An Old Man's Love
a higher sphere in life we shall expect soon to hear. Then came a
period of thorough enjoyment for Mr Blake in superintending the work
of Mr Newface.
"What a pity it is that the house should ever be finished!" said
the bride to Augusta Hall; "because as things are now, Montagu is
supremely happy: he will never be so happy again."
"Unless when the baby comes," said Augusta.
"I don't think he'll care a bit about the baby," said the bride.
The writer, however, is of a different opinion, as he is inclined
to think that the Reverend Montagu Blake will be a pattern for all
fathers. One word more we must add of Mr Whittlestaff and his future
life,--and one word of Mrs Baggett. Mr Whittlestaff did not leave
Croker's Hall. When October had come round, he was present at Mary's
marriage, and certainly did not carry himself then with any show
of outward joy. He was moody and silent, and, as some said, almost
uncourteous to John Gordon. But before Mary went down to the train,
in preparation of her long wedding-tour, he took her up to his
bedroom, and there said a final word to her. "Give him my love."
"Oh, my darling! you have made me so happy."
"You will find me better when you come back, though I shall never
cease to regret all that I have lost."
Mrs Baggett accepted her destiny, and remained in supreme dominion
over all women-kind at Croker's Hall. But there was private pecuniary
arrangement between her and her master, of which I could never learn
the details. It resulted, however, in the sending of a money-order
every Saturday morning to an old woman in whose custody the Sergeant
was left.
* * * * * *
Transcriber's notes:
Obvious typographical errors have been corrected. Specific
changes in wording of the text are listed below.
Chapter II, paragraph 1. The word "man's" has been substituted
for "man his" in the sentence: In some things his life had been
successful; but these were matters in which the world does not
write down a MAN'S good luck as being generally conducive to his
happiness.
Chapter V, paragraph 47. The words "living here" have been
substituted for "loving him" in the sentence: After all that has
passed between us, you can hardly go on LIVING HERE as you have
done.
Chapter VI, last paragraph. The words "than that" have been
substituted for "that than" in the sentence: The weather is very
hot, and from morning till night there is no occupation other
THAN THAT of looking for diamonds, and the works attending it.
Chapter IX, paragraph 8. The sentence, "There isn't a better
fellow living than Mr Furnival, or his wife, or his four
daughters." might leave the reader wondering who is Mr Furnival,
as the name does not appear again in the text. The man referred
to is later called Mr Hall.
Chapter XV, paragraph 12. The word "his" has been inserted in the
sentence: "Have you seen HIS diamonds, Miss Lawrie?"
Chapter XV, paragraph 32. The word "as" has been inserted in the
sentence: "I don't know any spot on God's earth that I should be
less likely to choose AS my abiding resting-place."
Chapter XIX, paragraph 56. The word "gone" has been substituted
for "come" in the sentence: "What is it he means, Miss?" said Mrs
Baggett, when the master was GONE.
Chapter XXI, paragraph 35. The word "it" has been inserted in the
sentence: "What is IT that you wish, Mr Whittlestaff?" he asked.
Chapter XXII, paragraph 42. The word "had" has been substituted
for "has" in the sentence: For indeed her life in public,--her
life, that is, to which Mrs Baggett HAD access,--had been in some
degree disturbed since the departure of the master of the house.
Chapter XXIV, paragraph 34. The word "those" has been substituted
for "these" in the sentence: How well you understood me in THOSE
old days.
Chapter XXIV, paragraph 53. The word "were" has been substitute
for "was" in the sentence: You whom I had always loved and prayed
for, when I knew not where you WERE!