All this Aurelia described, comparing the customs with those of her
own county, her heart beating all the time under the doubt how to
venture on describing the fulfilment of her commission. At last Mr.
Belamour said,
"In such a scene of gaiety, no doubt the recollection of sorrow had
no place."
"O sir, you could not think I should forget."
"I thought I might have asked more than was possible to you."
"It was the only part of the day that I enjoyed. I took little Fay
with me, for no one seemed to care for her, while Amy was queening
it with all the Wheatfields, and Letty was equally happy with her
foster mother. I could see the church spire, so I needed not to ask
the way, and we crossed the stubble fields, while the sun sent a
beautiful slanting light through the tall elm trees that closed in
the churchyard, but let one window glitter between them like a great
diamond. It looked so peaceful after all the noise we left behind,
even little Fay felt it, and said she loved the quiet walk along the
green baulks [An unplowed strip of land--D.L.]. The churchyard has
a wooden rail with steps to cross it on either side, and close under
the church wall is a tomb, a great square simple block, surmounted
by an urn."
"Yes, let me hear," said the voice, eager, though stifled.
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