第6章

howyoudogetabused！ButIwilltellMr。FarquharIwillnotlethiminterferewithme。IfIdowhatpapabidsme，noonehasarighttonoticewhetherIdoitwillinglyornot。”，SothenshetriedtodefyMr。Farquhar，bydoingandsayingthingsthatsheknewhewoulddisapprove。Shewentsofarthathewasseriouslygrieved，anddidnotevenremonstrateand“lecture，“andthenshewasdisappointedandirritated;for，somehow，withallherindignationatinterference，shelikedtobelecturedbyhim;notthatshewasawareofthislikingofhers，butstillitwouldhavebeenmorepleasanttobescoldedthansoquietlypassedover。Hertwolittlesisters，withtheirwide-awakeeyes，hadlongagoputthingstogether，andconjectured。Everydaytheyhadsomefreshmysterytogether，tobeimpartedingardenwalksandwhisperedtalks。”Lizzie，didyouseehowthetearscameintoMimie’seyeswhenMr。Farquharlookedsodispleasedwhenshesaidgoodpeoplewerealwaysdull？Ithinkshe’sinlove。”Marysaidthelastwordswithgraveemphasis，andfeltlikeanoracleoftwelveyearsofage。”Idon’t，“saidLizzie。“IknowIcryoftenenoughwhenpapaiscross，andI’mnotinlovewithhim。”，“Yes！butyoudon’tlookasMimiedid。”，“Don’tcallherMimie——youknowpapadoesnotlikeit？”“Yes;buttherearesomanythingspapadoesnotlikeIcanneverrememberthemall。Nevermindaboutthat;butlistentosomethingI’vegottotellyou，ifyou’llnever，nevertell。”，“No，indeedIwon’t，Mary。Whatisit？”“NottoMrs。Denbigh？”“No，noteventoMrs。Denbigh。”，“Well，then，theotherday——lastFriday，Mimie——““Jemima！”interruptedthemoreconscientiousElizabeth。”Jemima，ifitmustbeso，“jerkedoutMary，“sentmetoherdeskforanenvelope，andwhatdoyou。thinkIsaw？”“What？”askedElizabeth，expectingnothingelsethanared-hotValentine，signedWalterFarquhar，proBradshaw，Farquhar，&Co。infull。”Why，apieceofpaper，withdull-lookinglinesuponit，justlikethescientificdialogues;andIrememberallaboutit。ItwasoncewhenMr。 Farquharhadbeentellingusthatabulletdoesnotgoinastraightline，butinasomethingcurve，andhedrewsomelinesonapieceofpaper;andMimie——““Jemima！”putinElizabeth。”Well，well！Shehadtreasureditup，andwrittenincorner，’W。F。April3rd。’Now，that’sratherlikelove，isnotit？ForJemimahatesusefulinformationjustasmuchasIdo，andthat’ssayingagreatdeal;andyetshehadkeptthispaper，anddatedit。”，“Ifthat’sall，IknowDickkeepsapaperwithMissBenson’snamewrittenonit，andyethe’snotinlovewithher;andperhapsJemimamaylikeMr。 Farquhar，andhemaynotlikeher。Itseemssuchalittlewhilesinceherhairwasturnedup，andhehasalwaysbeenagrave，middle-agedmaneversinceIcanrecollect;andthen，haveyounevernoticedhowoftenhefindsfaultwithher——almostlecturesher？”“Tobesure，“saidMary;“buthemaybeinlove，forallthat。Justthinkhowoftenpapalecturesmamma;andyet，ofcourse，they’reinlovewitheachother。”，“Well！weshallsee，“saidElizabeth。PoorJemimalittlethoughtofthefoursharpeyesthatwatchedherdailycoursewhileshesatalone，asshefancied，withhersecretinherownroom。For，inapassionatefitofgrieving，attheimpatient，hastytemperwhichhadmadehersoseriouslydispleaseMr。Farquharthathehadgoneawaywithoutremonstrance，withoutmoreleave-takingthanadistantbow，shehadbeguntosuspectthat，ratherthannotbenoticedatallbyhim，ratherthanbeanobjectofindifferencetohim——oh！farratherwouldshebeanobjectofangerandupbraiding;andthethoughtsthatfollowedthisconfessiontoherselfstunnedandbewilderedher;andforoncethattheymadeherdizzywithhope，tentimestheymadehersickwithfear。Foraninstantsheplannedtobecomeandtobeallhecouldwishher;tochangeherverynatureforhim。Andthenagreatgushofpridecameoverher，andshesetherteethtighttogether，anddeterminedthatheshouldeitherloveherasshewasornotatall。Unlesshecouldtakeherwithallherfaults，shewouldnotcareforhisregard;“love“wastoonobleawordtocallsuchcold，calculatingfeelingashismustbe，whowentaboutwithapatternideainhismind，tryingtofindawifetomatch。Besides，therewassomethingdegrading，Jemimathought，intryingtoalterherselftogaintheloveofanyhumancreature。Andyet，ifhedidnotcareforher，ifthislateindifferenceweretolast，whatagreatshroudwasdrawnoverlife！Couldshebearit？，Fromtheagonyshedarednotlookat，butwhichshewasgoingtoriskencountering，shewasarousedbythepresenceofhermother。”Jemima！yourfatherwantstospeaktoyouinthedining-room。”，“Whatfor？”askedthegirl。”Oh！heisfidgetedbysomethingMr。FarquharsaidtomeandwhichIrepeated。 IamsureIthoughttherewasnoharminit，andyourfatheralwayslikesmetotellhimwhateverybodysaysinhisabsence。”，Jemimawentwithaheavyheartintoherfather’spresence。Hewaswalkingupanddowntheroom，anddidnotseeheratfirst。”OJemima！isthatyou？HasyourmothertoldyouwhatIwanttospeaktoyouabout？”“No！”saidJemima。“Notexactly。”，“ShehasbeentellingmewhatprovestomehowveryseriouslyyoumusthavedispleasedandoffendedMr。Farquhar，beforehecouldhaveexpressedhimselftoherashedid，whenheleftthehouse。Youknowwhathesaid？”“No！”saidJemima，herheartswellingwithinher。“Hehasnorighttosayanythingaboutme。”Shewasdesperate，orshedurstnothavesaidthisbeforeherfather。”Noright！——whatdoyoumean，Jemima？”saidMr。Bradshaw，turningsharpround。“SurelyyoumustknowthatIhopehemayonedaybeyourhusband; thatistosay，ifyouproveyourselfworthyoftheexcellenttrainingIhavegivenyou。IcannotsupposeMr。Farquharwouldtakeanyundisciplinedgirlasawife。”，Jemimaheldtightbyachairnearwhichshewasstanding。Shedidnotspeak; herfatherwaspleasedbyhersilence——itwasthewayinwhichhelikedhisprojectstobereceived。”Butyoucannotsuppose，“hecontinued，“thatMr。Farquharwillconsenttomarryyou——““Consenttomarryme！”repeatedJemima，inalowtoneofbroodingindignation; werethosethetermsuponwhichherrichwoman’sheartwastobegiven，withacalmconsentofacquiescentacceptance，butalittleaboveresignationonthepartofthereceiver？，——“ifyougivewaytoatemperwhich，althoughyouhaveneverdaredtoshowittome，Iamwellawareexists，althoughIhopedthehabitsofself-examinationIhadinstilledhaddonemuchtocureyouofmanifestingit。Atonetime，Richardpromisedtobethemoreheadstrongofthetwo;now，Imustdesireyoutotakepatternbyhim。Yes，“hecontinued，fallingintohisoldtrainofthought，“itwouldbeamostfortunateconnectionforyouineveryway。 Ishouldhaveyouundermyowneye，andcouldstillassistyouintheformationofyourcharacter，andIshouldbeathandtostrengthenandconfirmyourprinciples。Mr。Farquhar’sconnectionwiththefirmwouldbeconvenientandagreeabletomeinapecuniarypointofview。He——“Mr。Bradshawwasgoingoninhisenumerationoftheadvantageswhichheinparticular，andJemimainthesecondplace，wouldderivefromthismarriage，whenhisdaughterspoke，atfirstsolowthathecouldnothearher，ashewalkedupanddowntheroomwithhiscreakingboots，andhehadtostoptolisten。”HasMr。Farquhareverspokentoyouaboutit？”Jemima’scheekwasflushedassheaskedthequestion;shewishedthatshemighthavebeenthepersontowhomhehadfirstaddressedhimself。Mr。Bradshawanswered——，“No，notspoken。Ithasbeenimpliedbetweenusforsometime。Atleast，IhavebeensoawareofhisintentionsthatIhavemadeseveralallusions，inthecourseofbusiness，toit，asathingthatmighttakeplace。Hecanhardlyhavemisunderstood;hemusthaveseenthatIperceivedhisdesign，andapprovedofit，“saidMr。Bradshaw，ratherdoubtfully;asherememberedhowverylittle，infact，passedbetweenhimandhispartnerwhichcouldhavereferencetothesubject，toanybutamindpreparedtoreceiveit。 PerhapsMr。Farquharhadnotreallythoughtofit;butthenagain，thatwouldimplythathisownpenetrationhadbeenmistaken，athingnotimpossiblecertainly，butquitebeyondtherangeofprobability。Sohereassuredhimself，and(ashethought)hisdaughter，bysaying——，“Thewholethingissosuitable——theadvantagesarisingfromtheconnectionaresoobvious;besideswhich，Iamquiteaware，frommanylittlespeechesofMr。Farquhar’s，thathecontemplatesmarriageatnoverydistanttime; andheseldomleavesEccleston，andvisitsfewfamiliesbesidesourown——certainly，nonethatcancomparewithoursintheadvantagesyouhaveallreceivedinmoralandreligioustraining。”ButthenMr。Bradshawwascheckedinhisimpliedpraisesofhimself(andonlyhimselfcouldbehismartingalewhenheoncesetoutonsuchacareer)byarecollectionthatJemimamustnotfeeltoosecure，asshemightbecomeifhedwelttoomuchontheadvantagesofherbeingherfather’sdaughter。Accordingly，hesaid，“Butyoumustbeaware，Jemima，thatyoudoverylittlecredittotheeducationIhavegivenyou，whenyoumakesuchanimpressionasyoumusthavedoneto-day，beforeMr。Farquharcouldhavesaidwhat。hedidofyou！”“Whatdidhesay？”askedJemima，stillinthelow，huskytoneofsuppressedanger。”Yourmothersaysheremarkedtoher，’WhatapityitisthatJemimacannotmaintainheropinionswithoutgoingintoapassion;andwhatapityitisthatheropinionsaresuchastosanction，ratherthancurb，thesefitsofrudenessandanger！’““Didhesaythat？”saidJemima，inastilllowertone，notquestioningherfather，butspeakingrathertoherself。”Ihavenodoubthedid，“repliedherfathergravely。“Yourmotherisinthehabitofrepeatingaccuratelytomewhattakesplaceinmyabsence; besideswhich，thewholespeechisnotoneofhers;shehasnotalteredawordintherepetition，Iamconvinced。Ihavetrainedhertohabitsofaccuracyveryunusualinawoman。”，Atanothertime，Jemimamighthavebeeninclinedtorebelagainstthissystemofcarryingconstantintelligencetoheadquarters，whichshehadlongagofeltasaninsurmountableobstacletoanyfreecommunicationwithhermother;butnow，herfather’smeansofacquiringknowledgefadedintoinsignificancebeforethenatureoftheinformationheimparted。Shestoodquitestill，graspingthechair-back，longingtobedismissed。”Ihavesaidenoughnow，Ihope，tomakeyoubehaveinabecomingmannertoMr。Farquhar;ifyourtemperistoounrulytobealwaysunderyourowncontrol，atleasthaverespecttomyinjunctions，andtakesomepainstocurbitbeforehim。”，“MayIgo？”askedJemima，chafingmoreandmore。”Youmay，“saidherfather。Whenshelefttheroombegentlyrubbedhishandstogether，satisfiedwiththeeffecthehadproduced，andwonderinghowitwasthatonesowellbroughtupashisdaughtercouldeversayordoanythingtoprovokesucharemarkfromMr。Farquharasthatwhichhehadheardrepeated。”Nothingcanbemoregentleanddocilethansheiswhenspokentointhepropermanner。ImustgiveFarquharahint，“saidMr。Bradshawtohimself。Jemimarushedupstairsandlockedherselfintoherroom。Shebeganpacingupanddownatfirst，withoutsheddingatear;butthenshesuddenlystopped，andburstoutcryingwithpassionateindignation。”So！Iamtobehavewell，notbecauseitisright——notbecauseitisright——buttoshowoffbeforeMr。Farquhar。Oh，Mr。Farquhar！”saidshe，suddenlychangingtoasortofupbraidingtoneofvoice，“Ididnotthinksoofyouanhourago。Ididnotthinkyoucouldchooseawifeinthatcold-heartedway，thoughyoudidprofesstoactbyruleandline;butyouthinktohaveme，doyou？becauseitisfittingandsuitable，andyouwanttobemarried，andcan’tsparetimeforwooing“(shewaslashingherselfupbyanexaggerationofallherfatherhadsaid)。“AndbowoftenIhavethoughtyouweretoograndforme！butnowIknowbetter。NowIcanbelievethatallyoudoisdonefromcalculation;youaregoodbecauseitaddstoyourbusinesscredit——youtalkinthathighstrainaboutprinciplebecauseitsoundswell，andisrespectable——andeventhesethingsarebetterthanyourcoldwayoflookingoutforawife，justasyouwoulddoforacarpet，toaddtoyourcomforts，andsettleyourespectably。ButIwon’tbethatwife。 Youshallseesomethingofmewhichshallmakeyounotacquiescesoquietlyinthearrangementsofthefirm。”Shecriedtoovehementlytogoonthinkingorspeaking。Thenshestopped，andsaid——，“OnlyanhouragoIwashoping——Idon’tknowwhatIwashoping——butIthought——oh！ howIwasdeceived！——Ithoughthehadatrue，deep，lovingmanlyheart，whichGodmightletmewin;butnowIknowhehasonlyacalm，calculatinghead——“IfJemimahadbeenvehementandpassionatebeforethisconversationwithherfather，itwasbetterthanthesullenreservesheassumednowwheneverMr。Farquharcametothehouse。Hefeltitdeeply;noreasoningwithhimselftookoffthepainheexperienced。Hetriedtospeakonthesubjectssheliked，inthemannersheliked，untilhedespisedhimselffortheunsuccessfulefforts。Hestoodbetweenherandherfatheronceortwice，inobviousinconsistencywithhisownpreviouslyexpressedopinions;andMr。Bradshawpiquedhimselfuponhisadmirablemanagement，inmakingJemimafeelthatsheowedhisindulgenceorforbearancetoMr。Farquhar’sinterference;butJemima——perverse，miserableJemima——thoughtthatshehatedMr。Farquharallthemore。Sherespectedherfatherinflexible，muchmorethanherfatherpompouslygivinguptoMr。Farquhar’ssubduedremonstrancesonherbehalf。EvenMr。Bradshawwasperplexed，andshuthimselfuptoconsiderhowJemimawastobemademorefullytounderstandhiswishesandherowninterests。Buttherewasnothingtotakeholdofasagroundforanyfurtherconversationwithher。 Heractionsweresosubmissivethattheywerespiritless;shedidallherfatherdesired;shediditwithanervousquicknessandhaste，ifshethoughtthatotherwiseMr。Farquharwouldinterfereinanyway。Shewishedevidentlytoowenothingtohim。Shehadbegunbyleavingtheroomwhenhecamein，aftertheconversationshehadhadwithherfather;butatMr。Bradshaw’sfirstexpressionofhiswishthatsheshouldremain，sheremained——silent，indifferent，inattentivetoallthatwasgoingon;atleasttherewasthisappearanceofinattention。Shewouldworkawayathersewingasifsheweretoearnherlivelihoodbyit;thelightwasgoneoutofhereyesassheliftedthemupheavilybeforereplyingtoanyquestion，andtheeyelidswereoftenswollenwithcrying。Butinallthistherewasnopositivefault。Mr。Bradshawcouldnothavetoldhernottodothis，ortodothat，withoutherdoingit;forshehadbecomemuchmoredocileoflate。ItwasawonderfulproofoftheinfluenceRuthhadgainedinthefamily，thatMr。Bradshaw，aftermuchdeliberation，congratulatedhimselfonthewisedeterminationhehadmadeofrequestinghertospeaktoJemima，andfindoutwhatfeelingwasatthebottomofallthischangeinherwaysofgoingon。Herangthebell。”IsMrs。Denbighhere？”heinquiredoftheservantwhoansweredit。”Yes，sir;shehasjustcome。”，“Beghertocometomeinthisroomassoonasshecanleavetheyoungladies。”，Ruthcame。”Sitdown，Mrs。Denbigh;sitdown。Iwanttohavealittleconversationwithyou;notaboutyourpupils;theyaregoingonwellunderyourcare，Iamsure;andIoftencongratulatemyselfonthechoiceImade——IassureyouIdo。ButnowIwanttospeaktoyouaboutJemima。Sheisveryfondofyou，andperhapsyoucouldtakeanopportunityofobservingtoher——inshort，ofsayingtoher，thatsheisbehavingveryfoolishly——infact，disgustingMr。Farquhar(whowas，Iknow，inclinedtolikeher)bythesullen，sulkywayshebehavesin，whenheisby。”，Hepausedforthereadyacquiescenceheexpected。ButRuthdidnotquitecomprehendwhatwasrequiredofher，anddislikedtheglimpseshehadgainedofthetaskverymuch。”Ihardlyunderstand，sir。YouaredispleasedwithMissBradshaw’smannerstoMr。Farquhar。”，“Well，well！notquitethat;Iamdispleasedwithhermanners——theyaresulkyandabrupt，particularlywhenheisby——andIwantyou(ofwhomsheissofond)tospeaktoheraboutit。”，“ButIhaveneverhadtheopportunityofnoticingthem。WheneverIhaveseenher，shehasbeenmostgentleandaffectionate。”，“ButIthinkyoudonothesitatetobelievemewhenIsaythatIhavenoticedthereverse，“saidMr。Bradshaw，drawinghimselfup。”No，sir。IbegyourpardonifIhaveexpressedmyselfsobadlyastoseemtodoubt。ButamItotellMissBradshawthatyouhavespokenofherfaultstome？”askedRuth，alittleastonished，andshrinkingmorethaneverfromtheproposedtask。”IfyouwouldallowmetofinishwhatIhavegottosay，withoutinterruption，IcouldthentellyouwhatIdowish。”，“Ibegyourpardon，sir，“saidRuthgently。”Iwishyoutojoinourcircleoccasionallyinanevening;Mrs。BradshawshallsendyouaninvitationwhenMr。Farquharislikelytobehere。Warnedbyme，and，consequently，withyourobservationquickened，youcanhardlyfailtonoticeinstancesofwhatIhavepointedout;andthenIwilltrusttoyourowngoodsense“(Mr。Bradshawbowedtoheratthispartofhissentence)“tofindanopportunitytoremonstratewithher。”，Ruthwasbeginningtospeak，buthewavedhishandforanotherminuteofsilence。”Onlyaminute，Mrs。Denbigh。Iamquiteawarethat，inrequestingyourpresenceoccasionallyintheevening，Ishallbetrespassinguponthetimewhichis，infact，yourmoney;youmaybeassuredthatIshallnotforgetthislittlecircumstance，andyoucanexplainwhatIhavesaidonthisheadtoBensonandhissister。”，“IamafraidIcannotdoit，“Ruthbegan;but，whileshewaschoosingwordsdelicateenoughtoexpressherreluctancetoactashewished，hehadalmostbowedheroutoftheroom;andthinkingthatshewasmodestinherestimateofherqualificationsforremonstratingwithhisdaughter，headded，blandly——，“Noonesoable，Mrs。Denbigh。Ihaveobservedmanyqualitiesinyou——observedwhen，perhaps，youhavelittlethoughtit。”，IfhehadobservedRuththatmorninghewouldhaveseenanabsenceofmindanddepressionofspiritsnotmuchtohercreditasateacher;forshecouldnotbringherselftofeelthatshehadanyrighttogointothefamilypurposelytowatchoverandfindfaultwithanyonememberofit。IfshehadseenanythingwronginJemima，Ruthlovedhersomuchthatshewouldhavetoldherofitinprivate;andwithmanydoubts，howfarshewastheonetopulloutthemotefromanyone’seye，eveninthemosttendermanner;——shewouldhavehadtoconquerreluctancebeforeshecouldhavedoneeventhis; buttherewassomethingindefinablyrepugnanttoherinthemannerofactingwhichMr。Bradshawhadproposed，andshedeterminednottoaccepttheinvitationswhichweretoplaceherinsofalseaposition。Butasshewasleavingthehouse，aftertheendofthelessons，whileshestoodinthehalltyingonherbonnet，andlisteningtothelastsmallconfidencesofhertwopupils，shesawJemimacominginthroughthegarden-door，andwasstruckbythechangeinherlooks。Thelargeeyes，sobrilliantonce，weredimandclouded;thecomplexionsallowandcolourless;aloweringexpressionwasonthedarkbrow，andthecornersofhermouthdroopedaswithsorrowfulthoughts。Shelookedup，andhereyesmetRuth’s。”Oh！youbeautifulcreature！”thoughtJemima，“withyourstill，calm，heavenlyface，whatareyoutoknowofearth’strials？Youhavelostyourbelovedbydeath——butthatisablessedsorrow;thesorrowIhavepullsmedownanddown，andmakesmedespiseandhateeveryone——notyou，though。”And，herfacechangingtoasoft，tenderlook，shewentuptoRuthandkissedherfondly;asifitwerearelieftobenearsomeoneonwhosetrue，pureheartsherelied。Ruthreturnedthecaress;andevenwhileshedidso，shesuddenlyrescindedherresolutiontokeepclearofwhatMr。Bradshawhaddesiredhertodo。Onherwayhomesheresolved，ifshecould，tofindoutwhatwereJemima’ssecretfeelings;andif(as，fromsomepreviousknowledge，shesuspected)theyweremorbidandexaggeratedinanyway，totryandhelpherrightwithallthewisdomwhichtruelovegives。ItwastimethatsomeoneshouldcometostillthestorminJemima’sturbulentheart，whichwasdailyandhourlyknowinglessandlessofpeace。Theirritatingdifficultywastoseparatethetwocharacters，whichattwodifferenttimesshehadattributedtoMr。Farquhar——theoldone，whichshehadformerlybelievedtobetrue，thathewasamanactinguptoahighstandardofloftyprinciple，andactingupwithoutastruggle(andthislasthadbeenthecircumstancewhichhadmadeherrebelliousandirritableonce);thenewone，whichherfatherhadexcitedinhersuspiciousmind，thatMr。 Farquharwascoldandcalculatinginallhedid，andthatshewastobetransferredbytheformer，andacceptedbythelatter，asasortofstock-in-trade——thesewerethetwoMr。Farquharswhoclashedtogetherinhermind。Andinthisstateofirritationandprejudice，shecouldnotbearthewayinwhichhegaveuphisopinionstopleaseher;thatwasnotthewaytowinher; shelikedhimfarbetterwhenheinflexiblyandrigidlyadheredtoIllsideaofrightandwrong，notevenallowinganyforcetotemptation，andhardlyanygracetorepentance，comparedwiththatbeautyofholinesswhichhadneveryieldedtosin。Hehadbeenheridolinthosedays，asshefoundoutnow，howevermuchatthetimeshehadopposedhimwithviolence。AsforMr。Farquhar，hewasalmostwearyofhimself;noreasoning，evennoprinciple，seemedtohaveinfluenceoverhim，forhesawthatJemimawasnotatallwhatheapprovedofinwoman。Hesawheruncurbedandpassionate，affectingtodespisetherulesoflifeheheldmostsacred，andindifferentto，ifnotpositivelydisliking，him;andyethelovedherdearly。Butheresolvedtomakeagreateffortofwill，andbreakloosefromthesetrammelsofsense。Andwhileheresolved，someoldrecollectionwouldbringherup，hangingonhisarm，inalltheconfidenceofearlygirlhood，lookingupinhisfacewithhersoft，darkeyes，andquestioninghimuponthemysterioussubjectswhichhadsomuchinterestforbothofthematthattime，althoughtheyhadbecomeonlymatterfordissensionintheselaterdays。Itwasalsotrue，asMr。Bradshawhadsaid，Mr。Farquharwishedtomarry，andhadnotmuchchoiceinthesmalltownofEccleston。Heneverputthissoplainlybeforehimself，asareasonforchoosingJemima，asherfatherhaddonetoher;butitwasanunconsciousmotiveallthesame。However，nowhehadlecturedhimselfintotheresolutiontomakeaprettylongabsencefromEccleston，andseeif，amongsthisdistantfriends，therewasnowomanmoreinaccordancewithhisideal，whocouldputthenaughty，wilful，plaguingJemimaBradshawoutofhishead，ifhedidnotsoonperceivesomechangeinherforthebetter。AfewdaysafterRuth’sconversationwithMr。Bradshawtheinvitationshehadbeenexpecting，yetdreading，came。Itwastoheralone。Mr。andMissBensonwerepleasedatthecomplimenttoher，andurgedheracceptanceofit。Shewishedthattheyhadbeenincluded;shehadnotthoughtitright，orkindtoJemima，totellthemwhyshewasgoing，andshefearednowlesttheyshouldfeelalittlehurtthattheywerenotaskedtoo。Butsheneednothavebeenafraid。Theyweregladandproudoftheattentiontoher，andneverthoughtofthemselves。”Ruthie，whatgownshallyouwearto-night？Yourdark-greyone，Isuppose？” askedMissBenson。”Yes，Isupposeso。Ineverthoughtofit;butthatismybest。”，“Well;then，Ishallquilluparuffforyou。YouknowIamafamousquillerofnet。”，Ruthcamedownstairswithalittleflushonhercheekswhenshewasreadytogo。Sheheldherbonnetandshawlinherhand，forsheknewMissBensonandSallywouldwanttoseeherdressed。”Isnotmammapretty？”askedLeonard，withachild’spride。”Shelooksveryniceandtidy，“saidMissBenson，whohadanideathatchildrenshouldnottalkorthinkaboutbeauty。”Ithinkmyrufflookssonice，“saidRuth，withgentlepleasure。And，indeed，itdidlooknice，andsetofftheprettyroundthroatmostbecomingly。 Herhair，nowgrownlongandthick，wassmoothedasclosetoherheadasitswavingnaturewouldallow，andplaitedupinagreatrichknotlowdownbehind。Thegreygownwasasplainasplaincouldbe。”Youshouldhavelightgloves，Ruth，“saidMissBenson。Shewentupstairs，andbroughtdownadelicatepairofLimerickones，whichhadbeenlongtreasuredupinawalnut-shell。”Theysaythemglovesismadeofchickens’-skins，“saidSally，examiningthemcuriously。“Iwonderhowtheysetaboutskinning’em。”，“Here，Ruth，“saidMr。Benson，cominginfromthegarden，“here’saroseortwoforyou。Iamsorrytherearenomore;IhopedIshouldhavehadmyyellowroseoutbythistime，butthedamaskandthewhiteareinawarmercorner，andhavegotthestart。”，MissBensonandLeonardstoodatthedoor，andwatchedherdownthelittlepassage-streettillshewasoutofsight。ShehadhardlytouchedthebellatMr。Bradshaw’sdoor，whenMaryandElizabethopeneditwithboisterousglee。”Wesawyoucoming——we’vebeenwatchingforyou——wewantyoutocomeroundthegardenbeforetea;papaisnotcomeinyet。Docome！”Shewentroundthegardenwithalittlegirlclingingtoeacharm。Itwasfullofsunshineandflowers，andthismadethecontrastbetweenitandtheusuallargefamilyroom(whichfrontedthenorth-east，andthereforehadnoeveningsuntolightupitscold，drabfurniture)morestrikingthanusual。Itlookedverygloomy。Therewasthegreatdining-table，heavyandsquare;therangeofchairs，straightandsquare;thework-boxes，usefulandsquare;thecolouringofwalls，andcarpets，andcurtains，allofthecoldestdescription;everythingwashandsome，andeverythingwasugly。 Mrs。Bradshawwasasleepinhereasy-chairwhentheycamein。Jemimahadjustputdownherwork，and，lostinthought，sheleanedhercheekonherhand。WhenshesawRuthshebrightenedalittle，andwenttoherandkissedher。Mrs。Bradshawjumpedupatthesoundoftheirentrance，andwaswideawakeinamoment。”Oh！Ithoughtyourfatherwashere，“saidshe，evidentlyrelievedtofindthathehadnotcomeinandcaughthersleeping。”Thankyou，Mrs。Denbigh，forcomingtousto-night，“saidshe，inthequiettoneinwhichshegenerallyspokeinherhusband’sabsence。Whenhewasthere，asortofconstantterrorofdispleasinghimmadehervoicesharpandnervous;thechildrenknewthatmanyathingpassedoverbytheirmotherwhentheirfatherwasawaywassuretobenoticedbyherwhenhewaspresent，andnoticed，too，inacrossandquerulousmanner，forshewassomuchafraidoftheblamewhichonanyoccasionoftheirmisbehaviourfelluponher。Andyetshelookeduptoherhusbandwithareverenceandregard，andafaithfulnessoflove，whichhisdecisionofcharacterwaslikelytoproduceonaweakandanxiousmind。Hewasarestandasupporttoher，onwhomshecastallherresponsibilities;shewasanobedient，unremonstratingwifetohim;nostrongeraffectionhadeverbroughtherdutyintoconflictwithanydesireofherheart。Shelovedherchildrendearly，thoughtheyallperplexedherveryfrequently。Hersonwasherespecialdarling，becauseheveryseldombroughtherintoanyscrapeswithhisfather;hewassocautiousandprudent，andhadtheartof“keepingacalmsough“aboutanydifficultyhemightbein。Withallherdutifulsenseoftheobligation，whichherhusbandenforceduponher，tonoticeandtellhimeverythingthatwasgoingwronginthehousehold，andespeciallyamonghischildren，Mrs。Bradshaw，somehow，contrivedtobehonestlyblindtoagooddealthatwasnotpraiseworthyinMasterRichard。Mr。Bradshawcameinbeforelong，bringingwithhimMr。Farquhar。JemimahadbeentalkingtoRuthwithsomeinterestbeforethen;but，onseeingMr。Farquhar，shebentherheaddownoverherwork，wentalittlepaler; andturnedobstinatelysilent。Mr。Bradshawlongedtocommandhertospeak; butevenhehadasuspicionthatwhatshemightsay，whensocommanded，mightberatherworseinitseffectthanhergloomysilence;soheheldhispeace，andadiscontented，angrykindofpeaceitwas。Mrs。Bradshawsawthatsomethingwaswrong，butcouldnottellwhat;onlyshebecameeverymomentmoretrembling，andnervous，andirritable，andsentMaryandElizabethoffonallsortsofcontradictoryerrandstotheservants，andmadetheteatwiceasstrong，andsweetenedittwiceasmuchas——usual，inhopesofpacifyingherhusbandwithgoodthings。Mr。Farquharhadgoneforthelasttime，orsohethought。Hehadresolved(forthefifthtime)thathewouldgoandwatchJemimaoncemore，andifhertempergotthebetterofher，andsheshowedtheoldsullennessagain，andgavetheoldproofsofindifferencetohisgoodopinion，hewouldgiveherupaltogether，andseekawifeelsewhere。Hesatwatchingherwithfoldedarms，andinsilence。Altogethertheywereapleasantfamilyparty！，Jemimawantedtowindaskeinofwool。Mr。Farquharsawit，andcametoher，anxioustodoherthislittleservice。Sheturnedawaypettishly，andaskedRuthtoholditforher。RuthwashurtforMr。Farquhar，andlookedsorrowfullyatJemima;butJemimawouldnotseeherglanceofupbraiding，asRuth，hopingthatshewouldrelent，delayedalittletocomplywithherrequest。Mr。Farquhardid; andwentbacktohisseattowatchthemboth。HesawJemimaturbulentandstormyinlook;hesawRuth，toallappearanceheavenlycalmastheangels，orwithonlythatlittletingeofsorrowwhichherfriend’sbehaviourhadcalledforth。Hesawtheunusualbeautyofherfaceandform，whichhehadnevernoticedbefore;andhesawJemima，withallthebrilliancysheoncepossessedineyesandcomplexion，dimmedandfaded。HewatchedRuth，speakinglowandsofttothelittlegirls，whoseemedtocometoherineverydifficulty，andheremarkedhergentlefirmnesswhentheirbed-timecame，andtheypleadedtostayuplonger(theirfatherwasabsentinhiscounting-house，ortheywouldnothavedaredtodoso)。HelikedRuth’ssoft，distinct，unwavering“No！youmustgo。Youmustkeeptowhatisright，“ farbetterthanthegood-naturedyieldingtoentreatyhehadformerlyadmiredinJemima。Hewaswanderingoffintothiscomparison，whileRuthwithdelicateandunconscioustact，wastryingtoleadJemimaintosomesubjectwhichshouldtakeherawayfromthethoughts，whatevertheywere，thatmadehersoungraciousandrude。JemimawasashamedofherselfbeforeRuth，inawaywhichshehadneverbeenbeforeanyoneelse。ShevaluedRuth’sgoodopinionsohighly，thatshedreadedlestherfriendshouldperceiveherfaults。Sheputacheckuponherself——acheckatfirst;butafteralittletimeshehadforgottensomethingofhertrouble，andlistenedtoRuth，andquestionedheraboutLeonard，andsmiledathislittlewitticisms;andonlythesighs，thatwouldcomeupfromtheveryforceofhabit，broughtbacktheconsciousnessofherunhappiness。Beforetheendoftheevening，JemimahadallowedherselftospeaktoMr。Farquharintheoldway——questioning，differing，disputing。 Shewasrecalledtotheremembranceofthatmiserableconversationbytheentranceofherfather。Afterthatshewassilent。Buthehadseenherfacemoreanimated，andbrightwithasmile，asshespoketoMr。Farquhar; andalthoughheregrettedthelossofhercomplexion(forshewasstillverypale)，hewashighlypleasedwiththesuccessofhisproject。HeneverdoubtedbutthatRuthhadgivenhersomesortofprivateexhortationtobehavebetter。Hecouldnothaveunderstoodtheprettyartwithwhich，bysimplybanishingunpleasantsubjects，andthrowingawholesomenaturalsunlittoneoverothers，RuthhadinsensiblydrawnJemimaoutofhergloom。 HeresolvedtobuyMrs。Denbighahandsomesilkgowntheverynextday。 Hedidnotbelieveshehadasilkgown，poorcreature！Hehadnoticedthatdark-greystuff，thislong，longtime，asherSundaydress。Helikedthecolour;thesilkoneshouldbejustthesametinge。Thenhethoughtthatitwould，perhaps，bebettertochoosealightershade，onewhichmightbenoticedasdifferenttotheoldgown。Forhehadnodoubtshewouldliketohaveitremarked，and，perhaps，wouldnotobjecttotellpeople，thatitwasapresentfromMr。Bradshaw——atokenofhisapprobation。HesmiledalittletohimselfashethoughtofthisadditionalsourceofpleasuretoRuth。She，inthemeantime，wasgettinguptogohome。WhileJemimawaslightingthebed-candleatthelamp，Ruthcameroundtobidgood-night。 Mr。Bradshawcouldnotallowhertoremaintillthemorrowuncertainwhetherhewassatisfiedornot。”Good-night，MrsDenbigh，“saidhe。“Good-night。Thankyou。Iamobligedtoyou——Iamexceedinglyobligedtoyou。”，Helaidemphasisonthesewords，forhewaspleasedtoseeMr。FarquharstepforwardtohelpJemimainherlittleoffice。Mr。FarquharofferedtoaccompanyRuthhome;butthestreetsthatintervenedbetweenMr。Bradshaw’sandtheChapel-houseweresoquietthathedesisted，whenhelearnt。fromRuth’smannerhowmuchshedislikedhisproposal。 Mr。Bradshaw，too，instantlyobserved——，“Oh！Mrs。Denbighneednottroubleyou，Farquhar。Ihaveservantsatlibertyatanymomenttoattendonher，ifshewishesit。”，Infact，hewantedtomakehaywhilethesunshone，andtodetainMr。Farquharalittlelonger，nowthatJemimawassogracious。ShewentupstairswithRuthtohelphertoputonherthings。”DearJemima！”saidRuth，“Iamsogladtoseeyoulookingbetterto-night！ Youquitefrightenedmethismorning，youlookedsoill。”，“DidI？”repliedJemima。“ORuth！Ihavebeensounhappylately。Iwantyoutocomeandputmetorights，“shecontinued，halfsmiling。“YouknowI’masortofout-pupilofyours，thoughwearesonearlyofanage。Yououghttolectureme，andmakemegood。”，“ShouldI，dear？”saidRuth。“Idon’tthinkI’mtheonetodoit。”，“Ohyes！youare——you’vedonemegoodto-night。”，“Well，ifIcandoanythingforyou，tellmewhatitis？”askedRuthtenderly。”Oh，notnow——notnow，“repliedJemima。“Icouldnottellyouhere。It’salongstory，andIdon’tknowthatIcantellyouatall。Mammamightcomeupatanymoment，andpapawouldbesuretoaskwhatwehadbeentalkingaboutsolong。”，“Takeyourowntime，love，“saidRuth;“onlyremember，asfarasIcan，howgladIamtohelpyou。”，“You’retoogood，mydarling！”saidJemimafondly。”Don’tsayso，“repliedRuthearnestly，almostasifshewereafraid。“GodknowsIamnot。”，“Well！we’renoneofustoogood，“answeredJemima;“Iknowthat。Butyouareverygood。Nay，Iwon’tcallyouso，ifitmakesyoulooksomiserable。Butcomeawaydownstairs。”，WiththefragranceofRuth’ssweetnesslingeringabouther，Jemimawasherbestselfduringthenexthalf-hour。Mr。Bradshawwasmoreandmorepleased，andraisedthepriceofthesilk，whichhewasgoingtogiveRuth，sixpenceayardduringthetime。Mr。Farquharwenthomethroughthegarden-way，happierthanhehadbeenthislongtime。Heevencaughthimselfhummingtheoldrefrain：，“Onrevient，onrevienttoujours，Asespremiersamours。”，Butassoonashewasawareofwhathewasdoing，heclearedawaytheremnantsofthesongintoacough，whichwassonorous，ifnotperfectlyreal。，EndofPartOne，chapter21，ELIZABETHGASKELL，RUTH，CHAPTERXXI，MR。FARQUHAR’SATTENTIONSTRANSFERRED，Thenextmorning，asJemimaandhermothersatattheirwork，itcameintotheheadoftheformertorememberherfather’sverymarkedwayofthankingRuththeeveningbefore。”WhatafavouriteMrs。Denbighiswithpapa！”saidshe。“IamsureIdon’twonderatit。Didyounotice，mamma，howhethankedherforcomingherelastnight？”“Yes，dear;butIdon’tthinkitwasall——“Mrs。Bradshawstoppedshort。 Shewasnevercertainifitwasrightorwrongtosayanything。”Notallwhat？”askedJemima，whenshesawhermotherwasnotgoingtofinishthesentence。”NotallbecauseMrs。Denbighcametoteahere，“repliedMrs。Bradshaw。”Why，whatelsecouldhebethankingherfor？Whathasshedone？”askedJemima，stimulatedtocuriositybyhermother’shesitatingmanner。”Idon’tknowifIoughttotellyou，“saidMrs。Bradshaw。”Oh，verywell！”saidJemima，ratherannoyed。”Nay，dear！yourpapaneversaidIwasnottotell;perhapsImay。”，“Nevermind;Idon’twanttohear，“inapiquedtone。Therewassilenceforalittlewhile。Jemimawastryingtothinkofsomethingelse，butherthoughtswouldreverttothewonderwhatMrs。Denbighcouldhavedoneforherfather。”IthinkImaytellyou，though，“saidMrs。Bradshaw，halfquestioning。Jemimahadthehonournottourgeanyconfidence，butshewastoocurioustotakeanyactivesteptowardsrepressingit。Mrs。Bradshawwenton——“Ithinkyoudeservetoknow。ItispartlyyourdoingthatpapaissopleasedwithMrs。Denbigh。Heisgoingtobuyherasilkgownthismorning，andIthinkyououghttoknowwhy。”，“Why？”askedJemima。”Becausepapaissopleasedtofindthatyoumindwhatshesays。”，“Imindwhatshesays！TobesureIdo，andalwaysdid。Butwhyshouldpapagiveheragownforthat？Ithinkheoughttogiveitmerather，“ saidJemima，halflaughing。”Iamsurehewould，dear;hewillgiveyouone，Iamcertain，ifyouwantone。HewassopleasedtoseeyoulikeyouroldselftoMr。Farquharlastnight。Weneitherofuscouldthinkwhathadcomeoveryouthislastmonth; butnowallseemsright。”，AdarkcloudcameoverJemima’sface。Shedidnotlikethiscloseobservationandconstantcommentuponhermanners;andwhathadRuthtodowithit？，“Iamgladyouwerepleased，“saidshe，verycoldly。Then，afterapause，sheadded，“ButyouhavenottoldmewhatMrs。Denbighhadtodowithmygoodbehaviour。”，“Didnotshespeaktoyouaboutit？”askedMrs。Bradshaw，lookingup。”No。Whyshouldshe？ShehasnorighttocriticisewhatIdo。Shewouldnotbesoimpertinent，“saidJemima，feelingveryuncomfortableandsuspicious。”Yes，love！shewouldhavehadaright，forpapahaddesiredhertodoit。”，“Papadesiredher！Whatdoyoumean，mamma？”“Ohdear！IdaresayIshouldnothavetoldyou，“saidMrs。Bradshaw，perceiving，fromJemima’stoneofvoice，thatsomethinghadgonewrong。“OnlyyouspokeasifitwouldbeimpertinentinMrs。Denbigh，andIamsureshewouldnot。doanythingthatwasimpertinent。Youknow，itwouldbebutrightforhertodowhatpapatoldher;andhesaidagreatdealtoher，theotherday，aboutfindingoutwhyyouweresocross，andbringingyouright。 Andyouarerightnow，dear！”saidMrs。Bradshawsoothingly，thinkingthatJemimawasannoyed(likeagoodchild)attherecollectionofhownaughtyshehadbeen。”ThenpapaisgoingtogiveMrs。DenbighagownbecauseIwasciviltoMr。Farquharlastnight？”“Yes，dear！”saidMrs。Bradshaw，moreandmorefrightenedatJemima’sangrymannerofspeaking——low-toned，butveryindignant。Jemimaremembered，withsmoulderedanger，Ruth’spleadingwayofwilingherfromhersullennessthenightbefore。Managementeverywhere！butinthiscaseitwaspeculiarlyrevolting;somuchso，thatshecouldhardlybeartobelievethattheseeminglytransparentRuthhadlentherselftoit。”Areyousure，mamma，thatpapaaskedMrs。Denbightomakemebehavedifferently？ Itseemssostrange。”，“Iamquitesure。HespoketoherlastFridaymorninginthestudy。IrememberitwasFriday，becauseMrs。Deanwasworkinghere。”，JemimarememberednowthatshehadgoneintotheschoolroomontheFriday，andfoundhersistersloungingabout，andwonderingwhatpapacouldpossiblywantwithMrs。Denbigh。AfterthisconversationJemimarepulsedallRuth’stimideffortstoascertainthecauseofherdisturbance，andtohelpherifshecould。Ruth’stender，sympathisingmanner，asshesawJemimadailylookingmorewretched，wasdistastefultothelatterinthehighestdegree。ShecouldnotsaythatMrs。Denbigh’sconductwaspositivelywrong——itmightevenbequiteright; butitwasinexpressiblyrepugnanttohertothinkofherfatherconsultingwithastranger(aweekagoshealmostconsideredRuthasasister)howtomanagehisdaughter，soastoobtaintheendhewishedfor;yes，evenifthatendwasforherowngood。Shewasthankfulandgladtoseeabrownpaperparcellyingonthehall-table，withanoteinRuth’shandwriting，addressedtoherfather。Sheknewwhatitwas，thegreysilkdress。ThatshewassureRuthwouldneveraccept。NoonehenceforwardcouldinduceJemimatoenterintoconversationwithMr。Farquhar。Shesuspectedmanoeuvringinthesimplestactions，andwasmiserableinthisconstantstateofsuspicion。ShewouldnotallowherselftolikeMr。Farquhar，evenwhenhesaidthingsthemostafterherownheart。 Sheheardhim，oneevening，talkingwithherfatherabouttheprinciplesoftrade。Herfatherstoodoutforthekeenest，sharpestwork，consistentwithhonesty;ifhehadnotbeenherfather，shewould，perhaps，havethoughtsomeofhissayingsinconsistentwithtrueChristianhonesty。Hewasfordrivinghardbargains，exactinginterestandpaymentofjustbillstoaday。Thatwas(hesaid)theonlywayinwhichtradecouldbeconducted。 onceallowamarginofuncertainty，orwherefeelings，insteadofmaxims，weretobetheguide，andallhopeofthereeverbeinganygoodmenofbusinesswasended。”Supposeadelayofamonthinrequiringpaymentmightsaveaman’scredit——preventhisbecomingabankrupt？”putinMr。Farquhar。”Iwouldnotgiveithim。IwouldlethimhavemoneytosetupagainassoonashehadpassedtheBankruptcyCourt;ifheneverpassed，Imight，insomecases，makehimanallowance;butIwouldalwayskeepmyjusticeandmycharityseparate。”，“Andyetcharity(inyoursenseoftheword)degrades;justice，temperedwithmercyandconsideration，elevates。”，“Thatisnotjustice——justiceiscertainandinflexible。No！Mr。Farquhar，youmustnotallowanyQuixoticnotionstominglewithyourconductasatradesman。”，Andsotheywenton;Jemima’sfaceglowingwithsympathyinallMr。Farquharsaid;tillonce，onlookingupsuddenlywithsparklingeyes，shesawaglanceofherfather’s，whichtoldher，asplainaswordscansay，thathewaswatchingtheeffectofMr。Farquhar’sspeechesuponhisdaughter。 Shewaschilledthenceforward;shethoughtherfatherprolongedtheargument，inordertocalloutthosesentimentswhichheknewwouldmostrecommendhispartnertohisdaughter。ShewouldsofainhaveletherselfloveMr。 Farquhar;butthisconstantmanoeuvring，inwhichshedidnotfeelclearthathedidnottakeapassivepart，madehersickatheart。Sheevenwishedthattheymightnotgothroughtheformofpretendingtotrytogainherconsenttothemarriage，ifitinvolvedallthispremeditatedactionandspeech-making——suchmovingaboutofeveryoneintotheirrightplaces，likepiecesatchess。Shefeltasifshewouldratherbeboughtopenly，likeanOrientaldaughter，wherenooneisdegradedintheirowneyesbybeingpartiestosuchacontract。Theconsequencesofallthis“admirablemanagement“ofMr。Bradshaw’swouldhavebeenveryunfortunatetoMr。Farquhar(whowasinnocentofallconnivanceinanyoftheplots——indeedwouldhavebeenasmuchannoyedatthemasJemima，hadhebeenawareofthem)，butthattheimpressionmadeuponhimbyRuthontheeveningIhavesolatelydescribedwasdeepenedbythecontrastwhichherbehaviourmadetoMissBradshaw’sononeortwomorerecentoccasions。Therewasnouse，hethought，incontinuingattentionssoevidentlydistastefultoJemima。Toher，ayounggirlhardlyoutoftheschoolroom;heprobablyappearedlikeanoldman;andhemightevenlosethefriendshipwithwhichsheusedtoregardhim，andwhichwas，andeverwouldbe，verydeartohim，ifheperseveredintryingtobeconsideredasalover。Heshouldalwaysfeelaffectionatelytowardsher;herveryfaultsgaveheraninterestinhiseyes，forwhichhehadblamedhimselfmostconscientiouslyandmostuselesslywhenhewaslookinguponherashisfuturewife，butwhichthesaidconsciencewouldlearntoapproveofwhenshesankdowntotheplaceofayoungfriend，overwhomhemightexerciseagoodandsalutaryinterest。 Mrs。Denbigh，ifnotmanymonthsolderinyears，hadknownsorrowandcaressoearlythatshewasmucholderincharacter。Besides，hershyreserve，andherquietdailywalkwithinthelinesofduty，weremuchinaccordancewithMr。Farquhar’snotionofwhatawifeshouldbe。Still，itwasawrenchtotakehisaffectionsawayfromJemima。Ifshehadnothelpedhimtodosobyeverymeansinherpower，hecouldneverhaveaccomplishedit。Yes！byeverymeansinherpowerhadJemimaalienatedherlover，herbeloved——forsohewasinfact。Andnowherquick-sightedeyessawhewasgoneforever——pastrecall：fordidnotherjealous，soreheartfeel，evenbeforehehimselfwasconsciousofthefact，thathewasdrawntowardssweet，lovely，composed，anddignifiedRuth——onewhoalwaysthoughtbeforeshespoke(asMr。FarquharusedtobidJemimado)——whoneverwastemptedbysuddenimpulse，butwalkedtheworldcalmandself-governed。WhatnowavailedJemima’sreproaches，assherememberedthedayswhenhehadwatchedherwithearnest，attentiveeyes，ashenowwatchedRuth;andthetimessince，when，ledastraybyhermorbidfancy，shehadturnedawayfromallhisadvances！，“ItwasonlyinMarch——lastMarch，hecalledme’dearJemima。’Ah！don’tIrememberitwell？Theprettynosegayofgreenhouseflowersthathegavemeinexchangeforthewilddaffodils——andhowheseemedtocarefortheflowersIgavehim——andhowhelookedatme，andthankedme——thatisallgoneandovernow。”，Hersisterscameinbrightandglowing。”OJemima，howniceandcoolyouare，sittinginthisshadyroom！”(shehadfeltitevenchilly)。“Wehavebeensuchalongwalk！Wearesotired。 Itissohot。”，“Whydidyougo，then？”saidshe。”Oh！wewantedtogo。Wewouldnothavestayedathomeonanyaccount。 Ithasbeensopleasant，“saidMary。”We’vebeentoScaursideWood，togatherwildstrawberries，“saidElizabeth。 “Suchaquantity！We’veleftawholebasketfulinthedairy。Mr。Farquharsayshe’llteachushowtodresstheminthewayhelearntinGermany，ifwecangethimsomehock。Doyouthinkpapawillletushavesome？”“WasMr。Farquharwithyou？”askedJemima，adulllightcomingintohereyes。”Yes;wetoldhimthismorningthatmammawantedustotakesomeoldlinentothelamemanatScaursideFarm，andthatwemeanttocoaxMrs。Denbightoletusgointothewoodandgatherstrawberries，“saidElizabeth。”Ithoughthewouldmakesomeexcuseandcome，“saidthequick-wittedMary，aseagerandthoughtlessanobserverofonelove-affairasofanother，andquiteforgettingthat，notmanyweeksago，shehadfanciedanattachmentbetweenhimandJemima。”Didyou？Ididnot，“repliedElizabeth。“AtleastIneverthoughtaboutit。IwasquitestartledwhenIheardhishorse’sfeetbehindusontheroad。”，“Hesaidhewasgoingtothefarm，andcouldtakeourbasket。Wasitnotkindofhim？”Jemimadidnotanswer，soMarycontinued——，“Youknowit’sagreatpulluptothefarm，andweweresohotalready。 Theroadwasquitewhiteandbaked;ithurtmyeyesterribly。IwassogladwhenMrs。Denbighsaidwemightturnintothewood。Thelightwasquitegreenthere，thebranchesaresothickoverhead。”，“Andtherearewholebedsofwildstrawberries，“saidElizabeth，takingupthetalenowMarywasoutofbreath。Maryfannedherselfwithherbonnet，whileElizabethwenton——，“Youknowwherethegreyrockcropsout，don’tyou，Jemima？Well，therewasacompletecarpetofstrawberry-runners。Sopretty！Andwecouldhardlystepwithouttreadingthelittlebrightscarletberriesunderfoot。”，“WedidsowishforLeonard，“putinMary。”Yes！butMrs。Denbighgatheredagreatmanyforhim。AndMr。Farquhargaveherallhis。”，“IthoughtyousaidhebadgoneontoDawson’sfarm，“saidJemima。”Ohyes！hejustwentupthere;andthenhelefthishorsethere，likeawiseman，andcametousinthepretty，cool，greenwood。OJemima！itwassopretty-littleflecksoflightcomingdownhereandtherethroughtheleaves，andquiveringontheground。Youmustgowithusto-morrow。”，“Yes，“saidMary，“we’regoingagainto-morrow。Wecouldnotgathernearlyallthestrawberries。”，“AndLeonardistogotoo，to-morrow。”，“Yes！wethoughtofsuchacapitalplan。That’stosay，Mr。Farquharthoughtofit——wewantedtocarryLeonardupthehillinaking’scushion，butMrs。Denbighwouldnothearofit。”，“Shesaiditwouldtireusso;andyetshewantedhimtogatherstrawberries！”“Andso，“interruptedMary，forbythistimethetwogirlswerealmostspeakingtogether，“Mr。Farquharistobringhimupbeforehimonhishorse。”，“You’llgowithus，won’tyou，dearJemima？”askedElizabeth：“itwillbeat——““No！Ican’tgo，“saidJemimaabruptly。“Don’taskme——Ican’t。”，Thelittlegirlswerehushedintosilencebyhermanner;forwhatevershemightbetothoseaboveherinageandposition，tothosebelowherJemimawasalmostinvariablygentleShefeltthattheywerewonderingather。”Goupstairsandtakeoffyourthings。Youknowpapadoesnotlikeyoutocomeintothisroomintheshoesinwhichyouhavebeenout。”，Shewasgladtoouthersistersshortinthedetailswhichtheyweresomercilesslyinflicting——detailswhichshemusthardenherselfto，beforeshecouldhearthemquietlyandunmoved。ShesawthatshehadlostherplaceasthefirstobjectinMr。Farquhar’seyes——apositionshehadhardlycaredforwhileshewassecureintheenjoymentofit;butthecharmofitnowwasredoubled，inheracutesenseofhowshehadforfeiteditbyherowndoing，andherownfault。Forifhewerethecold，calculatingmanherfatherhadbelievedhimtobe，andhadrepresentedhimasbeingtoher，wouldhecareforaportionlesswidowinhumblecircumstanceslikeMrs。Denbigh——nomoney，noconnection，encumberedwithherboy？TheveryactionwhichprovedMr。FarquhartobelosttoJemimareinstatedhimonhisthroneinherfancy。Andshemustgooninhushedquietness，quiveringwitheveryfreshtokenofhispreferenceforanother？Thatother，too，onesoinfinitelymoreworthyofhimthanherself;sothatshecouldnothaveeventhepoorcomfortofthinkingthathehadnodiscrimination，andwasthrowinghimselfawayonacommonorworthlessperson。Ruthwasbeautiful，gentle，good，andconscientious。ThehotcolourflushedupintoJemima’ssallowfaceasshebecameawarethat，evenwhilesheacknowledgedtheseexcellencesonMrs。Denbigh’spart，shehatedher。Therecollectionofhermarblefaceweariedhereventosickness;thetonesofherlowvoicewereirritatingfromtheirverysoftness。Hergoodness，undoubtedasitwas，wasmoredistastefulthanmanyfaultswhichhadmoresavourofhumanstruggleinthem。”Whatwasthisterribledemoninherheart？”askedJemima’sbetterangel。 “Wasshe，indeed，givenuptopossession？Wasnotthistheoldstinginghatredwhichhadpromptedsomanycrimes？Thehatredofallsweetvirtueswhichmightwinthelovedeniedtous？Theoldangerthatwroughtintheelderbrother’sheart，tillitendedinthemurderofthegentleAbel，whileyettheworldwasyoung？”“OGod！helpme！IdidnotknowIwassowicked，“criedJemimaaloudinheragony。Ithadbeenaterribleglimpseintothedark，luridgulf——thecapabilityforevil，inherheart。Shewrestledwiththedemon，buthewouldnotdepart：itwastobeastrugglewhetherornotshewastobegivenuptohim，inthishertimeofsoretemptation。Allthenextdaylongshesatandpicturedthehappystrawberry-gatheringgoingon，eventhen，inpleasantScaursideWood。Everytouchoffancywhichcouldheightenherideaoftheirenjoyment，andofMr。Farquhar’sattentiontotheblushing，consciousRuth——everysuchtouchwhichwouldaddapangtoherself-reproachandkeenjealousy，wasaddedbyherimagination。Shegotupandwalkedabout，totryandstopherover-busyfancybybodilyexercise。Butshehadeatenlittleallday，andwasweakandfaintintheintenseheatofthesunnygarden。Eventhelonggrass-walkunderthefilbert-hedgewasparchedanddryintheglowingAugustsun。Yethersistersfoundhertherewhentheyreturned，walkingquicklyupanddown，asiftowarmherselfonsomewinter’sday。Theywereveryweary;andnothalfsocommunicativeasonthedaybefore，nowthatJemimawascravingforeverydetailtoaddtoheragony。”Yes！LeonardcameupbeforeMr。Farquhar。Oh！howhotitis，Jemima！Dositdown，andI’lltellyouaboutit，butIcan’tifyoukeepwalkingso。”，“Ican’tsitstillto-day，“saidJemima，springingupfromtheturfassoonasshehadsatdown。“Tellme！IcanhearyouwhileIwalkabout。”，“Oh！butIcan’tshout;Icanhardlyspeak，Iamsotired。Mr。FarquharbroughtLeonard——““You’vetoldmethatbefore，“saidJemimasharply。”Well，Idon’tknowwhatelsetotell。Somebodyhadbeensinceyesterday，andgatherednearlyallthestrawberriesoffthegreyrock。Jemima！Jemima！” saidElizabethfaintly，“Iamsodizzy——IthinkIamill。”，Thenextminutethetiredgirllayswooningonthegrass。ItwasanoutletforJemima’sfierceenergy。Withastrengthshehadneveragain，andneverhadknownbefore，sheliftedupherfaintingsister，and，biddingMaryrunandcleartheway，shecarriedherinthroughtheopengarden-door，upthewideold-fashionedstairs，andlaidheronthebedinherownroom，wherethebreezefromthewindowcamesoftlyandpleasantlythroughthegreenshadeofthevine-leavesandjessamine。”Givemethewater。Runformamma，Mary，“saidJemima，asshesawthatthefainting-fitdidnotyieldtotheusualremedyofahorizontalpositionandthewater-sprinkling。”Dear！dearLizzie！”saidJemima，kissingthepale，unconsciousface。“I thinkyoulovedme，darling。”，ThelongwalkonthehotdayhadbeentoomuchforthedelicateElizabeth，whowasfastoutgrowingherstrength。Itwasmanydaysbeforesheregainedanyportionofherspiritandvigour。Afterthatfainting-fitshelaylistlessandweary，withoutappetiteorinterest，throughthelongsunnyautumnweather，onthebedoronthecouchinJemima’sroom，whithershehadbeencarriedatfirst。ItwasacomforttoMrs。BradshawtobeableatoncetodiscoverwhatitwasthathadknockedupElizabeth;shedidnotresteasilyuntilshehadsettleduponacauseforeveryailmentorillnessinthefamily。ItwasasternconsolationtoMr。Bradshaw，duringhistimeofanxietyrespectinghisdaughter，tobeabletoblamesomebody。Hecouldnot，likehiswife，havetakencomfortfromaninanimatefact;hewantedthesatisfactionoffeelingthatsomeonehadbeeninfault，orelsethisnevercouldhavehappened。PoorRuthdidnotneedhisimpliedreproaches。 WhenshesawhergentleElizabethlyingfeebleandlanguid，herheartblamedherforthoughtlessnesssoseverelyastomakehertakeallMr。Bradshaw’swordsandhintsastoolightcensureforthecarelesswayinwhich，topleaseherownchild，shehadallowedhertwopupilstofatiguethemselveswithsuchlongwalks。Shebeggedhardtotakehershareofnursing。EverysparemomentshewenttoMr。Bradshaw’s，andasked，withearnesthumility，tobeallowedtopassthemwithElizabeth;and，asitwasoftenarelieftohaveherassistance，Mrs。Bradshawreceivedtheseentreatiesverykindly，anddesiredhertogoupstairs，whereElizabeth’spalecountenancebrightenedwhenshesawher，butwhereJemimasatinsilentannoyancethatherownroomwasnowbecomeopengroundforone，whomherheartroseupagainst，toenterinandbewelcomed。WhetheritwasthatRuth，whowasnotaninmateofthehouse，broughtwithherafresherair，morechangeofthoughttotheinvalid，Idonotknow，butElizabethalwaysgaveherapeculiarlytendergreeting;andifshehadsunkdownintolanguidfatigue，inspiteofallJemima’sendeavourstointeresther，sherousedupintoanimationwhenRuthcameinwithaflower，abook，orabrownandruddypear，sendingoutthewarmfragranceitretainedfromthesunnygarden-wallatChapel-house。ThejealousdislikewhichJemimawasallowingtogrowupinherheartagainstRuthwas，asshethought，nevershowninwordordeed。Shewascoldinmanner，becauseshecouldnotbehypocritical;butherwordswerepoliteandkindinpurport;andshetookpainstomakeheractionsthesameasformerly。Butruleandlinemaymeasureoutthefigureofaman;itisthesoulthatgivesitlife;andtherewasnosoul，noinnermeaning，breathingoutinJemima’sactions。Ruthfeltthechangeacutely。Shesufferedfromitsometimebeforesheventuredtoaskwhathadoccasionedit。OnedayshetookMissBradshawbysurprise，whentheywerealonetogetherforafewminutes，byaskingherifshehadvexedherinanyway，shewassochanged。Itissadwhenfriendshiphascooledsofarastorendersuchaquestionnecessary。Jemimawentratherpalerthanusual，andthenmadeanswer——，“Changed！Howdoyoumean？HowamIchanged？WhatdoIsayordodifferentfromwhatIusedtodo？”Butthetonewassoconstrainedandcold，thatRuth’sheartsankwithinher。Sheknewnow，aswellaswordscouldhavetoldher，thatnotonlyhadtheoldfeelingoflovepassedawayfromJemima，butthatithadgoneunregretted，andnoattempthadbeenmadetorecallit。LovewasveryprecioustoRuthnow，asofoldtime。Itwasoneofthefaultsofhernaturetobereadytomakeanysacrificesforthosewholovedher，andtovalueaffectionalmostaboveitsprice。Shehadyettolearnthelesson，thatitismoreblessedtolovethantobebeloved;and，lonelyastheimpressibleyearsofheryouthhadbeen——withoutparents，withoutbrotherorsister——itwas，perhaps，nowonderthatsheclungtenaciouslytoeverysymptomofregard，andcouldnotrelinquishtheloveofanyonewithoutapang。ThedoctorwhowascalledintoElizabethprescribedsea-airasthebestmeansofrecruitingherstrength。Mr。Bradshaw(wholikedtospendmoneyostentatiously)wentdownstraighttoAbermouth，andengagedahousefortheremainderoftheautumn;for，ashetoldthemedicalman，moneywasnoobjecttohimincomparisonwithhischildren’shealth;andthedoctorcaredtoolittleaboutthemodeinwhichhisremedywasadministeredtotellMr。Bradshawthatlodgingswouldhavedoneaswell，orbetter，thanthecompletehousehehadseenfittotake。Foritwasnownecessarytoengageservants，andtakemuchtrouble，whichmighthavebeenobviated，andElizabeth’sremovaleffectedmorequietlyandspeedily，ifshehadgoneintolodgings。Asitwas，shewaswearyofhearingalltheplanningandtalking，。anddeciding，andundeciding，andredeciding，beforeitwaspossibleforhertogo。HeronlycomfortwasinthethoughtthatdearMrs。 Denbighwastogowithher。IthadnotbeenentirelybywayofpompouslyspendinghismoneythatMr。 Bradshawhadengagedthisseasidehouse。Hewasgladtogethislittlegirlsandtheirgovernessoutoftheway;forabusytimewasimpending，whenheshouldwanthisheadclearforelectioneeringpurposes，andhishouseclearforelectioneeringhospitality。HewasthemoverofaprojectforbringingforwardamanontheLiberalandDissentinginterest，tocontesttheelectionwiththeoldTorymember，whohadonseveralsuccessiveoccasionswalkedoverthecourse，asheandhisfamilyownedhalfthetown，andvotesandrentwerepaidaliketothelandlord。KingsofEcclestonhadMr。Cranworthandhisancestorsbeenthismanyalongyear;theirrightwassolittledisputedthattheyneverthoughtofacknowledgingtheallegiancesoreadilypaidtothem。Theoldfeudalfeelingbetweenland-ownerandtenantdidnotquakepropheticallyattheintroductionofmanufactures;theCranworthfamilyignoredthegrowingpowerofthemanufacturers，moreespeciallyastheprincipalpersonengagedinthetradewasaDissenter。Butnotwithstandingthislackofpatronagefromtheonegreatfamilyintheneighbourhood，thebusinessflourished，increased，andspreadwide;andtheDissentingheadthereoflookedaround，aboutthetimeofwhichIspeak，andfelthimselfpowerfulenoughtodefythegreatGranworthinterestevenintheirhereditarystronghold，and，bysodoing，avengetheslightsofmanyyears——slightswhichrankledinMr。Bradshaw’smindasmuchasifhedidnotgotochapeltwiceeverySunday，andpaythelargestpew-rentofanymemberofMr。Benson’scongregation。Accordingly，Mr。BradshawbadappliedtooneoftheLiberalparliamentaryagentsinLondon——amanwhoseonlyprinciplewastodowrongontheLiberalside;hewouldnotact，rightorwrong，foraTory，butforaWhigthelatitudeofhisconsciencehadneveryetbeendiscovered。ItwaspossibleMr。Bradshawwasnotawareofthecharacterofthisagent;atanyrate，heknewhewasthemanforhispurpose，whichwastohearofsomeonewhowouldcomeforwardasacandidatefortherepresentationofEcclestonontheDissentinginterest。”Thereareinroundnumbersaboutsixhundredvoters，“saidhe;“twohundredaredecidedlyintheCranworthinterest——darenotoffendMr。Cranworth，poorsouls！Twohundredmorewemaycalculateuponasprettycertain——factoryhands，orpeopleconnectedwithourtradeinsomewayoranother——whoareindignantatthestubbornwayinwhichCranworthhascontestedtherightofwater;twohundredaredoubtful。”，“Don’tmuchcareeitherway，“saidtheparliamentaryagent。“Ofcourse，wemustmakethemcare。”，Mr。Bradshawrathershrankfromtheknowinglookwithwhichthiswassaid。 HehopedthatMr。Pilsondidnotmeantoalludetobribery;buthedidnotexpressthishope，becausehethoughtitwoulddetertheagentfromusingthismeans，anditwaspossibleitmightprovetobetheonlyway。 Andifhe(Mr。Bradshaw)onceembarkedonsuchanenterprise，theremustbenofailure。Bysomeexpedientoranother，successmustbecertain，orhecouldhavenothingtodowithit。Theparliamentaryagentwaswellaccustomedtodealwithallkindsandshadesofscruples。Hewasmostathomewithmenwhohadnone;butstillhecouldallowforhumanweakness;andheperfectlyunderstoodMr。Bradshaw。”IhaveanotionIknowofamanwhowilljustsuityourpurpose。Plentyofmoney——doesnotknowwhattodowithit，infact——tiredofyachting，travelling;wantssomethingnew。Iheard，throughsomeofthemeansofintelligenceIemploy，thatnotverylongagohewaswishingforaseatinParliament。”，“ALiberal？”saidMr。Bradshaw。”Decidedly。BelongstoafamilywhowereintheLongparliamentintheirday。”，Mr。Bradshawrubbedhishands。”Dissenter？”askedhe。”No，no！Notsofarasthat。ButverylaxChurch。”，“Whatishisname？”askedMr。Bradshaweagerly。”Excuseme。UntilIamcertainthathewouldliketocomeforwardforEccleston，IthinkIhadbetternotmentionhisname。”，Theanonymousgentlemandidliketocomeforward，andhisnameprovedtobeDonne。HeandMr。BradshawhadbeenincorrespondenceduringallthetimeofMr。RalphCranworth’sillness;andwhenhedied，everythingwasarrangedreadyforastart，evenbeforetheCranworthshaddeterminedwhoshouldkeeptheseatwarmtilltheeldestsoncameofage，forthefatherwasalreadymemberforthecounty。Mr。Donnewastocomedowntocanvassinperson，andwastotakeuphisabodeatMr。Bradshaw’s;andthereforeitwasthattheseasidehouse，withintwentymiles’distanceofEccleston，wasfoundtobesoconvenientasaninfirmaryandnurseryforthosemembersofhisfamilywhowerelikelytobeuseless，ifnotpositiveencumbrances，duringtheforthcomingelection。 chapter22，CHAPTERXXII，THELIBERALCANDIDATEANDHISPRECURSOR，JemimadidnotknowwhethershewishedtogotoAbermouthornot。Shelongedforchange。Sheweariedofthesightsandsoundsofhome。ButyetshecouldnotbeartoleavetheneighbourhoodofMr。Farquhar;especiallyas，ifshewenttoAbermouth，Ruthwouldinallprobabilitybelefttotakeherholidayathome。WhenMr。Bradshawdecidedthatshewastogo，RuthtriedtofeelgladthathegaveherthemeansofrepairingherfaulttowardsElizabeth;andsheresolvedtowatchoverthetwogirlsmostfaithfullyandcarefully，andtodoallinherpowertorestoretheinvalidtohealth。ButatremorcameoverherwhenevershethoughtofleavingLeonard;shehadneverquittedhimforaday，anditseemedtoherasifherbrooding，constantcarewashisnaturalandnecessaryshelterfromallevils——fromverydeathitself。 Shewouldnotgotosleepatnights，inordertoenjoytheblessedconsciousnessofhavinghimnearher;whenshewasawayfromhimteachingherpupils，shekepttryingtorememberhisface，andprintitdeeponherheart，againstthetimewhendaysanddayswouldelapsewithoutherseeingthatlittledarlingcountenance。MissBensonwouldwondertoherbrotherthatMr。BradshawdidnotproposethatLeonardshouldaccompanyhismother;heonlybeggedhernottoputsuchanideaintoRuth’shead，ashewassureMr。Bradshawhadnothoughtsofdoinganysuchthing，yettoRuthitmightbeahope，andthenadisappointment。Hissisterscoldedhimforbeingsocold-hearted; buthewasfullofsympathy，althoughhedidnotexpressit，andmadesomequietlittlesacrificesinordertosethimselfatlibertytotakeLeonardalongwalkingexpeditiononthedaywhenhismotherleftEccleston。Ruthcrieduntilshecouldcrynolonger，andfeltverymuchashamedofherselfasshesawthegraveandwonderinglooksofherpupils，whoseonlyfeelingonleavinghomewasdelightattheideaofAbermouth，andintowhosemindsthepossibilityofdeathtoanyoftheirbelovedonesneverentered。Ruthdriedhereyes，andspokecheerfullyassoonasshecaughttheperplexedexpressionoftheirfaces;andbythetimetheyarrivedatAbermouthshewasasmuchdelightedwithallthenewsceneryastheywere，andfoundithardworktoresisttheirentreatiestogoramblingoutonthesea-shoreatonce;butElizabethhadundergonemorefatiguethatdaythanshehadhadbeforeformanyweeks，andRuthwasdeterminedtobeprudent。Meanwhile，theBradshaws’houseatEcclestonwasbeingrapidlyadaptedforelectioneeringhospitality。Thepartition-wallbetweentheunuseddrawing-roomandtheschoolroomwasbrokendown，inordertoadmitoffolding-doors; the“ingenious“upholstererofthetown(andwhattowndoesnotboastoftheupholstererfullofcontrivancesandresources，inoppositiontotheupholstererofsteadycapitalandnoimagination，wholooksdownwithuneasycontemptoningenuity？)hadcomeintogivehisopinion，that“nothingcouldbeeasierthantoconvertabathroomintoabedroom，bytheassistanceofalittledraperytoconcealtheshower-bath，“thestringofwhichwastobecarefullyconcealed，forfearthattheunconsciousoccupierofthebath-bedmightinnocentlytakeitforabell-rope。TheprofessionalcookofthetownhadbeenalreadyengagedtotakeupherabodeforamonthatMr。Bradshaw’s，muchtotheindignationofBetsy，whobecameavehementpartisanofMr。Cranworth，assoonaseversheheardoftheplanofherdepositionfromsovereignauthorityinthekitchen，inwhichshehadreignedsupremeforfourteenyears。Mrs。Bradshawsighedandbemoanedherselfinallherleisuremoments，whichwerenotmany，andwonderedwhytheirhousewastobeturnedintoaninnforthisMr。Donne，wheneverybodyknewthatthe“George“wasgoodenoughfortheCranworths，whoneverthoughtofaskingtheelectorstotheHall;——andtheyhadlivedatCranwortheversinceJuliusCaesar’stime，andifthatwasnotbeinganoldfamily，shedidnotknowwhatwas。TheexcitementsoothedJemima。Therewassomethingtodo。Itwasshewhoplannedwiththeupholsterer;itwasshewhosoothedBetsyintoangrysilence;itwasshewhopersuadedhermothertoliedownandrest，whilesheherselfwentouttobuytheheterogeneousthingsrequiredtomakethefamilyandhousepresentabletoMr。Donneandhisprecursor——thefriendoftheparliamentaryagent。Thislattergentlemanneverappearedhimselfonthesceneofaction，butpulledallthestringsnotwithstanding。 ThefriendwasaMr。Hickson，alawyer——abrieflessbarrister，somepeoplecalledhim;buthehimselfprofessedagreatdisgusttothelaw，asa“greatsham，“whichinvolvedanimmensityofunderhandaction，andtruckling，andtime-serving，andwasperfectlyencumberedbyuselessformsandceremonies，anddeadobsoletewords。So，insteadofputtinghisshouldertothewheeltoreformthelaw，hetalkedeloquentlyagainstit，insuchahigh-prieststyle，thatitwasoccasionallyamatterofsurprisehowhocouldeverhavemadeafriendoftheparliamentaryagentbeforementioned。But，asMr。Hicksonhimselfsaid，itwastheverycorruptnessofthelawwhichhewasfightingagainst，indoingallhecouldtoeffectthereturnofcertainmemberstoParliament;thesecertainmembersbeingpledgedtoeffectareforminthelaw，accordingtoMr。Hickson。And，asheonceobservedconfidentially，“Ifyouhadtodestroyahydra-headedmonster，wouldyoumeasureswordswiththedemonasifhewereagentleman？Wouldyounotratherseizethefirstweaponthatcametohand？AndsodoI。Mygreatobjectinlife，sir，istoreformthelawofEngland，sir。OncegetamajorityofLiberalmembersintotheHouse，andthethingisdone。AndIconsidermyselfjustified，forsohigh——for，Imaysay，soholy——anend，inusingmen’sweaknessestoworkoutmypurpose。Ofcourse，ifmenwereangels，orevenimmaculate——meninvulnerabletobribes，wewouldnotbribe。”，“Couldyou？”askedJemima，fortheconversationtookplaceatMr。Bradshaw’sdinner-table，whereafewfriendsweregatheredtogethertomeetMr。Hickson; andamongthemwasMr。Benson。”Weneitherwouldnorcould，“saidtheardentbarrister，disregardinginhisvehemencethepointofthequestion，andfloatingonoverthebarofargumentintothewideoceanofhisowneloquence：“Asitis——astheworldstands，theywhowouldsucceedeveningooddeedsmustcomedowntothelevelofexpediency;andtherefore，Isayoncemore，ifMr。Donneisthemanforyourpurpose，andyourpurposeisagoodone，aloftyone，aholyone“(forMr。HicksonrememberedtheDissentingcharacterofhislittleaudience，andprivatelyconsideredtheintroductionoftheword“holy“ amosthappyhit)，“then，Isay，wemustputallthesqueamishscrupleswhichmightbefitUtopia，orsomesuchplace，ononesideandtreatmenastheyare。Iftheyareavaricious，itisnotwewhohavemadethemso; butaswehavetodowiththem，wemustconsidertheirfailingsindealingwiththem;iftheyhavebeencarelessorextravagant，orhavehadtheirlittlepeccadilloes，wemustadministerthescrew。Thegloriousreformofthelawwilljustify，inmyidea，allmeanstoobtaintheend——thatlaw，fromtheprofessionofwhichIhavewithdrawnmyselffromperhapsatooscrupulousconscience！”heconcludedsoftlytohimself。”Wearenottodoevilthatgoodmycome，“saidMr。Benson。Hewasstartledatthedeepsoundofhisownvoiceasheutteredthesewords;buthehadnotbeenspeakingforsometime，andhisvoicecameforthstrongandunmodulated。”True，sir;mosttrue，“saidMr。Hickson，bowing。“Ihonouryoufortheobservation。”Andheprofitedbyit，insomuchthatheconfinedhisfurtherremarksonelectionstotheendofthetable，wherehesatnearMr。Bradshaw，andoneortwoequallyeager，thoughnotequallyinfluential，partisansofMr。Donne’s。MeanwhileMr。FarquhartookupMr。Benson’squotation，attheendwhereheandJemimasatneartoMrs。Bradshawandhim。”Butinthepresentstateoftheworld，asMr。Hicksonsays，itisratherdifficulttoactuponthatprecept。”，“Oh，Mr。Farquhar！”saidJemimaindignantly，thetearsspringingtohereyeswithafeelingofdisappointment。ForshehadbeenchafingunderallthatMr。Hicksonhadbeensaying，perhapsthemoreforoneortwoattemptsonhispartatflirtationwiththedaughterofhiswealthyhost，whichsheresentedwithalltheloathingofapreoccupiedheart;andshehadlongedtobeaman，tospeakoutherwrathatthispalteringwithrightandwrong。ShehadfeltgratefultoMr。Bensonforhisoneclear，shortprecept，comingdownwithadivine’forceagainstwhichtherewasnoappeal; andnowtohaveMr。Farquhartakingthesideofexpediency！Itwastoobad。”Nay，Jemima！”saidMr。Farquhar，touched，andsecretlyflatteredbythevisiblepainhisspeechbadgiven。“Don’tbeindignantwithmetillIhaveexplainedmyselfalittlemore。Idon’tunderstandmyselfyet;anditisaveryintricatequestion，orsoitappearstome，whichIwasgoingtoput，really，earnestly，andhumbly，forMr。Benson’sopinion。Now，Mr。 Benson，mayIaskifyoualwaysfinditpracticabletoactstrictlyinaccordancewiththatprinciple？Forifyoudonot，Iamsurenomanlivingcan。Aretherenotoccasionswhenitisabsolutelynecessarytowadethrougheviltogood？Iamnotspeakinginthecareless，presumptuouswayofthatmanyonder，“saidhe，loweringhisvoice，andaddressinghimselftoJemimamoreexclusively;“IamreallyanxioustohearwhatMr。Bensonwillsayonthesubject，forIknownoonetowhosecandidopinionIshouldattachmoreweight。”，ButMr。Bensonwassilent。HedidnotseeMrs。BradshawandJemimaleavetheroom。Hewasreally，asMr。Farquharsupposedhim，completelyabsent，questioninghimselfastohowfarhispracticetalliedwithhisprinciple。 Bydegreeshecametohimself;hefoundtheconversationstillturnedontheelection;andMr。Hickson，whofeltthathehadjarredagainstthelittleminister’sprinciples，andyetknew，fromthecartedupayswhichthescoutsoftheparliamentaryagenthadgivenhim，thatMr。Bensonwasapersontobeconciliated，onaccountofhisinfluenceovermanyoftheworking-people，begantoaskhimquestionswithanairofdeferringtosuperiorknowledge，thatalmostsurprisedMr。Bradshaw，whohadbeenaccustomedtotreat“Benson“inaverydifferentfashion，ofcivilcondescendingindulgence，justasonelistenstoachildwhocanhavehadnoopportunitiesofknowingbetter。AttheendofaconversationthatMr。HicksonheldwithMr。Benson，onasubjectinwhichthelatterwasreallyinterested，andonwhichhehadexpressedhimselfatsomelength，theyoungbarristerturnedtoMr。Bradshawandsaidveryaudibly——，“IwishDonnehadbeenhere。Thisconversationduringthelasthalf-hourwouldhaveinterestedhimalmostasmuchasithasdoneme。”，Mr。Bradshawlittleguessedthetruth，thatMr。Donnewas，atthatverymoment，coachingupthevarioussubjectsofpublicinterestatEccleston，andprivatelycursingtheparticularsubjectonwhichMr。Bensonhadbeenholdingforth，asbeinganunintelligiblepieceofQuixotism;ortheleadingDissenterofthetownneednothaveexperiencedapangofjealousyatthepossiblefutureadmirationhisministermightexciteinthepossiblefuturememberforEccleston。AndifMr。Bensonhadbeenclairvoyant，heneednothavemadeanespecialsubjectofgratitudeoutofthelikelihoodthathemighthaveanopportunityofsofarinterestingMr。DonneintheconditionofthepeopleofEcclestonastoinducehimtosethisfaceagainstanyattemptsatbribery。Mr。Bensonthoughtofthishalfthenightthrough;andendedbydeterminingtowriteasermonontheChristianviewofpoliticalduties，whichmightbegoodforall，bothelectorsandmember，tohearontheeveofanelection。 ForMr。DonnewasexpectedatMr。Bradshaw’sbeforethenextSunday;and，ofcourse，asMr。andMissBensonhadsettledit，hewouldappearatthechapelwiththemonthatday。Butthestingingconsciencerefusedtobequieted。Nopresentplanofusefulnessallayedtheachingremembranceoftheevilhehaddonethatgoodmightcome。NoteventhelookofLeonard，astheearlydawnfellonhim，andMr。Benson’ssleeplesseyessawtherosyglowonhisfirm，roundcheeks;hisopenmouth，throughwhichthesoft，long-drawnbreathcamegentlyquivering;andhiseyesnotfullyshut，butclosedtooutwardsight——noteventheaspectofthequiet，innocentchildcouldsoothethetroubledspirit。Leonardandhismotherdreamtofeachotherthatnight。Herdreamofhimwasoneofundefinedterror——terrorsogreatthatitwakenedherup，andshestrovenottosleepagain，forfearthatominous，ghastlydreamshouldreturn。He，onthecontrary，dreamtofhersittingwatchingandsmilingbyhisbedside，ashergentleselfhadbeenmanyamorning;andwhenshesawhimawake(soitfelloutinthedream)，shesmiledstillmoresweetly，andbendingdownshekissedhim，andthenspreadoutlarge，soft，white-featheredwings(whichinnowaysurprisedherchild——heseemedtohaveknowntheywerethereallalong)，andsailedawaythroughtheopenwindowfarintotheblueskyofasummer’sday。Leonardwakenedupthen，andrememberedhowfarawayshereallywas——farmoredistantandinaccessiblethanthebeautifulblueskytowhichshehadbetakenherselfinhisdream——andcriedhimselftosleepagain。Inspiteofherabsencefromherchild，whichmadeonegreatandabidingsorrow，Ruthenjoyedherseasidevisitexceedingly。Inthefirstplace，therewasthedelightofseeingElizabeth’sdailyandalmosthourlyimprovement。 Then，atthedoctor’sexpressorders，thereweresofewlessonstobedone，thattherewastimeforthelongexploringrambles，whichallthreedelightedin。Andwhentheraincameonandthestormsblew，thehouse，withitswildsea-views，wasequallydelightful。Itwasalargehouse，builtonthesummitofarock，whichnearlyoverhungtheshorebelow;therewas，tobesure，aseriesofzig-zagtackingpathsdownthefaceofthisrock，butfromthehousetheycouldnotheseen。 Oldordelicatepeoplewouldhaveconsideredthesituationbleakandexposed; indeed，thepresentproprietorwantedtodisposeofitonthisveryaccount; butbyitspresentinhabitantsthisexposureandbleaknesswerecalledbyothernames，andconsideredascharms。Fromeverypartoftheroomstheysawthegreystormsgatheronthesea-horizon，andputthemselvesinmarchingarray;andsoonthemarchbecameasweep，andthegreatdomeoftheheavenswascoveredwiththeluridclouds，betweenwhichandthevividgreenearthbelowthereseemedtocomeapurpleatmosphere，makingtheverythreateningbeautiful;andby-and-bythehousewaswrappedinsheetsofrain，shuttingoutsky，andsea，andinlandview;till，ofasudden，thestormwasgoneby，andtheheavyrain-drops，glistenedinthesunastheyhungonleafandgrass，andthe“littlebirdssangeast，andthelittlebirdssangwest，“andtherewasapleasantsoundofrunningwatersallabroad。”Oh！ifpapawouldbutbuythishouse！”exclaimedElizabeth，afteronesuchstorm，whichshehadwatchedsilentlyfromtheverybeginningofthe“littlecloudnobiggerthanaman’shand。”，“Mammawouldneverlikeit，Iamafraid，“saidMary。“Shewouldcallourdeliciousgushesofairdraughts，andthinkweshouldcatchcold。”，“Jemimawouldbeonourside。ButhowlongMrs。Denbighis！Ihopeshewasnearenoughtothepost-officewhentheraincameon！”Ruthhadgoneto“theshop“inthelittlevillage，abouthalf-a-miledistant，whereallletterswerelefttillfetched。Sheonlyexpectedone，butthatonewastotellherofLeonard。She，however，receivedtwo;theunexpectedonewasfromMr。Bradshaw，andthenewsitcontainedwas，ifpossible，agreatersurprisethantheletteritself。Mr。Bradshawinformedherthatheplannedarrivingbydinner-timethefollowingSaturdayatEagle’sCrag; andmore，thatheintendedbringingMr。Donneandoneortwoothergentlemenwithhim，tospendtheSundaythere！Theletterwentontogiveeverypossibledirectionregardingthehouseholdpreparations。Thedinner-hourwasfixedtobeatsix;but，ofcourse，Ruthandthegirlswouldhavedinedlongbefore。The(professional)cookwouldarrivethedaybefore，ladenwithalltheprovisionsthatcouldnotbeobtainedonthespot。Ruthwastoengageawaiterfromtheinn，andthisitwasthatdetainedhersolong。 Whileshesatinthelittleparlour，awaitingthecomingofthelandlady，shecouldnothelpwonderingwhyMr。BradshawwasbringingthisstrangegentlemantospendtwodaysatAbermouth，andthusgivinghimselfsomuchtroubleandfussofpreparation。ThereweresomanysmallreasonsthatwenttomakeupthelargeonewhichhadconvincedMr。Bradshawofthedesirablenessofthisstep，thatitwasnotlikelythatRuthshouldguessatone-halfofthem。Inthefirstplace，MissBenson，intheprideandfulnessofherheart，hadtoldMrs。Bradshawwhatherbrotherhadtoldher;howhemeanttopreachupontheChristianviewofthedutiesinvolvedinpoliticalrights;andas，ofcourse，Mrs。 BradshawhadtoldMr。Bradshaw，hebegantodisliketheideaofattendingchapelonthatSundayatall;forhehadanuncomfortableideathatbytheChristianstandard——thatdivinetestofthetrueandpure——briberywouldnotbealtogetherapprovedof;andyethewastacitlycomingroundtotheunderstandingthat“packets“wouldberequired，forwhatpurposebothheandMr。Donneweretobesupposedtoremainignorant。Butitwouldbeveryawkward，soneartothetime，ifheweretobeclearlyconvincedthatbribery，howeverdisguisedbynamesandwords，wasinplaintermsasin。AndyetheknewMr。Bensonhadonceortwiceconvincedhimagainsthiswillofcertainthings，whichhehadthenceforwardfounditimpossibletodo，withoutsuchgreat。uneasinessofmind，thathehadleftoffdoingthem，whichwassadlyagainsthisinterest。AndifMr。Donne(whomhehadintendedtotakewithhimtochapel，asfairDissentingprey)shouldalsobecomeconvinced，why，theCranworthswouldwintheday，andheshouldbethelaughing-stockofEccleston。No！inthisonecasebriberymustbeallowed——wasallowable;butitwasagreatpityhumannaturewassocorrupt，andifhismembersucceeded，hewoulddoublehissubscriptiontotheschools，inorderthatthenextgenerationmightbetaughtbetter。Therewerevariousotherreasons，whichstrengthenedMr。BradshawinthebrightideaofgoingdowntoAbermouthfortheSunday;someconnectedwiththeout-of-doorpolitics，andsomewiththedomestic。Forinstance，ithadbeentheplanofthehousetohaveacolddinnerontheSunday——Mr。Bradshawhadpiquedhimselfonthisstrictness——andyethehadaninstinctivefeelingthatMr。Donnewasnotquitethemantopartakeofcoldmeatforconsciencesakewithcheerfulindifferencetohisfare。Mr。Donnehad，infact，takentheBradshawhouseholdalittlebysurprise。 Beforehecame，Mr。Bradshawhadpleasedhimselfwiththinkingthatmoreunlikelythingshadhappenedthantheespousalofhisdaughterwiththememberofasmallborough。ButthisprettyairybubbleburstassoonashesawMr。Donne;anditsveryexistencewasforgotteninlessthanhalf-an-hour，whenhefeltthequietbutincontestabledifferenceofrankandstandardthattherewas，ineveryrespect，betweenhisguestandhisownfamily。 Itwasnotthroughanycircumstancesopalpable，andpossiblyaccidental，asthebringingdownaservant，whomMr。Donneseemedtoconsiderasmuchamatterofcourseasacarpet-bag(thoughthesmartgentleman’sarrival“flutteredtheVolsciansinCorioli“considerablymorethanhisgentle-spokenmaster’s)。Itwasnothinglikethis;itwassomethingindescribable——aquietbeingatease，andexpectingeveryoneelsetobeso——anattentiontowomen，whichwassohabitualastobeunconsciouslyexercisedtothosesubordinatepersonsinMr。Bradshaw’sfamily——ahappychoiceofsimpleandexpressivewords，someofwhichitmustbeconfessedwereslang，butfashionableslang，andthatmakesallthedifference——ameasured，gracefulwayofutterance，withastyleofpronunciationquitedifferenttothatofEccleston。AlltheseputtogethermakebutapartoftheindescribablewholewhichunconsciouslyaffectedMr。Bradshaw，andestablishedMr。Donneinhisestimationasacreaturequitedifferenttoanyhehadseenbefore，andasmostunfittomatewithJemima。Mr。Hickson，whohadappearedasamodelofgentlemanlyeasebeforeMr。Donne’sarrival，nowbecamevulgarandcoarseinBradshaw’seyes。Andyet，suchwasthecharmofthatlanguid，high-bredmanner，thatMr。Bradshaw“cottoned“(asheexpressedittoMr。 Farquhar)tohisnewcandidateatonce。HewasonlyafraidlestMr。Donnewastooindifferenttoallthingsunderthesuntocarewhetherhegainedorlosttheelection;buthewasreassuredafterthefirstconversationtheyhadtogetheronthesubject。Mr。Donne’seyelightenedwithaneagernessthatwasalmostfierce，thoughhistoneswereasmusical，andnearlyasslow，asever;and，whenMr。Bradshawalludeddistantlyto“probableexpenses“ and“packets，“Mr。Donnereplied——，“Oh，ofcourse！disagreeablenecessity！Betterspeakaslittleaboutsuchthingsaspossible;otherpeoplecanbefoundtoarrangeallthedirtywork。NeitheryounorIwouldliketosoilourfingersbyit，Iamsure。 FourthousandpoundsareinMr。Pilson’shands，andIshallneverinquirewhatbecomesofthem;theymay，veryprobably，beabsorbedinthelawexpenses，youknow。IshallletitbeclearlyunderstoodfromthehustingsthatI mostdecidedlydisapproveofbribery，andleavetheresttoHickson’smanagement。 Heisaccustomedtothesesortofthings;Iamnot。”，Mr。Bradshawwasratherperplexedbythiswantofbustlingenergyonthepartofthenewcandidate;andifithadnotbeenforthefourthousandpoundsaforesaid，wouldhavedoubtedwhetherMr。Donnecaredsufficientlyfortheresultoftheelection。Jemimathoughtdifferently。Shewatchedherfather’svisitorattentively，withsomethinglikethecuriousobservationwhichanaturalistbestowsonanewspeciesofanimal。”DoyouknowwhatMr。Donneremindsmeof，mamma？”saidshe，oneday，asthetwosatatwork，whilethegentlemenwereabsentcanvassing。”No！heisnotlikeanybodyIeversaw。Hequitefrightensme，bybeingsoreadytoopenthedoorformeifIamgoingoutoftheroom，andbygivingmeachairwhenIcomein。Ineversawanyonelikehim。Whoisit，Jemima？”“Notanyperson——notanyhumanbeing，mamma，“saidJemima，halfsmiling。 “DoyourememberourstoppingatWakefieldonce，onourwaytoScarborough，andtherewerehorse-racesgoingonsomewhere，andsomeoftheracerswereinthestablesattheinnwherewedined？”“Yes！Irememberit;butwhataboutthat？”“Why，Richard，somehow，knewoneofthejockeys，and，aswewerecominginfromourramblethroughthetown，thisman，orboy，askedustolookatoneoftheracershehadthechargeof。”，“Well，mydear？”“Well，mamma！Mr。Donneislikethathorse！”“Nonsense，Jemima;youmustnotsayso。Idon’tknowwhatyourfatherwouldsayifheheardyoulikeningMr。Donnetoabrute。”，“Brutesaresometimesverybeautiful，mamma。IamsureIshouldthinkitacomplimenttobelikenedtoaracehorse，suchastheonewesaw。Butthethinginwhichtheyarealike，isthesortofrepressedeagernessinboth。”，“Eager！Why，IshouldsaythereneverwasanyonecoolerthanMr。Donne。 Thinkofthetroubleyourpapahashadthismonthpast，andthenremembertheslowwayinwhichMr。Donnemoveswhenheisgoingouttocanvass，andthelow，drawlingvoiceinwhichhequestionsthepeoplewhobringhimintelligence。Icanseeyourpapastandingby，readytoshakethemtogetouttheirnews。”，“ButMr。Donne’squestionsarealwaystothepoint，andforceoutthegrainwithoutthechaff。Andlookathim，ifanyonetellshimillnewsabouttheelection！Haveyouneverseenadullredlightcomeintohiseyes？ Thatislikemyrace-horse。Herfleshquiveredallover，atcertainsoundsandnoiseswhichhadsomemeaningtoher;butshestoodquitestill，prettycreature！Now，Mr。Donneisjustaseagerasshewas，thoughhemaybetooproudtoshowit。Thoughheseemssogentle，Ialmostthinkheisveryheadstronginfollowingouthisownwill。”，“Well！don’tcallhimlikeahorseagain，forIamsurepapawouldnotlikeit。Doyouknow，IthoughtyouweregoingtosayhewaslikelittleLeonard，whenyouaskedmewhohewaslike。”，“Leonard！Omamma！heisnotintheleastlikeLeonard。Heistwentytimesmorelikemyrace-horse。”，“Now，mydearJemima，dobequiet。Yourfatherthinksracingsowrong，thatIamsurehewouldbeveryseriouslydispleasedifheweretohearyou。”，ToreturntoMr。Bradshaw，andtogiveonemoreofhisvariousreasonsforwishingtotakeMr。DonnetoAbermouth。ThewealthyEcclestonmanufacturerwasuncomfortablyimpressedwithanindefinablesenseofinferioritytohisvisitor。Itwasnotineducation，forMr。Bradshawwasawell-educatedman;itwasnotinpower，for，ifhechose，thepresentobjectofMr。Donne’slifemightbeutterlydefeated;itdidnotarisefromanythingoverhearinginmanner，forMr。Donnewashabituallypoliteandcourteous，andwasjustnowanxioustopropitiatehishost，whomhelookeduponasaveryusefulman。Whateverthissenseofinferiorityarosefrom，Mr。Bradshawwasanxioustorelievehimselffromit，andimaginedthatifhecouldmakemoredisplayofhiswealthhisobjectwouldbeobtained。Now，hishouseinEcclestonwasold-fashionedandill-calculatedtoexhibitmoney’sworth。Hismodeofliving，thoughstrainedtoahighpitchjustatthistime，hebecameawarewasnomorethanMr。Donnewasaccustomedtoeverydayofhislife。 Thefirstdayatdessert，someremark(someopportuneremark，asMr。Bradshaw，inhisinnocence，hadthought)wasmaderegardingthepriceofpine-apples，whichwasratherexorbitantthatyear，andMr。DonneaskedMrs。Bradshaw，withquietsurprise，iftheyhadnopinery，asiftobewithoutapinerywereindeedadepthofpitiabledestitution。Infact，Mr。Donnehadbeenbornandcradledinallthatwealthcouldpurchase，andsohadhisancestorsbeforehimforsomanygenerations，thatrefinementandluxuryseemedthenaturalconditionofman，andtheythatdweltwithoutwereinthepositionofmonsters。Theabsencewasnoticed;butnotthepresence。Now，Mr。BradshawknewthatthehouseandgroundsofEagle’sCragworeexorbitantlydear，andyethereallythoughtofpurchasingthem。Andasonemeansofexhibitinghiswealth，andsoraisinghimselfuptothelevelofMr。Donne，hethoughtthatifhecouldtakethelatterdowntoAbermouth，andshowhimtheplaceforwhich，“becausehislittlegirlshadtakenafancytoit，“hewaswillingtogivethefancypriceoffourteenthousandpounds，heshouldatlastmakethosehalf-shutdreamyeyesopenwide，andtheirownerconfessthat，inwealthatleast，theEcclestonmanufacturerstoodonaparwithhim。AllthesemingledmotivescausedthedeterminationwhichmadeRuthsitinthelittleinnparlourofAbermouthduringthewildstorm’spassage。ShewonderedifshehadfulfilledallMr。Bradshaw’sdirections。Shelookedattheletter。Yes！everythingwasdone。Andnowhomewithhernews，throughthewetlane，wherethelittlepoolsbytheroadsidereflectedthedeepblueskyandtheroundwhitecloudswithevendeeperblueandclearerwhite; andtherain-dropshungsothickonthetrees，thatevenalittlebird’sflightwasenoughtoshakethemdowninabrightshowerasofrain。Whenshetoldthenews，Maryexclaimed——，“Oh，howcharming！Thenweshallseethisnewmemberafterall！”whileElizabethadded——，“Yes！Ishallliketodothat。Butwheremustwebe？Papawillwantthedining-roomandthisroom，andwheremustwesit？”“Oh！”saidRuth，“inthedressing-roomnexttomyroom。Allthatyourpapawantsalways，isthatyouarequietandoutoftheway。” chapter23，CHAPTERXXIII，RECOGNITION，Saturdaycame。Torn，raggedcloudsweredrivenacrossthesky。Itwasnotabecomingdayforthescenery，andthelittlegirlsregretteditmuch。 Firsttheyhopedforachangeattwelveo’clock，andthenattheafternoontide-turning。Butatneithertimedidthesunshowhisface。”Papawillneverbuythisdearplace，“saidElizabethsadly，asshewatchedtheweather。“Thesuniseverythingtoit。Thesealooksquiteleadento-day，andthereisnosparkleonit。Andthesands，thatweresoyellowandsun-speckledonThursday，areallonedullbrownnow。”，“Nevermind！to-morrowmaybebetter，“saidRuthcheerily。”Iwonderwhattimetheywillcomeat？”inquiredMary。”Yourpapasaidtheywouldbeatthestationatfive，o’clock。Andthelandladyatthe’Swan’saiditwouldtakethemhalf-an-hourtogethere。”，“Andtheyaretodineatsix？”askedElizabeth。”Yes，“answeredRuth。“AndIthink，ifwehadourteahalf-an-hourearlier，athalf-pastfour，andthenwentoutforawalk，weshouldbenicelyoutofthewayjustduringthebustleofthearrivalanddinner;andwecouldbeinthedrawing-roomreadyagainstyourpapacameinafterdinner。”，“Oh！thatwouldbenice，“saidthey;andteawasorderedaccordingly。Thesouth-westerlywindhaddropped，andthecloudswerestationary，whentheywentoutonthesands。Theyduglittleholesneartheincomingtide，andmadecanalstothemfromthewater，andblewthelightsea-foamagainsteachother;andthenstoleontiptoeneartothegroupsofgreyandwhitesea-gulls，whichdespisedtheircaution，flyingsoftlyandslowlyawaytoalittledistanceassoonastheydrewnear。AndinallthisRuthwasasgreatachildasany。OnlyshelongedforLeonardwithamother’slonging，asindeedshedideveryday，andallhoursoftheday。By-and-bythecloudsthickenedyetmore，andoneortwodropsofrainwerefelt。Itwasverylittle，butRuthfearedashowerforherdelicateElizabeth，andbesides，theSeptembereveningwasfastclosinginthedarkandsunlessday。Astheyturnedhomewardsintherapidlyincreasingdusk，theysawthreefiguresonthesandneartherocks，comingintheirdirection。”PapaandMr。Donne！”exclaimedMary。“Nowweshallseehim！”“Whichdoyoumakeoutishim？”askedElizabeth。”Oh！thetallone，tobesure。Don’tyouseehowpapaalwaysturnstohim，asifhewasspeakingtohim，andnottotheother？”“Whoistheother？”askedElizabeth。”Mr。BradshawsaidthatMr。FarquharandMr。Hicksonwouldcomewithhim。 ButthatisnotMr。Farquhar，Iamsure，“saidRuth。Thegirlslookedateachother，astheyalwaysdid，whenRuthmentionedMr。Farquhar’sname;butshewasperfectlyunconsciousbothofthelookandoftheconjectureswhichgaverisetoit。Assoonasthetwopartiesdrewnear，Mr。Bradshawcalledoutinhisstrongvoice——，“Well，mydears！wefoundtherewasanhourbeforedinner，sowecamedownuponthesands，andhereyouare。”，Thetoneofhisvoiceassuredthemthathewasinablandandindulgentmood，andthetwolittlegirlsrantowardshim。Hekissedthem，andshookhandswithRuth;toldhiscompanionsthatthesewerethelittlegirlswhoweretemptinghimtothisextravaganceofpurchasingEagle’sCrag;andthen，ratherdoubtfully，andbecausehesawthatMr。Donneexpectedit，heintroduced“Mydaughters’governess，Mrs。Denbigh。”，Itwasgrowingdarkereverymoment，anditwastimetheyshouldhastenbacktotherocks，whichwereevennowindistinctinthegreyhaze。Mr。 Bradshawheldahandofeachofhisdaughters，andRuthwalkedalongside，thetwostrangegentlemenbeingontheoutskirtsoftheparty。Mr。Bradshawbegantogivehislittlegirlssomehomenews。HetoldthemthatMr。Farquharwasill，andcouldnotaccompanythem;butJemimaandtheirmammawerequitewell。ThegentlemannearesttoRuthspoketoher。”Areyoufondofthesea？”askedhe。Therewasnoanswer，soherepeatedhisquestioninadifferentform。”Doyouenjoystayingbytheseaside？Ishouldratherask。”，Thereplywas“Yes，“ratherbreathedoutinadeepinspirationthanspokeninasound。ThesandsheavedandtrembledbeneathRuth。Thefiguresnearhervanishedintostrangenothingness;thesoundsoftheirvoiceswereasdistantsoundsinadream，whiletheechoofonevoicethrilledthroughandthrough。Shecouldhavecaughtathisarmforsupport，intheawfuldizzinesswhichwrappedherup，bodyandsoul。Thatvoice！No！ifname，andface，andfigurewereallchanged，thatvoicewasthesamewhichhadtouchedhergirlishheart，whichhadspokenmosttenderwordsoflove，whichhadwon，andwreckedher，andwhichshehadlastheardinthelowmutteringsoffever。Shedarednotlookroundtoseethefigureofhimwhospoke，darkasitwas。Sheknewhewasthere——sheheardhimspeakinthemannerinwhichheusedtoaddressstrangersyearsago;perhapssheansweredhim，perhapsshedidnot——Godknew。Itseemedasifweightsweretiedtoherfeet——asifthesteadfastrocksreceded——asiftimestoodstill;——itwassolong，soterrible，thatpathacrossthereelingsand。Atthefootoftherockstheyseparated。Mr。Bradshaw，afraidlestdinnershouldcool，preferredtheshorterwayforhimselfandhisfriends。OnElizabeth’saccount，thegirlsweretotakethelongerandeasierpath，whichwoundup-wardsthrougharockyfield，wherelarks’nestsabounded，andwherewildthymeandheatherwerenowthrowingouttheirsweetstothesoftnightair。Thelittlegirlsspokeineagerdiscussionofthestrangers。TheyappealedtoRuth，butRuthdidnotanswer，andtheyweretooimpatienttoconvinceeachothertorepeatthequestion。Thefirstlittleascentfromthesandstdthefieldsurmounted，Ruthsatdownsuddenlyandcoveredherfacewithherhands。Thiswassounusual——theirwishes，theirgood，wassoinvariablytheruleofmotionorofrestintheirwalks——thatthegirls，suddenlychecked，stoodsilentandaffrightedinsurprise。TheywerestillmorestartledwhenRuthwailedaloudsomeinarticulatewords。”Areyounotwell，dearMrs。Denbigh“askedElizabethgently，kneelingdownonthegrassbyRuth。Shesatfacingthewest。Thelowwaterytwilightwasonherfaceasshetookherhandsaway。Sopale，sohaggard，sowildandwanderingalookthegirlshadneverseenonhumancountenancebefore。”Well！whatareyoudoingherewithme？Youshouldnotbewithme，“saidshe，shakingherheadslowly。Theylookedateachother。”Youaresadlytired，“saidElizabethsoothingly。“Comehome，andletmehelpyoutobed。Iwilltellpapayouareill，andaskhimtosendforadoctor。”，Ruthlookedatherasifshedidnotunderstandthemeaningofherwords。 Nomoreshedidatfirst。Butby-and-bythedulledbrainbegantothinkmostvividlyandrapidly，andshespokeinasharpwaywhichdeceivedthegirlsintoabeliefthatnothinghadbeenthematter。”Yes！Iwastired。Iamtired。Thosesands——oh！thosesands，——thoseweary，dreadfulsands！Butthatisallovernow。Onlymyheartachesstill。Feelhowitfluttersandbeats，“saidshe，takingElizabeth’shand，andholdingittoherside。“Iamquitewell，though，“shecontinued，readingpityinthechild’slooks，asshefeltthetrembling，quiveringbeat。“Wewillgostraighttothedressing-room，andreadachapter;thatwillstillmyheart;andthenI’llgotobed，andMr。Bradshawwillexcuseme，Iknow，thisonenight。Ionlyaskforonenight。Putonyourrightfrocks，dears，anddoallyououghttodo。ButIknowyouwill“saidshe，bendingdowntokissElizabeth，andthen，beforeshehaddoneso，raisingherheadabruptly，“Youaregoodanddeargirls——Godkeepyouso！”Byastrongeffortatself-command，shewentonwardsatanevenpace，neitherrushingnorpausingtosobandthink。Theveryregularityofmotioncalmedher。Thefrontandbackdoorsofthehousewereontwosides，atrightangleswitheachother。Theyallshrankalittlefromtheideaofgoinginatthefrontdoor，nowthatthestrangegentlemenwereabout，and，accordingly，theywentthroughthequietfarmyardrightintothebright，ruddykitchen，wheretheservantsweredashingaboutwiththedinner-things。Itwasacontrastinmorethancolourtothelonely，duskyfield，whicheventhelittlegirlsperceived;andthenoise，thewarmth，theverybustleoftheservants，wereapositiverelieftoRuth，andforthetimeliftedofftheheavypressofpent-uppassion。Asilenthouse，withmoonlitrooms，orwithafaintgloombroodingovertheapartments，wouldhavebeenmoretobedreaded。Then，shemusthavegivenway，andcriedout。Asitwas，shewentuptheoldawkwardback-stairs，andintotheroomtheyweretositin。Therewasnocandle。Maryvolunteeredtogodownforone;andwhenshereturnedshewasfullofthewondersofpreparationinthedrawing-room，andreadyandeagertodress，soastotakeherplacetherebeforethegentlemenhadfinisheddinner。ButshewasstruckbythestrangepalenessofRuth’sface，nowthatthelightfelluponit。”Stayuphere，dearMrs。Denbigh！We’lltellpapayouaretired，andaregonetobed。”，AnothertimeRuthwouldhavedreadedMr。Bradshaw’sdispleasure;foritwasanunderstoodthingthatnoonewastobeillortiredinhishouseholdwithoutleaveasked，andcausegivenandassigned。Butsheneverthoughtofthatnow。Hergreatdesirewastoholdquiettillshewasalone。Quietnessitwasnot——itwasrigidity;butshesucceededinbeingrigidinlookandmovement，andwentthroughherdutiestoElizabeth(whopreferredremainingwithherupstairs)withwoodenprecision。Butherheartfeltattimeslikeice，attimeslikeburningfire;alwaysaheavy，heavyweightwithinher。 AtlastElizabethwenttobed。StillRuthdarednotthink。Marywouldcomeupstairssoon，andwithastrange，sick，shrinkingyearning，Ruthawaitedher——andthecrumbsofintelligenceshemightdropoutabouthim。