He professed to doubt whether, since that infliction, his flesh had been quite what it was before--whether there was not something stony in its texture.


The gaze had had such an effect on him as to drive him promptly from the apartment and house; it had even sent him straightway up to the rectory, where he had appeared in Caroline's presence with a very queer face, and amazed her by demanding a cousinly salute on the spot, to rectify a damage that had been done him.


Certainly Miss Mann had a formidable eye for one of the softer sex.

Certainly Miss Mann had a formidable eye.


It was prominent, and showed a great deal of the white, and looked as steadily, as unwinkingly, at you as if it were a steel ball soldered in her head; and when, while looking, she began to talk in an indescribably dry, monotonous tone--a tone without vibration or inflection--you felt as if a graven image of some bad spirit were addressing you.

It was prominent, and showed a great deal of the white, and looked as unwinkingly at you as if it were a steel ball soldered in her head; and when she began to talk in her dry, monotonous tone, you felt as if a graven image of some bad spirit were addressing you.


But it was all a figment of fancy, a matter of surface.


Miss Mann's goblin grimness scarcely went deeper than the angel sweetness of hundreds of beauties.


She was a perfectly honest, conscientious woman, who had performed duties in her day from whose severe anguish many a human Peri, gazelle-eyed, silken-tressed, and silver-tongued, would have shrunk appalled.

She was a perfectly honest, conscientious woman, who had performed duties in her day from whose severe anguish many a gazelle-eyed enchantress would have shrunk appalled.


She had passed alone through protracted scenes of suffering, exercised rigid self-denial, made large sacrifices of time, money, health for those who had repaid her only by ingratitude, and now her main--almost her sole--fault was that she was censorious.

She had passed alone through long scenes of suffering, exercised rigid self-denial, sacrificed her time, money and health for those who had repaid her by ingratitude; and now her main - almost her sole - fault was that she was censorious.


Caroline had not sat five minutes ere her hostess, still keeping her under the spell of that dread and Gorgon gaze, began flaying alive certain of the families in the neighbourhood.

Caroline had not sat five minutes before her hostess, still keeping her under the spell of that Gorgon gaze, began flaying alive certain families in the neighbourhood.


She went to work at this business in a singularly cool, deliberate manner, like some surgeon practising with his scalpel on a lifeless subject.

She went about this in a cool, deliberate manner.


She made few distinctions; she allowed scarcely any one to be good; she dissected impartially almost all her acquaintance.


If her auditress ventured now and then to put in a palliative word she set it aside with a certain disdain.

If Caroline ventured to put in a softening word she set it aside with disdain.


Still, though thus pitiless in moral anatomy, she was no scandal-monger.

Still, though pitiless, she was no scandal-monger.


She never disseminated really malignant or dangerous reports.

She never spread malignant or dangerous reports.


It was not her heart so much as her temper that was wrong.


Caroline made this discovery for the first time to-day, and moved thereby to regret divers unjust judgments she had more than once passed on the crabbed old maid, she began to talk to her softly, not in sympathizing words, but with a sympathizing voice.

Caroline made this discovery for the first time today, and began to talk to her softly, not in sympathizing words, but with a sympathizing voice.


The loneliness of her condition struck her visitor in a new light, as did also the character of her ugliness--a bloodless pallor of complexion, and deeply worn lines of feature.

Miss Mann's loneliness struck her in a new light, as did the character of her ugliness - a bloodless pallor, and deeply lined face.


The girl pitied the solitary and afflicted woman; her looks told what she felt.


A sweet countenance is never so sweet as when the moved heart animates it with compassionate tenderness.


Miss Mann, seeing such a countenance raised to her, was touched in her turn.


She acknowledged her sense of the interest thus unexpectedly shown in her, who usually met with only coldness and ridicule, by replying to her candidly.


Communicative on her own affairs she usually was not, because no one cared to listen to her; but to-day she became so, and her confidante shed tears as she heard her speak, for she told of cruel, slow-wasting, obstinate sufferings.

She did not usually talk about her own affairs, because no one cared to listen; but today she did, and Caroline shed tears as she heard her speak of cruel, slow-wasting sufferings.


Well might she be corpse-like; well might she look grim, and never smile; well might she wish to avoid excitement, to gain and retain composure!

Well might she be corpse-like, and never smile; well might she wish to avoid excitement!


Caroline, when she knew all, acknowledged that Miss Mann was rather to be admired for fortitude than blamed for moroseness.


when you behold an aspect for whose constant gloom and frown you cannot account, whose unvarying cloud exasperates you by its apparent causelessness, be sure that there is a canker somewhere, and a canker not the less deeply corroding because concealed.


Miss Mann felt that she was understood partly, and wished to be understood further; for, however old, plain, humble, desolate, afflicted we may be, so long as our hearts preserve the feeblest spark of life, they preserve also, shivering near that pale ember, a starved, ghostly longing for appreciation and affection.

Miss Mann felt that she was partly understood, and wished to be understood further; for however old, plain and desolate we may be, our hearts preserve still a starved, ghostly longing for appreciation and affection.


To this extenuated spectre, perhaps, a crumb is not thrown once a year, but when ahungered and athirst to famine--when all humanity has forgotten the dying tenant of a decaying house--Divine mercy remembers the mourner, and a shower of manna falls for lips that earthly nutriment is to pass no more.


Biblical promises, heard first in health, but then unheeded, come whispering to the couch of sickness; it is felt that a pitying God watches what all mankind have forsaken.


The tender compassion of Jesus is recalled and relied on; the faded eye, gazing beyond time, sees a home, a friend, a refuge in eternity.


Miss Mann, drawn on by the still attention of her listener, proceeded to allude to circumstances in her past life.

Miss Mann, drawn on by her listener's attention, spoke of her past life


She spoke like one who tells the truth--simply, and with a certain reserve; she did not boast, nor did she exaggerate.

simply; she did not boast, nor exaggerate.


Caroline found that the old maid had been a most devoted daughter and sister, an unwearied watcher by lingering deathbeds; that to prolonged and unrelaxing attendance on the sick the malady that now poisoned her own life owed its origin; that to one wretched relative she had been a support and succour in the depths of self-earned degradation, and that it was still her hand which kept him from utter destitution.

Caroline found that the old maid had been a devoted daughter and sister, an unwearied watcher by lingering deathbeds; her malady owed its origin to that long attendance on the sick. To one wretched relative she had been a support in the depths of degradation, and she still kept him from utter destitution.


Miss Helstone stayed the whole evening, omitting to pay her other intended visit; and when she left Miss Mann it was with the determination to try in future to excuse her faults; never again to make light of her peculiarities or to laugh at her plainness; and, above all things, not to neglect her, but to come once a week, and to offer her, from one human heart at least, the homage of affection and respect.

Miss Helstone stayed the whole evening; and when she left Miss Mann it was with the determination to try in future to excuse her faults; never again to laugh at her; and, above all, not to neglect her, but to come once a week, and offer her sincere affection and respect.


She felt she could now sincerely give her a small tribute of each feeling.


Caroline, on her return, told Fanny she was very glad she had gone out, as she felt much better for the visit.


The next day she failed not to seek Miss Ainley.

The next day she sought out Miss Ainley.


This lady was in narrower circumstances than Miss Mann, and her dwelling was more humble.

This lady was poorer than Miss Mann, and her dwelling was more humble.


It was, however, if possible, yet more exquisitely clean, though the decayed gentlewoman could not afford to keep a servant, but waited on herself, and had only the occasional assistance of a little girl who lived in a cottage near.

It was, however, if possible, yet more exquisitely clean, though Miss Ainley could not afford to keep a servant.


Not only was Miss Ainley poorer, but she was even plainer than the other old maid.


In her first youth she must have been ugly; now, at the age of fifty, she was _very_ ugly.


At first sight, all but peculiarly well-disciplined minds were apt to turn from her with annoyance, to conceive against her a prejudice, simply on the ground of her unattractive look.

At first sight, all but very well-disciplined minds were apt to be prejudiced against her, simply on the ground of her unattractiveness.


Then she was prim in dress and manner; she looked, spoke, and moved the complete old maid.

Then she was prim in dress and manner; she looked the complete old maid.


Her welcome to Caroline was formal, even in its kindness--for it was kind; but Miss Helstone excused this.

Her welcome to Caroline was formal, though kind; but Miss Helstone


She knew something of the benevolence of the heart which beat under that starched kerchief; all the neighbourhood--at least all the female neighbourhood--knew something of it.

knew something of the benevolence of Miss Ainley's heart; all the female neighbourhood knew something of it.


No one spoke against Miss Ainley except lively young gentlemen and inconsiderate old ones, who declared her hideous.

No one spoke against Miss Ainley, except lively young gentlemen and inconsiderate old ones, who declared her hideous.


Caroline was soon at home in that tiny parlour.


A kind hand took from her her shawl and bonnet, and installed her in the most comfortable seat near the fire.

, installed in the most comfortable seat near the fire.


The young and the antiquated woman were presently deep in kindly conversation, and soon Caroline became aware of the power a most serene, unselfish, and benignant mind could exercise over those to whom it was developed.

The young and the old woman were presently deep in kindly conversation, and Caroline became aware of the power of an unselfish and benign mind.


She talked never of herself, always of others.

Miss Ainley talked never of herself, always of others


Her theme was their wants, which she sought to supply; their sufferings, which she longed to alleviate.

, but their wants and sufferings, which she longed to alleviate.


She was religious, a professor of religion--what some would call "a saint;" and she referred to religion often in sanctioned phrase--in phrase which those who possess a perception of the ridiculous, without owning the power of exactly testing and truly judging character, would certainly have esteemed a proper subject for satire, a matter for mimicry and laughter.

She was religious, and spoke of religion often in a way which some people would have enjoyed ridiculing.


They would have been hugely mistaken for their pains.


Sincerity is never ludicrous; it is always respectable.

Sincerity is never ludicrous; it is always to be respected.


Whether truth--be it religious or moral truth--speak eloquently and in well-chosen language or not, its voice should be heard with reverence.


Let those who cannot nicely, and with certainty, discern the difference between the tones of hypocrisy and those of sincerity, never presume to laugh at all, lest they should have the miserable misfortune to laugh in the wrong place, and commit impiety when they think they are achieving wit.


Not from Miss Ainley's own lips did Caroline hear of her good works, but she knew much of them nevertheless.


Her beneficence was the familiar topic of the poor in Briarfield.


The old maid was too poor to give much, though she straitened herself to privation that she might contribute her mite when needful.


They were the works of a Sister of Charity--far more difficult to perform than those of a Lady Bountiful.

They were the works of a Sister of Charity - far more difficult to perform than those of a Lady Bountiful.


She would watch by any sick-bed; she seemed to fear no disease.


She would nurse the poorest whom none else would nurse.

She would nurse the poorest whom no one else would nurse.


She was serene, humble, kind, and equable through everything.


For this goodness she got but little reward in this life.

For this goodness she got little reward.


Many of the poor became so accustomed to her services that they hardly thanked her for them.

Many of the poor became so accustomed to her services that they hardly thanked her.


The rich heard them mentioned with wonder, but were silent, from a sense of shame at the difference between her sacrifices and their own.

The rich heard of them with wonder, but were silent, from a sense of shame at the difference between her sacrifices and their own.


Many ladies, however, respected her deeply.


One gentleman--one only--gave her his friendship and perfect confidence.

One gentleman - one only - gave her his friendship and perfect confidence.


This was Mr. Hall, the vicar of Nunnely.


He said, and said truly, that her life came nearer the life of Christ than that of any other human being he had ever met with.

, who said that her life came nearer the life of Christ than that of any other human being he had ever met.


You must not think, reader, that in sketching Miss Ainley's character I depict a figment of imagination.

You must not think, reader, that Miss Ainley's character is a figment of imagination.


We seek the originals of such portraits in real life only.


Miss Helstone studied well the mind and heart now revealed to her.


She found no high intellect to admire--the old maid was merely sensible--but she discovered so much goodness, so much usefulness, so much mildness, patience, truth, that she bent her own mind before Miss Ainley's in reverence.

She found no high intellect - the old maid was merely sensible - but she discovered so much goodness, usefulness, mildness, patience, truth, that she revered Miss Ainley.


What was her love of nature, what was her sense of beauty, what were her more varied and fervent emotions, what was her deeper power of thought, what her wider capacity to comprehend, compared to the practical excellence of this good woman?

What was her own love of nature, her sense of beauty, her fervent emotions, compared to the practical excellence of this good woman?


Momently, they seemed only beautiful forms of selfish delight; mentally, she trod them under foot.


It is true she still felt with pain that the life which made Miss Ainley happy could not make her happy.


Pure and active as it was, in her heart she deemed it deeply dreary, because it was so loveless--to her ideas, so forlorn.

Active as it was, it seemed deeply dreary, because it was so loveless.


Yet, doubtless, she reflected, it needed only habit to make it practicable and agreeable to any one.

Yet, doubtless, it needed only habit to make it practicable.


It was despicable, she felt, to pine sentimentally, to cherish secret griefs, vain memories, to be inert, to waste youth in aching languor, to grow old doing nothing.

Caroline felt it was despicable to pine sentimentally, to waste youth in aching languor, to grow old doing nothing.


"I will bestir myself," was her resolution, "and try to be wise if I cannot be good."


She proceeded to make inquiry of Miss Ainley if she could help her in anything.

She proceeded to ask Miss Ainley if she could help her in anything.


Miss Ainley, glad of an assistant, told her that she could, and indicated some poor families in Briarfield that it was desirable she should visit, giving her likewise, at her further request, some work to do for certain poor women who had many children, and who were unskilled in using the needle for themselves.

Miss Ainley told her of some poor families in Briarfield that she could visit, and gave her some needlework to do for certain poor women who had many children, and who were unskilled with the needle.


Caroline went home, laid her plans, and took a resolve not to swerve from them.


She allotted a certain portion of her time for her various studies, and a certain portion for doing anything Miss Ainley might direct her to do.

She allotted a portion of her time for her studies, and a portion for doing anything Miss Ainley might direct her to do.


The remainder was to be spent in exercise; not a moment was to be left for the indulgence of such fevered thoughts as had poisoned last Sunday evening.


To do her justice, she executed her plans conscientiously, perseveringly.

To do her justice, she carried out her plans perseveringly.


It was very hard work at first--it was even hard work to the end--but it helped her to stem and keep down anguish; it forced her to be employed; it forbade her to brood; and gleams of satisfaction chequered her gray life here and there when she found she had done good, imparted pleasure, or allayed suffering.

It was very hard work at first, but it helped her to keep down anguish; it forced her to be busy; it forbade her to brood; and gleams of satisfaction chequered her grey life here and there when she found she had done some good.


These efforts brought her neither health of body nor continued peace of mind.

These efforts brought her neither health of body nor peace of mind.


With them all she wasted, grew more joyless and more wan; with them all her memory kept harping on the name of Robert Moore; an elegy over the past still rung constantly in her ear; a funereal inward cry haunted and harassed her; the heaviness of a broken spirit, and of pining and palsying faculties, settled slow on her buoyant youth.

She grew more joyless and more wan; her memory kept harping on the name of Robert Moore; an elegy over the past still rung constantly in her ear; the heaviness of a broken spirit settled slow on her buoyant youth.


Winter seemed conquering her spring; the mind's soil and its treasures were freezing gradually to barren stagnation.


Martin, having known the taste of excitement, wanted a second draught; having felt the dignity of power, he loathed to relinquish it.

Martin, having tasted excitement and power, wanted more.

Chapter 34: CASE OF DOMESTIC PERSECUTION - REMARKABLE INSTANCE OF PIOUS PERSEVERANCE IN THE DISCHARGE OF RELIGIOUS DUTIES


Miss Helstone--that girl he had always called ugly, and whose face was now perpetually before his eyes, by day and by night, in dark and in sunshine--had once come within his sphere.

Miss Helstone - that girl he had always called ugly, and whose face was now perpetually before him - had come within his sphere.


It fretted him to think the visit might never be repeated.


Though a schoolboy he was no ordinary schoolboy; he was destined to grow up an original.

Martin was no ordinary schoolboy; he was destined to grow up an original.


At a few years' later date he took great pains to pare and polish himself down to the pattern of the rest of the world, but he never succeeded; an unique stamp marked him always.

A few years later he took great pains to pare and polish himself down to the pattern of the rest of the world, but he never succeeded.


He now sat idle at his desk in the grammar school, casting about in his mind for the means of adding another chapter to his commenced romance.

He now cast about in his mind for the means of adding another chapter to his romance.


He did not yet know how many commenced life-romances are doomed never to get beyond the first, or at most the second chapter.

He did not yet know how many life-romances are doomed never to get beyond the first or second chapter.


His Saturday half-holiday he spent in the wood with his book of fairy legends, and that other unwritten book of his imagination.


Martin harboured an irreligious reluctance to see the approach of Sunday.

He had an irreligious dislike of Sunday.


His father and mother, while disclaiming community with the Establishment, failed not duly, once on the sacred day, to fill their large pew in Briarfield Church with the whole of their blooming family.

His father and mother never failed to fill their large pew in Briarfield Church with their whole family.


Theoretically, Mr. Yorke placed all sects and churches on a level.


Mrs. Yorke awarded the palm to Moravians and Quakers, on account of that crown of humility by these worthies worn.


Neither of them were ever known, however, to set foot in a conventicle.


Martin, I say, disliked Sunday, because the morning service was long, and the sermon usually little to his taste.

The morning service was long, and the sermon usually little to Martin's taste.


This Saturday afternoon, however, his woodland musings disclosed to him a new-found charm in the coming day.


It proved a day of deep snow--so deep that Mrs. Yorke during breakfast announced her conviction that the children, both boys and girls, would be better at home; and her decision that, instead of going to church, they should sit silent for two hours in the back parlour, while Rose and Martin alternately read a succession of sermons--John Wesley's "Sermons."

It proved a day of deep snow - so deep that during breakfast Mrs. Yorke announced that the children, instead of going to church, should sit silent for two hours in the parlour, while Rose and Martin read John Wesley's "Sermons".


John Wesley, being a reformer and an agitator, had a place both in her own and her husband's favour.


"Rose will do as she pleases," said Martin, not looking up from the book which, according to his custom then and in after-life, he was studying over his bread and milk.

"Rose will do as she pleases," said Martin, not looking up from his book.


"Rose will do as she is told, and Martin too," observed the mother.

"Rose will do as she is told, and Martin too," said the mother.


So her son replied, with the ineffable quietude of a true Yorke, who knows his will and means to have it, and who, if pushed to the wall, will let himself be crushed to death, provided no way of escape can be found, but will never capitulate.

So her son replied quietly, like a true Yorke, who knows his will and means to have it.


"It is not fit weather," said the father.


The youth read studiously; he slowly broke his bread and sipped his milk.


"Martin hates to go to church, but he hates still more to obey," said Mrs. Yorke.


"I suppose I am influenced by pure perverseness?"

"I am not influenced by pure perverseness


"By a complication of motives, the intricacies of which I should as soon think of explaining to you as I should of turning myself inside out to exhibit the internal machinery of my frame."

but by a complication of motives, the intricacies of which I should as soon think of explaining to you as I should of turning myself inside out to exhibit the internal machinery of my frame."


"I must see and have this lad of mine brought up to the bar.

"I must have this lad of mine brought up to be a lawyer.


Hesther, your third son must certainly be a lawyer; he has the stock-in-trade--brass, self-conceit, and words--words--words."

He has the self-conceit, and words - words - words."


"Some bread, Rose, if you please," requested Martin, with intense gravity, serenity, phlegm.

"Some bread, Rose, if you please," requested Martin with intense gravity.


The boy had naturally a low, plaintive voice, which in his "dour moods" rose scarcely above a lady's whisper.


The more inflexibly stubborn the humour, the softer, the sadder the tone.


He rang the bell, and gently asked for his walking-shoes.


"But, Martin," urged his sire, "there is drift all the way; a man could hardly wade through it.

"But, Martin," urged his father, "there are snowdrifts all the way; a man could hardly wade through.


However, lad," he continued, seeing that the boy rose as the church bell began to toll, "this is a case wherein I would by no means balk the obdurate chap of his will.


There is a pitiless wind, and a sharp, frozen sleet, besides the depth under foot.

There is a pitiless wind, and a sharp, frozen sleet.


Go out into it, since thou prefers it to a warm fireside."


Martin quietly assumed his cloak, comforter, and cap, and deliberately went out.

Martin quietly put on his cloak, scarf and cap, and went out.


"My father has more sense than my mother," he pronounced.


They drive the nail into the flesh, thinking they are hammering away at insensate stone."


"Now, if the weather frightens her (and it is a real December tempest), or if that Mrs. Pryor objects to her going out, and I should miss her after all, it will vex me; but, tempest or tornado, hail or ice, she _ought_ to come, and if she has a mind worthy of her eyes and features she _will_ come.

"Now, if the weather frightens her, or if that Mrs. Pryor objects to her going out, it will vex me; but, hail or ice, she ought to come.


She will be here for the chance of seeing me, as I am here for the chance of seeing her.


She will want to get a word respecting her confounded sweetheart, as I want to get another flavour of what I think the essence of life--a taste of existence, with the spirit preserved in it, and not evaporated.

She will want to get a word about her confounded sweetheart, as I want to get another taste of adventure."


Adventure is to stagnation what champagne is to flat porter."


The church was cold, silent, empty, but for one old woman.


As the chimes subsided and the single bell tolled slowly, another and another elderly parishioner came dropping in, and took a humble station in the free sittings.

As the bell tolled slowly, elderly parishioners came in, and took the humblest seats.


It is always the frailest, the oldest, and the poorest that brave the worst weather, to prove and maintain their constancy to dear old mother church.

It is always the frailest, the oldest, and poorest that brave the worst weather to attend church.


This wild morning not one affluent family attended, not one carriage party appeared--all the lined and cushioned pews were empty; only on the bare oaken seats sat ranged the gray-haired elders and feeble paupers.

This wild morning not one affluent family appeared: all the cushioned pews were empty; only on the bare oak seats sat the grey-haired elders and paupers.


"I'll scorn her if she doesn't come," muttered Martin, shortly and savagely, to himself.

"I'll scorn her if she doesn't come," muttered Martin savagely to himself.


The rector's shovel-hat had passed the porch.


Mr. Helstone and his clerk were in the vestry.


The bells ceased--the reading-desk was filled--the doors were closed--the service commenced.

The bells ceased - the doors were closed - the service began.


Void stood the rectory pew--she was not there.


Like all other girls--weakly, selfish, shallow!"

Like all girls - weakly, selfish, shallow!


Her eyes are not large and expressive; her nose is not straight, delicate, Hellenic; her mouth has not that charm I thought it had, which I imagined could beguile me of sullenness in my worst moods.

Her eyes are not large and expressive; her mouth has not that charm I thought it had.


A thread-paper, a doll, a toy, a _girl_, in short."

A thread-paper, a doll, a toy; a girl, in short."


So absorbed was the young cynic he forgot to rise from his knees at the proper place, and was still in an exemplary attitude of devotion when, the litany over, the first hymn was given out.

So absorbed was the young cynic he forgot to rise from his knees at the proper place.


To be so caught did not contribute to soothe him.


He started up red (for he was as sensitive to ridicule as any girl).

He started up red (for he was sensitive to ridicule).


To make the matter worse, the church door had reopened, and the aisles were filling: patter, patter, patter, a hundred little feet trotted in.


According to Briarfield winter custom, these children had till now been kept where there was a warm stove, and only led into church just before the communion and sermon.


The little ones were settled first, and at last, when the boys and the younger girls were all arranged--when the organ was swelling high, and the choir and congregation were rising to uplift a spiritual song--a tall class of young women came quietly in, closing the procession.

The little ones were settled first, and at last a tall class of young women came quietly in, closing the procession.


Their teacher, having seen them seated, passed into the rectory pew.


The French-gray cloak and small beaver bonnet were known to Martin; it was the very costume his eyes had ached to catch.

The French-grey cloak was known to Martin.


Miss Helstone had not suffered the storm to prove an impediment.


Martin probably whispered his satisfaction to his hymn book; at any rate, he therewith hid his face two minutes.

Martin probably whispered his satisfaction to his hymn book; at any rate, he hid his face there for two minutes.


Satisfied or not, he had time to get very angry with her again before the sermon was over.

Satisfied or not, he had time to get angry with her again before the sermon was over.


She had never once looked his way; at least he had not been so lucky as to encounter a glance.


"If," he said--"if she takes no notice of me, if she shows I am not in her thoughts, I shall have a worse, a meaner opinion of her than ever.

"If she takes no notice of me, I shall have a worse opinion of her than ever.


Most despicable would it be to come for the sake of those sheep-faced Sunday scholars, and not for my sake or that long skeleton Moore's."

It would be despicable of her just to come for the sake of those sheep-faced Sunday scholars."


The sermon found an end; the benediction was pronounced; the congregation dispersed.

The sermon ended; the congregation dispersed.


Now, indeed, as Martin set his face homeward, he felt that the sleet was sharp and the east wind cold.


His nearest way lay through some fields.

His nearest way lay through some untrodden fields.


It was a dangerous, because an untrodden way.


Near the second stile rose a clump of trees.


Yes, an umbrella, held with evident difficulty against the blast; behind it fluttered a French-gray cloak.

Yes, an umbrella, held with difficulty against the blast; behind it fluttered a French-grey cloak.


Martin grinned as he toiled up the steep, encumbered field, difficult to the foot as a slope in the upper realms of Etna.

Martin grinned as he toiled up the steep field.


There was an inimitable look in his face when, having gained the stile, he seated himself coolly thereupon, and thus opened a conference which, for his own part, he was willing to prolong indefinitely.

He seated himself coolly upon the stile, and said:


"I think you had better strike a bargain.


"I was not sure whether you would come this way, Martin, but I thought I would run the chance.

"I hoped you would come this way, Martin.


There is no such thing as getting a quiet word spoken in the church or churchyard."

There is no chance of getting a quiet word spoken in the church or churchyard."


"Will you agree?--make over Mrs. Pryor to my mother, and put me in her skirts?"

"Will you agree? Exchange me for Mrs. Pryor?"


"Not possible--or so inefficient, so careless a mamma; I should make a five times better one.

She is so careless a mamma, I should be five times better.


Your teeth--I hate ugly teeth; but yours are as pretty as a pearl necklace, and a necklace of which the pearls are very fair, even, and well matched too."

You have pretty teeth, as pretty as a pearl necklace."


I thought the Yorkes never paid compliments?"


"They have not done till this generation; but I feel as if it were my vocation to turn out a new variety of the Yorke species.

"They have not done till now; but I feel I should start a new variety of the Yorke species.


We have traditions going back for four ages--tales of Hiram, which was the son of Hiram, which was the son of Samuel, which was the son of John, which was the son of Zerubbabel Yorke.


All, from Zerubbabel down to the last Hiram, were such as you see my father.


We have his picture; it hangs in Moore's bedroom; it is like me.


Of his character we know nothing; but I am sure it was different to his descendants.


He has long, curling dark hair; he is carefully and cavalierly dressed.


Having said that he is like me, I need not add that he is handsome."


"No; but wait awhile--just let me take my time.


I mean to begin from this day to cultivate, to polish, and we shall see."


"You are a very strange, a very unaccountable boy, Martin.

"You are a very strange, unaccountable boy, Martin."


But don't imagine you ever will be handsome; you cannot."


She must be the most unnatural mamma in existence, coolly to let her daughter come out in this weather.

must be the most unnatural mamma in existence, to let her daughter come out in this weather."


Mine was in such a rage because I would go to church; she was fit to fling the kitchen brush after me."


"Mamma was very much concerned about me; but I am afraid I was obstinate.

"Mamma was very much concerned about me; but I was obstinate.


I thought of nothing else but seeing you.


I greatly feared the snow would hinder you from coming.


You don't know how pleased I was to see you all by yourself in the pew."

You don't know how pleased I was to see you by yourself in the pew."


"_I_ came to fulfil my duty, and set the parish a good example.

"I came to set the parish a good example.


I should like to see you obstinate, I should.


Wouldn't I have you in good discipline if I owned you?


"I can't stay two minutes; our dinner will be ready."


"And so will ours; and we have always a hot dinner on Sundays.


Roast goose to-day, with apple-pie and rice-pudding.

Roast goose today, with apple-pie and rice-pudding


I always contrive to know the bill of fare.


Well, I like these things uncommonly; but I'll make the sacrifice, if you will."


My uncle will allow no unnecessary cooking on the Sabbath.


But I must return; the house would be in commotion if I failed to appear."


I think I hear my father sending out the overlooker and five of the dyers, to look in six directions for the body of his prodigal son in the snow; and my mother repenting her of her many misdeeds towards me, now I am gone."


"_That_ is what you came for, just to say that word."


he is no worse; but as ill-used as ever--mewed up, kept in solitary confinement.

he is no worse; but as ill-used as ever - kept in solitary confinement.


They mean to make either an idiot or a maniac of him, and take out a commission of lunacy.


Horsfall starves him; you saw how thin he was."


"You were very good the other day, Martin."


"I see what you are after; but you'll not wheedle me--I am no cat's-paw."

"I see what you are after; but you'll not wheedle me.


It is quite a right thing, and a necessary thing."


Remember, I managed the matter of my own free will before."


The business gave me far too much trouble."


"Mr. Moore wishes to see me, Martin, and I wish to see him."

"But Mr. Moore wishes to see me, Martin, and I wish to see him."


"It is too bad of your mother to exclude his friends."


If you won't help me, I'll manage without help."

"Well, if you won't help me, I'll manage without help."


"Do; there is nothing like self-reliance, self-dependence."

"Do; there is nothing like self-reliance."


"I have no time to reason with you now; but I consider you provoking.


Away she went, the umbrella shut, for she could not carry it against the wind.


"She is not vapid; she is not shallow," said Martin.


"I shall like to watch, and mark how she will work her way without help.

"I shall like to see how she will work her way without help.


If the storm were not of snow, but of fire--such as came refreshingly down on the cities of the plain--she would go through it to procure five minutes' speech of that Moore.


Now, I consider I have had a pleasant morning.


The disappointments got time on; the fears and fits of anger only made that short discourse pleasanter, when it came at last.


She shall come again, again, and yet again.


It would please me to put her in a passion--to make her cry.

It would please me to put her in a passion - to make her cry.


I want to discover how far she will go--what she will do and dare--to get her will.

I want to discover how far she will go - what she will dare to get her will.


It seems strange and new to find one human being thinking so much about another as she thinks about Moore.


But it is time to go home; my appetite tells me the hour.


and we'll try whether Matthew or I shall get the largest cut of the apple-pie to-day."

We'll see whether Matthew or I shall get the largest slice of apple-pie today."


Shirley showed she had been sincere in saying she should be glad of Caroline's society, by frequently seeking it; and, indeed, if she had not sought it, she would not have had it, for Miss Helstone was slow to make fresh acquaintance.

Shirley showed she had been sincere in saying she should be glad of Caroline's society, by frequently seeking it. Indeed, if she had not sought it, she would not have had it, for Miss Helstone was slow to make friends.


She was always held back by the idea that people could not want her, that she could not amuse them; and a brilliant, happy, youthful creature like the heiress of Fieldhead seemed to her too completely independent of society so uninteresting as hers ever to find it really welcome.

She was always held back by the idea that people could not want her, that she could not amuse them; and she felt that a brilliant, happy, youthful creature like the heiress of Fieldhead would not find her interesting.


Shirley might be brilliant, and probably happy likewise, but no one is independent of genial society; and though in about a month she had made the acquaintance of most of the families round, and was on quite free and easy terms with all the Misses Sykes, and all the Misses Pearson, and the two superlative Misses Wynne of Walden Hall, yet, it appeared, she found none amongst them very genial: she fraternized with none of them, to use her own words.

Though in about a month Shirley had made the acquaintance of most of the nearby families, and was on quite free and easy terms with all the Misses Sykes and Misses Pearson, yet it appeared she found none of them very congenial: she fraternized with none of them, to use her own words.


If she had had the bliss to be really Shirley Keeldar, Esq., lord of the manor of Briarfield, there was not a single fair one in this and the two neighbouring parishes whom she should have felt disposed to request to become Mrs. Keeldar, lady of the manor.

If she had really been lord of the manor of Briarfield, there was not a single fair one amongst them whom she would have wished to ask to become Mrs. Keeldar, lady of the manor.


This declaration she made to Mrs. Pryor, who received it very quietly, as she did most of her pupil's off-hand speeches, responding, "My dear, do not allow that habit of alluding to yourself as a gentleman to be confirmed.

She made this remark to Mrs. Pryor, who received it very quietly, as she did most of her pupil's off-hand speeches, responding, "My dear, do not allow that strange habit of alluding to yourself as a gentleman to become usual."


Those who do not know you, hearing you speak thus, would think you affected masculine manners."


Shirley never laughed at her former governess; even the little formalities and harmless peculiarities of that lady were respectable in her eyes.


Had it been otherwise, she would have proved herself a weak character at once; for it is only the weak who make a butt of quiet worth.


Therefore she took her remonstrance in silence.

therefore she took her remonstrance in silence.


She stood quietly near the window, looking at the grand cedar on her lawn watching a bird on one of its lower boughs.

She stood near the window, looking at the grand cedar on her lawn, watching a bird on one of its boughs.


Presently she began to chirrup to the bird; soon her chirrup grew clearer; ere long she was whistling; the whistle struck into a tune, and very sweetly and deftly it was executed.

Presently she began to chirrup to the bird; her chirrup grew clearer; before long she was whistling a tune, very deftly.


I had resolved to take care not to whistle before you."

I had resolved not to whistle in your company.


"But, Miss Keeldar, where did you learn to whistle?


You must have got the habit since you came down into Yorkshire.


I took it up by listening, and I had laid it down again.


But lately, yesterday evening, as I was coming up our lane, I heard a gentleman whistling that very tune in the field on the other side of the hedge, and that reminded me."

But yesterday evening, as I was coming up our lane, I heard a gentleman whistling that very tune on the other side of the hedge, and that reminded me."


"We have only one gentleman in this region, ma'am, and that is Mr. Moore--at least he is the only gentleman who is not gray-haired.

"Mr. Moore - the only gentleman in the neighbourhood who is not grey-haired.


My two venerable favourites, Mr. Helstone and Mr. Yorke, it is true, are fine old beaus, infinitely better than any of the stupid young ones."


"You do not like Mr. Helstone, ma'am?" asked Shirley.


"My dear, Mr. Helstone's office secures him from criticism."


"You generally contrive to leave the room when he is announced."

"You generally leave the room when he is announced."


"Do you walk out this morning, my dear?"


"Yes, I shall go to the rectory, and seek and find Caroline Helstone, and make her take some exercise.

"Yes, I shall go to the rectory, and find Caroline Helstone, and make her take some exercise.


She shall have a breezy walk over Nunnely Common."


"If you go in that direction, my dear, have the goodness to remind Miss Helstone to wrap up well, as there is a fresh wind, and she appears to me to require care."

"If you do, my dear, please remind Miss Helstone to wrap up well, as there is a fresh wind, and she appears to me to require care."


"You shall be minutely obeyed, Mrs. Pryor.


Meantime, will you not accompany us yourself?"


"No, my love; I should be a restraint upon you.


I am stout, and cannot walk so quickly as you would wish to do."


Shirley easily persuaded Caroline to go with her, and when they were fairly out on the quiet road, traversing the extensive and solitary sweep of Nunnely Common, she as easily drew her into conversation.

Shirley easily persuaded Caroline to go with her, and when they were out on the quiet road, traversing the solitary sweep of Nunnely Common, she as easily drew her into conversation.


The first feelings of diffidence overcome, Caroline soon felt glad to talk with Miss Keeldar.

The first feelings of diffidence overcome, Caroline felt glad to talk with Miss Keeldar.


The very first interchange of slight observations sufficed to give each an idea of what the other was.


Shirley said she liked the green sweep of the common turf, and, better still, the heath on its ridges, for the heath reminded her of moors.

Shirley said she liked the green sweep of the common, and, better still, the heath on its ridges, which reminded her of moors.


She had seen moors when she was travelling on the borders near Scotland.


She remembered particularly a district traversed one long afternoon, on a sultry but sunless day in summer.

She remembered particularly a journey on a sultry day,


They journeyed from noon till sunset, over what seemed a boundless waste of deep heath, and nothing had they seen but wild sheep, nothing heard but the cries of wild birds.

when they had crossed what seemed a boundless waste of deep heath, and had seen nothing but wild sheep, heard nothing but the cries of wild birds.


"I know how the heath would look on such a day," said Caroline; "purple-black--a deeper shade of the sky-tint, and that would be livid."

"I know how the heath would look on such a day," said Caroline; "purple-black - a deeper shade of the sky, and that would be livid."


"Yes, quite livid, with brassy edges to the clouds, and here and there a white gleam, more ghastly than the lurid tinge, which, as you looked at it, you momentarily expected would kindle into blinding lightning."

"Yes, there were brassy edges to the clouds, and here and there a white gleam, which you expected would kindle into lightning."


"It muttered distant peals, but the storm did not break till evening, after we had reached our inn--that inn being an isolated house at the foot of a range of mountains."

"It muttered distant peals, but the storm did not break till evening, after we had reached our inn at the foot of a range of mountains.


"Did you watch the clouds come down over the mountains?"


I stood at the window an hour watching them.

I stood at the window an hour watching the clouds come down.


The hills seemed rolled in a sullen mist, and when the rain fell in whitening sheets, suddenly they were blotted from the prospect; they were washed from the world."

The hills seemed rolled in a sullen mist, and when the rain fell in sheets, suddenly they were blotted out; they were washed from the world."


"I have seen such storms in hilly districts in Yorkshire; and at their riotous climax, while the sky was all cataract, the earth all flood, I have remembered the Deluge."

"I have seen such storms in Yorkshire, and they made me think of the Deluge.


"It is singularly reviving after such hurricanes to feel calm return, and from the opening clouds to receive a consolatory gleam, softly testifying that the sun is not quenched."


"Miss Keeldar, just stand still now, and look down at Nunnely dale and wood."

Miss Keeldar, just stand still now, and look at Nunnely dale and wood."


They both halted on the green brow of the common.

They halted on the green brow of the common


They looked down on the deep valley robed in May raiment; on varied meads, some pearled with daisies, and some golden with king-cups.

, and looked down on the deep valley; on meadows, some pearled with daisies, some golden with king-cups.


To-day all this young verdure smiled clear in sunlight; transparent emerald and amber gleams played over it.


On Nunnwood--the sole remnant of antique British forest in a region whose lowlands were once all silvan chase, as its highlands were breast-deep heather--slept the shadow of a cloud; the distant hills were dappled, the horizon was shaded and tinted like mother-of-pearl; silvery blues, soft purples, evanescent greens and rose-shades, all melting into fleeces of white cloud, pure as azury snow, allured the eye as with a remote glimpse of heaven's foundations.

On Nunnwood - the sole remnant of an ancient forest - slept the shadow of a cloud; the distant hills were dappled, the horizon tinted like mother-of-pearl; silvery blues, soft purples and rose-shades, all melting into fleeces of white cloud, like a remote glimpse of heaven's foundations.


The air blowing on the brow was fresh, and sweet, and bracing.


"Our England is a bonny island," said Shirley, "and Yorkshire is one of her bonniest nooks."


Five generations of my race sleep under the aisles of Briarfield Church.

Five generations of my race sleep under Briarfield Church."


I drew my first breath in the old black hall behind us."


Hereupon Caroline presented her hand, which was accordingly taken and shaken.

Caroline offered her hand, which was accordingly shaken.


"Yes," agreed Shirley, with a grave nod.


"And that," asked Miss Keeldar, pointing to the forest--"that is Nunnwood?"


"Were you ever in the heart of Nunnwood?"


"It is like an encampment of forest sons of Anak.


When you stand at their roots, the summits seem in another region.


The trunks remain still and firm as pillars, while the boughs sway to every breeze.

with trunks as firm as pillars, while the boughs sway to every breeze.


In the deepest calm their leaves are never quite hushed, and in high wind a flood rushes, a sea thunders above you."

In the deepest calm their leaves are never quite hushed, and in a high wind a sea thunders above you.


"Was it not one of Robin Hood's haunts?"


"Yes, and there are mementos of him still existing.


To penetrate into Nunnwood, Miss Keeldar, is to go far back into the dim days of old.


Can you see a break in the forest, about the centre?"


"That break is a dell--a deep, hollow cup, lined with turf as green and short as the sod of this common.


The very oldest of the trees, gnarled mighty oaks, crowd about the brink of this dell.

crowded about with the very oldest oaks.


In the bottom lie the ruins of a nunnery."


"We will go--you and I alone, Caroline--to that wood, early some fine summer morning, and spend a long day there.

"We will go - you and I, Caroline - to that wood, early some fine summer morning, and spend a long day there.


We can take pencils and sketch-books, and any interesting reading book we like; and of course we shall take something to eat.

We can take pencils and sketch-books, and any interesting reading book we like; and of course something to eat.


I have two little baskets, in which Mrs. Gill, my housekeeper, might pack our provisions, and we could each carry our own.


It would not tire you too much to walk so far?"


"Oh no; especially if we rested the whole day in the wood.

"Oh no; especially if we rested in the wood.


I know where we could get nuts in nutting time; I know where wild strawberries abound; I know certain lonely, quite untrodden glades, carpeted with strange mosses, some yellow as if gilded, some a sober gray, some gem-green.

I know where wild strawberries abound; I know some lonely, quite untrodden glades, carpeted with strange mosses.


I know groups of trees that ravish the eye with their perfect, picture-like effects--rude oak, delicate birch, glossy beech, clustered in contrast; and ash trees stately as Saul, standing isolated; and superannuated wood-giants clad in bright shrouds of ivy.

I know groups of trees that ravish the eye - oak, delicate birch, glossy beech; and ash trees stately as Saul, standing isolated; and wood-giants clad in bright shrouds of ivy.


I think we should suit; and what third person is there whose presence would not spoil our pleasure?"

I think we should suit; and what third person is there who would not spoil our pleasure?"


"Indeed, I know of none about our own ages--no lady at least; and as to gentlemen----"

"Indeed, I know of none of our own ages - no lady at least. And as to gentlemen-"


"An excursion becomes quite a different thing when there are gentlemen of the party," interrupted Caroline.

"An excursion becomes quite a different thing when there are gentlemen," interrupted Caroline.


"I agree with you--quite a different thing to what we were proposing."


"We were going simply to see the old trees, the old ruins; to pass a day in old times, surrounded by olden silence, and above all by quietude."

"We were going simply to see the old trees, the old ruins; to pass a day in quietude."


"You are right; and the presence of gentlemen dispels the last charm, I think.


If they are of the wrong sort, like your Malones, and your young Sykes, and Wynnes, irritation takes the place of serenity.

If they are of the wrong sort, like your Malones, and your young Sykes, irritation takes the place of serenity.


If they are of the right sort, there is still a change; I can hardly tell what change--one easy to feel, difficult to describe."

If they are of the right sort, there is still a change that is difficult to describe."


"And then Nature forgets us, covers her vast calm brow with a dim veil, conceals her face, and withdraws the peaceful joy with which, if we had been content to worship her only, she would have filled our hearts."

"And then Nature forgets us, and withdraws the peaceful joy with which she would have filled our hearts.


"More elation and more anxiety; an excitement that steals the hours away fast, and a trouble that ruffles their course."


"Our power of being happy lies a good deal in ourselves, I believe," remarked Caroline sagely.

"Our power of being happy lies a good deal in ourselves, I believe," remarked Caroline.


"I have gone to Nunnwood with a large party--all the curates and some other gentry of these parts, together with sundry ladies--and I found the affair insufferably tedious and absurd; and I have gone quite alone, or accompanied but by Fanny, who sat in the woodman's hut and sewed, or talked to the goodwife, while I roamed about and made sketches, or read; and I have enjoyed much happiness of a quiet kind all day long.

"I have gone to Nunnwood with a large party - all the curates and other gentry and ladies - and I found it insufferably tedious; and I have gone quite alone, or accompanied only by Fanny, and have roamed about and sketched, or read; and enjoyed much quiet happiness.


But that was when I was young--two years ago."

But that was when I was young - two years ago."


"Did you ever go with your cousin, Robert Moore?"


"What sort of a companion is he on these occasions?"


"A cousin, you know, is different to a stranger."


"I am aware of that; but cousins, if they are stupid, are still more insupportable than strangers, because you cannot so easily keep them at a distance.

"I am aware of that; but cousins, if they are stupid, are more insupportable than strangers, because you cannot so easily keep them at a distance.


"If the company of fools irritates, as you say, the society of clever men leaves its own peculiar pain also.

the society of clever men brings its own peculiar pain also.


Where the goodness or talent of your friend is beyond and above all doubt, your own worthiness to be his associate often becomes a matter of question."

You wonder whether you are worthy to be his associate."


there I cannot follow you," cried Shirley.


That crotchet is not one I should choose to entertain for an instant.


I consider myself not unworthy to be the associate of the best of them--of gentlemen, I mean--though that is saying a great deal.

"I consider myself worthy to be the associate of the best of gentlemen.


Where they are good, they are very good, I believe.


Your uncle, by-the-bye, is not a bad specimen of the elderly gentleman.


I am always glad to see his brown, keen, sensible old face, either in my own house or any other.

I am always glad to see his brown, keen, sensible old face.


"He has brought me up from childhood, I doubt not, precisely as he would have brought up his own daughter, if he had had one; and that is kindness.


I would rather be out of his presence than in it."


"Strange, when he has the art of making himself so agreeable."

"Strange, when he makes himself so agreeable."


"Yes, in company; but he is stern and silent at home.


As he puts away his cane and shovel-hat in the rectory hall, so he locks his liveliness in his book-case and study-desk: the knitted brow and brief word for the fireside; the smile, the jest, the witty sally for society."

As he puts away his hat in the rectory hall, so he locks away his liveliness: the smile and jest are for society."


He is neither tyrannical nor hypocritical.


He is simply a man who is rather liberal than good-natured, rather brilliant than genial, rather scrupulously equitable than truly just--if you can understand such superfine distinctions."

He is simply a man who is liberal rather than good-natured, and scrupulously equitable rather than truly just - if you understand me."


Good-nature implies indulgence, which he has not; geniality, warmth of heart, which he does not own; and genuine justice is the offspring of sympathy and considerateness, of which, I can well conceive, my bronzed old friend is quite innocent."

Genuine justice springs from sympathy and considerateness, of which, I can imagine, my bronzed old friend is quite devoid."


"I often wonder, Shirley, whether most men resemble my uncle in their domestic relations; whether it is necessary to be new and unfamiliar to them in order to seem agreeable or estimable in their eyes; and whether it is impossible to their natures to retain a constant interest and affection for those they see every day."

"I often wonder, Shirley, whether most men resemble my uncle at home; whether it is necessary for us to be new and unfamiliar to them in order to seem agreeable in their eyes; and whether it is impossible for them to retain a constant interest and affection for those people they see every day."


I ponder over similar ones myself sometimes.


But, to tell you a secret, if I were convinced that they are necessarily and universally different from us--fickle, soon petrifying, unsympathizing--I would never marry.

But if I were convinced they were all hard and unsympathizing, I would never marry.


I should not like to find out that what I loved did not love me, that it was weary of me, and that whatever effort I might make to please would hereafter be worse than useless, since it was inevitably in its nature to change and become indifferent.

I should not like to find out that what I loved did not love me, and never could despite any effort I might make to please.


That discovery once made, what should I long for?

Once I made that discovery, I would long


To go away, to remove from a presence where my society gave no pleasure."


"But you could not if you were married."


Nothing irks me like the idea of being a burden and a bore--an inevitable burden, a ceaseless bore!

Nothing irks me like the idea of being a burden and a bore!


Now, when I feel my company superfluous, I can comfortably fold my independence round me like a mantle, and drop my pride like a veil, and withdraw to solitude.


"I wonder we don't all make up our minds to remain single," said Caroline.


"We should if we listened to the wisdom of experience.


My uncle always speaks of marriage as a burden; and I believe whenever he hears of a man being married he invariably regards him as a fool, or, at any rate, as doing a foolish thing."

He always speaks of marriage as a burden; and I believe whenever he hears of a man being married, he regards him as a fool."


"But, Caroline, men are not all like your uncle.

"But, Caroline, surely men are not all like your uncle."


"I suppose we each find an exception in the one we love, till we _are_ married," suggested Caroline.

"I suppose we each find an exception in the one we love, till we are married," suggested Caroline.


And this exception we believe to be of sterling materials.


We fancy it like ourselves; we imagine a sense of harmony.

we fancy him to be like ourselves; we imagine a sense of harmony.


We think his voice gives the softest, truest promise of a heart that will never harden against us; we read in his eyes that faithful feeling--affection.

We think his voice promises a heart that will never harden against us; we read faithful affection in his eyes.


I don't think we should trust to what they call passion at all, Caroline.

I don't think we should trust to what they call passion, Caroline.


I believe it is a mere fire of dry sticks, blazing up and vanishing.


But we watch him, and see him kind to animals, to little children, to poor people.

But we see him kind to animals, to children, to poor people, and


He is kind to us likewise, good, considerate.


He does not flatter women, but he is patient with them, and he seems to be easy in their presence, and to find their company genial.

He does not flatter women, but he is patient with them, and seems to find their company congenial.


He likes them not only for vain and selfish reasons, but as _we_ like him--because we like him.


Then we observe that he is just, that he always speaks the truth, that he is conscientious.


We feel joy and peace when he comes into a room; we feel sadness and trouble when he leaves it.

We feel joy and peace when he comes into a room; we feel sad when he leaves it.


We know that this man has been a kind son, that he is a kind brother.

We know that this man has been a kind son, and a kind brother.


Will any one dare to tell me that he will not be a kind husband?"


"My uncle would affirm it unhesitatingly.


'He will be sick of you in a month,' he would say."


"Mrs. Pryor would seriously intimate the same."

"Mrs. Pryor would seriously hint the same."


"Mrs. Yorke and Miss Mann would darkly suggest ditto."


"If they are true oracles, it is good never to fall in love."

"If they are right," said Shirley, "it is good never to fall in love."


"I am afraid that proves you are already caught."

"I am afraid that proves you are already caught," said Caroline.


But if I were, do you know what soothsayers I would consult?"


"Neither man nor woman, elderly nor young: the little Irish beggar that comes barefoot to my door; the mouse that steals out of the cranny in the wainscot; the bird that in frost and snow pecks at my window for a crumb; the dog that licks my hand and sits beside my knee."

neither man nor woman, but the mouse that steals out of the wainscot; the bird that pecks at my window for a crumb; the dog that licks my hand and sits beside my knee.


"Did you ever see any one who was kind to such things?"


"Did you ever see any one whom such things seemed instinctively to follow, like, rely on?"

Did you ever see anyone whom such creatures seemed instinctively to rely on?"


"We have a black cat and an old dog at the rectory.


I know somebody to whose knee that black cat loves to climb, against whose shoulder and cheek it likes to purr.

I know somebody onto whose knee that black cat loves to climb; and


The old dog always comes out of his kennel and wags his tail, and whines affectionately when somebody passes."

the old dog always comes out of his kennel and wags his tail, and whines affectionately when somebody passes."


"He quietly strokes the cat, and lets her sit while he conveniently can; and when he must disturb her by rising, he puts her softly down, and never flings her from him roughly.

"He quietly strokes the cat, and when he must disturb her by rising, he puts her softly down.


He always whistles to the dog and gives him a caress."


Has he not fine eyes and well-cut features, and a clear, princely forehead?"


When I first looked at your face I knew you would."


"I was well inclined to him before I saw him.


There is charm in beauty for itself, Caroline; when it is blent with goodness, there is a powerful charm."

When beauty is blended with goodness, Caroline, there is a powerful charm."


"Remember my uncle, Mesdames Pryor, Yorke, and Mann."


"Remember the croaking of the frogs of Egypt.


I tell you when they _are_ good they are the lords of the creation--they are the sons of God.

I tell you when they are good they are the lords of the creation - they are the sons of God.


Moulded in their Maker's image, the minutest spark of His spirit lifts them almost above mortality.


Indisputably, a great, good, handsome man is the first of created things."


"I would scorn to contend for empire with him--I would scorn it.

"I would scorn to contend for empire with him.


Shall my left hand dispute for precedence with my right?


Shall my veins be jealous of the blood which fills them?"


"Men and women, husbands and wives, quarrel horribly, Shirley."

"Husbands and wives quarrel horribly, Shirley.


God made them for another lot, for other feelings."


"But are we men's equals, or are we not?"


"Nothing ever charms me more than when I meet my superior--one who makes me sincerely feel that he is my superior."

"Nothing ever charms me more than when I meet my superior - one who makes me sincerely feel that he is my superior.


The higher above me, so much the better.


It degrades to stoop; it is glorious to look up.


What frets me is, that when I try to esteem, I am baffled; when religiously inclined, there are but false gods to adore.

What frets me is that when I try to esteem, I am baffled."


"Not to-day, but to-morrow I shall fetch you to spend the evening with me.

"Not today, but tomorrow I shall fetch you to spend the evening with me.


Caroline Helstone, if you really are what at present to me you seem, you and I will suit.

Caroline Helstone, if you really are what at present you seem, you and I will suit.


I have never in my whole life been able to talk to a young lady as I have talked to you this morning.


Mrs. Pryor seemed as well disposed to cultivate Caroline's acquaintance as Shirley.

Mrs. Pryor seemed as friendly as Shirley.


She, who went nowhere else, called on an early day at the rectory.

She, who went nowhere else, called at the rectory


She came in the afternoon, when the rector happened to be out.

one afternoon, when the rector happened to be out.


It was rather a close day; the heat of the weather had flushed her, and she seemed fluttered too by the circumstance of entering a strange house, for it appeared her habits were most retiring and secluded.

It was rather a close day; the heat had flushed her, and she seemed flustered too at entering a strange house.


When Miss Helstone went to her in the dining-room she found her seated on the sofa, trembling, fanning herself with her handkerchief, and seeming to contend with a nervous discomposure that threatened to become hysterical.

She sat on the sofa, trembling, and fanning herself with her handkerchief with nervous discomposure.


Caroline marvelled somewhat at this unusual want of self-command in a lady of her years, and also at the lack of real strength in one who appeared almost robust--for Mrs. Pryor hastened to allege the fatigue of her walk, the heat of the sun, etc., as reasons for her temporary indisposition; and still as, with more hurry than coherence, she again and again enumerated these causes of exhaustion, Caroline gently sought to relieve her by opening her shawl and removing her bonnet.

Caroline marvelled at this unusual want of self-command in a lady of her years, and also at the lack of strength in one who appeared robust - for Mrs. Pryor said repeatedly that the fatigue of her walk and the heat were the reasons for her weakness. Caroline gently removed her shawl and bonnet


Attentions of this sort Mrs. Pryor would not have accepted from every one.

: attentions that Mrs. Pryor would not have accepted from everyone.


In general she recoiled from touch or close approach with a mixture of embarrassment and coldness far from flattering to those who offered her aid.

In general she recoiled from touch with embarrassment and coldness.


To Miss Helstone's little light hand, however, she yielded tractably, and seemed soothed by its contact.

To Miss Helstone's little light hand, however, she yielded, and seemed soothed.


In a few minutes she ceased to tremble, and grew quiet and tranquil.


Her usual manner being resumed, she proceeded to talk of ordinary topics.

Her usual manner being resumed, she began to talk of ordinary topics.


In a miscellaneous company Mrs. Pryor rarely opened her lips, or, if obliged to speak, she spoke under restraint, and consequently not well; in dialogue she was a good converser.


Her language, always a little formal, was well chosen; her sentiments were just; her information was varied and correct.


Caroline felt it pleasant to listen to her, more pleasant than she could have anticipated.

Caroline felt it more pleasant to listen to her than she could have anticipated.


On the wall opposite the sofa where they sat hung three pictures--the centre one, above the mantelpiece, that of a lady; the two others, male portraits.

On the wall opposite them hung three pictures - the centre one, that of a lady; the two others, male portraits.


"That is a beautiful face," said Mrs. Pryor, interrupting a brief pause which had followed half an hour's animated conversation.

"That is a beautiful face," said Mrs. Pryor, after a brief pause.


"The features may be termed perfect; no statuary's chisel could improve them.


"It is a portrait from the life, I presume?"


"It is, and is said to be a good likeness.


Before her marriage she was accounted the beauty of the district."

Before her marriage she was thought the beauty of the district."


"I should say she merited the distinction.


The original could not have been what is generally termed 'a woman of spirit.'"

She could not have been what is generally termed 'a woman of spirit.'"


"I believe she was a remarkably still, silent person."

"I believe she was a remarkably still, silent person," said Caroline.


"One would scarcely have expected, my dear, that your uncle's choice should have fallen on a partner of that description.

"One would scarcely have expected, my dear, that your uncle should have chosen a partner of that description.


Is he not fond of being amused by lively chat?"


But he always says he could never do with a talking wife.


You go out to gossip, he affirms; you come home to read and reflect."


"Mrs. Matthewson lived but a few years after her marriage, I think I have heard?"

"Mrs. Matthewson lived only a few years after her marriage, I believe?"


"Well, my dear," pursued Mrs. Pryor, rising to go, "I trust it is understood that you will frequently come to Fieldhead.

"Well, my dear," pursued Mrs. Pryor, rising to go, "I hope you will frequently come to Fieldhead.


You must feel lonely here, having no female relative in the house; you must necessarily pass much of your time in solitude."

You must feel lonely here, having no female relative in the house; you must pass much of your time alone."


"Should you chance to require help in your studies," she said, "you may command me."

"Should you require help in your studies," she said, "you may command me.


Caroline expressed her sense of such kindness.


"I hope to have frequent conversations with you.


She thought what a kind heart was hidden under her visitor's seeming chilliness.

thanked her, thinking what a kind heart was hidden under her visitor's seeming chilliness.


Observing that Mrs. Pryor again glanced with an air of interest towards the portraits, as she walked down the room, Caroline casually explained: "The likeness that hangs near the window, you will see, is my uncle, taken twenty years ago; the other, to the left of the mantelpiece, is his brother James, my father."

Observing that Mrs. Pryor again glanced at the portraits, Caroline explained:
"The likeness that hangs near the window, you will see, is my uncle, taken twenty years ago; the other is his brother James, my father."


"They resemble each other in some measure," said Mrs. Pryor; "yet a difference of character may be traced in the different mould of the brow and mouth."

"They resemble each other," said Mrs. Pryor; "yet a difference of character may be traced in the brow and mouth."


inquired Caroline, accompanying her to the door.


"James Helstone--that is, my father--is generally considered the best-looking of the two.

"James Helstone - my father - is generally considered by strangers to be the better-looking of the two.


Strangers, I remark, always exclaim, 'What a handsome man!'


Do you think his picture handsome, Mrs. Pryor?"


"It is much softer or finer featured than that of your uncle."

"It is much finer featured than that of your uncle."


"But where or what is the difference of character to which you alluded?

"But what is the difference of character you mean?


"My dear, your uncle is a man of principle.


His forehead and his lips are firm, and his eye is steady."


Adhere to that preference--never swerve thence.


The other, my dear, if he had been living now, would probably have furnished little support to his daughter.

The other, my dear, if he had been living now, would probably have given little support to his daughter.


It is, however, a graceful head--taken in youth, I should think.


My dear" (turning abruptly), "you acknowledge an inestimable value in principle?"

My dear" (turning abruptly), "you believe in the importance of principle?"


"I am sure no character can have true worth without it."


Circumstances early forced it upon my attention."


"The lesson was not lost, then, though it came so prematurely.


I suppose the soil is not light nor stony, otherwise seed falling in that season never would have borne fruit.


My dear, do not stand in the air of the door; you will take cold.

My dear, do not stand in the draught; you will take cold.


Miss Helstone's new acquaintance soon became of value to her: their society was acknowledged a privilege.

Miss Helstone's new acquaintances soon became of value to her: their society was, she felt, a privilege


She found she would have been in error indeed to have let slip this chance of relief, to have neglected to avail herself of this happy change.


A turn was thereby given to her thoughts; a new channel was opened for them, which, diverting a few of them at least from the one direction in which all had hitherto tended, abated the impetuosity of their rush, and lessened the force of their pressure on one worn-down point.

A new turn was given to her thoughts, lessening the force of their pressure on one worn-down point.


Soon she was content to spend whole days at Fieldhead, doing by turns whatever Shirley or Mrs. Pryor wished her to do; and now one would claim her, now the other.

Soon she was content to spend whole days at Fieldhead, doing by turns whatever Shirley or Mrs. Pryor wished; now one would claim her, now the other.


Nothing could be less demonstrative than the friendship of the elder lady, but also nothing could be more vigilant, assiduous, untiring.

The elder lady was not demonstrative, but she was assiduous.


I have intimated that she was a peculiar personage, and in nothing was her peculiarity more shown than in the nature of the interest she evinced for Caroline.

I have hinted that she was a peculiar person, and this was evident in the interest she showed in Caroline.


She watched all her movements; she seemed as if she would have guarded all her steps.

She watched all her movements; it seemed as if she wished to guard her steps.


It gave her pleasure to be applied to by Miss Helstone for advice and assistance.

It gave her pleasure to be asked by Miss Helstone for advice.


She yielded her aid, when asked, with such quiet yet obvious enjoyment that Caroline ere long took delight in depending on her.

She gave her aid with such quiet enjoyment that Caroline before long took delight in depending on her.


Shirley Keeldar's complete docility with Mrs. Pryor had at first surprised Miss Helstone, and not less the fact of the reserved ex-governess being so much at home and at ease in the residence of her young pupil, where she filled with such quiet independency a very dependent post; but she soon found that it needed but to know both ladies to comprehend fully the enigma.

Shirley Keeldar's complete docility with Mrs. Pryor had at first surprised Caroline, as did the fact of the reserved ex-governess being so much at ease in the house of her young pupil; but she soon found


Every one, it seemed to her, must like, must love, must prize Mrs. Pryor when they knew her.

everyone must prize Mrs. Pryor when they knew her.


No matter that she perseveringly wore old-fashioned gowns; that her speech was formal and her manner cool; that she had twenty little ways such as nobody else had: she was still such a stay, such a counsellor, so truthful, so kind in her way, that, in Caroline's idea, none once accustomed to her presence could easily afford to dispense with it.

Despite her old-fashioned gowns and formal speech, she was a kind and truthful counsellor.


As to dependency or humiliation, Caroline did not feel it in her intercourse with Shirley, and why should Mrs. Pryor?

As to dependency or inferiority - Caroline did not feel it in talking to Shirley, so why would Mrs. Pryor?


The heiress was rich--very rich--compared with her new friend: one possessed a clear thousand a year, the other not a penny; and yet there was a safe sense of equality experienced in her society, never known in that of the ordinary Briarfield and Whinbury gentry.

Shirley was rich: she possessed a thousand a year, and Caroline not a penny; and yet there was a safe sense of equality when with her, never known with the ordinary Briarfield gentry.


The reason was, Shirley's head ran on other things than money and position.

The reason was that Shirley's head ran on other things than money and position.


She was glad to be independent as to property; by fits she was even elated at the notion of being lady of the manor, and having tenants and an estate.

She was glad to be independent; at times she was even elated at the notion of being lady of the manor, and having tenants and an estate.


She was especially tickled with an agreeable complacency when reminded of "all that property" down in the Hollow, "comprising an excellent cloth-mill, dyehouse, warehouse, together with the messuage, gardens, and outbuildings, termed Hollow's Cottage;" but her exultation being quite undisguised was singularly inoffensive; and, for her serious thoughts, they tended elsewhere.

She was especially tickled when reminded of "all that property" down in the Hollow - the mills, gardens and cottage; but her serious thoughts tended elsewhere.


To admire the great, reverence the good, and be joyous with the genial, was very much the bent of Shirley's soul: she mused, therefore, on the means of following this bent far oftener than she pondered on her social superiority.

To admire the great, reverence the good, and be joyous with the genial, was very much Shirley's way, rather than thinking of her social superiority.


In Caroline Miss Keeldar had first taken an interest because she was quiet, retiring, looked delicate, and seemed as if she needed some one to take care of her.

Miss Keeldar had first taken an interest in Caroline because she was quiet, and looked delicate and in need of care.


Her predilection increased greatly when she discovered that her own way of thinking and talking was understood and responded to by this new acquaintance.

Her liking increased greatly when she discovered that Caroline understood and responded to her own way of thinking and talking.


Miss Helstone, she fancied, had too pretty a face, manners and voice too soft, to be anything out of the common way in mind and attainments; and she very much wondered to see the gentle features light up archly to the reveille of a dry sally or two risked by herself; and more did she wonder to discover the self-won knowledge treasured, and the untaught speculations working in that girlish, curl-veiled head.

Miss Helstone, she fancied, looked too pretty and soft to be anything out of the common way; and she wondered at the self-won knowledge and speculations working in that girlish head.


Caroline's instinct of taste, too, was like her own.

Caroline's taste, too, was like her own.


Such books as Miss Keeldar had read with the most pleasure were Miss Helstone's delight also.


They held many aversions too in common, and could have the comfort of laughing together over works of false sentimentality and pompous pretension.


Few, Shirley conceived, men or women have the right taste in poetry, the right sense for discriminating between what is real and what is false.


She had again and again heard very clever people pronounce this or that passage, in this or that versifier, altogether admirable, which, when she read, her soul refused to acknowledge as anything but cant, flourish, and tinsel, or at the best elaborate wordiness, curious, clever, learned, perhaps, haply even tinged with the fascinating hues of fancy, but, God knows, as different from real poetry as the gorgeous and massy vase of mosaic is from the little cup of pure metal; or, to give the reader a choice of similes, as the milliner's artificial wreath is from the fresh-gathered lily of the field.


Caroline, she found, felt the value of the true ore, and knew the deception of the flashy dross.

Caroline, she found, could tell the true from the false.


The minds of the two girls being toned in harmony often chimed very sweetly together.

The minds of the two girls often chimed sweetly in harmony.


One evening they chanced to be alone in the oak-parlour.


They had passed a long wet day together without _ennui_.

They had passed a long wet day together without tedium.


It was now on the edge of dark; candles were not yet brought in; both, as twilight deepened, grew meditative and silent.

It was now almost dark; candles were not yet brought in; both were meditative and silent.


A western wind roared high round the hall, driving wild clouds and stormy rain up from the far-remote ocean; all was tempest outside the antique lattices, all deep peace within.

A western wind roared high round the hall, driving wild clouds and stormy rain; all was tempest outside, all deep peace within.


Shirley sat at the window, watching the rack in heaven, the mist on earth, listening to certain notes of the gale that plained like restless spirits--notes which, had she not been so young, gay, and healthy, would have swept her trembling nerves like some omen, some anticipatory dirge.

Shirley sat at the window, listening to the restless complaints of the gale, which made her


In this her prime of existence and bloom of beauty they but subdued vivacity to pensiveness.


Snatches of sweet ballads haunted her ear; now and then she sang a stanza.


Her accents obeyed the fitful impulse of the wind; they swelled as its gusts rushed on, and died as they wandered away.

, obeying the fitful impulse of the wind.


Caroline, withdrawn to the farthest and darkest end of the room, her figure just discernible by the ruby shine of the flameless fire, was pacing to and fro, muttering to herself fragments of well-remembered poetry.

Caroline, at the darkest end of the room, was just discernible by the ruby shine of the fire, pacing to and fro, muttering fragments of poetry.


She spoke very low, but Shirley heard her; and while singing softly, she listened.

She spoke very low, but Shirley heard her:


"Obscurest night involved the sky, The Atlantic billows roared, When such a destined wretch as I, Washed headlong from on board, Of friends, of hope, of all bereft, His floating home for ever left."

"'Obscurest night involved the sky,
The Atlantic billows roared,
When such a destined wretch as I,
Washed headlong from on board,
Of friends, of hope, of all bereft,
His floating home for ever left.'"


Here the fragment stopped, because Shirley's song, erewhile somewhat full and thrilling, had become delicately faint.


If you can remember it all, say it all."


And as it was nearly dark, and, after all, Miss Keeldar was no formidable auditor, Caroline went through it.


She went through it as she should have gone through it.


The wild sea, the drowning mariner, the reluctant ship swept on in the storm, you heard were realized by her; and more vividly was realized the heart of the poet, who did not weep for "The Castaway," but who, in an hour of tearless anguish, traced a semblance to his own God-abandoned misery in the fate of that man-forsaken sailor, and cried from the depths where he struggled,--

The wild sea, the drowning mariner, the reluctant ship swept on in the storm, were made real by her; and so was the heart of the poet, who wept for his own God-abandoned misery, and cried from the depths:


"No voice divine the storm allayed, No light propitious shone, When, snatched from all effectual aid, We perished--each alone!

"'No voice divine the storm allayed,
No light propitious shone,
When, snatched from all effectual aid,
We perished - each alone!


But I beneath a rougher sea, And whelmed in deeper gulfs than he."

But I beneath a rougher sea,
And whelmed in deeper gulfs than he.'


"I hope William Cowper is safe and calm in heaven now," said Caroline.

"I hope William Cowper is safe and calm in heaven now," continued Caroline.


"Do you pity what he suffered on earth?"


He was nearly broken-hearted when he wrote that poem, and it almost breaks one's heart to read it.

"Poor man: he was nearly broken-hearted when he wrote that poem, and it almost breaks one's heart to read it.


But he found relief in writing it--I know he did; and that gift of poetry--the most divine bestowed on man--was, I believe, granted to allay emotions when their strength threatens harm.

But he found relief in writing it - I know he did.


It seems to me, Shirley, that nobody should write poetry to exhibit intellect or attainment.

It seems to me, Shirley, that nobody should write poetry to show off intellect.


Who cares for learning--who cares for fine words in poetry?


And who does not care for feeling--real feeling--however simply, even rudely expressed?"

And who does not care for real feeling?"


"It seems you care for it, at all events; and certainly, in hearing that poem, one discovers that Cowper was under an impulse strong as that of the wind which drove the ship--an impulse which, while it would not suffer him to stop to add ornament to a single stanza, filled him with force to achieve the whole with consummate perfection.


You managed to recite it with a steady voice, Caroline.

yet you managed to recite it with a steady voice, Caroline."


"Cowper's hand did not tremble in writing the lines.


Why should my voice falter in repeating them?


Depend on it, Shirley, no tear blistered the manuscript of 'The Castaway.'


I hear in it no sob of sorrow, only the cry of despair; but, that cry uttered, I believe the deadly spasm passed from his heart, that he wept abundantly, and was comforted."

I believe that in writing 'The Castaway' the deadly spasm passed from his heart, he wept abundantly, and was comforted."


Stopping short, she remarked ere long, "One could have loved Cowper, if it were only for the sake of having the privilege of comforting him."

Shirley remarked, "One could have loved Cowper, if it were only for the sake of comforting him."


"You never would have loved Cowper," rejoined Caroline promptly.


I know there is a kind of natures in the world--and very noble, elevated natures too--whom love never comes near.

I know there are natures in the world - and very noble natures too - whom love never comes near.


You might have sought Cowper with the intention of loving him, and you would have looked at him, pitied him, and left him, forced away by a sense of the impossible, the incongruous, as the crew were borne from their drowning comrade by 'the furious blast.'"


"And what I say of Cowper, I should say of Rousseau.

"And what I say of Cowper, I say of Rousseau.


He loved passionately; but was his passion ever returned?


And if there were any female Cowpers and Rousseaus, I should assert the same of them."

And if there were any female Cowpers and Rousseaus, I should say the same of them."


Moore never talked to me either about Cowper, or Rousseau, or love."


The voice we hear in solitude told me all I know on these subjects."


"Do you like characters of the Rousseau order, Caroline?"

"Do you like characters of the Rousseau type, Caroline?"


I sympathize intensely with certain qualities they possess.

I sympathize intensely with certain dazzling qualities they possess.


Certain divine sparks in their nature dazzle my eyes, and make my soul glow.


The refuse and the ore make a mass of weakness: taken altogether, I feel them unnatural, unhealthy, repulsive."


"I dare say I should be more tolerant of a Rousseau than you would, Cary.


Submissive and contemplative yourself, you like the stern and the practical.


By the way, you must miss that Cousin Robert of yours very much, now that you and he never meet."


"I cannot imagine," pursued Shirley, who had lately got a habit of introducing Moore's name into the conversation, even when it seemed to have no business there--"I cannot imagine but that he was fond of you, since he took so much notice of you, talked to you, and taught you so much."

"I imagine," pursued Shirley, who had lately got a habit of introducing Moore's name into the conversation, even when it seemed to have no business there - "I imagine that he was fond of you, since he took so much notice of you."


"He never was fond of me; he never professed to be fond of me.


He took pains to prove that he only just tolerated me."

took pains to prove he only just tolerated me."


Caroline, determined not to err on the flattering side in estimating her cousin's regard for her, always now habitually thought of it and mentioned it in the most scanty measure.

Caroline now habitually thought of Robert's feelings in this scanty measure.


She had her own reasons for being less sanguine than ever in hopeful views of the future, less indulgent to pleasurable retrospections of the past.

She had her own reasons for being less sanguine than ever about hopeful views of the future.


"Of course, then," observed Miss Keeldar, "you only just tolerated him in return?"


"Shirley, men and women are so different; they are in such a different position.


Women have so few things to think about, men so many.

women have so few things to think about, men so many.


You may have a friendship for a man, while he is almost indifferent to you.


Much of what cheers your life may be dependent on him, while not a feeling or interest of moment in his eyes may have reference to you.


Robert used to be in the habit of going to London, sometimes for a week or a fortnight together.

Robert used to go to London sometimes for a week or a fortnight.


Well, while he was away, I found his absence a void.


There was something wanting; Briarfield was duller.


Of course, I had my usual occupations; still I missed him.


As I sat by myself in the evenings, I used to feel a strange certainty of conviction I cannot describe, that if a magician or a genius had, at that moment, offered me Prince Ali's tube (you remember it in the 'Arabian Nights'?

As I sat by myself in the evenings, I used to feel a strange conviction that if I


), and if, with its aid, I had been enabled to take a view of Robert--to see where he was, how occupied--I should have learned, in a startling manner, the width of the chasm which gaped between such as he and such as I. I knew that, however my thoughts might adhere to him, his were effectually sundered from me."

could magically see Robert - where he was, how occupied - I should learn the width of the chasm between us."


"Caroline," demanded Miss Keeldar abruptly, "don't you wish you had a profession--a trade?"

"Caroline," demanded Miss Keeldar abruptly, "don't you wish you had a profession?"


As it is, I often wonder what I came into the world for.


I long to have something absorbing and compulsory to fill my head and hands and to occupy my thoughts."

I long to have something absorbing to fill my head and hands and to occupy my thoughts.


"Can labour alone make a human being happy?"


"No; but it can give varieties of pain, and prevent us from breaking our hearts with a single tyrant master-torture.

, but it can prevent us from breaking our hearts with a tyrant pain.


Besides, successful labour has its recompense; a vacant, weary, lonely, hopeless life has none."

Besides, successful labour has its reward."


"But hard labour and learned professions, they say, make women masculine, coarse, unwomanly."

"But labour and professions, they say, make women masculine, coarse, unwomanly."


"And what does it signify whether unmarried and never-to-be-married women are unattractive and inelegant or not?

"And what does it signify if never-to-be-married women are unattractive or not?


Provided only they are decent, decorous, and neat, it is enough.

Provided they are decorous and neat, it is enough.


The utmost which ought to be required of old maids, in the way of appearance, is that they should not absolutely offend men's eyes as they pass them in the street; for the rest, they should be allowed, without too much scorn, to be as absorbed, grave, plain-looking, and plain-dressed as they please."

Old maids should be allowed to be as grave and plain-looking as they please."


"You might be an old maid yourself, Caroline, you speak so earnestly."


I will never marry a Malone or a Sykes; and no one else will ever marry me."


Again the name by which she seemed bewitched was almost the first on her lips.


"Lina--did not Moore call you Lina sometimes?"

"Lina - did not Moore call you Lina sometimes?"


It is sometimes used as the abbreviation of Caroline in his native country."

It is short for Caroline in his native country."


"Well, Lina, do you remember my one day noticing an inequality in your hair--a curl wanting on that right side--and your telling me that it was Robert's fault, as he had once cut therefrom a long lock?"

"Well, Lina, do you remember my one day noticing a curl missing from your hair, and your telling me that it was Robert's fault, as he had once cut off a lock?"


"If he is, and always was, as indifferent to you as you say, why did he steal your hair?"

"If he was as indifferent to you as you say, why did he steal your hair?"


Everything of that sort always was my doing.


He was going from home--to London, as usual; and the night before he went, I had found in his sister's workbox a lock of black hair--a short, round curl.

He was going to London; and the night before he went, I had found in his sister's workbox a short lock of black hair.


Hortense told me it was her brother's, and a keepsake.


He has plenty of hair; on the temples were many such round curls.


I knew I should like to have it, and I asked for it.


He said, on condition that he might have his choice of a tress from my head.

He said, on condition that he might have a tress from my head.


So he got one of my long locks of hair, and I got one of his short ones.


I keep his, but I dare say he has lost mine.


It was my doing, and one of those silly deeds it distresses the heart and sets the face on fire to think of; one of those small but sharp recollections that return, lacerating your self-respect like tiny penknives, and forcing from your lips, as you sit alone, sudden, insane-sounding interjections."

It was one of those silly deeds it distresses the heart and sets the face on fire to think of; one of those small but sharp recollections that return, lacerating your self-respect like tiny penknives, and forcing from your lips, as you sit alone, sudden, insane-sounding interjections."


"I _do_ think myself a fool, Shirley, in some respects; I _do_ despise myself.

"I do think myself a fool, Shirley, in some respects.


But I said I would not make you my confessor, for you cannot reciprocate foible for foible; you are not weak.


Turn aside your clear, strong, she-eagle eye; it is an insult to fix it on me thus."


"What a study of character you are--weak, certainly, but not in the sense you think!--Come in!"

"What a study of character you are. - Come in!"


This was said in answer to a tap at the door.


Miss Keeldar happened to be near it at the moment, Caroline at the other end of the room.


She saw a note put into Shirley's hands, and heard the words, "From Mr. Moore, ma'am."

saw the servant put a note into Shirley's hands, and heard the words, "From Mr. Moore, ma'am."


"A communication on business," said the heiress; but when candles were brought, she neither opened nor read it.

"It is a note on business." But when candles were brought, she neither opened nor read it


The rector's Fanny was presently announced, and the rector's niece went home.


While Shirley was talking with Moore, Caroline rejoined Mrs. Pryor upstairs.


She would not say that Miss Keeldar's hastiness had hurt her feelings, but it was evident an inward wound galled her.


To any but a congenial nature she would have seemed insensible to the quiet, tender attentions by which Miss Helstone sought to impart solace; but Caroline knew that, unmoved or slightly moved as she looked, she felt, valued, and was healed by them.

Miss Helstone tried to comfort her, knowing that although Mrs. Pryor looked unmoved by her quiet, tender attentions, she valued them.


"I am deficient in self-confidence and decision," she said at last.

"I am deficient in self-confidence and decision," said Mrs. Pryor.


"I always have been deficient in those qualities.


Yet I think Miss Keeldar should have known my character well enough by this time to be aware that I always feel an even painful solicitude to do right, to act for the best.

Yet I think Miss Keeldar should have known that I always try to do right.


The unusual nature of the demand on my judgment puzzled me, especially following the alarms of the night.


I could not venture to act promptly for another; but I trust no serious harm will result from my lapse of firmness."


A gentle knock was here heard at the door.


"Caroline, come here," said a low voice.


There stood Shirley in the gallery, looking contrite, ashamed, sorry as any repentant child.

There stood Shirley in the gallery, looking contrite as any repentant child.


"I have behaved very shamefully, very ungenerously, very ungratefully to her," said Shirley.

"I have behaved very shamefully, very ungenerously to her," said Shirley.


"How insolent in me to turn on her thus for what, after all, was no fault--only an excess of conscientiousness on her part.

"How insolent in me to turn on her for what, after all, was only conscientiousness on her part.


Tell her so, and ask if she will forgive me."


Caroline discharged the errand with heartfelt pleasure.


She did not like scenes; she dreaded them as all timid people do.


She said falteringly, "Come in, my dear."

and said falteringly, "Come in, my dear."


Shirley did come in with some impetuosity.


She threw her arms round her governess, and while she kissed her heartily she said, "You know you _must_ forgive me, Mrs. Pryor.

, and threw her arms round her governess. While she kissed her heartily she said, "You must forgive me, Mrs. Pryor."


I could not get on at all if there was a misunderstanding between you and me."


"I have nothing to forgive," was the reply.


"We will pass it over now, if you please.


The final result of the incident is that it proves more plainly than ever how unequal I am to certain crises."

The incident proves plainly how unequal I am to certain crises."