AlreadyMr.Corbet\'snamewasknownthroughthecountryasthatofagreatlawyer;peoplediscussedhisspeechesandcharacterfarandwide;andthewell-informedinlegalgossipspokeofhimassuretobeofferedajudgeshipatthenextvacancy.Sohe,thoughgrave,andmiddle-aged,andsomewhatgrey,dividedattentionandremarkwithhislovelybride,andherprettytrainofcousinbridesmaids.MissMonroneednothavefearedforEllinor:shesawandheardallthingsasinamist——adream;assomethingshehadtogothrough,beforeshecouldwakenuptoarealityofbrightnessinwhichheryouth,andthehopesofheryouth,shouldberestored,andallthesewearyyearsofdreaminessandwoeshouldberevealedasnothingbutthenightmareofanight.Shesatmotionlessenough,stillenough,MissMonrobyher,watchingherasintentlyasakeeperwatchesamadman,andwiththesamepurpose——topreventanyoutburstevenbybodilystrength,ifsuchrestraintbeneeded.Whenallwasover;whentheprincipalpersonagesoftheceremonyhadfiledintothevestrytosigntheirnames;whentheswarmoftownspeopleweregoingoutasswiftlyastheirindividualnotionsoftherestraintsofthesacrededificepermitted;whenthegreatchordsofthe\"WeddingMarch\"clangedoutfromtheorgan,andtheloudbellspealedoverhead——EllinorlaidherhandinMissMonro\'s.\"Takemehome,\"shesaidsoftly.AndMissMonroledherhomeasoneleadstheblind.
CHAPTERXII.
Therearesomepeoplewhoimperceptiblyfloatawayfromtheiryouthintomiddleage,andthencepassintodeclininglifewiththesoftandgentlemotionofhappyyears.Thereareotherswhoarewhirled,inspiteofthemselves,downdizzyrapidsofagonyawayfromtheiryouthatonegreatbound,intooldagewithanothersuddenshock;andthenceintothevastcalmoceanwheretherearenoshore-markstotelloftime.
Thislast,itseemed,wastobeEllinor\'slot.Heryouthhadgoneinasinglenight,fifteenyearsago,andnowsheappearedtohavebecomeanelderlywoman;verystillandhopelessinlookandmovement,butassweetandgentleinspeechandsmileasevershehadbeeninherhappiestdays.Allyoungpeople,whentheycametoknowher,lovedherdearly,thoughatfirsttheymightcallherdull,andheavytogetonwith;andasforchildrenandoldpeople,herreadywatchfulsympathyintheirjoysaswellastheirsorrowswasanunfailingpassagetotheirhearts.AfterthefirstgreatshockofMr.Corbet\'smarriagewasover,sheseemedtopassintoagreaterpeacethanshehadknownforyears;thelastfainthopeofhappinesswasgone;itwould,perhaps,bemoreaccuratetosay,ofthebrighthappinessshehadplannedforherselfinherearlyyouth.
Unconsciously,shewasbeingweanedfromself-seekinginanyshape,andherdailylifebecame,ifpossible,moreinnocentandpureandholy.Oneofthecanonsusedtolaughatherforherconstantattendanceatalltheservices,andforherdevotiontogoodworks,andcallheralwaysthereverendsister.MissMonrowasalittleannoyedatthisfaintclericaljoke;Ellinorsmiledquietly.MissMonrodisapprovedofEllinor\'sgravewaysandsoberseverestyleofdress.