A Search For A Secret (Vol 1 of 3)

was not disposed of for the benefit and glory of Mother Church; but passed into the hands of th

in front, and as far as could be done, the whole place was cleared and brightened. Inside, much greater changes were made-there, indeed, the old house was completely remodelled, new paper, new paint, new furniture and fittings of every description. Modern windows were put in where practicable, that is, wherever they could b

ppointment by the holy amusement of smashing the beautiful stained-glass windows, and destroying the decoration and carvings of the little chapel. The seats were now removed, and the shrines, hangings, pictures, and other emblems of the Romish Church were taken down. The grand stone altar was retained, and a large cross in black marble was p

ing most of their time over at the "Place." And although when masons and decorators once take possession of a house they generally contrive to make their stay nearly interminable, yet, money, energy, and personal supervision will occas

n of its owner had constituted any serious objection to their so doing, but the Harmers led too secluded and recluse a life to care about knowing any one. With only a very few among the county families of their own creed had they any visiting acquaintance whatever, and this was confined to an exchange of formal calls, or of stately dinners once or so in the course of a year. Their only intimate acquaintances were chosen among foreigners, ecclesiastics or others, g

aid them. The father and son were both much liked, an

s unanimously agreed for once to overlook the fact that there was no lady head to Harmer Place, but that mothers and daughters should accept Mr. Harmer's lavish hospitality regardless

valid, and whom he had nursed for years with almost devotional care and kindness-he had been thrown in contact with very few English women, and he regarded the whole sex with an almost chivalrous devotion and respect which in a man of his age was very strange and touching. Although a very well-read man-for in his distant home he had kept himself well supplied with the current English literature, and with scientific works of every description-he knew very little

t inferior to that which he would have exhibited for her white-haired grandmother, which made him so universally liked by women; and had Herbert Harmer, although a ma

goodness and childlike wisdom; and very many would own to themselves that, without entertaining any passionate love for him, they could yet entrus

sway as mistress at Harmer Place. But if so, it was not for long; for Mr. Harmer, upon one occasion-when the possibility of such an event as a new mistress for his house being forthcoming when the alterations were completed, was

uire an interest in all the chit-chat and gossip of country society, or manifest more than a most languid interest in the agricultural conversations and disquisitions which formed the large staple of the country gentleman's talk. Of the price of corn he knew nothing. Malt and

st attracted, and at first he gave his father some little trouble. New to female society, it possessed an infinite charm to him; but he seemed to admire too generally to devote himself to any one in particular, and although he at once commenced a series of active flirtations, he appeared quite unable to single out any one for especial preference. Les absents ont toujours tort; and the converse of the proverb seemed to him to be equally true-the present are always right. Whosoever might chance to be in his society would assuredly, for the time being, appear to approach the nearest to perfection. Gerald Harmer was certainly a much greater favou

he took with great ardour. His sporting tastes rapidly developed; dogs, horses, and guns occupied his whole thoughts; and few would have recognized in the figure in shooting-jacket and gaiters, returning splashed to the head, after a hard day's work, the indolent lounger who had considered it almost too great a trouble to think for himself. His father observed this change with pleasure, as he had noticed with pain his son's increasing listlessness, although he was personally a loser by it; for Gerald had been hitherto his constant companion in his walks over his estate, and his visits of kindness at his labourers' cottages, which, under his care, assumed a very different and far more comfortable aspect than that which they had worn under the old régime. Still, he felt that it might do him

Long William would not have returned from his duties when Gerald sauntered down, and then the task of entertaining him till his return would fall on William's pretty sister, Madge, who kept house for her brother. Altogether it would have been far better for Gerald to have accompanie

o longer was Mr. Harmer's companion in his rambles over the estate; he took no interest in his plans for the improvement of the houses of their poorer neighbours; he had no pleasure in society, which before he had so enjoyed;

ced with eagerness, and in a

himself; for being forced to do this, and to make new acquaintances and friends-which in travelling he could only do by exerting himself to be agreeable-he would be f

ters became more healthy, and when he reached Switzerland, he wrote in quite enthusiastic terms. He had joined a party who intended to stay there two or three months, and thoroughly wander over th

is estates, and the pleasures of social intercourse with his neighbours; and few days passed

ber for that division of the county at the next election. This offer, although very gratifying, Mr. Harmer declined. He was very happy and c

imes he fancied-but it might be only fancy-that in the pauses of conversation he would fall into short reveries of something unpleasant; a quick, gloomy, anxious look seemed to pass across his face, and although it would be instantly dispelled, still Mr. Harmer could not help thinking that he had

seldom held near Canterbury, and he would have to send his hunter on the night before, and drive over perhaps fifteen or twenty miles in the morning. However, it happened that one of the fi

rary, which was in the front of the house, and th

of November, had rendered that difficult, and he had laid down his book and walked to t

und, as of many people moving and speaking; and

sight of the rider, as he came roun

t was one of his mo

ch he opened and went out on to the steps. The horseman had alighted, and now stood looking pale and anxious at the door. When it opened, and he saw Mr. Harmer himself, he shrank back as a man might, who, knowing that he had something very painful to go through, is suddenly confronted with it before he had quite nerved himself to undergo it. Recovering hi

closed for a moment in answer that they understood-not dead, but dying; and then he stood rigid a

there, quietly entered the house and ordered the affrighted servants instantly to g

ing by the side were several horsemen in scarlet, most of whom, on seeing Mr. Harmer standing on the steps, reined back their horses and returned into the village, there to wait for news. Not that they expected any news, save one; for th

ome down headlong on its rider, fearfully crushing and mangling him. They carried him up to his room and laid him on the bed

plied, "He ma

mprehend what had happened; then he tried to move, and a slight groan of pain broke from him, and by the change in his expression it was evident he remembered all. His eyes met those

rallying his strength to speak. The doctor withdrew a few paces, and the father placed his ear to the dying man's mouth. The lips moved, but all

ather was sitting thoughtful and alone in his library. A knock at the door, and Mr. Brandon, the rector of the plac

l one. Yet it is one which I must ask, and you are the only person of whom I can ask it. I may be mistaken altogether. I may be agitating myself under some wretched misconception; God gran

by his unmistakable start of surprise, and by the look of distress which came across his face,

o bear than his son's death. It was some time before he looked up again. Wh

d been for some time in delicate health, and was standing at the door of her cottage when she saw a little crowd coming down the village street. She carelessly asked a lad who was running past what it was, and was told that they were carrying home yo

l from his eyes. Mr. Harmer hid his face in his hands, and sobbed unr

child

h I did not expect that the opportunity would have occurred so soon. Still, I thought it right, painful as it must be to you, that you should know the truth. I believe from what I have heard that there can be no question as to the paternity of the infant,

hort silence, M

and is willing to continue the care of it, so much the better. If not, will you seek some one who will do so? Make any arrangements in the way of money you may think fit. By the way, the east lodge, which is the one farth

had no other children, and soon took to the little orphan, and loved her as their own. To them, indeed, the adoption of the child proved of great benefit. The lodge w

ficient sum of money given him, to

ne had aged him much, and at fifty-one he looked as old as many men of sixty. He still kept up the acquaintance of his former friends; but although

f their tastes and pursuits, and by each other's intellectual superiority and goodness of heart. They were indeed kindred spirits, and their society became a source of the greatest mutual pleasure and gratification. Whenever Dr. Ashleigh could find time from his profess

ng up. She was not a pretty child, but had an i

t the east gate. At last, one day-it was the anniversary of his son's death-he did so, and st

rge grey inquiring eyes upon him, she went to him readily, and in five minutes they were fast friends; for

the village school, and then he sent her to London to a good school, to be educated as he said, for a governess. When she came home for t

would repeat his invitation, they would be glad to come and stay with him for a time, as they longed to see the old place where they had lived so long. Although much surprised, Mr. Harmer willingly assented, and hi

ng their lives: they pursued their religious exercises, he his scientific pursuits, without interference from each other, and as the genial intercourse and kindness of their brother brightened th

ernly, stated that his wishes on that point were to be considered as law, and that no interference with them would be for a moment tolerated,

anomalous position, for she had, at Mr. Harmer's wish, been made acquainted with her history, as he was sure that, sooner or later, she was certain to be informed of it. She was of a quiet, retiring manner, self-co

s stood when th