It stood on a slope so solitary, and surrounded by trees so dense,
that the birds who inhabited the boughs sang at strange hours, as if
they hardly could distinguish night from day.
During the progress of repairs at this bower Barbara frequently
visited it. Though so secluded by the dense growth, it was near the
high road, and one day while looking over the fence she saw Lord
Uplandtowers riding past. He saluted her courteously, yet with
mechanical stiffness, and did not halt. Barbara went home, and
continued to pray that she might never cease to love her husband.
After that she sickened, and did not come out of doors again for a
long time.
The year of education had extended to fourteen months, and the house
was in order for Edmond's return to take up his abode there with
Barbara, when, instead of the accustomed letter for her, came one to
Sir John Grebe in the handwriting of the said tutor, informing him
of a terrible catastrophe that had occurred to them at Venice. Mr
Willowes and himself had attended the theatre one night during the
Carnival of the preceding week, to witness the Italian comedy, when,
owing to the carelessness of one of the candle-snuffers, the theatre
had caught fire, and been burnt to the ground. Few persons had lost
their lives, owing to the superhuman exertions of some of the
audience in getting out the senseless sufferers; and, among them
all, he who had risked his own life the most heroically was Mr.
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