts."
"You are right. Justin was a bold man to venture to speak to you--about
your sister. She is worth waiting for, if he have the courage to wait
this time. Forgive me, Eunice--but I am angry with him."
"You must not be angry with Justin for my sake. That is all past, Dr
Everett--quite past. I did not quite know it myself until I saw him.
Yes, I own I was a little afraid at the thought of his coming. But he
was quite changed--another man. A better man perhaps than the Justin I
loved when I was young, but different. Oh, yes, I love him still, in
another way! You must see how differently, since I can say this to
you."
Dr Everett rose and walked several times up and down the room. Then
Eunice spoke again.
"There is something which I ought to have told you long ago, for I have
seen that you have been feeling hard toward your brother because of me.
I had written to set him free from his promise to me, long before I
heard that he was going to be married. I could not leave them, you
know, and could not bear that he should feel himself bound to me and
regret it. I do not deny that I felt his marriage as a blow. But all
that has been long past. I never grudged him any happiness he may have
had, nor any happiness that may come to him. But I will not have my
Fidelia disturbed by thoughts of him, for years to come. Why did he
write to you?"
"He gave me no particular reason. I think it was partly because he was
not happy in keeping a secret from me. Foolish fellow! I knew how it
was with him before he knew it himself. I was anxious only to get him
away before he should betray himself to her."
"He did not speak to her."
"No. I think, too, he wished to bespeak for her a brother's care, now
and always. That was foolish too. I do not think I love my own
daughters better than I love Fidelia."
"I know it. I am sure of it; and I shall feel thankful that when I
leave her she will be in your care."