and
perhaps in John's also, one of her greatest attractions.

"I do not like even his picture," Mrs. Temple continued, "and strange
tales have been narrated of it by idle servants which are not worth
repeating. I have sometimes thought of destroying it; but my late
husband, being a Temple, would never hear of this, or even of removing
it from its present place in the gallery; and I should be loath to do
anything now contrary to his wishes, once so strongly expressed. It is,
besides, very perfect from an artistic point of view, being painted by
Battoni, and in his happiest manner."

I could never glean more from Mrs. Temple; but what she told me
interested me deeply. It seemed another link in the chain, though
I could scarcely tell why, that Adrian Temple should be so great a
musician and violinist. I had, I fancy, a dim idea of that malign and
outlawed spirit sitting alone in darkness for a hundred years, until he
was called back by the sweet tones of the Italian music, and the lilt of
the "Areopagita" that he had loved so long ago.

CHAPTER IX

John's recovery, though continuous and satisfactory, was but slow;
and it was not until Easter, which fell early, that his health was
pronounced to be entirely re-established. The last few weeks of his
convalescence had proved to all of us a time of thankful and tranquil
enjoyment. If I may judge from my own experience, there are few epochs
in our life more favourable to the growth of sentiments of affection
and piety, or more full of pleasurable content, than is the period of
gradual recovery from serious illness. The chastening effect of our
recent sickness has not yet passed away, and we are at once grateful to
our Creator for preserving us, and to our friends for the countless acts
of watchful kindness which it is the peculiar property of illness to
evoke.

No mother ever nursed a son more tenderly than did Mrs. Temple nurse
my brother, and before his restoration to health was complete the
attachment between him and Constance had ripened into a formal
betrothal. Such an alliance was, as I have before explained,
particularly suitable, and its prospect afforded the most lively
pleasure to all those concerned. The month of March had been unusually
mild, and Royston being situated in a valley, as is the case with most
houses of that date, was well sheltered from cold winds. It had,
moreover, a south aspect, and as my brother gradually gathered strength,
Constance