Jenifer's Prayer, Part III [pp. 318-334]

Jenifer's Prayer.
Greystock's side, and paying visits ever, frequently; and knew where
to his other sister, the happy bride, she was. When these letters came
MIrs. Harrington, of Harrington- Claudia would drive off to M3farston
leigh, the master of which place, to see Grandmamma Morier, still
"a recent convert," as the news- enjoying life under Jenifer's care.
papers said, "had lately married The letters would be read aloud upthe convert step-daughter of Mr. stairs in the pretty drawingr-room
Brewer, of Beremouth." Lady where the fine old china looked as
Greystock always lived with her gay and bright as ever, and where
father now, united to him in faith, not a single cup and saucer had
and joining him in such a flood of changed its place. Jenifer would
good works that all criticism, all listen, taking careful note of every
wonderment, all lamentation and expression, and whispering-someargument at "such a step!" was times in the voice of humble prayer,
simply run down, overpowered, sometimes in soft tones of triumphant
deluged, drowned. The strong flow-/ thanksgiving-" My life, and all that
ing stream of charity was irresist- is in it!"
ible. The solerim music of its But now this five years' close had
deep waters swallowed up all the been marked by a great fact; the
surrounding cackle of inharmonious death of Horace Erskine's uncle, and
talk. Nothing was heard at Bere- his great estate passing to his
mouth but prayer and praise-evil nephew, whom hle had never seen
tongues passed by that great good since their quarrel with him, but
house to exercise themselves else- whom he had so far forgiven as not
where. Evil people found no fitting to alter his will.
habitation for their wandering spirits Horace Erskine was in London;
in that home of holy peace. And and his Beremouth friends were
all his life Mr. Brewer walked hum- going up to town to welcome him
bly, looking at Claudia, and calling home after four years of life on the
her "my crown!" She knew why. continent.
He had repented with a great sor- London was at its ffillest and gayrow of those early days when he est. Mr. Erskine had been well
had left her to others' teaching. known there, making his yearly
He had prayed secretly, with strong visits, taking a great house, and atresolutions, to be blessed with for- tracting round him all the talent
giveness. And at last the mercy of the day. A very rich man,
came-" crowned at last. All the thoroughly well educated, with a'
mercies of my life crowned by the fine place in Scotland, and his beaugreat gift of Claudia's soul." So the tiful wife Lucia by his side, he
good man went on his way a peni- found himself welcome, and made
tent. Always in his own sight a others in their turn welcome too.
penitent. Always recommending Now all this was past. For two
himself to God in that one charactqr seasons London had missed Mr.
-as a penitent. Erskine, and he had been regretted
Five years were passed, and Lady and lamented over, as a confirmed
Greystock had been at Mary's wed- invalid. Now he was dead. And
ding, and was herself at Beremouth, after a little brief wonder and sorstill in youth and beauty, once more row the attention of the world was
the petted daughter of the house- fixed upon his heir, and people of
but Eleanor was there no longer. fashion, pleasure, and literature got
Full three years had passed since ready their best smiles for his apEleanor had gone to London with proval.
Lady Greystock, and elected not to Horace had been well enough
return. They heard from her how- known once. Never exactly sought
333