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Las diagrammes suivants illustrent la mithode. 1 2 3 1 2 3 4 5 6 MICROCOPY RESOIUTION TEST CHART (ANSI and ISO TEST CHART No. 2) Li y£ 1^ tii ■ 12 ■ 3^ 1^ Ih |2.0 1-25 III!! 1.4 1.8 Jd. ii6 ^ APPLIED IIVMGE Inc '653 East Moin Street Rochester. New York H60S USA (716) 482 - 0300 - Phone (716) 288-5989 -Fax ^ ^^AJi : \ .^- 7- V A. \ A.J ^^ ) x^ ■^t, ' e^*^- Vy»v />_^^A'i->-0 -^ JOHN HALIFAX, GENTLEMAN. i\ 4 ^^^ Many a person looked at us as w. . , ^ John Halifax, Gcn,U,nan^ " P^"'"^' "' (^^S^ 30.) iFrontiipUce JOHN HALIFAX, (^ E N T L E M A \. 1 BY •MK-S. CKAIK. ' And thus he bore, without ,bu«.. Th* Krand old name of gentleman/ TuNNvsoM's fn M$moriam TORONTO LANGTON & HALL. I9OI. 'PR^Si-; I JOHN HALIFAX, GENTLEMAN. CHAPTEB I. unus/al refence of epUhel T 'T^'^'f"'^ at her turned, fixed his eyes on each 'of ,?« f™ ""= '"'' ""J-I^ssod ™y for „s, we Sed to VonS r B.Zr'' ","!? "'^''« miserable as he aDDParp/l +L ^^°°"t ,-"^oged, muddy, and " vagabond." ^^ '^' *^' P°°^ ^^^ loo^^ed anything^but a to iLl^tll!^ ?herf .°n i" s'hpf; "^*' "{ l^^- I^'^^P close thee," said my father as he nuu!l '"°",?? ^oth for us and into the alley, under co?er from K "^iM^^^^ band-carriage v^ith a gratefu Ck nut onf «T *^, P^^*l"g ^ain. The lad, further in. A sCirfaani i^ ^ " ^'^'T'' "/^ P"«^^.i 1 f"^^'"^^ ^"^ i^rowned Tvould I not have fffven fo L T"'^^^ ^' ^^^ ^s I. What Sally calleTf^om hpr hn ^''a '"^ ''^^^'^^^ ^"^ ^o tall? Phineas^ome in Td sft bv Z'fi'^'*' " .f «»Idn't Master always a trouble to me to move or l^^ ^'H r , ^"* ^^ ^^'«« at the mouth of the allev w^fl^^^^i ^"^ ^ ^^^'^'^ s%inff come sweeping down tKtrlef ^^^ /^' r^"*"'^^^^ «^o^e? again at the strang^rlad ' '''^''' ^ ""'^^^^^ *« ^^ok wall-^eitherTot^^^^ remained leaning against the way. He took littlVor 113.1 nt ° °w ' *^ ^^ °"* ^^ our eyes fixed on the nave Ji.nf/ ' ^""^ '^^^ained with hie ment in the High^'S ^7^^^^^ actually boasted pave: watching the eddvinrrr. In 1 °"^ *own of Norton Bury- up a littfe mist of' p^rte it''' '^^ ^^ ^' ^^"' *^-^ boy of only fourteen o'r .0 H me caH '/f ^^^''? '''' '°^^ can c.si].y, eve. afb. m.re th.;: ^^! f£li' ^P ^^'^^''^ ^^-^ Hfty y: sarj. *» JOHN HALIFAX. Brown eyes, deep-sunken, with strongly-marked Krn«,- « .quare, sharply outlined, roaolute S. ouAtZLh ab"arfu"' ^"""^ '^'^ ^-"' "- given S/7or the hardening of his features, and the Ss wav L Jhi ? tie pulled out his great silver watch— the dread of nn, fate, It never erred a moment. ^^n^orseless as justice or " Twenty-three minutes lost by this ahnxror pi,;«. *p JOHN HALIFAX. , have fo^hironlviiM J'l™'^'',','^'" *•>*' F'«'<=1'« to otcarria|e/in whiTtithl'm^. '.'' had mvenlcd a sort honest penny ? " "'^ ^ ^ ^^°* 'o 6a,rn an face, and he sS? o™4d nti™ arl° "iZS'' TT ,''" up hiJ^^ouSge aJdtS""'- ''"' ""« '"^ "-y '"« »-'"^« wf 'Ini''"''' ?'?'■' L'^y I ««"> a penny ? • coarse b?oal 'fl '^'"'I'ly /<"^, Engli'sh-iifferent from our What IS thy name, lad ? " ^ " John Halifax." ♦' Where dost thee come from ? " " Cornwall." 11 N* M **^®® ^°y parents living ? " I' How old might thea be, John Halifax?" I jurteen, sir." •' Thee art used to work ? " " Yes." " W^hat sort of work ? " " Anything I can get to do." I«h,-nd mXh """^'^ '° ""^ '"-'''-' -"--Ob ^..nt on " Well," said my father, aflcr a pause " thfo «h»ii t i my son home, and I'll give thee a ffrmf tIt 1 ' '*''* thee a lad to be trusted ? " And hnl^^„ t- . me.sce-arS regarding him mean^W e with eye" fhaf tZ tT' ''"f^! «ho rogues in Norton Bury. Aben^^^ieTatSy 8 JOHN HALIFAX. gathered all his mental £o«i in ' » J" -"S'"'' *"^ '" ^^^ "Not till I've earned it, sir." into'Sintr/ie^^u'r' '"'' "^ ^^*^- ^^^PP^^I the money downSe°:C -"hl^tSfdT^^^ ?ir.* ^*-^'^-^ Plashing a coat of true Quaker cut b' tTnnfi*'^^' ^"'^' ^^^^^ o^vned ribbed hose and\athern^aulTni^^^^^^^ fine: hL» set over a fringe of grav hairf ?h?f ^ wide-brimmed hat, respectable difnity.^ KSed rfw°T'^ ^^^^^ with honest, honou^rable, pfosperouf tSTf^^ ""'^^^ ^^ ^'^^-an down the street-mySf^^^^^^ ^ ^''^tched him even more than I loved WmTb^J^f*^^. I '^^^t^^ Perhaps likewise. ^^- ^^^ Cornish lad watched him Onee only, when f ■ "mS *K- i"f.' *"*■»?' t" Mk. ., No". °°' ^'■^ ^'™°8' I'n> afraid ?"^ «?dows. one otlwch wa?SeXr«^f '.'"^^'-^ '""'te^" visible there. J*"' ""^ * <=l"ster of little heads noth^n^ mr.\^??hSr Tather^; *'^", ^" ^^ ^'•^^*' though tenner: they belonged to AbW S ^ >^>^^'' a° "lutlt^?/.^'^^^^^-"^-'" andllAt^^.,^S^^^^^ ^ ^^ in one hand, oiraWeslfce,andSddLg^^^^^^^^^ succeeded in cutting •But the tlrCe'SV^^^^^^ ^"S^^- ^0 take it." sharp cry. ^^'^ '° '^"^ *^e door was shut upon a tV^^oZ'lict:^^^^^^^^^ the nursery After a minute, he crossld Jho .flf ^^^^^^.^^^ "o^^i^gmore. of bread. No^, in tCedava Vr-^ ' """^ ^'^^"^ "^ ^^^ s^^^^^ The poor folk rare^ S?^^th.v ?f T P'''^^"'' exceedingly. Halifax had probaKot f ;! J.!^ k^^. °° f^^ ^"^ '"^al- John inonths; it CeaS not tevedt'l *'''"' '^^%*^^« ^«^ gancing towards the shut door hifJj '^^^T."''^' ^^^^ He was a lone time CfrZ ?. i ^^°"^ seemed to change. it was quiet"! aTd slow v W.^ "'°'''^ V'^'^'° ^^ '^''^ ^« \^hile. ^ ^ ""^^y • ^°°^'nff very thoughtful all the House, who neTer^carS^Xf. ll' ^''^^^^ oi the My the -'' so^all and so strong/' ' ^'"^^^^ ^'^^^ i^e hurt " hS^V" ™^' -^ '^^" ""^"^ ^y strength." "To earn my living." before him-wouIdS it, !n.t.'!f'^ ''^'""^ ">« ^o^J ;; What We 5' ^:taitfc?;^^?' "" ^""o"' f-- ^^ Anjthmg I could get, for I have never learned a "Would you like to learn one ? • 10 JOHN HALIFAX. " What was he ? " "A scholar and a gentleman." fathl';^aZe?rheTas \naZ'\- "^"?^ «,"^"«^ ««' %' dignity of traL?yet held s'tronllf /»,''°*''°"'^^ j*^^«"« «' *^^ of the^advantages^o g^ deZf .*a? Cr^-^r^ ^°^'"°« since it i3 a law of naiurf^SmJf?^ '',' '° *^®«'"®«- ^o' that the qualitie^of the aTcistorT sSld^^^ T' «^^P««»'. the race-the fact seems n,ff!fnf !« u ^.J"® transmitted to equal advanteges nLFw^i.^"''"^^/ ^^^'^ «^e° allowing mmd and breeding above his nnfw/J « A- , detected a of gentle rather th^an of b^^is^bTL ™""""'°~=''°"''' «°"'' ".o;?„TidroEKfj,,rj'atS'?'.'?« '"« "---'-. was a^StletS"- '""" '™'<' " -«"*' «» - ? % father " And your mother ? " lie turned suddenly round : his chpp1'« hr.i- \.i v ing. '« She i 3 dead. I drnot likfl fn if.? ' ?" ^'P' ^"'^®''" about my mother." ^ '^ ^^^'^ strangers speak u.g Jhere heTad l3d moumeT ! nnT"^, °' ''•'""'y- smile wXilht to'^my'bea^'"' ''^""^^"'' '"^"sSul ;■ Have you been up and down the country much ? '• A great deal— these last three vearT-^^^T 1, :.. I' Whai did you do then ? " " I lay in a barn fill I aot well T am «„;» n you need not be afraid." ^ ^"^ ^"'^^ ^®^^ °o^. JOHN HALIFAX. 11 "No, indeed ; I had never thought of that " Buiishinilhrouchoverhan!;^ ? ° '^^^ ™"'' "'"''.kI ,v,th out-of-door work to beZd ' •• """' "''"' ""'™ " "» " I don't know." " Are von 9 " Thr vT ^ , ^^\' , p^^e we are, at home ! " flj«>,f /* ^ ?. ^^^ homeless lad just danced at if ♦>,« " Good day then! which^elnfyj^a%.!''' ^'""'''""' ''~^- could be, mine. To let it !^n If^^ that never were, never the dark! •''' "^' " Sofrcm me was like going back into engage tfSt'jf^i"l^ri',:f?'"' "^'''f P^-^'y to dis- JoL^Halitax cameTiy aJd ''^'' """^ """"■' '"» ^'^P^- wo;w\Tgratrn,'';orknr^^'"'- ^ -■<>— O-and-it the ts in" Lr™ii:';:it rf "°' "• ""' ""^ •>»' tenderer than any womL^ r .t-L "''"' "1 ""^ woman's- »y arms round ^sn°?k L iXi "'"A '° ■"""•• I P"' and set me at my own d you mistake ; I never hp^rtroA reaJise a largJca^rsorday '■ '' °"' °' ""'•■ ^ ''"Po '» n.y/tifiJifa'nr Sh'rcrr^'IoJt fr"'^' "'"""''-"^ easy-chair, and in an alteml tnn, ? Halifax camo ta my he eo«'„\4 anythin" ?r;S^ bXc^tl^^tX' '^"' "■" " least ? " forKS^.' ^"f^i^LT, 'T' "-- ''ome, .t pan.on^ip and help ^^r.'J'l'r^^L^,^:^-^':^^^^^ u JOHN HALIFAX. and friendless as I was-the very thing that would give me an interest in life, or, at least, make it drag on less weanly. To Bftv that what I projected was done out of charity or ]Mty, would not be true • it was simple selfishness, if that be selfish- ness which makes one leap towards, and cling to, a possible strength and good, which 1 conclude to be the secret of aU those sudden likings that spnng more from instinct than reason. I do not attempt to account for mme : I know no- why " the soul of Jonathan clave to the soul of David. 1 only knew that it was so, and that the first day I beheld tha, lad John Halifax, I, Phineas Fletcher, "loved him as my """Vhui'my entreaty, "you'll not go away?" was so earnest, that it apparently touched the friendless boy to the core 1 • " Thank you," he said, in an unsteady mce, as leanmg against the fireplace, he drev his hand ]>^«^.7,\^f^^/^°^\^^°^; wards across his face| " you cvQ very kind ; i 11 stay an hour or so, if you wish it." -, , i. u „ „ i.ii, " "Then come and sit down here, and let us have a talk. What this talk was, I cannot now recall, B&\e that it ranged over many and wide themes, such as boys delight in— chiefly of life and adventure. He knew nothing of my only world — books. _ . , , ^a i ♦' Can vou read ? " he asked me at last, suddenly. - 1 should rather think so." And I could not help smihng, being somewhat proud of my erudition. "And write?" "Oh, yes; certainly." t He thought a minute, and then said m a low tone, " I can't write, and I don't know when I shall be able to learn ; I wish you would put down something in a book for me. "That I will." ,, ^, -tv, «« He took out of his pocket a little case of leather, with mi under one of black silk; within this, agam, was a. book. He would not let it go out of his ^ands but held it ^ that I could see the leaves. It was a Greek and English Testament. "Look here." , , ,_ _ He pointed to the fly leaf, and I read— " Guu Halifax, his Book. , . , x • *-« " Guy Halifax, gentleman, married Munel Joyce, spinster, May 17, in the year of our Lord 1779. . ,, " John Halifax, their son. horn June i8f/». 17ttU- 1 i JOHIJ nALIFA3C j, j^^^^Thero waa .no more entr,. i„ a /eoblo, iim«„i„ i,^ . Hrfelrn'ii'''„?SnL, C»n I.8«« you . pen ? •■ " Nothing mZv- ''^'■'' '""' '''"""■'3' !»'. "Ol.' " ■'Nothing more." carefullXt:^^ minute or two, dried it ^ut It into his pocket He is 1*;^" '^^ *^'« «««^^ and 'ou/' and I asfed him no qu^stLs "' ''°'^ ^"' " '^'^^«^ fathers for a family history the ^^ ^^'/"^'^*^^ *« »« ^ore- Inmself, and was fltoSr" his nl 'i^^ commenced with antecedents ever turned un-hki?° ""^^'"^ ^^ romantic gated, and his pedigree be„an^^J'2^ ''' '\^'^ ""'°ves name-John HalifL. ° *°^ ^"'^"'^ •'' -• ^^^ own honest excuse's! eyeing'^vir? Z^^, 'f °/ u*^« P"^-"' on divers especially ^en^heCrmThth,^^^^^^ ""'''''' ^^^ »'" fact for mirth was not t£ flshfnn f""*" '*"[" *"*^ rotable tendency of my own nature Now ?hil° °"' ^?"^^' "^r the the world had knocked him kbouHven «?'°"?^ ^^^ ^^'^^y ^« flowmg spirit of quiet d7olle?v anr^ u?.^^L ^^^ ^» o^'er- >vas to me an inexp\essibt Sf'^l^^; *^^ ^»^^o»r. which did not possess-somethimr en LpI. t ^^^ r ""^ something I the dancing brown evls^hht ^ ''^^- ^ could not look at that played hidriTseek ^n^rT' ^""^^^^ ^^ lurking fu„ mouth, without feeling my heart i- ^T''^^^ ""^ *^' ^"" «^" one brought out of a^Sky cLmbef inr^.i,^"^^^^^ ^'^« end of the tab e--Tt^ a fin^p^^ k^''''^^ ^^^'' »^« at the get out." " ' ^ ^°^' «"nshmy day : thee ought to wen^L'taikinr "*' *''"' ^^"' ^-^•" And John and I mucM^Xg bi?^^^^^^^ ^^*-?^-ed attack-^, too were goinj abSut his c^^u^iJeL.'' ' ^""^ "'' *^« ^^^^ l^d 16 JOHN HALIFAX. ;;N;^^Wrri^br^^^^^ naUfax, nsing, while that look of%^mS H^yv^^??^ ^r^'^T ff'^'f. IVnprionce chased all the boyish fun from his face. I >e Srmerry a^y-thank yo/ kindly for it I and now I'U ^ Gone! It was not to be thought of-at least, not till my *«*w came home. For now, more determinedly than i/thnnlan which I had just ventured to hint at to my jyfh^r fixed U^lf on my mind. Surely, he wou d not re- {use me-l! bU Wboy, whose life had in it so httle "^^'"i' Why do you want to go ? You have not any work ? " »' No ; I wish 1 had. But I'll get some. "?u3tby'trying everything that comes to hand. That's 'the onW way.^ I never wanted bread, nor begged it ye , though I've often been rather hungry. And as for clothes ^he looked down on bis own. light and threadbare, here and there aTmost burst into holes by the f tout muse Wt^^^^^^^^^^ .rrowin<- 'ooy-lookcd rather disconsolately. 1 m airaia .s/«« would be so«y-that's all ! She always kept me so tidy. Bv the way he spo'.e. " she " must have meant his mother. The?e^ thHrphan Ld had an advantage over me; alas 1 I take no denial, and fear no rebuff from my father, ciieer nn Who knows what may turn up .' . * i m Wa "^^ .. Oh vcs something aiwajs does : I m >»"/f™% ^ :Scr,vm me'e^Frtet ;v!^; tuna, /nd fairly coax the ,ade '°'°.S':S?n''Tvoa know you're uncommonly like a childish hero ofmine%Tck mitLgton » Did you ever hear o£ him ? " E Sr^.;?-™ 'im £' Abb, Ml. .bi.. p~3 h-j r/.cry of Sir Richard Whittmguon. f JOHN HALIFAX. ,^ fo JdJJn"? "^^^^^^^^ crutcbe,. JoK« "You Son't need thew irt A# Ik^ * ^^\^' P'*»'"J ^oo^^- pretence to laugh, for lhiS^^jJJ^'''^\ ^ ««'^' »»' inff often ashamed. ' '^ °°* ^^^^ "8«^ *o them, and felt God forgive me, alwi^tX last^"^^^^^ '?"?' ^^'^ **>»« ^'»». ^ John looked at me-aufBrlL^^^ ^^"^^^'^t I had. ' but he did not say TwoiS^T h^Ahr^"*'^'^; [?"^P«ssionatc- ing through the W pMswre to th« '^ ^i?' ^'i^'* ^^ '«"«^v- paused-tfred out. John S!ii? .f! ^?^®° ^,^'^- Ther.^ I shoulder. °^° Hahfax took gentle hold of my •ow edge, wu the IritohOT Md ft;„f®*'^T' ^'"^<^ ^V » pnde, „ this old-fasUo^^iiin','' e«rien-.my fathct's years ago, I was too wwk ^^t *? ■"" "'"«• Wh-n. eveiy inch of the s^t,Xi>n,ri' /•''"'''' *•? «»'-i»8. bpundeaby its broad g a^wkK^'/TZ-Pl""^^ <»n«t ftut in as wiU, an imoassihlf L'J^/""™ *■"'• apparently b/ » toe-sided fenSftt^Ugh ^l? S^" "■%<""" '""w! nver. * •"" "'»" ^aii, the yew-edge, and the " H2v?Ke^Trir??.r rr "> '^« » »"• ;; f ver since I was W"* ^^ ""''^ "'^• Al.>-wel,, ifs a nice pUee," ho repeated somewhat if 13 JOHN HALIFAX. sadly. *•* Thia grass-plot is very even — thirty yards square, I should guess. 1 d get up and pace it, only I'm rather tired.'' " Are you ? Yet you would carry " "Oh — that's nothing. I've often walked farther than to-day. But still it's a good step across the country since morning." " How far have you come ? " << From the foot of those hills — I forget what they call them — over there. I have seen bigger ones — but they are steep enough — bleak and cold, too, especially when one is lying out among the sheep. At a distance they look pleasant. This is a ve^ pretty view." Ay, so I had always thought it; more so than ever now, when I had someone to say, too, how "very pretty" it was. Let me try and describe it— this first landscape, the sole picture of my boyish days, and vivid as all such pictures are. At the end of the arbour, the wall which enclosed us on the riverward side was cut down— my father had done it at my asking — so as to make a seat, something after the fashion of Queen Mary's seat at Stirling, of which I had read. Thence, one could see a goodly sweep of country. First, closa below, flowed the Avon — Shakespeare's Avon — here a narrow, siuggirh stream, but capablCi as we at Norton Bury sometimes knew to our cost, of beincr roused into fierceness and foam. Now it slipped on, quietly enough, uontenting itself wHh turning a flour-mill hard by, the lazy whirr of which made a sleepy, incessant monotone which I was fond of hearing. From the opposite bank stretched a wide green level, called the Ham — dotted with pasturing cattle of all sorts. Beyond it was a second river, forming an arc of a circle round the verdant flat. But the stream itself lay so low as to be invisible from where we sat ; you could only trace the line of its course by the small white sails that glided in and out, oddly enough, from behind clumps of trees, and across meadow-lands. They attracted John's attention- " Those can't be boats, surely. Is th^re water there ? " " To be sure — or you would n see the sails. It is the Severn river — though at this distance you can't perceive it ; yet it is deep enough too, as you may see by the boats it carries. You would hardly believe so, to look at it here — but I belioYO it gets steadily broader and broador, and turns 'fc ^^r-^r^: JOHN HALIFAX. ig I iZb! K™."' ' " ""«■ ""^' ''•'"' » "riK"' '»"'■• " Ai.. shinipg a beauty IbJuWySwne' "" ""' "^ *''" ""^ thetadsLr*"'''™ "" *'"«y """"^^ burst out, and mado "What's that?" jan;\7trberr'anSr?i\tr °' ^»^™' ^ it : they likedtut t'C'ld feUotr'' ""^^ '"^ l"-'^" he„d,?ut was \'&^LuttkL''lr r '! """P'- referred to. I was almrLf nl„ i ?~.*®, ^^^ o»* what I me„.It?4%r™rbS;-:?'"''^°" ""-• Very ,oo<. h..i,h, and as many thick CentS; aSj"/ "?'"" *^,"«'" ''=<>' with careful oliDBinff and t,.,fniJ!7i, , '^'"'""f <>' gro'vth, mssive green ffierLl'»& • '=°°'P'«='«' it into a i.e^feng^;:^^r"-^^^^ ..ranches^ ^ c;:,e''S'd St^^ ^ff ,Slt^^^^ "' vain^:&r LdTad'r " '" ™' ''^ '^ ^'^'""^^ the iou could n„LS ."^"A ''^i '" e«' »«' the yew'- - ' could cot climb it V hedge? ^^^jf^-- 20 JOHN HALIFAX. " I kno^y that, and therefore I should not waste time in trying." " Would you give up, then ? " He smiled— there was no " giving up," in that smile of his. " I'll tell you what I'd do — I'd begin and break it, twig by twig, till I forced my way through, and got out safe at tho other side." "Well done, lad 1 — but if its all the same to thee, I would rather thee did not try that experiment upon my hedgo at present." My father had come behind, and overheard us, unobserved. We were both somewhat confounded, though a certain grim kindliness of aspect showed that he was not displeased — nay, even a good deal amused. "Is that thy usual fashion of getting over a difficulty, friend — what's thy name ? " I supplied the answer. For the minute Abel Fletcher appeared, John seemed to lose all his boyish fun, and go back to that premature gravity and hardness of demeanour which I supposed his harsh experience of the world of men had necessarily taught him, but which was very sad to see in a lad so young. My father sat down beside me on the bench — pushed aside an intrusive branch of clematis — finally, because it would come back, and tickle his bald pate, broke it off, and threw it into the river ; — then leaning on his stick with both hands, eyed John Halifax sharply, all over, from top to toe. "Didn't thee say thee wanted work? It looks rather like it." His glance upon the shabby clothes made the boy colour violently. " Oh, thee need'st not be ashamed ; better men than thee have been in rsgs. Hast thee any money ? " " The groar you gave, that is, paid me ; I never take what I don't earn," said the lad, sticking a hand in either poor empty pocket. " Don't be afraid — I was not coing to give thee anything — except, maybe — would thee like some work ? '' " 0, sir 1 " " 0, father 1 " I hardly know which was the most grateful cry. Abel Fletcher looked surprised, but on the whole not ill- jlca^c'-l. Putting on and pulling down his broad-brimmed ^;.c JOHN HALIFAX. 21 fiat, he sat meaitativfily for a minute or so; r^akinff circles m the gravel walk with the end of his stick. People Paid— nay, Jael herself, once, in a passion, had thrown the fact at me,- that the wca thy Friend himself had come U Norton Bury without a shilling in his pocket. " Well, what work canst thee do, lad ? " " Anything," was the eager answer. "Anything generally means nothing," sharply said my mindV" been at all this year?— The truth, John's eyes flashed, but a look from mine seemed to set inm right again. He said quietly and respectfully, " Let ma think a minute, and I'll tell you. All spring I was at a farmer s, "ding the plough-horses, hoeing turnips ; then I went up the hills with some sheep ; in June I tried hay- making, and caught a fever-you needn't start, sir, I've been well these six week? or I wouldn't have son— then come near your "That will do, lad— I'm satisfied." "Thank you, sir." 171 I'^^^u ""-^^^ °°* «^y 'sir '—it is folly. I am Abel Fletcher. For my father retained scrupulously the Friends' mode of speech, though he was practically but a lax member Of the Society, and had married out of its pale. In this jsrthrsLihty." "'"" "^"^ '''''''''' ' ^^-y' --- "Very well, I will remember," answered the boy fear- Jessly though with an amused twist of his mouth speedily restrained "And now, Abel Fletcher, I shall be wniinJ and thankful for any work you can give me " " We'll see about it." I looked gratefully and hopefully at my father-but his next words rather modified my pleasure. -^ " *- '^^^ ^^s »i- !'Ft^^f' °°f ?^ "^y "^®° ^^ *^e tan-yard has gone and h ted this day-left an honest livelihood to be a pa^d cut io >.*;», ?r/^x^ "^'^^^ S^* ^ ^^^-one too young to bo caught hold of at every pot-house by that man Jf blood, the tre^iacT? •''^'^'' '' ^'""^ ^^'' ^^^ '' ^^ *° ^^^^ "Whose place, father?" "BiU Watkins'." Rni'wM- """"^T^^l®^ ! ^ ^^^ occasionaUy seen the said Bill Watkms, whose busines3 it was to collect the skins which my father had bought from the farmers round about. A, 22 JOHN HALIFAX. distinct vision presented itself to me of Bill and his cart, from which dangled the sanguinary exuviae of defunct animals, while in front the said Bill sat enthroned, dirty-clad, and dirty-handed, with his pipe in hia mouth. The idea of John Halifax in such a position was not agreeable. " But, father r He read deprecation in my looks— alas ! he knew too well how I disliked the tan-yard and all belonging to it. " Thee'rt a fool, and the lad's another. He may go about his business for me." *' But father,— isn't there anything else ? " " I have nothing else, or if I had, I wouldn't give it. * Ho that will not work, neither shall he eat.' " "I will work," said John, sturdily— he had listened, scarcely comprehending, to my father and me. "I don't care what it is, if only it's honest work." Abel Fletcher was mollified. He turned his back on me —but that I little minded— and addressed himself solely to John Halifax. "Canst thee drive?" " That I can ! " and his eyes brightened with boyisB delight. " Tut I it's only a cart— the cart with the skins. Dost thee know anything of tanning ? " " No, but I can learn." " Hey, not so fast ! still, better be fast than slow. In the meantime, thee can drive the cart." " Thank you, sir— Abel Fletcher, I mean— I'll do it well. That is, as well as I can." " And mind I no stopping on the road. No drinking, to find the King's cursed shilling at the bottom of the glass, like poor Bill, for thy mother to come crying and pestering. Thee hasn't got one, eh ?— So much the better,— all women are born fools — especially mothers." " Sir I " The lad's face was all crimson and quivering ; his voice choked ; it was with difficulty he smothered down a burst of tears. Perhaps this self-control was more moving than if he had wept— at least it answered better with my father. After a few minutes more, during which his stick had made a little grave in the middle of the walk, and buriecl something there — I think something besides the pebble — Abel Fletcher said, not unkindly, " Well, I take thee ; though it isn't often I take - 'ad JOHN HALIFAX. S3 mthout a character of some sort -I suppose thee hast „.,r ^??'.l" ™' ""eanswer, while the slraighUorward steai: • a?^Sre™nts!"lth™ghtr '"''"""'^'**'' '^' '^'"^^ .« H^;bta,^ra^'4:s'^«r/.trLr^ Carelessly rising, he, from some kindly impulse or el4 to " What is this for ? " " Wa^M M ^tT ^''^^ *^'® ^« ^7 servant." riAu ®^T°*^ ^^^^ repeated, hastily, and rather nroudlv Mf/'f J ^,4e/8tand-;vell. I wiU try and sS e yoSwell '• My father did not notice that manl/, self-dependent Se He V • too busy calculating hov many moreTf those said shillings would be a fair equivalent forkch labour as a lad ever so much the junior of Bill Watki s could sn^lf \^ ' some cogitation, 'he hit upon thrrighVsuS! TfoL^ W Toui t T '^ ™.-°^* °"Tr°^' for^oney w?3 ;ca^^^ Sf so-^wi^X ^^t^^^^S^ ;i-j ^^^l°? ^®*^^®^ *^® question of wage^ which John TTnUfnv did not debate at all, my father left u?! but turned back when half-way across the green-turfed squaxe. ''^''' inee said thee had no money ; there's a week in ftflmnm jl^y ™"' =''.: good-aftemoon, and thank you." ta4°'a°rst toJSeThS ttTn'^r^ir ah^^ fcsS.''« f;?„!5L'?™«:. B»' 1 8^'Ped his hid fo'te ughtfully (( vhi^pered " that I was very gladr" --"^^"""y by Thank you-so am I," said he in a low tone. Ther 21 JOHN HALIFAX. high'Vl "iSril ""IT'V ^'.'^''^ ^'' tittered .ap And I in my poor, quavering voice, shouted too. CHAPTER in. habit of keeS aTarv Tn^'"'^"^; and invariably foohsh foolish and fcfVS fn ""'; ^' ^',''*' '^ ^^' ^e«n ^ess with much dr^ ou ofthp.?°'*' r°^ °''* °^ ^'' *«eether ternatumllv^VnVi I, , . ^^^^^^ °^ «- memory made pre- of the lives aioufdif-ln? f^i^^'^'x' ^""^ '^^^''^ clear images piled the preseTwst^^^ ''''' '''' '''''''' ^ ^^^'^ ^°"^- shai?nTtW"rS;,Tf ^^'''\ ^P°^^« °^«"^- These I .arration^s'Coin^'set's"^'^^^^ '"""^ *^^ *^'-^ ^' before Ta'ai'; saw John ^H^Vr^^ ?''' ^^"^^ ^^ ^^nt thought of"h^ For if 1?^^'"'',""''^"'°'* ^^^^'^^ I ^gain pain? when i found it fliffi. H l^T '"^^°^^ ^^ ^^^cessive those fZ graSted S^^ *° J^^^ °^ ^^^^^^^^ ^'^y^'^d ;; If ho asked again, might ha come upstairs ? " JOHN HALIFAX. £5 athersary so I lay for days and days in my sick-room often thinking but never speaking, about the lad S once wLn'lifeTo me T' *S-"" ^5* though TwS hhn so? *° -'® ^^' "^^'"^ ^^^-^ lodged after At last I broke the bonds of sickness-which Jael alwavs It was one market-day— Jael beinff abcprif ♦!,«* t « dov. nsto. A soft, bright, autln7o,?dng!t;iw t sprtoT coaxing a wandering robin to come and sin" to "le loK^a tZf»"^''°f "' «'^«'i»ned trees ol "he AbW,^" i sba^"';S,°Uth ns'uX cSo'-'ia" frUThe^'l' regions of the house ; it would Ul h??e hSoS wUh ?hi tweet antonm day and the robin's ^rZ t7.* iS^ S- i * ^d S^^XTter^d^ "■<> >•-• "^-"^ •«-- s ..te%t\^Ltffigto,'n7^^^^ house beng on the verge where Norton Bu^meS'iZ Behind the farmer's cart came another, which at & T pride I "I thought, amused, and ^atSed Setwo carirthe ,■„„„{.•• J "' "'° """TOW road. At last, it succeedpd Sfe S^imfdT'"' J" "'^ y°,'??S Oman's evident Zoy li"h?cufv'hi°%'fe'T"?'??*"'^ '''"•»«' ""'^ '"h its . Bluns, and Joim UaUtas w»s diiving it. •*" "' 20 JOHN HALIFAX. hand. Very stead? the bov's han/ ' ^^ ^^^^^ a steady well might he loonS,llti«ri°^^,'"®\ ^^^^ John!— ay. and^he sky ne?er lookll L** *^' ^I^^'^ Wue sky to-day; face-the sa2 CwSfch 1T °° * brighter, cheeriei would. I believe, HetoVte^ '' '-'^'--^^^' himwXogXwfe''!^^^^^^^^ or no he wouTd not^rmV H« i?f^°^'°.^ ^^^t^^? over his horse • unti 1,^f « .i ^^ "^^^ *' ^'s*' being busy mind that he wks S^^^ ^t "^^^^^ ^^^^^^^ across my doing so .oulWZ^lZ &-uT' '°" ''''''' ^^' then\trirttl\7.?r°'P^^^^^^^^^ '^ ^-ndl^ nod, and bowed cerZtr^^^^^^ off hfs cap! the hlst'prirwhihr^^ r' *^? ^ °°^^ ««t but respect position, and wiSVeithpi^'i'"-^^^ *^^ ^"'^ ^'' ^^ advances betwe^ us mZ'J^^*^ T *« ^'^r it; all having made h?s sSuStTnn ? ^°*^^/^"?^ ^"^"^ "^3^ side. So, after him- salutation, he was driving on, when I caUed " John I John I " "' Stop 'oie m'nuS tl? T!^' ^''''\ ^^^^"- ' crawled on my dutches to tLfrZ T^ *S y°"'" ^nd I thing but the pleasiSe of n,!?! °?- ^°°/' ^^^^etting every, terror of Jael. WhS woiil?«l ^ tim^forgetting even my nominally tie Friends'ToS;n«' ^t^^fi^n though she held " Call no^ mLyoSr master ''wfr^ m the letter at least, found me, PhineasFW^W * "ii:^^*' ^9"^^ '^ael say if she respectable Son ^?h^/^^^^^ ^^ my father's /♦ther'scart^f skins ?^ ''^^^''^^^ ^^^ ^^° ^rove my are you ?''''"'^^''' "^^ °P«^^^ '^e door. "John, wh.>e But'that^Z no^w' • '"''^ ^^^^ *^^ '''^-' was not Johns way. He led the refractory. JOHN HALIFAX. r, road and f T/L^, ?X rdet"at^Xr"' "" » yesteraay. (Jhen he Aarf been innnirin^ f^- ., . .. and shivering. "Please, go in." " If you'll come too." child. WeU nursed and^aretuUrgJardod as I had „?4''''^ womanorman,tharie^S;ew ' """ "■"" '"'^■™»' pathetic sentences of other people ^ ta..';a^rS'?''"T%^re£^;;;.'^'"^''^ «-<■» yo- ""^ '"o h^gryXtari/tLrfrdays'.''"''' '" "^ '"" *» "-''-' thro^gh'^the' otn til'doo^t' '' '^' S''\' ^^^* ^"^-^e. Now, if I was a coward, it was not for mvself thi^ fJm^ The avalanche of ill- words I knew must faF t f -. i! f;,' not fall on him, if I could heirit ~^'^ '' '^°^^^ can drivf ^ ZZ ^'°''' ?k ' '^^i^"' ^^* «^« see how well you to"the7a„-yardr ~^°°^-^^^' ^'' '^' P'^^^^*' ^^^ you ging 28 JOHN HALIFAX. wonder I ^ ^^°^ ^° '*>»« delightful prospect-no •'No?'°^w1?h f f ^2" *H'e this afternoon." "-f nJ?ly;i"oughU?^^ ^^"^^^^ «-Pris^. "But 3oa recollection. I 00?^!^^ that ^t di^ ^^^/l-V^^htost gneve me as such attacks used to d„ f^^ not fnghten and Macular, it all " went in L« ° ' !^**' *» her own ver- I persisted in looking out uS?U ZSTJ 'v' '' *'°*^^' ' " *'-* curls had disappeared dow^ Tn 7 f-* S^^^^^n^er of the bright front door, an§'cr"A in^lent "'^^^^ '°'^^~*^^" «^«*''^e please m" Twas^'lhiln^""''' ^ «?* l"^«* «no"gh even to story, which lattr^y had o^viTli *?« »^^"tif«l oW Bible mind; thinking of Jonatb„„?^l^ impressed itself on my EzeV; with thVsh^herdffi whSirf t"^^ *h« «ton^ I wondered whether hn'oiild hnv« > '^*!.*^ ^'"8^ «^ Is^^el. same future prediction in him hZS J^^^l^^n^v^nd seen the met the poor DavS keeping hi i'*''*'^^"' *^° ^i°«'« «>n, Bethlehem. ^ ^ '^^^ ^^^^P among the folds of pU'arth'Ut'Cte ""H Sr"^ - --ting in my son ? •• But I knew W al„5 r ^^f '^^ "^^t^' t^Jen, my token of this by S^ iSmifu^ ™ *^ ^^^ ^^e- He gave -though, as'LtWs ,0^^^^^^^^ ^^er our H tone, adapted to the i^proTS ^5 ^l\\^^rnly moral considering my "inf^^''L£d If S?* ^' P"'^^«*«^ ^^ anecdote Dr. Jessophad in<,t^i^„ * n- *"!? reference to an girl, one of ourXtor'i p*tLn?s ih°^ ^^^ to viotVpLts""rMf ^oSl'r T.' °°* *o Biye way little fear.) ^ "For this^^fl/ f ^**^^'i *^<^"e:bt I, there is *' f oor thin- 1 » eaid I absentlr JOHN HALIFAX. SO Thn! ^^ i"^®"^ ^ ^}^^ *'®'^ ' ^«' 8P>"t " not half broken vet Thoums Jessop said to me, 'That little Ursula—' '• ^ irirl who h.5T«' y?"'*.^ " ^"^ ^ ^»"^ 'o »""d the little S«i;J!v ? *?®'^ '° »'''® »°™« I'rcad to the hungry John Halifax, and whoso cnr of pain we had heard as the doo? shut upon her. Poor little Qy f_how Borry I was -ami f ~''rha7l"w'*^ '^ i?'"^*^'^ sorry r^and all To to ^-H^TvT!- * I determined not to tell him anything about it and ZnirV T.^J^' '^^'^P' I ^'^"^ h»» after the ch Id and learned she had been taken away somewhere— iTr ^l:^!"' ^"' *'^° «^« ^^^^^« afr^rTpp^i^Ln my " Father," said I, when be ceased talkimj—and Jael wlm " Well, my son." aftemooS^'' "^' ^ ^" ^^'^ *^^« *^ '^« *^°-y«^l tlH-8 " Here Jael, who had been busy pullin'» back the tnl.I* rep^cmg the long row of chairs, aid^e-sanding the bro^d centre babara of the room to its dreary, pristine arianess stopped, fairly aghast with amazement. ^riamss, isnomofeltJ^iil'^^"' the lad's just out of his bed; he *hcl'Ff'^^^\ ^T*" ' " ^^^ *^« s^^'T answer. '' So, Phineas thee art really strong enough to go out ? " ^^meas, " If thou wilt take me, father." He looked pleased, as he ah/ays did when I used ♦!,« Fnends' mode of phraseology, for iLd not b^en brought up ww^'^'-if • ^t'' *^V^?8 ^^° *^« last request of m? mother, rigidly observed by her husband. The more To Sr^R^r^."! '^' ^r^ '^'y ^^^ "°* been quitehapp^ together. But whatever he was to her, in their brief unmn wT 5 ?°^^ ^'*5'l*° «^^' ^°d ^or l^is sake I ha"e always loved and honoured the Society of Friends ^ *; I^^ineas," said he (after having stopped a volley of noor Jael's indignations, beseechings, threats, and pSnosfica- tions, by a resolute "Get the lad ready to go"I"Seas my son, I rejoice to see thy mind turning towards bus ness' day'soon!^' ^'''' "^^'^^^ ^ "°^^^^^^^ thee7thaTsome rofemd \r?.d' fw 'v" "^M' '^^^y-^' ^ ^^^^ ^^^^ ^^ rcierred to, and that it would never be. Mentally and 80 JOHN HALIFAX. physically I alike revolted from my father's trade I held ♦»,« tan.yard in abhorronce-to enter it made mf ill fJrdats S rZ, n "'^"i!?' r1 "^°"*^« I ««^^' went neru: Ihat I should ever be, what was my poor father's one deRirn h.8 assistant. and successor in bis bLiness Tas °I knew a thins: totally impossible. ' ' °®^' * f. 1^* "u*"' iT.* ""^®' ***** "^y FOJect of going with him «nil«°?i^ '".'^'^y ""^y ^^^'« ^^«'^'«d hiln ; and rather Nor^Sf R,fi''Sf' ^^''' .''* ^'^^ *?#^***«' ' progressing through Norton Bury Streets, m our old way, my father marching along in his grave fashion, I steering my Httle carriiie and keeping as close as I could beside him. Lny a Sn lU^ at us as we passed ; almost everybody knew usfCfew evel aLguaWs.'"'^^^^'""''^"''^"^' ''' "^'''^ NonconJon^Ss ,> w!^^?.?r?J ^° '° Si® *^^° «^°«® *^« day I came through t with John Halifax. The season was much later now but r^ *r'*? ""^"^ «*"* '« *»*« «"««hine, and vei^ pleisant looked the streets, even the close, narrow streets^fXton Bury-I beg is pardon, antiquaries hold it a most " interest ZSr^T-t P'r ^^° " And then we began to talk. I A only «aa^?«'"''^l^,'* ?loser round me ; infinitely Hght and tender was his rough-Iookmc: boy's hand. ^ ®' I saw vo?' R^Tr^^ '' *^^° '^^ y^V thinner much since aiir^ou ?*" ^ ° ''^'y' ^"'^ ^"' ^^i"^«« ? What T m^i'n^°'''^^T ""^'i'? ^\'°''*' '^^* I explained to him what tT '' fe"^ y^^ J?^^ ''"- a stceUn'of'sTknS l^ that I could hope for little else until the end. ' * "But don't think I mind it, John," for I was «?ripr«^ tr. see his shocked and troubled look, "i am very content 1 have a quiet home, a good father, and now I think and bel evJ Ihave found the one thing I wanted-a friend." • lie smiled, but onlv because I did. I saw he did nofc understand me. In hfrn, as in most strong and self con- toined temperaments, was a certain slowness to recSva den we. Though I, being m so many things his onnoaite keenly, yet I rather liked the contrary in him, as \ think we JOHN HALIFAX. d8 m?s?1iffi3 f ° ^'^' '" ^"^'^''^ *^°«« peculiarities Mhich are luost different from our own. ThereforVl was neither vexS nor hurt because the lad was slow to perceive aU that he hal so soon become, and aU that I meant him to become to me sionTh/s wT^ "^11 ?l''^ '''''' every chan^e'exprr ^M«u °"f ** ®y®^' '^*' ^<^ ^*s o»e of those characters in which we may bo sure that for .acu hding thTy express liS a countless wealth of the sam. . a.uexpre.sJ bX Tchlrr f.ni ; t ~^'^'"1^"^''"''**- ^'^ ^^a« ^«e .vhom you may bl long m knowmg, but whom the more vou know thT iLr! you trust ; and once trusting, you trust fir e^S' "" remaps I may be supposed imaginative, or at loft you a little. " To tell the truth— anv- What, out-of-doors here " Just so." ^« i Tv°^?u^ ^^°^H^^- '^'^ «^e«P out-of-doorg seemoa io me to he the very lowest ebb of human misery; so of'^de'cent l^dT * '''"'°'°'' ^"^""^ °' vagabond, instead ;; ?M?°rT?°^ ^° you-why do you-do such a thing ? " ;?nJi y-°A .'*"? ^^' ^^"^"^ ^own beside me in a dogged way, as if he had read my thoughts, guessed at my suspicions, and was determined to show that he feared neither -that he would use his own judgment, and follow his own r is '^'^-^K ^?y^^y\ " ^00^ l^ere. I get three shilling" three pence-I m a big, growing lad, and^^ifs hard to be hun- gry. There s twopence left to pay for lodging. I tried it once-twice-at the decentest pkce I could find, bufr-" here uJ''^^,Tr\''- ,'°^lerable disgust came over the boy'a t^r^frV''^''^ ^ ^ *^^* ^g^i°- I ^as never us^ed !S^,, on. .. ^®P ""y """^ company and the open air. Now, you see. ' T aC ^?' '^°?'? \"J ^^^^^^ ^'^ ^^°^- I^ I had been a girl, I should certainly have cried. ^ ' rnml^lV'^^^'^'f "? ''^^^ *^ ^^ '°'''7- You don't know how fn^i/t^-^!,!* ^%*«,^«^«eP ^'^t of doors ; and so nice to wake " But isn't it very cold ? " bftrk a^rJ°^*®°'-.lf°^^P.®"* * «°"g ™e nest in the Sh nlTli,"P '° '* ^^^ * dormouse, wrapped in this rug, itt IZ "** *^^ "^'^ 8^y^ '^^^ ^^ides, every morning earli ^™ dfday/' * ''""' ''' *^' '*''^^' ^°^ *^^* °^^«« "^^ thprl '^•r^'Tn";;- ^^^ feared the touch of cold water. Yet S wiT2 i!;\^'',*'*'?f*''P^^^ «*°^ »>«^0'e me, the model of healthy boyhood. Alas ! I envied him. iro o^''* u '^?f °S \'f^' ""^^'^ l^ "'^'^^ «° "gh* o^» could not go on. "What BhaU you do when winter comes ? •• John looked grave. "I don't know: I suppose I shall manage «opiehow-like the sparrows." he aimvcred pe ceiving not how apposite hia illustration wa i^M tiuly lie 86 JOHN HALIFAX. seamed as destitute as the birds of the air, whom One feocleth when they cr^ to Him. My question had evidently made him thoughtful ; he remained silent a good while. At last I said — " John, do you remember the woman who spoke so sharply to you in the alley that day ? " "Yes. I shall never forget anything which happened that day," he answered softly. " She was my narse once. She is not such a bad woman, though trouble has sharpened her temper. Her biggest boy, Bill, who is gone oflf for a soldier, used to drive your cart, you know." " Yes ? " said John, interrogatively : for I was slow in putting forth my plans— that is, as much of them as it was needful he should know. "Sally is poor— not so very poor, though. Your two pence a night would help her ; and I dare say, if you'll let me speak to her, you might have Bill's attic all to yourself. She has but one other lad at home ; it's worth trying for." "It is, indeed. Yo;^ are very kmd, Phineas." He said no more words than these — but their tone spoke volumes. I got into my little carriage again, for I was most anxious not to lose a day in this matter. I persuaded John to go at once with me to Sally Watkins. My father was not to be seen ; but I ventmred to leave word for him that I was gone home, and had taken John Halifax with me ; it was astonish- ing how bold I felt myself growing, now that there was another beside myself to think and act for. We reached Widow Watkins' door. It was a poor place— poorer than I had imagined ; but I remembered what agonies of cleanliness had been inflicted on me in nursery days, and took hope for John. Sally sat in her kitchen, tidy and subdued, mending an old jacket that had once been Bill's, until, being supplanted by the grand red coat, it descended upon Jem, the second lad. But Bill still engrossed the poor mother's heart — she could do nothing but weep over him, and curse "Bony- party." Her mind was so full of this, that she apparently failed to recognise in the decent young workman, John Halifax, the half-starved lad she had belaboured with her tongue in the alley. She consented at once to his lodging •nrith her — though she looked up with an odd stare when I said ho was " a friend " of mine. fco VQ settled our basiness, first all together, then Sally "WM^:: JOHN HALIFAX. 87 and I alone, while John went up to look at his room. I know I could trust Sally, whom I was glad enough to heir, ^or woman. She promised to make him extra comfortable, and keep my secret too. When John came down she was qmte civil to him — even friendly. She said it would really be a comfort to her i'^'»,t another fine, strapping lad should sleep in BiU's bed, a"»a le cominr^ in and out of her house just like her poor r^'>r N"-, " I felt rather doubtful of the resemblance, "''-.'. i.>cleed half-angry, but John only smiled. ' "And if, maybe, he'd do a hand's turn -jo-v r- 1 then about the kitchen — I s'pose he bean't abovo it ? " " Not a bit 1 " said John Halifax, pleasantly. Before we left I wanted to see his room ; ho carried met up, and we both sat down on the bed that had been poor ,J'. f* ^as nothing to boast of, being a mwo sackin'^ stuffed with hay— a blanket below, and another at top ; I had to beg from Jael the only pair of sheets John owned for a long time. The attic was very low and small, hardly bi'^ enough " to whip a cat round," or even a kitten— yet John gazed about it with an air of proud possession. " I declare I shall be as happy as a king. Only look out of tne window." Ay, the window was the grand advantage ; out of it one could crawl on to thereof, and from the roof was the finest view m all Norton Bury. On one side— the town, the Abbey, and beyond it a wide stretch of meadow and woodland as far as you could see ; on the other, the broad Ham, the glittering curve of Severn, and the distant country, sloping up into " the blue hills far away." A picture, which in its incessant variety, its quiefc beauty, and its inexpressibly soothing charm was likely to make the simple, every-day act of " looking out o' window " unconsciously influence the mind as much as a world of books. "Do you like your 'castle' John?" said I, when I had silently watched his beaming face ; " will it suit you 9" "I rather think it will ! " he cried in hearty deUght. And my heart likewise was very glad. Dear little attic room 1 close against the sky— so close that many a tune the rain came pattering in, or the sun beating down upon the roof made it like a furnace, or the snow on the leads drifted so high as to obscure the window- yet how merry, how happy we have been there f How often have wo both looked back upon it in after days I S8 JOHN HALIFAX. I i CHAPTER IV. WiNTEK came early and sudden that year. never saw anybJyTt- n.^ Z^rX^J^. S» X What dost thee want the lad for?' " Only to see him." Lift John Halifax out of hi^ "BlacQl" T am.««^ ^lu rJ ^*^^' *^* *l^a* ^as impossible! bS? then wTe?fdentlv differed widely m our definition of what the «pll^'"S be. So, afraid of doing him &nv htutr, ««/*!• ^}S^^ mu.* his future depende'd orhTs-CoT ^n^h'b f mfste" I did not discuss the matter. Onlv at i^viyZ rJlfiM ' ^}.l^^\l waited, eagerly but patiently, until sprini? came anMS »Sj?»n:rd'5?e t^fsS^» which Jael told me, lay, about ihe comit^ evem^eri-I isrth'^^t|:a^nis^t'?-,fe a^S JS JOHN HALIFAX. 89 >r BTiow-drops which had come up one by one, like prisoners of war to their execution. By the next minute I felt ashamed of the heartless simile, for It reminded me of poor Bill Watkins. who, taken after the battle of Mentz, last December, had been shot by the French as a spy. Poor, rosy, burly Bill I better had he still been mglonously driving our cart of skins. " Have you been to see Sally lately?" said I to Jael, who was cutting winter cabbages hard by ; " is she ffettine over her trouble ? " e & *v "SS^*^'* "<^^' *° afi'oJ^d fretting. There's Jem and three httle uns yet to feed, to say nought of another big lad as lives there, and eats a deal more than he pays, I'm sure " I took the insinuation quietly, for I knew that my father had lately raised John's wages, and he his rent to Sally. Ihis, together with a few other facts which lay between Sally and me, made me quite easy in my mind as to his beinfj no burthen, but rather a help to the widow— so I let Jael have ner say ; it did no harm to me or anybody. " What bold little things snowdrops are— stop, Jael. vou are setting your foot on them." But I was too late ; she h*^ crushed them under the hi^h- heeled shoe. She even was near puUirg me down, as Ihe stepped back in great hurry and consternation. •♦Look at that young gentleman coming down the garden : and here I be m my dirty gown, and my apron full o* cab- And she dropped the said vegetables all over the path, as the " gentleman " came towards us. »,aA!f)J'ffi I?''- '° ^'^ ?? Ws transformation, I, t^i least, had no difficulty m recognising John Halifax. He had on new clothes— let me give the credit due to that wonderful civihser, the tailor— clothes neat, decent, and plain, such as any 'prentice lad might wear. They fitted well his figure, which had increased both in height, compactness. and grace. Round his neck was a coarse but white shirt frill; and over it fell, carefully arranged, the bright curls of his bonny hair. Easily might Jael or anyone eln have "mistaken him, as she cuttingly said, for a young gentle- She looked very indignant, though, when she found out the aforesaid " mistake." !i l^^at mav'be thv business here ? " she Bald, roughly. Abel iJietcn^^r sent me on a metfia^e." 1:1 ': 40 JOHN HALIFAX. "Out with it then— don't be stopping with Phineas hero. Thee bean't company for him, and his father don't choose it." " Jaell I cried, indignantly. John never spoke, bat his cheek burnt furiously. I took his hand, and told him how glad I was to see him— but, for a minute, I doubt if ho beard me. " Abel Fletcher sent me hero," he repeated, in a steady and well-controlled voice, " that I might go out \nih Phineas ; If he objects to my company, it's easy to say so." And he turned to me. I think he must have been satisfied then. Jael retired discomfited, and in her wrath again dropped half of her cabbages. John picked them up and restored them ; bat got for thanks only a parting thrust. " Thee art mighty civil in thy new clothes. Be oflF, and be back again sharp ; and, I say, don't thee be leaving the cart o skins again under the parlour windows." "I don't drive the cart now," was all he replied. "Not drive the cart?" I asked, eagerly, when Jael had disappeared, for I was afraid some ill chance had happened. " Only, that this winter I've managed to teach myself to read and add up, out of your books, you know; and your father found it out, and he says I shall go round coUectin'^ money instead of skins, and it's much better wages, and— I like it better, that's all." « , »xi« x But, little as he said, his whole face beamed with pride and pleasure. It was, in truth, a great step forward. " He must trust you very much, John," said I, at last, knowing how exceedingly particular my father was in his collectors. " That[s it— that's what pleases me so. He is very good to me, Phineas, and he gave me a special holiday, that I might go out with you. Isn't that grand ? " "Grand, indeed. What fun we'll have ! I almost think 1 could take a walk myself." For the lad's company invariably gave me new life, and strength, and hope. The very sight of him was as good as the coming of spring. " Where shall we go ? " said he, when we were off, and he was guiding my carriage down Norton streets. " I think to the Mythe." The My the was a little hill on the outskirts of the town, breezy and fresh, where Souira iJntnwood had buiit himself a fine house, ten years ti^o. fairly Burv JOHN HALIFAX. 41 1^ ■ " Ay, that wiU do ; and as we go, you will seo tho floods out— a wonderful sight, isn't it? The river is rising still, I hear ; at the tan-yard they are busy makiuf^ a dam against it. How high are the floods here, generally" " I'm sure I can't remember. "Hut don't look so serious. ill fc us «5nioy ourselves." And I did enjoy, intensely, that pleasant stroll. Tho mere sunshine was delicious ; delicious, too, to pause on the bridge at the other end of the town, and feel the breezt brought m by the rising waters, and hear the loud sound Of them, as thoy poured in a cataract over tho flood-gates hard by. ° wi,".^^"'^ ^^^^l "JH^<^y Avon looks quite splendid now. What masses of white foam it makes, and what wreaths of spray, and see I ever so much of the Ilam is under water. How It sparkles m the sun." " John, you like looking at anything pretty." "Ah, don't 1 1 " cried he, with his whole heart. Mv heart leaped too, to see him so happy. "You can't think how fine this is from my window- I have watched it for a week. Every morning the water seems to have made itsolf a fresh channel. Look at that one. by tne willow-tree— how savagely it pours I " " Oh, we at Norton Bury are used to floods." " Are they ever very serious ? " " Have been— but not in my time. Now, John, tell mo what you have been doing all winter." It was a brief and simple chronicle— of hard work, all day over, and from the Monday to the Saturday— too hard work to do anything of nights, save to drop into the sound, dream- less sleep of youth and labour. the '?^'"* ^^^ ^^^ ^^^ ^^^^ yourself to read and add-up, " Generally, at odd minutes going along the road. It's astonishing what a lot of odd minutes one can catch durinrr the day, if one really sets about it. And then I had Sunda? aiternoons besides— I did not think it wrong " throu\°?""^^^^ I' decisively. "What books have you got ^J\^l A^^V- ''"'irt'i'^^'S,'" Progress, Robinson Crusoo. and the Arabian Nights. That's fine, isn't it ? " and hh eyes sparkled. "Any moro?'* 42 JOHN HALIFAX. ij 11 " ^1° *,*^.! ®°® y®" 8ave me at Christmas. I have read it a great deal." 11 I ^}^ ^^ *^°® ®' ^^^^ reverence in which he spoke. I hked to hear him own, nor be ashamed to own— that he read "a good deal " in that rare book for a boy to read— the Bible. But on this subject I did not ask him any more questions : mdeed, it seemed to me, and seems BtiU, that no more were needed. " And you can read quite easily now, John ? " " Pretty well, considering." Then, turning suddenly to me : " You read a great deal, don't you ? I overheard your father say you were very clever. How much do you know ? " ^ "Oh— nonsense I " But he pressed me, and I told him. The hst was short enough ; I ahnost wished it were shorter, when I saw John's face. ,. '' F*>f..°*®— I can only just read, and I shall be fifteen directly I " The accent of shame, despondency, even despair, went to my very heart." ii. 1^°?'* ™^°^'" ^ ^^^^> laying my feeble, ut^eless hand upon that which guided me on, so steady and so strong; "how could you have had time, working as hard as you do ? " " But I ought to learn ; I must learn." " You shall. It's little I can teach ; but- if you like. I'll teach you all I know." "0 Phineas 1 " One flash of those bright, moist eyes, and he walked hastily across the road. Thence he came back, in a minute or two, armed with the tallest, straightest of bnar-rose shoots. xMi r,^^^ ^^^® * rose-switch, don't you ?— I do. Nay. stop tiU I ve cut oflF the thorns." And he walked on beside me. working at it with his knife in silence. I was silent, too, but I stole a glance at his mouth, as seen in profile. I could almost always guess at his thoughts by that mouth, so flexible, sensitive, and, at times, so infi- nitely sweet. It wore that expression now. I was satisfied, for I knew the lad was happy. We reached the Mytbe. " David," I said (I had got into a habit of calling him " David ; " and now he had read a certain history in that Book, I supposed he had guessed Tvhy, for he liked the name), " I don't think I can go any further up thj hill." ^ : ,. k:M:. JOHN HALIFAX. ^g «. " ?*'l^"!.,y®^n?***" '-^'" P««^ ^^i^^ ; and when we »,?^'^i?* ^f. *'^®- ^ ^®' "^^^^ 'l** J^ 1»« would with me Tad^T^^a* ^°*^ °^y ^« ^'« '- o^^^y brightness"? L««S'® 1**% Z^® ^'^^^ ^'^ *b® *0P 0^ the steep mound. I know not if i be a natural hill, or one of those old Romai or British remwns, plentiful enough hereabouts, but U was always caUed the Mythe. CW below it/ at the foo of a ^^^1^1?°"' .'^^P''.'*?. ^^ Severn, there' broad and deeP IT^' ^"i gradually growing broader and deeper as ^ f^^ff wu *?w f ^ wide plain of level country towards tiae 1 ne of hills that I)ounded the horizon. Severn looked beauU ful here ; neither grand nor striking, but certainly Wiful- a ^, gracious, generous river, bSring 8tr3 in l^s tMe If^ ?^1^ ?V'' *^'°?' '°"^°« ^° ^^'^^S^ thVland 8lo;^|? ft flowr ^' * ^^ "^^'^ ^'* "^^ '^'^^^^'^e wherever •• Do you like Severn still, John ? '* " I love it." I wondered if his thoughts had been anything like mine. nUl ^v V" ^^\K ^ *'"^' suddenly, pointing to a new Bight, -yhich even I had not often seen on Sr river. It wag ICIV^ ""^^l' ^^"^ ^' ^^'^^ ^««* *»i8h, which cam; surging along the mid-stream, upright as a wau! ""'^K'^g ur^ll a " *^/ '^'''' F''® °^*®° ^^3° ^* 0° Severn, where the S^stoMo'lmif'hirri, '"''*?, A' spring.tide. L^ok what a Tuie riverl^^^^^ ^^' ' "^^ ^'^'' "^^^^- ^e often call " But it is only a big wave." " Big enough to swamp a boat, though." w«« a iYr ?*uT^® ^ ^'^' ^ "*y *^°"«'' that there actuaUy the ege^ ' ""^^ '*' ^'^'^^ ^^^ «** ^"' <>^ t^e ^^7 o? Johnr^^^ °®^®'' ^*° ' *^®^'" ^ss^e^y he drowned! 0, «plf^l!l* *^ had already slipped from my side, and swung him- wtte?s edge' " '°^ ^^'' ^^"^ *^" «*''P ^^^P^ *^ t^^ It was a breathless moment. The sger travelled slowly Thirl of conflictmg currents, ia whiri n!i coat couldl live— 41 JOHN ^TA^JFAX. least of all that clumsy plea.ure-boat, with its toppling sail. In it was one I knew by sight, voung Mr. Brithwooil, of the Mythg House, and another gentleman. Tboy both pulled bard — they got out of the mid-stream, but not close enough to land ; and already there was but two oars' length between them and the " boar." " Swim for it I " I heard one cry to the other; but swim« ming would not have saved them. •• Hold there I " shouted John at the top of his voice ; " throw that ropo out, and I'll pull you in I " It was a hard tug : I shuddered to see him wade, knee- deep, in the stream — but he succeeded. Both gentlemen leaped safe on shore. The younger triod desperately to save his boat, but it was too late. Already the " water-boar " had clutched it — the rope broke like a gossamer- thread — the trim, white sail was dragged down — rose up once, broken and torn, like a butterfly caught in a mill-stream — then disappeared. " So it's all over with her, poor thing I " "Who cares? We might Jiavc lost our lives," sharply said the other, an older and sickly-looking gentleman, dressed in mourning, to whom life did not seem a particularly plea- sant thinff, though he appeared to valuo it so highly. They Doth scrambled up the Mythe, without noticing John Halifa~ ; then the elder turned. " But who pulled us ashore ? Was it you, my young friend ? " John Halifax, emptying his soaked boots, answered, " I suppose so." " In"^ t "", we owe you much." " Nou : -ore than a crown will pay," said young Brithwood, gruffly ; " I know him. Cousin March. He works in Fletcher the Quaker's tan-yard I " " Nonsense I " cried Mr. March, who had stood looking at the boy with a kindly, even half-sad air. "Impossible. Young man, will you tell me to whom I am so much obliged?" " My name is John Halifax." " Yes ; but what are you ? " " What he said. Mr. Brithwood knows me well enough. I work in the tan-yard." " Oh I " Mr. March turnocl away with a resuniption of dignity, though evidently both surprised and disappointed. Young Brithwood laughed. " I told you so, cousin. Hey, lad I " eyeing John over im-ST 'K^mm^T^^ *^wk " mr^'%r«s ': , • i^,i JOHN HALIFAX. 4S •' you've boon out at gmR8, nn*! changed your coat for tbe better ; but you're certainly the same lad that my c*'rricle nearly ran over one day ; you were driving a cart of 8u.ns — pah f I remember." "So do I," said John, fiercely ; but when the yofuth't insolent laughter broke out again ho controlled himself. The laughter ceased. " Well, you've done me a good turn for an ill one, young — what's-your-name, so here's a guinea for you." He threw il towards him ; it fell on the ground, and lay there. " Nay, nav, Richard," expostulated the sickly gentleman, who, after all, tras a gentleman. He stood, apparently strug- gling with conflicting intentions, and not very easy in his mind. « My good fellow," ho said, at last, in a constrained voice, ♦' I won't forgot you braverv. If I could do anything for you — and, meanwhile, if a trifle like this," and ho slipped something into John's hand. John returned it with a bow, merely saying " That he would rather not take any money." The gentleman looked very much astonished. There was a little more of persistence on on^ side, and resistance on the other ; and then Mr. March put the guineas irresolutely back into his pocket, looking the while lingeringly at the boy — at bis brave, tall figure, and flushed, proud face. " How old are you ? " " Fifteen, nearly." " Ah I " it was almost a sigh. Ho turned away, and turned back again. My name is March — Henry March ; if you should ever " " Thank you, sir. Good-day." "Good-day." I fancied he was half-inclined to shake hands — but John did not, or would not, see it, so the thing was not done. Mr. March walked on, following youn* Brithwood, but at the stile he turned round once more, and glanced at John. Then they disappeared. " I'm glad they are gone ; now we can be comfortable." He flung himself down, wrung out his wet stockings, laughed at me for being so afraid he would take cold, and so angry at young Brithwood's insults. I sat wrapped in my cloak, and watched him making idle circles in the sandy path with the rose- switch he had cut. A thought struck me. " John, hand me the stick, and I'll give you your first writing-lesson." bo there, on the smooth graveli and with theiose-stem for •-^--e-=»*TaiBrw^---.V"*. .^vmr^Ty'-w-- ^^i 4e JOHN HALIFAX. a pen, I taught him how to form the letters of the alphabet and jom them together. He learned very quickly— so quickly that in a little while the simple copy-book that Mother Earth obliged us with, was covered in all directions with " J, H, . K — John." ' "Bravo I " he cried, as we turned homeward, he flourish- ing his gigantic pen, which had done such good ser\ice: '• bravo ! I have gained something to-day." Crossing the bridge over the Avon, we stood once more to look at the waters that were "out." They had risen con- siderably, even in that short time, and were now pouring in several new channels, one of which was alongside of the high- road ; we stopped a good while, watching it. The current? was harmless enough, merely flooding a part of the Ham ; but It awed us to see the fierce power of waters let loose. An old willow-tree, about whose roots I had often watched the king- cups growing, was now in the centre of a stream as broad as the Avon by our tan-yard, and thrice as rapid. T ) torrent rushed round it— impatient of the divisions its great roots caused— eager to undermine and tear it up. Inevitably, if the flood did not abate, within a few hours more there would be nothing left of the fine old tree. "I don't quite like this," said John, meditatively, as his quick eye swept down the course of the river, with the houses and wharves that abutted on it, all along one bank. «' Did you ever see the waters thus high before ? " " Yes, I believe I have ; nobody minds it at Norton Bury ; it is only the sudden thaw, my father says, and he ought to know, for he has had plenty of experience, the tan-yard being so close to the river." " I was thinking of that ; but come, it's getting cold." He took me safe home, and we parted cordiaUy— nay, affectionately — at my own door. " When will you come again, David ? " *• When vour father sends me." And I felt that he felt that our intercourse was always to be limited to this. Nothing clandestine, nothing obtrusive, was possible, even for friendship's sake, to John Halifax. My father came in late that evening ; he looked tired and uneasy, and instead of going to bed, though it was after nine o'clock, sat down to his pipe in the chimney-corner. " Is the river rising still, father ? Will it do any harm to the tan-yard ? " •* What dost thee know about the tan-yard? '•: JOHN HALIFAX. 47 § " Only John Halifax was saying " " John Halifax had better hold his tongue." I held mine. My father puffed away in silence till I came to bid him good-night. I think the sound of my crutches on the floor stirred him out of a long meditation, in which his ill-humour had ebbed away. " Where didst thee go out to-day, Phineas ?— thee and the lad I sent." « To the Mythe ; " and I told him the incident that had happened there. He listened without reply. " Wasn't it a brave thing to do, father ? " "Uml"— and a few meditative puffs. "Phineas, the lad thee hast such a hankering after, is a good lad — a very decent lad — if thee doesn't make too much of him. Re- member, he is but my servant; thee'rt my son — my only son." Alas! my poor father, it was hard enough for him to have 3uch an « only son " as I. In the middle of the night — or else to me, lying awake, it seemed so — there was a knocking at our hall-door. I slept on the ground-flat, in a little room opposite the parlour. Ere I could well collect my thoughts, I saw my father pass, fully dressed, with a light in his hand. And, man of peace though he was, I was very sure I saw in the other — what always lay near his strong box, at his bed's-head at night. Because, ten vears ago, a large sum had been stolen from him, and the burglar had gone free of punishment. The law refused Abel Fletcher's testimony — he was " only a Quaker." The knocking grew louder, as if the person had no time to be cautious of noise. " Who's there ? " called out my father ; and at the answer he opened the front door, first shutting mine. A minute afterwards I heard someone in my room. " Phineas, are you here ?— don't be frightened." I was not— as soon as his voice reach^ me, John's own familiar voice. " It's something about the tan-yard ? " " Yes; the waters are rising, and I have come to fetch your father ; he may save#a good deal yet. I'm ready, sir — m answer to a loud call. "Now, Phineas, lie you down again — the night's bitter cold. Don't stir— you'll promise ? — I'll see after your father." They went out of the house together, and did not return the whole niph*. IS JOHN HALIFAX. '*! That mghc, February 6th, 1795, was one long remembered at Norton Bury. Bridges wore destroyed— boats carried away--hou3es inundated, or sapped at their foundations. The loss of hfe was small, but that of property was very great. Fix hours did the work of ruin, and then the flood began to turn. It was a long waiting until they came home— my father and John. At daybreak I saw them standing on the door- step. A blessed sight I i. " father ! my dear father ! " and I drew him in, hold- mg fast his hands— faster and closer than I had done since 1 was a child. He did not repel me. - " Thee'rt up early, and it's a cold mornmg for thee, my son. Go back to the fire." ««co, mjr His voice was gentle ; his ruddy countenance pale : two strange things in Abel Fletcher. f . "wu " Father, tell me what has befallen thee ? " "Nothing, my son, save that the Giver of all worldly goods has seen fit to take back a portion of mine. I, like many another in this town, am poorer by some thousands than I was last night." He sat down. I knew he loved his money, for it had been hardly earned. I had not thought he would have borne Its loss so quietly. " Father, never mind ; it might have been worse." "Of a surety. I should have lost everything I had in the world— save for— where is the lad? What art thee standing outside for ? Come in, John, and shut the door." John obeyed, though without advancing. He was cold and wet. I wanted him to sit down by the fireside. " Av I do, lad," said my father kindly. John came. I stood between the two— afraid to ask what they had undergone ; but sure, from the old man's grave face, and the lads bright one— flushed aU over with that excitement of danger so dehcious to the young— that the peril had not been small. 1 *i* t'^yL^^l^, my father, rousing himself, " give us some breakfast, the lad and me— we have had a hard night's work together." ** Jael brought the mug of ale and the bread and cheese; but either did not or could not notice that the meal had been ordered for more than one. " Another plate," said my father, sharply. ^ j-mr JOHN HALIFAX. 49 " The lad can go into the kitchen, Abel Fletcher : his breakfast is waiting there." My father winced— even her master was sometimes rather afraid of Jael. But conscience or his will conquered. "Woman, do as I desire. Bring another plate, and another mug of ale." And so, to Jael's great wrath, and to my great joy, John Halifax was bidden, and sat down to the same board as his master. The fact made an ineffaceable impression on our household. After breakfast, as we sat by the fire, in the pale hazo of that February morning, my father, contrary to his wont, explained to me all his losses ; and how, but for the timely warning he had received, the flood might have nearly ruined him. " So it was well John came," I said, half afraid to say more. *' " Ay, and the lad has been useful, too : it is an old head on young shoulders." John looked very proud of this praise, though it was grimly given. But directly after it, some ill or suspicious thought seemed to come into Abel Fletcher's mind. "I^ad." suddenly turning round on John Halifax, "thee told me thee saw the river rising, by the light of the moon. What was tliee doing then, out o' thy honest bed and thy quiet sleep, at eleven o'clock at night ? " John coloured violently; the quick young blood was always ready enough to rise in his face. It spoke ill for him with my father. "Answer. I will not be hard upon thee—to-nieht. at least." ^ ' " As you like, Abel Fletcher," answered the boy sturdily. " I was doing no harm. I was in the tan-yard." " Thy business there ? " "None at all. I was with the men— they were watching, and had a candle; and I wanted to sit up, and had no light." *^ " What didst thee want to sit up for ? " pursued my father, keen and sharp as a ferret at a field-rat's hole, or a bamster hunting a witness, in those courts of law that were never used by, though often used against, us Quakers. John hesitated, and again his painful, falsely-accusing blushaq tried him sore « Sir, I'll teU you ; it's no disgrace! ihough I ftm such a big fellow, I can'/i write ; nnd your son 60 JOHN HALIFAX. was good enough to try and teach me. I was afraid of forgetting the letters ; so I tried to make them all over again, with a bit of chalk, on the bark-shed waU. It did nobodv any harm, that I know of." The boy's tone, even though it was rather quick and angry, won no reproof. At last, my father said, gently enough : » & j " Is that all, lad ? " "Yes." Again Abel Fletcher fell into a brown study. We two lads talked softly to each other— afraid to interrupt. He smoked through a whole pipe— his great and ahnost his onlv luxury, and then again called out— "John Halifax." " I'm here." ** It's time thee went away to thy work." »'I'ni going this minute. Good-bye, Phineas. Good-day, sir— 13 there anything you want done ? " He stood before his master, cap in hand, with an honest manliness pleasant to see. Any master might have been proud of such a servant— any father of such a son. My poor father— no, he did not once look from John Halifax to me. He would not have owned for the world that half- smothered sigh, or murmured because heaven had kept back from him--as, heaven knows why, it often does from us all — the one desire of the heart. XI- . "?°?? Halifax, thee hast been of great service to me, this night. What reward shall I give thee ? " ^ And instinctively his hand dived down into his pocket. Joan turned away. ., "Thank you— I'd rather not. It is quite enough reward that I have been useful to my master, and that he acknow- ledges it. u m¥^f ^**^®' thought a minute, and then offered his hand. iHee rt m the right, lad. I am very much obliged to thee, and I will not forget it." And John— blushing brightly once more— went away, looking as proud as an emperor, and as happy as a poor man with a bag of gold. "Is there nothing thou canst think of, Phineas, that would pleasure the lad ? " said my father, after we had been talking some time— though not about John. I had thought of Rompfhing-^POTnotbinj? I had long desired, but which stemed then aU but au impossibility. JOHN HALIFAX. gj ^J5! fSr* *' T*^ ^xu^ l®'"^ ^^^^^ ^^^ hesitation that I Wn 'Z?T°? !-thee know^st naught of Norton Bury lads. He would not care. He had rather lounge about all First^ day at street comers with his acquaintance." ^.\!1a I ?*^ °°°iS' t^^^J"- "^ ^»o^s nobody-cares for nobody— but me. Do let him come." " We'll see about it." ,. ,.^7 J**4«' fever broke or retracted his word. So after ^Li ?*^^';^ ^i^® *° "' e^e^y Sunday, and for one day of the week, at least, was received in his master's household as our equal, and my friend. CHAPTER V. SuMaoHs and winters slipped by lazily enough, as the years seemed always to crawl round at Norton Bury. How thinw went m the outside world, I Uttle knew or cared. My father *Zfi^ We, mechanical and steady as clockwork, and we two, John Halifax and Phmeas Fletcher, lived our Uves— the one so active and busy, the other so useless and duU. forwards ° ^s counted the days, nor looked backwards or One June morning I woke to the consciousness that I was twenty years old, and that John HaUfax was-a man ; the difference between us being precisely as I have express*^d it. , Our birthdays f eU within a week of each other, and . was in remembering his— the one which advanced him to the di^ity of ei§rhteen-that I caUed to mind my own. I say. «' advanced him to the dignity "-but m truth that is an idle speech ; for any digmty which the maturity of eighteen may be supposed to confer, he had already in possession. Man- hood had come to him, both in character and demeanour, not as It comes to most young lads, an eagerly-desired and S^'3^r^^"1^'''^x °^*^°^' *^"* *« * "8^«"1 inheritance, gradually descending, to be received humbly, and wori^ simply and naturaUy. So naturaUy. that I never seemed to think of him as anything but a boy, until this one June years oW. *^ ''**^^' ' ""^'^^^ "^"^^^^ ^^^^^'^ I was talking over that last fact, in a rather dreamy mood. 52 JOHN HALIFAX. I as he and I sat in our long- familiar summer seat, the clematis arbour by the garden wall. " It seems very strange, John, but so it is— I am actually twenty years old." ' " Well, and what of that ? " I sal looking down into the river, which flowed on, as my years were flowing, monotonous, dark, and slow— as they must flow on for ever. John asked me what I was thmking of. " Of myself : what a fine specimen of the noble genm homo I am, at twenty years old." I spoke bitterly, but John knew how to meet that mood. Very patient he was, with it and with every ill mood of mine. And I was grateful, with that deep gratitude we feel to those who hear with us, and forgive us, and laugh at us and correct us — all alike for love. "Self -investigation is good on birthdays. Phineas, here g3es for a catalogue of your qualities, internal and external." " John, don't be foolish." "I will, if I like; though perhaps not quite so foolish t3 some other people ; so listen ;— ' Imprimis,' as saith hhak^are— Jm^jrimM, height, full five feet four ; a stature l.istorically appertaining to great men, including Alexander of JIacedon and the First Consul." " Oh I oh ! said I, reproachfully ; for this was our chief bone of contention— I hating, he rather admiring, the great ogre of the day. Napoleon Bonaparte. " Imprimis, of a slight, delicate person, but not lame, as once was." "No, thank God I" " Thin, rather—" " Very— a mere skeleton I '• " Pace, elongated and pale—" " Sallow, John, decidedly sallow." "Be it so, sallow. Big eyes, much given to observation, which means hard staring— Take them off me, Phineas, or I'll not lie on the grass a minute longer.— Thank you. To return : Imprimis and finis (I'm grand at Latin now, you see)— long hair, which, since the powder-tax, has resumed its original blackness, and is— any young damsel would say, only we count not a single one among our acquaintance— exceedingly bewitching." ® "^ I smiled, feeling myself colour a little too, weak invalid as I was. I was, nevertheless, twenty years old : and although JOHN HALIFAX. 68 u® J^P^jSally were the only specimens of the other sex which had risen on my horizon, yet once or twice, since I had read Shakspeare, I had had a hoy's lovely dreat«s of the divinity of womanhood. They began, and ended— mere dreams boon dawned the bare, hard truth, that my character was too feeble and womanish to be likely to win any woman's rever- ence or love. Or, even had this been possible, one sickly as 1 was, stricken with hereditary disease, ought never to seek to perpetuate it by marriage. I therefore put from me at once and for ever every feeling of that kind ; and during my whole We— I thank God I— have never faltered in my resolution, friendship was given me for love— duty for happiness. So best, and I was satisfied. - rr »^ This conviction, and the struggle succeeding it— for. though brief, it was but natural that it should have been a hard struggle— was the only secret I had kept from John. It Had happened some months now, and was quite over, and gone, so that I could smile at his fun, and shake at him my 'bewitching 'black locks, calling him a foolish boy. And wnue I said it, the notion slowly dawning during the lone ??Z 1^??: complained of, forced itself upon me clear as day- Jight, that he was not a " boy " any longer. '' Now let me turn the tables.-How old are you, John ? " You know. Eighteen next week." "And how tall?" , , "^^^^.f' /^«^«^ inches and a half." And rising, he exhibited to Its full advantage that very creditable altitide. more tall perhaps than graceful, at present; since, like most youths, he did not as yet quite know what to do with his legs and arms. But,he was — ^ I cannot describe what he was. I could not then. I onlv remember that when I looked at him, and began jocularly Impnmis, my heart came up into my throat and choked me. It was almost with sadness that I said, " Ah ! David, vou are qmtf a young man now." ' ^ He smiled, of course only with pleasure, looking forward to tiie new wor^dmto which he was going forth; the world into which, as I knew weU, I could never follow him. I am glad I look rather old for my years," said he grass. It teUs well m the tan-yard. People would be slow tmts me " * "^''^ ^^' ^^^' ^^" ^**^^^ H JOHN HALIFAX. *hof T* '^^' '"J^®®^- ^°" ""^ never have any doubt of «f?,^«?*^-' ?».^«»'^«?ed with your working at aU Borts of manS'blS" '°""' ^'"^^ ^' -de /ou nonTthT^U' master if I^shirked his woS Ky owS ^ I ^T.^J^h n^"*^ not complain now, Phineas." ^ I am glad he does *J' 2?i***® °<*°*'a'7; I think he intends to give vou a r5<«, Ihl^lf '"iT?;- ^"* °^ ' " I °"«^. recurring to a though? which would often come when I looked at the lad thouX he always combated it so strongly that I often owned mvnre ilt'^rS "°^"f* • " ^°^ I ^i«^ yo' were 8omethin7be?te; than a clerk ma tan-yard. I have i plan, John." ^ UcTn! * *^** ^l*"* ^*^' ^a« ^a*ed to remain unrevealed Jael came to us m the garden, looking very serious 8h«hl^* t^Tdav hT^^'i '^^ "^ ^ W colSrS her master fhn„lY^^^'''^T:*^^^"^j^^* °^ ^^ic^ she would not tdlm^ h« ifii f ?i ^^^o^H^ed it concerned myself. E ver sinS she had followed me about very softlv for Lr ««/l„n S more th,a once, aa when I ^S^m'^^'Fbt^^f^Z now came with haU-doIoroM, half-angry looks to ™m.;„n me to an interview with my father and dI Sp ™"°'' ™. .. kT '" '!"i"'8 ""'terings as she marched behind Tii^t^ ^"' *^s ^- -'" -^rhe^iJr'F^nhr and from her strange fit of tenderness, I guessed what ™ homing in the distence-a future which my^tTer c^nsLll? held tnterrorem over me, though successive illnesseSken? it m abeyance. Alas I I knei? that my poor fiither^hS and^plans were vain I I went into his JreCce wUh I iTy There is no need to detail that interview Fn«»«i, iu l after it he set aside for ever hiXt ?toS bo™ oThari?' a„a?h^^I ^r-f ""* *"/"y ™oc"d\im1n Ts busS and that I set aside every dream of m-nx^m, »« +1 u ^ , ' and comfort to my fatL.'^S LT^Z&l^nUh!^ parts, but after that day's discussion we tad iTcoLed over the pain, and counted it openly no more. ^ ^® sweet look-dearer sympathrth^^two^Sit'^ThoulS'S JOHN HALIFAX. S5 the added thereto a few, in His o drew the curtuin over an ii peaceful chamber of silence. ' When my fathei', Dr. Jessop, John Halifax and I niAf af wmchmmy young days was rigidly exacted by elders uid superiors, I noticed my father's eyes frequertly Ltine w^h littu occurrea to Him a hmt of mme. dven faintiv Hmf mnr^ ■ng, as family as if it had only just'eS my mind inXd The June evening came and went. The servica h^ll «.«,. ^:^7rthe^^nrTr.^t^S-£5 £ts^:7dMr«rn>orttet^^^^ «^rth, chiefly ending with the former, as on sSndwZffs upon U^ kn^s an/f."' ""'''«. »" '> ««"» ^''^ "» hrnds upon nis Knees, and the one star, I think it was Jniiit>r " I think you are." A^il'J' ^Tv- ^°®^- ^'"^ °°* clear how far I could resist ?S/°^'^°^ '''°°^' " ^' ^«^« pleasant. So many wroni things are pleasant-just now, instead of risinAo mwrow and going into the little dark rnnnf,n«.i."L" i?, „^?."?''' and going into the^tl^da^ rt::^r^^'!''}3^.^.}>^^ .away !- p pe irom ,.-^„„ ^.^^ o^jj^^ ouumun i x iiKe to break awav f sort "S ^^ndTn '"' "^ "'.'"' »* »f '"d feaksTd^ ali tLni.ga^moiS"'^'' ""' **"'»?« '^"« ^^^ ^ok'to the " Kever, any «aory." 66 JOHN HALIFAX. ♦wii?t/T ?P'.*^^* ^ '^°"«^' *^a*. in the red glow of th« twilight, he looked rather pale. He stretched Kand i^ help me up from the grass. We went into the hous" tSgethe^ pre^i^d^Xv'iis'rai! %T::^^^^f,^'/it''^^^ father, who was sitting medUadvely^ver\t^1^eT;^ place, sometimes poking the great^ bow-pot of fennel and asparagus, as in winter he did the coalf- an in<5?«i« * obliviousness, which, in my sensiranTacute faS™^^^^ '7.fe°°^?.H?° on some subject or other ^""'^ heard hi^;'''^^*' '"^^ ^^^°' *^^^ °^^'' ^^ore his master f^^:^J^^^^ S'^y' Hali. cvJrp? nff?>,"''^' ""m ®'' *^^ ^"''^^° *»i^«s should come in • I cwared oflf the week's accounts last night, as usual." ' "Ay, to-morrow I shall look over aU thy b(W)ks ati^ «co how thee stand'st and what further work thora^t fit for Therefore take a day's holiday, if thee likes." °'- We thanked him warmly. " There, John." whisnered T ^uJ^a^Z ^'^^T^.' *°^ '"° ^^d to-morr^w"^''^ ^' lie said, " the wish had cone out of him " h«Z. i -wiUowsmthewater-cciSses." We came out fn fhla^ ! hay-fields which, tradition says, had or^Lown"^^^^^^ rosy monks close by, and, history avers wire ^?te^«S watered by a darker stream than ^e bS of Ll^^Th! Vineyards had been a battlefield; and undfrThe S ?n«l?i ! ^? Lancastnan. Sometimes an unusually deen ^^unart^i^A^ * 7^i*^ bone-but more often the^relTcs hay^fielSs! *'''^^' ^^ ^^ "^^*^^^« «««d a« pastures or John and I lay down on some wind-rows, and sunned oar* flelves m the warm and ddicious air. How beauSlye^: jorr: halifa's. ,, JcS'?^'- -'^^^^^^^ --Z t/,«C "^fa»neas, don't you think this field is rather dull? Rhaii f rST?T)f '^'^ ! °°' " ^* <^« yon, Sough H '" 1 protested the contrary, my health be na mn^h «k« lu average this summer. Bnt just afwe w^w^aS?«L fc*^l we met two rather odd-Iookiig pewonsTZiS ^*^ ^^ ^^^? persons they seemed, who Sfown WnT.*^ ''' young-old pation Th'eir dres.', ^pec't thToM^e^rnL^^^^ us by Its queer mixture of fashionableness S^^L^n *u L ? J ,^^^ ^®» approaching John Halifax -^ith a i.«™ connoisseurs in turnips? " "^ ^ ^^®'- "^^ you - He offered us-wiUi a polite gesture-one of the " swedes '• 58 JOHN HALIFAX. ^^^Ono might d„owor«." belaid, ..j t.,, ^^ ^^ r^m«k^b"«Vn^bo''b^tLT ^"^ ^ »» not U« first kno-'n thK SS evM *„t^^5"f'" ?"* T'' » goner.!*; instead m/ortSS ^S^e ?°- '"""'"• "'' ^ S*^' J"" I heUeveToV'te owner hM SJjSJ?""'? '1!?P'' »' "» '•'"• ol celebrityilm™^? .JJ !? "I" *? ""* '«?"'<»» Iwigl"' heart, w"rch hTC^ef^eremir^ir"'' "I "^^^ swedes. StUl I will ««? .T^." 5.-^ "'"' "» "•* eatng W-^ m;. Charles." """"^ "^ """"-I »'«>" only oafl .nd'm^che^TlfeZ'~"i°"'';'"rS«'' "^ 'nunohed. ^p-areVol- '4«^tS^";^^h'"'^;''?r,td°'s?'^is''« rrrso?^fte.rx::^.j JOHN HALIFAX. 59 •' m you not see lomething of it m a child ? •' Only the worst and lowest side : not the oha T «..ni ♦>. •eo now. What business do you thiik thaTMr CbaSes i-*^ Thus talking at intenals and speculatini? unon onr ha^ acquaintance, we strolled along till Ccame i a^pot caJiJ bv the coun^ people, " the bloody Meadow." from hein^ like several other places in the neighbourhood thnceni S gie of those terribfe slaughters chroLKlhi warsTtbi S. a Vu? ^.^ * '^.°P*°« ^®^^' **»«>"«»» the middle of wh ch ran a little stream down to the meadSw's end whero frTS and hidden by a plantation of trees, Z Avon fl^w^' u!^ swathes, or tedded, or in the luxuriously-siented nuiles ^a lane was quite populous with waggons aThkylakersJhA men m their corduroys and blue &se4he woi^en inThAir ^im jackets and brfght calamanco pettcoatr There we^ S oTE«S;;;r.°:,**ll"' 5>' t^« ^ower of the ^al'nl "Bonvwrt^"^^^^^ ^"^^^^ ?« ^ %^t a^ains half ou?^l ftlA ,°^"'W-'»"»\^as a glorious season, when simshine. ""^ °"*' """^ '""^^ ^""^'^y i° ^^^ «AArl7 *^'°'' T^ ^^ f^"" *^ * q"i«tef place. John. There seems a crowd down in the meadow: and who is that ™l? standmg on the hay-cart on the other ^ide of the stream?"" ru ,^«°'yo" "member the bright blue coat? 'T^ Mr he S at* ? •?''' ^' " "^^^^ *°* fesUculating I Whil can Without more ado, John leaped the low hedce and ran down^^he slope of the Bloody^Ieadow?'' I fo??ow^^'^ «,-m!inT'»?^ a surety, stood our new friend, on one of the simpIe-fashioned hay-carts that we used about Norton Bury a low frame-work on wheels, with a pole stuck at dther of the four corners. He was bare-headed;and his hair huna ?n paid the tax, which we were all then exclaiming aeainat— ^n fondly does custom cling to deformity. Des^ te^ tT ^tder the blue coat, and the shabby velvet breeches, Mr. ^hlries was a very handsome and strik'ing-looking man X wonde? haLngue '^■°'"^''' ^"^ """^''^^ ^^ ^^^ ^^' to hJr b4 ^Vhat was he b&aaigmas «Pon? Cowd it j&e, laAi like 60 JOHN HALIFAX. bis friend, " John Philip," whoever that personage might b- especially judging from the sanctified demeanour of the elder and inferior person, who accompanied him ; and who now Eat m the front of the cart, and folded his hands and groaned, after the most approved fashion of a methodistical revival. .1, JSi^^w ^' ^.^Pecting every minute to be disgiisted and shocked : but no ! I must say this for Mr. Charks, that in no way did he trespass the bounds of reverence or decorum. His harangue, though given as a sermon, was strictly and simply a moral essay, such as might have emanated from any professor s chair. In fact, as I afterwards learnt, he had given for his text one which the simple rustics received in all respect, as coming from a higher and hoUer volume than onakspeare— T» M .,. " ?'«"y « *w>c« blessed : "."•^••n »»« that givea, and him that takes lis mightiest in the mightiest." And on that text did he dilate; gradually warmini? xfith his subjyt, till his gestures-which at fi^t h^ Lmed burthened with a queer constraint, that now and then resulted -bccajne those of a man beguiled into real earnestness. We it Norton Bury had never heard such eloquence. "Who can he be, John ? Isn't it wonderful ? " But John never heard me. His whole attention was riveted on the speaker. Such oratory-a compound of ^u? acfaon, polished language, and brilliant ima^nation^ to Ijim as a positive revelation-a revelation from the worid ot mteUeg, the world which he longed after with all Sie ardo^ h.J^i!^^A^^i harangue would have seemed like, could we have heard it with maturer ears, I know not; but us at !#^te.°*u*°^ '""^^'y ^* "*^'*"y ^az^Jed. No wonder it affected the rest of the audien"li^^^'* ^*^^^^ **^^° «»°»« ^o *>'fcterly home *o avoiy heart lu Bntam— many women melted into sobs and tnma'i,. K a' '^'^^'^ *^^ ^^^^ ^»°i^^^' '"oved by the pic- tiWB he had conjured up, paused suddenly, quite exhausted. and asked for JOHN HALIFAX. ight 61 contribution «'to help a deed of .. ^ general rush towards him. " No— no, my good people," said Mr. Charles, recoverinff his natural manner, though a little clouded, I thought, by a famt shade of remorse. " No, I will not take from any one more than a penny, and then only if they are quite sure they can spare it. Thank you, my worthy man. Thanks, mJ bonny young hiss— I hope your sweetheart will soon be back from the wars. Thank you all, my 'very worthy and approved good masters,' and a fair harvest to you." *ii * 7'^ them away, in a dignified and graceful manner, stiU standmg on the hay-cart. The honest folk trooped off. ?^?^ ^nu^?^ V?"® *^ ^*«*®' »«^ Ief<^ *^e field in poSssion of Mr. Charles, his co-mate, and ourselves; whom I do nofc think he had as yef. noticed. He descended from the cart. His companion burst into roars of hiughter ; but Mr. Charles looked grave. «nf'l!^';i, *T* ^O'^^? ' "said he, wiping his brows-1 am fi,l J^l *^** '* S*! ^^}^ ^^ brows-" Hang me if I'U be at this tnck again, Yates.' 80 " forU^' * ^^^^ ^^' "'' ' ^^ '^°^°' *^^*»cing. " I am "So am I, young man," returned the other, no way dis- concerted ; md^, he seemed a person whose frank temper nothmg could disconcert. "But starvation is-excuse me— unpleasant; and necessity has no law. It is of vital conse- quence l^at I should reach Coltham to-night ; and after walkmg twenty miles, one cannot easily walk ten more, and afterwards appear as Macbeth to an admiring audience." " You are an actor ? " ^ ui«umj. ' I am, please your worship — i< Th»t jtnito Mid frete hit hoar apon th« ttam. And than u Man no more.' •» ^ ' fc^o^^'JJ'^t.'^^^P?^"^^® P***^°8 "> *»" *o°«» »nd y^iB fine Wh fS^ '?'°,"^ ^T*-^* ^'^ >»«' *»ke much to soften both John s feelings and mme towards the "poor player." Besides we had lately been studying Shakspea^e^ whof for tXed"^ar "^ "'^^°^' generally "sends alTyoing p;o^e " ^ou acted well to-day," said John ; " all the folk here took you for a Methodist preacher." 62 JOHN HALIFAX. John ""ought a moment, .nd ihen .nswered- ■ " tL f«,t fw' ^5' «"«, fphemo into your head ? •■ f^d^rae^.t.«:LTh£r^^ ?^« -^ John Philip Kemble " ^"''' "*8« hM ever aeen— hadtarflatS?,tthn U'^jr" "I^""- ^^. »oo. I saw the fa^fnato of M7charf J""*?'/"' '""'• upon him. It was no won^r' mJ~ hS^'^,'" '^"H^r tile talent, I never mw nf' . °? onUiant, more versa- from livelv to Xere " ' »?«.'"""*• ^""' «™™ «o g^. gentleman,\h1 SSr, li^S^'-S^" of Z''«"»,f '^^ a.wa^/»Xn.»e^i"»-^ '"- he led, I com^niont^rsaten^Tjr' k""!? ^''' '^U' "" *»« had washed fiis f^L a„^ T-,',"" ."""ok-aide. Mr. Charles we had indued hta.tSl tt' m":tZl<^"fc' L"''^^ our remnants of bread and cheZ ^^ '^*'*"' '» ''»'» again, eL ^A'St^^' '^lT^."i^ K'" >»«"• Johnson, a feUow of L ««.?!» j .^^T''"'' '"■'"Slit, is one hour, m;. aSta ? " "' "•* ''»'™ «'<»»■ What ta the Hm::"%n1ffl^Ii;;5'^jPj?a^ johearhim, f^^ ,he first worldlv noaaeSvin. „j a?5^'*''' "o watch amons bis i«g Hme-piei, tbe^'nf^lJts^J^oKT " "^ "^'■ s.tf^hrt^-/"-^'''- -'^^ »igS Kn; "What do you think, Phineas?" si k*. John, when WQ , TOHN HALIFAX. gg ^di!^™ hi^e nitlS'^"" ""° «'•"'' = " ^ "-e money mk^r'n-r StirJ^^-'-'^'/X the question whether or no it w^ aS ab^^M.T*' ^ /?"■«" »y either, «<3cu,tomedtorLrmy«?Srgo?riXn' '''r'T.!*'''^ «^ remained perfectly paiive * ^'' '" ^"'' " e^s. I ChaJk,S;!;^h^J^„^tl/in''dud' "™"' ■»»«'e,-Mr. too pleasant a man3f' to Lu^ff*"™' f™ """ ^^ ««« conversation was S-M/di™ " to „?** t''V"'?"','°8- »« '■■'^kf «'»U«l.b,'«Ipr«ddngaTtteS«'~'' "» '»" was^lSytno'^fSt'STh'^fh"'™ S '''"''^' «' "■« 'O^"- 1' definite t-S^ at ih ' ''° ""*"' "' *» ^»' » he had any han'^S'ts^and'SSSSSd Tvi^l?' "'" ^l""'™ "■'«'' of Yates, with their bSdrf^^f " °^ 'T ""^ ""at afewminntea-deLtooountta?^/"^"™^' f^'"^ «"««« hnmonredioking,af ^K^J^^J,,^' «-! <" good- I thought. ^ ' '^ ^^ ^^8^"J^ fl«si»ed and excited, " Phineas, are you tired ? " "NotataU." itdo;^£f;^r«»7^t«^^^C„lthan.. Wom. liked to go. sufficient to me that he eridently midnight. We\^'tehZ» sy Mrs. Siddons' deSre,' to t^e best places the house could aflford. ' It was a glorious night. At this distance of time wHat, t ook bwk upon it, mv old blood leaps aSn^ns. I rewat it was a glonoM ::!^ht I "^u^uh. x repeat, Before the ourtam rose, we had time to dance about .i«''>" of Arabia mil ntrtr time. BurtheriuVo wUr ed ™ th^T^ ""* '•"«" »■ the /„t eoucul o?Zir^n7;.w1rel !&» r esf JOHN HALIFAX. li! ^1 itlf-^^i'ti"''^ °^ .^'""^^B privately at us over the foot. ^n^ niu?S M.^?iT'^''f *"«?' "^ '^»" ^'^^ humorous niaht H?^- rii r .^^^«^- ^ '^e^'" saw him after that night. He IS stiU hvmg— may his old aire have been m peaceful as Lis vouth was kind ^d gay I ^ * Ihe play ended. There was some buffoonery still to oome agamst a post which was surmounted bv one of th« h«Jf brow'he U,^*^t SrJh*' /"»!'• . l'^'^^ ^" *^^«^ «^er his hlrJhlafK w ^ *^® ''®'^ night-air, and drew a deep, " J^n^'" ^*^ ^®'^ ^^®' ^ *'*^* you^jTi^ JSu ^id ?••'"' '^ "^^ *'°"^'«'- " What did nevIrtieiL.^' ^"' ^' "^ '" "^ *" «^^«^^ *^« ^'^^d f«>°» me. " Well," said he, after a pause, " we have hjul nnn pleasure, and it is over. Now, we must go ba^k to the oH ways agam. I wonder what o'clock "is ? " ^ «vn, ft^'^M answered by a church clock striking, heard olearlv B^^f^""^ town, i counted the strokes-fC / ^ Um« n % Tu' ^^^^ *' <^»® »°o*^e' by the light of the ten 5f ^ *^« "^^n^te we had taken io note of tin^ t^lTtTghfr'" ^^^^^'^^ ^^ «^' ^°"^« '« Norton fiSry , For, now the excitement was over. I turned sink an.! '"°. J S^^lmbs almost sank mider me. ^"'^ " What must we do, John ? " ^^ «nf 'l£fJ ^^' '*" ^'^i*? ®*«y- You cannot walk-you sbaU not walk— we must hire a gii? and drive homp i vT money enough-BU my monih'f wages-s^ 1 •• L feU^'' "W?^'V'''."^^'*^^°'^«'' ^" countenance g^wbLk Why I where is my money gone to ? " ^ ""• --m^Tkely ^iL wh '^'' ^* ""'' ^°°^ ^^^ irretrievably — S«2 ^S f? ®° ^*^®" ^® ^®'® so '..edged in the crowd rS^t I L^i?.*; °^^^^f °^ ^«^^'- And I had not a^groat. I had httle use for money, and rarely carried " WoiJd not somebody trust us ? " suggested I. JOHN HALIFAX. gg a minute, a^dS'Ilt^^. ^^"^'^ ^^ "^°- StiU-yes-stay hero with'^SosXt"^' °^' ^""^^^^*«^^' -»Yid, don't mind. I shall be well directly.'* 70 JOHN HALIFAX. I "Oh I Phinoas-Phinr ^.g I I fi,oaght I had killed von •• ashamed ol-;ret noed ::ot_s few tears. * "*° Baryr-' ' ' ^W-b^M How fc, are we JrorNorton " fm^^I^f-.. ^"'' =«-• •-■ ''-P- 1 -t"" carr, ,ou." mJlf? T°"' ' 'V'™ ?'"•« " '■<» ie'-a-aUIe already Com. The light broadened and broadenft*? • wh/i« -,« u ■• the£j?Lx: "J'pt^eVhSrf - -- - now ?^' ^ ^""- ^°" ^^" ^°°^« ^-^'^ ^ould not leave me He thought a moment, then said " No 1 " We looked up doubtfully at the house • th«r« «.«. watchers there. All the windows were dZl a« IftK^I '!'* peajjeful establishment ^eretZngits^;^^^^ early stirrmg of Norton Bury hoiSehold Fv^n^? if .'^i '^1 knocking was some time befSJeitTast'swe^rr '"'" ' ''^^ I was too exhausted to feel much : but I know ihn^ «„« up watching, or had suffered any anxiety, I never found ouf to bTsLn Z";;?! £^ ""^^ 'S* P *^® * ^^^nd's son ought- w De seen-the play-house. We knew that it wae by no JOHN HALIFAX. ^^ the hard dayliZ JhoK/;,!^ ''P*"*"^ ^*»« ^huitetB, that ■tern question- *'"*' "' "'«'« ^^ more-aekid tlie " Phineas, where hast thee been ? '» jonn ::,n8wered for me " A* s,. *u« i . « . %'t' r"! -»"P'f;'H»8«*e^ courage. l""^ My life here is J„ll' 7',»-'"" «». tempUUon was " Thee shaU have it." ' duml?" '"""• "'"' "»^ '"''■» «f » ™- struck u, boU, ••NS?'°da;:!?„„Y'a'n'&l^f' ""'' '»?? Halifax?.. •nine." (My father ahSkh^f V H "fJu* ''"^^<"> '««k of credality.j " arl-AbdPl..^i. '**;■•?',''' """emptuous in- B you '4m not belfeve me iSiT*^ ^ '^^ «*" y^" « «« ? Phjneas-No,no,«kUmnothin??Tf 5'"IC° '«?• Aak distress to the sofa where I hiSfcJlln * ni. d?*^ '" «"»' cruel I have been to youl" " Oh, Pbineas I how fcttertt jMde" •*"' "^'-^ P»»' »peaking-but my le^'«torr;n','1?.y't3fSi*'='^r'i ^^""^^ "»' taken in thee I" ^ ' °- • ""—I i"*™ been mis. ~p^ius?Sd''steMt^^f??i;'?',t^ """^ "». a>en of the world u^l"ut th^ ^f^, m* '^->»''8™«e that ebbi°^wl^ '" """ * """• '»<"'. f"" wlu-ilaf 'pride bad . W Wmtari^'ustdt" "t?^' ^ "«>»«) *ish, I meiit to live to^ iSf'. '^'V? ^"y- •>? "^ son's g«^^e to have tSe™ tf.^te SrS.'°^t; JS" '» might, f n JOHN HALIFAX. •• Bui" John .10^ per«eou/.Zt! ^^" * "'"'"' '«^'- Vhe door and called Jael. ®'"' °°^J^ ^e^^* ^^ bid jJS'g^^'"' ''" ^"^*° ^^"^^' I ^ad strength enough to again' oiS^byefpSL^^^ «^^ be friends After that dav thouiAhe W ZT ^°"?- , the tan-yard, anffigf fwml^Lj J^i'^' *?t '««^ai«ed in always acoidentally-Xr Xt Tv ^f ^'T ^ ^^'"^ ""^ bim. never once saw theVe of John ^^ij^' '^« ^^^S years i CHAPTER VII. conception olX'a tem°ble t.W tff""'"'^"' '"™ »» and TumuU stolkinK S inZ„?" ™-War, Famine, them. For Mwee/theXrl:Slr/o£S,i''L'^ '^^^ J^«r\S^??IS* f IV 1 o: > , n only JOHN HAUFAX. „ iimlprov«-lUiehuiuH~^!?.t^_"'» '"» o( demarcation. like evil biri outside Te dL 'li '"rJ' "'ykeP* lutliSff Patience sat, keeping our ite^^""'"'??"'!' *>««» 1 «>i aonietimes 80 stefn that I ?arS^ ^*''' ' ^''' ''''^ ■" '''■'■ -secretly, the ,ull\t i'c^ltttaZ: f^\ thoughtte C even X^"'>'''« '^''^~r^^7, 1 etin^c. heard of h^s leLr^f wT '° ^^""*^« ^"'^ t.u.,s, for I to buy grain-AL fL°?^ ^^^'^^^^ "P '^^d down England business^^e flot im ta J ^^'^'i? ^^^^ ^ his tanning familiar to John aTd meln ^ whose lazy whirr was si Journeys ,„y father °e,e?^^^^^^ ?"* o' tt-ese John at all. However hn mil'/ ,' ^^ "^"^^^ mentioned m business relations, I knew That In ^ '^ '^l'^''" ^'^'^^ ^^"^ inexorable. ' ®^ '^^* "» every otlier way he was banfor cltde^^^rieZ^^^^ No under- for my sake. I knew ouite w«i7 Tk *^® admit-no, not even openly, honourabfy, pSlv L i* "°*'^ ^^ ^°"^^ ""^^^ in father's doors. T^e^onlv h« h-^^^^^^ re-enter my two birthdays-mv fathpr »,; ,/ ^'.'^^'' ^ ^^e-on my unsealed lett^em^h^^^^^^^^^ ^« in silence t^J that I held, and alwavJshnnut ^5*' ^ *^'®*^^' ^^^ s"re of- friendship.' NotWng^mot °^^' ""^ '^^^'^ ^^^ i^ tia dlsc^ve'redtb/tmVaS * 1!"^^' ^^^rwards forking lot of the lost Bm' hJ^T ^^ ^"^° *^« ^ar*■■? ■ JOHN HALIFAX. ,y^ co.tedth"din14Ti^,1."S'- "*'"»«■'• '" " '".e who She gave a dimmed «ffirma«ve. pastry ktokrhrw.f.;KrStJ»trfS~^^ ^? "k"' "" h.8 flour in h.»X^?BW,1°'hi;'."«'' *S?J *^«'«ker '»»•»' Jb^a^ i» theCd?TC?h:ed''""' """'" **"" " I not pity toe Z^f O^TkL j""""' ■*»* '»'■»/»«, do old throat, and^ck on? in ? «*;%, wund her withered Alas! it's gCarS starcU^re i^^^^^ *J°"*^' P'««°°- peared nothin/but a hfl^n nf « i ! ^^Pa'ted; it now ap- Poor Jael I f new thi'i w^s thJSH '^"^ y^"^^'^^ "^"«liS. she could have made vn rnf,M °***^u®?'*' P^''^^"*^ sacrifice father did the sTe ' ^ °''^*^ °°* ^''^P ^^"^"g 5 even my disUnguisfable fcom toe "n"^;^ ^J^' u^^^'^'y as»ui.,gravely and nnshrin^?^ ^J^f'^^f^ .."-^f^. and'mo8t',^!^'n^Swin^r.'' '''^"'' ''FP'"'""^ *» ""o I„t poor folic tolto^""^ Z^ Sh).?,' S' T» V ""l" "" rich folk toere^ U J.^ •■'"?' ?'^° ^ury, and toe Take heedt to;idfrAlmX""''''' "»"« '"»'~ P"«- «jeS'^;trthttifi^Jeircel'd"Zaf.r »'- •nonage, toe mors he raffei^H! hf j^"",'*' "'^ »"'« '» Which left him con,iderSf;':;iaut.!""'w\M;lt'li"t 7« JOHN HALIFAX. were sitting in the room alone, he said relieved, he e*^*^ I to me~- "Father I" much, and after mu^ advSfcSmTL^h Tf' '"'i'"' »» God only knows how terrible those " riots " wpr* . ^u JOHN HALIFAX. ^ rot ?'lat' p£ Tnd'SSl^ "'^^"^T^- Norton Bury waa and feverl t^Sp the ilf>. J*^' •Sundance of smaU-pox it was chiefly aSut o^Lin^a?. numerically. Jem S disturbance lay. '" ^''^ ^'^^ tan-yard that the " And where is na'^ father ? " didB w'**"'' '"'°''" "<" '"k^ very much as if he ■"l'"i';"Sn^'^J^? "iH^T-Z-ffi"" -rather... too. course, despite aU her opposition, I went pne^i'L^^Silft r .^"tl'r^st ?"" '":^. *""<»'• -* lowsr down the river I ..1,S^ " ""'"'" "■"' «■•« UrI -cutter if she W whe« n.v /fK^^' '"«'"*"<^ thou-ht he was "" ^''- Halifax Mr. HaUfax. ""P^ "" •""^ wouid come to I.haWb^^'rnT't^Jtrf fo'"' %«T off'-"- did not know John hadT„it „i "'/T'^. ""« K^s. I Halifax." "" '^°"' '■^""■^y to bo called " Mr. «t«™^" TeToMt'srelvl'" '^" '''" «" »^ '""- miU_»nd John was there. TefriMv^.?'""' f '" 6° to U>e but my duty lay with my father ^ "' "^ '"»'•' *"<'8'', the t'p?t^.'TwiSt't :h'r'e„rof"tr''^r"ff' y '«'™" ^T'l "l** ■"'."■ What a h:i^hoVrYt 'waff '"'' '°°'"^ '''"^" Johfa.!5l'h^^tl''^eistl,'°«S °" '^"''-V'-P "■'«« twenty ; I wonders. i?^£e we'^^ite^^ "'' """ ^ "">"> "■«" " Oh, David ! David I " T th t for any sounds abroad in the to^^ - * Vhlf ^c/''*f ?'t^ ^^"-^^ Larm came to thee ? " ^*^^a, wbat should I do if any it w?s"nof myVthtTli?^rstS."^^^ ^-^^ ^o. sprang from tfie bark 4ap '^ ' ^"''^''•' y^^^^^r. I " Phineas I " "John!" P'oXl^a^VkiT^" ^^^l,,-"!^ ' **»« ««^^«'«' they say." look form? 'g^^:^'^' '^^^^^ ^« "«^*- ^ --' go and •• Nay, dear John I " yariU/rer'"' H^ILT..^^^^^ "^^ "^^ ''^"»^' «»*«' «»« tan- «8*««1«„ r ^ ^*^ **""°fi^ earnestly, and my father waa iMtening-aye, listening, and to John Halifax I RirfXiIIf ever the argument was if fo;i«^ * namax i uut what- kroublfir? Jnff -f T ' " ""®^ *o move him. Greatly ^^ Venly . «„d „,, fajter, mU. . bittef and meaning ^«^_notdo what be „ bent on doing-go to thfrniu iiii«k f™.'^'" "?' V ^l"" ^'«'°''«' 8»id. plantiiiK his oaken .^4arhfas.l;;thria!:^ ui^gMaWtTtu^ 1 gught his arm-" Father, do not go." My son/ said he. turning on mo one of his " iron JOHN HALIFAX. ^j, nam. of which nothii/oouM.S!SSii^J' '»^' "onlded with me, £aU. If thosa MlnL^W •; ,*"> *'«> 'O' Umt would live ~M .U^,'t^hTt^7!:"i'r1l'^"»»".I qu«teti BOW, they sh7: havt nothf„^'"?f'^-,f'"""e» "» wisdom Mother li4. Get thL ^ SL.^p^" *'^ "«»' J«el, go thou Ukewise." """'• ^'"">«a8. my son ; my S'tLS:'"'" "*"'• """■ •■«" me back as I was following disappeared. ^ ' *°^ ^ ^^"^^'^e^ I'Jm. For Jael, she along'th^rr^^sSr^^^h^^^ wHe^^'^^r^ ^ *^« -"• reached the spot, it was dZ^^A u\ i° ?^®°«®- '^Vhcn we we heard a scuVin/ LidTw J ^"' '.f'^^^^' ^^^'^ '^e ri^^r down our gardenwafl "" * ''^^^ «^ ^^^ breaking .et a^if j^^^^^^^^ S.'ffiL^^"^-^' John ; . .e'll entrance, and that was bar^rili^^* ^u?""?*^ door-the only i..d good n^ to beTin 'ucMimTs' "''''' *^"«^ ^«^«- l' -achtrTlr/,,r5e"&^^^^^ -P^cially the my father to the toS^ we follow^' There were very mLy • enoSi in ff "^^ ? ' ^*&« ^^ &«^i«. ,I»rge fortune by4cir^ fortune ''' ''"""''' ^^ mike a hves. ' '"''^ ^^"^'^e, wrung out of human ;; Oh f how could my father-" Bu'f whi e wt^ff aid'witi; a^ '" ? ''V'^ ^«-- ' smile, Abel Flet^heV^ia h,^ baTrih ^f '^*^^^ ^"^^ M bags of ffold— wfl hTa^ „ k ^®' ?^orth almost as much The rioters C come ^ ^^"^mering at the door below Miserable .« rioters ? "-A handful of weak, starved men 80 JOHN HALIFAX. i^5!"*W tC'iu-bJI'^JOf'- One pfatol-rtot migh, 810.^1 „ their foroTsMmL {Kf'""" "^^ • n""" of pmS. " Abel Pietei^, ^Td"*'* *3*'«^« ' " «"am» father, leJw Z" „f' h^*""" '» y»' J^ l">«vee " from bdow. ™"' '"««" 0' tnumpb, answered him ..iP;'^' "■"' '«'?■' said myt!a,/J^.i"'"^^ ^"'^ »' '«»'-" "Not because they forced Sf, „™. ' *'°PP"'e '""ort. !»«»«« it was ri^ht/' yo^-not to save jour life-bul ,B«1th|??ul-^.tj^,JoL.HaIif... ^.^J^T^^^'Cof '8:^U- ^S ?!?•-»'« effort r-h,8 failing strength .^ Jed l?hL''-d''°^ such a deed instant more he had eoV f?« k u ^?? ^"^ t^-eWed. Li m r^t t "^^' ^"«^ wo^^la'rdWt h'°"^' *?« ^^^^^ '"e'below. *"*™ ^as ita heavy gpUsh in the ^ght'^ti^t^taUtSTTr"?'"- -^ " the very "ose Some plun^into the watr T' t'"'' »»« ^^'pS' ths fallmg mass hrf cea^ LY ■» ' *" "■» ^-^dies left b» suteance in the rive^^^h"^'' 7^,«<» '»'»• A sha?^ thrown up to the surfaM^^d ^ki i'^* J^^' ">« "« saw t^T'l">'*»"''8S 1 fl liu^"*" ""» Avon. '»f»?.,tf«e';tl'em,clutSkhandMh' "" "■*" '^"n. «' the millpool the river naaJtt^fl^L''^'^.'"' there-bat by d3ri; ^*"'" "hat A^k^^^'fhe"'!™' "^ »" «»° ''In an instant he had «o, the bag half through the window •• John Hall/ax, Gentleman] [I'iine 80 JOHN HALIFAX. gj Jan7r Jt ?;L!t„.I^H*XNl''e St '^ "" •"■' •"' he j*-iis, I had never yet hea?d irr«vn^«/. ' Tl""^ "'*" " on h s lips. It was a%gKat would n^n ''"^ ^^'^"g^'^i^^sly that I thinttVtranVS anger past, he. ever a just lAan couldnnV ^^.^^'''^^y^^ri of my father. scouting outside, and then turned to ^in&ZiZtr^' """'• ^"' * ^««««<1 to lose-they "Let them." "* "Let them ?— and Phineas is here I '• My poor father I He rose at once '^^^^^^^^^ ,^--bis ruddy narrow river. It wa?o„ly a few «£'^''',V" -^^^ ^««t'-« of the . bank. The little door S onThe Stl^S^^' T^ ^« «'^ber hid from the opposite shore wwAif"^"'^ '''^«' an^ ^vas l?cted.^ In a'Sinute wrha&?^^^^ ^^i "ow col- sight, in the narrow path wWch hL i ^' *"? '^'^^^^'^ out of to the tan-yard. ^ "'^ ^''^ ^"^ ^aade from the mill John led him pa'sfve'/aJ^ng" ^° ' ^*^*"^«^^ 1"iet tone, as -ot}^:^^'^^^^^^^^ Yourlife's , ^ Abel Fletcher made a deS S? '''^^'*" ^^ puard it." eld Quaker held to his princi^'e^ st 1?'"" ''''''''■ ''^^ «^-n Ihen you must hide for a timn h^iu * jnyroora. You will be securVthern IT Z-^"* ^«"^« *« for your sake and his own •' ^^^"^ ^*^' I'hineas- p4ilZr?^:.h?"tt^^^^^^^^ T^«^ «o urging, the fi.st time in his life he leatd uZ "f ""k^'- ^^^^'^'^ '^^ led whither tb choso. So, after thl^n^ ^^ ^'"bmitted to bo once more stood in Sally \\4tkhi.'Ll^f '"^^''**^ o^ time, I since I *5— * >•— ,. . /r. V "aiKins small auio • ».,i. — ' ti... ..n.^.ht him tli.... John Halifax had lIvX '"" JOHN HALIFAX. ir.jffi WY- '-^s'^»^ IK t- -o "WhUherf"«M ""/'"•off-" must booJc« «{.; a . ® ^0'"«er was full nt .1 ^ *^ ^^^ a cosy Cowper, Akeaaidte, Md pl?p°"/"'" '"""'"re of the dlv? ■■'■m^< w JOHN HALIFAX. b3 215!^ of pasteboard— into which the lensos were ingeniously fitted. A rough telescope-stand, o( common deal, stood on uao ledge of the roof, from which the field of view must have boon satisfactory enough to the young astronomer. Other fragments of skilful handiwork, chiefly meant for machinery on a Lilliputian scale, were strewn about the floor; and on a chair, just as he had left it that morning, stood a loom, very snaall in size, but perfect in its neat workmanship, with a few threads already woven, making some fabric not so very unlike cloth. ^ I had gone over all these things, without noticing thit my father was awake, and that his sharp eye had observed them likewise. "The lad works hard," said he, half to himself. " Ho has useful hands, and a clear head." I smiled, but took na notice whatever. Evening began to close in— less pcaceiuUy than asnal— ever Norton Bury ; for, whenever I ventured to open the window, we heard unusual and ominous sounds abroad in the town. I trembled inwardly. But John wa^ prudent, as well as brave: besides, "everybody knew bim." Surely 1 -^ was safe. Faithfully at supper-time, Jem entered. Tut he could tell us no news; he had kept watch all the time on the staircase, by desire of " Mr. Halifax "—so he informed me. My fntuer asked no questions— not even about his mill. From his look, sometimes, I fancied he yet beheld in fancy thof« starving men fighting over the precious food, destroyed so wilfully— nay, wickedly. Heaven forgive me, his son, if I too harshly us3 the word ; for I think, till the day of his death, that cruel sight never wholly vanished from the eyes of my poor father. ^ Jem seemed talkatively inclined. Ho ob^sr^'ed, that " master was looking sprack agin ; and wam't this a tidv room, like ? " ^ I praised it; and supposed Lis mother was b3tltr olf now. "Ay, she be. Mr. Halifax pays her a good rent ; and she sees 'un made comfortable. Not that ho wants much being out pretty much all day." " What is he busy about of nights ? " ♦' Laming," said Jem, with an awed look. «« He's terrible wise. But for all that, sometimes he'll teach Charley and me a bit o' the Beadamadeasy." (Beading-made-easy, I ,«"'?»rB:ic."-T' .itm MICROCOPY RBOIUTION TIST CHART (ANSI and ISO TEST CHART No. 2) i.O 1^ ■ 2.8 |M U£ ■ 12 mzA US us Im u 1 ^2 1.8 ^ APPLIED IMHGE Inc 1653 East Main Street Rochester, New York 14609 USA (716) 482 - 0300 - Phone (716) 288-5989 -Fax 84 JOHN HALIFAX. HaWnx-- ""^^ ">"• Her saj.s, that her do JXr ge«»gas°pV4''a'sth:^."''' '"^'^^'y. "'Vow father is own home. No?S,d theTI h^fS"'''^ A'^doubuSs'^u; thing about " t,h« i.,V u.?™' "«?ni my father m,..."r.l.'="' j-jbout ..the .ad being saf^^?"'fL^'J-,.-t^-T rasthemVl,* °' -^ """y thing ^ prayed. TIius the night wore away. A"™ „id„i„h. I . CHAPTER Vm. would'' disturb rf ^J'?' ^onnJ sleeper T i "' "■" "" ■^"^"^""'^ ">-S;e ^/SrvTde"d"'d';^f JOHN HALIFAX. y kind 'o, Mr. father, ad any I folk house . well ant— lere's Jacob It fell Jown er 13 )me- low, 3on- cur me- >nly 85 of as or ly It g was at an end. I left him, and crept downstairs into Sally Watkins* kitchen. It was silent, only the faithful wardtr Jcni, dozing over the dull fire. I touched him on thd shoulder— at which he collared me, and nearly knocked mo down. " Beg pardon, Mr. Phineas— hope I didn't hurt'ee, sir ? " cried he, all but whimpering ; for Jem, a big lad of fifteen, was the most tender-hearted fellow imaginable. "I thought it were some of them folk that Mr. Halifax ha* gone among." " Where is Mr. Halifax ? " " Doan't know, sir— wish I did ! wouldn't be long a find- mg out, though— on 'y he says : ' Jem, you stop 'ere, wi* they,' " (pointing his thumb up the staircase). " So, Master Phineas, I stop." And Jem settled himself, with a doggedly obedient, but most dissatisfied, air, down by the fire-place. It was evident nothing would move him thence : so he was as safe a guard over my poor old father's slumber as the mastiff in the tan- yard, who was as brave as a lion, and as docile as a child. My last lingering hesitation ended. " Jem, lend me your coat and hat— I'm going out into the town." Jem was so astonished, that he stood with open mouth while I took the said garments from him, and unbolted the door. At last it seemed to occur to him that ho ought to intercept me. *• But, sir, Mr. Halifax said — " " I am going to look for Mr. Halifax." Ai a I escaped outside. Anything beyond his literal duty did not strike the faithful Jem. He stood on the doorsill and gazed after mo with a hopeless expression. "I s'poseyou mun have your way, sir; but Mr. Halifax said, ' Jem, you stop y'ere,'— and y'ere I stop." He went in, and I heard him bolting the door with a sullen determination, as if he would have kept guard behind it — waiting for John — until doomsday. I stole along the dark alley into the street. It was very silent— I need not have borrowed Jem's exterior, in order to creep through a throng of maddened rioters. There was no sign of any such, except that under one of the three oil- lamps that ht the night-darkness of Norton Bury, lay a few smouldering hanks of hftmp, well resined. They, then, had thought of tbat dreadful engine of destruction— fire. Hud 86 JOHN HALIFAX. If my terrors bsen truo » r, ,. ' What noters ? •• "^ ' -"tore were tho riotera ? "" '^ ^ ?;r ""'^ '^^^ »- - -'-o„. "And m! *^°^^-" ''^ <• vK' T "" '" "' '"''■" ''^"' "- = - - That was ^h'e ttlit^t,^ ^'^ ^elp Quakora." o? ™&' J"?"«. ^^^ femes Z l™'"-'" 'ho^ tioa oFEi,l;t. ^ ' 'tey knew ofTh«^,?'?»''°-'''™«t3 wasfi.'-f /rit"^^i^,' "i"!,-'^ V-^-'O-^ i' now S W, shining agai^su 'e boleT otZ "■? ^''-'Cd; n^i rioters." ® ^"^^fc of that small bodv 1? ' ' ^^*' A mere handful tu^ »tuck»ath':r\'"cj»T^4 - ^^^ 01 the road humeri i , , **^ » ^t stood ud on f k^ a^ "®'' I heard a tt ^ "*" ° ' ^^ ^ B»', in the eager seufflp *? f ''" ' ^iaze 'un out •• )S0 JOHN HALIFAX. 57 tm* ftLffhf.'"^ "^u"" ^'T ^^^°^ '^« tree-nor found him tiU after the angry throng had rushed on to the nearest lamn Hril£rro7nd t *"'"t ^^°'^"« closelo otrnti} n^^^^^ over the It^nlrl.^' 1/ none were by, and then sprang " John ? "' *' *' ''^'' ^ *^°"^^* ^ recognised him, coul7youdo-ll..''^ "^^ ^^'^« ^^ '^ - bound. "How Koo'^^ ''°"]'^ "^^ anything to-night. But you are safe • no one has harmed you. Oh thank God, you afe not h^t ! '" '"''^ so bng, so soreV' ^^' ^'^"^^ '"^"^' ^^^^ ^ ^^^ -«3ed si4!^td^Ult;:;t^^^^^^^^^^^^^ - -^-' -^/ -t have ^a&;S XSTll^ =!^^ ''-' ' ^^^ " Who IS there?" i.ro"i*?i' ^^® ^^ *^ Srood as a staff of constables- she has beTrecfly." '"'' *^"^°"'*' ^^' ^^^^'- ^^ck aga"', or w3! " And the mill 9 " "Safe, as yet; I have had three of the tan-vard men know "7tJ!t'^y ^''""^S' *b°"gb yo^r father dldTo" and here taUinf Slf th f '■ T^ ^1° ^H ^^^^' ^^'^^^^ ^^^ere Severn mill. W,- f . !u^ ".°t*®'^ ^^^^'^^'^ ^ome back from the toevern mills. Hist I there they are-I say. Jael '> " unbS.redT« /' *^^^i'^<^o^• In a fe/'seconis Jael had unbarred the door, let us in, and closed it again securelv mounting guard behind it with something thaf looked veJ; like my father's pistols, though I would not dscredit^ '"•^LroP trd 7r^^ ^^ PO-tively stating theTcf '" K«, • II u ^*^^ ?®^°' ^'*»en we stood altogether in tho barncaded house, and heard the threatening murmur of voices and feet outside. "Bravo, Jaell The wife of HeLr thf Kenite was no braver woman than you ! " ^ room to tt' '''''^''' ^"' '°"^^'^^ J^^^ -b^^iently from John \^L''V^- tTJ:\\Z^)^- -^ ^ --^b^e lad, wasthrtenintus now. '"^ "^"" ^'^^"^^ ^^ ^ ^- that " They can't mean it — surelv fhov «o«'^ », ;i 68 JOHN HALIFAX. Z^^^^^^^^^ t^e attic window wa one at the house^-butU fell h„''7^' ««°^etiiMeg throrrin- John, as well aq T r.>« -r -, "^^oua , ," I'll spel to thl " h^ "' ^^'" "'''""'k sight doin^g, Jael ? " -^^ght-with these ?-What are vof the C^^^^^^ I,3t Book in Stan es-and with it ^^str^^tto'^l^^^^^ ^i'^^^m" back ^hl ""T ^°^^ J«*J' not this -^"P/^°^«° pane. S* u® volume in its place Lf ,^ ^® carefully pufc might have read, as day SLr dat ij^^"^" ^° which he Christians generally do read «2' f^ ^^^'^ *^*er year, we "Love your enemieir-.S^f^f ?J*'° ^^^^s as these^ for them that despite ully use yoStni^"* ^"'^^ ^^^ ' " '' PmT A mmute or two JohJ stoo^ L*fi? P^'s^cute you." ^^ "mnTf. ^^ on the'X'ult^ '^°'^^^^^^«' t^^^king. old, that wTLlLost'Z' Wh7tb^"T P^^°--* ^east, one so *'"'•,.,, '' "^ "■« '^'■''°'' wide, «d leant ^' '^ ^ ^^e roaring sea. The JOHN HALIFAX. 89 «SS^ TV.? • T*' * '^°'''' ^' "^'s«"e8, Which missed their SV Jf \" k'" "^^'^ ^"^ ^" ^ff-^**' spiked iron railing eight feet high or more, being a barrier which none had vet TthTchelt "'^' ^"* '* ^'°^'^ °"^ ^^"^^"^ stone hftJo'h'n' I pulled him in, but he declared he was not hurt. Tern- fied, I implored him not to risk his life. " Life IS not always the first thing to be thought of " said ^;fr"^;^ "?^?i \'. ^^^^^^-I «b^" ^ome to no harm Kl^Tu"" ""^f* K^^^^ "g^*' if it is to be done." .•n„o ! 1 -^^ \^^®' ^ '^°"^'* ^^'^^^y ^ear him for the bellow- mgs outside. More savage still grew the cry- Burn em out ! burn 'em out 1 They be only Quakers ! " is tha?a"LL??*..^ """*^ '' lose-stop-'let me^h7nk-/ael, nf rfiin**!?1'"v,?® 5.*^^' ^^°^^°S i' o^«' to ^^^ ^ith a kind Frieif. ^^ *• ^^'^^^i^ly' J*«l ^as not born to be a u ;i'^^^u ,?^ ?°^° stairs, and before I guessed his purnose of stTni'^f n^' ^""-/r ' ^".^ ^*^^ «" t^« t<^P oitheTshi of steps in full view of the mob. A JnoT ^s'^o bringing him back, so of course I followed, iof cTosfblhind hTr' '^ "°^ ^'^^'^ '^ ^'^^ °^^' *^-^^ ^ c*.«r^ Vk ^®° ^^^• ^^,®° ^'^ ^^*' tb^t even the rioters did not ffaSc^f T "''''''?' f 'Nearly understood it, till the next SfS, 1,1*^^ f^^ri *^'°^ *^^ y°"°g "^a^^ sta'iding there Tpu *° *^® door— 0M- °^° continued. <' All be -It was /«•. wheat, notCL./ ^v? ^°"' ^^^ ^^^^t. Even so likea with his own ? '^ ^°"'- ^^^^ ^^t a man do whit h3 a ^J'^t'S:^^^ There is always British mob. ^ ^"^*'^® '» a mob — at least, in - too."Nr;ou"St:J°r&r^ Vou tried threat.' ^"■'JJSa'LVolettFr^^^^^^^^ the first one of you 4ho at eS^^f V ''^"''«- Look here- JOHN HALIFAX. 01 shoot you, poor, starving fellows ! I know what it is to bo hungry. I'm sorry for you -sorry from the bottom of my heart. ' There was no mistaking that compassionate accent, nor the murmur which followed it. "But what must us do, Mr. Halifax?" cried Jftcob Barnes : " us be starved, a'most. "SVhat's the good o' talkiu" to we ? .John's countenance relaxed. I saw him lift his head and shake his hair back, with that pleased gesture I remembered so well of old. He went down to the locked gate. " Suppose I gave you something to eat, would you listen to me afterwards ? " There rose up a frenzied shout of assent. Poor wretches ! they were fighting for no principle, true or false, only for bare life. They would have bartered their very souls for a mouthful of bread. " You must promise to be peaceable," said John, again, very resolutely, as soon as he could obtain a hearing. '« You are Norton Bury folk, I know you. I could get every one of you hanged, even though Abel Fletcher is a Quaker. Mind, you'll be peaceable ? " " Ay— ay I Some'at to eat ; give us some'at to oat." John Halifax called out to Jael ; bade her bring all the food of every kind that there was in the house, and give it to him out of the parlour window. She obeyed— I marvel now to think of it— but she implicitly obeyed. Only I heard her fix the bar to the closed front door, and go back, with a strange, sharp sob, to her station at the hall window. " Now, my lads, come in ! " and he unlocked the gate. They came thronging up the steps, not more than two score, I imagined, in spite of the noise they had made. But two score of such famished, desperate men, God grant I may never again see 1 John divided the food as well as he could among them ; they fell to it like wild beasts. Meat, cooked or raw, loaves, vegetables, meal ; all came alike, and were clutched, gnawed, and scrambled for, in the fierce selfishness of hunger. After- wards there was a call for drink. *' Water, Jael ; bring them water." " Beer I " shouted some. "Water," repeated John. "Nothing but water. I'll have no drunkards rioting at my master's door." And, either by chance or design, he let them hear the click OS JOHN HALIFAX. II famine, thoy turned sick and fun "i* /"'^'^""^ "^'^^^ iong >vith broad in thoir nimUhr u„aWn' 7'^ '^'T'''^ '^°^^» ^ven gorged tbcmsolvos to the full a^,,,/" T**^'"^^ '^' Othera supine as satisfied brutes On '^." ^''^ ^^^ng the steps rational hmnan bein4 an,l ?,"^^ * ^^'^^ «»* '^n'l ate ifko Bhrill.yoiced man, w^ aikSdlneTbrr:- ^l"/ ^"«' *^« «"'«! broad fo the old wench at hon^ ? '' ^^^' " ^^' ^ ^'^^ o' Jangernow." ^ ^'^®"fc' o^ >'ou ; but there is no I stoofskff b^jZ^'s^^Srv".'* T'"" ^°^ ^'^^'J Fletcher's s^n „ , " Well, n/y n^n,'' he 11?,^^^' ^'^'^ P^^''^^- " have you had enough to eat ?'''^'"^ round with a smile, .^,^'^3^'"^'"^^ all cried. ^That"s rThf i^'V;' '^^^'^"^^ the Lord I " Lord.."\^L:Sd -l^n^r- a-r-^-e. '-the morr-ng "-and he pointed to t},l ^ " ^^'^'^^ *h'« summer s^y-" this quiet, blessed .l! '''''" J"'* reddening in iho noting, bringing 'ourselves toS'' if'^'"'"^' fuming and to starA-ation!" ^ '^' '"^ ^^^ gallows, and your children o* the little 'uns a? home ? ^ - ' ^^^ " ^vhafl/ become «eemed^^,i„gdesperateTgain «.;Y^^^^^^ ^1"^^/'" ^nd he John turned aw^, his StenTn.^ ^ ^** ^?^^ somehow." the men packed t h^m Cbehinr ^'"^ '''' ^^°'h- of on ; I dok r'fg"rud:e%?lttr^ ''^' ' ^^«t t^oe a rug to sleep *»Be^' he might-I donTsav Th»?i?' "'* "^f? ' "™ "Po-our JOHN HALIFAX. 08 iins " — cams tho eame, too, who ha.l spoken of his •♦ little .:,na looked steidily in John's face. " I knew thee as a lud : thee'rt a younff man now rr will 10 a father some o' these days. Oh I Mn Zirfax; ly^ ne er want a meal C good meat for the miss.H anT^tl^ babbies at home, if ee'll get a bit ' bread fcr our^n this " My man, Til try." He called me aside explained to me, and askel my advice and consent, as Abel Fletcher's son, to a plan that hud co ne into his mind. It was to write orders which cad man pre^senting at our mill, should receive a certain amoun" of '• Do you think your father would a^ree ? " " I think he would." An,i'vL^n' ^°}u %^*^®'^' pondering, "I am sure he would. And, besides if he does not give some, he may lose all. Bu am not afraid. Give me soma paper, Jael." He sat down as composedly as if he had been alone in the counting-house and wrote. I looked over his shoulder admiring his clear, firm hand- writing ; the precision con centrativeness and quickness, with which he seem^.d ^ ?ulTThl'fc'"h *-'° ^'iT*^^^' ^^^«- He possessed to thi full that - business faculty, so frequentlV despised but which, out of very ordinary material, often makes a clever riio^lerfgTeitti;^ ''' ^^--' -- ^>- - tz '•N?;\"hadttte^nT.*'^ "'"^' '^'° ^"^^^^^ ^'^^^'^ " Why so ? " mmXnT "" "°'"= ^™' '"*" ""Sht think it pre. " Presumption ? after to-night ! " I obeyed. If ycu had come to burn his house down v-mi i /v ^' . , the co.st.bIes « the soldiers, ha4 rtofdZ' on^^haYf^^ vo' like mad dogs, and sent the ether half to the ccu„™ ed JOIIU HALIFAX, »^'-o«' father homo -4«tVo[i\:{|f:/-«a,-herret fete^^^^ "TwtfouirrV ° '''"•'"»'«'««"ca% ho , " No," John aVswe-ed ^ '"? ™° ' " ■•10 looked ama?Pi1 «< cr . |-itts\^5 p^f on- -™ - 1 tat-. arne, the givmg of whici, JOHN IfALTFAX. 9: ♦^„«m"'' ***'''i"^ ?*^*^ '**'^' *^*^ ««' 80 Jo"g. tis hands lockod together on his knees, and his hat draw, down hiding a the face except the rigid mouth and chiu-sat «o Jnn^ motionless, that we became uneasy ' '"^ '°"^' "^ spoko'n ° '^''' *"" *"'"' ^'^"^' '^^"^^^^ '^^ « «°» ^vouKl have home ^'^ ^°" "''^ ^"^^ '*^^^ ^ C^"^"! I ^«lP you to walk My father looked up, and slowly held out his hand. thank the^."''' ^'° " ^^ ^^^' '^^^ » ^^^^ ^'^ to us ; I There was no answer, none. But all the words in t)u world could not match that happy silence. ^^'' ily degrees, we got my father home. It was iuot snri. another summer morning as the one. two veaTback XJ vnnn^""®'^!"^' .perhaps, of that bitterness rankled in the Lome m, said my father, looking up. If 1 am welcome ; not otherwise." Thee art welcome." He came in— I drew him in-and sat down with us 1^m» jnstico-or I then belS so VVh J T r '',"'• ""' ""'y abo^ut to ao. i3 stm n;:;:vi^ioe^^'rhiX''i\rtL^ Twenty. , T^en for one year from prentice " busine my 'nrentirfi fVinnrrfiTv, "T* ^^^^ ""^*^' ^ ^^^^ take thee as ofVbus^:^ ari'L''''l.'^l?:^^.'.^'-?y "^"'y. as much able to '^ as I do. At twei^-.o^^ffiewrbe n 90 JOHN HALIFAX. ■'-J, liurceiy, into John's steiuiffL^i \ ' '°®" sternly ba^t ,nsoine nieasure taken tha. Z^'V'"^'"^^'' ^^^ deal with iheo as thou dealest wh J ' P^"'"^* ^% Goi only son I " ^ "^'^^^s' w»to my son Phineas— mj AmlT" i " u""'*" *^^ solemn answer not . ra^:;^r^^ now . , ,,, no John Halifax kept that vow ^"""'^^ whether o^ .. ,V 1 CHAPTER IX. r^^^^^T!^^^,^^ garden without »>f'en 111 a month. However von t. *f ' ^"i individual has abundant energies, and be quiet'' "'' '^^^ ^^^^ '^^^■ ness dTd"nornr^L"fLlr,',f ^ '^^* ^'^^^ -«^- But sick- n^ind and body, that Itt e usJ/'J^^^^^^^^ ^"P «^^e, John was by. He eavp mt> o7 .? ^°' ^* never did when He was I'Je'Lndtaltrto nie'^S'hiTT'^^^ '^S^ P^^^^^^^^^^ his way of turning all minor TmnKT >ave cheerfulness- they seemed to break anrvan?,h ^^' '°'° Pleasantries, till foam on the top of the wave Yet .*i7?k' '^^^^^^S' lilve the well that he could meet Z great L^^^^^^^ one knew «hip meets a heavy sea-brSnlTf f g* ^antly as a good ^^CVt " '""'I * gorsh?p°can^^""^"^ '"'^'^^ i' or that^^^^^^^^^ ^^rr^^tj^^ ^re.. riot, and Jhal If I always had him bSe m« T .k 'i .'"'"' "»"*- 1 '«" •lown; listen o^hVScwst'^/Tn^ '■'''' ''"8-n. Now, sit what the world is do.W 'T ' "h'^'^'PrV?" ""'"i «i to with the new century it bniL th- '" ^ ''"'"« something vo., odd at iijst to ,i:l t'„T4'!'f8,^T-.. «-^ » -' -S -.«rstiess„„rk\^ro'}fc^"';,.J^'' ^o» '-ember JOHN HALIFAX. 97 •' And Mr. March— wkat of him ? " " I haven't Lhe least idea. Come now, shall I read the He read well, and I liked to listen to him. It was I remembrr, something about *' the spacious new quadran^^les to be called Russell and Tavistock Squares, with ele^alitlv laid-out nursery-grounds adjoining." " It must be a fine place, London." "Ay ; I should like to see it. Your father says, perhaps he shall have to send me, this winter, on business- Avoii't that be fine ? If only you would go too." I shook my head. I had the strong^^st disinclination to stir from my quiet home, which now held within it, or about It, all I wished for and all I loved. It seemed as if any « liange must be to something worse. ^ "Nevertheless, you must have a change. Dr. Jcssop insists upon it. Here have I been beating up and down the country for a week past—' Adventures in Search of a Country Jlesidence'— and, do you know, I think I've found one at last. Shouldn't you like to hear about it ? " I assented, to please him. " Such a nice, nice place, on the slope of Enderley Hill A cottage— Rose Cottage— for it's all in a bush of cluster- roses, up to the very roof." "Where is Enderley?" " Did you never hear of Enderley Flat, the highest table- land m England ? Such a fresh, free, breezy spot— how the wind sweeps over it I I can feel it in my face still I " And even the description was refreshing, this heavy, sultry day, with not a breath of air moving across the level valley in which Norton Bury lay. ^ Shouldn't you like to live on a hill-side, to be at the top of everything, overlooking everythin*^ 9 "Well that's Enderley : the village lies just under the brow of the Flat." " Is there a village ? " "A dozen cottages or so, at each door of which half-a- dozen white little heads, and a dozen round eyes appeared staring at me. But oh, the blessed quiet and solitude of the place! No fights in filthy alleys! no tan-yards— I mean "—he added, correcting himself—" that it's a thorough country spot; and I like the country better than the town." " Do you, still ? Would you really like to take to the 98 JOHN HALIFAX. " Then we'll begiii : boa^^^e oC„?oT;i;i;';f "^-^ '"^ P-^s on the'chesi •r^flineas, don't cmv +i.« Pomn myself. Bu'tt^Vont^r" ^'"P'^-^'- « »on,m„„ aboLdt&4-P^,g^-Ie„ I ,.,ey ; the flat ohiefl. JOHN HALIFAX. 99 -an old gentleman— but he laichen at Rose Cottage. Now, though Mrs. Tod is a fiececc comely woman, I don't think it belonged to her." " She may have lodgers." • "I think she said she had- wouldn^t wear a silk gown." " His wife might. Now do go on reading." "Certainly; I only wish to draw a parallel between Ihjrsis and ourselves, m our future summer life at Enderlcy So the old gentleman's wife may appropriate the 'silken pride, while we emulate the shepherd. " ' His lambs* warm fleece well fits his little need—' " I wear a tolerably good coat, now, don't I, Phineas 9" ** You are incorrigible." Yet, through all his fun, I detected a certain under-tone of seriousness, observable in him ever since my father's declara- tion of his intentions concerning him had, so to speak, settled John's future career. He seemed aware of some crisis in hia life, arrived or impending, which disturbed the generally even balance of his temperament. " Nay, I'll be serious ; " and passing over the unfinished verse, with another or two following, he began afresh in a new place, and in an altogether changed tone. " ' His certain life, that never can deceive bim, Is full of thousand sweets and rich content ; The smooth-leaved beeches in the field receive him >\ ith coolest shades till noon-tide'a rage is spent ; His life is neither tost on boisterous seas Of troublous worlds, nor lost in slothful ease Pleased and full blest he lives, when he his God can please. •• ' His bed of wool yields safe and quiet sleeps. While by his side his faithful spouse hath place ; His little son into his bosom creeps, The lively image of his father's face ; Never his humble house or state torment him. Less he could like, if less his God had sent him ; And when he dies, green turfs with grassy tomb cont«nt him.' " John ceased. He was a good reader— but I had never beard him read like this before. Ending, one missed it like the breaking-off of music, or like the inner voice of ona's own heart talking when nobody is by. "David," I said, after a paus about '^ •• IJavid, I said, after a pause, " what are you thinking He started, with his old, quick, vivid blush—" Oh nothing— No, that's not quite true. I was thinking that so I L 100 JOH.V HALIFAX. u Th?" *'''"''^? °^ t^^ose likewise " ana aT^tle'S^V^tena sceda, to have a ^faithful spouse I hope so-God willing." It may seem strange ifnf *i,- versation had ever wandered in a"-? ^^'^''^ t^^e our con were Tf nlr ° "'„^°*^'^^« ^ollie/and ,v^^^^^^ °^ heaven were, u not equally unknown I ,,^°^^^°essesofvouHi Many may doubt, or smfe aUhp' f. ?^ u^ '^"^ ^^i^e haiful my old age, with honour and nrf 7 ^1' ^"' ^ ^t^te it now in that day trembled on ?ho Kuf-' *.^*' ^« ^^vo youn^^ '^ reverently, as delicately aVnn^'' ^^ ^°^'« as^ shvl^ 's innocent sixteen. '"'^' ^' ^"^ ^^o young niaidefs' o After John's p-ious «r. 7 •„. ?'fco„^' -^ "*-I-^I'"'"="'" «■- ™ a good <• r„»o-^?",'""'i"=^ '0 marry 5 •• roSr-i?„5« "-and while T0« wife?" ""y™" whom j-ou «o„Id^S:"''f- as^ij'^^„t''.l-'=^'-'^V. .. . C0.W3 ♦»e saia no more • Jmf ^a Enderley. ^ ^ ^^e agam began talkinr^Xuf 'S JOHN HALIFAX. loi bring news of me. and to fulfil his duties at the tan-vard One could see plam enough-and very grateful to me was tbo sigh -that whether or no Abel Fletcher acknowledged ft his right hand in all his business affairs was the lad John Halifax On a lovely August day we started for Enderley. It was about eight miles off, on a hilly, cross-country road Wo lumbered slowly along in our post chaise ; I leanTn' back en ]oying the fresh air, the chan^^inr* views and rhf^flv fn c« " how intensely John enjoyed them ?oo ' '^^ '^ ''' to write but'john'i'/''" to-day-handsome. I was about somp " K.v li u""' P^''^'"' *^^'®° »° ^is youth, " hand- some. Nay, I have heard people call him " nlaiA • " hnf -of infinite variety. You were always finding out somethJn prme to Harden into a mass of stone those lineaments whiVh luan s soui. irue, it had its reticences, its sacred disfrnisAc its noble powers of silence and self control. It was I fai^ tall, well built, and strong « tv,« «i^ " b"ouiy person , Bictare whf„l. f,^i/"°°? "?'' "'"' "'■<' "ome at all near the 102 JOHN HALIFAX. ^""Cr 'T".''"' •• ^°"' '»"''''''' P"' on what Wfl \i.« ^^° ^as proud " Nftf n»;+« "«riey / ^ asked. ,?»t you must imaS7e tL.S''^"'"' «^^^ed to an estuar/ -^ ^P 0, .ate. ftt/ra-SraCoS'iiS JOHN HALIFAX. 103 fhe"hn J'*^°^^^ ^^^ ^""^ °"* °^ ^'^^ necklace, down among " David, you are actually growing poetical." "Am I? Well, I do feel rather strange to-day-crazy hke ; a high wmd always bends me half crazy with delight Did you ever feel such a breeze I And there's something so gloriously free in this high level common-as flat as if my Tianess had found a httle Mont Blanc, and amused herself with patting It down hke a dough-cake." " A very culinary goddess." "Yes I but a goddess after all. And her dough-cake her mushroom, her flattened Mont Blanc, is very fine. What a an^i^'^'T,,— ^Prr^°*?^"& ^ut sky and common, common tnt \ ^^'l '^^''^^'^ty Flat. We shall come ti its eXo soon, where it drops abruptly into such a pretty vaS There, look down-thafs the church. We're on a level wUli once down the slop7, wreir^rsran^rSrorerTnro'r- hedge." " -4ivn«-_and lodge in Mrs. Tod's garden aSY^'I ^°^ '''^"l^ ^®®^ ^^"^'^^ '^ she knew Latin. You don t look upon our future habitation as a sort of Avernus ?- John laughed merrily. " No, as I told you before I li'ke Enderley Hill I can't tell why, but I like it. It seems as if I had known the place bafore. I feel as if we were g^ing to have great happiness here." ^ ^ And as he spoke, his unwonted buoyancy softened into a a quietness of manner, more befitting that word " happiness." Strange word I hardly in my vocabulary. Yet, when he uttered It, I seemed to understand it and to be contenl of R^LThI^.^'"!? ""^y ^°^;? *^" '^°P^' ^°d c^«^e i« front of Kose Cottage. It was well named. I never in my life had seen such a bush of bloom. They hung in cluXs hose roses~a dozen in a group ; pressing thefr pkky cheek^ pSr'w^nd'nw^^T H' ^-"^y ^ "glance! pushi Jgin at tte parlour window, climbing up even to the very attic. There wnoA^''"°T It^'^'l'' °''-' *^^ P^^^^h at o°e front door, and a Scr R ^r*^'"^' ^^ '°""^^ ^^d *^° entrances, each distinct. But the general impression it gave, both as tisiX and scent, was of roses-nothing but roses. ^ ' "How are you, Mrs. Tod?" as a comely, middle-ac^ed body appeared at the right hand doorway, dSssTd sprul^y 104 JOHN HALIFAX. I •I I ' -f bo prett f • Pockot- door had we kSown WWch7s"ii°°* ^'^^^ ^"v«n "P to tho , Mrs. Tod poinfpri /„*°^.»s his room ? " ^ '° ^^^^ house, but theSr A S T^^^^-not on our side nf ,u ■It did seem a sad QioKf ** summer evening as thiq f " Ana liow do von Jilro T?« ""»«6, ana the roses. ground to'ih"'''!^lf«'''"'''4e^^^^^^ ^'"'' " 'l^' prettiest vjley, whera th» , '1'",'^° '* a""" EnderlevT, 1* chestaut.trees5' """"' ""= '<»'' ^'^P^^ down jus" Stto^ ^'' AsTt^jC; ril'»if"7 ''■«?'-» already." JOHN HALIFAX. 105 i;ouId theribadehimgcJ)dSfc an^^^^ John's kno>vn faco, I heard him, as I knew hr^oufd t?h ouf oMhl^"^'"^"^^^^^ away up towards the Flaf t« ♦!, i ° ' • *°** ^^^"so, and spot I could Sinffuish for Lvi. 1 '^'- P ?"•'' °^ *^i« lonely sSund of his fSftens alnVr^^^^^ *^° diminishing last itWL',fe°i^:?/-r^^,p'zt;al"'"'- ^' CHAPTER X. " Wherefore, David ? " ^^ " How so ? " ^ " Did you want to know ? " h./^^J" /a.^gliingly denied ; then allowed that he alwav« M ascertain pleasure in eliciting information on men a^^ "The wife being indicated, I suppose bv th^f ^. complimentary word 'thing.' But what l^n.Li-/'^''^ can you have in either the old gentllln ^t tCowlady*"' ^* 106 JOHN HALIFAX. .hort the own»r of Th. ™Cl,r£ ''" "'°-i«'livi"" ^ "»' '"»>8'''8 "P n » 800.1 way behind' tSh •Cll'"^' " «"»» the Flat w«3 trolling along very fast .nJ .iT • ?' 'o"owod. She I tmcj a basket of egg,." ' ""' '^^ '"""d a liWo basket- " oTioS:'^^:' "f "•"" "»« ' " walked a grcatl^il onW^f' ''?"''" o" ">»' latter fact Sh «oni«|aT|.tr '^'^ "»«"■•'•« «' John-3 original notions of 'Besides, Mrs T«vi «i n'r-'-^ido^tfetS"!, ""^ '■»,?"'' 'ao old 'Nay, old men do som««r^ " *" "•> eWerly ladv " . ,'■ Ves, but it uZ!^TfZ '""'? ^""■S womenT nght. No,"_and I wS UlL' ?"^ sometimes not n„iia ~;5iS^g''aSUi:fr''^-''^^^^^^^^^^^ Jood over the irereiJkTf n-sWl°fT •.''?!'"»■' ''Kd old woman, or married eithS •> '^ '''"" ">«"«" "he's an „ ^ " wCse'™ S'-iWy ''U ' Did yon see her face , '■ "I should not thfnk it manlvT?,f"'' '?"■« ind^nantly arhV r-'^'^J' '»' t"e l'^°''!St?«i1^ '» « '"hoolto^ llJd^^J...^ ^'^^-^O 0- the topTthe^p^inrshe^toi JOHN HALIFAX. 107 Bho had, doubtless, gono to fetch now-laid cgga for her -I moan for the sick gentleman's breakfast. Kindsoul I '• On her way liomo I saw her stop twice ; onco to speak to an old woman who was gathering sticks ; and again, to sc^ld a lad for thrashing a donkey." b h w awux " Did you hoar her 7 " "No; but I judge from the lad's penitent face as I passed "• J *™ ^"''® "^^ ^'^^ ^con scolding him." " Then she's not younff, depend upon it. Your beautiful young creatures never scold." ^uur oeauiiiui "Flr^m^.^^^ '? T°,5^ '^''*'" ^^'^ Jobn, meditatively. For my part, I should rather not cheat myself or 1 o together." ^°""^ ''°"'"" "' '^° '^'^"•^ '«' ^'^^J ^°^ goo^l ^o ; shutting his mouth over t o word in his ouict S..rrr^ °^^''' '^-^^^S'y '« divinities How^vory unpleasant to woo an angel of perfection, and find her out at last to bo only— only Mrs.—" colourhigi^*'''" '"^^''*'^ ^ • "* ^^'^^^ *^° ^^"S^^'^' «''ghtly w« !1^"! ^^^ "^^^^"^ must bo our dearth of subjects, when wo talk such nonsense as this I What suggested it ? •• Your friend m the grey gown, I suppose." Hequtescat m pace! May sho enjoy her eggs! And NoTtoi Bu"v ^A r^t ^^' ^°^° ^^''^ andTo off to Song?'? ^* ^^^^ ^*^ '°' '^ "^^- How I shall dash to sll' hT Zr^S^^- V,^^^i,^" "^°'°^°e sunshine only i^Jf^ ^»8 face. No morbid folhes had ever tainted big w?- ♦^^ ""^^r' ^\^*«^^er romance was there-and never ™t Bn? i^'rt^y ".°^^' °"*^'*^ ^^'»^°"* '^^' romance wi «n 1- v7 ^^^^P ^,°^°' ^^^°^ '^^^ unawakened. Ilig heart was as hght and as free as air. j« «?*u?P'?S.®^'®f °*y easy chair, he wheeled it to ihe window m sight of the pleasant view. wmaow, t^Jo"^®^!! ^^i°eas, what more books do you want ? You'll take a walk before dinner? You'U not be moping ? " ah.in?'.^^ should I, who kncw I had always, whether b^W fi?«f ^'"'k"*'.?" .^^''^^^^' ^^ ^fi^ite Massing, of ^nioc!?-*"" ^! *^.^''e:hts and cares? Who, whether he expressed it or not-the best things never are expressed, of 5- } 108 ^Om HALIFAX "O"!.) allow '""'' ""» duties of Cr Ij""."? t»chelo"" ^voiild cnm^ * ^•J' namesake ni «arkl" -^"erog ^ ^"fc as soon La^tL^^"^, J^^"' mother - "^'^^^ '^^'^d it P«e months back^l*'"'"* wto misci;., • »' «ver. a1 r '» «»«s- he £ ,• ' .'""''^^ •"''» aid L*i?' """..•if" ' "^ 'o ^"^-^ b^-i'/U^^a't/"' "-^^ , Have patience " «« ^^etting over forgive the ?fi Tr"P *^e stiJl uj?lv Si, ^^^^^^ation, whil« k JOHN HALIFAX. loO the words, the manner, or the tone, iho looked up t .ralght efc him. •• Do'co really think go, Mr. Halifox ? " ° '• I am sure of it. Nothing makes one so good as beinjr name'aV? •• " '"''" ' °*"^*'*^' ^'°'' *' '"' '^'''^' "^^ •• Jack ought to be proud o* that, sir." said his mother, rrspoct 111 y ; •• and there's some'at in what you say, too \ou talk like mv master does, o' Sundays. Toil be a Siotch- TA\u''irtyV ^^'JJS^ey're good folks, the Scotch, and Bl^is^?? tJe'^^si^V ••^'^"' ' '^ •'^"^ ^-^^-« '^ ^^" I'Kxactlv," .John answered, Bmlling. "And so Jnck you re safe this time ; onlv you must not disobey your Inothc^ ajain, for the sake of donkeys or anything else." "No. nr— thank'ee, sir," sobbed Jack, humbly. "You be a «ontleman-Mr. March bean't-he said it served me right for getting under his horses." I ♦ 1! "J^l**"^ ^"^."^ '," ^"^^ '^'^«*^'« ^t^er. sharply ; for the Btood ttiere «>PPosUo door was just then Uf^od. and a lady •' Mrs. Tod, my father says •• ..i.^*'''*"^ strangers, the lady paused. At the sound of hw yoice-a pleasant voice, though somewhat quick and der- 'ad in tone— John and I had both involuntarily turned. \' i Ltd^ibfchoic"J "'^''" '' ''''' °' '""'"^ '^^'"P"^' ^irrem"mW ? ''' ''^''" ^'''' *^'^ '^^ ''^^ '' ''''-^' ^^n " Yes, Miss March." vtJltl ^^''^' ^^''' ^""''^ '^"' *^' ^^' *' °^««' ^^^ She wore a grey silken gown. I glanced at Job-., i^nt he did not see me ; his eyes were fixed on the door, -.hich had disclosed and concealed the momentary picture. Its raomen- u"wo sTlF'''^' '' '^^ ^^^^ ""'^''^^^^ °° ^^ memory-Ihave A girl in early but not precocious maturity, rather taU of a figure built more for activity and energy than the mere fragiUy of sylph-like grace : dark-compleffoned. dark-e^'S dark-haired-the whole colouring being of that soft darkness of tone which gives a sense of something at once warn^ and tender, s rong and womanly. Thorough woman shff seemed --not a bit of the angel about her. Scarcely beautiful • and "pretty" would have been the very last wor^to have appM , i t I 1 . i -r| il ' ^5 no JOHN HALIFAX. had some kind of trimminir of wmJI / ^t' !"'^' "here it ben<»th .how exquisUer/olicali!"' '"' "'"«'' ""^^^ «>e skin disappeaJrf.' "'^= ^"''■" '"^ "ur landlady, when she had doo;:" '"" ^''' J""-, '^■noving his eyes from the shut seve;t^e^::''°„™'^JSbM' {"' » ^"""^ ^J of only who is always aJli?rand '^J'^^"^. «"">/" father man l-maybe he can't hebit^W^''"?- .?oor gentle- tie daughter-bean't it, sir » ■• ' " ^ ""''''« ha"! for ' Stiu7h;' Tept'tJSdinXr'ar f^ir^^in^y. tie last bandale had heel «Ln L t'V"""'''''' '»'"'"'« ti\l even some minutes aftrhisT«^°?h^''fJ= """ fo^-eheadTand as usual. It was I who had to?n™^f .t*^"." P'^^'^'S "io^t ■-trade in Jlrs. Tod's kitchen aTylS' ' " "^ ^"""^ ""t our P~ dWottcon^Shr- '^ ^'O' ' ""PO " Bless your heartTr f rfnfM *^® ^^^^^ Ia<3v ? " ^ There, bean^. a pl?asan r yo^^'u^JJ inconveni^ces she. come into this kitchen-Hust as vL fS^^ "^^'If * ^^«'" o^en happy to see vou alwAw'' J?^ ,; 8®°*^enien, and verv '' When Mr. MaS if Si sSe?]?!^''* J°^' curtsey „'g^ hour, talking to Tod and m?' „«S 1^°?"® '^"^ «»* ^or half an Here, pfobably at soTnd nf P^*"^'"^ ^'^^ *^^ baby-l'^" alluded to set up, from its crad^^^^^^^ *^^ ^^^^^^^"^^1 and^tt^^TLn;^^^ l7n'e WtS- ^^-^"Mookin,, mon with her basket of effS~chnff,„ ".'"^.^''''' *^^ coin- and scolding the naughty boy ' * "^ ^^ the old woman, with her ddSher/'^" °^ ^^''' ^^® "'"^^ ^^ve a hard life Of course, seeing him tako h »« no more. ^ ™ ^^''® '' "P so seriously, I Jested n "'That is Miss March.' yo*« Halifax, GtntUman] [Page ItO miuv%^^-m-' '-rtrj«'^*/PfK4iI< JOHN HALIFAX. m "By-the-bye did not the father's name strike you ^ i»/a;cA— suppose it should turn out to be the very Mr. March you puUed out of the Severn five years agb. What a romantic conjuncture of circumstances I " "Nonsense," said John, quickly-more quickly than he usually spoke to me; then came back to wish me kind speciaUy kind, good-bye. "Take care of yourself, old fellow. It will be nightfall before I am back from Norton I watched him mount, and ride slowly down the bit of sloping common-turning once to look back at Rose Cottage ere he finally disappeared between the chestnut trees- a goodly sight-for he was an admirable horseman. ' When he was go- ■, I, glancing lazily up at Mr. March's window saw a hana, and, I fancied, a white-fu;red wrist puUing down the blind. It amused me', to think E Ma ch might possibly have been watching him hkewise .h,•/fl?^°^*•^^^^''^® x^°^ ^^y *^°"^ ^° *he cottage pariour chiefly meditating ; though more than once friendly Mrs Tod broke m upon my solitude. She treated me in a motherly' JZ'^iilU"'' "°' ^^" '' deferentially as she treatS t^ ^.^nx'?",.^^^ ^°°® ^°^° <>ver Nunnely Hill, behind the four taU Itahan poplars, which stood on the border of our bit wilderness-three together, and one apart They wc?o our >ndmarks-and skymarks too-for the first sunblam coming across the common struck their tops of a morning and the broad western glimmer showed their foms SctW antil far in the night. They were just near enough fo?i2 w hear their famt rustling in windy weather ; on calm dlvs Thl'tt ?^ ''r^)' "^"^°^* '^' ^^y^ like memoriarcoTum/s They were friends of mine-those four poplars ; sometime, they almost seemed alive. We made acqLintknce on this fhf*f°'^^>J*''° ^''^^ ^^*^^i°g ^^' Jot" ; and we kept UP the friendship ever afterwards. « «e Kept up It was nine o'clock before I heard the old mare's hoofs clattering up the road : joyfully I ran out. "^^^ David was not quite his youthful, gay self that nieht • nof quite, as he expressed it, " the David of the sheepfo?df '' ' Ho was very tired, and had what he called the " tan yard feelinf'' the oppression of business cares. ^ leeiing, "Times are hard,'' said he, when we had finally shut out the starlight and Mrs. Tod had lit candles bade nslrZ mght in her free, independent way, and "^^d Mr. hSL, ■V ^ >'iy:?« I ^A-i-ia??!*-'^ 112 JOHN HALIFAX. '^nff&tS'-': S^e aiwais seemed to ' "IJon'tsoewTourltt"'''-' "'»»'<''' John iho„„.,, , "NeVfir m- -1 ^° todeliff] . I want to show von fh. meadow. woorll„«^^ l^^ century, Gradual J^« ^ ^° ^*3 (t,~-ji ^a .?^-'' JOHN HALIFAX. in consia'ei? JghtfuUy. 80 many > Norton aough of pleasant delight a life of >.o much imc wo do to- S—thQ ss. 1 know lutely ill go 7 tho and t the than lit, like its tito sat of us >r, th Id St I had seen the sun go down, and which now was tinted with the tenderest western morning grey. " Do you like thig» Phineas ? I do, very much. A dear, smiling English valley, holding many a little nest of an English home. Fancy being patriarch over such a region, having the whole valley in one's hand, to do good to, or ill. You can't think what primitive people they are hereabouts — descendants from an old colony of Flemish cloth weavers : they keep to the trade. Down in the valley- -if one could see through the beech-wood — is the grand support of tho neighbourhood, a largo cloth-mill ! " " That's quite in your line, John ; " and I smiled to see his face brighten up as it had *'^ne, when, as a boy, he had talked to me about his machinery. " What has become of that wonderful little loom you made ? " *• 0^ ! I have it still. But this is such a fine cloth mill I — I ha^ u been all over it. If the owner would but put aside his old Viemish stolidity ! I do believe he and his ancestors have gone on in the same way, and with almost the same machinery, ever since Queen Elizabeth's time. Now, just one or two of our modern improvements, such as — but I forget, you never could understand mechanics." " You can, though. Explain it clearly, and I'll try my best." He did so, and so did I. I think he even managed to knock something of the matter int.o my stupid head, where it remained — for exactly ten minutes 1 Much longer re- mained the impression of his energetic talk— his clear- headed way of putting before another what he understood so well himself. I marvelled how he had gained all his information. "Ohl it's easy enough, when one has a natural pro- pensity for catching hold of facts ; and then, you know, I always had a weakness for machinery ; I could stand for an hour watching a mill at work, especially if it's worked by a great water-wheel." " Would you like to be a mill-owner ? " " Shouldn't I I " — with a sunshiny flash in his eye*', which soon clouded over. " However, 'tis idle talking ; "one cannot choose one's calling — at least, very few can. After all, it isn't the trade that signifies — it's the man. I'm a tanner, and a very good tanner I intend to be. By the bv(- I wonder if Mra. Toa, who talks so much about 'gcnUe-folk/ knows the latter fact about you and me ? " 1-4 JOHN HALIFAX. * f • Who would guess nowiha^i V^ himself so to feeJ He carried mo «ff , *^ ^ John agreed to this • b,7f „f 1?",®°' **'' *wo hundred And, .nee he was «^a ^tT^ ^..^d^. T ^"'™^ world -having, in hig JOHN HALIFAX. 115 journeys up and down the country for my father, occasionally fallen into " polite " society — I yielded the point to him, and submitted to his larger experience of good breeding. However, Fate, kinder than he, took the knot of etiquette into her own hands, and broke it. Close to the cottage door, our two paths converging, and probably our breakfast-hours likewise, brought us suddenly face to face with Miss March. She saw us, and we had a distinct sight of her. I was right : we and our contiguity were not of the smallest importance to Miss March. Her fresh morning roses did not deepen, nor her eyes droop, as she looked for a moment at us both — a quiet, maidenly look of mere observation. Of course, no recognition passed ; but there was a merry dimple beside her mouth, as if she quite well knew who wo were, and owned to a little harmless feminine curiosity in observ- mg us. She had to pass our door, where stood Mrs. Tod and tho baby. It stretched out its little arms to come to her, with that pretty, babyish gesture which I suppose no woman can resist. Miss March could not. She stopped, and began tossijg up the child. Truly, they made a pleasant picture, the two — she with her hooded cloak dropping off, showing her graceful shape, and her dark-brown hair, which was all gathered up in a mass of curls at the top of her head, as the fashion then was. As she stood, with her eyes sparkling, and the young blood flush- ing through her clear, brunette cheeks, I was not sure whether I had not judged too hastily in calling her " no beauty." Probably, by his look, John thought the same. She stood right before our wicket gate ; but she had evi- dently quite forgotten us, so happy was she with Mrs. Tod's bonr./ boy, until the landlady made some remark about " letting the gentlemen by." Then, with a slight start, drawing her hood back over her head, the young lady stepped aside. In passing her, John raised his eyes, as was natural enough. For me, I could hardly take mine from her, such a pleasant creature was she to behold. She half smiled — he bowed, which she returned, courteously, and we both went indoors. I told him this was a good beginning of acquaint- ance with our neighbour. "Not at all; a mere civility between two people living under the same roof. It will never be more." I! \V h 116 JOHN HALIFAX. ^'Probably not/' jv-ards. that thoJ^ ?!?"' ^J^*' ^^'ch I never nnr , • I hazarded thi« !f *^,®'^ ^ad been somi 1 "°*^^®^ *'" after- , " She bowed wifh , ^^^^ her beautiful." ;; Most certain,,,,,,^. ' "'^ ""^ -■"> «ccnstome^° ^*"^«' Saxons, and Normans' which, doubtless, we carried on to a most learned lemrth-bnt a this distonce of time, and indeed the ?e?y day aft^r I pleaded guilty to have forgotten all about it. ^ ^ ' Ihat long, quiet Sunday, when, I remember the sun never came out all day, but the whole earth and sky n'elted together m a soft grey haze ; when we lay on the common and heard church bells ringin. some distant, some Tear and, after all was quiet, talked our own old Sabbath talks of this world and the world to come ; when, towards tSh/ we went down into the beech-wood l^low the hout,*^^^^^^^^ dly there among the pleasant smelling ferns • whin from mv ?W °f *^ i^' ^"^°^°^' ^' devoted himself' altogethe 'S my comfort and amusement-to perfect which Sred oi inm no harder duty than to be near me always-th^ Sunday 122 ) !i i, JOHN HALIFAX. ever haVe ought to have left the kitchen : I think John muttered something to that efifect, and even made a slight movement Wds the door : but I don't know how it wls-we She came and stood by the fire, scarcely noticing us Her fresh cheeks were faded, and she had the weary K of one who had watched for many hours. Some sort of white d m^ ty gown that she wore, added to this paleness. ^ 1 think he is better, Mrs. Tod— decidedly better " said she speaking quickly. " You ought to go to bed now. Let all the house be quiet. I hope you told Mr.-Oh-" ♦inJ^ nVif^ "'' '^''P?^^' ^°^' ^^"^ '^« moment, the faintest wX a1te;r "'^^^'- ^'^^^'^"^ ^^^ acknowledged us John came forward. I had expected somo awkwardness on his part ; but no-he was thinking too little of himself for tnat. His demeanour— earnest, gentle, kind— was tho subhmation of aU manly courtesy, in ihi^T' '««rfa»,,"-young men used the deferential word - ThknJ ^T ^r'l^'^l^ ^ ""^^''^ "'^til ^e had heard." "rhank youl My father is much better. You are ThTe,' s ' ""'^ ^^''' ^''^'' ^''^ a maidenly droppbgTf Tod^^^'^nt' rn^i' i!"ir ^'^^^ ^° *^^ warm-hearted Mrs. felthe?octort ''' '''' "^^ *° ^— ' ^^^ ^^ ^'^' to ii OM ^T'l f • ? ft""^^^* y°" °°^y ^«°t your horse." *!, 1 ^ ' ,-^ J^^® * night-nde. And you are sure madam LrUaT' '''''" i« ^'^^' I3 there Lthing dse 'iTan di His sweet, grave manner, so much graver and older than ^r/nT;^^^^'^ ^ ^'^^ ^^^ ^"^«* '^^f^^^^^e whrch marked at once the man who reverenced all women, simply for their TSran^t-'^'^l '"'^^'^^ *° ''^''^'^ *^« young lad^ Ihis, and her own frankness of character, made her forcret as she apparently did. the fact that she was a young lady and he -n.-..^: 126 JOHN HALIFAX. ayoung gentleman, meeting on unacknowledged neutral ground Sn^lf *'^°^'"' °' knowing no more of one anote than tnc mere surname. Nature, sincerity, and simplicity conquered all trammels of formal custom. She held out her hand to him. I ttiank you very much, Mr. Halifax. If I wanted halo I would ask you ; indeed, I would." wameu naip " Thank you. Good-night." «a«^?- P'Pf e\*he iand with reverence-and was gone. J saw Miss March look earnestly after him ; then she turned to speak and smile with me. A light word,'an easy smi^as t^ iii7:z%tz.'''' '^ ^^'^" ^^"' -* ^' ^^« ^<^ Soon I followed John into the parlour. He asked mo no Spst'air' ""' ""'^''^'' '^^^ '''^ ^'' candle and wen? of fh^f hS" ?/'^'^*''^l' te confessed to me that the touch ot that hand— It was rather a peculiar hand in the " feel " of It, as the children say, wHh a very soft palm, and fin^^ers that had a habit of perpetually fluttering, like a little bird's win. -the touch 01 that hand was to the young man like thl revelation of o new world. ^ ^1 i CHAPTER XII. l^h^^lL^^^ i'^V'H ^^^^' ^^'^^^' «^'«" *^an was his wont, ivt.-?''?)'*' m^® ^'*^'®^ ^"' * ""^e ^l^ile talking with me While Mrs. Tod was bustling over our breakfast, he aTked Sr' m a grave and unconcerned manner, «' How Mr. March was this morning ? " which was the only 'allusion he made to The previous night's occurrences. I had a long, quiet day alone in the beech-wood, close tb L^dlTfht'"^'' "^''^^ ^^ '^' ^i*"^ '"^««^' now worn tea to Se a 5?WngZnr ' ' '"'"' '''''' '* *^''^' frnn^ n?°* J ''^^^ ^"""^l" *^® ®^^^^°S^' ^^^^^ ^arch stood in 1 haAv, A °*?"?^u.' wit^-strange to say-her father. But Lnt ri*?**,-!"" Pa^^^ysms were often of brief continu- 1.1 '^ *"" * ?*' l'^®. ^^^^ confirmed valetudinarians, when ;t /Ki^tr^^ " *'^ '^"' '^ p"^ '' ^-- ^-' -^ Seeing me coming. Miss March whispei-ed to him- he turned upon me a listless gaze from over big fur collar, aod -P!^'^ JOHN HALIFAX. 127 «T\f^*T"""' Ti*^°"' "'^°& ^"^O"* hw easy-chair. Yc3 it was Mr. Marcn-the very Mr. March wo had met I I know him changed though he was ; but he did not know me in th^ least, as, mdeed, was not likely. lv.f fS'^ .daughter came a step or two to meet me. " You are ^irf'nil'f'' ?^'- ^^'*S^"'- ^°*^«'^«y " a '"OSt healthy Mi::^^^^:^^^^^ «— ' ^-^ -^^^^^ ^ormo? , \ J®?u^ *^ disclaim, and Miss March to explain • but wn mus both have been slightly incohc ont. for I hink the p^ for D^ V' '''^S ^"^*° '^'^' "■' t« ^vho it was that w^ lpln?Ji. which and asiced if she couM I. w^ ' " °'"i''' f""^ '»'■'«'<• »"«<>plly. fina th. days Md!,1?tZuTL,^ftVd" '^'"' ' ' ""'' broughTSfan liSf^i'^^tUT' ^^""^ »««"ards, she "I have no time to study much mv^plf " o.;a u • answer to my question ^^ good evening, for I must ^in v ^^ i^°'^ Y^« ^«- ^^o^. any books of ouJs You^.Uf ^'^'t ^*?- T.^ ^"""^ «^» ^^^vo back to tell me tS*s-" fcha? W ''°' '^'^'^ J"^"^ «*»« *"r«ed and I are n?t deeply grateful for^h^V'?'' '1? ""^^' ^« showed us last night/' ^ kmdness Mr. Halifax office fo7aVont''"' *° ^'^""^^ ^^^^^^ is-to do a kind "I well believe that. Mr. Fletcher." And she left mn passTd'^'^H^tter ^ht^^' b'e ^^T ^^^^"^^^ But all the eveninThP «of^* • ""^^^ ""^ comment whatever, and reXl eXr a?oud o *T'k^ °T/ ?^^'' ^^^^«^'« books, -which I had exnected h^J i5'?''^^' fragments out of one it was modern, not ctss^ar w bave, scouted, inasmuch as Lyrical Ballads hrmth!^^^ '~''' ^''°'' «• collection of named Mr. {(mm \\S ^'" ^^ * y°"°g "^^n conjointly I had onSf/*^' T^. '^'^^ anonymous friend ^a I lis.^II'to.-^tt^rr.TarC^- st^eH ?i»:f JOHN HALIFAX. i29 made i, ab^^ ...e Heaven Mr'a^d^^-e^t' & them. Who can they be ?"" ° '" '""'" °'^*" '» »«» "'"' aorSThr^tn w[JJ^'Ll''^"r'' "^'P-^ "er father field. ^ ^eci..™°t''r ;r rai°,f;, ^e"?. "•''"*' "^ "^ "■« T.S useless to escape them," whispered I to John. 180 1 1 ; I JOHN HALIFAX. th^ " \^° "°' wish—why should I ? •• hn „ Sh«*i*lT° '^^^ '*»e ^^theraua a^tXf^'T'^^' ^^ held bho looked up and acknowled^ll tZ^^^'.-^ «° through, that smile and his courS.uI fffa^7' '™;^'°?- ^ thought It. would have been anhe\re^ti?i .'^ /'^"^''^^^^^^ auU^l^rceptions had somlr& teL^ur^^| staJa\?,4!;^,irsr^^^^^^^^ tbe tall, back to look at John-as ir^ho '/? ' •^^' ^^ ''a^ turned one he knew, «. Sir? I haJe' to ttnte^"''' '^"^ '' ^^^ bet<.X^^^^^ ''' "'''''• ' '"^'"'^'y h«P« you are interesled^h'm sTS Ihtf he tr^f hT*'"'^" apparently 'My daughter tells me you are ourlituu'''^^ complainings. f e^-m/S^hJe^ -^S^ Uko tea unaer the tree, WUl you give us the S^^!5' " '» '""^ <>' ™rality. ?°^ " bete, I must rS^^u"^ ^'"" companv ? You - -gply to a glknce^'Mf^fehtJ!^"^^ rV^ «^" t»f course, we as« great ^-^ohn U a brother, Wend, everything in the world i have often ieard-that good men are rw*." *""' 1 had not tune to enter into a discussion on tli»t ™„», i sent^bimr""'^''"'''** '" ™ "'"'"K' '"y'-K Mr. March had ani^-ustSTJttteSroT" """"'"""»''• " "O"'" •» . And the eyes of the " Nut-browne Mayde" were a lini« mischievous ; brimming with the fun o! girlh^ John looked prctematurally grave, as he said, " I UmZ, do S object to my coming? " ^ "" "<^^ She smiled— so merrily, that his shVht h*««i.*: evaporated li'. aist before & sunbeams ^'^"S^^t^ncss bushes- "'"'john^^'in*^ 'n'S? ^T ^^ J^^^P^^^ «^'0"gh tho ousnes , John said, aU his pleasant self Lain • '♦ for r heard my own name. What ternble histories ha^ thi«, fT. i of mine been unfolding to you, Miss March ?" *^^«^"^»<1 He spoke gaily; but I fancied he looked uneasv THa young lady only laughed. uneasy, lue u i^r\°' 6;^*,"^»nd n=fc to teU you, Mr. Halifax." " Not when I ask you ?" *«»"i»x. ?M'^^^^ seriously that she could choose but reply " Mr. Fletcher was telUng me three simple facte -FW that you were an orphan, without relatives. Sewmdly hafc you weiB his dearest friend. Thirdly-well, Hever' cor^ promise truth— that you were good." ^^^' "And you?" gueL?°S.e'thi;i-S°""' "■' "■» ^^^O I '""J -^'oady fShic"-'^. llx.-.,^m*»^W , p.'^^i iw^wm JOHN HALIFAX. 186 ^%f^^ ** ^^^ intently. But I heard aU they sJid and"infniS^ • s "'"^^^ '*" ^'^^^i"'!. Thus, 8ometime8^m.k?n i^ ®^ ? '* ''°'5' '^"'^ '»>^n- watching tbei>t"^L«K«^r«i^'i."^ sometimes left silent heights-^her helrca^oTusul;^^^^^^^^ "'.t '^^"^P-rativo the^youngpeopleXoCbJL'^^^^^^^^ smaUthatL rdarkrstdonfh?'"'^'^"?- ^' ™ smaU-so lighting up the bS fof?tl IS^^^^ '""^f ^^' ^"'^sWno Scotch fiiTgroS L fulfr^ 'i *'''!^^ ^^^*»«« and Bturd; thisforesVES^ &o^olffolt'±~^^.' ^^^^ "^^ Eve, i^ withered foreslrs-everv trl^ rnr"' '^^""n"^. »""^«'l »°<1 and perfect a^e? its k^d tT ""' "P"^^^ »« its youth) under growth of veffetatron. nn^h'" ?l ''' ^'^ °° c^^^^ing and ferae; and bftweerirSi"^ but mosses, woodbine. trace vista after vistT as b^twJ^n 'fh°^ *^° ^*"' '^'°» ^«"J<^ cathedral aisle ' ^'^^^ '^^ '^^"'^cr pillars of a the 'p^cuTrl^alTt^^oV^^^^ Uo'lSl' ^ ^'^"Z -*-"« line and feminine-fir and Llrh ^^i ' ^^^'f «- the mascu- and much graceful h^.w. I ^^® ^^'^""^ at the fancy : never befofe s^en J^n fn Thf ro^ ^'""''T *^^"^- ^ ^J^ marveUed to wrceivp ?hi , « company of women, and I the poetic idrs'irclottd'^^ language, and Baying was it ?-'4a once in h?s^^^^ ""*^-°^ ^^'^°«« a poet." °°°® *" nis life every man becomes where the cattle dS: how fttSfkh^J^ """ ""'""''^a'i the woods fill »f itH k XX . *^ "^ course merrily tbroueh Ma.^^"^ '^""'"^^ ""'k^ g^eat endings," said Miss Lis hS?„:?rX' into !"■' "'^"'"i »™"" H» liPI-l same. Then, S her fr« W.^'"^,?°A*"«''' • «•>« did'^Se '«". Which, by the greatest ingenuity, she ■^:i^' 'iWifiPtgaaF'^ 186 ; i( JOHN HALIFAX. The young girl hedtotS' .^ ^^' '? * ^"w voice. offered tohiJtCAr^^^^^J' T^^V ^\^"^^ *°^ a deepar and more subtle drauX iLl^l ^ ^'*°^ ^ut of ik Both became somewharSave t^^^^^^ ^a<«'. oide the stream lookimT^'^ ' *°? ^'<*^» one on either murmur have^^J^e tflk^^^^V.r. '*' i?"!"* ^^^ ^^bblTng only know that it did not rn„]Y J '' ^'^' ^ ^^^ ^^ot ; I said to me. "'**' "^^uld not, say to those two what it always be a pleasure to SUlfandt Ms dTu.hr'^ ^^"^^ what her Christian naSeTs" ^ "^ ^''' "'• " ^ ^ondei ;; I believe it is Ursula." How did you find that out?" before!'".'JlUVSe!"' "'"'^""^ "^^« ^ ^ heard it IVK ^^'T P""®'*^ name." b-Uo1ui"Sl"t^,„t'?ty!'''' ""■» ■"~<'- I -Jwaj^ found U CHAPTER Xlir. Enderley. The weafhl^oS ^ ?®®,° *' ^^^ep except at early in the autZn and fT^f J broken "pf even thus following, we hadTothing but *L*^ t^' "'^ T'"^ days sky was as dusky arnls mS '« ' ""'^ '*°"°- ^« sometimes in the evening bv t r^ ff * ^ -^^ ^^wn ; broken over Nunnely Hill as^f fo /v. "^' °l "'"'-^ Sold, gleamini? might have W ' ''' '^ *° '^0^ "« ^bat Septembe?8u3 inindtem"^"^,eS^^^^ was^d^oX^kfJ ''^.' ^^^^ «- -e; but every night I l.:jri^fj^:tV^,f^^;^ ^ ( J JOHN HALIFAX. 137 walk^upon the common. I longed to foUow him, but it .as the invalid had heen aU^«, all f h ' ^u*"''^ ^*« ? We knew or his daughter once ^ ^^^ ''^^^ ^°' ^^ ^e seen him air ;'b^dIr1h:nter'Ydoti^^^^^ •„" «« ^ ve^ bad, best part of every night ^ ""'^^ "' "P ^'i' l^im '' LiwX"^ H -r/ '^r" ^^" ^" J'Sl^t burning." BightsTn tt"lat^^VsTerri£?e'i ^^'"^ '^^-ad.of cried the.honest soul who nptlr J- *^^ /"".l ^^^^ health," Halifax was her f^ourrte of aU tte'"^ *^^ '*^* **^'»t mV. Miss March. »'°""«e of aU the lodgers, save and except can wedoanyth^n^foM J^^^^ be done^ ;; Nothmg sir-thank'ee all thf Ce T I shall be attomea^ SaJ " °"'' ''' '"^ «° ^^^^^^or Brown. " May I know it ? " DocteB^r-CrX on tt"^' r '«»"'-'»^«e-. me that het father cannot li™ mor.^ "■" moming_tol,I muoh'aa."" "■' ""-'«'■•''-• I Sd'L he wa. vor. So was I. ' JJay. Phineas. I wUl not have you trouble yoursoU. And 188 JOHN HALIFAX. sitllown'to^b^^&s^"'^ strangers-mere sfrangers. Ccuj, tbings' ^Ea°^^ minute he fofl T/^ "?' *^^^.«^ «°y common . he said, suddenly-- ^^ ^^" '°*^ abstractions. At le^th adXrb:'i;Jjd'oitl^^^^ -eked, ^r more wicked, perhaps to Sthf/rni^''^-^^^^^ ^ Wie- the last stunning blow falls ^^Vk*®"*^ K ignorance, untU must be told: shf ma7ha^^'- f^^.°"«J* *« ^ toW; she father. And God heln hpr f ? ^ '^"^^ *** ^^y to her poor be alittle P-pa?e?t',Sj^^^^^^^^^^ oughfS ^^ iZZ::^^::^t ^^^^ ^^e seal once he had used to do-ilrhnnl S""'"'^ ^^"^««" *<> me freely ^ required no disguL ^ fe *^'*"'' ** 'his time his feeK that beautiful fuS;t wnn/ ''''"'' '"^ ''^ ^^'g^* have 3§ Phere like this-lfiUed ^dArSmn^' f^'^' ? '^"^'-^ death. "'"' ^^e solemn gloom of impending b. wlfajt ^Ut^S^ iLJl'^^f^Jt^^^^^^ ^^^^^ we ^V riS -e t1h«yl^^^^^^^ can Chnst.noughttoanother/'i^o:^^^ case, has been so for lone • bnf h. f^ ^^^ ^* ^« » hopeless have his daughter toR^^ c^ ' to h7 ""^^ *^°^^ ^'^ '^^^ homble for her! " ^® *^ ^^^ desperately. How ;' You think most of her." *■ ao, said he, firmlv « tt« ; poor man f God know^ iity him ' W°? ''^'** ^^ «owed, an angel of heaven." ^ ^ °^* ^"* she is as good as agrL"deTatuht\rrtn"^ ''"^^ ^^ learnt was not the time t ^^on^t'^^"^:' ,^?^''''' ^^^ through the opened doors w-e h^^a^i.- . ** *^'^ moment, ^e whole house, and C^ur^ly '^me^* ^^^^^^ *^* Pierced M l^^^ °ian. Mrs. Todd/virSS fe^ ^^^ ^^k-possibly to his horse, now entered our lr?n„. i ^^l°« ^'- ■B'^^ ^ ."Oh Mr. Halifax rTn^thewL^^^'^'^woll^ crying afresh. John made her s t doi^ ^a^ ^"'^^ «"' i^to of wme. ^ "^^ ^" down, and gave her a glass tt JOHx\ HALIFAX. 139 Then he uas dying. u K^^ ^^° daughter know ? " I asked « n^""?"^ ^'^ ''°'. ^^^ ^^'' Nobody dare." Does she not guess it ? " so "ih^ ?.niL ^^' ^'"''"^ ^y ' «b«'8 °ever seen anybody comfort her, poor dearl afterwS " A^l ^' -^Z ^K^ honest ejesX. Tod ra"a „„uf1he JS'' '^''" ''^"^ "« We could do nothing at all that mominrr ti,« ; v S»oK:r£ cnr^» riH' oJ the great leveUer of aU thiag^ltelS^ ^' P"*'""' ^orld lithrtr^frottLrevf^ Tholhl'^ve'^or f" was happening undpr nnr Ar,n t«^# lu x ^• ^ - '- Don t cry so, good Mr^. Tod -T I •J'? 'Vl'^' ^'^ *«d- once began, I should never stin a^S h^^'J*"* '"'*• « I •"y poor father? There now7&ere1 ' "' '""' '^"'^ ^ ''^Ip the g'Jt,^^^»f.„7'^^ it; Bof, fluttering motions, „n ^rt"'''™''^'' '•"»' '^^ Kr.r^es?n.;U^o S: to Jor^'^/lT^^^r- "■ "'• '^''"^- ^ I'-'Pa will be better " And rtfi ™"' * 9"'"'' startled glance Somel*™arth?n^ttr' '" «<^' e»minedhimS^1y'ft"a!^Ur ''"'' '""'^ "»• jou are misteZ. ^ThTdoS wo'^'d^l'"". f^ '"»'"'• »"' M«. Tod, «>bbiSg.r.S'^;t^- w^eaU^a^id,;; broke in wa She But _i'-^ Had there been, I tS fhV , ?'l''" '" "» "<>« to hear' borne it etiU ' "'' '''° ''''"" '■a™ been able to hare Mrs'°T^'~\^her t'o'^'r =b't',r "?' « "» ^'^ "". or her across the kitehen intTi^il^! "'"f?..,'"' ™'- He carried her down on my sob ^° '""° ?"'""• »««• hiid She'is^wakiug noT" ^'"°""- ""• ^'^- k^^P ^"'ybody out, cloid''tht\iat!'''Trn"wUhrVi'\" '""S ^'«''' ■"" looked at us all around "'' ^'"^ *" "P^S". ■""! "Oh n,,. J.... , moane Uer, and sobbin- over her like can Mr.«?. Tod, clasping 't^> X "'^^ "^^"^ "Ke a Child. " Cry, do crv ! " !'a J1%'^'^' ?°d % down affain.^' ^ We stood awed, watching that again. poor, pale face, on every 142 JOHN HALIFAX. Tho word dfd wh^t L Jf;''Y'«'k'"ho'fother." -^ demanded. She clttLrUa m4 TJr,''^'u"-°"!f' •■« «'« weeping. * ™" '""• ^"^ ^ neck m torrents of " Now, Phincas, let us go away." out^CUfc^ttt.""^ ""^ ''■'"^""''' »'™'eht CHAPTER XIV. io.\wri:d:1fl'^^„,^^^''lf 3" yould be .nch UiU. decisitely. consents, it shall be so," said John, on rpIa^n"4ShV°Zd"'&"'f T™"* '"«' ««' «!»"•, selves, aameT^ttatwe^i^.lXt''*^ '''f!<^ '«"««° »»'- enUrely at Miss MaMh'f^^i . ??.' P°'''°° »' ">« <»'toge save tiat loS and sile 'r^hn™h*''° ^ '^»'''*«* ^<"^ complaining, no suffering Sj^"^"""'" '>•''»«"' "'e™ was no March would "no'r^ltVT-lf^dS'ess''" If ""'>■- rini: the win?Mo^L'T«tr„' ^7"' ""l "i* '*»'ol'-l«l" windows, even thT „? "r"^ gales, and shaking aU tho awful tf«.r W 4re v„v° C^?. ""''^"^ " ^"unM away. ^ ' "^ 8M the poor young orphan was hea^^f^tleps-t't"?,'™ "^^ f'"" «P^'^- ">« shuddered at ^hcnLhamreri''°M„*T// »«'." J-"' told us that no one— not ovon k;. f ' , . ^''" ''*™« '". and to look at what had been ' Mor M^"^'"'^-''""''' '''"'iowed with him waa ended. ^ ^'' ■"""='' ""J ""ore- AU Ihcn'^^r'tMngl"' '" "" """"• ^ 'O"^" "hat she will do John made me no answer. Is she left well provided for, do vou think ? •• " It IS impossible to say." "J'l-n'ninK/ •'OHN HALIFAX. j^g 80 wiU; her to speak to CmJST ' "'' °*'"" """^ ;;ll only I? --said John, starttag. funeral-Lrisaid, • Th\rbe MrH*^/ '°,5?*''V'»"' ""o kindest gentleman • ' and .h. t- 1 . J??;''""- «"' ilareh, the to come— -• •• ' °* ''"' ""'■• '' " wouldn't trouble Mm 'l^eU her I-m coming." I couid help her more- * ^" ""''^"6 me thus. I wish Tod^hS X^intlTafrU^I ^h1 CrV"",'" ■""■ "-• was'^onSl/w'thhiffatW- Ihef •i^K"'^?"'' "»' "e this ' kindness ^ofLXSSlher L^*.'''5 ^J^ "'her ask thoughU resembled ti^^^^^i^^'J^^!^ '"'' -"^' ««' But, j:hn,"n ^^do IS^tte ""^ '^ *"!; ^''^ "ow. are very young " *' " necessary for her ? You V>okId^at'^Vny a tiZ'''^ fe "'^- ^"S!"/"" -""J I We »on we shou/fe feg o'^'d^^J're;^? ^^ "«' '"■"' "o" Aot our dead, thank God I " that sole feeling, which makes the one. 144 JOHN HALIFAX. I Ho was at heart a mlJ rZi ^^ ^?*™* "^uch in them carry out a man's Vork'in t/« '"^5^^" *« ^^^ desU and aspect was such graTe puritv „ T^?' ^°^ ^« his who°e jvonder, young as t^;Uh'^J;e"^^^^^ truth, thlfc no ijnn, his poor orphan should n^J if '^"^ °« «^e knew of entirely. And there is SL°?Lfv%'T^'^ to trust him overs or friends, so quicklv ami «n * ^'°,^' ^^^^' *« i^eart, S circumstances?*^" ^'°" """^ °^°'-«' John? Anything of her ?«fh ?>^^"' J^SS Tdtirt ^o? ^ot fan, I fear^.. but tol'Cou':!^^^^^^^ ±^ h^ \r-° ^ be pitied JSfn her this mornhi Sn .?*.? '^°"^bt so, had you above rubies.' " ^ °'®'^"*' ^^ea he said, ' Her price is P«or Mr. Marches,,, t^. 7° '«"' '""t said good bve to churchyard, mrcSThSer^Ln I Z"^' "' '"'"^o-. ^ thi .nJ^° foi'owf^d the orphan home 4 °,!"'/"^-" o" o»n »^e ^ve a ^uict startled^CceX "^t^C £°:^^° ^^^^ JOHN HALIFAX. j^g ^^^^^^ i^to Wiethe., came a^;. ''"'''" '''' '''^^' '- '^ ^"iothcred voice-and we that^hXn'Z;hVr:^^ March's parlour ment, the unwonted sin S^^ i^^' "° ^^?f ' ^"l^ened case- ordinary ways, and feel^s if fi" ' '''' *v!^ *<» ««"^e ^ our our old>nsJiiy day^a\'^|:ltV"BJl'rli t« <^'^>«- Some imperceptible but mat cha^r,^ S\i ** Y®''^^ °*>* ^o- seemed a year^ince thatTanpy Safurdav '?.'*'" P^*^' ^' -^'^^^'^^^^^^^^ Tbe ne,t had given way at lastf Mrs. T^ said am? I ^^^i^^^ss." She not seriously ill, but in spir t thom, aM k^?* ^^' chamber, three days iore, when I went^^w ^ ^u""^^"" ^<>^n- ^'oi Norton fiury, I could set Z ht Ct ^h^ '"^T ^'^^ ^^^"^ between the chestnut trees was t^ ffcl -^i' ^ ^® '^^e »P that had been mine. I al wavrtold h ^^ '^u'^'" °^ «»« '«o^ told„,t»«.„whaThr£o'«SSe/°"' hun « be ^.a I looked surprised. ^^^■'""' ™'' ™ to WJ him? I wiu, if jon like ^n ."k l?Ae tSl*!?!- ''""gers." He stood irresolutely by tb/f,.I t i , -.nce^^there was so^i^ g^f^i^ .^il^r "^ "'= °''"'"«- "Ay, lad." fathe^r^ ^°" »»' ««>■ »« fi«t what you want to say to my what i3 tee toZS,U? ^Notwi .'^""P'- »>". P^»w I •notu:|.^:"« """ «<""=->« ^ou,tn never be to mo ,uite uh JOHN HALIFAX. orph«.u,. "O'"'. save 'or «„<,., M,^'"tV'.^^«^» "Xou'lhll.&^-r-'-'J-ne." " A likely «S* •■ ^nd h^L-f Vou^elf ? " ngit-" when every t^t * '?"«''«<' Wher bitterlv t few ojher such triflee."'"'' "^^S^- ''»»o«. honesty, and . ■Wone of which T /. • .^ » firat, aoarcely more San vou^?"' "^ *"■«»• '"med litik a? -ve respeotabiy, and in^u^SJ S'S:£Z L^^^ »»4S 2. JOHN HALIFAX. ,«7 mj chair. "'° '"°« '"' <»«'« »n" «""' »"•" Obllad-there the giad ticks H.™'?'? "Pr""* •»'' unpIotMnt; lam mvn«^ «„ ■ ■ • ' '"''S*' ovoiylhinir I get back to No"rto?BZ^C4r t U i' "■" "" "J"."'^ «-J.ng. ana mu,t bo kept^^ Xt ''^' Lvi'T^lll^ a.;;?' M«» «««''? She ha, been greatly better aU ••p^''f%'couS^t°t'w VheiSf''" ,\ »'"' ''"™««y- , hands still. Give me a cS " °" °^ """* ''"''' o" "V befo» bJ^^Smr"'" ""' """' "^-' ^ow" » few minute, ri^g?n\'^"^«".^7aolSdL,*'''' ""> ««"' ""-J <><>«« giri-loing to ch«^ aC feP«»t 0" "infow. Poor ol her that day. ""' ""' '^^ anything more wouM'bJ'gM & ^"XS "??;' »yi°S 'hat Miss March She waTaitUn^ ^ ^ , ^' ""'"«• *« went. grave anTpath'-t Terfec'ur±r /" /Y'°"' -^ womanly, perhaps, in CSt. ^.T?"*^- * '""« "»<>" girl as ste was, and youne mf n 1^. 1 " «™' K™'' w'"'"''. her a shield tra'nscenZgKr .r-prpriS'.^ '"'«'» As she rose, and wft sh^^i- k»„ r • t^^Pv^tie;;. by the rustle of her blw^dreL l?" ' ""T ""'^ '''-^''=«' sure y the mo«t evil n.i„^,i ^' """ ""o °^ "^ thoupht— thinkLtb,rtiL''wa?Tn;th.^;'^?;t"r:^i,r.' '^^o ^arld'to US here. "j'fcumg strange in her receiving SheT'em^f to htet\Uf ,h''^T°K*^^^^-°«t '^- thin., and to have put it I^ek Mo'^^^^^ ^^^ troubfe where aU griefs go : neve^WnH ' ^''^' ^'^^^^ chambers scaled up fn silence antshoufdL^''' p '^'^°^'^^' ^"' «s not exact more from Nature JSI.^m ^**P'' '^^^^'^ ^^t i^um nature than Nature grants^the U8 JOHN HALIFAX. dep rw horwit agiin • .M„»!!' """ *{'« "well wo« in .„„. «8l.t and „M„S;"ai,d'giS':' "^ "''"' <" >"" <"■» «°'' L'^^J PO.«sscd her warm gralUuda Ji '"^'^ "'» d'Mn-eda n" intended's-":! L^^;^ ' """^ "er, how long ^ho Biehairirfe': VS^ L"-'''"^'?"^ "■»' my cousin was to have been kltZl l ET; S"""^!*"- This ffly!!S"s i^o , out 1 have seen them." »«tto,;^nhose'"SnSnf"iiH'r'^' «'"' guarded by the K?ei° tS!nrS '£?-» ^^^^^^^ M Earll'^JSre^-;,^*™ ;^-;.,«. ^^ Caroline Bavenel, the I«rd fiP-^*:^:^C^^l^fy. ^'-o- »*''S of John hesitated, then answrrJi ^* " ''«"««.■• 'Sheissiidtobevery chariSf;.''.,.'''' "^"W ""l" t'uth, kmd-hearted. But uYmIv7^t^ ""' P°°'' P'easant and may y^^ture to hint as muoh, '„™ JOHN HALIFAX. ,^j courteev." *® ^ ^ indebUd for anything bu^ would have bi^n a g^Vcomforf:^^ ^"^^ ^'•^'•«'*n^ who IS scarcely eighteen an^ I iJ^nl useful adviser to one " An heiress I' ' Th„ « i ^i'®?' "" heiress." John.3 ^horSce, th?n'l a'jfj^fif ^»/ ^o-nt over I thought it was otherwise AUoiL /^-P'*"'^" «>«-- pleasure—" "*'* -^"^^ ™e to— to exproKs my "It does not add to mine " sai/l «>,« i, 1* • . • Cardigan always told n^ r^he? brl^h/'^^"^'*^'"^- " '^'^"o Jane I I wish I could go back ♦-^ ^?"^ '""®'- ^'^' l)088iblel" *° *'**"* *o lier— but that is im- should tTk '''^ "*^^^^'^^^' ^^'^^ it was necessary someone ^So much good can be done with a large fortune." I under J^ loneTm^^LT^ I' ""^ ^"f ' ^^^^^^ ^ never whatlwastold'^Kve; b^'mvloS"'^^ ^l''''^ ^*^«»t^ will try to use it well." ' ^ ^°'*'^® "^'^c** or little, I he rose up to take lU^e '"'' ''" ^ »^« ^Po^e. Soon after, hJ't^iZ'yZ^-^ Ll» ' !? Vt ""S"" Norton Burv. I I replied in the fcUve '' "'• ^'"'"'«' *'^^" "n TJ""^';"'' "■« 'own ■? " " Ah ?h. "'lut" ^''' "«« 'he Abbey " ing of h^.'^""" ' """'^ •'o'"' «"' "'''d John. ^etid'eSU^^tTutifg st^r""'ii«r'^'' ^»- Alasl What could 1 do but stai^aside and S j"' ^' ^''"''- 150 JOHK HALIFAX. even « one wS'cil1"'d",^Av^ "'"^' ~»»«»8 them -"-SP-eoe Of b.a«a ^L" 1 t:L';ed'^^rJ^.»l';' it n^?!^ oPPosite-under .n aUey-in the »in ?-™, " How could VOU knnw On*. was 30 sorrjr for hira " ^"' ••« '""""id so hungry. I , i'i'KXXu''.h1":fhr'''''"''''''»- iook at this marlt." '^' °' '"'"• ""«'. when I chanced to "Letmeloolcat it?_n,ayij.. i»?.ill:l?bot fhe''t?s:i;'&>?'' «" "«ve. di«over- « .t, his features »U q« terfnTthir'"';."^ '""»• H«^ of adieu or apology. h%3't^J»^«"'om . word, elth^ , CHAPTER XV *»rwM!,'!.n\^*Sj:i'^- • «"» -' '-"ing at the , vvnat does he mean Mr fiJI^u « « himmanyway?" ^°> ^'- Fletcher ? Can I have offended "Indeed, no." had I desired, was Miss \w7f?^"®°"^ ^'ong. Nor. even would prefer tellin'^oShim^S'!? '«" >-' but I think John ^ he pleaaea," returned Mi« March » ,'i.u "*"' a Siight reserve. It. JOHN HALIFAX. jgj f-nj questioL about the BritJ^'^^Td 17? ^^ "S^'^g °»« I answered them freelv—mv J«i *.- "' ^°^o Bury. took care not t^ J^^TSL^ ^r '''^'■''*'*^° ^»°&' ^^l Soon afterward ?a^jX^idnTrlr ^7^^?^°^ ourselves, and went to our owniariour ^'"°' ^ *^^ ^^^^'^ °^ *»er, motlSronThetmrno^^Lt hf "°^ "^'^ ^'"^« •^-''' -^o Bhould not return^T&er th^! "" n-^°°' ?• ^^^^^^ ^*^^ ^'^d had to dine alone It wis he fi«?l- ""'"t"'" '*^^' »>"' ^ break even such a trivkl nrLtt H *'f ^ ^ ®^'«' ^^^^w him spent a n)iserable S^ f^s ^raiS^L*"'"' "^^^S:ave me-I lest he should return tn a ^^f ^ ^ ^"^ '** ^^a^h of him, when he did com T. ^^ti^TJuidT/ ^'^''''; . ^^'^^ and— me. ^'*°'"^ "'^^ a cheerful hearth what couM I do now ? X? £?. 'S ''",1 '*'"''« ""'W- Vet btnia-I was utterly bow ^. "J" '^? *=«?'" »"' of my over.brother,man?t4X™rafrL'd°^l'rr'^ " "»'«' and uniTeraal. Let those who »„(£,..? •. * H'^K natural common lot; let thoW^ho win hoH^h! J' '""'"■"y- " ""O ttce'-.J^Rd-" ^- -^-"'.-irh^n^^^^^^^^^^ .nd'fonr?,e:^rdrt inZer "2? ^ »"^^-'- * "oach- it weU, and m M ^ Norton B,;,^^''^ " "■" ^«"- ^ k"'" Caroline's own ma^d-m I hSi ''""^e^Pty. but Lady rumble, and lid, CaroUM'« „^ «fterwards-sat in IhJ leaped down beirinS^ i.. 07n.'>l»«'s.-ejed Neapolitan pace for^ias SrcTTwl^Xd th^r-l'^'' ' «>»oI" fi". which coula « ^„ from a new-filled grave, ^ ^ ""^ "^^^"'^ '^^ ^^^7 go away back "All nv^*v^°"^^»' John?" All over Nunnelv Hiu t expansive views. As Mra To/ j"".""' **>* ^'<>" there-such Bemarkable fact, isn't it ? •• have always me." ^^ °"' *^°-^ ? John, you know that yoa He looked up, smiliuff Rnf *i, pas^d. Alas! I was not^enou^"h to rnft^^^^^ ^ ^e sat silent. I knew hi » to make him happy nov but the gates of his heart\et Iw I 'ri^ ^ "^Mn So; he dared not open them, lest Se i?!!i "^^1', J' '^^^^ as if overwhelm us. ' ®^' ^^ °«>^ should burst forth and At nine o'clock \ri^ w j ^te events had drawn* the who^ hr^*f?«'»"y^ince thi ^rai»„fC*rf«^^^^^^^ woods coach that came " daT? T.h^l,°"?"»« ^ri'*^ JOHN HALIFAX. ■^i'ai'^^Lro.^'^^' '^ -p -« -iH poo, ^. 2 Wnen John Iiaai-i *k:„ i. on the bolt, motionlesstlVSie e^, "* "«'<'. '"b b« h'and J? "I^go'ed to tho niMteh. e«*?n7i'r'2.™» SOM. Then young„ltTa™Vvt^y.»now-no attempt at i, a .Iw^^jT''- ««"%." David I " M ttoatht thiog., were so." ,0."^?^^ ^o" -™ '0 .a>k t, „.e a li.tl^it „igit ,, cboktar*" "■■"" ^' ■»« eo 0'.t-ut into the ai, • !•„ to ,ol5:,t'""« »•" "■' '«"' "« ""-bed from me. I did not dare .£P^t"fS,«C^Sl-----ae.nieJ J«Ua J^tt «tr'^» .?^ '•=« Fla^prohabl, in j!" bad first seen, and mustZv. . '"' •*""• ''- "here that girlish figure trippin" lilho J* 1^° T'^ » ^y »'ter! ing sunshine and morefeg d"ew ^'T^ through the mon,: """ he would be there now m T .k1 5 "" "' ""■■'ct wty, often losing my fooUng ;' for it wa"^ !IK ^* ,"■»"«»* esp«nseoftheFIat,or,lookirLT.r'K'°S.''?' «■« ^W that rolled through tbe valfe on t'.?° „!°^ ^™' »' ">«' twmkkd i few cottage liXg^.tr , ' ^t' .''^o »' »hich ^cotlt'fts^raTd'^.S'rrarSf «- ^-^ »^ «»'■ on 154 JOHN HALU'AX. o horrible dread I called onf t«i . answered. I went ^ Wind t ^. ' ?»«»e-but nothing went. At length, in one o? t^I ^esperately, shouting as ! and foil. 8oml,no camriartin^^rr ^^T?' ^ ^'""^^ed the mist, and lifted me ud ^ ^'*^*' ^®*P« through "Oh I David— David I" . " Phineas— is that vou ? Ynn >,«^« night— why did you ? " *^® ^"^® <>"' tliis bitter 1 4ot r^Tro^-rer^^^ - ^-^^ ^own. In the old Bible langiager^I LfoThl '"'"i "^°. unawares. Afterwards, I was nSt sorrv fc^i??- '\°^'* *°^ ^^P*-" weakness gave hirstrength'^^^^^ ^T^J «»»°^ ™7 passion that racked him? U was „^"f' ^^^t' J^", ^^'^ «^ one crowning cupof life isnSv^bM^^^^^ ^* '^^ that It was something to have ^fri^A^ i u ,® sustenance ; him with a love-like Jonathin'«»°^ brother who loved women." . ''onatnan s- "passmg the lovt of let ns go home." """J*"- i »m better now. Come- me «fef;Lto ttrh*„T'"'C *" ""^P "^ "''™. """l trough* was o«r, he looked his own^lfln^St *^ '^°' ^ «»» >' ■poke in his natural v^iceT aw m^i^ IV'^' ™'? J*"'- "d which he was the first to do **'"' mentioning *«• •■ IfX desl^ if !^" ^''" "* *"" "W"" ? " ".inki^roViii £e1^?h^i"U''i'Vadn """r^ « •«>' mountains, I now see that ere^ to ill""?*'' *? ""o™ makesmeafool,orpossiblvwo^ .u""*" ?f »" things —I wiU bea man." ^ ''"'*™- I »iU be neither utteiedll^ugh'jacnXltetT" S!;!'"' "<'«'» ?-^.toIy piece of his heart. ^ ""' '"™ "^en torn out like » W;2&Ce;Sfn^^?"' ^'^ »•» «* wh, I ,e« yourself '-"^ • ' '^'<' y»" """''J probably leU her the reason " I will. She must no longer be kept in ignorance aboni ^'^'^'flr^- w ^ ■ravnsAr JOHN HALIFAX. 155 -save ono true woman would h«,e rounte'.^' "'""''• ^ ""ink, an, less pft of a good n»n-tC w' .h'ir''''°?-'»'« P''^- kis, ifonce conceived, would la.^»lift ""''«''» ■■»ture as jot to know it I I felt ^rv-'e '';„''"''• *»'» »1"> wa« March. ""J "ye. e»en sorry, for -Ursula hoi« for me : nothing remSKut sikn« .'"" '"' "" >«^«i'''° i did not qwte asreo with hi™ s"*""*-, , W young mw, oflTtwentv T„kr m"" '"" *» ">"' to ^fore hiu,, any love cUlt^aClutell 'h.t','' "■" """ »" tea young man like John ttJiftii n.^ ".'?"'' = MpeciaUy 1 deemed it best to leave him IvJ .?"' »' """«» nowstood neither adrice nor ^TnTon ""wiaf P™ri.'° ''''"V'' "''^e *« will, would happen • for "r°""^«'«'e willed, through ho at once idle and perilous • Tavi'n'"'"''''"' '''^" "»y ^oM wrong. f'"""" • ""J', in some sense, eiceedingly silent' ""' "■' "'»"«'"» '» »yse«, and preserved a total ^^ John broke it-.alki„g to himself as if he had forgotten Poor'S'en1il"b:;' t„:?e°rtitrr «"'"■-'— to* more good than I can toll Anfe "-nover. It did me her dear little tender arm l_how ihl "" ?» ""^ P«" arm- given all the world to^" *" "on""? I would have feeling eX°g^VCn"raf& 11 " "'«'--"' ">« sort of most tenderness of h's love' shi ^■."t'*^ P»«'»°. 'he in secret :"n'c:^s^\''rirl'""/'"""«'"'h*d grown up . closer than the cK^est tnd '„ 'bS'l'''''; "^ '"-^^P~ hardly know why_I sighS """'"'y 'ove. Perhaps-I John turned around—" Pi,;_ because— because of this jS^i.**'' y°" ""st not think yourself, I hope, one da. -^^ '"' ''°'' "'" nnderslaad for think ksa.fee^^era&JrChr.?' """^ ' ^^O ot He spoke earnestly, with'afuulrir. We ch«ped hand. >.» u- :.i"f«.'»' 156 JOHN HALIFAX. ri» at Enderloy-mufy^n^' ''"»"»«■' '»?''>' » »«™ing with a pearly networfc ii^Z.^^ ' "' "''' «> heavenly fair • bead co^^ntle^Ste'd'^^^^^^^^^^ a.J over-' burmng out of sight of the sun w^.Vh k''', ^"/^ ^^^"0*^ bjgh enough abore the Flat ^ ♦:^ k ""li. ^^ ^^^^ mounted opposite, and the 4s of my four l.n^' ^T^°? o^ hills Co tage and the valley JowTtUTm^J^-*''' u'^^^^^^ ^«se called me to go with him on /L « "corning shadow. John 8o cheerful ouWmX? thatTwT" ^t^^ ^°^^« '^^^^^ rose and went. ''^ ' '***' *** ^^^^ with a glad heart I of peS^nHhlj^^lft Tg^u^rT^rin^^A-- • ""^^ ^^^^ -- h'U. All that drLrnZVoTo?er V^!f^^^^ It, nor I. He seemed contented!!^; ^f ,^»^°ot speak of calmed down ; except that thp «^T^ ' "•' ^®*^'' thoroughly had settled down into ^e ^^^1^^°,'"" °^ ^^^ ^ien groat crisis and climax of S hST*^ ""^ manhood. The never could be a boy ag^hi^ ^^ ^'° ^^^e through-he the Zr?h^a'rd^ ^l o^^sl'Ltd l^^T "?^^^ ^-^-g heap of loose red earth-the as v^t i'r^'T^^'^^J^ ^^^'^ ^ thf one stood beside it-the only on/thn ^^?? ,«^'*^^- Some- , Even had I not rec^ZgS h^r Tl ^'^^^^ *^ ^ '^^^e- have told me who it was A^Ji ' '^°*'° ^ "^»°°er would face-its quietness wal' gone-^^vL^'l'T <^^«"Pread his almost broke my hearth S k^^, ^®**"^ trembled— it its roots down"2 rhTteryTor^^:/^?^^ {'^^^^ ^'"^ «t"^cJ^ every fibre of his beinff. A Inl wi,? k '.u '^"?''« *bem with up 80 early, and come to maturitv «n1' *>"^\^' ^^ «P'«°g curse of L whole L^t^nce Ce JhlV "''^?' ^^' ^ '^^ virtuously, for a good woman be it ev.J ^A"*" ^?''^ conceived he rightly considered as a curse hopeless, can ever the otheriidlVSie^FlSt ?" Shi wfST^-'/ ? long walk-to ^^ „ Kue riat / She will have left Bose Cottwre " When ? " JOHN HALIFAX. j^^ "Before noon, I heard. Come David " one fresh rose »molg the fasS.r ^ ""T' "'^''■8 to find 1 marvelled to see Sit jTn'/^'' """-'haU I try? " wasjust like his r^Ve^lllts wiS? hT " "' '^'>^'"' "« with„e^/i2Va'X"i;l'"dotL?S.'f '".';''«»- -ay " So I have heard." ^° '"■^y- "r. Halifax." ' He did not say " sorrw t^ v, »? » omission strike her? But nol-«hf * . , Vy^on^Jered did the both as mere pleasant Zl«^^ evidently looked upon us tenderly, bounrup^with Xs ^^^^ perhapHven' a more than ordinary p^ in hi- *' .'"^*^' ""^^^S brance. No man with coZ.n« '^^*"^ '^'^ '«°»em- cpuld for a momenT dare to °«^?'" ^'l ^r°^«° Reeling, showed. ^^^ ^ misinterpret the emotion she -it^'^tr;te^'J^\''?^^^^ - i^ we would come in again referred gratefui^^^^^^ And then she ^^ We aU went once more-for the laTLe-into the little " We loi^^TS'^:!;!^^^ mournfully. Tvherc." ^ ^^*^ ""'^^ SO with you-always and every- "Thank you, Mr. Fletcher." It was strange, the grave tone our intercourse now in- 160 JOHN HALIFAX. world, in8tcai'otr»oTtL\S^5 ^"a""^ "" ««>»«« Mtho very dawn of life. " ^ '"°'' ""^ » ^'""'8 »<«>>«<>, in the very kind, and I am eoTonely^-" '" ""'• ^' Caroline ia ".0 '"'."-a' making VSJr'Tnt'S.'' ■•".' " « ««"?«■"« more fragmentary conveLi«o„T.iJ° ™^r '»• *■ '»'h self and me-John ntSZ^"°^' '"■J^^y ""t'een her- window half shading h^f^^^'hi??'-.^',,'"' ^> '^o covert, the gaze which incesS^t^i^iu" S""^: . U''•» *>ee-oh, had she seen .""'"""y '""""^^ and dwelt on her w "nS;g"rs"^;i,i^r'"lL' 1° ~^ -S!" "• o*^ »- Bury? Itap^a«d?o '"""' " K"'"''""^" - „f7or"n T-'^^'^t^a^JZi'Zf^-^r ' '"■?'■• '»'<' ""« to tie Mythe Honse ime .^J" fS?''- '^J »''.U remain at purpose staying at eZZVv' °''- ^"^ '""S ^o ^O" I was uncertain. j-ou';,^iraC;^rcoi:ii"toX«»";;ry "-•v^ '-"• a?^."" "■'-» "" ^o" /-t rdirdu'^inT ii; h-rt-n';: dispfea'^'?! If'""*"" "»k«' ""Prised- '".TI»s£?~^^^^ JoEn, lost b'ow7J-„."'^4'Vo»'Srme'"^>.°.^ "^ «""""• »■'<' I -io -wWher tnere ifanyfe S?r Lfh^JS"".^"" ""' Mswe? "'"'''' """'' "» •»»■"% of k"." was the low, firm ver/^L\^-,^h\fellKS> "it^T ^"^r »<" »l>»t ny friends are gentlemen "' ' " """S'' '»' me ol.imtotlSftl'tr^' "* ""J' »"■«'• "<"•" "0' »Uow my Astoaished-nay, somewhat more than «tonished_the JOHN HALIFAX. jgg young gentlewoman drew hunl ^ ij**i .. r , understand you." ^"^ * **'"®- ^ do not quite " Let me explain, than • *' »^a u seeming to have broighiUk aH hoi'ff T^^?^'^ »^«'"«» pnde, Be faced her. once mS«, l; u' ^'^'^^ *«d n^anly March, that you shouW kn^rwfci^U /{ '' "«*»'• ^^ you are giving the honour of Tour «„!«!' ^ *?' i° ^*»°« ought to have known h«f«rJ/k * *?°d°088. Perhaps you seemed to be equaKriends'' ^"' *'"^' ** Enderley/we "J[,JJ»^'e indeed felt it so." what yo«°neC SeJVn^r ^"^T "»^ '^^^ t^^^i^g you- that we are .^JeTuSs' Slfj''*' °°^^ **^ "^'^y *<> forget^ as 8«oh-and i/dtt'i7iv«V '"^'^^^ ^?"^^ °«* ^8^^^ "« be friends." ' '^ °''° >°" ^^""elf would wish us lo "Why not?" _j; Bec»„» ,ou .re . geiUewoman, .nd I am . Ir^le,- over herflushM ch^kTiierfX JlTn^ ''''"'"' ''"»'°« tk«t of . taMer /al"'" »°°?. •"«' »' Norton Bury, Phme.8'8 fathw •• "^ »PP'»'"'™ to Abel Fletcher- of kL^Le^tnl'^lJL ^'" '~''"' "«" »' ">»-» "i-glod look educate myself I came^"N^£„'^£«"»^i ^ ^ave had to <»«g»r-boy. No. not quite ftT f '7 '-l ^^^ »8<>-« starved." ' '""* ««"— for I either worked or lift her%TenS°t%te "' "» »<»'». "«^ Mis, March sMiniJ^fror,^^ tC '" "» '%-st.rving. We yo„ know her"Sis?a^'^:Cu,'iT- * «"/«!rf- to me a bit of bread " ™^'"°« "o the door, and threw out ""n^'f .'"^ ^'"'^ "Yoa-wasthatyouJ" time, when I was incUnId to aT2 """ ';'",» 8*''- "'"y • tt.e remembrance of trfw^t^^ SS?i.:,^Cj^?, "^"^ f 160 JOHN HALIFAX. «at. Uhbk MiiS^^;'«2l^^^^^ *^' "^^ ^hero she John continued. *"*' weeping. "^^ ?S"j°-»» least, never aTnow^lT' ^ !°7 "'"w "eejou HeTl f"'"''* "" hurt." ^' "" '»»'■ »■>« more «" . " Poor li'tue h^d-btt SSf • r^.":'" " fim^y * It evermore." "'e^ed btUe hand 1 May God bles, That day MiT^tfrfiK ^'^'^ fi^o^^e. EaderleyaloL.^ ^"^^ ^'^^^^' and we remained ai T CHAPTEB XVI It was winter-time ah *u gone, "likea dWi when nnf°'°'f .1*'^" '^^ Enderley were been the beautifTcS Tih7^^'^'" ^^ ^'^ ^ho?^ nor spoken since. ^ ""^ *^® ^'^^'n' ^e had never hea?d the %K the road towards the wmdows of the kCZ^fj^-^l ^^^ JOHN HALIFAX. id ^tJ^T^i being awav. The meadows alongside, where »he S^TsAU Norton ^^ ™ *^*I* V^ lookers-on of ev«J Class. All Norton Burv seemed abroad ; and half Norton Bury exchangeu salutations with my compaZn? 11 I w^ amused to notice how John's acquaintance Cgriwi T . Among the rest, there overtook us a little elderly lad v as !£?^^ ?''?"• ^ ®*^ *' once who it was— Mrs. Jesson our g^ iV^'' "^"^ ^'''«' "^"^ «^^ love ; whom he hTlatoly "She seems to like you very much," I whisnered • natLti^* froT^^d t'^"*"^' ^^'^'^^ John'returned ^.^r ^0^^;^ as I Sif rjd^ou."^^ '"' *^ °^« ^" ^°^-' ^-' --tb, about^^t's-m^TlT "^'.^^^ ^^"^ ']^^°»« be had mentioned aoout that same London journey, for he had erown into a pamful habit of s lence now. Yet I dreaded to break it lest any wounds rankling beneath might there^ b^ mide to smart once more And our love to one Z)tW wm t^ S.y way * ^*"' ''''''' "^ ^*^« P^^^^ ^ influenTitt We came once more upon the old ladv wfttphm*, th^ ten. at TeUr ^"""'- "O '^e^ - - w.^'t S^ndon ? •' • ^'° y°" '*'°"S^^ 'ban you were " Was he ill in London, madam ' " " ^°'J°^®?^' ^^^"®'*^ ' ^^"^ only enough to win for me ^'•.?^,1^^- "^^'^P^ Sreat kindness." ^° "* ^''^ '^"^ °^« Which you have never come to thank us for Nnv«r crossed our door-sill since we returned home ? Do^ not vour conscience stmg vou for your ingratitude ? " ^ He coloured deeply. " Indeed, Mrs. Jessop, it was not ingratitude." ness. ' l^i:ul; \^:^^ "^^^^"^^ ^^ --b kind. He hesitated. 1^ Hi i i 109 JOHN HALIFAX. migdt not be agreeable for vou aiS n ?°^^ Bury. It ^Tbe a olTlka '. "^"^ "^-iSesran.^" '""^ *<> ^-e my wei^ kindnep as .bllUC a^^ht""" ^"^" ~°^^^^'°^ ^^ond |« alwa;;1:it\^^^^^^^^^^ «atb.. Truth tradesman; I found out for 'vJlf *1'V'*'^ J'^" ^ere a n>an. I do not think the *«,f^" ^'''' ^°" ^ere a gentle- husband VVe shall t^happy to rv^T^'.' "°' ^*^' "'^ times and under all circua^coT^'^''" at our house at ail but^^^;^^':^,^^^^^^^^^^^ ^ea over it in silence ; wise, forcing assent^ .?A« IT^IU^T ^"^^"^«^ '^ Hke- And we aU three went on 2^7 '°^ '"*^«'? ^ ^^ l'' -enMr ^B^/^^a^r^^ with some amuse- her davs: but that hard l?fe hadH'' P^' fi^^^erness all cheerful sunset of her exSene^ iZ H\ "° ^^'^ow on the happy face, in spite of Tts wrinUeT and T * '"«*' »>"«H Welch features. And it wJ^uT!^',^^ l^^ somewhat hard though she talked a go^ dlal^^ ^ ^^' *»«' ^^, even accent Sometimes a^^e or' ttn^ "" ? ^^^'^^^^^^ ^Velch «f;n^^' ^* ^*« ^«y toXss whv Toh"'"'"^/^ me slightly old lady. ' '^ »"®«3 ^hy John evidently liked the "I know this road well Wi. tx-i-i ^ summer here, with aTold punil nn^*^*^*^' ^°^ ^ «Pent a to-day to inquire about herltlTvff^^-"^' ^ '^"^ going woods came home yesteSy •• ^""^ ^°"«^- The Lrith? A was afraid to look it T/>i,« « was startling. How I bt^?\r J^T "^ ^' '^^ "«^« garrulousness. ^^^^ ^«- Jessop's unnoticing grea'anfeSleiJ^strt^^^^^ ^ ^-e a though. She Patronises^me ver? j^7 CarolW account, she ever forgets, what Tom mJs t .^' ^!!* ' ^^"bt if of remembering-that I was {hn *"" "^'^^^ *«> Pw>ud Cardigan." * « ^ was the poor governess, Jane "Jane (^ardigan I •• I exclaimed. •f ,.7 < Lad JOHN HALIFAX. iqq aw i;Jf ^r ^*» ?,*>«l»«ve I have heard vcurs . Not from «OMi wtber of jrou know my old pupil, ersulr, March ? •• ine live cnmson rushed madly over John's face Mm Jejwop saw it; she could not but we. At fiwt iS'loXS Mtounded, then exceedingly grave. ' ^ ®" M»ih®&*^' " '*'** ""? i*^ ^'^ ***« *>o°o«' 0' meeUng Misi AUrch last summer, at Enderley." «vMug mitm i«v"^t'''' ,?*® ?^^ ^*^y continued somew' . f fprmsilw hL 7iiK^®°^-'?*° '^,!'*' ^'*^° ^'«~ very ki.,! to Let "h u "Itwas,"! answered: for John wa ;, ,!,]>,« I saw at once that all my hopes for him, . I! 'the .^^,v, tong silence on this sutjectfhad been . x v.'r. V\ act forgotten her. It was not in his nature to for ^r Mrs. Jessop went on, still addressing herstlf in r^^e 1 am sure I ought, on behalf of my dear ru? . *o oi^cv you bo^ my warmest thanks. Hers wi a most rvmg posi faon. She never told me of it till afterwards, poor child J •• Ajid teajrs stood in the kindly blue eyes. "I^ ttTankfnl ^trouble was softened to hei by finLg that ^anaen''^ i™?\ °"L^^'''''^ *'*' fletited a slight Weron the » kina/^ strangers could be at once so thoughtful and "No one could be otherwise to Miss March. Is she well » Has she recovered from her trial?" « sne wellT wJ'l^**'^ ^.' ^*PP»^y' ^ew sorrows, few feeiincs of anv She did her duty, and it was no light one, to him wh? i^ gone ; now her life begins anew. It fs sui^ to be p^sZ,!^ --I^tm^t It may be very happy. Now I must bidToiTCS She stopped at the gates of the My the House • creat iron &'SJnr ^' r?.^^^ impas'sable as Jhit^wblcM; Uiese tunes the nch shut against the poor, the ari8to.-rflLft Promi^-' ^°" '^ °°'"* ""^ "« "• ^- Halifax » " If you wish it.'* " And promise, too, that, under all circuaetances, you will ^s^m's^^wmm^ IM JOHN HALIFAX. ^;S:' "^!""'G^.|;^^."'»""■■«• «"« 'PWn truth.' To, v io yo^gl^.-^''^ "'""' y™ ''»™ Mi me «^thmg. ft ^ighj oho^evJ^^/Zerseetea'trflr^ cutting wi„a-M, one touch of her little hand " ° *'""P" "' ''" '««>. worJ,rthe«rTwai J'tu'r^fr,"''' ■» ""O' "> »ch had gone by. Then ThTnted V. f 5" ?"'-"" «■« P'^Vsm wanthrn'ean'o^i:^i"tr at"" ^^ '"•- B»' I lie ffasoed " imilr IT^ "ly nome— at my hearfc^PhinAaij " oome out-bettet it Sd '"""^ "»" ' 'o™- " must Besides "-.nS kS"Cl:i°* .^P' »« '» "y^^nses. '^•jard, The thought of her3/7„; L*'",?''*^' '" "« glad of t. r trial t? kL"', , ""'H'' ?»' «>me there. I wu •premiee ladl-a 'me« ob™/'^' ""' •"»8«"'« "^at I L^ II \y^' ^^^^ ^*s wrong." -a ^.a«-a bit of t>>.T'irdT^,^^'^Zyfl^<>. ' -^"^ «ofc tto Jessops there ? " JOHN HALIFAX. ijg tan-yard ! - ^""^ '^ ""^ ^*'® here-U) that accursed I said nothing. heart \^ir.:'"\";;;"lhSl'»,l'«»?^™?^ «>« «« the twentv Loa« hence a l^kXZ^l •" °»°' ""* '»'='' ..' 1 7 her," I repelled moum'iuUy.' and iVrettJt^i'^Ca T'h ""■ " »- ^--o woman, I could Tke her lovome'Tt'^, *?»',' "T '"'» of crawling after her thus I wo^j 'J S",, ?°"'''- ^nx'^ail gates-do Jou think she",' ther^f" *° """'^ '" »' """^ ^'J- ier WingTS."'"""' "'""'"«<'• »' "" »«" '"ought of canl?-! t'::'.t''S.^'„t1i<^: m/lntt-tanTJ^'-.K^'"? b»nd ana truo wiff^ 1^;^!?^^ ^ ^^-.r^^ "^ 1«8 JOHN HALIFAX. iX'^p.S'p^"^^^^^^^^ which sounded .osi my wife-,;,/ wife I •• ^"^^ ^"^^ "^an^ea, she wiU be "« ; we shall CO on an^rf LV*',**'^'* ''"^ "<>' *he other of Perhaps she w§? co^meT t*"t2ef T'mai 1'*' T' ^'^^ heart there." "*®° • ^ ^nay have her in my ^-tlbitaldT:?^^^^^^^^^ broad, red, new ,„oon-a little, Sv thL ^"* '"'''"^ ^" '*' '»»« might well have husheSTheTnldSe't T""' {" ''^^' *^»' hushed h,8. He stood still! S ' „nT ''^ P*^'^" • i' then closed his eyes, the iLhes ^1 wft ^' "" ""^"^ '"^°"^«' more : iVtrandra^l^rJS^r ' '^*» "«' ^''^ve thee any Come along r ' ^ * *^''^' '^«>^*^«'' ^ thee for the future Pass1ng^K" r^^'^^^^^^^ - --/ ^ome. for my father, nf^^^^^ we should call sour and old, and ^^iifZn^Vo^''ln^^^ ^'"^ ■"« «^«" who never ceased to respect and m^t. "'*''^ "I^° John, his master. Though stSl L? •^**®. e^'^ryone else respect the business ahSenuLt^^^^^^ he baS'^^ see how my father briKhte„i^^,,„ „f f?^"' ?' ^a« Pheasant to when he turned homewanf Z tt^^''''"'^ ~^^^ ^^^7. young arm, now the sTp^n 'of Uh Tn, "^/ '^^''"'^ «*«>»? walked t>ugh ^WtonXry street, wh ''"^ me Thus we "8, and indeed as it seemed to m^thi« m."'" everybody knew body greeted us-at least/on^ of '« ?°™»°8^' ne^Ij every- along soberly and sterX froLY„r„; Y V ^""^^"^ ^alk^d John Halifai received ^ frownmg at almost every salutation thee"J> ^ '^^''^ ^" too i^any friends, John. I warn -swe^^^^^^^ ft^^ry^sM r *^^^-"« Fletcher's wrath. But it was S'.l t ^ a""^ ^'^^''^J^' Abel JOHN HALIFAX. jgy ray «ik«, yo« muH come." ^'' *^*» "t th*';?^;;^'^'.^ ' ""■ "^ "»'«. »^»'P'y- •• John, ,her. than his fav^rite'^y Tww susEll.f''' "' ''««"«»"> Abel Fletcher repeated the question. u f ? ' ** ^^^ ^"- Jessop, sir." « T^ "Tr*'',.^'^^ Caroline, you mean ? " Abd l^lSth^lf ^'^''^? particular!;^ to see John, father." "Sir!" "^^^ "I hope I urn a gentleman." B.ent""?"oh W r .'hlTrT.^ "^ father's horrified a,to„i.h. Lord have m;«f ipo'^tSr " I»°' '^'^"^'^^ I'd '-tho I was shocked; I had not believed him so bad m thnf the young squire-Miss March's cousin '^ '^ « *^'^^- a'ladv' J.r"^'"^ ^'?'®''' ^^^'°« *^ott«r and hotter -or ?ati:?ibrru„h"up'ir hr'- '''• '^^^^^ '^^^^^^^ -^ ^« '^t^^b 41, ,, "rougnc up m the impious atmrifJAa «f w- i the aeoaucLene, of Naple,, where, tho»gh"she ke;p.'Tcro« id 16B JOHN HALIFAX. H^iltn?!^^ -*^ '^^^ vile woman whom the, call Lad^ Johnatartod. Well he mi«h* / had come, all this winfc«r 1??* *' ^®'' ^^en to our quiet town .'«i^°e Brithwood is following"^ '*''^' ^''"^^^ '»^e Btops to his own door, John eno^gh'&^u^as^^h":^'?'^°• ^^ ^^^^ ^«^ '« bardly good will think so sooi. Man'come in ? "'" ' ^"^ ^^ ^---i^' nsual.^ in 'Tutrwe Tad'S'' ^"^ ^ ^^^^^^^ John i . aa Fletcher's tempo^ry X^^u,^%^- ''^"^ °' '^-» Abd wha might it imply ?J^Vh^.^^^ J^'^ ''"^°fi^« chance- |f I judged Mrs. jVfsop ariS it &* °-^' ^'^ ^ ^^^ no : lead to. what I saw John'^fancy Cd ' ,'n '"^P""^' "«' ^«"Id and revelled in. madly. A loveA t "'" 'Pf^"«^ '«^'»''J. J^verf 1 could see what will n' tZ - ^*»°J^-a Dover's hope But the doctor Wo(2wi?;n''W **^7 ^^re. ^' would never lu^a ySSfg^t wHh t'H'« ^^^ ^^^ernoss. I felt sure-oertain-thafc we TLT^ Phantoms as thos. and no one else. Certain eTenwhl '"^' *^^ BrifchMODds, of tea, there came in two littZw ' *! '^^ «^* ** o»' dish tions to worldly festivU^ thl ,^ °*^ notes-the first invita household, and which iLlfll^'*^^^.^^^^^^ °"^ ^•^ker had been coals fr .^ Gehenna^v^f of her fingers as if they supper •• at Dr. . Jsop^S MrlSf^^r'^^^^.^^ ^ * " Jit^o wood, of the Mytho HoiiW^ ^^^ Caroline Brith- trie^'S^hU'^o tn t"^^^^^^ ^-^ John vainly went like summer lightnin^-^' To ' r^^"' *^^' °^™« »nd to-morrow." 4,"6nin„— lo-morrow— you see. it ia iope^MlototV"'^"''' ""'^ -"O'y '"-g. in the JOHN HALIFAX. 169 He is his own "AndJohn, father?" 2n.3^r/' ° "^^ ^ ^ '"^" i' ho chooses. •I have been alwava '• Aki xi. pride than sadness. "Yiniirht hL *"7^'' ?*'"<' J««« i" but for the mercy of Heavci a^d vm.rT" /" •■"'" >«'*'•« »&«. us be at warfare now" ^""""^ kindness. J>o not Jet own*;lnk'?'Zj^;^^,*i;«f- 'S^ ^^"»«' *h- J^ecp in thy have been." ^ ^^^^^' ^ »° ^o^est tradesman, as I . " ^"^ as I trust always to he Rnf ♦», * • ing, not me. I-John n^\ltL^' ■ '?*? '^ o"^)' »ny caU^ in the tan-yard or I°r Je^J^?"! ^"'^ *^^ «^«^«' ^b«ther position cannot doffra^lenorfhf'.K'^'"*^"--'^"^' The one not ;.si.ct_n.^.tiSeV^^^^^^^^^ me. I should amazement. " Then fh. ''Jf?^"**^^ 'Iropped his pipe in gentleman?" '"' ^^'^ ^^'""^^'^ %8elf already Vi^te a won't uft."' ""° "^ yo-'e- B<" it won'riMt-no. it beiore-and sat mnsiTg * ""^ "'"'"'S. »wo minutes hW'-tttllC:™:'! ■>"«'«' Jphn, after watching without either your knowli?™ ^*~'- "'"''<' •'»™ Bono. »therdealopenl7;ifhvo^^8t°\P«™ro«; hut I had have been the kindest iZter S.^!"" \ j'?'"'^' ''''• ^'<>» hope, aa long as lUve^rei; .^ *"^*' '"""' t" «>o; I deceive you.'* ' ""°'J' t" »PPo«<>. »nd never to •ookr«n"drwWo''h7«rki''a "»^, mpecttul-hie candid folk?" ' y ""^ ""* *»»' to go among these grand -stong ^Z'^'y «« K"""! folk. I have other reason, •B^hoae... T.U me thy strong reasons.- li 170 JOHN HALIFAX; Is it aujlit ih:3 Here was a strait. "AshAmedl No I" theo'; J^ !^ aVTJ; a„*cJ,%*t!""^ ^^ -^-h -onld be to ^^^•^Dishonour ! " And the bright e,e shot an indignant "Then, tell the truth." onewhoisyoung"5:SC?en^-g^^^^ "°<^«' ^«' charge ^^ Has she such an one ? One thee knows ? " •' Man or woman ? " " Woman." Rf^,^^ ^ther turned, and looked John fuU in iha - btem as that look was, I traced in if « «* *°® ^7^8. ,., " Lad, I thought so £ hast toLaTJ^ compassion, life— woman." ■^"®« ^s* wund the curse of man's »c«t-thu8, for whaUndl <3„o? volS^rirL'''' °7» 80 absorbed wan h« i« -j! ^«ew not, voluntarily betrayed— truly/^3l ttflife Ihafn emplatmg the old man. And over my fl^hS^s f^e if ZTt'^^r*^ " convulsion pi^J and reeved the toiSient oTa ^L^llL'^"''?"" ^*^ ^''^^^ healed wound. Not^Uy^\ ^/^m J'^^'^^^T'- *<>•»>«- meaning of John's mm o?^», t ^ ^ understand the full father. ^ ^ ^^' ""^ ^^^^ ^^ ^s so patient with my The torment past-^nded in violent anger. wedloctoT?nl^.^^ '' deluding thee ^^I^* it a matter of "It1?i"li5^.^"v'^"x'*^«*»«°fi«- "The lady " gentled." '^'^ ' ^^^ ^ ««« ^^^ thee would falT^a ',] c^' /at^er— how can you ? " thee t^lXw'rrhim^aZjX" 'I */ '««• ^o-W^' I'M put thee StlockiSaTl if""^'u *".' ""* «''»" ■""■ •nd disgrace thy faft^J •'!"'' *"' '«'<'"' ""^ "l""* ™» %««. '«.m af„.t .:.d rwortfAnl*' A^dt'/i. ttoliS .'% JOHN HALIFAX. „j yeara. eonccminp myttr '"^' *^ "^ '"™ for « you heard all. " »l»08eUier biMneless. So am I too, ■'?tr„:" LiisrLi'htSe.rf''''"'? »■"''? "'»'••• nwn. And my cm5I^C ■? T. '°™ " "» ""'«"«« ^ any ^^.ho»o o. hi, hand,. %h«/^k^^ »,,t:t:jo„t,,'5: ofSX'SLtl^^Ktl afri,""""^ !'«"«•-" all three nt silent for a lonTtime k!^! ' 'P^' *"»"• We " Who i, die ? " * ' ""° "y '^Uier «ud : statioL""' """' "•" **" yo"- She i, above me in worldly «otL*m'bi:t''h*7-,'rti^y«iir7^- liL^-v^ -""•»' not marry her ? " ' ^^ ^®' "^« ^ Thee would'st honouUle",I*:„H K,T- ,^'"' y"' » V ""y win her love, many her iTiU?" ' «> " '» >» «We tJ That brave '• I will »• <<■ l^ j . ment. It, indomitobe rellS""' ."' ?"y "» ««» '""il- wonder-nay, ^tt a »rt oU^e """='' '"' '»"«>^ with wndiy°° "Mt?,t\'ii:,''„,t'fi„rth''"} ''^'p '""'■•"«' -•■'. not lad-I wid keep SyT^^I l ""^ •'«»™ « «-«»• Fe.; "1 knew you would." silently and sadly. ' ^" P'P«' *^^ Puffed away, w^TeentoT."^^^^^^^^ *,t ;r ^ t^ °^ \^^ ^^^*^^- burying-ground in St. Mary's line 1?^"?' 'V^^ ^"^"'l^' Bury, except myself, h^ Lg^own TJT''^*' *" Norton the young, thoughtless creatur^^K^ *' .""/ P^' ™oth<'^ «> unbappy andi, brilf-!!:!",^^^ --„^,^-^o _h^ ,^^^ 172 JOHN HALIFAX. CHAPTER XVir. • «»n. which waa*,„i^ ni'^TiL'neT:^ '"'""' •" "" .upp«r.partie8. How ' hey gSlX^ I d^ '"J^'"" »"""• «<«? no doubt with B kind of wolf lZ?f„™ ? ""'.""""•nemberj was genorall/ formal thon mTIwT 'T".?* ' ■"" »<»«*y JoM^p'a «ylng ^-atX a„7±fi "^"""on « of Mrs. After that. meS''l°an £f ffi' "^r"**"*-" civility to Mr. Halifi, ' ^'" '' ""' '""' extraordinary «tr,,-gle, no" ^'""'' *"' '"™ ''«'°8"'. ''"»»» i^and o;-er' J;^ .frL':^ -^ ''.^thtnktU'" V*" ■" ' March " ^ ^ '^'°'* ^ *oW you that Miaa announcer Jo\^a;^r.tTr ' T' ^"^!f«-^ ^"-^ I heard his breathing Undm? t* tT^ ?^ '^^ ^^"^^^ J speak to him In ?r„n, t ' *"**,-^ *^*''®'^ ^o* look at o- with any woman «tMfl understood I never " was in love " "*»' ^"" save thallS lnvo.i /^/*?' °T.®^ ^y °»e ^^om Miss March so well loved, could lurk nothing evil or unkindly. nr.nu */ u ^ '"f° °*y attention to the Brithwoods. One could not choose but look at her, this handsome I^v Caroline, whom half Norton Bury adored the Xr hSf number she declined to "know." AH that she did know- all that came within her influence, were irresistibly atjr^^ for to please seemed a part of her nature. To-ni Jht Sv everyone present stole gradually into the circle rouidXr^ Etv heXXf "^^ '""'T^ ^y ^« fascination of her ri^i oeauty, her lively manner, her exquisite smile and laugh. wo.^ Shr. 'I^''' John thought of Lady Caroline Brith- wood, bhe could not easily see him, even though her acute r^r mTan V"' ^° ''V1^^^^ ^^'^ ever^LSr i^th^ Imlonr half f ^' ff,?"''^ '^^^^ ^^^ ^^a^-n back a little, w" h hTm c i^T f '«"°^-pe«t^' ^ho had been conversing witn mm, crept shyly out of his way ; as if. now the visihla reality appeared, they were aghast L the ^afgulf thlt lay tetween John Hahfax the tanner ai.d the Brithwnl;!: .f iK Myme. A low even looked ^kance at our ho8te8s7as t£)i^ > «l««>d, Madame, je roua cotnprendt.** but the higher clasa^ In England ^*"« "^' °' ^^^ *»y C^^l^^'Lih^^^f^A''] '^"^^ di««ent from Lady beings." '^"'''^«"- They are a verv Ijtferent dass of breaih'^a' few 'X'out^^^^^^ ^^^^^ her know French-let us Sik in ^it U«"^^' '^°«- '' ^"* y«" no one then." "^** language ; we 8haU horrify e UM yoa evtt a woman for your friend ? ^&nS. JOHN HALIFAX. ,75 EnJ^-h' i!i^^^ ^^•^ wmetimeg in French, sometimes in world know or S, u iZwi n^'i?"' °" •«« f "• ""o merciful— 1 cannM tin wk !" •"?' °'»™" "^y •» more only 4. •• Prr Lld^'i JiSe "'" " ■«>* ""'J of her I c« of U.^Z!l^^™Sf°!t^\?'f°°'P»~8«'6 bottom »w him^ISeTKohn H'altl- '"" "■* ''"' ■"•"■»' »^ looked ple.:ied rr,rv^ ;:»' TJh"r °^*"'?- vH» MICROCOTY RESOLUTION TiST CHART (ANSI and ISO TEST CHART No. 2) I.I ■ 50 y£ 1^ |3^ 1^ US IS Mmm III 2.0 MUu ^ 1.8 ^' APPLIED IfvHGE Inc '653 East Main Street Rochester. New York U609 USA (716) 482 - 0300 - Phone (716) 288- 5989 -Fa» 170 JOHN- HALIFAX. kindred should see him as ho "as '^"""' """ ^"''^'^ all expoctetion o( our yo.mg friend to-nlh?"' ™"'' '"' "? the nit^tarar:-„i"'oJ""fc '' ™'^ ™?"'-". ■"><• Mr. Halifax ' " ^ ""^ ^'O" "''" visited Bath, «.a„n^4%rne"„rtnSlaiT^krr,.^?r-. 'fe^--' *'» your fair ex-niipil is naije safe Thl T ' , "^^"^ y" considerably Lated siZ the''i,riShml«s\^°"« "jt' }•■" child.-' ^''"' ^ "» ^'"'« ^"''sfied about my dear her wX"tS" Vn"e""J:^t"'r '"tl!''" '"'^"-^ dropping of the eyelids ''"''°' '""'' " "<*'■ 'ai^y Kof Zr?- S-^V:K-1-- SSyTlh-e' whaUttn brditTto'accfmn'll^aS''"''™' "^ »-' "» the first time a "harp saSf t. '" TP""J ""^ '<» inriZoSr- '"'^^-- - ^"eeiirt>"n.rhu=J i^lShrSS'^^^^ox-s Than the sensualLTmiddkte ^°""'' '"*"" *»'' ^<"*' ^.^'J Mr. Bnthwood. let me introduce you to a new friend of him, ^r^^S.^^'-""" '<'*■'-'''" --"»ve heard »£ JOHN HALIFAX. 177 " \V'hat, Halifax, the tanner '> " " The same." ^^^« Phew I "-He began a low whistle, and turned on his tho4ttlst"a^ls^:^^^^^^^^^ f-oline la.ghed-a '' JhHel ''-<' JjtrZ : f'^^^L lu P^^^ant murmur of husband- ^ -Nevertheless, she whispered her gcnUeman."""-^"" ^'''''' ^ ^^^'« '"^^^'^^eed you to this I'm'S; tal^g 'i°'"' ' ^^^^ •' '•"^^^•^^ ' ^-^y Caroline- n.at;fo? L7n?%r;;S?;\4l^S-on ' tr^ S"l1 ^^-ff ? hope, dine with us next Sunday " ^^"' ^^^'^^^ ^••"' ^ " The devil he will I " "P/^^sely ; I invite him for my own." ^ their object Fo? J?^^'P?''' ""''' ^^^' ^^«»^eeded by wi^ir oDjecc. ±or, at the doorway, entering tvifh nr "^ Je-op, was a tall girl in deep mourninT W.\*^ ^{'"• -wo both knew her-our dSam at pfi 1 ^''^''' ^'''^^ brownoMayde. * Enderley-our Nut- -he'retu'^ned T ^'h ' ^^^^-their eyes met. She bowed her fa fand ne k werVIiY in"^ T^^' J'"^. ^'^^"^^ ^^^^^ --^retha^r^i-;^-.--^^^^ twitch. She said this meeting ?va. t^hu ""^^ °^'^'°"« but ''She was very glad to see n?e." ^ ^'' "unexpected," So she sat, and I looked sidr-vrvv- if i> i be. loghead «tb it, coronet ofenul ct^'^^t ^^SS 178 JOHN HALIFAX. every throb. ' °"'"'' '"'^'""'8 ""h "uel faithfulne« than words. John heXa Cm^^? "^"""'S'' """^ »' 'ooks had never looked dirSy toi °s' Jju Tf •u"'""^'' ^ syllable Miss March said to 7ne ' ^° '""' '«"'"' e™'/ " MytJS^^fhaTrahom .'T' ■» » P^'-ising tone : ;; Wereyo,, add.3sin8'."l'rTlr. iJr.TlfJ:???. ««■■'- ' " " CeZnly •• "' " ^''"" """' "' '-'o-between ourselves." the oth Jr wS'wrn^at/rs-elfl'^S ^-'»'''' »»oomforUblo. he felt what was eomini an7 ith. jr''"Vf*'''''P'' "" " meet it, knowing in whose nreln^^! I? ^^ '"' ''""8"" *<> -whathewas-whatSarf Rrith^ J** '^.f"™ •>'«"<>» acres couW never be-a gentkman ™"'"' '"'' "" •■" l"™^ -e^^^a^ini^e^tlfnl-'nt'' ""»'»'"«"' "' '"» '- ^oung explain/'*"' """'' "'^ *^'kward-ril call at the tan-yard and »y-andV?e."ly'Si'w SS'r''''t"»P'»»^"' '"»« *o «« p "®' understand you." beopenTnVp':rTnrn"L°o'off^^^^^^^^ ^^' -^^ ^^^^'^ respectable yo'ungnJnrLghtlZ^^^^ Sl"r/„w'^- * 'V Of course, Dr. Jessop asks whom Vl^?^' f '^^i/^^ »« '^n^- II i I humiliate myself by accepting any such table! . " Nor could invitation." - ^ , «>^t^::^hf.vxf^iaga^rxvn^^^^ fired up -as an angry man does ilaTS'ngZni """^ jjo.. 'b^rix^-tziffii ri^^f «f ^'■"■'•' betters, anyhow, by hook or by ^roc^k^ h!, rr?',^°" you would. Ifs alLys the wafwiryou ^^^^^tJj^Z. JOHN HALIFAX. 179 I wish you were cheek, but he rioter nor re vol u- aut^'gS:?. "™'««»»i»"- B, the Lord Tbe Toang blood rose fiercely in John's resigned bimself. "Sir, I am^either " c^illliT"""' " '"^''"""'- ^»" '^ ^ «"« Fletcher's " I did." came. ° "''''"'• ™''"'e for his answer. It " Th^L"'"?''' 'f """*«' : I 'fas that lad." have misSr t-lTno re^'wald' 7^' ? '"i^^ '"« ' »^<»"'' the^nin. I o«er JJ^ --',»; ,^^ ^^ fS - ?S? -^' e :e^[-4Sff^- --ver time'teLrequais '^^ '"""' """"^^"o^' o^rtainly for the standout wet' dTmb '^i. "''^^'^ u^"""- "«■ '«'?• The u„coZo7eT» inT»w1^' '^"^i" ^ff"'-'" were then not especially with meH? M^ T^^'.'i."'*.'.'' '"""'"''« presence, seSned quite used to if Rh ^"'^''<»*^ stamp. His wife and h„Z^ a not or two S'^r^'^^'^r^' ■*»»""» husband beyond aU Lnds '^""■''- " '"■'^'^ "■« lad oS^" a^a' m^Tf^^il-d"!' f"'' "^"^^ « "P""""- tt,':s^T?55C 'SSP ■"" geuHeman? By , madamrne^rr' '"" '""" "' » .«=Swrh':nrro&rl':„tivef;nu7ir"'"'= -? -^ r t!fpTe"i£frs ?'«^;''-.pihyd!s is Bichard BrUhw3 '^"""'"' " ^""^ 6° ^'^ '''"' 160 JOHN HALIFAX. m 111 eycs'^Jlctinrft."""' ^'° ^-"'' -^ ^-gtt his arm, hor Curse ^our father ! " ^ ^atner. thcshoui.l"!"""'"'"'' ^"»' f--: ■■» oluichod tho savage by those days eouU on.; JtipiltHritLTJ" "^ ■"'" '- but ho did not, Ho riSd"" /tbw foi:', ::"" «"»»"- to tSi:»t oSS'Lv.s,'t"v° n" '•™""'=°' " '■"»■«« all stared at him • onn Z r u ^'■, ^'^ °"^ answered him • friendly hand. John took i^""? ^^'*'°^, ^^'i^^ched out her There arose a mtmur o^?S^lI^Jr J * '"•^"^^"^• "Let him go ! " Miss \far.l, i.; ^"^^^^od is ^omg." bcr eyes. ^ ' ^^""'^^ ^"^^ ^ anger still gioTving in John tft?;~nloos"d tS'hJ-''^^^ T"^ *« ^'^^' ^% I ?" Mr. Brith>W i^^^L So „ot'Z^ ^'li^' /?"^ ^^-^"^ "P to am leaving it. You and I shi nnf ^'' .^^"''".' ^ ^^^^ = ^ help it." ^ ^ ^^"^ not meet again if 1 can ' who gazed open-mouthed whiWnh^ blustenng adversary ; his host and thS^ he C„'* it "*''' '"'*' '"««°» '« him-won>an's instoct is nsLlytSue^E^n?'^'".'' T'"' «mid a flutter ol regrets. decIa-V she dS „., ?f ^- '^'" '"'■ rn^.uTa^^d^^fc'''--^^^^^^^^^^^^ in htJ ?mSs^:^„f vte''-t«t J/^a^a. •• she -'"' ., John, passing out at the doorway, caught her words. As by **- JOHN HALIFAX. i^i jWm™ ;Z!"' "" "'°™^-' ™'»' -" -ore . ,»vc I dono shown me what I shall remember all Vv We ZT r.f ■ }"" only can bo » true Rentleman.^ ^ '''e-that a Christian if a'mant"„'^rst^tlV'''"''= ""'T'""' '"■"• - ^rh=r,:;l&t;^^^^^^^ reeogniXSin the other nT >'°8 ''"' "''■''''■ '^«»« '«"' something Ser than W T T' "^^ '""P"""' °™ '»"'' ; It must &^e''^nt''^:^:^z^iri''^; '"^ "^p"'--- kno!S'wh':n?u tr^rras '^^^ ™"'' "-r ■' '■ - to the world. ''" ™' " P""^™» ''"■"an, not unused John'J°arm""'' '° '""'■" '^' ™"' '""^^S •>« '««»I gently on ;• I am going. But she-what will she do ? " «indinrSr"klr;ounne:'l"'''''^''^'™'"^'''''U™.la, cheek d'„wno:Z.r4''.fsh;?uE™"''""' "--« ^"• caresl^g fonr/ss to°an™"n„*iT'' ^T ''""'»-'■ ""at is, new light • hetravl; ^t,?5°^^'?f''• ^' "•'""Je'' h« in a i^iinite'dUs o?Si'\KUe!™ ^'" " ""^ ■"""- 182 JOHN HALIFAX. CHAPTER XVni. ;- oo„3.„., a„.> oorne .o .aide .i^^V^^l tni it It w»8 a very hard trial for John. could n<^*bkmo"her""*S '""■""? "-^ ""• '»'»<>?• We n..ry waa a h" ribl plat foUSs^^f'T, "'aT^' ,"» ''/''"«<"■ had gone abroail about Mi.I a? f'. *'.'«»Jy '»'<= "tter tale relations. AlZly 2„e aL^ r^ ' "ingratitude " to her possible form TS he i^lw ^"? ^^ "'^^- '» »™.y the squire." hLi it Sen "vo?m»H°i-r^°"?*. ''"'"« ""^ I tr£y beUeve Joh^'oS n^tZi'^Cn^r' '"" "*'^'' "' b. otiif 4'"£t^r;£pt\rhr'^'^i" ™^ "-y' W b, the Wild. troubffSX ^mTS ^eJor,^ and^pTto'"^"' "" "''^'y- ^y ^ ^y. ™ a- "Sony of doubt o J"^th?u^"''rfstiSi * ^i S^^-e" "»' «««Pi»» the glory of a voun' t,L' ™''^ '']'»• His skength! beco^n/thlnrS??esS.eZ ' Th!t 'S.'""-'"'' ™» gentle composure, which had K'<„ir hea thy energy and lite througCwere' utterly W ^*""'"' " •^'" "^ ^« " What am I to do with tliee. David ■> " «!.i t . i.- evening, when he had /.nm„ ;_ i ? • ™"' ^ *" '"'» one knew whyr for Ur^a and hi, ?• '"§ Z"'/^ "■»» "'""l-I house, tafing therp?ea about her ? " ^ ^®* "" °»ve heard something Jfe■'G^^«.T^„•,^;;|''» - 'eaviug Norton Bur,." ■• PeX'ir'ou,r'^ r". X-t-A "f !^ '»' ." -»ent. have kited long, 0? it w^u?/'h«vl ^ ^'"'- ™» «»'W "<>' on W^ha'nds''^^ '''' ''^ ^i^^ow-siU, crushing his forehead equrily'debeJ^^^^^^^^ snatching at an ^^ ^'"'hCTh^: *T « ^ aVtiiK^ ^-p-^ '^- poor -prenTcetTV^,^^^^^^ s^vrratel^^^'ST'^^ ^' ^ insane enough to walk to T). 7 evenings I have been ' never entered, ^d^mark vSi w«n??K ^?'' ^^^°^ ^ ^ave me to enter, sin^ thS nUt Sfd ' *^k^.-^*''^ °^^'«' »«ked my senses came back and I w««f k* ^*^^*»?e ere I knocked, myself neither a fool nor a knave ^^^^^^^''^'^y ^^^^^8 made' well as?e Td! tratTnThe'e^e S'thf '"u.^^^^ ' ' ^-- - for a young man not twenronl . ^^^^^ common-sense, to ask the hand o{\ vZL \^ tradesman's apprentice loved him, wL most Sr^ Sf '^'^T^"' "^^^^'ain if she youthtosueal^^w ha fo^^^^^^^ ^^'\^^' » Penniless Brithwoods took caw to n, Sw\'T .^^'"S^^ ^* ™ (the at first supposed-wou d ?n h. *^' ^^'l^ '"^*"^^ '^^^ was be^not verrn.uch^^^-,i^e^« ^ -« .o.d.^^.our, 11 184 JOHN HALIFAX. \i^ not want her for a laint in a shrint T '.' .T"" ' ^ •"J •■Kot, lo walk with „ 'In ,^^"7 r?""^ ■"" •"< » >«'?■ -•Ircngthon me, make me »«« '»„t ^ ',''*■ r*" '='"»'<»' »«• ...an if I had h« fofm^wSe Not-'^- ^ ~"'"' ^ " «»«« l»comi„'g"Cl:i''::|,J'P''''y »? a^a down. Hi, Wk. were -Jirst'^ttrorrry'Z" '"so""?- "'' T '"« --1 l»ml., and smiles, sometimirgi,. Li ,^'""«"|'>«^ she merely «n'' ^ Jook-there they are now " ° "'"''• There- poked behind ; a qufet ' Sli^ V'?^ ^^'Shtly round, ind lingering on ler mouth "'viiat do you mean ? " " Nav ™,h?''"' ? ''?' '"» "■« l''^' "me." rah, am away jr ,o„„^j ^^, ygj g^j^ J Ameriftft " " * rently a low aguishTver whj'-V. ^ ^'l' ""'"• ^' "'^^ Wa- Bury since the^^mine of'ks^ vear Jf ? "^f 1^ aboutNo?L and she was a wise doctor^ ^^nd ha^^^^^ f ^""'^ «*^^ ' would have no one else to S»,5 J- ^ ^^'"^^ "^»»y- He the mere mention of Dr l^=f ^t *^'^-seemed terrified at for well I knew whatev;r fh ''P- ? °PP^«^^ ^^«^ «<>* at first might be, its ri wa^^tW P'^^!"^**^ ^^^^^ of his sickness could curk S^I TrusiS to hTl?**^ pang which no doctors trusted to the blessed quiet of a sick room er id )- d e 1 r JOHN HALIFAX. j^^ ^otao^r""^ ^ ""-'^-*« -^-I'B nursing, and hi. fever caught through living ^f ho «H^l ^ ^-^l' ,^.*'''*«" J^'-^y his od attic, in that 7nt Mhy a^r^^if *' '" ^"•"^'' '» Watkms' house. It must haw Wn i^ •^®''® ^^« ^^^l^y -aid, for a long time ; but it had ^o aS^ ^"' '^« ^«^'°^ crisis. It would be better soon ^' "^"^ '^^^^^^ its He % the^rfne^rf^^^^^^^^^^^^^ if o weelcs, and still except from the wasting ^rthoS •^'^^'^T^ *« ''"«"«^' of^.co.r„ he ..turned bis te^^l' ^ ^f^^^; spea'krng'a^o'rS I'betn In? '.^"^ ^^^«^« "^^^ning, hardly which L byTay\tehr'u terni^ T'^'^'^^ ^^^ "^ impossible dread-that ere now peonl«T„,l^'T'/"*'^"^^^ sicicness. without any bodHy disease T f "2 °^ '"f '" ««»^- hand that lay on the rnnnf^i!^ "^®*'^®- I took up h s poor regretted its^mewhat co^^^^^^^^^ ^' ^ndeSey heCd was not thinner or whiterile^tr^^J-' Ursula's own ^^^^^^t7::^^^^ let me rest.'' What if, des^,irafteXws'r:i"^'"^^^^^^ be smking, sinking -mv fricmfmtK ''"•^"^^^ces, he might comfort in this We-passTn^^^ ?^ P"*^^, all my another, where, let me'^'ca 1 ^„eveTso wim 'T '"^ *°^ answer me any more, nor come b Jk Z ^^^' ^^ ^«»^d ^ot out^m%^t^,r^' ^^"-tei^rrrldwith- auiitl^tTy^hL"^^^^^^^^^^^^ bim. going r in^ Jbeti?! t& ^bS~ work out a glorious iTfe whose hI ""^ l^^^u''*' ^^*^^»g ^^i"^' to bring to beautiful per eitTon aJl tbe ""^^ '^^l'^ ^"^^'^'^^ ^"^^ mme. But now, if this shonU J n^^ ^^""^^^ 'breads in from me, not I from hiL^^^^^^^^ ^^ ^^ sbould go knees, and the dumb cry of rn v » '^"^ ^'°""*^' ^ °^y Throne of God. ^ ^* ^^ ^^^ny went up to the How could I save him ? Anere was bui; ore uiv t U)mk if it were right or w;o^n;r ho£.'""l,^* '^ ' '^^y^^ »«' to h or wrong, honourable or dishonourable. 1(« JOHN HALIFAX. ii ""'W*?-' """"^ ™^ but „„0 W.,; In half-an-hour. withnnf ol. "^ ^^ ^®' merest I " ' 'shoTt' Ht^ ""^^ "S " "" '" " '"'"*" '"'''«• 'loctor W8S ou?'; M™ '"w 7""»" P«fIoiir «Iono. Thu bonneted and AmMbnT'L^ "^Z ''o™ 'he Iohr gardeH so we wero safe. ' ""'^ """"S h" gooseberry buS!: «o/.d'roimto7as™Ve"lmn.':K''l"'"'|8' """her eyes had a 'Hat"l tad-t'^TSfcr IV- '^Y ^ - — P-ns k.g»„ to move qnic'kiy a«^ r "'*''■ ""'' "■« """"i-g- bavJ^df/f «-«— ''-afsoi tre»„,ous ™i,e-l «,„„ to see them strfj '' ^''' '^"^^ «« i«^'°"ns, and watched S7i-^e:rf^^----er Shiver. S^.^»tS?Kghr^e»„;rrf.'^^ comparison with JohS. If he dfes^'"" '"""' » "'«"'. « that she Sttth'^f^i V ?J*'y- I ""^sh^d it over her and sightly Va.X^1;'Lt'^ Ulf''". ""If »" '^ ''^ «• goodl»'2Ll, / '^»' »•»' to thee, Ursub ; and thou wert Oolteer'^SteaeX^h'"^ '■»■'•'• ««" ^ very ■' "^-"""'O''- Hoisyounta^aGodisvery^eroao... JOHN HALIFAX. ,„ coworinK.almostlikoabW ,3 J 'i'"" >'"'• f*l'" ».it l.UIe bmI-who.„ U,„ Irmi:^ V.^ ^t""""'^"''' ''"''''""* looked up it her like » wrf c , L, ■ ' *''»,"."'"*'> ' "-and I know of i;hat my bmtSe-l dyilT/f "« '»■• '"«-" l.»aa all heTo™,^-to"l^t°wori,l'''"i', ?;'?■■! ■" ■"».•'" » Wessins lo he could fight^aS M "7 ; ' ''. ?"^''''- "''"« *- h«aUh but nowhi-^ealSi" lonr t" 1'''°'; ' '.',""" "<" "P^k "t; change, I «e clear:} „"von I whoZT) ir''^.. ^^''"«""»-"o can love him •• ' " '''*'' •"'" '">"«'• than an-ouo She stirred a littlo hero. mo 'U' h^'t'mJ Tm^l = ^1'" ""'<' '"}" ''o«^ '"•' love Yet even Ihave gi'ven uThU „„roT"but'?h" "■" ''"■'^^- to say more." ^ ' "'"oss— but I havo no rifrht so A r.ri,?:tur""&3 V?"r • * -P- neck, nay, tinged her verv a™« 1. ?T ''" '*" "nd She lookil at me onco-L"™ c7 with r'"' .""T "™^- inquiry. ' ' ™«o— with a miilo but keen yo,;'^';t°ct'u?'''&vm':o',77',r" ^■"- '-' >'"• She hf^nthJL A • ' ^®" ^^'^^ respect it I " « H'n^Ma'; hVSidi;!rafeVht ^-0^- „;-^: a 188 JOHN HALIFAX. SLVaVwtaL'^ovi:^." '''''' y^' -^' *- '^oble a man to I left her— left her n^here sho cof „« i done; 1 only know rhaTld\fu''^'',T "".S*" '" •■"» "^^^ sudden an,lLXo„s that I "1 1' "'"'" ^ '■'"P''>se «> of Providence '^Aul could r.fTi '" "'," "'"' *'"' «"'*"«« result where wo s«y w^ teus ai th ^ ? ™' *" '™'' ""' marriageU which L?/ ?«°'"',*'l'',' ^ "-"^^ ^^ery true thousand^ co"i, ml nnion^ P/''^^""^ T '" ""■'y «« heaven only; and that an V "'^>T'' "' '"=»™°. '"I'l either to make or to mar IhJt T° '"''^°" '« powerless heaven I left thU ^»^? •.' """PPy <■"''• Therefore, to to be And"o afteTrSj' i "'.""r '' '»« ''"^'ned da,* entering "that quiet '^rchJw"' T^^'" ™°"Sh to entered but Jael and me ^'°'"='"""''"' '^'■ere no one ever The ol(- woman met me at the door. Chang?."" '° «"'"^' ^'■'™''«: I do think there is a walkrftThL"^'b^.*il'"' "'°'^ ' ^ ''"8«"^-' '«"■« ">an blo.^^'^'n'cdd™^ mfv^SS^^lToV^'rrt''"'' '"'^^ »'y evermore for His ^^^^0 f^^ l„^'i»'' «<»> ">' inf;[fw"braC^"£i:r„^a n'l^i'fr "? - "» «^-. far better, diviner. a^d-no, not hope, bpt something j^^'-Phineas, how tired you look; it i, time you were in not tetrd^^r irkf "fi't"''- "t.^' ™'~' - ^ •"«' perhaps I wept outrigh^God Jnow^rA i J^h"'\'f "'■f ^- " ■^O" '«>»" ™"e if I told yon-only a dream-- JOHN HALIFAX. jg,, ritling by ,„c,jLt where rusirno;.^'""''''' ^''^ '"'' *»'» one ? " Ursula." either •■ Mi^March " olLf •" ""f"?-" ™» always lover, to diiui'rthe Wo™l nZr"" .t'™ ■ """w"^ "" .ove.,i:n°enefrj:jn"£,i'l-;jl^^^^ ^-;j J it was very wrnnf» • fhof t ,,, T • "j'^o tor her ; that seemed to shine in her eyes thantht.JT .'P'"' """ bade me ; I will arise and wSi"' ^"'"''' ^ ^"' *» " 'he nighrCt'Ltingtfot'd'ffu'lfa^n'dr -"'r' "^^ """ lilte a spectra, indeed • hnf ^.iii? ? i?u "'' ''"'«s«'- lajoking his eyes Even my father nnl^,> l""'^^- ""'' ''"I* ■" with Jael's he^?4^r old Jaeiw' "'''; l' ">'»"«'■«■»<=. crawled down staire ' '"'" P'™"* ^li^ was-John agarto^o'time"' '''''''"' "^ "S"'"' '^ ' ^hec'It be a man •" TbTjf?"!,.!'"'." '"^"" ™»» 'ban ever I was before •• bow, ^^a^ t'^&rthr fof '»„-- Any- wh^s been meddling wTth mj's^'et^k'^J^-Hey, Phiceas, "owspap:" rptTdeX^'n ''' """ "^" »'■ -" b'-i'y read ni. ■ 19D JOHN HALIFAX. dinner °^'''' ^^ * ^^^^'^^ ""'^^ '° ^'^^ *»«"8« t^^ao that In the afternoon, my father stayed at home-a creat thin., n ^oJ»° Halifax, there be a woman asking for thee I " No, John-no need for that start-that rash of im pe uous blood to thy poor thin cheek, as if there we^' !?;17 "^'"^'^ ^° ""'' *^^ ^^^^^- N°' it was only E "You have been very ill, my poor boy! Forgive me- but I Ma an old woman, you know/ Lie down aga'n/' Bide ^ '' '^' compelled him, and sat down by his ftn^'mo^f ^5"* idea-why did you not let us know-the doctor and me ? How long have you been ill 9 " ^' y I am quite well now— I am, indeed. I shaH be abonf agam to-morrow, shall I not, Phineas ? " and he 1^^ eagerly to me for confirmation. ^^^ I gave it, firmly and proudly. I was glad she shonlrl know it-glad she should see that the priceless ifiZl n?M heart would not lie. tossing in the mirefS ausfa ffl grl scorned to wear it Glad, that she ^htoL day find ind^^"' ^""^ '"'''' ^ ''''^ careful-very careful of yourself, raJ n?t'^'"' 5?'* '^^''''P- ^•'' *f »«*' be has many to take mosVde^i/' ^''^"^' *^ ^^'^"^ ^^^ "^^ ^« °^««t Precfous and I spoke— porhaps more abruptly than I oueht to havA spoken to that good old lady-but her gentle answer seem^ at onoe to understand and forgive me. Hali&xTLl!!"^' *^u' ^'- ^>*^^^'"- A°d I think Mr. ilahfax hardly knows how much we-wo aU-esteem him.'' JOHN HALIFAX. igj And with a kind motherly gesture she took John's hanrl " You must make haste and get well now Afv Wk V m come and see you to-morrow For IT^«nT* ?/y *^»s*»°d will ShetlkoTw J*" "'-'.I'^y^tongue'likewise failed her. and ^ stm. " S'"'-^— '!'»'' « «»««' ««03S each eyo-la^!! "Have you read your liWe note, Mr. Halifax ' " No answer. "»"iii.\ . had'saidio you?' '""^ ""'''''"' ^''^' «^« '^^^ "^^ ^^^at she Ay, all the world might havo read those simple lines : " My Dear Friend, alow me: '"'' '" '"'""."f *^J■«°' ," JO" wSuTd " Yours sincerely, Ursula March." ;; Well, what shall I say to my child ? " come " *" '°''' struggling to speak-" ask her to sMu^gliSo^n-^oteitrplt™^^^^^^^^ ™KreTmo,rr jot" r /" » '"'^ ^- - closed, someSsS"!reamt oX Wt oFw '^T'T' shone out above the iron railini;,°"beteen he''Ab4C:' 192 JOHN HALIFAX. &t h,TCd7 »t1uh*'^ '^1 ^^"- -^-^ % M» f«th„,T: .° '''"'' ™™— that wfts cnouch a(tcmUdo/o bStlthTl '''\6»?!™. "I »etZto his My poor oW father Yet 1 we " »fl'^'^ ""^'"^ »'™— »' I- enjof its day | ""'^ "*'<' "" ^^g onoe-let youth to h1^»Si^e'S„'Jf?"' " ^'"■''^-''"«» -'■-Pered -a. sanctified by the "aw o/gS 'td^hor o™'h?arf """ c.asJe1"hS.'» '""' "- ^'■^^ "'.I'-t t^kX'i „„,y with'r„;rst':SL ^'- "--^ ^^-^^ a low to„e, ?UovorJand„o^d"ed^f^i^"'r,v '■.s y=tac]es-eycd her inspection. Hia hard ™,o' iT„ ^i'^' "'"' » satisfied lingered, on that vonn.w hngerea, and softened while it digmty, truth ^ ^ '"'*' ''''"'°° ™^ ™"'=a simplicity, Wiu'thee'sl^d^wn/"™"' "' "''"'"'^' ™'™-»« 'o ™y bouse, father, hfXed her ?f w:!f '"'^''"' =\^°. '" »? Q»aker .at, the son'fJX^^^ r wirdJ^^ni ' he^ ^l'o£! JOHN HALIFAX. ,93 trembling as she trembled For ah^ a;;* *. ui bchdd sinco_!Ah% woia« fha?"" if' ""P^' ^'Sht it had at the table's foot aiid Jv. h?^ k* vl'" f '"' *""'' •>« Plwo hand-her pretty riZI^I^,l"?» ''/"'' "'te' "!«■ her own as if it had WaSXS mTssTC.?" ^''" ''^'^• there. No wonder thJ Jwl-r.i *'"™ "''" '^M a ttinR of her lowrqulel/^a'tkw^a^Hlf"**'"*^^^^^ «>-'d any female Voices hire heh^ni.'' °'^"*' ,*''^"'™' '"-n glance, half scM^d, S JLlT f Ti^ l^i^^^'y "i"- » from the Rrave. ^^' "" '' *''« •">* Iwen a ghost as he wa*!"het2nMt'Z ir*..'""'' -''»''-'""«' little wife The dMtar S!, . Pleasantness of the doctor's folk aU settled ttSATl'?«h!Sj\'?' '"'' "" »" notice of us three ^ ***'• ''''"'8 very little somf hSsXt m4"'j.1"* ne^ the window, admiring i^letcher had a soft nlftro i*« i,;rik^ ^ ^. »new, that if Abel and his flowers K'wLler,^^^^^^^ "^"^ ^?' *^^« &^"^e° delicious to one whohZtl^^iH »» colour and scent attiiemandatCa^if nW.V^^ ^T^ '^' Jo^^^ lay looking life was absoU^^^n^^ ^tte^S^S^^^^^^^^ ''^ -^«^' aid Xn!^::''' ' -'' I ^« no?clea%ow, nor probably ^^^^^hZuJ^if'l^T^^^ tone of ahnost her liking. ' ^ ^^® arranged the last hyacinth to " They are very beautiful." I hpar.! Tn>,«'„ • with a strange tremble in t »!?• ^^-^ ^'°^^ «^8wer, their two heads, softly LS thpm wi' *^VT'' ^'Sht on melting awa^ i^ twU^htf ^ °^^' *°^ *^®° " softly appiisSrai^gS.'vV''" *^-"^^^''" ^^^^ March remarked, 194 JOHN HALIFAX. n.ei„,^ h\^';;i'a,^a'' ,":^x '"thrr--'^'^/''^ "°" »• I having entirely Mparatenrom «^^^^ ^dependent, and cousin. I prefe'r«ffif„i(a,"Se'ssoTStCrhe"r':-'" "' What do you hope 9 " qnite l^ng^l.^^" "■" '""'"' ■"" 8"'™ <"'■■ ?«» «iU >« 6 '0--ng " i-s it inevitable ? " Hush!" John answered wilillv « r»^ »i. me-you cannot iud-e_vo„ .lA IJ^J' -RP" ' '■*'^««n ^^'^h I must go. If I stay I^hn U i "°'''- ^^ ^« ^»°"g'> t'^at unworthy of_-Fo^?^^^^ \T^'' ""^orthy of inyself, but you called me « friemT !' i t""''^ "?,"^^^ *« t^^^ tbus WndlJ of Ta'Cs. B^tus lUrJil^^^^^^^^ think shook— broke down utterly "/^^i xT , ^ ^^^ voice thee, wherever I may go I" '^'^ ^"^ **^« ^"^^ «f " John, stay ! " to him, likl a yoi^g Wrd toUrZ^ "'',1"''/''? "'V* "P the shelter of his tove for etlor 'a^^ ■■* 'f?!' l-" into dear between them • fcr Tf f^ iv *' 'i'"'*' »" "as made as she gave. ^°*'' '""^ ^« "^e'ved as much l-^t^^t of a man ^Sar^^U^ ^'Z'^^] .r^' .pee'Ss! " '"'^ "' '*"'"• e«""8 •' ttem from oyer his 1% JOHN HALIFAX. nor I?^U?s^Lj~tt' " W« ^^vo no parents, neither sba aIa fi;®38,5®'^— ^or 8he has prom sod to be mv wifa •» And the old man blessed hoJ with tears ^ CHAPTER XIX. isiToXfL'h^Jj^fb^e" '"* ''^^ "^' ^^' Phineas-but it and one. ^°®' ®"® thousand eight hundred " ?do?weU r •"''^' """' '"^^ '™^ '"> ='<«'i here. John ? " ebem p^»^S /ogttfe»'?j^ 'f^i'"- Wf lip3, and left was not only » lover but 1 1^^ ^ i '^'"'''"'' ^"'^'y- He meet what he Sw he mS? ™J°? "fv,"?' """l'' P" ^ this errand, altogether unSorLn' '" ■"','! ''»"*' »"" «" deal-even in the TowTnf S i ^"^ "^'8?' '""s^o » good he sta^Ued .it h.$=.ftfe°f.."'^ -™"- ''om suggeS ?h"e ma^-iriS^av^'r'^*'^' ""» to-morrow," master's a&irs." ""^ '"'°'"°S '"ough upon his woo^ toX."""^ '" '"""^ ''™-''»' 1 must see Mr. Brith- empi;'S.?L'riS,'fJj'""°''?^ ""^ """■ '■"» "-o grand and%'onte"m^aw"thf|^^;t°°t^rZd™'':tt ^^7' ''^^' horns, the silver flnLSo I'^^s.'^ead with its branchinff toppiig out^Kr tte'^finvtwn\f ^ '"? ,t^"''^' too,_ for the space of fifteen mtaX™""' °" '"" '«'^"~ this time' iTtr,^th\'f J^^T^T''?. »»««!'. aough the beU. "" * '*'' steady hand that he pulfid " Did you teU your master I was here ? " JOHN HALIFAX. 197 that was to be! ^ ^"^^ ' lovcr-of Ursula's husband not thus iitrude upon hl^'tiJe '' *™P"^^^^"'' «»y' ^r I would " Very well, sir." wouWbea"1ibertVrfiv«°:i^^ ^^'' ^"thwood ^^'e were led ouf^cVSsiS^ ^?«°"*'^ ^" *^^ J'^-«"«« ^oo'"- just riding oiTi Lw ?wo^f^?« '"^'^ ?"'? "^^^e-where. hand caily to jVTH^Sf ?' ''x!'^ °' ^^°"^ '^'ssed her There, saV separated JromV*^ "'' magistrate's office. Brith;oodaLS::djS^^rce V';L"^^^^^^ "^""^'°°' ^^^• young fellow-a poacher^ nShlv i^^^ •''''°\* ^^^^^^ and fierce ; and by the dior a ^i ^^^^ '.''^°^^'' «""ea had both enterS Tnd Inhn^»/ clerk bohind him. that w« sa^^ m, orSd t^^^"""" ""' ""^'^ '"« «»">. before ha "Mr. Brithwood." T„?''~'y'' ^?'''*''- Oood-momins." impossible so di4fied a Irir''^"' ^^\'' '^^' " *'"■ Esquire, in hi" public caoS f^*' ^l^f' Bri'^wood, '"-iff -»ito?an^arf Anillta'?" " '"'«" . <■ Ce^S,^^l^^^°':f,-„-!-'e3• s A .ith ,ou." teriil car. ^ ' ^"^ ^ • '""'^ ''e lent a magia- at twS "'' "^ ■'"^'"^'^ ^ P"™'=." =aid John, looking ha„gh%. '''''"''' " P"™'' ''»'«•" "'™ed the sqnire. 196 JOHN HALIFAX. I ■I irresistibly compelled him to S^v m th. .,'1°'"" "f"»«' compels the wuker Ii-jT^n^*?.!? Tfl"'°.''""'8" alwuys to leTve the r^m. ' '^ ' '"" •" '^«^ »» "-e defk till ;;.*mo;rirBts' S;? Ufa it^Lf'".!" "" >«*•»?•■«-« .n-t expect to keepTS"/^'.? ^wlSti^no Jli*^ eveJts'ri^Tt'rft »■' *" ''■'' ""''""» -'*= •»»" the s^^rrTrbetr'!""'"'^' ''"''" '"»?'"«'' y"" '"'»"»«; Mr. Brithw(i>d, I ha o the hono,?, „f u ?"' '** "''''™' ?»»• from your oo«sin-Miru,^urM,^h^.?""« » '"<="»8<' '« J- the-ttVCr^" '" ""-^ ''^™' '"" *« »« «>«*«» .gai», epit^elT M"ea':t.1S'„!?Z^4^.»» '"^'"' "^ ''™"' »" '"«'■ ^r.Ty mf^'be""^/ ^TCiir" "' '"'"' '» *" '^«' "'' »' hautor'!"' '"™" »' **'■" ™' "=« »Ply. with at least equal »';---- -^"— i^ 3OT- £- JOHN HALIFAX. im into a coarse laugh. ^' ^^ '*^' **« *>»"* ;; Well, that is the best joke I ever did hear '» '•' ^ ■'•■'""' »««'» mWdo y^iT^t, fellow ? A pretty e to behevo it-h» I ha I She woSldn" and you're a UlSy vSn^StL '^ ">«' fancies, „ we know, " Tftira «-.J^ -^^ X . ''**oie frame nuivennc: with furv »,> .' " '*'*• '" ■• ^'"' »" ' How' dare j^u insS^^y business." ** •J' »^«' "own jam. Let us proceed in our John Halifax sat down. " R?r^l f°"®^° " y^^ ^'e, I think you were suvmr, laJ^thetel'inToPtSf-vi^tt '?vt^""^ «■« T' -»' yoBt marriage settlanente ISv? i ^*" '" y""" '»"?«"- •»! I should luTatrtn^^-T.'/ ^ s»y. young man-ha I Miss mS treste??'^"'' """ ^"^ "" ?»"«% wont with streXned'rd'tSdh^ """""■"'' " "» ^^^ »««'-- ask^lYotteuTdS^iv^r '""^ '^'^i^nce.,-" aad*5",^.e'Z:,^^ ^ilS^^t.''^ » 'ortune Jnymarri^gC" "'*'" ""* "O"' " »»^ "ot hiuder 200 JOHN HALIFAX. "Likely not," snoorod Mr. Brithwood Johu 8 passion was rising again what it Th^'s!' wetlfow a'htw 1* ''H^ ^^°^»^ °»*^ ^7 Bhc and L 8ho knows ml • «k1* • " ^"^ >**'^" *^e >vodd J- whole life wiU, nlr a«i I A'%"^i "'"^^ ^ *'"«' her I to h, such a cowai^as n^k^^i""*^ *^ trust her? Am love, because the worid miSht t.^^ "'*'.'^, '*»« ^°«»»n I money?" ®"^ '"'«*»' »»/ I married her for hoc fuU^^to'tcha^'S,^^^^^^^ *»>« *-W«' looking founded at the voun3r?eL^^^^^^^^ "^"'"^ «** <^-- I owe\rsor^";L^t" J^r'lbrinr" S*^'"^^' "^«^^»P« discussion; but I Scd^'to Lt^^'"*.??' name thus into myself and you her ntil^Jaflf ^''V^^''^^ ''^^^ bet'^een John psnsrf at the door. Good-momiag." ""^ '"'''«" <>' our intorriew. And wo were awav. JohnbSffiX'"" ^'''' ""^ °"' '"'» fto open road. " That's over— all is weU." .^, ,. Do you think what he threatened is true. Can he do bodyand soS lla^ul L iTl^ Z'"t .'^^"'i "* >>'' mind, and ««nshine, the ttsToTthe'^iL'^/'o'y <" «>« summer «rtU eSiylu ^.'' *»y "^ *» '-^^' tte «in too I How she Ani coming home through Norton Bury, we met her JOHN HALIFAX. jq, . John drew her arm throuirh his " r„. ""IN'J.rton Bury now," h3, srailin.*^"'"' "' ""^ "«" oarnX°and''raSSrtrfS''i,t'''"«' f." "« '»«■<' «~. JMsop and I follow^ Sd'' '""' ""°"'" = »''"<' ""• young onco." ""• " «"• wo have all beou Not aU, good Mrs. Jeaaop, .ought I • not all /«<» the bie»j;in:,ro(Cu«.rh.wo7ior i"'r •■^w ^^'^,^^^:^^:^ - It w« ShttomTo *^ K ^,'«^'" ""• •''-"P-- though corlainl^Te^uidK eauT .r'y ""^^Si Nothing could be more unlike U th.n^i ^'' """"'■ns." indeed, the demeanour of toth Th!^°i'l."'»"'«»''.''?'. o^ Ills, JO next "nt to No, our young cS wer« i^?i!^u° ^'5*^ °^ ^^"^ ^^ve. sat at her /ork^'anTr; Jade hTmstfc^^^^^ ^^« falling in k mdly to the JeasonQ' >,«,i? k n^®"*'^*^^^ pleasant, ever he was al^ut at uS- ? K^°^ """y^' ^"^^^ ^^at' least sound of ^^^^^ ?S>" Wyeit' i^^ ?S ''' *^« if always conscious of her nresenr^ • kS l * ^""'^^ S^^^^^e as of his eyes. Presence , her who was the delight 20b JOHN HALIFAX. Jittle togXr airevm^^^^^ *^?°^' '>«"S^ «^ey spoke but whenever thei> 1^^^^^^ "^^^'i^ "^^« °^ the toWe; interchangerfTof tnf«f '*' T '"^"^^ ''^'^^^ ^ «>^*' smiling evidently tod her aUth^^^^^ Peace and joy. He had satisfied: '^*' ^'^^ happened to-day, and she was p..bIio either my doubts «&,^^ ^ ^ '"' '"'="«''« »» ""^^ then'X' atStt%'t'^L^^T,«?"y ^^^^^^^^ »d point of eoinff fr. jE! . ^ ^ enough ; but he alwsya made u LheV°%Saf etU''UnZ''^u"f ",''?";• " '*» '» "y frontdoor; this wm h«VrfTi?f •t^"'*, I*' ■""» »»' »» «>« eith» amilk at^Ttntod t-H^"^ °'"™''' """^ """^^ n>in«S «twof kr'' P'^Hp' '''« h^-I been away a was a wondZl brightness oTh.^'""'"'^^, °^''™^' tt«« listened with a flS „f ..^?' y»"°8 '«»! ""ough she about ^^hXa^ow."'' ^°" ""«'" *" "^S"" ""^ '»™ »" " I ^' m w ' '?"°^' "I* » ""'» ^OOP »' the head. into tteTSer-n;;" minV°m",V"**'=°"'^» ''^'^ *>> thine to Mr P^«t„v.!,. ? a ' ^^^ "<'"• "ne can say any- S^owiug how a mnnert'Lv'^' ''.^^ ?^^ ^ "^«^^ order ? " ' "°"''«^' *nd a household kept in Ihinks^'so:" "■' ""'"'^ ""■'' •» P~»d: I know John a io^tX'X'eHid^at^.^ilr/'^''^ M ""ere was subject, whel it ^bmkr.'l ^^ Mrs. Jessop from the whiWS'd us Xik'e^Xh'oTter-''''' "'""■"• * Caroline!" ^ JOHN HALIFAX. qqq a!^^ [y^n"^^,"^' . } *»»ve°'* seen jou for an age." And Lady Caroline kissed her on lx)th cheeks in I,.- lively French fashion, which UrsiSa received patlSt STor nor''~°'' ' "^"' °^' ^ ^^'^° whethTrle'^ett see me XiL ? '• '"' ^'^ *° ^°"^^"« ' ^'« ^O" "«' gl«l to fals;;Jd>^::jg;er^^^^^ ^^'^^ -^^<^^ -ver either ♦' Did you ever expect to see me again ? " see youlw???— • '^^ ""''' "^"^ ^ ^^'^^^ ^^«^' ^*«^^' »<>' ^h.*" .?'''^^''*^ Brithwood did not approve of it I Bah I what notions you always had of marital supremacy So ta « Yes!'"^ going to be married yourself, I hear?" r^J'J!^^\ ^^^ ^"'®"y y°" seem to take it. The news perfectly electrified me this morning. I always sdd tW !! M^-?u°°' ?"^'® understand you, Caroline." JVeither should I you, for the tale seems incredible Onl« chUdTou ^7^;?, ","" "«''-" ■'"t ""riise I My dear "I am." ^^ ^ promised, ,,;»„,,% to this youth ? " "How sharply you say it I Nay, don't be ancrv I lik^I " So do I." the 'iowM^olrs^it/r '"'•"■''' ''??>P«'''end me. I mean tone" VpSa ,^«,^"'g«'«'«- My husband says he is a tan-yaH r ' W"""™ • h" « "ow partner in Mr. Fletcher's to.l?ry1un:S'f.f *"'• '^^ ^ ^O" -" '«='»»"^ 8«mg -''!]i^'iS^^4in9&:i^. -""^EP"" 204 JOHN HALIFAX. "I am going to marry Mr. Halifax W« t^;ii ;? please coase to discuss bimf Lady CarI,Hn;." ""'"' " ^'^ I fanned fsT^Zr'LW'' f' ^1^^/ -^' ''^ '^« d«^I^» careless preV^^^^^^^ band in .e^ " Not at 'i?f ^T ^'"^ °?' = ^.•'' ^'« ^i» cban&e the subject " a A ? T ^ ' ^^^^ Ursula gently. for love, .3 weui^to thinft^a'd^s „t??'"T'^?«^ Iwlieve— my dear, now-a davr..^, ' ^ ^^''^ P°*'' ">"''« Ursula MpM nothing ^ "°'" "''"" '"'"'"'^ """ "'«•■' «n w- ? *^®^ '^°"°^' I ^'^s away too-or else thev Molr no notice of me-and M'ent talking on. ^^ *'''''' Lady Carel.Z'* " b''? ^'"'"tS '" '^'^^ '""S^ »<>'«■ ' " 'aaghed ^I have nothing more to say." " Yes " xicar." " ^^" ^'° mad— ^uite mad, my JOHN HALIF..X. 205 'Do you?" " Caroline I " and'mak?h«r r!f/?^' ""'"'i'^ ^'^ * P'*^"^ creaturo down, and make ff » f "^ge, a slave, a mere poor man's wife? " ' vounff vl« ^ff?^/>'^? '"^^ ' " *>"^sfc i" tl»e indignant young voice. ' Lady Caroline, you may sav what von liWAfn Zil'Z r' ^^^^^^^'^y^ ^nd i was fonT^yo'^rbut tou ht-tw^oddlou ?'^""' ""'' ^^"'^^- ^^ '^ -* ^"o- fin^"A°? ^.? ^°^ ^^ ' ""» '''^'''^' we all think that, till we ft nn.^*''- k' '°°'''^'7- ^"^ «° ^« "rges you to be marrild at once-nch or poor~at all risks, at all costs ? How lover- ^rti^d'er- "'°^'°' I guess it all. Half beseeches-h:if min'^' ?wn„??"r», ^''^ 1*^ ^^"^^'^ ^«i«« w*3 sharp with pam. "I would not have told you, but I must-for his sake He asked me this afternoon if I was afraid of being p^rV If I would hke to wait, and let him work hard alone tH' ha Cute' ""' ' '^"^ "'^ ''^* I -- ^««» roTVe u'd! " And you answered — " ♦ r ??""* *^ousand times, no ! He will have a hard hatHA h^m'l^trrsayVfea'^^ '''' '' ^^^^ ^be^^tan'^^p^ you'b^'if? " ' ^'''' '^'* ^''^^ °^'^^"S «' P^^'^'ty> tow can " I will try." " You that never ruled a house in your life—" 1 can learn." _ "Cielf 'tis wonderful! And this young man ha^ rn friends, no connections, no fortune! only h?mfel?'» ' ?v'lf voS'f F' ''^'^ ^r^'^' "^*^ a'prorcontempt. WiU you tell me, my dear, why you marry him ? " wrunfourolh'r?' ^r^^.^Pf^e i'niw to"2,th"t' seemed ^^Xl^ I tru1tTSi!Cd%t^^^^^^^ ^-- enough of the world to'be thl'nff'thaVthe": I '^1^0 man whom I can trust, can honour, entirely Also thonS! 206 JOHN HALIFAX. iJ^Z «; ~ "• ""^ ''" - »» <""« «">. uale., I ce«e to frivolous Tart * ^^ """' ^^ «»™« »' "«>* Mght, ^^''o^'iiL-Z" LZ£^' J^^ ^o-.^™ "ever in»rried folk get on quite^uSit U^"^ ""'"?'' "O'' the ;«;feJ;„^\t;'=>^J" England they say, and among to cajfor the man one Cm^^VeTZ^f '"?»''''PP'° gone, do you love him ? one w^ whether or io ?""" "■"" "^ rel.g.ous thankfdne», as she TSpl?''"^ '^''' "«" » Jonn knows." *^ ^* CHAPTER XX. tweitone!aniX^i^^^^^^^^ Ursula March. He was perhaps, prudent f^^^^^^ ^' ^^s very young-too young! Tdouble WessSg MsT|u«in/Jr?^.^'' sometimes f thi/k marriage, a true love marn^r l^-t *^''; ^ '^«^* a°d holy be-sanctified Tnd hapJi "?^fc^fe,«\'"^y,^ ,^»*«' is-must happiness who. meS^nn ft * °^® ^?''® ?^ ^«8* chance of up^S its duMs together Tdt^l^^^ moulded the one to the o£«r r^h f« n !l^'^- ?^^'*«' ^^^J K ?/' *^''' .two-GSd bless them I near kind7ed'' Tddl^^ih tj^^'^7' °^^'^«' ^^^^6 any that so solemn a fefe L^° ^^'^^ '*'?°»^y *« *i»e opinion outward shoT And so on« ^?r'^^\'' *^"^^ desecrated by walked quietly up the Abb«v S Jf'° ^S*"""? ^^'^'^'S' UrsulJ gown ; 2nd John and 4e nliXp^ I? • ''. fc ^*^'*« °»"^li« being present el^t ^he tts an7 ^''S/^if ' "° ^'^^ away for a brief holiday wAn? a%!„ -xi* . .^^ ^^^^ ^ent thiBg of L weddS^ll^ «r «!!rh2'a'°m^r;:«es"^- JOHN HALIFAX. ^ a woman." ^ young tning ; wise, even— for " And pleasant, too, father ? " ^'^^tl^^^'^^r^^^^ So the had lived in our house ever sS hJ?n^ ""'"'^"^x •^«^°' ^^^ much when he bade mr^oKi^hriiT^ V ^ *»»o"el^t as take a journey. So he's mRi^iS^ i' ^ f ^^^^ "^^ ^^^^e to sit thei down by thy oW Kr T ^°"? ^ Comef Phineas, remain a bachelor." ^ * ^ ^'^ ^lad thee wilt always He was a marrfed maS Iw th« h "^f^'^^*^" garden wall had a right-the S belt hol.W ^•*'l! household; others used to bl all mfne • Ld tL,?ih 1 "^^'^'^ ^« ^«^« '^at happy and ho^Sul! thougWtiarX* ""T'^' '""^^^^ rejoiqed both ^th and for mfbrolr LS° •/^''y ^^^ ^ ^ to miss.him from our hJuse t fee Vat H^ lS*-l' tms^fXTh^^^^^^ to see them in their own housi ^ ^ *'*^°'®' ^ ^«°* whiL'my fotW^oTht'^ri:* r '" ??? ^^"-g-house. middle of the townhfifTnrTf- ?°"' i""'"' s^*"^*®'! i° the the desolatf gS behfna \^^^^^^^^ pn the street, most unbridal-like abX T t. wu ^ ^°"'' ^nck walls. A though John had been busv th«'r« ?h^ T""}^ ^°^ ^' ^«' ^^'«° early mornings and late ev^inlf i,'^^- ^^'' '^° "^^^'hs, in over^he mattfr. as if he were ea^^^^^^^^ ^ ^°^^^^ «e<^rW should lend an eye or out f fin^tl ? .u '/°y''°® but himself ready for his young wiFe ° *° *''' ^"^^ ^^^ °^ "taking thirrorm'^lrr's bLS pS"f ^ ^ ^--' ^^ ^he Yet, the gloomy outsido iSfn' P'^""^^^ but a small income. wonderf^^nr^hf ^nd t^af ^Te 'wTlf'and d°"" '''^f painted and delicately stpnrilio^ ^fd ^°^ ^^^"^^ "ewly himsel\" observed the proS^^^^ h^r^^'*?? ^^^ ^" 'bat Watkins' sweetheart I^h^wli,! ^,^^7*^^' Jenny-Jem Of Mistress Ursula.) Th^ou^l o^f alet'?^^^^^^^^^ 208 JOHN HALIFAX. 3 s "s-"*- ™ =?rf'«r.Sr.i'S^ They were out gardening, John Halifax and his wife- said, %3uugi, o?old D»ri5."'*v''.K"'°?'"5«»'"' l"^ till i 8t«Kl closed • ^""'^ ' '^'""'« ''e»rf "ne come "Phineas, welcome, welcome I" He wranff ™. i,— j fcrrently, many times • sn ili,i it.«,.,i ™ ,"™'« ""y tiand They both call5 mT" brother ".n^v,' ,k "'''"'« ?"' '^• wari a« any broths or s"w coull".^ '^"' ^^^ "« '«'«' '««' I o4hrtoT.?tr't;; "«"V M". HaUfa.." as I said ^£ron\5^S 5S^SF?t"- - " Art thou happy, David ? " "*""""• worlLfof'if ■and"'.? h:'^ ' "' "' '"Pl""'^'- «<^ "^e "o as true marriage s/oIriS^S To^k'"!,^^ sufficient to itself, the law— Gn«'«^een trees, very th^lyT^inffit *^'' "^^ '^''"''''^ °'^^-^- time." ^He looked round his Zl ^'''"'- ^"'^'"^ ^^'^^ '" of a master, and put his ar^ I domain with the eye round his life's shoulders-s^' tl^'^^fl^' half-shyfy, ostensibly brinmnff h im r l!?f 1 ^'"^1^^ "P *« ^'"n. for an excuse?^ l^cause in fS^'' '^^^^^ ^ '^'"^ ^"'y "Of'LV." '""^ *'"'• P^'^P'ns 0™'' him as he read for him ^g^' C S- ""'rit'." i -'"-Ttt-nam, have smuSj re,nemberi„rth?^- °" t" """"■ ^ "">" bowed to the staW^and fijSi^ ''*"■' ' "''" "*"'« stood at Mrs. Tod's d«r ^T^ th-^2"!!» gentlewoman who come .» call Misst;3«1niaro^''..'lllS!^ „t fi'-"'"'' "="' ""^ in«The Sr™/ aa°tX"3V„„*n.ife'i"'r^' ""'=^' "" -"'- then look grive nntilTn}^^ 1 i ■""''''"" '"'8''y«'' and dropping it^with'atao ItoiirSfc^tP ^ '"aper. and he da«S do ft-to yoT""""'^-"' ""'"'*■ I »"•" h^lioved his lSS'heTa^dr„ri!iTa™'''/•i°''' ""'» ■■ ^'™«> '- "" will be half as happy as to ■•■ ""'' P°°'' ■""» ' ho never left to'LlS^dS'L^Ll- r;;tlrt;^ '-'"■•■'« '^"" -- we all walked up and down the LS.^ , fosemary-bush, and ana w.s^«et«ehSr«C:e1rS&^r^-: 210 JOHN HALIFAX;. L'^tlr^rm;^^^^^^^ ^-.^»/' -^ whoso " We mftan " T«i,« -j «rength of one's own. afraid of it, or ashamed of i^ wl /'^u °^* ^^^T^ ^ ^^ it. We consider thaT our resiecUbimv r ^'^ .^ho .knows two selves." wspectabihty lies solely in ouc " But your neighbours 9 •• Halt ?he' °Un1''„°rpo":L"1"'' °' "' ^^"^ -■«" «•«/ like- for one's ow/clS "nd nof ?or Th°" °°° keep, 'house neighbours." "' '" ""' comments of one's few wants, and wo Z, ea^v ^li ™ "^ ^■°"''»' *" l"*™ havings." ^^''^ '"'"«« <>«' wants to our fond! *tKr ^"' ""' ^'"" ' " ™"' ■■« '""'»"^. halt »eU i^°a"o:tL"°„'„^/''i^^rfo'^ r ^ '"^a ""' '»»'' «iu»>ly I know best.'' ' °' '" '^"'S as happy ia itlwhir whic"" m^il^lu 'so^r rd°laTror^'>°^"'r"'y »"«' brown eves • fr,.w L '"strous the inmost depths of his likrtharto bt t'^e streZTh Vr" "f "'"'''' ""■• » »">"« her home. s'^ngth, the guidance, the sunshine of scullery; then we adjourned fotlT „?,'i *'""' '" »?« ^^X one— and, after l»» irr=,Vi. ">« s'tting-room— the only stained sMves which she Sf"^- ^," 'T''^' «""» «» John-sown makin" and tfrnH^ l^ "!^""'?^ "^ '^«" <" had picked up, and'Xch ^^,Z ^ °H 'P'"".«"' '«''''«'' ^ to hold booksVsinra she wafw ' ™ °^'!° ""■" "« ""an and could neiCl„ „„',°;,^;' ■"" "cmpl'sbed young lady, o/ce, on'suoh a thing as this mvln'i'"" T*"^"""* *»' Ha onnko i^ .1 * "s.'ms, my mother used to play? " fond"ird''wk.'"'"'™'"'= Ursula stole up u> lil'^ti a •' DM-TifL,' r?.,"! »f^!''^8 •*'»'" yo« mother." were g^n^ Im.^y-hbnLi^''^ T'P'' ''"'""'o you kindr^, w^oseTS^ts'^t^^iSKMis^n'a^:?.'^ "• JOHN HALIFAX. til I. if /?u" ^°"®' remember them ? " " aLu'' °°* •*' *" • ""y °»okher, very little " And have you nothing belonging to thYm?" hositaffi ^' it was^MrTm n'!?/^ ^^ T'^ »"«»^' That minute he re-appearod. over U>, .nscnpHon. and then repeated il ZuT ' ''"' '~''"' Shi r {Wor, [tmlleman: 1 thought-I thouirht-- Bow]:?a" Wetdo^uign^^'-S'/ "^ '^bourer's son; or- eyes. jNo, It does not sicrnifv. Wpro vAm. /«*k^ xi! i • John Hah^ax •' ^ yourself-,;,^ husband-,„y 212 JOHN HALIFAX. th^^want to co.e tf the .Z7y ^n^\^^^ fear of-all tho rosv chLtn^i 5 •" '^^"' ^^^^ was no not have turned SasSfronr''^' ? Christendom wouW Halifax. Thus there was W in^lil''^ °', ^'' '^"'^ ^ ^^r. the kitchen. And, I veriJv h^L ^^ f^^^"'' *"'^ ^°^« i« couple were served all the \Jh1 f' 'J!?.^*'"^^ marrieil brothcr-and-sisteri/ tend ■..hKi- ?''.'\°"''''^ been alhoro>.«h H« womanly, genewSmata" "^''"'" '"' ""' ""«" what, as 1 Hmo hS m»ni^^ '"'^'' ™°™«'' *» 'lo coldness botween her h^ffl'S T"" ??":«'<''' •« -"ke secure in her riches in k!..ii,.^? ""^ ">''' '"en'Is. No- heart, she took LtohL^ve^^h' "iffiTr "',''" *'«''« everyone ho cared for ■ to b7f„i ** t ^'»"ff«J 'o John, Joved, being his, and her own Th^' '"'" ™?«' «'•'' >«' of fnends, n,y sister U "m, aiij ""'' "° "'" ">« very bcsi v;hich^"eZted wSSoitdeti'^V' >■« -^ '"oks. of good Mrs! Tod's wonfehSdelill?;' ^^.'•''elling-™. ast week, they had stayed t'odSst the r'"^ ,'"*' '"""' I'-nderley. But he seemed .l\,Jl^ the dear old cottage at dilate on a joy so mw th-t it " T^h *•""' >'" "ife, or to lest it might Velt^nJr ' "'■" ''*"">' "> "« ''"'"hk i" pass«nl"heTA":fS^^ wSrsSe"'"''' " «■"= ^'">^ Poor cSrwhei tj !°ti°''u'" l""^""^"^ ^'ey ponies. the cloth:S-£roTXroV^l^^\^l!''>8 ■»» -•«"' "'"sr;"o;.isrw'£w^.""t^ '" ^^'^ ^"^Xe^i-£S{H??S?-^^^ steam." "^eiiioe. it /—it might be worked by JOHN HALIFAX. jjg " What sort of stoam ? " Whv should not ?h7wme Iw^^^^^ «^"»i ? inilJs." ^"" " »' '*^080 Enderley doth- Lord Luxmore. ifis stewS works' it K "'v '^'""*''' ^ get to be a foreman or overseer!?' ^°''' '^ °"° '^""^'^ ;; Try-you can do anything yon try." I n-^notl-'tirhl''!^^^^^ T-^ t»"vt hobby.youicnow. Bu noSesnow' Tf' ^^^'^f"?-"'^' not, foramerefanev Pivflnn fK ^* .f^^^""'^ '^"' ^ »«"«t band. Wha/ote";;:{; ^'h1„rs1 •■""'' "^' '""'" "" deal. L''tesl^^i^l1„^ '5^' ""^'j"- » «<'"'' than ho neod about buSnWs " "^^ *"""«" ""'™ " Surely, John " more'Ihin^S ts^S^^"".?? ""^^^^ about-nothing bad just now Never fear w?il I ./'^'uP*'^*• ^" ^''^'^^ '« afraid." ^'"^' ^^ ^^ ^^'^^"^ the storm-I'm net musfhl'et'ow^-tl^^^^^^^^ '' guess-what he ahcady ship, of whiT?hG helm L7*r"''T';^^ feeWe hand But Jot had takonT^\°"' ^/^^ ^^^^^^'« wheel. Perhaps with Gn?r«M'*"~^^°.'*^^fi"» at the safe to knd. ' ^"""^ ' ''^''''°8r, he might yet guide us I had not time * say more, when, with its pretty grey SH JOHN HALIFAX. •• Shall you go John ? " c^'^y-'"" •"" ' " *»'' "» »'«PI«d 'orwarf to th. "Ah: delighted to see i»on bfau comin ThJ- to k* Emma," turaing to the ladv who «» kJ k ?'* '.* **®» lovely face that ladv had I no «.l^ "/j**^ her-oh, what a .»« r« "" '" '""* """■ '"''^»''' he look, 80-„V.,-„ ,„,, T i""'/?'' ^?''' ""• H»if«x is well.- ' she would not be repelW ' '"""K "'"'• ^ut " Nf 'but' "V'""''' T' J'**^ Caroline: But—" find U out Aid if rZ"'"'',; ^'- BriU-wood will never Norton Bury Don't K^^5' 7''«?<'™'- 1 el«>nce to beat Peopk-thTonlf^o^a P3^'°LXL"''k'''''"'» 8"^ disagriMble." ' ^ J*"?'" ^ o™' ™ow who were not inlo^JohiTfaM wii'h'th'f T "?°'''° ""*■ »•■« looked right not courl! lent toi^ Z^ZT'^^'^'f ^W* Mature ^. alriad, t^4'r £% '^t^^ ^^Z John retumsd the look, half sorrowfully; « was so hard 't"' V-.f,^' >33 le a 3 JOHN HALIFAX. gjj -- ndeed under anv rii!..?.!,.*. ' • P.~^"' ^''^"n^s^ncM house andJutwouLr?"^^^ ^*-- >our uo not mistake, ' John said. earnAAilv »« r»« i .0.1 her._i. «, ^^t, I^^SfiSite.""'' y'"'-'«'»«" your lif, bitterlr™"" *"" '"""'" '"'"S "O »mUe. rather a '♦ Our two paths lie wide apart— wide aa tho ««i«- house and our society would not suit Z i^d thariv* ""r' should ever enter voiiph " «i««^- V ' ^ '"*' *"y ^"o Am« cousin." ^ ^ inind. ^i« revoir, mm They drove oflf quickly, and were gone. Halifax^; r."^ ''"^"^^ '^' "^^ti°g was. What will Mrs. them^fli's^rfn f^ '^'"^ ^?^ «^^ ^^ ^^f*' *-ay front with much^motlonr ^' '""^' ^"°^^' ^••^*«'-" He\pok^ " Yet Lady Caroline " «' Ti^a72" ^^'^^^^ ^* "^es^^e her ? •• Anat beautiful woman ? " Hamilt^''?"^ ' "^^^ ' ^ *^" ^^^*^ • I^^ineas, that was Lady with^his^ia m^e'rry Uu^?°^ T ^^ ^^' *^« '^^' ^^^^ " Lad, take MM of kht^?/^?'^'*l^''*'P °^ '"y shoulder Remember. I e^W t mS h '^**'"^^ ^''".."°* ^^ *<> ^• here stiU." ^ ^ "'"''^ "*^ 'y^^'^' »« »' I were living lie JOHN HALIFAX. n^arLr h'oi'"^ '^ ^^°' ^'^ ^^^^ *o ^is own quiet, bW?, T„. .,• * . CHAPTER XXI. to me, John and II, L.-,,' '^"* ^^^y came constantly illness when I "earn^^^wTK'V^^ ^^^ ^^^^'' ^^^^S this and listen for hS^rf^Uo ' /^J^'^^V ^""^ ^'' kind face! beside my chairrsheTault i^« many4inted,froTy15ow to da&^ ^'^ «"• f ^«° ^««t high scents Jarge blushiCmTh.^.''^' ruby.colonr; while for here and the're a gS JJisteSl^'"'''' siHy-flowers, with a border of thyme or a «wi?V ^ *u^T''''*^ ^'^ rosemary, or where all colons ;ndp^';!'Ter^if^^^^^ ^'^••^«"' even a stray dan^JliS u I .^^^.^}^^^^^ together; aye. waistcoat Hke a youn".;-^^ '?^^'^"P '» his y'ell^^ decent lad in his wa"v 7 "] 'T' ^^° feels himself a had somehow got 7n ^and kent n . ? ""-'^^ ^^rioruin, that every Cersuilivo in mf ''^'" ^''''^'- ^^' ^'''y ^^^h and for a genlmtion ot "b^tT Z'"""?- *^'^", """^' ^"^ ^i" J'oung, like its creators tL ^^^''H^^ «^ '^ ^^hen it was iusbaAd, Jem and Jen^'v Thf '''? ^rs Halifax and her he had long, long hoSn m1 l ^'''' 'r^*^ "«* ^« "^"^h- Ursula, morninff after morn/ ^"''"'^' ' ^"' ^ "«^^ *« ^atch with h;r faUhful attendant "t^' «"Pf ^«t«°di«g her domain, Or else, when it was hn^,' '^^"^^Je"^ 'adored his " missis.'' parlour and listn To her S andt '' ^^ ? f^^^^ ^^^^ teaching Jenny, or leaning fZ her fo^r tt°"' '^' ^"T' woman had much to learn ami «LTu*^^ ^'^""^ ?®n"e- She laughed at her own mi.^akJ ?.* .'^^hamed of it either, wasidkor dull for aStesSn^^^ ^S^'^^" = «*^« "^ver house herself. Often J«l n ^J^\^^d. » great deal in the on her lap a coarse brown n^i 'h ?r""'"^ ^^'^'^ "^«' ^^^^^ing picking gLebeS,trLger°'^^^^^^^^ f ^^\? ^♦^^'^"«' looking fairer for the contract w.^hfl- ^""^ ^ ^^'"^ fingers- Or else, in the summer evpnin^ 1,*^^'' unaccustomed work, sewing-always S^n? W ^ ' '^^ '''f^^ ^^ ^* *ho window she c/uld se?J:.rt ^'s-^e^wTerf Jot 't' "''' ?"^ ^^??^« far oflf she always sav him n^? ? .? " -^^^ commg. Far, would change indbri^hTe'nllk-n *^' "?^^ ^^'^ ^'^«^« ^^^^ comes out. Then she mnfn'nnn .1 "5^*^^'^ ^'^'«" ^he sun his low - My darhnll '^anLT *^' ^°^'' ^"^ ^ ^«»^d hear They were vey^ very hlnnl"^' If ^ P^"'" ^» *^«hall. quiet days of povertiXnS'" '/^r l"^^ • ^ •!', ^^'^^bitmg to all human morsel Tr^LlhZt i^^^'T '''"' *^® infinitesimal wastheveTL'gf^ftTath:'"' ^'^ ^'^'^"^^""^ ^^^^^^ ^or that young father— a »an ov« Wslrj^^ ' '^"" ^''""■'' ^ '«" »' '"» Joy of :^^s^^&-^-^ -fa'-;. .^. feir, pale, and purelookTng was she Tb^'^ '''««^«'"8'y .^'.^m^rrh^K^r"""^'''^?^'- She was named Muriel-after the rather pecvdiar name 220 JOHN HALIFAX. ':«i'^ any^t but hi, own rtl?/"""" ■""J."'" » ■""'^ -n^er in th) doorway! sto^^ m^ "A"' "' ^'^'""- ^'»' "«"• hard lines oEg C^' and t?e 1™°™ '"i'' ?'"■ '"« they used •, !,e • /-sTeCfully' „'S^ S ^f l,t° the stamliss wh te kerchief <.iinr>n>.n„„ I? ^ V^' "^y, ?Iothes, Quaker's hat in one h^ndThTsS^n th„ .^''^%'''^?' '''' at us, a half-am„.,ed twi ch inSn 'tith the ^'"•"/ '", h,s^»outh-th.,3 he stood-thns /'^ t^ my'^er^oU h Jen;jgrHe"te?d*^.a L''F*r", f"' -«'«>- outi|tp;tnd:;rthSj^l,r/Lt *- - -'^"^^ ""^^SX^JZ^C^ -id ,ohn- andf s tedi^L?ru''hrvin/&'' "T" "?"«»-«' htt.e .aid "^stairs X'rrSi°riS,„turar^i,',H^ JOHN HALIFAX. jg, &£i ^""' *<> "'""■S' tke whole ataoq.he«, of . I«b.c3. Again Iho little helpless win • T ^° *'"' "»' "ke stole away-Abel Fletcher Cked a L I '"'*• ?'^ »P """• zz:^- >««•- 'o -y -ttht/at^t^ig £""*: ^4"? "L'^Ji t??;iteC J^"" »'-tcd ; .. U.„,a »grthtrf^t°ht''rh'o:f„? if'^^'r s" - " «- SbU came faintly do™ at°l° ,1^'".^' "«^ "'""e'"'- mtoasoftcooofpleaaure lilJr. , ,'"'y ™"=<>. droppinff mother knows tbe^o„nd!■ And «!^"??" 'H.''? »«»'-«ver? !"&.'- ^" «- <>- «"Wint'i.otX^ta^' n^^V'^e^Stt-nl^ri' '""' "«-'"-'> "'^ e^- gen^teWht-tr—'- ""' ^ '"-got " » the taking theS. '' "fe tsVSu"''"™''' '"''' «''• ■'''^P. . " And as soTOdless-shlhiJi^ '"'"'' ^ """ """l "iite?" .n this way half thrday „ve, 1'/„i!,T ''^•'': ^he just lies "hut. There, she has Mimht § »!«»« everything ;_»h | take cfre d^t^'. J^'^-^''^ '""oh^s reproachfully, at a loud dam nf A ' ""^ "«'"'" added, baby ti-emblc all over °' ""' '''""■' which made the as h^te^Cg'to™ rnSh"''^ "?.' ^°\»^'" ^--i J''''»> was to see him i aSd vbI it , =°?'hing it ;_how strange it think even now she know, T^vi "J""* "'""™1 already?^ "i voice and mini ; and ,n7 sudden rf"" ^'"^™ ^^ ■»°«'er's this way." ""' *™den noise always startles her in of something else-ihowei Muriel? ill f'^ '"'8^° '» t^"- such a baby-and deserted on thB^^.^?""''.!"^ '<"■« '« ^ther-s. Butwihav^^Lt:itn^a?L-^'iS^S^ 822 JOHN HALIFAX. co^T another gets wa^k/u'rTll?^'' 'S^ '" kt "'"^^^* do you see her ? f W f!l fk^ • i*^ * sudden. . There now I It caught nr T? . ^"'®' l^^ankness-an un^eing l6ok. W^«^^ -his air of^exed I hore ^t Tdrh!'?!,'**? ^'^'~^'' ^^'^«r'« or mine ? His %ht."-^ '"'''' '^^^'^ *'"• ^ ««»^<1 i"dge better by candle- " We'll have candles." anoth^r^'d^yV I^llT • "f ^'"'' P"* '^ off altogether tiU HjV,^t« °^" ^ to-inorrow, and look at her eves " His manner was hesitating and troubled. John notSit Love cjive her to me. Go and get us lights will v^?" Ursula coming in, heard the last words. wrong Jft hTr'sw^ e^f, "' r^ ■""' ' "^''^ '' ""'W-S her, JoW' ^''- ^^ """^ = 3">« 'l"*" "ot touch "Love I" 4Mgglt'L'e^The?£^.r = '--^ ''^'-' >"- 0. hJ^^tn-TLt^itl^odWn?^ -'' ^ *"'-- JOHN HALIFAX. ^23 . but let him take mS Utf^' ^""^ '^^'^^^ «« more Lulled bj her father Wotr^si^^^^^^^ ^''^ff ^ov^ wide. Dr. Jessop passed Se^nr^r'^iPP^"^ *»«•* «m onpe so close that itTlmos? toucL I^'^,'^""* "'"''y ^^"^^ quiet eyes never bleuchJS^ro,dos^'^ H«ir?K' ^H* '*>« full " ?octor ! •• whispered the father' in « ^f^'**® ^'«^' ^O'^"- -ay it was against Snty. He in^trh^^^.K^PP"*^/^*'*"^' tned the experiment himself snatched the candle, and " Bo'm bTnd"- "^ ^-- '*"•' ^^» «^« »>« Wind ? •• wast^hi'nrpfilYnt'Lr^^^^^^ 'f:^~^-''' ^^^' There the blanknesfof gaz^S T l'^ ^^Z^"^^' '^'''' P^^C^ wardiy, their organSon wis Lf^- ^^^"^ "8^^^' oltl mechanism was*iomethTu. ZnT «^U«^h • '° '^^ *°«' ^^^er a breath yet th^U^her ZarJ^r 8^/"/ ' .^"^^^ ^^^ove Ert^,ri^e^^ij^-£}^ ^^"SrithroV^o^^^^^^^^^^^ ''''' '--' as if he could surely help her H« ^' ''^"^^ ."«^°8^ »°*o a cry, arms--took both, wife^and fcaS^ SSf l'-.\'""l! ^^^ ^^ ^'^ shoulder in bil^ter weeping .^ Oh* John ,^f- ^^' ^"*^ °° ^is pretty one-our own little child r' ' *' '' '° ^^'^' Our fast ^^n ^h1 r 'a &thS:J^^ }? ^-.-^- and comfort-the sole comfort even Wk ^l^'^^^P^^ ^^ <« ber the through Whose will H wis tC thT, ^ffl'^??^ '^"^^ ^^^''^ ^e^- " And it is more an^ffljo?; ?" affliction came. IHjr pet I " said X. JeS'T^hV" • *^/°u^' ^^" ^ ^ her, " She will not miss wh^\ ^''^ "^T^ ^er friendly eves bappy little ch Id w" In^" ^^^9^ ^^ew. She may be a But the mothir co^d nn?T t\u^' *"^ «°^"es." ^ "^^ * walked to and f!^ VnT s'tcSS* ^o^Ln'^ hr^lf'^^" y^*' ^be but with tears falling in VhoTe^^ r^'^^^' "'^^^ *°^eed, wept Itself away, or was amnf h?^* i Gradually her anguish turb^ehttlecLTurrsCptTe'rbtls^^ '' ^^^'^'^^ Someone came hAhin/i fc«. 3 oreast. chair, gently, "u w^my''faC ^^ }"". '- «>» »™- ••lang her hand. ' ""'• ^« «»' ^own by her. 224 JOHN HALIFAX. "Gneve not, Ursula. I had a little brother .who was blind. He was the happiest creature I ever knew." My father sighed. We all marvelled to see the wonderful softness, even tenderness, which had come into him. '• Give me thy child for a minute." Ursula laid it across his knees; he put his hand solemnly on the baby-breast. " God bless this little one ! Ay, and she shall be blessed." These words, spoken with as full assurance as the pro- phetic benediction of the departed patriarchs of old, struck us all. We looked at little Muriel as if the blessing were already upon her; as if the mysterious touch which had pealed up her eyes foi ever, had left on her a sanctity like as of one who has been touclied by the finger of God. "Now. children, I must go home," said my father. They did not detain us ; it was indeed best that the poor young parents should be left alone. "You will come again soon?" begged Ursula, tenderly clasping the hand which he had laid upon her curls as he rose, with another murmured " God bless thee I " "Perhaps. We never know. Be a good wife to thy husband, my girl. And, John, never be thou harsh to her, nor too hard upon her little failings. She is but younff— but young." He sighed again. It was plain to see he was thinking of another than Ursula. As we walked down the street, he spoke to me only once or twice, and then of things which startled me by their strangeness— things which had happened a long time ago; sayings and doings of mine in my childhood, which I had not the least idea he had either known of or remembered. When we got indoors, I asked if I should come and sit with him till his bed-time. " No— no ; thee looks tired, and I have a business letter to write. Better go to thy bed as usual." I bade him good-night, and was going, when he called mo back. " How old art thee, Phineas— twenty-four or five '> " " Twenty-five, father." " Eh I so much ? " He put his hand on my shoulder, and looked down on me kindly, even tenderly. " Thee art but weakly still, but thee must pick up, and live to be as old a man as thy father. Good-night. God be with thee, my son ! " ' 1 left him. I was happy. Once, I had not thought my JOHN HALIFAX. gg, o"o^.l^her » d^,;'" ""• «°' "■• «»«•"«>' «> well, or lovrf kHS T-^^"^'^^.'" ^vx-'M: ^- other, the tnem SvhnMnt.K «'"PP<"^ *"" ^'^ ■ ">e wa inte.r«.°r/o\°'^ffi: zt^zxi^xs-- "Good Friend, " To-morrow I shall be—" But there the hand had stopped— for ever dear father ! on that to-morrow thou wirt with God I CHAPTER XXII. oleai faJI!-~,^P,S' ■/"• *' ™ """""y a'terwatde made Uvea, John would ne^^hl^tr^wgir T' '"'J!" 226 JOHN HALIFAX. I resisted long ; for it was one of my strong opinions that S;r r ^v^^ *'"^**' ^ ^"''^ n<> o°«. ^ the tie e?« w cS^ SSiurnrjif Pf ''"*°!°"y ^»t»> them, to br^k the si^ T ir^^' ^1°"® •*/ 'h® "°»ty of their home. ^^ I wished o try and work for my living, if that were Do«si bi f^nrenoth°t:;*lf' '''' """^^ °' °^y StheJi^tiUdrSiJhi oe louna enough to k:ep me, n some poor wav Rnt t!S« Halifax would not hear of thit. And iCla-she wm sifSSS ZuV'^I^rsuU^lil^e °°^ ^ ?" ^^' Ccooing'^Ur^f oaoy nngers closed over mine— " See thflro P) ;»/..<.. / wants you too." So I stayed ' ^ '"««; ,/i« othe^'chnSLn w*°^u^" ^°°"'^*' *h** »>etter than all his morning till night. First and loudest alwavs wTguv Walte'r" S^ll'Lier^till'^mre^ ^ ''f sister either given or desired. *^' """^ ^^^^ If I could find a name to describe that child it wnnl^ i^ not the one her happy mother cove her at h^« Kiil u f ^ more sacred, more tender. She was S^t^rthn^^^ T was an embodied Peace. *^' *^^ Joy-she Her motions were slow and tranauil— her vni/.^ o«n Whether crcapmg about the house, with a foot Si siS a« snow or sitting among us, either kmttinTbSdl/ at h?? father s knee, or listening to his talk and Se chSdwn's nkt everywhere and always, Muriel was the siTe. No re^vJi ttuC Trrd"" """ ^^'^'^^ ^^ *^« *«>-^^- of thil oS neaf^^ I«^' f l^f^ "^^^ ^'^"^ ^^^ ""^^ babyhood, a living JOHN HALIFAX. 287 sharp a tonf-aJ aioKf w ^°?f ' F""^* « ^o»ce took too endure a sinSo pafn VZ it' ^'l P"'°'' °«^'«' ^^^^ *<> her own .mile iSeS^ hriju'^" ''°™ ."<». where still could ever drive «w^,m I „!'«'" """^ »""'«. ">at nothing little hSy"o"o" " * '"'* "" ""'^' "^ ■""> °'»k« • Je»:p''teirmtthfsrorn'?nrL'L'rf'" ""'' ■="' »'• gradually droD^d or'mLlJ • ^^"xJ:*'''"^^^^^^ lad been '•mothpr" \?^ or merged into the universal title of Love, her husband again began, after a long look in 228 JOIjN HALIFAX. the ast thing h^ thought of-- Say what you like-I know what we'll do : for the children's sake in any case. Ah tha^^ her weak point-see, Phineas, she is yielding now. wi'll co for three months to LongBeld." • no « go Now Longfield was the Utopia of our family, old and young. A very simple family we must have been -for this Longheld was only a small farm-house, about six miles off where once we had baen to tea all together, and where evf; smco we had longed to live. For, pretty as our domafn h.^ grown ,t was still in the middle of a town, and the chiWron like all naturally reared children, craved after the freedom of the counry-aftsr cornfields, hayfields, nuttings, black-Cry ngs-dehght3 hitherto known only at rare intervX. whin their father could spare a whole long day, and be at ouccT tha sun and shield of the happy little band. ^ '^® *' Hoarkon, children I father says we shall go for throe whole months to live at Longfield." The three boys set up a shout of ecstisy. " I'll swim boats down the stream, and catch and rida everyone of the horses. Hurrah I " shouted Guy ♦i,n l'^"i^*" ^''\ '*^*'' "'® *^"°^^ '*"'^ chickens, and watch all the threshing and winnowing," saiJ Edwin, the practical and .Hlf °?fi'^^ pfc a.;ittle 'amb to pay wid me," lisped Walter i^gly *"' considered such, and petted accord- •; But what does my little daughter say ? " said the father, turrmg-as he always turned, at the lightest touch of thos^ sc. ^iina lingers, creeping along his coat-slesve. "What will .vluriel do at Longfield ? " '• Muriel will ait all day and hear the birds sin^r " ," »o she shall, my blessing ! " He often called her his • b-^f^ng; -which m truth she was. To see her now, lean ing her cheek against his-the small soft face, almost a mmiature of his own, the hair, a paler shade of the same bright colour, curling in the same elastic rings— they looked less like ordinary father and daughter than like a man and His good angel ; the visible embodiment of the best half of his soul. So she was ever to him, this child of his youth— his nrst-bom and his dearest. The Longfield plan being once started, father and mother and J began to consult together as to ways and means ; what should be given up, and what increased, of our absolute m^mm JOHN HALIFAX. gjj country." Of tb^flnmncfT! ® ^}^^ ^^ " J'"*ng in the no secrets in our houw pi^?h„ ^ ,'° P"J*^'°- '^^^e^e were times holding d ffc?ent ' i^on^^^ ^''}^''' ^»»«"«h ^o^e- aim-the family cood ffii ° ' ^^ ^"' °"« *^«>ught, one had been no b tora^s'in o„r I. '''°*'° ''"'' ^°^^«t ^^^^ here the face, often evInafJhen^^^^^ ""'} ''' ^^^^ '» in hand in hand I it Kk* *^'*' ^"^^^ "8 a 1 together and, best of all les^n« selTr.r'^^r' ^elf-depenVn^; whole after-life is nS ;aBTer rr^'^'^'^'u. ^ ^^^^ ^^^'^ known what it was ti b^ veTL^? k"^'® *'^'^'«*'^' ^^ having Our fortunes wo«. H«in^ r*"' ""'^f" °»« ^'"^^ young. *^ not take nearso "^.c^'mrh^an:!"^ V ^l*"« ^^'^''^ ^^^ manage the Longfield visit^lv a«i u^"" ^i'""^ ^'« co"W to and fro-without any wo^o LhI *?"' 'f ''^^^ ^ "^^ Jenny-now Mrs. Jem WaTkinT h^fn^'*" *t*' ?^ ^^'^^'^ff house at Norton Bury and dS «"A ''"' *^°^^ «""-»» the two. Also, though^^'is wa« 3 '^uvT ^*'"''*«' '"«t«*'l of wards, by the moUier's rcnouncrn/"^^"^^ '^^^^^ *'" *''*'- -the only one since her m^.rr ^ * ong-promised silk dress inined to ^astonis^ J^hn^Th'^ff' ^^, ^^^^^ «»^« ^-^, cleter- that identical grey gown he h«^^/«»? •*^*' ^°^® colour as at Enderloy. ^^ ^® ^^'^^ ^®° ^'^nff'ng "P in the kitchen children '„,^-^LTvestraVr.^'^^^^^ ^^^^' " t^at the rides backwlrds a^d o^ ardl Xou^^ **^'* ^f ^^^"^ °^i»h' h'^ve Oh. how I wish we couM alwav8?hl ifr ^''°'!*" «"^^°^«^- •' Do you ? •' And TnK« y i ^® *° *^® country I " at long-tabled grey Xo^thirbr1^r'°"'\"^ ^'^'^ ^<^^^ give her everything^she iesiW^'^fe"^ days-longing to manage it some time.'' ^®"' ^^^^V^ we may Richar^Brit'hwoS'^w^^^^^^ *^^' "^0"^^ which go to law to mrke him Sat ^fo^h«?^. '^"*^? Halifax^wiU not quarrel with any one of fo^; crothetf''' Vh"' ^^^i^l^o fond pride, as always even Lifl^ • ^^® ^P<^^® with a Quixotic carryina3 of thp«r^5 ° ff "'°« *«*in«t the too- re^d of fori^nce. the m^^^^^^ "^«^^aps. as the 280 JOHN HALIFAX. making a fortune, as he still firmlv le'ievrvl it -yx«i;i i^ j nf Z^^Lu'^'f Ursula— we had told her this little incident see him honoured and leaked im ty> «,««« I ^ ^^ *° year, till—" ^ *®' °^**'® *^^ °^ore every " Till it may come at last to the prophecv in vnvr Ki,.*!, day verse-' Her husband is known il tKate^Te sittefh among the elders of the land.' " ^ ' "®'" nii^^'^'*?*/'^?'' ^^""Sj^^ at me for reminding her of this but " Illegal," corrected John. "There's Muriel," said the father listening :t.^J^*r' s*«?2it"-:'W •^jj" "5 JOHN HALIFAX. jj, tMr- ''"' ""' «"•"""" ■"" <'«»««y <" ear pe«aU„ ^ tho mechanism of oMtt!J otrria^^? = ^ '"" '""'^''S '-"o eoat«^hXb5toL"SXt "PK", ■"«"<«-, thebla, Ma;^Merrar,x?r,otrm'ir^^ And T fan .^"^°^«re, allow me to introduce my husband " for herself or iHerself now T^ "?''? '"P"?"' *»"* "«* stood together-°houS LotS T "v^ ' i'"A' ^' *^^ *^« ^^n decidedly cold Th;rdid^L;t^S'; *^''»?'' '»?'*«'»''• »»» spoke toie, I doubFif ...^Kif? '"•'f*'' »"^' » '""«»" fether, and mothe" wouTd^^Tfe t-^twT • "i''''''''''" ma^J^-teeTKa^S ""' """^"""■^ «- i-awon-l was totgettmg my son-Lorf Bayenel." I 282 JOHN HALIFAX. The youth thus presented, merely bowed Wn ««« t. t. " I believe Ravenel has seen you years a«»o Mr« Woisr His sister made a great pet of him as a child H« ?*^^\' completed his education-at the coIIaI «f rV n ^''^ J"?* not, WiUiam?" • ^®^® °* ^*- ^^er, was it oaths and his seat, whether o?no we it Pml^- % **^^'^^ the-bye, you uphold the Bill ?° ^ Emancipation. Bye- rnp%^''^'®''^.^'' ^"^' conviction, then unhappily a rar« cne, that everyone s conscienca i<» fr^o • a«j *i: f ^^, ^ ^"^ sacred, that no other man haa a J^m^V * .T^-"^*^ s with so ..u^^it. Them-rrsX^rt:::^^-^^^^^^^^^^^^ Mrsr^rj/ KuStiL'dS'tsr^^ first-rate public speaker." ' ^"^^ ^^"^ ^^ «-* -I W^nT'^i' '^^^■"^'' '^"^ «^°*»° «»id. hurriedly- 1 have no pretension or ambition of the kin!} t IT i sheep. We "—a lordly " we f " « a^ It • * ^^^'^ <>£ cane ^^m,^ ^ v^^ T^ ^^^ ^« boot ^ith that royal cane, smiang. " Yes ; I see you aDDrehend mn A«i u / we commenc that ^^dt ^&:"'^t^ theU (^ JOHN HALIFAX. ^3 To^LZr:'!^io^^^-y^^^^' ^^^r. I^-wn, to cbtc:. iora^Z^^^^^ ^,,fyf -e, by your cloth-mills at Enderley?" ' '^'^^^ ^*"®^ '»»» of your plainiPht'ed'^"^''^^^ "^ *^^"— ^y> his n^anner too you for a tenant." ' "^ ^^^^^ ^ "^^^^ ^Wy to have say no^^o^'llbouJir? ^'"' "^'"*' ^' ^^ ^^^P^^^'^e. We will sat fe^Xe arJS '^^ ""'^ ^^^ ^ ^^-^"I air. She diploSic^ronl^^^^^ ^ndoffiSlrh 1 ".^^"^ ^ •^---"^<^ that winning charm of Snor thf u\^^;?'.°'^ «°"^^ assume. fsciion to his daughter Bofh^^^''-^''"''^"^ ^° P^'^' exercise now. Hnro-Ta^?. • "^"^^'M^^ »t pleased him to husband and wife." ' ^^^'««smg with kindly frankness the yours" nda^^sYrt'ofTo^i^rM ^^^??^?.,^«»-wisher of IS it impossible ? '• ''°°°®<'**°° <>^ Mrs. Halifax's, too-why baveno^':;i£j..^^'^^^^'^«'^^««'^« ^ason: it is because I March--surelyyour^f:^foine?^^^^^^ ''^^ ^^*« Mr. tune! (torm'e'safitr^^^ -^e's for- fprtune/lxjrd LuxSLe^e L r"' ^ '""•'' 'i"^^ ^^^ ^^e's Richard Brithwood kZ's it h.*l ''^''? '^^.^'^^'^ ^^^ farthing day and night formeSoSr.hM°^ °»y husband would work opinions/' said thr^rlJifhfr^r w ^*''^ ^^"^ o^ such "And you agiL with him ?i^ '*"" '^^^*'*"'* perceptible sneer. da>.; tha^h\l1S^hoL";:i'r h?s iffl T, ^VT *" -' perhaps even soU hircnnrSf« u °"*'',*'"°'*hle his spirit. man over money matted" '°''' ^^ squabbUng with a bad l(x>k\rhffln1rdw?f:'?^^^^^^ '« - the different in many j^?jl v!fc ^S^°J?^~-^'"^*"^ *°^ ^fe» John said, in iS q^Twlj-^ hloasedlj, so safely on. / Then 234 JOHN HALIFAX. "Love, perhaps another subject than oni. o^im -d I hope l«h2d'htol^n^L'tei''lS?r,~'°''l'^"« '»?'«»"» qnielest and haoniit nlT,,^ that quiet honr-often the 2u in bed, tetellT te^fi'^"'' """^^ ^B Ursula and I sat there, longer alon ° ttS usual could trriit^£a;te^4- uSr=-^^ ^ «.d JotaLme to' " '' ■""■ '»"' »' o-o^-much relieved; wvS&^dX°r^ h"er:y""e^ni;s«h "ZX" ■-?> always seAmtvl tn „i;i «« xiT ^ enougn, Ood knows— thev acH.rTa^^wtLf'^li^t '^r^rti^rt™' '"' °™ them aside; as they could not hnt l^^,!?^ j' '"'°*'l "« P"' »t the sight of him? ' ** P"' "'^' "V, forgotten "WeU, Uncle Phinoasl Children aU right, my darlmg ? JOHN HALIFAX. ^^ November.'- •"" "^ "' "• T™"/- to-night fa aa cold .. «gui« SSi.jJi;!,^.™ ' ™'"'«»' » " '<» fire. Vou're . wo„l?^tlS?te^;"^.^„5:fl»5i'''el'W ..Ye,.I travagance is certainly o^U a *7i»y- I^ove, our one ex- .She called C%S ii •-«^b«T^''*^l^'i^^ quiet kiss the forehead he lifted'unt T'^'H^ ^°^° ^'^ a him looking as if she would Z^t' T '^' "'^ ^^side whole housetnto fuel, for hT^ownnnL^^ ^/""^ converted the '^I^'"":^ *" ^° 4 of"ouC?^'°'P"'^^"^"^-«fi*- those nlg%X!!;ifc^^^ Tl? ^'^^^ *^« -ghfc-- children so delighted." ^ °' Longfield. You never sav/ that ^l^fShU'^t ^listen w'J'l?. fo^^^w rather sad, and the pleasant HtUe houitKhT^nii^^^^^^ '""^^ ^^^^ a ways new, which it wm h?« r w ' "^"^^^^ wonderful and night after night, when h^ i^^T*^"" ^ '^^^ ^""^ and have, after his day's to 1 Ske a - hlKr'''"^~'*y^°S '^ ^as to him it stopped/ "^"'^'^^ea babbling o' green fields." sCa "fer/^''^''"*''''"'^*^^^?" "v:r7b'S;^°"^'y*'"«y'^"%-'' brief aj^r^tdi^ea^l ^^ ^^^ah^g"^ ?1^' ^^^^ *^- Guy's blurred copyWk and TM^^. '^*^.*^.*^« table where sums were greatlf i^^ of vtcl^Py.^^""''^?^ ^^^^on- side comer to those two aL t u ^°®*«' ^ left my fire- easv chair, and fh^ oir'saw^"; vt^^'"*^.^^"^^^ ^° ^^ in body and soul alike-wrlrt JI ^ 7f ^^^ ^« was— weary went to my heart to ^ilTThfl,-:^? "^^"^T ^^«^^ hi«i- 1^ strong frame-the sharo lin J .k '?f •' ^^^^^^ ^^ Ws large ought not to havr^^e the?«'-"^^"**^-"°««^hSh yea^s. And his eyes-S^ h^djv iJft^^r . ^'^-^nd- thirty as they gazed in i sort oTduU a^il^.^!^ ^^^^ "^^.^^'^ ^y^l Mlli^ '^' "1 ^oals-and Xhet'd^ """^'^^ '« »>« "MTrJisttrrtsrs^^^^^^^ ^ •' Mothers must-yon knlw^AnS^/r^.' '^^^°g-" ou -grow their things like o^Li^^^*?^^"^ '^ever did boys only clothes did not wear 0^80 ^si " "" ^^"^"^^^ ^' ^ 238 JOHN HALIFAX. '' NSt'a' bi^S5^7«{T *^* ""V ^^P*i» °' «»« '»«^er'8 heart, go to UnX^rJZn'^ """^ '""PPO"""' »-" "« do "ot ^o;||o«ptt'^:; Ar'""'"'. «c.a-«o„ Because I m afraid— it is hard, I know— but I am afmiJ we cannot manage it. Are you verj; sorry ?" ""'^ for A but-re'cK.^°' ''^'"'^^* " ^^' - --^ "Ay, the poor children." ^evett look faded out of her face ; then she turned it nil cheerful once more, to her husband. " Now Job? iLll mi Never mind about ihe children. Tell me." ' ' ^" "'"• ru\.iuu^.^' '^^ ^*^ ^»s ^a^»' at aU times, of some losses wS wo1ld'mt^«*f/'^*'\'*?°^-H «^ebts in Ws businest! TrntJ^n^tTot?^^^^^^ ^"'^^^ "^^"^^' wit^out\r !;^: ;; ^s ^that all ? " she said at last, very gently. " Then never mind. I do not. We will find some othfi,. J^easures for the children. We have so many ple^s^L av all of us. Husband it is not so hard to give up thfsTe •' ^' . He said ,n a whisper, low almost as a lover's "I could give up anything in the world but them and K!"' °^^ " UnSe Pht«L I^f information to me at supper time- f>.. ^ Phmeas, did you hear? we cannot go to LoMfield "— tha renunciation was ma^e. and the subject ended For thl^ year at least, our Arcadian dream was ove-. But John 8 troubled looks did not pass away. It seemed Sfh Lhri,-^*^ down-or trembles within a hair's breadth of breaking down ; conscious, too, horribly conscious wis face was haggard, his movements irritable and restlM^ hestarted nervously at every sound. Sometimes e^en a hS^ JOHN HALIFAX. ^ S hl^'m^r r:L?ft^^^^^ ^- strong was the most quick-tempered oMbe^L ^**' T'^^ by ST hj patient. She neither iltcl^' ^^^"^ ?°^^.*'* °»"d and re8tS!lS'iVSrtreS& until' ^ '? '^o^^'^^^'; there it fal expressioVof the f^ures re&'^^^.*^\^"^ '^d I^in own natural face— as nnLf **^' *"^ »' became John's j^eir pillows ^^rl Cce^do'u^lf/ ''? "^f' '«^« "n in th'^pett^lt'h?^^^^^^^^^ J -if ^ -t stir. The clock were the only sounds in the^aSr Sh ^^'^'J'" *^« ^^arth, the end of her work • i.hln£fT7' ^^? ^^^d on quietly, ti Her cheek leaned Lf^ftWaln^? ?\^^' 1*^5' n«3 sat s^t IK eyes, which seemed so iSvTnf! '^^^'^ ' *'**'' *°d « her I saw large bright te^TrsS^al^ft^ f^l""^« ^'ocJ'. nay, happy; as if she tKXt of tL. ^i^®'i°°^ ^*« s^'-ene and children-her very own-pres^!^ ^^^^ ones, husband Peace,-ay, and in th7t wb"ch?s E^.k ^''T *^«»^tb and of love. %r that pncelSs btssint In Ak*° ''"!f ' '*»« ""^^y A« comfort, for the sweetoesA nf k^^^ • ^^ ^"^^O'* of being m the fear of God an^lhTho^our^fTP fT^^' '^^^^^ wife aiid mother as she wm wrS1M^?Vl^''^****«''-8be, true weaJthof the whole world ' "''* ^*^« exchanged the beu'i>ealed*Sii^ugh toe hou^ taS %« t ««d^e« ring at the the very children in their S ''T.^^/o**^* and frightening brought by a lacquev of in«!:i t " ^°' * ^^^^ letter, too whatindiianUylXl^^^^^ Having-;,^' stairs to quiet her little ones Whe^ L ' °'°'5"' '^^ "P" ^hJ^ ^tb the letter in his hand HoT^ ^^7°' ^^^^ what It was; when I chanced to aSc i,? ^^ °*^* told me SIO JOHN HALIFAX. " Mr. John Halifax. " SlB, A 1 u"i?^®".' ^^?' ^""^ Halifax, havinff atUined the am fn Lo? ' P**^- °'T *P y^"' *''^®' »" "honeys, principal and interest, accruing to her, and hitherto left In my haids m ^rus^e according to the will of the late He'n^ mLcS^ " Yours, Ac, " Wonderful-wonderful ! " " ^''"'"' Bbithwood." It was all I could say. That one bad man. for his own SThafr''^ influence .another bad man to ai ^tofTust7cS good I Also, that this should come just in our time of need— ^i»er» John's strength seemed ready to fail. Thof •^®^°T'^o^° ' now you need not work so hard f " in tJaw! ™ ' ^^^ ' ^"* °'^' *^ '^® ^^"°e *o ^'^ alniosk bunSn !^^I1f • * ^*^ u^ agitated. This sudden lifting of the and'lh?cWldSSl !• ^ *"^ ""''' ^"" "^ 'l"^'^ "^^ "^'^-yo'* her ?rm?l?''Ti^®'y ^*^®V ^" ^^^« ^»«1' ^«de him, and put her arms round his neck-I quietly went out of the riom. WK ? *??® *° *^*°' '*^®y ^e" standing by the fireside ^o?i J^''^;i,n*r P'^P^'. ^ ^*^°°» had happen^^S v?& ^han MK^®"^ ""^ congratulations in rather Homical of mifHWfV*'^"^'^ ' ""^-^H ?^ "« ^^ «^»«^* John's habit of putting things ma comic light whenever he felt them keenly with e^xfr; rosMi'e"'-'''-""' ^'" '""''''^^ ^'^^^'^ " And your sisier too. •"For die wdl walk in silk attire. And siUer hae to apare.' She's quite young and handsome still— isn't she? How magnificent she'll looK in that grey silk gown I " UthJT''/''^^')^^^ ^ ^ ashamed of yourself J-you-the ifEnderley!?'^^' ^'''~**^' ""^ ^ ^ *^« ^'«««' n^ill-owner He looked at her fondly, half deprecatinglv. " Not till I have made you and the children aU safe-as I Ld." JOHN HALIFAX. «.- tbat It will be the haDDi6«t /-„ • V- ■^^^.'*® ^'"^ understand now, .9 ever, what vL JhL,.^ "^ '" ""'» ™« feci thit h" candle to de,»rtT ' "'^ ""»'! "■«" Ursula l«k g2"""«°' tho ofd »Vhfevo„f.wi;.fr'rh7'™'''''"« "'"^ Halifax, when shall I havp f ^« k '^'°"^« »« his eyes. •' Mrs. tailed grey ponies ?" ' *^° ^^"°"'' °^ O'^^^ring your long ^ CHAPTER XXni. wbTchXjeepl^:^^^^^^^^^^ at Longfield, Longfield ! happy Lonefield ?^liTf f ° l^"" °^*"J^ Jears. and Peace-where tL Sren i^iw ""'' ^^ ^^^'^^ ^"^ ioy> ^here season after season broulCl"^' ''"^ J° ^^«^ ^Idll Jn us and around us wh.! ° ^^^ "^^ change ripening ?ight. the hando Go?s pZiSr ""' ^•^"*«^' <^«^ ""! « Jg our goings out and our com?'!'''^' °^'"'* ?"' «>o^ bless- fitore ; crowning us with the S'. ' u', ^"'^ ^^^^^^ ««d our we were made I houXd whe?e ? '11''''°^, "^ *"' *hat ^ unity." Beloved Longfield I mv h!'^'^" ,*^''"^' *«ffether befits one near the Rn.ye thriu/ ^^^^' "^^'^ P"l"ng as remember thee I ^ ^' '^"^^^ warm and young as I green slope to the house am«rJ \«tream, thence up a It had one parlour, thri der«nf k '^"^-^"^ouse, nothing more: houses; we built elt^ZoTcL^?"'''''''' ^^^^«°' a°d out cheese-room. I„ oneTlhese th^I' °"'^°^ '^« »>«rn and fiept; against the low w nf ^?-^u°^l' ^"^ and Edwin. Wed his head e4ry C/ninl wh ^ ^'^**^«' e^^^^al?; l^s. Its windows were Xnalf .71'' ^' "^"^^ *« ^" the birds and bats used ofLSea to TT .r"^' ^° ^<^ ^bich tbe youthful inmat^o. '^''""'^^ *o %, to the great delight of Another i„fi„i., p„,„^ ^ ^^^ ,.^^,^ ^^__^ ^_^^ ^^^^ ^^^ 249 JOHN HALIFAX. Those vrnrtU in Vk ",^'v» fraternity, and equality." across it, and Trort of „^.i„ J^^l'lf ■;?' P'r^'-S ■» Wdge mirtt b,' put «p!^i°'rthr3 std'rSf ^^ ?°™ tailed ffrey ponies Fni. i»:»k -ii iu ^ resisted the long- «P0« miJcing on his wife .nfchXTu orehl wStuT"?* his business any Dortion nt ho- #..-* / ® would use m no means so riK to^ake /n v ^^^^^^^ T '^"^^ ^" ^«^ »>3' life advisable. And aTer all ^f1.r' "'if *.^ "i ^'"'^ ^«3^ «f were to see her oWdren merrv L^ ^ '"^''^f ' >«* ^»''»"^'« lightened of its ollrlZ?l J and strong, her husband's face ^:oub7rtSeS/hehada"w^^^^^ P^T'^ »-^o"^ not this very daVZe to sL^^^^^^^^^ ^^ ^»« »»« Mr« uJiit^i?F' . ?^? '°® l®*se of Enderlev M'lla ? portent d»rw;,7»felvi^„t « ^ """^r. P''*'""' " «■« '"'■ spoil It^n V'/rrvf." o'XarLn t^'-'v'' X"!. Uncle Phinea,, woS?;o„ mi^dttglotel ""°'' '"""" '"• .0 sTi-wM n^ot'^.Md^'fi-^ ^- ' -^ household these ten v«^" T-fi' J5,' '??''™ »'• » O"' fashionable thlever?"i:Jll'vemn"\°°K-?^^^^ Fletohri'/t^r^^ou?^-^' '"■ HaH'«-.™.- 7)/™, Mr. _ She held out her hand with the frankest condescension, JOHN HALFFAX. ,„ stream had made. Walter i^i '**® ^*"'« ^^«" ^h'ch *•• thrown back, ao ia to r^L ♦>, ''km'^'--^^^'- ^^^e b I^and kept fi4 hold of G^v" hol^^^ Her rigU Btream; Edwin, the only o^n'e of t^^J i"^ ^^"^^^^ »nf^e Ursula left her rh;i*7i.«« j •«q»™Unce whom she Sie" «™°'° ^'' •■<" old I niiiUi March. Pcrhana tZt «. ! ?"™, '^" ""><» she was with • kind of invofunw,/",' '"""'"e'l hor, and it JJf the .ickly /.ce,'wh ^•"•^ ,'g"-''™™ 'h««»l.e looked il" wrinkles. "" ''^^ smiles could not hide the wha'uliXeL^rcSr."""' «■"» '0 «~ both «,„e. ^our,'Zr'oh"VTri!;"*'.«"»4'»^»- The little .;„ little thingl" Anr;ithT»±S ™""" '«" """A from oj-r blind M„rieU„, cwKLr"' '"^ »'" '"'^ ria,.e„'^'vV?oT„r}i^!°h^;|ir.:^f »y husband ha, onlv ". And glad to see mo' T _ , K*""™* «»n." ' of that husband of7omlih°U~ For I am rather afraid like to stay." ^ours-eh, IrsnU ? Yet I should greatly ^mM^lXS^^Ji^"}'-'-- She was so walked the children fXwtoRtowtri, Jh "^ ^P*'"^'- ^he" Under the ereat w»i^„. . '°''*™ ""o house. ' guarded the U^-gaM^" ^^ th^ 'S" '""'' '*°«« "hioh Hahfax stopped and Bointlj J ,?' '■"*? »»d cows, Mrs acr.,. the «Cw':2/e"dTil sX^r'^^ <" ^-^ "w.' ^"t rthi s'trK:™'.' t? e!i'V»« -p »<• "•"Oh m an atmospSere oMo™ to Cow .llh"*" u^ '"'^ '«' <" Th'^.P^"^' »y «'"o friend^"" «U.er shyness or fear. J-nat s One-Trflo Kill r- n. walk there this afternoon .• *^'' '' ^""^^ ^ ^^^ us Jl a '' Do you like going walks with your father ? 244 JOHN HALIFAX. " Regret ! " what a hoj» your hX^al' U.mZm"-"'-'"" "" ' '"*'''' now-^ffrSS^ man as when t?vo or fK "^f^^^^S to make our hoiiae as Catholic about him"' ^y-Poor Willmm ! I had rather not talk ''bIVITZT^^^^^^^ Richard was well, astonishincr honS to Mr V iv' "' ''^T':^' '^«"- "is late smooth betwL them ?^ ""'' ^ '"^^^^^ '^" *^'°SS ^ill be •• l'sh^o"uW no^r' ^'v ""^ '"-^^^^'"S to Mr. BrithwooI Guy. a little genUeman from ht« ^^1 ^''""^,^ 5"^ P^^*«^»t- admiring kni|ht aSa^eXS^ ' F^^^^^ t^ to see his p ufeons • VVa»*«r Zith .' J^dwin brought her her -a 'ittle fCcr" and Sthl^*' '?? blushes^offered favours, insisted orescortJnVhprf^^^^^' ^ '?« greatest of all ful calf not a week oW ^ P*"^ * '''''* ^ ">« ^auti- in S^c'f i^^^^^ *«"-,^ them how lately. Louis Philippe,le youKutA^^^^^^ «>» o Marie-AmeliT' '« And trulv rhiM.^'^T'' '^"^ '^« ^^""cess P/etty as your little calf fe^^^^^^ ^'^ "^* ^^'^'^ «> times. I would fnrn li^ J: '^^1"'*» ^ am sick of court some- tolerable ASia."" '^'^^''^^'^ ^^yself, if we could find a Is there any Arcadia like home ? " and scoT ^~'"olS^VKw^ttT"' ^^*'^"^' ^-^ return from abroad had t.irni^^,- f rJ^\''l""'° «'«ce his drunk every day and nil ?^ ,^"'* ^'^^ *>'« ^'^'her ; was what it is to be young "'" ^ ^ * ^'''"8^ *"*« «'>"• Oh, England, that m^Lo^u'cK *''°^.' ^^ especially in in the r^m s^?s such ^n S^ .^"'''' '''^''^ 'he first husBand " Cela deLid - Rhl ? meant to remain in Eigland. fresh air matrme feel w Jy^'^laT^^'"^^ -^T'' " ^'^"^ Dinner was ZSZ u^^\ ^***? ^® ^o indoors ? " the fath^noTLro^'u "<^^'fo; Jir. "^"f ' ^'^ -'"- If we had lived i a huTl^d f^ i%^"?Sf « ' K"' ^ ^hink potatoes and salt ourrpw^ nu ^^^^^^xJen pUtters on and our hut tS neatesr^atrh f *''?^^^ ^'"^^ "^'^^^'h'. of the family h^Tn trfect^^^^^^ Tl^ ^- ^^'^ **»« "»othc.; can have-the genfufof '^SesJ '* "^" *^«* S^*^"* » ^«man if 246 JOHN HALIFAX. ip- tnbIo!;KnodSe^te^^^^^^^ ^"' simple dmna.. had little plate, but p?e„Vo sTw wSff '"' """"^W ^e cbma ; and what with the scents of i^^i^ ""^^'^ *»^ P'^fj side, and the green waSn^of fhi oi ® ^^e^'ga'^en on one was as good as^dining oZ^^LS '^°''*''' "'^ *^^ ^'^^r. i* mtKro^tr^t^^^^^^ Xr^ ^^^ ^-"-' - t^o Munel sat, as usual, on^t^ door sHl H"' ''"'•" ^^™'.* doves that used to cime and rl^^u ' P?"'°S^ ^^^ o* her Moulder, of their o;^ accord when I W^.'^.k^^^ '^'^^ ^«' herself— »^wru, wnen 1 heard the child say to "Father's coming." " Where, darling ? " jesMmino that grSS, ivtt the 4u "nIPa" "O"" <" «"» i^ather's here." ""o weu. J^ow, fly away, dove I here*"" ""* '"^' '»'■»"« « e«nen«l sbout echoed, "Father's Haiters^„:^^- i^rS"^'^-^ -"».' stand the word "fatherl" fc? »k f *■"« <=<>»" under. .tUe lives, their falher was ^1^^^'IT "'\'^7» ■" "-"r trnest representative here on earth of fh.f'? f,?'"'^" •»-">e who ga'v7her'°c^?refs«"Sathrr« "'"'»-«"' "o-- --nd'^'i^e^i^remLr rhoT-'r^A" '--» of her or returned. emowoe without which he never left her "AU rightly settled, John?" "Quite settled." Ursula said, rathfr CSriy^.TtSe!""* *» t?!! "O". when Lady CaroUue cam, out 5? W J^JY T''"' '"^y-" Ad not expect me, I see. Clt\S!r^''«^"'«- "^»" ^ 4°Jo::^rn^^t.Xht?^-'»^«.»Uno... stnUued ; and he felt, as ilZmJtt', *?f """"what con- -pnse th^igratificition iTAt^o^Z^lZS. JOHN HALIFAX. ^ Th^i'Lki*??,'"' •'«'*• ">»nk you." ^Xo ^:^'4''tiri5 --JS bej^ee^ ^e Ud, .„, ,„ ^^^ ^ Conversation veered between thli? ^^° "^^^ *<» ^^ had Lord Wellington. Lord WiSiam B«n.f T ^".P^-««° »"d policy, the conjugal squabbZ^f r u^'^^'V *"^ Sardinian An election I It was i«p~i" "^** corning rather severely parlour, a nominatioranrshl^o^fhl^drh*'' ^''"/'« H^^' labourers, tenants of Mr. Brithw(Sd an^ t''^''?"" dozen poor got a few pounds a-piece for fT2^ ^ ^^^ Lu«more, who trasdone. ^ ^'^^ ^^"^ *^«'' scrvices-and the thing •' Who is the nominee, Lady Caroline ? " Who ..tf Wr?r S^^/^''"-' !-"' «"«»» part,, y_^01;.no. Vermitye-Mr,Gera«lV.rmiIyo. Do you fa,,, '' I have heard of him."- at ^'C^I^'''Z'S::±^^^ ^<^'o,n lookei fuU with her bracelets. BothTm^^aL^^'.f °? ^^n playing KmgsweU election. ^^^^^ednteJy quitted the subject of ^^nnelZ:^^::Jl,:^:^J^^ ^^ -l^^y. who had all insisted on taking het^^^lTJT^^^ " pretty lady!" her a magnificent arum mth^r^^^'"' ^°^ ^^'^^"ng for suggested gaining pemiilifnn « ?®*^f s favourite lil? T question. ^ ^ P^nmssion first, and was sent to m? the ccnveiSdot/^'" ''' ^^« -^^ in .erious, oven painful " ^-'" ^^ ™ -^y^. " I have known it for v.iy long ;' " M us JOHN HALIFAX. b^'Jlt" ^V- ■"" """^ "«"- ' ''""W "^vor have grieved ,ou women." " "^®°' ^"^"^^ falsehoods about U3 to s^ w"o°eh yoSrhand ■•''°"'' '""''' "''»' " ~" »= <=von " John ! " The soft tone recalled him to his better self near th^X^ ^ -J^^ '-t have thet.t tain, coma holding intercourse with a hahT^ ""^^ ^^'^ '« ^^'^^ of her her hufban^" ^ '^ * ^'^'^^ woman-a woman false to .ickldWU^!!!^? L ^e"'^;"4To'^^"1^^^.^ -^ -- ing with our children no' r Oh JohnT T^l'^'J^ laugh- childien." "^' ''^^^^^^ J— think— she hns no Jo J^'lateViX^^^^^ ^ her husband's, shoulders, as, lookin^^ up in hk C« ^h^'i '^^'^ ^1"'^ ^n his sicntly for oAe whom «2 the worid I'n^^^^^ ^^^^ ^^^^ Pleaded 80 unhappy. ^^'^^'^ ^°®^ ^^as so wronged and bo;Jch1uC'lh1nl'" *"'"" "" '""«- I-v.,y„„.,. retired household Cu^L* know"' Z'"'^Tu°''l "' °« r/oll, all the world was aWy Sn.?i « ''°''° ^'* """»' of Mr. Oorald Vermilve Sh« ?^ K. f *°8,"'' "" ««">'«' !«.» power of -i^'and^tnTnglPiltT^tb^'I «''r; her jewe:lod^*S„ts1.fd''^,;'lemt„ wr- ?""^'', "^ things ; nay, she actuaUy ,v.sh^ off h« mZfi'f'.u''"" P^?" ^d came in wilh faint natnral ros^f n^^^^ t^Tl"' bo happy she seemed, so innocently ihildishiJ^ '^J"" more than once I saw John anH I*™,?!. i!' ''*PP>'- ""»' :\"'^1W^r^^'-' -^ J JOHN HALIFAX. ^lo •nothcras these do.' • '' ^' ' """wwd, "who lovo ono H.Ii Win, thXnlfil, t^Ji^.fcf ^ «'■<' Hra. , ,."«' WWng, and U^^ ^„,^„„^ I«t andlh'e™ rirt'obe|:„™f , ^''" **•' •■■■» ^ ^'l- It is the 2ffO JOHN HALIFAX. w ■I^oforo ft servant 9 wu tainment for our whole establishmir' "^i 'T^"** «»*•'- Jfe ftre at the Mythe what th« p •' "^ *»««band and I. Princess of Wales aJe to The countrv'T. ^«"°* ^^ ^^^ our people between usT I LSl^ u* uT' ^e divide Well done, Richard Brith w^l , "*/^r^.® ^^\ Hal ha I home ' when •nd how I like ? • Truly rnT.L .1 ?f ? ?<"»« ''< __ Her eyes glittor^'^ i"S ""•'.".», permission." „,H^.e,es«,i.rea':i&t-rr.^i:2Cn^:: first p»rt of the sentenrwaTill' „V«"* '""""'"'•" ' '"'■« l»lter, smothered, and slow). L. / *°"* contempt; the what constitutes a man S 1 T"^'' " ^«" ">«. Uwula -the tyranny wh'oMhe Zl ^"'^^ ' Brutality, tynmny P»»hy, acvoti;nreyeryThin;Thaf^''rL °5 kmdiess^^^^! .h.ngft^at.constituJiI';7>»^7,':i-Web««««f»l-W^^^ con^feU o^i;"h^"„ ™' 7^» low, that shi started «, if mtents were known. 't-conscience, to'whom only her , "proi'z:r'i r &,r^^' s»' ■«>' -wndiy. have happened in my house aSd if""'*? "»' "■« »•>»"« »8»;ng your husband's wu"!^' "^ "'"'"8'" J <>« visiting us to ,j^ idol of the iy-^m?^/.)?^^ ?"' <=hi™l™«3 duty »»M «P his rosy mouft^l^ri* "P ""^ •"' 8»<^-™8kt, anj JOHN HALIFAX. 251 her vio'cnl •»e in fo; the nigh™'- '"■"">"<>»'• Ursula, you win t.b S.ve"^'JS^^ """«' '""■"""■8'y '« her husband, h„t ho .3 ;i^'uX"::r,fj'^ r""«l^ ''«'• -"> " "->'. should be most care „] to leave iheLriJ 'T ^'^'o"' W no single hand against you " ""'' ""' ?»" '"•sbind Mr. Halifax, what right have von_" thankfully save her « heS " ''""e- """o "ould the 'oJ:"'^a.lZl'i'''Z'r6.^JV^: ™!«-e Oown to, or even sees, at this cri«f, T i ^'"thwood once flies hon„u»ble.EngIishmaton,Sr'ever °*° *"" ^"^ """"K ""Pped her b^ bet^Tn hi CdJ'" ■^'■* """"'W womL; " liM.r&t';^' "" "- "«"> -^'ore she s^o. " What is tnie ? " beautiful hair-wSuSrfLr'k 1!"' ^'"^ Uck her or s,x M>d thirty at leillw !^es "fs ?™ ""^f ' t'Tf '^'' A™ I will break my bonds, and llt^ ih! v V "''»" ■» ''"«• would have done it loig ^o L. ?-.- '''" """^^ '"'• ^ Ursuhi, he adores me ; yoX a^^ k ">''" ""*"«'• Why, ''"3^d":he«^:^^t«rSn'^^^s!a^t«^i..^ wo».d. ThenanlZret'SS?;^^-- S^»4»^oj j(. 2S2 JOHN HALIFAX. breathed and itila^ Tl SfL ' ^?? '"^ „» """"^ "Wch oni; dare yon Zt t^ime tt ?^'"- ^""^ ?«» <"«. ^o^ .i«^L'^fS'h^^!;s«zrrateSt^^^^^ comfort and help us all ^""^^^^^ ^'^^^ Him who alone can I had kept m, little ^by Now-" °^ ''"'°"'"' " Lady ^.XeT««if?;:^t'erto^",r'!:&h^^' " most likely ?" ' ^"^ ' '"'"^' ?-wottld turn from me, misl^bk/'" ■""• ^'«' "^ '*^" "W. and you most "Oh, most miserable I " you yourself have not sinned - ^' ^ **" "'^ *^«"* TiL^*'** "i^s^'J *« y«« caU it-" " M«* ^^r^ K ^°^T' <« *^«r h««band. Neither spoke awatSourt'/d^*^^"^ "^'' ^° ^- «^ P' »>^5d tone! « Take " Husband, shall I ? " I< No." JOHN HALIFAX. iffS U>«t i£ « sufferer nee*"8 , John .poke first. "■ SJin n r S*"" ^«'» » anner I head in amWen -. WeTre vZ "°- • ^^ 1'"^ "P •"« be ™«r friends, my wife imd J ^Avflir"?'* '""' "« '^«'' to sin-thrdi"^??"' """' P«>»i» to renounce for ever this loves merand'nove'himf iC 1^^^',""* eo»Ueman-he Me, and who llra-wI^SkuS'L' ,. ^S" /°''»®' ^^o you "Were you the KW« T u*°' '^® ^^""^ o^ Luxmore.'' ence. I will Le you ?„^«„?^"^*'*''*' ^' T"^^ "^^^^ '^o differ- already spoken to CveSean^h?^ ^^ ^ ^"^- ^»^»^« " Gone away I the onn^^t' ^ w?*? ,»°°® »^»y-" afraid l" "Cstorf«ho^^^^^^^^ ^^- ti.e. He is well; and to be an MP J,?™!,**"/ to-morrow at Kings- worldly, h^lUtrCX™^ ^^- ^^« '»»»^ cool, fnlly; but he judged b^stpo^ !?^"^ '^'"^''*^*' «P«>ach: niore weight with the woman oHhe I^S^k"''*' ^''' *«°« ^^ She began to be afraid otMr HaHfir T ""^f *°^ ^^^'^^i^s- resolution guided her and Pv«n Tk .^"P^^^se »«ier than and easily governed 'sTeJt SownT ' "'P"^'"' ''"'" '^^^" "o/l^r^'-- 'o^^tTcoXlmT''^""^-- a crim''^^ ^ '" ^« ^^ ---ence justiiirme in preventing " A crime ? " on yZ^'X^:^^ ^^ ro^rtrja'^"^"^' i?^^^-p»^^ one hkw, which if you disown ?t ^« r -S^ '' ^° "^^^S*** ^^^ bemg necessary for the ^rhi« ^'^?' " «*^" n^an's- •; What law ? " ^^^^' ^*'°^"^' a^d safety of society." " Tfufu thalt not commit adulterif.*' 25i JOHN HALIFAX. Iwnd. It tow from the seVmS^.I? '^ ''' ''«' »*» »■<«• ih corruptioM. Her sin »n.m .!J i? ""Jl *"?• "^ hide.- ^'^t;, 8>»wZrwo«ft.''^''''''''*''''y " «» look: hitherto, it W b^i 'V *"' "T "'"' ""o «" "j " Nobody Icnow, itr.xomt vn,f ' ?S° •?' P»'° "' 'l««I»i'^ would h.vo gone longiJ^'^brL hP"" '„'«V William, i «»»;V",&«" '"'^'^"^ " He .s a good boy ; aow^ L'tt^'^sCr^". p^^ZrT"^'*" ■>-" "« -»t leut John thouRht io ifl^"^'/' ""n* P«nitenoe her to the ministry of hi"'ot£r LTf >.'^ "■«.«»». '"ving down with me, «nd told ml in . fL""':^" V'"- *» he sat »Ire«ly mote than bMZZ^'7Z^ ".''\» '"««d I iMd expression of his face. ISdTi^^ -^ j ?°' ''"' "otioe the •t once righteons toTudge tend.T2.^!f*^ how a m«, c«, be » nujn, the principle of wheS life t'^^',"",.^ f"°»« »« m™: •hou d be made " «.nfo™rblo S th" '''''"'„' "^-that it was Himself the ear'Sly Sf^^tV^Sf """^ »' *■"' *'«' for «.'r\ir'^"the"%"*"f^iS'>'"''»''- They tailed she wished UdTareline L^Tlt' ''?'". '"»» ^ hearf, |bS with bettor jud^enrTOsijJmf ft* mght here, but th;t hi '^jq the pi.tSon'orhL-a^SrrmT^S'onr. tr, mus'i do H, u" uU ? "^^^ »' »'-i»e k" "Putation. She ever you think best Only hnsl^^^iS ''"'?" ^o "hat- w^tstolookatthechiffi; "Mu^f"" '^ Roes, she S^;^Jnrcl^%,^r ^rXing away, the ,«S, Impty h"^''i2T."'t-?J°'' l^^-l"^ 'brough ««ldleWs'homh'Mrs'°a5?f.^'» ^Sf,'"^ ^o"" «» days U«uU »sed to be v'^^yXJo/ri^?''"^"' ""(Tiri^h •• She ^^rtot. .^ VjtsfX t«-;ar„ -H JOHN HALIFAX. ^^ While he spciethAwniiS- 'P*°'^ **«"»'« *^ome/' I fenoied I hSrf even now^T- ^f "^'^^^n 'h« field-path pressioiig on a temperament «^«i„? ^'^ ^'»^' '*^*'* »" im- remoulded by the verH^k f^ff ^'"' l"^ weak-how eajy her oeriloas way ^ "^'^^ '''^"*'°^° ^^^^ ^*te threw acrosJ undf?te'':Jii- -^^^^ ttotCn'-''')-'' '^^ »>"<^'o prattle ofZ:t!;a^.lSi\tt^^^^^^^^ *<> the in darkness,' by our happy h?me at fi/J^ n^ '". ^*y"ff»»* or to myself, " pW LadyTardiSe I" ^"«^«^*^- And I aighed CHAPTER .:XIV. AIiDNioHT thouffh it waq T p«* . ... , came home. They ^tl' J- i ^ ^''^ -^^^^^ "^ his wife retired. In the m^X aU wi^t'o&n 'k"* ^'^^^^^^Ly and no one ever knew of this nTZ.« •" ^^'^ ''^^^^ »« «8ual, , In the morning Guy looked |?«tf"n^^ ^^''P' "' '^'^ for the -pretty lady "vS beTn? ffi »f^"nd him, asking and that he would not be Iik«lv S* u '***' ^^« was gone, appointed for a minute ;b^t«^nhrw«nl ."^*^"' ^eemed^dis-' stream, and forgot all. ^'^ ^®°* ^ow'J to play at tho houSTaa^'^:;-,^^^^^^^^^^ X\te'?o^^^-". ^^^^« *^«^ ^^^^ presence-penetrating eZTn^kLr^'^l^' ^"''^' ^^^'^^^l as with the freshness ofl?^ Awn i?„/"'*'"^ ?yery creatui^ and sadder ; but she did SSt s£ inTthfnTr' '^^ ^^^ ^^^^^^ John had ridden off eX- to JhT fl ^ ^ •?,*' "**'' ^ *<> her. kept on, together with theZ^at Vo,^n ""p"' ^^1°^ *^««"» dishked giving up any oldZ^ciatiij^ a?"/^""^' "^^''^^^ came home, saying he was ffSnnf^^^ ^* dinner-time ho •« there. He wUI m«t MrBriVlf^' ^"^ ''' *''■''« ■' right to «»d though there i.,Z the dirf.t^i^JS'''' ^=? ^■'™<"«: do all ih»t he hu tn .1o Xf -, n f ^""^ husband can 1 would like hi3 brothers te nir hto.'."' '""' ^^t^'tion'. 2CQ JOHN HALIFAX. I They invariably called me their brother now; and it ioomed as if the name had been mine by right of blood always. Of course I went to Kingswell. riding John's brown mare, he himself walking by my Sde. It wa? not often that we were thus alone together, and I enjoyed it much. All the old days seemed to come back again as we passed along the quiet roads and green lanes, just as when we were boys together. 7nlZ^ ^?;^, »«"« I ^"^^^l 'or but David, and Davi/car^onl5 fnfK^!* 1 ^ ° nat««J. growth of things had made a difrerencJ in this, but our affection had changed its outward form only, not Its essence. I often think that all loves and friendship nood ft certain throe days' burial before we can be quite sure o their truth and the r immortality. Mine-it \appenS ust after John s marriage, and I may confess it nowl-had likewise its entombment, bitter as brief. Many cruel hours sat I in darkness, weeping at the door of its sepulchre, think- ^L;« °1 *^ °^'®', T '^ *?'^^" • ''^»*' •» the ^awn of the morning, it rose, and I met it in the desolate garden, different, yet the very same. And after that, it walked with me con' tinually, secure and imperishable evermore. «« J "^®;u*°** f°*l" sa"°*ered beside me along the footpath, now and then plucking a leaf or branch off the hedge, and playing with it, as was his habit when a lad. Often, I ciu-ht r .!v hT*K^ wl°"^ °^ ^l' ^^'^ ^y^' "«* even handsome Cruy, had their father s smile. ♦Kn^®-"^!?*^"!"^!.'^®^^""* Enderley Mill, and all his plans there, m the which he seemed very happy. At last his long life of duty wa^ merging into the life he loved. He looked ai Kl^A^^*'?*^ •*' *, ^J' ^" ^^^*°« °' *he new inventions he meant to apply in cloth- weaving ; and how he and his wife T !f' S^ together to live for some years to come at little liongheld, strict y within their settled income, that all the fT/HIi ®\rn ^" ^P?,',*^ '"'«^* eo to the improvement of J!*nderley Mills and miU-peopIe. Tk-"i? ^u*? ^ ^i^*^*®*" °' ^^^""^y * li»n«lred men and women. Ihink what good one may do I She has half-a-dozen plans on foot already— bless her dear heart I" It was easy to guess whom he referred to— the one who went hand-in-hand with him in everything. " Was the dinner in the bam, next Monday, her plan too?" " Why, not exactly. I thought we would begin a sort; of yearly festival for the old tan-yard people, and those about the flour-mill, and the Kingswell tenants— ah, Phineis. wasn't 1 right about those Kingswell folk ? " JOHN HALIFAX. ^^ *ll^y to these old houses Xr^5f"^^^;***»»'''»''^«ble decently, instead of Cing ffiher likl n.' ''^•"'''^7'^'^ "^ " You ouffht to bTniSnT^i . P'«* '" » «'y- assure you, they forn, „KV ^?"' **"*"*«' P^inoas. I who are^Ix,Vd Luxmori'^'' * '°"*~'* ^ ^^''" ^^ifffabours! by thing, «hichTomt«^X''™trmT„ 'r ; ■ ■ ■ "• ""^ pies, but which he had stifl t„ i.^ ' '""'l"^' """ ^'■'' Kim, corruption which at this cri«i, „ , ' ''" " '' "'^"'^ {;.lhcrin« and gatherinrun" o„°'of rf, •' "'■""-■ ''''^ Kingswell who arfi w ri^® ''"*'°*« '^''e the .„ oter in l^o^tyou^e'LrthrLtr^'^^^^^^^^^ «^ ^^ --o^'! who had political influenc^ to Joll nJ Iw ™^'^ **' ^^ t^oso I3m opened up the elS ^vstm in .n °;"°*" *^« ««^«"*» enormity. ^ ®^®^°^ »° all its rottenness and tenants selling t^heT^ts fe ^ ^'^^^ to pi^vent'your quence. the sort of thing thit tL K^^"" "Jf^, "^ **»« <^o°8e- to be is what any honeft Pniii f ^'"S^'^^" election bids fai» against, and pre/entTf he ^a/!?'^"'*" °"^^' *« ««t bis face " Can you 9" right ln'^c:!,2tr^tnd^L*^ '''-. ir^^ ^- «-P^e not saved from arrest h^h^&it.T'' i' ¥'' Vermilye is be outlawed and driven safe on t^i^fi? '° Parliament, he will Ay, I did, only C well Thl ^\ T^^'^- ^ou see ? " ever John was abJnt^ do it mnT^^ ^ ^°'?'*^ *^*t ^bat. that would run direcUyli^LSr t tTTt"^^ ^ something ba. only ^st signed '^^^^1^ I^^ll^^lZr^^.i 258 JOHN HALIFAX. right to 'jo donc-he ought to do it at all risks, at all costs ; and I knew his wife would say so. We came to the foot of Kmgswell Hill, and saw the little haralet—with its grey old houses, its small, ancient church, guarded by enormous yew-troes, and clothed with ivy that indicated centuries of growth. A carriage overtook us here ; in it were two genUemen, one ^. S.? r?^^ !P »J"«n^iy manner to John. He returned it. •*u X , ' * »^®" • ^ "***^ *^v® o»e honest gentleman to deal with to-day. " \Vho is he ? " "Sir Ralph Oldtower, from whom I bought Iiongfield. An excellent man— I like him-even his fine old Norman fuce, like one of his knightly ancestors on the tomb of Kings- well church. There's something pleasant about his stiflf courtesy and his staunch Toryism ; for he fully believes in it and acts up to his belief. A true English gentleman, and I respect him. •♦ Yet, John, Norton Bury calls you a democrat." "So I am, for I belong to the people. But I nevertheless upnoIU a true aristooracv— tiie Ih-h men of the country— do you remember our Greek of old ? These ought to govern and will govern, one day, whether their patent of nobility be birth and titles, or only honesty and brains." Thus he talked on, and I liked to hear him, for talking was rare m kis busy life of constant action. I liked to observe how during these ten years his mind had brooded over many things; how it had grown, strengthened, and settled Itself, enlargmg both its vision and its aspirations ; as a man does, who, his heart at rest in a happy home, has time and will to look out from thence into the troublous world offside, ready to do his work there likewise. That John was able to do it— ay, beyond most men— few would doubt who looked into his face ; strong with the strength of on intellect which owed all its development to himself alone ; calm with the wisdom which, if a man ever is to be wise, comes to him after He has crossed the line of thirty years. In that face, where day by day Time was writing its fit lessons— beautiful, because they were so fit -I ceased to miss the boyish grace, and rejoiced m the manhood present, in the old age that was to be. It seemed almost too short a journey, when, putting his hand on the mare's bridle— the creature loved him, and turned to lick his arm the minute he came near— John stopped me to see the view from across Kingswell church' ard. i!?"'-:i£rT«[^^ ■p-ii sr^^t/''-?^^ ^■-^sr-'tr JOHN HALIFAX. 258 away. It does on!eZloi^^^^' ll' 'he Welsh hills far .^ack a little bit of me^^ch ra?^lv ^L^"'* ^"y* '^ brings It used to come long ago. when^J 5°Tv "PP«"«o«t now, ?« Shakspeare, and that Anon^ourFr^n /J'k' "^"^^^'^^e. and Buch a noise in the world I SpLm -^i"^^^*^ *'*''' 8'n<^e n)n<:e a man of business lik'nTcoleridtS'. '" ^'"^ ''^^^' ™^^ "^ I don t see why he should not." Enderiey. Or i'^B.^el' ^J^^ ""^T^ <>«^ '"cro at fought the goid fight and Roll H" ""^^ ™*"' ^^^ l»«ve have^they mide yXunf iJr^^^^^^^^ ' ^'^"^^^^ Ha!;! hat, andS to\Z" s^Zs^^'f^ "' ours-touched I.i« at once both stem and sad ^ '"''''^''" ^^« ^^^-^ all K^efti^r^Jr^L liit:^^* ^^ ^^- ^« ^ voter i„ -n di ^JalS:* n^g^SScT^:^ '-<'• " What can c.e can 'rntn'o'^^^t'^^^^^^^^^^^ to do what, a So saying, he \ve»t inm .hi i " P" ''» '■" i'o trus." Arm., whVihe oKw.^ gotfoir'''"' °' '^'' ^''"-"' young man who had been with hTm in f h? "' -^^ K«^ve-looki,.g were Mr. Brithwood, of the Jfcn^^^^^^^^^ ^" ^^^^ The room was pretty well filLTlhu T^" °^ Luxmore. and the like. We ente S, n/akfni litTL^*'/^""'''?' ^'^^"•^^'•s head>vaa taller than mos S nrelinf '5^J ^!* ^"^»*« him at once, and bowe«l rivfi? Pf^'^ent. The sheriff faw Herbert Oldtower, so d W he &! T '*' ^^""^' ^^"• Bnthwood alone took no notice h„ff ^"^?°''?- Richard looked another way. ®' ^"' *"''°<^^ his back and youth, and grown into a bW«^«^'^,*^*' P'on"«e of lis man-such a man as one mr«t .*^T"''^*!^'^' middle-aged even I, Phineas Fie chTr! h^^^Lldt ""''^ nowadays ; L in manners and morals fhff- i ^ ^ ^^ ^° fi^at a chance the usual char^t^rSSc ofa .'I'S^^^ of h^ fading^ universally Llmnfd IT^"' '''°"^' ' "'^ I-ss no^ therol •• growled MrXihwood. " Silence 260 JOHN HALIFAX. T-,« »», ®4*'''l®'^' ^*^« «°»»" audience set up » feeble che^ whl'' he'l'lT;^^^^ '^^ Oldfcowera wLe CruS ftncestora w«~ all k ^^^t?*^^' ^^^^' '^« baronefc, whose ?ound it LrTJ^ * honourable men and stainless women had orLfnafed trr^J" ' ''^*'"!^ '"^*^ barsinister. wK othir"bfor':'hich\ia"trishr^^^^^^ ^j^^ * ^r folks said ; but probablv Sir H^lnh' .^9''^^^?^ .8\°ce- So loast a3 strong as^hb pride and th J 1?^ ^7°'^^^" ^f «*' dislike was founded on ti« V.. ii i? *^® "^^^^ ^'^^^^ *^' *»is K-irl of LSxmore ^^° well-known character of t'ae After a few words between the sheriflF. his son ami T^.j Air. Unthwood smarted up with an anijry oath swearing ungenuSy.^ "" °^ '**' ""^^""'^ ^^*> *^°««ht <* pZT' ^"^^>^» you shall not hear that low fellow I " Excuse me, I must, if he has a right to be h^id Mr " I'iiS'^' yo« » freeman of KingsweU ? " * *''' This fact surprised none more than myself. JOHN HALIFAX. ^fll He was picked „p i„ Norton ft„^ J neighbourhood »t .U. for all I know.- "^ ^'' ''"J' »'roet8_. boggar, » thief. fco,;;i^ '•td^«T^the"t«n'gh to of an ignoble one." '^^ "" ""'" "'"> '» "ot ashamed . hi^iumi' '• K'.rrJStni:'? "'Ir'" -"' •'<•""■ "•'«. which is simply mv claim ,/?? '""" ""* I'lcstiim in hand •• On wh,7gr"und ™ "* " '""'""' »' "'i" borough." ' force,^wTh^d!SKhterof°.°f''"*''' *."*"'« "-W"™ P"' in the freedom on hTr husband m" •■.«/, »,"«'" ^ eonf^ Hen„ March, was a b,,rgot^"o/ mi'.Z^^' 'itl <-^'-'^'.Mr. rhe old white-headed dork allowed the fa^t of this " knavery." «"■"'■''">■ '"•'''«' out into loud abui stating :i;at??ar;:;!;t'i:!iro?'''' ''^- ."""-""o^- ■"'-■y though 1 have ne,t uS tSLra^'l'"? '",'. '"•» ^'""-^ except—" *» '"^"'' *^« should not now btodj;* "VSiars1?"m "^t" '"'""'P'e.! Lord Luxmore Powerfid ar "C"a TCJ V"""',' ?" f ■""' « ^^o «d ™ ;■ -My lord, rz,w z"j°z":":f-f- y^^i'^o ? " mo for a moment. It isnoi „,v i^T/ V ^''" *" 'n'sapprehcnd extremity, to vote atal If 1 it w iT"' ?^?' »' ""> '«' Mr. BritLwood's nom^w Sir R»i„r - ""'j'n.'y not he for cmumstancos, which bf; our l?™*^- ' 1^"""" "■ ""■l^some Mr. Gerard Vennilye can kZ'hi? !"" ' ""' »■">" »» 't't*. A murmur aXTrom ?he ;;:?:^:d*™; 'i^''"^'"'.-" labourers, who, awed I»v an«K ^ • **' mechanics and nobility, had biZlZZj^X't'l'T'- *"'' "™ «U English crowds, wereTito 3v t^ ^,°V ''"1 "'"'■• "'" cspociaUy one they know ^ '""'"*' *« leader." "Hear him r hoar the master, " was distmguishablo on 262 JOHN HALIFAX. ^ butL^S-Woi!^"&J.?i^^^ -ragc4 for words; eschewed politics ?" snougnt, Mr. Halifax, you «ndat;%StvV'r;ac\"Lmt!;'"'^&' ^'""t'^^' ^^^^'J '' not Lord Luxmore's wh^h m.?/ knowledge, though possi^y «i^*;^ Z"^ V '^ ^' .^**'?° *n»Ke me feel that Mr Voi«;i„«.l not Lord Luxmore's whi>h t^^'C^ -"""t^uKc, mougn possibly A louder murmur rose. "Silence, you scoundrels!" shoutwl M- n lu adding bis usual formula of snee^h «^j«k * ^"*»i^?od, extort^ the old baronet's grave'^"**^^^ ** «^°^ *'»^« neighbiuS' Truf'L^v' ''uL'r^'Ify ^^ "'« '° ^o"' among the cc aonaui hn/^m ^^^""^ ^"^ °<»* ^»'° »^«ch peoplfchoose i.T^^i.'^V;'^,^^^^^^^^ ^^ '^'^^ the somewhaYhaugStl ^' Bu^riTw'" Jf'"™?^ **»« ^^^^^^ Halifax, be brief Whafl ^''*^' ^®'*' '*»« P«<>Ple. Mr Brithw(i>d^ nomiiee ? '^ *"''" ^°" ^ *"^«« '^g^i"^* Mr. oneSdtrf ^SeTs' , «^, ^^« »?' "^'ee hundred, nor and elsewhere 1\^rrinf "^^^^i^ '° ^«^t' »' Norton Bury an M.r'hrcani"rfr ?rir^4* 'iTdi ^s^f ^ - offence common as daylight vet whjiv.7?' i , *° t^"' *° at when made patenTithat h^Ls brib^'±^ ^.°°' ^^"^ sums, every one of thaTtLT i /'"°®d, with great or small thinklha^^Venonah!^''^^^^^ °^ Kingswell; and I that Mr Go^;j ^fi,*^ TiTfir? *^°°^^^ E«g"8hman Parliament." ^^^'^7^ « not fit to represent them in undS^^^^^lflTow^wV"^^ ^^ <'oor and had now collected Th«vfjf!' "'^**' *^^' *^« ^^"affers unbribable 3ion of Si ^ ««-voting and consequently dignantly at^he fi?tee'n ^lu!k?^^''-^rS.r.''yt'y' was, as rcbn had trnlv pal^ «; voters. Uor though bribery if brough. oiSX heC^L «til^ generally conSed^t ?f Itj^^^'""' ^' ^^ ^°°««t P^Wic oemed therein. ' ^^ themselves had not been con atel'XtSltXrr^^^^^^ ^ ^^""^'.^^^ -^"^-on that of the lord of tKr ^ ^'°^ °^ °P'°*°° ^°°trary to JOHN HALIFAX. ^^ '"^WeV^JSd h,?/ ^'^^ -comfortable. ^^«^^^d;.ro^^'''^J;^2n "^" '««^^*'«^ ^n a matter jou hear Mr. OldLer whoTyou*°.n7 ^'""''^ frienJ^Xtl **w«e wcusations true ? •• ^""^ ^" ^°«w ? Herbert, are ^ " MTfiSlhtS',' t re^f!:? y""?« »»an, more gravely was not made before. WhfTdo l. '""^^^ '^'^t **»« disroverJ , " By the Lord thkt mSl ^°" P"''Po«e ^Joinir ? " '^'^^ ^rd Lixmor^'/f I couSlo^bitr^'^ '.• ^^^ borough is ^y man shall stand." "^^^^ate Satan himself if I dose "-^^P:^^ "it would My lord," said the baronet -^n^^^ '^°"^^ «*a°^-" onlyngid ustice.butacerLTnn •f*^*'''® could see that not especially when any^lnTk^^S'^c °*°^' ?"^«d ^w characSr or prejudices; " you 3^^^.*^^°'' ^'' Personal dignity satisfy the family to wS thi. i^ ^°'?I'' desirous I am to 80 unfit to serve his Maifl«*ir t* r® ®^®ction of any nersnn difficult matter ■• i^f"^ '«l">g might decide this ve^ hrin^Xttepu^M^'J" "«'»«'. determinedly, "thi, holder and lik6vZ^^^.^^'\^. T""- Wa land "'ttZ-'TJ^U ^ore.n1iJ^!:..H"«-. ^ ^-te Such a right h^"I^i'""'? "'onishment struck all „„. . forgotten'^rnt'a'S^ht'^t'^.i* "^^"■I^l'^'"^^^^^^^ iheir venerable headft^^tti toi^'*'"^ w/clerk' wj ^sir '^^■' ''''^'''''^' f"x^S^^^noU^?. ""'- ^""S^ very uncommon, thia " Not 'tef YS^!if "»"«? Riehard Brithwood -omi„aUon/;^ir, J„„?« -^-»!J Jo hear MrSl^ifax-a - Whom mysel, a2/i"£rr^«^„SK'i J «M 'OHN HALIFAX. the Oldto/ers!^ ^'^ '"^'^ ^^^ «> ^^"^'y respected a! Bir Balph rose, perplexed. " T tmni th^^ «« will suppose I was aware of Mr wJfr . • *? °° °"® P"sent understand, was Mr Oldt^wL m "*^'^*^ « intentions. Nor, I the honour offered LTm' '"' '""'»«<'>• » accepting »nZd''a '^«e'tl?^'','?i? ■■'' '»"'"• "."-eh evidently the dayia." ' *" '""' "^ *»*' " Puhfic officer of «.d>^^^pjr»„-.^frp^5J"S"^ wae cued for; ye.^/ SirlSlph,;r.^„?^la'::?'' » I»" •">» *h"e fifty po«tionVe^?"i;^p^.^£iffT!^'"''°''^'»'•"• % oaUed for-" '^ ' ''""* °' '." eown'r- « a poll bi whii;.'=='S£^ K;o?l ■"• " ^'"^' '-«'" >« -orth ,„„ me.lraiiX'^U^V^S-^r^iB"' '""Earl;, polite »„d Sir Balph Oldtowfr h1 '??"">« »' 'he sentence. princi^ .^"rSuZr J: ',.,'° """rA" t^e «■ and turne/aw»T,«ddreS thf"°'°f"' •■.« ""'^ '"Mly. and the poll 1^ "hSd tSf,^ftf "'°'*' """"e- " Gemfemen, mark^'L^EiS'^"" ""' ~"™"'»'" neighbour,," re- l.urta7d a^ *^^'^''' ^^i^ered by hn;. fact-which I foumnit HalifAt f • ^^ *. "^^^ *»<» «t«t- »^ few of them, gatheZl umW If ''^'°«^ *^ ""P''^^^ "Pon cburchyard-thit^a man's vote ou *h? tf T''^.^'^^-^''^^ ^'^ ^« his own conscientious opinion ;s5thl.^'^^«^P'•^ssion of was scarcely less viln th/« /« * ' ^ • '"*' ^o"* hmi to sell il or the honour of hsfau^htr'^A^nl" ^^'^^"^y ^^ Ws Ion most earnestly was a man who I haS"i^'*^ ^^'^^ "^^^'^^ Jacob Baines. once the rincWdprnf fl? ^^^'^ ^^'^^ to-day— . long worked steadily In thVtenvati^^^^^^ ^*»o had place.! in the clerk's desT to J,.; . churcbwarder. was reverent manner impJ^iCdueS^^t^l^J"' 8"™ ""'I Ihese two, apparently sure nf ♦»,!;- iJnthwood. their spirits, and telked^d kuL^^L^^^ ^?^ '^o^ered of the church. It was a ve-y smMi S^^^ ""^ *^^ ^^e*" «de form ; every word said hiTC d^«S« ''^' ?*u7^^ *°^ «'«ci. "My lord, «entlemen.^\^r^r^^r^^l^*.^2^^^ 206 JOHN HALIFAX. Lord Luxmore, who had been ffoinir about »kh i,;- i certainly f " and walked ind^ lul ' ^. ° pleasure^ thrift ^" ^^*° *° P®''®^* «Jenc«. One after the othi»r three farmers went ud and vntoA tr., w - v • i 2.. ®'» houses ' I h^„n\^-i"^^°- ^ "^'«« ^ °°« o' my loS'^i gum™, that we«,llVcloXli^" ""*' '"o""" "«« " 8tUl, mylonLt Wen?— ^°^ "' """ " '"^' " ' " JOHN HALIFAX. jj, of the pTrS wl^ mw ,*„ A!!"'"S •'■>'' '*»»• '•■"he' ae«nt'^i;.ita" ^!"' """ "'' *''• «' the" ictt?" ik. . rhe»'Iti:;?ho'^i^riJd"tS:«2:^ 'V™ «<"!f "'."W "nd bigge.1 .windier in aUEngt.Sd?? K'»8»well. -H.'a tho least, a great sZrJe SThi^ L" ?• ^*u^ *^"' *« ««y tbe himAym/^iT^n;^^'^'''''o^^V^r^yl I will ^nnsfat ont'^IguSXi'^^^^^ Halifax, counting in a litUe heap beC Mr Xwn th«T'' ^J^*^ ^^'^^ ^^'^ the number was I KaIwI* »« ' '^«.«^^ard. •• Small as Commas wiU decide tW ^^ c«"^"»»ttee of the House of polled. But I re«e? mv w' honester votes were never wood,"-and theXi's Tlit^nT^ f^^'* u^-^P^^' Mr. Brith- thia matter I h^vrb^enLlf^^^ '\^'' eye-" that m your opponent, ^ome dav tirhff' '^ '* ''\~' *« *»«co*«o ^ «™a, vote ^^n:\^ir^^.S^'CZT^^Z; 208 JOHN HALIFAX. honour •• ''^^ ^° y^""^ ^^'^"^^^P*" J^indness-your «nse of dav hv i^ **"*" * ''*"'"^' "»»t « chronicled to this x^nr • •»«»»*. hall "I earnestly hope so." thing milht have smTtf th» ^u ^^' "^f^ """«• Some- S:Sw'?3'dSf-iriSn:!:;Sd£ "te? de»d i«ea, honourable dust, to te re^rtf'' i^^f'j" ""? pw*; JOHN HALIFAX, ^ upon .Mr.. HaliUxT- ""' ■""• *« •"»<>'« of cUUnI; «q.«mto«., and iSy dcC Sd.~*"' "' """■• "» "<«• eord;.Jiu.?S„a-„t^,»^^i^";jJ;jS »« 'he land .luUl love, ay even such love", thti™ " '*'°'"' »" •""»» ...d. only we Wtho 1 We twL'king l" iUT J''*'^''""- "^ the Jamp in Longfleld parloir shS. 5 J il"' "«,'"'«* w" across the misty fields '^"""' "'"'« out like a glowworm ^'aZttLhfe;e"t™JMr.'° '^' !''"■«»»'" tho fatherly h<«rt fc^rt^Z^^r m-^r' h^ "'■""»» "s"" i ■■^ri'iri'itTp^'^^^^^^^^^^^ of »«?rme;^'if„^?Swbv tr'r'T »,""' «"> '-won nervous tremble of her £nd how JrTt'h"*' """''■ "'"' ^f "•• " I" aU safe, husband '" '""'S""* ^er anxiety had been. ooun4."''"' "• "'• ''"'*''" " "^M-he must fly th» " Then she is saved ? " '• WehavedoneSwe^Sd anJ ' T '^^ ™ 'Wvering. "-. 0."^th.'?,r^jr.r^"^^«^tomS?^ ^Tj^^^. MICROCOPY RBOIUTION TEST CHART (ANSI and ISO TEST CHART No. 2) 1.0 I^|2j8 ■ 50 "^M ^ 11° u ■lUU I.I 1^ 1.8 ^' xIPPLIED IM/IGE li DC 1653 East Main Street Rochester, New York H609 USA (716) 482 - 0300 - Phone (716) 288 -5989 -Fox 270 JOHN HALIFAX. CHAPTER XXV. bestowed the holy dignity otp^enthoS ° "^ "'" '""^ could not return the kindnp^.^ Thi.« ' ^ ^ ^^^ ^^'^<* ^para«ons ever^thlngtrSulJSerrry^r hZ '"of JOHiN ilALlFAX. 271 Mrs. Halifax, Jem Watkins, and his Jenny, were as Lusv as bees all morning. John did his best m £]« i . "^ n^ the mother pleadelhow hard1t%vas ^ft theSdren stS miss their holiday walk with him, so we were aH Lmissed from the scene of act on, to snend a Inno- «„;«** ^smissea lying under the great oak on One Tree I&ll^ Th« r?H^°"''' played about till they were Vireafthe? John took '^T newspaper and read about Ciudad Kodrigo, and Lord Weliint ton's entry mto Madrid-the battered eagles and the torn nn^l" S fet'^^'^^*"' "'^^^ ^^^^ °^ tCr way tmeTo the saidUmt *^' ^^^"""^ '^^'' °''''' ^"^^ ^'^'^ ^'«re come," in ih^i *^^ ""T ri'^''? "1"^*^ otherwise ; they already glor-ed in the accounts of battles, played domestic gLes of French and English, acted garden sieges and blockades. How strange and awful it seems, to sit on this ffreon |rass looking down our quiet valley, and then think of the nghting far awav in Snn n_r.o,.»,o«^ *k; . "* \"^ but war time."'" '^ ' '''"" '' *^^^ ^^"^ remember nothing u T^?^ -^'^"''^ P®^® ^^ ^^^6 ? " asJ^el Muriel. A glorious time, my child— rejoicings everywhere f^f h«ro and brothers coming home, work thriving' SneA'.^^ made cheap, and all things prospering." " ^ ^ ^"""^ "I should like to live to see it" Shnii t k« , then, father ? " ^^^^^ ^ **^ ^ woman, He started. Somehow, she seemed so unlike an f.nHn-irv child, that while all the boys' future was merrily pLned ?,^^ -the mother often said, laughing, she knew "Li^^tTtha "Always." *^ " blin?'e%S'^ Ven \vv *' ^^"'' ""^ ^^f ^^ ^'' ««ft' «l^«t. should aTgo home'. °''''°' ^' '°''' ""^ ^^^P'^^^'^ ^^^^ we mJ^n/^S^- ^T^ -r ^o^gfield was a most merry day. The men and their families came about noon. Soon after thol all sat down to dinner; Jem Watkins's pkn of the barn blin^ universaUy scouted in favour of an op'n air feast "n "be Bhelterof a hay-rick, under ^hemild blue September sky. Jem 272 JOHN HALIFAX. ^voro very popular and ^ranrfln^Lli ^'S-u^"*^ ^^^•'*" ^"y ^'^^ littlo witerSgin" sW^^^^ ^^^° *^^ mother, with other poorer mothers^here P^^lL fn ^'''''"' '"?* ^"^°°^ *^° counselled a third and imnH!li r ? ''°?' ^on^fo^-te^J another, little of patronisin/benS^^^^^^^^^^ ^° u""' ^^«^« ^^^ sometimes even with ^mli®^^^'*' ^^^ ^P^^^'^ freely, was needed Zr her eamestTdZ';'^"'^^^^^^^^^ darting at once to the tr^ith .n^i^^^^^^^^^ goodness, women's hearts Whir w "^K* °? *^'^^«' t«"cfa'^d the of her, all SffnisPd fht -^ "^^ *" t^ r^TT-t -'^eniTfrr ^ d ^r '''''' ^- non^ete^tfafsh^U^^ot^^^ .^-"v^^<^ ^^ - all ing his work-peoDle ?epHh. ? °*''? ? '""P^<^ '^^'^P®' for mak- '' What is that 9 '• '" ^' ''"' ' ^"^"^ ^« ^'^11 as ; master. alw;?toZ:tarfand^'mrW ^^ ^^^ -^ Christian names '« '^^^^^ember to call them by their right HalLx'^wholv^l^ "^^ ^« -^^-^r so like Mrs. Her part in th:Tolir^:l'aeJs '"' '"^'^ sentimentalism. quotlTrLf o^lUJrrthl^^^^ ^.'^'^"° ^^^^ contribute 1 our sat on the long bTnch undt f^^^'^TT!"^' ^'^ ^" ^^me and dovvn red behifd unhSnV^.^rf^f>^"'\.'r^« ««^ ^'ent where, from top to bottom fho ^ ^^'""^ '''' *^^ "P^^nd field, running in a W " /fe fvf ^"""".f '"'"" ^"'^ ^o^en were langhte? ca^xTe fcy Swnlfur"'^^' ^^^^' ^^^ -^ work yt'bet'r t'o'So^rl^.^^^^^ '''' '^^^^ ^^^^ -» '' I am quite sure of it." ina^terVrdaV'rnnili^"^)- ''^° ^^'^^ ^^«° acting the youn^ his opinion on^m^r^ «^f •''t°^^^ f^*^"^ ^^^ ^'i" and S^ byalU^^^^^^^^^^^^ lookedlp tS VVhy, my son ? " asked the father smilS; s m JOHN HALIFAX. 273 "Guy has got out of his depth— we miiRf }i«ln »,;«, ;^* 8a e ^tors again," said his faLr. " Look h^ ? my Sf tti! IS the reason-and it is weU not to be ' quite sum^ nf „' ^U!l't ""' ""r^ "-^ "««»'• Our p^opk «'u work tlie better, because they will work from in^-n \t V , rfee^a-^te-tbrSH^riouHl S'ltad''"o^.-A£'^t^tidr't£l£rSS^ th„i!^'°'' ^^^ *!''■ ■'''•' '"' ™3 accustomed to talk with them in^flfortL^^T,? "■*'' ^f*?-. Not in the way of p^chif^ To ;w''^ T.^ ''"^^ *°^ "*«'al carrying out of the same^ i.0 that one test was brought all that was thought or said «; alwtsUstenS to^th™.^'^ ^""^ ^°°'' <""'"' "■« '=""'«•' ^kPW^r^^^'^^'^^-- we afways coming r'td mS'^ "'"='■ "' '^^ «*• ^"-'^ --body The father paused in a great romp with his sons-naused "'TtsZlf ^^'? ^'' ^''t^' ^^"^^*^^'« ««^* voice ^aswl: Is only a poor boy—who can he be ? " One of the folk that come for milk most HI-pTv but we have .lone to eive awav fn ,i-^ '-^ ' l^'^^T— want, my lad ? ^ give away to-day. Wb ub UU you s 274 JOHN HALIFAX. Tho lad, who looked miserable and scared. ODened hi^ mouth with a stupid "Eh?" ^ Ursula repeated the question. " I wants Jacob Baines." "You'll find him with che rest, in front of that hav-rick over his pipe and ale." ^ ' The lad was oflf like a shot. mat^r! jihn r """"""''' ' .''^'^'' ^^" ^"^'^^^^^ ^^ *^^ "I will go and see. No, boys, no more games— I will ba back presently. He went, apparently rather anxious— as was easy to find out by only a glance at the face of Ursula. Soon she rose and went after him. I followed her. We saw, close by the hay-rick, a group of men, angrily talking. The gosuping mothers were just joining them. Fai ofl, m the field, the younger folk were still dancing merrily down their long hne of " Thread-the-needle." As we approached, we heard sobbing from one or two women, and loud curses from the men. "What's amiss ? " said Mr. Halifax, as he came in the midst— and both curses and sobbings were silenced. All began a confused tale of wrongs. " Stop,- Jacob— I can't make it out." " This lad ha' seen it all. And he bean't a liar in biff things— speak up, Billy." ^ Somehow or other, we extracted the news brought by ragged Billy, who on this day had been left in charge of the five dwellings rented of Lord Luxmore. During the owners- absence there had been a distraint for rent ; every bit of the furniture was carried o£f ; two or three aged and sick folk were left lying on the bare floor— and the poor families here would have to go home to nothing but their four walls. Again, at repetition of the story, the women wept and the men swore. f vt ««« " Pf^q'ijeVVf**^ ^^- ^*"^^^ again- But I saw that his nonest Jj^nghsh blood was boiling within him. " Jem "—and Jem Wa.kms started, so unusually sharp and commanding was his master's tone—" Saddle the mare— quick. I shaU nde to Kingswell, and thence to the sheriff's." "God bless 'ee, sir 1 " sobbed Jacob Baines' widowed daughter-in-law, who had left, as I overheard her telKng Mrs. Halifax, a sick child to-day at home. Jacob Baines took up a heavy knobbed stick which hap- 13 JOHN HALIFAX. 275 S?a?emeJ:inr"' ''""' *'° ''^^'-"^^' '^^ ^^'^^ " with rut that bludgeon down, Jacob." ''Butjhatisustodo, sir?"' ha™''t^S^;iU^K:.'^^'„r3-^- 3han co»o to no anything-yet he Zlo thenU ten'ril'" "".r"^ "'.'o^"" as arnch as he couM of th.itf,.- ""??".• "'' ""P'ained been done tbem-iZZ^olhfTl''^'', ^'""^ """^ ^Pl'a'c-tly and could only be mTby keeinA,''''' "^''^PPed the law. " It is partly my fault 7^ ?» /r ^^'^'^'^ "'"'*» ">« 'aw. -I wiU do so a^ SfJ I wm it ""' P"^ ' "''"' '"--^ay it I can. If not vn„ Lil 7 8'^' *'''"'' K""*"' l>ack to-ni^-ht the women and ch'iMrennfcZ'"''"'' "' ""'' ^-"^ '"'»'» " Ay, readily , •• safd the moS "^T^^T:.^ »<>'■ '"^o? " Jou"J:/? "■"' "' ^'""•^"- ">i»d- Come back as soon as And lingeringly she watched him ea'loD down m. « u It was a stranco threo ho,,™ „ ea'op down the field. The misty night caSe down and ro^^-^S^^^ K' ^^'«^^^«- waihng the loud September w?n/ w u®''* ^t^ ^^^^^^ crept into the kitchen-the rn^n lit a fit ,-„\t H°"^^* *^^ ^°°^en sullenly round it. It was as m„.h „ t^^ fe'^-yard, and sat Guy aid Edwin to go to H inffir^? ^° to persuade " beautiful blaze." There mo?«%hf^^ H matching that standing, with a shawl o'-erher^^^^^^ blowing, trying to reason fnf^ .-^^^ ^°^ ^^"^ white gown savage with thdr wrongs ^^*''"'' *^°^^ ^^^' '^"ows! LtgS "- S.-K--' -r t!> »? -e^J^!^irtSfetn?^^3t-^!-^^^- 270 JOHN HALIFAX. having been carried off at once, giving no ODoortunifv «# wh'oTaTLXr.'' ''-' ''-' '^ ^""' ''' faceT»t°r! rieks/^"''''' """"^ • '"^ ^""'^^""^ '''^^ ^^ *^®"^ righted-at aU " But Lord Luxmoro is his landlord " She looked troubled. " I see what you mean It i^ piisv to make an enemy. No matter-1 fear not TiearnothTn^ while John does what he feels to be right-as I know he win? couiqeruade%5o^^^^^^^^^^^^^ shpped from my hand, and gone out into the bksteZ night We ound her standing all by herself under the walnut^-t?2 \nTi K ^''^f^ ^°' ^^^^''- ^Vhen will he come ? " u V. \ .^T' answered the mother, with a siffh You must not stay out in the cold and the dark, my chilS/' "I am not cold, and I know no dark," softly said Muriel And thus so It was with her always In her spirit asin her outward life, so innocent and harmless, she knew no dark £in5° ?i r^'~?^ '?"°^^"^ sights-no winter-no age° The hand laid upon her dear eyes, pressed eternal peace dwn on her soul. I believe she was, if ever human being was, purely and entirely happy. It was always sweet for us to know thi^ -It IS very sweet still, Muriel, our beloved I .../Ve brought her within the house, but she persisted in sitting in her usual place, on the door-sill, " waiti??' for he? father. It was she who first heard the White Gate swing andtofd us he was coming. Ursula ran down to the stream to meet him h.lH^^ f'^ ''J?' "P *^" P^^^' '^ '''^' «°t alone-John was ^l^S^wu"^^ ""^i ''^^"^^ *°^ ^'' ^i^« carded in her arms LiWh ' °S ^^T' ""^'^ they entered the kitchen, JC 117? herself in a passion of crying. ^ "What have they been doing to 'ee, Tommv 9_Vfi wnm'f Me^this when I left 'ee. they've been kX^ my la^hey " Hush ! "said Mrs. Halifax ; «« we'll get him well asain please God. Listen to what the master's laying " ^ ' He was telhng to the men who gathered round the kitchen door, the results of his journey. It was-as I had expected from his countenance the first minute he appeared-fruitless. He had found all things at Kmgsweil as stated. Then he rode to the sheriff's • buf Sit JOHN HALIFAX. 277 nariutuo, "for a few hours you must make up your minds to f mo. T^ '^r ' 1^ ?^r^ ''^'^" ^'^•^ *° ^^"^r" that "on ^t timos. "iour andlortl has-I would rather bo the noorosk among you, than Lord Luxmore this night Be paS J we' I lodge you all, somehou. To-morrow I ^il? prvoJ,; rent-get your goods back-and you shall begTn the^wS agam, asmy tenants, not Lord Luxmore's." r^onilL ''^ u" 'u ""^''^^ ^^"^ "'^"' ^'^sily satisfied ; as working people arc, who have been used all their davs to liv-rfrnm f llowed the master, who settled them in the barn • and then ^o^nM' to consult with his wife as to where he womea could be stowed away. So, in a short time, the five home ind L^s^: i:;r ^'""^^ ''''''''' ^^-^^^ ^"* ^-"^^^- to UrsJla^* '^" ''■' ^"^ ''''*^ ^^''^ ^ " '^^^ '^°^"' q«estioning:y rr^Jl^ ^®° u'*^ ^"®. ^°"''^®- ^^'e must take him in; hi« mother says hunger is the chief thing that ails the lad Kbo fancies he has had nieasles ; but our children have had it tcK, so there s no fear. Come upstairs, Mary Baines." ' Wo 1 ^T^' ,''''*^ '^ thankful look, the room where her own boys slept, the good mother established this forlorn younff mother and her two- children in a little closet outside tbo nursery door; cheered her with comfortable word heh el her Ignorance with wise counsels-for Ursula was the* gene ' doctress of all the poor folk round. It was almost mfdnt h Kith li?fTM°'-", *" f^' P?^^"""^ ''^''^ J«h» '"^<1 I ^-^ he i^ith little Muriel asleep in bis arms. The child would gladly have slumbered away all night there, with the de Icate pale profile pressed close into his breast. aeiicatc, >,,•. llff "ght' lo\e ? How tired you must be ! " John put front of the warm, cheerful fire. forHhTi""!!! ^^' °^ T'^'® ' ^"* y°" ^^"'t think how com. fortable they are upstairs. Only poor Mary Baines does nothmg but cry, and keep telling me that northing ails her lad but hunger. Are they sd very poor '>" dpnlv!;i'^''^°°*i'?"'''^^^*^^-^ ^"'^'^^ ' I ^^^cied ho looked sud/ deny uneasy, and imperceptibly pressed his little girl closer. Theladseemsveryill. Much worse than our children were." 278 JOHN IIALIB'AX. was'lbo' tio";iu'i;r;|!:;;f IJ-?^* ^'^"^-^ ' .-I-<^'^"y waiter. It It's almost a IMty toSc'i bt 'l ?' '"""'"^ ^^^^"-'^'^ '^-n^'^- forgot to ask till no v-what is tin V'^^"?', ' "^"-I a"ito montiono.1, which calle.Uho si >r ^tn T^'"i" r"' '"'■^'"^''''^ ' >"» John L'lanced at h\<\.ir\ ■ '°,^«'''^ Xiuxnioro'.s i» " face ruu'of it peace hor ^""' ''^^ then round the chSTi'ro ht rn L \^-\^'" ' """''^^^^ "^^"T. inght w,nd went ho\wiig f J-lo;,",?^^^ coDcW' ''■' '^'* "•■^ '^° ^^'^IW. wo must not. daro nr>t. Lusula sank down, hidin" hei- fir,. <• ii -i • . . ( n y two days since she was hovn L J {mhlo ! And -li^l-a^lf'tL^LT^ L Jl'g; '""''-."' 'r'Mr- Vermily, his Immls ..poiSfmUy iowi "T?''°^ 'V ''* ™"''l '^v nmounl. Tho carl i MrZ m w """" *" " oonsiderablo " And Kichard Brithwood ? " . "Drinks— and drinks— and drinks Thof • *i , . ning and tho end of all " ^^^' '^ '^^^ begins out?fXroU°ir"as^tn^^^^^ She had dropped for ever Henceforth, Vt alaT^^t'lit^Ti^^^^^^^^ *^^ «^^- kellcv^ in any other, was ^Pi-^tli!, .1! I. . ' "°'™' '"'"•. I Lady Carolino Britlnvocd. "'"'''' """'"o" '^'' of wellX- '"rholeS,:;: ''•°'" ""T- -"""8 'l^e King. ;; -'-' IS very ill still, I think." -^'•e you sure it is nitasle.s ? " JOHN IlAUl-AX. 279 ""■"<. " 1)0 m, fc / \T^ "■' "'''' r'"''-'' ""fc t'Hir cups of " ^ ' -ainly not If i w ; ^ ^ T " "^?>'^^*t'' tl.cotl.ers?- As Ursula X no^^^^^^^^^^^^^ ^'hf "T.^','" ''1'^'^ •'^>'"^J''«"'-^ ?" more serious; but he ve «ise. Do you ™tonU . '£, ,"'• '',""• Precautions are Ursula', wisi I vaSi ttchiZn"'"."' ™"^^' "»"-^' allblrS'r^n'iwttdttlltltr ^-^ '"^™ <">■-' -"• blamed and m racuiou'^'^S^^ k«l "' '■«1*'''"'S the mueh- „ " Phineas, you mLK.-'r':^,^"- i^'^l, ""t Sr.e IS qu te s-ife— a«t « n l would Ik, it. l)c.r«iste« ^'"lo fellow i-arthepoormothet^p^^rr^ ?,;;^l'"ia«t. And thcrV-I !..,__. 'f*^^ !Wcry ; she has npo^^.3;,. " «hVr "'"^"er upstairs cryinff " knew U XC'w'hit 1L""'' ' 'i' ^«^"' »>'"erly. .. ,,3 »>"t they are saff Be con IntTo'*'""^?* «^ -"' c^^iWren ' .iuite .afe Very few tlulTaterZ^^I^ .9^^ *^^^ "- «.v ^^Tu^^7°» ^^ean the small-nox 9 u-??:. ,- , . . . " She children ; " It ";in '""'y ^""'^ ^^^^ it after vacci/ation'""''' *^'^ '^^ she clasped them altogethe7^ ^h?*"^'"'^' ^^^P' "P to her with a wild savage look «f if "* ''^'^^' turning her head to take them from Lr %' L'''™''' " ' ""''^ ^t^^Hng Lhfnd ^ay across the room ;nndtoucS^^ umu' "^3^ darling; no!" " ^ J-flen never minr? v i.u excq>t being naughty Did mi'nn?^^';.'''^-^ ^''^ ^^''"^ "«' •^ohn snatched las m . ? u?' ^^^her ? " called he. 'or theluiidr d^tit"fh " "nf *° ''^ ^°--' -^^ iiad nam i her, the «' bl.ssed'' child. ^^" "'^P^^' oldfathc. It- ml !io II- 10 v. JOHN HAWFAX. \Va nil *"* th«l in truth naK ,v», th„ ^Z^ ""•' !'""''- '^"'"f! tl,cm the. c»t.M.« the £^^^:s&:zz^zA!;ti Her husband raado no i mnio Ll ""^ ^'I'lnoss, too. tho child IS all but dying ? •• ^""''*' '^^ you know -eh»-,vith « di^BsSd "'"«' """ °' ''"'"^ tWs Uo«k, roiny •gainst him-her suDmrf?^?' John, as he made her Wn think my heart nrte?d/rh»'i°f'i''''"«^= "'•oyo" trust in God. This .mnM„ , ""'*' ''''<' J'""" ? But I Joing right ; letus do riiht sTin "'""J "' *''"'' '"' «ro Humanly spcakimr our i^J V '' ""' "« n'»oved »m4F»1 waV^'f^ ^"""'^ ««"Py -y -m. as I had had JennertS\,Cr«r^™J» • i""^ ^^^ ^•""'W they lake it, Dr las been the verysligh,est for", 0^^;^ ^ ","?' vaccination it' » 'T' i" "°^' ^"J have no fear'- ""''''""'■ ^ !»«»'. turned anfdut^u'^nd^hf''""^, ''*!»«' <■"■ At last, she Bhe rose up and^tTabJut herts'u'^^^""^ ""''. '°"S- ^ht horrible dread were not upon us "'"'' J"'' "' « «>" da,frnr„".Te''l!;:[erS='^^»'' ■" ""« "<-■ ^'-t -of irs'htifS'ufS .ti ,';\-- ->».--d under our Wc kept thorn far away on S H " ' "?'^'='^">' ""> "Wldren. Of the house, when Posli°hS^but"sjy ty^^.-d f^^ 282 JOHN HALIFAX. i I body shoukl^b^coSd ani rcmo^edT? *^.k' '^f •r°'' ^^^^^ next mornincr. remo^ed before the children rose asked about poir Tommv B. nl ^i u ^^°^. questions they which the mo?h r on V fnswS nff ''?.''' ^' ^^^ ^^^^ *«' Scripture-ho -"Cio tfoTrn^ , t\ the simple manner of saw Mary Baines r'o crvi„rdown \T\^Z ..^"* ^^^^» ^^ey "why «he cried? how co ill Tho ^^'^'^"P^^.^' ^^^riel asked who had taken littriommy^'' ^^'' '' ^^^ God who of ptS:" w;': ho^adli!: Ir:: ,i "^ p^^^^^^^^' -^-^ -rt had carried Wt him a1? hi i T^ ^°''\^^' '^'^"<^ ■ ^vhetherho him. She hoped-indeed ^L /f.'^ ^'''' fl^ *^^« care of mortality. I wished tW mv ,i„ V ? P""'"8 on of im- only as a calm slcraml a wfl I t ■"" •'""** °' '^™'. ""'t ".0 gbries of whioCtd'irrnt^-Lra'rd" "''■"^^■' poop&r,'Se k7„Cn',^™'- "^™''^^»i'y ^ " can Sh^^2drmomXnd":?a"t::t"t^^^^ . / were close at hand. But a few ™ ,m L XZ 1, 'T "'"^ Playmg with her brothers an J h J^X * afterwards she was -cot and humnnlikrth<^:he'fc:'r'';i,.5?u™jr' ''""■ ^^ JOHN HALIFAX. 283 ^\G sent the chi dren early to bed that night, and sat Ion- by the hre consulting how best to remote nfection ad almost, satisfied that in these two days it could not have taken ?J7 llltr'^'^ r '^' ^''^''- ^'^''''^' fi"" in his belief in Ui Jenner and yaccniation. We went to bed greatly com orted and the household sank into quiet slmnbers^ even Ihat small close which was next to the nursery I occupied sa dy shut out by ,t from the rest of the house, Lemed very In the middle of the night a slight noise woke me. an.^ I almost fancied I was dreaming still ; for there I saw ah tie white figure gliding past my bed's foot ; so softly Z so nd Sh^deA^si%o'r. ''' '''-' ^' ^ ''''~-^' ^^ ™^ wo ^if K "^0"^e»\t1iat superstitious intuition, which I believe we all have, paralysed me. Then I tried to listen. There was most certain y a sound in the next room-a faint c?y quickly smothered-a very human cry. All the stor c^ ^I had ever heard of supposed death and pv mature burial rushed horribly into my mind. Conquering alike my super sitious dread or fear of entering the infected room 7 leaped Thet 'lav'thnT/r' «^^*^^^pt a light, and ient hf ^..■r^■t -r^ *^° '^"° '^^'■Ps^' all safe and still-for ever And like Its own spirit watching in the night at the head of the foijaken clay, sat Muriel. I snatched her up and ran with her out of the room, in an agony of fetir. She hid her face on my shoulder, trembling. - I Lve not done wrong! have l" I wanted to know what it was like-that which vou said Oh! Uncl^'ph-"' ^T''^' . ^*^"^^-^ it-if was'so coa Oh Uncle Phineas, that isn't poor little Tommy ? " of it ^y more. "' ''''^~"''' "'^ '^'^'^'' "^^'^^ ' ^°"'* ^^'''^ T J^^^'A^'^^h I^PO^l^g ^vhat was best to bo done, I called John, and told him where I had found his little daughter He never spoke, but snatched her out of my arms into h ^ own took her in his room, and shut the doorf iu'om that time our fears never slumbered. For one whole week we waited, watching the children hour by hour noting each change in each little face ; then Muriel sickened* It was I who was to tell her father, when as he camd home m the evening I met him by the stream. It seemed to Inm almost hke t le stroke of death. bl d( fli ti si h ai bl m tl as w S 81 «( 19 01 .1 h 81 3 a t] 281 JOHN HALIFAX. f< P S' " Oh, my God ! not her ! Anv hnf >ior i " a i i. . portiot, and bore it well mf ^l '?'' ^"'" '«'<' "> fha^il^^'**^^'* ^^^^^^^ °^ *^e twentj-four hours was I thJn revelation of It, and of its nature, calls Himself " the Father an^ fhl • '^''®' ^"°^^y' w^en all the fields were in a mi«i our flock J^eThiTnlaarS 2""" "°" ^'"'""' ana kT tnXtr''"^?-'"""'?''^''"^ ■"•■« fitter's anns small while h^» \-r'''°f = *■■« "'^"8'" "laoci-g on he, looking than ever oLr '^;hf ° T' ^ """.''■ »"»^ ^'^o'" chiiahSoa sone • but W £ "^ • '^^ ™'"'' P-^'tin^ss of In the afternoon, when the boys were playing Tn the 'ore their hich was he did — ivould sit r, patient Perhaps Id cmile. , I think, afar off ite; and v— what often to clearest Father." ish: He a mist, pon the by east nockery athcred s arms, on her se had sweet- aess of lat in- word, d, and ■ell ? " I then .ell." n the " We heard, after its long silence, Muriel's • voice.' John Halifax, Gentleman] [Page 285 JOHN HALIFAX. 285 : Si * /k^;? '^^^^ *°? ^ '^®''° Standing at the open door listen- ing to the dropping of the rain in the garden, wo hewd after Its long silence, Muriel's " voice." ' "®' *i, " ^u *u®^' ^*?'®° ' " whispored the mother, linkinc her arm through his as he stood at the door. Soft aid slow cam«th^ ' a^ W ^\^i^ *».fP«i?^°/ .J^'^^^Placed himself on a corner of my own particular Sd afthT ^7' somehow or other, Muriel afways Fay curied Hmn *K u***'^® now-(ay, and many hours in the dav hrw;?"?K^ T!>'.^y °°*^°^^ i* at first)- Taking bet^/n ^ K*''?!^^^^^'?^® ^"^^^ ^^ic^ l>roke into smiles at the mS ^^IX:^^^^^}'^ ^^'^''- « whentli*^^^ " To-morrow." alwlvs^'put off' Wh ^/ 8'^»t ??^y to-morrows, but it is Srst^onVenougY?" '' ^°" *^^°'' ^^*^^'-" '^^ "*«« ^Yet^f Ihi„^lf1^*'^'if ^? something about "east winds." her father, hastily for I was watching them. ™'»«™«' comes °WehTiih^.f^ "'""S '^» '"» '"» "»«■« „v,M u S- '^? ^'"'^ * s^^'s winter. Everv one of the children has suffered," said the mother, in a chwrhl tone Zlr"'* ""k' " ''"P "' O"*" '« "er' daughter? to whoS ofihe K?"' ^ '"'°'"""' °"'*°'' »'' "■» rilhest'andrS «,JI^^S^T'^°''°J"'^'" ™'l Jo'"'- looking round on his apple-cheeked^ boys ; it must have been a sharp eve that detected any decrease of health, or increase of sufferinTthere 286 JOHN HALIFAX. ye?ter^? ^^8h J'^fl' ^" ^ "8^*^' I spoke to Mrs. Tod field was all cowslips "-and so on ~~ ^^'" *^^ Enderley.'' '"' """^''^ ^'^ ^^" ^^^^«°* *«!«<= "^e go alone to She shook her head. Bp«;kYo^'ighTly? •^'^' '"'"'''' "' "'^ °"»^' How am you be homo'- whv Vhl»;nf '^ cheerfuUy. The troubles must <:;koTtne\T„STux^l^'afwtKfl'^t"%' winterlS?hvlT^' «.dar.ng scheme, discussed manV a HSl&?'f^ toked'Trave^"^''^ P"'™'- ** A'^'- ^» B^S^fP^ "^U™hane'^^ spite of-jJoTCt';;/''" "" ■"*"« ^"^ fore^ ^^^f in wiuf an' at"a7n^X'is"L''''"cWeflrh°'' °'" "<"' T^^ <=»~» -^-^^ £S-rf^r?ti,d^d?t^^^^^^ JOHN HALIFAX. 287 nott":; J'S^^SfnT'^^^^^^^ Y forone whom John caUed 4. HaSx s<^orneighbo^^^^^^^ Kalnf ^,ir "^^^^ ;; f,«: °^t- ^as Lady OlKrbe^^^^ wanted n e ti brin^MSriel a„T f T'"', ^ '^J^^* ^^'^y- '^^ House I shapt g'^o-Mhe^so.' "'^'^^" '' *^^ ^-- " You ^IZ^^iellTrLlZr^^^^^^ '^'i'^^'-' 1-- we decline her invi atLnsT WpI^ '' "°' ^'^^^ ^^*^^^i"ty we will take our Xe and «n i"7f '^ "?'.°^ ' Some daj gentry in the ?and?' ' ^^ '° '^^^ °"^" *^^"'»'e». with any this'p^'eieS^^^en?^^^ f^teT^l'^t^f'tT'^I; ^^ «*-ngly m men who have carved oKfriwnorS^^^ T*^'-'* them the mstinct to rise • and as m?,^] v o » * ^^^ ^*^'® *° level so do they, from however ?nw^ ' '^**®'' '^^^^°« ^^s own Not many weZ^ftr w! . source ascend to theirs. Though the ffi reason wr STi't '° ^^^^^ *« Enderley. onth!,potXeSndI."'hi^^^^^^^^^^ detect a secondary reason ^h\oh ^ ' ^^* ^ ^^^^^ ^ ^^^uld himself; but which Xfidnnf ''*'"^^ ,''°* «^^ even to looks, i sawTt wherCtri«,? fn""'^'''??"^^^ ^° ^^^ ^^^ious telling her how much «h« t ?/'*"'^ ^""^^ i«<« energy, by sweet^he prrrors'^et in Thf bS ^^^% Hillfho^ and fresh the wind fwent ov!r fi?!''^"'^®'*^' ^'^^ ^ow wild night. His dB^onS^^^seZldthff^'^'''\: r"^^^ ^^^ . world, and the things tL^rei? He us,^^ ^'' ^^^^ *^« m pam, from her smile r«c»,n ,;, v° *"'^ ^"^'^y* almost then steal off to heTa^sfcho^ I^^t ^''^H ^ ^" ^° '^^' Joh^s Sn^^.^tnf,*^-?\t^ was passed it, and stoppeHo li ten ZZ^'f^' ^'A^^ ^ ^^^ mmiature Niagara or wltnhJS. • ^® ^^^^^ ^^^ of the of the great Xr wheeT T u^^ mcessant turning-turning own itfor tLt Join wouS^^^^^^ «^°^d eve? boys, lecturing theTon «' unde^-sf^^^^^^^^^ '' ^^' °^° he used to lecture me *°*^ over-shot," aa again^^cuL"*th^ste!pi:^^^^^^^^ *^ -^ ^^^erley up which he used to hd^me so S^^^^^ ^rrM^^^t^^*^^' *^e had h. little daughir in hiSs. ^l^'cZl Xsj 288 JOHN HALIFAX. to be a regular thing that Muriel should be carried up eveiy slight ascent, and along every hard road. We paused half- way up on a low wall, where I had many a time rested, watching the sunset over Nunneley Hill— watching for John to come home. Every night— at least after Miss March went away— he usually found me sitting there. , ,„„ He turned to me and smiled. ♦' Dost remember, lad ? at which appellation Guy widely stared. But for a mmute, how strangely it brought back old times, when there were neither wife nor children— only he and I ! This seat on the wall, with its small twilight picture of the valley below the mill, and Nunneley heights, with that sentinel row of sunset trees — was all mine — mine solely — for evermore. " Enderley is just the same, Phineas. Twelve years have made no change— except in us." And he looked fondly at his wife, who stood a little way off, holding firmly on the wall, in a hazardous group, her three boys. " I think the chorus and comment on all Ufe might be included m two brief phrases given by our friend Shakespeare, one to Hamlet, the other to OtheUo : • 'Tis very strange,' and ' 'TU better as it u. « Ay, ay," said I thoughtfully. " Better as it was ; better a thousand times." -u *u^ I went to Mrs. HaUfax, and helped her to describe the prospect to the inquisitive boys ; finally coaxing the refractory Guv up the winding road, where, just as if it had been yester- day, stood my old friends, my four Lombardy poplars, three together and one apart. ^ , -x- i *u Mrs. Tod descried us afar off, and was waiting at the gate; a little stouter, a little rosier— that was all. In her deUght she absolutely forgot herself so i&r as to address the mother as Miss March ; at which long-unspoken name Ursula started, her colour went and came, and her eyes turned rest- lessly towards the church hard by. m j u "It is all right— Miss— Ma'am, I mean. Tod bears in mind Mr. Halifax's orders, and has planted lots o' flower- roots and evergreens." " Yes, I know." . , , . , And when she had put aU her little ones to bed— we, wondering where the mother was, went out towards the little churchyard, and found her quietly sitting there. We were very happy at Enderley. Muriel brightened up before she had been there many days. She began to throw off her liBtlessness, and go about with me everywhere, it was the season she enjoyed most— the time of the singrng of JOHN HALIFAX. £89 mvJiS' '"? 'b,e bringing of delicate scented flowers I- myselt never loved the boecUwo«i better than did our Muriel lUfi?"i! ?5®^"»»e^' as we three sat there, on the brick-work of a ^hth^t'UfrSrdf ^" f^" *r' round the TJ^ls^'of w« -r ,^?*e'^,?nade a pool so clear that we could sefi n. ISn^alr ''^ ' ''^'' ^^^^-' balf-wa/doll^^jr PhiZ r • " '^' "'""'' ^'^'^ *^« '^''^"^ ^ Do you notice, fy,J,lL^^® ^^'^^ it gradually lowering-these two hours I thought you were drawing off the watlr." '* ^ lifMnod it, I ion in which he iT^ZlJ''^'^^' '^^ at acquainted with ner hushftn.l'a «i„ T'-' """* oe>ng better once the nosition in wfil' Ss X /''"' «^« «-^^ judge by W countenance. ^^''''^'' ^ S'-avo one, to ^hen you think John k right ? " "Of course I do." * wap w. buuiKtj i ao. ,- inl toTaVlTtLTatr ' ^ " •'?'>'• But it ''■• Ja was not a woman T,T i 1 J-""- "" I hove said h.uband. Sometimenbe, Jj^ """'/oM. even by her talked ft«r diiTcronc J l/vin, oM i"',""" ?»«'».'«" question she had always this «(» . i •''"' "" """J f ■ ^ere right and the o^her wrot 'Z' "'.'''"'-«'»»« o,„ more^hkely to be herself than Johi ">« ernng one was much ca.e|„ZU:w7hVcrteof "'"'"^» '» "-l^ «■»» r^ '■P '•''~nfcf,T' so oniek hnt that whom I had oecisiolu? ^„ZT,''f ^"°P' » yoaufman' rather odd looking, beLt,v,f n °' '^nings. He wm cloak and a foreig,f sort of haT""""^ """S'" »P » a laTge Wo.s that watching ou; „.!,,.. said Mrs. Halifa., f,^'l^«ff''I had seen of the person obiecttd^rh'o SSrob^Lt-' d4v' Cathoiie." „„hn -oe that the .^ hMti^Xt'^.f f ^J 898 JOHN HALIFAX. cates. In hia empty mill, standing beside one of its silenced looms, wo found the master. He was very much dejected. Ursula touched his arm before ho oven saw her. '• Well, love — you know what has happened ? " ♦• Yes, John. But never mind." " I would not — except for my poor people." '* What do you intend doing ? That which you have wished to do all the year ? " " Our wishes come as a cross to us sometimes," he said, rather bitterly. " It is the only thing I can do. The water- power being so greatly lessened, I must cither stop the mills, or work them by steam." " Do that, then. Set up your steam-engine." " And have all the country down upon me for destroying hand labour ? Have a new set of Luddites coming to bum my mill and break my machinery ? That is what Lord Luxmore wants. Did he not say he would ruin me ? — Worse than this — he is ruining my good name. If you had heard those poor people whom I sent away to-night I What must they, who will have short work these two months, and after that machinery work, which they fancy is taking the very bread out of their mouths — what must they think of the master ? " He spoke — as we rarely heard John speak : as worldly cares and worldly injustic3 cause even the best of men to speak sometimes. " Poor people ! " he added, " how can I blame them ? I was actually dumb before them to-night, when they said I must take the cost of what I do — they must have bread for their children. But so must I for mine. Lord Luxmore is the cause of all." Here I heard — or fancied I heard— out of the black shadow behind the loom, a heavy sigh. John and Ursula were too anxious to notice i t. ••Could not anything be done?" she asked. "Just to keep things going till your steam-engine is ready? Will it cost much ? " " More than I like to think of. But it must be ; — nothing venture — nothing have. You and the children are secure any- how, that's one comfort. But oh, my poor people at Enderley ! " Acfain Ursula asked if nothing; could bo done V " Yes — I did think of one plan — but — " •• John, I know what you thought of." Shu laid her hand on his arm, and looked straight up at him — eye to eye. Often, it seemed that from long habit they JOHN HALIFAX. 2O8 could read ono anoti fr'g minilii ;» n : At last J.,hn mklZl "* "''"''^ >» this way, clearly as a book. ;; VVould it bo too hard a BAcrifico lovo ? •• in a Pli^^r^arby I'il' J^ ^^^^^^ -i^^ by iivi„« «ido things. roJknol.'^'^SyZ^Z^^^ '"'", *'"'"'^«- ^"'^ «» ' " Why. Indeed? " ho said in i T ''T ^^'■ ""^^'''^^ ^^'ng"?" Ho I easily found nnf h I? " ^°'''' '°"*^ *""«. ** culty; na,X"hy «;t it^'n^^ '"'""' *« ''^"'^ the diffi. ncome which^John. t 2fs a mL." ^'\''-T "^ ^»^« '^°»"»1 fan, Jy should take harm bv anv^t "n '^'^ ^"'^'^^^ '««* »>*« business, had settled u^^n his ^virT^ non-succesr, in hi.s renunciations-three months of Vhn' , i^^'**' '"°°*bs of littlo as at Norton BurylVmUhe Ir petiloTF T,°' "^•"-^' have full wages, whether or nJ^Lr^; r . ^^"^'^^^ '"'^'^t our quiet valley there would hi ^^^ ^"" '^°'''^- Then in «"■ ibove all. no biamrnff of H, '?"*' °° murmurings, all- n fewer words than I have tlpT?*''"- 7^^^^ ^'''^'^ ^^ "^^'K^'^:.rd^^?^ .-it was so breast-"no;'l';tt'C°.^ii7^rS l'^' "^" ^^'^^ ^^^ bis any harm." ® ^"*' ^o"^" Luxmore cannot do ma '• Husband, don't le* s snr •!, ,^f t it Again that sich- . ^ ^,P^'^«of Lord Luxmore. " heard it likewise, this .' ^*'°'*'^ '" the darkness. They " Who's there ? " ' '^ " I followed Mr- Hkhfa, 7 h""" ^?" "> """^ "'y mill ? " eanae, ^vo all';fe7thorr '' '"' """'" "^ "■" -» "low ever with«,addera„amo«hoZ;;Zkir?h" »," " «■' ■">'' ""an -ore than°^b„y!lL'™:S{°,»f »«n^^^^^^ freely looked w 294 JOHN HALIFAX. John, always tenacious of trenching a hair's breadth upon any lawful authority. " It matters not — ho is away. Ho has left mo these six months alone at Luxmore." " Have you offended him ? " asked Ursula, who had cast kindly looks on the wau face, which perhaps reminded her o£ another — now for even banished from our si^ht, and his also. " He hates mo because I am a Catholic, and wish to become a monk." The youth crossed himself, then started and looked round, in terror of observers. " You will not betray mo ? You are a f^ood man, Mr. Halifax, and you spoke warmly for us. Tell me— I will keep your secret— are you a Catholic too ? " *♦ No, indeed." " Ah 1 I hoped you were. But you are sure you vciil nob betray me ? " Mr. Halifax smiled at such a possibility. Yet, in truth, there was some reason for the young man's fears ; since, even in those days, Cj,tholics were hunted down both by law and by public opinion, as virulently as Protestant nonconformists. All who kept out of the pale of the national church were denounced as schismatics, deists, atheists — it was all one. " But why do you wish to leave the world ? " •' I am sick of it. There never was but one in it I cared for, or who cared for mo — and now — Sanctaiiaric,orapronubis." His lips moved in a paroxysm of prayer — helpless, parrot- learnt, Latin prayer ; yet, being in earnest, it seemed to do him good. The mother, as if she heard in fancy that pitiful cry, which rose to my memory too, — " Poor William, — don't tell William ! " — turned and spoke to him kindly, asking him if he would go home with us. Ho looked exceedingly surprised, " I — you cannot mean it ? After Lord Luxmoro has done you all this evil ? " •' Is that any reason why I should not do good to his son —that is, if I could ? Can I ? " The lad lifted up thoso soft grey eyes, and then I remeni- crcd what his sister had said of Lord Ravenel's enthusiastic admiration of Mr. Halifax. " Oh, yoi. could — you could." But I and mine are heretics, you know ! " " I will pray for you. Only let mo come and see you." ** Come, and welcome." *' Heartily welcome, Lord " " No— not that name, Mrs. Halifax ! Call me as they- used to call me at St, Omer — Brother Anselmo." •u*:^ 7rmmwmam^' JOHN HALIFAX. jjg a Uttle bird flown ovfr to Loml™ .^ '.''f/l'^' '"'™ «»i^. bad son, the heir-amarent to 1^?= .?.? "^^ '°'?. ''™ "■»' •>« only in ionstant^SZn ^^ ™ "f ^^ "i"' ^P'"""'' ^™^ ance was aRainst all on^*''"",-'",' "I^ndestine acquaint- the mill-oCr John HahS the R "rr* ^2^" «""'» caUed sometime ; imhibinrLzt^ '''''^J *' > ™» ««" thought, which tn s^ thl 1? P"™'Pl«s. modes of life and of those^f'trhouse otCnoil' """' ^"''^'"'^ **<"^"' '™» been''aS:'4aUhl:Slti,n"t''r''' '"^^^ ^='"' '"»'' "« he was already plannii^ra sbZm r "' "^Po" "Wspered, financial pointof vSw a^ thatttl "STogf-as grand in a -that Lo^d Bave;7w:slp™'d^ntaSlf,^;! ""'y^VShter nature in the half-paterna] hnJf w« r. • °^ ^^^ ^^^ing young man will some imes lavkh on f n'^' T?i"'°* ^*»^«^ ^ W's little blind dau^Vt^rMurie' » ''' ^^^^^-"Pon John wouTd^Sgtin^Te'^'^^^^^^^^^ ^^"^ -f peace. He angeI-hi3%atfon safnt And ?he lit!' ^'•'. ^^^ guardian way wasveiyfondofhim-dfifilf- • i^ "'^''^ '» *^er quiet father was n^t by But no onlfvl ^'"^ tis company when her The chief bond between her'^f'Jf *S l'' ^^' ^^r father, sehno," as he would haruLall M° ""'^ Bavenel-or - An- her to play on the orlan ?„ ^i^-^^s music. He taught There, duri^^he longClsi mn..' "'^^^^ 'H''^ ^^^^^ by. sit down for hours in fhrnr^nnn ^^'enings, they two would below ; hardl/believin^ th Jt "f i''^' T^^^' ^ ^^«*ened down from those snXhld^fin^^^^^^^^ ^°«^d come caM down some celestfTa'rm'S loter'^afdT/.t '^^ bmce, as we used to say— but hv \nmn ; .• . ° P^^y"'§^- now-Muriel was so fond of - LlkiL Sh Th""'^ T:?' '^'^ Just at this time her faJhJ ii '^ with the angels." usual. He was opp^e^sed w^^^^^^ hn • '^^^^^^'-^^ ^^ss of her than vexations. OnlyTwL a week ?hi''''' T'' ' '^^'^y' hourly delight of our little Edwin as ft hnri ^^^^S ^^t^r-wheel, thi might be seen slowly tJiniL ^^ T^ ^'^ ^^ ^'' ^^^^er, the meadows, with L r mechknllii ? ^^^^r-courses along their pretty sham J^lt^^'Se'^^ot^^^^^ ^^^ It ceased to be a pleasure to.slk^^ZtretS^l^ZZZ wm^:msrc. 296 JOHN HALIFAX. ^ the two grassy hills, which heretofore Muriel and I had liked even better than the Flat. Now she missed the noise of the water — the cry of the waterhens — the stirring of the reeds. Above all, she missed her father, who was too busy to come out of his mill to us, and hardly ever had a spare minute, even for his little daughter. He was setting up that wonder- ful novelty — a steam-engine. He had already been to Man- chester and elsewhere, and seen how the new power was applied by Arkwright, Hargreaves, and others ; his own inge- nuity and mechanical knowledge furnished the rest. He worked early and late — often with his own hands — aided by the men he brought with him from Manchester. For it was necessary to keep the secret — especially in our primitive valley —until the thing was complete. So the ignorant, simple mill-people, whe:i they came for their easy Saturday's wages, only stood and gaped at the mass of iron, and the curiously- shaped brickwork, and wondered what on earth " the master " was about? But ho was so thoroughly the "master," with all his kindness, that no one ventured either to question or interfere. CHAPTER XXVII. Summer waned. Already the beech-wood began to turn red, and the little yellow autumn flowers to show themselves all over the common, while in the midst of them looked up the large purple eye of the ground-thistle. The mornings grew hazy and dewy. We ceased to take Muriel out with us in our slow walk along John's favourite " terrace " before anyone else was stirring. Her father at first missed her sorely, but always kept repeating that " early walks were not good for children." At last he gave up the walk altogether, and used to sit with her on his knee in front of the cottage till break- fast-time. After that, saying with a kind of jealousy " that every one of us had more of his little daughter than he," — he got into a habit of fetching her down to the mill every day at noon, and carrying her about in his arms, wherever he went, during the rest of his work. Many a time I have seen the rough, coarse, blue-handed, blne-pinafored women of the mill stop and look wistfully after " Master and little blind miss.' I often think that the quiet way in which the Enderley mill-people took the introduc- tion of machinery, and the peaceableness with which they watched for weeks the setting up of the steam-engine, was partly owing to their strong impression of Mr. Halifax's Rood- '^W^- ^m. YMv^Aimf^. JOHN HALIFAX. 297 Xchlttteo th«*n'l""«"'' almost superstitious interest wnicn attached to the pale, sweet face of Muriel " The children will all go home looking hoffor *Ko« lu came; doyounoUhinkso, Uncle Ph"Las7-lsSuyJ^^^^^^^ When I came back, I found the mother and dauffhtfii. taking mysteriously apart. I guessed what it was about o ?t wn„u'?T^ ^Tu? '^y>e^ ^^'y^^^ better till the ch Id-- t would be " somethmg for her to look forward to-somo. thmg to amuse her next winter " " Possibly ; sisters often are alike " touc'LX'owne'r*''*^ but-you know I " And Muriel " I cannot tell, my daughter. In all things else nrav C ^ tf^T^ ^ ^'^^r""'- ^^""^^ ^y darling-my child ofScer said Ursula, embracing her with tears. ^ After this confidence, of which Muriel was vat^ «,.n„^ ^S-MK-^'^i^ 298 JOHN HALIFAX. "What a comfort sbo will be to Ursula one day— an eldest daughter always is. So will she; will she not. Uncle PwSSf?* were heavy ^ ?°»i^e? agsentingly. Alas ! his burthens' enough! I think I did right to smile. " We must take her down with us to see the steam-engine first worked I wish Ursula would have gone home thS waitmg for to-morrow. But there is no fear-my me^are so quiet and good-humoured.. What in most miU8^Ts b^en 2 day of outrage and dread, is with us quite a festival. Boys shall you like to como? Edwin, my practical lid my Yad TniiL P?'^"*^ ??T*^ »""«-^i» you promise to hold fast by Uncle Phmeag, if I let you see the steam-engine work ? " ^ H« Z:Tn ']! ^^ 7;. ^'°°' ^}^ ^^^^ ^"6^*' penetrating eyes. Whrfnl *'r °'^.^^" ^" ^'^ ways-wiJe even from his i^fiS u' ^^"^^ 'I?®* ''''^° ^^®^ G»y snubbed him ; but, I noticed, he did not come to " kiss and make Wends " so soon ?n ^R' ^e^*^°?F^ G^y ^as much the m.,,.htiest, we^ tendtprhn^'^ .^T ^"y ' ^' ^^^ *^« ^^^^Sest, wa7me5^ " Father, cried Guy, "I wmt to see the steam-engine PhTneL- hand! " " ^'"^^ '^' ^^^^'^ ' ^ ^°°'* ^^^^ ^^^"^ Hereupon ensued one of those summer storms which wWh M ' .TP*/f °f 1 *^^ ^^°^i^y ^o"^o°. i° tlie midst of which Muriel and I stole out into the empty church, where, almost m the dark-which was no dark to her- for T loS hour she sat and played. By-and-by the moon looked in showing the great gilt pipes of the organ, and the little fair^ nf^^ i''f/'f^ Y"""^' u^°°" °^ *^^^^ ^^^ «*ooped from t& w ?,; i^ Jk '^^^^^^^^fre was Brother Anselmo, who usually iZ nf.if w T^ °* evenings, and whom to-night-this last night before the general household moved back to Long- field-we had fully expected. At last he came, sat down by mo, and listened. She was playing a fragment from one of his Cahohc Masses. When it ended, he called, "Muriel." J?:Sr. ^°^^®^ ^^^^ '^own from the gaUery. "Child, play the ' Miserere ' I taught you." Trnll n^'^f f^' f ''^'''? *^^ o^San wail like a tormented soul, iruly, no tales I ever henrd of young Wesley and the infant Mozart ever surpass^'' the wonderful playing of our blind child. ^J Now, the • L Irs.'-It will come," he muttered, " to The ( Id struck a few notes, heavy and dolorons, filling us JOHN HALIFAX. 299 the church like a thunder-cloud, then suddenly left off. and °^u m5 '. • ^"*«i*0P' burst into altogether different music. Ihat 13 Handel— • I know that my Redeemer liveth.' " liixquisitely she played it, the clear treble notes sroming to utter like a human voice the very words : " Ihiow that my Redeemer liveth, and that He shall stand at «ie. latter day upon the earth. And thowjh worms destroy this body, yet in my ffesh shall I see God." Wi*^h that she ceased. " More, nioro ! " wo both cried. " Not now — no more now." orgVill you remember me, Muriel ?" " Stoop down ; I want to see you." This Avas her phrase for a way she had of passing her extremely sensitive fingers over the faces of those she liked. Alter which she ahvays said she " saw " them. " Yes ; I shall remember you." ** And love me ? " " And love you. Brother Auselmo." He kissed, not her cheek or mouth, but her little child- hands, reverently, as If she had been the saint he worshipped or, perhaps, the woman whom afterwards he would loam to adore. Then he went away. wui^' "^T'^^i" f'^i^e "mother, in an amused aside to me, as .w.? '" of motherly pride she watched him walk hastily fl^TfiS Tr *^°f ^^^^^^^t-tvees, known of old-" truly, time flies fast. Things begm to look serious-eh, father? Five years hence we shall htiye that youug man falling in love with Muriel." «n/v,"i/ ""^^^ ^"^^""'^ ""^ *^^ «^»1^ soft face, half a child's, and half an angel's. ' +w ^""V" Hl^^"' as if Ursula's fancy were profanity : then eagerly snatched it up and laiir^hedco- ?-,;„„ i/j angry he should be if anybody dared tS " fill in'love " wiS 300 JOHN HALIFAX. Muriel. Noxt day was tho ono fixed for the trial of the new steam-engine ; which trial being successful, wo were to start at once in a post-chaise for Longliold ; for the mother longed to be at home, and so did wo all. There was rather a dolorous good-bye, and much lament- ing from good Mrs. Tod, who, her own bairns being grown MP, thought there were no children worthy to compare with our children. And truly, as tho three boys scampered down tho road— their few regrets soon over, eager for anything new — three liner lads could not be seen in the whole county, ivlrs. Halifax looked after them proudly— mother-like, she gloried in her sons ; while John, walking slowly, and assuring Mrs. Tod over add over again that we should all come back next summer, went down tho steep hill, carrying, hidden under many wraps and nestled close to his warm shoulder, his little frail winter-rose— his only daughter. In front of the mill we found a considerable crowd ; for the time being ripe, Mr. Halifax had made public the fact that he meant to work his looms by steam, the only way in which he could carry on the mill at alL The announcement had been rojeived with great surprise and remarkable quietness, both by his own work-people and all along the Enderley valley, ytill, there was the usual amount of contemptuous scepticism incident on any new experiment. Men were peering about the locked door of the engine-room with a surly curiosity ; and one village oracle, to prove how impossible it was that such a thing as steam could work anything, had taken the trouble to light a fire in the yard and set thereon his wife's best tea-kettle, which, as she snatched angrily away, scalded him slightly, and caused him to limp away swearing, a pain- ful illustration of the adage, that '• a little knowledge is a dangerous thing." " Make way, my good people," said Mr. Halifax ; and he crossed tho mill-yard, his wife on his arm, followed by an involuntary murmur of respect. " He be a fine fellow, the master ; he sticks at nothing," was the comment heard made upon him by one of his people, and probably it expressed the feeling of the rest. There are few things wliich give a in;iu more power over his fellows than the thoroughly Englisli (jualiLy of daring. Perhaps this was tho secret why John had as yet passed safely through the crisis which had been the destruction of so many mill-owners, namely, the introduction of a power which the mill people were convinced would ruin hand-labour. Or JOHN HALIFAX. 801 elso tho folk m our valley, out of their very primitivencsg, had more faith in the master ; for certainly, as John passed throiTfjh tlio small crowd, there was only one present who raised the old fatal cry of " Down with machinery I " " Who said that ? " ' At the master's voice, at ihc flash of the master's eye, the htt e knot of work-people drvv lack, and tho malcontent, whoever he was, shrunk into silence. Mr. Halifax walked past them, entered his mill, and unlocked tho door of the room which he had turned into an engine room, and where, along with the two men he had brought from Manchester, he had been busy almost night and oay for this week past in setting up his machinery. Thev worked— as the Manchester fellows .said tiiey had often been obliged to work — under lock and key. " Your folk be queer 'uns, Mr. Halifax. They say there's SIX devils inside on her, theer." And tho man pointed to the great boiler which had been built up in an outnouse adjoining. -Six devils, say they? Well, I'll be Maister Michael bcot — eh, i hineas ?— and make my devils work hard." He laughed, but he was much excited. He went over piec3 by piece, the complicated but delicate machinery • rubbed here and there at the bras&work, which shone as' bright as a mirror ; then stepped back, and eyed it with pride almost with affection. ^ ' .. . " ^^V^} '^^ «- Pretty thing ? If only I have set it up right— if it will but work." ^ ^ His hands shook, his cheeks wem burning ; little Edwin came peering about at his knee, but he pushed the child hastily away. Then he found some slight fault with the machinery, and, while the workmen rectified it, stood watchino them, breathless with anxiety. His wife came to his side ° , "Pon't speak to mc— don't, Ursula, li it fails, I am ruined." ' "John ! " She just whispered his name, and the soft, farm fold of her fingers closed ro-ind his, strongtheninrr, cheorin.^. Her husband faintly smikd. " «' Here ! "—ho unlocked the door, and cai'od to the -'^opk outsulc. "Come in, two of you ieilows, and see how mv devils work Now then f Boys, keep out of the way ; my little girl '-his voice softened-- my pet will not be inghtened ? Now, my men— ready ? ' ' He opened the valve. With a strange noise, that made the 802 JOHN HALIFAX. two Enderley men spring back as if the six devils were reaUy let loose upon them, the steam came rushing into the cylinder. There was a slight motion of the piston-rod! "All's right! it will work I •• No, it stopped. John drew a deep breath. It went on again, beginning to move slowly up and down, like the strong right arm of some automaton giant. Greater and lesser coff- wheels caught up the motive power, revolving slowly and majestically and with steady, regular rotation" or whirUnff round so fast, you could hardly see that they stirred at all. Of a sudden, a soul had been put into *hat wonderful creature of man s making that mert mass of wood and metal, mysteriously combined. The monster was alive. Speechless /ohn S watching It. Their trial over, his energies collapsed ; he mS down by his wife's side, and taking Muriel on his knie, bent his head over hers. ' " Is aU right, father ? »' the child whispered. " All quite right, my own." " You said you could do it, and you have done it,"cried his Wife, her eyes glomng with triumph, her head erect and proud. " yes?^Lik God '• " ' ^''^ '*'"' " ^'''" ^' '^'^'^^^ • Then he opened the door, and let all the people in to see the wondrous sight. They crowded in by dozens, staring about m blank wonder gaping curiosity, ill-disguised alarm. John ^♦v.f !!J^' ^ explam the machinery, stage by stage, tiU some 2 h« «.Tn'°%'° -I'^l^^^l^P *^^ P"°°^Pl«' ^"d made merry at the notion of "devils." But they aU looked with great awJ at the master, as if he were something more than man. Thev listened open-mouthed to every word he uttered, cramming the small engine-room till it was scarcely possible to breathe! but keeping at a respectful distance from the iron-armed mon- ster, that went working, working on, as if ready and able to work on to everlasting. John took his wife and children out into the open air. Muriel, who had stood for the last few ainutes by her father s side, hstening with a pleased look to the monotonous regular sound, hke the breathing of the demon, was unwiUing " I am very glad I was with you to-day,— very glad, father." she kept saying. j o > i He said, as often— twice as often— that next summer, when we came back to Enderley, she should be with him .t the mills every day, and all day over, if she liked. JOHN HALIFAX. jjoa «n.lT^''™i'^''' "^"^ "Ji'^'^e: to be done but to hasten as quickly and luorrily as possible to our well-belove.' ihe «L no? hurt " ""' " Whi' ^'"l\"". PO^'-'^'"'!™ "as waiting. '• CHAPTER XXVIII. ^^ittblf-rdlfa"^ «^1h'« '"-^ rdZisiTd-hSr '^»^' -™ '-" Kothingmore. ™'"''' "»• """ only so very tired." The'toys 'sWd' ^t ^n 'o„1 ^d f -'.'»?% «* her. said John, almost shamIr whi ^ '«?« "-"r sister alone," "erry voices Sd^^mTho Fh';"^^','"r "8 '*" '«•»" sitting by Muriel's s^/IinrstmSiu'r '"' "°'' ' ^^" 000 JOHN HALIFAX. " Father, let the boys play without me, please. Indeed, do not mind. I hod rather lie quiet here. " But it is not good for my little girl always to bo quie and it grieves father." " Does it ? " She roused herself, sat upright, and bego to move her limbs, but wearily. " That is right, my darling. Now lot me see how wo you can walk." Muriel slipped to her feet and tried to cross the roon catching at table and chairs— n^ alas I not only for guidanci but actual support. At last she oegan to stagger, and sai( half crying — " I can't walk, I am so tired. Oh, do take me in you arms, dear father." Her father took her, looked long in her sightless fac« then buried her against his shoulder, saying nothing. Bu I think in that moment he too saw, glittering and bare, th long-veiled Hand which, for this year past, / had see stretched out of the immutable heavens, claiming that whic was Its own. Ever after there was discernible in John' countenance a something which all the cares of his anxiou vet happy life had never written there— an ineflfaceable record burnt in with fire. He held her in his arms all day. H invented all sorts of tales and little amusements for her ; an when she was tired of these, be .' i her Im in his bodom an sleep. After her bedtime, he asked me to co out with bin on the Flat. It was a mistv night. The very cows and asses stood u large and spectral as shadows. There was not a single sta to be seen. We took our walk along the terrace and cam back again, without exchanging a single word. Then Job: said hastily — '• I am glad her mother was so busy to-day— too busy t notice." " Yes," I answered ; unconnected as bis words were. "Do you understand me, Phineas? Her mother mus not on any account bo led to imagine, or to fear — anything You must not look as you looked this morning. You mus not, Phineas." Ho spoke almost angrily. I answered in a few quieting words. We were silent, until over the common we caugh sight of the light in Muriel's window. Then I felt rathe than heard the father's groan. " Oht God I my only daughter— my dearest child I " JOHN HALIFAX ^ V I. oQff th.tHirtoIid'Ji'otl- I^'''". Strang. „„.,„„ "h.lc, the desiro of our el hlYt .T?""", "»* = ""-I »»"n -.lowly, slowly goM-isC'** A» 1 "'.' '■"''• " » ^^m"ll children beinc all in ij^i "^P^"^"^®' ^raula, John am^ r »i danger of oneViskfeT"' '^ """■' '^"^ catchSg Iha wm_ remember hf 'fiat's: its'!: ^^^'' I i-ope ho ~ : 'i # 809 JOHN HALIFAX. But Muriel only smiled. That smile— so serene— so apart from every feeling or passion appertaining to us who are " of the earth, earthy," smote the father to the heart's core. Ho sat down by her, and she crept up into his arms. " What day is it, father ? " " The first of December." ** I am glad. Little Maud's birthday will bo in the same month as mine." " But you came in the snow, Muriel, and now it is warm and mild." "There will be snow on my birthday, though. There al\|jaysis. The snow is fond of me, father. It would like me to lie down and bo all covered over, so that you could not find me anywhere." I heard John try to echo her weak, soft laugh. " This month it will be eleven years since I was born. v. ill it not, father ? " " Yes, my darling." " What a long time I Then, when my little sister is as old as I am, I shall be — that is, I should have been — a woman grown. Fancy me twenty years old, as tall as mother, wear- ing a gown like her, talking and ordering, and busy about the h*u3e. How funny 1 " And she laughed again. " Oh I no, father, I couldn't do it. I had better remain always your little Muriel, weak and small, who liked to creep close to you, and go to sleep in this way." She ceased talking— very soon she was sound asleep. But — the father ? Muriel faded, though slowly. Sometimes she was so well for an hour or two, that the Hand seemed drawn back into the clouds again, till of a sudden we discerned it there. One Sunday— it was ten days or so after Maud's birth, and the weather had been so bitterly cold that the mother had herself forbidden our bringing Muriel to the other side of the house where she and the baby lay — Mrs. Tod was laying the dinner, and John stood at the window playing with his three boys. He turned abruptly, and saw all the chairs placed round the table — all save one. " Where is Muriel's chair, Mrs. Tod ? " " Sir, she says she feels so tired ^^ke, she'd rather not come down to-day," answered Mrs. Tod, .lesitatingly. " Not come down ? " " Maybe better not, Mr. Halifax. JLiook out at the snow. It'll be warmer for the dear child to-morrow." JOHN HALIFAX. g^g ing ier on bis knee durin/fcf ihL «! ' ?'''! '"'i said, hoW- the boys amuse ber for h.lf 1^ amusing her and letting But Jtbeweek-stnd even "but'^r " ""'"'^ •^''■«- lriumph^tWtoh«o5''iiri''»'=™™i''"™'' '■« t^-ght ^.^gti^SS'Sf4"^^^^^^^ - i^ttu uuwn 10 dinner wifh iie7«- « x •" °*^i^«^ "ua The mother started wLfiSf \ej:^l"^W ^ays." at me. ' ^^^^^ ^^^^ »* l»er husband, and then ;; Why did nobody tell rae this ? " " mr^Ti .vl/fi'^*^^"^ to be told." u ^^V^' '^'^^ ^d any illness that 1 do not know o^ ? " " Has Dr. Jessop seen her? " " Several times." indiSoro'flb^'t'Sfter ^ t'"wff ' ^^'-^ T"'"'^' -'« passion. 6be looM mora 17,^"? "J? "" '"er almost a Mrs. Tod came into tho^l,.?^' J^*^- ^evertbeless, when into ber arm™. '^ ""' °''° '<«« •«"> P"' ""le Maud "Don't-nLte ^^^ \r "P ^ «« Muriel." the good »Lan! ' ^''*^' *'"• ^*'"«'" "'ed eamcsUy ':-*C^ 5??^! 810 JOHN HALIFAX. ri I She Seared -Jnh7 P"^'* " ?^'^ °"Sht to have told me." i-resently— presently— Guy, run up and play with Muriel Phmeas, take the others with you. You shaU /o upsS^ one minute, my darling wife I '' ^ upstairs lu InnI !u * I? u S^^'t^^'^^ '^ w«^ necessary she should know-that which Dr. Jessop himself had tcid us this verv morning-how. the father and mother bore thi" first o^n revelationofheirunutterablegrief-foreverremaineduXown ThhTv ^'^^'% \^ -^^""'^'^ ^"^^ ^^«" they came uS* W ^n w^ I'^y listening to her brother, who was squattedTn her piUow, making aU sorts of fanny talk. There was a smile on her face ; she looked quite rosy. I hop^d vZll wfj/ i^"" Tu^' had made. But she did-who eouldTvS turn Shtr^^'I For a moment I saw her recoS-then turn to her husband with a dumb, piteous, desperate look as though to say, "Help me-my sorrow is moie th^ I ^nTar?' But Muriel, hearing the step, cried with a joyfd crv "Mother! it's my mother I " *^ ^^' The mother folded her to her breast. Muriel shed a tear or lous ^r T^.T^'w lu'° H^' '^'''^ ^e^t' ^as mira^u. .". Nnw '^ K °''^^^;;' '^^° '^® *^"^^ the child was blind. " Who ? " with an absent gaze. .Jl^^ ^'"u ?^.*®'.' Maud-Maud that is to take my place and be everybodi^'a darling now." ^ ^ " Hush, Muriel," said the father, hoarsely. Thfi n«Ti{r^''°''^^^'^H'°^'' ^^' ^^'^^ she was silent, n it 1-°®^,*^?,^^ T^*^ °*"*«^ upstairs, proudly, by Mrs T^ tUr^ 1°^^' ^f «^W, Quito a lev^e ^Is hel/io/nd the S where laid close beside her, her weak hands beinffTuWed oyer the tmy face and form, Muriel first " saw " her^ hUle ".«ter. She was greatly pleased. With a graynider-sisterlv ajc she felt aU oyer the baby-limbs, and wh^ Maud set up a J S S^*, • '^' Hl^°. ^'"'^''S ^'' ^^th so quaint an 'mitaUoS of moUierhness, that we were all amused. -l^.i^'t'' l:ir>.r^r:.^-^g ^ja^iaMi - JOHN HALIFAX. ' jn her hair feSf s^soft »,ilL ^"^ 5'' '"^ " «" '»'«"'. and What coCis itf 'irke iinf?"^ ''°''' ""'" "' ^""Kfi^W- Maua^I.houfnryour^'y„iigLT ^ ™- ""'» And then EZrb;,l'°nrL!',T 1' ='*'^''" '^^ Gay. God had ri^n item alSr ^" '"f ' *^«' '^"'•^^n which lik» a roo? of dais^rorThrL'lfw ?'* •='""P'<"« * "»«"• not one could be S! « uS frl'l^^^S fr°"' '» ""ic" Muriel's bedside The soLLlf^^^ ^^^*^« ^ames by e>es weS the ^^r-Z n^ 'l'"„t.Sl7SS -^bh^f ''" noo" aTho^Te^^vrin'" "-?''«' ^'"-^^'f^- Muriel went to de^ i,^ ?hf , m* ^»"» .:«"'' ^ow afterwards arms Mn nvi.^^f* ? the twi ight, with baby Maud in her up of' thel're^i^ " h'??^ '^ '""°. '*^' "^ »"**»" ''k^i"« two. her :iK™!ute~3l^''in'' °T? ""- soft, one hardlv l,n=» „k!»k ^P. **" hreathmg so 812 JOHN HALIFAX. down Such I nm ^ °^ "^^'"^^ ^^^ °ew moon was going ^^S^^:^'^^^^^^ how^cefuIlAa.! - T^re, 8h?8 gone » ^ ^^'* °^ "'^ '°^^ ^^ exclaiming- "Hush I" Guyr-''' °''''^''*' ^^ *'''^''" «*^^ ^f"riel. « Who is gone, " f^« °»o were tender," Snc(»thiTeaSbefo»h«l.ri^"r,r^l'"'« palm-trees k -(which /Z'hSteTl^h°J'^' Lord that bitte, ^ry «P tt^'^^h°„^^ii"fhf^''»»-:*'' the wind coming «;.emeat as^ jS^oilide ^fh^*^,,' '"'^, "^"""K ""? tt>6 father's vofce. TMs c^«, .M,'"; "if "j'^ «<»«>« was and kL yi^^'t^'r If '"" '™<' «» ^y 80«l-»i8ht. There, go always ' sister - ^^^^^ is but the babjr. Muriel will ^ onr fire went fut ^aL "'""'S '"<>''«* "s*" »''»y ; then Mrs'r.idrk&S"-!*: SalTetf r'r"'!.'"' '^8°''° talking ftf f},n i^« ^- °^ ■'Jebateable Land. We bacftn i^vid^p^relS^in^fe^^^^^^^^^^^ ^^^ «; this time at iu! "^Ts our conversS did not I, ?h ' °''''\^°' '^^ instant-we in Nor did we give expression t ""^S: ^^i' ^^* *«° y«^'«- the night When ^^Z^Z^T^^r^^^^^ 814 JOHN HALIFAX. house-the same windy whirl without-the same blaze of thA woo.l-fire on the same kitchen ceiling. ®' ^^^ I hlZ^ ih^f ""-T ^ ''^"^'^ "^I^""^^ ^'^^^ deluded myself that 1 heard the famt moans and footsteps overhead-lthat tha staircase door would open, and we Lulds^ there Mi^ I saul hndflf ; 1 '''■ ^®®™^ ^^'y well and calm to-night." «. Qk • ^^' **^ ^® ^®™ retiring. *^ * .! ?r ® ";, ^^ ^®^P lier— and us all I " " He will." This was all we said. thafc^mnrw "?*t -n *^^ ^""'^ *^'"o, and brought down word that mother and children were all sound asleep. An,1 »nw TT T '^t^ ^^^""^ *^®"* "»til daylight to-morrow aslreMel'- '^'"^"' ^^ ^^^ *° ^^' '^ ^^ ^-^ - S ^n Jhllfr tt^^ '^^"* ''^ ">^' ^^"S I ^^d ^ist^rbed dreams. Mr MarriS'''l'''''fu*°^.T' ^^^^°' «^«* '^^ night wh^n Mr March died-then the night at Longfield, when the Httla w»nt ?„ ^ ^""'^ ^';^'«»'' '» " a fi"« morning ?-for I TOnt to go down into the wood and get a lot of &Mh-nnta and fir-cones for sister Ifs her birthday to-day, ,^^0^" darlbg"SildT '"• ^"' '" "'-°''' W oufda^Hn;- t^-u^, T,:;z^^: .^^^^, i'ut^ '^f open to the daylight, lay-Ithat which for So^ Sfnrv~~ we had been used to caU "blind Muriel." She saw. nowT m * * * mrW.^""®?^^^' at evening, we three were sitting in the Shid'^LltX^V* ^^' P"^' *^^ ^™^^°'« ^-«^e! TJ^«nla ^^ u ^*^®" ^*-''' ^® we^*® all very quiet. Even Ursula, ^en she came in from fetching the bovs' candil !« 1 had heard her going up-stairs, likewise from habit-wK there was no need to bid any mother's good-n?ght now-^vea JOHN HALIFAX. le ss SIS, shading the Ught Uomhii J,l '"^° ^' ," «"> ''•'le. him, of whicht „'Z tu'lTor^riootS raf h*^"" on £tr. Xi^ ;<^ Cwo-^ Xo4 W "" than hers. Tlius, durine the wManf '.hi J ' ^Tl" f"" the stay and consilation^of the household ^h^""" » '^" father's grief was altogether dumb himself-tho beside fer'hus'bantt^^Ti'n Ts" °?:?''°"''' ^ho »» gadng, as it werrfntfthe fwe of t&h«lf„" ?^^^«' ^"^ from thence up to' the ^l rcl^^ Tht jfuthatX'^' "l^ J^ilf t^Sn^^f-till SghT S'-r f '^'' -' H^ three sat thus, andir^d tTb^atunlttL '^t '" only just heard—" "«^J-l>ke, poor foUow I He has of that innocent jest aboit his "Mtagrio™" with m' ^7 a^X^hf-dtlCtftn^^^SSk?"^^^ .•^jpxi:^^ti^i!tr1£S"-— YoJw^nSj'fo^d of"!!^?.' """■ '» "-• " i'-. come -• who did it ehiet-Tp jjar/ rut'r"iis"'it told him, but cahnly, as became one on whom had M«n!^ co^tSoTth"^, f^^'[^:iri^'^- «» tbo o^n life had beeaU^^e S.^tofof'Sl""' ""' '' '" ■m"^r u 816 JOHN HALIT^AX. Surely, aistant and peculiar from every other grief, evcrv other renunciation, must be that of a woman who ia thuii chosen to give her very flesh and blood, the fruit of her own womb, unto the LordI Tnis dignity, this sanctity, seemed gradually to fall upon the mourning mother, as she talked about her lost one ; repeating often—" I teU you this, ')ecau8e you were so fond of Muriel." Mu?e1 M^'®°®^ silently. At length he said, " I want to see The mother lit a candle, and he foUowed her upstairs. Just the same homely room— half bedchamber, half nursery —the same little curtainless bed where, for a week past, we had been accustomed to see the wasted figure and small, pale face lying, m smiling quietude, all day long. It lay there tixr u . * ? ..*? '^® '^^> ^^3 ^^^^^y any change. One of Walter s playthings was in a corner of the window-sill, and on the chest of drawers stood the nosegay of Christmas roses which Guy had brought for his sister yesterday morning. Nay, her shawl— a white, soft, furry shawl, that she was fond of wearing— remained still hanging up behind the door. Ono could almost fancy the little maid had just been said " good- night to, and left to dream childish dreams on her nursery pillow, where the smaU head rested so peacefully, with that pretty babyish night-cap tied over the pretty curls. There she was, the child who had gone out of the number of our children— our earthly children— for ever. Her mother sat down at the side of the bed, her father at Its foot, looking at her. Lord Ravenel stood by, motionless: then stooping down, he kissed the small marble hand. " Good-bye, good-bye, my little Muriel 1 " And he loft the room abruptly, in such an anguish of grief that the mother rose and followed him. John went to the door and locked it, almost with a sort of impatience ; then came back and stood by his darling, alone. Me he never saw— no, nor anything in the world except that little face, even m death so strangely like his own. The face which had been for eleven years the joy of his heart, the very apple of hia eye. For a long time he remained gazing, in a stupour of silence, then sinking on his knees, he stretched out his arms across the bed, with a bitter cry— " Come back to me, my darling, my first-bom ! Come back to me, Muriel, my little daughter— my own little daughter ! " o ., But thou wert with the angels, Muriel— Muriel I ^■! JOHN HALIFAX. 017 CHAPTER XXIX. We went homo, leaving all that was mortal of our Jarlinc sleeping at Enderley underneath the snows. For twelve years ?.^Li?°\K V'7^1,?* ^°fi;fi«ld; i° s'lch unbroken, unevent- lul peace, that looking back seems like looking back over a gllss ^n ^""^^^ ""^ '""^ "PP^^^ make one smooth, " Let me recaU, as the first wave that rose, ominous of jtiange--a certain spring evening, when Mrs. Halifax and I N.ere sitting as was our wont, under the walnut tree. The Bime old walnut tree, hardly a bough altered, though many of Its neighbours and kindred had grown from saplings into t.-ees-even as some of us had grown from children almost into young men. !! ^^V\}^ Jate home from Norton Bury," said Ursula. " So IS his father." "No— this is just John's time. Hark 1 there are the carriage wheels I " For Mr. Halifax, a prosperous man now, drove daily to and from his mills, m as tasteful an equipage as any of tho country gentry between here and Enderley. His wife went down to the stream to meet him, as usual and they came up the field path together. Both were changed from the John and Ursula Halifax of whomIlast™te. She, active and fresh looking still, but setthng mto that fair largeness which is not unfecoming a lady of middle age; he, inclined to a slight stoop, with the aM r? ^^ ^T. ?^a'Tly, not to say painfully, defined, and the hair worn off his forehead up to the crown. Though still not a grey thread was discernible in the crisp locks at the back, which successively five little ones had pulled, and played with, and nestledin; nota signof age, as yet, in "father's curls." As soon as he had spoken to me, he looked round as usual for his chUdren, and asked if the boys and Maud would be home to tea ? " I think Guy and Walter never do come home in time "When they go over to the Manor-house." "They're young— let them enjoy themselves," said tie father, smihng. "And you know, love, of all your ' fine ' friends there are none you so heartily approve of as the Oldtowers." These were not of the former race. Good old Sir Ealph had gone to his rest, and Sir Herbert reigned in his stead; 81S JOHN HALIFAX. I —Sir Herbert, who in hia dignified gratitude never forgoi a certain election day, when he first made the penonal acquaintance of Mr. Halifax. The Manor-house family brought several other "county families" to our notice, or us to theirs. Thesa, when John's fortunes grew rapidly— as many another fortune grew, in the beginning of the thirty years' peace, when unknown petty manufacturers first rose into merchant princes, and cotton lords — these gentry made a perceptible distmction, often amusing enough to us, between John Halifax, the tanner of Norton Bury, and Mr. Halifax, the prosperous owner of Enderley Mills. Some of them, too, were clever enough to discover, what a pleasant and altogether " visitable " lady was Mrs. Halifax, daughter of the late Mr. March, who had been a governor in the West Indies, and cousin of Mr. Brithwood of the Mvthe. But Mrs. Halifax, with a certain tenacity of pride, altogether declined being visited as anything but Mrs. Halifax, wife of John Halifax, tanner, or mill-owner, or whatever he might be. All honour and all civilities that did not come through hira, and with him, were utterly valueless to her. To this her peculiarity was added another of John's own, naiuely that all his life he had been averse to what is called "socioty"; had eschewed " acquaintances," and— but most men might easily count upon their fingers the number of those who, during a life-time, are found worthy of the sacred name of " friend." Consequently, our circle of associations was fur more limited than that of many families holding an equal position with us— on which circumstance our neigh- bours commented a good deal. But little wo cared, no more than we had cared for the chit-chat of Norton Bury. Our whole hearts were bound up within our own home our happy Longfield. "I do think this place is growing prettier than ever," said John, when, tea being over— a rather quiet meal, without a single child— we elders went out again to the walnut-tree bench. " Certainly, prettier than ever " ; and his eye wan- dered over the quaint, low house, all odds and ends — foi nearly every year something had been built, or something pulled down; then, crossing the smooth bit of lawn, Jem Watkins* special pride, it rested on the sloping field, yellow with tall buttercups, wavy with growing grass. " Let me see —how long have we lived here ? Phineas, you are the one for remembering dates. What year was it we came to Longfield ? ' ' " Eighteen hundred and twelve. Thirteen years ago." JOHN HALIFAX. „,„ " Ah, 80 long ! " little LongfioM was a thousanJ HmL^f^° "? ""' ■»'»''« 'h«t wood grand »a it is Ct iCfh'^f "I!'" ">»« Dcoch- enough for hi, «„p,e.tE„lrW?" ''''"''' '" "»"' «»" -"o know.7L^tc"E:' J^ILu^"" '»T' ™™"°^- Do you ?"n set over Leckingto HiSl?3^ " t'"", *"'<='"'> t^o IS too easy— that I Am r!«i . ~ sometimes I fancy mv life have mulfiplied so fa" Bv^» "'™"' °' "■« ™1>« thi? l«en, ought to h"e done ^me^hL''J"l'," f '''«" "'Ih'^o -and I am actually forty-fl,e'o?,rT"j: "' T '" *>"> ^"'^i wonderful things ere I was for?v flv. ^T? '° '"'™ <><">« desire faded." 'orty-five. But somehow, the omitted not one actual dutv«H?w ^^*?«°^'«. in which waa the high aims whLh make' th«\f°' *^'¥ *^'«^^'« ye*^", all duties make ita stiengS aU Jh/i«7 ^°^ *^^^"° ^^ ^i^e as wnbitiona which especlllVl^W to ^^^^^^^ energies and noble m him had been, not dead Zh,fn« w ?"°'.® °^ manhood, beyond the powei orany hu£ W^ / '^^T""^' Uleeprng, the daisies of a chM'sL^T^v^T, ^ ""^H"^ *»>em, undS waa right-but it wL ^rrtu ^^'^?^* ,^ ^°o^ °ot if this which loved as few men wt^"""'''"'*^- ^° *^at w! remember-so deL a wou^J^ilT''^^'^'.^ *« ^«^ '^^en healed. A certain somelSSrin^-^ ''^''^' ^ thoroughly after, as if a portionTthefaUie?'« n^ ''^?'? ^^«'«'«°' ever away with MSriel, and UvburiSfnTr^^^^ ^.*^ ^«° taken bis first-born, his dearest oSd *^' ^*"" ^'^ ^^^ of ^bn/t;s'h' rou Ze &r ^ V' ^- '-^^*. What with your improvemlnts at Fn^f' and intend to do Emancipation-your ISon of 5].''^'^' ^°? ^^^^^ ^atholio p"^ir'or-£i„ViH£»! tr -"-: there-,„r household Sm^T^AlS^f: AskPhineas. iwmeh It was very kind 820 JOHN HALIFAX. of the mother to believe me.) " Uncle Phincas, what bcller eoald John have done in all these years, than look after his mills, and educate hia three sons ? " "Have them educated, rather," corrected he, Bensitive, and yet honestly proud over his own hardly-gained acquire- ments. Yet this feeling had made him doubly careful to give his boys every possible advantage of study, short of sending them from home, to which he had an invincible objection. And three finer lads, or better educated, could not be found in the whole country. " I think, John, Guy has quite got over his fancy of gomg to Cambridge with Ralph Oldtower." " Yes ; college life would not have done for Guy," said the father, thoughtfully. " Hush t wo must not talk about them, for here come the children." It was now a mere figure of speech to call them so, though, in their home-taught, loving simplicity, they would neither have been ashamed nor annoyed at the epithet— these two tall lads, »vho in the dusk looked as man-like as their father. " Where is your sister, boys ? " •• Maud stopped at the stream with Edwin," answered Guy, rather carelessly. His heart had kept its childish faith ; the youngest, pet as sho was, was never anything to him but " little Maud." One—whom the boys still talked of, softly and tenderly, in fireside evening talks, when the winter winds came and the snow was falling — one only was ever spoken of by Guy as his " sister." Maud, or Miss Halifax, as from the first she was natur- ally call^ — as naturally as our lost darling was never called anything else than Muriel — came up, hanging on Edwin's arm, which she was fond of doing, both because it happened to be the only arm low enough to suit her childish stature, and because she was more especially «« Edwin's girl," and had been so always. She had grown out of the likeness that we longed for in her cradle days, or else we had grown out of the perception of it ; for though the external resemblance in bait and complexion still remained, nothing could be more unlike in spirit than this sprightly elf, at once the plague and the pet of the family — to our Muriel. "Edwin's girl" stole away with him, merrily chattering. Guy sat down beside his mother, and slipped his arm round her waist. They still fondled her with a child-like simplicity these her almost grown-up sons ; who had never been isenli l^' :^:rtWaK^.A. 'AMSsmm ,JOHN HALIFAX. gji pushed facrL huTCnL^f,''!'' ^I" "" «»P o'f «na of he«^WMsL {!;« hrdd^^l^^t?'''' "••"«« «f««t object Lady OldtoWr^'d he s.?„"''iM"-n.';«' '»>''»d "'«• concerted or harmed thereby ' '^""™"<"' »» »» much dis- »N[S°at''r "f'P''."'"?' »» Cambridge ?■• help tte GrX' R.'thlrTL'" 'r° ~"<'»«- ""'' >« <>T lo the <3reek>? Even iSrf'n^ri '"'^°' ?™'y'»'l/ is joining wish 1 were." ^^^ " "^^ "'"> ">« «3t. I only mother's at' i'oS'o^X'S; tlS' ''""'•'" ""^ •"»"• «"<> ^o" son o„rcomfr.ndS:;t^'r !XK? X^f^'f^™' look XThilt'^tS'^'^J'T'^? ^'^'''■' --y what he deei,^ bto"S'°lS wt2 hf' """' P^^ '«»• "=«» generous but uncertain .^j .V'"l his easy, happy temper, was not nearly "omuch^ J" /''owy. brilliant parts, he Edwin, who WW iSTa *i,^ ^T'"''^ <"■ "« "" e»ve plodded betSeTEnd^i miih 3 '^V ''"™«s. a-d ?otui%^^„in?-"tXA^rs^^^^^^ dedsivewa^.that" ra^ufme'to^^'S^"™''-" •■" 'i"'"'' wjthl^fjh^lSt^^o^trlSff^^^^^^^^ Sarnerrtaf t^r ^Ir ? ¥ oThV^^.tskl fWI. Th. fa hr^i'^^tle'nf"?^". that never wer^ I'kiEg to have her clcal M ?f^' ° ''°P' •"' "'^ •'«'>'' of Close to him : ay, even though he was 822 JOHN HALIFAX. falling into the middle-aged comforts of an arm-chair and a newspaper. There he sat, sometimes reading aloud, or talking ; sometimes lazily watching her, with silent, loving cjes, that saw heauty in bis old wife still. The young folk scattered themselves about the room, Guy and Walter at the unshuttered window — we had a habit of never hiding our home-light — were looking at the moon and laying bets, sotto voce, upon how many minutes she would be in climbing over the oak on the top of One Tree Hill. Edwin sat, reading hard — his shoulders up to his ears, and his fingers stuck through his hair, developing the whole of his broad, knobbed, knotted forehead, where, Maud declared, the wrinldes had already begun to show. For Mistress Maud herself, she flitted about in all directions, interrupting every- thing, and doing nothing. •' Maud." said her father, at last, " I am afraid you give a great deal U trouble to Uncle Phineas." Uncle Phineas tried to soften the fact, but the little lady was certainly the most trying of his pupils. Her mother she had long escaped from, to the advantage of both. For, to tell truth, while in the invisible atmosphere of moral training the mother's influence was invaluable, in the minor branch of lesson-learning, there might have been found many a better teacher than Ursula Halifax. Bo the children's education was chiefly left to me ; other tutors succeeding as was neces- sary ; and it had just begun to be considered whether a lady governess ought not to "finish" the education of Miss Halifax. But always at home. Not for all the knowledge and all the accomplishments in the world, would these parents have suflfered either son or daughter — living souls entrusted to them by the Di\ine Father— to be brought up anywhere out of their own sight, out of the shelter and safe- guard of their own natural home. " Love, when I was waiting to-day in Jessop's bank " (Ah I that was another change, to which we were even yet not familiar, the passing away of our good doctor and his wife, and his brother and heir turning the old dining-room into a " Countv Bank— open from ten till four.") " While waiting there, I heard of a lady who struck me as likely to be an excellent governess for Maud." " Indeed I " said Mrs. Halifax, not over enthusiastically. Maud became eager to know " what the lady was like ? " I at the same time inquiring " Who was she ? " «« Who ? I really did not ask," John answered, smiling. JOHN HALIFAX. g^j dren for any sort of nav in ™^ . ^""^ "'fhoiya cbil- . ■ Is she an EngUshwomaD ? " p ?!' ^""^^ I ln=ow ? - «-<-«l bj a certain IWfc i!5 u '^^'^ *'"• Halifaj, pr,;,,. completely i««fe.««7tt?M± '*»'■'«' 'o-; « '«" moX tainted her ovm favouritli %«ff ?. """*' ""^ even sliffhOv ooldly this 80verS"^i^'a^u,"l'?f OMlower, had rS have to live with us t" " «8""»ng. " Wonld she "J,^^k so, decidedly." It will h^rily bSd wen o«r^"^"l! "»« accommodate l:er. "Jbody else at Longfield."- ' ^"^ *» """o' take in already bee^'id^Sllwit"!, '°^ «"» I-''""" haJ house we had no eec^ts : theT^i^^ ?»1f"»'!« »««. In our patience ceased. ^ ' °^ ^* ^'' ^"st»°<3, her tone o7 ii^ It troubles you, Johr^*^^^ ^Z^oTtZ'^^^'^X'S^ V^-- of the ver, certain " to-morWT'' H^f w ' ""^ °o* t^^st it to un- to talk to her, and Tis'te. J!"* "^^^ ^^ *' ««<« ^t he wH"d our cSen f^lS ^„' t ^^ ^^'^^ Whether now that trebling year by fe^JXl oSihf l°"-."'°^°^^ '' ^^^^ing Si' ness, or closo it up w^3i^ ^.^t? ^^ <^^^cle of usefuiN "^e°ff • .if^^^S^-Jy^ur' the quiet bound of " I am aiSdtVS^^^^^ ^« the happiest.'' He spokrgenUv l*i« **l'>^*"^ 't w the hajpiest •• 2^ Ioo4 ^'-^ on h^^iS;^telf° ?" wife'Sulder always had when teUing her thini« fJ fu "'" ^^ok which he hear I never saw t£ft iSk oX^? ^' ^''' """'' ^'^ to but I have seen it on^L a pict J^^^ ^^ Have John's ; lit, ^u'i'^ " trying to Uten^nl ^u ^'^^''ot lovers white badge that^^ ^vf^ £ ^^ °^^^'« »^eck the «*ve mm from the massacre (of Et. 824 JOHN HALIFAX. Bartholomew)-he, clasping her the while, gf^^y P^^J..*' aside— not stem, but smiling. That quiet, tender smile, finner than any frown, will, you feel sure, soon control the wean's anguish, so that she will sob put-any faithful woman would—" Go, die 1 Dearer to me than even thyself are thy honour and thy duty I " ^ , x ^u ^ *v.:- When I saw this noble picture, it touched to the core this old heart of mine-for the painter, in that rare expression, might have caught John's. Just as in a few crises of his life I have seen it, and especially in this one, when he first told to his wife that determination which he had slowly come to— that it was both right and expedient for us to qmt Longfidd. our happy home for so many years, o which the mother lovel every fiower in the garden, every nook and stone in the walls. « Leave Longfield I " she repeated again with a bitter sigh. " Leave Longfield I " echoed the children, first the youngest, then the eldest, but rather in curiosity thaai regret. Edwin's keen, bright eyes were just hfted from his book, and fell again ; ho was not a lad of much speech, or much demonstration of any kmd. ,, " Boys, come and let us talk over the matter. They came at once and joined in the circle ; respectfully, yet with entire freedom, they looked towards their father -these, the sons of his youth, to whom he had been from their birth not only parent and head, but compMiion, guiae, and familiar friend. They honoured him, they trusted him. they loved hun ; not, perhaps, in the way that they-afc least, some of them— loved their mother ; for it often s^ma Nature's own ordinance, that a mother's influence should be strongest over her sons, while the father's heart yearns most over his daughters. But even a stranger could not glance from each to each of those attentive faces, so dififerent, yet with a curious "family look" runmng through them aU, without seeing in what deep reverent affection, sucn as naturaUy takes the place of childish fondness, these youths htld their father. . .. .. ^^ iv^ " Yes, I am afraid, after much senous thought on the matter, and much consultation with your mother here— that we ought to leave Longfield." . , , , * i i i " So think I," said Mistress Maud, from her foot-stool : which putting forward of her unportant opinion shook us all from gravity to merriment, that compelled even Mrs. Hahfax to join. Then, laying aside her work, and with it the saddened air with which she had bent over it, she drew her chair closei JOHN HALIFAX. 325 lier approviU. and therefore ought to U ^ JS Lf^^" ^*? into satisfied, undivided attention *^^^ to, relapsed ber B^SwoSS r' *^° over Beechwood HaU. You aU remem- sloi^'of- th'e'hS! Mo^ S CotZr **^^^J!^«y' J'^^' o» the wafpartof itsplSsZ-^Ld i^^^ The beech-wood itself James Tod. whS haS^LTS Cr^nJTi*\«^'^f°« ^o°««t pocketful of pears for Uie b^ys Sv^a t^ f^'°"?^^ "^*°^ » for Muriel. ^ ' "^*°^ * sweet-scented nosegay father smiligr'" What 'Tou^^^^^^ Ijd,'' answered the living there 7" ^ ^''"' ^^'^^"^^ ? Would you like about Eaderlev bsdmMIv .f r „ shooting 8h_ Jshing " the numero J'vSfL' wo'S"'^i„r?o"jl""H"'??'"' Esquire, of Beechwood HaU "^^^^ Halifax, fath;t'''^d1lr:^§^^^^^^^ ^^ be your ajouig'^ml^lrrit^^^Sl^^^ ^Vhenlwas before I had ever sSn W I ^ st^nn J^ °'*™^' '""^^ mind the wish to i?ain influm,r?« *k ^^^i.'^'P'®^^ 0° my ^but at all events?bflZ^^^^ better than most men ^?w. °S^^* ? ^"^^ °se it well, understand the poS- A^d^ r^l^'^ ^'^^ *^« ^' ^^^ UnclePhineasfo^dme Iwls^"' "''''' ^'^" ^°^^' ^^^^ pa3:o|Sffj^ «^^fef:s:^^^^^^^^^^ and . hoIierSr ^ ' ""'""""^ '""' ^'l" » different five.e.»ofuCCve'':^^'?,J''„f;lf»-;'^now.^ B23 JOHN HALIFAX. That is, I might have it for the claiming. I might take my place among the men who have lately risen from the peopl® to guide and help the people — the Cannings, Huskissons, reels." " Would you enter Parliament ? Sir Herbert asked me to-day if you ever intended it. He said there was nothing you might not attain to, if you would give yourself up "entirely to politics." " No, Guy, no. Wisdom, like charity, begins at home. Let me learn to rule in my own valley, among mjr own people, before I attempt to guide the State. And that brings me back again to the pros and cons about Beech wood Hall." " Tell them, John ; tell all out plainly to the children." The reasons were — first, the advantage of the boys them- selves ; for John Halifax was not one of those philanthropists who would benefit all the world except their own household and their own kin. He wished — since the higher a man rises, the wider and nobler grows his sphere of usefulness — not only to lift himself, but his sons after him ;— lif t them high enough to help on the ever-advancing tide of human improvement, among their own people first, and thence extending outward in the world whithersoever their talents or circumstances might call them. " I understand," cried the eldest son, his eves sparkung, *' you want to found a family. And so it shall be — ^we will settle at Beechwood Hall ; all coming generations shall live to the honour and glory of your name — our name — " " My boy, there is only one Name to whose honour we should all live. One Name ♦ in whom all the generations of the earth are blessed.' In thus far only do I wish to ' found a family,' as you call it, that our light may shine before men — that we may be a city set on a hiU— that we m&y say plainly unto all that ask us, * For me and my house we will serve the Lord.' " It was not often that John Halifax spoke thus ; adopting solemnly the literal language of the Book— his and our life's guide— no word of which was ever used lightly in our family. We all listened, as in his earnestness he rose, and, standing upright in the firelight, spoke on. " I believe, with His blessing, that one may • serve the Lord • as well in wealth as in poverty, in a great house as in a cottage like this. I am not doubtful, even though my possessions are increased. I am not afraid of being a rich man. Nor a ^eat man neither, if I were called to such a destiny." ♦' I , may be— who knows ? " said Ursula, softly. JOHN HALIFAX. 337 John caught his wife's eyes, and smiled, yon wm; Vt^";!!c\SS^Srt^^^^^ a certain . Yes, in fortnne I tJen ^tV^ut^X^ "X^^^ ^ ^^ land.^ but she and I are ^Z nn^w* '.^ '"''Tu "'^^^ ^«' i'appier ; happier t£m we w^L SnM^ know that we never c«Si be thiriittlTLon^^ld^ B?^ maL J^w ^il/^^S ^"'3^' «' ^^ should double LrnsDoJJSu^^J^nhM^ ""l ^eechwood I her an infinitude of ne^dS^n^""^ ^^^^^ ^^' ^^«s .' give as those we Ki£dT Im' ifh^r. ^l^^'T/ ^^ «° ^^^^t wife shaU decide " ' ^®'^®" ^^ ^O' ^^erself, my think it nght. weTrill wl rilfJii ii "■ y"" *'="» ". « you will go." ^^ " forehead, saying only—" We e«cUnVr;'a^"S'.'^-?S^'""^i !f » «>» '»'h« were back and see it continni^' b^^it^iSi ? *° "'«''' '»°'« home no more. VervsadZi^/i^. 1 ^ be onr8_o„ own was the lea^ JlZer childhdod— aftemarS; oin«? ^°^ ^""®^» "» a" her human fo swifly. Lt foL ye« t vl" t'^'^^l^i^Pe'ceptibly yet likenesses But MmiSTnovJT ^^^forgot their dd -bade yet often mo^r^^^tT^ii^S^ image only a seemed perpetuaUy among T ^c^Au'^rt^, tZ'li 828 JOHN HALIFAX. dusk ; in winter fire-light it sat smiling in dim corners ; in spring mornings it moved about the garden borders, with tiny soft footsteps, neither seen nor heard. The others grew up— would be men and women shortly— but the one child " thai was not," remained to us always a child. I thought, even the last evening— the verjr last evenmg that John returned from Enderley, and his wife went down to the stream to meet him, and they came up the path to- gether, as they had done for so many, many years— ay, even then I thought I saw his eyes turn to the spot where a little pale figure used to sit on the door-sill, listening and waiting for him, with her dove in her bosom. We never kept doves now. And the same night, when all the household was m brl— even the mother, who hod gone about all day with a restless activity, trying to persuade herself that there would ba at least no possibility of accomplishing the flitting to- morrow—the last night, when John went as usual to fasten the house-door, he stood a long time outside, looking down the valley. , , ^ . xv "How quiet everything is. You can almost here the tinkle of the stream. Poor old Longfield ! " And I sighed, thinking we should never again have such another home. John did not answer. He had been mechanically bend- ing aside and training into its place a long shoot of wild clematis— virgin's bower, which Guy and Muriel had brought in from the fields and planted, a tiny root ; it covered the whole front of the house now. Then he came and leaned beside me over the wicket-gate, looking fixedly up into the moonlight blue. . - ,,«„ «' I wonder if she knows we are leaving Longfield? •« Who ? " said I, for the moment forgetting. •' The child." CHAPTER XXX. Fathbb and son— a goodly sights as they paced side by side up and down the gravel walk— (alas I the pretty field-path belonged to days that were I)— up and down the broad sun- shiny walk, in front of the breakfast-room windows of Beech- wood Hall. It was early— little past eight o'clock ; but wo kept Longfield hours and Longfield ways still. And besides, this was a grand day— the day of Guy's commg of age. Curious it seemed to watch him, as he walked along by his father, looking every inch "the young heir;" and perhaps JOHN HALIFAX. 829 not unconscious that hA «li«i «.« . • bg how meeklv th? Iwy hfi c^?;;:f ?^?? '°^"8^^' remember, old house at Lrt^n Cy, Te ^t^^f^'^'H' ''^ ^ «'^° twenty-one years ago. ^' ^'°^ December morning. I thlnkT^^e^^fSer^^ '^-^^^^^^^ all our faces were as heretofore; if was1hemott3' c«?y breakfast-table. There! «ure that nofonHac^af^^^ ^'^^b-'s Ple- wmter, aU should assemble for S. tn ^~"*h*' ^.""^'"er and family chat, before thrCy ca4 of th^ 5 ""^ ^*"i"^ '"° '^'^ consent, which had grovra intohaKif ^^^ ' '^"^ % general unclouded this little SroflrW' T^J^^"® '"^a to keep and brothers went away* No so^Tdrr Y7' ^^' '**^«^ topics were ever brought to the breX.I.??'}:,^^^^' °^ P'^i"^"' agamst aU custom, when Mr hS?!-"; ^*^"«' ^^^ ^''^a paper with,a grave^ounlJS^cStfdl-^^^'"" ^°^^ b« "^ws- to-day^'^' '' ^"^ "^ "^-«- Ten bank failures in the Gazetto .ked^Go^.t^K! i^J^°^ ol' - ' and ' our business,' remarked 5uT, raX Z^hf Tf' "' ' '^^^ ' ^"' ^"«»°ess,' " the very slight-iara in n,ST \V/ °°^ ^^ t^e slighU exceUentladfboth l^^ey fi^et?^^^ ^^*^«^ *^o ia^s, "pull together." ^ ^^"^ ''^'^ manhood did not exactly withwWch,when^hefc'inS,Sj' V}^^ ^"^^* *««« Jie generally smoothed mAtf^o?^ interfere between his sons. even. "Yet,ThS wTj^e onr'^ ^""^ ^'^^ *^« »>alance toes everywhere Zmd us maKZ' '''"'' ^ *^»«*' *te we should not parade our g^ fortL«\°'?'' "t^'^^'^ ^^^^ that'^^^^w^c^'ett^.i^L^^^^^ '^°T^° ^^« ^-% pent had wanted aU S oMmnrn?o^'*^f^°^^°S **^^Pera- livmg-foxhounds, dinner nartifi^^Kn^'^^i' °° °«' style of ways, which, «iough^ndS to lih.,S'); ^^-^K-^^^ '^t^er's outward show, andmi^e onr Hfo a ♦k ^eT^^'^es, forbade were somewhkt dislwt^forf!^ *? ^'''''^"Sft famUy life stiU-! Jgentleman, Guy ffia^P «-!?„• ""^k ?'°'.* fascinating yomi- " You W <^ . 'J?S5^' '"'".^^ Beechwood HaU ° M I know I L^a Ike SffaZ?' "' ^^** ^^^^^ ^^^^ « ; do. And I think we Cht to^we L'?^'' '^If " neighbours 'wealthiest fiunily— •• ^ ' wo— we that are known to be the i 880 JOHN HALIFAX. He stopped abruptly^for the door opened ; and Guy had too much good taste and good feeling to discuss our riches before Maud's poor governess — the tall, grave, sad-looking, sad-clothed Miss Silver ; the same whom John had seen at Mr. Jessop's bank ; and who had been with us four months — ever since we came to Beechwood. One of the boys rose and offered her a chair ; for the parents set the example of treating her with entire respect— nav, would gladly have made her altogeti^er one of the family, had she not been so very reserved. Miss Silver came forward with the daily nosegay which Mrs. Halifax had confided to her superintendence. " They are the best I can find, madam — I believe Watkin. | keeps all his greenhouse flowers for to-night." ' ' Thank you, my dear. These will do venr well. — Yes, Guy, persuade Miss Silver to take your place. She looks so cold." But Miss Silver, declining the kindness, passed on to her own seat opposite, awav from the fire. Ursula busied herself over the breakfast equipage, rather nervously. Though an admirable person. Miss Silver, in hei extreme and all but repellant quietness, was one whom the mother found it difficult to get on with. She was scrupulously kind to her, and the governess was scrupulously exact in all courtesy and attention ; still that impassible, self-contained de- meanour, that great reticgice — it might be shyness, it might be pride, — sometimes, Ursula privately admitted, "fidgeted" her. To-day was to be a general hohday for both masters and servants ; a dinner at the mills ; and in the evening something which, though we called it a tea-drinking, began to look, I was amused to see, exceedingly like a " ball." But on this grand occasion both parents had yielded to their young people's wishes, and half the neighbourhood had been invited by the universally-popular Mr. Guy Halifax, to celebrate his coming of age. " Only once in a way," said the mother, half-ashamed o£ herself for thus indulging the boy — as giving his shoulder a fond shake, she called him ♦' a foolish fellow." Then we all dispersed ; Guy and Walter to ride to the Manor-house, Edwin vanishing with his sister, to whom her was giving daily Latin lessons in the school-room. John asked me to take a walk on the hill with him. " Go, Phineas," whispered his wife — " it will do him good. And don't let him talk too much of old times. This is a hard week for him." The mother's eyes were mournful, for.Guy and "the JOHN HALIFAX. ggj herr^«;tt„°X Jw, the'cffihl^wl *nf mo^^ " * ^^"^^'"-^ '^tK,ve John and I, in our wnllr ofliS churchyard waU and ?iked\e,"^^ »>y the low where was inscribed her name *Muripi ^^° ^^r^ '*^°«' line out of that New Tooto^f®; • "?®^ % Halifax,"— a '«- • Nothing more: i ^s not nX ^^ ""^'^ " '*^ ''S;?wTu?dt4'i:^n'CuiS^^^ thVffl;, reading the date. My little Murien •• ^^ * ''°°^*° "^^^^ How strange ! foot^ts'^iSl'?? hWent^^t"^' ^r ^ - *^^ -- hill-side to the brow of EnderW Fkt^ ^'' ^"^?? ^P ^^ to bear her in his imns S3l ^i m« ^® ^""^^ "^ 'a^cy before said, Heave^in iW^T ^ ^'i?® °°®' ^^o°». " I have through all ^^'s. h^' STr> "^r^' y^" ^y y«^t could take awayithe^e^SS^ fl one treasure that ione I think, as we rested Tth^Sl^^^ ^ ^ * "^'^^ 'o' ever, nook where we u^toJ?tSl"r'°f ^t^' *^« ^^^s^ny father's heart took^i«An^lw^ ^^"^ ^?' ^^"'s together, thj itself, thatmemSr. al^S^^''°° so cbsely and surely 'iSo ^k^gaCtrVeS^ Heieg^ of m^ Silver, her governess. ^^ Maud-and then - I wish she were more likeaMo T«i,« n times to see how coldly ZretuSt'fK .? T®^^.' °^® ««°»e- "Poor thing I-shJC ft-Sf^!,*^® mother's kindness." ?ess. You sSld ^ve^J W^"y "°*>.«° ^^^ to kind- day when we paaThMmoM^h^^f."^^^^ '^^ ^^^^d /ester- her a pretty b& ^eSi^Zitn^^L"^?^' 5?^"^^ ^^« ^'^^^ she would refuse it or bS n„; „^^*' ^ ?^'^y ^^^^w whether , " Is she aTrl ? m v th^^S^°«--^>iisl» ^whion." least. Guy and W^luZy' u ^^^. ^^ ^he looks thirty at and her soC^ h^^hfy^ '^ ^^'^ ** ^'' dowdyTreJs 832 JOHN HALIFAX. « That will not do, Phineas. I must spoak to them They ought to make allowances for poor Miss Silver, of whom I think most highly." <* I know you do ; but do you heartily like her ? *' <« For most things, yes. And I sincerely respect her, or, of course, she would not ha here. I think people should be as particular over choosing their daughter's governess as their son's wife ; and having chosen, should show her almost equal honour." " You'll have your sons choosing themselves wives soon, John. I fancy Guy has a soft place in his heart for that pretty Grace Oldtower." But the father made no answer. He was always tenacious over the lightest approach to such Jests as these. And besides just at this moment Mr. Brown, Lord Luxmore's steward, passed — riding solemnly along. He barely touched his hat to Mr. Halifax. ^ '< Poor Mr. Brown ! He has a grudge against me for those Mexican speculations I refused to embark in ; he did, and lost everythmg but what he gets from Lord Luxmore. I do think, Phineas, the country has been running mad this year after sj^ulation. There is sure to come a panic after- wards, and indeed it seems already beginning." " But you are secure ? You have not joined in the mania, and the crash cannot harm ^ou ? Did I not hear you say, tbat you were not afraid of losing a single penny ? " •• Yes — unfortunately," with a troubled smile. " John, what do you mean ? " , " I mean, that to stand upright while one's neighbours are falling on all sides, is a most trying position. Misfortune makes people unjust. The other day at the sessions, I got cold looks enough from my brother magistrates — looks that would have set my blood boiling twenty years ago. And — you saw in the No^-ton Bxmj Mercury that article about < grasping plebeian millionaires ' — < wool-spinners, spinning out of their country's vitals.' That's meant for me, Phineas. Don't look incredulous. Yes — for me." " How disgraceful ! " " Perhaps so — ^but to them more than to me. I feel sorry, because of the harm it may do me — especially among working people, who know nothing but what they hear, and believe everything that is told them. They see I thrive and others fail — that my mills are the only cloth mills in full work, and I have more hands than I can employ. Every week J am JOHN HALIFAX. jg, obliged (o wnd new oomera >«» ti. »i •Jl that Guy Mjs .fcout o" Bn!Lri^ l T'J'^ ««• '« sleep e»ctl> upon, bed of ^"^"'^' '"» ''«'« doe. nol ,'; JJ '» ""sked-atrocioua I" " for snc^'f-^'^^'^r^^tonaUy one ha, to p., crossed m^C not »r™'l'r: ^o' » •"''den tor life is »f^ifTwe work toT 'In,'"!*'' "^ '»l'«ve my Coltham b«,k, besides mJTMhC-this*° ""' '"''"" ""> " 5( ' '°" ""» toow ? " ' 'ng It, Md Its being Sabortha r J" ""' "•' «a^- ray ever having occadra ton™ T nl ^ ^° *"' "»? P«vent Don^t let us A atout^hfa " ""^ «^' ^ "o™' "nay I shiny ^^^tfart^oJwSt'""'™ ''<"™ *• »"«- properly, kr Xt^et ranf^ h«™' .5'"'^' •"' "^ business he never sunk S S^i^^ T?"? T^ '"» hi» pleasure in investing it in fflS f '♦^H.' P«'™"1>«1 mills, and those coLm^a;^^^ '" "■* '*~fl' »« W' leavenedln some way H tW.T ° ''^''".wthout its being over in my voulh if^.. * > ""' '"^ PO'nt I was anwonf tbe ChevJr^;ij^t':J'y^«"~ugh life. ^^Z tradesman emulating Bavarf < >aU p.^nt^^.b«-ti^r?.^Lrbo::»j3 884 JOHN HALIFAX. through the beech wood, where through the bore tree-tops a light snow was beginning to fall, John said musingly — " It will be a hard winter — we shall have to help our poor people a greatdeal. Christmas dinners will be much in request." worth while. Half the wrongs people do to us are through sheer ignorance. We must be patient. ' In your patience jioaseta ye your aotda,* " He said this, more to himself than aloud, as if carrying out the thread of his own thought. Mine following it, and observing him, involuntarily turned to another passage in our Book of books, about the blessedness of some men, even when reviled and persecuted. Ay, and for all his many cares, John Halifax looked like a man who was " blessed." IBlessed, and happy too, through- out that day, especially in the midst of the mill-yard dinner — which reminded mo forcibl , of that feast, at which guests were gathered out of the highways and hedges — guests, such as John Halifax liked to have — guests who could not, by any possibility, "recompense " him. Yet it did one's heart good to hear the cheer that greeted the master, ay, and the young mister too, who was to-day for the first time presented as such ; as the firm was to be henceforward, " Halifax & Son." And full of smiling satisfaction was the father's look, when in the evening he stood in the midst of his children, waiting for " Guy's visitors," as he pertinaciously declared them to be — these fine people, for whose entertainment our house had been these three days turned upside down ; the sober old dining-room converted into a glittering ball-room, and the entrance hall a very " bower of bliss " — all green boughs and Chinese lanterns. John protested he should not have known his own study again ; and that, if these festive transformations were to happen frequently, he should soon not even know himself I Yet for aU that, and in spite of the comical horror he testified at this first bouleversement of our quiet home ways, I think he had a real pleasure in his children's delight ; in wandering with them through the decorated rooms, tapestried with ivy and laurel, and arbour vitae ; in making them all pass in review before him, and admiring their handi- work and themselves. A goodly group they made — our young folk: there were no " children " now — for even Maud, who was tall and womanly JOHN HAUPAX. aag tor her ag«, had bloomed out in a baU ecially bankers, foretold that the universal.crash had be It was felt even in our retired country neighbourh aad among our friendly guests this night, both gentle simple— and there was a mixture of both, as only a ma Mr. Halifax's position could mix such heterogeneous elena -^towns-people and country-people, dissenters and chi folk, professional men and men of business. John dare do it— and 'id it. But though through his own pen influence, many o! different ranks whom he liked ani spected, meeting in his house, learned to like and respeci another, still, even to-night, he could not remove the c which seemed to hang over all— a cloud so heavy, that i present liked referring to it. Ther hit upon all sort extraneous subjects, keeping ^:.t aloof from the one w evidently pressed upon all minds— the umversal dis I wealcness JOHN HALIFAX. fAtrs'r" ''''' ™ ^"-'^-o^ ^^ "^-t ever, n.an's tvbo was wondering that ll^r^T.?v ^" ^^'^'^ Oldtower, drop into disgraceful i^v'^d^CT^ **»« ^^^^^ to pine-woenei a mere selfish, cynical, idle Jessop. " He bank^wfth L fhi^^^- ''' Z^"*'^ "^"^ Josiah Catholics in this nethboSrCd" wSL' 't'*'"'" •?" ~"^« P^^*" ho told me not to tell No in^p^ r ^^^~^"J ^^^«« »»« ' Wlc, perhaps-moVt men nttl'ai-^ ' J^^'"'*^^ ^o n«y l-e ; •I bave not seen Lord Ravenel for mny x^L .. r^^''s\Z:\^:^,^^^^ n^eP^he young Been him-a day which it«LS' V^^ ^""^^ d*^ ^e had ^entits unspoken ^;Siei SsK ^^^'^S'.eon/by, still Johnmoved awav3\^^tf'n« * n' from all other days- he and thrmoIhYr Hked aWel^ ^"^ ^ * ^""^ ^'^^"^ l^th I hapXlK°rea^S'1 dil^K^r^^' ^"«^"o". or per- U«ch as it WM th^«J^®^'^**'*^*°««««'ancing. Dancing lightly"as ifTey i^??°.^ '°S "^«^^ breezily an^d through the graceful Lnt?rSn^-H^.«f '°*J° *°^ ?"' always decorous. In those^ dL/^T^ 5 -^ ^^^'^^^^ but necessary to the DlMsurTnW ^P^° ^*^ "^t think it Should hive litaj to snitch ***** "^ ^'ranger waist, and whS her aW^n . '5^' ^'J?^®"' ^iri round the till she stoprSddy and brSthtf. '''^1' u^' "^^^^'^'^ pol«^*. tossed hair" lXng,-as I^oSm nJ'^ *^^'?^« cheeVand Jpretty Ma'i Jook V« • tk u "o* bave bked to see our 1^7 Wt/rJi.in^^e?J^ty"to't^^^ *^« ^'*'^« JOHN HALIFAX. And in her unwearied spirits she seemed as if she ^ readily have responded to the wish. We did not see Guy among the dancers, who were formmg in a somewhat confused square, in order to execi new dance called quadrilles, of which Miss Grace OldU was to be the instructress. "Where is Guy?" said the mother, who would ] missed him among a room full of people. " Have you Guy anywhere. Miss Silver ? " Miss Silver, who sat playing tunes— she had decl dancing— turned, colouring visibly. " Yes, I have seen him ; he is in the study." " Would you be so kind as to fetch him ? " The govemes3 rose and crossed the room, with a sta walk— statelier even than usual. Her silk gown, of some soft colour, fashioned after Mrs. Halifax's taste, and *he cl let of bav-leaves, which Maud had insisted upon puttini her dark hair, made an astonishing change in Miss Silver could not help noticing it to Mrs. Halifax. " Yes, indeed, she looks well. John says her features fine: but, for my part, I don't care for your statuesque fat I hke colour— expression. See that bright little Grace ( tower I— a thoroughly English rose— I Uke Iier, Poor I Silver I I wish " What, out of compunction for a certain sharpness ^ which she had spoken, Mrs. HaUfax was about to wish, mamed imdedared. For, just this minute Guy entered, leanmg his handsome head and his tender petits soins over " Enghsh rose," as his mother called her, led her out to dancing. We sat down and looked on. " Guy dances lazily ; he is rather pale, too, I fancy." " Tired, probably. He was out far too long on the to-day with Maud and Miss Silver. What a pretty creat his partner is I " added Ursula, thoughtfully. " The children are growing up fast," I said. "Ay, indeed. To thmk that Guy is actuaUy twenty-i — the age when his father was married ! " "Guy will be reminding you of that fact some day soo Mrs. Hahfax smiled. " The sooner the better, if only makes a worthy choice-if only he brings me a daugt whom I can love." e «• ^^^ lu t^ n^ fi^noied there was love— motherly love— in the e that followed through the graceful mazes of her dancin-* i bonny English rose. "^ JOHN HALIFAX. 839 «nfi?^*w u**!?*/'?®'' *** ^^^ *>«sido us. His mother i^t ho^"" '?r/*^°.\*'^ ^^'^ twisted his f^ot tha morn mg m helpmg Maud and Miss Silver across the ice • but ^t S«l**"'"%*'*^^^/^*-^°'*^ mentioning. A mew trifle t^fll '"T^ ^°' .^Z*^" ^^^« '^^'^ afterwards u^J^n " mere tnfles. But now it passed over, with one or t^ anxioiJ^ SfS ^/ "I' r *?'';' P*'*' '^"'^ '^ «o"' d'w7 shadow ov^ the down-dropt cheek of tLe little rose, who evidently did not hke to miss dancing with her old playfellow Then 8?r Herto appeared to lead Mrs. HalSaY into suPW^ Guv hmped along with pretty Grace on his arm. anfaU the ^st^ just enough to fill our longest table in John's study ^•S'^^^Sl^fi^ '""^^ "* «* ^'^^z of mirthfubess. ^' JJiither the warm, hospitable atmosphere, or the sicht of Sl^r^ youngsters, or the generj in^uence of ^^ia pleasantness, had for the time beinc disnellad th« oiK» 5 But certainly it was dispeUed. The mLt^ 'ffif^'tltked dow^o long hues of happy faces-his own as brlht as theirs-down to where, at the foot of the table, the mother and mistress sat. She had been slightly neiriiL at t^mes dunng the even ng, but now she appealed tiiorZuy at e^se and gkd-glad to s^ her husband'^Ske his place It the head of hM own hospitable board, in the midst of his own friends and his own people, honoured and beloved. It seemed 7ff^J awarHorblU^i "^l ^^^ '"""^^ outsidrwo^d ISs hS stm Ti T J?"?! ^,^^' and how sore the wife's neart stiu felt, I could see from the wife's jealous wav in which^ smihng and cheerful as her demLn^ lZ\hl Zr^r^HitT T^iL^^' T^y ^««i °^ tho^^Irori her! Zi^T^^r:"' ^T*""' ^ ^^« viruleSf aScks oT^hd TTr^L. # ® V ^"^""^ *° awkward pause, during which I saw '^herii^r"'**^^™- But she 'conquered her wr^th SirH«ZS " A° ^""^ ""^^^^^ »° our provincial papers Bir Hubert. Mv husband makes a point of taking them S ^;:H'"i? ««>^-o^ every shade of^litics. He behe^a i fc rtfjfl'r^gy^,"^- '''' ^^"^ trulyl^t^Tthe' k S40 JOHN HALIFAX. " Just as a physician must hear all symptoms before decides on the patient's case. At least, bo our good friend Doctor Jessop used to say." ** Eh ? " said Mr. Jessop, the banker, catching his ( name, and waking up from a brown study, in which he seemed to see nothing— except, perhaps, the newspa which, in its printed cover, lay between himself and l Halifax. " Eh ? did anyone — Oh, I beg pardon — beg par — Sir Herbert," hastily added the old man ; who was a ^ meek and worthy soul, and had been perhaps more subd than usual this evening. " I was referring," said Sir Herbert, with his usual p derous civility, " to your excellent brother, who was so mi respected among us— for which respect, allow me to say, did not leave us without an inheritor." The old banker answered the formal bow with a kind nervous hurry ; and then Sir Herbert, with a loud pren of his right as the oldest friend of our family, tried to obt silence fc: the customary speech, prefatory to the customi toast of " Health and prosperity to the heir of Beechwoo< There was great applause and filling of glasses ; great smili and whispering; everybody glancing at poor Guy, ^^ turned red and white, and evidently wished himself a hundi miles off. In the confusion, I felt my sleeve touched, a saw leaning towards me, hidden by Maud's laughing, hap face, the old banker. He held in his hand the newspap which seemed to have so fascinated him. "It's the Lomlun GazeUe. Mr. Halifax gets it thi hours before any of us. I may open it, eh ? It is import* to me. Mrs. Halifax would excuse, eh ? " Of course she would. Especially if she had seen the < man's look, as his trembling fingers vainly tried to unfold t Bheet without a single rustle betraying his surreptitious curiosil Sir Herbert rose, cleared his throat, and began. " Ladi and gentlemen, I speak as a father myself, and as the son a father whom— whom I will not refer to here, except to b that his good heart would have rejoiced to see this day. Ti high esteem in which Sir Ralph always held Mr. Halifax, h descended, and will descend — " Here someone called out— " Mr. Jessop! Look at M Jessop I " The old man had suddenly sunk back, wiUi a so of choking groan. His eyes were staring blankly, his ohe< was the colour of ashes. But when he saw everyone lookii at him, he tried desperately to recover himself. JOHN HALIFAX. g^j out of his hand. " There'g nnnl^o • -I ^^^'^ ^^ rcinoviDg But from his JtetSn-? "fn ,i° \^T' ^ assure 30U.- to disguise it-it^M nS^ *u® PJ*'^"^ effort l^e »mde PlainTalso, a7in Tese^^d^rrouf /5"' '^^T ^^ ««^«- , were only too quick ZfiJ^^^^J^^^ ^"'^cal times men Tidings whichloTmade ev^^^^^^ ""^^^ *^^' °«^« <^««iS especially this --^he Xo« /!2^ ^^''^TP^'r.*, «'«^' ^^ f«ar.- ' 'ca Wm— that H neveri^en Jsygg^- H» »' Perf««y t"Lr'/'r?J°^ '"^ ^ his or her own MMi^^^l^l^?^ *^' *• Wde, a straw for that of savone S£ It^ ?'.'?'' ""^ "»' crowd was colleotsd SS^!S!:.^ *** '°"^' ^^^ "^ this bank at N^^rTS^. t S&'iXr'S?! -S^", ""? ever ««r cC^eU^ S'wS'ber^t' ""' ""»'■ •J^^n'^^r i' ^X"' »'^^W You through a crowd^noM of^i i /^ ."^ " "^ '"""^ta were Stent o"tteiSMd^J^l:i"j!"?' "' * "«'''• *" bolW red.baJ^Z^ISd"n fcS bSTf 't^?^''i'"'- wh.db informed them that it Tj^^'J^^^^,: The Abbey clock struck three-auiSers Th^ .iT. -tehed : CalSrit^ro^or-Mrnt^roi-tlThl 844 JOHN HALIFAX. »n.I I. at .iZtX^lylZ" He dfi »M ^""^.•/' ino why, but it waa nnf Siffi«»u ** ® "*" ?*^' exactly ] any man, knowin " afl tLZTr '""^T'^' «v«n affected- aflF^jtod-by^Shfof thatn^'f ^ T^'^ °o' but there comes a run ho n?av L ^ '^'?'°"' «^"^« "^tice. ' closed ^ri to IheTbtv 'iL*l,~?r? '"?"■'* '™» "■ bl»e sunshiny .tm„^l,^^'^r^'^*i^|""«""e '« "P » th The house ;r«shutu;'iSddSTr« t^.r""' f'^' empty. Kve whole minites- "yfte Abhiv mZI" ^'51?'' poor, patient crowd wait on the pavlent 'th^ ^^'^ """ arose. One or two men hLmlZ at tft * """"" frightened women, jostled in ttTuKM h.™„^ *~' '• ?""» ^..Id bear it no iinglr " &"Sn^«Sh^^^; ^»^» h^nedly. . I must see Jessop-we ^^gllt rihe*^^ .no?ntTat"?stf";?.:,x;'a^t?.'rh'' ^''' JOHN HALIFAX. 'yonia be nev„ Leitl^ ^Z^i^ •' "■• WdK^ • certain momentous e«nt i„ iS^T!"",^ ""^ l**" tnuisacted »8 b? Iho French ^ndo^ Se»^ ' " " ""^ >»!»« eZT IJiri 1 imd once seen Biff;«r*iL "^^^t^* *ne picture of & vnn*!^ now-its atmosphere Was totfntlt^®^ No summer parlour dusty room, of which tCon?/!^!'^''??^- ^' ^m HuS the under half of which Ld^„iL\"^r object ^w a large fite b^k dmgy caverns. Before rih't^^ "1?^ "'^^"rrfd into Josiah Jessop-his feet on TL 7 ?'^ l"^kfest untasted If tbe picture ofdes^r. ' '"^ '^' ^^"^^'' ^" «">ows on h?s Jbiefs u ^J-/trP'.fyeooa friend !•• anhorhent'oh^Xi'^rR"^^^^^^^ - «»-" »ot have account to close ? You do^^? h^'V "'*^*^*'' ?-You have not In John put his hand onThe ofJl^^ °".*^ «^ "^inefioyou?" xMOt tne first *{nanii > r u knew I should be wrlv hni """I '^^^^ '^is mominir T " Hark If K^ •'®^' gloomily. I '"'^S'^F''^^- '*' """""""' """ """" *^' "" »' »ffenleS'^}^^ir«'« oM man was shaking like an I wwrer obeyed, ft s^med " tC ^^*'"™«^ ohiWs-the 810 JOHN HALIFAX. petty trodeapsoDle, and such like, if only both classes < customers would give him time to pay them. " But they will not. There will be a run upon the banl and then idl's over with me. It's a hard case— solvent as am — ready and able to pay every farthing — if only I had week's time. As it is I must stop payment to-day. Hark they are at the door again I Mr. Halifax, for God's sali quiet them I " *' I will ; only tell me first what sum, added to the cash yo have available, would keep the bank open, just for a day or two. At once guided and calmed, the old man's business facu ties seemed to return. He began to calculate, an'', soon state the sum he needed : I think it was three or four thousand poundi " Very well ; I have thought of a plan. But first — thot px>r fellows outside. Thank Heaven, I am a rich man, an evenrbody knows it. Phineas, that inkstand, please." He sat down and wrote : curiously the attitude and mannc reminded me of his sitting down and writing at my father table, after the bread riot— years and years ago. Soon, notice signed by Josiah Jessop, and afterwards Dy himself, i the efiTect that the bank would open, " without ^il," at oi o'clock this day, — was given by him to the astonished clerl t3 be posted in the window. A responsive cheer outsit showed how readily those outside had caught at even thi gleam of hope. Also — how implicitly they trusted in tfa mere name of a gentleman who all over the county was know for " his word being as good as his bond,"— John Halifax. The l»nker breathed freer ; but his respite was short : a imperative message came from the gentlemen above staii desiring his presence. With a kind of blind dependence, b looked towards John. « Let me go in your stead. You can trust me to manog matters to the best of my power ? " The banker overwhelmed him with gratitude. " Nay, that ought to be my word, standing in this how and remembering " — His eyes turned to the two portraits- grimly-ooloured daubs, yet with a certain apology of likenef too, which broadly smiled at one another from opposite wal — the only memorials now remaining of the good doctor an his cheery little old wife. "Come, Mr. Jessop, leave tb matter with me ; believe me, it is not only a pleasure, but a duty. The old man melted into senile tears. I do not know how John managed the provincial magnate! who were sitting in council considering how best to save, fin JOHN HALIFAX. 3^ theinaelves, then the bank ii.«ti * .. bad been made aoquamted' ^dth thl\ **"• ^^ P"^^»o outside if to the respectableAn^i. r**' ominous " iasUy I •• 0! hinted jphrfse^^X h^ t'n bram, keeping time to thTmnrS^,,? • .u '°'**>onook8of my John came out in aboS hSJ 1 if^''*^'°'J^^'»«ifcy countenance; ioU m^ ^Teo^fovTr ^Tu^^^ ."^ °^<^''"» ""' ^uTT^^ I ^«t his wfSin*? '^ ^''^'*''''" '^^ «*» hour Go«J ™'!^ ^°' ^ *'"^'- ^ <««•» stay to tell you more now. So iTougJt Z ttTcodd*3o r^l ^'^^ '" "o*^-ff. wandermg up and down the fomni.?' ^, ^"^^ ^^^ ^^ »« the hoar-frost on the arbutn, 1 ^' ^''\^^''* '"^^y watchinir of what had been Kue M^'t««.'''' '.° '^o V S the same roses I had wen h^fli^'^^P' favourite "roses-- --^"T~the eveningwCurruU ri^* f '^ ^^i moment^ .than the subset ZuZ^T l^lL^?i^^^^^ ^nore evenmg~the evening wten UmhIu'o k^X.* ;—« »""u«juiou3 crimson than the subset itilf 12 i Lm?' T^ ^"«^od '"ore ; too noble to die for any wom^'l ^^ ^?' l?^ HaUfax was for it~earned it~won it f^ ^ ^°^®- ^^^o had lived times my heart meC JLii LT'"?*^^''''' '*»««o wC trembling joy. to tSk tha Prnvn^"""' *^V' '^^^ '-^v^thfa usedmynoor'uselesTSLdX^^^^ in some way, chiefest hlessing, of a virtutS J *«i^f^ '^'* ^'^^^'"fi^' * man's 'Tsft niJi^ '°' ^" S w^dSrfu^^;:;^^^^-^^^*^ ^^ Abbt; il WthTot^rrTilSer^ ^-^ the hrough the bare ablLy £s t u " ^l^ f*«f' s'^'ing a. me I went into the deserted^^ • L^5«?? ^ ^^^^ «*'her anxiou^ ensconced myself beWnd tS 'o^u *^®"*^' "one forbidding crowd had sSly SSved a v'^"k^ '^"^^ ^""^«- The crowd, dense in the ce^tr^/hin ^^^y, honest, patent, weary »t3 extremest verge waiSc^"*^^ '^y^*'^^ t*^« edges. 0« ;vbo seemed obs^r^g^?^^fhTla^vr•'^™ » ^^'^"eman himself apparently nSthin^tfte^'^ T^'t^' f ^^^'"^^ like ^^. H. was dressed S^t^*tiihfc of th'"'"'^,*^^^ ^'«°"«- Jith a novel and eccentric Sshinniv k^u^ f*?^®' combined hy l^at extraordin^ yo^? '^"'Kr^''^ ^. ^" lately set talked about-mTS S H^'^^L 7^^"^ everybody ^roat bare, and Lis hSr fKn..?n'/''t-'i^^ S^^ 1^^' ^^ of a man about thirty-I^irf T*?lr^,^^: .His face, that thirty-irni^IlTacCe^befor but could 848 JOHN HALIFAX. OMO cvnicl „d melanchoiv it '? ?° "P«Mion .t n.an ahouU die till iS ha, Uv«I („ ?""*"«.: Go2 forbid any ^nd„hi.'fL7?o"x"kJT:].'?;^''^'"•» "^ <">"°™«o-. to Wl. Tho»; on lLlL«mfinroikl''r"' ?,■«>'' ^S^- kept turning every miuSo STh. A?? ",*^n{)f off, and would take L patient of johl^ i H^ l"''-! '«««^ '* another quarter oiriThourA^ kn /? ""'" '? '"''"' »«' Land again Uttered at the d«r I Z'i.Tt •'^''"»»«> .peaking „„t pf tho 6r\t'al^'^Moy,'.'^"^ ^ '""^ » ''«* ••0enurm"er?n''^e min«T.''"Sf''t-^'''*«*''' "''« ™- lank wiU-I" nnnutea-positively five njinntos-the Jpnnfthrs't.^t'trrnheTort'Sfi"',:^''- ^"""'f iCXtSXi ±- »M »« WeKig'h"? he carried a .im™ b«^ r^",""*," ""?' <*«' "m. for «neor'?;o'iSrcea'''w«"i?te°rr5::',,''*''t' ^''?«-"«". ■" gene^usEngljCirritreti TtlS^j:^' rich and 80ld-b„tVevS^ Sng'inXr?r.^d''' '"If " ';:'■ o™ neckcloth-the old teSk^Zd! ' '""' "^ """* with louTf^ritiJA"? '.''«. Plef »« to open an «io^ tbo smn of five thou«S,d pJS " " " P*' '" '^-^''y JOHN HALIFAX. ^ j;j^^^«'*»o"'»na pounds I" Buch Ts^^i^m^ unS J^/fi'~"» .*»<»"»» *o mouth. Many who had been wSSn. ^'^"°*^^'^ «>nfi'1oncr to reach the counter ^nd r^eiS 7„n"?*' ?i"?°** %»^t'»^ tbom again into their Lk^?ruS^/T *^«'5 "otcg, p,u women got them cashed^th . tSt'*^ ^i'"*^"*' ^»"'^% tc'Hrs of ,0V. A few who h7d co.ne L rt^ hand-n«y, witf, .e.r mm^s, and even paid r '"' ii Tn'"'"**""*'' ^^•'^"ff'^l the run upon the bank Z,. j? '^- ,.,^" ^^''o wtisiied- >"g on. After the first m ;„«. • !>/;. ''""^ ''T^ ^>'^e. look- one seemed to take any ZiTo oi hMrii'' T*{ l'^''''^'^' 'o Only one old widow v. on,? ,/''',• *^^' *>« *'«n,l ^Anselmo " ime Uck into W^^^ "^ '^« «"^ --he dZ hgi:id 'a^^^^^^^^^^ seemed dreai/^ and irresolute fingered, womanish haSdwhich^'i^^T '^« ?^'»e white, long t^e organ keys. '^'^^ "^ *o 8:«»de Muriel's over fi-t7^^\^ttj S^ g.Lf bet '^^^ *^ ^'^^^^^^^^ ^^* ^•^rrntSLTngr^r^^^ ^^o. as we had ^r 'reward yon, sir." l'c» by the hand. I • 'uat came and went, addressed him bv i 850 JOHN HALIFAX. I Mkod. *' We heirc <' You are a Catholic still then? " the contrary." *u 1'}^}*^ ^'?" ^ ^^^ °' °®»"^"- Probably you heard aisc that I have been to the Holy Land, and tSm.J Jew-calS at CoMtantinople, and come back a Mahommedan." " But are you of your old faith?" John said. "Still i sincere Catholic?" "«■««. ouii a «m "^.^nH^l^^^tv'' '"" ^ °"«*°^ «»«'• certainly. I r^„ "yversahst believer. I credit eveiything-and no- thing. Let us change the subject." The contemptuous my da^htelr-" °"^ *"^ ^'*'^' *™ *' **" " y*'"*^" • *°^ BahvMa^/*7*'^'^r"^r/'i' ».?f»rt-"oh yos. I recollect. Uaby Maud. Is she at all like— like— " " No." h^-JJ®*'**®" '*i^,'»«ro 'ban this; but it seemed as if their ^iZ^lT:, ^^^ drove home. Lord Ravenel muffled him- 'V^ ♦i" '"•*' °oinP»"n»ng bitterly of the snow and sloet. I,. .Yf;- .'bo winter is setting in sharply," John replied, aa a hr^^PK*- ?"• ^V""' •* '^» tumpike'gite. " This^U hi a hard Christmas for many." " Anfl'^ff *?^i!?^Kf'''" 2*'^ ***? ff«i«keeper, touching his hat. roa;rslLl»"*ii"'fh^ bold-it's a dark nigEt and tUj uV^ J "^^ ^*^^ "> » mysterious whisper; .- T u J^ ^"' ^y '"*"**• ' »™ *waro of all that." Dul as John drove on, he remained for some time very silent. un, across the bleak country, with the snow pelUnir in our faoes-along roads so deserted that our cwriJ^-wSLS made the only sound audible, and that might CbSJ^h^^^ distinctlyJor miles. AU of a sudden the^orsesV^i puljS SK^h K.!? '"^i'*'"' iH'^^'^f *«"~« bad sUrted out of a ditch-Unk, and caught hold of the reins. ♦ HaUoa there I what do you want ? " " Money." tramp^* S." ^ *''*"^ ' They're spirited boa.*- You'U gel " Who cares ? " This brief colloquy passed in less than a .linnU Tfc showed at once our poiitSTmile. away toma^y house i on this desolate moor; riiowed plainly our dan^-J^n'. JOHN HALIFAX. ,„ •Hi dung to the neck of the nhi^j? ®"® °' ^^j^^n leaped up to the grSund betwM« he/feS^S! ^S!"'"'^*? was dashed groan and no mon.JoVt^'J^\^iy'^^^ "ttowd one the mare'g head, and Uc£dC* "" ^" '""*«"' "^^Sht nunu "%&;t.P«>.' '«"o^ i3 killed, or may be in a strulkTuLte^l'toS^ *?^^^fi"'»" ^-J' -ere thejr were intendin" o rob tX\n T^ '^ '»»« gentleman Jry him towards the oughtluUrM"J',^J?w^' «? ''"'y? wa.," he added «l»l»ed Inters, " ^^ "P "gain in hi. furs, and "o^e" ^ti dLirilfc'"/?"' «??".««« th. •^ «*1. John hwkoM of S! , ' ■• •'»?8«"'« 0' the moor. my hMd, and twoorthrue of those ill-visjiMeJ 852 JOHN HALIFAX. men hovenng about the carriage ; but no one attempted to d< me any harm. Nay, when John reappeared, after a lapse o some minutes, one of them eivilly picked up the whip and pui it mto his hand. " Thank you. Now, my men, tell me what did you wan with me just now ? " " Money," cried one. ** Work," shouted another. " Acd a likely way you went about to get it I Stoppioj me in the dark, on a lonely road, just like common robbers. J did not think any Enderley men would have done a tbin<» sc cowardly." " " \Ve bean't cowards," was the surly answer. " Thc( carries pistols, Mr. Halifax." •• You forced me to do it. My life is as precious to m\ wife and children as— as that poor fellow's. * John stopped, nx7?^i^®^P ^^' "^y "^^° ' ^*^ * ^^^^ world for us all sometimes. VVhy did you not know me better ? Why not come to m^ house and ask honestly for a dinner and a half-crown ?— you should have both, any day." "Thank'ee, sir," was the general cry. ««And, sir," begged one old man, " you'll hush up the crowner's 'quest— you and this gentleman here. You won't put us in iail, for taking to the road, Mr. Halifax ? " " No— unless you attack me again. But I am not afraid -—I'll trust you. Look here ! " He took the pistol out of his breast pocket, cocked it, and fired its two barrels harmlessly mto the air. " Now, good-night ; and if ever I carry fire- arms again, it will be your fault, not mine." So saying, he held the carriage door open for Lord Ravenel, who took his place with a subdued and thoughtful air : then mounting the box-seat, John drove, in somewhat melancholy silence, across the snowy stariit moors to Beech- wood. CHAPTER XXXII. In the home-light. It was a scene— glowing almost as those evening pictures at Long^eld — those pictures, photographed on memory by the summer sun of our lives, and which no paler after-sun could have power to reproduce. Nothing earthly is ever produced in the same form. I suppose Heaven meant it to be so ; that in the perpetual progression of our existence, we should be reconciled to loss, and taught that change itself is but another form for aspiration. Aspiration, which aevef JOHN HALIFAX. ^, I say this to excuse mvBeU fnr?l ^'u. made "^e grave-even in rohaDnvh^^''v\^'^'^ '^t t"«03 study ; where, for several weeks afffii, Tt^ '^^* ^^ John's ^rded, the family wer^hi thl K k! ^^f ' '"^'^««* ^ have had turned out to be a sprained fSwh.V?K "''•^ '"^^ '' and strong young man bLC seSs H« I^^^P"^^- * t^'^" ment restlessly enough at first l?,f ,, ® ^^'■^^^'^""Prison- reconci led-took to mding. Si^^'j^J^^^'^rd^ grew moro began to mterest himself in the du?;,W?« TJ^^J^-^nd even Mng than ^Ltlf Hfr' ^^ r?^ " V '^^^ -^ro hnn many little feminine kindness. V Z'"''^"^' ' «^^^ved seemed; and altogether was iXh""^"' ''^*^^"^P»nction, it as now, she always ZdTLTJlu"'^'^''^' ^f evenin^^s >^ alter, and little Maud. Thp tlth ,^"^ ^ sofa-i^dwin. -as usual, side by side he with M ^"'^ '"°*^^^ ^^t ^PPOsite ^ork Or sometimi faiill^^J^t^^ newspaper, she with her would slip hand in hand S .iM^ib^^'^'f "' ^^^^»^ss, thoy ander-tone, or silentl^and sIuLmI ""^^^^"^ ^"«"^«^ in «n their children. ^ smilingly watch the humours of Jpl liTSn^Xl 'l^t^" f!^.^ ^^'-ney-corner an^ dogs instead of a grate u^^n;,^^ ^*"^'^ °" ^^ch side, inore cheery and comfortaWe than M» S^^'^- ^«"i^ ^^ roofed room, three sides of whJ.h '^ old-fashioned, low- a 1 the books which John had ilthr'1 ^""^'^ ''''^^ b m„ch of dSSdon^?" ™ ",?^." diM„«,ion_a? word. «,d hi, moCnS™" fc! 'Z''f* .^'. *'"?■» ««" <«»<-«ly, and waa about to S' around Eer alout yo^, iJirSilver "'Mv"a„'f "?' = " '' »««> i-' diking took from bin,, and I"m as LuithTkiffh^S '«»P' «"? And risinff. with a l,ui« ^ ' *. "*°" birthday w shes " ;:K/iSJ:^*^?8'''»'«'''»8i"»particularr. kand.iftt'h.TiJith'iS'a.VoJ W,'?'^''''™"' «"' ••■ook b«k. Do let m ,h?w how ZS: ''"'^'""' "^o take Ihe Y/by can you not ? " '•For several reaaons." fcon.a^rn^W^-'s^iS'jt'Hli^ ""Ir."" "» "Pected " Mr. gSv oSjerS^ .^„ ct ■'?"' f'wd-l'a'iionrodlyV looked up, angrily. "** """o •"« younger brother a ^r^ifc^?' """■'"K ' tow can one read with ™ch .tut"yoS^..'^J;y'3j,^» «;« .for "•"'■■•"f ""' "obody 'neen8ed,roi»nditM*t^ ■••*''•'"«,• ^"^ Kdwin. really - -nawttied u,m^„ „ ij,, f„cometol the room! 856 JOHN HALIFAX. li "Edwin is right," said the father, in a tone whiol indicated his determination to end the discnssion, a ton* which even Mis3 Silver obeyed. " My dear joong lady, I hop you will like your book ; Guy, write her name in it at once." Guy willingly obeyed, but waa a good while over the task his mother oamo and looked over his shoulder. •' Louisa Eug6:iie— how did you know that, Guy ? Louisi Eugenie Sil is that your name, my dear ? " The question, simple as it was, seemed to throw th( governess into much confusion, even agitation. At l&st shi rew herself up with the old repubive gesture, which of hU had been slowly wearing off. " No— I will not deceive yau any longer. My right nauK is Louise Eugenie d'Argent." Mrs. Halifax started. " Are you a Frenchwoman ? " " On my father's side — ^yes." " Why did prou not tell me so ? " " Because, if you remember, at our first interview, yoi said no Frenchwoman should educate your daughter. And . was homeless — friendless." " Better starve than tell a falsehood," cried the mothei indignantly. "I told no falsehood. You never asked me of m^ parentage." "Nay," said John, interfering, "you must not speak ii that manner to Mrs. Halifax. Wh^ did you renounce youi father's name ? " " Because English people \rould have scouted my father'i daughter. You knew him — everybody knew him— he wa. L*' Argent the Jacobin — D' Argent the Bonnet Rouge." She threw out these words defiantly, and quitted the room " This is a dreadful discovery. Edwin, you have seer most of her — did you ever imagine — " " I knew it, mother," said Edwin, without lifting his eye{ from his book ; those keen eyes, notetl for their penetrutior into everjrthing and everybody. "After all, French oi English, it makes no difference." " I should think not, indeed ! " cried Guy, angrily " Whatever her father is, if anyone dared to think the worse of her — " "Husht— tiU another time," said the _'^tLer, with a glance at Maud, who, with wide-open eyes, in which the tears wero^ust springing, had been listening to all these revelations about her govomess. But Maud's tears were soon stopped, JOHN HALIFAX. j^^ now. We never disc^Zm5vVil?'^''LT^ * ^' "li«f bo^s began to talk to LoKy^J ? ^f ^7, P^P'^- Tho pnvileged place on a foSstool k!S / ' 1*°'* ^^*"^ *<»k her sight she fiad been his fav^Jii^'K ' ^'.•?- J"^^' the first resemblance to Muriel BnfcT^v'.^® **"^' ^^'^"se of her likeness to that s^^Uost fl^ whShTr '*^" l"^ '»°°>^ out tenderness inexpressible tiir«w.c "*''?, ^^^^ ^f with- buoyantyouth--iu8ri^«.T' um^.^*^ somtJthing in Maud'<. thekrnisof one Ld Z ;- ^ *"'^ girlh^ Sff was espcially auAcu',^ tolbHrrtr' .*?J ^^^^^^-whlcg found life a weariness AnSlll Ti ' ^^°' ** three-and-thirtv Life was n^^tb^tea ""^"rhr^-* ^"''^' ^? «»d so. ^' --not even to-night. thouTHurfrln'*^^"/"'^^" ^° °"' ''ouse than usual— thouirh John mo? f • ^"^ '^und us less lively silence and M^s^H^hfa; TT^^'fj^^^ '^'"^ ^''^ 3 and Edwin, both considewbly exS^ .^"^'i!^ T'"^«- Guy one ajother more warmlfthan e4*!^I^'^^^ contradicted speech allowed. For Miw wLt 1 ~f- ?«e°hwood liberty of ^ Lord fiavenel seem^ tekfth^ ^'? t?^.''P^' '^S^'n. calmly. He stayed his custonTrvT^ «^'«*>* ''««//m;i^„ very ever at the boys'^conS^vSror^i Z'n '"^'^^^ ^^^^y ^ half-melancholy lazinGss^ Si v "®*^*°* "^^ » half-pleased ng her about CS,^!?"th« f ^ll'^^i^' ^is eye foC twenty yeat^' «eDion> X^ ^^n Sfl^"^ ^"u^^"^«^ 'b»t a child. At his wontid how he ^« ^tf^^ •*'l^ 'H^^ ^^^^^^s »ng pleasant Beechwood with d«!??^ ^*^' f.'ghingly contrast- . ^ After his departu^wTdid noFaSfn'^"**'^ ^""^°'^- Mand vanished fthe youngei l^?l X° ^"^ "*""^ the fire, on his sofa, having fiwt tfken tf« 1^' ^^^ P^tt^ed himself room and fetch the Flom Mva ^'°f ^ ^^P across the away in the book-cwe Then m^f ^^ t^ ^'"^^""^ «to^ved as the pleasure-lov^-J^j^J°^'»« himself comfortabte^ and " riom Guy Halifix w?th!l'' ''' ''''' ^'"^^" ^^^ °«nio. He Sw ™ ^°'' «^°'"« to add, my son ? " hasS^aZ "bSoS! X^kti Pn- - ---' -^ nore, began moving about ihenlin';.^"' ^^"^ nothing bofore retiring. Join s^t in his S^Ah^n -"'^^^ *^^°»^ '° orde? asked him what he was thj^u— '^?'*^.\*''^~«editative. She About that man, Jacques I'Argent." I .ki' r I I I 858 JOHN HALIFAX. " You have beard of bim, tben ? " "Few bad not, twenty years ago. He waa one of tbc most • blatant boasts ' of the Reign of Terror. A fellow with- out bonesty, conscience, or even common decency." «'And tbat man's daughter we bave bad in our bouse, teaching our innocent cbild 1 " Alarm and disgust were written on every feature of the mother's face. It was scarcely surprising. Now that the ferment which had convulsed society m our younger days was settling down— though still we were far from that ultimate calm which enables posterity to judge fully and fairly such a remarkable historical crisis as the ^ncb Revolution most English people looked back with horror on the extreme opinions of that time. If Mrj. Halifax had a weak point, it was her prejudice against anything French or Jacobinical. Partly from tbat tendency to moral conservatism trbich in most persons, especially women, strengthens as old age ad- vances ; partly, I believe, from the terrible warning given by the fate of one — of whom for years we had never beard — ^whose very name was either unknown to, or forgotten by, our children. "John, can'tyou speak? Don'tyousee thefrightfuldanger ?" ** Love, try and be calmer." " How can I ? Remember—remember Caroline." "Nay, we are not talking of her, but of a girl whom w^ know, and bave had good opportunity of knowing. A girl, who, whatever may have been her antecedents, has lived for six months blamelessly in our house." " Would to heaven she had never entered it I But it is not too late. She may leave— she shall leave, immediately." " Mother I " burst out Guy. Never since she bore him, bad bis mother beard her name uttered in such a tone. She stood petrified. " Mother, you are unjust, heartless, cruel. She shall not leave ; she shall not, I say ! " " Guy, how dare you speak to your mother in that way ? " " Yes, father, I dare. I'll dare anything rather than—" " Stop. Mind what you are saying— or you may repent it. " And Mr. Halifax, speaking in that low tone to which his voice always fell in serious displeasure, laid a heavy band on the lad's shoulder. Father and son exchanged fiery glances. The mother, terrified, rushed between them. ** Don't, John I Don't be angry with bim. He could not bdp it — my poor boy I " At he? piteous look. Guy and his father both drew back. JOHN HALIFAX. 3^ sSijTlriSLCe,^^^^ ^'«' -^-aae her «t down. Jon Y"»«iTAiher;^S* ^"'^ ^'^^^ ^^' How could cni;4wt?CnteSit^ "I one onto whomVhe must Jhor^in °?-"°^"''i »»^ "°Wnd to ^Yea. «.otherl Ye., father, I We her. I intend to diffeiZSil ttlti^iS iS^^^^^^ very W to perceive that TsZT^^nlSj'^ ^*'^^'- I* w.i to thi. passion, the siC ZJg Sf wS?^ °^^ "'«' feted, he was most thorouirCTn ««1 ^'^'^rH® **°« ^'^ «'«- had suddenly started uDinJS*?®*™®*'- ^«>mtheboyho it. They lobkedat him InA Tu °"^ • »°^ !>" parente Lw The f^idr'!^iheilSC^^'' nioumfuJIy at o^e anotb:" j^J;A1I this is very sudden, yiu should have told us of i, " Is Miss SUver^ia tZ 1^ ' ^^ f?^ blushing. ^ " No." *"J^ *^''*'* o^ it ? " "That is well," said the fafh*.. -/* «Ience you have aitXi an bonoumHti^' * ^f"^' '" t^'« ber ; as a dutiful son TouldS t^wnij ^?-^' "^'^"^^ towards Guy looked pleaced u^ J^^'l'^'tP*'"®"^-'' inother's, but she neUher' Jk it «^^ ^'fj*?^ ««»'«' bi, guite stunned. At thiaxy^iTiTlS^^ »* • «he seemed into the room; I int E*/ ""^ '*^ **»»* ^wd bad crept hir"^th*^'ST '^^'^^^^^ '^t\'^Ti^'LV P' son or daughter, neceswrilv m3r«^ °^ ? t"""^'" ^^e^her of the former thai thet?te7 TW if^* '^*°«^^- ^^^^^^^ '^ know not why it should b; J w ' *'^^!".* P^''^»l t^"th-I 'byme, which the mXer had iulin^i '* 'r^" '^« ^^ii«'» fflonung !-. "■** iaughmgly said over to me tbis JOHN HALIFAX. whom hia faiher juaj not wholly hppnye, whom hig mothei does nofe bea^iil^ love, surelr the pam is deepened tenfold. IhoM who m the daszled vision of youth lee only th< beauty and splendour of love— first love, who deem it com pnses the whole of life, beginning, aim, and end— may marve! that I, who have been young, and now . m old, see as I sa^ that night, not only the lover's, but the parents' side of the question. I felt overwhelmed with sadness, as, viewing the three, I counted up in all its bearings and consequences, neat and remote, this attachment of poor Guy's. '• Well, father," he said at lost, guessing by intuition thai the father's heart would bo t understand his own. •• Well, my son," John answered, sadly. " 1 OH were young once." " So I was ; " with a tender glance upon the lad's heated and excited countenance. "Do not suppose I cannot feoJ with you. Still, I wish you had been less precipitate." " lou were little older than I am when you married ? " "But mv marriage was rather diflferent from this pro- jected one of yours. I knew your mother well, and she knew me. Both of us had been tried— by trouble which we shared together, by absence, bv many and various cares. We chose ene another, not hastily or blindly, but with free will and open eyes. No, Guy," he added, speaking earnestly and softly, " mine was no sudden fancy, no frantic passion. I honoured your mother above all women. I loved her as mv own soul." ' " So do I love Louise. I would die for her any day." At the son's impetuositv the father smiled; not incredulously, only sadly. All this while the mother had sat motionless, never uttering a sound. Suddenly, hearing a footstep and a light knock at the door, she darted forward and looked it, crying, in a voice that one could have hardly recognised as hers — " No admittance I Go away." A not^ Tvfis pushed in under the door. Mrs. Halifax picked it ui>, opened it, read it mechanically, and sat down again, taking no notice even when Guy, catching sight of the hand- writing, eagerly seized the paper. It was merely a line, stating Miss Silver's wiah to leave Beechwood immediately, signed with her full name— Ler right najne— " Louise Eugenie d'Argent." A post8C«ipt added : " Your silence I shall take as per. mission to depart f and shall be gone early to-morrow." «^:?,- IST" JOHN HALIFAX. „, love-liko none other in the ,iorH^!!^ ■'"■"' ''™ «'«> tC b« Snt-bom na, «ll thew hr^nrr""" '"" »' • woman fo" I think the nio«t !»«!««•.. f'^^"""' J«"» I It was Lr/l would allow C n^"trt°"t '" ''"'»"'"''' ~tf' hu,band', CU.J, could n" S™ » T";"' ""•' -"en T; *«». M she watched her Lv It """"'y. """wn i" Ursula's uncontroIuWe passion "„d7i;»'''™'''» «>»>>*. '"rioasMith ; H^firtTro'iJ^''-';' fefl-^n- 'on jn pit.of the pain. Md touched his an,"' """""" "«"'■ "he went up to Gu, «.y «.n m-not fe;''!;," ^CoV."' ^ !!'• I "">»ot have joar mother." •'8'"- ^ome, s,t do,vn-here, besid™ nght.pmtcjmeinto*him«S ""'• """ y'-S »«»•» >onnLZ^'' ■"-"'"• 'o'S've n.e, lam so„i„raUo- After a while she said. "IVtl,?. k^"^ 5'""' •>'« mother Tell him that wo fo«^ •» hfs hli„''"'* •"""'' "ith Ciny I»*»PB, some day-" ^ "" ^"e "KT with us- that »t^e?| Wr'or "•'" «» " «"> '»"■«■» ™ad, or seokio, woeanX%''J;:ftf°^irt'^-»?. ••GuywiU «»<> ct thai -tferTji^'^^-X^.i''- hope and joy. .. ,athcr , .,. >Ve will indeed mv ««*k- ,. ,„o,..^,iUw'to.rt:?,7JX^-^^^X;^- MICROCOPY RESOLUTION TEST CHmRT (ANSI and ISO TEST CHART No. 2) I.I lo ■ 2.8 U£ ^^^ 1^ ■ 3.6 UO Is 2.2 2£ i.8 ^ /APPLIED IM4GE 1653 East Main Street Rochester, New York 14609 USA (716) 482-0300 -Phone (716) 28a -5989 -Fox inc 862 JOHN HALIFAX. i I i CHAPTER XXXIII. Late that night, as I sat up pondering over all that had hapi^ned, Mrs. Halifax came into my room. She looked round; asked me, according to her wont, if there was any- thmg I wanted before she retired for the night ?—( Ursula was as good to me as any sister)— then stood by my easy- chair. I would not meet her eye^, but I saw her hands fluttermg m their restless way. I pointed to her accustomed chair. " No, I can't sit down. I must say good night." Then, commg at once to the point—" Phineas, you are always up first m the morning. Will you— John thinks it had better be you— will you give a message from us to Maud's governess ? " " Yes. What shall I say ? " " Merely, that we request she will not leave until we have Been her." If Miss Silver had overheard the manner and tone of that «' request," I doubt if it would not have hastened rather than delayed her departure. But, God holp the poor mother ! her wounds were still fresh. "Would it not be better," I suggested, "if you wcro to write to her ?" " I can't ; no, I can't,"— spoken with the sharpness of exceeding pain. Soon after, as meaning a faint apology, sho added, " I am so tired ; we are very late to-night." ^ " Yes ; it is almost morning. I thought you were both m bed." " No; we havo been sitting talking in Guy's room. His father thought it would be better." " And is all settled ? " " Yes." Having told me this, and having as it were by such r, conclusion confessed it was right, the question should be thus " settled," Guy's mother seemed more herself. " Yes," she repeated, " John thinks it ought to be. At least, that she should know Guy's— the feeling with which Guy regards her. If, after the probation of a year, it still remains, a,nd he is content to begin life on a small income, we have given our consent to our son's marriage." It struck me yet not as a thing unnatural, how the mother's mind entirely dwelt on the one party in this matter—" Guy's feelings "— " Our son's marriage " ; and so on. The other fide of the question, or the possibility of any hindrance there, 1> i^-'a* JOHN HALIFAX. ^gg beloved Guy; but L Mrs Sal'« ^ ? ^T^^- ^° ^*« ^^^* notion tbat'any consenTexcept h^^onV^'^jt^ '^""""^^ "'^ necessary to this marriage ""^ ^'^ parents' was Pbi;;il.^l",t,Pti'^^^^^^^^ you SCO, "and she has no relatives liv?n"" 7'^"^ tbe bright side- Guy will have the eS nrofit nf^.^ m ?"^-,. ^«>^ income- they might begin! ^T^emLLfluT? ^".^ "^'"« ' ^"'1 the dear old house." ' ^^'^^ °^*^ ^«'*«° ^»ry houso- Booth?ngl^\^I^^^^^^^^ ^eemed to co.no. her how it was but nUt and inf^?^?!? x x?^''P'^^"' showii^^ should be fuimiedlS children fn It"- ^^^''^'^ ^^^^^ ^^^^^ and marry, and be bapp^^J/if L^^^^^^ «^ould lovo, youarerighttairirqS'righf fS.^'r,?^ " ^ ^»- was a shock at first^ No Ster ? fJ '^?^^ ^' *^«"gl^ '* likes her. For me-oh? J MLd^"" "' fT' her-Joh„ ~a capital ,.o*/.r-eWa';iiS^^^^^^^ * capital- what is itV gooJ^g^nalS^Cs^ij^^^ Sir:*, tr '. ^, ^^<^e mo Me p^alL^i^-^^^^^^ »%rd^h^rX^ I met M^^Ci^lTarb^-^^^^^^^^ too early, for down with her own hands ,. S ^?^.^^^^^®^' carrying evidently cohcemTted an imm.^^?^^ ""^ ^^' ''^^^^^^- «be the greatest diffiS ?hat S- , iT'*"'"' ^' ^^« ^'^^^ which, of course, wag impos! We T ^* m^""^' "^^ ^^*«°"«' change her determination ' '°"^^ P^'^"*^*^ ^er to froi^Thaf inditl^^^^^^^ -PP--"^ '^-^^- ^- armour of a helpless nrond t ^^^"^^ ^ ^hink the best She would scarXlLteTto a^wnS''%;^^^°^' *^^ ™iJ- agitation ; half-a-dozen Hr«!o iT®^-^* • ^^'^ ^^^ »» extreme then sat down ^afn 1 hTnof '• '°'f ^ °" ^«^^i«&. and wholesome irrefolu ion_so mufi ^'^ '''^ * ^«' «« «^"cb Planner almost conv need me of a fif" v\ ^''"°^- Her feemed to hold as cerS Zt whi/h T ^^^^^^^^^ryone else bked to see proved; namdv thI^r^,J ^^y^elf should have TfOuldhave-whatineveTriihti?^^' '° *'^'"^ ^^"^ ^ove, " every right and happy marriage a mar f H ! 1, 8G1 JOHN HALIFAX. askal for^r^"*^^ knowledge that the love was his before he Seeing this, my heart warmed to the girl. I respected her brave departure-I rejoiced that it was needless. WilHn'^lv I would have quieted her distress with some hopeful, am- biguous word, but that woivld have been trenching, as ni one ever ought to trench, on the lover's sole right. So I held my tongue, watching with an amused pleasure the colour hoverin^ to and fro on thai usually impassive face. At last, at the open*^ ing of the study door— we stood in the hall stiU-those blushes rose up to her forehead in one involuntary tide. But it was only Ldwin, who had lately taken to a habit of getting up very early— to study mathematics. Ho looked surprised at seeing ma with Miss Silver. " What is that box ? She is not going ? " "No; I have been entreating her n°ot. Add your per- suasions, Edwin." "^ ^ For Edwin, with all his quietness, was a lad of much wisdom, great influence; and no little penetration. I inclined to beheye that though as yet he had not been let into the secret of last night, he guessed it pretty weU already. Ho might have done, by the peculiar manner in which ho went up to the governess and took her hand. 'I Pray stay; I wish it." She made no more ado, but stayed. I left her with Edwin, and took my usual morning walk up and down the garden, till breakfast-time. A strange and painful breakfast it was, even though the most im^rtant element in its pamfulness, Guy, was happily absent. The rest of us kept up a fragmentary, awkward conversation every one round the table looking as indeed one mi^ht have expected they would look, with that exception. ° Miss Silver, who from her behaviour last night, and her demeanour to me this morning, I had supposed would now have gathered up all her haughtiness to resist Guy's parents —as unwitting both of his feelings and their intentions towards her, a young lady of her proud spirit mi^rht well resist- was, to my astonishment, as mild and meek° as this soft spring morning. Nay, like it» seemed often on the very verge of the molting mood. More than once, her droopin^r eye-lashes were gemmed with tears. And when, the breakfast" table being quickly deserted— Edwin, indeetl, had left i- almost immediately— she, sitting absently in her place was gently touched by Mrs. Halifax, she started up, with the same JOHN HALIFAX. 3G5 noticed, mad vivid rush of colour that I had 1 isMaucl?•• • ^''' I b9g your pardon f Maud-whero chalwirmylot'Tde^P?-^ '\''''' ^-^ ^ ^^^tle come. too. nfy dearO '• ^ ^^"°'^'' ^^"^^ ^^"^^ ? Will you one:; lll^C^^L ilSi^ ^ - ^' --nted cbedi- time^Xr^Ys'^^So'n^r"^^^^^^^^ ^^^ ^^e first ference-I reaCfSt orri^^^ ^^^'^^^ °^* ^^^ P^^- have generaUy K asTn^ch "oJ^ '^''''''^'- men-and Miss Silver proved i -? m'^L'" '""'l ""^'f '^^ sorry for her But thJ hZ^ \ "? • '^ ®^'^" *^*^'e ^eeti over': Shrhad nottomio "ff'^n^^tes, would soon bo was then and there mSlt th!? ^"- T ^^^"1^^'^^^ «»'« riage," which lam i?ln ? ''=-j^at terrible "offer of mar- ^noltVavZaWe ci^^u^^;^^^^^^^^^ ll' ^^'^n ""der tho the cannon's mouth? rspSf/?«.Mn^',^^' "' ^"'?.^."P ^^ uneasily that mornii^. save Mrs ulut^^l ^' '^' ^^/ ^"'^"^ b«/th™ X to;'* ^fT'^'l'yvexea-for that ready assent ; the better HVmothtr^' """' '^ 8°' °™'-""= «"'=l<- ing-lYhrnk'»SL\^'"".';?^' " US'-' '«'">' O'-"' Wm. whisper- J. iuaua ran up to hor with some nrinirosAa. iMfBiil lamumm 88G JOHN HALIFAX. I i: H " Very pretty, very pretty, my child." But you don't look at them-you don't care for them —I II go and shov^ them to Miss Silver " Mis;l?;;ro«!'?^^"^""- "^^"^ back,Maud^ Makmg some excuse, I sent the child away, for I saw that even Maud's presence was intolerable to her mother mat poor mother, whose suspenf^e was growing into nositiva agony!'; She waited-standing at the dining^r^om Sow -hstenmg-gomg in and out of the hall,-L another ten in n ^^ H T^, Strange-very strange indeed. He promised tnZMl ^^^ "T'' '"!?y at least he ought to cLe and tell me first— me, his mother — " She stopped at the word, oppressed by an anguish of pain. " Hark I was that the study door ? " " I thinkso ; one minute more and you will be quite certain." Ay ! one mmute more, and we uere quite certain. The young lover entered-his bitter tidings written on his face, bhe has refused me, mother. I never shall be happy more " alon^e'^k^Sfs mJtht'^^' °"^ °^ '^^ ^'«^* -<^ '^'^^ ^^ Another hour passed of this strange, strange day. The house seemed pamfully quiet. Maud, disconsolate and c-oss. had taken herself away to the beech-wood with Walter; the wnJr.w ^^T ^«'^^^«y a* the n^iUs, und had 'sent word that neither would return to dinner. I wandered from room to room, always excepting that shut-up room where, as I took care, no one should disturb the mother and son. At last I heard them both going upstairs-Guy was sill too lame to walk without assistance. I heard thi poor lad s fretful tones, and the soothing, cheerful voice tba answered them. "Verily," thought I, "if, sinrh^ must fall m love Guy had only fixed his ideal standard of womanhood a little nearer home-if he had only chosen for his wife a woman a httle more like his mother!" But suppose that would have been expecting impossibilities. Well, he had been refused !— our Gu , whom we all would have imagined irresistible-our Guy, -whom to look on IZ.^i''''^'^ Some harsh folk might say this might be a good lesson for the lad-nay, for most laJs ; but I deny t — 1 doubt if any young man, meeting at the outset of life a rejection like this, which either ignorance or heedless- ness on the woman's part has made totally unexpected, JOHN HALIFAX. gC? ever is the better for if- s^^,\. the worse. ForLosI womSfr '' ^«f "^n^ years, cruelly and most menl^sj^ci^^^^^ quicksightei about lovo! in its betrayal^lfa^''^^;^'^^^"^'^^^^ enou^i only to refuse it, lowers 0^"^^ '"'l'.""^ ""^^^ an ofllr for a long, long «mo X jn 7 ^'^^ ^"' W whole sex. think so;-as fwas tSnl in ♦K°''" ' T/' ^* ^^st I prone to moralise over S' !L^ ""^ °^^ bachelors are Guy's room, I met uZ HaL, ^^|l7^°' ?^^e out of hastily but noiselessly to ft7r«S^ . *^'®^^ *he passaije had for her own p^ia^Vt^jf ^,^tf'-?oin which Miss Sil^e^ stoirs led to the chlmbe? wW 1 ''^ ""M"^ half-a-dozen The ante-room was open tLi^/t»,'^\^°? ^^' P"P" ^lept. " She is in thereT' ' ^^'^^amber door closed. ^ " I believe she is.'* voa3''"i»^rt^'S'o^o^i"l^ P«>" brow and ner- t let them kno;^ Of course not.' j. very right of her~verv rithf f ^'^^^f^^*— his father's and mine • But she must be ^ZedttJ^T^''^'''^'''''^^^^^^^^ mustnotbesacrifi^! Yo^*4XJ*";7-?y ^^^^ <^°»^f«^t ^l^w&ntte*,^^^^^^^^^ . of Miss Silver oSg thf d^f \^r ^'^Jj.^ ^"«^' ^ g^i^^P^o falling down dish^elled. ind feTtuTi «w n'^^'' ^^^ ^^^'^^^ I went away completely at f^nlf ^I"*"®" ^*^ crying- doomed to be^in alf ove^affLr i V^' «««°ders-b/ seem would settle itself somehow-^ Llfn^f" *^.^^P^ ^^^^ this another after the good oldTomLt .?» k'' ''''^T^nding one happy to the end of their liVeT''' '^'^"' ^°^ " ^^^i^g very HalifaTanTthSne^sSe"^^^^^^^^ -^- Mrs. their manner struck ml o^^- ° t^t^®'- Somethin- in other tender and'l^rZt^To^^t""'' ^"' ^^°*^°'tLo grave— nay, sad : but it anrwl^l'i ?°Y®^?' ^^''^ exceedingly received as inevitable indTquite di.H *^1 ^*^°^«^ ^^^^^^ il or resentment. Neither Guy nor fL* ^'T ''^^'"^ ^^S^r present When John's vo"ce was Wh "^' '?!" ^1*^^^' ^^'^^^ fcilver had just risen to retiewUhM^ '"^ '^' ^^' ^^^«^' I H 868 JCliN HALIFAX. " GoocI night, for I shall not come down stairs again," s said hastily. " Good night," the mother answered in the same whis] — rose, kissed her Kindly, and lot her go. When Kdwin and his father appeared, they too lool remarkably grave — as grave as if they had known by intuiti all the trouble in the house. Of course, no one referred to The mother merely noticed how late they were, and how tii thev both looked. Supper passed in silence, and then Ed\ took up his candle to go to bed. His father called him ba< '* Edwin, you will remember ? " " I will, father." " Something is amiss with Edwin," said his mother, wl the two younger boys had closed the door l^ehind the •' What did you wish him to remember ? " Her husband's sole roply was to draw her to him with t! peculiarly tender gaze, whicli she knew well to be the fo Nvarning of trouble ; trouble he could not save her fron could only help her to be:.:'. Ursula laid her head on shoulder with one deep sob cf long-smothered pain. " I suppose you know all. I thought you would sc guess. Oh, John, our happy days are over I Our children ; children no more." " But ours still, love — always will bo ours." " What of that, when we can no longer make them happ When they look for happiness to others and not to us ? Dwn poor boy ! To think that his mother can neither g him comfort, nor save him, any more." She wept bitterly. When she was somewhat soothed, Jol making her sit down by him, but turning his face a lil from her, bade her tell him all that had happened to-day. A i words explained the history of Guy's rejection, and its cans " She lovea someone else. When I — as his mother — ^w( and asked her the question, sho told me so." " And what did you say ? " •* What could I say ? I could not blame her. I was e^ sorry for her. She cried so bitterly, and begged me to forg her. I said I did, freely, and hoped she would be happy." " That was right. I am glad you said so. Did she 1 3'ou who he — this lover, was ? " " No. She said she could not, until he gave her permissii That w^hetUer they would ever be married, she did not knc She knew nothing, save that he was good and kind, and I only creature in the world who had ever cared for her." JOHN HALIFAX. r,Q9 " Poor girl I '• to idlmof'Yl^^U^^^^ *"^^« «5omcthin^ to icu inc / i ou kno-7 who this is— this man \ ho h- t ' ^0.1 between my con and his happiness ? " '■"'**^ " Yes, I do know." ^ - u ^^^?^^ ^^y *^°^ f^"* tfie n ttLtr saw -what la if ^v „ flash of hghtn ng. i did ; but tbo loc!:ed up in her vsban^d'^ face X7ith a sudden speechless droad. -isband s "Love, It IS a great misfortune, but it is no one's ])lni«« neither ours, nor theirs-they ne^ 'r thought cf Guy's ovW her. He says so— Edwin himself." ^ ^ •• His own^rrtlTpr ' V" * '""^ "' l^ ^'' ^'^'^ ^''^^^ ^^reakin^r. w u P.^^'^ej— ^18 very own brother I my poor Guv !'' Wei might the mother mourn I Well mighttho futLor lor a disaster hko this happening in any houst^hnld irutn, neither to be laughed at, passed catel< sslv over nor ™i"J1?,-*°''r""'^' ""> fcmily cease to li a fam I'v k Tnl 1 f ffP-nhenceforwatd/ The two strongostTdin-s .|^:?te t^r sr.,T?t''j^«^'i Srfoi £Iprttee,^^-e^^\-raU'£^ colour drawing kept, coarse daub as it was because twa« Jnt'i^^rSd'bTl'^.K^' "^* °^-^ coV^rela ed- Sl^l^ and little G^^^ '''''''^' ^"PP°«^^ *<> '^P'^^^-t little Jii. " - "? '*w^^' f ^T?u*^ ^^^^- E^^'° «^ade Guy learn Ss Nov hZtf -uZ T' "^. *^"« ^^other-thoW two ooys. I^Jov— brother will be set cgainst brother I Thev will never feel like brothers— never a'-ain." ^ "Love — " ** f.,JiPT"'k-''^?^"J J?°"'* ^P^k to mo just yet. It is so ^^"■^ri.^t.erth^iXJi^o''" z'/siS heverdarkened ourdoors. olTttLt^W'^nc e^^'en't™ ■• bo has she. No, John, I wiU.wot allow it." ^' ^ » 870 JOHN HALIFAX. "You will not allow what has already happened — what Providence has permitted to happen ? Ursula, yoii forget — thoy love one another *' This one fact— this solemn upholding of tho pre-eminent ri^ht of law and love, — which lav/ John boliovcti tn, they both l/C'lioved in, so sacredly and so strongly — appeared to force itst'lf upon Mrs. Halifax's mind. Her passion subsided. "I cannot judge clearly. You can—alwcys. Husband, help me I " •' Poor wife I— poor mother ! " he muttered, caressing her, and in that caress himself all but giving way — " Alas I that I should have brought thee into such a sea of trouble." Perhaps he referred to his having been the main cause of bringing Miis Silver into our house; perhaps to his own blindness or want of parental caution, in throwing tho young people continually together. However, John was not one to lament over things inevitable ; or by overweening blame of Ilia own want of foresight, to imply a doubt of the foreseeing of Providence. " Love," he said, " I fear we have been too anxious to })\(Ly Delia ex machina with our children, forgetting in Whose llands^are marrying ind giving in marriage — ^life's crosses jind life's crowns. Trouble has come Avhen we looked not for it. We can but try to see the right course, and seeing it, to act upon it." Ursu^ assented— with a bursting heart it seemed — but still she assented, believing even as in her young days, that her husband's M'ill was wisest, best. He told her, in a few M-ords, all that Edwin had that day confessed to his father ; l:ow these two, being much together, had become attached to one another, as young folks will— couples whom no one would over think suited each for each — except Nature, and the in- stinct of their own hearts. Absorbed in this love — which, J'dwin solemnly declared, was never openly confessed till this morning — they neither of them ever thought of Guy. And thus things had befallen — things which no earthly power could remove or obliterate — things in which, whatever way we looked, all seemed darkness. We could but walk blindly on, a step at a time, trusting to that Faith, of which all our lives past hod borne confirmation — the firm faith that evil itself is to the simple and God-fearing but the disguised messenger of good. Something like this John said, talking as his wife loved to hear him talk — every quiet, low word dropping like balm upon her grieved he^rt ; not trying to JOHN HALIFAX. j^ Ind J,°the™ KS .?" •" """W »»'• »o »ot Star ""so. had bis to himself. ^ ^^ ''"°' *'""•"' <»>« : Kdivia rilting^ovLE&'L"°'S'-, ^'''' °"y «'"■««'»«» like, alwaj^ fond of ono .nX?-my W " ' ^'"'' "'^ Edwi„"^,iis^??! """ «'*y ~» '"Iking. John, you said " Kaithfully promised." Oh, John-don't kJomlTw^C °' '? * °'""'" '""en- ran upstairs in an Sy Wh^L^SlI'^ ''°^'-" ^nd sho Two brothers-S Xm'it h!5 i' "«''''<>'• » niothet's eyes f hood they had^evCT bSn knlilJ! r» ""T' '!"" '"-"' '"''•y- other-nJw stSne to«Z ^ lift a hand against each from the fury in S h!^«fL } ^1" ■"?'' ^'»'- And similar ending. ' ""^ '"'™' '"'8'" have had a shriekSliftTna!" "«" ^e mother might as well hav. wr,testoyou? You ^ere writing b^ktoO"""'- "^'"' letter, wUhZt''l»kT:Si''"' '?«".'»'!,'''» ■=»<> '<« "-o -p^rhaps not^Ut sii^t^iSy! -G^^" „Tb^- I. 872 JOHN HALIFAX. «' (live it mo back, Gny ;— I warn you." •• Nofc till 1 have read it. I have a right." •• Yoti have none, bho is mine." •• Yours?" (ruv laught (I in his face. "Yes, mine. Askmy father— ask my mother. They know. •♦ Mother I " — tho letter fell from the poor lad's han< " Mother, t/oii would not deceive me. He only says it to ve mo. I was ill a passion, I know. Mother, it isn't true ? " His piteous tone— tho almost childish way in which h caught at her sleeve, as she turned from him— ah, poor Guy 1 " Kdwin, is it my brother Edwin'? Who would bav thought it ? " Half -bewildered, ho looked from one to th other of us all ; but no one spoke, no one contradicted him. Edwin, his pa; .d bear, as a family. Alas I darker and darker had th( bitter truth forced itself upon us, that neither joy nor aflBic lion would ever find us as a family again. I think all parents must feel cruelly a pang like this — the first trouble in whicb they cannot help their children — the first time when those children must learn to stand i«ione, each for himself, com- pelled to carry his own burthen, and work out, well or ill, his individual life. When the utmost the wisest or tenderest father can do is to keep near with outstretched hand that the child may cling to, assured of finding sympathy.counsel, and love. If this father hat out, ho bcqai. to whistle.' at »,1 1'^^ '•"r"'° ''?"'' """^ S^*" knotted with m n' ia, tut I,'^^Vl''^• "T"'^" ?' "'^V Tho chief btterC^ -of M,ss Sdver's extreme gentleness and kindness tmrS "Lovei-'oirstf r™"' V'""- «» «™S'y 1,1 k« " Iwa^^S^^^'i;^'^,;^::^""'- she told n,e .o.%f course . M 1 i 874 JOHN HALIFAX. Ay, there was the sting, which never could be removed ; which might rankle in the boy's heart for life. He had not only lost his love, but what is more precious than love — faith in womankind. He began to make light of his losings — to think the prize was not so great after all. He sat on my bo/), singing — Guy had a fine voice and oar — singing out of mockerv, songs which I had an especial aversion to — light songs written by an Irishiran, Mr. Thomas Moore, about girls and wine, and being " far from the lips we love," but always ready enough " to make love to the lips we are near." Then, laugh- ing at me, he threw up the window and looked out. I think it was wrong of thx>se two, wrong and selfish, as r.11 lovers are — ^young lovers in the flush of their happiness ; I think it was cruel of Edwin and Louise to walk up and down there, in the elder brother's very eyes. For a moment he struggled against his pussion. " Uncle Phineas, just look here. How charming ! Ha, ha ! Did you ever see such a couple of fools ! " Fools, may bo, but happy; happy to the very core — thoroughly engrossed in their happiness. The elder brother was almost maddened by it. "He must mind w'lat he does — tell him so. Uncle Phinoas, — it would be safer. He must mind, or I will not answer for myself. I was fond of Edwin— I was indeed — but now it scorns sometimes as if I hated him." "Guyl" " Oh, if it had been a stranger, and not he ! If it had been anyone in the world except my brother 1 " And in that bitter cry, the lad's heart melted again ; it was such a tender heart — his mother's heart. After a time he recovered himself, and came down wit!i me to breakfast, as he had insisted upon doing ; met them all, even Miss Silver — and Edwin, who had placed himself by her side with an air of right. These lovers, however deeply grieved they looked — and to do them justice, it was really so — needed not to be grieved over by any of us. Nor, looking at the father and mother, would we have dared to grieve over them. In the silent watches of the night, heart to heart, husband and wife had taken counsel together ; together had carried their sorrows to the only Lightener of Burthens. It soems that theirs was lightened ; that even in this strange entangle- ment of fate they were able to wait patiently — trusting unta the Almighty Mercy not only themselves but the children Ho had given them. JOHN HALIFAX. 376 with an awe tha was S Tit .."" «»»«'''»f<»I for , care, chapter and nrarer \Vhi^''''8ether pa,„, this morning's Jed ronnd S^. 'NoThinVZnoXtS"'Ve"f ''' was so well ho wo,;id ?!" r'^'V"'""^ •"'" ''• acting his foot ^tssl!?.SS» ;r'-sf,s^'at?o?drS??^^^^^^^^ Guy caught a^ this " Tn^n '^' addressing the governess. He put thf quest on 'tn AfL S^i *'''''/' ^'° ^^^ ? ^^hen ? " li.at intoTr^own L r^^^^^^ eyes blazing "leaving inimed^rteiy..." "'"^' '«'"« ^'^"^"^ed reply, about clriving^!?u ?' •'"'^'' "^ ^°"^^^ ^ S^^^i I ^ave the honour o£ "No," said Edwin, decisively. iook\'riS;Tte« moiT'l''^'"^.^" *^° ^^-^^-s-a to come. No wonderX^nft^^^ i"i '^V'^'^^^S of days young betrothed nalfanS °\°'^er shuddered-no wonder the Kdwin follow^' Ser Then Tl!!^^' '^'P^f^ ""* «^ ^^' ^oo™. lifted her roughly on his knS^' ''''''^'"^ "^ ^'' '''^''' oIse;Xot\i^^^^^^^ Nobody But the little lady drew back. Very wel/'^af'^ me too? Edwin has been teaching* you? » o.y wen. Get away, you cheat I " «wiiu^ you f uSh!? ^Il^^'^?y ^'d«- ^^a»«l l>egan to cry boon""a^tt-toti^^^^^^ bopk-tbe book he7;d not nuIunSTyot^itt rs tte? ty 'anS"^' ^"" ^'^^^ "«* ^ dear boy I '• * "^^^^ ^°^ command yourself, my The words, though spoken ecntlv almncf ;« i • wcr. xuore than the lads'chafed%iVii;'coLd bro^k. ''^"^''' « i f. 876 JOHN HALIFAX. I v/ill not bear it. I will quit " Father, you insult me. the room." He went out, shutting the door passionately after him. His mother rose up to follow him— then sat down again. The eyes that she lifted to her husband were heavy with a speechless pain. For John— he said nothing. Not though, as was plain to* see, this, the first angry or disrespectful word he had ever received from any one of his children, struck him like an arrow ; for a moment stirred him even to wrath— holy wrath —the just displeasure of a father who feel? that the least portion of his child's sin is the sin against him. Perhaps this very feeling, distinct from, and far beyond, all personal indignation, all sense of offended dignity, made the anf^er strangely brief— so brief, that when the other children, awed and startled, looked for some ebullition of it,— lo I it was all gone. In its stead was something at which the children, inore awed still, crept out of the room. Ursula even, alarmed, looked in his face as if for the first time she could not comprehend her husband. • " John, you should forgive poor Guy ; ho did not intend any harm." " No— no." ^ *; And he is so very miserable. Never before did he fail m his duty to you." " But what if I have failed in mine to him ?— What if— you used to say I could not understand Guy— what if I have come short towards him ? I, that am accountable to God for every one of my children." " John— John "—she knelt down and put her arms round his neck. '« Husband, do not look unhappy. I did not mean to blame you— we may be wrong, both of us— all of us. But we will not be afraid. We know Who pities us, even as we pity our children." Thus she spoke, and more to the same purport ; but it wis ft long time before her words brought any consolation. Then the parents talked together, trying to arrange some plan whereby Guy's mind might be occupied and soothed, or else Edwin removed out of his sight for a little while. Once I hinted at the advantage of Guy's leavmg home; but Mrs. Halifax seemed to shriuk from this project as though it were a foreboding of perpetual exile. " No, no ; anything but that. Beside, Guy would not wish it. He has never left me in his life. His going would seem like the general breaking up of the family." JOHN HALIFAX. friend iZy OldtowTr and Lr 1, • "' 7^r"'"8 <>« Kood all comment, the fact of " m^Mn EdW.. I^"^ tUlqmlU accepted the invitation for jfaS »n^ M° engogement," and willingly repeated and pres,ed ®''™'' '*■'=''='■ «»'' 8ir?whoT„^I"^i«\;';/I«f-? either of „, to the become, and was SiSv t?^ Ji ^^ ' "■" governess had painful to both. ^*' ^'' ^'^ was evidently intentiorof-offeXng hL"' hZS' ^'^ " Miss SUver io be ii«i™J . j 'l™' " ™» n«>dful for similar ciSsTn^s^a^Se warJITrf I,'°r°*f """« a mother to her son's chosen «ir^K of kindness due from 'il want, made iSf felt C V?v° *f T"'*^" "'°«"'- I hoped, from the bottom of my s^ul, that Edwin h«I not ■ i,i * a 878 JOHN HALIFAX. hoard her— had not seen her involuntarily recoil, as he led to his mothet his handsome girl that he seemed so proud of, his ^*PPy» affianced wife. Happiness melts some natures, ,lika spring and sunshine. Louise looked up with swimming eyes. " Oh I be kind to me I Nobody was ever kind to me till I came here 1 " The good'heart gave way : Mrs. Halifax opened her arms. " Bo true to Edwin— love Edwin, and I shall love you — I am sure I shall." Kissing her once or twice, the mother let fall a few tears ; then sat down, still keeping the girl's hand, and busying her- self with various little kindnesses about her. " Are you sure you are well wrapped up ? Edwin, see that she has my fur cloak in the carriage. What cold fingers I Have some wine before you start, my dear." Miss Silver altogether melted; sobbing, she murmured something about forgiveness. " Nay, did I say a word about forgiveness ? Then do not you. Let us be patient — we shall all be happy in time." " And— Guy ? " " Guy will be himself Sv oi " returned the mother, rather proudly. "We will not mention him, if you please, my dear.* At this moment, Guy must have heard the carriage-wheels and guessed Miss Silver was going ; for he appeared at the parlour door. He found his mother toying with Miss Silver's hand ;— Edwin standing by, proud and glad, with his arm clasped round Louise. He did not remove it. In his brother's very face, — perhaps because of the expression of that face— the lover held fast his own. Mrs. Halifax rose up, alarmed. " She is just going, Guy. Shake hands and bid her good-bye." The girl's hand, which was sorrowfully and kindly extended, Guy snatched and held fast. " Let her pass," cried Edwin, angrily. "Most certainly. I have not the least wish lo detain her. Good-bye ! A pleasant journey I " And still keeping her hand, he gazed with burning eyes on the features he had so loved — as boys do love — with a wild imaginative passion— kindled by beauty alone. " I shall claim my right— just for once — may I, sister Louise ? " With a glance of defiance at Edwin, Guy caught his brother's betrothed round the waist and kissed her— once — twice— savBjgely. It was done so suddenly, and under such an ingenious disguise of " right," that open vengeance was im- possible. Bat as Edwin hurried Louise away, the look that JOHN HALIFAX. g^^ passed between the two vonni* »««« hencefon^ard all fSsC^aM LT u''''^^^ '^ ^^^^ out would never be forgotten ^' ^^'^^^erhood. That insult Gu/trstTnT'^^^^^^^^^^ :^, 1 1 It' n^<^-- ^00. sat sewing, She seemed Ttake no ^0^0%'^ ^^'«: Halifax goings-his restless starts-his fit?n??l^ t his comings and face grew like the face of some straL«. ^ """''"- ^'^^° ^^^ would have shrunk from-aTon« hn?^ ' '^^^^one whom we , "Mother''--theVo^esSi '°"r°«^^^^J^G"y. able bitterness ma^ed i?s once 1T'' T^ ''''^^^^' »°^ler. they come back ? " ^"^^^ P^^^«*°' tones. « When do " Do you mean " ''I mean those people." course • * ""^ "' »"• i'»»' ''"tte returns to n.Vht of ier chair, " you TusUefm^t" '""'"^ "'' "'"' '"""'"S '«'''»^' '• Where, my son ? " ine not myself. Or^rSjk-^^j^^.' ^e ^vicked-makes altogether wicked." ^^ "^® ^^""^^ '"!/''if, which is willp^ssawaj."''''' "^^ ^^" ^y- Have patience-all this -• ^■- even a.ong w^^en'^ortr tch"^:;: '^o ■fl » ^m 880 JOHN HALIFAX. great renunciation is possible, sometimes easy, as death may be ; but to " die daily I " In youth, too, viith all the passions vehement, the self-knowledge and self-control small ! No ; Nature herself, in that universal desire to escape, which comes with such a trial, hints at the uunaturalness of the ordeal ; in which, soon or late, the weak become paralysed or callous ; the strong — God help them I — are apt to turn wicked. Guy's instinct of flight was, his mother felt, wisest, safest, best. " My boy, you shall have your desire ; you shall go." I had not expected it of her — at least, not so immediately. I had thought, bound up in him as she was, accustomed to his daily sight, his daily fonc!ness — for be was more with her, and " petted " her more than any other of the children — I had thought to have seen some reluctance, some grieved entreaty — but no I Not even when, gaining her consent, the boy looked up as if her allowing him to quit her was the greatest kindness she had ever in his life bestowed. " And when shall I go? " " Whenever you choose." " To-day, perhaps I might get away to-day ? " " You can, if you wish, my dear boy." But no sooner had she said it, than the full force and meaning of the renunciation seemed to burst upon her. Her iingers, which had been smoothing Guy's hand as it lay on her lap, tightly closed round it ; with the other hand shie put back his hair, gazing — gazing, as if it wore impossible to part with him. ** Guy, — oh, Guy, my heart is breaking ! Promise that you will try to be yourself again — that you will never bo anything other than my own good boy, if I agree to let you go?" What he answered, or what further passed bet^vcen them, was not for me either to hear or to know. I left the room immediately. When, some time after John's hour for return- ing from the mills, I also returned to the house, I found that everything was settled for Guy's immediate departure. There was some business in Spain — something about An- dalusian wool — which his father made the ostensible reason for the journey. It would be enough to occupy him and distract his mind, besides giving him constant necessity of change. And they say travel is the best cure for the heart- ache. We hoped it might prove so. Perhaps the sorest point, nnd one that had been left un- decided till both parents saw that in Gny'u present mood any JOHN HALIFAX. ggj panionship to London cvonhi^f ff ^"f"*^ ^'' '^'^^'^^^'^ c«'»- io the nearest S where on«nMh''' *'"^'' *^« ^"»»*^>' things called raiCystrnpteTtrl^ e^^^ But Guy would co bv it—fhn v^-iY T «> their deatruction, as he pleaded, th^ v^^ day A .trtnl' ^'"-/^ ^' '^^^^^ ««' and yet how short IMT'Halifnff^ • "^ '' seemed-long caught sight of her now aTd then JifTf' T''''*""^ ^"«^- ^ .vit^ G«/s books in her h^d^^\f;t J.?^^^^^^^ ^ '^T^' anu. Sometimes she sfnXi o V^ ^" thrown across her doing a few Ses%f ^teL^"^ Ck^^t^' ^h *'\^^"^^^^ Bhe could nol touch either ^ ^°^ * ^'^^« ^^ ^^"^-^"t lec;|^S5?i;::^^S^^|^--f„^ "Whatwi. swaUowX-^okroff a bit nMh' T^^' *^^ *^^ ^^^^ -'' fccr work. * ^''^ ""^ *^® bread,-and went on with a.d his mother e™;ywherrs?deVvid^^^ IS"?^ ^^'"^ ^"^ t)o'ether, as if begrudc^inffSch n«f^«f ' • -""^ .everything i Jstant cime. I have aK vKn"i^ * remaining tiU the final ing composure, Jf her 011^^,^^^;^ of her astonish- indefinite trifles, or, thou "h S Jl« lu ^'^^"? ^ ^"^ «^»t 03. It never fa terid-nlv^r lo«Mf« ^u""""' *^,^"y '•^^e' o^ of tone; as if sKshed hi ^^n "'^^^""•^ <^»>«^^^^ other-the familiar mother's voic^-iS? '* ^' '"'*^' ^"^ "° soas. Once only itTrersha^^ " w u^"'^ ^"^^^ t^o llb^t^^sconsol^^^^^^^ S t^'t:tV:tU^er^^! A,^^' Iftgol I can do everything mvself '» 882 JOHN HALIFAX. ♦W.^*^"k ^'m u^ ®''«®'' ^.°°®«' blessingg, such as it was good he lad should hav^good that he shoSd bear away with hSu from EngUnd and from home. cfnr°if"^*V^"^',^^ '*cJ^®' ^°^ ^'^ '"0*^6''. ^ent into tho i. 7*»,^^^*^Tv^y®A- ^° ®^«° bi« fafcber came out and shut the door, that ihero should be not a single witness to the last few words between mother and son. These being over they both came into the hall together, brave and cahn-which calmness was mamtained even to tlie last good-bye. Thua we sent our Guy away, cheerfully and with blessings-away. into the wide, dangerous world; alone, with no guard oi- restraint, except (and in that except lay the whole mystery oi our cheerfulnes8)-tbe fear of God, his father's counsols, and nis mother s prayers. CHAPTER XXXV. Two years rolled over Beechwood-two uneventful years. The last of the children ceased to be a child ; and we prepared for that great era m all household history, the first marriage in the family. It was to be celebrated very quietly, as Edwm and Louise both desired. Time had healed over many a pan- and taught many a soothing lesson ; still it could not be sup- posed that this marriage was without its painfulness. Guy still remained abroad ; his going had produced the happy result intended. Month after month his letters came, eih more hopeful than the last, each bringing balm to the mother's Tw iP®° ^^ ^^^ ^ °'^«'» ^^^^^ J"s mother. Maud and Walter replied to him in Iop" iiome-histories and began to talk without hesitation— nay, vith great pride and pleasure — " of my brother who is abroad." The family wound seemed closing, the family peace about to be restored ; Maud even fancied Guy ought to come homo to"ourweddmg";-but then she had never been told tho whole of past circumstances; and, besides, she was still tco young to understand love matters. Yet so mercifully had time smoothed down all things, that it sometimes appeared even to us elders as if those three days of bitterness were v. mere dream— as if the year we dreaded had passed as calmly as any other year. Save that in this interval Ursula's hair began to turn from brown to grey ; and John first mentioned, so cursorily that I cannot even now remember when or where that slight pain, almost too slight to complain of, which he said warned him in climbing Enderley Hill that he could not JOHN HALIFAX. cTfinb as fast as when h« «,— .uile, telling hua we we4 eTSenT£>th^'^ ^- ''^''^''^^ ^''^ and muse soon set our faces to dSd^h« h^uTA ^^^ »»«" : Easy enough I was in savinffTh^ /k-. -'^^ ^ ^'^e together with great content, thTt tSe Lg n^t ?h" .' "^I *' ^ «'^'" <^>i of us would reach the bottom St ' ''*'"*''' ^^"^^^ ^^ich life-glad to ba^s^n m\'ny?/te^^^^ "^f half.contnry of especi^ly those extemS ?r^ubl^ whiXI ^t'^ *^ '''^' ^ore refenred to-for, indeed, they we^ ahJnrL/ ^''y^, "°* ^'^t^Iy ihe home-troubles that came after H«? jnd forgotten in slanders, as he said he wmia vt . S ^*^ ^"'^^ ^^wn all story of the day when jraon.; b^tl*''^ °'^' ^^^^'^"^ the far and near, though secretlv^ » bank was so near breaking • |^tsresults--^r ie wfc?^^ '^ °"' ^^'-% by had been attackefon the hT^olds al/^^ ^^"V^ at bnnging the robbers to justice w^^ * T^?'® °"^J^ 'Attempt one and send the others safi out oT th^^ ^'^^ *^« ^'^o^ of expense not GovernmentT None of ?hf«T*'^ ^' ^'« «^n showy deeds— scarcely one of Xm . ®^^ ^^''"^ rotable or goise of asterisks, int^ S,^ ^^T ^°*' ®^«n "^der the dis- ^y^rcu,y, for its list d^inc st?L ?f?f " ' *?« ^"'"•'^^ ^X justly) that «iereww%S;mt" complained (and verj^ S so jBldom headed a cha?u7s2cr "r**"" '?I?°'J^ ^^^^ Hahfax, Esquire, of BeechwoS^ B,i? *?*' • 1?" *^^' ^^ ^ohn as soon or late, the ri^ aW; £, • »f "i?r* "^^^^its way, 'S'^Vetilr -"'-^ ''™^^^^^^ ""'"^ ^"^ pistols Zi:fto™lkShf' «'-">"7-h« nover earned l^iingy,, w»lteI.8Xtri*^»''t'J''y before ^S sheets of Norton Bm, wm a Jr^.', i"'?"^'' ""» '"""ilwr ot the teiilT. EvenLTlL^??'""' P'«asure to the rest Jubted if even Daniel Orontnt^' °' ^""'^ Clare^S J^own people than John hS! h.,,"'°".f°J'."''"-"j"'»ong • """"^^ '''^"" -' --^aWy m this n.„„ing. 884 JOHN HALIFAX. Fho had hntl ? ttors from Guy ; together with a lovely pres i A' which I J said he ha«, tie circle ho has around him " ' "" ^'*''' Pl^sure it indu'd^T"'"' ""'*' "» ^ <^^<'nlana. my son is constantl, " Why not ? It is a vnrv k n- . . court of Charles Dix can I&^""n*°' ''''^'- ^ho who' •bruptly as she cZd^^„^Jl?^';»i'J «"■ Halifax, t seemed to reeur to her ndnd-« ??;„, 1"' ,f "5 »»<' «non ™ young peoDle —nil ml ^' """"gJi all the mirth nl had never given him a sinSe caSsJJ^J his good son. who of Edwin had been to hm almost .« ® ^^^'^' ^'^ ««"«"» he himself used to cnmT ^t '^ «*^ »« the days when ««,» S^ere^&„«S»;^^,l'°' ' ^o"'' ""»" I 'et her IWifax. Do you KmZt^lu""'^ »»"' s^e was Ursu?» n«t_us the first time!an"found^l"r', '^"".^O" «»»« ^ " And she h^a nn « „ ui "^ gardenin'? ? " ribbon. wLu ;^SgthL«rC?^ f'r '■^' «'" I'!- 'ban Mutress Maud here." '^ '^ '""''^ l-hardly an, older «'»C°as rhad*"4en«t'°Zi ""^ 7""'' ""^^"ot so »«-with somethi^^'o?" C^^^i 'f ef^ful still, ro^/t° ^^y Of poefy-a line or ^^^^Z^,^-^ £B 880 JOHN HALIFAX. " ^^ 7.**^ V*^ "^f*' Tim* tnuitported Hlutll think to rob ut of oar jova. You'll io voar girli again b« courted. And I'll go wooing wiih my boyg." Ursula laughed, and for the time being the shadow pMml from her countenance. Her husband had happily not noticed ui! »»? apparently she did not wish to tell him her trouble. Kho lot him spond a happy day, and even grew happy herself in response to his care to make her so, by the resoluta putting oway of all painful present thoughts, and cilling back of sweet and soothing memories belonging to this their old married homo. John seemed determined that, if possible, tho marriage that was to be should be as sacred and as hopeful a% their own. So full of it were we all, that not until the day after, when Lord Uavenel had left us— longing apparently to be asked to stay to the wedding, but John did not ask him— I remenibered what ho had said about Guy's association with Lord Luxmore's set. It was recalled to me by the mother's anxious face, as she gave me a foreign letter to post. •; Post it yourself, will you, Phineas ? I would not have It miscarry, or be late in its arrival, on any account." No, for I saw it was to her son, at Pans. "It will be the last letter I shall need to write," she added, again hngering over it, to bo certain that all was correct. " My boy is coming home." •' Guy coming home 1 To the marriage ? " " No ; but immediately after. He is quite himself now. He longs to r >ine home." "Andhiaiuother?" His mother could not speak. Like light to her eyes, like A,? iu ^^^ ^^' ^*^ *^® thought of Guy's coming home. All that week she looked ten years younger. With a step buoyant as any girl's she went about the marriage prepa- rations ; together with other preparations, perhaps dearer still to the motherly heart, where, if any preference did lurk, it was for the one for whom— possibly from whom— she had Buffered most, of all her children. John too, though the father's joy was graver and not unmixed with some anxiety— anxiety which he always put aside in his wife's presence- seemed eager to Lave his son at home. *.' ^® *s eldest son," he repeated more than once, when talking to me of his hope that Guy would now settle per- manently at Beechwood. " After myself, the head of the famil v." After John I It was almost ridiculous to peer so far into the future as that. JOHN HALIFAX. 887 I think the happiest wag Mrs. Halifax's as I mot her coiS out of Guy's room which, ever since he left, h^ b^n73 ^' M YnT t^ "»«'^".,^"w open the door with a cheorfXr look nTS^?^*^ ^ '" '' ^'" "^' '^°°^^ ^^^'^«*»- I>o«« ik "oi It did indeed, with the fresh white curtains : the bed laid all m order ; the book-shelves arranged, and evei he fmvlini^^ fiew. and fishing-rods put in their ri^ht places "^ £8 tohn^t^ "S^^ venr noat, I sail, with an amused doubt i, SJ^x . *f " ^'^ ^^^^^y ^ remain so. That IS true, indeed. How he used to throw his thinr»« ±"il 1^ f^^r^'^^y ^y ' " -'^^ ^'« mother a^hedbS saw all L.r features were trembling with emotion. ^ ' find h"^ mJ^rchtg^'^^^ ' ^^ "^^^- ^ -"^- ^' - «^-» Ihit^tKMte^n^^ '^^' ^""^^^^^^ ait 'conUiea^^ll; " Here are some of Mrs. Tod's roses, I see." ««^i r * "'^^^'"« tal^e them. She said. Master Guy ahvavs u^^u^^ t"^ ^'-'^ "P ^"^ ^"°^^ »^« *»e ride past. She hoSs her one of his ve^r first visits ; the good old soul ! •' ^^ 1 nintea that Guy would have to pay visits half ftv«i. *h^ county, to judge bvie number of invSL" s I h^^he'rd of ' Yes. Everybody wants to steal my boy. Evervbodv that gun f-Sir Herbert says, Guy must come over to the SttrrSst •• "^ ""' ^ b/exceedingly fondVgVn'g^ I smiled, to see the innocent smile of this cood mnih ... miLr^^Y^/r*^^*!' '' *^^ ^'^ accui^of m^atchl wf ?i ^'tJi'''^ '^® was .thinking of her great favourite pretty Grace Oldtower ; who was Gr5;e OldtSwer stm and coltv r?h ^"''^P "^^^"^1 '^' ^""^^' i«atches ii t£e county, to the amazement and strong disapprobation of all her fnends-excepting Mrs. Halifax. Trrv W f!l.^?'^'- °f ^J '^^f^^^'^ ^^^^^ «^« ^as letting fancy carry her too far mto the unknown future " His menu ii She shut and locked the door. To be opened-whcn ? i 888 JOHN HALIFAX. Morning broke, and nona could have desired a bri'^hter marriage-morninnr. Sunshine out of doors— sunshine on all the faces within : only family faces,— for no other guests had been invited, and we had kept the day as secret as wo could • there was nothing John disliked more than a show weddin.^ Ihorefore it was with some surprise that while they were all up stairs adorning themselve? for church, Maud and I, stand- ing at the hall-door, saw Lord Bavenel's travelling carriage drive up to It, and Lord Ravenel himself, with a quicker and more decided gesture than was natural to him, spring out. Maud ran into the porch ; startling h -m much, apparently : for, indeed, she was a sweet virion of youth, happiness, and grace, in her pretty bridesmaid's dress. " Is this the wedding morning ? I did not know— I will come again to-morrow " ; and ho seemed eager to escape back to his carnage. * This action relieved me from a vague apprehension of ill tidings, and made less painful the first question which roso to my hps, " Had he seen Guy ? " •' No." ^ " We thought for the moment it might ba Guy come home, Maud cried. "We are expecting him. Have you Heard of him since we saw you ? Is he quite well ? " ** I believe so." I thought the answer brief ; but then he was looking in- . tently upon Guy's sister, who held his hands in her childish affectionate way ; she had not yet relinquished her privilet-a of being Lord Bavenel's " pet." When, hesitatingly, he pro- posed returning to Luxraore, unwilling to intrude upon the inarriage the httle lady would not hear of it for a moment, bhe took the unexpected guest to the study, left him there with her father, explained to her mother all about his arrival and his having missed seeing Guy— appearing entirely delighted. 1 came into the drawing-room and sat watching the sun shining on marriage-garments and marriage-faces, aU as bright as bright could be,— including f mother's. It had clouded over for a few moments, whei he postman's rinj? was heard ; but she said at once that it was most unlikely Guy would write— she had told him there was no need to write. So she stood content, smoothing down the soft folds of her beautiful shawl, which Guy had meant her to wear to-day. This, together w'th his fond remembrance of her seemed almost as comfortable as the visible presence of her twy. Her boy, who was sure to come to-morrow. JOHN HALIFAX. . 339 um one of our own famiiv Lfrr^v ♦• ? ' ^°*^ ^® n^^ike with «, tS's^^EZnCijiid^^ """' '^'"«' "'' "» '''"' liord Ravenel bowed. be a'Krri^Kvi'rt ™ ff?!" ^"^^ . ?''°"'" " ''^ ""' LoH B.,S»„i k ^i " • ° '""y "I""' li 11 to-morrow " aboJ^ht^;'„^r ^«^- ji- ""'"- --^ --'2]!., twice hS Inf^'"} V''"^ ''^ ^y- ''«««>ed once or j:Fw%^t?„ro^r«teS'irch^!i?« '":-•• -thout fail, within a^wceM^^^sto'^^i", S'^LT"""" "'" ,>" ^^Ti'^? ' " I '"''oed, bewildered tie repeated the sentence word for word " r... . comiigl"""" ""'""'■'' '*" "^^ ''«"^- "J"'"' «« you "to » moment, tove," for het hand was on the door out- il '^WTf^. 890 JOHN HALIFAX. Bide ; biu her husband held the other handle fast. He then went on, breathlessly. " You understand, Phineas ? And She must not know — noi you will be careful — very careful ? till to-night." " One word. Guy is alive and well ? " " Yes— yes." " Thank God ! " But Guy's father was gone while I spoke. Heavy as the news might be— this ill news which had struck me with apprehension the moment I saw Lord Ravenel— it was still endurable. I could not conjure up any grief so bitter as the boy s dying. Therefore, with a quietness that came naturally under the strong compulsion of such a strong necessity as the present, I rejoined the rest, made my excuses, and answered all objections. I watched the marriage party leave tiie house. A simple procession— the mother first, leaning on Edwin • then Maud, Walter, and Lord Ravenel ; John walked last' with Louise upon his arm. Thus I saw them move up the garden and through the beech-wood, to the little church on the hill. I then wrote the letter and sent it off. That done, I went bick into the study. Knowing nothing— able to guess nothing --a dull patience came over me, the patience with which we often wait for unknown, inevitable misfortunes. Sometimes 1 almost forgot Guy in my startled remembrance of his father s look as he called me away, and sat down— or rather dropped down— into his chair. Was it illness ? yet he had not comp.ained ; he hardly ever did complain, and scarcely had a day s sickness from vear to year. And as I watched him and Louise up the garden, I had noticed his free, firm gait, without the least sign of unsteadiness or weakness. Be- sides, he was not one to keep any but a necessary secret from those who loved him. He could not be seriously ill, or we should have known it. Thus I pondered, until 1 heard the church beUs ring out merrily. The marriage was over. I was just in time to meet them at the front gate, which they entered-our Edwin and his wife-through a living Ime of smiling faces, treading JT 5J*T-.°^ 'f'®"^ ^^^®'«- Enderley would not bl defrauded of its^weloome-aU the village had escorted the young couple in triumph home. I have a misty recoUection of how happy everybody looked, how the sun was shining, and the bells ringing and the people cheering-a mingled phan- tasmagoria of sights and sounds, in which I saw only one ^rson JOHN HALIFAX. j^ and We them to ttl^^T^ '^,,7^ thanked h£ p«,p,e, answered in loud huraihr.nd „^^f *'.• ^*'^^' "Pnw'ious, "One cheer mo^/CtrG„Tr^'''° ™'~ '^'"^ O"*"^ proS^L^re"""" '"""^ delighteZ-her eyes shinbg ,,tb themhtoseTtto'-t^r..' »*" '"'» """ Guy wiU thauk crt?e'"'hS";:'drvols"'ZV^"e^l''"'V'"^ »«' -"'-' iact-that Guy wiuZ h .mTZ "" "'"t'on of the latter at the n.arriL'^.b Iwasr^L^rMrkaMr" "t'' f^J'^' "-l calm demeanour. Onct nlv .If' I' H"'''*" kept the same round ..e^We t^^&^l^^tZ Zl^l' ^ gathered fnineas— IS it done ? " '" A Hti^ itLVh^to' wS^trtet'^ '^^''- Now I had (ill mxrUtJi , "'" ""' momh!!." wasasafetetoS'tn-Zn"!",^"''?'' ''^-""'" " it would not. boastXt stony cam "ndeJwh"^" " "O""' are so proud of disgaisinrtheSv^aSd .hi'"""" .^''" from those nearest and daarcef tTtk" and their emotions knew, it; if he wereh^lTpyfw^ ^X' it t^" '5^ "^- r prmciple, that nothing hiit th. Tf.™ ■ " .°°- ^' *■*» h s „ A OMiness letter, I suppose ? " eveni^*?'^ °" '"'^'™^- I ''■" to" J-on all about it this aml^e'S^s.-'Xt'tssin/"'' ">,' T" "'''• ^o" ■"■"w I a it was a^ytLing imCS ?^ u 'r*"^\. ">"""'• i ought to know^at rc^"yo^i!„?r!:ri?*'''« "■?' Ignorance?" ^ ^^^^^ °®* ^eep me in " No— my dearest I No 1 " soul. iX S ShL »f ^^^'^/^^e tn^sted her own in whichZ Leip avln^ ^tt^T""^ !""«' ^ something irremediable ; some^ngl^ir'^^^^^^^^^ .^^ concealed, foi a few honr« al io« ? /^^*^Z. ^*^^^^ *« ^eep so as not 'to m^ Z l^^L'Tk^Zt^X. ^S E^i-MmMk^.-i 892 JOHN HALIFAX. there could be no second, this crowning day of their livea- this weddmg-day of Edwin and Louise. I. uk'**1^**'i^' '5® marriage-table; he drank the marriaifQ health; he kissed them both and gave them a father's marnage-blessmg. Fmally, he sent them away, smilin- and Eorrowful-as IS the bounden duty of young married couples to depart-Edwin pausing even In the carria^'Ll to embrace his mother with especial tenderness, and whispeV ner to " give his love to Guy." ^ i,ocf'i^V™°l'-''^^ 1?*°? °l ^"^'^ having," Haid the mother, hastily brushing back the tears that would spring and roll down her smiling face. She had never, until this moment reverted to that miserable day. "John, do you think it possible the boy can ba at homo to-night ? " John answered emphatically, but very softly, "No " " Why not I My letter would reach him in full time. Lord Ravenel has oeen to Paris and back again since then, iiut— turning full upon the young nobleman— "I think you said you had not seen Guy ? " "No." ^ • " Did you Iiear anything of him ? " "I— Mrs. Halifax— " Exceedingly distressed, almost beyond his power of self- restraint, the young man looKod appealingly to John, who replied for him : » •"« J' Lord Bavenel brought mo a letter from Guy this crn®'*®if fromGuy-andyou never told me. How strange I " .iJffi^Sr ^^^.^"^^ o^ly to think it "strange." sime difficulty or folly, perhaps-you could see by the sudden R^t^nJ ""iw 'S''^ *°^>'I ^^'^' distrustful glance at Lord Eavenel, what she imagined it was-that the boy had con fess^ to his father With an instinct of concealment-the mother s instinct-for the moment she asked no questions. We were all still standing at the haU-door. Unresisting t i^t^^stdy'"'^"' '^ '^'^ ^^' ^ - ^- -^ ^rinl spe:;ry7urL5^,r-^^^^^^^^^ -^^ ^ ^ -^ ^ Rh^Zh^'t' ""'^^^A '^? ^^^'^ *'"'' «^°«^ ^^^ an aspen leaf. puLS?? '*"' paper-stopped, and locked up "It is not to tell me he is not coming home ? I can bear anything, you know— but he must come home." JOHN HALIFAX. jgg great tortnre.-whioh ^r* iT '™>'>^ <>' ™o undergoing human love «n Suier d«^^„,"°^"8»°«' »■>* "Wch no The .etter. .hicTJ SHJeS^i^'s.'ZThuT-'""'"'- lha;fboe„d™T_r."S'r^ ha™ disg^eed you all. -it was about mv fath.fT^* ''"*•„ ^ "«° '"^'^^ ■»» wUl hear pre«no/. I sir ^"1^ ,1'" ''™'-»" '"« ™W .haU never coie^Ke al/lr^e^ ^Ston'tr'' ' Alas, he had broken it ! .aorer '°°" """"^ "-y »»» '-Never come home any butfheseX'^orfi' ''Nata"^TJ8?'°'u™«»»"y^ "•"■"'•S Kature merciMy hilpS^ w 't""?? '» ,'»»' "= «- 'a'her: eould bear it. When Join w,kS- '^°,'"' ' J^^^ ""« """her insensible, and KiS.ined ^^^^h"'i1 '° '"'' ?™' '""^ ^■«« hours. This was Z'^LriaZ'^, t'^d.^g^daf"'"" '" CHAPTER XXXVI. Lord Ravenei. knew — as all Parike, it was both pronoSnc^i^^IiJS;;^'! ""' ^/ "' '<"• •»*» ne.t^rtSS^'l^^.'Sr^^---::-^^^^^^^^^ ill If II mmm^{ ?^ 894 JOHN UAUFAX. meet justice, but to track the boy— to whose destination w© had no clue but the wide word America. Guy's mother hur- ried them away — his mother, who rose from her bed, and moved about the house like a ghost — upstairs and downstairs —everywhere— excepting in that room, which was now once more locked, and the outer blind drawn down, as if death himself had taken possession there. Alas I we learned now that there may be sorrows bitterer even than death. Mr. Halifax went away. Then followed a long season of torpid gloom— days or weeks, I hardly rememl^r— during which we, living shut up at Beechwood, knew that our name — John's stainless, honourable name — was in everybody's mouth — parroted abroad in every society — canvassed in every newspaper. We tried, Walter and I, to stop them at first, dreading lest the mother might read in some foul print or other scurrilous tales about her boy ; or, as long remained doubtful, learn that he was proclaimed through France and England as a homicide — an assassin. But concealments were idle — she would read everything — hear everything — meet everything — even those neighbours who, out of curiosity oi* sympathy, called at Beechwood. Not many times, though ; they said they could not understand Mrs. Halifax. So, after a while, they all left her alone, except good little Grace Old- tower. " Come often," I heard her say to this girl, whom she ra'j fond of ; they had sat talking a whole morning — idly anci pensively ; of little things around them, never once referring to things outside. "Come often, though the house is duU, Does it not feel strange, with Mr. Halifax away?" Ay, this was the change — stranger at first even than what had befallen Guy — for that long seemed a thing we could not realise ; like a story told of some other family than ours. The present tangible blank was the house with its head and master away. Curiously enough, but from his domestic habits easily accountable, he had scarcely ever been more than a few days absent from home before. We missed him continually ; in his place at the head of the table ; in his chair by the fire ; his quick ring at the hall-bell, when he came up from the mills— his step — ^hia voice— his laugh. The life and soul of the house seemed to have gone out of it, from the hour the father went away. I think in the wonderful workings of things — as we know JOHN HALIFAX. ^^ all things do work together for trooil *hia t * Ursula. It taught her that in f^~ J?'^ '*?' ^*8 ff^xxl for all her blessings^ It Bhowti her wZ? ^"li."^" ^^'^ "«^ ^^^^ mother-love she might hlvt bin lmiL'^' ^''^"° °^ ^'' mothers do— that bevond nil ,^ tempted to forget—many ^oman owes to heXstnl-Co^d all^ " ^\'"*^ *^«*^ w«. hers before any of tLm .v Wrn """'' " ''^^ ^"^'^ ^^'^^ A'^atta^^^^ letters came,-and she love-letters I as everyTay sheS^^t'f''^ 1^'^ ^^^ ^'^ count more upon his reYurn Srrrin. «n T ^ -"^ "^°''^' «"^^ little pleasures planned for 'her T fho •^®'''''''°?' ^°*^ ^" father comes hoii^e;'' hone ami nw*l*""® ^ ^^^n your heart of the mourn bff mTher T^'l^^'^".'^ ^'^^'^ '« the the day of his coming^^M iaw ull^^ '^^ ^'^ '^^^^ ^^"1 bundle of his letters-hTletter. nV li,* u^'°^ ?P **^« sn^all life she had had so few his av^« V i''^'''^ '5 *^^ *»er happy able letters. ' *"'' '' ''®' ^"^e*-' comforting, coiuS halfllmil^n^ittte^^^ she said, poor face. ^ if she mst T^ustTm ^^ f^.^*^" ^° *^e^ time for her husbaii?s comTng '* *° ^°^^ ^"^^^^ ^ff^^" in ordeM^:fs:dnte?A'^^^^^^^ ^» *^« ^-se in trim Maud brushed and ciLd her h-v f"^' "*' P'^'^^^' ^^ile gone of late I_and then wait^S x^f h~^7 1"'^ ^^^^^ i* bad like that of a younger? w£ Sh * ?"'^ °°, '^^^ ^^^ek- of carriage wheels. ^ ^ '"^^ ^^'^ lover-for the sound thaniL^t^hldh^^^^^^^^ r ^*^r -ws When he came bafk, th^Sl^ h^^^ trouble undisclosed-«Swi?hnno^^' burthened with no remembrance. A. heTrW out nM?"^"''? l^ '^^' °' ^^"er find his wife staning af uTeVc^r L JTI-'^^^'^' '^ ''^' *« bim its brightest welcome Cm • ^" ^'^"'^ «°^"i°g for HketheblesWofTheTtLr'^^^^^^^^^^ ^^ ^"'^ coufd be «. 'tt^t^l'but irw^s't^t'o >^^ -^^* ^- been f~e from the restlessness of k^en Lx/etr ThTf f W^^^ this heavy misfortune was over rnhL -I ^ff * "^'^^ ^^ Jebts; he had, as far m noslihlp 7. J^^t-^"^ *^ ^^^ son's had made a eife hme fo^. S^^^ ^"^ "*°^« ' be feaching it, in the N^w Worid wAfV^ ^'"^ °' ^" ^aWy to cover over the i~^°'j2w, ^Sf h^X^^^^ J L 1 80G JOHN HALIFAX. H n htli"*^^"?^^? '^^P^- ^^^^ «»"«« Guy's hand was hlTri^fn i^""^"^-*-*"'^ ^'^ ^'^''?'*>^' Sir Gerard Vennilye ! ?,ulna?iv w ,W**^^« ¥~ 0/ society-men'B minda would S^!^K ^?^ *^? impression of a deed committed in heat of youth, and repnted of with such bitter atonement. bo the father took his old place and looked round on the remnant of his chUdren, grave indeed, but not weighed down by incurable suffering. Something, deeper even than the !;;!fi K^"°T ^^ "^""^^^ P*«^<1 through, seemed to have made his home more than ever dear to him. He sat in his arm-chair, never weary of noticing everything pleasant about nm, of saying how pretty Beechwood lookedf and how de- unHnkVi H-'\^ f ^""'"i'.' ^'^^ perpetually, if any chance unlinked it, his haiid would return to its clasp of Ursula's:- the minute she left her place by his side, his restless "Love, wh^re are you going?" would call her back again. And once, when the children were out of the room, arS I, sitting 7nh« ft c?f."e^;\a8 probably thought absent likewisi, I saw John take his wife's face between his two hands, and look in 1 -the fondest, most Imgering, saddest lookl-then fold her tightly to his breast. }nn!!Lf'v^ ''®'-^' ^ ^"^^.y ^"^^"^ ^®' again- Mino-for as long as I live, mine— ;ny wife, mi/ Ursula I " .inn n1 ^o^i'' aV^*"'^^^' *' «^« ^^^ ^^ken every expres- s on of his love these nine-and-twenty years. I left them cISZrTar'^trm!^^'^^' "" '^^'*' ^' ^'^^^^"^ - *^- -^ for ^^iT^V't^ ^*y ^' ^°y °^ ^^""^ mornings used to be, breakfast the father and mother and I walked up and down the garden for an hour, talking over the prospects of tha \S T^' ''H? *'? ^'' ^^^^^»* woSCneed to ..ohn read it somewhat more seriously than he had been used to read these letters-which for the list year or so had come o ten enough-the boys usuaUy contemning, and Mistress Maud vehemently de ending, th/ delicate small handwriting bS nn^ t^Jff "^^ *? *if ' ,'^^°"' ^^ ^'^ ^'if« also-she facTs^thaJ ? tfr""' ^ *^' ^*°*' confirmed by many other tacts, tnat If there was one man in the world whom Lord Ravenel honoured and admired, it was John nXfax of Beechwood. But this time her pleasure was aXreat^r iunped ; and when Maud, claiming the letter TusuTspreld JOHN HALIFAX. gOT abroad, delightedly, the newa that " her " I^nl n«,.. i coming shortly. I imftinn«wl thlaV.i •* "^^ iwvenel waa usual to the plients ^^ffi^^^^^ ""*' 'i'?* so welcome a« saying only, " Poor Lord Kavinel! '' sorrowful, avoided in the family— « did vn„ k„ « u^ ' , *''^ ^^'^a thing of y„„il,„tomTi^'„?!^.'"'""'«°' "»« ■"■/■ " Not one syllable." dead. Poor CaS I " ™'"''° "<"'' " P'''"'I« »''« » brought a shadow over the DarenWWU . i presence grand old U „ U™ aaVw^rictS fZ^ Bu/Tj'T.i"" society of hfs children ••• '^" ^'^^* ^'^^"^^^ °^« ^^^h tba ?hVrh feverTgh^^^^^^^^^^^ *^ ^7 ^<^^^ Lord Rivene'. "^ ^^ ^^ ^"^^"'^ '"'^^ ^^ William. f ill ii: W 898 JOHN HALIFAX. ninl^nri^llLl'r'''"' ''^ ^""° ^*«'^ ' She is abou " Not seventeen till December." DearHUleVuTr^'-™^' '' " P^^»' *« ^ ^-^^ ^- He turned en one side, hiding the sun from his eves wi*h i^'yn^'^'?^""^^ hands-which many a time our bit^ "o^wttt all!' "^"^ ^'^^"^'^ "^^- ^^^^'^ bands fit'^S Perhaps Lord Ravenel felt the cloud that had coma nv«,. r -^ vS^' always a regret, seemed now as painfTw h^ S nnf ..•?!? "^"'^^i"? T-''"'^ '^^s^'*^^; except that frink smile, not without a certain kindly satire, under whirh *»,^ "I thank you, Mr. Halifax— I thank you heartilv fnr nil you and your household have been tome TtrSSll I- " your friendship for many years. And ff in any way I nS offer mme, or any small influence in the wor?dI^' ^' ^^^ " I havroViJ, ?nlT '' ''''^ ?r"'" "^^^^ ^^t'^^ed earnestly. " v"' ' '"'™ '*' '•'"^ slip— for ever." Hfe«m?befot/~ ^°" "* ^"""K »«" ' ^O" J""™ half a ;; Are you really seyen-and- thirty ? " asked Maud. TT r^i',! ""y S:""!. Is it so very odd ? " He patted her on the shoulder, took her hand aiL7f^ nf it- It Struck mo then, though I hurried the thought away-it JOHN HALIFAX. 890 stniftk me afterwards, and docs now with »«.«-«. i how sttoinge it was that tha »w»!i. wnewed surprise— account certdn j^ fb* iUes Sa^^^^^^^^ "^'**^ ^' ^^ •"*<> to any worldly Sr Tc^lT^^^^^^^^^ the unworldliness of our livratXcfc'' ?iJlT''"**""« which now pressed upon u/ ft^m ^?*k .' . ^^^^^'^ «"•'» fact-which Sur ownTmiirex^riencl o"^^^^^ '^^ "«*»»''« us. yet did not-that in wi^s liCJh^ Z^ \f° ^"''^ ^"«*'t would have expected to TlXtk^sthL 'T^^r'" °"^ strangely, irretrievably, mournfi2 Xdf ' ' ^*^' '""'' he had delayed his iournev in P«r,ok ^^ "' "^ ^»*^ that of that delay. He^ jdned Is usual t ^''' °? f^P^'^^'^tion and after dinner, still as usual ^!^kiZ^T' IH'^-^^^ ^>""^'»'; It happened to b^ throu4 the bP^h t \^ V^ "'^ """^ ^^'^'"^• path that I remVmStaSna^tr'^,' ''^'"^'' *^ ^^^^^^^C"' and Ursula. I wasTurpS^'anr-?^ ?'^'' '^^' ^'^^ *^°^'" LordRavenel alluT t?^ Xe Ct J--" •''"'^"'?'^' *° ^'"'' family ; for I think all fathL and m^t '"'IT". '"*'' ^° O'"* back her innocent, merry face upon us ""''""« old were Mr. and MiiirwhtXr^aST" ' """ aye„^rSrtnTi.T££S^^^^^^^ The fLk in„S„ttSl^«r.^\:ii f,",^^^^^ Lord Ravenel looked after her and siehed .. It i. i . marry early ; do jon not think «,, MrTe^er ? " " «"'' '» ougitt MyrrrsrwC"*' ^K^*^ "■ " »™ honest oplnion)-J told him 'tw? S"'"''??*!' 8"™° <"■«'» who found theii happtess 2l„ but ^''^^^T '"PP'^^' happiness should K .^ecM^bJiS^^' ^^^ "»' """hy Prondence that it should' not beSdtiU'late "'" "' 1 wonder." he said, " whether 1 2u ^^^ find it •• i.-^SMKJbS-* l'."" 400 JOHN HALIFAX. I asked him--ii was by an impulgo irroaistible— why I ha^l never married ? " Because I never found any woman either to love or i beheve in Worse," he added, bitterly, " I did not think the lived the woman who could be believed in." Wo had come out of the boooh-wood and were standing I the low churchyard wall; the sun glittered on the whi marble headstone on which was in8cribe,««« -.1 • ^ She'; tvt^- '-« •- -^"ut^fXIir jCI hor daughter's •• MugM„et!~" ' "'*'°«""' *" "'<' e"'^'" '«' The hve minutes extcntled to half an hour Tvrr« u.vt peace. At last the father came in alone. ^ John, has Lord Eavenel cone ? " "Not yet." ^ "What could ho have wanted to say to you 9 •• ting roL^Ud'il^r^UeJf if^r'^" "^^ *^' ^^" «^ her knit- h j'grf {^^^^^^^ ' n rceidS;'^\?rr"f ^aSllrr'-*'^^ ^"^^ -- l^eart-ref&^^.ith":Ur "' 25' ^"=''»,'"'v " '? any new misfortune ? father7.i>d°2tairi„e™i w™,,l T'V "'"'"''''« "=-" has asked me for our Lud ■• '""'"'" "^ ""=''■ He 5«oZ^li"d^V:„?h'et'osrd'iLln'we?^^??'tfr^'^ Impossible . mi.ao,iJs^^u::r2T^ " Nevertheless, Lord Bavenel wishes to marry our Mam.- C 402 JOHN HALIFAX. '' ^o"**^ Rfl-vcnol wishes to marry our Maud I " Mrs. Halifax repeated this to herself more than once beforr> she was able to entc-rtain it as a reality. When she dic^ t4 firs impression it made upon her :.ind was altogether pain T f h Kf ""^"i ^ mT^ ''? ^'"^^ '^^"^ ''-'^^ tbese sort of thin^i • Lr cSfldten!'- ^^ ^ ^"'' "^^ ^'" ^" ^'^'' ^'^'^ ^^' ^est^of John smiled again ; for, indeed, there was a comical sido to uer view of the subject ; but its serious phase soon returned doubly so when looking up, they both saw Lord Bavenel standing ba ore them. Firm his attitude was. firmer than usua ; and It was with something of his father 's stSy a^ mingled with a more chivalric and sincerer grace thit h^ stooped forward r,nd kissed the hand of Maud's^mother Mr. Halifa . has told you all, I believe '> " " Ho has." answe^i^?^' ^' *^^"' ""'^^ '"^''^ *'"'* ^" ^"" ^^^^' '^^t "^7 n^f^^^w*!*^''' patiently enough, with little apparent doubi as to what It would be. Besides, it was only the question c' parental consent, not the vital question of Maud's preference" And, with aJl his natural humility. Lord Ravenel mighTl^ for^ven If, brought up in the wirld. he was awalS of hh rosition therein j-nor quite unconscious that it was not merely William Ravenel, but the only son and heir of the Earf df Luxmore, who came a- wooing. Not till after a long pause and even a whispered word or two between tho husband and Tvife, who knew each other's minds so well that no more cor sultation was needed-did the suitor again, witha more forin;i air, ask for an answer. "^"i ..i. " It is difficult to give. I find that my wife, like myself had no Idea of your feelings. The extreme suddenness- '' i'ardx)nme: my mtention has not been sudden. It is the growth of many months-years I might almost say." We are the more grieved." "Grieved?" - Lord Ravenel's extreme surprise startled him from tliP mere suitor into the lover; he glanced from one to the other m undisguised alarm. John hesitated; the mother said something about the " great difference between them " ' In age, do you mean ? I am aware of that," he answered with some sadness. " But twenty years is not an insuperabiJ Dar m marriage. " No," said Mrs. Halifax thoughtfully. :^^^'^&mmmB^m^ ^'T!^. 's.t?-'"^ JOHN HALIFAX. ^rg 'a ?h/b%^"^i''n^' aisparity-in fortune or rank " " diiS- 'i^r^.^^^^ f V"°ther spoke ,.ith her aigmnea air—" you know enough of my husband's chn-«/ ter »„d opunons to bo assured how lightly L S^Id fco w'.^h tidist,.ity— it yott allude to that supposed to , -,t L-o/.r. "n the. son of the Earl of Lux.nore and'^fhe i-'^J^'l'S, „!, J""^ T"f r^'eman coloured, as with in. vn .ion-: «1 1- . „f what he had been implying. "I am aW /^ x:. ?ar,r/"Th„'"- it' >;» »» ™Po<'"."u/on the' ide^o7 .ny lamily. Ihe earl has Ion? w shed me to mnr-.r it i ^ A dead s^iien^r '''' ^'"' ^''''' '' ^^^" ^^"^ ^^^^^ ^^^-l-" "Again pardon me," Lord Ravcnel siid u-.-fh .^ A««^.«.; - I cannot have clearly exp aTned mil T f^' repeat. Mr. Halifax, that I ask yoSr Vermiss^ to w^ . "'° daughter's affection, and, in due'time! h^ hand " '''" ^""'^ lessim^rlblJtogn':;'^^^ ''^' ^' -uld bo "Impossible! What do you mean ?-Mrs. Halifax-" He turned instmctively to the woman-tho mother trsula s eyes were full of a sad kindness-the kindness anv ^:^^:^ StT- '''' ^''''^'''''' ''^^ im^l!b^'/'''' "'^ ^"'^''°'^' ^^"^ ^"^^ ^ "^^"i«S« ^vould be Lord Eavenel grew scarlet— sat down— rose a^'ain in,! stood facmg them, pale and haughty. '^^e a^am, and " If I may ask— your reasons ? " *' Since you ask— certainly," John replied «« Thr.» i boheve me I give them with the deepest pif Lord Ikvend do you not yourself see that our Maud—l. " ^'°» \»^'!^ *^^ P^^'^nts smile. "Indeed nothing of the kind : she is a mere child " inueeu, ea^er a'^nster"^ "'rp^^ *^«"?" ^vas the ea er answer. " J3e it so. I will wa t, though mv vo.ith -a.; t^^^ ^L^} "»• -^'-'wo .r.fCo Lord Ravenel s pride rose against it. m 401 JOHN HALIFAX. I fear m this my novel position I am somewhat slow of eomprehension. Would it be so great a misfortune to your daughter if I made her Viscountess Eavenel, and in course of tmie Countess of Luxmore ? " 'rL!^^^i®7® \^ ^°"^^- ^^^^ mother and I would rather sea our little Maud lying beside her sister Muriel, than see her Countess oi: Luxmore." These words, hard as they were, John uttered so softly and with such infinite grief and pain, that they struck tho young man, not with anger, but with an indefinite awe, as if a ghost from his youth— his wasted youth— had risen up to point out their truth, and show him that what seemed insult or vengeance, was only a bitter necessity. All he did was to repeat, in a subdued manner—" Your reasons ? " **Ah, Lord Ravenel I" John answered sadly, "do you not see yourself that the distance between us and you is wide aa the poles? Not i- worldly thinr^s, but in things far deeper ;— persona* thiug.5, which strike at the root oF love, home— nay, honour." Lord Ravenel -.tarted. •' V^'ouia you imnly that anythin^r m my past life, aimless and usclecs as it mr.y have been is unworthy of h . honour— the honour of our house ? " ' Saying thid he stopped— recoiled— as if suddenly made aware by the very words himself hr.d uttered, what— con- trasted with the Huifiullied dignity of the tradesman's life, the spotless innocence of the tradesman's daughter— what a foul, tattered rag, fit to be torn down by any honest gus^^^ was that flaunting emblazonment, the so-called " honour " of Luxmore I '.' I understand you now. ' The sins of the fathers shall be visited upon the children,* as your Bible says— your Bibb that I had half begun to believe in. Be it so. Mr. Halifax. 1 will detain you no longer." John intercepted the young man's departure. "No, you do not understand iro. I hold no man ac- countable for any errors, any shortcomings, except his own." " I am to conclude, then, that it is to myself you refusa your daughter ? " -z j " It is." Lord Eavenel once more bowed, with sarcastic emphasi<» " I entreat you not to mistake me," John continued, most earnestly. "I know nothing of you that the world v.oald condemn, much that it would even admire ; but your woilJ is JOHN HALIFAX. ^(,5 iSrK^'i^'ZlJ-'jr.l^-^^-' "-',• " I save ,„„ Jy it would b'o thruSg my cWd „^; ^Bl,n« happiness, ami to the brink of that whfrW U ^ ° """'' "'"' '''"o^. ^Biserable life musT^o down ~ "•' """ »' '""'' «very ws'i:jii,^hnii, "hV-s^rssi^l? r-'n -"r^^' passive melancholy resumod ^f^f^^'y vanished: dead, differences. In marriage thoJomurb^'t "7"°'' "'"■'y one aim, one faith, one lovcnr ti, • '^'^'"" "nity;— unholy a n.ero ciirZJZCLTnoT^:?^ '' '--■•^«'<'. sat a^Serii'^tarify ''"'""' °' '''^ ""'"'"'' "- is -u'-CnTthtet^;*/ '^L "■> -"• 'iVour Maud bom lo be." ' °^ """" • ^ »■" but what I was a nol^LTSTZJIem'an''!'^n"r ^""° "^ ' ^■«' «■"/ man-man, made i/SeiSa"e of G°o»-L "No, Maud. My iiuio Maud." was a part of his nat^rl f , '^•"'""!y "' >«aehraer,t wbich patched he, !°r. SC;;;t„r ^a^LTA^^^^^ .. i , ^! not— thank God." '^^' whatSabo^fLoMEre'^,:.^™ """ "-« -P-^^l right to bTdone." ■ " ""'' "^ ^» ■"""■' "■«' I too" " was «.s«™oVL'uSeeC-"°'''""''°~" ^■''" ""■""" '««° haveXn':UstSh""""^' "''° ^"=™'^^- "I '""k I ^^ouid of lovrwS'hearrxts'h'ir "'"" "f ^o^""™ in its Uberty divine Fnr tkl^r^ . ?. ''"^' ^'"^ <• attacked in his mid^Ielirgoirotrrtl'l 'mI,"''/^''^'''''''^ One finds it;o;ot„'tl!„,^trh^^^^^ -distinct beings. havebttntEe'^child'-lrartr """ '""^ "' '-'" ^o" -^/i^Wi brokerm;chiEh''/it'^'^-^*^P' "'' "">■ ^ 1 f 410 JOHN HALIFAX. lie spoke solemnly, with an accent of inaxpressible pain as If this were not the first time by many that he had pondered over such a possibility. "I wish, Phineas, to make clear to you, in ca?e of— of any future misconceptions— my mind on this matter. Ona right alone I hoW superior to the right of love— duty. It is a father s duty, at all risks, at all costs, to save his child from anytbin- which he belie> ^ would peril her duty— so long as she is to3 young to understand fully how beyond tho c nm of any human being, be it father or lover, is God's claim to herself and her immortal soul. Anything which would endanger that should be cut oflF-though it be the right i-:7/\V*°H.*'^''- ^"^' ^^'^"^ ^0^' it was not thus with my little Maud." " Nor with him either. He bore his disappointment well." ^obly. It may make a true nobleman of him yet. But, being what he is, and for as long as he remains so, he must not be trusted with my little Maud. I must take care of her while I hve : afterwards—" .u ^i_3J"?'^e fa«ied, or rather was transmuted into that grave thoughtfulness which I had lately noticed in him, when, as now, he fell into one of his long silences. There was nothing sad about It ; rather a serenity which reminded me of that sweet look of his boyhood, which had vanished during the manifold cares of his middle life. The expression o? the mouth, as I saw it in profile— close and calm— almost inclined me to go back to the fanciful follies of our youth, and caU mm '« David. *v ^^® mu^'® through Norton Bury, and left Mrs. Edwin tnere. Ihen on, along the familiar road, towards the Manor Hous9 : past the White Gate, within sight of little Longfield. It looks just the same— tho tenant takes good care of it " And John s eyes turned fondly to his old home. " Ay, just the same. Do you know your wife was saying to me this morning, that when Guy comes back, when all 1 ^'°?/?^ ' ^""^ married, and you retire from business, ana settle into the otiiim ctwi dumitate, the learned leisure you used to plan— she would like to give up Beechwood ? She said, she hopes you and she will end your days together at little Longfield." ° "Did she? Yes, I know that has been always her " Scarcely a dream, or one that is not unlikely to be ful- nued. I like to fancy you both two old people, sitting on JOHN HALIFAX. ^j^ v^'Sfu^^^^^ r^ *, if you like Wst. r^bcufc tl 3 house continually Or^t '^''i'^'' grundchildren together, just as in your eirly ma riof? ^""^ ''^" ^'* '^^^^^ c^a^w.^thedearest\ndltCrol^^^^^^^^^^^^ in ^hj^h^^-t:^^^^^^^ .nlsTV^"^"^^ ^^ ^^^ ^-0 don't be planning out the futu?e It is fZ^S* ■'; ^ "^^'^»- ^rong. God's wiU is not as our'will • LVw ^~'' '^ '^^'"o^t I would have spoken • h.^f ^ V f"*^ ^^^ knows lest." Manor House gate and nL Jli I"'' *^'" ^'« 'cached the into the^ospitfb&cil^rtfe'okUrer Vr^^ ''''' ^'^ the excitement of a wonderful nn^^ / ^*^?y were all in strange, so sudden, so unpSde^nLS 'tLf 'f ^ \ ^"'^'P '^ lesser matlers. It burst out Sre we hl?i L'' «J^««'-b<^d all five minutes. ^^^ ^^® ^^ been m the house Luxm?r7LSy?'""' *'^^ extraordinary report about the eyes'wSi;it"d'y ^^ ^^^ attention-fixing her pap;; '''tnf Jot'^as^^^^^^^^^^ h:'' T ^* ^" '^^ «-- versation. In vain ^ *° '"'"'^ ^^^^^"^ PO'^t of con- " This news relates to the presc-f Pflrl t„ ,. , Buch a thing— never. In f^ot it , I' ^ "^^'^"^ ^eard of thingwhich in its ;elfdenta'an "'V^'' ?»^»^' '« some- Is itVssible that betgt^Lt'a'^^^^^^^ ''"-"^^>'- has not informed you of theSmstances V''""" ''''''''' ''' from"^';? Sr^XVdterVlTl' ^^ ^^^^^^ foigethow: butillneLnevPrt* f ^^^ ^'^'•°* *^^n^-I ^ It seemed tha ton the earl's d.ah Jf^"^"?- *° ''^"^ ^^• had already been long suspected thaVhr? I^'r^-"'"^^^ ^'^^^ extravagances, were enomionr 'rr? f t^ ijal>ihties, like his abroad, to es^p^ i^ s "mrn^^ I * ?' ^^' °^"sed to live the hundreds he haJTuLed !o^r t^r"'""? ^'^I"*'^^ ^^ that their only chance of nnv.^f^®'^°P^^' '^'^o ^ne^v lifetime, for hL whole woS^ * ""'^l '•? **^° °^^ "^^n's Whethei Lord iJenel h^ad^vp^ ^' '"'^'''^'^ «° *b« «0"- Btate of things, oT^vhether tint i ^"^ acquamt^d with this style of livinf C n deg'^^S^l'^fTr .^^ ^*' ^'' «^^" .ot say, nor ideed .atTor^^^^^^-i^^ ^^^^ 412 JOHN HALIFAX BubsequGntly becoming known inimeaiately after Lord Lux- moro 8 death, mado nil .ormer conjectures unnecessary .Wunl-^ ^''''^ 1-°^°';^ ^® J''^'^- ^^0 ^«to ^"'•^ ft"d. WiU ?ou likewise believe that in all I have done or inte^ doing >w interests as my tenant-which I hope you will remain-have ^^ TORN HALIFAX. 4,9 "Faithfully yours, and theirs, Luxmobe." "Give mo back the letter. Maud, my child." you tdat ha has reserved one BorUnn nf ♦»,« t ^^P'"'" '<> John made no ansAver. TlV", .''now-grave, cloar-hcaded, businoss-like n . was donM t„ i '""^.-'oolisbly enough, when the thin- r;airhi^«atiis''rei:'"B:/c"°>r'." "?' "-'^ ^id, cuuing off the ^i^n"oJt^r,'^^p^:Xt't did not intend ever to man?. Poor fellow r'^ "' '"' " No %!,'tr?>,-"" *■ " ^0^,^^^. in a low tone. I can assure you." "^ " ' "^^^ "» Hi JOHN IIA-iIFAX. cerning it. Of the many loquacious visitors who camo that U)ltham-fashionabIo Coltham, fuinous for all tho scandal o: haut tnn-.ihGTG was none who did not Bpeak of Lonl Luxuioro and his affairs with an uncomfortable, wondering awe. Som3 Buggosted ho was going mad ; others, raking up stories current of his early youth, thought ho had turned Catholic again, and was about to enter a monastery. One or tw» honest hearts protested that ho was a noble fellow, and it Wi; o pity ho had determined to bo tho last of tho Luxmores For ourselves— Mr. and Mrs. Halifax, Maud, and l'~wo never spoke to one another on the subject all morning. Not till after luncheon, when John and I had somehow stolen put of the way of tho visitors, and wero walking to and fro m the garden. The sunny fruit garden-ancient. Dutch, and squaro-with its barricade of a high hedge, a stone wall and between it and tho house a shining fence of great laurel trees. huret breSsf "''^"^^ ^''"^ "^ ^^^ ^^^ ^^- "I got away after you, father. I-I wanted to find soma strawberries— and— I wanted to speak to you " " Speak on, little lady." He linked her arm in his, and she paced between us uo and down the broad walk-but without diverging to the straw- H.^fJ;??'- b^?r^' ''^'y ^'^'f ^^'^^ P^ler than ordinary. Her father asked if she were tiretl ? ^ "No but V ■ head aches. Thoso Coltham people do talk so. Father, /ant you to explain to me, for I can't well ^venet" *^®^ *'*''® ^""^ '^^'"'^ ^^""^ ^^^ John explained as simply and briefly as he could , " I understand. Then, though he is Earl of Luxmore. he 13 quite poor— poorer than any of us ? And he has made Uimself poor, m order to pay his own and his father's debts and keep other people from suffering from any fault of his? AS lb SO f " Yes, my child." " Is it not a very noble act, father ? " " Very noble." ♦. / i/k-^*"^ '' ''Ju® ""^^t"* ^^ ^ ^^'^'^ ^^^^ o^- I should like to tell him so. When is he coming to Beechwood ? " Maud spoke quickly, with flushed cheeks, in the impetuous manner she inherited from her mother. Her question uot being immediately answered, she repeated it more eagerlv JOHN HALIFAX. I*"? Her fathor roplid-" I ,lo not know." ^to.nig°*;;Kb7,T' I ««'»8''t ho wouUl como a, onco " Bi.?h^^: ° ''''"'^■' '""' ^O" "'« hiH tost frk.„J." " " what, not write to him 9 avu i. • trouble? TbatisnoUik^vn ; ,1 .f" ^."^ "' i'^^'' an«l in her arm. ^' ^''''' ^°"' ^'**^«''' '^"'^ Maud half-loose I to "r^^ce" %%!:''^, "^^^^ '?^-«"-- '-"'1 l^ack again whether he shouWterherthe^n^^^^ ^'";''"^' ^^■•^'^'" ^"-^'»i that the debate was new for hi' °f ^,°'^ 5""^'^ ^^ '*• >^'ot this P08sib!o-nry certlj'n L^- ""?' ''^'^^^^^ ^^^^^^ ^o'-^^scen dealings with hiKlv hal hXrfoT- ^'^''"^^y "« '^" ^»« He held that to preSat or wf, * n JTo" '""^H '? ^^'^^'^'^^t' of a falsehood, is almostas mean L "Viref r^.'^Nvr^^'^" thing occurred that he could no? ♦^if t- ^-i , ' ^^^^^ »»ny- flaid plainly, « I cannot ten vo^ ^ a'L ''^'^^^^> he always she could wait no bnp' ^'"^ '°' ^'"^ *« 'P^^^' At last ;: How long ? t'L" 'b ■ " ^Sr'S'rhL^T '"-•• " It may be several years. • • Perhaps ? " Then, I was rishf. Komethino. ;,.,- v-,- , not friends with him any longer A^^b"i' ^'°" ■""" —oh, father I" ' 'onger. Aid ho is poor— in troublo s,'.>^^«i^K : MUrV -'■.'r 410 OOHN HALIFAX. She snatched her hand away, and flashed upon him tp'- proachful eyes. John took her gently by the arm, and place I her, sitting, upon the wall of a little stone bridge, under which the moat slipped with a quiet murmur. Maud'^ tears dropped into it fast and frea. That very outburst, brief and thundery ns a child's passion, gave consolation both to her father and me. When it lessened, John spoke. " Now has my little Maud ceased to be angry with her father ? " «' I did not mean to be angry — only I was so startled — so grieved. Tell me what has happened, please, father." " I will tell you — so far as I can. Lord Ravenel and my- self had some conversation, of a very painful kind, the last night ho was with us. After it, we both considered it advis- able he should not visit us again for the present." " Why not ? Had you quarrelled ? or if you had, I thought my father was always the first to forgive every bod;' " " No, Maud, wo had not quarrelled." " Then what was it ? " "My child, you must not ask, for indeed I cannot tell you." Maud sprang up — the rebellious spirit flashing out again. *♦ Not tell me — me, his pet — me, that cared for him more than any of you did ? I think you ought to tell me, father." " You must allow me to decide that, if you please." After this answer Maud paused, and said humbly, " Does anyone else know ? " " Your mother, and your uncle Phineas, who were present at the time. No one else : and no one else shall know." John spoke with that slight quivering and blueness of thd lips which any mental excitement ususdly produced in him. He sat down by his daughter's side and took her hand. " I knew this would grieve you, and I kept it from you as long as I could. Now you must only be patient, and like a good child trust your father." Something in his manner quieted her. She only sighed, and said, " She could not understand it." " Neither can I — oftentimes, my poor little Maud. There are so many sad things in life that we have to take upon trust, and bear, and be patient with — ^yet never understand. I suppose we shall some day." His eyes wandered upward to the wide-arched blue sky, which in its calm beauty makes us fancy that Paradise is there, even though we know that " the Kingdom of Heaven is -S-^'^a JOHN HALIFAX. ^^^ and crept closer ^^ at hor father, losing\'l-^1,:rt Tiik^dir^*^- ^-'^ 'I "^^ ^^^ "»nd so fond of me. •• ^ ^''^"^^ ^« inuch-and ho was at tho%;-i?;t^,^i^^^^^^^^^^^ T^ -' ^«^P -iling those we are fond of and who c^ fol n/^° T''"'' ^? ^°^« sense we can never reaT lose them nI,"'' ^T'^ '° °»« ^orld, or, I believe in .nv^fi^ Nothmg either in this love." ' '"^ """^ °'^^^'' can part those who truly at iLTnot'?,^ TrebS JnT' "^7 ?^"^^ ^^ ^^« '"^Pb^n^^, it. And h; would sure^h^ '?V?^ "«' ^^'-^^^ «a'' " love •• which HlnnA ""'A^^^^' **' ^ ^^''' *»^at the word i«g." "fond of/' Xa^r:7o"'"orf ^^^V" ^'^^ " "'- childish nhrase-the wor5 ° i i '^'^^ ,'"*^^ roundabout darted froin one to the other if'f/ "i"^' M^"^ ^^^^*- «l^o and ihen turned the coin' ""^ ?' "* ^?? ^'^'^"^ °^ »°' ^l"" -»<• "hbons, commenting on "he ma»^ bv '^" t^' """"'"« ^'"^'f '"'» aalonce rlmembered?E«t^J';^?„Tr^-V»P'-'^^^ D D 418 JOHN HALIFAX. faco-kindcr and faire- :aan ever, as I myself grew ohW' Iho samo Colthar.i coach stopped at the " Lamb " Inn aid the same group of Idle loungers took an interest ia its d'j. embogumg of its contents. liut railways had done an ii- turn to the coach and to poor Norton Bury : where thero ucc'l to bo SIX mcide passengers, to-day was turned out only ono. "What ft queer-lookincr littlo woman! Uncle Phinc\", people shouldn't dress so fine as that when they are old." Maude's criticism wa3 scarcely unjust. The light-colourc'' flmisygown, shorter than even Coltham f: 'lionablos wor ^ have esteemed decent, the Frenchified bonnet, the abundancs of flaunting curls— no wonder that the stranger attractcnl considerable notice in quiet Norton Bur;-. As she tripped mmcingly along, in her silk stockings and light shoes, a smothered jeer arose. "People should not laugh at an old woman, howcvoc conceited she may be," said Maud, indignantly. "Is she old?" ' " Just look." And surely when, as she turned from side to side, I c^u^^bt her full face— what a face it was ! withered, thin, salfov almost to deathlmess, with a bright rougo-spot on each chock, a broad smile on the ghastly mouth. " Is she crazy. Uncle Phineas ? " "May be. Do not look at her." For I was suro this must be the wreck of such a life as womanhood dooa some- times sink to— a life, the mere knowledge of r/hich had never yet entered our Maud's pure world. Sbo seemed surprised but obeyed mo and went in. I stood at the shop door, watch- ing the increasing crowd, and pitying, with that pity mixed with shame that every honest man must feel tov/crda a degraded woman, the wretched object of their jeers. Half-frightened she still kept up that set smib, skipping dairtil;- from cido to side of the pavement, darting at and peering into overy carriage that passed. Miserable creature as she looked, there was a certain grace and ease in her movements, as if she had fallen from some far higher estate. At the moment, the My the carriaco, v/ith Mr. Brithwood in It, dozing his daily drive away, his gouty foo'j propped up before him — slowly lumbered up the street. TJo womaa made a dart at it, but v/as held back. " Canaille I I always hated your Norton Bury I Call my carriage. I will go home." Through its coarse discordance, its insane rage, I thought ■ r^^^a^ff^y^'K- .-mn^-^a^-^ iFMr^f-^ JOHN HALIFAX. 419 Don' "rj'^friii;",^." "''' '»'»• J"™!-'"- 6^™ wa, , SsTadfct^hVrir '7,? "°'«'"' *^° •««' ^n o«h " Inferno"" XtoSb^ fir!^" Pf''". torments of Dante', Uini but honest CbS&h7n''''n''""-''^"''- "' ™™y • tben Richard BrfHf;'rZ^''„thi3°r„rs'» -'"■"—<« Ccachman, dnve on ! " servants ^ '" ™ "'"">'" '''°'' a""" "faWe to her somen's Sr^t'^Slotl^-'i^rh'th^io^f fr"^ "■""' J0„ : take the w'onmnrtbt^ai^h^hmf^',''""''"''''-^'''"" »' tvife-thrcharmlnrr a?lv<^' r'^^ ^T^^^ '^"^"^^'^ handsome cickenW S WK^. T ^^^ Caroline. I was so absorbed in the ;; What is to be done ? " she whispered to him. What ought we to do ? " fetoh yo°«'.°' '"''"•" "" ^"- «»'"«" "''"P'y- " Stay till I 420 JOHN HALIFAX. at his wife, but for once she did not or would not understand hig meaning : she drew back uneasily. "«r8tana todor^**'"^"^' ^ done?— I mean, what do you Avant me " What only a woman can do— a woman like you, and in your position." ^ ' Z ^vV{i^' were only myself. But think of the household i^w to act " ^^'^^ ^^^ ^' ^^ " ^""^^ '"^ ^"^''^ " Nay ; how did One act— how would He act now, if Ho stood m the street this day ? If we take care of aught of His, win He not take care of us and of our children ? " Mrs. Halifax paused, thought a moment, hesitated— yielded. John, you are right; you are always right. I will do anything you please." ^ o " ^ wm uo And then I saw, through the astonished crowd, in face of scores of window-gazers, all of whom knew them, and a great number of whom they also knew, Mr. Halifax ind his wife walk up to where the miserable woman lay. John touched Ler lightly on the shoulder— sho screamed and cowered down, constable ""^'^'^ constable? He said he would send the *' Hush f— do not be afraid. Cousin— Cousin Caroline." Ood knows how long it was since any woman had spoken to her in that tone. It seemed to startle back her shattered AYits. She rose to her feet, smiling- airly. " Madame, you are very kind. " I believe I have had the pleasure of seeing you somewhere. Your name is— " 'i! Ursula Halifax. Do you remember ? " speaking gently, as she would have done to c child. ^ Lady Caroline bowed— a ghastly mockery of her former spnghty grace. "Not exactly; but I dare say I shaU presently— AM revoir, madame I" •^M®^^^^^ ^°^°^ *^*y' ^^"^s'^g ^e' hand— that yellow, wrinkled, old woman's hand— but John stopped her. " My wife wants to speak to you, Lcdy Caroline. She wishes you to come home with us." •' Plait-U/— oh, yet ; I understand. I shall be happy- most happy." ^^^ John oflFered her his arm with an air of grave deference • Mrs. Halifax supported her on the other side. Without more ado, they put her m the carriage and drove home, leavinff Maud in my charge, and leaving astouwJed Norton Bury to tbink and say— exactly what it pleased. -m'-f JOHN HALIFAX. .., CHAPTER XXXVIir. ndde., Men mTSdlhuJhoSf *" ""^ 'iv-e-bcd" . , ",'""^""'*'""«''''«l'W»ith..t,„... £a S^riir »^~. ^^^^^^^ -0 or „, conduct" of Mr. and &Hma°X'*'''y'^^'^''i''>4 pldtowr hesitated a little bcforeS .„¥^ ,1'™ ^ood LadJ daughlers to visit under tL sameZ,* itf ''^'" "'« »' '"' the way, that poor wreck of w^^.^ ,'"^ '"y- 1">t« oul of have tainted any woman now TuMn ■:'''»'' ™"'<' ^"^y gossip ceased of 'itself; and when oL. ^"^''' i"' *™« ""o decent funeral moved out of o^^ TJ"'"? ^"y- » small chnrehyard, all the comment was!! ^"'"' S'"* to Endcrley -^^po^Mt^^/r^'^^Sly.?'^^^ " ■»-' •-' How repeuSnc'y:,: o^tXic^'vnr'' "0 ■^''S"." """er of sueh a Moment's li4teS l»fn? '? T '<""''' """eider as clared she saw in hTr-ffid wl^ ?''^"=.' '*'«'' M-""! dt dovotcdness which neither father nor ml •'"•led her with a that a woman cannot too^^i ""■"^"'"^^''^lievini. " mission "_„sef„lnc^, tode^ss 'fj.r'r'"=??*'» •»" Jjaiir 7iiM7tKES » -"^^^^^^ ter%*?, :^ t'^t &"«« 0' ■•' 'o - one but beaulifniand lovefnl, was nZ'eaM ^t r'l''='''\"'»' ™<« some new sphere to he'nnnT^Z if= ? P^aps borne into iKauly, tho only ^rS°oT wLr"^^''' ""«' ""o I'gheS place limits to iC infin to merev o .t! T ?"' *« 'should Lifo, unto Whom all life relumsT ^""^ ""* °»« »' one interfS^fh S'and ™" '-^1 ^^ Caroline t No there was no one n" to "torn ^!^^,^ ^° T' ^^ '"■'"t -.c, immediately after his^tl^^srerrhtli di^^^r^d^" 422 JOHN HALIFAX. was of small moment to any one. He wa<» srinn ^.„Lf^ ' H.i^ tho^K^^''" '^'' '*'^' convenient habit-to S nierry face, to avoid missmg it keenly sfcill Th« ^^^fi,^^ her ,oa« crept on, otolimes weS to hi J witH^ear" ins that could not fcs told. The /»n>«- »» vi ■ ",J'"™- engrossed in his own ^al^. and WateVs nndZ^MJiT"' perament kepi him a boy long after Cb^oftefLt^- to look round ™guely L J mJt mn-syo«^\^^ Yet still there was no hint of his cominrr • i^f *«« i,„ came at all than came against Lwiror?am^t„tr['^^ least; pam, the shadow of disgrace And Ha «'a= «^ f T ? and prosperous in the western^ ^I'd, felng TacSv^,^ useful life, earning an honourable name Ifo ha?l f«t partner, he told us : there was real fSLip betee^them* and thoy were doing well ; perhaps might make Tn f Iw years, one of those rapid fortunes whichTlf ver men of busintl do make in America, and did especially at S t me H« was also eager and earnest upon other and h gher cages' th^ mere business; entered wariSly into his fSr's symplth^ about many political measures now occupying inen'rSd/ A great nuniber of comparative facts conSing the fectot; hv MrF° ^n ^?r ? "".^ ^"^«"*^ • * ^'^^ of evidenc^ u^i by Mr. Fowell Buxton in his arguments for the aSonTf aitlvi?; f^ "^^?7 «^l^«r things, originated in the impuTsive act uty. now settled into mature minly energy. otmGvl Kahfax, of Boston, U.S.—" our Guy." *^ m, e at JOHN HALIFAX. ^33 Mondcr if, when he como8 hom« - i * Z^**^'"- "^ «^a" noj Norton Bury were frapp^Tl^f F"***^ ^'^"^ ^'« "ati^^ lonourof represent ngt&Xr& ^^'^^xJ^ '^^^^P' t^e them-at least, as regwds ?.g rfm „ ™®°*- ,"^ ^°»J"se. assigned no reason for JhiseT^pnfv^"''^*. ?"^"«^^ ^^ could not discharge as he iht an/'\'°"''''',"^° *^»* he done, duties which he held so^^.'.!? ^' hevfoixU once have letter, brief and simple thanki^^s '"iS^''P?K^'^^^^- »« jvishmg them '' a younger and fvorfh,' ^??^°«?l^bours," and found in some old file of fh« v Y ^'^/^'^ member, might be the Nonon Jhau^/lrcvl^l ^y^'^^^J^^n/ UnaUl still. Even touching honesV ann;e, itv S'"^ '\ 'T"^^^^ on its career was ended ^Sth iT Si./"^' ^n/^^^^'ng his political Halifax the usual obitua^'Ci"^^^ ^ h.stow on Mr. wiS^^thaTtiTn^^; Sirm^JUt' 'r^f ^^^ ^ -' nay, his desire, and perCs Wejf^f J''"^ ^'" *"'" ^^«"SM the idea of seeing UV~m v ^^ ^'"^ ? "**»^»^ P"'le in of Commons-afir iTis^ii^i;,?^^^^^^^^ ^'^^ "nbribed lions" he gave no clearer mo 've for ^l^f ""Tf^ ^ "« ^'^^J to her of Norton Bury. ^ ^'^ '^'^^"^^ *han to the electors aay^ "y!>u^^;:,ss^Lrth^^^^^^^ with him one man can be more fitted than vonTiif f "' '""T'' *''"''• ^o you used to say it Zht b^ servel i^/''''' ^'^ '^"°*^^' '^« serve it, after Reform was gained '•' ^ ^""^ ^^'^'^^^ ^^ght ^^ "u^C'rviStlt^^^^^^^^ thought so, too. Why h^vrvou^Zn 5" • y^'" ^«"^««^f o°co "I have not changed i^y^^i'd°£^ ^9^' "^^"^ ?" *» my mmd, but circumstances have 484 JOHN HALIFAX. clmpged mj actions. As for duty—duty beffina nf »./.,«« in his r4m. ^ ^°^ ^'' P^^°" ^'^ ^'"^""g Parliament stand'^in Ynhn'r"''^' ^^^ own son -to take John's place, to iest we iSno^^r' ''"'' ""'^ % P^^'^"' thought, even n wcur to it! ^ ' ^^ unanswered, and John himself did not Thus time went on, placidly enough ; tl' o father and mothop fnt"funtTeVa:^?''fi'^K.'°\^^^^ into Auntie Maud. She bore her new honors and fulfilled her 7thluit^artL'L^'f^™r °^^ - manylwiS oi inirty— in aU the advantages of age. She was sensihlp wit^fitfof^V°'r^^"^' ««"^^«™«^ thoughtLn/tro bled l^vttj ^^-Jiat in any less wholesome temiDerament would t^vtill. ''''^°'^-°^^' ^"*' «^ ^* ^^«' ^^' humours on y be. mtillMofV^'lK"' ? some slight restlessness or irriteWIity easily soothed by a few tender words, or a rush out to EdS* a;id a peaceful coming back to that happy home whole nrin cipal happiness she knew that she, the^only Zghtr^ made fcin/i^'. Z^M-^'Vyr ^"^ unev.<,ptionable chanc^s'oT qiSfc- outlardlv L^'f ^^^\\f^^Po«sessed plenty of attractions, bo li outwardly and inwardly, to say nothing of her not incon^idrr able fortuno. But she refused all offfrs, ^d to the best of our knowledge was a free-hearted damil still Her fl7hr?J and mother seemedrathergkd of thisThanoLerwf^^ ^Th^y would not ha^^ denied her any happiness she wfshTfor • sUU It was evident y a relief to them that she was slow S Soisin" It ; slow m qmtting their arms of love to risk a love uS Bometimes, such is the weakness of parental humS I SintvTh^^ ^""-^^ ^T^^ ^'^'^ complainTto\e possibility of her remammg always Miss Halifax. I remein- b3r one day. when Lady Oldtowe/ was suggestingAXest ulP^fJl' " ^\^\ ^°y "^'f'"^' *^^« no marriVat a r- : Maud s father replied very seriously— the S""' '''' ^^"^i^Sfe. tl^an any marriage that is less than " How do you mean ? '» "I believe," he said, smiling, "that somewhere in the JOHN HALIFAX. ^jj SnTV»%t«d-l'/'«" T""' "0.7 woman lor „«h. enough of it to ^.S y cilr/aUv noM "^^^^^onous. We had n^ore of it in time to^omo wfcn G./v^'^J^^J^ ^°^^"d ^^ when we should see S^ secured fhn?"i^ ^ '^^ *^«"^^. children, and for ourselvesTgrecn ofd asH'''''''' °^ ^" ^^^ " Journeying i„ long serenity avray." Sroi'ZlfenlT^^^ back „p.„ ,. afternoons, spent under the beec^^^f f''^' '^"^ '^"^"•»n Quietwinterevenin-salltoonril ''\'^^' ? °n the Flat, ^vorking. Walter dTawin" Thet^hr^^-!?"*^ '^"^ ^'' ^^^f'-'* to the lamp-its light makiniTa rnV ''"'°- '''^^ ^'^ back white bald'crown,fndrsU?h^rin^^^^^^ ^'« ^'«^ '^»<1 restoring somewhat of thfyou hfal rn^T^. *^.- '"'^' ^^''»''' Nay, the old youthful ring of h"?!" '1°"' *° ^« ^^*^^^S bnir he found something funny in hkS 'T'^^*,'^' times, when to us ; or laying it down Lm? J- ^ ""i"^ '^'^ '* O"* aloud things specitfve pffiop^^^^^ M'^ **^^' '^bout had necessarily let slin inX f ' P«!tical— things which he life, in the bui^fn and W of ^^^ "^ ^^' ^"«^"^^' cool shadows of evening were dt^vln^J ^"^^^^^^^ «ow, as t;:o and a nearness, and yferTlJnZyu?''' ''f "™®<^ ^ ^^^^^Y as the dreams of his youth ^ ^^^^ "^ ''^ him-precious yon'fSn^XtVerptfe^^ m a sacredness inexpresSwZ!! f ' ?"f °°^ ^^ hold both- there is neither sunSS^ni^*^- ? °^ ^^^'^^ ^'^^^ ^bere ^^ The first break i^ur rep^ L t ' «' 1' •''^' °*^' y^*^"' There had been no Christml^Wf / *'*''> '° *^« "ew yecr. onceinallhiswanderifgshTmf^^^^^^^^ and he neve; time. When the us"Tmonthlv rfj!."*'''^^?"^^ atChristmas from him-a second month and v^t S '"' '^'^^ °« ^^^^ wonder about his omission Lo^^^^^^ noth,ng, we began to for his carelessness. Though o^r ^7^ ^^"^ "^^^'"^ ^^"» eagerly brought up instances of Vhlun^ ''''^^ ^^ain we still trradually as his mother^ rhf^rl- KZ ^' »>o™ anxious.,... 'nor^Vr^X^ZCk^i'^^T:; 420 JOHN HALIFAX. discussing publicly the many excellent reasons why no letters should come from Guy. We had written as usual by every mail. Bv the last-tho March mail, I saw that in addition to the usual packet for Mr. Guy Halifax-his father, taking another precautionary measure, had written in business form to Messrs. Guy Halifax and Co." Guy had always, " just hko his carelessness I" omitted to give the name of his partner ; but addressed thus, in case of any sudden journey or Illness of Guys, the partner, whoever he was, would be sure to write. In May— nay, it was on May-day, I remember, for we were down m the mill-moadows with Louise, and her little ones, gomg a-maymg— there came in the American mail. It brought a large packet-all our letters of this year sent back again, directed m a strange hand, to " John Halifax, Esquire. Leochwood, with the annotation, "By Mr. Guy Halifax's desire." "^ Among the rest— though the sickening sight of them had blinded even his mother at first, so that her eye did not catcU It, was one that explained— most satisfactorily explained, wo said— the reason they were thus returned. It was a few lines from Guy himself, stating that unexpected good fortune had made him determine to come home at once. If circumstances thwarted this intention, he would write without fail ; otherwise ho should most likely sail by an American merchantman— the Slars-and-StripcH. ♦' Then he is coming home. On his way home." And the mother, as with one shaking hand she held fast the letter, with the other steadied herself by the rail of John's desk— I guessed now why he had ordered all the letters to be brought first to his counting-house. " When do you think we shaU see— Guy?" At thought of that happy sight, her bravery broke down. She wept heartily and long. John sat still, leaning over the front of his desk. By his sigh, deep and glad, one could tell what a load was lifted oflf the father's heart, at the prospect of his son's return. " The liners are only a month in sailing ; but this is a barque most hkely, which takes longer time. Love, show me the date of the boy's letter." She looked for it herself. It was in January ! The sudden fail from certainty to uncertainty— the wild clutch at that which hardly seemed a real joy until seen fading down to a mere hope, a chance, a possibility— who has not known a 1 this ? 1 remember how we all stood— mute and panic-struck JOHN HALIFAX. ^^ in tho dark little countinff.hoii«« t with her children ZthnTif- ' •*»"oml»cr geeing Lo„i«, J^^^in^^dwhisi^Hi^^-^^^^^ ^^^V^^^^ ^Wl, and she. s Ws Ir 'tnl^,- Lt t^^i^i^^^^^ •-";« ^^« •• ^'^'^ or uneasy ftt anything. Guy dcT n«?«! "°1 ^ t« ^"'•Pri^Hl to 8a.l-sho may be on her voy^ ^Su Vu'^V^:' «^'P ^^as the name of her owners W r^„ *•. " ^® ^«'J b"t A'ivon out e^-erything. Ch^eTup l^heT ''iT *" W^ »»^ «"'" have that wanderinry hn«Si„-i k . ^ '^"'^ f'«l. you shall He replace ^tWet^tth^r' T"" '^-^'^ J>^fore lon^'" consultation, into which he throw T^^:!!''^^'^'' ' ««"«^«» gaiety, as towhetherbein/onr, Li. ^?'"".^'<''*™ of faint or whether having pSthi^.'I ?». '^ "»*'' ^ **»"> thorn no the writer's buHhf owZ? ''^^ Post-oftice they wer^ not the writer's but tho ftii.n«-"~ — I'^^.-iMuce iney wero claim thorn wUhJSuX'ST't- '"'' ««/o«uia V . This w»s finally decM~i.»Tfi: °" *"' "'•'■'™1 'n Kii"»- of old age : " but there w-^ an «v?.]I "^\"'^tural weakness week her long walks short^nS • «h! ' '*'''"fi^"- ^^^''^ »»/ school to me ; and though shrienfc.P'f S^ ^^•' ^"'^ffo and msisted on keeping the kevs^^"/ ^^^- *^°"«« «"'t ^W practice," thoVmes^ct^r^iittl^l i^t^tnt anlS-^ilf,^^^^^^ ance, for the underwriter knew nn^u- **'"/'^^« »"^ import- more suspense. ThelummTL^^'''^ °^ '^' More delay new. of Sim-not a%:oTn"t1r'LrVrf ^2' ^"^- ^« America, pursuing inquiries in lur .- ^'^t^®'' wrote to tangible clue was caught Vh, vL^""*;^?'' ^* ^^^ «o'no 'ad been spoken with^ab^ut tL W n ^'''^'7^ ^^^ ^^i'^d. -ovent.enhadVffi,r-^^t^,-2.^^^ 428 JOHN HALIFAX. ,^wl"T ^"jiUnd weak, and could not bc-ar tbinc, as sha fben came week after week-I kAow not how they wont by— one never does, afterwards At thr^ tiJ^^ *u" as bope in the world. Gradually, and I tbink that was thS » mt h.{C^ "?° '"•°'' '-where our poor lad was ami not slept well, and was too tired to rise. Many dl™ fonow ;jiVLt?sr.tS? T-^'r* >^i, T'F"''^"- « Jt 11 f ^ • , ,°^ ^® missed her about the hoiiso f ^oJt loTnif« f ' ^'^ ^'°- ^°^ ^«' husband waSJ aoout, ghost-hke, from room io room!— could not rrst nnv ^eiZ rnd^d^nl'T , ^^"'^^ ^^ ^^"^- cSm^y aTt^-* SD uT^nd^^ile'^! X' l^d'^Arl^^^ &n^ Th^'hl'^^^^^..^""^ ^^7. her' men J he^th 2Zt^ ^® ^^*^^ ^"'^^^^^ ^as lighter-she grew more cheerful more patient; seemed to submit hersdf to the Almighty will, whatever it might be. As she lay on her sofa in the study, where one or two evenings John carri^ hS down almost as easily as he used to cafry lUtfe AWl Sig ^1.6 would rest content with her hand in Ms, listening to hL ;v. .VA - JOHN HALIFAX. ■^jM^ «% wcro now forgotten in IS ^1*^ ''T"^'^ •■" contrn ,f iv.ll_^comfort John ? •• ' '' ""/"""S ""PPona to i,,,,, j^„° a po,Jbim^,'Ltea»t"'iiffrd"' *? ""''"""«'<■ .. wu'^° "'«"> '''"uU <«I of as young-for her husband-^^ ^^^ *'""' ^ '^^- ^ ^^"t they were i could not understanrl !«»,» tt who, meeting any sorrow J5* x ,.' ^° auJck-sightcd • I,a f mote Uun, Low'inTreUh Mhf ±"''i^ "f '^^ *^° ^^««' lb«^t bel.eyer'8 disguise ol pZl,urelv Z ^^'r'^*^' "«' ^be un- f nJ>"g. Yet be wasVcalin as if h« "'' ^' ^'^^'^^ '^'^s i'»- frl?A-^^>^?ontemp&hlt.^^^^ Calm, a. no man could bercon" mpK/ thf ^ ^^^ ^' "«*• ' Cai;.";:; >art between them *"' *''''' *^»' one flesh two who neu..j. uu meir lives with one heart between them. "' " "^bh 0(11,8 which had cl!«po.l\r^f.^?"'''", >«'•■*» this iovo ness restful and submiiiT '^ •""' «''« found hcloVa, ondness, that whcnZTw J^i" ,"'»>' » ""'« oXaS Jrops into disuse, ^Kvived^? T "'""1'?' ""'""Ib^ flowers out of the garden or n.^E^i^ 'i" ''<'"'•' ""'ng her »any atime, when no one notS ^ ' '™" "«' town T and press his lips upon the faded £/ ''I™ *™ him sloop and hung so looselyV-his ol™ fl ' '"'" "■» ^'ddinR-rinff dust claimed it^ oJil^nllZt^'^^ir"' '"' "^ '^™» >- f the' ;p^^\, »^kte't™thfr "*"• ""P"-'- -.Who feu 'orus-^'je'itS^r^^l.-^-- - 480 JOHN HALIFAX. she crossed our do^X^„7d^Jf.nr «^'«« .^"^"^i^ffJy as in the sliuly, where we gcnerillv sat now -rf j'y »»««'»«» there was fc faint 4rmur^ of rradL. or l^k • ^™«';™*'« silence. Maud and I sat in silence ?(S> sJt V i\*° '"""^ thoughts— I mine P«.rLno I f^® ^^ ^^^ own same" ^^rlLprL,!: hTy^S Z'^ m-VrrZV"' - No"?'fTi' w*n *^° ^"^'^ *>f 'h^ ^ront gate swinginff ? " ' nightft^di^tS^;;!^^^^^^^^^ ^^^-^--' ^ »>S 'Last ma/eTb^ilTak ^ '"^ ''^^^ *'^ ^^'^'^ <^^-^S the door Hali'fax!^ H«"f^^-thore's a gentleman wanting to sea Mi«a Maud sprang up in her chair breathless. Anyone you know, is it ? " "No, Miss." I' ShoAv the gentleman in." ...anner of Misj HaKfax of Beech^iu "'''"" "'"'• *"»' "» ., *;'"/"" •» watod ? My father— " CHAPTER XXXIX. 481 yuY and hia mother wem ♦«««* k 1 --his Z) "^^^"^ **»« endeavour S rl 'V *°^ 'eso'-vej till Jonorff?„ ^f^l »nore than ho ever Si "® ^'^^^ «»ffored Kill iong after; had enna fK«« \ '®^" us— at leasf w i.ngU„d^ho and his P«7to«,^* iJ'Pjr'""' «"«% lanJS'" Was your partner at, i- if^ """* "« thev ioft it who sat atlha h^t', ft ^nghshman then ? " ..jV w , 482 JOHN HALIFAX. Her smile promised — and even began the fulfilment of the same. " I think she looks stronger already ; — does she, ^Maud ? Yo\i know her looks better than I; I don't ever remember her being ill in old times. Oh, mother, I will never leave you again — never I •* '♦ No, my boy.'* "No, Guy, no."— John came in. and stood watching them both contentedly. " No, my bod, you must never leave your mother." " I will not leave either of you, father," said Guy. with \ reverent affection that must have gladdened the mother's heart to the very core. Giving up his place by her, Guy took Maud's, facing them ; and father and son began to talk of various matters concerning their home and business arrangements; taking counsel together, as father and son ought to do. These eight years of separation seemed to have brought them nearer together ; the difference between them — in age, far less than between most fathers and sons, had narrowed into a meeting point. Never in all his life had Guy been so deferent, so loving to his father. And with a peculiar trust and tenderness, John's heart turned to his eldest son, the heir of his name, his successor at Enderley Mills. For, in order that Guy might at once take his natural place and feel no longer a waif and stray upon the world, already a plan had been started, that the firm of Halifax and Sons should become Halifax Brothers. Perhaps, ere very long — only the mother said privately, rather anxiously too, that she did noi wish this part of the scheme to be mentioned to Guy just now — perhaps, ere long it would be " Guy Halifax, Esquire, cf Beech wood ; " and •' the old people "ut happy little LongficLl. As yet, Guy had seen nobody but ourselves, and nobody had seen Guy. Though his mother gave various good reaso:'.3 why he should not make his public appearance as a '* chip- wrecked mariner" — costume and all, yet it was easy to per- ceive that she looked forward not without apprehension to some meetings which must necessarily soon occur, but to which Guy made not the smallest allusion. He had asked, cursorily and generally, after " all my brothers and sisters," and been answered in the same tone ; but neither ho nor we had as yet mentioned the names of Edwin and Louise. They knew he was come home ; but how and where the first momentous meeting should take place, we left entirely to chance, or more rightly speaking, to Providence. ;3P^'^ JOHN HALIFAX. ^^ f^^pmoth^^''{tf'Z hi? "^tC f'r.' ^^^'^"^ ^° the sofa gether m what way conM k f J®"^ *^^ *^e were planninrr tn children, lenantrand wlrk S^ ^ ^^^^el^rated, by^our ShoS" great interest in/thourfi «;^'P^*° ^''^''^ ^vhich weT(K)Ta for the abohtion of Ncero S W J • '''"ff^ojn— the day fixed Ai'ffust, 183i. He l?in t^ \V^ ? ^^^ Colonies-the Ist o^ ioyioh Icung:,/;^,* :°t^" «"lfc«de that reminded me of h?s ^f:o.ir. of GULshine D^irini> f "''"'^ °^ ^^"tent ; though a closed Vonotian bhnd^showEi " "P^° *^'« ^^^^^ thWth« forebead,and more^™:?,,^^^^^^^^^^ "«« of ca^i^n his' In a pause-^Jurin7whfch nf * ^^''"'o^Srhis brownhair je were all thinkinKu?-?hl"?^^^"j^,^'^e--i oaiu never drea-^ing ■€V€ «f ~ —" ^j iw Nor did she find it. Her liHU fi chnground^hetightly-clos^hand ^"^''^ ^'^"^ ^^^^red to " LoiwL'" ^''"' °*?e. my dear ? " Gu^nu^lTwK"''' ' '^*"e I'ouise.- thechiffift^ttSeJntS^^^^^^ and wistfully i„e. for line. But softened, spiritualkpd „. *^ "^ ^P^**^ line some ghost of a man's oTao^^Tt^''/'"''^ ^^^' '^ burial! ^he very spirit of peace ^in^^^^^^^P^^^ 4U JOIL\ HALIFAX. - " 1 •♦.- if r %. '■!>■. ! fW- • 'Mm J;!F ,^, " Little Louise, you are very like— " van»^^^^^^^ Intbatlcis, that he forgot it-God forhiST^**"^ ^'^ boyhood's love. >/ot either forget or be asEiS of T. T^^^^ °^*° «ho»^d ever Its pain fled far awayrb^k intn f L "''^^^ ' ^"' i' »«<1 aJI Und. When, looking uTat Si? h! ^'^ «*«n»itie8 of dreau - ady sitting 'by his^moZ^tsl '^I'^'^T^ 'air, matronly turned pale. li vas another and nnf ^k"^!'H«'*^'^ «or rcso and oITored her his hand ' ^" ^°'' ^°»i«e. Ho alrci^dy!*" sTe ^^4^1^^' ^ "^^ «ends with n,3 AVhcr/ismy brX^EdwinJV/ ^^^^ ^^e has Edwin's h,!lr? T^T' f "^ lu"*"^- Welcome home " twitched, and how he b.i^^i i.' ,. "^^ ^"'^ Ws feaUi.ei K;ir "' " -'"-^^t^^-Xan^Gth^,^ rt: "t-mng of the Iip=, li;., p^^' "' ™e her ejes with a faint lost his all. ™® ^"° ^*™' and, hke himself, had He Ul^^t^Z'^ZS^^ror,. "^ = '^ •■« «^s^; T's^^^n^^:: :^tJT\'\ ^-"— ""t/??^,,*: -other's desk. Now^hen G^^'""^ Maud, fetch getfulfellowstill; youhavenrerv«H-u ^^ * ^^'J' '«'*- Guy looked stiadily It C Lthe^l"7-^'^'"^"«°^'«nam^ ward wa^ ; hesitated-then ann-rP^Vlv ^a °'"'° «'"">»■ t-or- " I did not teU you Kt h! ^•'?'^^ "P *•>" '^ '^d. you understood him L weU S T do T^^ "^\°«*' °«* «« o»ce-but he has wiJ^y dVip^S h?s titT« " R- '"^ 5^°^ y«"«^-' to .e m America, he h^, bS^on^ M^wfel^^.^r JOHN HALIFAX. CuessPfl ih^ ^y—Maud loved him ^^"""on of poor Kuessea the secret cause nt hilji ' J^erhaps she hn.i hnhJ. u ^^^' "® f'ne could tell n« k "°^' O' why. or %ar'r.«|;ewise/ ^"^^^^t- -^ti* were deeply. Ced ^-fi;ow'c:u7dtrur3V"'^^^ ' ^- -ongP I ,,, r srn,"°~:7Z_««»- Jfc is very .£„,„._.,. ... not •• Nn « """"^^ ^ 6uess ? " ' '''""K 5' 1 did •'^^O, no — my son Tf • Bterin^'^fh '•' ""''^ '^^^'^^ the'- ^*i^«J' « the open boat waring them m the face— fh! ?!r; ^^^ealer of all thincR made them better Ihan fjl^ ''u^^^ «^'et came out Jk atory. told with a cefih, ^pl"^ oTS'^^"^^'?- This ^60^ Jet his father's wiJJ he wK?f ®* ®^*^^**"»'natJon too as^,? «ow also settled Tl Itt?^,)^' -|H bis own, ^ie^ Hal Jf i&mily v,ii^ ^.j^g resolute 43G JOHN HALIFAX. i !M whose b^a, .re Z"C^ It'XZ."'^' """ '-'"" '" however jusll, «k the time but whi^hf^' "k"*'"'?"" «"™' pronouncil 4„,t, .ffectS^hiMtepI, •"' ""^""^^ JJatlier, your decision was riirht— r\v,ii,o»« c- what p,assed that day. Th"°gh he lovl ho? It H Cl '"'' '" that" wm ttf u^; S-rfi«y 'wii ;;^™,''r«'' "«'""« have heard John say many and mrnhti ""i *"^ "» ^ very night_in thia'worU^he™" i? rhT^n'ot", "1^ """ such words as ' too late ' " ° °' *" •*' ""y attitude, bnw w tvricr^tS" 5 ' ^'? ^som-his favourite he sighed. ^''' ""''^ '^ deep drawn, painful breath, Guy's eagerness could not rest. " Falhflr T f^u i • r would either write to or see him to day." ' ^ ™ ^'^^ ^ " Where is he ? " "^ here:^i,i°rt„?Xt^fdK;:^- '"-""^ "- '« — " 1 do desire it." He lent back in his chat .Sd S^d, £Sy " "^" ""' ^«^ yon ciChfme.-? "" "" ■""■• ' '^- «">^- " "- "isb tin,, hi, h^ » h^'p!iir"htr riS ""■ ""^ » ?■«« '« to please her," £ Sd ^«„ tf some mmntes, "just J^ay, let me wnto, father. To-morrow will do just as weU." ii "OH.V HALIi-^AX. ^3^ ,^?,?»ther shook his head. "No_;f«. ., Bidding good-bjre to his wif/^^ """^^ ^^ 'o-^aj." qnuted her for aii hour withourfc":: • ^T""' ^^ '^ny chance John went away. ^"''''"' * ^P^cial tender leavetaking- diplomatist, or like tho „«^ ?? ' .® ^'^ -ctod like a »rl«? ~U»S. humble youthtStJn to ^'"'' '"»"" «'^«-.«- -and fetch his daughter down T Ic?? "J^ ^'^y-poor child I Mr. Ravenel and Miss wlhL ,^' ^ ^"tchedthe two-- fja^don and into theX^*^w^~^^ together down ?^ there was less than onem,Vh* k "* °°® another's old wL- fc"^fe'i,iKr "» -^ ^. -"eta I 4S3 JOHN HALIFAX. Jap«. with a naturaWin' mn::'t:i^ household; per, how mature and sedato sh^Jl nof p.^^"^ '^'"~°® P^'^^'^t You could see she felt deeply hoTv^ifri'^ T":!? oft^r all. her love was to him likl tL rZf • "^*' he lovod her-how responsibility, sweet as it M« T "''l"^ ^^ ^^'^ ^^^th. The grave. She woiu be to him ^f n*"^" ^-^ ^T*"V' ^^^^ her and comforter, sustain °r an^d tSd ' 7l ¥""' ?^'*^^'>^ things. They were nnt iii7vr..i.,"" . y- '""'* '«™l8 all yowl. ' '™'* ■"" '"•matched, m spite ol thosa tnenty little : ou? heartTV^r^ ?^ ^!? '°'r"'?«'- . ^^e lalke,l'but »ying that, we "S; she Ioom'^'i,''" *!'«, "P^'^''^ "S""' I c^l^ u'„"'b; his^tr"" '""■'' "' '"okodighastly. Th?wr; *:*t? "° »«• .Sl"'t the door." Maker, as if, for tKme l^L"tfe"L'''lf '° '" •«*"'y «« "« «uch a price. I know now whf; i t„=\ f ''"'i? '"""''«» «' »ow what he mustd^XrA X^7, ^"l ^ '""'^ unconscioHS as he was lest T .Si "* ''*''! ""« '*''- l«>lf a step was heard in'herSsaLf!,^ ^ST" '"''«': ""Jwhen was married-how ™T^f^f'"'"?'*'""«-'''«*»J Edwin tot^,^ forward's l^k^ tut ■.o^Krrd'T' ^'-"^ drank and let me bathe his fa^^fu, Itfl':"™ ""*'• "" death-like— John's lace. " '^i 8"? aua JOIIN HAUPAX. totg^ lUl Tou have Men. I w",^!,^ f ""• J"" "m' tr- wd There is no niW? /«,- i >vi)at is ^i 9 wu but it comes rarely and r"'®"''"^ "ke what I had th.„ .Wr-" "» •«" "-^'-Jr. John; jo„ ,„ thinki„8_,h,t 6 mav hfl—T « . ''"^"itma be -—"""PP^est death I ever :40 JOHN HALIFAX. his own. "I baliiv. Phinilf'^rv. . V*'"?*?' that was in will be not unlike, r; fate.""'""" ' *»• -J' -^^'h of his d«th,Tlh&e' ^""'" ' """ """»» «■• ■»«■'»•' ftf«.l!i^*V;'' ^^ """^^^^S *® ^ »'«i^ ' I^ ff - Always remember that." ^°"~* ^'^t comfort, Pbine^ iWerememboredit. ' //ow-» "'^ »b««on.on.w. hrnotl'ring",t«" ''^"'« '«'"'■''""" •"a'/^JS" iSe"!!!; 'HL^^iXrr'"^ '^^'^ *.. if .t.,,„ ".ea^tiJEi:;?^*""""'- *5»'»''«^?"v = ».yb.t!:U. oW ehiW™^:-'"" '"" "■"* »'"■ "» •« »/ seed night io .h. word An'd'hT /^ ^1."°' ^"'«' ^"* I remember ifc. every Th.„ I ^ ^T'"' ^^ remembers it stiU. ' ^ Then we clasped hands. " Goodnight, Phineas." " Good-night, John." _ CHAPTf.T> XL Friday, the first of August, 1884. wany may remember that dav • whii* tL ^n biniand ba^ner^hXlSM'^"^ fraternities walking with people hoIiS?8 ?"ow JJ t^ ^"5 ^"''^^ ^^^^' and vork- *^d a Si in^^of l^n'^r^'^V"'':^' thero waa spread old England SdH?t-^iS^?r?"' '*J<'»"°5-»^«^e hSnest down cLrfuirher i;eS?.^^^^^^^ Paid the negro wa^ frc^. * "^ » ""^ *^ 8-1 ber colonies JOHN HALIFAX. ^^3 copper. «uver, or gola-i^Sib^{il^^"^ °^ tjrin^ one with i piece of ShJfriKif:'*"' ' ?*^ ^^"- "o'ifax Jbe «l4vo Bianilini? unrLh* -? ^* u • ® P'eUj medal, with hMd«,£romwhAS^2?te« .;;S^±r^^ *° ^^^^^^n 'r^ John ^y to hH wifeV he S fancvT'r"^-'^''' I overboard ftand m the Roman priL Xn k^ * '''^'?*° ^'^"^ ^<^ '<' 0111 j: n ) on\ in: 14 ' I . . **"" o" *Q'8 Wise. rs-er •■•'^•-'•'" "te": t rate; : ■ tto tioepiD" Jb ,Z™ l^ very feeble, to her chair boii'lo Her husbanj sat on the im.. "P "'>''>''<■» pleaeant stil'. quaiut »aying,-i3m1„„„\S"^' "j'-'-S her laugh with l,i, tovely whi.e%hawI-Su?-r»haw? .h!7K'^?"*'5; "«' » "-o fc«l really no time for Lminnl S^'u J''"- ^"J himself •notherlady, wn^ ews b n^nT^-^u""* »»«e'-in-l«w, and whenever sfc glan^^f he?„M !f^ T^^ "'°" " ""^^'y " joy •he nmerthele.MvS^not n„r J.'^''""'?:, ^^''<» "»'»te''^ q«e8tioned whethe?, in h^ s"c«t wT r '"'£''. '" "«-*"'' » •• Vh?no5!^ '^"^'"' '0' 'hit'cTr^unfs^C'' "'" '^"' '" jiwilltr.t/i ;X'bl^:"«Ii -"&»'ll «o ho. he notedy left bm/ou^fd me ,' "^^ ^ ""^-'here will himone;yhTqi,te'i,?'l''~Pi"e <>«' him, she gave women a, they SU"n\^^Crhe"r°Zt"^.if fit^jsim^. .l'ff^^l/*> !9?>)^ ' .-^MSB^ rSSB 414 iOUN HALIFAX. mind. Ouco there were only our two selves— now there will only be our two selves again. We shall be very happy. AVo only need one another." «' Only one another, my darling." This last word, and the manner of his saying it I can henr if I listen to silence, clear as if yet I heard its sound. This last sight— of them sitting under the ash-troo, the sun makin*? slill whiter Ursula's white shawl, brifjhtening the marriage- ring on her bare hand, and throwing, instead of silver, some of their boyish gold-colour into the edges of John's curls this picture I see with my shut eyes, vivid as yesterday. I sat for some time in my room— then John came to fetch me for our customary walk along his favorite " terrace " on the Flat. He rarely liked to miss it ;— he said the day hardly seemed complete or perfect unless one had seen the sun go down. Thus, almost every evening, wo used to spend an hour or more, pacing up and down, or sitting in that little hollow under the bow of the Flat, where as from the topmost scat of ft natural amphithcatra, one could see Bose Cottage and the old well-head where the cattle drank ; our own green garden- gate, the dark mass of the beech-wood, and far away beyond that, Nunneley Hill, where the sun went down. There, having walked somewhat less time than usual, for the evening waS warm and it had been a fatiguing day, John ond I sat down together. We talked a little, ramblingly— chiefly of Long- iield ;— how I was to have my old room again— and how a new nursery was to be planned for the grandchildren. " We can't get out of the way of children, I see clearly " he said, Uughing. " We shall have Longfiold just as full as ev jr it was, all summer time. But in winter we'll be quief and sit bv the chimney-comer, and plunge into my dusty desert of books— eh, Phineas? You shall help me to make notes for those lectures I have intended giving at Norton Bury these ten years past. And we'll rub up our old Latin, and dip into modem pootry-great rubbish, I fear! Nobody like our old friend Will of Avon, or even your namesake, worthy Phineas Fletoher." •' I reminded him of the " Shepherd's lifa and fate," which he always liked so much, and used to eay was his ideal of peaceful happiness. " Well, and I think so still. « Keep true to the dreams of thy youth, said the old German ; I have not been false to mine. I have had a happy life, thank God ; ay, and what few men can say, it has been the very sort of happiness I myself ^afi^-^m^^'j^.' JOHN HALIFAX. ^^^ tvould havo chosen T f ' l. doing our liuie b3;t, day by 'd^y^ t'' '^' ""^"^ '"'"'f""/ tbeir thread in wi^er bunds than oL ?'"';'? .f^"^*°' to loavj solves out; until, looked Lcr,,nl''''^"'^ !'"'« ^'^'^vetbem- B^em as brifibt a web as mi^e •• ^ ° "' * ^■^*^^«' t*^*'/ ^vould e>-es"rm':rnS'sfvc!?t"Ul^;.','^ ^^Z" °° »^- ''-d.-bi, wasal^utanhourttbo^^^^^^^^^ the sua fatber^grdeT^ntL^^^^^^^^^ "-" 'beg.ss in.our except in fragments beWn T. m'°"'^ *^^**^^ ^^'« suiisot tho la»n into a bowliDggreen '""'^' """1 '"ra ' What a shame I I wi»h ' T ««..i i perhaps not," ho addodTfL . •>'' ""■""=" "• And vet rather to „c'ogni,o tndlnbmU to the nT" ',' ?"«'" ^o «» r^ow each in his place ia »„IBm "'?.'"',»'of">l law or change' j»st as that sun is'^J^Z "'oi?«i"t»^'»»'>P>'»insa4: P«»s; while whither we go wetnow .n?Y.."?,', "'''"'" '•■ -the same y^teriay, to d?;. ^d ?o°^'C!.""' ^W « know tbe^^^L^^-^l^,-'^^^^^^^^^ that in »ot wish it alteredW ,fcai,n'Xt'?""'?^-I"»"'^ popple came out of Mrs TtTJZft. ' J""P "' <»" yoaux fclow. There wasS, Etin ',&"i!l?^''«! ^ "» '-^n old soul, who admirwl h«, i!»i,.V i. "8 talkmg to the eocl .Jlow there conirbTin, ch^d^ntef ","/?v''°' ^-W? There was Edwin ^^„; "'° ^"- Halifax's children while beads thfrnrp^et^, '."nrvZ" "i'^'!'•'' '>«>«'««";; Grace Oldtower wasTak l»lf ?„X; "i^'"? «■»» '"ri descended, the sun shone leveu'^hf^^^ brightening as if wtting, I Mw John pull his h^ff the place where we were compose himself w^th hnVh u a ^^f*"^ ^*' "^er bis face and *he attitude oTsJii ^^^ '^^^^^ ^^*^1^ "Pon bis brewt in I knew he was verj tired sn T «.««i, / "rea, go I ppoka no more, but threw JjyL . ... ^'%. UQ JOHN HALIFAX. by that smile I TSat'for half ^7°"° ^'^^ ^ '^'^^ ^"«^^ ^'"n down to hu selthiK-lower-Wr' .l ° '"" J°"™<'.«'» line, a dim sparkle n' S~,h^ 'i. **' " crescent, a »o iat-CT»™ but n J f^ ' }'"?■-'"'• *" eone. And still had left Sd • berieri^';;rw"» ■"*" ""> ^"S^^"^ he to ,^"e°m,^",;^r'"''"™'" ^'" """"• • "^ '^nk we ought fo.d^'°toXr'„v«irci'' "Z^'T'"^"^"' ">»» -™ " Father I " 'loik-drew back stacllod-alarmed. Joh^rfalSLtJ'a'ci V.I„?' H^.-"" "ovod the hat from Cone fro^ «^\^hZ WhL Sum T '"'/'u' ''"''^• While he was sleeping th„", S^Tas™ Swm" ""'• . His two sons carried him down thTsloM Th.. ui^ h IC leu' Kfr ■" '" ""• ^'^•' '•C 'r'.eJJ^nfhot bed,^d»tMikfal'mtrbTcut,''Sr "'?«'"■ '>'"« »" her ' 'i'^::tt'? Sl'€-rr "^^^^^^^^^ " "'^'"• .Ione,ZLin8''a?'him^o;'?ted'"n„f "" ^our by myself had said-" a little while " ' *" '*'"" '"'-" 'e lhose*JitSr'l"Lciia''/ S\. ' r.'"''"',™^*"'""' them, sunding „Vrm:rl,^hrsln"iTn ?yXu'd^? 7r himself, quite distinct frrm ♦ho* , u" u 7 °'*^"®'^-"~Job» n»; beJtifulaanTh ybcUdeathcTn u "^ '^ '"" '*'°™ he had looked this very mornin. ' y°""eermnch than Farewell Chn J"?,""™ ?8— younger by twenty years. but forTlitUe wh"le. "*"*"' "^ °""'' «■" '»»«'«" ?t is J^OffN HALIFAX. ■" ^ *»'^ Halifax. * "®^' «>n»«one touched nie -««zm^ ga„„ I j^'j _,^»*e d,d ,tand, ^p^ght ami cal,,.' The «,i« W^aml'Jjt°^nbXT """■• «>■ Phine.,,.. "^CLT -r sf;rf''"« -"^^^^^^^^^^^ -« I gave l,„r mv If """• J""" ««•" "*""> »i8h/h.?eMP^,^. «'"' she »t down b„ „„ t„, ,, «« in th, ohilfc "'"^"^ «« '■'« "oor. Brotber. ,,,1 ™„ '^^•thout a single tear. """* i^er^weepmg ; but she sflko your father '^/Z^ we^VaSr T' ^'^^ ^^^ ^ -^ tbree years. Tlurtj- three ylars.^ ^'"'^ ^''" '"'^"'^'^i thirty. 'hauJlcT^fSfSCi^ ^-^^ ^'^<^ i-^ her back all caily, mer her wedding" ^^^^^^ "^ov..l to and fro, nSan,' - .oodft"oSr «: '& -T -"-^ ^^'- He wa« fe'ood ; that WHS why I W-l . """ ""*" t^^^*. he mSe T«« ;:;e from the finst\ltJe gth' tZ .^'' "*^«* ^'^ ^oTetj^ ne had taken mo for his mm » a ^\°"?'er to myself bocausA i- im JOHN HAr,IFAX. uatuMl voice. "" ■"»" "'«" ""d finn, th« Sw^ fathM "^oJ^S do' Af"'- T" ■»"'» "e™' forget vom. all ways. Vou mu,Hov"hYmTnlT '"'' '"'^ " »■« '?^«i-S meet your father." * *' "^^^ '»»''« you ashamed t(! haps led astray bfthe r^n. if. ' ''•"■ .''" »""'' '*i°S Per? foro„e,„ore4un:,S;^!!,7„a''"''^ feebly ffi little fZ.P -« '•«- -" bo tot^Ier agaia-his own almo "ht'bL.""'"'" '"''"«< ">■»« home." whisi>ero, WARD. LOCK ^^^ir^^il^i^i^i: . LONDON. NEW VORK. AND MEI.BODRN1. ^^^v"^^P^' I If 1 1 p. I ■'*^.- , •A ,.-3 ,-*;» .Ir.r' .■^'/< ' << » ■■i* 4* ■ ■* rt • *«r NL C BNC 3 3286 06214301 7 f! ir !, J l.:^. I: .im-'^-.