第5章
“Thereismoretruththanyouthink，inyourprettyfancy，Harry，“
rejoinedHugh，andwassilent——self-rebuked；forthememoryofDavidcamebackuponhim，recalledbythewordsoftheboy；ofDavid，whomhelovedandhonouredwiththebestpowersofhisnature，andwhomyethehadneglectedandseemedtoforget；nay，whomhehadpartiallyforgotten——hecouldnotdeny。Theoldman，whosethoughtswerejustthoseofawisechild，hadsaidtohimonce：
“Wekennomore，MaisterSutherlan"，whatwe"regrowin"till，thanthatneep-seedtherekenswhataneepis，thoughaneepitwillbe。
Theonlyoddsis，thatwekenthatwedinnaken，andtheneep-seedkensnothingatallabootit。Butaething，MaisterSutherlan"，wemaybesureo"：that，whateveritbe，itwillbeworthGod"smakin"
an"ourgrowin"。“
AsolemnstillnessfelluponHugh"sspirit，asherecalledthesewords；outofwhichstillness，Ipresume，grewthelittleparablewhichfollows；thoughHugh，afterhehadlearnedfarmoreaboutthethingsthereinhintedat，couldneverunderstandhowitwas，thathecouldhaveputsomuchmoreintoit，thanheseemedtohaveunderstoodatthatperiodofhishistory。
ForHarrysaid：
“Wouldn"tthisbeaniceplaceforastory，Mr。Sutherland？Doyouevertellstories，sir？”
“Iwasjustthinkingofone，Harry；butitisasmuchyoursasmine，foryousowedtheseedofthestoryinmymind。“
“Doyoumeanastorythatneverwasinabook——astoryoutofyourownhead？Oh！thatwillbegrand！”
“Waittillweseewhatitwillbe，Harry；forIcan"ttellyouhowitwillturnout。“
Afteralittlefurtherpause，Hughbegan：
“Long，longago，twoseedslaybesideeachotherintheearth，waiting。Itwascold，andratherwearisome；and，tobeguilethetime，theonefoundmeanstospeaktotheother。
“"Whatareyougoingtobe？"saidtheone。
“"Idon"tknow，"answeredtheother。
“"Forme，"rejoinedthefirst，"Imeantobearose。Thereisnothinglikeasplendidrose。Everybodywilllovemethen！"
“"It"sallright，"whisperedthesecond；andthatwasallhecouldsay；forsomehowwhenhehadsaidthat，hefeltasifallthewordsintheworldwereusedup。Sotheyweresilentagainforadayortwo。
“"Oh，dear！"criedthefirst，"Ihavehadsomewater。Ineverknewtillitwasinsideme。I"mgrowing！I"mgrowing！Good-bye！"
“"Good-bye！"repeatedtheother，andlaystill；andwaitedmorethanever。
“Thefirstgrewandgrew，pushingitselfstraightup，tillatlastitfeltthatitwasintheopenair，foritcouldbreathe。Andwhatadeliciousbreaththatwas！Itwasrathercold，butsorefreshing。
Theflowercouldseenothing，foritwasnotquiteafloweryet，onlyaplant；andtheyneverseetilltheireyescome，thatis，tilltheyopentheirblossoms——thentheyareflowersquite。Soitgrewandgrew，andkeptitsheadupverysteadily，meaningtoseetheskythefirstthing，andleavetheearthquitebehindaswellasbeneathit。Butsomehoworother，thoughwhyitcouldnottell，itfeltverymuchinclinedtocry。Atlengthitopeneditseye。Itwasmorning，andtheskywasoveritshead；but，alas！itselfwasnorose——onlyatinywhiteflower。Itfeltyetmoreinclinedtohangdownitsheadandtocry；butitstillresisted，andtriedhardtoopenitseyewide，andtoholditsheadupright，andtolookfullatthesky。
“"IwillbeastarofBethlehematleast！"saidtheflowertoitself。
“Butitsheadfeltveryheavy；andacoldwindrushedoverit，andboweditdowntowardstheearth。Andtheflowersawthatthetimeofthesingingofbirdswasnotcome，thatthesnowcoveredthewholeland，andthattherewasnotasingleflowerinsightbutitself。Andithalf-closeditsleavesinterrorandthedismayofloneliness。Butthatinstantitrememberedwhattheotherflowerusedtosay；anditsaidtoitself："It"sallright；IwillbewhatIcan。"Andthereonityieldedtothewind，droopeditsheadtotheearth，andlookednomoreonthesky，butonthesnow。Andstraightwaythewindstopped，andthecolddiedaway，andthesnowsparkledlikepearlsanddiamonds；andtheflowerknewthatitwastheholdingofitsheadupthathadhurtitso；forthatitsbodycameofthesnow，andthatitsnamewasSnow-drop。Andsoitsaidoncemore，"It"sallright！"andwaitedinperfectpeace。Alltherestitneededwastohangitsheadafteritsnature。“
“Andwhatbecameoftheother？”askedHarry。
“Ihaven"tdonewiththisoneyet，“answeredHugh。“Ionlytoldyouitwaswaiting。Onedayapale，sad-lookinggirl，withthinface，largeeyes，andlongwhitehands，came，hangingherheadlikethesnowdrop，alongthesnowwheretheflowergrew。Shespiedit，smiledjoyously，andsaying，"Ah！mylittlesister，areyoucome？"
stoopedandpluckedthesnowdrop。Ittrembledanddiedinherhand；
whichwasaheavenlydeathforasnowdrop；forhaditnotcastagleamofsummer，paleasithadbeenitself，upontheheartofasickgirl？”
“Andtheother？”repeatedHarry。
“Theotherhadalongtimetowait；butitdidgrowoneoftheloveliestroseseverseen。Andatlastithadthehighesthonourevergrantedtoaflower：twoloverssmelledittogether，andwerecontentwithit。“
Harrywassilent，andsowasHugh；forhecouldnotunderstandhimselfquite。Hefelt，allthetimehewasspeaking，isifhewerelisteningtoDavid，insteadoftalkinghimself。Thefactwas，hewasonlyexpanding，inanimaginativesoil，thelivingseedwhichDavidhadcastintoit。Thereseemedtohimselftobemoreinhisparablethanhehadanyrighttoinvent。Butisitnotsowithallstoriesthatarerightlyrootedinthehuman？
“Whatadelightfulstory，Mr。Sutherland！”saidHarry，atlast。
“Euphratellsmestoriessometimes；butIdon"tthinkIeverheardoneIlikedsomuch。Iwishweweremeanttogrowintosomething，liketheflower-seeds。“
“Soweare，Harry。“
“Areweindeed？HowdelightfulitwouldbetothinkthatIamonlyaseed，Mr。Sutherland！DoyouthinkImightthinkso？”
“Yes，Ido。“
“Then，please，letmebegintolearnsomethingdirectly。Ihaven"thadanythingdisagreeabletodosinceyoucame；andIdon"tfeelasifthatwasright。“
PoorHarry，likesomanythousandsofgoodpeople，hadnotyetlearnedthatGodisnotahardtask-master。
“Idon"tintendthatyoushouldhaveanythingdisagreeabletodo，ifIcanhelpit。Wemustdosuchthingswhentheycometous；butwemustnotmakethemforourselves，orforeachother。“
“ThenI"mnottolearnanymoreLatin，amI？”saidHarry，inadoubtfulkindoftone，asiftherewereafterallalittlepleasureindoingwhathedidnotlike。
“IsLatinsodisagreeable，Harry？”
“Yes；itisruleafterrule，thathasnothinginitIcarefor。HowcananybodycareforLatin？ButIamquitereadytobegin，ifIamonlyaseed——really，youknow。“
“Notyet，Harry。Indeed，weshallnotbeginagain——Iwon"tletyou——tillyouaskmewithyourwholeheart，toletyoulearnLatin。“
“Iamafraidthatwillbealongtime，andEuphrawillnotlikeit。“
“Iwilltalktoheraboutit。Butperhapsitwillnotbesolongasyouthink。Now，don"tmentionLatintomeagain，tillyouarereadytoaskme，heartily，toteachyou。Anddon"tgiveyourselfanytroubleaboutiteither。Younevercanmakeyourselflikeanything。“
Harrywassilent。Theyreturnedtothehouse，throughthepouringrain；Harry，asusual，mountedonhisbigbrother。
Astheycrossedthehall，Mr。Arnoldcamein。Helookedsurprisedandannoyed。HughsetHarrydown，whoranupstairstogetdressedfordinner；whilehehimselfhalf-stopped，andturnedtowardsMr。
Arnold。ButMr。Arnolddidnotspeak，andsoHughfollowedHarry。
Hughspentallthatevening，afterHarryhadgonetobed，incorrectinghisimpressionsofsomeofthechiefstoriesofearlyRomanhistory；ofwhichstoriesheintendedcommencingalittlecoursetoHarrythenextday。
MeantimetherewasverylittleintercoursebetweenHughandEuphra，whosesurname，somehoworother，Hughhadneverinquiredafter。Hedislikedaskingquestionsaboutpeopletoanuncommondegree，andsopreferredwaitingforanaturalrevelation。Herlaterbehaviourhadrepelledhim，impressinghimwiththenotionthatshewasproud，andthatshehadmadeuphermind，notwithstandingherapparentfranknessatfirst，tokeephimatadistance。Thatshewasfitful，too，andincapableofshowingmuchtendernesseventopoorHarry，hehadalreadyconcludedinhisprivatejudgment-hall。Norcouldhedoubtthat，whetherfromwrongtheories，incapacity，orculpableindifference，shemusthavetakenverybadmeasuresindeedwithheryoungpupil。
Thenextdayresembledthetwoformer；withthisdifference，thattherainfellintorrents。Seatedintheirstrawybower，theycaredfornorain。Theyweresafefromthewholeworld，andallthetempersofnature。
ThenHughtoldHarryabouttheslowbeginningsandthemightybirthofthegreatRomanpeople。Hetoldhimtalesoftheirbattlesandconquests；theirstrifesathome，andtheirwarsabroad。Hetoldhimstoriesoftheirgrandmen，greatwiththeindividualityoftheirnationandtheirown。Hetoldhimtheircharacters，theirpeculiaropinionsandgroundsofaction，andtheresultsoftheirvariousschemesfortheirvariousends。Hetoldhimabouttheirlovetotheircountry，abouttheirpoetryandtheirreligion；theircourage，andtheirhardihood；theirarchitecture，theirclothes，andtheirarmour；theircustomsandtheirlaws；butallinsuchlanguage，ormostlyinsuchlanguage，asoneboymightuseintellinganotherofthesameage；forHughpossessedthegiftofageneralsimplicityofthought，oneofthemostvaluableamancanhave。Itcosthimagooddealoflabour(well-repaidinitself，nottospeakoftheevidentdelightofHarry)，tomakehimselfperfectlycompetentforthis；buthehadagoodfoundationofknowledgetoworkupon。
ThiswentonforalongtimeaftertheperiodtowhichIamnowmoreimmediatelyconfined。Everytimetheystoppedtorestfromtheirramblesorgames——asoften，infact，astheysatdownalone，Harry"sconstantrequestwas：
“Now，Mr。Sutherland，mightn"twehavesomethingmoreabouttheRomans？”
AndMr。Sutherlandgavehimsomethingmore。Butallthistimeheneverutteredtheword——Latin。
CHAPTERV。
LARCHANDOTHERHUNTING。
ForthereisneitherbuskenorhayInMay，thatitn"illshroudedbene，Anditwithnew？leav閟wrene；
Thesewood閟ekerecoverengrene，Thatdrieinwinterbentosene，Andtheerthwaxethproudwithall，Forswot？dewesthatonitfall，Andthepooreestateforget，Inwhichthatwinterhaditset：
Andthanbecomesthegroundsoproude，Thatitwolhaveanew？shroude，Andmakethsoqueinthisrobeandfaire，Thatithathhewesanhundredpaire，Ofgrasseandfloures，ofIndandPers，Andmanyhew閟fulldivers：
ThatistherobeImean，ywis，Throughwhichthegroundtopraisenis。
CHAUCER"StranslationoftheRomauntoftheRose。
Sopassedthethreedaysofrain。Afterbreakfastthefollowingmorning，HughwenttofindHarry，accordingtocustom，inthelibrary。Hewasreading。
“Whatareyoureading，Harry？”askedhe。
“Apoem，“saidHarry；and，risingasbefore，hebroughtthebooktoHugh。ItwasMrs。Hemans"sPoems。
“Youarefondofpoetry，Harry。“
“Yes，very。“
“Whosepoemsdoyoulikebest？”
“Mrs。Hemans"s，ofcourse。Don"tyouthinksheisthebest，sir？”
“Shewritesverybeautifulverses，Harry。Whichpoemareyoureadingnow？”
“Oh！oneofmyfavourites——TheVoiceofSpring。“
“WhotaughtyoutolikeMrs。Hemans？”
“Euphra，ofcourse。“
“Willyoureadthepoemtome？”
Harrybegan，andreadthepoemthrough，withmuchtasteandevidentenjoyment；anenjoymentwhichseemed，however，tospringmorefromthemusicofthethoughtanditsembodimentinsound，thanfromsympathywiththeformsofnaturecalledupthereby。Thiswasshownbyhismodeofreading，inwhichthemusicwaseverything，andthesenselittleornothing。Whenhecametotheline，“Andthelarchhashungallhistasselsforth，“
hesmiledsodelightedly，thatHughsaid：
“Areyoufondofthelarch，Harry？”
“Yes，very。“
“Arethereanyabouthere？”
“Idon"tknow。Whatisitlike？”
“Yousaidyouwerefondofit。“
“Oh，yes；itisatreewithbeautifultassels，youknow。IthinkI
shouldliketoseeone。Isn"titabeautifulline？”
“Whenyouhavefinishedthepoem，wewillgoandseeifwecanfindoneanywhereinthewoods。Wemustknowwhereweareintheworld，Harry——whatisallroundaboutus，youknow。“
“Oh，yes，“saidHarry；“letusgoandhuntthelarch。“
“PerhapsweshallmeetSpring，ifwelookforher——perhapshearhervoice，too。“
“Thatwouldbedelightful，“answeredHarry，smiling。Andawaytheywent。
ImayjustmentionherethatMrs。Hemanswasallowedtoretiregradually，tillatlastshewastobefoundonlyinthemoreinaccessiblerecessesofthelibrary-shelves；whilebythattimeHarrymightbeheard，notalloverthehouse，certainly，butasfaroffasoutsidethecloseddoorofthelibrary，readingaloudtohimselfoneorotherofMacaulay"sballads，withanevidentenjoymentofthegoinit。Astorywithdrumandtrumpetaccompanimentwasquiteenough，forthepresent，tosatisfyHarry；
andMacaulaycouldgivehimthat，iflittlemore。
Astheywentacrossthelawntowardstheshrubbery，ontheirwaytolookforlarchesandSpring，Euphrajoinedtheminwalkingdress。
Itwasalovelymorning。
“Ihavetakenyouatyourword，yousee，Mr。Sutherland，“saidshe。
“Idon"twanttolosemyHarryquite。“
“YoudearkindEuphra！”saidHarry，goingroundtohersideandtakingherhand。Hedidnotstaylongwithher，however，nordidEuphraseemparticularlytowanthim。
“TherewasonethingIoughttohavementionedtoyoutheothernight，Mr。Sutherland；andIdaresayIshouldhavementionedit，hadnotMr。Arnoldinterruptedourt阾e-？t阾e。IfeelnowasifIhadbeenguiltyofclaimingfarmorethanIhavearightto，onthescoreofmusicalinsight。IhaveScotchbloodinme，andwasindeedborninScotland，thoughIleftitbeforeIwasayearold。Mymother，Mr。Arnold"ssister，marriedagentlemanwhowashalfSootch；andIwasbornwhiletheywereonavisittohisrelatives，theCameronsofLochnie。Hismother，mygrandmother，wasaBohemianlady，acountesswithsixteenquarterings——notagipsy，Ibegtosay。“
Hughthoughtshemighthavebeen，tojudgefrompresentappearances。
Buthowwashetoaccountforthistorrentofgenealogicalinformation，intowhichtheiceofherlateconstrainthadsuddenlythawed？Itwasoddthatsheshouldallatoncevolunteersomuchaboutherself。Perhapsshehadmadeuponeofthosemindswhichneedmakingup，everynowandthen，likeamonthlymagazine；andnowwaspreparedtopublishit。Hughrespondedwithaquestion：
“DoIknowyourname，then，atlast？YouareMissCameron？”
“EuphrasiaCameron；atyourservice，sir。“AndshedroppedagaylittlecourtesytoHugh，lookingupathimwithaflashofherblackdiamonds。
“Thenyoumustsingtometo-night。“
“Withallthepleasureingipsy-land，“repliedshe，withasecondcourtesy，lowerthanthefirst；takingforgranted，nodoubt，hissilentjudgmentonherpersonandcomplexion。
BythistimetheyhadreachedthewoodsinadifferentquarterfromthatwhichHughhadgonethroughtheotherdaywithHarry。Andhere，inverydeed，theSpringmetthem，withaprofusionofrichnesstowhichHughwasquiteastranger。Thegroundwascarpetedwithprimroses，andanemones，andotherspringflowers，whicharetheloveliestofallflowers。Theyweredrinkingthesunlight，whichfelluponthemthroughthebuddedboughs。Bythetimethelightshouldbehiddenfromthembytheleaves，whicharethecloudsofthelowerfirmamentofthewoods，theirneedofitwouldbegone：exquisitesinliving，theycaredonlyforthedelicatemorningoftheyear。
“Dolookatthisdarling，Mr。Sutherland！”exclaimedEuphrasiasuddenly，asshebentattherootofagreatbeech，wheregrewalargebushofroughleaves，withonetinybutperfectly-formedprimrosepeepingoutbetween。“Isitnotalittlepet？——alleyes——alloneeyestaringoutofitscurtainedbedtoseewhateverisgoingonintheworld——Youhadbetterliedownagain：itisnotaniceplace。“
Shespoketoitasifithadbeenakittenorababy。Andasshespoke，shepulledtheleavesyetcloseroverthelittlestarersoastohideitquite。
Astheywenton，shealmostobtrusivelyavoidedsteppingontheflowers，sayingshealmostfeltcruel，oratleastrude，whenshedidso。Yetshetrailedherdressovertheminquiteacarelessway，notliftingitatall。Thiswasapeculiarityofhers，whichHughneverunderstoodtillheunderstoodherself。
Allaboutinshadyplaces，thefernswerebusyuntuckingthemselvesfromtheirgrave-clothes，unrollingtheirmysteriouscoilsoflife，addingcontinuallytothehiddengrowthastheyunfoldedthevisible。Inthis，theywereliketheotherrevelationsofGodtheInfinite。Allthewildlovelythingswerecomingupfortheirmonth"slifeofjoy。Orchis-harlequins，cuckoo-plants，wildarums，moreproperlylords-and-ladies，werecoming，andcoming——slowly；forhadtheynotalongwaytocome，fromthevalleyoftheshadowofdeathintothelandoflife？Atlastthewandererscameuponawholecompanyofbluebells——notwhatHughwouldhavecalledbluebells，forthebluebellsofScotlandarethesingle-poisedharebells——butwildhyacinths，growinginadampandshadyspot，inwonderfulluxuriance。Theywerequitethreefeetinheight，withlong，graceful，droopingheads；hangingdownfromthem，allalongoneside，thelargestandloveliestofbells——onelyingcloseabovetheother，onthelowerpart；whiletheypartedthinnerandthinnerastheyrosetowardsthelonelyoneatthetop。MissCameronwentintoecstasiesoverthese；notsayingmuch，butbreakingupwhatshedidsaywithmanyprettilypassionatepauses。
Shehadaveryhappyturnforseeingexternalresemblances，eitherhumorousorpathetic；forshehadmuchofoneelementthatgoestothemakingofapoet——namely，surfaceimpressibility。
“Look，Harry；theyareallsadathavingtogodownthereagainsosoon。Theyarelookingattheirgravessoruefully。“
Harrylookedsadandrathersentimentalimmediately。WhenHughglancedatMissCameron，hesawtearsinhereyes。
“Youhavenothinglikethisinyourcountry，haveyou，Mr。
Sutherland？”saidshe，withanapparenteffort。
“No，indeed，“answeredHugh。
Andhesaidnomore。Foravisionrosebeforehimoftheruggedpine-woodandthesingleprimrose；andofthethoughtfulmaiden，withunpolishedspeechandroughhands，and——butthishedidnotsee——asoulslowlyrefiningitselftoacrystallineclearness。Andhethoughtofthegrandoldgrey-hairedDavid，andofJanetwithherquaintmotherhood，andofalltheblessedbarenessoftheancienttime——insunlightandinsnow；andhefeltagainthathehadforgottenandforsakenhisfriends。
“Howthefairieswillberingingthebellsintheseairysteeplesinthemoonlight！”saidMissCamerontoHarry，whowassurprisedanddelightedwithitall。Hecouldnothelpwondering，however，afterhewenttobedthatnight，thatEuphrahadneverbeforetakenhimtoseethesebeautifulthings，andhadneverbeforesaidanythinghalfsoprettytohim，astheleastprettythingshehadsaidabouttheflowersthatmorningwhentheywereoutwithMr。Sutherland。HadMr。Sutherlandanythingtodowithit？WashegivingEuphraalessoninflowerssuchashehadgivenhiminpigs？
MissCameronpresentlydrewHughintoconversationagain，andtheoldtimeswereoncemoreforgottenforaseason。Theywereworthyofdistinguishingnote——thattriointhosespringwoods：theboywakinguptofeelthatflowersandbudswerelovelierinthewoodsthaninverses；Euphrafindingeverythingabouthersentimentallyuseful，andreallydelightingintheprettinessestheysuggestedtoher；andHughregardingthewholechieflyasamaterialandmeansforreproducinginversesuchimpressionsofdelightashehadreceivedandstillreceivedfromall(butthehighest)poetryaboutnature。ThepresenceofHarryandhisnecessitieswascertainlyasavinginfluenceuponHugh；but，howevermuchhesoughttorealizeHarry"slife，hehimself，atthisperiodofhishistory，enjoyedeverythingartisticallyfarmorethanhumanly。
Margaretwouldhavewalkedthroughallthisinfantsummerwithoutspeakingatall，butwithadeeplightfarbackinherquieteyes。
Perhapsshewouldnothavehadmanythoughtsabouttheflowers。
Rathershewouldhavethoughttheveryflowersthemselves；wouldhavebeenathomewiththem，inadelightedonenesswiththeirlifeandexpression。Certainlyshewouldhavewalkedthroughthemwithreverence，andwouldnothavepettedorpatronisednaturebysayingprettythingsaboutherchildren。Theirlifewouldhaveenteredintoher，andshewouldhavehardlyknownitfromherown。I
daresayMissCameronwouldhavecalledamountainadarlingorabeauty。Butthereareotherwaysofshowingaffectionthanbypattingandpetting——thoughMargaret，forherpart，wouldhaveneedednoart-expression，becauseshehadthethingsthemselves。Itisnotalwaysthosewhoutterbestwhofeelmost；andthedumbpoetsaresometimesdumbbecauseitwouldneedthe“largeutteranceoftheearlygods“tocarrytheirthoughtsthroughthegatesofspeech。
Butthefancyandskin-sympathyofMissCameronbeganalreadytotelluponHugh。Heknewverylittleofwomen，andhadneverheardawomantalkasshetalked。Hedidnotknowhowcheapthisaccomplishmentis，andtookitforsensibility，imaginativeness，andevenoriginality。Hethoughtshewasfarmoreenrapportwithnaturethanhewas。Itwasmucheasiertomakethismistakeafterhearingthereallydelightfulwayinwhichshesang。Certainlyshecouldnothavesungso，perhapsnotevenhavetalkedso，exceptshehadbeencapableofmore；buttobecapableofmore，andtobeableformore，aretwoverydistinctconditions。
Manywalksfollowedthis，extendingthemselvesfartherandfartherfromhome，asHarry"sstrengthgraduallyimproved。Itwasquiteremarkablehowhisinterestineverythingexternalincreased，inexactproportionashelearnedtoseeintotheinsideorlifeofit。
Withmostchildren，theinterestintheexternalcomesfirst，andwithmanyceasesthere。Butitisinrealityonlyashallowerformofthedeepersympathy；andinthosecaseswhereitdoesleadtoadesireafterthehiddennatureofthings，itisperhapsthebetterbeginningofthetwo。InsuchexceptionalcasesasHarry"s，itisofunspeakableimportancethatboththedifferenceandtheidentityshouldberecognized；andindoingso，HughbecametoHarryhisbigbrotherindeed，forheledhimwherehecouldnotgoalone。
AsoftenasMr。Arnoldwasfromhome，whichhappenednotunfrequently，MissCameronaccompaniedthemintheirrambles。Shegaveasherreasonfordoingsoonlyonsuchoccasions，thatsheneverlikedtobeoutofthewaywhenherunclemightwanther。
TracesofaninclinationtoquarrelwithHugh，oreventostanduponherdignity，hadallbutvanished；andashervivacityneverfailedher，asherintellectwasalwaysactive，andasbytheexerciseofherwillshecouldentersympathetically，orappeartoenter，intoeverything，herpresencewasnotintheleastarestraintuponthem。
Ononeoccasion，whenHarryhadactuallyrunalittlewayafterabutterfly，Hughsaidtoher：
“Whatdidyoumean，MissCameron，bysayingyouwereonlyapoorrelation？Youarecertainlymistressofthehouse。“
“Onsufferance，yes。ButIamonlyapoorrelation。Ihavenofortuneofmyown。“
“ButMr。Arnolddoesnottreatyouassuch。“
“Oh！no。Helikesme。Heisverykindtome——Hegavemethisringonmylastbirthday。Isitnotabeauty？”
Shepulledoffhergloveandshowedaveryfinediamondonafingerworthyoftheornament。
“Itismorelikeagentleman"s，isitnot？”sheadded，drawingitoff。“Letmeseehowitwouldlookonyourhand。“
ShegavetheringtoHugh；who，laughing，gotitwithsomedifficultyjustoverthefirstjointofhislittlefinger，andhelditupforEuphratosee。
“Ah！IseeIcannotaskyoutowearitforme，“saidshe。“Idon"tlikeitmyself。Iamafraid，however，“sheadded，withanarchlook，“myunclewouldnotlikeiteither——onyourfinger。Putitonmineagain。“
HoldingherhandtowardsHugh，shecontinued：
“Itmustnotbepromotedjustyet。Besides，Iseeyouhaveastillbetteroneofyourown。“
AsHughdidaccordingtoherrequest，thewordssprangtohislips，“Thereareotherwaysofwearingaringthanonthefinger。“Buttheydidnotcrossthethresholdofspeech。Wasittherepressionofthemthatcausedthatstrangeflutterandslightpainattheheart，whichhecouldnotquiteunderstand？
CHAPTERVI。
FATIMA。
ThoselipsthatLove"sownhanddidmakeBreathedforththesoundthatsaid，“Ihate，“
Tomethatlanguishedforhersake：
Butwhenshesawmywoefulstate，Straightinherheartdidmercycome，Chidingthattonguethat，eversweet，Wasusedingivinggentledoom，Andtaughtitthusanewtogreet：
“Ihate“shealteredwithanend，ThatfolloweditasgentledayDothfollownight，who，likeafiend，>Fromheaventohellisflownaway。
“Ihate“fromhateawayshethrew，Andsavedmylife，saying——“Notyou。“
SHAKSPERE。
Mr。Arnoldwasbusyathomeforafewdaysafterthis，andHughandHarryhadtogooutalone。Oneday，whenthewindwasrathercold，theytookrefugeinthebarn；foritwaspartofHugh"sespecialcarethatHarryshouldberenderedhardy，byneverbeingexposedtomorethanhecouldbearwithoutasenseofsuffering。Assoonastheboybegantofeelfatigue，orcold，oranyotherdiscomfort，histutortookmeasuresaccordingly。
Harrywouldhavecreptintothestraw-house；butHughsaid，pullingabookoutofhispocket，“Ihaveapoemhereforyou，Harry。Iwanttoreadittoyounow；
andwecan"tseeinthere。“
Theythrewthemselvesdownonthestraw，andHugh，openingavolumeofRobertBrowning"sPoems，readthefamousridefromGhenttoAix。
Heknewthepoemwell，andreaditwell。Harrywasinraptures。
“IwishIcouldreadthatasyoudo，“saidhe。
“Try，“saidHugh。
Harrytriedthefirstverse，andthrewthebookdownindisgustwithhimself。
“WhycannotIreadit？”saidhe。
“Becauseyoucan"tride。“
“Icouldride，ifIhadsuchahorseasthattorideupon。“
“Butyoucouldneverhavesuchahorseasthatexceptyoucouldride，andridewell，first。Afterthat，thereisnosayingbutyoumightgetone。Youmight，infact，trainoneforyourself——tillfrombeingalittlefoalitbecameyourownwonderfulhorse。“
“Oh！thatwouldbedelightful！Willyouteachmehorsesaswell，Mr。Sutherland？”
“PerhapsIwill。“
Thatevening，atdinner，HughsaidtoMr。Arnold：
“Couldyouletmehaveahorseto-morrowmorning，Mr。Arnold？”
Mr。Arnoldstaredalittle，ashealwaysdidatanythingnew。ButHughwenton：
“HarryandIwanttohavearideto-morrow；andIexpectweshalllikeitsomuch，thatweshallwanttorideveryoften。“
“Yes，thatweshall！”criedHarry。
“CouldnotMr。Sutherlandhaveyourwhitemare，Euphra？”saidMr。
Arnold，reconciledatoncetotheproposal。
“Iwouldrathernot，ifyoudon"tmind，uncle。MyFattyisnotusedtosuchaburdenasIfearMr。Sutherlandwouldprove。Shedropsalittlenow，onthehardroad。“
Thefactwas，EuphrawouldwantFatima。
“Well，Harry，“saidMr。Arnold，graciouslypleasedtobefacetious，“don"tyouthinkyourWelshdray-horsecouldcarryMr。Sutherland？”
“Ha！ha！ha！Papa，doyouknow，Mr。Sutherlandsethimuponhishindlegsyesterday，andmadehimwalkonthemlikeadancing-dog。
Hewasgoingtolifthim，buthekickedaboutsowhenhefelthimselfleavingtheground，thathetumbledMr。Sutherlandintothehorse-trough。“
Eventhesolemnfaceofthebutlerrelaxedintoasmile，butMr。
Arnold"scloudedinstead。Hisboy"stutoroughttobeagentleman。
“Wasn"titfun，Mr。Sutherland？”
“Itwastoyou，youlittlerogue！”saidSutherland，laughing。
“Andhowyoudidrunhome，drippinglikeawater-cart！——andallthedogsafteryou！”
Mr。Arnold"smonotonoussolemnitysooncheckedHarry"sprattle。
“Iwillsee，Mr。Sutherland，whatIcandotomountyou。“
“Idon"tcarewhatitis，“saidHugh；whothoughbynomeansathoroughhorseman，hadbeenfromboyhoodinthehabitofmountingeverythingintheshapeofahorsethathecouldlayhandsupon，fromacart-horseupwardsanddownwards。
“There"sanoldbaythatwouldcarrymeverywell。“
“Thatismyownhorse，Mr。Sutherland。“
Thisstoppedtheconversationinthatdirection。Butnextmorningafterbreakfast，anexcellentchestnuthorsewaswaitingatthedoor，alongwithHarry"snewpony。Mr。Arnoldwouldseethemgooff。ThisdidnotexactlysuitMissCameron，butifshefrowned，itwaswhennobodysawher。HughputHarryuphimself，toldhimtostickfastwithhisknees，andthenmountedhischestnut。Astheytrottedslowlydowntheavenue，EuphrasiaheardMr。Arnoldsaytohimself，“Thefellowsitswell，atallevents。“ShetookcaretomakeherselfagreeabletoHughbyreportingthis，withtheomissionoftheinitiatoryepithet，however。
Harryreturnedfromhisriderathertired，butinhighspirits。
“Oh，Euphra！”hecried，“Mr。Sutherlandissucharider！Hejumpshedgesandditchesandeverything。Andhehaspromisedtoteachmeandmyponytojumptoo。AndifIamnottootired，wearetobeginto-morrow，outonthecommon。Oh！jolly！”
Thelittlefellow"sheartwasfullofthesenseofgrowinglifeandstrength，andHughwasdelightedwithhisownsuccess。HecaughtsightofaserpentinemotioninEuphra"seyebrows，asshebentherfaceagainovertheworkfromwhichshehadlifteditontheirentrance。Headdressedher。
“YouwillbegladtohearthatHarryhasriddenlikeaman。“
“Iamgladtohearit，Harry。“
Whydidshereplytothesubjectoftheremark，andnottothespeaker？Hughperplexedhimselfinvaintoanswerthisquestion；
butaverysmallamountofexperiencewouldhavemadehimabletounderstandatonceasmuchofherbehaviouraswasgenuine。Atluncheonshespokeonlyinreply；andthensobriefly，asnottoaffordthesmallestpegonwhichtohangaresponse。
“Whatcanbethematter？”thoughtHugh。“Whatapeculiarcreaturesheis！Butafterwhathaspassedbetweenus，Ican"tstandthis。“
Whendinnerwasoverthatevening，sheroseasusualandlefttheroom，followedbyHughandHarry；butassoonastheywereinthedrawing-room，sheleftit；and，returningtothedining-room，resumedherseatatthetable。
“Takeaglassofclaret，Euphra，dear？”saidMr。Arnold。
“Iwill，ifyouplease，uncle。Ishouldlikeit。Ihaveseldomaminutewithyoualonenow。“
Evidentlyflattered，Mr。Arnoldpouredoutaglassofclaret，roseandcarriedittohisniecehimself，andthentookachairbesideher。
“Thankyou，dearuncle，“shesaid，withoneofherbewitchingflashesofsmile。
“Harryhasbeengettingonbravelywithhisriding，hashenot？”shecontinued。
“Soitwouldappear。“
Harryhadbeenfullofthestoryofthedayatthedinner-table，wherehestillcontinuedtopresenthimself；forhisfatherwouldnotbesatisfiedwithouthint。Itwascertainlygoodmoraltrainingfortheboy，tosittherealmostwithouteating；andnonetheworsethathefounditratherhardsometimes。Hetalkedmuchmorefreelynow，andaskedtheservantsforanythinghewantedwithoutreferringtoEuphra。Nowandthenhewouldglanceather，asifafraidofoffendingher；butthecordswhichboundhimtoherwereevidentlyrelaxing；andshesawitplainlyenough，thoughshemadenoreferencetotheunpleasingfact。
“Iamonlyalittlefearful，uncle，lestMr。Sutherlandshouldurgetheboytodomorethanhisstrengthwilladmitof。Heisexceedinglykindtohim，buthehasevidentlyneverknownwhatweaknessishimself。“
“True，thereisdangerofthat。Butyouseehehastakenhimsoentirelyintohisownhands。Idon"tseemtobeallowedawordinthematterofhiseducationanymore。“Mr。Arnoldspokewiththepeevishnessofweakimportance。“Iwishyouwouldtakecarethathedoesnotcarrythingstoofar，Euphra。“
ThiswasjustwhatEuphrawanted。
“Ithink，ifyoudonotdisapprove，uncle，IwillhaveFatimasaddledto-morrowmorning，andgowiththemmyself。“
“Thankyou，mylove；Ishallbemuchobligedtoyou。“Theglassofclaretwassoonfinishedafterthis。Alittlemoreconversationaboutnothingfollowed，andEuphrarosethesecondtime，andreturnedtothedrawing-room。Shefounditunoccupied。Shesatdowntothepiano，andsangsongaftersong——Scotch，Italian，andBohemian。ButHughdidnotmakehisappearance。Thefactwas，hewasbusywritingtohismother，whomhehadratherneglectedsincehecame。WritingtohermadehimthinkofDavid，andhebeganalettertohimtoo；butitwasneverfinished，andneversent。Hedidnotreturntothedrawing-roomthatevening。Indeed，exceptforashorttime，whileMr。Arnoldwasdrinkinghisclaret，heseldomshowedhimselfthere。HadEuphrarepelledhimtoomuch——hurthim？
Shewouldmakeupforitto-morrow。
Breakfastwasscarcelyover，whenthechestnutandtheponypassedthewindow，accompaniedbyalovelylittleArabmare，broad-chestedandlight-limbed，withawonderfullysmallhead。Shewaswhiteassnow，withkeen，darkeyes。Hercurb-reinwasredinsteadofwhite。
Hearingtheirapproach，andbeggingheruncletoexcuseher，Euphrarosefromthetable，andlefttheroom；butre-appearedinawonderfullylittlewhile，inawell-fittedriding-habitofblackvelvet，withabeltofdarkredleatherclaspingawaistoftheroundestandsmallest。Herlittlehat，likewiseblack，hadasinglelong，whitefeather，laidhorizontallywithintheupturnedbrim，anddroopingoveritattheback。Herwhitemarewouldbejusttherightpedestalfortheduskyfigure——blackeyes，tawnyskin，andall。Asshestoodreadytomount，andHughwasapproachingtoputherup，shecalledthegroom，seemedjusttotouchhishand，andwasinthesaddleinamoment，footinstirrup，andskirtfallingoverit。Hughthoughtshewascarryingoutthebehaviourofyesterday，andwasdeterminedtoaskherwhatitmeant。ThelittleArabbegantorearandplungewithpride，assoonasshefelthermistressonherback；butsheseemedasmuchathomeasifshehadbeenonthemusic-stool，andpattedherarchingneck，talkingtoherinthesametonealmostinwhichshehadaddressedtheflowers。
“Bequiet，Fattydear；you"refrighteningMr。Sutherland。“
ButHugh，seeingthenextmomentthatshewasinnodanger，sprangintohissaddle。Awaytheywent，FatimainfusinglifeandfrolicintotheequineasEuphraintothehumanportionofthecavalcade。
Havingreachedthecommon，outofsightofthehouse，MissCameron，insteadoflookingafterHarry，lestheshouldhavetoomuchexercise，scamperedaboutlikeawildgirl，jumpingeverythingthatcameinherway，andsoexcitingHarry"spony，thatitwasalmostmorethanhecoulddotomanageit，tillatlastHughhadtobeghertogomorequietly，forHarry"ssake。Shedrewupalongsideofthematonce，andmadehermarestandasstillasshecould，whileHarrymadehisfirstessayuponalittleditch。Aftercrossingittwoorthreetimes，hegatheredcourage；andsettinghisponyatalargeronebeyond，boundedacrossitbeautifully。
“Bravo！Harry！”criedbothEuphraandHugh。Harrygallopedback，andoveritagain；thencameuptothemwithaglowofproudconfidenceonhispaleface。
“You"llbeahorsemanyet，Harry，“saidHugh。
“Ihopeso，“saidHarry，inanaspiringtone，whichgreatlysatisfiedhistutor。Theboy"sspiritwasevidentlyreviving。
Euphramusthavemanagedhimill。Yetshewasnotintheleasteffeminateherself。ItpuzzledHughagooddeal。Buthedidnotthinkaboutitlong；forHarrycanteringawayinfront，hehadanopportunityofsayingtoEuphra：
“Areyouoffendedwithme，MissCameron？”
“Offendedwithyou！Whatdoyoumean？Agirllikemeoffendedwithamanlikeyou？”
Shelookedtwoandtwentyasshespoke；butevenatthatshewasolderthanHugh。He，however，certainlylookedconsiderablyolderthanhereallywas。
“Whatmakesyouthinkso？”sheadded，turningherfacetowardshim。
“Youwouldnotspeaktomewhenwecamehomeyesterday。“
“Notspeaktoyou？——Ihadalittleheadache——andperhapsIwasalittlesullen，fromhavingbeeninsuchbadcompanyallthemorning。“
“Whatcompanyhadyou？”askedHugh，gazingatherinsomesurprise。
“Myown，“answeredshe，withalovelylaugh，thrownfullinhisface。Thenafterapause：“Letmeadviseyou，ifyouwanttoliveinpeace，nottoembarkonthatoceanofdiscovery。“
“Whatocean？whatdiscovery？”askedHugh，bewildered，andstillgazing。
“Thetroubledoceanofladies"looks，“shereplied。“Youwillneverbeabletoliveinthesamehousewithoneofourkind，ifitbenecessarytoyourpeacetofindoutwhateveryexpressionthatpuzzlesyoumaymean。“
“Ididnotintendtobeinquisitive——itreallytroubledme。“
“Thereitis。Youmustnevermindus。Weshowsomuchsoonerthanmen——but，takewarning，thereisnomakingoutwhatitiswedoshow。Yourfacesarelegible；oursaresoscratchedandinterlined，thatyouhadbestgiveupatoncetheideaofdecipheringthem。“
Hughcouldnothelplookingoncemoreatthesmooth，simple，na飗ecountenanceshininguponhim。
“Thereyouareatitagain，“shesaid，blushingalittle，andturningherheadaway。“Well，tocomfortyou，IwillconfessIwasrathercrossyesterday——because——becauseyouseemedtohavebeenquitehappywithonlyoneofyourpupils。“
Asshespokethewords，shegaveFatimatherein，andboundedoff，overtakingHarry"sponyinamoment。Nordidsheleavehercousinduringalltherestoftheirride。
Mostwomeninwhomthesoulhasanythinglikeachanceofreachingthewindows，aremoreorlessbeautifulintheirbestmoments。
Euphra"sbestwaswhenshewastryingtofascinate。Thenshewas——fascinating。DuringthefirstmorningthatHughspentatArnstead，shehadprobablybeenmakinguphermindwhether，betweenherandHugh，itwastobewartotheknife，orfascination。Thelatterhadcarriedtheday，andwasnowcarryinghim。Buthadshecalculatedthatfascinationmayre-actaswell？
Hugh"sheartbounded，likeherArabsteed，assheutteredthewordslastrecorded。Hegavehischestnutthereininhisturn，toovertakeher；butFatima"scanterquickenedintoagallop，and，inspiritedbyhercompanionship，andthefactthattheirheadswereturnedstablewards，Harry"spony，oneofthequickestofitsrace，laiditselftotheground，andkeptup，takingthreestridesforFatty"stwo，sothatHughnevergotwithinthreelengthsofthemtilltheydrewreinatthehall-door，wherethegroomswerewaitingthem。Euphrawasoffhermareinamoment，andhadalmostreachedherownroombeforeHughandHarryhadcrossedthehall。Shecamedowntoluncheoninawhitemuslindress，withthesmallestpossibleredspotinit；and，takingherplaceatthetable，seemedtoHughtohaveputoffnotonlyherridinghabit，buttheselfthatwasinitaswell；forshechattedawayinthemostunconcernedandeasymannerpossible，asifshehadnotbeenoutofherroomallthemorning。Shehadriddensohard，thatshehadleftherlastspeechinthemiddleofthecommon，anditsmoodwithit；andthereseemednownolikelihoodofeitherfindingitswayhome。
CHAPTERVII。
THEPICTUREGALLERY。
thehouseiscrencledtoandfro，Andhathsoqueintwaiesfortogo，Foritisshapenasthemaseiswrought。
CHAUCER——LegendofAriadne。
Luncheonover，andHarrydismissedasusualtoliedown，MissCameronsaidtoHugh：
“Youhaveneverbeenovertheoldhouseyet，Ibelieve，Mr。
Sutherland。Wouldyounotliketoseeit？”
“Ishouldindeed，“saidHugh。“ItiswhatIhavelonghopedfor，andhaveoftenbeenonthepointofbegging。“
“Come，then；Iwillbeyourguide——ifyouwilltrustyourselfwithamadcaplikeme，inthesolitudesoftheoldhive。“
“Leadontothefamilyvaults，ifyouwill，“saidHugh。
“Thatmightbepossible，too，frombelow。Wearenotsoveryfarfromthem。Evenwithinthehousethereisanoldchapel，andsomemonumentsworthlookingat。Shallwetakeitlast？”
“Asyouthinkbest，“answeredHugh。
Sheroseandrangthebell。Whenitwasanswered，“Jacob，“shesaid，“getmethekeysofthehousefromMrs。Horton。“
Jacobvanished，andreappearedwithahugebunchofkeys。Shetookthem。
“Thankyou。Theyshouldnotbeallowedtogetquiterusty，Jacob。“
“Please，Miss，Mrs。Hortondesiredmetosay，shewouldhaveseentothem，ifshehadknownyouwantedthem。“
“Oh！nevermind。Justtellmymaidtobringmeanoldpairofgloves。“
Jacobwent；andthemaidcamewiththerequiredarmour。
“Now，Mr。Sutherland。Jane，youwillcomewithus。No，youneednottakethekeys。IwillfindthoseIwantaswego。“
Sheunlockedadoorinthecornerofthehall，whichHughhadneverseenopen。Passingthroughalonglowpassage，theycametoaspiralstaircaseofstone，upwhichtheywent，arrivingatanotherwidehall，verydusty，butinperfectrepair。Hughaskediftherewasnotsomecommunicationbetweenthishallandthegreatoakstaircase。
“Yes，“answeredEuphra；“butthisisthemoredirectway。“
Asshesaidthis，hefeltsomehowasifshecastonhimoneofherkeenestglances；buttheplacewasverydusky，andhestoodinaspotwherethelightfelluponhimfromanopeninginashutter，whileshestoodindeepshadow。
“Jane，openthatshutter。“
Thegirlobeyed；andtheenteringlightrevealedthewallscoveredwithpaintings，manyofthemapparentlyofnovalue，yetaddingmuchtotheeffectoftheplace。SeeingthatHughwasatonceattractedbythepictures，Euphrasaid：
“Perhapsyouwouldliketoseethepicturegalleryfirst？”
Hughassented。Euphrachosekeyafterkey，andopeneddoorafterdoor，tilltheycameintoalonggallery，welllightedfromeachend。Thewindowsweresoonopened。
“Mr。Arnoldisveryproudofhispictures，especiallyofhisfamilyportraits；butheiscontentwithknowinghehasthem，andnevervisitsthemexcepttoshowthem；orperhapsonceortwiceayear，whensomethingorotherkeepshimathomeforaday，withoutanythingparticulartodo。“
Inglancingovertheportraits，someofthembyfamousmasters，Hugh"seyeswerearrestedbyablondebeautyinthedressofthetimeofCharlesII。Therewassucharealityofself-willedboldnessaswellassomethingworseinherface，that，thougharrestedbythepicture，HughfeltashamedoflookingatitinthepresenceofEuphraandhermaid。Thepicturedwomanalmostputhimoutofcountenance，andyetatthesametimefascinatedhim。
Dragginghiseyesfromit，hesawthatJanehadturnedherbackuponit，whileEuphraregardeditsteadily。
“Openthatoppositewindow，Jane，“saidshe；“thereisnotlightenoughonthisportrait。“
Janeobeyed。Whileshedidso，Hughcaughtaglimpseofherface，andsawthattheformerlyrosygirlwasdeadlypale。HesaidtoEuphra：
“Yourmaidseemsill，MissCameron。“
“Jane，whatisthematterwithyou？”
Shedidnotreply，but，leaningagainstthewall，seemedreadytofaint。
“Theplaceisclose，“saidhermistress。“Gointothenextroomthere，“——shepointedtoadoor——“andopenthewindow。Youwillsoonbewell。“
“Ifyouplease，Miss，Iwouldratherstaywithyou。Thisplacemakesmefeelthatstrange。“
Shehadcomebutlately，andhadneverbeenoverthehousebefore。
“Nonsense！”saidMissCameron，lookingathersharply。“Whatdoyoumean？”
“Please，don"tbeangry，Miss；butthefirstnighte"erIslepthere，Isawthatverylady——“
“Sawthatlady！”
“Well，Miss，Imean，IdreamedthatIsawher；andIrememberedhertheminuteIseeherupthere；andshegivemeaturnlike。I"mallrightnow，Miss。“
Euphrafixedhereyesonher，andkeptthemfixed，tillshewasverynearlyallwrongagain。Sheturnedaspaleasbefore，andbegantodrawherbreathhard。
“Yousillygoose！”saidEuphra，andwithdrewhereyes；uponwhichthegirlbegantobreathemorefreely。
Hughwasmakingsomewiseremarksinhisownmindontheunsteadyconditionofanatureinwhichtheimaginationpredominatesoverthepowersofreflection，whenEuphraturnedtohim，andbegantotellhimthatthatwasthepictureofherthreeorfourtimesgreat-grandmother，paintedbySirPeterLely，justaftershewasmarried。
“Isn"tshefair？”saidshe——“Sheturnednunatlast，theysay。“
“Sheismorefairthanhonest，“thoughtHugh。“Itwouldtakeagreatdealofnuntomakeherintoasaint。“Butheonlysaid，“Sheismorebeautifulthanlovely。Whatwashername？”
“Ifyoumeanhermaidenname，itwasHalkar——LadyEuphrasiaHalkar——namedafterme，yousee。Shehadforeignbloodinher，ofcourse；and，totellthetruth，therewerestrangestoriestoldofher，ofmoresortsthanone。Iknownothingofherfamily。ItwasneverheardofinEngland，Ibelieve，tillaftertheRestoration。“
AllthetimeEuphrawasspeaking，Hughwasbeingperplexedwiththatmostannoyingofperplexities——theflittingphantomofaresemblance，whichhecouldnotcatch。Hewasforcedtodismissitforthepresent，utterlybaffled。
“Wereyoureallynamedafterher，MissCameron？”
“No，no。Itisafamilynamewithus。But，indeed，Imaybesaidtobenamedafterher，forshewasthefirstofuswhoboreit。Youdon"tseemtoliketheportrait。“
“Idonot；butIcannothelplookingatit，forallthat。“
“Iamsousedtothelady"sface，“saidEuphra，“thatitmakesnoimpressiononmeofanysort。Butitissaid，“sheadded，glancingatthemaid，whostoodatsomedistance，lookinguneasilyabouther——andasshespokesheloweredhervoicetoawhisper——“itissaid，shecannotliestill。“
“Cannotliestill！Whatdoyoumean？”
“Imeandownthereinthechapel，“sheanswered，pointing。
TheCelticnervesofHughshuddered。Euphralaughed；andhervoiceechoedinsilverybillows，thatbrokeonthefacesofthemenandwomenofoldtime，thathadownedthewhole；whoseliveshadflowedandebbedinvariedtidesthroughtheancienthouse；whohadmarriedandbeengiveninmarriage；andgonedowntothechapelbelow——belowtheprayersandbelowthepsalms——andmadeaSundayofalltheweek。
Ashamedofhisfeelingofpassingdismay，Hughsaid，justtosaysomething：
“Whatastrangeornamentthatis！Isitabroochorapin？No，I
declareitisaring——largeenoughforthreecardinals，andwornonherthumb。Itseemsalmosttosparkle。Isitruby，orcarbuncle，orwhat？”
“Idon"tknow：someclumsyoldthing，“answeredEuphra，carelessly。
“Oh！Isee，“saidHugh；“itisnotaredstone。Theglowisonlyareflectionfrompartofherdress。Itisasclearasadiamond。
Butthatisimpossible——suchasize。Thereseemstomesomethingcuriousaboutit；andthelongerIlookatit，themorestrangeitappears。“
Euphrastoleanotherofherpiercingglancesathim，butsaidnothing。
“Surely，“Hughwenton，“aringlikethatwouldhardlybelikelytobelostoutofthefamily？Yourunclemusthaveitsomewhere。“
Euphralaughed；butthislaughwasverydifferentfromthelast。Itrattledratherthanrang。
“Youarewonderfullytakenwithabauble——foramanofletters，thatis，Mr。Sutherland。Thestonemayhavebeencarrieddownanyoneofthehundredstreamsintowhichafamilyriverisalwaysdividing。“
“Itisaveryremarkableornamentforalady"sfinger，notwithstanding，“saidHugh，smilinginhisturn。
“Butweshallnevergetthroughthepicturesatthisrate，“remarkedEuphra；andgoingon，shedirectedHugh"sattentionnowtothis，nowtothatportrait，sayingwhoeachwas，andmentioninganythingremarkableinthehistoryoftheiroriginals。Shemanifestedathoroughacquaintancewiththefamilystory，andmade，infact，anexcellentshow-woman。Havinggonenearlytotheotherendofthegallery，“Thisdoor，“saidshe，stoppingatone，andturningoverthekeys，“leadstooneoftheoldestportionsofthehouse，theprincipalroominwhichissaidtohavebelongedespeciallytotheladyoverthere。“
Asshesaidthis，shefixedhereyesoncemoreonthemaid。
“Oh！don"tyenow，Miss，“interruptedJane。“Hannahdusayashowawhitey-bluelightshinesinthewindowofadarknight，sometimes——thatlady"swindow，youknow，Miss。Don"tyeopenthedoor——pray，Miss。“
Janeseemedonthepointoffallingintothesameterrorasbefore。
“Really，Jane，“saidhermistress，“Iamashamedofyou；andofmyself，forhavingsuchsillyservantsaboutme。“
“Ibegyourpardon，Miss，but——“
“SoMr。SutherlandandImustgiveupourplanofgoingoverthehouse，becausemymaid"snervesaretoodelicatetopermithertoaccompanyus。Forshame！”
“Oh，duyenowgowithoutme！”criedthegirl，claspingherhands。
“Andyouwillwaitheretillwecomeback？”
“Oh！don"tyeleavemehere。Justshowmethewayout。“
Andoncemoresheturnedpaleasdeath。
“Mr。Sutherland，Iamverysorry，butwemustputofftherestofourrambletillanothertime。Iam，likeHamlet，veryvilelyattended，asyousee。Come，then，youfoolishgirl，“sheadded，moremildly。
Thepoormaid，whatwithterrorofLadyEuphrasia，andrespectforhermistress，wasinapitiableconditionofmoralhelplessness。
Sheseemedalmosttoofrightenedtowalkbehindthem。Butifshehadbeeninfrontitwouldhavebeennobetter；for，likeotherghost-fearers，sheseemedtofeelverypainfullythatshehadnoeyesinherback。
Theyreturnedastheycame；andJanereceivingthekeystotaketothehousekeeper，dartedaway。WhenshereachedMrs。Horton"sroom，shesankonachairinhysterics。
“Imustgetridofthatgirl，Ifear，“saidMissCameron，leadingthewaytothelibrary；“shewillinfectthewholehouseholdwithherfoolishterrors。Weshallnothearthelastofthisforsometimetocome。WehadafitofitthesameyearIcame；andI
supposethetimehascomeroundforanotherattackofthesameepidemic。“
“Whatisthereabouttheroomtoterrifythepoorthing？”
“Oh！theysayitishaunted；thatisall。WasthereeveranoldhouseanywhereoverEurope，especiallyanoldfamilyhouse，butwassaidtobehaunted？Herethestorycentresinthatroom——oratleastinthatroomandtheavenueinfrontofitswindows。“
“IsthattheavenuecalledtheGhost"sWalk？”
“Yes。Whotoldyou？”
“Harrywouldnotletmecrossit。“
“Poorboy！Thisisreallytoobad。Hecannotstandanythingofthatkind，Iamsure。Thoseservants！”
“Oh！Ihopeweshallsoongethimtoowelltobefrightenedatanything。Aretheseplacessaidtobehauntedbyanyparticularghost？”
“Yes。ByLadyEuphrasia——Rubbish！”
HadHughpossessedayetkeenerperceptionofresemblance，hewouldhaveseenthatthephantom-likenesswhichhauntedhimintheportraitofEuphrasiaHalkar，wasthatofEuphrasiaCameron——byhissideallthetime。Butthemeredifferenceofcomplexionwassufficienttothrowhimout——insignificantdifferenceasthatis，besidethecorrespondenceoffeaturesandtheirrelations。Euphraherselfwasperfectlyawareofthelikeness，buthadnowishthatHughshoulddiscoverit。
Asifthelikeness，however，hadbeendimlyidentifiedbytheunconsciouspartofhisbeing，hesatinonecornerofthelibrarysofa，withhiseyesfixedonthefaceofEuphra，asshesatintheother。Presentlyhewasmadeawareofhisunintentionalrudeness，byseeingherturnpaleasdeath，andsinkbackinthesofa。Inamomentshestartedup，andbeganpacingabouttheroom，rubbinghereyesandtemples。Hewasbewilderedandalarmed。
“MissCameron，areyouill？”heexclaimed。
Shegaveakindofhalf-hystericallaugh，andsaid：
“No——nothingworthspeakingof。Ifeltalittlefaint，thatwasall。Iambetternow。“
Sheturnedfulltowardshim，andseemedtotrytolookallright；
buttherewasakindoffilmovertheclearnessofherblackeyes。
“Ifearyouhaveheadache。“
“Alittle，butitisnothing。Iwillgoandliedown。“
“Do，pray；elseyouwillnotbewellenoughtoappearatdinner。“
Sheretired，andHughjoinedHairy。
Euphrahadanotherglassofclaretwithherunclethatevening，inordertogiveherreportofthemorning"sride。
“Really，thereisnotmuchtobeafraidof，uncle。HetakesverygoodcareofHarry。Tobesure，Ihadoccasionseveraltimestocheckhimalittle；buthehasthisgoodqualityinadditiontoaconsiderableaptitudeforteaching，thatheperceivesahint，andtakesitatonce。“
Knowingheruncle"sformality，andpreferenceforpreciseandjudicialmodesofexpression，Euphramodelledherphrasetohismind。
“Iamgladhehasyourgoodopinionsofar，Euphra；forIconfessthereissomethingabouttheyouththatpleasesme。IwasafraidatfirstthatImightbeannoyedbyhisoversteppingthetrueboundariesofhispositioninmyfamily：heseemstohavebeeningoodsociety，too。Butyourassurancethathecantakeahint，lessensmyapprehensionconsiderably。To-morrow，Iwillaskhimtoresumehisseatafterdessert。“
ThiswasnotexactlytheobjectofEuphra"squalifiedcommendationofHugh。Butshecouldnothelpitnow。
“Ithink，however，ifyouapprove，uncle，thatitwillbemoreprudenttokeepalittlewatchovertheridingforawhile。I
confess，too，IshouldbegladofalittlemoreofthatexercisethanIhavehadforsometime：Ifoundmyseatnotverysecureto-day。“
“Verydesirableonbothconsiderations，mylove。“
Andsotheconferenceended。