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be with him alone： a position I did not at all desire； in the house； though
to meet him out of doors； and walk beside him； had proved by no means
disagreeable。
One evening； however； in the last week of the vacation； he arrived …
unexpectedly： for a heavy and protracted thunder…shower during the
afternoon had almost destroyed my hopes of seeing him that day； but now
the storm was over； and the sun was shining brightly。
'A beautiful evening； Mrs。 Grey！' said he； as he entered。 'Agnes； I
want you to take a walk with me to … ' （he named a certain part of the coast
… a bold hill on the land side； and towards the sea a steep precipice； from
the summit of which a glorious view is to be had）。 'The rain has laid the
dust； and cooled and cleared the air； and the prospect will be magnificent。
Will you come？'
'Can I go； mamma？'
'Yes； to be sure。'
I went to get ready； and was down again in a few minutes； though； of
course； I took a little more pains with my attire than if I had merely been
going out on some shopping expedition alone。 The thunder…shower had
certainly had a most beneficial effect upon the weather； and the evening
was most delightful。 Mr。 Weston would have me to take his arm； he said
little during our passage through the crowded streets； but walked very fast；
and appeared grave and abstracted。 I wondered what was the matter； and
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felt an indefinite dread that something unpleasant was on his mind； and
vague surmises； concerning what it might be； troubled me not a little； and
made me grave and silent enough。 But these fantasies vanished upon
reaching the quiet outskirts of the town； for as soon as we came within
sight of the venerable old church； and the … hill； with the deep blue beyond
it； I found my companion was cheerful enough。
'I'm afraid I've been walking too fast for you； Agnes；' said he： 'in my
impatience to be rid of the town； I forgot to consult your convenience； but
now we'll walk as slowly as you please。 I see； by those light clouds in
the west； there will be a brilliant sunset； and we shall be in time to witness
its effect upon the sea； at the most moderate rate of progression。'
When we had got about half…way up the hill； we fell into silence again；
which； as usual； he was the first to break。
'My house is desolate yet； Miss Grey；' he smilingly observed； 'and I am
acquainted now with all the ladies in my parish； and several in this town
too； and many others I know by sight and by report； but not one of them
will suit me for a companion； in fact； there is only one person in the world
that will： and that is yourself； and I want to know your decision？'
'Are you in earnest； Mr。 Weston？'
'In earnest！ How could you think I should jest on such a subject？'
He laid his hand on mine； that rested on his arm： he must have felt it
tremble … but it was no great matter now。
'I hope I have not been too precipitate；' he said； in a serious tone。
'You must have known that it was not my way to flatter and talk soft
nonsense； or even to speak the admiration that I felt； and that a single
word or glance of mine meant more than the honied phrases and fervent
protestations of most other men。'
I said something about not liking to leave my mother； and doing
nothing without her consent。
'I settled everything with Mrs。 Grey； while you were putting on your
bonnet；' replied he。 'She said I might have her consent； if I could obtain
yours； and I asked her； in case I should be so happy； to come and live with
us … for I was sure you would like it better。 But she refused； saying she
could now afford to employ an assistant； and would continue the school
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till she could purchase an annuity sufficient to maintain her in comfortable
lodgings； and； meantime； she would spend her vacations alternately with
us and your sister； and should be quite contented if you were happy。 And
so now I have overruled your objections on her account。 Have you any
other？'
'No … none。'
'You love me then？' said be； fervently pressing my hand。
'Yes。'
Here I pause。 My Diary； from which I have compiled these pages；
goes but little further。 I could go on for years； but I will content myself
with adding； that I shall never forget that glorious summer evening； and
always remember with delight that steep hill； and the edge of the precipice
where we stood together； watching the splendid sunset mirrored in the
restless world of waters at our feet … with hearts filled with gratitude to
heaven； and happiness； and love … almost too full for speech。
A few weeks after that； when my mother had supplied herself with an
assistant； I became the wife of Edward Weston； and never have found
cause to repent it； and am certain that I never shall。 We have had trials；
and we know that we must have them again； but we bear them well
together； and endeavour to fortify ourselves and each other against the
final separation … that greatest of all afflictions to the survivor。 But； if we
keep in mind the glorious heaven beyond； where both may meet again； and
sin and sorrow are unknown； surely that too may be borne； and； meantime；
we endeavour to live to the glory of Him who has scattered so many
blessings in our path。
Edward； by his strenuous exertions； has worked surprising reforms in
his parish； and is esteemed and loved by its inhabitants … as he deserves；
for whatever his faults may be as a man （and no one is entirely without）； I
defy anybody to blame him as a pastor； a husband； or a father。
Our children； Edward； Agnes； and little Mary； promise well； their
education； for the time being； is chiefly committed to me； and they shall
want no good thing that a mother's care can give。 Our modest income is
amply sufficient for our requirements： and by practising the economy we
learnt in harder times； and never attempting to imitate our richer
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neighbours； we manage not only to enjoy comfort and contentment
ourselves； but to have every year something to lay by for our children； and
something to give to those who need it。
And now I think I have said sufficient。
End of The Project Gutenberg Etext of Agnes Grey； by Anne Bronte
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