第1章

THEDRESSMAKER’SAPPRENTICEATWORK，Thereisanassize-towninoneoftheeasterncountieswhichwasmuchdistinguishedbytheTudorSovereigns，and，inconsequenceoftheirfavourandprotection，attainedadegreeofimportancethatsurprisesthemoderntraveller。Ahundredyearsagoitsappearancewasthatofpicturesquegrandeur。Theoldhouses，whichwerethetemporaryresidencesofsuchofthecountyfamiliesascontentedthemselveswiththegaietiesofaprovincialtown，crowdedthestreets，andgavethemtheirregularbutnobleappearanceyettobeseeninthecitiesofBelgium。Thesidesofthestreetshadaquaintrichness，fromtheeffectofthegables，andthestacksofchimneyswhichcutagainsttheblueskyabove;while，iftheeyefelllowerdown，theattentionwasarrestedbyallkindsofprojectionsintheshapeofbalconyandoriel; anditwasamusingtoseetheinfinitevarietyofwindowsthathadbeencrammedintothewallslongbeforeMr。Pitt’sdaysoftaxation。Thestreetsbelowsufferedfromalltheseprojectionsandadvancedstoriesabove;theyweredark，andill-pavedwithlarge，round，joltingpebbles，andwithnoside-pathprotectedbykerb-stones;therewerenolamp-postsforlongwinternights;andnoregardwaspaidtothewantsofthemiddleclass，whoneitherdroveaboutincoachesoftheirown，norwerecarriedbytheirownmenintheirownsedansintotheveryhallsoftheirfriends。Theprofessionalmenandtheirwives，theshopkeepersandtheirspouses，andallsuchpeople，walkedaboutatconsiderableperilbothnightandday。Thebroad，unwieldycarriageshemmedthemupagainstthehousesinthenarrowstreets。Theinhospitablehousesprojectedtheirflightsofstepsalmostintothecarriage-way，forcingpedestriansagainintothedangertheyhadavoidedfortwentyorthirtypaces。Then，atnight，theonlylightwasderivedfromtheglaring，flaringoil-lamps，hungabovethedoorsofthemorearistocraticmansions; justallowingspaceforthepassers-bytobecomevisible，beforetheyagaindisappearedintothedarkness，whereitwasnouncommonthingforrobberstobeinwaitingfortheirprey。Thetraditionsofthosebygonetimes，eventothesmallestsocialparticular，enableonetounderstandmoreclearlythecircumstanceswhichcontributedtotheformationofcharacter。Thedailylifeintowhichpeopleareborn，andintowhichtheyareabsorbedbeforetheyarewellaware，formschainswhichonlyoneinahundredhasmoralstrengthenoughtodespise，andtobreakwhentherighttimecomes——whenaninwardnecessityforindependentindividualactionarises，whichissuperiortoalloutwardconventionalities。 Therefore，itiswelltoknowwhatwerethechainsofdallydomestichabit，whichwerethenaturalleadingstringsofourforefathersbeforetheylearnttogoalone。Thepicturesquenessofthoseancientstreetshasdepartednow。TheAstleys，theDunstans，theWaverhams——namesofpowerinthatdistrict——goupdulytoLondonintheseason，andhaveSoldtheirresidencesinthecountytownfiftyyearsago，ormore。AndwhenthecountytownlostitsattractionfortheAstleys，theDunstans，theWaverhams，howcoulditbesupposedthattheDomvilles，theBextons，andtheWildeswouldcontinuetogoandwinterthereintheirsecond-ratehouses，andwiththeirincreasedexpenditure？ Sothegrandoldhousesstoodemptyawhile;andthenspeculatorsventuredtopurchase，andtoturnthedesertedmansionsintomanysmallerdwellings，fittedforprofessionalmen，oreven(bendyourearlower，lesttheshadeofMarmaduke，firstBaronWaverham，hear)intoshops！，Eventhatwasnotsoverybad，comparedwiththenextinnovationontheoldglories。Theshopkeepersfoundoutthattheoncefashionablestreetwasdark，andthatthedingylightdidnotshowofftheirgoodstoadvantage; thesurgeoncouldnotseetodrawhispatients’teeth;thelawyerhadtoringforcandlesanhourearlierthanhewasaccustomedtodowhenlivinginamoreplebeianstreet。Inshort，bymutualconsent，thewholefrontofonesideofthestreetwaspulleddown，andrebuiltintheflat，mean，unrelievedstyleofGeorgetheThird。Thebodyofthehouseswastoosolidlygrandtosubmittoalteration;sopeoplewereoccasionallysurprised，afterpassingthroughacommonplace-lookingshop，tofindthemselvesatthefootofagrandcarvedoakenstaircase，lightedbyawindowofstainedglass，storiedalloverwitharmorialbearings。Upsuchastair——pastsuchawindow(throughwhichthemoonlightfellonherwithagloryofmanycolours)——RuthHiltonpassedwearilyoneJanuarynight，nowmanyyearsago。Icallitnight;but，strictlyspeaking，itwasmorning。Twoo’clockinthemorningchimedforththeoldbellsofSt。 Saviour’s。Andyet，morethanadozengirlsstillsatintheroomintowhichRuthentered，stitchingawayasifforverylife，notdaringtogape，orshowanyoutwardmanifestationofsleepiness。TheyonlysighedalittlewhenRuthtoldMrs。Masonthehourofthenight，astheresultofhererrand; fortheyknewthat，stayupaslateastheymight，thework-hoursofthenextdaymustbeginateight，andtheiryounglimbswereveryweary。Mrs。Masonworkedawayashardasanyofthem;butshewasolderandtougher; and，besides，thegainswerehers。Butevensheperceivedthatsomerestwasneeded。“Youngladies！therewillbeanintervalallowedofhalf-an-hour。 Ringthebell，MissSutton。Marthashallbringyouupsomebread，andcheese，andbeer。Youwillbesogoodastoeatitstanding——awayfromthedresses——andtohaveyourhandswashedreadyforworkwhenIreturn。Inhalf-an-hour，“ saidsheoncemore，verydistinctly;andthenshelefttheroom。ItwascurioustowatchtheyounggirlsastheyinstantaneouslyavailedthemselvesofMrs。Mason’sabsence。Onefat，particularlyheavy-lookingdamsellaidherheadonherfoldedarmsandwasasleepinamoment;refusingtobewakenedforhershareinthefrugalsupper，butspringingupwithafrightenedlookatthesoundofMrs。Mason’sreturningfootstep，evenwhileitwasstillfaroffontheechoingstairs。Twoorthreeothershuddledoverthescantyfireplace，which，witheverypossibleeconomyofspace，andnoattemptwhateveratanythingofgraceorornament，wasinsertedintheslight，flat-lookingwall，thathadbeenrunupbythepresentownerofthepropertytoportionoffthisdivisionofthegrandolddrawing-roomofthemansion。Someemployedthetimeineatingtheirbreadandcheese，withasmeasuredandincessantamotionofthejaws(andalmostasstupidlyplacidanexpressionofcountenance)，asyoumayseeincowsruminatinginthefirstmeadowyouhappentopass。Someheldupadmiringlythebeautifulball-dressinprogress，whileothersexaminedtheeffect，backingfromtheobjecttobecriticisedinthetrueartisticmanner。Othersstretchedthemselvesintoallsortsofposturestorelievethewearymuscles;oneortwogaveventtoalltheyawns，coughs，andsneezesthatbadbeenpentupsolonginthepresenceofMrs。Mason。 ButRuthHiltonsprangtothelargeoldwindow，andpressedagainstitasabirdpressesagainstthebarsofitscage。Sheputbacktheblind，andgazedintothequietmoonlightnight。Itwasdoublylight——almostasmuchsoasday——foreverythingwascoveredwiththedeepsnowwhichhadbeenfallingsilentlyeversincetheeveningbefore。Thewindowwasinasquarerecess;theoldstrangelittlepanesofglasshadbeenreplacedbythosewhichgavemorelight。Alittledistanceoff，thefeatherybranchesofalarchwavedsoftlytoandfrointhescarcelyperceptiblenight-breeze。 Pooroldlarch！thetimehadbeenwhenithadstoodinapleasantlawn，withthetendergrasscreepingcaressinglyupitsverytrunk;butnowthelawnwasdividedintoyardsandsqualidbackpremises，andthelarchwaspentupandgirdedaboutwithflagstones。Thesnowlaythickonitsboughs，andnowandthenfellnoiselesslydown。Theoldstableshadbeenaddedto，andalteredintoadismalstreetofmean-lookinghouses，backtobackwiththeancientmansions。Andoverallthesechangesfromgrandeurtosqualor，bentdownthepurpleheavenswiththeirunchangingsplendour！，Ruthpressedherhotforeheadagainstthecoldglass，andstrainedherachingeyesingazingoutonthelovelyskyofawinter’snight。Theimpulsewasstronguponhertosnatchupashawl，and，wrappingitroundherhead，tosallyforthandenjoytheglory;andtimewaswhenthatimpulsewouldhavebeeninstantlyfollowed;butnow，Ruth’seyesfilledwithtears，andshestoodquitestilldreamingofthedaysthatweregone。Someonetouchedhershoulderwhileherthoughtswerefaraway，rememberingpastJanuarynights，whichhadresembledthis，andwereyetsodifferent。”Ruth，love，“whisperedagirl，whohadunwillinglydistinguishedherselfbyalonghardfitofcoughing，“comeandhavesomesupper。Youdon’tknowyethowithelpsonethroughthenight。”，“Onerun——oneblowofthefreshairwoulddomemoregood，“saidRuth。”Notsuchanightasthis，“repliedtheother，shiveringattheverythought。”Andwhynotsuchanightasthis，Jenny？”answeredRuth。“Oh！athomeIhavemanyatimerunupthelaneallthewaytothemill，justtoseetheicicleshangonthegreatwheel;and，whenIwasonceout，Icouldhardlyfindinmyhearttocomem，eventomother，sittingbythefire;——eventomother，“sheadded，inalow，melancholytone，whichhadsomethingofinexpressiblesadnessinit。“Why，Jenny！”saidshe，rousingherself，butnotbeforehereyeswereswimmingintears，“own，now，thatyouneversawthosedismal，hateful，tumble-downoldhousestherelookhalfso——whatshallIcallthem？almostbeautiful——astheydonow，withthatsoft，pure，exquisitecovering;andiftheyaresoimproved，thinkofwhattrees，andgrass，andivymustbeonsuchanightasthis。”，Jennycouldnotbepersuadedintoadmiringthewinter’snight，whichtohercameonlyasacoldanddismaltime，whenhercoughwasmoretroublesome，andthepaininhersideworsethanusual。ButsheputherarmroundRuth’sneck，andstoodbyher，gladthattheorphanapprentice，whowasnotyetinuredtothehardshipofadressmaker’sworkroom，shouldfindsomuchtogiveherpleasureinsuchacommonoccurrenceasafrostynight。TheyremaineddeepinseparatetrainsofthoughttillMrs。Mason’sstepwasheard，wheneachreturnedsupperless，butrefreshed，toherseat。Ruth’splacewasthecoldestandthedarkestintheroom，althoughshelikeditthebest;shehadinstinctivelychosenitforthesakeofthewalloppositetoher，onwhichwasaremnantofthebeautyoftheolddrawing-room，whichmustoncehavebeenmagnificent，tojudgefromthefadedspecimenleft。Itwasdividedintopanelsofpalesea-green，pickedoutwithwhiteandgold;andonthesepanelswerepainted——werethrownwiththecareless，triumphanthandofamaster——themostlovelywreathsofflowers，profuseandluxuriantbeyonddescription，andsoreal-looking，thatyoucouldalmostfancyyousmelttheirfragrance，andheardthesouthwindgosoftlyrustlinginandoutamongthecrimsonroses——thebranchesofpurpleandwhitelilac——thefloatinggolden-tressedlaburnumboughs。Besidesthese，therewerestatelywhitelilies，sacredtotheVirgin——hollyhocks，fraxinella，monk’s-hood，pansies，primroses;everyflowerwhichbloomsprofuselyincharmingold-fashionedcountrygardenswasthere，depictedamongitsgracefulfoliage，butnotinthewilddisorderinwhichIhaveenumeratedthem。Atthebottomofthepanellayahollybranch，whosestiffstraightnesswasornamentedbyatwiningdraperyofEnglishivy，andmistletoe，andwinteraconite;whiledowneithersidehungpendentgarlandsofspringandautumnflowers;and，crowningall，carnegorgeoussummerwiththesweetmusk-roses，andtherich-colouredflowersofJuneandJuly。SurelyMonnoyer，orwhoeverthedead-and-goneartistmightbe，wouldhavebeengratifiedtoknowthepleasurehishandiwork，eveninitswane，hadpowertogivetotheheavyheartofayounggirl;fortheyconjuredupvisionsofothersister-flowersthatgrew，andblossomed，andwitheredawayinherearlyhome。Mrs。Masonwasparticularlydesirousthatherworkwomenshouldexertthemselvesto-night，for，onthenext，theannualhunt-ballwastotakeplace。Itwastheonegaietyofthetownsincetheassize-ballshadbeendiscontinued。 Manywerethedressesshehadpromisedshouldbesenthome“withoutfail“ thenextmorning;shehadnotletoneslipthroughherfingers，forfear，ifitdid，itmightfallintothehandsoftherivaldressmaker，whohadjustestablishedherselfintheverysamestreet。Shedeterminedtoadministeragentlestimulanttotheflaggingspirits，andwithalittlepreliminarycoughtoattractattention，shebegan——，“Imayaswellinformyou，youngladies，thatIhavebeenrequestedthisyear，asonpreviousoccasions，toallowsomeofmyyoungpeopletoattendintheantechamberoftheassembly-roomwithsandalribbon，pins，andsuchlittlematters，andtobereadytorepairanyaccidentalinjurytotheladies’dresses。Ishallsendfour——ofthemostdiligent。”Shelaidamarkedemphasisonthelastwords，butwithoutmucheffect;theyweretoosleepytocareforanyofthepompsandvanities，or，indeed，foranyofthecomfortsofthisworld，exceptingonesolething——theirbeds。Mrs。Masonwasaveryworthywoman，but，likemanyotherworthywomen，shehadherfoibles;andone(verynaturaltohercalling)wastopayanextremeregardtoappearances。Accordingly，shehadalreadyselectedinherownmindthefourgirlswhoweremostlikelytodocredittothe“establishment;“ andtheseweresecretlydeterminedupon，althoughitwasverywelltopromisetherewardtothemostdiligent。Shewasreallynotawareofthefalsenessofthisconduct;beinganadeptinthatspeciesofsophistrywithwhichpeoplepersuadethemselvesthatwhattheywishtodoisright。Atlasttherewasnoresistingtheevidenceofweariness。Theyweretoldtogotobed;buteventhatwelcomecommandwaslanguidlyobeyed。Slowlytheyfoldeduptheirwork，heavilytheymovedabout，untilatlengthallwasputaway，andtheytroopedupthewide，darkstaircase。”Oh！howshallIgetthroughfiveyearsoftheseterriblenights！inthatcloseroom！andinthatoppressivestillness！whichletseverysoundofthethreadbeheardasitgoeseternallybackwardsandforwards，“sobbedoutRuth，asshethrewherselfonherbed，withoutevenundressingherself。”Nay，Ruth，youknowitwon’tbealwaysasithasbeento-night。Weoftengettobedbyteno’clock，andby-and-byyouwon’tmindtheclosenessoftheroom。You’reworn-outto-night，oryouwouldnothavemindedthesoundoftheneedle;Ineverhearit。Come，letmeunfastenyou，“saidJenny。”Whatistheuseofundressing？Wemustbeupagainandatworkinthreehours。”，“Andinthosethreehoursyoumaygetagreatdealofrest，ifyouwillbutundressyourselfandfairlygotobed。Come，love。”，Jenny’sadvicewasnotresisted;butbeforeRuthwenttosleepshesaid——，“Oh！IwishIwasnotsocrossandimpatient。Idon’tthinkIusedtobe。”，“No，Iamsurenot。Mostnewgirlsgetimpatientatfirst;butitgoesoff，andtheydon’tcaremuchforanythingafterawhile。Poorchild！she’sasleepalready，“saidJennytoherself。Shecouldnotsleeporrest。Thetightnessathersidewasworsethanusual。 Shealmostthoughtsheoughttomentionitinherlettershome;butthensherememberedthepremiumherfatherhadstruggledhardtopay，andthelargefamily，youngerthanherself，thathadtobecaredfor，andshedeterminedtobearon，andtrustthat，whenthewarmweathercame，boththepainandthecoughwouldgoaway。Shewouldbeprudentaboutherself。WhatwasthematterwithRuth？Shewascryinginhersleepasifherheartwouldbreak。Suchagitatedslumbercouldbenorest;soJennywakenedher。”Ruth！Ruth！”“Oh，Jenny！”saidRuth，sittingupinbed，andpushingbackthemassesofhairthatwereheatingherforehead，“IthoughtIsawmammabythesideofthebed，comingassheusedtodo，toseeifIwereasleepandcomfortable; andwhenItriedtotakeholdofher，shewentawayandleftmealone——I don’tknowwhere;sostrange！”“Itwasonlyadream;youknowyou’dbeentalkingabouthertome，andyou’refeverishwithsittinguplate。Gotosleepagain，andI’llwatch，andwakenyouifyouseemuneasy。”，“Butyou’llbesotired。Oh，dear！dear！”Ruthwasasleepagain，evenwhileshesighed。Morningcame，andthoughtheirresthadbeenshort，thegirlsaroserefreshed。”MissSutton，MissJennings，MissBooth，andMissHilton，youwillseethatyouarereadytoaccompanymetotheshire-hallbyeighto’clock。”，Oneortwoofthegirlslookedastonished，butthemajority，havinganticipatedtheselection，andknowingfromexperiencetheunexpressedrulebywhichitwasmade，receiveditwiththesullenindifferencewhichhadbecometheirfeelingwithregardtomostevents——adeadenedsenseoflife，consequentupontheirunnaturalmodeofexistence，theirsedentarydays，andtheirfrequentnightsoflatewatching。ButtoRuthitwasinexplicable。Shehadyawned，andloitered，andlookedoffatthebeautifulpanel，andlostherselfinthoughtsofhome，untilshefullyexpectedthereprimandwhichatanyothertimeshewouldhavebeensuretoreceive，andnow，tohersurprise，shewassingledoutasoneofthemostdiligent！，Muchasshelongedforthedelightofseeingthenobleshire-hall——theboastofthecounty——andofcatchingglimpsesofthedancers，andhearingtheband;muchasshelongedforsomevarietytothedull，monotonouslifeshewasleading，shecouldnotfeelhappytoacceptaprivilege，granted，asshebelieved，inignoranceoftherealstateofthecase;soshestartledhercompanionsbyrisingabruptlyandgoinguptoMrs。Mason，whowasfinishingadresswhichoughttohavebeensenthometwohoursbefore——，“Ifyouplease，Mrs。Mason，Iwasnotoneofthemostdiligent;Iamafraid——I believe——Iwasnotdiligentatall。Iwasverytired;andIcouldnothelpthinking，and，whenIthink，Ican’tattendtomywork。”Shestopped，believingshehadsufficientlyexplainedhermeaning;butMrs。Masonwouldnotunderstand，anddidnotwishforanyfurtherelucidation。”Well，mydear，youmustlearntothinkandwork，too;or，ifyoucan’tdoboth，youmustleaveoffthinking。Yourguardian，youknow，expectsyoutomakegreatprogressinyourbusiness，andIamsureyouwon’tdisappointhim。”，Butthatwasnottothepoint。Ruthstoodstillaninstant，althoughMrs。 Masonresumedheremploymentinamannerwhichanyonebuta“newgirl“ wouldhaveknowntobeintelligibleenough，thatshedidnotwishforanymoreconversationjustthen。”ButasIwasnotdiligentIoughtnottogo，ma’am。MissWoodwasfarmoreindustriousthanI，andmanyoftheothers。”，“Tiresomegirl！”mutteredMrs。Mason;“I’vehalfamindtokeepherathomeforplaguingmeso。”But，lookingup，shewasstruckafreshwiththeremarkablebeautywhichRuthpossessed;suchacredittothehouse，withherwavingoutlineoffigure，herstrikingface，withdarkeyebrowsanddarklashes，combinedwithauburnhairandafaircomplexion。NoIdiligentoridle，RuthHiltonmustappearto-night。”MissHilton，“saidMrs。Mason，withstiffdignity“Iamnotaccustomed(astheseyoungladiescantellyou)tohavemydecisionsquestioned。WhatIsay，Imean;andIhavemyreasons。Sositdown，ifyouplease，andtakecareandbereadybyeight。Notawordmore，“asshefanciedshesawRuthagainabouttospeak。”Jenny，yououghttohavegone，notme，“saidRuth，innolowvoicetoMissWood，asshesatdownbyher。”Hush！Ruth。IcouldnotgoifImight，becauseofmycough。Iwouldrathergiveituptoyouthananyoneifitwereminetogive。Andsupposeitis，thentakethepleasureasmypresent，andtellmeeverybitaboutitwhenyoucomehometo-night。”，“Well！Ishalltakeitinthatway，andnotasifI’dearnedit，whichIhaven’t。Sothankyou。Youcan’tthinkhowIshallenjoyitnow。Ididworkdiligentlyforfiveminuteslastnight，afterIheardofit;Iwantedtogosomuch。ButIcouldnotkeepitup。Oh，dear！andIshallreallyhearaband！andseetheinsideofthatbeautifulshire-hall！” chapter02，CHAPTERII，BUTHGOESTOTHESHIRE-HALL，Induetimethatevening，Mrs。Masoncollectedher“youngladies“foraninspectionoftheirappearancebeforeproceedingtotheshire-hall。Hereager，important，hurriedmannerofsummoningthemwasnotunlikethatofahencluckingherchickenstogether;and，tojudgefromthecloseinvestigationtheyhadtoundergo，itmighthavebeenthoughtthattheirpartintheevening’sperformancewastobefarmoreimportantthanthatoftemporaryladies’-maids。”Isthatyourbestfrock，MissHilton？”askedMrs。Mason，inahalf-dissatisfiedtone，turningRuthabout;foritwasonlyherSundayblacksilk，andwassomewhatwornandshabby。”Yes，ma’am，“answeredRuthquietly。”Oh！indeed。Thenitwilldo“(stillthehalf-satisfiedtone)。“Dress，youngladies，youknow，isaverysecondaryconsideration。Conductiseverything。 Still，MissHilton，Ithinkyoushouldwriteandaskyourguardiantosendyousomemoneyforanothergown。IamsorryIdidnotthinkofitbefore。”IdonotthinkhewouldsendanyifIwrote，“answeredRuth，inalowvoice。“HewasangrywhenIwantedashawl，whenthecoldweathersetin。”，Mrs。Masongaveheralittlepushofdismissal，andRuthfellintotheranksbyherfriend，MissWood。”Nevermind，Ruthie;you’reprettierthananyofthem，“saidamerry，good-naturedgirl，whoseplainnessexcludedherfromanyoftheenvyofrivalry。”Yes;IknowIampretty，“saidRuthsadly;“butIamsorryIhavenobettergown，forthisisveryshabby。Iamashamedofitmyself，andIcanseeMrs。Masonistwiceasmuchashamed。IwishIneednotgo。Ididnotknowweshouldhavetothinkaboutourowndressatall，orIshouldnothavewishedtogo。”，“Nevermind，Ruth，“saidJenny，“you’vebeenlookedatnow，andMrs。Masonwillsoonbetoobusytothinkaboutyouandyourgown。”，“DidyouhearRuthHiltonsaysheknewshewaspretty？”whisperedonegirltoanother，soloudlythatRuthcaughtthewords。”Icouldnothelpknowing，“answeredshesimply，“formanypeoplehavetoldmeso。”，Atlengththesepreliminarieswereover，andtheywerewalkingbrisklythroughthefrostyair;thefreemotionwassoinspiritingthatRuthalmostdancedalong，andquiteforgotallaboutshabbygownsandgrumblingguardians。 Theshire-hallwasevenmorestrikingthanshehadexpected。Thesidesofthestaircasewerepaintedwithfiguresthatshowedghostlyinthedimlight，foronlytheirfaceslookedoutofthedark，dingycanvas，withastrangefixedstareofexpression。Theyoungmillinershadtoarrangetheirwaresontablesintheante-room，andmakeallreadybeforetheycouldventuretopeepintothehall-room，wherethemusicianswerealreadytuningtheirinstruments，andwhereoneortwocharwomen(strangecontrast，withtheirdirty，looseattire，andtheirincessantchatter，tothegrandechoesofthevaultedroom！)werecompletingthedustingofbenchesandchairs。TheyquittedtheplaceasRuthandhercompanionsentered。Theyhadtalkedlightlyandmerrilyintheante-room，butnowtheirvoiceswerehushed，awedbytheoldmagnificenceofthevastapartment。Itwassolargethatobjectsshoweddimatthefurtherend，asthroughamist。Full-lengthfiguresofcountyworthieshungaround，inallvarietiesofcostume，fromthedaysofHolbeintothepresenttime。Theloftyroofwasindistinct，forthelampswerenotfullylightedyet;whilethroughtherichly-paintedGothicwindowatoneendthemoonbeamsfell，many-tinted，onthefloor，andmockedwiththeirvividnessthestrugglesoftheartificiallighttoilluminateitslittlesphere。Highabovesoundedthemusicians，fitfullytryingsomestrainofwhichtheywerenotcertain。Thentheystoppedplaying，andtalked，andtheirvoicessoundedgoblin-likeintheirdarkrecess，wherecandleswerecarriedaboutinanuncertainwaveringmanner，remindingRuthoftheflickeringzig-zagmotionofthewill-o’-the-wisp。Suddenlytheroomsprangintothefullblazeoflight，andRuthfeltlessimpressedwithitsappearance，andmorewillingtoobeyMrs。Mason’ssharpsummonstoherwanderingflock，thanshehadbeenwhenitwasdimandmysterious。 Theyhadpresentlyenoughtodoinrenderingofficesofassistancetotheladieswhothrongedin，andwhosevoicesdrownedallthemuffledsoundofthebandRuthhadlongedsomuchtohear。Still，ifonepleasurewasless，anotherwasgreaterthanshehadanticipated。”Oncondition“ofsuchanumberoflittleobservancesthatRuththoughtMrs。Masonwouldneverhaveendedenumeratingthem，theywereallowedduringthedancestostandataside-doorandwatch。Andwhatabeautifulsightitwas！Floatingawaytothatboundingmusic——nowfaraway，likegarlandsoffairies，nownear，andshowingaslovelywomen，witheveryornamentofgracefuldress——theeliteofthecountydancedon，littlecaringwhoseeyesgazedandweredazzled。Outsideallwascold，andcolourless，anduniform，——onecoatingofsnowoverall。Butinsideitwaswarm，andglowing，andvivid;flowersscentedtheair，andwreathedthehead，andrestedonthebosom，asifitweremidsummer。Brightcoloursflashedontheeyeandweregone，andsucceededbyothersaslovelyintherapidmovementofthedance。Smilesdimpledeveryface，andlowtonesofhappinessmurmuredindistinctlythroughtheroomineverypauseofthemusic。Ruthdidnotcaretoseparatefiguresthatformedajoyousandbrilliantwhole;itwasenoughtogaze，anddreamofthehappysmoothnessofthelivesinwhichsuchmusic，andsuchprofusionofflowers，ofjewels，eleganceofeverydescription，andbeautyofallshapesandhues，wereeverydaythings。Shedidnotwanttoknowwhothepeoplewere;althoughtohearacatalogueofnamesseemedtobethegreatdelightofmostofhercompanions。Infact，theenumerationratherdisturbedher;and，toavoidtheshockoftoorapidadescentintothecommonplaceworldofMissSmithsandMr。 Thomsons，shereturnedtoherpostintheante-room。Thereshestood，thinkingordreaming。Shewasstartledbacktoactuallifebyavoiceclosetoher。 Oneofthedancingyoungladieshadmetwithamisfortune。Herdress，ofsomegossamermaterial，hadbeenloopedupbynosegaysofflowers，andoneofthesehadfallenoffinthedance，leavinghergowntotrail。Torepairthis，shehadbeggedherpartnertobringhertotheroomwheretheassistantsshouldhavebeen。NoneweretherebutRuth。”ShallIleaveyou？”askedthegentleman。“Ismyabsencenecessary？”“Oh，no！”repliedthelady;“afewstitcheswillsetalltorights。Besides，Idarenotenterthatroombymyself。”Sofarshespokesweetlyandprettily。 ButnowsheaddressedRuth。“Makehaste——don’tkeepmeanhour！”Andhervoicebecamecoldandauthoritative。Shewasverypretty，withlongdarkringletsandsparklingblackeyes。 ThesehadstruckRuthinthehastyglanceshehadtaken，beforeshekneltdowntohertask。Shealsosawthatthegentlemanwasyoungandelegant。”Oh，thatlovelygalop！howIlongtodancetoit！Willitneverbedone？ Whatafrightfultimeyouaretaking;andI’mdyingtoreturnintimeforthisgalop！”Bywayofshowingapretty，childlikeimpatience，shebegantobeattimewithherfeettothespiritedairthebandwasplaying。Ruthcouldnotdarntherentinherdresswiththiscontinualmotion，andshelookeduptoremonstrate。Asshethrewherheadbackforthispurpose，shecaughttheeyeofthegentlemanwhowasstandingby;itwassoexpressiveofamusementattheairsandgracesofhisprettypartner，thatRuthwasinfectedbythefeeling，andhadtobendherfacedowntoconcealthesmilethatmantledthere。Butnotbeforehehadseenit;andnotbeforehisattentionhadbeentherebydrawntoconsiderthekneelingfigure，that，habitedinblackuptothethroat，withthenobleheadbentdowntotheoccupationinwhichshewasengaged，formedsuchacontrasttotheflippant，bright，artificialgirl，whosattobeservedwithanairashaughtyasaqueenonherthrone。”Oh，Mr。Bellingham！I’mashamedtodetainyousolong。IhadnoideaanyonecouldhavespentSomuchtimeoveralittletearNowonderMrs。Masonchargessomuchfordressmaking，ifherworkwomenaresoslow。”，Itwasmeanttobewitty，butMr。Bellinghamlookedgrave。Hesawthescarletcolourofannoyanceflushtothatbeautifulcheek，whichwaspartiallypresentedtohim。Hetookacandlefromthetable，andhelditsothatRuthhadmorelight。Shedidnotlookuptothankhim，forshefeltashamedthatheshouldhaveseenthesmilewhichshehadcaughtfromhim。”IamsorryIhavebeensolong，ma’am，“saidshegently，asshefinishedherwork;“IwasafraiditmighttearoutagainifIdidnotdoitcarefully。” Sherose。”Iwouldratherhavehadittornthanhavemissedthatcharminggalop，“ saidtheyounglady，shakingoutherdressasabirdshakesitsplumage。 “Shallwego，Mr。Bellingham？”lookingupathim。Hewassurprisedthatshegavenowordorsignofthankstotheassistant。 Hetookupacamelliathatsomeonehadleftonthetable。”Allowme，MissDuncombe，togivethis，inyourname，tothisyounglady，asthanksforherdexteroushelp。”，“Oh，ofcourse，“saidshe。Ruthreceivedtheflowersilently，butwithagrave，modestmotionofherhead。Theyhadgone，andshewasoncemorealone。Presentlyhercompanionsreturned。”WhatwasthematterwithMissDuncombe？Didshecomehere？”askedthey。”Onlyherlacedresswastorn，andImendedit，“answeredRuthquickly。”DidMr。Bellinghamcomewithher？——theysayhe’sgoingtobemarriedtoher。Didhecome，Ruth？”“Yes，“saidRuth，andrelapsedintosilence。Mr。Bellinghamdancedongailyandmerrilythroughthenight，andfittedwithMissDuncombeashethoughtgood。Buthelookedoftentotheside-doorwherethemilliner’sapprenticesstood;andonceherecognisedthetall，slightfigure，andtherichauburnhairofthegirlinblack;andthenhiseyesoughtforthecamellia。Itwasthere，snowywhiteinherbosom。 Andhedancedonmoregailythanever。ThecoldgreydawnwasdrearilylightingupthestreetswhenMrs。Masonandhercompanyreturnedhome。Thelampswereextinguished，yettheshuttersoftheshopsanddwelling-houseswerenotopened。Allsoundshadanechounheardbyday。Oneortwohouselessbeggarssatondoorsteps，andshivering，sleptwithheadsbowedontheirknees，orrestingagainstthecoldhardsupportaffordedbythewall。Ruthfeltasifadreamhadmeltedaway，andshewereoncemoreintheactualworld。Howlongitwouldbe，eveninthemostfavourablechance，beforesheshouldagainentertheshire-hall，orhearabandofmusic，orevenseeagainthosebright，happypeople——asmuchwithoutanysemblanceofcareorwoeasiftheybelongedtoanotherraceofbeings！Hadtheyevertodenythemselvesawish，muchlessawant？Literallyandfigurativelytheirlivesseemedtowanderthroughflowerypleasure-paths。Herewascold，biting，mid-winterforher，andsuchasher——forthosepoorbeggarsalmostaseasonofdeath;buttoMissDuncombeandhercompanions，ahappy，merrytime——whenflowersstillbloomed，andfirescrackled，andcomfortsandluxurieswerepiledaroundthemlikefairygifts。Whatdidtheyknowofthemeaningoftheword，soterrifictothepoor？Whatwaswintertothem？ ButRuthfanciedthatMr。Bellinghamlookedasifhecouldunderstandthefeelingsofthoseremovedfromhimbycircumstanceandstation。Hehaddrawnupthewindowsofhiscarriage，itistrue，withashudder。Ruth，then，hadbeenwatchinghim。Yetshehadnoideathatanyassociationmadehercamelliaprecioustoher。Shebelieveditwassolelyonaccountofitsexquisitebeautythatshetendeditsocarefully。ShetoldJennyeveryparticularofitspresentation，withopen，straight-lookingeye，andwithoutthedeepeningofashadeofcolour。”Wasitnotkindofhim？Youcan’tthinkhownicelyhedidit，justwhenIwasalittlebitmortifiedbyherungraciousways。”，“Itwasverynice，indeed，“repliedJenny。“Suchabeautifulflower！I wishithadsomescent。”，“Iwishittobeexactlyasitis——itisperfect。Sopure！”saidRuth，almostclaspinghertreasureassheplaceditinwater。“WhoisMr。Bellingham？”“HeissontothatMrs。BellinghamofthePriory，forwhomwemadethegreysatinpelisse，“answeredJennysleepily。”Thatwasbeforemytime，“saidRuth。Buttherewasnoanswer。Jennywasasleep。ItwaslongbeforeRuthfollowedherexample。Evenonawinterday，itwasclearmorninglightthatfelluponherfaceasshesmiledinherslumber。 Jennywouldnotwakenher，butwatchedherfacewithadmiration;itwasSolovelyinitshappiness。”Sheisdreamingoflastnight，“thoughtJenny。Itwastrueshewas;butonefigureflittedmorethanalltherestthroughhervisions。Hepresentedflowerafterflowertoherinthatbaselessmorningdream，whichwasalltooquicklyended。Thenightbeforeshehadseenherdeadmotherinhersleep，andshewakenedweeping。AndnowshedreamedofMr。Bellingham，andsmiled。Andyet，wasthisamoreevildreamthantheother？，Therealitiesoflifeseemedtocutmoresharplyagainstherheartthanusualthatmorning。Thelatehoursoftheprecedingnights，andperhapstheexcitementoftheeveningbefore，hadindisposedhertobearcalmlytherubsandcrosseswhichbesetallMrs。Mason’syoungladiesattimes。ForMrs。Mason，thoughthefirstdressmakerinthecounty，washumanafterall;andsuffered，likeherapprentices，fromthesamecausesthataffectedthem。Thismorningshewasdisposedtofindfaultwitheverything，andeverybody。Sheseemedtohaverisenwiththedeterminationofputtingtheworldandallthatitcontained(herworld，atleast)torightsbeforenight;andabusesandnegligences，whichhadlongpassedunreproved，orwinkedat，wereto-daytobedraggedtolight，andsharplyreprimanded。 NothinglessthanperfectionwouldsatisfyMrs。Masonatsuchtimes。Shehadherideasofjustice，too;buttheywerenotdivinelybeautifulandtrueideas;theyweresomethingmoreresemblingagrocer’sortea-dealer’sideasofequalright。Alittleover-indulgencelastnightwastobebalancedbyagooddealofover-severityto-day;andthismannerofrectifyingpreviouserrorsfullysatisfiedherconscience。Ruthwasnotinclinedfor，orcapableof，muchextraexertion;anditwouldhavetaskedallherpowerstohavepleasedhersuperior。Thework-roomseemedfilledwithsharpcalls。“MissHilton！wherehaveyouputthebluePersian？Wheneverthingsaremislaid，IknowithasbeenMissHilton’seveningforsidingaway！”“MissHiltonwasgoingoutlastnight，soIofferedtoearthework-roomforher。Iwillfinditdirectly，ma’am，“answeredoneofthegirls。”Oh，IamwellawareofMissHilton’scustomofshufflingoffherdutiesuponanyonewhocanbeinducedtorelieveher，“repliedMrs。Mason。Ruthreddened，andtearssprangtohereyes;butshewassoconsciousofthefalsityoftheaccusation，thatsherebukedherselfforbeingmovedbyit，and，raisingherhead，gaveaproudlookround，asifinappealtohercompanions。”WhereistheskirtofLadyFarnham’sdress？Theflouncesnotputon！I amsurprised！MayIasktowhomthisworkwasentrustedyesterday？”inquiredMrs。Mason，fixinghereyesonRuth。”Iwastohavedoneit，butImadeamistake，andhadtoundoit。Iamverysorry。”，“Imighthaveguessed，certainly。Thereislittledifficulty，tobesure，indiscovering，whenworkhasbeenneglectedorspoilt，intowhosehandsithasfallen。”，SuchwerethespeecheswhichfelltoRuth’sshareonthisdayofalldays，whenshewasleastfittedtobearthemwithequanimity。IntheafternoonitwasnecessaryforMrsMasontogoafewmilesintothecountry。Sheleftinjunctions，andorders，anddirections，andprohibitionswithoutend;butatlastshewasgone，and，inthereliefofherabsence，Ruthlaidherarmsonthetable，and，buryingherhead，begantocryaloud，withweak，uncheckedsobs。”Don’tcry，MissHilton，“——“Ruthie，nevermindtheolddragon，“——“Howwillyoubearonforfiveyears，ifyoudon’tspirityourselfupnottocareastrawforwhatshesays？”——weresomeofthemodesofcomfortandsympathyadministeredbytheyoungworkwomen。Jenny，withawiserinsightintothegrievanceanditsremedy，said——，“SupposeRuthgoes。outinsteadofyou，FannyBarton，todotheerrands。 Thefreshairwilldohergood;andyouknowyoudislikethecoldeastwinds，whileRuthsayssheenjoysfrostandsnow，andallkindsofshiveryweather。”，FannyBartonwasagreatsleepy-lookinggirl，huddlingoverthefire。Noonesowillingasshetorelinquishthewalkonthisbleakafternoon，whentheeastwindblewkeenlydownthestreet，dryinguptheverysnowitself。 Therewasnotemptationtocomeabroad，forthosewhowerenotabsolutelyobligedtoleavetheirwarmrooms;indeed，theduskhourshowedthatitwastheusualtea-timeforthehumbleinhabitantsofthatpartofthetownthroughwhichRuthhadtopassonhershoppingexpedition。Asshecametothehighgroundjustabovetheriver，wherethestreetslopedrapidlydowntothebridge，shesawthefiatcountrybeyondallcoveredwithsnow，makingtheblackdomeofthecloud-ladenskyappearyetblacker;asifthewinter’snighthadneverfairlygoneaway，buthadhoveredontheedgeoftheworldallthroughtheshortbleakday。Downbythebridge(wheretherewasalittleshelvingbank，usedasalanding-placeforanypleasure-boatsthatcouldfloatonthatshallowstream)somechildrenwereplaying，anddefyingthecold;oneofthemhadgotalargewashing-tub，andwiththeuseofabrokenoarkeptsteeringandpushinghimselfhitherandthitherinthelittlecreek，muchtotheadmirationofhiscompanions，whostoodgravelylookingon，immovableintheirattentiveobservationofthehero，althoughtheirfaceswerebluewithcold，andtheirhandscrammeddeepintotheirpocketswithsomefainthopeoffindingwarmththere。Perhapstheyfearedthat，iftheyunpackedthemselvesfromtheirlumpyattitudesandbegantomoveabout，thecruelwindwouldfinditswayintoeverycrannyoftheirtattereddress。Theywereallhuddledup，andstill;witheyesintentontheembryosailor。Atlast，onelittleman，enviousofthereputationthathisplayfellowwasacquiringbyhisdaring，calledout——，“I’llsettheeacraddy，Tom！Thoudar’n’tgooveryonblacklineinthewater，outintotherealriver。”，Ofcoursethechallengewasnottoberefused;andTompaddledawaytowardsthedarkline，beyondwhichtheriversweptwithsmooth，steadycurrent。 Ruth(achildinyearsherself)stoodatthetopofthedeclivitywatchingtheadventurer，butasunconsciousofanydangerasthegroupofchildrenbelow。Attheirplayfellow’ssuccess，theybrokethroughthecalmgravityofobservationintoboisterousmarksofapplause，clappingtheirhands，andstampingtheirimpatientlittlefeet，andshouting，“Welldone，Tom; thouhastdoneitrarely！”Tomstoodinchildishdignityforamoment，facinghisadmirers;then，inaninstant，hiswashing-tubboatwaswhirledround，andhelosthisbalance，andfellout;andbothheandhisbeatwerecarriedawayslowly，butsurely，bythestrongfullriverwhicheternallymovedonwardstothesea。Thechildrenshriekedaloudwithterror;andRuthflewdowntothelittlebay，andfarintoitsshallowwaters，beforeshefelthowuselesssuchanactionwas，andthatthesensibleplanwouldhavebeentoseekforefficienthelp。Hardlyhadthisthoughtstruckher，when，louderandsharperthanthesullenroarofthestreamthatwasceaselesslyandunrelentinglyflowingon，camethesplashofahorsegallopingthroughthewaterinwhichshewasstanding。Pastherlikelightning——downinthestream，swimmingalongwiththecurrent——astoopingrider——anoutstretchedgraspingarm——alittleliferedeemed，andachildsavedtothosewholovedit！Ruthstooddizzyandsickwithemotionwhileallthistookplace;andwhentheriderturnedtheswimminghorse，andslowlybreasteduptherivertothelanding-place，sherecognisedhimastheMr。Bellinghamofthenightbefore。Hecarriedtheunconsciouschildacrosshishorse，thebodyhunginsolifelessamannerthatRuthbelieveditwasdead;andhereyesweresuddenlyblindedwithtears。Shewadedbacktothebeach，tothepointtowardswhichMr。 Bellinghamwasdirectinghishorse。”Ishedead？”askedshe，stretchingoutherarmstoreceivethelittlefellow;forsheinstinctivelyfeltthatthepositioninwhichhehungwasnotthemostconducivetoreturningconsciousness，ifindeeditwouldeverreturn。”Ithinknot，“answeredMr。Bellingham，ashegavethechildtoher，beforespringingoffhishorse。“Isheyourbrother？Doyouknowwhoheis？”“Look！”saidRuth，whohadsatdownupontheground，thebettertopropthepoorlad，“hishandtwitches！helives;oh，sir，helives！Whoseboyishe？”(tothepeople，whocamehurryingandgatheringtothespotattherumourofanaccident)。”He’soldNellyBrownson’s，“saidthey。“Hergrandson。”，“Wemusttakehimintoahousedirectly，“saidshe。“Ishishomefaroff？”“No，no;it’sjustcloseby。”，“Oneofyougoforadoctoratonce，“saidMr。Bellinghamauthoritatively，“andbringhimtotheoldwoman’swithoutdelay。Youmustnotholdhimanylonger，“hecontinued，speakingtoRuth，andrememberingherfacenowforthefirsttime;“yourdressisdrippingwetalready。Here！youfellow，takehimup，d’yesee！”Butthechild’shandhadnervouslyclenchedRuth’sdress，andshewouldnothavehimdisturbed。Shecarriedherheavyburdenverytenderlytowardsameanlittlecottageindicatedbytheneighhours;anoldcrippledwomanwascomingoutofthedoor，shakingalloverwithagitation。”Dearheart！”saidshe，“he’sthelastof’emall，andhe’sgoneaforeme。”，“Nonsense，“saidMr。Bellingham，“theboyisalive，andlikelytolive。”，Buttheoldwomanwashelplessandhopeless，andinsistedonbelievingthathergrandsonwasdead;anddeadhewouldhavebeenifithadnotbeenforRuth，andoneortwoofthemoresensibleneighbours，who，underMr。 Bellingham’sdirections，bustledabout，anddidallthatwasnecessaryuntilanimationwasrestored。”Whataconfoundedtimethosepeopleareinfetchingthedoctor！”saidMr。BellinghamtoRuth，betweenwhomandhimselfasortofsilentunderstandinghadsprungupfromthecircumstanceoftheirhavingbeentheonlytwo(besidesmerechildren)whohadwitnessedtheaccident，andalsotheonlytwotowhomacertaindegreeofcultivationhadgiventhepowerofunderstandingeachother’sthoughtsandeveneachother’swords。”Ittakessomuchtoknockanideaintosuchstupidpeople’sheads。Theystoodgapingandaskingwhichdoctortheyweretogofor，asifitsignifiedwhetheritwasBrownorSmith，solongashehadhiswitsabouthim。I havenomoretimetowastehere，either;IwasonthegallopwhenIcaughtsightofthelad;and，nowhehasfairlysobbedandopenedhiseyes，I seenouseinmystayinginthisstiflingatmosphere。MayItroubleyouwithonething？Willyoubesogoodastoseethatthelittlefellowhasallthathewants？Ifyou’llallowme，I’llleaveyoumypurse，“continuedhe，givingittoRuth，whowasonlytoogladtohavethispowerentrustedtoherofprocuringoneortworequisiteswhichshehadperceivedtobewanted。Butshesawsomegoldbetweenthenetwork;shedidnotlikethechargeofsuchriches。”Ishallnotwantsomuch，really，sir。Onesovereignwillbeplenty——morethanenough。MayItakethatout，andIwillgiveyoubackwhatisleftofitwhenIseeyouagain？or，perhaps，Ihadbettersendittoyou，sir。”Ithinkyouhadbetterkeepitallatpresent。Oh，whatahorriddirtyplacethisisinsufferabletwominuteslonger。Youmustnotstayhere; you’llbepoisonedwiththisabominableair。Cometowardsthedoor，Ibeg。 Well，ifyouthinkonesovereignwillheenough，Iwilltakemypurse; only，rememberyouapplytomeifyouthinktheywantmore。”，Theywerestandingatthedoor，wheresomeonewasholdingMr。Bellingham’shorse。Ruthwaslookingathimwithherearnesteyes(Mrs。Masonandhererrandsquiteforgottenintheinterestoftheafternoon’sevent)，herwholethoughtsbentuponrightlyunderstandingandfollowingouthiswishesforthelittleboy’swelfare;anduntilnowthishadbeenthefirstobjectinhisownmind。ButatthismomentthestrongperceptionofRuth’sexceedingbeautycameagainuponhim。Healmostlostthesenseofwhathewassaying，hewassostartledwithadmiration。Thenightbefore，hehadnotseenhereyes;andnowtheylookedstraightandinnocentlyfullathim，grave，earnest，anddeep。Butwhensheinstinctivelyreadthechangeintheexpressionofhiscountenance，shedroppedherlargewhiteveilinglids;andhethoughtherfacewaslovelierstill。Theirresistibleimpulseseizedhimtoarrangematters，sothathemightseeheragainbeforelong。”No！”saidhe。“Iseeitwouldhebetterthatyoushouldkeepthepurse。 Manythingsmaybewantedfortheladwhichwecannotcalculateuponnow。 IfIrememberrightly，therearethreesovereignsandsomeloosechange; Ishall，perhaps，seeyouagaininafewdays，when，ifthereheanymoneyleftinthepurse，youcanrestoreittome。”，“Oh，yes，sir，“saidRuth，alivetothemagnitudeofthewantstowhichshemighthavetoadminister，andyetratherafraidoftheresponsibilityimpliedinthepossessionofsomuchmoney。”Isthereanychanceofmymeetingyouagaininthishouse？”askedhe。”IhopetocomewheneverIcan，sir;butImustruninerrand-times，andIdon’tknowwhenmyturnmaybe。”，“Oh“——hedidnotfullyunderstandthisanswer——“Ishouldliketoknowhowyouthinktheboyisgoingon，ifitisnotgivingyoutoomuchtrouble; doyouevertakewalks？”“Notforwalking’ssake，sir。”，“Well，“saidhe，“yougotochurch，Isuppose？Mrs。MasondoesnotkeepyouatworkonSundays;Itrust？”“Oh，no，sir。Igotochurchregularly。”，“Then，perhaps，youwillbesogoodastotellmewhatchurchyougoto，andIwillmeetyoutherenextSundayafternoon？”“IgotoSt。Nicholas’，sir。Iwilltakecareandbringyouwordhowtheboyis，andwhatdoctortheyget;andIwillkeepanaccountofthemoneyIspend。”，“Verywell，thankyou。Remember，Itrusttoyou。”，Hemeantthathereliedonherpromisetomeethim;butRuththoughtthathewasreferringtotheresponsibilityofdoingthebestshecouldforthechild。Hewasgoingaway，whenafreshthoughtstruckhim，andheturnedbackintothecottageoncemore，andaddressedRuth，withahalfsmileonhiscountenance——，“Itseemsratherstrange，butwehavenoonetointroduceus;mynameisBellingham——yoursis“——，“RuthHilton，sir，“sheanswered，inalowvoice，for，nowthattheconversationnolongerrelatedtotheboy，shefeltshyandrestrained。Heheldouthishandtoshakehers;and，justasshegaveittohim，theoldgrandmothercametotteringuptoasksomequestion。Theinterruptionjarreduponhim，andmadehimoncemorekeenlyalivetotheclosenessoftheair，andthesqualoranddirtbywhichhewassurrounded。”Mygoodwoman，“saidhetoNellyBrownson，“couldyounotkeepyourplacealittleneaterandcleaner？Itismorefitforpigsthanhumanbeings。 Theairinthisroomisquiteoffensive，andthedirtandfilthisreallydisgraceful。”，Bythistimehewasmounted，and，bowingtoRuth，herodeaway。Thentheoldwoman’swrathbrokeout。”Whomayyoube，thatknowsnobettermannersthantocomeintoapoorwoman’shousetoabuseit？——fitforpigs，indeed！Whatd’yecallyonfellow？”“HeisMr。Bellingham，“saidRuth，shockedattheoldwoman’sapparentingratitude。“Itwashethatrodeintothewatertosaveyourgrandson。 HewouldhavebeendrownedbutforMr。Bellingham。Ithoughtoncetheywouldbothhavebeensweptawaybythecurrent，itwassostrong。”，“Theriverisnonesodeep，either，“theoldwomansaid，anxioustodiminishasmuchaspossibletheobligationshewasundertoonewhohadoffendedher。“Someoneelsewouldhavesavedhim，ifthisfineyoungsparkhadneverbeenhere。He’sanorphan，andGodwatchesoverorphans，theysay。 I’dratherithadbeenanyoneelseashadpickedhimout，thanonewhocomesintoapoorbody’shouseonlytoabuseit。”，“Hedidnotcomeinonlytoabuseit，“saidRuthgently。“HecamewithlittleTom;heonlysaiditwasnotquitesocleanasitmightbe。”，“What！you’retakingupthecry，areyou？Waittillyouareanoldwomanlikeme，crippledwithrheumatiz，andaladtoseeafterlikeTom，whoisalwaysinmudwhenheisn’tinwater;andhisfoodandminetoscrapetogether(Godknowswe’reoftenshort，anddothebestIcan)，andwatertofetchupthatsteepbrow。Shestoppedtocough;andRuthjudiciouslychangedthesubject，andbegantoconsulttheoldwomanastothewantsofhergrandson，inwhichconsultationtheyweresoonassistedbythemedicalman。WhenRuthhadmadeoneortwoarrangementswithaneighbourwhomsheaskedtoprocurethemostnecessarythings，andhadheardfromthedoctorthatallwouldberightinadayortwo，shebegantoquakeattherecollectionofthelengthoftimeshehadspentatNellyBrownson’s，andtoremember，withsomeaffright，thestrictwatchkeptbyMrs。Masonoverherapprentices’ out-goingsandin-comingsonworking-days。Shehurriedofftotheshops，andtriedtorecallherwanderingthoughtstotherespectivemeritsofpinkandblueasamatchtolilac，foundshehadlostherpatterns，andwenthomewithill-chosenthings，andinafitofdespairatherownstupidity。Thetruthwas，thattheafternoon’sadventurefilledhermind;onlythefigureofTom(whowasnowsafeandlikelytodowell)wasrecedingintothebackground，andthatofMr。Bellinghambecomingmoreprominentthanithadbeen。Hisspiritedandnaturalactionofgallopingintothewatertosavethechild，wasmagnifiedbyRuthintothemostheroicdeedofdaring; hisinterestabouttheboywastender，thoughtfulbenevolenceinhereyes，andhiscarelessliberalityofmoneywasfinegenerosity;forsheforgotthatgenerosityimpliessomedegreeofself-denial。Shewasgratified，too，bythepowerofdispensingcomforthehadentrustedtoher，andwasbusywithAlnascharvisionsofwiseexpenditure，whenthenecessityofopeningMrs。Mason’shouse-doorsummonedherbackintoactualpresentlife，andthedreadofanimmediatescolding。Forthistime，however，shewasspared;butsparedforsuchareasonthatshewouldhavebeenthankfulforsomeblameinpreferencetoherimpunity。 Duringherabsence，Jenny’sdifficultyofbreathinghadsuddenlybecomeworse，andthegirlshad，ontheirownresponsibility，puthertobed，andwerestandingroundherindismay，whenMrs。Mason’sreturnhome(onlyafewminutesbeforeRutharrived)flutteredthembackintotheworkroom。Andnowallwasconfusionandhurry;adoctortobesentfor;amindtobeunburdenedofdirectionsforadresstoaforewoman，whowastooilltounderstand;scoldingstobescatteredwithnoilliberalhandamongstagroupoffrightenedgirls，hardlysparingthepoorinvalidherselfforherinopportuneillness。InthemiddleofallthisturmoilRuthcreptquietlytoherplace，withaheavysaddenedheartattheindispositionofthegentleforewoman。ShewouldgladlyhavenursedJennyherself，andoftenlongedtodoit，butshecouldnotbespared。Hands，unskilfulinfineanddelicatework，wouldbewellenoughqualifiedtotendthesick，untilthemotherarrivedfromhome。Meanwhile，extradiligencewasrequiredintheworkroom; andRuthfoundnoopportunityofgoingtoseelittleTom，ortofulfiltheplansformakinghimandhisgrandmothermorecomfortable，whichshehadproposedtoherself。SheregrettedherrashpromisetoMr。Bellingham，ofattendingtothelittleboy’swelfare;allthatshecoulddowasdonebymeansofMrs。Mason’sservant，throughwhomshemadeinquiries，andsentthenecessaryhelp。ThesubjectofJenny’sillnesswastheprominentoneinthehouse。Ruthtoldofherownadventure，tobesure;but，whenshewasattheverycrisisoftheboy’sfallintotheriver，themorefreshandvividinterestofsometidingsofJennywasbroughtintotheroom，andRuthceased，almostblamingherselfforcaringforanythingbesidesthequestionoflifeordeathtobedecidedinthatveryhouse。Thenapale，gentle-lookingwomanwasseenmovingsoftlyabout;anditwaswhisperedthatthiswasthemothercometonurseherchild。Everybodylikedher，shewassosweet-looking，andgavesolittletrouble，andseemedsopatient，andsothankful，foranyinquiriesaboutherdaughter，whoseillnessitwasunderstood，althoughitsseveritywasmitigated，waslikelytobelongandtedious。WhileallthefeelingsandthoughtsrelatingtoJennywerepredominant，Sundayarrived。Mrs。Masonwenttheaccustomedvisittoherfather’s，makingsomelittleshowofapologytoMrs。Woodforleavingherandherdaughter;theapprenticesdispersedtothevariousfriendswithwhomtheywereinthehabitofspendingtheday;andRuthwenttoSt。Nicholas’，withasorrowfulheart，depressedonaccountofJenny，andself-reproachfulathavingrashlyundertakenwhatshehadbeenunabletoperform。AsshecameoutofchurchshewasjoinedbyMr。Bellingham。Shehadhalfhopedthathemighthaveforgottenthearrangement，andyetshewishedtorelieveherselfofherresponsibility。Sheknewhisstepbehindher，andthecontendingfeelingsmadeherheartbeathard，andshelongedtorunaway。”MissHilton，Ibelieve，“saidhe，overtakingher，andbowingforward，soastocatchasightofherrose-redface。“Howisourlittlesailorgoingon？Well，Itrust，fromthesymptomstheotherday。”，“Ibelieve，sir，heisquitewellnow。Iamverysorry，butIhavenotbeenabletogoandseehim。Iamsosorry——Icouldnothelpit。ButI havegotoneortwothingsthroughanotherperson。Ihaveputthemdownonthisslipofpaper;andhereisyourpurse，sir，forIamafraidIcandonothingmoreforhim。Wehaveillnessinthehouse，anditmakesusverybusy。”，Ruthhadbeensomuchaccustomedtoblameoflate，thatshealmostanticipatedsomeremonstranceorreproachnow，fornothavingfulfilledherpromisebetter。ShelittleguessedthatMr。Bellinghamwasfarmorebusytryingtodevisesomeexcuseformeetingheragain，duringthesilencethatsucceededherspeech，thandispleasedwithherfornotbringingamoreparticularaccountofthelittleboy，inwhomhehadceasedtofeelanyinterest。Sherepeated，afteraminute’spause——，“IamverysorryIhavedonesolittle，sir。”，“Oh，yes，Iamsureyouhavedoneallyoucould。Itwasthoughtlessinmetoaddtoyourengagements。”，“Heisdispleasedwithme，“thoughtRuth，“forwhathebelievestohavebeenneglectoftheboy，whoselifeheriskedhisowntosave。IfItoldall，hewouldseethatIcouldnotdomore;butIcannottellhimallthesorrowsandworriesthathavetakenupmytime。”，“AndyetIamtemptedtogiveyouanotherlittlecommission，ifitisnottakinguptoomuchofyourtime，andpresumingtoomuchonyourgoodnature，“ saidhe，abrightideahavingjuststruckhim。“Mrs。MasonlivesinHeneagePlace，doesnotshe？Mymother’sancestorslivedthere;andonce，whenthehousewasbeingrepaired，shetookmeintoshowmetheoldplace。 Therewasanoldhunting-piecepaintedonapaneloveroneofthechimney-pieces; thefigureswereportraitsofmyancestors。IhaveoftenthoughtIshouldliketopurchaseit，ifitstillremainedthere。Canyouascertainthisforme，andbringmewordnextSunday？”“Oh，yes，sir，“saidRuth，gladthatthiscommissionwascompletelywithinherpowertoexecute，andanxioustomakeupforherpreviousseemingneglect。 “I’lllookdirectlyIgethome，andaskMrs。Masontowriteandletyouknow。”，“Thankyou，“saidhe，onlyhalfsatisfied;“Ithink，perhaps，however，itmightbeaswellnottotroubleMrs。Masonaboutityouseeitwouldcompromiseme，andIamnotquitedeterminedtopurchasethepicture;ifyouwouldascertainwhetherthepaintingisthere，andtellme，Iwouldtakealittletimetoreflect，andafterwardsIcouldapplytoMrs。Masonmyself。”，“Verywell，sir;Iwillseeaboutit。”Sotheyparted。BeforethenextSundayMrs。Woodhadtakenherdaughtertoherdistanthome，torecruitinthatquietplace。Ruthwatchedherdownthestreetfromanupperwindow，and，sighingdeepandlong，returnedtotheworkroom，whencethewarningvoiceandgentlewisdomhaddeparted。 chapter03，CHAPTERIII，SUNDAYATMRS。MASON’S，Mr。BellinghamattendedafternoonserviceatSt。Nicholas’churchthenextSunday。HisthoughtshadbeenfarmoreoccupiedbyRuththanhersbyhim，althoughhisappearanceuponthesceneofherlifewasmoreaneventtoherthanitwastohim。Hewaspuzzledbytheimpressionshehadproducedonhim，thoughhedidnotingeneralanalysethenatureofhisfeelings，butsimplyenjoyedthemwiththedelightwhichyouthtakesinexperiencingnewandstrongemotion。HewasoldcomparedtoRuth，butyoungasaman;hardlythree-and-twenty。 Thefactofhisbeinganonlychildhadgivenhim，asitdoestomany，asortofinequalityinthosepartsofthecharacterwhichareusuallyformedbythenumberofyearsthatapersonhaslived。Theunevennessofdisciplinetowhichonlychildrenaresubjected;thethwarting，resultingfromover-anxiety;theindiscreetindulgence，arisingfromalovecentredallinoneobject——hadbeenexaggeratedinhiseducation，probablyfromthecircumstancethathismother(hisonlysurvivingparent) hadbeensimilarlysituatedtohimself。Hewasalreadyinpossessionofthecomparativelysmallpropertyheinheritedfromhisfather。Theestateonwhichhismotherlivedwasherown;andherincomegaveherthemeansofindulgingorcontrollinghim，afterhehadgrowntoman’sestate，asherwaywarddispositionandherloveofpowerpromptedher。Hadhebeendouble-dealinginhisconducttowardsher，hadhecondescendedtohumourherintheleast，herpassionateloveforhimwouldhaveinducedhertostripherselfofallherpossessionstoaddtohisdignityorhappiness。 Butalthoughhefeltthewarmestaffectionforher，theregardlessnesswhichshehadtaughthim(byexample，perhaps，morethanbyprecept)ofthefeelingsofothers，wascontinuallypromptinghimtodothingsthatshe，forthetimebeing，resentedasmortalaffronts。Hewouldmimictheclergymanshespeciallyesteemed，eventohisveryface;hewouldrefusetovisitherschoolsformonthsandmonths;and，whenweariedintogoingatlast，revengehimselfbypuzzlingthechildrenwiththemostridiculousquestions(gravelyput)thathecouldimagine。Alltheseboyishtricksannoyedandirritatedherfarmorethantheaccountswhichreachedherofmoreseriousmisdoingsatcollegeandintown。Ofthesegraveoffencessheneverspoke;ofthesmallermisdeedsshehardlyeverceasedspeaking。Still，attimes，shehadgreatinfluenceoverhim，andnothingdelightedhermorethantoexerciseit。Thesubmissionofhiswilltoherswassuretobeliberallyrewarded;foritgavehergreathappinesstoextort，fromhisindifferenceorhisaffection，theconcessionswhichsheneversoughtbyforceofreason，orbyappealstoprinciple——concessionswhichhefrequentlywithheld，solelyforthesakeofassertinghisindependenceofhercontrol。ShewasanxiousforhimtomarryMissDuncombe。Hecaredlittleornothingaboutit——itwastimeenoughtobemarriedtenyearshence;andsohewasdawdlingthroughsomemonthsofhislife——sometimesflirtingwiththenothing-lothMissDuncombe，sometimesplaguing，andsometimesdelightinghismother，atalltimestakingcaretopleasehimself——whenhefirstsawRuthHilton，andanew，passionate，heartyfeelingshotthroughhiswholebeing。Hedidnotknowwhyhewassofascinatedbyher。Shewasverybeautiful，buthehadseenothersequallybeautiful，andwithmanymoreagaceriescalculatedtosetofftheeffectoftheircharms。Therewas，perhaps，somethingbewitchingintheunionofthegraceandlovelinessofwomanhoodwiththenaivete，simplicity，andinnocenceofanintelligentchild。Therewasaspellintheshyness，whichmadeheravoidandshunalladmiringapproachestoacquaintance。Itwouldbeanexquisitedelighttoattractandtameherwildness，justashehadoftenalluredandtamedthetimidfawnsinhismother’spark。Bynoover-boldadmiration，orrash，passionateword，wouldhestartleher;and，surely，intimeshemightbeinducedtolookuponhimasafriend，ifnotsomethingneareranddearerstill。Inaccordancewiththisdetermination，heresistedthestrongtemptationofwalkingbyhersidethewholedistancehomeafterchurch。Heonlyreceived。theintelligenceshebroughtrespectingthepanelwiththanks，spokeafewwordsabouttheweather，bowed，andwasgone。Ruthbelievedsheshouldneverseehimagain;and，inspiteofsundryself-upbraidingsforherfolly，shecouldnothelpfeelingasifashadowweredrawnoverherexistenceforseveraldaystocome。Mrs。Masonwasawidow，andhadtostruggleforth。sakeofthesixorsevenchildrenleftdependentonherexertions;thustherewassomereason，andgreatexcuse，forthepinchingeconomywhichregulatedherhouseholdaffairs。OnSundaysshechosetoconcludethatallherapprenticeshadfriendswhowouldbegladtoseethemtodinner，andgivethemawelcomereceptionfortheremainderoftheday;whileshe，andthoseofherchildrenwhowerenotatschool，wenttospendthedayatherfather’shouse，severalmilesoutofthetown。Accordingly，nodinnerwascookedonSundaysfortheyoungworkwomen;nofireswerelightedinanyroomstowhichtheyhadaccess。OnthismorningtheybreakfastedinMrs。Mason’sownparlour，afterwhichtheroomwasclosedagainstthemthroughthedaybysomeunderstood，thoughunspokenprohibition。WhatbecameofsuchasRuth，whohadnohomeandnofriendsinthatlarge，populous，desolatetown？Shehadhithertocommissionedtheservant，whowenttomarketonSaturdaysforthefamily，tobuyherabunorbiscuit，whereonshemadeherfastingdinnerinthedesertedworkroom，sittinginherwalking-dresstokeepoffthecold，whichclungtoherinspiteofshawlandbonnet。Thenshewouldsitatthewindow，lookingoutonthedrearyprospecttillhereyeswereoftenblindedbytears;and，partlytoshakeoffthoughtsandrecollections，theindulgenceinwhichshefelttobeproductiveofnogood，andpartlytohavesomeideastodwelluponduringthecomingweekbeyondthosesuggestedbytheconstantviewofthesameroomshewouldcarryherBible，andplaceherselfuponthewindow-seatonthewidelanding，whichcommandedthestreetinfrontofthehouse。 Fromthenceshecouldseetheirregulargrandeuroftheplace;shecaughtaviewofthegreychurch-tower，risinghoaryandmassiveintomid-air; shesawoneortwofiguresloiteralongonthesunnysideofthestreet，inalltheenjoymentoftheirfineclothesandSundayleisure;andsheimaginedhistoriesforthem，andtriedtopicturetoherselftheirhomesandtheirdailydoings。And，beforelong，thebellsswungheavilyinthechurch-tower，andstruckoutwithmusicalclangthefirstsummonstoafternoonchurch。Afterchurchwasover，sheusedtoreturnhometothesamewindow-seat，andwatchtillthewintertwilightwasoverandgone，andthestarscameoutovertheblackmassesofhouses。Andthenshewouldstealdowntoaskforacandle，asacompaniontoherinthedesertedworkroom。Occasionallytheservantwouldbringherupsometea;butoflateRuthhaddeclinedtakingany，asshehaddiscoveredshewasrobbingthekind-heartedcreatureofpartofthesmallprovisionleftoutforherbyMrs。Mason。Shesaton，hungryandcold，tryingtoreadherBible，andtothinktheoldholythoughtswhichhadbeenherchildishmeditationsathermother’sknee，untiloneafteranothertheapprenticesreturned，wearywiththeirday’senjoymentandtheirweek’slatewatching;toowearytomakeherinanywayapartakeroftheirpleasurebyenteringintodetailsofthemannerinwhichtheyhadspenttheirday。And，lastofall，Mrs。Masonreturned;and，summoningher“youngpeople“ oncemoreintotheparlour，shereadaprayerbeforedismissingthemtobed。Shealwaysexpectedtofindthemallinthehousewhenshecamehome，butaskednoquestionsastotheirproceedingsthroughtheday;perhapsbecauseshedreadedtohearthatoneortwohadoccasionallynowheretogoto，andthatitwouldbesometimesnecessarytoorderaSunday’sdinner，andleavealightedfireonthatday。ForfivemonthsRuthhadbeenaninmateatMrs。Mason’s;andsuchhadbeentheregularorderoftheSundays。Whiletheforewomanstayedthere，itistrue，shewaseverreadytogiveRuththelittlevarietyofhearingofrecreationsinwhichshewasnopartaker;and，howevertiredJennymightbeatnight，shehadeversomesympathytobestowonRuthforthedulllengthofdayshehadpassed。Afterherdeparture，themonotonousidlenessoftheSundayseemedworsetobearthantheincessantlabourofthework-days; untilthetimecamewhenitseemedtobearecognisedhopeinhermind，thatonSundayafternoonssheshouldseeMr。Bellingham，andhearafewwordsfromhimasfromafriendwhotookaninterestinherthoughtsandproceedingsduringthepastweek。Ruth’smotherhadbeenthedaughterofapoorcurateinNorfolk，and，earlyleftwithoutparentsorhome，shewasthankfultomarryarespectablefarmeragooddealolderthanherself。Aftertheirmarriage，however，everythingseemedtogowrong。Mrs。Hiltonfellintoadelicatestateofhealth，andwasunabletobestowtheever-watchfulattentiontodomesticaffairssorequisiteinafarmer’swife。Herhusbandhadaseriesofmisfortunes——ofamoreimportantkindthanthedeathofawholebroodofturkeysfromgettingamongthenettles，ortheyearofbadcheesesspoiltbyacarelessdairymaid——whichweretheconsequences(sotheneighbourssaid)ofMr。Hilton’smistakeinmarryingadelicatefinelady。Hiscropsfailed;hishorsesdied;hisbarntookfire：inshort，ifhehadbeeninanywayaremarkablecharacter，onemighthavesupposedhimtobetheobjectofanavengingfate，sosuccessiveweretheevilswhichpursuedhim;but，ashewasonlyasomewhatcommonplacefarmer，Ibelievewemustattributehiscalamitiestosomewantinhischaracteroftheonequalityrequiredtoactaskeystonetomanyexcellences。 Whilehiswifelived，allworldlymisfortunesseemedasnothingtohim; herstrongsenseandlivelyfacultyofhopeupheldhimfromdespair;hersympathywasalwaysready，andtheinvalid’sroomhadanatmosphereofpeaceandencouragementwhichaffectedallwhoenteredit。ButwhenRuthwasabouttwelve，onemorninginthebusyhay-time，Mrs。Hiltonwasleftaloneforsomehours。Thishadoftenhappenedbefore，norhadsheseemedweakerthanusualwhentheyhadgoneforthtothefield;butontheirreturn，withmerryvoices，tofetchthedinnerpreparedforthehaymakers，theyfoundanunusualsilencebroodingoverthehouse;nolowvoicecalledoutgentlytowelcomethem，andaskaftertheday’sprogress;and，onenteringthelittleparlour，whichwascalledMrs。Hilton’s，andwassacredtoher，theyfoundherlyingdeadonheraccustomedsofa。Quitecalmandpeacefulshelay;therehadbeennostruggleatlast;thestrugglewasforthesurvivors，andonesankunderit。Herhusbanddidnotmakemuchadoatfirst——atleast，notinoutwardshow;hermemoryseemedtokeepincheckallexternalviolenceofgrief;but，daybyday，datingfromhiswife’sdeath，hismentalpowersdecreased。Hewasstillahale-lookingelderlyman，andhisbodilyhealthappearedasgoodasever;buthesatforhoursinhiseasy-chair，lookingintothefire，notmoving，norspeaking，unlesswhenitwasabsolutelynecessarytoanswerrepeatedquestions。IfRuth，withcoaxingsanddraggings，inducedhimtocomeoutwithher，hewentwithmeasuredstepsaroundhisfields，hisheadbenttothegroundwiththesameabstracted，unseeinglook;neversmiling-neverchangingtheexpressionofhisface，noteventooneofdeepersadness，whenanythingoccurredwhichmightbesupposedtoremindhimofhisdeadwife。But，inthisabstractionfromalloutwardthings，hisworldlyaffairswenteverlowerdown。Hepaidmoneyaway，orreceivedit，asifithadbeenso’muchwater;thegoldminesofPotosicouldnothavetouchedthedeepgriefofhissoul;butGodininHismercyknewthesurebalm，andsenttheBeautifulMessengertotakethewearyonehome。Afterhisdeath，thecreditorswerethechiefpeoplewhoappearedtotakeanyinterestintheaffairs;anditseemedstrangetoRuthtoseepeople，whomshescarcelyknew，examiningandtouchingallthatshehadbeenaccustomedtoconsideraspreciousandsacred。Herfatherhadmadehiswillatherbirth。Withtheprideofnewlyandlate-acquiredpaternity，hehadconsideredtheofficeofguardiantohislittledarlingasonewhichwouldhavebeenanadditionalhonourtothelord-lieutenantofthecounty;butashehadnotthepleasureofhislordship’sacquaintance，heselectedthepersonofmostconsequenceamongstthosewhomhedidknow;notanyveryambitiousappointmentinthosedaysofcomparativeprosperity;butcertainlytheflourishingmaltsterofSkeltonwasalittlesurprised，when，fifteenyearslater，helearntthathewasexecutortoawillbequeathingmanyvanishedhundredsofpounds，andguardiantoayounggirlwhomhecouldnotrememberevertohaveseen。Hewasasensible，hard-headedmanoftheworld;havingaveryfairproportionofconscienceasconsciencesgo;indeed，perhapsmorethanmanypeople; forhehadsomeideasofdutyextendingtothecirclebeyondhisownfamily，anddidnot，assomewouldhavedone，declineactingaltogether，butspeedilysummonedthecreditors，examinedintotheaccounts，soldupthefarming-stock，anddischargedallthedebts;paidabout£80intotheSkeltonbankforaweek，whileheinquiredforasituationorapprenticeshipofsomekindforpoorheart-brokenRuth;heardofMrs。Mason’s;arrangedallwithherintwoshortconversations;droveoverforRuthinhisgig;waitedwhilesheandtheoldservantpackedupherclothes;andgrewveryimpatientwhilesheran，withhereyesstreamingwithtears，roundthegarden，tearingoffinapassionoflovewholeboughsoffavouriteChinaanddamaskroses，latefloweringagainstthecasement-windowofwhathadbeenhermother’sroom。Whenshetookherseatinthegig，shewaslittleable，evenifshehadbeeninclined，toprofitbyherguardian’slecturesoneconomyandself-reliance;butshewasquietandsilent，lookingforwardwithlongingtothenight-time，when，inherbedroom，shemightgivewaytoallherpassionatesorrowatbeingwrenchedfromthehomewhereshehadlivedwithherparents，inthatutterabsenceofanyanticipationofchange，whichiseithertheblessingorthecurseofchildhood。Butatnighttherewerefourothergirlsinherroom，andshecouldnotcrybeforethem。Shewatchedandwaitedtill，onebyone，theydroppedofftosleep，andthensheburiedherfaceinthepillow，andshookwithsobbinggrief;andthenshepausedtoconjureup，withfondluxuriance，everyrecollectionofthehappydays，solittlevaluedintheiruneventfulpeacewhiletheylasted，sopassionatelyregrettedwhenoncegoneforever;toremembereverylookandwordofthedearmother，andtomoanafreshoverthechangecausedbyherdeath——thefirstcloudinginofRuth’sdayoflife。ItwasJenny’ssympathyonthisfirstnight，whenawakenedbyRuth’sirrepressibleagony，thathadmadethebondbetweenthem。ButRuth’slovingdisposition，continuallysendingforthfibresinsearchofnutriment，foundnootherobjectforregardamongthoseofherdailylifetocompensateforthewantofnaturalties。But，almostinsensibly，Jenny’splaceinRuth’sheartwasfilledup;therewassomeonewholistenedwithtenderinteresttoallherlittlerevelations; whoquestionedheraboutherearlydaysofhappiness，and，inreturn，spokeofhisownchildhood——notsogoldeninrealityasRuth’s，butmoredazzling，whenrecountedwithstoriesofthebeautifulcream-colouredArabianpony，andtheoldpicture-galleryinthehouse，andavenues，andterraces，andfountainsinthegarden，forRuthtopaint，withallthevividnessofimagination，assceneryandbackgroundforthefigurewhichwasgrowingbyslowdegreesmostprominentinherthoughts。Itmustnotbesupposedthatthiswasaffectedallatonce，thoughtheintermediatestageshavebeenpassedover。OnSunday，Mr。Bellinghamonlyspoketohertoreceivetheinformationaboutthepanel;nordidhecometoSt。Nicholas’thenext，noryetthefollowingSunday。Butthethirdhewalkedbyhersidealittleway，and，seeingherannoyance，helefther;andthenshewishedforhimbackagain，andfoundthedayverydreary，andwonderedwhyastrange，undefinedfeeling，hadmadeherimagineshewasdoingwronginwalkingalongsideofonesokindandgoodasMr。Bellingham; ithadbeenveryfoolishofhertoheself-consciousallthetime，andifeverhespoketoheragainshewouldnotthinkofwhatpeoplemightsay，butenjoythepleasurewhichhiskindwordsandevidentinterestinhermightgive。Thenshethoughtitwasverylikelyheneverwouldnoticeheragain，forsheknewshehadbeenveryrudewithhershortanswers; itwasveryprovokingthatshehadbehavedsorudely。Shesouldbesixteeninanothermonth，andshewasstillchildishandawkward。Thusshelecturedherself，afterpartingwithMr。Bellingham;andtheconsequencewas，thatonthefollowingSundayshewastentimesasblushingandconscious，and(Mr。Bellinghamthought)tentimesmorebeautifulthanever。Hesuggestedthat，insteadofgoingstraighthomethroughHighStreet，sheshouldtaketheroundbytheLeasowes;atfirstshedeclined，butthen，suddenlywonderingandquestioningherselfwhysherefusedathingwhichwas，asfarasreasonandknowledge(herknowledge)went，soinnocent，andwhichwascertainlysotemptingandpleasant，sheagreedtogotheround;and，whenshewasonceinthemeadowsthatskirtedthetown，sheforgotalldoubtandawkwardness——nay，almostforgotthepresenceofMr。Bellingham——inherdelightatthenew，tenderbeautyofanearlyspringdayinFebruary。Amongthelastyear’sbrownruins，heapedtogetherbythewindinthehedgerows，shefoundthefresh，green，crinkledleavesandpalestar-likeflowersoftheprimroses。 Hereandthereagoldencelandinemadebrilliantthesidesofthelittlebrookthat(fullofwaterin“Februaryfill-dyke“)bubbledalongbythesideofthepath;thesunwaslowinthehorizon，andonce，whentheycametoahigherpartoftheLeasowes，Ruthburstintoanexclamationofdelightattheeveninggloryofmellowlightwhichwasintheskybehindthepurpledistance，whilethebrownleaflesswoodsintheforegroundderivedanalmostmetalliclustrefromthegoldenmistandhazeofsunset。Itwasbutthree-quartersofamileroundbythemeadows，butsomehowittookthemanhourtowalkit。RuthturnedtothankMr。Bellinghamforhiskindnessintakingherhomebythisbeautifulway，buthislookofadmirationatherglowing，animatedface，madehersuddenlysilent;and，hardlywishinghimgood-bye，shequicklyenteredthehousewithabeating，happy，agitatedheart。”Howstrangeitis，“shethoughtthatevening，“thatIshouldfeelasifthischarmingafternoon’swalkwere，somehow，notexactlywrong，butyetasifitwerenotright。Whycanitbe？IamnotdefraudingMrs。Masonofanyofhertime;thatIknowwouldbewrong;IamlefttogowhereI likeonSundays。Ihavebeentochurch，soitcan’tbebecauseIhavemisseddoingmyduty。IfIhadgonethiswalkwithJenny，IwonderwhetherIshouldhavefeltasIdonow。Theremustbesomethingwronginme，myself，tofeelsoguiltywhenIhavedonenothingwhichisnotright;andyetIcanthankGodforthehappinessIhavehadinthischarmingspringwalk，whichdearmammausedtosaywasasignwhenpleasureswereinnocentandgoodforus。”，Shewasnotconscious，asyet，thatMr。Bellingham’spresencehadaddedanycharmtotheramble;andwhenshemighthavebecomeawareofthis，as，weekafterweek，SundayafterSunday，loiteringrambleafterloiteringramblesucceededeachother，shewastoomuchabsorbedwithonesetofthoughtstohavemuchinclinationforself-questioning。”Tellmeeverything，Ruth，asyouwouldtoabrother;letmehelpyou，ifIcan，inyourdifficulties，“hesaidtoheroneafternoon。Andhereallydidtrytounderstand，andtorealise，howaninsignificantandpaltrypersonlikeMasonthedressmakercouldbeanobjectofdread，andregardedasapersonhavingauthority，byRuth。Heflamedupwithindignationwhen，bywayofimpressinghimwithMrs。Mason’spowerandconsequence，Ruthspokeofsomeinstanceoftheeffectsofheremployer’sdispleasure。Hedeclaredhismothershouldneverhaveagownmadeagainbysuchatyrant——suchaMrs。Brownrigg;thathewouldpreventallhisacquaintancesfromgoingtosuchacrueldressmaker;tillRuthwasalarmedatthethreatenedconsequencesofherone-sidedaccount，andpleadedforMrs。Masonasearnestlyasifayoungman’smenaceofthisdescriptionwerelikelytobeliterallyfulfilled。”Indeed，sir，Ihavebeenverywrong;ifyouplease，sir，don’tbesoangry。 Sheisoftenverygoodtous;itisonlysometimesshegoesintoapassion： andweareveryprovoking，Idaresay。IknowIamforone。Ihaveoftentoundomywork，andyoucan’tthinkhowitspoilsanything(particularlysilk)tobeunpicked;andMrs。Masonhastobearalltheblame。Oh！IamsorryIsaidanythingaboutit。Don’tspeaktoyourmotheraboutit，pray，sir。Mrs。MasonthinkssomuchofMrs。Bellingham’scustom。”，“Well，Iwon’tthistime“——recollectingthattheremightbesomeawkwardnessinaccountingtohismotherforthemeansbywhichhehadobtainedhisverycorrectinformationastowhatpassedinMrs。Mason’sworkroom——“but，ifevershedoessoagain，I’llnotanswerformyself。”，“Iwilltakecareandnottellagain，sir，“saidRuth，inalowvoice。”Nay，Ruth，youarenotgoingtohavesecretsfromme，areyou？Don’tyourememberyourpromisetoconsidermeasabrother？Goontellingmeeverythingthathappenstoyou，pray;youcannotthinkhowmuchinterestItakeinallyourinterests。IcanquitefancythatcharminghomeatMilhamyoutoldmeaboutlastSunday。IcanalmostfancyMrs。Mason’sworkroom;andthat，surely，isaproofeitherofthestrengthofmyimagination，orofyourpowersofdescription。”，Ruthsmiled。“Itis，indeed，sir。Ourworkroommustbesodifferenttoanythingyoueversaw。IthinkyoumusthavepassedthroughMilhamoftenonyourwaytoLowford。”，“Thenyoudon’tthinkitisanystretchoffancytohavesoclearanideaasIhaveofMilhamGrange？Onthelefthandoftheroad，isit，Ruth？”“Yes，sir，justoverthebridge，andupthehillwheretheelm-treesmeetoverheadandmakeagreenshade;andthencomesthedearoldGrange，thatIshallneverseeagain。”，“Never！Nonsense，Ruthie;itisonlysixmilesoff;youmayseeitanyday。Itisnotanhour’sride。”，“PerhapsImayseeitagainwhenIamgrownold;Ididnotthinkexactlywhat’never’meant;itissoverylongsinceIwasthere，andIdon’tseeanychanceofmygoingforyearsandyearsatanyrate。”，“Why，Ruth，you——wemaygonextSundayafternoon，ifyoulike。”，Shelookedupathimwithalovelylightofpleasureinherfaceattheidea。“How，sir？CanIwalkitbetweenafternoon-serviceandthetimeMrs。 Masoncomeshome？Iwouldgoforonlyoneglimpse;butifIcouldgetintothehouse——oh，sir！ifIcouldjustseemamma’sroomagain！”Hewasrevolvingplansinhisheadforgivingherthispleasure，andhehadalsohisowninview。Iftheywentinanyofhiscarriages，theloiteringcharmofthewalkwouldbelost;andtheymust，toacertaindegree，beencumberedby，andexposedtothenoticeofservants。”Areyouagoodwalker，Ruth？Doyouthinkyoucanmanagesixmiles？Ifwesetoffattwoo’clock，weshallbetherebyfour，withouthurrying; orsayhalf-pastfour。Thenwemightstaytwohours，andyoucouldshowmealltheoldwalksandoldplacesyoulove，andwecouldstillcomeleisurelyhome。Oh，it’sallarrangeddirectly！”“Butdoyouthinkitwouldberight，sir？Itseemsasifitwouldbesuchagreatpleasure，thatitmustbeinsomewaywrong。”，“Why，youlittlegoose，whatcanbewronginit？”“Inthefirstplace，Imissgoingtochurchbysettingoutattwo，“saidRuth，alittlegravely。”Onlyforonce。Surelyyoudon’tseeanyharminmissingchurchforonce？ Youwillgointhemorning，youknow。”，“IwonderifMrs。Masonwouldthinkitright——ifshewouldallowit？”“No，Idaresaynot。Butyoudon’tmeantobegovernedbyMrs。Mason’snotionsofrightandwrong。ShethoughtitrighttotreatthatpoorgirlPalmerinthewayyoutoldmeabout。Youwouldthinkthatwrong，youknow，andsowouldeveryoneofsenseandfeeling。Come，Ruth，don’tpinyourfaithonanyone，butjudgeforyourself。Thepleasureisperfectlyinnocent： itisnotaselfishpleasureeither，forIshallenjoyittothefullasmuchasyouwill。Ishallliketoseetheplaceswhereyouspentyourchildhood; Ishallalmostlovethemasmuchasyoudo。”Hehaddroppedhisvoice; andspokeinlow，persuasivetones。Ruthhungdownherhead，andblushedwithexceedinghappiness;butshecouldnotspeak，eventourgeherdoubtsafresh。Thusitwasinamannersettled。Howdelightfullyhappytheplanmadeherthroughthecomingweek！Shewastooyoungwhenhermotherdiedtohavereceivedanycautionsorwordsofadvicerespectingthesubjectofawoman’slife——if，indeed，wiseparentseverdirectlyspeakofwhat，initsdepthandpower，cannotbeputintowords——whichisabroodingspiritwithnodefiniteformorshapethatmenshouldknowit，butwhichisthere，andpresentbeforewehaverecognisedandrealiseditsexistence。Ruthwasinnocentandsnow-pure。