And Isabel realized the first part of her aunt's words, and gratefully accepted the last. She slipped very thankfully away-oh, so tired. Mrs Thirswell attended on her, hurrying her into bed as quickly as she could; for much as she did admire her young lady, her nurse's instincts told her, that a little more excitement, and Isabel would have a sleepless night. She left her to repose, therefore, directly she was in bed. But when the candle was out, and all in darkness, Gracey stole in for a kiss. 'Isabel !' she faltered, as she knelt by the bedside, 'I will try my very best; indeed, I will. How can I ever love you half enough.' Then she also retired. 'The good God hath given, He will give the increase, was Isabel's happy thought, as she fell asleep. Grace did indeed try! and every one combined to help her. Roger spent all his pocket money in a magnificent Persian cat for her, which it was death for Flossy and Ben, so much as to look at! of the death of her own poor little mite, whose place was not entirely filled even by this splendid stranger, Grace had heard on Christmas eve, when nurse was so angry at tea. Mrs M'Ivor also set herself to help her child. She had not passed through those days of dreadful anxiety, when Isabel lay in danger, without some profit. She could not but contrast the influence Isabel had obtained in a few short weeks over Grace, with what she had gained in her whole lifetime, and this helped her to realize somewhat of the consequences of her indolence. Mrs Walpole proved a true friend to her sister here. Their separation had in a measure opened this lady's eyes. She could not but mourn sadly over the miserable neglect that had left Grace so untutored and uncared for. Mrs Walpole spoke her mind very truthfully, though as gently, as she could only speak to Fanny,' and Fanny showed its fruit by marked kindness to Grace. Mrs M'Ivor was still very lovely, and Grace was most susceptible to beauty. She would have enjoyed her mother's beauty as she had enjoyed Isabel's singing, but that the one never jarred upon her, and the possessor of the other always did. Now that circumstances had changed, and that the mother tried to give the child her full portion of kindness and attention; now that Grace might sit unrebuked in that pretty room, and wait on that mother and her dear Isabel, she became, by comparison, supremely happy. Mrs Walpole, too, showed that she read the girl aright, by making her and not the maid, the repository of her orders for the invalids, and their authorised attendant. This again removed Grace from Mrs Thirswell's care. A mutual relief! also from the society of children, where pets and temper might be excusable from age; as they could not be among elders,' such as Amy and Isabel, her present companions. Of course no one can imagine that Grace was cured of all her many faults, and taught all a lady's accomplishments, as by magic! But it was a wonderful gain to avoid provocations, and to be well and soothingly employed. As that for 'abominable Hotspur,' he left the neighbourhood immediately, with his father and mother, who had inherited a distant property from their deceased friends. He had been tremendously punished, though not more than he richly deserved—the wretched boy. Independently of the woes of that night, and the utter failure of all his schemes the loss of his money, which was dissipated, no soul knew whither, and the loss of his pony, he became, not only the laughing stock of everybody, as the mother's dupe, but well nigh the contemned of every body by his mode of giving evidence at the Coroner's inquest. He was questioned after Grace, Roger, Bob Dacres, etc., had given their evidence, after, in fact, the whole course of events had become public. He involved himself in a fearful tissue of falsehoods, and was then forced gradually to expose himself, until even he was overwhelmed with shame. He left Walpole Hall immediately afterwards; and so he may go out of our story, with all the contempt and disgust such a character must excite. Yet, perhaps, with a modicum of pity, that his bringing up had been so injudicious. Still he may go ! we do not want him any more. In a village churchyard at some distance from the Hall, on a stone slab covering an old vault, were carved these words, following many notices of a similar nature :— 6 Also to the Memory of SELINA O'NEILL, Daughter of SAMUEL and JANE CLERY, of DART, in this Parish; How little would the reader of this bare notice guess, what a tragedy of ruined life it commemorates! Even the terrible tragedy, and untold misery of a life that had been worse than wasted. 'And, under their feet, all scattered lay, Dead skulls and bones of men whose life had gone astray.' Fairy Queen. CRAWFORD AND M'CABE, PRINTERS, EDINBURGH. |