She had, with her own hands, made and presented to Caroline similar equipments; and the only serious quarrel they had ever had, and which still left a soreness in the elder cousin's soul, had arisen from the refusal of the younger one to accept of and profit by these elegant presents.

She had given Caroline similar items; and Caroline's refusal to accept them had caused the only serious quarrel they had ever had.


"I wear a high dress and a collar," said Caroline, "and I should feel suffocated with a handkerchief in addition; and my short aprons do quite as well as that very long one.

"I wear a high collar," said Caroline, "and I should feel suffocated with a handkerchief in addition; and my short aprons do quite as well as that long one."


Yet Hortense, by dint of perseverance, would probably have compelled her to make a change, had not Mr. Moore chanced to overhear a dispute on the subject, and decided that Caroline's little aprons would suffice, and that, in his opinion, as she was still but a child, she might for the present dispense with the fichu, especially as her curls were long, and almost touched her shoulders.

Yet Hortense would have insisted, had not Mr. Moore chanced to overhear, and decided that Caroline's little aprons would suffice, and that as she was still a child, she might for the present dispense with the fichu.


There was no appeal against Robert's opinion, therefore his sister was compelled to yield; but she disapproved entirely of the piquant neatness of Caroline's costume, and the ladylike grace of her appearance.

His sister was compelled to yield; but she disapproved of the piquant and ladylike neatness of Caroline's costume.


Something more solid and homely she would have considered "beaucoup plus convenable."

Something more solid and homely she would have considered much more fitting.


Mademoiselle, like most Belgian ladies, was specially skilful with her needle.

Mademoiselle, like most Belgian ladies, was skilful with her needle


She by no means thought it waste of time to devote unnumbered hours to fine embroidery, sight-destroying lace-work, marvellous netting and knitting, and, above all, to most elaborate stocking-mending.

, and devoted countless hours to fine embroidery, sight-destroying lace-work, netting, knitting, and, above all, elaborate stocking-mending.


She would give a day to the mending of two holes in a stocking any time, and think her "mission" nobly fulfilled when she had accomplished it.

She would give a day to mending two holes in a stocking, and think it a mission nobly fulfilled.


It was another of Caroline's troubles to be condemned to learn this foreign style of darning, which was done stitch by stitch, so as exactly to imitate the fabric of the stocking itself--a wearifu' process, but considered by Hortense Grard, and by her ancestresses before her for long generations back, as one of the first "duties of a woman."

Caroline was condemned to learn this style of darning, which had to imitate exactly the fabric of the stocking - a wearisome process, but considered by Hortense as one of the first duties of a woman.


She herself had had a needle, cotton, and a fearfully torn stocking put into her hand while she yet wore a child's coif on her little black head; her "hauts faits" in the darning line had been exhibited to company ere she was six years old; and when she first discovered that Caroline was profoundly ignorant of this most essential of attainments, she could have wept with pity over her miserably-neglected youth.

She herself had been expert at darning since she was six; and when she first discovered that Caroline was ignorant of this essential skill, she could have wept with pity.


No time did she lose in seeking up a hopeless pair of hose, of which the heels were entirely gone, and in setting the ignorant English girl to repair the deficiency.

She found a hopeless pair of stockings, and set the ignorant English girl to work.


This task had been commenced two years ago, and Caroline had the stockings in her work-bag yet.

This task had begun two years ago, and Caroline had the stockings in her work-bag still.


She did a few rows every day, by way of penance for the expiation of her sins.


They were a grievous burden to her; she would much have liked to put them in the fire; and once Mr. Moore, who had observed her sitting and sighing over them, had proposed a private incremation in the counting-house; but to this proposal Caroline knew it would have been impolitic to accede--the result could only be a fresh pair of hose, probably in worse condition.

They were a grievous burden to her; she would have liked to put them in the fire; and once Mr. Moore, who had observed her sighing over them, had proposed a private cremation in the counting-house; but Caroline knew it would have been unwise.


She adhered, therefore, to the ills she knew.


All the afternoon the two ladies sat and sewed, till the eyes and fingers, and even the spirits of one of them, were weary.

All this afternoon the two ladies sat and sewed.


The sky since dinner had darkened; it had begun to rain again, to pour fast.

The sky had darkened; it had begun to rain again.


Secret fears began to steal on Caroline that Robert would be persuaded by Mr. Sykes or Mr. Yorke to remain at Whinbury till it cleared, and of that there appeared no present chance.

Secret fears began to steal on Caroline that Robert would stay at Whinbury till it cleared.


Five o'clock struck, and time stole on; still the clouds streamed.

Five o'clock struck, and still the clouds streamed.


A sighing wind whispered in the roof-trees of the cottage; day seemed already closing; the parlour fire shed on the clear hearth a glow ruddy as at twilight.

A sighing wind whispered in the trees; day seemed already closing.


"It will not be fair till the moon rises," pronounced Mademoiselle Moore, "consequently I feel assured that my brother will not return till then.

"It will not be fine till the moon rises," pronounced Mlle Moore, "and I am sure that my brother will not return till then.


"You may, since it grows too dark to see to do it well.

"You may, since it grows too dark to do it well.


Fold it up; put it carefully in your bag; then step into the kitchen and desire Sarah to bring in the goter, or tea, as you call it."

Fold it up; put it away carefully; then step into the kitchen and desire Sarah to bring in the tray."


Suspense is irksome, disappointment bitter.


All the world has, some time or other, felt that.


Caroline, obedient to orders, passed into the kitchen.

Caroline went obediently into the kitchen,


Sarah was making a dress for herself at the table.


"You are to bring in coffee," said the young lady in a spiritless tone; and then she leaned her arm and head against the kitchen mantelpiece, and hung listlessly over the fire.

"You are to bring in coffee," she said in a spiritless tone; and then she leaned her arm and head against the kitchen mantelpiece, and hung listlessly over the fire.


But it's all because your cousin keeps you so close to work.

It's because your cousin keeps you so close at work.


"Nothing of the kind, Sarah," was the brief reply.

"Nothing of the kind, Sarah," was the reply.


You're fit to cry just this minute, for nothing else but because you've sat still the whole day.

You're fit to cry, just because you've sat still the whole day.


It would make a kitten dull to be mewed up so."


"Sarah, does your master often come home early from market when it is wet?"


"Never, hardly; but just to-day, for some reason, he has made a difference."


I am certain I saw Murgatroyd lead his horse into the yard by the back-way, when I went to get some water at the pump five minutes since.

I saw Murgatroyd lead his horse into the yard five minutes since.


He was in the counting-house with Joe Scott, I believe."


He was saying something to Joe Scott about having settled all concerning ways and means, and that there would be a new set of frames in the mill before another week passed, and that this time he would get four soldiers from Stilbro' barracks to guard the wagon."

saying something to Joe about having a new set of frames in the mill next week, and that this time he would get four soldiers from Stilbro' barracks to guard the wagon."


I'll finish cutting out that sleeve for you, and I'll give you some trimming for it.


I have some narrow satin ribbon of a colour that will just match it."

I have some satin ribbon that will just match it."


But first put your master's shoes on the hearth: he will take his boots off when he comes in.

But first put your master's shoes on the hearth for him.


"Miss, you are cutting the stuff wrong."


The kitchen door opened; Mr. Moore entered, very wet and cold.


Caroline half turned from her dressmaking occupation, but renewed it for a moment, as if to gain a minute's time for some purpose.


Bent over the dress, her face was hidden; there was an attempt to settle her features and veil their expression, which failed.

then bent over the dress again, her face hidden. There was an attempt to settle her features, which failed.


When she at last met Mr. Moore, her countenance beamed.


They asserted you would not come," she said.

"They said you would not come," she said.


"No, Robert; I dared not when it rained so fast.


If you took cold, I should--we should blame ourselves in some measure."

If you took cold, I should - we should blame ourselves."


"I am not wet through: my riding-coat is waterproof.


There--the fire is pleasant after facing the cold wind and rain for a few miles."


He stood on the kitchen hearth; Caroline stood beside him.


Mr. Moore, while enjoying the genial glow, kept his eyes directed towards the glittering brasses on the shelf above.


Chancing for an instant to look down, his glance rested on an uplifted face, flushed, smiling, happy, shaded with silky curls, lit with fine eyes.

He stood on the hearth and glanced down for an instant on an uplifted face, flushed and smiling, shaded with silky curls.


Sarah was gone into the parlour with the tray; a lecture from her mistress detained her there.


Moore placed his hand a moment on his young cousin's shoulder, stooped, and left a kiss on her forehead.


said she, as if the action had unsealed her lips, "I was miserable when I thought you would not come.

said she, "I was miserable when I thought you would not come.


"Are you certain you are not fretting about your frames, and your business, and the war?"

"You are not fretting about your frames, and your business, and the war?"


"Are you positive you don't feel Hollow's Cottage too small for you, and narrow, and dismal?"

"Are you positive you don't feel Hollow's Cottage too small and dismal for you?"


"Can you affirm that you are not bitter at heart because rich and great people forget you?"

"And you are not bitter at heart because rich and great people forget you?"


You are mistaken if you think I am anxious to curry favour with rich and great people.

You are mistaken if you think I am anxious to curry favour with the rich.


I only want means--a position--a career."


"Which your own talent and goodness shall win you.


You were made to be great; you _shall_ be great."


"I wonder now, if you spoke honestly out of your heart, what recipe you would give me for acquiring this same greatness; but I know it--better than you know it yourself.


Oh, life is not what you think it, Lina!"


You judge me with your heart, Lina: you should judge me with your head."

You should judge me with your head, Lina."


"I do; and then I am quite proud of you."


Robert, you cannot tell all my thoughts about you."


Mr. Moore's dark face mustered colour; his lips smiled, and yet were compressed; his eyes laughed, and yet he resolutely knit his brow.

Mr. Moore's face coloured; his lips smiled, and yet were compressed; his eyes laughed, and yet he knit his brow.


"Men, in general, are a sort of scum, very different to anything of which you have an idea.


I make no pretension to be better than my fellows."


"If you did, I should not esteem you so much.


"It is because you are modest that I have such confidence in your merit."


he demanded, turning sharply upon her, and searching her face with an eye of acute penetration.


"No," she said softly, laughing at his sudden quickness.


She seemed to think it unnecessary to proffer any eager disavowal of the charge.


"You don't care whether I think you flatter me or not?"


"You are so secure of your own intentions?"


"Only to ease my mind by expressing for once part of what I think, and then to make you better satisfied with yourself."

"Only to ease my mind by expressing what I think for once; and to make you better satisfied with yourself."


"By assuring me that my kinswoman is my sincere friend?"

"By assuring me that you are my sincere friend?"


"And I am--what chance and change shall make me, Lina."


The answer was cut short by Sarah and her mistress entering the kitchen together in some commotion.

The answer was cut short by Sarah and her mistress entering the kitchen in some commotion.


They had been improving the time which Mr. Moore and Miss Helstone had spent in dialogue by a short dispute on the subject of "caf au lait," which Sarah said was the queerest mess she ever saw, and a waste of God's good gifts, as it was "the nature of coffee to be boiled in water," and which mademoiselle affirmed to be "un breuvage royal," a thousand times too good for the mean person who objected to it.

They had been disputing about "caf au lait," which Sarah said was the queerest mess she ever saw, and a waste of God's good gifts, as coffee should be boiled in water; and which mademoiselle affirmed to be a royal beverage, a thousand times too good for Sarah.


The former occupants of the kitchen now withdrew into the parlour.


Before Hortense followed them thither, Caroline had only time again to question, "Not my enemy, Robert?"


And Moore, Quaker-like, had replied with another query, "Could I be?"


And then, seating himself at the table, had settled Caroline at his side.


Caroline scarcely heard mademoiselle's explosion of wrath when she rejoined them; the long declamation about the "conduite indigne de cette mchante crature" sounded in her ear as confusedly as the agitated rattling of the china.

Caroline scarcely heard mademoiselle's explosion of wrath about Sarah;


Robert laughed a little at it, in very subdued sort, and then, politely and calmly entreating his sister to be tranquil, assured her that if it would yield her any satisfaction, she should have her choice of an attendant amongst all the girls in his mill.

Robert laughed a little, and then, entreating his sister to be tranquil, assured her that she should have her choice of maid from all the girls in his mill.


Only he feared they would scarcely suit her, as they were most of them, he was informed, completely ignorant of household work; and pert and self-willed as Sarah was, she was, perhaps, no worse than the majority of the women of her class.

Only he feared they would scarcely suit her, as they were ignorant of household work; and just as pert and self-willed as Sarah was.


Mademoiselle admitted the truth of this conjecture: according to her, "ces paysannes anglaises taient tout insupportables."

Mademoiselle admitted the truth of this.


What would she not give for some "bonne cuisinire anversoise," with the high cap, short petticoat, and decent sabots proper to her class--something better, indeed, than an insolent coquette in a flounced gown, and absolutely without cap!


(For Sarah, it appears, did not partake the opinion of St. Paul that "it is a shame for a woman to go with her head uncovered;" but, holding rather a contrary doctrine, resolutely refused to imprison in linen or muslin the plentiful tresses of her yellow hair, which it was her wont to fasten up smartly with a comb behind, and on Sundays to wear curled in front.)


"Shall I try and get you an Antwerp girl?"


asked Mr. Moore, who, stern in public, was on the whole very kind in private.

asked Mr. Moore, who, stern in public, was kind in private.


"An Antwerp girl would not stay here ten days, sneered at as she would be by all the young coquines in your factory;" then softening, "You are very good, dear brother--excuse my petulance--but truly my domestic trials are severe, yet they are probably my destiny; for I recollect that our revered mother experienced similar sufferings, though she had the choice of all the best servants in Antwerp.

"An Antwerp girl would not stay, sneered at as she would be by all the young coquines in your factory;" then softening, "You are very good, dear brother - excuse my petulance - but my domestic trials are severe. Yet I recollect that our revered mother experienced similar sufferings, though she had the choice of all the best servants in Antwerp."


Domestics are in all countries a spoiled and unruly set."


Mr. Moore had also certain reminiscences about the trials of his revered mother.


A good mother she had been to him, and he honoured her memory; but he recollected that she kept a hot kitchen of it in Antwerp, just as his faithful sister did here in England.


Thus, therefore, he let the subject drop, and when the coffee-service was removed, proceeded to console Hortense by fetching her music-book and guitar; and having arranged the ribbon of the instrument round her neck with a quiet fraternal kindness he knew to be all-powerful in soothing her most ruffled moods, he asked her to give him some of their mother's favourite songs.

and let the subject drop. He consoled Hortense by fetching her guitar, and asking her to play some of their mother's favourite songs.


Family jarring vulgarizes; family union elevates.


Hortense, pleased with her brother, and grateful to him, looked, as she touched her guitar, almost graceful, almost handsome; her everyday fretful look was gone for a moment, and was replaced by a "sourire plein de bont."

Hortense, pleased, looked almost graceful, almost handsome; as she played, her everyday fretful look was gone.


She sang the songs he asked for, with feeling; they reminded her of a parent to whom she had been truly attached; they reminded her of her young days.


She observed, too, that Caroline listened with nave interest; this augmented her good-humour; and the exclamation at the close of the song, "I wish I could sing and play like Hortense!"

Seeing that Caroline listened with interest, this increased her good-humour. Caroline's exclamation at the close of the song, "I wish I could sing and play like Hortense!"


achieved the business, and rendered her charming for the evening.


It is true a little lecture to Caroline followed, on the vanity of _wishing_ and the duty of _trying_.


"As Rome," it was suggested, "had not been built in a day, so neither had Mademoiselle Grard Moore's education been completed in a week, or by merely _wishing_ to be clever.


It was effort that had accomplished that great work.


She was ever remarkable for her perseverance, for her industry.


Her masters had remarked that it was as delightful as it was uncommon to find so much talent united with so much solidity, and so on."


Once on the theme of her own merits, mademoiselle was fluent.


Cradled at last in blissful self-complacency, she took her knitting, and sat down tranquil.

Cradled in blissful self-complacency, Hortense took up her knitting.


Drawn curtains, a clear fire, a softly-shining lamp, gave now to the little parlour its best, its evening charm.

Drawn curtains, a clear fire, a softly-shining lamp, gave the little parlour its best charm.


It is probable that the three there present felt this charm.


asked Mr. Moore, returning to his seat beside his cousin.


"No, no; we both hate silent games that only keep one's hands employed, don't we?"


Are we sufficiently interested in anybody to take a pleasure in pulling their character to pieces?"


For my part, unamiable as it sounds, I must say no."


But it is strange, though we want no third--fourth, I mean (she hastily and with contrition glanced at Hortense), living person among us--so selfish we are in our happiness--though we don't want to think of the present existing world, it would be pleasant to go back to the past, to hear people that have slept for generations in graves that are perhaps no longer graves now, but gardens and fields, speak to us and tell us their thoughts, and impart their ideas."

But it is strange, though we want no third - fourth, I mean (she hastily glanced at Hortense), living person here - it would be pleasant to go back to the past, to hear people of long gone generations speak to us and tell us their thoughts."


"Your French forefathers don't speak so sweetly, nor so solemnly, nor so impressively as your English ancestors, Robert.


"Yes, an old English book--one that you like; and I will choose a part of it that is toned quite in harmony with something in you.


It shall waken your nature, fill your mind with music; it shall pass like a skilful hand over your heart, and make its strings sound.


Your heart is a lyre, Robert; but the lot of your life has not been a minstrel to sweep it, and it is often silent.


Let glorious William come near and touch it.


You will see how he will draw the English power and melody out of its chords."


"You must have his spirit before you; you must hear his voice with your mind's ear; you must take some of his soul into yours."


"It is to stir you, to give you new sensations.


It is to make you feel your life strongly--not only your virtues, but your vicious, perverse points."

It is to make you feel your life strongly - not only your virtues, but your vices."


cried Hortense, who hitherto had been counting stitches in her knitting, and had not much attended to what was said, but whose ear these two strong words caught with a tweak.

cried Hortense, who had been counting stitches.


Now just let her say anything she pleases to-night.

Let her say anything she pleases tonight.


She likes to come down hard upon your brother sometimes.


Caroline, who, mounted on a chair, had been rummaging the bookcase, returned with a book.

Caroline, who had been rummaging at the bookcase, returned with a book.


"Here's Shakespeare," she said, "and there's 'Coriolanus.'


Now, read, and discover by the feelings the reading will give you at once how low and how high you are."

"Now, read, and discover at once how low and how high you are."


"Come, then, sit near me, and correct when I mispronounce."


"I am to be the teacher then, and you my pupil?"


"And Shakespeare is our science, since we are going to study?"


"And you are not going to be French, and sceptical, and sneering?

If you are all French, and sceptical and sneering


You are not going to think it a sign of wisdom to refuse to admire?"


"If you do, Robert, I'll take Shakespeare away; and I'll shrivel up within myself, and put on my bonnet and go home."


"One minute, if you please, brother," interrupted mademoiselle.


"When the gentleman of a family reads, the ladies should always sew.--Caroline, dear child, take your embroidery.


You may get three sprigs done to-night."


"I can't see by lamp-light; my eyes are tired, and I can't do two things well at once.


If I sew, I cannot listen; if I listen, I cannot sew."


Mr. Moore, as usual, suavely interposed.


"Permit her to neglect the embroidery for this evening.


I wish her whole attention to be fixed on my accent; and to ensure this, she must follow the reading with her eyes--she must look at the book."


He placed it between them, reposed his arm on the back of Caroline's chair, and thus began to read.

He placed the book between them, reposed his arm on the back of Caroline's chair, and began to read.


The very first scene in "Coriolanus" came with smart relish to his intellectual palate, and still as he read he warmed.

He relished the very first scene in Coriolanus; as he read he warmed.


He delivered the haughty speech of Caius Marcius to the starving citizens with unction; he did not say he thought his irrational pride right, but he seemed to feel it so.

He delivered the haughty speech of Caius Marcius to the starving citizens suavely, as if he thought his irrational pride was right.


Caroline looked up at him with a singular smile.


"There's a vicious point hit already," she said.

"There's a vicious point already," she said.


"You sympathize with that proud patrician who does not sympathize with his famished fellow-men, and insults them.

"You sympathize with that proud patrician who insults his famished fellow-men.


The warlike portions did not rouse him much; he said all that was out of date, or should be; the spirit displayed was barbarous; yet the encounter single-handed between Marcius and Tullus Aufidius he delighted in.

The warlike parts did not rouse him much; yet the single-handed fight between Marcius and Tullus Aufidius he delighted in.


As he advanced, he forgot to criticise; it was evident he appreciated the power, the truth of each portion; and, stepping out of the narrow line of private prejudices, began to revel in the large picture of human nature, to feel the reality stamped upon the characters who were speaking from that page before him.

As he went on, he began to revel in the picture of human nature, to feel the reality stamped upon the characters on the page.


He did not read the comic scenes well; and Caroline, taking the book out of his hand, read these parts for him.

He did not read the comic scenes well; so Caroline read these parts for him


From her he seemed to enjoy them, and indeed she gave them with a spirit no one could have expected of her, with a pithy expression with which she seemed gifted on the spot, and for that brief moment only.

, with unexpected spirit and expression.


It may be remarked, in passing, that the general character of her conversation that evening, whether serious or sprightly, grave or gay, was as of something untaught, unstudied, intuitive, fitful--when once gone, no more to be reproduced as it had been than the glancing ray of the meteor, than the tints of the dew-gem, than the colour or form of the sunset cloud, than the fleeting and glittering ripple varying the flow of a rivulet.

Indeed, her conversation that evening, whether grave or gay, was intuitive - glittering like the fleeting ripple on a stream.


Coriolanus in glory, Coriolanus in disaster, Coriolanus banished, followed like giant shades one after the other.

Coriolanus in glory, Coriolanus in disaster, Coriolanus banished, followed one after the other.


Before the vision of the banished man Moore's spirit seemed to pause.


He stood on the hearth of Aufidius's hall, facing the image of greatness fallen, but greater than ever in that low estate.

He stood on the hearth of Aufidius's hall, seeing greatness fallen, but greater than ever in that low estate.


He saw "the grim appearance," the dark face "bearing command in it," "the noble vessel with its tackle torn."


With the revenge of Caius Marcius, Moore perfectly sympathized; he was not scandalized by it; and again Caroline whispered, "There I see another glimpse of brotherhood in error."

With the revenge of Caius Marcius, Moore perfectly sympathized; and again Caroline whispered, "There I see another glimpse of brotherhood in error."


The march on Rome, the mother's supplication, the long resistance, the final yielding of bad passions to good, which ever must be the case in a nature worthy the epithet of noble, the rage of Aufidius at what he considered his ally's weakness, the death of Coriolanus, the final sorrow of his great enemy--all scenes made of condensed truth and strength--came on in succession and carried with them in their deep, fast flow the heart and mind of reader and listener.

The march on Rome, the mother's supplication, the long resistance, the final yielding of bad passions to good, the death of Coriolanus and his enemy's final sorrow - all flowed on deep and fast, carrying with them the heart and mind of the reader.


"Now, have you felt anything in Coriolanus like you?"


asked Caroline, some ten minutes after her cousin had closed the book.

asked Caroline, after her cousin had closed the book.


"And have you felt anything in Coriolanus like you?"


What caused him to be banished by his countrymen?"


'Whether was it pride, Which out of daily fortune ever taints The happy man?


whether defect of judgment, To fail in the disposing of those chances Which he was lord of?


or whether nature, Not to be other than one thing, not moving From the casque to the cushion, but commanding peace Even with the same austerity and garb As he controlled the war?'"


"It was a spice of all; and you must not be proud to your workpeople; you must not neglect chances of soothing them; and you must not be of an inflexible nature, uttering a request as austerely as if it were a command."

"You must not be proud to your workpeople; you must soothe them; you must not be inflexible and austere."


"That is the moral you tack to the play.


"What puts such notions into your head?"


"A wish for your good, a care for your safety, dear Robert, and a fear, caused by many things which I have heard lately, that you will come to harm."

"A care for your safety, dear Robert, and a fear that you will come to harm.


He praises your hard spirit, your determined cast of mind, your scorn of low enemies, your resolution not 'to truckle to the mob,' as he says."

He praises your hard and determined spirit, your scorn of low enemies, and your resolution not 'to truckle to the mob.'


"And would you have me truckle to them?"


I never wish you to lower yourself; but somehow I cannot help thinking it unjust to include all poor working-people under the general and insulting name of 'the mob,' and continually to think of them and treat them haughtily."

Yet I cannot help thinking it unjust to include all poor working-people under the insulting name of 'the mob,' and to treat them haughtily."


"I rarely talk to my uncle, as you know, and never about such things.

"I rarely talk to my uncle, and never about such things.


He thinks everything but sewing and cooking above women's comprehension, and out of their line."

He thinks everything but sewing and cooking above women's comprehension."


"And do you fancy you comprehend the subjects on which you advise me?"


"As far as they concern you, I comprehend them.


"I know it would be better for you to be loved by your workpeople than to be hated by them, and I am sure that kindness is more likely to win their regard than pride.


If you were proud and cold to me and Hortense, should we love you?


When you are cold to me, as you _are_ sometimes, can I venture to be affectionate in return?"

When you are cold to me, as you are sometimes, how can I venture to be affectionate in return?"


"Now, Lina, I've had my lesson both in languages and ethics, with a touch on politics; it is your turn.

"Now, Lina, I've had my lesson; it is your turn.


Hortense tells me you were much taken by a little piece of poetry you learned the other day, a piece by poor Andr Chnier--'La Jeune Captive.'

Hortense tells me you were much taken by a little piece of poetry you learned the other day, by Chnier - 'La Jeune Captive.'


Take your time and mind your accent; especially let us have no English _u_'s."

Take your time and mind your accent; let us have no English u's."


Caroline, beginning in a low, rather tremulous voice, but gaining courage as she proceeded, repeated the sweet verses of Chnier.


The last three stanzas she rehearsed well.


"Mon beau voyage encore est si loin de sa fin!


Je pars, et des ormeaux qui bordent le chemin J'ai pass le premiers peine.


Au banquet de la vie peine commenc, Un instant seulement mes lvres ont press La coupe en mes mains encore pleine.


"Je ne suis qu'au printemps--je veux voir la moisson; Et comme le soleil, de saison en saison, Je veux achever mon anne, Brillante sur ma tige, et l'honneur du jardin Je n'ai vu luire encore que les feux du matin, Je veux achever ma journe!"


Moore listened at first with his eyes cast down, but soon he furtively raised them.

Moore listened at first with his eyes cast down, but soon he raised them.


Leaning back in his chair he could watch Caroline without her perceiving where his gaze was fixed.

Leaning back in his chair he could watch Caroline without her noticing.


Her cheek had a colour, her eyes a light, her countenance an expression this evening which would have made even plain features striking; but there was not the grievous defect of plainness to pardon in her case.

Her eyes had an animating light this evening


The sunshine was not shed on rough barrenness; it fell on soft bloom.


Each lineament was turned with grace; the whole aspect was pleasing.


At the present moment--animated, interested, touched--she might be called beautiful.

: at the present moment, she might be called beautiful.


Such a face was calculated to awaken not only the calm sentiment of esteem, the distant one of admiration, but some feeling more tender, genial, intimate--friendship, perhaps, affection, interest.


When she had finished, she turned to Moore, and met his eye.

When she had finished, she turned to Moore.


she inquired, smiling like any happy, docile child.

she inquired, smiling like a happy child.


"When I meet with _real_ poetry, I cannot rest till I have learned it by heart, and so made it partly mine."

"When I meet with real poetry, I cannot rest till I have learned it by heart, and so made it partly mine."


Mr. Moore now sat silent for several minutes.


Sarah entered, and said that Mr. Helstone's servant was come for Miss Caroline.


"Then the evening is gone already," she observed, "and it will be long, I suppose, before I pass another here."

"Then the evening is gone already," Caroline observed, "and it will be long, I suppose, before I pass another here."


Hortense had been for some time nodding over her knitting; fallen into a doze now, she made no response to the remark.

Hortense had been for some time dozing over her knitting, and made no response.


"You would have no objection to come here oftener of an evening?"

"You would not mind coming here oftener of an evening?"


inquired Robert, as he took her folded mantle from the side-table, where it still lay, and carefully wrapped it round her.

inquired Robert, as he carefully wrapped her mantle round her.


"I like to come here; but I have no desire to be intrusive.

"I like to come; but I have no desire to be intrusive.


I am not hinting to be asked; you must understand that."


You sometimes lecture me for wishing to be rich, Lina; but if I _were_ rich, you should live here always--at any rate, you should live with me wherever my habitation might be."

You sometimes lecture me for wishing to be rich, Lina; but if I were rich, you should live here always."


"That would be pleasant; and if you were poor--ever so poor--it would still be pleasant.

"That would be pleasant, even if you were poor.


"I promised to walk with you up to the rectory."


"I know you did; but I thought you had forgotten, and I hardly knew how to remind you, though I wished to do it.

"I know you did; but I thought you had forgotten.


It is a cold night, and as Fanny is come, there is no necessity----"

It is a cold night, and as Fanny is come, there is no need-"


"Here is your muff; don't wake Hortense--come."

"Here is your muff; don't wake Hortense. Come."


The half mile to the rectory was soon traversed.


They parted in the garden without kiss, scarcely with a pressure of hands; yet Robert sent his cousin in excited and joyously troubled.

They parted in the garden without a kiss, scarcely with a pressure of hands; yet Robert sent his cousin in excited and joyously troubled.


He had been singularly kind to her that day--not in phrase, compliment, profession, but in manner, in look, and in soft and friendly tones.

He had been singularly kind to her that day.


For himself, he came home grave, almost morose.


As he stood leaning on his own yard-gate, musing in the watery moonlight all alone, the hushed, dark mill before him, the hill-environed hollow round, he exclaimed, abruptly,--

As he stood leaning on his yard-gate, musing in the moonlight, he exclaimed abruptly:


There's weakness--there's downright ruin in all this.

There's weakness and downright ruin in all this.


However," he added, dropping his voice, "the frenzy is quite temporary.


I know it very well; I have had it before.


Yes, reader, we must settle accounts now.


I have only briefly to narrate the final fates of some of the personages whose acquaintance we have made in this narrative, and then you and I must shake hands, and for the present separate.

I have only briefly to narrate the final fates of some of the people we have met, and then you and I must shake hands, and for the present separate.


Let us turn to the curates--to the much-loved, though long-neglected.

Let us turn to the curates - much-loved, though long-neglected.


Malone, I see, promptly answers the invocation.


He knows his own description when he hears it.


No, Peter Augustus; we can have nothing to say to you.


Impossible to trust ourselves with the touching tale of your deeds and destinies.


Are you not aware, Peter, that a discriminating public has its crotchets; that the unvarnished truth does not answer; that plain facts will not digest?

Are you not aware, Peter, that a discriminating public does not care for the unvarnished truth?


Do you not know that the squeak of the real pig is no more relished now than it was in days of yore?


Were I to give the catastrophe of your life and conversation, the public would sweep off in shrieking hysterics, and there would be a wild cry for sal-volatile and burnt feathers.

Were I to give the catastrophe of your life and conversation, the public would sweep off in shrieking hysterics, and there would be wild


Whenever you present the actual, simple truth, it is, somehow, always denounced as a lie--they disown it, cast it off, throw it on the parish; whereas the product of your own imagination, the mere figment, the sheer fiction, is adopted, petted, termed pretty, proper, sweetly natural--the little, spurious wretch gets all the comfits, the honest, lawful bantling all the cuffs.

Whenever you present the actual truth, it is, somehow, always denounced as a lie; whereas the product of your own imagination, the fiction, is adopted, petted, called sweetly natural.


Such is the way of the world, Peter; and as you are the legitimate urchin, rude, unwashed, and naughty, you must stand down.

Such is the way of the world, Peter; and as you are the legitimate urchin, you must stand down.


Here he comes, with his lady on his arm--the most splendid and the weightiest woman in Yorkshire--Mrs. Sweeting, formerly Miss Dora Sykes.

Here he comes, with his lady on his arm - the splendid Mrs. Sweeting, formerly Miss Dora Sykes.


They were married under the happiest auspices, Mr. Sweeting having been just inducted to a comfortable living, and Mr. Sykes being in circumstances to give Dora a handsome portion.

They were married under the happiest auspices, Mr. Sweeting having been just offered a comfortable living.


They lived long and happily together, beloved by their parishioners and by a numerous circle of friends.


I think the varnish has been put on very nicely.


This gentleman turned out admirably--far better than either you or I could possibly have expected, reader.

This gentleman turned out admirably - far better than either you or I could possibly have expected, reader.


He, too, married a most sensible, quiet, lady-like little woman.

He, too, married a most sensible, quiet, lady-like woman.


He became an exemplary domestic character, and a truly active parish priest (as a pastor he, to his dying day, conscientiously refused to act).

He became an exemplary domestic character, and a truly active parish priest.


The outside of the cup and platter he burnished up with the best polishing-powder; the furniture of the altar and temple he looked after with the zeal of an upholsterer, the care of a cabinet-maker.


His little school, his little church, his little parsonage, all owed their erection to him; and they did him credit.


If uniformity and taste in architecture had been the same thing as consistency and earnestness in religion, what a shepherd of a Christian flock Mr. Donne would have made!


There was one art in the mastery of which nothing mortal ever surpassed Mr. Donne: it was that of begging.


By his own unassisted efforts he begged all the money for all his erections.

By his own unassisted efforts he begged all the money for these.


In this matter he had a grasp of plan, a scope of action quite unique.


He begged of high and low--of the shoeless cottage brat and the coroneted duke.

He begged from high and low - the shoeless cottage brat and the coroneted duke.


He sent out begging-letters far and wide--to old Queen Charlotte, to the princesses her daughters, to her sons the royal dukes, to the Prince Regent, to Lord Castlereagh, to every member of the ministry then in office; and, what is more remarkable, he screwed something out of every one of these personages.

He sent out begging-letters far and wide - to old Queen Charlotte, her sons and daughters, the Prince Regent, Lord Castlereagh, and every minister then in office; and, what is more remarkable, he got something out of every one of them.


It is on record that he got five pounds from the close-fisted old lady Queen Charlotte, and two guineas from the royal profligate her eldest son.

Even the Prince Regent donated him two guineas.


When Mr. Donne set out on begging expeditions, he armed himself in a complete suit of brazen mail.


That you had given a hundred pounds yesterday was with him no reason why you should not give two hundred to-day.


He would tell you so to your face, and, ten to one, get the money out of you.


After all, he did some good with the cash.


He was useful in his day and generation.


Perhaps I ought to remark that on the premature and sudden vanishing of Mr. Malone from the stage of Briarfield parish (you cannot know how it happened, reader; your curiosity must be robbed to pay your elegant love of the pretty and pleasing), there came as his successor another Irish curate, Mr. Macarthey.

Perhaps I ought to remark that on the premature and sudden vanishing of Mr. Malone from the stage of Briarfield parish (you cannot know how it happened, reader, because of your love of the pretty and pleasing), there came as his successor another Irish curate, Mr. Macarthey.


I am happy to be able to inform you, _with truth_, that this gentleman did as much credit to his country as Malone had done it discredit.

I am happy to inform you that this gentleman did as much credit to his country as Malone had done it discredit.


He proved himself as decent, decorous, and conscientious as Peter was rampant, boisterous, and---- This last epithet I choose to suppress, because it would let the cat out of the bag.

He proved himself as decent, decorous, and conscientious as Peter was rampant, boisterous, and- This last epithet I suppress, because it would let the cat out of the bag.


Mr. Macarthey laboured faithfully in the parish.


The schools, both Sunday and day schools, flourished under his sway like green bay trees.


Being human, of course he had his faults.


These, however, were proper, steady-going, clerical faults--what many would call virtues.


The circumstance of finding himself invited to tea with a Dissenter would unhinge him for a week.

: an invitation to tea with a Dissenter would unhinge him for a week; the


The spectacle of a Quaker wearing his hat in the church, the thought of an unbaptized fellow-creature being interred with Christian rites--these things could make strange havoc in Mr. Macarthey's physical and mental economy.

sight of a Quaker wearing his hat in church played havoc with his mental wellbeing.


Otherwise he was sane and rational, diligent and charitable.


I doubt not a justice-loving public will have remarked, ere this, that I have thus far shown a criminal remissness in pursuing, catching, and bringing to condign punishment the would-be assassin of Mr. Robert Moore.

The justice-loving public will have remarked that I have been remiss in pursuing, catching, and bringing to punishment the would-be assassin of Mr. Robert Moore.


Here was a fine opening to lead my willing readers a dance, at once decorous and exciting--a dance of law and gospel, of the dungeon, the dock, and the "dead-thraw."

Here was a fine opening to lead my willing readers a dance of law and gospel, of the dungeon and the dock.


You might have liked it, reader, but _I_ should not.

You might have liked it, reader, but I should not.


I and my subject would presently have quarrelled, and then I should have broken down.


I was happy to find that facts perfectly exonerated me from the attempt.

I was happy to find that facts exonerated me from the attempt.


The murderer was never punished, for the good reason that he was never caught--the result of the further circumstance that he was never pursued.

The murderer was never punished, because he was never caught.


The magistrates made a shuffling, as if they were going to rise and do valiant things; but since Moore himself, instead of urging and leading them as heretofore, lay still on his little cottage-couch, laughing in his sleeve, and sneering with every feature of his pale, foreign face, they considered better of it, and after fulfilling certain indispensable forms, prudently resolved to let the matter quietly drop, which they did.

The magistrates made a shuffling, as if they were going do valiant things; but since Moore did not urge them on, they prudently resolved to let the matter quietly drop.


Mr. Moore knew who had shot him, and all Briarfield knew.


It was no other than Michael Hartley, the half-crazed weaver once before alluded to, a frantic Antinomian in religion, and a mad leveller in politics.

It was no other than Michael Hartley, the half-crazed weaver.


The poor soul died of delirium tremens a year after the attempt on Moore, and Robert gave his wretched widow a guinea to bury him.


The winter is over and gone; spring has followed with beamy and shadowy, with flowery and showery flight.

The winter is over and gone; spring has followed, with flowery and showery flight.


We are now in the heart of summer--in mid-June--the June of 1812.

We are now in the heart of summer - the June of 1812.


It fits the time; it fits the age; it fits the present spirit of the nations.


The nineteenth century wantons in its giant adolescence; the Titan boy uproots mountains in his game, and hurls rocks in his wild sport.


This summer Bonaparte is in the saddle; he and his host scour Russian deserts.


He has with him Frenchmen and Poles, Italians and children of the Rhine, six hundred thousand strong.

, with his army behind him, six hundred thousand strong.


Under old Moscow's walls the rude Cossack waits him.


he waits without fear of the boundless ruin rolling on.


He puts his trust in a snow-cloud; the wilderness, the wind, and the hail-storm are his refuge; his allies are the elements--air, fire, water.


Three terrible archangels ever stationed before the throne of Jehovah.


They stand clothed in white, girdled with golden girdles; they uplift vials, brimming with the wrath of God.


Their time is the day of vengeance; their signal, the word of the Lord of hosts, "thundering with the voice of His excellency."


"Hast thou entered into the treasures of the snow?


or hast thou seen the treasures of the hail, which I have reserved against the time of trouble, against the day of battle and war?


Pour out the vials of the wrath of God upon the earth."


The earth is scorched with fire; the sea becomes "as the blood of a dead man;" the islands flee away; the mountains are not found.

The earth is scorched with fire; the sea becomes "as the blood of a dead man."


In this year, Lord Wellington assumed the reins in Spain.


They made him generalissimo, for their own salvation's sake.


In this year he took Badajos, he fought the field of Vittoria, he captured Pampeluna, he stormed San Sebastian; in this year he won Salamanca.

He took Badajos, he fought the field of Vittoria, he captured Pampeluna, he stormed San Sebastian; he won Salamanca.


Men of Manchester, I beg your pardon for this slight _rsum_ of warlike facts, but it is of no consequence.

Men of Manchester, I beg your pardon for this slight rsum of warlike facts.


Lord Wellington is, for you, only a decayed old gentleman now.


I rather think some of you have called him a "dotard;" you have taunted him with his age and the loss of his physical vigour.

I think some of you have called him a "dotard;" you have taunted him with his age and loss of vigour.


Men like you have a right to trample on what is mortal in a demigod.


Scoff at your ease; your scorn can never break his grand old heart.


But come, friends, whether Quakers or cotton-printers, let us hold a peace-congress, and let out our venom quietly.

But come, friends, whether Quakers or cotton-printers, let us hold a peace-congress.


We have been talking with unseemly zeal about bloody battles and butchering generals; we arrive now at a triumph in your line.


On the 18th of June 1812 the Orders in Council were repealed, and the blockaded ports thrown open.


You know very well--such of you as are old enough to remember--you made Yorkshire and Lancashire shake with your shout on that occasion.

Yorkshire and Lancashire shook with your shouts on that occasion.


The ringers cracked a bell in Briarfield belfry; it is dissonant to this day.


The Association of Merchants and Manufacturers dined together at Stilbro', and one and all went home in such a plight as their wives would never wish to witness more.

the Association of Merchants and Manufacturers dined together at Stilbro', and all went home in such a plight as their wives would never wish to witness more.


Liverpool started and snorted like a river-horse roused amongst his reeds by thunder.


Some of the American merchants felt threatenings of apoplexy, and had themselves bled--all, like wise men, at this first moment of prosperity, prepared to rush into the bowels of speculation, and to delve new difficulties, in whose depths they might lose themselves at some future day.


Stocks which had been accumulating for years now went off in a moment, in the twinkling of an eye.

Stocks which had been accumulating for years now went off in the twinkling of an eye.


Warehouses were lightened, ships were laden; work abounded, wages rose; the good time seemed come.


These prospects might be delusive, but they were brilliant--to some they were even true.

These prospects might be delusive, but they were brilliant.


At that epoch, in that single month of June, many a solid fortune was realized.

In that single month of June, many a solid fortune was realized.


When a whole province rejoices, the humblest of its inhabitants tastes a festal feeling; the sound of public bells rouses the most secluded abode, as if with a call to be gay.

When a whole province rejoices, the humblest and most secluded of its inhabitants feels festive.


And so Caroline Helstone thought, when she dressed herself more carefully than usual on the day of this trading triumph, and went, attired in her neatest muslin, to spend the afternoon at Fieldhead, there to superintend certain millinery preparations for a great event, the last appeal in these matters being reserved for her unimpeachable taste.

So Caroline Helstone thought, when she dressed herself more carefully than usual on the day of this trading triumph, and went, attired in her neatest muslin, to spend the afternoon at Fieldhead, to superintend certain preparations for a great event.


She decided on the wreath, the veil, the dress to be worn at the altar.

She decided on the wreath, the veil, and the dress to be worn at the altar.


She chose various robes and fashions for more ordinary occasions, without much reference to the bride's opinion--that lady, indeed, being in a somewhat impracticable mood.

She chose various robes and fashions for more ordinary occasions, without much reference to the bride's opinion - Shirley, indeed, being in a somewhat impracticable mood.


Louis had presaged difficulties, and he had found them--in fact, his mistress had shown herself exquisitely provoking, putting off her marriage day by day, week by week, month by month, at first coaxing him with soft pretences of procrastination, and in the end rousing his whole deliberate but determined nature to revolt against her tyranny, at once so sweet and so intolerable.

Louis had foreseen difficulties, and he had found them. In fact, his mistress had shown herself exquisitely provoking, putting off her marriage day by day, week by week, month by month, rousing his whole deliberate but determined nature to revolt against her tyranny, at once so sweet and so intolerable.


It had needed a sort of tempest-shock to bring her to the point; but there she was at last, fettered to a fixed day.

It had needed a sort of tempest-shock to bring her to the point; but at last she was fettered to a fixed day.


There she lay, conquered by love, and bound with a vow.


Thus vanquished and restricted, she pined, like any other chained denizen of deserts.


Her captor alone could cheer her; his society only could make amends for the lost privilege of liberty.


In his absence she sat or wandered alone, spoke little, and ate less.

in his absence she sat or wandered alone, spoke little, and ate less.


She furthered no preparations for her nuptials; Louis was himself obliged to direct all arrangements.


He was virtually master of Fieldhead weeks before he became so nominally--the least presumptuous, the kindest master that ever was, but with his lady absolute.

He was virtually master of Fieldhead weeks before he actually became so - the least presumptuous master that ever was, but with his lady absolute.


She abdicated without a word or a struggle.


"Go to Mr. Moore, ask Mr. Moore," was her answer when applied to for orders.


Never was wooer of wealthy bride so thoroughly absolved from the subaltern part, so inevitably compelled to assume a paramount character.


In all this Miss Keeldar partly yielded to her disposition; but a remark she made a year afterwards proved that she partly also acted on system.

In all this Miss Keeldar partly yielded to her disposition; but a remark she made a year afterwards showed another motive.


"Louis," she said, "would never have learned to rule if she had not ceased to govern."


The incapacity of the sovereign had developed the powers of the premier."


It had been intended that Miss Helstone should act as bridesmaid at the approaching nuptials, but Fortune had destined her another part.

It had been intended that Miss Helstone should be bridesmaid, but Fortune had destined her another part.


She came home in time to water her plants.


The last flower attended to was a rose-tree, which bloomed in a quiet green nook at the back of the house.


This plant had received the refreshing shower; she was now resting a minute.


Near the wall stood a fragment of sculptured stone--a monkish relic--once, perhaps, the base of a cross.


She mounted it, that she might better command the view.


She had still the watering pot in one hand; with the other her pretty dress was held lightly aside, to avoid trickling drops.

She gazed over the wall, the watering pot still in one hand, surveying the


She gazed over the wall, along some lonely fields; beyond three dusk trees, rising side by side against the sky; beyond a solitary thorn at the head of a solitary lane far off.


She surveyed the dusk moors, where bonfires were kindling.

dusky moors, where bonfires were kindling.


The summer evening was warm; the bell-music was joyous; the blue smoke of the fires looked soft, their red flame bright.


Above them, in the sky whence the sun had vanished, twinkled a silver point--the star of love.

Above them, in the sky, twinkled a silver point - Venus.


Caroline was not unhappy that evening--far otherwise; but as she gazed she sighed, and as she sighed a hand circled her, and rested quietly on her waist.

Caroline was not unhappy that evening; but as she gazed she sighed, and as she sighed a hand circled her, and rested quietly on her waist.


Caroline thought she knew who had drawn near; she received the touch unstartled.

Caroline thought she knew who had drawn near, and was not startled.


How white her lustre is, compared with the deep red of the bonfires!"


The answer was a closer caress; and Caroline turned, and looked, not into Mrs. Pryor's matron face, but up at a dark manly visage.


She dropped her watering-pot and stepped down from the pedestal.


"I have been sitting with 'mamma' an hour," said the intruder.

"I have been sitting talking with 'mamma' an hour," said the intruder.


"I have had a long conversation with her.


She will neither say Yes nor No to any question put.

She will neither say Yes nor No to any question.


I cannot tell whether she is melancholy or nonchalant.


If you rouse her or scold her, she gives you a look, half wistful, half reckless, which sends you away as queer and crazed as herself.


What Louis will make of her, I cannot tell.


For my part, if I were a gentleman, I think I would not dare undertake her."


Louis, strange to say, likes her all the better for these freaks.


He has had a stormy courtship for such a calm character; but you see it all ends in victory for him.

He has had a stormy courtship for such a calm character; but it ends in victory for him.


Caroline, I have sought you to ask an audience.


"For the repeal of your terrible law--the Orders you hate so much.

"For the repeal of your terrible law - the Orders you hate so much.


"Yesterday evening at this time I was packing some books for a sea-voyage.


They were the only possessions, except some clothes, seeds, roots, and tools, which I felt free to take with me to Canada.

; along with clothes, seeds and tools, to take with me to Canada.


Her little fingers fastened on his arm; she spoke and looked affrighted.

Her fingers fastened on his arm; she looked frightened.


Is the despair of parting legible thereon?"


She looked into an illuminated countenance, whose characters were all beaming, though the page itself was dusk.


This face, potent in the majesty of its traits, shed down on her hope, fondness, delight.

down on her with hope, fondness and delight.


"Will the repeal do you good--_much_ good, _immediate_ good?"


"The repeal of the Orders in Council saves me.


Now I shall not turn bankrupt; now I shall not give up business; now I shall not leave England; now I shall be no longer poor; now I can pay my debts; now all the cloth I have in my warehouses will be taken off my hands, and commissions given me for much more.

Now I shall not turn bankrupt; I shall not give up business; I shall not leave England. Now I shall be no longer poor; I can pay my debts; all the cloth I have in my warehouses will be taken off my hands.


This day lays for my fortunes a broad, firm foundation, on which, for the first time in my life, I can securely build."


Caroline devoured his words; she held his hand in hers; she drew a long breath.

Caroline held his hand, and drew a long breath.


"Now I can take more workmen, give better wages, lay wiser and more liberal plans, do some good, be less selfish.

Now I can take more workmen, give better wages, lay wiser plans, do some good, be less selfish.


_Now_, Caroline, I can have a house--a home which I can truly call mine--and _now_----"

Now, Caroline, I can have a house - a home - and now-"


He paused, for his deep voice was checked.


"And _now_," he resumed--"now I can think of marriage, _now_ I can seek a wife."

"And now I can think of marriage; now I can seek a wife."


"Will Caroline, who meekly hopes to be forgiven as she forgives--will she pardon all I have made her suffer, all that long pain I have wickedly caused her, all that sickness of body and mind she owed to me?

"Will Caroline pardon all I have made her suffer, all that long pain I have wickedly caused her, all that sickness she owed to me?


Will she forget what she knows of my poor ambition, my sordid schemes?


Will she suffer me to prove that, as I once deserted cruelly, trifled wantonly, injured basely, I can now love faithfully, cherish fondly, treasure tenderly?"

Will she let me prove that, as I once deserted cruelly, trifled wantonly, I can now love faithfully, cherish tenderly?"


His hand was in Caroline's still; a gentle pressure answered him.


The sense of her value is here, in my heart; the necessity for her society is blended with my life.


Not more jealous shall I be of the blood whose flow moves my pulses than of her happiness and well-being."


"I love you, too, Robert, and will take faithful care of you."

I love you too, Robert, and will take faithful care of you."


As if that rose should promise to shelter from tempest this hard gray stone!

As if that rose should promise to shelter from tempest this hard grey stone!


These hands will be the gentle ministrants of every comfort I can taste.

These hands will gently offer every comfort I can taste.


I know the being I seek to entwine with my own will bring me a solace, a charity, a purity, to which, of myself, I am a stranger."

I know she will bring me a solace, a charity, a purity, to which, of myself, I am a stranger."


Suddenly Caroline was troubled; her lip quivered.


asked Moore, as she nestled to and then uneasily shrank from him.


"Do you know, I thought of that difficulty.


"Tell me what you wish, what you would like, and I will consider if it is possible to consent.


I cannot break her heart, even for your sake."


"She was faithful when I was false--was she not?

"She was faithful when I was false - was she not?


I never came near your sick-bed, and she watched it ceaselessly."


"With us--only she will have her own rooms and servant.

"With us - only she will have her own rooms and servant.


"You know she has an income, that, with her habits, makes her quite independent?"

"You know she has an income, that makes her quite independent?"


"She told me that, with a gentle pride that reminded me of somebody else."


"She is not at all interfering, and incapable of gossip."


But if, instead of being the personification of reserve and discretion, she were something quite opposite, I should not fear her."


"Louis and I are not of the order of men who fear their mothers-in-law, Cary.

But in any case, Louis and I are not the type of men who fear their mothers-in-law.


Our foes never have been, nor will be, those of our own household.


I doubt not my mother-in-law will make much of me."


"That she will--in her quiet way, you know.

"That she will - in her quiet way, you know.


She is not demonstrative; and when you see her silent, or even cool, you must not fancy her displeased; it is only a manner she has.

She is not demonstrative; and when you see her silent, or even cool, you must not fancy her displeased; it is only her manner."


Be sure to let me interpret for her whenever she puzzles you; always believe my account of the matter, Robert."


Jesting apart, I feel that she and I will suit--_on ne peut mieux_.


Hortense, you know, is exquisitely susceptible--in our French sense of the word--and not, perhaps, always reasonable in her requirements; yet, dear, honest girl, I never painfully wounded her feelings or had a serious quarrel with her in my life."

Hortense, you know, is exquisitely sensitive, and not, perhaps, always reasonable; yet, dear, honest girl, I never had a serious quarrel with her in my life."


"No; you are most generously considerate, indeed, most tenderly indulgent to her; and you will be considerate with mamma.

"No; you are most tenderly indulgent to her; and you will be considerate with mamma.


You are a gentleman all through, Robert, to the bone, and nowhere so perfect a gentleman as at your own fireside."

You are a gentleman all through, Robert, and nowhere so perfect a gentleman as at your own fireside.


I am well pleased my Caroline should view me in this light."


"She does not want to marry you--don't be vain; but she said to me the other day, 'My dear, Mr. Moore has pleasing manners; he is one of the few gentlemen I have seen who combine politeness with an air of sincerity.'"

"She does not want to marry you - don't be vain; but she said to me the other day, 'My dear, Mr. Moore has pleasing manners; he is one of the few gentlemen I have seen who combine politeness with sincerity.'"


"'Mamma' is rather a misanthropist, is she not?


Not the best opinion of the sterner sex?"


"She forbears to judge them as a whole, but she has her exceptions whom she admires--Louis and Mr. Hall, and, of late, yourself.

"There are exceptions whom she admires - Louis and Mr. Hall, and, lately, yourself.


She did not like you once; I knew that, because she would never speak of you.


If I prove that I can keep a wife, I may have her; and I _can_ keep her better than he thinks--better than I choose to boast."

if I can prove that I can keep a wife; and I can keep her better than he thinks."


"If you get rich you will do good with your money, Robert?"

"If you get rich will you do good with your money, Robert?"


"I _will_ do good; you shall tell me how.


Indeed, I have some schemes of my own, which you and I will talk about on our own hearth one day.


I have seen the necessity of doing good; I have learned the downright folly of being selfish.

I have learned the folly of being selfish.


Caroline, I foresee what I will now foretell.


This war _must_ ere long draw to a close.


Trade is likely to prosper for some years to come.


There may be a brief misunderstanding between England and America, but that will not last.


What would you think if, one day--perhaps ere another ten years elapse--Louis and I divide Briarfield parish betwixt us?

What would you think if, one day - perhaps ten years hence - Louis and I divide Briarfield parish between us?


Louis, at any rate, is certain of power and property.


He is a benevolent fellow, and has, besides, an intellect of his own of no trifling calibre.


It may work deliberately, but it will work well.


He will be made magistrate of the district--Shirley says he shall.

He will be made magistrate of the district.


She would proceed impetuously and prematurely to obtain for him this dignity, if he would let her, but he will not.

Shirley would obtain this dignity for him prematurely, if he would let her, but he will not.


Ere he has been master of Fieldhead a year all the district will feel his quiet influence, and acknowledge his unassuming superiority.

However, once he has been master of Fieldhead a year, the district will feel his quiet influence, acknowledge his superiority, and


A magistrate is wanted; they will, in time, invest him with the office voluntarily and unreluctantly.


Everybody admires his future wife, and everybody will, in time, like him.


He is of the _pte_ generally approved, _bon comme le pain_--daily bread for the most fastidious, good for the infant and the aged, nourishing for the poor, wholesome for the rich.


Shirley, in spite of her whims and oddities, her dodges and delays, has an infatuated fondness for him.


She will one day see him as universally beloved as even _she_ could wish.


He will also be universally esteemed, considered, consulted, depended on--too much so.

He will be esteemed, consulted and depended on.


His advice will be always judicious, his help always good-natured.


Ere long both will be in inconvenient request.


As for me, if I succeed as I intend to do, my success will add to his and Shirley's income.


I can double the value of their mill property.


I can line yonder barren Hollow with lines of cottages and rows of cottage-gardens----"

I can line yonder barren Hollow with lines of cottages and rows of cottage-gardens-"


"The copse shall be firewood ere five years elapse.

"The copse shall be firewood within five years.


The beautiful wild ravine shall be a smooth descent; the green natural terrace shall be a paved street.


There shall be cottages in the dark ravine, and cottages on the lonely slopes.

There shall be cottages in the dark ravine, and on the lonely slopes.


The rough pebbled track shall be an even, firm, broad, black, sooty road, bedded with the cinders from my mill; and my mill, Caroline--my mill shall fill its present yard."

The rough pebbled track shall be a firm, broad road, bedded with the cinders from my mill; and my mill, Caroline, shall fill its present yard."


You will change our blue hill-country air into the Stilbro' smoke atmosphere."

You will change our blue hill-country air into Stilbro' smoke."


"I will pour the waters of Pactolus through the valley of Briarfield."


"I like the beck a thousand times better."


"I will get an Act for enclosing Nunnely Common, and parcelling it out into farms."


"Stilbro' Moor, however, defies you, thank Heaven!


"Caroline, the houseless, the starving, the unemployed shall come to Hollow's Mill from far and near; and Joe Scott shall give them work, and Louis Moore, Esq., shall let them a tenement, and Mrs. Gill shall mete them a portion till the first pay-day."

"Caroline, the houseless, the starving, the unemployed shall come to Hollow's Mill from far and near; and Joe Scott shall give them work, and Louis Moore, Esq., shall let them a house, and Mrs. Gill shall feed them till the first pay-day."


"Such a Sunday school as you will have, Cary!


such a day school as you and Shirley and Miss Ainley will have to manage between you!


The mill shall find salaries for a master and mistress, and the squire or the clothier shall give a treat once a quarter."

The mill shall find salaries for a master and mistress, and the squire shall give a treat once a quarter."


She mutely offered a kiss--an offer taken unfair advantage of, to the extortion of about a hundred kisses.

She mutely offered a kiss - an offer taken unfair advantage of.


"Extravagant day-dreams," said Moore, with a sigh and smile, "yet perhaps we may realize some of them.


The bells clash out again, not only through Yorkshire, but through England.


From Spain the voice of a trumpet has sounded long; it now waxes louder and louder; it proclaims Salamanca won.

From Spain the voice of a trumpet has sounded long; it proclaims Salamanca is won.


This night is Briarfield to be illuminated.


On this day the Fieldhead tenantry dine together; the Hollow's Mill workpeople will be assembled for a like festal purpose; the schools have a grand treat.

On this day the Fieldhead tenantry dine together; the Hollow's Mill workpeople will be assembled; the schools have a grand treat.


This morning there were two marriages solemnized in Briarfield church--Louis Grard Moore, Esq., late of Antwerp, to Shirley, daughter of the late Charles Cave Keeldar, Esq., of Fieldhead; Robert Grard Moore, Esq., of Hollow's Mill, to Caroline, niece of the Rev. Matthewson Helstone, M.A., rector of Briarfield.

This morning there were two marriages solemnized in Briarfield church - Louis Grard Moore, Esq., to Shirley, daughter of the late Charles Keeldar, Esq., of Fieldhead; and Robert Grard Moore, Esq., to Caroline, niece of the Rev. Helstone, rector of Briarfield.


The ceremony, in the first instance, was performed by Mr. Helstone, Hiram Yorke, Esq., of Briarmains, giving the bride away.

The first ceremony was performed by Mr. Helstone, with Mr. Yorke giving the bride away.


In the second instance, Mr. Hall, vicar of Nunnely, officiated.

In the second ceremony, Mr. Hall officiated.


Amongst the bridal train the two most noticeable personages were the youthful bridesmen, Henry Sympson and Martin Yorke.

Amongst the bridal train were two youthful bridesmen, Henry Sympson and Martin Yorke.


I suppose Robert Moore's prophecies were, partially at least, fulfilled.


The other day I passed up the Hollow, which tradition says was once green, and lone, and wild; and there I saw the manufacturer's day-dreams embodied in substantial stone and brick and ashes--the cinder-black highway, the cottages, and the cottage gardens; there I saw a mighty mill, and a chimney ambitious as the tower of Babel.

The other day I passed up the Hollow, which tradition says was once green, and lone, and wild; and there I saw the manufacturer's day-dreams embodied in substantial stone and brick - the cinder highway, the cottages, and the cottage gardens; there I saw a mighty mill, and a chimney ambitious as the tower of Babel.


I told my old housekeeper when I came home where I had been.

When I came home I told my old housekeeper where I had been.


"Ay," said she, "this world has queer changes.


I can remember the old mill being built--the very first it was in all the district; and then I can remember it being pulled down, and going with my lake-lasses [companions] to see the foundation-stone of the new one laid.

"Ay," said she, "I can remember the old mill being built - the very first in all the district; and I can remember it being pulled down, and going to see the foundation-stone of the new one laid.


The two Mr. Moores made a great stir about it.


They were there, and a deal of fine folk besides, and both their ladies; very bonny and grand they looked.

They were there, and both their ladies; very bonny and grand they looked.


But Mrs. Louis was the grandest; she always wore such handsome dresses.


She had a real, happy, glad, good-natured look; but she had een that pierced a body through.

She had a real, happy, glad, good-natured look; but she had eyes that pierced a body through."


"What was the Hollow like then, Martha?"


"Different to what it is now; but I can tell of it clean different again, when there was neither mill, nor cot, nor hall, except Fieldhead, within two miles of it.

"Different to now; but I could tell of when there was neither mill, nor cottage, nor hall, except Fieldhead, within two miles of it.


I can tell, one summer evening, fifty years syne, my mother coming running in just at the edge of dark, almost fleyed out of her wits, saying she had seen a fairish [fairy] in Fieldhead Hollow; and that was the last fairish that ever was seen on this countryside (though they've been heard within these forty years).

I can tell, one summer evening, fifty years since, of my mother coming running in just at the edge of dark, almost fleyed out of her wits, saying she had seen a fairy in Fieldhead Hollow; and that was the last fairy that ever was seen in this area.


A lonesome spot it was, and a bonny spot, full of oak trees and nut trees.

A lonesome spot it was, and a bonny spot, full of oaks and nut trees.


I think I now see the judicious reader putting on his spectacles to look for the moral.


It would be an insult to his sagacity to offer directions.

It would be an insult to his wisdom to offer directions.


Not on combat bent, nor of foemen in search, was this priest-led and woman-officered company; yet their music played martial tunes, and, to judge by the eyes and carriage of some--Miss Keeldar, for instance--these sounds awoke, if not a martial, yet a longing spirit.

The bands played martial tunes, and in some - Miss Keeldar, for instance - these sounds awoke, if not a martial, yet a longing spirit.


Old Helstone, turning by chance, looked into her face; and he laughed, and she laughed at him.

Old Helstone, turning, looked at her; and they both laughed.


"There is no battle in prospect," he said; "our country does not want us to fight for it.


No foe or tyrant is questioning or threatening our liberty.


Keep your hand on the reins, captain, and slack the fire of that spirit."


"Take your own advice, doctor," was Shirley's response.


To Caroline she murmured, "I'll borrow of imagination what reality will not give me.


We are not soldiers--bloodshed is not my desire--or if we are, we are soldiers of the Cross.

We are not soldiers - or if we are, we are soldiers of the Cross


Time has rolled back some hundreds of years, and we are bound on a pilgrimage to Palestine.


We are Lowlanders of Scotland, following a Covenanting captain up into the hills to hold a meeting out of the reach of persecuting troopers.

We are Lowlanders of Scotland, following a Covenanting captain up into the hills to pray.


We know that battle may follow prayer; and as we believe that in the worst issue of battle heaven must be our reward, we are ready and willing to redden the peat-moss with our blood.

We know that battle may follow; and we are ready and willing to redden the peat-moss with our blood.


That music stirs my soul; it wakens all my life; it makes my heart beat--not with its temperate daily pulse, but with a new, thrilling vigour.

That music stirs my soul; it makes my heart beat with a new, thrilling vigour.


I almost long for danger--for a faith, a land, or at least a lover to defend."

I almost long for danger - for a faith, a land, or at least a lover to defend."


"What is that red speck above Stilbro' Brow?


"I see," she said; then added presently, "there is a line of red.


They are soldiers--cavalry soldiers," she subjoined quickly.

"They are soldiers - cavalry soldiers," she said.


They saw our procession, and avoid it by making a circuit.


"Perhaps they are only exercising their horses."


"We shall pass through Royd Lane, to reach Nunnely Common by a short cut," said he.

"We shall pass through Royd Lane, to reach Nunnely Common by a short cut."


And into the straits of Royd Lane they accordingly defiled.

And into Royd Lane they accordingly filed.


It was very narrow--so narrow that only two could walk abreast without falling into the ditch which ran along each side.

It was so narrow that only two could walk abreast.


They had gained the middle of it, when excitement became obvious in the clerical commanders.

They had reached the middle of it, when excitement became obvious in the clerical commanders.


Boultby's spectacles and Helstone's Rehoboam were agitated; the curates nudged each other; Mr. Hall turned to the ladies and smiled.

The curates nudged each other; Mr. Hall turned to the ladies and smiled.


He pointed with his staff to the end of the lane before them.

He pointed to the end of the lane before them.


another, an opposition, procession was there entering, headed also by men in black, and followed also, as they could now hear, by music.

Another procession was entering there, headed also by men in black, and followed also, as they could now hear, by music.


"If you wanted a battle, you are likely to get one--at least of looks," whispered Caroline, laughing.

"If you wanted a battle, you are likely to get one - at least of looks," whispered Caroline, laughing.


cried the curates unanimously; "we'll not give way!"

cried the curates; "we'll not give way!"


retorted Helstone sternly, turning round; "who talks of giving way?

retorted Helstone sternly; "who talks of giving way?


There is not a churchwoman here but will stand her ground against these folks, for the honour of the Establishment.--What does Miss Keeldar say?"

Every churchwoman here will stand her ground against these folks, for the honour of the Establishment."


"The Dissenting and Methodist schools, the Baptists, Independents, and Wesleyans, joined in unholy alliance, and turning purposely into this lane with the intention of obstructing our march and driving us back."


"A lesson in politeness," suggested Mr. Hall, who was ever for peace; "not an example of rudeness."

"A lesson in politeness," suggested Mr. Hall; "not an example of rudeness."


Quickening his step, he marched some yards in advance of his company.

marched on ahead of his company, quickening his step.


He had nearly reached the other sable leaders, when he who appeared to act as the hostile commander-in-chief--a large, greasy man, with black hair combed flat on his forehead--called a halt.

He had nearly reached the other group, when its leader - a large, greasy man, with black hair combed flat - called a halt.


He drew forth a hymn book, gave out a verse, set a tune, and they all struck up the most dolorous of canticles.

He drew forth a hymn book, gave out a verse, and his group struck up the most dolorous of songs.


They clashed out with all the power of brass.


He desired them to play "Rule, Britannia!"


and ordered the children to join in vocally, which they did with enthusiastic spirit.

and ordered the children to join in, which they did enthusiastically.


The enemy was sung and stormed down, his psalm quelled.


As far as noise went, the enemy was conquered.


exclaimed Helstone; "not at a run, but at a firm, smart pace.

exclaimed Helstone; "not running, but at a firm, smart pace.


Be steady, every child and woman of you.


Hold on by each other's skirts, if necessary."


And he strode on with such a determined and deliberate gait, and was, besides, so well seconded by his scholars and teachers, who did exactly as he told them, neither running nor faltering, but marching with cool, solid impetus--the curates, too, being compelled to do the same, as they were between two fires, Helstone and Miss Keeldar, both of whom watched any deviation with lynx-eyed vigilance, and were ready, the one with his cane, the other with her parasol, to rebuke the slightest breach of orders, the least independent or irregular demonstration--that the body of Dissenters were first amazed, then alarmed, then borne down and pressed back, and at last forced to turn tail and leave the outlet from Royd Lane free.

And he strode on with such a determined gait, and was so well obeyed by his scholars and teachers, who marched with cool, solid impetus - even the curates - that the Dissenters were pressed back, and were at last forced to turn tail and leave the exit from Royd Lane free.


Boultby suffered in the onslaught, but Helstone and Malone, between them, held him up, and brought him through the business, whole in limb, though sorely tried in wind.

Boultby suffered in the onslaught, but Helstone and Malone held him up, and brought him through the business, whole in limb, though breathless.


The fat Dissenter who had given out the hymn was left sitting in the ditch.


He was a spirit merchant by trade, a leader of the Nonconformists, and, it was said, drank more water in that one afternoon than he had swallowed for a twelvemonth before.

He was a spirit merchant by trade, and, it was said, drank more water in that one afternoon than he had swallowed for a twelvemonth before.


Mr. Hall had taken care of Caroline, and Caroline of him.


He and Miss Ainley made their own quiet comments to each other afterwards on the incident.


Miss Keeldar and Mr. Helstone shook hands heartily when they had fairly got the whole party through the lane.

Miss Keeldar and Mr. Helstone shook hands heartily when they had got the whole party through the lane.


The curates began to exult, but Mr. Helstone presently put the curb on their innocent spirits.


He remarked that they never had sense to know what to say, and had better hold their tongues; and he reminded them that the business was none of their managing.

curbed them, saying that they had better hold their tongues; and that the business was none of their managing.


About half-past three the procession turned back, and at four once more regained the starting-place.


Long lines of benches were arranged in the close-shorn fields round the school.

Long lines of benches were arranged in the fields round the school.


There the children were seated, and huge baskets, covered up with white cloths, and great smoking tin vessels were brought out.

There the children were seated, and huge baskets of food were brought out.


Ere the distribution of good things commenced, a brief grace was pronounced by Mr. Hall and sung by the children.

A brief grace was pronounced by Mr. Hall.


Their young voices sounded melodious, even touching, in the open air.


Large currant buns and hot, well-sweetened tea were then administered in the proper spirit of liberality.

Large currant buns and hot, sweet tea were then handed out liber


No stinting was permitted on this day, at least; the rule for each child's allowance being that it was to have about twice as much as it could possibly eat, thus leaving a reserve to be carried home for such as age, sickness, or other impediment prevented from coming to the feast.

ally; each child being allowed to have about twice as much as it could possibly eat, thus leaving some to be carried home.


Buns and beer circulated, meantime, amongst the musicians and church-singers; afterwards the benches were removed, and they were left to unbend their spirits in licensed play.

Afterwards the benches were removed, and they were left to play.


A bell summoned the teachers, patrons, and patronesses to the schoolroom.

A bell summoned the teachers and patrons to the schoolroom.


Miss Keeldar, Miss Helstone, and many other ladies were already there, glancing over the arrangement of their separate trays and tables.

Miss Keeldar, Miss Helstone, and other ladies were already there, checking the arrangement of the tables.


Most of the female servants of the neighbourhood, together with the clerks', the singers', and the musicians' wives, had been pressed into the service of the day as waiters.


Each vied with the other in smartness and daintiness of dress, and many handsome forms were seen amongst the younger ones.


About half a score were cutting bread and butter, another half-score supplying hot water, brought from the coppers of the rector's kitchen.

busy cutting bread and butter and bringing hot water from the rector's kitchen.


The profusion of flowers and evergreens decorating the white walls, the show of silver teapots and bright porcelain on the tables, the active figures, blithe faces, gay dresses flitting about everywhere, formed altogether a refreshing and lively spectacle.

The profusion of flowers decorating the white walls, the show of silver teapots and bright porcelain on the tables, the blithe faces and gay dresses, formed altogether a refreshing and lively spectacle.


Everybody talked, not very loudly, but merrily, and the canary birds sang shrill in their high-hung cages.

Everybody talked merrily, and the canary birds sang shrill in their high-hung cages.


Caroline, as the rector's niece, took her place at one of the three first tables; Mrs. Boultby and Margaret Hall officiated at the others.


At these tables the _lite_ of the company were to be entertained, strict rules of equality not being more in fashion at Briarfield than elsewhere.

Here the lite of the company were to be entertained.


Miss Helstone removed her bonnet and scarf, that she might be less oppressed with the heat.


Her long curls, falling on her neck, served almost in place of a veil; and for the rest, her muslin dress was fashioned modestly as a nun's robe, enabling her thus to dispense with the encumbrance of a shawl.

; her long curls fell on her neck, almost like a veil; and her muslin dress was as modest as a nun's robe.


Mr. Hall had taken his post beside Caroline, who now, as she rearranged the cups and spoons before her, whispered to him in a low voice remarks on the events of the day.


He looked a little grave about what had taken place in Royd Lane, and she tried to smile him out of his seriousness.


Miss Keeldar sat near--for a wonder, neither laughing nor talking; on the contrary, very still, and gazing round her vigilantly.

Miss Keeldar sat very still, gazing round her vigilantly.


She seemed afraid lest some intruder should take a seat she apparently wished to reserve next her own.

She seemed afraid lest some intruder should take a seat she apparently wished to reserve next to her own


Ever and anon she spread her satin dress over an undue portion of the bench, or laid her gloves or her embroidered handkerchief upon it.

, for she spread her satin dress over a portion of the bench, or laid her gloves or handkerchief upon it.


Caroline noticed this _mange_ at last, and asked her what friend she expected.

When Caroline asked her who she expected, Shirley whispered softly:


Shirley bent towards her, almost touched her ear with her rosy lips, and whispered with a musical softness that often characterized her tones when what she said tended even remotely to stir some sweet secret source of feeling in her heart, "I expect Mr. Moore.


I saw him last night, and I made him promise to come with his sister, and to sit at our table.


He won't fail me, I feel certain; but I apprehend his coming too late, and being separated from us.

He won't fail me, I feel certain; but I fear he will come too late, and be separated from us.


Here is a fresh batch arriving; every place will be taken.


In fact, Mr. Wynne the magistrate, his wife, his son, and his two daughters now entered in high state.

Mr. Wynne the magistrate and his family now entered in high state.


Of course their place was at the first table, and being conducted thither, they filled up the whole remaining space.

Of course their place was at the first table; the


For Miss Keeldar's comfort, Mr. Sam Wynne inducted himself into the very vacancy she had kept for Moore, planting himself solidly on her gown, her gloves, and her handkerchief.

magistrate's son, Mr. Sam Wynne, sat in the very vacancy Shirley had kept for Moore, planting himself solidly on her gown, gloves, and handkerchief.


Mr. Sam was one of the objects of her aversion, and the more so because he showed serious symptoms of an aim at her hand.

She was averse to Mr. Sam, especially because he showed serious symptoms of aiming at her hand.


The old gentleman, too, had publicly declared that the Fieldhead estate and the De Walden estate were delightfully _contagious_--a malapropism which rumour had not failed to repeat to Shirley.

His father, too, had publicly declared that the Fieldhead estate and the Wynne estate were delightfully contagious - a malapropism which rumour had not failed to repeat to Shirley.


Caroline's ears yet rung with that thrilling whisper, "I expect Mr. Moore," her heart yet beat and her cheek yet glowed with it, when a note from the organ pealed above the confused hum of the place.

Caroline's ears still rung with that thrilling whisper, "I expect Mr. Moore," her heart yet beat with it, when a note from the organ pealed out.


Dr. Boultby, Mr. Helstone, and Mr. Hall rose, so did all present, and grace was sung to the accompaniment of the music; and then tea began.

The clergymen rose, so did everyone else, and grace was sung; then tea began.


She was kept too busy with her office for a while to have leisure for looking round, but the last cup being filled, she threw a restless glance over the room.

She was kept too busy to have leisure for looking round, but when the last cup was filled, she glanced over the room.


There were some ladies and several gentlemen standing about yet unaccommodated with seats.

There were some ladies and gentlemen standing about.


Amidst a group she recognized her spinster friend, Miss Mann, whom the fine weather had tempted, or some urgent friend had persuaded, to leave her drear solitude for one hour of social enjoyment.

She recognized her spinster friend, Miss Mann,


Miss Mann looked tired of standing; a lady in a yellow bonnet brought her a chair.

who looked tired; a lady in a yellow bonnet brought her a chair.


Caroline knew well that _chapeau en satin jaune_; she knew the black hair, and the kindly though rather opinionated and froward-looking face under it; she knew that _robe de soie noire_, she knew even that _schall gris de lin_; she knew, in short, Hortense Moore, and she wanted to jump up and run to her and kiss her--to give her one embrace for her own sake and two for her brother's.

Caroline knew well that yellow hat; she knew the black hair, and the kindly though rather opinionated face under it; she knew, in short, Hortense Moore, and she wanted to jump up and run to her and kiss her, for her own sake and her brother's.


She half rose, indeed, with a smothered exclamation, and perhaps--for the impulse was very strong--she would have run across the room and actually saluted her; but a hand replaced her in her seat, and a voice behind her whispered, "Wait till after tea, Lina, and then I'll bring her to you."

She half rose, indeed, with a smothered exclamation; but a hand replaced her in her seat, and a voice behind her murmured, "Wait till after tea, Lina, and then I'll bring her to you."


And when she _could_ look up she did, and there was Robert himself close behind, smiling at her eagerness, looking better than she had ever seen him look--looking, indeed, to her partial eyes, so very handsome that she dared not trust herself to hazard a second glance; for his image struck on her vision with painful brightness, and pictured itself on her memory as vividly as if there daguerreotyped by a pencil of keen lightning.

There was Robert himself close behind, smiling at her eagerness, looking better than she had ever seen him look - looking, indeed, to her partial eyes, so very handsome that she dared not take a second glance; for his image struck on her vision with painful brightness.


Shirley, irritated by some unwelcome attentions from Sam Wynne, and by the fact of that gentleman being still seated on her gloves and handkerchief--and probably, also, by Moore's want of punctuality--was by no means in good humour.

Shirley, irritated by Sam Wynne's attentions, and by the fact of that gentleman being still seated on her gloves and handkerchief - and probably, also, by Moore's lateness - was by no means in good humour.


She first shrugged her shoulders at him, and then she said a bitter word or two about his "insupportable tardiness."

She shrugged her shoulders, and said a bitter word or two about his "insupportable tardiness."


He stood near her quietly, as if waiting to see whether she would recover her temper; which she did in little more than three minutes, indicating the change by offering him her hand.

He stood near her quietly, as if waiting to see whether she would recover her temper; which she did in three minutes, and offered him her hand.


Moore took it with a smile, half-corrective, half-grateful.


The slightest possible shake of the head delicately marked the former quality; it is probable a gentle pressure indicated the latter.


"You may sit where you can now, Mr. Moore," said Shirley, also smiling.

"You may sit where you can, Mr. Moore," said Shirley, also smiling.


"You see there is not an inch of room for you here; but I discern plenty of space at Mrs. Boultby's table, between Miss Armitage and Miss Birtwhistle.

"There is not an inch of room for you here; but I see plenty of space at Mrs. Boultby's table, between Miss Armitage and Miss Birtwhistle.


John Sykes will be your _vis--vis_, and you will sit with your back towards us."


Moore, however, preferred lingering about where he was.

Moore, however, preferred lingering where he was.


He now and then took a turn down the long room, pausing in his walk to interchange greetings with other gentlemen in his own placeless predicament; but still he came back to the magnet, Shirley, bringing with him, each time he returned, observations it was necessary to whisper in her ear.

He now and then took a turn down the long room, pausing to exchange greetings with other gentlemen; but he came back to the magnet, Shirley, bringing with him observations it was necessary to whisper in her ear.


Meantime poor Sam Wynne looked far from comfortable.


His fair neighbour, judging from her movements, appeared in a mood the most unquiet and unaccommodating.


She was hot; she fanned herself; complained of want of air and space.

She was hot; she fanned herself; she complained of lack of air and space.


She remarked that, in her opinion, when people had finished their tea they ought to leave the tables, and announced distinctly that she expected to faint if the present state of things continued.

She remarked that, in her opinion, when people had finished their tea they ought to leave the tables, and announced distinctly that she expected to faint.


Mr. Sam offered to accompany her into the open air; just the way to give her her death of cold, she alleged.


In short, his post became untenable; and having swallowed his quantum of tea, he judged it expedient to evacuate.

In short, his place became untenable, and he judged it best to quit.


Moore should have been at hand, whereas he was quite at the other extremity of the room, deep in conference with Christopher Sykes.


A large corn-factor, Timothy Ramsden, Esq., happened to be nearer; and feeling himself tired of standing, he advanced to fill the vacant seat.

A large corn-factor, Timothy Ramsden, Esq., was nearer, and advanced to fill the vacant seat.


A sweep of her scarf upset her teacup: its contents were shared between the bench and her own satin dress.

A sweep of her scarf upset her teacup over the bench and her own satin dress.


Of course, it became necessary to call a waiter to remedy the mischief.


Mr. Ramsden, a stout, puffy gentleman, as large in person as he was in property, held aloof from the consequent commotion.


Shirley, usually almost culpably indifferent to slight accidents affecting dress, etc., now made a commotion that might have become the most delicate and nervous of her sex.

Shirley, usually indifferent to accidents affecting dress, made a commotion befitting the most delicate and nervous of her sex.


Mr. Ramsden opened his mouth, withdrew slowly, and, as Miss Keeldar again intimated her intention to "give way" and swoon on the spot, he turned on his heel, and beat a heavy retreat.

Mr. Ramsden, a large, puffy gentleman, opened his mouth, and withdrew, beating a heavy retreat.


Calmly surveying the bustle, and somewhat quizzically scanning Shirley's enigmatical-looking countenance, he remarked that in truth this was the hottest end of the room, that he found a climate there calculated to agree with none but cool temperaments like his own; and putting the waiters, the napkins, the satin robe--the whole turmoil, in short--to one side, he installed himself where destiny evidently decreed he should sit.

Calmly surveying the bustle, and somewhat quizzically scanning Shirley's enigmatic face, he remarked that in truth this was the hottest end of the room, which would agree with none but cool temperaments like his own; and putting aside the waiters, the napkins, and the satin robe, he sat next to Shirley.


Shirley subsided; her features altered their lines; the raised knit brow and inexplicable curve of the mouth became straight again; wilfulness and roguery gave place to other expressions; and all the angular movements with which she had vexed the soul of Sam Wynne were conjured to rest as by a charm.

She subsided. The wilfulness and roguery left her face;