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184 Wenderholme. Part i.
coachman. He thought it best to take the money, to prevent
an explanation in the presence of so many witnesses. So he
politely touched hb cap, and thanked her. It being already
dusk, she did not recognize him. Suddenly the love of a
joke prevailed over other considerations, and the Colonel,
imitating the cabman's gesture, contemplated the three six-
pences in his open hand by the light of the lamp, and said,
" Is there nothing for the coachman, mum ? " The lamplight
fell upon his features, and Mrs. Ogden recognized him at
once ; so did little Jacob. Her way of taking the discovery
marked her characteristic self-possession. She blundered
into no apologies ; but, fixing her stony gray eyes full on the
Colonel's face, she said, " I think you want no sixpences ;
Stanburnes o' Wendrum Hall doesn't use wantin* sixpences.
Give me my eighteenpence back." Then, suddenly changing
her resolution, she said, " Nay, I willn't have them three six-
pences back again ; it 's worth eighteenpence to be able to tell
folk that Colonel Stanburne of Wenderholme Hall took money
for lettin' an old lady ride in his carriage." She said this
with real dignity, and taking little Jacob by the hand, moved
off with a steady step towards her lodging over the shoe-
maker's shop.
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Chap. XXII. Colonel Stanbume apologizes. 185



CHAPTER XXII.
COLONEL STANBURNE APOLOGIZES.
