HAZELL & SONS 
 
 BEEWEES 
 
 ANNIE S. SWAN 
 
 AUTHOR OF 
 
 'HUB BAZTKR'8 BKQTTEST,' 'THB 8ECRXT PAN'EL,' ' ALDEKCTOM,' 
 'OATH OV *D*S,' 'ULUt ASD PA1M.' rTO. 1TC. 
 
 EDITION 
 
 CINCINNATI: 
 
 CRANSTON & CURTS. 
 
 NEW YORK: HUNT & EATON.
 
 EDITION 
 
 Tl)i^ book is published by us ur>- 
 der special cor>bracb -wibt) 
 
 MESSRS. OLIPHANT, ANDERSON & FERRIER, 
 
 of Edir>bur^t>, Scoblapd. 
 
 r>ob cb a P^ e< i ^b e ori6ir>al 
 
 pt>y, wl)icl) varie^ ^li^bly frorrj our 
 
 Arr)ericar) Sbar>dards. 
 
 CRANSTON & STOWE. 
 
 222W22
 
 CONTENTS. 
 
 CHAP. PAO 
 
 I. DISCORDS, ....,., 7 
 
 II. MARY HA/KLI,, . . . . . .17 
 
 III. THE SHADOW ON THE HEARTH, . . . .27 
 
 IV. NIGHT AND MORNING, . . . . .38 
 V. PARADISE ROW, . . . . . .48 
 
 VI. BEGINNINGS, . . .... 58 
 
 VII. PERPLEXITIES, . . . . . .69 
 
 VIII. HEMMED IN, ...... 80 
 
 IX. MADELINE RATNE, . ..... 91 
 
 X. CHUMS, . . . . . . .103 
 
 XI. IN THE LIBRARY, . . . . . .114 
 
 XII. CONTRASTS, . . . . . . .125 
 
 xni. THE MOTHERS' MEETING, ... . 135 
 
 XIV. THE WALK HOME, ...... 146 
 
 XV. A TRYING HOUR, ...... 156 
 
 XVI. AT DAGGERS DRAWN, . . . . .167 
 
 XVII. GATHERING CLOUDS, . . . ? .178 
 
 XVIII. HUSBAND AND WIFE, . . . . .189 
 
 XIX. A CRISIS, . . . . . . . ] 99 
 
 XX. DEFIED, ....... 210 
 
 XXI. FANNING THE FIRE, ..... 221 
 
 xxn. THE CASHIER'S HOME, ..... 231 
 
 \\iii. ALL'S WELL, ...... 241
 
 HAZELL & SONS. 
 
 CHAPTER L 
 
 DISCORDS. 
 
 CLOUD had marred the enjoyment at the 
 break fast-table. The June sunshine, peep- 
 ing in through the half-closed Venetians, 
 made long lines of light in the pretty room. 
 One bright ray sparkled on the silver urn, and touched 
 with a golden glory the sweet face of the lady who sat 
 behind it. She was quite young ; looking at the three 
 persons at the table, it was difficult to determine in 
 what relationship she stood towards them. On the 
 right sat an elderly gentleman of a fine commanding 
 presence, with a splendid head, and a face in which 
 benevolence and power were pleasantly commingled. 
 Opposite to him sat a younger man, so much resembling 
 him that it was easy to guess that they were father and 
 son. At the foot of the table sat one still younger, a
 
 8 HAZELL 6- SONS. 
 
 handsome, fair-haired lad, not long out of his teens. 
 It was a family party evidently, but family harmony 
 did not seem to prevail. A look of anxiety, of distress, 
 even, was visible on the lady's face, and she nervously 
 toyed with the toast on her plate. She had eaten 
 nothing, the coffee was cold in her cup, the atmosphere 
 at the table had banished any appetite she might have 
 had. The elderly gentleman's brows were knit, his 
 firm mouth set in a determined curve, the son opposite 
 to him looked grave and concerned also ; only on the 
 face of the lad at the foot of the table there sat a 
 reckless, defiant look, and he seemed to be partaking of 
 a hearty meal with relish. 
 
 'You are eating nothing, Mrs. Hazell,' said Eobert 
 Hazell, turning kindly to his father's wife. 'Let me 
 get you something from the sideboard, a slice of ham 
 or a morsel of chicken.' 
 
 ' No, thank you, Kobert, I could not eat it.' 
 
 ' Yes, Eleanor, get something. Never mind the 
 foolish lad,' said Mr. Hazell, unbending his brows a 
 little, as he looked towards his wife. ' He is not worth 
 spoiling one's breakfast for. But the sooner he learns 
 to mend his ways, the better it will be for himself,' 
 he added, looking frowningly towards the foot of the 
 table. 
 
 'Much obliged,' was the lad's cool retort, as he, 
 emptied his third cup of coffee. He seemed perfectly 
 indifferent, in reality he was furiously angry. 
 
 Herbert Hazell was a self-willed, hot-headed youth, 
 who. hated to be meddled with, or given a word of 
 reproof. He had not been behaving well of late. He
 
 DISCORDS. 9 
 
 had come in during the small hours of the morning for 
 the thud time within a week, and declined to give any 
 explanation of, or apology for, his conduct. His father, 
 no doubt, was perfectly justified in administering a 
 sharp rebuke, which he had done when they met at 
 the table. 
 
 ' You will please to remember, my lad, that, if 
 you have no respect for yourself, I require you to 
 respect my wife and myself,' continued Mr. Hazell 
 rather haughtily. ' If you cannot conform to the rules 
 of the house, you must leave it that's all. You 
 should take an example by your brother, sir, who is 
 an honour to all connected with him.' 
 
 ' Oh, of course, pile it on ! ' sneered Herbert, with a 
 curious gleam in his eye. ' Bob always was a saint, 
 and a sneak as well' 
 
 Mr. Hazell's temper rose again, but Robert Hazell 
 only smiled. He did not at all mind anything Herbert 
 said, but regarded him rather as a spoiled child than 
 anything else. 
 
 'Never mind him, father,' he said in that quiet, 
 pleasant way of his. ' I daresay Herbert will be sorry 
 when he thinks over it, and will do differently in 
 future. Mrs. Hazell, I saw some roses at Clieveden 
 yesterday finer than yours.' 
 
 'Did you? Tell me about them,' said Mrs. Hazell, 
 lifting a quick, grateful glance to his face. He had a 
 fine tact, and often changed the subject when it grew 
 distasteful He knew that the jars between his father 
 and his younger brother were disliked and dreaded by 
 his father's wife. It was now twelve months since she
 
 to HAZELL <S- SONS, 
 
 had come to Hazelwood, and but for these jars, which 
 were increasing instead of diminishing, she would have 
 been supremely happy. 
 
 ' Are they Lucy's training ? ' she asked, with a 
 little humorous smile. 'If they are, I give up the 
 contest.' 
 
 Eobert Hazell laughed. 
 
 ' No, they are only Guy's/ he answered. ' Mrs. 
 Meredith says he is neglecting his business for his 
 flowers. His Marshal Neils are simply beyond 
 description.' 
 
 ' I must go over and see them. More coffee, 
 Herbert?' 
 
 ' No.' 
 
 With which rude refusal Mr. Herbert pushed back 
 his chair, and without apology left the room. 
 
 'I must be going too,' said Eobert, making a motion 
 to rise, perhaps to cover his brother's rudeness. 'Are 
 you coming down just now, father ? ' 
 
 ' I will follow you shortly. See that Gregory's order 
 is attended to this morning, will you ? ' 
 
 'Yes. Good morning, Mrs. Hazell.' So saying, 
 Eobert Hazell also left the room. 
 
 'This cannot go on, Eleanor,' said Mr. Hazell sternly, 
 the moment the door closed on them. 'The boy's 
 insolence is insufferable. I think I must set him out 
 into the world to stand on his own responsibility. 
 Things are much too easy for him here. He has too 
 much time on his hands, and too much money in his 
 pockets.' 
 
 ' But to send him away just now would be a mistake,
 
 DISCORDS. xi 
 
 I think/ said his wife gently. ' It's not the best thing 
 to turn our backs on the erring, is it, Robert ? ' 
 
 ' Well, perhaps not ; but you know I have tried all 
 ways with him, Eleanor, and you know with what 
 results,' said Mr. Hazell irritably. '.He is not worth 
 his salt at the brewery, and there is the evil of his 
 example besides. It is not a pleasant thing to have 
 one's sons drinking and gambling with one's employees 
 in Medlington, and I won't have it in that I am 
 determined.' 
 
 Eleanor Hazell sighed. They were discussing a 
 vexed question, which had often, often made dispeace 
 in Hazelwood. She had her own thoughts on the 
 subject, but she was by nature and habit timid and 
 reserved. It was very seldom she ventured an opinion, 
 especially one opposed to that expressed by her 
 husband. 
 
 ' I am in hopes that Mary will be able to do some- 
 thing with him when she comes home,' said Mr. Hazell 
 presently. ' They were always chums, and she bad a 
 great influence over him. By the by, she'll be home 
 in a day or two now. Isn't it to-morrow Robert goes 
 off to Bonn to fetch her ? ' 
 
 ' Yes, to-morrow.' 
 
 ' Why that sigh, Eleanor ? Are you dreading Mary's 
 home-coming ? ' 
 
 ' Oh, no, not dreading, but I feel anxious, naturally 
 anxious. I have supplanted her, Robert.' 
 
 ' Oh, don't talk nonsense,' said Mr. Hazell in his 
 quick way. ' Supplanted indeed ! Mary is my daugh- 
 ter, no dmiH. but this is my house, and surely I am
 
 12 HAZELL &> SONS. 
 
 master of my own actions. I hope and expect that she 
 will do her duty. She is a sensible girl ; I am sure 
 you will like her. Her brothers adore her.' 
 
 ' I know they do. I shall try to do my duty by her, 
 Eobert. I hope we shall be happy together.' 
 
 ' It was in order that you might grow accustomed to 
 Hazelwood, and feel at home with us all first, that I 
 sent Mary abroad for a year. She was very sensible 
 about it. I am sure, if you are worrying yourself at 
 all, it is needlessly, Eleanor.' 
 
 ' I am not worrying, but it is impossible foi me not 
 to be anxious until the meeting is over. Perhaps I 
 am a little afraid of Mary. If she is at all like her 
 brothers, she must be a clever and noble woman, Eobert.' 
 
 ' Mary clever ? Oh yes, she is a splendid linguist 
 and musician, as she might be, considering the money I 
 have spent on her education. She is a trifle high-flown 
 and sentimental, like all schoolgirls. But she'll marry 
 soon, I fancy, and, I expect, become a practical wife 
 and mother.' 
 
 ' I hope she will not marry for a long time, Eobert. 
 I should like her to be happy in her father's house for 
 a while before she marries. If she improves Herbert, 
 it will be delightful.' 
 
 ' If she doesn't, he must go, that is all,' said Mr. 
 Hazell curtly. ' Well, I must go too, Eleanor. Good- 
 bye, and don't worry. I declare these children are a 
 greater care now than when they were in the nursery.' 
 
 ' Only Herbert. Eobert is a comfort to you to us all.' 
 
 ' Oh yes, Eobert is as good as gold. A trifle slow 
 and with a few antiquated notions perhaps, but trust-
 
 DISCORDS. 13 
 
 worthy and conscientious a great matter in these 
 degenerate days,' said Mr. Hazell, as he went out of the 
 room. 
 
 When she was left alone, Eleanor Hazell sat still a 
 long time at the table, pondering certain things on her 
 mind. She was a sensitive woman, and even small cares 
 lay heavy on her heart She was seriously troubled 
 about her husband's younger son. They did not get 
 on well together, nay, there were constant feuds between 
 them. Herbert, no doubt, was indolent and careless ; 
 but Mr. Hazell was hasty and harsh in rebuke, and had 
 no mercy where any deviation from the straight line of 
 duty was involved. Herbert was hot-tempered ; but 
 his father was sometimes unjust. He was blamed often 
 without cause ; any mistake or confusion in the counting- 
 house was sure to be visited on the ne'er-do-weel, often 
 without any investigation being made. Even Kobert 
 Hazell, steady, diligent, conscientious as he was, found 
 it hard at times to get on with his father. They differed 
 on a hundred points of opinion ; but there was this 
 difference between the two sons : the elder held his 
 peace, and never forgot to be respectful, whereas Herbert 
 spoke up, whatever occurred to him, whether it was 
 becoming or not. Mr. Hazell was a self-made man, a 
 man of great business power, and possessing many ad- 
 mirable qualities, but he had an overweening pride, a 
 domineering and assertive manner, and a quick, arrogant 
 temper; he was not, therefore, greatly beloved as a 
 master. He was a very rich man, the Hazell brewery 
 was a concern well worth possessing, but he was hard 
 in money matters, and, curiously enough, less generous
 
 i< HAZELL <5r- SONS. 
 
 to his own boys than to the strangers in his employ. 
 They certainly had board at Hazelwood, but their salary 
 was fixed accordingly. Although Eobert Hazell was 
 worth his weight in gold, and through his tact and 
 pleasant way with the men kept the thing going smoothly 
 and profitably, he received from his father only a hundred 
 a year, and he was twenty-eight years old. He had 
 accepted his position meekly for a long time, .but the 
 time was coming for him to speak. 
 
 Herbert Hazell left the house that morning, as he 
 often did, in a violent temper. The delicious breeze 
 sweeping up from the river, which watered the spacious 
 grounds surrounding the brewer's fine residence, scarcely 
 cooled the angry colour in the young man's cheeks. He 
 was oblivious of the beauty of the summer morning, 
 careless of the magnificent view stretching out before 
 him ; he walked with his eyes moodily bent on the 
 ground, angrily switching the heads off the daisies with 
 his cane as he passed. Eobert, leaving the house a few 
 minutes after him, overtook him at the lodge gates. 
 
 ' You're in a hurry, Bertie,' he said pleasantly. ' Take 
 it easy ; the breakfast hour is not nearly over.' 
 
 An ominous grunt was Herbert's only answer. 
 
 ' A fine morning, isn't it ? Glorious weather for a 
 holiday ! I say, Bertie, you might go to Bonn for Molly 
 instead of me ; it would be a fine change for you ? ' 
 
 'The governor would cut my head off if I ventured to 
 suggest it might be my turn to have a holiday. No, 
 the German trips are only for the good little boys.' 
 
 Eobert laughed. 
 
 ' You're awfully cross this morning, Bertie/
 
 DISCORDS. 15 
 
 'So would you be if you were treated as I am. I 
 haven't the liberty of a cat. I won't be dictated to 
 and scolded before Mrs. Hazell as I was to-day/ said 
 Herbert savagely. ' She rather enjoys it, I know, 
 though she looks so mighty soft.' 
 
 ' You are not just to her, Bertie. Besides, she has 
 nothing to do with the matter ; it is between father and 
 you. I don't wonder he is angry. It is not a very 
 nice thing for you to spend your earnings at the " Base- 
 Ball " every night Is it now, Bertie ? ' 
 
 ' Oh, well, there's some freedom and fun there any- 
 way,' said the lad moodily. 
 
 ' Yes, but there's something else. I am anxious 
 about you, Bertie; so will Molly be when she comes 
 home.' 
 
 ' Oh yes, they'll tell her a lot of lies about me, and 
 then she'll turn against me, and I won't care what 
 becomes of me. She believes in me yet, anyway. 
 There's no difference in her letters,' said the lad, with a 
 strange mixture of indignation and tenderness. Robert 
 had touched a very soft place in his heart. 
 
 ' I'll tell you what, Bert, you'll go to Bonn to-morrow 
 instead of me. I'll make it all right with father.' 
 
 ' I'd like to, but he said I wasn't fit to have the care 
 of my sister. By Jove, I won't forget that in a hurry ! 
 Not fit to take care of Molly, when she's my chum ! ' 
 
 ' Oh, he only spoke hastily, and did not mean any- 
 thing by it Don't brood on it ; you'll enjoy the trip 
 immensely.' 
 
 ' But it's yours by right ; you've worked so jolly hard 
 all summer. You're a good sort, Bob ! '
 
 i6 
 
 RAZELL 
 
 SOWS. 
 
 ' So are you, Bert, when you are yourself,' said the 
 elder brother affectionately, and their hands met in a 
 warm, brotherly grip. There was great good in Herbert 
 Hazell ; but he was just on the brink, and needed 
 wise and loving guiding to establish him in the 
 upright path.
 
 CHAPTER IT. 
 
 MARY HAZELL, 
 
 a fine summer morning two girls were sitting 
 in the pleasant garden of a commodious 
 chateau in the Coblenzer Strasse at Bonn. 
 The chateau pertained to Madame Gebhardt, 
 and, though the establishment was a school where the 
 tuition was good and the discipline firmly maintained, 
 it was likewise a home to all the pupils. They were 
 chiefly English girls, for Madame Gebhardt had made a 
 reputation abroad. She was a large-hearted, motherly 
 woman, and no better proof of her merits was to be 
 found than in the fact that every holiday time brought 
 one or two former pupils back to pay a visit to their 
 old quarters in the Coblenzer Strasse. No lovelier 
 situation could be found than that on which the Chateau 
 Gebhardt stood. It was on the face of a hill, and 
 commanded a view of picturesque Bonn, the winding, 
 beautiful river beyond, and the vine-clad slopes of the 
 hills on the opposite bank. On a clear morning and 
 if is nearly always clear in that sunny land the seven 
 mountains at Konigswinter could be seen, with the 
 
 2
 
 r 8 HAZELL & SONS. 
 
 picturesque Castle of the Drachenfels standing on its 
 commanding height 
 
 The two companions, sitting together on the terrace, 
 under the grateful shadow of a chestnut tree, were 
 watching for the steamboat coming up the river from 
 Cologne. They had just observed it gliding round the 
 curve at Konigswinter, and had laid their glasses on an 
 empty chair beside them. They were both young, just 
 on the threshold of womanhood, and they were close 
 and dear friends, though there was, outwardly at least, 
 little in common between them. Mary Hazell was the 
 taller of the two a handsome, graceful girl, with a 
 clear and beautiful complexion, bright brown hair, and 
 a pair of large, calm, grey eyes. There was a dignity 
 and repose in her whole bearing which might have 
 belonged to one twice her years. Her movements were 
 quiet, but graceful and ladylike; she looked like one 
 who had had a large experience of life but she was 
 only a schoolgirl, in her twenty-first year. 
 
 Her companion was of small, insignificant stature, 
 and her figure was not in any way enhanced by the 
 shabby black dress slie wore. Her face was sallow and 
 large-featured ; her black hair coiled low at her neck 
 gave the appearance of too much weight to the head. 
 
 But the undoubted plainness of her features was 
 redeemed by the beauty of her eyes, which was remark- 
 able. I cannot describe it because it was the beauty 
 of expression rather than of form or colour, though 
 those were in keeping. A soul looked out from these 
 eyes the soul of a woman who had suffered, but had 
 retained the highest ideal of life. She was Madeline
 
 MARY HAZELL. 19 
 
 or Lena Rayne, only an English governess at the 
 Chateau Gebhardt, but the friend of Mary Hazell, 
 the sweet English girl, who was the greatest favourite 
 in the school. 
 
 ' I cannot really believe that it is at an end, and that 
 I have no more lessons to learn, Lena,' said Mary Hazell, 
 leaning her soft white hand against her cheek. 
 
 ' Except the lessons of life, in comparison with which 
 school-tasks are only play,' Lena Eayne answered, more 
 to herself than to her friend. 
 
 ' Perhaps you are right. I shall be sorry to leave dear 
 Bonn,' said Mary, and her eyes filled. ' But I feel that 
 I can learn nothing more here, and that it is time I led 
 a more active life. I have great plans for the future, Lena.' 
 
 ' Yes. Tell me what they are,' said the governess, 
 with a slight, sweet smile, as she folded her hands in 
 her lap. She had ceased to plan, and now lived in the 
 life of others. There were times when she told herself 
 that her life-work seemed to be done if, indeed, any 
 had ever been ordered for her. She was quiescent in 
 her present state, but not happy. 
 
 ' Oh, there are so many it would take days to tell 
 them. Some of them are quixotic, but all of them 
 point in the right way. I mean to do some good in 
 Medlington, Lena.' 
 
 ' Yes. Tell me how.' 
 
 ' Oh, I can hardly specify ; I shall find ways and 
 means. I have heard you say often that we find the 
 way when the heart is willing. You have not gone 
 back on that old teaching, have you \ ' asked Mary, with 
 a smile.
 
 ao HAZELL & SONS. 
 
 ' No. It is true. I hope your way will be sunny 
 and untroubled all your days, Mary,' said the governess, 
 with evident emotion. 
 
 ' I wonder if that is a good hope, Lena,' said Mary 
 Hazell, and her sweet face grew earnest and grave. 
 ' Do you not think we need other things than sunshine 
 to develop our characters ? I sometimes think we are 
 just like the flowers, to whom the " useful trouble of 
 the rain " is absolutely essential* 
 
 ' That is a beautiful thought, and a true one, Mary ; 
 but one cannot help wishing the very best for those one 
 loves.' 
 
 ' You cannot, Lena, you are so unselfish,' said Mary 
 Hazell involuntarily, and she laid her hand on that of 
 her friend as she spoke. ' I wonder when your turn for 
 the sunshine is to come ? ' 
 
 ' In God's time ; and, if never, then that will be best,' 
 said the governess simply, and as if the words were but 
 the expression of a heart's conviction. ' I should like 
 to hear something definite about your plans, Mary, so 
 that I, working here, may be able to picture you working 
 yonder both, I trust, for the same end. We have 
 pledged ourselves, have we not, to do what we can 
 earnestly, and, as we have opportunity, to make our 
 own lives noble, and those of others as happy as our 
 influence can make them ? ' 
 
 'Yes,' answered Mary Hazell, as her eyes watched 
 the flashing of the sunlight on the swift-flowing Ehine, 
 ' yes, we have.' 
 
 Perhaps as she spoke a vague premonition that she 
 was about to begin the ascent of the Hill of Difficulty
 
 MARY HAZELL. ai 
 
 touched her heart. ' I cannot be very definite until I 
 go home, Lena. I fancy it will depend entirely upon 
 my position in my father's house as to the exact nature 
 of the work I may undertake. I have to make the 
 acquaintance of Mrs. Hazell on the very threshold of 
 my new life.' 
 
 ' Yes, but I think she will be a help to you, and you 
 to her. Is it among the poor of the town you intend 
 to work ? ' 
 
 'Yes ; there are a great many poor people in Med- 
 lington, and a great many miserable and hopeless lives. 
 It is over-populated, and the depression in trade has 
 painfully affected it. Some of the works have been 
 closed for months.' 
 
 ' Ah, then, you will find enough to do. I do not 
 want to bring our conversation to an end, Mary, but 
 had you not better go down to the pier now ? See, the 
 steamer has passed Rheinberg.' 
 
 ' Oh yes, I must go. Where is the glass ? I believe 
 I can distinguish Herbert on the deck. I shall delight to 
 introduce my brother to you. He is a handsome fellow.' 
 
 ' He must be, if he is like you,' said the governess, 
 with a smile. The compliment was sincere. She thought 
 Mary Hazell one of the loveliest girls she had ever seen. 
 
 ' Such sweet words won't fit me for the stern battle 
 of life, Lena,' Mary said merrily. ' Come, get your hat, 
 Lena, and let us go down together. Herbert and I will 
 have plenty of time to talk family matters on the way 
 .home. I cannot understand why he should have come 
 instead of Robert. I hope there is nothing wrong with 
 him.
 
 22 HAZELL 6r SONS. 
 
 The holiday season had begun, and even Lena Kayne 
 vvns free to dispose of the greater part of her time as 
 she pleased. She had a few duties to perform for 
 Madame in return for her board during the recess, for 
 t:he English governess had no home and no friends with 
 whom to spend the time to which her pupils looked 
 forward so joyously. Perhaps she had grown accustomed 
 to the loneliness of her life, to the lack of the close, 
 sweet human relationships and interests her nature 
 could so dearly have prized ; but there were occasional 
 moments when her heart failed her, when she felt that 
 the days were a burden and a weariness, and that there 
 was no soul on earth so desolate as she. The friend- 
 ship of Mary Hazell had been like a heaven-sent gift to 
 the governess, and she dreaded the year to come when 
 the Chateau Gebhardt would be rid of that bright, 
 presence. Though Mary Hazell was a thoughtful girl, 
 she was neither dull nor morbid. Her mind was per- 
 fectly healthy she had a keen sense of humour and a 
 happy disposition, and she was neither frivolous nor 
 flippant. She had early begun to study the problems 
 of existence, and had a high ideal of life. It is a great 
 thing to have a noble ideal ; even though we may never 
 reach it, there is much that beautifies and ennobles in 
 the very striving. It is always glorious to look up. I 
 would have every young heart take Excelsior for a 
 watchword. 
 
 The two friends, arm in arm, went down the shady 
 walk through the pleasant gardens, and reached the pier 
 just as the steamer touched it. It was crowded with 
 passengers, the season having commenced propitiously.
 
 MARY FTAZELL. 23 
 
 but in a moment Mary's quick eye detected her brother's 
 handsome figure among the crowd. Lena Rayne drew 
 back when he stepped on the gangway, and turned 
 away her head, not wishing to intrude on their meeting. 
 Then she began to move slowly on again towards the 
 garden gate, leaving them to follow. 
 
 'Holloa, Molly, you are looking grand,' said Herbert 
 Hazell in his off-hand way, as he took his sister on his 
 arm. ' And how are you ? ' 
 
 ' Oh, delightfully well, as everybody is here. Isn't 
 Bonn lovely ? But why did you sail up from Cologne, 
 you stupid boy ? Confess you saw nothing.' 
 
 ' Saw ! I've been perfectly savage. How dare they 
 perpetrate such a fraud on the public. It should be 
 exposed.' 
 
 ' But all the Rhine worth seeing is between Bonn 
 and Mayence. You should have corne here by train. 
 But never mind. How are they all, and why did you 
 come instead of Bob ? ' 
 
 ' Oh, Bob sent me. The governor and I have not 
 been sailing in the same boat lately, and there's a dry- 
 ness, to put it mildly,' said Herbert. 
 
 ' What about ? I am afraid it must be your fault, 
 Bertie ; papa is so good.' 
 
 ' He used to be when we were little. He forgets 
 that we have grown just a trifle beyond his authority. 
 I don't think I'm going to stay at home after this 
 summer,' said Herbert, with a lofty indifference. 
 
 ' Not stay at home '. ' echoed Mary blankly. This 
 was bad news to meet her at the outset ' Why, where 
 would you go ? '
 
 i4 &AZELL 6- SONS. 
 
 1 Colonies/ answered Herbert briefly. 
 
 ' Oh, Bertie Hazell, you'll never do such a thing ! ' 
 
 ' Won't I ? I'm not going to be treated like a child. 
 Besides, what do we get at home ? There's Bob, as 
 sweet as he can be on Lucy Meredith, and can't say a 
 word because he hasn't a sixpence to bless himself 
 with.' 
 
 ' Lucy Meredith ! Oh, how nice ! She is a dear girl,' 
 said Mary, with all a girl's ready interest in a love 
 affair. ' I cannot imagine Bob ; he's so quiet and 
 staid.' 
 
 ' Not like me falling in love with every pretty 
 face,' laughed Herbert in his careless way. ' Say, 
 who's this old party hanging about before us ? Not 
 your school-marm, is it ? 
 
 ' Oh no ; that is Lena Eayne.' 
 
 ' That the paragon you've been raving about this 
 long time ? Well, my dear, she may be good, but, even 
 by stretching the imagination, she could not be called 
 beautiful.' 
 
 'Hush; she will hear you. You will think her 
 lovely when you know her. Before we get to her, 
 Bert, do you think I could take it upon me to invite 
 her to Hazel wood ? ' 
 
 'Why should you not? 
 
 ' Oh, you know, would Mrs. Hazell like it ? ' 
 
 ' Oh, I think she would ; she's hospitable enough ; 
 but I can't say I admire your taste in friends, Mary. 
 What a dowdy ! ' 
 
 Mary's cheeks were naturally a little red when 
 presently she was called upon to introduce a friend to
 
 MARY HAZELL. *S 
 
 her brother. At that moment it seemed to Mary's 
 vexed spirit Lena Rayne showed to the least possible 
 advantage. Her manner was stiff and constrained her 
 very expression seemed dull and uninterested. 
 
 Altogether, Herbert had succeeded in a very few 
 minutes in putting his sister thoroughly out of sorts. 
 Herbert Hazell paid very little attention to Lena Rayne 
 that morning at Bonn. I do not suppose one of the 
 three had the faintest prevision what influence she was 
 to exert on his future life. There came a time, how- 
 ever, when Herbert Hazell blessed the day he had first 
 seen Madeline Rayne. 
 
 1 1 am afraid things are not just quite harmonious at 
 home, Lena/ said Mary Hazell an hour later, when she 
 was gathering the last of her belongings together in the 
 little room on the balcony, where many a night they 
 had watched the Rhine by moonlight, and discussed life 
 in all its bearings. ' I have a feeling as if I were going 
 home to a great deal of worry.' 
 
 ' If so, don't anticipate it. Time enough to face it 
 when you cannot help it,' said Lena cheerfully. ' You 
 have decided to go straight home ; you are disappointed 
 in your trip up to Mayence ? ' 
 
 ' Yes. It is most unaccountable of papa not to have 
 sent any money ; I can't understand it. Bertie and he 
 have been quarrelling, I fear. Isn't it horrid ? ' 
 
 ' Perhaps you will smooth all unpleasantness away, 
 as you have so often done here,' said the governess. 
 ' You will not forget me, Mary ? ' 
 
 ' How dare you ask such a question ? ' asked Mary 
 Huzi-.ll quickly, and her bright eyes grew dim. ' Now,
 
 26 HAZELL & SONS. 
 
 Lena, promise me that if I say come, you will come 
 Of course I do not know how things will be at home 
 but I hope, and I think, everything will be right 
 Hazelwood used to be a very hospitable house.' 
 
 ' When you send for me, I will come, Mary. Good- 
 bye. God bless you/ said Madeline, and for a moment 
 emotion overcame her. * 
 
 ' Good-bye. God bless you for all you have been and 
 done for me, Madeline Rayne. You have made me a 
 better woman. Anything worthy I may be. or do, my 
 darling, I shall owe to you.'
 
 CHAPTER HI. 
 
 THE SHADOW ON THE HEARTH. 
 
 HE supper tray had just been brought into the 
 drawing-room. As the maid set it on the 
 table and withdrew, the timepiece chimed 
 the half-hour after ten. Mr. Hazell threw 
 aside the magazine he had been readiug, and sat up in 
 his chair. 
 
 'Shut the piano, Mary, and let us have a mouthful 
 of supper and get to bed,' he said in his quick way. 
 ' Eleanor, what will you take ? ' 
 
 ' Milk, if Kitty has brought it Is there any there, 
 Mary ? ' 
 
 'Yes, mamma ; here it is.' 
 
 Mary rose, set a glass of milk on a small salver, and 
 carried it to Mrs. Hazell's sofa. She was not strong, 
 and of late had been obliged to spend the greater part 
 of the day on the sofa. She was a sweet, uncomplaining 
 invalid, who gave as little trouble as possible, and was 
 grateful for every small attention. 
 
 ' Thank you, my love,' she said, as she took the glass 
 from Mary's hand. Their eyes met in a smile of
 
 a 8 HAZELL & SONS, 
 
 i 
 mutual love. Between these two women there Was an 
 
 absolute understanding and an absolute trust. Mary 
 Hazell had found in her father's wife an abiding and 
 precious friend. 
 
 ' A biscuit, mamma ? Here are some of cook's 
 famous cocoa chips. Do have one ? ' 
 
 ' No, thank you. What is Eobert busy with ? ' 
 
 ' The dissipation of a novel, I think,' returned Mary, 
 glancing at the corner where Eobert sat, apparently 
 engrossed in the book he held in his hand, only 
 apparently ; in reality he was thinking of something 
 more serious than an imaginary love-story. 
 
 ' I didn't want anything, thank you,' he said quietly, 
 and, rising from his chair, looked out of the window. 
 ' It is a wet night,' he added ; ' that southerly wind will 
 blow a gale before morning.' 
 
 ' No fear of it. We haven't many gales in September,' 
 said Mr. Hazell, as he finished his repast ' A little 
 sherbet, Mary?' 
 
 ' Oh no, thank you, papa,' answered the girl quickly, 
 and the colour rose slightly in her cheek. 
 
 ' You are all very abstemious,' he said. ' Eleanor, 
 there is nothing in that acid draught to refresh you. 
 You ought to have some wine in it. Let me ring 
 for some.' 
 
 ' No, thank you, Eobert. I like it as it is,' returned 
 his wife. 
 
 ' If everybody followed the example of my household, 
 we might shut up shop, eh, Bob ? Well, if you have all 
 done, we'd better go. Lock the door, Eobert, as you go 
 down.'
 
 THE SHADOW ON THE HEARTH. 29 
 
 ' But, papa, Bertie has not come in,' Mary said 
 quickly. 
 
 ' Put the bolts in as well,' added Mr. Hazell, ignoring 
 her protest. ' Are you ready to go up-stairs, Eleanor ? ' 
 
 ' Yes, but the door must not be locked till Herbert 
 conies in, dear. There is no use troubling the servants.' 
 
 ' They will not be troubled,' answered Mr. Hazell 
 grimly. ' They have had their orders. Wait till eleven, 
 Robert, and then do as I have told you. Good-night, 
 Mary.' 
 
 Mary Hazell's face was wet with tears as she received 
 her father's good-night kiss. 
 
 ' Oh, papa, don't lock him out ! ' she pleaded. ' Let 
 me sit up for him.' 
 
 'My patience is quite exhausted. I have warned 
 him in vain, and I must show my authority in some 
 fashion,' was Mr. Hazell's curt rejoinder. ' Remember 
 the bolts, Robert.' 
 
 ' Very well. Good-night,' Robert answered. ' Good- 
 night, Mrs. Hazell.' 
 
 Mary threw herself into a low rocking-chair, and her 
 tears flowed in earnest. Her brother came to the 
 hearth, and stood leaning against the mantelshelf with 
 his arms folded across his chest. His brows were knit, 
 his fine eyes troubled in their depths. 
 
 'Don't distress yourself so, Molly,' he said kindly. 
 ' Let us talk over this unhappy business. What is tp 
 be done now ? ' 
 
 ' I don't know, Bob. Papa is so dreadfully hard on 
 Bertie. I believe it makes him worse.' 
 
 ' He is a little hard, but he has grave reason to be
 
 30 HAZELL & SOWS. 
 
 displeased. I am afraid the lad is completely led away 
 Nothing seems to influence him,' said the elder brother 
 sadly. 
 
 Both were silent for a moment. Curiously, or, 
 perhaps, naturally enough, the thoughts of each had run 
 into one groove. 
 
 ' Bob, is it for Bertie's sake you take jiothing ? 1 
 have noticed of late that you do not even taste wine 
 at dinner.' 
 
 ' Yes, that is my reason. I wish papa could see 
 that it would be better not to have it in the nouse.' 
 
 ' Have you ever spoken of it to him ? ' 
 
 ' Never. He would resent it, I am sure.' 
 
 Mary Hazell said no more for a few moments. By 
 slow degrees various convictions were coming home to 
 her. She had begun of late to study cause and effect, 
 with the result that she was discontented and miserable. 
 She had begun to have grave doubts about the business 
 which bore her father's name. In her endeavours to be 
 loyal to him, she had tried to banish these doubts, but 
 they were often uppermost in her mind. 
 
 ' I should be afraid to interfere. Papa is very 
 different from what he used to be,' she said presently. 
 ' But I could ask mamma to speak about it to him. 
 She is on our side, I know.' 
 
 ' Mrs. Hazell is not without cares,' said Eobert, with 
 a slight smile. ' Those who blamed her for marrying 
 for money and position need not envy her. But she is 
 a sweet woman. I have the highest admiration and 
 respect for her.' 
 
 ' I love her/ said Mary warmly. * Do you knovs
 
 THE SHADOW ON THE HEARTH. 31 
 
 what I have thought, sometimes, Bob ? that if Bertie 
 would fall in love with some nice girl it would steady 
 him.' 
 
 ' I believe it would ; but he does not seem to have 
 met that nice girl yet. I wish some influence would 
 work with him. I am afraid, Molly, that as long as 
 he remains here he has no chance. He has not the 
 courage, even if he had the desire, to break with his 
 bad companions, and then father is entirely out of 
 sympathy with him. He will not even give him the 
 credit for the slightest leaning towards anything good. 
 A man soon loses his own self-respect when he sees 
 himself contemptible in the eyes of others.' 
 
 ' That is true. I cannot understand papa, Bob. He 
 is so very different : he is not like the same man. 
 Hasn't he grown irritable and changeable, and so hard 
 of heart ? What do you suppose has so changed 
 him ?' 
 
 Robert Hazell shook his head. He knew the reason 
 very well, but one care lay heavily enough on his 
 sister's heart. No need to add another to it. 
 
 ' Bob, is there any truth in what Bertie told me at 
 Bonn in Juue, that you admire Lucy Meredith ?' asked 
 Mary, with a smile and slightly heightened colour. 
 ' If we had not been away at Sandgate these two 
 months, I should have found out for myself by this 
 time. Do tell me.' 
 
 ' Yes, I admire Lucy Meredith, Mary. If I were in 
 a position, I should ask her to-morrow to be my wife.' 
 
 ' But you can be in a position if you like, Robert. 
 Papa will make you a partner, I am sure. He is very
 
 32 HAZELL & SONS. 
 
 rich, is he not ? and the brewery can easily support 
 two establishments.' 
 
 ' There is plenty of money in the concern certainly, 
 Mary ; but I don't think I could or would take a 
 partnership in it.' 
 
 1 Why not ? ' 
 
 She spoke eagerly, almost dreading to hear from 
 him a confirmation of her own fear. If Eobert, who 
 was always right in his judgments, had arrived at the 
 conclusion that the business in which their father had 
 made his money was a doubtful concern, she would 
 feel as if the foundation of things were being shaken. 
 It would involve so many vexed questions, for which it 
 would be difficult to find an answer. 
 
 ' I don't know whether it is Herbert's frailty, Mary ; 
 but I do know I have had some curious thoughts of 
 late. If I could have chosen my career, it would have 
 been different.' 
 
 ' But you could never leave the brewery now, Bob. 
 Papa is getting an old man, and Bertie so unsteady. 
 It would not be right to leave him.' 
 
 ' That is just the point I cannot decide, Mary.' 
 
 ' It is the Merediths who have given you these ideas,' 
 she said quickly, forgetting her own qualms in her 
 anxiety to set her brother right regarding his duty to 
 his father. ' Aren't they teetotallers ? ' 
 
 ' Yes, but I have never had any trouble with them 
 on the subject,' returned Eobert quietly. 'No, it is 
 nothing any one has said, Mary. It is a settled con- 
 viction which has made me a very unhappy man of 
 late.'
 
 1HE SHADOW ON THE HEARTH, 33 
 
 Mary sighed. 
 
 ' How full of care life is, Robert ! I sometimes wish 
 I had never grown up. I came home anxious to do 
 some good in the world, but there seem to be hindrances 
 on every side.' 
 
 ' Don't be so doleful, Molly ; you do a great deal of 
 good. Why, you are the sunshine of this house.' 
 
 ' Am I ? I don't feel very like it. Are you going 
 to sit up for Bertie ? ' 
 
 ' Of course.' 
 
 And let him in ? ' 
 
 Yes ; why not ? ' 
 
 ' But I thought papa very peremptory.' 
 
 Oh, he would be the first to regret his harshness in 
 the morning if it were carried out,' said Eobert lightly. 
 ' Go you to bed, Mary ; you look very tired.' 
 
 ' Yes, I am going,' she said, rising reluctantly to her 
 feet. ' Bob, what is it Bertie does when he is out so 
 late ? Where does he spend his time ? ' 
 
 ' Between the " Base-Ball " and a billiard club in 
 Sand ford Street. Chiefly at the latter place, I fancy. 
 He is a lucky player, evidently, though I have never 
 spoken to him on the subject. He must win, however, 
 or they would not keep him there. He could not pay 
 up his losses.' 
 
 'And who are his companions ? ' 
 
 ' Don't ask me, Molly ; it would not make you any 
 happier. Run off to bed. Good-night.' 
 . ' Good-night, Bob. What a comfort you are ! ' she 
 said affectionately, as she laid her hands on his 
 shoulders to bid him good -night. Then she went 
 
 3
 
 34 HAZELL & SONS. 
 
 slowly up-stairs to her own room, and sat down at the 
 window, leaned her arm on the sill, and looked out 
 into the night. A harvest moon had risen gloriously in 
 the clear sky. Every object, even for miles round, was 
 clearly discernible. She could have counted the steeples 
 in Medlington, and could almost distinguish the hour on 
 the town-hall clock. She admired the prospect in a 
 half-hearted way, for her thoughts were with the prodigal 
 who was causing such anxiety and dispeace in the house. 
 We may take a peep at his occupation and surroundings. 
 
 The streets of Medlington were almost empty. The 
 policemen and the night wanderers had the town to 
 themselves. The public-houses, however, were not yet 
 closed, and when their frequenters were turned out the 
 scene no doubt would be livelier. The ' Base-Ball ' was 
 the favourite place of refreshment in Medlington, and 
 was largely frequented by young men. It was con- 
 sidered a most respectable house, and never was the 
 scene of any disorderly proceedings. But the harm done 
 by that select and decorous establishment was a thousand 
 times more insidious than in the lower class shops. It 
 had been the ruin of many members of the youth of 
 Medlington. It was situated in a quiet street, within 
 a stone's throw of the Hazell brewery. That gigantic 
 structure, which occupied nearly half an acre of ground 
 in the most thickly-populated part of the town, loomed 
 like a vast shadow over the place. It was a great 
 industry of its kind, and gave employment to more than 
 a thousand hands. 
 
 At half- past ten on the night when Mr. Hazell had 
 given peremptory orders that Herbert should be locked
 
 THE SHADOW ON THE HEARTH. 35 
 
 out, that you ML; 111:111 was enjoying himself in his own 
 fashion in a certain upper chamber not very far from 
 the ' Base-Ball.' It was the billi;ird-room, or, more 
 properly speaking, the gambling club alluded to by 
 Ifubert Hazell. Although not generally known, this 
 club was a part of the ' Base-Ball ' concern, and all 
 belonged to a widow lady who had a reputation for 
 piety and good works. She did not come much into 
 the vicinity of the ' Base-Ball ' or the club-rooms, her 
 only connection with these institutions being that she 
 drew in the handsome revenues accruing from them. 
 These she spent lavishly, not only on her tasteful and 
 beautiful home in the suburbs, but on charitable and 
 religious objects. The Church knew her as a munificent 
 benefactress, and worshipped her accordingly ; she lived 
 in an odour of sanctity and honour ; none of the vile 
 odours or questionable attributes of the twin establish- 
 ments in Sandford Street were permitted to touch her 
 She had a manager who did all unpleasant things for 
 her, and if he feathered his own nest in the process 
 well, perhaps it was excusable. The profits left a margin 
 considerable enough to allow even Miles Gregory to help 
 himself. 
 
 The club-room was approached by an unpretending 
 doorway judiciously darkened, so as not to attract 
 attention. 
 
 The door was locked, and only opened in response to 
 a familiar signal, known only to those who frequented 
 Uie place. Within this door there was a narrow stair, 
 dimly lighted by a shaded oil lamp, hung from the roof. 
 On the landing at the head of the stair there were three
 
 36 HAZELL 6- SONS. 
 
 doors. From the chinks of the one in the middle 
 brilliant streams of light revealed that within it was 
 brilliantly illuminated. It was a small place, and, if it 
 was a billiard-roorn, it belied its name. The only visible 
 means of amusement was a baccarat table in the middle 
 of the floor, round which ten or a dozen young men 
 were gathered, intent on watching the game. 
 
 At the fireplace, with his hands complacently placed 
 behind his back, stood an elderly gentleman of apparently 
 respectable appearance, benignly watching the successes 
 of the bank. Mr. Miles Gregory had an interest in the 
 game, but he had an admirable command of his features 
 He could lose, and smile all the time. 
 
 The players, with one or two exceptions, were 
 gentlemanly young fellows, and some of them mere 
 lads. An unhealthy excitement glittered in their eyes, 
 and more than one hand was unsteady with the effects 
 of the liquor, which was to be had in abundance. 
 
 ' Hurry up, gentlemen/ said Mr. Gregory, smiling 
 placidly. ' Ten minutes to eleven. Come ; you'll need 
 to be going immediately.' 
 
 ' I'm cleaned out, Gregory I must have another 
 chance, and I will, though I should stop here till mid- 
 night,' said Herbert Hazell. ' I've nothing to bet but my 
 watch ten pounds on it, Gregory ? It's a gold repeater.' 
 
 ' Oh, well, ten pounds be it,' said that worthy com- 
 placently. 
 
 ' Don't go it, Hazell,' whispered a round-faced, red- 
 cheeked lad in Herbert's ear. ' Come on out. You're 
 drunk ; you're not fit to play. I say, Gregory, he doesn't 
 know what he's doing.'
 
 THE SHADOW ON THE HEARTH. 37 
 
 ' Oh, nonsense ! see his steady hand. Gentlemen, I 
 appeal to you to uphold me when I say Mr. Hazell is 
 quite sober.' 
 
 ' Of course I'm quite sober ! Here goes,' said Hazell 
 excitedly, as he watched the dealing of the cards. 
 
 The bank had been winning steadily. In about half 
 an hour, when eleven o'clock struck, the gold repeater 
 was among its gains. 
 
 ' I'll keep it safe till you pay up, Mr. Hazell,' said 
 Gregory smoothly, as he slipped the valuable article into 
 his capacious breast-pocket 'Now, gentlemen, good- 
 night. Hoskins, put out the gases.' 
 
 ' I haven't a cent to bless myself with, Tommy,' 
 groaned Herbert Hazell as he staggered down-stairs after 
 the lad who had warned him, ' and I'm ten pounds in 
 debt. If I don't turn up to-morrow night and clean 
 out that Gregory ! He's the biggest scoundrel in 
 existence. They cheat in the shuffling, don't you think ? ' 
 
 Tommy made no reply. He was a clergyman's son, 
 and he was wondering how he should slip into the 
 Rectory without his father's knowledge ; also where he 
 was to get the wherewithal to pay certain sums he owed 
 to Mr. Miles Gregory and his colleagues.
 
 CHAPTER IV. 
 
 NIGHT AND MORNING. 
 
 [HE two companions parted at the corner of 
 the street, but Herbert Hazell did not turn 
 towards his home. To reach Hazelwood he 
 had to cross the bridge over the Med, and 
 walk up the opposite bank of the river for some distance. 
 The brewer's residence was quite in the outskirts of the 
 town. Herbert Hazell's head was perfectly dazed he 
 did not know what he was about. He fancied himself 
 on the way home ; in reality he was walking as fast as 
 his unsteady gait would allow him quite in the opposite 
 direction. He kept close by the bank of the river ; the 
 swift-flowing stream had for him a curious fascination. 
 Once or twice he stood still, and watched its rapid flow, 
 and his form even swayed towards it. A special provi- 
 dence beyond a doubt saved his life that night. And 
 yet he did not premeditate self-destruction, only he had 
 lost control over his own actions. He felt dazed, stupid, 
 and miserable ; the cold, clear night wind blowing on his 
 fevered temples did not seem to have the power to sweep 
 the mists from his brain ; he had a vague idea that he
 
 NIGHT AND MORNING. 39 
 
 had lost everything, and that he felt ashamed to go 
 home. He grew weary at length, and wondered why 
 the way home seemed so unnaturally long. He stood 
 still, and, looking around him, failed to recognise any 
 familiar landmark. There was not a house in sight, he 
 seemed to be quite in the country, and his surroundings 
 were entirely new to him. Involuntarily he put his 
 hand to his breast-pocket to see what o'clock it was. 
 Of course his watch was gone. It was bitterly cold, as 
 it so often is betwixt darkness and dawn. It was nearly 
 two o'clock in the morning. The young man could not 
 reason out the mysteries of his surroundings ; he felt 
 stupified and drowsy, and at length, succumbing to that 
 feeling, lay down under a tree, and fell asleep, with the 
 hard ground for a pillow and the night dews for a 
 covering. 
 
 Meanwhile Kobert Hazell still kept his vigil at home, 
 and Mary sat by her uncurtained window straining her 
 eyes for the wanderer who never came. About two 
 o'clock she was startled by the opening of a window or 
 door on the lower flat. She threw up the sash of her 
 own window, and looked out. Just then Kobert emerged 
 from the library window, which opened down to the 
 ground in two halves, like a folding door. 
 
 'Is that you, Robert? Where are you going?' she 
 asked in a quick whisper. 
 
 ' Are you not in bed yet ? ' he asked in surprise. 
 ' I'm going to look for Bertie. I'm getting anxious 
 about him. He has never been so late.' 
 
 ' Where can he be ? Can anything have happened 
 to him ? '
 
 40 HAZELL & SONS. 
 
 ' I don't think so. Go to bed, like a good girl, and 
 try to sleep.' 
 
 ' Sleep ! Oh, Bob, I couldn't ! I am in misery. Will 
 you wait for me, and I'll come too ? ' 
 
 ' No, you must not. Go and lie down. I'll only go 
 the length of the club. I have heard they sometimes 
 play there after midnight. Don't distress yourself.' 
 
 'I keep thinking of the river,' she said, with a 
 shiver. ' The parapet is so low at the bridge, and the 
 bank so steep all the way along to our gates. Do 
 let me come ! ' 
 
 ' You would rouse the house, and I don't want papa 
 to know of this at all, if it can be avoided. Do what I 
 tell you, Mary. I assure you I am advising you for 
 the best.' 
 
 So saying, he walked quickly away. Mary shut the 
 window again, wrapped a shawl round her, and sat down 
 to wait. 
 
 The thought about the river had also occurred to 
 Eobert Hazell, and, though he tried to banish it, he 
 found himself unconsciously watching it as he made his 
 way to the town. The misery of his anxiety made him 
 angry with his brother, who was not only his own 
 enemy, but a source of unspeakable care to all connected 
 with him. 
 
 Eobert Hazell tried to be gentle with the weakness 
 he could scarcely understand. The temptations which 
 overcame his brother had not the slightest influence on 
 him, but he was not self-righteous. He had a fine 
 nature generous, sympathetic, and full of compassion 
 for the erring. Perhaps the harshness of his father's
 
 NIGHT AND MORNING. 41 
 
 judgments had taught him a lesson. But for Robert 
 Hazell there had not been such harmony at the brewery. 
 There was not a man within its gates who would not 
 serve the young master with a cheerful alacrity, while 
 to the old master they gave no more than his pound of 
 flesh. Robert Hazell reached the club-house in Sand- 
 ford Street without meeting a living soul As he stood 
 before the dark, deserted-looking house he could hear 
 the measured tread of the policeman on his beat further 
 up the street. It ended, he knew, just at the brewery 
 gates. There was no sign of light or occupation in the 
 club-rooms ; if there were still players within, they had 
 taken every precaution to conceal their presence. He 
 waited a few moments, and then went up the street 
 towards the policeman. That worthy came forward 
 quickly at sight of a man approaching, but, recognising 
 him, he stopped in amazement and touched his hat It 
 was not a common sight to see Mr. Robert Hazell in 
 such a locality in the small hours of the morning. 
 
 ' You are surprised to see me, Crockett. Do you 
 think it possible there can be any one in Gregory's 
 billiard-rooms at this time ? ' 
 
 ' Quite possible, sir. I've known it happen afore, 
 but there ain't any one to-night, becos I watched Gregory 
 lock up myself after eleven, and I saw some gentlemen 
 leave then.' 
 
 ' My brother among them, Crockett ? ' 
 
 'Yes, sir; him and Young went up the street 
 together. Excuse me sayin' it, sir, but Mr. Hazell seemed 
 to have had more than was good for him. He couldn't 
 walk steady.'
 
 42 HAZELL 6r> SONS. 
 
 ' That is nearly four hours ago, and he hasn't come 
 home. I am very anxious, Crockett.' 
 
 ' Oh, don't be, sir. He was just in that state that 
 he'd drop down anywhere to sleep it off,' said the police- 
 man cheerfully. ' Nothin's happened him, take my 
 word for it.' 
 
 ' But, if he was in the state you describe, might he 
 not fall into the river ? ' 
 
 ' Never a bit of him. It's when they're in the 
 horrors they jump in. Mr. Eobert, I know all the 
 ways of it. It's a bad corner that Gregory's, sir.' 
 
 ' Ay, it is. It has ruined many another besides my 
 poor brother.' 
 
 ' Oh, but Mr. Herbert '11 pick up yet ; he's not quite 
 gone,' said Crockett cheerfully still. ' Gregory's that 
 cunning, sir, the law can't touch him. But I hope his 
 turn '11 come.' 
 
 ' What would you advise me to do, Crockett ? ' 
 
 ' Go home to bed, sir. 'Tain't no use in the world 
 wandering the streets to-night. Take my word for it, 
 Mr. Herbert '11 turn up all right. I'll look about, and, 
 if I see him, I'll bring him home.' 
 
 'Very well, Crockett. You need not speak of this.' 
 
 ' Oh, I never do, sir. Bless you, we see so much. 
 If I was to tell all I see, I'd set this town by the ears, 
 and it 'ud be too hot to hold me. They talk of London, 
 sir, but it can't hold a candle to Medlington, and I 
 walked a beat for seven years at Trafalgar Square. 
 There's mean, sneakin' ways in little towns, sir, that 
 London 'ud be ashamed of. You see, every one lives 
 in terror o' his neighbours fetchin' out any o' nis little
 
 NIGHT AND MORNING. 43 
 
 pecooliarities, where, in London, nobody knows anybody, 
 an' people do jes' as they like.' 
 
 Robert Hazell smiled at the man's worldly wisdom, 
 and, bidding him good-night, walked off. As he crossed 
 the bridge, the first faint streaks of the dawn were 
 tinging the east with a touch of light. Involuntarily 
 he stood still to look for a moment at the mystery of 
 the dawn, which he now saw for the first time. 
 
 When he reached home, he found Mary still 
 sitting, white-faced and anxious-eyed, at her window. 
 She slipped down-stairs when she heard him come in, 
 and heard all that he could tell. Up-stairs Mr. Hazell 
 was in a dead slumber, but his wife's strained ear 
 caught every sound and movement, and she thought 
 Herbert had come home. At breakfast next morning 
 Herbert, of course, did not appear. Mr. Hazell, how- 
 ever, made no remark. It was not a very unusual 
 occurrence for him. More than once he had not 
 come to the dining-room till the others had left it. 
 Robert wished, if possible, to hide Bertie's escapade 
 from his father. He knew it would make a terrible 
 disturbance, and perhaps a breach between them. For 
 the sake of Mary and Mrs. Hazell, he wished an out- 
 ward semblance of peace preserved. Mr. Hazell was 
 talkative at breakfast, whereby Robert guessed that he 
 regretted the way he had spoken the previous night. 
 It was an effort for him to respond, for he was still 
 anxious, like Mary, who could not even make a pretence 
 of eating. Mrs. Hazell, of course, was not yet down- 
 stairs. 
 
 ' What were you asking me yesterday, Mary ?
 
 44 HAZELL & SONS. 
 
 Something about the Beckers, wasn't it?' said Mr. 
 Hazell, looking up from his letters. 
 
 ' Yes, papa. I asked you if you could not take back 
 James ? They are almost starving.' 
 
 ' I can't take back the old man, because I make it a 
 rule never to re-engage a discharged man. It is a bad 
 precedent, and James Becker had plenty of warnings,' 
 said the brewer. ' But you can tell the lad, Willie, he 
 can come over if he likes, and I'll see if I can give him 
 a job. But it's only in charity for the wife, and because 
 you say she is a decent, hard-working woman, and she 
 must draw the wage. Tell the lad that. Will you be 
 in the town to-day ? ' ' 
 
 ' I can go and see Mrs, Becker, papa.' 
 
 'Well, see and talk firmly to them. Don't be too 
 sympathetic, or I'll need to prohibit you going among 
 the work-people. You'd have them demoralized in no 
 time, just as they were when your mother was alive. 
 I told Eleanor not to go near them, and she never has ; 
 but you are more self-willed.' 
 
 ' You never told me not to go, papa,' Mary said, with 
 a smile. 
 
 ' Well, no. You look as if you required to be about 
 in the fresh air. You are as fagged as possible. How 
 have you lost all your good looks since you came home ?' 
 
 Mary coloured crimson, dreading what the next 
 question would be. She was in terror lest her father 
 should discover that Eobert and she had spent the 
 night in waiting for Herbert. She hated even the 
 appearance of deceit, it was foreign to her nature, and 
 yet something had to be concealed for the sake of peace.
 
 NIGHT AND MORNING. 45 
 
 'Eleanor is very tired this morning. You will go 
 up presently/ was Mr. Hazell's next remark, which 
 greatly relieved her. 
 
 ' Yes, papa, I shall go up. Do you wish anything 
 more ? I have quite finished.' 
 
 1 Nothing more, thank you. Wait a moment, Eobert, 
 and I'll go down with you.' 
 
 ' Papa, I had a letter last night from my friend 
 Madeline Eayne, who was at Madame Gebhardt's with 
 me. She is leaving Bonn, and has nowhere in England 
 to go to till she gets another situation. May I ask her 
 to come here for a little ? ' 
 
 ' Nowhere in England to go 1 Has she no friends ? ' 
 
 ' No ; she is an orphan.' 
 
 ' And a governess ? ' 
 
 ' Yes, papa.' 
 
 ' Have you spoken to Eleanor about it ?' 
 
 ' Yes, she is quite pleased.' 
 
 ' Oh, well, it is her business, not mine. Let her come,' 
 said Mr. Hazell in his quick fashion. ' Is she a nice 
 person ? ' 
 
 ' The best in the world,' returned Mary warmly ; and 
 her eyes shone with love for her absent friend. 
 
 ' Oh, that is schoolgirl talk,' said Mr. Hazell, with a 
 smile. ' But it is odd for you to have such a work 
 with a governess you might have found a companion 
 more suitable in age and other respects.' 
 
 So saying, he left the room. Apparently he had 
 forgotten the very existence of Herbert In reality he 
 had not. But it suited him not to mention his name 
 just then. Eobert, however, was thankful that tho
 
 46 HAZELL 6r SONS. 
 
 subject was not brought up even as they walked 
 together down to the brewery. He hoped that his 
 brother would turn up in the course of the day, and 
 tl.at the affair would be passed over without remark. 
 He was* very curious concerning Herbert's night out of 
 doors, and intended to probe the matter to the bottom. 
 
 When her father and brother left the house, Mary ran 
 up to Mrs. Hazell's room. She found her sitting up in 
 bed, sipping a cup of chocolate the maid had just 
 brought up. 
 
 ' Good morning, dear. You look tired as well as I,' 
 she said, with her pleasant smile. ' I fancy we had all 
 a disturbed night. Was Herbert at breakfast ? ' 
 
 ' No, mamma ; he has never come in.' 
 
 ' Never come in ! ' exclaimed Mrs. Hazell in amaze- 
 ment. ' Then what was all the noise I heard in the 
 house in the early morning ? ' 
 
 ' It was Robert coming back. He went over to the 
 club-roorn to seek him,' said Mary. 'May I open the 
 blind, mamma, and let in the light ? ' 
 
 ' Yes; but, my dear, I arn alarmed. Where has he been ?' 
 
 ' We don't know. I am very anxious ; but Bol 
 thinks he will be all right.' 
 
 ' Does your father know ? ' 
 
 ' No. It is painful to have to conceal things as we 
 have to do about him, main ma. It makes me feel 
 mean Why, there is Herbert now, coming across the 
 park. Where can he have been ? ' 
 
 ' You had better go down, my dear, and meet him. 
 When you have spoken to him, come up to me again, 
 will you ? '
 
 NIGHT AND MORNING. 47 
 
 ' Yes, mamma.' 
 
 Mary flew down-stairs, and met Herbert just as he 
 entered the house. 
 
 ' Is the governor gone ? ' he asked, looking round 
 rather anxiously. 
 
 Mary was shocked at his appearance. A night on 
 damp ground does not improve the appearance of a 
 light tweed suit, and the lad's face was pale and sickly- 
 looking, and his eyes encircled by deep shadows. 
 
 ' Yes, he is away. Come into the dining-room,' she 
 said hurriedly. ' Where have you been ? ' 
 
 ' I made an ass of myself last night at Gregory's/ 
 said he shamefacedly. ' I suppose I had too much 
 drink. My head was muddled, and I couldn't find the 
 way home. I slept all night on the river bank out at 
 Royston, and I'm pretty stiff, I can tell you. I'm jolly 
 ashamed of myself, I tell you too, and I'm not going 
 back to that vile Gregory's. He's an out-and-out 
 swindler. Is the governor awfully mad ? ' 
 
 But all the answer Mary made was to turn her 
 head away in sadness and shame, and burst into tears.
 
 
 CHAPTEE V. 
 
 PARADISE ROW. 
 
 FTEE a few minutes Herbert went lip-stairs, 
 refreshed himself with a good wash, and 
 went off to the brewery. He was not a 
 coward; he would face it out at once. It 
 was about half-past ten when Eobert, chancing to look 
 out of the counting-house window, saw him come 
 through the big gates. He put on his hat and went 
 out to meet him. 
 
 ' Where have you been ? Have you come from 
 home ? ' he asked. 
 
 ' Yes. I made a jolly fool of myself last night, Bob,' 
 Herbert answered confidentially. ' I'll tell you about 
 it after. What's the governor saying ? I suppose he's 
 awfully mad.' 
 
 ' He knows nothing about it. He thinks you came 
 in late, or, rather, too early to be up in time,' Eobert 
 answered. ' This is the worst escapade you have ever 
 had, Bert. You must not repeat it, if only for mother's 
 sake. She was quite ill last night and this morning. 
 I was down at Gregory's at two o'clock this morning.'
 
 PARADISE ROW. 49 
 
 ' Were you ? We were out long before that. I lost 
 ray watch at baccarat, and my head was muddled. 
 Fancy, I wandered as far as Koyston, seeking the way 
 home.' 
 
 ' And where did you sleep ? ' 
 
 ' Camped out. I awoke this morning in rather a 
 damp condition with the dew. Nobody saw me, fortun- 
 ately. Perhaps the tiling '11 blow over/ said Herbert 
 brightly. His spirits had risen the moment he heard 
 that his father did not know of his indiscretion. Robert 
 looked at his brother's pale face and haggard eyes with 
 compassion. It was impossible to be angry with the 
 lad ; he was so simple and winning in his way, ready 
 to acknowledge himself in the wrong, especially to those 
 he loved, and willing to make any promise of amend- 
 ment, which, alas ! he had never sufficient courage to 
 keep. 
 
 ' I'm glad the governor doesn't know, Bob, because I 
 can't eat humble pie before him ; it makes something 
 come up my back. I suppose I'll just go in.' 
 
 ' I suppose so,' said Robert, with a half sigh. 
 
 ' Don't look so down, Bob. Really, I'm going to turn 
 over a new leaf. Only I must go back and win my 
 watch from that old swindler. If there was no drink 
 going, we'd soon find out their cheating tricks, 1 said 
 Herbert; and then they entered the counting- house 
 together, and he went at once to his desk. Mr. Hazell, 
 having occasion to pass through the office a few minutes 
 .later, saw him apparently busy, and made no remark. 
 He never alluded in any way to the affair, and it blew 
 over. For a time after such an occurrence Herbert was 
 
 4
 
 50 HAZELL fir- SONS. 
 
 generally sober and diligent, until some new temptation 
 assailed him. 
 
 After an early luncheon that day, Mary Hazell 
 walked into the town. There was a little ' basket 
 phaeton at Hazel wood in addition to a carriage for the 
 use of the ladies, but, unless Mrs. Hazell accompanied 
 her, Mary preferred to walk. The long pedestrian 
 excursions she had been wont to take among the Rhine 
 mountains had given her both strength and liking for 
 that healthful exercise. She was sometimes three or 
 four times in the town in a day. But she had never 
 yet been within the brewery gates. 
 
 To reach Paradise Eow, where the Beckers lived, she 
 had to go down Sand ford Street, and keep close to the 
 high wall which enclosed the extensive buildings in 
 connection with the brewery. Paradise Row was 
 entirely the property of Mr. Hazell, and the houses 
 were all occupied by his workpeople. They were 
 brick cottages, containing a room and kitchen, some 
 outhouses, and a small piece of garden ground. 
 Another line of cottages, running parallel with a lane 
 between, was called the Back Row. They were neither 
 pretty nor picturesque. The site was bad, to begin 
 with, the houses being built in a hollow, and the soil 
 being damp and marshy. It was said that the drainage 
 was bad, and if there was any epidemic in Medlington it 
 always scourged Paradise Row and its companion. Mr 
 Hazell, however, had built the houses for his people 
 and he made residence in them a condition of employ 
 ment. In some respects he was a hard master. If 
 any grievances were redressed it was generally through
 
 PARADISE ROW. 5: 
 
 the interference of Mr. Eobert, and the hands were 
 looking forward to the time when he would have the 
 entire control They said good times were in store 
 for them : he was greatly beloved by all classes in 
 Medlington. The gardens in Paradise Row were not 
 kept with taste. A few vegetables were cultivated by 
 the majority, but there was a decided scarcity of 
 Mowers. Miss Hazell, coming from a land where 
 flowers are plentiful, had been quick to notice the 
 absence of colour and beauty in the workfolk's gardens, 
 but her suggestions as to sowing and planting flowers 
 had not been particularly well received. In fact, they 
 had been a little shy with her altogether, rather resent- 
 ing her visits, though she had such a pleasant, winning 
 way with her. Only the children always greeted her 
 with unmistakable warmth. She had found her way 
 to their hearts, and might be expected through them to 
 win the parents. She had made great plans for the 
 winter among them, and was thinking of them as she 
 walked that pleasant afternoon by the river-side to the 
 town. But the thought of her brother would intervene 
 sometimes with a saddening influence. Unless she 
 could begin her work with success at home, how could 
 she look for good results outside ? And as yet all her 
 earnest pleading, her loving, sisterly endeavour had been 
 in vain. 
 
 It was ten minutes past three by the big brewery 
 clock when she turned into Paradise Row. When she 
 jaade her appearance, there was a general scamper of 
 sundry untidy females into the houses. It was a slack 
 time, it must be supposed, with the ladies of Paradise
 
 52 HAZELL S SONS. 
 
 Row. They had got dinner comfortably over, husbands 
 and children out of the houses, and they could breathe 
 in peace. Miss Hazell did not approve, of the general 
 condition of the houses, and the appearance of the 
 women as they sat unwashed and untidy on the door- 
 steps. She had even ventured to hint more than once 
 that they might find a more profitable employment, but 
 her suggestions had not been acted on. In point of 
 fact, they had as good as told her to mind her own 
 business. Mary was quite inexperienced in district 
 visiting, and had hardly yet learned to shut her eyes to 
 a great deal until she had built a sure foundation for 
 her feet. 
 
 The Beckers, whom she had specially come to see, 
 lived about the middle of the row. James Becker, the 
 man who had been dismissed, was leaning up against 
 the rain-water barrel smoking his pipe, when he saw 
 the general stampede, and then noticed his master's 
 daughter coming round the corner. He immediately 
 took himself off in the opposite direction, with rather a 
 scowling face. 
 
 These things were not particularly encouraging to 
 Miss Hazell, and she felt depressed as she passed up 
 the Eow. She made a pretty picture in her neat, well- 
 fitting autumn dress ; and as she entered the cottage, 
 the faint perfume of her presence seemed to fill it. 
 
 There was a woman in the kitchen sitting on a low 
 stool at the fire, with an infant on her lap; another 
 child, about two years old, tired of his play, had fallen 
 asleep on the rug, with his head leaning against her 
 knee. She was a pleasant-looking woman, between
 
 PARADISE ROW. 53 
 
 thirty and forty, but her face was somewhat faded 
 and worn. She had borne a large family, and at that 
 moment her heart was full of care concerning them and 
 their future. The place was scrupulously clean and 
 tidy. Susan Becker was an exception to the general 
 rule of Paradise Row ; and, because she kept her own 
 house, and attended to its concerns, rather than meddled 
 with the affairs of others, she was not particularly well 
 liked by the neighboura 
 
 She nodded gravely when Miss Hazell's shadow 
 darkened the doorway, and pointed to the two babies as 
 an apology for not rising. 
 
 Mary nodded also, gently closed the door, and took 
 a chair near the window. She missed the pleasant 
 smile with which Susan Becker had been wont to greet 
 her ; and, for the first time since she had first visited 
 her, felt at a loss for something to say. 
 
 ' Shall I waken the babies if I speak, Mrs. Becker ? ' 
 she asked in a whisper. 
 
 ' Oh no. Charlie got so fretful an' worrited, I was 
 thankful when he fell over. He's as sound as sound 
 can be. When did you come home, Miss Mary ? ' 
 
 ' Ten days ago ; but mamma has not been so well, and I 
 have been busy,' Mary answered. ' Are you stronger ? ' 
 
 ' A little ; but this last baby has taken the strength 
 out o' me. Life's a hard struggle, Miss Mary,' said the 
 woman, not bitterly, but with a kind of quiet hopeless 
 ness, which was indescribably pathetic. 
 
 ' I am sorry to hear you say that. You have always 
 been so happy among the children. They are all at 
 school, I suppose ? '
 
 54 HAZELL <5r> SONS. 
 
 ' All but Willie. He's gone over to Royston, because 
 he heard that Mr. Carthew, the grocer there, wants an 
 errand-boy. He was vexed to leave the school ; but, as 
 I said to him, he must put his hand to, so long as his 
 father's out o' work at least,' 
 
 ' I was very sorry to hear about it, and qujte 
 astonished. 1 thought your husband had been doing 
 so well of late.' 
 
 ' So did I. But one never knows,' said Susan Becker 
 hopelessly. 
 
 ' I came on an errand to-day, Mrs. Becker. I spoke 
 to papa about it, and he says you are to send Willie 
 over to the brewery, arid he will give him something 
 to do.' 
 
 ' I won't do that, Miss Mary,' the woman answered, 
 as she bent her head low over her baby's face. 
 
 ' Why not ? ' 
 
 ' Because one on the bad road is enough, Miss Mary. 
 I'd rather the lad begged his bread mostly, rather than 
 go the road his father's gone.' 
 
 ' But what has that to do with his getting something 
 to do at the brewery, Mrs. Becker ? ' asked Miss Hazell 
 in a puzzled voice. 
 
 Susan Becker lifted her head quickly, and seemed about 
 to make a sharp retort, but something in the young lady's 
 sweet large eyes arrested her. She would not hurt that 
 earnest soul, who seemed anxious to help her in her 
 trouble. So there was a moment's rather awkward 
 silence. 
 
 ' And if Willie does not get that situation at Royston. 
 what will you do ? '
 
 PARADISE ROW. 55 
 
 ' Oh, he must go and seek for work somewhere else. 
 We'll need to shift soon anyway. We expect notice 
 from the master to quit the house every day.' 
 
 ' Oh, papa will never send you out of the house, at 
 least until your husband gets something to do elsewhere.' 
 
 ' Won't he ? ' A slight and peculiar smile, which 
 Mary did not like, touched the woman's lips. ' He gave 
 Job Tiinms notice to quit twenty-four hours after he was 
 dismissed last Whitsuntide ; and there '11 be a man put 
 in Jem's place, and the master '11 want him to live in 
 the Row, sure.' 
 
 Mary sighed, and her colour rose a little. The 
 woman's words were not in themselves offensive, but 
 she felt that in some way they cast discredit on her 
 lather. She could not help resenting them a little, 
 knowing nothing about his relations with his work- 
 people. At home Mr. Hazell was generally kind and 
 indulgent enough, especially to the women of his house- 
 hold. ' But, you know, your husband has had many 
 warnings. Papa told me so, and sometimes for the 
 sake of the rest an example must be made of one,' she 
 said a trifle hastily. ' I am very sorry for you and the 
 children, Mrs. Becker, but I cannot say Jem did not 
 deserve to be dismissed.' 
 
 It was Susan Becker's turn now to colour up. 
 
 ' When my Jem went first to Hazell's, Miss Mary, 
 there wasn't a soberer man in Medlington, nor anywhere 
 else. Excuse me bein' so plain, ma'am, but how the 
 master can expect 'em to be for ever sober, and that bar 
 open night and day in the place for 'em to drink as 
 much ale as they want, I can't imagine. It's more
 
 56 HAZELL & SOWS. 
 
 than flbsh and blood can do to stand straight an* so 
 much temptation. I've often, often said to Jem that if 
 the master meant it in kindness somebody should tell 
 him his mistake. That bar's been the ruin o' dozens I 
 could name at HazelTs, though I never thought my 
 man 'ud ever be among them.' 
 
 Mary Hazell had not a word to say. She felt the 
 undeniable truth of the woman's words. 
 
 ' I'm not meanin' no disrespect nor impudence, Miss 
 Mary, an' I wouldn't hurt you, 'cos you've allus been 
 more than kind,' Susan Becker said, when she saw the 
 downcast look on the young lady's face. ' But I can't 
 bear to hear everybody castin' the blame on the men 
 who drink. They're poor stupid fellows, Miss Mary, 
 but them that puts the temptation always in the way 
 are the most to blame, that's what I think.' 
 
 Miss Hazell rose to her feet. ' Then you won't send 
 Willie over, Mrs. Becker ? ' she said quietly. 
 
 ' No, Miss Mary. Say to the master I'm obliged for 
 his offer, kindly meant, but I can't let Willie go, nor he 
 has no wish himself. The lad's set against the drink 
 just now, if he keeps to it. He thinks it's took him 
 from the school, an' I never saw such a boy for his 
 books, never. I believe he'd a' turned out a real 
 scholard.' 
 
 ' I don't know what to say, Mrs. Becker,' said Mary, 
 and a tear rose in her eye. ' I am very sorry for you 
 all ; but what can I do to help you ? ' 
 
 ' Nothing, I know, Miss Mary. You have a kind 
 heart, an' I'll never forget what you did when the baby 
 was born,' said Susan Becker, with a gulp. ' Will yo"(
 
 PARADISE ROW. 57 
 
 tell the master not to send Ford to put us out? We'll 
 go quietly. He has such a nasty way with him. We'll 
 go as soon as we can get. If Willie doesn't get Mr. 
 Carthew's place we'll move to Burnley likely, an' Becker 
 an' the lad '11 go to the pit.' 
 
 ' Oh, Mrs. Becker, that would never do for Willie ! ' 
 cried Miss Hazell, recalling the bright and intelligent 
 face of the boy who had been for years the best scholar 
 in the town school, and whom everybody expected to 
 rise above the station in which he had been born. 
 
 ' It'll need to do, I guess. It's not what we'd like, 
 but what we have to do and to take in this world, Miss 
 Mary, as Willie '11 soon find. Good-bye, Miss Mary. 
 God bless you/ 
 
 Mary Hazell shook hands with the drayman's wife, 
 and turned away froui Paradise Row with a heavy 
 heart.
 
 CHAPTER VL 
 
 BEGINNINGS. 
 
 ISS HAZELL turned back the way she had 
 come, not caring, in her present frame of 
 mind, to encounter any more of the residen- 
 ters of Paradise Row. But before she had 
 got beyond the precincts she met the lad, Willie Becker, 
 who was about to pass on with a touch of his cap, when 
 she stopped him. 
 
 ' I have been at your home, "Willie, and your mother 
 told me on what errand you had gone to Royston,' 
 she said kindly. ' What success had you with Mr. 
 Carthew ? 
 
 ' The place is filled up, Miss Mary,' the lad answered 
 quietly, but his keen disappointment was quite visible in 
 his dejected look. He was a tall, fine-looking lad, with 
 an exceptionally bright, honest face, and an intelligent, 
 speaking eye. Mary Hazell had only seen him a few 
 times, but had been drawn towards him in no ordinary 
 way. She was a great favourite with all the young 
 people in Medlington. 
 
 ' I am sorry to hear that,' she said sympathetically. 
 
 M
 
 BEGINNINGS, 50 
 
 ' Your mother spoke of Burnley. I hope it will not 
 come to that, Willie.' 
 
 The lad turned his head swiftly away, and Mary 
 heard him gulp down a sob. 
 
 ' Will you walk a little way with me, Willie, and let 
 us talk it over,' she said, laying her daintily-gloved 
 hand on his shoulder. ' Come, let us go up this cinder 
 path. It is quite quiet there.' 
 
 The cinder path was a little narrow lane, leading 
 from the back of Paradise Row, between two tall, prickly 
 hedges, right down to the river. It had got its name 
 from the refuse from the engine-houses being spread 
 upon it, to keep it dry. The ground just there was 
 very marshy. 
 
 The lad turned at once, though with some shyness, 
 to accompany the young lady through the lane. 
 
 ' I had an errand in coming down to-day,' she began. 
 ' Mr. Hazell wished you to come and get employment 
 at the brewery.' 
 
 ' I am much obliged to the master, Miss Mary, but 
 I'd rather not go to the brewery,' Willie answered, with 
 reddening cheek. 
 
 ' Why not ? ' 
 
 It was painful for Mary Hazoll to ask such questions, 
 and yet she could not help it. 
 
 ' You'll be angry, Miss Mary, but I'm feared I get 
 like father,' Willie answered humbly, and yet with 
 tirmness. ' I'd rather go to Burnley any day.' 
 
 'But, Willie, it is a frightful thing to work 
 down in a coal-mine, away from the light and the 
 sunshine. I don't think it will suit you at all. And
 
 60 HAZELL & SONS. 
 
 you can keep quite steady if you like. I am sure it 
 is in you.' 
 
 The boy shook his head. 
 
 ' Father thought that once too, and a lot others that 
 have been put away like him. I can't go to the 
 brewery, miss.' 
 
 ' And there are so many advantages, Willie,' con- 
 tinued the young lady earnestly. ' There's the library, 
 and the night-school, and the reading-room, all for 
 nothing. Think how you could improve yourself, and 
 keep up your studies.' 
 
 Again Willie Becker turned his head away. He had 
 already done battle with all these temptations, and had 
 trampled them under foot. Young though he was, he 
 had seen the evil of the license given to the employees 
 at Hazell's, and had registered a vow that nothing 
 should induce him to go there. And yet Mr. Hazell 
 provided generous and valuable facilities for the mental 
 improvement of his people. The library and reading- 
 rooms had cost him over two thousand pounds, and he 
 paid the salary of the night-school teacher out of his 
 own pocket. 
 
 ' And what is to become of your scholarship down 
 the Burnley coal-mines, Willie ? ' asked Miss Hazell, 
 after a little pause. 
 
 ' Perhaps there '11 be a night-school and library there, 
 too, Miss Mary. I hope there are.' 
 
 ' I think not. The miners as a class do not show 
 themselves anxious for self-improvement, and any 
 effort in their behalf has met with so little encourage- 
 ment that it has* been abandoned. Mr. Fergus, of the
 
 BEGINNINGS. 61 
 
 Ladywell miners, told me that cock-fighting and such- 
 like sports were their staple amusements. I am afraid 
 you will find it a hard life, Willie/ 
 
 The lad's lip quivered. She was not speaking in her 
 usual helpful fashion, he thought, and imagined she was 
 angry at his refusal to go to the brewery. 
 
 They walked a few steps in silence, and then the 
 young lady spoke again. This time her voice was very 
 sweet and tender, and had even a slight tremor in it. 
 
 ' Do you think me very hard, Willie ? ' she asked. 
 
 ' No, but I thought you were vexed with me about 
 not going to the brewery,' he answered hesitatingly. 
 
 ' Not L If I dared, I should say you were entirely 
 in the right It is always wise to keep as far aa 
 possible from temptation. We never know how weak 
 we are until we are tried. How far is Burnley from 
 here, Willie ? ' 
 
 ' About five miles, Miss Mary.' 
 
 ' And you are very anxious to keep up your studies, 
 are you not ? ' 
 
 ' Yes, Miss Mary.*' 
 
 ' What would you like to be ? ' 
 
 ' I hardly know, but there is nothing in the world I 
 should like better to do than go to college.' 
 
 ' To college ! You are ambitious.' 
 
 ' Yes, but mother knows, and she thinks I am quite 
 right at least she used to,' added the lad, with a sigh. 
 ' Now, of course, I can't think about it any more.' 
 
 ' Will you try and keep up your studies, whatever 
 you do ? ' 
 
 ' Oh yes ; I'll keep all my books, and read them
 
 6 HAZELL & SOA'S. 
 
 >vhen I can. But Mr. Bertram, the schoolmaster, says 
 it is very difficult to get on without a teacher.' 
 
 ' I know it is. What do you say to my turning 
 teacher, Willie ? ' 
 
 ' How, Miss Mary ? ' 
 
 ' Let's sit down here and make a compact,' said the 
 young lady, motioning him to a pile of wood lying on 
 the river bank, which they had now reached. ' Would 
 you be willing to walk over from Burnley on your half- 
 holidays to get some lessons from me ? ' 
 
 ' Oh, Miss Mary ! ' 
 
 The lad's face positively glowed with delight. 
 
 ' You would like it ? Then we'll settle it,' she said, 
 with her happy smile. ' I am fresh from school myself, 
 you know, and ought to be able to make some use of 
 my opportunities. I was the Professor's best Latin 
 scholar at Bonn, Willie. I have gone through Horace 
 and the two first books of Virgil.' 
 
 'Oh!' 
 
 Willie Becker looked at his master's daughter with a 
 new and reverential interest. 
 
 ' It is true,' she said, nodding brightly. ' Well, 
 shall we say Saturday afternoons, at four o'clock, for 
 our studies ? ' 
 
 ' If you please, Miss Mary. But it will be a great 
 deal of trouble to you.' 
 
 ' Oh, none in the world ! It will be a pleasure. 
 You will just come up to Hazehvood, and we will go 
 into the old schoolroom which has never been used for 
 years.' 
 
 ' Thank you, Miss Mary,' said the lad 'simply ; but
 
 BEGINNINGS. 63 
 
 his eloquent eyes and beaming face expressed a groat 
 deal more gratitude than his few words conveyed. A 
 ray of sunshine had fallen across what had appeared to 
 him a very dark horizon. They parted there with a 
 kindly handshake, and Mary Hazell turned her steps 
 into the town again, with a warm glow at her heart. 
 She had done some good ; she had, at least, given a 
 young heart something to hope for, and her own reward 
 was very sweet. It was quite early yet ; half-past 
 three on the brewery clock when she reached the gate. 
 She hesitated a moment there, and looked into the yard, 
 where the casks were piled one upon another in great 
 stacks. She had never been within, and a slight 
 feeling of curiosity made her feel inclined to enter. 
 She felt that she would like to see the place where her 
 father and brothers spent so much of their time. She 
 passed through the gates, crossed the paved courtyard, 
 and entered the office. The clerks looked- up in 
 surprise at sight of her, and when Herbert saw this he 
 jumped down from his seat. 
 
 ' Hulloa, Molly ! ' he said, in his off-hand fashion ; 
 ' what's up ? ' 
 
 'Nothing; I was walking through the town, and I 
 wanted to see papa. Is he in ? ' 
 
 ' Yes, in there,' Herbert answered, and, pushing open 
 the baize-covered door, motioned her to enter. 
 
 ' Here's a lady to see you, father,' he said, addressing 
 him for the first time that day. Perhaps he was glad 
 o' the chance. 
 
 Mr. Hazell looked round quickly. ' Oh, it's you, 
 Mary ! Come in anc' shut the door. You needn't wait,
 
 64 HAZELL & SONS. 
 
 Herbert,' he added curtly to his son, who immediately 
 withdrew. 
 
 ' What's brought you here ? Nothing the matter 
 with Eleanor, I hope.' 
 
 ' Oh no ; I left her much better. I have been to 
 the Beckers', papa, and I thought I would corne over 
 when I was so near and tell you about it.' 
 
 ' Well,' said Mr. Hazell, continuing the letter in the 
 writing of which he had been interrupted, ' when will 
 the boy come ? ' 
 
 ' He's not coining, papa.' 
 
 ' Why not ? ' 
 
 ' Neither his mother nor himself wishes it. I had 
 a talk with them both. He seems to feel a good 
 deal about his father, and he will not come to the 
 brewery.' 
 
 ' Of course they resent the old man's dismissal ; but 
 he was hardly a day sober, and Ford was growing 
 rebellious over it.' 
 
 ' I don't think it is that, papa. It is the temptation 
 the lad fears. He is very conscientious, too.' 
 
 Mr. Hazell's lip curled. 
 
 ' Well, and what are they going to do ? ' 
 
 ' Go to Burnley to work in the mines, I think.' 
 
 'And are they going to send that fine bright lad 
 down the mine ? ' 
 
 ' There is nothing else for him, I am afraid.' 
 
 ' They are fools. Did you point out the advantages 
 he would have here ? ' 
 
 'I did ; but I could not urge him. I think he is 
 quite right.'
 
 BEGINNINGS. 05 
 
 Mr. Hnzell grunted, and, folding up his letter, care- 
 fully sealed it. 
 
 ' Papa, is it true what Mrs. Becker told me, that 
 there is a bar here, where the men can drink as much 
 as they like ? ' asked Mary timidly. 
 
 ' Yes, it's true. Were they throwing the blame on 
 that ? Just like them, the ungrateful set.' 
 
 Mary sat silent a moment, and then her father 
 wheeled round his chair and looked for a moment into 
 her grave, troubled face. 
 
 ' Look here, Mary, I am going to tell you, once for 
 all, that I will not have you meddling with the work- 
 people and the business concerns. I'll have you telling 
 me my duty next. Why can't you stay at home and 
 interest yourself in your music and painting, as other 
 girls do ? What is the use of all the money I spent on 
 your education ? Wasn't it that you might be able to 
 give pleasure to others and be entertaining at home ? 
 That's your duty, my girl, and the sooner you learn it 
 the better it will be for us all.' 
 
 The girl's sensitive colour rose, and her eyes even 
 filled with sudden tears. She had been so earnestly 
 seeking a sphere of usefulness, that it was hard to meet 
 with such strong discouragement on the very threshold 
 of her new endeavour. How poorly all the glowing 
 visions she had cherished at school were being fulfilled. 
 
 ' I am anxious to do a little good, papa, but I will 
 not vex or annoy you,' she said, with a beautiful 
 liUinility that went straight to his heart. He was not 
 only proud of his beautiful daughter he loved her with 
 a tender love. But, in spite of that, she must not stand 
 
 5
 
 66 HAZELL & SONS. 
 
 in his way, or interfere in any degree with his wishes 
 or desires. Even in his love Mr. Hazell was a selfish 
 man. 
 
 ' Do good ? "Well, if it will please you to give away 
 money, I'll increase your allowance, though I say that 
 the giving of charity is demoralizing to those that 
 receive it. There is no need for any person to require 
 charity. There is plenty in the world for all, and 
 honest work will always command its market value. 
 You should study these things carefully, Mary, and not 
 allow your feelings to run away with your common 
 sense. What good do you suppose you can do in the 
 Rows suppose you visit them every day in the week, 
 eh ? Just let me hear.' 
 
 The brewer's manner and speech were brusque, 
 but Mary knew that he was not angry, and took 
 heart again. 
 
 ' The women are not what they should be, papa. 
 They seem to have so little interest in their homes. 
 Some of them are so squalid. It must be wearisome, 
 of course, and sometimes disheartening, to toil among so 
 many little babies. The Trevors have eleven, papa ; just 
 think of that ! If I were to have a mother's meeting 
 occasionally in the schoolroom you would not be vexed, 
 would you ? ' 
 
 Mr. Hazell's mouth relaxed into a smile. 
 
 ' Not I, but that would be a mistake. What would 
 Mrs. Trevor, for instance, do with the eleven while she 
 attended your meeting in the schoolroom ? She might 
 go home to find that half of them had fallen into the 
 fire, and the other half into the Med.'
 
 BEGINNINGS. 67 
 
 'You are laughing at me, papa. I would have the 
 meeting in the evening, when the little babies have 
 gone to bed, and the fathers are in to look after the 
 bigger ones. The women lead such monotonous lives ; 
 they can't get to church, and they have no object in 
 life. I think a pleasant hour together, with a cup of 
 tea, perhaps, and the reading of a nice story while they 
 worked, would be so nice for them. Do let me try it.' 
 
 ' You can try it if you like, though I can't for the 
 life of me understand how you can bother your head 
 with such things at all. There is a good deal done for 
 our people, Mary, in comparison with others, and 1 
 must say I don't think they are a whit more grateful or 
 intelligent. Perhaps your philanthropy in Paradise 
 Row will work its own cure ; so we'll just leave you 
 alone. So the Beckers are going to Burnley ? They'll 
 need to go out of the house double quick, or Ford will 
 be at their heels.' 
 
 'Oh, papa, Mrs. Becker asked that you would not 
 send Ford to eject them. Surely he is not a very nice 
 man. They dislike him so in the Rows.' 
 
 ' Hem ! as they dislike everybody who conscientiously 
 does his duty,' said Mr. Hazell grimly. ' I only wish I 
 had a few more servants like Ford. He is a thoroughly 
 capable fellow. Come in,' he added, in response to a 
 knock at the door. 
 
 A gentleman entered, and Mary rose to go. She 
 glanced at him as he closed the door, and was conscious 
 gf a vague feeling of dislike and distrust of him. He 
 was a slight young man, with fair hair, a sallow com- 
 plexion, and a pair of unpleasantly penetrating grey eyes,
 
 68 HAZELL &r> SOWS, 
 
 1 Ah, Ford, is it you ? My daughter Mary, this is 
 Mr. Ford.' 
 
 Mary acknowledged the manager's obsequious bow 
 with a distant bow. It was not that she was proud, or 
 wished to measure any distance between herself and her 
 father's manager, but she did not like the appearance of 
 the man. 
 
 ' Good-bye, papa. Mamma will be wearying for her 
 afternoon tea,' she said, with a smile. ' You will not 
 be late ? ' 
 
 Mr. Ford instantly held open the door, and, as the 
 young lady passed out, favoured her with a look of 
 undisguised admiration, which made the indignant 
 colour rise to her cheek.
 
 CHAPTER VIL 
 
 PERPLEXITIES. 
 
 Mary reached home she found Mrs. 
 Hazell in the drawing-room with a visitor, 
 Miss Meredith from Clieveden. 
 
 She was a little, slender, fair-haired girl, 
 with a pretty face and a pleasing, girlish manner. 
 There was not much strength of character, perhaps, 
 about Lucy Meredith, but she was amiable and gentle- 
 hearted. She was a special favourite with Mrs. Hazell, 
 perhaps because she knew Robert cared for her. Eleanor 
 Hazell had a great love for her husband's elder son. 
 
 ' How are you, Lucy ? "What an age it is since 1 
 saw you ! ' said Mary, taking the girl's hand in hers and 
 looking affectionately down into her sweet eyes. ' I am 
 so glad to see you. Mamma, I am afraid I am very 
 late. Let me make out the tea, if you don't mind my 
 dusty garments. Guess where I've been to-day ?' 
 
 ' I thought Paradise Row was your destination when 
 you went out, my dear/ said Mrs. Hazell, with her 
 pleasant smile. 
 
 ' So it was, and I fulfilled my duty there to the best
 
 70 HAZELL & SOWS. 
 
 of my ability; perhaps it was a very poor best,' said 
 Mary soberly. ' Then I went and invaded papa's 
 sanctum actually bearded the lion in his den.' 
 
 ' You were at the brewery ? ' 
 
 ' Yes ; I wanted particularly to see papa at once about 
 the Beckers. Do you know them, Lucy ? They live in 
 Paradise Eow ; the fourth house, I think, from this end.' 
 
 ' I have heard Guy speak of them, I think. The 
 man is not very steady, is he ? ' 
 
 ' No ; that is just the family. Papa has dismissed 
 James Becker,' said Mary, with slightly clouding brow. 
 ' Do you know the lad, Willie ? ' 
 
 * Yes ; he is in Guy's Bible class.' 
 
 ' Indeed ! Has your brother a Bible class in the town, 
 Lucy ? ' 
 
 ' Yes, he has had it for years. It is a splendid class 
 of forty young men and lads.' 
 
 ' And does he find it do any good ? Some more 
 sugar, mamma ? How would you do without your 
 waiting-woman, eh ? ' 
 
 ' Not very well, my darling,' answered Eleanor, with 
 a swift, appreciative smile. ' Mary has a great deal to 
 learn about Medlington, hasn't she, Miss Meredith ? 
 She is quite a stranger in her own town.' 
 
 ' She is, indeed. I came from mamma to-day, Mary, 
 with a special message. When can you come up and 
 see her ? She thinks you have forgotten her.' 
 
 ' Mamma and I have often talked of it. We must 
 come before the days grow cold, and before your roses 
 are all blown. Robert tells us little bits now and again, 
 Lucy.'
 
 PERPLEXITIES. 71 
 
 Lucy blushed, and her lips parted in a sweet, tender 
 smile. 
 
 * Well, when will you come ? I seem to have such a 
 lot to say and to hear. You never told me anything 
 about your school-life, Mary.' 
 
 ' Have I not ? It seems almost unreal now ; looking 
 back, I seem to have been years at home. I am 
 expecting my friend Madeline Eayne shortly on a long 
 visit.' 
 
 ' Are you ? I shall be afraid to meet her. She is so 
 very clever, is she not ? ' 
 
 ' Yes, I suppose she is. I have never thought of that, 
 only I know she is dear and good/ said Mary, a little 
 absently, for her thoughts had flown to the old chateau 
 on the Rhine banks, and memories thronged about her 
 heart. ' Willie Becker is going to the coal-mines at 
 Burnley, Lucy,' she said, her thoughts reverting, after a 
 moment, to the subject which had been engrossing her 
 attention all afternoon. 
 
 ' Oh, that is dreadful for poor Willie ! He is such a 
 scholar. Guy is always speaking of him. He joined 
 the total abstinence society only a few weeks ago. It 
 was his own request.' 
 
 ' Does your brother superintend that also ? ' asked 
 Mary, with a slight constraint in her voice. 
 
 ' Yes, he does.' 
 
 Lucy Meredith wished she had not mentioned it ; but 
 the words had slipped from her unawares. 
 
 ' That would be one reason why he refused papa's 
 offer of work. Do you think the total abstinence 
 society does any good, Lucy ? '
 
 fa ffAZELL & SONS. 
 
 ' Guy thinks it does. He has known of several young 
 men whom nothing else but a binding pledge would have 
 kept sober.' 
 
 ' Ah, then, it must do good,' said Mary, with a sigh, 
 and she turned towards the tea-table, and was silent 
 while the other two talked. 
 
 Eleanor Hazell saw that the girl's heart was troubled, 
 and she partly understood it. Mary had begun to 
 study cause and effect, with the result that she was 
 rendered restless, and even unhappy. The con- 
 versation drifted after a little into more general 
 topics ; but, though Mary was not quite silent, Mrs. 
 Hazell saw perfectly well that she was preoccupied. 
 Lucy left early, taking with her a promise that the 
 ladies should come over to Clieveden on the first 
 fine day. 
 
 ' You are grieved about something, Mary,' Mrs. Hazell 
 said the moment they were left alone. 
 
 ' Not grieving, exactly, mamma, only feeling a little 
 perplexed,' Mary answered, throwing herself into a 
 swinging chair, and beginning to rock herself backwards 
 and forwards. 'I spoke to papa to-day about the 
 mother's meeting.' 
 
 ' Yes, my dear ? ' said Mrs. Hazell with a touch of 
 anxiety in her voice. 
 
 ' He says I may have the schoolroom if I like, but I 
 can see he thinks I shall not do any good. Do you 
 know Timothy Carr's wife ? ' 
 
 ' I have heard the name, but I know very little about 
 the workpeople, Mary.' 
 
 ' Well, she has gone dreadfully to drink, I am told,
 
 PERPLEXITIES. 73 
 
 and she is actually cruel to her poor dear little children. 
 Mamma, these things weigh on my heart.' 
 
 ' Don't let them vex you unduly, my darling ; you 
 cannot help the failings of others, and it is the woman's 
 own fault' 
 
 ' Yes, but they are so fearfully tempted, mamma. 
 Their houses are so poor and squalid, and the "Base-Ball" 
 so near. I wish that place could be shut up ; and yet, 
 what right ' 
 
 She stopped short, not wishing to grieve Mrs. Hazell 
 by casting a reflection on the brewery. But Eleanor 
 Hazell knew quite well what was passing in the girl's 
 mind, and was deeply sorry for her. 
 
 ' You have written to Miss Eayne to-day, dear ? ' she 
 said, changing the subject. 
 
 A gleam of sunshine smiled through the gloom on 
 Mary's face. ' Yes, and in a few days she will be hert. 
 She will make everything clear and plain. I hope you 
 will love Lena, mamma. I shall be dreadfully disap- 
 pointed if you don't take to each other at once.' 
 
 ' I am prepared to be very fond of her, my dear, for 
 your sake,' was the kind answer. ' Is that your father 
 and the boys already ? But, dear me, it is half-past five ! ' 
 
 Mary sprang up, gathered her outdoor wraps together, 
 and went up to her own room to change her dress for 
 dinner. Herbert was very decorous and subdued at table, 
 and there was no allusion made to his escapade of the 
 previous night. It was Mr. Hazell's custom to take a 
 _nap every evening after dinner. When Robert was not 
 at Clieveden, he spent the evening in the drawing-room, 
 sometimes alone, or practising duets with his sister. His
 
 74 HAZELL & SONS. 
 
 tastes were quiet, he enjoyed the society of the ladies , 
 but Herbert found an evening at home an insufferable 
 bore. 
 
 ' Lucy was here to-day, Robert,' Mary said, when her 
 brothers came up after having smoked a cigar together 
 on the terrace. 
 
 ' Was she ? I am going over to-night.' 
 ' Are you ? She did not say she expected you.' 
 ' No ; but I met Meredith this afternoon, and he 
 asked me. Are you going out, Bertie ? "Would you 
 come with me ? ' 
 
 'Oh no, thanks. I don't want to go out. Besides, 
 I don't enjoy playing gooseberry,' he answered, with a 
 laugh. ' I may go down town later. I was to see Atkins.' 
 Shortly afterwards Robert left the house. Mr. Hazell 
 had a corporation meeting to attend, and drove into the 
 town before eight o'clock. Herbert wandered restlessly 
 about the drawing-room, and at last, with a murmured 
 excuse to Mrs. Hazell, left the ladies alone. He could 
 not rest at home. No sooner was his anxiety concern- 
 ing his latest escapade set at rest, than he was thinking 
 longingly of the excitement of Gregory's rooms. Then 
 there was his watch. He must win it back again before 
 his father missed it, or there would be a scene over it. 
 He took a by-way to the town a little unfrequented 
 path which skirted the face of a wooded slope above 
 the river. It was a private road belonging to the 
 Hazelwood property, but Mr. Hazell did not insist upon 
 his right of way. It was used indiscriminately by those 
 who loved a quiet, picturesque walk, and was much 
 frequented by lovers.
 
 PERPLEXITIES. 75 
 
 Many a time had Mary Hazell, in her rrnilcap, girlish 
 days, lain in wait for country swains, and then rehearsed 
 what she had seen and heard for the benefit of her 
 father and brothers. She had a rare gift for mimicry, 
 which, in her earlier years, she had t-iken full advan- 
 tage of, but when she went to Bonn, she had laid it, in 
 great part, aside. Madeline Rayne had pointed out the 
 danger of such a gift, and had shown her that its reck- 
 less use was not kind. Mary had been falling into 
 that foolish and disagreeable habit of turning every 
 person and everything into ridicule. Happily she had 
 just been checked in time. 
 
 It was quite dark when Herbert left the house, but 
 the moon rose before he had gone far on his way. He 
 sauntered leisurely along the path, puffing his cigar, and 
 occasionally pausing to look through the gaps in the 
 trees at the silver thread of the river winding at the 
 base of the slope. The landscape, though not very 
 picturesque in daylight, looked fair enough under the 
 mystic touch of the moon. Even the tall chimneys of 
 the brewery were softened into a graceful outline against 
 the mild autumn sky. Some leaves had already fallen, 
 and they made a gentle rustling under foot. It was 
 just the time and the place for quiet meditation. 
 Herbert was meditating, certainly, but it was on various 
 rather perplexing problems. There were at least two 
 entanglements in Medlington which were causing him 
 some anxiety. One was a debt he owed to Mr. Miles 
 Gregory ; the other a promise he had made to Mr. Miles 
 Gregory's daughter. 
 
 The upland path, as it was familiarly called, ended
 
 6 HAZELL & SONS. 
 
 somewhat abruptly, and made a rapid descent on to the 
 public highway which skirted the river bank and passed 
 the Hazel wood gates. Just at the foot of the path, and 
 almost directly facing a foot-bridge over the Med, stood 
 a neat, compact little house, half villa, half cottage, 
 surrounded by a picturesque and well-stocked garden. 
 It had a paddock behind, which was separated by a 
 group of lime trees from a wide stretch of waste moor- 
 land called the Common. The house was called Miles- 
 wood, the residence of Mr. Miles Gregory. Herbert 
 Hazell knew it well both outside and in. Many an 
 hour he had spent in the cosy sitting-room, playing 
 bezique and backgammon with Mr. Gregory, and making 
 love to Mr. Gregory's handsome daughter. He looked 
 quickly round, perhaps to see whether there was any 
 one in sight, and then entered the garden by the side 
 gate, and knocked with the head of his cane on the 
 door. He was immediately admitted and shown into 
 the sitting-room. There was a lady there alone, a stout, 
 rubicund, motherly-looking person, rather over-dressed, 
 but still not unpl easing to look at. 
 
 ' Law, is it you, Mr. Herbert ? I was just saying to 
 Janie this very day surely we 'adn't seen you for an 
 age. Sit down, sit down, and have a drop o' suthin', 
 an' I'll send Patty out after her.' 
 
 ' Is she not in, Mrs. Gregory ? ' 
 
 ' No. She'd been mopin' in the house all day, an' 
 ran out jis' about fifteen minutes ago for a mouthful o' 
 fresh air. Sit down. You'll never go without seein' 
 Janie, Mr. Herbert,' said Airs. Gregory coquettishly. 
 ' She'd break 'er heart over it. Sit down an' tell us
 
 PERPLEXITIES. 77 
 
 what's come over you this age. We sees you goin' up 
 an' we sees you goin' down, an' Janie watches behind 
 the curtain there as a cat on a watch for a mouse, but 
 never a look nor a nod do you give. It's too bad, Mr. 
 Herbert, an' so friendly as you've allus been 'ere.' 
 
 ' We have been a good deal down at Sandgate, you 
 know, and since my sister came home there have been 
 more people at the house,' said Herbert in explanation. 
 ' I'll just go out and meet Janie. I have a pretty good 
 guess where she will be.' 
 
 ' Oh, very well. If you've any little tiff to clear up, 
 pr'aps you'd better do it outside,' said Mrs. Gregory, 
 with a laugh. ' Off you go, and don't bide too long, an' 
 I'll have a bit o' somethin' nice for supper against you 
 come in. Janie's in the dumps about something, that I 
 know. You'll not play with my gel, Mr. Herbert ? 
 She's all we have now, and we're very fond o' her.' 
 
 There was something touching in the motherly 
 solicitude of Mrs. Gregory's look and tone. 
 
 ' No, no, honour bright, Mrs. Gregory. I'm awfully 
 fond of Janie, but you know I have to be cautious in 
 feeling my way. If anything was to come out just 
 now, there would be an awful row.' 
 
 ' I'm sure I don't know why,' said Mrs. Gregory, 
 bristling up. ' Our gel's as good a gel as ever lived ; 
 an' for looks, she'll come nigh your sister, anyway, Mr. 
 Herbert, if you'll excuse me sayin' it. An' she wouldn't 
 go to you empty-handed either ; her father '11 see to 
 that. Me an' Gregory may be common folks, riz from 
 nothin', maybe, but we know what's what. We've 
 allus expected Janie to make a good match, an' we've
 
 78 HAZELL & SONS. 
 
 edicated her for it. You can't deny, now that she 
 plays the pianny somethin' splendid ? ' 
 
 ' She has a brilliant touch, certainly,' Herbert an- 
 swered, unable to suppress a smile. 
 
 ' An' I've never let her sile her hands, which are as 
 white as your sister's is fit to be, Mr. Herbert,' con- 
 tinued Mrs. Gregory, with an earnestness which had 
 something pathetic as well as comical in it. ' I've 
 wanted to speak to you on the quiet for a long time, 
 though Janie dared me to do it. She's a queerish girl, 
 our Janie, Mr. Herbert, but as good as gold. You 
 should see how she looks out at Miss Hazell when she 
 goes past. Your sister looks a haughty young lady, 
 Mr. Herbert. Do you think she'll look very much 
 down on Janie ? ' 
 
 ' I'm sure she won't,' said Herbert emphatically, 
 beginning to move towards the door. ' She's a real 
 good girl, and would do anything for me/ 
 
 ' Would she, now ? That's nice of her. Well, Mr. 
 Herbert, I wish you'd settle it all soon ; becos it's 
 horrid to keep hidin' things, an' folks is begun to know 
 you come a lot here, and walk Janie out. If the old 
 man should be stingy at first, I'd be willin' to pay a 
 rent for a house say one of them pretty cottages in 
 Amanda Terrace. Nobody'd be any the wiser not 
 even Gregory ; for I've my own little pile in the bank, 
 Mr. Herbert, and what would I do with it if not let it 
 go to make my little gel happy ? ' 
 
 ' You are too good, Mrs. Gregory, but there '11 never 
 be any need for that,' said Herbert Hazell quickly. ' I 
 hope you won't say anything outside, because if it
 
 PERPLEXITIES. 79 
 
 comes to my father's ears it '11 get me into a frightful 
 scrape. He's a very proud man, and I must come 
 round him by degrees.' 
 
 ' Proud, is he ? ' exclaimed Mrs. Gregory, with a 
 mild scorn. ' Well, he needn't be, seein' his father was 
 once a drayman at Hazell's, when it was Bentley's. 
 Are you off? Don't take offence. Mr. Herbert I 
 don't mean no impertinence ; an' don't tell Janie, for, 
 mercy me ! she'll be down on me, you've no idea.' 
 
 ' No, no ! Good-night, in case I don't look in again,' 
 said Herbert hastily, as he quitted the room. 
 
 The woman made him feel ill, but the meshes were 
 woven closely round him, and it would be difficult, if 
 indeed possible, to free himself from the chain which 
 had become intolerable.
 
 CHAPTER VIIL 
 
 HEMMED IN. 
 
 ERBERT HAZELL went quickly down the 
 garden path, through the wicket, which was 
 open, and then paused for a moment to scan 
 the moorland. The light from the full moon 
 was beautifully clear, and he could see right across the 
 expanse to the low range of hills which hemmed it in. 
 There was not a solitary being to be seen on the common, 
 but Herbert knew very well where he could find the 
 person he sought. He struck across the corner of the 
 moor to where a lonely patch of wood stood out against 
 the sky a little oasis where the cows sheltered from 
 the heat in the summer-time, and the sheep from the 
 snow in the winter. Many a tryst had Herbert Hazell 
 kept with Miss Gregory at the knoll. As he approached 
 it, he caught the gleam of something white among the 
 trees, and then the movement of a figure which he 
 instantly recognised. She saw him coming, but did not 
 offer to come and meet him. She was standing against 
 the gnarled trunk of an old oak tree, against which her 
 white shawl showed in fine relief. She wore a dark 
 
 80
 
 HEMMED IN. 81 
 
 dress, and a little tweed cap, which, however, was not 
 allowed to interfere with the elaborately curled fringe 
 which adorned her brow. She had a pretty but rather 
 pert face, a trifle sallow in colour, but relieved by a pair 
 of large and brilliant black eyes. Miss Gregory was 
 proud of her eyes, which were doubtless her chief charm. 
 She was rather under the middle height, and inclined to 
 plumpness. The smallness of her waist looked a liltle 
 out of proportion with her square, well-built shoulders. 
 Her face wore an expression of perfect indifference, 
 but her eyes softened wonderfully as the young man 
 approached. He had won her heart, and she loved him 
 with a passionate love, but she was not a meek, gentle, 
 pliable maiden by any means. She exacted more 
 attention, sometimes, than Herbert Hazell was willing 
 to give. 
 
 ' Well, Janie, my love, how are you ? ' he said, and 
 gently tapped her shoulder as if he had a perfect right 
 to do so. 
 
 ' I am very well, thank you,' she said coldly, and 
 drew herself back a little. 
 
 She meant to punish him for his inattention. More 
 than a fortnight had elapsed since his last visit to 
 Mileswood. 
 
 ' Hulloa ; are you going to cut me ? ' he asked, with 
 a kind of bantering fondness. ' Don't, Janie. I couldn't 
 help it, and I'm awfully glad to see you. It seems an 
 age since I saw your sweet face.' 
 
 . Her mouth relaxed a little into a smile. His way was 
 wonderfully winning. It was impossible to resist it. 
 
 ' Oh yes ; that's a fine story,' she said, with affected
 
 82 HAZELL & SOWS. 
 
 unbelief. ' Why, you've passed the door twenty times 
 without a look. I believe you're tired of me, Herbert.' 
 
 ' Tired of you ! No, I'm not. I only wish I had yob 
 all to myself,' he said rashly. ' I was in the house, and 
 the old lady took me to task, Janie.' 
 
 'Ma's tongue's miles too long, said Janie quickly. 
 ' What did she say ? ' 
 
 ' Oh, she wanted me to fix the day. You'll have to 
 keep her in order, Janie, till I get things gradually 
 smoothed away.' 
 
 ' They take a mighty lot of smoothing,' she said, with 
 a tinge of bitter discontent in her voice. ' It's more 
 than a year since we got engaged. I hate this secrecy, 
 Herbert. How much longer has it to go on ? ' 
 
 ' Well, I don't know. Things are all at sixes and 
 sevens with me. The governor and I can't get on, and 
 it would be no use to ask a rise, for I wouldn't get it. 
 He'd tell me quick enough I don't work for what I get 
 already. He's an awfully hard old beggar, Janie.' 
 
 ' He doesn't look like it,' said Miss Gregory doubt- 
 fully. ' Is it true your brother's going to be married 
 to Miss Meredith ? ' 
 
 1 Yes, I believe it is. I think he's spoken to the 
 governor about it ; but Bob's very close about his own 
 affairs. I daresay Mollie knows, and she'd tell me if I 
 ask her.' 
 
 ' It's nearly four months since your sister came home, 
 and I've never seen her yet. Don't you remember 
 you said you'd tell her all about it, and that she'd call 
 when she came home.' 
 
 ' Well, you see, I've never had a proper chance wit})
 
 HEMMED IN. 83 
 
 Molly, she's so much taken up with Mrs. Hazell ; we're 
 not the chums we \\ere. I'm getting awfully sick of 
 Medlington, Janie. Would you go away to a new 
 country with me ? ' 
 
 ' What would be the use of that ? ' asked Miss 
 Gregory. She did not at all approve of such a proposal. 
 She was ambitious aud vain, and wanted to marry well 
 in her own town, where those who had known her all 
 her life would be witnesses to her ascent of the social 
 ladder. What would be the use of making a fine 
 marriage and then running off to a strange new 
 country where nobody knew her ? Such a prospect did 
 not at all commend itself to Miles Gregory's aspiring 
 daughter. 
 
 ' I heard you were locked out last night,' she said 
 presently. 
 
 ' How did you hear that ? ' 
 
 ' I was talking to Kitty the housemaid this afternoon 
 I was in the garden when ahe passed on some errands. 
 Kitty keeps me posted up in all the doings of Hazel- 
 wood.' 
 
 ' I wonder you would stoop to gossip with the servant 
 girls, Janie,' he said angrily. ' How do you suppose you 
 could ever keep up any position afterwards before 
 them ? ' 
 
 ' Oh, when I have the position to keep up, I'll sit on 
 all their kiud without any scruple,' said Miss Gregory 
 flippantly. ' You leave me alone I know what's what, 
 and can do it too ; but in the meantime I like to know 
 what's going on. It's not a bad thing to have a friend 
 at court,'
 
 84 HAZELL 6r SONS. 
 
 ' I suppose you've told Kitty we're engaged, or some- 
 thing of that sort/ he said sarcastically. 
 
 ' Perhaps I have and perhaps I haven't,' said Miss 
 Gregory coolly ; but he knew quite well she was too 
 prudent for that. ' I say, Kitty says your sister's 
 awfully nice, but I think she is very proud. I saw 
 her go past this afternoon just after Kitty. She walks 
 like a duchess. Do you think she and I would get 
 on?' 
 
 'Oh, I daresay you would,' said Herbert absently 
 but in his own mind he had his doubts. Mary was 
 very fastidious in some things, and Miss Gregory had 
 not many fine feelings. She often said and did things 
 which jarred on his sensibilities, though he cared foi 
 her after a fashion. It must be told that it was since 
 Mary's homecoming that he had seen glaring faults in 
 Jane Gregory. He had been madly in love with her a 
 year ago, and had solemnly promised to make her his 
 wife. How he regretted that promise we may see 
 hereafter. 
 
 'There is a young lady coming from Germany tc 
 visit your sister, isn't there?' asked Miss Gregory 
 presently. 
 
 ' I believe there is,' he admitted. ' I think I must 
 warn Mrs. Hazell about that girl's gossip. It'll make 
 them careful what they say before her.' 
 
 ' Oh no, you won't, because you'll have to tell how 
 you knew she gossiped, dear,' said Miss Gregory. ' Don't 
 go falling in love with this fine friend of your sister's.' 
 
 ' Fine friend ! I wish you saw her. She'll pass foi 
 my great-grandmother. "Would you care, Janie ? I don't
 
 HEMMED IN. 85 
 
 believe you would, though I were to fall in love with 
 her/ 
 
 ' Wouldn't I ? ' 
 
 An unbidden tear sprang to the girl's beautiful 
 eye, and her mouth trembled. That softening touch 
 made her face almost beautiful, and showed that under 
 all the flippancy and banter there was a warm, pulsing 
 woman's heart Herbert Hazell saw the tear and 
 the trembling lip, and in a moment had her to his 
 heart. He was easily touched, and he could not forget 
 that he had loved her passionately once. So the old 
 vows were renewed with still greater fervour, and he 
 bound about him yet more firmly his chain of bondage. 
 
 ' I don't see how we're ever to get married, Janie, 
 unless we go off abroad together,' he said presently. 
 'I'm sure the governor would never give in, and to 
 marry without his consent would mean an end put to 
 the meagre allowance I have.' 
 
 ' Why should he object ? ' asked Miss Gregory 
 jealously. ' Pa's rich, and he makes his money in 
 much the same way as Mr. Hazell. I don't see that 
 much difference between making and selling/ 
 
 ' I only wish he heard you, that's all' 
 
 ' It might do him good,' was Miss Gregory's smart 
 retort. ' If you'd tell him more plain truths like that, 
 you'd find yourself a trifle better off. You and your 
 brother have always been too soft, just like big babies, 
 everybody says/ 
 
 ' You are very complimentary, Miss Gregory/ 
 
 ' No, but I'm candid. I've heard pa say that times 
 over. You'll get all your thanks in one day when the
 
 86 HAZELL <& SONS. 
 
 wife gets it all. Come on in. It is chilly here now,' 
 said Janie, beginning to move away from the knoll. 
 
 ' I say, isn't, it a queer thing for your brother to take 
 up with the Merediths ? ' she said presently. ' They're 
 such teetotallers. Guy Meredith's perfectly mad on 
 the subject. I've heard that your sister preaches 
 temperance at the Rows too, and that it doesn't go very 
 well down.' 
 
 'You hear a great deal of nonsense, Janie,' said 
 Herbert, a little crossly. He was tired of her already. 
 In ordinary conversation she often wearied and disgusted 
 him. She could only talk about her neighbours and the 
 gossip of the town ; her mind was frivolous and empty. 
 At times the desire for better things, the yearning after 
 a purer and nobler life, visited the young man, and in 
 these moments Jane Gregory could not help ; nay, she 
 hindered him, although she was not conscious of it. 
 She had blunted some of his finer sensibilities. One 
 thing was certain, she didn t present to him a very 
 exalted type of womanhood. It was not that sbe 
 lacked education, or even a kind of outward polish 
 which might have passed for good manners, but the 
 tone of her mind was not high. She did not exact 
 that most absolute respect which is every good woman's 
 due, and which never fails her when she is true to her 
 womanhood. Jane Gregory had shown herself too 
 eager to be flattered and made love to by the brewer's 
 son. I fear I must add that she had done more tban 
 half the wooing. But she had her good points, which 
 were revealed when she had to meet a crisis in her life. 
 
 ' I'll never go abroad of my own free will for y^a or
 
 HEMMED IN. 87 
 
 anybody else/ she said coolly. ' I mean to marry and 
 settle here, where everybody knows ma' 
 
 1 Then it must be the marrying and the settling you 
 care about, and not me,' returned Herbert quickly. ' If 
 you liked me, you'd go anywhere with me.' 
 
 ' Maybe ; but it would look like as if you were 
 ashamed to live here with me,' she maintained. ' Why 
 are you holding out your hand ? Aren't you coming in 
 to supper?' 
 
 ' Not to-night, I think.' 
 
 ' Oh, come in ; don't be vexed with me. I've only 
 been chaffing,' she said coaxingly. ' Pa'll be in at nine 
 or half-past. He'll be sorry not to see you.' 
 
 Herbert hesitated a moment. There was not much 
 at Hazel wood to tempt him back only Mrs. Hazell 
 and Mary reading quietly by the fire ; besides, he wanted 
 a private word with Miles Gregory about his watch. 
 Janie saw his hesitation, and opened the door. Then 
 they entered the house together. Mr. Gregory was in 
 the sitting-room. It was his custom generally to come 
 home to a hot supper about nine, and then go back to 
 close up. But on Saturday nights he was obliged to 
 content himself with a pie and a drink of ale at the 
 tavern. The supper, something smelling savourily of 
 onions, was on the table ; but Mr. Gregory was busy 
 with the local evening paper, which was published three 
 afternoons in the week in Medlington. He looked up, 
 gave young Hazoll a familiar nod, and threw aside the 
 . paper. 
 
 ' Been studyin' the stars, you an' Janie, eh ? ' he asked 
 jocularly. ' She's uncommon smart at all kinds o'
 
 88 HAZRLL & SONS. 
 
 sciences except cookin' an' dustin' up a house. I say 
 sometimes to my missus that the darter may be orna- 
 mental, but she certainly can't be called useful. Have 
 a seat and a bite along o' us.' 
 
 'No, thanks, it isn't long since I dined,' answered 
 Herbert, but took the offered seat. He did not like the 
 man, nor anything pertaining to him, and yet a curious 
 attraction brought him night after night into his com- 
 pany, either in his own house or at the club-rooms. 
 
 ' Feel rather seedy to-night, eh ? You look it,' said 
 Mr. Gregory, as the young man drew near the fire. 
 
 ' Yes, I'm seedy ; I'm not going near that beastly 
 place again,' he said crossly. ' What about my watch, 
 Gregory ? ' 
 
 ' Ay, what about it ? ' asked Gregory dryly, as he fell 
 to with knife and fork. 
 
 ' I suppose I'll need to go and win it back. If I 
 hadn't had drink I'd have left when my money was done.' 
 
 ' Well, why had you drink ? I didn't force it down 
 your throat,' said the tavern-keeper offensively, as he 
 helped himself to a long draught of strong ale. 
 
 ' That's the way of you gents,' he continued, when 
 Hazell made no reply. ' You make fools of yourselves, 
 and then blame me. Mr. Atkins was at me in the 
 same strain to-night. I gave it 'm hot and strong, I 
 tell you. I don't want you to come if you don't want. 
 You're free-will agents, I reckon, and the " Base-Ball " 
 can get along without you. Do you want your watch 
 back? Has the governor been askin' after it?' 
 
 'No; but I want it, Gregory. It's not convenient 
 to be without it.'
 
 HEMMED IN. 89 
 
 ' It's a pretty toy. I was thinkin' on givin' it to 
 Janie to wear as a kind of keepsake/ said Mr. Gregory, 
 with a twinkle in his eye. ' You wouldn't object to 
 that, I s'pose ? ' 
 
 Herbert made no reply. Gregory was particularly 
 disagreeable. The young man almost hated him at that 
 moment. 
 
 ' Is it all fair and square between Janie and you ? ' 
 he asked presently, leaning back in his chair, and wiping 
 his mouth with his red handkerchief. ' The missus and 
 me's been talkin' o' it, an' we've come to the conclusion 
 that we're sick o' this shilly-shallyin'. When is it to 
 be ? That's what I want to be at ! ' 
 
 ' I don't know. How can I marry when I have not 
 as much as keep myself?' asked Herbert Hazell gloomily. 
 
 ' There's plenty in the concern, as I know/ said Mr. 
 Gregory quietly, 'an' I don't see why the owner should 
 be so selfish with it. You'll need to make him stump 
 up, my man, or I'll maybe give him a word o' comfort 
 myself one o' these days.' 
 
 ' You'll find yourself in the wrong box, I doubt, 
 Gregory/ said Herbert, with a short laugh. ' I was 
 speaking to Janie to-night If she'd go abroad with me, 
 I'd go to-morrow.' 
 
 ' I daresay ; but I won't let her. No man shall 
 sneak off with my gel, as if he were ashamed of her. 
 She'll stand a look an' hold her own any day in Med- 
 lington. An' that's where it's to be ! I give you three 
 months to make up your mind, Mr. Hazell. You've 
 dangled after her, an' keep others away, an' you're not 
 goin' to shuffle out o' it now. I'll see to that/
 
 90 HAZELL & SONS. 
 
 The young man's face flushed, but he had not a word 
 to say. 
 
 ' Three months, my boy, and then I goes to the old 
 boy an' tells him the whole story, an' lets him know 
 how much he's got to stump up. I was lookin' the 
 book this afternoon, an' it's a pretty round sum nearer 
 two hundred than one you owe me. But if you're 
 open and square with my gel, an' tell your father about 
 her, and bring your women-folks to call on mine, an' 
 hev the marriage in St. Nicholas' afore six months, I'll 
 never say a word. That little sum '11 be wiped out 
 it'll be a kind o' marriage gift, as it were. So there's 
 my terms an' very generous an' kind I'm sure they 
 are ; an' to show I'm in earnest, there's your watch back 
 as a pledge.' 
 
 Herbert took the watch, which Mr. Gregory produced 
 from his watch-pocket, and hastily slipped it into his 
 own. At that moment the ladies entered the room, and 
 the private conversation was at an end.
 
 CHAPTER IX. 
 
 MADELINE RAYNK 
 
 |ARY HAZELL was walking impatiently up 
 and down the platform at Medliugton Rail- 
 way station awaiting the London train. A 
 boy was holding her poiiies in the station 
 enclosure, Mary being too excited to sit still in the 
 phaeton. She was waiting for Madeline Eayne. It 
 was a still, sere October day. The sky was grey, but 
 not gloomy, nay, there was even a glimmer of soft 
 brightness on the horizon, although the sun had been 
 . veiled all day. A soft rain had fallen in the night, and 
 the roads were muddy, and the country lanes strewn 
 thick with autumn leaves. The trees, half -stripped, 
 stood out solemn sentinels against the quiet sky, there 
 was a hush in the moist, mild air, as if nature were 
 resting a brief space before she should be torn with the 
 winter conflict. In spite of her gladness, Mary was 
 conscious of a curious feeling of depression, almost of 
 sadness. Peihaps the state of affairs at home conduced 
 to such a state of mind. Mrs. llazell had caught a 
 chill at an evening party, and had been for some days 
 
 ti
 
 92 HAZELL & SONS. 
 
 confined entirely to her room. Mr. Hazell was in a 
 chronic state of ill-humour. He had decided to be 
 hugely displeased about Eobert's wooing of Lucy Mere- 
 dith, and had practically withheld his consent. At 
 least he had not paid the slightest attention to Eobert's 
 pointedly expressed expectation that in the event of his 
 marriage a fitting income would be provided. The old 
 man forgot apparently that his lads had grown to be 
 men, and he resented any action taken by them without 
 consulting him. Then he did not like the Merediths, 
 chiefly because of their active exertions in the temper- 
 ance cause in Medlington. These water-drinkers, as he 
 contemptuously called them, were not at all to his 
 mind, and he often wondered that Gny Meredith got 
 any business in the town. But, in spite of his eccen- 
 tricities in the way of temperance advocacy and earnest 
 gospel work, Guy Meredith's business did increase. He 
 was a Christian lawyer, and was trusted accordingly. 
 
 In consequence of his father's open displeasure, Robert 
 Hazell was a trifle depressed. There was something 
 else, however, weighing more heavily on his mind. He 
 could not get rid of the conviction that the business in 
 which his father had made his money, and to which he 
 had been trained, was not one whose operations could 
 be useful or helpful to any. There was a great deal of 
 drunkenness in Medlington, and too much tippling 
 constantly among the men at the brewery. He had 
 screened several, whose misdemeanours, had they been 
 known to the old master, would have been rewarded 
 with instant dismissal. Mr. Hazell was curiously per- 
 emptory in his punishment of drunkenness. On the
 
 MADELINE RA YNE. 93 
 
 bench lie was known as 'the hard justice,' and the 
 Monday morning delinquents at the Police Court knew 
 what to expect when their fate rested with him. He 
 Gned heavily and gave the longest imprisonments in his 
 power to the drunks and disorderlies who were locked 
 up from Saturday night. Eobert Hazell had seen the 
 practical wrecking of more than one steady and fine 
 character among the men, and more than once he had 
 remonstrated with his father about the taproom at the 
 brewery, urging him to shut it up. But Mr. Hazell 
 had pooh-poohed his objections, and had instanced the 
 three large firms who had acted on the same principle. 
 Mr. Hazell prided himself upon a certain open-handed, 
 generous way with his employees ; he was indeed a 
 man of many sides, and full of strange contradictions. 
 
 Herbert was not behaving any better. Night after 
 night he was out past the hours, morning after morn- 
 ing he was late at the breakfast-table ; and the frown 
 was seldom absent from his father's brow. Altogether, 
 these thoughts were rather troubling Mary Hazell. Her 
 ambitious hopes of doing good and living a useful and 
 noble life seemed to be nipped in the bud. So she 
 thought, not knowing that but for her the family life at 
 Hazelwood would have been a miserable thing. She 
 was sweet and wholesome and earnest-hearted, the only 
 sunshine, as Eobert put it, in the house. 
 
 The train was a little late, and the ponies were very 
 restive when it came puffing into the station. Mary 
 eagerly scanned the carriage windows, and at length 
 caught sight of the face she loved looking out of a third- 
 class compartment. She was astonished at first, having
 
 94 HAZELL & SONS, 
 
 forgotten that Madeline Kayne was a young woman 
 of extremely limited means. 
 
 ' Oh, Lena Rayne ! I never, never was so glad to set- 
 any one as I am to see you at this moment, my blessed 
 girl!' 
 
 Such was Mary's greeting, which fell warm and sweet 
 on the ears and heart of Madeline Rayne. She was a 
 desolate woman, without kith or kin in the world, and 
 she loved Mary Hazell with a great love. Her face was 
 transfigured by it, as she stood a moment in silence, her 
 large, serious eyes suffused with tears. 
 
 'Just the same,' she whispered under her breath, 
 after that one yearning, lingering look. 
 
 ' Of course. What did you expect ? ' said Mary gaily; 
 for a sense of rest and freedom from care stole upon her 
 in the presence of her friend. ' Come. I know my 
 animals will be frightening Jimmy Tompkins out of his 
 wits. Have you any luggage ? ' 
 
 ' A little,' said Madeline, with a smile. ' I am here 
 with everything I have in the world a waif and a 
 stray, Mary, but for you.' 
 
 ' I'm glad you had the grace to add that/ said Mary 
 grimly. ' Here, Tompkins,' she added to a porter 
 passing at the moment, ' send up my friend's luggage to 
 Hazelwood at once, please, will you ? We can't take 
 it in the phaeton.' 
 
 ' Very well, Miss Hazell ; the van's just ready,' said 
 the man, with a touch to his cap. Every one served 
 Miss Hazell readily. Her smile was worth a great jleal 
 to some in Medlington. 
 
 ' Are you ready now, Lena ? .Nothing left in the
 
 MADELINE RA YNE. 95 
 
 <9uria<je ? Come, then, and let me look at you. I am 
 not quite satisfied about you. What is the meaning of 
 all this turn-up ? I thought you were a fixture at 
 Madame's. Ah ! here's poor little Jimmy, nearly 
 shaken to pieces with these tossing heads. Aren't they 
 pretty creatures, Lena ? They are mamma's and mine ; 
 hot mamma never drives them.' . 
 
 'Yes, they are pretty. So this is Medlington, 
 Mary ? ' 
 
 ' It will be presently. Here, Jimmy, my boy, spend 
 it judiciously,' said Miss Hazell, with a laugh, as she 
 gave the boy a silver coin. ' Come now, my beauties, 
 off you go ! ' 
 
 Off they went then at a brisk trot, while Mary 
 turned once more to look at her friend. 
 
 ' You look pale, and old, and generally depressed, 
 Lena. Tell me about it all, in case we don't have a 
 chance before bed-time at least.' 
 
 'There is not much to tell, Mary,' said Madeline 
 Eayne, and a slow colour rose in her cheek. ' Paul 
 Gebhardt wanted to marry me, and Madame his mother 
 naturally felt aggrieved. She was not kind to me, 
 Mary. Was I not blameless where Paul Gebhardt was 
 concerned ? ' 
 
 ' Did the old creature hint that you encouraged him ? 
 Don't you remember the caricatures you used to make 
 of him in his velvet coat and long hair ? So you did 
 not aspire to be a poet's wife, Lena ? ' 
 
 ' No, I did not. That is a pretty view, Mary.' 
 
 They were descending the slope from the station, and 
 yvere in full view of the valley where the town stood on
 
 96 HAZRLL 6r- SONS. 
 
 the banks of the river, which wound, not ungracefully, 
 for many miles. 
 
 ' Yes ; it is rather pretty. The Med looks well 
 from a distance, but it is frightfully unsanitary. It is 
 so polluted with chemicals from the works that no 
 living thing is found in it. That is the brewery, Lena, 
 where the big chimney stalks and the two little ones 
 stand in a line.' 
 
 ' It is an immense place, surely, like a colony of 
 houses ? ' 
 
 'Yes; it is big enough, certainly/ said Mary, with 
 a sigh. 
 
 ' And where is Hazelwood ? ' 
 
 ' Oh, a long way over the bridge and up the river 
 bank, and away from the smoke and the smells. Can 
 you see the row of brick houses now, beyond the 
 brewery wall ? That is my mission field.' 
 
 ' Indeed 1 The houses lie very low, do they not ? ' 
 
 ' Yes ; far too low. Medlington is not pretty, Lena, 
 nor very salubrious, but Hazelwood is lovely, and there 
 is a moor not far from us which you and I will explore 
 thoroughly. I believe there are some rare flora among 
 the little hillocks. We are going to have a splendid 
 time, now you have come.' 
 
 ' Are we ? ' 
 
 A slight, sad smile touched for a moment the lips of 
 Madeline Rayne. 
 
 ' Yes, of course we are. The boys are quite excited 
 over your coming. Not many young ladies visit us. 
 I am afraid I am not a very lovable person, Lena ; I 
 have so few girl friends.'
 
 MADELINE RA YNE. 97 
 
 ' Is your mamma keeping better ? ' 
 
 ' No. Mamma is not strong, and papa is often 
 cross, and Robert melancholy, and Herbert naughty. 
 As for me, I am constantly in hot water about some- 
 thing. Do you enjoy the prospect of dwelling indefi- 
 nitely in such a charming household ? ' 
 
 ' I shall reserve my opinion, Mary,' was Madeline 
 Eayne's answer. ' I am very sorry to hear about your 
 brother Herbert.' 
 
 ' Oh yes ; it is dreadful. He is never in the house, 
 Lena. Night after night he is away at a horrid 
 gambling club, and our maid told me one day that he 
 visits constantly at the house of the man who keeps it. 
 I shall show you the house ; we pass it presently. But 
 I don't believe that. You must take him in hand, 
 Lena. Then Eobert, you know, wants to marry Lucy 
 Meredith, a dear girl, but papa doesn't like them 
 because they are such temperance people. I don't 
 think he is quite just to Robert, and I see he feels it a 
 good deal. Oh dear, oh dear ! I do believe these old 
 days at Bonn were the very happiest any girl could 
 have. It is such a grieving thing to be grown up, and 
 to want to do a great many things one can't get doing. 
 May I tell you, Lena ? As long as the brewery 
 flourishes, I may stop my mission work. I see that 
 very plainly, and it is a great grief to ma' 
 
 1 We shall talk all this over by and by, Mary,' said 
 Madeline Rayne soberly. ' You are sure Mr. and Mrs. 
 Hazell will be glad to see me ? ' 
 
 ' Yes. I am an honest person, Lena. I wouldn't 
 bring you here under false pretences. You will be
 
 98 HAZELL & SOWS. 
 
 welcomed, I assure you. See, Lena, there is Mileswood, 
 just over the bridge, see, where they say Herbert spends 
 his evenings.' 
 
 ' I see a girl's face at the window ; is she the 
 attraction ? ' 
 
 ' Oh no ! I believe there is a daughter, but of 
 course Herbert would never think of her. He doesn't 
 go in for that kind of folly, Lena. There is a good 
 deal of private gambling in that house, I believe.' 
 
 As the phaeton swept past the gate of Mileswood, 
 Lena Rayne took a long look at the house, and at the 
 face ac the window. She felt curiously interested in 
 the latter, she could not tell why. 
 
 ' The young lady is looking very curiously at you, 
 Mary.' 
 
 * Oh, I daresay. She is always at the window 
 watching me. She irritates me, I don't know why. 
 The poor mother must do all the work, for they keep 
 no servant, and that girl is always at the window 
 dressed up with a curled fringe.' 
 
 ' Mary, you are very bitter/ said Madeline, with a 
 smile of amusement. 
 
 Mary coloured a little. 
 
 ' I feel that I am saying horrid things. I don't know 
 what makes me do it. I am sadly in need of you to 
 put me right, Lena. Well, here are our gates. Isn't 
 it a pretty avenue ? I love those fine old trees. If 
 only you had been a fortnight earlier you would have 
 seen them in their glory.' 
 
 ' Yes, they are fine old trees. You have a beautiful 
 home, Mary/
 
 MADELINE RA YNE. 99 
 
 'Yes; and yet we seem to be a miserable, discon- 
 tented kind of family,' said Mary, and she dashed away 
 a sudden tear. 
 
 There was no more said until the phaeton drew 
 up at the handsome doorway, then Mary turned to 
 her friend, and laid an affectionate hand on her 
 shoulder. 
 
 ' You are welcome to Hazel wood, dear Lena,' she said ; 
 then they alighted, and ran up the steps to the house. 
 
 ' Has the luggage come, Kitty ? ' Miss Hazell asked, 
 as the maid came forward to take the wraps. 
 
 ' Yes, Miss Mary ; it was taken up to the blue room.' 
 
 ' Ah, that is all right. There is a fire, 1 hope, in 
 Miss Rayne's dressing-room.' 
 
 ' Yes, Miss Mary. Mrs. Hazell gave the order in the 
 morning.' 
 
 ' Come then, Lena. Is papa home, Kitty ? ' 
 
 ' Yes, Miss Mary, the gentlemen are all home.' 
 
 At that moment the library door opened and Mr. 
 Hazell appeared. 
 
 ' Oh, papa, here is Lena,' Mary said ; and Mr. Hazell 
 came forward with a cordial smile. 
 
 ' How do you do, Miss Rayne ? I am glad to see 
 you. This foolish girl of mine will surely be satisfied 
 now,' he said kindly, as he shook hands with the shy, 
 insignificant-looking stranger. 
 
 ' Thank you, Mr. Hazell,' Madeline Rayne answered, 
 feeling as if an ordeal were over. 
 
 ' After you have taken Miss Rayne to her room, come 
 to the library a moment, Mary, before you dress,' Mr. 
 Hazell said.
 
 ioo HAZELL & SOWS. 
 
 Mary nodded, and, taking her friend by the arm, led 
 her up-stairs. 
 
 ' Just let us peep in on mamma. I think she will 
 be down in the drawing-room to-night for a little, but 
 not at dinner. After you have seen her, you'll surely 
 feel at ease. I'm sure there is nothing very terrible 
 about papa, is there ? ' 
 
 Madeline Rayne smiled. She was certainly feeling 
 more at ease. Mrs. Hazell's rooms adjoined the drawing- 
 room. In answer to Mary's light tap her sweet voice 
 bade them come in. 
 
 She was dressed in a soft grey shining silk, with a 
 profusion of lace at the neck, which somehow gave her 
 a singularly frail look. But there was no mistaking 
 the kindness and sincerity of her welcome. 
 
 ' Come here, my dear, and let me kiss you. You 
 have come a long way to see us. I hope you will like 
 us, and feel at home at Hazel wood.' 
 
 ' 1 am sure I shall, thank you.' Madeline Rayne's 
 eyes were full of tears as she responded to these kind 
 words. 
 
 ' You have not many minutes to dress it is twenty 
 minutes past five already,' Mrs. Hazell said. ' Mary, I 
 think Lena's r oms will be comfortable. You will look 
 after her, I know. Without Mary, Miss Eayne, this 
 house would be in a sad way.' 
 
 Mary laughed, and danced out of the room. The 
 evening had opened pleasantly. She felt in the best of 
 spirits. She took her friend to her rooms, and then ran 
 down to the library to see what her father wanted with 
 her. Mr. Hazell did not dress for home dinner as a
 
 ' You are not going to sit down to dinner in that frock, are you ? 'Page 101.
 
 MADELINE RAYNE. 101 
 
 rule. He wore, however, a black velvet coat, which 
 was very becoming. He was pretty vain of his hand- 
 some figure and face still. Neither of his sons could 
 compare with him. 
 
 ' Well, your friend must be better than she is bonuie, 
 Mary,' he said, with a slight laugh. ' But, if you are 
 pleased, we must not say a word. What are you going 
 to put on to-night ? ' 
 
 ' How do you mean, papa ? ' asked Mary in some 
 bewilderment. It was so unusual in her father to take 
 any interest in her attire. 
 
 ' You are not going to sit down to dinner in that 
 frock, are you ? ' 
 
 ' Well, no, as Lena is here, though I have often worn 
 it at dinner here, and you never noticed that I had 
 it on.' 
 
 ' Oh, well, put on something finer. I asked Ford to 
 drop in and dine this evening, and we must not make 
 him feel as if we had no respect for his company 
 because he is my servant.' 
 
 'Ford!' 
 
 Mary was mystified for a moment. She had only 
 once seen the man, and could not recollect him. 
 
 ' Oh, Mr. Ford, your manager, papa. Asked him to 
 dine! Why?' 
 
 ' I can ask him if I like, I suppose,' said Mr. Hazell, 
 a trifle irritably. ' He is a fine fellow, invaluable lo 
 me, and quite a gentleman. I beg you will not turn 
 up your nose at him.' 
 
 ' I should never be rude to any guest at iny 
 father's table, papa,' Mary said quickly, and her
 
 104 HAZELL & SOMS. 
 
 colour rose. She could not understand her fathers 
 strange irritability. 
 
 ' Well, well, see that you are kind to him, that's all. 
 We ought to be, because he has no friends here, and it 
 is to his credit that he is so steady. I only wish 
 Herbert would take example by him/ 
 
 ' Very well, papa. May I go now ? I have only 
 about ten minutes to change my dress.' 
 Yes, you may go.' 
 
 Mary went up-stairs in a very perplexed state of mind.
 
 CHAPTER X. 
 
 CHUMS. 
 
 jjR. FORD was not very punctual. They had 
 all been waiting in the drawing-room for 
 about ten minutes, when he was announced. 
 He was in full evening dress, very new and 
 very shiny, but did not look quite at ease in his attira 
 Robert and Mary received him kindly, Herbert coolly, 
 with rather an off-hand nod. He did not approve of 
 meeting Mr. Ford in his father's drawing-room an 
 invited guest. 
 
 Mr. Hazell, of course, took down Miss Rayne, Mr. 
 Ford the daughter of the house, the two young men 
 following behind. Herbert made several grimaces behind 
 Mr. Ford's back. Mary felt, though she could not see 
 them, and shook with inward laughter. The effort to 
 keep her face straight gave it a sewre and even stern 
 look rather discouraging to Mr. Ford. Of course he 
 could not see her dancing eyes, as she kept her lashes 
 down. 
 
 At the table Lena sat between Mr. Hazell and Robert. 
 The latter had admired Miss Rayne the moment his eyes 
 
 10*
 
 io< HAZELL & SONS. 
 
 fell upon her. When she spoke her face lighted up and 
 changed entirely. Her attire was quiet and plain, but 
 it seemed to suit her, and her every movement was full 
 of grace. 
 
 Mary tried honestly to be agreeable to Mr. Ford, but 
 her consciousness of his undisguised admiration for her- 
 self made her most uncomfortable. Her face was 
 unnaturally flushed all the time the dinner lasted. 
 She certainly looked lovely. Her dress was grey too, 
 a soft shimmering material open at the neck, and reveal- 
 ing the fine contour of her full white throat. Mr. Ford 
 looked at her a great /leal, and addressed all his remarks 
 to her. He was very talkative, and not in the least 
 abashed. Herbert appeared to be in private con- 
 vulsions. Mary saw his lips twitching more than 
 once, and her own composure was put to a severe 
 strain. Several times Mr. Hazell frowned at his 
 younger son, and his polite attentions to his manager 
 were very marked. 
 
 Mary, however, was glad when dessert was over, and 
 she could rise. 
 
 Lena and she went up to the drawing-room together 
 with their arms about each other's waists, an old school- 
 girl fashion which neither had outgrown. 
 
 ' It is so lovely to have you here,' said Mary, with 
 unmistakable satisfaction. ' They all like you. Isn't 
 Robert good and nice, and poor Bertie, too, if only he 
 were a better boy.' 
 
 ' I like both your brothers, Mary ; but who is Mr. 
 Ford?' 
 
 Mary's face flushed.
 
 CHUMS. 105 
 
 ' The manager at the brewery, Lena, He has never 
 been here before. An insufferable man ! I wonder why 
 papa asked him.' 
 
 Mrs. Hazell had not yet entered the drawing-room. 
 The lamps were not lighted, but a splendid fire made a 
 cheerful ruddy glow all over the pretty room. The girls 
 drew near it, and sat down together on the lounge, which 
 had been placed in readiness for Mrs. Hazell. Just at 
 that moment there was a quick step on the stair, and 
 Herbert came into the room. 
 
 ' Interrupting the confidential, eh?' he said pleasantly. 
 ' Can't help it, Molly. If I'd stayed a moment longer 
 I'd have done something dreadful. To see that little 
 ape sipping champagne and holding forth is more than 
 I'm able for. It doesn't do to introduce one's work- 
 people into one's house in spite of the levelling doctrine 
 of the Socialists, eh, Mk>s Rayne ? ' 
 
 ' Mr. Ford seems to be very well informed,' Lena said, 
 looking up at the handsome, boyish face with a smile. 
 There was something very winning in that sudden smile, 
 it seemed to transform her whole fnce. 
 
 ' Mr. Ford is a well-informed but very cheeky fellow 
 was the disrespectful rejoinder. ' I beg your pardon, 
 Miss Rayne, but you know we know you so jolly well 
 we can't stand on p's and qX and I don't believe you'd 
 like.it there!' 
 
 ' No, she wouldn't,' laughed Mary. ' Well, I suppose 
 I may leave you two without fear that you Mill fall 
 out until I see whether mamma has had her dinner.' 
 
 So saying, she left the room, and the two were 
 alone.
 
 io6 HAZELL <2r SONS. 
 
 ' You must be frightfully tired, Miss Eayne. How 
 far have you travelled to-day ? ' 
 
 ' Only from Harwich. The boat got in this morning, 
 ^jfe had a stormy passage ; it blew a gale in the night ; 
 but I am not very tired.' 
 
 ' I hope you'll stay a jolly long time then, though we 
 aren't a very lively household. Molly, of course, is an angel, 
 but the rest of us don't amount to much, especially me.' 
 
 ' What is especially disagreeable about you ? ' 
 
 ' I'm a weed, if you know the meaning of that light 
 and elegant phrase. I am of no use to anybody under 
 the sun.' 
 
 ' And whose blame is that ? * 
 
 ' Oh, mine, of course. I say, Miss Eayne, aren't you 
 awfully good and religious ? When you have been here 
 about a week you won't speak to me. I quite expect 
 it.' 
 
 ' Tell me why.' 
 
 ' Oh, I don't behave myself. I stay out nights, and 
 play billiards and baccarat. I know it's wicked, and 
 that I'm a fool. The money I've lost at that Gregory's, 
 Miss Eayne, makes me pale with iinavailing regret, as 
 the song says. I only wish I had the third of it now.' 
 
 Madeline Eayne leaned back in her chair, and lightly 
 folded her hands in her lap. They were beautiful hands, 
 soft, white, and gentle, and they had the touch of a 
 ministering angel. There was no smile on her face 
 when she looked at Herbert Hazell. 
 
 ' I gather from the way you speak that you are rather 
 proud of your reputation as a weed. Shall we change 
 the subject ? '
 
 CHUMS. 107 
 
 Herbert Hazell felt her sarcasm, and yet it attracted 
 him. No young lady had ever spoken to him in that 
 way. He was accustomed to be flattered and made-of 
 by the few he knew. 
 
 ' By Jove, you can hit a fellow hard, Miss Eayne!' he 
 said, with a slight flush. ' Did I appear to brag ? I 
 didn't mean to. Look here, do you know I'm sick of 
 everything!' 
 
 He threw himself into a chair, but immediately leaned 
 forward and fixed his eyes full on the grave, serious face 
 of the woman before him. He did not know how it was, 
 but he felt a curious nearness to her, a dependence upon 
 her, which made him marvel If any woman could help 
 him in the better way it would be Madeline Eayue. 
 Mary was anxious and willing, but too pliable ; the least 
 sign of penitence caused her sternness to melt away in 
 a moment But Madeline Eayne was made of different 
 stuff. 
 
 ' Tell me what you mean ? ' she said quietly. She 
 felt intensely interested in this young man, and did not 
 even feel astonished at the readiness with which he 
 confided in her. 
 
 ' Well, to begin with, I'm going to tell you everything, 
 Miss Eayne, though, of course, Molly has told you a lot. 
 Girls always do tell each other everything, don't they ? 
 I'm miserable at the brewery. The governor and I 
 don't agree, and I hate the work. I'm just a common 
 clerk, and Bob is not much better, though he doesn't 
 sit on a stool. I'll tell you what it is, Miss Eayne, it's 
 Ford that's the boss of the concern, and his presence 
 here to-night is evidence of the fact'
 
 io8 HAZELL 6r SONS. 
 
 Madeline Rayne was silent. She had certainly not 
 been favourably impressed with Michael Ford, but she 
 did not care to say so. 
 
 ' If a fellow felt himself getting on, or had any interest 
 in his business,' continued Herbert, still bitterly, ' he 
 wouldn't care to go out seeking enjoyment at nights. 
 But it makes a fellow forget. I really don't know what 
 the governor's thinking of. It's my opinion,' he added, 
 lowering his voice, ' that Ford's got him under his 
 thumb.' 
 
 Madeline Eayne sat up, and lifted her hand with a 
 slightly deprecating gesture. 
 
 ' You are forgetting, I think, how utter a stranger I am 
 to you. Perhaps it is not right that I should hear all this.' 
 
 ' Oh, bother ! it's quite right. You're Molly's chum, 
 and I know jolly well you know when to hold your 
 tongue. Besides, do you think all Medlington doesn't 
 know how the land lies ? Just you watch Bob, how 
 worried he looks. There'll be a regular rumpus soon, 
 you'll see. Bob doesn't rouse easily, but he's just about 
 as sick of Ford as I am.' 
 
 ' But, to go back to where we were,' said Lena 
 gently. 'Allowing that you have a good deal to try 
 you, is it a manly thing to allow these worries to 
 master you ? Don't you think you could keep your 
 self-respect through them all ? Were I you, I would 
 find a joy in surmounting all these difficulties nobly. 
 Duty, well done, always brings its reward.' 
 
 ' I know you are right,' said Herbert, humbly as a 
 rebuked schoolboy. ' Sometimes I do try jolly hard 
 to improve, but things are too many for me.'
 
 CHUMS. 109 
 
 'Don't say so. A temptation once overcome can 
 never have the same influences again,' said Lena, 
 with earnest, shining eyes. ' Have you never proved 
 that ? ' 
 
 ' Oh, well, I don't know. You see I'm not good at 
 withstanding temptations. But I'd like to try. I'd 
 like to keep a straight course, just to watch that Ford, 
 and get the better of him. I know he's plotting 
 mischief, and he has too much influence with the 
 governor. He'll do for Ford in a moment what he 
 won't listen to from Bob or me. It is not fair to a 
 man's sons, is it, now ? ' 
 
 ' But, leaving Mr. Ford out of the question entirely, 
 won't you keep the straight course for your own sake, 
 and for the sake of those who love you ? I should like 
 you to be a man for your own sake.' 
 
 ' Would you care ? ' 
 
 A curious, even half-wistful look was in the lad's 
 eyes as he asked the question. The colour rose slightly 
 in the cheek of Madeline Rayne. 
 
 ' Yes, of course I should care. If I am Mary's 
 " chum," I suppose I may be yours too ? ' 
 
 ' All right ; we're chums. Shake hands upon it. 
 I'm jolly glad you've come,' said Herbert, quite joyously. 
 Then they shook hands, and Mary, entering at the 
 moment, caught them in the act. 
 
 'We've been falling out, and agreeing again,' said 
 Herbert, with a Lugh, but Mary guessed that some- 
 thing serious underlay his banter. 
 
 Madeline rose to make way for Mrs. Hazell, who 
 had followed Mary into the room. The servant entered
 
 no HAZELL & SONS. 
 
 to light the lamps ; the steps of the gentlemen on the 
 stairs announced that their talk over the fruits and sweet- 
 meats was over. 
 
 'Now, you young ladies must entertain us with 
 music and song,' said Mr. Hrzell jocularly, as he threw 
 himself into a chair. His voice was a little thick, his 
 eyes rather hazy evidently he had imbibed too freely 
 at the table. 
 
 Mary, perhaps to escape from the persistent gaze of 
 Mr. Ford, went at once to the piano, and began to sing. 
 She had a clear, well-trained voice, and sang without 
 affectation or effort. Mr. Ford stood by the side of the 
 piano looking down at her, but Mary appeared to be 
 entirely engrossed by her music. In reality she was 
 highly indignant. 
 
 ' May I thank you for a rare treat, Miss Hazell ? ' he 
 said impressively when her song ended. 
 
 'Oh, it is no treat,' she answered flippantly, and 
 turned quickly aside. ' Mr. Ford, we must have a 
 song from you. I hear you are quite a star.' 
 
 ' I sing a little for my own amusement,' said Mr. 
 Ford modestly. ' If I find something here, will you 
 honour me by playing my accompaniment ? ' 
 
 ' Oh, I am not a good musician. Miss Eayne will 
 help you. Won't you, Lena ? ' 
 
 ' Certainly.' 
 
 Madeline Rayne, understanding the appeal, came at 
 once to the rescue. Mr. Ford endeavoured to hide his 
 chagrin, and sang 'The Anchor's Weighed' with con- 
 siderable effect. Then Madeline, remaining at the 
 piano, began to play with her own exquisite touch some
 
 CHUMS. in 
 
 of the 'Songs without Words,' the very spirit of which 
 she had caught on the banks of the enchanted Ehine. 
 Mary sat close by Mrs. Hazell's couch, both ladies 
 enjoying the beautiful melody. Mr. Hazell fell asleep. 
 Mr. Ford fidgeted a little in his seat, not appreciating 
 the music, but finding his efforts at conversation not 
 encouraged. Herbert seemed entranced, and sat with 
 his eyes fixed on the player's face. She had forgotten 
 them all ; her face wore a dreamy, far-off expression, 
 and her eyes seemed over-running with tears. Robert 
 walked slowly to and fro the drawing-room, with his 
 eyes fixed on the floor. He was restless and ill at 
 ease, being, indeed, careful and troubled about many 
 things. 
 
 ' I am afraid I have forgotten myself,' Lena said, 
 presently jumping up. ' It is so long since my fingers 
 touched such keys as these. Do you remember our 
 dilapidated pianos at Bonn, Mary ? ' 
 
 ' Don't 1 1 Well, what are we to do now ? Papa is 
 sound asleep. Shall we have a hand at draughts? You 
 are not going out, Robert ? ' 
 
 ' Yes, dear, I promised to be at Clieveden to-night, 
 Mr. Ford will excuse me, as I did not know he was to 
 be here to-night. Miss Rayne, I suppose, is one of the 
 family, and needs no apology.' He smiled as he turned 
 to Madeline, who looked pleased at his words. 
 
 ' It is kind of you to say so. I am indeed at home,' 
 she said, and, passing to Mrs. Hazell's couch, sat down 
 there with a look of quiet content. They had indeed 
 all given her the truest of welcomes to Hazelwood. 
 
 Robert left almost immediately, and without awaking 
 
 8
 
 ii2 HAZELL & SOXS. 
 
 his father, then the couples sat down to their game. 
 Herbert did not care particularly for the game, but with 
 Madeline Rayne opposite him it was a very different 
 matter. There was somebody waiting at the Grove for 
 him at that moment, but for the first time in their 
 acquaintance Jane Gregory waited in vain. 
 
 ' Well, what do you think of us all, Lena ? ' asked 
 Mary, when the two girls were together in Lena's 
 dressing-room that night. 
 
 ' What can I say but that I like you all very much,' 
 said Madeline, with a laugh. ' You ask very direct 
 questions, Mary.' 
 
 ' Oh, so do you, my girl,' said Mary quickly. ' If I 
 have the habit of calling a spade a spade, I have learned 
 it from you. Now, I want to know what you and Bert 
 were talking about just after dinner. Do you know this 
 is the first evening he has spent at home for weeks. 
 And he was perfectly amazed when eleven o'clock 
 struck. If you work a reformation in that boy, Lena 
 Rayne, you shall be my patron saint for evermore.' 
 
 ' He is only easily led, Mary; there is no evil in him. 
 And he loves music. I can never think that one with 
 a soul for music can sink very low. Of the two I am 
 not sure that I don't like Herbert best.' 
 
 The time came, and that very soon, when Madeline 
 Rayne could not deliver such a candid opinion on the 
 brothers. 
 
 ' Oh, so do I. Bertie is so funny a,nd winning. 
 Robert, of course, is good and steady, and just the man 
 to help in any trouble. But he is a little distant even 
 Lucy, who is to be his wife, says that. Lena, I am
 
 CHUMS. 113 
 
 afraid I shall have some trouble with that Ford, as 
 Bert calls him.' 
 
 ' I am afraid of it He certainly admires you very 
 much.' 
 
 ' Horrid little man ! He is so self-satisfied and 
 complacent. I should like to behave dreadfully to him 
 if I dared. Lena, it is not nice to be grown up. Do 
 you think it is ? ' 
 
 'Yes, I do. I am very happy to-night, Mary ; 
 happier than ever I thought I should be again.' 
 
 ' Then you love us ? You shall never leave us 
 again, my Lena. You have a work here to do.' 
 
 It was a word spoken in jest, but it became earnest 
 in days to couie.
 
 CHAPTER XL 
 
 IN THE LIBRARY. 
 
 E. HAZELL was sitting in the library dozing 
 over his evening paper. The sound of the 
 music from the drawing-room, perhaps, had 
 a soothing effect on him, and yet his face 
 was very flushed, and his breathing heaviei than it need 
 have been. Dinner was not long over, the ladies were 
 up-stairs. The touch on the piano was Madeline's touch ; 
 even Mary could not play the German ' Lieder ' so 
 exquisitely. Three weeks had passed since Madeline 
 Rayne had come to Hazelwood, weeks fraught with 
 grave issues. She had found a place in Hazel wood, 
 and had ceased to talk of leaving. . Was she happy ? 
 Ah, we shall see. 
 
 Shortly after the music ceased, the library door 
 opened to admit Robert Hazell. He had his ulster on, 
 and his hat and stick in his hand. These he laid on the 
 tabie, after he had closed the door. His face was grave, 
 and there was a determined curve about his mouth. He 
 had come to talk over a serious matter with his father. 
 ' Ah, well, is it you, Robert ? ' said Mr. Hazell,
 
 IN THE LIBRARY. 115 
 
 rousing himself with an evident effort ' Going out, 
 are you, eh ? ' 
 
 ' Yes, I am going over to Clieveden, father,' Robert 
 answered quietly. ' I wanted to have a little talk 
 with you to-night before I go, if you can spare the 
 time.' 
 
 ' Eh, well, what about ? Not business, I hope ? 
 Business in business limits that's my motto. What 
 is it?' 
 
 ' It is about the matter I talked to you some time 
 ago, father my settlement in life.' 
 
 ' Your marriage with the Meredith girl ? ' said Mr. 
 Hazell, with a frown ; ' I thought you had given over 
 that folly.' 
 
 4 1 told you, I think, that Miss Meredith had pro- 
 mised to become my wife,' said Robert, slightly em- 
 phasizing the name. ' I also asked you to consider the 
 question of a suitable income. I am anxious to marry 
 in spring.' 
 
 ' Oh, you are, are you ? ' Mr. Hazell was now 
 thoroughly aroused. ' And what would you consider a 
 suitable income, eh ? ' 
 
 ' Four or five hundred a year would satisfy me in 
 the meantime,' said Robert quietly. ' The Priory 
 House is to let at present, and I believe it can be got 
 for fifty pounds. But I wanted to come to a clear 
 understanding with you before I made any inquiry 
 after it.' 
 
 ' Oh, indeed ! ' 
 
 Mr. Hazell calmly folded out the other side of his 
 paper, and began to read. Robert bit his lip. Hi?
 
 n6 HAZELL 6* SONS. 
 
 father tried him not a little. He knew that he was 
 making a very reasonable request, and he felt hurt at 
 his reception hurt, but not greatly surprised. 
 
 4 You will remember that you promised to think 
 over it ? It is two months since I spoke of it to you 
 before. I can't wait any longer, father.' 
 
 ' Four or five hundred a year rather sweet,' repeated 
 Mr. Hazell. ' The firm can hardly support two ex- 
 pensive establishments.' 
 
 ' I am sorry to contradict you, father, but I think 
 differently,' said Kobert respectfully but firmly. 'And 
 mine will not be an expensive establishment. My 
 tastes are quiet, and my wife's will be similar. I must 
 press for satisfaction on the point of income, because 1 
 think it is my right.' 
 
 ' So you think your valuable services demand hand- 
 some recognition,' said Mr. Hazell, with a slight sneer. 
 'The rising generation have very exalted ideas. Do 
 you know that Ford is worth two of you, and that he 
 thinks himself very well paid at two hundred and 
 fifty ? ' 
 
 Robert's colour rose. He was angry, but he strove 
 to hide it. His father was in one of his frequent 
 irritable moods, and he had no wish to make an open 
 rupture. 
 
 ' You cannot regard a servant and a son in quite the 
 same light, father ; so we will leave Ford out of the 
 question. If I am of no use at the brewery, perhaps I 
 had better leave.' 
 
 ' That would teach you humility, sir. A few 
 hard knocks out in the world would make you
 
 IN THE LIBRAR K 117 
 
 appreciate the advantages you have had,' said Mr. 
 Hazell grimly. 
 
 'These advantages may be questioned, sir,' said 
 Robert. ' You gave us a fair education, and then put 
 us where we are without consulting us. We have had 
 no opportunity to better our condition. I am bound to 
 say that had 1 been with any other firm I should not 
 be serving for a hundred pounds a year at nine-aud- 
 twenty.' 
 
 Mr. Hazell's eyes flashed. Perhaps the truth of his 
 son's words went home. 
 
 ' Well, upon my word, you are confoundedly im- 
 pudent. That's what a man gets from his family after 
 he has toiled to give them ease and independence.' 
 
 ' I don't wish to be impudent. I am only speaking 
 the truth, an 1 you know it, father,' said Eobert a trifle 
 sadly. ' Am I to have no satisfaction then ? In justice 
 to my future wifr and myself, I must ask you for a 
 plain answer, sir.' 
 
 ' I don't approve of the girl at all Do you know, it 
 is an insult to me for you to take up with these people, 
 who are constantly crying down my trada Would the 
 food Mrs. Eobert Hazell might eat not choke her, I 
 wonder, seeing it would be paid for with the price of 
 ale ? Ask her that, with my compliments. Ask her, 
 too, if she thinks it consistent to jump at an offer of 
 marriage from a brewer's son. Ugh ! these teetotallers 
 make me sick.' 
 
 Eobert took up his hat and stick. He saw no 
 prospect of being able to obtain any satisfaction from 
 his father.
 
 n8 HAZELL & SOJVS. 
 
 ' Are you going off, then ? Well, I'm not going to 
 be forced into giving away the half of my substance, 
 like the prodigal's father. I'll think over it, but I'll 
 never consent to you renting a mansion like the Priory. 
 You must begin small. If Miss Lucy Meredith wants 
 you, and not your means, she'll be glad enough to wait 
 a while, and mount the ladder with you. It doesn't do 
 to give young people too much liberty.' 
 
 Robert Hazell hastily left the room. It must be 
 told that he shut the door with no gentle hand. He 
 was very angry, but there is a righteous anger which is 
 perfectly justifiable. He knew that he was very badly 
 and unjustly treated. The profits accruing from the 
 brewery could be counted by thousands, although it 
 suited Mr. Hazell at times to plead poverty. Eobert 
 at once left the house. He had three good miles to 
 walk to Clieveden, but he was glad of it. The fine 
 night air would cool his hot head, and his thoughts 
 would have taken shape again by the time he saw Lucy. 
 
 Mr. Hazell folded up his paper, and, rising, opened a 
 locked door below the book-shelves, where he kept a 
 little store. Perhaps he required a good stiff glass of 
 spirits to restore his nerves after his interview with his 
 son. Mrs. Hazell did not know what was kept in the 
 library cabinets, the keys of which Mr. Hazell carried 
 constantly with him. She was neither curious nor 
 suspicious, or she must sometimes have had her doubts. 
 
 The brewer had composed himself at the fireside 
 again, when he heard the hall door bell ring, and 
 presently Mr. Ford was shown in. Since the night of 
 the dinner Michael Ford had dropped in several times
 
 JN THE LIBRAR Y 119 
 
 familiarly at Hazelwood, greatly to the disgust of the 
 young men. As for Mary, her indignation knew no 
 bounds, and she scarcely spoke to him. 
 
 But the master of Hazelwood himself was invariably 
 most affable and attentive to his manager, who could 
 thus afford to ignore the coldness of the other inmates 
 of the house. 
 
 ' Hulloa, Ford ! good evening. Glad to see you ; the 
 very man I've been thinking of. Draw in your chair. 
 Coldish night, surely ? ' 
 
 ' Yes, there is a touch of frost ; winter is upon us, 
 sir/ said Michael Ford, as he rubbed his hands before 
 the cheerful fire. 
 
 ' Frost, eh ? early, is it not ? But no ; this is the 8th 
 of November, I do declare. Have anything ? ' 
 
 ' Not just now, thank you, sir,' returned Mr. Ford. 
 He hoped to be asked to join the circle in the drawing- 
 room, and he had noticed that Miss Hazell never by 
 any chance touched stimulants. Mr. Ford liked a sip of 
 brandy or wine as well as any man, but he wished to 
 commend himself to Mary Hazell. 
 
 'All well to-night, I hope, sir. The ladies well?' 
 
 ' Oh yes, all well. Mrs. Hazell is really greatly 
 improved. She is enjoying Miss Ray lie's visit. She 
 is a fine girl that, Ford.' 
 
 ' Yes, Miss Kayne is certainly very clever,' said Mr. 
 Ford, with a touch of uneasiness. He was mortally afraid 
 of Madeline li.iyne, and never felt at ease under the gaze 
 of these clear, cairn, womanly eyes. He felt as if she 
 could read his inmost being, and knew every weakness 
 and fail in" of his mean little souL
 
 120 HAZELL & SONS. 
 
 'A fine girl, and good-looking too,' pursued Mr. 
 Hazell volubly, being influenced by his latest taste of 
 spirits. ' I'll tell you what, Ford, she'd make you a 
 splendid wife. With her you'd take quite a position in 
 Medlington. She's a thorough lady, and would make 
 people respect her whether they will or no. She's the 
 very wife for an ambitious young fellow like you.' 
 
 Mr. Ford grew rather pale, and gave a nervous 
 laugh. 
 
 ' You are very kind, sir, and I'm much obliged, but 
 I couldn't fancy her.' 
 
 ' It would be a fine thing for her too. She's friend- 
 less and penniless, but she's such a fine sensible girl 
 that I wouldn't mind giving her a dowry myself for 
 Mary's sake, so you can think over it, Ford/ 
 
 ' I I don't think I will, sir,' said Ford humbly but 
 firmly. 'If I ever marry, it'll be some lady very 
 different from Miss Eayne. Perhaps I'm very ambitious, 
 sir, but you've often told me you admire an ambition 
 in a young man.' 
 
 ' So I do. I'd never have been where I am to-day 
 if I hadn't been ambitious,' said Mr. Hazell in the self- 
 satisfied, contented tones of a man who has been made 
 happy by some influence. ' Talking of marrying and 
 ambition, Ford, I'm afraid I'm going to have some 
 trouble with Robert. He's been at it again to-night.' 
 
 ' I met Mr. Eobert on the avenue, and he looked at 
 me as if he could have slain me, though I'm sure I'm 
 his humble friend,' said Mr. Ford virtuously. 
 
 ' They've an awful pride, these lads of mine, Ford, 
 and it must be reduced. What do you suppose was
 
 IN THE LIBRARY. 121 
 
 his modest request to-night? He wants five hunched 
 a year for his portion, and he's going to take the Priory 
 for Miss Meredith.' 
 
 ' It seems a great deal, sir, but perhaps Mr. Robert 
 is right,' said Mr. Ford cautiously. ' You wouldn't 
 think of a partnership ? ' 
 
 ' No, I would not.' 
 
 'Well, perhaps you're right. The last firm I was 
 with at Leeds, sir, when the concern was given up to 
 the sons, they just broke the old gentleman's heart, and 
 grudged him less than they gave their manager. Many 
 a time my heart was sore for him, but, of course, being 
 a servant, I daren't say a word. It was for thinking it 
 injustice to him, sir, that I got my leave,' said Ford 
 modestly, but with a quiet triumph, as if he rejoiced in 
 suffering in a good cause. ' But even a servant is a 
 man, sir, with a man's feelings, an' I couldn't bear to 
 see you put upon, even by Mr. Robert, that Medlington 
 makes such a paragon of.' 
 
 'You're a good creature, Ford, and I won't forget 
 you,' said Mr. Hazell reassuringly. ' But what do you 
 think we should do about him ? ' 
 
 ' It's not for me to say, Mr. Robert being my 
 master.' 
 
 ' He's not your master ; I am, Ford, and if I choose 
 to ask your opinion it's no business of his. You've 
 been a faithful servant for five years, and have the 
 interests of the firm at heart. Tell me plainly what 
 you think would be a fair thing for Robert.' 
 
 'Well, sir, it would take five hundred twice told to 
 keep up the Priory,' said Mr. Ford cautiously. The
 
 122 HAZELL & SONS. 
 
 Priory rankled in his mind. He had had visions of it in 
 his own castle-building, and had pictured himself dwell- 
 ing there with Mary Hazell as his wife. ' The profits 
 have been a little less of late, and, if you'll excuse me 
 speaking so plain, I think a little less might satisfy Mr. 
 Robert in the meantime. There are nice houses in 
 Amanda Terrace past the quay, sir, the rents of which 
 are only thirty pounds very genteel houses with nice 
 gardens. I'm sure Miss Meredith would like them 
 very well, and in these houses, sir, a young couple 
 could live in luxury on three hundred a year.' 
 
 'I should say so. I hadn't three hundred a year 
 when I married Robert's mother, and we lived in your 
 house at the brewery, and had to keep a very plain 
 table. My father kept a very tight hand on the 
 purse-strings. I never was indulged as these lads have 
 been, and it's been the ruin of them. I'll speak to 
 Bob about the houses you mention.' 
 
 ' But don't say I spoke of them, because Mr. Robert 
 would be sure to be mortally offended,' said Mr. Ford 
 hastily. ' You see, sir, I am only a servant, and I've 
 no right to presume, but when you ask me for my 
 opinion, sir, I am bound to give it.' 
 
 ' Of course you are. You are very useful to me, 
 Ford : your opinion is always worth having,' said Mr. 
 Hazell reassuringly. ' Well, is there any more satisfac- 
 tion about these houses in the Row.' 
 
 ' Oh, they're growling away,' said Mr. Ford rathei 
 vindictively. ' But I never mind them. I tell them 
 the sore throats are caused by the hoar-frosts from the 
 river. They're goin' to complain to Miss Hazell about
 
 /A' THE LTERARY. 123 
 
 the drainage. If she takes it up, sir, the thing '11 have 
 to be investigated.' 
 
 ' Oh, but I'll have Mary warned. Hadn't you the 
 surveyor round ? ' 
 
 Mr. Ford's small eyes twinkled. 
 
 ' Yes, of course we had, and he'd give in to any- 
 thing. I don't think it would matter much though a 
 few of the children did drop off. How these Trevors 
 get food for their tribe I can't imagine. The twelfth 
 has just arrived. It's a disgrace.' 
 
 ' It's certainly very imprudent. Have you ever 
 heard anything of the Beckers ? ' 
 
 ' Yes ; Becker is drinking at Burnley worse than he 
 did here,' said Mr. Ford. ' Trevor has begun to tipple 
 too. I've warned him twice lately.' 
 
 ' I'll speak to him. We mustn't be too hard on him 
 on account of the twelve,' said Mr. Hazell, now quite 
 restored to good humour. ' You look well after OUT 
 interests, Ford. You'll be looking for a rise shortly.' 
 
 ' I am amply rewarded if I serve you well. You 
 are a generous master, sir,' said Mr. Ford modestly. 
 
 ' Ah, but you won't object to a little increase of pay. 
 You deserve it, sir, and you shall have it. We'll see 
 when quarter-day comes round.' 
 
 ' Don't advance my salary just now, sir ; Mr. Robert 
 might not like it. I'd rather you gave anything extra 
 to him.' 
 
 ' You are too generous, Ford. I wish Robert could 
 hear you. He'd change his opinion of you, which, I 
 am sorry, is not very high at present. Do you ever 
 think of yourself at all ? '
 
 124 HAZELL & SONS. 
 
 'Sometimes, sir. Perhaps I'll ask my reward some day.' 
 ' Well, when it comes, remind me of what I say, that 
 I'll consider it favourably, because I think your request 
 will be quite in reason/ said Mr. Hazell, with a laugh. 
 ' Come, we'd better go up-stairs. I suppose you've no 
 objections to spend an hour with the ladies ? ' 
 
 Mr. Ford had no objections, and said so, but he did 
 not add that to look upon the face of his master's 
 daughter was the object of his visit. The time for such 
 a disclosure had not yet come. But Mr. Ford was 
 cautiously and steadily paving the way.
 
 CHAPTER XIL 
 
 CONTRASTS. 
 
 | ART was at the piano when they entered the 
 drawing-room. Her face flushed when she 
 saw Mr. Ford enter with her father, and 
 she abruptly rose and went over to Mrs. 
 Hazell's sofa. In the recess at the oriel window 
 Herbert and Madeline Rayne were deeply engaged in 
 conversation. They were much together, and their 
 walks and talks had become very precious to both. 
 Herbert looked round quickly at the opening of the 
 door, and a frown came on his handsome face. 
 
 ' Confound the fellow ! ' Madeline heard him say, and 
 they both rose to advance into the room. 
 
 ' You seem all very quiet here,' said Mr. Hazell 
 jocularly. ' Herbert, you ought to be grateful to Ford 
 and me for coming to the rescue/ 
 
 ' I'm afraid I'm not grateful. I was very comfort- 
 able,' said Herbert, without attempting to hide his 
 disgust, and favouring Ford with his usual off-hand nod. 
 ' Don't rise from the piano, please, Miss Mary,' said 
 Mr. Ford, looking appealingly at his master's daughter. 
 ' Do be tempted to go back.'
 
 126 HAZELL 6- SONS. 
 
 1 No, thank you ; I have been playing for quite half 
 an hour past, to oblige these two/ said Mary coldly, 
 and, sitting down, took up her knitting, and kept her 
 eyes fixed upon it. 
 
 ' I shall play something if you like,' said Madeline, 
 always willing to make herself of use. 
 
 'Thank you, Miss Eayne,' Ford said, but not very 
 graciously, for he was disappointed. 
 
 When Mary sat at the piano he could stand near her, 
 and look at her without rebuke ; and there were oppor- 
 tunities in that distant corner of the room for saying 
 certain things which were not suitable for the company 
 to hear. But Mary had registered a vow that no such 
 opportunity should again be given to Michael Ford. 
 
 ' Sing us something then, Lena,' said Mr. Hazell, as 
 he took his accustomed chair, knowing that in three 
 minutes he would be soothed to sleep. 
 
 Mr. Ford sat down, and, taking a book of photo- 
 graphs, tried to be interested in them, but cast many a 
 furtive glance at Miss HazelL If she were conscious of 
 these looks, she made no sign. Herbert, as a matter of 
 course, took up his position at the piano, and watched 
 Madeline while she played. She trusted entirely to 
 memory, and her hands were at home on the keys. As 
 they moved to and fro, sweetest melody followed them. 
 A softened and beautiful expression dwelt on Herbert's 
 face as he looked at her, the swe?t woman who had 
 been showing to him as best she could the beauty of a 
 good and noble life. I wish I could transcribe the 
 talks they had had, but they would not materially assist 
 the unfolding of this history, so I must refrain.
 
 CONTRASTS. 127 
 
 ' You seem to feel what you play, Miss Eayne,' he 
 said suddenly. 
 
 ' Why do you think so ? ' 
 
 A sweet, slight smile played upon her face as she 
 asked the question. 
 
 ' Your eyes tell me. I never thought there was 
 anything in music till I heard you play. Now it says 
 all sorts of things to me.' 
 
 ' What sort of things ? ' 
 
 ' I couldn't put them in words. I believe you know.' 
 
 ' I think I do.' She nodded gravely, and her hands 
 glided into a graver, sadder melody, which was even 
 more exquisitely sweet than what went before. 
 
 These were dangerous minutes for them both. Mary, 
 glancing once towards them, smiled in spite of her own 
 perturbation of spirit. She fancied she saw a beautiful 
 beginning there, the dawn of a new and exquisite life 
 for these two, whom she loved, perhaps, better than any 
 others on earth. 
 
 ' Nine o'clock, though, and I must go,' said Herbert, a 
 trifle hurriedly, as the deep tones of the hall clock 
 droned the hour. 
 
 ' Go where ? ' asked Madeline. 
 
 ' I have a confounded engagement, but I'll be back 
 before long. I'm awfully sorry, especially if you care. 
 Do you know, I'm the most miserable wretch on the 
 face of the earth.' 
 
 ' Why ? ' 
 
 Madeline's colour rose a little, and her eyes dropped 
 towards the keys. But she played on. 
 
 ' Oh, I daren't tell you, you'd never speak to me again,' 
 he said, still more hurriedly. 'I wish I'd never been born.
 
 128 HAZELL <5r> SONS. 
 
 She raised her eyes quickly, with a laugh in them, 
 but, when she saw his face, they became grave again. 
 He seemed really distressed, and again she was deeply 
 puzzled. Of late she had noticed a strange uneasiness 
 about Herbert HazelL He took moody fits, when he 
 would scarcely speak. At other times he was boisterously 
 merry, and seemed overflowing with good spirits. 
 Neither was natural, and Madeline, though scarcely 
 aware yet. how deep was the interest in him, began to 
 dread lest he had got into some serious trouble. And 
 yet outwardly all seemed well, and he and his father 
 had been very friendly, and there had been no late 
 hours to be found fault with. 
 
 ' I must go. I'll tell you all about it soon. Though I 
 don't know when I'll get the courage. Good-bye just now.' 
 So he darted out of the room, without vouchsafing 
 any explanation or apology to the rest. As for Mr. 
 Ford, he was of less account with Herbert Hazell than 
 the dust under his feet. The fellow was perfectly 
 odious to him. 
 
 It was a fine winter night, with just a pleasant touch 
 of frost to harden the muddy roads, and make the air 
 clear and bracing. Herbert's steps sounded quick and 
 firm on the terrace under the drawing-room windows. 
 Madeline heard them, and knew he had taken the 
 direction of the upland path. The avenue turned in 
 the opposite way. Herbert walked very quickly, for he 
 was behind time. It was thirteen minutes past nine 
 when he leaped the low hedge into the moorland and 
 reached the grove. And there he found Jane Gregory 
 waiting for him. She was very angry, he knew by 
 the set expression on her face, when she saw him coma
 
 CONTRASTS. 129 
 
 ' I'm awfully sorry, Janie,' he began eagerly, but she 
 coldly pushed him off when he would have come near her. 
 
 ' Sorry ! very likely,' she said scornfully. ' It's always 
 the same story. I'm not going to stand it any longer, 
 Herbert Hazell.' 
 
 'Well, upon my honour, Janie, before dinner gets 
 over, and that, the time's all gone,' he said humbly, for 
 she must be mollified. 
 
 ' Oh yes, of course ; you needn't tell me ; I know all 
 about it,' said the girl quietly, but with marked 
 bitterness. ' I'd known, though I'd never been told. 
 You've to hang so long over her while she sings and 
 plays to you, and go walking all over the grounds with 
 her. I know just how it goes on, but it's got to be 
 dropped, that's all.' 
 
 ' Do you think I'm in love with her, Janie ? ' 
 
 ' I don't think it, I know it,' was the sharp and 
 scornful retort. 
 
 ' Well, I'm not, then. She's Molly's friend, and a 
 jolly nice girl. She can talk so sensibly to a fellow. 
 Can't I have a friend if I like, Janie ? ' 
 
 'No, you can't. You've got me, and if I'm not 
 enough, why it's a poor look-out for the future, that's 
 all, and the sooner you change your mind the better. 
 I've mine made up.' 
 
 ' What for ? ' 
 
 ' I'm going to let the secret out. 1 
 
 ' Oh, you mustn't, Janie. It would be the ruin of ma 
 The governor would just kick me out of the house at once,' 
 
 ' Well, it wouldn't matter. You could get something 
 to do. If you had a particle of spirit you wouldn't
 
 i 3 o HAZELL fr SOWS. 
 
 stay with the old man any longer. I'm sick of your 
 way of going on, Herbert. Pa tells me you're never at 
 the club now, and, as you're not here, I can guess 
 where you are, though Kitty didn't tell me. You 
 never cared enough for me to give up or do anything 
 for my sake, but whenever this dowdy, old-fashioned 
 girl comes, you would go down on your bended knees 
 to serve her. All Medlington says it's to be a match. 
 You can't expect I find that a very pleasant thing to 
 listen to, do you ?' 
 
 Herbert was silent. He had not a word to say. 
 So they stood for a moment, looking at each other. 
 It would be difficult to say which was the more 
 miserable of the two. Jane Gregory was consumed 
 with a fierce jealousy, Herbert's heart wrung with 
 the pangs of an unavailing regret. Oh, to undo the 
 folly of these past years ! Love, the sweet and true 
 and ennobling, had touched him at length ; he had 
 obtained a glimpse of what life might anr! can be 
 for a man who tries to make it a noble and beautiful 
 thing, and when his effort is crowned by the precious 
 sunshine of a good woman's love. Yes ; he had 
 obtained his glimpse too late, for he could not now 
 undo the chain of his bitter bondage. And yet the 
 very intensity of his own unhappiness made him feel 
 almost tender towards the girl with whose love he had 
 played. He had begun his love-making with Jane 
 Gregory simply to wile away an idle hour, without 
 a thought of the consequences. 
 
 ' How much longer is this to go on ? ' she asked in 
 a hard, bitter tone, which had in it a note of ineffable
 
 CONTRASTS. 131 
 
 weariness. Her face was very pale, her eyes heavy, 
 for her heart was very sore. She had not been well 
 nor justly treated had she loved him less, she would 
 have resented it more. 
 
 ' Well, Janie, what are we to do ? I suppose I'll 
 have to tell,' he said gloomily. His evident objection 
 stabbed her to the heart. 
 
 ' Yes,' she said quietly, ' you'll have to tell.' 
 
 ' If I was only engaged to you, Herbert,' she added 
 at length, ' I'd let you off, though you don't deserve it. 
 I wish now I had died before I went to visit Aunt 
 Tilly at Burnley.' 
 
 Herbert never spoke. He was thinking of his 
 father, of Mary, and of Madeline Rayne. How would 
 they look when they heard the story he had to tell. 
 
 Just at that moment there was another pair of 
 lovers standing together in the moonlight at the garden 
 gate of Clieveden. They were anxious, too, for they 
 had been discussing a grave problem ; but there was 
 a perfect and beautiful trust in the eyes of Lucy 
 Meredith as they were uplifted to the true face of 
 the man whose wife she hoped to be one day. They 
 had much to sadden and perplex them, but there was 
 a perfect confidence between them no concealment, 
 no distrust, nothing to shadow their happiness except 
 the clouds raised by the selfish hands of others. Their 
 future was uncertain, but they were certain of each 
 other's faith, and that is much. 
 
 ' My mind's quite made up, then, Lucy,' said Robert 
 Hazell. ' I shall tell my father my intention to apply 
 for that situation at Burnley.'
 
 t$t KAZELL s- 
 
 'Very well, Eobert; and if he allows you to go, 
 what a sacrifice you will be making for me ! I am not 
 worthy of it* 
 
 'That is for me to prove, Lucy. If it ends in my going 
 to Burnley, you will not let me live long there alone ? ' 
 
 She moved nearer to him and laid her head on his 
 arm. It was her answer, more eloquently given than 
 in words. 
 
 ' Two hundred a year, Lucy ! You will need to be 
 a very economical wife to manage such a princely 
 income/ he said, with gentle banter. 'Do you think 
 we shall get something to eat and drink with it ? ' 
 
 ' Surely. I am not afraid, Robert. Mamma has 
 taught me how to spend money. May I tell you, 
 Kobert, I think I shall be happier there than I would 
 be at the Priory : you know why.' 
 
 ' Yes, and that is the only thing which reconciles me 
 to it. But it will make a complete breach between us 
 and Hazelwood, Lucy.' 
 
 ' It will make no difference to Mary, Robert.' 
 
 ' Not to Mary ; but my father will not permit her 
 to visit us, I feel sure. It is very difficult to know 
 what is right, Lucy. I am not at all sure of our 
 manager. He has acquired of late too great an 
 influence over my father. If I leave the brewery, 
 the only check upon Ford will be removed. I am 
 almost certain that he is presuming to think of 
 Mary.' 
 
 ' Oh, that vulgar little man ! Robert, I cannot 
 believe it.' 
 
 ' It is true. He is too much at Hazelwood. It is
 
 CONTRASTS. 133 
 
 not his position as a servant I dislike, Lucy, it is the 
 man. He is like Uriah Heep, affects a servile humility 
 which disgusts me. He is at heart ambitious, scheming, 
 and unscrupulous, only my poor father does not see it. 
 He thinks him a paragon. Life is full of troubles and 
 perplexities, dear ; it is often difficult to know where or 
 how to turn. But I must not keep you here any 
 longer in the night dews. Whatever happens, my 
 darling will be true.' 
 
 Ay, she would true till death itself should part 
 them for a little while. 
 
 They lingered a little over their parting, as lovers 
 will, then Robert Hazell turned to go home, thanking 
 God, as he had often done, for the womanly heart he 
 had won. 
 
 It was a fine clear night, and after leaving Clieveden 
 he struck across the moor, which would save him a good 
 half-mile. As he neared the knoll he saw two figures 
 leave the shadow of the trees, and smiled at their 
 attitude. It was not wonderful that he should have 
 sympathy for another pair of lovers. As he looked 
 again, he fancied there was something familiar in the 
 man's figure and gait, and when they emerged into the 
 full moonlight he recognised Herbert. The girl he did 
 not know, but, when he saw them pause at the back 
 gate of Miles Gregory's house, he divined who she was. 
 He had heard a rumour once or twice that Herbert was 
 running after Miss Gregory, but had never credited it. 
 Since Madeline Rayne had come to Hazelwood he had 
 discredited the gossip altogether, Herbert's admiration 
 for and attention to her were so very marked. He
 
 134 HAZELL & SOWS. 
 
 was surprised and disappointed in Herbert, he had so 
 rejoiced in Miss Eayne's influence over the wayward 
 lad. Eobert did a most unusual thing for him he 
 stood still behind the trees at the knoll and watched 
 the lovers part. He wanted to wait for Herbert they 
 might as well walk home together. After Miss Gregory 
 went into the house, Herbert began to walk dejectedly 
 back towards the knoll. He had his hands in his 
 pockets and his eyes bent on the ground. Eobert 
 stepped out from the trees and went to meet him. 
 
 ' Holloa ! ' was all that Herbert said ; ' where have 
 you been ? ' 
 
 ' At Clieveden, and came across the moor. When I 
 saw you I thought I'd wait for you, and we could walk 
 home together. Was that Miss Gregory ? ' 
 
 ' Yes/ 
 
 Not another word would Herbert speak. 
 
 ' I heard a while ago that you were paying some 
 attention to Miss Gregoiy, but I didn't believe it/ said 
 Eobert frankly, but there was no answer. 
 
 ' I hope you are not playing with the girl, Herbert. 
 I don't suppose you would care to marry her/ he con- 
 tinued ; but still there was no answer. 
 
 ' And what about Madeline Eayne, Herbert ? Mary 
 and I hoped that your friendship would ripen. She is 
 a sweet and noble woman, whom any man might be 
 proud to win/ 
 
 ' You mind your own business/ cried Herbert, turn- 
 ing on him like a lion. ' I don't meddle with you. 
 Leave me alone, will you, and let me marry who I like. 
 You and Mary will know all about it soon enough/
 
 CHAPTER Xin. 
 THE MOTHERS' MEETING. 
 
 FEEL so nervous, Lena, I am sure I'll make 
 the thing a failure. If I cannot speak, will 
 you come to the rescue ? ' 
 
 ' Yes, but I am not afraid for you ; you 
 will behave splendidly, I know,' said Madeline Eayne 
 cheerfully, as she drew on her gloves. They were 
 together in Mary's room dressing for the meeting to be 
 held in the schoolroom at Paradise Row, the first of the 
 series of mothers' meetings which Mary had talked 
 about so long. 
 
 ' Oh, you always think I shall do splendidly. "Wait 
 till you see your own and my miserable discomfiture 
 to-night,' said Mary dolefully. * Isn't it positively 
 awful of me to have made no preparation for it ? 
 But somehow I couldn't, though I have tried several 
 times.' 
 
 ' You will speak from the heart, and you will touch 
 the heart ; don't fear. Are you ready then ? ' 
 
 ' Yes. I wish mamma had been able to go. It seems 
 BO presumptuous of a girl like me to speak to those
 
 136 HAZELL & SOWS. 
 
 experienced wives and mothers. I hope they will not 
 resent it,' said Mary, as they went out of the room. 
 
 ' Never fear. Nobody would ever resent anything you 
 do or say. Don't you know you have a smile which 
 would melt the nether millstone ? ' asked Lena, with a 
 laugh, in which Mary joined. 
 
 They looked into the drawing-room on their way 
 down. Mrs. Hazell was on her couch, still frail, but 
 sweet and bright, and interested in everything and 
 everybody. Mr. Hazell had just come up from his 
 wine, and Herbert was lying back in a rocking-chair, 
 twirling his thumbs and looking gloomily at the fire. 
 He sat up when the girls entered, and cast a keen, swift 
 glance at the face of Madeline Rayne. It seemed to 
 have grown sweeter since she came to Hazel wood ; the 
 grey colour had brightened into a faint flush on the 
 cheek, and the careworn lines had vanished from mouth 
 and brow. Had she then enjoyed the rest and ease 
 of Hazelwood ? Ay, but there was something more. 
 Eobert was not in the drawing-room. His relatives had 
 not seen much of him for a few days. He spent the 
 greater part of his leisure at Clieveden. A cool reserve 
 was maintained between his father and himself. Mary 
 felt uncomfortably conscious that something was going 
 to happen. She did not know, of course, exactly how 
 matters stood between her father and Eobert, but she 
 saw that the latter was preoccupied and meditative. There 
 had been several railway journeys of late, too, for which 
 she could not account ; but she tried not to anticipate 
 trouble, and hoped her father would yet relent in favour 
 of Lucy Meredith.
 
 THE MOTHERS' MEETING. 137 
 
 ' Well, are you all ready ? ' asked Mrs. Hazell, with a 
 smile. 
 
 ' Isn't the brougham at the door, papa ? ' 
 
 ' Of course ; been there for half an hour,' responded 
 Mr. Hazell gruffly, but with a twinkle in his eye, which 
 Madeline met with a smile. 
 
 ' Not quite, Mr. Hazell, for I heard Thomas drive up 
 as we left Mary's room. You might, too, come and help 
 us, sir.' 
 
 ' I ? they'd soon run home if they saw my face at the 
 iloor. Well, Mary, see and give them a sensible advice. 
 Are you going to tackle Mrs. Trevor about the upbringing 
 of the twelve ? ' 
 
 ' Oh, what nonsense, papa ! I am only going to 
 have a friendly chat with them. I shouldn't dare to 
 try and teach them about their children. It is only 
 to brighten their lives a little. Lena is to sing her 
 very sweetest for them. Don't you think they will 
 like that?' 
 
 1 Well they might,' grunted Mr. Hazell, looking 
 approvingly at Miss Eayne. He liked her very much, 
 and it was at his special request that she had postponed 
 her departure from Hazelwood. It had, indeed, been 
 tacitly agreed that she should remain through the winter. 
 She seemed to have tilled a vacant place in the house. 
 They all loved her ; even the servants waited upon her 
 for love, and yet she was very quiet and unobtrusive in 
 her ways. But she had constant consideration for others, 
 and was always doing little kindnesses of which few 
 people would have thought. She seemed to step into 
 the breach somehow, ana had become indispensable to
 
 138 HAZELL <y SONS. 
 
 the household. And she was so happy in it that she 
 was only too willing to remain. 
 
 ' I really think, my dears, you ought to have Kitty 
 with you to make and serve the tea,' said Mrs. Hazell 
 presently. 
 
 ' Oh no, mamma ; they wouldn't like that, I assure 
 you. Kitty is a good girl, but she is rather patronizing 
 to the women in the Rows. I found that out when 1 
 sent her with Mrs. Trevor's jelly and soup when she 
 was ill. I expect she set it down with the air she 
 assumes when she gives the tramps a piece of bread. I 
 said nothing, but determined Kitty should do no more 
 of my visiting at the Rows. Lena and I shall enjoy 
 making the tea immensely, and the bread is all ready ; 
 there is only the ci ke to cut. I mean to tell them I 
 made it for them with my own hands.' 
 
 ' Oh yes, you'll be scrubbing their floors and washing 
 their clothes for them immediately. You'll have the 
 whole concern finely spoiled in a month's time,' said Mr. 
 Hazell grumpily ; but Mary only laughed. 
 
 ' Well, when am I to send Thomas for you ? ' he asked 
 then. 
 
 ' We can't say, but I think we'd like to walk home, 
 wouldn't we, Lena ? Herbert, you lazy boy, what are 
 you dreaming there for ? You'll come and escort us 
 home, won't you ? ' 
 
 ' Yes, I'll come/ said Herbert, and looked straight at 
 Madeline Rayne, until her colour began to rise. Then 
 a deep, dark shadow crossed the young man's face, and, 
 rising suddenly, he left the room. 
 
 * Our boys have really grown too eccentric of late,
 
 THE MOTHERS' MEETING. 139 
 
 Lena/ said Mary, with a sigh, as they went down-stairs, 
 ' 1 wish you had known them in the old days, they 
 were so different and so jolly.' 
 
 ' Oh, they will be jolly again, Mary, never fear,' said 
 Madeline cheerfully, as they passed out to the front 
 steps. Herbert was standing at the carriage door, ready 
 to help them in. 
 
 '\Vell, what time shall I turn up?' he asked as he 
 shut the door on them. 
 
 ' Oh, about half-past nine, eh, Lena ? I think we 
 shall be glad enough to disperse then. If we have 
 collapsed sooner, we'll just wait in the school till you 
 come. I hope Nancy Ketterley has the fires on, Lena, 
 or we will have a struggle to get tea. If it is a failure, 
 it will damp our energies all evening.' 
 
 ' Molly is perfectly dissipated on the tea subject, isn't 
 she ? ' laughed Madeline. She put up her hand to 
 unloose her wraps as she spoke, and Herbert, leaning 
 over the window, touched her hand as she did so. Why 
 should that sudden touch send a strange thrill through 
 them botli ? Ah me ! had young love, the sweet and true, 
 come to them only to bring with it its bitterest pain ? 
 
 It was natural that Mary should be excited over her 
 venture. She did not know how the mothers' meeting 
 would turn out, though they had all promised to come. 
 She was truly anxious to benefit and help the dwellers 
 in the Row, and there were a few who appreciated her 
 motive, and loved her for it. 
 
 They talked all the way to the Rows ; and when they 
 reached the school Mary was in the best of spirits. It 
 was delightful for her to think she was engaged in
 
 MO HAZELL & SONS. 
 
 some useful work, even though it partook of the nature 
 of an experiment. 
 
 The school was lighted, and Nancy Ketterley had the 
 fire on and the kettle boiling ready for the young ladies. 
 She came bustling out when the brougham drove up, 
 and with several scathing remarks attempted to disperse 
 the crowd of open-mouthed urchins congregated about 
 the door. Nancy Ketterley was a great character. 
 Opinion was divided as to whether she was a trifle 
 demented or only exceptionally shrewd. She cleaned 
 the offices at the brewery, and looked after the school 
 cleaning and firing, and had a one-roomed house at the 
 Rows. She was not well liked by the neighbours, as 
 her tongue wagged very freely, and she had a way of 
 laying her finger on their weaknesses. But it is to be 
 supposed that Mr. Hazell found in her a good servant, 
 as she had been in his employment for nearly thirty 
 years. Perhaps her long service had given her a 
 privilege ; at least she was not in the least particular in 
 her remarks to her master or the members of his family. 
 She didn't approve of the mothers' meetings, and had 
 obeyed Miss Hazell's orders with grudging willingness. 
 
 ' I don't wonder that the lads gape, Tummus,' she 
 said, as she took down a hamper from the box. ' It's 
 enough to make older uns gape. What do you think o' 
 this new idee ? ' 
 
 Tummus winked expressively, but didn't venture on 
 a remark, Miss Hazell being quite within hearing. 
 
 ' Drat 'em, get out o' my way ! ' said Nancy, elbowing 
 the urchins aside. ' You can't wonder at all, Miss Mary. 
 They think it's a swarry, an' their mouths is waterinV
 
 THE MOTHERS' MEETING. 141 
 
 ' Poor little mortals ! We must have a night for the 
 children soon,' said Miss Hazell, with a smile. ' That's 
 all now, Nancy ; shut the door. Oh, what a splendid 
 tire ! Isn't it cosy, Lena ? ' 
 
 Certainly there was an air of comfort and a pleasant 
 glow of light and heat in the school that evening. It 
 was not a very large room, and, though Nancy Ketterley 
 did not approve at all of the new innovation, she had 
 done her best to make the place comfortable. It was, 
 of course, for love of the sweet young lady, who had a 
 way of winning every heart. With her own hands Miss 
 Hazell spread a cloth on the schoolmaster's table, and set 
 in the middle a prettily shaded lamp and two beautiful 
 plants she had purloined from the greenhouse for the 
 occasion. Then Madeline Rayne and she proceeded to 
 cut the cake and set out the cups and saucers. They 
 provided for forty ; there were almost sixty women at 
 the Eows, but Mary could only count on little more 
 than the half of these. Some were ill, and some too 
 much occupied to come, and a few had surlily declined 
 to accept her invitation. There are always in such 
 things some cross-grained mortals who try the cold water 
 cure for any new enthusiasm. But, on the whole, Mary 
 Hazell's invitation had been very cordially responded to. 
 The majority were glad at the prospect of having a little 
 brightness infused into their monotonous lives. Half- 
 past seven was the hour of meeting, and a few minutes 
 before the time the first knock came to the door, and in 
 answer to Miss Hazell's hearty ' come in,' three women 
 entered. They looked round the place in pleasant sur- 
 prise. The desks had been removed, and some forms 
 
 jo
 
 i 4 a HAZELL & SOWS. 
 
 set in a kind of circle round the fire, and every available 
 chair had been brought into use to take away from the 
 formal look of the place. The bright light and warmth, 
 the pretty table, the piano with its shaded candles and 
 bunches of flowers, and the smiling, welcoming face of 
 the master's daughter, sent a glow to their hearts, and 
 their faces brightened into smiles. 
 
 ' Come away, Mrs. Trevor, and Sally too,' said Mary 
 in her pleasant way. 'I am so glad to see you, Mrs. 
 Brown. You know you wouldn't promise. Take off 
 your bonnets arid shawls. Nancy will take care of 
 them. Isn't it bright and cosy here ? ' 
 
 ' It is indeed, Miss Mary ; it's jes' fine,' said Mrs. 
 Brown, a dull-eyed, stolid-looking woman. ' It's like 
 the thing. Eh, I smell the muffins ! 'Tain't every day 
 we get hot muffins, eh, Sally Trevor ? ' 
 
 In about ten minutes the whole of the expected 
 guests arrived. All seemed pleased with their reception, 
 and some bright faces grew brighter under the influence 
 of Mary Hazell's smile. 
 
 'I think we must begin with a hymn. I wonder 
 what one you know best. I think everybody knows 
 " Nearer, my God, to Thee." Lena, will you play it over?' 
 
 Lena did so, and then began to sing, her exquisite 
 voice sounding through the room with such a melody 
 that some of them, in their amazement, forgot to join in. 
 
 But at the second verse they all sang, and some 
 voices which had not been so raised for years joined 
 falteringly in the sweet, familiar strains. There were 
 some discords perhaps, but to Mary Hazell the singing 
 sounded wholly sweet. When it was over, she reverently
 
 THE MOTHERS' MEETING. 143 
 
 closed her eyes, and, folding her hands, asked in a few 
 simple, earnest words for a blessing on their meeting. 
 Then the tea began. 
 
 The two girls had purposely come down in their 
 quiet dinner-dresses, and wore pretty aprons above 
 them. They wanted, they said, to do honour to their 
 guests. I am quite sure there never was anywhere a 
 pluasanter meal than that tea. That the guests 
 thoroughly enjoyed it was evident by the constant 
 replenishing of cups, and passing of bread and muffin 
 plates. 
 
 Mary Hazell, with her own tea-cup in one hand and 
 the kettle in the other, flitted about from one to another 
 in great glea The tea was of the best quality ; and 
 the cake was pronounced splendid. The first part or 
 the entertainment was, without doubt, a success. While 
 Nancy Ketterley, with as little noise as possible, carried 
 the cups into the anteroom, Madeline Eayne sang an 
 old English lallad, with which most of them had been 
 familiar since their childhood. 
 
 Then Mary, with a little excited nervousness visible 
 in her flushed cheeks and shining eyes, stood up behind 
 the table to make her little speech. From the piano- 
 stool Madeline Eayne watched her with a loving and 
 fearless pride. She knew she would just say all that 
 was required, and with the best grace and tact. Her 
 confidence was not misplaced. Mary's words were very 
 simple, but they came up earnestly from a loving and 
 unselfish heart. She began by saying that it was the 
 duty of all men and women to do all that lay in their 
 power to make those around them happy. She spoke
 
 144 HAZELL <5r SONS. 
 
 of the influence cast by a bright spirit, and tried to 
 show that every human being in the world had an 
 influence to use for good or bad. And thus she 
 gradually approached her more immediate subject, and 
 clearly explained the aim of the mothers' meetings. It 
 was to foster a kindly interest, she said, in each other, 
 as well as to make a little break in the round of the 
 work of life. She spoke of her own earnest desire to 
 be of some use among her father's people ; and as she 
 uttered her true-hearted words Lena Kayne saw several 
 eyes fill with tears. She concluded by thanking them 
 all for coming, and hoped that that evening was to only 
 be the beginning of many happy ones to follow. She 
 was listened to with the closest attention, and there 
 was a murmur of applause when she sat down. Then 
 their sewing and knitting was brought out, and 
 Madeline Rayne read a short chapter from a most 
 interesting story, which Mary proposed to continue 
 from week to week. At ten minutes to nine another 
 hymn was sung, and the first mothers' meeting was at 
 an end. Mary went over to the door and shook hands 
 with each one as she retired. 
 
 ' God bless you, Miss Mary I I haven't had a night 
 like it for years,' said one, as she pressed the sliin, hand 
 close in her toil-hardened palm. 
 
 ' Nor I, Miss Mary,' said Mrs. Trevor heartily ; ' and 
 if Trevor 'ud mind the children I'd be glad o' sich a 
 treat every night/ 
 
 ' That wouldn't pay, mother,' said Sally next. ' Eh, 
 Miss Mary, the singing was splendid ! ' 
 
 Some never spoke, only gripped her hand firm and
 
 THE MOTHERS MEETING. 145 
 
 fast, and answered her by their tears. Mary's own 
 eyes were not dry when she went back to Lena's side. 
 
 ' Hasn't it been splendid ? I never thought it would 
 be half so nice. What did I say, Lena ? I felt so 
 nervous, and yet I could hardly get the words out 
 fast enough.' 
 
 ' Say, rny darling ! just what was best and most 
 beautiful,' said Lena softly. ' God bless you, Mary ! 
 You have a great work lying to your hand.' 
 
 ' Do you think so ? I feel so uncertain always. I 
 sometimes wish God would mark out the way very 
 plainly. I seem to need it so. I have not confidence 
 enough. Thank you for your singing, Lena. They 
 liked that. You must never leave us now, you know ; 
 you are a fixture among us.' 
 
 Madeline smiled, and just then the school door 
 opened, and Herbert looked inquiringly in. Then he 
 entered, and some one else followed him closely. It 
 was Mr. Michael Ford. 
 
 ' Oh, Lena ! ' whispered Mary, with a sudden shiver 
 and tremble of the hand in her friend's arm. ' Let us 
 get away home quickly. I cannot suffer that man ! '
 
 CHAPTER XIV. 
 
 THE WALK HOME. 
 
 ICHAEL FORD was in many respects a shrewd 
 man ; but his confidence in, and admiration 
 for, his own personal qualities blinded him 
 to things which even an uninterested observer 
 could plainly see. Nothing could be more patent than 
 Miss Hazell's dislike of his attentions. Mary, indeed, 
 came nearer being rude to her father's manager than she 
 had ever been in her life to any one, and yet Mr. Ford 
 fancied himself getting on. He took Miss Hazell's cold 
 courtesy for shyness, her reserve for the dignity of good 
 breeding, of which Mr. Ford, of course, knew nothing. 
 She certainly treated him in a very different manner 
 from what he was accustomed to among certain young 
 ladies in Medlington, but he was not disconcerted. He 
 considered himself good-looking, smart, and attractive, 
 and his position in the brewery was very well assured. 
 His heart had leaped at the mere prospect of getting rid 
 of Robert Hazell, of whom he stood considerably in awe. 
 If he should leave, then an incubus would be removed 
 from Mr. Ford's actions, and he would have a greater 
 liberty to prosecute his own ideas and further his own 
 
 140
 
 THE WALK HOME. 147 
 
 interests. Robert Ilazell had, in reality, no idea of the 
 power and influence exercised by Ford over his father, 
 or most assuredly he would never have contemplated 
 leaving the brewery, at least until Ford had been re- 
 moved or reduced to his proper place. Mr. Ford's face 
 wore a sprightly smile as he came jauntily into the 
 schoolroom behind Herbert HazelL They had not come 
 up together, but had only met at the door. Herbert 
 could not endure Ford as a rule, but felt that he could 
 tolerate him to-night, seeing that his presence would 
 give him Madeline's company all to himself on the way 
 home. Herbert knew very well that Mary was quite 
 capable of keeping Mr. Ford in his place. To walk 
 home alone with Madeline perhaps to feel her light 
 touch on his arm ! What a thrill the thought sent 
 through him ! and yet it was a forbidden joy nay, now 
 it was a sin, because of the insuperable barrier his folly 
 and rash haste had placed between them. 
 
 ' Good evening, ladies,' said Michael Ford when he 
 was half across the floor. ' I was in the neighbourhood, 
 and thought I'd look in to see how the affair had gone 
 off. Everything up to the mark, I hope, Miss Hazell ? 
 I gave Ann Ketterley a word of comfort about it this 
 morning. I hope she made the place right for you ? ' 
 
 ' Ann did all I asked her to do, of course,' returned 
 Mary coldly ; ' she had no concern with any other orders. 
 Are you ready, Lena ? Is it still fine out of doors, 
 Herbert ? ' 
 
 ' Yes ; it's a stunning night for a walk. You won't 
 need all these shawls and things. I suppose Ford and 
 I'll need to load ourselves with them ? ' said Herbert 
 lightly, but looking with melancholy eyes at Madeline
 
 i 4 S HAZELL 6- SONS. 
 
 Kayne. She had wound a bright scarlet scarf about her 
 throat, and it seemed as if the vivid hue had lent a faint 
 reflection to her face ; or perhaps her colour had arisen 
 by her effort to still the beating of her heart. 
 
 ' We can carry our things ourselves,' said Mary almost 
 snappishly. ' There's no need to trouble any one. You 
 need not wait unless you wish, Mr. Ford. Ann will 
 lock up all right ; she has done it too often to make 
 any mistake about it.' 
 
 ' Oh, I'm not in any hurry. I'd like the walk as far 
 as the bridge anyway, Miss Hazell,' said Mr. Ford affably. 
 ' Let me take your shawls.' 
 
 Mary hesitated a moment. She saw unmistakable 
 pleading in her brother's eyes, and for the sake of him 
 and Madeline she was willing to sacrifice herself. If 
 she had but known how vain was her kindly deed 
 nay, how it but made more bitter the pain in Herbert's 
 heart ! 
 
 ' Very well, come along then,' she said briskly, greatly 
 to the delight of Mr. Ford, who made haste to burden 
 himself with the ladies' wraps. So they all passed out. 
 Ann Ketterley marched to the door after them, and 
 watched them out of sight, muttering to herself and 
 making the most extraordinary grimaces all the while. 
 A light had suddenly dawned upon her, and her mind 
 was in a curious state. It would not have been safe at 
 that moment to have asked Ann Ketterley for her opinion 
 of Michael Ford. 
 
 As was to be expected, Mary and Mr. Ford took the 
 lead, and the other pair came up more leisurely behind. 
 Perhaps it was no object for them to hurry. The moments 
 were too dangerously sweet for them to wish them over
 
 THE WALK HOME. 149 
 
 And they were to be the last, Herbert told himself. His 
 story must be told to-night to Madeline Rayne. Mr. 
 Ford tried hard to induce Miss Hazell to walk through 
 the town, which was really the nearer way. Of course 
 it was natural he should wish Medlington to be a witness 
 to his triumph, but Mary chose otherwise, and insisted 
 on going the more unfrequented though longer way. 
 
 ' And how did the meeting go off, Miss Hazell ? 
 You've never told me yet,' he \entured to say, encouraged 
 by Mary's remarks on the weather and other common- 
 place topics. 
 
 4 Oh, very well, thank you,' said Mary briefly. 
 
 ' How many turned out ? I was in the Rows this 
 morning, and there was quite an excitement over it. 
 You are very kind to them, Miss Hazell, and I told 
 them I hoped they'd be grateful.' 
 
 ' They would resent that. I do not work for grati- 
 tude, Mr. Ford, but to try and brighten the lives of my 
 father's people. I should prefer that you did not speak 
 to them about me at all, if you please,' said Mary hotly, 
 for she was very angry. 
 
 ' I beg your pardon, I meant no offence,' said Mr. 
 Ford readily. ' I am as anxious as you can be for their 
 welfare, I assure you.' 
 
 Mary bit her lip. Her pride was rebelling. How 
 dared he speak of himself and her in that fashion, 
 coupling their names, as if it could be possible for them 
 ever to have a single thought in common. 
 
 ' Have they been complaining to you lately about 
 their houses, Miss Mary ? ' asked Michael Ford, changing 
 the subject, and speaking very respectfully. ' Don't you 
 think their houses very good of their kind ? '
 
 150 HAZELL & SONS. 
 
 ' They may be good of their kind,' said Mary, with a 
 sigh, ' but they seem to me to need a great deal done to 
 them. Some of them are very damp. The little room in 
 Trevor's house had water trickling down the walls while 
 Mrs. Trevor was lying ill. I wonder she ever recovered ' 
 
 ' Oh, it was damp, murky weather at the time, Miss 
 Hazell. I think the houses are splendid. Compare 
 them with other working people's houses, and you'll 
 agree with me. But there's no satisfying work-folks, 
 Miss Mary, as you'll soon tuid when you've been among 
 them a little while.' 
 
 Mary's lips curled in the darkness, and her fine eyes 
 flashed with scornful amusement. She knew enough 
 about Michael Ford's antecedents to feel that his remarks 
 about working folk and their needs were much out of 
 taste. But it suited him to forget that his father had 
 been a miner at Burnley, and that his mother had 
 wrought at the pithead at Wigan. It was creditable to 
 him that he had got on so well, but his desire and 
 attempts to act the fine gentleman, and to affect a 
 contempt for the labouring poor, made him despicable in 
 the eyes of Mary Hazell. She had not that foolish pride 
 which despises poverty, and draws a fine line betwixt 
 class and class. Had Michael Ford been a gentleman 
 at heart, and a manly man, he would have found a 
 true friend in Mary Hazell. But he was a sycophant 
 and a time-server, a worshipper of mammon and rank, 
 and Mary's clear eyes had read him through and through. 
 
 ' What would you like done to the houses then, Miss 
 Hazell ? ' he continued, when he received no reply to 
 his warning about the ingratitude of the poor. 
 
 ' I think they should all be drained in the first place,
 
 THE WALK HOME. 151 
 
 and larger windows put in,' said Mary quickly enough 
 now, lor she was deeply interested in the sanitary 
 condition of the Rows. 'I had a long talk with 
 Doctor Winthorpe one day when I met him in Trevor's 
 cottage. He says light and air are the chief factors in 
 the preservation of good health. To make the Rows 
 quite what they should be, Mr. Ford, the houses would 
 need to be rebuilt, and I am afraid that will never be.' 
 
 1 If you wished it very much, Miss Hazell, I don't see 
 why it should not be,' said Michael Ford, with eagerness, 
 and turning his head to see her face. But Mary looked 
 straight before her, and made answer quickly. 
 
 ' Mr. Hazell does not see the necessity for it. He 
 says the people have lived for over thirty years in 
 them, and brought up healthy families, and perhaps he 
 is right. All this talk about sanitary precautions 
 now-a-days only makes folk uncomfortable. It is the old 
 story. A little knowledge is a dangerous thing. Now here 
 we are at the bridge, so I shall say good-night, Mr. Ford. 
 Herbert can carry the things the rest of the way.' 
 
 Mary looked back as she paused at the parapet, and 
 saw the pair sauntering along arm in arm. A smile 
 dawned on her lips, but she quickly banished it when 
 she saw it reflected on Mr. Ford's face. 
 
 ' It is not far to Hazelwood gates, Miss Mary,' he 
 pleaded. 'Let us walk on. It is a pity to disturb 
 them.' Mary walked on then without a word. 
 
 ' Miss Rayne is a charming young lady. No doubt 
 you will be delighted to have her for a sister. 
 Medlington says it's to be soon,' said Michael Ford, 
 thinking it no breach of good manners to allude to 
 family matters to his master's daughter
 
 152 HAZELL S- SONS. 
 
 'Medlington is in too great a hurry as usual,' 
 returned Mary curtly. ' There is nothing between my 
 brother and Miss Eayne.' 
 
 ' But there will be, or both our eyes have deceived us, 
 Miss Mary,' said Ford facetiously. ' There's one not far 
 off who won't like the news. It vexed me when Mr. 
 Herbert ran so much here. It wasn't the thing for him.' 
 
 They were within sight of Mileswood, and Mary 
 knew quite well that he was alluding to Jane Gregory, 
 but she gave him no answer. 
 
 'You'll be losing both your brothers soon, Miss 
 Hazell. Mr. Hazell has been good enough to tell rne 
 that Mr. Robert is to be married soon. Will you allow 
 me to urge something on you, Miss Mary ? ' 
 
 ' What ? ' 
 
 'Advise Mr. Robert not to press for too big an 
 income just now. The firm has sustained several 
 losses, and it irritates Mr. Hazell to be continually 
 asked for money. Mr. Robert has spoken about taking 
 the Priory for Miss Meredith. Your father will never 
 consent to it. But if they would be content with a 
 little less just now, they might get it by and by. 
 Advise him to it, Miss Mary. I know Mr. Hazell's 
 mind on the subject, and he won't change it.' 
 
 'I should never presume to advise my brother,' said 
 Mary in a voice as cold as ice. ' He is never wrong, 
 and he will not ask too much. Will you excuse me, 
 Mr. Ford, if I say I cannot possibly discuss family 
 matters with you. If you persist, I must turn and 
 rejoin Herbert and Miss Rayne.' 
 
 'Now, you are not understanding me, Miss Mary. 
 I don't want to presume. I have the good of the family
 
 THE WALK HOME. 153 
 
 at heart, and, if you'd believe it, I'd do anything for 
 you,' he srid, with a passionate ring in his voice. 'If 
 you'll only be kinder to me I'll use all my influence 
 with Mr. Hazell to have the Rows sorted. Only just 
 say the word.' 
 
 Mary turned her back on Michael Ford and began 
 rapidly to retrace her steps, he following rather 
 dejectedly behind. Certainly the first hint of his 
 intention had not been very encouragingly received. 
 
 ' Holloa ! have you fallen out ? ' queried Herbert 
 rather banteringly ; but when he saw Mary's face he 
 surmised what had happened. 
 
 ' Come, Lena, how slowly you have been walking,' 
 said Mary, taking her by the hand. 'Good-night, Mr. 
 Ford,' and with a distant bow she marched past that 
 individual, taking Lena with her. 
 
 Herbert could only bid the manager good-night also, 
 and hasten after the ladies. Mr. Michael Ford, then, 
 had received his first repulse, but he was in no way 
 disconcerted. As he walked back to his lodging over 
 the brewery gates he laid his plans anew, and built up 
 his ambitious hopes once more even on Miss Hazell's 
 coldness and disdain. 
 
 Mary chattered incessantly during the rest of the 
 way home. She was excited. Madeline saw, and 
 surmised what had happened. The other two did 
 not speak much, both being occupied with their own 
 thoughts. Mary had interrupted their talk just when 
 it had become very earnest but Madeline was not 
 sorry. She knew that she loved Herbert Hazell, and 
 that he loved her. But there need be no haste in the 
 telling; there was time enough, and the present was
 
 154 HAZELL 6r- SONS. 
 
 passing sweet. Ah, dear heart ! She did not dream 
 that the last hour of such sweet happiness was past. 
 
 ' It is not late. Don't let us hurry in, the night is 
 so fine,' said Herbert, as they emerged from the shadow 
 of the avenue trees and went up the open side of the lawn. 
 
 ' Late! it is ten o'clock, I am sure,' said Mary quickly. 
 ' Quite time we were all in the house.' She disengaged 
 her hand from Madeline's arm as she spoke, and looked 
 curiously at her brother, who had paused in the middle 
 of the gravelled pathway. His face was pale, and 
 Mary saw that he seemed much agitated. 
 
 ' Will you go into the house, Molly,' he said in a 
 low voice. ' I want to speak to Miss Rayne.' 
 
 Mary nodded, a sudden tear started to her eye ; she 
 hastily kissed Madeline, and ran up the broad steps to 
 the door. 
 
 Madeline stood still, trembling from head to foot. 
 
 ' I think we must go in too,' she said in a faltering 
 voice. ' It is late, as Mary says.' 
 
 ' Not yet ; come down the low road with me. I must 
 speak to you, Madeline,' said Herbert Hazell hoarsely. 
 ' Oh, my darling, I am the most miserable man on the 
 face of the earth.' 
 
 ' Why ? ' 
 
 Her sweet face grew radiant in its compassionate 
 tenderness. She slipped her gentle hand through his 
 arm, and led him away from before the lighted 
 windows. He had called her his darling, and, if she 
 was so, had she not the right to comfort and help 
 him if she could. 
 
 ' Why will you blame yourself so ? ' she asked in a 
 low, soothing voice. ' You have tried so hard to do
 
 THE WALK HOME. 155 
 
 rijjht of late. There is no use brooding over the past, 
 though there may be much to regret in it. It is the 
 future you have to do with now. If you make it noble 
 and true, you will soon forget all that was unworthy.' 
 
 Every brave, womanly word she uttered stabbed him 
 to the heart. 
 
 ' It is not that it is not that ! ' he said hoarsely. 
 ' If it were only that, I should be a happy man. I love 
 you, Madeline, as truly as ever man loved woman. 
 You could have made a man of me had I met you 
 sooner. I shall be thankful if you care nothing for 
 me, if you only despise me as I deserve.' 
 
 ' But I do care for you,' said Madeline Rayne in a 
 low, trembling voice. ' It is not too late ; life is all 
 before us, Herbert.' 
 
 She looked him full in the face, with eloquent eyes 
 adding weight to her sweet words. He did not meet 
 that look, knowing his own unworthiness. With a 
 groan he turned aside, and, leaning against a gnarled 
 oak trunk, covered his face with his hands. 
 
 ' It is too late ! Don't you understand ? There 
 is another woman, who is an inseparable barrier 
 between us.' 
 
 Madeline grew paler, and even drew herself away 
 from him. If he had sought her love, while bound by 
 a tie of honour to another, then he was un worthier 
 e"en than she had deemed him. 
 
 ' It is worce even than you think, Madeline. If it 
 had only been a foolish promise or a flirtation it might 
 have been no obstacle,' he said, still keeping his face 
 hidden. ' But there is no hope ; for I have married 
 her, Madeline. Jane Gregory is my wife ! '
 
 CHAPTEE XV. 
 
 A TRYING HOUR. 
 
 HERE are some strange moments in human 
 life, moments of feeling so intense and keen 
 that they could not long be endured. It is 
 well such do not occur often, or are much 
 prolonged. Years of peace could scarcely atone for one 
 such instant of agony. Madeline Rayne stood abso- 
 lutely still for a moment, with her eyes fixed on Herbert 
 Hazell. His face, however, was hidden, and he was 
 unconscious of that stony gaze. Had his eyes for a 
 moment met hers, the secret of her heart must have 
 been revealed to him. It is not always easy to keep 
 the feelings absolutely under control ; sometimes the 
 tumult of the soul finds silent but unmistakable 
 expression in the face. So it was at that moment with 
 Madeline Eayne. But it passed. She crushed down 
 her pain, though God alone knew how bitter it was to 
 her. She was a lonely woman whom few loved. The 
 very reserve and self-containedness of her nature gave a 
 strange and passionate intensity to her feelings. Love 
 for her could only mean deep, unutterable happiness or 
 the reverse. She held nothing lightly. Her nature 
 
 IM
 
 A TRYING HOUR. 157 
 
 was too earnest to find much pastime in life. She had 
 had a hard experience ; neglect, solitude, hitter battling 
 for mere existence she had known, but never anything 
 so unbearable as this. She was like a little boat drifted 
 at ease on sunny seas suddenly overtaken by a cruel 
 storm. But it passed, as I say, in a moment. She 
 drew herself up, one breath, which was almost a sob, 
 escaped her white set lips, and she turned her eyes, full 
 of a compassion which was almost divine, on the bowed 
 figure of the man at her side. He had given her a 
 bitter cup to drink. He had sought her love, if not in 
 word, in the thousand nameless ways to which a 
 woman's heart so quickly responds ; but he was weak 
 and needed comfort. She suffered, but she was the 
 stronger of the two. She felt that he waited for her 
 guiding, and it gave her strength to be a ministering 
 angel. It is born of pain, this angelic ministry with 
 which many women bless the lives of others. Is it not 
 true that the sweetest and most precious things of earth 
 are bought by suffering ? I think, if you probe into 
 the heart of things, you will find it so. 
 
 ' Your wife, Herbert ! ' she repeated in a low voice, but 
 very gently. ' This is a very sad thing, I think, for her.' 
 
 ' Why for her ? ' 
 
 He Hung up his head, and looked at her almost 
 fiercely. He had expected pity for himself, not for the 
 girl whose life his selfishness had blighted. He cared 
 nothing for her, but she was his wife well might 
 Madeline Rayne pity her. 
 
 ' Why for her ? ' he repeated, when she gave him no 
 answer. 'It is a thousand times sadder for me, I 
 think. You know very well I would give my right 
 
 11
 
 158 HAZELL 6- SONS. 
 
 hand, Madeline, to undo what I have done ; and it was 
 more her blame than mine.' 
 
 ' Hush, hush ! ' Madeline's voice rang out almost 
 shrilly in its sharp rebuke. ' Do not make me think 
 you even less worthy than you are. No man, but only 
 a coward, would blame her, and I hope you are not a 
 coward yet.' 
 
 ' Well, but I must explain,' he said, with the slightest 
 touch of sullenness in his tone. ' I was fond of her, 
 you know, and would have married her right enough if 
 she had waited. The secret marriage was her proposal. 
 She went to Burnley and stayed with her aunt for some 
 weeks, and we were married privately there. It was 
 all over in half an hour, and not a creature knew any- 
 thing about it.' 
 
 ' But why should it have been done privately ? ' 
 asked Madeline coldly and critically, as a judge might 
 have spoken. She had hard work keeping herself from 
 despising him, and she would not spare him, though she 
 saw how anxious he was to keep her good opinion, and 
 to defend himself. 
 
 ' Oh well, you know, the governor would never have 
 heard of such a thing. You've heard him on Gregory, 
 and ' 
 
 ' You did not marry Gregory,' put in Madeline 
 quietly. ' The girl is a good girl. I cannot but think 
 she has been badly used by you. A secret marriage is 
 not a token of respect to any woman, Herbert, and 
 there are only solitary instances in which it is justifi- 
 able. In your case it was wrong.' 
 
 ' Well, I don't know. The governor would probably 
 have paid me off had I told him I intended such a
 
 A TRYING HOUR. 159 
 
 thing. You know how mad he is about Lucy Meredith, 
 and I suppose there is a difference between her and 
 poor Janie, who is a good girl, but not a lady, and never 
 will be.' 
 
 Again Madeline caught him up sharply. She thought 
 the tone in which he spoke of his wife most offensive. 
 
 ' How long is it since your marriage took place ? 
 she asked in the same judge-like way. 
 
 ' Oh, it's a good while. I forget the date/ he an- 
 swered carelessly. 
 
 ' Was it before I came ? ' 
 
 Why did she ask the question, I wonder ? Was 
 her aching heart seeking some crumbs of comfort out of 
 the chaos ? 
 
 ' No, it was the week after.' 
 
 1 It will be ten weeks to-morrow since I came.' 
 
 ' Is it so long ? the time has flown on wings. If you 
 had only been a month sooner, Madeline, this wretched 
 thing would never have happened,' he said gloomily. 
 
 ' Why should you call it a wretched thing ? ' she 
 asked, with a forced cheerfulness. ' Few men would 
 think it a misfortune to have such a handsome wife. 
 Well, what are you going to do ? ' 
 
 ' I don't know. I want you to help me, Madeline.' 
 
 For a moment she turned her head away. His very 
 calmness hurt her. Were all men alike selfish ? she 
 wondered. Her idol was very poor clay after all It 
 was a wholesome lesson Madeline was learning even in 
 these bitter moments, and one which would bring 
 healing in its train. 
 
 ' How can I help you ? ' she asked. Her voice was 
 cold, but he did not notice it.
 
 160 HAZELL & SOWS. 
 
 ' It'll have to come out. She won't keep it any 
 longer. It'll make an awful rumpus, won't it? I wanted 
 Janie to go quietly abroad with me, but she would not.' 
 
 'She was quite right. I don't know your wife, Herbert, 
 but I think I admire her more than I admire you.' 
 
 ' You are very plain spoken, Madeline. You're not 
 half so sympathetic with a fellow in his trouble ; and 
 yet you've been so jolly good to me. It's for you I'm 
 so down about this business. What would I not give 
 if you were in Janie's place ! ' 
 
 'You forget whom you are talking to, and what you 
 are saying, I think,' said Madeline in a voice as cold as 
 ice. ' There is no profit in such talk. Let us go into 
 the house.' 
 
 ' I know I'm a brute, but I'm a miserable wretch, 
 Madeline/ he said humbly. ' You've taught me to wish 
 to do right, and be a better man. Don't leave me in 
 this lurch. Tell me what to do, and I'll be guided by 
 you. I am really anxious to do right.' 
 
 Again her heart was touched, and she looked at him 
 with a more kindly eye. There was good in him, 
 but oh, the fair flowers of noble manhood were choked 
 with the weeds of selfishness and weak indulgence. 
 
 ' Do you want me to point out your duty to you ? ' she 
 asked, and a faint smile dawned on her lips. Already 
 she felt herself years older than he, and she spoke 
 almost as a mother might have spoken to an erring son, 
 
 ' Of course I do. There's nobody else can. The 
 governor would only fly into a terrible passion, and 
 Mary would cry. She always does, and she doesn't like 
 Janie, I know. I've heard her come down awfully on 
 her. As for Bob, he'd shrug his shoulders like the
 
 A TRYING HOUR. 161 
 
 Levitc, and pass on. I suppose he's got enough to do 
 with his own affairs just now. So you're really the only 
 one a fellow can rely upon. Mrs. Hazell is very kind, 
 you know, but, like myself, she hasn't much backbone.' 
 
 ' Well, I think you know as well as I do what the 
 first part of your duty is. You must acknowledge your 
 marriage at once. You will tell your father to-night.' 
 
 ' To-night ! ' Herbert shrugged his shoulders. ' And 
 what if he, figuratively speaking, kicks me out of the 
 house. He hates Gregory like poison, and really he is 
 a presuming little creature.' 
 
 ' If Mr. Hazell elects not to forgive you, then you 
 must just leave the house, and go and work for your 
 wife. Poor girl, I am sgrry for her; you have not 
 acted a man's part, Herbert.' 
 
 ' So you have said already. You are coming down 
 very heavily on me, Madeline.' 
 
 'Not more heavily than you deserve,' she answered 
 quickly, and there was a note of weariness in her voice. 
 
 ' It'll be an awful job telling the governor, Madeline. 
 Won't you help me ? He's so jolly fond of you. You 
 could make him do anything.' 
 
 ' No, I won't. This is a thing you must do yourself, 
 Herbert. It ought not to be so difficult, for your wife's 
 sake.' 
 
 ' If she were like you, Madeline,' he said gloomily. 
 ' You don't know the kind of girl she is. She can't 
 help a fellow. She doesn't care a fig whether he does 
 right or not. It's position she wants, though I've told 
 her often enough there won't be much position as my 
 wife. It's a miserable business from beginning to end.'
 
 i6a HAZELL & SOWS. 
 
 Madeline was silent. It was a miserable business ; she 
 could not but pity the foolish pair who had bound the 
 matrimonial chain about them without even the basis 
 of mutual respect on which to build their family happiness. 
 
 ' What do you suppose Molly will say to this ? ' 
 asked Herbert presently." 
 
 ' Mary will say and do all that is good and right and 
 kind/ responded Madeline quickly. 'You need not be 
 afraid of her. It is to yourself you must look. You 
 have a great deal to make up to your wife, Herbert. 
 If she cares for you, this may only be the beginning of 
 a happy and useful life for you both.' 
 
 It cost her something to utter these words. But 
 Madeline Rayne was nothing, if not unselfish. All her 
 life she had been accustomed to set herself aside for 
 others. But no sacrifice had ever touched her so nearly 
 as this. She pleaded Jane Gregory's cause at serious cost 
 to herself. 
 
 ' If you'd be a friend to Janie, Madeline,' Herbert 
 began eagerly, ' she might get to be a little like you. 
 If Mary goes to see her, will you go with her ? ' 
 
 ' Not just at first ; Mary will want to go alone ; but 
 by and by, Herbert, I shall go and see your wife,' said 
 Madeline gently, and began as she spoke to move away 
 from the shrubbery. The first excitement over, she felt 
 very tired. She felt as if she could creep into some 
 quiet corner, and sleep away the ache at her heart. 
 
 ' Am I to tell the governor to-night, then,' Madeline ? ' 
 
 ' Yes, and if you like I shall speak to Mary. The 
 sooner it is done the better now.' 
 
 ' All right ; I'll do it,' said Herbert, and drew himself 
 up as he spoke, as if with a new courage. ' After all,
 
 A TRYING HOUR. 163 
 
 anything will be better than the misery of the last two 
 months. You have been awfully good to me, Madeline. 
 I'll never forget it as long as I live.' 
 
 His eyes dwelt hungeringly on her sweet, pale face. 
 He was to be pitied, as well as blamed, for that face 
 was a thousand times dearer to him than Jane Gregory's, 
 with all its meretricious beauty. He could hardly 
 restrain himself as he looked, for he knew that, but for 
 that inseparable barrier, he should have had the right 
 to kiss that face, and to call Madeline Rayne his wife. 
 
 ' What do you suppose shall be the upshot of all this, 
 Madeline? Do you think it'll make a complete earth- 
 quake in the house ? You see, Janie will be even more 
 undesirable in the governor's eyes than Lucy Meredith.' 
 
 ' It seems to me, Herbert, that you are more con- 
 cerned about what is to happen to you than about doing 
 right in this matter,' said Madeline wearily. ' I shall 
 tell you what I think that if your father were to cut 
 you off with a shilling, as the saying goes, it would be 
 the making of you. Your life has been too easy hitherto. 
 A little hardship would do you good.' 
 
 They walked in silence then back to the house. On 
 the steps Madeline turned and laid her hand on his 
 arm. Her face was very earnest as she uplifted it to 
 his very earnest, and very sad. 
 
 ' Herbert, "God will help you, even yet, to live a 
 noble life. You have had many mistakes ; let this be 
 the last willingly made. Come out of this ordeal as a 
 man, and let me be proud of my friend.' 
 
 Her words went quick to the young man's impulsive 
 heart. 
 
 ' God bless you, Madeline Rayne,' he said warmly ;
 
 164 HAZELL & SOWS. 
 
 ' there is nothing in the world I would not dare for 
 your sake.' 
 
 ' Not for my sake ; for the sake of what is good and 
 right, and for her sake who has loved you well enough 
 to become your wife. We must be very kind and 
 loving to her, Herbert : that is our first duty.' 
 
 So she left him, and stole away up-stairs past the 
 drawing-room, where Mary was singing the evening 
 hymn quietly to herself 
 
 ' I need Thy presence every passing hour 
 What but Thy grace can foil the tempter's power T 
 Who like Thyself my guide and stay can be ? 
 Through cloud and sunshine, abide with me ! ' 
 
 Madeline Eayne pressed her hand to her throbbing 
 heart, and her lips quivered as she repeated the words 
 quickly and falteringly to herself. She did not wait a 
 moment in her own room only hung up her hat and 
 wrap and hurried down- stairs. She was surprised to 
 find Mary alone in the drawing-room, and to see by the 
 clock that it was ten minutes to eleven. 
 
 ' Mamma has gone to bed, Lena, and papa is in the 
 library. You know Robert is not to be home to-night. 
 Will you have anything to eat ? ' said Mary, jumping up. 
 
 ' No, thank you.' 
 
 As Madeline softly closed the door she heard the 
 opening and shutting of a door down-stairs. Herbert 
 had gone straight to the library. Mary cast a keen 
 glance at her friend as she advanced into the room, but 
 was disappointed at the expressionless face of Lena 
 Rayne. It was colourless and tired, but there was no 
 flush, no brightening eye, nothing to tell of anything 
 but extreme weariness.
 
 A TRYING HOUR. 165 
 
 ' How utterly forlorn you look ! Are you cold, 
 dear? Come to mamma's chair. You have stayed 
 star-gazing too long.' 
 
 ' Have I ? I am not cold. Sit down beside me 
 here, Mary, quite close, and let us talk. This is how 
 we used to sit at school.' 
 
 Mary had flung herself down on a cushion on the 
 rug, and laid her head on Lena's knee. Her soft, large 
 eyes were uplifted to her friend's sweet face, and there 
 was a silent questioning in their depths. 
 
 ' Well, had you a pleasant walk ? ' Mary asked, with 
 the very slightest twinkle in her eye. 
 
 ' We did not walk ; we stood most of the time,' said 
 Lena, laying her soft hand on Mary's bright head. 
 
 Oh, her heart went out to her ! She could rely for 
 ever on Mary's faithful love. But once more she must 
 forget herself and do her best to smooth a thorny way 
 for another. She knew that Mary had a certain pride 
 of her own which would receive a blow to-night 
 
 ' I have a surprise for you, Mary.' 
 
 ' Yes ! I hoped so, and yet not quite a surprise. 
 It is what I have been looking for,' Mary answered, 
 with a most beautiful smile. 
 
 'I think not, dear, and I am afraid this surprise 
 will not be quite pleasant. It concerns your brother 
 Herbert' 
 
 ' And you, eh ? ' said Mary saucily. ' Come, I am 
 quite ready to be father confessor.' 
 
 ' No, it does not concern me, Mary. I .cannot beat 
 about the bush. You are to have a new sister, Mary.' 
 
 ' Yes, my darling, the sister I have so long loved,' 
 said Mary, and her arm stole round Madeline's waist
 
 1 66 HAZELL & SOWS. 
 
 ' No, no ! ' Madeline withdrew herself almost rudely, 
 but, remember, she had something to bear. 'No, no, 
 you have made a great mistake, Mary. I shall always 
 be your dear friend. If there is any little disappoint- 
 ment in your heart, Mary, you will not visit it .on her.' 
 
 'On whom?' 
 
 Mary drew herself back, and her eyes even flashed. 
 
 ' On the girl who is to be your sister. Can you not 
 guess ? ' 
 
 ' Not that odious girl at Mileswood. Oh, surely 
 Herbert has never been so imprudent as to speak or 
 think seriously of her.' 
 
 ' Yes, he has,' said Madeline softly, and she laid her 
 hand again on Mary's head as if to still the tumult. 
 ' And you are going to be to her what you have been 
 to me, dearest, truest sister and friend, Mary. Don't 
 be bitter, for I won't listen. You must do it all, Mary.' 
 
 ' Why must I ? ' Mary would have risen, but for 
 Lena's gentle detaining hand. ' Did he keep you out 
 there to tell you he was in love with Jane Gregory ? ' 
 
 ' Yes, and something more. They are married, Mary, 
 and have been for two months.' 
 
 ' Married ! ' 
 
 That was all Mary said. She looked straight at 
 Madeline for a moment, then dropped her eyes, and for 
 a long time not another word was spoken. She caught 
 Lena's hand, and, pressing her hot cheek against it, held 
 it there for a long time. These two understood each 
 other ; and when they rose at last, Mary had forgiven 
 Jane Gregory for Madeline's sake.
 
 ' ' 
 
 Paye 166.
 
 CHAPTER XVI 
 
 AT DAGGERS DRAWN. 
 
 J HEN Herbert Hazell went into the library that 
 night, he found his father fast asleep in his 
 chair. The flushed face and heavy breath- 
 ing told what had caused that sleep, even 
 had the door of the cabinet not revealed the secret 
 store. He hesitated a moment, and then tried to 
 awaken his father. It was not an easy task; the 
 sleep of intoxication is more like a stupor than a 
 natural slumber. 
 
 ' Hey, what is it ? It can't be morning already/ 
 said the old man, at length opening his half-dazed eyes. 
 ' That you, Ford ? Ay, keep down the expenses. The 
 lads must be taught to work before they spend. Holloa ! 
 it's you, Herbert. What do you want?' he asked, 
 sitting up, as he gradually awakened. 
 
 'I wanted to speak to you, father.' 
 
 'Ay, what about? Money, I suppose always 
 money. I can't give you any. Ask Ford. He knows 
 all about it. He says we can't afford to let Bob have 
 the Priory. Something less will need to do him. 
 
 Mff
 
 1 68 HAZELL & SOtfS. 
 
 They'd eat me out of house and home, he says, and 
 he's right. He's a shrewd chap, Ford. You hate him 
 because he clips your wings. But he'll keep the old 
 man right ay, ay.' 
 
 A maudlin smile overspread the brewer's florid face, 
 and his head began to droop again on his breast. 
 Herbert looked on in pity and amazement. He had 
 really no idea that his father ever indulged too freely. 
 He had thought lightly of the sin of drunkenness, but 
 it was a different matter to have it brought home in 
 this fashion. Involuntarily he stepped back, shut the 
 cabinet, and then turned the key in the library door. 
 He felt that it would be a bitter humiliation to have 
 any of the servants see the master in such a state. He 
 hesitated then, not knowing what to do. He thought 
 of Mrs. Hazell, of Mary, and of Madeline. He would 
 keep it from them all if he could. 
 
 Mr. Hazell was not asleep, at least he kept mutter- 
 ing to himself, and his eyes were partially open. He 
 was helplessly drunk. 
 
 Herbert sat down by the fire, wondering what to do. 
 If only Robert were at home, he thought. Eobert was 
 never at a loss in any emergency. He did not know 
 how long he sat in silence watching his father's troubled 
 sleep, but at last the opening of a door up-stairs roused 
 him. He rose, and went out into the hall, and met 
 Madeline Rayne at the foot of the stair. 
 
 ' Well ? ' she* said, and a tremulous smile touched her 
 lips. But he saw that she had been weeping. 
 
 ' Where's Mary ? ' he asked. 
 
 ' Just gone up-stairs. I came down for my book ; 1
 
 He ... met Madeline Rayne at the foot of the stair. Paijt 1G8.
 
 AT DAGGERS DRA WN. 169 
 
 want to finish it before I sleep. It is Heine's poems. 
 Will you bring it out of the library for me ? ' 
 
 For answer Herbert stepped back to the library door 
 and turned the key, then motioned her to the dining- 
 room. 
 
 ' It seems as if you were made to help in every 
 trouble,' he said, with visible agitation. ' My father 
 has had too much wine. He is not fit to go up 
 stairs. I wonder if Mrs. Hazell is asleep ? ' 
 
 ' I can go up and see. She generally sleeps very 
 soundly in the early part of the night. What is Mr. 
 Hazell doing ? ' 
 
 ' He is dozing in his chair. If Mrs. Hazell is asleep, 
 and would not be alarming herself about him, I would 
 get him to lie down on the library couch. Wouldn't 
 that be best ? ' 
 
 ' Yes ; I'll run up-stairs.' 
 
 She was gone as she spoke. With noiseless step she 
 crept into Mrs. Hazell's room, and over to the bed 
 Yes, she was sound asleep, and there was a sweet smile 
 on her face, as if pleasant dreams haunted her. 
 
 Very softly Madeline closed the door and ran down- 
 stairs again. 
 
 ' It would be a pity to awake her, she is sleeping so 
 sweetly. I think you should try and get Mr. Hazell to 
 lie down in the library.' 
 
 She spoke decidedly. Like Robert, she had always 
 her wits about her in an emergency. 
 
 ' Very well, I will do that ; and if he sleeps till 
 morning the servants will think he never awakened in 
 the night. We need not tell. A little deception is 
 
 12
 
 ryo HAZELL & SOJVS. 
 
 sometimes justifiable. What a queer household we are ! 
 There is nothing hid from you, Madeline. Do you not 
 despise us ? ' 
 
 Madeline shook her head ; she did not say what she 
 thought and felt that she loved them all, perhaps, too 
 well: 
 
 ' Did you tell Mary, then ? ' Herbert asked. 
 
 ' Yes, I told Mary. She will be your friend and 
 your wife's, Herbert. Did I not tell you that Mary 
 always says and does just what is truest and best ! ' 
 
 ' Yes, she is a good girl. I am not worthy such a 
 sister and such a friend. When I think of what might 
 have been I am unmanned.' 
 
 She waved her hand deprecatingly. Of what avail 
 were such words now ? She felt that they were not 
 loyal to the absent wife, and yet she could iiot stem 
 them. She was very tired, and her heart riven with its 
 own pain. ' Good-night,' she said almost in a whisper, 
 and glided from the room. She was yearning to be 
 alone, but it seemed as if solitude were to be denied 
 her, for Mary, with her dressing-gown on, was waiting 
 anxiously at the top of the stairs. 
 
 ' What an age you have been, Lena. What have you 
 been doing ? ' 
 
 ' Talking to Herbert for a moment. I am tired, 
 Mary ; I think I shall go to bed. Will you say good- 
 night ? ' 
 
 ' Poor Lena. I am very selfish, but I want to talk 
 yet. There is something I want to say before I sleep. 
 Let me come to your room just for a moment. The 
 fire is out in mine. If I were the least inclined to
 
 A T DAGGERS DRA WN. \ 7 i 
 
 jealousy, Lena, I should be jealous of the attention the 
 servants pay to you.' 
 
 ' Come then/ Madeline answered, with a smile. 
 
 Mary did not sit down when they entered the room. 
 She had her hair-brush in "her hand, and began to 
 brush out her hair before the mirror, with her back to 
 her friend. 
 
 ' Well, what is it you have to say yet ? ' asked 
 Madeline at length. ' I am sure your hair does not 
 need so much brushing.' 
 
 ' Perhaps not,' said Mary absently. ' Lena, can you 
 explain to me why Michael Ford should presume to 
 propose to ma' 
 
 ' Has he done so ? ' 
 
 ' Well, he was very near it to-night, but I nipped 
 him in the bud. He was not in the least disconcerted, 
 Lena. It was the way he talked which I can't forget 
 one would have thought that the brewery was his 
 instead of papa's. Do you think there is anything in 
 him except conceit and presumption ? ' 
 
 ' Yes, a good deal He is not to be trusted, Mary, 
 since you ask me for a plain opinion.' 
 
 ' What do you think I should do ? ' 
 
 ' Tell your brother Eobert about it.' 
 
 Mary smiled. 
 
 ' Ah ! I see you know which of the boys is to be 
 relied on in the day of trouble. Do you know, I feel 
 just as if we were living on the top of a mine which may 
 explode about us any day. There has been no lack of 
 excitement lately. Do you know, I am very sorry for 
 that poor girl, Lena. I shall go and see her to-morrow.'
 
 T72 HAZELL & SONS. 
 
 ' Herbert's wife ? ' 
 
 ' Yes. How odd ! and what a shame to think that 
 he should have a wife unacknowledged by us ! I have 
 not been kind often in speaking about her. I shall try 
 and make up for it now. Perhaps it will not be 
 very difficult to love her.' 
 
 ' There is something lovable in every one, Mary, and 
 she is very pretty. You are very good and kind, my 
 dear.' 
 
 'Am I? You don't know me. I am full of pride. 
 You don't know the trial it will be to me to stop my 
 ponies at Mileswood and go through the necessary ordeal. 
 It will cost me more than you think to acknowledge Mrs. 
 Herbert Hazell ; but it will do me good. What pitiful 
 creatures we are, Lena, setting ourselves up above each 
 other ! This may be a very wholesome lesson to me, 
 Lena.' 
 
 ' Perhaps. But I cannot say I think you needed it, 
 said Madeline. 
 
 ' Oh, you don't know me. But there, I must have 
 some humanity, and let you to bed. Why, how worn 
 out you look ! We forget you, my darling, in our selfish 
 troubles. Good-night ! ' 
 
 She took the white, worn face in her hands and 
 kissed it with peculiar tenderness. Perhaps she guessed 
 something of the heartache underneath that sweet, calm 
 exterior, but Mary Hazell had a delicacy too fine to hint 
 at such a thing. But she did feel that her brother had 
 not done fairly by Madeline Kayne, and she intended to 
 tell him so when the fitting opportunity occurred. 
 
 Madeline Rayiie sat still when Mary left her very
 
 A T DAGGERS DRA WN. 1 7 3 
 
 still with her hands clasped on her knee, and her 
 deep eyes fixed on the dying fira Her expression 
 never changed, but it seemed to her that once more 
 she had to set aside the sunny gleams which had been 
 shed across her way of life, and take up the sober grey 
 threads which were evidently destined to make the web 
 of her existence. A helper of others ; a witness, but 
 not a partaker, of their joys ; a sharer, mayhap, in their 
 sorrows ; a bearer of their burdens if she willed : must 
 that be her destiny on earth ? Perhaps her woman's 
 heart failed her just a little, and yet she reproached 
 herself for her complaining and her discontent. 
 
 ' Bear ye one another's burdens, and so fulfil the law 
 of Christ/ To fulfil the law of Christ! Could she 
 desire any higher aim in life ? With these words ring- 
 ing their changes in her ears, she fell asleep. 
 
 As was to be expected, Mr. Hazell was conspicuously 
 irritable next morning. He explained that he had 
 fallen asleep in the library, and seemed to feel 
 aggrieved that no one had taken the trouble to arouse 
 him. He seemed quite to have forgotten all about 
 Herbert coming into the library and persuading him 
 to lie down. 
 
 They went down to the brewery together. Herbert 
 made up his mind that he would tell his father his 
 momentous secret in the course of the day, though he 
 saw well enough that, unless the master's temper was 
 smoothed and softened, things were likely to go hard 
 with him. 
 
 Robert had gone to Wigan to stay the night, without 
 giving any explanation of his business there ; but he
 
 174 HAZELL & SONS. 
 
 arrived at the brewery before eleven o'clock. He 
 nodded to Herbert as he passed through the counting- 
 house, and went straight into his father's room. 
 
 Mr. Hazell, suffering from a racking headache, was 
 in one of his worst moods. He was angry with Robert 
 for not being at hand to attend to the morning's corre- 
 spondence, and turned upon him like a lion. 
 
 ' Well, sir, if it suits you to come to business at mid- 
 day, it doesn't suit me, and the sooner you learn that 
 the better. What excuse or apology have you to make 
 for yourself ? ' 
 
 ' None, father. I am sorry if I have annoyed you. 
 I don't take many holidays. I can still have the letters 
 ready for the mail. Let me look at them,' said Robert 
 in his quiet way, as he advanced to the table. 
 
 But Mr. Hazell's hand closed over the bundle of 
 letters at his side. 
 
 ' Ford can attend to them. He is always at his post. 
 You must not think we can't dispense with your valu- 
 able services,' said Mr. Hazell, with a sneer. 
 
 Robert bit his lip. He did not often lose his temper, 
 but he could not tolerate the very name of Michael 
 Ford. 
 
 ' I am glad you think so little of my services,' he 
 said, with a lightness he was far from feeling. ' It 
 makes my task easier. I resign my post in the brewery 
 from to-day, though it is not very easy to djfine that 
 post, sir.' 
 
 ' Oh, you do, do you ? Very well ; and where do 
 you suppose you are going to get a living now ? ' 
 
 ' That is my concern, and I cannot expect that you
 
 AT DA GGERS DKA WN. 1 7 5 
 
 will take any interest in my welfare. You have so 
 repeatedly repelled any confidence I offered to place in 
 you,' said Robert, with a touch of sadness in his manly 
 face. 
 
 ' Oh, indeed ! ' 
 
 Mr. Hazell wheeled round in his chair, and turned 
 his angry eyes full on his son's face. 
 
 ' Pray, what confidence did you place in me ? You 
 asked me for an extravagant income, which I refused. 
 There is time enough yet for you to marry, and if the 
 girl really cares about you, she'll wait for you. She'll 
 need to wait long enough now, in all conscience.' 
 
 ' You are mistaken, sir. We intend to be married 
 before Easter.' 
 
 'Oh! 1 
 
 Mr. Hazell was thunderstruck. 
 
 ' I have applied for and obtained the situation of cashier 
 at the Ladywell pits at Burnley. I went to Wigan 
 last night, at Mr. Edwardes' request, and he has ap- 
 pointed me to the vacant place.' 
 
 ' And I suppose you posed before Mr. Edwardes as 
 an injured innocent, persecuted by a hard-hearted, 
 tyrannical father ? but ' 
 
 ' You are mistaken, father. I told him nothing, 
 except that I wished to leave the brewery.' 
 
 ' And what salary are you to get ? ' 
 
 ' Two hundred a year, and the house. It will do in 
 the meantime.' 
 
 ' It's a downcome from the Priory,' said Mr. Hazell 
 drily. ' Well, you'll perhaps learn to regret your 
 mercies there. It is just as they say, as Ford has
 
 r 76 HAZELL & SONS. 
 
 often said, -a man toils to bring up a family, who 
 give him only ingratitude in return. If 1 could see 
 Edwardes, I'd give him the true version of the affair.' 
 
 Robert was silent a moment. There was something 
 he was very anxious to speak about, yet he hesitated. 
 He was no coward, but he had never quite overcome his 
 childish fear and awe of his father. And yet he felt it 
 his duty to speak. 
 
 ' I hardly know how to word what I am going to 
 say, I feel so certain you will misunderstand me,' he 
 began. ' But I do think Ford has more influence here 
 than any servant ought to have. I don't trust him. 
 Father, you will be careful with him. Don't let him 
 know your affairs too intimately.' 
 
 Mr. Hazell's lip curled. 
 
 ' Leave me to manage my own business, if you 
 please ; I am not in my dotage,' he said cuttingly. ' I 
 am thankful I have such a friend and counsellor as 
 Michael Ford. He'll do more for me than my own 
 flesh and blood.' 
 
 ' Ay, in the meantime, but it is to serve his own 
 ends,' said Eobert, with more passion than he usually 
 exhibited. ' I see what he is aiming at well enough. 
 Do you know that he is actually aspiring to Mary's 
 hand, father ? ' 
 
 ' And why not ? She might go farther and fare 
 worse. A good, honest, gentlemanly fellow, who has 
 brains to help him on. I tell you, Ford '11 be at the 
 top of the tree yet.' 
 
 'Maybe, but it will be at your expense,' said Robert 
 hotly. ' It is impossible to listen to you, sir, and be
 
 A T DAGGERS DRA WN. 1 7 7 
 
 calm. Give our Mary to that ignorant, self-conceited 
 fellow ! Oh, surely, sir, you will stop short of that ! ' 
 
 ' I wish you'd stop short of impertinence, and get out 
 of here, since you have resigned your post,' said Mr. 
 Hazell testily, and pointing to the door as he spoke. 
 ' You've had your say, you've tried your best to black- 
 ball an honest fellow's character, and you haven't 
 succeeded. I don't think any more of you for it, and 
 you can tell Miss Meredith, with my compliments, that 
 I wish her joy of her bargain.' 
 
 It was Mr. Hazell's habit often to speak without 
 thinking ; in moments of anger, indeed, he was hardly 
 responsible ; but every word stabbed his son to the 
 heart. He turned on his heel without a word, and 
 walked through the counting.- house with his eyes on 
 the ground. In the yard outside he met Michael Ford, 
 who touched his hat to him with a bland smile. 
 
 ' Fine morning, Mr. Robert. Hope you had a pleasant 
 little trip.' 
 
 ' Get out of my sight,' was the unexpected reply to 
 Mr. Ford's friendly greeting, and without another word 
 Robert Hazell passed out of the gates into the street
 
 CHAPTEK XVII. 
 
 GATHERING CLOUDS. 
 
 i HAT'S become o' Herbert this long time, 
 Janie ? He hasn't been here, I'm sure, 
 for nigh a week.' 
 
 Mrs. Gregory was preparing the flour for 
 her weekly baking, and the little kitchen at Mileswood 
 was pleasantly warm with the heat from the oven. 
 Jane was sitting on a low chair with her idle hands 
 folded behind her head, and her eyes fixed on the fire. 
 Her morning dress was not particularly tidy, and she had 
 a little row of curl-papers along her brow. Her face was 
 pale and sallow, and wore a discontented, anxious look. 
 
 ' I'm sure I don't know, ina,' was all she answered ; 
 but sbe gave the cat a push with her foot as if the 
 question irritated her. 
 
 ' Your pa's got worked up, Janie, till he's real mad,' 
 continued Mrs. Gregory, as she vigorously mixed her 
 flour. ' I shouldn't wonder if he goes up to Hazelwood 
 himself. It was a mistake, Janie, and I wish I'd never 
 let you go to your Aunt Susan's. It wouldn't have 
 happened if you'd been nt home.' 
 
 178
 
 GATHERING CLOUDS. 179 
 
 ' It might an' it might not,' answered Janie carelessly. 
 ' But pa needn't bother. It's no business of his, I 
 suppose. It's me that's got the worst of it.' 
 
 4 That isn't a way to speak, my gel,' said Mrs. Gregory 
 severely. ' You know you're the very apple o' your 
 father's eye, let alone mine, an'you might have done better. 
 There's young Higginbotham was quite gone about you, 
 not to speak o' Jonas Butterby at the Bell Inn. Perhaps 
 they aren't fine gentlemen, but they're honest chaps, an' 
 they could ha' given you a good livin', which is more than 
 the one you've got will ever be able to do, I doubt, if folks 
 is to judge from appearances. The old man, of course, 
 has a mint o' money, but will keep a tight hand on it, 
 an' there's the missus '11 get a big haul. I wish it had 
 never been, Janie. I doubt you'll never have peace o' 
 mind about it. There's an awful pride about them 
 Hazell's, I can tell you, and you'll find it out to your cost.' 
 
 Janie made no reply, except to give the cat another 
 push, which sent her away puffing in a passion. 
 
 ' It's not easy for a mother to see a man ashamed o' 
 her daughter, even after she's an honest wife,' continued 
 Mrs. Gregory in an aggrieved voice, for it was a sore 
 subject with her, ' an' her might ha' done so well' 
 
 ' I wish you'd hold your tongue, mother. I can'o 
 help it now. I wish I could recall the vows I said in 
 that old church at Crossthwaite. It seems an awful 
 thing that so little should bind one for life. I suppose 
 I couldn't get out o' it now ? ' 
 
 ' No. worse luck. Your father made sure it was all 
 ri^ht whenever he knew of it. That's what comes o' 
 di>in' tilings on the sly, my gel, an' without asking an
 
 i8o HAZELL 6- SONS. 
 
 advice. I suppose he rues it as well as you. I can't 
 for the life o' me see why he should have married you 
 at all ; or what difference it has made. 'It's put an end 
 to your swectheartin', that's all. If he cared anything 
 about .you, Janie, he'd be as anxious to have you aside 
 o' him as other men are. He'd never ha' rested till he 
 got you a home all fair an' square.' 
 
 Jane Gregory clenched her hand on her knee, and one 
 bitter tear started to her eye. That was the hardest of 
 it all. She could have borne inattention, neglect even, 
 if she had not been haunted with the thought that, if 
 Herbert Hazell had ever cared for her, his love had 
 died. He was her husband, and yet she scarcely dared 
 think of him as such. The name, so dear to happy and 
 cherished wives, had no meaning for her. 
 
 ' An' what's to be the upshot o' it ? ' asked Mrs. 
 Gregory in the same aggrieved voice. ' How long is 
 this to go on ? I wish you'd tidy up a bit, an' do 
 summat for your meat, Janie. It's not nice to see a 
 young girl so lazy and indifferent.' 
 
 ' I wish you'd leave me alone. I wish I'd never been 
 born,' retorted Janie quickly and passionately. 
 
 Just then Patty, the little ' help,' who had been washing 
 the front door steps, came rushing in excitedly, and an- 
 nounced that there was a real carriage at the gate and 
 that Miss Hazell was coining up the garden. 
 
 Janie jumped up, all her listlessness gone, and Mrs. 
 Gregory instantly flew into a terrible flutter, and 
 tossed off her baking apron. ' I'll take her into the 
 parlour an' set a match to the fire while you make 
 yourself decent. It's you she'll be wanting to see, likely.'
 
 GATHERING CLOUDS. 181 
 
 'No, mother, wait here. Now, Patty, there she's 
 knocking. Go to the door, and if she asks for mother 
 or me, take her into the parlour and set a match to the 
 tire. And mind to shut the parlour door after you when 
 you come out, so as I'll get up-stairs to change my dress,' 
 said Janie quietly. ' Do you understand me ? don't 
 forget a thing I have told you. See, take off that dirty 
 apron. Now, off you go.' 
 
 Patty, quite overwhelmed with a sense of her own 
 importance, proceeded out to the lobby again, and Jane 
 Gregory stationed herself behind the kitchen door, which 
 was a little ajar, so that she could hear what passed at 
 the front door. 
 
 Patty delivered her message quite correctly, and, when 
 Miss Hazell asked for Miss Gregory, ushered her straight 
 into the parlour. 
 
 ' I'd better go in, Janie,' said Mrs. Gregory in a loud 
 whisper. ' I'm quite decent. It's a shocking shame to 
 leave the young lady by herself till you get ready, and 
 very ill-bred as well.' 
 
 ' Don't go, mother, if you please,' said Janie so earnestly 
 that her mother could not deny her. ' I won't be a 
 minute. I'll just take out my hair, and put on an 
 apron, without changing my frock at all.' 
 
 It was not very easy for Mrs. Gregory to keep 
 away from the room where Miss Hazell was, but she 
 saw that Janie was very anxious to meet Miss Hazell 
 alone, so she contented herself with an admiring peep 
 through the glass door at the brougham waiting outside 
 the gate, and then betook herself up-stairs to Janie's room. 
 
 ' Now, whatever you do, don't let her trample on you.
 
 1 82 HAZELL <5r* SONS. 
 
 Remember, she's your own sister-in-law, an' that you're 
 as good as she/ said Mrs. Gregory, seating herself on a 
 trunk, and speaking with energy. ' I really wish you'd 
 let me come in. I'd set her right about that in two 
 minutes.' 
 
 ' It's because I'm afraid you'll say too much I don't 
 want you to go in,' answered Janie, as she deftly 
 arranged her hair. ' Perhaps she doesn't know anything 
 about it, and, if she doesn't, I won't tell her. I'll maybe 
 come out for you after I see what she wants.' 
 
 Jane Gregory was very much excited. There was a 
 red spot on her cheek, and her hands trembled as she 
 fastened on her apron. She did not know what this 
 visit might portend, and she shook with nervous appre- 
 hension when she went down-stairs to the parlour. 
 
 The door was close, but not shut, so that she entered 
 noiselessly. Mary Hazell was standing at the window 
 with her back to the door. In spite of the intense 
 feeling of the moment, Jane Gregory noted the graceful 
 outline of her figure, the exquisite draping of her tailor- 
 made gown, the perfect fit of the little sealskin jacket. 
 Everything was plain to severity, but most ladylike and 
 becoming. Mary Hazell had a perfect taste in dress. 
 
 ' You wish to see me, Miss Hazell,' she said timidly. 
 Indeed, her voice sank almost to a whisper. 
 
 Instantly Mary turned round, and advanced with 
 extended hand. ' Yes, I wish to see you, my brother's 
 wife. Had I known, I should have come long ago.' 
 
 Mary spoke a trifle quickly, for she felt the ordeal 
 keenly; but her eyes were kind, the pressure of her hand 
 firm and true. The greeting was so unexpected that
 
 GATHERING CLOUDS. 183 
 
 Jane Gregory burst into tears. Mary drew her gently 
 to the sofa, and made her sit down. She felt nervous 
 herself, and very sorry for the trirl. 
 
 ' Don't be so distressed,' she said in her kind way, 
 and she laid her hand on her shoulder. 
 
 ' I'm very sorry ! ' sobbed Jane Gregory. ' I ought 
 never to have done it ; but I didn't think. You shouldn't 
 be so kind to me.' 
 
 ' Why not ? ' Mary smiled as she asked the question. 
 ' It is we who have been unkind to you. But it will be 
 all right now.' 
 
 1 Do they all know at Hazelwood ? I lid not know 
 Herbert meant to tell.' 
 
 ' Mamma knows. She sent her love to you, and she 
 will come to see you when she is able if you do not 
 come first to see her,' said Mary cheerfully. 
 
 ' What did Mr. Hazell say ? Was he very angry ? ' 
 
 ' He doesn't know yet, but he will to-day,' paid Mary 
 quickly. ' He may be a little angry, but it will soon 
 pass. But tell me why you didn't marry in the ordinary 
 way. Was there any use for all this secresy ? ' 
 
 Jane Gregory hung her head. She felt ashamed 
 before Mary Hazell's calm, serene eyes. 
 
 ' I don't know. I wouldn't do it again. How can 
 you speak so kindly to me when I have behaved so 
 badly to you ? 1 know I am not so good as you, nor 
 fit to be friends with you.' 
 
 How quickly did Jane Gregory's pride and boastful 
 independence melt away before Mary Hazell's smile. 
 She could have knelt and kissed her feet, she was so 
 grateful foi her kind, sweet, womanly words.
 
 1 84 HAZELL & SOWS. 
 
 ' Oh, hush I of course we are going to be very 
 friendly. You and Herbert must set up house at once, 
 and what fun it will be furnishing and setting it in 
 order ! I hope you are a trifle more practical than 
 either he or I, or the result will be rather doubtful.' 
 
 ' How different you are from what I thought ! ' 
 exclaimed Jane Gregory, or Jane Hazell, as we must 
 now call her. 
 
 ' Different how ? ' 
 
 ' Oh, just. I used to think you so proud and 
 haughty when I saw you driving past. I was jealoup 
 of you, and afraid of you too.' 
 
 ' Afraid of me ! I am very harmless,' said Mary, 
 with a laugh. ' But I am not nearly so good as you 
 think, as you will soon find out, if Herbert has not told 
 you already.' 
 
 ' He didn't speak much about you. He hated me 
 asking questions about Hazelwood, and I couldn't help 
 being interested, you know. Will it not be a great trial 
 for you all to havj everybody know I am his wife ? ' 
 
 ' Oh no ! Why should we be ashamed of you ? 1 
 hope Herbert will be good to you, my dear, and that 
 you will be very happy,' said Mary, as she rose. 
 
 ' Won't you see ma ? She'll be dreadfully dis- 
 appointed if you don't speak to her. She's been awful 
 angry with me about it, and so has father.' 
 
 Mary would rather have excused herself, but perhaps 
 she had better go through the whole ordeal at once ; so 
 Mrs. Gregory was summoned to the parlour. She had 
 been concocting quite an eloquent speech for Miss 
 Hazell's benefit, but somehow i'j vanished clean out of
 
 GATHERING CLOUDS. 185 
 
 her memory at sight of Mary's sweet face and kind 
 smile. And all that the good mother could do was to 
 clasp the dainty gloved hand in both her own, and 
 repeat, with tears in her eyes, that she was proud and 
 glad to see her. 
 
 So the ordeal passed off better than any of them 
 had anticipated, and Mary left the house leaving 
 sunshine behind her. Just as she was about to step 
 into the brougham, she saw Robert in the distance 
 walking quickly up the river-side from the town. She 
 told the man to wait, and walked on to meet him. It 
 was so unusual for Robert to be without the precincts 
 of the brewery in business hours that she felt curious 
 to learn the cause. When she came near him, she saw 
 that his face wore an unusually anxious and troubled look. 
 
 ' I could hardly believe that it was you, Robert. 
 Are you going home ? ' she said, when she joined him. 
 
 ' No, I'm going to Clieveden.' 
 
 ' Across the moor ? ' 
 
 'Yes. Couldn't you send Pillans home, and walk 
 with me a bit.' 
 
 ' Yes, I can.' 
 
 ' What were you doing in at Gregory's ? ' 
 
 ' Seeing Jane,' said Mary, and suddenly her eyes 
 overflowed. ' Oh, Robert, such a thing has happened ! 
 We seem to be all going wrong. Herbert has been 
 married to her for more than three months.' 
 
 ' Married to whom ? ' 
 
 ' Jane Gregory.' 
 
 ' Impossible ! ' 
 
 'Quite true. Oh, Pillans, just go into town, and 
 
 13
 
 1 86 HAZELL & SONS. 
 
 give Mrs. Hazell's orders without me. Perhaps I shall 
 get you coming back.' 
 
 Pillans touched his hat, and drove away. He was 
 puzzling himself over his young mistress's call at Miles- 
 wood. Of course he had not a suspicion of the truth. 
 
 Arm in arm the brother and sister turned round by 
 Gregory's garden wall, and over the stile into the moor. 
 It was a fine winter morning. The hoar-frost still 
 shone on the short smooth turf, though the sun had 
 melted the scattering on the leafless trees. 
 
 'Yes, we're all going wrong, Molly,' said Eobert 
 Hazell, with a sigh, as if the thing weighed on his heart. 
 ' Herbert married to Jane Gregory ! Oh, impossible ! ' 
 
 ' It's quite true. He told Madeline last night. He 
 is to tell papa to-day.' 
 
 ' I thought, and was hoping, he was learning to care 
 for Madeline, Molly.' 
 
 ' So was I. Oh, it would have been splendid. But 
 I am sorry for the girl.' 
 
 ' So you went to see her whenever you found it out. 
 Bless your kind heart, Molly ! Papa will not be 
 pleased about it.' 
 
 'I am afraid not. Don't you think, Eobert, that papa has 
 changed very much of late. He was notalwayssoirritable.' 
 
 ' He has changed. It has come to an open rupture 
 between us. I have spent my last day in the brewery, 
 Mary.' 
 
 Mary never spoke, but her lips trembled. ' I was 
 at Wigan last night seeing Mr. Edwardes, and I have 
 accepted the situation of cashier at the Lady well Mines 
 at a salary of two hundred a year and a house.'
 
 GATHERING CLOUDS. 187 
 
 And you will go away to Burnley to live, I suppose.' 
 
 ' Yes, Lucy and I together. We shall be married 
 before Easter.' 
 
 ' You will be very happy, happier even, I think, than 
 you would have been at the Priory, because your 
 conscience will be clear. It is we who are left who 
 will miss you.' 
 
 ' I hope papa will not hinder you from coming to see 
 us at Burnley.' 
 
 ' Oh, 1 hope not ; surely not. Herbert will have to 
 leave the house too, and set up a home for his wife. 
 How changed Hazelwood will be ! ' 
 
 ' You will not leave it for a while, Mary ? ' 
 
 ' I ! Oh, never. Madeline and I will be stationary 
 there for ever,' said Mary lightly. ' I hope this will 
 make no difference to her. Herbert has not acted very 
 fairly by her.' 
 
 ' No, he hasn't. His conduct has neither been manly 
 nor right. He was true neither to one nor another. 
 He is deplorably weak, Mary. He needs a woman like 
 Miss Rayne to make something of him. What kind of 
 person is his wife ? ' 
 
 ' I hardly know. I only saw her for a few minutes.' 
 
 There was a moment's silence. 
 
 ' Mary, do you think father takes too much sometimes?' 
 
 ' I have been afraid of it,' Mary answered in a low 
 voice, as if she felt ashamed to own it. 
 
 ' Mrs. Hazell does not suspect it ? ' 
 
 ' T don't think it. It would grieve her very much.' 
 
 ' You might watch, Mary.' 
 
 ' I'll try.'
 
 1 88 HAZELL fr SOWS. 
 
 ' There is another thing. I hate to speak of it to 
 you, dear, but it will ease my mind. I have suspected 
 what brings Ford so much to the house. You don't 
 encourage him, Mary ? ' 
 
 'I?' 
 
 Mary's face flushed with indignation. 
 
 ' It is wrong to hate any one, Robert, but I do hate 
 him. It makes me ill to have him talk to me.' 
 
 ' Has he ever hinted anything to you ? ' 
 
 ' Yes, last night, when we were walking home from 
 the mothers' meeting. I endured him only for Madeline 
 and Herbert's sake. Had I known what I know now, 
 I should have acted differently. But I think I have 
 given Mr. Ford his lesson.' 
 
 'He has too much influence with father. I don't 
 know whether I am doing right to leave the brewery. 
 I was a kind of check on Ford. I am confident that 
 it is Ford who has put my father so much against us. 
 But father is very obstinate. It is not easy to have 
 the patience with him that one ought. Won't you 
 come all the way to Clieveden ? ' 
 
 * Not to-day. Give Lucy my love. You will be 
 home 1.3 usual to dinner ? ' 
 
 ' Oh yes ! Surely my father won't grudge me 
 house-room for a day or two in spite of his anger. 
 Good-morning, dear.' 
 
 ' Good-morning.' 
 
 They were beyond the reach of any observant eye, so 
 they kissed each other as they parted. Mary retraced 
 her steps with a heavy heart.
 
 CHAPTER XVIIL 
 
 HUSBAND AND WIFE. 
 
 HERBERT HAZELL was sitting at the 
 parlour window that afternoon about four 
 o'clock. She was looking her best. Miss 
 Hazell's visit had infused new life into her, 
 and she felt she had something to live for. She had 
 the good opinion of her husband's kindred to earn, and 
 she told herself that she would spare no pains to com- 
 mend herself to them. She was pleased and happy as 
 she sat there sewing busily, and watching for Herbert 
 to pass. Her face looked sweet and tender as if none 
 but happy thoughts reigned in her heart She had a 
 more womanly ambition than of yore, an ambition to be 
 a good, true wife, a great desire to be more like Mary 
 HazelL It was just four, when, lifting her head from 
 her sewing, she saw her husband crossing the bridge. 
 He was walking very fast, and had his head in the air. 
 Even at such a distance she saw that his face was 
 flushed, and that he seemed excited. She began to 
 tremble, fearing that some new complication had arisen. 
 He nodded and smiled to her at the garden gate, and
 
 1 9 o HAZELL 6- SONS. 
 
 came striding into the house without knocking. Sht 
 met him at the parlour door, and looked at him almosi 
 imploringly. He put his arm round her, and drew her 
 to his side. The caress was so spontaneous and so 
 affectionate that involuntarily the tears started to her 
 eyes. 
 
 As we know, Herbert had not been all he should 
 have been to her of late. ' My wifie,' he said, with real 
 tenderness. ' Never mind, we'll stick together through 
 thick and thin, and show them all yet what stuff we're 
 made of.' 
 
 She was unable to speak, but her apprehension 
 vanished when he spoke to her like that. She felt that 
 it would be happiness to beg her bread with him so 
 long as he kept her by his side. She truly loved him 
 perhaps better than he deserved. But we will hope 
 to see a man made of Herbert yet. 
 
 'I told the governor, and there's been an awful row. 
 He says he'll never speak to me again. But I don't care. 
 I'll show him I'm not the useless cad he takes me for. 
 By Jove, Janie, he gave it us hot.' 
 
 That was all he told her. He did not say that his 
 father's ungentlemanly abuse of the girl his son had 
 married had roused the latent spark of chivalry in the 
 young man's breast. If Mr. Hazell had spoken plainly, 
 he had also been obliged to listen to some plain speak- 
 ing, for Herbert had not his brother's self-control, and 
 could sometimes send an arrow straight to the mark. 
 
 ' He says we'll die in the workhouse. Well, we'll see, 
 my wifie,' repeated Herbert, looking down into the 
 tearful face on his shoulder. ' How nice you are looking !
 
 HUSBAND AND WIFE. 191 
 
 Do ym know, I believe I'm going to fall in love with 
 you again on the head of it eh ? ' 
 
 ' I feel ever so nice. This has been such a delightful 
 day. Your sister came in the morning.' 
 
 Herbert whistled. 
 
 ' Molly 1 Did she though ? And how did you and 
 she get on ? ' 
 
 ' Very well. How very nice she is, Herbert ! I have 
 misjudged her badly ; and she is far more beautiful than 
 I thought her/ 
 
 ' And what did you get to say to each other ? It 
 must have been rather a queer meeting.' 
 
 ' Oh no, it all came about naturally. She is quite a 
 lady, and so she put me at my ease. I am going to try 
 and be more like her, Herbert.' 
 
 ' Are you ? Molly is a Tartar sometimes, too,' 
 said Herbert, with a smile. ' Well, suppose we sit 
 down here and face this out We're married, 
 aren't we ? ' 
 
 ' Yes, I think so.' 
 
 ' Well, we're married, point one ; we have not a cent 
 in the world, point two ; we've got our living to make, 
 point three ; how is it to be done ? point four. What 
 would you suggest, Janie ? ' 
 
 ' I don't know, and I don't care,' was Janie's very 
 unpractical reply to these several questions. 
 
 ' Well, then, I've got to see about it, and I will,' said 
 Herbert, with a new and delightful decision. ' Shall I 
 tell you what I made up my mind for coming up from 
 the brewery ? ' 
 
 'Yes.'
 
 19* HAZZLL & SOWS. 
 
 ' Well, in the first place, Janie, we must have another 
 wedding in St. Nicholas.' 
 
 'Oh!' 
 
 ' Yes, a right wedding, with bridesmaids and every- 
 thing up to the mark. I'm going to show Medlington 
 that I'm not ashamed of my wife, though I have not 
 treated her very well for a while. But you'll forgive 
 me ; won't you, Janie ? ' 
 
 ' Yes, oh yes ! there's nothing to forgive,' cried the 
 happy girl. ' But what has changed you so, Herbert ? 
 You are quite different.' 
 
 ' I've been a mean sneak, Janie, but I'll tell you all 
 about it yes, everything, by and by, when we are right 
 married and away together,' he answered, with a new 
 earnestness. 'Do you think you could trust me now, 
 Janie, after all the way I've done ? Do you think you 
 would go away with me, and believe that I would do 
 the very best for you that I could ? ' 
 
 ' I'll go to the end of the earth with you without 
 asking a question if you'll only care for me like this,' 
 cried Janie, flinging her ambition to the winds. 
 
 ' I'm not worth it, but I'll show you that I can mean 
 what I say as well as say what I don't mean. Well, 
 after we are married we'll go abroad somewhere and 
 start with all our might. See if I don't make my 
 fortune some day soon, and then we'll come back and 
 give Medlington a surprise.' 
 
 ' And would you think of doing this soon, Herbert ? ' 
 
 ' Yes, it must be done at once, dear, because, you see, 
 I'm paid off, and I don't suppose my father will let me 
 stop on at home. Perhaps I'll need to put up at Bob's
 
 HUSBAND AND WIFE. 193 
 
 digs at Burnley. I say, Janie, before very long there'll 
 be a new sign up at the brewery, and do you know 
 what'll be on it ? Hazell & Ford. The latter gentle- 
 man is the head of the concern as it is.' 
 
 ' If you think so, I wonder you are both leaving. I 
 wouldn't go off and let that Ford get everything his own 
 way,' said Janie shrewdly. 
 
 ' That's uncommon like what I've been thinking 
 myself, but I'm not much use, even if my father would 
 let me have a say in the business. The fact is, I must 
 stand on my own legs now, Janie, if I've ever to do any 
 good. That's the mistake that's been made with us all 
 our lives. "We've never been allowed to have the least 
 responsibility in anything. It makes a young fellow 
 very indifferent, and yet Bob has turned out splendidly 
 in spite of it all.' 
 
 ' Isn't he very solemn and stern, Herbert ? He quite 
 looks it.' 
 
 ' Oh no, he's the best fellow in the world, and, though 
 he is at Burnley, will keep an eye on the brewery, I 
 know. But I have not told you yet that Bob got, or 
 has taken, his leave too, and that he's going to be 
 Edwardes' cashier at Ladywell at two hundred a year. 
 When the governor told me a little ago, it nearly 
 stunned me.' 
 
 ' Two hundred a year ! How will Miss Meredith like 
 that ? ' 
 
 ' She'll like it better than the Priory and a big income 
 from the brewery, as you know, and Bob has had bis 
 scruples for a while.' 
 
 ' Well,' said Janie, with a curious thoughtfulness,
 
 194 HAZELL & SONS. 
 
 ' when one comes to think of it, drink loes a lot of harm 
 Why, what a lot I could name among my acquaintances 
 who have gone all wrong together ! There is something 
 mean and horrid in making one's living by it.' 
 
 Herbert was silent. Perhaps he had never seriously 
 considered it. 
 
 'And I don't think, Herbert, that we should begin 
 with it ; I mean keeping it in the house. It just brings 
 a lot of folk about for it. I've often heard pa say that, 
 and it's quite true.' 
 
 'As you'll have the keeping of the house, you can 
 please yourself about that matter, Janie,' said Herbert 
 lightly, and yet his eye grew grave as he spoke. He 
 remembered suddenly some of Madeline Rayne's earnest 
 pleading. How very often had she urged upon him the 
 duty of total abstinence in the many talks they had 
 had together ! 
 
 ' And you really want another wedding ? ' said Janie, 
 breaking the silence, and a pleased, happy smile touched 
 her lips. ' My, what a stir it'll make in Medlington ! 
 Do you think your folks '11 be pleased ? ' 
 
 ' Some of them won't, but Bob will be my best man, 
 I know, and Mary will come if father will let her. 
 Mary and her friend ' 
 
 1 Miss Rayne. You think a great deal of her, don't 
 you ? ' asked .Janie, with a slight wistfulness which was 
 almost pathetic. 
 
 ' Think ! I'll tell you what I think. She's one of 
 the best women that ever lived,' said Herbert in a low 
 voice. ' But we won't speak about that. I'll tell you 
 everything by and by ; but as long as we both live,
 
 HUSBAND AND WIFE. 195 
 
 Janie, we'll never have a truer friend, nor one who'll 
 wih us better than Madeline Rayne. And no*v, how 
 soon can you get your finery ready ? I want you to 
 look as beautiful as possible that day, you know, because 
 there'll be so many staring eyes.' 
 
 Again Janie's vague discontent vanished. The very 
 thought that he was proud of her, that he really wished 
 her to look well, was like a draught-, of wine to her heart. 
 So they rambled off into a talk about ways and means, 
 and two hours slipped away before they knew where 
 they were. Mr. Gregory came home to tea at six o'clock, 
 and then Herbert rose to go. 
 
 'Just go out for a few minutes, Janie, while I speak 
 to your father,' said Herbert, noticing the slight frown 
 on Miles Gregory's face. 
 
 Janie was very glad to slip away, and, running into 
 the kitchen, she threw her arms round her mother's 
 neck, and cried that she was the very happiest girl in 
 the whole world. 
 
 'Well, sir?' said Miles Gregory shortly and brusquely, 
 for he was inclined to be very angry with Herbert 
 Hazell, who, he considered, had played very idly with 
 his daughter's feelings. 
 
 ' I want to make an explanation to you, Mr. Gregory,' 
 said Herbert, with a more manly air than the tavern- 
 keeper had ever seen him assume before. 
 
 ' Well, and it's about time, sir, that something was 
 said. There's a deal to be said on my side at least/ 
 svas his significant reply. 
 
 ' I have to-day told my father that I am married to 
 Janie.'
 
 196 HAZELL & SONS. 
 
 ' Quite time, too,' was his unpromising retort. 
 
 ' He was, as I expected, frightfully angry, and he has, 
 if I may so put it, given me notice to quit his employ- 
 ment.' 
 
 'Very kind of him. And what are you going to do 
 now?' 
 
 ' That is what I wish to speak about, Mr. Gregory. 
 I ask your pardon for the way in which I have treated 
 your daughter, and I assure you I intend to show by 
 my actions the sincerity of my regret for the past.' 
 
 'Fair words, young man; but what do they mean?' 
 said Miles Gregory cautiously. It is probable that he 
 feared some demand on his purse. Remember his past 
 experience of Herbert Hazell. He had not had occasion 
 to form a very high estimate of his character, and could 
 hardly be expected to give him credit for the best motives 
 on immediate notice. 
 
 'I have had a long talk with Janie. With your 
 permission and Mrs. Gregory's, we should like to be 
 re-married in St. Nicholas' Church, before the eyes of all 
 Medlington.' 
 
 'Oh!' 
 
 Mr. Gregory was very much surprised. 
 
 ' Is this to spite the old un ? ' he asked, with an 
 unpleasant twinkle in his eye. 
 
 Herbert winced. 
 
 ' Not quite. I wish to atone to Janie for what I did 
 before. She shall have her dues now if she will take 
 them.' 
 
 ' And after, what are you going to live on ? ' 
 
 ' We intend to go abroad.'
 
 HUSBAND AND WIFE. 197 
 
 Mr. Gregory looked askance. 
 
 ' I don't approve of that. She's all we've got ; and, 
 besides, what guarantee would her mother or me have that 
 you would have a good way for her ? She's been well 
 brought up. She can't rough it, and she won't. There ! ' 
 
 ' She's my wife, Mr. Gregory,' said Herbert, drawing 
 himself up a litile, for the man's tone was very offen- 
 sive. ' If she is willing to frrust me, nobody can come 
 between us, sir.' 
 
 Gregory was more amazed than ever. Hitherto 
 young Hazell had been very pliable. He had rather 
 despised him ; but there was more in him than had yet 
 been revealed. 
 
 ' Heigh ho ! So we're going to ride our high horse 
 now, are we ? ' he said jestingly. ' Well, I'll not saj 
 but what I like the style of your talk better than I've 
 ever liked anything I've heard you say before. It shows 
 you mean to stand up for the girl That being so, I'm 
 quite open to reason, and I'll help you all I can. What's 
 the use of the money we've gathered if it wasn't for to 
 make our only child happy. But I set my foot firm 
 on Janie going abroad. Yon may if you like, but she 
 won't' 
 
 Herbert smiled a little. Perhaps he knew that 
 nothing in the world would make Janie stay behind. 
 But he did not say so. 
 
 ' I'll tell you what I'll do, though,' said Gregory pre- 
 sently. ' I'll keep my eyes open, and when there's a 
 tidy little business in the spirit line for sale I'll stump 
 up. You can pay all back when the profits increase. 
 There's money in the business, Hazell, as you know.'
 
 198 HAZELL <5r- SONS. 
 
 Herbert was silent a moment, not knowing what to 
 say. 
 
 ' Just look at Butterby at the Bell Inn. He's worth 
 five or six thousand if he's worth a penny,' continued 
 Miles Gregory, rubbing his hands together. ' And 1 
 suppose I don't need to say anything to you about the 
 tidy sum her ladyship up at Mount Pleasant pockets 
 every year out of the " Base- Ball " ? 
 
 ' I wouldn't keep a place like the " Base-Ball," not if 
 it gave me thousands in return,' cried Herbert hotly. 
 
 ' Oh, indeed ! mighty fine ! It's not so long since 
 you thought the " Base - Ball " a pretty snug corner. 
 Pray, what would you deign to do for a living, since an 
 honest trade's beneath you ? It's only another branch 
 of the trade which keeps up Hazelwood and all its pride 
 and style, and if there is anything mean or bad in it, 
 why, the brewery '11 get the hardest judgment, because 
 it's the biggest concern. I'm bound to say that as 
 many mother's sons have gone off the straight through 
 Hazell's as at the " Base-Ball." Is it going to be all 
 talk with you, then, as it has always been, since the 
 first time we set eyes on you ? What I wish is that 
 you'd never set eyes on our gel. She'd have done a 
 thousand times better if you'd let her alone.' 
 
 ' I see there is no use talking to you just now, Mr. 
 Gregory, so I'll go away home, and see what's to be 
 done. I'll look down to-morrow, and perhaps we'll be 
 able to understand each other better, so good-night.'
 
 \> 7 ^^- ^^^**fr^**^^^^K^^^'^Ay3 
 
 *J6to*OTJfaS 
 
 ^^W.<**t' < V* r '.V** > '*<i r >^, " 
 
 CHAPTEK XIX. 
 
 A CRISIS. 
 
 HAZELL w&a sitting in the library 
 window, idle, with her eyes fixed on the 
 autumn-coloured trees in the park, and the 
 sad sky visible through the thinning boughs. 
 It was the month of October, and the year was on tho 
 wane. An open letter, written on sheets of foreign 
 notepaper, lay upon her lap. She had read it through, 
 and she was thinking over what it contained. Her 
 face was paler and thinner than of yore; the past 
 summer had been one of deep anxiety and harassing 
 care for Mary Hazell. Her expression at that moment, 
 however, was bright, for the contents of her Australian 
 letter had pleased her well It was a good thing to 
 read of others' prosperity and bright happiness when 
 her own heart was so heavy. The shadows were 
 gathering very darkly round Hazelwood, and the night 
 was closing in. 
 
 The chiming of the clock warned her that the dinner 
 hour was approaching, so, gathering up her letter, she 
 
 left the room, and proceeded up-stairs. She looked into 
 
 in
 
 200 HAZELL & SONS. 
 
 the drawing-room, expecting to find Madeline there, but 
 it was empty. Opening the door of Mrs. Hazell's 
 dressing-room, she found both ladies sitting by the fire. 
 Mrs. Hazell was in her easy chair, looking very frail ; 
 Madeline Eayne, still an inmate, nay, now like a dear 
 daughter of the house, had been reading aloud, but the 
 light had stolen away from the room, already the 
 shadows of an early twilight were falling about them 
 where they sat. 
 
 ' Come in, dear. We were wondering, Lena and I, 
 where you had flown,' said Mrs. Hazell, looking round 
 with her sweet, kind, patient smile. But for these two 
 girls Eleanor Hazell's life had been one of curious trial. 
 But there was love, and trust, and sweet companionship 
 always between these three. 
 
 ' I am very selfish. Instead of bringing Bertie's long 
 letter up here, I stole away to the library to enjoy it 
 all by myself,' said Mary brightly. ' We have half an 
 hour to taTi about it here. He writes in such splendid 
 spirits, dear boy.' 
 
 ' I forgot this was the mail day,' said Mrs. Hazell. 
 ' And they are getting on very nicely still, are they ? ' 
 
 ' Yes, mamma. Your cousin has raised Herbert's 
 salary fifty pounds, and as a consequence he has bought 
 Janie a new piano. It is delightful to read their letter. 
 They are so happy and proud of each other. Who 
 would ever have thought it was our ne'er-do-weel turn- 
 ing into such a splendid fellow ? Lena, here is your 
 little bit marked private, but I am not going to be in 
 the least bit jealous.' 
 
 As she spoke she handed Madeline the tiny square
 
 A CKISIS. aoi 
 
 envelope which hi.J been enclosed in hers. Madeline 
 smiled and slipped it into her pocket. She would read 
 it by and by. 
 
 ' Bertie says he never was so well off nor so happy 
 in his life, mamma,' said Mary presently. ' He also 
 says Janie is a trump, and the best wife any man ever 
 had. To think that they are so much to each other, 
 and doing so well in Victoria ! Isn't it delightful, dear 
 mamma ? ' 
 
 'It is indeed,' returned Mrs. Hazell, and her eyes 
 filled with tears. 
 
 ' He cannot write sufficiently about Mr. Latrobe's 
 kindness. He could not have got on so fast, nor so 
 well, had he not had your introduction. Altogether, 
 circumstances have made a man of our Bertie.' 
 
 ' I wonder if papa would let me read this letter to 
 him,' said Mary after a moment's silence. ' I mean to 
 speak to him about the boys this very night Mamma, 
 I am just dying to see Bob and Lucy. I am going to 
 tell papa to-night that I am going over to Burnley 
 to-morrow.' 
 
 ' My dear, he will be very angry,' said Mrs. Hazell 
 timidly, and her face flushed with nervousness. 
 
 Mary laid down Herbert's letter and came nearer 
 Mrs. Hazell's chair. Her face was flushed a little, too, 
 but her mouth was very resolute. 
 
 4 Mamma, I have been thinking a great deal about 
 things lately, and praying over them too,' she said, with 
 a little sob in her voice. ' And I do think that we give 
 in far too much to papa. It cannot be right to be so 
 obedient, when one's conscience tells one what is right. 
 
 14
 
 209 HAZELL & SOWS. 
 
 Robert has done no harm ; he has always been the best 
 son ever any man had And, mamma, it is not papa's 
 real self who is so tyrannical and angry with us. It is 
 the evil influence which is always bearing on him that 
 we have to deal with, and I have made up my mind 
 that I am not going to stand by in silence any more. 
 Listen, mamma and Lena : I am going to fight now, and 
 I mean to be the victor.' 
 
 She smiled then, but it was a melancholy and 
 tremulous smile, from which tears were not far 
 removed. 
 
 ' Oh, my darling, we have had a great deal of 
 fighting already,' said Mrs. Hazell quickly. ' What if 
 your father were to put you away too. He made very 
 short work of the boys.' 
 
 'Yes, but he'll find me a tougher subject to deal 
 with,' said Mary grimly. ' There is one human being 
 in the world with whom I would like to be even before 
 I die, and I'm going to begin my campaign to-night. 
 It is perfectly awful to me to stand by and see papa 
 becoming such a wreck. I am going to save him if 
 I can.' 
 
 There was something noble and sweet in Mary's 
 whole bearing as she said this. She stood up, held 
 back her dainty head, and her eyes flashed. Her 
 listeners knew right well what she meant, and an 
 admiring gleam shone in the eyes of Madeline Kayne. 
 She had waited in hope for this awakening. Mary 
 alone could save Hazelwood. Perhaps the time had 
 now come. 
 
 ' Something must be done, and that soon,' said Mary,
 
 A CRISIS, 203 
 
 speaking more quickly, but with equal decision. ' The 
 feeling among the people has reached a terrible height. 
 I am afraid to go to the Rows now. We shall have a 
 strike soon,- or something worse. I could not blame 
 then., they are so terribly oppressed.' 
 
 ' I have wondered,' said Madeline, speaking for the 
 first time, ' that it is safe for the manager to go abroad. 
 They hate him so much that it is a marvel they have 
 done him no harm.' 
 
 ' He may go a step beyond,' said Mary, and her fair 
 face flushed. ' There will come a day when Medlington 
 will not be a safe place for Mr. Michael Ford.' 
 
 At that moment a servant knocked at the door. 
 
 ' The master has come in, Miss Mary, and wishes to 
 speak to you,' she said. 
 
 Mary smiled, and bent over Mrs. Hazell's chair. 
 
 ' Keep up your courage, dear mamma. I feel as if 
 this crisis were nearly past. Brighter days are in 
 store, I am sure, for Hazelwood, and for us all.' 
 
 So saying, she left the room. 
 
 ' Dear, bright, brave Mary ! ' said Mrs. Hazell, when 
 the door closed upon her. ' Oh, Lena, if her father 
 should sacrifice her would it not be a cruel shame ? ' 
 
 ' Sacrifice her ! Do not fear, dear Mrs. Hazell,' said 
 Madeline cheerfully. ' Mary will never sacrifice herself 
 to Michael Ford.' 
 
 ' Oh, this cruel drink ! ' sighed Mrs. Hazell. ' It has 
 utterly ruined Mr. Hazell. Don't you remember, Lena, 
 even when you came to us first, what a clear intellect 
 and strong, sound judgment he had. He is terribly 
 changed. I hope we are not too hard on that man.
 
 o 4 HAZELL & SONS. 
 
 Mr. Hazell constantly tells me how invaluable he is 
 bo him, but I do suspect sometimes that Mr. Ford 
 encourages him in his secret sin. Mr. Hazell drinks 
 at the office now, Lena, and we cannot keep it from 
 him there ! ' 
 
 It had come to this, then. Mr. Hazell's fall was 
 discussed by the women of his household as an 
 established fact It was, alas ! no longer a secret. 
 
 ' It is nearly six, Mrs. Hazell ; dinner will be served 
 immediately,' said Madeline, after a moment's silence. 
 She had nothing to say in reply to the suspicion 
 uttered by the anxious wife. She knew it was only 
 too well founded. 'Will you come down to-night?' 
 she added, looking affectionately at her pale, sad face. 
 
 ' I think not I am very tired. But never mind me. 
 Run and get ready. Mr. Hazell does not like to wait.' 
 
 'He never has to wait for me. Mary is the 
 delinquent,' laughed Madeline, as she left the room. 
 She took her letter from her pocket, and, creeping to a 
 little corner window in the corridor, sat down on the 
 broad ledge to read it by the last feeble light from the 
 yellow west. It was very short, but it brought a very 
 sweet and tender smile to her lips as she read it. 
 
 'Dear Madeline,' it began, in Herbert's clear, bold 
 handwriting, ' you will be hearing the good news from 
 Mary, but Janie and I feel that we would like to write 
 one little line just to tell you how happy we are, and 
 how we bless God for His goodness to us. When I 
 look back, Madeline, I am amazed that so much good- 
 ness and mercy should have followed me here. Janie
 
 A CRISIS. 205 
 
 and I have long talks now, and I have told her how 
 you used to speak to me, my first, best friend. It was 
 you (and Janie knows and loves you for it) who first 
 awakened in me the desire to live a better life. I 
 think you will be glad to know that I have remembered 
 every word you ever said to me, and that I am trying, 
 as you so often urged me, to make a man of myself. I 
 could write a great deal more, but Janie (bless her ! the 
 dearest wife in the world) is at my elbow, and she says 
 I am using up all the paper before she has written a 
 single word. So the next sentence will be hers.' 
 
 ' Dear Miss Eayne, I have read what Herbert 
 says, and I only want to add that every word is in my 
 heart too. I thank you over and over for what you 
 did for him. It was after you came to Hazelwood he 
 began to change. He is so kind and good to me, and 
 makes me so happy. I fear I am not so good a wife 
 as he says, though it is very sweet to know he thinks I 
 am. But I do try, dear Miss Eayne, to be a good 
 woman. I am so grateful for the happiness I have in 
 my home. God bless you. Some day, perhaps, you 
 will come here and see us. Oh, what a day that would 
 be for Herbert and me ! Your true friend, 
 
 ' JANE HAZELL.' 
 
 So that was Madeline Rayne's reward, and it sent 
 her to her own room with a song in her heart. 
 
 Meanwhile, a very different scene was being enacted 
 in the library. 
 
 Mary found her father there, walking up and down 
 in that nervous, excited way which had characterized
 
 206 HAZELL & SOWS. 
 
 him of late. Yes, the master of Hazelwood was much 
 changed. He had grown very stout, but the vigour oi 
 health had left him. His eyes were bleared and dim, 
 his mouth had an unsteady twitching, his hands 
 trembled, even while he made an effort to keep them 
 still Two years' continuous secret drinking had left 
 its mark on the master of Hazelwood. Mary saw at 
 once that he was more excited than usual, and a curious 
 calmness took possession of her. 
 
 ' Well, papa,' she said cheerfully, ' what is it ? 
 Could it wait till after dinner ? It is close on six 
 o'clock' 
 
 ' No, it can't wait dinner can. Ford is coming up. 
 I hope you have something decent to set before him,' 
 said Mr. Hazell irritably. 
 
 ' Shall I tell you what I ordered ? ' asked Mary 
 banteringly. ' Kidney-soup, beefsteak pie, and mutton- 
 cutlets, cabinet pudding and apple tart. I believe that 
 is our bill of fare for to-day.' 
 
 She spoke lightly to hide her deep, almost painful 
 anxiety. She felt that a crisis was indeed at hand. 
 
 ' Humph ! it'll need to do, I suppose,' said Mr. Hazell. 
 Then he fixed his unsteady eyes keenly on his daughter's 
 sweet, flushed face. ' You'd better put a silk gown on. 
 I suppose you have one.' 
 
 ' Yes, I have two ; but I shall not put on either 
 to-night, papa,' said Mary. ' If Mr. Ford doesn't like 
 to sit down with us as we are, he can just go away 
 home. I don't suppose he is accustomed to dine every 
 evening in full dress.' 
 
 Mr. Hazell frowned.
 
 A CRJSIS. toy 
 
 ' You have never been civil to Michael Ford, Mary, 
 though I have repeatedly enjoined you to be attentive 
 to him. He has been invaluable to me, and I have 
 now in a measure rewarded him. I have signed a deed 
 of co-partnery with Mr. Ford to-day, Mary, so you will 
 please to remember that it is my partner you are to 
 entertain.' 
 
 Mary curled her lip, but spoke not a word. She 
 was afraid to tru?t her voice lest she should say some- 
 thing unbecoming to her father. 
 
 ' I had better go and tell mamma and Lena to dress 
 also then, papa, and tell the cook to keep dinner back 
 half an hour. Will that do ? ' 
 
 ' Yes. Is your mother coming down to-night ? ' 
 
 ' Not to the dining-room ; Mr. Ford will see her up- 
 stairs,' said Mary, beginning to move towards the door. 
 
 ' Wait a moment,' said Mr. Hazell, with a visible 
 increase of nervousness ; ' there is another thing I want 
 to speak to you about Of course, you know well 
 enough it is you Ford comes here to see ? ' 
 
 ' I have not given it a thought,' said Mary, with her 
 hand on the door. 
 
 ' Well, you'll need to think about it now. He has 
 asked and obtained my permission to pay his addresses 
 to you, and I beg of you to be sensible about it. You'll 
 never get a better husband, nor one more devoted, than 
 him. In fact, he thinks far too much of you. 
 
 Again Mary's lip curled in matchless scorn. 
 
 ' Do I understand you to say, papa, that Mr. Ford 
 intends asking me to marry him, and that you wish me 
 to accept him ? '
 
 2P.8 HAZELL & SONS. 
 
 ' Yes ; and why not ? Where would you get a 
 better ? ' 
 
 ' I won't do it,' said Mary quite quietly, but with 
 unmistakable decision. 
 
 ' You won't ! But you must ! Ford's my partner, 
 and a most worthy in fact, a splendid fellow ! You 
 don't know what you're doing, girl. Why, you're 
 nearly five-and-twenty, and you've never had an offer.' 
 
 * I don't mind though I were five-and-fifty, papa,' 
 said Mary, with a swift, indignant smile. ' If there is 
 a man in the world I despise and detest, it is Michael 
 Ford ; and very well he knows it. I don't think he 
 can have forgotten what I said to him two years ago 
 on the road from Medlington. I remember it, at any 
 rate, and it will save trouble, papa, if you tell him that 
 my sentiments are unchanged.' 
 
 Mr. Hazell's face grew purple with anger. 
 
 ' You're a fool, girl, and you don't know what you're 
 doing,' he said hoarsely. ' You must marry Ford ; 
 there's no other way out of it. I can't do without him. 
 I've offered him money, and I thought that this partner- 
 ship would satisfy him ; but it's you he wants, and you 
 must have him.' 
 
 ' Eefer him to me, papa,' said Mary in cold, calm 
 tones, ' and I'll let him have the benefit of a few plain 
 truths.' 
 
 ' If you do if you dare,' cried Mr. Hazell hoarsely, 
 ' I I don't know what he'll do ! He has the power to 
 ruin us, I believe ! He's got everything into his 
 hands since the boys left here, and he can do what he 
 likes with the whole concern.'
 
 A CRISIS. ;o 9 
 
 It was a pitiable confession, and Mary, even in her 
 horror and indignation, could not but be touched by her 
 father's appearance. He had aged of late, and had 
 grown very helpless. 
 
 ' I haven't the head I used to have for business, 
 Mary, and I don't understand things as I should. But 
 I know Ford is invaluable. He has made the thing 
 pay. Of course he has pocketed a big share, but he 
 deserved it. I believe if we were to quarrel with him 
 he'd make the thing a smash, and I shouldn't have a 
 penny left. He's that kind of man, Mary. I believe 
 it would be to our advantage to keep him right. Could 
 you try and tolerate him ? He's afraid of you, I know. 
 You might make him a better fellow, and keep the 
 thing all right, and it isn't much I'm asking you to do 
 for me.' 
 
 Mary shivered. Not much ? Only to sacrifice her- 
 self to a man she loathed and despised. Perhaps to 
 the distorted vision of Mr. Hazell that seemed a very 
 little thing, but to Mary it was awful indeed.. 
 
 She covered her face with her hands, and uttered a 
 low, passionate cry. 
 
 ' Oh, papa, papa ! why did you drive the boys away, 
 and let that evil man gain such an influence over you. 
 I will go to Robert. He is wise, and kind, and good. 
 He will put this evil man in his right place. I shall 
 go this very night.' 
 
 But Mr. Hazell only mournfully and hopelessly 
 shook his grey head, and wrung his nerveless hands as 
 if he had neither heart nor strength to fight against his 
 fate.
 
 CHAPTER XX. 
 
 DEFIED. 
 
 jjICHAEL FORD came whistling up the avenue 
 to Hazelwood in the grey dusk of that 
 October night. He was in a very com- 
 placent mood well satisfied with himself; 
 as he might be. He had done a good stroke of busi- 
 ness in his own interests at the brewery that day. But 
 one thing remained uncertain, and unless he could make 
 himself of some account in the eyes of his master's 
 nay, his partner's daughter, all the rest would be but 
 as Dead Sea fruit. He congratulated himself on his 
 success as the twinkling lights of Hazelwood came in 
 sight. It was not so many years since he had entered 
 the brewery a nameless servant at a small wage, and 
 what had he done in these years ? Driven both the 
 sons from the house for in an insidious and scarcely 
 discernible fashion he had poisoned the old man's mind, 
 flattered his weaknesses, given him encouragement in 
 his besetting sin, and, by slow but sure degrees, made 
 himself indispensable to him. And now there was a 
 round sum in the Bradford Bank to the credit of
 
 DEFIED. an 
 
 Michael Ford, and the Hazell brewery was practically 
 in his hands. Such was his work : perhaps he had 
 reason to be*proud of it. And yet he still wore the 
 garb of that mock humility which is the devil's darling 
 sin. In spite of his undoubted success, he did not hold 
 up his head before his fellow-men with the assurance 
 which an upright life and honourable business trans- 
 actions can give. There was nothing honourable about 
 Michael Ford. He was a sneak, and yet he dared to 
 lift his eyes to Mary Hazell. Did he think her proud, 
 pure soul could find any affinity in his ? Mr. Ford was 
 not only complacent and self-satisfied, he was also vain. 
 His diminutive figure was attired in evening dress, he 
 had diamond studs in his shirt-front, and a handsome 
 ring on his finger. He was a dandy, but not manly in 
 his appearance. 
 
 It was twenty minutes past six when he entered the 
 house. The servant, concealing her dislike of him, 
 politely waited until he had removed his overcoat, and 
 then showed him up to a dressing-room to change his 
 boots. He did not take long to make ready, and, with 
 that familiar freedom which aggravated every servant 
 in the house, sought his own way to the drawing- 
 room. He flourished a dainty pink silk handkerchief 
 on the landing, and filled the corridors with choice 
 perfume. He had omitted none of the accessories of 
 the dandy's toilet. 
 
 The drawing-room was empty, for the ladies had not 
 hurried over their dressing. Mr. Hazell was the first 
 to enter. Out of deference to his guest, he had made a 
 more elaborate toilet than usual, but he lonkod ill and
 
 212 HAZELL (Sr* SONS. 
 
 out of sorts. His interview with Mary had not been 
 very satisfactory. She was not at all pliable, but pos- 
 sessed very decided opinions of her own. 
 
 ' Well, have you got up ? ' said the brewer, with a 
 feeble smile. ' Sit down. The ladies will be here 
 presently.' 
 
 ' All well, I hope ? ' said Mr. Ford blandly. 
 
 ' As usual, thank you. Mrs. Hazell is not strong. 
 Well, I have spoken to my daughter, and prepared her 
 for what is coming.' 
 
 ' Ah ! ' Mr. Ford's interest suddenly increased, and 
 he looked rather anxiously into his partner's face. 
 
 Mr. Hazell shook his head. 
 
 ' I can't give you much encouragement, I fear,' he 
 said, and one might almost have thought he had a 
 certain pride in saying it. 
 
 ' My daughter has a proud spirit. In cases like 
 these no third person can do much good. But she 
 knows you have my permission to address her, and 
 she also knows my wishes on the matter. But you 
 must do the rest; you must make the best of your 
 opportunities.' 
 
 ' I hope I shall have an opportunity of speaking 
 to Miss Hazell alone, then,' said Mr. Ford rather 
 snappishly. ' Miss Eayne sticks to her like a burr, 
 and it's not likely that I'm going to make a fool of 
 myself before two of 'em.' 
 
 His tone was even more offensive than his words. 
 Though Mr. Hazell's senses were already partially dazed 
 by his potations, he felt a strong desire to kick the man 
 down-stairs. Had he put that desire into execution
 
 DEFIED. a 13 
 
 long before, it would have been better for Hazelwood 
 that day. 
 
 ' I shall see that you have opportunity, but I am not 
 responsible, as I told you, for what my daughter may 
 say to you. I have laid my commands upon her, but 
 she is not obedient, and she is quite of age.' 
 
 The door opened, and Ma./ entered. Her face was 
 very pale, but exquisitely beautiful. She had made a 
 careful toilet a black lace gown set off by bows of 
 bright ribbons became her rarely well The bodice was 
 open a little at the throat, revealing its sweet white 
 contour, a bunch of bright ash berries and autumn 
 leaves making the face shine almost dazzling in its 
 whiteness. A handsome, aristocratic-looking girl be- 
 yond a doubt was Mary Hazell ; and it could not be said 
 that her manners were not touched with aristocratic 
 repose. Her greeting to Michael Ford was as cold as 
 ice. 
 
 Madeline followed in a few moments, and dinner 
 was announced. Mary had, of course, to go down-stairs 
 on the arm of her father's partner, but her white fingers 
 scarcely touched his sleeve. Had she obeyed her own 
 desire, she would have gathered up her skirts lest they 
 should come in contact with the immaculate dress suit 
 
 Conversation at table was a little strained ; Madeline, 
 however, with her usual tact, threw herself into the 
 breach, and tried to thaw the cold atmosphere. Unfor 
 tunately for the peace of the host, the talk turned at 
 dessert upon the work-people and their needs. Mary 
 made some remark upon the vexed question of the 
 drainage at the Rows. There had been a prevalence of
 
 214 HAZELL & SOWS. 
 
 low fever in the late autumn in that marshy part of the 
 town. 
 
 ' I'm going to make a change there soon,* said Mr. 
 Michael Ford, as he cracked his walnuts with the palms 
 of his hands, though Mary had taken the trouble tc 
 place the crackers very pointedly before him. ' They've 
 just about worn me out with their grumbling. If I 
 don't raise the rents on every mother's son of them 
 before Michaelmas, I'll know the reason why.' 
 
 'They won't pay it,' said Mary quietly, though her 
 eyes glowed. ' The rents are far too high already. Do 
 you mean to say that house of Becker's is worth eight 
 pounds? Eight shillings is more like it. I don't 
 wonder they are discontented. Just look at the 
 cottages the spinners have built for their people at 
 a uniform rent of five pounds. They are palaces in 
 comparison with ours.' 
 
 ' Excuse me, Miss Mary, but you're carried away on 
 this question. You must remember that Coxon's folks' 
 wages are a third less than ours. It comes to the 
 same thing in the long-run. But the Eows have always 
 been a hot-bed of rebellion and grumbling. But I'll 
 promise you I'll stamp it out.' 
 
 ' What will you do ? ' 
 
 Mary leaned a little forward. It was a wonder 
 Michael Ford did not quail beneath that look. But he 
 had a splendid opportunity for showing the magnitude 
 of his own power. To hear him speak, one might have 
 thought him the absolute head of the concern, and 
 the old man sitting meekly at his own table a poor 
 subordinate.
 
 DEFIED. 215 
 
 'I'll raise the rents and lower the pay, and those 
 who don't like the new rule can quit. I can easily 
 draft a lot of men from the north. That'll set them on 
 their legs.' 
 
 'Surely you won't take such strong measures, 
 Michael,' said Mr. Hazell mildly, as he replenished 
 his glass. 
 
 Mary looked at him suddenly, and made a movement 
 with her hand towards the decanter. But for Mr. 
 Ford's presence she would have lifted it from the 
 table ; but she would not seem to notice her father's 
 infirmity before Ford. 
 
 ' They've had mild measures too long, it strikes me,' 
 said Mr. Ford gruffly. 
 
 Mary's face grew crimson, and she rose from the table. 
 
 ' You need not be in such haste, Mary. Mr. Ford 
 and I are not nearly done,' said Mr. Hazell irritably, 
 yet with a certain deprecating look towards his partner. 
 
 ' It is half -past seven, papa. We have been an hour 
 at table. I must go and see whether mamma has had 
 her coffee.' 
 
 Mr. Hazell rose and opened the door for the ladies. 
 Mr. Ford apparently did not know what courtesy de- 
 manded, and sat still crunching his walnuts rather 
 savagely. Certainly Mary did not give him much 
 encouragement. 
 
 ' Whatever papa may say, or that creature think, I 
 shall not come to the drawing-room to-night, Lena,' 
 said Mary indignantly, as they went up-stairs. 
 
 ' Mary, if he has anything to say to you, it might be 
 as well to have it said. I think a talking to him from
 
 216 HAZELL <Sr- SONS. 
 
 you would do him good. It makes me indignant to 
 hear and see his rudeness to Mr. Hazell,' said Lena a 
 little sadly. 
 
 Mary said nothing, but her eyes shone. Contrary to 
 her expressed intention, she entered the drawing-room, 
 and Lena, inferring that she had taken a second thought 
 about the matter, silently kissed her, and went away to 
 Mrs. HazelTs room. 
 
 The gas was not lighted in the drawing-room, but the 
 wood fire was blazing and crackling merrily on the wide 
 hearth, casting a radiant glow over all the pretty room. 
 
 Mary leaned her bare arm on the cold mantelshelf, 
 and dashed away a few angry tears. She felt bitterly 
 humiliated that the man down-stairs should dare to 
 regard her as a possible object for his odious affections. 
 I fear Mary's usual sweet charity was lacking in her 
 judgment of Michael Ford. To her he was perfectly 
 unendurable. 
 
 She could hear the sound of the voices ascending 
 from the dining-room, and something told her they 
 were talking of her. Bargaining for her, likely, she 
 told herself, with a little stamp of her dainty foot. 
 Poor Mary, these were trying times for her, and she 
 felt very helpless almost as if the meshes of a web 
 had closed about her, making her escape impossible. 
 But she could not, would not face even the possibility 
 of being obliged to think seriously of any proposal made 
 by the man down-stairs. 
 
 She did not know how long she had been standing 
 thinking bitterly of the present and the future, and 
 regretfully of the past, but it seemed a long, long time.
 
 DEFIED. 817 
 
 At length, however, she heard the dining-room door 
 open, and then she gave the bell an angry pull She 
 wanted lights in the room before they should come up. 
 The subdued, pleasant glow of the firelight is only 
 desirable to talk by when we are with those we love. 
 The maid entered first, and with deft fingers drew blind 
 and curtains close, and lit the candles on the mantel 
 and on the piano. 
 
 ' Light the chandelier, Kitty. Yes, every jet,' said 
 Miss Hazell quickly, and the girl obeyed, somewhat 
 puzzled. The gas was very seldom lighted at all in 
 the Hazelwood drawing-room, the ladies preferring the 
 soft effects of candles and shaded lamps. 
 
 So the gentlemen entered the room in a blaze of 
 light. No sooner did Mr. Hazell observe Mary alone 
 than he turned about quietly and slipped away down- 
 stairs, rather shamefacedly, it must be told, for Mary's 
 sake, but he had promised Michael Ford his opportunity. 
 
 'This is nice,' said Mr. Ford, advancing into the 
 room and cheerfully rubbing his hands together, ' I 
 like this. Plenty of light and brightness is the thing 
 for me. But all these jets will run up a pretty little 
 gas bill ; eh, Miss Mary ? ' 
 
 He spoke affably and familiarly, for a judicious 
 amount of champagne had mellowed his temper and 
 unloosened his tongue. 
 
 Mary turned round, but did not remove her arm 
 from the mantel. It was bare to the elbow. Mr. 
 Ford's eyes plainly admired its perfect contour, so she 
 quickly lowered it and clasped her hands before her 
 But she never spoke a word. 
 
 15
 
 218 HAZELL <^ SONS. 
 
 ' Won't you sit down, Miss Mary ? ' he said, then 
 beginning to wheel a low chair towards her. 
 
 ' No, thank you. Miss Kayne will be here presently, 
 and we shall have some music,' said Mary purposely. 
 If there was anything to be said, the sooner it was over 
 the better. She had wrought herself up to a pitch, and 
 Mr. Ford was about to have some very plain things 
 said to him. 
 
 He saw his opportunity, and had no intention of 
 allowing it to slip. ' I hope they won't be in a hurry. 
 It's not often I have the chance of a few words with 
 you,' he said, looking meaningly at her. Her colour rose. 
 It was not easy for her to listen and keep silence. 
 
 ' I suppose your father has told you what I mean by 
 coming so often here,' he continued, after a brief pause, 
 ' though, of course, you knew well enough yourself. 
 Don't you think I've been patient, and plucky as well ? 
 I haven't forgotten the rebuff you gave me two years 
 ago. It was pretty hard on me, though I admired 
 your spirit too ; but, of course, I'm here on a different 
 footing now.' 
 
 ' I suppose so,' said Mary drily. ' I must congratulate 
 you on the change in your prospects and position.' 
 
 ' So he has told you, has he ? ' said Mr. Ford easily, 
 and, leaning against the table, he slipped his hands 
 unconcernedly into his pockets. ' Yes, it's pretty fair 
 for me, isn't it ? but I'll defy any man to say I haven't 
 earned it. Why, I've toiled in the interests of the firm 
 night and day. I deserve my reward.' 
 
 ' Yes ! ' said Mary, with a fine indifference. She had 
 taken the cluster of berries from her corsage and w;is
 
 DEFIED. aig 
 
 picking them off one by one and throwing them into 
 the fire. 
 
 'But as the whole thins is to remain in the family, 
 as it were,' said Mr. Ford, making a bold stroke with 
 apparent coolness, though he kept his eye rather 
 nervously on the face of the woman before him. ' The 
 Priory is always in the market still I've put in an 
 offer for it. It would make a nice home, Miss Mary.' 
 
 ' It is a beautiful place/ Mary answered quietly. 
 
 'Yes; I've put in an offer for it,' said Mr. Ford, 
 drawing himself up with a conscious pride. ' But a man 
 can't live in a house like that himself. It needs a 
 mistress. Are you to be the mistiess, Miss Mary ?' 
 
 Mary picked off the last berry with a little jerk and 
 threw it into the fire. Her colour was high enough 
 now, as red as the glowing heat of the fire. 
 
 'It'll all fit in beautiful, Miss Mary/ continued Mr. 
 Ford, encouraged by her silence and her downcast eyes. 
 ' It's quite the thing, you know, for the junior partner 
 to marry the senior's daughter. You're going to give 
 me a different answer now, Miss Mary, I see, and I'm 
 glad of it, because the other way things would be con- 
 foundedly uncomfortable all round.' 
 
 1 Would they ? And why ? ' 
 
 Nothing could be more matchless than the quiet 
 scorn in Mary Hazell's fine eyes as she flashed them on 
 her suitor's face. 
 
 'Oh, just, you know, the way I'm situated. The 
 thing couldn't go on without me now.' 
 
 ' It went on, as you term it, before you came, and we 
 were ten thousand times happier/ said Mary, her passion
 
 220 HAZELL & SONS. 
 
 rising. ' It is my hope and prayer that we will yet be 
 rid of your evil influence, Michael Ford, Are you 
 waiting for your answer ? You shall have it. This is 
 the last time you shall have an opportunity of insulting 
 me. I know you have my poor father so far in your 
 power, but that, too, will come to an end. I wish you 
 a very good evening, Mr. Ford.' 
 
 ' Oh, that's how it's to be, my lady, is it ? ' said Mr. 
 Ford, rapidly changing his tone, and darkening his 
 brow with a scowl. ' Very well : we'll see. Do you 
 know, I have it in my power to ruin the old man, and 
 bring Hazelwood to the hammer. There isn't a penny 
 in the concern I can't lay my finger on ; and I will, to 
 pay you out for the way you've tramped on me. You're 
 looking at me now as if I were the dirt beneath your 
 feet, but I'll humble you yet.' 
 
 ' Do your worst,' said Mary, and a sweet, cold smile 
 dawned on her face. ' There is justice and mercy in 
 Heaven. I am only a poor weak girl, but I defy you, 
 Mr. Michael Ford. If you have robbed us of our all, it 
 will bring you no blessing, but a curse. So now you 
 know my opinion of you. There has been no day 
 within the last two years, since you drove my brothers 
 from home, when I have not longed to tell you what I 
 felt towards you. I have told you now, and I'll sleep 
 the sounder for it to-night.' 
 
 He had no opportunity to reply to these scathing 
 words, spoken with a haughty and contemptuous 
 demeanour, which gave them a double sting. 
 
 Such was the final issue of the wooing of Michael 
 Ford.
 
 CHAPTER XXL 
 
 FANNING THE FIKE. 
 
 HERE seemed to be a kind of excitement 
 abroad in Paradise Row and Back Row. It 
 was a cold, hard night, and there was a high 
 north wind blowing. Some ominous black 
 clouds were scudding across the sky, and seemed to give 
 a promise of snow. Winter was to fall early that year 
 by all indications ; every leaf was stripped from the 
 trees, a most unusual thing so early in November. That 
 day was the fifth of the month, the Guy Fawkes Day, 
 dear to the heart of every schoolboy. It was pitch 
 dark There was no moon, and the stars were few. 
 But the folks at the Rows could make light for them- 
 selves, for there was a bonfire lit in the ground attached 
 to the school, and on the window-sills there were 
 fastened some rude lamps of wick dipped in naphtha, 
 which made a flare in the darkness. There were people 
 hurrying about the place, and, of course, a ring of 
 excited children gathered round the bonfire, which was 
 being replenished constantly with all sorts of combus- 
 tible stuff. Had Mr. Hazell or his manager been on the 
 
 til
 
 z*a HAZELL & SONS. 
 
 spot, they would have been amazed and horrified. It 
 was the woodwork of the outhouses pertaining to the 
 dwellings at the Rows which was being pulled down to 
 keep up a merry blaze. 
 
 When eight o'clock came pealing from the town 
 clock, the scattered folks began to gather in the school 
 enclosure. Near the door there were two huge up- 
 turned boxes, which made a kind of platform, and about 
 which the folks thronged most. 
 
 There was a meeting in contemplation evidently, and 
 eight o'clock seemed to be the hour at which the 
 proceedings were to commence. 
 
 While they waited, presumably, for the speakers, a 
 constant hum of talk was kept up. There were angry 
 voices heard occasionally, and all faces wore a kind of 
 reckless look. Perhaps they were about to take the 
 law into their own hands at the Eows. 
 
 The women were all out, some with infants wrapped 
 in shawls, and little things scarcely able to walk cling- 
 ing to their skirts. It was a woman's question as much 
 as a man's that was to be discussed that night, a 
 question affecting fire, food, and clothing ; in a word, 
 the question of existence was to be looked into. Exist- 
 ence had of late become a hard matter for the employees 
 at Hazell & Ford's. 
 
 The men were all in their working garb, so were the 
 leaders, or speakers, who came forward presently and 
 got up on the box. There were three of them, Jem 
 Becker, Joe Tufnell, and Tim Pilkins. Becker was the 
 ringleader, and the prime agitator in this movement. 
 Perhaps, as the father of twelve, he found existence a 
 degree harder than the majority. Susan, eager-eyed,
 
 FANNING THE FIRE. 223 
 
 pinched, and hollow-cheeked, with the inevitable baby 
 at her breast, was in the very forefront of the crowd. 
 The flickering light from the naphtha lamps shining on 
 her haggard face gave her a strange, wild look. Alto- 
 gether, it was a strange, wild scene, which might well 
 have puzzled any uninitiated onlooker. ' Go on, Becker,' 
 cried one or two voices from the crowd, growing impa- 
 tient for the proceedings to commence. ' Go on, Jemmy, 
 an' give it 'em 'ot, specially the black 'un,' cried another. 
 ' Lay the motions afore the meetiii'.' 
 
 Becker was in close conversation with two beside 
 him on the box, and the faces of the trib wore a look of 
 dogged determination. 
 
 ' Well, men,' said Becker, giving a short rap on the 
 box with a stick in order to command attention. ' I 
 s'pose the meetin' had better begin. We've met here 
 for to consider the state o' things at Hazell's, aren't we ? ' 
 
 'Yes, we are, an' we will consider 'em, ay, an' maybe act 
 on 'em too/ cried two or three in response, a statement 
 which was received with general tokens of approbation. 
 
 ' Well, we're agreed on that point, an' on another as 
 well, I guess,' continued Becker. ' It's the general 
 opinion of this meetin' that things is not as they should 
 be at Hazell's. I don't s'pose any ov ye wishes me to 
 say Hazell an' Ford.' 
 
 A deep groan, not unmingled with a few curses, was 
 the verdict on this question. 
 
 ' There was a time,' said Becker, when the noise had 
 ay.iin subsided, ' when 'twarn't no bad thing to be a dray- 
 man or workman of any kind at Hazell's. That was in 
 Mr. Robert's time, at the beginning ov it, afore the black 
 un goi his finger in the pie. Three cheers for Mr. Robert.'
 
 224 HAZELL & SONS. 
 
 The cheers were heartily given, for the memory of 
 Robert Hazell was still green and sweet among the 
 brewery hands. 
 
 'Ay, 'twas good enough then for any man ov us. 
 There warn't no grumblin' at pay-days, nor no meddlin' 
 wi' folks' rent an' sich-like, an' always a kind word an' 
 smile to help us on. 'Twas a bad day for us all, mates, 
 when the black 'un got the young master turned away. 
 It's gone on from bad to worse. We growled when the 
 pays was all tuk down, ay, twice over, but we stopped 
 on, an' didn't make no difference for the old name's 
 sake. But now' it's got to be more than flesh and blood 
 can stand. We've been put upon till we ain't fit to 
 stand it, an' we won't. There ain't nothing bad or mean, 
 or stingy, that the black 'un hasn't done to us; an' 
 what we've mainly met 'ere to consider is how many ov 
 us is goin' to serve under the new rule. How many ov 
 ye, mates, are goin' to lift yer caps and bow down to 
 the new partner, Mr. Michael Ford, Esquire, the new 
 member of the firm ? ' 
 
 This ironical question was received with grim laughter, 
 and with a general cry of ' Not one ov us, Jemmy not 
 one ov us ! ' 
 
 ' P'raps you'd all like to know who the new partner 
 is ? ' continued Becker in the same sarcastic tone. ' He 
 belongs to a very haristocratic family one ov the 
 oldest families in Wiggin ! All the ladies ov the family 
 'ave been famed for their strong arms an' their long 
 tongues at the pithead. We ought to give three cheers, 
 mates, for the pithead girl's son, who is our revered 
 master, as we are his 'umble servants. But I must 
 leave them 'ighly interestin' items a be, my mates, an'
 
 FANNING THE FIRE. s 
 
 get to business. Well, we all know wot has 'appened 
 while the black 'un 'as been 'ere among us. He began 
 wery 'umble he was the under clerk as you'll all 
 remember, an* because he's been a sneak an' a coward, 
 he wormed himself round the old master until he knew 
 a sight too much. To begin at the beginmn', who kept 
 Mr. Robert out ov his own, an' preventit him a-takin' 
 ov the Priory for his young wife, as sweet a young 
 lady as ever stepped ? Who druv him away from the 
 brewery ? Who made him take that beggarly situation 
 at Burnley ? an' who keeps him there at a servant's 
 wage ? Isn't it our new master, mates, the black 'un, 
 as we've christened 'im, an" the name's a sight too good 
 for him yet ? 
 
 'Who kept the old master's anger hot agin Mister 
 Herbert when he married Gregory's girl, an' never 
 rested till he got 'im sent across the seas ? That was 
 the black 'un too, an' then he got the field to hisself ; 
 an' wot we've got to consider now, mates, is what he's 
 done in that time down to now. It's a pretty story, the 
 pity as we've got it so well by 'eart, an' that our wives 
 an' chillin 'ave got it so well by 'eart through their 
 empty stomachs. You'll all remember just afore the 
 time when Mister Robert got his leave there wur a talk 
 o' drainin' the land all about the houses an' a-givin' us 
 healthy air to breathe an' dry places to sleep in. That 
 was Miss Mary's doin', an' but for the black 'un she'd "a 
 carried it through. She 'ad a woman's 'eart to feel for 
 us an' the children. I'll never forget how she came to 
 see Susan there when little Dick was born, an' the wine 
 an' stuff she sent from the house ; but the black 'un 
 has put an end to all that. I s'pose he talked to the
 
 226 UAZELL & SOWS. 
 
 old master, an' told him we were a set o' ungrateful, 
 discontented dogs, as he has told us to our faces mauy a 
 time ; an' so the drains were never made, an' the chillin 
 kept on pinin' away, and we got rheumatics in all our 
 joints, an' everything was bad an' wrong, an' there's no 
 redress. And now we come to the crownin' point, 
 which is that our rents has been riz for the third time 
 in two year. Mates, are we or are we not goin' to put 
 another hard-earned sixpence a week into the black 
 'un's pocket ? The motion afore the meetin' is that we 
 refuse to pay the increase.' 
 
 ' Yes, yes, we won't pay, curse him ! the houses is too 
 dear already. Holes fit for pigs, with the rain running 
 down the walls, an' the damp oozin' up through the 
 floors like to choke us. No, no, we won't pay another 
 halfpenny ! we'll quit first.' 
 
 ' Show hands, all that's for holdin' out, then,' said 
 Becker, and in an instant one hundred were uplifted, 
 foremost among them poor Susan's skinny right arm, for 
 this question was one of life or death to her. Her 
 children, a sickly, puny lot, were dwining away before 
 her very eyes into the grave. She herself had a hollow 
 chest with a pain and a cough in it, which racked her 
 feeble frame beyond its endurance. Her many cares, 
 and brooding over her wrongs, had weakened her mind, 
 and she was rea'ly to join in any revolt. 
 
 ' The black 'un hates me, mates, an' always has, since 
 Miss Mary got the master to take me on again. The 
 pit was bad enough, and little pay, but it wasn't no 
 worse than this, an' a man had freedom to do his work 
 What do we get now for our work, mates ? Nothin' 
 but growls and scowls, an' a good swearin' for the least
 
 FANNING THE FIRE. az? 
 
 trifle. The very horses at Hazell's knows the difference, 
 an' don't step out as they used. I've watched 'em 
 mysel' walkin' wi' their heads hangin', just as if they 
 knew times was changed. In the old days Hazell's 
 drays were a sight, there were none handsomer stepped ; 
 but now' Here Becker gave his head a melancholy 
 shake. 
 
 ' You're away from the pint, Jemmy. It's whether 
 we're to quit or not ? ' cried an impatient voice from 
 the crowd. 
 
 ' Well, to-day, as you know, Tim here an' Joey an' 
 me went to the hoffice to make our complaint. We 
 axed for the old master, but do you think we saw 'im ? 
 No, the black 'un took care o' that. So we said our 
 Bay pretty strong, lads, Tim an' me, to the black 'un, 
 an' without much show of humbleness. An' now for 
 what 'he said. I guess that's wot we're gathered 
 together to hear, an' decide upon.' 
 
 The crowd was now worked up into a state of breath- 
 less excitement and suspense. 
 
 1 He said that if we weren't pleased with our houses 
 an' our wages, mates, that we could clear out as fast's 
 we liked, for he had a band o' new hands waitin' on 
 the job. He said we'd been wasted an' spiled with too 
 much indulgence, an' that he was a-goin' to set his foot 
 down on us now firm. Tim ail' Joey, warn't these 
 the words ? ' 
 
 ' They were, curse 'im ! ' responded Tim, with a 
 scowl, and a general ex elm nation of rage broke from the 
 crowd. Could the new member of the firm only have 
 heard what was being said about him, he might have 
 trembled in his shoes.
 
 228 HAZELL & SONS. 
 
 ' It's been like's if the devil himself had entered 
 into the black 'un this week,' continued Becker grimly, 
 4 an' I'm goin' to tell ye wot it means. Eosanna 
 Keeling, wot is under-'ousemaid at the Hall, 'appened to 
 overhear summat wot passed atween the black 'un an' 
 Miss Mary. He has got the right-about-face fra Miss 
 Mary, mates, an' Rosanna says all the things she said 
 to him were just awful. She was as mad as mad could 
 be ; an' so, becos Miss Mary knows wot he is, an' has 
 told him without any varnish, he's goin' to do for the 
 whole concern. Suppose we do for him instead, an' 
 save the old name an' the old master ! ' 
 
 'Hurrah!' 
 
 The approbation with which this proposition was 
 received was not to be mistaken nor misunderstood. 
 Michael Ford was hated with a deep, black, bitter 
 hatred by the men whose master he had become. 
 
 ' If we're to quit, an' I guess though we stayed on 
 we'd find the new rule as bad as slavery, but if we're 
 to quit we'd better show the black 'un wot we think o' 
 him. Shall we make a polite evenin' call on Mr. 
 Michael Ford, Esquire, of Hazell an' Ford, at his 
 residence in Mill Street ? ' 
 
 Becker had a command of sarcasm which his listeners 
 greatly relished. Before the merriment occasioned by 
 this sally had subsided, a new feature was introduced 
 into the proceedings. Susan Becker, with a sudden 
 gesture, stepped up on the platform beside her husband, 
 and, throwing back her shawl, showed her sleeping 
 infant to the crowd. 
 
 ' There hasn't been half enough said,' she cried 
 shrilly. ' You wants a woman to call things by their
 
 FANNING THE FIRE. 229 
 
 right name. It's the women folk, anyway, who 'ave 
 the worst of it. When I sees my babbies dyin' by 
 inches afore my eyes, an' know I've one fut in the 
 grave, all through livin" in sech a hole, I calls it 
 murder, an' I axes, what's done to the man wot 
 commits murder ? Isn't he hanged by the law ? An' 
 if it is sech that the law can't touch Ford, then, if 
 you're men, you'll take law into yer own hands. Let's 
 give 'im a fright he won't forget. Pull 'im through the 
 river fra the brewery to here, an' ax him how he likes 
 the taste o' the bad drainage that's wot I say.' 
 
 It was like pouring oil on the flames. As Susan 
 stepped down a fearful hubbub arose. There was the 
 sound of loud, excited voices, and bitter threats of 
 revenge passed from mouth to mouth. Nobody could 
 ever tell who suggested it first, but it was really Susan, 
 who put a torch into one of her sons' hands and bade 
 him lead the way to the brewery. The thing was 
 understood at once, and the heated imaginations were 
 easily fired. Almost in an instant the crowd turned, 
 as if by one accord, round by the head of the Rows to 
 cross the piece of waste land behind the brewery. It 
 was a beaten path which Hazell's men, passing and 
 repassing to their homes, had made a kind of right-of- 
 way, though in reality the ground belonged to the town. 
 It was a short cut ; the distance between the brewery 
 and the Rows could be covered in four or five minutes. 
 When the proceedings of that night came to be 
 investigated, it was asked where the police were that 
 such a riot could take place out of their knowledge. 
 It was then shown that the Rows, being outside the 
 town, were not under surveillance, and also that the
 
 2 3 o HAZELL & SOWS. 
 
 rioters had taken the back road to the brewery, on 
 which they were absolutely screened from observation. 
 The pile of buildings was so extensive and so high that 
 they made a perfect screen for any operations being 
 carried on at the back premises. The policeman on his 
 beat in Mill Street said he heard nothing, but it 
 transpired afterwards that he had been enjoying a 
 drink of beer in the ' Base-Ball ' at the very time when 
 the rioters arrived at the brewery. Michael Ford was 
 still living in the house above the offices, though the 
 negotiations for the purchase of the Priory were still in 
 motion. He was from home that night, but his house- 
 keeper, alarmed by the barking of the watchdog, came 
 hurrying down to see what was the matter ; and the 
 night-watchman, smoking in his box, also peered out 
 anxiously, and hearing the hubbub over the back-wall, 
 went and opened the workmen's door ; and then there 
 was a brief space of unutterable confusion, as the men, 
 women, and children poured into the enclosure. Nobody 
 knew how or when or by what hand it had been done ; 
 but not long after that smoke began to curl up to the 
 dark night sky, and immediately 0ne fierce flame made 
 a lurid glare over the sea of faces in the place. 
 
 ' The black 'un will have to pay dear for his right to 
 the brewery,' whispered Becker, with a grim smile, as 
 he pointed to the flames. The fierce wind sweeping 
 across the open common fanned the fire, and within an 
 hour, before any preventive measures could be taken, 
 wind and flames together made the ruin of Hazell's a 
 certainty which no man could set aside.
 
 CHAPTER XXII. 
 
 TUB CASHIER'S HOME. 
 
 T was a pretty little room, the drawing-room 
 of the cashier's house at the Lady well mines. 
 Certainly the view from the windows was 
 not particularly beautiful, for it was a great 
 mining district, and instead of green, low hills, there 
 were mountains of black refuse to look out upon, varied 
 by the tall chimneys and the clusters of works at the 
 summits of the various shafts. There was a bit of 
 garden attached to the house. There was nothing in it, 
 however, but some blackened, stunted grass, which was 
 an eyesore to the cashier and his wife. The house was 
 commodious for a small family, and was well-finished 
 within. The drawing-room was all that a tasteful 
 woman's skilful hands could make it, and was like a 
 little picture, especially when a cheerful fire burned in 
 the pretty tiled grate, which was an improvement they 
 had added at their own expense. There were two 
 windows draped in oriental muslin of negative tints, 
 Lucy Hazell was too good a housewife to attempt white 
 lace or muslin in the atmosphere of Burnley, but the 
 
 131
 
 232 HAZELL dr- SONS. 
 
 effect was novel and artistic. The prevailing colour of 
 the room was a delicate but serviceable shade of sage- 
 green ; but it was relieved by many bright spots, and 
 the pictures and ornaments were of the very best. 
 There were a few sensible sorts of plants about, graceful 
 palms and hardy ferns from the Clieveden greenhouse 
 no delicate flower survived long in Burnley. Lucy 
 very much missed the wealth of cut flowers to which 
 she had been accustomed at Clieveden, but she made 
 the best of .what she had. 
 
 She was sitting embroidering a child's frock towards 
 the close of a November afternoon. The light was 
 rapidly failing, and she had gone over to the window to 
 catch the pale sunset glow for the last stitches of her 
 work. The basiuette, with her first-born son asleep in it, 
 was standing on the hearthrug. As yet there was not a 
 nursery in the cashier's house, nor a nursemaid. One 
 servant a capable, energetic woman was all their 
 means would admit ; but Mrs. Robert Hazell had been 
 taught to use her hands. She looked very sweet and 
 happy as she sewed on, weaving a mother's fond hopes 
 into her work. She was happy : her life was without a 
 care. Their income was not large ; certainly it required 
 skilful management to make it cover expenses and leave 
 a margin, but what is hardly earned is always sweet, 
 and the spending of it gives a peculiar pleasure. Eobert 
 Hazell was doing a good work at Burnley, and the 
 influence of the young couple, who had given up some- 
 thing for conscience' sake, was making itself felt among 
 the miners. The sunset glory was very short-lived, and 
 at length Mrs. Hazell had to lay her work down. She 
 leaned back in her chair and watched for the sight of
 
 THE CASHIER'S HOME. 133 
 
 her husband coming down the cinder path between the 
 shafts. It wanted but a few minutes of their dinner- 
 hour. While she was watching, she caught sight of 
 another figure coming in the opposite direction from the 
 railway station a young lady walking very smartly 
 apparently towards their house. The light had grown so 
 uncertain that Lucy did not recognise the lady at all, 
 and waited with some curiosity until she rang the belL 
 She heard some one running up-stairs, two steps at a 
 time, and the next minute Mary burst into the room 
 with her face all aglow. 
 
 ' Mary, is it really, really you ? My darling, I am so 
 glad to see you ! ' 
 
 They kissed each other and cried a little, as was 
 natural. Remember, they had not seen each other for 
 more than a year, and that a great deal had happened 
 in the interval 
 
 ' How did you come ? Did Mr. Hazell say you 
 might ? ' 
 
 ' No, he didn't. He'll be mad when he knows. But 
 he's in bed to-day, ill, and I didn't ask him. Oh, Lucy 
 Hazell, I'm so wretched I think I'll die. I had to come 
 and see Robert. Where is he ? I hope he isn't away 
 from home, because I can't stay long, and I may never 
 have the chance to come back.' 
 
 ' He will be in almost immediately, Mary. Dinner 
 is just ready. Let me take off your hat No, you shall 
 not be bothered to go up-stairs. There now. Let me 
 show you baby. Just think, you have never seen the 
 darling.' 
 
 Lucy Hazell was a wise woman. Instead of asking 
 a string of questions about what was troubling hw
 
 234 HAZELL 6- SONS. 
 
 sister-in-law, she tried to divert her mind at once 
 Mary had never seen the new member of her brother's 
 household, and, catching sight of the cradle at that 
 moment, she darted forward and knelt down beside it. 
 Of course, it behoved the precious baby to wake up 
 instantly and reveal his lovely eyes. Mary lifted him 
 very tenderly from his warm nest, and her tears fell on 
 his head. 
 
 ' So this is Eobert Meredith Hazell. God bless him 
 and his dear mother for evermore/ she said, and, leaning 
 forward, she kissed Lucy with a sister's kiss. Then she 
 sat down by the fire with the little one on her lap, and 
 the two women fell into a womanly talk, and for a 
 moment Mary forgot her own harassing care. So 
 Eobert found them when he came in nearly half an hour 
 late for dinner. 
 
 ' Mary, Mary, is it really you ? ' His voice had a 
 tremor in it as he took his sister to his heart. Even 
 Lucy did not know how much he had felt the complete 
 breach between him and his own kindred. It had been 
 a trial of no ordinary kind for Eobert Hazell. 
 
 ' les, and she has seen baby and thinks him lovely. 
 And now we are going to have dinner, and be as happy 
 as possible, and forget care for a little,' said Lucy 
 quickly, seeing that a question was on her husband's 
 lips. ' Oh, Mary, had I only known of your coming, 
 what would I not have made for dinner in honour of you ! 
 Can you take stewed beef and a very plain pudding ? ' 
 
 ' A dry crust from you, Lucy, would taste sweet, 
 because it would be flavoured with love,' answered Mary, 
 jvith a tremulous smile. 
 
 So they went down together to the cosy little dining
 
 THE CASHIER'S HOME. 235 
 
 room, and Mary broke bread for the first time at her 
 brother's table. They were very tender with her, for 
 they saw that her heart was sore about something, and 
 they would do all that love could to lighten her care. 
 
 ' Now, Hubert and you can have the drawing-room for 
 your quiet talk,' said Lucy, when they rose from the table. 
 
 ' You will come too, Lucy ; I have no secrets from 
 Bob's wife,' said Mary affectionately. 
 
 ' Oh, I'll be coming out and in with baby, and I'll be 
 listening too,' said Lucy, with a nod and a smile. 
 
 Eobert was a trifle anxious. He saw that Mary was 
 excited, and he had heard of late many rumours con- 
 cerning the affairs of his own people. But he was hardly 
 prepared for what Mary had to tell him. 
 
 ' Oh, Bob, I have been so longing to see you. Things 
 are so terrible at home. You have heard, of course, that 
 the firm is changed,' she began, the moment they had 
 entered the drawing room. 
 
 Kobert started. ' No, I have been down at Wigan 
 for a week, and only returned yesterday, so I have 
 heard no news. What has happened ? ' 
 
 ' It is Hazell & Ford now, and that fearful man has 
 got papa completely in his power. I believe we are 
 nearly beggars.' 
 
 ' Oh, nonsense, Molly ! It is quite impossible in so 
 short a tima' 
 
 ' It is quite true. You know papa has been getting 
 weaker and weaker of late. His intellect is not at all 
 what it was. I believe that it was Ford who taught 
 papa to take too much. At least I am sure that he 
 encouraged him in it, so that he might get a firmer hold.' 
 
 ' And the fellow lias got himself made a partner,' said
 
 236 HAZELL & SONS. 
 
 Robert '"Well, upon my word, he has made a rapid 
 rise. He is clever enough anyhow ; but how do you 
 know that papa's affairs are in an embarrassed state ? ' 
 
 ' Papa told me first,' said Mary, and her colour 
 heightened; 'and that odious creature told me too. Oh, 
 Robert, I do not know how I am to tell you it all. 
 He has asked me to marry him, and papa wishes it, 
 and I fear I must, to save papa from ruin, though 
 [ would rather die.' 
 
 Robert Hazell's colour rose also, it was with anger, 
 not with embarrassment. 
 
 ' My darling, don't distress yourself. It is needless. 
 Marry Ford ! That would be a pretty story. Why 
 did you not come to me long since ?' 
 
 ' Oh, I daren't ! You don't know papa. He gets 
 into such fearful passions if we do the least thing. 
 I daren't have come. For myself, I would not have 
 minded his anger much, but it made mamma so ill to 
 have these scenes. We were glad to be meek and 
 humble for peace' sake. That man and drink together, 
 Bob, have ruined Hazelwood. I wish papa had been 
 anything but a brewer.' 
 
 Robert Hazell said nothing in reply. He was walk- 
 ing up and down the room, with his brows knit, and 
 his gloomy eyes fixed on the floor. He was reproaching 
 himself for leaving the old name and the old home to 
 the mercy of that unprincipled man, and yet there had 
 seemed no other course open to him at the time. He 
 had had no idea of the hold the love of strong drink 
 had over his father, nor any idea either of the influence 
 Michael Ford wielded, even in his day, in the brewery. 
 Tie could scarcely credit the story Mary had come to tell.
 
 THE CASHIER'S HOME. 237 
 
 ' When did you learn all this, Mary ; or, rather, 
 when did things come to a crisis ? ' he asked presently. 
 
 ' Last week Friday it was the day we got Bertie's 
 letter. Ford came to dinner that night, but, before he 
 came, papa called me to the library, and told me he 
 wished me to listen favourably to his new partner. 
 Mr. Ford had his say after dinner.' 
 
 Mary's lip curled at the remembrance of it. 
 
 'I can guess what your answer was,' said Kobert, 
 with a slight smile. 
 
 ' It surprised the new member of the firm consider- 
 ably/ said Mary significantly. 'He had some plain 
 truths told him. I only hope he laid them to heart. 
 He made use of all kinds of threats, and said he would 
 beggar us all. I rang for Kitty to show him out at 
 last. Wasn't that frightful then, Kobert, to do to the 
 new member of the firm ? ' 
 
 ' It served him right ; I only wish I had been there 
 to give him a little assistance down-stairs,' said Robert, 
 with energy. 
 
 ' I mustered all the scorn I could to crush him. He 
 looked mean enough. He was frightfully angry, and I 
 hear that there never have been such scenes at the 
 brewery as there have been this week. The people are 
 in a state of smouldering rebellion, which will soon 
 become active. He wants to clear out the Rows, he 
 says, and draft in new men from the north. So he is 
 taking every means he can to aggravate them. The rents 
 are raised again, and he will not pay a farthing of over- 
 time. He is a perfect slave-driver. What is to be done?' 
 
 ' What does papa say now ? He knows, of course, 
 what answer you gave that precious scoundrel ? '
 
 238 HAZELL & SONS. 
 
 ' Oh yes, because I told him every word. He went 
 to the brewery next day, and has been quite ill 
 ever since. I believe there was a scene. Eobert, it 
 makes my blood boil when I see how terrified papa is 
 for Ford.' 
 
 ' I shall put an end to that,' said Eobert, with that 
 quiet decision which of yore had carried such weight 
 with it. ' Before we are twenty-four hours older, Mr. 
 Ford and I will understand each other. If there is no 
 other course open, I will advise papa to retire from the 
 concern entirely ; and I shall see that Mr. Ford gets 
 no more than his deserts.' 
 
 ' Oh, he will take everything, I believe. He is such 
 a man, Eobert ! It is impossible to get the better of 
 him!' 
 
 ' I will see at least that he does not get the better 
 of me,' said Eobert, and his eyes gleamed. He was 
 thoroughly roused, and he saw that immediate action of 
 some kind was absolutely necessary. 
 
 ' And now, how are you to get home ? Can you stay 
 all night ? ' 
 
 ' No, I daren't ; mamma was in terror lest papa should 
 ask where I had gone. I don't believe he will see you 
 when you come, Ford has poisoned his mind so against 
 both Bertie and you. He seems to be convinced that 
 you robbed him and took advantage of him when you 
 were in the brewery. Oh, it is a miserable business 
 from beginning to end ! ' 
 
 ' Its end has come any way,' said Eobert gravely. 
 Are you there, Lucy ? ' 
 
 ' Yes, here, dear. Baby has had his bath, and Susie 
 will give him his supper. My little maid is quite
 
 THE CASHIER'S HOME. 839 
 
 a treasure, Mary. Well, have you had a nice 
 talk ? ' 
 
 'Ask Bob. There isn't anything very nice in it, 
 Lucy/ said Mary, with her nervous smila ' But it has 
 been an immense relief to me. Be thankful you have 
 a solid, sensible husband, Lucy. It is a necessary 
 refuge for the female mind.' 
 
 ' Am I not thankful and happy ? ' asked Lucy, with 
 a sweet, tender smile, which found an answering 
 tenderness in her husband's eyes. 
 
 ' Lucy is an angel, Mary,' he said quickly. ' Look 
 what I have given her in exchange for Clieveden, which 
 you used often to say was an earthly paradise! And 
 yet she is happy. She would even try to make me 
 believe she prefers this little box to any place she has 
 ever seen or heard of.' 
 
 ' So I do. Oh, Robert, how can you say such 
 things ? ' asked Lucy, with a smile and a tear. 
 
 ' I'.less you, my children,' said Mary, with a touch of 
 her old humour. ' When you come over to Hazelwood, 
 Hob, be sure you bring Lucy and the baby to aid the 
 assault. Perhaps Robert Meredith Hazell will win the 
 day with his grandfather. And now I must go away 
 home.' 
 
 ' You and Lucy can have a wnfab while I get the 
 gig. Yes, we are quile grand. Mr. Edwardes keeps a 
 light trap here, and the use of it is mine, or Lucy's 
 rather. She wheedled it out of him with that smile of 
 hers. I'll drive you over, and we can talk by the 
 way.' 
 
 In half an hour Mary was sitting by her brother's 
 side in the coalmaster's gig, and the high-spirited horee
 
 240 HAZELL & SOWS. 
 
 was making short work of the hilly road betwixt 
 Burnley and Medlington. 
 
 ' See, Bob, what a curious glare is in the sky. Is 
 that not at Medlington ? ' said Mary suddenly, as they 
 mounted the crest of the last hill, and the whole valley 
 of the Med was before them. 
 
 "' Yes, it's at Medlington, Mary,' said Eobert slowly. 
 ' There's a fire somewhere.' 
 
 He did not express the apprehension which took 
 possession of him. They both watched in silence the 
 sullen glow overspreading the dark night sky, until 
 they had driven another mile, and then the flames and 
 smoke came in sight. 
 
 ' It is the brewery, Mary ; don't you think so ? ' 
 
 ' I am afraid of it,' said Mary, growing very white, and 
 cowering close into her brother. ' What can it mean ? ' 
 
 ' I suspect it is the work of revenge, if the people 
 are in the state you described to me,' said Eobert. 
 ' We had better drive round that way. We may be 
 in time to prevent further mischief. I believe I could 
 command attention yet ; and they adore you. See, 
 Mary, the offices are in flames. It is a mighty 
 burning.' 
 
 Ay, it was a mighty burning,, and by the time they 
 reached the place there was nothing left of the Hazell 
 brewery but the falling walls. The fire, fanned by the 
 night wind, had done its work well. 
 
 Michael Ford was flying about the ruins like a 
 madman, and when the gig with the brother and sister 
 drove up, he cursed them both, and all of the name of 
 Hazell, in words which haunted those who heard it to 
 their dying day.
 
 CHAPTER XXIIL 
 ALL'S WELL. 
 
 I HE brewery, unfortunately, was not fully in- 
 sured, and the loss was very considerable. 
 As was to be expected, the loss fell mere 
 heavily on the new partner, who, in spite of 
 all his boasting, had not got his fingers upon Mr. 
 Hazell's capital He had received large sums from 
 him at various times certainly ; and had, to use that 
 expressive phrase, feathered his nest well; but the 
 destruction of building, plant, and stock was a calamity 
 he had not looked for. He tore up to Hazelwood, like 
 a madman, the morning after the fire, and demanded an 
 interview with Mr. Hazell. He was shown into the 
 library, where, in a few minutes, Robert came to him. 
 He had sent a message home with the gig, and remained 
 all night at Hazelwood, but had not yet seen his father, 
 who was confined to hid bedroom, and knew nothing of 
 what had occurred. 
 
 'Well, sir,' said Robert, as he closed the door and 
 faced the irate little creature standing at the window. 
 His manner as he spoke was cold, curt, and distant in 
 
 S41
 
 2 4 HAZELL <5r> SONS. 
 
 the extreme: he did not even give him a sign of 
 recognition. 
 
 ' Well, too,' quoth Air. Ford rudely. ' I did not ask 
 for you, did I ? It's the old man I want to see.' 
 
 ' You can't see him,' said Robert shortly. ' Please 
 say what you have to say, and go. There can be no 
 welcome for you, sir, in this house.' 
 
 Mr. Ford absolutely glared, but somehow he felt 
 afraid of Robert Hazell. He was quiet, but determina- 
 tion sat on every feature. The plotter and schemer 
 knew in a moment that his reign was over. 
 
 ' Oh, there can't, can't there ? And why not, pray ? 
 T've come to know the meaning of last night's pretty 
 business. I believe you all know more of it than you'll 
 admit : your high and mighty sister ' 
 
 ' If you mention my sister's name again, I'll kick 
 you out of the house. I'm a man of my word,' said 
 Robert savagely. 
 
 Mr. Ford shifted uneasily from one foot to another, 
 but his demeanour became quieter. 
 
 ' Well, them that did it will have their deserts. If 
 that Becker doesn't get seven years, there won't be 
 justice in the land. What's the governor saying to it, 
 eh ? a nice dish for his breakfast, wasn't it ? How 
 does he like the sight he sees now from his bedroom 
 window, instead of the thriving colony he was so 
 proud of ? ' 
 
 ' My father is too ill to take much interest in any- 
 thing,' responded Robert. ' You cannot see him. I 
 must refer you to Mr. Atkins, the attorney, if you 
 want to speak about legal business. In any other
 
 ALLS WELL. 143 
 
 matter T act as my father's representative, and I have 
 no desire to prolong this interview.' 
 
 ' Oh, that's how it is, is it ? ' queried Ford sneeringly. 
 ' Well, if you're to act for the old man ' 
 
 ' Mr. Hazcll, if you please,' put in Robert stiffly. 
 
 1 Well, Mr. Hazell, then. What I want to know is, 
 what dnmages I'm to get for last night's work ? Of 
 course it falls heaviest on me, for my interest as partner 
 was chiefly in what was demolished by these scoundrels. 
 That's the question Mr. Hazell will have to decide as 
 soon as he's able, and before the question of rebuilding 
 comes on,' 
 
 ' Whoever may rebuild, my father will not,' returned 
 Robert quietly. ' He will retire from business now. 
 As to the question about damages, it is too absurd. 
 You took your interest in the concern with all its risks. 
 There is no use wasting time in foolish talk. I expect 
 all connection between you and the name of Hazell to be 
 now ended. I must congratulate you, sir, on what you 
 have made of it You will not quit the firm a poor 
 man ; but whether you are an honourable one or not 
 is another matter. I reserve my opinion. Good morn- 
 ing, Mr. Ford.' 
 
 Ford was about to speak again, but Robert shook his 
 head and walked out of the room. And what could 
 the junior partner do but accept his dismissal, grinding 
 his teeth with rage as he went. Robert had carried 
 things with a high hand indeed. He had taken a great 
 Meal upon himself, and had acted for his father with a 
 decisive promptitude that gentleman would scarcely 
 have had the courage to display before Michael Ford
 
 244 HAZELL & SONS. 
 
 Robert's judgment was sound, and he was quite willing 
 to bear the consequences of his morning's work. 
 
 He met Mary in the hail. She had been out of 
 doors, and her face was flushed with walking through 
 the sharp morning air. She had a bunch of bright 
 holly-berries and Christmas roses the first of the 
 season in her hand. 
 
 ' Kobert, what have you been saying to him ? ' 
 she asked, almost gleefully. ' I saw him go in and 
 come out, and there was a beautiful change in his 
 demeanour.' 
 
 ' He knows my sentiments now ; that is all, Molly. 
 I don't think we shall have much further trouble with 
 Michael Ford,' returned Eobert, with a dry smile. 
 ' Will you go up and inquire whether papa will see me. 
 I can't stay much longer, though I could come back 
 after I see to some things at Lady well.' 
 
 ' Just go up alone, Bob. It is often better to do 
 these things without preparation. Papa is awake, and 
 up. Madeline took him his breakfast long since. No 
 doubt he knows now what has happened. I am sure 
 he will be thankful and glad to see you.' 
 
 Kobert took her advice, and went up at once to his 
 father's room. He was in the dressing-room, and had 
 his chair wheeled close to the window, from which he 
 was mournfully contemplating the smouldering ruins of 
 the brewery. He had not appeared much distressed 
 by the news, which Lena had gently broken to him 
 when she brought him his morning chocolate. Perhaps 
 he was not very greatly surprised. He looked round 
 hurriedly at the opening of the door, and there was a
 
 ALLS WELL, 45 
 
 nervousness in both look and manner which quickly 
 gave place to surprise and unmistakable relief. 
 
 ' It's you, Robert, my boy ! Come in, come in. I 1 
 thought it was Ford. I told them I couldn't see him 
 if he came. Sit down, sit down.' 
 
 It was a curious meeting. They shook hands a? 
 naturally and unconcernedly as if they had parted only 
 yesterday ; but Robert was inwardly affected by the 
 grievous change in his father's appearance. He was 
 quite a broken-down old man. 
 
 ' When did you come 1 * 
 
 ' I have been here all night. I drove over from 
 Lady well last night,' returned Robert. 
 
 ' Ay, ay. I suppose the fire would be visible from 
 Lady well. A fine night's work, eh ? ' asked the old 
 man, with a feeble smile, as he pointed to the ruins. 
 ' It'll be a fine disappointment for Ford. But it's his 
 doing, all his doing. I warned him he was oppressing 
 the folk. Flesh an 1 blood can only stand a certain 
 amount, but he is as headstrong as he is tyrannical 
 Ah, Bob, it is a bad thing to let a servant know too 
 much or get too firm a hold. I see now the mistake I 
 made with you and Bertie. I'd undo the past, my lad, 
 if I could' 
 
 ' Don't reproach yourself, father,' said Robert cheer- 
 fully. ' Neither Bertie nor I have had any reason to 
 regret it I like my work at Burnley famously.' 
 
 ' Ay ; and you have a little son, Eleanor told me. 
 What do you call him ? ' 
 
 ' We named him for you and for Lucy's father 
 Robert Meredith Hazell.'
 
 246 HAZELL & SONS. 
 
 ' Ah, well, if he turns out as well as his father he 11 
 be worth the trouble of rearing him. You've always 
 been a good boy, Bob, and I didn't do the right thing 
 by you. It was the drink, nothing but the drink it 
 poisons the very nature of a man. You'll bring up 
 your boy to abhor it. Tell him it ruined his grand- 
 father in his old age. I've been taking myself to task 
 these few days, lying in my bed. What a life I've led 
 these women-folk lately ! Bob, your sister's a brick. 
 She gave him the right-about-face and no mistake.' 
 
 The old man shook with silent laughter at the 
 remembrance of that night. 
 
 ' I hoped she'd do it ; and ) et he threatened all sorts 
 of things if she wouldn't have him. I'm glad all this 
 has happened. He had too tight a hold. I could 
 scarcely call my soul my own. You won't let him in 
 upon me if he comes. I have no strength. He can 
 make me do anything.' 
 
 Robert's heart was full of pity at the pathetic weak- 
 ness his father displayed. 
 
 ' He will not come back in a hurry, sir. He has 
 been here this morning. I have just come up from 
 showing him out, after a few plain remarks.' 
 
 ' No ! ' Mr. Hazell sat up in his chair, with eager, 
 excited interest. ' What did you say ? ' 
 
 ' He was beginning in a very high-handed fashion, 
 but I stopped him. I told him that he could settle 
 any legal business with Atkins, and that I, as your 
 representative, declined to have any further talk with 
 him.' 
 
 Tears tears of relief actually started in the old
 
 ALL'S WELL 247 
 
 man's eyes, and he gripped his son's hand in his nerve- 
 less fingers. 
 
 ' I told him you would not rebuild the brewery, and 
 that you would probably retire immediately from busi- 
 ness.' 
 
 ' Oh, my son ! There's a load lifted off my mind. 
 Do you know I have lived in terror of that man ? 
 I believe in another six months he would have cleaned 
 me out.' 
 
 ' But you have still plenty ? ' queried Robert, not 
 without anxiety. ' He had threatened Mary with turn- 
 ing you all out of Hazelwood a vain threat, surely ? ' 
 
 ' Oh yes, the place is all right ; and there's the 
 Amaranth bonds, worth a thousand a year at any rate. 
 I've given him in all, I think, about three thousand 
 pounds since you left a nice nest-egg for him, isn't it ? ' 
 
 ' Ay, the villain. He talked about giving Becker seven 
 years; he deserves such a sentence ten times more 
 richly. "We must try to get these men off as easily as 
 possible, father.' 
 
 ' Oh yes. I'll see to it. I'll be able to see to any- 
 thing, now that this frightful incubus is lifted from my 
 shoulders,' said the old man ; and indeed he looked as 
 if new life had come to him. It was a mystery to 
 Robert Hazell how Ford had ever acquired such an 
 influence over a man of his father's character and nature. 
 The solution of the mystery was to be found in that 
 all-powerful bottle which Ford had kept within constant 
 reach in the private room at the brewery. 
 
 ' I'm going to' turn over a new leaf, Robert, in my 
 old age. I've made up my mind that I shall drink no
 
 248 HAZELL &> SOWS. 
 
 more. And whoever rebuilds the brewery, as yon said, 
 I never shall. How did you know so well what I 
 intended ? ' 
 
 ' I hoped you would be persuaded,' returned Eobert, 
 as he rose to go. ' Well, I must go home. I may give 
 your love to Lucy and the boy, I suppose. Perhaps 
 you'll come in some day when you are able to drive as 
 far?' 
 
 'Ay will I. I have something to make up to you 
 and yours, Bob. I've been a foolish, wicked old man. 
 May God have mercy on me for my sins ! ' 
 
 ' Brighter days are at hand, father,' said Robert, and 
 his eyes were dim. ' Good-bye. Keep up your heart. 
 We'll see you a hale, hearty man yet/ 
 
 Mary was restlessly pacing the passages and stairs 
 awaiting the result of the interview. She met Robert 
 on the landing, and slipped her arm through his. 
 
 ' It is all right, dear. The sun has risen over Hazel- 
 wood,' he said, as he stooped to kiss her. ' Say good- 
 bye, and let me go. Go to papa now. I believe he 
 must have a great deal to say to you.' 
 
 When Mary entered the room she found her father 
 sitting by the window, looking out with a far-away 
 expression in his eyes. 
 
 ' Is that you, wife ? ' 
 
 ' No, it is I, papa,' returned Mary softly. ' Mamma is 
 not down yet. She feels very nervous after her excite- 
 ment. May I tell her you are so much better ? ' 
 
 * Yes ; tell her I hope, with the grace of God, that I 
 am a changed man. Kiss me, my darling, and tell me 
 if you forgive me.'
 
 ALL'S WELL. 049 
 
 1 Hush, oh hush ! there can never be any talk of 
 forgiveness between us two/ said Mary, as she bent over 
 his chair. 
 
 ' Do you know what I have been thinking since Robert 
 went out ? That I have had good, dutiful children, and 
 was not grateful for my blessings. I will try now to 
 show what I think of my children, I have been a poor 
 father to them.' 
 
 Mary laid one hand on his lips, and with the other 
 smoothed away the grey hair from his brow. 
 
 ' How quickly one's thoughts travel. I have made 
 fifty plans this morning. Shall I tell you the latest ? 
 I am planning a trip to the New World for mamma and 
 Madeline and you and me, to visit Bertie and his wift. 
 Suppose we leave after the New Year, and Robert and 
 his wife will live here in our absence ; and he can drive 
 daily to and from Lady well, if he has not made a change 
 before then. Wouldn't that be a pleasant change of 
 scene for us all ? ' 
 
 But Mary only answered with her teara 
 
 Mr. HazelTs proposal became an accomplished fact, 
 and soon after the New Year the party sailed for the 
 New World. Jn the interval the affairs of the brewery 
 had been wound up, but Michael Ford, wisely judging 
 that he had coined a good penny, which he had better 
 .take care of, did not present any claim, He disap- 
 peared from Medlington, and as yet there is no talk of 
 the brewery being rebuilt The ringleaders in the work 
 of incendiarism got off with a light imprisonment, there 
 being no prosecuting parties ; and Mr. Hazell took good
 
 a$o HAZELL & SONS. 
 
 care that their wives and families should not suffer 
 during the incarceration. Employment was afterwards 
 found for them ; some of them, Becker among the rest, 
 found occupation at Burnley, where they were under 
 the kindly eye of Mr. Robert. Money can do much. 
 Robert is no longer cashier, but a large shareholder in 
 the ownership of the Ladywell mines. He will occupy 
 Hazelwood during the term of his father's absence, and 
 then the Priory will become his homa So time will 
 bring him to the fulfilment of an early dream. Wherever 
 Robert and Lucy Hazell may set up their family altar, 
 be it in humbleness or in affluence, it will be a sanctuary 
 to the Lord. The children born and reared at their 
 fireside cannot but grow up good men and women with 
 such an example before them. 
 
 And what of Mary ? Is she, so eminently fitted to 
 grace any station, to walk alone through life ? I am 
 not writing the history of Mary Hazell or of Madeline 
 Rayne. They are both young, life is all before them. 
 No doubt each will find her happiest sphere. So we 
 will say farewell
 
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