Chapter XVIII

utshewasgrievouslytroubled.Sheaskedherselfwhethersheshouldconsultherbrother,towhomanabsurdshynesspreventedherfrommentioningspiritualmatters,unlessnecessitycompelled.Butshehadimmensefaithinhim,andtoherhewasatypeofallthataChristianclergymanshouldbe.Althoughhercharacterwassomuchstrongerthanhis,Mr.Gloveralwaysseemedtohissisterapillarofstrengthandofteninpasttimes,whenthefleshwasmorestubborn,hadshefoundhelpandconsolationinhisverymediocresermons.Finally,however,MissGloverdecidedtospeaktohim,withtheresultthat,foraweeksheavoidedspiritualtopicsinherdailyconversationwiththeinvalidthen,Berthahavinggrownalittlestronger,withoutpreviouslymentioningthefact,shebroughtherbrothertoCourtLeys. MissGloverwentalonetoBertha’sroom,inherardentsenseofproprietyfearingthatBertha,inbed,mightnotbecostumeddecorouslyenoughforthevisitofaclericalgentleman. “Oh,”shesaid,“Charlesisdownstairsandwouldliketoseeyousomuch.IthoughtI’dbettercomeupfirsttoseeifyouwere—er—presentable.” Berthawassittingupinbed,withamassofcushionsandpillowsbehindher—abrightredjacketcontrastedwithherdarkhairandthepallorofherskin.ShedrewherlipstogetherwhensheheardthattheVicarwasbelow,andaslightfrowndarkenedherforehead.MissGlovercaughtsightofit. “Idon’tthinkshelikesyourcoming,”saidMissGlover—toencouragehim—whenshefetchedherbrother,“butIthinkit’syourduty.” “Yes,Ithinkit’smyduty,”repliedMr.Glover,wholikedtheapproachinginterviewaslittleasBertha. Hewasanhonestman,oppressedbytheinroadsofdissentbuthisministrationswereconfinedtotheservicesinchurch,thecollectingofsubscriptions,andthevisitingofthechurch-goingpoor.Itwassomethingnewtobebroughtbeforearebelliousgentlewoman,andhedidnotquiteknowhowtotreather. MissGloveropenedthebedroomdoorforherbrotherandheentered,acoldwindladenwithcarbolicacid.Shesolemnlyputachairforhimbythebedsideandanotherforherselfatalittledistance. “Ringfortheteabeforeyousitdown,Fanny,”saidBertha. “Ithink,ifyoudon’tmind,Charleswouldliketospeaktoyoufirst,”saidMissGlover.“AmInotright,Charles?” “Yes,dear.” “Itookthelibertyoftellinghimwhatyousaidtometheotherday,Bertha.” Mrs.Craddockpursedherlips,butmadenoreply. “Ihopeyou’renotangrywithmefordoingso,butIthoughtitmyduty....Now,Charles.” TheVicarofLeanhamcoughed. “Icanquiteunderstand,”hesaid,“thatyoumustbemostdistressedatyouraffliction.It’samostunfortunateoccurrence.IneednotsaythatFannyandIsympathisewithyoufromthebottomofourhearts.” “Wedoindeed,”saidhissister. StillBerthadidnotanswerandMissGloverlookedatheruneasily.TheVicarcoughedagain. “ButIalwaysthinkthatweshouldbethankfulforthecrosswehavetobear.Itis,asitwere,ameasureoftheconfidencethatGodplacesinus.” Bertha