A Secret Inheritance (Volume 3 of 3)

  XXV.

  The clock struck nine as I re-entered the house. A servant accosted mewith a message from Mrs. Carew, requesting me to go to her in thelittle room in which Carew was in the habit of taking tea withher--the apartment he had described as a sanctuary of rest.

  Mrs. Carew was alone.

  "My husband is asleep," she said, "and asked me to see that he was notdisturbed. He told me that you had gone out to see Emilius, who was tocome here to-morrow morning. Have you seen him?"

  "Yes, but he declares he will not wait. He insists upon seeing youto-night."

  "Poor Emilius! It is but a few hours longer. He must have patiencetill tomorrow. Deeply as I pity him, I am grateful for the delay, forit gives me time to make a confession to you. I do not know whether itshould have been made before--but now it is imperative. I have beenpraying for strength. My husband prayed with me. In the days of ourcourtship, when he and the good priest of Nerac were friends, Mr.Carew was in the habit of accompanying me and my dear parents tochurch; but for many years he has not entered a place of worship. I donot ask you to betray his confidence, but was he not more composedwhen you left him?"

  "It seemed to me that he had made up his mind to a certain course--hedid not explain it to me, nor did I ask him to do so--which might bethe means of atoning for the errors of the past. I am not at libertyto say more; what passed between us I regard as in sacred confidence."

  "I am glad he has you to rely on," said Mrs. Carew. "He came to mevoluntarily an hour ago, and the conversation we had has done me good.He was wonderfully gentle and humble--but indeed, Mr. Carew was neverarrogant--and I gathered the impression that he had in some waydiscovered that he was in the habit of walking abroad during the nightand causing me distress of mind. He spoke kindly, too, of poorEmilius, and said he hoped to be forgiven for any wrong he had donethat unhappy man in the past. The air is very sweet to-night, is itnot?"

  "I have been in some anxiety myself," I said haltingly, scarcelyknowing how to reply to the question, which appeared to me a strangeone at that moment, "and have scarcely noticed; but there is a softair blowing, and the night is fine."

  "You are anxious about Reginald," she said, "and Mildred?"

  "Yes," I said, surprised that she should approach the subject.

  She pressed my hand. "Mr. Carew, when he was here with me, said theair was peculiarly sweet, and I gather the impression from him. It isalways so with one we love. I questioned myself whether I shouldimpart to him what I am about to impart to you, but he appeared to beso much in need of rest that I decided not to agitate him. I trust hewill forgive me when I make my confession to him to-morrow. To-nightyou will counsel, you will advise me?"

  "Command me entirely," I said.

  "I thank you. I have wished Mildred good-night also, and we shall bequite undisturbed. She has received a letter from your Reginald, andis replying to it. A loving task to a young girl in her position." Iwinced, and determined that the night should not pass without myacquainting Mrs. Carew with my views respecting the impossibility of amarriage between Mildred and Reginald. A knock at the door here causedMrs. Carew to call "Come in."

  A servant entered with keys, which he handed to his mistress.

  "All the doors are securely fastened?" she asked.

  "Yes, madam," replied the servant.

  "Come to me," she said, "in the morning for the keys."

  When we were alone Mrs. Carew said that before she commenced shewished to see that her husband was sleeping well, and I accompaniedher to his room. He was lying on his right side, breathing calmly andpeacefully. There was a certain intentness in the expression of hisfeatures, as though even in his sleep his mind was bent upon somefixed resolve, but otherwise I was surprised, after what he had gonethrough, that he should be so quiet and composed. I had never beforerealised how powerful was the face I was now gazing on; the firm lips,the large nose, the broad forehead, were indications of intellectualpower. No sign of weakness was apparent, none of indecision orwavering. He was a man capable of a great career.

  "My dear father used to say," said Mrs. Carew, "that Mr. Carew's mindwas the most comprehensive he had ever met with."

  She stooped and kissed him lightly on the forehead, without disturbinghim. We trod gently out of the room.

  "He will have a good night," she said. "I must go up to Mildred'sroom." The light was shining through the crevices of the door.

  "Not asleep, Mildred?" said Mrs. Carew softly.

  "No, mamma. I shall be, soon."

  "Don't remain up too long, my dear."

  "No, mamma."

  "Good night, Mildred."

  "Good night, dear mamma. Mamma?"

  "Yes, child!"

  "I have just given Reginald your love."

  "That is right, my dear."

  "And I have told him not to remain away too long."

  "That is right, my dear."

  "Good night, dearest mamma."

  "Good night, my dearest."

  "Alas for Reginald!" I thought, as we descended the stairs. "Alas forthe hopes of that young girl!"

  In her own apartment Mrs. Carew informed me that it was by herhusband's wish the lower doors were securely fastened, and the keysgiven to her. "In order," she said, "that it might not be in his powerto leave the house in his sleep. He did not say so, but that was histhought."