51. CHAPTER LI.
GATHERED FRAGMENTS.
We might say more things of Richard, and of what pertains
to him; we might relate how, through the Governor,
who was one of the corporators of the Dam and Mills, he
became Agent of that extensive interest; how he built a
fine house on land near Bill Stonners' Point, deemed one
of the most picturesque spots in the Beauty of Woodylin;
and how he got the land, with its fine park of forest trees,
of Mysie and Chuk, who would part with it to nobody else;
how he was respected and beloved by his fellow-citizens,
and became Mayor of the city; and how the Griped Hand
continued to flourish, recruiting the Church on the one
hand, and replenishing the purity and beauty, the law and
order, of the city, on the other. But, leaving these things,
as, perhaps, we are bound in justice to do, “to the imagination
of the reader,” we shall briefly advert to one or two
other topics.
Barbara, as Cousin Rowena forethought, and the ring
seemed to announce, married Chassford. Their nuptials
were celebrated with becoming dignity and lustre. Richard
facilitated this consummation, — first, by his faithful dealing
with Chassford's vices; secondly, by the support he afforded
to his virtues. We have so far outlined the character both
of Barbara and Chassford as possibly to afford ground for
the opinion that they were eminently fit for each other, as
regards native and genuine qualities of mind and heart, and
in matter of taste and education.
There interfered a melancholy barrier to their mutual
wishes, in the incipient profligacy of Chassford. If Richard
had his sorrows, Barbara was not without hers. And it is
worthy of remark, that while Richard was secretly laboring
to reform Chassford, Barbara was equally active, in a silent
way, for the restoration of Richard. Cousin Rowena was
not a little inspired by Barbara. In fact, Richard understood
Chassford better than Barbara did, and Barbara understood
Richard better than Melicent did; and not unnaturally.
A great sorrow often disturbs the judgment in the direction
in which it moves, leaving it clear in other quarters. So
Barbara, darkened in regard to Chassford, thought she
could distinctly translate Richard to Melicent, as Richard
presumed he had the key to Chassford. After his return to
Melicent, Richard had freer opportunity to work for the
hearts and happiness of these unfortunate ones. If the
repentance of the sinner communicates joy to the heavenly
world, there must be pleasure in the sight of Fidelity fondly
sweeping among the waste of things for the lost piece of
virtue, — Hope sitting on the shore of evil, trying to discern
the form of the beloved one in the distant wreck, — Affection
welcoming the weather-worn memories of other days,
opening its doors to the promise and aspiration of a new life,
and healing the wounds which sin has made. If Love cannot
forgive, how shall Justice ever?
Glendar bowed himself politely from the Governor's
Family and from the city, as he does from this Tale.
Mrs. Melbourne bore no malice, and would allow that
she was actuated by no meanness, toward Richard. She
believed Miss Eyre, — her prejudices reïnforced her belief;
her energy, having so strong a team in hand, would easily
haul Richard to perdition. His elevation, compassed in
spite of herself, she had at length the good sense to see was
deserved, and the candor to applaud.
We take our leave of Miss Eyre with an unaffected
interest and the tenderest compassion. Forgiven by others,
she could not forgive herself. She would lay a daily offering
of loneliness and woe on the altar of the Great Good
she had impeded. Roscoe would really have married her;
there was an oddity in the thing that suited the oddity of
his temper; — or, rather, there was romance in her history
which kindled his imagination; and more, there was a deep,
underlying vividness, freedom, struggle, in all her life,
which comported with the sensibilities of his own nature, —
sensibilities hidden by the roughness and reserve of his
ordinary manner. She replied, “There is a spot sacred to
the memory and peace of Junia, where she practised submission
and obtained serenity; and, what I have never done,
by schooling the importunities of her heart, and frowardness
of her will, she became strong in faith, and heroic in action.
Thither I would go. I have lived, I know not to what end,
or with what motive. I must ripen in seclusion those
virtues which can alone make life tolerable, or endeavor
useful. If you can love me, remember me; and if you
remember me, it will help me.” She went to the farm-cottage
where Junia spent so many agreeable months.
Miss Freeling married Mr. Cosgrove, and Cousin Rowena
Teacher Willwell. This was Richard's doings, — nay,
Teacher Willwell did it himself. Practising the rule he
taught, — to see what things are made for, — at the nuptials
of Richard and Melicent, he decided that Cousin was made
for himself. She marvelled that so simple a rule could be
so accurate.
Simon rose to the post of Richard's hack-driver.
Captain Creamer so far prospered as to be able to take of
Richard the rent of the identical saw at which he had
originally offered Richard the chance of the slip.
Memmy and Bebby, — God bless their little hearts!
words fail to describe their joy in seeing Uncle Richard
happy again, and particularly at the sight of his new house;
and all the fleeting, bird-like ways they took to show it, —
and how they ran of errands between Mamma and Aunt
Melicent, — and in a little basket, under a little cover, carried
dishes of strawberries, and rounds of warm, light cake,
and an occasional potted pigeon.
