CHAPTER XXV

“Thesethingshappenedlastwinter,sir,”saidMrs.Dean“hardlymorethanayearago.Lastwinter,Ididnotthink,atanothertwelvemonths’end,Ishouldbeamusingastrangertothefamilywithrelatingthem!Yet,whoknowshowlongyou’llbeastranger?You’retooyoungtorestalwayscontented,livingbyyourselfandIsomewayfancynoonecouldseeCatherineLintonandnotloveher.YousmilebutwhydoyoulooksolivelyandinterestedwhenItalkabouther?andwhyhaveyouaskedmetohangherpictureoveryourfireplace?andwhy—?” “Stop,mygoodfriend!”Icried.“ItmaybeverypossiblethatIshouldloveherbutwouldsheloveme?Idoubtittoomuchtoventuremytranquillitybyrunningintotemptation:andthenmyhomeisnothere.I’mofthebusyworld,andtoitsarmsImustreturn.Goon.WasCatherineobedienttoherfather’scommands?” “Shewas,”continuedthehousekeeper.“Heraffectionforhimwasstillthechiefsentimentinherheartandhespokewithoutanger:hespokeinthedeeptendernessofoneabouttoleavehistreasureamidperilsandfoes,wherehisrememberedwordswouldbetheonlyaidthathecouldbequeathtoguideher.Hesaidtome,afewdaysafterwards,‘Iwishmynephewwouldwrite,Ellen,orcall.Tellme,sincerely,whatyouthinkofhim:ishechangedforthebetter,oristhereaprospectofimprovement,ashegrowsaman?’ “‘He’sverydelicate,sir,’Ireplied‘andscarcelylikelytoreachmanhood:butthisIcansay,hedoesnotresemblehisfatherandifMissCatherinehadthemisfortuneto