human
Thank you, thank you, Stephen, said Mr Harrington, returning the pressure warmly;
gpt
No, not now, replied Stephen;
human
adding, to himself,
gpt
The Colonel will remember you, though, Stephen, said Colonel Herbert, taking his hand.
human
It would be a hard thing to come back to England, and forget one's oldest and best friends. But I shall see you soon, I hope, in your own cottage, when we are all better and happier.
gpt
I don't like my cottage as I did, replied Stephen,
human
I shall often think it was the cause of it all,--not but what it's wrong, though; for God's will was the cause, and His will must be done.
gpt
Yes, said Colonel Herbert;
human
In time, sir,--there's nothing like time and good thoughts. And you will come and see me then, sir, and bring young madam with you, and Miss Amy. How her little face brightened when she talked to me of your coming home! We, none of us thought then what was going to happen just afterwards.
gpt
I must not stay now, Stephen, said Colonel Herbert;
human
Mr Harrington is already standing by the carriage. But we will talk about Amy another time.
gpt
And the young lady, sir,--Miss Morton,--I should like just to know about her; they say she takes on sadly.
human
She is better, replied Colonel Herbert.
gpt
Of course it was a dreadful shock to her.
human
Ah, yes! they were always together, said Stephen.
gpt
Nobody dreamed of their being parted so soon. But they will meet,--we shall all meet again.
human
May God grant it!
gpt
I know it cannot be to-day, she said;
human
I am not sure that it might not be to-day, my dear, replied Mrs Herbert.
gpt
If you have anything on your mind, he would be most anxious to relieve you.
human
It is on my mind, heavily, said Emily;
gpt
If it is anything in which he can be of use, perhaps it may interest and please him,
human
It is nothing of that kind, said Emily, resolving with great difficulty to mention her intentions openly.
gpt
I wish to tell him that I must leave Emmerton. I daresay he would name the subject to me if I did not speak first.
human
Will you let us talk to him, my dear? It might save you pain; and we might be able, together, to form some plan for your future happiness. You will trust us, I think, to arrange for you.
gpt
Oh! exclaimed Emily,
human
You may depend upon my not delaying one moment longer than is necessary, said Mrs Herbert.
gpt
Perhaps this afternoon he may be able to listen.
human
And may I have Amy with me till then? asked Emily; and then, checking herself, she added,
gpt
No, indeed, my dear, she will not. You cannot give her a greater pleasure--especially if she can feel that it is any comfort to you.
human
It is only too great a comfort, said Emily;
gpt
And therefore she shall come to you directly. She is walking in the garden at present; for she has been very unhappy, and could not fix her attention to anything in the house.
human
I think I should like to walk too, said Emily.
gpt
I must be with the family, and go out again now. And when I am with her I can bear everything better; and I must tell her myself that I am going.
human
Not to-day, replied Mrs Herbert.
gpt
Wait till we have spoken to my brother; and then, perhaps, we may be able to give her a little consolation, for she will feel dreadfully.
human
I thought, perhaps, you would come out, she said,
gpt
It is like a spring day, said Emily.
human
Who could imagine we were now in the beginning of January.
gpt
It does not seem like a spring day, though, said Amy, sadly.
human
I never thought before that sunshine could be so melancholy.
gpt
It will be cheerful to you again, soon. When you go back to the cottage with your papa and mamma, you will feel just as you used to do.
human
No, said Amy;
gpt
I am not going to be miserable, answered Emily, endeavouring to smile.
human
I know there is not really any cause for it. My darling Rose is far happier than we can imagine; and whilst there are so many duties to be attended to, I hope I shall never sit down idly to repine at the will of God.
gpt
Rose must be happy, exclaimed Amy.
human
I thought just now I should like to be her.
gpt
We should all like it, said Emily,
human
I wish I could know, though, replied Amy;
gpt
But, then, you must remember, said Emily,
human
I see that, replied Amy,
gpt
You will not care again, said Emily,
human
But the people who live there are not lovely, said Amy;
gpt
You must try not, replied Emily.
human
She might have been very different with better education; and we might have been like her if our temptations had been as great.
gpt
Not you, said Amy;
human
I am sure it is impossible.
gpt
Nothing of the kind is impossible, dearest, replied Emily.
human
We might all have been like the worst persons that ever lived if we had not received such great advantages; and, even now, God will not consider us better than others if we do not profit by them. There are many of us who bear a very good character in the world, and yet must appear hateful in the sight of God.
gpt
I think that is papa just come out of the house,
human
I do not think I can speak to him now, she said, faintly.
gpt
Will you come with me into another walk?
human
The one leading to the lake is the most private, said Amy;