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- text
- VII.
We know not Pierre Glendinning's thoughts as he gained the village and
passed on beneath its often shrouding trees, and saw no light from man,
and heard no sound from man, but only, by intervals, saw at his feet the
soft ground-lightnings, snake-like, playing in and out among the blades
of grass; and between the trees, caught the far dim light from heaven,
and heard the far wide general hum of the sleeping but still breathing
earth.
He paused before a detached and pleasant house, with much shrubbery
about it. He mounted the portico and knocked distinctly there, just as
the village clock struck one. He knocked, but no answer came. He knocked
again, and soon he heard a sash thrown up in the second story, and an
astonished voice inquired who was there?
"It is Pierre Glendinning, and he desires an instant interview with the
Reverend Mr. Falsgrave."
"Do I hear right?--in heaven's name, what is the matter, young
gentleman?"
"Every thing is the matter; the whole world is the matter. Will you
admit me, sir?"
"Certainly--but I beseech thee--nay, stay, I will admit thee."
In quicker time than could have been anticipated, the door was opened to
Pierre by Mr. Falsgrave in person, holding a candle, and invested in his
very becoming student's wrapper of Scotch plaid.
"For heaven's sake, what is the matter, Mr. Glendinning?"
"Heaven and earth is the matter, sir! shall we go up to the study?"
"Certainly, but--but--"
"Well, let us proceed, then."
They went up-stairs, and soon found themselves in the clergyman's
retreat, and both sat down; the amazed host still holding the candle in
his hand, and intently eying Pierre, with an apprehensive aspect.
"Thou art a man of God, sir, I believe."
"I? I? I? upon my word, Mr. Glendinning!"
"Yes, sir, the world calls thee a man of God. Now, what hast thou, the
man of God, decided, with my mother, concerning Delly Ulver?"
"Delly Ulver! why, why--what can this madness mean?"
"It means, sir, what have thou and my mother decided concerning Delly
Ulver."
"She?--Delly Ulver? She is to depart the neighborhood; why, her own
parents want her not."
"_How_ is she to depart? _Who_ is to take her? Art _thou_ to take her?
_Where_ is she to go? _Who_ has food for her? _What_ is to keep her from
the pollution to which such as she are every day driven to contribute,
by the detestable uncharitableness and heartlessness of the world?"
"Mr. Glendinning," said the clergyman, now somewhat calmly putting down
the candle, and folding himself with dignity in his gown; "Mr.
Glendinning, I will not now make any mention of my natural astonishment
at this most unusual call, and the most extraordinary time of it. Thou
hast sought information upon a certain point, and I have given it to
thee, to the best of my knowledge. All thy after and incidental
questions, I choose to have no answer for. I will be most happy to see
thee at any other time, but for the present thou must excuse my
presence. Good-night, sir."
But Pierre sat entirely still, and the clergyman could not but remain
standing still.
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