第3章

Itcomeslightning-likedownfromheaven，intothemountainhouseandthetowngarret;intothepalaceandintothecottage。Thegardenlaycloseunderthehouse;abrightspotenoughbyday;forinthatsoil，whateverwasplantedgrewandblossomedinspiteofneglect。Thewhiterosesglimmeredoutintheduskallthenightthrough;theredwerelostinshadow。Betweenthelowboundaryofthegardenandthehillssweptoneortwogreenmeadows; Ruthlookedintothegreydarknesstillshetracedeachseparatewaveofoutline。Thensheheardalittlerestlessbirdchirpoutitswakefulnessfromanestintheivyroundthewallsofthehouse。Butthemother-birdspreadhersoftfeathers，andhusheditintosilence。Presently，however，manylittlebirdsbegantoscentthecomingdawn，andrustledamongtheleaves，andchirrupedloudandclear。Justabovethehorizon，too，themistbecameasilverygreycloudhangingontheedgeoftheworld;presentlyitturnedshimmeringwhite;andthen，inaninstant，itflushedintorose，andthemountain-topssprangintoheaven，andbathedinthepresenceoftheshadowofGod。Withabound，thesunofamoltenfieryredcameabovethehorizon，andimmediatelythousandsoflittlebirdssangoutforjoy，andasoftchorusofmysterious，gladmurmurscameforthfromtheearth; thelowwhisperingwindleftitshiding-placeamongthecleftsandhollowsofthehills，andwanderedamongtherustlingherbsandtrees，wakingtheflower-budstothelifeofanotherday。Ruthgaveasighofreliefthatthenightwasoverandgone;forsheknewthatsoonsuspensewouldbeended，andtheverdictknown，whetherforlifeorfordeath。Shegrewfaintandsickwithanxiety;italmostseemedasifshemustgointotheroomandlearnthetruth。Thensheheardmovements，buttheywerenotsharpnorrapid，asifpromptedbyanyemergency;then，again，itwasstill。Shesatcurledupuponthefloor，withherheadthrownbackagainstthewall，andherhandsclaspedroundherknees。Shehadyettowait。Meanwhile，theinvalidwasslowlyrousinghimselffromalong，deep，sound，health-givingsleep。Hismotherhadsatbyhimthenightthrough，andwasnowdaringtochangeherpositionforthefirsttime;shewasevenventuringtogivedirectionsinalowvoicetotheoldnurse，whohaddozedawayinanarm-chair，readytoobeyanysummonsofhermistress。Mrs。Bellinghamwentontiptoetowardsthedoor，andchidingherselfbecauseherstiff，wearylimbsmadesomeslightnoise。Shehadanirrepressiblelongingforafewminutes’ changeofsceneafterhernightofwatching。Shefeltthatthecrisiswasover;andtherelieftohermindmadeherconsciousofeverybodilyfeelingandirritation，whichhadpassedunheededaslongasshehadbeeninsuspense。Sheslowlyopenedthedoor。Ruthspranguprightatthefirstsoundofthecreakinghandle。Herverylipswerestiffandunpliablewiththeforceofthebloodwhichrushedtoherhead。Itseemedasifshecouldnotformwords。ShestoodrightbeforeMrs。Bellingham。“Howishe，madam？”Mrs。Bellinghamwasforamomentsurprisedatthewhiteapparitionwhichseemedtoriseoutoftheground。Butherquick，proudmindunderstooditallinaninstant。Thiswasthegirl，then，whoseprofligacyhadledhersonastray;hadraisedupbarriersinthewayofherfavouriteschemeofhismarriagewithMissDuncombe;nay，thiswastherealcauseofhisillness，hismortaldangeratthispresenttime，andofherbitter，keenanxiety。If，underanycircumstances，Mrs。Bellinghamcouldhavebeenguiltyoftheill-breedingofnotansweringaquestion，itwasnow;andforamomentshewastemptedtopassoninsilence。Ruthcouldnotwait;shespokeagain——，“FortheloveofGod，madam，speak！Howishe？Willhelive？”Ifshedidnotanswerher，shethoughtthecreaturewasdesperateenoughtoforceherwayintohisroom。Soshespoke——，“Hehassleptwell：heisbetter。”，“Oh！myGod，Ithankthee，“murmuredRuth，sinkingbackagainstthewall。ItwastoomuchtohearthiswretchedgirlthankingGodforherson’slife; asif，infact，shehadanylotorpartinhim。AndtodaretospeaktotheAlmightyonherson’sbehalf！Mrs。Bellinghamlookedatherwithcold，contemptuouseyes，whoseglanceswerelikeice-bolts，andmadeRuthshiverupawayfromthem。”Youngwoman，ifyouhaveanyproprietyordecencyleft，Itrustthatyouwillnotdaretoforceyourselfintohisroom。”，Shestoodforamomentasifawaitingananswer，andhalfexpectingittobeadefiance。ButshedidnotunderstandRuth。Shedidnotimaginethefaithfultrustfulnessofherheart。Ruthbelievedthat，ifMr。Bellinghamwasaliveandlikelytolive，allwaswell。Whenhewantedher，hewouldsendforher，askforher，yearnforher，tilleveryonewouldyieldbeforehissteadfastwill。Atpresentsheimaginedthathewasprobablytooweaktocareorknowwhowasabouthim;andthoughitwouldhavebeenaninfinitedelighttohertohoverandbroodaroundhim，yetitwasofhimshethoughtandnotofherself。ShegentlydrewherselfononesidetomakewayforMrs。Bellinghamtopass。ByandbyMrs。Morgancameup。Ruthwasstillnearthedoor，fromwhichitseemedasifshecouldnottearherselfaway。”Indeed，miss，andyoumustnothangaboutthedoorinthisway;itisnotprettymanners。Mrs。Bellinghamhasbeenspeakingverysharpandcrossaboutit，andIshalllosethecharacterofmyinnifpeopletaketotalkingasshedoes。DidInotgiveyouaroomlastnighttokeepin，andneverbeseenorheardof;anddidInottellyouwhataparticularladyMrs。 Bellinghamwas，butyoumustcomeouthererightinherway？Indeed，itwasnotpretty，norgratefultome，JennyMorgan，andthatImustsay。”，Ruthturnedawaylikeachiddenchild。Mrs。Morganfollowedhertoherroom，scoldingasshewent;andthen，havingclearedherheartafterherwontbyutteringhastywords，herrealkindnessmadeheradd，inasoftenedtone——，“Youstopupherelikeagoodgirl。I’llsendyouyourbreakfastby-and-by，andletyouknowfromtimetotimehowheis;andyoucangooutforawalk，youknow：butifyoudo，I’lltakeitasafavourifyou’llgooutbytheside-door。Itwill，maybe，savescandal。”，Allthatdaylong，RuthkeptherselfcloseprisonerintheroomtowhichMrs。Morganaccordedher;allthatday，andmanysucceedingdays。Butatnights，whenthehousewasstill，andeventhelittlebrownmicehadgatheredupthecrumbs，anddartedagaintotheirholes，Ruthstoleout，andcrepttohisdoortocatch，ifshecould，thesoundofhisbelovedvoice。Shecouldtellbyitstoneshowhefelt，andhowhewasgettingon，aswellasanyofthewatchersintheroom。Sheyearnedandpinedtoseehimoncemore;butshehadreasonedherselfdownintosomethinglikepatience。Whenhewaswellenoughtoleavehisroom，whenhehadnotalwaysoneofthenurseswithhim，thenhewouldsendforher，andshewouldtellhimhowverypatientshehadbeenforhisdearsake。Butitwaslongtowait，evenwiththisthoughtofthemannerinwhichthewaitingwouldend。PoorRuth！ herfaithwasonlybuildingupvaincastlesintheair;theytoweredupintoheaven，itistrue;but，afterall，theywerebutvisions。 chapter08，CHAPTERVIII，MRS。BELLINGHAM“DOESTHETHINGHANDSOMELY“IfMr。Bellinghamdidnotgetrapidlywell，itwasmoreowingtothemorbidquerulousfancyattendantongreatweaknessthanfromanyunfavourablemedicalsymptom。Butheturnedawaywithpeevishloathingfromtheverysightoffood，preparedintheslovenlymannerwhichhadalmostdisgustedhimwhenhewaswell。ItwasofnousetellinghimthatSimpson，hismother’smaid，hadsuperintendedthepreparationateverypoint。Heoffendedherbydetectingsomethingoffensiveandtobeavoidedinherdaintiestmesses，andmadeMrs。Morganmuttermanyahastyspeech，which，however，Mrs。Bellinghamthoughtitbetternottohearuntilhersonshouldbestrongenoughtotravel。”Ithinkyouarebetterto-day，“saidshe，ashismanwheeledhissofatothebedroomwindow。“Weshallgetyoudownstairsto-morrow。”，“Ifyouweretogetawayfromthisabominableplace，Icouldgodownto-day; butIbelieveI’mtobekeptprisonerhereforever。Ishallnevergetwellhere，I’msure。”，Hesankbackonhissofainimpatientdespair。Thesurgeonwasannounced，andeagerlyquestionedbyMrs。Bellinghamastothepossibilityofherson’sremoval;andhe，havingheardthesameanxietyforthesameendexpressedbyMrs。Morganintheregionsbelow，threwnogreatobstaclesintheway。 Afterthedoctorhadtakenhisdeparture，Mrs。Bellinghamclearedherthroatseveraltimes。Mr。Bellinghamknewthepreludeofold，andwincedwithnervousannoyance。”Henry，thereissomethingImustspeaktoyouabout;anunpleasantsubject，certainly，butonewhichhasbeenforceduponmebytheverygirlherself; youmustbeawaretowhatIreferwithoutgivingmethepainofexplainingmyself。”，Mr。Bellinghamturnedhimselfsharplyroundtothewall，andpreparedhimselfforalecturebyconcealinghisfacefromhernotice;butsheherselfwasintoonervousastatetobecapableofobservation。”Ofcourse，“shecontinued，“itwasmywishtobeasblindtothewholeaffairaspossible，thoughyoucan’timaginehowMrs。Masonhasblazoneditabroad;allFordhamringswithitbutofcourseitcouldnotbepleasant，or，indeed，Imaysaycorrect，formetobeawarethatapersonofsuchimpropercharacterwasunderthesame——Ibegyourpardon，dearHenry，whatdoyousay？”“Ruthisnoimpropercharacter，mother;youdoherinjustice！”“Mydearboy，youdon’tmeantoupholdherasaparagonofvirtue！”“No，mother，butIledherwrong;I——““Wewillletalldiscussionsintothecauseordurationofherpresentcharacterdrop，ifyouplease，“saidMrs。Bellingham，withthesortofdignifiedauthoritywhichretainedacertainpoweroverherson——apowerwhichoriginatedinchildhood，andwhichheonlydefiedwhenhewasrousedintopassion。Hewastooweakinbodytoopposehimselftoher，andfightthegroundinchbyinch。“AsIhaveimplied，Idonotwishtoascertainyourshareofblame;fromwhatIsawofheronemorning，Iamconvincedofherforward，intrusivemanners，utterlywithoutshame，orevencommonmodesty。”，“Whatareyoureferringto？”askedMr。Bellinghamsharply。”Why，whenyouwereattheworst，andIhadbeenwatchingyouallnight，andhadjustgoneoutinthemorningforabreathoffreshair，thisgirlpushedherselfbeforeme，andinsisteduponspeakingtome。IreallyhadtosendMrs。MorgantoherbeforeIcouldreturntoyourroom。Amoreimpudent，hardenedmanner，Ineversaw。”，“Ruthwasneitherimpudentnorhardened;shewasignorantenough，andmightoffendfromknowingnobetter。”，Hewasgettingwearyofthediscussion，andwishedithadneverbeenbegun。 Fromthetimehehadbecomeconsciousofhismother’spresencehehadfeltthedilemmahewasin，inregardtoRuth，andvariousplanshaddirectlycrossedhisbrain;butithadbeensotroublesometoweighandconsiderthemallproperly，thattheyhadbeenputasidetobesettledwhenhegrewstronger。ButthisdifficultyinwhichhewasplacedbyhisconnectionwithRuth，associatedtheideaofherinhismindwithannoyanceandangryregretatthewholeaffair。Hewished，inthelanguidwayinwhichhewishedandfelteverythingnotimmediatelyrelatingtohisdailycomfort，thathehadneverseenher。Itwasamostawkward，amostunfortunateaffair。 NotwithstandingthisannoyanceconnectedwithandarisingoutofRuth，hewouldnotsubmittohearherabused;andsomethinginhismannerimpressedthisonhismother，forsheimmediatelychangedhermodeofattack。”Wemayaswelldropalldisputeastotheyoungwoman’smanners;butI supposeyoudonotmeantodefendyourconnectionwithher;Isupposeyouarenotsolosttoallsenseofproprietyastoimagineitfitordesirablethatyourmotherandthisdegradedgirlshouldremainunderthesameroof，liabletomeetatanyhouroftheday？”Shewaitedforananswer，butnoanswercame。”Iaskyouasimplequestion;isit，orisitnot，desirable？”“Isupposeitisnot，“herepliedgloomily。”AndIsuppose，fromyourmanner，thatyouthinkthedifficultywouldbebestsolvedbymytakingmydeparture，andleavingyouwithyourviciouscompanion？”Againnoanswer，butinwardandincreasingannoyance，ofwhichMr。BellinghamconsideredRuththecause。Atlengthhespoke——，“Mother，youarenothelpingmeinmydifficulty。Ihavenodesiretobanishyou，nortohurtyou，afterallyourcareforme。Ruthhasnotbeensomuchtoblameasyouimagine，thatImustsay;butIdonotwishtoseeheragain，ifyoucantellmehowtoarrangeitotherwise，withoutbehavingunhandsomely。Onlysparemeallthisworryawhile，Iamsoweak。Iputmyselfinyourhands。Dismissher，asyouwishit;butletitbedonehandsomely，andletmehearnomoreaboutit;Icannotbearit;letmehaveaquietlife，withoutbeinglectured，whileIampentuphere，andunabletoshakeoffunpleasantthoughts。”，“MydearHenry，relyuponme。”，“Nomore，mother;it’sabadbusiness，andIcanhardlyavoidblamingmyselfinthematter。Idon’twanttodwelluponit。”，“Don’tbetoosevereinyourself-reproacheswhileyouaresofeeble，dearHenry;itisrighttorepent，butIhavenodoubtin。myownmindsheledyouwrongwithherartifices。But，asyousay，everythingshouldbedonehandsomely。IconfessIwasdeeplygrievedwhenIfirstheardoftheaffair，butsinceIhaveseenthegirl——Well！I’llsaynomoreabouther，sinceIseeitdispleasesyou;butIamthankfultoGodthatyouseetheerrorofyourways。Shesatsilent，thinkingforalittlewhile，andthensentforherwriting-caseandbegantowrite。Hersonbecamerestless，andnervouslyirritated。”Mother，“hesaid，“thisaffairworriesmetodeath。Icannotshakeoffthethoughtsofit。”，“Leaveittome，I’llarrangeitsatisfactorily。”，“Couldwenotleaveto-night？Ishouldnotbesohauntedbythisannoyanceinanotherplace。Idreadseeingheragain，becauseIfearascene;andyetIbelieveIoughttoseeherinordertoexplain。”，“Youmustnotthinkofsuchathing，Henry，“saidshe，alarmedattheveryidea。“Soonerthanthat，wewillleaveinhalf-an-hour，andtrytogettoPentreVoelasto-night。Itisnotyetthree，andtheeveningsareverylong。Simpsonshouldstayandfinishthepacking;shecouldgostraighttoLondonandmeetusthere。Macdonaldandnursecouldgowithus。Couldyoubeartwentymiles，doyouthink？”Anythingtogetridofhisuneasiness。HefeltthathewasnotbehavingasheshoulddotoRuth，thoughthereallyrightneverenteredhishead。 Butitwouldextricatehimfromhispresentdilemma，andsavehimmanylectures;heknewthathismother，alwaysliberalwheremoneywasconcerned，would“dothethinghandsomely“;anditwouldalwaysbeeasytowriteandgiveRuthwhatexplanationhefeltinclined，inadayortwo;soheconsented，andsoonlostsomeofhisuneasinessinwatchingthebustleofthepreparationfortheirdeparture。AllthistimeRuthwasquietlyspendinginherroom，beguilingthewaiting，wearyhours，withpicturesofthemeetingattheend。Herroomlookedtotheback，andwasinaside-wingawayfromtheprincipalstateapartments，consequentlyshewasnotrousedtosuspicionbyanyofthecommotion;but，indeed，ifshehadheardthebangingofdoors，thesharpdirections，thecarriage-wheels，shewouldstillnothavesuspectedthetruth;herownlovewastoofaithful。Itwasfouro’clockandpast，whensomeoneknockedatherdoor，and，onentering，gaveheranote，whichMrs。Bellinghamhadleft。Thatladyhadfoundsomedifficultyinwordingitsoastosatisfyherself，butitwasasfollows：——，“Myson，onrecoveringfromhisillness，is，IthankGod，happilyconsciousofthesinfulwayinwhichhehasbeenlivingwithyou。Byhisearnestdesire，andinordertoavoidseeingyouagain，weareonthepointofleavingthisplace;but，beforeIgo，Iwishtoexhortyoutorepentance，andtoremindyouthatyouwillnothaveyourownguiltaloneuponyourhead，butthatofanyyoungmanwhomyoumaysucceedinentrappingintovice。Ishallpraythatyoumayturntoanhonestlife，andIstronglyrecommendyou，ifindeedyouarenot’deadintrespassesandsins，’toentersomepenitentiary。Inaccordancewithmyson’swishes，Iforwardyouinthisenvelopeabank-noteoffiftypounds。“MARGARETBELLINGHAM。”，Wasthistheendofall？Hadhe，indeed，gone？Shestartedup，andaskedthislastquestionoftheservant，who，halfguessingatthepurportofthenote，hadlingeredabouttheroom，curioustoseetheeffectproduced。”Iss，indeed，miss;thecarriagedrovefromthedoorasIcameupstairs。 You’llseeitnowontheYspyttyroad，ifyou’llpleasetocometothewindowofNo。24。”，Ruthstartedupandfollowedthechambermaid。Ay，thereitwas，slowlywindingupthesteep，whiteroad，onwhichitseemedtomoveatasnail’space。Shemightovertakehim——shemight——shemightspeakonefarewellwordtohim，printhisfaceonherheartwithalastlook——nay，whenhesawherhemightretract，andnotutterly，forever，leaveher。Thusshethought; andsheflewbacktoherroom，andsnatchingupherbonnet，ran，tyingthestringswithhertremblinghandsasshewentdownthestairs，outatthenearestdoor，littleheedingtheangrywordsofMrs。Morgan;forthehostess，moreirritatedatMrs。Bellingham’ssevereupbraidingatparting，thanmollifiedbyheramplepayment，wasoffendedbythecircumstanceofRuth，inherwildhaste，passingthroughtheprohibitedfrontdoor。ButRuthwasawaybeforeMrs。Morganhadfinishedherspeech，outandaway，scuddingalongtheroad，thought-lostinthebreathlessrapidityofhermotion。Thoughherheartandheadbeatalmosttobursting，whatdiditsignifyifshecouldbutovertakethecarriage？Itwasanightmare，constantlyevadingthemostpassionatewishesandendeavours，andconstantlygainingground。Everytimeitwasvisibleitwasinfactmoredistant，butRuthwouldnotbelieveit。Ifshecouldbutgainthesummitofthatwearyeverlastinghill，shebelievedthatshecouldrunagain，andwouldsoonbenighuponthecarriage。Assheransheprayedwithwildeagerness;sheprayedthatshemightseehisfaceoncemore，evenifshediedonthespotbeforehim。 ItwasoneofthoseprayerswhichGodistoomercifultogrant;but，despairingandwildasitwas，Ruthputhersoulintoit，andprayeditagain，andyetagain。Waveabovewaveoftheever-risinghillsweregained，werecrossed，andatlastRuthstruggleduptotheverytopandstoodonthebaretableofmoor，brownandpurple，stretchingfarawaytillitwaslostinthehazeofthesummerafternoon;thewhiteroadwasallflatbeforeher，butthecarriageshesought，andthefigureshesought，haddisappeared。Therewasnohumanbeingthere;afewwild，black-facedmountainsheep，quietlygrazingneartheroadasifitwerelongsincetheyhadbeendisturbed，bythepassingofanyvehicle，wasallthelifeshesawonthebleakmoorland。Shethrewherselfdownonthelingbythesideoftheroad，indespair。 Heronlyhopewastodie，andshebelievedshewasdying。Shecouldnotthink;shecouldbelieveanything。Surelylifewasahorribledream，andGodwouldmercifullyawakenherfromit？Shehadnopenitence，noconsciousnessoferrororoffencenoknowledgeofanyonecircumstancebutthathewasgone。Yetafterwards——longafterwards——sherememberedtheexactmotionofabrightgreenbeetlebusilymeanderingamongthewildthymenearher，andsherecalledthemusical，balanced，waveringdropofaskylarkintohernest，neartheheather-bedwhereshelay。Thesunwassinkinglow，thehotairhadceasedtoquivernearthehotterearth，whenshebethoughtheroncemoreofthenotewhichshehadimpatientlythrowndownbeforehalfmasteringitscontents。“Oh，perhaps，“shethought，“Ihavebeentoohasty。Theremaybesomewordsofexplanationfromhimontheothersideofthepage，towhich，inmyblindanguish，Ineverturned。Iwillgoandfindit。”，Sheliftedherselfheavilyandstifflyfromthecrushedheather。Shestooddizzyandconfusedwithherchangeofposture;andwassounabletomoveatfirst，thatherwalkwasbutslowandtottering;but，by-and-by，shewastaskedandgoadedbythoughtswhichforcedherintorapidmotion，asif，byit，shecouldescapefromheragony。Shecamedownonthelevelground，justasmanygayorpeacefulgroupsweresaunteringleisurelyhomewithheartsatease;withlowlaughsandquietsmiles，andmanyanexclamationatthebeautyofthesummerevening。Eversinceheradventurewiththelittleboyandhissister，Ruthhadhabituallyavoidedencounteringthesehappy——innocents，mayIcallthem？——thesehappyfellow-mortals！Andevennow，thehabitgroundedonsorrowfulhumiliationhadpoweroverher;shepaused，andthen，onlookingback，shesawmorepeoplewhohadcomeintothemainroadfromaside-path。Sheopenedagateintoapasture-field，andcreptuptothehedge-bankuntilallshouldhavepassedby，andshecouldstealintotheinnunseen。Shesatdownontheslopingturfbytherootsofanoldhawthorntreewhichgrewinthehedge; shewasstilltearless，withhotburningeyes;sheheardthemerrywalkerspassby;sheheardthefootstepsofthevillagechildrenastheyranalongtotheireveningplay;shesawthesmallblackcowscomeintothefieldsafterbeingmilked;andlifeseemedyetabroad。Whenwouldtheworldbestillanddark，andfitforsuchadeserted，desolatecreatureasshewas？ Eveninherhiding-placeshewasnotlongatpeace。Thelittlechildren，withtheircuriouseyespeeringhereandthere，hadpeepedthroughthehedge，andthroughthegate，andnowtheygatheredfromallthefourcornersofthehamlet，andcrowdedroundthegate;andonemoreadventurousthantheresthadrunintothefieldtocry，“Gi’meahalfpenny，“whichsettheexampletoeverylittleone，emulousofhisboldness;andthere，whereshesat，lowontheground，andlongingforthesurehiding-placeearthgivestotheweary，thechildrenkeptrunningin，andpushingoneanotherforwardsandlaughing。Poorthings！theirtimehadnotcomeforunderstandingwhatsorrowis。Ruthwouldhavebeggedthemtoleaveheralone，andnotmaddenherutterly;buttheyknewnoEnglishsavetheoneeternal“Gi’ meahalfpenny。”Shefeltinherheartthattherewasnopityanywhere。 Suddenly，whileshethusdoubtedGod，ashadowfellacrosshergarments，onwhichhermiserableeyeswerebent。Shelookedup。Thedeformedgentlemanshehadtwicebeforeseenstoodthere。Hehadbeenattractedbythenoisylittlecrowd，andhadquestionedtheminWelsh;but，notunderstandingenoughofthelanguagetocomprehendtheiranswers，hehadobeyedtheirsigns，andenteredthegatetowhichtheypointed。Therehesawtheyounggirlwhomhehadnoticedatfirstforherinnocentbeauty，andthesecondtimefortheideahehadgainedrespectinghersituation;therehesawher，croucheduplikesomehuntedcreature，withawild，scaredlookofdespair，whichalmostmadeherlovelyfaceseemfierce;hesawherdresssoiledanddim，herbonnetcrushedandbatteredwithhertossingstoandfroonthemoorlandbed;hesawthepoor，lostwanderer，andwhenhesawherhehadcompassiononher。TherewassomelookofheavenlypityInhiseyes，asgravelyandsadlytheymetherupturnedgaze，whichtouchedherstonyheart。Stilllookingathim，asifdrawingsomegoodinfluencefromhim，shesaidlowandmournfully，“Hehasleftme，sir！——sir，hehasindeed！——hehasgoneandleftme！”Beforehecouldspeakawordtocomforther，shehadburstintothewildest，dreariestcryingevermortalcried。Thesettledformoftheevent，whenputintowords，wentsharptoherheart;hermoansandsobswrunghissoul; but，asnospeechofhiscouldbeheard，ifhehadbeenabletodecidewhatbesttosay，hestoodbyherinapparentcalmness，whileshe，wretched，wailedandutteredherwoe。Butwhenshelaywornout，andstupefiedintosilence，sheheardhimsaytohimselfinalowvoice——，“Oh，myGod！forChrist’ssake，pityherI“Ruthlifteduphereyes，andlookedathimwithadimperceptionofthemeaningofhiswords。Sheregardedhimfixedlyinadreamyway，asiftheystrucksomechordinherheart，andshewerelisteningtoitsecho;andsoitwas。Hispitifullook，orhiswords，remindedherofthechildishdayswhenshekneltathermother’sknee;andshewasonlyconsciousofastraining，longingdesiretorecallitall。Helethertakehertime，partlybecausehewaspowerfullyaffectedhimselfbyallthecircumstances，andbythesadpalefaceupturnedtohis;andpartlybyaninstinctiveconsciousnessthatthesoftestpatiencewasrequired。 Butsuddenlyshestartledhim，assheherselfwasstartledintoakeensenseofthesufferingagonyofthepresent;shesprangupandpushedhimaside，andwentrapidlytowardsthegateofthefield。Hecouldnotmoveasquicklyasmostmen，butheputforthhisutmostspeed。Hefollowedacrosstheroad，ontotherockycommon;but，ashewentalong，withhisuncertaingait，intheduskgloaming，hestumbled，andfelloversomesharpprojectingstone。Theacutepainwhichshotuphisbackforcedashortcryfromhim;and，whenbirdandbeastarehushedintorestandthestillnessofnightisoverall，ahigh-pitchedsound，likethevoiceofpain，iscarriedfarinthequietair。Ruth，speedingoninherdespair，heardthesharputterance，andstoppedsuddenlyshort。Itdidwhatnoremonstrancecouldhavedone;itcalledheroutofherself。Thetendernaturewasinherstill，inthathourwhenallgoodangelsseemedtohaveabandonedher。 IntheolddaysshecouldneverbeartohearorseebodilysufferinginanyofGod’smeanestcreatures，withouttryingtosuccourthem;andnow，inherrushtotheawfuldeathofthesuicide，shestayedherwildsteps，andturnedtofindfromwhomthatsharpsoundofanguishhadissued。Helayamongthewhitestones，toofaintwithpaintomove，butwithanagonyinhismindfarkeenerthananybodilypain，ashethoughtthatbyhisunfortunatefallhehadlostallchanceofsavingher。Hewasalmostover-poweredbyhisintensethankfulnesswhenhesawherwhitefigurepause，andstandlistening，andturnagainwithslowfootsteps，asifsearchingforsomelostthing。Hecouldhardlyspeak，buthemadeasoundwhich，thoughhisheartwasinexpressiblyglad，waslikeagroan。Shecamequicklytowardshim。”Iamhurt，“saidhe;“donotleaveme;“hisdisabledandtenderframewasovercomebytheaccidentandthepreviousemotions，andhefaintedaway。Ruthflewtothelittlemountainstream，thedashingsoundofwhosewatershadbeentemptingher，butamomentbefore，toseekforgetfulnessinthedeeppoolintowhichtheyfell。Shemadeabasinofherjoinedhands，andcarriedenoughofthecoldfreshwaterbacktodashintohisfaceandrestorehimtoconsciousness。Whilehestillkeptsilence，uncertainwhattosaybestfittedtoinducehertolistentohim，shesaidsoftly——，“Areyoubetter，sir？——areyouverymuchhurt？”“Notverymuch;Iambetter。Anyquickmovementisapttocausemeasuddenlossofpowerinmyback，andIbelieveIstumbledoversomeoftheseprojectingstones。Itwillsoongooff;andyouwillhelpmetogohome，Iamsure。”，“Oh，yes！Canyougonow？Iamafraidofyourlyingtoolongonthisheather; thereisaheavydew。”，Hewassoanxioustocomplywithherwish，andnotwearyoutherthoughtforhim，andsoturnherbackuponherself，thathetriedtorise。Thepainwasacute，andthisshesaw。”Don’thurryyourself，sir;Icanwait。”，Thencameacrosshermindtherecollectionofthebusinessthatwasthusdeferred;butthefewhomelywordswhichhadbeenexchangedbetweenthemseemedtohaveawakenedherfromhermadness。Shesatdownbyhim，andcoveringherfacewithherhands，criedmournfullyandunceasingly。Sheforgothispresence，andyetshehadaconsciousnessthatsomeonelookedforherkindoffices，thatshewaswantedintheworld，andmustnotrushhastilyoutofit。Theconsciousnessdidnot’takethisdefiniteform，itdidnotbecomeathought，butitkeptherstill，anditwasgraduallysoothingher。”Canyouhelpmetorisenow？”saidhe，afterawhile。Shedidnotspeak，butshehelpedhimup，andthenhetookherarm，andsheledhimtenderlythroughallthelittlevelvetpaths，wheretheturfgrewshortandsoftbetweentheruggedstones。Oncemoreonthehighway，theyslowlypassedalonginthemoonlight。Heguidedherbyaslightmotionofthearm，throughthemoreunfrequentedlanes，tohislodgingsattheshop;forhethoughtforher，andconceivedthepainshewouldhaveinseeingthelightedwindowsoftheinn。Heleantmoreheavilyonherarm，astheyawaitedtheopeningofthedoor。”Comein，“saidhe，notrelaxinghishold，andyetdreadingtotightenit，lestsheshoulddefyrestraint，andoncemorerushaway。Theywentslowlyintothelittleparlourbehindtheshop。Thebonny-lookinghostess，Mrs。Hughesbyname，madehastetolightthecandle，andthentheysaweachother，facetoface。Thedeformedgentlemanlookedverypale，butRuthlookedasiftheshadowofdeathwasuponher。 chapter09，CHAPTERIX，THESTORM-SPIRITSUBDUED，Mrs。Hughesbustledaboutwithmanyasympatheticexclamation，nowinprettybrokenEnglish，nowinmorefluentWelsh，whichsoundedassoftasRussianorItalian，inhermusicalvoice。Mr。Benson，forthatwasthenameofthehunchback，layonthesofathinking;whilethetenderMrs。Hughesmadeeveryarrangementforhisrelieffrompain。Hehadlodgedwithherforthreesuccessiveyears，andsheknewandlovedhim。Ruthstoodinthelittlebow-window，lookingout。Acrossthemoon，andoverthedeepblueheavens，large，torn，irregular-shapedcloudswenthurrying，asifsummonedbysomestorm-spirit。Theworktheywerecommandedtodowasnothere;themightygathering-placelayeastward，immeasurableleagues; andontheywent，chasingeachotheroverthesilentearth，nowblack，nowsilver-whiteatonetransparentedge，nowwiththemoonshininglikeHopethroughtheirdarkestcentre，nowagainwithasilverlining;andnow，utterlyblack，theysailedlowerinthelift，anddisappearedbehindtheimmovablemountains;theywererushingintheverydirectioninwhichRuthhadstrivenandstruggledtogothatafternoon;they，intheirwildcareer，wouldsoonpassovertheveryspotwherehe(herworld’she)waslyingsleeping，orperhapsnotsleeping，perhapsthinkingofher。Thestormwasinhermind，andrentandtoreherpurposesintoformsaswildandirregularastheheavenlyshapesshewaslookingat。If，likethem，shecouldpassthebarrierhorizoninthenight，shemightovertakehim。Mr。Bensonsawherlook，andreaditpartially。Hesawherlonginggazeoutwardsuponthefree，broadworld，andthoughtthatthesirenwaters，whosedeadlymusicyetranginhisears，wereagaintemptingher。Hecalledhertohimprayingthathisfeeblevoicemighthavepower。”Mydearyounglady，Ihavemuchtosaytoyou;andGodhastakenmystrengthfrommenowwhenImostneed——Oh，Isintospeakso——but，forHissake，Iimploreyoutobepatienthere，ifonlytillto-morrowmorning。”Helookedather，butherfacewasimmovable，andshedidnotspeak。Shecouldnotgiveupherhope，herchance，herliberty，tillto-morrow。”Godhelpme，“saidhemournfully，“mywordsdonottouchher;“and，stillholdingherhand，hesankbackonthepillows。Indeed，itwastruethathiswordsdidnotvibrateinheratmosphere。Thestorm-spiritragedthere，andfilledherheartwiththethoughtthatshewasanoutcast;andtheholywords，“forHissake，“wereansweredbythedemon，whoheldpossession，withablasphemousdefianceofthemercifulGod——，“WhathaveItodowithThee？”Hethoughtofeverysofteninginfluenceofreligionwhichoverhisowndisciplinedhearthadpower，butputthemasideasuseless。Thenthestillsmallvoicewhispered，andhespake——，“Inyourmother’sname，whethershebedeadoralive，IcommandyoutostayhereuntilIamabletospeaktoyou。”，Shekneltdownatthefootofthesofa，andshookitwithhersobs。Herheartwastouched，andhehardlydaredtospeakagain。Atlengthhesaid——，“Iknowyouwillnotgo——youcouldnot——forhersake。Youwillnot，willyou？”“No，“whisperedRuth;andthentherewasagreatblankinherheart。Shehadgivenupherchance。Shewascalm，intheutterabsenceofallhope。”AndnowyouwilldowhatItellyou？”saidhegently，butunconsciouslytohimself，inthetoneofonewhohasfoundthehiddenspellbywhichtorulespirits。Sheslowlysaid，“Yes。”Butshewassubdued。HecalledMrs。Hughes。Shecamefromheradjoiningshop。”Youhaveabedroomwithinyours，whereyourdaughterusedtosleep，I think？Iamsureyouwillobligeme，andIshallconsideritasagreatfavour，ifyouwillallowthisyoungladytosleepthereto-night。Willyoutakehertherenow？Go，mydear。IhavefulltrustinyourpromisenottoleaveuntilIcanspeaktoyou。”Hisvoicediedawaytosilence; butasRuthrosefromherkneesathisbidding，shelookedathisfacethroughhertears。Hislipsweremovinginearnest，unspokenprayer，andsheknewitwasforher。Thatnight，althoughhispainwasrelievedbyrest，hecouldnotsleep; and，asinfever，thecomingeventskeptunrollingthemselvesbeforehimineverychangingandfantasticform。HemetRuthinallpossibleplacesandways，andaddressedherineverymannerhecouldimaginemostcalculatedtomoveandaffecthertopenitenceandvirtue。Towardsmorninghefellasleep，butthesamethoughtshauntedhisdreams;hespoke，buthisvoicerefusedtoutteraloud;andshefled，relentless，tothedeep，blackpool。ButGodworksinHisownway。Thevisionsmeltedintodeep，unconscioussleep。Hewasawakenedbyaknockatthedoor，whichseemedarepetitionofwhathehadheardinhislastsleepingmoments。ItwasMrs。Hughes。Shestoodatthefirstwordofpermissionwithintheroom。”Please，sir，Ithinktheyoungladyisveryillindeed，sir;perhapsyouwouldpleasetocometoher。”，“Howissheill？”saidhe，muchalarmed。”Quitequiet-like，sir;butIthinksheisdying，that’sall，indeed，sir。”，“Goaway，Iwillbewithyoudirectly，“hereplied，hisheartsinkingwithinhim。InaveryshorttimehewasstandingwithMrs。HughesbyRuth’sbedside。 Shelayasstillasifsheweredead，hereyesshut，herwanfacenumbedintoafixedanguishofexpression。Shedidnotspeakwhentheyspoke，thoughafterawhiletheythoughtshestrovetodoso。Butallpowerofmotionandutterancehadlefther。Shewasdressedineverything，exceptherbonnet，asshehadbeenthedaybefore;althoughsweet，thoughtfulMrs。Hugheshadprovidedherwithnightgear，whichlayonthelittlechestofdrawersthatservedasadressing-table。Mr。Bensonliftedupherarmtofeelherfeeble，flutteringpulse;andwhenheletgoherhand，itfelluponthebedinadull，heavyway，asifshewerealreadydead。”Yougavehersomefood？”saidheanxiously，toMrs。Hughes。”Indeed，andIofferedherthebestinthehouse，butsheshookherpoorprettyhead，andonlyaskedifIwouldpleasetogetheracupofwater。 Ibroughthersomemilkthough;and，’deed，Ithinkshe’dratherhavehadthewater;but，nottoseemsourandcross，shetooksomemilk。”BythistimeMrs。Hugheswasfairlycrying。”Whendoesthedoctorcomeuphere？”“Indeed，sir，andhe’supnearlyeverydaynow，theinnissofull。”，“I’llgoforhim。Andcanyoumanagetoundressherandlayherinbed？ Openthewindowtoo，andletintheair;ifherfeetarecold，putbottlesofhotwatertothem。”，Itwasaproofofthetruelove，whichwasthenatureofboth，thatitnevercrossedtheirmindstoregretthatthispooryoungcreaturehadbeenthusthrownupontheirhands。Onthecontrary，Mrs。Hughescalledit“ablessing。”，“Itblessethhimthatgives，andhimthattakes。” chapter10，CHAPTERX，ANOTEANDTHEANSWER，Attheinneverythingwaslifeandbustle。Mr。BensonhadtowaitlonginMrs。Morgan’slittleparlourbeforeshecouldcometohim，andhekeptgrowingmoreandmoreimpatient。Atlastshemadeherappearanceandheardhisstory。Peoplemaytalkastheywillaboutthelittlerespectthatispaidtovirtue，unaccompaniedbytheoutwardaccidentsofwealthorstation;butIratherthinkitwillbefoundthat，inthelongrun，trueandsimplevirtuealwayshasitsproportionaterewardintherespectandreverenceofeveryonewhoseesteemisworthhaving。Tobesure，itisnotrewardedafterthewayoftheworld，asmereworldlypossessionsare，withlowobeisanceandlip-service;butallthebetterandmorenoblequalitiesintheheartsofothersmakereadyandgoforthtomeetitonitsapproach，providedonlyitbepure，simple，andunconsciousofitsownexistence。Mr。Bensonhadlittlethoughtforoutwardtokensofrespectjustthen，norhadMrs。Morganmuchtimetospare;butshesmoothedherruffledbrow，andcalmedherbustlingmanner，assoonasevershesawwhoitwasthatawaitedher;forMr。Bensonwaswellknowninthevillage，wherehehadtakenuphissummerholidayamongthemountainsyearafteryear，alwaysaresidentattheshop，andseldomspendingashillingattheinn。Mrs。Morganlistenedpatiently——forher。Mr。Joneswillcomethisafternoon。Butitisashameyoushouldbetroubledwithsuchasher。Ihadbutlittletimeyesterday，butIguessedtherewassomethingwrong，andGwenhasjustbeentellingmeherbedhasnotbeensleptin。Theywereinaprettyhurrytobegoneyesterday，forallthatthegentlemanwasnotfittotravel，tomywayofthinking;indeed，WilliamWynn，thepost-boy，saidhewaswearyenoughbeforehegottotheendofthatYspyttyroad;andhethoughttheywouldhavetorestthereadayortwobeforetheycouldgofurtherthanPentreVoelas。Indeed，andanyhow，theservantistofollowthemwiththebaggagethisverymorning; andnowIremember，WilliamWynnsaidtheywouldwaitforher。You’dbetterwriteanote，Mr。Benson，andtellthemherstate。”，Itwassound，thoughunpalatableadvice。Itcamefromoneaccustomedtobringexcellent，ifunrefinedsense，tobearquicklyuponanyemergency，andtodeciderapidly。Shewas，intruth，solittleaccustomedtohaveherauthorityquestioned，that，beforeMr。Bensonhadmadeuphismind，shehadproducedpaper，pens，andinkfromthedrawerinherbureau，placedthembeforehim，andwasgoingtoleavetheroom。”Leavethenoteonthisshelf，andtrustmethatitgoesbythemaid。Theboythatdrivesherthereinthecarshallbringyouananswerback。”，Shewasgonebeforehecouldrallyhisscatteredsensesenoughtorememberthathehadnottheleastideaofthenameofthepersontowhomhewastowrite。Thequietleisureandpeaceofhislittlestudyathomefavouredhishabitofreverieandlongdeliberation，justasherpositionasmistressofaninnobligedhertoquick，decisiveways。Heradvice，thoughgoodinsomepoints，wasunpalatableinothers。ItwastruethatRuth’sconditionoughttobeknownbythosewhowereherfriends; butwerethesepeopletowhomhewasnowgoingtowritefriends？Heknewtherewasarichmother，andahandsome，elegantson;andhehadalsosomeideaofthecircumstanceswhichmightalittleextenuatetheirmodeofquittingRuth。Hehadwide-enoughsympathytounderstandthatitmusthavebeenamostpainfulpositioninwhichthemotherhadbeenplaced，onfindingherselfunderthesameroofwithagirlwhowaslivingwithherson，asRuthwas。Andyethedidnotliketoapplytoher;towritetothesonwasstillmoreoutofthequestion，asitseemedlikeaskinghimtoreturn。 Butthroughoneortheotherlaytheonlycluetoherfriends，whocertainlyoughttobemadeacquaintedwithherposition。Atlengthhewrote——，“MADAM，——Iwritetotellyouoftheconditionofthepooryoungwoman“——(herecamealongpauseofdeliberation)——“whoaccompaniedyoursononhisarrivalhere，andwhowasleftbehindonyourdepartureyesterday。Sheislying(asitappearstome)inaverydangerousstateatmylodgings;and，ifImaysuggest，itwouldbekindtoallowyourmaidtoreturnandattenduponheruntilsheissufficientlyrecoveredtoberestoredtoherfriends，if，indeed，theycouldnotcometotakechargeofherthemselves——Iremain，madam，yourobedientservant，THURSTANBENSON。”，Thenotewasveryunsatisfactoryafterallhisconsideration，butitwasthebesthecoulddo。Hemadeinquiryofapassingservantastothelady’sname，directedthenote，andplaceditontheindicatedshelf。Hethenreturnedtohislodgings，toawaitthedoctor’scomingandthepostboy’sreturn。TherewasnoalterationinRuth;shewasasonestunnedintounconsciousness; shedidnotmoveherposture，shehardlybreathed。FromtimetotimeMrs。 Hugheswettedhermouthwithsomeliquid，andtherewasalittlemechanicalmotionofthelips;thatwastheonlysignoflifeshegave。Thedoctorcameandshookhishead，——“athoroughprostrationofstrength，occasionedbysomegreatshockonthenerves，“——andprescribedcareandquiet，andmysteriousmedicines，butacknowledgedthattheresultwasdoubtful，verydoubtful。Afterhisdeparture，Mr。BensontookhisWelshgrammarandtriedagaintomastertheever-puzzlingrulesforthemutationsofletters;butitwasofnouse，forhisthoughtswereabsorbedbythelife-in-deathconditionoftheyoungcreature，whowaslatelyboundingandjoyous。Themaidandtheluggage，thecarandthedriver;badarrivedbeforenoonattheirjourney’send，andthenotehadbeendelivered。ItannoyedMrs。 Bellinghamexceedingly。Itwastheworstofthesekindofconnections，——therewasnocalculatingtheconsequences;theywerenever-ending。Allsortsofclaimsseemedtobeestablished，andallsortsofpeopletostepintotheirsettlement。Theideaofsendinghermaid！Why，Simpsonwouldnotgoifsheaskedher。Shesoliloquisedthuswhilereadingtheletter;andthen，suddenlyturningroundtothefavouriteattendant，whohadbeenlisteningtohermistress’sremarkswithnoinattentiveear，sheasked——，“Simpson，wouldyougoandnursethiscreature，asthis——“shelookedatthesignature——“Mr。Benson，whoeverheis，proposes？”“Me！no，indeed，ma’am，“saidthemaid，drawingherselfup，stiffinhervirtue。“I’msure，ma’am，you：wouldnotexpectitofme;Icouldneverhavethefacetodressaladyofcharacteragain。”，“Well，well！don’tbealarmed;Icannotspareyou：bytheway，justattendtothestringsonmydress;thechambermaidherepulledthemintoknots，andbrokethemterribly，lastnight。Itisawkward，though，very，“saidshe，relapsingintoamusingfitovertheconditionofRuth。”Ifyou’llallowme，ma’am，IthinkImightsaysomethingthatwouldalterthecase。Ibelieve，ma’am，youputabank-noteintothelettertotheyoungwomanyesterday？”Mrs。Bellinghambowedacquiescence，andthemaidwenton——，“Because，ma’am，whenthelittledeformedmanwrotethatnote(he’sMr。 Benson，ma’am)，IhavereasontobelieveneitherhenorMrs。Morganknewofanyprovisionbeingmadefortheyoungwoman。Meandthechambermaidfoundyourletterandthebank-notelyingquitepromiscuous，likewastepaper，onthefloorofherroom;forIbelievesherushedoutlikemadafteryouleft。”，“That，asyousay，altersthecase。Thisletter，then，isprincipallyasortofdelicatehintthatsomeprovisionoughttohavebeenmade;whichistrueenough，onlyithasbeenattendedtoalready。Whatbecameofthemoney？”“Law，ma’am！doyouask？Ofcourse，assoonasIsawit，IpickeditupandtookittoMrs。Morgan，intrustfortheyoungperson。”，“Oh，that’sright。Whatfriendshasshe？DidyoueverhearfromMason？——perhapstheyoughttoknowwheresheis。”，“Mrs。Masondidtellme，ma’am，shewasanorphan;withaguardianwhowasnowaysakin，andwhowashedhishandsofherwhensheranoff。ButMrs。Masonwassadlyputout，andwentintohysterics，forfearyouwouldthinkshehadnotseenafterherenough，andthatshemightloseyourcustom; shesaiditwasnofaultofhers，forthegirlwasalwaysaforwardcreature，boastingofherbeauty，andsayinghowprettyshewas，andstrivingtogetwherehergoodlookscouldbeseenandadmired，——onenightinparticular，ma’am，atacountyball;andhowMrs。MasonhadfoundoutsheusedtomeetMr。Bellinghamatanoldwoman’shouse，whowasaregularoldwitch，ma’am，andlivesinthelowestpartofthetown，whereallthebadcharactershaunt。”，“There！that’senough，“saidMrs。Bellinghamsharply，forthemaid’schatteringhadoutrunhertact;andinheranxietytovindicatethecharacterofherfriendMrs。MasonbyblackeningthatofRuth，shehadforgottenthatshealittleimplicatedhermistress’sson，whomhisproudmotherdidnotliketoimagineaseverpassingthroughalowanddegradedpartofthetown。”Ifshehasnofriends，andisthecreatureyoudescribe(whichisconfirmedbymyownobservation)，thebestplaceforheris，asIsaidbefore，thePenitentiary。Herfiftypoundswillkeepheraweekorso，ifsheisreallyunabletotravel，andpayforherjourney;andifonherreturntoFordhamshewillletmeknow，Iwillundertaketoobtainheradmissionimmediately。”，“I’msureit’swellforhershehastodowithaladywhowilltakeanyinterestinher，afterwhathashappened。”，Mrs。Bellinghamcalledforherwriting-desk，andwroteafewhastylinestobesentbythepost-boy，whowasonthepointofstarting——，“Mrs。Bellinghampresentshercomplimentstoherunknowncorrespondent，Mr。Benson，andbegstoinformhimofacircumstanceofwhichshebelieveshewasignorantwhenhewrotetheletterwithwhichshehasbeenfavoured; namely，thatprovisiontotheamountof£50wasleftfortheunfortunateyoungpersonwhoisthesubjectofMr。Benson’sletter。ThissumisinthehandsofMrs。Morgan，aswellasanotefromMrs。Bellinghamtothemiserablegirl，inwhichsheproposestoprocureheradmissionintotheFordhamPenitentiary，thebestplaceforsuchacharacter，asbythisprofligateactionshehasforfeitedtheonlyfriendremainingtoherintheworld。 ThispropositionMrs。Bellinghamrepeats;andtheyaretheyoungwoman’sbestfriendswhomosturgehertocomplywiththecoursenowpointedout。”，“TakecareMr。BellinghamhearsnothingofthisMr。Benson’snote，“saidMrs。Bellingham，asshedeliveredtheanswertohermaid;“heissosensitivejustnowthatitwouldannoyhimsadly，Iamsure。” chapter11，CHAPTERXI，THURSTANANDFAITHBENSON，YouhavenowseenthenotewhichwasdeliveredintoMr。Benson’shands，asthecoolshadesofeveningstoleovertheglowingsummersky。Whenhehadreadit，heagainpreparedtowriteafewhastylinesbeforethepostwentout。Thepost-boywasevennowsoundinghishornthroughthevillageasasignalforletterstobeready;anditwaswellthatMr。Benson，inhislongmorning’smeditation，haddecideduponthecoursetobepursued，incaseofsuchananswerasthatwhichhehadreceivedfromMrs。Bellingham。 Hispresentnotewasasfollows;——，“DEARFAITH，——Youmustcometothisplacedirectly，whereIearnestlydesireyouandyouradvice。Iamwellmyself，sodonotbealarmed。Ihavenotimeforexplanation，butIamsureyouwillnotrefuseme;letmetrustthatIshallseeyouonSaturdayatthelatest。YouknowthemodebywhichIcame;itisthebestbothforexpeditionandcheapness。DearFaith，donotfailme——，Youraffectionatebrother。THURSTANBENSON。”P。S——IamafraidthemoneyIleftmayberunningshort。Donotletthisstopyou。TakemyFacciolatitoJohnson’s，hewilladvanceuponit;itisthethirdrow，bottomshelf。Onlycome。”，Whenthisletterwasdespatchedhehaddoneallhecould;andthenexttwodayspassedlikealongmonotonousdreamofwatching，thought，andcare，undisturbedbyanyevent，hardlybythechangefromdaytonight，which，nowtheharvestmoonwasatherfull，wasscarcelyperceptible。 OnSaturdaymorningtheanswercame——，“DEARESTTHURSTAN，——Yourincomprehensiblesummonshasjustreachedme，andIobey，therebyprovingmyrighttomynameofFaith。Ishallbewithyoualmostassoonasthisletter。Icannothelpfeelinganxious，aswellascurious。Ihavemoneyenough，anditiswellIhave;forSally，whoguardsyourroomlikeadragon，wouldratherseemewalkthewholeway，thanhaveanyofyourthingsdisturbed——Youraffectionatesister，