"Yes! it was a letter from home, implying that my return would be
accepted as a sign that I gave her up. So that was an additional
instance of the exceeding kindness that I always received."
And there was a pause, both much affected by the thought of the good old
man's ever ready consideration. At last Fanny said, "I am sure it was
well for us! What would he have done without you?--and," she added, "do
you really mean that you never heard of her all these years?"
"Never after my aunt's death, except just after we went to Melbourne,
when I heard in general terms of the ruin of the family and the false
imputation on their brother."
"Ah! I remember that you did say something about going home, and Sir
Stephen was distressed, and mamma and I persuaded you because we saw he
would have missed you so much, and mamma was quite hurt at your thinking
of going. But if you had only told him your reason, he would never have
thought of standing in your way."
"I know he would not, but I saw he could hardly find any one else just
then who knew his ways so well. Besides, there was little use in going
home till I had my promotion, and could offer her a home; and I had no
notion how utter the ruin was, or that she had lost so much. So little
did I imagine their straits that, but for Alison's look, I should hardly
have inquired even on hearing her name."
"How very curious--how strangely things come round!" said Fanny; then
with a start of dismay, "but what shall I do? Pray, tell me what you
would like. If I might only keep her a little while till I can find some
one else, though no one will ever be so nice, but indeed I would not for
a moment, if you had rather not."
"Why so? Alison is very happy with you, and there can be no reason
against her going on."
"Oh!" cried Lady Temple, with an odd sound of satisfaction, doubt, and
surprise, "but I thought you would not like it."
"I should like, of course, to set them all at ease, but as I can do no
more than make a home for Ermine and her niece, I can only rejoice that
Alison is with you."
"But your brother!"
"If he does not like it, he must take the consequence of the utter
separation he made my father insist on," said the Colonel sternly. "For
my own part, I only esteem both sisters the more, if that were possible,
for what they have done for themselves."
"Oh! that is what Rachel would like! She is so fond of the sick--I mean
of your--Miss Williams. I suppose I may not tell her yet."