_September 5th._
Every day Vere seems to improve. It is simply wonderful how she has
bounded ahead after the first start. Hope and happiness have a great
deal to do with it, the doctor says, and the expectation of being
better, which has taken the place of the old despair. She looks
deliciously happy, and satisfied, and at rest, while as for Jim--he is
ten years younger at the very least, and can hardly believe that his
good fortune is true, and not a dream.
Needless to say he bought the ring at once--such a beauty! A great big
pearl surrounded with diamonds. I mean to have the twin of it when I am
engaged myself. Vere wears it hung on a chain round her neck for the
present, but as soon as she can walk it is to go on her finger, and the
engagement will be announced. She has been propped up on her couch
higher and higher every day, and yesterday she actually sat on a chair
for half an hour, and felt none the worse.
We are all so happy that we don't know what to do--at least, I am
miserable enough sometimes when I am alone, and begin thinking of
myself. When Vere marries and goes away I shall be horribly dull, and
when Rachel marries I wonder where they will live--the Dudleys, I mean!
_The Dudleys_! Will is heir to an old bachelor uncle who has a place in
the North. That's the reason why he is learning to be an agent here, so
that he may know how to manage his own land when he gets it. I think,
on the whole, I would rather he and Rachel went quite away, but how flat
and uninteresting everything would be! I shall have to go about with
father more than ever, but we shall never meet Will striding about in
his tweed suit and deerstalker cap; he will never join us any more and
have nice long talks. Oh, dear! Why do people want to marry other
people in this world? Why can't they all go on as they are, being
friends and having a good time together? Captain Grantly married Lady
Mary at Easter, and I suppose Wallace will marry the pretty girl next,
and Lorna will write to say she is engaged, and can't be bothered with
me any more.
I shall never marry. I could never induce myself to accept a second-
best as Vere has done. That sounds horrid, and, of course, she declares
now that she never cared for another man, but I know better! She was in
love with Will at one time, but she knew it was hopeless, and Jim's
devotion during all those weary months was enough to melt a heart of
stone.
Vere wished Rachel to be told of her engagement at once, and despatched
me to the Grange to carry the news, and, as Will Dudley happened to be
there at the time, he was really obliged to walk home with me, so far,
at least, as our paths lay together. It was the first time we had been
really alone for an age, and we were both rather silent for the first
part of the walk. Then we began talking of the engagement, and got on
better. Will had been a little uncertain in his congratulations, and he
explained why.
"Carstairs is a splendid fellow. I admire him immensely, and there is
no doubt about his feelings. He has adored your sister for years, but--
she never appeared to me to appreciate his devotion!"