第45部分(第2/8 頁)

　idea—this　strange　recurrence　of　one　image；　and　I　grew　nervous　as　bedtime　approached　and　the　hour　of　the　vision　drew　near。　It　was　from　panionship　with　this　baby…　phantom　I　had　been　roused　on　that　moonlight　night　when　I　heard　the　cry；　and　it　was　on　the　afternoon　of　the　day　following　I　was　summoned　downstairs　by　a　message　that　some　one　wanted　me　in　Mrs。　Fairfax’s　room。　On　repairing　thither；　I　found　a　man　waiting　for　me；　having　the　appearance　of　a　gentleman’s　servant：　he　was　dressed　in　deep　mourning；　and　the　hat　he　held　in　his　hand　was　surrounded　with　a　crape　band。

“I　daresay　you　hardly　remember　me；　Miss；”　he　said；　rising　as　I　entered；　“but　my　name　is　Leaven：　I　lived　coachman　with　Mrs。　Reed　when　you　were　at　Gateshead；　eight　or　nine　years　since；　and　I　live　there　still。”

“Oh；　Robert！　how　do　you　do？　I　remember　you　very　well：　you　used　to　give　me　a　ride　sometimes　on　Miss　Georgiana’s　bay　pony。　And　how　is　Bessie？　You　are　married　to　Bessie？”

“Yes；　Miss：　my　wife　is　very　hearty；　thank　you；　she　brought　me　another　little　one　about　two　months　since—we　have　three　now—and　both　mother　and　child　are　thriving。”

“And　are　the　family　well　at　the　house；　Robert？”

“I　am　sorry　I　can’t　give　you　better　news　of　them；　Miss：　they　are　very　badly　at　present—in　great　trouble。”

“I　hope　no　one　is　dead；”　I　said；　glancing　at　his　black　dress。　He　too　looked　down　at　the　crape　round　his　hat　and　replied—

“Mr。　John　died　yesterday　was　a　week；　at　his　chambers　in　London。”