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Page 11
Mrs. Fortescue was, for some days, very poorly, and at length took to
her bed. Mr. Barclay was daily in attendance, affording her all the
religious consolation in his power, but he saw, although resigned,
there was something on her mind; and was not mistaken. She felt her
earthly race was well nigh run, and she was anxious as to Ethelind's
future fate. She knew God had said, "leave thy fatherless children to
me," and she felt she could do so, and she knew also, that it was
written, "commit thy way unto the Lord, and he shall bring it to
pass;" he had said, and would he not surely do it? She was one on whom
sorrow had done a blessed work.
Mr. Barclay calling one morning, found Ethelind out. It was an
opportunity he had long desired, and having read and prayed with Mrs.
F., he told her he feared some anxiety was still pressing on her mind.
"Yes," said she, "though I feel it to be wrong, I cannot help wishing
to be permitted to linger a little longer here, for Ethelind's sake,
though I know that God is all sufficient, still it is the infirmity of
human nature."
"Make your mind easy on that head, my dear Mrs. Fortescue, for if
Ethelind will but trust her happiness with me, gladly will I become
her protector."
"Oh, Mr. Barclay how thankfully would I trust my child in such
keeping, but would your means support the incumbrance of a wife."
"Believe in my truth, at such a moment; I have sufficient for both."
"Almighty God, I thank thee!" exclaimed the invalid.
Mr. Barclay now insisted on her taking her medicine, which had such a
soothing effect that she soon after fell into a peaceful slumber. He
sat sometime musing, when Hannah, who had alone been helping Ethelind
nurse her mother, came in, and Mr. Barclay rose to go.
He met Ethelind at the door, and finding she was going to her mother,
told her she was asleep, and asked to speak with her in the parlour.
Only requesting permission to be assured that he was not mistaken as
to Mrs. Fortescue not being awake, she promised to join him
immediately.
"Ethelind," said he with some emotion, "will you, dare you, trust your
happiness with me? Can you be contented to share my lot, and help me
in the discharge of my duties. Will the retired life I lead, be
consonant with your tastes and wishes. Tell me honestly; you, I know,
will not deceive me. Your mother, I fear, is seriously ill, and if, as
I sometimes dare hope, you love me, let us give her the satisfaction
of seeing us united ere she is called hence."
"Mr. Barclay," said Ethelind, soon as she could speak, "were I
differently circumstanced, gladly would I unite my fate with yours,
but with your present limited means, I should only be a burden. You
have, perhaps, a mother and sisters dependent on you, with whose
comfort I might interfere."
"They are," said he, "perfectly independent of me; but tell me if I
have that interest in your affections that alone can make me happy,
tell me the truth, I shall not respect you the less."
"Oh, Mr. Barclay, I shall be but too happy," said Ethelind, bursting
into tears, "but can I really believe you."
"I was never more earnest, and I will add, more happy in my life; but
my Ethelind," continued he, "your mother's health is so precarious
that I must insist on your consulting her, and naming an early day to
be mine."
"But I cannot, will not leave her; no, we must wait."
"You shall not, my sweet girl, leave your respected parent. No, while
it pleases God to spare her life, you shall not be separated from her
one hour; she shall live with us, But I shall write to my mother and
sisters, who must witness my happiness;--but you are agitated,
dearest, do you repent or desire to rescind?"
"Oh! no;" said Ethelind, "but this is so unexpected. Oh, let me go to
my beloved mother, pray do, Mr. Barclay," said she, drawing away the
hand he still strove to retain in his.
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