I hardly know how Mr. Moore managed, except that I recollect he suggested to papa that agitation would bring on his gout; and then he spoke quietly to the ladies, and got them away; and afterwards he said to you, Miss Shirley, that it was of no use talking or lecturing now, but that the tea-things were just brought into the schoolroom, and he was very thirsty, and he would be glad if you would leave your packing for the present and come and make a cup of tea for him and me.

I hardly know how Mr. Moore managed, except that I recollect he spoke quietly to papa and the ladies, and got them away; and afterwards he said to you, Miss Shirley, that it was of no use lecturing now, but that the tea-things were just brought into the schoolroom, and he was very thirsty, and he would be glad if you would leave your packing for the present and come and make a cup of tea for him and me.


You came; you would not talk at first, but soon you softened and grew cheerful.

You came; you would not talk at first, but soon you softened.


Mr. Moore began to tell us about the Continent, the war, and Bonaparte--subjects we were both fond of listening to.

Mr. Moore began to tell us about the Continent, the war, and Bonaparte - subjects we were both fond of listening to.


After tea he said we should neither of us leave him that evening; he would not let us stray out of his sight, lest we should again get into mischief.

After tea he said we should neither of us leave him that evening, lest we should again get into mischief.


The next day he gave you, missy, a lecture of an hour, and wound it up by marking you a piece to learn in Bossuet as a punishment-lesson--'Le Cheval Dompt.'

The next day he gave you, missy, a lecture of an hour, and wound it up by telling you to learn 'Le Cheval Dompt.'


You learned it instead of packing up, Shirley.

You learned it instead of packing, Shirley.


Mr. Moore used to tease you on the subject for a year afterwards."


"She never said a lesson with greater spirit," subjoined Moore.

"She never said a lesson with greater spirit," added Moore.


"She then, for the first time, gave me the treat of hearing my native tongue spoken without accent by an English girl."

"She for the first time gave me the treat of hearing my native tongue spoken without accent by an English girl."


"She was as sweet as summer cherries for a month afterwards," struck in Henry: "a good hearty quarrel always left Shirley's temper better than it found it."

"She was as sweet as summer cherries for a month afterwards," struck in Henry: "a good hearty quarrel always improved Shirley's temper."


"You talk of me as if I were not present," observed Miss Keeldar, who had not yet lifted her face.

"You talk of me as if I were not present," observed Miss Keeldar.


"There have been moments since my arrival here when I have been tempted to inquire of the lady of Fieldhead if she knew what had become of my former pupil."

"At times since my arrival here, I have been tempted to ask the lady of Fieldhead if she knew what had become of my former pupil."


"I see her, and humble enough; but I would neither advise Harry nor others to believe too implicitly in the humility which one moment can hide its blushing face like a modest little child, and the next lift it pale and lofty as a marble Juno."

"I see her, and humble enough; but I would advise neither Harry nor others to believe too much in the humility which one moment can hide its blushing face like a modest little child, and the next lift it pale and lofty as a marble Juno."


"One man in times of old, it is said, imparted vitality to the statue he had chiselled; others may have the contrary gift of turning life to stone."

"One man in times of old, it is said, gave life to the statue he had chiselled," answered Shirley; "others may have the contrary gift of turning flesh to marble."


Moore paused on this observation before he replied to it.


His look, at once struck and meditative, said, "A strange phrase; what may it mean?"


He turned it over in his mind, with thought deep and slow, as some German pondering metaphysics.


"You mean," he said at last, "that some men inspire repugnance, and so chill the kind heart."


"If the interpretation pleases you, you are welcome to hold it valid.


And with that she raised her head, lofty in look and statue-like in hue, as Louis had described it.

And with that she raised her head, lofty and statue-like, as Louis had described it.


he said; "scarce imagined ere it is realized: a lowly nymph develops to an inaccessible goddess.


But Henry must not be disappointed of his recitation, and Olympia will deign to oblige him.

"But Henry must not be disappointed of his recitation.


_My_ memory, if a slow, is a retentive one.


I acquire deliberately both knowledge and liking.

I acquire only gradually both knowledge and liking


The acquisition grows into my brain, and the sentiment into my breast; and it is not as the rapid-springing produce which, having no root in itself, flourishes verdurous enough for a time, but too soon falls withered away.


'Voyez ce cheval ardent et imptueux,' so it commences."

It begins, 'Voyez ce cheval ardent et imptueux.'"


Miss Keeldar did consent to make the effort; but she soon stopped.

Miss Keeldar began; but she soon stopped.


"Unless I heard the whole repeated I cannot continue it," she said.

"Unless I hear it I cannot continue it," she said.


"Yet it was quickly learned--'soon gained, soon gone,'" moralized the tutor.

"Yet it was quickly learned - soon gained, soon gone," said the tutor.


He recited the passage deliberately, accurately, with slow, impressive emphasis.

He recited the passage with slow, impressive emphasis.


Shirley, by degrees, inclined her ear as he went on.


Her face, before turned from him, _re_turned towards him.


When he ceased, she took the word up as if from his lips; she took his very tone; she seized his very accent; she delivered the periods as he had delivered them; she reproduced his manner, his pronunciation, his expression.

When he ceased, she took the word up as if from his lips; she took his very tone; she reproduced his manner, his pronunciation, his expression.


"Recall 'Le Songe d'Athalie,'" she entreated, "and say it."

"Now say 'Le Songe d'Athalie,'" she entreated.


She took it from him; she found lively excitement in the pleasure of making his language her own.

She took it from him, finding lively excitement in making his language her own.


She asked for further indulgence; all the old school pieces were revived, and with them Shirley's old school days.

She asked for more; the old school pieces were revived.


He had gone through some of the best passages of Racine and Corneille, and then had heard the echo of his own deep tones in the girl's voice, that modulated itself faithfully on his.

He went through some of the best passages of Racine and Corneille, and heard the echo of his own deep tones in the girl's voice, that modulated itself faithfully on his.


"Le chne et le Roseau," that most beautiful of La Fontaine's fables, had been recited, well recited, by the tutor, and the pupil had animatedly availed herself of the lesson.


Perhaps a simultaneous feeling seized them now, that their enthusiasm had kindled to a glow, which the slight fuel of French poetry no longer sufficed to feed; perhaps they longed for a trunk of English oak to be thrown as a Yule log to the devouring flame.

Their enthusiasm had kindled to a glow, which the slight fuel of French poetry no longer sufficed to feed; perhaps they longed for a trunk of English oak to be thrown on the flame.


Moore observed, "And these are our best pieces!


And we have nothing more dramatic, nervous, natural!"

We have nothing more dramatic or natural."


His whole nature seemed serenely alight.


He stood on the hearth, leaning his elbow on the mantelpiece, musing not unblissfully.

He stood on the hearth, leaning his elbow on the mantelpiece, serenely alight.


Twilight was closing on the diminished autumn day.


The schoolroom windows--darkened with creeping plants, from which no high October winds had as yet swept the sere foliage--admitted scarce a gleam of sky; but the fire gave light enough to talk by.

The schoolroom windows admitted scarce a gleam of sky; but the fire gave light enough to talk by.


And now Louis Moore addressed his pupil in French, and she answered at first with laughing hesitation and in broken phrase.


Moore encouraged while he corrected her.


Henry joined in the lesson; the two scholars stood opposite the master, their arms round each other's waists.

Henry joined in the lesson, his arm round Shirley's waist.


Tartar, who long since had craved and obtained admission, sat sagely in the centre of the rug, staring at the blaze which burst fitful from morsels of coal among the red cinders.


"Pleasures are like poppies spread; You seize the flower--its bloom is shed."


The dull, rumbling sound of wheels was heard on the pavement in the yard.

until the dull, rumbling sound of wheels was heard outside in the yard.


"It is the carriage returned," said Shirley; "and dinner must be just ready, and I am not dressed."

"It is the carriage," said Shirley; "and I am not dressed for dinner."


A servant came in with Mr. Moore's candle and tea; for the tutor and his pupil usually dined at luncheon time.

A servant came in with Mr. Moore's candle and tea.


"Mr. Sympson and the ladies are returned," she said, "and Sir Philip Nunnely is with them."


"How you did start, and how your hand trembled, Shirley!"


said Henry, when the maid had closed the shutter and was gone.


He is a little ugly man, that Sir Philip.


I wish sisters and all of them had stayed at De Walden Hall to dine.--Shirley should once more have made tea for you and me, Mr. Moore, and we would have had a happy evening of it."

Shirley should have made tea for you and me, Mr. Moore, and we would have had a happy evening."


Moore was locking up his desk and putting away his St. Pierre.


Look Life in its iron face; stare Reality out of its brassy countenance.


Make the tea, Henry; I shall be back in a minute."


He left the room; so did Shirley, by another door.


Shirley probably got on pleasantly with Sir Philip that evening, for the next morning she came down in one of her best moods.


"Isabella and Gertrude, will you take a walk with me?"


So rare was such an invitation from Miss Keeldar to her female cousins that they hesitated before they accepted it.

So rare was such an invitation from Miss Keeldar that the cousins hesitated before


Their mamma, however, signifying acquiescence in the project, they fetched their bonnets, and the trio set out.


It did not suit these three young persons to be thrown much together.


Miss Keeldar liked the society of few ladies; indeed, she had a cordial pleasure in that of none except Mrs. Pryor and Caroline Helstone.

Miss Keeldar liked the society of few ladies, apart from Mrs. Pryor and Caroline.


She was civil, kind, attentive even to her cousins; but still she usually had little to say to them.

She was civil and kind to her cousins; but she usually had little to say to them.


In the sunny mood of this particular morning, she contrived to entertain even the Misses Sympson.

In her sunny mood this morning, she contrived to entertain even the Misses Sympson


Without deviating from her wonted rule of discussing with them only ordinary themes, she imparted to these themes an extraordinary interest; the sparkle of her spirit glanced along her phrases.


All the cause must have been in herself.


The walks through the dun woods were damp; the atmosphere was heavy, the sky overcast; and yet it seemed that in Shirley's heart lived all the light and azure of Italy, as all its fervour laughed in her gray English eye.

The walks through the woods were damp; the sky was overcast; and yet Shirley's heart seemed light and sunny.


Some directions necessary to be given to her foreman, John, delayed her behind her cousins as they neared Fieldhead on their return.

As they neared Fieldhead on their return, she delayed behind her cousins to give some directions to her foreman, John,.


Perhaps an interval of twenty minutes elapsed between her separation from them and her re-entrance into the house.

She re-entered the house perhaps twenty minutes after them.


In the meantime she had spoken to John, and then she had lingered in the lane at the gate.


She excused herself from the meal, and went upstairs.

She excused herself from luncheon, and went upstairs.


An hour after, as she did not quit her chamber, one of her cousins went to seek her there.

An hour after, one of her cousins went to seek her in her chamber.


She was found sitting at the foot of the bed, her head resting on her hand; she looked quite pale, very thoughtful, almost sad.

She was sitting at the foot of the bed, her head resting on her hand; she looked quite pale, very thoughtful, almost sad.


Certainly she was not a little changed from what she had been two hours before.

Certainly she was changed from what she had been two hours before.


This change, accounted for only by those three words, explained no otherwise; this change--whencesoever springing, effected in a brief ten minutes--passed like no light summer cloud.

But this change soon seemed to pass like a light summer cloud.


She talked when she joined her friends at dinner, talked as usual.

When she joined her friends at dinner, she talked as usual.


She remained with them during the evening.


When again questioned respecting her health, she declared herself perfectly recovered.

, and declared herself perfectly recovered.


It had been a mere passing faintness, a momentary sensation, not worth a thought; yet it was felt there was a difference in Shirley.

It had been a mere passing faintness, not worth a thought; yet it was felt there was a difference in Shirley.


The next day--the day, the week, the fortnight after--this new and peculiar shadow lingered on the countenance, in the manner of Miss Keeldar.

The next day - the day, the week, the fortnight after - this new peculiar shadow lingered on her face.


A strange quietude settled over her look, her movements, her very voice.

A strange quietude settled over her look and voice.


The alteration was not so marked as to court or permit frequent questioning, yet it _was_ there, and it would not pass away.

The alteration was not marked; yet it was there, and it would not pass away.


It hung over her like a cloud which no breeze could stir or disperse.


Soon it became evident that to notice this change was to annoy her.


First she shrank from remark; and, if persisted in, she, with her own peculiar _hauteur_, repelled it.


"Had anything happened to affect her spirits?"


She had no spirits, black or white, blue or gray, to affect."


"Something must be the matter--she was so altered."

"Something must be the matter - she was so altered."


"She supposed she had a right to alter at her ease.

"She supposed she had a right to alter."


If it suited her to grow ugly, why need others fret themselves on the subject?"


She peremptorily requested to be let alone.

And she peremptorily requested to be let alone.


Then she would make every effort to appear quite gay, and she seemed indignant at herself that she could not perfectly succeed.

Then she would make every effort to appear gay, and she seemed indignant at herself if she could not perfectly succeed.


Brief self-spurning epithets burst from her lips when alone.


she would say, "if you must tremble, tremble in secret!


"How dare you," she would ask herself--"how dare you show your weakness and betray your imbecile anxieties?

How dare you betray your imbecile anxieties?


She once more became resolutely lively in company.

She became resolutely lively in company.


When weary of effort and forced to relax, she sought solitude--not the solitude of her chamber (she refused to mope, shut up between four walls), but that wilder solitude which lies out of doors, and which she could chase, mounted on Zo, her mare.

When weary of effort, she sought the wild solitude on Zo, her mare.


Her uncle disapproved, but he dared not remonstrate.


It was never pleasant to face Shirley's anger, even when she was healthy and gay; but now that her face showed thin, and her large eye looked hollow, there was something in the darkening of that face and kindling of that eye which touched as well as alarmed.


To all comparative strangers who, unconscious of the alterations in her spirits, commented on the alteration in her looks, she had one reply,--


"I am perfectly well; I have not an ailment."

"I am perfectly well; I have no ailment."


And health, indeed, she must have had, to be able to bear the exposure to the weather she now encountered.

And health, indeed, she must have had, to withstand the weather she now encountered.


Wet or fair, calm or storm, she took her daily ride over Stilbro' Moor, Tartar keeping up at her side, with his wolf-like gallop, long and untiring.

Wet or fair, calm or storm, she took her daily ride over Stilbro' Moor, Tartar untiring at her side.


Twice, three times, the eyes of gossips--those eyes which are everywhere, in the closet and on the hill-top--noticed that instead of turning on Rushedge, the top ridge of Stilbro' Moor, she rode forwards all the way to the town.

The eyes of gossips - those eyes which are everywhere - noticed two or three times that instead of turning back from the top of Stilbro' Moor, she rode forwards all the way to the town.


Scouts were not wanting to mark her destination there.


It was ascertained that she alighted at the door of one Mr. Pearson Hall, a solicitor, related to the vicar of Nunnely.

She was seen to alight at the door of a solicitor.


This gentleman and his ancestors had been the agents of the Keeldar family for generations back.


Some people affirmed that Miss Keeldar was become involved in business speculations connected with Hollow's Mill--that she had lost money, and was constrained to mortgage her land.

Some people affirmed that Miss Keeldar was involved in business speculations connected with Hollow's Mill - that she had lost money, and was forced to mortgage her land.


Others conjectured that she was going to be married, and that the settlements were preparing.

Others guessed that she was going to be married, and that settlements were being prepared.


Mr. Moore and Henry Sympson were together in the schoolroom.


The tutor was waiting for a lesson which the pupil seemed busy in preparing.


"The task presents no difficulties, Henry; or, if it does, bring them to me.

"If the task presents difficulties, Henry, bring them to me.


"Sir, I am not worse in bodily health than usual, but my heart is full."


His tutor placed him in a chair; his lips were quivering, his eyes brimming.


He laid his crutch on the floor, bent down his head, and wept.


"This distress is not occasioned by physical pain, you say, Harry?


"Sir, I have such a grief as I never had before.


I wish it could be relieved in some way; I can hardly bear it."


"Who knows but, if we talk it over, we may relieve it?


"The cause, sir, is Shirley; it concerns Shirley."


"All who know her think her changed--you too, Mr. Moore."

Everyone thinks her changed - you too, Mr. Moore."


I see no alteration but such as a favourable turn might repair in a few weeks; besides, her own word must go for something: she says she is well."


As long as she maintained she was well, I believed her.

As long as she said she was well, I believed her.


When I was sad out of her sight, I soon recovered spirits in her presence.


You and she were together in the garden two hours this morning.

You and she were together in the garden for two hours this morning.


Now, my dear Harry, if Miss Keeldar has said she is ill, and enjoined you to keep her secret, do not obey her.

My dear Harry, if Miss Keeldar has said she is ill, and enjoined you to keep her secret, do not obey her.


I believe, sir, if she were dying, she would smile, and aver, 'Nothing ails me.'"


"I have learned that she has just made her will."


asked Moore, when some minutes had elapsed.


"She told me quite cheerfully, not as an ominous circumstance, which I felt it to be.


She said I was the only person besides her solicitor, Pearson Hall, and Mr. Helstone and Mr. Yorke, who knew anything about it; and to me, she intimated, she wished specially to explain its provisions."

She said I was the only person besides her solicitor, and Mr. Helstone and Mr. Yorke, who knew anything about it; and she wished specially to explain its provisions to me."


"'Because,' she said, looking down on me with her beautiful eyes--oh!

"'Because,' she said, looking down on me with her beautiful eyes - oh!


She is lovely in this world, and fitted for this world.


Shirley is not an angel; she is a woman, and she shall live with men.


Mr. Moore, if one of the 'sons of God,' with wings wide and bright as the sky, blue and sounding as the sea, having seen that she was fair, descended to claim her, his claim should be withstood--withstood by me--boy and cripple as I am."


"Henry Sympson, go on, when I tell you."


"'Because,' she said, 'if I made no will, and died before you, Harry, all my property would go to you; and I do not intend that it should be so, though your father would like it.

"'Because,' she said, 'if I made no will, and died before you, Harry, all my property would go to you; and I do not intend that it should be so.


But you,' she said, 'will have his whole estate, which is large--larger than Fieldhead.

You,' she said, 'will have your father's whole estate, which is larger than Fieldhead.


Your sisters will have nothing; so I have left them some money, though I do not love them, both together, half so much as I love one lock of your fair hair.'

Your sisters will have nothing; so I have left them some money, though I do not love them half so much as I love one lock of your fair hair.'


She said these words, and she called me her 'darling,' and let me kiss her.

She called me her 'darling,' and let me kiss her.


She went on to tell me that she had left Caroline Helstone some money too; that this manor house, with its furniture and books, she had bequeathed to me, as she did not choose to take the old family place from her own blood; and that all the rest of her property, amounting to about twelve thousand pounds, exclusive of the legacies to my sisters and Miss Helstone, she had willed, not to me, seeing I was already rich, but to a good man, who would make the best use of it that any human being could do--a man, she said, that was both gentle and brave, strong and merciful--a man that might not profess to be pious, but she knew he had the secret of religion pure and undefiled before God.

She went on to tell me that she had left Caroline Helstone some money too; that this manor house she had bequeathed to me; and that all the rest of her property, amounting to about twelve thousand pounds, she had willed to a good man, who would make the best use of it - a man, she said, that was both gentle and brave, strong and merciful - a man that might not claim to be pious, but who had the spirit of love and peace with him.


The spirit of love and peace was with him.


He visited the fatherless and widows in their affliction, and kept himself unspotted from the world.

He visited the fatherless and widows, and kept himself unspotted from the world.


Then she asked, 'Do you approve what I have done, Harry?'

Then she asked, 'Do you approve, Harry?'


Mr. Moore allowed his pupil a moment to contend with and master his emotion.

Mr. Moore allowed his pupil a moment to master his emotion.


He then demanded, "What else did she say?"


"When I had signified my full consent to the conditions of her will, she told me I was a generous boy, and she was proud of me.

"When I approved her will, she told me I was a generous boy, and she was proud of me.


'And now,' she added, 'in case anything should happen, you will know what to say to Malice when she comes whispering hard things in your ear, insinuating that Shirley has wronged you, that she did not love you.

'And now,' she added, 'in case anything should happen, you will know what to say to Malice when it insinuates that Shirley has wronged you, that she did not love you.


You will know that I _did_ love you, Harry; that no sister could have loved you better--my own treasure.'

You will know that I did love you, Harry; no sister could have loved you better.'


Mr. Moore, sir, when I remember her voice, and recall her look, my heart beats as if it would break its strings.

Mr. Moore, sir, when I remember her voice, my heart beats as if it would break.


She _may_ go to heaven before me--if God commands it, she _must_; but the rest of my life--and my life will not be long, I am glad of that now--shall be a straight, quick, thoughtful journey in the path her step has pressed.

She may go to heaven before me; but the rest of my life - and my life will not be long, I am glad of that now - shall be a straight journey in her footsteps.


I thought to enter the vault of the Keeldars before her.


Should it be otherwise, lay my coffin by Shirley's side."


Moore answered him with a weighty calm, that offered a strange contrast to the boy's perturbed enthusiasm.


"You are wrong, both of you--you harm each other.

"You are wrong, both of you - you harm each other


If youth once falls under the influence of a shadowy terror, it imagines there will never be full sunlight again; its first calamity it fancies will last a lifetime.


"We settled one or two family points between ourselves."


_I_ could not smile to see Shirley in such a mood."


"My boy, I am neither nervous, nor poetic, nor inexperienced.


I see things as they are; you don't as yet.


"Only, sir, she asked me whether I considered myself most of a Keeldar or a Sympson; and I answered I was Keeldar to the core of the heart and to the marrow of the bones.


She said she was glad of it; for, besides her, I was the only Keeldar left in England.


"Well, sir, that if I lived to inherit my father's estate, and her house, I was to take the name of Keeldar, and to make Fieldhead my residence.


Henry Shirley Keeldar I said I would be called; and I will.


Her name and her manor house are ages old, and Sympson and Sympson Grove are of yesterday."


"Come, you are neither of you going to heaven yet.


I have the best hopes of you both, with your proud distinctions--a pair of half-fledged eaglets.

I have the best hopes of you both - a pair of half-fledged eaglets.


Now, what is your inference from all you have told me?"


"That Shirley thinks she is going to die."


"Not once; but I assure you she is wasting.

"Not once; she never complains to anyone; but she is


Her hands are grown quite thin, and so is her cheek."


"Does she ever complain to your mother or sisters?"


She laughs at them when they question her.


Mr. Moore, she is a strange being, so fair and girlish--not a man-like woman at all, not an Amazon, and yet lifting her head above both help and sympathy."


"True; which, however, is no guarantee that she is not at this moment cantering over Rushedge.

"That is no guarantee that she is not cantering over Rushedge.


Of late she has never permitted weather to be a hindrance to her rides."

Lately she has never permitted the weather to stop her rides."


"You remember, Mr. Moore, how wet and stormy it was last Wednesday--so wild, indeed, that she would not permit Zo to be saddled?

"You remember, Mr. Moore, how wet and stormy it was last Wednesday - so wild, indeed, that she would not permit Zo to be saddled?


Yet the blast she thought too tempestuous for her mare she herself faced on foot; that afternoon she walked nearly as far as Nunnely.

Yet she herself faced the blast on foot; that afternoon she walked nearly as far as Nunnely.


I asked her, when she came in, if she was not afraid of taking cold.


I don't know, Harry, but the best thing that could happen to me would be to take a good cold and fever, and so pass off like other Christians.'

The best thing that could happen to me would be to take a good cold and fever, and so pass away like other Christians.'


Go and find out where she is, and if you can get an opportunity of speaking to her without attracting attention, request her to come here a minute."

Go and find out where she is, and request her to come here."


He snatched his crutch, and started up to go.


Word it as, in former days, you would have worded an ordinary summons to the schoolroom."

Make it sound like an ordinary summons to the schoolroom.


Till then, you are dispensed from lessons."


Mr. Moore, left alone, rose from his desk.


"I can be very cool and very supercilious with Henry," he said.

"I can be very cool with Henry," he said.


"I can seem to make light of his apprehensions, and look down _du haut de ma grandeur_ on his youthful ardour.


To _him_ I can speak as if, in my eyes, they were both children.


Let me see if I can keep up the same rle with her.

Let me see if I can keep up the same role with her.


I have known the moment when I seemed about to forget it, when Confusion and Submission seemed about to crush me with their soft tyranny, when my tongue faltered, and I have almost let the mantle drop, and stood in her presence, not master--no--but something else.

At times I have seemed about to forget it, when my tongue faltered, and I stood in her presence, not master - no - but something else.


It is well for a Sir Philip Nunnely to redden when he meets her eye.

A Philip Nunnely may redden when he meets her eye


He may permit himself the indulgence of submission.


He may even, without disgrace, suffer his hand to tremble when it touches hers; but if one of her farmers were to show himself susceptible and sentimental, he would merely prove his need of a strait waistcoat.

, and let his hand tremble when it touches hers; but I will not.


She has sat near me, and I have not shaken--more than my desk.

She has sat near me, and I have not shaken.


I have encountered her looks and smiles like--why, like a tutor, as I am.

I have encountered her looks and smiles like a tutor.


Her hand I never yet touched--never underwent that test.


Her farmer or her footman I am not--no serf nor servant of hers have I ever been; but I am poor, and it behoves me to look to my self-respect--not to compromise an inch of it.

I am poor, and must not compromise an inch of my self-respect.


What did she mean by that allusion to the cold people who petrify flesh to marble?

What did she mean by that allusion to cold people who turn flesh to marble?


It pleased me--I hardly know why; I would not permit myself to inquire.


I never do indulge in scrutiny either of her language or countenance; for if I did, I should sometimes forget common sense and believe in romance.


A strange, secret ecstasy steals through my veins at moments.


I'll not encourage--I'll not remember it.


I am resolved, as long as may be, to retain the right to say with Paul, 'I am not mad, but speak forth the words of truth and soberness.'"


How account, firstly, for the freedom of the request?


I could in all humility; but would an apology tend to place us in the positions we ought relatively to occupy in this matter?


I _must_ keep up the professor, otherwise---- I hear a door."

I must keep up the role of professor, otherwise - I hear a door."


"Henry is entreating her to come; she declines.


Let her _only_ come, I can teach her to the contrary.


I would rather she were a little perverse; it will steel me.

I would prefer her proud; it will steel me.


I prefer her cuirassed in pride, armed with a taunt.


Her scorn startles me from my dreams; I stand up myself.


A sarcasm from her eyes or lips puts strength into every nerve and sinew I have.

her sarcastic look puts strength into every nerve I have.


The door unclosed; Miss Keeldar came in.


The message, it appeared, had found her at her needle; she brought her work in her hand.


That day she had not been riding out; she had evidently passed it quietly.


She wore her neat indoor dress and silk apron.

and wore her neat indoor dress and silk apron


This was no Thalestris from the fields, but a quiet domestic character from the fireside.

, a quiet domestic character from the fireside.


He should have addressed her at once in solemn accents, and with rigid mien.

He should have addressed her at once in solemn accents.


Perhaps he would, had she looked saucy; but her air never showed less of _crnerie_.

Perhaps he would have, had she been saucy; but she looked


A soft kind of youthful shyness depressed her eyelid and mantled on her cheek.


She made a full stop between the door and his desk.


"I ventured, Miss Keeldar, to send for you--that is, to ask an interview of a few minutes."

"I ventured, Miss Keeldar, to ask an interview of a few minutes."


"Well, sir" (not lifting her eyes), "what about?"


The subject I would broach is one of some moment.


Perhaps I have hardly a right to approach it.


It is possible I ought to frame an apology; it is possible no apology can excuse me.


The liberty I have taken arises from a conversation with Henry.


The boy is unhappy about your health; all your friends are unhappy on that subject.


Formerly, Miss Keeldar, I had some influence with you: have I any now?"


May I feel that what I am saying is not accounted positive presumption?"


"Let me read some French, Mr. Moore, or I will even take a spell at the Latin grammar, and let us proclaim a truce to all sanitary discussions."

"Let me read some French, Mr. Moore, and proclaim a truce to all discussions of health."


"Discuss away, then, but do not choose me for your text.


"Do you not think it wrong to affirm and reaffirm what is substantially untrue?"


"Is there no equivocation in that assertion?


"I can myself," he said, "trace no indications of actual disease.


"I ask, in the first place, do you sleep as you used to?"

In the first place, do you sleep as you used to?"


"I do not; but it is not because I am ill."


"You remember this little ring fastened to my watch-chain?


It was my mother's, and is too small to pass the joint of my little finger.


You have many a time sportively purloined it.

you have many a time playfully tried it on.


The ring dropped from the wasted little hand.


Louis picked it up, and reattached it to the chain.


Shirley again said, "It is not because I am ill."


"Not only have you lost sleep, appetite, and flesh," proceeded Moore, "but your spirits are always at ebb.

"Not only have you lost sleep, appetite, and flesh," proceeded Moore, "but your spirits are low.


Besides, there is a nervous alarm in your eye, a nervous disquiet in your manner.

There is a nervous disquiet in your manner,


These peculiarities were not formerly yours."


What wet weather we have--steady, pouring rain!"


Yes; and if Miss Keeldar is nervous, it is not without a cause.


It is nothing so dignified--merely nervous.


Nervous alarms should always be communicated, that they may be dissipated.


I wish I had the gift of persuasion, and could incline you to speak willingly.


I believe confession, in your case, would be half equivalent to cure."

I believe confession would be half a cure."


"I wish that were at all probable; but I am afraid it is not."


Resting her elbow on the table, she leaned her head on her hand.


Mr. Moore looked as if he felt he had at last gained some footing in this difficult path.

Mr. Moore felt he had at last gained some footing in this difficult path.


She was serious, and in her wish was implied an important admission; after that she could no longer affirm that _nothing_ ailed her.

She was serious, and could no longer affirm that nothing ailed her.


The tutor allowed her some minutes for repose and reflection ere he returned to the charge.

He allowed her some minutes for reflection.


Once his lips moved to speak, but he thought better of it, and prolonged the pause.

Once his lips moved to speak, but he thought better of it.


Had he betrayed injudicious emotion, perhaps obstinate persistence in silence would have been the result; but he looked calm, strong, trustworthy.


"I had better tell _you_ than my aunt," she said, "or than my cousins, or my uncle.

"I had better tell you than my aunt," she said, "or my cousins, or my uncle.


They would all make such a bustle, and it is that very bustle I dread--the alarm, the flurry, the _clat_.

They would all make such a bustle, and I dread that.


In short, I never liked to be the centre of a small domestic whirlpool.


Not a muscle of the man's frame moved, and yet his large heart beat fast in his deep chest.


"Had I thought it right to go to you, I would never have made a secret of the matter one moment," she continued.

"Had I thought it right to go to you," she said,


"I would have told you at once, and asked advice."


"It might be _right_--I do not mean that; but I could not do it.

"It might be right; but I could not do it.


I seemed to have no title to trouble you.


I wanted to keep it to myself, and people will not let me.


I tell you, I hate to be an object of worrying attention, or a theme for village gossip.

I tell you, I hate to be an object of worrying attention.


Besides, it may pass away without result--God knows!"

Besides, it may pass away without result - God knows!"


Moore, though tortured with suspense, did not demand a quick explanation.


He suffered neither gesture, glance, nor word to betray impatience.


His tranquillity tranquillized Shirley; his confidence reassured her.


"Great effects may spring from trivial causes," she remarked, as she loosened a bracelet from her wrist.

"Great effects may spring from trivial causes," she remarked, as she loosened a bracelet from her wrist, unfastened her sleeve, and turned it up.


Then, unfastening her sleeve, and partially turning it up, "Look here, Mr. Moore."


She showed a mark in her white arm--rather a deep though healed-up indentation--something between a burn and a cut.

She showed a mark in her white arm - a deep though healed indentation - something between a burn and a cut.


"I would not show that to any one in Briarfield but you, because you can take it quietly."


"Certainly there is nothing in the little mark to shock.


"Small as it is, it has taken my sleep away, and made me nervous, thin, and foolish; because, on account of that little mark, I am obliged to look forward to a possibility that has its terrors."

"Small as that mark is, it has taken my sleep away, and made me nervous, thin, and foolish; because of it, I am obliged to look forward to a terrifying possibility."


The sleeve was readjusted, the bracelet replaced.


"I am a patient sort of man, but my pulse is quickening."

"I am a patient man," he said, smiling, "but my pulse is quickening.


"Whatever happens, you will befriend me, Mr. Moore?


You will give me the benefit of your self-possession, and not leave me at the mercy of agitated cowards?"


Tell me the tale, and then exact what pledge you will."


I took a walk with Isabella and Gertrude one day, about three weeks ago.

I took a walk with Isabella and Gertrude, about three weeks ago.


They reached home before me; I stayed behind to speak to John.


After leaving him, I pleased myself with lingering in the lane, where all was very still and shady.


I was tired of chattering to the girls, and in no hurry to rejoin them.

for I was in no hurry to rejoin the girls.


As I stood leaning against the gate-pillar, thinking some very happy thoughts about my future life--for that morning I imagined that events were beginning to turn as I had long wished them to turn----"

As I stood leaning against the gate-pillar, thinking some very happy thoughts about my future - for that morning I imagined that events were beginning to turn as I had long wished them to turn-"


Nunnely had been with her the evening before!"


"I heard a panting sound; a dog came running up the lane.


I know most of the dogs in this neighbourhood.


It was Phbe, one of Mr. Sam Wynne's pointers.


The poor creature ran with her head down, her tongue hanging out; she looked as if bruised and beaten all over.

The poor creature ran with her head down, her tongue hanging out; she looked as if bruised and beaten.


Mr. Sam often flogs his pointers cruelly. I called her.


I meant to coax her into the house and give her some water and dinner.

I meant to coax her into the house and give her some dinner.


Mr. Sam often flogs his pointers cruelly.


She was too flurried to know me; and when I attempted to pat her head, she turned and snatched at my arm.

But when I attempted to pat her head, she turned and snatched at my arm, and


She bit it so as to draw blood, then ran panting on.


Directly after, Mr. Wynne's keeper came up, carrying a gun.


"'You had better chain up Tartar, ma'am,' he said, 'and tell your people to keep within the house.

"'You had better chain up Tartar, ma'am,' he said, 'and keep within the house.


I am after Phbe to shoot her, and the groom is gone another way.


Mr. Moore leaned back in his chair and folded his arms across his chest.

Mr. Moore leaned back in his chair and folded his arms.


Miss Keeldar resumed her square of silk canvas, and continued the creation of a wreath of Parmese violets.


"And you told no one, sought no help, no cure?


"I got as far as the schoolroom door; there my courage failed."


What can I demand better in this world than to be of use to you?"


I walked straight into the laundry, where they are ironing most of the week, now that I have so many guests in the house.

I walked straight into the laundry, where they were ironing.


While the maid was busy crimping or starching, I took an Italian iron from the fire, and applied the light scarlet glowing tip to my arm.

While the maid was busy, I took an iron from the fire, and applied the glowing tip to my arm.


I was very miserable--not firm or tranquil at all, I think.


I remember listening the whole time we sat at luncheon, to hear if you moved in the room above.


"I was sitting at the foot of the bed, wishing Phbe had not bitten me."


"With your powerful mind you must feel independent of help, of advice, of society."

You must feel independent of help, of advice."


She pursued her embroidery carefully and quickly, but her eyelash twinkled, and then it glittered, and then a drop fell.

and bent to her embroidery, but her eyelash glittered, and a drop fell.


Mr. Moore leaned forward on his desk, moved his chair, altered his attitude.


"If it is not so," he asked, with a peculiar, mellow change in his voice, "how is it, then?"


"Because nobody can give the high price you require for your confidence.

, because nobody can give the high price you require for your confidence.


Nobody has the honour, the intellect, the power you demand in your adviser.


There is not a shoulder in England on which you would rest your hand for support, far less a bosom which you would permit to pillow your head.

There is not a shoulder in England on which you would rest your hand for support.


But the question is not how to live, but how to die alone.


That strikes me in a more grisly light."


"You apprehend the effects of the virus?


You anticipate an indefinitely threatening, dreadful doom?"


"You complimented me two minutes since on my powerful mind."


If the whole affair were coolly examined and discussed, I feel assured it would turn out that there is no danger of your dying at all."

"If the affair were coolly examined, I feel sure it would turn out that there is no danger at all.


I am very willing to live, if it please God.


"How can it be otherwise than sweet with your endowments and nature?


Do you truly expect that you will be seized with hydrophobia, and die raving mad?"


I doubt whether the smallest particle of virus mingled with your blood; and if it did, let me assure you that, young, healthy, faultlessly sound as you are, no harm will ensue.

. I doubt whether the smallest particle of virus mingled with your blood; and if it did, let me assure you that, young and healthy as you are, no harm will ensue.


For the rest, I shall inquire whether the dog was really mad.


"Tell nobody that she bit me," Shirley begged.


"Why should I, when I believe the bite innocuous as a cut of this penknife?


_I_ am easy, though I value your life as much as I do my own chance of happiness in eternity.

I am easy, though I value your life as much as I do my own soul.


"Is your mind restored to its own natural sunny clime?"

"Is your mind restored to its natural sunniness?"


"I am very content; but I want your promise."

"Yes; but I want your promise," she said.


"You know, in case the worst I _have_ feared should happen, they will smother me.


My uncle will be full of horror, weakness, precipitation; and that is the only expedient which will suggest itself to him.

my uncle will be full of horror and weakness.


Nobody in the house will be self-possessed but you.


Now promise to befriend me--to keep Mr. Sympson away from me, not to let Henry come near, lest I should hurt him.

Now promise to befriend me - to keep Mr. Sympson away from me, not to let Henry come near, lest I should hurt him.


Mind--_mind_ that you take care of yourself too.

Mind - mind that you take care of yourself too.


But I shall not injure you; I know I shall not.


Lock the chamber door against the surgeons; turn them out if they get in.

Lock the chamber door against the surgeons; let them


Let neither the young nor the old MacTurk lay a finger on me; nor Mr. Greaves, their colleague; and lastly, if I give trouble, with your own hand administer to me a strong narcotic--such a sure dose of laudanum as shall leave no mistake.

not lay a finger on me; and lastly, if I give trouble, with your own hand administer to me such a sure dose of laudanum as shall leave no mistake.


Moore left his desk, and permitted himself the recreation of one or two turns through the room.

Moore left his desk, and walked around the room.


Stopping behind Shirley's chair, he bent over her, and said, in a low, emphatic voice, "I promise all you ask--without comment, without reservation."

Stopping behind Shirley's chair, he bent over her, and said, in a low, emphatic voice, "I promise all you ask, without reservation."


"If female help is needed, call in my housekeeper, Mrs. Gill.


She wronged me again and again, and again and again I forgave her.


She now loves me, and would not defraud me of a pin.


Confidence has made her honest; forbearance has made her kind-hearted.


At this day I can trust both her integrity, her courage, and her affection.


Call her; but keep my good aunt and my timid cousins away.

But keep my good aunt and my timid cousins away.


"That is good in you," she said, looking up at him as he bent over her, and smiling.

"That is good in you," she said, looking up at him, and smiling.


"I will be with you--I and Mrs. Gill only--in any, in every extremity where calm and fidelity are needed.


"In fact, I am neither so strong, nor have I such pride in my strength, as people think, Mr. Moore; nor am I so regardless of sympathy.

I am not so strong as people think, Mr. Moore; nor am I so regardless of sympathy.


But when I have any grief, I fear to impart it to those I love, lest it should pain them; and to those whom I view with indifference I cannot condescend to complain.

But when I have any grief, I fear to impart it to those I love.


After all, you should not taunt me with being childish, for if you were as unhappy as I have been for the last three weeks, you too would want some friend."

You should not taunt me with being childish, for if you were as unhappy as I have been for the last three weeks, you too would want some friend."


"All of us that have anything good in our natures."


She can counsel you when you need counsel."


"For your part, you have your brother Robert."


"For any right-hand defections, there is the Rev. Matthewson Helstone, M.A., to lean upon; for any left-hand fallings-off there is Hiram Yorke, Esq.


"I never saw Mrs. Yorke so motherly to any young man as she is to you.


I don't know how you have won her heart, but she is more tender to you than she is to her own sons.


You have, besides, your sister Hortense."


"How thankful and contented we ought to be!" commented Moore.


"For my part, I am almost contented just now, and very thankful."


It fills the heart, but not to bursting; it warms it, but not to fever.


Devoured in haste, I do not know its flavour."


Still leaning on the back of Miss Keeldar's chair, Moore watched the rapid motion of her fingers, as the green and purple garland grew beneath them.

Still leaning on the back of Miss Keeldar's chair, Moore watched her sewing.


After a prolonged pause, he again asked, "Is the shadow _quite_ gone?"

After a pause, he asked, "Is the shadow quite gone?"


As I _was_ two hours since, and as I _am_ now, are two different states of existence.


I believe, Mr. Moore, griefs and fears nursed in silence grow like Titan infants."


"You will cherish such feelings no more in silence?"


"In using the word '_dare_,' to whom do you allude?"


"On account of your austerity and shyness."


"Perhaps, because I am poor, for one reason.

"Perhaps because I am poor, for one reason," said he.


I should be charmed to discover another that would pair with it."


What do you think of marrying to sober Poverty many-tinted Caprice?"

"What do you think of marrying sober Poverty to Caprice?"


"I am steady as a rock, fixed as the polar star."


"I look out at some early hour of the day, and see a fine, perfect rainbow, bright with promise, gloriously spanning the beclouded welkin of life.

"In the morning I look out and see a fine, perfect rainbow, bright with promise.


An hour afterwards I look again: half the arch is gone, and the rest is faded.

Yet it is broken and faded within an hour.


Still later, the stern sky denies that it ever wore so benign a symbol of hope."

Later still, the stern sky denies that it ever wore so benign a symbol of hope."


"Well, Mr. Moore, you should contend against these changeful humours.

"Well, Mr. Moore, you should contend against these changeful moods.


"Miss Keeldar, I had once, for two years, a pupil who grew very dear to me.


Henry never gives me trouble; she--well, she did.


I think she vexed me twenty-three hours out of the twenty-four----"

although she vexed me twenty-three hours out of the twenty-four-"


"She was never with you above three hours, or at the most six at a time."

"She was never with you more than three hours at a time."


"She sometimes spilled the draught from my cup, and stole the food from my plate; and when she had kept me unfed for a day (and that did not suit me, for I am a man accustomed to take my meals with reasonable relish, and to ascribe due importance to the rational enjoyment of creature comforts)----"

"She sometimes stole the food from my plate; and when she had kept me unfed for a day,


I can tell what sort of dinners you like best--perfectly well.


I know precisely the dishes you prefer----"


"She robbed these dishes of flavour, and made a fool of me besides.

she robbed these dishes of flavour, and made a fool of me besides.


In my quiet days, when I was my own man, I never quarrelled with the night for being long, nor cursed my bed for its thorns.


"And having taken from me peace of mind and ease of life, she took from me herself--quite coolly, just as if, when she was gone, the world would be all the same to me.

"And having taken from me peace of mind, she took from me herself - quite coolly, just as if the world would be all the same to me without her.


I knew I should see her again at some time.


At the end of two years, it fell out that we encountered again under her own roof, where she was mistress.

After two years, we met again under her own roof.


How do you think she bore herself towards me, Miss Keeldar?"

How do you think she behaved towards me, Miss Keeldar?"


"Like one who had profited well by lessons learned from yourself."

"Like one who had learned well from you."


She meted out a wide space between us, and kept me aloof by the reserved gesture, the rare and alienated glance, the word calmly civil."

She kept me aloof by the reserved gesture, the rare and alienated glance, the word calmly civil."


Having seen you distant, she at once learned to withdraw."


Pray, sir, admire in her _hauteur_ a careful improvement on your own coolness."


"Conscience, and honour, and the most despotic necessity dragged me apart from her, and kept me sundered with ponderous fetters.

"Conscience and honour dragged me apart from her with ponderous fetters.


She was free: she might have been clement."

She was free: she might have been merciful."


"Never free to compromise her self-respect, to seek where she had been shunned."

"Never free to seek where she had been shunned."


"Then she was inconsistent; she tantalized as before.

"Then she was inconsistent; she tantalized.


When I thought I had made up my mind to seeing in her only a lofty stranger, she would suddenly show me such a glimpse of loving simplicity--she would warm me with such a beam of reviving sympathy, she would gladden an hour with converse so gentle, gay, and kindly--that I could no more shut my heart on her image than I could close that door against her presence.

She would suddenly show me such a glimpse of loving simplicity - she would speak so gently, so kindly - that I could not shut her image out of my heart.


"She could not bear to be quite outcast; and then she would sometimes get a notion into her head, on a cold, wet day, that the schoolroom was no cheerful place, and feel it incumbent on her to go and see if you and Henry kept up a good fire; and once there, she liked to stay."

"She could not bear to be quite outcast," said Shirley; "and on a cold day she would sometimes feel she ought to go and see if you and Henry had a good fire in the schoolroom; and once there, she liked to stay."


If she came at all, she should come oftener."


"To-morrow you will not be as you are to-day."

"Tomorrow you will not be as you are today.


We may give one day to dreaming, but the next we must awake; and I shall awake to purpose the morning you are married to Sir Philip Nunnely.


The fire shines on you and me, and shows us very clearly in the glass, Miss Keeldar; and I have been gazing on the picture all the time I have been talking.

I see us very clearly in the mirror, Miss Keeldar; and I have been gazing on the picture all the time I have been talking.


What a difference between your head and mine!


"You are so grave; you have such a square brow; and your face is sallow.


, I never regard you as a young man, nor as Robert's junior."


Imagine Robert's clear-cut, handsome face looking over my shoulder.


Does not the apparition make vividly manifest the obtuse mould of my heavy traits?


(he started), "I have been expecting that wire to vibrate this last half-hour."


as the dinner-bell rang; and Shirley rose.


"Mr. Moore," she said, as she gathered up her silks, "have you heard from your brother lately?


Do you know what he means by staying in town so long?

Do you know why he stays in town so long?


"He talks of returning; but what has caused his long absence I cannot tell.


To speak the truth, I thought none in Yorkshire knew better than yourself why he was reluctant to come home."

To speak the truth, I thought none knew better than yourself why he was reluctant to come home."


A crimson shadow passed across Miss Keeldar's cheek.


"Write to him and urge him to come," she said.


"I know there has been no impolicy in protracting his absence thus far.


It is good to let the mill stand, while trade is so bad; but he must not abandon the county."


"I am aware," said Louis, "that he had an interview with you the evening before he left, and I saw him quit Fieldhead afterwards.

"I am aware," said Louis, "that he had an interview with you the evening before he left.


I read his countenance, or _tried_ to read it.


afterwards, and I guessed that he would be long away.


Some fine, slight fingers have a wondrous knack at pulverizing a man's brittle pride.


I suppose Robert put too much trust in his manly beauty and native gentlemanhood.

I suppose Robert put too much trust in his manly beauty and gentlemanhood.


Those are better off who, being destitute of advantage, cannot cherish delusion.


But I will write, and say you advise his return."


"Do not say _I_ advise his return, but that his return is advisable."

"Do not say I advise his return, but that his return is advisable."


The second bell rang, and Miss Keeldar obeyed its call.

The bell rang again, and Miss Keeldar obeyed its call.


Cheerfulness, it would appear, is a matter which depends fully as much on the state of things within as on the state of things without and around us.


I make this trite remark, because I happen to know that Messrs. Helstone and Moore trotted forth from the mill-yard gates, at the head of their very small company, in the best possible spirits.

Messrs. Helstone and Moore trotted forth from the mill-yard gates, at the head of their small company, in the best possible spirits.


When a ray from a lantern (the three pedestrians of the party carried each one) fell on Mr. Moore's face, you could see an unusual, because a lively, spark dancing in his eyes, and a new-found vivacity mantling on his dark physiognomy; and when the rector's visage was illuminated, his hard features were revealed all agrin and ashine with glee.

The lantern showed a lively spark dancing in Moore's eyes; while the rector's face was shining with glee.


Yet a drizzling night, a somewhat perilous expedition, you would think were not circumstances calculated to enliven those exposed to the wet and engaged in the adventure.


If any member or members of the crew who had been at work on Stilbro' Moor had caught a view of this party, they would have had great pleasure in shooting either of the leaders from behind a wall: and the leaders knew this; and the fact is, being both men of steely nerves and steady-beating hearts, were elate with the knowledge.

If any the crew who had been at work on Stilbro' Moor had seen them, they would have had great pleasure in shooting either of them from behind a wall. The leaders knew this; and being men of steely nerves and steady hearts, were elated with the knowledge.


I am aware, reader, and you need not remind me, that it is a dreadful thing for a parson to be warlike; I am aware that he should be a man of peace.

I am aware, reader, that it is a dreadful thing for a parson to be warlike; I am aware that he should be a man of peace


I have some faint outline of an idea of what a clergyman's mission is amongst mankind, and I remember distinctly whose servant he is, whose message he delivers, whose example he should follow; yet, with all this, if you are a parson-hater, you need not expect me to go along with you every step of your dismal, downward-tending, unchristian road; you need not expect me to join in your deep anathemas, at once so narrow and so sweeping, in your poisonous rancour, so intense and so absurd, against "the cloth;" to lift up my eyes and hands with a Supplehough, or to inflate my lungs with a Barraclough, in horror and denunciation of the diabolical rector of Briarfield.

: yet I cannot lift up my eyes and hands in horror to denounce the diabolical rector of Briarfield.


The evil simply was--he had missed his vocation.


He should have been a soldier, and circumstances had made him a priest.


For the rest, he was a conscientious, hard-headed, hard-handed, brave, stern, implacable, faithful little man; a man almost without sympathy, ungentle, prejudiced, and rigid, but a man true to principle, honourable, sagacious, and sincere.

He was a conscientious, hard-headed, brave, stern, implacable, faithful little man; almost without sympathy, prejudiced, and rigid, but a man true to principle, intelligent, and sincere.


It seems to me, reader, that you cannot always cut out men to fit their profession, and that you ought not to curse them because their profession sometimes hangs on them ungracefully.


Nor will I curse Helstone, clerical Cossack as he was.

I will not curse Helstone, clerical Cossack as he was.


Yet he _was_ cursed, and by many of his own parishioners, as by others he was adored--which is the frequent fate of men who show partiality in friendship and bitterness in enmity, who are equally attached to principles and adherent to prejudices.


Helstone and Moore being both in excellent spirits, and united for the present in one cause, you would expect that, as they rode side by side, they would converse amicably.

You would expect that Helstone and Moore, as they rode side by side in the same cause, would converse amicably.


These two men, of hard, bilious natures both, rarely came into contact but they chafed each other's moods.

These two hard-natured men always chafed each other.


Their frequent bone of contention was the war.


Helstone was a high Tory (there were Tories in those days), and Moore was a bitter Whig--a Whig, at least, as far as opposition to the war-party was concerned, that being the question which affected his own interest; and only on that question did he profess any British politics at all.

Helstone was a high Tory, and Moore was a bitter Whig - a Whig, at least, in opposing the war-party: that was the question which affected his business, and only on that question did he hold any political views at all.


He liked to infuriate Helstone by declaring his belief in the invincibility of Bonaparte, by taunting England and Europe with the impotence of their efforts to withstand him, and by coolly advancing the opinion that it was as well to yield to him soon as late, since he must in the end crush every antagonist, and reign supreme.

He liked to infuriate Helstone by declaring that Bonaparte was invincible, and by coolly suggesting that Britain might as well yield to him, since he must in the end crush every enemy, and reign supreme.


Helstone could not bear these sentiments.


It was only on the consideration of Moore being a sort of outcast and alien, and having but half measure of British blood to temper the foreign gall which corroded his veins, that he brought himself to listen to them without indulging the wish he felt to cane the speaker.

It was only because Moore was a sort of half-British alien that he could listen to them without indulging his wish to cane the speaker.


Another thing, too, somewhat allayed his disgust--namely, a fellow-feeling for the dogged tone with which these opinions were asserted, and a respect for the consistency of Moore's crabbed contumacy.

Another thing, too, allayed his disgust - a fellow-feeling and respect for Moore's stubbornness.


As the party turned into the Stilbro' road, they met what little wind there was; the rain dashed in their faces.

As the party turned into the Stilbro' road, the rain dashed in their faces.


Moore had been fretting his companion previously, and now, braced up by the raw breeze, and perhaps irritated by the sharp drizzle, he began to goad him.

Moore, braced up by the raw breeze and sharp drizzle, began to goad his companion.


"Does your Peninsular news please you still?"


"I mean, have you still faith in that Baal of a Lord Wellington?"

"Have you still faith in that false god of a Lord Wellington?"


"Do you still believe that this wooden-faced and pebble-hearted idol of England has power to send fire down from heaven to consume the French holocaust you want to offer up?"

"Do you still believe that this wooden-faced, pebble-hearted idol has power to send fire down from heaven to consume the French?"


"I believe Wellington will flog Bonaparte's marshals into the sea the day it pleases him to lift his arm."

"I believe Wellington will flog Bonaparte's marshals into the sea whenever he likes."


"But, my dear sir, you can't be serious in what you say.


Bonaparte's marshals are great men, who act under the guidance of an omnipotent master-spirit.

Bonaparte's marshals are great men, under the guidance of a master-spirit.


Your Wellington is the most humdrum of commonplace martinets, whose slow, mechanical movements are further cramped by an ignorant home government."

Your Wellington is the most commonplace of leaders, whose slow movements are further cramped by an ignorant government."


Wellington is the right champion of a good cause, the fit representative of a powerful, a resolute, a sensible, and an honest nation."

He is the right champion of a powerful, resolute, and honest nation."


"Your good cause, as far as I understand it, is simply the restoration of that filthy, feeble Ferdinand to a throne which he disgraced.


Your fit representative of an honest people is a dull-witted drover, acting for a duller-witted farmer; and against these are arrayed victorious supremacy and invincible genius."

"He is a dull-witted drover, acting for a duller-witted farmer; and arrayed against him is an invincible genius."


"Against legitimacy is arrayed usurpation; against modest, single-minded, righteous, and brave resistance to encroachment is arrayed boastful, double-tongued, selfish, and treacherous ambition to possess.

"A usurper. Against righteous, brave resistance is arrayed boastful, selfish, and treacherous ambition.


said Mr. Helstone.
"God often defends the powerful."


I suppose the handful of Israelites standing dryshod on the Asiatic side of the Red Sea was more powerful than the host of the Egyptians drawn up on the African side?

was the handful of Israelites standing beside the Red Sea more powerful than the host of Egyptians drawn up on the other side?


Don't speak, or you'll tell a lie, Moore; you know you will.


They were a poor, overwrought band of bondsmen.


Tyrants had oppressed them through four hundred years; a feeble mixture of women and children diluted their thin ranks; their masters, who roared to follow them through the divided flood, were a set of pampered Ethiops, about as strong and brutal as the lions of Libya.


They were armed, horsed, and charioted; the poor Hebrew wanderers were afoot.


Few of them, it is likely, had better weapons than their shepherds' crooks or their masons' building-tools; their meek and mighty leader himself had only his rod.

with few better weapons than shepherds' crooks.


But bethink you, Robert Moore, right was with them; the God of battles was on their side.

But right was with them, Robert Moore; the God of battles was on their side.


Crime and the lost archangel generalled the ranks of Pharaoh, and which triumphed?


'The Lord saved Israel that day out of the hand of the Egyptians, and Israel saw the Egyptians dead upon the sea-shore'--yea, 'the depths covered them, they sank to the bottom as a stone.'

'The Lord saved Israel that day, and left the Egyptians dead upon the sea-shore.'


The right hand of the Lord became glorious in power; the right hand of the Lord dashed in pieces the enemy!"

The hand of the Lord dashed the enemy in pieces!"


"You are all right; only you forget the true parallel.

"You are right; only you forget the true parallel.


France is Israel, and Napoleon is Moses.


Europe, with her old overgorged empires and rotten dynasties, is corrupt Egypt; gallant France is the Twelve Tribes, and her fresh and vigorous Usurper the Shepherd of Horeb."

Europe, with her old overgorged empires and rotten dynasties, is corrupt Egypt."


Moore accordingly answered himself--at least, he subjoined to what he had just said an additional observation in a lower voice.

Moore accordingly answered himself. At least, he added in a lower voice:


"Oh, in Italy he was as great as any Moses!


He was the right thing there, fit to head and organize measures for the regeneration of nations.


It puzzles me to this day how the conqueror of Lodi should have condescended to become an emperor, a vulgar, a stupid humbug; and still more how a people who had once called themselves republicans should have sunk again to the grade of mere slaves.

"It puzzles me how Napoleon should have condescended to become an emperor, a vulgar humbug; and still more how a people who had once called themselves republicans should have sunk again to the level of mere slaves.


If England had gone as far on the march of civilization as France did, she would hardly have retreated so shamelessly."


"You don't mean to say that besotted imperial France is any worse than bloody republican France?"


"I mean to say nothing, but I can think what I please, you know, Mr. Helstone, both about France and England; and about revolutions, and regicides, and restorations in general; and about the divine right of kings, which you often stickle for in your sermons, and the duty of non-resistance, and the sanity of war, and----"

I can think what I please, Mr. Helstone, both about France and England; and about revolutions, and regicides, and-"


Mr. Moore's sentence was here cut short by the rapid rolling up of a gig, and its sudden stoppage in the middle of the road.

His sentence was cut short by the rapid rolling up of a gig that stopped in the middle of the road.


Both he and the rector had been too much occupied with their discourse to notice its approach till it was close upon them.


"Nah, maister; did th' wagons hit home?"


returned another voice; for the gig contained two persons, as was seen by the glimmer of its lamp.

returned another voice; for the gig contained two people.


The men with the lanterns had now fallen into the rear, or rather, the equestrians of the rescue-party had outridden the pedestrians.


I'm bringing him back to you in a bonny pickle.


I fand him on the top of the moor yonder, him and three others.


What will you give me for restoring him to you?"


"Why, my thanks, I believe; for I could better have afforded to lose a better man.


That is you, I suppose, Mr. Yorke, by your voice?"


I was coming home from Stilbro' market, and just as I got to the middle of the moor, and was whipping on as swift as the wind (for these, they say, are not safe times, thanks to a bad government!


Some would have whipt on faster; but I've naught to fear that I know of.


I don't believe there's a lad in these parts would harm me--at least, I'd give them as good as I got if they offered to do it.


I said, 'Is there aught wrong anywhere?'

pulled up and said, 'Is there aught wrong anywhere?'


''Deed is there,' somebody says, speaking out of the ground, like.


'Nobbut four on us ligging in a ditch,' says Joe, as quiet as could be.


I telled 'em more shame to 'em, and bid them get up and move on, or I'd lend them a lick of the gig-whip; for my notion was they were all fresh.

I bid them get up and move on, for I'd a notion they were all drunk.


'We'd ha' done that an hour sin', but we're teed wi' a bit o' band,' says Joe.

'We'd ha' done that an hour sin', but we're tied,' says Joe.


So in a while I got down and loosed 'em wi' my penknife; and Scott would ride wi' me, to tell me all how it happened; and t' others are coming on as fast as their feet will bring them."

So I got down and loosed 'em wi' my penknife; and he rode wi' me, and t' others are coming as fast as their feet will bring them."


"Well, I am greatly obliged to you, Mr. Yorke."

"I am greatly obliged to you, Mr. Yorke."


And here, by the Lord, is another set with lights in their pitchers, like the army of Gideon; and as we've th' parson wi', us--good-evening, Mr. Helstone--we'se do."


Mr. Helstone returned the salutation of the individual in the gig very stiffly indeed.


"We're eleven strong men, and there's both horses and chariots amang us.


If we could only fall in wi' some of these starved ragamuffins of frame-breakers we could win a grand victory.

if we could only meet some of these starved ragamuffins of frame-breakers we'd win a grand victory.


We could iv'ry one be a Wellington--that would please ye, Mr. Helstone--and sich paragraphs as we could contrive for t' papers!

We could every one be a Wellington - that would please ye, Mr. Helstone - and sich paragraphs as we could contrive for t' papers!


But we'se hev a column and a half i' th' _Stilbro' Courier_ ower this job, as it is, I dare say.

We'll hev a column and a half i' th' Stilbro' Courier ower this job, as it is, I dare say.


"And I'll promise you no less, Mr. Yorke, for I'll write the article myself," returned the rector.


And mind ye recommend weel that them 'at brake t' bits o' frames, and teed Joe Scott's legs wi' band, suld be hung without benefit o' clergy.

And mind ye recommend that them as broke t' frames, and tied Joe Scott up, should be hung.


"If I judged them I'd give them short shrift!"


"But I mean to let them quite alone this bout, to give them rope enough, certain that in the end they will hang themselves."

"But I mean to let them alone this time, to give them rope enough to hang themselves."


All I mean to say is, I shall give myself no particular trouble to catch them; but if one falls in my way----"


Only you would rather they would do something worse than merely stop a wagon before you reckon with them.


Well, we'll say no more on the subject at present.

"Well, we'll say no more on the subject at present," said Mr. Yorke.


Here we are at my door, gentlemen, and I hope you and the men will step in.

"Here we are at my door, gentlemen, and I hope you and the men will step in


You will none of you be the worse of a little refreshment."


Moore and Helstone opposed this proposition as unnecessary.


It was, however, pressed on them so courteously, and the night, besides, was so inclement, and the gleam from the muslin-curtained windows of the house before which they had halted looked so inviting, that at length they yielded.

It was, however, pressed on them so courteously, and the night, besides, was so inclement, and the house looked so inviting, that at last they yielded.


Mr. Yorke, after having alighted from his gig, which he left in charge of a man who issued from an outbuilding on his arrival, led the way in.


It will have been remarked that Mr. Yorke varied a little in his phraseology.


Now he spoke broad Yorkshire, and anon he expressed himself in very pure English.

speech, alternating between broad Yorkshire and very pure English.


His manner seemed liable to equal alternations.


He could be polite and affable, and he could be blunt and rough.


His station then you could not easily determine by his speech and demeanour.


Perhaps the appearance of his residence may decide it.


The men he recommended to take the kitchen way, saying that he would "see them served wi' summat to taste presently."

He sent the workmen round by the kitchen, saying that he would see them served presently.


The gentlemen were ushered in at the front entrance.


They found themselves in a matted hall, lined almost to the ceiling with pictures.

, and found themselves in a hall lined with pictures.


Through this they were conducted to a large parlour, with a magnificent fire in the grate--the most cheerful of rooms it appeared as a whole, and when you came to examine details, the enlivening effect was not diminished.

Through this they were conducted to a large, cheerful parlour, with a magnificent fire in the grate.


There was no splendour, but there was taste everywhere, unusual taste--the taste, you would have said, of a travelled man, a scholar, and a gentleman.

There was no splendour, but there was unusual taste - the taste, you would have said, of a travelled man, and a scholar.


A series of Italian views decked the walls.

A series of Italian views of high quality decked the walls.


Each of these was a specimen of true art.


A connoisseur had selected them; they were genuine and valuable.


Even by candle-light the bright clear skies, the soft distances, with blue air quivering between the eye and the hills, the fresh tints, and well-massed lights and shadows, charmed the view.


The subjects were all pastoral, the scenes were all sunny.

The subjects were all pastoral, the scenes all sunny.


There was a guitar and some music on a sofa; there were cameos, beautiful miniatures; a set of Grecian-looking vases on the mantelpiece; there were books well arranged in two elegant bookcases.

There was a guitar and some music on a sofa; there were cameos, beautiful miniatures; a set of Grecian-looking vases on the mantelpiece; and books arranged in two elegant bookcases.


To the servant who brought it he gave hospitable orders for the refreshment of the men in the kitchen.

, and gave orders to the servant for the refreshment of the men in the kitchen.


The rector remained standing; he seemed not to like his quarters; he would not touch the wine his host offered him.

The rector remained standing; he would not touch any wine.


"I reckon you're thinking of Eastern customs, Mr. Helstone, and you'll not eat nor drink under my roof, feared we suld be forced to be friends; but I am not so particular or superstitious.

"I reckon you'll not eat nor drink under my roof, Mr. Helstone, lest we should be forced to be friends; but I am not so particular.


You might sup the contents of that decanter, and you might give me a bottle of the best in your own cellar, and I'd hold myself free to oppose you at every turn still--in every vestry-meeting and justice-meeting where we encountered one another."

You might sup the contents of that decanter, and I'd still feel free to oppose you at every vestry-meeting."


"It is just what I should expect of you, Mr. Yorke."


"Does it agree wi' ye now, Mr. Helstone, to be riding out after rioters, of a wet night, at your age?"


"It always agrees with me to be doing my duty; and in this case my duty is a thorough pleasure.


To hunt down vermin is a noble occupation, fit for an archbishop."


He's happen gone to visit some poor body in a sick gird, or he's happen hunting down vermin in another direction."


"He is doing garrison-duty at Hollow's Mill."


"You left him a sup o' wine, I hope, Bob" (turning to Mr. Moore), "to keep his courage up?"


He did not pause for an answer, but continued, quickly, still addressing Moore, who had thrown himself into an old-fashioned chair by the fireside--"Move it, Robert!

Mr. Yorke addressed Moore, who had thrown himself into an old-fashioned chair by the fireside.


Take the sofa, or three other chairs, if you will, but not this.


"Why are you so particular to that chair, Mr. Yorke?"


asked Moore, lazily vacating the place in obedience to orders.


"My father war afore me, and that's all t' answer I sall gie thee; and it's as good a reason as Mr. Helstone can give for the main feck o' his notions."

"My father were afore me, and that's all t' answer I shall gie thee; and it's as good a reason as Mr. Helstone can give for his notions."


"Nay; Robert's not ready, or rather, I'm not ready to part wi' him.


What difference does it make to me whether your Yorkshire louts hate me or like me?"


His father would never have talked i' that way.--Go back to Antwerp, where you were born and bred, mauvaise tte!"

His father would never have talked i' that way. Go back to Antwerp, mauvaise tte!"


"Mauvaise tte vous-mme; je ne fais que mon devoir; quant vos lourdauds de paysans, je m'en moque!"

"Mauvaise tte vous-mme; blockhead yourself," retorted Moore, continuing in the French tongue, "I'm only doing my duty; I don't care about your peasant thugs!"


"En ravanche, mon garon, nos lourdauds de paysans se moqueront de toi; sois en certain," replied Yorke, speaking with nearly as pure a French accent as Grard Moore.

"On the contrary, my boy, the peasant thugs will laugh at you," replied Yorke in perfect French.


Et puisque cela m'est gal, que mes amis ne s'en inquitent pas."


et je suis fort aise que l'cho seul y rpond.


Je me souviens encore du moment o mon pre et mes oncles Grard appellrent autour d'eux leurs amis, et Dieu sait si les amis se sont empresss d'accourir leur secours!


Tenez, M. Yorke, ce mot, ami, m'irrite trop; ne m'en parlez plus."

It's all the same to me. Monsieur Yorke, let us talk no more of it."


And here Mr. Yorke held his peace; and while he sits leaning back in his three-cornered carved oak chair, I will snatch my opportunity to sketch the portrait of this French-speaking Yorkshire gentleman.

And Mr. Yorke held his peace. While he sits leaning back in his carved oak chair, I will sketch the portrait of this Yorkshire gentleman.


By the time the Fieldhead party returned to Briarfield Caroline was nearly well.

By the time the Fieldhead party returned to Briarfield, Caroline was nearly well.


Miss Keeldar, who had received news by post of her friend's convalescence, hardly suffered an hour to elapse between her arrival at home and her first call at the rectory.

As soon as Miss Keeldar arrived home she called at the rectory.


A shower of rain was falling gently, yet fast, on the late flowers and russet autumn shrubs, when the garden wicket was heard to swing open, and Shirley's well-known form passed the window.

A shower of rain was falling on the late flowers when the garden wicket was heard to swing open, and Shirley passed the window.


On her entrance her feelings were evinced in her own peculiar fashion.

On her entrance she showed her feelings in her own peculiar fashion.


When deeply moved by serious fears or joys she was not garrulous.

When deeply moved, she was not garrulous.


The strong emotion was rarely suffered to influence her tongue, and even her eye refused it more than a furtive and fitful conquest.


She took Caroline in her arms, gave her one look, one kiss, then said, "You are better."


And a minute after, "I see you are safe now; but take care.


God grant your health may be called on to sustain no more shocks!"


She proceeded to talk fluently about the journey.


In the midst of vivacious discourse her eye still wandered to Caroline.

; but her eye still wandered to Caroline


There spoke in its light a deep solicitude, some trouble, and some amaze.


"She may be better," it said, "but how weak she still is!


Suddenly her glance reverted to Mrs. Pryor.

Suddenly her piercing glance turned to Mrs. Pryor.


Leave being signified by a gesture, Shirley was presently enlightened on what had happened in her absence.


"Very good," was the cool comment--"very good!


"I guessed long since the whole business.


I have heard somewhat of Mrs. Pryor's history--not from herself, but from others.


With every detail of Mr. James Helstone's career and character I was acquainted.

and of Mr. James Helstone's career and character


An afternoon's sitting and conversation with Miss Mann had rendered me familiar therewith; also he is one of Mrs. Yorke's warning examples--one of the blood-red lights she hangs out to scare young ladies from matrimony.

, from talking to Miss Mann; also he is one of Mrs. Yorke's warning examples, that she hangs out to scare young ladies away from matrimony.


I believe I should have been sceptical about the truth of the portrait traced by such fingers--both these ladies take a dark pleasure in offering to view the dark side of life--but I questioned Mr. Yorke on the subject, and he said, 'Shirley, my woman, if you want to know aught about yond' James Helstone, I can only say he was a man-tiger.

I was sceptical, but when I asked Mr. Yorke about it, he said, 'James Helstone was a man-tiger.


He was handsome, dissolute, soft, treacherous, courteous, cruel----' Don't cry, Cary; we'll say no more about it."

He was handsome, dissolute, soft, treacherous, courteous, cruel-' Don't cry, Cary; we'll say no more about it."


"I am not crying, Shirley; or if I am, it is nothing.


Go on; you are no friend if you withhold from me the truth.


I hate that false plan of disguising, mutilating the truth."


"Fortunately I have said pretty nearly all that I have to say, except that your uncle himself confirmed Mr. Yorke's words; for he too scorns a lie, and deals in none of those conventional subterfuges that are shabbier than lies."

"Fortunately I have said all that I have to say."


"But papa is dead; they should let him alone now."


"They should; and we _will_ let him alone.

"They should; and we will let him alone.


Besides, I choose to please myself by sharing an idea that at this moment beams in your mother's eye while she looks at you.


your tears have the virtue which the rivers of Damascus lacked.


Like Jordan, they can cleanse a leprous memory."


"Madam," she continued, addressing Mrs. Pryor, "did you think I could be daily in the habit of seeing you and your daughter together--marking your marvellous similarity in many points, observing (pardon me) your irrepressible emotions in the presence and still more in the absence of your child--and not form my own conjectures?

- Madam," she continued, addressing Mrs. Pryor, "did you think I could see you and your daughter together without noticing your similarity in many points, and observing your emotions in the presence of your child?


I formed them, and they are literally correct.


observed Caroline, who soon regained the quiet control of her feelings.


I had no warrant to breathe a word on the subject.


_My_ business it was not; I abstained from making it such."


"You guessed so deep a secret, and did not hint that you guessed it?"


"You are not reserved; you are frankly communicative."

," said Caroline; "you are not reserved; you talk frankly."


"I may be communicative, yet know where to stop.

"I may be frank, yet know where to stop.


In showing my treasure I may withhold a gem or two--a curious, unbought graven stone--an amulet of whose mystic glitter I rarely permit even myself a glimpse.

In showing my treasure I may withhold a gem or two."


Caroline thus seemed to get a view of Shirley's character under a novel aspect.

Caroline thus got a new view of Shirley.


Ere long the prospect was renewed; it opened upon her.


No sooner had she regained sufficient strength to bear a change of scene--the excitement of a little society--than Miss Keeldar sued daily for her presence at Fieldhead.

As soon as she had sufficient strength, Miss Keeldar invited her daily to Fieldhead.


Whether Shirley had become wearied of her honoured relatives is not known.

Perhaps Shirley had become weary of her honoured relatives the Sympsons.


She did not say she was; but she claimed and retained Caroline with an eagerness which proved that an addition to that worshipful company was not unwelcome.

She did not say so; but she claimed Caroline eagerly.


Of course the rector's niece was received by them with courtesy.

, so they received the rector's niece with courtesy.


Mr. Sympson proved to be a man of spotless respectability, worrying temper, pious principles, and worldly views; his lady was a very good woman--patient, kind, well-bred.

Mr. Sympson proved to be a man of spotless respectability, pious principles, and worldly views; his lady was a very good woman - patient, kind, well-bred.


She had been brought up on a narrow system of views, starved on a few prejudices--a mere handful of bitter herbs; a few preferences, soaked till their natural flavour was extracted, and with no seasoning added in the cooking; some excellent principles, made up in a stiff raised crust of bigotry difficult to digest.

She had been brought up on a narrow system of views, starved on a few prejudices - a mere handful of bitter herbs; a few preferences, soaked till they had no flavour; and some excellent principles, made up in a stiff raised crust of bigotry difficult to digest.


Far too submissive was she to complain of this diet or to ask for a crumb beyond it.

Far too submissive was she to complain of this diet.


The daughters were an example to their sex.


They were tall, with a Roman nose apiece.


History and the most solid books had cultivated their minds.


Principles and opinions they possessed which could not be mended.


More exactly-regulated lives, feelings, manners, habits, it would have been difficult to find anywhere.


They knew by heart a certain young-ladies'-schoolroom code of laws on language, demeanour, etc.; themselves never deviated from its curious little pragmatical provisions, and they regarded with secret whispered horror all deviations in others.

They knew by heart a certain young ladies' schoolroom code of behaviour, and never deviated from it; they regarded with whispered horror all deviations in others.


The Abomination of Desolation was no mystery to them; they had discovered that unutterable Thing in the characteristic others call Originality.


Quick were they to recognize the signs of this evil; and wherever they saw its trace--whether in look, word, or deed; whether they read it in the fresh, vigorous style of a book, or listened to it in interesting, unhackneyed, pure, expressive language--they shuddered, they recoiled.

- whether in a book, speech, or person - was to them an evil, and they were quick to recognize its signs, and to shudder and recoil.


Danger was above their heads, peril about their steps.


Henry Sympson, the only son and youngest child of the family, was a boy of fifteen.

Henry Sympson, the only son and youngest child, was a boy of fifteen


When he left him, he sought his cousin Shirley.

When he left him, he sought out Shirley.


He was little, lame, and pale; his large eyes shone somewhat languidly in a wan orbit.


They were, indeed, usually rather dim, but they were capable of illumination.


At times they could not only shine, but blaze.


Inward emotion could likewise give colour to his cheek and decision to his crippled movements.

emotion could give colour to his cheek and decision to his crippled movements.


Henry's mother loved him; she thought his peculiarities were a mark of election.


He was not like other children, she allowed.


She believed him regenerate--a new Samuel--called of God from his birth.


Mr. and the Misses Sympson, not understanding the youth, let him much alone.

His mother loved him, but Mr. and the Misses Sympson, not understanding him, let him much alone.


Shirley made him her pet, and he made Shirley his playmate.


In the midst of this family circle, or rather outside it, moved the tutor--the satellite.

In the midst of this family circle, or rather outside it, moved the tutor - the satellite.


Yes, Louis Moore was a satellite of the house of Sympson--connected, yet apart; ever attendant, ever distant.

Yes, Louis Moore was a satellite of the house of Sympson, connected, yet apart.


Each member of that correct family treated him with proper dignity.


The father was austerely civil, sometimes irritable; the mother, being a kind woman, was attentive, but formal; the daughters saw in him an abstraction, not a man.

The father was austerely civil, sometimes irritable; the mother was attentive, but formal; the daughters saw in him an abstraction, not a man.


It seemed, by their manner, that their brother's tutor did not live for them.


They were learned; so was he--but not for them.

They were learned; so was he - but not for them.


They were accomplished; he had talents too, imperceptible to their senses.


The most spirited sketch from his fingers was a blank to their eyes; the most original observation from his lips fell unheard on their ears.

The most original observation from his lips fell unheard on their ears.


Nothing could exceed the propriety of their behaviour.


I should have said nothing could have equalled it; but I remember a fact which strangely astonished Caroline Helstone.


It was--to discover that her cousin had absolutely _no_ sympathizing friend at Fieldhead; that to Miss Keeldar he was as much a mere teacher, as little a gentleman, as little a man, as to the estimable Misses Sympson.

It was to discover that her cousin Louis had absolutely no sympathizing friend at Fieldhead; that to Miss Keeldar he was as much a mere teacher, as little a man, as to the Misses Sympson.


What had befallen the kind-hearted Shirley that she should be so indifferent to the dreary position of a fellow-creature thus isolated under her roof?

Why was the kind-hearted Shirley so indifferent to the dreary position of a fellow-creature isolated under her roof?


She was not, perhaps, haughty to him, but she never noticed him--she let him alone.

She was not, perhaps, haughty to him, but she never noticed him - she let him alone.


He came and went, spoke or was silent, and she rarely recognized his existence.


As to Louis Moore himself, he had the air of a man used to this life, and who had made up his mind to bear it for a time.

As to Louis Moore himself, he had the air of a man used to this life.


His faculties seemed walled up in him, and were unmurmuring in their captivity.


He never laughed; he seldom smiled; he was uncomplaining.


He fulfilled the round of his duties scrupulously.


His pupil loved him; he asked nothing more than civility from the rest of the world.

His pupil Henry loved him; he asked nothing more than civility from the rest of the world.


It even appeared that he would accept nothing more--in that abode at least; for when his cousin Caroline made gentle overtures of friendship, he did not encourage them--he rather avoided than sought her.

It even appeared that he would accept nothing more; for when Caroline made gentle overtures of friendship, he did not encourage them.


One living thing alone, besides his pale, crippled scholar, he fondled in the house, and that was the ruffianly Tartar, who, sullen and impracticable to others, acquired a singular partiality for him--a partiality so marked that sometimes, when Moore, summoned to a meal, entered the room and sat down unwelcomed, Tartar would rise from his lair at Shirley's feet and betake himself to the taciturn tutor.

In the house one living thing alone was his friend, besides Henry: and that was the ruffianly Tartar, who had a singular partiality for him - a partiality so marked that sometimes, when Moore entered the room, Tartar would rise from Shirley's feet and take himself to the taciturn tutor.


Once--but once--she noticed the desertion, and holding out her white hand, and speaking softly, tried to coax him back.

Once she noticed this desertion, and softly tried to coax him back.


Tartar looked, slavered, and sighed, as his manner was, but yet disregarded the invitation, and coolly settled himself on his haunches at Louis Moore's side.

Tartar looked, slavered, and sighed, but remained at Louis Moore's side.


That gentleman drew the dog's big, black-muzzled head on to his knee, patted him, and smiled one little smile to himself.

That gentleman patted him, and smiled to himself.


An acute observer might have remarked, in the course of the same evening, that after Tartar had resumed his allegiance to Shirley, and was once more couched near her footstool, the audacious tutor by one word and gesture fascinated him again.

An acute observer might have remarked, that same evening, that after Tartar had returned to Shirley, and was once more lying near her footstool, the audacious tutor by one word and gesture fascinated him again.


He pricked up his ears at the word; he started erect at the gesture, and came, with head lovingly depressed, to receive the expected caress.

Tartar pricked up his ears and came to receive the expected caress.


As it was given, the significant smile again rippled across Moore's quiet face.


"Shirley," said Caroline one day, as they two were sitting alone in the summer-house, "did you know that my cousin Louis was tutor in your uncle's family before the Sympsons came down here?"


Shirley's reply was not so prompt as her responses usually were, but at last she answered, "Yes--of course; I knew it well."

Shirley's reply was not so prompt as usual, but at last she answered, "Yes, of course."


"I thought you must have been aware of the circumstance."


"It puzzles me to guess how it chanced that you never mentioned it to me."

"It puzzles me that you never spoke of it


How was that circumstance never touched on?"


"Because it never was," and Shirley laughed.


"I thought I knew you quite well; I begin to find myself mistaken.


You were silent as the grave about Mrs. Pryor, and now again here is another secret.

You were silent as the grave about Mrs. Pryor, and now here is another secret.


But why you made it a secret is the mystery to me."

But why you made it a secret is the mystery."


"I never made it a secret; I had no reason for so doing.


If you had asked me who Henry's tutor was, I would have told you.


"I am puzzled about more things than one in this matter.


Are you impatient at what you perhaps consider his _servile_ position?


Do you wish that Robert's brother were more highly placed?"


was the exclamation, uttered in a tone like the accents of scorn; and with a movement of proud impatience Shirley snatched a rose from a branch peeping through the open lattice.

was the exclamation, uttered in a tone close to scorn; and with an impatient movement Shirley snatched a rose peeping through the open window.


"Yes," repeated Caroline, with mild firmness, "Robert's brother.

"Yes," repeated Caroline, "Robert's brother.


He _is_ thus closely related to Grard Moore of the Hollow, though nature has not given him features so handsome or an air so noble as his kinsman; but his blood is as good, and he is as much a gentleman were he free."

Louis is not so handsome as Robert; but he is as much a gentleman."


We should not despise plain features, nor a laborious yet honest occupation, should we?

"We should not despise plain features, nor an honest occupation, should we?


He is there in the garden," she continued, pointing through an aperture in the clustering creepers; and by that aperture Louis Moore was visible, coming slowly down the walk.

in the garden," she continued, pointing through the clustering creepers; Louis Moore was visible, coming slowly down the walk.


"He is not ugly, Shirley," pleaded Caroline; "he is not ignoble.


But I believe him to be intelligent; and be certain, if he had not something very commendable in his disposition, Mr. Hall would never seek his society as he does."

But I believe him to be intelligent; and if he had not something good about him, Mr. Hall would never seek his society."


Shirley laughed; she laughed again, each time with a slightly sarcastic sound.


"On the plea of the man being Cyril Hall's friend and Robert Moore's brother, we'll just tolerate his existence; won't we, Cary?

Since he's Cyril Hall's friend and Robert Moore's brother, we'll just tolerate his existence, eh, Cary?


You believe him to be intelligent, do you?


Something commendable in his disposition!--_id est_, not an absolute ruffian.

Something good about him - not an absolute ruffian!


Your representations have weight with me; and to prove that they have, should he come this way I will speak to him."

Your opinion has weight with me; and I will speak to him."


Unconscious that it was tenanted, he sat down on the step.

Unaware that it was occupied, he sat down on the step