CHAPTER XXXIX

CouldSirThomashaveseenallhisniece’sfeelings,whenshewroteherfirstlettertoheraunt,hewouldnothavedespairedforthoughagoodnight’srest,apleasantmorning,thehopeofsoonseeingWilliamagain,andthecomparativelyquietstateofthehouse,fromTomandCharlesbeinggonetoschool,Samonsomeprojectofhisown,andherfatheronhisusuallounges,enabledhertoexpressherselfcheerfullyonthesubjectofhome,therewerestill,toherownperfectconsciousness,manydrawbackssuppressed.Couldhehaveseenonlyhalfthatshefeltbeforetheendofaweek,hewouldhavethoughtMr.Crawfordsureofher,andbeendelightedwithhisownsagacity. Beforetheweekended,itwasalldisappointment.Inthefirstplace,Williamwasgone.TheThrushhadhadherorders,thewindhadchanged,andhewassailedwithinfourdaysfromtheirreachingPortsmouthandduringthosedaysshehadseenhimonlytwice,inashortandhurriedway,whenhehadcomeashoreonduty.Therehadbeennofreeconversation,nowalkontheramparts,novisittothedockyard,noacquaintancewiththeThrush,nothingofallthattheyhadplannedanddependedon.Everythinginthatquarterfailedher,exceptWilliam’saffection.Hislastthoughtonleavinghomewasforher.Hesteppedbackagaintothedoortosay,“TakecareofFanny,mother.Sheistender,andnotusedtoroughitliketherestofus.Ichargeyou,takecareofFanny.” Williamwasgone:andthehomehehadleftherinwas,Fannycouldnotconcealitfromherself,inalmosteveryrespecttheveryreverseofwhatshecouldhavewished.Itwastheabodeofnoise,disorder,andimpropriety.Nobodywasintheirrightplace,nothingwasdoneasitoughttobe.Shecouldnotrespectherparentsasshehadhoped.Onherfather,herconfidencehadnotbeensanguine,buthewas