It was too large for us, and Clarence had never
lived there enough to have any strong home feeling for it; but he
rather connected it with disquiet and distress, and had a longing to
make actual restitution thereof, instead of only giving an
equivalent, as he did in the case of the farms. Our feelings about
the desecrated chapel were also considerably changed from the days
when we regarded it merely as a picturesque ruin, and it was to be
at once restored both for the benefit of the orphanage, and for that
of the neighbouring households. For ourselves, a cottage was to be
built, suited to our idiosyncrasies; but that could wait till after
the yacht voyage, which we were to make together for the winter.
Thus it came to pass that the last time we inhabited Chantry House
was when we gave Emily to Lawrence Frith. We would fain have made
it a double wedding, but the Fordyces wished to wait for Easter,
when Martyn would have been inducted to Hillside. They came,
however, that Mrs. Fordyce might act lady of the house, and Anne be
bridesmaid, as well as lay the first stone of St. Cecily's restored
chapel.
It was on the day on which they were expected, when the workmen were
digging foundations, and clearing away rubbish, that the foreman
begged Mr. Winslow to come out to see something they had found.
Clarence came back, very grave and awe-struck.
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