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interest in what was being done so cleverly as ere long to become
really interested。
What boy would not take kindly to almost anything with such
assistance？ All boys like making things； the exercise of sawing；
planing and hammering； proved exactly what his aunt had wanted to
findsomething that should exercise； but not too much； and at the
same time amuse him； when Ernest's sallow face was flushed with his
work； and his eyes were sparkling with pleasure； he looked quite a
different boy from the one his aunt had taken in hand only a few
months earlier。 His inner self never told him that this was humbug；
as it did about Latin and Greek。 Making stools and drawers was
worth living for； and after Christmas there loomed the organ； which
was scarcely ever absent from his mind。
His aunt let him invite his friends； encouraging him to bring those
whom her quick sense told her were the most desirable。 She
smartened him up also in his personal appearance； always without
preaching to him。 Indeed she worked wonders during the short time
that was allowed her； and if her life had been spared I cannot think
that my hero would have come under the shadow of that cloud which
cast so heavy a gloom over his younger manhood； but unfortunately
for him his gleam of sunshine was too hot and too brilliant to last；
and he had many a storm yet to weather； before he became fairly
happy。 For the present； however； he was supremely so； and his aunt
was happy and grateful for his happiness； the improvement she saw in
him； and his unrepressed affection for herself。 She became fonder
of him from day to day in spite of his many faults and almost
incredible foolishnesses。 It was perhaps on account of these very
things that she saw how much he had need of her； but at any rate；
from whatever cause； she became strengthened in her determination to
be to him in the place of parents； and to find in him a son rather
than a nephew。 But still she made no will。
CHAPTER XXXV
All went well for the first part of the following half year。 Miss
Pontifex spent the greater part of her holidays in London； and I
also saw her at Roughborough； where I spent a few days； staying at
the 〃Swan。〃 I heard all about my godson in whom； however； I took
less interest than I said I did。 I took more interest in the stage
at that time than in anything else； and as for Ernest； I found him a
nuisance for engrossing so much of his aunt's attention； and taking
her so much from London。 The organ was begun； and made fair
progress during the first two months of the half year。 Ernest was
happier than he had ever been before； and was struggling upwards。
The best boys took more notice of him for his aunt's sake； and he
consorted less with those who led him into mischief。
But much as Miss Pontifex had done； she could not all at once undo
the effect of such surroundings as the boy had had at Battersby。
Much as he feared and disliked his father （though he still knew not
how much this was）； he had caught much from him； if Theobald had
been kinder Ernest would have modelled himself upon him entirely；
and ere long would probably have become as thorough a little prig as
could have easily been found。
Fortunately his temper had come to him from his mother； who； when
not frightened； and when there was nothing on the horizon which
might cross the slightest whim of her husband； was an amiable； good…
natured woman。 If it was not such an awful thing to say of anyone；
I should say that she meant well。
Ernest had also inherited his mother's love of building castles in
the air； andso I suppose it must be calledher vanity。 He was
very fond of showing off； and； provided he could attract attention；
cared little from whom it came； nor what it was for。 He caught up；
parrot…like； whatever jargon he heard from his elders； which he
thought was the correct thing； and aired it in season and out of
season； as though it were his own。
Miss Pontifex was old enough and wise enough to know that this is
the way in which even the greatest men as a general rule begin to
develop； and was more pleased with his receptiveness and
reproductiveness than alarmed at the things he caught and
reproduced。
She saw that he was much attached to herself； and trusted to this
rather than to anything else。 She saw also that his conceit was not
very profound； and that his fits of self…abasement were as extreme
as his exaltation had been。 His impulsiveness and sanguine
trustfulness in anyone who smiled pleasantly at him； or indeed was
not absolutely unkind to him； made her more anxious about him than
any other point in his character； she saw clearly that he would have
to find himself rudely undeceived many a time and oft； before he
would learn to distinguish friend from foe within reasonable time。
It was her perception of this which led her to take the action which
she was so soon called upon to take。
Her health was for the most part excellent； and she had never had a
serious illness in her life。 One morning； however； soon after
Easter 1850； she awoke feeling seriously unwell。 For some little
time there had been a talk of fever in the neighbourhood； but in
those days the precautions that ought to be taken against the spread
of infection were not so well understood as now； and nobody did
anything。 In a day or two it became plain that Miss Pontifex had
got an attack of typhoid fever and was dangerously ill。 On this she
sent off a messenger to town； and desired him not to return without
her lawyer and myself。
We arrived on the afternoon of the day on which we had been
summoned； and found her still free from delirium： indeed； the
cheery way in which she received us made it difficult to think she
could be in danger。 She at once explained her wishes； which had
reference； as I expected； to her nephew； and repeated the substance
of what I have already referred to as her main source of uneasiness
concerning him。 Then she begged me by our long and close intimacy；
by the suddenness of the danger that had fallen on her and her
powerlessness to avert it； to undertake what she said she well knew；
if she died； would be an unpleasant and invidious trust。
She wanted to leave the bulk of her money ostensibly to me； but in
reality to her nephew； so that I should hold it in trust for him
till he was twenty…eight years old； but neither he nor anyone else；
except her lawyer and myself； was to know anything about it。 She
would leave 5000 pounds in other legacies； and 15；000 pounds to
Ernestwhich by the time he was twenty…eight would have accumulated
to； say； 30；000 pounds。 〃Sell out the debentures；〃 she said； 〃where
the money now isand put it into Midland Ordinary。〃
〃Let him make his mistakes；〃 she said； 〃upon the money his
grandfather left him。 I am no prophet； but even I can see that it
will take that boy many years to see things as his neighbours see
them。 He will get no help from his father and mother； who would
never forgive him for his good luck if I left him the money
outright； I daresay I am wrong； but I think he will have to lose the
greater part or all of what he has； before he will know how to keep
what h