J. Sheridan Le Fanu
Published: 2013-06-05
Total Pages: 180
Get eBook
AN EXCERPT: "Died! My God! Died! did you say died?" "Yes. I thought you knew. It was proved a year ago nearly. The elder brother of the present Lord Verney." There followed a silence while you might count ten, and then came a long, wild, and bitter cry. The little girl started up, with white lips, and said, "Lord bless us!" The sparrows in the ivy about the windows fluttered-even Tom Sedley was chilled and pierced by that desolate scream. "I'm very sorry, really, I'm awfully sorry," Tom exclaimed, finding himself, he knew not how, again on his feet, and gazing at the white, imploring face of the trembling old woman. "I really did not know-I had not an idea you felt such an interest in any of the family. If I had known, I should have been more careful. I'm shocked at what I've done." "Oh! Arthur-oh! Arthur. He's gone- after all, after all. If we could have only met for one minute, just for one look." She was drawing back the window-curtain, looking towards the dark Pendillion and the starless sea. "He said he'd come again-he went-and my heart misgave me. I said, he'll never come again-my beautiful Arthur-never-never-never. Oh, darling, darling. If I could even see your grave." "I'm awfully sorry, ma'am; I wish I could be of any use," said honest Tom Sedley, speaking very low and kindly, standing beside her, with, I think, tears in his eyes. "I wish so much, ma'am, you could employ me any way. I'd be so glad to be of any use, about your son, or to see that Mr. Larkin. I don't like his face, ma'am, and would not advise your trusting him too much." "Our little child's dead. Oh! Arthur-Arthur!-a beautiful little thing; and you, my darling,-that I watched for, so long-never to come again-never, never-never-I have no one now." "I'll come to you and see you in the morning," said Tom. And he walked home in the dark, and stopped on the summit of the hill, looking down upon the twinkling lights of the town, and back again toward solemn Malory, thinking of what he had seen, and what an odd world it was.