the governess-第13部分
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Caelia had absolutely refused granting to Sempronius leave to ask her aunt's consent； till she should come to some explanation with Chloe； which seemed every day farther off than ever。
The great perturbation of Chloe's mind threw her into a disorder not many degrees short of madness； and at last she was seized with a violent fever so as to keep her bed。 She said she could not bear to look on Amanda； but begged Caelia to be with her as much as possible； which she did； in hopes of bringing herself to ease her mind； by speaking to her of what had given them all this torment。
Caelia watched with her night and day for three days； when the physician who attended her pronounced that there was no hope of her life。 Caelia could not any longer bear to stay in the room； and went downstairs； expecting every moment to hear she was expired。
Chloe soon perceived by Caelia's abrupt leaving the room； and the looks of those who were left in it； that her fate was pronounced； which； instead of sinking her spirits； and making her dejected； gave a tranquillity to her mind； for she thought within herself； 'I shall now make my dear cousin happy； by removing out of her way an object that must embitter all her joy； and now likewise； as she is convinced I am on my death…bed； she will once more believe me capable of speaking truth； and will； in the manner I could wish； receive my sincere repentance。' Then sending for Caelia up to her bedside； she in a weak voice； with hardly strength for utterance； spoke in this manner： 'My dear Caelia； though you know me to be a worthless base wretch； yet do not think so hardly of me； as to imagine I would deceive you with my last breath。 Believe me then when I tell you； that I sincerely repent of my treachery towards you； and as sincerely rejoice that it has in reality been the cause of your happiness with Sempronius。 Tell him this； and then； perhaps； he will not hate my memory。' Here she fainted away； and they forced Caelia out of the room； thinking her breath was for ever flown。 But in some time she came again to herself； and cried out； 'What！ would not my dear Caelia say that she forgave me？ Methinks I would not die； till I had obtained her pardon。 She is too good to refuse her friend this last request。' Her attendants then told her； that seeing her faint away； they had forced Caelia out of the room； and they begged her to try to compose herself； for they were sure that seeing her friend again； at this time； would only disturb her mind； and do her an injury。
Chloe； from the vent she had given her grief in speaking to Caelia； found herself something more easy and composed； and desiring the room to be made perfectly quiet； she fell into a gentle sleep； which lasted two hours； and when she awaked she found herself so much better； that those about her were convinced； from her composed manner of speaking； that she was now able to bear another interview。
They again called for Caelia； and told her of her cousin's amendment。 She flew with all speed to her chamber； and the moment she entered； Chloe cried out； 'Can you forgive me； Caelia？' 'Yes； with the greatest joy and sincerity imaginable； my dearest Chloe；' answered Caelia； 'and never let it be again mentioned or remembered。'
The sudden recovery of Chloe was almost incredible； for in less than a week she was able to quit both her bed and room； and go into her aunt's chamber。 The good old lady shed tears of joy； to see such a return of Chloe's health； and of cheerfulness in the family； and was perfectly contented； now she saw their melancholy removed； not to inquire into the late cause of it； for fear of renewing their trouble even one moment by the remembrance of it。
Sempronius； in the meantime； upon some affairs of his duty in the army； had been called away； and was absent the whole time of Chloe's illness； and was not yet returned。 Caelia spent almost her whole time with Chloe； but three weeks passed on； and they were often alone； yet they had never once mentioned the name of Sempronius； which laid Caelia still under the greatest difficulty how to act； so as to avoid giving her friend any uneasiness； and yet not disoblige Sempronius； for she had promised him at his departure； that she would give him leave to ask her aunt's consent immediately upon his return。 But the very day he was expected； she was made quite easy by what passed between her and her friend。
Chloe； in this time； by proper reflections； and a due sense of Caelia's great goodness and affection to her； had so entirely got the better of herself in this affair； that she found she could now； without any uneasiness； see them married； and calling Caelia to her； she said with a smile； 'I have； my dear friend； been so long accustomed to read in that intelligible index； your countenance； all your most inmost thoughts； that I have not been unobserving of those kind fears you have had on my account； and the reason I have so long delayed speaking was； my resolution； if possible； never again to deceive you。 I can with pleasure now assure you； that nothing can give me so much joy as to see your wedding with Sempronius。 I make no doubt； but if you ask it； you will have my aunt's consent； and； if any intercession should be wanting towards obtaining it； I will （if you can trust me） use all my influence in your behalf。 Be assured； my dear Caelia； I have now no farther regard left for Sempronius； than as your husband； and that regard will increase in proportion as he is the cause of your happiness。'
They were interrupted in their discourse by news being brought of the arrival of Sempronius； and Chloe received him with that ease and cheerfulness as convinced Caelia her professions were unfeigned。
Caelia related to Sempronius all that had passed between her and Chloe； and by her continued cheerfulness of behaviour； the peace and tranquillity of the family was perfectly restored； and their joy greatly increased by Amanda's ready consent to the marriage of Sempronius and Caelia； having first settled all her fortune to be divided at her death equally between her nieces； and in her lifetime there was no occasion of settlements； or deeds of gift； for they lived all together； and separate property was not so much as mentioned or thought on in this family of harmony and peace。
Here Miss Dolly ceased reading； and all her hearers sat some little time silent； and then expressed their great joy that Caelia and Chloe were at last happy； for none of them had been able to refrain from tears whilst they were otherwise。 On which Miss Jenny Peace begged them to observe from this story； the miserable effects that attend deceit and treachery： 'For；' continued she； 'you see you could not refrain from tears； only by imagining what Chloe must feel after her wickedness （by which indeed she lost the very happiness she intended treacherously to gain）； nor could she enjoy one moment's peace； till by confessing her fault； and heartily repenting of it； her mind was restored to its former calm and tranquility。' Miss Dolly thanked Miss Jenny for her remarks； but Miss Lucy Sly was most sensibly touched with this story； as cunning had formerly entirely possessed HER mind； and said； that if her companions were not weary at present of their arbour； she would now recount to them the history of her life； as this story was a proper introduction to it。
THE DESCRIPTION OF MISS LUCY SLY。
Miss Lucy Sly was of the same age as Miss Dolly Friendly； but shorter； at least； by half the head。 She was generally called a pretty girl； from having a pair of exceeding fine black eyes； only with the allay of something cunning in their look。 She had a high forehead； and very good curling black hair。 She had a sharp high nose； and a very small mouth。 Her complexion was but indifferent； and the lower part of her face ill…turned； for her chin was too long for due proportion。
THE LIFE OF MISS LUCY SLY。
From the time I was two years old； （said Miss Lucy） my mamma was so sickly； that she was unable to take any great care of me herself； and I was left to the care of a governess； who made it her study to bring me to do what she had a mind to have done； without troubling her head what induced me so to do。 And whenever I did anything wrong； she used to say it was the foot…boy； and not miss； that was naughty。 Nay； she would say； it was the dog； or the cat； or anything she could lay the blame upon； sooner than own it was me。 I thought this pure； that I was never in fault； and soon got into a way of telling any lies； and of laying my own faults on others； since I found I should be believed。 I remember once； when I had broken a fine china…cup； that I artfully got out of the scrape； and hid the broken cup in the foot…boy's room。 He was whipped for breaking it； and the next day whilst I was at play about the room； I heard my governess say to a friend who was with her； 〃Yesterday Miss Lucy broke a china…cup； but the artful little hussy went and hid it in the foot…boy's room； and the poor boy was whipped for it。 I don't believe there was ever a girl of her age that had half her cunning and contrivance。〃 I knew by her tone of voice； and her manner of speaking； that she did not blame me in her heart； but rather commended my ing
