And, therefore, though it spiritually
seemed like being bound to a wheel and broken by its every turn, he was
true to his resolution to remain in the county and devote his time,
wealth, and abilities to the completion of Marian's unfinished works of
benevolence.
Dell-Delight remained unaltered. He could not bear to make it beautiful,
since Marian could not enjoy its beauty. Only such changes were made as
were absolutely necessary in organizing his little household. A distant
relative, a middle-aged lady of exemplary piety, but of reduced fortune,
was engaged to come and preside at his table, and take charge of
Miriam's education, for Miriam was established at Dell-Delight. It is
true that Mrs. Waugh would have wished this arrangement otherwise. She
would have preferred to have the orphan girl with herself, but Commodore
Waugh would not even hear of Miriam's coming to Luckenough with any
patience--"For if her mother had married 'Grim,' none of these
misfortunes would have happened," he said.
Even Jacquelina had been forced to fly from Luckenough; no one knew
wither; some said that she had run away; some knew that she had retired
to a convent; some said only to escape the din and turmoil of the world,
and find rest to her soul in a few months or years of quiet and silence,
and some said she had withdrawn for the purpose of taking the vows and
becoming a nun.
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