United States or Central African Republic ? Vote for the TOP Country of the Week !


She was closeted with Miriam for a long time, then saw Eleanor. Spence purposely kept away from home. Dante lay unread, as well as the other books which Eleanor placed insidiously in her cousin's room. Letters lay unanswered among them several relating to the proposed new chapel at Bartles. How did Miriam employ herself during the hours that she spent alone?

Day by day was it most needlessly impressed upon Miriam that she must regard herself as the chief lady in Bartles, and omit no duty appertaining to such a position. She had an example to set; she was chosen as a support of religion. Most happily, the man died.

But, by-the-bye, oughtn't you to make the Bartles people clearly understand who it is that builds their chapel?" "Surely there is no need of that?" "I think so. The scruple, in my case, would be far more on this side than on the other." Miriam did not care to pursue the conversation. The one result of it was that she had an added uncertainty.

He moved away and seemed to be busy with a picture; it was on an easel so placed that, as he stood before it, he also overlooked Miriam at her needlework. For a time there was perfect quietness. Mallard kept glancing at his companion, but she did not once raise her eyes. At length he spoke. "I have never had an opportunity of asking you what your new impressions were of Bartles."

From being something of an annoyance, this necessity at length won attractiveness, till she gazed at herself far oftener than she need have done. As for her face she believed it pas sable, perhaps rather more than that; but the attire that had possessed distinction at Bartles looked very plain, to say the least, in the light of her new experience.

It was with distinct pleasure that she found herself again in London. Contrasted with her homes in the south, London had depressed and discouraged her; but in this also did the visit to Bartles change her feeling. She understood now what Ii ad determined the Spences to make their abode once more in London. She too was in need of tonics for the mind.

But less worthy promptings were more strongly operative. The Bartles folk had a certain measure of right against her; she had ostentatiously promised them a chapel, and how was her failure in keeping the promise to be accounted for? This justification of theirs chafed her; she felt the ire of one who has no right to be angry.

Prom her sister-in-law's letters, though for the last two years they had been few, Miriam had formed some conception of the progress of Bartles opinion concerning herself. Now she led Mrs. Fletcher to converse with native candour on this subject, and in the course of the evening, which they spent alone, all the town's gossip since Miriam's going abroad was gradually reported. Mrs.

Henceforth she felt the animosity of a renegade. In the course of a few hours her soul had completed its transformation, and at the incitement of that pride which had always been the strongest motive within her. Her old faith was now identified with the cackle of Bartles, and she flung it behind her with disdain. Not that she felt insulted by the supposition that she had turned Romanist.

"I am convinced, Ned, that her thoughts are not so constantly at Bartles as we imagine. In any case, I begin to understand what she suffers from most. It is want of occupation for her mind. She is crushed with ennui." "This is irreverence. As well attribute ennui to the Prophet Jeremiah meditating woes to come." "I allow you your joke, but I am right for all that.