“If you wish to see Miss Damer, come in one of the morning coaches,” said Elizabeth.
“I thank you, ma’am, kindly,” said the nurse. “You are now in good hands, my dear young lady, so do not fret; Providence, I have often told you, would never desert so dutiful a daughter; and you find an old woman’s words may be true. We shall be happy yet, never fear. People cannot forget their own. Never mind if they do: there is an eye over you in all your ways. And there is a death-bed, too,” said she in a low voice; “then conscience will be heard—there is no saying, I won’t hear; no creeping into corners, and running away. When the arms drop, and the head is weary with anguish, coaxing and paint will not give one jot of comfort; no, nor the sight of the most beautiful face upon earth. Be good, then, my dear young lady, for the evil day will come to us; and what a blessing it will be, if we can say with sincerity, ‘the Lord’s will be done.’”
CHAPTER IX.
As Elizabeth was stepping into the chaise she suddenly recollected the trunk; and turning to the nurse, desired it might be instantly corded, and given to the driver. A man who was standing at the hall door exclaimed, “but we must first search it.”
“Search it, then,” cried Elizabeth, haughtily, “but do not detain us in the cold.”
“Cold, forsooth!” said the man; “I wonder what people would be at, with their fine carriages! I shall take my own time, I can assure you, ma’am, though your feathers are so high!”
“There is no arguing with vulgar, obstinate people,” said Elizabeth, as she drew up the chaise window; she did not consider, that civility is due to every person; it is, however, too much the case with young ladies that they think they have a right to command with authority, and, however unreasonable, that their command must be obeyed.
Elizabeth saw that her pupil was too deeply affected to answer any questions, therefore during the ride remained silent. In the evening, however, Miss Damer mentioned that her father had left the kingdom, and with a trembling voice added, “there are circumstances, ma’am, which it would not become me to reveal; when Mrs. Adair returns home, as far as I am at liberty, I will explain the cause of our distress.”