If she had not helped him to do so by every means in
her power, he could never have accomplished it.
Yes! by every means in her power had Jemima alienated her lover,
her beloved--for so he was in fact. And now her quick-sighted
eyes saw he was gone for ever--past recall: for did not her
jealous, sore heart feel, even before he himself was conscious of
the fact, that he was drawn towards sweet, lovely, composed, and
dignified Ruth--one who always thought before she spoke (as Mr.
Farquhar used to bid Jemima do)--who never was tempted by sudden
impulse, but walked the world calm and self-governed. What now
availed Jemima's reproaches, as she remembered the days when he
had watched her with earnest, attentive eyes, as he now watched
Ruth; and the times since, when, led astray by her morbid fancy,
she had turned away from all his advances!
"It was only in March--last March, he called me 'dear Jemima.'
Ah! don't I remember it well? The pretty nosegay of greenhouse
flowers that he gave me in exchange for the wild daffodils--and
how he seemed to care for the flowers I gave him--and how he
looked at me, and thanked me--that is all gone and over now."
Her sisters came in bright and glowing.
"O Jemima, how nice and cool you are, sitting in this shady
room!" (she had felt it even chilly). "We have been such a long
walk! We are so tired. It is so hot."
"Why did you go, then?" said she.
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