The Complete Works: Charlotte, Emily, Anne, Patrick & Branwell Brontë. Anne Bronte
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cage. It was of no use arguing, contending against the sense of present happiness; to be near Robert was to be revived.
Miss Keeldar laid down the papers.
“And are you glad or sad for all these menacing tidings?” she inquired of her tenant.
“Not precisely either; but I certainly am instructed. I see that our only plan is to be firm. I see that efficient preparation and a resolute attitude are the best means of averting bloodshed.”
He then inquired if she had observed some particular paragraph, to which she replied in the negative, and he rose to show it to her. He continued the conversation standing before her. From the tenor of what he said, it appeared evident that they both apprehended disturbances in the neighbourhood of Briarfield, though in what form they expected them to break out was not specified. Neither Caroline nor Mrs. Pryor asked questions. The subject did not appear to be regarded as one ripe for free discussion; therefore the lady and her tenant were suffered to keep details to themselves, unimportuned by the curiosity of their listeners.
Miss Keeldar, in speaking to Mr. Moore, took a tone at once animated and dignified, confidential and self-respecting. When, however, the candles were brought in, and the fire was stirred up, and the fullness of light thus produced rendered the expression of her countenance legible, you could see that she was all interest, life, and earnestness. There was nothing coquettish in her demeanour; whatever she felt for Moore she felt it seriously. And serious, too, were his feelings, and settled were his views, apparently, for he made no petty effort to attract, dazzle, or impress. He contrived, notwithstanding, to command a little; because the deeper voice, however mildly modulated, the somewhat harder mind, now and then, though involuntarily and unintentionally, bore down by some peremptory phrase or tone the mellow accents and susceptible, if high, nature of Shirley. Miss Keeldar looked happy in conversing with him, and her joy seemed twofold — a joy of the past and present, of memory and of hope.
What I have just said are Caroline’s ideas of the pair. She felt what has just been described. In thus feeling she tried not to suffer, but suffered sharply nevertheless. She suffered, indeed, miserably. A few minutes before her famished heart had tasted a drop and crumb of nourishment, that, if freely given, would have brought back abundance of life where life was failing; but the generous feast was snatched from her, spread before another, and she remained but a bystander at the banquet.
The clock struck nine; it was Caroline’s time for going home. She gathered up her work, put the embroidery, the scissors, the thimble into her bag. She bade Mrs. Pryor a quiet goodnight, receiving from that lady a warmer pressure of the hand than usual. She stepped up to Miss Keeldar.
“Goodnight, Shirley!”
Shirley started up. “What! so soon? Are you going already?”
“It is past nine.”
“I never heard the clock. You will come again tomorrow, and you will be happy tonight, will you not? Remember our plans.”
“Yes,” said Caroline; “I have not forgotten.”
Her mind misgave her that neither those plans nor any other could permanently restore her mental tranquillity. She turned to Robert, who stood close behind her. As he looked up, the light of the candles on the mantelpiece fell full on her face. All its paleness, all its change, all its forlorn meaning were clearly revealed. Robert had good eyes, and might have seen it if he would; whether he did see it, nothing indicated.
“Goodnight!” she said, shaking like a leaf, offering her thin hand hastily, anxious to part from him quickly.
“You are going home?” he asked, not touching her hand.
“Yes.”
“Is Fanny come for you?”
“Yes.”
“I may as well accompany you a step of the way; not up to the rectory, though, lest my old friend Helstone should shoot me from the window.”
He laughed, and took his hat. Caroline spoke of unnecessary trouble; he told her to put on her bonnet and shawl. She was quickly ready, and they were soon both in the open air. Moore drew her hand under his arm, just in his old manner — that manner which she ever felt to be so kind.
“You may run on, Fanny,” he said to the housemaid; “we shall overtake you.” And when the girl had got a little in advance, he enclosed Caroline’s hand in his, and said he was glad to find she was a familiar guest at Fieldhead. He hoped her intimacy with Miss Keeldar would continue; such society would be both pleasant and improving.
Caroline replied that she liked Shirley.
“And there is no doubt the liking is mutual,” said Moore. “If she professes friendship, be certain she is sincere. She cannot feign; she scorns hypocrisy. And, Caroline, are we never to see you at Hollow’s Cottage again?”
“I suppose not, unless my uncle should change his mind.”
“Are you much alone now?”
“Yes, a good deal. I have little pleasure in any society but Miss Keeldar’s.”
“Have you been quite well lately?”
“Quite.”
“You must take care of yourself. Be sure not to neglect exercise. Do you know I fancied you somewhat altered — a little fallen away, and pale. Is your uncle kind to you?”
“Yes; he is just as he always is.”
“Not too tender, that is to say — not too protective and attentive. And what ails you, then? Tell me, Lina.”
“Nothing, Robert.” But her voice faltered.
“That is to say, nothing that you will tell me. I am not to be taken into confidence. Separation is then quite to estrange us, is it?”
“I do not know. Sometimes I almost fear it is.”
“But it ought not to have that effect. ‘Should auld acquaintance be forgot, and days o’ lang syne?’”
“Robert, I don’t forget.”
“It is two months, I should think, Caroline, since you were at the cottage.”
“Since I was within it — yes.”
“Have you ever passed that way in your walk?”
“I have come to the top of the fields sometimes of an evening and looked down. Once I saw Hortense in the garden watering her flowers, and I know at what time you light your lamp in the counting-house. I have waited for it to shine out now and then, and I have seen you bend between it and the window. I knew it was you; I could almost trace the outline of your form.”
“I wonder I never encountered you. I occasionally walk to the top of the Hollow’s fields after sunset.”
“I know you do. I had almost spoken to you one night, you passed so near me.”
“Did I? I passed near you, and did not see you! Was I alone?”
“I saw you twice, and neither time were you alone.”
“Who was my companion? Probably nothing but Joe Scott, or my own shadow by moonlight.”
“No; neither Joe Scott nor your shadow, Robert. The first time you were with Mr. Yorke; and the second time what you call your shadow was a shape with a white forehead and dark curls, and a sparkling necklace round its neck. But I only just got a glimpse of you and that fairy shadow; I did not wait to hear you converse.”
“It appears you walk invisible. I noticed a ring on your hand this evening; can it be the ring of Gyges? Henceforth, when sitting in the counting-house by myself, perhaps at dead of night, I shall permit myself to imagine that Caroline may be leaning over my shoulder reading with me from the same book, or sitting at my side engaged in her own particular task, and now and then raising her unseen eyes to my face to read there my thoughts.”
“You need fear no