'
Jane tried to speak, but sobs prevented her, and she gave way to a
violent fit of crying. Her cousin feared he had been unwise in
saying so much, and had weakened the effect of his own words. He
would have been glad to see tears of repentance, but he was afraid
that she was weeping over fancied unkindness, and that he might have
done what might be hurtful to her in her weak state. He said a few
kind words, and tried to console her, but this change of tone rather
added to her distress, and she became hysterical. He was much vexed
and alarmed, and, ringing the bell, hastened to call assistance. He
found Esther, and sent her to Jane, and on returning to the
schoolroom with some water, he found her lying exhausted on the sofa;
he therefore went in search of his uncle, who was overlooking some
farming work, and many were the apologies made, and many the
assurances he received, that it would be better for her in the end,
as the impression would be more lasting.
Jane was scarcely conscious of her cousin's departure, or of Esther's
arrival, but after drinking some water, and lying still for a few
moments, she exclaimed, 'Oh, Robert! oh, Esther! the confirmation!'
and gasped and sobbed again.
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