CHAP. XXVIII DARLISTON, HELEN'S EXPERIENCES AT CARDINGTON CASTLE. a On Thursday I saw Proserpine led by groom up the Darliston Road, and an hour later one of the Cardington carriages appeared, and Helen's dear face looked out as she passed. The next morning on her way to school she alighted from her mare and spent ten minutes in my parlour. To the query as to how she had enjoyed herself, she replied "very tolerably," but there were many drawbacks, and she never felt at home there; never so happy as when Mr. Merton Brown was by to take her part. "I do not know what I should have done if it had not been for him," she said, "he gave me so much insight into matters, and so much wise and kind advice, while I was on my way to the castle. Nanny told me you had read to her my letter; how was it; I mean, the spelling?" 66 66 Not one word wrong, my dear Helen. You are really coming on capitally. Your handwriting too is much better than it was three months ago." "I am glad of that, indeed; but oh, I have a deal to do! People talk about things as if everybody knew them; and I feel so ignorant! About books and pictures, and composers of music, and new discoveries, and politics, and phrenology, and botany, and no end of things that I have hardly given a thought to. I was very glad I had read The Princess;' it was talked of one evening. Another time a gentleman quoted Shakespeare and could not tell where the passage was until I mentioned 'Hamlet.' I had one or two pieces of good luck of that kind, and they encouraged me to hope that if I am unlike others, it is not from want of capacity, but only knowledge; so, if I persevere, now I have better opportunities, I must improve." "Of course you will: and remember you are still rather young. Younger I daresay than the not to be stopping here now, but I want to arrange to see you again. My grandfather told me he should expect me back at half-past-four, so I must gallop all the way from Mrs. Ainslie's, and dare not pull up here. He will not let me come to you to-morrow either, but I can go on with my drawing, and if I have time will write out soinething from memory as a spelling exercise. I could get away to the rocks, if you would meet me there in the afternoon? Grandfather will be down in the fields then; but, to be sure, I ought to be mending the stockings. I have lots to do of one sort or another." "Cannot Nanny Cargill darn the stockings for you?" "No; grandfather does not like her darning. He says she puts gridirons in his stockings and they hurt his corns. I must do them." 66 Bring them to the rocks, and I will help you." "Oh, if you will only come. They are such old things; he will not buy himself anything new." "I shall bring thimble and scissors, and expect something to do with them." We appointed accordingly a meeting at the croft-gate for three-o'clock the following afternoon. Helen rose to depart and I left the room with her, wished her a pleasant ride, and asked if she had not enjoyed some of late with the Castle party. 66 Yes; I was out every day," she answered, and once went with Lady Althea to Chudley Park, and saw a beautiful collection of pictures.' "What do you think of Lady Althea, now you know her better?" Helen was standing beside her mare, preparing to mount: her eyes turned on me with an expression that went to my heart. I do not know how to define it. There was affection for myself in it, tenderness and sadness, but something more. In a low tone she said "She is cruel;" and then, kissing me added, "do not think about it until I can tell you all. She has not hurt me so much as she intended." I did think about it, though, Helen's eyes seemed to haunt me. I could not be content without watching for her on her return. She saw me; gave a little nod that had something cheerful about it, and my solitary evening passed more pleasantly, Whatever Lady Al Y |