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Bristed's strange manner, coupled with Richard's absence and the fearful events of the night, seemed likely to turn my brain. He saw my startled look of inquiry, and said, "Be quiet awhile; I have something of importance which I will communicate to you by-and-by, when you are composed."
With this reflection a happy tranquillity was stealing over me, when I heard a well-known voice exclaim: "Look, Mary, attend her; she has opened her eyes, thank God." It was Mr. Bristed's voice, and as he spoke Mary approached me, and bending over, bathed my head with scented water. "Hope you feel better, Miss," said she. "Have I been ill, Mary? Where am I?" "In master's library."
"He seems to me to be a Southern gentleman with a good deal of real Yankee shrewdness." "That is my opinion, also," said Mr. Drysdale, "and if he buys Bristed's place, he will join me in some improvements which are much needed." "Well, good afternoon, Mrs. Drysdale," said Mrs. Potter; "I am going out horseback riding in a day or two, and perhaps I will stop here a few minutes on my way back."
Once more I yielded to the charms of companionship and love. Severe trials had proved Mr. Bristed's worth, and when he again asked me to make the remnant of his life happy by my care and love to become his wife, and share his home, and reign queen of his heart I consented. When the June roses blossomed, we were married. The balmy air and opening buds spoke of a new life.
Of course she remonstrated, said I would bring on the fever again, and all that; but as I persisted in my determination, she led me down the stairs. The fresh air invigorated me; I felt every minute increased power. At my request, she took me to Mr. Bristed's conservatory.
Bristed's room." I assured her it was completed, and, following her. I crossed the hall and entered a door at the left. A pleasant odor of flowers met my grateful senses. The room was spacious, wide and deep, and handsomely carpeted. The walls were ornamented with paintings and engravings.
Bristed's charge appeared to my mind unfounded, and I told him so. "Ah, my child!" he replied, "you know not the devising power of this man. He has an agent here in this place, in the shape of old Crisp, the hunchback. It has been his plan, under promise of marriage, to decoy you from this house; he would probably have left his child to Crisp's good agency, with orders to join you.
As I did so a heavy, thumping footstep sounded upon the platform, and a surly voice inquired: "Are you Miss Reef?" accompanying the question by a slight pull at my shawl. Turning, I beheld a deformed little man with long arms and a high back, awaiting my answer to his question. I summoned courage to ask: "Were you sent for Miss Reef?" "Yes," he replied, "I am Mr. Bristed's man.
Drysdale, "and he talks of investing some money in land, so I thought I would take him out to see Bristed's old place next to mine. It is going to ruin now, but if a man like Mr. Andrews would take it, he could make it pay. He seems very intelligent and agreeable; I suppose you have met him, Mrs. Potter?" "Oh, yes; he was introduced to me the first week I was here," replied Mrs. Potter.
My general ideas on the subject were further developed by Charles Astor Bristed's book, ``Five Years in an English University, and by sundry publications regarding student life in Germany. Still, my opinions regarding education were wretchedly imperfect, as may be judged from one circumstance.
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