Why Paul Ferroll Killed his Wife .  by The Author of “ Paul Ferroll .  ”  “ A man does not murder his wife gratuitously .  ” —  Froude’s Henry VIII .  Third Edition .  London : Saunders , Otley , and Co. , Conduit Street  1860.  WHY PAUL FERROLL KILLED HIS WIFE .  CHAPTER I .  A LONG gallery opening on each side to small rooms gave the inhabitants of St. Cécile’s Monastery access both to them and to the larger apartment which was inhabited by the Reverend Mother herself .  This latter room was of an oblong shape , very bare of furniture , and of all kinds of decoration .  The windows were without curtains ; there was but one table , and on it stood a crucifix .  Two benches by the wall were all the accommodation for sitting down .  The one figure which occupied the chamber required not even so much , for she was kneeling in the middle of the floor , with support of no kind , and quite upright , except her head , which was bowed under the thick cloth or veil hanging over it , and which concealed even her hands .  “ She is praying , ” said a nun , looking into the room , “ you had better wait ; ” and these words she addressed to a young girl who accompanied her , in the ordinary tone of conversation , such as befitted the occupations of the place .  The young girl advanced into the room , and herself went down on her knees at a little distance from the Superior , running over her beads while she waited till she might speak .  She was very simply dressed in white , with parted hair , like a child , but abundant and beautiful , falling low on low shoulders and delicately rounded waist .  Her face was fair , with very little colour , and the eyes , which she raised often , while she slid her beads through her fingers , had a simplicity of religious expression , such as fades even in those happy enough once to possess it , when the habits of a pious child‐ hood come to be contradicted by those of the general world .  When the Superior rose from her knees , so did Elinor , and advanced towards the elder lady , who kissed her on the forehead , and gave a blessing .  The conversation was in French , though the girl was English , for it was in a Convent of Brittany that the scene took place .  It did not begin in the tone supposed to be exclusively that of Lady Abbesses .  “ Has Louisa finished the marking of all your shifts , my dear ?  Are they ready ?  ”  “ Yes , dear Mother , and packed up , ” said Elinor .  “ And have you heard whether Madame Néotte is come .  ”  “ Yes , that is what I came here to tell you , as you desired .  ”  “ Then to‐morrow you leave us , ” said the Superior , in a melancholy voice .  “ It is you who have determined it , ” said Elinor .  “ Ah , my child !  your guardian believes it best ; it is his doing .  ”  “ And I shall come back , ” said the girl .  “ No , dear , you will never do that .  I know your feelings better than you do .  It will be a hard parting with us all , but when you are away you will be glad .  You will enjoy the world , you will choose it , and you will be welcome in it .  No ; you will never wish to come back here .  I have known many gentle girls like you , who could not find what they wanted here .  They require to be carried along — not to walk alone , as in a convent .  ”  “ Am I one of those , ” said Elinor , catching hold of the Abbess’s hand and passionately kissing it ; “ I who have been so happy ?  ”  “ And have made us all happy — but you must go .  Sit down a little while , let us talk for the last time .  The world is full of snares , my dear .  ”  “ What are they ?  ” said Elinor .  “ What will they tempt me to do ?  ”  “ Vanity , the pride of life , the lusts of the devil , ” answered the Superior .  “ You must be prepared for all .  Some will pretend that you have beauty ; some will praise your voice , as if you were a musician ; some will talk to you of the world — and all , all for their own bad ends .  ”  “ What are those ends ?  ” asked Elinor , again .  The Abbess , was a little puzzled .  “ Man , ” said she , solemnly , “ is a creature going about to devour .  Listen not to him , go not near him , keep him far from you .  He will hurt you , he will destroy you ; you have already learned this ; now is your time to practise .  Keep your eyes from his face , keep your speech from his commerce .  One day it may come to pass that your guardian may select one who is to be your husband .  Then submit yourself to the will of your superiors , and adopt the state of life which shall be allotted you ; but till such a fate is brought to your door , remember that a maiden must keep her finger on her lips and her heart full of thoughts holy and virtuous , avoiding the very shadow of sin .  ”  Elinor was set thinking what these sins could be ; but she resolved , at all events , to do right , and to keep the precepts of her early friend in her memory .  She continued talking with the Reverend Mother as long as convent duties permitted ; then , for the last time , partook the Evening Service and assisted to make the vesper beautiful by her exquisite voice , against the world’s estimation of which the Superior thought she had successfully warned her .  She rose that night for Vigils ; and next morning was up at Matins — the last time of doing these duties making them seem to her as if she would fain never cease to do them ; and when the hour for her journey arrived , the wrench of the first roots she had ever struck in hearts and places , overwhelmed her with a girlish sorrow , which , fortunately , was not put to such proof as an offer to remove it would have been ; for there is no saying how her wish to remain in the Convent would have been modified , if the chaise into which she so sobbingly stepped had been ordered back into its old remise .  CHAPTER II .  ON the English side of the Channel , which our heroine was about to cross , a different scene was passing in the early life of one of the opposite sex .  A young man , four years older than Elinor ( who was just seventeen ) , had passed that summer a triumphant Examination at Oxford , and heaped on himself every honour which it was possible for its young members to obtain .  He had been accustomed to success ever since he became a school‐boy ; and he was so far from satiated by it , that he already looked upon all his achievements as mere marks of past progress , and on himself as now about to begin the career which contained objects really worthy of his ambition .  He was an orphan , never acquainted with father or mother ; wholly unconscious of tender influences on his boyhood , and of domestic sympathy with his successes and desires .  He had come not to want them ; disappointment he had not had , and the hard measure of public applause suited him better than the fond exaggerations of home , to which he had not grown up , nor been bettered by them .  Life was a fine , hard reality to him ; he knew it , for evil and good , and while he destroyed every illusion as fast as they courted him , he looked keenly to its enjoyments and rated them by the vast power of pleasure within him which he shared with most healthy and active human beings .  He was passing some weeks at a country house , where his late very hard work gave zest to the summer repose in which the old place lay buried .  Long , solitary , morning walks in the heavenly beauty of a hot July did his thinking faculties good , after their late stretch upon other men’s thoughts .  The society of well educated women , their music , their vivacity , their fancies ; the riding parties , the evenings when there was dancing , or the garden by moonlight , and the pleasure of pretending to feelings , and , as it were , acting them , for they were no better to him than a play , these things suited him for a little while , till the moment should come for executing the projects in his head which would drive all the present scene far away .  He had everything to recommend him to the world .  A fine person , full of health and strength , a fortune and a place which were competent to ordinary wishes , and had been augmented by all the savings of a well managed minority ; a high reputation for ability ; and natural claims on certain great names for assistance in entering on his career .  His manner was more taking than winning , he took hold on society as if it were his due place , and his admirable tact made him hold it gracefully , and to the delight of his companions .  These qualities and advantages had made a strong impression on the fancy of the young lady who presided over the house .  She was the owner’s sister , a few years older than my hero ( whom I will call Leslie , though I do not assert that such was indeed his name ) ; she was handsome , rich , and hitherto courted by all whom she had a mind should do so .  But it was not so with her present guest ; he often seemed on the brink of fascination , and then , like Sampson , burst the withies like burnt flax and was as free as ever .  The irritation of this state of things was excessive ; she longed to break through the feminine restraints which bound her , and ask him if indeed he cared for her or not .  The absolute impossibility of thus setting herself free was a galling chain , for ever working on the wounded place ; and the necessity of a smiling face , and disengaged manner , at times when she was fretting at her heart’s core , acquainted her with a torment which the daughters of Eve sometimes heavily endure .  “ Let us ride this afternoon , ” she said , one hot but cloudy day ; “ the air of the house burns one .  ”  “ With all my heart , ” said Leslie ; “ but we shall have a storm .  ”  “ I am not afraid , ” said Laura .  “ Would I were quite sure that , in fact , you have no fears !  ”  “ Oh !  I would tell them .  I am very frank , I hate concealment .  It is very hard on women that they are required to be liars and deceivers .  ”  “ But that’s not the case , ” said Leslie , “ what is so delightful to a man as a frank , open nature which prints its thoughts as fast as they come into the mind .  ”  “ So you say , but you know it is not so — at least , not unless a woman has no thought whatever , except the price of a dress or the hope of a ball .  ”  “ Oh , that would not pay the expense of printing or reading either , ” said Leslie ; “ but what has this to do with your first plan of riding ?  Shall we go ?  ”  “ Yes ; Mrs. Axross , you will ride ?  and Captain Bertham — ring ; the horses are ready in case we should want them .  Come and put on your habit .  ”  When they got on horseback , Leslie perversely kept with Mrs. Axross , a timid horsewoman , and in consequence of being occupied with genuine fear , a rather dull companion .  They fell behind the others , whose horses stepped out freely under lightly held bits , nor did Miss Chanson know how to alter the order of their progress .  When she contrived , under pretence of pointing out a view , or a remarkable tree , to get back to the loiterers , she still found that Leslie adhered to his first companion , and suffered her again to get before him .  “ How I hate a horse that can’t walk , ” she said , at last , impatiently striking her own , which bounded at the unjust assault and tossed his head angrily .  “ Well , then let us gallop , ” said Leslie , laughing , for he read her heart exactly .  “ My companion , ” he added , as they went off , “ thinks only of keeping her seat .  When she gets home safe , she will have fulfilled the sole purpose of riding out .  ”  “ Well , I’m better than that , ” said Laura , her spirits rising instantly , “ I can enjoy all when there is anything to enjoy — but Captain Bertham is so stupid .  ”  Leslie laughed again , for he knew that Captain Bertham did not deserve a reproach of which he felt himself to be the indirect cause .  “ How can anyone be dull with you for a companion , ” said he , again , as they increased their pace and went gaily along .  Laura was pleased , she did not consider that she had provoked the compliment , and that it is only voluntary attentions from a man that tell .  “ Here come the great raindrops , ” said Leslie , as the first of the storm fell one by one .  “ Oh , no !  it is only the last of a shower .  See , it is blowing over .  ”  “ I don’t see it at all , but if you order me to see it , I will .  ”  “ I do , then , ” said Laura , gaily ; “ so let us go on .  ”  “ Was that lightning or not ?  ” said Leslie , as a flash startled their horses , and thunder rolled at a distance .  “ It was not , ” said Laura ; “ come on .  ”  “ On , on , to the end of the world under your guidance .  ”  But now the rain at once arrived and poured upon them .  “ What will Mrs. Axross do , ” said Laura , laughing ; “ she will walk her horse all the way home , for fear he should jump at the storm .  We must turn back and look for them .  ”  Leslie rather wondered she should do so , instead of profiting by her present tête‐à‐tête with him ; but presently he understood the manœuvre .  When they came to a cross road , she examined the footmarks on the road , and declared it was most extraordinary , but certainly their companions had gone the wrong way .  “ They will get lost in the wood , ” she said ; “ and what will Mr. Axross say , if we go home without his wife ?  Let us canter up here and set them right .  We shall overtake them in a minute .  ”  “ You will be wet through , ” said Leslie .  “ No , no , canter home !  ”  “ I don’t care ; go home if you like .  ”  “ No , I am yours , to the very skin ” said Leslie , venturing on a brutality .  Miss Chanson did not look angry , and on they went , away from home .  Presently a little farmhouse appeared in sight .  “ They have taken shelter there , ” said the lady , “ no doubt .  Come , let us see if they are to be found ; ” and arriving at the door , she jumped from her horse , saying to the farmer , who came out at the sound of horses , “ My friends are here , are not they ?  Come , Mr. Leslie .  ”  He followed , after first putting the horses into the stable , and giving them over to the care of the farmer’s boy , and found , his companion standing before the kitchen fire , her hat off , her hair let down to dry , and her habit open .  “ The weather is too bad to stay in , is not it ?  ” she said , as he came in .  “ Let us wait till the storm goes by ; ” and she pulled her dress together .  “ A lucky storm for me , ” said Leslie , glancing at her disarranged toilette .  “ Why are these lovely tresses locked up in ribbon and garlands — not always thus delightfully visible ?  ”  Laura affected embarrassment , and hastily twisted them in her hands , but yielded to slight impulse from Leslie to release them .  Finally she placed herself in a very picturesque attitude on what is called the settle , by the fire , and Leslie carried on briskly the conversation she affected .  “ All this time , ” said he , at last , when the flirtation became a little wearisome , “ what is become of Mrs. Axross ?  ”  “ I had almost forgotten her , ” said Laura , softly , with a smothered sigh .  “ I had quite done so , ” said Leslie , sighing also .  “ Only you recollected her , ” said Laura , a little reproachfully .  “ Nay , the storm is over .  It is getting late .  I would not have you catch cold for the world — I would not be responsible for the anxiety your absence will create — I would not have you exposed to further rain — I would ... ... ”  “ Get home in time for dinner , ” interrupted Laura , very impatiently .  Then checking herself , she added , as gaily as she could , “ which would be an excellent thing , for I am very hungry .  ”  “ Then heaven forbid you should wait !  ” said Leslie .  “ I’ll fetch the horses in a moment .  ”  Accordingly he went himself to the stable , and forgot to lament the loss of the beautiful curls , which were twisted under the hat when he came back ; and placing Laura on her horse , they rode home together , the lady feeling in herself that hollowness in her satisfaction which comes when the foundation of a very gay and promising structure wants perfect solidity .  “ How very handsome he is , ” she said to herself , as she ran up the house‐steps ; “ how agreeable — and I don’t feel sure he will make himself agreeable next time — that makes one curious to be with him again .  ”  The butler stopped her in the hall , and said , “ Miss Elinor Ladylift was arrived .  ”  “ Ha !  our little nun , ” said she , turning back to Mr. Leslie ; “ we did not expect her till to‐morrow .  Come and see her .  ”  He followed her into the room , and saw standing by the table a young figure , perfectly enveloped in a gray cloak , while a veil concealed her features from any one at a little distance .  The only characteristic which he could observe was , that the flowers on the table trembled , as if the hand which rested on it gave them that motion .  “ Oh !  my dear , I did not know you would be here to‐day .  I beg your pardon for not being here to receive you .  You forgive me , don’t you ?  ”  “ Yes !  ” said a low , timid voice .  Miss Chanson laughed .  “ That’s all right !  Then come along with me , for I am wet through : you would not have me die of cold , would you ?  ”  “ No !  ” said the voice .  “ Right , again !  I’ll show you your room — but first I’ll present Mr. Leslie to you .  This is Mr. Leslie , my dear .  ”  “ Is it ?  ” said the voice again .  “ Yes , indeed !  ” and again Laura laughed , looking up at the young man sportively , and taking the girl’s arm went out of the room with her .  “ There’s no fear that she will captivate any one whom I choose for myself , especially such a man as that , so brilliant himself , and so fond of intellect and manner , ” thought she .  That perfect security at first sight generally ends in a total contradiction .  I have remarked it as often as the case of security has taken place .  “ She is tired and frightened , and won’t come to dinner , ” said Miss Chanson , as she entered the drawing‐room after dressing .  “ No wonder !  the inside of a convent is all she knows of life .  ”  “ What does she look like ?  ” asked her brother , a man five‐and‐twenty years older than the bright Laura , and an indifferent , idle bachelor , who disregarded his appearance , and looked yet ten years older than he was , in consequence .  “ She is a pale , slight girl , ” said Laura , “ and expects to be devoured by all of us .  She has the least possible French accent , and moves about like a mouse .  ”  CHAPTER III .  THE next day , Elinor appeared at breakfast , coming into the room close at the side of her hostess , to whom she clung , and sat down in the next chair , which vexed Laura , for it was Mr. Leslie’s habitual place .  He took the one below Elinor , and endeavoured to engage her in conversation , but was received like an enemy , and did not seek to avoid Miss Chanson’s looks of intelligence , who remarked silently on the repulses he suffered .  The impression on him , however , was not exactly what he allowed Laura to believe .  He remarked the delicate shape of the pale face , the ease of the slight figure , the fine form of the hands , which , if not very white as yet , were formed in the noblest feminine model .  Her gray gown was perfectly simple , and it was quite uninteresting to him whether it was cut fashionably or unfashionably .  The eyes , which were kept cast down on her plate so pertinaciously , excited his curiosity ; he wanted to find some phrase which should raise them , that he might see them .  Interest was awakened , but do and say what he would , he never succeeded , during all that breakfast , in making her look at him .  She disappeared when it was over , and he saw her not again till after dinner , when , on coming into the drawing‐room , he found her seated close to Miss Chanson , diligently at work .  The latter was becoming a little tired of such close companionship ; she could not rise from her chair , but what Elinor did the same , thereby preventing many manœuvres hitherto easy to practise .  “ My dear child , if you like that place , keep it , ” said she ; “ the lamp suits your work , and I must go to talk to that stupid old lady , whom it is my duty to amuse .  ”  “ Shall I go , ” said Elinor .  “ They always used to send me to talk to Madame Les Forces .  ”  “ Did you succeed ?  ” said Laura , laughing sarcastically .  “ Yes , sometimes .  ”  “ But you don’t know this lady — shall you have the courage ?  ”  “ Why not ?  ”  “ Nay , you will not speak one syllable to Mr. Leslie .  ”  “ No !  ”  “ And why ?  ” said Laura .  “ I talk to him — we all talk .  ”  “ The Reverend Mother said I must not .  ”  “ Did she say you might speak to none but women ?  ” said Leslie , very gently .  “ Yes !  ”  “ Oh !  that’s excellent !  ” cried Laura .  “ My dear nun , you must get rid of some of those maxims ; you are in a very different place from your nunnery .  Don’t make yourself ridiculous .  ”  The young girl coloured excessively ; she was too young to bear being ridiculous , too , fond of her habitual teachers to fancy they could be misinformed .  She was perplexed , and rising , shrank away to the stupid lady , whose work she began admiring ; and as long as no one else heard her voice , contrived to keep up a dialogue .  “ What a quaint little creature !  ” said Miss Chanson , “ But now I’ll do my part to amuse the other stupid people , by giving you all some music .  ”  “ Do , ” said Mr. Leslie ; “ though you know I am so lost in dulness as to talk most when music is best .  ”  “ I know that ; but at all events I entertain you even in that case .  ”  She said this rather sentimentally ; and Mr. Leslie opened the piano‐forte , and talked a little nonsense while she arranged her books .  When fairly embarked , and when other people collected round her , and they were all interested with her performance and their own , he drew gradually to the side of Elinor , and watched his chance of speaking to her .  She listened to the music , which was very good , with great interest ; but she drew away from him , and he could do no better than some dialogue with the stupid old lady .  At last , when there was a pause in the performance , he took up his courage , and said boldly to Elinor , “ You perceive , Miss Ladylift , that they are all tired , and can play and sing no more .  You ought to assist them — you ought to help in amusing us all .  ”  She rose in a moment , as if bound to obey whoever commanded her , and walked towards the piano‐forte .  “ Mr. Leslie told me I ought to sing , ” she said .  “ Ought I ?  ”  “ To be sure , if you can .  But what — not psalm tunes ?  ”  “ Very well , I will not .  I know a great many airs which Frère du Lap taught all the pensionnaires .  ”  “ I should like to hear Frère du Lap’s scholar very much , ” said Laura .  “ Should you ?  ” said Elinor , looking up at her , unconscious of the sarcasm ; and she placed herself before the piano‐forte .  Now nature had made her a present of a voice , such as she gives very rarely : “ It were the bul‐bul , but his throat , Tho’ sweet , ne’er uttered such a note . ”  “ It were the bul‐bul , but his throat ,  Tho’ sweet , ne’er uttered such a note .  ”  It was no merit of Elinor’s ; there seemed no object in bestowing it upon her ; but she was lucky in being the one to get it , for its effect was to dispose the hearers to love her .  It was as pure as the song of the angels heard by Handel , and set down by him as sung to the Shepherds ; it had been well taught , also , so that it was a delight to the ear , a charm to the heart .  Leslie , who was moving away , stopped as she began to sing , and turned to fasten his eyes upon her , as upon a new sense of delight , a pleasure revealed for the first time .  She rose up when it was done ; indeed , she had not actually sat down , but had bent one knee towards the level of the piano‐forte , and played an accompaniment varying with the words .  She was plainly a perfect mistress of her art ; and , according to the fashion of drawing‐rooms , her performance was greeted with clapping of hands , and a few bravas .  She looked round , astonished ; and if any one had desired another song , would have obeyed ; but Miss Chanson came up with the last notes , and after a brief thank you , led her away , saying her voice seemed a little tired .  She then organized other amusements , and the music was over for the evening .  Mr. Leslie contrived to elude them all , and very quietly coming up beside Elinor , he said to her ,  “ That song is one I shall never forget .  I shall hear many more , I hope , but the first time one listens to a perfect thing it is remembered for ever .  ”  Elinor shook her head .  “ My Mother told me you would say so .  ”  “ That I should say so ?  How could the Holy Mother know anything of me ?  ”  “ Not of you , but of all .  ”  “ She could , only say that all of us should be aware you have one of the finest voices in the world .  ”  “ Yes , she did say so — that you would try to persuade me of it .  ”  “ I don’t wish it to be thought of me that I would persuade any one to believe an untrue thing .  Let us consider for a moment , ” and he sat down beside her at the table , leaning upon it , and trying to look in her face , which was bent over her work .  “ You have heard the music of this evening ?  ”  “ Yes !  ”  “ It was very good , was it not ?  ”  “ Very good , very strong ; I never heard such before .  ”  “ But was there any voice as expressive as yours ?  ”  “ No !  ”  “ Or that was so un like a flute , or an organ , or a harp , but was so purely human ; the perfection of human .  ”  “ I cannot hear my own voice .  ”  “ Surely , Miss Ladylift , you can .  ”  Elinor knew she could , and he put the question plainly .  She suddenly lifted up her large eyes upon him , and looked full into his for a moment — there was an anxiety to penetrate his meaning , but it yielded in another instant to the dread of encountering a stranger’s gaze ; however , he had seen those large eyes .  “ You can if you will , ” said he ; “ every‐ body can judge themselves as well as they can judge other people , if they will be honest to themselves .  And it is not being honest , to think worse of oneself than is the truth .  ”  “ My dear Mother told me my voice was such a voice as hundreds of others have .  ”  “ But what do you think yourself ?  ”  “ I believe her , ” said Elinor .  “ Yes , surely , ” answered Leslie , afraid of alarming his companion .  “ She spoke her entire conviction , no doubt ; still she judged from her Convent alone .  There , perhaps , where all is holy , all dedicated to divine things , the inhabitants may be blessed , many of them , with gifts like the one you have in your voice ; but it is not so in the world .  You are in the world now ; you must judge by what you see and hear ; you may find there are things unlike those which the Reverend Mother knows .  ”  “ Oh !  she cannot be mistaken , ” said Elinor .  “ Only ask yourself whether she is , ” said Leslie .  “ If so , some things which were good guides in the convent , may lead wrong here .  ”  Elinor answered nothing .  The first doubt of the kind was painful , the more so because her honest nature saw that perhaps it was true .  After a pause , she said , “ Who can I trust , then ?  ”  “ I know this outer world , ” said Leslie .  “ But I do not know you , ” said Elinor ; “ I know nobody .  I will do my best ; you must not try to prevent me .  If you liked my singing , I am glad of that ; but perhaps you do not understand music , and then you cannot judge .  ”  “ No , perhaps I do not , ” said Leslie ; “ you know I can only say what I honestly feel .  ”  “ Yes , to be sure !  I know you do that .  Everybody does that , ” said Elinor , speaking as she had been unconsciously taught , and as she felt , that though there were wicked people in the world , nobody with whom one associates could be in the number of those wicked .  Mr. Leslie abhorred Laura for coming up and interrupting the conversation .  She said she was sorry to see Elinor look so pale ; no doubt she was used to very early hours in the Convent , and she had better go to bed .  She did not say she thought her young friend tired ; for knowing her not to be tired , she felt that Elinor would say No.  “ You have persuaded the nun to talk , Mr. Leslie , ” said she ; “ how clever you are .  ”  “ It gives one an interest in succeeding , when the task is so difficult , ” said Mr. Leslie .  “ No doubt ; a woman who has the audacity to know or feel anything , and to say it , must expect the contempt of the nobler sex .  ”  “ Why so ?  , ” said Leslie , coolly .  “ Men are so short‐sighted , so easily taken in .  If women affect simplicity and reserve , men see no further than just what those women give themselves the trouble to put on .  ”  “ Is that little girl a dissembler ?  ”  “ Oh !  I suppose you can judge .  ”  “ I should judge not ; but you know best .  ”  “ If I knew anything , I would not say it against my friend , ” said Laura .  “ My nature is more constant than that .  ”  “ More generous than that , ” said Leslie ; “ constant is not the word , for your acquaintance is so short .  It is indeed very generous .  ”  Laura liked the words , and did not understand further , and though she was not satisfied , she went away fancying she was .  Next morning , every one else being occupied in their rooms with what letter‐writing or other business they might have , Laura , who could not lose any chance of being with Leslie , and Leslie , who could lose none of being with Elinor , and Elinor , who fixed herself upon Laura as her best safety in the new scenes , were all three in the library , standing about , looking at a print or a flower , and not knowing very well what to do .  Elinor only was at ease , knitting gloves , move where she would .  “ Suppose , ” said Leslie , “ we show the wood‐walk to Miss Ladylift .  Would it not be a good employment of this delightful morning ?  ”  Laura assented ; that WE sounded so pleasantly to her .  Accordingly , each lady took up a parasol in the hall , and they all stepped into the perfumed air , and proceeded down some broad steps , which led from the garden to the steep wooded banks below the house .  Elinor was delighted : the space , the depth below , the vast summer hall made by the wood , and the pavement of ferns , flowers , and briar , over which the shadows of the leaves scattered their moving patterns ; the silence which seemed to come from far , and go afar , charmed her opening imagination .  As they proceeded , a vague feeling of fear mingled with her pleasure .  She had never known the sense of distance before .  “ Shall we know how to go back , ” said she ; “ but no doubt you will .  ”  “ No fear of that , ” said Laura , looking behind at the walk they had come along ; “ the way is not difficult .  ”  “ And may you go here as far as you like ?  ” said Elinor , thinking of her Convent restrictions .  “ Who can doubt that ?  ” said Laura , scornfully ; “ or that you may do so likewise ?  In a Convent they are children all their lives ; but you must take off your leading‐strings .  ”  Elinor , till now , had never ceased to lean on some one for every action of her life .  Yet she got a lesson then which went straight home , not to betray her want of help to those who could scoff her for it .  Leslie thought that the sooner she learned to doubt her former teachers the better .  He had an idea he could give her lessons himself .  They went on , therefore , on and on till Elinor , who had never known what it was to take a walk , was tired .  She longed intensely for rest ; her limbs ached ; they required absolutely the new stringing of repose .  Leslie observed it , and proposed to sit down , but Laura poured forth her playful scorn upon a girl who pretended not to be up to a mile‐and‐a‐half walk .  As for herself , she must confess to strength — half‐a‐dozen miles were nothing to her .  Elinor felt ashamed ; but was unconscious that Laura meant to insinuate that the fatigue was affected .  “ I wish I could do like you , ” she said ; “ but I have not learned to walk .  ”  “ Dear baby , ” said Laura ; “ still at nurse ?  I wish I could carry you !  ”  Elinor looked at each companion , with the mournful simplicity of a child who has committed a fault it does not comprehend .  Leslie was enchanted .  “ It is a science you must practise , ” said he .  “ It was a fault not to have attended to your education in that respect .  ”  Elinor was quite ready to acknowledge herself wrong , and to feel inwardly that her bringing up was not so faultless as she had thought .  At this moment , however , her wishes were all limited to rest , and gladly did she sink upon the seat at which Leslie prevailed on Laura to stop ; but Laura was so restless , that Leslie at last started up with a new project in his head , and proposed that they two alone should make for the point at which Laura had intended to reach , and should leave their companion to enjoy a little repose before they returned for her to go home .  “ Unless you are afraid , ” said Laura , turning round on Elinor .  “ No , I am not afraid , for you say there is no danger , ” said Elinor .  And now Leslie hurried his companion away , and pushing himself into the highest spirits , rallied her on her activity , her delightful health and strength , till Laura , quite deceived , quickened her pace to the very utmost , and went over hill and dale at his side , with no idea but that of keeping up the contrast between herself and the timid Elinor .  It was not till he had carried her along with him to a point much nearer to the house than to Elinor , that he suddenly affected to remember their charge .  “ Meantime , what have we done with your ward , your nursling ?  Is not it time to go back for her ?  ”  He was well aware at this moment that Laura was most thoroughly wearied herself , and that by a little contrivance he was secure of going alone to conduct the young nun home again .  “ What !  had you forgotten her ?  ” said Laura .  “ Could I think of more than one ?  ” said Leslie , with a look of gentleness .  “ And that one was of course absent , ” said Laura .  “ Ah !  I see , ” said Leslie , affecting a little pique , “ that I am little understood .  But at this moment , ” he added , quieting his voice , “ however that may be , we must run back to take up our charge , for do you know what o’clock it is ?  ”  Laura looked at her watch .  “ Why did you allow me to forget time in this way ?  ” said she .  “ Was I likely to remind you ?  ” said Leslie .  “ But at all events I will repair my error , at whatever sacrifice .  I will force myself ” — “ from you , ” he thought of saying , but that was rather too strong an expression to come easily , so he began again — “ I will force myself through the world of briars by the brook side , which will take me back to Miss Ladylift more quickly than the path we have followed , and I will bring her to join you by the garden road , which is , I suppose , the nearest way to the house .  Even your delightful intrepidity would shrink from the brook side , and , indeed , should it be otherwise , I would not permit you to hazard yourself so perilously .  ”  He was on his feet as he said this , and Laura , heated and wearied , could do nothing but agree ; he looked back as he plunged into the thicket , and waving his hand , saw , and smiled to see , that she was waiting for some such token , and then sank upon the bench almost as weary as Elinor had been .  It was very easy for him to force his way along the brook , over great stones , and among tangled creepers and underwood ; and indeed , his desire to reach the place where he had left Elinor , made these obstacles almost unperceived , and brought him , in a very short time , straight to the root‐house in which they had parted from her .  He hoped she would be panting with alarm , and crouching almost weeping for the want of some one to reassure her ; certainly she would not have ventured back alone .  Could he see her white dress ?  not yet , trees were in the way ; he could not see it — she was not there — yes , yes , quite in the corner , there was some one .  Now , how gently he would he comfort her , and she would cling to his arm .  But there was no such scene in store for him .  Elinor , as though confiding in the assurance of safety she had received , had laid her cheek upon her arm and had fallen asleep .  The shadow of the root‐house had probably fostered the inclination of her eyes to close ; her lips were parted , her hair pushed off her face , her colour heightened by the heat ; she lay or reclined there , at rest , and Leslie paused suddenly as he perceived her sleeping figure .  But the presence of a human being , the involuntary motions of life near her broke her slumber ; she opened her eyes , and the habitual associations of her education , caused her a burst of alarm as she perceived who was so close to her .  She sprang up and a step or two away from him .  “ Oh , do not harm me !  ” she cried , involuntarily ; then she collected her senses , and a deep blush spread over her face .  “ I would die sooner than harm you !  ” cried Leslie , fervently ; but approaching no nearer than where he stood when she sprang up .  “ I came , ” he added , after a pause , “ I came to be of use , if possible .  Miss Chanson is gone home , and I will take you to her .  ”  “ You need not , ” said Elinor , “ she told me the way was very easy to find — I can find the way .  ”  “ But , why should I not ?  ” said Leslie .  “ I left Miss Chanson on purpose to be of use to you .  She did not despise my services , and she thought you would not .  ”  “ Oh , I do not even think of such a word , ” said Elinor , coming a step nearer .  “ That is the only feeling that can make you refuse so very common a service , ” said Leslie , trying to wear an air of proud humiliation .  “ Indeed , indeed , not !  but I did not know — I thought — I had better go home alone .  ” So you had , innocent Elinor , but he cared not for that .  “ If you so much dislike me as a companion , ” said Leslie , “ I will go .  ”  “ I cannot dislike you , ” said Elinor ; “ it would be wrong to dislike anybody .  ”  “ I thought you did , ” said Leslie ; “ still , in order to be of any use to you , I came to see whether you were still here .  ”  “ That was good of you , very good , thank you , ” said Elinor ; “ it was doing me good even when you thought so ill of me — when you thought I was so unjust .  Pray forgive me .  ”  “ Yes , surely , ” said Leslie , holding out his hand .  She looked him steadily in the face for a few seconds , and then took his hand .  “ You cannot think I would harm you now , ” said Leslie ; “ what your Reverend Mother said in the Convent , did not mean me .  ”  “ No , you are not what she meant .  She said I should be told of merits I had not , but you tell me of my faults .  ”  “ You see , then , that Miss Chanson and others , every one , in fact , is right in making me a companion .  Till you came here nobody guessed it could be wrong .  You have brought your own ideas among us .  ”  “ Oh , no , don’t say that ; I did not mean it .  I did not know what people did here , that is all .  ”  “ Exactly , ” said Leslie ; “ and now shall we go home ?  ”  “ Yes , if you please , ” said Elinor .  She took up her parasol and they walked leisurely along .  “ You never , ” said her companion , “ saw forests , and great open skies , and plains , in the Convent ?  ”  “ Never , ” said Elinor .  “ But we walked in the garden , and might sow flower seeds , and have beautiful flowers , and sometimes we went to the common , and the hill .  ”  “ Did you read sometimes of other fine things , such as these woods ?  ”  “ Yes .  ”  “ Are they like what you expected ?  ”  “ No , I did not know how beautiful they are .  ”  “ I should like to show you what I saw as I came up the brook , ” said Leslie ; “ you are not tired now , are you ?  Will you come a little out of the way ?  ”  Elinor assented , eagerly , wishing to atone for having been tired once to‐day .  Leslie went off the path , and she followed , till the bank became steep and very inconvenient .  Then he held out his hand and she leaned upon it as if it had been a helping stick ; she wanted it again , up a few steep stones in the bank , and when she was at the top of those she came upon a sight which made her pluck away her hand altogether to fold both in speechless delight .  The brook just in front of her came down under rocks which nearly met above it , and leaped about twenty feet from the edge of its bed to the pool below .  The white foam , the graceful motion and shape , the sweet confusing sound , the freshness , took her very soul by surprise , and she was melted to tears .  “ There — I knew I should give you pleasure , ” said Leslie ; “ that is why I brought you here .  ”  “ But so much pleasure is wrong , is not it ?  ” said Elinor .  “ I learned in my lessons that St. Francis , when he crossed some mountains which were very beautiful , kept his eyes always on the ground not to see them .  ”  Leslie did not say aloud , “ Abject fool !  ” he said it only to himself ; to Elinor he said , “ I should think that very wicked , because his Creator offered him the pleasure , and he would not take it .  ”  “ What do you mean ?  ” .  said Elinor , aghast .  “ It is the waterfall gives me pleasure .  ”  “ Still , ” said Leslie , “ it has got no pleasure of its own .  ”  “ Has not it ?  yes — no — yes , it pleases me , it delights me .  ”  “ But it runs on day and night without being happy .  ”  “ That is because it is not alive .  ”  “ It runs over the rock because water must fall when it comes to a height , and it makes a noise because any one thing filling on another must make a noise , and the trees grow over it , because there were seeds from which they sprang ; but they are all dead , as you say , and not happy .  The pleasure is something different from all those things .  It is in your mind .  It is a gift to you , conveyed by things which have it not , and , therefore , a gift for which you ought to be grateful and use it .  ”  “ Could St. Francis be wrong ?  ” said Elinor .  “ Nay , I really think if you were to refuse to look at all this , you would be ungrateful to me , who brought you here , in the first place , and much more you ought to enjoy it , when you are so made that your nature is to enjoy .  ”  “ You think I may like it as much as I can ?  ”  “ Ay , freely , freely ; whatever is pleasant is in your nature to enjoy .  ”  “ Whatever is pleasant ?  ” said Elinor , reflecting on the many things , the late rising , the neglected task , the idle play , the lingering over her toilette , which were pleasant but which she had been told were wrong , and warned against the pleasure of them .  Leslie enjoyed the confusion into which she was running .  “ Why , so it seems to me , ” said he , with a candid tone .  Elinor was silent ; he was no longer in haste to proceed , he lingered with her , teaching her that pleasure was her lawful guide ; and when , at last , they went forward , moved as slowly as she was inclined to move and wore away the time , so that when they got back to the house , Laura had , long before , been compelled to give up waiting for them ; had gone in alone , had been forced to preside over luncheon and to eat with the rest , or affect to eat , and after delaying to the utmost , had been driven from all excuses , and forced to bid the servants bring round , the carriage , previously ordered for an expedition .  Just as she and her guests were going through the hall to set out , Mr. Leslie appeared alone coming up to the door .  A sudden hope shot through Laura’s heart that he had been alone since she left him .  Elinor might have lost her way in the wood , but of course she would soon be found ; and with all this unworded she accosted him .  “ So ; have you been looking for her all this time ... ... ”  “ For Miss Ladylift ?  oh , no’ ; I brought her home very slowly , for she was so much tired .  She went through the breakfast parlour to her own room ”  “ Slowly , indeed !  ” said Laura , disdainfully ; “ you have been two hours and a half on the way .  ”  “ To me it seemed twice that , ” said Leslie , in a very low voice .  Laura’s lips relaxed by a line , no more .  “ You will come with us ?  ” said she , looking at the phaeton which followed the great barouche , and in which , if he liked , he might offer to drive her .  “ That would be most delightful , ” said Leslie , “ but I had not time for my letters this morning .  I must write them to‐day — besides I must get a crust of bread ; besides I am in no condition to sit by the side of delicate silks .  No , I must sacrifice that happiness .  ”  Laura tossed her head , and turned away ; and Leslie was very glad to have got off this tax upon him .  CHAPTER IV .  LAURA’S anger and jealousy were almost more than she could bear .  She learned to know that beating heart , that dry mouth , that distaste to food , that early waking and no more falling asleep , which make up the personal sufferings of mental anguish .  She had to talk , to listen , to make music , while intensely preoccupied ; and she had the pain of perceiving that Leslie grew more and more indifferent to keeping up the appearances of devotion to herself , and became , like her , absorbed by one object , but that object was not Laura Chanson .  Little incidents of this kind altered the position of the three persons whom we have presented to the reader .  From a forlorn stranger , Elinor began to feel herself familiarised with persons and things , and to be aware that many were more favourable to her than the mistress of the house , whom she had looked upon as about to take the place of the Superior in her Convent .  Leslie , who had thought of nothing but amusing himself for a month or so , gradually found himself interested in a pursuit , which , at present , had the charm of novelty in the object , besides its difficulty .  He reflected as little on the suffering he might inflict on the person to whom he had hitherto devoted himself , as on those which in future he might leave with the defenceless girl whom he at present worshipped ; meantime , the suffering which Laura endured was very real , whether she were justified in having exposed herself to it or not .  The young girl who had unconsciously taken her place was hateful to Laura ; it was difficult to keep up the appearance of interest and tender protection which had been their first relation to each other .  She justified her altered feelings to herself by saying that severity was necessary to teach Elinor something of the ways of the world she had to move in , and to correct the mistakes into which her Convent life led her ; and , in fact , Elinor had great need of superintendence ; for with all her early impressions wrecking around her , she did not know to what to cling , or where to stop , or how go back .  They had laughed at her prudery , and in the innocence of her nature she did not now know what difference to make between Leslie and Laura ; between Mr. Chanson , her elderly guardian , and Leslie , her young adorer .  That Leslie was more good‐natured to her than anybody else she was certain , and if she wanted any advice or service , she supposed that she might as well ask him for either ; not to ask him would show that long‐taught horror of man which she haft just recently been made ashamed of .  In this embarrassment of perception she , one morning , brought into the library a heavy packet , containing letters which she had written to her Convent ; and the first person from whom she made an inquiry how to effect its transmission , was Laura .  But Laura was supercilious .  “ Leave it on the table , child , with the other letters .  There is no need to make a fuss about posting a letter .  ”  Elinor coloured and did as she was bid .  But she was not satisfied , and after a short , silent bit of doubt , she looked round for some kinder listener , and turning her shy eyes to Mr. Leslie , saw that though he had a book in his hand , and his head was bent towards it , he was , in fact , looking at her .  Elinor’s colour rose again , for shame that she had been ashamed to appeal at once to him ; and avoiding the appearance of mistrust for which she had been laughed at , she smiled directly that she caught his glance , and went up to him as if he had been Sister Françoise or Sister Jeanne , and in a very low voice asked him what she should do .  He was fully disposed to make it a serious affair , that he might be able to confer an obligation by arranging it , and rising , took it ( Elinor following him ) into the recess of the window and there examined the packet .  “ It will not go by the post without a little trouble , ” said he ; “ it weighs , I should think , six ordinary letters .  ”  “ I dare say ; for I have written to so many of them , ” said Elinor .  “ It must be paid before it leaves England , ” said Leslie .  “ The postman will not know how much to charge .  We ought to put it into the office ourselves .  ”  “ How can I do that ?  It is so far to the town , ” said Elinor .  “ Is not it possible Miss Chanson may intend to drive or ride there ?  ” suggested Leslie .  “ Shall I ask her ?  ”  “ Do ; ” and he watched her timid advance to Laura , whom she instinctively began to feel was not likely to look very benignantly on a request of her’s .  “ No , it’s not possible , ” he heard Laura say , and he concluded that she had heard the words which he himself had used .  Laura said nothing more , for or against , and went on reading her book , the pages of which she turned tempestuously .  Elinor said nothing , but again looked to Leslie , who , by a gesture , invited her to return to the window .  “ If you will trust me , ” said he , “ I have thought how to manage it ; since there is no chance of Miss Chanson going to the post town , I will ride over there at once , and if I go quickly , I shall be in time for the foreign mail which goes out this morning .  ”  “ Does it ?  ” said Elinor .  “ Yes , I feel quite sure of that , and I will post and pay your letter , and make it quite sure of reaching the hands of these dear Sisters .  ”  “ Oh , will you ?  ” said Elinor ; “ how very good‐natured you are .  Only do you not want to do something else ?  I am afraid this is so much trouble .  ”  “ No , a pleasure , ” said Leslie ; then moderating his tone , he added , “ I like an early ride ; I want one to put me in high force this morning .  ”  “ That’s very lucky , ” said the literal Elinor .  “ Tell me what it will cost , ” and she took out her purse .  Leslie’s heart smote him he saw that slender purse so slenderly provided .  It was too much in keeping with the defenceless state and nature of that fair piece of human porcelain .  “ Oh , not much .  I will take care it goes safely .  ”  “ But I must pay it , ” said Elinor , earnestly .  “ The Reverend Mother told me never to run in debt , especially ... ... ”  “ To the monster man , ” said Leslie , finishing the phrase she broke off , and smiling .  Elinor again was ashamed of a good lesson .  She did not know what guidance to follow ; plainly she felt herself laughed at , and that was painful .  She slid back her purse into the pocket of her apron , and stood again like a puzzled , penitent child .  “ Such a nothing of a debt , ” said Leslie , “ only give me the letter .  ” He took it , and moving away to Mr. Chanson’s room , which opened from the library , asked him if he could have a horse , and then returning , told Laura he was going to Cantleton and inquired if he could do anything for her .  “ I thought , ” said Laura , smiling painfully , “ we were all to ride to the Hollow Glen .  ”  “ True , I had forgotten ; but it will make no difference will it , if I am absent ?  ”  “ None , ” said Laura , “ of course .  One’s guests , of course , amuse themselves if their host cannot do it .  ”  Leslie gave a deprecating “ No , no ; ” and added , “ Guests who do that , are not worthy of being received ; but I really have a little business .  ”  Laura laughed scornfully , she could not repress her irritation .  “ Selfish business , purely ?  ” said she , interrogating .  Elinor heard all this and was very much grieved that his good‐nature to her should bring this reproach upon him .  She knew it was wrong to let another suffer in one’s place and spoke bravely out .  “ He is not selfish , he is going to take care of my letter .  ”  Leslie himself coloured at this sudden shifting of the ground under his feet , and Laura burst into that insolent laugh which bows down all but such as can laugh insolently in return .  The moisture which precedes tears came into Elinor’s eyes .  She turned partly away , and Leslie could not but gaze on the innocent pretty picture she made .  “ Don’t let me detain you , Mr. Letter‐ carrier ” said Laura .  “ I was not aware of your new office .  You came here as an independent gentleman , but a new character ... ... ”  “ Does what ?  ” said Leslie , after a silent pause .  “ Nay , nothing at all — only I thought you were not listening to me , your attention seemed elsewhere .  ”  “ Oh !  don’t doubt that whatever Miss Chanson says , or even hints , has my best attention and consideration .  I’ll go now — pray excuse me .  ”  “ By all means .  I wish you to ... ... do as you like , ” said Laura , abruptly ; and he saw her lip tremble .  “ Poor Elinor !  ” thought he , looking back , “ what will you make of the scolding you are about to get .  ” And a scolding it was , indeed .  Not that Laura intended it when she began , but she lost her self‐command as she talked ; and the anguish which she endured , through Elinor , made her blind to the innocence , and deaf to the guileless purity of the young girl .  “ I don’t know , Elinor , ” she began , “ whether you think it quite proper to send one’s acquaintances all over the country on your errands ; for my part , I know I should be heartily ashamed of doing so .  ”  “ Oh , my dear Miss Chanson , was it wrong ?  ”  “ Heartily ashamed , that’s all I can say ; and so would any one with the least sense of decency , ” said Laura , beginning to tremble .  “ But you have your own notions , doubtless .  ”  “ No , indeed , indeed !  ”  “ And to give yourself such airs in another person’s house — commanding everything as if it were your own , and more than if it were your own .  The horses , the servants , the very guests , all to be at your command .  You are to send our guests just to carry your letters to the post .  I think what serves our letters might serve yours .  ”  “ I wish I had known — I am very , very sorry .  ”  “ What made you fix on Mr. Leslie for your confidant , pray .  Was it because you found him here , interested ... ... I mean that you thought him not likely to devote himself sufficiently to your superior merits , unless specially invited .  You need not cry , it is no use to pretend one thing and do another ; men are always taken in by anybody who gives themselves the trouble , and for my part , I warn you that they will only despise you , they will find out ... .  .  in fact , I see through you as if you were glass .  ”  “ I wish I could see myself and know how I have offended you , ” said Elinor , weeping .  “ Me offended !  oh , dear me , not I !  Mr. Leslie is as perfectly indifferent to me , as you are .  I only warn you for your own sake that you are acting as not another young girl in all the whole of England would dare to act .  ”  So saying , Laura fled from the room , for she could contain herself no longer ; and while Elinor wept silently in the library , Laura sobbed aloud in her boudoir , the door of which she had banged behind her and fastened with a double turn of the key .  Elinor had a guiltless conscience in her favour , and recovered first ; but she was very unhappy , and being ignorant as to what she had done wrong she resolved first to beg Mr. Leslie’s pardon , and then to entreat his assistance in explaining to her the course of conduct which would be doing right .  She stole up the back staircase to her room ; bathed her face as she had often done in the pupils’ room in the Convent , when she had been scolded and wanted to avoid the imputation of resenting the scolding ; and putting on her bonnet and gray cloak , went dejectedly down again , and glided by the most sequestered ways she could find , towards the gate of the park by which she believed Mr. Leslie would return .  Here she sat down , patiently to wait for him , and screened herself from observation by choosing her seat among some drooping elms , whose long branches , as one sees sometimes with the elm tree , had turned downwards soon after leaving the stem , and bowed themselves to the ground , as if kneeling .  But , patient as she was , and used to waiting , the length of time she remained there , during which there was nothing coming , made her first uneasy , and at last anxious .  She got up and walked into the road , whence she could command a long sight of the highway beyond the gates , and still , when all was blank , returned to her seat , and resumed the paper‐mark she was plaiting in the shape of a cross .  The woman who kept the lodge had seen this manœuvre more than once , and at last , in the civility of her heart , came out as Elinor again looked down the road , and asked if she was pleased to be waiting for some body .  “ No , ” said Elinor ; “ only I think Mr. Leslie will return this way from Cantleton ; ” and as she said his name , she blushed deeply as young girls will do , at sight or at speaking of a young acquaintance of the opposite sex , though as heart‐whole as a bird just fledged , on the edge of its nest .  The old woman laughed in a motherly way .  “ Oh !  that’s it , ” said she .  “ I did not know , miss ; you will be pleased to forgive me , ” and she withdrew to her cottage , and Elinor to her tree , puzzled again , and but half liking what she did not understand in the old woman .  It was an hour and a half after she had come to the spot , when she heard the trot of horses’ feet , at which her heart gave a bound , but directly the sound of wheels became audible , and the next bound of her heart was what might be called in the opposite direction .  She went further under the trees , and saw Laura and others on horseback , and a carriage following , all making towards the Lodge at a good , exhilarating pace .  As they approached it , she perceived Mr. Leslie coming in the opposite direction , and both parties stopped and had some communion together .  What they said she did not know , but she perceived some laughter , some gestures of expostulation , and that Laura , after great apparent earnestness , suddenly jerked away her horse , and set off at an actual gallop ; while Mr. Leslie , who she supposed had refused their invitation to join them , waved his hand to them , and came alone , and slowly , along the road in the park .  Without the least hesitation .  or embarrassment , Elinor came forward from the trees , and caught his sight , making a motion inviting him to speak to her .  He immediately rode up to the place where she stood , and dismounting , eagerly told her what he really had done , and a great deal more which he claimed to have done for her .  Elinor was more and more troubled , and as soon as he would hear her , professed her regret at having thus employed him , in so penitent a manner , that the tears again rose to her eyes , and in his heart arose a tender pity , which made him ready to fall down at her feet , and raise her by his humble love above all claim and all necessity for pity .  “ I who have been so happy to be employed by you !  who felt it such a kindness on your part to a man who has no friends , who wants so much a little sympathy , who would be glad to earn a kind ‘Thank you’ at any sacrifice , much more by the merest commonplace service .  Ah , Miss Ladylift !  ah , Elinor !  do not talk so , do not think in this way .  Who can have led you to such thoughts ?  ”  “ Alas !  Miss Chanson was very angry with me .  She told me no girl in England would be so bold , especially with you .  ”  “ Did she ; was it any consideration for me .  Did she tell you that it was from consideration — from any regard to me , then ?  ”  “ No !  no !  She said she did not care for you — it was all on my own account .  ”  “ Ha !  ha !  ” said Leslie , “ she said so .  Then I think it is time for me to go away .  ”  “ You go away !  are you then really angry with me ?  ”  “ Oh !  I beseech you , do not say , do not think such harsh , hard words , ” said Leslie , taking her hand , and gently leading her further into the wood .  They walked on together side by side , deeply engaged in conversation , in which Elinor’s defencelessness touched Leslie’s heart with more of good emotion than he had known could dwell there .  Yet he enjoyed involving her in a situation which depended upon himself to make it safe or dangerous , and which , at all events , was one in which she compromised herself with the prudent , and those who had more habit of the world than she .  He perceived her perfect innocence of every such notion , and was every moment renewing a compact with himself to hold her in reverence .  Yet he secured her hand on his arm — he could not keep himself from touching the fingers that lay there , from gently pressing the arm which touched his own .  A trifling circumstance did more to check him than all his good resolutions .  This was his horse , whose bridle he held , and whose uneven pace had constantly to be regulated ; sometimes it would start forward , and annoy its master with a threatened invasion of his toes ; sometimes stop to snatch at a bough , and when jerked on again , would shake its head , and flourish in the air in a manner dangerous to its safe keeping by the bridle .  Elinor’s attention was diverted from her own griefs , and Leslie’s sympathy , by the manœuvres of the horse .  With the tears in her eyes , she was provoked to laughter at its perversity ; and when most grateful for Leslie’s assurance of friendship and support , could not help turning their talk to the horse’s entertaining movements .  Leslie hated the animal ; and , at last , to keep the conversation in the train which pleased him , he invited Elinor to sit down beneath a tree far and deep in the wood ; where , having fastened his tiresome animal to one at a distance , he returned and placed himself by her , distant from all the eyes that should have been guarding her , and undefended by any inward consciousness of being where she needed defence .  “ When I am gone , ” he said , “ and go I must , will you think of me ?  — will you remember the friend to whom you can always apply ?  ”  “ Yes , yes !  ” said Elinor ; “ there is no danger that I should do otherwise , for it is you only who tell me what I ought to do , who show me kindly where I am wrong .  ”  “ And if you want advice , ” said Leslie — and there he hesitated , whether indeed to ask her to enter into secret correspondence with him .  “ I can write to you , if you will tell me your direction , ” said Elinor .  “ Divine Elinor !  ” cried Leslie , carried away with delicious surprise ; and suddenly lifting the hand he held to his lips , he kissed it fervidly , so that in astonishment she drew it away , and a smile came for an instant over her mouth .  Leslie looked down at her with delight ; he drew still nearer to her , when the sound of rustling boughs smote his ear , and then the voice of the Squire — of Mr. Chanson , of Elinor’s guardian — broke upon them .  “ Hey !  — what’s this ?  You and Miss Ladylift out in the wood , here ?  ” — he was not a man of words .  Leslie started up ; Elinor kept her seat .  “ Yes ; I came this way to enjoy the shade , and Miss Ladylift had done the same .  I met with her a moment ago , and was about to show her the nearest way home .  ”  Elinor listened with wonder .  She thought certainly Leslie had forgotten that she had come to meet him near the lodge , and that they had spent an hour in walking to the spot together , without any reference to going home ; however , she heard him as children hear their elders say things they have themselves been taught not to say , and unconsciously they take a lesson in the difference between learning and practising .  Mr. Chanson asked no more ; he only held out his arm to her , and said ,  “ Come home with me .  Laura ought to have been with you .  ” He had a fishing‐rod in the other hand , and had been making his way to the brook .  “ Miss Chanson is out riding , ” said Elinor .  “ And why did not you go ?  What made you wander to this out‐of‐the‐way place ?  ”  Elinor hesitated ; she did not like to say she had been scolded , and had crept away .  Mr. Chanson thought she had made an appointment with Leslie , and that her embarrassment came from that consciousness .  “ Well , well !  ” said he .  “ Mr. Leslie , you had better look after your horse .  That’s your best way home — along the green path , there .  I’ll take her over the brook by the foot‐bridge .  Now then !  ”  And he walked forward , Elinor very willing to go with him , but looking back to see how Leslie got up to the horse , which was drawing away , and shying at his approach .  “ Never mind that , ” said the Squire ; “ you must not be wandering about in this style .  I’ll talk to Laura .  ”  CHAPTER V.  LESLIE had become aware that his presence had become unacceptable to the mistress of the house , or rather that his behaviour made it so , and therefore that it was time he should go .  Her evident pique , which he had understood from Elinor’s report of her conversation with Laura , had confirmed this resolution , and he had determined to “ have found letters at Cantleton ” which required his presence elsewhere , even before the Squire looked so grim at him for being alone with Elinor in the wood .  At dinner , therefore , he avoided sitting by Elinor , made himself as agreeable to Laura as her anger would allow , and before the ladies withdrew , told her he must leave Chan‐ son Wood next morning .  Laura believed not one word of the story of the letters .  She had heard her brother’s report , and when he upbraided her with neglect of her charge , had given him to understand that the young girl chose to manage her own concerns , and was amenable neither to reproof nor persuasion .  The Squire had guilelessly believed her , inclined the more to do so by what he had himself remarked ; and Laura , strong in the impression she had then made , had courage to attempt the same thing with Leslie .  “ I am sorry , ” said she , with a voice in which it was easy to perceive emotion , for his departure touched the sorest place in her heart , “ I am very sorry that you have found reason to leave us .  ”  “ Indeed , so am I .  I have enjoyed the visit so much , that it is odious to me to learn from my letters ... ... ”  “ From them all ?  ” said Laura , smiling sadly enough .  “ No , no !  it’s not your letters .  ”  “ And what is it , then ?  ” said Leslie , abruptly , and colouring .  “ Why should not you treat me as a friend ?  ” said Laura .  “ But I have no right to intrude on your secrets .  ”  “ I’ve no secrets , ” said Leslie , mounting higher on his high horse .  “ I will not ask any , ” said Laura ; “ only I cannot bear to see a friend I value suffering from capricious power .  ”  “ You speak in enigmas , ” said Leslie .  “ I am not suffering at all , that I know of , except in leaving you .  ”  “ That’s unkind , ” said Laura , suddenly , and thrown off her guard ; “ that’s the last of your thoughts .  I only wish you were as little deceived as you deceive me .  ”  “ Deceived — deceit !  ” said Leslie’ ; “ what are we talking about ?  I leave two friends here , who are , I know , as true as the mirror of a mountain lake ; two charming ladies , whose friendship is the pride of my life — Miss Chanson and her ward , to whose joint society I offer up all my homage .  ”  Laura looked at him steadily for a few seconds , and then changing her manner suddenly , uttered her scornful laugh , which made the blood tingle in his face as though he had been detected in the most egregious simplicity .  “ I doubt nothing , I doubt nobody , ” said he .  “ I am the simplest fellow in the world .  When I see blue sky , I believe it blue .  ”  “ And the little angels and all ?  ” said Laura .  “ Certainly .  ”  “ I’ll say nothing against it , then ; ” and slightly shrugging her shoulders , she escaped .  When he took leave of the Squire it was the same thing .  “ You are going away in a hurry , ” said Mr. Chanson .  “ Have you had a tiff with anybody ?  ”  “ By no means .  I have business which obliges me ... ... ”  “ Ay , ay .  They’ll miss you , especially the little girl there ; but mind you , I know nothing about her , beyond that I must take care of her .  She has not a penny , and I am afraid is whimmy .  ”  Leslie was vexed at the Squire’s caution .  Laura’s would have been nothing , had not her brother’s confirmed it .  There must be some‐ thing , as both had made a similar observation .  Yet , when he met Elinor before breakfast next morning , walking in the garden , and she told him that she had hoped to see him there , and it was therefore she had come , he forgot to ask himself if such child‐like simplicity could be feigned , and renewed all those vows of friendship and support which Elinor needed ; and vowswarmer than which he felt instinctively would not be understood .  His intention was to leave her for a time , since his hostess took his desertion so much amiss , but if his own heart preserved the impression Elinor had made upon it , he had resolved to see her again at any cost , and then to let the course of events determine their future relations .  Accordingly he betook himself home , where he had occupation and amusement awaiting him , and where the novelty of being master gave him interests which made it the place most frequently in his thoughts when absent .  It was an ancient house , which seemed , from the remains of building about it , to have been once a portion of a much larger resi‐ dence .  It stood in a valley , upon an isolated hill , on the slopes of which the various ruined walls , covered for the most part with the vegetation of years , and crowned with mountain ash and birch , offered many a romantic seat , and many a sheltered bit of terrace for whole natural beds of wild flowers .  The house was out of order , but not ruinous , and offered scope to the eye and fancy of the proprietor as to its restoration to a beautiful and convenient dwelling .  From it one looked down the valley to the church , with its spire rising above the cottages and orchards of a village , and on the stream which wound its way through wood and meadow , wandering on towards hills , for ever varying in light and shade , and as it had a western aspect , offering every evening the gorgeous spectacle of sunset .  All this valley belonged to Leslie , and so did the neighbouring lands , for about 3 , 000 acres in all , of poor but lovely country .  He had a neighbour , richer than himself , and with a grander place , to the east of his valley ; and a few other scattered houses , together with a market town about six miles on , over the common and heathy grounds , made up his neighbourhood .  There was plenty of game on Leslie’s estate , and one plan for this autumn was to amuse himself with its pursuit ; but though he was as active as might reasonably be guessed from his admirable frame , he had never got up to any enthusiasm for hunting or shooting .  He tried the latter the first morning after his return , but though the partridges were plentiful , and his success considerable , he thought it a more stupid occupation than ever , to‐day .  While he was walking over the dry stubbles , what was Elinor doing ?  Was she reading one of those little dreamy books which he had commented upon many a time , till an unwilling smile broke over her lips , and she turned away her face that he might not see it ?  or was she suffering from Laura’s bad temper , with that pretty mournful expression in her eyes and on her mouth , which made her look even younger than her own fresh youth ?  Was she sitting , cool and pale , on the fallen oak in the wood , while he was toiling , hot and red , in company with his gamekeeper , watching a dog beguiling a bird ?  He went home very early , and then walked about his own place , cutting away boughs which shut out the lovely view , and projecting how to convert into an entrance a hexagon room supported by a central pillar , which was said once to have been a chapel .  But he was constantly leaning the hatchet idle against a tree , or drawing scrolls and scrawls on the margin of the paper where he was making his plans — his thoughts being elsewhere , at the side of Elinor , thinking over something said or done by her , and what he had said , or had better have said or done , in return .  Two or three days made his home intolerable — intolerable , at least , to a man so free to go whithersoever his wishes directed him — and getting up one morning at dawn , from a bed where he could not sleep , he put up a portmanteau before his servant was awake , and by the time the labourers came to their work , was driving to the little neighbouring town where the coach changed horses at seven o’clock .  Nobody asked , and nobody knew where he was going : he went quite alone , and by one change of vehicle and another reached the neighbourhood of Chanson Wood by nightfall .  He would not on any account have been recognised ; he was ashamed of returning so soon , and took the most genuine precautions to remain in obscurity .  He engaged a room a couple of miles from the park , at a little public house where , having never entered it during his visit to the Squire , he was unknown ; and pretending something about an engagement to survey the country , and displaying some paper and pencils , felt himself safe from inquiry .  The intense desire to see Elinor again , however , would not let him rest in the house , and as soon as the night was quite dark , he took his way along the lane , and through the wicket beside the carriage entrance , and then by cautious approaches to that side of the house where was the room the family occupied in the evening .  All was carelessly secure , as in a great country house in the midst of its gardens , and inhabited by its multitude ; and he had but to push open the low iron gate in the fence between the garden and the park , to find himself upon the walk which led up beneath the windows .  There was a flower border , and then a green sward , between the house and the gravel walk , so that Leslie , by walking on the turf , and then on the silent mould of the border , got noiselessly up to an open sash , and could look in and command the whole room .  All was silent inside .  There were three persons , and one was Elinor .  She was sitting beside a lamp , with her face to the window , but it was leant over a piece of work which she held in her hands .  There was nothing but white of different shades about her ; her muslin gown was white , a white satin bow fastened it at her throat , a white lace border , or collar , lay flat on her low shoulders , the work in her hands was white cambric , which she was embroidering ; her pale face and fair hands were touched by the lamplight , and her motionless figure seemed patient of a dull employment and ungenial companions .  Laura reclined in a chair , partly turned from the window , reading ; and the Squire was fast asleep on a sofa , breaking the silence by regular snoring , loud enough to increase Leslie’s chance of escaping detection .  He saw her then , he could speak to her with silently moving lips , he could appeal to her with passionate eyes and entreating hands , he could bend his knee towards the ground , adoring her beauty , or rather her loveableness .  Perhaps he a little over‐wrought these gesticulations , for while most wrapped in them , a little dog , which was lying with its back well into Laura’s silk gown , jumped up , and gave a sharp volley of barks .  Elinor looked suddenly up , but Leslie was gone into the shadow .  The Squire did not cease his sonorous aspirations , and Laura was too much used to her Spitz’s hysterical alarms to move so much as her head .  But Leslie felt his security gone ; and that probably the little Spitz’s eyes were even then on the window , beaming with the purpose of another frantic yap upon the smallest sign from outside .  He withdrew very cautiously , but his soul was bitter against the Spitz .  “ Let me catch you outside these walls , Master Puff , and see if you disturb me again , ” murmured he , as he retreated .  The necessity of his soul was to see Elinor again ; he wished to be the unseen spectator of what she was and did , to make sure that a creature so innocent really existed , and to enjoy the spectacle if it was true .  To enjoy it and destroy it ; for he looked no further than to present gratification of the passion which filled his breast — all his remoter thoughts were of ambition and success in the tempestuous world , which seemed another sphere from that he occupied at present .  He put on , next day , the dress of a workman , and as deeply slouched a hat as he could suppose consistent with the character .  He provided himself with an axe , and hoped to pass unrecognised , if he could avoid direct communication with his former host and fellow guests ; and taking his way into the woods about the house , went first to the brook , where he had shown Elinor the waterfall , and where he knew she had occasionally resorted after that time .  His expectations were more than fulfilled , for he had no pains of waiting to go through , no fears , no doubtful hopes ; a figure was standing on the very spot whither he had led Elinor , and though the face was turned away , the elegant shape was that which he longed to see .  The falling water prevented his step from being heard , and he was able to take up a place among the trees , where he could observe her , yet run scarce any danger of detection .  Should she perceive him , he would deal a few strokes at the trees , and trust to be taken for the forester , and pass unnoticed .  The unconscious Elinor made her preparations for passing the burning hours in shade and a refreshing atmosphere .  She laid aside her bonnet , put by her gloves , unfastened the cotton gown from her throat , and it charmed him to see she did not open a book , but unfolded a piece of household work , and industriously shaped , and hemmed , and sewed at the white jacket she was making .  Sometimes she paused , and looked long at the lovely fall of waters , and once going down to the edge of the brook , took water in her joined hands , and drank from that pretty cup .  Then returning , she resumed her work , and gave no sign of thoughts within , except a few times singing some notes , like a bird alone in the sun , trying a passage taught by the impulse of its melodious throat .  It was a fair picture of still life , and he looked at it with the passion of a lover , and the eye of an artist ; but at last he began to grow discontented that there was no sign of wanting or thinking of him , no looks cast upwards , no sighs , no restless movement , which he might have interpreted into regret that he was not there .  Should he suddenly appear , would he be welcome even ?  Yes , welcome , perhaps , as a novelty , not as the thing desired — welcome to come and go , but if she knew he had come all that way merely to look at her , she would laugh .  He was a very young man , and little knew the patience of a modest maiden , nor the absence of all spoken words , and speaking signs , when she is with herself alone , and is occupied with her natural duties and works .  He watched her all that morning , and saw her at last fold her work , rise and gather some beech leaves while she stood under the tree , to wind one into the other , till they made a wreath , then hanging it on her wrist , she took up her wicker basket , and shortly withdrew towards the house .  “ Dear household Lar , ” said he , coming and standing exactly in front of the seat she had occupied , “ one day you will sit beside some humble hearth , content to do the lowly offices of home , to live the joyless life of little wants and coarse means ; your fragile loveliness will be stained by weather and hard work , your pure voice will have lost its clearness , but neither you nor yours will think it worsened since these days .  I should not love you then — I shall be in my grave , or on the summit of ambition then — but there is an interval between that time and this , in which , oh !  Elinor !  your quiet heart must beat — beat as mine does now — in which you must know the agony of my adoration — in which we must make life all diamond‐light , if it be but for the space of a moon’s change !  Ex‐ quisite calm face , when will you lighten thus for me ?  ”  Next day , he came again , and saw her again .  It was , as the village bells told him , a Saint’s day , and Elinor , whom no one helped to perform her usual devotions in an appointed place , came into the entangled woods to find a temple .  He saw her kneel in front of the great tree , and with humble eyes cast upon the ground , sign the cross upon her bosom , and open her little book of prayer .  Even in these devotions there was something which suited his feeling about Elinor better than if the prayer had been more untaught , more her own creation .  She passively did what she had been taught to do — she murmured over a form of words , continually coming to the same repetition , and making the same sign of devotion .  She turned her pages to the places where marks in the book showed she ought to go , and though the service lasted long , showed no wish either to shorten or prolong it , but did what was set down for her , and then rose and had done .  Again she took her seat upon the fallen tree , again unfolded her work , and again , with the shadows of boughs and leaves moving over her as the breath of air gently swayed them , sat plying her household needle .  What thoughts broke in upon the even train which was necessary to guide that needle , he would fain have guessed .  Surely some thoughts must accompany the motion of those active fingers — perhaps there were many given to convent days ; perhaps some to him — he wished it , but hardly hoped it ; but at last , without the sewing being interrupted , he heard well known notes begin to murmur from her throat , and go on to a continued but still low song , which made him believe those tranquil thoughts had indeed been recalling him , and had come to the point which made that song and him one common subject , for it was the air of a duett in which he had attempted to join her , an air sung at village weddings in Brittany , and he had never seen her laugh so cordially as at his failures in trying to keep a second .  Now he heard the village notes and verses again , and believed his own image was before her .  “ Nous sommes venus vous voir , Du fond de not’e village , Pour vous complimenter Sur vot’e mariage A monsieur votre epoux , Aussi bien comme à vous , ” etc.  She broke off before the verse was finished , and he saw her look from her work , and though he could not hear it , was certain she laughed — briefly , as one does alone .  Then there was some measuring or adapting in the work , which took up her attention , and obliged her to rise and use the fallen tree for a table , and when all was in order , she again sat down to work , and seemed to have forgotten all about “ vot’e mariage .  ” Probably they were the words in the song which were the very last she thought about .  The intense pleasure of watching , and appropriating her solitary ways and movements , had gone on long past mid‐day , when Leslie heard a step coming along the rough track which led from the wood walk to this unfrequented place .  It was only a servant , who , approaching Elinor , delivered some message and went away again ; and she , in consequence it seemed , collected the materials of her employment , and left her seat probably to obey a summons to the house .  Leslie was vexed , first at losing his amusement , and next at the way in which it was lost .  “ I thought he had chosen a spot all unknown , ” said he , to himself — “ one which a lover only could discover — but it seems the very servants know where she is to be found , much more every idle puppy and loiterer belonging to the society ” — puppy himself , though of a stout , handsome breed .  However , there was no probability of her return , he thought , and after half an hour’s waiting for the chance of it , he had moved away , and was descending towards the brook , when he perceived a motion in the boughs overhanging the path , and stopping to watch , perceived it was Elinor coming again , and in haste , to the accustomed spot .  Leslie was in front of her , and accident gave him a better place to see her than he had ventured to choose for himself ; his fear was that she should also perceive him , but she evidently was in a mood so preoccupied as not readily to have her attention caught by outer objects .  All her humble tranquillity was gone .  As soon as she reached her fallen tree , she sank down upon it , and leaning both hands upon one of the projecting branches , hid her face , and wept bitterly .  She lifted her head more than once , to wipe her streaming eyes , and then hid them again , as though the lovely scene were blotted and rendered null by the grief within .  Presently she rose , and went hastily down to the brook , and there kneeling and stooping over it , dashed the water repeatedly over her face , and let her hair come dripping from the stream .  She then sat down on a rock close to the margin , and not five yards from Leslie , but , as it chanced , with her back to him , and bringing from a little basket a case containing paper and a pen , she put her lithe figure into such a position as to find a desk on part of the rock where she sat , and began hastily to write .  Leslie’s heart beat faster than ever .  Had she not asked him for his direction , that she might apply to him if ever she was in trouble ?  Was she writing to him ?  To whom else was it probable , that in that sudden grief , whatever it might be , she should be writing ?  and he so near — he could almost see the lines as she traced them .  Did she summon him to her ?  What would she say if he were suddenly at her side ?  — but then he should lose all the gratitude due to obeying her call — he should be the inferior who had come to seek , instead of the superior who had been besought to come .  No , he would not hazard that !  — besides , he was not sure that she was writing to him ; it might be some one else to whom she was appealing .  She had very suddenly made him her confidant — it was not impossible that there might be others equally favoured .  What was it the Squire had said she was — whimmy ?  — he had called her whimmy .  Yet , alas !