Chapter 25

           "Thesethingshappenedlastwinter,sir,"saidMrs.Dean;"hardlymorethanayearago.Lastwinter,Ididnotthink,atanothertwelvemonths’end,Ishouldbeamusingastrangertothefamilywithrelatingthem!Yet,whoknowshowlongyou’llbeastranger?You’retooyoungtorestalwayscontented,livingbyyourself;andIsomewayfancynoonecouldseeCatherineLintonandnotloveher.Yousmile;butwhydoyoulooksolivelyandinterested,whenItalkabouther?andwhyhaveyouaskedmetohangherpictureoveryourfireplace?andwhy-"

           "Stop,mygoodfriend!"Icried."ItmaybeverypossiblethatIshouldloveher;butwouldsheloveme?Idoubtittoomuchtoventuremytranquillitybyrunningintotemptation:andthenmyhomeisnothere.I’mofthebusyworld,andtoitsarmsImustreturn.Goon.WasCatherineobedienttoherfather’scommands?"

           "Shewas,"continuedthehousekeeper,"Heraffectionforhimwasstillthechiefsentimentinherheart;andhespokewithoutanger:hespokeinthedeeptendernessofoneabouttoleavehistreasureamidperilsandfoes,wherehisrememberedwordswouldbetheonlyaidthathecouldbequeathtoguideher.Hesaidtome,afewdaysafterwards:

           "’Iwishmynephewwouldwrite,Ellen,orcall.