Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1889-08-24

Rachers rules were too we'll known in the
household to be infringed.
Your slippers" said Hetty, with unusual
meekness OF tone. They're here, Mr.. Roches-
ter, in the fender"
.'oh, indeed How could they have fallen in
there! returned the professor in mild surprise,
as he stopped to pick them up.
They didn't fall. 1 put them there. II
Hetty returned. in unusually confused and
apologize tones
"Oh, indeed Your intention was very kind.
my dear, said the professor absent-mindedly;
but you need not have taken so much trouble;
the evening was not a cold one"
There were no tears glistening on Hetty's
eye-lashes now, curve Of righteous feminine
scorn was visible instead on her red lips.
Yes. he might wait many and many q day;
never should he, by any chance, after that
utterly obtuse remark, find his slippers CON-
fortably ensconced in the fender again. She
knew he was a miserable man; he dreaded the
thought OF parting with her; well he deserved
! to be miserable.
He was certainly a triae lacking in moral
courage; for, perceiving that Hetty showed no
disposition to have the lamp brought in, and
the glimmering freight hid her face and his
own alternately. and also observing that, by
sitting In the armchair to the right of the
hearth. he could escape observation altogether
ne concluded that no time could be more adj
mirable for introducing the subject he felt
such difficulty in entering upon-for urging
! the child to leave the home nest empty. The
professor sighed
Hettys hardening little heart relented at the
sound. us anything the natter" she asked,
little coldly, 1t might be, but it served for an
introduction.
Il sighed, Hetty, to remember that the time
mas come for you to leave u.s. You can forgive
me for that, my DEAR" returned her guardian
gently.
DO you mean-what you said about Fred
Wiiberforce-and Chas Warrington" asked
Hetty as the freight sank little
Yes, returned the professor gravely; '.you
oetested them, you said. 1t was somewhat of
shock to me, as had not been aware of il.
am afraid did not go the right way to work
with my suggestions, but indeed was think
ing only OF your welfare. I cannot let the
subject drop. my DEAR" interposed her guar
| dian firmly, the freight suddenly blazing up
ana showing an expression of protest on the
Slrls countenance. II will not mention any
| one by name. but want to urge upon YOU that
yon must not sacrifice your young life TO us.
1t IS right that you should have your freedom,
reel at perfect liberty TO make your choice and
leave us; we both acquiesce in it-Rachel and L
And 1t has occurred to me as just possible that
you might have some fancy Of your own in the
matter. am almost ashamed to ask you such
quesuon-but you are growing woman now;
have you ever formed any idea of the sort of
person-you could be happy with?"
Yes, said Hetty. She was looking down at
little sapphire ring that adorned one of her
fingers, and she did not raise her eyes. II
have thought about it."
"Oh, indeed! really" calculated the profess
sor, somewh hat staggered. He passed his hand
across his brow. And what is he like, Hetty?"
he asked In tones that had an unmistakable
tinge of melancholy in them
Il should like him to be rather old; think
told you so before" said Hetty with little
tremor in her voice. 1t was really very con
slderate OF the fire; it glimmered readily, but
| it kept its flashes to ITSELF "And should not
even mind if he liked things that hated: he
| might even have stupid obtuse ways at times
men so often are stupid and obtuse But
| should like him to have very nice dark eyes;
and to be able to respect him."
Very nice dark eyes! know so few answer
| ing to that description" said the professor.
Who hopeiessiy perplexed by Hetty's first SEN
/ fences seemed to see some dawning clearness
| In her last words and revived to review them
conscientiously. Must his eyes be so particu-
| larry fine, my child? Could you not place char
acter above looks?"
"Oh. certainly. am not at all particular "a
| to looks" remarked Hetty, crimsoning. Il
should like him to have nice, kind, quiet way
with him; the very reverse of Fred. Wilber-
| FORCES"
Il am afraid" said the professor very gently.
and signing as he spoke-he had been carefully
| considering and reconsidering Hettys re-
marks for the space of full five minutes-.'that
| know no one at all who answers to your
| description"
| Perhaps could tell you a little more of NV
| fancies." said the girl, suddenly raising her
eyes, Mr.. Rochester did not see how tightly
her hands were clasped together; he only saw
| that charming, wilful glance again. Il should
not care bit if he was wrapped up in
musty, tiresome, disagreeable things; he must
be verv-oh, very fond of Greek"
| What heartless thing the freight had
turned into How il Aickered and Frightened
| and obdurately persisted in revealing the hot
color Hetty, longed to hide with both her
hands. And MIR. Rochesters eyes were fixed
upon her What were his thoughts?
| 'Greekr' he said. after the space of about a
minute. You have occasioned me more sur
prise than can tell you, my dear"
Well, it had been unconventional, un-
maidenly-indelicate, perhaps; but he never
| would have known his own heart without it
and if the freight would only hide her cheeks,
Il have often wished" continued the pro-
| fessor, that 1 could have devoted more time
| to. that language. But little dreamt, mychild.
| You shared my feeling regarding it. / should
| hardly have looked for it in one SO young; but
| it occupied many years of your fathers atten-
| ton, remember, and / can understand it a
little in that way. must find your Greek scholar
| for you, Hetty-it seems a strange thing, too
never credited you, my dear. with tastes like
/ these.
| He is promising young fellow" said the
| professor, almost to himslf, ''and not as YOU
say, too young. He must be thirty or there
about. I am thinking of Martin Archer.
1 aeltgs you uOu KNOW ulm at present, nv
dear-I meet him often at college-but he
| answers, in q great many respects, to your de-
scription. I often wish, when talking with
him, that had my youth back again. And so
you will be leaving us; it is only q question of
time; shall see that low chair Of yours empty,
| And perhaps it may be Martin Archer"
! mo, never!' said Hetty. The freight, flick
ering up, revealed her face, and to the pro-
| fessor's smazement he saw it crimsoned
and scornful 81 hate Mr.. Archer! I detest
him! / know perfectly well he is a conceited
prig; am sure, quite sure fit! And the only
thing ask, Mr.. Rochester" she continued,
| rising suddenly and bursting into tears s.is
| that ycr VI Lever, never, as long as live,
| let me hear hts dstestable name again!"
~ Am utterly at fault" said the professor
at last; ''the child places no confidence in me
| whatever. She grows more lovable than ever
more engaging. How We shall ever endure
1 the house without her dare not think But
am utterly at fault. am vfraid there must
be truth in what has certainly been affirmed
by thinkers OF all ages-woman is an enigm q.
~.
| The autumn was waning; the coral berries
were ripening in the hedges, and soon, the pro-
lessor said to himself, looking with vague mel
ancholy toward his study window, the gray
mornings, the long evenings, the chill of winter
would be creeping on and the FIRE would be
aight again on the hearth. Would Hetty sit
tasida IL mr. would IL he left In Rachal IA Ia,