第2章

Shehadheardoffallinginlove，butdidnotknowthesignsandsymptomsthereof;nor，indeed，hadshetroubledherheadmuchaboutthem。Sorrowhadfilledupherdays，totheexclusionofalllighterthoughtsthantheconsiderationofpresentduties，andtheremembranceofthehappytimewhichhadbeen。Buttheintervalofblank，afterthelossofhermotherandduringherfather’slife-in-death，hadmadeherallthemorereadytovalueandclingtosympathy——firstfromJenny，andnowfromMr。Bellingham。 Toseeherhomeagain，andtoseeitwithhim;toshowhim(secureofhisinterest)thehauntsofformertimes，eachwithitslittletaleofthepast——ofdead-and-goneevents！——Nocomingshadowthrewitsgloomoverthisweek’sdreamofhappiness——adreamwhichwastoobrighttobespokenabouttocommonandindifferentears。 chapter04，CHAPTERIV，TREADINGINPERILOUSPLACES，Sundaycame，asbrilliantasiftherewerenosorrow，ordeath，orguiltintheworld;adayortwoofrainhadmadetheearthfreshandbraveastheblueheavensabove。Ruththoughtitwastoostrongarealisationofherhopes，andlookedforanover-cloudingatnoon;butthegloryendured，andattwoo’clockshewasintheLeasowes，withabeatingheartfullofjoy，longingtostopthehours，whichwouldpasstooquicklythroughtheafternoon。Theysaunteredthroughthefragrantlanes，asiftheirloiteringwouldprolongthetimeandcheckthefiery-footedsteedsgallopingapacetowardsthecloseofthehappyday。Itwaspastfiveo’clockbeforetheycametothegreatmill-wheel，whichstoodinSabbathidleness，motionlessinabrownmassofshade，andstillwetwithyesterday’simmersioninthedeeptransparentwaterbeneath。Theyclamberedthelittlehill，notyetfullyshadedbytheoverarchingelms;andthenRuthcheckedMr。Bellingham，byaslightmotionofthehandwhichlaywithinhisarm，andglancedupintohisfacetoseewhatthatfaceshouldexpressasitlookedonMilhamGrange，nowlyingstillandpeacefulinitsafternoonshadows。Itwasahouseofafter-thoughts;buildingmaterialswereplentifulintheneighbourhood，andeverysuccessiveownerhadfoundanecessityforsomeadditionorprojection，tillitwasapicturesquemassofirregularity——ofbrokenlightandshadow——which，asawhole，gaveafullandcompleteideaofa“Home。”Allitsgablesandnookswereblendedandheldtogetherbythetendergreenoftheclimbingrosesandyoungcreepers。Anoldcouplewerelivinginthehouseuntilitshouldbelet，buttheydweltinthebackpart，andneverusedthefrontdoor;sothelittlebirdshadgrowntameandfamiliar，andpercheduponthewindow-sillsandporch，andontheoldstonecisternwhichcaughtthewaterfromtheroof。Theywentsilentlythroughtheuntrimmedgarden，fullofthepale-colouredflowersofspring。Aspiderhadspreadherweboverthefrontdoor。ThesightofthisconveyedasenseofdesolationtoRuth’sheart;shethoughtitwaspossiblethestate-entrancehadneverbeenusedsinceherfather’sdeadbodyhadbeenborneforth，andwithoutspeakingaword，sheturnedabruptlyaway，andwentroundthehousetoanotherdoor。Mr。Bellinghamfollowedwithoutquestioning，littleunderstandingherfeelings，butfullofadmirationforthevaryingexpressioncalledoutuponherface。Theoldwomanhadnotyetreturnedfromchurch，orfromtheweeklygossiporneighbourlyteawhichsucceeded。Thehusbandsatinthekitchen，spellingthepsalmsforthedayinhisPrayer-book，andreadingthewordsoutaloud——ahabithehadacquiredfromthedoublesolitudeofhislife，forhewasdeaf。Hedidnothearthequietentranceofthepair，andtheywerestruckwiththesortofghostlyechowhichseemstohaunthalf-furnishedanduninhabitedhouses。Theverseshewasreadingwerethefollowing：——，“Whyartthousovexed，Omysoul：andwhyartthousodisquietedwithinme？，“OputthytrustinGod：forIwillyetthankhim，whichisthehelpofmycountenance，andmyGod。”，Andwhenhehadfinishedheshutthebook，andsighedwiththesatisfactionofhavingdonehisduty。Thewordsofholytrust，though，perhaps，theywerenotfullyunderstood，carriedafaithfulpeacedownintothedepthsofhissoul。Ashelookedup，hesawtheyoungcouplestandinginthemiddleofthefloor。Hepushedhisiron-rimmedspectacles。ontohisforehead，androsetogreetthedaughterofhisoldmasterandever-honouredmistress。”Godblessthee，lass！Godblessthee！Myoldeyesaregladtoseetheeagain。”，Ruthsprangforwardtoshakethehornyhandstretchedforwardintheactionofblessing。Shepresseditbetweenbothofhers，assherapidlypouredoutquestions。Mr。Bellinghamwasnotaltogethercomfortableatseeingonewhomhehadalreadybeguntoappropriateashisown，sotenderlyfamiliarwithahard-featured，meanly-dressedday-labourer。Hesaunteredtothewindow，andlookedoutintothegrass-grownfarmyard;buthecouldnothelpoverhearingsomeoftheconversation，whichseemedtohimcarriedontoomuchinthetoneofequality。“Andwho’syon？”askedtheoldlaboureratlast。“Isheyoursweetheart？Yourmissis’sson，Ireckon。He’saspruceyoungchap，anyhow。”，Mr。Bellingham’s“bloodofalltheHowards“roseandtingledabouthisears，sothathecouldnothearRuth’sanswer。Itbeganby“Hush，Thomas; prayhush！”buthowitwentonhedidnotcatch。TheideaofhisbeingMrs。Mason’sson！Itwasreallytooridiculous;but，likemostthingswhichare“tooridiculous，“itmadehimveryangry。HewashardlyhimselfagainwhenRuthshylycametothewindow-recessandaskedhimifhewouldliketoseethehouse-place，intowhichthefront-doorentered;manypeoplethoughtitverypretty，shesaid，half-timidly，forhisfacehadunconsciouslyassumedahardandhaughtyexpression，whichhecouldnotinstantlysoftendown。Hefollowedher，however;butbeforeheleftthekitchenhesawtheoldmanstanding，lookingatRuth’scompanionwithastrange，graveairofdissatisfaction。Theywentalongoneortwozig-zagdamp-smellingstonepassages，andthenenteredthehouse-place，orcommonsitting-roomforafarmer’sfamilyinthatpartofthecountry。Thefrontdooropenedintoit，andseveralotherapartmentsissuedoutofit，suchasthedairy，thestatebedroom(whichwashalf-parlouraswell)，andasmallroomwhichhadbeenappropriatedtothelateMrs。Hilton，whereshesat，ormorefrequentlylay，commandingthroughtheopendoorthecomingsandgoingsofherhousehold。Inthosedaysthehouse-placehadbeenacheerfulroom，fulloflife，withthepassingtoandfroofhusband，child，andservants;withagreatmerrywood-firecracklingandblazingawayeveryevening，andhardlyletoutintheveryheatofsummer;forwiththethickstonewalls，andthedeepwindow-seats，andthedraperyofvine-leavesandivy，thatroom，withitsflag-floor，seemedalwaystowantthesparkleandcheerywarmthofafire。Butnowthegreenshadowsfromwithoutseemedtohavebecomeblackintheuninhabiteddesolation。Theoakenshovel-board，theheavydresser，andthecarvedcupboards，werenowdullanddamp，whichwereformerlypolisheduptothebrightnessofalooking-glasswherethefire-blazewasforeverglinting;theyonlyaddedto。theoppressivegloom;theflag-floorwaswetwithheavymoisture。 Ruthstoodgazingintotheroom，seeingnothingofwhatwaspresent。Shesawavisionofformerdays——aneveninginthedaysofherchildhood;herfathersittinginthe“master’scorner“nearthefire，sedatelysmokinghispipe，whilehedreamilywatchedhiswifeandchild;hermotherreadingtoher，asshesatonalittlestoolatherfeet。Itwasgone——allgoneintothelandofshadows;butforthemomentitseemedsopresentintheoldroom，thatRuthbelievedheractuallifetobethedream。Then，’stillsilent，shewentonintohermother’sparlour。Butthere，thebleaklookofwhathadoncebeenfullofpeaceandmother’slove，struckcoldonherheart。Sheutteredacry，andthrewherselfdownbythesofa，hidingherfaceinherhands，whileherframequiveredwithherrepressedsobs。”DearestRuth，don’tgivewayso。Itcandonogood;itcannotbringbackthedead，“saidMr。Bellingham，distressedatwitnessingherdistress。”Iknowitcannot，“murmuredRuth;“andthatiswhyIcry。Icrybecausenothingwilleverbringthemhackagain。”Shesobbedafresh，butmoregently，forhiskindwordssoothedher，andsoftened，iftheycouldnottakeaway，hersenseofdesolation。”Comeaway;Icannothaveyoustayhere，fullofpainfulassociationsastheseroomsmustbe。Come“——raisingherwithgentleviolence——“showmeyourlittlegardenyouhaveoftentoldmeabout。Nearthewindowofthisveryroom，isitnot？SeehowwellIremembereverythingyoutellme。”，Heledherroundthroughthebackpartofthehouseintotheprettyold-fashionedgarden。Therewasasunnyborderjustunderthewindows，andclippedboxandyew-treesbythegrass-plat，furtherawayfromthehouse;andsheprattledagainofherchildishadventuresandsolitaryplays。Whentheyturnedroundtheysawtheoldman，whohadhobbledoutwiththehelpofhisstick，andwaslookingatthemwiththesamegrave，sadlookofanxiety。Mr。Bellinghamspokerathersharply——，“Whydoesthatoldmanfollowusaboutinthatway？Itisexcessivelyimpertinentofhim，Ithink。”，“Oh，don’tcalloldThomasimpertinent。Heissogoodandkind，heislikeafathertome。IremembersittingonhiskneemanyandmanyatimewhenIwasachild，whilsthetoldmestoriesoutofthe’Pilgrim’sProgress。’ Hetaughtmetosuckupmilkthroughastraw。Mammawasveryfondofhim，too。Heusedtositwithusalwaysintheeveningswhenpapawasawayatmarket，formammawasratherafraidofhavingnomaninthehouse，andusedtobegoldThomastostay;andhewouldtakemeonhisknee，andlistenjustasattentivelyasIdidwhilemammareadaloud。”，“Youdon’tmeantosayyouhavesatuponthatoldfellow’sknee？”“Oh，yes！manyandmanyatime。”，Mr。BellinghamlookedgraverthanhehaddonewhilewitnessingRuth’spassionateemotioninhermother’sroom。Buthelosthissenseofindignityinadmirationofhiscompanionasshewanderedamongtheflowers，seekingforfavouritebushesorplants，towhichsomehistoryorremembrancewasattached。Shewoundinandoutinnatural，graceful，wavylinesbetweentheluxuriantandovergrownshrubs，whichwerefragrantwithaleafysmellofspringgrowth;shewenton，carelessofwatchingeyes，indeedunconscious，forthetime，oftheirexistence。Onceshestoppedtotakeholdofasprayofjessamine，andsoftlykissit;ithadbeenhermother’sfavouriteflower。OldThomaswasstandingbythehorse-mount，andwasalsoanobserverofallhergoings-on。But，whileMr。Bellingham’sfeelingwasthatofpassionateadmirationmingledwithaselfishkindoflove，theoldmangazedwithtenderanxiety，andhislipsmovedinwordsofblessing——，“She’saprettycreature，withaglintofhermotherabouther;andshe’sthesamekindlassasever。Notabitsetupwithyonfinemanty-maker’sshopshe’sin。Imisdoubtthatyoungfellowthough，forallshecalledhimarealgentleman，andcheckedmewhenIaskedifhewashersweetheart。 Ifhisarenotsweetheart’slooks，I’veforgottenallmyyoungdays。Here！ they’regoing，Isuppose。Look！hewantshertogowithoutawordtotheoldman;butsheisnonesochangedasthat，Ireckon。”，NotRuth，indeed！SheneverperceivedthedissatisfiedexpressionofMr。 Bellingham’scountenance，visibletotheoldman’skeeneye;butcamerunninguptoThomastosendherlovetohiswife，andtoshakehimmanytimesbythehand。”TellMaryI’llmakehersuchafinegown，assoonaseverIsetupformyself;itshallbeallinthefashion，biggigotsleeves，thatsheshallnotknowherselfinthem！Mindyoutellherthat，Thomas，willyou？”“Ay，thatIwill，lass;andIreckonshe’llbepleasedtohearthouhastnotforgottenthyoldmerryways。TheLordblessthee——theLordliftupthelightofHiscountenanceuponthee。”，Ruthwashalf-waytowardstheimpatientMr。Bellinghamwhenheroldfriendcalledherback。Helongedtogiveherawarningofthedangerthathethoughtshewasin，andyethedidnotknowhow。Whenshecameup，allhecouldthinkoftosaywasatext;indeed，thelanguageoftheBiblewasthelanguageinwhichhethought，wheneverhisideaswentbeyondpracticaleverydaylifeintoexpressionsofemotionorfeeling。“Mydear，rememberthedevilgoethaboutasaroaringlion，seekingwhomhemaydevour;rememberthat，Ruth。”，Thewordsfellonherear，butgavenodefiniteidea。Theutmosttheysuggestedwastheremembranceofthedreadshefeltasachildwhenthisversecameintohermind，andhowsheusedtoimaginealion’sheadwithglaringeyespeeringoutofthebushesinadarkshadypartofthewood，which，forthisreason，shehadalwaysavoided，andevennowcouldhardlythinkofwithoutashudder。Sheneverimaginedthatthegrimwarningrelatedtothehandsomeyoungmanwhoawaitedherwithacountenancebeamingwithlove，andtenderlydrewherhandwithinhisarm。Theoldmansighedashewatchedthemaway。“TheLordmayhelphertoguideherstepsaright。Hemay。ButI’mafeardshe’streadinginperilousplaces。 I’llputmymissisuptogoingtothetownandgettingspeechofher，andtellingherabitofherdanger。AnoldmotherlywomanlikeourMarywillsetaboutitbetternorastupidfellowlikeme。”，ThepooroldlabourerprayedlongandearnestlythatnightforRuth。Hecalledit“wrestlingforhersoul;“andIthinkthathisprayerswereheard，for“Godjudgethnotasmanjudgeth。”，Ruthwentonherway，allunconsciousofthedarkphantomsofthefuturethatweregatheringaroundher;hermelancholyturned，withthepliancyofchildishyears，atsixteennotyetlost，intoasoftenedmannerwhichwasinfinitelycharming。By-and-bysheclearedupintosunnyhappiness。 Theeveningwasstillandfullofmellowlight，andthenew-bornsummerwassodeliciousthat，incommonwithallyoungcreatures，sheshareditsinfluenceandwasglad。Theystoodtogetheratthetopofasteepascent，“thehill“ofthehundred。 Atthesummittherewasalevelspace，sixtyorseventyyardssquare，ofunenclosedandbrokenground，overwhichthegoldenbloomofthegorsecastarichhue，whileitsdeliciousscentperfumedthefreshandnimbleair。Ononesideofthiscommon，thegroundslopeddowntoaclearbrightpond，inwhichweremirroredtheroughsand-cliffsthatroseabruptontheoppositebank;hundredsofmartensfoundahomethere，andwerenowwheelingoverthetransparentwater，anddippingintheirwingsintheireveningsport。Indeed，allsortsofbirdsseemedtohauntthelonelypool; thewater-wagtailswerescatteredarounditsmargin，thelinnetsperchedonthetopmostspraysofthegorse-bushes，andotherhiddenwarblerssangtheirvespersontheunevengroundbeyond。Onthefarsideofthegreenwaste，closebytheroad，andwellplacedfortherequirementsofhorsesortheirriderswhomightbewearywiththeascentofthehill，therewasapublic-house，whichwasmoreofafarmthananinn。Itwasalong，lowbuilding，richindormer-windowsontheweatherside，whichwerenecessaryinsuchanexposedsituation，andwithoddprojectionsandunlooked-forgablesoneveryside;therewasadeepporchinfront，onwhosehospitablebenchesadozenpersonsmightsitandenjoythebalmyair。Anoblesycamoregrewrightbeforethehouse，withseatsallroundit(“suchtentsthepatriarchsloved“);andanondescriptsignhungfromabranchonthesidenexttotheroad，which，beingwiselyfurnishedwithaninterpretation，wasfoundtomeanKingCharlesintheoak。Nearthiscomfortable，quiet，unfrequentedinn，therewasanotherpond，forhouseholdandfarmyardpurposes，fromwhichthecattleweredrinking，beforereturningtothefieldsaftertheyhadbeenmilked。Theirverymotionsweresolazyandslow，thattheyservedtofillupthemindwiththesensationofdreamyrest。RuthandMr。Bellinghamplungedthroughthebrokengroundtoregaintheroadnearthewaysideinn。Hand-in-hand，nowprickedbythefar-spreadinggorse，nowankle-deepinsand;nowpressingthesoft，thickheath，whichshouldmakesobraveanautumnshow;andnowoverwildthymeandotherfragrantherbs，theymadetheirway，withmanyamerrylaugh。 Onceontheroad，atthesummit，Ruthstoodsilent，inbreathlessdelightattheviewbeforeher。Thehillfellsuddenlydownintotheplain，extendingforadozenmilesormore。TherewasaclumpofdarkScotchfirsclosetothem，whichcutclearagainstthewesternsky，andthrewbackthenearestlevelsintodistance。Theplainbelowthemwasrichlywooded，andwastintedbytheyoungtenderhuesoftheearliestsummer，forallthetreesofthewoodhaddonnedtheirleavesexceptthecautiousash，whichhereandtheregaveasoft，pleasantgreynesstothelandscape。Farawayinthechampaignwerespires，andtowers，andstacksofchimneysbelongingtosomedistanthiddenfarmhouse，whichweretraceddownwardsthroughthegoldenairbythethincolumnsofbluesmokesentupfromtheeveningfires。Theviewwasboundedbysomerisinggroundindeeppurpleshadowagainstthesunsetsky。Whenfirsttheystopped，silentwithsighingpleasure，theairseemedfullofpleasantnoises;distantchurch-bellsmadeharmoniousmusicwiththelittlesinging-birdsnearathand;norwerethelowingsofthecattlenorthecallsofthefarm-servantsdiscordant，forthevoicesseemedtobehushedbythebroodingconsciousnessoftheSabbath。Theystoodloiteringbeforethehouse，quietlyenjoyingtheview。Theclockinthelittleinnstruckeight，anditsoundedclearandsharpinthestillness。”Canitbesolate？”askedRuth。”Ishouldnothavethoughtitpossible，“answeredMr。Bellingham。“But，nevermind，youwillbeathomelongbeforenine。Stay，thereisashorterroad，Iknow，throughthefields;justwaitamoment，whileIgoinandasktheexactway。”HedroppedRuth’sarm，andwentintothepublic-house。Agighadbeenslowlytoilingupthesandyhillbehind，unperceivedbytheyoungcouple，andnowitreachedthetableland，andwascloseuponthemastheyseparated。Ruthturnedround，whenthesoundofthehorse’sfootstepscamedistinctlyashereachedthelevel。ShefacedMrs。Mason！，Theywerenotten——no，notfiveyardsapart。Atthesamemomenttheyrecognisedeachother，and，whatwasworse，Mrs。Masonhadclearlyseen，withhersharp，needle-likeeyes，theattitudeinwhichRuthhadstoodwiththeyoungmanwhohadjustquittedher。Ruth’shandhadbeenlyinginhisarm，andfondlyheldtherebyhisotherhand。Mrs。Masonwascarelessaboutthecircumstancesoftemptationintowhichthegirlsentrustedtoherasapprenticeswerethrown，butseverelyintolerantiftheirconductwasinanydegreeinfluencedbytheforceofthesetemptations。 Shecalledthisintolerance“keepingupthecharacterofherestablishment。” ItwouldhavebeenabetterandmoreChristianthingifshehadkeptupthecharacterofhergirlsbytendervigilanceandmaternalcare。Thisevening，too，shewasinanirritatedstateoftemper。HerbrotherhadundertakentodriveherroundbyHenbury，inordertogivehertheunpleasantinformationofthemisbehaviourofhereldestson，whowasanassistantinadraper’sshopinaneighbouringtown。Shewasfullofindignationagainstwantofsteadiness，thoughnotwillingtodirectherindignationagainsttherightobject——herne’er-do-welldarling。Whileshewasthuschargedwithanger(forherbrotherjustlydefendedherson’smasterandcompanionsfromherattacks)，shesawRuthstandingwithalover，farawayfromhome，atsuchatimeintheevening，andsheboiledoverwithintemperatedispleasure。”Comeheredirectly，MissHilton，“sheexclaimedsharply。Then，droppinghervoicetolow，bittertonesofconcentratedwrath;shesaidtothetrembling，guiltyRuth——，“Don’tattempttoshowyourfaceatmyhouseagainafterthisconduct。 Isawyou，andyoursparktoo。I’llhavenoslursonthecharacterofmyapprentices。Don’tsayaword。Isawenough。Ishallwriteandtellyourguardianto-morrow。Thehorsestartedaway，forhewasimpatienttobeoff;andRuthwasleftstandingthere，stony，sick，andpale，asifthelightninghadtomupthegroundbeneathherfeet。Shecouldnotgoonstanding，shewassosickandfaint;shestaggeredbacktothebrokensand-bank，andsankdown，andcoveredherfacewithherhands。”MydearestRuth！areyouill？Speak，darling！Mylove，mylove，dospeaktome！”Whattenderwordsaftersuchharshones！TheyloosenedthefountainofRuth’stears，andshecriedbitterly。”Oh！didyouseeher——didyouhearwhatshesaid？”“She！Who，mydarling？Don’tsobso，Ruth;tellmewhatitis。Whohasbeennearyou？——whohasbeenspeakingtoyoutomakeyoucryso？”“Oh，Mrs。Mason。”Andtherewasafreshburstofsorrow。”Youdon’tsayso！areyousure？Iwasnotawayfiveminutes。”，“Oh，yes，sir，I’mquitesure。Shewassoangry;shesaidImustnevershowmyfacethereagain。Oh，dear！whatshallIdo？”ItseemedtothepoorchildasifMrs。Mason’swordswereirrevocable，and，thatbeingso，shewasshutoutfromeveryhouse。Shesawhowmuchshehaddonethatwasdeservingofblame，nowwhenitwastoolatetoundoit。SheknewwithwhatseverityandtauntsMrs。Masonhadoftentreatedherforinvoluntaryfallings，ofwhichshehadbeenquiteunconscious; andnowshehadreallydonewrong，andshrankwithterrorfromtheconsequences。 Hereyesweresoblindedbythefast-fallingtears，shedidnotsee(nor，hadsheseen，wouldshehavebeenabletointerpret)thechangeinMr。 Bellingham’scountenance，ashestoodsilentlywatchingher。Hewassilentsolong，thateveninhersorrowshebegantowonderthathedidnotspeak，andtowishtohearhissoothingwordsoncemore。”Itisveryunfortunate，“hebegan，atlast;andthenhestopped;thenhebeganagain：“Itisveryunfortunate;for，yousee，Ididnotliketonameittoyoubefore，but，Ibelieve——Ihavebusiness，infact，whichobligesmetogototownto-morrow——toLondon，Imean;andIdon’tknowwhenIshallbeabletoreturn。”，“ToLondon！”criedRuth;“areyougoingaway？Oh，Mr。Bellingham！”Sheweptafresh，givingherselfuptothedesolatefeelingofsorrow，whichabsorbedalltheterrorshehadbeenexperiencingattheideaofMrs。Mason’sanger。Itseemedtoheratthismomentasthoughshecouldhaveborneeverythingbuthisdeparture;butshedidnotspeakagain;and，aftertwoorthreeminuteshadelapsed，hespoke——notinhisnaturalcarelessvoice，butinasortofconstrained，agitatedtone。”Icanhardlybeartheideaofleavingyou，myownRuth。Insuchdistress，too;forwhereyoucangoIdonotknowatall。FromallyouhavetoldmeofMrs。Mason，Idon’tthinksheislikelytomitigateherseverityinyourcase。Noanswer，buttearsquietly，incessantlyflowing。Mrs。Mason’sdispleasureseemedadistantthing;hisgoingawaywasthepresentdistress。Hewenton——，“Ruth，wouldyougowithmetoLondon？Mydarling，Icannotleaveyouherewithoutahome;thethoughtofleavingyouatallispainenough，butinthesecircumstances——sofriendless，sohomeless——itisimpossible。Youmustcomewithme，love，andtrusttome。”，Stillshedidnotspeak。Rememberhowyoung，andinnocent，andmotherlessshewas！Itseemedtoherasifitwouldbehappinessenoughtobewithhim;andasforthefuture，hewouldarrangeanddecideforthat。Thefuturelaywrappedinagoldenmist，whichshedidnotcaretopenetrate;butifhe，hersun，wasoutofsightandgone，thegoldenmistbecamedarkheavygloom，throughwhichnohopecouldcome。Hetookherhand。”Willyounotcomewithme？Doyounotlovemeenoughtotrustme？Oh，Ruth(reproachfully)，canyounottrustme？”Shehadstoppedcrying，butwassobbingsadly。”Icannotbearthis，love。Yoursorrowisabsolutepaintome;butitisworsetofeelhowindifferentyouare——howlittleyoucareaboutourseparation。”，Hedroppedherhand。Sheburstintoafreshfitofcrying。”ImayhavetojoinmymotherinParis;Idon’tknowwhenIshallseeyouagain。Oh，Ruth！”saidhevehemently，“doyoulovemeatall？”Shesaidsomethinginaverylowvoice;hecouldnothearit，thoughhebentdownhishead——buthetookherhandagain。”Whatwasityousaid，love？Wasitnotthatyoudidloveme？Mydarling，youdo！Icantellitbythetremblingofthislittlehand;thenyouwillnotsuffermetogoawayaloneandunhappy，mostanxiousaboutyou？Thereisnoothercourseopentoyou;mypoorgirlhasnofriendstoreceiveher。Iwillgohomedirectly，andreturninanhourwithacarriage。Youmakemetoohappybyyoursilence，Ruth。”，“Oh，whatcanIdo？”exclaimedRuth。“Mr。Bellingham，youshouldhelpme，andinsteadofthatyouonlybewilderme。”，“How，mydearestRuth？Bewilderyou！Itseemssocleartome。Lookatthecasefairly！Hereyouare，anorphan，withonlyonepersontoloveyou，poorchild！——thrownoff，fornofaultofyours，bytheonlycreatureonwhomyouhaveaclaim，thatcreatureatyrannical，inflexiblewoman;whatismorenatural(and，beingnatural，moreright)thanthatyoushouldthrowyourselfuponthecareoftheonewholovesyoudearly——whowouldgothroughfireandwaterforyou——whowouldshelteryoufromallharm？Unless，indeed，asIsuspect，youdonotcareforhim。Ifso，Ruth，ifyoudonotcareforme，wehadbetterpart——Iwillleaveyouatonce;itwillbebetterformetogo，ifyoudonotcareforme。Hesaidthisverysadly(itseemedsotoRuth，atleast)，andmadeasthoughhewouldhavedrawnhishandfromhers;butnowshehelditwithsoftforce。”Don’tleaveme，please，sir。ItisverytrueIhavenofriendbutyou。 Don’tleaveme，please。But，oh！dotellmewhatImustdo！”“WillyoudoitifItellyou？Ifyouwilltrustme，Iwilldomyverybestforyou。Iwillgiveyoumybestadvice。YouseeyourpositionMrs。 Masonwritesandgivesherownexaggeratedaccounttoyourguardian;heisboundbynogreatlovetoyou，fromwhatIhaveheardyousay，andthrowsyouoff;I，whomightbeabletobefriendyou——throughmymother，perhaps——I，whocouldatleastcomfortyoualittle(couldnotI，Ruth？)，amaway，faraway，foranindefinitetime;thatisyourpositionatpresent。Now，whatIadviseisthis。Comewithmeintothislittleinn;Iwillorderteaforyou——(Iamsureyourequireitsadly)——andIwillleaveyouthere，andgohomeforthecarriage。Iwillreturninanhouratthelatest。Thenwearetogether，comewhatmay;thatisenoughforme;isitnotforyou，Ruth？Sayyes——sayiteversolow，butgivemethedelightofhearingit。 Ruth，sayyes。”，Lowandsoft，withmuchhesitation，camethe“Yes;“thefatalwordofwhichshesolittleimaginedtheinfiniteconsequences。Thethoughtofbeingwithhimwasallandeverything。”Howyoutremble，mydarling！Youarecold，love！Comeintothehouse，andI’llordertea，directly，andbeoff。”，Sherose，and，leaningonhisarm，wentintothehouse。Shewasshakinganddizzywiththeagitationofthelasthour。Hespoketothecivilfarmer-landlord，whoconductedthemintoaneatparlour，withwindowsopeningintothegardenatthebackofthehouse。Theyhadadmittedmuchoftheevening’sfragrancethroughtheiropencasementsbeforetheywerehastilyclosedbytheattentivehost。”Tea，directly，forthislady！”Thelandlordvanished。”DearestRuth，Imustgo;thereisnotaninstanttobelost。Promisemetotakesometea，foryouareshiveringallover，anddeadlypalewiththefrightthatabominablewomanhasgivenyou。Imustgo;Ishallbebackinhalfanhour——andthennomorepartings，darling。Hekissedherpalecoldface，andwentaway。TheroomwhirledroundbeforeRuth;itwasadream——astrange，varying，shiftingdream——withtheoldhomeofherchildhoodforonescene，withtheterrorofMrs。Mason’sunexpectedappearanceforanother;andthen，strangest，dizziest，happiestofall，therewastheconsciousnessofhislove，whowasalltheworldtoher，andtheremembranceofthetenderwords，whichstillkeptuptheirlowsoftechoinherheart。Herheadachedsomuchthatshecouldhardlysee;eventheduskytwilightwasadazzlingglaretoherpooreyes;andwhenthedaughterofthehousebroughtinthesharplightofthecandles，preparatoryfortea，Ruthhidherfaceinthesofapillowswithalowexclamationofpain。”Doesyourheadache，miss？”askedthegirl，inagentle，sympathisingvoice。“Letmemakeyousometea，miss，itwilldoyougood。Many’sthetimepoormother’sheadacheswerecuredbygoodstrongtea。”，Ruthmurmuredacquiescence;theyounggirl(aboutRuth’sownage，butwhowasthemistressofthelittleestablishmentowingtohermother’sdeath) madetea，andbroughtRuthacuptothesofawhereshelay。Ruthwasfeverishandthirsty，andeagerlydrankitoff，althoughshecouldnottouchthebreadandbutterwhichthegirlofferedher。Shefeltbetterandfresher，thoughshewasstillfaintandweak。”Thankyou，“saidRuth。“Don’tletmekeepyou，perhapsyouarebusy。Youhavebeenverykind，andtheteahasdonemeagreatdealofgood。”，Thegirllefttheroom。Ruthbecameashotasshehadpreviouslybeencold，andwentandopenedthewindow，andleantoutintothestill，sweet，eveningair，Thebushofsweet-brierunderneaththewindowscentedtheplace，andthedeliciousfragranceremindedherofheroldhome。Ithinkscentsaffectandquickenthememorymorethaneithersightsorsound;forRuthhadinstantlybeforehereyesthelittlegardenbeneaththewindowofhermother’sroomwiththeoldmanleaningonhisstickwatchingher，justashehaddonenotthreehoursbeforeonthatveryafternoon。”DearoldThomas！heandMarywouldtakemein，Ithink;theywouldlovemeallthemoreifIwerecastoff。AndMr。Bellinghamwould，perhaps，notbesoverylongaway;andhewouldknowwheretofindmeifIstayedatMilhamGrange。Oh，woulditnotbebettertogotothem？Iwonderifhewouldbeverysorry！Icouldnotbeartomakehimsorry，sokindashehasbeentome;butIdobelieveitwouldbebettertogotothem，andasktheiradvice，atanyrate。Hewouldfollowmethere;andIcouldtalkoverwhatIhadbetterdo，withthethreebestfriendsIhaveintheworld——theonlyfriendsIhave。Sheputonherbonnet，andopenedtheparlour-door;butthenshesawthesquarefigureofthelandlordstandingattheopenhouse-door，smokinghiseveningpipe，andloominglargeanddistinctagainstthedarkairandlandscapebeyond。Ruthrememberedthecupofteashehaddrunk;itmustbepaidfor，andshehadnomoneywithher。Shefearedthathewouldnotletherquitthehousewithoutpaying。ShethoughtthatshewouldleaveanoteforMr。Bellingham，sayingwhereshewasgone，andhowshehadleftthehouseindebt，for(likeachild)alldilemmasappearedofequalmagnitudetoher;andthedifficultyofpassingthelandlordwhilehestoodthere，andofgivinghimanexplanationofthecircumstances(asfarassuchexplanationwasduetohim)，appearedinsuperable，andasawkwardandfraughtwithinconvenienceasfarmoreserioussituations。Shekeptpeepingoutofherroom，aftershehadwrittenherlittlepencil-note，toseeiftheouterdoorwasstillobstructed。Therehestood，motionless，enjoyinghispipe，andlookingoutintothedarknesswhichgatheredthickwiththecomingnight。Thefumesofthetobaccowerecarriedbytheairintothehouse，andbroughtbackRuth’ssickheadache。Herenergylefther;shebecamestupidandlanguid，andincapableofspiritedexertion;shemodifiedherplanofaction，tothedeterminationofaskingMr。BellinghamtotakehertoMilhamGrange，tothecareofherhumblefriends，insteadoftoLondon。 Andshethought，inhersimplicity，thathewouldinstantlyconsentwhenhehadheardherreasons。Shestartedup。Acarriagedasheduptothedoor。Shehushedherbeatingheart，andtriedtostopherthrobbinghead，tolisten。Sheheardhimspeakingtothelandlord，thoughshecouldnotdistinguishwhathesaidheardthejinglingofmoney，andinanothermomenthewasintheroom，andhadtakenherarmtoleadhertothecarriage。”Oh，sir，IwantyoutotakemetoMilhamGrange，“saidshe，holdingback; “oldThomaswouldgivemeahome。”，“Well，dearest，we’lltalkofallthatinthecarriage;Iamsureyouwilllistentoreason。Nay，ifyouwillgotoMilham，youmustgointhecarriage，“ saidhehurriedly。Shewaslittleaccustomedtoopposethewishesofanyone;obedientanddocilebynature，andunsuspiciousandinnocentofanyharmfulconsequences。Sheenteredthecarriage，anddrovetowardsLondon。 chapter05，CHAPTERV，INNORTHWALES，TheJuneof18——hadbeengloriousandsunny，andfullofflowers;butJulycameinwithpouringrain，anditwasagloomytimefortravellersandforweather-boundtourists，wholoungedawaythedaysintouchingupsketches，dressingflies，andreadingoveragain，forthetwentiethtime，thefewvolumestheyhadbroughtwiththem。AnumberoftheTimes，fivedaysold，hadbeeninconstantdemandinallthesitting-roomsofacertaininninalittlemountainvillageofNorthWales，throughalongJulymorning。Thevalleysaroundwerefilledwiththick，coldmist，whichhadcreptupthehillsidestillthehamletitselfwasfoldedinitswhite，densecurtain，andfromtheinn-windowsnothingwasseenofthebeautifulsceneryaround。Thetouristswhothrongedtheroomsmightaswellhavebeen“wi’theirdearlittlebairniesathame;“andsosomeofthemseemedtothink，astheystood，withtheirfacesflattenedagainstthewindowpanes，lookingabroadinsearchofaneventtofillupthedrearytime。Howmanydinnerswerehastenedthatday，bywayofgettingthroughthemorning，letthepoorWelshkitchen-maidsay！Theveryvillagechildrenkeptindoors; or，ifoneortwomoreadventurousstoleoutintothelandoftemptationandpuddles，theyweresoonclutchedbackbyangryandbusymothers。Itwasonlyfouro’clock，butmostoftheinmatesoftheinnthoughtitmustbebetweensixandseven，themorninghadseemedsolong——somanyhourshadpassedsincedinner——whenaWelshcar，drawnbytwohorses，rattledbrisklyuptothedoor。Everywindowofthearkwascrowdedwithfacesatthesound;theleatherncurtainswereundrawntotheircuriouseyes，andoutsprangagentleman，whocarefullyassistedawell-cloaked-upladyintothelittleinn，despitethelandlady’sassurancesofnothavingaroomtospare。Thegentleman(itwasMr。Bellingham)paidnoattentiontothespeechesofthehostess，butquietlysuperintendedtheunpackingofthecarriage，andpaidthepostillion;then，turninground，withhisfacetothelight，hespoketothelandlady，whosevoicehadbeenrisingduringthelastfiveminutes——，“Nay，Jenny，you’restrangelyaltered，ifyoucanturnoutanoldfriendonsuchaneveningasthis。IfIrememberright，PentreVoelasistwentymilesacrossthebleakestmountain-roadIeversaw。”，“Indeed，sir，andIdidnotknowyou;Mr。Bellingham，Ibelieve。Indeed，sir，PentreVoelasisnotaboveeighteenmiles——weonlychargeforeighteen; itmaynotbemuchaboveseventeen，——andwe’requitefull，indeed，more’sthepity。”，“Well，but，Jenny，toobligeme，anoldfriend，youcanfindlodgingsoutforsomeofyourpeople——thathouseacross，forinstance。”，“Indeed，sir，andit’satliberty;perhapsyouwouldnotmindlodgingthereyourself。Icouldgetyouthebestrooms，andsendoveratrifleorsooffurniture，iftheyweren’tasyou’dwishthemtobe。”，“No，Jenny，hereIstay。You’llnotinducemetoventureoverintothoserooms，whosedirtIknowofold。Can’tyoupersuadesomeonewhoisnotanoldfriendtomoveacross？Say，ifyoulike，thatIhadwrittenbeforehandtobespeaktherooms。Oh，Iknowyoucanmanageit——Iknowyourgood-naturedways。”，“Indeed，sir！Well，I’llsee，ifyouandtheladywilljuststepintotheback-parlour，sir——there’snoonetherejustnow;theladyiskeepingherbedto-dayforacold，andthegentlemanishavingarubberatwhistinnumberthree。I’llseewhatIcando。”，“Thankyou——thankyou！Isthereafire？ifnot，onemustbelighted。Come，Ruthie，come！”Heledthewayintoalargebow-windowedroom，whichlookedgloomyenoughthatafternoon，butwhichIhaveseenbrightandbuoyantwithyouthandhopewithin，andsunnylightscreepingdownthepurplemountainslope，andstealingoverthegreen，softmeadows，tilltheyreachedthelittlegarden，fullofrosesandlavender-bushes，lyingcloseunderthewindow。 Ihaveseen——butIshallseenomore。”Ididnotknowyouhadbeenherebefore，“saidRuth，asMr。Bellinghamhelpedheroffwithhercloak。”Oh，yes;threeyearsagoIwashereonareadingparty。Wewerehereabovetwomonths，attractedbyJenny’skindheartandoddities，butdrivenawayfinallybytheinsufferabledirt。However，foraweekortwoitwon’tmuchsignify。”，“Butcanshetakeusin？IthoughtIheardhersayingherhousewasfull。”，“Oh，yes，Idaresayitis;butIshallpayherwell。Shecaneasilymakeexcusestosomepoordevil，andsendhimovertotheotherside;andforadayortwo，sothatwehaveshelter，itdoesnotmuchsignify。”，“Couldnotwegotothehouseontheotherside？”“Andhaveourmealscarriedacrosstousinahalf-warmstate，tosaynothingofhavingnoonetoscoldforbadcooking！Youdon’tknowtheseout-of-the-wayWelshinnsyet，Ruthie。”，“No，Ionlythoughtitseemedratherunfair，“saidRuthgently;butshedidnotendhersentence，forMr。Bellinghamformedhislipsintoawhistle，andwalkedtothewindowtosurveytherain。TheremembranceofhisformergoodpaymentpromptedmanylittleliesofwhichMrs。Morganwasguiltythatafternoon，beforeshesucceededinturningoutagentlemanandlady，whowereonlyplanningtoremaintilltheensuingSaturdayattheoutside;so，iftheydidfulfiltheirthreat，andleaveonthenextday，shewouldbenoverygreatloser。Thesehouseholdarrangementscomplete，shesolacedherselfwithteainherownlittleparlour，andshrewdlyreviewedthecircumstancesofMr。 Bellingham’sarrival。”Indeed！andshe’snothiswife，“thoughtJenny，that’sclearasday。Hiswifewouldhavebroughthermaid，andgivenherselftwiceasmanyairsaboutthesitting-rooms;whilethispoormissneverspoke，butkeptasstillasamouse。Indeed，andyoungmenwillbeyoungmen;andaslongastheirfathersandmothersshuttheireyes，it’snoneofmybusinesstogoaboutaskingquestions。”，Inthismannertheysettleddowntoaweek’senjoymentofthatAlpinecountry。 ItwasmosttrueenjoymenttoRuth。Itwasopeninganewsense;vastideasofbeautyandgrandeurfilledhermindatthesightofthemountains，nowfirstbeheldinfullmajesty。Shewasalmostoverpoweredbythevagueandsolemndelight;butby-and-byherloveforthemequalledherawe，andinthenight-timeshewouldsoftlyrise，andstealtothewindowtoseethewhitemoon-light，whichgaveanewaspecttotheeverlastinghillsthatgirdlethemountainvillage。Theirbreakfast-hourwaslate，inaccordancewithMr。Bellingham’stastesandhabits;butRuthwasupbetimes，andoutandaway，brushingthedewdropsfromtheshortcrispgrass;thelarksunghighaboveherhead，andsheknewnotifshemovedorstoodstill，forthegrandeurofthisbeautifulearthabsorbedallideaofseparateandindividualexistence。Evenrainwasapleasuretoher。Shesatinthewindow-seatoftheirparlour(shewouldhavegoneoutgladly，butthatsuchaproceedingannoyedMr。Bellingham，whousuallyatsuchtimesloungedawaythelistlesshoursonasofa，andrelievedhimselfbyabusingtheweather);shesawtheswift-fleetingshowerscomeathwartthesunlightlikearushofsilverarrows;shewatchedthepurpledarknessontheheatherymountain-side，andthenthepalegoldengleamwhichsucceeded。TherewasnochangeoralterationofnaturethathadnotitsownpeculiarbeautyintheeyesofRuth;butifshehadcomplainedofthechangeableclimate，shewouldhavepleasedMr。Bellinghammore： heradmirationandhercontentmadehimangry，untilherprettymotionsandlovingeyessootheddownhisimpatience。”Really，Ruth，“heexclaimedoneday，whentheyhadbeenimprisonedbyrainawholemorning，“onewouldthinkyouhadneverseenashowerofrainbefore;itquiteweariesmetoseeyousittingtherewatchingthisdetestableweatherwithsuchaplacidcountenance;andforthelasttwohoursyouhavesaidnothingmoreamusingorinterestingthan——’Oh，howbeautiful！’ or，’There’sanothercloudcomingacrossMoelWynn。’“Ruthleftherseatverygently，andtookupherwork。Shewishedshehadthegiftofbeingamusing;itmustbedullforamanaccustomedtoallkindsofactiveemploymentstobeshutupinthehouse。Shewasrecalledfromherabsoluteself-forgetfulness。WhatcouldshesaytointerestMr。 Bellingham？Whileshethought，hespokeagain——，“Irememberwhenwewerereadingherethreeyearsago，wehadaweekofjustsuchweatherasthis;butHowardandJohnsonwerecapitalwhist-players，andWilbrahamnotbad，sowegotthroughthedaysfamously。Canyouplayecarte，Ruth，orpicquet？”“No，sir;Ihavesometimesplayedatbeggar-my-neighbour，“answeredRuthhumbly，regrettingherowndeficiencies。Hemurmuredimpatiently，andtherewassilenceforanotherhalf-hour。Thenhesprangup，andrangthebellviolently。“AskMrs。Morganforapackofcards。Ruthie，I’llteachyouecarte，“saidhe。ButRuthwasstupid，notsogoodasadummy，hesaid;anditwasnofunbettingagainsthimself。Sothecardswereflungacrossthetable——onthefloor——anywhere。Ruthpickedthemup。Assherose，shesighedalittlewiththedepressionofspiritsconsequentuponherownwantofpowertoamuseandoccupyhimsheloved。”You’repale，love！”saidhe，halfrepentingofhisangeratherblundersoverthecards。“Gooutbeforedinner;youknowyoudon’tmindthiscursedweather;andseethatyoucomehomefullofadventurestorelate。Come，littleblockhead！givemeakiss，andbegone。”，Shelefttheroomwithafeelingofrelief;forifheweredullwithouther，sheshouldnotfeelresponsible，andunhappyatherownstupidity。 Theopenair，thatkindofsoothingbalmwhichgentlemotherNatureofferstousallinourseasonsofdepression，relievedher。Therainhadceased，thougheveryleafandbladewasloadedwithtremblingglitteringdrops。 Ruthwentdowntothecirculardale，intowhichthebrownfoamingmountainriverfellandmadeadeeppool，and，afterrestingthereforawhile，ranonbetweenbrokenrocksdowntothevalleybelow。Thewater-fallwasmagnificent，asshehadanticipated;shelongedtoextendherwalktotheothersideofthestream，soshesoughtthestepping-stones，theusualcrossing-place，whichwereovershadowedbytrees，afewyardsfromthepool。Thewatersranhighandrapidly，asbusyaslife，betweenthepiecesofgreyrock;butRuthhadnofear，andwentlightlyandsteadilyon。Aboutthemiddle，however，therewasagreatgap;eitheroneofthestoneswassocoveredwithwaterastobeinvisible，orithadbeenwashedlowerdown; atanyrate，thespringfromstonetostonewaslong，andRuthhesitatedforamomentbeforetakingit。Thesoundofrushingwaterswasinherearstotheexclusionofeveryothernoise;hereyeswereonthecurrentrunningswiftlybelowherfeet;andthusshewasstartledtoseeafigureclosebeforeherononeofthestones，andtohearavoiceofferinghelp。Shelookedupandsawaman，whowasapparentlylongpastmiddlelife，andofthestatureofadwarf;asecondglanceaccountedforthelowheightofthespeaker，forthenshesawhewasdeformed。Astheconsciousnessofthisinfirmitycameintohermind，itmusthavetolditselfinhersoftenedeyes;forafaintflushofcolourcameintothepalefaceofthedeformedgentleman，asherepeatedhiswords——，“Thewaterisveryrapid;willyoutakemyhand？perhapsIcanhelpyou。”，Ruthacceptedtheoffer，andwiththisassistanceshewasacrossinamoment。 Hemadewayforhertoprecedehiminthenarrowwoodpath，andthensilentlyfollowedheruptheglen。Whentheyhadpassedoutofthewoodintothepasture-landbeyond，Ruthoncemoreturnedtomarkhim。Shewasstruckafreshwiththemildbeautyoftheface，thoughtherewassomethinginthecountenancewhichtoldofthebody’sdeformity，somethingmoreandbeyondthepallorofhabitualill-health，somethingofaquickspirituallightinthedeep-seteyes，asensibilityaboutthemouth;butaltogether，thoughapeculiar，itwasamostattractiveface。”WillyouallowmetoaccompanyyouifyouaregoingtheroundbyCwmDhu，asIimagineyouare？Thehandrailisblownawayfromthelittlewoodenbridgebythestormlastnight，andtherushofwatersbelowmaymakeyoudizzy;anditisreallydangeroustofallthere，thestreamissodeep。”，Theywalkedonwithoutmuchspeech。Shewonderedwhohercompanionmightbe。Sheshouldhaveknownhim，ifshehadseenhimamongthestrangersattheinn;andyethespokeEnglishtoowelltobeaWelshman;heknewthecountryandthepathssoperfectly，hemustbearesident;andsoshetossedhimfromEnglandtoWales，andbackagain，inherimagination。”Ionlycamehereyesterday，“saidhe，asawideninginthepathpermittedthemtowalkabreast。“LastnightIwenttothehigherwaterfalls;theyaremostsplendid。”，“Didyougooutinallthatrain？”askedRuthtimidly。”Oh，yes。Rainneverhindersmefromwalking。Indeed，itgivesanewbeautytosuchacountryasthis。Besides，mytimeformyexcursionissoshort，Icannotaffordtowasteaday。”，“Thenyoudonotlivehere？”askedRuth。”No！myhomeisinaverydifferentplace。Iliveinabusytown，whereattimesitisdifficulttofeelthetruththat，Thereareinthisloudstunningtide，Ofhumancareandcrime，Withwhomthemelodiesabide，Ofth’everlastingchime;，Whocarrymusicintheirheart，Throughduskylaneandcrowdedmart，Plyingtheirtaskwithbusierfeet，Becausetheirsecretsoulsaholystrainrepeat。’，Ihaveanannualholiday，whichIgenerallyspendinWales;andofteninthisimmediateneighbourhood。”，“Idonotwonderatyourchoice，“repliedRuth。“Itisabeautifulcountry。”，“Itis，indeed;andIhavebeeninoculatedbyanoldinn-keeperatConwaywithaloveforitspeople，andhistory，andtraditions。Ihavepickedupenoughofthelanguagetounderstandmanyoftheirlegends;andsomeareveryfineandawe-inspiring，othersverypoeticandfanciful。”，Ruthwastooshytokeepuptheconversationbyanyremarkofherown，althoughhisgentle，pensivemannerwasverywinning。”Forinstance，“saidhe，touchingalongbud-ladenstemoffoxgloveinthehedge-aide，atthebottomofwhichoneortwocrimson-speckledflowerswereburstingfromtheirgreensheaths，“Idaresay，youdon’tknowwhatmakesthisfox-glovebendandswaysogracefully。Youthinkitisblownbythewind，don’tyou？”Helookedatherwithagravesmile，whichdidnotenlivenhisthoughtfuleyes，butgaveaninexpressiblesweetnesstohisface。”Ialwaysthoughtitwasthewind。Whatisit？”askedRuthinnocently。”Oh，theWelshtellyouthatthisflowerissacredtothefairies，andthatithasthepowerofrecognisingthem，andallspiritualbeingswhopassby，andthatitbowsindeferencetothemastheywaftalong。ItsWelshnameisManegEllyllyn——thegoodpeople’sglove;andhence，Iimagine，ourfolk’s-gloveorfox-glove。”，“It’saveryprettyfancy，“saidRuth，muchinterested，andwishingthathewouldgoon，withoutexpectinghertoreply。Buttheywerealreadyatthewoodenbridge;heledheracross，andthen，bowinghisadieu，hehadtakenadifferentpathevenbeforeRuthhadthankedhimforhisattention。ItwasanadventuretotellMr。Bellingham，however;anditarousedandamusedhimtilldinner-timecame，afterwhichhesaunteredforthwithacigar。”Ruth，“saidhe，whenhereturned，“I’veseenyourlittlehunchback。HelookslikeRiquet-with-the-Tuft。He’snotagentleman，though。Ifithadnotbeenforhisdeformity，Ishouldnothavemadehimoutfromyourdescription; youcalledhimagentleman。”，“Anddon’tyou？”askedRuth，surprised。”Oh，no！he’sregularlyshabbyandseedyinhisappearance;lodging，too，theostlertoldme，overthathorriblecandle-and-cheeseshop，thesmellofwhichisinsufferabletwentyyardsoff——nogentlemancouldendureit; hemustbeatravellerorartist，orsomethingofthatkind。”，“Didyouseehisface？”askedRuth。”No;butaman’sback——histoutensemblehascharacterenoughinittodecidehisrank。”，“Hisfacewasverysingular;quitebeautiful！”saidshesoftly;butthesubjectdidnotinterestMr。Bellingham，andheletitdrop。 chapter06，CHAPTERVI，TROUBLESGATHERABOUTRUTH，Thenextdaytheweatherwasbraveandglorious;aperfect“bridaloftheearthandsky;“andeveryoneturnedoutoftheinntoenjoythefreshbeautyofnature。Ruthwasquiteunconsciousofbeingtheobjectofremark; and，inherlight，rapidpassingstoandfro，hadneverlookedatthedoorsandwindows，wheremanywatchersstoodobservingher，andcommentinguponhersituationorherappearance。”She’saverylovelycreature，“saidonegentleman，risingfromthebreakfast-tabletocatchaglimpseofherassheenteredfromhermorning’sramble。“NotabovesixteenIshouldthink。Verymodestandinnocent-lookinginherwhitegown！”Hiswife，busyadministeringtothewantsofafinelittleboy，couldonlysay(withoutseeingtheyounggirl’smodestways，andgentle，downcastcountenance)——，“Well！Idothinkit’sashamesuchpeopleshouldbeallowedtocomehere。 Tothinkofsuchwickednessunderthesameroof！Docomeaway，mydear，anddon’tflatterherbysuchnotice。”，Thehusbandreturnedtothebreakfast-table;hesmeltthebroiledhamandeggs，andheheardhiswife’scommands。Whethersmellingorhearinghadmosttodoincausinghisobedience，Icannottell;perhapsyoucan。”Now，Harry，goandseeifnurseandbabyarereadytogooutwithyou。 Youmustlosenotimethisbeautifulmorning。”，RuthfoundMr。Bellinghamwasnotyetcomedown;soshesalliedoutforanadditionalhalf-hour’sramble。Flittingaboutthroughthevillage，tryingtocatchallthebeautifulsunnypeepsatthescenerybetweenthecoldstonehouses，whichthrewtheradiantdistanceintoaerialperspectivefaraway，shepassedbythelittleshop;and，justissuingfromit，camethenurseandbaby，andlittleboy。Thebabysatinplaciddignityinhernurse’sarms，withafaceofqueenlycalm。Herfresh，soft，peachycomplexionwasreallytempting;andRuth，whowasalwaysfondofchildren，wentuptocooandtosmileatthelittlething，andaftersome“peep-boing，“shewasabouttosnatchakiss，whenHarry，whosefacehadbeenreddeningeversincetheplaybegan，lifteduphissturdylittlerightarmandhitRuthagreatblowontheface。”Oh，forshame，sir！”saidthenurse，snatchingbackhishand;“howdareyoudothattotheladywhoissokindastospeaktoSissy！”“She’snotalady！”saidheindignantly。“She’sabad，naughtygirl——mamma; saidso，shedid;andsheshan’tkissourbaby。”，Thenursereddenedinherturn。Sheknewwhathemusthaveheard;butitwasawkwardtobringitout，standingfacetofacewiththeelegantyounglady。”Childrenpickupsuchnotions，ma’am，“saidsheatlast，apologetically，toRuth，whostood，whiteandstill，withanewidearunningthroughhermind。”It’snonotion;it’strue，nurse;andIheardyousayityourself。Goaway，naughtywoman！”saidtheboy，ininfantilevehemenceofpassiontoRuth。Tothenurse’sinfiniterelief，Ruthturnedaway，humblyandmeekly，withbenthead，andslow，uncertainsteps。Butassheturned，shesawthemildsadfaceofthedeformedgentleman，whowassittingattheopenwindowabovetheshop;helookedsadderandgraverthanever;andhiseyesmetherglancewithanexpressionofdeepsorrow。Andso，condemnedalikebyyouthandage，shestolewithtimidstepintothehouse。Mr。Bellinghamwasawaitingherinthesitting-room。Thegloriousdayrestoredallhisbuoyancyofspirits。Hetalkedgailyaway，withoutpausingforareply; whileRuthmadetea，andtriedtocalmherheart，whichwasyetbeatingwiththeagitationofthenewideasshehadreceivedfromtheoccurrenceofthemorning。Luckilyforher，theonlyanswersrequiredforsometimeweremono-syllables;butthosefewwordswereutteredinsodepressedandmournfulatone，thatatlasttheystruckMr。Bellinghamwithsurpriseanddispleasure，astheconditionofmindtheyunconsciouslyimplieddidnotharmonisewithhisown。”Ruth，whatisthematterthismorning？Youreallyareveryprovoking。 Yesterday，wheneverythingwasgloomy，andyoumighthavebeenawarethatIwasoutofspirits，Iheardnothingbutexpressionsofdelight;to-day，wheneverycreatureunderheavenisrejoicing，youlookmostdeplorableandwoe-begone。Youreallyshouldlearntohavealittlesympathy。”，ThetearsfellquicklydownRuth’scheeks，butshedidnotspeak。Shecouldnotputintowordsthesenseshewasjustbeginningtoentertainoftheestimationinwhichshewashenceforwardtobeheld。Shethoughthewouldbeasmuchgrievedasshewasatwhathadtakenplacethatmorning;shefanciedsheshouldsinkinhisopinionifshetoldhimhowothersregardedher;besides，itseemedungeneroustodilateuponthesufferingofwhichhewasthecause。”Iwillnot，“thoughtshe，“embitterhislife;Iwilltryandbecheerful。 Imustnotthinkofmyselfsomuch。IfIcanbutmakehimhappy，whatneedIcareforchancespeeches？”Accordingly，shemadeeveryeffortpossibletobeaslight-heartedashewas;but，somehow，themomentsherelaxed，thoughtswouldintrude，andwonderswouldforcethemselvesuponhermind：sothataltogethershewasnotthegayandbewitchingcompanionMr。Bellinghamhadpreviouslyfoundher。Theysaunteredoutforawalk。Thepaththeychoseledtoawoodonthesideofahill，andtheyentered，gladoftheshadeofthetrees。Atfirstitappearedlikeanycommongrove，buttheysooncametoadeepdescent，onthesummitofwhichtheystood，lookingdownonthetree-tops，whichweresoftlywavingfarbeneaththeirfeet。Therewasapathleadingsharpdown，andtheyfollowedit;theledgeofrockmadeitalmostlikegoingdownsteps，andtheirwalkgrewintoabounding，andtheirboundingintoarun，beforetheyreachedthelowestplane。Agreengloomreignedthere; itwasthestillhourofnoon;thelittlebirdswerequietinsomeleafyshade。Theywentonafewyards，andthentheycametoacircularpoolovershadowedbythetrees，whosehighestboughshadbeenbeneaththeirfeetafewminutesbefore。Thepondwashardlybelowthesurfaceoftheground，andtherewasnothinglikeabankonanyside。Aheronwasstandingtheremotionless，butwhenhesawthemheflappedhiswingsandslowlyrose;andsoaredabovethegreenheightsofthewoodupintotheveryskyitself，foratthatdepththetreesappearedtotouchtheroundwhitecloudswhichbroodedovertheearth。Thespeedwellgrewintheshallowestwaterofthepool，andallarounditsmargin，buttheflowerswerehardlyseenatfirst，sodeepwasthegreenshadowcastbythetrees。Intheverymiddleofthepondtheskywasmirroredclearanddark，abluewhichlookedasifablackvoidlaybehind。”Oh，therearewater-lilies！”saidRuth，hereyecatchingonthefartherside。“Imustgoandgetsome。”，“No;Iwillgetthemforyou。Thegroundisspongyallroundthere。Sitstill，Ruth;thisheapofgrasswillmakeacapitalseat。”，Hewentround，andshewaitedquietlyforhisreturn。Whenhecamebackhetookoffherbonnet，withoutspeaking，andbegantoplacehisflowersinherhair。Shewasquitestillwhilehearrangedhercoronet，lookingupinhisfacewithlovingeyes，withapeacefulcomposure。Sheknewthathewaspleasedfromhismanner，whichhadthejoyousnessofachildplayingwithanewtoy，andshedidnotthinktwiceofhisoccupation。Itwaspleasanttoforgeteverythingexcepthispleasure。Whenhehaddeckedherout，hesaid——，“There，Ruth！nowyou’lldo。Comeandlookatyourselfinthepond。Here，wheretherearenoweeds。Come。”，Sheobeyed，andcouldnothelpseeingherownloveliness;itgaveherasenseofsatisfactionforaninstant，asthesightofanyotherbeautifulobjectwouldhavedone，butsheneverthoughtofassociatingitwithherself。 Sheknewthatshewasbeautiful;butthatseemedabstract，andremovedfromherself。Herexistencewasinfeelingandthinking，andloving。Downinthatgreenhollowtheywerequiteinharmony。HerbeautywasallthatMr。Bellinghamcaredfor，anditwassupreme。Itwasallherecognisedofher，andhewasproudofit。Shestoodinherwhitedressagainstthetreeswhichgrewaround;herfacewasflushedintoabrilliancyofcolourwhichresembledthatofaroseinJune;thegreat，heavy，whiteflowersdroopedoneithersideofherbeautifulhead，andifherbrownhairwasalittledisordered，theverydisorderonlyseemedtoaddagrace。Shepleasedhimmorebylookingsolovelythanbyallhertenderendeavourstofallinwithhisvaryinghumour。Butwhentheyleftthewood，andRuthhadtakenoutherflowers，andresumedherbonnet，astheycameneartheinn，thesimplethoughtofgivinghimpleasurewasnotenoughtosecureRuth’speace。Shebecamepensiveandsad，andcouldnotrallyintogaiety。”Really，Ruth，“saidhe，thatevening，“youmustnotencourageyourselfinthishabitoffallingintomelancholyreverieswithoutanycause。Youhavebeensighingtwentytimesduringthelasthalf-hour。Dobealittlecheerful。Remember，Ihavenocompanionbutyouinthisout-of-the-wayplace。”，“Iamverysorry，“saidRuth，hereyesfillingwithtears;andthensherememberedthatitwasverydullforhimtobealonewithher，heavy-heartedasshehadbeenallday。Shesaidinasweet，penitenttone——，“Wouldyoubesokindastoteachmeoneofthosegamesatcardsyouwerespeakingaboutyesterday？Iwoulddomybesttolearn。”，Hersoft，murmuringvoicewonitsway。Theyrangforthecards，andhesoonforgotthattherewassuchathingasdepressionorgloomintheworld，inthepleasureofteachingsuchabeautifulignoramusthemysteriesofcard-playing。”There！”saidhe，atlast，“that’senoughforonelesson。Doyouknow，littlegoose，yourblundershavemademelaughmyselfintooneoftheworstheadachesIhavehadforyears。Hethrewhimselfonthesofa，andinaninstantshewasbyhisside。”Letmeputmycoolhandsonyourforehead，“shebegged;“thatusedtodomammagood。”，Helaystill，hisfaceawayfromthelight，andnotspeaking。Presentlyhefellasleep。Ruthputoutthecandles，andsatpatientlybyhimforalongtime，fancyinghewouldawakenrefreshed。Theroomgrewcoldinthenightair;butRuthdarednotrousehimfromwhatappearedtobesound，restoringslumber。Shecoveredhimwithhershawl，whichshehadthrownoverachaironcominginfromtheirtwilightramble。Shehadampletimetothink;butshetriedtobanishthought。Atlast，hisbreathingbecame： quickandoppressed，and，afterlisteningtoitforsomeminuteswithincreasingaffright，Ruthventuredtoawakenhim。Heseemedstupefiedandshivery。 Ruthbecamemoreandmoreterrified;allthehouseholdwereasleepexceptoneservant-girl，whowasweariedoutofwhatlittleEnglishshehadknowledgeofinmorewakinghours，andcouldonlyanswer，“Iss，indeed，ma’am，“toanyquestionputtoherbyRuth。Shesatbythebedsideallnightlong。Hemoanedandtossed，butneverspokesensibly。ItwasanewformofillnesstothemiserableRuth。Heryesterday’ssufferingwentintotheblackdistanceoflong-pastyears。 Thepresentwasallinall。Whensheheardpeoplestirring，shewentinsearchofMrs。Morgan，whoseshrewd，sharpmanners，unsoftenedbyinwardrespectforthepoorgirl，hadawedRuthevenwhenMr。Bellinghamwasbytoprotecther。”Mrs。Morgan，“shesaid，sittingdowninthelittleparlourappropriatedtothelandlady，forshefeltherstrengthsuddenlydeserther——“Mrs。Morgan，I’mafraidMr。Bellinghamisveryill;“——heresheburstintotears，butinstantlycheckingherself，“Oh，whatmustIdo？”continuedshe;“Idon’tthinkhehasknownanythingallthroughthenight，andhelookssostrangeandwildthismorning。”，ShegazedupintoMrs。Morgan’sface，asifreadinganoracle。”Indeed，miss，ma’am，andit’saveryawkwardthing。Butdon’tcry，thatcandonogood;’deeditcan’t。I’llgoandseethepooryoungmanmyself，andthenIcanjudgeifadoctoriswanting。”，RuthfollowedMrs。Morganupstairs。Whentheyenteredthesick-roomMr。 Bellinghamwassittingupinbed，lookingwildlyabouthim，andashesawthem，heexclaimed——，“Ruth！Ruth！comehere;Iwon’tbeleftalone！”andthenhefelldownexhaustedonthepillow。Mrs。Morganwentupandspoketohim，buthedidnotanswerortakeanynotice。”I’llsendforMr。Jones，mydear，’deedandIwill;we’llhavehimhereinacoupleofhours，pleaseGod。”，“Oh，can’thecomesooner？”askedRuth，wildwithterror。”’Deedno！helivesatLlanglaswhenhe’sathome，andthat’ssevenmileaway，andhemaybegonearoundeightorninemileontheothersideLlanglas; butI’llsendaboyontheponydirectly。”，Sayingthis，Mrs。MorganleftRuthalone。Therewasnothingtobedone，forMr。Bellinghamhadagainfallenintoheavysleep。Soundsofdailylifebegan，bellsrang，break-fast-servicesclatteredupanddownthepassages，andRuthsatonshiveringbythebedsideinthatdarkenedroom。Mrs。Morgansentherbreakfastupstairsbyachambermaid;butRuthmotioneditawayinhersickagony，andthegirlhadnorighttourgehertopartakeofit。Thatalonebrokethemonotonyofthelongmorning。Sheheardthesoundofmerrypartiessettingoutonexcursions，onhorsebackorincarriages; andonce，stiffandwearied，shestoletothewindow，andlookedoutononesideoftheblind;butthedaylookedbrightanddiscordanttoheraching，anxiousheart。Thegloomofthedarkenedroomwasbetterandmorebefitting。Itwassomehoursafterhewassummonedbeforethedoctormadehisappearance。 Hequestionedhispatient，and，receivingnocoherentanswer，heaskedRuthconcerningthesymptoms;butwhenshequestionedhiminturnheonlyshookhisheadandlookedgrave。HemadeasigntoMrs。Morgantofollowhimoutoftheroom，andtheywentdowntoherparlour，leavingRuthinadepthofdespair，lowerthanshecouldhavethoughtitpossiblethereremainedforhertoexperience，anhourbefore。”Iamafraidthisisabadcase，“saidMr。JonestoMrs。MorganinWelsh。 “Abrain-feverhasevidentlysetin。”，“Pooryounggentleman！pooryoungman！Helookedtheverypictureofhealth！”“Thatveryappearanceofrobustnesswill，inallprobability，makehisdisordermoreviolent。However，wemusthopeforthebest，Mrs。Morgan。 Whoistoattenduponhim？Hewillrequirecarefulnursing。Isthatyoungladyhissister？Shelookstooyoungtobehiswife？”“No，indeed！Gentlemenlikeyoumustknow，Mr。Jones，thatwecan’talwayslooktoocloselyintothewaysofyoungmenwhocometoourhouses。NotbutwhatIamsorryforher，forshe’saninnocent，inoffensiveyoungcreature。 Ialwaysthinkitright，formyownmorals，toputalittlescornintomymannerswhensuchashercometostayhere;butindeed，she’ssogentle，I’vefoundithardworktoshowthepropercontempt。”，Shewouldhavegoneontoherinattentivelistenerifshehadnotheardalowtapatthedoor，whichrecalledherfromhermorality，andMr。Jonesfromhisconsiderationofthenecessaryprescriptions。”Comein！”saidMrs。Morgansharply。AndRuthcamein。Shewaswhiteandtrembling;butshestoodinthatdignitywhichstrongfeeling，keptdownbyself-command，alwaysimparts。”Iwishyou，sir，tobesokindastotellme，clearlyanddistinctly，whatImustdoforMr。Bellingham。Everydirectionyougivemeshallbemostcarefullyattendedto。Youspokeaboutleeches——Icanputthemon，andseeaboutthem。Tellmeeverything，sir，thatyouwishtohavedone！”Hermannerwascalmandserious，andhercountenanceanddeportmentshowedthattheoccasionwascallingoutstrengthsufficienttomeetit。Mr。Jonesspokewithadeferencewhichhehadnotthoughtofusingupstairs，evenwhilehesupposedhertobethesisteroftheinvalid。Ruthlistenedgravely; sherepeatedsomeoftheinjunctions，inorderthatshemightbesurethatshefullycomprehendedthem，andthen，bowing，lefttheroom。”Sheisnocommonperson，“saidMr。Jones。“Stillsheistooyoungtohavetheresponsibilityofsuchaseriouscase。Haveyouanyideawherehisfriendslive，Mrs。Morgan？”“IndeedandIhave。Hismother，ashaughtyaladyasyouwouldwishtosee，cametravellingthroughWaleslastyear;shestoppedhere，and，I warrantyou，nothingwasgoodenoughforher;shewasrealquality。Sheleftsomeclothesandhooksbehindher(forthemaidwasalmostasfineasthemistress，andlittlethoughtofseeingafterherlady’sclothes，havingatasteforgoingtoseesceneryalongwiththeman-servant)，andwehadseverallettersfromher。Ihavethemlockedinthedrawersinthebar，whereIkeepsuchthings。”，“Well，Ishouldrecommendyourwritingtothelady，andtellingherherson’sstate。”，“Itwouldbeafavour，Mr。Jones，ifyouwouldjustwriteityourself。 Englishwritingcomessostrangetomypen。”，Theletterwaswritten，and，inordertosavetime，Mr。JonestookittotheLlanglaspost-office。 chapter07，CHAPTERVII，THECRISIS——WATCHINGANDWAITING，Ruthputawayeverythoughtofthepastorfuture;everythingthatcouldunfitherforthedutiesofthepresent。Exceedinglovesuppliedtheplaceofexperience。Sheneverlefttheroomafterthefirstday;sheforcedherselftoeat，becausehisserviceneededherstrength。Shedidnotindulgeinanytears，becausetheweepingshelongedforwouldmakeherlessabletoattenduponhim。Shewatched，andwaited，andprayed;prayedwithanutterforgetfulnessofself，onlywithaconsciousnessthatGodwasall-powerful，andthathe，whomshelovedsomuch，neededtheaidoftheMightyOne。Dayandnight，thesummernight，seemedmergedintoone。Shelostcountoftimeinthehushedanddarkenedroom。OnemorningMrs。Morganbeckonedherout;andshestoleontiptoeintothedazzlinggallery，ononesideofwhichthebedroomsopened。”She’scome，“whisperedMrs。Morgan，lookingverymuchexcited，andforgettingthatRuthhadneverheardthatMrs。Bellinghamhadbeensummoned。”Whoiscome？”askedRuth。TheideaofMrs。Masonflashedthroughhermind——butwithamoreterrible，becauseamorevague，dreadsheheardthatitwashismother;themotherofwhomhehadalwaysspokenasapersonwhoseopinionwastoberegardedmorethanthatofanyotherindividual。”WhatmustIdo？Willshebeangrywithme？”saidshe，relapsingintoherchild-likedependenceonothers;andfeelingthatevenMrs。MorganwassomeonetostandbetweenherandMrs。Bellingham。Mrs。Morganherselfwasalittleperplexed。HermoralitywasrathershockedattheideaofaproperrealladylikeMrs。BellinghamdiscoveringthatshehadwinkedattheconnectionbetweenhersonandRuth。ShewasquiteinclinedtoencourageRuthinherinclinationtoshrinkoutofMrs。Bellingham’sobservation，aninclinationwhicharosefromnodefiniteconsciousnessofhavingdonewrong，butprincipallyfromtherepresentationsshehadalwaysheardofthelady’sawfulness。Mrs。Bellinghamsweptintoherson’sroomasifshewereunconsciouswhatpooryoungcreaturehadlatelyhauntedit;whileRuthhurriedintosomeunoccupiedbedroom，and，alonethere，shefeltherself-restraintsuddenlygiveway，andburstintothesaddest，mostutterlywretchedweepingshehadeverknown。Shewaswornoutwithwatching，andexhaustedbypassionatecrying，andshelaydownonthebedandfellasleep。Thedaypassedon;sheslumberedunnoticedandunregarded; sheawokelateintheeveningwithasenseofhavingdonewronginsleepingsolong;thestrainuponherresponsibilityhadnotyetlefther。Twilightwasclosingfastaround;shewaiteduntilithadbecomenight，andthenshestoledowntoMrs。Morgan’sparlour。”Ifyouplease，mayIcomein？”askedshe。JennyMorganwasdoingupthehieroglyphicswhichshecalledheraccounts; sheansweredsharpenough，butitwasapermissiontoenter，andRuthwasthankfulforit。”Willyoutellmehowheis？DoyouthinkImaygobacktohim？”“No，indeed，thatyoumaynot。Nest，whohasmadehisroomtidythesemanydays，isnotfittogoinnow。Mrs。Bellinghamhasbroughtherownmaid，andthefamilynurseandMr。Bellingham’sman;suchatribeofservants，andnoendtopackages;water-bedscomingbythecarrier，andadoctorfromLondoncomingdownto-morrow，asiffeather-bedsandMr。Joneswasnotgoodenough。Why，shewon’tletasoulofusintotheroom;there’snochanceforyou！”Ruthsighed。“Howishe？”sheinquired，afterapause。”HowcanItell，indeed，whenIamnotallowedtogonearhim？Mr。Jonessaidto-nightwasaturning-point;butIdoubtit，foritisfourdayssincehewastakenill，andwhoeverheardofasickpersontakingaturnonanevennumberofdays？It’salwayonthethird，orthefifth，orseventh，orsoon。He’llnotturntillto-morrownight，takemywordforit，andtheirfineLondondoctorwillgetallthecredit，andhonestMr。Joneswillbethrownaside。Idon’tthinkhewillgetbettermyself，though——Gelertdoesnothowlfornothing。Mypatiencewhat’sthematterwiththegirl？——Lord，child，you’renevergoingtofaint，andbeillonmyhands？”HersharpvoicerecalledRuthfromthesickunconsciousnessthathadbeencreepingoverherasshelistenedtothelatterpartofthisspeech。Shesatdownandcouldnotspeak——theroomwhirledroundandround——herwhitefeeblenesstouchedMrs。Morgan’sheart。”You’vehadnotea，Iguess。Indeed，andthegirlsareverycareless。” Sherangthebellwithenergy，andsecondedherpullbygoingtothedoorandshoutingoutsharpdirections，inWelsh，toNestandGwen，andthreeorfourotherrough，kind，slatternlyservants。Theybroughthertea，whichwascomfortable，accordingtotheideaofcomfortprevalentinthatrudehospitableplace;therewasplentytoeat;toomuchindeed，foritrevoltedtheappetiteitwasintendedtoprovoke。Buttheheartinesswithwhichthekindrosywaiterpressedhertoeat，andthescoldingMrs。Morgangaveherwhenshefoundthebutteredtoastuntouched(toastonwhichshehadherselfdesiredthatthebuttermightnotbespared)，didRuthmoregoodthanthetea。Shebegantohope，andtolongforthemorningwhenhopemighthavebecomecertainty。Itwasallinvainthatshewastoldthattheroomshehadbeeninalldaywasatherservice; shedidnotsayaword，butshewasnotgoingtobedthatnightofallnightsintheyear，whenlifeordeathhungtremblinginthebalance。Shewentintothebedroomtillthebustlinghousewasstill，andheardbusyfeetpassingtoandfrointotheroomshemightnotenter;andvoices，imperious，thoughhusheddowntoawhisper，askforinnumerablethings。 Thentherewassilence：andwhenshethoughtthatallweredeadasleep，exceptthewatchers，shestoleoutintothegallery。Ontheothersideweretwowindows，cutintothethickstonewall，andflower-potswereplacedontheshelvesthusformed，wheregreatuntrimmed，stragglinggeraniumsgrew，andstrovetoreachthelight。ThewindownearMr。Bellingham’sdoorwasopen;thesoft，warm-scentednight-aircamesighingininfaintgusts，andthenwasstill。Itwassummer;therewasnoblackdarknessinthetwenty-fourhours;onlythelightgrewdusky，andcolourdisappearedfromobjects，ofwhichtheshapeandformremaineddistinct。Asoftgreyoblongofbarredlightfellontheflatwalloppositetothewindows，anddeepergreyshadowsmarkedoutthetraceryoftheplants，moregracefulthusthaninreality。 Ruthcrouchedwherenolightfell。Shesatonthegroundclosebythedoor; herwholeexistencewasabsorbedinlistening：allwasstill;itwasonlyherheartbeatingwiththestrong，heavy，regularsoundofahammer。Shewishedshecouldstopitsrushing，incessantclang。Sheheardarustleofasilkengown，andknewitoughtnottohavebeenworninasick-room; forhersensesseemedtohavepassedintothekeepingoftheinvalid，andtofeelonlyashefelt。Thenoisewasprobablyoccasionedbysomechangeofpostureinthewatcherinside，foritwasoncemoredead-still。Thesoftwindoutsidesankwithalow，long，distantmoanamongthewindingsofthehills，andlostitselfthere，andcamenomoreagain。ButRuth’sheartbeatloud。Sherosewithaslittlenoiseasifshewereavision，andcrepttotheopenwindowtotryandlosethenervouslisteningfortheever-recurringsound。Outbeyond，underthecalmsky，veiledwithamistratherthanwithacloud，rosethehigh，darkoutlinesofthemountains，shuttinginthatvillageasifitlayinanest。Theystood，likegiants，solemnlywatchingfortheendofEarthandTime。HereandthereablackroundshadowremindedRuthofsome“Cwm，“orhollow，wheresheandherloverhadrambledinsunandingladness。Shethenthoughtthelandenchantedintoeverlastingbrightnessandhappiness;shefancied，then，thatintoaregionsolovelynobaleorwoecouldenter，butwouldbecharmedawayanddisappearbeforethesightofthegloriousguardianmountains。Nowsheknewthetruth，thatearthhasnobarrierwhichavailsagainstagony。