
                          Gaskell, Elizabeth Cleghorn

                                      Ruth

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                           Elizabeth Cleghorn Gaskell

                                      Ruth

                                   Chapter I

                      The Dressmaker's Apprentice at Work

There is an assize-town in one of the eastern counties which was much
distinguished by the Tudor sovereigns, and, in consequence of their favour and
protection, attained a degree of importance that surprises the modern traveller.
    A hundred years ago its appearance was that of picturesque grandeur. The old
houses, which were the temporary residences of such of the county families as
contented themselves with the gaieties of a provincial town, crowded the
streets, and gave them the irregular but noble appearance yet to be seen in the
cities of Belgium. The sides of the streets had a quaint richness, from the
effect of the gables, and the stacks of chimneys which cut against the blue sky
above; while, if the eye fell lower down, the attention was arrested by all
kinds of projections in the shape of balcony and oriel; and it was amusing to
see the infinite variety of windows that had been crammed into the walls long
before Mr. Pitt's days of taxation. The streets below suffered from all these
projections and advanced storeys above; they were dark, and ill-paved with
large, round, jolting pebbles, and with no side-path protected by kerbstones;
there were no lamp-posts for long winter nights; and no regard was paid to the
wants of the middle class, who neither drove about in coaches of their own, nor
were carried by their own men in their own sedans into the very halls of their
friends. The professional men and their wives, the shopkeepers and their
spouses, and all such people, walked about at considerable peril both night and
day. The broad, unwieldy carriages hemmed them up against the houses in the
narrow streets. The inhospitable houses projected their flights of steps almost
into the carriage-way, forcing pedestrians again into the danger they had
avoided for twenty or thirty paces. Then, at night, the only light was derived
from the glaring, flaring oil-lamps, hung above the doors of the more
aristocratic mansions; just allowing space for the passers-by to become visible,
before they again disappeared into the darkness, where it was no uncommon thing
for robbers to be in waiting for their prey.
    The traditions of those bygone times, even to the smallest social
particular, enable one to understand more clearly the circumstances which
contributed to the formation of character. The daily life into which people are
bom, and into which they are absorbed before they are well aware, forms chains
which only one in a hundred has moral strength enough to despise, and to break
when the right time comes - when an inward necessity for independent individual
action arises, which is superior to all outward conventionalities. Therefore, it
is well to know what were the chains of daily domestic habit, which were the
natural leading-strings of our forefathers before they learnt to go alone.
    The picturesqueness of those ancient streets has departed now. The Astleys,
the Dunstans, the Waverhams - names of power in that district - go up duly to
London in the season, and have sold their residences in the county town fiftyyears ago, or more. And when the county town lost its attraction for the
Astleys, the Dunstans, the Waverhams, how could it be supposed that the
Domvilles, the Bextons, and the Wildes would continue to go and winter there in
their second-rate houses, and with their increased expenditure? So the grand old
houses stood empty awhile; and then speculators ventured to purchase, and to
turn the deserted mansions into many smaller dwellings, fitted for professional
men, or even (bend your ear lower, lest the shade of Marmaduke, first Baron
Waverham, hear) into shops!
    Even that was not so very bad, compared with the next innovation on the old
glories. The shopkeepers found out that the once fashionable street was dark,
and that the dingy light did not show off their goods to advantage; the surgeon
could not see to draw his patients' teeth; the lawyer had to ring for candles an
hour earlier than he was accustomed to do when living in a more plebeian street.
In short, by mutual consent, the whole front of one side of the street was
pulled down, and rebuilt in the flat, mean, unrelieved style of George the
Third. The body of the houses was too solidly grand to submit to alteration; so
people were occasionally surprised, after passing through a commonplace-looking
shop, to find themselves at the foot of a grand carved oaken staircase, lighted
by a window of stained glass, storied all over with armorial bearings.
    Up such a stair - past such a window (through which the moonlight fell on
her with a glory of many colours) - Ruth Hilton passed wearily one January
night, now many years ago. I call it night; but, strictly speaking, it was
morning. Two o'clock in the morning chimed forth the old bells of St. Saviour's.
And yet, more than a dozen girls still sat in the room into which Ruth entered,
stitching away as if for very life, not daring to gape, or show any outward
manifestation of sleepiness. They only sighed a little when Ruth told Mrs. Mason
the hour of the night, as the result of her errand; for they knew that, stay up
as late as they might, the work-hours of the next day must begin at eight, and
their young limbs were very weary.
    Mrs. Mason worked away as hard as any of them; but she was older and
tougher; and, besides, the gains were hers. But even she perceived that some
rest was needed. »Young ladies! there will be an interval allowed of
half-an-hour. Ring the bell, Miss Sutton. Martha shall bring you up some bread,
and cheese, and beer. You will be so good as to eat it standing - away from the
dresses - and to have your hands washed ready for work when I return. In
half-an-hour,« said she once more, very distinctly; and then she left the room.
    It was curious to watch the young girls as they instantaneously availed
themselves of Mrs. Mason's absence. One fat, particularly heavy-looking damsel
laid her head on her folded arms and was asleep in a moment; refusing to be
wakened for her share in the frugal supper, but springing up with a frightened
look at the sound of Mrs. Mason's returning footstep, even while it was still
far off on the echoing stairs. Two or three others huddled over the scanty
fireplace, which, with every possible economy of space, and no attempt whatever
at anything of grace or ornament, was inserted in the slight, flat-looking wall,
that had been run up by the present owner of the property to portion off this
division of the grand old drawing-room of the mansion. Some employed the time in
eating their bread and cheese, with as measured and incessant a motion of the
jaws (and almost as stupidly placid an expression of countenance), as you may
see in cows ruminating in the first meadow you happen to pass.
    Some held up admiringly the beautiful ball-dress in progress, while others
examined the effect, backing from the object to be criticised in the true
artistic manner. Others stretched themselves into all sorts of postures to
relieve the weary muscles; one or two gave vent to all the yawns, coughs, and
sneezes that had been pent up so long in the presence of Mrs. Mason. But Ruth
Hilton sprang to the large old window, and pressed against it as a bird presses
against the bars of its cage. She put back the blind, and gazed into the quiet
moonlight night. It was doubly light - almost as much so as day - for everything
was covered with the deep snow which had been falling silently ever since the
evening before. The window was in a square recess; the old strange little panes
of glass had been replaced by those which gave more light. A little distance
off, the feathery branches of a larch waved softly to and fro in the scarcely
perceptible night-breeze. Poor old larch! the time had been when it had stood in
a pleasant lawn, with the tender grass creeping caressingly up its very trunk;
but now the lawn was divided into yards and squalid back premises, and the larch
was pent up and girded about with flagstones. The snow lay thick on its boughs,
and now and then fell noiselessly down. The old stables had been added to, and
altered into a dismal street of mean-looking houses, back to back with the
ancient mansions. And over all these changes from grandeur to squalor, bent down
the purple heavens with their unchanging splendour!
    Ruth pressed her hot forehead against the cold glass, and strained her
aching eyes in gazing out on the lovely sky of a winter's night. The impulse was
strong upon her to snatch up a shawl, and, wrapping it round her head, to sally
forth and enjoy the glory; and time was when that impulse would have been
instantly followed; but now, Ruth's eyes filled with tears, and she stood quite
still dreaming of the days that were gone. Some one touched her shoulder while
her thoughts were far away, remembering past January nights, which had resembled
this, and were yet so different.
    »Ruth, love,« whispered a girl, who had unwillingly distinguished herself by
a long hard fit of coughing, »come and have some supper. You don't know yet how
it helps one through the night.«
    »One run - one blow of the fresh air would do me more good,« said Ruth.
    »Not such a night as this,« replied the other, shivering at the very
thought.
    »And why not such a night as this, Jenny?« answered Ruth. »Oh! at home I
have many a time run up the lane all the way to the mill, just to see the
icicles hang on the great wheel; and, when I was once out, I could hardly find
in my heart to come in, even to mother, sitting by the fire; - even to mother,«
she added, in a low, melancholy tone, which had something of inexpressible
sadness in it. »Why, Jenny!« said she, rousing herself, but not before her eyes
were swimming in tears, »own, now, that you never saw those dismal, hateful,
tumble-down old houses there look half so - what shall I call them? almost
beautiful - as they do now, with that soft, pure, exquisite covering; and if
they are so improved, think of what trees, and grass, and ivy must be on such a
night as this.«
    Jenny could not be persuaded into admiring the winter's night, which to her
came only as a cold and dismal time, when her cough was more troublesome, and
the pain in her side worse than usual. But she put her arm round Ruth's neck,
and stood by her, glad that the orphan apprentice, who was not yet inured to the
hardship of a dressmaker's workroom, should find so much to give her pleasure in
such a common occurrence as a frosty night.
    They remained deep in separate trains of thought till Mrs. Mason's step was
heard, when each returned supperless, but refreshed, to her seat.
    Ruth's place was the coldest and the darkest in the room, although she liked
it the best; she had instinctively chosen it for the sake of the wall opposite
to her, on which was a remnant of the beauty of the old drawing-room, which must
once have been magnificent, to judge from the faded specimen left. It was
divided into panels of pale sea-green, picked out with white and gold; and on
these panels were painted - were thrown with the careless, triumphant hand of a
master - the most lovely wreaths of flowers, profuse and luxuriant beyond
description, and so real-looking, that you could almost fancy you smelt their
fragrance, and heard the south wind go softly rustling in and out among the
crimson roses - the branches of purple and white lilac - the floating
golden-tressed laburnum boughs. Besides these, there were stately white lilies,
sacred to the Virgin - hollyhocks, fraxinella, monk's-hood, pansies, primroses;
every flower which blooms profusely in charming old-fashioned country gardens
was there, depicted among its graceful foliage, but not in the wild disorder in
which I have enumerated them. At the bottom of the panel lay a holly branch,
whose stiff straightness was ornamented by a twining drapery of English ivy, and
mistletoe, and winter aconite; while down either side hung pendent garlands of
spring and autumn flowers; and, crowning all, came gorgeous summer with the
sweet musk-roses, and the rich-coloured flowers of June and July.
    Surely Monnoyer, or whoever the dead-and-gone artist might be, would have
been gratified to know the pleasure his handiwork, even in its wane, had power
to give to the heavy heart of a young girl; for they conjured up visions of
other sister-flowers that grew, and blossomed, and withered away in her early
home.
    Mrs. Mason was particularly desirous that her workwomen should exert
themselves to-night, for, on the next, the annual hunt-ball was to take place.
It was the one gaiety of the town since the assize-balls had been discontinued.
Many were the dresses she had promised should be sent home without fail the next
morning; she had not let one slip through her fingers, for fear, if it did, it
might fall into the hands of the rival dressmaker, who had just established
herself in the very same street.
    She determined to administer a gentle stimulant to the flagging spirits, and
with a little preliminary cough to attract attention, she began -
    »I may as well inform you, young ladies, that I have been requested this
year, as on previous occasions, to allow some of my young people to attend in
the antechamber of the assembly-room with sandal ribbon, pins, and such little
matters, and to be ready to repair any accidental injury to the ladies' dresses.
I shall send four - of the most diligent.« She laid a marked emphasis on the
last words, but without much effect; they were too sleepy to care for any of the
pomps and vanities, or, indeed, for any of the comforts of this world, excepting
one sole thing - their beds.
    Mrs. Mason was a very worthy woman, but, like many other worthy women, she
had her foibles; and one (very natural to her calling) was to pay an extreme
regard to appearances. Accordingly, she had already selected in her own mind the
four girls who were most likely to do credit to the establishment; and these
were secretly determined upon, although it was very well to promise the reward
to the most diligent. She was really not aware of the falseness of this conduct;
being an adept in that species of sophistry with which people persuade
themselves that what they wish to do is right.
    At last there was no resisting the evidence of weariness. They were told to
go to bed; but even that welcome command was languidly obeyed. Slowly they
folded up their work, heavily they moved about, until at length all was put
away, and they trooped up the wide, dark staircase.
    »Oh! how shall I get through five years of these terrible nights! in that
close room! and in that oppressive stillness! which lets every sound of the
thread be heard as it goes eternally backwards and forwards,« sobbed out Ruth,
as she threw herself on her bed, without even undressing herself.
    »Nay, Ruth, you know it won't be always as it has been to-night. We often
get to bed by ten o'clock, and by-and-by you won't mind the closeness of the
room. You're worn-out to-night, or you would not have minded the sound of the
needle; I never hear it. Come, let me unfasten you,« said Jenny.
    »What is the use of undressing? We must be up again and at work in three
hours.«
    »And in those three hours you may get a great deal of rest, if you will but
undress yourself and fairly go to bed. Come, love.«
    Jenny's advice was not resisted; but before Ruth went to sleep she said -
    »Oh! I wish I was not so cross and impatient. I don't think I used to be.«
    »No, I am sure not. Most new girls get impatient at first; but it goes off,
and they don't care much for anything after a while. Poor child! she's asleep
already,« said Jenny to herself.
    She could not sleep or rest. The tightness at her side was worse than usual.
She almost thought she ought to mention it in her letters home; but then she
remembered the premium her father had struggled hard to pay, and the large
family, younger than herself, that had to be cared for, and she determined to
bear on, and trust that, when the warm weather came, both the pain and the cough
would go away. She would be prudent about herself.
    What was the matter with Ruth? She was crying in her sleep as if her heart
would break. Such agitated slumber could be no rest; so Jenny wakened her.
    »Ruth! Ruth!«
    »Oh, Jenny!« said Ruth, sitting up in bed, and pushing back the masses of
hair that were heating her forehead, »I thought I saw mamma by the side of the
bed, coming as she used to do, to see if I were asleep and comfortable; and when
I tried to take hold of her, she went away and left me alone - I don't know
where; so strange!«
    »It was only a dream; you know you'd been talking about her to me, and
you're feverish with sitting up late. Go to sleep again, and I'll watch, and
waken you if you seem uneasy.«
    »But you'll be so tired. Oh, dear! dear!« Ruth was asleep again, even while
she sighed.
    Morning came, and though their rest had been short, the girls arose
refreshed.
    »Miss Sutton, Miss Jennings, Miss Booth, and Miss Hilton, you will see that
you are ready to accompany me to the shire-hall by eight o'clock.«
    One or two of the girls looked astonished, but the majority, having
anticipated the selection, and knowing from experience the unexpressed rule by
which it was made, received it with the sullen indifference which had become
their feeling with regard to most events - a deadened sense of life, consequent
upon their unnatural mode of existence, their sedentary days, and their frequent
nights of late watching.
    But to Ruth it was inexplicable. She had yawned, and loitered, and looked
off at the beautiful panel, and lost herself in thoughts of home, until she
fully expected the reprimand which at any other time she would have been sure to
receive, and now, to her surprise, she was singled out as one of the most
diligent!
    Much as she longed for the delight of seeing the noble shire-hall - the
boast of the county - and of catching glimpses of the dancers, and hearing the
band; much as she longed for some variety to the dull, monotonous life she was
leading, she could not feel happy to accept a privilege, granted, as she
believed, in ignorance of the real state of the case; so she startled her
companions by rising abruptly and going up to Mrs. Mason, who was finishing a
dress which ought to have been sent home two hours before -
    »If you please, Mrs. Mason, I was not one of the most diligent; I am afraid
- I believe - I was not diligent at all. I was very tired; and I could not help
thinking, and, when I think, I can't attend to my work.« She stopped, believing
she had sufficiently explained her meaning; but Mrs. Mason would not understand,
and did not wish for any further elucidation.
    »Well, my dear, you must learn to think and work, too; or, if you can't do
both, you must leave off thinking. Your guardian, you know, expects you to make
great progress in your business, and I am sure you won't disappoint him.«
    But that was not to the point. Ruth stood still an instant, although Mrs.
Mason resumed her employment in a manner which any one but a new girl would have
known to be intelligible enough, that she did not wish for any more conversation
just then.
    »But as I was not diligent I ought not to go, ma'am. Miss Wood was far more
industrious than I, and many of the others.«
    »Tiresome girl!« muttered Mrs. Mason; »I've half a mind to keep her at home
for plaguing me so.« But, looking up, she was struck afresh with the remarkable
beauty which Ruth possessed; such a credit to the house, with her waving outline
of figure, her striking face, with dark eyebrows and dark lashes, combined with
auburn hair and a fair complexion. No! diligent or idle, Ruth Hilton must appear
to-night.
    »Miss Hilton,« said Mrs. Mason, with stiff dignity, »I am not accustomed (as
these young ladies can tell you) to have my decisions questioned. What I say, I
mean; and I have my reasons. So sit down, if you please, and take care and be
ready by eight. Not a word more,« as she fancied she saw Ruth again about to
speak.
    »Jenny, you ought to have gone, not me,« said Ruth, in no low voice to Miss
Wood, as she sat down by her.
    »Hush! Ruth. I could not go if I might, because of my cough. I would rather
give it up to you than any one, if it were mine to give. And suppose it is, then
take the pleasure as my present, and tell me every bit about it when you come
home to-night.«
    »Well! I shall take it in that way, and not as if I'd earned it, which I
haven't. So thank you. You can't think how I shall enjoy it now. I did work
diligently for five minutes last night, after I heard of it; I wanted to go so
much. But I could not keep it up. Oh, dear! and I shall really hear a band! and
see the inside of that beautiful shire-hall!«
 

                                   Chapter II

                          Ruth Goes to the Shire-Hall

In due time that evening, Mrs. Mason collected her young ladies for an
inspection of their appearance before proceeding to the shire-hall. Her eager,
important, hurried manner of summoning them was not unlike that of a hen
clucking her chickens together; and, to judge from the close investigation they
had to undergo, it might have been thought that their part in the evening's
performance was to be far more important than that of temporary ladies'-maids.
    »Is that your best frock, Miss Hilton?« asked Mrs. Mason, in a
half-dissatisfied tone, turning Ruth about; for it was only her Sunday black
silk, and was somewhat worn and shabby.
    »Yes, ma'am,« answered Ruth quietly.
    »Oh! indeed. Then it will do« (still the half-satisfied tone). »Dress, young
ladies, you know, is a very secondary consideration. Conduct is everything.
Still, Miss Hilton, I think you should write and ask your guardian to send you
some money for another gown. I am sorry I did not think of it before.«
    »I do not think he would send any if I wrote,« answered Ruth, in a low
voice. »He was angry when I wanted a shawl, when the cold weather set in.«
    Mrs. Mason gave her a little push of dismissal, and Ruth fell into the ranks
by her friend, Miss Wood.
    »Never mind, Ruthie; you're prettier than any of them,« said a merry,
good-natured girl, whose plainness excluded her from any of the envy of rivalry.
    »Yes; I know I am pretty,« said Ruth sadly; »but I am sorry I have no better
gown, for this is very shabby. I am ashamed of it myself, and I can see Mrs.
Mason is twice as much ashamed. I wish I need not go. I did not know we should
have to think about our own dress at all, or I should not have wished to go.«
    »Never mind, Ruth,« said Jenny, »you've been looked at now, and Mrs. Mason
will soon be too busy to think about you and your gown.«
    »Did you hear Ruth Hilton say she knew she was pretty?« whispered one girl
to another, so loudly that Ruth caught the words.
    »I could not help knowing,« answered she simply, »for many people have told
me so.«
    At length these preliminaries were over, and they were walking briskly
through the frosty air; the free motion was so inspiriting that Ruth almost
danced along, and quite forgot all about shabby gowns and grumbling guardians.
The shire-hall was even more striking than she had expected. The sides of the
staircase were painted with figures that showed ghostly in the dim light, for
only their faces looked out of the dark, dingy canvas, with a strange fixed
stare of expression.
    The young milliners had to arrange their wares on tables in the ante-room,
and make all ready before they could venture to peep into the ball-room, where
the musicians were already tuning their instruments, and where one or two
charwomen (strange contrast, with their dirty, loose attire, and their incessant
chatter, to the grand echoes of the vaulted room!) were completing the dusting
of benches and chairs.
    They quitted the place as Ruth and her companions entered. They had talked
lightly and merrily in the anteroom, but now their voices were hushed, awed by
the old magnificence of the vast apartment. It was so large that objects showed
dim at the further end, as through a mist. Full-length figures of county
worthies hung around, in all varieties of costume, from the days of Holbein to
the present time. The lofty roof was indistinct, for the lamps were not fully
lighted yet; while through the richly-painted Gothic window at one end the
moonbeams fell, many-tinted, on the floor, and mocked with their vividness the
struggles of the artificial light to illuminate its little sphere.
    High above sounded the musicians, fitfully trying some strain of which they
were not certain. Then they stopped playing, and talked, and their voices
sounded goblin-like in their dark recess, where candles were carried about in an
uncertain wavering manner, reminding Ruth of the flickering zig-zag motion of
the will-o'-the-wisp.
    Suddenly the room sprang into the full blaze of light, and Ruth felt less
impressed with its appearance, and more willing to obey Mrs. Mason's sharp
summons to her wandering flock, than she had been when it was dim and
mysterious. They had presently enough to do in rendering offices of assistance
to the ladies who thronged in, and whose voices drowned all the muffled sound of
the band Ruth had longed so much to hear. Still, if one pleasure was less,
another was greater than she had anticipated.
    On condition of such a number of little observances that Ruth thought Mrs.
Mason would never have ended enumerating them, they were allowed during the
dances to stand at a side-door and watch. And what a beautiful sight it was!
Floating away to that bounding music-now far away, like garlands of fairies, now
near, and showing as lovely women, with every ornament of graceful dress - the
élite of the county danced on, little caring whose eyes gazed and were dazzled.
Outside all was cold, and colourless, and uniform, - one coating of snow over
all. But inside it was warm, and glowing, and vivid; flowers scented the air,
and wreathed the head, and rested on the bosom, as if it were midsummer. Bright
colours flashed on the eye and were gone, and succeeded by others as lovely in
the rapid movement of the dance. Smiles dimpled every face, and low tones of
happiness murmured indistinctly through the room in every pause of the music.
    Ruth did not care to separate figures that formed a joyous and brilliant
whole; it was enough to gaze, and dream of the happy smoothness of the lives in
which such music, and such profusion of flowers, of jewels, elegance of every
description, and beauty of all shapes and hues, were everyday things. She did
not want to know who the people were; although to hear a catalogue of names
seemed to be the great delight of most of her companions.
    In fact, the enumeration rather disturbed her; and, to avoid the shock of
too rapid a descent into the commonplace world of Miss Smiths and Mr. Thomsons,
she returned to her post in the ante-room. There she stood, thinking or
dreaming. She was startled back to actual life by a voice close to her. One of
the dancing young ladies had met with a misfortune. Her dress, of some gossamer
material, had been looped up by nosegays of flowers, and one of these had fallen
off in the dance, leaving her gown to trail. To repair this, she had begged her
partner to bring her to the room where the assistants should have been. None
were there but Ruth.
    »Shall I leave you?« asked the gentleman. »Is my absence necessary?«
    »Oh, no!« replied the lady; »a few stitches will set all to rights. Besides,
I dare not enter that room by myself.« So far she spoke sweetly and prettily.
But now she addressed Ruth. »Make haste - don't keep me an hour!« And her voice
became cold and authoritative.
    She was very pretty, with long dark ringlets and sparkling black eyes. These
had struck Ruth in the hasty glance she had taken, before she knelt down to her
task. She also saw that the gentleman was young and elegant.
    »Oh, that lovely galop! how I long to dance to it! Will it never be done?
What a frightful time you are taking; and I'm dying to return in time for this
galop!«
    By way of showing a pretty, childlike impatience, she began to beat time
with her feet to the spirited air the band was playing. Ruth could not darn the
rent in her dress with this continual motion, and she looked up to remonstrate.
As she threw her head back for this purpose, she caught the eye of the gentleman
who was standing by; it was so expressive of amusement at the airs and graces of
his pretty partner, that Ruth was infected by the feeling, and had to bend her
face down to conceal the smile that mantled there. But not before he had seen
it; and not before his attention had been thereby drawn to consider the kneeling
figure, that, habited in black up to the throat, with the noble head bent down
to the occupation in which she was engaged, formed such a contrast to the
flippant, bright, artificial girl, who sat to be served with an air as haughty
as a queen on her throne.
    »Oh, Mr. Bellingham! I'm ashamed to detain you so long. I had no idea any
one could have spent so much time over a little tear. No wonder Mrs. Mason
charges so much for dressmaking, if her workwomen are so slow.«
    It was meant to be witty, but Mr. Bellingham looked grave. He saw the
scarlet colour of annoyance flush to that beautiful cheek, which was partially
presented to him. He took a candle from the table, and held it so that Ruth had
more light. She did not look up to thank him, for she felt ashamed that he
should have seen the smile which she had caught from him.
    »I am sorry I have been so long, ma'am,« said she gently, as she finished
her work; »I was afraid it might tear out again if I did not do it carefully.«
She rose.
    »I would rather have had it torn than have missed that charming galop,« said
the young lady, shaking out her dress as a bird shakes its plumage. »Shall we
go, Mr. Bellingham?« looking up at him.
    He was surprised that she gave no word or sign of thanks to the assistant.
He took up a camellia that some one had left on the table.
    »Allow me, Miss Duncombe, to give this, in your name, to this young lady, as
thanks for her dexterous help.«
    »Oh, of course,« said she.
    Ruth received the flower silently, but with a grave, modest motion of her
head. They had gone, and she was once more alone. Presently her companions
returned.
    »What was the matter with Miss Duncombe? Did she come here?« asked they.
    »Only her lace dress was torn, and I mended it,« answered Ruth quickly.
    »Did Mr. Bellingham come with her? - they say he's going to be married to
her. Did he come, Ruth?«
    »Yes,« said Ruth, and relapsed into silence.
    Mr. Bellingham danced on gaily and merrily through the night, and flirted
with Miss Duncombe as he thought good. But he looked often to the side-door
where the milliner's apprentices stood; and once he recognised the tall, slight
figure, and the rich auburn hair of the girl in black; and then his eye sought
for the camellia. It was there, snowy white in her bosom. And he danced on more
gaily than ever.
    The cold grey dawn was drearily lighting up the streets when Mrs. Mason and
her company returned home. The lamps were extinguished, yet the shutters of the
shops and dwellinghouses were not opened. All sounds had an echo unheard by day.
One or two houseless beggars sat on doorsteps, and shivering, slept with heads
bowed on their knees, or resting against the cold hard support afforded by the
wall.
    Ruth felt as if a dream had melted away, and she were once more in the
actual world. How long it would be, even in the most favourable chance, before
she should again enter the shire-hall, or hear a band of music, or even see
again those bright, happy people - as much without any semblance of care or woe
as if they belonged to another race of beings! Had they ever to deny themselves
a wish, much less a want? Literally and figuratively their lives seemed to
wander through flowery pleasure-paths. Here was cold, biting, midwinter for her,
and such as her - for those poor beggars almost a season of death; but to Miss
Duncombe and her companions, a happy, merry time - when flowers still bloomed,
and fires crackled, and comforts and luxuries were piled around them like fairy
gifts. What did they know of the meaning of the word, so terrific to the poor?
What was winter to them? But Ruth fancied that Mr. Bellingham looked as if he
could understand the feelings of those removed from him by circumstance and
station. He had drawn up the windows of his carriage, it is true, with a
shudder.
    Ruth, then, had been watching him.
    Yet she had no idea that any association made her camellia precious to her.
She believed it was solely on account of its exquisite beauty that she tended it
so carefully. She told Jenny every particular of its presentation, with open,
straight-looking eye, and without the deepening of a shade of colour.
    »Was it not kind of him? You can't think how nicely he did it, just when I
was a little bit mortified by her ungracious ways.«
    »It was very nice, indeed,« replied Jenny. »Such a beautiful flower! I wish
it had some scent.«
    »I wish it to be exactly as it is - it is perfect. So pure!« said Ruth,
almost clasping her treasure as she placed it in water. »Who is Mr. Bellingham?«
    »He is son to that Mrs. Bellingham of the Priory, for whom we made the grey
satin pelisse,« answered Jenny sleepily.
    »That was before my time,« said Ruth. But there was no answer. Jenny was
asleep.
    It was long before Ruth followed her example. Even on a winter day, it was
clear morning light that fell upon her face as she smiled in her slumber. Jenny
would not waken her, but watched her face with admiration; it was so lovely in
its happiness.
    »She is dreaming of last night,« thought Jenny.
    It was true she was; but one figure flitted more than all the rest through
her visions. He presented flower after flower to her in that baseless morning
dream, which was all too quickly ended. The night before she had seen her dead
mother in her sleep, and she wakened weeping. And now she dreamed of Mr.
Bellingham, and smiled.
    And yet, was this a more evil dream than the other?
    The realities of life seemed to cut more sharply against her heart than
usual that morning. The late hours of the preceding nights, and perhaps the
excitement of the evening before, had indisposed her to bear calmly the rubs and
crosses which beset all Mrs. Mason's young ladies at times.
    For Mrs. Mason, though the first dressmaker in the county, was human after
all; and suffered, like her apprentices, from the same causes that affected
them. This morning she was disposed to find fault with everything, and
everybody. She seemed to have risen with the determination of putting the world
and all that it contained (her world, at least) to rights before night; and
abuses and negligences, which had long passed unreproved, or winked at, were
to-day to be dragged to light, and sharply reprimanded. Nothing less than
perfection would satisfy Mrs. Mason at such times.
    She had her ideas of justice, too; but they were not divinely beautiful and
true ideas; they were something more resembling a grocer's or tea-dealer's ideas
of equal right. A little over-indulgence last night was to be balanced by a good
deal of over-severity to-day; and this manner of rectifying previous errors
fully satisfied her conscience.
    Ruth was not inclined for, or capable of, much extra exertion; and it would
have tasked all her powers to have pleased her superior. The work-room seemed
filled with sharp calls. »Miss Hilton! where have you put the blue Persian?
Whenever things are mislaid, I know it has been Miss Hilton's evening for siding
away!«
    »Miss Hilton was going out last night, so I offered to clear the work-room
for her. I will find it directly, ma'am,« answered one of the girls.
    »Oh, I am well aware of Miss Hilton's custom of shuffling off her duties
upon any one who can be induced to relieve her,« replied Mrs. Mason.
    Ruth reddened, and tears sprang to her eyes; but she was so conscious of the
falsity of the accusation, that she rebuked herself for being moved by it, and,
raising her head, gave a proud look round, as if in appeal to her companions.
    »Where is the skirt of Lady Farnham's dress? The flounces not put on! I am
surprised! May I ask to whom this work was entrusted yesterday?« inquired Mrs.
Mason, fixing her eyes on Ruth.
    »I was to have done it, but I made a mistake, and had to undo it. I am very
sorry.«
    »I might have guessed, certainly. There is little difficulty, to be sure, in
discovering, when work has been neglected or spoilt, into whose hands it has
fallen.«
    Such were the speeches which fell to Ruth's share on this day of all days,
when she was least fitted to bear them with equanimity.
    In the afternoon it was necessary for Mrs. Mason to go a few miles into the
country. She left injunctions, and orders, and directions, and prohibitions
without end; but at last she was gone, and, in the relief of her absence, Ruth
laid her arms on the table, and, burying her head, began to cry aloud, with
weak, unchecked sobs.
    »Don't cry, Miss Hilton;« - »Ruthie, never mind the old dragon;« - »How will
you bear on for five years, if you don't spirit yourself up not to care a straw
for what she says?« - were some of the modes of comfort and sympathy
administered by the young workwomen.
    Jenny, with a wiser insight into the grievance and its remedy, said -
    »Suppose Ruth goes out instead of you, Fanny Barton, to do the errands. The
fresh air will do her good; and you know you dislike the cold east winds, while
Ruth says she enjoys frost and snow, and all kinds of shivery weather.«
    Fanny Barton was a great sleepy-looking girl, huddling over the fire. No one
so willing as she to relinquish the walk on this bleak afternoon, when the east
wind blew keenly down the street, drying up the very snow itself. There was no
temptation to come abroad, for those who were not absolutely obliged to leave
their warm rooms; indeed, the dusk hour showed that it was the usual tea-time
for the humble inhabitants of that part of the town through which Ruth had to
pass on her shopping expedition. As she came to the high ground just above the
river, where the street sloped rapidly down to the bridge, she saw the flat
country beyond all covered with snow, making the black dome of the cloud-laden
sky appear yet blacker; as if the winter's night had never fairly gone away, but
had hovered on the edge of the world all through the short bleak day. Down by
the bridge (where there was a little shelving bank, used as a landing-place for
any pleasure-boats that could float on that shallow stream) some children were
playing, and defying the cold; one of them had got a large washing-tub, and with
the use of a broken oar kept steering and pushing himself hither and thither in
the little creek, much to the admiration of his companions, who stood gravely
looking on, immovable in their attentive observation of the hero, although their
faces were blue with cold, and their hands crammed deep into their pockets with
some faint hope of finding warmth there. Perhaps they feared that, if they
unpacked themselves from their lumpy attitudes and began to move about, the
cruel wind would find its way into every cranny of their tattered dress. They
were all huddled up, and still; with eyes intent on the embryo sailor. At last,
one little man, envious of the reputation that his playfellow was acquiring by
his daring, called out -
    »I'll set thee a craddy, Tom! Thou dar'n't go over yon black line in the
water, out into the real river.«
    Of course the challenge was not to be refused; and Tom paddled away towards
the dark line, beyond which the river swept with smooth, steady current. Ruth (a
child in years herself) stood at the top of the declivity watching the
adventurer, but as unconscious of any danger as the group of children below. At
their playfellow's success, they broke through the calm gravity of observation
into boisterous marks of applause, clapping their hands, and stamping their
impatient little feet, and shouting, »Well done, Tom; thou hast done it rarely!«
    Tom stood in childish dignity for a moment, facing his admirers; then, in an
instant, his washing-tub boat was whirled round, and he lost his balance, and
fell out; and both he and his boat were carried away slowly, but surely, by the
strong full river which eternally moved onwards to the sea.
    The children shrieked aloud with terror; and Ruth flew down to the little
bay, and far into its shallow waters, before she felt how useless such an action
was, and that the sensible plan would have been to seek for efficient help.
Hardly had this thought struck her, when, louder and sharper than the sullen
roar of the stream that was ceaselessly and unrelentingly flowing on, came the
splash of a horse galloping through the water in which she was standing. Past
her like lightning - down in the stream, swimming along with the current - a
stooping rider - an outstretched grasping arm - a little life redeemed, and a
child saved to those who loved it! Ruth stood dizzy and sick with emotion while
all this took place; and when the rider turned the swimming horse, and slowly
breasted up the river to the landing-place, she recognised him as the Mr.
Bellingham of the night before. He carried the unconscious child across his
horse, the body hung in so lifeless a manner that Ruth believed it was dead; and
her eyes were suddenly blinded with tears. She waded back to the beach, to the
point towards which Mr. Bellingham was directing his horse.
    »Is he dead?« asked she, stretching out her arms to receive the little
fellow; for she instinctively felt that the position in which he hung was not
the most conducive to returning consciousness, if indeed it would ever return.
    »I think not,« answered Mr. Bellingham, as he gave the child to her, before
springing off his horse. »Is he your brother? Do you know who he is?«
    »Look!« said Ruth, who had sat down upon the ground, the better to prop the
poor lad, »his hand twitches! he lives; oh, sir, he lives! Whose boy is he?« (to
the people, who came hurrying and gathering to the spot at the rumour of an
accident).
    »He's old Nelly Brownson's,« said they. »Her grandson.«
    »We must take him into a house directly,« said she. »Is his home far off?«
    »No, no; it's just close by.«
    »One of you go for a doctor at once,« said Mr. Bellingham authoritatively,
»and bring him to the old woman's without delay. You must not hold him any
longer,« he continued, speaking to Ruth, and remembering her face now for the
first time; »your dress is dripping wet already. Here! you fellow, take him up,
d'ye see!«
    But the child's hand had nervously clenched Ruth's dress, and she would not
have him disturbed. She carried her heavy burden very tenderly towards a mean
little cottage indicated by the neighbours; an old crippled woman was coming out
of the door, shaking all over with agitation.
    »Dear heart!« said she, »he's the last of 'em all, and he's gone afore me.«
    »Nonsense,« said Mr. Bellingham, »the boy is alive, and likely to live.«
    But the old woman was helpless and hopeless, and insisted on believing that
her grandson was dead; and dead he would have been if it had not been for Ruth,
and one or two of the more sensible neighbours, who, under Mr. Bellingham's
directions, bustled about, and did all that was necessary until animation was
restored.
    »What a confounded time those people are in fetching the doctor!« said Mr.
Bellingham to Ruth, between whom and himself a sort of silent understanding had
sprung up from the circumstance of their having been the only two (besides mere
children) who had witnessed the accident, and also the only two to whom a
certain degree of cultivation had given the power of understanding each other's
thoughts and even each other's words.
    »It takes so much to knock an idea into such stupid people's heads. They
stood gaping and asking which doctor they were to go for, as if it signified
whether it was Brown or Smith, so long as he had his wits about him. I have no
more time to waste here, either; I was on the gallop when I caught sight of the
lad; and, now he has fairly sobbed and opened his eyes, I see no use in my
staying in this stifling atmosphere. May I trouble you with one thing? Will you
be so good as to see that the little fellow has all that he wants? If you'll
allow me, I'll leave you my purse,« continued he, giving it to Ruth, who was
only too glad to have this power entrusted to her of procuring one or two
requisites which she had perceived to be wanted. But she saw some gold between
the network; she did not like the charge of such riches.
    »I shall not want so much, really, sir. One sovereign will be plenty - more
than enough. May I take that out, and I will give you back what is left of it
when I see you again? or, perhaps, I had better send it to you, sir.
    I think you had better keep it all at present. Oh, what a horrid dirty place
this is! insufferable two minutes longer. You must not stay here; you'll be
poisoned with this abominable air. Come towards the door, I beg. Well, if you
think one sovereign will be enough, I will take my purse; only, remember you
apply to me if you think they want more.«
    They were standing at the door, where some one was holding Mr. Bellingham's
horse. Ruth was looking at him with her earnest eyes (Mrs. Mason and her errands
quite forgotten in the interest of the afternoon's event), her whole thoughts
bent upon rightly understanding and following out his wishes for the little
boy's welfare; and until now this had been the first object in his own mind. But
at this moment the strong perception of Ruth's exceeding beauty came again upon
him. He almost lost the sense of what he was saying, he was so startled with
admiration. The night before he had not seen her eyes; and now they looked
straight and innocently full at him, grave, earnest, and deep. But when she
instinctively read the change in the expression of his countenance, she dropped
her large white veiling lids; and he thought her face was lovelier still.
    The irresistible impulse seized him to arrange matters, so that he might see
her again before long.
    »No!« said he. »I see it would be better that you should keep the purse.
Many things may be wanted for the lad which we cannot calculate upon now. If I
remember rightly, there are three sovereigns and some loose change; I shall,
perhaps, see you again in a few days, when, if there be any money left in the
purse, you can restore it to me.«
    »Oh, yes, sir,« said Ruth, alive to the magnitude of the wants to which she
might have to administer, and yet rather afraid of the responsibility implied in
the possession of so much money.
    »Is there any chance of my meeting you again in this house?« asked he.
    »I hope to come whenever I can, sir; but I must run in errand-times, and I
don't know when my turn may be.«
    »Oh« - he did not fully understand this answer - »I should like to know how
you think the boy is going on, if it is not giving you too much trouble; do you
ever take walks?«
    »Not for walking's sake, sir.«
    »Well,« said he, »you go to church, I suppose? Mrs. Mason does not keep you
at work on Sundays, I trust?«
    »Oh, no, sir. I go to church regularly.«
    »Then, perhaps, you will be so good as to tell me what church you go to, and
I will meet you there next Sunday afternoon?«
    »I go to St. Nicholas', sir. I will take care and bring you word how the boy
is, and what doctor they get; and I will keep an account of the money I spend.«
    »Very well, thank you. Remember, I trust to you.«
    He meant that he relied on her promise to meet him; but Ruth thought that he
was referring to the responsibility of doing the best she could for the child.
He was going away, when a fresh thought struck him, and he turned back into the
cottage once more, and addressed Ruth, with a half-smile on his countenance -
    »It seems rather strange, but we have no one to introduce us; my name is
Bellingham - yours is« -
    »Ruth Hilton, sir,« she answered, in a low voice, for, now that the
conversation no longer related to the boy, she felt shy and restrained.
    He held out his hand to shake hers; and, just as she gave it to him, the old
grandmother came tottering up to ask some question. The interruption jarred upon
him, and made him once more keenly alive to the closeness of the air, and the
squalor and dirt by which he was surrounded.
    »My good woman,« said he to Nelly Brownson, »could you not keep your place a
little neater and cleaner? It is more fit for pigs than human beings. The air in
this room is quite offensive, and the dirt and filth is really disgraceful.«
    By this time he was mounted, and, bowing to Ruth, he rode away.
    Then the old woman's wrath broke out.
    »Who may you be, that knows no better manners than to come into a poor
woman's house to abuse it? - fit for pigs, indeed! What d'ye call yon fellow?«
    »He is Mr. Bellingham,« said Ruth, shocked at the old woman's apparent
ingratitude. »It was he that rode into the water to save your grandson. He would
have been drowned but for Mr. Bellingham. I thought once they would both have
been swept away by the current, it was so strong.«
    »The river is none so deep, either,« the old woman said, anxious to diminish
as much as possible the obligation she was under to one who had offended her.
»Some one else would have saved him, if this fine young spark had never been
here. He's an orphan, and God watches over orphans, they say. I'd rather it had
been any one else as had picked him out, than one who comes into a poor body's
house only to abuse it.«
    »He did not come in only to abuse it,« said Ruth gently. »He came with
little Tom; he only said it was not quite so clean as it might be.«
    »What! you're taking up the cry, are you? Wait till you are an old woman
like me, crippled with rheumatiz, and a lad to see after like Tom, who is always
in mud when he isn't in water; and his food and mine to scrape together (God
knows we're often short, and do the best I can), and water to fetch up that
steep brow.«
    She stopped to cough; and Ruth judiciously changed the subject, and began to
consult the old woman as to the wants of her grandson, in which consultation
they were soon assisted by the medical man.
    When Ruth had made one or two arrangements with a neighbour whom she asked
to procure the most necessary things, and had heard from the doctor that all
would be right in a day or two, she began to quake at the recollection of the
length of time she had spent at Nelly Brownson's, and to remember, with some
affright, the strict watch kept by Mrs. Mason over her apprentices' out-goings
and incomings on working-days. She hurried off to the shops, and tried to recall
her wandering thoughts to the respective merits of pink and blue as a match to
lilac, found she had lost her patterns, and went home with ill-chosen things,
and in a fit of despair at her own stupidity.
    The truth was, that the afternoon's adventure filled her mind; only the
figure of Tom (who was now safe and likely to do well) was receding into the
background, and that of Mr. Bellingham becoming more prominent than it had been
His spirited and natural action of galloping into the water to save the child,
was magnified by Ruth into the most heroic deed of daring; his interest about
the boy was tender, thoughtful benevolence in her eyes, and his careless
liberality of money was fine generosity; for she forgot that generosity implies
some degree of self-denial. She was gratified, too, by the power of dispensing
comfort he had entrusted to her, and was busy with Alnaschar visions of wise
expenditure, when the necessity of opening Mrs. Mason's house-door summoned her
back into actual present life, and the dread of an immediate scolding.
    For this time, however, she was spared; but spared for such a reason that
she would have been thankful for some blame in preference to her impunity.
During her absence, Jenny's difficulty of breathing had suddenly become worse,
and the girls had, on their own responsibility, put her to bed, and were
standing round her in dismay, when Mrs. Mason's return home (only a few minutes
before Ruth arrived) fluttered them back into the workroom.
    And now all was confusion and hurry; a doctor to be sent for; a mind to be
unburdened of directions for a dress to a forewoman, who was too ill to
understand; scoldings to be scattered with no illiberal hand amongst a group of
frightened girls, hardly sparing the poor invalid herself for her inopportune
illness. In the middle of all this turmoil Ruth crept quietly to her place, with
a heavy saddened heart at the indisposition of the gentle forewoman. She would
gladly have nursed Jenny herself, and often longed to do it, but she could not
be spared. Hands, unskillful in fine and delicate work, would be well enough
qualified to tend the sick, until the mother arrived from home. Meanwhile, extra
diligence was required in the workroom; and Ruth found no opportunity of going
to see little Tom, or to fulfil the plans for making him and his grandmother
more comfortable, which she had proposed to herself. She regretted her rash
promise to Mr. Bellingham, of attending to the little boy's welfare; all that
she could do was done by means of Mrs. Mason's servant, through whom she made
inquiries, and sent the necessary help.
    The subject of Jenny's illness was the prominent one in the house. Ruth told
of her own adventure, to be sure; but, when she was at the very crisis of the
boy's fall into the river, the more fresh and vivid interest of some tidings of
Jenny was brought into the room, and Ruth ceased, almost blaming herself for
caring for anything besides the question of life or death to be decided in that
very house.
    Then a pale, gentle-looking woman was seen moving softly about; and it was
whispered that this was the mother come to nurse her child. Everybody liked her,
she was so sweet-looking, and gave so little trouble, and seemed so patient, and
so thankful, for any inquiries about her daughter, whose illness it was
understood, although its severity was mitigated, was likely to be long and
tedious. While all the feelings and thoughts relating to Jenny were predominant,
Sunday arrived. Mrs. Mason went the accustomed visit to her father's, making
some little show of apology to Mrs. Wood for leaving her and her daughter; the
apprentices dispersed to the various friends with whom they were in the habit of
spending the day; and Ruth went to St. Nicholas', with a sorrowful heart,
depressed on account of Jenny, and self-reproachful at having rashly undertaken
what she had been unable to perform.
    As she came out of church she was joined by Mr. Bellingham. She had half
hoped that he might have forgotten the arrangement, and yet she wished to
relieve herself of her responsibility. She knew his step behind her, and the
contending feelings made her heart beat hard, and she longed to run away.
    »Miss Hilton, I believe,« said he, overtaking her, and bowing forward, so as
to catch a sight of her rose-red face. »How is our little sailor going on? Well,
I trust, from the symptoms the other day.«
    »I believe, sir, he is quite well now. I am very sorry, but I have not been
able to go and see him. I am so sorry - I could not help it. But I have got one
or two things through another person. I have put them down on this slip of
paper; and here is your purse, sir, for I am afraid I can do nothing more for
him. We have illness in the house, and it makes us very busy.«
    Ruth had been so much accustomed to blame of late, that she almost
anticipated some remonstrance or reproach now, for not having fulfilled her
promise better. She little guessed that Mr. Bellingham was far more busy trying
to devise some excuse for meeting her again, during the silence that succeeded
her speech, than displeased with her for not bringing a more particular account
of the little boy, in whom he had ceased to feel any interest.
    She repeated, after a minute's pause -
    »I am very sorry I have done so little, sir.«
    »Oh, yes, I am sure you have done all you could. It was thoughtless in me to
add to your engagements.«
    »He is displeased with me,« thought Ruth, »for what he believes to have been
neglect of the boy, whose life he risked his own to save. If I told all, he
would see that I could not do more; but I cannot tell him all the sorrows and
worries that have taken up my time.«
    »And yet I am tempted to give you another little commission, if it is not
taking up too much of your time, and presuming too much on your good nature,«
said he, a bright idea having just struck him. »Mrs. Mason lives in Heneage
Place, does not she? My mother's ancestors lived there; and once, when the house
was being repaired, she took me in to show me the old place. There was an old
hunting-piece painted on a panel over one of the chimney-pieces; the figures
were portraits of my ancestors. I have often thought I should like to purchase
it, if it still remained there. Can you ascertain this for me, and bring me word
next Sunday?«
    »Oh, yes, sir,« said Ruth, glad that this commission was completely within
her power to execute, and anxious to make up for her previous seeming neglect.
»I'll look directly I get home, and ask Mrs. Mason to write and let you know.«
    »Thank you,« said he, only half satisfied; »I think, perhaps, however, it
might be as well not to trouble Mrs. Mason about it: you see it would compromise
me, and I am not quite determined to purchase the picture; if you would
ascertain whether the painting is there, and tell me, I would take a little time
to reflect, and afterwards I could apply to Mrs. Mason myself.«
    »Very well, sir; I will see about it.« So they parted.
    Before the next Sunday Mrs. Wood had taken her daughter to her distant home,
to recruit in that quiet place. Ruth watched her down the street from an upper
window, and, sighing deep and long, returned to the workroom, whence the warning
voice and gentle wisdom had departed.
 

                                  Chapter III

                             Sunday at Mrs. Mason's

Mr. Bellingham attended afternoon service at St. Nicholas' church the next
Sunday. His thoughts had been far more occupied by Ruth than hers by him,
although his appearance upon the scene of her life was more an event to her than
it was to him. He was puzzled by the impression she had produced on him, though
he did not in general analyse the nature of his feelings, but simply enjoyed
them with the delight which youth takes in experiencing new and strong emotion.
    He was old compared to Ruth, but young as a man; hardly three-and-twenty.
The fact of his being an only child had given him, as it does to many, a sort of
inequality in those parts of the character which are usually formed by the
number of years that a person has lived.
    The unevenness of discipline to which only children are subjected; the
thwarting, resulting from over-anxiety; the indiscreet indulgence, arising from
a love centred all in one object - had been exaggerated in his education,
probably from the circumstance that his mother (his only surviving parent) had
been similarly situated to himself.
    He was already in possession of the comparatively small property he
inherited from his father. The estate on which his mother lived was her own; and
her income gave her the means of indulging or controlling him, after he had
grown to man's estate, as her wayward disposition and her love of power prompted
her.
    Had he been double-dealing in his conduct towards her, had he condescended
to humour her in the least, her passionate love for him would have induced her
to strip herself of all her possessions to add to his dignity or happiness. But
although he felt the warmest affection for her, the regardlessness which she had
taught him (by example, perhaps, more than by precept) of the feelings of
others, was continually prompting him to do things that she, for the time being,
resented as mortal affronts. He would mimic the clergyman she specially
esteemed, even to his very face; he would refuse to visit her schools for months
and months; and, when wearied into going at last, revenge himself by puzzling
the children with the most ridiculous questions (gravely put) that he could
imagine.
    All these boyish tricks annoyed and irritated her far more than the accounts
which reached her of more serious misdoings at college and in town. Of these
grave offences she never spoke; of the smaller misdeeds she hardly ever ceased
speaking.
    Still, at times, she had great influence over him, and nothing delighted her
more than to exercise it. The submission of his will to hers was sure to be
liberally rewarded; for it gave her great happiness to extort, from his
indifference or his affection, the concessions which she never sought by force
of reason, or by appeals to principle - concessions which he frequently
withheld, solely for the sake of asserting his independence of her control.
    She was anxious for him to marry Miss Duncombe. He cared little or nothing
about it - it was time enough to be married ten years hence; and so he was
dawdling through some months of his life - sometimes flirting with the
nothing-loth Miss Duncombe, sometimes plaguing, and sometimes delighting his
mother, at all times taking care to please himself - when he first saw Ruth
Hilton, and a new, passionate, hearty feeling shot through his whole being. He
did not know why he was so fascinated by her. She was very beautiful, but he had
seen others equally beautiful, and with many more agaceries calculated to set
off the effect of their charms.
    There was, perhaps, something bewitching in the union of the grace and
loveliness of womanhood with the naïveté, simplicity, and innocence of an
intelligent child. There was a spell in the shyness, which made her avoid and
shun all admiring approaches to acquaintance. It would be an exquisite delight
to attract and tame her wildness, just as he had often allured and tamed the
timid fawns in his mother's park.
    By no over-bold admiration, or rash, passionate word, would he startle her;
and, surely, in time she might be induced to look upon him as a friend, if not
something nearer and dearer still.
    In accordance with this determination, he resisted the strong temptation of
walking by her side the whole distance home after church. He only received the
intelligence she brought respecting the panel with thanks, spoke a few words
about the weather, bowed, and was gone. Ruth believed she should never see him
again; and, in spite of sundry self-upbraidings for her folly, she could not
help feeling as if a shadow were drawn over her existence for several days to
come.
    Mrs. Mason was a widow, and had to struggle for the sake of the six or seven
children left dependent on her exertions; thus there was some reason, and great
excuse, for the pinching economy which regulated her household affairs.
    On Sundays she chose to conclude that all her apprentices had friends who
would be glad to see them to dinner, and give them a welcome reception for the
remainder of the day; while she, and those of her children who were not at
school, went to spend the day at her father's house, several miles out of the
town. Accordingly, no dinner was cooked on Sundays for the young workwomen; no
fires were lighted in any rooms to which they had access. On this morning they
breakfasted in Mrs. Mason's own parlour, after which the room was closed against
them through the day by some understood, though unspoken prohibition.
    What became of such as Ruth, who had no home and no friends in that large,
populous, desolate town? She had hitherto commissioned the servant, who went to
market on Saturdays for the family, to buy her a bun or biscuit, whereon she
made her fasting dinner in the deserted workroom, sitting in her walking-dress
to keep off the cold, which clung to her in spite of shawl and bonnet. Then she
would sit at the window, looking out on the dreary prospect till her eyes were
often blinded by tears; and, partly to shake off thoughts and recollections, the
indulgence in which she felt to be productive of no good, and partly to have
some ideas to dwell upon during the coming week beyond those suggested by the
constant view of the same room, she would carry her Bible, and place herself
upon the window-seat on the wide landing, which commanded the street in front of
the house. From thence she could see the irregular grandeur of the place; she
caught a view of the grey church-tower, rising hoary and massive into mid-air;
she saw one or two figures loiter along on the sunny side of the street, in all
the enjoyment of their fine clothes and Sunday leisure; and she imagined
histories for them, and tried to picture to herself their homes and their daily
doings.
    And, before long, the bells swung heavily in the church-tower, and struck
out with musical clang the first summons to afternoon church.
    After church was over, she used to return home to the same window-seat, and
watch till the winter twilight was over and gone, and the stars came out over
the black masses of houses. And then she would steal down to ask for a candle,
as a companion to her in the deserted workroom. Occasionally the servant would
bring her up some tea; but of late Ruth had declined taking any, as she had
discovered she was robbing the kind-hearted creature of part of the small
provision left out for her by Mrs. Mason. She sat on, hungry and cold, trying to
read her Bible, and to think the old holy thoughts which had been her childish
meditations at her mother's knee, until one after another the apprentices
returned, weary with their day's enjoyment and their week's late watching; too
weary to make her in any way a partaker of their pleasure by entering into
details of the manner in which they had spent their day.
    And, last of all, Mrs. Mason returned; and, summoning her young people once
more into the parlour, she read a prayer before dismissing them to bed. She
always expected to find them all in the house when she came home, but asked no
questions as to their proceedings through the day; perhaps because she dreaded
to hear that one or two had occasionally nowhere to go to, and that it would be
sometimes necessary to order a Sunday's dinner, and leave a lighted fire on that
day.
    For five months Ruth had been an inmate at Mrs. Mason's; and such had been
the regular order of the Sundays. While the forewoman stayed there, it is true,
she was ever ready to give Ruth the little variety of hearing of recreations in
which she was no partaker; and, however tired Jenny might be at night, she had
ever some sympathy to bestow on Ruth for the dull length of day she had passed.
After her departure, the monotonous idleness of the Sunday seemed worse to bear
than the incessant labour of the workdays; until the time came when it seemed to
be a recognised hope in her mind, that on Sunday afternoons she should see Mr.
Bellingham, and hear a few words from him as from a friend who took an interest
in her thoughts and proceedings during the past week.
    Ruth's mother had been the daughter of a poor curate in Norfolk, and, early
left without parents or home, she was thankful to marry a respectable farmer a
good deal older than herself. After their marriage, however, everything seemed
to go wrong. Mrs. Hilton fell into a delicate state of health, and was unable to
bestow the ever-watchful attention to domestic affairs so requisite in a
farmer's wife. Her husband had a series of misfortunes - of a more important
kind than the death of a whole brood of turkeys from getting among the nettles,
or the year of bad cheeses spoilt by a careless dairymaid - which were the
consequences (so the neighbours said) of Mr. Hilton's mistake in marrying a
delicate fine lady. His crops failed; his horses died; his barn took fire: in
short, if he had been in any way a remarkable character, one might have supposed
him to be the object of an avenging fate, so successive were the evils which
pursued him; but, as he was only a somewhat commonplace farmer, I believe we
must attribute his calamities to some want in his character of the one quality
required to act as keystone to many excellences. While his wife lived, all
worldly misfortunes seemed as nothing to him; her strong sense and lively
faculty of hope upheld him from despair; her sympathy was always ready, and the
invalid's room had an atmosphere of peace and encouragement which affected all
who entered it. But when Ruth was about twelve, one morning in the busy haytime,
Mrs. Hilton was left alone for some hours. This had often happened before, nor
had she seemed weaker than usual when they had gone forth to the field; but on
their return, with merry voices, to fetch the dinner prepared for the haymakers,
they found an unusual silence brooding over the house; no low voice called out
gently to welcome them, and ask after the day's progress; and, on entering the
little parlour, which was called Mrs. Hilton's, and was sacred to her, they
found her lying dead on her accustomed sofa. Quite calm and peaceful she lay;
there had been no struggle at last; the struggle was for the survivors, and one
sank under it. Her husband did not make much ado at first - at least, not in
outward show; her memory seemed to keep in check all external violence of grief;
but, day by day, dating from his wife's death, his mental powers decreased. He
was still a hale-looking elderly man, and his bodily health appeared as good as
ever; but he sat for hours in his easy-chair, looking into the fire, not moving,
nor speaking, unless when it was absolutely necessary to answer repeated
questions. If Ruth, with coaxings and draggings, induced him to come out with
her, he went with measured steps around his fields, his head bent to the ground
with the same abstracted, unseeing look; never smiling - never changing the
expression of his face, not even to one of deeper sadness, when anything
occurred which might be supposed to remind him of his dead wife. But, in this
abstraction from all outward things, his worldly affairs went ever lower down.
He paid money away, or received it, as if it had been so much water; the gold
mines of Potosi could not have touched the deep grief of his soul; but God in
His mercy knew the sure balm, and sent the Beautiful Messenger to take the weary
one home.
    After his death, the creditors were the chief people who appeared to take
any interest in the affairs; and it seemed strange to Ruth to see people, whom
she scarcely knew, examining and touching all that she had been accustomed to
consider as precious and sacred. Her father had made his will at her birth. With
the pride of newly and late-acquired paternity, he had considered the office of
guardian to his little darling as one which would have been an additional honour
to the lord-lieutenant of the county; but as he had not the pleasure of his
lordship's acquaintance, he selected the person of most consequence amongst
those whom he did know; not any very ambitious appointment in those days of
comparative prosperity; but certainly the flourishing maltster of Skelton was a
little surprised, when, fifteen years later, he learnt that he was executor to a
will bequeathing many vanished hundreds of pounds, and guardian to a young girl
whom he could not remember ever to have seen.
    He was a sensible, hard-headed man of the world; having a very fair
proportion of conscience as consciences go; indeed, perhaps more than many
people; for he had some ideas of duty extending to the circle beyond his own
family, and did not, as some would have done, decline acting altogether, but
speedily summoned the creditors, examined into the accounts, sold up the
farming-stock, and discharged all the debts; paid about £80 into the Skelton
bank for a week, while he inquired for a situation or apprenticeship of some
kind for poor heart-broken Ruth; heard of Mrs. Mason's; arranged all with her in
two short conversations; drove over for Ruth in his gig; waited, while she and
the old servant packed up her clothes; and grew very impatient while she ran,
with her eyes streaming with tears, round the garden, tearing off in a passion
of love whole boughs of favourite China and damask roses, late flowering against
the casement-window of what had been her mother's room. When she took her seat
in the gig, she was little able, even if she had been inclined, to profit by her
guardian's lectures on economy and self-reliance; but she was quiet and silent,
looking forward with longing to the night-time, when, in her bedroom, she might
give way to all her passionate sorrow at being wrenched from the home where she
had lived with her parents, in that utter absence of any anticipation of change,
which is either the blessing or the curse of childhood. But at night there were
four other girls in her room, and she could not cry before them. She watched and
waited till, one by one, they dropped off to sleep, and then she buried her face
in the pillow, and shook with sobbing grief; and then she paused to conjure up,
with fond luxuriance, every recollection of the happy days, so little valued in
their uneventful peace while they lasted, so passionately regretted when once
gone for ever; to remember every look and word of the dear mother, and to moan
afresh over the change caused by her death - the first clouding in of Ruth's day
of life. It was Jenny's sympathy on this first night, when awakened by Ruth's
irrepressible agony, that had made the bond between them. But Ruth's loving
disposition, continually sending forth fibres in search of nutriment, found no
other object for regard among those of her daily life to compensate for the want
of natural ties.
    But, almost insensibly, Jenny's place in Ruth's heart was filled up; there
was some one who listened with tender interest to all her little revelations;
who questioned her about her early days of happiness, and, in return, spoke of
his own childhood - not so golden in reality as Ruth's, but more dazzling, when
recounted with stories of the beautiful cream-coloured Arabian pony, and the old
picture-gallery in the house, and avenues, and terraces, and fountains in the
garden, for Ruth to paint, with all the vividness of imagination, as scenery and
background for the figure which was growing by slow degrees most prominent in
her thoughts.
    It must not be supposed that this was affected all at once, though the
intermediate stages have been passed over. On Sunday, Mr. Bellingham only spoke
to her to receive the information about the panel; nor did he come to St.
Nicholas' the next, nor yet the following Sunday. But the third, he walked by
her side a little way, and, seeing her annoyance, he left her; and then she
wished for him back again, and found the day very dreary, and wondered why a
strange, undefined feeling, had made her imagine she was doing wrong in walking
alongside of one so kind and good as Mr. Bellingham; it had been very foolish of
her to be self-conscious all the time, and if ever he spoke to her again she
would not think of what people might say, but enjoy the pleasure which his kind
words and evident interest in her might give. Then she thought it was very
likely he never would notice her again, for she knew she had been very rude with
her short answers; it was very provoking that she had behaved so rudely. She
would be sixteen in another month, and she was still childish and awkward. Thus
she lectured herself, after parting with Mr. Bellingham; and the consequence
was, that on the following Sunday she was ten times as blushing and conscious,
and (Mr. Bellingham thought) ten times more beautiful than ever. He suggested
that, instead of going straight home through High Street, she should take the
round by the Leasowes; at first she declined, but then, suddenly wondering and
questioning herself why she refused a thing which was, as far as reason and
knowledge (her knowledge) went, so innocent, and which was certainly so tempting
and pleasant, she agreed to go the round; and, when she was once in the meadows
that skirted the town, she forgot all doubt and awkwardness - nay, almost forgot
the presence of Mr. Bellingham - in her delight at the new, tender beauty of an
early spring day in February. Among the last year's brown ruins, heaped together
by the wind in the hedgerows, she found the fresh, green, crinkled leaves and
pale star-like flowers of the primroses. Here and there a golden celandine made
brilliant the sides of the little brook that (full of water in February
fill-dyke) bubbled along by the side of the path; the sun was low in the
horizon, and once, when they came to a higher part of the Leasowes, Ruth burst
into an exclamation of delight at the evening glory of mellow light which was in
the sky behind the purple distance, while the brown leafless woods in the
foreground derived an almost metallic lustre from the golden mist and haze of
sunset. It was but three-quarters of a mile round by the meadows, but somehow it
took them an hour to walk it. Ruth turned to thank Mr. Bellingham for his
kindness in taking her home by this beautiful way, but his look of admiration at
her glowing, animated face, made her suddenly silent; and, hardly wishing him
good-bye, she quickly entered the house with a beating, happy, agitated heart.
    »How strange it is,« she thought that evening, »that I should feel as if
this charming afternoon's walk were, somehow, not exactly wrong, but yet as if
it were not right. Why can it be? I am not defrauding Mrs. Mason of any of her
time; that I know would be wrong; I am left to go where I like on Sundays. I
have been to church, so it can't be because I have missed doing my duty. If I
had gone this walk with Jenny, I wonder whether I should have felt as I do now.
There must be something wrong in me, myself, to feel so guilty when I have done
nothing which is not right; and yet I can thank God for the happiness I have had
in this charming spring walk, which dear mamma used to say was a sign when
pleasures were innocent and good for us.«
    She was not conscious, as yet, that Mr. Bellingham's presence had added any
charm to the ramble; and when she might have become aware of this, as, week
after week, Sunday after Sunday, loitering ramble after loitering ramble
succeeded each other, she was too much absorbed with one set of thoughts to have
much inclination for self-questioning.
    »Tell me everything, Ruth, as you would to a brother; let me help you, if I
can, in your difficulties,« he said to her one afternoon. And he really did try
to understand, and to realise, how an insignificant and paltry person like Mason
the dressmaker could be an object of dread, and regarded as a person having
authority, by Ruth. He flamed up with indignation when, by way of impressing him
with Mrs. Mason's power and consequence, Ruth spoke of some instance of the
effects of her employer's displeasure. He declared his mother should never have
a gown made again by such a tyrant - such a Mrs. Brownrigg; that he would
prevent all his acquaintances from going to such a cruel dressmaker; till Ruth
was alarmed at the threatened consequences of her one-sided account, and pleaded
for Mrs. Mason as earnestly as if a young man's menace of this description were
likely to be literally fulfilled.
    »Indeed, sir, I have been very wrong; if you please, sir, don't be so angry.
She is often very good to us; it is only sometimes she goes into a passion; and
we are very provoking, I dare say. I know I am for one. I have often to undo my
work, and you can't think how it spoils anything (particularly silk) to be
unpicked; and Mrs. Mason has to bear all the blame. Oh! I am sorry I said
anything about it. Don't speak to your mother about it, pray, sir. Mrs. Mason
thinks so much of Mrs. Bellingham's custom.«
    »Well, I won't this time« - recollecting that there might be some
awkwardness in accounting to his mother for the means by which he had obtained
his very correct information as to what passed in Mrs. Mason's workroom, »but,
if ever she does so again, I'll not answer for myself.«
    »I will take care and not tell again, sir,« said Ruth, in a low voice.
    »Nay, Ruth, you are not going to have secrets from me, are you? Don't you
remember your promise to consider me as a brother? Go on telling me everything
that happens to you, pray; you cannot think how much interest I take in all your
interests. I can quite fancy that charming home at Milham you told me about last
Sunday. I can almost fancy Mrs. Mason's workroom; and that, surely, is a proof
either of the strength of my imagination, or of your powers of description.«
    Ruth smiled. »It is, indeed, sir. Our workroom must be so different to
anything you ever saw. I think you must have passed through Milham often on your
way to Lowford.«
    »Then you don't think it is any stretch of fancy to have so clear an idea as
I have of Milham Grange? On the left-hand of the road, is it, Ruth?«
    »Yes, sir, just over the bridge, and up the hill where the elm-trees meet
overhead and make a green shade; and then comes the dear old Grange, that I
shall never see again.«
    »Never! Nonsense, Ruthie; it is only six miles off; you may see it any day.
It is not an hour's ride.«
    »Perhaps I may see it again when I am grown old; I did not think exactly
what never meant; it is so very long since I was there, and I don't see any
chance of my going for years and years at any rate.«
    »Why, Ruth, you - we may go next Sunday afternoon, if you like.«
    She looked up at him with a lovely light of pleasure in her face at the
idea. »How, sir? Can I walk it between afternoon-service and the time Mrs. Mason
comes home? I would go for only one glimpse; but if I could get into the house -
oh, sir! if I could just see mamma's room again!«
    He was revolving plans in his head for giving her this pleasure, and he had
also his own in view. If they went in any of his carriages, the loitering charm
of the walk would be lost; and they must, to a certain degree, be encumbered by,
and exposed to the notice of servants.
    »Are you a good walker, Ruth? Do you think you can manage six miles? If we
set off at two o'clock, we shall be there by four, without hurrying; or say
half-past four. Then we might stay two hours, and you could show me all the old
walks and old places you love, and we could still come leisurely home. Oh, it's
all arranged directly!«
    »But do you think it would be right, sir? It seems as if it would be such a
great pleasure, that it must be in some way wrong.«
    »Why, you little goose, what can be wrong in it?«
    »In the first place, I miss going to church by setting out at two,« said
Ruth, a little gravely.
    »Only for once. Surely you don't see any harm in missing church for once?
You will go in the morning, you know.«
    »I wonder if Mrs. Mason would think it right - if she would allow it?«
    »No, I dare say not. But you don't mean to be governed by Mrs. Mason's
notions of right and wrong. She thought it right to treat that poor girl Palmer
in the way you told me about. You would think that wrong, you know, and so would
every one of sense and feeling. Come, Ruth, don't pin your faith on any one, but
judge for yourself. The pleasure is perfectly innocent: it is not a selfish
pleasure either, for I shall enjoy it to the full as much as you will. I shall
like to see the places where you spent your childhood; I shall almost love them
as much as you do.« He had dropped his voice; and spoke in low, persuasive
tones. Ruth hung down her head, and blushed with exceeding happiness; but she
could not speak, even to urge her doubts afresh. Thus it was in a manner
settled.
    How delightfully happy the plan made her through the coming week! She was
too young when her mother died to have received any cautions or words of advice
respecting the subject of a woman's life - if, indeed, wise parents ever
directly speak of what, in its depth and power, cannot be put into words - which
is a brooding spirit with no definite form or shape that men should know it, but
which is there, and present before we have recognised and realised its
existence. Ruth was innocent and snow-pure. She had heard of falling in love,
but did not know the signs and symptoms thereof; nor, indeed, had she troubled
her head much about them. Sorrow had filled up her days, to the exclusion of all
lighter thoughts than the consideration of present duties, and the remembrance
of the happy time which had been. But the interval of blank, after the loss of
her mother and during her father's life-in-death, had made her all the more
ready to value and cling to sympathy - first from Jenny, and now from Mr.
Bellingham. To see her home again, and to see it with him; to show him (secure
of his interest) the haunts of former times, each with its little tale of the
past - of dead-and-gone events! - No coming shadow threw its gloom over this
week's dream of happiness - a dream which was too bright to be spoken about to
common and indifferent ears.
 

                                   Chapter IV

                          Treading in Perilous Places

Sunday came, as brilliant as if there were no sorrow, or death, or guilt in the
world; a day or two of rain had made the earth fresh and brave as the blue
heavens above. Ruth thought it was too strong a realisation of her hopes, and
looked for an over-clouding at noon; but the glory endured, and at two o'clock
she was in the Leasowes, with a beating heart full of joy, longing to stop the
hours, which would pass too quickly through the afternoon.
    They sauntered through the fragrant lanes, as if their loitering would
prolong the time and check the fiery-footed steeds galloping apace towards the
close of the happy day. It was past five o'clock before they came to the great
mill-wheel, which stood in Sabbath idleness, motionless in a brown mass of
shade, and still wet with yesterday's immersion in the deep transparent water
beneath. They clambered the little hill, not yet fully shaded by the overarching
elms; and then Ruth checked Mr. Bellingham, by a slight motion of the hand which
lay within his arm, and glanced up into his face to see what that face should
express as it looked on Milham Grange, now lying still and peaceful in its
afternoon shadows. It was a house of after thoughts; building materials were
plentiful in the neighbourhood, and every successive owner had found a necessity
for some addition or projection, till it was a picturesque mass of irregularity
- of broken light and shadow - which, as a whole, gave a full and complete idea
of a Home. All its gables and nooks were blended and held together by the tender
green of the climbing roses and young creepers. An old couple were living in the
house until it should be let, but they dwelt in the back part, and never used
the front door; so the little birds had grown tame and familiar, and perched
upon the window-sills and porch, and on the old stone cistern which caught the
water from the roof.
    They went silently through the untrimmed garden, full of the pale-coloured
flowers of spring. A spider had spread her web over the front door. The sight of
this conveyed a sense of desolation to Ruth's heart; she thought it was possible
the state-entrance had never been used since her father's dead body had been
borne forth, and without speaking a word, she turned abruptly away, and went
round the house to another door. Mr. Bellingham followed without questioning,
little understanding her feelings, but full of admiration for the varying
expression called out upon her face.
    The old woman had not yet returned from church, or from the weekly gossip or
neighbourly tea which succeeded. The husband sat in the kitchen, spelling the
psalms for the day in his Prayer-book, and reading the words out aloud - a habit
he had acquired from the double solitude of his life, for he was deaf. He did
not hear the quiet entrance of the pair, and they were struck with the sort of
ghostly echo which seems to haunt half-furnished and uninhabited houses. The
verses he was reading were the following: -
    »Why art thou so vexed, O my soul: and why art thou so disquieted within me?
    O put thy trust in God: for I will yet thank him, which is the help of my
countenance, and my God.«
    And when he had finished he shut the book, and sighed with the satisfaction
of having done his duty. The words of holy trust, though, perhaps, they were not
fully understood, carried a faithful peace down into the depths of his soul. As
he looked up, he saw the young couple standing in the middle of the floor. He
pushed his iron-rimmed spectacles on to his forehead, and rose to greet the
daughter of his old master and ever-honoured mistress.
    »God bless thee, lass! God bless thee! My old eyes are glad to see thee
again.«
    Ruth sprang forward to shake the horny hand stretched forward in the action
of blessing. She pressed it between both of hers, as she rapidly poured out
questions. Mr. Bellingham was not altogether comfortable at seeing one whom he
had already begun to appropriate as his own, so tenderly familiar with a
hard-featured, meanly-dressed day-labourer. He sauntered to the window, and
looked out into the grass-grown farmyard; but he could not help overhearing some
of the conversation, which seemed to him carried on too much in the tone of
equality. »And who's yon?« asked the old labourer at last. »Is he your
sweetheart? Your missis's son, I reckon. He's a spruce young chap, anyhow.«
    Mr. Bellingham's blood of all the Howards rose and tingled about his ears,
so that he could not hear Ruth's answer. It began by »Hush, Thomas; pray hush!«
but how it went on he did not catch. The idea of his being Mrs. Mason's son! It
was really too ridiculous; but, like most things which are too ridiculous, it
made him very angry. He was hardly himself again when Ruth shyly came to the
window-recess and asked him if he would like to see the house-place, into which
the front-door entered; many people thought it very pretty, she said,
half-timidly, for his face had unconsciously assumed a hard and haughty
expression, which he could not instantly soften down. He followed her, however;
but before he left the kitchen he saw the old man standing, looking at Ruth's
companion with a strange, grave air of dissatisfaction.
    They went along one or two zig-zag damp-smelling stone passages, and then
entered the house-place, or common sitting-room for a farmer's family in that
part of the country. The front door opened into it, and several other apartments
issued out of it, such as the dairy, the state bedroom (which was half-parlour
as well), and a small room which had been appropriated to the late Mrs. Hilton,
where she sat, or more frequently lay, commanding through the open door the
comings and goings of her household. In those days the house-place had been a
cheerful room, full of life, with the passing to and fro of husband, child, and
servants; with a great merry wood-fire crackling and blazing away every evening,
and hardly let out in the very heat of summer; for with the thick stone walls,
and the deep window-seats, and the drapery of vine-leaves and ivy, that room,
with its flag-floor, seemed always to want the sparkle and cheery warmth of a
fire. But now the green shadows from without seemed to have become black in the
uninhabited desolation. The oaken shovel-board, the heavy dresser, and the
carved cupboards, were now dull and damp, which were formerly polished up to the
brightness of a looking-glass where the fire-blaze was for ever glinting; they
only added to the oppressive gloom; the flag-floor was wet with heavy moisture.
Ruth stood gazing into the room, seeing nothing of what was present. She saw a
vision of former days - an evening in the days of her childhood; her father
sitting in the master's corner near the fire, sedately smoking his pipe, while
he dreamily watched his wife and child; her mother reading to her, as she sat on
a little stool at her feet. It was gone - all gone into the land of shadows; but
for the moment it seemed so present in the old room, that Ruth believed her
actual life to be the dream. Then, still silent, she went on into her mother's
parlour. But there, the bleak look of what had once been full of peace and
mother's love, struck cold on her heart. She uttered a cry, and threw herself
down by the sofa, hiding her face in her hands, while her frame quivered with
her repressed sobs.
    »Dearest Ruth, don't give way so. It can do no good; it cannot bring back
the dead,« said Mr. Bellingham, distressed at witnessing her distress.
    »I know it cannot,« murmured Ruth; »and that is why I cry. I cry because
nothing will ever bring them back again.« She sobbed afresh, but more gently,
for his kind words soothed her, and softened, if they could not take away, her
sense of desolation.
    »Come away; I cannot have you stay here, full of painful associations as
these rooms must be. Come« - raising her with gentle violence - »show me your
little garden you have often told me about. Near the window of this very room,
is it not? See how well I remember everything you tell me.«
    He led her round through the back part of the house into the pretty
old-fashioned garden. There was a sunny border just under the windows, and
clipped box and yew-trees by the grass-plat, further away from the house; and
she prattled again of her childish adventures and solitary plays. When they
turned round they saw the old man, who had hobbled out with the help of his
stick, and was looking at them with the same grave, sad look of anxiety.
    Mr. Bellingham spoke rather sharply -
    »Why does that old man follow us about in that way? It is excessively
impertinent of him, I think.«
    »Oh, don't call old Thomas impertinent. He is so good and kind, he is like a
father to me. I remember sitting on his knee many and many a time when I was a
child, whilst he told me stories out of the Pilgrim's Progress. He taught me to
suck up milk through a straw. Mamma was very fond of him, too. He used to sit
with us always in the evenings when papa was away at market, for mamma was
rather afraid of having no man in the house, and used to beg old Thomas to stay;
and he would take me on his knee, and listen just as attentively as I did while
mamma read aloud.«
    »You don't mean to say you have sat upon that old fellow's knee?«
    »Oh, yes! many and many a time.«
    Mr. Bellingham looked graver than he had done while witnessing Ruth's
passionate emotion in her mother's room. But he lost his sense of indignity in
admiration of his companion as she wandered among the flowers, seeking for
favourite bushes or plants, to which some history or remembrance was attached.
She wound in and out in natural, graceful, wavy lines between the luxuriant and
overgrown shrubs, which were fragrant with a leafy smell of spring growth; she
went on, careless of watching eyes, indeed unconscious, for the time, of their
existence. Once she stopped to take hold of a spray of jessamine, and softly
kiss it; it had been her mother's favourite flower.
    Old Thomas was standing by the horse-mount, and was also an observer of all
her goings-on. But, while Mr. Bellingham's feeling was that of passionate
admiration mingled with a selfish kind of love, the old man gazed with tender
anxiety, and his lips moved in words of blessing -
    »She's a pretty creature, with a glint of her mother about her; and she's
the same kind lass as ever. Not a bit set up with yon fine manty-maker's shop
she's in. I misdoubt that young fellow though, for all she called him a real
gentleman, and checked me when I asked if he was her sweetheart. If his are not
sweetheart's looks, I've forgotten all my young days. Here! they're going, I
suppose. Look! he wants her to go without a word to the old man; but she is none
so changed as that, I reckon.«
    Not Ruth, indeed! She never perceived the dissatisfied expression of Mr.
Bellingham's countenance, visible to the old man's keen eye; but came running up
to Thomas to send her love to his wife, and to shake him many times by the hand.
    »Tell Mary I'll make her such a fine gown, as soon as ever I set up for
myself; it shall be all in the fashion, big gigot sleeves, that she shall not
know herself in them Mind you tell her that, Thomas, will you?«
    »Ay, that I will, lass; and I reckon she'll be pleased to hear thou hast not
forgotten thy old merry ways. The Lord bless thee - the Lord lift up the light
of His countenance upon thee.«
    Ruth was half-way towards the impatient Mr. Bellingham when her old friend
called her back. He longed to give her a warning of the danger that he thought
she was in, and yet he did not know how. When she came up, all he could think of
to say was a text; indeed, the language of the Bible was the language in which
he thought, whenever his ideas went beyond practical everyday life into
expressions of emotion or feeling. »My dear, remember the devil goeth about as a
roaring lion, seeking whom he may devour; remember that, Ruth.«
    The words fell on her ear, but gave no definite idea. The utmost they
suggested was the remembrance of the dread she felt as a child when this verse
came into her mind, and how she used to imagine a lion's head with glaring eyes
peering out of the bushes in a dark shady part of the wood, which, for this
reason, she had always avoided, and even now could hardly think of without a
shudder. She never imagined that the grim warning related to the handsome young
man who awaited her with a countenance beaming with love, and tenderly drew her
hand within his arm.
    The old man sighed as he watched them away. »The Lord may help her to guide
her steps aright. He may. But I'm afraid she's treading in perilous places. I'll
put my missis up to going to the town and getting speech of her, and telling her
a bit of her danger. An old motherly woman like our Mary will set about it
better nor a stupid fellow like me.«
    The poor old labourer prayed long and earnestly that night for Ruth. He
called it wrestling for her soul; and I think that his prayers were heard, for
God judgeth not as man judgeth.
    Ruth went on her way, all unconscious of the dark phantoms of the future
that were gathering around her; her melancholy turned, with the pliancy of
childish years, at sixteen not yet lost, into a softened manner which was
infinitely charming. By-and-by she cleared up into sunny happiness. The evening
was still and full of mellow light, and the new-born summer was so delicious
that, in common with all young creatures, she shared its influence and was glad.
    They stood together at the top of a steep ascent, the hill of the hundred.
At the summit there was a level space, sixty or seventy yards square, of
unenclosed and broken ground, over which the golden bloom of the gorse cast a
rich hue, while its delicious scent perfumed the fresh and nimble air. On one
side of this common, the ground sloped down to a clear bright pond, in which
were mirrored the rough sand-cliffs that rose abrupt on the opposite bank;
hundreds of martens found a home there, and were now wheeling over the
transparent water, and dipping in their wings in their evening sport. Indeed,
all sorts of birds seemed to haunt the lonely pool; the water-wagtails were
scattered around its margin, the linnets perched on the topmost sprays of the
gorse-bushes, and other hidden warblers sang their vespers on the uneven ground
beyond. On the far side of the green waste, close by the road, and well placed
for the requirements of horses or their riders who might be weary with the
ascent of the hill, there was a public-house, which was more of a farm than an
inn. It was a long, low building, rich in dormer-windows on the weather side,
which were necessary in such an exposed situation, and with odd projections and
unlooked-for gables on every side; there was a deep porch in front, on whose
hospitable benches a dozen persons might sit and enjoy the balmy air. A noble
sycamore grew right before the house, with seats all round it (such tents the
patriarchs loved); and a nondescript sign hung from a branch on the side next to
the road, which, being wisely furnished with an interpretation, was found to
mean King Charles in the oak.
    Near this comfortable, quiet, unfrequented inn, there was another pond, for
household and farmyard purposes, from which the cattle were drinking, before
returning to the fields after they had been milked. Their very motions were so
lazy and slow, that they served to fill up the mind with the sensation of dreamy
rest. Ruth and Mr. Bellingham plunged through the broken ground to regain the
road near the wayside inn. Hand-in-hand, now pricked by the far-spreading gorse,
now ankle-deep in sand; now pressing the soft, thick heath, which should make so
brave an autumn show; and now over wild thyme and other fragrant herbs, they
made their way, with many a merry laugh. Once on the road, at the summit, Ruth
stood silent, in breathless delight at the view before her. The hill fell
suddenly down into the plain, extending for a dozen miles or more. There was a
clump of dark Scotch firs close to them, which cut clear against the western
sky, and threw back the nearest levels into distance. The plain below them was
richly wooded, and was tinted by the young tender hues of the earliest summer,
for all the trees of the wood had donned their leaves except the cautious ash,
which here and there gave a soft, pleasant greyness to the landscape. Far away
in the champaign were spires, and towers, and stacks of chimneys belonging to
some distant hidden farmhouse, which were traced downwards through the golden
air by the thin columns of blue smoke sent up from the evening fires. The view
was bounded by some rising ground in deep purple shadow against the sunset sky.
    When first they stopped, silent with sighing pleasure, the air seemed full
of pleasant noises; distant church-bells made harmonious music with the little
singing-birds near at hand; nor were the lowings of the cattle nor the calls of
the farm-servants discordant, for the voices seemed to be hushed by the brooding
consciousness of the Sabbath. They stood loitering before the house, quietly
enjoying the view. The clock in the little inn struck eight, and it sounded
clear and sharp in the stillness.
    »Can it be so late?« asked Ruth.
    »I should not have thought it possible,« answered Mr. Bellingham. »But,
never mind, you will be at home long before nine. Stay, there is a shorter road,
I know, through the fields; just wait a moment, while I go in and ask the exact
way.« He dropped Ruth's arm, and went into the public-house.
    A gig had been slowly toiling up the sandy hill behind, unperceived by the
young couple, and now it reached the tableland, and was close upon them as they
separated. Ruth turned round, when the sound of the horse's footsteps came
distinctly as he reached the level. She faced Mrs. Mason!
    They were not ten - no, not five yards apart. At the same moment they
recognised each other, and, what was worse, Mrs. Mason had clearly seen, with
her sharp, needle-like eyes, the attitude in which Ruth had stood with the young
man who had just quitted her. Ruth's hand had been lying in his arm, and fondly
held there by his other hand.
    Mrs. Mason was careless about the circumstances of temptation into which the
girls entrusted to her as apprentices were thrown, but severely intolerant if
their conduct was in any degree influenced by the force of these temptations.
She called this intolerance »keeping up the character of her establishment.« It
would have been a better and more Christian thing if she had kept up the
character of her girls by tender vigilance and maternal care.
    This evening, too, she was in an irritated state of temper. Her brother had
undertaken to drive her round by Henbury, in order to give her the unpleasant
information of the misbehaviour of her eldest son, who was an assistant in a
draper's shop in a neighbouring town. She was full of indignation against want
of steadiness, though not willing to direct her indignation against the right
object - her ne'er-do-well darling. While she was thus charged with anger (for
her brother justly defended her son's master and companions from her attacks),
she saw Ruth standing with a lover, far away from home, at such a time in the
evening, and she boiled over with intemperate displeasure.
    »Come here directly, Miss Hilton,« she exclaimed sharply. Then, dropping her
voice to low, bitter tones of concentrated wrath, she said to the trembling,
guilty Ruth -
    »Don't attempt to show your face at my house again after this conduct. I saw
you, and your spark too. I'll have no slurs on the character of my apprentices.
Don't say a word. I saw enough. I shall write and tell your guardian to-morrow.«
    The horse started away, for he was impatient to be off; and Ruth was left
standing there, stony, sick, and pale, as if the lightning had torn up the
ground beneath her feet. She could not go on standing, she was so sick and
faint; she staggered back to the broken sand-bank, and sank down, and covered
her face with her hands.
    »My dearest Ruth! are you ill? Speak, darling! My love, my love, do speak to
me!«
    What tender words after such harsh ones! They loosened the fountain of
Ruth's tears, and she cried bitterly.
    »Oh! did you see her - did you hear what she said?«
    »She! Who, my darling? Don't sob so, Ruth; tell me what it is. Who has been
near you? - who has been speaking to you to make you cry so?«
    »Oh, Mrs. Mason.« And there was a fresh burst of sorrow.
    »You don't say so! are you sure? I was not away five minutes.«
    »Oh, yes, sir, I'm quite sure. She was so angry; she said I must never show
my face there again. Oh, dear! what shall I do?«
    It seemed to the poor child as if Mrs. Mason's words were irrevocable, and,
that being so, she was shut out from every house. She saw how much she had done
that was deserving of blame, now when it was too late to undo it. She knew with
what severity and taunts Mrs. Mason had often treated her for involuntary
failings, of which she had been quite unconscious; and now she had really done
wrong, and shrank with terror from the consequences. Her eyes were so blinded by
the fast-falling tears, she did not see (nor, had she seen, would she have been
able to interpret) the change in Mr. Bellingham's countenance, as he stood
silently watching her. He was silent so long, that even in her sorrow she began
to wonder that he did not speak, and to wish to hear his soothing words once
more.
    »It is very unfortunate,« he began, at last; and then he stopped; then he
began again: »It is very unfortunate; for, you see, I did not like to name it to
you before, but, I believe - I have business, in fact, which obliges me to go to
town to-morrow - to London, I mean; and I don't know when I shall be able to
return.«
    »To London!« cried Ruth; »are you going away? Oh, Mr. Bellingham!« She wept
afresh, giving herself up to the desolate feeling of sorrow, which absorbed all
the terror she had been experiencing at the idea of Mrs. Mason's anger. It
seemed to her at this moment as though she could have borne everything but his
departure; but she did not speak again; and, after two or three minutes had
elapsed, he spoke - not in his natural careless voice, but in a sort of
constrained, agitated tone.
    »I can hardly bear the idea of leaving you, my own Ruth. In such distress,
too; for where you can go I do not know at all. From all you have told me of
Mrs. Mason, I don't think she is likely to mitigate her severity in your case.«
    No answer, but tears quietly, incessantly flowing. Mrs. Mason's displeasure
seemed a distant thing; his going away was the present distress. He went on -
    »Ruth, would you go with me to London? My darling, I cannot leave you here
without a home; the thought of leaving you at all is pain enough, but in these
circumstances - so friendless, so homeless - it is impossible. You must come
with me, love, and trust to me.«
    Still she did not speak. Remember how young, and innocent, and motherless
she was! It seemed to her as if it would be happiness enough to be with him; and
as for the future, he would arrange and decide for that. The future lay wrapped
in a golden mist, which she did not care to penetrate; but if he, her sun, was
out of sight and gone, the golden mist became dark heavy gloom, through which no
hope could come. He took her hand.
    »Will you not come with me? Do you not love me enough to trust me? Oh, Ruth
(reproachfully), can you not trust me?«
    She had stopped crying, but was sobbing sadly.
    »I cannot bear this, love. Your sorrow is absolute pain to me; but it is
worse to feel how indifferent you are - how little you care about our
separation.«
    He dropped her hand. She burst into a fresh fit of crying.
    »I may have to join my mother in Paris; I don't know when I shall see you
again. Oh, Ruth!« said he vehemently, »do you love me at all?«
    She said something in a very low voice; he could not hear it, though he bent
down his head - but he took her hand again.
    »What was it you said, love? Was it not that you did love me? My darling,
you do! I can tell it by the trembling of this little hand; then you will not
suffer me to go away alone and unhappy, most anxious about you? There is no
other course open to you; my poor girl has no friends to receive her. I will go
home directly, and return in an hour with a carriage. You make me too happy by
your silence, Ruth.«
    »Oh, what can I do?« exclaimed Ruth. »Mr. Bellingham, you should help me,
and instead of that you only bewilder me.«
    »How, my dearest Ruth? Bewilder you! It seems so clear to me. Look at the
case fairly! Here you are, an orphan, with only one person to love you, poor
child - thrown off, for no fault of yours, by the only creature on whom you have
a claim, that creature a tyrannical, inflexible woman; what is more natural
(and, being natural, more right) than that you should throw yourself upon the
care of the one who loves you dearly - who would go through fire and water for
you - who would shelter you from all harm? Unless, indeed, as I suspect, you do
not care for him. If so, Ruth, if you do not care for me, we had better part - I
will leave you at once; it will be better for me to go, if you do not care for
me.«
    He said this very sadly (it seemed so to Ruth, at least), and made as though
he would have drawn his hand from hers; but now she held it with soft force.
    »Don't leave me, please, sir. It is very true I have no friend but you.
Don't leave me, please. But, oh! do tell me what I must do!«
    »Will you do it if I tell you? If you will trust me, I will do my very best
for you. I will give you my best advice. You see your position: Mrs. Mason
writes and gives her own exaggerated account to your guardian; he is bound by no
great love to you, from what I have heard you say, and throws you off; I, who
might be able to befriend you - through my mother, perhaps - I, who could at
least comfort you a little (could not I, Ruth?), am away, far away, for an
indefinite time; that is your position at present. Now, what I advise is this.
Come with me into this little inn; I will order tea for you - (I am sure you
require it sadly) - and I will leave you there, and go home for the carriage. I
will return in an hour at the latest. Then we are together, come what may; that
is enough for me; is it not for you, Ruth? Say yes - say it ever so low, but
give me the delight of hearing it. Ruth, say yes.«
    Low and soft, with much hesitation, came the »Yes;« the fatal word of which
she so little imagined the infinite consequences. The thought of being with him
was all and everything.
    »How you tremble, my darling! You are cold, love! Come into the house, and
I'll order tea directly, and be off.«
    She rose, and, leaning on his arm, went into the house. She was shaking and
dizzy with the agitation of the last hour. He spoke to the civil
farmer-landlord, who conducted them into a neat parlour, with windows opening
into the garden at the back of the house. They had admitted much of the
evening's fragrance through their open casements before they were hastily closed
by the attentive host.
    »Tea, directly, for this lady!« The landlord vanished.
    »Dearest Ruth, I must go; there is not an instant to be lost. Promise me to
take some tea, for you are shivering all over, and deadly pale with the fright
that abominable woman has given you. I must go; I shall be back in half-an-hour
- and then no more partings, darling.«
    He kissed her pale cold face, and went away. The room whirled round before
Ruth; it was a dream - a strange, varying, shifting dream - with the old home of
her childhood for one scene, with the terror of Mrs. Mason's unexpected
appearance for another; and then, strangest, dizziest, happiest of all, there
was the consciousness of his love, who was all the world to her, and the
remembrance of the tender words, which still kept up their low soft echo in her
heart.
    Her head ached so much that she could hardly see; even the dusky twilight
was a dazzling glare to her poor eyes; and when the daughter of the house
brought in the sharp light of the candles, preparatory for tea, Ruth hid her
face in the sofa pillows with a low exclamation of pain.
    »Does your head ache, miss?« asked the girl, in a gentle, sympathising
voice. »Let me make you some tea, miss, it will do you good. Many's the time
poor mother's headaches were cured by good strong tea.«
    Ruth murmured acquiescence; the young girl (about Ruth's own age, but who
was the mistress of the little establishment owing to her mother's death) made
tea, and brought Ruth a cup to the sofa where she lay. Ruth was feverish and
thirsty, and eagerly drank it off, although she could not touch the bread and
butter which the girl offered her. She felt better and fresher, though she was
still faint and weak.
    »Thank you,« said Ruth. »Don't let me keep you, perhaps you are busy. You
have been very kind, and the tea has done me a great deal of good.«
    The girl left the room. Ruth became as hot as she had previously been cold,
and went and opened the window, and leant out into the still, sweet, evening
air, The bush of sweet-brier underneath the window scented the place, and the
delicious fragrance reminded her of her old home. I think scents affect and
quicken the memory more than either sights or sound; for Ruth had instantly
before her eyes the little garden beneath the window of her mother's room with
the old man leaning on his stick watching her, just as he had done not three
hours before on that very afternoon.
    »Dear old Thomas! he and Mary would take me in, I think; they would love me
all the more if I were cast off. And Mr. Bellingham would, perhaps, not be so
very long away; and he would know where to find me if I stayed at Milham Grange.
Oh, would it not be better to go to them? I wonder if he would be very sorry! I
could not bear to make him sorry, so kind as he has been to me; but I do believe
it would be better to go to them, and ask their advice, at any rate. He would
follow me there; and I could talk over what I had better do, with the three best
friends I have in the world - the only friends I have.«
    She put on her bonnet, and opened the parlour-door; but then she saw the
square figure of the landlord standing at the open house-door, smoking his
evening pipe, and looming large and distinct against the dark air and landscape
beyond. Ruth remembered the cup of tea she had drunk; it must be paid for, and
she had no money with her. She feared that he would not let her quit the house
without paying. She thought that she would leave a note for Mr. Bellingham,
saying where she was gone, and how she had left the house in debt, for (like a
child) all dilemmas appeared of equal magnitude to her; and the difficulty of
passing the landlord while he stood there, and of giving him an explanation of
the circumstances (as far as such explanation was due to him), appeared
insuperable, and as awkward and fraught with inconvenience as far more serious
situations. She kept peeping out of her room, after she had written her little
pencil-note, to see if the outer door was still obstructed. There he stood,
motionless, enjoying his pipe, and looking out into the darkness which gathered
thick with the coming night. The fumes of the tobacco were carried by the air
into the house, and brought back Ruth's sick headache. Her energy left her; she
became stupid and languid, and incapable of spirited exertion; she modified her
plan of action, to the determination of asking Mr. Bellingham to take her to
Milham Grange, to the care of her humble friends, instead of to London. And she
thought, in her simplicity, that he would instantly consent when he had heard
her reasons.
    She started up. A carriage dashed up to the door. She hushed her beating
heart, and tried to stop her throbbing head, to listen. She heard him speaking
to the landlord, though she could not distinguish what he said: heard the
jingling of money, and in another moment he was in the room, and had taken her
arm to lead her to the carriage.
    »Oh, sir, I want you to take me to Milham Grange,« said she, holding back;
»old Thomas would give me a home.«
    »Well, dearest, we'll talk of all that in the carriage; I am sure you will
listen to reason. Nay, if you will go to Milham, you must go in the carriage,«
said he hurriedly. She was little accustomed to oppose the wishes of any one;
obedient and docile by nature, and unsuspicious and innocent of any harmful
consequences. She entered the carriage, and drove towards London.
 

                                   Chapter V

                                 In North Wales

The June of 18- had been glorious and sunny, and full of flowers; but July came
in with pouring rain, and it was a gloomy time for travellers and for
weather-bound tourists, who lounged away the days in touching up sketches,
dressing flies, and reading over again, for the twentieth time, the few volumes
they had brought with them. A number of the Times, five days old, had been in
constant demand in all the sitting-rooms of a certain inn in a little mountain
village of North Wales, through a long July morning. The valleys around were
filled with thick, cold mist, which had crept up the hillsides till the hamlet
itself was folded in its white, dense curtain, and from the inn-windows nothing
was seen of the beautiful scenery around. The tourists who thronged the rooms
might as well have been wi' their dear little bairnies at hame; and so some of
them seemed to think, as they stood, with their faces flattened against the
window-panes, looking abroad in search of an event to fill up the dreary time.
How many dinners were hastened that day, by way of getting through the morning,
let the poor Welsh kitchenmaid say! The very village children kept indoors; or,
if one or two more adventurous stole out into the land of temptation and
puddles, they were soon clutched back by angry and busy mothers.
    It was only four o'clock, but most of the inmates of the inn thought it must
be between six and seven, the morning had seemed so long - so many hours had
passed since dinner - when a Welsh car, drawn by two horses, rattled briskly up
to the door. Every window of the ark was crowded with faces at the sound; the
leathern curtains were undrawn to their curious eyes, and out sprang a
gentleman, who carefully assisted a well-cloaked-up lady into the little inn,
despite the landlady's assurances of not having a room to spare.
    The gentleman (it was Mr. Bellingham) paid no attention to the speeches of
the hostess, but quietly superintended the unpacking of the carriage, and paid
the postillion; then, turning round, with his face to the light, he spoke to the
landlady, whose voice had been rising during the last five minutes -
    »Nay, Jenny, you're strangely altered, if you can turn out an old friend on
such an evening as this. If I remember right, Pen trê Voelas is twenty miles
across the bleakest mountain-road I ever saw.«
    »Indeed, sir, and I did not know you; Mr. Bellingham, I believe. Indeed,
sir, Pen trê Voelas is not above eighteen miles - we only charge for eighteen;
it may not be much above seventeen, - and we're quite full, indeed, more's the
pity.«
    »Well, but, Jenny, to oblige me, an old friend, you can find lodgings out
for some of your people - that house across, for instance.«
    »Indeed, sir, and it's at liberty; perhaps you would not mind lodging there
yourself. I could get you the best rooms, and send over a trifle or so of
furniture, if they weren't as you'd wish them to be.«
    »No, Jenny, here I stay. You'll not induce me to venture over into those
rooms, whose dirt I know of old. Can't you persuade some one who is not an old
friend to move across? Say, if you like, that I had written beforehand to
bespeak the rooms. Oh, I know you can manage it - I know your good-natured
ways.«
    »Indeed, sir! Well, I'll see, if you and the lady will just step into the
back-parlour, sir - there's no one there just now; the lady is keeping her bed
to-day for a cold, and the gentleman is having a rubber at whist in number
three. I'll see what I can do.«
    »Thank you - thank you! Is there a fire? if not, one must be lighted. Come,
Ruthie, come!«
    He led the way into a large bow-windowed room, which looked gloomy enough
that afternoon, but which I have seen bright and buoyant with youth and hope
within, and sunny lights creeping down the purple mountain slope, and stealing
over the green, soft meadows, till they reached the little garden, full of roses
and lavender-bushes, lying close under the window. I have seen - but I shall see
no more.
    »I did not know you had been here before,« said Ruth, as Mr. Bellingham
helped her off with her cloak.
    »Oh, yes; three years ago I was here on a reading party. We were here above
two months, attracted by Jenny's kind heart and oddities, but driven away
finally by the insufferable dirt. However, for a week or two it won't much
signify.«
    »But can she take us in? I thought I heard her saying her house was full.«
    »Oh, yes, I dare say it is; but I shall pay her well. She can easily make
excuses to some poor devil, and send him over to the other side; and for a day
or two, so that we have shelter, it does not much signify.«
    »Could not we go to the house on the other side?«
    »And have our meals carried across to us in a half-warm state, to say
nothing of having no one to scold for bad cooking! You don't know these
out-of-the-way Welsh inns yet, Ruthie.«
    »No, I only thought it seemed rather unfair,« said Ruth gently; but she did
not end her sentence, for Mr. Bellingham formed his lips into a whistle, and
walked to the window to survey the rain.
    The remembrance of his former good payment prompted many little lies of
which Mrs. Morgan was guilty that afternoon, before she succeeded in turning out
a gentleman and lady, who were only planning to remain till the ensuing Saturday
at the outside; so, if they did fulfil their threat, and leave on the next day,
she would be no very great loser.
    These household arrangements complete, she solaced herself with tea in her
own little parlour, and shrewdly reviewed the circumstances of Mr. Bellingham's
arrival.
    »Indeed! and she's not his wife,« thought Jenny, »that's clear as day. His
wife would have brought her maid, and given herself twice as many airs about the
sitting-rooms; while this poor miss never spoke, but kept as still as a mouse.
Indeed, and young men will be young men; and as long as their fathers and
mothers shut their eyes, it's none of my business to go about asking questions.«
    In this manner they settled down to a week's enjoyment of that Alpine
country. It was most true enjoyment to Ruth. It was opening a new sense; vast
ideas of beauty and grandeur filled her mind at the sight of the mountains, now
first beheld in full majesty. She was almost overpowered by the vague and solemn
delight; but by-and-by her love for them equalled her awe, and in the night-time
she would softly rise, and steal to the window to see the white moonlight, which
gave a new aspect to the everlasting hills that girdle the mountain village.
    Their breakfast-hour was late, in accordance with Mr. Bellingham's tastes
and habits; but Ruth was up betimes, and out and away, brushing the dewdrops
from the short crisp grass; the lark sung high above her head, and she knew not
if she moved or stood still, for the grandeur of this beautiful earth absorbed
all idea of separate and individual existence. Even rain was a pleasure to her.
She sat in the window-seat of their parlour (she would have gone out gladly, but
that such a proceeding annoyed Mr. Bellingham, who usually at such times lounged
away the listless hours on a sofa, and relieved himself by abusing the weather);
she saw the swift-fleeting showers come athwart the sunlight like a rush of
silver arrows; she watched the purple darkness on the heathery mountain-side,
and then the pale golden gleam which succeeded. There was no change or
alteration of nature that had not its own peculiar beauty in the eyes of Ruth;
but if she had complained of the changeable climate, she would have pleased Mr.
Bellingham more: her admiration and her content made him angry, until her pretty
motions and loving eyes soothed down his impatience.
    »Really, Ruth,« he exclaimed one day, when they had been imprisoned by rain
a whole morning, »one would think you had never seen a shower of rain before; it
quite wearies me to see you sitting there watching this detestable weather with
such a placid countenance; and for the last two hours you have said nothing more
amusing or interesting than - Oh, how beautiful! or, There's another cloud
coming across Moel Wynn.«
    Ruth left her seat very gently, and took up her work. She wished she had the
gift of being amusing; it must be dull for a man accustomed to all kinds of
active employments to be shut up in the house. She was recalled from her
absolute self-forgetfulness. What could she say to interest Mr. Bellingham?
While she thought, he spoke again -
    »I remember when we were reading here three years ago, we had a week of just
such weather as this; but Howard and Johnson were capital whist-players, and
Wilbraham not bad, so we got through the days famously. Can you play écarté,
Ruth, or picquet?«
    »No, I have sometimes played at beggar-my-neighbour,« answered Ruth humbly,
regretting her own deficiencies.
    He murmured impatiently, and there was silence for another half-hour. Then
he sprang up, and rang the bell violently. »Ask Mrs. Morgan for a pack of cards.
Ruthie, I'll teach you écarté,« said he.
    But Ruth was stupid, not so good as a dummy, he said; and it was no fun
betting against himself. So the cards were flung across the table - on the floor
- anywhere. Ruth picked them up. As she rose, she sighed a little with the
depression of spirits consequent upon her own want of power to amuse and occupy
him she loved.
    »You're pale, love!« said he, half repenting of his anger at her blunders
over the cards. »Go out before dinner; you know you don't mind this cursed
weather; and see that you come home full of adventures to relate. Come, little
blockhead! give me a kiss, and begone.«
    She left the room with a feeling of relief; for if he were dull without her,
she should not feel responsible, and unhappy at her own stupidity. The open air,
that kind of soothing balm which gentle mother Nature offers to us all in our
seasons of depression, relieved her. The rain had ceased, though every leaf and
blade was loaded with trembling glittering drops. Ruth went down to the circular
dale, into which the brown foaming mountain river fell and made a deep pool,
and, after resting there for a while, ran on between broken rocks down to the
valley below. The waterfall was magnificent, as she had anticipated; she longed
to extend her walk to the other side of the stream, so she sought the
stepping-stones, the usual crossing-place, which were overshadowed by trees, a
few yards from the pool. The waters ran high and rapidly, as busy as life,
between the pieces of grey rock; but Ruth had no fear, and went lightly and
steadily on. About the middle, however, there was a great gap; either one of the
stones was so covered with water as to be invisible, or it had been washed lower
down; at any rate, the spring from stone to stone was long, and Ruth hesitated
for a moment before taking it. The sound of rushing waters was in her ears to
the exclusion of every other noise; her eyes were on the current running swiftly
below her feet; and thus she was startled to see a figure close before her on
one of the stones, and to hear a voice offering help.
    She looked up and saw a man, who was apparently long past middle life, and
of the stature of a dwarf; a second glance accounted for the low height of the
speaker, for then she saw he was deformed. As the consciousness of this
infirmity came into her mind, it must have told itself in her softened eyes; for
a faint flush of colour came into the pale face of the deformed gentleman, as he
repeated his words -
    »The water is very rapid; will you take my hand? Perhaps I can help you.«
    Ruth accepted the offer, and with this assistance she was across in a
moment. He made way for her to precede him in the narrow wood path, and then
silently followed her up the glen.
    When they had passed out of the wood into the pastureland beyond, Ruth once
more turned to mark him. She was struck afresh with the mild beauty of the face,
though there was something in the countenance which told of the body's
deformity, something more and beyond the pallor of habitual ill-health,
something of a quick spiritual light in the deep-set eyes, a sensibility about
the mouth; but altogether, though a peculiar, it was a most attractive face.
    »Will you allow me to accompany you if you are going the round by Cwm Dhu,
as I imagine you are? The handrail is blown away from the little wooden bridge
by the storm last night, and the rush of waters below may make you dizzy; and it
is really dangerous to fall there, the stream is so deep.«
    They walked on without much speech. She wondered who her companion might be.
She should have known him, if she had seen him among the strangers at the inn;
and yet he spoke English too well to be a Welshman; he knew the country and the
paths so perfectly, he must be a resident; and so she tossed him from England to
Wales, and back again, in her imagination.
    »I only came here yesterday,« said he, as a widening in the path permitted
them to walk abreast. »Last night I went to the higher waterfalls; they are most
splendid.«
    »Did you go out in all that rain?« asked Ruth timidly.
    »Oh, yes. Rain never hinders me from walking. Indeed, it gives a new beauty
to such a country as this. Besides, my time for my excursion is so short, I
cannot afford to waste a day.«
    »Then you do not live here?« asked Ruth.
    »No! my home is in a very different place. I live in a busy town, where at
times it is difficult to feel the truth that
 
There are in this loud stunning tide
Of human care and crime,
With whom the melodies abide
Of th' everlasting chime;
Who carry music in their heart
Through dusky lane and crowded mart,
Plying their task with busier feet,
Because their secret souls a holy strain repeat.
 
I have an annual holiday, which I generally spend in Wales; and often in this
immediate neighbourhood.«
    »I do not wonder at your choice,« replied Ruth. »It is a beautiful country.«
    »It is, indeed; and I have been inoculated by an old innkeeper at Conway
with a love for its people, and history, and traditions. I have picked up enough
of the language to understand many of their legends; and some are very fine and
awe-inspiring, others very poetic and fanciful.«
    Ruth was too shy to keep up the conversation by any remark of her own,
although his gentle, pensive manner was very winning.
    »For instance,« said he, touching a long bud-laden stem of foxglove in the
hedge-side, at the bottom of which one or two crimson-speckled flowers were
bursting from their green sheaths, »I dare say, you don't know what makes this
foxglove bend and sway so gracefully. You think it is blown by the wind, don't
you?« He looked at her with a grave smile, which did not enliven his thoughtful
eyes, but gave an inexpressible sweetness to his face.
    »I always thought it was the wind. What is it?« asked Ruth innocently.
    »Oh, the Welsh tell you that this flower is sacred to the fairies, and that
it has the power of recognising them, and all spiritual beings who pass by, and
that it bows in deference to them as they waft along. Its Welsh name is Maneg
Ellyllyn - the good people's glove; and hence, I imagine, our folk's-glove or
fox-glove.«
    »It's a very pretty fancy,« said Ruth, much interested, and wishing that he
would go on, without expecting her to reply.
    But they were already at the wooden bridge; he led her across, and then,
bowing his adieu, he had taken a different path even before Ruth had thanked him
for his attention.
    It was an adventure to tell Mr. Bellingham, however; and it aroused and
amused him till dinner-time came, after which he sauntered forth with a cigar.
    »Ruth,« said he, when he returned, »I've seen your little hunchback. He
looks like Riquet-with-the-Tuft. He's not a gentleman, though. If it had not
been for his deformity, I should not have made him out from your description;
you called him a gentleman.«
    »And don't you?« asked Ruth, surprised.
    »Oh, no! he's regularly shabby and seedy in his appearance; lodging, too,
the ostler told me, over that horrible candle-and-cheese shop, the smell of
which is insufferable twenty yards off - no gentleman could endure it; he must
be a traveller or artist, or something of that kind.«
    »Did you see his face?« asked Ruth.
    »No; but a man's back - his tout ensemble, has character enough in it to
decide his rank.«
    »His face was very singular; quite beautiful!« said she softly; but the
subject did not interest Mr. Bellingham, and he let it drop.
 

                                   Chapter VI

                           Troubles Gather about Ruth

The next day the weather was brave and glorious; a perfect bridal of the earth
and sky; and every one turned out of the inn to enjoy the fresh beauty of
nature. Ruth was quite unconscious of being the object of remark; and, in her
light, rapid passings to and fro, had never looked at the doors and windows,
where many watchers stood observing her, and commenting upon her situation or
her appearance.
    »She's a very lovely creature,« said one gentleman, rising from the
breakfast-table to catch a glimpse of her as she entered from her morning's
ramble. »Not above sixteen I should think. Very modest and innocent-looking in
her white gown!«
    His wife, busy administering to the wants of a fine little boy, could only
say (without seeing the young girl's modest ways, and gentle, downcast
countenance) -
    »Well! I do think it's a shame such people should be allowed to come here.
To think of such wickedness under the same roof! Do come away, my dear, and
don't flatter her by such notice.«
    The husband returned to the breakfast-table; he smelt the broiled ham and
eggs, and he heard his wife's commands. Whether smelling or hearing had most to
do in causing his obedience, I cannot tell; perhaps you can.
    »Now, Harry, go and see if nurse and baby are ready to go out with you. You
must lose no time this beautiful morning.«
    Ruth found Mr. Bellingham was not yet come down; so she sallied out for an
additional half-hour's ramble. Flitting about through the village, trying to
catch all the beautiful sunny peeps at the scenery between the cold stone
houses, which threw the radiant distance into aërial perspective far away, she
passed by the little shop; and, just issuing from it, came the nurse and baby,
and little boy. The baby sat in placid dignity in her nurse's arms, with a face
of queenly calm. Her fresh, soft, peachy complexion was really tempting; and
Ruth, who was always fond of children, went up to coo and to smile at the little
thing, and after some peepboing, she was about to snatch a kiss, when Harry,
whose face had been reddening ever since the play began, lifted up his sturdy
little right arm and hit Ruth a great blow on the face.
    »Oh, for shame, sir!« said the nurse, snatching back his hand; »how dare you
do that to the lady who is so kind as to speak to Sissy!«
    »She's not a lady!« said he indignantly. »She's a bad, naughty girl - mamma
said so, she did; and she shan't kiss our baby.«
    The nurse reddened in her turn. She knew what he must have heard; but it was
awkward to bring it out, standing face to face with the elegant young lady.
    »Children pick up such notions, ma'am,« said she at last, apologetically, to
Ruth, who stood, white and still, with a new idea running through her mind.
    »It's no notion; it's true, nurse; and I heard you say it yourself. Go away,
naughty woman!« said the boy, in infantile vehemence of passion to Ruth.
    To the nurse's infinite relief, Ruth turned away, humbly and meekly, with
bent head, and slow, uncertain steps. But as she turned, she saw the mild sad
face of the deformed gentleman, who was sitting at the open window above the
shop; he looked sadder and graver than ever; and his eyes met her glance with an
expression of deep sorrow. And so, condemned alike by youth and age, she stole
with timid step into the house. Mr. Bellingham was awaiting her in the
sitting-room. The glorious day restored all his buoyancy of spirits. He talked
gaily away, without pausing for a reply; while Ruth made tea, and tried to calm
her heart, which was yet beating with the agitation of the new ideas she had
received from the occurrence of the morning. Luckily for her, the only answers
required for some time were monosyllables; but those few words were uttered in
so depressed and mournful a tone, that at last they struck Mr. Bellingham with
surprise and displeasure, as the condition of mind they unconsciously implied
did not harmonise with his own.
    »Ruth, what is the matter this morning? You really are very provoking.
Yesterday, when everything was gloomy, and you might have been aware that I was
out of spirits, I heard nothing but expressions of delight; to-day, when every
creature under heaven is rejoicing, you look most deplorable and woe-begone. You
really should learn to have a little sympathy.«
    The tears fell quickly down Ruth's cheeks, but she did not speak. She could
not put into words the sense she was just beginning to entertain of the
estimation in which she was henceforward to be held. She thought he would be as
much grieved as she was at what had taken place that morning; she fancied she
should sink in his opinion if she told him how others regarded her; besides, it
seemed ungenerous to dilate upon the suffering of which he was the cause.
    »I will not,« thought she, »embitter his life; I will try and be cheerful. I
must not think of myself so much. If I can but make him happy, what need I care
for chance speeches?«
    Accordingly, she made every effort possible to be as light-hearted as he
was; but, somehow, the moment she relaxed, thoughts would intrude, and wonders
would force themselves upon her mind: so that altogether she was not the gay and
bewitching companion Mr. Bellingham had previously found her.
    They sauntered out for a walk. The path they chose led to a wood on the side
of a hill, and they entered, glad of the shade of the trees. At first it
appeared like any common grove, but they soon came to a deep descent, on the
summit of which they stood, looking down on the tree-tops, which were softly
waving far beneath their feet. There was a path leading sharp down, and they
followed it; the ledge of rock made it almost like going down steps, and their
walk grew into a bounding, and their bounding into a run, before they reached
the lowest plane. A green gloom reigned there; it was the still hour of noon;
the little birds were quiet in some leafy shade. They went on a few yards, and
then they came to a circular pool overshadowed by the trees, whose highest
boughs had been beneath their feet a few minutes before. The pond was hardly
below the surface of the ground, and there was nothing like a bank on any side.
A heron was standing there motionless, but when he saw them he flapped his wings
and slowly rose, and soared above the green heights of the wood up into the very
sky itself, for at that depth the trees appeared to touch the round white clouds
which brooded over the earth. The speedwell grew in the shallowest water of the
pool, and all around its margin, but the flowers were hardly seen at first, so
deep was the green shadow cast by the trees. In the very middle of the pond the
sky was mirrored clear and dark, a blue which looked as if a black void lay
behind.
    »Oh, there are water-lilies!« said Ruth, her eye catching on the farther
side. »I must go and get some.«
    »No; I will get them for you. The ground is spongy all round there. Sit
still, Ruth; this heap of grass will make a capital seat.«
    He went round, and she waited quietly for his return. When he came back he
took off her bonnet, without speaking, and began to place his flowers in her
hair. She was quite still while he arranged her coronet, looking up in his face
with loving eyes, with a peaceful composure. She knew that he was pleased from
his manner, which had the joyousness of a child playing with a new toy, and she
did not think twice of his occupation. It was pleasant to forget everything
except his pleasure. When he had decked her out, he said -
    »There, Ruth! now you'll do. Come and look at yourself in the pond. Here,
where there are no weeds. Come.«
    She obeyed, and could not help seeing her own loveliness; it gave her a
sense of satisfaction for an instant, as the sight of any other beautiful object
would have done, but she never thought of associating it with herself. She knew
that she was beautiful; but that seemed abstract, and removed from herself. Her
existence was in feeling and thinking, and loving.
    Down in that green hollow they were quite in harmony. Her beauty was all
that Mr. Bellingham cared for, and it was supreme. It was all he recognised of
her, and he was proud of it. She stood in her white dress against the trees
which grew around; her face was flushed into a brilliancy of colour which
resembled that of a rose in June; the great, heavy, white flowers drooped on
either side of her beautiful head, and if her brown hair was a little
disordered, the very disorder only seemed to add a grace. She pleased him more
by looking so lovely than by all her tender endeavours to fall in with his
varying humour.
    But when they left the wood, and Ruth had taken out her flowers, and resumed
her bonnet, as they came near the inn, the simple thought of giving him pleasure
was not enough to secure Ruth's peace. She became pensive and sad, and could not
rally into gaiety.
    »Really, Ruth,« said he, that evening, »you must not encourage yourself in
this habit of falling into melancholy reveries without any cause. You have been
sighing twenty times during the last half-hour. Do be a little cheerful.
Remember, I have no companion but you in this out-of-the-way place.«
    »I am very sorry,« said Ruth, her eyes filling with tears; and then she
remembered that it was very dull for him to be alone with her, heavy-hearted as
she had been all day. She said in a sweet, penitent tone -
    »Would you be so kind as to teach me one of those games at cards you were
speaking about yesterday? I would do my best to learn.«
    Her soft, murmuring voice won its way. They rang for the cards, and he soon
forgot that there was such a thing as depression or gloom in the world, in the
pleasure of teaching such a beautiful ignoramus the mysteries of card-playing.
    »There!« said he, at last, »that's enough for one lesson. Do you know,
little goose, your blunders have made me laugh myself into one of the worst
headaches I have had for years.«
    He threw himself on the sofa, and in an instant she was by his side.
    »Let me put my cool hands on your forehead,« she begged; »that used to do
mamma good.«
    He lay still, his face away from the light, and not speaking. Presently he
fell asleep. Ruth put out the candles, and sat patiently by him for a long time,
fancying he would awaken refreshed. The room grew cold in the night air; but
Ruth dared not rouse him from what appeared to be sound, restoring slumber. She
covered him with her shawl, which she had thrown over a chair on coming in from
their twilight ramble. She had ample time to think; but she tried to banish
thought. At last, his breathing became quick and oppressed, and, after listening
to it for some minutes with increasing affright, Ruth ventured to awaken him. He
seemed stupefied and shivery. Ruth became more and more terrified; all the
household were asleep except one servant-girl, who was wearied out of what
little English she had knowledge of in more waking hours, and could only answer,
»Iss, indeed, ma'am,« to any question put to her by Ruth.
    She sat by the bedside all night long. He moaned and tossed, but never spoke
sensibly. It was a new form of illness to the miserable Ruth. Her yesterday's
suffering went into the black distance of long-past years. The present was all
in all. When she heard people stirring, she went in search of Mrs. Morgan, whose
shrewd, sharp manners, unsoftened by inward respect for the poor girl, had awed
Ruth even when Mr. Bellingham was by to protect her.
    »Mrs. Morgan,« she said, sitting down in the little parlour appropriated to
the landlady, for she felt her strength suddenly desert her - »Mrs. Morgan, I'm
afraid Mr. Bellingham is very ill;« - here she burst into tears, but instantly
checking herself, »Oh, what must I do?« continued she; »I don't think he has
known anything all through the night, and he looks so strange and wild this
morning.«
    She gazed up into Mrs. Morgan's face, as if reading an oracle.
    »Indeed, miss, ma'am, and it's a very awkward thing. But don't cry, that can
do no good; 'deed it can't. I'll go and see the poor young man myself, and then
I can judge if a doctor is wanting.«
    Ruth followed Mrs. Morgan upstairs. When they entered the sick-room Mr.
Bellingham was sitting up in bed, looking wildly about him, and as he saw them,
he exclaimed -
    »Ruth! Ruth! come here; I won't be left alone!« and then he fell down
exhausted on the pillow. Mrs. Morgan went up and spoke to him, but he did not
answer or take any notice.
    »I'll send for Mr. Jones, my dear, 'deed and I will; we'll have him here in
a couple of hours, please God.«
    »Oh, can't he come sooner?« asked Ruth, wild with terror.
    »'Deed no! he lives at Llanglâs when he's at home, and that's seven mile
away, and he may be gone a round eight or nine mile on the other side Llanglâs;
but I'll send a boy on the pony directly.«
    Saying this, Mrs. Morgan left Ruth alone. There was nothing to be done, for
Mr. Bellingham had again fallen into heavy sleep. Sounds of daily life began,
bells rang, breakfast-services clattered up and down the passages, and Ruth sat
on shivering by the bedside in that darkened room. Mrs. Morgan sent her
breakfast upstairs by a chambermaid; but Ruth motioned it away in her sick
agony, and the girl had no right to urge her to partake of it. That alone broke
the monotony of the long morning. She heard the sound of merry parties setting
out on excursions, on horseback or in carriages; and once, stiff and wearied,
she stole to the window, and looked out on one side of the blind; but the day
looked bright and discordant to her aching, anxious heart. The gloom of the
darkened room was better and more befitting.
    It was some hours after he was summoned before the doctor made his
appearance. He questioned his patient, and, receiving no coherent answer, he
asked Ruth concerning the symptoms; but when she questioned him in turn he only
shook his head and looked grave. He made a sign to Mrs. Morgan to follow him out
of the room, and they went down to her parlour, leaving Ruth in a depth of
despair, lower than she could have thought it possible there remained for her to
experience, an hour before.
    »I am afraid this is a bad case,« said Mr. Jones to Mrs. Morgan in Welsh. »A
brain-fever has evidently set in.«
    »Poor young gentleman! poor young man! He looked the very picture of
health!«
    »That very appearance of robustness will, in all probability, make his
disorder more violent. However, we must hope for the best, Mrs. Morgan. Who is
to attend upon him? He will require careful nursing. Is that young lady his
sister? She looks too young to be his wife?«
    »No, indeed! Gentlemen like you must know, Mr. Jones, that we can't always
look too closely into the ways of young men who come to our houses. Not but what
I am sorry for her, for she's an innocent, inoffensive young creature. I always
think it right, for my own morals, to put a little scorn into my manners when
such as her come to stay here; but indeed, she's so gentle, I've found it hard
work to show the proper contempt.«
    She would have gone on to her inattentive listener if she had not heard a
low tap at the door, which recalled her from her morality, and Mr. Jones from
his consideration of the necessary prescriptions.
    »Come in!« said Mrs. Morgan sharply. And Ruth came in. She was white and
trembling; but she stood in that dignity which strong feeling, kept down by
self-command, always imparts.
    »I wish you, sir, to be so kind as to tell me, clearly and distinctly, what
I must do for Mr. Bellingham. Every direction you give me shall be most
carefully attended to. You spoke about leeches - I can put them on, and see
about them. Tell me everything, sir, that you wish to have done!«
    Her manner was calm and serious, and her countenance and deportment showed
that the occasion was calling out strength sufficient to meet it. Mr. Jones
spoke with a deference which he had not thought of using upstairs, even while he
supposed her to be the sister of the invalid. Ruth listened gravely; she
repeated some of the injunctions, in order that she might be sure that she fully
comprehended them, and then, bowing, left the room.
    »She is no common person,« said Mr. Jones. »Still she is too young to have
the responsibility of such a serious case. Have you any idea where his friends
live. Mrs. Morgan?«
    »Indeed and I have. His mother, as haughty a lady as you would wish to see,
came travelling through Wales last year; she stopped here, and, I warrant you,
nothing was good enough for her; she was real quality. She left some clothes and
books behind her (for the maid was almost as fine as the mistress, and little
thought of seeing after her lady's clothes, having a taste for going to see
scenery along with the man- and we had several letters from her. I have them
locked in the drawers in the bar, where I keep such things.«
    »Well, I should recommend your writing to the lady, and telling her her
son's state.«
    »It would be a favour, Mr. Jones, if you would just write it yourself.
English writing comes so strange to my pen.«
    The letter was written, and, in order to save time, Mr. Jones took it to the
Llanglâs post-office.
 

                                  Chapter VII

                       The Crisis - Watching and Waiting

Ruth put away every thought of the past or future; everything that could unfit
her for the duties of the present. Exceeding love supplied the place of
experience. She never left the room after the first day; she forced herself to
eat, because his service needed her strength. She did not indulge in any tears,
because the weeping she longed for would make her less able to attend upon him.
She watched, and waited, and prayed; prayed with an utter forgetfulness of self,
only with a consciousness that God was all-powerful, and that he, whom she loved
so much, needed the aid of the Mighty One.
    Day and night, the summer night, seemed merged into one. She lost count of
time in the hushed and darkened room. One morning Mrs. Morgan beckoned her out;
and she stole on tiptoe into the dazzling gallery, on one side of which the
bedrooms opened.
    »She's come,« whispered Mrs. Morgan, looking very much excited, and
forgetting that Ruth had never heard that Mrs. Bellingham had been summoned.
    »Who is come?« asked Ruth. The idea of Mrs. Mason flashed through her mind -
but with a more terrible, because a more vague, dread she heard that it was his
mother; the mother of whom he had always spoken as a person whose opinion was to
be regarded more than that of any other individual.
    »What must I do? Will she be angry with me?« said she, relapsing into her
child-like dependence on others; and feeling that even Mrs. Morgan was some one
to stand between her and Mrs. Bellingham.
    Mrs. Morgan herself was a little perplexed. Her morality was rather shocked
at the idea of a proper real lady like Mrs. Bellingham discovering that she had
winked at the connection between her son and Ruth. She was quite inclined to
encourage Ruth in her inclination to shrink out of Mrs. Bellingham's
observation, an inclination which arose from no definite consciousness of having
done wrong, but principally from the representations she had always heard of the
lady's awfulness. Mrs. Bellingham swept into her son's room as if she were
unconscious what poor young creature had lately haunted it; while Ruth hurried
into some unoccupied bedroom, and, alone there, she felt her self-restraint
suddenly give way, and burst into the saddest, most utterly wretched weeping she
had ever known. She was worn out with watching, and exhausted by passionate
crying, and she lay down on the bed and fell asleep. The day passed on; she
slumbered unnoticed and unregarded; she awoke late in the evening with a sense
of having done wrong in sleeping so long; the strain upon her responsibility had
not yet left her. Twilight was closing fast around; she waited until it had
become night, and then she stole down to Mrs. Morgan's parlour.
    »If you please, may I come in?« asked she.
    Jenny Morgan was doing up the hieroglyphics which she called her accounts;
she answered sharp enough, but it was a permission to enter, and Ruth was
thankful for it.
    »Will you tell me how he is? Do you think I may go back to him?«
    »No, indeed, that you may not. Nest, who has made his room tidy these many
days, is not fit to go in now. Mrs. Bellingham has brought her own maid, and the
family nurse, and Mr. Bellingham's man; such a tribe of servants, and no end to
packages; water-beds coming by the carrier, and a doctor from London coming down
to-morrow, as if feather-beds and Mr. Jones was not good enough. Why, she won't
let a soul of us into the room; there's no chance for you!«
    Ruth sighed. »How is he?« she inquired, after a pause.
    »How can I tell, indeed, when I am not allowed to go near him? Mr. Jones
said to-night was a turning-point; but I doubt it, for it is four days since he
was taken ill, and who ever heard of a sick person taking a turn on an even
number of days? It's alway on the third, or the fifth, or seventh, or so on.
He'll not turn till to-morrow night, take my word for it, and their fine London
doctor will get all the credit, and honest Mr. Jones will be thrown aside. I
don't think he will get better myself, though - Gelert does not howl for
nothing. My patience! what's the matter with the girl? - Lord, child, you're
never going to faint, and be ill on my hands?« Her sharp voice recalled Ruth
from the sick unconsciousness that had been creeping over her as she listened to
the latter part of this speech. She sat down and could not speak - the room
whirled round and round - her white feebleness touched Mrs. Morgan's heart.
    »You've had no tea, I guess. Indeed, and the girls are very careless.« She
rang the bell with energy, and seconded her pull by going to the door and
shouting out sharp directions, in Welsh, to Nest and Gwen, and three or four
other rough, kind, slatternly servants.
    They brought her tea, which was comfortable, according to the idea of
comfort prevalent in that rude hospitable place; there was plenty to eat; too
much indeed, for it revolted the appetite it was intended to provoke. But the
heartiness with which the kind rosy waiter pressed her to eat, and the scolding
Mrs. Morgan gave her when she found the buttered toast untouched (toast on which
she had herself desired that the butter might not be spared), did Ruth more good
than the tea. She began to hope, and to long for the morning when hope might
have become certainty. It was all in vain that she was told that the room she
had been in all day was at her service; she did not say a word, but she was not
going to bed that night of all nights in the year, when life or death hung
trembling in the balance. She went into the bedroom till the bustling house was
still, and heard busy feet passing to and fro into the room she might not enter;
and voices, imperious, though hushed down to a whisper, ask for innumerable
things. Then there was silence: and when she thought that all were dead asleep,
except the watchers, she stole out into the gallery. On the other side were two
windows, cut into the thick stone wall, and flower-pots were placed on the
shelves thus formed, where great untrimmed, straggling geraniums grew, and
strove to reach the light. The window near Mr. Bellingham's door was open; the
soft, warm-scented night-air came sighing in in faint gusts, and then was still.
It was summer; there was no black darkness in the twenty-four hours; only the
light grew dusky, and colour disappeared from objects, of which the shape and
form remained distinct. A soft grey oblong of barred light fell on the flat wall
opposite to the windows, and deeper grey shadows marked out the tracery of the
plants, more graceful thus than in reality. Ruth crouched where no light fell.
She sat on the ground close by the door; her whole existence was absorbed in
listening: all was still; it was only her heart beating with the strong, heavy,
regular sound of a hammer. She wished she could stop its rushing, incessant
clang. She heard a rustle of a silken gown, and knew it ought not to have been
worn in a sick-room; for her senses seemed to have passed into the keeping of
the invalid, and to feel only as he felt. The noise was probably occasioned by
some change of posture in the watcher inside, for it was once more dead-still.
The soft wind outside sank with a low, long, distant moan among the windings of
the hills, and lost itself there, and came no more again. But Ruth's heart beat
loud. She rose with as little noise as if she were a vision, and crept to the
open window to try and lose the nervous listening for the ever-recurring sound.
Out beyond, under the calm sky, veiled with a mist rather than with a cloud,
rose the high, dark outlines of the mountains, shutting in that village as if it
lay in a nest. They stood, like giants, solemnly watching for the end of Earth
and Time. Here and there a black round shadow reminded Ruth of some Cwm, or
hollow, where she and her lover had rambled in sun and in gladness. She then
thought the land enchanted into everlasting brightness and happiness; she
fancied, then, that into a region so lovely no bale or woe could enter, but
would be charmed away and disappear before the sight of the glorious guardian
mountains. Now she knew the truth, that earth has no barrier which avails
against agony. It comes lightning-like down from heaven, into the mountain house
and the town garret; into the palace and into the cottage. The garden lay close
under the house; a bright spot enough by day; for in that soil, whatever was
planted grew and blossomed in spite of neglect. The white roses glimmered out in
the dusk all the night through; the red were lost in shadow. Between the low
boundary of the garden and the hills swept one or two green meadows; Ruth looked
into the grey darkness till she traced each separate wave of outline. Then she
heard a little restless bird chirp out its wakefulness from a nest in the ivy
round the walls of the house. But the mother-bird spread her soft feathers, and
hushed it into silence. Presently, however, many little birds began to scent the
coming dawn, and rustled among the leaves, and chirruped loud and clear. Just
above the horizon, too, the mist became a silvery grey cloud hanging on the edge
of the world; presently it turned shimmering white; and then, in an instant, it
flushed into rose, and the mountain-tops sprang into heaven, and bathed in the
presence of the shadow of God. With a bound, the sun of a molten fiery red came
above the horizon, and immediately thousands of little birds sang out for joy,
and a soft chorus of mysterious, glad murmurs came forth from the earth; the low
whispering wind left its hiding-place among the clefts and hollows of the hills,
and wandered among the rustling herbs and trees, waking the flower-buds to the
life of another day. Ruth gave a sigh of relief that the night was over and
gone; for she knew that soon suspense would be ended, and the verdict known,
whether for life or for death. She grew faint and sick with anxiety; it almost
seemed as if she must go into the room and learn the truth. Then she heard
movements, but they were not sharp nor rapid, as if prompted by any emergency;
then, again, it was still. She sat curled up upon the floor, with her head
thrown back against the wall, and her hands clasped round her knees. She had yet
to wait. Meanwhile, the invalid was slowly rousing himself from a long, deep,
sound, health-giving sleep. His mother had sat by him the night through, and was
now daring to change her position for the first time; she was even venturing to
give directions in a low voice to the old nurse, who had dozed away in an
arm-chair, ready to obey any summons of her mistress. Mrs. Bellingham went on
tiptoe towards the door, and chiding herself because her stiff, weary limbs made
some slight noise. She had an irrepressible longing for a few minutes' change of
scene after her night of watching. She felt that the crisis was over; and the
relief to her mind made her conscious of every bodily feeling and irritation,
which had passed unheeded as long as she had been in suspense.
    She slowly opened the door. Ruth sprang upright at the first sound of the
creaking handle. Her very lips were stiff and unpliable with the force of the
blood which rushed to her head. It seemed as if she could not form words. She
stood right before Mrs. Bellingham. »How is he, madam?«
    Mrs. Bellingham was for a moment surprised at the white apparition which
seemed to rise out of the ground. But her quick, proud mind understood it all in
an instant. This was the girl, then, whose profligacy had led her son astray;
had raised up barriers in the way of her favourite scheme of his marriage with
Miss Duncombe; nay, this was the real cause of his illness, his mortal danger at
this present time, and of her bitter, keen anxiety. If, under any circumstances,
Mrs. Bellingham could have been guilty of the ill-breeding of not answering a
question, it was now; and for a moment she was tempted to pass on in silence.
Ruth could not wait; she spoke again -
    »For the love of God, madam, speak! How is he? Will he live?«
    If she did not answer her, she thought the creature was desperate enough to
force her way into his room. So she spoke -
    »He has slept well: he is better.«
    »Oh! my God, I thank thee,« murmured Ruth, sinking back against the wall.
    It was too much to hear this wretched girl thanking God for her son's life;
as if, in fact, she had any lot or part in him. And to dare to speak to the
Almighty on her son's behalf! Mrs. Bellingham looked at her with cold,
contemptuous eyes, whose glances were like ice-bolts, and made Ruth shiver up
away from them.
    »Young woman, if you have any propriety or decency left, I trust that you
will not dare to force yourself into his room.«
    She stood for a moment as if awaiting an answer, and half expecting it to be
a defiance. But she did not understand Ruth. She did not imagine the faithful
trustfulness of her heart. Ruth believed that, if Mr. Bellingham was alive and
likely to live, all was well. When he wanted her, he would send for her, ask for
her, yearn for her, till every one would yield before his steadfast will. At
present she imagined that he was probably too weak to care or know who was about
him; and though it would have been an infinite delight to her to hover and brood
around him, yet it was of him she thought and not of herself. She gently drew
herself on one side to make way for Mrs. Bellingham to pass.
    By and by Mrs. Morgan came up. Ruth was still near the door, from which it
seemed as if she could not tear herself away.
    »Indeed, miss, and you must not hang about the door in this way; it is not
pretty manners. Mrs. Bellingham has been speaking very sharp and cross about it,
and I shall lose the character of my inn if people take to talking as she does.
Did I not give you a room last night to keep in, and never be seen or heard of;
and did I not tell you what a particular lady Mrs. Bellingham was, but you must
come out here right in her way? Indeed, it was not pretty, nor grateful to me,
Jenny Morgan, and that I must say.«
    Ruth turned away like a chidden child. Mrs. Morgan followed her to her room,
scolding as she went; and then, having cleared her heart after her wont by
uttering hasty words, her real kindness made her add, in a softened tone -
    »You stop up here like a good girl. I'll send you your breakfast by-and-by,
and let you know from time to time how he is; and you can go out for a walk, you
know: but if you do, I'll take it as a favour if you'll go out by the side-door.
It will, maybe, save scandal.«
    All that day long, Ruth kept herself close prisoner in the room to which
Mrs. Morgan accorded her; all that day, and many succeeding days. But at nights,
when the house was still, and even the little brown mice had gathered up the
crumbs, and darted again to their holes, Ruth stole out, and crept to his door
to catch, if she could, the sound of his beloved voice. She could tell by its
tones how he felt, and how he was getting on, as well as any of the watchers in
the room. She yearned and pined to see him once more; but she had reasoned
herself down into something like patience. When he was well enough to leave his
room, when he had not always one of the nurses with him, then he would send for
her, and she would tell him how very patient she had been for his dear sake. But
it was long to wait, even with this thought of the manner in which the waiting
would end. Poor Ruth! her faith was only building up vain castles in the air;
they towered up into heaven, it is true; but, after all, they were but visions.
 

                                  Chapter VIII

                  Mrs. Bellingham »Does the Thing Handsomely«

If Mr. Bellingham did not get rapidly well, it was more owing to the morbid
querulous fancy attendant on great weakness than from any unfavourable medical
symptom. But he turned away with peevish loathing from the very sight of food,
prepared in the slovenly manner which had almost disgusted him when he was well.
It was of no use telling him that Simpson, his mother's maid, had superintended
the preparation at every point. He offended her by detecting something offensive
and to be avoided in her daintiest messes, and made Mrs. Morgan mutter many a
hasty speech, which, however, Mrs. Bellingham thought it better not to hear
until her son should be strong enough to travel.
    »I think you are better to-day,« said she, as his man wheeled his sofa to
the bedroom window. »We shall get you downstairs to-morrow.«
    »If you were to get away from this abominable place, I could go down to-day;
but I believe I'm to be kept prisoner here for ever. I shall never get well
here, I'm sure.«
    He sank back on his sofa in impatient despair. The surgeon was announced,
and eagerly questioned by Mrs. Bellingham as to the possibility of her son's
removal; and he, having heard the same anxiety for the same end expressed by
Mrs. Morgan in the regions below, threw no great obstacles in the way. After the
doctor had taken his departure, Mrs. Bellingham cleared her throat several
times. Mr. Bellingham knew the prelude of old, and winced with nervous
annoyance.
    »Henry, there is something I must speak to you about; an unpleasant subject,
certainly, but one which has been forced upon me by the very girl herself; you
must be aware to what I refer without giving me the pain of explaining myself.«
    Mr. Bellingham turned himself sharply round to the wall, and prepared
himself for a lecture by concealing his face from her notice; but she herself
was in too nervous a state to be capable of observation.
    »Of course,« she continued, »it was my wish to be as blind to the whole
affair as possible, though you can't imagine how Mrs. Mason has blazoned it
abroad; all Fordham rings with it: but of course it could not be pleasant, or,
indeed, I may say correct, for me to be aware that a person of such improper
character was under the same - I beg your pardon, dear Henry, what do you say?«
    »Ruth is no improper character, mother; you do her injustice!«
    »My dear boy, you don't mean to uphold her as a paragon of virtue!«
    »No, mother, but I led her wrong; I« -
    »We will let all discussions into the cause or duration of her present
character drop, if you please,« said Mrs. Bellingham, with the sort of dignified
authority which retained a certain power over her son - a power which originated
in childhood, and which he only defied when he was roused into passion. He was
too weak in body to oppose himself to her, and fight the ground inch by inch.
»As I have implied, I do not wish to ascertain your share of blame; from what I
saw of her one morning, I am convinced of her forward, intrusive manners,
utterly without shame, or even common modesty.«
    »What are you referring to?« asked Mr. Bellingham sharply.
    »Why, when you were at the worst, and I had been watching you all night, and
had just gone out in the morning for a breath of fresh air, this girl pushed
herself before me, and insisted upon speaking to me. I really had to send Mrs.
Morgan to her before I could return to your room. A more impudent, hardened
manner, I never saw.«
    »Ruth was neither impudent nor hardened; she was ignorant enough, and might
offend from knowing no better.«
    He was getting weary of the discussion, and wished it had never been begun.
From the time he had become conscious of his mother's presence he had felt the
dilemma he was in, in regard to Ruth, and various plans had directly crossed his
brain; but it had been so troublesome to weigh and consider them all properly,
that they had been put aside to be settled when he grew stronger. But this
difficulty in which he was placed by his connection with Ruth, associated the
idea of her in his mind with annoyance and angry regret at the whole affair. He
wished, in the languid way in which he wished and felt everything not
immediately relating to his daily comfort, that he had never seen her. It was a
most awkward, a most unfortunate affair. Notwithstanding this annoyance
connected with and arising out of Ruth, he would not submit to hear her abused;
and something in his manner impressed this on his mother, for she immediately
changed her mode of attack.
    »We may as well drop all dispute as to the young woman's manners; but I
suppose you do not mean to defend your connection with her; I suppose you are
not so lost to all sense of propriety as to imagine it fit or desirable that
your mother and this degraded girl should remain under the same roof, liable to
meet at any hour of the day?« She waited for an answer, but no answer came.
    »I ask you a simple question; is it, or is it not, desirable?«
    »I suppose it is not,« he replied gloomily.
    »And I suppose, from your manner, that you think the difficulty would be
best solved by my taking my departure, and leaving you with your vicious
companion?«
    Again no answer, but inward and increasing annoyance, of which Mr.
Bellingham considered Ruth the cause. At length he spoke -
    »Mother, you are not helping me in my difficulty. I have no desire to banish
you, nor to hurt you, after all your care for me. Ruth has not been so much to
blame as you imagine, that I must say; but I do not wish to see her again, if
you can tell me how to arrange it otherwise, without behaving unhandsomely. Only
spare me all this worry a while, I am so weak. I put myself in your hands.
Dismiss her, as you wish it; but let it be done handsomely, and let me hear no
more about it; I cannot bear it; let me have a quiet life, without being
lectured, while I am pent up here, and unable to shake off unpleasant thoughts.«
    »My dear Henry, rely upon me.«
    »No more, mother; it's a bad business, and I can hardly avoid blaming myself
in the matter. I don't want to dwell upon it.«
    »Don't be too severe in your self-reproaches while you are so feeble, dear
Henry; it is right to repent, but I have no doubt in my own mind she led you
wrong with her artifices. But, as you say, everything should be done handsomely.
I confess I was deeply grieved when I first heard of the affair, but since I
have seen the girl -- Well! I'll say no more about her, since I see it
displeases you; but I am thankful to God that you see the error of your ways.«
    She sat silent, thinking for a little while, and then sent for her
writing-case and began to write. Her son became restless, and nervously
irritated.
    »Mother,« he said, »this affair worries me to death. I cannot shake off the
thoughts of it.«
    »Leave it to me, I'll arrange it satisfactorily.«
    »Could we not leave to-night? I should not be so haunted by this annoyance
in another place. I dread seeing her again, because I fear a scene; and yet I
believe I ought to see her in order to explain.«
    »You must not think of such a thing, Henry,« said she, alarmed at the very
idea. »Sooner than that, we will leave in half-an-hour, and try to get to Pen
trê Voelas to-night. It is not yet three, and the evenings are very long.
Simpson should stay and finish the packing; she could go straight to London and
meet us there. Macdonald and nurse could go with us. Could you bear twenty
miles, do you think?«
    Anything to get rid of his uneasiness. He felt that he was not behaving as
he should do to Ruth, though the really right never entered his head. But it
would extricate him from his present dilemma, and save him many lectures; he
knew that his mother, always liberal where money was concerned, would do the
thing handsomely; and it would always be easy to write and give Ruth what
explanation he felt inclined, in a day or two; so he consented, and soon lost
some of his uneasiness in watching the bustle of the preparation for their
departure.
    All this time Ruth was quietly spending in her room, beguiling the waiting,
weary hours, with pictures of the meeting at the end. Her room looked to the
back, and was in a side-wing away from the principal state apartments,
consequently she was not roused to suspicion by any of the commotion; but,
indeed, if she had heard the banging of doors, the sharp directions, the
carriage-wheels, she would still not have suspected the truth; her own love was
too faithful.
    It was four o'clock and past, when some one knocked at her door, and, on
entering, gave her a note, which Mrs. Bellingham had left. That lady had found
some difficulty in wording it so as to satisfy herself, but it was as follows: -
 
        »My son, on recovering from his illness, is, I thank God, happily
        conscious of the sinful way in which he has been living with you. By his
        earnest desire, and in order to avoid seeing you again, we are on the
        point of leaving this place; but, before I go, I wish to exhort you to
        repentance, and to remind you that you will not have your own guilt
        alone upon your head, but that of any young man whom you may succeed in
        entrapping into vice. I shall pray that you may turn to an honest life,
        and I strongly recommend you, if indeed you are not dead in trespasses
        and sins, to enter some penitentiary. In accordance with my son's
        wishes, I forward you in this envelope a bank-note of fifty pounds.
                                                           MARGARET BELLINGHAM.«
 
Was this the end of all? Had he, indeed, gone? She started up, and asked this
last question of the servant, who, half guessing at the purport of the note, had
lingered about the room, curious to see the effect produced.
    »Iss, indeed, miss; the carriage drove from the door as I came upstairs.
You'll see it now on the Yspytty road, if you'll please to come to the window of
No. 24.«
    Ruth started up and followed the chambermaid. Ay, there it was, slowly
winding up the steep, white road, on which it seemed to move at a snail's pace.
    She might overtake him - she might - she might speak one farewell word to
him, print his face on her heart with a last look - nay, when he saw her he
might retract, and not utterly, for ever, leave her. Thus she thought; and she
flew back to her room, and snatching up her bonnet, ran, tying the strings with
her trembling hands as she went down the stairs, out at the nearest door, little
heeding the angry words of Mrs. Morgan; for the hostess, more irritated at Mrs.
Bellingham's severe upbraiding at parting, than mollified by her ample payment,
was offended by the circumstance of Ruth, in her wild haste, passing through the
prohibited front door.
    But Ruth was away before Mrs. Morgan had finished her speech, out and away,
scudding along the road, thought-lost in the breathless rapidity of her motion.
Though her heart and head beat almost to bursting, what did it signify if she
could but overtake the carriage? It was a nightmare, constantly evading the most
passionate wishes and endeavours, and constantly gaining ground. Every time it
was visible it was in fact more distant, but Ruth would not believe it. If she
could but gain the summit of that weary everlasting hill, she believed that she
could run again, and would soon be nigh upon the carriage. As she ran she prayed
with wild eagerness; she prayed that she might see his face once more, even if
she died on the spot before him. It was one of those prayers which God is too
merciful to grant; but, despairing and wild as it was, Ruth put her soul into
it, and prayed it again, and yet again.
    Wave above wave of the ever-rising hills were gained, were crossed, and at
last Ruth struggled up to the very top and stood on the bare table of moor,
brown and purple, stretching far away till it was lost in the haze of the summer
afternoon; the white road was all flat before her, but the carriage she sought,
and the figure she sought, had disappeared. There was no human being there; a
few wild, black-faced mountain sheep, quietly grazing near the road, as if it
were long since they had been disturbed by the passing of any vehicle, was all
the life she saw on the bleak moorland.
    She threw herself down on the ling by the side of the road, in despair. Her
only hope was to die, and she believed she was dying. She could not think; she
could believe anything. Surely life was a horrible dream, and God would
mercifully awaken her from it? She had no penitence, no consciousness of error
or offence: no knowledge of any one circumstance but that he was gone. Yet
afterwards - long afterwards - she remembered the exact motion of a bright green
beetle busily meandering among the wild thyme near her, and she recalled the
musical, balanced, wavering drop of a skylark into her nest, near the
heather-bed where she lay. The sun was sinking low, the hot air had ceased to
quiver near the hotter earth, when she bethought her once more of the note which
she had impatiently thrown down before half mastering, its contents. »Oh,
perhaps,« she thought, »I have been too hasty. There may be some words of
explanation from him on the other side of the page, to which, in my blind
anguish, I never turned. I will go and find it.«
    She lifted herself heavily and stiffly from the crushed heather. She stood
dizzy and confused with her change of posture; and was so unable to move at
first, that her walk was but slow and tottering; but, by-and-by, she was tasked
and goaded by thoughts which forced her into rapid motion, as if, by it, she
could escape from her agony. She came down on the level ground, just as many gay
or peaceful groups were sauntering leisurely home with hearts at ease; with low
laughs and quiet smiles, and many an exclamation at the beauty of the summer
evening.
    Ever since her adventure with the little boy and his sister, Ruth had
habitually avoided encountering these happy - innocents, may I call them? -
these happy fellow-mortals! And even now, the habit grounded on sorrowful
humiliation had power over her; she paused, and then, on looking back, she saw
more people who had come into the main road from a side-path. She opened a gate
into a pasture-field, and crept up to the hedge-bank until all should have
passed by, and she could steal into the inn unseen. She sat down on the sloping
turf by the roots of an old hawthorn tree which grew in the hedge; she was still
tearless, with hot burning eyes; she heard the merry walkers pass by; she heard
the footsteps of the village children as they ran along to their evening play;
she saw the small black cows come into the fields after being milked; and life
seemed yet abroad. When would the world be still and dark, and fit for such a
deserted, desolate creature as she was? Even in her hiding-place she was not
long at peace. The little children, with their curious eyes peering here and
there, had peeped through the hedge, and through the gate, and now they gathered
from all the four corners of the hamlet, and crowded round the gate; and one
more adventurous than the rest had run into the field to cry, »Gi' me a
halfpenny,« which set the example to every little one, emulous of his boldness;
and there, where she sat, low on the ground, and longing for the sure
hiding-place earth gives to the weary, the children kept running in, and pushing
one another forwards and laughing. Poor things! their time had not come for
understanding what sorrow is. Ruth would have begged them to leave her alone,
and not madden her utterly; but they knew no English save the one eternal »Gi'
me a halfpenny,« She felt in her heart that there was no pity anywhere.
Suddenly, while she thus doubted God, a shadow fell across her garments, on
which her miserable eyes were bent. She looked up. The deformed gentleman she
had twice before seen stood there. He had been attracted by the noisy little
crowd, and had questioned them in Welsh; but, not understanding enough of the
language to comprehend their answers, he had obeyed their signs, and entered the
gate to which they pointed. There he saw the young girl whom he had noticed at
first for her innocent beauty, and the second time for the idea he had gained
respecting her situation; there he saw her, crouched up like some hunted
creature, with a wild, scared look of despair, which almost made her lovely face
seem fierce; he saw her dress soiled and dim, her bonnet crushed and battered
with her tossings to and fro on the moorland bed; he saw the poor, lost
wanderer, and when he saw her he had compassion on her.
    There was some look of heavenly pity in his eyes, as gravely and sadly they
met her upturned gaze, which touched her stony heart. Still looking at him, as
if drawing some good influence from him, she said low and mournfully, »He has
left me, sir! - sir, he has indeed! - he has gone and left me!«
    Before he could speak a word to comfort her, she had burst into the wildest,
dreariest crying ever mortal cried. The settled form of the event, when put into
words, went sharp to her heart; her moans and sobs wrung his soul; but, as no
speech of his could be heard, if he had been able to decide what best to say, he
stood by her in apparent calmness, while she, wretched, wailed and uttered her
woe. But when she lay worn out, and stupefied into silence, she heard him say to
himself in a low voice -
    »Oh, my God! for Christ's sake, pity her!«
    Ruth lifted up her eyes, and looked at him with a dim perception of the
meaning of his words. She regarded him fixedly in a dreamy way, as if they
struck some chord in her heart, and she were listening to its echo; and so it
was. His pitiful look, or his words, reminded her of the childish days when she
knelt at her mother's knee; and she was only conscious of a straining, longing
desire to recall it all.
    He let her take her time, partly because he was powerfully affected himself
by all the circumstances, and by the sad pale face upturned to his; and partly
by an instinctive consciousness that the softest patience was required. But
suddenly she startled him, as she herself was startled into a keen sense of the
suffering agony of the present; she sprang up and pushed him aside, and went
rapidly towards the gate of the field. He could not move as quickly as most men,
but he put forth his utmost speed. He followed across the road, on to the rocky
common; but, as he went along, with his uncertain gait, in the dusk gloaming, he
stumbled, and fell over some sharp projecting stone. The acute pain which shot
up his back forced a short cry from him; and, when bird and beast are hushed
into rest and the stillness of night is over all, a high-pitched sound, like the
voice of pain, is carried far in the quiet air. Ruth, speeding on in her
despair, heard the sharp utterance, and stopped suddenly short. It did what no
remonstrance could have done; it called her out of herself. The tender nature
was in her still, in that hour when all good angels seemed to have abandoned
her. In the old days she could never bear to hear or see bodily suffering in any
of God's meanest creatures, without trying to succour them; and now, in her rush
to the awful death of the suicide, she stayed her wild steps, and turned to find
from whom that sharp sound of anguish had issued.
    He lay among the white stones, too faint with pain to move, but with an
agony in his mind far keener than any bodily pain, as he thought that by his
unfortunate fall he had lost all chance of saving her. He was almost overpowered
by his intense thankfulness when he saw her white figure pause, and stand
listening, and turn again with slow footsteps, as if searching for some lost
thing. He could hardly speak, but he made a sound which, though his heart was
inexpressibly glad, was like a groan. She came quickly towards him.
    »I am hurt,« said he; »do not leave me;« his disabled and tender frame was
overcome by the accident and the previous emotions, and he fainted away. Ruth
flew to the little mountain stream, the dashing sound of whose waters had been
tempting her, but a moment before, to seek forgetfulness in the deep pool into
which they fell. She made a basin of her joined hands, and carried enough of the
cold fresh water back to dash into his face and restore him to consciousness.
While he still kept silence, uncertain what to say best fitted to induce her to
listen to him, she said softly -
    »Are you better, sir? - are you very much hurt?«
    »Not very much; I am better. Any quick movement is apt to cause me a sudden
loss of power in my back, and I believe I stumbled over some of these projecting
stones. It will soon go off, and you will help me to go home, I am sure.«
    »Oh, yes! Can you go now? I am afraid of your lying too long on this
heather; there is a heavy dew.«
    He was so anxious to comply with her wish, and not weary out her thought for
him, and so turn her back upon herself, that he tried to rise. The pain was
acute, and this she saw.
    »Don't hurry yourself, sir; I can wait.«
    Then came across her mind the recollection of the business that was thus
deferred; but the few homely words which had been exchanged between them seemed
to have awakened her from her madness. She sat down by him, and covering her
face with her hands, cried mournfully and unceasingly. She forgot his presence,
and yet she had a consciousness that some one looked for her kind offices, that
she was wanted in the world, and must not rush hastily out of it. The
consciousness did not take this definite form, it did not become a thought, but
it kept her still, and it was gradually soothing her.
    »Can you help me to rise now?« said he, after a while. She did not speak,
but she helped him up, and then he took her arm, and she led him tenderly
through all the little velvet paths, where the turf grew short and soft between
the rugged stones. Once more on the highway, they slowly passed along in the
moonlight. He guided her by a slight motion of the arm, through the more
unfrequented lanes, to his lodgings at the shop; for he thought for her, and
conceived the pain she would have in seeing the lighted windows of the inn. He
leant more heavily on her arm, as they awaited the opening of the door.
    »Come in,« said he, not relaxing his hold, and yet dreading to tighten it,
lest she should defy restraint, and once more rush away.
    They went slowly into the little parlour behind the shop. The bonny-looking
hostess, Mrs. Hughes by name, made haste to light the candle, and then they saw
each other, face to face. The deformed gentleman looked very pale, but Ruth
looked as if the shadow of death was upon her.
 

                                   Chapter IX

                            The Storm-Spirit Subdued

Mrs. Hughes bustled about with many a sympathetic exclamation, now in pretty
broken English, now in more fluent Welsh, which sounded as soft as Russian or
Italian, in her musical voice. Mr. Benson, for that was the name of the
hunchback, lay on the sofa thinking; while the tender Mrs. Hughes made every
arrangement for his relief from pain. He had lodged with her for three
successive years, and she knew and loved him.
    Ruth stood in the little bow-window, looking out. Across the moon, and over
the deep blue heavens, large, torn, irregular-shaped clouds went hurrying, as if
summoned by some storm-spirit. The work they were commanded to do was not here;
the mighty gathering-place lay eastward, immeasurable leagues; and on they went,
chasing each other over the silent earth, now black, now silver-white at one
transparent edge, now with the moon shining like Hope through their darkest
centre, now again with a silver lining; and now, utterly black, they sailed
lower in the lift, and disappeared behind the immovable mountains; they were
rushing in the very direction in which Ruth had striven and struggled to go that
afternoon; they, in their wild career, would soon pass over the very spot where
he (her world's he) was lying sleeping, or perhaps not sleeping, perhaps
thinking of her. The storm was in her mind, and rent and tore her purposes into
forms as wild and irregular as the heavenly shapes she was looking at. If, like
them, she could pass the barrier horizon in the night, she might overtake him.
    Mr. Benson saw her look, and read it partially. He saw her longing gaze
outwards upon the free, broad world, and thought that the siren waters, whose
deadly music yet rang in his ears, were again tempting her. He called her to
him, praying that his feeble voice might have power.
    »My dear young lady, I have much to say to you; and God has taken my
strength from me now when I most need it. - Oh, I sin to speak so - but, for His
sake, I implore you to be patient here, if only till to-morrow morning.« He
looked at her, but her face was immovable, and she did not speak. She could not
give up her hope, her chance, her liberty, till to-morrow.
    »God help me,« said he mournfully, »my words do not touch her;« and, still
holding her hand, he sank back on the pillows. Indeed, it was true that his
words did not vibrate in her atmosphere. The storm-spirit raged there, and
filled her heart with the thought that she was an outcast; and the holy words,
for His sake, were answered by the demon, who held possession, with a
blasphemous defiance of the merciful God -
    »What have I to do with Thee?«
    He thought of every softening influence of religion which over his own
disciplined heart had power, but put them aside as useless. Then the still small
voice whispered, and he spoke -
    »In your mother's name, whether she be dead or alive, I command you to stay
here until I am able to speak to you.«
    She knelt down at the foot of the sofa, and shook it with her sobs. Her
heart was touched, and he hardly dared to speak again. At length he said -
    »I know you will not go - you could not - for her sake. You will not, will
you?«
    »No,« whispered Ruth; and then there was a great blank in her heart. She had
given up her chance. She was calm, in the utter absence of all hope.
    »And now you will do what I tell you?« said he gently, but unconsciously to
himself, in the tone of one who has found the hidden spell by which to rule
spirits.
    She slowly said, »Yes.« But she was subdued.
    He called Mrs. Hughes. She came from her adjoining shop.
    »You have a bedroom within yours, where your daughter used to sleep, I
think? I am sure you will oblige me, and I shall consider it as a great favour,
if you will allow this young lady to sleep there to-night. Will you take her
there now? Go, my dear. I have full trust in your promise not to leave until I
can speak to you.« His voice died away to silence; but as Ruth rose from her
knees at his bidding, she looked at his face through her tears. His lips were
moving in earnest, unspoken prayer, and she knew it was for her.
    That night, although his pain was relieved by rest, he could not sleep; and,
as in fever, the coming events kept unrolling themselves before him in every
changing and fantastic form. He met Ruth in all possible places and ways, and
addressed her in every manner he could imagine most calculated to move and
affect her to penitence and virtue. Towards morning he fell asleep, but the same
thoughts haunted his dreams; he spoke, but his voice refused to utter aloud; and
she fled, relentless, to the deep, black pool.
    But God works in His own way.
    The visions melted into deep, unconscious sleep. He was awakened by a knock
at the door, which seemed a repetition of what he had heard in his last sleeping
moments.
    It was Mrs. Hughes. She stood at the first word of permission within the
room.
    »Please, sir, I think the young lady is very ill indeed, sir; perhaps you
would please to come to her.«
    »How is she ill?« said he, much alarmed.
    »Quite quiet-like, sir; but I think she is dying, that's all, indeed, sir.«
    »Go away, I will be with you directly,« he replied, his heart sinking within
him.
    In a very short time he was standing with Mrs. Hughes by Ruth's bedside. She
lay as still as if she were dead, her eyes shut, her wan face numbed into a
fixed anguish of expression. She did not speak when they spoke, though after a
while they thought she strove to do so. But all power of motion and utterance
had left her. She was dressed in everything, except her bonnet, as she had been
the day before; although sweet, thoughtful Mrs. Hughes had provided her with
night-gear, which lay on the little chest of drawers that served as a
dressing-table. Mr. Benson lifted up her arm to feel her feeble, fluttering
pulse; and when he let go her hand, it fell upon the bed in a dull, heavy way,
as if she were already dead.
    »You gave her some food?« said he anxiously, to Mrs. Hughes.
    »Indeed, and I offered her the best in the house, but she shook her poor
pretty head, and only asked if I would please to get her a cup of water. I
brought her some milk though; and, 'deed, I think she'd rather have had the
water; but, not to seem sour and cross, she took some milk.« By this time Mrs.
Hughes was fairly crying.
    »When does the doctor come up here?«
    »Indeed, sir, and he's up nearly every day now, the inn is so full.«
    »I'll go for him. And can you manage to undress her and lay her in bed? Open
the window too, and let in the air; if her feet are cold, put bottles of hot
water to them.«
    It was a proof of the true love, which was the nature of both, that it never
crossed their minds to regret that this poor young creature had been thus thrown
upon their hands. On the contrary, Mrs. Hughes called it a blessing.
 
»It blesseth him that gives, and him that takes.«
 

                                   Chapter X

                             A Note and the Answer

At the inn everything was life and bustle. Mr. Benson had to wait long in Mrs.
Morgan's little parlour before she could come to him, and he kept growing more
and more impatient. At last she made her appearance and heard his story.
    People may talk as they will about the little respect that is paid to
virtue, unaccompanied by the outward accidents of wealth or station; but I
rather think it will be found that, in the long run, true and simple virtue
always has its proportionate reward in the respect and reverence of every one
whose esteem is worth having. To be sure, it is not rewarded after the way of
the world, as mere worldly possessions are, with low obeisance and lip-service;
but all the better and more noble qualities in the hearts of others make ready
and go forth to meet it on its approach, provided only it be pure, simple, and
unconscious of its own existence.
    Mr. Benson had little thought for outward tokens of respect just then, nor
had Mrs. Morgan much time to spare; but she smoothed her ruffled brow, and
calmed her bustling manner, as soon as ever she saw who it was that awaited her;
for Mr. Benson was well known in the village, where he had taken up his summer
holiday among the mountains year after year, always a resident at the shop, and
seldom spending a shilling at the inn.
    Mrs. Morgan listened patiently - for her.
    »Mr. Jones will come this afternoon. But it is a shame you should be
troubled with such as her. I had but little time yesterday, but I guessed there
was something wrong, and Gwen has just been telling me her bed has not been
slept in. They were in a pretty hurry to be gone yesterday, for all that the
gentleman was not fit to travel, to my way of thinking; indeed, William Wynn,
the post-boy, said he was weary enough before he got to the end of that Yspytty
road; and he thought they would have to rest there a day or two before they
could go further than Pen trê Voelas. Indeed, and anyhow, the servant is to
follow them with the baggage this very morning; and now I remember, William Wynn
said they would wait for her. You'd better write a note, Mr. Benson, and tell
them her state.«
    It was sound, though unpalatable advice. It came from one accustomed to
bring excellent, if unrefined sense, to bear quickly upon any emergency, and to
decide rapidly. She was, in truth, so little accustomed to have her authority
questioned, that, before Mr. Benson had made up his mind, she had produced
paper, pens, and ink from the drawer in her bureau, placed them before him, and
was going to leave the room.
    »Leave the note on this shelf, and trust me that it goes by the maid. The
boy that drives her there in the car shall bring you an answer back.«
    She was gone before he could rally his scattered senses enough to remember
that he had not the least idea of the name of the person to whom he was to
write. The quiet leisure and peace of his little study at home favoured his
habit of reverie and long deliberation, just as her position as mistress of an
inn obliged her to quick, decisive ways.
    Her advice, though good in some points, was unpalatable in others. It was
true that Ruth's condition ought to be known by those who were her friends; but
were these people to whom he was now going to write friends? He knew there was a
rich mother, and a handsome, elegant son; and he had also some idea of the
circumstances which might a little extenuate their mode of quitting Ruth. He had
wide-enough sympathy to understand that it must have been a most painful
position in which the mother had been placed, on finding herself under the same
roof with a girl who was living with her son, as Ruth was. And yet he did not
like to apply to her; to write to the son was still more out of the question, as
it seemed like asking him to return. But through one or the other lay the only
clue to her friends, who certainly ought to be made acquainted with her
position. At length he wrote -
 
        »Madam, - I write to tell you of the condition of the poor young woman«
        - (here came a long pause of deliberation) - »who accompanied your son
        on his arrival here, and who was left behind on your departure
        yesterday. She is lying (as it appears to me) in a very dangerous state
        at my lodgings; and, if I may suggest, it would be kind to allow your
        maid to return and attend upon her until she is sufficiently recovered
        to be restored to her friends, if, indeed, they could not come to take
        charge of her themselves. - I remain, madam, your obedient servant,
                                                                THURSTAN BENSON.
«
The note was very unsatisfactory after all his consideration, but it was the
best he could do. He made inquiry of a passing servant as to the lady's name,
directed the note, and placed it on the indicated shelf. He then returned to his
lodgings, to await the doctor's coming and the postboy's return. There was no
alteration in Ruth; she was as one stunned into unconsciousness; she did not
move her posture, she hardly breathed. From time to time Mrs. Hughes wetted her
mouth with some liquid, and there was a little mechanical motion of the lips;
that was the only sign of life she gave. The doctor came and shook his head, -
»a thorough prostration of strength, occasioned by some great shock on the
nerves,« - and prescribed care and quiet, and mysterious medicines, but
acknowledged that the result was doubtful, very doubtful. After his departure,
Mr. Benson took his Welsh grammar and tried again to master the ever-puzzling
rules for the mutations of letters; but it was of no use, for his thoughts were
absorbed by the life-in-death condition of the young creature, who was lately
bounding and joyous.
    The maid and the luggage, the car and the driver, had arrived before noon at
their journey's end, and the note had been delivered. It annoyed Mrs. Bellingham
exceedingly. It was the worst of these kind of connections, - there was no
calculating the consequences; they were never-ending. All sorts of claims seemed
to be established, and all sorts of people to step in to their settlement. The
idea of sending her maid! Why, Simpson would not go if she asked her. She
soliloquised thus while reading the letter; and then, suddenly turning round to
the favourite attendant, who had been listening to her mistress's remarks with
no inattentive ear, she asked -
    »Simpson, would you go and nurse this creature, as this« -- she looked at
the signature - »Mr. Benson, whoever he is, proposes?«
    »Me! no, indeed, ma'am,« said the maid, drawing herself up, stiff in her
virtue. »I'm sure, ma'am, you would not expect it of me; I could never have the
face to dress a lady of character again.«
    »Well, well! don't be alarmed; I cannot spare you: by the way, just attend
to the strings on my dress; the chambermaid here pulled them into knots, and
broke them terribly, last night. It is awkward, though, very,« said she,
relapsing into a musing fit over the condition of Ruth.
    »If you'll allow me, ma'am, I think I might say something that would alter
the case. I believe, ma'am, you put a bank-note into the letter to the young
woman yesterday?«
    Mrs. Bellingham bowed acquiescence, and the maid went on -
    »Because, ma'am, when the little deformed man wrote that note (he's Mr.
Benson, ma'am), I have reason to believe neither he nor Mrs. Morgan knew of any
provision being made for the young woman. Me and the chambermaid found your
letter and the bank-note lying quite promiscuous, like waste paper, on the floor
of her room; for I believe she rushed out like mad after you left.«
    »That, as you say, alters the case. This letter, then, is principally a sort
of delicate hint that some provision ought to have been made; which is true
enough, only it has been attended to already. What became of the money?«
    »Law, ma'am! do you ask? Of course, as soon as I saw it, I picked it up and
took it to Mrs. Morgan, in trust for the young person.«
    »Oh, that's right. What friends has she? Did you ever hear from Mason? -
perhaps they ought to know where she is.«
    »Mrs. Mason did tell me, ma'am, she was an orphan; with a guardian who was
noways akin, and who washed his hands of her when she ran off. But Mrs. Mason
was sadly put out, and went into hysterics, for fear you would think she had not
seen after her enough, and that she might lose your custom; she said it was no
fault of hers, for the girl was always a forward creature, boasting of her
beauty, and saying how pretty she was, and striving to get where her good looks
could be seen and admired, - one night in particular, ma'am, at a county ball;
and how Mrs. Mason had found out she used to meet Mr. Bellingham at an old
woman's house, who was a regular old witch, ma'am, and lives in the lowest part
of the town, where all the bad characters haunt.«
    »There! that's enough,« said Mrs. Bellingham sharply, for the maid's
chattering had outrun her tact; and in her anxiety to vindicate the character of
her friend Mrs. Mason by blackening that of Ruth, she had forgotten that she a
little implicated her mistress's son, whom his proud mother did not like to
imagine as ever passing through a low and degraded part of the town.
    »If she has no friends, and is the creature you describe (which is confirmed
by my own observation), the best place for her is, as I said before, the
Penitentiary. Her fifty pounds will keep her a week or so, if she is really
unable to travel, and pay for her journey; and if on her return to Fordham she
will let me know, I will undertake to obtain her admission immediately.«
    »I'm sure it's well for her she has to do with a lady who will take any
interest in her, after what has happened.«
    Mrs. Bellingham called for her writing-desk, and wrote a few hasty lines to
be sent by the post-boy, who was on the point of starting -
 
»Mrs. Bellingham presents her compliments to her unknown correspondent, Mr.
Benson, and begs to inform him of a circumstance of which she believes he was
ignorant when he wrote the letter with which she has been favoured; namely, that
provision to the amount of £50 was left for the unfortunate young person who is
the subject of Mr. Benson's letter. This sum is in the hands of Mrs. Morgan, as
well as a note from Mrs. Bellingham to the miserable girl, in which she proposes
to procure her admission into the Fordham Penitentiary, the best place for such
a character, as by this profligate action she has forfeited the only friend
remaining to her in the world. This proposition Mrs. Bellingham repeats; and
they are the young woman's best friends who most urge her to comply with the
course now pointed out.«
 
»Take care Mr. Bellingham hears nothing of this Mr. Benson's note,« said Mrs.
Bellingham, as she delivered the answer to her maid; »he is so sensitive just
now that it would annoy him sadly, I am sure.«
 

                                   Chapter XI

                           Thurstan and Faith Benson

You have now seen the note which was delivered into Mr. Benson's hands, as the
cool shades of evening stole over the glowing summer sky. When he had read it,
he again prepared to write a few hasty lines before the post went out. The
post-boy was even now sounding his horn through the village as a signal for
letters to be ready; and it was well that Mr. Benson, in his long morning's
meditation, had decided upon the course to be pursued, in case of such an answer
as that which he had received from Mrs. Bellingham. His present note was as
follows; -
 
        »Dear Faith, - You must come to this place directly, where I earnestly
        desire you and your advice. I am well myself, so do not be alarmed. I
        have no time for explanation, but I am sure you will not refuse me; let
        me trust that I shall see you on Saturday at the latest. You know the
        mode by which I came; it is the best both for expedition and cheapness.
        Dear Faith, do not fail me. - Your affectionate brother,
                                                                THURSTAN BENSON.
 
        P.S. - I am afraid the money I left may be running short. Do not let
        this stop you. Take my Facciolati to Johnson's, he will advance upon it;
        it is the third row, bottom shelf. Only come.«
 
When this letter was despatched he had done all he could; and the next two days
passed like a long monotonous dream of watching, thought, and care, undisturbed
by any event, hardly by the change from day to night, which, now the harvest
moon was at her full, was scarcely perceptible. On Saturday morning the answer
came -
 
        »Dearest Thurstan, - Your incomprehensible summons has just reached me,
        and I obey, thereby proving my right to my name of Faith. I shall be
        with you almost as soon as this letter. I cannot help feeling anxious,
        as well as curious. I have money enough, and it is well I have; for
        Sally, who guards your room like a dragon, would rather see me walk the
        whole way, than have any of your things disturbed. - Your affectionate
        sister,
                                                                  FAITH BENSON.«
 
It was a great relief to Mr. Benson to think that his sister would so soon be
with him. He had been accustomed from childhood to rely on her prompt judgment
and excellent sense; and to her care he felt that Ruth ought to be consigned, as
it was too much to go on taxing good Mrs. Hughes with night watching and sick
nursing, with all her other claims on her time. He asked her once more to sit by
Ruth, while he went to meet his sister.
    The coach passed by the foot of the steep ascent which led up to Llan-dhu.
He took a boy to carry his sister's luggage when they arrived; they were too
soon at the bottom of the hill; and the boy began to make ducks and drakes in
the shallowest part of the stream, which there flowed glassy and smooth, while
Mr. Benson sat down on a great stone, under the shadow of an alderbush which
grew where the green flat meadow skirted the water. It was delightful to be once
more in the open air, and away from the scenes and thoughts which had been
pressing on him for the last three days. There was a new beauty in everything:
from the blue mountains which glimmered in the distant sunlight, down to the
flat, rich, peaceful vale, with its calm round shadows, where he sat. The very
margin of white pebbles which lay on the banks of the stream had a sort of
cleanly beauty about it. He felt calmer and more at ease than he had done for
some days; and yet, when be began to think, it was rather a strange story which
he had to tell his sister, in order to account for his urgent summons. Here was
he, sole friend and guardian of a poor sick girl, whose very name he did not
know; about whom all that he did know was, that she had been the mistress of a
man who had deserted her, and that he feared - he believed - she had
contemplated suicide. The offence, too, was one for which his sister, good and
kind as she was, had little compassion. Well, he must appeal to her love for
him, which was a very unsatisfactory mode of proceeding, as he would far rather
have had her interest in the girl founded on reason, or some less personal
basis, than showing it merely because her brother wished it.
    The coach came slowly rumbling over the stony road. His sister was outside,
but got down in a brisk active way, and greeted her brother heartily and
affectionately. She was considerably taller than he was, and must have been very
handsome; her black hair was parted plainly over her forehead, and her dark
expressive eyes and straight nose still retained the beauty of her youth. I do
not know whether she was older than her brother; but, probably owing to his
infirmity requiring her care, she had something of a mother's manner towards
him.
    »Thurstan, you are looking pale! I do not believe you are well, whatever you
may say. Have you had the old pain in your back?«
    »No - a little - never mind that, dearest Faith. Sit down here, while I send
the boy up with your box.« And then, with some little desire to show his sister
how well he was acquainted with the language, he blundered out his directions in
very grammatical Welsh; so grammatical, in fact, and so badly pronounced, that
the boy, scratching his head, made answer -
    »Dim Saesoneg.«
    So he had to repeat it in English.
    »Well, now, Thurstan, here I sit as you bid me. But don't try me too long;
tell me why you sent for me.«
    Now came the difficulty, and oh! for a seraph's tongue, and a seraph's
powers of representation! But there was no seraph at hand, only the soft running
waters singing a quiet tune, and predisposing Miss Benson to listen with a
soothed spirit to any tale, not immediately involving her brother's welfare,
which had been the cause of her seeing that lovely vale.
    »It is an awkward story to tell, Faith, but there is a young woman lying ill
at my lodgings whom I wanted you to nurse.«
    He thought he saw a shadow on his sister's face, and detected a slight
change in her voice as she spoke.
    »Nothing very romantic, I hope, Thurstan. Remember, I cannot stand much
romance; I always distrust it.«
    »I don't know what you mean by romance. The story is real enough, and not
out of the common way, I'm afraid.«
    He paused; he did not get over the difficulty.
    »Well, tell it me at once, Thurstan. I am afraid you have let some one, or
perhaps only your own imagination, impose upon you; but don't try my patience
too much; you know I've no great stock.«
    »Then I'll tell you. The young girl was brought to the inn here by a
gentleman, who has left her; she is very ill, and has no one to see after her.«
    Miss Benson had some masculine tricks, and one was whistling a long, low
whistle when surprised or displeased. She had often found it a useful vent for
feelings, and she whistled now. Her brother would rather she had spoken.
    »Have you sent for her friends?« she asked, at last.
    »She has none.«
    Another pause and another whistle, but rather softer and more wavering than
the last.
    »How is she ill?«
    »Pretty nearly as quiet as if she were dead. She does not speak, or move, or
even sigh.«
    »It would be better for her to die at once, I think.«
    »Faith!«
    That one word put them right. It was spoken in the tone which had authority
over her; it was so full of grieved surprise and mournful upbraiding. She was
accustomed to exercise a sway over him, owing to her greater decision of
character, and, probably, if everything were traced to its cause, to her
superior vigour of constitution; but at times she was humbled before his pure,
childlike nature, and felt where she was inferior. She was too good and true to
conceal this feeling, or to resent its being forced upon her. After a time she
said -
    »Thurstan dear, let us go to her.«
    She helped him with tender care, and gave him her arm up the long and
tedious hill; but when they approached the village, without speaking a word on
the subject, they changed their position, and she leant (apparently) on him. He
stretched himself up into as vigorous a gait as he could, when they drew near to
the abodes of men.
    On the way they had spoken but little. He had asked after various members of
his congregation, for he was a Dissenting minister in a country town, and she
had answered; but they neither of them spoke of Ruth, though their minds were
full of her.
    Mrs. Hughes had tea ready for the traveller on her arrival. Mr. Benson
chafed a little internally at the leisurely way in which his sister sipped and
sipped, and paused to tell him some trifling particular respecting home affairs,
which she had forgotten before.
    »Mr. Bradshaw has refused to let the children associate with the Dixons any
longer, because one evening they played at acting charades.«
    »Indeed! A little more bread and butter, Faith?«
    »Thank you: this Welsh air does make one hungry. Mrs. Bradshaw is paying
poor old Maggie's rent, to save her from being sent into the workhouse.«
    »That's right. Won't you have another cup of tea?«
    »I have had two. However, I think I'll take another.«
    Mr. Benson could not refrain from a little sigh as he poured it out. He
thought he had never seen his sister so deliberately hungry and thirsty before.
He did not guess that she was feeling the meal rather a respite from a
distasteful interview, which she was aware was awaiting her at its conclusion.
But all things come to an end, and so did Miss Benson's tea.
    »Now, will you go and see her?«
    »Yes.«
    And so they went. Mrs. Hughes had pinned up a piece of green calico, by way
of a Venetian blind, to shut out the afternoon sun; and in the light thus shaded
lay Ruth - still, and wan, and white. Even with her brother's account of Ruth's
state, such death-like quietness startled Miss Benson - startled her into pity
for the poor lovely creature who lay thus stricken and felled. When she saw her,
she could no longer imagine her to be an impostor, or a hardened sinner; such
prostration of woe belonged to neither. Mr. Benson looked more at his sister's
face than at Ruth's; he read her countenance as a book.
    Mrs. Hughes stood by, crying.
    Mr. Benson touched his sister, and they left the room together.
    »Do you think she will live?« asked he.
    »I cannot tell,« said Miss Benson, in a softened voice. »But how young she
looks! quite a child, poor creature! When will the doctor come, Thurstan? Tell
me all about her; you have never told me the particulars.«
    Mr. Benson might have said she had never cared to hear them before, and had
rather avoided the subject; but he was too happy to see this awakening of
interest in his sister's warm heart to say anything in the least reproachful. He
told her the story as well as he could, and, as he felt it deeply, he told it
with heart's eloquence; and as he ended, and looked at her, there were tears in
the eyes of both.
    »And what does the doctor say?« asked she, after a pause.
    »He insists upon quiet; he orders medicines and strong broth. I cannot tell
you all; Mrs. Hughes can. She has been so truly good. Doing good, hoping for
nothing again.«
    »She looks very sweet and gentle. I shall sit up tonight, and watch her
myself; and I shall send you and Mrs. Hughes early to bed, for you have both a
worn look about you I don't like. Are you sure the effect of that fall has gone
off? Do you feel anything of it in your back still? After all, I owe her
something for turning back to your help. Are you sure she was going to drown
herself?«
    »I cannot be sure, for I have not questioned her. She has not been in a
state to be questioned; but I have no doubt whatever about it. But you must not
think of sitting up after your journey, Faith.«
    »Answer me, Thurstan. Do you feel any bad effect from that fall?«
    »No, hardly any. Don't sit up, Faith, to-night!«
    »Thurstan, it's no use talking, for I shall; and, if you go on opposing me,
I dare say I shall attack your back, and put a blister on it. Do tell me what
that hardly any means. Besides, to set you quite at ease, you know I have never
seen mountains before, and they fill me and oppress me so much that I could not
sleep; I must keep awake this first night, and see that they don't fall on the
earth and overwhelm it. And now answer my questions about yourself.«
    Miss Benson had the power, which some people have, of carrying her wishes
through to their fulfilment; her will was strong, her sense was excellent, and
people yielded to her - they did not know why. Before ten o'clock she reigned
sole power and potentate in Ruth's little chamber. Nothing could have been
better devised for giving her an interest in the invalid. The very dependence of
one so helpless upon her care inclined her heart towards her. She thought she
perceived a slight improvement in the symptoms during the night, and she was a
little pleased that this progress should have been made while she reigned
monarch of the sick-room. Yes, certainly there was an improvement. There was
more consciousness in the look of the eyes, although the whole countenance still
retained its painful traces of acute suffering, manifested in an anxious,
startled, uneasy aspect. It was broad morning light, though barely five o'clock,
when Miss Benson caught the sight of Ruth's lips moving, as if in speech. Miss
Benson stooped down to listen.
    »Who are you?« asked Ruth, in the faintest of whispers.
    »Miss Benson - Mr. Benson's sister,« she replied.
    The words conveyed no knowledge to Ruth; on the contrary, weak as a babe in
mind and body as she was, her lips began to quiver, and her eyes to show a
terror similar to that of any little child who wakens in the presence of a
stranger, and sees no dear, familiar face of mother or nurse to reassure its
trembling heart.
    Miss Benson took her hand in hers, and began to stroke it caressingly.
    »Don't be afraid, dear; I'm a friend come to take care of you. Would you
like some tea now, my love?«
    The very utterance of these gentle words was unlocking Miss Benson's heart.
Her brother was surprised to see her so full of interest when he came to inquire
later on in the morning. It required Mrs. Hughes's persuasions, as well as his
own, to induce her to go to bed for an hour or two after breakfast; and, before
she went, she made them promise that she should be called when the doctor came.
He did not come until late in the afternoon. The invalid was rallying fast,
though rallying to a consciousness of sorrow, as was evinced by the tears which
came slowly rolling down her pale sad cheeks - tears which she had not the power
to wipe away.
    Mr. Benson had remained in the house all day to hear the doctor's opinion;
and, now that he was relieved from the charge of Ruth by his sister's presence,
he had the more time to dwell upon the circumstances of her case - so far as
they were known to him. He remembered his first sight of her; her lithe figure
swaying to and fro as she balanced herself on the slippery stones, half smiling
at her own dilemma, with a bright, happy light in the eyes, that seemed like a
reflection from the glancing waters sparkling below. Then he recalled the
changed, affrighted look of those eyes as they met his, after the child's rebuff
of her advances; how that little incident filled up the tale at which Mrs.
Hughes had hinted, in a kind of sorrowful way, as if loath (as a Christian
should be) to believe evil. Then that fearful evening, when he had only just
saved her from committing suicide, and that nightmare sleep! And now - lost,
forsaken, and but just delivered from the jaws of death, she lay dependent for
everything on his sister and him - utter strangers a few weeks ago. »Where was
her lover? Could he be easy and happy? Could he grow into perfect health, with
these great sins pressing on his conscience with a strong and hard pain? Or had
he a conscience?«
    Into whole labyrinths of social ethics Mr. Benson's thoughts wandered, when
his sister entered suddenly and abruptly.
    »What does the doctor say? Is she better?«
    »Oh, yes! she's better,« answered Miss Benson, sharp and short. Her brother
looked at her in dismay. She bumped down into a chair in a cross, disconcerted
manner. They were both silent for a few minutes, only Miss Benson whistled and
clucked alternately.
    »What is the matter, Faith? You say she is better.«
    »Why, Thurstan, there is something so shocking the matter, that I cannot
tell you.«
    Mr. Benson changed colour with affright. All things possible and impossible
crossed his mind but the right one. I said, »all things possible«; I made a
mistake. He never believed Ruth to be more guilty than she seemed.
    »Faith, I wish you would tell me, and not bewilder me with those noises of
yours,« said he nervously.
    »I beg your pardon; but something so shocking has just been discovered - I
don't know how to word it - she will have a child. The doctor says so.«
    She was allowed to make noises unnoticed for a few minutes. Her brother did
not speak. At last she wanted his sympathy.
    »Isn't it shocking, Thurstan? You might have knocked me down with a straw
when he told me.«
    »Does she know?«
    »Yes; and I am not sure that that isn't the worst part of all.«
    »How? - what do you mean?«
    »Oh, I was just beginning to have a good opinion of her; but I'm afraid she
is very depraved. After the doctor was gone, she pulled the bed-curtain aside,
and looked as if she wanted to speak to me. (I can't think how she heard, for we
were close to the window, and spoke very low.) Well, I went to her, though I
really had taken quite a turn against her. And she whispered, quite eagerly, Did
he say I should have a baby? Of course I could not keep it from her; but I
thought it my duty to look as cold and severe as I could. She did not seem to
understand how it ought to be viewed, but took it just as if she had a right to
have a baby. She said, Oh, my God, I thank Thee! Oh, I will be so good! I had no
patience with her then, so I left the room.«
    »Who is with her?«
    »Mrs. Hughes. She is not seeing the thing in a moral light, as I should have
expected.«
    Mr. Benson was silent again. After some time he began -
    »Faith, I don't see this affair quite as you do. I believe I am right.«
    »You surprise me, brother! I don't understand you.«
    »Wait awhile! I want to make my feelings very clear to you, but I don't know
where to begin, or how to express myself.«
    »It is, indeed, an extraordinary subject for us to have to talk about; but,
if once I get clear of this girl, I'll wash my hands of all such cases again.«
    Her brother was not attending to her; he was reducing his own ideas to form.
    »Faith, do you know I rejoice in this child's advent?«
    »May God forgive you, Thurstan! - if you know what you are saying. But,
surely, it is a temptation, dear Thurstan.«
    »I do not think it is a delusion. The sin appears to me to be quite distinct
from its consequences.«
    »Sophistry - and a temptation,« said Miss Benson decidedly.
    »No, it is not,« said her brother, with equal decision. »In the eye of God,
she is exactly the same as if the life she has led had left no trace behind. We
knew her errors before, Faith.«
    »Yes, but not this disgrace - this badge of her shame!«
    »Faith, Faith! let me beg of you not to speak so of the little innocent
babe, who may be God's messenger to lead her back to Him. Think again of her
first words - the burst of nature from her heart! Did she not turn to God, and
enter into a covenant with Him - I will be so good? Why, it draws her out of
herself! If her life has hitherto been self-seeking and wickedly thoughtless,
here is the very instrument to make her forget herself, and be thoughtful for
another. Teach her (and God will teach her, if man does not come between) to
reverence her child; and this reverence will shut out sin, - will be
purification.«
    He was very much excited; he was even surprised at his own excitement; but
his thoughts and meditations through the long afternoon had prepared his mind
for this manner of viewing the subject.
    »These are quite new ideas to me,« said Miss Benson coldly. »I think you,
Thurstan, are the first person I ever heard rejoicing over the birth of an
illegitimate child. It appears to me, I must own, rather questionable morality.«
    »I do not rejoice. I have been all this afternoon mourning over the sin
which has blighted this young creature; I have been dreading lest, as she
recovered consciousness, there should be a return of her despair. I have been
thinking of every holy word, every promise to the penitent - of the tenderness
which led the Magdalen aright. I have been, feeling, severely and reproachfully,
the timidity which has hitherto made me blink all encounter with evils of this
particular kind. O Faith! once for all, do not accuse me of questionable
morality, when I am trying more than ever I did in my life to act as my blessed
Lord would have done.«
    He was very much agitated. His sister hesitated, and then she spoke more
softly than before -
    »But, Thurstan, everything might have been done to lead her right (as you
call it), without this child, this miserable offspring of sin.«
    »The world has, indeed, made such children miserable, innocent as they are;
but I doubt if this be according to the will of God, unless it be His punishment
for the parents' guilt; and even then the world's way of treatment is too apt to
harden the mother's natural love into something like hatred. Shame, and the
terror of friends' displeasure, turn her mad - defile her holiest instincts;
and, as for the fathers - God forgive them! I cannot - at least, not just now.«
    Miss Benson thought on what her brother said. At length she asked, »Thurstan
(remember I'm not convinced), how would you have this girl treated according to
your theory?«
    »It will require some time, and much Christian love, to find out the best
way. I know I'm not very wise; but the way I think it would be right to act in,
would be this« -- He thought for some time before he spoke, and then said -
    »She has incurred a responsibility - that we both acknowledge. She is about
to become a mother, and have the direction and guidance of a little tender life.
I fancy such a responsibility must be serious and solemn enough, without making
it into a heavy and oppressive burden, so that human nature recoils from bearing
it. While we do all we can to strengthen her sense of responsibility, I would
likewise do all we can to make her feel that it is responsibility for what may
become a blessing.«
    »Whether the children are legitimate or illegitimate?« asked Miss Benson
dryly.
    »Yes!« said her brother firmly. »The more I think, the more I believe I am
right. No one,« said he, blushing faintly as he spoke, »can have a greater
recoil from profligacy than I have. You yourself have not greater sorrow over
this young creature's sin than I have: the difference is this, you confuse the
consequences with the sin.«
    »I don't understand metaphysics.«
    »I am not aware that I am talking metaphysics. I can imagine that if the
present occasion be taken rightly, and used well, all that is good in her may be
raised to a height unmeasured but by God; while all that is evil and dark may,
by His blessing, fade and disappear in the pure light of her child's presence. -
Oh, Father! listen to my prayer, that her redemption may date from this time.
Help us to speak to her in the loving spirit of thy Holy Son!«
    The tears were full in his eyes; he almost trembled in his earnestness. He
was faint with the strong power of his own conviction, and with his inability to
move his sister. But she was shaken. She sat very still for a quarter of an hour
or more while he leaned back, exhausted by his own feelings.
    »The poor child!« said she at length - »the poor, poor child! what it will
have to struggle through and endure! Do you remember Thomas Wilkins, and the way
he threw the registry of his birth and baptism back in your face? Why, he would
not have the situation; he went to sea, and was drowned, rather than present the
record of his shame.«
    »I do remember it all. It has often haunted me. She must strengthen her
child to look to God, rather than to man's opinion. It will be the discipline,
the penance, she has incurred. She must teach it to be (humanly speaking)
self-dependent.«
    »But after all,« said Miss Benson (for she had known and esteemed poor
Thomas Wilkins, and had mourned over his untimely death, and the recollection
thereof softened her) - »after all, it might be concealed. The very child need
never know its illegitimacy.«
    »How?« asked her brother.
    »Why - we know so little about her yet; but in that letter, it said she had
no friends; - now, could she not go into quite a fresh place, and be passed off
as a widow?«
    Ah, tempter! unconscious tempter! Here was a way of evading the trials for
the poor little unborn child, of which Mr. Benson had never thought. It was the
decision - the pivot, on which the fate of years moved; and he turned it the
wrong way. But it was not for his own sake. For himself, he was brave enough to
tell the truth; for the little helpless baby, about to enter a cruel, biting
world, he was tempted to evade the difficulty. He forgot what he had just said,
of the discipline and the penance to the mother consisting in strengthening her
child to meet, trustfully and bravely, the consequences of her own weakness. He
remembered more clearly the wild fierceness, the Cain-like look, of Thomas
Wilkins, as the obnoxious word in the baptismal registry told him that he must
go forth branded into the world, with his hand against every man's, and every
man's against him.
    »How could it be managed, Faith?«
    »Nay, I must know much more, which she alone can tell us, before I can see
how it is to be managed. It is certainly the best plan.«
    »Perhaps it is,« said her brother thoughtfully, but no longer clearly or
decidedly; and so the conversation dropped.
    Ruth moved the bed-curtain aside, in her soft manner, when Miss Benson
re-entered the room; she did not speak, but she looked at her as if she wished
her to come near. Miss Benson went and stood by her. Ruth took her hand in hers
and kissed it; as if fatigued even by this slight movement, she fell asleep.
    Miss Benson took up her work, and thought over her brother's speeches. She
was not convinced, but she was softened and bewildered.
 

                                  Chapter XII

                      Losing Sight of the Welsh Mountains

Miss Benson continued in an undecided state of mind for the two next days; but
on the third, as they sat at breakfast, she began to speak to her brother.
    »That young creature's name is Ruth Hilton.«
    »Indeed! how did you find it out?«
    »From herself, of course. She is much stronger. I slept with her last night,
and I was aware she was awake long before I liked to speak, but at last I began.
I don't know what I said, or how it went on, but I think it was a little relief
to her to tell me something about herself. She sobbed and cried herself to
sleep; I think she is asleep now.«
    »Tell me what she said about herself.«
    »Oh, it was really very little; it was evidently a most painful subject. She
is an orphan, without brother or sister, and with a guardian, whom, I think she
said, she never saw but once. He apprenticed her (after her father's death) to a
dressmaker. This Mr. Bellingham got acquainted with her, and they used to meet
on Sunday afternoons. One day they were late, lingering on the road, when the
dressmaker came up by accident. She seems to have been very angry, and not
unnaturally so. The girl took fright at her threats, and the lover persuaded her
to go off with him to London, there and then. Last May, I think it was. That's
all.«
    »Did she express any sorrow for her error?«
    »No, not in words; but her voice was broken with sobs, though she tried to
make it steady. After a while she began to talk about her baby, but shyly, and
with much hesitation. She asked me, how much I thought she could earn as a
dressmaker, by working very, very hard; and that brought us round to her child.
I thought of what you had said, Thurstan, and I tried to speak to her as you
wished me. I am not sure if it was right; I am doubtful in my own mind still.«
    »Don't be doubtful, Faith! Dear Faith, I thank you for your kindness.«
    »There is really nothing to thank me for. It is almost impossible to help
being kind to her; there is something so meek and gentle about her, so patient,
and so grateful!«
    »What does she think of doing?«
    »Poor child! she thinks of taking lodgings - very cheap ones, she says;
there she means to work night and day to earn enough for her child. For she said
to me, with such pretty earnestness, It must never know want, whatever I do. I
have deserved suffering, but it will be such a little innocent darling! Her
utmost earnings would not be more than seven or eight shillings a week, I'm
afraid; and then she is so young and so pretty!«
    »There is that fifty pounds Mrs. Morgan brought me, and those two letters.
Does she know about them yet?«
    »No; I did not like to tell her till she is a little stronger. Oh, Thurstan!
I wish there was not this prospect of a child. I cannot help it. I do - I could
see a way in which we might help her, if it were not for that.«
    »How do you mean?«
    »Oh, it's no use thinking of it, as it is! Or else we might have taken her
home with us, and kept her till she had got a little dressmaking in the
congregation, but for this meddle-some child; that spoils everything. You must
let me grumble to you, Thurstan. I was very good to her, and spoke as tenderly
and respectfully of the little thing as if it were the Queen's, and born in
lawful matrimony.«
    »That's right, my dear Faith! Grumble away to me, if you like. I'll forgive
you, for the kind thought of taking her home with us. But do you think her
situation is an insuperable objection?«
    »Why, Thurstan! - it's so insuperable, it puts it quite out of the
question.«
    »How? - that's only repeating your objection. Why is it out of the
question?«
    »If there had been no child coming, we might have called her by her right
name - Miss Hilton; that's one thing. Then, another is, the baby in our house.
Why, Sally would go distraught!«
    »Never mind Sally. If she were an orphan relation of our own, left widowed,«
said he, pausing as if in doubt. »You yourself suggested she should be
considered as a widow, for the child's sake. I'm only taking up your ideas, dear
Faith. I respect you for thinking of taking her home; it is just what we ought
to do. Thank you for reminding me of my duty.«
    »Nay, it was only a passing thought. Think of Mr. Bradshaw. Oh! I tremble at
the thought of his grim displeasure.«
    »We must think of a higher than Mr. Bradshaw. I own I should be a very
coward if he knew. He is so severe, so inflexible. But after all he sees so
little of us; he never comes to tea, you know, but is always engaged when Mrs.
Bradshaw comes. I don't think he knows of what our household consists.«
    »Not know Sally? Oh yes, but he does. He asked Mrs. Bradshaw one day if she
knew what wages we gave her, and said we might get a far more efficient and
younger servant for the money. And, speaking about money, think what our
expenses would be if we took her home for the next six months.«
    That consideration was a puzzling one; and both sat silent and perplexed for
a time. Miss Benson was as sorrowful as her brother, for she was becoming as
anxious as he was to find it possible that her plan could be carried out.
    »There's the fifty pounds,« said he, with a sigh of reluctance at the idea.
    »Yes, there's the fifty pounds,« echoed his sister, with the same sadness in
her tone. »I suppose it is hers.«
    »I suppose it is; and, being so, we must not think who gave it to her. It
will defray her expenses. I am very sorry, but I think we must take it.«
    »It would never do to apply to him under the present circumstances,« said
Miss Benson, in a hesitating manner.
    »No, that we won't,« said her brother decisively. »If she consents to let us
take care of her, we will never let her stoop to request anything from him, even
for his child. She can live on bread and water - we can all live on bread and
water - rather than that.«
    »Then I will speak to her and propose the plan. Oh, Thurstan! from a child
you could persuade me to anything! I hope I am doing right. However much I
oppose you at first, I am sure to yield soon; almost in proportion to my
violence at first. I think I am very weak.«
    »No, not in this instance. We are both right: I, in the way in which the
child ought to be viewed; you, dear good Faith, for thinking of taking her home
with us. God bless you, dear, for it!«
    When Ruth began to sit up (and the strange, new, delicious prospect of
becoming a mother seemed to give her some mysterious source of strength, so that
her recovery was rapid and swift from that time), Miss Benson brought her the
letters and the bank-note.
    »Do you recollect receiving this letter, Ruth?« asked she, with grave
gentleness. Ruth changed colour, and took it and read it again without making
any reply to Miss Benson. Then she sighed, and thought a while; and then took up
and read the second note - the note which Mrs. Bellingham had sent to Mr. Benson
in answer to his. After that she took up the bank-note and turned it round and
round, but not as if she saw it. Miss Benson noticed that her fingers trembled
sadly, and that her lips were quivering for some time before she spoke.
    »If you please, Miss Benson, I should like to return this money.«
    »Why, my dear?«
    »I have a strong feeling against taking it. While he,« said she, deeply
blushing, and letting her large white lids drop down and veil her eyes, »loved
me, he gave me many things - my watch - oh, many things; and I took them from
him gladly and thankfully, because he loved me - for I would have given him
anything - and I thought of them as signs of love. But this money pains my
heart. He has left off loving me, and has gone away. This money seems - oh, Miss
Benson - it seems as if he could comfort me, for being forsaken, by money.« And
at that word the tears, so long kept back and repressed, forced their way like
rain.
    She checked herself, however, in the violence of her emotion, for she
thought of her child.
    »So, will you take the trouble of sending it back to Mrs. Bellingham?«
    »That I will, my dear. I am glad of it, that I am! They don't deserve to
have the power of giving: they don't deserve that you should take it.«
    Miss Benson went and enclosed it up there and then; simply writing these
words in the envelope, »From Ruth Hilton.«
    »And now we wash our hands of these Bellinghams,« said she triumphantly. But
Ruth looked tearful and sad; not about returning the note, but from the
conviction that the reason she had given for the ground of her determination was
true - he no longer loved her.
    To cheer her, Miss Benson began to speak of the future. Miss Benson was one
of those people who, the more she spoke of a plan in its details, and the more
she realised it in her own mind, the more firmly she became a partisan of the
project. Thus she grew warm and happy in the idea of taking Ruth home; but Ruth
remained depressed and languid under the conviction that he no longer loved her.
No home, no future, but the thought of her child, could wean her from this
sorrow. Miss Benson was a little piqued; and this pique showed itself afterwards
in talking to her brother of the morning's proceedings in the sick chamber.
    »I admired her at the time for sending away her fifty pounds so proudly; but
I think she has a cold heart: she hardly thanked me at all for my proposal of
taking her home with us.«
    »Her thoughts are full of other things just now; and people have such
different ways of showing feeling: some by silence, some by words. At any rate,
it is unwise to expect gratitude.«
    »What do you expect - not indifference or ingratitude?«
    »It is better not to expect or calculate consequences. The longer I live,
the more fully I see that. Let us try simply to do right actions, without
thinking of the feelings they are to call out in others. We know that no holy or
self-denying effort can fall to the ground vain and useless; but the sweep of
eternity is large, and God alone knows when the effect is to be produced. We are
trying to do right now, and to feel right; don't let us perplex ourselves with
endeavouring to map out how she should feel, or how she should show her
feelings.«
    »That's all very fine, and I dare say very true,« said Miss Benson, a little
chagrined. »But a bird in the hand is worth two in the bush; and I would rather
have had one good, hearty, Thank you, now, for all I have been planning to do
for her, than the grand effects you promise me in the sweep of eternity. Don't
be grave and sorrowful, Thurstan, or I'll go out of the room. I can stand
Sally's scoldings, but I can't bear your look of quiet depression whenever I am
a little hasty or impatient. I had rather you would give me a good box on the
ear.«
    »And I would often rather you would speak, if ever so hastily, instead of
whistling. So, if I box your ears when I am vexed with you, will you promise to
scold me when you are put out of the way, instead of whistling?«
    »Very well! that's a bargain. You box, and I scold. But, seriously, I began
to calculate our money when she so cavalierly sent off the fifty-pound note (I
can't help admiring her for it!), and I am very much afraid we shall not have
enough to pay the doctor's bill, and take her home with us.«
    »She must go inside the coach, whatever we do,« said Mr. Benson decidedly.
»Who's there? Come in! Oh! Mrs. Hughes! Sit down.«
    »Indeed, sir, and I cannot stay; but the young lady has just made me find up
her watch for her, and asked me to get it sold to pay the doctor, and the little
things she has had since she came; and please, sir, indeed I don't know where to
sell it nearer than Caernarvon.«
    »That is good of her,« said Miss Benson, her sense of justice satisfied;
and, remembering the way in which Ruth had spoken of the watch, she felt what a
sacrifice it must have been to resolve to part with it.
    »And her goodness just helps us out of our dilemma,« said her brother; who
was unaware of the feelings with which Ruth regarded her watch, or, perhaps, he
might have parted with his Facciolati.
    Mrs. Hughes patiently awaited their leisure for answering her practical
question. Where could the watch be sold? Suddenly her face brightened.
    »Mr. Jones, the doctor, is just going to be married, perhaps he would like
nothing better than to give this pretty watch to his bride; indeed, and I think
it's very likely; and he'll pay money for it as well as letting alone his bill.
I'll ask him, sir, at any rate.«
    Mr. Jones was only too glad to obtain possession of so elegant a present at
so cheap a rate. He even, as Mrs. Hughes had foretold, »paid money for it;« more
than was required to defray the expenses of Ruth's accommodation, as most of the
articles of food she had were paid for at the time by Mr. or Miss Benson, but
they strictly forbade Mrs. Hughes to tell Ruth of this.
    »Would you object to my buying you a black gown?« said Miss Benson to her,
the day after the sale of the watch. She hesitated a little, and then went on -
    »My brother and I think it would be better to call you - as if in fact you
were - a widow. It will save much awkwardness, and it will spare your child
much« -- mortification, she was going to have added; but that word did not
exactly do. But, at the mention of her child, Ruth started, and turned ruby-red;
as she always did when allusion was made to it.
    »Oh, yes! certainly. Thank you much for thinking of it. Indeed,« said she,
very low, as if to herself, »I don't know how to thank you for all you are
doing; but I do love you, and will pray for you, if I may.«
    »If you may, Ruth!« repeated Miss Benson, in a tone of surprise.
    »Yes, if I may. If you will let me pray for you.«
    »Certainly, my dear. My dear Ruth, you don't know how often I sin; I do so
wrong, with my few temptations. We are both of us great sinners in the eyes of
the Most Holy; let us pray for each other. Don't speak so again, my dear; at
least, not to me.«
    Miss Benson was actually crying. She had always looked upon herself as so
inferior to her brother in real goodness, had seen such heights above her, that
she was distressed by Ruth's humility. After a short time she resumed the
subject.
    »Then I may get you a black gown? - and we may call you Mrs. Hilton?«
    »No; not Mrs. Hilton!« said Ruth hastily.
    Miss Benson, who had hitherto kept her eyes averted from Ruth's face from a
motive of kindly delicacy, now looked at her with surprise.
    »Why not?« asked she.
    »It was my mother's name,« said Ruth, in a low voice. »I had better not be
called by it.«
    »Then let us call you by my mother's name,« said Miss Benson tenderly. »She
would have -- But I'll talk to you about my mother some other time. Let me call
you Mrs. Denbigh. It will do very well, too. People will think you are a distant
relation.«
    When she told Mr. Benson of this choice of name, he was rather sorry; it was
like his sister's impulsive kindness - impulsive in everything - and he could
imagine how Ruth's humility had touched her. He was sorry, but he said nothing.
    And now the letter was written home, announcing the probable arrival of the
brother and sister on a certain day, »with a distant relation, early left a
widow,« as Miss Benson expressed it. She desired the spare room might be
prepared, and made every provision she could think of for Ruth's comfort; for
Ruth still remained feeble and weak.
    When the black gown, at which she had stitched away incessantly, was
finished - when nothing remained, but to rest for the next day's journey - Ruth
could not sit still. She wandered from window to window, learning off each rock
and tree by heart. Each had its tale, which it was agony to remember; but which
it would have been worse agony to forget. The sound of running waters she heard
that quiet evening was in her ears as she lay on her death-bed; so well had she
learnt their tune.
    And now all was over. She had driven in to Llan-dhu, sitting by her lover's
side, living in the bright present, and strangely forgetful of the past or the
future; she had dreamed out her dream, and she had awakened from the vision of
love. She walked slowly and sadly down the long hill, her tears fast falling,
but as quickly wiped away; while she strove to make steady the low quivering
voice which was often called upon to answer some remark of Miss Benson's.
    They had to wait for the coach. Ruth buried her face in some flowers which
Mrs. Hughes had given her on parting; and was startled when the mail drew up
with a sudden pull, which almost threw the horses on their haunches. She was
placed inside, and the coach had set off again, before she was fully aware that
Mr. and Miss Benson were travelling on the outside; but it was a relief to feel
she might now cry without exciting their notice. The shadow of a heavy
thunder-cloud was on the valley, but the little upland village-church (that
showed the spot in which so much of her life was passed) stood out clear in the
sunshine. She grudged the tears that blinded her as she gazed. There was one
passenger, who tried after a while to comfort her.
    »Don't cry, miss,« said the kind-hearted woman. »You're parting from
friends, maybe? Well, that's bad enough; but, when you come to my age, you'll
think none of it. Why, I've three sons, and they're soldiers and sailors, all of
them - here, there, and everywhere. One is in America, beyond the seas; another
is in China, making tea; and another is at Gibraltar, three miles from Spain;
and yet, you see, I can laugh and eat and enjoy myself. I sometimes think I'll
try and fret a bit, just to make myself a better figure: but, Lord! it's no use,
it's against my nature; so I laugh and grow fat again. I'd be quite thankful for
a fit of anxiety as would make me feel easy in my clothes, which them
manty-makers will make so tight I'm fairly throttled.«
    Ruth durst cry no more; it was no relief, now she was watched and noticed,
and plied with a sandwich or a ginger-bread each time she looked sad. She lay
back with her eyes shut, as if asleep, and went on, and on, the sun never
seeming to move from his high place in the sky, nor the bright hot day to show
the least sign of waning. Every now and then Miss Benson scrambled down, and
made kind inquiries of the pale, weary Ruth; and once they changed coaches, and
the fat old lady left her with a hearty shake of the hand.
    »It is not much further now,« said Miss Benson, apologetically, to Ruth.
»See! we are losing sight of the Welsh mountains. We have about eighteen miles
of plain, and then we come to the moors and the rising ground, amidst which
Eccleston lies. I wish we were there, for my brother is sadly tired.«
    The first wonder in Ruth's mind was, why then, if Mr. Benson was so tired,
did they not stop where they were for the night; for she knew little of the
expenses of a night at an inn. The next thought was, to beg that Mr. Benson
would take her place inside the coach, and allow her to mount up by Miss Benson.
She proposed this, and Miss Benson was evidently pleased.
    »Well, if you're not tired, it would be a rest and a change for him, to be
sure; and if you were by me I could show you the first sight of Eccleston, if we
reach there before it is quite dark.«
    So Mr. Benson got down, and changed places with Ruth.
    She hardly yet understood the numerous small economies which he and his
sister had to practise - the little daily self-denials - all endured so
cheerfully and simply, that they had almost ceased to require an effort, and it
had become natural to them to think of others before themselves. Ruth had not
understood that it was for economy that their places had been taken on the
outside of the coach, while hers, as an invalid requiring rest, was to be the
inside; and that the biscuits which supplied the place of a dinner were, in
fact, chosen because the difference in price between the two would go a little
way towards fulfilling their plan for receiving her as an inmate. Her thought
about money had been hitherto a child's thought; the subject had never touched
her; but afterwards, when she had lived a little while with the Bensons, her
eyes were opened, and she remembered their simple kindness on the journey, and
treasured the remembrance of it in her heart.
    A low grey cloud was the first sign of Eccleston; it was the smoke of the
town hanging over the plain. Beyond the place where she was expected to believe
it existed, arose round, waving uplands; nothing to the fine outlines of the
Welsh mountains, but still going up nearer to heaven than the rest of the flat
world into which she had now entered. Rumbling stones, lamp-posts, a sudden
stop, and they were in the town of Eccleston; and a strange, uncouth voice, on
the dark side of the coach, was heard to say -
    »Be ye there, measter?«
    »Yes, yes!« said Miss Benson quickly. »Did Sally send you, Ben? Get the
ostler's lantern, and look out the luggage.«
 

                                  Chapter XIII

                      The Dissenting Minister's Household

Miss Benson had resumed every morsel of the briskness which she had rather lost
in the middle of the day; her foot was on her native stones, and a very rough
set they were, and she was near her home and among known people. Even Mr. Benson
spoke very cheerfully to Ben, and made many inquiries of him respecting people
whose names were strange to Ruth. She was cold, and utterly weary. She took Miss
Benson's offered arm, and could hardly drag herself as far as the little quiet
street in which Mr. Benson's house was situated. The street was so quiet that
their foot-steps sounded like a loud disturbance, and announced their approach
as effectually as the trumpet's lordly blare did the coming of Abdallah. A door
flew open, and a lighted passage stood before them. As soon as they had entered,
a stout elderly servant emerged from behind the door, her face radiant with
welcome.
    »Eh, bless ye! are ye back again? I thought I should ha' been lost without
ye.«
    She gave Mr. Benson a hearty shake of the hand, and kissed Miss Benson
warmly; then, turning to Ruth, she said, in a loud whisper -
    »Who's yon?«
    Mr. Benson was silent, and walked a step onwards. Miss Benson said boldly
out -
    »The lady I named in my note, Sally - Mrs. Denbigh, a distant relation.«
    »Ay, but you said hoo was a widow. Is this chit a widow?«
    »Yes, this is Mrs. Denbigh,« answered Miss Benson.
    »If I'd been her mother, I'd ha' given her a lollypop instead on a husband.
Hoo looks fitter for it.«
    »Hush! Sally, Sally! Look, there's your master trying to move that heavy
box.« Miss Benson calculated well when she called Sally's attention to her
master; for it was believed by every one, and by Sally herself, that his
deformity was owing to a fall he had had when he was scarcely more than a baby,
and entrusted to her care - a little nurse-girl, as she then was, not many years
older than himself. For years the poor girl had cried herself to sleep on her
pallet bed, moaning over the blight her carelessness had brought upon her
darling; nor was this self-reproach diminished by the forgiveness of the gentle
mother, from whom Thurstan Benson derived so much of his character. The way in
which comfort stole into Sally's heart was in the gradually-formed resolution
that she would never leave him nor forsake him, but serve him faithfully all her
life long; and she had kept to her word. She loved Miss Benson, but she almost
worshipped the brother. The reverence for him was in her heart, however, and did
not always show itself in her manners. But if she scolded him herself, she
allowed no one else that privilege. If Miss Benson differed from her brother,
and ventured to think his sayings or doings might have been improved, Sally came
down upon her like a thunder-clap.
    »My goodness gracious, Master Thurstan, when will you learn to leave off
meddling with other folks' business? Here, Ben! help me up with these trunks.«
    The little narrow passage was cleared, and Miss Benson took Ruth into the
sitting-room. There were only two sitting-rooms on the ground-floor, one behind
the other. Out of the back room the kitchen opened, and for this reason the back
parlour was used as the family sitting-room; or else, being, with its garden
aspect, so much the pleasanter of the two, both Sally and Miss Benson would have
appropriated it for Mr. Benson's study. As it was, the front room, which looked
to the street, was his room; and many a person coming for help - help of which
giving money was the lowest kind - was admitted, and let forth by Mr. Benson,
unknown to any one else in the house. To make amends for his having the least
cheerful room on the ground-floor, he had the garden bedroom, while his sister
slept over his study. There were two more rooms again over these, with sloping
ceilings, though otherwise large and airy. The attic looking into the garden was
the spare bedroom; while the front belonged to Sally. There was no room over the
kitchen, which was, in fact, a supplement to the house. The sitting-room was
called by the pretty, old-fashioned name of the parlour, while Mr. Benson's room
was styled the study.
    The curtains were drawn in the parlour; there was a bright fire and a clean
hearth; indeed, exquisite cleanliness seemed the very spirit of the household,
for the door which was open to the kitchen showed a delicately-white and
spotless floor, and bright glittering tins, on which the ruddy fire-light
danced.
    From the place in which Ruth sat she could see all Sally's movements; and
though she was not conscious of close or minute observation at the time (her
body being weary, and her mind full of other thoughts), yet it was curious how
faithfully that scene remained depicted on her memory in after years. The warm
light filled every corner of the kitchen, in strong distinction to the faint
illumination of the one candle in the parlour, whose radiance was confined, and
was lost in the dead folds of window-curtains, carpet, and furniture. The
square, stout, bustling figure, neat and clean in every respect, but dressed in
the peculiar, old-fashioned costume of the county, namely, a dark-striped
linsey-woolsey petticoat, made very short, displaying sturdy legs in woollen
stockings beneath; a loose kind of jacket, called there a bedgown, made of pink
print; a snow-white apron and cap, both of linen, and the latter made in the
shape of a mutch; - these articles completed Sally's costume, and were painted
on Ruth's memory. Whilst Sally was busied in preparing tea, Miss Benson took off
Ruth's things; and the latter instinctively felt that Sally, in the midst of her
movements, was watching their proceedings. Occasionally she also put in a word
in the conversation, and these little sentences were uttered quite in the tone
of an equal, if not of a superior. She had dropped the more formal you, with
which at first she had addressed Miss Benson, and thou'd her quietly and
habitually.
    All these particulars sank unconsciously into Ruth's mind; but they did not
rise to the surface, and become perceptible, for a length of time. She was weary
and much depressed. Even the very kindness that ministered to her was
overpowering. But over the dark, misty moor a little light shone - a beacon; and
on that she fixed her eyes, and struggled out of her present deep dejection -
the little child that was coming to her!
    Mr. Benson was as languid and weary as Ruth, and was silent during all this
bustle and preparation. His silence was more grateful to Ruth than Miss Benson's
many words, although she felt their kindness. After tea, Miss Benson took her
upstairs to her room. The white dimity bed, and the walls, stained green, had
something of the colouring and purity of effect of a snowdrop; while the floor,
rubbed with a mixture that turned it into a rich dark-brown, suggested the idea
of the garden-mould out of which the snowdrop grows. As Miss Benson helped the
pale Ruth to undress, her voice became less full-toned and hurried; the hush of
approaching night subdued her into a softened, solemn kind of tenderness, and
the murmured blessing sounded like granted prayer.
    When Miss Benson came downstairs, she found her brother reading some letters
which had been received during his absence. She went and softly shut the door of
communication between the parlour and the kitchen; and then, fetching a grey
worsted stocking which she was knitting, sat down near him, her eyes not looking
at her work but fixed on the fire; while the eternal rapid click of the
knitting-needles broke the silence of the room, with a sound as monotonous and
incessant as the noise of a hand-loom. She expected him to speak, but he did
not. She enjoyed an examination into, and discussion of, her feelings; it was an
interest and amusement to her, while he dreaded and avoided all such
conversation. There were times when his feelings, which were always earnest, and
sometimes morbid, burst forth, and defied control, and overwhelmed him; when a
force was upon him compelling him to speak. But he, in general, strove to
preserve his composure, from a fear of the compelling pain of such times, and
the consequent exhaustion. His heart had been very full of Ruth all day long,
and he was afraid of his sister beginning the subject; so he read on, or seemed
to do so, though he hardly saw the letter he held before him. It was a great
relief to him when Sally threw open the middle door with a bang, which did not
indicate either calmness of mind or sweetness of temper.
    »Is yon young woman going to stay any length o' time with us?« asked she of
Miss Benson.
    Mr. Benson put his hand gently on his sister's arm, to check her from making
any reply, while he said -
    »We cannot exactly tell, Sally. She will remain until after her
confinement.«
    »Lord bless us and save us! - a baby in the house! Nay, then my time's come,
and I'll pack up and begone. I never could abide them things. I'd sooner have
rats in the house.«
    Sally really did look alarmed.
    »Why, Sally!« said Mr. Benson, smiling, »I was not much more than a baby
when you came to take care of me.«
    »Yes, you were, Master Thurstan; you were a fine bouncing lad of three year
old and better.«
    Then she remembered the change she had wrought in the fine bouncing lad, and
her eyes filled with tears, which she was too proud to wipe away with her apron;
for, as she sometimes said to herself, »she could not abide crying before folk.«
    »Well, it's no use talking, Sally,« said Miss Benson too anxious to speak to
be any longer repressed. »We've promised to keep her, and we must do it; you'll
have none of the trouble, Sally, so don't be afraid.«
    »Well, I never! as if I minded trouble! You might ha' known me better nor
that. I've scoured master's room twice over, just to make the boards look white,
though the carpet is to cover them, and now you go and cast up about me minding
my trouble. If them's the fashions you've learnt in Wales, I'm thankful I've
never been there.«
    Sally looked red, indignant, and really hurt. Mr. Benson came in with his
musical voice and soft words of healing.
    »Faith knows you don't care for trouble, Sally; she is only anxious about
this poor young woman, who has no friends but ourselves. We know there will be
more trouble in consequence of her coming to stay with us; and I think, though
we never spoke about it, that in making our plans we reckoned on your kind help,
Sally, which has never failed us yet when we needed it.«
    »You've twice the sense of your sister, Master Thurstan, that you have. Boys
always has. It's truth there will be more trouble, and I shall have my share
on't, I reckon. I can face it if I'm told out and out, but I cannot abide the
way some folk has of denying there's trouble or pain to be met; just as if their
saying there was none, would do away with it. Some folk treats one like a babby,
and I don't like it. I'm not meaning you, Master Thurstan.«
    »No, Sally, you need not say that. I know well enough who you mean when you
say some folk. However, I admit I was wrong in speaking as if you minded
trouble, for there never was a creature minded it less. But I want you to like
Mrs. Denbigh,« said Miss Benson.
    »I dare say I should, if you'd let me alone. I did na like her sitting down
in master's chair. Set her up, indeed, in an arm-chair wi' cushions! Wenches in
my day were glad enough of stools.«
    »She was tired to-night,« said Mr. Benson. »We are all tired; so if you have
done your work, Sally, come in to reading.«
    The three quiet people knelt down side by side, and two of them prayed
earnestly for »them that had gone astray.« Before ten o'clock, the household
were in bed.
    Ruth, sleepless, weary, restless with the oppression of a sorrow which she
dared not face and contemplate bravely, kept awake all the early part of the
night. Many a time did she rise, and go to the long casement window, and looked
abroad over the still and quiet town - over the grey stone walls, and chimneys,
and old high-pointed roofs - on to the far-away hilly line of the horizon, lying
calm under the bright moonshine. It was late in the morning when she woke from
her long-deferred slumbers; and when she went downstairs, she found Mr. and Miss
Benson awaiting her in the parlour. That homely, pretty, old-fashioned little
room! How bright and still and clean it looked! The window (all the windows at
the back of the house were casements) was open, to let in the sweet morning air,
and streaming eastern sunshine. The long jessamine sprays, with their
white-scented stars, forced themselves almost into the room. The little square
garden beyond, with grey stone walls all round, was rich and mellow in its
autumnal colouring, running from deep crimson hollyhocks up to amber and gold
nasturtiums, and all toned down by the clear and delicate air. It was so still,
that the gossamer- laden with dew, did not tremble or quiver in the least; but
the sun was drawing to himself the sweet incense of many flowers, and the
parlour was scented with the odours of mignonette and stocks. Miss Benson was
arranging a bunch of China and damask roses in an old-fashioned jar; they lay,
all dewy and fresh, on the white breakfast-cloth when Ruth entered. Mr. Benson
was reading in some large folio. With gentle morning speech they greeted her;
but the quiet repose of the scene was instantly broken by Sally popping in from
the kitchen, and glancing at Ruth with sharp reproach. She said -
    »I reckon I may bring in breakfast, now?« with a strong emphasis on the last
word.
    »I am afraid I am very late,« said Ruth.
    »Oh never mind,« said Mr. Benson gently. »It was our fault for not telling
you our breakfast hour. We always have prayers at half-past seven; and for
Sally's sake, we never vary from that time; for she can so arrange her work, if
she knows the hour of prayers, as to have her mind calm and untroubled.«
    »Ahem!« said Miss Benson, rather inclined to testify against the invariable
calmness of Sally's mind at any hour of the day; but her brother went on as if
he did not hear her.
    »But the breakfast does not signify being delayed a little; and I am sure
you were sadly tired with your long day yesterday.«
    Sally came slapping in, and put down some withered, tough, dry toast, with -
    »It's not my doing if it is like leather«; but as no one appeared to hear
her, she withdrew to her kitchen, leaving Ruth's cheeks like crimson at the
annoyance she had caused.
    All day long, she had that feeling common to those who go to stay at a fresh
house among comparative strangers: a feeling of the necessity that she should
become accustomed to the new atmosphere in which she was placed, before she
could move and act freely; it was, indeed, a purer ether, a diviner air, which
she was breathing in now, than what she had been accustomed to for long months.
The gentle, blessed mother, who had made her childhood's home holy ground, was
in her very nature so far removed from any of earth's stains and temptations,
that she seemed truly one of those
 
»Who ask not if Thine eye
Be on them; who, in love and truth,
Where no misgiving is, rely
Upon the genial sense of youth.«
 
In the Bensons' house there was the same unconsciousness of individual merit,
the same absence of introspection and analysis of motive, as there had been in
her mother; but it seemed that their lives were pure and good, not merely from a
lovely and beautiful nature, but from some law, the obedience to which was, of
itself, harmonious peace, and which governed them almost implicitly, and with as
little questioning on their part, as the glorious stars which haste not, rest
not, in their eternal obedience. This household had many failings: they were but
human, and, with all their loving desire to bring their lives into harmony with
the will of God, they often erred and fell short; but, somehow, the very errors
and faults of one individual served to call out higher excellences in another,
and so they reacted upon each other, and the result of short discords was
exceeding harmony and peace. But they had themselves no idea of the real state
of things; they did not trouble themselves with marking their progress by
self-examination; if Mr. Benson did sometimes, in hours of sick incapacity for
exertion, turn inwards, it was to cry aloud with almost morbid despair, »God be
merciful to me a sinner!« But he strove to leave his life in the hands of God,
and to forget himself.
    Ruth sat still and quiet through the long first day. She was languid and
weary from her journey; she was uncertain what help she might offer to give in
the household duties, and what she might not. And, in her languor and in her
uncertainty, it was pleasant to watch the new ways of the people among whom she
was placed. After breakfast, Mr. Benson withdrew to his study, Miss Benson took
away the cups and saucers, and leaving the kitchen-door open, talked sometimes
to Ruth, sometimes to Sally, while she washed them up. Sally had upstairs duties
to perform, for which Ruth was thankful, as she kept receiving rather angry
glances for her unpunctuality as long as Sally remained downstairs. Miss Benson
assisted in the preparation for the early dinner, and brought some kidney-beans
to shred into a basin of bright, pure spring-water, which caught and danced in
the sunbeams as she sat near the open casement of the parlour, talking to Ruth
of things and people which as yet the latter did not understand, and could not
arrange and comprehend. She was like a child who gets a few pieces of a
dissected map, and is confused until a glimpse of the whole unity is shown him.
Mr. and Mrs. Bradshaw were the centre pieces in Ruth's map; their children,
their servants, were the accessories; and one or two other names were
occasionally mentioned. Ruth wondered and almost wearied at Miss Benson's
perseverance in talking to her about people whom she did not know; but, in
truth, Miss Benson heard the long-drawn, quivering sighs which came from the
poor heavy heart, when it was left to silence, and had leisure to review the
past; and her quick accustomed ear caught also the low mutterings of the thunder
in the distance, in the shape of Sally's soliloquies, which, like the asides at
a theatre, were intended to be heard. Suddenly, Miss Benson called Ruth out of
the room upstairs into her own bed-chamber, and then began rummaging in little
old-fashioned boxes, drawn out of an equally old-fashioned bureau, half-desk,
half-table, and wholly drawers.
    »My dear, I've been very stupid and thoughtless. Oh! I'm so glad I thought
of it before Mrs. Bradshaw came to call. Here it is!« and she pulled out an old
wedding-ring, and hurried it on Ruth's finger. Ruth hung down her head, and
reddened deep with shame; her eyes smarted with the hot tears that filled them.
Miss Benson talked on, in a nervous hurried way -
    »It was my grandmother's; it's very broad; they made them so then, to hold a
posy inside: there's one in that -
 
Thine own sweetheart
Till death doth part,
 
I think it is. There, there! Run away, and look as if you'd always worn it.«
    Ruth went up to her room, and threw herself down on her knees by the
bedside, and cried as if her heart would break; and then, as if a light had come
down into her soul, she calmed herself and prayed - no words can tell how
humbly, and with what earnest feeling. When she came down, she was tearstained
and wretchedly pale; but even Sally looked at her with new eyes, because of the
dignity with which she was invested by an earnestness of purpose which had her
child for its object. She sat and thought, but she no longer heaved those bitter
sighs which had wrung Miss Benson's heart in the morning. In this way the day
wore on; early dinner, early tea seemed to make it preternaturally long to Ruth;
the only event was some unexplained absence of Sally's, who had disappeared out
of the house in the evening, much to Miss Benson's surprise, and somewhat to her
indignation.
    At night, after Ruth had gone up to her room, this absence was explained to
her at least. She had let down her long waving glossy hair, and was standing
absorbed in thought in the middle of the room, when she heard a round clumping
knock at her door, different from that given by the small knuckles of delicate
fingers, and in walked Sally, with a judge-like severity of demeanour, holding
in her hand two widow's caps of commonest make and coarsest texture. Queen
Eleanor herself, when she presented the bowl to Fair Rosamond, had not a more
relentless purpose stamped on her demeanour than had Sally at this moment. She
walked up to the beautiful, astonished Ruth, where she stood in her long, soft,
white dressing-gown, with all her luxuriant brown hair hanging dishevelled down
her figure, and thus Sally spoke -
    »Missus - or miss, as the case may be - I've my doubts as to you. I'm not
going to have my master and Miss Faith put upon, or shame come near them. Widows
wears these sort o' caps, and has their hair cut off; and whether widows wears
wedding-rings or not, they shall have their hair cut off - they shall. I'll have
no half work in this house. I've lived with the family forty-nine year come
Michaelmas, and I'll not see it disgraced, by any one's fine long curls. Sit
down and let me snip off your hair, and let me see you sham decently in a
widow's cap to-morrow, or I'll leave the house. Whatten's come over Miss Faith,
as used to be as mim a lady as ever was, to be taken by such as you, I dunnot
know. Here! sit down with ye, and let me crop you.«
    She laid no light hand on Ruth's shoulder; and the latter, partly
intimidated by the old servant, who had hitherto only turned her vixen lining to
observation, and partly because she was broken-spirited enough to be indifferent
to the measure proposed, quietly sat down. Sally produced the formidable pair of
scissors that always hung at her side, and began to cut in a merciless manner.
She expected some remonstrance or some opposition, and had a torrent of words
ready to flow forth at the least sign of rebellion; but Ruth was still and
silent, with meekly-bowed head, under the strange hands that were shearing her
beautiful hair into the clipped shortness of a boy's. Long before she had
finished, Sally had some slight misgivings as to the fancied necessity of her
task; but it was too late, for half the curls were gone, and the rest must now
come off. When she had done, she lifted up Ruth's face by placing her hand under
the round white chin. She gazed into the countenance, expecting to read some
anger there, though it had not come out in words; but she only met the large,
quiet eyes, that looked at her with sad gentleness out of their finely-hollowed
orbits. Ruth's soft, yet dignified submission, touched Sally with compunction,
though she did not choose to show the change in her feelings. She tried to hide
it, indeed, by stooping to pick up the long bright tresses; and, holding them up
admiringly, and letting them drop down and float on the air (like the pendent
branches of the weeping birch) she said: »I thought we should ha' had some
crying - I did. They're pretty curls enough; you've not been so bad to let them
be cut off neither. You see, Master Thurstan is no wiser than a babby in some
things; and Miss Faith just lets him have his own way; so it's all left to me to
keep him out of scrapes. I'll wish you a very good night. I've heard many a one
say as long hair was not wholesome. Good night.«
    But in a minute she popped her head into Ruth's room once more -
    »You'll put on them caps to-morrow morning. I'll make you a present on
them.«
    Sally had carried away the beautiful curls, and she could not find it in her
heart to throw such lovely chestnut tresses away, so she folded them up
carefully in paper, and placed them in a safe corner of her drawer.
 

                                  Chapter XIV

                        Ruth's First Sunday at Eccleston

Ruth felt very shy when she came down (at half-past seven) the next morning, in
her widow's cap. Her smooth, pale face, with its oval untouched by time, looked
more young and childlike than ever, when contrasted with the head-gear usually
associated with ideas of age. She blushed very deeply as Mr. and Miss Benson
showed the astonishment, which they could not conceal, in their looks. She said
in a low voice to Miss Benson -
    »Sally thought I had better wear it.«
    Miss Benson made no reply; but was startled at the intelligence, which she
thought was conveyed in this speech, of Sally's acquaintance with Ruth's real
situation. She noticed Sally's looks particularly this morning. The manner in
which the old servant treated Ruth had in it far more of respect than there had
been the day before; but there was a kind of satisfied way of braving out Miss
Benson's glances which made the latter uncertain and uncomfortable.
    She followed her brother into his study.
    »Do you know, Thurstan, I am almost certain Sally suspects.«
    Mr. Benson sighed. That deception grieved him, and yet he thought he saw its
necessity.
    »What makes you think so?« asked he.
    »Oh! many little things. It was her odd way of ducking her head about, as if
to catch a good view of Ruth's left hand, that made me think of the
wedding-ring; and once, yesterday, when I thought I had made up quite a natural
speech, and was saying how sad it was for so young a creature to be left a widow
she broke in with widow be farred! in a very strange, contemptuous kind of
manner.«
    »If she suspects, we had far better tell her the truth at once. She will
never rest till she finds it out, so we must make a virtue of necessity.«
    »Well, brother, you shall tell her then, for I am sure I daren't. I don't
mind doing the thing, since you talked to me that day, and since I have got to
know Ruth; but I do mind all the clatter people will make about it.«
    »But Sally is not people.«
    »Oh, I see it must be done; she'll talk as much as all the other persons put
together, so that's the reason I call her people. Shall I call her?« (For the
house was too homely and primitive to have bells.)
    Sally came, fully aware of what was now going to be told her, and determined
not to help them out in telling their awkward secret, by understanding the
nature of it before it was put into the plainest language. In every pause, when
they hoped she had caught the meaning they were hinting at, she persisted in
looking stupid and perplexed, and in saying, »Well,« as if quite unenlightened
as to the end of the story.
    When it was all complete and before her, she said, honestly enough -
    »It's just as I thought it was; and I think you may thank me for having had
the sense to put her into widow's caps, and clip off that bonny brown hair that
was fitter for a bride in lawful matrimony than for such as her. She took it
very well, though. She was as quiet as a lamb, and I clipped her pretty roughly
at first. I must say, though, if I'd ha' known who your visitor was, I'd ha'
packed up my things and cleared myself out of the house before such as her came
into it. As it's done, I suppose I must stand by you, and help you through with
it; I only hope I sha'n't lose my character - and me a parish-clerk's daughter!«
    »O Sally! people know you too well to think any ill of you,« said Miss
Benson, who was pleased to find the difficulty so easily got over; for, in
truth, Sally had been much softened by the unresisting gentleness with which
Ruth had submitted to the clipping of the night before.
    »If I'd been with you, Master Thurstan, I'd ha' seen sharp after you, for
you're always picking up some one or another as nobody else would touch with a
pair of tongs. Why, there was that Nelly Brandon's child as was left at our
door, if I hadn't gone to th' overseer we should have had that Irish tramp's
babby saddled on us for life; but I went off and told th' overseer, and the
mother was caught.«
    »Yes,« said Mr. Benson sadly, »and I often lie awake and wonder what is the
fate of that poor little thing, forced back on the mother who tried to get quit
of it. I often doubt whether I did right; but it's no use thinking about it
now.«
    »I'm thankful it isn't,« said Sally; »and now, if we've talked doctrine long
enough, I'll make th' beds. Yon girl's secret is safe enough for me.«
    Saying this she left the room, and Miss Benson followed. She found Ruth busy
washing the breakfast things; and they were done in so quiet and orderly a
manner, that neither Miss Benson nor Sally, both particular enough, had any of
their little fancies or prejudices annoyed. She seemed to have an instinctive
knowledge of the exact period when her help was likely to become a hindrance,
and withdrew from the busy kitchen just at the right time.
    That afternoon, as Miss Benson and Ruth sat at their work, Mrs. and Miss
Bradshaw called. Miss Benson was so nervous as to surprise Ruth, who did not
understand the probable and possible questions which might be asked respecting
any visitor at the minister's house. Ruth went on sewing, absorbed in her own
thoughts, and glad that the conversation between the two elder ladies and the
silence of the younger one, who sat at some distance from her, gave her an
opportunity of retreating into the haunts of memory; and soon the work fell from
her hands, and her eyes were fixed on the little garden beyond, but she did not
see its flowers or its walls; she saw the mountains which girdled Llan-dhu, and
saw the sun rise from behind their iron outline, just as it had done - how long
ago? was it months or was it years? - since she had watched the night through,
crouched up at his door. Which was the dream and which the reality? that distant
life or this? His moans rang more clearly in her ears than the buzzing of the
conversation between Mrs. Bradshaw and Miss Benson.
    At length the subdued, scared-looking little lady and her bright-eyed silent
daughter rose to take leave; Ruth started into the present, and stood up and
curtseyed, and turned sick at heart with sudden recollection.
    Miss Benson accompanied Mrs. Bradshaw to the door; and in the passage gave
her a long explanation of Ruth's (fictitious) history. Mrs. Bradshaw looked so
much interested and pleased, that Miss Benson enlarged a little more than was
necessary, and rounded off her invention with one or two imaginary details,
which, she was quite unconscious, were overheard by her brother through the
half-open study door.
    She was rather dismayed when he called her into his room after Mrs.
Bradshaw's departure, and asked her what she had been saying about Ruth?
    »Oh! I thought it was better to explain it thoroughly - I mean, to tell the
story we wished to have believed once for all - you know we agreed about that,
Thurstan?« deprecatingly.
    »Yes; but I heard you saying you believed her husband had been a young
surgeon, did I not?«
    »Well, Thurstan, you know he must have been something; and young surgeons
are so in the way of dying, it seemed very natural. Besides,« said she with
sudden boldness, »I do think I've a talent for fiction, it is so pleasant to
invent, and make the incidents dovetail together; and after all, if we are to
tell a lie, we may as well do it thoroughly, or else it's of no use. A bungling
lie would be worse than useless. And, Thurstan - it may be very wrong - but I
believe - I am afraid I enjoy not being fettered by truth. Don't look so grave.
You know it is necessary, if ever it was, to tell falsehoods now; and don't be
angry with me because I do it well.«
    He was shading his eyes with his hand, and did not speak for some time. At
last he said -
    »If it were not for the child, I would tell all; but the world is so cruel.
You don't know how this apparent necessity for falsehood pains me, Faith, or you
would not invent all these details, which are so many additional lies.«
    »Well, well! I will restrain myself if I have to talk about Ruth again. But
Mrs. Bradshaw will tell every one who need to know. You don't wish me to
contradict it, Thurstan, surely - it was such a pretty, probable story.«
    »Faith! I hope God will forgive us if we are doing wrong; and pray, dear,
don't add one unnecessary word that is not true.«
    Another day elapsed, and then it was Sunday: and the house seemed filled
with a deep peace. Even Sally's movements were less hasty and abrupt. Mr. Benson
seemed invested with a new dignity, which made his bodily deformity be forgotten
in his calm, grave composure of spirit. Every trace of week-day occupation was
put away; the night before, a bright new handsome tablecloth had been smoothed
down over the table, and the jars had been freshly filled with flowers. Sunday
was a festival and a holyday in the house. After the very early breakfast,
little feet pattered into Mr. Benson's study, for he had a class for boys - a
sort of domestic Sunday-school, only that there was more talking between
teachers and pupils, than dry, absolute lessons going on. Miss Benson, too, had
her little, neat-tippeted maidens sitting with her in the parlour; and she was
far more particular in keeping them to their reading and spelling than her
brother was with his boys. Sally, too, put in her word of instruction from the
kitchen, helping, as she fancied, though her assistance was often rather
malàpropos; for instance, she called out, to a little fat, stupid, roly-poly
girl, to whom Miss Benson was busy explaining the meaning of the word quadruped
-
    »Quadruped, a thing wi' four legs, Jenny; a chair is a quadruped, child!«
    But Miss Benson had a deaf manner sometimes when her patience was not too
severely tried, and she put it on now. Ruth sat on a low hassock, and coaxed the
least of the little creatures to her, and showed it pictures till it fell asleep
in her arms, and sent a thrill through her, at the thought of the tiny darling
who would lie on her breast before long, and whom she would have to cherish and
to shelter from the storms of the world.
    And then she remembered, that she was once white and sinless as the wee
lassie who lay in her arms; and she knew that she had gone astray. By-and-by the
children trooped away, and Miss Benson summoned her to put on her things for
chapel.
    The chapel was up a narrow street, or rather cul-de-sac, close by. It stood
on the outskirts of the town, almost in fields. It was built about the time of
Matthew and Philip Henry, when the Dissenters were afraid of attracting
attention or observation, and hid their places of worship in obscure and
out-of-the-way parts of the towns in which they were built. Accordingly, it
often happened, as in the present case, that the buildings immediately
surrounding, as well as the chapels themselves, looked as if they carried you
back to a period a hundred and fifty years ago. The chapel had a picturesque and
old-world look, for luckily the congregation had been too poor to rebuild it, or
new-face it, in George the Third's time. The staircases which led to the
galleries were outside, at each end of the building, and the irregular roof and
worn stone steps looked grey and stained by time and weather. The grassy
hillocks, each with a little upright headstone, were shaded by a grand old
wychelm. A lilac-bush or two, a white rose-tree, and a few laburnums, all old
and gnarled enough, were planted round the chapel yard; and the casement windows
of the chapel were made of heavy-leaded, diamond-shaped panes, almost covered
with ivy, producing a green gloom, not without its solemnity, within. This ivy
was the home of an infinite number of little birds, which twittered and warbled,
till it might have been thought that they were emulous of the power of praise
possessed by the human creatures within, with such earnest, long-drawn strains
did this crowd of winged songsters rejoice and be glad in their beautiful gift
of life. The interior of the building was plain and simple as plain and simple
could be. When it was fitted up, oak-timber was much cheaper than it is now, so
the wood-work was all of that description; but roughly hewed, for the early
builders had not much wealth to spare. The walls were whitewashed, and were
recipients of the shadows of the beauty without; on their white plains the
tracery of the ivy might be seen, now still, now stirred by the sudden flight of
some little bird. The congregation consisted of here and there a farmer with his
labourers, who came down from the uplands beyond the town to worship where their
fathers worshipped, and who loved the place because they knew how much those
fathers had suffered for it, although they never troubled themselves with the
reason why they left the parish church; and of a few shopkeepers, far more
thoughtful and reasoning, who were Dissenters from conviction, unmixed with old
ancestral association; and of one or two families of still higher worldly
station. With many poor, who were drawn there by love for Mr. Benson's
character, and by a feeling that the faith which made him what he was could not
be far wrong, for the base of the pyramid, and with Mr. Bradshaw for its apex,
the congregation stood complete.
    The country people came in sleeking down their hair, and treading with
earnest attempts at noiseless lightness of step over the floor of the aisle;
and, by-and-by, when all were assembled, Mr. Benson followed, unmarshalled and
unattended. When he had closed the pulpit-door, and knelt in prayer for an
instant or two, he gave out a psalm from the dear old Scottish paraphrase, with
its primitive inversion of the simple perfect Bible words; and a kind of
precentor stood up, and, having sounded the note on a pitch-pipe, sang a couple
of lines by way of indicating the tune; then all the congregation stood up, and
sang aloud, Mr. Bradshaw's great bass voice being half a note in advance of the
others, in accordance with his place of precedence as principal member of the
congregation. His powerful voice was like an organ very badly played, and very
much out of tune; but as he had no ear, and no diffidence, it pleased him very
much to hear the fine loud sound. He was a tall, large-boned, iron man; stern,
powerful, and authoritative in appearance; dressed in clothes of the finest
broadcloth, and scrupulously ill-made, as if to show that he was indifferent to
all outward things. His wife was sweet and gentle-looking, but as if she was
thoroughly broken into submission.
    Ruth did not see this, or hear aught but the words which were reverently -
oh, how reverently! - spoken by Mr. Benson. He had had Ruth present in his
thoughts all the time he had been preparing for his Sunday duty; and he had
tried carefully to eschew everything which she might feel as an allusion to her
own case. He remembered how the Good Shepherd, in Poussin's beautiful picture,
tenderly carried the lambs which had wearied themselves by going astray, and
felt how like tenderness was required towards poor Ruth. But where is the
chapter which does not contain something which a broken and contrite spirit may
not apply to itself? And so it fell out that, as he read, Ruth's heart was
smitten, and she sank down, and down, till she was kneeling on the floor of the
pew, and speaking to God in the spirit, if not in the words, of the Prodigal
Son: »Father! I have sinned against Heaven and before Thee, and am no more
worthy to be called Thy child!« Miss Benson was thankful (although she loved
Ruth the better for this self-abandonment) that the minister's seat was far in
the shade of the gallery. She tried to look most attentive to her brother, in
order that Mr. Bradshaw might not suspect anything unusual, while she stealthily
took hold of Ruth's passive hand, as it lay helpless on the cushion, and pressed
it softly and tenderly. But Ruth sat on the ground, bowed down and crushed in
her sorrow, till all was ended.
    Miss Benson loitered in her seat, divided between the consciousness that
she, as locum tenens for the minister's wife, was expected to be at the door to
receive the kind greetings of many after her absence from home, and her
unwillingness to disturb Ruth, who was evidently praying, and, by her quiet
breathing, receiving grave and solemn influences into her soul. At length she
rose up, calm and composed even to dignity. The chapel was still and empty; but
Miss Benson heard the buzz of voices in the chapel-yard without. They were
probably those of people waiting for her; and she summoned courage, and taking
Ruth's arm in hers, and holding her hand affectionately, they went out into the
broad daylight. As they issued forth, Miss Benson heard Mr. Bradshaw's strong
bass voice speaking to her brother, and winced, as she knew he would be wincing,
under the broad praise, which is impertinence, however little it may be intended
or esteemed as such.
    »Oh, yes! - my wife told me yesterday about her - her husband was a surgeon;
my father was a surgeon too, as I think you have heard. Very much to your
credit, I must say, Mr. Benson, with your limited means, to burden yourself with
a poor relation. Very creditable indeed.«
    Miss Benson glanced at Ruth; she either did not hear or did not understand,
but passed on into the awful sphere of Mr. Bradshaw's observation unmoved. He
was in a bland and condescending humour of universal approval, and when he saw
Ruth he nodded his head in token of satisfaction. That ordeal was over, Miss
Benson thought, and in the thought rejoiced.
    »After dinner, you must go and lie down, my dear,« said she, untying Ruth's
bonnet-strings, and kissing her. »Sally goes to church again, but you won't mind
staying alone in the house. I am sorry we have so many people to dinner; but my
brother will always have enough on Sundays for any old or weak people, who may
have come from a distance, to stay and dine with us; and to-day they all seem to
have come, because it is his first Sabbath at home.«
    In this way Ruth's first Sunday passed over.
 

                                   Chapter XV

                                Mother and Child

»Here is a parcel for you, Ruth!« said Miss Benson on the Tuesday morning.
    »For me!« said Ruth, all sorts of rushing thoughts and hopes filling her
mind, and turning her dizzy with expectation. If it had been from him, the
new-born resolutions would have had a hard struggle for existence.
    »It is directed Mrs. Denbigh,« said Miss Benson, before giving it up. »It is
in Mrs. Bradshaw's handwriting;« and, far more curious than Ruth, she awaited
the untying of the close-knotted string. When the paper was opened, it displayed
a whole piece of delicate cambric muslin; and there was a short note from Mrs.
Bradshaw to Ruth, saying her husband had wished her to send this muslin in aid
of any preparations Mrs. Denbigh might have to make. Ruth said nothing, but
coloured up, and sat down again to her employment.
    »Very fine muslin, indeed,« said Miss Benson, feeling it, and holding it up
against the light, with the air of a connoisseur; yet all the time she was
glancing at Ruth's grave face. The latter kept silence, and showed no wish to
inspect her present further. At last she said, in a low voice -
    »I suppose I may send it back again?«
    »My dear child! send it back to Mr. Bradshaw! You'd offend him for life. You
may depend upon it, he means it as a mark of high favour!«
    »What right had he to send it me?« asked Ruth, still in her quiet voice.
    »What right? Mr. Bradshaw thinks -- I don't know exactly what you mean by
right.«
    Ruth was silent for a moment, and then said -
    »There are people to whom I love to feel that I owe gratitude - gratitude
which I cannot express, and had better not talk about - but I cannot see why a
person whom I do not know should lay me under an obligation. Oh! don't say I
must take this muslin, please, Miss Benson!«
    What Miss Benson might have said if her brother had not just then entered
the room, neither he nor any other person could tell; but she felt his presence
was most opportune, and called him in as umpire. He had come hastily, for he had
much to do; but he no sooner heard the case than he sat down, and tried to draw
some more explicit declaration of her feeling from Ruth, who had remained silent
during Miss Benson's explanation.
    »You would rather send this present back?« said he.
    »Yes,« she answered softly. »Is it wrong?«
    »Why do you want to return it?«
    »Because I feel as if Mr. Bradshaw had no right to offer it me.«
    Mr. Benson was silent.
    »It's beautifully fine,« said Miss Benson, still examining the piece.
    »You think that it is a right which must be earned?«
    »Yes,« said she, after a minute's pause. »Don't you?«
    »I understand what you mean. It is a delight to have gifts made to you by
those whom you esteem and love, because then such gifts are merely to be
considered as fringes to the garment - as inconsiderable additions to the mighty
treasure of their affection, adding a grace, but no additional value, to what
before was precious, and proceeding as naturally out of that as leaves burgeon
out upon the trees; but you feel it to be different when there is no regard for
the giver to idealise the gift - when it simply takes its stand among your
property as so much money's value. Is this it, Ruth?«
    »I think it is. I never reasoned why I felt as I did; I only knew that Mr.
Bradshaw's giving me a present hurt me, instead of making me glad.«
    »Well, but there is another side of the case we have not looked at yet - we
must think of that, too. You know who said, Do unto others as ye would that they
should do unto you? Mr. Bradshaw may not have had that in his mind when he
desired his wife to send you this; he may have been self-seeking, and only
anxious to gratify his love of patronising - that is the worst motive we can
give him; and that would be no excuse for your thinking only of yourself, and
returning his present.«
    »But you would not have me pretend to be obliged?« asked Ruth.
    »No, I would not. I have often been similarly situated to you, Ruth; Mr.
Bradshaw has frequently opposed me on the points on which I feel the warmest -
am the most earnestly convinced. He, no doubt, thinks me Quixotic, and often
speaks of me, and to me, with great contempt when he is angry. I suppose he has
a little fit of penitence afterwards, or perhaps he thinks he can pay for
ungracious speeches by a present; so, formerly, he invariably sent me something
after these occasions. It was a time, of all others, to feel as you are doing
now; but I became convinced it would be right to accept them, giving only the
very cool thanks which I felt. This omission of all show of much gratitude had
the best effect - the presents have much diminished; but, if the gifts have
lessened, the unjustifiable speeches have decreased in still greater proportion,
and I am sure we respect each other more. Take this muslin, Ruth, for the reason
I named; and thank him as your feelings prompt you. Overstrained expressions of
gratitude always seem like an endeavour to place the receiver of these
expressions in the position of debtor for future favours. But you won't fall
into this error.«
    Ruth listened to Mr. Benson; but she had not yet fallen sufficiently into
the tone of his mind to understand him fully. She only felt that he comprehended
her better than Miss Benson, who once more tried to reconcile her to her
present, by calling her attention to the length and breadth thereof.
    »I will do what you wish me,« she said, after a little pause of
thoughtfulness. »May we talk of something else?«
    Mr. Benson saw that his sister's frame of mind was not particularly
congenial with Ruth's, any more than Ruth's was with Miss Benson's; and, putting
aside all thought of returning to the business which had appeared to him so
important when he came into the room (but which principally related to himself),
he remained above an hour in the parlour, interesting them on subjects far
removed from the present, and left them at the end of that time soothed and
calm.
    But the present gave a new current to Ruth's ideas. Her heart was as yet too
sore to speak, but her mind was crowded with plans. She asked Sally to buy her
(with the money produced by the sale of a ring or two) the coarsest linen, the
homeliest dark blue print, and similar materials; on which she set busily to
work to make clothes for herself; and as they were made, she put them on; and as
she put them on, she gave a grace to each, which such homely material and simple
shaping had never had before. Then the fine linen and delicate soft white
muslin, which she had chosen in preference to more expensive articles of dress
when Mr. Bellingham had given her carte blanche in London, were cut into small
garments, most daintily stitched and made ready for the little creature, for
whom in its white purity of soul nothing could be too precious.
    The love which dictated this extreme simplicity and coarseness of attire,
was taken for stiff, hard economy by Mr. Bradshaw, when he deigned to observe
it. And economy by itself, without any soul or spirit in it to make it living
and holy, was a great merit in his eyes. Indeed, Ruth altogether found favour
with him. Her quiet manner, subdued by an internal consciousness of a deeper
cause for sorrow than he was aware of, he interpreted into a very proper and
becoming awe of him. He looked off from his own prayers to observe how well she
attended to hers at chapel; when he came to any verse in the hymn relating to
immortality or a future life, he sung it unusually loud, thinking he should thus
comfort her in her sorrow for her deceased husband. He desired Mrs. Bradshaw to
pay her every attention she could; and even once remarked, that he thought her
so respectable a young person that he should not object to her being asked to
tea the next time Mr. and Miss Benson came. He added, that he thought, indeed,
Benson had looked last Sunday as if he rather hoped to get an invitation; and it
was right to encourage the ministers, and to show them respect, even though
their salaries were small. The only thing against this Mrs. Denbigh was the
circumstance of her having married too early, and without any provision for a
family. Though Ruth pleaded delicacy of health, and declined accompanying Mr.
and Miss Benson on their visit to Mr. Bradshaw, she still preserved her place in
his esteem; and Miss Benson had to call a little upon her talent for fiction to
spare Ruth from the infliction of further presents, in making which his love of
patronising delighted.
    The yellow and crimson leaves came floating down on the still October air;
November followed, bleak and dreary; it was more cheerful when the earth put on
her beautiful robe of white, which covered up all the grey naked stems, and
loaded the leaves of the hollies and evergreens each with its burden of feathery
snow. When Ruth sat down to languor and sadness, Miss Benson trotted upstairs,
and rummaged up every article of spare or worn-out clothing, and bringing down a
variety of strange materials, she tried to interest Ruth in making them up into
garments for the poor. But, though Ruth's fingers flew through the work, she
still sighed with thought and remembrance. Miss Benson was at first
disappointed, and then she was angry. When she heard the low, long sigh, and saw
the dreamy eyes filling with glittering tears, she would say, »What is the
matter, Ruth?« in a half-reproachful tone, for the sight of suffering was
painful to her; she had done all in her power to remedy it; and, though she
acknowledged a cause beyond her reach for Ruth's deep sorrow, and, in fact,
loved and respected her all the more for these manifestations of grief, yet at
the time they irritated her. Then Ruth would snatch up the dropped work, and
stitch away with drooping eyes, from which the hot tears fell fast; and Miss
Benson was then angry with herself, yet not at all inclined to agree with Sally
when she asked her mistress »why she kept mithering the poor lass with asking
her for ever what was the matter, as if she did not know well enough.« Some
element of harmony was wanting - some little angel of peace, in loving whom all
hearts and natures should be drawn together, and their discords hushed.
    The earth was still hiding her guilty front with innocent snow, when a
little baby was laid by the side of the pale, white mother. It was a boy;
beforehand she had wished for a girl, as being less likely to feel the want of a
father - as being what a mother, worse than widowed, could most effectually
shelter. But now she did not think or remember this. What it was, she would not
have exchanged for a wilderness of girls. It was her own, her darling, her
individual baby, already, though not an hour old, separate and sole in her
heart, strangely filling up its measure with love and peace, and even hope. For
here was a new, pure, beautiful, innocent life, which she fondly imagined, in
that early passion of maternal love, she could guard from every touch of
corrupting sin by ever watchful and most tender care. And her mother had thought
the same, most probably; and thousands of others think the same, and pray to God
to purify and cleanse their souls, that they may be fit guardians for their
little children. Oh, how Ruth prayed, even while she was yet too weak to speak;
and how she felt the beauty and significance of the words, Our Father!
    She was roused from this holy abstraction by the sound of Miss Benson's
voice. It was very much as if she had been crying.
    »Look, Ruth!« it said softly, »my brother sends you these. They are the
first snowdrops in the garden.« And she put them on the pillow by Ruth; the baby
lay on the opposite side.
    »Won't you look at him?« said Ruth; »he is so pretty!«
    Miss Benson had a strange reluctance to see him. To Ruth, in spite of all
that had come and gone, she was reconciled - nay, more, she was deeply attached;
but over the baby there hung a cloud of shame and disgrace. Poor little
creature! her heart was closed against it - firmly, as she thought. But she
could not resist Ruth's low faint voice, nor her pleading eyes, and she went
round to peep at him as he lay on his mother's arm, as yet his shield and guard.
    »Sally says he will have black hair, she thinks,« said Ruth. »His little
hand is quite a man's, already. Just feel how firmly he closes it;« and with her
own weak fingers she opened his little red fist, and taking Miss Benson's
reluctant hand, placed one of her fingers in his grasp. That baby-touch called
out her love; the doors of her heart were thrown open wide for the little infant
to go in and take possession.
    »Ah, my darling!« said Ruth, falling back weak and weary. »If God will but
spare you to me, never mother did more than I will. I have done you a grievous
wrong - but, if I may but live, I will spend my life in serving you!«
    »And in serving God!« said Miss Benson, with tears in her eyes. »You must
not make him into an idol, or God will, perhaps, punish you through him.«
    A pang of affright shot through Ruth's heart at these words; had she already
sinned and made her child into an idol, and was there punishment already in
store for her through him? But then the internal voice whispered that God was
Our Father, and that He knew our frame, and knew how natural was the first
outburst of a mother's love; so, although she treasured up the warning, she
ceased to affright herself for what had already gushed forth.
    »Now go to sleep, Ruth,« said Miss Benson, kissing her, and darkening the
room. But Ruth could not sleep; if her heavy eyes closed, she opened them again
with a start, for sleep seemed to be an enemy stealing from her the
consciousness of being a mother. That one thought excluded all remembrance and
all anticipation, in those first hours of delight.
    But soon remembrance and anticipation came. There was the natural want of
the person, who alone could take an interest similar in kind, though not in
amount, to the mother's. And sadness grew like a giant in the still watches of
the night, when she remembered that there would be no father to guide and
strengthen the child, and place him in a favourable position for fighting the
hard Battle of Life. She hoped and believed that no one would know the sin of
his parents; and that that struggle might be spared to him. But a father's
powerful care and mighty guidance would never be his; and then, in those hours
of spiritual purification, came the wonder and the doubt of how far the real
father would be the one to whom, with her desire of heaven for her child,
whatever might become of herself, she would wish to entrust him. Slight
speeches, telling of a selfish, worldly nature, unnoticed at the time, came back
upon her ear, having a new significance. They told of a low standard, of
impatient self-indulgence, of no acknowledgement of things spiritual and
heavenly. Even while this examination was forced upon her, by the new spirit of
maternity that had entered into her and made her child's welfare supreme, she
hated and reproached herself for the necessity there seemed upon her of
examining and judging the absent father of her child. And so the compelling
presence that had taken possession of her wearied her into a kind of feverish
slumber; in which she dreamt that the innocent babe that lay by her side in soft
ruddy slumber, had started up into man's growth, and, instead of the pure and
noble being whom she had prayed to present as her child to Our Father in heaven,
he was a repetition of his father; and, like him, lured some maiden (who in her
dream seemed strangely like herself, only more utterly sad and desolate even
than she) into sin, and left her there to even a worse fate than that of
suicide. For Ruth believed there was a worse. She dreamt she saw the girl,
wandering, lost; and that she saw her son in high places, prosperous - but with
more than blood on his soul. She saw her son dragged down by the clinging girl
into some pit of horrors into which she dared not look, but from whence his
father's voice was heard, crying aloud, that in his day and generation he had
not remembered the words of God, and that now he was tormented in this flame.
Then she started in sick terror, and saw, by the dim rushlight, Sally, nodding
in an armchair by the fire; and felt her little soft warm babe, nestled up
against her breast, rocked by her heart, which yet beat hard from the effects of
the evil dream. She dared not go to sleep again, but prayed. And, every time she
prayed, she asked with a more complete wisdom, and a more utter and
self-forgetting faith. Little child! thy angel was with God, and drew her nearer
and nearer to Him, whose face is continually beheld by the angels of little
children.
 

                                  Chapter XVI

      Sally Tells of Her Sweethearts, and Discourses on the Duties of Life

Sally and Miss Benson took it in turns to sit up, or rather, they took it in
turns to nod by the fire; for if Ruth was awake she lay very still in the
moonlight calm of her sick bed. That time resembled a beautiful August evening,
such as I have seen. The white, snowy rolling mist covers up under its great
sheet all trees and meadows, and tokens of earth; but it cannot rise high enough
to shut out the heavens, which on such nights seem bending very near, and to be
the only real and present objects; and so near, so real and present, did heaven,
and eternity, and God seem to Ruth, as she lay encircling her mysterious holy
child.
    One night Sally found out she was not asleep.
    »I'm a rare hand at talking folks to sleep,« said she. »I'll try on thee,
for thou must get strength by sleeping and eating. What must I talk to thee
about, I wonder. Shall I tell thee a love story or a fairy story, such as I've
telled Master Thurstan many a time and many a time, for all his father set his
face again fairies, and called it vain talking; or shall I tell you the dinner I
once cooked, when Mr. Harding, as was Miss Faith's sweetheart, came unlooked
for, and we'd nought in the house but a neck of mutton, out of which I made
seven dishes, all with a different name?«
    »Who was Mr. Harding?« asked Ruth.
    »Oh, he was a grand gentleman from Lunnon, as had seen Miss Faith, and been
struck by her pretty looks when she was out on a visit, and came here to ask her
to marry him. She said, No, she would never leave Master Thurstan, as could
never marry; but she pined a deal at after he went away. She kept up afore
Master Thurstan, but I seed her fretting, though I never let on that I did, for
I thought she'd soonest get over it and be thankful at after she'd the strength
to do right. However, I've no business to be talking of Miss Benson's concerns.
I'll tell you of my own sweethearts and welcome, or I'll tell you of the dinner,
which was the grandest thing I ever did in my life, but I thought a Lunnoner
should never think country folks knew nothing; and, my word, I puzzled him with
his dinner. I'm doubting whether to this day he knows whether what he was eating
was fish, flesh, or fowl. Shall I tell you how I managed?«
    But Ruth said she would rather hear about Sally's sweethearts; much to the
disappointment of the latter, who considered the dinner by far the greatest
achievement.
    »Well, you see, I don't know as I should call them sweethearts; for
excepting John Rawson, who was shut up in a mad-house the next week, I never had
what you may call a downright offer of marriage but once. But I had once; and so
I may say I had a sweetheart. I was beginning to be afraid though, for one likes
to be axed; that's but civility; and I remember, after I had turned forty, and
afore Jeremiah Dixon had spoken, I began to think John Rawson had perhaps not
been so very mad, and that I'd done ill to lightly his offer, as a madman's, if
it was to be the only one I was ever to have; I don't mean as I'd have had him,
but I thought, if it was to come o'er again, I'd speak respectful of him to
folk, and say it were only his way to go about on all-fours, but that he was a
sensible man in most things. However, I'd had my laugh, and so had others, at my
crazy lover, and it was late now to set him up as a Solomon. However, I thought
it would be no bad thing to be tried again; but I little thought the trial would
come when it did. You see, Saturday night is a leisure night in counting-houses
and such-like places, while it's the busiest of all for servants. Well! it was a
Saturday night, and I'd my baize apron on, and the tails of my bed-gown pinned
together behind, down on my knees, pipeclaying the kitchen, when a knock comes
to the back door. Come in! says I; but it knocked again, as if it were too
stately to open the door for itself; so I got up rather cross, and opened the
door; and there stood Jerry Dixon, Mr. Holt's head-clerk; only he was not
head-clerk then. So I stood, stopping up the door, fancying he wanted to speak
to master; but he kind of pushed past me, and telling me summut about the
weather (as if I could not see it for myself), he took a chair, and sat down by
the oven. Cool and easy! thought I; meaning himself, not his place, which I knew
must be pretty hot. Well! it seemed no use standing waiting for my gentleman to
go; not that he had much to say either; but he kept twirling his hat round and
round, and smoothing the nap on't with the back of his hand. So at last I
squatted down to my work, and thinks I, I shall be on my knees all ready if he
puts up a prayer, for I knew he was a Methodee by bringing-up, and had only
lately turned to master's way of thinking; and them Methodees are terrible hands
at unexpected prayers when one least looks for 'em. I can't say I like their way
of taking one by surprise, as it were; but then I'm a parish-clerk's daughter,
and could never demean myself to dissenting fashions, always save and except
Master Thurstan's, bless him. However, I'd been caught once or twice unawares,
so this time I thought I'd be up to it, and I moved a dry duster wherever I
went, to kneel upon in case he began when I were in a wet place. By-and-by I
thought, if the man would pray it would be a blessing, for it would prevent his
sending his eyes after me wherever I went; for when they takes to praying they
shuts their eyes, and quivers th' lids in a queer kind o' way - them Dissenters
does. I can speak pretty plain to you, for you're bred in the Church like
myself', and must find it as out o' the way as I do to be among dissenting folk.
God forbid I should speak disrespectful of Master Thurstan and Miss Faith,
though; I never think on them as Church or Dissenters, but just as Christians.
But to come back to Jerry. First, I tried always to be cleaning at his back; but
when he wheeled round, so as always to face me, I thought I'd try a different
game. So, says I, Master Dixon, I axe your pardon, but I must pipeclay under your
chair. Will you please to move? Well, he moved; and by-and-by I was at him again
with the same words; and at after that, again and again, till he were always
moving about wi' his chair behind him, like a snail as carries its house on its
back. And the great gaupus never seed that I were pipeclaying the same places
twice over. At last I got desperate cross, he were so in my way; so I made two
big crosses on the tails of his brown coat; for you see, wherever he went, up or
down, he drew out the tails of his coat from under him, and stuck them through
the bars of the chair; and flesh and blood could not resist pipeclaying them for
him; and a pretty brushing he'd have, I reckon, to get it off again. Well! at
length he clears his throat uncommon loud; so I spreads my duster, and shuts my
eyes all ready; but when nought comed of it, I opened my eyes a little bit to
see what he were about. My word! if there he wasn't't down on his knees right
facing me, staring as hard as he could. Well! I thought it would be hard work to
stand that, if he made a long ado; so I shut my eyes again, and tried to think
serious, as became what I fancied were coming; but forgive me! but I thought why
couldn't the fellow go in and pray wi' Master Thurstan, as had always a calm
spirit ready for prayer, instead o' me who had my dresser to scour, let alone an
apron to iron. At last he says, says he, Sally! will you oblige me with your
hand? So I thought it were, maybe, Methodee fashion to pray hand in hand; and
I'll not deny but I wished I'd washed it better after blackleading the kitchen
fire. I thought I'd better tell him it were not so clean as I could wish, so
says I, Master Dixon, you shall have it, and welcome, if I may just go and wash
'em first. But, says he, My dear Sally, dirty or clean, it's all the same to me,
seeing I'm only speaking in a figuring way. What I'm asking on my bended knees
is, that you'd please to be so kind as to be my wedded wife; week after next
will suit me, if it's agreeable to you! My word! I were up on my feet in an
instant! It were odd now, weren't it? I never thought of taking the fellow, and
getting married; for all, I'll not deny, I had been thinking it would be
agreeable to be axed. But all at once, I couldn't abide the chap. Sir, says I,
trying to look shamefaced as became the occasion, but for all that feeling a
twittering round my mouth that I were afraid might end in a laugh - Master
Dixon, I'm obliged to you for the compliment, and thank ye all the same, but I
think I'd prefer a single life. He looked mighty taken aback; but in a minute he
cleared up, and was as sweet as ever. He still kept on his knees, and I wished
he'd take himself up; but, I reckon, he thought it would give force to his
words; says he, Think again, my dear Sally. I've a four-roomed house, and
furniture conformable; and eighty pound a year. You may never have such a chance
again. There were truth enough in that, but it was not pretty in the man to say
it; and it put me up a bit. As for that, neither you nor I can tell, Master
Dixon. You're not the first chap as I've had down on his knees afore me, axing
me to marry him (you see I were thinking of John Rawson, only I thought there
were no need to say he were on all-fours - it were truth he were on his knees,
you know), and maybe you'll not be the last. Anyhow, I've no wish to change my
condition just now. I'll wait till Christmas, says he. I've a pig as will be
ready for killing then, so I must get married before that. Well now! would you
believe it? the pig was a temptation. I'd a receipt for curing hams, as Miss
Faith would never let me try, saying the old way were good enough. However, I
resisted. Says I, very stern, because I felt I'd been wavering, Master Dixon,
once for all, pig or no pig, I'll not marry you. And if you'll take my advice,
you'll get up off your knees. The flags is but damp yet, and it would be an
awkward thing to have rheumatiz just before winter. With that he got up, stiff
enough. He looked as sulky a chap as ever I clapped eyes on. And as he were so
black and cross, I thought I'd done well (whatever came of the pig) to say No to
him. You may live to repent this, says he, very red. But I'll not be hard upon
ye, I'll give you another chance. I'll let you have the night to think about it,
and I'll just call in to hear your second thoughts, after chapel, to-morrow.
Well now! did ever you hear the like! But that is the way with all of them men,
thinking so much of theirselves, and that it's but ask and have. They've never
had me, though; and I shall be sixty-one next Martinmas, so there's not much
time left for them to try me, I reckon. Well! when Jeremiah said that he put me
up more than ever, and I says, My first thoughts, second thoughts, and third
thoughts is all one and the same; you've but tempted me once, and that was when
you spoke of your pig. But of yoursel' you're nothing to boast on, and so I'll
bid you good night, and I'll keep my manners, or else, if I told the truth, I
should say it had been a great loss of time listening to you. But I'll be civil
- so good night. He never said a word, but went off as black as thunder,
slamming the door after him. The master called me in to prayers, but I can't say
I could put my mind to them, for my heart was beating so. However, it was a
comfort to have had an offer of holy matrimony; and though it flustered me, it
made me think more of myself. In the night, I began to wonder if I'd not been
cruel and hard to him. You see, I were feverish-like; and the old song of
Barbary Allen would keep running in my head, and I thought I were Barbary, and
he were young Jemmy Gray, and that maybe he'd die for love of me; and I pictured
him to myself', lying on his death-bed, with his face turned to the wall, wi'
deadly sorrow sighing, and I could ha' pinched myself' for having been so like
cruel Barbary Allen. And when I got up next day, I found it hard to think on the
real Jerry Dixon I had seen the night before, apart from the sad and sorrowful
Jerry I thought on a-dying, when I were between sleeping and waking. And for
many a day I turned sick, when I heard the passing bell, for I thought it were
the bell loud-knelling which were to break my heart wi' a sense of what I'd
missed in saying No to Jerry, and so killing him with cruelty. But in less than
a three week, I heard parish bells a-ringing merrily for a wedding; and in the
course of the morning, some one says to me, Hark! how the bells is ringing for
Jerry Dixon's wedding! And, all on a sudden, he changed back again from a
heart-broken young fellow, like Jemmy Gray, into a stout, middle-aged man,
ruddy-complexioned, with a wart on his left cheek like life!«
    Sally waited for some exclamation at the conclusion of her tale; but
receiving none, she stepped softly to the bed-side, and there lay Ruth, peaceful
as death, with her baby on her breast.
    »I thought I'd lost some of my gifts if I could not talk a body to sleep,«
said Sally, in a satisfied and self-complacent tone.
    Youth is strong and powerful, and makes a hard battle against sorrow. So
Ruth strove and strengthened, and her baby flourished accordingly; and before
the little celandines were out on the hedge-banks, or the white violets had sent
forth their fragrance from the border under the south wall of Miss Benson's
small garden, Ruth was able to carry her baby into that sheltered place on sunny
days.
    She often wished to thank Mr. Benson and his sister, but she did not know
how to tell the deep gratitude she felt, and therefore she was silent. But they
understood her silence well. One day, as she watched her sleeping child, she
spoke to Miss Benson, with whom she happened to be alone.
    »Do you know of any cottage where the people are clean, and where they would
not mind taking me in?« asked she.
    »Taking you in! What do you mean?« said Miss Benson, dropping her knitting,
in order to observe Ruth more closely.
    »I mean,« said Ruth, »where I might lodge with my baby - any very poor place
would do, only it must be clean, or he might be ill.«
    »And what in the world do you want to go and lodge in a cottage for?« said
Miss Benson indignantly.
    Ruth did not lift up her eyes, but she spoke with a firmness which showed
that she had considered the subject.
    »I think I could make dresses. I know I did not learn as much as I might,
but perhaps I might do for servants and people who are not particular.«
    »Servants are as particular as any one,« said Miss Benson, glad to lay hold
of the first objection that she could.
    »Well! somebody who would be patient with me,« said Ruth.
    »Nobody is patient over an ill-fitting gown,« put in Miss Benson. »There's
the stuff spoilt, and what not!«
    »Perhaps I could find plain work to do,« said Ruth, very meekly. »That I can
do very well; mamma taught me, and I liked to learn from her. If you would be so
good, Miss Benson, you might tell people I could do plain work very neatly, and
punctually, and cheaply.«
    »You'd get sixpence a day, perhaps,« said Miss Benson, »and who would take
care of baby, I should like to know? Prettily he'd be neglected, would not he?
Why, he'd have the croup and the typhus fever in no time, and be burnt to ashes
after.«
    »I have thought of all. Look how he sleeps! Hush, darling;« for just at this
point he began to cry, and to show his determination to be awake, as if in
contradiction to his mother's words. Ruth took him up, and carried him about the
room while she went on speaking.
    »Yes, just now I know he will not sleep; but very often he will, and in the
night he always does.«
    »And so you'd work in the night and kill yourself, and leave your poor baby
an orphan. Ruth! I'm ashamed of you. Now, brother« (Mr. Benson had just come
in), »is not this too bad of Ruth? here she is planning to go away and leave us,
just as we - as I, at least - have grown so fond of baby, and he's beginning to
know me.«
    »Where were you thinking of going to, Ruth?« interrupted Mr. Benson, with
mild surprise.
    »Anywhere to be near you and Miss Benson; in any poor cottage where I might
lodge very cheaply, and earn my livelihood by taking in plain sewing, and
perhaps a little dressmaking; and where I could come and see you and dear Miss
Benson sometimes and bring baby.«
    »If he was not dead before then of some fever, or burn, or scald, poor
neglected child, or you had not worked yourself to death with never sleeping,«
said Miss Benson.
    Mr. Benson thought a minute or two, and then he spoke to Ruth -
    »Whatever you may do when this little fellow is a year old, and able to
dispense with some of a mother's care, let me beg you, Ruth, as a favour to me -
as a still greater favour to my sister, is it not, Faith?«
    »Yes; you may put it so if you like.«
    »To stay with us,« continued he, »till then. When baby is twelve months old,
we'll talk about it again, and very likely before then some opening may be shown
us. Never fear leading an idle life, Ruth. We'll treat you as a daughter, and
set you all the household tasks; and it is not for your sake that we ask you to
stay, but for this little dumb helpless child's: and it is not for our sake that
you must stay, but for his.«
    Ruth was sobbing.
    »I do not deserve your kindness,« said she, in a broken voice; »I do not
deserve it.«
    Her tears fell fast and soft like summer rain, but no further word was
spoken. Mr. Benson quietly passed on to make the inquiry for which he had
entered the room.
    But when there was nothing to decide upon, and no necessity for entering
upon any new course of action, Ruth's mind relaxed from its strung-up state. She
fell into trains of reverie, and mournful regretful recollections which rendered
her languid and tearful. This was noticed both by Miss Benson and Sally, and as
each had kind sympathies, and felt depressed when they saw any one near them
depressed, and as each, without much reasoning on the cause or reason for such
depression, felt irritated at the uncomfortable state into which they themselves
were thrown, they both resolved to speak to Ruth on the next fitting occasion.
    Accordingly, one afternoon - the morning of that day had been spent by Ruth
in house-work, for she had insisted on Mr. Benson's words, and had taken Miss
Benson's share of the more active and fatiguing household duties, but she went
through them heavily, and as if her heart was far away - in the afternoon when
she was nursing her child. Sally, on coming into the back parlour, found her
there alone, and easily detected the fact that she was crying.
    »Where's Miss Benson?« asked Sally gruffly.
    »Gone out with Mr. Benson,« answered Ruth, with an absent sadness in her
voice and manner. Her tears, scarce checked while she spoke, began to fall
afresh; and as Sally stood and gazed she saw the babe look back in his mother's
face, and his little lip begin to quiver, and his open blue eye to grow
overclouded, as with some mysterious sympathy with the sorrowful face bent over
him. Sally took him briskly from his mother's arms; Ruth looked up in grave
surprise, for in truth she had forgotten Sally's presence, and the suddenness of
the motion startled her.
    »My bonny boy! are they letting the salt tears drop on thy sweet face before
thou'rt weaned! Little somebody knows how to be a mother - I could make a better
myself. Dance, thumbkin, dance - dance, ye merry men every one. Ay, that's it!
smile, my pretty. Any one but a child like thee,« continued she, turning to
Ruth, »would have known better than to bring ill-luck on thy babby by letting
tears fall on its face before it was weaned. But thou'rt not fit to have a
babby, and so I've said many a time. I've a great mind to buy thee a doll, and
take thy babby myself'.«
    Sally did not look at Ruth, for she was too much engaged in amusing the baby
with the tassel of the string to the window-blind, or else she would have seen
the dignity which the mother's soul put into Ruth at that moment. Sally was
quelled into silence by the gentle composure, the self-command over her
passionate sorrow, which gave to Ruth an unconscious grandeur of demeanour as
she came up to the old servant.
    »Give him back to me, please. I did not know it brought ill-luck, or if my
heart broke I would not have let a tear drop on his face - I never will again.
Thank you, Sally,« as the servant relinquished him to her who came in the name
of a mother. Sally watched Ruth's grave, sweet smile, as she followed up Sally's
play with the tassel, and imitated, with all the docility inspired by love,
every movement and sound which had amused her babe.
    »Thou'lt be a mother, after all,« said Sally, with a kind of admiration of
the control which Ruth was exercising over herself. »But why talk of thy heart
breaking? I don't question thee about what's past and gone; but now thou'rt
wanting for nothing, nor thy child either; the time to come is the Lord's and in
His hands; and yet thou goest about a-sighing and a-moaning in a way that I
can't stand or thole.«
    »What do I do wrong?« said Ruth; »I try to do all I can.«
    »Yes, in a way,« said Sally, puzzled to know how to describe her meaning.
»Thou dost it - but there's a right and a wrong way of setting about everything
- and to my thinking, the right way is to take a thing up heartily, if it is
only making a bed. Why! dear ah me, making a bed may be done after a Christian
fashion, I take it, or else what's to come of such as me in heaven, who've had
little enough time on earth for clapping ourselves down on our knees for set
prayers? When I was a girl, and wretched enough about Master Thurstan, and the
crook on his back which came of the fall I gave him, I took to praying and
sighing, and giving up the world; and I thought it were wicked to care for the
flesh, so I made heavy puddings, and was careless about dinner and the rooms,
and thought I was doing my duty, though I did call myself a miserable sinner.
But one night, the old missus (Master Thurstan's mother) came in, and sat down
by me, as I was a-scolding myself, without thinking of what I was saying; and,
says she, Sally! what are you blaming yourself about, and groaning over? We hear
you in the parlour every night, and it makes my heart ache. Oh, ma'am, says I,
I'm a miserable sinner, and I'm travailing in the new birth. Was that the
reason, says she, why the pudding was so heavy to-day? Oh, ma'am, ma'am, said I,
if you would not think of the things of the flesh, but trouble yourself about
your immortal soul. And I sat a-shaking my head to think about her soul. But,
says she, in her sweet dropping voice, I do try to think of my soul every hour
of the day, if by that you mean trying to do the will of God, but we'll talk now
about the pudding; Master Thurstan could not eat it, and I know you'll be sorry
for that. Well! I was sorry, but I didn't choose to say so, as she seemed to
expect me; so says I, It's a pity to see children brought up to care for things
of the flesh; and then I could have bitten my tongue out, for the missus looked
so grave, and I thought of my darling little lad pining for want of his food. At
last, says she, Sally, do you think God has put us into the world just to be
selfish, and do nothing but see after our own souls? or to help one another with
heart and hand, as Christ did to all who wanted help? I was silent, for, you
see, she puzzled me. So she went on, What is that beautiful answer in your
Church catechism, Sally? I were pleased to hear a Dissenter, as I did not think
would have done it, speak so knowledgeably about the catechism, and she went on:
»to do my duty in that station of life unto which it shall please God to call
me;« well, your station is a servant and it is as honourable as a king's, if you
look at it right; you are to help and serve others in one way, just as a king is
to help others in another. Now what way are you to help and serve, or to do your
duty, in that station of life unto which it has pleased God to call you? Did it
answer God's purpose, and serve Him, when the food was unfit for a child to eat,
and unwholesome for any one? Well! I would not give it up, I was so pig-headed
about my soul; so says I, I wish folks would be content with locusts and wild
honey, and leave other folks in peace to work out their salvation; and I groaned
out pretty loud to think of missus's soul. I often think since she smiled a bit
at me; but she said, Well, Sally, to-morrow, you shall have time to work out
your salvation; but as we have no locusts in England, and I don't think they'd
agree with Master Thurstan if we had, I will come and make the pudding; but I
shall try and do it well, not only for him to like it, but because everything
may be done in a right way or a wrong; the right way is to do it as well as we
can, as in God's sight; the wrong is to do it in a self-seeking spirit, which
either leads us to neglect it to follow out some device of our own for our own
ends, or to give up too much time and thought to it both before and after the
doing. Well! I thought of old missus's words this morning, when I saw you making
the beds. You sighed so, you could not half shake the pillows; your heart was
not in your work; and yet it was the duty God had set you, I reckon; I know it's
not the work parsons preach about; though I don't think they go so far off the
mark when they read, whatsoever thy hand findeth to do, that do with all thy
might. Just try for a day to think of all the odd jobs as to be done well and
truly as in God's sight, not just slurred over anyhow, and you'll go through
them twice as cheerfully, and have no thought to spare for sighing or crying.«
    Sally bustled off to set on the kettle for tea, and felt half ashamed, in
the quiet of the kitchen, to think of the oration she had made in the parlour.
But she saw with much satisfaction, that henceforward Ruth nursed her boy with a
vigour and cheerfulness that were reflected back from him; and the household
work was no longer performed with a languid indifference, as if life and duty
were distasteful. Miss Benson had her share in this improvement, though Sally
placidly took all the credit to herself. One day as she and Ruth sat together,
Miss Benson spoke of the child, and thence went on to talk about her own
childhood. By degrees they spoke of education, and the book-learning that forms
one part of it; and the result was that Ruth determined to get up early all
through the bright summer mornings, to acquire the knowledge hereafter to be
given to her child. Her mind was uncultivated, her reading scant; beyond the
mere mechanical arts of education she knew nothing; but she had a refined taste,
and excellent sense and judgment to separate the true from the false. With these
qualities, she set to work under Mr. Benson's directions. She read in the early
morning the books that he marked out; she trained herself with strict
perseverance to do all thoroughly; she did not attempt to acquire any foreign
language, although her ambition was to learn Latin, in order to teach it to her
boy. Those summer mornings were happy, for she was learning neither to look
backwards nor forwards, but to live faithfully and earnestly in the present. She
rose while the hedge-sparrow was yet singing his réveil to his mate; she dressed
and opened her window, shading the soft-blowing air and the sunny eastern light
from her baby. If she grew tired, she went and looked at him, and all her
thoughts were holy prayers for him. Then she would gaze awhile out of the high
upper window on to the moorlands, that swelled in waves one behind the other, in
the grey, cool morning light. These were her occasional relaxations, and after
them she returned with strength to her work.
 

                                  Chapter XVII

                             Leonard's Christening

In that body of Dissenters to which Mr. Benson belonged, it is not considered
necessary to baptize infants as early as the ceremony can be performed; and many
circumstances concurred to cause the solemn thanksgiving and dedication of the
child (for so these Dissenters looked upon christenings) to be deferred until it
was probably somewhere about six months old. There had been many conversations
in the little sitting-room between the brother and sister and their protégée,
which had consisted of questions betraying a thoughtful wondering kind of
ignorance on the part of Ruth, and answers more suggestive than explanatory from
Mr. Benson; while Miss Benson kept up a kind of running commentary, always
simple and often quaint, but with that intuition into the very heart of all
things truly religious which is often the gift of those who seem, at first
sight, to be only affectionate and sensible. When Mr. Benson had explained his
own views of what a christening ought to be considered, and, by calling out
Ruth's latent feelings into pious earnestness, brought her into a right frame of
mind, he felt that he had done what he could to make the ceremony more than a
mere form, and to invest it, quiet, humble, and obscure as it must necessarily
be in outward shape - mournful and anxious as many of its antecedents had
rendered it - with the severe grandeur of an act done in faith and truth.
    It was not far to carry the little one, for, as I said, the chapel almost
adjoined the minister's house. The whole procession was to have consisted of Mr.
and Miss Benson, Ruth carrying her babe, and Sally, who felt herself, as a
Church-of-England woman, to be condescending and kind in requesting leave to
attend a baptism among them Dissenters; but unless she had asked permission, she
would not have been desired to attend, so careful was the habit of her master
and mistress that she should be allowed that freedom which they claimed for
themselves. But they were glad she wished to go; they liked the feeling that all
were of one household, and that the interests of one were the interests of all.
It produced a consequence, however, which they did not anticipate. Sally was
full of the event which her presence was to sanction, and, as it were, to redeem
from the character of being utterly schismatic; she spoke about it with an air
of patronage to three or four, and among them to some of the servants at Mr.
Bradshaw's.
    Miss Benson was rather surprised to receive a call from Jemima Bradshaw, on
the very morning of the day on which little Leonard was to be baptized; Miss
Bradshaw was rosy and breathless with eagerness. Although the second in the
family, she had been at school when her younger sisters had been christened, and
she was now come, in the full warmth of a girl's fancy, to ask if she might be
present at the afternoon's service. She had been struck with Mrs. Denbigh's
grace and beauty at the very first sight, when she had accompanied her mother to
call upon the Bensons on their return from Wales; and had kept up an
enthusiastic interest in the widow only a little older than herself, whose very
reserve and retirement but added to her unconscious power of enchantment.
    »Oh, Miss Benson! I never saw a christening; papa says I may go, if you
think Mr. Benson and Mrs. Denbigh would not dislike it; and I will be quite
quiet, and sit up behind the door, or anywhere; and that sweet little baby! I
should so like to see him christened; is he to be called Leonard, did you say?
After Mr. Denbigh, is it?«
    »No - not exactly,« said Miss Benson, rather discomfited.
    »Was not Mr. Denbigh's name Leonard, then? Mamma thought it would be sure to
be called after him, and so did I. But I may come to the christening, may I not,
dear Miss Benson?«
    Miss Benson gave her consent with a little inward reluctance. Both her
brother and Ruth shared in this feeling, although no one expressed it; and it
was presently forgotten.
    Jemima stood grave and quiet in the old-fashioned vestry adjoining the
chapel, as they entered with steps subdued to slowness. She thought Ruth looked
so pale and awed because she was left a solitary parent; but Ruth came to the
presence of God, as one who had gone astray, and doubted her own worthiness to
be called His child; she came as a mother who had incurred a heavy
responsibility, and who entreated His almighty aid to enable her to discharge
it; full of passionate, yearning love which craved for more faith in God, to
still her distrust and fear of the future that might hang over her darling. When
she thought of her boy, she sickened and trembled: but when she heard of God's
loving-kindness, far beyond all tender mother's love, she was hushed into peace
and prayer. There she stood, her fair pale cheek resting on her baby's head, as
he slumbered on her bosom; her eyes went slanting down under their half-closed
white lids; but their gaze was not on the primitive cottagelike room, it was
earnestly fixed on a dim mist, through which she fain would have seen the life
that lay before her child; but the mist was still and dense, too thick a veil
for anxious human love to penetrate. The future was hid with God.
    Mr. Benson stood right under the casement window that was placed high up in
the room; he was almost in shade, except for one or two marked lights which fell
on hair already silvery white; his voice was always low and musical when he
spoke to few; it was too weak to speak so as to be heard by many without
becoming harsh and strange; but now it filled the little room with a loving
sound, like the stock-dove's brooding murmur over her young. He and Ruth forgot
all in their earnestness of thought; and when he said »Let us pray,« and the
little congregation knelt down, you might have heard the baby's faint breathing,
scarcely sighing out upon the stillness, so absorbed were all in the solemnity.
But the prayer was long; thought followed thought, and fear crowded upon fear,
and all were to be laid bare before God, and His aid and counsel asked. Before
the end, Sally had shuffled quietly out of the vestry into the green
chapel-yard, upon which the door opened. Miss Benson was alive to this movement,
and so full of curiosity as to what it might mean that she could no longer
attend to her brother, and felt inclined to rush off and question Sally, the
moment all was ended. Miss Bradshaw hung about the babe and Ruth, and begged to
be allowed to carry the child home, but Ruth pressed him to her, as if there was
no safe harbour for him but in his mother's breast. Mr. Benson saw her feeling,
and caught Miss Bradshaw's look of disappointment.
    »Come home with us,« said he, »and stay to tea. You have never drunk tea
with us since you went to school.«
    »I wish I might,« said Miss Bradshaw, colouring with pleasure. »But I must
ask papa. May I run home and ask?«
    »To be sure, my dear!«
    Jemima flew off; and fortunately her father was at home; for her mother's
permission would have been deemed insufficient. She received many directions
about her behaviour.
    »Take no sugar in your tea, Jemima. I am sure the Bensons ought not to be
able to afford sugar, with their means. And do not eat much; you can have plenty
at home on your return; remember Mrs. Denbigh's keep must cost them a great
deal.«
    So Jemima returned, considerably sobered, and very much afraid of her hunger
leading her to forget Mr. Benson's poverty. Meanwhile Miss Benson and Sally,
acquainted with Mr. Benson's invitation to Jemima, set about making some capital
tea-cakes on which they piqued themselves. They both enjoyed the offices of
hospitality; and were glad to place some home-made tempting dainty before their
guests.
    »What made ye leave the chapel-vestry before my brother had ended?« inquired
Miss Benson.
    »Indeed, ma'am, I thought master had prayed so long he'd be drouthy. So I
just slipped out to put on the kettle for tea.«
    Miss Benson was on the point of reprimanding her for thinking of anything
besides the object of the prayer, when she remembered how she herself had been
unable to attend after Sally's departure for wondering what had become of her;
so she was silent.
    It was a disappointment to Miss Benson's kind and hospitable expectation
when Jemima, as hungry as a hound, confined herself to one piece of the cake
which her hostess had had such pleasure in making. And Jemima wished she had not
a prophetic feeling all tea-time of the manner in which her father would inquire
into the particulars of the meal, elevating his eyebrows at every viand named
beyond plain bread-and-butter, and winding up with some such sentence as this:
»Well, I marvel how, with Benson's salary, he can afford to keep such a table.«
Sally could have told of self-denial when no one was by, when the left hand did
not know what the right hand did, on the part of both her master and mistress,
practised without thinking even to themselves that it was either a sacrifice or
a virtue, in order to enable them to help those who were in need, or even to
gratify Miss Benson's kind, old-fashioned feelings on such occasions as the
present, when a stranger came to the house. Her homely, affectionate pleasure in
making others comfortable, might have shown that such little occasional
extravagances were not waste, but a good work; and were not to be gauged by the
standard of money-spending. This evening her spirits were damped by Jemima's
refusal to eat! Poor Jemima! the cakes were so good, and she was so hungry; but
still she refused.
    While Sally was clearing away the tea-things, Miss Benson and Jemima
accompanied Ruth upstairs, when she went to put little Leonard to bed.
    »A christening is a very solemn service,« said Miss Bradshaw; »I had no idea
it was so solemn. Mr. Benson seemed to speak as if he had a weight of care on
his heart that God alone could relieve or lighten.«
    »My brother feels these things very much,« said Miss Benson, rather wishing
to cut short the conversation, for she had been aware of several parts in the
prayer which she knew were suggested by the peculiarity and sadness of the case
before him.
    »I could not quite follow him all through,« continued Jemima. »What did he
mean by saying, This child, rebuked by the world and bidden to stand apart, Thou
wilt not rebuke, but wilt suffer it to come to Thee and be blessed with Thine
almighty blessing? Why is this little darling to be rebuked? I do not think I
remember the exact words, but he said something like that.«
    »My dear! your gown is dripping wet! it must have dipped into the tub; let
me wring it out.«
    »Oh, thank you! Never mind my gown!« said Jemima hastily, and wanting to
return to her question; but just then she caught the sight of tears falling fast
down the cheeks of the silent Ruth as she bent over her child, crowing and
splashing away in his tub. With a sudden consciousness that unwittingly she had
touched on some painful chord, Jemima rushed into another subject, and was
eagerly seconded by Miss Benson. The circumstance seemed to die away, and leave
no trace; but in after years it rose, vivid and significant, before Jemima's
memory. At present it was enough for her, if Mrs. Denbigh would let her serve
her in every possible way. Her admiration for beauty was keen, and little
indulged at home; and Ruth was very beautiful in her quiet mournfulness; her
mean and homely dress left herself only the more open to admiration, for she
gave it a charm by her unconscious wearing of it that made it seem like the
drapery of an old Greek statue - subordinate to the figure it covered, yet
imbued by it with an unspeakable grace. Then the pretended circumstances of her
life were such as to catch the imagination of a young romantic girl. Altogether,
Jemima could have kissed her hand and professed herself Ruth's slave. She moved
away all the articles used at this little coucher; she folded up Leonard's
day-clothes; she felt only too much honoured when Ruth trusted him to her for a
few minutes - only too amply rewarded when Ruth thanked her with a grave, sweet
smile, and a grateful look of her loving eyes.
    When Jemima had gone away with the servant who was sent to fetch her, there
was a little chorus of praise.
    »She's a warm-hearted girl,« said Miss Benson. »She remembers all the old
days before she went to school. She is worth two of Mr. Richard. They're each of
them just the same as they were when they were children, when they broke that
window in the chapel, and he ran away home, and she came knocking at our door
with a single knock, just like a beggar's, and I went to see who it was, and was
quite startled to see her round, brown honest face looking up at me,
half-frightened, and telling me what she had done, and offering me the money in
her savings bank to pay for it. We never should have heard of Master Richard's
share in the business if it had not been for Sally.«
    »But remember,« said Mr. Benson, »how strict Mr. Bradshaw has always been
with his children. It is no wonder if poor Richard was a coward in those days.«
    »He is now, or I'm much mistaken,« answered Miss Benson. »And Mr. Bradshaw
was just as strict with Jemima, and she's no coward. But I've no faith in
Richard. He has a look about him that I don't like. And when Mr. Bradshaw was
away on business in Holland last year, for those months my young gentleman did
not come half as regularly to chapel, and I always believe that story of his
being seen out with the hounds at Smithiles.«
    »Those are neither of them great offences in a young man of twenty,« said
Mr. Benson, smiling.
    »No! I don't mind them in themselves; but when he could change back so
easily to being regular and mim when his father came home, I don't like that.«
    »Leonard shall never be afraid of me,« said Ruth, following her own train of
thought. »I will be his friend from the very first; and I will try and learn how
to be a wise friend, and you will teach me; won't you, sir?«
    »What made you wish to call him Leonard, Ruth?« asked Miss Benson.
    »It was my mother's father's name; and she used to tell me about him and his
goodness, and I thought if Leonard could be like him« -
    »Do you remember the discussion there was about Miss Bradshaw's name,
Thurstan? Her father wanting her to be called Hephzibah, but insisting that she
was to have a Scripture name at any rate; and Mrs. Bradshaw wanting her to be
Juliana, after some novel she had read not long before; and at last Jemima was
fixed upon, because it would do either for a Scripture name or a name for a
heroine out of a book.«
    »I did not know Jemima was a Scripture name,« said Ruth.
    »Oh yes, it is. One of Job's daughters; Jemima, Kezia, and Keren-Happuch.
There are a good many Jemimas in the world, and some Kezias, but I never heard
of a Keren-Happuch; and yet we know just as much of one as of another. People
really like a pretty name, whether in Scripture or out of it.«
    »When there is no particular association with the name,« said Mr. Benson.
    »Now, I was called Faith after the cardinal virtue; and I like my name,
though many people would think it too Puritan; that was according to our gentle
mother's pious desire. And Thurstan was called by his name because my father
wished it; for, although he was what people called a radical and a democrat in
his ways of talking and thinking, he was very proud in his heart of being
descended from some old Sir Thurstan, who figured away in the French wars.«
    »The difference between theory and practice, thinking and being,« put in Mr.
Benson, who was in a mood for allowing himself a little social enjoyment. He
leaned back in his chair, with his eyes looking at, but not seeing, the ceiling.
Miss Benson was clicking away with her eternal knitting-needles, looking at her
brother, and seeing him too. Ruth was arranging her child's clothes against the
morrow. It was but their usual way of spending an evening; the variety was given
by the different tone which the conversation assumed on the different nights.
Yet, somehow, the peacefulness of the time, the window open into the little
garden, the scents that came stealing in, and the clear summer heaven above,
made the time be remembered as a happy festival by Ruth. Even Sally seemed more
placid than usual when she came in to prayers; and she and Miss Benson followed
Ruth to her bedroom, to look at the beautiful sleeping Leonard.
    »God bless him!« said Miss Benson, stooping down to kiss his little dimpled
hand, which lay outside the coverlet, tossed abroad in the heat of the evening.
    »Now, don't get up too early, Ruth! Injuring your health will be
short-sighted wisdom and poor economy. Good night!«
    »Good night, dear Miss Benson. Good night, Sally.« When Ruth had shut her
door, she went again to the bed, and looked at her boy till her eyes filled with
tears.
    »God bless thee, darling! I only ask to be one of His instruments, and not
thrown aside as useless - or worse than useless.«
    So ended the day of Leonard's christening.
    Mr. Benson had sometimes taught the children of different people as an
especial favour, when requested by them. But then his pupils were only children,
and by their progress he was little prepared for Ruth's. She had had early
teaching, of that kind which need never be unlearnt, from her mother; enough to
unfold many of her powers; they had remained inactive now for several years, but
had grown strong in the dark and quiet time. Her tutor was surprised at the
bounds by which she surmounted obstacles, the quick perception and ready
adaptation of truths and first principles, and her immediate sense of the
fitness of things. Her delight in what was strong and beautiful called out her
master's sympathy; but, most of all, he admired the complete unconsciousness of
uncommon power, or unusual progress. It was less of a wonder than he considered
it to be, it is true, for she never thought of comparing what she was now with
her former self, much less with another. Indeed, she did not think of herself at
all, but of her boy, and what she must learn in order to teach him to be and to
do as suited her hope and her prayer. If any one's devotion could have flattered
her into self-consciousness, it was Jemima's. Mr. Bradshaw never dreamed that
his daughter could feel herself inferior to the minister's protégée, but so it
was; and no knight-errant of old could consider himself more honoured by his
ladye's commands than did Jemima, if Ruth allowed her to do anything for her, or
for her boy. Ruth loved her heartily, even while she was rather annoyed at the
open expression Jemima used of admiration.
    »Please, I really would rather not be told if people do think me pretty.«
    »But it was not merely beautiful; it was sweet-looking and good, Mrs.
Postlethwaite called you,« replied Jemima.
    »All the more I would rather not hear it. I may be pretty, but I know I am
not good. Besides, I don't think we ought to hear what is said of us behind our
backs.«
    Ruth spoke so gravely, that Jemima feared lest she was displeased.
    »Dear Mrs. Denbigh, I never will admire or praise you again. Only let me
love you.«
    »And let me love you!« said Ruth, with a tender kiss.
    Jemima would not have been allowed to come so frequently if Mr. Bradshaw had
not been possessed with the idea of patronising Ruth. If the latter had chosen,
she might have gone dressed from head to foot in the presents which he wished to
make her, but she refused them constantly; occasionally to Miss Benson's great
annoyance. But if he could not load her with gifts, he could show his
approbation by asking her to his house; and after some deliberation, she
consented to accompany Mr. and Miss Benson there. The house was square and
massy-looking, with a great deal of drab-colour about the furniture. Mrs.
Bradshaw, in her lackadaisical, sweet-tempered way, seconded her husband in his
desire of being kind to Ruth; and as she cherished privately a great taste for
what was beautiful or interesting, as opposed to her husband's love of the
purely useful, this taste of hers had rarely had so healthy and true a mode of
gratification as when she watched Ruth's movements about the room, which seemed
in its unobtrusiveness and poverty of colour to receive the requisite ornament
of light and splendour from Ruth's presence. Mrs. Bradshaw sighed, and wished
she had a daughter as lovely, about whom to weave a romance; for
castle-building, after the manner of the Minerva Press, was the outlet by which
she escaped from the pressure of her prosaic life, as Mr. Bradshaw's wife. Her
perception was only of external beauty, and she was not always alive to that, or
she might have seen how a warm, affectionate, ardent nature, free from all envy
or carking care of self, gave an unspeakable charm to her plain, bright-faced
daughter Jemima, whose dark eyes kept challenging admiration for her friend. The
first evening spent at Mr. Bradshaw's passed like many succeeding visits there.
There was tea, the equipage for which was as handsome and as ugly as money could
purchase. Then the ladies produced their sewing, while Mr. Bradshaw stood before
the fire, and gave the assembled party the benefit of his opinions on many
subjects. The opinions were as good and excellent as the opinions of any man can
be who sees one side of a case very strongly, and almost ignores the other. They
coincided in many points with those held by Mr. Benson, but he once or twice
interposed with a plea for those who might differ; and then he was heard by Mr.
Bradshaw with a kind of evident and indulgent pity, such as one feels for a
child who unwittingly talks nonsense. By-and-by Mrs. Bradshaw and Miss Benson
fell into one tête-à-tête, and Ruth and Jemima into another. Two well-behaved
but unnaturally quiet children were sent to bed early in the evening, in an
authoritative voice, by their father, because one of them had spoken too loud
while he was enlarging on an alteration in the tariff. Just before the
supper-tray was brought in, a gentleman was announced whom Ruth had never
previously seen, but who appeared well known to the rest of the party. It was
Mr. Farquhar, Mr. Bradshaw's partner; he had been on the Continent for the last
year, and had only recently returned. He seemed perfectly at home, but spoke
little. He leaned back in his chair, screwed up his eyes, and watched everybody;
yet there was nothing unpleasant or impertinent in his keenness of observation.
Ruth wondered to hear him contradict Mr. Bradshaw, and almost expected some
rebuff; but Mr. Bradshaw, if he did not yield the point, admitted, for the first
time that evening, that it was possible something might be said on the other
side. Mr. Farquhar differed also from Mr. Benson, but it was in a more
respectful manner than Mr. Bradshaw had done. For these reasons, although Mr.
Farquhar had never spoken to Ruth, she came away with the impression that he was
a man to be respected and perhaps liked.
    Sally would have thought herself mightily aggrieved if, on their return, she
had not heard some account of the evening. As soon as Miss Benson came in, the
old servant began -
    »Well, and who was there? and what did they give you for supper?«
    »Only Mr. Farquhar besides ourselves: and sandwiches, sponge-cake, and wine:
there was no occasion for anything more,« replied Miss Benson, who was tired and
preparing to go upstairs.
    »Mr. Farquhar! Why, they do say he's thinking of Miss Jemima!«
    »Nonsense, Sally! why, he's old enough to be her father!« said Miss Benson,
halfway up the first flight.
    »There's no need for it to be called nonsense, though he may be ten year
older,« muttered Sally, retreating towards the kitchen. »Bradshaw's Betsy knows
what she's about, and wouldn't have said it for nothing.«
    Ruth wondered a little about it. She loved Jemima well enough to be
interested in what related to her; but, after thinking for a few minutes, she
decided that such a marriage was, and would ever be, very unlikely.
 

                                 Chapter XVIII

               Ruth Becomes a Governess in Mr. Bradshaw's Family

One afternoon, not long after this, Mr. and Miss Benson set off to call upon a
farmer, who attended the chapel, but lived at some distance from the town. They
intended to stay to tea if they were invited, and Ruth and Sally were left to
spend a long afternoon together. At first, Sally was busy in her kitchen, and
Ruth employed herself in carrying her baby out into the garden. It was now
nearly a year since she came to the Bensons'; it seemed like yesterday, and yet
as if a lifetime had gone between. The flowers were budding now, that were all
in bloom when she came down, on the first autumnal morning, into the sunny
parlour. The yellow jessamine that was then a tender plant, had now taken firm
root in the soil, and was sending out strong shoots; the wall-flowers, which
Miss Benson had sown on the wall a day or two after her arrival, were scenting
the air with their fragrant flowers. Ruth knew every plant now; it seemed as
though she had always lived here, and always known the inhabitants of the house.
She heard Sally singing her accustomed song in the kitchen, a song she never
varied, over her afternoon's work. It began -
 
»As I was going to Derby, sir,
Upon a market-day.«
 
And, if music is a necessary element in a song, perhaps I had better call it by
some other name.
    But the strange change was in Ruth herself. She was conscious of it, though
she could not define it, and did not dwell upon it. Life had become significant
and full of duty to her. She delighted in the exercise of her intellectual
powers, and liked the idea of the infinite amount of which she was ignorant; for
it was a grand pleasure to learn, - to crave, and be satisfied. She strove to
forget what had gone before this last twelve months. She shuddered up from
contemplating it; it was like a bad, unholy dream. And yet, there was a strange
yearning kind of love for the father of the child whom she pressed to her heart,
which came, and she could not bid it begone as sinful, it was so pure and
natural, even when thinking of it as in the sight of God. Little Leonard cooed
to the flowers, and stretched after their bright colours; and Ruth laid him on
the dry turf, and pelted him with the gay petals. He chinked and crowed with
laughing delight, and clutched at her cap, and pulled it off. Her short rich
curls were golden-brown in the slanting sunlight, and by their very shortness
made her more childlike. She hardly seemed as if she could be the mother of the
noble babe over whom she knelt, now snatching kisses, now matching his cheek
with rose-leaves. All at once, the bells of the old church struck the hour, and
far away, high up in the air, began slowly to play the old tune of Life, let us
cherish; they had played it for years - for the life of man - and it always
sounded fresh, and strange, and aërial. Ruth was still in a moment, she knew not
why; and the tears came into her eyes as she listened. When it was ended, she
kissed her baby, and bade God bless him.
    Just then Sally came out, dressed for the evening, with a leisurely look
about her. She had done her work, and she and Ruth were to drink tea together in
the exquisitely clean kitchen; but while the kettle was boiling, she came out to
enjoy the flowers. She gathered a piece of southernwood, and stuffed it up her
nose, by way of smelling it.
    »Whatten you call this in your country?« asked she.
    »Old-man,« replied Ruth.
    »We call it here lad's-love. It and peppermint drops always reminds me of
going to church in the country. Here! I'll get you a black-currant leaf to put
in the teapot. It gives it a flavour. We had bees once against this wall; but
when missus died, we forgot to tell 'em and put 'em in mourning, and, in course,
they swarmed away without our knowing, and the next winter came a hard frost,
and they died. Now, I dare say, the water will be boiling; and it's time for
little master there to come in, for the dew is falling. See, all the daisies is
shutting themselves up.«
    Sally was most gracious as a hostess. She quite put on her company manners
to receive Ruth in the kitchen. They laid Leonard to sleep on the sofa in the
parlour, that they might hear him the more easily, and then they sat quietly
down to their sewing by the bright kitchen fire. Sally was, as usual, the
talker; and, as usual, the subject was the family of whom for so many years she
had formed a part.
    »Ay! things was different when I was a girl,« quoth she. »Eggs was thirty
for a shilling, and butter only sixpence a pound. My wage when I came here was
but three pound, and I did on it, and was always clean and tidy, which is more
than many a lass can say now who gets seven and eight pound a year; and tea was
kept for an afternoon drink, and pudding was eaten afore meat in them days, and
the upshot was, people paid their debts better; ay, ay! we'n gone backwards, and
we thinken we'n gone forrards.«
    After shaking her head a little over the degeneracy of the times, Sally
returned to a part of the subject on which she thought she had given Ruth a
wrong idea.
    »You'll not go for to think now that I've not more than three pound a year.
I've a deal above that now. First of all, old missus gave me four pound, for she
said I were worth it, and I thought in my heart that I were; so I took it
without more ado; but after her death, Master Thurstan and Miss Faith took a fit
of spending, and says they to me, one day as I carried tea in, Sally, we think
your wages ought to be raised. What matter what you think! said I, pretty sharp,
for I thought they'd ha' shown more respect to missus, if they'd let things
stand as they were in her time; and they'd gone and moved the sofa away from the
wall to where it stands now, already that very day. So I speaks up sharp, and
says I, As long as I'm content, I think it's no business of yours to be meddling
wi' me and my money matters. But, says Miss Faith (she's always the one to speak
first if you'll notice, though it's master that comes in and clinches the matter
with some reason she'd never ha' thought of - he were always a sensible lad),
Sally, all the servants in the town have six pound and better, and you have as
hard a place as any of 'em. Did you ever hear me grumble about my work that you
talk about it in that way? wait till I grumble, says I, but don't meddle wi' me
till then. So I flung off in a huff; but in the course of the evening, Master
Thurstan came in and sat down in the kitchen, and he's such winning ways he
wiles one over to anything; and besides, a notion had come into my head - now
you'll not tell,« said she, glancing round the room, and hitching her chair
nearer to Ruth in a confidential manner; Ruth promised, and Sally went on -
    »I thought I should like to be an heiress wi' money, and leave it all to
Master and Miss Faith; and I thought if I'd six pound a year, I could, may be,
get to be an heiress; all I was feared on was that some chap or other might
marry me for my money, but I've managed to keep the fellows off; so I looks mim
and grateful, and I thanks Master Thurstan for his offer, and I takes the wages;
and what do you think I've done?« asked Sally, with an exultant air.
    »What have you done?« asked Ruth.
    »Why,« replied Sally, slowly and emphatically, »I've saved thirty pound! but
that's not it. I've getten a lawyer to make me a will; that's it, wench!« said
she, slapping Ruth on the back.
    »How did you manage it?« asked Ruth.
    »Ay, that was it,« said Sally; »I thowt about it many a night before I hit
on the right way. I was afeared the money might be thrown into Chancery if I
didn't make it all safe, and yet I could na' ask Master Thurstan. At last, and
at length, John Jackson, the grocer, had a nephew come to stay a week with him,
as was 'prentice to a lawyer in Liverpool; so now was my time, and here was my
lawyer. Wait a minute! I could tell you my story better if I had my will in my
hand; and I'll scomfish you if ever you go for to tell.«
    She held up her hand, and threatened Ruth as she left the kitchen to fetch
the will.
    When she came back, she brought a parcel tied up in a blue
pocket-handkerchief; she sat down, squared her knees, untied the handkerchief,
and displayed a small piece of parchment.
    »Now, do you know what this is?« said she, holding it up. »It's parchment,
and it's the right stuff to make wills on. People gets into Chancery if they
don't make them o' this stuff, and I reckon Tom Jackson thowt he'd have a fresh
job on it if he could get it into Chancery; for the rascal went and wrote it on
a piece of paper at first, and came and read it me out aloud off a piece of
paper no better than what one writes letters upon. I were up to him; and, thinks
I, Come, come, my lad, I'm not a fool, though you may think so; I know a paper
will won't stand, but I'll let you run your rig. So I sits and I listens. And
would you believe me, he read it out as if it were as clear a business as your
giving me that thimble - no more ado, though it were thirty pound! I could
understand it myself' - that were no law for me. I wanted summat to consider
about, and for th' meaning to be wrapped up as I wrap up my best gown. So, says
I, Tom! it's not on parchment. I mun have it on parchment. This 'll do as well,
says he. We'll get it witnessed, and it will stand good. Well! I liked the
notion of having it witnessed, and for a while that soothed me; but after a bit,
I felt I should like it done according to law, and not plain out as anybody
might ha' done it; I myself', if I could have written. So says I, Tom! I mun have
it on parchment. Parchment costs money, says he, very grave. Oh, oh, my lad! are
ye there? thinks I. That's the reason I'm clipped of law. So says I, Tom! I mun
have it on parchment. I'll pay the money and welcome. It's thirty pound, and
what I can lay to it. I'll make it safe. It shall be on parchment, and I'll tell
thee what, lad! I'll give ye sixpence for every good law-word you put in it,
sounding like, and not to be caught up as a person runs. Your master had need to
be ashamed of you as a 'prentice, if you can't do a thing more tradesman-like
than this! Well! he laughed above a bit, but I were firm, and stood to it. So he
made it out on parchment. Now, woman, try and read it!« said she, giving it to
Ruth.
    Ruth smiled, and began to read; Sally listening with rapt attention. When
Ruth came to the word testatrix, Sally stopped her.
    »That was the first sixpence,« said she. »I thowt he was going to fob me off
again wi' plain language; but when that word came, I out wi' my sixpence, and
gave it to him on the spot. Now, go on.«
    Presently Ruth read accruing.
    »That was the second sixpence. Four sixpences it were in all, besides
six-and-eightpence as we bargained at first, and three-and-fourpence parchment.
There! that's what I call a will; witnessed, according to law, and all. Master
Thurstan will be prettily taken in when I die, and he finds all his extra wage
left back to him. But it will teach him it's not so easy as he thinks for, to
make a woman give up her way.«
    The time was now drawing near when little Leonard might be weaned - the time
appointed by all three for Ruth to endeavour to support herself in some way more
or less independent of Mr. and Miss Benson. This prospect dwelt much in all of
their minds, and was in each shaded with some degree of perplexity; but they
none of them spoke of it, for fear of accelerating the event. If they had felt
clear and determined as to the best course to be pursued, they were none of them
deficient in courage to commence upon that course at once. Miss Benson would,
perhaps, have objected the most to any alteration in their present daily mode of
life; but that was because she had the habit of speaking out her thoughts as
they arose, and she particularly disliked and dreaded change. Besides this, she
had felt her heart open out, and warm towards the little helpless child, in a
strong and powerful manner. Nature had intended her warm instincts to find vent
in a mother's duties; her heart had yearned after children, and made her
restless in her childless state, without her well knowing why; but now, the
delight she experienced in tending, nursing, and contriving for the little boy,
- even contriving to the point of sacrificing many of her cherished whims, -
made her happy, and satisfied, and peaceful. It was more difficult to sacrifice
her whims than her comforts; but all had been given up when and where required
by the sweet lordly baby, who reigned paramount in his very helplessness.
    From some cause or other, an exchange of ministers for one Sunday was to be
effected with a neighbouring congregation, and Mr. Benson went on a short
absence from home. When he returned on Monday, he was met at the house-door by
his sister, who had evidently been looking out for him for some time. She
stepped out to greet him.
    »Don't hurry yourself, Thurstan! all's well; only I wanted to tell you
something. Don't fidget yourself - baby is quite well, bless him! It's only good
news. Come into your room, and let me talk a little quietly with you.«
    She drew him into his study, which was near the outer door, and then she
took off his coat, and put his carpet-bag in a corner, and wheeled a chair to
the fire, before she would begin.
    »Well, now! to think how often things fall out just as we want them,
Thurstan! Have not you often wondered what was to be done with Ruth when the
time came at which we promised her she should earn her living? I am sure you
have, because I have so often thought about it myself. And yet I never dared to
speak out my fear, because that seemed giving it a shape. And now Mr. Bradshaw
has put all to rights. He invited Mr. Jackson to dinner yesterday, just as we
were going into chapel; and then he turned to me and asked me if I would come to
tea - straight from afternoon chapel, because Mrs. Bradshaw wanted to speak to
me. He made it very clear I was not to bring Ruth; and, indeed, she was only too
happy to stay at home with baby. And so I went; and Mrs. Bradshaw took me into
her bedroom, and shut the doors, and said Mr. Bradshaw had told her, that he did
not like Jemima being so much confined with the younger ones while they were at
their lessons, and that he wanted some one above a nursemaid to sit with them
while their masters were there - some one who would see about their learning
their lessons, and who would walk out with them; a sort of nursery governess, I
think she meant, though she did not say so; and Mr. Bradshaw (for, of course, I
saw his thoughts and words constantly peeping out, though he had told her to
speak to me) believed that our Ruth would be the very person. Now, Thurstan,
don't look so surprised, as if she had never come into your head! I am sure I
saw what Mrs. Bradshaw was driving at, long before she came to the point; and I
could scarcely keep from smiling, and saying, We'd jump at the proposal - long
before I ought to have known anything about it.«
    »Oh, I wonder what we ought to do!« said Mr. Benson. »Or, rather, I believe
I see what we ought to do, if I durst but do it.«
    »Why, what ought we to do?« asked his sister, in surprise.
    »I ought to go and tell Mr. Bradshaw the whole story« -
    »And get Ruth turned out of our house,« said Miss Benson indignantly.
    »They can't make us do that,« said her brother. »I do not think they would
try.«
    »Yes, Mr. Bradshaw would try; and he would blazon out poor Ruth's sin, and
there would not be a chance for her left. I know him well, Thurstan; and why
should he be told now, more than a year ago?«
    »A year ago he did not want to put her in a situation of trust about his
children.«
    »And you think she'll abuse that trust, do you? You've lived a twelvemonth
in the house with Ruth, and the end of it is, you think she will do his children
harm! Besides, who encouraged Jemima to come to the house so much to see Ruth?
Did you not say it would do them both good to see something of each other?«
    Mr. Benson sat thinking.
    »If you had not known Ruth as well as you do - if, during her stay with us,
you had marked anything wrong, or forward, or deceitful, or immodest, I would
say at once, Don't allow Mr. Bradshaw to take her into his house; but still I
would say, Don't tell of her sin and sorrow to so severe a man - so unpitiful a
judge. But here I ask you, Thurstan, can you or I, or Sally (quick-eyed as she
is), say, that in any one thing we have had true, just occasion to find fault
with Ruth? I don't mean that she is perfect - she acts without thinking, her
temper is sometimes warm and hasty; but have we any right to go and injure her
prospects for life, by telling Mr. Bradshaw all we know of her errors - only
sixteen when she did so wrong, and never to escape from it all her many years to
come - to have the despair which would arise from its being known, clutching her
back into worse sin? What harm do you think she can do? What is the risk to
which you think you are exposing Mr. Bradshaw's children?« She paused, out of
breath, her eyes glittering with tears of indignation, and impatient for an
answer that she might knock it to pieces.
    »I do not see any danger that can arise,« said he at length, and with slow
difficulty, as if not fully convinced. »I have watched Ruth, and I believe she
is pure and truthful; and the very sorrow and penitence she has felt - the very
suffering she has gone through - has given her a thoughtful conscientiousness
beyond her age.«
    »That and the care of her baby,« said Miss Benson, secretly delighted at the
tone of her brother's thoughts.
    »Ah, Faith! that baby you so much dreaded once, is turning out a blessing,
you see,« said Thurstan, with a faint, quiet smile.
    »Yes! any one might be thankful, and better too, for Leonard; but how could
I tell that it would be like him?«
    »But to return to Ruth and Mr. Bradshaw. What did you say?«
    »Oh! with my feelings, of course, I was only too glad to accept the
proposal, and so I told Mrs. Bradshaw, then; and I afterwards repeated it to Mr.
Bradshaw, when he asked me if his wife had mentioned their plans. They would
understand that I must consult you and Ruth, before it could be considered as
finally settled.«
    »And have you named it to her?«
    »Yes,« answered Miss Benson, half afraid lest he should think she had been
too precipitate.
    »And what did she say?« asked he, after a little pause of grave silence.
    »At first she seemed very glad, and fell into my mood of planning how it
should all be managed; how Sally and I should take care of the baby the hours
that she was away at Mr. Bradshaw's; but by-and-by she became silent and
thoughtful, and knelt down by me and hid her face in my lap, and shook a little
as if she was crying; and then I heard her speak in a very low smothered voice,
for her head was still bent down - quite hanging down, indeed, so that I could
not see her face, so I stooped to listen, and I heard her say, Do you think I
should be good enough to teach little girls, Miss Benson? She said it so humbly
and fearfully that all I thought of was how to cheer her, and I answered and
asked her if she did not hope to be good enough to bring up her own darling to
be a brave Christian man? And she lifted up her head, and I saw her eyes looking
wild and wet and earnest, and she said, With God's help, that will I try to make
my child. And I said then, Ruth, as you strive and as you pray for your own
child, so you must strive and pray to make Mary and Elizabeth good, if you are
trusted with them. And she said out quite clear, though her face was hidden from
me once more, I will strive and I will pray. You would not have had any fears,
Thurstan, if you could have heard and seen her last night.«
    »I have no fear,« said he decidedly. »Let the plan go on.« After a minute,
he added, »But I am glad it was so far arranged before I heard of it. My
indecision about right and wrong - my perplexity as to how far we are to
calculate consequences - grows upon me, I fear.«
    »You look tired and weary, dear. You should blame your body rather than your
conscience at these times.«
    »A very dangerous doctrine.«
    The scroll of Fate was closed, and they could not foresee the Future; and
yet, if they could have seen it, though they might have shrunk fearfully at
first, they would have smiled and thanked God when all was done and said.
 

                                  Chapter XIX

                                After Five Years

The quiet days grew into weeks and months, and even years, without any event to
startle the little circle into the consciousness of the lapse of time. One who
had known them at the date of Ruth's becoming a governess in Mr. Bradshaw's
family, and had been absent until the time of which I am now going to tell you,
would have noted some changes which had imperceptibly come over all; but he,
too, would have thought, that the life which had brought so little of turmoil
and vicissitude must have been calm and tranquil, and in accordance with the
bygone activity of the town in which their existence passed away.
    The alterations that he would have perceived were those caused by the
natural progress of time. The Benson home was brightened into vividness by the
presence of the little Leonard, now a noble boy of six, large and grand in limb
and stature, and with a face of marked beauty and intelligence. Indeed, he might
have been considered by many as too intelligent for his years; and often the
living with old and thoughtful people gave him, beyond most children, the
appearance of pondering over the mysteries which meet the young on the threshold
of life, but which fade away as advancing years bring us more into contact with
the practical and tangible - fade away and vanish, until it seems to require the
agitation of some great storm of the soul before we can again realise spiritual
things.
    But, at times, Leonard seemed oppressed and bewildered, after listening
intent, with grave and wondering eyes, to the conversation around him; at
others, the bright animal life shone forth radiant, and no three months' kitten
- no foal, suddenly tossing up its heels by the side of its sedate dam, and
careering around the pasture in pure mad enjoyment - no young creature of any
kind, could show more merriment and gladness of heart.
    »For ever in mischief,« was Sally's account of him at such times; but it was
not intentional mischief; and Sally herself would have been the first to scold
any one else who had used the same words in reference to her darling. Indeed,
she was once nearly giving warning, because she thought the boy was being
ill-used. The occasion was this: Leonard had for some time shown a strange, odd
disregard of truth; he invented stories, and told them with so grave a face,
that unless there was some internal evidence of their incorrectness (such as
describing a cow with a bonnet on) he was generally believed, and his
statements, which were given with the full appearance of relating a real
occurrence, had once or twice led to awkward results. All the three, whose
hearts were pained by this apparent unconsciousness of the difference between
truth and falsehold, were unaccustomed to children, or they would have
recognised this as a stage through which most infants, who would have lively
imaginations, pass; and, accordingly, there was a consultation in Mr. Benson's
study one morning. Ruth was there, quiet, very pale, and with compressed lips,
sick at heart as she heard Miss Benson's arguments for the necessity of
whipping, in order to cure Leonard of his story-telling. Mr. Benson looked
unhappy and uncomfortable. Education was but a series of experiments to them
all, and they all had a secret dread of spoiling the noble boy, who was the
darling of their hearts. And, perhaps, this very intensity of love begot an
impatient, unnecessary anxiety, and made them resolve on sterner measures than
the parent of a large family (where love was more spread abroad) would have
dared to use. At any rate, the vote for whipping carried the day; and even Ruth,
trembling and cold, agreed that it must be done; only she asked, in a meek, sad
voice, if she need be present (Mr. Benson was to be the executioner - the scene,
the study), and, being instantly told that she had better not, she went slowly
and languidly up to her room, and kneeling down, she closed her ears, and
prayed.
    Miss Benson, having carried her point, was very sorry for the child, and
would have begged him off; but Mr. Benson had listened more to her arguments
than now to her pleadings, and, only answered, »If it is right, it shall be
done!« He went into the garden, and deliberately, almost as if he wished to gain
time, chose and cut off a little switch from the laburnum-tree. Then he returned
through the kitchen, and gravely taking the awed and wondering little fellow by
the hand, he led him silently into the study, and placing him before him, began
an admonition on the importance of truthfulness, meaning to conclude with what
he believed to be the moral of all punishment: »As you cannot remember this of
yourself, I must give you a little pain to make you remember it. I am sorry it
is necessary, and that you cannot recollect without my doing so.«
    But before he had reached this very proper and desirable conclusion, and
while he was yet working his way, his heart aching with the terrified look of
the child at the solemnly sad face and words of upbraiding, Sally burst in -
    »And what may ye be going to do with that fine switch I saw ye gathering,
Master Thurstan?« asked she, her eyes gleaming with anger at the answer she knew
must come, if answer she had at all.
    »Go away, Sally,« said Mr. Benson, annoyed at the fresh difficulty in his
path.
    »I'll not stir never a step till you give me that switch, as you've got for
some mischief, I'll be bound.«
    »Sally! remember where it is said, He that spareth the rod, spoileth the
child,« said Mr. Benson austerely.
    »Ay, I remember; and I remember a bit more than you want me to remember, I
reckon. It were King Solomon as spoke them words, and it were King Solomon's son
that were King Rehoboam, and no great shakes either. I can remember what is said
on him, 2 Chronicles, xii. chapter, 14th v.: And he - that's King Rehoboam, the
lad that tasted the rod - did evil, because he prepared not his heart to seek
the Lord. I've not been reading my chapters every night for fifty year to be
caught napping by a Dissenter, neither!« said she triumphantly. »Come along,
Leonard.« She stretched out her hand to the child, thinking that she had
conquered.
    But Leonard did not stir. He looked wistfully at Mr. Benson. »Come!« said
she impatiently. The boy's mouth quivered.
    »If you want to whip me, uncle, you may do it. I don't much mind.«
    Put in this form, it was impossible to carry out his intentions; and so Mr.
Benson told the lad he might go - that he would speak to him another time.
Leonard went away, more subdued in spirit than if he had been whipped. Sally
lingered a moment. She stopped to add: »I think it's for them without sin to
throw stones at a poor child, and cut up good laburnum-branches to whip him. I
only do as my betters do, when I call Leonard's mother Mrs. Denbigh.« The moment
she had said this she was sorry; it was an ungenerous advantage after the enemy
had acknowledged himself defeated. Mr. Benson dropped his head upon his hands
and hid his face, and sighed deeply.
    Leonard flew in search of his mother, as in search of a refuge. If he had
found her calm, he would have burst into a passion of crying after his
agitation; as it was, he came upon her kneeling and sobbing, and he stood quite
still. Then he threw his arms round her neck, and said, »Mamma! mamma! I will be
good - I make a promise; I will speak true - I make a promise.« And he kept his
word.
    Miss Benson piqued herself upon being less carried away by her love for this
child than any one else in the house; she talked severely, and had capital
theories; but her severity ended in talk, and her theories would not work.
However, she read several books on education, knitting socks for Leonard all the
while; and, upon the whole, I think, the hands were more usefully employed than
the head, and the good honest heart better than either. She looked older than
when we first knew her, but it was a ripe, kindly age that was coming over her.
Her excellent practical sense, perhaps, made her a more masculine character than
her brother. He was often so much perplexed by the problems of life, that he let
the time for action go by; but she kept him in check by her clear, pithy talk,
which brought back his wandering thoughts to the duty that lay straight before
him, waiting for action; and then he remembered that it was the faithful part to
wait patiently upon God, and leave the ends in His hands, who alone knows why
Evil exists in this world, and why it ever hovers on either side of Good. In
this respect, Miss Benson had more faith than her brother - or so it seemed; for
quick, resolute action in the next step of Life was all she required, while he
deliberated and trembled, and often did wrong from his very deliberation, when
his first instinct would have led him right.
    But, although decided and prompt as ever, Miss Benson was grown older since
the summer afternoon when she dismounted from the coach at the foot of the long
Welsh hill that led to Llan-dhu, where her brother awaited her to consult her
about Ruth. Though her eye was as bright and straight-looking as ever, quick and
brave in its glances, her hair had become almost snowy white; and it was on this
point she consulted Sally, soon after the date of Leonard's last untruth. The
two were arranging Miss Benson's room one morning, when, after dusting the
looking-glass, she suddenly stopped in her operation, and after a close
inspection of herself, startled Sally by this speech -
    »Sally! I'm looking a great deal older than I used to do!«
    Sally, who was busy dilating on the increased price of flour, considered
this remark of Miss Benson's as strangely irrelevant to the matter in hand, and
only noticed it by a -
    »To be sure! I suppose we all on us do. But two-and-fourpence a dozen is too
much to make us pay for it.«
    Miss Benson went on with her inspection of herself, and Sally with her
economical projects.
    »Sally!« said Miss Benson, »my hair is nearly white. The last time I looked
it was only pepper-and-salt. What must I do?«
    »Do - why, what would the wench do?« asked Sally contemptuously. »Ye're
never going to be taken in, at your time of life, by hair-dyes and such
gimcracks, as can only take in young girls whose wisdom-teeth are not cut.«
    »And who are not very likely to want them,« said Miss Benson quietly. »No!
but you see, Sally, it's very awkward having such grey hair, and feeling so
young. Do you know, Sally, I've as great a mind for dancing, when I hear a
lively tune on the street-organs, as ever; and as great a mind to sing when I'm
happy - to sing in my old way, Sally, you know.«
    »Ay, you had it from a girl,« said Sally; »and many a time, when the door's
been shut, I did not know if it was you in the parlour, or a big bumble-bee in
the kitchen, as was making that drumbling noise. I heard you at it yesterday.«
    »But an old woman with grey hair ought not to have a fancy for dancing or
singing,« continued Miss Benson.
    »Whatten nonsense are ye talking?« said Sally, roused to indignation.
»Calling yoursel' an old woman when you're better than ten years younger than
me; and many a girl has grey hair at five-and-twenty.«
    »But I'm more than five-and-twenty, Sally - I'm fifty-seven next May!«
    »More shame for ye, then, not to know better than to talk of dyeing your
hair. I cannot abide such vanities!«
    »Oh dear! Sally, when will you understand what I mean? I want to know how
I'm to keep remembering how old I am, so as to prevent myself from feeling so
young? I was quite startled just now to see my hair in the glass, for I can
generally tell if my cap is straight by feeling. I'll tell you what I'll do -
I'll cut off a piece of my grey hair, and plait it together for a marker in my
Bible!« Miss Benson expected applause for this bright idea, but Sally only made
answer -
    »You'll be taking to painting your cheeks next, now you've once thought of
dyeing your hair.« So Miss Benson plaited her grey hair in silence and
quietness, Leonard holding one end of it while she wove it, and admiring the
colour and texture all the time, with a sort of implied dissatisfaction at the
auburn colour of his own curls, which was only half-comforted away by Miss
Benson's information, that, if he lived long enough, his hair would be like
hers.
    Mr. Benson, who had looked old and frail while he was yet but young, was now
stationary as to the date of his appearance. But there was something more of
nervous restlessness in his voice and ways than formerly; that was the only
change five years had brought to him. And as for Sally, she chose to forget age
and the passage of years altogether, and had as much work in her, to use her own
expression, as she had at sixteen; nor was her appearance very explicit as to
the flight of time. Fifty, sixty, or seventy, she might be - not more than the
last, not less than the first - though her usual answer to any circuitous
inquiry as to her age was now (what it had been for many years past), »I'm
feared I shall never see thirty again.«
    Then as to the house. It was not one where the sitting-rooms are refurnished
every two or three years; not now, even (since Ruth came to share their living)
a place where, as an article grew shabby or worn, a new one was purchased. The
furniture looked poor, and the carpets almost threadbare; but there was such a
dainty spirit of cleanliness abroad, such exquisite neatness of repair, and
altogether so bright and cheerful a look about the rooms - everything so
above-board - no shifts to conceal poverty under flimsy ornament - that many a
splendid drawing-room would give less pleasure to those who could see evidences
of character in inanimate things. But whatever poverty there might be in the
house, there was full luxuriance in the little square wall-encircled garden, on
two sides of which the parlour and kitchen looked. The laburnum-tree, which when
Ruth came was like a twig stuck into the ground, was now a golden glory in
spring, and a pleasant shade in summer. The wild hop, that Mr. Benson had
brought home from one of his country rambles, and planted by the parlour-window,
while Leonard was yet a baby in his mother's arms, was now a garland over the
casement, hanging down long tendrils, that waved in the breezes, and threw
pleasant shadows and traceries, like some old Bacchanalian carving, on the
parlour-walls, at morn or dusky eve. The yellow rose had clambered up to the
window of Mr. Benson's bedroom, and its blossom-laden branches were supported by
a jargonelle pear-tree rich in autumnal fruit.
    But, perhaps, in Ruth herself there was the greatest external change; for of
the change which had gone on in her heart, and mind, and soul, or if there had
been any, neither she nor any one around her was conscious; but sometimes Miss
Benson did say to Sally, »How very handsome Ruth is grown!« To which Sally made
ungracious answer, »Yes, she's well enough. Beauty is deceitful, and favour a
snare, and I'm thankful the Lord has spared me from such man-traps and
spring-guns.« But even Sally could not help secretly admiring Ruth. If her early
brilliancy of colouring was gone, a clear ivory skin, as smooth as satin, told
of complete and perfect health, and was as lovely, if not so striking in effect,
as the banished lilies and roses. Her hair had grown darker and deeper, in the
shadow that lingered in its masses; her eyes, even if you could have guessed
that they had shed bitter tears in their day, had a thoughtful, spiritual look
about them, that made you wonder at their depth, and look - and look again. The
increase of dignity in her face had been imparted to her form. I do not know if
she had grown taller since the birth of her child, but she looked as if she had.
And although she had lived in a very humble home, yet there was something about
either it or her, or the people amongst whom she had been thrown during the last
few years, which had so changed her, that whereas, six or seven years ago, you
would have perceived that she was not altogether a lady by birth and education,
yet now she might have been placed among the highest in the land, and would have
been taken by the most critical judge for their equal, although ignorant of
their conventional etiquette - an ignorance which she would have acknowledged in
a simple, childlike way, being unconscious of any false shame.
    Her whole heart was in her boy. She often feared that she loved him too much
- more than God Himself - yet she could not bear to pray to have her love for
her child lessened. But she would kneel down by his little bed at night - at the
deep, still midnight - with the stars that kept watch over Rizpah shining down
upon her, and tell God what I have now told you, that she feared she loved her
child too much, yet could not, would not, love him less; and speak to Him of her
one treasure as she could speak to no earthly friend. And so, unconsciously, her
love for her child led her up to love to God, to the All-knowing, who read her
heart.
    It might be superstition - I dare say it was - but, somehow, she never lay
down to rest without saying, as she looked her last on her boy, »Thy will, not
mine, be done«; and even while she trembled and shrank with infinite dread from
sounding the depths of what that will might be, she felt as if her treasure were
more secure to waken up rosy and bright in the morning, as one over whose
slumbers God's holy angels had watched, for the very words which she had turned
away in sick terror from realising the night before.
    Her daily absence at her duties to the Bradshaw children only ministered to
her love for Leonard. Everything does minister to love when its foundation lies
deep in a true heart, and it was with an exquisite pang of delight that, after a
moment of vague fear,
 
(»Oh, mercy! to myself I said,
If Lucy should be dead!«)
 
she saw her child's bright face of welcome as he threw open the door every
afternoon on her return home. For it was his silently-appointed work to listen
for her knock, and rush breathless to let her in. If he were in the garden, or
upstairs among the treasures of the lumber-room, either Miss Benson, or her
brother, or Sally would fetch him to his happy little task; no one so sacred as
he to the allotted duty. And the joyous meeting was not deadened by custom, to
either mother or child.
    Ruth gave the Bradshaws the highest satisfaction, as Mr. Bradshaw often said
both to her and to the Bensons; indeed, she rather winced under his pompous
approbation. But his favourite recreation was patronising; and when Ruth saw how
quietly and meekly Mr. Benson submitted to gifts and praise, when an honest word
of affection, or a tacit, implied acknowledgement of equality, would have been
worth everything said and done, she tried to be more meek in spirit, and to
recognise the good that undoubtedly existed in Mr. Bradshaw. He was richer and
more prosperous than ever; - a keen, far-seeing man of business, with an
undisguised contempt for all who failed in the success which he had achieved.
But it was not alone those who were less fortunate in obtaining wealth than
himself that he visited with severity of judgment; every moral error or
delinquency came under his unsparing comment. Stained by no vice himself, either
in his own eyes or in that of any human being who cared to judge him, having
nicely and wisely proportioned and adapted his means to his ends, he could
afford to speak and act with a severity which was almost sanctimonious in its
ostentation of thankfulness as to himself. Not a misfortune or a sin was brought
to light but Mr. Bradshaw could trace to its cause in some former mode of
action, which he had long ago foretold would lead to shame. If another's son
turned out wild or bad, Mr. Bradshaw had little sympathy; it might have been
prevented by a stricter rule, or more religious life at home; young Richard
Bradshaw was quiet and steady, and other fathers might have had sons like him if
they had taken the same pains to enforce obedience. Richard was an only son, and
yet Mr. Bradshaw might venture to say he had never had his own way in his life.
Mrs. Bradshaw was, he confessed (Mr. Bradshaw did not dislike confessing his
wife's errors), rather less firm than he should have liked with the girls; and
with some people, he believed, Jemima was rather headstrong; but to his wishes
she had always shown herself obedient. All children were obedient if their
parents were decided and authoritative; and every one would turn out well, if
properly managed. If they did not prove good, they might take the consequences
of their errors.
    Mrs. Bradshaw murmured faintly at her husband when his back was turned; but
if his voice was heard, or his footsteps sounded in the distance, she was mute,
and hurried her children into the attitude or action most pleasing to their
father. Jemima, it is true, rebelled against this manner of proceeding, which
savoured to her a little of deceit; but even she had not, as yet, overcome her
awe of her father sufficiently to act independently of him, and according to her
own sense of right - or rather, I should say, according to her own warm,
passionate impulses. Before him the wilfulness which made her dark eyes blaze
out at times was hushed and still; he had no idea of her self-tormenting, no
notion of the almost southern jealousy which seemed to belong to her brunette
complexion. Jemima was not pretty; the flatness and shortness of her face made
her almost plain; yet most people looked twice at her expressive countenance, at
the eyes which flamed or melted at every trifle, at the rich colour which came
at every expressed emotion into her usually sallow face, at the faultless teeth
which made her smile like a sunbeam. But then, again, when she thought she was
not kindly treated, when a suspicion crossed her mind, or when she was angry
with herself, her lips were tight-pressed together, her colour was wan and
almost livid, and a stormy gloom clouded her eyes as with a film. But before her
father her words were few, and he did not notice looks or tones.
    Her brother Richard had been equally silent before his father in boyhood and
early youth; but since he had gone to be a clerk in a London house, preparatory
to assuming his place as junior partner in Mr. Bradshaw's business, he spoke
more on his occasional visits at home. And very proper and highly moral was his
conversation; set sentences of goodness, which were like the flowers that
children stick in the ground, and that have not sprung upwards from roots - deep
down in the hidden life and experience of the heart. He was as severe a judge as
his father of other people's conduct, but you felt that Mr. Bradshaw was sincere
in his condemnation of all outward error and vice, and that he would try himself
by the same laws as he tried others; somehow, Richard's words were frequently
heard with a lurking distrust, and many shook their heads over the pattern son;
but then it was those whose sons had gone astray, and been condemned, in no
private or tender manner, by Mr. Bradshaw, so it might be revenge in them.
Still, Jemima felt that all was not right; her heart sympathised in the
rebellion against his father's commands, which her brother had confessed to her
in an unusual moment of confidence, but her uneasy conscience condemned the
deceit which he had practised.
    The brother and sister were sitting alone over a blazing Christmas fire, and
Jemima held an old newspaper in her hand to shield her face from the hot light.
They were talking of family events, when, during a pause, Jemima's eye caught
the name of a great actor, who had lately given prominence and life to a
character in one of Shakespeare's plays. The criticism in the paper was fine, and
warmed Jemima's heart.
    »How I should like to see a play!« exclaimed she.
    »Should you?« said her brother listlessly.
    »Yes, to be sure! Just hear this!« and she began to read a fine passage of
criticism.
    »Those newspaper people can make an article out of anything,« said he,
yawning. »I've seen the man myself, and it was all very well, but nothing to
make such a fuss about.«
    »You! you seen -! Have you seen a play, Richard? Oh, why did you never tell
me before? Tell me all about it! Why did you never name seeing -- in your
letters?«
    He half smiled, contemptuously enough. »Oh! at first it strikes one rather,
but after a while one cares no more for the theatre than one does for
mince-pies.«
    »Oh, I wish I might go to London!« said Jemima impatiently. »I've a great
mind to ask papa to let me go to the George Smiths', and then I could see -. I
would not think him like mince-pies.«
    »You must not do any such thing!« said Richard, now neither yawning nor
contemptuous. »My father would never allow you to go to the theatre; and the
George Smiths are such old fogeys - they would be sure to tell.«
    »How do you go, then? Does my father give you leave?«
    »Oh! many things are right for men which are not for girls.«
    Jemima sat and pondered. Richard wished he had not been so confidential.
    »You need not name it,« said he, rather anxiously.
    »Name what?« said she, startled, for her thoughts had gone far afield.
    »Oh, name my going once or twice to the theatre!«
    »No, I shan't name it!« said she. »No one here would care to hear it.«
    But it was with some little surprise, and almost with a feeling of disgust,
that she heard Richard join with her father in condemning some one, and add to
Mr. Bradshaw's list of offences, by alleging that the young man was a playgoer.
He did not think his sister heard his words.
    Mary and Elizabeth were the two girls whom Ruth had in charge; they
resembled Jemima more than their brother in character. The household rules were
occasionally a little relaxed in their favour, for Mary, the elder, was nearly
eight years younger than Jemima, and three intermediate children had died. They
loved Ruth dearly, made a great pet of Leonard, and had many profound secrets
together, most of which related to their wonders if Jemima and Mr. Farquhar
would ever be married. They watched their sister closely; and every day had some
fresh confidence to make to each other, confirming or discouraging to their
hopes.
    Ruth rose early, and shared the household work with Sally and Miss Benson
till seven; and then she helped Leonard to dress, and had a quiet time alone
with him till prayers and breakfast. At nine she was to be at Mr. Bradshaw's
house. She sat in the room with Mary and Elizabeth during the Latin, the
writing, and arithmetic lessons, which they received from masters; then she
read, and walked with them, clinging to her as to an elder sister; she dined
with her pupils at the family lunch, and reached home by four. That happy home -
those quiet days!
    And so the peaceful days passed on into weeks, and months, and years, and
Ruth and Leonard grew and strengthened into the riper beauty of their respective
ages; while as yet no touch of decay had come on the quaint, primitive elders of
the household.
 

                                   Chapter XX

                          Jemima Refuses to Be Managed

It was no wonder that the lookers-on were perplexed as to the state of affairs
between Jemima and Mr. Farquhar, for they two were sorely puzzled themselves at
the sort of relationship between them. Was it love, or was it not? that was the
question in Mr. Farquhar's mind. He hoped it was not; he believed it was not;
and yet he felt as if it were. There was something preposterous, he thought, in
a man nearly forty years of age being in love with a girl of twenty. He had gone
on reasoning, through all the days of his manhood, on the idea of a staid,
noble-minded wife, grave and sedate, the fit companion in experience of her
husband. He had spoken with admiration of reticent characters, full of
self-control and dignity; and he hoped - he trusted, that all this time he had
not been allowing himself unconsciously to fall in love with a wild-hearted,
impetuous girl, who knew nothing of life beyond her father's house, and who
chafed under the strict discipline enforced there. For it was rather a
suspicious symptom of the state of Mr. Farquhar's affections, that he had
discovered the silent rebellion which continued in Jemima's heart, unperceived
by any of her own family, against the severe laws and opinions of her father.
Mr. Farquhar shared in these opinions; but in him they were modified, and took a
milder form. Still, he approved of much that Mr. Bradshaw did and said; and this
made it all the more strange that he should wince so for Jemima, whenever
anything took place which he instinctively knew that she would dislike. After an
evening at Mr. Bradshaw's, when Jemima had gone to the very verge of questioning
or disputing some of her father's severe judgments, Mr. Farquhar went home in a
dissatisfied, restless state of mind, which he was almost afraid to analyse. He
admired the inflexible integrity - and almost the pomp of principle - evinced by
Mr. Bradshaw on every occasion; he wondered how it was that Jemima could not see
how grand a life might be, whose every action was shaped in obedience to some
eternal law; instead of which, he was afraid she rebelled against every law, and
was only guided by impulse. Mr. Farquhar had been taught to dread impulses as
promptings of the devil. Sometimes, if he tried to present her father's opinion
before her in another form, so as to bring himself and her rather more into that
state of agreement he longed for, she flashed out upon him with the indignation
of difference that she dared not show to, or before, her father, as if she had
some diviner instinct which taught her more truly than they knew, with all their
experience; at least, in her first expressions there seemed something good and
fine; but opposition made her angry and irritable, and the arguments which he
was constantly provoking (whenever he was with her in her father's absence)
frequently ended in some vehemence of expression on her part that offended Mr.
Farquhar, who did not see how she expiated her anger in tears and
self-reproaches when alone in her chamber. Then he would lecture himself
severely on the interest he could not help feeling in a wilful girl; he would
determine not to interfere with her opinions in future, and yet, the very next
time they differed, he strove to argue her into harmony with himself, in spite
of all resolutions to the contrary.
    Mr. Bradshaw saw just enough of this interest which Jemima had excited in
his partner's mind, to determine him in considering their future marriage as a
settled affair. The fitness of the thing had long ago struck him; her father's
partner - so the fortune he meant to give her might continue in the business; a
man of such steadiness of character, and such a capital eye for a desirable
speculation, as Mr. Farquhar - just the right age to unite the paternal with the
conjugal affection, and consequently the very man for Jemima, who had something
unruly in her, which might break out under a régime less wisely adjusted to the
circumstances than was Mr. Bradshaw's (in his own opinion) - a house ready
furnished, at a convenient distance from her home - no near relations on Mr.
Farquhar's side, who might be inclined to consider his residence as their own
for an indefinite time, and so add to the household expenses - in short, what
could be more suitable in every way? Mr. Bradshaw respected the very
self-restraint he thought he saw in Mr. Farquhar's demeanour, attributing it to
a wise desire to wait until trade should be rather more slack, and the man of
business more at leisure to become the lover.
    As for Jemima, at times she thought she almost hated Mr. Farquhar.
    »What business has he,« she would think, »to lecture me? Often I can hardly
bear it from papa, and I will not bear it from him. He treats me just like a
child, and as if I should lose all my present opinions when I know more of the
world. I am sure I should like never to know the world, if it was to make me
think as he does, hard man that he is! I wonder what made him take Jem Brown on
as gardener again, if he does not believe that above one criminal in a thousand
is restored to goodness. I'll ask him, some day, if that was not acting on
impulse rather than principle. Poor impulse! how you do get abused! But I will
tell Mr. Farquhar I will not let him interfere with me. If I do what papa bids
me, no one has a right to notice whether I do it willingly or not.«
    So then she tried to defy Mr. Farquhar, by doing and saying things that she
knew he would disapprove. She went so far that he was seriously grieved, and did
not even remonstrate and lecture, and then she was disappointed and irritated;
for, somehow, with all her indignation at interference, she liked to be lectured
by him; not that she was aware of this liking of hers, but still it would have
been more pleasant to be scolded than so quietly passed over. Her two little
sisters, with their wide-awake eyes, had long ago put things together, and
conjectured. Every day they had some fresh mystery together, to be imparted in
garden walks and whispered talks.
    »Lizzie, did you see how the tears came into Mimie's eyes when Mr. Farquhar
looked so displeased when she said good people were always dull? I think she's
in love.« Mary said the last words with grave emphasis, and felt like an oracle
of twelve years of age.
    »I don't,« said Lizzie. »I know I cry often enough when papa is cross, and
I'm not in love with him.«
    »Yes! but you don't look as Mimie did.«
    »Don't call her Mimie - you know papa does not like it?«
    »Yes; but there are so many things papa does not like I can never remember
them all. Never mind about that; but listen to something I've got to tell you,
if you'll never, never tell.«
    »No, indeed I won't, Mary. What is it?«
    »Not to Mrs. Denbigh?«
    »No, not even to Mrs. Denbigh.«
    »Well, then, the other day - last Friday, Mimie« -
    »Jemima!« interrupted the more conscientious Elizabeth.
    »Jemima, if it must be so,« jerked out Mary, »sent me to her desk for an
envelope, and what do you think I saw?«
    »What?« asked Elizabeth, expecting nothing else than a red-hot Valentine,
signed Walter Farquhar, pro Bradshaw, Farquhar, &amp; Co., in full.
    »Why, a piece of paper, with dull-looking lines upon it, just like the
scientific dialogues; and I remember all about it. It was once when Mr. Farquhar
had been telling us that a bullet does not go in a straight line, but in a
something curve, and he drew some lines on a piece of paper; and Mimie« -
    »Jemima!« put in Elizabeth.
    »Well, well! She had treasured it up, and written in a comer, W.F., April
3rd. Now, that's rather like love, is not it? For Jemima hates useful
information just as much as I do, and that's saying a great deal; and yet she
had kept this paper, and dated it.«
    »If that's all, I know Dick keeps a paper with Miss Benson's name written on
it, and yet he's not in love with her; and perhaps Jemima may like Mr. Farquhar,
and he may not like her. It seems such a little while since her hair was turned
up, and he has always been a grave, middle-aged man ever since I can recollect;
and then, have you never noticed how often he finds fault with her - almost
lectures her?«
    »To be sure,« said Mary; »but he may be in love, for all that. Just think
how often papa lectures mamma; and yet, of course, they're in love with each
other.«
    »Well! we shall see,« said Elizabeth.
    Poor Jemima little thought of the four sharp eyes that watched her daily
course while she sat alone, as she fancied, with her secret in her own room.
For, in a passionate fit of grieving, at the impatient, hasty temper which had
made her so seriously displease Mr. Farquhar that he had gone away without
remonstrance, without more leave-taking than a distant bow, she had begun to
suspect that, rather than not be noticed at all by him, rather than be an object
of indifference to him - oh! far rather would she be an object of anger and
upbraiding; and the thoughts that followed this confession to herself stunned
and bewildered her; and for once that they made her dizzy with hope, ten times
they made her sick with fear. For an instant she planned to become and to be all
he could wish her; to change her very nature for him. And then a great gush of
pride came over her, and she set her teeth tight together, and determined that
he should either love her as she was or not at all. Unless he could take her
with all her faults, she would not care for his regard; love was too noble a
word to call such cold, calculating feeling as his must be, who went about with
a pattern idea in his mind, trying to find a wife to match. Besides, there was
something degrading, Jemima thought, in trying to alter herself to gain the love
of any human creature. And yet, if he did not care for her, if this late
indifference were to last, what a great shroud was drawn over life! Could she
bear it?
    From the agony she dared not look at, but which she was going to risk
encountering, she was aroused by the presence of her mother.
    »Jemima! your father wants to speak to you in the dining-room.«
    »What for?« asked the girl.
    »Oh! he is fidgeted by something Mr. Farquhar said to me, and which I
repeated. I am sure I thought there was no harm in it, and your father always
likes me to tell him what everybody says in his absence.«
    Jemima went with a heavy heart into her father's presence.
    He was walking up and down the room, and did not see her at first.
    »O Jemima! is that you? Has your mother told you what I want to speak to you
about?«
    »No!« said Jemima. »Not exactly.«
    »She has been telling me what proves to me how very seriously you must have
displeased and offended Mr. Farquhar, before he could have expressed himself to
her as he did, when he left the house. You know what he said?«
    »No!« said Jemima, her heart swelling within her. »He has no right to say
anything about me.« She was desperate, or she durst not have said this before
her father.
    »No right! - what do you mean, Jemima?« said Mr. Bradshaw, turning sharp
round. »Surely you must know that I hope he may one day be your husband; that is
to say, if you prove yourself worthy of the excellent training I have given you.
I cannot suppose Mr. Farquhar would take any undisciplined girl as a wife.«
    Jemima held tight by a chair near which she was standing. She did not speak;
her father was pleased by her silence - it was the way in which he liked his
projects to be received.
    »But you cannot suppose,« he continued, »that Mr. Farquhar will consent to
marry you« -
    »Consent to marry me!« repeated Jemima, in a low tone of brooding
indignation; were those the terms upon which her rich woman's heart was to be
given, with a calm consent of acquiescent acceptance, but a little above
resignation on the part of the receiver?
    - »if you give way to a temper which, although you have never dared to show
it to me, I am well aware exists, although I hoped the habits of
self-examination I had instilled had done much to cure you of manifesting it. At
one time, Richard promised to be the more headstrong of the two; now, I must
desire you to take pattern by him. Yes,« he continued, falling into his old
train of thought, »it would be a most fortunate connection for you in every way.
I should have you under my own eye, and could still assist you in the formation
of your character, and I should be at hand to strengthen and confirm your
principles. Mr. Farquhar's connection with the firm would be convenient and
agreeable to me in a pecuniary point of view. He« -- Mr. Bradshaw was going on
in his enumeration of the advantages which he in particular, and Jemima in the
second place, would derive from this marriage, when his daughter spoke, at first
so low that he could not hear her, as he walked up and down the room with his
creaking boots, and he had to stop to listen.
    »Has Mr. Farquhar ever spoken to you about it?« Jemima's cheek was flushed
as she asked the question; she wished that she might have been the person to
whom he had first addressed himself.
    Mr. Bradshaw answered -
    »No, not spoken. It has been implied between us for some time. At least, I
have been so aware of his intentions that I have made several allusions, in the
course of business, to it, as a thing that might take place. He can hardly have
misunderstood; he must have seen that I perceived his design, and approved of
it,« said Mr. Bradshaw, rather doubtfully; as he remembered how very little, in
fact, passed between him and his partner which could have reference to the
subject, to any but a mind prepared to receive it. Perhaps Mr. Farquhar had not
really thought of it; but then again, that would imply that his own penetration
had been mistaken, a thing not impossible certainly, but quite beyond the range
of probability. So he reassured himself, and (as he thought) his daughter, by
saying -
    »The whole thing is so suitable - the advantages arising from the connection
are so obvious; besides which, I am quite aware, from many little speeches of
Mr. Farquhar's, that he contemplates marriage at no very distant time; and he
seldom leaves Eccleston, and visits few families besides our own - certainly,
none that can compare with ours in the advantages you have all received in moral
and religious training.« But then Mr. Bradshaw was checked in his implied
praises of himself (and only himself could be his martingale when he once set
out on such a career) by a recollection that Jemima must not feel too secure, as
she might become if he dwelt too much on the advantages of her being her
father's daughter. Accordingly, he said, »But you must be aware, Jemima, that
you do very little credit to the education I have given you, when you make such
an impression as you must have done to-day, before Mr. Farquhar could have said
what he did of you!«
    »What did he say?« asked Jemima, still in the low, husky tone of suppressed
anger.
    »Your mother says he remarked to her, What a pity it is that Jemima cannot
maintain her opinions without going into a passion; and what a pity it is that
her opinions are such as to sanction, rather than curb, these fits of rudeness
and anger!«
    »Did he say that?« said Jemima, in a still lower tone, not questioning her
father, but speaking rather to herself.
    »I have no doubt he did,« replied her father gravely. »Your mother is in the
habit of repeating accurately to me what takes place in my absence; besides
which, the whole speech is not one of hers; she has not altered a word in the
repetition, I am convinced. I have trained her to habits of accuracy very
unusual in a woman.«
    At another time, Jemima might have been inclined to rebel against this
system of carrying constant intelligence to headquarters, which she had long ago
felt as an insurmountable obstacle to any free communication with her mother;
but now, her father's means of acquiring knowledge faded into insignificance
before the nature of the information he imparted. She stood quite still,
grasping the chair-back, longing to be dismissed.
    »I have said enough now, I hope, to make you behave in a becoming manner to
Mr. Farquhar; if your temper is too unruly to be always under your own control,
at least have respect to my injunctions, and take some pains to curb it before
him.«
    »May I go?« asked Jemima, chafing more and more.
    »You may,« said her father. When she left the room he gently rubbed his
hands together, satisfied with the effect he had produced, and wondering how it
was that one so well brought up as his daughter could ever say or do anything to
provoke such a remark from Mr. Farquhar as that which he had heard repeated.
    »Nothing can be more gentle and docile than she is when spoken to in the
proper manner. I must give Farquhar a hint,« said Mr. Bradshaw to himself.
    Jemima rushed upstairs and locked herself into her room. She began pacing up
and down at first, without shedding a tear; but then she suddenly stopped, and
burst out crying with passionate indignation.
    »So! I am to behave well, not because it is right - not because it is right
- but to show off before Mr. Farquhar. Oh, Mr. Farquhar!« said she, suddenly
changing to a sort of upbraiding tone of voice, »I did not think so of you an
hour ago. I did not think you could choose a wife in that cold-hearted way,
though you did profess to act by rule and line; but you think to have me, do
you? because it is fitting and suitable, and you want to be married, and can't
spare time for wooing« (she was lashing herself up by an exaggeration of all her
father had said). »And how often I have thought you were too grand for me! but
now I know better. Now I can believe that all you do is done from calculation;
you are good because it adds to your business credit - you talk in that high
strain about principle because it sounds well, and is respectable - and even
these things are better than your cold way of looking out for a wife, just as
you would do for a carpet, to add to your comforts, and settle you respectably.
But I won't be that wife. You shall see something of me which shall make you not
acquiesce so quietly in the arrangements of the firm.« She cried too vehemently
to go on thinking or speaking. Then she stopped, and said -
    »Only an hour ago I was hoping - I don't know what I was hoping - but I
thought - oh! how I was deceived! - I thought he had a true, deep, loving manly
heart, which God might let me win; but now I know he has only a calm,
calculating head« -
    If Jemima had been vehement and passionate before this conversation with her
father, it was better than the sullen reserve she assumed now whenever Mr.
Farquhar came to the house. He felt it deeply; no reasoning with himself took
off the pain he experienced. He tried to speak on the subjects she liked, in the
manner she liked, until he despised himself for the unsuccessful efforts.
    He stood between her and her father once or twice, in obvious inconsistency
with his own previously expressed opinions; and Mr. Bradshaw piqued himself upon
his admirable management, in making Jemima feel that she owed his indulgence or
forbearance to Mr. Farquhar's interference; but Jemima - perverse, miserable
Jemima - thought that she hated Mr. Farquhar all the more. She respected her
father inflexible, much more than her father pompously giving up to Mr.
Farquhar's subdued remonstrances on her behalf. Even Mr. Bradshaw was perplexed,
and shut himself up to consider how Jemima was to be made more fully to
understand his wishes and her own interests. But there was nothing to take hold
of as a ground for any further conversation with her. Her actions were so
submissive that they were spiritless; she did all her father desired; she did it
with a nervous quickness and haste, if she thought that otherwise Mr. Farquhar
would interfere in any way. She wished evidently to owe nothing to him. She had
begun by leaving the room when he came in, after the conversation she had had
with her father; but at Mr. Bradshaw's first expression of his wish that she
should remain, she remained - silent, indifferent, inattentive to all that was
going on; at least there was this appearance of inattention. She would work away
at her sewing as if she were to earn her livelihood by it; the light was gone
out of her eyes as she lifted them up heavily before replying to any question,
and the eyelids were often swollen with crying.
    But in all this there was no positive fault. Mr. Bradshaw could not have
told her not to do this, or to do that, without her doing it; for she had become
much more docile of late.
    It was a wonderful proof of the influence Ruth had gained in the family,
that Mr. Bradshaw, after much deliberation, congratulated himself on the wise
determination he had made of requesting her to speak to Jemima, and find out
what feeling was at the bottom of all this change in her ways of going on.
    He rang the bell.
    »Is Mrs. Denbigh here?« he inquired of the servant who answered it.
    »Yes, sir; she has just come.«
    »Beg her to come to me in this room as soon as she can leave the young
ladies.«
    Ruth came.
    »Sit down, Mrs. Denbigh; sit down. I want to have a little conversation with
you; not about your pupils; they are going on well under your care, I am sure;
and I often congratulate myself on the choice I made - I assure you I do. But
now I want to speak to you about Jemima. She is very fond of you, and perhaps
you could take an opportunity of observing to her - in short, of saying to her,
that she is behaving very foolishly - in fact, disgusting Mr. Farquhar (who was,
I know, inclined to like her) by the sullen, sulky way she behaves in, when he
is by.«
    He paused for the ready acquiescence he expected. But Ruth did not quite
comprehend what was required of her, and disliked the glimpse she had gained of
the task very much.
    »I hardly understand, sir. You are displeased with Miss Bradshaw's manners
to Mr. Farquhar.«
    »Well, well! not quite that; I am displeased with her manners - they are
sulky and abrupt, particularly when he is by - and I want you (of whom she is so
fond) to speak to her about it.«
    »But I have never had the opportunity of noticing them. Whenever I have seen
her, she has been most gentle and affectionate.«
    »But I think you do not hesitate to believe me when I say that I have
noticed the reverse,« said Mr. Bradshaw, drawing himself up.
    »No, sir. I beg your pardon if I have expressed myself so badly as to seem
to doubt. But am I to tell Miss Bradshaw that you have spoken of her faults to
me?« asked Ruth, a little astonished, and shrinking more than ever from the
proposed task.
    »If you would allow me to finish what I have got to say, without
interruption, I could then tell you what I do wish.«
    »I beg your pardon, sir,« said Ruth gently.
    »I wish you to join our circle occasionally in an evening; Mrs. Bradshaw
shall send you an invitation when Mr. Farquhar is likely to be here. Warned by
me, and, consequently, with your observation quickened, you can hardly fail to
notice instances of what I have pointed out; and then I will trust to your own
good sense« (Mr. Bradshaw bowed to her at this part of his sentence) »to find an
opportunity to remonstrate with her.«
    Ruth was beginning to speak, but he waved his hand for another minute of
silence.
    »Only a minute, Mrs. Denbigh. I am quite aware that, in requesting your
presence occasionally in the evening, I shall be trespassing upon the time which
is, in fact, your money; you may be assured that I shall not forget this little
circumstance, and you can explain what I have said on this head to Benson and
his sister.«
    »I am afraid I cannot do it,« Ruth began; but, while she was choosing words
delicate enough to express her reluctance to act as he wished, he had almost
bowed her out of the room; and thinking that she was modest in her estimate of
her qualifications for remonstrating with his daughter, he added, blandly -
    »No one so able, Mrs. Denbigh. I have observed many qualities in you -
observed when, perhaps, you have little thought it.«
    If he had observed Ruth that morning he would have seen an absence of mind
and depression of spirits not much to her credit as a teacher; for she could not
bring herself to feel that she had any right to go into the family purposely to
watch over and find fault with any one member of it. If she had seen anything
wrong in Jemima, Ruth loved her so much that she would have told her of it in
private; and with many doubts, how far she was the one to pull out the mote from
any one's eye, even in the most tender manner; - she would have had to conquer
reluctance before she could have done even this; but there was something
indefinably repugnant to her in the manner of acting which Mr. Bradshaw had
proposed, and she determined not to accept the invitations which were to place
her in so false a position.
    But as she was leaving the house, after the end of the lessons, while she
stood in the hall tying on her bonnet, and listening to the last small
confidences of her two pupils, she saw Jemima coming in through the garden-door,
and was struck by the change in her looks. The large eyes, so brilliant once,
were dim and clouded; the complexion sallow and colourless; a lowering
expression was on the dark brow, and the corners of her mouth drooped as with
sorrowful thoughts. She looked up, and her eyes met Ruth's.
    »Oh! you beautiful creature!« thought Jemima, »with your still, calm,
heavenly face, what are you to know of earth's trials? You have lost your
beloved by death - but that is a blessed sorrow; the sorrow I have pulls me down
and down, and makes me despise and hate every one - not you, though.« And, her
face changing to a soft, tender look, she went up to Ruth and kissed her fondly;
as if it were a relief to be near some one on whose true, pure heart she relied.
Ruth returned the caress; and even while she did so, she suddenly rescinded her
resolution to keep clear of what Mr. Bradshaw had desired her to do. On her way
home she resolved, if she could, to find out what were Jemima's secret feelings;
and if (as, from some previous knowledge, she suspected) they were morbid and
exaggerated in any way, to try and help her right with all the wisdom which true
love gives. It was time that some one should come to still the storm in Jemima's
turbulent heart, which was daily and hourly knowing less and less of peace. The
irritating difficulty was to separate the two characters, which at two different
times she had attributed to Mr. Farquhar - the old one, which she had formerly
believed to be true, that he was a man acting up to a high standard of lofty
principle, and acting up without a struggle (and this last had been the
circumstance which had made her rebellious and irritable once); the new one,
which her father had excited in her suspicious mind, that Mr. Farquhar was cold
and calculating in all he did, and that she was to be transferred by the former,
and accepted by the latter, as a sort of stock-in-trade - these were the two Mr.
Farquhars who clashed together in her mind. And in this state of irritation and
prejudice, she could not bear the way in which he gave up his opinions to please
her; that was not the way to win her; she liked him far better when he
inflexibly and rigidly adhered to his idea of right and wrong, not even allowing
any force to temptation, and hardly any grace to repentance, compared with that
beauty of holiness which had never yielded to sin. He had been her idol in those
days, as she found out now, however much at the time she had opposed him with
violence.
    As for Mr. Farquhar, he was almost weary of himself; no reasoning, even no
principle, seemed to have influence over him, for he saw that Jemima was not at
all what he approved of in woman. He saw her uncurbed and passionate, affecting
to despise the rules of life he held most sacred, and indifferent to, if not
positively disliking, him; and yet he loved her dearly. But he resolved to make
a great effort of will, and break loose from these trammels of sense. And while
he resolved, some old recollection would bring her up, hanging on his arm, in
all the confidence of early girlhood, looking up in his face with her soft, dark
eyes, and questioning him upon the mysterious subjects which had so much
interest for both of them at that time, although they had become only matter for
dissension in these later days.
    It was also true, as Mr. Bradshaw had said, Mr. Farquhar wished to marry,
and had not much choice in the small town of Eccleston. He never put this so
plainly before himself, as a reason for choosing Jemima, as her father had done
to her; but it was an unconscious motive all the same. However, now he had
lectured himself into the resolution to make a pretty long absence from
Eccleston, and see if, amongst his distant friends, there was no woman more in
accordance with his ideal, who could put the naughty, wilful, plaguing Jemima
Bradshaw out of his head, if he did not soon perceive some change in her for the
better.
    A few days after Ruth's conversation with Mr. Bradshaw the invitation she
had been expecting, yet dreading, came. It was to her alone. Mr. and Miss Benson
were pleased at the compliment to her, and urged her acceptance of it. She
wished that they had been included; she had not thought it right, or kind to
Jemima, to tell them why she was going, and she feared now lest they should feel
a little hurt that they were not asked too. But she need not have been afraid.
They were glad and proud of the attention to her, and never thought of
themselves.
    »Ruthie, what gown shall you wear to-night? Your dark-grey one, I suppose?«
asked Miss Benson.
    »Yes, I suppose so. I never thought of it; but that is my best.«
    »Well, then, I shall quill up a ruff for you. You know I am a famous quiller
of net.«
    Ruth came downstairs with a little flush on her cheeks when she was ready to
go. She held her bonnet and shawl in her hand, for she knew Miss Benson and
Sally would want to see her dressed.
    »Is not mamma pretty?« asked Leonard, with a child's pride.
    »She looks very nice and tidy,« said Miss Benson, who had an idea that
children should not talk or think about beauty.
    »I think my ruff looks so nice,« said Ruth, with gentle pleasure. And,
indeed, it did look nice, and set off the pretty round throat most becomingly.
Her hair, now grown long and thick, was smoothed as close to her head as its
waving nature would allow, and plaited up in a great rich knot low down behind.
The grey gown was as plain as plain could be.
    »You should have light gloves, Ruth,« said Miss Benson. She went upstairs,
and brought down a delicate pair of Limerick ones, which had been long treasured
up in a walnut-shell.
    »They say them gloves is made of chickens'-skins,« said Sally, examining
them curiously. »I wonder how they set about skinning 'em.«
    »Here, Ruth,« said Mr. Benson, coming in from the garden, »here's a rose or
two for you. I am sorry there are no more; I hoped I should have had my yellow
rose out by this time, but the damask and the white are in a warmer comer, and
have got the start.«
    Miss Benson and Leonard stood at the door, and watched her down the little
passage-street till she was out of sight.
    She had hardly touched the bell at Mr. Bradshaw's door, when Mary and
Elizabeth opened it with boisterous glee.
    »We saw you coming - we've been watching for you - we want you to come round
the garden before tea; papa is not come in yet. Do come!«
    She went round the garden with a little girl clinging to each arm. It was
full of sunshine and flowers, and this made the contrast between it and the
usual large family room (which fronted the north-east, and therefore had no
evening sun to light up its cold, drab furniture) more striking than usual. It
looked very gloomy. There was the great dining-table, heavy and square; the
range of chairs, straight and square; the work-boxes, useful and square; the
colouring of walls, and carpets, and curtains, all of the coldest description;
everything was handsome, and everything was ugly. Mrs. Bradshaw was asleep in
her easy-chair when they came in. Jemima had just put down her work, and, lost
in thought, she leaned her cheek on her hand. When she saw Ruth she brightened a
little, and went to her and kissed her. Mrs. Bradshaw jumped up at the sound of
their entrance, and was wide awake in a moment.
    »Oh! I thought your father was here,« said she, evidently relieved to find
that he had not come in and caught her sleeping.
    »Thank you, Mrs. Denbigh, for coming to us to-night,« said she, in the quiet
tone in which she generally spoke in her husband's absence. When he was there, a
sort of constant terror of displeasing him made her voice sharp and nervous; the
children knew that many a thing passed over by their mother when their father
was away was sure to be noticed by her when he was present, and noticed, too, in
a cross and querulous manner, for she was so much afraid of the blame which on
any occasion of their misbehaviour fell upon her. And yet she looked up to her
husband with a reverence and regard, and a faithfulness of love, which his
decision of character was likely to produce on a weak and anxious mind. He was a
rest and a support to her, on whom she cast all her responsibilities; she was an
obedient, unremonstrating wife to him; no stronger affection had ever brought
her duty into conflict with any desire of her heart. She loved her children
dearly, though they all perplexed her very frequently. Her son was her especial
darling, because he very seldom brought her into any scrapes with his father; he
was so cautious and prudent, and had the art of keeping a calm sough about any
difficulty he might be in. With all her dutiful sense of the obligation, which
her husband enforced upon her, to notice and tell him everything that was going
wrong in the household, and especially among his children, Mrs. Bradshaw,
somehow, contrived to be honestly blind to a good deal that was not praiseworthy
in Master Richard.
    Mr. Bradshaw came in before long, bringing with him Mr. Farquhar. Jemima had
been talking to Ruth with some interest before then; but, on seeing Mr.
Farquhar, she bent her head down over her work, went a little paler, and turned
obstinately silent. Mr. Bradshaw longed to command her to speak; but even he had
a suspicion that what she might say, when so commanded, might be rather worse in
its effect than her gloomy silence; so he held his peace, and a discontented,
angry kind of peace it was. Mrs. Bradshaw saw that something was wrong, but
could not tell what; only she became every moment more trembling, and nervous,
and irritable, and sent Mary and Elizabeth off on all sorts of contradictory
errands to the servants, and made the tea twice as strong, and sweetened it
twice as much as usual, in hopes of pacifying her husband with good things.
    Mr. Farquhar had gone for the last time, or so he thought. He had resolved
(for the fifth time) that he would go and watch Jemima once more, and if her
temper got the better of her, and she showed the old sullenness again, and gave
the old proofs of indifference to his good opinion, he would give her up
altogether, and seek a wife elsewhere. He sat watching her with folded arms, and
in silence. Altogether they were a pleasant family party!
    Jemima wanted to wind a skein of wool. Mr. Farquhar saw it, and came to her,
anxious to do her this little service. She turned away pettishly, and asked Ruth
to hold it for her.
    Ruth was hurt for Mr. Farquhar, and looked sorrowfully at Jemima; but Jemima
would not see her glance of upbraiding, as Ruth, hoping that she would relent,
delayed a little to comply with her request. Mr. Farquhar did; and went back to
his seat to watch them both. He saw Jemima turbulent and stormy in look; he saw
Ruth, to all appearance, heavenly calm as the angels, or with only that little
tinge of sorrow which her friend's behaviour had called forth. He saw the
unusual beauty of her face and form, which he had never noticed before; and he
saw Jemima, with all the brilliancy she once possessed in eyes and complexion,
dimmed and faded. He watched Ruth, speaking low and soft to the little girls,
who seemed to come to her in every difficulty, and he remarked her gentle
firmness when their bed-time came, and they pleaded to stay up longer (their
father was absent in his counting-house, or they would not have dared to do so).
He liked Ruth's soft, distinct, unwavering »No! you must go. You must keep to
what is right,« far better than the good-natured yielding to entreaty he had
formerly admired in Jemima. He was wandering off into this comparison, while
Ruth with delicate and unconscious tact, was trying to lead Jemima into some
subject which should take her away from the thoughts, whatever they were, that
made her so ungracious and rude.
    Jemima was ashamed of herself before Ruth, in a way which she had never been
before any one else. She valued Ruth's good opinion so highly, that she dreaded
lest her friend should perceive her faults. She put a check upon herself - a
check at first; but after a little time she had forgotten something of her
trouble, and listened to Ruth, and questioned her about Leonard, and smiled at
his little witticisms; and only the sighs, that would come up from the very
force of habit, brought back the consciousness of her unhappiness. Before the
end of the evening, Jemima had allowed herself to speak to Mr. Farquhar in the
old way - questioning, differing, disputing. She was recalled to the remembrance
of that miserable conversation by the entrance of her father. After that she was
silent. But he had seen her face more animated, and bright with a smile, as she
spoke to Mr. Farquhar; and although he regretted the loss of her complexion (for
she was still very pale), he was highly pleased with the success of his project.
He never doubted but that Ruth had given her some sort of private exhortation to
behave better. He could not have understood the pretty art with which, by simply
banishing unpleasant subjects, and throwing a wholesome natural sunlit tone over
others, Ruth had insensibly drawn Jemima out of her gloom. He resolved to buy
Mrs. Denbigh a handsome silk gown the very next day. He did not believe she had
a silk gown, poor creature! He had noticed that dark-grey stuff, this long, long
time, as her Sunday dress. He liked the colour; the silk one should be just the
same tinge. Then he thought that it would, perhaps, be better to choose a
lighter shade, one which might be noticed as different to the old gown. For he
had no doubt she would like to have it remarked, and, perhaps, would not object
to tell people, that it was a present from Mr. Bradshaw - a token of his
approbation. He smiled a little to himself as he thought of this additional
source of pleasure to Ruth. She, in the meantime, was getting up to go home.
While Jemima was lighting the bed-candle at the lamp, Ruth came round to bid
good-night. Mr. Bradshaw could not allow her to remain till the morrow uncertain
whether he was satisfied or not.
    »Good-night, Mrs. Denbigh,« said he. »Good-night. Thank you. I am obliged to
you - I am exceedingly obliged to you.«
    He laid emphasis on these words, for he was pleased to see Mr. Farquhar step
forward to help Jemima in her little office.
    Mr. Farquhar offered to accompany Ruth home; but the streets that intervened
between Mr. Bradshaw's and the Chapel-house were so quiet that he desisted, when
he learnt from Ruth's manner how much she disliked his proposal. Mr. Bradshaw,
too, instantly observed -
    »Oh! Mrs. Denbigh need not trouble you, Farquhar. I have servants at liberty
at any moment to attend on her, if she wishes it.«
    In fact, he wanted to make hay while the sun shone, and to detain Mr.
Farquhar a little longer, now that Jemima was so gracious. She went upstairs
with Ruth to help her to put on her things.
    »Dear Jemima!« said Ruth, »I am so glad to see you looking better to-night!
You quite frightened me this morning, you looked so ill.«
    »Did I?« replied Jemima. »O Ruth! I have been so unhappy lately. I want you
to come and put me to rights,« she continued, half smiling. »You know I'm a sort
of out-pupil of yours, though we are so nearly of an age. You ought to lecture
me, and make me good.«
    »Should I, dear?« said Ruth. »I don't think I'm the one to do it.«
    »Oh yes! you are - you've done me good to-night.«
    »Well, if I can do anything for you, tell me what it is?« asked Ruth
tenderly.
    »Oh, not now - not now,« replied Jemima. »I could not tell you here. It's a
long story, and I don't know that I can tell you at all. Mamma might come up at
any moment, and papa would be sure to ask what we had been talking about so
long.«
    »Take your own time, love,« said Ruth; »only remember, as far as I can, how
glad I am to help you.«
    »You're too good, my darling!« said Jemima fondly.
    »Don't say so,« replied Ruth earnestly, almost as if she were afraid. »God
knows I am not.«
    »Well! we're none of us too good,« answered Jemima; »I know that. But you
are very good. Nay, I won't call you so, if it makes you look so miserable. But
come away downstairs.«
    With the fragrance of Ruth's sweetness lingering about her, Jemima was her
best self during the next half-hour. Mr. Bradshaw was more and more pleased, and
raised the price of the silk, which he was going to give Ruth, sixpence a yard
during the time. Mr. Farquhar went home through the garden-way, happier than he
had been this long time. He even caught himself humming the old refrain:
 
»On revient, on revient toujours,
A ses premiers amours.«
 
But as soon as he was aware of what he was doing, he cleared away the remnants
of the song into a cough, which was sonorous, if not perfectly real.
 

                                  Chapter XXI

                     Mr. Farquhar's Attentions Transferred

The next morning, as Jemima and her mother sat at their work, it came into the
head of the former to remember her father's very marked way of thanking Ruth the
evening before.
    »What a favourite Mrs. Denbigh is with papa!« said she. »I am sure I don't
wonder at it. Did you notice, mamma, how he thanked her for coming here last
night?«
    »Yes, dear; but I don't think it was all« -- Mrs. Bradshaw stopped short.
She was never certain if it was right or wrong to say anything.
    »Not all what?« asked Jemima, when she saw her mother was not going to
finish the sentence.
    »Not all because Mrs. Denbigh came to tea here,« replied Mrs. Bradshaw.
    »Why, what else could he be thanking her for? What has she done?« asked
Jemima, stimulated to curiosity by her mother's hesitating manner.
    »I don't know if I ought to tell you,« said Mrs. Bradshaw.
    »Oh, very well!« said Jemima, rather annoyed.
    »Nay, dear! your papa never said I was not to tell; perhaps I may.«
    »Never mind; I don't want to hear,« in a piqued tone.
    There was silence for a little while. Jemima was trying to think of
something else, but her thoughts would revert to the wonder what Mrs. Denbigh
could have done for her father.
    »I think I may tell you, though,« said Mrs. Bradshaw, half questioning.
    Jemima had the honour not to urge any confidence, but she was too curious to
take any active step towards repressing it.
    Mrs. Bradshaw went on - »I think you deserve to know. It is partly your
doing that papa is so pleased with Mrs. Denbigh. He is going to buy her a silk
gown this morning, and I think you ought to know why.«
    »Why?« asked Jemima.
    »Because papa is so pleased to find that you mind what she says.«
    »I mind what she says! To be sure I do, and always did. But why should papa
give her a gown for that? I think he ought to give it me rather,« said Jemima,
half laughing.
    »I am sure he would, dear; he will give you one, I am certain, if you want
one. He was so pleased to see you like your old self to Mr. Farquhar last night.
We neither of us could think what had come over you this last month; but now all
seems right.«
    A dark cloud came over Jemima's face. She did not like this close
observation and constant comment upon her manners; and what had Ruth to do with
it?
    »I am glad you were pleased,« said she, very coldly. Then, after a pause,
she added, »But you have not told me what Mrs. Denbigh had to do with my good
behaviour.«
    »Did not she speak to you about it?« asked Mrs. Bradshaw, looking up.
    »No. Why should she? She has no right to criticise what I do. She would not
be so impertinent,« said Jemima, feeling very uncomfortable and suspicious.
    »Yes, love! she would have had a right, for papa had desired her to do it.«
    »Papa desired her! What do you mean, mamma?«
    »Oh dear! I dare say I should not have told you,« said Mrs. Bradshaw,
perceiving, from Jemima's tone of voice, that something had gone wrong. »Only
you spoke as if it would be impertinent in Mrs. Denbigh, and I am sure she would
not do anything that was impertinent. You know, it would be but right for her to
do what papa told her; and he said a great deal to her, the other day, about
finding out why you were so cross, and bringing you right. And you are right
now, dear!« said Mrs. Bradshaw soothingly, thinking that Jemima was annoyed
(like a good child) at the recollection of how naughty she had been.
    »Then papa is going to give Mrs. Denbigh a gown because I was civil to Mr.
Farquhar last night?«
    »Yes, dear!« said Mrs. Bradshaw, more and more frightened at Jemima's angry
manner of speaking - low-toned, but very indignant.
    Jemima remembered, with smouldered anger, Ruth's pleading way of wiling her
from her sullenness the night before. Management everywhere! but in this case it
was peculiarly revolting; so much so, that she could hardly bear to believe that
the seemingly transparent Ruth had lent herself to it.
    »Are you sure, mamma, that papa asked Mrs. Denbigh to make me behave
differently? It seems so strange.«
    »I am quite sure. He spoke to her last Friday morning in the study. I
remember it was Friday, because Mrs. Dean was working here.«
    Jemima remembered now that she had gone into the schoolroom on the Friday,
and found her sisters lounging about, and wondering what papa could possibly
want with Mrs. Denbigh.
    After this conversation Jemima repulsed all Ruth's timid efforts to
ascertain the cause of her disturbance, and to help her if she could. Ruth's
tender, sympathising manner, as she saw Jemima daily looking more wretched, was
distasteful to the latter in the highest degree. She could not say that Mrs.
Denbigh's conduct was positively wrong - it might even be quite right; but it
was inexpressibly repugnant to her to think of her father consulting with a
stranger (a week ago she almost considered Ruth as a sister) how to manage his
daughter, so as to obtain the end he wished for; yes, even if that end was for
her own good.
    She was thankful and glad to see a brown paper parcel lying on the
hall-table, with a note in Ruth's handwriting, addressed to her father. She knew
what it was, the grey silk dress. That she was sure Ruth would never accept.
    No one henceforward could induce Jemima to enter into conversation with Mr.
Farquhar. She suspected manoeuvring in the simplest actions, and was miserable
in this constant state of suspicion. She would not allow herself to like Mr.
Farquhar, even when he said things the most after her own heart. She heard him,
one evening, talking with her father about the principles of trade. Her father
stood out for the keenest, sharpest work, consistent with honesty; if he had not
been her father, she would, perhaps, have thought some of his sayings
inconsistent with true Christian honesty. He was for driving hard bargains,
exacting interest and payment of just bills to a day. That was (he said) the
only way in which trade could be conducted. Once allow a margin of uncertainty,
or where feelings, instead of maxims, were to be the guide, and all hope of
there ever being any good men of business was ended.
    »Suppose a delay of a month in requiring payment might save a man's credit -
prevent his becoming a bankrupt?« put in Mr. Farquhar.
    »I would not give it him. I would let him have money to set up again as soon
as he had passed the Bankruptcy Court; if he never passed, I might, in some
cases, make him an allowance; but I would always keep my justice and my charity
separate.«
    »And yet charity (in your sense of the word) degrades; justice, tempered
with mercy and consideration, elevates.«
    »That is not justice - justice is certain and inflexible. No! Mr. Farquhar,
you must not allow any Quixotic notions to mingle with your conduct as a
tradesman.«
    And so they went on; Jemima's face glowing with sympathy in all Mr. Farquhar
said; till once, on looking up suddenly with sparkling eyes, she saw a glance of
her father's, which told her, as plain as words can say, that he was watching
the effect of Mr. Farquhar's speeches upon his daughter. She was chilled
thenceforward; she thought her father prolonged the argument, in order to call
out those sentiments which he knew would most recommend his partner to his
daughter. She would so fain have let herself love Mr. Farquhar; but this
constant manoeuvring, in which she did not feel clear that he did not take a
passive part, made her sick at heart. She even wished that they might not go
through the form of pretending to try to gain her consent to the marriage, if it
involved all this premeditated action and speech-making - such moving about of
every one into their right places, like pieces at chess. She felt as if she
would rather be bought openly, like an Oriental daughter, where no one is
degraded in their own eyes by being parties to such a contract. The consequences
of all this admirable management of Mr. Bradshaw's would have been very
unfortunate to Mr. Farquhar (who was innocent of all connivance in any of the
plots - indeed would have been as much annoyed at them as Jemima, had he been
aware of them), but that the impression made upon him by Ruth on the evening I
have so lately described was deepened by the contrast which her behaviour made
to Miss Bradshaw's on one or two more recent occasions.
    There was no use, he thought, in continuing attentions so evidently
distasteful to Jemima. To her, a young girl hardly out of the schoolroom, he
probably appeared like an old man; and he might even lose the friendship with
which she used to regard him, and which was, and ever would be, very dear to
him, if he persevered in trying to be considered as a lover. He should always
feel affectionately towards her; her very faults gave her an interest in his
eyes, for which he had blamed himself most conscientiously and most uselessly
when he was looking upon her as his future wife, but which the said conscience
would learn to approve of when she sank down to the place of a young friend,
over whom he might exercise a good and salutary interest. Mrs. Denbigh, if not
many months older in years, had known sorrow and cares so early that she was
much older in character. Besides, her shy reserve, and her quiet daily walk
within the lines of duty, were much in accordance with Mr. Farquhar's notion of
what a wife should be. Still, it was a wrench to take his affections away from
Jemima. If she had not helped him to do so by every means in her power, he could
never have accomplished it.
    Yes! by every means in her power had Jemima alienated her lover, her beloved
- for so he was in fact. And now her quicksighted eyes saw he was gone for ever
- past recall: for did not her jealous, sore heart feel, even before he himself
was conscious of the fact, that he was drawn towards sweet, lovely, composed,
and dignified Ruth - one who always thought before she spoke (as Mr. Farquhar
used to bid Jemima do) - who never was tempted by sudden impulse, but walked the
world calm and self-governed. What now availed Jemima's reproaches, as she
remembered the days when he had watched her with earnest, attentive eyes, as he
now watched Ruth; and the times since, when, led astray by her morbid fancy, she
had turned away from all his advances!
    »It was only in March - last March, he called me dear Jemima. Ah! don't I
remember it well? The pretty nosegay of greenhouse flowers that he gave me in
exchange for the wild daffodils - and how he seemed to care for the flowers I
gave him - and how he looked at me, and thanked me - that is all gone and over
now.«
    Her sisters came in bright and glowing.
    »O Jemima, how nice and cool you are, sitting in this shady room!« (she had
felt it even chilly). »We have been such a long walk! We are so tired. It is so
hot.«
    »Why did you go, then?« said she.
    »Oh! we wanted to go. We would not have stayed at home on any account. It
has been so pleasant,« said Mary.
    »We've been to Scaurside Wood, to gather wild strawberries,« said Elizabeth.
»Such a quantity! We've left a whole basketful in the dairy. Mr. Farquhar says
he'll teach us how to dress them in the way he learnt in Germany, if we can get
him some hock. Do you think papa will let us have some?«
    »Was Mr. Farquhar with you?« asked Jemima, a dull light coming into her
eyes.
    »Yes; we told him this morning that mamma wanted us to take some old linen
to the lame man at Scaurside Farm, and that we meant to coax Mrs. Denbigh to let
us go into the wood and gather strawberries,« said Elizabeth.
    »I thought he would make some excuse and come,« said the quick-witted Mary,
as eager and thoughtless an observer of one love-affair as of another, and quite
forgetting that, not many weeks ago, she had fancied an attachment between him
and Jemima.
    »Did you? I did not,« replied Elizabeth. »At least I never thought about it.
I was quite startled when I heard his horse's feet behind us on the road.«
    »He said he was going to the farm, and could take our basket. Was it not
kind of him?« Jemima did not answer, so Mary continued -
    »You know it's a great pull up to the farm, and we were so hot already. The
road was quite white and baked; it hurt my eyes terribly. I was so glad when
Mrs. Denbigh said we might turn into the wood. The light was quite green there,
the branches are so thick overhead.«
    »And there are whole beds of wild strawberries,« said Elizabeth, taking up
the tale now Mary was out of breath. Mary fanned herself with her bonnet, while
Elizabeth went on -
    »You know where the grey rock crops out, don't you, Jemima? Well, there was
a complete carpet of strawberry-runners. So pretty! And we could hardly step
without treading the little bright scarlet berries under foot.«
    »We did so wish for Leonard,« put in Mary.
    »Yes! but Mrs. Denbigh gathered a great many for him. And Mr. Farquhar gave
her all his.«
    »I thought you said he had gone on to Dawson's farm,« said Jemima.
    »Oh yes! he just went up there; and then he left his horse there, like a
wise man, and came to us in the pretty, cool, green wood. O Jemima! it was so
pretty - little flecks of light coming down here and there through the leaves,
and quivering on the ground. You must go with us to-morrow.«
    »Yes,« said Mary, »we're going again to-morrow. We could not gather nearly
all the strawberries.«
    »And Leonard is to go too, to-morrow.«
    »Yes! we thought of such a capital plan. That's to say, Mr. Farquhar thought
of it - we wanted to carry Leonard up the hill in a king's cushion, but Mrs.
Denbigh would not hear of it.«
    »She said it would tire us so; and yet she wanted him to gather
strawberries!«
    »And so,« interrupted Mary, for by this time the two girls were almost
speaking together, »Mr. Farquhar is to bring him up before him on his horse.«
    »You'll go with us, won't you, dear Jemima?« asked Elizabeth: »it will be
at« -
    »No! I can't go,« said Jemima abruptly. »Don't ask me - I can't.«
    The little girls were hushed into silence by her manner; for whatever she
might be to those above her in age and position, to those below her Jemima was
almost invariably gentle. She felt that they were wondering at her.
    »Go upstairs and take off your things. You know papa does not like you to
come into this room in the shoes in which you have been out.«
    She was glad to cut her sisters short in the details which they were so
mercilessly inflicting - details which she must harden herself to, before she
could hear them quietly and unmoved. She saw that she had lost her place as the
first object in Mr. Farquhar's eyes - a position she had hardly cared for while
she was secure in the enjoyment of it; but the charm of it now was redoubled, in
her acute sense of how she had forfeited it by her own doing, and her own fault.
For if he were the cold, calculating man her father had believed him to be, and
had represented him as being to her, would he care for a portionless widow in
humble circumstances like Mrs. Denbigh - no money, no connection, encumbered
with her boy? The very action which proved Mr. Farquhar to be lost to Jemima
reinstated him on his throne in her fancy. And she must go on in hushed
quietness, quivering with every fresh token of his preference for another? That
other, too, one so infinitely more worthy of him than herself; so that she could
not have even the poor comfort of thinking that he had no discrimination, and
was throwing himself away on a common or worthless person. Ruth was beautiful,
gentle, good, and conscientious. The hot colour flushed up into Jemima's sallow
face as she became aware that, even while she acknowledged these excellences on
Mrs. Denbigh's part, she hated her. The recollection of her marble face wearied
her even to sickness; the tones of her low voice were irritating from their very
softness. Her goodness, undoubted as it was, was more distasteful than many
faults which had more savour of human struggle in them.
    »What was this terrible demon in her heart?« asked Jemima's better angel.
»Was she, indeed, given up to possession? Was not this the old stinging hatred
which had prompted so many crimes? The hatred of all sweet virtues which might
win the love denied to us? The old anger that wrought in the elder brother's
heart, till it ended in the murder of the gentle Abel, while yet the world was
young?«
    »O God! help me! I did not know I was so wicked,« cried Jemima aloud in her
agony. It had been a terrible glimpse into the dark, lurid gulf - the capability
for evil, in her heart. She wrestled with the demon, but he would not depart: it
was to be a struggle whether or not she was to be given up to him, in this her
time of sore temptation.
    All the next day long she sat and pictured the happy strawberry-gathering
going on, even then, in pleasant Scaurside Wood. Every touch of fancy which
could heighten her idea of their enjoyment, and of Mr. Farquhar's attention to
the blushing, conscious Ruth - every such touch which would add a pang to her
self-reproach and keen jealousy, was added by her imagination. She got up and
walked about, to try and stop her overbusy fancy by bodily exercise. But she had
eaten little all day, and was weak and faint in the intense heat of the sunny
garden. Even the long grass-walk under the filbert-hedge was parched and dry in
the glowing August sun. Yet her sisters found her there when they returned,
walking quickly up and down, as if to warm herself on some winter's day. They
were very weary; and not half so communicative as on the day before, now that
Jemima was craving for every detail to add to her agony.
    »Yes? Leonard came up before Mr. Farquhar. Oh! how hot it is, Jemima! Do sit
down, and I'll tell you about it, but I can't if you keep walking so.«
    »I can't sit still to-day,« said Jemima, springing up from the turf as soon
as she had sat down. »Tell me! I can hear you while I walk about.«
    »Oh! but I can't shout; I can hardly speak, I am so tired. Mr. Farquhar
brought Leonard« -
    »You've told me that before,« said Jemima sharply.
    »Well, I don't know what else to tell. Somebody had been since yesterday,
and gathered nearly all the strawberries off the grey rock. Jemima! Jemima!«
said Elizabeth faintly, »I am so dizzy - I think I am ill.«
    The next minute the tired girl lay swooning on the grass. It was an outlet
for Jemima's fierce energy. With a strength she had never again, and never had
known before, she lifted up her fainting sister, and, bidding Mary run and clear
the way, she carried her in through the open garden-door, up the wide
old-fashioned stairs, and laid her on the bed in her own room, where the breeze
from the window came softly and pleasantly through the green shade of the
vine-leaves and jessamine.
    »Give me the water. Run for mamma, Mary,« said Jemima, as she saw that the
fainting-fit did not yield to the usual remedy of a horizontal position and the
water-sprinkling.
    »Dear! dear Lizzie!« said Jemima, kissing the pale, unconscious face. »I
think you loved me, darling.«
    The long walk on the hot day had been too much for the delicate Elizabeth,
who was fast outgrowing her strength. It was many days before she regained any
portion of her spirit and vigour. After that fainting-fit she lay listless and
weary, without appetite or interest, through the long sunny autumn weather, on
the bed or on the couch in Jemima's room, whither she had been carried at first.
It was a comfort to Mrs. Bradshaw to be able at once to discover what it was
that had knocked up Elizabeth; she did not rest easily until she had settled
upon a cause for every ailment or illness in the family. It was a stern
consolation to Mr. Bradshaw, during his time of anxiety respecting his daughter,
to be able to blame somebody. He could not, like his wife, have taken comfort
from an inanimate fact; he wanted the satisfaction of feeling that some one had
been in fault, or else this never could have happened. Poor Ruth did not need
his implied reproaches. When she saw her gentle Elizabeth lying feeble and
languid, her heart blamed her for thoughtlessness so severely as to make her
take all Mr. Bradshaw's words and hints as too light censure for the careless
way in which, to please her own child, she had allowed her two pupils to fatigue
themselves with such long walks. She begged hard to take her share of nursing.
Every spare moment she went to Mr. Bradshaw's, and asked, with earnest humility,
to be allowed to pass them with Elizabeth; and, as it was often a relief to have
her assistance, Mrs. Bradshaw received these entreaties very kindly, and desired
her to go upstairs, where Elizabeth's pale countenance brightened when she saw
her, but where Jemima sat in silent annoyance that her own room was now become
open ground for one, whom her heart rose up against, to enter in and be
welcomed. Whether it was that Ruth, who was not an inmate of the house, brought
with her a fresher air, more change of thought to the invalid, I do not know,
but Elizabeth always gave her a peculiarly tender greeting; and if she had sunk
down into languid fatigue, in spite of all Jemima's endeavours to interest her,
she roused up into animation when Ruth came in with a flower, a book, or a brown
and ruddy pear, sending out the warm fragrance it retained from the sunny
garden-wall at Chapel-house.
    The jealous dislike which Jemima was allowing to grow up in her heart
against Ruth was, as she thought, never shown in word or deed. She was cold in
manner, because she could not be hypocritical; but her words were polite and
kind in purport; and she took pains to make her actions the same as formerly.
But rule and line may measure out the figure of a man; it is the soul that gives
it life; and there was no soul, no inner meaning, breathing out in Jemima's
actions. Ruth felt the change acutely. She suffered from it some time before she
ventured to ask what had occasioned it. One day she took Miss Bradshaw by
surprise, when they were alone together for a few minutes, by asking her if she
had vexed her in any way, she was so changed. It is sad when friendship has
cooled so far as to render such a question necessary. Jemima went rather paler
than usual, and then made answer -
    »Changed! How do you mean? How am I changed? What do I say or do different
from what I used to do?«
    But the tone was so constrained and cold, that Ruth's heart sank within her.
She knew now, as well as words could have told her, that not only had the old
feeling of love passed away from Jemima, but that it had gone unregretted, and
no attempt had been made to recall it. Love was very precious to Ruth now, as of
old time. It was one of the faults of her nature to be ready to make any
sacrifices for those who loved her, and to value affection almost above its
price. She had yet to learn the lesson, that it is more blessed to love than to
be beloved; and, lonely as the impressible years of her youth had been - without
parents, without brother or sister - it was, perhaps, no wonder that she clung
tenaciously to every symptom of regard, and could not relinquish the love of any
one without a pang.
    The doctor who was called in to Elizabeth prescribed sea-air as the best
means of recruiting her strength. Mr. Bradshaw (who liked to spend money
ostentatiously) went down straight to Abermouth, and engaged a house for the
remainder of the autumn; for, as he told the medical man, money was no object to
him in comparison with his children's health; and the doctor cared too little
about the mode in which his remedy was administered to tell Mr. Bradshaw that
lodgings would have done as well, or better, than the complete house he had seen
fit to take. For it was now necessary to engage servants, and take much trouble,
which might have been obviated, and Elizabeth's removal effected more quietly
and speedily, if she had gone into lodgings. As it was, she was weary of hearing
all the planning and talking, and deciding, and undeciding, and redeciding,
before it was possible for her to go. Her only comfort was in the thought that
dear Mrs. Denbigh was to go with her.
    It had not been entirely by way of pompously spending his money that Mr.
Bradshaw had engaged this seaside house. He was glad to get his little girls and
their governess out of the way; for a busy time was impending, when he should
want his head clear for electioneering purposes, and his house clear for
electioneering hospitality. He was the mover of a project for bringing forward a
man on the Liberal and Dissenting interest, to contest the election with the old
Tory member, who had on several successive occasions walked over the course, as
he and his family owned half the town, and votes and rent were paid alike to the
landlord.
    Kings of Eccleston had Mr. Cranworth and his ancestors been this many a long
year; their right was so little disputed that they never thought of
acknowledging the allegiance so readily paid to them. The old feudal feeling
between landowner and tenant did not quake prophetically at the introduction of
manufactures; the Cranworth family ignored the growing power of the
manufacturers, more especially as the principal person engaged in the trade was
a Dissenter. But notwithstanding this lack of patronage from the one great
family in the neighbourhood, the business flourished, increased, and spread
wide; and the Dissenting head thereof looked around, about the time of which I
speak, and felt himself powerful enough to defy the great Cranworth interest
even in their hereditary stronghold, and, by so doing, avenge the slights of
many years - slights which rankled in Mr. Bradshaw's mind as much as if he did
not go to chapel twice every Sunday, and pay the largest pew-rent of any member
of Mr. Benson's congregation.
    Accordingly, Mr. Bradshaw had applied to one of the Liberal parliamentary
agents in London - a man whose only principle was to do wrong on the Liberal
side; he would not act, right or wrong, for a Tory, but for a Whig the latitude
of his conscience had never yet been discovered. It was possible Mr. Bradshaw
was not aware of the character of this agent; at any rate, he knew he was the
man for his purpose, which was to hear of some one who would come forward as a
candidate for the representation of Eccleston on the Dissenting interest.
    »There are in round numbers about six hundred voters,« said he; »two hundred
are decidedly in the Cranworth interest - dare not offend Mr. Cranworth, poor
souls! Two hundred more we may calculate upon as pretty certain - factory hands,
or people connected with our trade in some way or another - who are indignant at
the stubborn way in which Cranworth has contested the right of water; two
hundred are doubtful.«
    »Don't much care either way,« said the parliamentary agent. »Of course, we
must make them care.«
    Mr. Bradshaw rather shrank from the knowing look with which this was said.
He hoped that Mr. Pilson did not mean to allude to bribery; but he did not
express this hope, because he thought it would deter the agent from using this
means, and it was possible it might prove to be the only way. And if he (Mr.
Bradshaw) once embarked on such an enterprise, there must be no failure. By some
expedient or another, success must be certain, or he could have nothing to do
with it.
    The parliamentary agent was well accustomed to deal with all kinds and
shades of scruples. He was most at home with men who had none; but still he
could allow for human weakness; and he perfectly understood Mr. Bradshaw.
    »I have a notion I know of a man who will just suit your purpose. Plenty of
money - does not know what to do with it, in fact - tired of yachting,
travelling; wants something new. I heard, through some of the means of
intelligence I employ, that not very long ago he was wishing for a seat in
Parliament.«
    »A Liberal?« said Mr. Bradshaw.
    »Decidedly. Belongs to a family who were in the Long Parliament in their
day.«
    Mr. Bradshaw rubbed his hands.
    »Dissenter?« asked he.
    »No, no! Not so far as that. But very lax Church.«
    »What is his name?« asked Mr. Bradshaw eagerly.
    »Excuse me. Until I am certain that he would like to come forward for
Eccleston, I think I had better not mention his name.«
    The anonymous gentleman did like to come forward, and his name proved to be
Donne. He and Mr. Bradshaw had been in correspondence during all the time of Mr.
Ralph Cranworth's illness; and when he died, everything was arranged ready for a
start, even before the Cranworths had determined who should keep the seat warm
till the eldest son came of age, for the father was already member for the
county. Mr. Donne was to come down to canvass in person, and was to take up his
abode at Mr. Bradshaw's; and therefore it was that the seaside house, within
twenty miles' distance of Eccleston, was found to be so convenient as an
infirmary and nursery for those members of his family who were likely to be
useless, if not positive encumbrances, during the forthcoming election.
 

                                  Chapter XXII

                    The Liberal Candidate and His Precursor

Jemima did not know whether she wished to go to Abermouth or not. She longed for
change. She wearied of the sights and sounds of home. But yet she could not bear
to leave the neighbourhood of Mr. Farquhar; especially as, if she went to
Abermouth, Ruth would in all probability be left to take her holiday at home.
    When Mr. Bradshaw decided that she was to go, Ruth tried to feel glad that
he gave her the means of repairing her fault towards Elizabeth; and she resolved
to watch over the two girls most faithfully and carefully, and to do all in her
power to restore the invalid to health. But a tremor came over her whenever she
thought of leaving Leonard; she had never quitted him for a day, and it seemed
to her as if her brooding, constant care was his natural and necessary shelter
from all evils - from very death itself. She would not go to sleep at nights, in
order to enjoy the blessed consciousness of having him near her; when she was
away from him teaching her pupils, she kept trying to remember his face, and
print it deep on her heart, against the time when days and days would elapse
without her seeing that little darling countenance. Miss Benson would wonder to
her brother that Mr. Bradshaw did not propose that Leonard should accompany his
mother; he only begged her not to put such an idea into Ruth's head, as he was
sure Mr. Bradshaw had no thoughts of doing any such thing, yet to Ruth it might
be a hope, and then a disappointment. His sister scolded him for being so
cold-hearted; but he was full of sympathy, although he did not express it, and
made some quiet little sacrifices in order to set himself at liberty to take
Leonard a long walking expedition on the day when his mother left Eccleston.
    Ruth cried until she could cry no longer, and felt very much ashamed of
herself as she saw the grave and wondering looks of her pupils, whose only
feeling on leaving home was delight at the idea of Abermouth, and into whose
minds the possibility of death to any of their beloved ones never entered. Ruth
dried her eyes, and spoke cheerfully as soon as she caught the perplexed
expression of their faces; and by the time they arrived at Abermouth she was as
much delighted with all the new scenery as they were, and found it hard work to
resist their entreaties to go rambling out on the sea-shore at once; but
Elizabeth had undergone more fatigue that day than she had had before for many
weeks, and Ruth was determined to be prudent.
    Meanwhile, the Bradshaws' house at Eccleston was being rapidly adapted for
electioneering hospitality. The partition-wall between the unused drawing-room
and the schoolroom was broken down, in order to admit of folding-doors; the
ingenious upholsterer of the town (and what town does not boast of the
upholsterer full of contrivances and resources, in opposition to the upholsterer
of steady capital and no imagination, who looks down with uneasy contempt on
ingenuity?) had come in to give his opinion, that »nothing could be easier than
to convert a bathroom into a bedroom, by the assistance of a little drapery to
conceal the shower-bath,« the string of which was to be carefully concealed, for
fear that the unconscious occupier of the bath-bed might innocently take it for
a bell-rope. The professional cook of the town had been already engaged to take
up her abode for a month at Mr. Bradshaw's, much to the indignation of Betsy,
who became a vehement partisan of Mr. Cranworth, as soon as ever she heard of
the plan of her deposition from sovereign authority in the kitchen, in which she
had reigned supreme for fourteen years. Mrs. Bradshaw sighed and bemoaned
herself in all her leisure moments, which were not many, and wondered why their
house was to be turned into an inn for this Mr. Donne, when everybody knew that
the George was good enough for the Cranworths, who never thought of asking the
electors to the Hall; - and they had lived at Cranworth ever since Julius
Cæsar's time, and if that was not being an old family, she did not know what
was. The excitement soothed Jemima. There was something to do. It was she who
planned with the upholsterer; it was she who soothed Betsy into angry silence;
it was she who persuaded her mother to lie down and rest, while she herself went
out to buy the heterogeneous things required to make the family and house
presentable to Mr. Donne and his precursor - the friend of the parliamentary
agent. This latter gentleman never appeared himself on the scene of action, but
pulled all the strings notwithstanding. The friend was a Mr. Hickson, a lawyer -
a briefless barrister, some people called him; but he himself professed a great
disgust to the law, as a great sham, which involved an immensity of underhand
action, and truckling, and time-serving, and was perfectly encumbered by useless
forms and ceremonies, and dead obsolete words. So, instead of putting his
shoulder to the wheel to reform the law, he talked eloquently against it, in
such a high-priest style, that it was occasionally a matter of surprise how he
could ever have made a friend of the parliamentary agent before mentioned. But,
as Mr. Hickson himself said, it was the very corruptness of the law which he was
fighting against, in doing all he could to effect the return of certain members
to Parliament; these certain members being pledged to effect a reform in the
law, according to Mr. Hickson. And, as he once observed confidentially, »If you
had to destroy a hydra-headed monster, would you measure swords with the demon
as if he were a gentleman? Would you not rather seize the first weapon that came
to hand? And so do I. My great object in life, sir, is to reform the law of
England, sir. Once get a majority of Liberal members into the House, and the
thing is done. And I consider myself justified, for so high - for, I may say, so
holy - an end, in using men's weaknesses to work out my purpose. Of course, if
men were angels, or even immaculate - men invulnerable to bribes, we would not
bribe.«
    »Could you?« asked Jemima, for the conversation took place at Mr. Bradshaw's
dinner-table, where a few friends were gathered together to meet Mr. Hickson;
and among them was Mr. Benson.
    »We neither would nor could,« said the ardent barrister, disregarding in his
vehemence the point of the question, and floating on over the bar of argument
into the wide ocean of his own eloquence: »As it is - as the world stands, they
who would succeed even in good deeds must come down to the level of expediency;
and therefore, I say once more, if Mr. Donne is the man for your purpose, and
your purpose is a good one, a lofty one, a holy one« (for Mr. Hickson remembered
the Dissenting character of his little audience, and privately considered the
introduction of the word holy a most happy hit), »then, I say, we must put all
the squeamish scruples which might befit Utopia, or some such place, on one side
and treat men as they are. If they are avaricious, it is not we who have made
them so; but as we have to do with them, we must consider their failings in
dealing with them; if they have been careless or extravagant, or have had their
little peccadilloes, we must administer the screw. The glorious reform of the
law will justify, in my idea, all means to obtain the end - that law, from the
profession of which I have withdrawn myself from perhaps a too scrupulous
conscience!« he concluded softly to himself.
    »We are not to do evil that good my come,« said Mr. Benson. He was startled
at the deep sound of his own voice as he uttered these words; but he had not
been speaking for some time, and his voice came forth strong and unmodulated.
    »True, sir; most true,« said Mr. Hickson, bowing. »I honour you for the
observation.« And he profited by it, insomuch that he confined his further
remarks on elections to the end of the table, where he sat near Mr. Bradshaw,
and one or two equally eager, though not equally influential, partisans of Mr.
Donne's. Meanwhile Mr. Farquhar took up Mr. Benson's quotation, at the end where
he and Jemima sat near to Mrs. Bradshaw and him.
    »But in the present state of the world, as Mr. Hickson says, it is rather
difficult to act upon that precept.«
    »Oh, Mr. Farquhar!« said Jemima indignantly, the tears springing to her eyes
with a feeling of disappointment. For she had been chafing under all that Mr.
Hickson had been saying, perhaps the more for one or two attempts on his part at
flirtation with the daughter of his wealthy host, which she resented with all
the loathing of a preoccupied heart; and she had longed to be a man, to speak
out her wrath at this paltering with right and wrong. She had felt grateful to
Mr. Benson for his one clear, short precept, coming down with a divine force
against which there was no appeal; and now to have Mr. Farquhar taking the side
of expediency! It was too bad.
    »Nay, Jemima!« said Mr. Farquhar, touched, and secretly flattered by the
visible pain his speech had given »Don't be indignant with me till I have
explained myself a little more. I don't understand myself yet; and it is a very
intricate question, or so it appears to me, which I was going to put, really,
earnestly, and humbly, for Mr. Benson's opinion. Now, Mr. Benson, may I ask if
you always find it practicable to act strictly in accordance with that
principle? For if you do not, I am sure no man living can. Are there not
occasions when it is absolutely necessary to wade through evil to good? I am not
speaking in the careless, presumptuous way of that man yonder,« said he,
lowering his voice, and addressing himself to Jemima more exclusively; »I am
really anxious to hear what Mr. Benson will say on the subject, for I know no
one to whose candid opinion I should attach more weight.«
    But Mr. Benson was silent. He did not see Mrs. Bradshaw and Jemima leave the
room. He was really, as Mr. Farquhar supposed him, completely absent,
questioning himself as to how far his practice tallied with his principle. By
degrees he came to himself; he found the conversation still turned on the
election; and Mr. Hickson, who felt that he had jarred against the little
minister's principles, and yet knew, from the carte du pays which the scouts of
the parliamentary agent had given him, that Mr. Benson was a person to be
conciliated, on account of his influence over many of the working-people, began
to ask him questions with an air of deferring to superior knowledge, that almost
surprised Mr. Bradshaw, who had been accustomed to treat Benson in a very
different fashion, of civil condescending indulgence, just as one listens to a
child who can have had no opportunities of knowing better.
    At the end of a conversation that Mr. Hickson held with Mr. Benson, on a
subject in which the latter was really interested, and on which he had expressed
himself at some length, the young barrister turned to Mr. Bradshaw and said very
audibly -
    »I wish Donne had been here. This conversation during the last half-hour
would have interested him almost as much as it has done me.«
    Mr. Bradshaw little guessed the truth, that Mr. Donne was, at that very
moment, coaching up the various subjects of public interest at Eccleston, and
privately cursing the particular subject on which Mr. Benson had been holding
forth, as being an unintelligible piece of Quixotism; or the leading Dissenter
of the town need not have experienced a pang of jealousy at the possible future
admiration his minister might excite in the possible future member for
Eccleston. And if Mr. Benson had been clairvoyant, he need not have made an
especial subject of gratitude out of the likelihood that he might have an
opportunity of so far interesting Mr. Donne in the condition of the people of
Eccleston as to induce him to set his face against any attempts at bribery.
    Mr. Benson thought of this half the night through; and ended by determining
to write a sermon on the Christian view of political duties, which might be good
for all, both electors and member, to hear on the eve of an election. For Mr.
Donne was expected at Mr. Bradshaw's before the next Sunday; and, of course, as
Mr. and Miss Benson had settled it, he would appear at the chapel with them on
that day. But the stinging conscience refused to be quieted. No present plan of
usefulness allayed the aching remembrance of the evil he had done that good
might come. Not even the look of Leonard, as the early dawn fell on him, and Mr.
Benson's sleepless eyes saw the rosy glow on his firm, round cheeks; his open
mouth, through which the soft, long-drawn breath came gently quivering; and his
eyes not fully shut, but closed to outward sight - not even the aspect of the
quiet, innocent child could soothe the troubled spirit.
    Leonard and his mother dreamt of each other that night. Her dream of him was
one of undefined terror - terror so great that it wakened her up, and she strove
not to sleep again, for fear that ominous, ghastly dream should return. He, on
the contrary, dreamt of her sitting watching and smiling by his bedside, as her
gentle self had been many a morning; and when she saw him awake (so it fell out
in the dream), she smiled still more sweetly, and bending down she kissed him,
and then spread out large, soft, white-feathered wings (which in no way
surprised her child - he seemed to have known they were there all along), and
sailed away through the open window far into the blue sky of a summer's day.
Leonard wakened up then, and remembered how far away she really was - far more
distant and inaccessible than the beautiful blue sky to which she had betaken
herself in his dream - and cried himself to sleep again.
    In spite of her absence from her child, which made one great and abiding
sorrow, Ruth enjoyed her seaside visit exceedingly. In the first place, there
was the delight of seeing Elizabeth's daily and almost hourly improvement. Then,
at the doctor's express orders, there were so few lessons to be done, that there
was time for the long exploring rambles, which all three delighted in. And when
the rain came on and the storms blew, the house, with its wild sea-views, was
equally delightful. It was a large house, built on the summit of a rock, which
nearly overhung the shore below; there was, to be sure, a series of zig-zag
tacking paths down the face of this rock, but from the house they could not be
seen. Old or delicate people would have considered the situation bleak and
exposed; indeed, the present proprietor wanted to dispose of it on this very
account; but by its present inhabitants this exposure and bleakness were called
by other names, and considered as charms. From every part of the rooms they saw
the grey storms gather on the sea-horizon, and put themselves in marching array;
and soon the march became a sweep, and the great dome of the heavens was covered
with the lurid clouds, between which and the vivid green earth below there
seemed to come a purple atmosphere, making the very threatening beautiful; and
by-and-by the house was wrapped in sheets of rain, shutting out sky, and sea,
and inland view; till, of a sudden, the storm was gone by, and the heavy
rain-drops glistened in the sun as they hung on leaf and grass, and the little
birds sang east, and the little birds sang west, and there was a pleasant sound
of running waters all abroad.
    »Oh! if papa would but buy this house!« exclaimed Elizabeth, after one such
storm, which she had watched silently from the very beginning of the little
cloud no bigger than a man's hand.
    »Mamma would never like it, I am afraid,« said Mary. »She would call our
delicious gushes of air draughts, and think we should catch cold.«
    »Jemima would be on our side. But how long Mrs. Denbigh is! I hope she was
near enough to the post-office when the rain came on!«
    Ruth had gone to the shop in the little village, about half-a-mile distant,
where all letters were left till fetched. She only expected one, but that one
was to tell her of Leonard. She, however, received two; the unexpected one was
from Mr. Bradshaw, and the news it contained was, if possible, a greater
surprise than the letter itself. Mr. Bradshaw informed her that he planned
arriving by dinner-time the following Saturday at Eagle's Crag; and more, that
he intended bringing Mr. Donne and one or two other gentlemen with him, to spend
the Sunday there! The letter went on to give every possible direction regarding
the household preparations. The dinner-hour was fixed to be at six; but, of
course, Ruth and the girls would have dined long before. The (professional) cook
would arrive the day before, laden with all the provisions that could not be
obtained on the spot. Ruth was to engage a waiter from the inn, and this it was
that detained her so long. While she sat in the little parlour, awaiting the
coming of the landlady, she could not help wondering why Mr. Bradshaw was
bringing this strange gentleman to spend two days at Abermouth, and thus giving
himself so much trouble and fuss of preparation.
    There were so many small reasons that went to make up the large one which
had convinced Mr. Bradshaw of the desirableness of this step, that it was not
likely that Ruth should guess at one-half of them. In the first place, Miss
Benson, in the pride and fullness of her heart, had told Mrs. Bradshaw what her
brother had told her; how he meant to preach upon the Christian view of the
duties involved in political rights; and as, of course, Mrs. Bradshaw had told
Mr. Bradshaw, he began to dislike the idea of attending chapel on that Sunday at
all; for he had an uncomfortable idea that by the Christian standard - that
divine test of the true and pure - bribery would not be altogether approved of;
and yet he was tacitly coming round to the understanding that packets would be
required, for what purpose both he and Mr. Donne were to be supposed to remain
ignorant. But it would be very awkward, so near to the time, if he were to be
clearly convinced that bribery, however disguised by names and words, was in
plain terms a sin. And yet he knew Mr. Benson had once or twice convinced him
against his will of certain things, which he had thenceforward found it
impossible to do, without such great uneasiness of mind, that he had left off
doing them, which was sadly against his interest. And if Mr. Donne (whom he had
intended to take with him to chapel, as fair Dissenting prey) should also become
convinced, why, the Cranworths would win the day, and he should be the
laughing-stock of Eccleston. No! in this one case bribery must be allowed - was
allowable; but it was a great pity human nature was so corrupt, and if his
member succeeded, he would double his subscription to the schools, in order that
the next generation might be taught better. There were various other reasons,
which strengthened Mr. Bradshaw in the bright idea of going down to Abermouth
for the Sunday; some connected with the out-of-door politics, and some with the
domestic. For instance, it had been the plan of the house to have a cold dinner
on the Sundays - Mr. Bradshaw had piqued himself on this strictness - and yet he
had an instinctive feeling that Mr. Donne was not quite the man to partake of
cold meat for conscience' sake with cheerful indifference to his fare.
    Mr. Donne had, in fact, taken the Bradshaw household a little by surprise.
Before he came, Mr. Bradshaw had pleased himself with thinking that more
unlikely things had happened than the espousal of his daughter with the member
of a small borough. But this pretty airy bubble burst as soon as he saw Mr.
Donne; and its very existence was forgotten in less than half-an-hour, when he
felt the quiet but incontestable difference of rank and standard that there was,
in every respect, between his guest and his own family. It was not through any
circumstance so palpable, and possibly accidental, as the bringing down a
servant, whom Mr. Donne seemed to consider as much a matter of course as a
carpet-bag (though the smart gentleman's arrival fluttered the Volscians in
Corioli considerably more than his gentle-spoken master's). It was nothing like
this; it was something indescribable - a quiet being at ease, and expecting
every one else to be so - an attention to women, which was so habitual as to be
unconsciously exercised to those subordinate persons in Mr. Bradshaw's family -
a happy choice of simple and expressive words, some of which it must be
confessed were slang, but fashionable slang, and that makes all the difference -
a measured, graceful way of utterance, with a style of pronunciation quite
different to that of Eccleston. All these put together make but a part of the
indescribable whole which unconsciously affected Mr. Bradshaw, and established
Mr. Donne in his estimation as a creature quite different to any he had seen
before, and as most unfit to mate with Jemima. Mr. Hickson, who had appeared as
a model of gentlemanly ease before Mr. Donne's arrival, now became vulgar and
coarse in Bradshaw's eyes. And yet, such was the charm of that languid,
high-bred manner, that Mr. Bradshaw cottoned (as he expressed it to Mr.
Farquhar) to his new candidate at once. He was only afraid lest Mr. Donne was
too indifferent to all things under the sun to care whether he gained or lost
the election; but he was reassured after the first conversation they had
together on the subject. Mr. Donne's eye lightened with an eagerness that was
almost fierce, though his tones were as musical, and nearly as slow, as ever;
and, when Mr. Bradshaw alluded distantly to probable expenses and packets, Mr.
Donne replied -
    »Oh, of course! disagreeable necessity! Better speak as little about such
things as possible; other people can be found to arrange all the dirty work.
Neither you nor I would like to soil our fingers by it, I am sure. Four thousand
pounds are in Mr. Pilson's hands, and I shall never inquire what becomes of
them; they may, very probably, be absorbed in the law expenses, you know. I
shall let it be clearly understood from the hustings that I most decidedly
disapprove of bribery, and leave the rest to Hickson's management. He is
accustomed to these sort of things; I am not.«
    Mr. Bradshaw was rather perplexed by this want of bustling energy on the
part of the new candidate; and if it had not been for the four thousand pounds
aforesaid, would have doubted whether Mr. Donne cared sufficiently for the
result of the election. Jemima thought differently. She watched her father's
visitor attentively, with something like the curious observation which a
naturalist bestows on a new species of animal.
    »Do you know what Mr. Donne reminds me of, mamma?« said she, one day, as the
two sat at work, while the gentlemen were absent canvassing.
    »No! he is not like anybody I ever saw. He quite frightens me, by being so
ready to open the door for me if I am going out of the room, and by giving me a
chair when I come in. I never saw any one like him. Who is it, Jemima?«
    »Not any person - not any human being, mamma,« said Jemima, half smiling.
»Do you remember our stopping at Wakefield once, on our way to Scarborough, and
there were horse-races going on somewhere, and some of the racers were in the
stables at the inn where we dined?«
    »Yes! I remember it; but what about that?«
    »Why, Richard, somehow, knew one of the jockeys, and, as we were coming in
from our ramble through the town, this man, or boy, asked us to look at one of
the racers he had the charge of.«
    »Well, my dear?«
    »Well, mamma! Mr. Donne is like that horse!«
    »Nonsense, Jemima; you must not say so. I don't know what your father would
say if he heard you likening Mr. Donne to a brute.«
    »Brutes are sometimes very beautiful, mamma. I am sure I should think it a
compliment to be likened to a racehorse, such as the one we saw. But the thing
in which they are alike, is the sort of repressed eagerness in both.«
    »Eager! Why, I should say there never was any one cooler than Mr. Donne.
Think of the trouble your papa has had this month past, and then remember the
slow way in which Mr. Donne moves when he is going out to canvass, and the low,
drawling voice in which he questions the people who bring him intelligence. I
can see your papa standing by, ready to shake them to get out their news.«
    »But Mr. Donne's questions are always to the point, and force out the grain
without the chaff. And look at him, if any one tells him ill news about the
election! Have you never seen a dull red light come into his eyes? That is like
my race-horse. Her flesh quivered all over, at certain sounds and noises which
had some meaning to her; but she stood quite still, pretty creature! Now, Mr.
Donne is just as eager as she was, though he may be too proud to show it. Though
he seems so gentle, I almost think he is very headstrong in following out his
own will.«
    »Well! don't call him like a horse again, for I am sure papa would not like
it. Do you know, I thought you were going to say he was like little Leonard,
when you asked me who he was like.«
    »Leonard! O mamma! he is not in the least like Leonard. He is twenty times
more like my race-horse.«
    »Now, my dear Jemima, do be quiet. Your father thinks racing so wrong, that
I am sure he would be very seriously displeased if he were to hear you.«
    To return to Mr. Bradshaw, and to give one more of his various reasons for
wishing to take Mr. Donne to Abermouth. The wealthy Eccleston manufacturer was
uncomfortably impressed with an indefinable sense of inferiority to his visitor.
It was not in education, for Mr. Bradshaw was a well-educated man; it was not in
power, for, if he chose, the present object of Mr. Donne's life might be utterly
defeated; it did not arise from anything overbearing in manner, for Mr. Donne
was habitually polite and courteous, and was just now anxious to propitiate his
host, whom he looked upon as a very useful man. Whatever this sense of
inferiority arose from, Mr. Bradshaw was anxious to relieve himself from it, and
imagined that if he could make more display of his wealth his object would be
obtained. Now, his house in Eccleston was old-fashioned and ill-calculated to
exhibit money's worth. His mode of living, though strained to a high pitch just
at this time, he became aware was no more than Mr. Donne was accustomed to every
day of his life. The first day at dessert, some remark (some opportune remark,
as Mr. Bradshaw, in his innocence, had thought) was made regarding the price of
pine-apples, which was rather exorbitant that year, and Mr. Donne asked Mrs.
Bradshaw, with quiet surprise, if they had no pinery, as if to be without a
pinery were indeed a depth of pitiable destitution. In fact, Mr. Donne had been
born and cradled in all that wealth could purchase, and so had his ancestors
before him for so many generations, that refinement and luxury seemed the
natural condition of man, and they that dwelt without were in the position of
monsters. The absence was noticed; but not the presence.
    Now, Mr. Bradshaw knew that the house and grounds of Eagle's Crag were
exorbitantly dear, and yet he really thought of purchasing them. And as one
means of exhibiting his wealth, and so raising himself up to the level of Mr.
Donne, he thought that if he could take the latter down to Abermouth, and show
him the place for which, »because his little girls had taken a fancy to it,« he
was willing to give the fancy price of fourteen thousand pounds, he should at
last make those half-shut dreamy eyes open wide, and their owner confess that,
in wealth at least, the Eccleston manufacturer stood on a par with him.
    All these mingled motives caused the determination which made Ruth sit in
the little inn parlour of Abermouth during the wild storm's passage.
    She wondered if she had fulfilled all Mr. Bradshaw's directions. She looked
at the letter. Yes! everything was done. And now home with her news, through the
wet lane, where the little pools by the roadside reflected the deep blue sky and
the round white clouds with even deeper blue and clearer white; and the
rain-drops hung so thick on the trees, that even a little bird's flight was
enough to shake them down in a bright shower as of rain. When she told the news,
Mary exclaimed -
    »Oh, how charming! Then we shall see this new member after all!« while
Elizabeth added -
    »Yes! I shall like to do that. But where must we be? Papa will want the
dining-room and this room, and where must we sit?«
    »Oh!« said Ruth, »in the dressing-room next to my room. All that your papa
wants always, is that you are quiet and out of the way.«
 

                                 Chapter XXIII

                                  Recognition

Saturday came. Torn, ragged clouds were driven across the sky. It was not a
becoming day for the scenery, and the little girls regretted it much. First they
hoped for a change at twelve o'clock, and then at the afternoon tide-turning.
But at neither time did the sun show his face.
    »Papa will never buy this dear place,« said Elizabeth sadly, as she watched
the weather. »The sun is everything to it. The sea looks quite leaden to-day,
and there is no sparkle on it. And the sands, that were so yellow and
sun-speckled on Thursday, are all one dull brown now.«
    »Never mind! to-morrow may be better,« said Ruth cheerily.
    »I wonder what time they will come at?« inquired Mary.
    »Your papa said they would be at the station at five o'clock. And the
landlandy at the Swan said it would take them half-an-hour to get here.«
    »And they are to dine at six?« asked Elizabeth.
    »Yes,« answered Ruth. »And I think, if we had our tea half-an-hour earlier,
at half-past four, and then went out for a walk, we should be nicely out of the
way just during the bustle of the arrival and dinner; and we could be in the
drawing-room ready against your papa came in after dinner.«
    »Oh! that would be nice,« said they; and tea was ordered accordingly.
    The south-westerly wind had dropped, and the clouds were stationary, when
they went out on the sands. They dug little holes near the incoming tide, and
made canals to them from the water, and blew the light sea-foam against each
other; and then stole on tiptoe near to the groups of grey and white sea-gulls,
which despised their caution, flying softly and slowly away to a little distance
as soon as they drew near. And in all this Ruth was as great a child as any.
Only she longed for Leonard with a mother's longing, as indeed she did every
day, and all hours of the day. By-and-by the clouds thickened yet more, and one
or two drops of rain were felt. It was very little, but Ruth feared a shower for
her delicate Elizabeth, and besides, the September evening was fast closing in
the dark and sunless day. As they turned homewards in the rapidly increasing
dusk, they saw three figures on the sand near the rocks, coming in their
direction.
    »Papa and Mr. Donne!« exclaimed Mary. »Now we shall see him!«
    »Which do you make out is him?« asked Elizabeth.
    »Oh! the tall one, to be sure. Don't you see how papa always turns to him,
as if he was speaking to him, and not to the other?«
    »Who is the other?« asked Elizabeth.
    »Mr. Bradshaw said that Mr. Farquhar and Mr. Hickson would come with him.
But that is not Mr. Farquhar, I am sure,« said Ruth.
    The girls looked at each other, as they always did, when Ruth mentioned Mr.
Farquhar's name; but she was perfectly unconscious both of the look and of the
conjectures which gave rise to it.
    As soon as the two parties drew near, Mr. Bradshaw called out in his strong
voice -
    »Well, my dears! we found there was an hour before dinner, so we came down
upon the sands, and here you are.«
    The tone of his voice assured them that he was in a bland and indulgent
mood, and the two little girls ran towards him. He kissed them, and shook hands
with Ruth; told his companions that these were the little girls who were
tempting him to this extravagance of purchasing Eagle's Crag; and then, rather
doubtfully, and because he saw that Mr. Donne expected it, he introduced »My
daughters' governess, Mrs. Denbigh.«
    It was growing darker every moment, and it was time they should hasten back
to the rocks, which were even now indistinct in the grey haze. Mr. Bradshaw held
a hand of each of his daughters, and Ruth walked alongside, the two strange
gentlemen being on the outskirts of the party.
    Mr. Bradshaw began to give his little girls some home news. He told them
that Mr. Farquhar was ill, and could not accompany them; but Jemima and their
mamma were quite well.
    The gentleman nearest to Ruth spoke to her.
    »Are you fond of the sea?« asked he. There was no answer, so he repeated his
question in a different form.
    »Do you enjoy staying by the seaside? I should rather ask.«
    The reply was Yes, rather breathed out in a deep inspiration than spoken in
a sound. The sands heaved and trembled beneath Ruth. The figures near her
vanished into strange nothingness; the sounds of their voices were as distant
sounds in a dream, while the echo of one voice thrilled through and through. She
could have caught at his arm for support, in the awful dizziness which wrapped
her up, body and soul. That voice! No! if name, and face, and figure were all
changed, that voice was the same which had touched her girlish heart, which had
spoken most tender words of love, which had won, and wrecked her, and which she
had last heard in the low mutterings of fever. She dared not look round to see
the figure of him who spoke, dark as it was. She knew he was there - she heard
him speak in the manner in which he used to address strangers years ago; perhaps
she answered him, perhaps she did not - God knew. It seemed as if weights were
tied to her feet - as if the steadfast rocks receded - as if time stood still; -
it was so long, so terrible, that path across the reeling sand.
    At the foot of the rocks they separated. Mr. Bradshaw, afraid lest dinner
should cool, preferred the shorter way for himself and his friends. On
Elizabeth's account, the girls were to take the longer and easier path, which
wound upwards through a rocky field, where larks' nests abounded, and where wild
thyme and heather were now throwing out their sweets to the soft night air.
    The little girls spoke in eager discussion of the strangers. They appealed
to Ruth, but Ruth did not answer, and they were too impatient to convince each
other to repeat the question. The first little ascent from the sands to the
field surmounted, Ruth sat down suddenly and covered her face with her hands.
This was so unusual - their wishes, their good, was so invariably the rule of
motion or of rest in their walks - that the girls, suddenly checked, stood
silent and affrighted in surprise. They were still more startled when Ruth
wailed aloud some inarticulate words.
    »Are you not well, dear Mrs. Denbigh?« asked Elizabeth gently, kneeling down
on the grass by Ruth.
    She sat facing the west. The low watery twilight was on her face as she took
her hands away. So pale, so haggard, so wild and wandering a look the girls had
never seen on human countenance before.
    »Well! what are you doing here with me? You should not be with me,« said
she, shaking her head slowly.
    They looked at each other.
    »You are sadly tired,« said Elizabeth soothingly. »Come home, and let me
help you to bed. I will tell papa you are ill, and ask him to send for a
doctor.«
    Ruth looked at her as if she did not understand the meaning of her words. No
more she did at first. But by-and-by the dulled brain began to think most
vividly and rapidly, and she spoke in a sharp way which deceived the girls into
a belief that nothing had been the matter.
    »Yes! I was tired. I am tired. Those sands - oh! those sands, - those weary,
dreadful sands! But that is all over now. Only my heart aches still. Feel how it
flutters and beats,« said she, taking Elizabeth's hand, and holding it to her
side. »I am quite well, though,« she continued, reading pity in the child's
looks, as she felt the trembling, quivering beat. »We will go straight to the
dressing-room, and read a chapter; that will still my heart; and then I'll go to
bed, and Mr. Bradshaw will excuse me, I know, this one night. I only ask for one
night. Put on your right frocks, dears, and do all you ought to do. But I know
you will,« said she, bending down to kiss Elizabeth, and then, before she had
done so, raising her head abruptly, »You are good and dear girls - God keep you
so!«
    By a strong effort at self-command, she went onwards at an even pace,
neither rushing nor pausing to sob and think. The very regularity of motion
calmed her. The front and back doors of the house were on two sides, at right
angles with each other. They all shrank a little from the idea of going in at
the front door, now that the strange gentlemen were about, and, accordingly,
they went through the quiet farmyard right into the bright, ruddy kitchen, where
the servants were dashing about with the dinner-things. It was a contrast in
more than colour to the lonely, dusky field, which even the little girls
perceived; and the noise, the warmth, the very bustle of the servants, were a
positive relief to Ruth, and for the time lifted off the heavy press of pent-up
passion. A silent house, with moonlit rooms, or with a faint gloom brooding over
the apartments, would have been more to be dreaded. Then, she must have given
way, and cried out. As it was, she went up the old awkward back-stairs, and into
the room they were to sit in. There was no candle. Mary volunteered to go down
for one; and when she returned she was full of the wonders of preparation in the
drawing-room, and ready and eager to dress, so as to take her place there before
the gentlemen had finished dinner. But she was struck by the strange paleness of
Ruth's face, now that the light fell upon it.
    »Stay up here, dear Mrs. Denbigh! We'll tell papa you are tired, and are
gone to bed.«
    Another time Ruth would have dreaded Mr. Bradshaw's displeasure; for it was
an understood thing that no one was to be ill or tired in his household without
leave asked, and cause given and assigned. But she never thought of that now.
Her great desire was to hold quiet till she was alone. Quietness it was not - it
was rigidity; but she succeeded in being rigid in look and movement, and went
through her duties to Elizabeth (who preferred remaining with her upstairs) with
wooden precision. But her heart felt at times like ice, at times like burning
fire; always a heavy, heavy weight within her. At last Elizabeth went to bed.
Still Ruth dared not think. Mary would come upstairs soon, and with a strange,
sick, shrinking yearning, Ruth awaited her - and the crumbs of intelligence she
might drop out about him. Ruth's sense of hearing was quickened to miserable
intensity as she stood before the chimney-piece, grasping it tight with both
hands - gazing into the dying fire, but seeing - not the dead grey embers, or
the little sparks of vivid light that ran hither and thither among the
wood-ashes - but an old farmhouse, and climbing, winding road, and a little
golden breezy common, with a rural inn on the hill-top, far, far away. And
through the thoughts of the past came the sharp sounds of the present - of three
voices, one of which was almost silence, it was so hushed. Indifferent people
would only have guessed that Mr. Donne was speaking by the quietness in which
the others listened; but Ruth heard the voice and many of the words, though they
conveyed no idea to her mind. She was too much stunned even to feel curious to
know to what they related. He spoke. That was her one fact.
    Presently up came Mary, bounding, exultant. Papa had let her stay up one
quarter of an hour longer, because Mr. Hickson had asked. Mr. Hickson was so
clever! She did not know what to make of Mr. Donne, he seemed such a dawdle. But
he was very handsome. Had Ruth seen him? Oh, no! She could not, it was so dark
on those stupid sands. Well, never mind, she would see him to-morrow. She must
be well to-morrow. Papa seemed a good deal put out that neither she nor
Elizabeth were in the drawing-room to-night; and his last words were, »Tell Mrs.
Denbigh I hope« (and papa's hopes always meant expect) »she will be able to make
breakfast at nine o'clock;« and then she would see Mr. Donne.
    That was all Ruth heard about him. She went with Mary into her bedroom,
helped her to undress, and put the candle out. At length she was alone in her
own room! At length!
    But the tension did not give way immediately. She fastened her door, and
threw open the window, cold and threatening as was the night. She tore off her
gown; she put her hair back from her heated face. It seemed now as if she could
not think - as if thought and emotion had been repressed so sternly that they
would not come to relieve her stupefied brain. Till all at once, like a flash of
lightning, her life, past and present, was revealed to her to its minutest
detail. And when she saw her very present Now, the strange confusion of agony
was too great to be borne, and she cried aloud. Then she was quite dead, and
listened as to the sound of galloping armies.
    »If I might see him! If I might see him! If I might just ask him why he left
me; if I had vexed him in any way; it was so strange - so cruel! It was not him;
it was his mother,« said she, almost fiercely, as if answering herself. »O God!
but he might have found me out before this,« she continued sadly. »He did not
care for me, as I did for him. He did not care for me at all,« she went on
wildly and sharply. »He did me cruel harm. I can never again lift up my face in
innocence. They think I have forgotten all, because I do not speak. Oh, darling
love! am I talking against you?« asked she tenderly. »I am so torn and
perplexed! You, who are the father of my child!«
    But that very circumstance, full of such tender meaning in many cases, threw
a new light into her mind. It changed her from the woman into the mother - the
stern guardian of her child. She was still for a time, thinking. Then she began
again, but in a low, deep voice.
    »He left me. He might have been hurried off, but he might have inquired - he
might have learned and explained. He left me to bear the burden and the shame;
and never cared to learn, as he might have done, of Leonard's birth. He has no
love for his child, and I will have no love for him.«
    She raised her voice while uttering this determination, and then, feeling
her own weakness, she moaned out, »Alas! alas!«
    And then she started up, for all this time she had been rocking herself
backwards and forwards as she sat on the ground, and began to pace the room with
hurried steps.
    »What am I thinking of? Where am I? I who have been praying these years and
years to be worthy to be Leonard's mother. My God! What a depth of sin is in my
heart! Why, the old time would be as white as snow to what it would be now, if I
sought him out, and prayed for the explanation, which would re-establish him in
my heart. I who have striven (or made a mock of trying) to learn God's holy
will, in order to bring up Leonard into the full strength of a Christian - I who
have taught his sweet innocent lips to pray, Lead us not into temptation, but
deliver us from evil; and yet, somehow, I've been longing to give him to his
father, who is - who is« - she almost choked, till at last she cried sharp out,
»Oh, my God! I do believe Leonard's father is a bad man, and yet, oh! pitiful
God, I love him; I cannot forget - I cannot!«
    She threw her body half out of the window into the cold night air. The wind
was rising, and came in great gusts. The rain beat down on her. It did her good.
A still, calm night would not have soothed her as this did. The wild tattered
clouds, hurrying past the moon, gave her a foolish kind of pleasure that almost
made her smile a vacant smile. The blast-driven rain came on her again, and
drenched her hair through and through. The words stormy wind fulfilling His word
came into her mind.
    She sat down on the floor. This time her hands were clasped round her knees.
The uneasy rocking motion was stilled.
    »I wonder if my darling is frightened with this blustering, noisy wind. I
wonder if he is awake.«
    And then her thoughts went back to the various times of old, when,
affrighted by the weather - sounds so mysterious in the night - he had crept
into her bed and clung to her, and she had soothed him, and sweetly awed him
into stillness and childlike faith, by telling him of the goodness and power of
God.
    Of a sudden she crept to a chair, and there knelt as in the very presence of
God, hiding her face, at first not speaking a word (for did He not know her
heart), but by-and-by moaning out, amid her sobs and tears (and now for the
first time she wept) -
    »Oh, my God, help me, for I am very weak. My God! I pray Thee be my rock and
my strong fortress, for I of myself am nothing. If I ask in His name, Thou wilt
give it me. In the name of Jesus Christ I pray for strength to do Thy will!«
    She could not think, or, indeed, remember anything but that she was weak,
and God was strong, and »a very present help in time of trouble;« and the wind
rose yet higher, and the house shook and vibrated as, in measured time, the
great and terrible gusts came from the four quarters of the heavens and blew
around it, dying away in the distance with loud and unearthly wails, which were
not utterly still before the sound of the coming blast was heard like the
trumpets of the vanguard of the Prince of Air.
    There was a knock at the bedroom door - a little, gentle knock, and a soft
child's voice.
    »Mrs. Denbigh, may I come in, please? I am so frightened!«
    It was Elizabeth. Ruth calmed her passionate breathing by one hasty draught
of water, and opened the door to the timid girl.
    »Oh, Mrs. Denbigh! did you ever hear such a night? I am so frightened! and
Mary sleeps so sound.«
    Ruth was too much shaken to be able to speak all at once; but she took
Elizabeth in her arms to reassure her. Elizabeth stood back.
    »Why, how wet you are, Mrs. Denbigh! and there's the window open, I do
believe! Oh, how cold it is!« said she, shivering.
    »Get into my bed, dear!« said Ruth.
    »But do come too! The candle gives such a strange light with that long wick,
and, somehow, your face does not look like you. Please, put the candle out, and
come to bed. I am so frightened, and it seems as if I should be safer if you
were by me.«
    Ruth shut the window, and went to bed. Elizabeth was all shivering and
quaking. To soothe her, Ruth made a great effort; and spoke of Leonard and his
fears, and, in a low hesitating voice, she spoke of God's tender mercy, but very
humbly, for she feared lest Elizabeth should think her better and holier than
she was. The little girl was soon asleep, her fears forgotten; and Ruth, worn
out by passionate emotion, and obliged to be still for fear of awaking her
bedfellow, went off into a short slumber, through the depths of which the echoes
of her waking sobs quivered up.
    When she awoke the grey light of autumnal dawn was in the room. Elizabeth
slept on; but Ruth heard the servants about, and the early farmyard sounds.
After she had recovered from the shock of consciousness and recollection, she
collected her thoughts with a stern calmness. He was here. In a few hours she
must meet him. There was no escape, except through subterfuges and contrivances
that were both false and cowardly. How it would all turn out she could not say,
or even guess. But of one thing she was clear, and to one thing she would hold
fast: that was, that, come what might, she would obey God's law, and, be the end
of all what it might, she would say, »Thy will be done!« She only asked for
strength enough to do this when the time came. How the time would come - what
speech or action would be requisite on her part she did not know - she did not
even try to conjecture. She left that in His hands.
    She was icy cold, but very calm, when the breakfast-bell rang. She went down
immediately; because she felt that there was less chance of a recognition if she
were already at her place behind the tea-urn, and busied with the cups, than if
she came in after all were settled. Her heart seemed to stand still, but she
felt almost a strange exultant sense of power over herself. She felt, rather
than saw, that he was not there. Mr. Bradshaw and Mr. Hickson were, and so busy
talking election-politics that they did not interrupt their conversation even
when they bowed to her. Her pupils sat one on each side of her. Before they were
quite settled, and while the other two gentlemen yet hung over the fire, Mr.
Donne came in. Ruth felt as if that moment was like death. She had a kind of
desire to make some sharp sound, to relieve a choking sensation, but it was over
in an instant, and she sat on very composed and silent - to all outward
appearance the very model of a governess who knew her place. And by-and-by she
felt strangely at ease in her sense of power. She could even listen to what was
being said. She had never dared as yet to look at Mr. Donne, though her heart
burned to see him once again. He sounded changed. The voice had lost its fresh
and youthful eagerness of tone, though in peculiarity of modulation it was the
same. It could never be mistaken for the voice of another person. There was a
good deal said at that breakfast, for none seemed inclined to hurry, although it
was Sunday morning. Ruth was compelled to sit there, and it was good for her
that she did. That half-hour seemed to separate the present Mr. Donne very
effectively from her imagination of what Mr. Bellingham had been. She was no
analyser; she hardly even had learnt to notice character; but she felt there was
some strange difference between the people she had lived with lately and the man
who now leant back in his chair, listening in a careless manner to the
conversation, but never joining in, or expressing any interest in it, unless it
somewhere, or somehow, touched himself. Now, Mr. Bradshaw always threw himself
into a subject; it might be in a pompous, dogmatic sort of way, but he did do
it, whether it related to himself or not; and it was part of Mr. Hickson's trade
to assume an interest if he felt it not. But Mr. Donne did neither the one nor
the other. When the other two were talking of many of the topics of the day, he
put his glass in his eye, the better to examine into the exact nature of a cold
game-pie at the other side of the table. Suddenly Ruth felt that his attention
was caught by her. Until now, seeing his short-sightedness, she had believed
herself safe; now her face flushed with a painful, miserable blush. But in an
instant she was strong and quiet. She looked up straight at his face; and, as if
this action took him aback, he dropped his glass, and began eating away with
great diligence. She had seen him. He was changed, she knew not how. In fact,
the expression, which had been only occasional formerly, when his worse self
predominated, had become permanent. He looked restless and dissatisfied. But he
was very handsome still; and her quick eye had recognised, with a sort of
strange pride, that the eyes and mouth were like Leonard's. Although perplexed
by the straightforward, brave look she had sent right at him, he was not
entirely baffled. He thought this Mrs. Denbigh was certainly like poor Ruth; but
this woman was far handsomer. Her face was positively Greek; and then such a
proud, superb turn of her head; quite queenly! A governess in Mr. Bradshaw's
family! Why, she might be a Percy or a Howard for the grandeur of her grace!
Poor Ruth! This woman's hair was darker, though; and she had less colour;
although a more refined-looking person. Poor Ruth! and, for the first time for
several years, he wondered what had become of her; though, of course, there was
but one thing that could have happened, and perhaps it was as well he did not
know her end, for most likely it would have made him very uncomfortable. He
leant back in his chair, and, unobserved (for he would not have thought it
gentlemanly to look so fixedly at her if she or any one noticed him), he put up
his glass again. She was speaking to one of her pupils, and did not see him.
    By Jove! it must be she, though! There were little dimples came out about
the mouth as she spoke, just like those he used to admire so much in Ruth, and
which he had never seen in any one else - the sunshine without the positive
movement of a smile. The longer he looked the more he was convinced; and it was
with a jerk that he recovered himself enough to answer Mr. Bradshaw's question,
whether he wished to go to church or not.
    »Church? How far - a mile? No; I think I shall perform my devotions at home
to-day.«
    He absolutely felt jealous when Mr. Hickson sprang up to open the door as
Ruth and her pupils left the room. He was pleased to feel jealous again. He had
been really afraid he was too much used up for such sensations. But Hickson must
keep his place. What he was paid for was doing the talking to the electors, not
paying attention to the ladies in their families. Mr. Donne had noticed that Mr.
Hickson had tried to be gallant to Miss Bradshaw; let him, if he liked; but let
him beware how he behaved to this fair creature, Ruth or no Ruth. It certainly
was Ruth; only how the devil had she played her cards so well as to be the
governess - the respected governess, in such a family as Mr. Bradshaw's?
    Mr. Donne's movements were evidently to be the guide of Mr. Hickson's. Mr.
Bradshaw always disliked going to church, partly from principle, partly because
he never could find the places in the Prayer-book. Mr. Donne was in the
drawing-room as Mary came down ready equipped; he was turning over the leaves of
the large and handsome Bible. Seeing Mary, he was struck with a new idea.
    »How singular it is,« said he, »that the name of Ruth is so seldom chosen by
those good people who go to the Bible before they christen their children! It is
a very pretty name, I think.«
    Mr. Bradshaw looked up. »Why, Mary!« said he, »is not that Mrs. Denbigh's
name?«
    »Yes, papa,« replied Mary eagerly; »and I know two other Ruths; there's Ruth
Brown here, and Ruth Macartney at Eccleston.«
    »And I have an aunt called Ruth, Mr. Donne! I don't think your observation
holds good. Besides my daughters' governess, I know three other Ruths.«
    »Oh! I have no doubt I was wrong. It was just a speech of which one
perceives the folly the moment it is made.«
    But, secretly, he rejoiced with a fierce joy over the success of his device.
    Elizabeth came to summon Mary.
    Ruth was glad when she got into the open air, and away from the house. Two
hours were gone and over. Two out of a day, a day and a half - for it might be
late on Monday morning before the Eccleston party returned.
    She felt weak and trembling in body, but strong in power over herself. They
had left the house in good time for church, so they needed not to hurry; and
they went leisurely along the road, now and then passing some country person
whom they knew, and with whom they exchanged a kindly, placid greeting. But
presently, to Ruth's dismay, she heard a step behind, coming at a rapid pace, a
peculiar clank of rather high-heeled boots, which gave a springy sound to the
walk, that she had known well long ago. It was like a nightmare, where the evil
dreaded is never avoided, never completely shunned, but is by one's side at the
very moment of triumph in escape. There he was by her side; and there was still
a quarter of a mile intervening between her and the church: but even yet she
trusted that he had not recognised her.
    »I have changed my mind, you see,« said he quietly. »I have some curiosity
to see the architecture of the church; some of these old country churches have
singular bits about them. Mr. Bradshaw kindly directed me part of the way; but I
was so much puzzled by turns to the right and turns to the left, that I was
quite glad to espy your party.«
    That speech required no positive answer of any kind; and no answer did it
receive. He had not expected a reply. He knew, if she were Ruth, she could not
answer any indifferent words of his; and her silence made him more certain of
her identity with the lady by his side.
    »The scenery here is of a kind new to me; neither grand, wild, nor yet
marked by high cultivation; and yet it has great charms. It reminds me of some
part of Wales.« He breathed deeply, and then added, »You have been in Wales, I
believe?«
    He spoke low; almost in a whisper. The little church-bell began to call the
lagging people with its quick, sharp summons. Ruth writhed in body and spirit,
but struggled on. The church-door would be gained at last; and in that holy
place she would find peace.
    He repeated in a louder tone, so as to compel an answer in order to conceal
her agitation from the girls -
    »Have you never been in Wales?« He used never instead of ever, and laid the
emphasis on that word, in order to mark his meaning to Ruth, and Ruth only. But
he drove her to bay.
    »I have been in Wales, sir,« she replied, in a calm, grave tone. »I was
there many years ago. Events took place there which contribute to make the
recollections of that time most miserable to me. I shall be obliged to you, sir,
if you will make no further reference to it.«
    The little girls wondered how Mrs. Denbigh could speak in such a high tone
of quiet authority to Mr. Donne, who was almost a member of Parliament. But they
settled that her husband must have died in Wales, and, of course, that would
make the recollection of the country »most miserable,« as she said.
    Mr. Donne did not dislike the answer, and he positively admired the dignity
with which she spoke. His leaving her as he did must have made her very
miserable; and he liked the pride that made her retain her indignation, until he
could speak to her in private, and explain away a good deal of what she might
complain of with some justice.
    The church was reached. They all went up the middle aisle into the Eagle's
Crag pew. He followed them in, entered himself, and shut the door. Ruth's heart
sank as she saw him there; just opposite to her; coming between her and the
clergyman who was to read out the word of God. It was merciless - it was cruel
to haunt her there. She durst not lift her eyes to the bright eastern light -
she could not see how peacefully the marble images of the dead lay on their
tombs, for he was between her and all Light and Peace. She knew that his look
was on her; that he never turned his glance away. She could not join in the
prayer for the remission of sins while he was there, for his very presence
seemed as a sign that their stain would never be washed out of her life. But,
although goaded and chafed by her thoughts and recollections, she kept very
still. No sign of emotion, no flush of colour was on her face as he looked at
her. Elizabeth could not find her place, and then Ruth breathed once, long and
deeply, as she moved up the pew, and out of the straight, burning glance of
those eyes of evil meaning. When they sat down for the reading of the first
lesson, Ruth turned the corner of the seat so as no longer to be opposite to
him. She could not listen. The words seemed to be uttered in some world far
away, from which she was exiled and cast out: their sound, and yet more their
meaning, was dim and distant. But in this extreme tension of mind to hold in her
bewildered agony, it so happened that one of her senses was preternaturally
acute. While all the church and the people swam in misty haze, one point in a
dark corner grew clearer and clearer till she saw (what at another time she
could not have discerned at all) a face - a gargoyle I think they call it - at
the end of the arch next to the narrowing of the nave into the chancel, and in
the shadow of that contraction. The face was beautiful in feature (the next to
it was a grinning monkey), but it was not the features that were the most
striking part. There was a half- mouth, not in any way distorted out of its
exquisite beauty by the intense expression of suffering it conveyed. Any
distortion of the face by mental agony implies that a struggle with circumstance
is going on. But in this face, if such struggle had been, it was over now.
Circumstance had conquered; and there was no hope from mortal endeavour, or help
from mortal creature, to be had. But the eyes looked onward and upward to the
hills from whence cometh our help. And though the parted lips seemed ready to
quiver with agony, yet the expression of the whole face, owing to these strange,
stony, and yet spiritual eyes, was high and consoling. If mortal gaze had never
sought its meaning before, in the deep shadow where it had been placed long
centuries ago, yet Ruth's did now. Who could have imagined such a look? Who
could have witnessed - perhaps felt - such infinite sorrow and yet dared to lift
it up by Faith into a peace so pure? Or was it a mere conception? If so, what a
soul the unknown carver must have had; for creator and handicraftsman must have
been one; no two minds could have been in such perfect harmony. Whatever it was
- however it came there - imaginer, carver, sufferer, all were long passed away.
Human art was ended - human life done - human suffering over; but this remained;
it stilled Ruth's beating heart to look on it. She grew still enough to hear
words which have come to many in their time of need, and awed them in the
presence of the extremest suffering that the hushed world had ever heard of.
    The second lesson for the morning of the 25th of September is the 26th
chapter of St. Matthew's Gospel.
    And when they prayed again Ruth's tongue was unloosed, and she also could
pray, in His name who underwent the agony in the garden.
    As they came out of church, there was a little pause and gathering at the
door. It had begun to rain; those who had umbrellas were putting them up; those
who had not were regretting, and wondering how long it would last. Standing for
a moment, impeded by the people who were thus collected under the porch, Ruth
heard a voice close to her say, very low, but very distinctly -
    »I have much to say to you - much to explain. I entreat you to give me the
opportunity.«
    Ruth did not reply. She would not acknowledge that she heard; but she
trembled nevertheless, for the well-remembered voice was low and soft, and had
yet its power to thrill. She earnestly desired to know why and how he had left
her. It appeared to her as if that knowledge could alone give her a relief from
the restless wondering that distracted her mind, and that one explanation could
do no harm.
    »No!« the higher spirit made answer; »it must not be.«
    Ruth and the girls had each an umbrella. She turned to Mary, and said -
    »Mary, give your umbrella to Mr. Donne, and come under mine.« Her way of
speaking was short and decided; she was compressing her meaning into as few
words as possible. The little girl obeyed in silence. As they went first through
the churchyard stile Mr. Donne spoke again.
    »You are unforgiving,« said he. »I only ask you to hear me. I have a right
to be heard, Ruth! I won't believe you are so much changed as not to listen to
me when I entreat.«
    He spoke in a tone of soft complaint. But he himself had done much to
destroy the illusion which had hung about his memory for years, whenever Ruth
had allowed herself to think of it. Besides which, during the time of her
residence in the Benson family, her feeling of what people ought to be had been
unconsciously raised and refined; and Mr. Donne, even while she had to struggle
against the force of past recollections, repelled her so much by what he was at
present, that every speech of his, every minute they were together, served to
make her path more and more easy to follow. His voice retained something of its
former influence. When he spoke, without her seeing him, she could not help
remembering former days.
    She did not answer this last speech any more than the first. She saw
clearly, that, putting aside all thought as to the character of their former
relationship, it had been dissolved by his will - his act and deed; and that,
therefore, the power to refuse any further intercourse whatsoever remained with
her.
    It sometimes seems a little strange how, after having earnestly prayed to be
delivered from temptation, and having given ourselves with shut eyes into God's
hand, from that time every thought, every outward influence, every acknowledged
law of life, seems to lead us on from strength to strength. It seems strange
sometimes, because we notice the coincidence; but it is the natural, unavoidable
consequence of all, truth and goodness being one and the same, and therefore
carried out in every circumstance, external and internal, of God's creation.
    When Mr. Donne saw that Ruth would not answer him, he became only the more
determined that she should hear what he had to say. What that was he did not
exactly know. The whole affair was most mysterious and piquant.
    The umbrella protected Ruth from more than the rain on that walk homewards,
for under its shelter she could not be spoken to unheard. She had not rightly
understood at what time she and the girls were to dine. From the gathering at
meal-times she must not shrink. She must show no sign of weakness. But, oh! the
relief, after that walk, to sit in her own room, locked up, so that neither Mary
nor Elizabeth could come by surprise, and to let her weary frame (weary with
being so long braced up to rigidity and stiff quiet) fall into a chair anyhow -
all helpless, nerveless, motionless, as if the very bones had melted out of her!
    The peaceful rest which her mind took was in thinking of Leonard. She dared
not look before or behind, but she could see him well at present. She brooded
over the thought of him, till she dreaded his father more and more. By the light
of her child's purity and innocence, she saw evil clearly, and yet more clearly.
She thought that, if Leonard ever came to know the nature of his birth, she had
nothing for it but to die out of his sight. He could never know - human heart
could never know, her ignorant innocence, and all the small circumstances which
had impelled her onwards. But God knew. And if Leonard heard of his mother's
error, why, nothing remained but death; for she felt, then, as if she had it in
her power to die innocently out of such future agony; but that escape is not so
easy. Suddenly a fresh thought came, and she prayed that, through whatever
suffering, she might be purified. Whatever trials, woes, measureless pangs, God
might see fit to chastise her with, she would not shrink, if only at last she
might come into His presence in heaven. Alas! the shrinking from suffering we
cannot help. That part of her prayer was vain. And as for the rest, was not the
sure justice of His law finding out even now? His laws once broken, His justice
and the very nature of those laws bring the immutable retribution; but, if we
turn penitently to Him, He enables us to bear our punishment with a meek and
docile heart, for His mercy endureth for ever.
    Mr. Bradshaw had felt himself rather wanting in proper attention to his
guest, inasmuch as he had been unable, all in a minute, to comprehend Mr.
Donne's rapid change of purpose; and, before it had entered into his mind that,
notwithstanding the distance of the church, Mr. Donne was going thither, that
gentleman was out of the sight, and far out of the reach, of his burly host. But
though the latter had so far neglected the duties of hospitality as to allow his
visitor to sit in the Eagle's Crag pew with no other guard of honour than the
children and the governess, Mr. Bradshaw determined to make up for it by extra
attention during the remainder of the day. Accordingly he never left Mr. Donne.
Whatever wish that gentleman expressed, it was the study of his host to gratify.
Did he hint at the pleasure which a walk in such beautiful scenery would give
him, Mr. Bradshaw was willing to accompany him, although at Eccleston it was a
principle with him not to take any walks for pleasure on a Sunday. When Mr.
Donne turned round, and recollected letters which must be written, and which
would compel him to stay at home, Mr. Bradshaw instantly gave up the walk, and
remained at hand, ready to furnish him with any writing-materials which could be
wanted, and which were not laid out in the half-furnished house. Nobody knew
where Mr. Hickson was all this time. He had sauntered out after Mr. Donne, when
the latter set off for church, and he had never returned. Mr. Donne kept
wondering if he could have met Ruth - if, in fact, she had gone out with her
pupils, now that the afternoon had cleared up. This uneasy wonder, and a few
mental imprecations on his host's polite attention, together with the
letter-writing pretence, passed away the afternoon - the longest afternoon he
had ever spent; and of weariness he had had his share. Lunch was lingering in
the dining-room, left there for the truant Mr. Hickson; but of the children or
Ruth there was no sign. He ventured on a distant inquiry as to their
whereabouts.
    »They dine early; they are gone to church again. Mrs. Denbigh was a member
of the Establishment once; and, though she attends chapel at home, she seems
glad to have an opportunity of going to church.«
    Mr. Donne was on the point of asking some further questions about Mrs.
Denbigh, when Mr. Hickson came in, loud-spoken, cheerful, hungry, and as ready
to talk about his ramble, and the way in which he had lost and found himself, as
he was about everything else. He knew how to dress up the commonest occurrence
with a little exaggeration, a few puns, and a happy quotation or two, so as to
make it sound very agreeable. He could read faces, and saw that he had been
missed; both host and visitor looked moped to death. He determined to devote
himself to their amusement during the remainder of the day, for he had really
lost himself, and felt that he had been away too long on a dull Sunday, when
people were apt to get hipped if not well amused.
    »It is really a shame to be indoors in such a place. Rain? Yes, it rained
some hours ago, but now it is splendid weather. I feel myself quite qualified
for guide, I assure you. I can show you all the beauties of the neighbourhood,
and throw in a bog and a nest of vipers to boot.«
    Mr. Donne languidly assented to this proposal of going out; and then he
became restless until Mr. Hickson had eaten a hasty lunch, for he hoped to meet
Ruth on the way from church, to be near her, and watch her, though he might not
be able to speak to her. To have the slow hours roll away - to know he must
leave the next day - and yet, so close to her, not to be seeing her - was more
than he could bear. In an impetuous kind of way, he disregarded all Mr.
Hickson's offers of guidance to lovely views, and turned a deaf ear to Mr.
Bradshaw's expressed wish of showing him the land belonging to the house (very
little for fourteen thousand pounds), and set off wilfully on the road leading
to the church, from which he averred he had seen a view which nothing else about
the place could equal.
    They met the country people dropping homewards. No Ruth was there. She and
her pupils had returned by the fieldway, as Mr. Bradshaw informed his guests at
dinner-time. Mr. Donne was very captious all through dinner. He thought it never
would be over, and cursed Hickson's interminable stories, which were told on
purpose to amuse him. His heart gave a fierce bound when he saw her in the
drawing-room with the little girls.
    She was reading to them - with how sick and trembling a heart no words can
tell. But she could master and keep down outward signs of her emotion. An hour
more to-night (part of which was to be spent in family prayer, and all in the
safety of company), another hour in the morning (when all would be engaged in
the bustle of departure) - if, during this short space of time, she could not
avoid speaking to him, she could at least keep him at such a distance as to make
him feel that henceforward her world and his belonged to separate systems, wide
as the heavens apart.
    By degrees she felt that he was drawing near to where she stood. He was by
the table examining the books that lay upon it. Mary and Elizabeth drew off a
little space, awe-stricken by the future member for Eccleston. As he bent his
head over a book he said, »I implore you; five minutes alone.«
    The little girls could not hear; but Ruth, hemmed in so that no escape was
possible, did hear.
    She took sudden courage, and said in a clear voice -
    »Will you read the whole passage aloud? I do not remember it.«
    Mr. Hickson, hovering at no great distance, heard these words, and drew near
to second Mrs. Denbigh's request. Mr. Bradshaw, who was very sleepy after his
unusually late dinner, and longing for bedtime, joined in the request, for it
would save the necessity for making talk, and he might, perhaps, get in a nap,
undisturbed and unnoticed, before the servants came in to prayers.
    Mr. Donne was caught; he was obliged to read aloud, although he did not know
what he was reading. In the middle of some sentence the door opened, a rush of
servants came in, and Mr. Bradshaw became particularly wide awake in an instant,
and read them a long sermon with great emphasis and unction, winding up with a
prayer almost as long.
    Ruth sat with her head drooping, more from exhaustion after a season of
effort than because she shunned Mr. Donne's looks. He had so lost his power over
her - his power, which had stirred her so deeply the night before - that, except
as one knowing her error and her shame, and making a cruel use of such
knowledge, she had quite separated him from the idol of her youth. And yet, for
the sake of that first and only love, she would gladly have known what
explanation he could offer to account for leaving her. It would have been
something gained to her own self-respect if she had learnt that he was not then,
as she felt him to be now, cold and egotistical, caring for no one and nothing
but what related to himself.
    Home, and Leonard - how strangely peaceful the two seemed! Oh, for the rest
that a dream about Leonard would bring!
    Mary and Elizabeth went to bed immediately after prayers, and Ruth
accompanied them. It was planned that the gentlemen should leave early the next
morning. They were to breakfast half-an-hour sooner, to catch the railway-train;
and this by Mr. Donne's own arrangement, who had been as eager about his
canvassing, the week before, as it was possible for him to be, but who now
wished Eccleston and the Dissenting interest therein very fervently at the
devil.
    Just as the carriage came round Mr. Bradshaw turned to Ruth: »Any message
for Leonard beyond love, which is a matter of course?«
    Ruth gasped - for she saw Mr. Donne catch at the name; she did not guess the
sudden sharp jealousy called out by the idea that Leonard was a grown-up man.
    »Who is Leonard?« said he to the little girl standing by him; he did not
know which she was.
    »Mrs. Denbigh's little boy,« answered Mary.
    Under some pretence or other, he drew near to Ruth; and in that low voice
which she had learnt to loathe he said -
    »Our child?«
    By the white misery that turned her face to stone - by the wild terror in
her imploring eyes - by the gasping breath which came out as the carriage drove
away - he knew that he had seized the spell to make her listen at last.
 

                                  Chapter XXIV

                            The Meeting on the Sands

»He will take him away from me! He will take the child from me!«
    These words rang like a tolling bell through Ruth's head. It seemed to her
that her doom was certain. Leonard would be taken from her. She had a firm
conviction - not the less firm because she knew not on what it was based - that
a child, whether legitimate or not, belonged of legal right to the father. And
Leonard, of all children, was the prince and monarch. Every man's heart would
long to call Leonard Child! She had been too strongly taxed to have much power
left her to reason coolly and dispassionately, just then, even if she had been
with any one who could furnish her with information from which to draw correct
conclusions. The one thought haunted her night and day - »He will take my child
away from me!« In her dreams she saw Leonard borne away into some dim land, to
which she could not follow. Sometimes he sat in a swiftly-moving carriage, at
his father's side, and smiled on her as he passed by, as if going to promised
pleasure. At another time he was struggling to return to her; stretching out his
little arms, and crying to her for the help she could not give. How she got
through the days she did not know; her body moved about and habitually acted,
but her spirit was with her child. She thought often of writing and warning Mr.
Benson of Leonard's danger; but then she shrank from recurring to circumstances
all mention of which had ceased years ago; the very recollection of which seemed
buried deep for ever. Besides, she feared occasioning discord or commotion in
the quiet circle in which she lived. Mr. Benson's deep anger against her
betrayer had been shown too clearly in the old time to allow her to think that
he would keep it down without expression now. He would cease to do anything to
forward his election: he would oppose him as much as he could; and Mr. Bradshaw
would be angry, and a storm would arise, from the bare thought of which Ruth
shrank with the cowardliness of a person thoroughly worn out with late contest.
She was bodily wearied with her spiritual buffeting.
    One morning, three or four days after their departure, she received a letter
from Miss Benson. She could not open it at first, and put it on one side,
clenching her hands over it all the time. At last she tore it open. Leonard was
safe as yet. There were a few lines in his great round hand speaking of events
no larger than the loss of a beautiful alley. There was a sheet from Miss
Benson. She always wrote letters in the manner of a diary. »Monday we did
so-and-so; Tuesday, so-and-so, etc.« Ruth glanced rapidly down the pages. Yes,
here it was? Sick, fluttering heart, be still!
    »In the middle of the damsons, when they were just on the fire, there was a
knock at the door. My brother was out, and Sally was washing up, and I was
stirring the preserve with my great apron and bib on; so I bade Leonard come in
from the garden and open the door. But I would have washed his face first if I
had known who it was! It was Mr. Bradshaw and the Mr. Donne that they hope to
send up to the House of Commons, as member of Parliament for Eccleston, and
another gentleman, whose name I never heard. They had come canvassing; and when
they found my brother was out, they asked Leonard if they could see me. The
child said, Yes! if I could leave the damsons; and straightway came to call me,
leaving them standing in the passage. I whipped off my apron, and took Leonard
by the hand, for I fancied I should feel less awkward if he was with me; and
then I went and asked them all into the study, for I thought I should like them
to see how many books Thurstan had got. Then they began talking politics at me
in a very polite manner, only I could not make head or tail of what they meant;
and Mr. Donne took a deal of notice of Leonard, and called him to him; and I am
sure he noticed what a noble, handsome boy he was, though his face was very
brown and red, and hot with digging, and his curls all tangled. Leonard talked
back as if he had known him all his life, till, I think Mr. Bradshaw thought he
was making too much noise, and bid him remember he ought to be seen, not heard.
So he stood as still and stiff as a soldier, close to Mr. Donne; and as I could
not help looking at the two, and thinking how handsome they both were in their
different ways, I could not tell Thurstan half the messages the gentlemen left
for him. But there was one thing more I must tell you, though I said I would
not. When Mr. Donne was talking to Leonard, he took off his watch and chain and
put it round the boy's neck, who was pleased enough, you may be sure. I bade him
give it back to the gentleman, when they were all going away; and I was quite
surprised, and very uncomfortable, when Mr. Donne said he had given it to
Leonard, and that he was to keep it for his own. I could see Mr. Bradshaw was
annoyed, and he and the other gentleman spoke to Mr. Donne, and I heard them
say, too barefaced; and I shall never forget Mr. Donne's proud, stubborn look
back at them, nor his way of saying, I allow no one to interfere with what I
choose to do with my own. And he looked so haughty and displeased, I durst say
nothing at the time. But when I told Thurstan, he was very grieved and angry;
and said he had heard that our party were bribing, but that he never could have
thought they would have tried to do it at his house. Thurstan is very much out
of spirits about this election altogether; and, indeed, it does make sad work up
and down the town. However, he sent back the watch, with a letter to Mr.
Bradshaw; and Leonard was very good about it, so I gave him a taste of the new
damson-preserve on his bread for supper.«
    Although a stranger might have considered this letter wearisome, from the
multiplicity of the details, Ruth craved greedily after more. What had Mr. Donne
said to Leonard? Had Leonard liked his new acquaintance? Were they likely to
meet again? After wondering and wondering over these points, Ruth composed
herself by the hope that in a day or two she should hear again; and, to secure
this end, she answered the letters by return of post. That was on Thursday. On
Friday she had another letter, in a strange hand. It was from Mr. Donne. No
name, no initials were given. If it had fallen into another person's hands, they
could not have recognised the writer, nor guessed to whom it was sent. It
contained simply these words: -
    »For our child's sake, and in his name, I summon you to appoint a place
where I can speak, and you can listen, undisturbed. The time must be on Sunday;
the limit of distance may be the circumference of your power of walking. My
words may be commands, but my fond heart entreats. More I shall not say now,
but, remember! your boy's welfare depends on your acceding to this request.
Address B.D., Post-Office, Eccleston.«
    Ruth did not attempt to answer this letter till the last five minutes before
the post went out. She could not decide until forced to it. Either way she
dreaded. She was very nearly leaving the letter altogether unanswered. But
suddenly she resolved she would know all, the best, the worst. No cowardly dread
of herself, or of others, should make her neglect aught that came to her in her
child's name. She took up a pen and wrote -
    »The sands below the rocks, where we met you the other night. Time,
afternoon church.«
    Sunday came.
    »I shall not go to church this afternoon. You know the way, of course; and I
trust you to go steadily by yourselves.«
    When they came to kiss her before leaving her, according to their fond wont,
they were struck by the coldness of her face and lips.
    »Are you not well, dear Mrs. Denbigh? How cold you are!«
    »Yes, darling! I am well;« and tears sprang into her eyes as she looked at
their anxious little faces. »Go now, dears. Five o'clock will soon be here, and
then we will have tea.«
    »And that will warm you!« said they, leaving the room.
    »And then it will be over,« she murmured - »over.«
    It never came into her head to watch the girls as they disappeared down the
lane on their way to church. She knew them too well to distrust their doing what
they were told. She sat still, her head bowed on her arms for a few minutes, and
then rose up and went to put on her walking things. Some thoughts impelled her
to sudden haste. She crossed, the field by the side of the house, ran down the
steep and rocky path, and was carried by the impetus of her descent far out on
the level sands - but not far enough for her intent. Without looking to the
right hand or to the left, where comers might be seen, she went forwards to the
black posts, which, rising above the heaving waters, marked where the
fishermen's nets were laid. She went straight towards this place, and hardly
stinted her pace even where the wet sands were glittering with the receding
waves. Once there, she turned round, and, in a darting glance, saw that as yet
no one was near. She was perhaps half-a-mile or more from the grey, silvery
rocks, which sloped away into brown moor-land, interspersed with a field here
and there of golden, waving corn. Behind were purple hills, with sharp, clear
outlines, touching the sky. A little on one side from where she stood she saw
the white cottages and houses which formed the village of Abermouth, scattered
up and down; and, on a windy hill, about a mile inland, she saw the little grey
church, where even now many were worshipping in peace.
    »Pray for me!« she sighed out as this object caught her eye.
    And now, close under the heathery fields, where they fell softly down and
touched the sands, she saw a figure moving in the direction of the great shadow
made by the rocks - going towards the very point where the path from Eagle's
Crag came down to the shore.
    »It is he!« said she to herself. And she turned round and looked seaward.
The tide had turned; the waves were slowly receding, as if loth to lose the hold
they had, so lately, and with such swift bounds, gained on the yellow sands. The
eternal moan they have made since the world began filled the ear, broken only by
the skirl of the grey sea-birds as they alighted in groups on the edge of the
waters, or as they rose up with their measured, balancing motion, and the
sunlight caught their white breasts. There was no sign of human life to be seen;
no boat, or distant sail, or near shrimper. The black posts there were all that
spoke of men's work or labour. Beyond a stretch of the waters, a few pale grey
hills showed like films; their summits clear, though faint, their bases lost in
a vapoury mist.
    On the hard, echoing sands, and distinct from the ceaseless murmur of the
salt sea waves, came footsteps - nearer - nearer. Very near they were when Ruth,
unwilling to show the fear that rioted in her heart, turned round, and faced Mr.
Donne.
    He came forward, with both hands extended.
    »This is kind! my own Ruth,« said he. Ruth's arms hung down motionless at
her sides.
    »What! Ruth, have you no word for me?«
    »I have nothing to say,« said Ruth.
    »Why, you little revengeful creature! And so I am to explain all, before you
will even treat me with decent civility.«
    »I do not want explanations,« said Ruth in a trembling tone. »We must not
speak of the past. You asked me to come in Leonard's - in my child's name, and
to hear what you had to say about him.«
    »But what I have to say about him relates to you even more. And how can we
talk about him without recurring to the past? That past, which you try to ignore
- I know you cannot do it in your heart - is full of happy recollections to me.
Were you not happy in Wales?« he said, in his tenderest tone.
    But there was no answer; not even one faint sigh, though he listened
intently.
    »You dare not speak; you dare not answer me. Your heart will not allow you
to prevaricate, and you know you were happy.«
    Suddenly Ruth's beautiful eyes were raised to him, full of lucid splendour,
but grave and serious in their expression; and her cheeks, heretofore so faintly
tinged with the tenderest blush, flashed into a ruddy glow.
    »I was happy. I do not deny it. Whatever comes, I will not blench from the
truth. I have answered you.«
    »And yet,« replied he, secretly exulting in her admission, and not
perceiving the inner strength of which she must have been conscious before she
would have dared to make it - »and yet, Ruth, we are not to recur to the past!
Why not? If it was happy at the time, is the recollection of it so miserable to
you?«
    He tried once more to take her hand, but she quietly stepped back.
    »I came to hear what you had to say about my child,« said she, beginning to
feel very weary.
    »Our child, Ruth.«
    She drew herself up, and her face went very pale.
    »What have you to say about him?« asked she coldly.
    »Much,« exclaimed he - »much that may affect his whole life. But it all
depends upon whether you will hear me or not.«
    »I listen.«
    »Good heavens! Ruth, you will drive me mad. Oh! what a changed person you
are from the sweet, loving creature you were! I wish you were not so beautiful.«
    She did not reply, but he caught a deep, involuntary sigh.
    »Will you hear me if I speak, though I may not begin all at once to talk of
this boy - a boy of whom any mother - any parent, might be proud? I could see
that, Ruth. I have seen him; he looked like a prince in that cramped, miserable
house, and with no earthly advantages. It is a shame he should not have every
kind of opportunity laid open before him.«
    There was no sign of maternal ambition on the motionless face, though there
might be some little spring in her heart, as it beat quick and strong at the
idea of the proposal she imagined he was going to make of taking her boy away to
give him the careful education she had often craved for him. She should refuse
it, as she would everything else which seemed to imply that she acknowledged a
claim over Leonard; but yet sometimes, for her boy's sake, she had longed for a
larger opening - a more extended sphere.
    »Ruth! you acknowledge we were happy once; - there were circumstances which,
if I could tell you them all in detail, would show you how, in my weak,
convalescent state, I was almost passive in the hands of others. Ah, Ruth! I
have not forgotten the tender nurse who soothed me in my delirium. When I am
feverish, I dream that I am again at Llan-dhu, in the little old bedchamber, and
you, in white - which you always wore then, you know - flitting about me.«
    The tears dropped, large and round from Ruth's eyes - she could not help it
- how could she?
    »We were happy then,« continued he, gaining confidence from the sight of her
melted mood, and recurring once more to the admission which he considered so
much in his favour. »Can such happiness never return?« Thus he went on, quickly,
anxious to lay before her all he had to offer, before she should fully
understand his meaning.
    »If you would consent, Leonard should be always with you - educated where
and how you liked - money to any amount you might choose to name should be
secured to you and him - if only, Ruth - if only those happy days might return.«
    Ruth spoke -
    »I said that I was happy, because I had asked God to protect and help me -
and I dared not tell a lie. I was happy. Oh! what is happiness or misery that we
should talk about them now?«
    Mr. Donne looked at her, as she uttered these words, to see if she was
wandering in her mind, they seemed to him so utterly strange and incoherent.
    »I dare not think of happiness - I must not look forward to sorrow. God did
not put me here to consider either of these things.«
    »My dear Ruth, compose yourself! There is no hurry in answering the question
I asked.«
    »What was it?« said Ruth.
    »I love you so, I cannot live without you. I offer you my heart, my life - I
offer to place Leonard wherever you would have him placed. I have the power and
the means to advance him in any path of life you choose. All who have shown
kindness to you shall be rewarded by me, with a gratitude even surpassing your
own. If there is anything else I can do that you can suggest, I will do it.«
    »Listen to me!« said Ruth, now that the idea of what he proposed had entered
her mind. »When I said that I was happy with you long ago, I was choked with
shame as I said it. And yet it may be a vain, false excuse that I make for
myself. I was very young; I did not know how such a life was against God's pure
and holy will - at least, not as I know it now; and I tell you the truth - all
the days of my years since I have gone about with a stain on my hidden soul - a
stain which made me loathe myself, and envy those who stood spotless and
undefiled; which made me shrink from my child - from Mr. Benson, from his
sister, from the innocent girls whom I teach - nay, even I have cowered away
from God Himself; and what I did wrong then, I did blindly to what I should do
now if I listened to you.«
    She was so strongly agitated that she put her hands over her face, and
sobbed without restraint. Then, taking them away, she looked at him with a
glowing face, and beautiful, honest, wet eyes, and tried to speak calmly, as she
asked if she needed to stay longer (she would have gone away at once but that
she thought of Leonard, and wished to hear all that his father might have to
say). He was so struck anew by her beauty, and understood her so little, that he
believed that she only required a little more urging to consent to what he
wished; for in all she had said there was no trace of the anger and resentment
for his desertion of her, which he had expected would be a prominent feature -
the greatest obstacle he had to encounter. The deep sense of penitence she
expressed he mistook for earthly shame; which he imagined he could soon soothe
away.
    »Yes, I have much more to say. I have not said half. I cannot tell you how
fondly I will - how fondly I do love you - how my life shall be spent in
ministering to your wishes. Money, I see - I know, you despise« -
    »Mr. Bellingham! I will not stay to hear you speak to me so again. I have
been sinful, but it is not you who should« -- She could not speak, she was so
choking with passionate sorrow.
    He wanted to calm her, as he saw her shaken with repressed sobs. He put his
hand on her arm. She shook it off impatiently, and moved away in an instant.
    »Ruth!« said he, nettled by her action of repugnance, »I begin to think you
never loved me.«
    »I! - I never loved you! Do you dare to say so?«
    Her eyes flamed on him as she spoke. Her red, round lip curled into
beautiful contempt.
    »Why do you shrink so from me?« said he, in his turn getting impatient.
    »I did not come here to be spoken to in this way,« said she. »I came, if by
any chance I could do Leonard good. I would submit to many humiliations for his
sake - but to no more from you.«
    »Are not you afraid to brave me so?« said he. »Don't you know how much you
are in my power?«
    She was silent. She longed to go away, but dreaded lest he should follow
her, where she might be less subject to interruption than she was here - near
the fisherman's nets, which the receding tide was leaving every moment barer and
more bare, and the posts they were fastened to more blackly uprising above the
waters.
    Mr. Donne put his hands on her arms as they hung down before her - her hands
tightly clasped together.
    »Ask me to let you go,« said he. »I will, if you will ask me.« He looked
very fierce and passionate and determined. The vehemence of his action took Ruth
by surprise, and the painful tightness of the grasp almost made her exclaim. But
she was quite still and mute.
    »Ask me,« said he, giving her a little shake. She did not speak. Her eyes,
fixed on the distant shore, were slowly filling with tears. Suddenly a light
came through the mist that obscured them, and the shut lips parted. She saw some
distant object that gave her hope.
    »It is Stephen Bromley,« said she. »He is coming to his nets. They say he is
a very desperate, violent man, but he will protect me.«
    »You obstinate, wilful creature!« said Mr. Donne, releasing his grasp. »You
forget that one word of mine could undeceive all these good people at Eccleston;
and that if I spoke out ever so little, they would throw you off in an instant.
Now!« he continued, »do you understand how much you are in my power?«
    »Mr. and Miss Benson know all - they have not thrown me off,« Ruth gasped
out. »Oh! for Leonard's sake! you would not be so cruel.«
    »Then do not be cruel to him - to me. Think once more!«
    »I think once more.« She spoke solemnly. »To save Leonard from the shame and
agony of knowing my disgrace I would lay down and die. Oh! perhaps it would be
best for him - for me, if I might; my death would be a stingless grief - but to
go back into sin would be the real cruelty to him. The errors of my youth may be
washed away by my tears - it was so once when the gentle, blessed Christ was
upon earth; but now, if I went into wilful guilt, as you would have me, how
could I teach Leonard God's holy will? I should not mind his knowing my past
sin, compared to the awful corruption it would be if he knew me living now, as
you would have me, lost to all fear of God« -- Her speech was broken by sobs.
»Whatever may be my doom - God is just - I leave myself in His hands. I will
save Leonard from evil. Evil would it be for him if I lived with you. I will let
him die first!« She lifted her eyes to heaven, and clasped and wreathed her
hands together tight. Then she said »You have humbled me enough, sir. I shall
leave you now.«
    She turned away resolutely. The dark, grey fisherman was at hand. Mr. Donne
folded his arms and set his teeth, and looked after her.
    »What a stately step she has! How majestic and graceful all her attitudes
were! She thinks she has baffled me now. We will try something more, and bid a
higher price.« He unfolded his arms, and began to follow her. He gained upon
her, for her beautiful walk was now wavering and unsteady. The works which had
kept her in motion were running down fast.
    »Ruth!« said he, overtaking her. »You shall hear me once more. Ay, look
round! Your fisherman is near. He may hear me, if he chooses - hear your
triumph. I am come to offer to marry you, Ruth; come what may, I will have you.
Nay - I will make you hear me. I will hold this hand till you have heard me.
To-morrow I will speak to any one in Eccleston you like - to Mr. Bradshaw; Mr.
--, the little minister I mean. We can make it worth while for him to keep our
secret, and no one else need know but what you are really Mrs. Denbigh. Leonard
shall still bear this name, but in all things else he shall be treated as my
son. He and you would grace any situation. I will take care the highest paths
are open to him!«
    He looked to see the lovely face brighten into sudden joy; on the contrary,
the head was still hung down with a heavy droop.
    »I cannot,« said she; her voice was very faint and low.
    »It is sudden for you, my dearest. But be calm. It will all be easily
managed. Leave it to me.«
    »I cannot,« repeated she, more distinct and clear, though still very low.
    »Why! what on earth makes you say that?« asked he, in a mood to be irritated
by any repetition of such words.
    »I do not love you. I did once. Don't say I did not love you then! but I do
not now. I could never love you again. All you have said and done since you came
with Mr. Bradshaw to Abermouth first has only made me wonder how I ever could
have loved you. We are very far apart. The time that has pressed down my life
like brands of hot iron, and scarred me for ever, has been nothing to you. You
have talked of it with no sound of moaning in your voice - no shadow over the
brightness of your face; it has left no sense of sin on your conscience, while
me it haunts and haunts; and yet I might plead that I was an ignorant child -
only I will not plead anything, for God knows all -- But this is only one piece
of our great difference« -
    »You mean that I am no saint,« he said, impatient at her speech. »Granted.
But people who are no saints have made very good husbands before now. Come,
don't let any morbid, overstrained conscientiousness interfere with substantial
happiness - both to you and to me - for I am sure I can make you happy - ay! and
make you love me, too, in spite of your pretty defiance. I love you so dearly, I
must win love back. And here are advantages for Leonard, to be gained by you
quite in a holy and legitimate way.«
    She stood very erect.
    »If there was one thing needed to confirm me, you have named it. You shall
have nothing to do with my boy, by my consent, much less by my agency. I would
rather see him working on the roadside than leading such a life - being such a
one as you are. You have heard my mind now, Mr. Bellingham. You have humbled me
- you have baited me; and if at last I have spoken out too harshly, and too much
in a spirit of judgment, the fault is yours. If there were no other reason to
prevent our marriage but the one fact that it would bring Leonard into contact
with you, that would be enough.«
    »It is enough!« said he, making her a low bow. »Neither you nor your child
shall ever more be annoyed by me. I wish you a good evening.«
    They walked apart - he back to the inn, to set off instantly, while the
blood was hot within him, from the place where he had been so mortified - she to
steady herself along till she reached the little path, more like a rude
staircase than anything else, by which she had to climb to the house.
    She did not turn round for some time after she was fairly lost to the sight
of any one on the shore; she clambered on, almost stunned by the rapid beating
of her heart. Her eyes were hot and dry; and at last became as if she were
suddenly blind. Unable to go on, she tottered into the tangled under-wood which
grew among the stones, filling every niche and crevice, and little shelving
space, with green and delicate tracery. She sank down behind a great overhanging
rock, which hid her from any one coming up the path. An ash-tree was rooted in
this rock, slanting away from the sea-breezes that were prevalent in most
weathers; but this was a still, autumnal Sabbath evening. As Ruth's limbs fell,
so they lay. She had no strength, no power of volition to move a finger. She
could not think or remember. She was literally stunned. The first sharp
sensation which roused her from her torpor was a quick desire to see him once
more; up she sprang, and climbed to an out-jutting dizzy point of rock, but a
little above her sheltered nook, yet commanding a wide view over the bare, naked
sands; - far away below, touching the rippling water-line, was Stephen Bromley,
busily gathering in his nets; besides him there was no living creature visible.
Ruth shaded her eyes, as if she thought they might have deceived her; but no,
there was no one there. She went slowly down to her old place, crying sadly as
she went.
    »Oh! if I had not spoken so angrily to him - the last things I said were so
bitter - so reproachful! - and I shall never, never see him again!«
    She could not take in a general view and scope of their conversation - the
event was too near her for that; but her heart felt sore at the echo of her last
words, just and true as their severity was. Her struggle, her constant flowing
tears, which fell from very weakness, made her experience a sensation of intense
bodily fatigue; and her soul had lost the power of throwing itself forward, or
contemplating anything beyond the dreary present, when the expanse of grey,
wild, bleak moors, stretching wide away below a sunless sky, seemed only an
outward sign of the waste world within her heart, for which she could claim no
sympathy; - for she could not even define what its woes were; and, if she could,
no one would understand how the present time was haunted by the terrible ghost
of the former love.
    »I am so weary! I am so weary!« she moaned aloud at last. »I wonder if I
might stop here, and just die away.«
    She shut her eyes, until through the closed lids came a ruddy blaze of
light. The clouds had parted away, and the sun was going down in the crimson
glory behind the distant purple hills. The whole western sky was one flame of
fire. Ruth forgot herself in looking at the gorgeous sight. She sat up gazing;
and, as she gazed, the tears dried on her cheeks, and, somehow, all human care
and sorrow were swallowed up in the unconscious sense of God's infinity. The
sunset calmed her more than any words, however wise and tender, could have done.
It even seemed to give her strength and courage; she did not know how or why,
but so it was.
    She rose, and went slowly towards home. Her limbs were very stiff, and every
now and then she had to choke down an unbidden sob. Her pupils had been long
returned from church, and had busied themselves in preparing tea - an occupation
which had probably made them feel the time less long.
    If they had ever seen a sleep-walker, they might have likened Ruth to one
for the next few days, so slow and measured did her movements seem - so far away
was her intelligence from all that was passing around her - so hushed and
strange were the tones of her voice. They had letters from home, announcing the
triumphant return of Mr. Donne as M.P. for Eccleston. Mrs. Denbigh heard the
news without a word, and was too languid to join in the search after purple and
yellow flowers with which to deck the sitting-room at Eagle's Crag.
    A letter from Jemima came the next day, summoning them home. Mr. Donne and
his friends had left the place, and quiet was restored in the Bradshaw
household; so it was time that Mary and Elizabeth's holiday should cease. Mrs.
Denbigh had also a letter - a letter from Miss Benson, saying that Leonard was
not quite well. There was so much pains taken to disguise anxiety, that it was
very evident much anxiety was felt; and the girls were almost alarmed by Ruth's
sudden change from taciturn languor to eager, vehement energy. Body and mind
seemed strained to exertion. Every plan that could facilitate packing and
winding up affairs at Abermouth, every errand and arrangement that could
expedite their departure by one minute, was done by Ruth with stern promptitude.
She spared herself in nothing. She made them rest, made them lie down, while she
herself lifted weights and transacted business with feverish power, never
resting, and trying never to have time to think.
    For in remembrance of the Past there was Remorse - how had she forgotten
Leonard these last few days! - how had she repined and been dull of heart to her
blessing! And in anticipation of the future there was one sharp point of red
light in the darkness which pierced her brain with agony, and which she would
not see or recognise - and saw and recognised all the more for such mad
determination - which is not the true shield against the bitterness of the
arrows of death.
    When the seaside party arrived in Eccleston, they were met by Mrs. and Miss
Bradshaw and Mr. Benson. By a firm resolution, Ruth kept from shaping the
question, »Is he alive?« as if by giving shape to her fears she made their
realisation more imminent. She said merely, »How is he?« but she said it with
drawn, tight, bloodless lips, and in her eyes Mr. Benson read her anguish of
anxiety.
    »He is very ill, but we hope he will soon be better. It is what every child
has to go through.«
 

                                  Chapter XXV

                            Jemima Makes a Discovery

Mr. Bradshaw had been successful in carrying his point. His member had been
returned; his proud opponents mortified. So the public thought he ought to be
well pleased; but the public were disappointed to see that he did not show any
of the gratification they supposed him to feel.
    The truth was, that he met with so many small mortifications during the
progress of the election, that the pleasure which he would otherwise have felt
in the final success of his scheme was much diminished.
    He had more than tacitly sanctioned bribery; and now that the excitement was
over, he regretted it: not entirely from conscientious motives, though he was
uneasy from the slight sense of wrong-doing; but he was more pained, after all,
to think that, in the eyes of some of his townsmen, his hitherto spotless
character had received a blemish. He, who had been so stern and severe a censor
on the undue influence exercised by the opposite party in all preceding
elections, could not expect to be spared by their adherents now, when there were
rumours that the hands of the scrupulous Dissenters were not clean. Before, it
had been his boast that neither friend nor enemy could say one word against him;
now, he was constantly afraid of an indictment for bribery, and of being
compelled to appear before a committee to swear to his own share in the
business.
    His uneasy, fearful consciousness made him stricter and sterner than ever;
as if he would quench all wondering, slanderous talk about him in the town by a
renewed austerity of uprightness: that the slack-principled Mr. Bradshaw of one
month of ferment and excitement might not be confounded with the highly
conscientious and deeply religious Mr. Bradshaw, who went to chapel twice a day,
and gave a hundred pounds apiece to every charity in the town, as a sort of
thank-offering that his end was gained.
    But he was secretly dissatisfied with Mr. Donne. In general, that gentleman
had been rather too willing to act in accordance with any one's advice, no
matter whose; as if he had thought it too much trouble to weigh the wisdom of
his friends, in which case Mr. Bradshaw's would have, doubtless, proved the most
valuable. But now and then he unexpectedly, and utterly without reason, took the
conduct of affairs into his own hands, as when he had been absent without leave
only just before the day of nomination. No one guessed whither he had gone; but
the fact of his being gone was enough to chagrin Mr. Bradshaw, who was quite
ready to have picked a quarrel on this very head if the election had not
terminated favourably. As it was, he had a feeling of proprietorship in Mr.
Donne which was not disagreeable. He had given the new M.P. his seat; his
resolution, his promptitude, his energy, had made Mr. Donne our member; and Mr.
Bradshaw began to feel proud of him accordingly. But there had been no one
circumstance during this period to bind Jemima and Mr. Farquhar together. They
were still misunderstanding each other with all their power. The difference in
the result was this: Jemima loved him all the more, in spite of quarrels and
coolness. He was growing utterly weary of the petulant temper of which he was
never certain; of the reception which varied day after day, according to the
mood she was in and the thoughts that were uppermost; and he was almost startled
to find how very glad he was that the little girls and Mrs. Denbigh were coming
home. His was a character to bask in peace; and lovely, quiet Ruth, with her low
tones and soft replies, her delicate waving movements, appeared to him the very
type of what a woman should be - a calm, serene soul, fashioning the body to
angelic grace.
    It was, therefore, with no slight interest that Mr. Farquhar inquired daily
after the health of little Leonard. He asked at the Bensons' house; and Sally
answered him, with swollen and tearful eyes, that the child was very bad - very
bad indeed. He asked at the doctor's; and the doctor told him, in a few short
words, that »it was only a bad kind of measles, and that the lad might have a
struggle for it, but he thought he would get through. Vigorous children carried
their force into everything; never did things by halves; if they were ill, they
were sure to be in a high fever directly; if they were well, there was no peace
in the house for their rioting. For his part,« continued the doctor, »he thought
he was glad he had had no children; as far as he could judge, they were pretty
much all plague and no profit.« But as he ended his speech he sighed; and Mr.
Farquhar was none the less convinced that common report was true, which
represented the clever, prosperous surgeon of Eccleston as bitterly disappointed
at his failure of offspring.
    While these various interests and feelings had their course outside the
Chapel-house, within there was but one thought which possessed all the inmates.
When Sally was not cooking for the little invalid, she was crying; for she had
had a dream about green rushes, not three months ago, which, by some queer
process of oneiromancy, she interpreted to mean the death of a child; and all
Miss Benson's endeavours were directed to making her keep silence to Ruth about
this dream. Sally thought that the mother ought to be told. What were dreams
sent for but for warnings? But it was just like a pack of Dissenters, who would
not believe anything like other folks. Miss Benson was too much accustomed to
Sally's contempt for Dissenters, as viewed from the pinnacle of the
Establishment, to pay much attention to all this grumbling; especially as Sally
was willing to take as much trouble about Leonard as if she believed he was
going to live, and that his recovery depended upon her care. Miss Benson's great
object was to keep her from having any confidential talks with Ruth; as if any
repetition of the dream could have deepened the conviction in Ruth's mind that
the child would die.
    It seemed to her that his death would only be the fitting punishment for the
state of indifference towards him - towards life and death - towards all things
earthly or divine, into which she had suffered herself to fall since her last
interview with Mr. Donne. She did not understand that such exhaustion is but the
natural consequence of violent agitation and severe tension of feeling. The only
relief she experienced was in constantly serving Leonard; she had almost an
animal's jealousy lest any one should come between her and her young. Mr. Benson
saw this jealous suspicion, although he could hardly understand it; but he
calmed his sister's wonder and officious kindness, so that the two patiently and
quietly provided all that Ruth might want, but did not interfere with her right
to nurse Leonard. But when he was recovering, Mr. Benson, with the slight tone
of authority he knew how to assume when need was, bade Ruth lie down and take
some rest, while his sister watched. Ruth did not answer, but obeyed in a dull,
weary kind of surprise at being so commanded. She lay down by her child, gazing
her fill at his calm slumber; and, as she gazed, her large white eyelids were
softly pressed down as with a gentle, irresistible weight, and she fell asleep.
    She dreamed that she was once more on the lonely shore, striving to carry
away Leonard from some pursuer - some human pursuer - she knew he was human, and
she knew who he was, although she dared not say his name even to herself, he
seemed so close and present, gaining on her flying footsteps, rushing after her
as with the sound of the roaring tide. Her feet seemed heavy weights fixed to
the ground; they would not move. All at once, just near the shore, a great black
whirlwind of waves clutched her back to her pursuer; she threw Leonard on to
land, which was safety; but whether he reached it or no, or was swept back like
her into a mysterious something too dreadful to be borne, she did not know, for
the terror awakened her. At first the dream seemed yet a reality, and she
thought that the pursuer was couched even there, in that very room, and the
great boom of the sea was still in her ears. But as full consciousness returned,
she saw herself safe in the dear old room - the haven of rest - the shelter from
storms. A bright fire was glowing in the little old-fashioned, cup-shaped grate,
niched into a corner of the wall, and guarded on either side by whitewashed
bricks, which served for hobs. On one of these the kettle hummed and buzzed,
within two points of boiling whenever she or Leonard required tea. In her dream
that home-like sound had been the roar of the relentless sea, creeping swiftly
on to seize its prey. Miss Benson sat by the fire, motionless and still; it was
too dark to read any longer without a candle; but yet on the ceiling and upper
part of the walls the golden light of the setting sun was slowly moving - so
slow, and yet a motion gives the feeling of rest to the weary yet more than
perfect stillness. The old clock on the staircase told its monotonous
click-clack, in that soothing way which more marked the quiet of the house than
disturbed with any sense of sound. Leonard still slept that renovating slumber,
almost in her arms, far from that fatal pursuing sea, with its human form of
cruelty. The dream was a vision; the reality which prompted the dream was over
and past - Leonard was safe - she was safe; all this loosened the frozen
springs, and they gushed forth in her heart, and her lips moved in accordance
with her thoughts.
    »What were you saying, my darling?« said Miss Benson, who caught sight of
the motion, and fancied she was asking for something. Miss Benson bent over the
side of the bed on which Ruth lay, to catch the low tones of her voice.
    »I only said,« replied Ruth timidly, »thank God! I have so much to thank Him
for you don't know.«
    »My dear, I am sure we have all of us cause to be thankful that our boy is
spared. See! he is wakening up; and we will have a cup of tea together.«
    Leonard strode on to perfect health; but he was made older in character and
looks by his severe illness. He grew tall and thin, and the lovely child was
lost in the handsome boy. He began to wonder and to question. Ruth mourned a
little over the vanished babyhood, when she was all in all, and over the
childhood, whose petals had fallen away; it seemed as though two of her children
were gone - the one an infant, the other a bright, thoughtless darling; and she
wished that they could have remained quick in her memory for ever, instead of
being absorbed in loving pride for the present boy. But these were only fanciful
regrets, flitting like shadows across a mirror. Peace and thankfulness were once
more the atmosphere of her mind; nor was her unconsciousness disturbed by any
suspicion of Mr. Farquhar's increasing approbation and admiration, which he was
diligently nursing up into love for her. She knew that be had sent - she did not
know how often he had brought - fruit for the convalescent Leonard. She heard,
on her return from her daily employment, that Mr. Farquhar had bought a little
gentle pony on which Leonard, weak as he was, might ride. To confess the truth,
her maternal pride was such that she thought that all kindness shown to such a
boy as Leonard was but natural; she believed him to be
 
»A child whom all that looked on, loved.«
 
As in truth he was; and the proof of this was daily shown in many kind
inquiries, and many thoughtful little offerings, besides Mr. Farquhar's. The
poor (warm and kind of heart to all sorrow common to humanity) were touched with
pity for the young widow, whose only child lay ill, and nigh unto death. They
brought what they could - a fresh egg, when eggs were scarce - a few ripe pears
that grew on the sunniest side of the humblest cottage, where the fruit was
regarded as a source of income - a call of inquiry, and a prayer that God would
spare the child, from an old crippled woman, who could scarcely drag herself so
far as the Chapel-house, yet felt her worn and weary heart stirred with a sharp
pang of sympathy, and a very present remembrance of the time when she too was
young, and saw the life-breath quiver out of her child, now an angel in that
heaven which felt more like home to the desolate old creature than this empty
earth. To all such, when Leonard was better, Ruth went, and thanked them from
her heart. She and the old cripple sat hand in hand over the scanty fire on the
hearth of the latter, while she told in solemn, broken, homely words, how her
child sickened and died. Tears fell like rain down Ruth's cheeks; but those of
the old woman were dry. All tears had been wept out of her long ago, and now she
sat patient and quiet, waiting for death. But after this Ruth clave unto her,
and the two were henceforward a pair of friends. Mr. Farquhar was only included
in the general gratitude which she felt towards all who had been kind to her
boy.
    The winter passed away in deep peace after the storms of the autumn, yet
every now and then a feeling of insecurity made Ruth shake for an instant. Those
wild autumnal storms had torn aside the quiet flowers and herbage that had
gathered over the wreck of her early life, and shown her that all deeds, however
hidden and long passed by, have their eternal consequences. She turned sick and
faint whenever Mr. Donne's name was casually mentioned. No one saw it; but she
felt the miserable stop in her heart's beating, and wished that she could
prevent it by any exercise of self-command. She had never named his identity
with Mr. Bellingham, nor had she spoken about the seaside interview. Deep shame
made her silent and reserved on all her life before Leonard's birth; from that
time she rose again in her self-respect, and spoke as openly as a child (when
need was) of all occurrences which had taken place since then; except that she
could not, and would not, tell of this mocking echo, this haunting phantom, this
past, that would not rest in its grave. The very circumstance that it was
stalking abroad in the world, and might reappear at any moment, made her a
coward: she trembled away from contemplating what the reality had been; only,
she clung more faithfully than before to the thought of the great God, who was a
rock in the dreary land, where no shadow was.
    Autumn and winter, with their lowering skies, were less dreary than the
woeful, desolate feelings that shed a gloom on Jemima. She found too late that
she had considered Mr. Farquhar so securely her own for so long a time, that her
heart refused to recognize him as lost to her, unless her reason went through
the same weary, convincing, miserable evidence day after day, and hour after
hour. He never spoke to her now, except from common civility. He never cared for
her contradictions; he never tried, with patient perseverance, to bring her over
to his opinions; he never used the wonted wiles (so tenderly remembered now they
had no existence but in memory) to bring her round out of some wilful mood - and
such moods were common enough now! Frequently she was sullenly indifferent to
the feelings of others - not from any unkindness, but because her heart seemed
numb and stony, and incapable of sympathy. Then afterwards her self-reproach was
terrible - in the dead of night when no one saw it. With a strange perversity,
the only intelligence she cared to hear, the only sights she cared to see, were
the circumstances which gave confirmation to the idea that Mr. Farquhar was
thinking of Ruth for a wife. She craved with stinging curiosity to hear
something of their affairs every day; partly because the torture which such
intelligence gave was almost a relief from the deadness of her heart to all
other interests.
    And so spring (gioventù dell'anno) came back to her, bringing all the
contrasts which spring alone can bring to add to the heaviness of the soul. The
little winged creatures filled the air with bursts of joy; the vegetation came
bright and hopefully onwards, without any check of nipping frost. The ash-trees
in the Bradshaws' garden were out in leaf by the middle of May, which that year
wore more the aspect of summer than most Junes do. The sunny weather mocked
Jemima, and the unusual warmth oppressed her physical powers. She felt very weak
and languid; she was acutely sensible that no one else noticed her want of
strength; father, mother, all seemed too full of other things to care, if, as
she believed, her life was waning. She herself felt glad that it was so. But her
delicacy was not unnoticed by all. Her mother often anxiously asked her husband
if he did not think Jemima was looking ill; nor did his affirmation to the
contrary satisfy her, as most of his affirmations did. She thought every
morning, before she got up, how she could tempt Jemima to eat, by ordering some
favourite dainty for dinner; in many other little ways she tried to minister to
her child; but the poor girl's own abrupt irritability of temper had made her
mother afraid of openly speaking to her about her health.
    Ruth, too, saw that Jemima was not looking well. How she had become an
object of dislike to her former friend she did not know; but she was sensible
that Miss Bradshaw disliked her now. She was not aware that this feeling was
growing and strengthening almost into repugnance, for she seldom saw Jemima out
of school-hours, and then only for a minute or two. But the evil element of a
fellow-creature's dislike oppressed the atmosphere of her life. That
fellow-creature was one who had once loved her so fondly, and whom she still
loved, although she had learnt to fear her, as we fear those whose faces cloud
over when we come in sight - who cast unloving glances at us, of which we,
though not seeing, are conscious, as of some occult influence; and the cause of
whose dislike is unknown to us, though every word and action seems to increase
it. I believe that this sort of dislike is only shown by the jealous, and that
it renders the disliker even more miserable, because more continually conscious
than the object; but the growing evidences of Jemima's feeling made Ruth very
unhappy at times. This very May, too, an idea had come into her mind, which she
had tried to repress - namely, that Mr. Farquhar was in love with her. It
annoyed her extremely; it made her reproach herself that she ever should think
such a thing possible. She tried to strangle the notion, to drown it, to starve
it out by neglect - its existence caused her such pain and distress.
    The worst was, he had won Leonard's heart, who was constantly seeking him
out; or, when absent, talking about him. The best was some journey connected
with business, which would take him to the Continent for several weeks; and,
during that time, surely this disagreeble fancy of his would die away, if
untrue; and if true, some way would be opened by which she might put a stop to
all increase of predilection on his part, and yet retain him as a friend for
Leonard - that darling for whom she was far-seeing and covetous, and miserly of
every scrap of love and kindly regard.
    Mr. Farquhar would not have been flattered, if he had known how much his
departure contributed to Ruth's rest of mind on the Saturday afternoon on which
he set out on his journey. It was a beautiful day; the sky of that intense
quivering blue, which seemed as though you could look through it for ever, yet
not reach the black, infinite space which is suggested as lying beyond. Now and
then, a thin, torn, vaporous cloud floated slowly within the vaulted depth; but
the soft air that gently wafted it was not perceptible among the leaves on the
trees, which did not even tremble. Ruth sat at her work in the shadow formed by
the old grey garden wall; Miss Benson and Sally - the one in the parlour
window-seat mending stockings, the other hard at work in her kitchen - were both
within talking distance, for it was weather for open doors and windows; but none
of the three kept up any continued conversation; and in the intervals Ruth sang
low a brooding song, such as she remembered her mother singing long ago. Now and
then she stopped to look at Leonard, who was labouring away with vehement energy
at digging over a small plot of ground, where he meant to prick out some celery
plants that had been given to him. Ruth's heart warmed at the earnest, spirited
way in which he thrust his large spade deep down into the brown soil, his ruddy
face glowing, his curly hair wet with the exertion; and yet she sighed to think
that the days were over when her deeds of skill could give him pleasure. Now,
his delight was in acting himself; last year, not fourteen months ago, he had
watched her making a daisy-chain for him, as if he could not admire her
cleverness enough; this year, this week, when she had been devoting every spare
hour to the simple tailoring which she performed for her boy (she had always
made every article he wore, and felt almost jealous of the employment), he had
come to her with a wistful look, and asked when he might begin to have clothes
made by a man?
    Ever since the Wednesday when she had accompanied Mary and Elizabeth, at
Mrs. Bradshaw's desire, to be measured for spring clothes by the new Eccleston
dressmaker, she had been looking forward to this Saturday afternoon's pleasure
of making summer trousers for Leonard; but the satisfaction of the employment
was a little taken away by Leonard's speech. It was a sign, however, that her
life was very quiet and peaceful, that she had leisure to think upon the thing
at all; and often she forgot it entirely in her low, chanting song, or in
listening to the thrush warbling out his afternoon ditty to his patient mate in
the holly-bush below.
    The distant rumble of carts through the busy streets (it was market-day) not
only formed a low rolling bass to the nearer and pleasanter sounds, but enhanced
the sense of peace by the suggestion of the contrast afforded to the repose of
the garden by the bustle not far off.
    But, besides physical din and bustle, there is mental strife and turmoil.
    That afternoon, as Jemima was restlessly wandering about the house, her
mother desired her to go on an errand to Mrs. Pearson's, the new dressmaker, in
order to give some directions about her sisters' new frocks. Jemima went, rather
than have the trouble of resisting; or else she would have preferred staying at
home, moving or being outwardly quiet according to her own fitful will. Mrs.
Bradshaw, who, as I have said, had been aware for some time that something was
wrong with her daughter, and was very anxious to set it to rights if she only
knew how, had rather planned this errand with a view to dispel Jemima's
melancholy.
    »And, Mimie dear,« said her mother, »when you are there, look out for a new
bonnet for yourself; she has got some very pretty ones, and your old one is so
shabby.«
    »It does for me, mother,« said Jemima heavily. »I don't want a new bonnet.«
    »But I want you to have one, my lassie. I want my girl to look well and
nice.«
    There was something of homely tenderness in Mrs. Bradshaw's tone that
touched Jemima's heart. She went to her mother, and kissed her with more of
affection than she had shown to any one for weeks before; and the kiss was
returned with warm fondness.
    »I think you love me, mother,« said Jemima.
    »We all love you, dear, if you would but think so. And if you want anything,
or wish for anything, only tell me, and with a little patience, I can get your
father to give it you, I know. Only be happy, there's a good girl.«
    »Be happy! as if one could by an effort of will!« thought Jemima as she went
along the street, too absorbed in herself to notice the bows of acquaintances
and friends, but instinctively guiding herself right among the throng and press
of carts, and gigs, and market people in High Street.
    But her mother's tones and looks, with their comforting power, remained
longer in her recollection than the inconsistency of any words spoken. When she
had completed her errand about the frocks, she asked to look at some bonnets, in
order to show her recognition of her mother's kind thought.
    Mrs. Pearson was a smart, clever-looking woman of five or six and thirty.
She had all the variety of small-talk at her finger-ends, that was formerly
needed by barbers to amuse the people who came to be shaved. She had admired the
town till Jemima was weary of its praises, sick and oppressed by its sameness,
as she had been these many weeks.
    »Here are some bonnets, ma'am, that will be just the thing for you - elegant
and tasty, yet quite of the simple style, suitable to young ladies. Oblige me by
trying on this white silk!«
    Jemima looked at herself in the glass; she was obliged to own it was very
becoming, and perhaps not the less so for the flush of modest shame which came
into her cheeks, as she heard Mrs. Pearson's open praises of the rich, beautiful
hair, and the Oriental eyes of the wearer.
    »I induced the young lady who accompanied your sisters the other day - the
governess, is she, ma'am?«
    »Yes - Mrs. Denbigh is her name,« said Jemima, clouding over.
    »Thank you, ma'am. Well, I persuaded Mrs. Denbigh to try on that bonnet, and
you can't think how charming she looked in it; and yet I don't think it became
her as much as it does you.«
    »Mrs. Denbigh is very beautiful,« said Jemima, taking off the bonnet, and
not much inclined to try on any other.
    »Very, ma'am. Quite a peculiar style of beauty. If I might be allowed, I
should say that hers was a Grecian style of loveliness, while yours was
Oriental. She reminded me of a young person I once knew in Fordham.« Mrs.
Pearson sighed an audible sigh.
    »In Fordham!« said Jemima, remembering that Ruth had once spoken of the
place as one in which she had spent some time, while the county in which it was
situated was the same in which Ruth was born. »In Fordham! Why, I think Mrs.
Denbigh comes from that neighbourhood.«
    »Oh, ma'am! she cannot be the young person I mean - I am sure, ma'am -
holding the position she does in your establishment. I should hardly say I knew
her myself; for I only saw her two or three times at my sister's house; but she
was so remarked for her beauty, that I remember her face quite well - the more
so, on account of her vicious conduct afterwards.«
    »Her vicious conduct!« repeated Jemima, convinced by these words that there
could be no identity between Ruth and young person alluded to. »Then it could
not have been our Mrs. Denbigh.«
    »Oh no, ma'am! I am sure I should be sorry to be understood to have
suggested anything of the kind. I beg your pardon if I did so. All I meant to
say - and perhaps that was a liberty I ought not to have taken, considering what
Ruth Hilton was -«
    »Ruth Hilton!« said Jemima, turning suddenly round, and facing Mrs. Pearson.
    »Yes, ma'am, that was the name of the young person I allude to.«
    »Tell me about her - what did she do?« asked Jemima, subduing her eagerness
of tone and look as best she might, but trembling as on the verge of some
strange discovery.
    »I don't know whether I ought to tell you, ma'am - it is hardly a fit story
for a young lady; but this Ruth Hilton was an apprentice to my sister-in-law,
who had a first-rate business in Fordham, which brought her a good deal of
patronage from the county families; and this young creature was very artful and
bold, and thought sadly too much of her beauty; and, somehow, she beguiled a
young gentleman, who took her into keeping (I am sure, ma'am, I ought to
apologise for polluting your ears) -«
    »Go on,« said Jemima breathlessly.
    »I don't know much more. His mother followed him into Wales. She was a lady
of a great deal of religion, and a very old family, and was much shocked at her
son's misfortune in being captivated by such a person; but she led him to
repentance, and took him to Paris, where, I think, she died; but I am not sure,
for, owing to family differences, I have not been on terms for some years with
my sister-in-law, who was my informant.«
    »Who died?« interrupted Jemima - »the young man's mother, or - or Ruth
Hilton?«
    »Oh dear, ma'am! pray don't confuse the two. It was the mother, Mrs. -- I
forget the name - something like Billington. It was the lady who died.«
    »And what became of the other?« asked Jemima, unable, as her dark suspicion
seemed thickening, to speak the name.
    »The girl? Why, ma'am, what could become of her? Not that I know exactly -
only one knows they can but go from bad to worse, poor creatures! God forgive
me, if I am speaking too transiently of such degraded women, who, after all, are
a disgrace to our sex.«
    »Then you know nothing more about her?« asked Jemima.
    »I did hear that she had gone off with another gentleman that she met with
in Wales, but I'm sure I can't tell who told me.«
    There was a little pause. Jemima was pondering on all she had heard.
Suddenly she felt that Mrs. Pearson's eyes were upon her, watching her; not with
curiosity, but with a newly-awakened intelligence; - and yet she must ask one
more question; but she tried to ask it in an indifferent, careless tone,
handling the bonnet while she spoke.
    »How long is it since all this - all you have been telling me about -
happened!« (Leonard was eight years old.)
    »Why - let me see. It was before I was married, and I was married three
years, and poor dear Pearson has been deceased five - I should say going on for
nine years this summer. Blush roses would become your complexion, perhaps,
better than these lilacs,« said she, as with superficial observation she watched
Jemima turning the bonnet round and round on her hand - the bonnet that her
dizzy eyes did not see.
    »Thank you. It is very pretty. But I don't want a bonnet. I beg your pardon
for taking up your time.« And with an abrupt bow to the discomfited Mrs.
Pearson, she was out and away in the open air, threading her way with
instinctive energy along the crowded street. Suddenly she turned round, and went
back to Mrs. Pearson's with even more rapidity than she had been walking away
from the house.
    »I have changed my mind,« said she, as she came, breathless, up into the
show-room. »I will take the bonnet. How much is it?«
    »Allow me to change the flowers; it can be done in an instant, and then you
can see if you would not prefer the roses; but with either foliage it is a
lovely little bonnet,« said Mrs. Pearson, holding it up admiringly on her hand.
    »Oh! never mind the flowers - yes! change them to the roses.« And she stood
by, agitated (Mrs. Pearson thought with impatience), all the time the milliner
was making the alteration with skilful, busy haste.
    »By the way,« said Jemima, when she saw the last touches were being given,
and that she must not delay executing the purpose which was the real cause of
her return - »Papa, I am sure, would not like your connecting Mrs. Denbigh's
name with such a - story as you have been telling me.«
    »Oh dear! ma'am, I have too much respect for you all to think of doing such
a thing! Of course I know, ma'am, that it is not to be cast up to any lady that
she is like anybody disreputable.«
    »But I would rather you did not name the likeness to any one,« said Jemima;
»not to any one. Don't tell any one the story you have told me this morning.«
    »Indeed, ma'am, I should never think of such a thing! My poor husband could
have borne witness that I am as close as the grave where there is anything to
conceal.«
    »Oh dear!« said Jemima, »Mrs. Pearson, there is nothing to conceal; only you
must not speak about it.«
    »I certainly shall not do it, ma'am; you may rest assured of me.«
    This time Jemima did not go towards home, but in the direction of the
outskirts of the town, on the hilly side. She had some dim recollection of
hearing her sisters ask if they might not go and invite Leonard and his mother
to tea and how could she face Ruth, after the conviction had taken possession of
her heart that she, and the sinful creature she had just heard of, were one and
the same?
    It was yet only the middle of the afternoon; the hours were early in the
old-fashioned town of Eccleston. Soft white clouds had come slowly sailing up
out of the west; the plain was flecked with thin floating shadows, gently borne
along by the westerly wind that was waving the long grass in the hay-fields into
alternate light and shade. Jemima went into one of these fields, lying by the
side of the upland road. She was stunned by the shock she had received. The
diver leaving the green sward, smooth and known, where his friends stand with
their familiar smiling faces, admiring his glad bravery - the diver, down in an
instant in the horrid depths of the sea, close to some strange, ghastly,
lidless-eyed monster, can hardly more feel his blood curdle at the near terror
than did Jemima now. Two hours ago - but a point of time on her mind's dial -
she had never imagined that she should ever come in contact with any one who had
committed open sin; she had never shaped her conviction into words and
sentences, but still it was there, that all the respectable, all the family and
religious circumstances of her life, would hedge her in, and guard her from ever
encountering the great shock of coming face to face with Vice. Without being
pharisaical in her estimation of herself, she had all a pharisee's dread of
publicans and sinners, and all a child's cowardliness - that cowardliness which
prompts it to shut its eyes against the object of terror, rather than
acknowledge its existence with brave faith. Her father's often reiterated
speeches had not been without their effect. He drew a clear line of partition,
which separated mankind into two great groups, to one of which, by the grace of
God, he and his belonged; while the other was composed of those whom it was his
duty to try and reform, and bring the whole force of his morality to bear upon,
with lectures, admonitions, and exhortations - a duty to be performed, because
it was a duty - but with very little of that Hope and Faith which is the Spirit
that maketh alive. Jemima had rebelled against these hard doctrines of her
father's, but their frequent repetition had had its effect, and led her to look
upon those who had gone astray with shrinking, shuddering recoil, instead of
with a pity so Christ-like as to have both wisdom and tenderness in it.
    And now she saw among her own familiar associates one, almost her
house-fellow, who had been stained with that evil most repugnant to her womanly
modesty, that would fain have ignored its existence altogether. She loathed the
thought of meeting Ruth again. She wished that she could take her up, and put
her down at a distance somewhere - anywhere - where she might never see or hear
of her more; never be reminded, as she must be whenever she saw her, that such
things were in this sunny, bright, lark-singing earth, over which the blue dome
of heaven bent softly down as Jemima sat in the hay-field that June afternoon;
her cheeks flushed and red, but her lips pale and compressed, and her eyes full
of a heavy, angry sorrow. It was Saturday, and the people in that part of the
country left their work an hour earlier on that day. By this, Jemima knew it
must be growing time for her to be at home. She had had so much of conflict in
her own mind of late, that she had grown to dislike struggle, or speech, or
explanation; and so strove to conform to times and hours much more than she had
done in happier days. But oh! how full of hate her heart was growing against the
world! And oh! how she sickened at the thought of seeing Ruth! Who was to be
trusted more, if Ruth - calm, modest, delicate, dignified Ruth - had a memory
blackened by sin?
    As she went heavily along, the thought of Mr. Farquhar came into her mind.
It showed how terrible had been the stun, that he had been forgotten until now.
With the thought of him came in her first merciful feeling towards Ruth. This
would never have been, had there been the least latent suspicion in Jemima's
jealous mind that Ruth had purposely done aught - looked a look - uttered a word
- modulated a tone - for the sake of attracting. As Jemima recalled all the
passages of their intercourse, she slowly confessed to herself how pure and
simple had been all Ruth's ways in relation to Mr. Farquhar. It was not merely
that there had been no coquetting, but there had been simple unconsciousness on
Ruth's part, for so long a time after Jemima had discovered Mr. Farquhar's
inclination for her; and, when at length she had slowly awakened to some
perception of the state of his feelings, there had been a modest, shrinking
dignity of manner, not startled, or emotional, or even timid, but pure, grave,
and quiet; and this conduct of Ruth's Jemima instinctively acknowledged to be of
necessity transparent and sincere. Now, and here, there was no hypocrisy; but
some time, somewhere, on the part of somebody, what hypocrisy, what lies must
have been acted, if not absolutely spoken, before Ruth could have been received
by them all as the sweet, gentle, girlish widow, which she remembered they had
all believed Mrs. Denbigh to be when first she came among them! Could Mr. and
Miss Benson know? Could they be a party to the deceit? Not sufficiently
acquainted with the world to understand how strong had been the temptation to
play the part they did, if they wished to give Ruth a chance, Jemima could not
believe them guilty of such deceit as the knowledge of Mrs. Denbigh's previous
conduct would imply; and yet how it darkened the latter into a treacherous
hypocrite, with a black secret shut up in her soul for years - living in
apparent confidence, and daily household familiarity with the Bensons for years,
yet never telling the remorse that ought to be corroding her heart! Who was
true? Who was not? Who was good and pure? Who was not? The very foundations of
Jemima's belief in her mind were shaken.
    Could it be false? Could there be two Ruth Hiltons? She went over every
morsel of evidence. It could not be. She knew that Mrs. Denbigh's former name
had been Hilton. She had heard her speak casually, but charily, of having lived
in Fordham. She knew she had been in Wales but a short time before she made her
appearance in Eccleston. There was no doubt of the identity. Into the middle of
Jemima's pain and horror at the afternoon's discovery, there came a sense of the
power which the knowledge of this secret gave her over Ruth; but this was no
relief, only an aggravation of the regret with which Jemima looked back on her
state of ignorance. It was no wonder that when she arrived at home, she was so
oppressed with headache that she had to go to bed directly.
    »Quiet, mother! quiet, dear, dear mother« (for she clung to the known and
tried goodness of her mother more than ever now), »that is all I want.« And she
was left to the stillness of her darkened room, the blinds idly flapping to and
fro in the soft evening breeze, and letting in the rustling sound of the
branches which waved close to her window and the thrush's gurgling warble, and
the distant hum of the busy town.
    Her jealousy was gone - she knew not how or where. She might shun and recoil
from Ruth, but she now thought that she could never more be jealous of her. In
her pride of innocence, she felt almost ashamed that such a feeling could have
had existence. Could Mr. Farquhar hesitate between her own self and one who --
No! she could not name what Ruth had been, even in thought. And yet he might
never know, so fair a seeming did her rival wear. Oh! for one ray of God's holy
light to know what was seeming, and what was truth, in this traitorous hollow
earth! It might be - she used to think such things possible, before sorrow had
embittered her - that Ruth had worked her way through the deep purgatory of
repentance up to something like purity again; God only knew! If her present
goodness was real - if, after having striven back thus far on the heights, a
fellow-woman was to throw her down into some terrible depth with her unkind,
incontinent tongue, that would be too cruel! And yet, if - there was such woeful
uncertainty and deceit somewhere - if Ruth -- No! that, Jemima with noble
candour admitted, was impossible. Whatever Ruth had been, she was good, and to
be respected as such, now. It did not follow that Jemima was to preserve the
secret always; she doubted her own power to do so, if Mr. Farquhar came home
again, and were still constant in his admiration of Mrs. Denbigh, and if Mrs.
Denbigh gave him any - the least encouragement. But this last she thought, from
what she knew of Ruth's character, was impossible. Only, what was impossible
after this afternoon's discovery? At any rate, she would watch and wait. Come
what might, Ruth was in her power. And, strange to say, this last certainty gave
Jemima a kind of protecting, almost pitying, feeling for Ruth. Her horror at the
wrong was not diminished; but, the more she thought of the struggles that the
wrongdoer must have made to extricate herself, the more she felt how cruel it
would be to baffle all by revealing what had been. But for her sisters' sake she
had a duty to perform; she must watch Ruth. For her lover's sake she could not
have helped watching; but she was too much stunned to recognise the force of her
love, while duty seemed the only stable thing to cling to. For the present she
would neither meddle nor mar in Ruth's course of life.
 

                                  Chapter XXVI

                      Mr. Bradshaw's Virtuous Indignation

So it was that Jemima no longer avoided Ruth, nor manifested by word or look the
dislike which for a long time she had been scarce concealing. Ruth could not
help noticing that Jemima always sought to be in her presence while she was at
Mr. Bradshaw's house; either when daily teaching Mary and Elizabeth, or when she
came as an occasional visitor with Mr. and Miss Benson, or by herself. Up to
this time Jemima had used no gentle skill to conceal the abruptness with which
she would leave the room rather than that Ruth and she should be brought into
contact - rather than that it should fall to her lot to entertain Ruth during
any part of the evening. It was months since Jemima had left off sitting in the
schoolroom, as had been her wont during the first few years of Ruth's
governess-ship. Now, each morning Miss Bradshaw seated herself at a little round
table in the window, at her work, or at her writing; but, whether she sewed, or
wrote, or read, Ruth felt that she was always watching - watching. At first Ruth
had welcomed all these changes in habit and behaviour, as giving her a chance,
she thought, by some patient waiting or some opportune show of enduring,
constant love, to regain her lost friend's regard; but by-and-by the icy
chillness, immovable and grey, struck more to her heart than many sudden words
of unkindness could have done. They might be attributed to the hot impulses of a
hasty temper - to the vehement anger of an accuser; but this measured manner was
the conscious result of some deep-seated feeling; this cold sternness befitted
the calm implacability of some severe judge. The watching, which Ruth felt was
ever upon her, made her unconsciously shiver, as you would if you saw that the
passionless eyes of the dead were visibly gazing upon you. Her very being
shrivelled and parched up in Jemima's presence, as if blown upon by a bitter,
keen east wind.
    Jemima bent every power she possessed upon the one object of ascertaining
what Ruth really was. Sometimes the strain was very painful; the constant
tension made her soul weary; and she moaned aloud, and upbraided circumstance
(she dared not go higher - to the Maker of circumstance) for having deprived her
of her unsuspicious, happy ignorance.
    Things were in this state when Mr. Richard Bradshaw came on his annual home
visit. He was to remain another year in London, and then to return and be
admitted into the firm. After he had been a week at home he grew tired of the
monotonous regularity of his father's household, and began to complain of it to
Jemima.
    »I wish Farquhar were at home. Though he is such a stiff, quiet old fellow,
his coming in in the evenings makes a change. What has become of the Millses?
They used to drink tea with us sometimes, formerly.«
    »Oh! papa and Mr. Mills took opposite sides at the election, and we have
never visited since. I don't think they are any great loss.«
    »Anybody is a loss - the stupidest bore that ever was would be a blessing,
if he only would come in sometimes.«
    »Mr. and Miss Benson have drunk tea here twice since you came.«
    »Come, that's capital! Apropos of stupid bores, you talk of the Bensons. I
did not think you had so much discrimination, my little sister.«
    Jemima looked up in surprise; and then reddened angrily.
    »I never meant to say a word against Mr. or Miss Benson, and that you know
quite well, Dick.«
    »Never mind! I won't tell tales. They are stupid old fogeys, but they are
better than nobody, especially as that handsome governess of the girls always
comes with them to be looked at.«
    There was a little pause; Richard broke it by saying -
    »Do you know, Mimie, I've a notion, if she plays her cards well, she may
hook Farquhar!«
    »Who?« asked Jemima shortly, though she knew quite well.
    »Mrs. Denbigh, to be sure. We were talking of her, you know. Farquhar asked
me to dine with him at his hotel as he passed through town, and - I'd my own
reasons for going and trying to creep up his sleeve - I wanted him to tip me, as
he used to do.«
    »For shame! Dick,« burst in Jemima.
    »Well, well! not tip me exactly, but lend me some money. The governor keeps
me deucedly short.«
    »Why! it was only yesterday, when my father was speaking about your
expenses, and your allowance, I heard you say that you'd more than you knew how
to spend.«
    »Don't you see that was the perfection of art? If my father had thought me
extravagant, he would have kept me in with a tight rein; as it is, I'm in great
hopes of a handsome addition, and I can tell you it's needed. If my father had
given me what I ought to have had at first, I should not have been driven to the
speculations and messes I've got into.«
    »What speculations? What messes?« asked Jemima, with anxious eagerness.
    »Oh! messes was not the right word. Speculations hardly was; for they are
sure to turn out well, and then I shall surprise my father with my riches.« He
saw that he had gone a little too far in his confidence, and was trying to draw
in.
    »But what do you mean? Do explain it to me.«
    »Never you trouble your head about my business, my dear. Women can't
understand the share-market, and such things. Don't think I've forgotten the
awful blunders you made when you tried to read the state of the money-market
aloud to my father that night when he had lost his spectacles. What were we
talking of? Oh! of Farquhar and pretty Mrs. Denbigh. Yes! I soon found out that
was the subject my gentleman liked me to dwell on. He did not talk about her
much himself, but his eyes sparkled when I told him what enthusiastic letters
Polly and Elizabeth wrote about her. How old do you think she is?«
    »I know!« said Jemima. »At least I heard her age spoken about, amongst other
things, when first she came. She will be five-and-twenty this autumn.«
    »And Farquhar is forty, if he is a day. She's young, too, to have such a boy
as Leonard; younger-looking, or full as young-looking as she is! I tell you
what, Mimie, she looks younger than you. How old are you? Three-and-twenty,
ain't it?«
    »Last March,« replied Jemima.
    »You'll have to make haste and pick up somebody, if you're losing your good
looks at this rate. Why, Jemima, I thought you had a good chance of Farquhar a
year or two ago. How come you to have lost him? I'd far rather you'd had him
than that proud, haughty Mrs. Denbigh, who flashes her great grey eyes upon me
if ever I dare to pay her a compliment. She ought to think it an honour that I
take that much notice of her. Besides, Farquhar is rich, and it's keeping the
business of the firm in one's own family; and if he marries Mrs. Denbigh she
will be sure to be wanting Leonard in when he's of age, and I won't have that.
Have a try for Farquhar, Mimie! Ten to one it's not too late. I wish I'd brought
you a pink bonnet down. You go about so dowdy - so careless of how you look.«
    »If Mr. Farquhar has not liked me as I am,« said Jemima, choking, »I don't
want to owe him to a pink bonnet.«
    »Nonsense! I don't like to have my sisters' governess stealing a march on my
sister. I tell you Farquhar is worth trying for. If you'll wear the pink bonnet
I'll give it to you, and I'll back you against Mrs. Denbigh. I think you might
have done something with our member, as my father calls him, when you had him so
long in the house. But, altogether, I should like Farquhar best for a
brother-in-law. By the way, have you heard down here that Donne is going to be
married? I heard of it in town, just before I left, from a man that was good
authority. Some Sir Thomas Campbell's seventh daughter: a girl without a penny;
father ruined himself by gambling, and obliged to live abroad. But Donne is not
a man to care for any obstacle, from all accounts, when once he has taken a
fancy. It was love at first sight, they say. I believe he did not know of her
existence a month ago.«
    »No! we have not heard of it,« replied Jemima. »My father will like to know;
tell it him;« continued she, as she was leaving the room, to be alone, in order
to still her habitual agitation whenever she heard Mr. Farquhar and Ruth coupled
together.
    Mr. Farquhar came home the day before Richard Bradshaw left for town. He
dropped in after tea at the Bradshaws'; he was evidently disappointed to see
none but the family there, and looked round whenever the door opened.
    »Look! look!« said Dick to his sister. »I wanted to make sure of his coming
in to-night, to save me my father's parting exhortations against the temptations
of the world (as if I did not know much more of the world than he does!), so I
used a spell I thought would prove efficacious; I told him that we should be by
ourselves, with the exception of Mrs. Denbigh, and look how he is expecting her
to come in!«
    Jemima did see; did understand. She understood, too, why certain packets
were put carefully on one side, apart from the rest of the purchases of Swiss
toys and jewellery, by which Mr. Farquhar proved that none of Mr. Bradshaw's
family had been forgotten by him during his absence. Before the end of the
evening, she was very conscious that her sore heart had not forgotten how to be
jealous. Her brother did not allow a word, a look, or an incident, which might
be supposed on Mr. Farquhar's side to refer to Ruth to pass unnoticed; he
pointed out all to his sister, never dreaming of the torture he was inflicting,
only anxious to prove his own extreme penetration. At length Jemima could stand
it no longer, and left the room. She went into the schoolroom, where the
shutters were not closed, as it only looked into the garden. She opened the
window, to let the cool night air blow in on her hot cheeks. The clouds were
hurrying over the moon's face in a tempestuous and unstable manner, making all
things seem unreal; now clear out in its bright light, now trembling and
quivering in shadow. The pain at her heart seemed to make Jemima's brain grow
dull; she laid her head on her arms, which rested on the window-sill, and grew
dizzy with the sick weary notion that the earth was wandering lawless and
aimless through the heavens, where all seemed one tossed and whirling wrack of
clouds. It was a waking nightmare, from the uneasy heaviness of which she was
thankful to be roused by Dick's entrance.
    »What, you are here, are you? I have been looking everywhere for you. I
wanted to ask you if you have any spare money you could lend me for a few
weeks?«
    »How much do you want?« asked Jemima, in a dull, hopeless voice.
    »Oh! the more the better. But I should be glad of any trifle, I am kept so
confoundedly short.«
    When Jemima returned with her little store, even her careless, selfish
brother was struck by the wanness of her face, lighted by the bed-candle she
carried.
    »Come, Mimie, don't give it up. If I were you, I would have a good try
against Mrs. Denbigh. I'll send you the bonnet as soon as ever I get back to
town, and you pluck up a spirit, and I'll back you against her even yet.«
    It seemed to Jemima strange - and yet only a fitting part of this strange,
chaotic world - to find that her brother, who was the last person to whom she
could have given her confidence in her own family, and almost the last person of
her acquaintance to whom she could look for real help and sympathy, should have
been the only one to hit upon the secret of her love. And the idea passed away
from his mind as quickly as all ideas not bearing upon his own self-interests
did.
    The night, the sleepless night, was so crowded and haunted by miserable
images, that she longed for day; and when day came, with its stinging realities,
she wearied and grew sick for the solitude of night. For the next week, she
seemed to see and hear nothing but what confirmed the idea of Mr. Farquhar's
decided attachment to Ruth. Even her mother spoke of it as a thing which was
impending, and which she wondered how Mr. Bradshaw would like; for his approval
or disapproval was the standard by which she measured all things.
    »Oh! merciful God,« prayed Jemima, in the dead silence of the night, »the
strain is too great - I cannot bear it longer - my life - my love - the very
essence of me, which is myself through time and eternity; and on the other side
there is all-pitying Charity. If she had not been what she is - if she had shown
any sign of triumph - any knowledge of her prize - if she had made any effort to
gain his dear heart, I must have given way long ago, and taunted her, even if I
did not tell others - taunted her, even though I sank down to the pit the next
moment.
    The temptation is too strong for me. O Lord! where is Thy peace that I
believed in, in my childhood? - that I hear people speaking of now as if it
hushed up the troubles of life, and had not to be sought for - sought for, as
with tears of blood!«
    There was no sound nor answer to this wild imploring cry, which Jemima half
thought must force out a sign from Heaven. But there was a dawn stealing on
through the darkness of her night.
    If was glorious weather for the end of August. The nights were as full of
light as the days - everywhere, save in the low dusky meadows by the river-side,
where the mists rose and blended the pale sky with the lands below. Unknowing of
the care and trouble around them, Mary and Elizabeth exulted in the weather, and
saw some new glory in every touch of the year's decay. They were clamorous for
an expedition to the hills, before the calm stillness of the autumn should be
disturbed by storms. They gained permission to go on the next Wednesday - the
next half-holiday. They had won their mother over to consent to a full holiday,
but their father would not hear of it. Mrs. Bradshaw had proposed an early
dinner, but the idea was scouted at by the girls. What would the expedition be
worth if they did not carry their dinners with them in baskets? Anything out of
a basket, and eaten in the open air, was worth twenty times as much as the most
sumptuous meal in the house. So the baskets were packed up, while Mrs. Bradshaw
wailed over probable colds to be caught from sitting on the damp ground. Ruth
and Leonard were to go: they four. Jemima had refused all invitations to make
one of the party; and yet she had a half-sympathy with her sisters' joy - a sort
of longing, lingering look back to the time when she too would have revelled in
the prospect that lay before them. They, too, would grow up, and suffer; though
now they played, regardless of their doom.
    The morning was bright and glorious; just cloud enough, as some one said, to
make the distant plain look beautiful from the hills, with its floating shadows
passing over the golden corn-fields. Leonard was to join them at twelve, when
his lessons with Mr. Benson, and the girls' with their masters, should be over.
Ruth took off her bonnet, and folded her shawl with her usual dainty, careful
neatness, and laid them aside in a corner of the room to be in readiness. She
tried to forget the pleasure she always anticipated from a long walk towards the
hills while the morning's work went on; but she showed enough of sympathy to
make the girls cling round her with many a caress of joyous love. Everything was
beautiful in their eyes; from the shadows of the quivering leaves on the wall to
the glittering beads of dew, not yet absorbed by the sun, which decked the
gossamer web in the vine outside the window. Eleven o'clock struck. The Latin
master went away, wondering much at the radiant faces of his pupils, and
thinking that it was only very young people who could take such pleasure in the
Delectus. Ruth said, »Now do let us try to be very steady this next hour,« and
Mary pulled back Ruth's head, and gave the pretty budding mouth a kiss. They sat
down to work, while Mrs. Denbigh read aloud. A fresh sun-gleam burst into the
room, and they looked at each other with glad, anticipating eyes.
    Jemima came in, ostensibly to seek for a book, but really from that sort of
restless weariness of any one place or employment which had taken possession of
her since Mr. Farquhar's return. She stood before the bookcase in the recess,
languidly passing over the titles in search of the one she wanted. Ruth's voice
lost a tone or two of its peacefulness, and her eyes looked more dim and anxious
at Jemima's presence. She wondered in her heart if she dared to ask Miss
Bradshaw to accompanying them in their expedition. Eighteen months ago she would
have urged it on her friend with soft, loving entreaty; now she was afraid even
to propose it as a hard possibility; everything she did or said was taken so
wrongly - seemed to add to the old dislike, or the later stony contempt with
which Miss Bradshaw had regarded her. While they were in this way Mr. Bradshaw
came into the room. His entrance - his being at home at all at this time - was
so unusual a thing, that the reading was instantly stopped; and all four
involuntarily looked at him, as if expecting some explanation of his unusual
proceeding.
    His face was almost purple with suppressed agitation.
    »Mary and Elizabeth, leave the room. Don't stay to pack up your books. Leave
the room, I say!« He spoke with trembling anger, and the frightened girls obeyed
without a word. A cloud passing over the sun cast a cold gloom into the room
which was late so bright and beaming; but, by equalising the light, it took away
the dark shadow from the place where Jemima had been standing, and her figure
caught her father's eye.
    »Leave the room, Jemima,« said he.
    »Why, father?« replied she, in an opposition that was strange even to
herself, but which was prompted by the sullen passion which seethed below the
stagnant surface of her life, and which sought a vent in defiance. She
maintained her ground, facing round upon her father, and Ruth - Ruth, who had
risen, and stood trembling, shaking, a lightning-fear having shown her the
precipice on which she stood. It was of no use; no quiet, innocent life - no
profound silence, even to her own heart, as to the Past; the old offence could
never be drowned in the Deep; but thus, when all was calm on the great, broad,
sunny sea, it rose to the surface, and faced her with its unclosed eyes and its
ghastly countenance. The blood bubbled up to her brain, and made such a sound
there, as of boiling waters, that she did not hear the words which Mr. Bradshaw
first spoke; indeed, his speech was broken and disjointed by intense passion.
But she needed not to hear; she knew. As she rose up at first, so she stood now
- numb and helpless. When her ears heard again (as if the sounds were drawing
nearer, and becoming more distinct, from some faint, vague distance of space),
Mr. Bradshaw was saying, »If there be one sin I hate - I utterly loathe - more
than all others, it is wantonness. It includes all other sins. It is but of a
piece that you should have come with your sickly, hypocritical face imposing
upon us all. I trust Benson did not know of it - for his own sake, I trust not.
Before God, if he got you into my house on false pretences, he shall find his
charity at other men's expense shall cost him dear - you - the common talk of
Eccleston for your profligacy« -- He was absolutely choked by his boiling
indignation. Ruth stood speechless, motionless. Her head drooped a little
forward; her eyes were more than half veiled by the large quivering lids; her
arms hung down straight and heavy. At last she heaved the weight off her heart
enough to say, in a faint, moaning voice, speaking with infinite difficulty -
    »I was so young.«
    »The more depraved, the more disgusting you,« Mr. Bradshaw exclaimed, almost
glad that the woman, unresisting so long, should now begin to resist. But, to
his surprise (for in his anger he had forgotten her presence), Jemima moved
forwards and said »Father!«
    »You hold your tongue, Jemima. You have grown more and more insolent - more
and more disobedient every day. I now know who to thank for it. When such a
woman came into my family there is no wonder at any corruption - any evil - any
defilement« -
    »Father!«
    »Not a word! If, in your disobedience, you choose to stay and hear what no
modest young woman would put herself in the way of hearing, you shall be silent
when I bid you. The only good you can gain is in the way of warning. Look at
that woman« (indicating Ruth, who moved her drooping head a little on one side,
as if by such motion she could avert the pitiless pointing - her face growing
whiter and whiter still every instant) - »Look at that woman, I say - corrupt
long before she was your age - hypocrite for years! If ever you, or any child of
mine, cared for her, shake her off from you, as St. Paul shook off the viper -
even into the fire.« He stopped for very want of breath. Jemima, all flushed and
panting, went up and stood side by side with wan Ruth. She took the cold, dead
hand which hung next to her in her warm convulsive grasp, and, holding it so
tight that it was blue and discoloured for days, she spoke out beyond all power
of restraint from her father.
    »Father! I will speak. I will not keep silence. I will bear witness to Ruth.
I have hated her - so keenly, may God forgive me! but you may know, from that,
that my witness is true. I have hated her, and my hatred was only quenched into
contempt - not contempt now, dear Ruth - dear Ruth« - (this was spoken with
infinite softness and tenderness, and in spite of her father's fierce eyes and
passionate gesture) - »I heard what you have learnt now, father, weeks and weeks
ago - a year it may be, all time of late has been so long; and I shuddered up
from her and from her sin; and I might have spoken of it, and told it there and
then, if I had not been afraid that it was from no good motive I should act in
so doing, but to gain a way to the desire of my own jealous heart. Yes, father,
to show you what a witness I am for Ruth, I will own that I was stabbed to the
heart with jealousy; some one - someone cared for Ruth that - oh father! spare
me saying all.« Her face was double-dyed with crimson blushes, and she paused
for one moment - no more.
    »I watched her, and I watched her with my wild-beast eyes. If I had seen one
paltering with duty - if I had witnessed one flickering shadow of untruth in
word or action - if, more than all things, my woman's instinct had ever been
conscious of the faintest speck of impurity in thought, or word, or look, my old
hate would have flamed out with the flame of hell! my contempt would have turned
to loathing disgust, instead of my being full of pity, and the stirrings of
new-awakened love, and most true respect. Father, I have borne my witness!«
    »And I will tell you how much your witness is worth,« said her father,
beginning low, that his pent-up wrath might have room to swell out. »It only
convinces me more and more how deep is the corruption this wanton has spread in
my family. She has come amongst us with her innocent seeming, and spread her
nets well and skilfully. She has turned right into wrong, and wrong into right,
and taught you all to be uncertain whether there be any such thing as Vice in
the world, or whether it ought not to be looked upon as Virtue. She has led you
to the brink of the deep pit, ready for the first chance circumstance to push
you in. And I trusted - I trusted her - I welcomed her.«
    »I have done very wrong,« murmured Ruth, but so low, that perhaps he did not
hear her, for he went on lashing himself up.
    »I welcomed her. I was duped into allowing her bastard - (I sicken at the
thought of it)« -
    At the mention of Leonard, Ruth lifted up her eyes for the first time since
the conversation began, the pupils dilating, as if she were just becoming aware
of some new agony in store for her. I have seen such a look of terror on a poor
dumb animal's countenance, and once or twice on human faces. I pray I may never
see it again on either! Jemima felt the hand she held in her strong grasp writhe
itself free. Ruth spread her arms before her, clasping and lacing her fingers
together, her head thrown a little back, as if in intensest suffering.
    Mr. Bradshaw went on -
    »That very child and heir of shame to associate with my own innocent
children! I trust they are not contaminated.«
    »I cannot bear it - I cannot bear it!« were the words wrung out of Ruth.
    »Cannot bear it! cannot bear it!« he repeated. »You must bear it, madam. Do
you suppose your child is to be exempt from the penalties of his birth? Do you
suppose that he alone is to be saved from the upbraiding scoff? Do you suppose
that he is ever to rank with other boys, who are not stained and marked with sin
from their birth? Every creature in Eccleston may know what he is; do you think
they will spare him their scorn? Cannot bear it, indeed! Before you went into
your sin, you should have thought whether you could bear the consequences or not
- have had some idea how far your offspring would be degraded and scouted, till
the best thing that could happen to him would be for him to be lost to all sense
of shame, dead to all knowledge of guilt, for his mother's sake.«
    Ruth spoke out. She stood like a wild creature at bay, past fear now. »I
appeal to God against such a doom for my child. I appeal to God to help me. I am
a mother, and as such I cry to God for help - for help to keep my boy in His
pitying sight, and to bring him up in His holy fear. Let the shame fall on me! I
have deserved it, but he - he is so innocent and good.«
    Ruth had caught up her shawl, and was tying on her bonnet with her trembling
hands. What if Leonard was hearing of her shame from common report? What would
be the mysterious shock of the intelligence? She must face him, and see the look
in his eyes, before she knew whether he recoiled from her; he might have his
heart turned to hate her, by their cruel jeers.
    Jemima stood by, dumb and pitying. Her sorrow was past her power. She helped
in arranging the dress, with one or two gentle touches, which were hardly felt
by Ruth, but which called out all Mr. Bradshaw's ire afresh; he absolutely took
her by the shoulders and turned her by force out of the room. In the hall, and
along the stairs, her passionate woeful crying was heard. The sound only
concentrated Mr. Bradshaw's anger on Ruth. He held the street-door open wide,
and said, between his teeth, »If ever you, or your bastard, darken this door
again, I will have you both turned out by the police!«
    He needed not have added this if he had seen Ruth's face.
 

                                 Chapter XXVII

                        Preparing to Stand on the Truth

As Ruth went along the accustomed streets, every sight and every sound seemed to
bear a new meaning, and each and all to have some reference to her boy's
disgrace. She held her head down, and scudded along dizzy with fear, lest some
word should have told him what she had been, and what he was, before she could
reach him. It was a wild, unreasoning fear, but it took hold of her as strongly
as if it had been well founded. And, indeed, the secret whispered by Mrs.
Pearson, whose curiosity and suspicion had been excited by Jemima's manner, and
confirmed since by many a little corroborating circumstance, had spread abroad,
and was known to most of the gossips in Eccleston before it reached Mr.
Bradshaw's ears.
    As Ruth came up to the door of the Chapel-house, it was opened, and Leonard
came out, bright and hopeful as the morning, his face radiant at the prospect of
the happy day before him. He was dressed in the clothes it had been such a
pleasant pride to her to make for him. He had the dark-blue ribbon tied round
his neck that she had left out for him that very morning, with a smiling thought
of how it would set off his brown, handsome face. She caught him by the hand as
they met, and turned him, with his face homewards, without a word. Her looks,
her rushing movement, her silence, awed him; and although he wondered, he did
not stay to ask why she did so. The door was on the latch; she opened it, and
only said, »Upstairs,« in a hoarse whisper. Up they went into her own room. She
drew him in, and bolted the door; and then, sitting down, she placed him (she
had never let go of him) before her, holding him with her hands on each of his
shoulders, and gazing into his face with a woeful look of the agony that could
not find vent in words. At last she tried to speak: she tried with strong bodily
effort, almost amounting to convulsion. But the words would not come; it was not
till she saw the absolute terror depicted on his face that she found utterance;
and then the sight of that terror changed the words from what she meant them to
have been. She drew him to her, and laid her head upon his shoulder; hiding her
face even there.
    »My poor, poor boy! my poor, poor darling! Oh! would that I had died - I had
died, in my innocent girlhood!«
    »Mother! mother!« sobbed Leonard. »What is the matter? Why do you look so
wild and ill? Why do you call me your poor boy? Are we not going to Scaurside
Hill? I don't much mind it, mother; only please don't gasp and quiver so.
Dearest mother, are you ill? Let me call Aunt Faith!«
    Ruth lifted herself up, and put away the hair that had fallen over and was
blinding her eyes. She looked at him with intense wistfulness.
    »Kiss me, Leonard!« said she - »kiss me, my darling, once more in the old
way!« Leonard threw himself into her arms and hugged her with all his force, and
their lips clung together as in the kiss given to the dying.
    »Leonard!« said she at length, holding him away from her, and nerving
herself up to tell him all by one spasmodic effort - »listen to me.« The boy
stood breathless and still, gazing at her. On her impetuous transit from Mr.
Bradshaw's to the Chapel-house her wild, desperate thought had been that she
would call herself by every violent, coarse name which the world might give her
- that Leonard should hear those words applied to his mother first from her own
lips; but the influence of his presence - for he was a holy and sacred creature
in her eyes, and this point remained steadfast, though all the rest were
upheaved - subdued her; and now it seemed as if she could not find words fine
enough, and pure enough, to convey the truth that he must learn, and should
learn from no tongue but hers.
    »Leonard! when I was very young I did very wrong. I think God, who knows
all, will judge me more tenderly than men - but I did wrong in a way which you
cannot understand yet« (she saw the red flush come into his cheek, and it stung
her as the first token of that shame which was to be his portion through life) -
»in a way people never forget, never forgive. You will hear me called the
hardest names that ever can be thrown at women - I have been to-day; and, my
child, you must bear it patiently, because they will be partly true. Never get
confused, by your love for me, into thinking that what I did was right. - Where
was I?« said she, suddenly faltering, and forgetting all she had said and all
she had got to say; and then, seeing Leonard's face of wonder, and burning shame
and indignation, she went on more rapidly, as fearing lest her strength should
fail before she had ended.
    »And, Leonard,« continued she, in a trembling, sad voice, »this is not all.
The punishment of punishments lies awaiting me still. It is to see you suffer
from my wrongdoing. Yes, darling! they will speak shameful things of you, poor
innocent child! as well as of me, who am guilty. They will throw it in your
teeth through life, that your mother was never married - was not married when
you were born« -
    »Were not you married? Are not you a widow?« asked he abruptly, for the
first time getting anything like a clear idea of the real state of the case.
    »No! May God forgive me, and help me!« exclaimed she, as she saw a strange
look of repugnance cloud over the boy's face, and felt a slight motion on his
part to extricate himself from her hold. It was as slight, as transient as it
could be - over in an instant. But she had taken her hands away, and covered up
her face with them as quickly - covered up her face in shame before her child;
and in the bitterness of her heart she was wailing out, »Oh! would to God I had
died - that I had died as a baby - that I had died as a little baby hanging at
my mother's breast!«
    »Mother,« said Leonard, timidly putting his hand on her arm; but she shrank
from him, and continued her low, passionate wailing. »Mother,« said he, after a
pause, coming nearer, though she saw it not - »mammy darling,« said he, using
the caressing name, which he had been trying to drop as not sufficiently manly,
»mammy, my own, own dear, dear darling mother, I don't believe them; I don't, I
don't, I don't, I don't!« He broke out into a wild burst of crying as he said
this. In a moment her arms were round the boy, and she was hushing him up like a
baby on her bosom. »Hush, Leonard! Leonard, be still, my child! I have been too
sudden with you! - I have done you harm - oh! I have done you nothing but harm,«
cried she, in a tone of bitter self-reproach.
    »No, mother,« said he, stopping his tears, and his eyes blazing out with
earnestness; »there never was such a mother as you have been to me, and I won't
believe any one who says it. I won't; and I'll knock them down if they say it
again, I will!« He clenched his fist, with a fierce, defiant look on his face.
    »You forget, my child,« said Ruth, in the sweetest, saddest tone that ever
was heard, »I said it of myself; I said it because it was true.« Leonard threw
his arms tight round her and hid his face against her bosom. She felt him pant
there like some hunted creature. She had no soothing comfort to give him, »Oh,
that she and he lay dead!«
    At last, exhausted, he lay so still and motionless, that she feared to look.
She wanted him to speak, yet dreaded his first words. She kissed his hair, his
head, his very clothes; murmuring low, inarticulate, and moaning sounds.
    »Leonard,« said she, »Leonard, look up at me! Leonard, look up!« But he only
clung the closer, and hid his face the more.
    »My boy!« said she, »what can I do or say? If I tell you never to mind it -
that it is nothing - I tell you false. It is a bitter shame and a sorrow that I
have drawn down upon you. A shame, Leonard, because of me, your mother; but,
Leonard, it is no disgrace or lowering of you in the eyes of God.« She spoke now
as if she had found the clue which might lead him to rest and strength at last.
»Remember that, always. Remember that, when the time of trial comes - and it
seems a hard and cruel thing that you should be called reproachful names by men,
and all for what was no fault of yours - remember God's pity and God's justice;
and, though my sin shall have made you an outcast in the world - oh, my child,
my child!« - (she felt him kiss her, as if mutually trying to comfort her - it
gave her strength to go on) - »remember, darling of my heart, it is only your
own sin that can make you an outcast from God.«
    She grew so faint that her hold of him relaxed. He looked up affrighted. He
brought her water - he threw it over her; in his terror at the notion that she
was going to die and leave him, he called her by every fond name, imploring her
to open her eyes.
    When she partially recovered he helped her to the bed, on which she lay
still, wan, and death-like. She almost hoped the swoon that hung around her
might be Death, and in that imagination she opened her eyes to take a last look
at her boy. She saw him pale and terror-stricken; and pity for his affright
roused her, and made her forget herself in the wish that he should not see her
death, if she were indeed dying.
    »Go to Aunt Faith!« whispered she; »I am weary, and want sleep.«
    Leonard arose slowly and reluctantly. She tried to smile upon him, that what
she thought would be her last look might dwell in his remembrance as tender and
strong; she watched him to the door; she saw him hesitate, and return to her. He
came back to her, and said in a timid, apprehensive tone, »Mother - will they
speak to me about -- it?«
    Ruth closed her eyes, that they might not express the agony she felt, like a
sharp knife, at this question. Leonard had asked it with a child's desire of
avoiding painful and mysterious topics, - for no personal sense of shame as she
understood it, shame beginning thus early, thus instantaneously.
    »No,« she replied. »You may be sure they will not.«
    So he went. But now she would have been thankful for the unconsciousness of
fainting; that one little speech bore so much meaning to her hot, irritable
brain. Mr. and Miss Benson, all in their house, would never speak to the boy -
but in his home alone would he be safe from what he had already learned to
dread. Every form in which shame and opprobrium could overwhelm her darling
haunted her. She had been exercising strong self-control for his sake ever since
she had met him at the house-door; there was now a reaction. His presence had
kept her mind on its perfect balance. When that was withdrawn the effect of the
strain of power was felt. And athwart the fever-mists that arose to obscure her
judgment, all sorts of will-o'-the-wisp plans flittered before her; tempting her
to this and that course of action - to anything rather than patient endurance -
to relieve her present state of misery by some sudden spasmodic effort, that
took the semblance of being wise and right. Gradually all her desires, all her
longing, settled themselves on one point. What had she done - what could she do,
to Leonard but evil? If she were away, and gone no one knew where - lost in
mystery, as if she were dead - perhaps the cruel hearts might relent, and show
pity on Leonard; while her perpetual presence would but call up the remembrance
of his birth. Thus she reasoned in her hot, dull brain; and shaped her plans in
accordance.
    Leonard stole downstairs noiselessly. He listened to find some quiet place
where he could hide himself. The house was very still. Miss Benson thought the
purposed expedition had taken place, and never dreamed but that Ruth and Leonard
were on distant, sunny Scaurside Hill; and, after a very early dinner, she had
set out to drink tea with a farmer's wife, who lived in the country two or three
miles off. Mr. Benson meant to have gone with her; but, while they were at
dinner, he had received an unusually authoritative note from Mr. Bradshaw
desiring to speak with him, so he went to that gentleman's house instead. Sally
was busy in her kitchen, making a great noise (not unlike a groom rubbing down a
horse) over her cleaning. Leonard stole into the sitting-room, and crouched
behind the large old-fashioned sofa to ease his sore, aching heart, by crying
with all the prodigal waste and abandonment of childhood.
    Mr. Benson was shown into Mr. Bradshaw's own particular room. The latter
gentleman was walking up and down, and it was easy to perceive that something
had occurred to chafe him to great anger.
    »Sit down, sir!« said he to Mr. Benson, nodding to a chair.
    Mr. Benson sat down. But Mr. Bradshaw continued his walk for a few minutes
longer without speaking. Then he stopped abruptly, right in front of Mr. Benson;
and in a voice which he tried to render calm, but which trembled with passion -
with a face glowing purple as he thought of his wrongs (and real wrongs they
were), he began -
    »Mr. Benson, I have sent for you to ask - I am almost too indignant at the
bare suspicion to speak as becomes me - but did you -- I really shall be obliged
to beg your pardon, if you are as much in the dark as I was yesterday as to the
character of the woman who lives under your roof?«
    There was no answer from Mr. Benson. Mr. Bradshaw looked at him very
earnestly. His eyes were fixed on the ground - he made no inquiry - he uttered
no expression of wonder or dismay. Mr. Bradshaw ground his foot on the floor
with gathering rage; but just as he was about to speak Mr. Benson rose up - a
poor deformed old man - before the stern and portly figure that was swelling and
panting with passion.
    »Hear me, sir!« (stretching out his hand as if to avert the words which were
impending). »Nothing you can say can upbraid me like my own conscience; no
degradation you can inflict, by word or deed, can come up to the degradation I
have suffered for years, at being a party to a deceit, even for a good end« -
    »For a good end! - Nay! what next?«
    The taunting contempt with which Mr. Bradshaw spoke these words almost
surprised himself by what he imagined must be its successful power of withering;
but in spite of it Mr. Benson lifted his grave eyes to Mr. Bradshaw's
countenance, and repeated -
    »For a good end. The end was not, as perhaps you consider it to have been,
to obtain her admission into your family - nor yet to put her in the way of
gaining her livelihood; my sister and I would willingly have shared what we have
with her; it was our intention to do so at first, if not for any length of time,
at least as long as her health might require it. Why I advised (perhaps I only
yielded to advice) a change of name - an assumption of a false state of
widowhood - was because I earnestly desired to place her in circumstances in
which she might work out her self-redemption; and you, sir, know how terribly
the world goes against all such as have sinned as Ruth did. She was so young,
too.«
    »You mistake, sir; my acquaintance has not lain so much among that class of
sinners as to give me much experience of the way in which they are treated. But,
judging from what I have seen, I should say they meet with full as much leniency
as they deserve; and supposing they do not - I know there are plenty of sickly
sentimentalists just now who reserve all their interest and regard for criminals
- why not pick out one of these to help you in your task of washing the
blackamoor white? Why choose me to be imposed upon - my household into which to
intrude your protégée? Why were my innocent children to be exposed to
corruption? I say,« said Mr. Bradshaw, stamping his foot, »how dared you come
into this house, where you were looked upon as a minister of religion, with a
lie in your mouth? How dared you single me out, of all people, to be gulled, and
deceived, and pointed at through the town as the person who had taken an
abandoned woman into his house to teach his daughters?«
    »I own my deceit was wrong and faithless.«
    »Yes! you can own it, now it is found out! There is small merit in that, I
think!«
    »Sir! I claim no merit. I take shame to myself. I did not single you out.
You applied to me with your proposal that Ruth should be your children's
governess.«
    »Pah!«
    »And the temptation was too great - no! I will not say that - but the
temptation was greater than I could stand - it seemed to open out a path of
usefulness.«
    »Now, don't let me hear you speak so,« said Mr. Bradshaw, blazing up. »I
can't stand it. It is too much to talk in that way when the usefulness was to
consist in contaminating my innocent girls.«
    »God knows that if I had believed there had been any danger of such
contamination - God knows how I would have died sooner than have allowed her to
enter your family. Mr. Bradshaw, you believe me, don't you?« asked Mr. Benson
earnestly.
    »I really must be allowed the privilege of doubting what you say in future,«
said Mr. Bradshaw, in a cold, contemptuous manner.
    »I have deserved this,« Mr. Benson replied. »But,« continued he, after a
moment's pause, »I will not speak of myself, but of Ruth. Surely, sir, the end I
aimed at (the means I took to obtain it were wrong; you cannot feel that more
than I do) was a right one; and you will not - you cannot say that your children
have suffered from associating with her. I had her in my family, under the
watchful eyes of three anxious persons for a year or more; we saw faults - no
human being is without them - and poor Ruth's were but slight venial errors; but
we saw no sign of a corrupt mind - no glimpse of boldness or forwardness - no
token of want of conscientiousness; she seemed, and was, a young and gentle
girl, who had been led astray before she fairly knew what life was.«
    »I suppose most depraved women have been innocent in their time,« said Mr.
Bradshaw, with bitter contempt.
    »Oh, Mr. Bradshaw! Ruth was not depraved, and you know it. You cannot have
seen her - have known her daily, all these years, without acknowledging that!«
Mr. Benson was almost breathless, awaiting Mr. Bradshaw's answer. The quiet
self-control which he had maintained so long was gone now.
    »I saw her daily - I did not know her. If I had known her, I should have
known she was fallen and depraved, and consequently not fit to come into my
house, nor to associate with my pure children.«
    »Now I wish God would give me power to speak out convincingly what I believe
to be His truth, that not every woman who has fallen is depraved; that many -
how many the Great judgement Day will reveal to those who have shaken off the
poor, sore, penitent hearts on earth - many, many crave and hunger after a
chance of virtue - the help which no man gives to them - help - that gentle,
tender help which Jesus gave once to Mary Magdalen.« Mr. Benson was almost
choked by his own feelings.
    »Come, come, Mr. Benson, let us have no more of this morbid way of talking.
The world has decided how such women are to be treated; and, you may depend upon
it, there is so much practical wisdom in the world, that its way of acting is
right in the long-run, and that no one can fly in its face with impunity,
unless, indeed, they stoop to deceit and imposition.«
    »I take my stand with Christ against the world,« said Mr. Benson solemnly,
disregarding the covert allusion to himself. »What have the world's ways ended
in? Can we be much worse than we are?«
    »Speak for yourself, if you please.«
    »Is it not time to change some of our ways of thinking and acting? I declare
before God, that if I believe in any one human truth, it is this - that to every
woman who, like Ruth, has sinned should be given a chance of self-redemption -
and that such a chance should be given in no supercilious or contemptuous
manner, but in the spirit of the holy Christ.«
    »Such as getting her into a friend's house under false colours.«
    »I do not argue on Ruth's case. In that I have acknowledged my error. I do
not argue on any case. I state my firm belief, that it is God's will that we
should not dare to trample any of His creatures down to the hopeless dust; that
it is God's will that the women who have fallen should be numbered among those
who have broken hearts to be bound up, not cast aside as lost beyond recall. If
this be God's will, as a thing of God it will stand; and He will open a way.«
    »I should have attached much more importance to all your exhortation on this
point if I could have respected your conduct in other matters. As it is, when I
see a man who has deluded himself into considering falsehood right, I am
disinclined to take his opinion on subjects connected with morality; and I can
no longer regard him as a fitting exponent of the will of God. You perhaps
understand what I mean, Mr. Benson. I can no longer attend your chapel.«
    If Mr. Benson had felt any hope of making Mr. Bradshaw's obstinate mind
receive the truth, that he acknowledged and repented of his connivance at the
falsehood by means of which Ruth had been received into the Bradshaw family,
this last sentence prevented his making the attempt. He simply bowed and took
his leave - Mr. Bradshaw attending him to the door with formal ceremony.
    He felt acutely the severance of the tie which Mr. Bradshaw had just
announced to him. He had experienced many mortifications in his intercourse with
that gentleman, but they had fallen off from his meek spirit like drops of water
from a bird's plumage; and now he only remembered the acts of substantial
kindness rendered (the ostentation all forgotten) - many happy hours and
pleasant evenings - the children whom he had loved dearer than he thought till
now - the young people about whom he had cared, and whom he had striven to lead
aright. He was but a young man when Mr. Bradshaw first came to his chapel; they
had grown old together; he had never recognised Mr. Bradshaw as an old familiar
friend so completely as now when they were severed.
    It was with a heavy heart that he opened his own door. He went to his study
immediately; he sat down to steady himself into his position.
    How long he was there - silent and alone - reviewing his life - confessing
his sins - he did not know; but he heard some unusual sound in the house that
disturbed him - roused him to present life. A slow, languid step came along the
passage to the front door - the breathing was broken by many sighs.
    Ruth's hand was on the latch when Mr. Benson came out. Her face was very
white, except two red spots on each cheek - her eyes were deep-sunk and hollow,
but glittered with feverish lustre. »Ruth!« exclaimed he. She moved her lips,
but her throat and mouth were too dry for her to speak.
    »Where are you going?« asked he; for she had all her walking things on, yet
trembled so even as she stood, that it was evident she could not walk far
without falling.
    She hesitated - she looked up at him, still with the same dry glittering
eyes. At last she whispered (for she could only speak in a whisper), »To Helmsby
- I am going to Helmsby.«
    »Helmsby! my poor girl - may God have mercy upon you!« for he saw she hardly
knew what she was saying. »Where is Helmsby?«
    »I don't know. In Lincolnshire, I think.«
    »But why are you going there?«
    »Hush! he's asleep,« said she, as Mr. Benson had unconsciously raised his
voice.
    »Who is asleep?« asked Mr. Benson.
    »That poor little boy,« said she, beginning to quiver and cry.
    »Come here!« said he authoritatively, drawing her into the study.
    »Sit down in that chair. I will come back directly.«
    He went in search of his sister, but she had not returned. Then he had
recourse to Sally, who was as busy as ever about her cleaning.
    »How long has Ruth been at home?« asked he.
    »Ruth! She has never been at home sin' morning. She and Leonard were to be
off for the day somewhere or other with them Bradshaw girls.«
    »Then she has had no dinner?«
    »Not here, any rate. I can't answer for what she may have done at other
places.«
    »And Leonard - where is he?«
    »How should I know? With his mother, I suppose. Leastways, that was what was
fixed on. I've enough to do of my own, without routing after other folks.«
    She went on scouring in no very good temper. Mr. Benson stood silent for a
moment.
    »Sally,« he said, »I want a cup of tea. Will you make it as soon as you can;
and some dry toast too? I'll come for it in ten minutes.«
    Struck by something in his voice, she looked up at him for the first time.
    »What ha' ye been doing to yourself, to look so grim and grey? Tiring
yourself all to tatters, looking after some naught, I'll be bound! Well! well! I
mun make ye your tea, I reckon; but I did hope as you grew older you'd ha' grown
wiser.«
    Mr. Benson made no reply, but went to look for Leonard, hoping that the
child's presence might bring back to his mother the power of self-control. He
opened the parlour-door, and looked in, but saw no one. Just as he was shutting
it, however, he heard a deep, broken, sobbing sigh; and, guided by the sound, he
found the boy lying on the floor, fast asleep, but with his features all swollen
and disfigured by passionate crying.
    »Poor child! This was what she meant, then,« thought Mr. Benson. »He has
begun his share of the sorrows too,« he continued pitifully. »No! I will not
waken him back to consciousness.« So he returned alone into the study. Ruth sat
where he had placed her, her head bent back, and her eyes shut. But when he came
in she started up.
    »I must be going,« she said in a hurried way.
    »Nay, Ruth, you must not go. You must not leave us. We cannot do without
you. We love you too much.«
    »Love me!« said she, looking at him wistfully. As she looked, her eyes
filled slowly with tears. It was a good sign, and Mr. Benson took heart to go
on.
    »Yes! Ruth. You know we do. You may have other things to fill up your mind
just now, but you know we love you; and nothing can alter our love for you. You
ought not to have thought of leaving us. You would not, if you had been quite
well.«
    »Do you know what has happened?« she asked, in a low, hoarse voice.
    »Yes. I know all,« he answered. »It makes no difference to us. Why should
it?«
    »Oh! Mr. Benson, don't you know that my shame is discovered?« she replied,
bursting into tears - »and I must leave you, and leave Leonard, that you may not
share in my disgrace.«
    »You must do no such thing. Leave Leonard! You have no right to leave
Leonard. Where could you go to?«
    »To Helmsby,« she said humbly. »It would break my heart to go, but I thing I
ought, for Leonard's sake. I know I ought.« She was crying sadly by this time,
but Mr. Benson knew the flow of tears would ease her brain. »It will break my
heart to go, but I know I must.«
    »Sit still here at present,« said he, in a decided tone of command. He went
for the cup of tea. He brought it to her without Sally's being aware for whom it
was intended.
    »Drink this!« He spoke as you would do to a child, if desiring it to take
medicine. »Eat some toast.« She took the tea, and drank it feverishly; but when
she tried to eat, the food seemed to choke her. Still she was docile, and she
tried.
    »I cannot,« said she at last, putting down the piece of toast. There was a
return of something of her usual tone in the words. She spoke gently and softly;
no longer in the shrill, hoarse voice she had used at first. Mr. Benson sat down
by her.
    »Now, Ruth, we must talk a little together. I want to understand what your
plan was. Where is Helmsby? Why did you fix to go there?«
    »It is where my mother lived,« she answered. »Before she was married she
lived there; and wherever she lived, the people all loved her dearly; and I
thought - I think, that for her sake, some one would give me work. I meant to
tell them the truth,« said she, dropping her eyes; »but still they would,
perhaps, give me some employment - I don't care what - for her sake. I could do
many things,« said she, suddenly looking up. »I am sure I could weed - I could
in gardens - if they did not like to have me in their houses. But perhaps some
one, for my mother's sake - oh! my dear, dear mother! - do you know where and
what I am?« she cried out, sobbing afresh.
    Mr. Benson's heart was very sore, though he spoke authoritatively, and
almost sternly -
    »Ruth! you must be still and quiet. I cannot have this. I want you to listen
to me. Your thought of Helmsby would be a good one, if it was right for you to
leave Eccleston; but I do not think it is. I am certain of this, that it would
be a great sin in you to separate yourself from Leonard. You have no right to
sever the tie by which God has bound you together.«
    »But if I am here they will all know and remember the shame of his birth;
and if I go away they may forget« -
    »And they may not. And if you go away, he may be unhappy or ill; and you,
who above all others have - and have from God - remember that, Ruth! - the power
to comfort him, the tender patience to nurse him, have left him to the care of
strangers. Yes; I know! But we ourselves are as strangers, dearly as we love
him, compared to a mother. He may turn to sin, and want the long forbearance,
the serene authority of a parent: and where are you? No dread of shame, either
for yourself, or even for him, can ever make it right for you to shake off your
responsibility.« All this time he was watching her narrowly, and saw her slowly
yield herself up to the force of what he was saying.
    »Besides, Ruth,« he continued, »we have gone on falsely, hitherto. It has
been my doing, my mistake, my sin. I ought to have known better. Now, let us
stand firm on the truth. You have no new fault to repent of. Be brave and
faithful. It is to God you answer, not to men. The shame of having your sin
known to the world, should be as nothing to the shame you felt at having sinned.
We have dreaded men too much, and God too little, in the course we have taken.
But now be of good cheer. Perhaps you will have to find your work in the world
very low - not quite working in the fields,« said he, with a gentle smile, to
which she, downcast and miserable, could give no response. »Nay, perhaps, Ruth,«
he went on, »you may have to stand and wait for some time; no one may be willing
to use the services you would gladly render; all may turn aside from you, and
may speak very harshly of you. Can you accept all this treatment meekly, as but
the reasonable and just penance God has laid upon you - feeling no anger against
those who slight you, no impatience for the time to come (and come it surely
will - I speak as having the word of God for what I say), when He, having
purified you, even as by fire, will make a straight path for your feet? My
child, it is Christ the Lord who has told us of this infinite mercy of God. Have
you faith enough in it to be brave, and bear on, and do rightly in patience and
in tribulation?«
    Ruth had been hushed and very still until now, when the pleading earnestness
of his question urged her to answer.
    »Yes!« said she. »I hope - I believe I can be faithful for myself, for I
have sinned and done wrong. But Leonard« -- She looked up at him.
    »But Leonard,« he echoed. »Ah! there it is hard, Ruth. I own the world is
hard and persecuting to such as he.« He paused to think of the true comfort for
this sting. He went on. »The world is not everything, Ruth; nor is the want of
men's good opinion and esteem the highest need which man has. Teach Leonard
this. You would not wish his life to be one summer's day. You dared not make it
so, if you had the power. Teach him to bid a noble, Christian welcome to the
trials which God sends - and this is one of them. Teach him not to look on a
life of struggle, and perhaps of disappointment and incompleteness, as a sad and
mournful end, but as the means permitted to the heroes and warriors in the army
of Christ, by which to show their faithful following. Tell him of the hard and
thorny path which was trodden once by the bleeding feet of One - Ruth! think of
the Saviour's life and cruel death, and of His divine faithfulness. Oh, Ruth!«
exclaimed he, »when I look and see what you may be - what you must be to that
boy, I cannot think how you could be coward enough, for a moment, to shrink from
your work! But we have all been cowards hitherto,« he added, in bitter
self-accusation. »God help us to be so no longer!«
    Ruth sat very quiet. Her eyes were fixed on the ground, and she seemed lost
in thought. At length she rose up.
    »Mr. Benson!« said she, standing before him, and propping herself by the
table, as she was trembling sadly from weakness, »I mean to try very, very hard,
to do my duty to Leonard - and to God,« she added reverently. »I am only afraid
my faith may sometimes fail about Leonard« -
    »Ask, and it shall be given unto you. That is no vain or untried promise,
Ruth!«
    She sat down again, unable longer to stand. There was another long silence.
    »I must never go to Mr. Bradshaw's again,« she said at last, as if thinking
aloud.
    »No, Ruth, you shall not,« he answered.
    »But I shall earn no money!« added she quickly, for she thought that he did
not perceive the difficulty that was troubling her.
    »You surely know, Ruth, that, while Faith and I have a roof to shelter us,
or bread to eat, you and Leonard share it with us.«
    »I know - I know your most tender goodness,« said she, »but it ought not to
be.«
    »It must be at present,« he said, in a decided manner. »Perhaps, before long
you may have some employment; perhaps it may be some time before an opportunity
occurs.«
    »Hush,« said Ruth; »Leonard is moving about in the parlour. I must go to
him.«
    But when she stood up, she turned so dizzy, and tottered so much, that she
was glad to sit down again immediately.
    »You must rest here. I will go to him,« said Mr. Benson. He left her; and
when he was gone, she leaned her head on the back of the chair, and cried
quietly and incessantly; but there was a more patient, hopeful, resolved feeling
in the heart, which all along, through all the tears she shed, bore her onwards
to higher thoughts, until at last she rose to prayers.
    Mr. Benson caught the new look of shrinking shame in Leonard's eye, as it
first sought, then shunned, meeting his. He was pained, too, by the sight of the
little sorrowful, anxious face, on which, until now, hope and joy had been
predominant. The constrained voice, the few words the boy spoke, when formerly
there would have been a glad and free utterance - all this grieved Mr. Benson
inexpressibly, as but the beginning of an unwonted mortification, which must
last for years. He himself made no allusion to any unusual occurrence; he spoke
of Ruth as sitting, overcome by headache, in the study for quietness: he hurried
on the preparations for tea, while Leonard sat by in the great armchair, and
looked on with sad, dreamy eyes. He strove to lessen the shock which he knew
Leonard had received, by every mixture of tenderness and cheerfulness that Mr.
Benson's gentle heart prompted; and now and then a languid smile stole over the
boy's face. When his bedtime came, Mr. Benson told him of the hour, although he
feared that Leonard would have but another sorrowful crying of himself to sleep;
but he was anxious to accustom the boy to cheerful movement within the limits of
domestic law, and by no disobedience to it to weaken the power of glad
submission to the Supreme; to begin the new life that lay before him, where
strength to look up to God as the Law-giver and Ruler of events would be
pre-eminently required. When Leonard had gone upstairs, Mr. Benson went
immediately to Ruth, and said -
    »Ruth! Leonard is just gone up to bed,« secure in the instinct which made
her silently rise, and go up to the boy - certain, too, that they would each be
the other's best comforter, and that God would strengthen each through the
other.
    Now, for the first time, he had leisure to think of himself; and to go over
all the events of the day. The half-hour of solitude in his study, that he had
before his sister's return, was of inestimable value; he had leisure to put
events in their true places, as to importance and eternal significance.
    Miss Faith came in laden with farm produce. Her kind entertainers had
brought her in their shandry to the opening of the court in which the
Chapel-house stood; but she was so heavily burdened with eggs, mushrooms, and
plums, that, when her brother opened the door, she was almost breathless.
    »Oh, Thurstan! take this basket - it is such a weight? Oh, Sally, is that
you? Here are some magnum-bonums which we must preserve to-morrow. There are
guinea-fowl eggs in that basket.«
    Mr. Benson let her unburden her body, and her mind too, by giving charges to
Sally respecting her housekeeping treasures, before he said a word; but when she
returned into the study, to tell him the small pieces of intelligence respecting
her day at the farm, she stood aghast.
    »Why, Thurstan, dear! What's the matter? Is your back hurting you?«
    He smiled to reassure her; but it was a sickly and forced smile.
    »No, Faith! I am quite well, only rather out of spirits, and wanting to talk
to you to cheer me.«
    Miss Faith sat down, straight, sitting bolt-upright to listen the better.
    »I don't know how, but the real story about Ruth is found out.«
    »Oh, Thurstan!« exclaimed Miss Benson, turning quite white.
    For a moment, neither of them said another word. Then she went on -
    »Does Mr. Bradshaw know?«
    »Yes! He sent for me, and told me.«
    »Does Ruth know that it has all come out?«
    »Yes. And Leonard knows.«
    »How? Who told him?«
    »I do not know. I have asked no questions. But of course it was his mother.«
    »She was very foolish and cruel, then,« said Miss Benson, her eyes blazing,
and her lips trembling, at the thought of the suffering her darling boy must
have gone through.
    »I think she was wise. I am sure it was not cruel. He must have soon known
that there was some mystery, and it was better that it should be told him openly
and quietly by his mother than by a stranger.«
    »How could she tell him quietly?« asked Miss Benson, still indignant.
    »Well! perhaps I used the wrong word - of course no one was by - and I don't
suppose even they themselves could now tell how it was told, or in what spirit
it was borne.«
    Miss Benson was silent again.
    »Was Mr. Bradshaw very angry?«
    »Yes, very; and justly so. I did very wrong in making that false statement
at first.«
    »No I am sure you did not,« said Miss Faith. »Ruth has had some years of
peace, in which to grow stronger and wiser, so that she can bear her shame now
in a way she never could have done at first.«
    »All the same it was wrong in me to do what I did.«
    »I did it too, as much or more than you. And I don't think it wrong. I'm
certain it was quite right, and I would do just the same again.«
    »Perhaps it has not done you the harm it has done me.«
    »Nonsense! Thurstan. Don't be morbid. I'm sure you are as good - and better
than ever you were.«
    »No, I am not. I have got what you call morbid, just in consequence of the
sophistry by which I persuaded myself that wrong could be right. I torment
myself. I have lost my clear instincts of conscience. Formerly, if I believed
that such or such an action was according to the will of God, I went and did it,
or at least I tried to do it, without thinking of consequences. Now, I reason
and weigh what will happen if I do so and so - I grope where formerly I saw. Oh,
Faith! it is such a relief to me to have the truth known, that I am afraid I
have not been sufficiently sympathising with Ruth.«
    »Poor Ruth!« said Miss Benson. »But at any rate our telling a lie has been
the saving of her. There is no fear of her going wrong now.«
    »God's omnipotence did not need our sin.«
    They did not speak for some time.
    »You have not told me what Mr. Bradshaw said.«
    »One can't remember the exact words that are spoken on either side in
moments of such strong excitement. He was very angry, and said some things about
me that were very just, and some about Ruth that were very hard. His last words
were that he should give up coming to chapel.«
    »Oh, Thurstan! did it come to that?«
    »Yes.«
    »Does Ruth know all he said?«
    »No! Why should she? I don't know if she knows he has spoken to me at all.
Poor creature! she had enough to craze her almost without that! She was for
going away and leaving us, that we might not share in her disgrace. I was afraid
of her being quite delirious. I did so want you, Faith! However, I did the best
I could; I spoke to her very coldly, and almost sternly, all the while my heart
was bleeding for her. I dared not give her sympathy; I tried to give her
strength. But I did so want you, Faith.«
    »And I was so full of enjoyment, I am ashamed to think of it. But the
Dawsons are so kind - and the day was so fine -- Where is Ruth now?«
    »With Leonard. He is her great earthly motive - I thought that being with
him would be best. But he must be in bed and asleep now.«
    »I will go up to her,« said Miss Faith.
    She found Ruth keeping watch by Leonard's troubled sleep; but when she saw
Miss Faith she rose up, and threw herself on her neck and clung to her, without
speaking. After a while Miss Benson said -
    »You must go to bed, Ruth!« So, after she had kissed the sleeping boy, Miss
Benson led her away, and helped to undress her, and brought her up a cup of
soothing violet-tea - not so soothing as tender actions and soft, loving tones.
 

                                 Chapter XXVIII

                        An Understanding Between Lovers

It was well they had so early and so truly strengthened the spirit to bear, for
the events which had to be endured soon came thick and threefold.
    Every evening Mr. and Miss Benson thought the worst must be over; and every
day brought some fresh occurrence to touch upon the raw place. They could not be
certain, until they had seen all their acquaintances, what difference it would
make in the cordiality of their reception: in some cases it made much; and Miss
Benson was proportionably indignant. She felt this change in behaviour more than
her brother. His great pain arose from the coolness of the Bradshaws. With all
the faults which had at times grated on his sensitive nature (but which he now
forgot, and remembered only their kindness), they were his old familiar friends
- his kind, if ostentatious, patrons - his great personal interest, out of his
own family; and he could not get over the suffering he experienced from seeing
their large square pew empty on Sundays - from perceiving how Mr. Bradshaw,
though he bowed in a distant manner when he and Mr. Benson met face to face,
shunned him as often as he possibly could. All that happened in the household,
which once was as patent to him as his own, was now a sealed book; he heard of
its doings by chance, if he heard at all. Just at the time when he was feeling
the most depressed from this cause, he met Jemima at a sudden turn of the
street. He was uncertain for a moment how to accost her, but she saved him all
doubt; in an instant she had his hand in both of hers, her face flushed with
honest delight.
    »Oh, Mr. Benson, I am so glad to see you! I have so wanted to know all about
you. How is poor Ruth? dear Ruth! I wonder if she has forgiven me my cruelty to
her? And I may not go to her now, when I should be so glad and thankful to make
up for it.«
    »I never heard you had been cruel to her. I am sure she does not think so.«
    »She ought; she must. What is she doing? Oh! I have so much to ask, I can
never hear enough; and papa says« - she hesitated a moment, afraid of giving
pain, and then, believing that they would understand the state of affairs, and
the reason for her behaviour better if she told the truth, she went on - »Papa
says I must not go to your house - I suppose it's right to obey him?«
    »Certainly, my dear. It is your clear duty. We know how you feel towards
us.«
    »Oh! but if I could do any good - if I could be of any use or comfort to any
of you - especially to Ruth, I should come, duty or not. I believe it would be
my duty,« said she, hurrying on to try and stop any decided prohibition from Mr.
Benson. »No! don't be afraid; I won't come till I know I can do some good. I
hear bits about you through Sally every now and then, or I could not have waited
so long. Mr. Benson,« continued she, reddening very much, »I think you did quite
right about poor Ruth.«
    »Not in the falsehood, my dear.«
    »No! not perhaps in that. I was not thinking of that. But I have been
thinking a great deal about poor Ruth's -- you know I could not help it when
everybody was talking about it - and it made me think of myself, and what I am.
With a father and mother, and home and careful friends, I am not likely to be
tempted like Ruth; but oh! Mr. Benson,« said she, lifting her eyes, which were
full of tears, to his face, for the first time since she began to speak, »if you
knew all I have been thinking and feeling this last year, you would see how I
have yielded to every temptation that was able to come to me; and, seeing how I
have no goodness or strength in me, and how I might just have been like Ruth, or
rather worse than she ever was, because I am more headstrong and passionate by
nature, I do so thank you and love you for what you did for her! And will you
tell me really and truly now if I can ever do anything for Ruth? If you'll
promise me that, I won't rebel unnecessarily against papa; but if you don't, I
will, and come and see you all this very afternoon. Remember! I trust you!« said
she, breaking away. Then turning back, she came to ask after Leonard.
    »He must know something of it,« said she. »Does he feel it much?«
    »Very much,« said Mr. Benson. Jemima shook her head sadly.
    »It is hard upon him,« said she.
    »It is,« Mr. Benson replied.
    For in truth, Leonard was their greatest anxiety indoors. His health seemed
shaken, he spoke half sentences in his sleep, which showed that in his dreams he
was battling on his mother's behalf against an unkind and angry world. And then
he would wail to himself, and utter sad words of shame, which they never thought
had reached his ears. By day, he was in general grave and quiet; but his
appetite varied, and he was evidently afraid of going into the streets, dreading
to be pointed at as an object of remark. Each separately in their hearts longed
to give him change of scene; but they were all silent, for where was the
requisite money to come from?
    His temper became fitful and variable. At times he would be most sullen
against his mother; and then give way to a passionate remorse. When Mr. Benson
caught Ruth's look of agony at her child's rebuffs, his patience failed; or
rather, I should say, he believed that a stronger, severer hand than hers was
required for the management of the lad. But, when she heard Mr. Benson say so,
she pleaded with him.
    »Have patience with Leonard,« she said. »I have deserved the anger that is
fretting in his heart. It is only I who can reinstate myself in his love and
respect. I have no fear. When he sees me really striving hard and long to do
what is right, he must love me. I am not afraid.«
    Even while she spoke, her lips quivered, and her colour went and came with
eager anxiety. So Mr. Benson held his peace, and let her take her course. It was
beautiful to see the intuition by which she divined what was passing in every
fold of her child's heart, so as to be always ready with the right words to
soothe or to strengthen him. Her watchfulness was unwearied, and with no thought
of self-tainting in it, or else she might have often paused to turn aside and
weep at the clouds of shame which came over Leonard's love for her, and hid it
from all but her faithful heart; she believed and knew that he was yet her own
affectionate boy, although he might be gloomily silent, or apparently hard and
cold. And in all this, Mr. Benson could not choose but admire the way in which
she was insensibly teaching Leonard to conform to the law of right, to recognise
duty in the mode in which every action was performed. When Mr. Benson saw this,
he knew that all goodness would follow, and that the claims which his mother's
infinite love had on the boy's heart would be acknowledged at last, and all the
more fully because she herself never urged them, but silently admitted the force
of the reason that caused them to be for a time forgotten. By-and-by Leonard's
remorse at his ungracious and sullen ways to his mother - ways that alternated
with passionate, fitful bursts of clinging love - assumed more the character of
repentance, he tried to do so no more. But still his health was delicate; he was
averse to going out-of-doors; he was much graver and sadder than became his age.
It was what must be: an inevitable consequence of what had been; and Ruth had to
be patient, and pray in secret, and with many tears, for the strength she
needed.
    She knew what it was to dread the going out into the streets after her story
had become known. For days and days she had silently shrunk from this effort.
But, one evening towards dusk, Miss Benson was busy, and asked her to go an
errand for her; and Ruth got up and silently obeyed her. That silence as to
inward suffering was only one part of her peculiar and exquisite sweetness of
nature; part of the patience with which she accepted her penance. Her true
instincts told her that it was not right to disturb others with many expressions
of her remorse; that the holiest repentance consisted in a quiet and daily
sacrifice. Still there were times when she wearied pitifully of her inaction.
She was so willing to serve and work, and every one despised her services. Her
mind, as I have said before, had been well cultivated during these last few
years; so now she used all the knowledge she had gained in teaching Leonard,
which was an employment that Mr. Benson relinquished willingly, because he felt
that it would give her some of the occupation that she needed. She endeavoured
to make herself useful in the house in every way she could; but the waters of
house-keeping had closed over her place during the time of her absence at Mr.
Bradshaw's - and, besides, now that they were trying to restrict every
unnecessary expense, it was sometimes difficult to find work for three women.
Many and many a time Ruth turned over in her mind every possible chance of
obtaining employment for her leisure hours, and nowhere could she find it. Now
and then Sally, who was her confidante in this wish, procured her some
needlework, but it was of a coarse and common kind, soon done, lightly paid for.
But, whatever it was, Ruth took it, and was thankful, although it added but a
few pence to the household purse. I do not mean that there was any great need of
money; but a new adjustment of expenditure was required - a reduction of wants
which had never been very extravagant.
    Ruth's salary of forty pounds was gone, while more of her keep, as Sally
called it, was thrown upon the Bensons. Mr. Benson received about eighty pounds
a year for his salary as minister. Of this, he knew that twenty pounds came from
Mr. Bradshaw; and, when the old man appointed to collect the pew-rents brought
him the quarterly amount, and he found no diminution in them, he inquired how it
was, and learnt that, although Mr. Bradshaw had expressed to the collector his
determination never to come to chapel again, he had added, that of course his
pew-rent should be paid all the same. But this Mr. Benson could not suffer; and
the old man was commissioned to return the money to Mr. Bradshaw, as being what
his deserted minister could not receive.
    Mr. and Miss Benson had about thirty or forty pounds coming in annually from
a sum which, in happier days, Mr. Bradshaw had invested in Canal shares for
them. Altogether their income did not fall much short of a hundred a year, and
they lived in the Chapel-house free of rent. So Ruth's small earnings were but
very little in actual hard commercial account, though in another sense they were
much; and Miss Benson always received them with quiet simplicity. By degrees,
Mr. Benson absorbed some of Ruth's time in a gracious and natural way. He
employed her mind in all the kind offices he was accustomed to render to the
poor around him. And as much of the peace and ornament of life as they gained
now was gained on a firm basis of truth. If Ruth began low down to find her
place in the world, at any rate there was no flaw in the foundation.
    Leonard was still their great anxiety. At times the question seemed to be,
could he live through all this trial of the elasticity of childhood? And then
they knew how precious a blessing - how true a pillar of fire, he was to his
mother; and how black the night, and how dreary the wilderness would be, when he
was not. The child and the mother were each messengers of God - angels to each
other.
    They had long gaps between the pieces of intelligence respecting the
Bradshaws. Mr. Bradshaw had at length purchased the house at Abermouth, and they
were much there. The way in which the Bensons heard most frequently of the
family of their former friends, was through Mr. Farquhar. He called on Mr.
Benson about a month after the latter had met Jemima in the street. Mr. Farquhar
was not in the habit of paying calls on any one; and, though he had always
entertained and evinced the most kind and friendly feeling towards Mr. Benson,
he had rarely been in the Chapel-house. Mr. Benson received him courteously, but
he rather expected that there would be some especial reason alleged, before the
conclusion of the visit, for its occurrence; more particularly as Mr. Farquhar
sat talking on the topics of the day in a somewhat absent manner, as if they
were not the subjects most present to his mind. The truth was, he could not help
recurring to the last time when he was in that room, waiting to take Leonard a
ride, and his heart beating rather more quickly than usual at the idea that Ruth
might bring the boy in when he was equipped. He was very full now of the
remembrance of Ruth; and yet he was also most thankful, most self-gratulatory,
that he had gone no further in his admiration of her - that he had never
expressed his regard in words - that no one, as he believed, was cognisant of
the incipient love which had grown partly out of his admiration, and partly out
of his reason. He was thankful to be spared any implication in the nine-days'
wonder which her story had made in Eccleston. And yet his feeling for her had
been of so strong a character, that he winced, as with extreme pain, at every
application of censure to her name. These censures were often exaggerated, it is
true; but, when they were just in their judgment of the outward circumstances of
the case, they were not the less painful and distressing to him. His first
rebound to Jemima was occasioned by Mrs. Bradshaw's account of how severely her
husband was displeased at her daughter's having taken part with Ruth; and he
could have thanked and almost blessed Jemima when she dropped in (she dared do
no more) her pleading excuses and charitable explanations on Ruth's behalf.
Jemima had learnt some humility from the discovery which had been to her so
great a shock; standing, she had learnt to take heed lest she fell; and, when
she had once been aroused to a perception of the violence of the hatred which
she had indulged against Ruth, she was more reticent and measured in the
expression of all her opinions. It showed how much her character had been
purified from pride, that now she felt aware that what in her was again
attracting Mr. Farquhar was her faithful advocacy of her rival, wherever such
advocacy was wise or practicable. He was quite unaware that Jemima had been
conscious of his great admiration for Ruth; he did not know that she had ever
cared enough for him to be jealous. But the unacknowledged bond between them now
was their grief, and sympathy, and pity for Ruth; only in Jemima these feelings
were ardent, and would fain have become active; while in Mr. Farquhar they were
strongly mingled with thankfulness that he had escaped a disagreeable position,
and a painful notoriety. His natural caution induced him to make a resolution
never to think of any woman as a wife until he had ascertained all her
antecedents, from her birth upwards; and the same spirit of caution, directed
inwardly, made him afraid of giving too much pity to Ruth, for fear of the
conclusions to which such a feeling might lead him. But still his old regard for
her, for Leonard, and his esteem and respect for the Bensons, induced him to
lend a willing ear to Jemima's earnest entreaty that he would go and call on Mr.
Benson, in order that she might learn something about the family in general, and
Ruth in particular. It was thus that he came to sit by Mr. Benson's study fire,
and to talk, in an absent way, to that gentleman. How they got on the subject he
did not know, more than one-half of his attention being distracted; but they
were speaking about politics, when Mr. Farquhar learned that Mr. Benson took in
no newspaper.
    »Will you allow me to send you over my Times? I have generally done with it
before twelve o'clock, and after that it is really waste-paper in my house. You
will oblige me by making use of it.«
    »I am sure I am very much obliged to you for thinking of it. But do not
trouble yourself to send it; Leonard can fetch it.«
    »How is Leonard now?« asked Mr. Farquhar, and he tried to speak
indifferently; but a grave look of intelligence clouded his eyes as he looked
for Mr. Benson's answer. »I have not met him lately.«
    »No!« said Mr. Benson, with an expression of pain in his countenance, though
he, too, strove to speak in his usual tone.
    »Leonard is not strong, and we find it difficult to induce him to go much
out-of-doors.«
    There was a little silence for a minute or two, during which Mr. Farquhar
had to check an unbidden sigh. But, suddenly rousing himself into a
determination to change the subject, he said -
    »You will find rather a lengthened account of the exposure of Sir Thomas
Campbell's conduct at Baden. He seems to be a complete blackleg, in spite of his
baronetcy. I fancy the papers are glad to get hold of anything just now.«
    »Who is Sir Thomas Campbell?« asked Mr. Benson.
    »Oh, I thought you might have heard the report - a true one, I believe - of
Mr. Donne's engagement to his daughter. He must be glad she jilted him now, I
fancy, after this public exposure of her father's conduct.« (That was an awkward
speech, as Mr. Farquhar felt; and he hastened to cover it, by going on without
much connection:)
    »Dick Bradshaw is my informant about all these projected marriages in high
life - they are not much in my way; but, since he has come down from London to
take his share in the business, I think I have heard more of the news and the
scandal of what, I suppose, would be considered high life, than ever I did
before; and Mr. Donne's proceedings seem to be an especial object of interest to
him.«
    »And Mr. Donne is engaged to a Miss Campbell, is he?«
    »Was engaged; if I understood right, she broke off the engagement to marry
some Russian prince or other - a better match, Dick Bradshaw told me. I assure
you,« continued Mr. Farquhar, smiling, »I am a very passive recipient of all
such intelligence, and might very probably have forgotten all about it, if the
Times of this morning had not been so full of the disgrace of the young lady's
father.«
    »Richard Bradshaw has quite left London, has he?« asked Mr. Benson, who felt
far more interest in his old patron's family than in all the Campbells that ever
were or ever would be.
    »Yes. He has come to settle down here. I hope he may do well, and not
disappoint his father, who has formed very high expectations from him; I am not
sure if they are not too high for any young man to realise.« Mr. Farquhar could
have said more; but Dick Bradshaw was Jemima's brother, and an object of anxiety
to her.
    »I am sure, I trust such a mortification - such a grief as any
disappointment in Richard, may not befall his father,« replied Mr. Benson.
    »Jemima - Miss Bradshaw,« said Mr. Farquhar, hesitating, »was most anxious
to hear of you all. I hope I may tell her you are all well« (with an emphasis on
all); »that« -
    »Thank you. Thank her for us. We are all well; all except Leonard, who is
not strong, as I said before. But we must be patient. Time, and such devoted,
tender love as he has from his mother, must do much.«
    Mr. Farquhar was silent.
    »Send him to my house for the papers. It will be a little necessity for him
to have some regular exercise, and to face the world. He must do it, sooner or
later.«
    The two gentlemen shook hands with each other warmly on parting; but no
further allusion was made to either Ruth or Leonard.
    So Leonard went for the papers. Stealing along by back streets - running
with his head bent down - his little heart panting with dread of being pointed
out as his mother's child - so he used to come back, and run trembling to Sally,
who would hush him up to her breast with many a rough-spoken word of pity and
sympathy.
    Mr. Farquhar tried to catch him to speak to him, and tame him, as it were;
and, by-and-by, he contrived to interest him sufficiently to induce the boy to
stay a little while in the house or stables, or garden. But the race through the
streets was always to be dreaded as the end of ever so pleasant a visit.
    Mr. Farquhar kept up the intercourse with the Bensons which he had thus
begun. He persevered in paying calls - quiet visits, where not much was said,
political or local news talked about, and the same inquiries always made and
answered as to the welfare of the two families, who were estranged from each
other. Mr. Farquhar's reports were so little varied that Jemima grew anxious to
know more particulars.
    »Oh, Mr. Farquhar!« said she; »do you think they tell you the truth? I
wonder what Ruth can be doing to support herself and Leonard? Nothing that you
can hear of, you say; and, of course, one must not ask the downright question.
And yet I am sure they must be pinched in some way. Do you think Leonard is
stronger?«
    »I am not sure. He is growing fast; and such a blow as he has had will be
certain to make him more thoughtful and full of care than most boys of his age;
both these circumstances may make him thin and pale, which he certainly is.«
    »Oh! how I wish I might go and see them all! I could tell in a twinkling the
real state of things.« She spoke with a tinge of her old impatience.
    »I will go again, and pay particular attention to anything you wish me to
observe. You see, of course, I feel a delicacy about asking any direct
questions, or even alluding in any way to these late occurrences.«
    »And you never see Ruth by any chance?«
    »Never!«
    They did not look at each other while this last question was asked and
answered.
    »I will take the paper to-morrow myself; it will be an excuse for calling
again, and I will try to be very penetrating; but I have not much hope of
success.«
    »Oh, thank you. It is giving you a great deal of trouble; but you are very
kind.«
    »Kind, Jemima!« he repeated, in a tone which made her go very red and hot;
»must I tell you how you can reward me? - Will you call me Walter? - say, thank
you, Walter - just for once.«
    Jemima felt herself yielding to the voice and tone in which this was spoken;
but her very consciousness of the depth of her love made her afraid of giving
way, and anxious to be wooed, that she might be reinstated in her self-esteem.
    »No!« said she, »I don't think I can call you so. You are too old. It would
not be respectful.« She meant it half in joke, and had no idea he would take the
allusion to his age so seriously as he did. He rose up, and coldly, as a matter
of form, in a changed voice, wished her »Good-bye.« Her heart sank; yet the old
pride was there. But as he was at the very door, some sudden impulse made her
speak -
    »I have not vexed you, have I, Walter?«
    He turned round, glowing with a thrill of delight. She was as red as any
rose; her looks dropped down to the ground.
    They were not raised, when, half-an-hour afterwards, she said, »You won't
forbid my going to see Ruth, will you? because if you do, I give you notice I
shall disobey you.« The arm around her waist clasped her yet more fondly at the
idea, suggested by this speech, of the control which he should have a right to
exercise over her actions at some future day.
    »Tell me,« said he, »how much of your goodness to me, this last happy hour,
has been owing to the desire of having more freedom as a wife than as a
daughter?«
    She was almost glad that he should think she needed any additional motive to
her love for him before she could have accepted him. She was afraid that she had
betrayed the deep, passionate regard with which she had long looked upon him.
She was lost in delight at her own happiness. She was silent for a time. At
length she said -
    »I don't think you know how faithful I have been to you ever since the days
when you first brought me pistachio-candy from London - when I was quite a
little girl.«
    »Not more faithful than I have been to you,« for in truth, the recollection
of his love for Ruth had utterly faded away, and he thought himself a model of
constancy; »and you have tried me pretty well. What a vixen you have been!«
    Jemima sighed; smitten with the consciousness of how little she had deserved
her present happiness; humble with the recollection of the evil thoughts that
had raged in her heart during the time (which she remembered well, though he may
have forgotten it) when Ruth had had the affection which her jealous rival
coveted.
    »I may speak to your father; may not I, Jemima?«
    No! for some reason or fancy which she could not define, and could not be
persuaded out of, she wished to keep their mutual understanding a secret. She
had a natural desire to avoid the congratulations she expected from her family.
She dreaded her father's consideration of the whole affair as a satisfactory
disposal of his daughter to a worthy man, who, being his partner, would not
require any abstraction of capital from the concern, and Richard's more noisy
delight at his sister's having hooked so good a match. It was only her
simple-hearted mother that she longed to tell. She knew that her mother's
congratulations would not jar upon her, though they might not sound the full
organ-peal of her love. But all that her mother knew passed onwards to her
father; so for the present, at any rate, she determined to realise her secret
position alone. Somehow, the sympathy of all others that she most longed for was
Ruth's; but the first communication of such an event was due to her parents. She
imposed very strict regulations on Mr. Farquhar's behaviour; and quarrelled and
differed from him more than ever, but with a secret joyful understanding with
him in her heart, even while they disagreed with each other - for similarity of
opinion is not always - I think not often - needed for fullness and perfection of
love.
    After Ruth's detection, as Mr. Bradshaw used to call it, he said he could
never trust another governess again; so Mary and Elizabeth had been sent to
school the following Christmas, and their place in the family was but poorly
supplied by the return of Mr. Richard Bradshaw, who had left London, and been
received as a partner.
 

                                  Chapter XXIX

                     Sally Takes Her Money Out of the Bank

The conversation narrated in the last chapter as taking place between Mr.
Farquhar and Jemima, occurred about a year after Ruth's dismissal from her
situation. That year, full of small events, and change of place to the
Bradshaws, had been monotonous and long in its course to the other household.
There had been no want of peace and tranquillity; there had, perhaps, been more
of them than in the preceding years, when, though unacknowledged by any, all
must have occasionally felt the oppression of the falsehood - and a slight
glancing dread must have flashed across their most prosperous state, lest,
somehow or another, the mystery should be disclosed. But now, as the
shepherd-boy in John Bunyan sweetly sang, »He that is low need fear no fall.«
    Still, their peace was as the stillness of a grey autumnal day, when no sun
is to be seen above, and when a quiet film seems drawn before both sky and
earth, as if to rest the wearied eyes after the summer's glare. Few events broke
the monotony of their lives, and those events were of a depressing kind. They
consisted in Ruth's futile endeavours to obtain some employment, however humble;
in Leonard's fluctuations of spirits and health; in Sally's increasing deafness;
in the final and unmendable wearing-out of the parlour carpet, which there was
no spare money to replace, and so they cheerfully supplied its want by a large
hearthrug that Ruth made out of ends of list; and, what was more a subject of
unceasing regret to Mr. Benson than all, the defection of some of the members of
his congregation, who followed Mr. Bradshaw's lead. Their places, to be sure,
were more than filled up by the poor, who thronged to his chapel; but still it
was a disappointment to find that people about whom he had been earnestly
thinking - to whom he had laboured to do good - should dissolve the connection
without a word of farewell or explanation. Mr. Benson did not wonder that they
should go; nay, he even felt it right that they should seek that spiritual help
from another, which he, by his error, had forfeited his power to offer; he only
wished they had spoken of their intention to him in an open and manly way. But
not the less did he labour on among those to whom God permitted him to be of
use. He felt age stealing upon him apace, although he said nothing about it, and
no one seemed to be aware of it; and he worked the more diligently while it was
yet day. It was not the number of his years that made him feel old, for he was
only sixty, and many men are hale and strong at that time of life; in all
probability, it was that early injury to his spine which affected the
constitution of his mind as well as his body, and predisposed him, in the
opinion of some at least, to a feminine morbidness of conscience. He had shaken
off somewhat of this since the affair with Mr. Bradshaw; he was simpler and more
dignified than he had been for several years before, during which time he had
been anxious and uncertain in his manner, and more given to thought than to
action.
    The one happy bright spot in this grey year was owing to Sally. As she said
of herself, she believed she grew more nattered as she grew older; but that she
was conscious of her natteredness was a new thing, and a great gain to the
comfort of the house, for it made her very grateful for forbearance, and more
aware of kindness than she had ever been before. She had become very deaf; yet
she was uneasy and jealous if she were not informed of all the family thoughts,
plans, and proceedings, which often had (however private in their details) to be
shouted to her at the full pitch of the voice. But she always heard Leonard
perfectly. His clear and bell-like voice, which was similar to his mother's till
sorrow had taken the ring out of it, was sure to be heard by the old servant,
though every one else had failed. Sometimes, however, she got her hearing
sudden, as she phrased it, and was alive to every word and noise, more
particularly when they did not want her to hear; and at such times she resented
their continuance of the habit of speaking loud as a mortal offence. One day,
her indignation at being thought deaf called out one of the rare smiles on
Leonard's face; she saw it, and said, »Bless thee, lad; if it but amuses thee,
they may shout through a ram's horn to me, and I'll never let on I'm not deaf.
It's as good a use as I can be of,« she continued to herself, »if I can make
that poor lad smile a bit.«
    If she expected to be everybody's confidant, she made Leonard hers. »There!«
said she, when she came home from her marketing one Saturday night, »look here,
lad! Here's forty-two pound, seven shillings and twopence! It's a mint of money,
isn't it? I took it all in sovereigns for fear of fire.«
    »What is it all for, Sally?« said he.
    »Ay, lad! that's asking. It's Mr. Benson's money,« said she mysteriously,
»that I've been keeping for him. Is he in the study, think ye?«
    »Yes! I think so. Where have you been keeping it?«
    »Never you mind!« She went towards the study, but, thinking she might have
been hard on her darling in refusing to gratify his curiosity, she turned back
and said -
    »I say - if thou wilt thou mayst do me a job of work some day. I'm wanting
a frame made for a piece of writing.«
    And then she returned to go into the study, carrying her sovereigns in her
apron.
    »Here, Master Thurstan,« said she, pouring them out on the table before her
astonished master. »Take it, it's all yours.«
    »All mine! What can you mean?« asked he, bewildered.
    She did not hear him and went on -
    »Lock it up safe out o' the way. Dunnot go and leave it about to tempt
folks. I'll not answer for myself if money's left about. I may be cribbing a
sovereign.«
    »But where does it come from?« said he.
    »Come from!« she replied. »Where does all money come from but the bank, to
be sure. I thought any one could tell that.«
    »I have no money in the bank!« said he, more and more perplexed.
    »No, I knew that; but I had. Dunnot ye remember how ye would raise my wage
last Martinmas eighteen year? You and Faith were very headstrong, but I was too
deep for you. See thee! I went and put it i' th' bank. I was never going to
touch it; and if I had died it would have been all right, for I'd a will made,
all regular and tight - made by a lawyer (leastwise he would have been a lawyer
if he hadn't got transported first). And now, thinks I, I think I'll just go and
get it out and give it 'em. Banks is not always safe.«
    »I'll take care of it for you with the greatest pleasure. Still, you know,
banks allow interest.«
    »D'ye suppose I don't know all about interest and compound interest too by
this time? I tell ye I want ye to spend it. It's your own. It's not mine. It
always was yours. Now you're not going to fret me by saying you think it mine.«
    Mr. Benson held out his hand to her, for he could not speak. She bent
forward to him as he sat there and kissed him.
    »Eh, bless ye, lad! It's the first kiss I've had of ye sin' ye were a little
lad, and it's a great refreshment. Now don't you and Faith go and bother me with
talking about it. It's just yours, and make no more ado.«
    She went back into the kitchen, and brought out her will, and gave Leonard
directions how to make a frame for it; for the boy was a very tolerable joiner,
and had a box of tools which Mr. Bradshaw had given him some years ago.
    »It's a pity to lose such fine writing,« said she; »though I can't say as I
can read it. Perhaps you'd just read it for me, Leonard.« She sat open-mouthed
with admiration at all the long words.
    The frame was made, and the will hung up opposite to her bed, unknown to any
one but Leonard; and, by dint of his repeated reading it over to her, she learnt
all the words, except testatrix, which she would always call »testy tricks.« Mr.
Benson had been too much gratified and touched, by her unconditional gift of all
she had in the world, to reject it; but he only held it in his hands as a
deposit until he could find a safe investment befitting so small a sum. The
little rearrangements of the household expenditure had not touched him as they
had done the women. He was aware that meat-dinners were not now every-day
occurrences; but he preferred puddings and vegetables, and was glad of the
exchange. He observed, too, that they all sat together in the kitchen in the
evenings; but the kitchen, with the well-scoured dresser, the shining saucepans,
the well-blacked grate, and whitened hearth, and the warmth which seemed to rise
up from the very flags, and ruddily cheer the most distant corners, appeared a
very cosy and charming sitting-room; and, besides, it appeared but right that
Sally, in her old age, should have the companionship of those with whom she had
lived in love and faithfulness so many years. He only wished he could more
frequently leave the solitary comfort of his study, and join the kitchen party;
where Sally sat as mistress in the chimney corner, knitting by firelight, and
Miss Benson and Ruth, with the candle between them, stitched away at their work;
while Leonard strewed the ample dresser with his slate and books. He did not
mope and pine over his lessons; they were the one thing that took him out of
himself. As yet his mother could teach him, though in some respects it was
becoming a strain upon her acquirements and powers. Mr. Benson saw this, but
reserved his offers of help as long as he could, hoping that before his
assistance became absolutely necessary, some mode of employment beyond that of
occasional plain-work might be laid open to Ruth.
    In spite of the communication they occasionally had with Mr. Farquhar, when
he gave them the intelligence of his engagement to Jemima, it seemed like a
glimpse into a world from which they were shut out. They wondered - Miss Benson
and Ruth did at least - much about the details. Ruth sat over her sewing,
fancying how all had taken place; and, as soon as she had arranged the events
which were going on among people and places once so familiar to her, she found
some decrepancy, and set-to afresh to picture the declaration of love, and the
yielding, blushing acceptance; for Mr. Farquhar had told little beyond the mere
fact that there was an engagement between himself and Jemima which had existed
for some time, but which had been kept secret until now, when it was
acknowledged, sanctioned, and to be fulfilled as soon as he returned from an
arrangement of family affairs in Scotland. This intelligence had been enough for
Mr. Benson, who was the only person Mr. Farquhar saw; as Ruth always shrank from
the post of opening the door, and Mr. Benson was apt at recognising individual
knocks, and always prompt to welcome Mr. Farquhar.
    Miss Benson occasionally thought - and what she thought she was in the habit
of saying - that Jemima might have come herself to announce such an event to old
friends; but Mr. Benson decidedly vindicated her from any charge of neglect, by
expressing his strong conviction that to her they owed Mr. Farquhar's calls -
his all but out-spoken offers of service - his quiet, steady interest in
Leonard; and, moreover (repeating the conversation he had had with her in the
street, the first time they met after the disclosure), Mr. Benson told his
sister how glad he was to find that, with all the warmth of her impetuous
disposition hurrying her on to rebellion against her father, she was now
attaining to that just self-control which can distinguish between mere wishes
and true reasons - that she could abstain from coming to see Ruth while she
would do but little good, reserving herself for some great occasion or strong
emergency.
    Ruth said nothing, but she yearned all the more in silence to see Jemima. In
her recollection of that fearful interview with Mr. Bradshaw, which haunted her
yet, sleeping or waking, she was painfully conscious that she had not thanked
Jemima for her generous, loving advocacy; it had passed unregarded at the time
in intensity of agony - but now she recollected that by no word, or tone, or
touch, had she given any sign of gratitude. Mr. Benson had never told her of his
meeting with Jemima; so it seemed as if there were no hope of any future
opportunity: for it is strange how two households, rent apart by some
dissension, can go through life, their parallel existences running side by side,
yet never touching each other, near neighbours as they are, habitual and
familiar guests as they may have been.
    Ruth's only point of hope was Leonard. She was weary of looking for work and
employment, which everywhere seemed held above her reach. She was not impatient
of this, but she was very, very sorry. She felt within her such capability, and
all ignored her, and passed her by on the other side. But she saw some progress
in Leonard. Not that he could continue to have the happy development, and genial
ripening, which other boys have; leaping from childhood to boyhood, and thence
to youth, with glad bounds, and unconsciously enjoying every age. At present
there was no harmony in Leonard's character; he was as full of thought and
self-consciousness as many men, planning his actions long beforehand, so as to
avoid what he dreaded, and what she could not yet give him strength to face,
coward as she was herself, and shrinking from hard remarks. Yet Leonard was
regaining some of his lost tenderness towards his mother; when they were alone
he would throw himself on her neck and smother her with kisses, without any
apparent cause for such a passionate impulse. If any one was by, his manner was
cold and reserved. The hopeful parts of his character were the determination
evident in him to be a law unto himself, and the serious thought which he gave
to the formation of this law. There was an inclination in him to reason,
especially and principally with Mr. Benson, on the great questions of ethics
which the majority of the world have settled long ago. But I do not think he
ever so argued with his mother. Her lovely patience, and her humility, was
earning its reward; and from her quiet piety, bearing sweetly the denial of her
wishes - the refusal of her begging - the disgrace in which she lay, while
others, less worthy were employed - this, which perplexed him, and almost
angered him at first, called out his reverence at last, and what she said he
took for his law with proud humility; and thus softly she was leading him up to
God. His health was not strong; it was not likely to be. He moaned and talked in
his sleep, and his appetite was still variable, part of which might be owing to
his preference of the hardest lessons to any outdoor exercise. But this last
unnatural symptom was vanishing before the assiduous kindness of Mr. Farquhar,
and the quiet but firm desire of his mother. Next to Ruth, Sally had perhaps the
most influence over him; but he dearly loved both Mr. and Miss Benson; although
he was reserved on this, as on every point not purely intellectual. His was a
hard childhood, and his mother felt that it was so. Children bear any moderate
degree of poverty and privation cheerfully; but, in addition to a good deal of
this, Leonard had to bear a sense of disgrace attaching to him and to the
creature he loved best; this it was that took out of him the buoyancy and
natural gladness of youth, in a way which no scantiness of food or clothing or
want of any outward comfort, could ever have done.
    Two years had passed away - two long, eventless years. Something was now
going to happen, which touched their hearts very nearly, though out of their
sight and hearing. Jemima was going to be married this August, and by-and-by the
very day was fixed. It was to be on the 14th. On the evening of the 13th, Ruth
was sitting alone in the parlour, idly gazing out on the darkening shadows in
the little garden; her eyes kept filling with quiet tears, that rose, not for
her own isolation from all that was going on of bustle and preparation for the
morrow's event, but because she had seen how Miss Benson had felt that she and
her brother were left out from the gathering of old friends in the Bradshaw
family. As Ruth sat, suddenly she was aware of a figure by her; she started up,
and in the gloom of the apartment she recognised Jemima. In an instant they were
in each other's arms - a long, fast embrace.
    »Can you forgive me?« whispered Jemima in Ruth's ear.
    »Forgive you! What do you mean? What have I to forgive? The question is, can
I ever thank you as I long to do, if I could find words?«
    »Oh, Ruth, how I hated you once!«
    »It was all the more noble in you to stand by me as you did. You must have
hated me when you knew how I was deceiving you all!«
    »No, that was not it that made me hate you. It was before that. Oh, Ruth, I
did hate you!«
    They were silent for some time, still holding each other's hands. Ruth spoke
first -
    »And you are going to be married to-morrow!«
    »Yes,« said Jemima. »To-morrow at nine o'clock. But I don't think I could
have been married without coming to wish Mr. Benson and Miss Faith good-
    »I will go for them,« said Ruth.
    »No, not just yet. I want to ask you one or two questions first. Nothing
very particular; only it seems as if there had been such a strange, long
separation between us. Ruth,« said she, dropping her voice, »is Leonard stronger
than he was? I was so sorry to hear about him from Walter. But he is better?«
asked she anxiously.
    »Yes, he is better. Not what a boy of his age should be,« replied his
mother, in a tone of quiet but deep mournfulness. »Oh, Jemima!« continued she,
»my sharpest punishment comes through him. To think of what he might have been,
and what he is.«
    »But Walter says he is both stronger in health, and not so - nervous and
shy;« Jemima added the last words in a hesitating and doubtful manner, as if she
did not know how to express her full meaning without hurting Ruth.
    »He does not show that he feels his disgrace so much. I cannot talk about
it, Jemima, my heart aches so about him. But he is better,« she continued,
feeling that Jemima's kind anxiety required an answer at any cost of pain to
herself. »He is only studying too closely now; he takes to his lessons evidently
as a relief from thought. He is very clever, and I hope and trust, yet I tremble
to say it, I believe he is very good.«
    »You must let him come and see us very often when we come back. We shall be
two months away. We are going to Germany, partly on Walter's business. Ruth, I
have been talking to papa to-night, very seriously and quietly; and it has made
me love him so much more, and understand him so much better.«
    »Does he know of your coming here? I hope he does,« said Ruth.
    »Yes. Not that he liked my doing it at all. But, somehow, I can always do
things against a person's wishes more easily when I am on good terms with them -
that's not exactly what I meant; but now to-night, after papa had had been
showing me that he really loved me more than I ever thought he had done (for I
always fancied he was so absorbed in Dick, he did not care much for us girls), I
felt brave enough to say that I intended to come here and bid you all good-bye.
He was silent for a minute, and then said I might do it, but I must remember he
did not approve of it, and was not to be compromised by my coming; still I can
tell that, at the bottom of his heart, there is some of the old kindly feeling
to Mr. and Miss Benson, and I don't despair of its all being made up, though,
perhaps, I ought to say that mamma does.«
    »Mr. and Miss Benson won't hear of my going away,« said Ruth sadly.
    »They are quite right.«
    »But I am earning nothing. I cannot get any employment. I am only a burden
and an expense.«
    »Are you not also a pleasure? And Leonard, is he not a dear object of love?
It is easy for me to talk, I know, who am so impatient. Oh, I never deserved to
be so happy as I am! You don't know how good Walter is. I used to think him so
cold and cautious. But now, Ruth, will you tell Mr. and Miss Benson that I am
here? There is signing of papers, and I don't know what to be done at home. And
when I come back, I hope to see you often, if you'll let me.«
    Mr. and Miss Benson gave her a warm greeting. Sally was called in, and would
bring a candle with her, to have a close inspection of her, in order to see if
she was changed - she had not seen her for so long a time, she said; and Jemima
stood laughing and blushing in the middle of the room, while Sally studied her
all over, and would not be convinced that the old gown which she was wearing for
the last time was not one of the new wedding ones. The consequence of which
misunderstanding was, that Sally, in her short petticoats and bedgown, turned up
her nose at the old-fashioned way in which Miss Bradshaw's gown was made. But
Jemima knew the old woman, and rather enjoyed the contempt for her dress. At
last she kissed them all, and ran away to her impatient Mr. Farquhar, who was
awaiting her.
    Not many weeks after this, the poor old woman whom I have named as having
become a friend of Ruth's during Leonard's illness three years ago, fell down
and broke her hip-bone. It was a serious, probably a fatal, injury, for one so
old; and as soon as Ruth heard of it she devoted all her leisure time to old Ann
Fleming. Leonard had now outstripped his mother's powers of teaching, and Mr.
Benson gave him his lessons; so Ruth was a great deal at the cottage both night
and day.
    There Jemima found her one November evening, the second after their return
from their prolonged stay on the Continent. She and Mr. Farquhar had been to the
Bensons, and had sat there some time; and now Jemima had come on just to see
Ruth for five minutes, before the evening was too dark for her to return alone.
She found Ruth sitting on a stool before the fire, which was composed of a few
sticks on the hearth. The blaze they gave was, however, enough to enable her to
read; and she was deep in study of the Bible in which she had read aloud to the
poor old woman, until the latter had fallen asleep. Jemima beckoned her out, and
they stood on the green just before the open door, so that Ruth could see if Ann
awoke.
    »I have not many minutes to stay, only I felt as if I must see you. And we
want Leonard to come to us to see all our German purchases, and hear all our
German adventures. May he come to-morrow?«
    »Yes; thank you. Oh! Jemima, I have heard something - I have got a plan that
makes me so happy! I have not told any one yet. But Mr. Wynne (the parish
doctor, you know) has asked me if I would go out as a sick nurse - he thinks he
could find me employment.«
    »You, a sick nurse!« said Jemima, involuntarily glancing over the beautiful
lithe figure, and the lovely refinement of Ruth's face as the light of the
rising moon fell upon it. »My dear Ruth, I don't think you are fitted for it!«
    »Don't you?« said Ruth, a little disappointed. »I think I am; at least, that
I should be very soon. I like being about sick and helpless people; I always
feel so sorry for them; and then I think I have the gift of a very delicate
touch, which is such a comfort in many cases. And I should try to be very
watchful and patient. Mr. Wynne proposed it himself.«
    »It was not in that way I meant you were not fitted for it. I meant that you
were fitted for something better. Why, Ruth, you are better educated than I am!«
    »But if nobody will allow me to teach? - for that is what I suppose you
mean. Besides, I feel as if all my education would be needed to make me a good
sick nurse.«
    »Your knowledge of Latin, for instance,« said Jemima, hitting, in her
vexation at the plan, on the first acquirement of Ruth she could think of.
    »Well!« said Ruth, »that won't come amiss; I can read the prescriptions.«
    »Which the doctors would rather you did not do.«
    »Still, you can't say that any knowledge of any kind will be in my way, or
will unfit me for my work.«
    »Perhaps not. But all your taste and refinement will be in your way, and
will unfit you.«
    »You have not thought about this so much as I have, or you would not say so.
Any fastidiousness I shall have to get rid of, and I shall be better without;
but any true refinement I am sure I shall find of use; for don't you think that
every power we have may be made to help us in any right work, whatever that is?
Would you not rather be nursed by a person who spoke gently and moved quietly
about, than by a loud bustling woman?«
    »Yes, to be sure; but a person unfit for anything else may move quietly, and
speak gently, and give medicine when the doctor orders it, and keep awake at
night; and those are the best qualities I ever heard of in a sick nurse.«
    Ruth was quite silent for some time. At last she said, »At any rate it is
work, and as such I am thankful for it. You cannot discourage me - and perhaps
you know too little of what my life has been - how set apart in idleness I have
been - to sympathise with me fully.«
    »And I wanted you to come to see us - me in my new home. Walter and I had
planned that we would persuade you to come to us very often« (she had planned,
and Mr. Farquhar had consented); »and now you will have to be fastened up in a
sick-room.«
    »I could not have come,« said Ruth quickly. »Dear Jemima! it is like you to
have thought of it - but I could not come to your house. It is not a thing to
reason about. It is just feeling. But I do feel as if I could not go. Dear
Jemima! if you are ill or sorrowful, and want me, I will come« -
    »So you would and must to any one, if you take up that calling.«
    »But I should come to you, love, in quite a different way; I should go to
you with my heart full of love - so full that I am afraid I should be too
anxious.«
    »I almost wish I were ill, that I might make you come at once.«
    »And I am almost ashamed to think how I should like you to be in some
position in which I could show you how well I remember that day - that terrible
day in the schoolroom. God bless you for it, Jemima!«
 

                                  Chapter XXX

                                The Forged Deed

Mr. Wynne, the parish surgeon, was right. He could and did obtain employment for
Ruth as a sick nurse. Her home was with the Bensons; every spare moment was
given to Leonard and to them; but she was at the call of all the invalids in the
town. At first her work lay exclusively among the paupers. At first, too, there
was a recoil from many circumstances, which impressed upon her the most fully
the physical sufferings of those whom she tended. But she tried to lose the
sense of these - or rather to lessen them, and make them take their appointed
places - in thinking of the individuals themselves, as separate from their
decaying frames; and all along she had enough self-command to control herself
from expressing any sign of repugnance. She allowed herself no nervous haste of
movement or touch that should hurt the feelings of the poorest, most friendless
creature, who ever lay a victim to disease. There was no rough getting over of
all the disagreeable and painful work of her employment. When it was a lessening
of pain to have the touch careful and delicate, and the ministration performed
with gradual skill, Ruth thought of her charge, and not of herself. As she had
foretold, she found a use for all her powers. The poor patients themselves were
unconsciously gratified and soothed by her harmony and refinement of manner,
voice, and gesture. If this harmony and refinement had been merely superficial,
it would not have had this balmy effect. That arose from its being the true
expression of a kind, modest, and humble spirit. By degrees her reputation as a
nurse spread upwards, and many sought her good offices who could well afford to
pay for them. Whatever remuneration was offered to her, she took it simply and
without comment; for she felt that it was not hers to refuse; that it was, in
fact, owing to the Bensons for her and her child's subsistence. She went
wherever her services were first called for. If the poor bricklayer, who broke
both his legs in a fall from the scaffolding, sent for her when she was
disengaged, she went and remained with him until he could spare her, let who
would be the next claimant. From the happy and prosperous in all but health she
would occasionally beg off, when some one less happy and more friendless wished
for her; and sometimes she would ask for a little money from Mr. Benson to give
to such in their time of need.
    But it was astonishing how much she was able to do without money. Her ways
were very quiet; she never spoke much. Any one who has been oppressed with the
weight of a vital secret for years, and much more any one the character of whose
life has been stamped by one event, and that producing sorrow and shame, is
naturally reserved. And yet Ruth's silence was not like reserve; it was too
gentle and tender for that. It had more the effect of a hush of all loud or
disturbing emotions, and out of the deep calm the words that came forth had a
beautiful power. She did not talk much about religion; but those who noticed her
knew that it was the unseen banner which she was following. The low-breathed
sentences which she spoke into the ear of the sufferer and the dying carried
them upwards to God.
    She gradually became known and respected among the roughest boys of the
rough populace of the town. They would make way for her when she passed along
the streets with more deference than they used to most; for all knew something
of the tender care with which she bad attended this or that sick person, and,
besides, she was so often in connection with Death that something of the
superstitious awe with which the dead were regarded by those rough boys in the
midst of their strong life, surrounded her.
    She herself did not feel changed. She felt just as faulty - as far from
being what she wanted to be, as ever. She best knew how many of her good actions
were incomplete, and marred with evil. She did not feel much changed from the
earliest Ruth she could remember. Everything seemed to change but herself. Mr.
and Miss Benson grew old, and Sally grew deaf, and Leonard was shooting up, and
Jemima was a mother. She and the distant hills that she saw from her chamber
window, seemed the only things which were the same as when she first came to
Eccleston. As she sat looking out, and taking her fill of solitude, which
sometimes was her most thorough rest - as she sat at the attic window looking
abroad - she saw their next-door neighbour carried out to sun himself in his
garden. When she first came to Eccleston, this neighbour and his daughter were
often seen taking long and regular walks; by-and-by his walks became shorter,
and the attentive daughter would convoy him home, and set out afresh to finish
her own. Of late years he had only gone out in the garden behind his house; but
at first he had walked pretty briskly there by his daughter's help - now he was
carried, and placed in a large, cushioned easy-chair, his head remaining where
it was placed against the pillow, and hardly moving when his kind daughter, who
was now middle-aged, brought him the first roses of the summer. This told Ruth
of the lapse of life and time.
    Mr. and Mrs. Farquhar were constant in their attentions; but there was no
sign of Mr. Bradshaw ever forgiving the imposition which had been practised upon
him, and Mr. Benson ceased to hope for any renewal of their intercourse. Still,
he thought that he must know of all the kind attentions which Jemima paid to
them, and of the fond regard which both she and her husband bestowed on Leonard.
This latter feeling even went so far that Mr. Farquhar called one day, and with
much diffidence begged Mr. Benson to urge Ruth to let him be sent to school at
his (Mr. Farquhar's) expense.
    Mr. Benson was taken by surprise, and hesitated. »I do not know. It would be
a great advantage in some respects; and yet I doubt whether it would in others.
His mother's influence over him is thoroughly good, and I should fear that any
thoughtless allusions to his peculiar position might touch the raw spot in his
mind.«
    »But he is so unusually clever, it seems a shame not to give him all the
advantages he can have. Besides, does he see much of his mother now?«
    »Hardly a day passes without her coming home to be an hour or so with him,
even at her busiest times; she says it is her best refreshment. And often, you
know, she is disengaged for a week or two, except the occasional services which
she is always rendering to those who need her. Your offer is very tempting, but
there is so decidedly another view of the question to be considered, that I
believe we must refer it to her.«
    »With all my heart. Don't hurry her to a decision. Let her weigh it well. I
think she will find the advantages preponderate.«
    »I wonder if I might trouble you with a little business, Mr. Farquhar, as
you are here?«
    »Certainly; I am only too glad to be of any use to you.«
    »Why, I see from the report of the Star Life Assurance Company in the Times,
which you are so good as to send me, that they have declared a bonus on the
shares; now it seems strange that I have received no notification of it, and I
thought that perhaps it might be lying at your office, as Mr. Bradshaw was the
purchaser of the shares, and I have always received the dividends through your
firm.«
    Mr. Farquhar took the newspaper, and ran his eye over the report.
    »I have no doubt that's the way of it,« said he. »Some of our clerks have
been careless about it; or it may be Richard himself. He is not always the most
punctual and exact of mortals; but I'll see about it. Perhaps after all it
mayn't come for a day or two; they have always such numbers of these circulars
to send out.«
    »Oh! I'm in no hurry about it. I only want to receive it some time before I
incur any expenses, which the promise of this bonus may tempt me to indulge in.«
    Mr. Farquhar took his leave. That evening there was a long conference, for,
as it happened, Ruth was at home. She was strenuously against the school plan.
She could see no advantages that would counterbalance the evil which she dreaded
from any school for Leonard; namely, that the good opinion and regard of the
world would assume too high an importance in his eyes. The very idea seemed to
produce in her so much shrinking affright, that by mutual consent the subject
was dropped; to be taken up again, or not, according to circumstances.
    Mr. Farquhar wrote the next morning, on Mr. Benson's behalf, to the
Insurance Company, to inquire about the bonus. Although he wrote in the usual
formal way, he did not think it necessary to tell Mr. Bradshaw what he had done;
for Mr. Benson's name was rarely mentioned between the partners; each had been
made fully aware of the views which the other entertained on the subject that
had caused the estrangement; and Mr. Farquhar felt that no external argument
could affect Mr. Bradshaw's resolved disapproval and avoidance of his former
minister.
    As it happened, the answer from the Insurance Company (directed to the firm)
was given to Mr. Bradshaw along with the other business letters. It was to the
effect that Mr. Benson's shares had been sold and transferred above a
twelvemonth ago, which sufficiently accounted for the circumstance that no
notification of the bonus had been sent to him.
    Mr. Bradshaw tossed the letter on one side, not displeased to have a good
reason for feeling a little contempt at the unbusiness-like forgetfulness of Mr.
Benson, at whose instance some one had evidently been writing to the Insurance
Company. On Mr. Farquhar's entrance, he expressed this feeling to him.
    »Really,« he said, »these Dissenting ministers have no more notion of
exactitude in their affairs than a child! The idea of forgetting that he has
sold his shares, and applying for the bonus, when it seems he has transferred
them only a year ago!«
    Mr. Farquhar was reading the letter while Mr. Bradshaw spoke.
    »I don't quite understand it,« said he. »Mr. Benson was quite clear about
it. He could not have received his half-yearly dividends unless he had been
possessed of these shares; and I don't suppose Dissenting ministers, with all
their ignorance of business, are unlike other men in knowing whether or not they
receive the money that they believe to be owing to them.«
    »I should not wonder if they were - if Benson was, at any rate. Why, I never
knew his watch to be right in all my life - it was always too fast or too slow;
it must have been a daily discomfort to him. It ought to have been. Depend upon
it, his money matters are just in the same irregular state; no accounts kept,
I'll be bound.«
    »I don't see that that follows,« said Mr. Farquhar, half amused. »That watch
of his is a very curious one - belonged to his father and grandfather, I don't
know how far back.«
    »And the sentimental feelings which he is guided by prompt him to keep it,
to the inconvenience of himself and every one else.«
    Mr. Farquhar gave up the subject of the watch as hopeless.
    »But about this letter. I wrote, at Mr. Benson's desire, to the Insurance
Office, and I am not satisfied with this answer. All the transaction has passed
through our hands. I do not think it is likely Mr. Benson would write and sell
the shares without, at any rate, informing us at the time, even though he forgot
all about it afterwards.«
    »Probably he told Richard, or Mr. Watson.«
    »We can ask Mr. Watson at once. I am afraid we must wait till Richard comes
home, for I don't know where a letter would catch him.«
    Mr. Bradshaw pulled the bell that rang into the head-clerk's room, saying as
he did so -
    »You may depend upon it, Farquhar, the blunder lies with Benson himself. He
is just the man to muddle away his money in indiscriminate charity, and then to
wonder what has become of it.«
    Mr. Farquhar was discreet enough to hold his tongue.
    »Mr. Watson,« said Mr. Bradshaw, as the old clerk made his appearance, »here
is some mistake about those Insurance shares we purchased for Benson ten or a
dozen years ago. He spoke to Mr. Farquhar about some bonus they are paying to
the shareholders, it seems; and, in reply to Mr. Farquhar's letter, the
Insurance Company say the shares were sold twelve months since. Have you any
knowledge of the transaction? Has the transfer passed through your hands? By the
way« (turning to Mr. Farquhar), »who kept the certificates? Did Benson or we?«
    »I really don't know,« said Mr. Farquhar. »Perhaps Mr. Watson can tell us.«
    Mr. Watson meanwhile was studying the letter. When he had ended it, he took
off his spectacles, wiped them, and replacing them, he read it again.
    »It seems very strange, sir,« he said at length, with his trembling, aged
voice, »for I paid Mr. Benson the account of the dividends myself last June, and
got a receipt in form, and that is since the date of the alleged transfer.«
    »Pretty nearly twelve months after it took place,« said Mr. Farquhar.
    »How did you receive the dividends? An order on the Bank, along with old
Mrs. Cranmer's?« asked Mr. Bradshaw sharply.
    »I don't know how they came. Mr. Richard gave me the money, and desired me
to get the receipt.«
    »It's unlucky Richard is from home,« said Mr. Bradshaw; »he could have
cleared up this mystery for us.«
    Mr. Farquhar was silent.
    »Do you know where the certificates were kept, Mr. Watson?« said he.
    »I'll not be sure, but I think they were with Mrs. Cranmer's papers and
deeds in box A, 24.«
    »I wish old Cranmer would have made any other man his executor. She, too, is
always coming with some unreasonable request or other.«
    »Mr. Benson's inquiry about his bonus is perfectly reasonable, at any rate.«
    Mr. Watson, who was dwelling in the slow fashion of age on what had been
said before, now spoke -
    »I'll not be sure, but I am almost certain, Mr. Benson said, when I paid him
last June, that he thought he ought to give the receipt on a stamp, and had
spoken about it to Mr. Richard the time before, but that Mr. Richard said it was
of no consequence. Yes,« continued he, gathering up his memory as he went on,
»he did - I remember now - and I thought to myself that Mr. Richard was but a
young man. Mr. Richard will know all about it.«
    »Yes,« said Mr. Farquhar gravely.
    »I shan't wait till Richard's return,« said Mr. Bradshaw. »We can soon see
if the certificates are in the box Watson points out; if they are there, the
Insurance people are no more fit to manage their concern than that cat, and I
shall tell them so. If they are not there (as I suspect will prove to be the
case), it is just forgetfulness on Benson's part, as I have said from the
first.«
    »You forget the payment of the dividends,« said Mr. Farquhar, in a low
voice.
    »Well, sir! what then?« said Mr. Bradshaw abruptly. While he spoke - while
his eye met Mr. Farquhar's - the hinted meaning of the latter flashed through
his mind; but he was only made angry to find that such a suspicion could pass
through any one's imagination.
    »I suppose I may go, sir,« said Watson respectfully, an uneasy consciousness
of what was in Mr. Farquhar's thoughts troubling the faithful old clerk.
    »Yes. Go. What do you mean about the dividends?« asked Mr. Bradshaw
impetuously of Mr. Farquhar.
    »Simply, that I think there can have been no forgetfulness - no mistake on
Mr. Benson's part,« said Mr. Farquhar, unwilling to put his dim suspicion into
words.
    »Then, of course, it is some blunder of that confounded Insurance Company. I
will write to them to-day, and make them a little brisker and more correct in
their statements.«
    »Don't you think it would be better to wait till Richard's return? He may be
able to explain it.«
    »No, sir!« said Mr. Bradshaw sharply. »I do not think it would be better. It
has not been my way of doing business to spare any one, or any company, the
consequences of their own carelessness; nor to obtain information second-hand,
when I could have it direct from the source. I shall write to the Insurance
Office by the next post.«
    Mr. Farquhar saw that any further remonstrance on his part would only
aggravate his partner's obstinacy: and, besides, it was but a suspicion, - an
uncomfortable suspicion. It was possible that some of the clerks at the
Insurance Office might have made a mistake. Watson was not sure, after all, that
the certificates had been deposited in box A, 24; and when he and Mr. Farquhar
could not find them there, the old man drew more and yet more back from his
first assertion of belief, that they had been placed there.
    Mr. Bradshaw wrote an angry and indignant reproach of carelessness to the
Insurance Company. By the next mail one of their clerks came down to Eccleston;
and, having leisurely refreshed himself at the inn, and ordered his dinner with
care, he walked up to the great warehouse of Bradshaw &amp; Co., and sent in his
card, with a pencil notification, »On the part of the Star Insurance Company,«
to Mr. Bradshaw himself.
    Mr. Bradshaw held the card in his hand for a minute or two without raising
his eyes. Then he spoke out loud and firm -
    »Desire the gentleman to walk up. Stay! I will ring my bell in a minute or
two, and then show him upstairs.«
    When the errand-boy had closed the door, Mr. Bradshaw went to a cupboard
where he usually kept a glass and a bottle of wine (of which he very seldom
partook, for he was an abstemious man). He intended now to take a glass, but the
bottle was empty; and, though there was plenty more to be had for ringing, or
even simply going into another room, he would not allow himself to do this. He
stood and lectured himself in thought.
    »After all, I am a fool for once in my life. If the certificates are in no
box which I have yet examined, that does not imply they may not be in some one
which I have not had time to search. Farquhar would stay so late last night!
And, even if they are in none of the boxes here, that does not prove« -- He gave
the bell a jerking ring, and it was yet sounding when Mr. Smith, the insurance
clerk, entered.
    The manager of the Insurance Company had been considerably nettled at the
tone of Mr. Bradshaw's letter; and had instructed the clerk to assume some
dignity at first in vindicating (as it was well in his power to do) the
character of the proceedings of the Company, but at the same time he was not to
go too far, for the firm of Bradshaw &amp; Co. was daily looming larger in the
commercial world, and if any reasonable explanation could be given it was to be
received, and bygones be bygones.
    »Sit down, sir!« said Mr. Bradshaw.
    »You are aware, sir, I presume, that I come on the part of Mr. Dennison, the
manager of the Star Insurance Company, to reply in person to a letter of yours,
of the 29th, addressed to him?«
    Mr. Bradshaw bowed. »A very careless piece of business,« he said stiffly.
    »Mr. Dennison does not think you will consider it as such when you have seen
the deed of transfer, which I am commissioned to show you.«
    Mr. Bradshaw took the deed with a steady hand. He wiped his spectacles
quietly, without delay, and without hurry, and adjusted them on his nose. It is
possible that he was rather long in looking over the document - at least, the
clerk had just begun to wonder if he was reading through the whole of it,
instead of merely looking at the signature, when Mr. Bradshaw said: »It is
possible that it may be -- of course, you will allow me to take this paper to
Mr. Benson, to - to inquire if this be his signature?«
    »There can be no doubt of it, I think, sir,« said the clerk, calmly smiling,
for he knew Mr. Benson's signature well.
    »I don't know, sir - I don't know.« (He was speaking as if the pronunciation
of every word required a separate effort of will, like a man who has received a
slight paralytic stroke.)
    »You have heard, sir, of such a thing as forgery - forgery, sir?« said he,
repeating the last word very distinctly; for he feared that the first time he
had said it, it was rather slurred over.
    »Oh, sir! there is no room for imagining such a thing, I assure you. In our
affairs we become aware of curious forgetfulness on the part of those who are
not of business habits.«
    »Still I should like to show it Mr. Benson, to prove to him his
forgetfulness, you know. I believe, on my soul, it is some of his careless
forgetfulness - I do, sir,« said he. Now he spoke very quickly. »It must have
been. Allow me to convince myself. You shall have it back to-night, or the first
thing in the morning.«
    The clerk did not quite like to relinquish the deed, nor yet did he like to
refuse Mr. Bradshaw. If that very uncomfortable idea of forgery should have any
foundation in truth - and he had given up the writing! There were a thousand
chances to one against its being anything but a stupid blunder; the risk was
more imminent of offending one of the directors.
    As he hesitated, Mr. Bradshaw spoke very calmly, and almost with a smile on
his face. He had regained his self-command. »You are afraid, I see. I assure
you, you may trust me. If there has been any fraud - if I have the slightest
suspicion of the truth of the surmise I threw out just now,« - he could not
quite speak the bare naked word that was chilling his heart - »I will not fail
to aid the ends of justice, even though the culprit should be my own son.«
    He ended, as he began, with a smile - such a smile! - the stiff lips refused
to relax and cover the teeth. But all the time he kept saying to himself -
    »I don't believe it - I don't believe it. I'm convinced it's a blunder of
that old fool Benson.«
    But when he had dismissed the clerk, and secured the piece of paper, he went
and locked the door, and laid his head on his desk, and moaned aloud.
    He had lingered in the office for the two previous nights; at first,
occupying himself in searching for the certificates of the Insurance shares;
but, when all the boxes and other repositories for papers had been ransacked,
the thought took hold of him that they might be in Richard's private desk; and,
with the determination which overlooks the means to get at the end, he had first
tried all his own keys on the complicated lock, and then broken it open with two
decided blows of a poker, the instrument nearest at hand. He did not find the
certificates. Richard had always considered himself careful in destroying any
dangerous or tell-tale papers; but the stern father found enough, in what
remained, to convince him that his pattern son - more even than his pattern son,
his beloved pride - was far other than what he seemed.
    Mr. Bradshaw did not skip or miss a word. He did not shrink while he read.
He folded up letter by letter; he snuffed the candle when its light began to
wane, and no sooner; but he did not miss or omit one paper - he read every word.
Then, leaving the letters in a heap upon the table, and the broken desk to tell
its own tale, he locked the door of the room which was appropriated to his son
as junior partner, and carried the key away with him.
    There was a faint hope, even after this discovery of many circumstances of
Richard's life, which shocked and dismayed his father - there was still a faint
hope that he might not be guilty of forgery - that it might not be no forgery
after all - only a blunder - an omission - a stupendous piece of forgetfulness.
That hope was the one straw that Mr. Bradshaw clung to.
    Late that night Mr. Benson sat in his study. Every one else in the house had
gone to bed; but he was expecting a summons to some one who was dangerously ill.
He was not startled, therefore, at the knock which came to the front door about
twelve; but he was rather surprised at the character of the knock, so slow and
loud, with a pause between each rap. His study-door was but a step from that
which led into the street. He opened it, and there stood - Mr. Bradshaw; his
large, portly figure not to be mistaken even in the dusky night.
    He said, »That is right. It was you I wanted to see.« And he walked straight
into the study. Mr. Benson followed, and shut the door. Mr. Bradshaw was
standing by the table, fumbling in his pocket. He pulled out the deed; and,
opening it, after a pause, in which you might have counted five, he held it out
to Mr. Benson.
    »Read it!« said he. He spoke not another word until time had been allowed
for its perusal. Then he added -
    »That is your signature?« The words were an assertion, but the tone was that
of question.
    »No, it is not,« said Mr. Benson decidedly. »It is very like my writing. I
could almost say it was mine, but I know it is not.«
    »Recollect yourself a little. The date is August the third of last year,
fourteen months ago. You may have forgotten it.« The tone of the voice had a
kind of eager entreaty in it, which Mr. Benson did not notice - he was so
startled at the fetch of his own writing.
    »It is most singularly like mine; but I could not have signed away these
shares - all the property I have - without the slightest remembrance of it.«
    »Stranger things have happened. For the love of Heaven, think if you did not
sign it. It's a deed to transfer for those Insurance shares, you see. You don't
remember it? You did not write this name - these words?« He looked at Mr. Benson
with craving wistfulness for one particular answer. Mr. Benson was struck at
last by the whole proceeding, and glanced anxiously at Mr. Bradshaw, whose
manner, gait, and voice, were so different from usual that he might well excite
attention. But as soon as the latter was aware of this momentary inspection, he
changed his tone all at once.
    »Don't imagine, sir, I wish to force any invention upon you as a
remembrance. If you did not write this name, I know who did. Once more I ask you
- does no glimmering recollection of - having needed money, we'll say - I never
wanted you to refuse my subscription to the chapel, God knows! - of having sold
these accursed shares? - Oh! I see by your face you did not write it; you need
not to speak to me - I know.«
    He sank down into a chair near him. His whole figure drooped. In a moment he
was up, and standing straight as an arrow, confronting Mr. Benson, who could
find no clue to this stern man's agitation.
    »You say you did not write these words?« pointing to the signature, with an
untrembling finger. »I believe you; Richard Bradshaw did write them.«
    »My dear sir - my dear old friend!« exclaimed Mr. Benson, »you are rushing
to a conclusion for which, I am convinced, there is no foundation; there is no
reason to suppose that because« -
    »There is reason, sir. Do not distress yourself - I am perfectly calm.« His
stony eyes and immovable face did indeed look rigid. »What we have now to do is
to punish the offence. I have not one standard for myself and those I love -
(and, Mr. Benson, I did love him) - and another for the rest of the world. If a
stranger had forged my name, I should have known it was my duty to prosecute
him. You must prosecute Richard.«
    »I will not,« said Mr. Benson.
    »You think, perhaps, that I shall feel it acutely. You are mistaken. He is
no longer as my son to me. I have always resolved to disown any child of mine
who was guilty of sin. I disown Richard. He is as a stranger to me. I shall feel
no more at his exposure - his punishment« -- He could not go on for his voice
was choking. »Of course, you understand that I must feel shame at our
connection; it is that that is troubling me; that is but consistent with a man
who has always prided himself on the integrity of his name; but as for that boy,
who has been brought up all his life as I have brought up my children, it must
be some innate wickedness! Sir, I can cut him off, though he has been as my
right hand - beloved. Let me be no hindrance to the course of justice, I beg. He
has forged your name - he has defrauded you of money - of your all, I think you
said.«
    »Some one has forged my name. I am not convinced that it was your son. Until
I know all the circumstances, I decline to prosecute.«
    »What circumstances?« asked Mr. Bradshaw, in an authoritative manner, which
would have shown irritation but for his self-command.
    »The force of the temptation - the previous habits of the person« -
    »Of Richard. He is the person,« Mr. Bradshaw put in.
    Mr. Benson went on, without taking any notice. »I should think it right to
prosecute, if I found out that this offence against me was only one of a series
committed, with premeditation, against society. I should then feel, as a
protector of others more helpless than myself« -
    »It was your all,« said Mr. Bradshaw.
    »It was all my money; it was not my all,« replied Mr. Benson; and then he
went on as if the interruption had never been - »Against an habitual offender. I
shall not prosecute Richard. Not because he is your son - do not imagine that! I
should decline taking such a step against any young man without first
ascertaining the particulars about him, which I know already about Richard, and
which determine me against doing what would blast his character for life - would
destroy every good quality he has.«
    »What good quality remains to him?« asked Mr. Bradshaw. »He has deceived me
- he has offended God.«
    »Have we not all offended Him?« Mr. Benson said in a low tone.
    »Not consciously. I never do wrong consciously. But Richard - Richard.« The
remembrance of the undeceiving letters - the forgery - filled up his heart so
completely that he could not speak for a minute or two. Yet when he saw Mr.
Benson on the point of saying something, he broke in -
    »It is no use talking, sir. You and I cannot agree on these subjects. Once
more, I desire you to prosecute that boy, who is no longer a child of mine.«
    »Mr. Bradshaw, I shall not prosecute him. I have said it once for all.
To-morrow you will be glad that I do not listen to you. I should only do harm by
saying more at present.«
    There is always something aggravating in being told, that the mood in which
we are now viewing things strongly will not be our mood at some other time. It
implies that our present feelings are blinding us, and that some more
clear-sighted spectator is able to distinguish our future better than we do
ourselves. The most shallow person dislikes to be told that any one can gauge
his depth. Mr. Bradshaw was not soothed by this last remark of Mr. Benson's. He
stooped down to take up his hat and be gone. Mr. Benson saw his dizzy way of
groping, and gave him what he sought for; but he received no word of thanks. Mr.
Bradshaw went silently towards the door, but, just as he got there, he turned
round, and said -
    »If there were more people like me, and fewer like you, there would be less
evil in the world, sir. It's your sentimentalists that nurse up sin.«
    Although Mr. Benson had been very calm during this interview, he had been
much shocked by what had been let out respecting Richard's forgery; not by the
fact itself so much as by what it was a sign of. Still, he had known the young
man from childhood, and had seen, and often regretted, that his want of moral
courage had rendered him peculiarly liable to all the bad effects arising from
his father's severe and arbitrary mode of treatment. Dick would never have had
pluck enough to be a hardened villain, under any circumstances: but, unless some
good influence, some strength, was brought to bear upon him, he might easily
sink into the sneaking scoundrel. Mr. Benson determined to go to Mr. Farquhar's
the first thing in the morning, and consult him as a calm, clear-headed family
friend - partner in the business, as well as son- and brother-in-law to the
people concerned.
 

                                  Chapter XXXI

                         An Accident to the Dover Coach

While Mr. Benson lay awake for fear of oversleeping himself, and so being late
at Mr. Farquhar's (it was somewhere about six o'clock - dark as an October
morning is at that time), Sally came to his door and knocked. She was always an
early riser; and if she had not been gone to bed long before Mr. Bradshaw's
visit last night, Mr. Benson might safely have trusted to her calling him.
    »Here's a woman down below as must see you directly. She'll be upstairs
after me if you're not down quick.«
    »Is it any one from Clarke's?«
    »No, no! not it, master,« said she through the keyhole; »I reckon it's Mrs.
Bradshaw, for all she's muffled up.«
    He needed no other word. When he went down, Mrs. Bradshaw sat in his
easy-chair, swaying her body to and fro, and crying without restraint. Mr.
Benson came up to her, before she was aware that he was there.
    »Oh! sir,« said she, getting up and taking hold of both his hands, »you
won't be so cruel, will you? I have got some money somewhere - some money my
father settled on me, sir; I don't know how much, but I think it's more than two
thousand pounds, and you shall have it all. If I can't give it you now, I'll
make a will, sir. Only be merciful to poor Dick - don't go and prosecute him,
sir.«
    »My dear Mrs. Bradshaw, don't you agitate yourself in this way. I never
meant to prosecute him.«
    »But Mr. Bradshaw says that you must.«
    »I shall not, indeed. I have told Mr. Bradshaw so.«
    »Has he been here? Oh! is not he cruel? I don't care. I have been a good
wife till now. I know I have. I have done all he bid me, ever since we were
married. But now I will speak my mind, and say to everybody how cruel he is -
how hard to his own flesh and blood! If he puts poor Dick in prison, I will go
too. If I'm to choose between my husband and my son, I choose my son; for he
will have no friends, unless I am with him.«
    »Mr. Bradshaw will think better of it. You will see that, when his first
anger and disappointment are over, he will not be hard or cruel.«
    »You don't know Mr. Bradshaw,« said she mournfully, »if you think he'll
change. I might beg and beg - I have done many a time, when we had little
children, and I wanted to save them a whipping - but no begging ever did any
good. At last I left it off. He'll not change.«
    »Perhaps not for human entreaty. Mrs. Bradshaw, is there nothing more
powerful?«
    The tone of his voice suggested what he did not say.
    »If you mean that God may soften his heart,« replied she humbly, »I'm not
going to deny God's power - I have need to think of Him,« she continued,
bursting into fresh tears, »for I am a very miserable woman. Only think! he cast
it up against me last night, and said, if I had not spoilt Dick this never would
have happened.«
    »He hardly knew what he was saying last night. I will go to Mr. Farquhar's
directly, and see him; and you had better go home, my dear Mrs. Bradshaw; you
may rely upon our doing all that we can.«
    With some difficulty he persuaded her not to accompany him to Mr.
Farquhar's; but he had, indeed, to take her to her own door, before he could
convince her that, at present, she could do nothing but wait the result of the
consultations of others.
    It was before breakfast, and Mr. Farquhar was alone; so Mr. Benson had a
quiet opportunity of telling the whole story to the husband before the wife came
down. Mr. Farquhar was not much surprised, though greatly distressed. The
general opinion he had always entertained of Richard's character had predisposed
him to fear, even before the inquiry respecting the Insurance shares. But it was
still a shock when it came, however much it might have been anticipated.
    »What can we do?« said Mr. Benson, as Mr. Farquhar sat gloomily silent.
    »That is just what I was asking myself. I think I must see Mr. Bradshaw, and
try and bring him a little out of this unmerciful frame of mind. That must be
the first thing. Will you object to accompany me at once? It seems of particular
consequence that we should subdue its obduracy before the affair gets wind.«
    »I will go with you willingly. But I believe I rather serve to irritate Mr.
Bradshaw; he is reminded of things he has said to me formerly, and which he
thinks he is bound to act up to. However, I can walk with you to the door, and
wait for you (if you'll allow me) in the street. I want to know how he is
to-day, both bodily and mentally; for indeed, Mr. Farquhar, I should not have
been surprised last night if he had dropped down dead, so terrible was his
strain upon himself.«
    Mr. Benson was left at the door as he had desired, while Mr. Farquhar went
in.
    »Oh, Mr. Farquhar, what is the matter?« exclaimed the girls, running to him.
»Mamma sits crying in the old nursery. We believe she has been there all night.
She will not tell us what it is, nor let us be with her; and papa is locked up
in his room, and won't even answer us when we speak, though we know he is up and
awake, for we heard him tramping about all night.«
    »Let me go up to him,« said Mr. Farquhar.
    »He won't let you in. It will be of no use.« But in spite of what they said,
he went up; and to their surprise, after hearing who it was, their father opened
the door, and admitted their brother-in-law. He remained with Mr. Bradshaw about
half-an-hour, and then came into the dining-room, where the two girls stood
huddled over the fire, regardless of the untasted breakfast behind them; and,
writing a few lines, he desired them to take his note up to their mother, saying
that it would comfort her a little, and that he should send Jemima, in two or
three hours, with the baby - perhaps to remain some days with him. He had no
time to tell them more; Jemima would.
    He left them, and rejoined Mr. Benson. »Come home and breakfast with me. I
am off to London in an hour or two, and must speak with you first.«
    On reaching his house, he ran upstairs to ask Jemima to breakfast alone in
her dressing-room, and returned in five minutes or less.
    »Now I can tell you about it,« said he. »I see my way clearly to a certain
point. We must prevent Dick and his father meeting just now, or all hope of
Dick's reformation is gone for ever. His father is as hard as the nether
millstone. He has forbidden me his house.«
    »Forbidden you!«
    »Yes; because I would not give up Dick as utterly lost and bad; and because
I said I should return to London with the clerk, and fairly tell Dennison (he's
a Scotchman, and a man of sense and feeling) the real state of the case. By the
way, we must not say a word to the clerk; otherwise he will expect an answer,
and make out all sorts of inferences for himself, from the unsatisfactory reply
he must have. Dennison will be upon honour - will see every side of the case -
will know you refuse to prosecute; the Company of which he is manager are no
losers. Well! when I said what I thought wise, of all this - when I spoke as if
my course were a settled and decided thing, the grim old man asked me if he was
to be an automaton in his own house. He assured me he had no feeling for Dick -
all the time he was shaking like an aspen; in short, repeating much the same
things he must have said to you last night. However, I defied him, and the
consequence is, I'm forbidden the house, and, what more, he says he will not
come to the office while I remain a partner.«
    »What shall you do?«
    »Send Jemima and the baby. There's nothing like a young child for bringing
people round to a healthy state of feeling; and you don't know what Jemima is,
Mr. Benson! No! though you've known her from her birth. If she can't comfort her
mother, and if the baby can't steal into her grandfather's heart, why - I don't
know what you may do to me. I shall tell Jemima all, and trust to her wit and
wisdom to work at this end, while I do my best at the other.«
    »Richard is abroad, is not he?«
    »He will be in England to-morrow. I must catch him somewhere; but that I can
easily do. The difficult point will be, what to do with him - what to say to
him, when I find him. He must give up his partnership, that's clear. I did not
tell his father so, but I am resolved upon it. There shall be no tampering with
the honour of the firm to which I belong.«
    »But what will become of him?« asked Mr. Benson anxiously.
    »I do not yet know. But, for Jemima's sake - for his dour old father's sake
- I will not leave him adrift. I will find him some occupation as clear from
temptation as I can. I will do all in my power. And he will do much better, if
he has any good in him, as a freer agent, not cowed by his father into a want of
individuality and self-respect. I believe I must dismiss you, Mr. Benson,« said
he, looking at his watch; »I have to explain all to my wife, and to go to that
clerk. You shall hear from me in a day or two.«
    Mr. Benson half envied the younger man's elasticity of mind, and power of
acting promptly. He himself felt as if he wanted to sit down in his quiet study,
and think over the revelations and events of the last twenty-four hours. It made
him dizzy even to follow Mr. Farquhar's plans, as he had briefly detailed them;
and some solitude and consideration would be required before Mr. Benson could
decide upon their justice and wisdom. He had been much shocked by the discovery
of the overt act of guilt which Richard had perpetrated, low as his opinion of
that young man had been for some time; and the consequence was, that he felt
depressed, and unable to rally for the next few days. He had not even the
comfort of his sister's sympathy, as he felt bound in honour not to tell her
anything; and she was luckily so much absorbed in some household contest with
Sally that she did not notice her brother's quiet languor.
    Mr. Benson felt that he had no right at this time to intrude into the house
which he had been once tacitly forbidden. If he went now to Mr. Bradshaw's
without being asked, or sent for, he thought it would seem like presuming on his
knowledge of the hidden disgrace of one of the family. Yet he longed to go: he
knew that Mr. Farquhar must be writing almost daily to Jemima, and he wanted to
hear what he was doing. The fourth day after her husband's departure she came,
within half-an-hour after the post delivery, and asked to speak to Mr. Benson
alone.
    She was in a state of great agitation, and had evidently been crying very
much.
    »Oh, Mr. Benson!« said she, »will you come with me, and tell papa this sad
news about Dick? Walter has written me a letter at last, to say he has found him
- he could not at first; but now it seems that, the day before yesterday, he
heard of an accident which had happened to the Dover coach; it was overturned -
two passengers killed, and several badly hurt. Walter says we ought to be
thankful, as he is, that Dick was not killed. He says it was such a relief to
him on going to the place - the little inn nearest to where the coach was
overturned - to find that Dick was only severely injured; not one of those who
was killed. But it is a terrible shock to us all. We had had no more dreadful
fear to lessen the shock; mamma is quite unfit for anything, and we none of us
dare to tell papa.« Jemima had hard work to keep down her sobs thus far, and now
they overmastered her.
    »How is your father? I have wanted to hear every day,« asked Mr. Benson
tenderly.
    »It was careless of me not to come and tell you; but, indeed, I have had so
much to do. Mamma would not go near him. He has said something which she seems
as if she could not forgive. Because he came to meals, she would not. She has
almost lived in the nursery; taking out all Dick's old playthings, and what
clothes of his were left, and turning them over, and crying over them.«
    »Then Mr. Bradshaw has joined you again; I was afraid, from what Mr.
Farquhar said, he was going to isolate himself from you all?«
    »I wish he had,« said Jemima, crying afresh. »It would have been more
natural than the way he has gone on; the only difference from his usual habit
is, that he has never gone near the office, or else he has come to meals just as
usual, and talked just as usual; and even done what I never knew him do before,
tried to make jokes - all in order to show us how little he cares.«
    »Does he not go out at all?«
    »Only in the garden. I am sure he does care after all; he must care; he
cannot shake off a child in this way, though he thinks he can; and that makes me
so afraid of telling him of this accident. Will you come, Mr. Benson?«
    He needed no other word. He went with her, as she rapidly threaded her way
through the by-streets. When they reached the house, she went in without
knocking, and, putting her husband's letter into Mr. Benson's hand, she opened
the door of her father's room, and saying - »Papa, here is Mr. Benson,« left
them alone.
    Mr. Benson felt nervously incapable of knowing what to do, or to say. He had
surprised Mr. Bradshaw sitting idly over the fire - gazing dreamily into the
embers. But he had started up, and drawn his chair to the table, on seeing his
visitor; and, after the first necessary words of politeness were over, he seemed
to expect him to open the conversation.
    »Mrs. Farquhar has asked me,« said Mr. Benson, plunging into the subject
with a trembling heart, »to tell you about a letter she has received from her
husband;« he stopped for an instant, for he felt that he did not get nearer the
real difficulty, and yet could not tell the best way of approaching it.
    »She need not have given you that trouble. I am aware of the reason of Mr.
Farquhar's absence. I entirely disapprove of his conduct. He is regardless of my
wishes; and disobedient to the commands which, as my son-in-law, I thought he
would have felt bound to respect. If there is any more agreeable subject that
you can introduce, I shall be glad to hear you, sir.«
    »Neither you, nor I, must think of what we like to hear or to say. You must
hear what concerns your son.«
    »I have disowned the young man who was my son,« replied he coldly.
    »The Dover coach has been overturned,« said Mr. Benson, stimulated into
abruptness by the icy sternness of the father. But, in a flash, he saw what lay
below that terrible assumption of indifference. Mr. Bradshaw glanced up in his
face one look of agony - and then went grey-pale; so livid that Mr. Benson got
up to ring the bell in affright, but Mr. Bradshaw motioned to him to sit still.
    »Oh! I have been too sudden, sir - he is alive, he is alive!« he exclaimed,
as he saw the ashy face working in a vain attempt to speak; but the poor lips
(so wooden, not a minute ago) went working on and on, as if Mr. Benson's words
did not sink down into the mind, or reach the understanding. Mr. Benson went
hastily for Mrs. Farquhar.
    »Oh, Jemima!« said he, »I have done it so badly - I have been so cruel - he
is very ill, I fear - bring water, brandy« -- and he returned with all speed
into the room. Mr. Bradshaw - the great, strong, iron man - lay back in his
chair in a swoon, a fit.
    »Fetch my mother, Mary. Send for the doctor, Elizabeth,« said Jemima,
rushing to her father. She and Mr. Benson did all in their power to restore him.
Mrs. Bradshaw forgot all her vows of estrangement from the dead-like husband,
who might never speak to her, or hear her again, and bitterly accused herself
for every angry word she had spoken against him during these last few miserable
days.
    Before the doctor came, Mr. Bradshaw had opened his eyes and partially
rallied, although he either did not, or could not speak. He looked struck down
into old age. His eyes were senseless in their expression, but had the dim glaze
of many years of life upon them. His lower jaw fell from his upper one, giving a
look of melancholy depression to the face, although the lips hid the unclosed
teeth. But he answered correctly (in monosyllables, it is true) all the
questions which the doctor chose to ask. And the medical man was not so much
impressed with the serious character of the seizure as the family, who knew all
the hidden mystery behind, and had seen their father lie for the first time with
the precursor aspect of death upon his face. Rest, watching, and a little
medicine, were what the doctor prescribed; it was so slight a prescription, for
what had appeared to Mr. Benson so serious an attack, that he wished to follow
the medical man out of the room to make further inquiries, and learn the real
opinion which he thought must lurk behind. But, as he was following the doctor,
he - they all - were aware of the effort Mr. Bradshaw was making to rise, in
order to arrest Mr. Benson's departure. He did stand up, supporting himself with
one hand on the table, for his legs shook under him. Mr. Benson came back
instantly to the spot where he was. For a moment it seemed as if he had not the
right command of his voice: but at last he said, with a tone of humble, wistful
entreaty, which was very touching -
    »He is alive, sir; is he not?«
    »Yes, sir - indeed he is; he is only hurt. He is sure to do well. Mr.
Farquhar is with him,« said Mr. Benson, almost unable to speak for tears.
    Mr. Bradshaw did not remove his eyes from Mr. Benson's face for more than a
minute after his question had been answered. He seemed as though he would read
his very soul, and there see if he spoke the truth. Satisfied at last, he sank
slowly into his chair; and they were silent for a little space, waiting to
perceive if he would wish for any further information just then. At length he
put his hands slowly together in the clasped attitude of prayer, and said -
»Thank God!«
 

                                 Chapter XXXII

                        The Bradshaw Pew Again Occupied

If Jemima allowed herself now and then to imagine that one good would result
from the discovery of Richard's delinquency, in the return of her father and Mr.
Benson to something of their old understanding and their old intercourse - if
this hope fluttered through her mind, it was doomed to disappointment. Mr.
Benson would have been most happy to go, if Mr. Bradshaw had sent for him: he
was on the watch for what might be even the shadow of such an invitation - but
none came. Mr. Bradshaw, on his part, would have been thoroughly glad if the
wilful seclusion of his present life could have been broken by the occasional
visits of the old friend whom he had once forbidden the house; but, this
prohibition having passed his lips, he stubbornly refused to do anything which
might be construed into unsaying it. Jemima was for some time in despair of his
ever returning to the office, or resuming his old habits of business. He had
evidently threatened as much to her husband. All that Jemima could do was to
turn a deaf ear to every allusion to this menace, which he threw out from time
to time, evidently with a view to see if it had struck deep enough into her
husband's mind for him to have repeated it to his wife. If Mr. Farquhar had
named it - if it was known only to two or three to have been, but for one
half-hour even, his resolution - Mr. Bradshaw could have adhered to it, without
any other reason than the maintenance of what he called consistency, but which
was in fact doggedness. Jemima was often thankful that her mother was absent,
and gone to nurse her son. If she had been at home, she would have entreated and
implored her husband to fall back into his usual habits, and would have shown
such a dread of his being as good as his word, that he would have been compelled
to adhere to it by the very consequence affixed to it. Mr. Farquhar had hard
work, as it was, in passing rapidly enough between the two places - attending to
his business at Eccleston; and deciding, comforting, and earnestly talking, in
Richard's sick-room. During an absence of his, it was necessary to apply to one
of the partners on some matter of importance; and accordingly, to Jemima's
secret joy, Mr. Watson came up and asked if her father was well enough to see
him on business? Jemima carried in this inquiry literally; and the hesitating
answer which her father gave was in the affirmative. It was not long before she
saw him leave the house, accompanied by the faithful old clerk; and when he met
her at dinner he made no allusion to his morning visitor, or to his subsequent
going out. But from that time forwards he went regularly to the office. He
received all the information about Dick's accident, and his progress towards
recovery, in perfect silence, and in as indifferent a manner as he could assume;
but yet he lingered about the family sitting-room every morning until the post
had come in which brought all letters from the south.
    When Mr. Farquhar at last returned to bring the news of Dick's perfect
convalescence, he resolved to tell Mr. Bradshaw all that he had done and
arranged for his son's future career; but, as Mr. Farquhar told Mr. Benson
afterwards, he could not really say if Mr. Bradshaw had attended to one word
that he said.
    »Rely upon it,« said Mr. Benson, »he has not only attended to it, but
treasured up every expression you have used.«
    »Well, I tried to get some opinion, or sign of emotion, out of him. I had
not much hope of the latter, I must own; but I thought he would have said
whether I had done wisely or not in procuring that Glasgow situation for Dick -
that he would, perhaps, have been indignant at my ousting him from the
partnership so entirely on my own responsibility.«
    »How did Richard take it?«
    »Oh, nothing could exceed his penitence. If one had never heard of the
proverb, When the devil was sick, the devil a monk would be, I should have had
greater faith in him; or if he had had more strength of character to begin with,
or more reality and less outward appearance of good principle instilled into
him. However, this Glasgow situation is the very thing; clear, defined duties,
no great trust reposed in him, a kind and watchful head, and introductions to a
better class of associates than I fancy he has ever been thrown amongst before.
For, you know, Mr. Bradshaw dreaded all intimacies for his son, and wanted him
to eschew all society beyond his own family - would never allow him to ask a
friend home. Really, when I think of the unnatural life Mr. Bradshaw expected
him to lead, I get into charity with him, and have hopes. By the way, have you
ever succeeded in persuading his mother to send Leonard to school? He may run
the same risk from isolation as Dick: not be able to choose his companions
wisely when he grows up, but be too much overcome by the excitement of society
to be very discreet as to who are his associates. Have you spoken to her about
my plan?«
    »Yes! but to no purpose. I cannot say that she would even admit an argument
on the subject. She seemed to have an invincible repugnance to the idea of
exposing him to the remarks of other boys on his peculiar position.«
    »They need never know of it. Besides, sooner or later, he must step out of
his narrow circle, and encounter remark and scorn.«
    »True,« said Mr. Benson mournfully. »And you may depend upon it, if it
really is the best for Leonard, she will come round to it by-and-by. It is
almost extraordinary to see the way in which her earnest and most unselfish
devotion to this boy's real welfare leads her to right and wise conclusions.«
    »I wish I could tame her so as to let me meet her as a friend. Since the
baby was born, she comes to see Jemima. My wife tells me, that she sits and
holds it soft in her arms, and talks to it as if her whole soul went out to the
little infant. But if she hears a strange footstep on the stair, what Jemima
calls the wild-animal look comes back into her eyes, and she steals away like
some frightened creature. With all that she has done to redeem, her character,
she should not be so timid of observation.«
    »You may well say with all that she has done! We of her own household hear
little or nothing of what she does. If she wants help, she simply tells us how
and why; but if not - perhaps because it is some relief to her to forget for a
time the scenes of suffering in which she has been acting the part of comforter,
and perhaps because there always was a shy, sweet reticence about her - we never
should know what she is and what she does, except from the poor people
themselves, who would bless her in words if the very thought of her did not
choke them with tears. Yet, I do assure you, she passes out of all this gloom,
and makes sunlight in our house. We are never so cheerful as when she is at
home. She always had the art of diffusing peace, but now it is positive
cheerfulness. And about Leonard; I doubt if the wisest and most thoughtful
schoolmaster could teach half as much directly, as his mother does unconsciously
and indirectly every hour that he is with her. Her noble, humble, pious
endurance of the consequences of what was wrong in her early life seems
expressly fitted to act upon him, whose position is (unjustly, for he has done
no harm) so similar to hers.«
    »Well! I suppose we must leave it alone for the present. You will think me a
hard practical man when I own to you, that all I expect from Leonard's remaining
a home-bird is that, with such a mother, it will do him no harm. At any rate,
remember my offer is the same for a year - two years hence, as now. What does
she look forward to making him into, finally?«
    »I don't know. The wonder comes into my mind sometimes; but never into hers,
I think. It is part of her character - part perhaps of that which made her what
she was - that she never looks forward, and seldom back. The present is enough
for her.«
    And so the conversation ended. When Mr. Benson repeated the substance of it
to his sister, she mused awhile, breaking out into an occasional whistle
(although she had cured herself of this habit in a great measure), and at last
she said -
    »Now, do you know, I never liked poor Dick; and yet I'm angry with Mr.
Farquhar for getting him out of the partnership in such a summary way. I can't
get over it, even though he has offered to send Leonard to school. And here he's
reigning lord-paramount at the office! As if you, Thurstan, weren't as well able
to teach him as any schoolmaster in England! But I should not mind that affront,
if I were not sorry to think of Dick (though I never could abide him) labouring
away in Glasgow for a petty salary of nobody knows how little, while Mr.
Farquhar is taking halves, instead of thirds, of the profits here!«
    But her brother could not tell her - and even Jemima did not know till long
afterwards - that the portion of income which would have been Dick's as a junior
partner, if he had remained in the business, was carefully laid aside for him by
Mr. Farquhar; to be delivered up, with all its accumulative interest, when the
prodigal should have proved his penitence by his conduct.
    When Ruth had no call upon her time, it was indeed a holiday at
Chapel-house. She threw off as much as she could of the care and sadness in
which she had been sharing; and returned fresh and helpful, ready to go about in
her soft, quiet way, and fill up every measure of service, and heap it with the
fragrance of her own sweet nature. The delicate mending, that the elder women
could no longer see to do, was put by for Ruth's swift and nimble fingers. The
occasional copying, or patient writing to dictation, that gave rest to Mr.
Benson's weary spine, was done by her with sunny alacrity. But, most of all,
Leonard's heart rejoiced when his mother came home. Then came the quiet
confidences, the tender exchange of love, the happy walks from which he returned
stronger and stronger - going from strength to strength as his mother led the
way. It was well, as they saw now, that the great shock of the disclosure had
taken place when it did. She, for her part, wondered at her own cowardliness in
having even striven to keep back the truth from her child - the truth that was
so certain to be made clear, sooner or later, and which it was only owing to
God's mercy that she was alive to encounter with him, and, by so encountering,
shield and give him good courage. Moreover, in her secret heart, she was
thankful that all occurred while he was yet too young to have much curiosity as
to his father. If an unsatisfied feeling of this kind occasionally stole into
his mind, at any rate she never heard any expression of it; for the past was a
sealed book between them. And so, in the bright strength of good endeavour, the
days went on, and grew again to months and years.
    Perhaps one little circumstance which occurred during this time had scarcely
external importance enough to be called an event; but in Mr. Benson's mind it
took rank as such. One day, about a year after Richard Bradshaw had ceased to be
a partner in his father's house, Mr. Benson encountered Mr. Farquhar in the
street, and heard from him of the creditable and respectable manner in which
Richard was conducting himself in Glasgow, where Mr. Farquhar had lately been on
business.
    »I am determined to tell his father of this,« said he; »I think his family
are far too obedient to his tacit prohibition of all mention of Richard's name.«
    »Tacit prohibition?« inquired Mr. Benson.
    »Oh! I dare say I use the words in a wrong sense for the correctness of a
scholar; but what I mean is, that he made a point of immediately leaving the
room if Richard's name was mentioned; and did it in so marked a manner, that by
degrees they understood that it was their father's desire that he should never
be alluded to; which was all very well as long as there was nothing pleasant to
be said about him; but to- I am going there, and shall take good care he does
not escape me before I have told him all I have heard and observed about
Richard. He will never be a hero of virtue, for his education has drained him of
all moral courage; but with care, and the absence of all strong temptation for a
time, he will do very well; nothing to gratify paternal pride, but certainly
nothing to be ashamed of.«
    It was on the Sunday after this that the little circumstance to which I have
alluded took place.
    During the afternoon service, Mr. Benson became aware that the large
Bradshaw pew was no longer unoccupied. In a dark corner Mr. Bradshaw's white
head was to be seen, bowed down low in prayer. When last he had worshipped
there, the hair on that head was iron-grey, and even in prayer he had stood
erect, with an air of conscious righteousness sufficient for all his wants, and
even some to spare with which to judge others. Now, that white and hoary head
was never uplifted; part of his unobtrusiveness might, it is true, be attributed
to the uncomfortable feeling which was sure to attend any open withdrawal of the
declaration he had once made, never to enter the chapel in which Mr. Benson was
minister again; and as such a feeling was natural to all men, and especially to
such a one as Mr. Bradshaw, Mr. Benson instinctively respected it, and passed
out of the chapel with his household, without ever directing his regards to the
obscure place where Mr. Bradshaw still remained immovable.
    From this day Mr. Benson felt sure that the old friendly feeling existed
once more between them, although some time might elapse before any circumstance
gave the signal for a renewal of their intercourse.
 

                                 Chapter XXXIII

                            A Mother to Be Proud Of

Old people tell of certain years when typhus fever swept over the country like a
pestilence; years that bring back the remembrance of deep sorrow - refusing to
be comforted - to many a household; and which those whose beloved passed through
the fiery time unscathed, shrink from recalling: for great and tremulous was the
anxiety - miserable the constant watching for evil symptoms; and beyond the
threshold of home a dense cloud of depression hung over society at large. It
seemed as if the alarm was proportionate to the previous light-heartedness of
fancied security - and indeed it was so; for, since the days of King Belshazzar,
the solemn decrees of Doom have ever seemed most terrible when they awe into
silence the merry revellers of life. So it was this year to which I come in the
progress of my story.
    The summer had been unusually gorgeous. Some had complained of the steaming
heat, but others had pointed to the lush vegetation, which was profuse and
luxuriant. The early autumn was wet and cold, but people did not regard it, in
contemplation of some proud rejoicing of the nation, which filled every
newspaper and gave food to every tongue. In Eccleston these rejoicings were
greater than in most places; for, by the national triumph of arms, it was
supposed that a new market for the staple manufacture of the place would be
opened; and so the trade, which had for a year or two been languishing, would
now revive with redoubled vigour. Besides these legitimate causes of good
spirits, there was the rank excitement of a coming election, in consequence of
Mr. Donne having accepted a Government office, procured for him by one of his
influential relations. This time, the Cranworths roused themselves from their
magnificent torpor of security in good season, and were going through a series
of pompous and ponderous hospitalities, in order to bring back the Eccleston
voters to their allegiance.
    While the town was full of these subjects by turns - now thinking and
speaking of the great revival of trade - now of the chances of the election, as
yet some weeks distant - now of the balls at Cranworth Court, in which Mr.
Cranworth had danced with all the belles of the shopocracy of Eccleston - there
came creeping, creeping, in hidden, slimy courses, the terrible fever - that
fever which is never utterly banished from the sad haunts of vice and misery,
but lives in such darkness, like a wild beast in the recesses of his den. It had
begun in the low Irish lodging-houses; but there it was so common it excited
little attention. The poor creatures died almost without the attendance of the
unwarned medical men, who received their first notice of the spreading plague
from the Roman Catholic priests.
    Before the medical men of Eccleston had had time to meet together and
consult, and compare the knowledge of the fever which they had severally gained,
it had, like the blaze of a fire which had long smouldered, burst forth in many
places at once - not merely among the loose-living and vicious, but among the
decently poor - nay, even among the well-to-do and respectable. And, to add to
the horror, like all similar pestilences, its course was most rapid at first,
and was fatal in the great majority of cases - hopeless from the beginning.
There was a cry, and then a deep silence, and then rose the long wail of the
survivors.
    A portion of the Infirmary of the town was added to that already set apart
for a fever-ward; the smitten were carried thither at once, whenever it was
possible, in order to prevent the spread of infection; and on that lazar-house
was concentrated all the medical skill and force of the place.
    But when one of the physicians had died, in consequence of his attendance -
when the customary staff of matrons and nurses had been swept off in two days -
and the nurses belonging to the Infirmary had shrunk from being drafted into the
pestilental fever-ward - when high wages had failed to tempt any to what, in
their panic, they considered as certain death - when the doctors stood aghast at
the swift mortality among the untended sufferers, who were dependent only on the
care of the most ignorant hirelings, too brutal to recognize the solemnity of
Death (all this had happened within a week from the first acknowledgement of the
presence of the plague) - Ruth came one day, with a quieter step than usual,
into Mr. Benson's study, and told him she wanted to speak to him for a few
minutes.
    »To be sure, my dear! Sit down:« said he; for she was standing and leaning
her head against the chimney-piece, idly gazing into the fire. She went on
standing there, as if she had not heard his words; and it was a few moments
before she began to speak. Then she said -
    »I want to tell you, that I have been this morning and offered myself as
matron to the fever-ward while it is so full. They have accepted me; and I am
going this evening.«
    »Oh, Ruth! I feared this; I saw your look this morning as we spoke of this
terrible illness.«
    »Why do you say fear, Mr. Benson? You yourself have been with John Harrison,
and old Betty, and many others, I dare say, of whom we have not heard.«
    »But this is so different! in such poisoned air! among such malignant cases!
Have you thought and weighed it enough, Ruth?«
    She was quite still for a moment, but her eyes grew full of tears. At last
she said, very softly, with a kind of still solemnity -
    »Yes! I have thought, and I have weighed. But through the very midst of all
my fears and thoughts I have felt that I must go.«
    The remembrance of Leonard was present in both their minds; but for a few
moments longer they neither of them spoke. Then Ruth said -
    »I believe I have no fear. That is a great preservative, they say. At any
rate, if I have a little natural shrinking, it is quite gone when I remember
that I am in God's hands! Oh, Mr. Benson,« continued she, breaking out into the
irrepressible tears - »Leonard, Leonard!«
    And now it was his turn to speak out the brave words of faith.
    »Poor, poor mother!« said he. »But be of good heart. He, too, is in God's
hands. Think what a flash of time only will separate you from him, if you should
die in this work!«
    »But he - but he - it will belong to him, Mr. Benson! He will be alone!«
    »No, Ruth, he will not. God and all good men will watch over him. But if you
cannot still this agony of fear as to what will become of him, you ought not to
go. Such tremulous passion will predispose you to take the fever.«
    »I will not be afraid,« she replied, lifting up her face, over which a
bright light shone, as of God's radiance. »I am not afraid for myself. I will
not be so for my darling.«
    After a little pause, they began to arrange the manner of her going, and to
speak about the length of time that she might be absent on her temporary duties.
In talking of her return, they assumed it to be certain, although the exact time
when was to them unknown, and would be dependent entirely on the duration of the
fever; but not the less, in their secret hearts, did they feel where alone the
issue lay. Ruth was to communicate with Leonard and Miss Faith through Mr.
Benson alone, who insisted on his determination to go every evening to the
hospital to learn the proceedings of the day, and the state of Ruth's health.
    »It is not alone on your account, my dear! There may be many sick people of
whom, if I can give no other comfort, I can take intelligence to their friends.«
    All was settled with grave composure; yet still Ruth lingered, as if nerving
herself up for some effort. At length she said, with a faint smile upon her pale
face -
    »I believe I am a great coward. I stand here talking because I dread to tell
Leonard.«
    »You must not think of it,« exclaimed he. »Leave it to me. It is sure to
unnerve you.«
    »I must think of it. I shall have self-control enough in a minute to do it
calmly - to speak hopefully. For only think,« continued she, smiling through the
tears that would gather in her eyes, »what a comfort the remembrance of the last
few words may be to the poor fellow, if« -- The words were choked, but she
smiled bravely on. »No!« said she, »that must be done; but perhaps you will
spare me one thing - will you tell Aunt Faith? I suppose I am very weak, but,
knowing that I must go, and not knowing what may be the end, I feel as if I
could not bear to resist her entreaties just at last. Will you tell her, sir,
while I go to Leonard?«
    Silently he consented, and the two rose up and came forth, calm and serene.
And calmly and gently did Ruth tell her boy of her purpose; not daring even to
use any unaccustomed tenderness of voice or gesture, lest, by so doing, she
should alarm him unnecessarily as to the result. She spoke hopefully, and bade
him be of good courage; and he caught her bravery, though his, poor boy! had
root rather in his ignorance of the actual imminent danger than in her deep
faith.
    When he had gone down, Ruth began to arrange her dress. When she came
downstairs she went into the old familiar garden and gathered a nosegay of the
last lingering autumn flowers - a few roses and the like.
    Mr. Benson had tutored his sister well; and, although Miss Faith's face was
swollen with crying, she spoke with almost exaggerated cheerfulness to Ruth.
Indeed, as they all stood at the front door, making-believe to have careless
nothings to say, just as at an ordinary leave-taking, you would not have guessed
the strained chords of feeling there were in each heart. They lingered on, the
last rays of the setting sun falling on the group. Ruth once or twice had roused
herself to the pitch of saying Good-bye, but when her eye fell on Leonard she
was forced to hide the quivering of her lips, and conceal her trembling mouth
amid the bunch of roses.
    »They won't let you have your flowers, I'm afraid,« said Miss Benson.
»Doctors so often object to the smell.«
    »No; perhaps not,« said Ruth hurriedly. »I did not think of it. I will only
keep this one rose. Here, Leonard darling!« She gave the rest to him. It was her
farewell; for having now no veil to hide her emotion, she summoned all her
bravery for one parting smile, and, smiling, turned away. But she gave one look
back from the street, just from the last point at which the door could be seen,
and, catching a glimpse of Leonard standing foremost on the step, she ran back,
and he met her half-way, and mother and child spoke never a word in that close
embrace.
    »Now, Leonard,« said Miss Faith, »be a brave boy. I feel sure she will come
back to us before very long.«
    But she was very near crying herself; and she would have given way, I
believe, if she had not found the wholesome outlet of scolding Sally, for
expressing just the same opinion respecting Ruth's proceedings as she herself
had done not two hours before. Taking what her brother had said to her as a
text, she delivered such a lecture to Sally on want of faith that she was
astonished at herself, and so much affected by what she had said that she had to
shut the door of communication between the kitchen and the parlour pretty
hastily, in order to prevent Sally's threatened reply from weakening her belief
in the righteousness of what Ruth had done. Her words had gone beyond her
conviction.
    Evening after evening Mr. Benson went forth to gain news of Ruth; and night
after night he returned with good tidings. The fever, it is true, raged; but no
plague came nigh her. He said her face was ever calm and bright, except when
clouded by sorrow as she gave the accounts of the deaths which occurred in spite
of every care. He said that he had never seen her face so fair and gentle as it
was now, when she was living in the midst of disease and woe.
    One evening Leonard (for they had grown bolder as to the infection)
accompanied him to the street on which the hospital abutted. Mr. Benson left him
there, and told him to return home; but the boy lingered, attracted by the crowd
that had gathered, and were gazing up intently towards the lighted windows of
the hospital. There was nothing beyond that to be seen; but the greater part of
these poor people had friends or relations in that palace of Death.
    Leonard stood and listened. At first their talk consisted of vague and
exaggerated accounts (if such could be exaggerated) of the horrors of the fever.
Then they spoke of Ruth - of his mother; and Leonard held his breath to hear.
    »They say she has been a great sinner, and that this is her penance,« quoth
one. And as Leonard gasped, before rushing forward to give the speaker straight
the lie, an old man spoke -
    »Such a one as her has never been a great sinner; nor does she do her work
as a penance, but for the love of God, and of the blessed Jesus. She will be in
the light of God's countenance when you and I will be standing afar off. I tell
you, man, when my poor wench died, as no one would come near, her head lay at
that hour on this woman's sweet breast. I could fell you,« the old man went on,
lifting his shaking arm, »for calling that woman a great sinner. The blessing of
them who were ready to perish is upon her.«
    Immediately there arose a clamour of tongues, each with some tale of his
mother's gentle doings, till Leonard grew dizzy with the beatings of his glad,
proud heart. Few were aware how much Ruth had done; she never spoke of it,
shrinking with sweet shyness from over-much allusion to her own work at all
times. Her left hand truly knew not what her right hand did; and Leonard was
overwhelmed now to hear of the love and the reverence with which the poor and
outcast had surrounded her. It was irrepressible. He stepped forward with a
proud bearing, and, touching the old man's arm who had first spoken, Leonard
tried to speak; but for an instant he could not, his heart was too full: tears
came before words, but at length he managed to say -
    »Sir, I am her son!«
    »Thou! thou her bairn! God bless you, lad,« said an old woman, pushing
through the crowd. »It was but last night she kept my child quiet with singing
psalms the night through. Low and sweet, low and sweet, they tell me - till many
poor things were hushed, though they were out of their minds, and had not heard
psalms this many a year. God in heaven bless you, lad!«
    Many other wild, woe-begone creatures pressed forward with blessings on
Ruth's son, while he could only repeat -
    »She is my mother.«
    From that day forward Leonard walked erect in the streets of Eccleston,
where many arose and called her blessed.
    After some weeks the virulence of the fever abated; and the general panic
subsided - indeed, a kind of fool-hardiness succeeded. To be sure, in some
instances the panic still held possession of individuals to an exaggerated
extent. But the number of patients in the hospital was rapidly diminishing, and,
for money, those were to be found who could supply Ruth's place. But to her it
was owing that the overwrought fear of the town was subdued; it was she who had
gone voluntarily, and, with no thought of greed or gain, right into the very
jaws of the fierce disease. She bade the inmates of the hospital farewell, and
after carefully submitting herself to the purification recommended by Mr. Davis,
the principal surgeon of the place, who had always attended Leonard, she
returned to Mr. Benson's just at gloaming time.
    They each vied with the other in the tenderest cares. They hastened tea;
they wheeled the sofa to the fire; they made her lie down; and to all she
submitted with the docility of a child; and, when the candles came, even Mr.
Benson's anxious eye could see no change in her looks, but that she seemed a
little paler. The eyes were as full of spiritual light, the gently parted lips
as rosy, and the smile, if more rare, yet as sweet as ever.
 

                                 Chapter XXXIV

                      »I Must Go and Nurse Mr. Bellingham«

The next morning Miss Benson would insist upon making Ruth lie down on the sofa.
Buth longed to do many things; to be much more active; but she submitted, when
she found that it would gratify Miss Faith if she remained as quiet as if she
were really an invalid.
    Leonard sat by her holding her hand. Every now and then he looked up from
his book, as if to make sure that she indeed was restored to him. He had brought
her down the flowers which she had given him the day of her departure, and which
he had kept in water as long as they had any greenness or fragrance, and then
had carefully dried and put by. She too, smiling, had produced the one rose
which she had carried away to the hospital. Never had the bond between her and
her boy been drawn so firm and strong.
    Many visitors came this day to the quiet Chapel-house. First of all Mrs.
Farquhar appeared. She looked very different from the Jemima Bradshaw of three
years ago. Happiness had called out beauty; the colouring of her face was
lovely, and vivid as that of an autumn day; her berry red lips scarce closed
over the short white teeth for her smiles; and her large dark eyes glowed and
sparkled with daily happiness. They were softened by a mist of tears as she
looked upon Ruth.
    »Lie still! Don't move! You must be content to-day to be waited upon, and
nursed! I have just seen Miss Benson in the lobby, and had charge upon charge
not to fatigue you. Oh, Ruth! how we all love you, now we have you back again!
Do you know, I taught Rosa to say her prayers as soon as ever you were gone to
that horrid place, just on purpose that her little innocent lips might pray for
you - I wish you could hear her say it - Please, dear God, keep Ruth safe. Oh,
Leonard! are not you proud of your mother?«
    Leonard said »Yes,« rather shortly, as if he were annoyed that any one else
should know, or even have a right to imagine, how proud he was. Jemima went on -
    »Now, Ruth! I have got a plan for you. Walter and I have partly made it; and
partly it's papa's doing. Yes, dear! papa has been quite anxious to show his
respect for you. We all want you to go to the dear Eagle's Crag for this next
month, and get strong, and have some change in that fine air at Abermouth. I am
going to take little Rosa there. Papa has lent it to us. And the weather is
often very beautiful in November.«
    »Thank you very much. It is very tempting; for I have been almost longing
for some such change. I cannot tell all at once whether I can go; but I will see
about it, if you will let me leave it open a little.«
    »Oh! as long as you like, so that you will but go at last. And, Master
Leonard! you are to come too. Now, I know I have you on my side.«
    Ruth thought of the place. Her only reluctance arose from the remembrance of
that one interview on the sands. That walk she could never go again; but how
much remained! How much that would be a charming balm and refreshment to her!
    »What happy evenings we shall have together! Do you know, I think Mary and
Elizabeth may perhaps come.«
    A bright gleam of sunshine came into the room. »Look! how bright and
propitious for our plans. Dear Ruth, it seems like an omen for the future!«
    Almost while she spoke, Miss Benson entered, bringing with her Mr. Grey, the
rector of Eccleston. He was an elderly man, short, and stoutly built, with
something very formal in his manner; but any one might feel sure of his steady
benevolence who noticed the expression of his face, and especially of the kindly
black eyes that gleamed beneath his grey and shaggy eyebrows. Ruth had seen him
at the hospital once or twice, and Mrs. Farquhar had met him pretty frequently
in general society.
    »Go and tell your uncle,« said Miss Benson to Leonard.
    »Stop, my boy! I have just met Mr. Benson in the street, and my errand now
is to your mother. I should like you to remain and hear what it is; and I am
sure that my business will give these ladies,« - bowing to Miss Benson and
Jemima - »so much pleasure, that I need not apologise for entering upon it in
their presence.«
    He pulled out his double eye-glass, saying, with a grave smile -
    »You ran away from us yesterday so quietly and cunningly, Mrs. Denbigh, that
you were, perhaps, not aware that the Board was sitting at that very time, and
trying to form a vote sufficiently expressive of our gratitude to you. As
chairman, they requested me to present you with this letter, which I shall have
the pleasure of reading.«
    With all due emphasis he read aloud a formal letter from the Secretary to
the Infirmary, conveying a vote of thanks to Ruth.
    The good rector did not spare her one word, from date to signature; and
then, folding the letter up, he gave it to Leonard, saying -
    »There, sir! when you are an old man, you may read that testimony to your
mother's noble conduct with pride and pleasure. For, indeed,« continued he,
turning to Jemima, »no words can express the relief it was to us. I speak of the
gentlemen composing the Board of the Infirmary. When Mrs. Denbigh came forward,
the panic was at its height, and the alarm of course aggravated the disorder.
The poor creatures died rapidly; there was hardly time to remove the dead bodies
before others were brought in to occupy the beds, so little help was to be
procured on account of the universal terror; and the morning when Mrs. Denbigh
offered us her services we seemed at the very worst. I shall never forget the
sensation of relief in my mind when she told us what she proposed to do; but we
thought it right to warn her to the full extent« -
    »Nay, madam,« said he, catching a glimpse of Ruth's changing colour, »I will
spare you any more praises. I will only say, if I can be a friend to you, or a
friend to your child, you may command my poor powers to the utmost.«
    He got up, and, bowing formally, he took his leave. Jemima came and kissed
Ruth. Leonard went upstairs to put the precious letter away. Miss Benson sat
crying heartily in a corner of the room. Ruth went to her, and threw her arms
round her neck, and said -
    »I could not tell him just then. I durst not speak for fear of breaking
down; but if I have done right, it was all owing to you and Mr. Benson. Oh! I
wish I had said how the thought first came into my head from seeing the things
Mr. Benson has done so quietly ever since the fever first came amongst us. I
could not speak; and it seemed as if I was taking those praises to myself, when
all the time I was feeling how little I deserved them - how it was all owing to
you.«
    »Under God, Ruth,« said Miss Benson, speaking through her tears.
    »Oh! I think there is nothing humbles one so much as undue praise. While he
was reading that letter, I could not help feeling how many things I have done
wrong! Could he know of - of what I have been?« asked she, dropping her voice
very low.
    »Yes!« said Jemima, »he knew - everybody in Eccleston did know - but the
remembrance of those days is swept away. Miss Benson,« she continued, for she
was anxious to turn the subject, »you must be on my side, and persuade Ruth to
come to Abermouth for a few weeks. I want her and Leonard both to come.«
    »I'm afraid my brother will think that Leonard is missing his lessons sadly.
Just of late we could not wonder that the poor child's heart was so full; but he
must make haste, and get on all the more for his idleness.« Miss Benson piqued
herself on being a disciplinarian.
    »Oh, as for lessons, Walter is so very anxious that you should give way to
his superior wisdom, Ruth, and let Leonard go to school. He will send him to any
school you fix upon, according to the mode of life you plan for him.«
    »I have no plan,« said Ruth. »I have no means of planning. All I can do is
to try and make him ready for anything.«
    »Well,« said Jemima, »we must talk it over at Abermouth; for I am sure you
won't refuse to come, dearest, dear Ruth! Think of the quiet, sunny days, and
the still evenings, that we shall have together, with little Rosa to tumble
about among the fallen leaves; and there's Leonard to have his first sight of
the sea.«
    »I do think of it,« said Ruth, smiling at the happy picture Jemima drew. And
both smiling at the hopeful prospect before them, they parted - never to meet
again in life.
    No sooner had Mrs. Farquhar gone than Sally burst in.
    »Oh! dear, dear!« said she, looking around her. »If I had but known that the
rector was coming to call I'd ha' put on the best covers, and the Sunday
tablecloth! You're well enough,« continued she, surveying Ruth from head to
foot; »you're always trim and dainty in your gowns, though I reckon they cost
but tuppence a yard, and you've a face to set 'em off; but as for you« (as she
turned to Miss Benson), »I think you might ha' had something better on than that
old stuff, if it had only been to do credit to a parishioner like me, whom he
has known ever sin' my father was his clerk.«
    »You forget, Sally, I had been making jelly all the morning. How could I
tell it was Mr. Grey when there was a knock at the door?« Miss Benson replied.
    »You might ha' letten me do the jelly; I'se warrant I could ha' pleased Ruth
as well as you. If I had but known he was coming, I'd ha' slipped round the
corner and bought ye a neckribbon, or summut to lighten ye up. I'se loth he
should think I'm living with Dissenters, that don't know how to keep themselves
trig and smart.«
    »Never mind, Sally; he never thought of me. What he came for, was to see
Ruth; and, as you say, she's always neat and dainty.«
    »Well! I reckon it cannot be helped now; but, if I buy ye a ribbon, will you
promise to wear it when Church folks come? for I cannot abide the way they have
of scoffing at the Dissenters about their dress.«
    »Very well! we'll make that bargain,« said Miss Benson; »and now, Ruth, I'll
go and fetch you a cup of warm jelly.«
    »Oh! indeed, Aunt Faith,« said Ruth, »I am very sorry to balk you; but if
you're going to treat me as an invalid, I am afraid I shall rebel.«
    But when she found that Aunt Faith's heart was set upon it, she submitted
very graciously: only dimpling up a little, as she found that she must consent
to lie on the sofa, and be fed, when, in truth, she felt full of health, with a
luxurious sensation of languor stealing over her now and then, just enough to
make it very pleasant to think of the salt breezes, and the sea beauty which
awaited her at Abermouth.
    Mr. Davis called in the afternoon, and his visit was also to Ruth. Mr. and
Miss Benson were sitting with her in the parlour, and watching her with
contented love, as she employed herself in household sewing, and hopefully spoke
about the Abermouth plan.
    »Well! so you had our worthy rector here to-day; I am come on something of
the same kind of errand; only I shall spare you the reading of my letter, which,
I'll answer for it, he did not. Please to take notice,« said he, putting down a
sealed letter, »that I have delivered you a vote of thanks from my medical
brothers; and open and read it at your leisure; only not just now, for I want to
have a little talk with you on my own behove. I want to ask you a favour, Mrs.
Denbigh.«
    »A favour!« exclaimed Ruth; »what can I do for you? I think I may say I will
do it, without hearing what it is.«
    »Then you're a very imprudent woman,« replied he; »however, I'll take you at
your word. I want you to give me your boy.«
    »Leonard?«
    »Ay! there it is, you see, Mr. Benson. One minute she is as ready as can be,
and the next she looks at me as if I was an ogre!«
    »Perhaps we don't understand what you mean,« said Mr. Benson.
    »The thing is this. You know I've no children; and I can't say I've ever
fretted over it much; but my wife has; and whether it is that she has infected
me, or that I grieve over my good practice going to a stranger, when I ought to
have had a son to take it after me, I don't know; but, of late, I've got to look
with covetous eyes on all healthy boys, and at last I've settled down my wishes
on this Leonard of yours, Mrs. Denbigh.«
    Ruth could not speak; for, even yet, she did not understand what he meant.
He went on -
    »Now, how old is the lad?« He asked Ruth, but Miss Benson replied -
    »He'll be twelve next February.«
    »Umph! only twelve! He's tall and old-looking for his age. You look young
enough, it is true.« He said this last sentence as if to himself, but seeing
Ruth crimson up, he abruptly changed his tone.
    »Twelve, is he? Well, I take him from now. I don't mean that I really take
him away from you,« said he, softening all at once, and becoming grave and
considerate. »His being your son - the son of one whom I have seen - as I have
seen you, Mrs. Denbigh (out and out the best nurse I ever met with, Miss Benson;
and good nurses are things we doctors know how to value) - his being your son is
his great recommendation to me; not but what the lad himself is a noble boy. I
shall be glad to leave him with you as long and as much as we can; he could not
be tied to your apron-strings all his life, you know. Only I provide for his
education, subject to your consent and good pleasure, and he is bound apprentice
to me. I, his guardian, bind him to myself, the first surgeon in Eccleston, be
the other who he may; and in process of time he becomes partner, and some day or
other succeeds me. Now, Mrs. Denbigh, what have you got to say against this
plan? My wife is just as full of it as me. Come; begin with your objections.
You're not a woman if you have not a whole bag-full of them ready to turn out
against any reasonable proposal.«
    »I don't know,« faltered Ruth. »It is so sudden« -
    »It is very, very kind of you, Mr. Davis,« said Miss Benson, a little
scandalised at Ruth's non-expression of gratitude.
    »Pooh! pooh! I'll answer for it, in the long-run, I am taking good care of
my own interests. Come, Mrs. Denbigh, is it a bargain?«
    Now Mr. Benson spoke.
    »Mr. Davis, it is rather sudden, as she says. As far as I can see, it is the
best as well as the kindest proposal that could have been made; but I think we
must give her a little time to think about it.«
    »Well, twenty-four hours! Will that do?«
    Ruth lifted up her head. »Mr. Davis, I am not ungrateful because I can't
thank you« (she was crying while she spoke); »let me have a fortnight to
consider about it. In a fortnight I will make up my mind. Oh, how good you all
are!«
    »Very well. Then this day fortnight - Thursday the 28th - you will let me
know your decision. Mind! if it's against me, I sha'n't consider it a decision,
for I'm determined to carry my point. I'm not going to make Mrs. Denbigh blush,
Mr. Benson, by telling you, in her presence, of all I have observed about her
this last three weeks, that has made me sure of the good qualities I shall find
in this boy of hers. I was watching her when she little thought of it. Do you
remember that night when Hector O'Brien was so furiously delirious, Mrs.
Denbigh?«
    Ruth went very white at the remembrance.
    »Why now, look there! how pale she is at the very thought of it! And yet, I
assure you, she was the one to go up and take the piece of glass from him which
he had broken out of the window for the sole purpose of cutting his throat, or
the throat of any one else, for that matter. I wish we had some others as brave
as she is.«
    »I thought the great panic was passed away!« said Mr. Benson.
    »Ay! the general feeling of alarm is much weaker; but, here and there, there
are as great fools as ever. Why, when I leave here, I am going to see our
precious member, Mr. Donne« -
    »Mr. Donne?« said Ruth.
    »Mr. Donne, who lies ill at the Queen's - came last week, with the intention
of canvassing, but was too much alarmed by what he heard of the fever to set to
work; and, in spite of all his precautions, he has taken it; and you should see
the terror they are in at the hotel; landlord, landlady, waiters, servants -
all; there's not a creature will go near him, if they can help it; and there's
only his groom - a lad he saved from drowning, I'm told - to do anything for
him. I must get him a proper nurse, somehow or somewhere, for all my being a
Cranworth man. Ah, Mr. Benson! you don't know the temptations we medical men
have. Think, if I allowed your member to die now as he might very well, if he
had no nurse - how famously Mr. Cranworth would walk over the course! - Where's
Mrs. Denbigh gone to? I hope I've not frightened her away by reminding her of
Hector O'Brien, and that awful night, when I do assure you she behaved like a
heroine!«
    As Mr. Benson was showing Mr. Davis out, Ruth opened the study-door, and
said, in a very calm, low voice -
    »Mr. Benson! will you allow me to speak to Mr. Davis alone?«
    Mr. Benson immediately consented, thinking that, in all probability, she
wished to ask some further questions about Leonard; but as Mr. Davis came into
the room, and shut the door, he was struck by her pale, stern face of
determination, and awaited her speaking first.
    »Mr. Davis! I must go and nurse Mr. Bellingham,« said she at last, clenching
her hands tight together, but no other part of her body moving from its intense
stillness.
    »Mr. Bellingham?« asked he, astonished at the name.
    »Mr. Donne, I mean,« said she hurriedly. »His name was Bellingham.«
    »Oh! I remember hearing he had changed his name for some property. But you
must not think of any more such work just now. You are not fit for it. You are
looking as white as ashes.«
    »I must go,« she repeated.
    »Nonsense! Here's a man who can pay for the care of the first hospital
nurses in London - and I doubt if his life is worth the risk of one of theirs
even, much more of yours.«
    »We have no right to weigh human lives against each other.«
    »No! I know we have not. But it's a way we doctors are apt to get into; and,
at any rate, it's ridiculous of you to think of such a thing. Just listen to
reason.«
    »I can't! I can't!« cried she, with a sharp pain in her voice. »You must let
me go, dear Mr. Davis!« said she, now speaking with soft entreaty.
    »No!« said he, shaking his head authoritatively. »I'll do no such thing.«
    »Listen!« said she, dropping her voice, and going all over the deepest
scarlet; »he is Leonard's father! Now! you will let me go!«
    Mr. Davis was indeed staggered by what she said, and for a moment he did not
speak. So she went on -
    »You will not tell! You must not tell! No one knows, not even Mr. Benson,
who it was. And now - it might do him so much harm to have it known. You will
not tell!«
    »No! I will not tell,« replied he. »But, Mrs. Denbigh, you must answer me
this one question, which I ask you in all true respect, but which I must ask, in
order to guide both myself and you aright - of course I knew Leonard was
illegitimate - in fact, I will give you secret for secret; it was being so
myself that first made me sympathise with him, and desire to adopt him. I knew
that much of your history; but tell me, do you now care for this man? Answer me
truly - do you love him?«
    For a moment or two she did not speak; her head was bent down; then she
raised it up, and looked with clear and honest eyes into his face.
    »I have been thinking - but I do not know - I cannot tell - I don't think I
should love him, if he were well and happy - but you said he was ill - and alone
- how can I help caring for him? How can I help caring for him?« repeated she,
covering her face with her hands, and the quick hot tears stealing through her
fingers. »He is Leonard's father,« continued she, looking up at Mr. Davis
suddenly. »He need not know - he shall not - that I have ever been near him. If
he is like the others, he must be delirious - I will leave him before he comes
to himself - but now let me go - I must go.«
    »I wish my tongue had been bitten out before I had named him to you. He
would do well enough without you; and, I dare say, if he recognises you, he will
only be annoyed.«
    »It is very likely,« said Ruth heavily.
    »Annoyed - why! he may curse you for your unasked-for care of him. I have
heard my poor mother - and she was as pretty and delicate a creature as you are
- cursed for showing tenderness when it was not wanted. Now, be persuaded by an
old man like me, who has seen enough of life to make his heart ache - leave this
fine gentleman to his fate. I'll promise you to get him as good a nurse as can
be had for money.«
    »No!« said Ruth, with dull persistency - as if she had not attended to his
dissuasions; »I must go. I will leave him before he recognises me.«
    »Why, then,« said the old surgeon, »if you're so bent upon it, I suppose I
must let you. It is but what my mother would have done - poor, heart-broken
thing! However, come along, and let us make the best of it. It saves me a deal
of trouble, I know; for, if I have you for a right hand, I need not worry myself
continually with wondering how he is taken care of. Go get your bonnet, you
tenderhearted fool of a woman! Let us get you out of the house without any more
scenes or explanations; I'll make all straight with the Bensons.«
    »You will not tell my secret, Mr. Davis,« she said abruptly.
    »No! not I! Does the woman think I had never to keep a secret of the kind
before? I only hope he'll lose his election, and never come near the place
again. After all,« continued he, sighing, »I suppose it is but human nature!« He
began recalling the circumstances of his own early life, and dreamily picturing
scenes in the grey dying embers of the fire; and he was almost startled when she
stood before him, ready equipped, grave, pale, and quiet.
    »Come along!« said he. »If you're to do any good at all, it must be in these
next three days. After that, I'll ensure his life for this bout; and mind! I
shall send you home then; for he might know you, and I'll have no excitement to
throw him back again, and no sobbing and crying from you. But now every moment
your care is precious to him. I shall tell my own story to the Bensons, as soon
as I have installed you.«
    Mr. Donne lay in the best room of the Queen's Hotel - no one with him but
his faithful, ignorant servant, who was as much afraid of the fever as any one
else could be, but who, nevertheless, would not leave his master - his master
who had saved his life as a child, and afterwards put him in the stables at
Bellingham Hall, where he learnt all that he knew. He stood in a farther corner
of the room, watching his delirious master with affrighted eyes, not daring to
come near him, nor yet willing to leave him.
    »Oh! if that doctor would but come! He'll kill himself or me - and them
stupid servants won't stir a step over the threshold; how shall I get over the
night? Blessings on him - here's the old doctor back again! I hear him creaking
and scolding up the stairs!«
    The door opened, and Mr. Davis entered, followed by Ruth.
    »Here's the nurse, my good man - such a nurse as there is not in the three
counties. Now, all you'll have to do is to mind what she says.«
    »Oh, sir! he's mortal bad! won't you stay with us through the night, sir?«
    »Look here!« whispered Mr. Davis to the man, »see how she knows how to
manage him! Why, I could not do it better myself!«
    She had gone up to the wild, raging figure, and with soft authority had made
him lie down: and then, placing a basin of cold water by the bedside, she had
dipped in it her pretty hands, and was laying their cool dampness on his hot
brow, speaking in a low soothing voice all the time, in a way that acted like a
charm in hushing his mad talk.
    »But I will stay,« said the doctor, after he had examined his patient; »as
much on her account as his, and partly to quieten the fears of this poor,
faithful fellow.«
 

                                  Chapter XXXV

                           Out of Darkness into Light

The third night after this was to be the crisis - the turning-point between Life
and Death. Mr. Davis came again to pass it by the bedside of the sufferer. Ruth
was there, constant and still, intent upon watching the symptoms, and acting
according to them, in obedience to Mr. Davis's directions. She had never left
the room. Every sense had been strained in watching - every power of thought or
judgment had been kept on the full stretch. Now that Mr. Davis came and took her
place, and that the room was quiet for the night, she became oppressed with
heaviness, which yet did not tend to sleep. She could not remember the present
time, or where she was. All times of her earliest youth - the days of her
childhood - were in her memory with a minuteness and fullness of detail which was
miserable; for all along she felt that she had no real grasp on the scenes that
were passing through her mind - that, somehow, they were long gone by, and gone
by for ever - and yet she could not remember who she was now, nor where she was,
and whether she had now any interests in life to take the place of those which
she was conscious had passed away, although their remembrance filled her mind
with painful acuteness. Her head lay on her arms, and they rested on the table.
Every now and then she opened her eyes, and saw the large room, handsomely
furnished with articles that were each one incongruous with the other, as if
bought at sales. She saw the flickering night-light - she heard the ticking of
the watch, and the two breathings, each going on at a separate rate - one
hurried, abruptly stopping, and then panting violently, as if to make up for
lost time; and the other slow, steady, and regular, as if the breather was
asleep; but this supposition was contradicted by an occasional repressed sound
of yawning. The sky through the uncurtained window looked dark and black - would
this night never have an end? Had the sun gone down for ever, and would the
world at last awaken to a general sense of everlasting night?
    Then she felt as if she ought to get up, and go and see how the troubled
sleeper in yonder bed was struggling through his illness; but she could not
remember who the sleeper was, and she shrunk from seeing some phantom-face on
the pillow, such as now began to haunt the dark corners of the room, and look at
her, jibbering and mowing as they looked. So she covered her face again, and
sank into a whirling stupor of sense and feeling. By-and-by she heard her
fellow-watcher stirring, and a dull wonder stole over her as to what he was
doing; but the heavy languor pressed her down, and kept her still. At last she
heard the words, Come here, and listlessly obeyed the command. She had to steady
herself in the rocking chamber before she could walk to the bed by which Mr.
Davis stood; but the effort to do so roused her, and, though conscious of an
oppressive headache, she viewed with sudden and clear vision all the
circumstances of her present position. Mr. Davis was near the head of the bed,
holding the night-lamp high, and shading it with his hand, that it might not
disturb the sick person, who lay with his face towards them, in feeble
exhaustion, but with every sign that the violence of the fever had left him. It
so happened that the rays of the lamp fell bright and full upon Ruth's
countenance, as she stood with her crimson lips parted with the hurrying breath,
and the fever-flush brilliant on her cheeks. Her eyes were wide open, and their
pupils distended. She looked on the invalid in silence and hardly understood why
Mr. Davis had summoned her there.
    »Don't you see the change? He is better! - the crisis is past!«
    But she did not speak: her looks were riveted on his softly-unclosing eyes,
which met hers as they opened languidly. She could not stir or speak. She was
held fast by that gaze of his, in which a faint recognition dawned, and grew to
strength.
    He murmured some words. They strained their sense to hear. He repeated them
even lower than before; but this time they caught what he was saying.
    »Where are the water-lilies? Where are the lilies in her hair?«
    Mr. Davis drew Ruth away.
    »He is still rambling,« said he. »But the fever has left him.«
    The grey dawn was now filling the room with its cold light; was it that made
Ruth's cheek so deadly pale? Could that call out the wild entreaty of her look,
as if imploring help against some cruel foe that held her fast, and was
wrestling with her Spirit of Life? She held Mr. Davis's arm. If she had let it
go, she would have fallen.
    »Take me home,« she said, and fainted dead away.
    Mr. Davis carried her out of the chamber, and sent the groom to keep watch
by his master. He ordered a fly to convey her to Mr. Benson's, and lifted her in
when it came, for she was still half unconscious. It was he who carried her
upstairs to her room, where Miss Benson and Sally undressed and laid her in her
bed.
    He awaited their proceedings in Mr. Benson's study. When Mr. Benson came in,
Mr. Davis said -
    »Don't blame me. Don't add to my self-reproach. I have killed her. I was a
cruel fool to let her go. Don't speak to me.«
    »It may not be so bad,« said Mr. Benson, himself needing comfort in that
shock. »She may recover. She surely will recover. I believe she will.«
    »No, no! she won't. But by -- she shall, if I can save her.« Mr. Davis
looked defiantly at Mr. Benson, as if he were Fate. »I tell you she shall
recover, or else I am a murderer. What business had I to take her to nurse him«
-
    He was cut short by Sally's entrance and announcement, that Ruth was now
prepared to see him.
    From that time forward Mr. Davis devoted all his leisure, his skill, his
energy, to save her. He called on the rival surgeon, to beg him to undertake the
management of Mr. Donne's recovery, saying, with his usual self-mockery, »I
could not answer it to Mr. Cranworth if I had brought his opponent round, you
know, when I had had such a fine opportunity in my power. Now, with your
patients, and general Radical interest, it will be rather a feather in your cap;
for he may want a good deal of care yet, though he is getting on famously - so
rapidly, in fact, that it's a strong temptation to me to throw him back - a
relapse, you know.«
    The other surgeon bowed gravely, apparently taking Mr. Davis in earnest, but
certainly very glad of the job thus opportunely thrown in his way. In spite of
Mr. Davis's real and deep anxiety about Ruth, he could not help chuckling over
his rival's literal interpretation of all he had said.
    »To be sure, what fools men are! I don't know why one should watch and
strive to keep them in the world. I have given this fellow something to talk
about confidently to all his patients; I wonder how much stronger a dose the man
would have swallowed! I must begin to take care of my practice for that lad
yonder. Well-a-day! well-a-day! What was this sick fine gentleman sent here for,
that she should run a chance of her life for him? or why was he sent into the
world at all, for that matter?«
    Indeed, however much Mr. Davis might labour with all his professional skill
- however much they might all watch - and pray - and weep - it was but too
evident that Ruth home must go, and take her wages. Poor, poor Ruth!
    It might be that, utterly exhausted by watching and nursing, first in the
hospital, and then by the bedside of her former lover, the power of her
constitution was worn out; or, it might be, her gentle, pliant sweetness, but
she displayed no outrage or discord even in her delirium. There she lay in the
attic-room in which her baby had been born, her watch over him kept, her
confession to him made; and now she was stretched on the bed in utter
helplessness, softly gazing at vacancy with her open, unconscious eyes, from
which all the depth of their meaning had fled, and all they told of was of a
sweet, child-like insanity within. The watchers could not touch her with their
sympathy, or come near her in her dim world; - so, mutely, but looking at each
other from time to time with tearful eyes, they took a poor comfort from the one
evident fact that, though lost and gone astray, she was happy and at peace. They
had never heard her sing; indeed, the simple art which her mother had taught
her, had died, with her early joyousness, at that dear mother's death. But now
she sang continually, very slow, and low. She went from one old childish ditty
to another without let or pause, keeping a strange sort of time with her pretty
fingers, as they closed and unclosed themselves upon the counterpane. She never
looked at any one with the slightest glimpse of memory or intelligence in her
face; no, not even Leonard.
    Her strength faded day by day; but she knew it not. Her sweet lips were
parted to sing, even after the breath and the power to do so had left her, and
her fingers fell idly on the bed. Two days she lingered thus - all but gone from
them, and yet still there.
    They stood around her bedside, not speaking, or sighing, or moaning; they
were too much awed by the exquisite peacefulness of her look for that. Suddenly
she opened wide her eyes, and gazed intently forwards, as if she saw some happy
vision, which called out a lovely, rapturous, breathless smile. They held their
very breaths.
    »I see the Light coming,« said she. »The Light is coming,« she said. And,
raising herself slowly, she stretched out her arms, and then fell back, very
still for evermore.
    They did not speak. Mr. Davis was the first to utter a word.
    »It is over!« said he. »She is dead!«
    Out rang through the room the cry of Leonard -
    »Mother! mother! mother! You have not left me alone! You will not leave me
alone! You are not dead! Mother! Mother!«
    They had pent in his agony of apprehension till then, that no wail of her
child might disturb her ineffable calm. But now there was a cry heard through
the house, of one refusing to be comforted: »Mother! Mother!«
    But Ruth lay dead.
 

                                 Chapter XXXVI

                                    The End

A stupor of grief succeeded to Leonard's passionate cries. He became so much
depressed, physically as well as mentally, before the end of the day, that Mr.
Davis was seriously alarmed for the consequences. He hailed with gladness a
proposal made by the Farquhars, that the boy should be removed to their house,
and placed under the fond care of his mother's friend, who sent her own child to
Abermouth the better to devote herself to Leonard.
    When they told him of this arrangement, he at first refused to go and leave
her: but when Mr. Benson said -
    »She would have wished it, Leonard! Do it for her sake!« he went away very
quietly; not speaking a word, after Mr. Benson had made the voluntary promise
that he should see her once again. He neither spoke nor cried for many hours;
and all Jemima's delicate wiles were called forth, before his heavy heart could
find the relief of tears. And then he was so weak, and his pulse so low, that
all who loved him feared for his life.
    Anxiety about him made a sad distraction from the sorrow for the dead. The
three old people, who now formed the household in the Chapel-house, went about
slowly and dreamily, each with a dull wonder at their hearts why they, the
infirm and worn-out, were left, while she was taken in her lovely prime.
    The third day after Ruth's death, a gentleman came to the door and asked to
speak to Mr. Benson. He was very much wrapped up in furs and cloaks, and the
upper, exposed part of his face was sunk and hollow, like that of one but
partially recoved from illness. Mr. and Miss Benson were at Mr. Farquhar's, gone
to see Leonard, and poor old Sally had been having a hearty cry over the kitchen
fire before answering the door-knock. Her heart was tenderly inclined, just
then, towards any one who had the aspect of suffering: so, although her master
was out, and she was usually chary of admitting strangers, she proposed to Mr.
Donne (for it was he), that he should come in and await Mr. Benson's return in
the study. He was glad enough to avail himself of her offer; for he was feeble
and nervous, and come on a piece of business which he exceedingly disliked, and
about which he felt very awkward. The fire was nearly, if not quite, out; nor
did Sally's vigorous blows do much good, although she left the room with an
assurance that it would soon burn up. He leant against the chimney-piece,
thinking over events, and with a sensation of discomfort, both external and
internal, growing and gathering upon him. He almost wondered whether the
proposal he meant to make with regard to Leonard could not be better arranged by
letter than by an interview. He became very shivery, and impatient of the state
of indecision to which his bodily weakness had reduced him.
    Sally opened the door and came in. »Would you like to walk upstairs, sir?«
asked she in a trembling voice, for she had learnt who the visitor was from the
driver of the fly, who had run up to the house to inquire what was detaining the
gentleman that he had brought from the Queen's Hotel; and, knowing that Ruth had
caught the fatal fever from her attendance on Mr. Donne, Sally imagined that it
was but a piece of sad civility to invite him upstairs to see the poor dead
body, which she had laid out and decked for the grave, with such fond care that
she had grown strangely proud of its marble beauty.
    Mr. Donne was glad enough of any proposal of a change from the cold and
comfortless room where he had thought uneasy, remorseful thoughts. He fancied
that a change of place would banish the train of reflection that was troubling
him; but the change he anticipated was to a well-warmed, cheerful sitting-room,
with signs of life, and a bright fire therein, and he was on the last flight of
stairs - at the door of the room where Ruth lay - before he understood whither
Sally was conducting him. He shrank back for an instant, and then a strange
sting of curiosity impelled him on. He stood in the humble low-roofed attic, the
window open, and the tops of the distant snow-covered hills filling up the
whiteness of the general aspect. He muffled himself up in his cloak, and
shuddered, while Sally reverently drew down the sheet, and showed the beautiful,
calm, still face, on which the last rapturous smile still lingered, giving an
ineffable look of bright serenity. Her arms were crossed over her breast; the
wimple-like cap marked the perfect oval of her face, while two braids of the
waving auburn hair peeped out of the narrow border, and lay on the delicate
cheeks.
    He was awed into admiration by the wonderful beauty of that dead woman.
    »How beautiful she is!« said he, beneath his breath. »Do all dead people
look so peaceful - so happy?«
    »Not all,« replied Sally, crying. »Few has been as good and as gentle as she
was in their lives.« She quite shook with her sobbing.
    Mr. Donne was disturbed by her distress.
    »Come, my good woman! we must all die« -- he did not know what to say, and
was becoming infected by her sorrow. »I am sure you loved her very much, and
were very kind to her in her lifetime; you must take this from me to buy
yourself some remembrance of her.« He had pulled out a sovereign, and really had
a kindly desire to console her, and reward her, in offering it to her.
    But she took her apron from her eyes, as soon as she became aware of what he
was doing, and, still holding it midway in her hands, she looked at him
indignantly, before she burst out -
    »And who are you, that think to pay for my kindness to her by money? And I
was not kind to you, my darling,« said she, passionately addressing the
motionless, serene body - »I was not kind to you. I frabbed you, and plagued you
from the first, my lamb! I came and cut off your pretty locks in this very room
- I did - and you said never an angry word to me; - no! not then, nor many a
time after, when I was very sharp and cross to you. - No! I never was kind to
you, and I dunnot think the world was kind to you, my darling, - but you are
gone where the angels are very tender to such as you - you are, my poor wench!«
She bent down and kissed the lips, from whose marble, unyielding touch Mr. Donne
recoiled, even in thought.
    Just then Mr. Benson entered the room. He had returned home before his
sister, and came upstairs in search of Sally, to whom he wanted to speak on some
subject relating to the funeral. He bowed in recognition of Mr. Donne, whom he
knew as the member for the town, and whose presence impressed him painfully, as
his illness had been the proximate cause of Ruth's death. But he tried to check
this feeling, as it was no fault of Mr. Donne's. Sally stole out of the room, to
cry at leisure in her kitchen.
    »I must apologise for being here,« said Mr. Donne. »I was hardly conscious
where your servant was leading me to, when she expressed her wish that I should
walk upstairs.«
    »It is a very common idea in this town, that it is a gratification to be
asked to take a last look at the dead,« replied Mr. Benson.
    »And in this case I am glad to have seen her once more,« said Mr. Donne.
»Poor Ruth!«
    Mr. Benson glanced up at him at the last word. How did he know her name? To
him she had only been Mrs. Denbigh. But Mr. Donne had no idea that he was
talking to one unaware of the connection that had formerly existed between them;
and, though he would have preferred carrying on the conversation in a warmer
room, yet, as Mr. Benson was still gazing at her with sad, lingering love, he
went on -
    »I did not recognise her when she came to nurse me; I believe I was
delirious. My servant, who had known her long ago in Fordham, told me who she
was. I cannot tell you how I regret that she should have died in consequence of
her love of me.«
    Mr. Benson looked up at him again, a stern light filling his eyes as he did
so. He waited impatiently to hear more, either to quench or confirm his
suspicions. If she had not been lying there, very still and calm, he would have
forced the words out of Mr. Donne, by some abrupt question. As it was, he
listened silently, his heart quick beating.
    »I know that money is but a poor compensation - is no remedy for this event,
or for my youthful folly.«
    Mr. Benson set his teeth hard together, to keep in words little short of a
curse.
    »Indeed, I offered her money to almost any amount before: - do me justice,
sir,« catching the gleam of indignation on Mr. Benson's face; »I offered to
marry her, and provide for the boy as if he had been legitimate. It's of no use
recurring to that time,« said he, his voice faltering; »what is done cannot be
undone. But I came now to say, that I should be glad to leave the boy still
under your charge, and that every expense you think it right to incur in his
education I will gladly defray; - and place a sum of money in trust for him -
say, two thousand pounds - or more: fix what you will. Of course, if you decline
retaining him, I must find some one else; but the provision for him shall be the
same, for my poor Ruth's sake.«
    Mr. Benson did not speak. He could not, till he had gathered some peace from
looking at the ineffable repose of the Dead.
    Then, before he answered, he covered up her face; and in his voice there was
the stillness of ice.
    »Leonard is not unprovided for. Those that honoured his mother will take
care of him. He shall never touch a penny of your money. Every offer of service
you have made, I reject in his name, and in her presence,« said he, bending
towards the Dead. »Men may call such actions as yours youthful follies! There is
another name for them with God. Sir! I will follow you downstairs.«
    All the way down, Mr. Benson heard Mr. Donne's voice urging and entreating,
but the words he could not recognise for the thoughts that filled his brain -
the rapid putting together of events that was going on there. And when Mr. Donne
turned at the door, to speak again, and repeat his offers of service to Leonard,
Mr. Benson made answer, without well knowing whether the answer fitted the
question or not -
    »I thank God, you have no right, legal or otherwise, over the child. And for
her sake, I will spare him the shame of ever hearing your name as his father.«
    He shut the door in Mr. Donne's face.
    »An ill-bred, puritanical old fellow! He may have the boy, I am sure, for
aught I care. I have done my duty, and will get out of this abominable place as
soon as I can. I wish my last remembrance of my beautiful Ruth was not mixed up
with all these people.«
    Mr. Benson was bitterly oppressed with tills interview; it disturbed the
peace with which he was beginning to contemplate events. His anger ruffled him,
although such anger had been just, and such indignation well deserved; and both
had been unconsciously present in his heart for years against the unknown
seducer, whom he met face to face by the death-bed of Ruth.
    It gave him a shock which he did not recover from for many days. He was
nervously afraid lest Mr. Donne should appear at the funeral; and not all the
reasons he alleged to himself against this apprehension, put it utterly away
from him. Before then, however, he heard casually (for he would allow himself no
inquiries) that he had left the town. No! Ruth's funeral passed over in calm and
simple solemnity. Her child, her own household, her friend and Mr. Farquhar,
quietly walked after the bier, which was borne by some of the poor to whom she
had been very kind in her lifetime, And many others stood aloof in the little
burying-ground, sadly watching that last ceremony.
    They slowly dispersed; Mr. Benson leading Leonard by the hand, and secretly
wondering at his self-restraint.
    Mr. Benson was anxious, according to Dissenting custom, to preach an
appropriate funeral sermon. It was the last office he could render to her; it
should be done well and carefully. Moreover, it was possible that the
circumstances of her life, which were known to all, might be made effective in
this manner to work conviction of many truths. Accordingly, he made great
preparation of thought and paper; he laboured hard, destroying sheet after sheet
- his eyes filling with tears between-whiles, as he remembered some fresh proof
of the humility and sweetness of her life. Oh, that he could do her justice! but
words seemed hard and inflexible, and refused to fit themselves to his ideas. He
sat late on Saturday, writing; he watched through the night till Sunday morning
was far advanced. He had never taken such pains with any sermon, and he was only
half satisfied with it after all.
    Mrs. Farquhar had comforted the bitterness of Sally's grief by giving her
very handsome mourning. At any rate, she felt oddly proud and exulting when she
thought of her new black gown; but, when she remembered why she wore it, she
scolded herself pretty sharply for her satisfaction, and took to crying afresh
with redoubled vigour. She spent the Sunday morning in alternately smoothing
down her skirts, and adjusting her broad hemmed collar, or bemoaning the
occasion with tearful earnestness. But the sorrow overcame the little quaint
vanity of her heart, as she saw troop after troop of humbly-dressed mourners
pass by into the old chapel. They were very poor - but each had mounted some
rusty piece of crape, or some faded black ribbon. The old came halting and slow
- the mothers carried their quiet, awe-struck babes.
    And not only these were there - but others - equally unaccustomed to
nonconformist worship; Mr. Davis, for instance, to whom Sally acted as
chaperone; for he sat in the minister's pew, as a stranger; and, as she
afterwards said, she had a fellow-feeling with him, being a Church-woman
herself, and Dissenters had such awkward ways; however, she had been there
before, so she could set him to rights about their fashions.
    From the pulpit, Mr. Benson saw one and all - the well-filled Bradshaw pew -
all in deep mourning, Mr. Bradshaw conspicuously so (he would have attended the
funeral gladly if they would have asked him) - the Farquhars - the many
strangers - the still more numerous poor - one or two wild-looking outcasts who
stood afar off, but wept silently and continually. Mr. Benson's heart grew very
full.
    His voice trembled as he read and prayed. But he steadied it as he opened
his sermon - his great, last effort in her honour - the labour that he had
prayed God to bless to the hearts of many. For an instant the old man looked on
all the upturned faces, listening, with wet eyes, to hear what he could say to
interpret that which was in their hearts, dumb and unshaped, of God's doings, as
shown in her life. He looked, and, as he gazed, a mist came before him, and he
could not see his sermon, nor his hearers, but only Ruth, as she had been -
stricken low, and crouching from sight in the upland field by Llan-dhu - like a
woeful, hunted creature. And now her life was over! her struggle ended! Sermon
and all was forgotten. He sat down, and hid his face in his hands for a minute
or so. Then he arose, pale and serene. He put the sermon away, and opened the
Bible, and read the seventh chapter of Revelations, beginning at the ninth
verse.
    Before it was finished, most of his hearers were in tears. It came home to
them as more appropriate than any sermon could have been. Even Sally, though
full of anxiety as to what her fellow-Churchman would think of such proceedings,
let the sobs come freely as she heard the words -
    »And he said to me, These are they which came out of great tribulation, and
have washed their robes, and made them white in the blood of the Lamb.
    Therefore are they before the throne of God, and serve him day and night in
his temple; and he that sitteth on the throne shall dwell among them.
    They shall hunger no more, neither thirst any more; neither shall the sun
light on them, nor any heat.
    For the Lamb which is in the midst of the throne shall feed them, and shall
lead them unto living fountains of waters, and God shall wipe away all tears
from their eyes.«
 
                                    -------
 
»He preaches sermons sometimes,« said Sally, nudging Mr. Davis, as they rose
from their knees at last. »I make no doubt there was as grand a sermon in yon
paper-book as ever we hear in church. I've heard him pray uncommon fine - quite
beyond any but learned folk.«
    Mr. Bradshaw had been anxious to do something to testify his respect for the
woman, who, if all had entertained his opinions, would have been driven into
hopeless sin. Accordingly, he ordered the first stonemason of the town to meet
him in the chapel-yard on Monday morning, to take measurement and receive
directions for a tombstone. They threaded their way among the grassy heaps to
where Ruth was buried, in the south corner, beneath the great Wych-elm. When
they got there, Leonard raised himself up from the new-stirred turf. His face
was swollen with weeping; but, when he saw Mr. Bradshaw, he calmed himself, and
checked his sobs, and, as an explanation of being where he was when thus
surprised, he could find nothing to say but the simple words -
    »My mother is dead, sir.«
    His eyes sought those of Mr. Bradshaw with a wild look of agony, as if to
find comfort for that great loss in human sympathy; and at the first word - the
first touch of Mr. Bradshaw's hand on his shoulder - he burst out afresh.
    »Come, come! my boy! - Mr. Francis, I will see you about this to-morrow - I
will call at your house. - Let me take you home, my poor fellow. Come, my lad,
come!«
    The first time, for years, that he had entered Mr. Benson's house, he came
leading and comforting her son - and, for a moment, he could not speak to his
old friend, for the sympathy which choked up his voice, and filled his eyes with
tears.
