at first would not hear of this, showing a lively dread of
challenging any reappearance of the figure he had seen: indeed he felt
that such an event would probably fling him into a state of serious
physical disorder. Mr. Gaskell, however, continued to press him,
assuring him that the fact of his now being no longer alone should
largely allay any fear on his part, and urging that this would be the
last opportunity they would have of playing together for some months.

At last, being overborne, my brother took his violin, and Mr. Gaskell
seated himself at the pianoforte. John was very agitated, and as he
commenced the _Gagliarda_ his hands trembled so that he could scarcely
play the air. Mr. Gaskell also exhibited some nervousness, not
performing with his customary correctness. But for the first time the
charm failed: no noise accompanied the music, nor did anything of an
unusual character occur. They repeated the whole suite, but with a
similar result.

Both were surprised, but neither, had any explanation to offer. My
brother, who at first dreaded intensely a repetition of the vision, was
now almost disappointed that nothing had occurred; so quickly does the
mood of man change.

After some further conversation the young men parted for the Long
Vacation--John returning to Worth Maltravers and Mr. Gaskell going to
London, where he was to pass a few days before he proceeded to his home
in Westmorland.

CHAPTER V

John spent nearly the whole of this summer vacation at Worth Maltravers.
He had been anxious to pay a visit to Royston; but the continued and
serious illness of Mrs. Temple's sister had called her and Constance to
Scotland, where they remained until the death of their relative allowed
them to return to Derbyshire in the late autumn. John and I had been
brought up together from childhood. When he was at Eton we had always
spent the holidays at Worth, and after my dear mother's death, when we
were left quite alone, the bonds of our love were naturally drawn still
closer. Even after my brother went to Oxford, at a time when most young
men are anxious to enjoy a new-found liberty, and to travel or to visit
friends in their vacation, John's ardent affection for me and for Worth
Maltravers kept him at home; and he was pleased on most occasions to
make me the partner of his thoughts and of his pleasures. This long
vacation of 1842 was, I think, the happiest of our lives. In my case I
know it was so, and I th