The Clever Woman of the Family [21]
and bring her in to Myrtlewood for Fanny to see." "Yes, that might do in time; but I shall make up my mind first. Poor Fanny is so easily led that we must take care what influences fall in her way." "I always wished you would call." "Yes, and I would not by way of patronage to please Mr. Touchett, but this is for a purpose; and I hope we shall find both sisters at home." Mackarel Lane was at right angles to the shore, running up the valley of the Avon; but it soon ceased to be fishy, and became agricultural, owning a few cottages of very humble gentility, which were wont to hang out boards to attract lodgers of small means. At one of these Grace rang, and obtained admittance to a parlour with crazy French windows opening on a little strip of garden. In a large wheeled chair, between the fire and the window, surrounded by numerous little appliances for comfort and occupation, sat the invalid Miss Williams, holding out her hand in welcome to the guests. "A fine countenance! what one calls a fine countenance!" thought Rachel. "Is it a delusion of insipidity as usual? The brow is good, massive, too much for the features, but perhaps they were fuller once; eyes bright and vigorous, hazel, the colour for thought; complexion meant to be brilliant brunette, a pleasant glow still; hair with threads of grey. I hope she does not affect youth; she can't be less than one or two and thirty! Many people set up for beauties with far less claim. What is the matter with her? It is not the countenance of deformity--accident, I should say. Yes, it is all favourable except the dress. What a material; what a pattern! Did she get it second-hand from a lady's-maid? Will there be an incongruity in her conversation to match? Let us see. Grace making inquiries--Quite at my best--Ah! she is not one of the morbid sort, never thinking themselves better." "I was afraid, I had not seen you out for some time." "No; going out is a troublesome business, and sitting in the garden answers the same purpose." "Of air, perhaps, but hardly of change or of view." "Oh! I assure you there is a wonderful variety," she answered, with an eager and brilliant smile. "Clouds and sunsets?" asked Rachel, beginning to be interested. "Yes, differing every day. Then I have the tamarisk and its inhabitants. There has been a tom-tit's nest every year since we came, and that provides us with infinite amusement. Besides the sea- gulls are often so good as to float high enough for me to see them. There is a wonderful charm in a circumcribed view, because one is obliged to look well into it all." "Yes; eyes and no eyes apply there," said Rachel. "We found a great prize, too, the other day. Rosie!" At the call a brown-haired, brown-eyed child of seven, looking like a little fawn, sprang to the window from the outside. "My dear, will you show the sphynx to Miss Curtis?" The little girl daintily brought a box covered with net, in which a huge apple-green caterpillar, with dashes of bright colour on his sides, and a horny spike on his tail, was feasting upon tamarisk leaves. Grace asked if she was going to keep it. "Yes, till it buries itself," said the child. "Aunt Ermine thinks it is the elephant sphynx." "I cannot be sure," said the aunt, "my sister tried to find a figure of it at Villars', but he had no book that gave the caterpillars. Do you care for those creatures?" "I like to watch them," said Grace, "but I know nothing about them scientifically; Rachel does that." "Then can you help us to the history of our sphynx?" asked Miss Williams, with her pleasant look. "I will see if I have his portrait," said Rachel, "but I doubt it. I prefer general principles to details." "Don't you find working out details the best way of entering into general principles?" It was new to Rachel to find the mention of a general principle received neither with a stare nor a laugh; and she gathered herself up to answer, "Naming and collecting is not science." "And masonry is not architecture, but you can't have architecture