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The image of the ugly Coppelius had, as Nathanael was obliged to confess to himself, faded considerably in his fancy, and it often cost him great pains to present him in vivid colours in his literary efforts, in which he played the part of the ghoul of Destiny. At length it entered into his head to make his dismal presentiment that Coppelius would ruin his happiness the subject of a poem.
A pretty fight there would have been papa and Frederick against Marmaduke and his pet candidate!" "'Tis well that is prevented! Everything happens for the best," said Mary, sagely. "But here comes Nathanael. Don't tell him, Mrs. Harper, or he would say we had been gossiping." Mrs.
But she forbore to ask questions, and again turned her attention to the house. "It must have been a charming nest for an old bachelor, and I would have liked it very much myself had I been an old maid. But it would never do for us, you know." Nathanael smiled, so loth to contradict her, or thwart her pretty ways.
Be content, my dear Nathanael. Heaven will take care of him for whom we fear." Her voice trembled, Agatha fancied; and the young girl thought how full and generous was this kind woman's sympathy! likewise how good Nathanael must be to have awakened so deep a regard in such an one as Miss Anne Valery. The clock struck ten.
"Indeed you must come in," added Miss Bowen kindly, seeing that Emma's thoughts were floating away, as appeared this time natural enough, to her own concerns. "You shall rest all the evening, and we will talk to you, and be very, very agreeable. Pray yield!" Nathanael argued no more, but went in "quite lamb-like," as Mrs. Thornycroft afterwards declared.
"But," said Major Harper, eagerly, addressing his sister-in-law for Nathanael sat in one of those passive moods which those who knew him well alone could interpret "but my honour must not be broken either. I must redeem all I lost; and I will, to the very last farthing. Only wait a little, and you shall have no cause to blame me, my poor Agatha!"
Mary's eyes filled, but the younger brother said a few kind words, and her grief ceased The rest were silent and serious, until Nathanael, going away, addressed Frederick rather formally. All speech between them, though smooth, was invariably formal and rare. "You are satisfied to leave this duty in my hands? you do not wish to share it?"
But here were also gathered men of another stamp, men whom the nation delights to honor. From the granite hills of New Hampshire, came rough and ready John Stark, who afterwards whipped the British at Bennington. From little Rhode Island, came Nathanael Greene, a young Quaker, who began life as a blacksmith, but who became the ablest general of the Revolution except Washington.
It was marvellous to see the influence Nathanael had, even over Anne Valery. "And now," continued Mr. Harper, "while I am alone with you and my wife" here he drew Agatha within the circle of talk, and made her lean against his knee, his arm shielding her from the wind "I wanted to talk with you, Anne, about some plans I have." "Say on."
"In sooth, mistress," said Nathanael, who had stood all this time as if he had by no means emptied his budget of ill news, "poor old madam fell down all of a heap on the floor, and when the wenches lifted her, they found she was stricken with the dead palsy, and she has not spoken, and there's no one knows what to do, for the poor old squire is like one distraught, sitting by her bed like an image on a monument, with the tears flowing down his old cheeks.
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