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"No"

"It has been your own doing entirely?" Catherine said nothing

After a short silence, during which he had closely observed her, he added, "As there is nothing in the room in itself to raise curiosity, this must have proceeded from a sentiment of respect for my mother's character, as described by Eleanor, which does honour to her memory The world, I believe, never saw a better woman

But it is not often that virtue can boast an interest such as this

The do merits of a person never known do not often create that kind of fervent, venerating tenderness which would prompt a visit like yours Eleanor, I suppose, has talked of her a great deal?"

"Yes, a great deal That is--no, notso suddenly" (slowly, and with hesitation it was spoken), "and you--none of you being at hoht--perhaps had not been very fond of her"

"And from these circumstances," he replied (his quick eye fixed on hers), "you infer perhaps the probability of soence--some"--(involuntarily she shook her head)--"or itstill less pardonable" She raised her eyes towards him more fully than she had ever done before "My mother's illness," he continued, "the seizure which ended in her death, was sudden

The malady itself, one from which she had often suffered, a bilious fever--its cause therefore constitutional On the third day, in short, as soon as she could be prevailed on, a physician attended her, a very respectable reat confidence Upon his opinion of her danger, two others were called in the next day, and remained in almost constant attendance for four and twenty hours On the fifth day she died During the progress of her disorder, Frederick and I (ere both at home) saw her repeatedly; and fro received every possible attention which could spring from the affection of those about her, or which her situation in life could command Poor Eleanor was absent, and at such a distance as to return only to see her mother in her coffin"

"But your father," said Catherine, "was he afflicted?"

"For a ti him not attached to her He loved her, I am persuaded, as well as it was possible for him to--we have not all, you know, the same tenderness of disposition--and I will not pretend to say that while she lived, she h his tement never did His value of her was sincere; and, if not permanently, he was truly afflicted by her death"