“My dear aunt, how can you talk so? Your life has been so full of usefulness that you may well afford to take rest now that your health is not quite so good as it has been. Even in your drawing-room here you are doing good. It is only right that young people should carry out your instructions, and work for you. I have heard, too, of your munificent gift to St. Edmund’s.”
“It is nothing, my dear. When all is counted, it is nothing. I have tried to lead a righteous life. I have tried to do good; but now sitting alone by this fire day after day, night after night, it all seems vain and empty. There is no comfort in the thought of it all, Mildred. I have had the praise of men, but never the approval of my own conscience.”
There was a brief silence, Mildred feeling it vain to argue against her aunt’s tone of self-upbraiding, unable to fathom the mind which prompted the words.
“Then you are not going back to your husband?” Miss Fausset asked abruptly, as if in utter forgetfulness of all that had been said; and then suddenly recollecting herself, “you have made up your mind, you say. Well, in that case you can stay with me—make this your home. You may take up my work, perhaps—by and by.”
“Yes, aunt, I hope I may be able to do so. My life has been idle and useless since my great sorrow. I want to learn to be of more use in the world; and you can teach me, if you will.”
“I will, Mildred. I want you to be happy. I have made my will. You will inherit the greater part of my fortune.”
“My dear aunt, I don’t want—”
“No, you are rich enough already, I know; but I should like you to have still larger means, to profit by my death. You will use your wealth for the good of others, as I have tried—feebly tried—to use mine. You will be rich enough to found a sisterhood, if you like—the Sisters of St. Edmund. I have done all I mean to do for the Church. Mr. Maltravers knows that.”
“Dear aunt, why should we talk of these things? You have many years of life before you, I hope.”
“No, Mildred, the end is not far off. I feel worn out and broken. I am a doomed woman.”