Oldal 69 [69]
ÍV
home was not to be hers; and when he first understood it, his
orief was so great that Mr. Havisham saw that the Earl had
been wise in making the arrangements that his mother should be
quite near him, and see him often; for it was very plain he could
not have borne the separation otherwise. But his mother managed
the little fellow so sweetly and lovingly, and made him feel that she
would be so near him, that, after a while, he ceased to be oppressed
by the fear of any real parting.
_ “My house is not far from the Castle, Ceddie,” she repeated each
time the subject was referred to— " a very little way from yours, and
you can always run in and see me every day, and you will have so
many things to tell me! and we shall be so happy together! Itisa
beautiful place. Your papa has often told me about it. He loyed
it very much; and you will love it too.”
‘‘T should love it better if you were there, his small lordship said,
with a heavy little sigh.
He could not but feel puzzled by so strange a state of affairs,
which could put his " Dearest” in one house and himself in another.
The fact was that Mrs. Errol had thought it better not to tell
him why this plan had been made.
‘“T should prefer he should not be told,” she said to Mr. Hav¬
isham. - “ He would not really understand; he would only be
shocked and hurt; and I feel sure that his feeling for the Earl will
4 ‘
§ was during the voyage that Cedrics mother told him that his