 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
