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第38章

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to him different in tone; he was also disposed to believe the claimant shorter and fuller than William Stanley; in the formation of his body and limbs; as to this man's gait; which was entirely different from that of William Stanley; as a boy; nearer observation had increased Mr。 Wyllys's first impression on that subject。 On these particular points; Mrs。 Stanley and Hazlehurst were no judges; for the first had scarcely seen her step…son; the last had only a child's recollection of him。 Nor could Miss Agnes's opinion have much weight; since she had seldom seen the boy; during the last years he passed on shore; for; at that time; she had been much detained at home; by the ill health of her mother。 Hazlehurst had watched the claimant closely; and the interview had silenced his first misgivings; for he had been much struck with two things: he had always heard; whenever the subject of William Stanley's character had been alluded to before him; that this unfortunate young man was sullen in temper; and dull in mind。 Now; the sailor's whole expression and manner; in his opinion; had shown too much cleverness for William Stanley; he had appeared decidedly quick…witted; and his countenance was certainly rather good…natured than otherwise。 Mr。 Wyllys admitted that Harry's views were just; he was struck with both these observations; he thought them correct and important。 Then Hazlehurst thought he had seen some signs of intelligence between Clapp and the sailor once or twice; a mere glance; he could not be positive; however; since it might have been his own suspicions。 As to the volume of the Spectator; he had felt at first morally certain that he had read that very volume at Greatwood; only four years ago; but he had since remembered that his brother had the same edition; and he might have read the book in Philadelphia; in the mean time he would try to recall the circumstances more clearly to his mind; for so long as he had a doubt; he could not swear to the fact。 He knew it was not the octavo edition; at Greatwood; that he had been reading; for he distinctly remembered the portrait of Steele in the frontispiece; and Addison's papers on the Paradise Lost; which he had been reading; that very portrait; and those papers; were contained in the volume handed to him by Clapp。 Both Mr。 Wyllys and Hazlehurst were gratified to find; that Mrs。 Stanley differed from them less than they had feared。 She confessed; that at one moment her heart had misgiven her; but on looking closely at the sailor; she thought him less like her husband than she had expected; and she had been particularly struck by his embarrassment; when she had asked him to describe the furniture of the drawing…room at Greatwood; the very last summer he had been there; for he ought certainly under such circumstances; to have remembered it as well as herself; he had looked puzzled; and had glanced at Mr。 Clapp; and the lawyer had immediately broken off the examination。 Such were the opinions of the friends at this stage of the proceedings。 Still it was an alarming truth; that if there were improbabilities; minor facts; and shades of manner; to strengthen their doubts; there was; on the other side; a show of evidence; which might very possibly prove enough to convince a jury。 Hazlehurst had a thousand things to attend to; but he had decided to wait at Wyllys…Roof until the arrival of Mr。 Ellsworth。

{〃Addison's papers on the Paradise Lost〃 = in fact; Addison's essays on Paradise Lost are contained in volumes four and five of the Spectator}

Leaving those most interested in this vexatious affair to hold long consultations together in Mr。 Wyllys's study; we must now proceed to record a visit which Miss Agnes received from one of our Longbridge acquaintances; and we shall therefore join the ladies。

〃I am sorry; my dear; that the house is not so quiet as we could wish; just now;〃 said Miss Agnes to Jane; one morning; as she and Elinor were sitting together in the young widow's room。

〃Thank you; Aunt; but it does not disturb me; and I know it is not to be avoided just now;〃 said Jane; languidly。

〃No; it cannot be helped; with this troublesome business going on; and we shall have Mrs。 Creighton and Mr。 Ellsworth here soon。〃

〃Pray; do not change your plans on my account。 I need not see any of your friends; I shall scarcely know they are here;〃 said Jane; with a deep sigh。

〃If it were possible to defer their visit; I should do so; but situated as we are with Mr。 Ellsworth〃 added Miss Wyllys。

〃Certainly; do not let me interfere with his coming。 I feel perfectly indifferent as to who comes or goes; I can never take any more pleasure in society!〃

〃Here is my aunt Wyllys driving up to the door;〃 said Elinor; who was sitting near a window。 〃Do you feel equal to seeing her?〃

〃Oh; no; not to…day; dear;〃 said Jane in an imploring voice; and Elinor accordingly remained with her cousin; while Miss Agnes went down to meet Mrs。 George Wyllys。 This lady was still living at Longbridge; although every few months she talked of leaving the place。 Her oldest boy had just received a midshipman's warrant; to which he was certainly justly entitledhis father having lost his life in the public service。 The rest of her children were at home; and rather spoilt and troublesome little people they were。

〃How is Jane?〃 asked Mrs。 Wyllys; as she entered the house。

〃Very sad and feeble; but I hope the air here will strengthen her; after a time。〃

〃Poor thing!no wonder she is sad; indeed! So young; and such an affliction! How is the child?〃

〃Much better; she is quite playful; and disturbs Jane very much by asking after her father。 What a warm drive you must have had; Harriet; you had better throw off your hat; and stay with us until evening。〃

〃Thank you; I must go home for dinner; and shall not be able to stay more than half an hour。 Is your father in? I wished to see him; as well as yourself; on business。〃

〃No; he is not at home; he has gone off some miles; to look at some workmen who are putting up a new farm…house。〃

〃I am sorry he is not at home; for I want to ask his opinion。 And yet he must have his hands full just now; with that vexatious Stanley case。 I must say; I think Clapp deserves to be sent to the tread…mill!〃

〃Perhaps he does;〃 replied Miss Wyllys。 〃It is to be hoped at least; that he will receive what he deserves; and nothing more。〃

〃I hope he will; with all my heart! But as I have not much time to spare; I must proceed to lay my affairs before you。 Now I really and honestly want your advice; Agnes。〃

〃You have had it often before;〃 replied Miss Wyllys; smiling。 〃I am quite at your service now;〃 she added; seeing her sister…in…law look a little uneasy。 Mrs。 Wyllys was silent for a moment。

〃I scarcely know where to begin;〃 she then said; 〃for here I am; come to consult you on a subject which you may think beneath your notice; you are superior to such trifling matters;〃 she said; smilingand then added: 〃But seriously; I have too much confidence in your judgment and good sense; to wish to act without your approbation。〃

〃What is the point upon which I am to decide?for you have not yet told me anything。〃

〃It is a subject upon which I have been thinking for some timeseveral months。 What should you say to my marrying again?〃 asked Mrs。 Wyllys stoutly。

Miss Agnes was amazed。 She had known her sister…in…law; when some years younger; refuse more than one good offer; and had never for a moment doubted her intention to remain a widow for life。

〃You surprise me; Harriet;〃 she said; 〃I had no idea you thought of marrying again。〃

〃Certainly; I never thought of taking such a step until quite lately。〃

〃And who is the gentleman?〃 asked Miss Agnes; in some anxiety。

〃I know you will at least agree with me; in thinking that I have made a prudent choice。 The welfare of my children is indeed my chief consideration。 I find; Agnes; that they require a stronger hand than mine to manage them。 Long before Evert went to sea; he was completely his own master; there were only two persons who had any influence over him; one is his grandfather; the other; a gentleman who will; I suppose; before long; become nearly connected with him。 I frankly acknowledge that I have no 

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