"I was subpoenaed down, to give
my evidence in a trial. I must get back again without loss of
a minute; should have one to-night, if there had been a train
that stopped. I am very glad there was no train that stopped!"
We were all silent for a minute; till the door bell rang, and
the servant came announcing Mr. Bunsen, to see Miss Cardigan
about the tenant houses. Miss Cardigan went off through the
open doors that led to the front parlour; and standing by the
fire, I watched her figure diminishing in the long distance
till it passed into Mr. Bunsen's presence and disappeared. Mr.
Thorold and I stood silently on either side of the hearth,
looking into the fire, while the servant was clearing the
table. The cheerful, hospitable little table, round which we
had been so cheerful at least for the moment, was dismantled
already, and the wonted cold gleam of the mahogany seemed to
tell me that cheer was all over. The talk of the uniform had
overset me. All sorts of visions of what it signified, what it
portended, where it would go, what it would be doing, were
knocking at the door of my heart, and putting their heads in.
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