Volume I Part 42 (1/2)
”Dearest aunt,” said she, one day, as they sat on a rocky ledge over the little river that traverses the Lahnech, ”shall I always find the same enjoyment in life that I feel now, for it seems to me this is a measure of happiness that could not endure?”
”Some share of this is owing to contrast, Fifine. Your convent life had not too many pleasures.”
”It was, or rather it seems to me now, as I look back, a long and weary dream; but, at the same time, it appears more real than this; for do what I may I cannot imagine this to be the world of misery and sorrow I have heard so much of. Can any one fancy a scene more beautiful than this before us? Where is the perfume more exquisite than these violets I now crush in my hand? The peasants, as they salute us, look happy and contented. Is it, then, only in great cities that men make each other miserable?”
Dinah shook her head, but did not speak.
”I am so glad grandpapa does not live in a city. Aunt, I am never wearied of hearing you talk of that dear cottage beside the river; and through all my present delight I feel a sense of impatience to be there, to be at 'home.'”
”So that you will not hold us to our pledge to bring you back to Bramaigne, Fifine,” said Miss Dinah, smiling.
”Oh no, no! Not if you will let me live with you. Never!”
”But you have been happy up to this, Fifine? You have said over and over again that your convent life was dear to you, and all its ways pleasant.”
”It is just the same change to me to live as I now do, as in my heart I feel changed after reading out one of those delightful stories to grandpapa,--Rob Roy, for instance. It all tells of a world so much more bright and beautiful than I know of, that it seems as though new senses were given to me. It is so strange and so captivating, too, to hear of generous impulses, n.o.ble devotion,--of faith that never swerved, and love that never faltered.
”In novels, child; these were in novels.”
”True, aunt; but they had found no place there had they been incredible; at least, it is clear that he who tells the tale would have us believe it to be true.”
Miss Dinah had not been a convert to her brother's notions as to Fifine's readings; and she was now more disposed to doubt than ever. To overthrow of a sudden, as though by a great shock, all the stem realism of a cloister existence, and supply its place with fict.i.tious incidents and people, seemed rash and perilous; but old Peter only thought of giving a full liberty to the imprisoned spirit,--striking off chain and fetter, and setting the captive free,--free in all the glorious liberty of a young imagination.
”Well, here comes grandpapa,” said Miss Dinah, ”and, if I don't mistake, with a book in his hand for one of your morning readings.”
Josephine ran eagerly to meet him, and, fondly drawing her arm within his own, came back at his side.
”The third volume, Fifine, the third volume,” said he, holding the book aloft. ”Only think, child, what fates are enclosed within a third volume! What a deal of happiness or long-living misery are here included!”
[Ill.u.s.tration: 312]
She straggled to take the book from his hand, but he evaded her grasp, and placed it in his pocket, saying,--
”Not till evening, Fifine. I am bent on a long ramble up the Glen this morning, and you shall tell me all about the sisterhood, and sing me one of those little Latin canticles I'm so fond of.”
”Meanwhile, I 'll go and finish my letter to Polly Dill. I told her, Peter, that by Thursday next, or Friday, she might expect us.”
”I hope so, with all my heart; for, beautiful as all this is, it wants the greatest charm,--it's not home! Then I want, besides, to see Fifine full of household cares.”
”Feeding the chickens instead of chasing the b.u.t.terflies, Fifine.
Totting up the house-bills, in lieu of sighing over 'Waverley.'”
”And, if I know Fifine, she will be able to do one without relinquis.h.i.+ng the other,” said Peter, gravely. ”Our daily life is all the more beautiful when it has its landscape reliefs of light and shadow.”
”I think I could, too,” cried Fifine, eagerly. ”I feel as though I could work in the fields and be happy, just in the conscious sense of doing what it was good to do, and what others would praise me for.”
”There's a paymaster will never fail you in such hire,” said Miss Dinah, pointing to her brother; and then, turning away, she walked back to the little inn. As she drew nigh, the landlord came to tell her that a young gentleman, on seeing her name in the list of strangers, had made many inquiries after her, and begged he might be informed of her return. On learning that he was in the garden, she went thither at once.
”I felt it was you. I knew who had been asking for me, Mr. Conyers,”
said she, advancing towards Fred with her hand out. ”But what strange chance could have led you here?”