It appeared a wonderful thing to me,but it turned out that there was no will.He had never so much as thought of making one,so far as his papers afforded any evidence;for there was no kind of hint, sketch, or memorandum,of any testamentary intention whatever.What was scarcely less astonishing to me, was,that his affairs were in a most disordered state.It was extremely difficult, I heard,to make out what he owed, or what he had paid,or of what he died possessed.It was considered likely that for years he could have had no clear opinion on these subjects himself. By little and little it came out, that, in the competition on all points of appearance and gentility then running high in the Commons, he had spent more than his professional income, which was not a very large one, and had reduced his private means, if they ever had been great (which was exceedingly doubtful), to a very low ebb indeed. There was a sale of the furniture and lease, at Norwood; and Tiffey told me, little thinking how interested I was in the story, that, paying all the just debts of the deceased, and deducting his share of outstanding bad and doubtful debts due to the firm, he wouldn’t give a thousand pounds for all the assets remaining.
This was at the expiration of about six weeks.I had suffered tortures all the time;and thought I really must have laid violent hands upon myself,when Miss Mills still reported to me,that my broken-hearted little Dora would say nothing,when I was mentioned, but ‘Oh, poor papa!Oh, dear papa!’ Also, that she had no other relations than two aunts,maiden sisters of Mr. Spenlow, who lived at Putney,and who had not held any other than chance communication with their brother for many years. Not that they had ever quarrelled (Miss Mills informed me); but that having been, on the occasion of Dora’s christening, invited to tea, when they considered themselves privileged to be invited to dinner, they had expressed their opinion in writing, that it was ‘better for the happiness of all parties’ that they should stay away. Since which they had gone their road, and their brother had gone his.
These two ladies now emerged from their retirement,and proposed to take Dora to live at Putney. Dora,clinging to them both, and weeping, exclaimed, ‘O yes, aunts!Please take Julia Mills and me and Jip to Putney!’ So they went, very soon after the funeral.
How I found time to haunt Putney,I am sure I don’t know; but I contrived,by some means or other,to prowl about the neighbourhood pretty often.Miss Mills, for the more exact discharge of the duties of friendship,kept a journal; and she used to meet me sometimes,on the Common, and read it,or (if she had not time to do that) lend it to me.How I treasured up the entries,of which I subjoin a sample--!
‘Monday. My sweet D. still much depressed. Headache.Called attention to J. as being beautifully sleek. D.fondled J. Associations thus awakened,opened floodgates of sorrow. Rush of grief admitted.(Are tears the dewdrops of the heart?J. M.)
‘Tuesday. D. weak and nervous. Beautiful in pallor.(Do we not remark this in moon likewise?J. M.) D., J. M. and J. took airing in carriage. J.looking out of window,and barking violently at dustman,occasioned smile to overspread features of D.(Of such slight links is chain of life composed!J. M.)
‘Wednesday. D. comparatively cheerful. Sang to her,as congenial melody, “Evening Bells”.Effect not soothing, but reverse. D.inexpressibly affected. Found sobbing afterwards,in own room. Quoted verses respecting self and young Gazelle.Ineffectually. Also referred to Patience on Monument.(Qy. Why on monument?J. M.)
‘Thursday. D. certainly improved. Better night.Slight tinge of damask revisiting cheek.Resolved to mention name of D. C. Introduced same,cautiously, in course of airing. D.immediately overcome. “Oh, dear, dear Julia!Oh, I have been a naughty and undutiful child!” Soothed and caressed. Drew ideal picture of D. C.on verge of tomb. D. again overcome. “Oh,what shall I do, what shall I do?Oh, take me somewhere!” Much alarmed. Fainting of D.and glass of water from public-house.(Poetical affinity. Chequered sign on door-post;chequered human life. Alas!J. M.)
‘Friday. Day of incident. Man appears in kitchen,with blue bag, “for lady’s boots left out to heel”.Cook replies, “No such orders.” Man argues point.Cook withdraws to inquire, leaving man alone with J.On Cook’s return, man still argues point,but ultimately goes. J. missing. D. distracted.Information sent to police.Man to be identified by broad nose,and legs like balustrades of bridge.Search made in every direction. No J. D.weeping bitterly, and inconsolable.Renewed reference to young Gazelle. Appropriate,but unavailing. Towards evening, strange boy calls.Brought into parlour. Broad nose, but no balustrades.Says he wants a pound, and knows a dog.Declines to explain further, though much pressed.Pound being produced by D. takes Cook to little house,where J. alone tied up to leg of table. Joy of D.who dances round J. while he eats his supper.Emboldened by this happy change, mention D. C.upstairs. D. weeps afresh, cries piteously, “Oh, don’t, don’t, don’t!It is so wicked to think of anything but poor papa!”--embraces J. and sobs herself to sleep. (Must not D.C. confine himself to the broad pinions of Time?J. M.)’
Miss Mills and her journal were my sole consolation at this period.To see her, who had seen Dora but a little while before--to trace the initial letter of Dora’s name through her sympathetic pages--to be made more and more miserable by her--were my only comforts. I felt as if I had been living in a palace of cards, which had tumbled down, leaving only Miss Mills and me among the ruins; I felt as if some grim enchanter had drawn a magic circle round the innocent goddess of my heart, which nothing indeed but those same strong pinions, capable of carrying so many people over so much, would enable me to enter!
CHAPTER 39. WICKFIELD AND HEEP
My aunt, beginning, I imagine,to be made seriously uncomfortable by my prolonged dejection,made a pretence of being anxious that I should go to Dover,to see that all was working well at the cottage,which was let; and to conclude an agreement,with the same tenant, for a longer term of occupation.Janet was drafted into the service of Mrs. Strong,where I saw her every day. She had been undecided,on leaving Dover, whether or no to give the finishing touch to that renunciation of mankind in which she had been educated, by marrying a pilot; but she decided against that venture. Not so much for the sake of principle, I believe, as because she happened not to like him.
Although it required an effort to leave Miss Mills,I fell rather willingly into my aunt’s pretence,as a means of enabling me to pass a few tranquil hours with Agnes.I consulted the good Doctor relative to an absence of three days;and the Doctor wishing me to take that relaxation,--he wished me to take more;but my energy could not bear that,--I made up my mind to go.