‘Thesethingshappenedlastwinter, sir,’ ; ‘, Ididnotthink, atanothertwelvemonths’ end, Ishouldbeamusingastrangertothefamilywithrelatingthem! Yet, whoknowshowlongyou’llbeastranger? You’retooyoungtorestalwayscontented, livingbyyourself; ; butwhydoyoulooksolivelyandinterestedwhenItalkabouther? andwhyhaveyouaskedmetohangherpictureoveryourfireplace? andwhy—?’
‘Stop, mygoodfriend!’ Icried.‘ItmaybeverypossiblethatIshouldloveher; butwouldsheloveme? Idoubtittoomuchtoventuremytranquillitybyrunningintotemptation: andthenmyhomeisnothere.I’mofthebusyworld, ’scommands?’
‘Shewas,’ continuedthehousekeeper.‘Heraffectionforhimwasstillthechiefsentimentinherheart; andhespokewithoutanger: hespokeinthedeeptendernessofoneabouttoleavehistreasureamidperilsandfoes, , afewdaysafterwards, “Iwishmynephewwouldwrite, Ellen, , sincerely, whatyouthinkofhim: ishechangedforthebetter, oristhereaprospectofimprovement, ashegrowsaman?”
‘“He’sverydelicate, sir,” Ireplied; “andscarcelylikelytoreachmanhood: butthisIcansay, hedoesnotresemblehisfather; andifMissCatherinehadthemisfortunetomarryhim, hewouldnotbebeyondhercontrol: , master, you’llhaveplentyoftimetogetacquaintedwithhimandseewhetherhewouldsuither: itwantsfouryearsandmoretohisbeingofage.”‘
Edgarsighed; and, walkingtothewindow, , buttheFebruarysunshonedimly, andwecouldjustdistinguishthetwofir-treesintheyard, andthesparely-scatteredgravestones.
