rather fond of Aunt Jane after her insanity became confirmed, and he was
the only human being whom the poor woman had seemed to recognize, and in
whose company she felt some dull gleams of pleasure. He now shed no tears,
seeming more angry than grieved, and continued to maintain a marked
taciturnity for several days; and, concerning the catastrophe itself, he
could never be induced to speak at all. The power of keeping his own
counsel had always characterized him: in the present instance he was as
gloomily reserved as though he had buried a secret of state in his breast.
Toward the widower his manner became, from hostile, almost insolent. It
was a curious spectacle to see the lad, scarcely out of the nursery,
either ignoring his tall relative, as if the latter were a caitiff
unworthy the notice of a gentleman, or else staring him haughtily in the
face, and staring him down, too! for it was remarked that the Honorable
Richard exhibited an admirable forbearance, not to say meekness, toward
his rude little kinsman. And yet, before this time, he had occasionally
given the boy harsh words and looks.... It must have been that his
bereavement had softened his heart.

However, time went on, and by degrees the poignancy of the widower's grief
was blunted, and Aunt Jane's name was seldom mentioned by any one; after
all she had not done herself, or anybody connected with her, much credit.
And other changes occurred: the stout old Colonel found it incumbent upon
him to join Sir Arthur Wellesley in the Peninsula; and Kate began to take
the lead in household affairs (her mother was a good deal of an invalid),
and stayed more at home than she used to do, and consequently did not see
so much of Archibald; she gave him to understand that it was more genteel
for him to come and call on her, as Mr. Pennroyal and other gentlemen did.
The young lady was already coming into her heritage of beauty, and
possessed more than her share of maidenly dignity, considering that she
was barely thirteen. And when, at that mention of Pennroyal, Archibald