The Middlebury register. [volume] (Middlebury, Vt.) 1850-1882, 1881-02-04

What did I tell you2 She Ia NOT
we'll enough to see me to-day. The doc
tor looks grave, and the companion puts
her handkerchief to her eyes. We may
bo kept in this place for weeks to
come.'
The Afternoon proved to be rainy.
Our early dinner was bad one. This
last circumstance tried hfs temper sore
ly. He was no gourmand tho question
of cookery was with hiin) purely mat
ter Of digestion. Those late hours OF
study, aud that abuse Of tea, to which ]
have already alluded, had sadly injured
his stomach. The doctors warned him
OF serious consequences to his nervous
system, unless he altered his habits.
He had little faith in medical science
and he greatly ovorrated the restorative
capacity of his constitution. So far as
I know, he had always neglected the
doctors advice.
The weather cleared toward evening,
and we went out for walk. We passed
O church, the doors of which were still
open. Some poor women were kneeling
at their prayers in the dim light. "Wait
O minute" said Romayne, 81 am in q
vile temper. Let me try to put myself
into better frame of mind"
followed him into the church. He
knelt down in dark corner by himself.
I confess I WAS surprised. He had been
baptized in the Church Of England; but
80 far rs outward practice was con.
cerned, he belonged TO no religious
community. l had often heard him
speak with q sincere reverence and adj
miration of the spirit Of Christianity,
but he never, to my knowledge, attended
any place Of public worship. When we
met again outside the church, he said;
"The solemn tranquility Of that
church, the people praying noar mo, the
few words of prayer by whish I silently
united myself to my fellow creatures,
have oalmed me and done me good. In
our country I should have found the
church closed out OF service hours" He
took my arm and abruptly changed the
subject How will you occupy your
self." he asked, "f my aunt receives me
tomorrow"
I assured him that should easily
find ways and means of getting through
the time. The next morning message
came from Lady Derrick to say
that she would see her nephew after
breakfast. Left by myself. L walked
toward the pier, and met with q man
who asked me to hire his boat. He had
lines and bait at my service. Most IN
fortunately, as the event proved. I de-
cided on occupying an hour OF two by
sea-Ashing.
The wind shifted while we wero out,
and before we could get back to the
harbor the tide had turned against us.
It was six o'clock before I arrived at
the hotel. A little open carriage was
waiting at the door. I found Romayne
imratiently expecting me, and no signs
of dinner on the table. He informed
me that he had accepted an invitation,
in which was included, and promised
to explain everything in the carriage.
Our driver took the road that led to.
ward the High Town. I subordinated
my curiosity to my sense of politeness,
and asked for news of his aunt's health.
She is seriously ill, poor SOUL" he
said. 81 am sorry spoke so petulantly
and so unfairly when we met at the
club. The near prospect OF death has
developed qualities in her nature which
I ought to have seen before this. No
matter how it may be delayed, will pa
tfently wait her time for the crossing to
England"
SO long as he believed himself to be
in the right, he was, as to his actions
ana opinions, one OF the most obstinate
men ever met with But once let him
be convinced that he was wrong, and he
rushed into the other extreme---became
needlessly distrustful of himself, and
needlessly eager in seizing his oppor-
tunity of making atonement. In this
latter mood he was capable---with tho
best intentions---of committing acts Of
the most childish imprudencs. With
some misgivings, asked how he had
amused himself in my absence.
"I waited for you," he said, "until I
lost all patience, and went out for .
walk. First, thought OF going to the
beach, but the smell of the harbor drove
me back into the town, and there, oddly
enough, I met with a man, certain
Captain Peterkin, who had been friend
Of mine at college"
"a visitor to Boulogne p inquired.
"Not exactly"
"a resident p
"Yes. The fact is, lost sight OF
Peterkin when left Oxford--and, since
that time, he seems to have drifted into
| difficulties. We had long talk. he
Is living here, he tells me, until his af-
| fairs is settled"
Ineeded no further enlightenment
Captain Peterkin stood as plainly re-
vealed to me as il had known him for
years. "Isn't it little imprudent," /
said, "to renew your acquaintance with
man of that sort Oonldn't you have
passed him with bowf"
Romayne smiled uneasily. "I dare
say you're right" he answered. "But,
remember, 1 had left my amt, feeling
ashamed OF the unjust way in which ]
had thought and spoken OF her. How
did I know that I mightn't be wronging
an old friend next, il / kept Peterkin at
q distance2 His present position may
be as much his misfortune, poor fellow,
as his fault. was half inclined to pass
him as you say, hut distrusted my own
judgment. He held out his hand, and
he was so glad to see me. 1t can't be