第5章

For six or seven months I saw no more of Mr.Slinkton.He called once at my house,but I was not at home;and he once asked me to dine with him in the Temple,but I was engaged.His friend's assurance was effected in March.Late in September or early in October I was down at Scarborough for a breath of sea-air,where Imet him on the beach.It was a hot evening;he came toward me with his hat in his hand;and there was the walk I had felt so strongly disinclined to take in perfect order again,exactly in front of the bridge of my nose.

He was not alone,but had a young lady on his arm.

She was dressed in mourning,and I looked at her with great interest.She had the appearance of being extremely delicate,and her face was remarkably pale and melancholy;but she was very pretty.He introduced her as his niece,Miss Niner.

Are you strolling,Mr.Sampson?Is it possible you can be idle?

It WAS possible,and I WAS strolling.

Shall we stroll together?'

With pleasure.

The young lady walked between us,and we walked on the cool sea sand,in the direction of Filey.

There have been wheels here,'said Mr.Slinkton.'And now I look again,the wheels of a hand-carriage!Margaret,my love,your shadow without doubt!

Miss Niner's shadow?'I repeated,looking down at it on the sand.

Not that one,'Mr.Slinkton returned,laughing.Margaret,my dear,tell Mr.Sampson.

Indeed,'said the young lady,turning to me,'there is nothing to tell -except that I constantly see the same invalid old gentleman at all times,wherever I go.I have mentioned it to my uncle,and he calls the gentleman my shadow.

Does h live in Scarborough?'I asked.

He is staying here.

Do you live in Scarborough?

No,I am staying here.My uncle has placed me with a family here,for my health.

And your shadow?'said I,smiling.

My shadow,she answered,smiling too,is -like myself -not very robust,I fear;for I lose my shadow sometimes,as my shadow loses me at other times.We both seem liable to confinement to the house.I have not seen my shadow for days and days;but it does oddly happen,occasionally,that wherever I go,for many days together,this gentleman goes.We have come together in the most unfrequented nooks on this shore.

Is this he?'said I,pointing before us.

The wheels had swept down to the water's edge,and described a great loop on the sand in turning.Bringing the loop back towards us,and spinning it out as it came,was a hand-carriage,drawn by a man.

Yes,said Miss Niner,this really is my shadow,uncle.

As the carriage approached us and we approached the carriage,I saw within it an old man,whose head was sunk on his breast,and who was enveloped in a variety of wrappers.He was drawn by a very quiet but very keen-looking man,with iron-gray hair,who was slightly lame.They had passed us,when the carriage stopped,and the old gentleman within,putting out his arm,called to me by my name.I went back,and was absent from Mr.Slinkton and his niece for about five minutes.

When I rejoined them,Mr.Slinkton was the first to speak.Indeed,he said to me in a raised voice before I came up with him:

It is well you have not been longer,or my niece might have died of curiosity to know who her shadow is,Mr.Sampson.

An old East India Director,said I.An intimate friend of our friend's,at whose house I first had the pleasure of meeting you.

A certain Major Banks.You have heard of him?

Never.

Very rich,Miss Niner;but very old,and very crippled.An amiable man,sensible -much interested in you.He has just been expatiating on the affection that he has observed to exist between you and your uncle.

Mr.Slinkton was holding his hat again,and he passed his hand up the straight walk,as if he himself went up it serenely,after me.

Mr.Sampson,he said,tenderly pressing his niece's arm in his,our affection was always a strong one,for we have had but few near ties.We have still fewer now.We have associations to bring us together,that are not of this world,Margaret.

Dear uncle!murmured the young lady,and turned her face aside to hide her tears.

My niece and I have such remembrances and regrets in common,Mr.

Sampson,'he feelingly pursued,'that it would be strange indeed if the relations between us were cold or indifferent.If I remember a conversation we once had together,you will understand the reference I make.Cheer up,dear Margaret.Don't droop,don't droop.My Margaret!I cannot bear to see you droop!

The poor young lady was very much affected,but controlled herself.

His feelings,too,were very acute.In a word,he found himself under such great need of a restorative,that he presently went away,to take a bath of sea-water,leaving the young lady and me sitting by a point of rock,and probably presuming -but that you will say was a pardonable indulgence in a luxury -that she would praise him with all her heart.