Volume Iii Part 2 (1/2)
”Yes, as happy as I shall ever be away from home; I was very fond of my pupils, of Edith especially.”
”Was she the youngest?”
”No, the eldest. An orphan niece of Mr. Linchmore's, and adopted by him at her mother's and his sister's death. I shall regret leaving Brampton.
I think change must be one of the worst trials of a governess's life.”
”It is a sad one, no doubt, when, as in your case, a governess happens to be attached to those she is leaving. Perhaps,” continued Mrs.
Elrington, as she rose, ”I had better not wait to see your mother now.
As soon as you have made up your mind, Amy, I would advise your writing at once to Mrs. Linchmore without delay.”
Amy leant back in her chair very sorrowfully after Mrs. Elrington had gone. If she had had any doubt about the propriety of leaving Brampton, her mother's old friend--she, whose advice she so valued--had cleared it away; it was evident the step must be taken, however slow her heart might be to break asunder the one tie that yet seemed to bind her to Charles Linchmore.
”What are you thinking of, Amy?” asked Sarah, who had been watching her sister for some time. ”You look so sad.”
”Do I? I was thinking of Mamma, and whether we could do anything to make her better; and about my leaving Brampton, Sarah.”
”But that will be so nice to have you always here; you can't be sorry about that, sister.”
”But then I shall lose a great deal of money; and Mamma will have to go without a great many things she really wants. Port wine cannot be bought for nothing, Sarah.”
”Ah! what a pity it is we are not rich, then we might take her back to our dear old home. I am sure she would get well there. Don't you think so?”
”She might, Sarah. But I think if change is to do her good, she will require a greater change than that.”
”Further off still?” asked the child. ”Where to, Amy?”
”I cannot tell; but Dr. Ashley can.”
”But can't you guess at all? Not even the name?” persisted her sister.
”No. But I think somewhere abroad; a long way off. And that would cost money. Yes, more money than we have, a great deal,” sighed Amy.
”Ah!” said the child, ”when I'm grown up I'll marry a man with lots of money, just like Mr. Vavasour. Hannah says he's awfully rich; and then he should take us away to a lovely place by the sea-side where Mamma and all of us could live like princesses. I am sure she would get well then.”
This innocent remark of Sarah's was a home-thrust to Amy; a death blow to her hopes, and roused her at once. Should she sit so quietly and pa.s.sively when her mother's life was at stake? Nurse and h.o.a.rd up a love in her heart that she was ashamed had ever entered there from its very hopelessness and selfishness? There was Dr. Ashley coming up the walk, she would first ask his opinion as to the necessity of a change; and if he thought it necessary? Then--then. Once again Amy sighed, and said, ”It is my fate; it must be so,” and then went out into the other room, and quietly awaited the doctor's coming.
Some ten minutes elapsed, during which Amy was restless and anxious; still she would not pause to think now, lest her heart should give way; so she walked about even as Frances Strickland often did in her impatient moods, took up the books one by one off the table and looked at their t.i.tles--read them she could not--and then the doctor's heavy tread sounded on the staircase, and she went out and met him.
”Will you come in here, Dr. Ashley?” she said. ”I want to thank you for so kindly coming to see Mamma. It is so very kind of you.” Amy knew nothing of the ten pound note so carefully stowed away in his waistcoat pocket for the expenses of his homeward journey.
”Pray say no more, my dear Miss Neville,” he said. ”It pains me.”
And Amy did not. Perhaps she thought it was painful to be thanked for what in her innermost heart she half suspected he was paid for.
”How did you find Mamma, Dr. Ashley?” she asked.
”Well, not quite so bright as yesterday, but still no material change for the worse. Dr Sellon tells me she often has these ups and downs.”
”Any unusual excitement appears to weaken her for the time. Dr. Sellon does not attend regularly. I only call him in when I think Mamma really requires it.”