prologue-2-第3节
按键盘上方向键 ← 或 → 可快速上下翻页，按键盘上的 Enter 键可回到本书目录页，按键盘上方向键 ↑ 可回到本页顶部！
————未阅读完？加入书签已便下次继续阅读！
Drawing fast to its close； the Prologue reverts to the two
girlsand tells； in a few words； how the years passed with Anne
and Blanche。
Lady Lundie more than redeemed the solemn pledge that she had
given to her friend。 Preserved from every temptation which might
lure her into a longing to follow her mother's career； trained
for a teacher's life； with all the arts and all the advantages
that money could procure； Anne's first and only essays as a
governess were made； under Lady Lundie's own roof； on Lady
Lundie's own child。 The difference in the ages of the
girlsseven yearsthe love between them； which seemed； as time
went on； to grow with their growth； favored the trial of the
experiment。 In the double relation of teacher and friend to
little Blanche； the girlhood of Anne Silvester the younger passed
safely； happily； uneventfully； in the modest sanctuary of home。
Who could imagine a contrast more complete than the contrast
between her early life and her mother's？ Who could see any thing
but a death…bed delusion in the terrible question which had
tortured the mother's last moments： 〃Will she end like Me？〃
But two events of importance occurred in the quiet family circle
during the lapse of years which is now under review。 In eighteen
hundred and fifty…eight the household was enlivened by the
arrival of Sir Thomas Lundie。 In eighteen hundred and sixty…five
the household was broken up by the return of Sir Thomas to India；
accompanied by his wife。
Lady Lundie's health had b een failing for some time previously。
The medical men； consulted on the case； agreed that a sea…voyage
was the one change needful to restore their patient's wasted
strengthexactly at the time； as it happened； when Sir Thomas
was due again in India。 For his wife's sake； he agreed to defer
his return； by taking the sea…voyage with her。 The one difficulty
to get over was the difficulty of leaving Blanche and Anne behind
in England。
Appealed to on this point； the doctors had declared that at
Blanche's critical time of life they could not sanction her going
to India with her mother。 At the same time； near and dear
relatives came forward； who were ready and anxious to give
Blanche and her governess a homeSir Thomas； on his side；
engaging to bring his wife back in a year and a half； or； at
most； in two years' time。 Assailed in all directions； Lady
Lundie's natural unwillingness to leave the girls was overruled。
She consented to the partingwith a mind secretly depressed； and
secretly doubtful of the future。
At the last moment she drew Anne Silvester on one side； out of
hearing of the rest。 Anne was then a young woman of twenty…two；
and Blanche a girl of fifteen。
〃My dear；〃 she said； simply； 〃I must tell _you_ what I can not
tell Sir Thomas； and what I am afraid to tell Blanche。 I am going
away； with a mind that misgives me。 I am persuaded I shall not
live to return to England； and； when I am dead； I believe my
husband will marry again。 Years ago your mother was uneasy； on
her death…bed； about _your_ future。 I am uneasy； now； about
Blanche's future。 I promised my dear dead friend that you should
be like my own child to meand it quieted her mind。 Quiet my
mind； Anne； before I go。 Whatever happens in years to
comepromise me to be always； what you are now； a sister to
Blanche。〃
She held out her hand for the last time。 With a full heart Anne
Silvester kissed it； and gave the promise。
IX。
In two months from that time one of the forebodings which had
weighed on Lady Lundie's mind was fulfilled。 She died on the
voyage； and was buried at sea。
In a year more the second misgiving was confirmed。 Sir Thomas
Lundie married again。 He brought his second wife to England
toward the close of eighteen hundred and sixty six。
Time； in the new household； promised to pass as quietly as in the
old。 Sir Thomas remembered and respected the trust which his
first wife had placed in Anne。 The second Lady Lundie； wisely
guiding her conduct in this matter by the conduct of her husband；
left things as she found them in the new house。 At the opening of
eighteen hundred and sixty…seven the relations between Anne and
Blanche were relations of sisterly sympathy and sisterly love。
The prospect in the future was as fair as a prospect could be。
At this date； of the persons concerned in the tragedy of twelve
years since at the Hampstead villa； three were dead； and one was
self…exiled in a foreign land。 There now remained living Anne and
Blanche； who had been children at the time； and the rising
solicitor who had discovered the flaw in the Irish marriageonce
Mr。 Delamayn： now Lord Holchester。
