Tartar, now his customary companion, had followed him, and he couched across his feet.

; Tartar, who had followed him, lay across his feet.


said Louis, pulling his tawny ear, or rather the mutilated remains of that organ, torn and chewed in a hundred battles, "the autumn sun shines as pleasantly on us as on the fairest and richest.

said Louis, pulling his ear, which had been torn and chewed in a hundred battles, "


This garden is none of ours, but we enjoy its greenness and perfume, don't we?"

This garden is not ours, but we enjoy its greenness and perfume, don't we?"


He sat silent, still caressing Tartar, who slobbered with exceeding affection.

He sat silent, caressing Tartar, who slobbered affectionately.


A faint twittering commenced among the trees round.


Something fluttered down as light as leaves.


They were little birds, which, lighting on the sward at shy distance, hopped as if expectant.

; little birds fluttered down, as light as leaves, and hopped expectantly on the grass.


"The small brown elves actually remember that I fed them the other day," again soliloquized Louis.

"The small brown elves actually remember that I fed them the other day," said Louis.


Eager little sprites, I have not a crumb for you."

Today I have none - not a crumb, little sprites."


He put his hand in his pocket and drew it out empty.


"A want easily supplied," whispered the listening Miss Keeldar.

"A want easily supplied," whispered Miss Keeldar.


She took from her reticule a morsel of sweet-cake; for that repository was never destitute of something available to throw to the chickens, young ducks, or sparrows.

She took from her reticule some sweet-cake; for she always carried something to throw to the chickens or sparrows.


She crumbled it, and bending over his shoulder, put the crumbs into his hand.


"There," said she--"there is a providence for the improvident."

"There," said she; "there is a providence for the improvident."


"This September afternoon is pleasant," observed Louis Moore, as, not at all discomposed, he calmly cast the crumbs on to the grass.


"As pleasant for me as for any monarch."


"You take a sort of harsh, solitary triumph in drawing pleasure out of the elements and the inanimate and lower animate creation."

"You take a sort of harsh solitary triumph in drawing pleasure from the lower creation."


With animals I feel I am Adam's son, the heir of him to whom dominion was given over 'every living thing that moveth upon the earth.'

With animals I feel I am Adam's son, the heir of him to whom dominion was given over every living thing.


When I go into that yard, the pigeons from your dovecot flutter at my feet.

The pigeons from your dovecot flutter at my feet.


Your mare in the stable knows me as well as it knows you, and obeys me better."


"And my roses smell sweet to you, and my trees give you shade."


"And," continued Louis, "no caprice can withdraw these pleasures from me; they are _mine_."

"And," continued Louis, "no caprice can withdraw these pleasures from me; they are mine."


Tartar followed him, as if in duty and affection bound, and Shirley remained standing on the summer-house step.

Tartar followed him, and Shirley remained standing on the summer-house step.


Caroline saw her face as she looked after the rude tutor.


It was pale, as if her pride bled inwardly.


"You see," remarked Caroline apologetically, "his feelings are so often hurt it makes him morose."


"You see," retorted Shirley, with ire, "he is a topic on which you and I shall quarrel if we discuss it often; so drop it henceforward and for ever."

"You see," retorted Shirley, with ire, "he is a topic on which you and I shall quarrel; so drop it."


"I suppose he has more than once behaved in this way," thought Caroline to herself, "and that renders Shirley so distant to him.

"I suppose he has more than once behaved in this way," thought Caroline to herself, "and that makes Shirley distant to him.


Yet I wonder she cannot make allowance for character and circumstances.

Yet I wonder she cannot make allowances.


I wonder the general modesty, manliness, sincerity of his nature do not plead with her in his behalf.


She is not often so inconsiderate, so irritable."


The verbal testimony of two friends of Caroline's to her cousin's character augmented her favourable opinion of him.

Two friends of Caroline increased her favourable opinion of Louis Moore.


William Farren, whose cottage he had visited in company with Mr. Hall, pronounced him a "real gentleman;" there was not such another in Briarfield.

William Farren, whose cottage he had visited with Mr. Hall, pronounced him a "real gentleman


He--William--"could do aught for that man.


And then to see how t' bairns liked him, and how t' wife took to him first minute she saw him.

; to see how t' bairns liked him, and how t' wife took to him first minute she saw him.


He never went into a house but t' childer wor about him directly.


Them little things wor like as if they'd a keener sense nor grown-up folks i' finding our folk's natures."

keen sense i' finding out folk's natures."


Mr. Hall, in answer to a question of Miss Helstone's as to what he thought of Louis Moore, replied promptly that he was the best fellow he had met with since he left Cambridge.

And Mr. Hall stated that Louis Moore was the best fellow he had met with since he left Cambridge.


"But he is so grave," objected Caroline.


the finest company in the world!" said Mr. Hall.


"Full of odd, quiet, out-of-the-way humour.


Never enjoyed an excursion so much in my life as the one I took with him to the Lakes.


His understanding and tastes are so superior, it does a man good to be within their influence; and as to his temper and nature, I call them fine."

His understanding and tastes are so superior, it does a man good to be with him; and his temper and nature are fine."


"At Fieldhead he looks gloomy, and, I believe, has the character of being misanthropical."


I fancy he is rather out of place there--in a false position.

I fancy he is rather out of place there.


The Sympsons are most estimable people, but not the folks to comprehend him.

The Sympsons are good people, but not the folks to comprehend him."


They think a great deal about form and ceremony, which are quite out of Louis's way."


"She doesn't know him--she doesn't know him; otherwise she has sense enough to do justice to his merits."

"She doesn't know him. She has sense enough to do justice to his merits."


"Well, I suppose she doesn't know him," mused Caroline to herself, and by this hypothesis she endeavoured to account for what seemed else unaccountable.


But such simple solution of the difficulty was not left her long.


She was obliged to refuse Miss Keeldar even this negative excuse for her prejudice.

she had to refuse Miss Keeldar even this excuse for her prejudice.


One day she chanced to be in the schoolroom with Henry Sympson, whose amiable and affectionate disposition had quickly recommended him to her regard.

One day she chanced to be in the schoolroom with Henry Sympson, an amiable and affectionate boy whom she liked.


The boy was busied about some mechanical contrivance; his lameness made him fond of sedentary occupation.


He began to ransack his tutor's desk for a piece of wax or twine necessary to his work.

, and began to ransack his tutor's desk for a piece of twine he needed for his work.


Mr. Hall, indeed, had called for him to take a long walk.


Henry could not immediately find the object of his search.


He rummaged compartment after compartment; and at last, opening an inner drawer, he came upon--not a ball of cord or a lump of beeswax, but a little bundle of small marble-coloured cahiers, tied with tape.

what he wanted, though he rummaged in every compartment; and at last, opening an inner drawer, he came upon a little bundle of exercise-books, tied with tape.


"What rubbish Mr. Moore stores up in his desk!"

"What rubbish Mr. Moore stores in his desk!"


"I hope he won't keep my old exercises so carefully."


The packet looked so neat externally her curiosity was excited to see its contents.


"If they are only copy-books, I suppose I may open them?"


Mr. Moore's desk is half mine--for he lets me keep all sorts of things in it--and I give you leave."

Mr. Moore's desk is half mine - he lets me keep all sorts of things in it - and I give you leave."


On scrutiny they proved to be French compositions, written in a hand peculiar but compact, and exquisitely clean and clear.

On scrutiny they proved to be French compositions, written in a peculiar but exquisitely clear hand.


She scarcely needed the further evidence of the name signed at the close of each theme to tell her whose they were.

without needing to see the name signed at the end of every essay.


Yet that name astonished her--"Shirley Keeldar, Sympson Grove, ----shire" (a southern county), and a date four years back.

Yet that name astonished her - "Shirley Keeldar, Sympson Grove", and a date four years back.


She tied up the packet, and held it in her hand, meditating over it.

She tied up the packet, and held it, meditating.


She half felt as if, in opening it, she had violated a confidence.


"They are Shirley's, you see," said Henry carelessly.


She wrote them with Mrs. Pryor, I suppose?"


"She wrote them in my schoolroom at Sympson Grove, when she lived with us there.


Mr. Moore taught her French; it is his native language."


"She was a wild, laughing thing, but pleasant to have in the room.


She learned fast--you could hardly tell when or how.


She spoke it quick, quick--as quick as Mr. Moore himself."

She spoke it as quick as Mr. Moore himself."


"_Desperately_ fond--you small simpleton!


"He would reprove you for speaking with exaggeration."

Caroline laughed. "He would reprove you for exaggerating."


He never reproves and reproves, as girls' governesses do.


He was reading, and he only smiled into his book, and said that if Miss Keeldar was no more than that, she was less than he took her to be; for I was but a dim-eyed, short-sighted little chap.

He only smiled, and said that if Miss Keeldar was no more than that, she was less than he took her to be; for I was but a short-sighted little chap.


I'm afraid I am a poor unfortunate, Miss Caroline Helstone.

I'm afraid I am a poor cripple, Miss Helstone


"Never mind, Henry, you are a very nice little fellow; and if God has not given you health and strength, He has given you a good disposition and an excellent heart and brain."

"Never mind, Henry, you are a very nice little fellow; and God has given you a good disposition and an excellent heart and brain."


I sometimes think both Shirley and you despise me."


They seem to me little ruffians, who take an unnatural delight in killing and tormenting birds, and insects, and kittens, and whatever is weaker than themselves.

They seem to me little ruffians, who take an unnatural delight in killing and tormenting birds, and whatever is weaker than themselves.


But you are so different I am quite fond of you.


You have almost as much sense as a man (far more, God wot," she muttered to herself, "than many men); you are fond of reading, and you can talk sensibly about what you read."

You have almost as much sense as a man; you are fond of reading, and you can talk sensibly about what you read."


I know I have sense, and I know I have feeling."


"Henry," she said, "I have brought your lunch here.

"Henry," she said, "I have brought your lunch.


She placed on the table a glass of new milk, a plate of something which looked not unlike leather, and a utensil which resembled a toasting-fork.

She placed on the table a glass of milk, a plate of something which looked not unlike leather, and a toasting-fork.


"What are you two about," she continued, "ransacking Mr. Moore's desk?"

"What are you two doing, ransacking Mr. Moore's desk?" she asked.


"Looking at your old copy-books," returned Caroline.

"Looking at your old French copy-books," returned Caroline.


They must be held precious; they are kept carefully."

They must be considered precious; they are kept carefully."


"Did not know one was in existence," she said.


"I thought the whole lot had long since lit the kitchen fire, or curled the maid's hair at Sympson Grove.--What made you keep them, Henry?"

"I thought the whole lot had long since lit the kitchen fire. What made you keep them, Henry?"


It never entered my head to suppose copy-books of value.


Mr. Moore put them by in the inner drawer of his desk.

Mr. Moore put them in the inner drawer of his desk.


"He forgot them, no doubt," echoed Shirley.


"They are extremely well written," she observed complacently.

"They are extremely well written," she added complacently.


"What a giddy girl you were, Shirley, in those days!


A slim, light creature whom, though you were so tall, I could lift off the floor.


I see you with your long, countless curls on your shoulders, and your streaming sash.

I see you with your long curls on your shoulders, and your streaming sash.


You used to make Mr. Moore lively--that is, at first.

You used to make Mr. Moore lively - that is, at first.


I believe you grieved him after a while."


Shirley turned the closely-written pages and said nothing.


Presently she observed, "That was written one winter afternoon.


"Mr. Moore, when he read it, cried, 'Voil le Franais gagn!'


Afterwards you made him draw, in sepia, the landscape you described."

Afterwards you made him draw the landscape you described.


We were all scolded that day for not coming down to tea when called.


I can remember my tutor sitting at his easel, and you standing behind him, holding the candle, and watching him draw the snowy cliff, the pine, the deer couched under it, and the half-moon hung above."

I can remember him sitting at his easel, and you standing behind him, watching him draw the snowy cliff, the pine, the deer lying under it, and the half-moon hung above."


You are grown a proud lady to him; I notice that."


"Shirley, you are a real enigma," whispered Caroline in her ear.


"What queer discoveries I make day by day now!--I who thought I had your confidence.


"I have forgotten 'auld lang syne,' you see, Harry," said Miss Keeldar, answering young Sympson, and not heeding Caroline.

"I have forgotten old times, you see, Harry," said Miss Keeldar, answering young Sympson, and not heeding Caroline.


You don't deserve to be a man's morning star if you have so short a memory."


and by 'a man' is meant your worshipful self, I suppose?


Come, drink your new milk while it is warm."


The young cripple rose and limped towards the fire; he had left his crutch near the mantelpiece.


murmured Shirley, in her softest voice, aiding him.


"Whether do you like me or Mr. Sam Wynne best, Shirley?"

"Do you like me or Mr. Sam Wynne best, Shirley?"


inquired the boy, as she settled him in an arm-chair.


"O Harry, Sam Wynne is my aversion; you are my pet."


"Yet they are great whiskered fellows, six feet high each."

"Yet they are great whiskered fellows, six feet tall."


"Whereas, as long as you live, Harry, you will never be anything more than a little pale lameter."


Have I not often told you who was almost as little, as pale, as suffering as you, and yet potent as a giant and brave as a lion?"

"Have I not often told you who was almost as little, as pale, as suffering as you, and yet as powerful as a giant and brave as a lion?"


"Admiral Horatio, Viscount Nelson, and Duke of Bronte; great at heart as a Titan; gallant and heroic as all the world and age of chivalry; leader of the might of England; commander of her strength on the deep; hurler of her thunder over the flood."

"Admiral Horatio, Viscount Nelson; great at heart as a Titan; gallant and heroic; commander of England's navy, and hurler of her thunder over the flood."


But I am not warlike, Shirley; and yet my mind is so restless I burn day and night--for what I can hardly tell--to be--to do--to suffer, I think."

But I am not warlike, Shirley; and yet my mind is so restless."


"Harry, it is your mind, which is stronger and older than your frame, that troubles you.

"Harry, your mind is a captive. It is stronger and older than your frame


It is a captive; it lies in physical bondage.


But it will work its own redemption yet.


Study carefully not only books but the world.


You will not be a soldier or a sailor, Henry; but if you live you will be--listen to my prophecy--you will be an author, perhaps a poet."

You will not be a soldier or a sailor, Henry; but - listen to my prophecy - you will be an author, perhaps a poet."


I'll write a book that I may dedicate it to you."

I'll write a book so that I may dedicate it to you."


"You will write it that you may give your soul its natural release.

"You will write it so that you may give your soul its natural release.


more than I understand, I believe, or can make good.


Here, Hal--here is your toasted oatcake; eat and live!"

Here is your toasted oatcake, Hal; eat and live!"


here cried a voice outside the open window.


"Miss Keeldar, may I come in and partake?"


"Mr. Hall"--it was Mr. Hall, and with him was Louis Moore, returned from their walk--"there is a proper luncheon laid out in the dining-room and there are proper people seated round it.

It was Mr. Hall, and with him was Louis Moore, returned from their walk.
"There is a proper luncheon laid out in the dining-room," said Shirley, "with proper people seated round it.


You may join that society and share that fare if you please; but if your ill-regulated tastes lead you to prefer ill-regulated proceedings, step in here, and do as we do."

You may join them if you please; but if your ill-regulated tastes lead you to prefer ill-regulated proceedings, step in here."


"I approve the perfume, and therefore shall suffer myself to be led by the nose," returned Mr. Hall, who presently entered, accompanied by Louis Moore.

"I shall allow myself to be led by the nose," returned Mr. Hall, who entered along with Louis Moore.


That gentleman's eye fell on his desk, pillaged.


said he.--"Henry, you merit the ferule."


"Give it to Shirley and Caroline; they did it," was alleged, with more attention to effect than truth.


"We never laid hands on a thing, except in the spirit of laudable inquiry!"


"Exactly so," said Moore, with his rare smile.


"And what have you ferreted out, in your 'spirit of laudable inquiry'?"


Caroline hastened to say, and she restored the little packet to its place.


He shut it up; he locked it in with a small key attached to his watch-guard; he restored the other papers to order, closed the repository, and sat down without further remark.

He shut it up and locked it with a small key; he put the other papers in order, closed the desk, and sat down without further remark.


"I thought you would have scolded much more, sir," said Henry.


"I leave them to their own consciences."


"It accuses them of crimes intended as well as perpetrated, sir.


If I had not been here, they would have treated your portfolio as they have done your desk; but I told them it was padlocked."

"If I had not been here, they would have ransacked your portfolio too; but I told them it was padlocked."


here interposed Shirley, addressing Moore, and desirous, as it seemed, to turn the conversation.

here interposed Shirley, wishing, it seemed, to turn the conversation.


"You will be restricted to new milk and Yorkshire oatcake."

"You will be restricted to milk and Yorkshire oatcake."


"He thinks it is like bran, raised with sour yeast."


"Come, then; by special dispensation we will allow him a few cracknels, but nothing less homely."

"Come, then; we will allow him a few crackers."


The hostess rang the bell and gave her frugal orders, which were presently executed.


She herself measured out the milk, and distributed the bread round the cosy circle now enclosing the bright little schoolroom fire.

measured out the milk, and distributed the bread round the cosy circle.


She then took the post of toaster-general; and kneeling on the rug, fork in hand, fulfilled her office with dexterity.

She then took the post of toaster-general, kneeling on the rug, fork in hand.


Mr. Hall, who relished any homely innovation on ordinary usages, and to whom the husky oatcake was from custom suave as manna, seemed in his best spirits.


He talked and laughed gleefully--now with Caroline, whom he had fixed by his side, now with Shirley, and again with Louis Moore.


He did not laugh much, but he uttered in the quietest tone the wittiest things.

He did not laugh much, but he uttered in a quiet tone the wittiest things.


Gravely spoken sentences, marked by unexpected turns and a quite fresh flavour and poignancy, fell easily from his lips.


He proved himself to be--what Mr. Hall had said he was--excellent company.


Caroline marvelled at his humour, but still more at his entire self-possession.

Caroline marvelled at his self-possession,


Nobody there present seemed to impose on him a sensation of unpleasant restraint.


Nobody seemed a bore--a check--a chill to him; and yet there was the cool and lofty Miss Keeldar kneeling before the fire, almost at his feet.

when the cool and lofty Miss Keeldar was kneeling before the fire, almost at his feet.


But Shirley was cool and lofty no longer, at least not at this moment.

But Shirley was not cool and lofty at this moment.


She appeared unconscious of the humility of her present position; or if conscious, it was only to taste a charm in its lowliness.


It did not revolt her pride that the group to whom she voluntarily officiated as handmaid should include her cousin's tutor.

not to mind that she was waiting on her cousin's tutor.


It did not scare her that while she handed the bread and milk to the rest, she had to offer it to him also; and Moore took his portion from her hand as calmly as if he had been her equal.

When she offered him his portion, Moore took it from her hand as calmly as if he had been her equal.


"You are overheated now," he said, when she had retained the fork for some time; "let me relieve you."

"You are overheated now," he said; "let me relieve you."


And he took it from her with a sort of quiet authority, to which she submitted passively, neither resisting him nor thanking him.

And he took the toasting-fork from her with a quiet authority, to which she submitted passively.


"I should like to see your pictures, Louis," said Caroline, when the sumptuous luncheon was discussed.--"Would not you, Mr. Hall?"

"I should like to see your pictures, Louis," said Caroline. "Would not you, Mr. Hall?"


"To please you, I should; but, for my own part, I have cut him as an artist.


I had enough of him in that capacity in Cumberland and Westmoreland.

had enough of him painting in Cumberland and Westmoreland.


Many a wetting we got amongst the mountains because he would persist in sitting on a camp-stool, catching effects of rain-clouds, gathering mists, fitful sunbeams, and what not."

Many a wetting we got amongst the mountains because he would persist in sitting on a camp-stool, catching effects of rain-clouds, gathering mists, and what not."


"Here is the portfolio," said Henry, bringing it in one hand and leaning on his crutch with the other.


Louis took it, but he still sat as if he wanted another to speak.


It seemed as if he would not open it unless the proud Shirley deigned to show herself interested in the exhibition.


"He makes us wait to whet our curiosity," she said.


"You understand opening it," observed Louis, giving her the key.


"You spoiled the lock for me once; try now."


She opened it, and, monopolizing the contents, had the first view of every sketch herself.

She opened it, and had the first view of every sketch herself.


She enjoyed the treat--if treat it were--in silence, without a single comment.

She enjoyed the treat - if treat it were - in silence, without comment.


Moore stood behind her chair and looked over her shoulder, and when she had done and the others were still gazing, he left his post and paced through the room.


A carriage was heard in the lane--the gate-bell rang.

A carriage was heard in the lane - the gate-bell rang.


"There are callers," she said, "and I shall be summoned to the room.

"There are callers," she said, "and I shall be summoned.


A pretty figure--as they say--I am to receive company.


I and Henry have been in the garden gathering fruit half the morning.

Henry and I have been gathering fruit half the morning.


Oh for rest under my own vine and my own fig-tree!


Happy is the slave-wife of the Indian chief, in that she has no drawing-room duty to perform, but can sit at ease weaving mats, and stringing beads, and peacefully flattening her pickaninny's head in an unmolested corner of her wigwam.

Happy is the slave-wife of the Indian chief, who has no drawing-room duty to perform, but can sit at ease weaving mats, and stringing beads, and peacefully flattening her pickaninny's head in an unmolested corner of her wigwam.


"To marry a White Cloud or a Big Buffalo, and after wedlock to devote yourself to the tender task of digging your lord's maize-field while he smokes his pipe or drinks fire-water."

"To marry a White Cloud or a Big Buffalo, and to devote yourself to the tender task of digging your lord's maize-field while he smokes his pipe."


Shirley seemed about to reply, but here the schoolroom door unclosed, admitting Mr. Sympson.

Shirley seemed about to reply, but here the schoolroom door opened to admit Mr. Sympson.


That personage stood aghast when he saw the group around the fire.

He looked aghast when he saw the group around the fire.


"I thought you alone, Miss Keeldar," he said.

"I thought you were alone, Miss Keeldar," he said, with a scandalized air.


And evidently from his shocked, scandalized air, had he not recognized in one of the party a clergyman, he would have delivered an extempore philippic on the extraordinary habits of his niece: respect for the cloth arrested him.


"I merely wished to announce," he proceeded coldly, "that the family from De Walden Hall, Mr., Mrs., the Misses, and Mr. Sam Wynne, are in the drawing-room."

The family from De Walden Hall are in the drawing-room."


Couldn't be a worse set," murmured Shirley.


She sat still, looking a little contumacious, and very much indisposed to stir.

She sat still, looking unwilling to stir, and


Her dark hair had been more than once dishevelled by the morning wind that day.


Her attire was a light, neatly fitting, but amply flowing dress of muslin; the shawl she had worn in the garden was still draped in a careless fold round her.


Indolent, wilful, picturesque, and singularly pretty was her aspect--prettier than usual, as if some soft inward emotion, stirred who knows how, had given new bloom and expression to her features.

wilful she looked, and singularly pretty - prettier than usual, as if some soft inward emotion had given new bloom to her features.


"Shirley, Shirley, you ought to go," whispered Caroline.


She lifted her eyes, and saw in the glass over the fireplace both Mr. Hall and Louis Moore gazing at her gravely.


"If," she said, with a yielding smile--"if a majority of the present company maintain that the De Walden Hall people have claims on my civility, I will subdue my inclinations to my duty.

"If most of those present tell me to go, I will do my duty.


Let those who think I ought to go hold up their hands."


Again consulting the mirror, it reflected an unanimous vote against her.


"You must go," said Mr. Hall, "and behave courteously too."


It is not permitted you to please only yourself."


Louis Moore assented with a low "Hear, hear!"


Caroline, approaching her, smoothed her wavy curls, gave to her attire a less artistic and more domestic grace, and Shirley was put out of the room, protesting still, by a pouting lip, against her dismissal.

Caroline smoothed Shirley's curls and tidied her clothing; she was sent out of the room, pouting at her dismissal.


"There is a curious charm about her," observed Mr. Hall, when she was gone.


"And now," he added, "I must away; for Sweeting is off to see his mother, and there are two funerals."

And now I must away," said Mr. Hall. Caroline left too.


"Henry, get your books; it is lesson-time," said Moore, sitting down to his desk.


repeated the pupil, when he and his master were left alone.


"No irrelevant questions; study in silence."


Mr. Moore looked and spoke sternly--sourly.

Mr. Moore looked and spoke sternly - sourly.


It was a rare one with his tutor; but when it came he had an awe of it.

It was rare; but when it came he was in awe of it.


He had laid out a dexterously concerted scheme for his private amusement.


But older and wiser schemers than he are often doomed to see their finest-spun projects swept to annihilation by the sudden broom of Fate, that fell housewife whose red arm none can control.

But older and wiser schemers than he are often doomed to see their finest-spun projects swept to annihilation by the sudden broom of Fate.


In the present instance this broom was manufactured out of the tough fibres of Moore's own stubborn purpose, bound tight with his will.

In this instance, the broom was made out of the tough fibres of Moore's own stubborn purpose.


He was now resuming his strength, and making strange head against Mrs. Horsfall.

Moore was now resuming his strength, and making strange headway against Mrs. Horsfall.


Each morning he amazed that matron with a fresh astonishment.

Each morning he amazed that matron with fresh astonishment.


First he discharged her from her valet duties; he would dress himself.

First he told her he would dress himself.


Then he refused the coffee she brought him; he would breakfast with the family.


On the same day, amidst the outcries of all the women in the place, he put his head out of doors.


The morning after, he followed Mr. Yorke to his counting-house, and requested an envoy to fetch a chaise from the Red House Inn.

The morning after, he followed Mr. Yorke to his counting-house, and requested a chaise be fetched from the Red House Inn.


He was resolved, he said, to return home to the Hollow that very afternoon.


Mr. Yorke, instead of opposing, aided and abetted him.

Mr. Yorke, instead of opposing, aided him.


The chaise was sent for, though Mrs. Yorke declared the step would be his death.


Moore, little disposed to speak, made his purse do duty for his tongue.


He expressed his gratitude to the servants and to Mrs. Horsfall by the chink of his coin.


The latter personage approved and understood this language perfectly; it made amends for all previous contumacy.


She and her patient parted the best friends in the world.


The kitchen visited and soothed, Moore betook himself to the parlour.

Next Moore betook himself to the parlour.


He had Mrs. Yorke to appease; not quite so easy a task as the pacification of her housemaids.


There she sat plunged in sullen dudgeon, the gloomiest speculations on the depths of man's ingratitude absorbing her thoughts.

she sat plunged in sullen dudgeon, speculating gloomily on the depths of man's ingratitude.


He drew near and bent over her; she was obliged to look up, if it were only to bid him "avaunt."

He bent over her; she was obliged to look up.


There was beauty still in his pale, wasted features; there was earnestness and a sort of sweetness--for he was smiling--in his hollow eyes.

There was beauty still in his pale, wasted features; there was earnestness and a sort of sweetness in his hollow eyes.


he said, and as he spoke the smile glittered and melted.


He had no iron mastery of his sensations now; a trifling emotion made itself apparent in his present weak state.


"And what are you going to leave us for?"


"We will keep you, and do anything in the world for you, if you will only stay till you are stronger."


he again said; and added, "You have been a mother to me; give your wilful son one embrace."


Like a foreigner, as he was, he offered her first one cheek, then the other.


"What a trouble--what a burden I have been to you!"


"You are the worst trouble now, headstrong youth!"


"I wonder who is to nurse you at Hollow's Cottage?

"Who is to nurse you at Hollow's Cottage?


Your sister Hortense knows no more about such matters than a child."


for I have had nursing enough to last me my life."


Here the little girls came in--Jessie crying, Rose quiet but grave.

Here the little girls came in - Jessie crying, Rose quiet but grave.


Moore took them out into the hall to soothe, pet, and kiss them.


He knew it was not in their mother's nature to bear to see any living thing caressed but herself.

of their mother's sight, to soothe them; for their mother could not bear to see any living thing caressed but herself.


She would have felt annoyed had he fondled a kitten in her presence.


The boys were standing about the chaise as Moore entered it; but for them he had no farewell.


To Mr. Yorke he only said, "You have a good riddance of me.


That was an unlucky shot for you, Yorke; it turned Briarmains into an hospital.

That was an unlucky shot for you, Yorke; it turned Briarmains into a hospital.


He drew up the glass; the chaise rolled away.


In half an hour he alighted at his own garden wicket.

In half an hour he alighted at his own garden gate.


Having paid the driver and dismissed the vehicle, he leaned on that wicket an instant, at once to rest and to muse.

Having dismissed the vehicle, he leaned on that gate an instant, to rest and muse.


"Six months ago I passed out at this gate," said he, "a proud, angry, disappointed man.

"Six months ago I left here," said he, "a proud, angry, disappointed man.


I come back sadder and wiser; weakly enough, but not worried.


A cold, gray, yet quiet world lies round--a world where, if I hope little, I fear nothing.

A cold, grey world lies round - a world where, if I hope little, I fear nothing.


All slavish terrors of embarrassment have left me.


Let the worst come, I can work, as Joe Scott does, for an honourable living; in such doom I yet see some hardship but no degradation.

If the worst comes, I can work, as Joe Scott does, for an honourable living.


Formerly, pecuniary ruin was equivalent in my eyes to personal dishonour.

Formerly, financial ruin was dishonour in my eyes.


It is not so now; I know the difference.


Ruin _is_ an evil, but one for which I am prepared; the day of whose coming I know, for I have calculated.

Ruin is an evil, but one for which I am prepared.


I can yet put it off six months--not an hour longer.

I have calculated that I can put it off six months - not an hour longer.


If things by that time alter, which is not probable; if fetters, which now seem indissoluble, should be loosened from our trade (of all things the most unlikely to happen), I might conquer in this long struggle yet--I might--good God!

If things by that time alter, I might conquer yet.


But the thought is a brief madness; let me see things with sane eyes.

But that thought is madness; let me see matters with sane eyes.


Ruin will come, lay her axe to my fortune's roots, and hew them down.


I shall snatch a sapling, I shall cross the sea, and plant it in American woods.

I shall snatch a sapling, cross the sea, and plant it in American woods.


I cannot tell - I have no right to ask."


It was afternoon, twilight yet out of doors--starless and moonless twilight; for though keenly freezing with a dry, black frost, heaven wore a mask of clouds congealed and fast locked.


Sarah had lit a good fire in the parlour; she was preparing tea in the kitchen.

Sarah had lit a good fire in the parlour, and was preparing tea in the kitchen.


"Hortense," said Moore, as his sister bustled up to help him off with his cloak, "I am pleased to come home."

"Hortense," said Moore, as his sister bustled over to help him off with his cloak, "I am pleased to come home."


Hortense did not feel the peculiar novelty of this expression coming from her brother, who had never before called the cottage his home, and to whom its narrow limits had always heretofore seemed rather restrictive than protective.

Although he had never before called the cottage his home, Hortense did not feel the novelty of this.


Still, whatever contributed to his happiness pleased her, and she expressed herself to that effect.

Still, she was pleased that he was pleased.


He went to the window; he came back to the fire.


"This little parlour looks very clean and pleasant--unusually bright, somehow."

This little parlour looks very clean and pleasant."


"It is true, brother; I have had the whole house thoroughly and scrupulously cleaned in your absence."

"I have had the whole house thoroughly cleaned in your absence, brother."


"Sister, I think on this first day of your return home you ought to have a friend or so to tea, if it were only to see how fresh and spruce you have made the little place."

"Sister, I think you ought to have a friend or so to tea, if only to see how fresh and spruce you have made the little place."


If it were not late I might send for Miss Mann."


"So you might; but it really is too late to disturb that good lady, and the evening is much too cold for her to come out."

"So you might; but it is too late to disturb that good lady, and too cold for her to come out.


"I want some one to-day, dear sister--some quiet guest, who would tire neither of us."

I want some quiet guest today, who would tire neither of us."


"An excellent person, they say; but she lives too far off.

"An excellent person; but she lives too far off.


Tell Harry Scott to step up to the rectory with a request from you that Caroline Helstone should come and spend the evening with you."

Tell Harry Scott to step up to the rectory with a request from you that Caroline Helstone should come and spend the evening."


"Would it not be better to-morrow, dear brother?"

"Would it not be better tomorrow, dear brother?"


"I should like her to see the place as it is just now; its brilliant cleanliness and perfect neatness are so much to your credit."


"It might benefit her in the way of example."


He then commissioned her to dispatch Harry Scott to the rectory, giving her a twisted note hastily scribbled in pencil by himself, and addressed "Miss Helstone."

The note was duly written and addressed to Miss Helstone.


Scarcely had Sarah time to get impatient under the fear of damage to her toast already prepared when the messenger returned, and with him the invited guest.

Very soon the messenger returned, and with him the guest.


She entered through the kitchen, quietly tripped up Sarah's stairs to take off her bonnet and furs, and came down as quietly, with her beautiful curls nicely smoothed, her graceful merino dress and delicate collar all trim and spotless, her gay little work-bag in her hand.

She entered through the kitchen, quietly tripped upstairs to take off her bonnet and furs, and came down as quietly, with her beautiful curls smoothed, her graceful merino dress trim and spotless, her gay little work-bag in her hand.


She lingered to exchange a few kindly words with Sarah, and to look at the new tortoise-shell kitten basking on the kitchen hearth, and to speak to the canary-bird, which a sudden blaze from the fire had startled on its perch; and then she betook herself to the parlour.

She lingered to exchange a few kindly words with Sarah, and to look at the new kitten basking on the kitchen hearth, and then she went into the parlour.


The gentle salutation, the friendly welcome, were interchanged in such tranquil sort as befitted cousins meeting; a sense of pleasure, subtle and quiet as a perfume, diffused itself through the room; the newly-kindled lamp burnt up bright; the tray and the singing urn were brought in.

The friendly welcome was of the tranquil sort that befitted cousins meeting; a quiet pleasure diffused itself through the room; the tray and the singing urn were brought in.


"I am pleased to come home," repeated Mr. Moore.


She congratulated Caroline on the evident improvement in her health.

She congratulated Caroline on the improvement in her health.


Her colour and her plump cheeks were returning, she remarked.


There was an obvious change in Miss Helstone.


All about her seemed elastic; depression, fear, forlornness, were withdrawn.


No longer crushed, and saddened, and slow, and drooping, she looked like one who had tasted the cordial of heart's ease, and been lifted on the wing of hope.

: no longer crushed and saddened, she looked like one who had been lifted on the wing of hope.


She had not rummaged her drawers for a month past, and the impulse to perform that operation was now become resistless.

She had not rummaged her drawers for a month, and the impulse to perform that operation was now irresistible.


During her absence the talk passed into Caroline's hands.


She took it up with ease; she fell into her best tone of conversation.


A pleasing facility and elegance of language gave fresh charm to familiar topics; a new music in the always soft voice gently surprised and pleasingly captivated the listener; unwonted shades and lights of expression elevated the young countenance with character, and kindled it with animation.

elegance of language gave fresh charm to familiar topics; a new music in the soft voice gently surprised the listener; her face was kindled with animation.


"Caroline, you look as if you had heard good tidings," said Moore, after earnestly gazing at her for some minutes.

"Caroline, you look as if you had heard good tidings," said Moore, after gazing at her for some minutes.


"I sent for you this evening that I might be cheered; but you cheer me more than I had calculated."


"You look brightly, move buoyantly, speak musically."


And to see health on your cheek and hope in your eye is pleasant, Cary; but what is this hope, and what is the source of this sunshine I perceive about you?"

And to see health on your cheek and hope in your eye is pleasant, Cary; but what is the source of this sunshine I perceive about you?"


Now, when her care has made me well, I can occupy myself for and with her all the day.


I say it is my turn to attend to her; and I _do_ attend to her.

Now I say it is my turn to attend to her.


I am her waiting-woman as well as her child.


I like--you would laugh if you knew what pleasure I have in making dresses and sewing for her.

You would laugh if you knew what pleasure I have in making dresses and sewing for her.


She looks so nice now, Robert; I will not let her be old-fashioned.


And then, she is charming to talk to--full of wisdom, ripe in judgment, rich in information, exhaustless in stores her observant faculties have quietly amassed.

And she is charming to talk to - full of wisdom, observant, rich in information.


Every day that I live with her I like her better, I esteem her more highly, I love her more tenderly."

Every day I like her better, I love her more tenderly."


"You talk in such a way about 'mamma' it is enough to make one jealous of the old lady."


But you said 'mamma's' affection was _one_ thing that made you happy; now for the other thing."

But you said mamma's affection was one thing that made you happy; now for the other thing."


"Cary, some day I mean to tell you a thing about myself that is not to my credit, and consequently will not please you."

"Cary, some day I mean to tell you a thing about myself that is not to my credit."


"And I cannot bear that you should think better of me than I deserve."


"Well, but I half know your 'thing;' indeed, I believe I know all about it."

"Well, I half know your 'thing;' indeed, I believe I know all about it."


She coloured; she hesitated; she was silent.


She tried to utter a name, and could not.


"Tell me; there is none present but ourselves.


Still she would not, or could not, speak clearly to the point.


Seeing that Moore waited and was resolved to hear something, she at last said, "Miss Keeldar spent a day at the rectory about a week since.

Seeing that Moore waited, she at last said, "Miss Keeldar spent a day at the rectory about a week ago.


The evening came on very wintry, and we persuaded her to stay all night."


"And you and she curled your hair together?"


"And then you chattered, and she told you----"

"And then you chattered, and she told you-"


"It was not at curling-hair time, so you are not as wise as you think; and, besides, she didn't tell me."


We did not sleep much; we talked the whole night through."

, although we did not sleep much; we talked the whole night through."


I would rather you had heard it from myself."


She did not tell me what you suspect--she is not the person to proclaim such things; but yet I inferred something from parts of her discourse.

She did not tell me; but I inferred something


, and I gathered more from rumour, and I made out the rest by instinct."


"But if she did not tell you that I wanted to marry her for the sake of her money, and that she refused me indignantly and scornfully (you need neither start nor blush; nor yet need you prick your trembling fingers with your needle.

"But if she did not tell you that I wanted to marry her for the sake of her money, and that she refused me indignantly and scornfully (you need not blush;


That is the plain truth, whether you like it or not)--if such was not the subject of her august confidences, on what point did they turn?

that is the plain truth) - if such was not the subject of her confidences, what was?


You say you talked the whole night through; what about?"


"About things we never thoroughly discussed before, intimate friends as we have been; but you hardly expect I should tell you?"

"About things we never thoroughly discussed before; but you hardly expect I should tell you?"


You said we were friends, and friends should always confide in each other."

you said we were friends, and friends should always confide in each other."


What does Louis care for young ladies' secrets?"


"Robert, Shirley is a curious, magnanimous being."


I can imagine there are both odd points and grand points about her."


"I have found her chary in showing her feelings; but when they rush out, river-like, and pass full and powerful before you--almost without leave from her--you gaze, wonder; you admire, and--I think--love her."

She does not often show her feelings; but when they rush out, river-like, full and powerful, you gaze, you wonder; you admire, and - I think - love her.


"Yes; at dead of night, when all the house was silent, and starlight and the cold reflection from the snow glimmered in our chamber, then I saw Shirley's heart."

At dead of night, when all the house was silent, and starlight and the cold reflection from the snow glimmered in our chamber, then I saw Shirley's heart


"Like a shrine, for it was holy; like snow, for it was pure; like flame, for it was warm; like death, for it was strong."

It was like a shrine, for it was holy and pure; like flame, for it was warm, and strong."


"She has loved none that have loved her yet."


He named a list of gentlemen, closing with Sir Philip Nunnely.

And Moore named a list of gentlemen, closing with Sir Philip Nunnely.


"Yet some of them were worthy of a woman's affection."

"Yet some of them were worthy of a woman's affection," argued Moore.


"Of some women's, but not of Shirley's."


"She is peculiar, and more dangerous to take as a wife--rashly."

"She is peculiar, and more dangerous to take rashly as a wife."


"She did not speak in the way you fancy; but I asked her, and I would make her tell me what she thought of you, or rather how she felt towards you.

- not in the way you imagined; but I made her tell me what she felt towards you.


I wanted to know; I had long wanted to know."


She thinks meanly, she feels contemptuously, doubtless?"

"She thinks of me contemptuously, no doubt?"


"She thinks of you almost as highly as a woman can think of a man.


I yet feel in fancy the glow of the language in which her opinion was conveyed."


"Till you shocked her (she said you had shocked her, but she would not tell me how) she felt as a sister feels towards a brother of whom she is at once fond and proud."

Till you shocked her (she said you had shocked her, but she would not tell me how) she felt as a sister fondly feels towards a brother."


"I'll shock her no more, Cary, for the shock rebounded on myself till I staggered again.


But that comparison about sister and brother is all nonsense.


She is too rich and proud to entertain fraternal sentiments for me."

She is too rich and proud to see me as a brother."


"You don't know her, Robert; and, somehow, I fancy now (I had other ideas formerly) that you cannot know her.

"You don't know her, Robert; and, somehow, I fancy that you cannot know her.


You and she are not so constructed as to be able thoroughly to understand each other."

You and she will never thoroughly understand each other."


I esteem her, I admire her; and yet my impressions concerning her are harsh--perhaps uncharitable.


I believe, for instance, that she is incapable of love----"

but I believe she is incapable of love-"


I imagine her jealous of compromising her pride, of relinquishing her power, of sharing her property."

She will not relinquish her power or her pride."


"She did hurt it; though I had not an emotion of tenderness, nor a spark of passion for her."

"She did; though I had not a spark of tenderness or passion for her."


"Then, Robert, it was very wicked in you to want to marry her."


"And very mean, my little pastor, my pretty priestess.


I never wanted to kiss Miss Keeldar in my life, though she has fine lips, scarlet and round as ripe cherries; or, if I did wish it, it was the mere desire of the eye."


"I doubt, now, whether you are speaking the truth.


The grapes or the cherries are sour--'hung too high.'"


"She has a pretty figure, a pretty face, beautiful hair.


I acknowledge all her charms and feel none of them, or only feel them in a way she would disdain.

I acknowledge all her charms and feel none of them, or only in a way she would disdain.


I suppose I was truly tempted by the mere gilding of the bait.

I suppose I was tempted by the gilding of the bait.


Caroline, what a noble fellow your Robert is--great, good, disinterested, and then so pure!"

Caroline, what a noble fellow your Robert is!"


He made a great blunder once, and we will hear no more about it."

"He made a great blunder once, and we will hear no more about it.


"And shall we think no more about it, Cary?


Shall we not despise him in our heart--gentle but just, compassionate but upright?"


We will remember that with what measure we mete it shall be measured unto us, and so we will give no scorn, only affection."

We will remember that we too shall be judged, and so we will give no scorn, only affection."


"Which won't satisfy, I warn you of that.


Something besides affection--something far stronger, sweeter, warmer--will be demanded one day.

Something besides affection - something far stronger, sweeter, warmer - will be demanded one day.


"I have no intention, because I have no right, to perturb your mind now, nor for months to come.

"I have no right or intention to perturb your mind for months to come.


We will make no more agitating allusions; we will resume our gossip.


See what a poor, pale, grim phantom I am--more pitiable than formidable."

See what a poor, pale, grim phantom I am - more pitiable than formidable."


"There is something formidable still, pale as you are," she said, as her eye fell under his.

"There is something formidable still, pale as you are," she said.


"To return to Shirley," pursued Moore: "is it your opinion that she is ever likely to marry?"


"Platonically - theoretically - all humbug!"


No such confession as 'I love this man or that' passed her lips."


"But the feeling made its way in spite of her, and I saw it.

; but the feeling showed itself in spite of her.


She spoke of one man in a strain not to be misunderstood.

She spoke of one man in a way that could not be misunderstood.


Her voice alone was sufficient testimony.


Having wrung from her an opinion on your character, I demanded a second opinion of--another person about whom I had my conjectures, though they were the most tangled and puzzled conjectures in the world.

Having asked her opinion of you, I demanded a second opinion of - another person about whom I had made puzzled conjectures.


I shook her, I chid her, I pinched her fingers when she tried to put me off with gibes and jests in her queer provoking way, and at last out it came.


The voice, I say, was enough; hardly raised above a whisper, and yet such a soft vehemence in its tones.

a whisper, and yet with such soft vehemence.


There was no confession, no confidence, in the matter.


To these things she cannot condescend; but I am sure that man's happiness is dear to her as her own life."

I am sure that man's happiness is as dear to her as her own life."


She did not deny, she did not avow, but looked at me.


Do you mean to say _you_ are fancy free?"


"Whatever _I_ am, Shirley is a bondswoman.


Mistress she may be of all round her, but her own mistress she is not."


"So you exulted at recognizing a fellow-slave in one so fair and imperial?"


"I did; Robert, you say right, in one so fair and imperial."


"I confess nothing; but I say that haughty Shirley is no more free than was Hagar."


"And who, pray, is the Abraham, the hero of a patriarch who has achieved such a conquest?"

"And who, pray, is the hero who has achieved such a conquest?"


"You still speak scornfully, and cynically, and sorely; but I will make you change your note before I have done with you."

"You still speak cynically; but I will make you change your note before I have done."


he is just about as much a Cupidon as you are a Cyclops."


"Then it is some person unworthy of her.


I don't know a soul in Briarfield parish her equal."

"I don't know a soul in Briarfield parish her equal.


I suppose she is under a delusion, and will plunge into some absurdity, after all."


"Then I _am_ puzzled; for the head which owns this bounteous fall of hazel curls is an excellent little thinking machine, most accurate in its working.


It boasts a correct, steady judgment, inherited from 'mamma,' I suppose."

you have a correct, steady judgment, inherited from 'mamma,' I suppose."


"And I _quite_ approve, and mamma was charmed."

"I quite approve, and mamma was charmed."


"It _is_ romantic, but it is also right."


"Tell me, Cary--tell me out of pity; I am too weak to be tantalized."

"Tell me, Cary; I am too weak to be tantalized."


"You shall be tantalized--it will do you no harm; you are not so weak as you pretend."

"You shall be tantalized - it will do you no harm; you are not so weak as you pretend."


"I have twice this evening had some thoughts of falling on the floor at your feet."


You look like the loveliest of her pictures of the Virgin.


I think I will embrace her faith and kneel and adore."


"Robert, Robert, sit still; don't be absurd.


I will go to Hortense if you commit extravagances."


Just now nothing will come into my mind but _les litanies de la sainte Virge.


"_Tour d'ivoire, maison d'or_--is not that the jargon?


Well, sit down quietly, and guess your riddle."


"But 'mamma' charmed--there's the puzzle."


"I'll tell you what mamma said when I told her.


: 'Depend upon it, my dear, such a choice will make the happiness of Miss Keeldar's life.'"


"I'll tell my uncle; I'll tell Shirley!"


"Guess again, Robert; your blunders are charming."


"Indeed, no; he is mine, if you please."


Ay, the whole generation of women in Briarfield seem to have made an idol of that priest.

Ay, all the women in Briarfield seem to idolise that priest.


I wonder why; he is bald, sand-blind, gray-haired."

I wonder why; he is bald and grey-haired.


"Fanny will be here to fetch me before you have solved the riddle, if you don't make haste."


"I'll guess no more--I am tired; and then I don't care.


Miss Keeldar may marry _le grand Turc_ for me."

Miss Keeldar may marry the Grand Turk for all I care."


Here comes Hortense; come near, a little nearer, my own Lina.


I care for the whisper more than the words."


Robert gave a start, a flash of the eye, a brief laugh.


Miss Moore entered, and Sarah followed behind, with information that Fanny was come.

Miss Moore entered, and Sarah followed behind.


Robert found a moment to exchange a few more whispered sentences.


He was waiting at the foot of the staircase as Caroline descended after putting on her shawl.

as Caroline put on her shawl before departing.


"Must I call Shirley a noble creature now?"


"If you wish to speak the truth, certainly."


"Must I at length love her downright, Cary?"


Caroline looked keenly up, and made a movement towards him, something between the loving and the petulant.


"Only give the word, and I'll try to obey you."


"Indeed, you must not love her; the bare idea is perverse."

"Indeed, you must not; the idea is perverse."


"But then she is handsome, peculiarly handsome.


You think her but graceful when you first see her; you discover her to be beautiful when you have known her for a year."


"It is not you who are to say these things.


Were the goddess of beauty to woo me, I could not meet her advances.


There is no heart which I can call mine in this breast."


"So much the better; you are a great deal safer without.


"Why must you always go, Lina, at the very instant when I most want you to stay?"


"Because you most wish to retain when you are most certain to lose."


Take care of your own heart--do you hear me?"

Take care of your own heart - do you hear me?"


I owe more than one twinge of jealousy to that quarter."


"As to you, you have been flirting with Miss Mann.


She showed me the other day a plant you had given her.--Fanny, I am ready."

She showed me the other day a plant you had given her. Goodbye, Robert."


The surface of England began to look pleasant: her fields grew green, her hills fresh, her gardens blooming; but at heart she was no better.

the surface of England began to look pleasant: her fields grew green, her gardens bloomed; but at heart she was no better.


Still her poor were wretched, still their employers were harassed.


Commerce, in some of its branches, seemed threatened with paralysis, for the war continued; England's blood was shed and her wealth lavished--all, it seemed, to attain most inadequate ends.

Commerce seemed threatened with paralysis, for the war continued; England's blood was shed and her wealth lavished, it seemed, in vain.


Some tidings there were indeed occasionally of successes in the Peninsula, but these came in slowly; long intervals occurred between, in which no note was heard but the insolent self-felicitations of Bonaparte on his continued triumphs.

There were occasionally tidings of successes in the Peninsula, but these came in slowly.


Those who suffered from the results of the war felt this tedious, and, as they thought, hopeless struggle against what their fears or their interests taught them to regard as an invincible power, most insufferable.


Men like Yorke and Moore--and there were thousands whom the war placed where it placed them, shuddering on the verge of bankruptcy--insisted on peace with the energy of desperation.

Men like Yorke and Moore, shuddering on the verge of bankruptcy, insisted on peace with the energy of desperation.


They held meetings, they made speeches, they got up petitions to extort this boon; on what terms it was made they cared not.


All men, taken singly, are more or less selfish; and taken in bodies, they are intensely so.


The British merchant is no exception to this rule: the mercantile classes illustrate it strikingly.

The British merchant classes are intensely selfish.


These classes certainly think too exclusively of making money; they are too oblivious of every national consideration but that of extending England's--that is, their own--commerce.

They think exclusively of making money; they are oblivious of every national consideration but that of extending England's commerce.


Chivalrous feeling, disinterestedness, pride in honour, is too dead in their hearts.


A land ruled by them alone would too often make ignominious submission--not at all from the motives Christ teaches, but rather from those Mammon instils.


During the late war, the tradesmen of England would have endured buffets from the French on the right cheek and on the left; their cloak they would have given to Napoleon, and then have politely offered him their coat also, nor would they have withheld their waistcoat if urged; they would have prayed permission only to retain their one other garment, for the sake of the purse in its pocket.


Not one spark of spirit, not one symptom of resistance, would they have shown till the hand of the Corsican bandit had grasped that beloved purse; _then_, perhaps, transfigured at once into British bulldogs, they would have sprung at the robber's throat, and there they would have fastened, and there hung, inveterate, insatiable, till the treasure had been restored.


Tradesmen, when they speak against war, always profess to hate it because it is a bloody and barbarous proceeding.

Tradesmen profess to hate war because it is bloody and barbarous


You would think, to hear them talk, that they are peculiarly civilized--especially gentle and kindly of disposition to their fellow-men.

; you would think, to hear them talk, that they are gentle and kindly to their fellow-men.


Many of them are extremely narrow and cold-hearted; have no good feeling for any class but their own; are distant, even hostile, to all others; call them useless; seem to question their right to exist; seem to grudge them the very air they breathe, and to think the circumstance of their eating, drinking, and living in decent houses quite unjustifiable.

Many of them are extremely narrow and cold-hearted; distant, even hostile, to all classes but their own, questioning their very right to exist.


They do not know what others do in the way of helping, pleasing, or teaching their race; they will not trouble themselves to inquire.


Whoever is not in trade is accused of eating the bread of idleness, of passing a useless existence.


Long may it be ere England really becomes a nation of shop-keepers!


We have already said that Moore was no self-sacrificing patriot, and we have also explained what circumstances rendered him specially prone to confine his attention and efforts to the furtherance of his individual interest; accordingly, when he felt himself urged a second time to the brink of ruin, none struggled harder than he against the influences which would have thrust him over.

Moore was no self-sacrificing patriot, and spoke out against the war.


What he _could_ do towards stirring agitation in the north against the war he did, and he instigated others whose money and connections gave them more power than he possessed.


Sometimes, by flashes, he felt there was little reason in the demands his party made on Government.

Sometimes, by flashes, he felt there was little reason in his demands.


When he heard of all Europe threatened by Bonaparte, and of all Europe arming to resist him; when he saw Russia menaced, and beheld Russia rising, incensed and stern, to defend her frozen soil, her wild provinces of serfs, her dark native despotism, from the tread, the yoke, the tyranny of a foreign victor--he knew that England, a free realm, could not _then_ depute her sons to make concessions and propose terms to the unjust, grasping French leader.

When he heard of all Europe threatened by Bonaparte, and arming to resist him; when he saw Russia menaced, and Russia rising, incensed and stern, to defend her frozen soil, he knew that England could not make concessions to the grasping French leader.


When news came from time to time of the movements of that MAN then representing England in the Peninsula, of his advance from success to success--that advance so deliberate but so unswerving, so circumspect but so certain, so "unhasting" but so "unresting;" when he read Lord Wellington's own dispatches in the columns of the newspapers, documents written by modesty to the dictation of truth--Moore confessed at heart that a power was with the troops of Britain, of that vigilant, enduring, genuine, unostentatious sort, which must win victory to the side it led, in the end.

When he read Lord Wellington's dispatches in the newspapers, Moore felt that vigilant commander must win victory in the end.


But that end, he thought, was yet far off; and meantime he, Moore, as an individual, would be crushed, his hopes ground to dust.

But the end, he thought, was still far off; and meantime he, Moore, would be crushed, his hopes ground to dust.


It was himself he had to care for, his hopes he had to pursue; and he would fulfil his destiny.


He fulfilled it so vigorously that ere long he came to a decisive rupture with his old Tory friend the rector.

He soon came to a decisive rupture with his old Tory friend the rector.


They quarrelled at a public meeting, and afterwards exchanged some pungent letters in the newspapers.


Mr. Helstone denounced Moore as a Jacobin, ceased to see him, would not even speak to him when they met.

Mr. Helstone denounced Moore as a Jacobin, and would not speak to him when they met.


He intimated also to his niece, very distinctly, that her communications with Hollow's Cottage must for the present cease; she must give up taking French lessons.

He told his niece that her communications with Hollow's Cottage must cease; she must give up taking French lessons.


The language, he observed, was a bad and frivolous one at the best, and most of the works it boasted were bad and frivolous, highly injurious in their tendency to weak female minds.

The language, he observed, was a bad and frivolous one, and most works in French were highly injurious to weak female minds.


He wondered (he remarked parenthetically) what noodle first made it the fashion to teach women French.


It was like feeding a rickety child on chalk and water gruel.


Caroline must give it up, and give up her cousins too.

Caroline must give up French, and give up her cousins too.


Mr. Helstone quite expected opposition to this order; he expected tears.


Seldom did he trouble himself about Caroline's movements, but a vague idea possessed him that she was fond of going to Hollow's Cottage; also he suspected that she liked Robert Moore's occasional presence at the rectory.

He had a vague idea that she was fond of going to Hollow's Cottage; also he suspected that she liked Robert Moore's occasional presence at the rectory.


The Cossack had perceived that whereas if Malone stepped in of an evening to make himself sociable and charming, by pinching the ears of an aged black cat, which usually shared with Miss Helstone's feet the accommodation of her footstool, or by borrowing a fowling-piece, and banging away at a tool shed door in the garden while enough of daylight remained to show that conspicuous mark, keeping the passage and sitting-room doors meantime uncomfortably open for the convenience of running in and out to announce his failures and successes with noisy _brusquerie_--he had observed that under such entertaining circumstances Caroline had a trick of disappearing, tripping noiselessly upstairs, and remaining invisible till called down to supper.

He had perceived that when the Irish curate Malone visited, Caroline would disappear upstairs, and remain invisible till called down to supper.


On the other hand, when Robert Moore was the guest, though he elicited no vivacities from the cat, did nothing to it, indeed, beyond occasionally coaxing it from the stool to his knee, and there letting it purr, climb to his shoulder, and rub its head against his cheek; though there was no ear-splitting cracking off of firearms, no diffusion of sulphurous gunpowder perfume, no noise, no boasting during his stay--that still Caroline sat in the room, and seemed to find wondrous content in the stitching of Jew-basket pin-cushions and the knitting of missionary-basket socks.

On the other hand, when Robert Moore was the guest, she stayed in the room, quietly stitching pin-cushions.


She was very quiet, and Robert paid her little attention, scarcely ever addressing his discourse to her; but Mr. Helstone, not being one of those elderly gentlemen who are easily blinded--on the contrary, finding himself on all occasions extremely wide-awake--had watched them when they bade each other good-night.

Robert paid her little attention; but Mr. Helstone had watched them when they bade each other good-night.


He had just seen their eyes meet once--only once.


Some natures would have taken pleasure in the glance then surprised, because there was no harm and some delight in it.


It was by no means a glance of mutual intelligence, for mutual love secrets existed not between them.


There was nothing then of craft and concealment to offend: only Mr. Moore's eyes, looking into Caroline's, felt they were clear and gentle; and Caroline's eyes, encountering Mr. Moore's, confessed they were manly and searching.

There was nothing in that glance to offend: only


Each acknowledged the charm in his or her own way.


Moore smiled slightly, and Caroline coloured as slightly.


Mr. Helstone could, on the spot, have rated them both.


If you had asked him what Moore merited at that moment, he would have said a "horsewhip;" if you had inquired into Caroline's deserts, he would have adjudged her a box on the ear; if you had further demanded the reason of such chastisements, he would have stormed against flirtation and love-making, and vowed he would have no such folly going on under his roof.

If you had asked him, he would have stormed against flirtation and love-making, and vowed he would have no such folly going on under his roof.


These private considerations, combined with political reasons, fixed his resolution of separating the cousins.

For this reason, as well as political ones, he resolved to separate the cousins.


He announced his will to Caroline one evening as she was sitting at work near the drawing-room window.


Her face was turned towards him, and the light fell full upon it.


It had struck him a few minutes before that she was looking paler and quieter than she used to look.

struck him that she was looking paler and quieter than she used to.


It had not escaped him either that Robert Moore's name had never, for some three weeks past, dropped from her lips; nor during the same space of time had that personage made his appearance at the rectory.

He had noticed that Robert Moore's name had never, for some three weeks, dropped from her lips; nor had Moore during that time visited the rectory.


Some suspicion of clandestine meetings haunted his mind.

Some suspicion of secret meetings haunted Mr. Helstone.


Having but an indifferent opinion of women, he always suspected them.


He thought they needed constant watching.

He thought women needed constant watching.


It was in a tone dryly significant he desired her to cease her daily visits to the Hollow.

In a dryly significant tone he desired Caroline to cease her daily visits to the Hollow.


He expected a start, a look of depreciation.


The start he saw, but it was a very slight one; no look whatever was directed to him.


"Of course you mean to attend to what I say?"


"And there must be no letter-scribbling to your cousin Hortense--no intercourse whatever.

"And there must be no letter-scribbling to your cousin Hortense - no communication whatever.


I do not approve of the principles of the family.


There was no vexed flushing of the face, no gathering tears; the shadowy thoughtfulness which had covered her features ere Mr. Helstone spoke remained undisturbed; she was obedient.

There was no vexed flushing of the face, no gathering tears; she was thoughtful and obedient.


Yes, perfectly; because the mandate coincided with her own previous judgment; because it was now become pain to her to go to Hollow's Cottage; nothing met her there but disappointment.

Yes, perfectly; because the order coincided with her own decision. It was now painful to her to go to Hollow's Cottage; nothing met her there but disappointment.


Hope and love had quitted that little tenement, for Robert seemed to have deserted its precincts.

Hope and love had left that little house, for Robert seemed to have deserted it.


Whenever she asked after him--which she very seldom did, since the mere utterance of his name made her face grow hot--the answer was, he was from home, or he was quite taken up with business.

Whenever she asked after him, he was away from home, or taken up with business.


Hortense feared he was killing himself by application.


He scarcely ever took a meal in the house; he lived in the counting-house.


At church only Caroline had the chance of seeing him, and there she rarely looked at him.

Only at church had Caroline the chance of seeing him, and there she rarely looked at him.


It was both too much pain and too much pleasure to look--it excited too much emotion; and that it was all wasted emotion she had learned well to comprehend.

It was both too much pain and too much pleasure to look - it brought too much emotion; and that it was all wasted emotion she had learned to comprehend.


Once, on a dark, wet Sunday, when there were few people at church, and when especially certain ladies were absent, of whose observant faculties and tomahawk tongues Caroline stood in awe, she had allowed her eye to seek Robert's pew, and to rest awhile on its occupant.

Once, on a dark, wet Sunday, when there were few people at church, Caroline had allowed her eye to seek Robert's pew.


Hortense had been kept at home by prudent considerations relative to the rain and a new spring _chapeau_.

Hortense had been kept at home by the rain.


During the sermon he sat with folded arms and eyes cast down, looking very sad and abstracted.

He sat with folded arms and eyes cast down, looking very sad and abstracted.


When depressed, the very hue of his face seemed more dusk than when he smiled, and to-day cheek and forehead wore their most tintless and sober olive.


By instinct Caroline knew, as she examined that clouded countenance, that his thoughts were running in no familiar or kindly channel; that they were far away, not merely from her, but from all which she could comprehend, or in which she could sympathize.

By instinct Caroline knew that his thoughts were far away, not merely from her, but from all in which she could sympathize.


Nothing that they had ever talked of together was now in his mind: he was wrapt from her by interests and responsibilities in which it was deemed such as she could have no part.

He was wrapped up in responsibilities in which she could have no part.


Caroline meditated in her own way on the subject; speculated on his feelings, on his life, on his fears, on his fate; mused over the mystery of "business," tried to comprehend more about it than had ever been told her--to understand its perplexities, liabilities, duties, exactions; endeavoured to realize the state of mind of a "man of business," to enter into it, feel what he would feel, aspire to what he would aspire.

She speculated on his feelings, on his life, on his fears, on his fate; mused over the mystery of "business," tried to understand its perplexities and duties, and to enter into his state of mind, to feel what he would feel.


Her earnest wish was to see things as they were, and not to be romantic.

She wished earnestly to see things as they were, and not to be romantic.


By dint of effort she contrived to get a glimpse of the light of truth here and there, and hoped that scant ray might suffice to guide her.

By dint of effort she contrived to get a glimpse of the truth here and there.


"Different, indeed," she concluded, "is Robert's mental condition to mine.


I think only of him; he has no room, no leisure, to think of me.

I think only of him; he has no leisure to think of me.


The feeling called love is and has been for two years the predominant emotion of my heart--always there, always awake, always astir.

Love is the chief emotion of my heart - always there, always awake.


Quite other feelings absorb his reflections and govern his faculties.


He is rising now, going to leave the church, for service is over.

He is rising now to leave the church, for service is over.


A kind glance would have made me happy till to-morrow.

A kind glance would have made me happy till tomorrow.


I have not got it; he would not give it; he is gone.


Strange that grief should now almost choke me, because another human being's eye has failed to greet mine."

Strange that grief should now almost choke me, because another human's eye has failed to greet mine."


That Sunday evening, Mr. Malone coming, as usual, to pass it with his rector, Caroline withdrew after tea to her chamber.

That Sunday evening, when Mr. Malone came as usual to visit his rector, Caroline withdrew to her chamber,


Fanny, knowing her habits, had lit her a cheerful little fire, as the weather was so gusty and chill.


Closeted there, silent and solitary, what could she do but think?


She noiselessly paced to and fro the carpeted floor, her head drooped, her hands folded.

She noiselessly paced to and fro, her head drooped, her hands folded.


It was irksome to sit; the current of reflection ran rapidly through her mind; to-night she was mutely excited.


The double door of the study muffled the voices of the gentlemen.


The servants were quiet in the kitchen, engaged with books their young mistress had lent them--books which she had told them were "fit for Sunday reading."


And she herself had another of the same sort open on the table, but she could not read it.

a religious book open on the table, but she could not read it.


Its theology was incomprehensible to her, and her own mind was too busy, teeming, wandering, to listen to the language of another mind.

Its theology was incomprehensible to her, and her own mind was too busy to listen to the language of another mind.


Then, too, her imagination was full of pictures--images of Moore, scenes where he and she had been together; winter fireside sketches; a glowing landscape of a hot summer afternoon passed with him in the bosom of Nunnely Wood; divine vignettes of mild spring or mellow autumn moments, when she had sat at his side in Hollow's Copse, listening to the call of the May cuckoo, or sharing the September treasure of nuts and ripe blackberries--a wild dessert which it was her morning's pleasure to collect in a little basket, and cover with green leaves and fresh blossoms, and her afternoon's delight to administer to Moore, berry by berry, and nut by nut, like a bird feeding its fledgling.

Her imagination was full of pictures - images of Moore, scenes where he and she had been together; winter fireside sketches; a hot summer afternoon in Nunnely Wood; mild spring or mellow autumn moments, when she had sat at his side in Hollow's Copse, listening to the call of the May cuckoo, or sharing the September treasure of nuts and blackberries.


Robert's features and form were with her; the sound of his voice was quite distinct in her ear; his few caresses seemed renewed.

Robert's face was with her; his voice was quite distinct in her ear; his few caresses seemed renewed.


But these joys, being hollow, were, ere long, crushed in.


The pictures faded, the voice failed, the visionary clasp melted chill from her hand, and where the warm seal of lips had made impress on her forehead, it felt now as if a sleety rain-drop had fallen.

But the pictures faded, the voice failed, and where the warm lips had made impress on her forehead, it felt now as if a cold raindrop had fallen.


She returned from an enchanted region to the real world: for Nunnely Wood in June she saw her narrow chamber; for the songs of birds in alleys she heard the rain on her casement; for the sigh of the south wind came the sob of the mournful east; and for Moore's manly companionship she had the thin illusion of her own dim shadow on the wall.

She returned to the real world: she saw her narrow chamber, and heard the rain on the window; for companionship she had own dim shadow on the wall.


Turning from the pale phantom which reflected herself in its outline, and her reverie in the drooped attitude of its dim head and colourless tresses, she sat down--inaction would suit the frame of mind into which she was now declining--she said to herself, "I have to live, perhaps, till seventy years.

Sitting down, she said to herself, "I have to live, perhaps, till I am seventy.


As far as I know, I have good health; half a century of existence may lie before me.

Half a century of existence may lie before me.


What am I to do to fill the interval of time which spreads between me and the grave?"

What am I to do to fill the time which spreads between me and the grave?"


"I shall not be married, it appears," she continued.


"I suppose, as Robert does not care for me, I shall never have a husband to love, nor little children to take care of.


Till lately I had reckoned securely on the duties and affections of wife and mother to occupy my existence.


I considered, somehow, as a matter of course, that I was growing up to the ordinary destiny, and never troubled myself to seek any other; but now I perceive plainly I may have been mistaken.


I shall live to see Robert married to some one else, some rich lady.

I shall live to see Robert married to some rich lady.


I see," she pursued presently; "that is the question which most old maids are puzzled to solve.


Other people solve it for them by saying, 'Your place is to do good to others, to be helpful whenever help is wanted.'

Other people solve it for them by saying, 'Your place is to do good and help others.'


That is right in some measure, and a very convenient doctrine for the people who hold it; but I perceive that certain sets of human beings are very apt to maintain that other sets should give up their lives to them and their service, and then they requite them by praise; they call them devoted and virtuous.

That is right in some measure, and a very convenient doctrine for the people who hold it; but I perceive that certain sets of human beings are very apt to say that other sets should give up their lives to them, and then they reward them by calling them devoted and virtuous.


Is there not a terrible hollowness, mockery, want, craving, in that existence which is given away to others, for want of something of your own to bestow it on?

Is there not a terrible hollowness, mockery, want, in that existence which is given away to others?


Undue humility makes tyranny; weak concession creates selfishness.

Undue humility creates tyranny in others; weak concession creates selfishness.


The Romish religion especially teaches renunciation of self, submission to others, and nowhere are found so many grasping tyrants as in the ranks of the Romish priesthood.


Each human being has his share of rights.


I suspect it would conduce to the happiness and welfare of all if each knew his allotment, and held to it as tenaciously as the martyr to his creed.


Queer thoughts these that surge in my mind.


Seventy years, they say, pass like a vapour, like a dream when one awaketh; and every path trod by human feet terminates in one bourne--the grave, the little chink in the surface of this great globe, the furrow where the mighty husbandman with the scythe deposits the seed he has shaken from the ripe stem; and there it falls, decays, and thence it springs again, when the world has rolled round a few times more.

Seventy years, they say, pass like a dream; and every path trod by human feet ends in the grave, the furrow where the mighty husbandman with the scythe sets the seed he has shaken from the ripe stem; there it falls, decays, and thence it springs again, when the world has rolled round a few times more.


The soul meantime wings its long flight upward, folds its wings on the brink of the sea of fire and glass, and gazing down through the burning clearness, finds there mirrored the vision of the Christian's triple Godhead--the sovereign Father, the mediating Son, the Creator Spirit.

The soul meantime wings its long flight upward, folds its wings on the brink of the sea of fire and glass, and gazing through the burning clearness, finds there mirrored the vision of the sovereign Father, the mediating Son, the Creator Spirit.


Such words, at least, have been chosen to express what is inexpressible, to describe what baffles description.

Such words, at least, have been chosen to express what is inexpressible.


The soul's real hereafter who shall guess?"


Her fire was decayed to its last cinder; Malone had departed; and now the study bell rang for prayers.

Her fire was out; the study bell rang for prayers.


The next day Caroline had to spend altogether alone, her uncle being gone to dine with his friend Dr. Boultby, vicar of Whinbury.

The next day Caroline had to spend alone, since her uncle was dining with Dr. Boultby, vicar of Whinbury.


The whole time she was talking inwardly in the same strain--looking forwards, asking what she was to do with life.

The whole time she talked inwardly in the same way, asking what she was to do with life.


Fanny, as she passed in and out of the room occasionally, intent on housemaid errands, perceived that her young mistress sat very still.

Fanny, passing in and out of the room on housemaid errands, perceived that her young mistress sat very still,


She was always in the same place, always bent industriously over a piece of work.

always in the same place, always bent over a piece of work.


She did not lift her head to speak to Fanny, as her custom was; and when the latter remarked that the day was fine, and she ought to take a walk, she only said, "It is cold."

She did not lift her head to speak to Fanny as usual, and when Fanny remarked that the day was fine, and that she ought to take a walk, she only said, "It is cold."


"You are very diligent at that sewing, Miss Caroline," continued the girl, approaching her little table.

"You are very diligent at that sewing, Miss Caroline."


Me and Eliza are company for one another; but you are quite too still.

Me and Eliza are company for one another; but you are too still.


Now, be persuaded: go upstairs and dress yourself smart, and go and take tea, in a friendly way, with Miss Mann or Miss Ainley.

Go upstairs and dress yourself smart, and go and take tea with Miss Mann or Miss Ainley.


I am certain either of those ladies would be delighted to see you."


"But their houses are dismal: they are both old maids.


I am certain old maids are a very unhappy race."


They can't be unhappy; they take such care of themselves.


How devotedly kind she was to her step-mother as long as the old lady lived; and now when she is quite alone in the world, without brother or sister, or any one to care for her, how charitable she is to the poor, as far as her means permit!

How devotedly kind she was to her step-mother while the old lady lived; and now when she is quite alone in the world, how charitable she is to the poor, as far as her means permit!


Still nobody thinks much of her, or has pleasure in going to see her; and how gentlemen always sneer at her!"

Still nobody thinks much of her; and gentlemen always sneer at her!"


But gentlemen think only of ladies' looks."


"I'll go and see her," exclaimed Caroline, starting up; "and if she asks me to stay to tea, I'll stay.


How wrong it is to neglect people because they are not pretty, and young, and merry!

How wrong it is to neglect people because they are not pretty and young!


And I will certainly call to see Miss Mann too.


She may not be amiable, but what has made her unamiable?


Fanny helped Miss Helstone to put away her work, and afterwards assisted her to dress.


"_You_'ll not be an old maid, Miss Caroline," she said, as she tied the sash of her brown silk frock, having previously smoothed her soft, full, and shining curls; "there are no signs of an old maid about you."

"You'll not be an old maid, Miss Caroline," she said, as she tied the sash of her brown silk frock, and smoothed her shining curls; "there are no signs of an old maid about you."


Caroline looked at the little mirror before her, and she thought there were some signs.


She could see that she was altered within the last month; that the hues of her complexion were paler, her eyes changed--a wan shade seemed to circle them; her countenance was dejected--she was not, in short, so pretty or so fresh as she used to be.

She could see that she had altered within the last month; her complexion was paler, her eyes were circled with shadow; she was not so pretty or so fresh as she used to be.


She distantly hinted this to Fanny, from whom she got no direct answer, only a remark that people did vary in their looks, but that at her age a little falling away signified nothing; she would soon come round again, and be plumper and rosier than ever.

She hinted this to Fanny, who answered that at her age a little falling away signified nothing; she would soon come round again, and be rosier than ever.


Having given this assurance, Fanny showed singular zeal in wrapping her up in warm shawls and handkerchiefs, till Caroline, nearly smothered with the weight, was fain to resist further additions.

Fanny then showed singular zeal in wrapping her up in warm shawls, till Caroline was smothered with the weight.


She paid her visits--first to Miss Mann, for this was the most difficult point.

She paid her visits - first to Miss Mann, for this was the most difficult point.


Miss Mann was certainly not quite a lovable person.


Till now, Caroline had always unhesitatingly declared she disliked her, and more than once she had joined her cousin Robert in laughing at some of her peculiarities.

Caroline had always declared she disliked her, and more than once she had joined her cousin Robert in laughing at her.


Moore was not habitually given to sarcasm, especially on anything humbler or weaker than himself; but he had once or twice happened to be in the room when Miss Mann had made a call on his sister, and after listening to her conversation and viewing her features for a time, he had gone out into the garden where his little cousin was tending some of his favourite flowers, and while standing near and watching her he had amused himself with comparing fair youth, delicate and attractive, with shrivelled eld, livid and loveless, and in jestingly repeating to a smiling girl the vinegar discourse of a cankered old maid.

Moore was not usually sarcastic, especially about people weaker than himself; but he had once or twice been present when Miss Mann had visited his sister, and after a while he had gone out into the garden where Caroline was tending flowers. While watching her he had amused himself with comparing fair, delicate youth with shrivelled age, livid and loveless, and had repeated to the smiling girl the vinegar discourse of the sour old maid.


Once on such an occasion Caroline had said to him, looking up from the luxuriant creeper she was binding to its frame, "Ah!


I, too, should come under the lash of your sarcasm if I were an old maid."


"A piquant notion suggested by lips of that tint and form.


I can fancy you, though, at forty, quietly dressed, pale and sunk, but still with that straight nose, white forehead, and those soft eyes.

I can imagine you, though, at forty, quietly dressed, pale and sunk, but still with those soft eyes.


I suppose, too, you will keep your voice, which has another 'timbre' than that hard, deep organ of Miss Mann's.

I suppose, too, you will keep your voice, unlike that hard, deep voice of Miss Mann's.


Even at fifty you will not be repulsive."


"Miss Mann did not make herself, or tune her voice, Robert."

"Miss Mann did not make herself, or her voice, Robert."


"Nature made her in the mood in which she makes her briars and thorns; whereas for the creation of some women she reserves the May morning hours, when with light and dew she wooes the primrose from the turf and the lily from the wood-moss."

"Nature made her in the mood in which she makes briars and thorns; whereas for the creation of some women she reserves the May morning hours, when she makes the primrose and the lily."


Ushered into Miss Mann's little parlour, Caroline found her, as she always found her, surrounded by perfect neatness, cleanliness, and comfort (after all, is it not a virtue in old maids that solitude rarely makes them negligent or disorderly?)

Today, ushered into Miss Mann's little parlour, Caroline found her surrounded by perfect neatness, cleanliness, and comfort,


--no dust on her polished furniture, none on her carpet, fresh flowers in the vase on her table, a bright fire in the grate.

with fresh flowers in the vase on the table, and a bright fire in the grate.


She herself sat primly and somewhat grimly-tidy in a cushioned rocking-chair, her hands busied with some knitting.

Miss Mann herself sat primly and somewhat grimly in a rocking-chair, knitting.


This was her favourite work, as it required the least exertion.


To avoid excitement was one of Miss Mann's aims in life.


She had been composing herself ever since she came down in the morning, and had just attained a certain lethargic state of tranquillity when the visitor's knock at the door startled her, and undid her day's work.

She had been composing herself ever since she came down in the morning, and had just attained a state of tranquillity when the visitor's knock at the door startled her.


She was scarcely pleased, therefore, to see Miss Helstone.

She was not pleased, therefore, to see Miss Helstone.


She received her with reserve, bade her be seated with austerity, and when she got her placed opposite, she fixed her with her eye.

She received her with reserve, bade her be seated with austerity, and then fixed her with her eye.


This was no ordinary doom--to be fixed with Miss Mann's eye.

This was no ordinary doom - to be fixed with Miss Mann's eye.


Robert Moore had undergone it once, and had never forgotten the circumstance.

Robert Moore had undergone it once, and had never forgotten it.


He considered it quite equal to anything Medusa could do.


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


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


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

Certainly Miss Mann had a formidable eye.


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

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


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


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


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

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


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

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


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

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


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

She went about this in a cool, deliberate manner.


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


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

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


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

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


She never disseminated really malignant or dangerous reports.

She never spread malignant or dangerous reports.


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


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

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


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

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


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


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


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


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