"And now I set thee down to try
How thou canst walk alone."
Scarcely eight months had passed since the last recorded conversation, when Marian, in a
dress of deep mourning, was slowly pacing the garden paths, her eyes fixed on the
ground, and an expression of thoughtful sadness on her face. Heavy indeed had been the
strokes that had fallen upon her. Before the last summer had closed, the long sufferings of
her father had been terminated by one of the violent attacks, which had often been
expected to be fatal. Nor was this all that she had to mourn. With winter had come severe
colds and coughs; Lady Arundel was seized with an inflammation of the chest, her
constitution had been much enfeebled by watching, anxiety, and grief, and in a very few
days her children were orphans.
It was the day following the funeral. Mrs. Wortley was staying in the house, as were also
the two guardians of the young Sir Gerald Arundel and his sister. These were Mr.
Lyddell, a relation of Lady Arundel; and our former acquaintance, Edmund Arundel, in
whom, young as he was, his uncle had placed full confidence. He had in fact been
entirely brought up by Sir Edmund, and knew no other home than Fern Torr, having been
sent thither an orphan in earliest childhood. His uncle and aunt had supplied the place of
parents, and had been well rewarded for all they had done for him, by his consistent well
doing and completely filial affection for them.
Marian was startled from her musings by his voice close at hand, saying, "All alone,
Marian?"
"Gerald is with Jemmy Wortley, somewhere," she replied, "and I begged Mrs. Wortley
and Agnes to go down the village and leave me alone. I have been very busy all the
morning, and my head feels quite confused with thoughts!"
"I am glad to have found you," said Edmund. "I have seen so little of you since I have
been here."
"Yes, you have been always with Mr. Lyddell. When does he go?"
"And you stay longer, I hope?"
"Only till Monday; I wish it was possible to stay longer, but it is something to have a
Sunday to spend here."
