按键盘上方向键 ← 或 → 可快速上下翻页，按键盘上的 Enter 键可回到本书目录页，按键盘上方向键 ↑ 可回到本页顶部！
————未阅读完？加入书签已便下次继续阅读！
door open； so as to see and hear all that passed； for they were not fit
to be left absolutely alone together。
Philip sat down； and after a little pause Guy began：
'There were a few things I wanted to say； in case you should be my
successor at Redclyffe。'
A horror came over Philip； but he saw Amy writing at her little table；
and felt obliged to refrain。
'I don't think of directing you；' said Guy； 'You will make a far better
landlord than I； but one or two things I should like。'
'Anything you wish！'
'Old Markham。 He has old…world notions and prejudices； but his soul is
in the family and estate。 His heart will be half broken； for me； and
if he loses his occupation； he will be miserable。 Will you bear with
him； and be patient while he lives； even if he is cross and absurd in
his objections； and jealous of all that is not me？'
'Yesyesif'
'Thank you。 Then there is Coombe Prior。 I took Wellwood's pay on
myself。 Will you？ And I should like him to have the living。 Then
there is the school to be built； and I thought of enclosing that bit of
waste； to make gardens for the people； but that you'll do much better。
Well； don't you remember when you were at Redclyffe last year' （Philip
winced） 'telling Markham that bit of green by Sally's gate ought to be
taken into the park？ I hope you won't do that； for it is the only
place the people have to turn out their cows and donkeys。 And you
won't cut them off from the steps from the Cove； for it saves the old
people from being late for church？ Thank you。 As to the rest； it is
pleasant to think it will be in such hands if'
That 'if' gave Philip some comfort； though it did not mean what he
fancied。 He thought of Guy's recovery； Guy referred to the possibility
of Amabel's guardianship。
'Amy has a list of the old people who have had so much a week； or their
cottages rent…free；' said Guy。 'If it comes to you； you will not let
them feel the difference？ And don't turn off the old keeper Brown； he
is of no use； but it would kill him。 And Ben Robinson； who was so
brave in the shipwreck； a little notice now and then would keep him
straight。 Will you tell him I hope he will never forget that morning…
service after the wreck？ He may be glad to think of it when he is as I
am now。 You tell him； for he will mind more what comes from a man。'
All this had been spoken with pauses for recollection； and for Philip's
signs of assent。 Amabel came to give him some cordial； and as soon as
she had retreated he went on：
'My poor uncle； I have writtenthat is； caused Arnaud to write to him。
I hope this may sober him； but one great favour I have to ask of you。
I can't leave him money； it would only be a temptation； but will you
keep an eye on him； and let Amy rely on you to tell her when to help
him I can't ask any one else； and she cannot do it for herself； but
you would do it well。 A little kindness might save him； and you don't
know how generous a character it is； run to waste。 Will you undertake
this？'
'To be sure I will！'
'Thank you very much。 You will judge rightly； but he has delicate
feelings。 Yes； really； and take care you don't run against them。'
Another silence followed； after which Guy said； smiling with his
natural playfulness； 'One thing more。 You are the lawyer of the
family； and I want a legal opinion。 I have been making Arnaud write my
will。 I have wished Miss Wellwood of St。 Mildred's to have some money
for a sisterhood she wants to establish。 Now； should I leave it to
herself or name trustees？'
Philip heard as if a flash of light was blinding him； and he
interrupted； with an exclamation：
'Tell me one thing！ Was that the thousand pounds？'
'Yes。 I was not at liberty to'
He stopped； for he was unheard。 At the first word Philip had sunk on
his knees； hiding his face on the bed…clothes； in an agony of self…
abasement； before the goodness he had been relentlessly persecuting。
'It was that？' he said； in a sort of stifled sob。 'Oh； can you forgive
me？'
He could not look up； but he felt Guy's hand touch his head； and heard
him say； 'That was done long ago。 Even as you pardoned my fierce rage
against you； which I trust is forgiven above。 It has been repented！'
As he spoke there was a knock at the door； and； with the instinctive
dread of being found in his present posture； Philip sprang to his feet。
Amabel went to the door； and was told that the physician was down…
stairs with two gentlemen； and a card was given her； on which she read
the name of an English clergyman。
'There； again！' said Guy。 'Everything comes to me。 Now it is all
quite right。'
Amabel was to go and speak to them； and Guy would see Mr。 Morris； the
clergyman； as soon as the physician had made his visit。 'You must not
go down；' he then said to Philip。 'You will wait in the sitting…room；
won't you？ We shall want you again； you know；' and his calm brightness
was a contrast to Philip's troubled look。 'All is clear between us
now；' he added； as Philip turned away。
Long ago； letters had been written to Venice； begging that if an
English clergyman should travel that way he might be told how earnestly
his presence was requested； this was the first who had answered the
summons。 He was a very young man； much out of health； and travelling
under the care of a brother； who was in great dread of his doing
anything to injure himself。 Amabel soon perceived that； though kind
and right…minded； he could not help them； except as far as his office
was concerned。 He was very shy； only just in priest's orders； he told
her he had never had this office to perform before； and seemed almost
to expect her to direct him； while his brother was so afraid of his
over…exerting himself； that she could not hope he would take charge of
Philip。
However； after the physician had seen Guy； she brought Mr。 Morris to
him； and came forward； or remained in her room； according as she was
wanted。 She thought her husband's face was at each moment acquiring
more unearthly beauty； and feeling with him； she was raised above
thought or sensation of personal sorrow。
When the first part of the service was over； and she exchanged a few
words； out of Guy's hearing； with Mr。 Morris； he said to her； as from
the very fullness of his heart； 'One longs to humble oneself to him。
How it puts one to shame to hear such repentance with such a
confession！'
The time came when Philip was wanted。 Amabel had called in Anne and
the clergyman's brother； and went to fetch her cousin。 He was where
she had left him in the sitting…room； his face hidden in his arms；
crossed on the table； the whole man crushed； bowed down； overwhelmed
with remorse。
'We are ready。 Come； Philip。'
'I cannot； I am not worthy；' he answered； not looking up。
'Nay； you are su