“If your purse is not here, Mrs. Effingham, I shall be most happy to accommodate you,” she said with a smile; and there being no time for reflection, the note was hesitatingly received by Clemence, and transferred to the clergyman, who shortly afterwards quitted the house, leaving the young wife the consciousness of having performed not a liberal, but a foolish act—of being, not the benefactress of the poor, but a plaything in the hands of Lady Selina.
“Shall I never acquire the power of saying ‘No,’ and lose my childish fear of offending or disappointing?” thought Clemence, greatly discontented with herself. “I am actually in debt to Lady Selina; but I will not be so beyond this evening. I will speak to my husband frankly, and ask him to advance me some of the interest that will be due to me in June. I will try to be much more prudent and watchful over my expenditure in future, divide my several items of expense, and appropriate a fixed sum to each, so that vanity may never encroach on benevolence, or thoughtless folly leave me again without the means of assisting the poor. I see that economy is not required alone by those whose means are narrow; true is the saying, that every man, whatever be his wealth, is poor, if he spend a shilling more than he possesses!”
ILL NEWS.
More impatiently than usual Clemence on this evening awaited her husband’s return from the city. That return was delayed far beyond the usual hour. Clemence felt, however, at first no uneasiness at his absence. He had had some unusual press of business, or had been delayed by seeing some friend. Twilight deepened into night, the shutters were closed, the lamp was lighted on the table, and many observations were exchanged as to the cause of Mr. Effingham’s lateness.
“Papa’s watch must have gone backwards,” observed Louisa, who, wrapped up in shawl and fur cloak, occupied an invalid’s place on the sofa.
“If he were as hungry as I am,” cried Vincent, “he’d have no need of a watch! Well, there’s no use in watching and waiting; who’ll have a game of draughts with me to while away the time?”
“Not I,” said Louisa wearily; “there is no use in commencing anything which we may have to leave off in a minute.”
“Draughts is the most tiresome game in the world, and only fit for children,” added Arabella.
“Set the pieces, Vincent, and I’ll try if I cannot beat you,” said Clemence, putting aside her work. Vincent readily obeyed, and a game was commenced. Lady Selina took out her watch.