The Vicar of Bullhampton

of all an examination of the fruit; but as this was made without taking Jem the gardener into confidence, no certain conclusion could be reached. It was clear

were seeking fruit. Presuming it to have been their intention to attempt the drawing-room windows, he would have expected to meet them as he did meet them. From the garden the Vicar and the two ladies went down to the gate, and from thence over the stile to Farmer Trumbull's fa

ack, in the manner in which the fellow had been struck, and might be disabled for days from any great personal exertion, without having a bone broken. If the blade of his shoulder were broken, the man-so thought the doctor-could not travel

on was so important that even the terrible idea of burglars, and the sensation arising from the use of that deadly weapon which had been produced at the breakfast table during the morning, were robbed of some of their interest. They did not keep

r friend obstinate. Mary, who knew the inside of her friend's mind very clearly, and who loved and respected her friend, could hardly fix her own mind. During the past night it had been fixed, or nearly fixed, two different ways. She had first determined that

er than I love him, I wonder that they eve

believed it. Had she not been so told, she would have thought that so

as she left the dining-room after lunch, "so that if you

lemn and ceremon

olemn, short of going to heaven or the other place. But I re

rish; and therefore there need be no difficulty! When she compared Mr. Fenwick and Mr. Gilmore together, she found that she liked Mr. Fenwick the best. She thought him to be the more

ilmore made his appearance,

ome in?"

e you may

wick is n

ouse, I think, i

I have not seen Frank this morning; but I hear fr

wick struck some of the men, and he

f one of my tenants there, who is about as bad as he can be. F

ng of it till

a pleasure and a pride in using. But this is the case when the man dashes boldly at his purpose without preconcerted arrangements. Such pleasure, if it ever was a pleasure to him,-such excitement at least, was come and gone with Harry Gilmore. He had told his tale, and had been desired to wait. Now he had come again at a fixed hour to be informed-like a servant waiting for a place-whether it was thought that he wo

elf as he came up the garden, "it is six weeks, I think, since I

but sat as though waiting for so

truth, or the warmth of my af

o; I

that I can say now will make you love me. I have not that so

ind of power,-how any man

you. Perhaps I may assure you that, as far as I know myself at present, all my future happiness must depend on your answer. It will n

ot in love with this man. She had begun to doubt whether it would ever be given to her to love,-to love as her friend Janet loved Frank Fenwick. Janet loved her husband's very footsteps, and seemed to eat with his palate, hear with his ears, and see with his eyes. She was, as it were, absolutely a bone from her husband's rib. Mary thought that she was sure that she could never have that same feeling towards Henry Gilmore. And yet

answer you," she

so I will wait, and come again. I shall nev

t what I may not

say

y. I have so much liking for you that I do not mind owning that I wish that it were more. Mr. Gilmore, I like you so much that I

uish,-a look as though the pain were almost more than he could bear. She could not keep her ey

hat be all?

can I say,

ll you have become mixed with every tree and every cottage about the place. I did not know of myself that I could become such a slave to a p

there is n

re fortunate than I am, you can tell me, and I shall know that it is over. I as

no such promise

ly shall not change. When three mont

or him. On one point she was quite sure,-that if she left him now, with an understanding that he should again renew his offer after a period of three months, she must go away from Bullhampton. If there was

at what we now say had b

try again. What is there that I can do,

s moved,-and why? I shall go home to Loring; and you may be sure of this,

ds? It might be that she could teach herself to be contented with the amount of regard which she entertained for him. It might be that she could persuade herself to be his wife; and if so, why should he not have the chance,-the chance which he professed that he was s

to Mrs. Fenwick's bedroom. Flo was there, but Flo was soon dismiss

id, "I am going

y s

en he asks me whether he may come again, how can I say that he may not?

ot accepted

N

would, if he had a

when I am talking behind his back; but whe

een wrong,-very wro

a man I do not

ou do not know what; some romance,-some gra

ell you wh

ou pl

for Frank. You are my model;

l we were man and wife. He'll tell you the same. I don't kn

Jan

comes afterwards;-when the interests of two peop

I remem

ere a

or you when he was coming? There wasn't a ribbon you wore but you wore

d. If you would accept Harry Gil

ould be so. I am now almo

you want t

ving me near him. I think it will

s to ask

ll him that it will be better that he should not. I woul

se, and his property, because of your face and figure, my

self, Janet, not of my worth. It does not astonish you more than it does me that such a man as

best for you. You will go on examining your own feelings and doubting about your heart, and waiting for something that will never come till you will have lost your ti

d be best that Mary should return home; and letters were written that

eed between the two women that the fate of Harry Gilmore, as far as it had been decided, should be told to Mr.

end of it," said the parson, as he scoure

much in love in my lif

would be the best for him. He'll break up and go away for a time, and then

from him there

ck!" said

at she was much to blame in that she could not fall in love with Harry Gilmore. Mrs. Fenwick had also asked a question or two about Sam Brattle

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