“I don’t know that there is much to congratulate about,” she said, looking at him with a sad expression in her big eyes; “but I have got over the worst of it, they say, thank you.”
“I was very much shocked to hear of Mr. Tallant’s death. I only heard of it yesterday,” said Arthur.
“What has become of you lately?—you have not been in this neighbourhood for a long time,” said Mrs. Somerton, evidently only attending to her own thoughts.
“I have been engaged on an important work, which has occupied me almost night and day for several months past,” Arthur said.
“Will you not sit down, sir?” Mrs. Somerton asked. “I am sorry I can’t get about to offer you a seat.”
Arthur sat down beside the neat bright fireplace, and looked into the burning coals with a variety of curious feelings: he longed to ask all kinds of questions, but feared to do so.
“Many strange things may occur in a few months,” said Mrs. Somerton; “the purpose of a life-time is easily upset.”
Arthur said nothing, but looked curiously up at the speaker.
“We all think we are very clever, and we go on planning and planning; but things are not to be as we like: there is a Power above us.”
“True,” said Arthur, “we must all bend to the decrees of Providence.”