ment are beyond even the bright, fitful hopes of spring. There is a
tinge of melancholy, for this is a farewell, though a lingering farewell;
and for that very cause the enduring flowers, the brilliant eaves, the
persevering singing birds, are even more prized than those which, in
earlier months, come less as present boons than foretastes of the future.

Such an Indian summer may be Honor Charlecote's present life. It is not
old age, for she has still the strength and health of her best days, but
it is the later stage of middle life, with experience added to energy.
Her girlhood suffered from a great though high-minded mistake, her
womanhood was careworn and sorrow-stricken. As first the beloved of her
youth, so again the darling of her after-age was a disappointment; but
she was patient, and patience has met with a reward, even in this life.
Desolateness taught her to rely no longer on things of earth, but to
satisfy her soul with that Love which is individual as well as Infinite;
and that lesson learnt, the human affection that once failed her is come
back upon her in full measure. She is no longer forlorn; the children
whom she bred up, and those whom she led by her influence, alike vie with
one another in their love and gratitude.

The old house in Woolstone-lane is her home for the greater part of the
winter and spring, and her chief work lies in her father's former parish,
directed by Mr. Parsons and Robert, and enjoying especially the Sunday
evenings that Owen constantly spends with her in the cedar parlour, in
such converse, whether grave or gay, as men rarely seek save with a
mother, or one who has been as a mother. But she is still the lady of
the Holt. There she still spends autumn and Christmas, resuming her old
habits, without feeling them a burthen; bemoaning a little, but approving
all the while, Humfrey's moderate and successful alterations, and loving
and delighting above all in Phoebe's sweet wisdom in her happy household
rule. It is well worth all the past to return to the Holt with the
holiday feeling of her girlhood.

FOOTNOTE.

{225} Terrify, to tease or worry.

[Picture: Detail from book cover]

***END OF THE PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK HOPES AND FEARS***

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