There was a strange unreality about Helen's wakening, the first morning
in Ashurst.
The year in Lockhaven seemed to have made as little change as a dream.
Here she was, back in her old room. How familiar everything looked! Her
little white bed; the old cherry-wood dressing-case, with its shining
brass rings and spotless linen cover; the morning sunshine dancing with
the shadows of the leaves, and falling in a golden square upon the floor;
the curtains at the south window blowing softly to and fro in the fresh
wind, and the flutter of wings outside in the climbing roses; even the
bunch of white lilacs on the little table, apparently all just as she had
left them nearly a year ago. Lockhaven and theology were behind her, and
yet in some indefinable way she was a stranger in a strange land.
The consciousness of a difference had come the night before, when Lois
poured out her fears and griefs to her cousin (all except her promise to
Mrs. Forsythe) as soon as they were alone.
Lois felt no difference. Helen had been away for a long time, but she was
still the same Helen to her; strong, and true, and gentle, with perhaps a
little more gravity in her eyes, but Lois was so grave herself she did
not notice that. Whereas with Helen there was a dual life: the one,
absorbing, passionate, and intense; the other, a memory; a tender,
beautiful past, no longer a necessity.
Helen's joys had come between her and this once dear home life, and even
while Lois was telling her of her cruel anxiety, and Helen was listening
with a face full of sympathy, her thoughts were following John on his
lonely walk back from prayer-meeting, and greeting him in the doorway of
the empty house.
Of course the consciousness of the difference and the strangeness wore
off in a few days; perhaps if Ashurst had been its usual quiet self, it
would have lasted longer, but there was so much to do, and so little
appreciation of change in the mind of any one else, she almost forgot
to notice it herself, but only knew that all the time, under all her
sympathy with Ashurst joys and sorrows,--mostly sorrows, now,--was a
deep, still current of thought flowing towards her husband.
Mrs. Dale had been the first one to come in, in the morning. They had
scarcely finished breakfast when they heard her decided voice in the
hall, reproving Sally for some careless sweeping. A little while ago,
Lois would have resented this as interference; but she had too many real
troubles now to take Mrs. Dale's meddling to heart.
"Well, Helen, my dear," she said, "I'm glad to see you." Mrs. Dale turned
her cheek to her niece, under the impression that she was kissing her.
"It is high time for you to be home again. You must keep this foolish
child in order; she hardly eats or sleeps. I suppose you've sent to know
how Arabella Forsythe is to-day, Lois?"
Lois looked anxious. "I thought she really was better last night, but she
sent word this morning there was no change."
"Fudge!" cried Mrs. Dale. "I brought her round all right before that
nurse came. She can't have killed her in this time. The fact is, brother,
Arabella Forsythe isn't in any hurry to get well; she likes the
excitement of frightening us all to death. I declare, Helen, she made her
death-bed adieux six times over! I must say, nothing does show a person's
position in this world so well as his manner of leaving it. You won't
find poor William Denner making a fuss. He isn't Admiral Denner's
great-grandson for nothing. Yes, Arabella Forsythe has talked about her
soul, and made arrangements for her funeral, every day for a week. That's
where her father's money made in buttons crops out!"
"But aunt Deely," Helen said, "isn't there any hope for Mr. Denner?
Ashurst wouldn't be Ashurst without Mr. Denner!"
"No, not a bit," Mrs. Dale answered promptly. "I suppose you'll go and
see him this morning, brother, and tell him?"
"Yes," replied Dr. Howe, sighing, "I suppose I must, but it does seem
unnecessary to disturb him."
"He won't be disturbed," said Mrs. Dale stoutly; "he isn't that kind.
There, now," she added, as Dr. Howe took up his hat and stick and went
gloomily out into the sunshine, "I shouldn't wonder if your father left
it to Gifford to break it to him, after all. It is curious how Archibald
shrinks from it, and he a clergyman! I could do it, easily. Now, Lois,
you run along; I want to talk to Helen."
But the rector had more strength of purpose than his sister thought. His
keen eyes blurred once or twice in his walk to the village, and his lip
almost trembled, but when he reached Mr. Denner's bedside he had a firm
hand to give his friend. The doctor had left a note for him, saying the
end was near, and he read this before he went into the sick-room.
Mr. Denner had failed very perceptibly since the day before. He looked
strangely little in the great bed, and his brown eyes had grown large and
bright. But he greeted the rector with courteous cordiality, under which
his faint voice faltered, and almost broke.
"How are you to-day, Denner?" his friend said, sitting down on the edge
of the bed, and taking the sick man's hand in his big warm grasp.
"Thank you," replied Mr. Denner, with labored breath, "I am doing
nicely."
"Has Giff been here this morning?" asked Dr. Howe.
"Yes," the lawyer answered. "He has gone home for an hour. Mary takes
excellent care of me, and I felt I was really keeping him too much from
his aunts. For his stay is limited, you know, and I am afraid I have been
selfish in keeping him so much with me."
"No, no," the rector said, "it is a pleasure for him to be with you; it
is a pleasure for any of us. Poor little Lois is dreadfully distressed
about you,--she longs to come and nurse you herself; and Helen,--Helen
came last night, you know,--she wants to be of some use, too."
"Oh, well, now, dear me," remonstrated Mr. Denner feebly, "Miss Lois must
not have a moment's uneasiness about me,--not a moment's. Pray tell her I
am doing nicely; and it is really of no consequence in the world,--not
the slightest."
Then Mr. Denner began to speak of Gifford's kindness, and how good every
one in the village had been to him; even Mary had softened wonderfully in
the last few days, though of this the sick man did not speak, for it
would seem to imply that Mary had not always been all she might be, and,
in view of her present kindness, it would have been ungracious to draw
attention to that.
"Yes," Mr. Denner ended, folding his little hands on the counterpane, "it
is worth while to have had this indisposition (except for the trouble it
has given others) just to see how good every one is. Gifford has been
exceedingly kind and thoughtful. His gentleness--for I have been very
troublesome, doctor--has been wonderful. Like a woman's; at least so I
should imagine."
The rector had clasped his hands upon his stick, and was looking intently
at Mr. Denner, his lower lip thrust out and his eyebrows gathered in an
absent frown.
"William," he said suddenly, "you've seen the doctor this morning?"
"Yes," Mr. Denner answered, "oh, yes. He is very kind about getting here
early; the nights seem quite long, and it is a relief to see him early."
"I have not seen him to-day," said Dr. Howe slowly, "but yesterday he
made me feel very anxious about you. Yes, we were all quite anxious,
William."
The lawyer gave a little start, and looked sharply at his old friend;
then he said, hesitating slightly, "That--ah--that was yesterday, did I
understand you to say?"
Dr. Howe leaned forward and took one of Mr. Denner's trembling little
hands in his, which was strong and firm. "Yes," he said gently, "but,
William, my dear old friend, I am anxious still. I cannot help--I cannot
help fearing that--that"--
"Stay," interrupted Mr. Denner, with a visible effort at composure,
"I--I quite understand. Pray spare yourself the pain of speaking of it,
Archibald. You are very kind, but--I quite understand."
He put his hand before his eyes a moment, and then blindly stretched it
out to his friend. The rector took it, and held it hard in his own. The
two men were silent. Mr. Denner was the first to speak.
"It is very good in you to come and tell me, Archibald. I fear it has
discomposed you; it was very painful for you. Pray do not allow yourself
to feel the slightest annoyance; it is of no consequence, I--ah--assure
you. But since we are on the subject, perhaps you will kindly
mention--how--how soon?"
"I hope, I trust," answered the rector huskily, "it may not be for
several days."
"But probably," said Mr. Denner calmly, "probably--sooner?"
Dr. Howe bowed his head.
"Ah--just so--just so. I--I thank you, Archibald."
Suddenly the rector drew a long breath, and straightened himself, as
though he had forgotten something. "It must come to us all, sooner or
later," he said gently, "and if we have lived well we need not dread it.
Surely you need not, of all the men I have ever known."
"I have always endeavored," said Mr. Denner, in a voice which still
trembled a little, "to remember that I was a gentleman."
Dr. Howe opened his lips and shut them again before he spoke. "I--I meant
that the trust in God, William, of a Christian man, which is yours, must
be your certain support now."
The lawyer looked up, with a faint surprise dawning in his eyes. "Ah--you
are very good to say so, I'm sure," he replied courteously.
Dr. Howe moved his hands nervously, clasping and re-clasping them upon
the head of his stick. "Yes, William," he said, after a moment's silence,
"that trust in God which leads us safely through all the dark places in
life will not fail us at the end. The rod and the staff still comfort
us."
"Ah--yes," responded Mr. Denner.
The rector gained confidence as he spoke. "And you must have that blessed
assurance of the love of God, William," he continued; "your life has been
so pure and good. You must see in this visitation not chastisement, but
mercy."
Dr. Howe's hand moved slowly back to the big pocket in one of his black
coat-tails, and brought out a small, shabby prayer-book.
"You will let me read the prayers for the sick," he continued gently, and
without waiting for a reply began to say with more feeling than Dr. Howe
often put into the reading of the service,--
"'Dearly beloved, know this, that Almighty God is the Lord of life and
death, and of all things to them pertaining; as'"--
"Archibald," said Mr. Denner faintly, "you will excuse me, but this is
not--not necessary, as it were."
Dr. Howe looked at him blankly, the prayer-book closing in his hand.
"I mean," Mr. Denner added, "if you will allow me to say so, the time
for--for speaking thus has passed. It is now, with me, Archibald."
There was a wistful look in his eyes as he spoke.
"I know," answered Dr. Howe tenderly, thinking that the Visitation of the
Sick must wait, "but God enters into now; the Eternal is our refuge, a
very present help in time of trouble."
"Ah--yes"--said the sick man; "but I should like to approach this from
our usual--point of view, if you will be so good. I have every respect
for your office, but would it not be easier for us to speak of--of this
as we have been in the habit of speaking on all subjects, quite--in our
ordinary way, as it were? You will pardon me, Archibald, if I say
anything else seems--ah--unreal?"
Dr. Howe rose and walked to the window. He stood there a few minutes, but
the golden June day was dim, and there was a tightening in his throat
that kept him silent. When he came back to the bedside, he stood, looking
down at the sick man, without speaking. Mr. Denner was embarrassed.
"I did not mean to pain you," he said.
"William," the rector answered, "have I made religion so worthless? Have
I held it so weakly that you feel that it cannot help you now?"
"Oh, not at all," responded Mr. Denner, "not at all. I have the greatest
respect for it,--I fear I expressed myself awkwardly,--the greatest
respect; I fully appreciate its value, I might say its necessity, in the
community. But--but if you please, Archibald, since you have kindly come
to tell me of this--change, I should like to speak of it in our ordinary
way; to approach the subject as men of the world. It is in this manner,
if you will be so good, I should like to ask you a question. I think we
quite understand each other; it is unnecessary to be anything
but--natural."
The clergyman took his place on the side of the bed, but he leaned his
head on his hand, and his eyes were hidden. "Ask me anything you will.
Yet, though I may not have lived it, William, I cannot answer you as
anything but a Christian man now."
"Just so," said Mr. Denner politely--"ah--certainly; but, between
ourselves, doctor, putting aside this amiable and pleasing view of
the church, you understand,--speaking just as we are in the habit of
doing,--what do you suppose--what do you think--is beyond?"
His voice had sunk to a whisper, and his eager eyes searched Dr. Howe's
face.
"How can we tell?" answered the rector. "That it is infinitely good we
can trust; 'Eye hath not seen, nor ear heard'"--He stopped, for Mr.
Denner shook his head with a fine sort of impatience.
"If you please, doctor!"
The rector was silent.
"I have wondered about it often," the other continued. "I have
expected--this, for some days, and I have wondered. Think how strange: in
a few days--almost a few hours, I shall know all, or--nothing! Yes, the
mystery of all the ages will be mine!" There was a thrill of triumph in
his feeble voice. "Think of that, doctor. I shall know more than the
wisest man that lives,--I! I was never a very clever person, never very
wise; and yet, here is a knowledge which shall not be too wonderful for
me, and to which I can attain."
He held up his little thin hand, peering at the light between the
transparent fingers. "To think," he said slowly, with a puzzled smile,
"to think that this is going to be still! It has never been any power in
the world; I don't know that it has ever done any harm, yet it has
certainly never done any good; but soon it will be still. How strange,
how strange! And where shall I be? Knowing--or perhaps fallen on an
eternal sleep. How does it seem to you, doctor? That was what I wanted to
ask you; do you feel sure of anything--afterwards?"
The rector could not escape the penetrating gaze of those strangely
bright brown eyes. He looked into them, and then wavered and turned away.
"Do you?" said the lawyer.
The other put his hands up to his face a moment.
"Ah!" he answered sharply, "I don't know--I can't tell. I--I don't know,
Denner!"
"No," replied Mr. Denner, with tranquil satisfaction, "I supposed not,--I
supposed not. But when a man gets where I am, it seems the one thing in
the world worth being sure of."
Dr. Howe sat silently holding the lawyer's hand, and Mr. Denner seemed to
sink into pleasant thought. Once he smiled, with that puzzled, happy look
the rector had seen before, and then he closed his eyes contentedly as
though to doze. Suddenly he turned his head and looked out of the window,
across his garden, where a few old-fashioned flowers were blooming
sparsely, with much space between them for the rich, soft grass, which
seemed to hold the swinging shadows of an elm-tree in a lacy tangle.
"'The warm precincts of the cheerful day,'" he murmured, and then his
eyes wandered about the room: the empty, blackened fireplace, where, on
a charred log and a heap of gray ashes, a single bar of sunshine had
fallen; his fiddle, lying on a heap of manuscript music; the one or two
formal portraits of the women of his family; and the large painting of
Admiral Denner in red coat and gold lace. On each one he lingered with a
loving, wondering gaze. "'The place thereof shall know it'"--he began
to say. "Ah, doctor, it is a wonderful book! How it does know the heart!
The soul sees itself there. 'As for man, his days are as grass; as a
flower of the field, so he flourisheth. For the wind passeth over it, and
it is gone; and the place thereof shall know it no more'--no more. That
is the wonder of it! How strange it is; and I had such plans for life,
now! Well, it is better thus, no doubt,--no doubt."
After a while he touched the little oval velvet case which lay on the
table beside him, and, taking it up, looked long and earnestly at the
childish face inside the rim of blackened pearls.
"I wonder"--he said, and then stopped, laying it down again, with a
little sigh. "Ah, well, I shall know. It is only to wait."
He did not seem to want any answer; it was enough to ramble on, filled
with placid content, between dreams and waking, his hand held firm in
that of his old friend. Afterwards, when Gifford came in, he scarcely
noticed that the rector slipped away. It was enough to fill his mist of
dreams with gentle wonderings and a quiet expectation. Once he said
softly, "'In the hour of death, and in the day of judgment'"--
"'Good Lord, deliver us!'" Gifford finished gently.
Mr. Denner opened his eyes and looked at him. "Good Lord," he said,
"ah--yes--yes--that is enough, my friend. _Good_ Lord; one leaves the
rest."
Dr. Howe walked home with a strange look on his face. He answered his
daughter briefly, that Mr. Denner was failing, and then, going into his
library, he moved a table from in front of the door, which always stood
hospitably open, and shut and locked it.
"What's the matter with the doctor?" asked Dick Forsythe, lounging up to
the rectory porch, his hands in his pockets and his hat on the back of
his head. "I walked behind him all the way from the village; he looked,
as though some awful thing had happened, and he walked as if he was
possessed."
"Oh, Mr. Denner's worse," Lois answered tearfully.
Mr. Forsythe had found her on the porch, and, in spite of her grief, she
looked nervously about for some one to save her from a _tête-à-tête_.
Dick seemed as anxious as she. "No, I won't sit down, thank you. Mother
just wanted to know if you'd run in this afternoon a few minutes," and
any one less frightened than Lois must have seen that he wished his
mother had chosen another messenger.
"Is she--is she pretty comfortable?" the girl said, pulling a rose to
pieces, and looking into the cool, dark hall for a third person; but
there was only Max, lying fast asleep under the slender-legged table,
which held a blue bowl full of peonies, rose, and white, and deep glowing
red.
Dick also glanced towards the door. "Oh, yes, she'll be all right.
Ah--unfortunately, I can't stay very long in Ashurst, but she'll be all
right, I'm sure. You'll cheer her up when I'm gone, Miss Howe?"
Lois felt herself grow white. A sudden flash of hope came into her mind,
and then fear. What did it mean? Was he going because he dared not ask
her, or would his mother tell him that he would surely succeed? Oh, her
promise!
Her breath came quick, and Mr. Forsythe saw it, "Yes," he said,
stammering with embarrassment, "I--I fear I shall have to
go--ah--important business."
Just then both these unhappy young people caught sight of Helen coming
serenely across the lawn.
"There's my cousin," said Lois; "let us go and meet her."
"Oh, yes, do!" Dick answered fervently; and presently greeted Helen with
a warmth which made her give Lois a quick, questioning look from under
her straight brows, and sent her thoughts with a flash of sympathy to
Gifford Woodhouse.
When the young man had gone, Helen said to her cousin, "Lois, dear--?"
But Lois only threw herself into her arms with such floods of tears Helen
could do nothing but try to calm her.
Lois was not the only one who heard of Dick's plan of leaving Ashurst
with mingled joy and dread. Gifford knew that Mr. Forsythe was going
away, and seeing the distress in Lois's face, in these sad days, he put
it down to grief at his departure. It was easier to give himself this
pain than to reflect that Lois was trembling with anxiety about Mr.
Denner, and was still full of alarm for Mrs. Forsythe.
"If that puppy neglects her," he thought, "if she cares for him, and if
he grieves her, I vow I'll have a word to say to him! Now why should she
cry, if it isn't because he's going away?"
Though he was glad Ashurst would see the last of this objectionable young
man, Lois's grief turned his gladness into pain, and there was no hope
for himself in his relief at Dick's departure. Miss Deborah, with the
best intentions in the world, had made that impossible.
The day after Dr. Howe had told Mr. Denner that he must die, Gifford had
come home for a few minutes. He had met the little ladies walking arm in
arm up and down one of the shady paths of their walled garden. Miss Ruth
still held her trowel in her hand, and her shabby gloves were stained by
the weeds she had pulled up.
"Oh, there you are, dear Giff," she cried; "we were just looking for you.
Pray, how is Mr. Denner?"
Gifford's serious face answered her without words, and none of the group
spoke for a moment. Then Gifford said, "It cannot last much longer. You
see, he suffers very much at night; it doesn't seem as though he could
live through another."
"Oh, dear me," said Miss Ruth, wiping her eyes with the frankest grief,
"you don't say so!"
"Haven't you just heard him say so, sister?" asked Miss Deborah, trying
to conceal an unsteady lip by a show of irritation. "Do pay attention."
"I did, dear Deborah," returned Miss Ruth, "but I cannot bear to believe
it."
"Your believing it, or not, doesn't alter the case unfortunately. Did he
like the syllabub yesterday, Gifford?"
"He couldn't eat it," her nephew answered, "but Willie seemed to enjoy
it."
"Poor child," cried Miss Deborah, full of sympathy, "I'm glad he had
anything to comfort him. But Gifford, do you really feel sure Mr. Denner
cannot recover?"
"Too sure," replied the young man, with a sigh.
"There's no doubt about it,--no doubt whatever?" Miss Ruth inquired
anxiously.
Her nephew looked at her in surprise. "I wish there were."
"Well, then, sister?" said Miss Ruth.
Miss Deborah nodded and sighed. "I--I think so," she answered, and the
two sisters turned to go into the house, importance and grief on both
their faces; but Miss Deborah suddenly recollected something she wished
to say.
"Do you know, Gifford," she said, letting Miss Ruth get a little ahead of
her, "I really think that that young Forsythe is without proper feeling;
and I am surprised at dear Lois, too. I cannot say--I am not at liberty
to say anything more, but at such a time"--
Gifford gave her a quick look. "What do you mean, aunt Deborah?"
But his aunt seemed reluctant to speak, and looked after Miss Ruth, who
was walking slowly up the mossy path, flecked here and there by patches
of sunshine that fell through the flickering leaves above her. When she
was quite out of hearing, Miss Deborah said mysteriously,--
"Well, perhaps; I might tell you; you are not like any one else. Ruth
thinks I cannot keep a secret, but then you know your dear aunt Ruth does
not discriminate. You are quite different from the public."
"Well, and what is it?" he said impatiently, and with a horrible
foreboding.
"Why, it is settled," answered Miss Deborah; "it is all settled between
Lois and young Forsythe. Arabella Forsythe told Adele Dale, and Adele
Dale told me; quite privately, of course. It wasn't to be mentioned to
any one; but it was only natural to speak of it to dear Ruth and to you."
Gifford did not wait to hear more. "I must go," he said hurriedly. "I
must get back to Mr. Denner," and he was off.
"Oh, dear Giff!" cried Miss Deborah; taking little mincing steps as she
tried to run after him. "You won't mention it? You won't speak of it to
any one, or say I--I"--
"No!" he called back,--"no, of course not."
"Not even to your aunt Ruth would be best!" But he did not hear her, and
Miss Deborah went back to the house, annoyed at Gifford, because of her
own indiscretion.
Miss Ruth had gone to her own bedroom, and some time after Miss Deborah
had disappeared in hers, the younger sister emerged, ready to go to Mr.
Denner's.
Miss Ruth had dressed with great care, yet with a proper sense of
fitness, considering the occasion. She wore a soft, old-fashioned lawn
with small bunches of purple flowers scattered over it, and gathered very
full about the waist. But, before the swinging mirror of her high bureau,
she thought it looked too light and bright for so sad a visit, and so
trotted up-stairs to the garret, and, standing on tiptoe by a great chest
of drawers, opened one with much care, that the brass rings might not
clatter on the oval plates under them, and disturb Miss Deborah. The
drawer was sweet with lavender and sweet clover, and, as she lifted from
its wrappings of silvered paper a fine black lace shawl, some pale,
brittle rose-leaves fell out upon the floor. That shawl, thrown about her
shoulders, subdued her dress, she thought; and the wide-brimmed black hat
of fine Neapolitan straw, tied with soft black ribbons beneath her little
round chin, completed the look of half mourning.
Miss Deborah answered her sister's knock at her bedroom door in person.
She was not dressed to make calls, for she wore a short gown over her red
flannel petticoat, and on her feet were large and comfortable list
slippers. Miss Deborah's eyes were red, and she sniffed once,
suspiciously.
"Why, Ruth Woodhouse!" she cried. "Have you no sense? Don't, for pity's
sake, dress as though you had gone into mourning for the man, when he's
alive. And it is very forward of you, too, for if either of us did it
(being such old friends), it should be I, for I am nearer his age."
But Miss Ruth did not stop for discussion. "Are you not going?" she said.
"No," Miss Deborah answered, "we'd better go to-morrow. You might just
inquire of Mary, this afternoon, but we will call to-morrow. It is more
becoming to put it off as long as possible."
Miss Ruth had her own views, and she consented with but slight demur, and
left Miss Deborah to spend the rest of the afternoon in a big chair by
the open window, with Baxter's "Saints' Rest" upon her knee.
When Gifford had gone back to the lawyer's house, he found the little
gentleman somewhat brighter. Mary had put a clean white counterpane on
the bed, and buttoned a fresh valance around it; and on the small table
at his side Willie had placed a big bunch of gillyflowers and lupins,
with perhaps less thought of beauty than of love.
"Gifford," he said, "I am glad to see you. And how, if you please,
did you leave your aunt? I hope you conveyed to her my thanks for her
thoughtfulness, and my apologies for detaining you as well?"
"Yes, sir," the young man answered, "I did. They are both rejoiced that
I can be of any service."
Gifford had come to the side of the bed, and, slipping his strong young
arm under Mr. Denner's head, lifted him that he might take with greater
ease the medicine he held in a little slender-stemmed glass. "Ah," said
Mr. Denner, between a sigh and a groan, as Gifford laid him down again,
"how gentle you are! There is a look in your face, sometimes, of one of
your aunts, sir; not, I think, Miss Deborah. I have thought much, since
I--I knew my condition, Gifford, of my wish that your aunt Deborah should
have the miniature of my little sister. I still wish it. It is not easy
for me to decide a momentous question, but, having decided, I am apt to
be firm. Perhaps--unreasonably firm. I would not have you imagine I had,
in any way, changed my mind, as it were--yet I have recurred,
occasionally, in my thoughts, to Miss Ruth. I should not wish to seem to
slight Miss Ruth, Gifford?"
"She could not feel it so, I know," the young man answered.
But Mr. Denner's thoughts apparently dwelt upon it, for twice again, in
intervals of those waking dreams, or snatches of sleep, he said, quite to
himself, "It is decided; yet it would seem marked to pass over Miss
Ruth." And again he murmured, "I should not wish to slight Miss Deborah's
sister."
Later in the afternoon he wakened, with a bright, clear look in his face.
"It occurs to me," he said, "that I have another portrait, of no value at
all compared with the miniature (and of course it is becoming that the
miniature should go to Miss Deborah), which I might give to Miss Ruth.
Because she is the sister of Miss Deborah, you understand, Gifford.
Perhaps you will be so good as to hand me the square package from that
same little drawer? Here is the key."
Gifford brought it: it was a daguerreotype case, much worn and frayed
along the leather back, and without the little brass hooks which used to
fasten it; instead, a bit of ribbon had been tied about it to keep it
closed. Mr. Denner did not open it; he patted the faded green bow with
his little thin fingers.
"It is a portrait of myself," he said. "It belonged to my mother. I had
it taken for her when I was but a boy; yes, I was only thirty. She tied
the ribbon; it has never been opened since."
He put it down on the stand, by the miniature, under the gillies and
lupins.
So it happened that when Miss Ruth Woodhouse came to inquire for him, she
had been in Mr. Denner's thoughts all the afternoon. "Not," he kept
assuring himself, "not that I have changed my mind,--not at all,--but she
is Miss Deborah's sister."
It was after five when Mary pushed the library door open softly, and
looked in, and then beckoned mysteriously to Gifford.
"It is your aunt; she wants to know how he is. You'd better come and tell
her."
Mr. Denner heard her, and turned his head feebly towards the door. "Miss
Woodhouse, did you say, Mary? Which Miss Woodhouse, if you please?"
"It's the young one," said Mary, who spoke relatively.
"Miss Ruth?" Mr. Denner said, with an eager quaver in his voice.
"Gifford, do you think--would you have any objection, Gifford, to
permitting me to see your aunt? That is, if she would be so obliging
and kind as to step in for a moment?"
"She will be glad to, I know," Gifford answered. "Let me go and bring
her."
Miss Ruth was in a flutter of grief and excitement. "I'll come, of
course. I--I had rather hoped I might see him; but what will Deborah say?
Yet I can't but think it's better for him not to see two people at once."
Mr. Denner greeted her by a feeble flourish of his hand. "Oh, dear me,
Mr. Denner," said she, half crying, in spite of Gifford's whispered
caution, "I'm so distressed to see you so ill, indeed I am."
"Oh, not at all," responded Mr. Denner, but his voice had a strange,
far-away sound in his ears, and he tried to speak louder and more
confidently,--"not at all. You are very good to come, ma'am;" and then
he stopped to remember what it was he had wished to say.
Miss Ruth was awed into silence, and there was a growing anxiety in
Gifford's face.
"Ah--yes"--Mr. Denner began again, with a flash of strength in his tone,
"I wished to ask you if you would accept--accept"--he reached towards the
little table, but he could not find the leather case until Gifford put it
into his hand--"if you would be so good as to accept this; and will you
open it, if you please, Miss Ruth?"
She did so, with trembling fingers. It was a daguerreotype of Mr. Denner;
the high neckcloth and the short-waisted, brass-buttoned coat and
waistcoat showed its age, as well as the dimness of the glass and the
fresh boyish face of the young man of thirty.
"What--what was I speaking of, Gifford?" said Mr. Denner.
"You gave my aunt Ruth the picture, sir."
"Oh, yes, just so, just so. I merely wished to add that I desired to
present it to Miss Deborah's sister,--though it is of no value, not the
least value; but I should be honored by its acceptance. And perhaps you
will be good enough to--to convey the assurance of my esteem to Miss
Deborah. And Gifford--my friend Gifford is to give her the miniature of
my little sister."
"Yes," said Miss Ruth, who was crying softly.
"Not that I have--have changed my mind," said Mr. Denner, "but it is not
improper, I am sure, that Miss Deborah's sister should give me--if she
will be so good--her hand, that I may say good-by?"
Miss Ruth did not quite understand, until Gifford motioned to her to lay
her little hand in that feeble one which was groping blindly towards her.
Mr. Denner's eyes were very dim.
"I--I am very happy," he murmured. "I thank you, Ruth;" and then, a
moment after, "If you will excuse me, I think I will rest for a few
moments."
Still holding Miss Ruth's hand, he turned his head in a weary way towards
the light, and softly closed his eyes.
Mr. Denner rested.