Dwell Deep | Page 4

rather cold and distant in
manner towards me. In fact, she had given me the impression that my
arrival had not been welcome to her.
Nelly seated herself in a low rocking-chair, and scanned me rather
mischievously before she proceeded:
'You are such a pretty, bright little thing to look at, that Bible reading
seems so incongruous! Of course, I read my Bible in the evening when
I go to bed--at least, when I am not too tired--but that's a different
matter. Mother said we mustn't take any notice of you, and you would
soon shake off these notions; but Captain Gates said you told him you
didn't intend to lead a gay life as we do--you have evidently taken him
into your confidence--and he said he would back you against us for
your determination of purpose. Now will you take my advice, Hilda?
Don't look so hot and uncomfortable. You haven't come into a houseful
of saints, you know, so you can't expect us to fall in with your views at
once. Mother, of course, won't like it if you go against her plans for you;

she will be very vexed, but she will eventually give in; but it's a
different matter with father, and he is your guardian, remember. He
hates "cant," as he calls it, and he has great ideas of your taking your
position in society as you should. If you cross his will, I warn you you
will bring the house down upon your ears; he never will stand any
opposition. And what father will do by his authority, Kenneth will do
out of sheer love of teasing. He will lead you a life of it, I can tell you;
so I warn you beforehand.'
'But,' I said, flushing a little, though I tried to speak quietly, 'I have no
intention of setting up my will in opposition to your father's--I wouldn't
dream of it. What do you think me like, Nelly?'
Nelly laughed. 'I think you are a curiosity,' she said, 'and whether we
shall crush your originality out of you in a few weeks' time, remains to
be proved. I thought I would give you a friendly intimation of what to
expect. And now good-night!'
She left me, and, perplexed and troubled by her words, I went to my
window, and, opening the casement, leant out to cool my hot cheeks.
Such a soft, still night it was! As I raised my eyes to the innumerable
stars above, and felt the hush and solemnity of the darkness, again the
words came to me: 'Dwell deep.' What did it matter if I found I should
have a cross to take up, if I had to bear a little teasing from others who
did not think as I did? When I realized in the depths of my heart the
riches I had, and the stores of hidden wealth of which they knew
nothing, I could rest down upon it with such comfort, feeling that my
inner life would be sustained and strengthened by One who never left
me. And so I went to sleep that night at perfect peace in my new
surroundings.
CHAPTER II
TAKING A STAND
'Who is not afraid to say his say, Though a whole town's against
him.'--Longfellow.

I was soon at home with the Forsyths. Nelly and Violet treated me as a
sister, and Constance was too much engrossed at present with her own
concerns to take much notice of me. Kenneth was the only one who
was continually bringing forward serious topics of conversation in my
presence, and requesting me to give him my views on them. He never
let me alone, and though I tried to keep out of his way, and say as little
as possible, I found it increasingly difficult. Captain Gates more than
once came to my rescue; but since I felt he had betrayed my confidence
a few evenings before, I could not talk with the same freedom to him.
I saw very little of General Forsyth. He spent the greater part of his
time out of doors, and it was only in the evening that he joined us all.
His children, though fond of him, never seemed to feel at ease in his
company, and I soon found that his will was law with all.
One afternoon soon after my arrival I went out for a stroll across the
fields at the back of the house. I felt I wanted to be alone, and away
from the constant chatter and laughter of the girls. So I wandered on
farther than I had intended, and found myself at last on the edge of a
wild moor. My thoughts were grave ones, but very happy ones; and as I
gazed over the broad expanse of heather in