"Then I hope, daughter, they will make you busy for all day. You have ruffles to hem, and the skirts of your dresses to make we need not wait for Miss Rice to do that; and when she comes, you will have to help her, for I can do little. You can't be too industrious."
"Well, Mamma, I am as willing as can be."
This was the beginning of a pleasant two weeks to Ellen weeks to which she often looked back afterwards, so quietly and swiftly the days fled away, in busy occupation and sweet intercourse with her mother. The passions, which were apt enough to rise in Ellen's mind upon occasions, were, for the present, kept effectually in check. She could not forget that her days with her mother would very soon be at an end, for a long time at least; and this consciousness, always present to her mind, forbade even the wish to do anything that might grieve or disturb her. Love and tenderness had absolute rule for the time, and even had power to overcome the sorrowful thoughts that would often rise; so that in spite of them peace reigned. And perhaps both mother and daughter enjoyed this interval the more keenly because they knew that sorrow was at hand.
All this while there was scarcely a day that the old gentleman's servant did not knock at their door, bearing a present of game. The second time he came with some fine larks; next was a superb grouse; then woodcock again. Curiosity strove with astonishment and gratitude in Ellen's mind.
"Mamma," she said, after she had admired the grouse for five minutes, "I cannot rest without finding out who this old gentleman is."
"I am sorry for that," replied Mrs. Montgomery, gravely, "for I see no possible way of your doing it."
"Why, Mamma, couldn't I ask the man that brings the birds what his name is? He must know it."
"Certainly not; it would be very dishonourable."
"This old gentleman has not chosen to tell you his name; he wrote his note without signing it, and his man has obviously been instructed not to disclose it. Don't you remember, he did not tell it when you asked him, the first time he came? Now this shows the old gentleman wishes to keep it secret, and to try to find it out in any way would be a very unworthy return for his kindness."