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!
Now; the sailor's whole expression and manner; in his opinion; had shown too much cleverness for William Stanley; he had appeared decidedly quick…witted; and his countenance was certainly rather good…natured than otherwise。 Mr。 Wyllys admitted that Harry's views were just; he was struck with both these observations; he thought them correct and important。 Then Hazlehurst thought he had seen some signs of intelligence between Clapp and the sailor once or twice; a mere glance; he could not be positive; however; since it might have been his own suspicions。 As to the volume of the Spectator; he had felt at first morally certain that he had read that very volume at Greatwood; only four years ago; but he had since remembered that his brother had the same edition; and he might have read the book in Philadelphia; in the mean time he would try to recall the circumstances more clearly to his mind; for so long as he had a doubt; he could not swear to the fact。 He knew it was not the octavo edition; at Greatwood; that he had been reading; for he distinctly remembered the portrait of Steele in the frontispiece; and Addison's papers on the Paradise Lost; which he had been reading; that very portrait; and those papers; were contained in the volume handed to him by Clapp。 Both Mr。 Wyllys and Hazlehurst were gratified to find; that Mrs。 Stanley differed from them less than they had feared。 She confessed; that at one moment her heart had misgiven her; but on looking closely at the sailor; she thought him less like her husband than she had expected; and she had been particularly struck by his embarrassment; when she had asked him to describe the furniture of the drawing…room at Greatwood; the very last summer he had been there; for he ought certainly under such circumstances; to have remembered it as well as herself; he had looked puzzled; and had glanced at Mr。 Clapp; and the lawyer had immediately broken off the examination。 Such were the opinions of the friends at this stage of the proceedings。 Still it was an alarming truth; that if there were improbabilities; minor facts; and shades of manner; to strengthen their doubts; there was; on the other side; a show of evidence; which might very possibly prove enough to convince a jury。 Hazlehurst had a thousand things to attend to; but he had decided to wait at Wyllys…Roof until the arrival of Mr。 Ellsworth。
{〃Addison's papers on the Paradise Lost〃 = in fact; Addison's essays on Paradise Lost are contained in volumes four and five of the Spectator}
Leaving those most interested in this vexatious affair to hold long consultations together in Mr。 Wyllys's study; we must now proceed to record a visit which Miss Agnes received from one of our Longbridge acquaintances; and we shall therefore join the ladies。
〃I am sorry; my dear; that the house is not so quiet as we could wish; just now;〃 said Miss Agnes to Jane; one morning; as she and Elinor were sitting together in the young widow's room。
〃Thank you; Aunt; but it does not disturb me; and I know it is not to be avoided just now;〃 said Jane; languidly。
〃No; it cannot be helped; with this troublesome business going on; and we shall have Mrs。 Creighton and Mr。 Ellsworth here soon。〃
〃Pray; do not change your plans on my account。 I need not see any of your friends; I shall scarcely know they are here;〃 said Jane; with a deep sigh。
〃If it were possible to defer their visit; I should do so; but situated as we are with Mr。 Ellsworth〃 added Miss Wyllys。
〃Certainly; do not let me interfere with his coming。 I feel perfectly indifferent as to who comes or goes; I can never take any more pleasure in society!〃
〃Here is my aunt Wyllys driving up to the door;〃 said Elinor; who was sitting near a window。 〃Do you feel equal to seeing her?〃
〃Oh; no; not to…day; dear;〃 said Jane in an imploring voice; and Elinor accordingly remained with her cousin; while Miss Agnes went down to meet Mrs。 George Wyllys。 This lady was still living at Longbridge; although every few months she talked of leaving the place。 Her oldest boy had just received a midshipman's warrant; to which he was certainly justly entitledhis father having lost his life in the public service。 The rest of her children were at home; and rather spoilt and troublesome little people they were。
〃How is Jane?〃 asked Mrs。 Wyllys; as she entered the house。
〃Very sad and feeble; but I hope the air here will strengthen her; after a time。〃
〃Poor thing!no wonder she is sad; indeed! So young; and such an affliction! How is the child?〃
〃Much better; she is quite playful; and disturbs Jane very much by asking after her father。 What a warm drive you must have had; Harriet; you had better throw off your hat; and stay with us until evening。〃
〃Thank you; I must go home for dinner; and shall not be able to stay more than half an hour。 Is your father in? I wished to see him; as well as yourself; on business。〃
〃No; he is not at home; he has gone off some miles; to look at some workmen who are putting up a new farm…house。〃
〃I am sorry he is not at home; for I want to ask his opinion。 And yet he must have his hands full just now; with that vexatious Stanley case。 I must say; I think Clapp deserves to be sent to the tread…mill!〃
〃Perhaps he does;〃 replied Miss Wyllys。 〃It is to be hoped at least; that he will receive what he deserves; and nothing more。〃
〃I hope he will; with all my heart! But as I have not much time to spare; I must proceed to lay my affairs before you。 Now I really and honestly want your advice; Agnes。〃
〃You have had it often before;〃 replied Miss Wyllys; smiling。 〃I am quite at your service now;〃 she added; seeing her sister…in…law look a little uneasy。 Mrs。 Wyllys was silent for a moment。
〃I scarcely know where to begin;〃 she then said; 〃for here I am; come to consult you on a subject which you may think beneath your notice; you are superior to such trifling matters;〃 she said; smilingand then added: 〃But seriously; I have too much confidence in your judgment and good sense; to wish to act without your approbation。〃
〃What is the point upon which I am to decide?for you have not yet told me anything。〃
〃It is a subject upon which I have been thinking for some timeseveral months。 What should you say to my marrying again?〃 asked Mrs。 Wyllys stoutly。
Miss Agnes was amazed。 She had known her sister…in…law; when some years younger; refuse more than one good offer; and had never for a moment doubted her intention to remain a widow for life。
〃You surprise me; Harriet;〃 she said; 〃I had no idea you thought of marrying again。〃
〃Certainly; I never thought of taking such a step until quite lately。〃
〃And who is the gentleman?〃 asked Miss Agnes; in some anxiety。
〃I know you will at least agree with me; in thinking that I have made a prudent choice。 The welfare of my children is indeed my chief consideration。 I find; Agnes; that they require a stronger hand than mine to manage them。 Long before Evert went to sea; he was completely his own master; there were only two persons who had any influence over him; one is his grandfather; the other; a gentleman who will; I suppose; before long; become nearly connected with him。 I frankly acknowledge that I have no control over him myself; it is a mortifying fact to confess; but my system of education; though an excellent one in theory; has not succeeded in practice。〃
'Because;' thought Miss Agnes; 'there is too much theory; my good sister。' 〃But you have not yet named the gentleman;〃 she added; aloud。
〃Oh; I have no doubt of your approving my choice! He is a most worthy; excellent manof course; at my time of life; I shall not make a love…match。 Can't you guess the individualone of my Longbridge neighbours?〃
〃From Longbridge;〃 said Miss Wyllys; not a little surprised。 〃Edward Tibbs; perhaps;〃 she added; smiling。 He was an unmarried man; and one of the Longbridge beaux。
〃Oh; no; how can you think me so silly; Agnes! I am ashamed of you! It is a very different person; the family are great favourites of your's。〃
〃One of the Van Hornes?〃 Mrs。 Wyllys shook her head。
〃One of the Hubbards?Is it John Hubbard; the principal of the new Academy?〃 inquired Miss Agnes; faintly。
〃Do you suppose I would marry a man of two…or…three…and…twenty!〃 exclaimed Mrs。 Wyllys with indignation。 〃It is his uncle; a man against whom there can be no possible objectionMr。 James Hubbard。〃
'Uncle Dozie; of all men!' thought Miss Agnes。 'Silent; sober; sleepy Uncle Dozie。 Well; we must be thankful that it is no worse。'
〃Mr。 Hubbard is certainly a respectable man; a man of principles;〃 she observed aloud。 〃But everybody looked upon him as a confirmed old bachelor; I did not suspect either of you of having any thoughts of marrying;〃 continued Miss Agnes; smiling。
〃I am sometimes surprised that we should have come to that conclusion; myself。 But it is chiefly for the sake of my children that I marry; you must know me well enough; Agnes; to be convinced that I sacrifice myself for them!〃
〃I wish; indeed; that it may be for their good; Harriet!〃
〃Thank you; I have no doubt of it。 I feel perfect confidence in Mr。 Hubbard; he is a man so much older than myself; and so much more experienced; that I shall be entirely guided in fu