to,
respecting
Sir
Matthew
's
possible
motives
.
It
was
only
when
her
restless
thoughts
had
fixed
themselves
on
this
,
that
she
at
length
closed
her
aching
eyes
in
sleep
.
Above
an
hour
before
the
usual
hour
of
rising
,
Mary
Brotherton
was
already
at
her
writing
desk
.
The
idea
of
going
to
Dowling-lodge
,
and
encountering
the
knight
and
his
family
,
was
intolerable
,
and
she
had
therefore
recourse
to
her
pen
as
the
means
of
obtaining
the
interview
she
wished
for
,
without
paying
for
it
the
penalty
of
such
a
visit
.
She
wrote
as
follows
:
"
My
dear
Miss
Martha
,
"
I
trust
you
are
too
goodnatured
to
be
angry
with
me
,
even
if
you
should
think
that
I
am
taking
a
great
liberty
with
you
.
But
the
truth
is
,
that
I
much
wish
for
the
pleasure
of
seeing
you
,
and
yet
am
too
idle
this
morning
to
venture
upon
a
drive
.
Will
you
then
have
the
great
kindness
to
pass
the
morning
with
me
here
?
I
send
my
carriage
,
lest
Lady
Dowling
should
not
have
one
at
leisure
to
send
with
you
.
"
Believe
me
,
my
dear
Miss
Martha
,
"
Yours
very
sincerely
,
"
Mary
Brotherton
.
"
Having
written
,
folded
,
and
sealed
this
epistle
,
Mary
recollected
that
it
would
be
impossible
to
send
it
for
at
least
four
hours
,
and
she
smiled
first
,
and
then
sighed
,
as
she
thought
of
the
restless
but
useless
activity
which
had
caused
her
so
needlessly
to
forestall
her
usual
hour
of
rising
.
It
would
,
in
truth
,
have
been
better
for
her
,
poor
girl
,
could
she
have
slept
through
the
time
,
for
her
waking
thoughts
had
little
that
was
pleasant
to
rest
upon
.
Even
the
commencement
of
Edward
's
studies
,
to
which
she
had
before
looked
forward
with
great
delight
,
now
recurred
to
her
only
to
bring
the
recollection
that
if
she
saw
him
,
his
thoughts
would
be
neither
of
his
new
clothes
nor
his
new
books
,
but
of
Michael
,
and
of
her
promise
to
get
tidings
of
him
.
For
his
sake
,
and
her
own
too
,
she
determined
at
least
to
escape
this
interview
,
feeling
that
it
would
be
better
for
all
parties
that
no
tidings
should
be
delivered
to
both
mother
and
son
at
once
,
which
could
be
done
after
his
school
hours
,
by
her
driving
to
Hoxley-lane
,
after
she
had
taken
Martha
home
.
In
pursuance
of
this
resolution
,
she
walked
to
the
school-house
,
renewed
her
orders
that
the
greatest
attention
should
be
paid
to
the
new
scholar
,
Edward
Armstrong
,
and
care
taken
that
if
he
were
found
backward
for
his
age
,
he
should
neither
be
laughed
at
nor
chid
.
She
then
left
a
message
for
him
,
stating
that
she
should
be
engaged
all
the
morning
,
but
would
see
him
at
his
mother
's
house
,
after
he
left
school
.
At
eleven
o'clock
Miss
Brotherton
's
equipage
set
off
for
Dowlinglodge
,
bearing
her
letter
to
Martha
,
and
the
interval
till
its
return
was
an
anxious
one
.
First
she
felt
doubtful
if
her
unusual
invitation
would
be
accepted
;
and
if
it
were
,
she
felt
more
doubtful
still
as
to
the
nature
of
the
scene
which
must
follow
.
Nothing
short
of
her
earnest
wish
to
redeem
her
promise
to
Mrs.
Armstrong
could
have
given
Mary
courage
to
do
what
she
now
meditated
.
She
entertained
not
the
slightest
doubt
of
the
intrinsic
excellence
of
Martha
Dowling
.
All
she
had
ever
seen
of
her
,
and
still
more
,
all
she
had
heard
from
the
Armstrongs
,
convinced
her
of
this
;
and
to
pain
her
therefore
,
particularly
in
that
most
tender
point
,
the
exposure
of
her
father
,
the
tremendous
effect
of
which
upon
her
,
Mary
had
already
witnessed
,
was
one
of
the
very
last
measures
she
could
have
been
led
to
adopt
.
But
a
strong
and
stern
feeling
of
justice
,
urged
her
not
to
shrink
from
this
.
It
was
evident
from
the
statement
of
Mrs.
Armstrong
that
Martha
had
been
actively
instrumental
in
sending
Michael
to
his
present
destination
,
let
it
be
where
it
might
;
and
painful
or
not
painful
,
it
was
unquestionably
right
to
make
her
understand
the
doubts
that
existed
as
to
the
boy
's
well-being
,
in
order
that
she
might
avail
herself
,
as
she
was
bound
to
do
,
of
her
access
to
the
only
person
who
could
explain
the
transaction
.
Having
screwed
her
courage
,
therefore
,
to
the
strictness
of
examination
necessary
to
her
most
righteous
purpose
,
Mary
left
her
boudoir
in
the
possession
of
Mrs.
Tremlett
,
and
repaired
to
the
library
to
await
her
guest
.
Nor
did
she
wait
long
.
Almost
before
the
time
arrived
at
which
she
had
calculated
that
the
carriage
might
return
,
the
great
house-bell
gave
signal
of
a
visiter
,
and
the
next
moment
Martha
Dowling
stood
before
her
.
The
two
young
girls
shook
hands
,
and
each
observed
that
the
other
looked
paler
than
she
was
wont
to
do
.
The
heart
of
Mary
sank
within
her
as
she
marked
the
expression
of
Martha
's
countenance
.
Not
only
was
it
pale
,
but
most
speakingly
anxious
,
and
in
addition
to
her
usual
shy
and
reserved
manner
there
was
an
appearance
of
uneasiness
,
and
almost
of
fear
,
as
she
thought
,
which
seemed
to
tell
that
her
object
was
suspected
.
Nor
was
she
wrong
.
In
pursuance
of
a
promise
given
to
Michael
,
Martha
had
visited
the
widow
Armstrong
,
and
the
intense
anxiety
under
which
she
found
her
suffering
respecting
the
destination
of
her
boy
,
awakened
for
the
first
time
in
her
own
mind
a
shadowy
suspicion
that
all
might
not
be
right
concerning
him
.
The
pang
this
cost
her
was
terrible
.
Good
and
kind-hearted
as
she
was
,
there
was
no
strength
of
fibre
in
Martha
's
character
which
might
enable
her
to
brave
every
thing
rather
than
remain
in
doubt
.
She
loved
her
father
fondly
,
but
she
feared
him
more
,
and
the
stronger
her
suspicions
grew
(
and
unhappily
the
more
she
meditated
the
more
they
strengthened
)
,
the
less
power
she
felt
either
to
refute
or
confirm
them
.
The
note
of
Miss
Brotherton
was
delivered
to
her
at
the
family
breakfast
table
,
and
the
instant
she
read
it
,
the
truth
suggested
itself
to
her
mind
.
Had
she
been
a
free
agent
,
the
wounded
shrinking
spirit
of
the
poor
girl
would
have
certainly
led
her
to
invent
some
excuse
for
refusing
an
invitation
so
full
of
terror
;
but
she
was
not
.
"
What
's
that
about
,
Martha
?
"
said
Sir
Matthew
,
holding
out
his
hand
for
the
note
.
"
It
is
from
Miss
Brotherton
,
"
muttered
Martha
,
as
she
resigned
it
to
him
.
"
Mercy
on
me
!
"
exclaimed
her
eldest
sister
,
"
what
a
wonderful
fancy
Miss
Brotherton
seems
to
have
taken
for
Martha
!
I
do
think
it
is
the
very
oddest
thing
I
ever
heard
of
.
"
"
What
a
goose
you
are
,
my
dear
,
not
to
understand
it
!
"
observed
Miss
Harriet
,
the
second
sister
,
giving
at
the
same
time
a
very
significant
glance
towards
her
brother
Augustus
.
"
But
good
gracious
!
"
retorted
Miss
Arabella
,
why
might
not
any
other
of
us
do
as
well
?
It
would
seem
so
much
more
natural
in
such
an
elegant
and
fashionable
girl
as
she
is
.
"
"
She
is
afraid
of
us
,
Bella
,
"
replied
Miss
Harriet
,
tittering
.
Sir
Matthew
,
who
had
not
only
read
the
note
,
but
contrived
to
hear
all
that
his
two
eldest
daughters
said
concerning
it
,
here
burst
into
a
laugh
.
"
Set
a
thief
to
catch
a
thief
—
hey
!
Harriet
?
Come
Martha
!
start
away
!
You
have
finished
your
breakfast
long
ago
.
I
wo
n't
have
the
carriage
kept
waiting
.
"
"
Must
I
go
,
papa
?
"
said
poor
Martha
,
turning
very
pale
.
"
Must
you
go
?
and
with
that
die-away
look
too
?
Why
,
Martha
!
are
you
jealous
,
because
some
folks
fancy
that
the
young
lady
wants
to
make
friends
with
you
,
for
more
reasons
than
one
?
"
"
I
would
a
great
deal
rather
not
go
,
papa
!
"
replied
Martha
in
a
beseeching
accent
.
"
Martha
!
I
shall
be
in
a
downright
passion
with
you
in
half
a
minute
.
Upon
my
honour
I
never
heard
any
thing
so
cross-grained
and
unsisterly
in
my
life
.
Go
this
moment
,
and
get
on
your
bonnet
,
and
remember
if
you
please
,
from
first
to
last
,
to
speak
of
your
brother
as
a
sister
ought
to
speak
.
And
if
she
hints
any
thing
about
his
having
flirted
a
little
with
Carry
Thompson
,
be
sure
to
say
that
he
only
did
it
to
laugh
at
her
.
"
As
he
spoke
these
words
,
Sir
Matthew
rose
from
the
table
,
as
if
to
accelerate
the
movement
which
was
to
send
her
off
.
Martha
listened
to
him
with
the
habitual
reverence
which
she
ever
bestowed
on
all
he
uttered
;
but
shook
her
head
,
as
it
seemed
,
involuntarily
,
as
he
concluded
.
"
Why
you
do
n't
mean
to
say
he
was
in
earnest
,
you
good-for-nothing
spiteful
girl
!
"
cried
Lady
Dowling
,
suddenly
rousing
herself
from
the
dignified
apathy
in
which
she
usually
indulged
.
"
What
a
shame
!
"
cried
one
sister
.
"
That
's
too
bad
!
"
cried
the
other
.
"
Just
like
her
,
though
!
"
sneered
Mr.
Augustus
.
"
Hold
your
tongues
,
all
of
you
,
"
said
Sir
Matthew
,
"
I
know
Martha
better
than
any
of
ye
,
trust
me
for
that
,
and
what
I
bid
her
do
,
that
she
will
do
,
and
nothing
else
.
Run
away
Martha
.
Do
n't
mind
any
of
'
em
.
"
Thus
urged
,
thus
goaded
to
the
interview
she
dreaded
,
Martha
hastened
to
leave
the
room
;
but
ere
she
passed
the
door
,
something
at
her
heart
told
her
that
her
best
course
would
be
to
take
her
father
apart
,
and
tell
him
all
.
She
turned
back
to
look
at
him
,
but
met
a
frown
so
strongly
indicative
of
growing
impatience
at
her
delay
,
that
yielding
to
the
sort
of
slavish
feeling
in
which
she
had
been
nurtured
,
she
hurried
forward
to
obey
him
.
Had
she
possessed
greater
moral
courage
,
many
subsequent
events
would
have
been
different
.
After
the
first
salutation
was
over
,
Miss
Brotherton
,
making
a
strong
mental
effort
to
subdue
her
agitation
—
of
which
she
was
infinitely
more
capable
than
her
companion
—
begged
her
to
sit
down
;
and
then
,
placing
herself
where
she
could
have
,
as
a
commentary
on
what
she
might
induce
her
to
say
,
the
advantage
of
watching
her
countenance
,
she
pronounced
in
a
voice
that
she
in
vain
laboured
to
render
steady
,
"
My
dear
Miss
Martha
,
I
have
suffered
a
great
deal
of
uneasiness
since
I
last
saw
you
respecting
the
little
boy
for
whom
—
concerning
whom
—
I
mean
Michael
Armstrong
,
Martha
!
His
mother
is
very
wretched
because
she
cannot
discover
to
what
place
he
has
been
sent
;
and
I
,
nothing
doubting
that
it
would
be
perfectly
easy
to
learn
this
from
you
,
rashly
promised
that
I
would
obtain
this
information
.
Can
you
,
dear
girl
!
tell
me
more
upon
this
subject
now
,
than
you
could
when
last
we
met
?
"
"
I
cannot
,
Miss
Brotherton
!
"
replied
Martha
Dowling
,
in
a
voice
so
low
and
husky
,
as
hardly
to
be
audible
,
but
with
a
complexion
and
features
that
spoke
so
plainly
what
was
passing
in
her
heart
,
that
Mary
felt
ashamed
of
having
placed
herself
where
she
could
so
distinctly
read
all
she
suffered
,
and
leaving
her
chair
to
share
the
sofa
on
which
the
poor
girl
was
seated
,
she
took
her
hand
and
said
,
"
My
poor
dear
Martha
!
It
would
be
better
for
us
both
that
I
should
speak
sincerely
.
I
have
become
acquainted
with
an
individual
,
Martha
,
who
knows
more
,
much
more
,
than
either
you
or
I
can
do
,
my
dear
girl
,
respecting
the
factories
—
those
great
magazines
of
human
life
and
labour
by
which
your
father
,
and
mine
also
,
have
grown
from
poverty
to
wealth
.
This
person
,
Martha
,
on
my
questioning
him
respecting
the
probable
destination
of
a
child
so
circumstanced
,
did
not
scruple
to
reply
,
that
if
his
master
were
displeased
,
and
wished
to
be
rid
of
him
,
there
were
places
—
factories
,
mills
,
dear
Martha
,
where
the
business
was
so
managed
as
to
render
labour
very
heavy
,
punishment
,
and
where
it
was
easy
to
keep
children
,
ay
,
hundreds
of
them
,
unseen
and
unknown
for
years
.
Do
not
tremble
thus
,
dear
Martha
!
Do
not
draw
your
hand
away
from
me
!
Most
sure
I
am
that
your
heart
and
my
heart
must
beat
in
sympathy
on
such
a
subject
as
this
.
Let
us
be
mutually
sincere
,
and
we
may
help
each
other
to
undo
whatever
wrong
may
have
been
done
.
We
know
,
we
both
well
know
,
that
your
father
was
displeased
with
this
poor
widow
's
son
.
We
know
,
too
,
that
he
is
a
person
of
great
power
and
influence
.
The
boy
is
gone
—
he
will
not
tell
us
where
.
What
is
the
inference
?
Turn
not
from
it
,
Martha
Dowling
,
turn
not
from
it
,
my
poor
friend
,
but
boldly
and
honestly
seek
out
the
truth
,
and
let
me
know
enough
of
it
to
save
this
helpless
child
from
further
suffering
.
"
"
I
have
no
means
,
Miss
Brotherton
,
"
faltered
poor
Martha
.
"
If
all
your
dreadful
thoughts
were
true
,
which
you
have
no
right
to
think
they
are
—
and
still
less
have
I
—
but
if
they
were
true
,
all
true
,
I
have
no
means
to
know
it
.
"
"
If
we
have
ANY
reason
to
believe
them
true
,
"
said
Mary
,
solemnly
,
"
means
MUST
be
taken
,
Martha
Dowling
,
to
stop
further
wrong
;
and
this
can
only
be
by
learning
where
Michael
Armstrong
has
been
sent
.
I
apply
to
you
for
this
with
great
reluctance
,
because
I
know
the
subject
cannot
be
brought
before
you
without
causing
you
pain
.
But
I
feel
it
my
duty
not
to
shrink
from
this
,
and
it
is
yours
,
my
dear
girl
,
to
obtain
the
information
I
require
.
"
"
But
if
I
agreed
with
you
in
this
,
Miss
Brotherton
,
what
are
my
means
of
obtaining
it
beyond
your
own
?
"
said
Martha
,
rousing
herself
,
and
feeling
renewed
courage
from
remembering
that
there
was
no
proof
whatever
of
the
boy
's
being
otherwise
than
well
and
happy
.
"
Nay
,
Martha
,
"
returned
the
heiress
gravely
,
"
amongst
those
engaged
in
your
father
's
service
,
you
can
hardly
be
at
a
loss
to
find
some
one
who
must
have
been
employed
in
removing
him
.
"
"
And
would
you
have
me
,
"
replied
the
poor
girl
,
indignantly
,
"
would
you
have
me
tamper
with
my
father
's
servants
,
in
order
to
obtain
a
knowledge
of
what
it
may
be
his
will
to
keep
secret
?
Miss
Brotherton
,
I
would
rather
die
than
do
so
.
"
"
I
honour
your
filial
feelings
,
Martha
,
and
grieve
to
think
that
you
are
placed
in
circumstances
which
must
compel
you
to
make
them
secondary
,
"
said
Mary
,
gently
.
"
Nothing
can
make
them
secondary
,
"
retorted
Martha
,
warmly
,
"
I
love
my
father
,
and
I
hold
my
duty
to
him
the
first
and
the
highest
I
have
to
perform
on
earth
.
"
"
Save
only
what
you
owe
to
your
own
soul
,
Martha
Dowling
,
"
replied
Mary
.
"
Had
you
been
yourself
for
nothing
in
this
matter
,
I
might
think
as
you
do
,
that
your
duty
as
a
child
must
prevent
your
interfering
in
it
,
though
even
that
,
I
suspect
,
would
be
but
doubtful
morality
.
But
,
Martha
!
the
case
is
otherwise
.
It
was
by
your
influence
that
this
helpless
widow
was
induced
to
send
her
child
away
.
She
did
not
trust
your
father
,
but
she
trusted
you
.
Do
you
not
know
,
Martha
,
that
I
speak
the
truth
?
And
if
I
do
,
can
you
for
an
instant
doubt
that
your
first
duty
is
to
redeem
the
pledge
you
gave
to
this
poor
trusting
creature
,
who
hazarded
all
that
was
dearest
to
her
in
life
,
upon
your
assurance
?
"
A
passionate
burst
of
tears
,
that
seemed
rather
to
convulse
than
relieve
the
bosom
on
which
they
fell
,
was
the
only
answer
Mary
received
to
her
cogent
reasonings
,
and
so
evident
was
the
suffering
of
the
innocent
culprit
who
appeared
writhing
under
the
discipline
she
inflicted
,
that
nothing
less
deeply
impressed
on
her
heart
than
was
the
remembrance
of
Edward
and
his
mother
,
and
the
grief
that
threatened
to
destroy
them
both
,
could
have
given
her
courage
to
persevere
.
"
Martha
!
dear
Martha
!
Be
reasonable
!
"
cried
Mary
,
throwing
her
arms
round
her
.
"
If
you
knew
what
I
suffered
in
making
you
suffer
,
you
would
pity
me
!
But
I
have
no
choice
left
me
.
I
am
not
a
free
agent
,
Martha
,
any
more
than
you
are
;
we
are
both
bound
in
honour
,
honesty
,
Christian
faith
,
and
Christian
mercy
,
not
to
let
any
feeling
stop
us
till
we
have
restored
Michael
Armstrong
to
his
mother
.
"
"
Restore
him
!
"
sobbed
Martha
.
"
Alas
!
Miss
Brotherton
,
the
poor
woman
herself
has
prevented
the
possibility
of
that
!
Do
you
not
know
that
he
is
apprenticed
?
"
"
Let
us
but
know
where
he
is
,
Martha
,
and
if
the
situation
be
one
that
his
mother
can
reasonably
disapprove
,
there
can
be
little
doubt
but
means
may
be
taken
to
release
him
.
Teach
us
but
where
to
find
him
,
dearest
Martha
,
"
cried
Mary
fervently
,
"
and
we
will
all
pray
for
blessings
on
your
head
!
"
"
I
cannot
do
it
,
"
replied
Martha
,
with
a
sigh
that
very
nearly
approached
a
groan
.
"
How
know
you
that
you
cannot
,
Martha
?
Will
you
not
try
to
learn
this
cruel
,
this
nefarious
secret
?
"
"
No
,
I
will
not
,
Miss
Brotherton
,
"
replied
the
unhappy
girl
with
sudden
firmness
.
"
If
any
wrong
has
been
done
to
this
boy
,
I
know
that
it
must
rest
upon
my
head
.
So
let
it
.
The
remembrance
of
it
may
bring
me
to
the
grave
,
and
there
I
shall
find
mercy
and
forgiveness
.
But
it
shall
not
place
me
in
rebellion
to
my
father
,
nor
force
me
to
reveal
any
secrets
which
it
may
be
his
pleasure
to
keep
.
Now
let
me
go
,
Miss
Brotherton
.
I
doubt
not
you
have
acted
according
to
your
sense
of
duty
,
and
so
have
I
.
In
this
at
least
we
are
equal
.
Pray
let
me
go
;
I
am
not
well
and
greatly
wish
to
be
at
home
.
"
Mary
looked
at
her
with
surprise
,
and
almost
with
terror
;
she
was
as
pale
as
death
,
and
shook
,
as
she
stood
up
before
her
,
as
if
she
had
been
seized
with
an
ague-fit
.
"
Alas
,
Martha
!
"
she
exclaimed
,
"
I
have
made
you
very
miserable
,
and
very
ill
,
yet
have
gained
nothing
by
it
!
You
shall
go
,
my
poor
girl
,
you
shall
go
instantly
,
but
ere
we
part
,
let
me
implore
you
to
examine
in
silence
,
and
alone
,
the
question
of
right
and
wrong
in
this
case
.
Paint
to
yourself
the
misery
of
the
wretched
mother
,
and
remember
that
yourself
—
I
must
say
it
,
though
I
wring
both
our
hearts
as
I
do
it
—
yourself
,
Martha
Dowling
,
are
the
cause
of
it
.
"
"
You
have
said
enough
,
Miss
Brotherton
,
to
destroy
my
peace
for
ever
,
"
replied
the
miserable
girl
,
"
but
not
enough
to
make
me
act
as
a
spy
upon
my
father
.
Farewell
!
Do
not
let
us
meet
again
!
It
is
too
painful
.
"
Without
waiting
for
an
answer
,
Martha
Dowling
wrapped
her
shawl
about
her
and
hurried
to
the
door
.
"
The
carriage
is
not
waiting
,
Miss
Dowling
,
"
said
the
vexed
and
disappointed
Mary
,
who
had
gained
nothing
from
this
painful
interview
,
but
the
conviction
that
the
well-intentioned
,
but
erring
Martha
,
was
as
much
persuaded
of
the
boy
's
having
been
unfairly
dealt
with
,
as
herself
.
"
Let
me
order
the
carriage
for
you
.
"
"
No
,
no
,
I
cannot
wait
.
I
can
walk
.
I
know
the
way
.
Indeed
I
can
stay
no
longer
!
"
replied
Martha
,
hurrying
on
,
and
closing
the
door
of
the
room
after
her
,
and
before
Miss
Brotherton
could
reopen
it
,
she
had
already
passed
through
the
hall
,
and
was
almost
running
from
the
house
.
Mary
lost
not
a
moment
in
summoning
a
servant
,
and
ordering
the
carriage
to
follow
her
with
all
speed
,
an
order
which
was
so
well
obeyed
,
that
the
unhappy
Martha
was
overtaken
ere
she
had
walked
a
mile
,
and
gladly
did
she
then
avail
herself
of
it
;
for
by
that
time
every
other
painful
feeling
was
merged
in
the
terror
of
having
to
explain
to
her
father
the
cause
of
her
having
so
parted
with
Miss
Brotherton
,
as
to
return
unattended
and
on
foot
.
"
Perfect
love
casteth
out
fear
,
"
and
perfect
fear
may
perhaps
petrify
the
heart
into
a
sort
of
unstruggling
desperation
;
but
a
union
of
the
two
reduces
the
mind
to
a
state
of
slavery
the
most
abject
,
leaving
no
strength
whereby
any
healthful
moral
feeling
can
be
sustained
.
Martha
's
whole
care
,
on
returning
home
,
was
to
satisfy
her
father
that
nothing
particular
had
passed
in
her
interview
with
the
heiress
;
and
,
unfortunately
for
all
parties
,
she
succeeded
.
Miss
Brotherton
,
meanwhile
,
mounted
a
little
pony
phaeton
with
Mrs.
Tremlett
,
and
with
a
heavy
heart
proceeded
to
Hoxley-lane
.
But
,
painful
as
was
her
errand
,
her
condition
was
a
far
happier
one
than
that
of
Martha
Dowling
;
for
in
her
there
was
no
mixture
of
motives
to
paralyze
every
word
and
act
.
Her
kind
heart
sought
and
found
counsel
in
her
sound
and
upright
judgment
,
and
,
sustained
by
it
,
she
executed
her
task
without
shrinking
.
A
little
reflection
on
the
subject
convinced
her
that
it
was
now
become
her
duty
to
confess
to
her
poor
client
,
not
only
that
her
exertions
to
discover
the
abode
of
Michael
had
been
unsuccessful
,
but
that
she
began
to
fear
that
there
must
be
some
unpleasant
reason
for
the
difficulties
thrown
in
the
way
of
obtaining
the
information
she
had
sought
.
It
required
some
courage
to
utter
this
;
but
when
it
wasdone
,
Mary
was
surprised
to
perceive
that
its
effect
,
both
upon
the
mother
and
son
was
very
trifling
.
Having
candidly
stated
her
fears
,
she
remained
silent
,
the
eyes
of
both
being
fixed
upon
her
with
a
sort
of
quiet
hopelessness
that
was
perhaps
more
painful
to
contemplate
than
more
vehement
demonstrations
of
grief
.
"
Our
thanks
are
not
the
less
due
to
you
,
ma'am
,
"
said
the
widow
gently
,
"
and
do
n't
vex
your
kind
heart
by
thinking
that
we
are
disappointed
.
Edward
and
I
guessed
true
from
almost
the
first
;
that
is
,
from
when
he
was
taken
off
without
bidding
us
good-bye
.
Sir
Matthew
is
known
better
by
his
mill
people
,
ma'am
,
than
by
the
great
gentry
that
turns
their
eyes
away
from
labour
and
sorrow
,
to
revel
and
grow
fat
upon
our
graves
.
You
would
never
be
like
to
hear
the
truth
from
them
,
and
I
am
told
that
even
now
,
the
country
round
rings
with
praises
of
Sir
Matthew
's
goodness
to
Michael
.
'
Tis
bitter
to
hear
it
.
But
it
is
God
's
will
our
portion
should
be
bitter
here
.
He
has
power
to
make
it
up
to
us
hereafter
,
and
it
is
there
we
must
fix
our
hope
.
"
"
Most
sure
and
most
blessed
is
that
hope
!
"
replied
Mary
,
fervently
,
"
yet
it
should
never
check
our
efforts
to
put
to
profit
the
means
of
happiness
he
has
granted
to
us
here
.
I
have
now
told
you
the
very
worst
,
Mrs.
Armstrong
,
for
I
have
told
you
not
only
all
I
know
but
all
I
fear
—
nor
will
I
again
pledge
myself
to
do
more
than
I
am
quite
sure
it
is
in
my
power
to
perform
.
I
think
you
will
believe
,
without
my
talking
about
it
,
that
I
shall
not
give
up
the
search
I
have
undertaken
.
But
till
some
new
light
reaches
us
,
we
should
but
waste
our
time
,
and
wear
our
spirits
by
speaking
on
the
subject
.
Let
us
rather
think
and
speak
of
the
welfare
of
the
dear
boy
that
is
left
you
;
this
will
be
no
hindrance
to
our
restoring
his
brother
,
if
it
be
God
's
will
that
we
should
have
the
power
.
Tell
me
,
Edward
,
how
did
you
get
on
at
school
to-day
?
"
"
Every
body
was
kind
to
me
,
"
answered
the
boy
.
"
That
's
well
,
dear
boy
,
and
every
body
will
be
kind
to
you
.
He
looks
nicely
in
his
new
clothes
,
does
he
not
,
Mrs.
Armstrong
?
"
"
He
does
indeed
,
ma'am
!
and
I
could
almost
fancy
that
he
looked
better
in
health
already
,
for
having
left
the
mill
,
"
replied
the
widow
.
"
And
I
feel
better
,
"
said
Edward
,
looking
at
his
mother
with
his
soft
thoughtful
eyes
,
"
and
I
do
n't
think
that
it
would
be
impossible
for
me
to
grow
well
again
.
"
"
My
boy
!
my
boy
!
"
cried
the
poor
cripple
,
raising
herself
in
her
bed
,
and
throwing
her
arms
around
him
.
"
Should
I
dare
to
complain
of
any
thing
if
that
were
possible
!
But
oh
!
Teddy
!
would
n't
he
have
given
one
of
his
little
hands
to
see
it
?
"
This
appeal
,
which
in
truth
only
echoed
the
thoughts
of
his
own
heart
,
overthrew
all
the
courage
of
Edward
,
and
his
tears
again
flowed
as
fast
as
those
of
his
poor
mother
;
a
renewal
of
weakness
of
which
they
might
both
have
been
still
more
ashamed
than
they
were
,
had
they
not
perceived
that
neither
Miss
Brotherton
nor
her
old
friend
had
dry
eyes
.
Mary
,
however
,
was
too
wise
to
let
this
last
.
"
This
dear
boy
,
"
said
she
,
"
has
said
that
which
ought
to
give
us
all
courage
.
I
can
hardly
tell
you
the
delightful
feeling
which
the
hope
of
his
restoration
to
health
would
give
me
.
It
would
repay
me
a
thousand
fold
for
all
the
pain
I
have
suffered
.
Let
us
fix
our
thoughts
on
this
hope
,
and
trust
me
it
shall
be
realized
,
if
medical
skill
and
kind
treatment
can
do
it
.
"
It
was
with
this
assurance
she
left
them
,
and
if
any
earthly
promise
could
have
healed
the
anguish
of
the
mother
's
heart
,
it
would
have
been
this
.
But
her
two
children
were
so
twined
and
twisted
together
in
her
thoughts
,
that
meditating
upon
her
hopes
for
Edward
inevitably
brought
her
terrors
for
Michael
before
her
,
and
it
was
but
with
a
fitful
sort
of
satisfaction
that
the
boy
dwelt
upon
his
anticipations
of
being
useful
to
her
,
or
that
she
listened
to
him
.
Two
days
after
this
,
while
Miss
Brotherton
and
Mrs.
Tremlett
were
pursuing
their
usual
morning
occupations
in
the
boudoir
,
a
servant
announced
that
a
lady
and
gentleman
were
in
the
drawing-room
.
Had
the
announcement
been
of
a
gentleman
alone
,
Mary
's
thoughts
would
have
instantly
suggested
Mr.
Bell
,
for
they
had
been
fixed
upon
him
,
and
the
hope
of
his
coming
,
through
both
the
preceding
days
.
But
the
mention
of
the
lady
puzzled
her
.
Nevertheless
the
gentleman
was
Mr.
Bell
,
and
no
other
,
and
the
frank
and
simple
kindness
with
which
he
said
,
as
he
led
the
lady
forward
to
meet
her
,
"
Miss
Brotherton
!
I
wanted
my
wife
to
know
you
too
,
"
rendered
the
introduction
as
agreeable
as
it
was
unexpected
.
"
If
you
and
I
,
my
dear
young
lady
,
"
said
he
,
"
take
to
consulting
together
concerning
what
we
may
hope
,
and
what
we
may
do
in
aid
of
the
suffering
people
by
whom
we
are
surrounded
,
we
shall
do
well
to
take
this
good
little
woman
into
the
committee
,
for
she
has
probably
more
practical
knowledge
of
the
subject
we
were
discussing
when
last
we
met
,
than
any
other
lady
you
could
meet
with
.
"
Equally
cordial
and
sincere
was
the
welcome
Mary
gave
to
her
new
friends
;
and
if
sympathy
of
feeling
,
and
a
community
of
interest
,
on
a
subject
of
deep
importance
to
them
all
,
could
have
sufficed
to
make
them
happy
,
the
long
morning
they
passed
together
would
have
been
one
of
great
enjoyment
;
but
they
were
all
too
much
in
earnest
to
be
called
happy
while
dwelling
upon
the
frightful
subject
to
which
their
thoughts
were
turned
.
The
longer
Mary
listened
to
those
whose
lives
were
past
in
struggling
to
assuage
the
misery
around
them
,
and
in
battling
with
the
horrid
principles
which
produced
it
,
the
more
deeply
did
she
feel
that
she
,
too
,
was
called
upon
to
labour
in
the
same
thorny
vineyard
.
Yet
terrible
as
were
the
subjects
they
discussed
,
and
sad
as
was
the
conviction
that
no
power
less
mighty
than
that
of
the
law
could
redress
the
evils
they
deplored
,
there
was
still
something
inexpressibly
soothing
to
her
feelings
,
in
finding
herself
thus
in
intimate
relation
with
persons
who
comprehended
and
shared
in
the
sentiments
which
had
become
so
essentially
a
part
of
herself
.
Though
her
conscience
had
told
her
,
from
the
first
moment
her
attention
had
been
called
to
the
subject
,
that
it
was
her
duty
not
to
turn
away
from
it
,
she
had
hitherto
met
little
but
opposition
from
those
around
her
,
and
though
steadfast
and
firm
in
purpose
,
she
had
often
felt
heavy
in
spirit
from
knowing
herself
to
be
alone
,
when
she
so
much
wanted
assistance
and
support
.
This
oppressive
loneliness
she
could
never
suffer
from
again
,
as
long
as
Mr.
Bell
and
his
excellent
wife
were
within
her
reach
,
and
fervently
did
she
bless
the
courage
which
had
led
her
to
their
dwelling
.
Tidings
of
poor
Michael
,
however
,
there
were
none
.
Mr.
Bell
had
sought
information
concerning
him
wherever
he
thought
it
possible
to
obtain
them
,
but
he
had
learnt
nothing
.
Nevertheless
he
declared
himself
by
no
means
satisfied
that
the
boy
might
not
be
at
some
one
of
the
Bastille-like
establishments
to
which
he
had
applied
.
"
I
know
them
,
and
they
know
me
too
well
,
"
he
said
,
"
for
me
to
place
implicit
confidence
in
any
answer
they
may
be
pleased
to
make
,
to
any
question
I
may
venture
to
ask
.
If
I
knew
where
to
find
a
trust-worthy
stranger
,
who
could
not
by
possibility
be
recognised
by
any
one
as
a
friend
of
mine
,
I
still
think
the
chances
would
be
greatly
in
favour
of
our
finding
the
boy
at
some
of
the
noted
apprenticing
establishments
which
I
have
named
.
But
,
in
truth
,
I
know
not
where
to
look
for
such
a
person
.
"
"
Am
I
not
such
a
one
?
"
cried
Mary
,
eagerly
.
"
Hardly
a
creature
in
the
world
,
beyond
the
town
of
Ashleigh
and
its
neighbourhood
,
knows
me
personally
,
and
in
all
such
places
as
those
you
have
named
,
the
Emperor
of
all
the
Russias
would
not
be
less
likely
to
be
recognised
.
"
"
But
how
,
my
dear
young
lady
,
could
you
represent
yourself
with
any
face
of
probability
as
interested
in
the
inquiries
you
would
have
to
make
?
"
demanded
Mr.
Bell
.
"
Methinks
,
Mr.
Bell
,
"
replied
Mary
,
colouring
with
her
own
enthusiasm
,
—
"
methinks
I
could
carry
through
an
enterprise
which
had
the
recovery
of
little
Michael
for
its
object
,
with
a
degree
of
diplomatic
skill
that
would
surprise
you
.
It
should
not
be
by
downright
and
direct
inquiry
that
I
should
proceed
.
Where
such
inquiry
would
be
likely
to
excite
suspicion
,
I
would
only
contrive
to
insinuate
myself
and
my
eyes
,
and
would
ask
no
questions
save
what
they
should
answer
.
"
"
Many
strangers
,
travelling
,
desire
to
see
the
factories
,
certainly
,
"
replied
Mr.
Bell
,
musingly
.
"
But
you
are
so
young
to
undertake
a
wandering
expedition
.
And
then
,
how
could
you
be
accompanied
?
Your
servants
would
unquestionably
announce
you
every
where
.
"
"
I
am
older
,
I
think
,
than
you
suppose
,
"
replied
Mary
;
"
and
if
I
undertake
this
,
I
will
be
accompanied
by
Mrs.
Tremlett
,
with
whom
I
have
no
reserves
,
and
by
no
one
else
.
"
"
You
cannot
travel
without
attendants
,
Miss
Brotherton
?
"
said
the
clergyman
,
looking
at
her
kindly
,
but
as
if
doubting
that
she
was
quite
in
earnest
.
"
Do
not
either
of
you
judge
me
harshly
,
"
replied
the
heiress
,
with
great
earnestness
;
"
do
not
set
me
down
in
your
judgments
as
a
hot-headed
girl
,
indifferent
to
the
opinions
of
society
,
and
anxious
only
to
follow
the
whim
of
the
moment
.
Did
I
belong
to
any
one
,
I
think
I
should
willingly
yield
to
their
guidance
.
But
I
am
alone
in
the
world
;
I
have
no
responsibilities
but
to
God
and
my
own
conscience
,
and
the
only
way
I
know
of
,
by
which
I
can
make
this
desolate
sort
of
freedom
endurable
,
is
by
fearlessly
,
and
without
respect
to
any
prejudices
or
opinions
whatever
,
employing
my
preposterous
wealth
in
assisting
the
miserable
race
from
whose
labours
it
has
been
extracted
.
If
you
can
aid
me
in
doing
this
,
you
will
do
me
good
;
but
you
will
do
me
none
,
Mr.
Bell
,
by
pointing
out
to
me
the
etiquettes
by
which
the
movements
of
other
young
ladies
are
regulated
.
I
cannot
think
that
I
have
any
right
to
a
place
among
them
;
and
I
therefore
feel
that
to
check
any
possible
usefulness
by
a
constant
reference
to
the
usages
of
persons
with
whom
I
have
little
or
nothing
in
common
,
would
be
putting
on
very
heavy
harness
,
neither
effective
for
use
,
nor
for
ornament
.
But
'
something
too
much
of
this
.
'
I
must
not
talk
of
myself
,
"
she
added
,
cheerfully
.
"
Let
us
examine
the
possibility
of
my
setting
off
with
Mrs.
Tremlett
on
a
little
home
tour
,
without
announcing
the
important
event
to
the
neighbourhood
,
or
taking
any
servants
with
me
to
enact
the
part
of
Fame
behind
my
chariot
.
"
"
By
what
conveyance
would
you
propose
to
travel
,
Miss
Brotherton
?
"
inquired
Mr.
Bell
,
still
looking
,
as
an
American
would
say
,
"
as
if
he
could
not
realize
the
scheme
.
"
Mary
meditated
for
a
moment
,
and
then
replied
—
"
In
the
first
instance
,
if
you
and
Mrs.
Bell
will
permit
it
,
we
shall
go
to
your
house
in
the
same
manner
as
before
,
only
carrying
with
us
a
small
travelling-trunk
or
so
,
such
as
would
be
necessary
if
we
were
going
to
pass
a
week
with
you
.
On
the
following
morning
we
would
set
off
by
the
—
coach
,
in
which
you
will
secure
places
for
us
.
At
—
we
will
order
dinner
and
beds
,
like
any
other
travellers
,
and
inquire
of
the
waiter
what
will
be
the
best
way
of
getting
a
sight
of
the
factories
.
"
"
And
he
will
tell
you
that
such
and
such
factories
—
naming
precisely
those
in
which
there
would
not
be
the
slightest
chance
of
finding
the
boy
—
may
be
seen
by
application
made
to
Mr.
So-and-so
,
"
said
Mr.
Bell
.
Mary
coloured
,
and
seemed
about
to
answer
him
;
but
,
either
from
consciousness
that
she
had
nothing
very
satisfactory
to
reply
,
or
because
she
had
some
notion
in
her
head
not
sufficiently
digested
to
communicate
,
she
changed
her
purpose
,
and
instead
of
combating
an
objection
which
seemed
almost
fatal
,
drew
from
her
pocket
a
set
of
little
ivory
tablets
,
on
which
she
had
written
the
names
of
all
the
establishments
within
a
distance
of
twenty
miles
,
notorious
for
taking
apprentices
,
and
of
retaining
them
by
means
that
converted
the
scene
of
their
labour
into
a
most
strict
and
wretched
prison-house
.
She
read
their
names
aloud
.
"
These
,
I
think
,
were
all
you
mentioned
to
me
?
"
said
she
.
"
I
think
they
were
,
"
replied
Mr.
Bell
.
"
But
to
these
,
believe
me
,
you
will
get
no
admission
as
a
visiter
.
"
"
Will
you
admit
me
as
a
visiter
,
if
I
come
to
you
the
day
after
tomorrow
,
Mrs.
Bell
?
"
said
the
heiress
,
playfully
,
and
apparently
wishing
to
wave
any
further
discussion
of
her
projects
.
"
Most
joyfully
!
"
was
the
kind
and
hospitable
reply
.
"
Then
,
for
the
rest
we
must
trust
to
chance
.
And
now
,
if
you
will
let
me
,
I
will
show
you
my
pretty
garden
,
"
said
Miss
Brotherton
,
rising
,
and
taking
from
a
chair
by
the
open
window
the
ever-ready
shawl
and
parasol
,
which
made
her
lawns
and
shrubberies
essentially
a
part
of
her
dwelling-place
.
"
Of
all
the
fine
things
I
possess
,
I
believe
I
am
only
truly
thankful
for
this
,
"
she
continued
,
"
I
hardly
know
how
I
should
pass
my
life
if
I
had
not
a
garden
.
"
The
garden
was
indeed
one
that
spoke
of
its
owner
's
love
,
by
a
multitude
of
enjoyable
nooks
that
seemed
all
courting
her
approach
,
and
by
that
perfection
of
elegant
neatness
which
is
never
found
in
an
equal
degree
where
the
mistress
is
indifferent
respecting
it
.
To
her
new
friends
'
praises
of
all
this
she
listened
with
pleasure
,
and
sketched
many
pleasant
plans
for
future
meetings
,
when
they
should
not
,
as
they
declared
unavoidable
now
,
remain
only
while
their
horse
was
resting
.
But
Mary
said
not
a
word
more
on
the
subject
of
her
purposed
expedition
till
the
very
moment
of
their
departure
,
and
then
it
was
only
to
remind
them
that
they
would
see
her
come
with
her
friend
to
claim
their
promised
hospitality
on
the
next
day
but
one
.
This
was
received
with
renewed
promises
of
a
joyful
welcome
,
and
so
they
parted
.
The
next
day
was
a
busy
one
for
Mary
.
In
the
first
place
she
was
closeted
for
at
least
two
hours
after
breakfast
with
Mrs.
Tremlett
,
and
,
whatever
might
be
the
subject
of
their
conversation
,
it
appeared
to
end
satisfactorily
,
for
when
it
was
over
Mary
embraced
her
old
friend
very
cordially
,
saying
,
"
I
feel
more
grateful
,
much
more
grateful
,
than
I
have
words
to
express
,
nurse
Tremlett
,
and
never
shall
I
forget
your
kindness
to
me
!
"
After
this
they
drove
to
the
entrance
of
Hoxley-lane
,
and
walked
thence
to
pay
a
farewell
visit
to
Mrs.
Armstrong
;
and
here
it
was
evident
that
,
however
wild
the
projects
might
be
which
the
heiress
had
conceived
,
she
knew
how
to
be
discreetly
silent
concerning
them
,
for
after
bestowing
upon
the
widow
a
gratuity
sufficient
to
supply
all
her
wants
for
a
longer
time
than
she
purposed
to
be
absent
,
she
took
leave
of
her
,
saying
,
"
You
will
not
see
me
again
Mrs.
Armstrong
for
a
week
or
more
,
I
am
engaged
to
go
from
home
for
that
time
;
but
I
shall
take
care
that
Edward
shall
receive
as
much
attention
at
the
school
as
if
I
were
at
home
.
Be
sure
also
,
that
my
absence
will
not
make
me
the
less
mindful
of
Michael
.
Neither
at
home
or
abroad
shall
I
cease
to
employ
every
means
in
my
power
to
obtain
intelligence
concerning
him
.
"
To
Edward
,
whom
she
visited
at
the
school
,
she
gave
the
same
assurance
,
adding
an
earnest
injunction
that
he
should
keep
in
mind
the
necessity
of
exerting
himself
,
both
for
the
industrious
prosecution
of
his
studies
,
and
the
not
less
important
regulation
of
his
mind
on
the
subject
of
his
brother
's
absence
,
the
welfare
of
his
mother
greatly
depending
upon
both
.
Weakness
of
every
kind
seemed
to
vanish
before
the
powerful
stimulant
thus
offered
,
and
she
left
her
little
protégé
comforted
and
invigorated
by
the
belief
that
he
had
a
great
duty
to
perform
,
and
that
his
mother
was
the
object
of
it
.
The
preparations
for
her
own
and
her
friends
'
convenience
during
the
journey
were
very
simple
,
but
they
puzzled
her
maid
considerably
.
First
,
it
was
so
very
odd
that
she
should
be
going
out
upon
a
visit
and
take
absolutely
no
dinner
dresses
at
all
with
her
;
and
secondly
,
it
was
,
if
possible
,
odder
still
,
that
she
should
not
take
her
.
But
Mary
listened
to
all
the
hints
and
innuendoes
to
which
these
feelings
gave
rise
with
a
sort
of
gentle
indifference
,
which
was
doubtless
very
provoking
,
till
at
length
she
was
induced
to
damp
the
curiosity
,
which
she
feared
might
prove
inconveniently
active
during
her
absence
,
by
saying
,
"
I
am
going
to
visit
the
family
of
a
clergyman
,
Morgan
,
and
,
as
much
dress
will
not
be
necessary
,
I
shall
not
want
you
.
"
This
was
perfectly
satisfactory
.
"
A
clergyman
's
family
,
where
much
dress
would
not
be
necessary
,
was
where
the
lady
's
maid
never
did
nor
never
could
want
to
go
.
"
Nothing
could
have
been
more
judicious
than
these
explanatory
words
.
They
accorded
perfectly
with
the
report
of
the
servants
who
attended
the
carriage
,
and
so
completely
satisfied
the
household
,
that
,
though
it
was
the
first
absence
of
so
long
duration
that
she
had
made
from
her
home
since
she
became
mistress
of
it
,
it
fortunately
led
to
no
gossipings
whatever
.
We
must
not
pause
to
describe
the
pleasant
sociable
evening
passed
by
our
travellers
at
the
house
of
Mr.
Bell
,
nor
even
relate
all
that
was
said
in
the
course
of
it
,
concerning
the
expedition
they
were
about
to
undertake
.
Every
instruction
,
every
hint
which
Mr.
Bell
believed
might
be
useful
,
he
gave
clearly
and
succinctly
,
and
not
a
word
of
it
was
lost
upon
Mary
.
CHAPTER
XXII
.
MISS
BROTHERTON
SETS
OFF
ON
HER
TRAVELS
,
AND
FEELS
FRIGHTENED
AT
HER
OWN
TEMERITY
—
BUT
SPEEDILY
RECOVERS
HER
COURAGE
,
AND
PLAYS
THE
HEROINE
—
SHE
VISITS
SOME
FACTORIES
,
AND
IS
INTRODUCED
TO
A
SUNDAY-SCHOOL
—
SHE
APPROACHES
THE
PRECINCTS
OF
THE
DEEP
VALLEY
.
It
was
about
nine
o'clock
on
a
bright
autumn
morning
that
Miss
Brotherton
and
her
faithful
nurse
mounted
into
a
lumbering
six-inside
vehicle
,
bound
for
—
.
Their
two
small
trunks
,
with
"
Mrs.
Tremlett
,
passenger
,
"
modestly
written
on
both
,
were
safely
lodged
on
the
top
;
Mr.
Bell
gave
them
a
silent
blessing
and
a
silent
nod
;
the
horseboy
vociferated
"
all
right
,
"
and
the
richest
young
lady
in
Lancashirc
rolled
off
,
very
literally
in
search
of
adventures
.
The
novelty
of
her
situation
,
and
of
her
sensations
of
every
kind
,
the
unceremonious
examination
bestowed
upon
her
by
a
smart
young
clerk
who
sat
opposite
,
the
anxious
look
of
Mrs.
Tremlett
's
usually
tranquil
face
,
and
the
consciousness
that
the
enterprise
she
was
upon
must
even
by
herself
be
characterized
as
wildly
extravagant
,
if
not
carried
through
with
much
steady
courage
and
discretion
,
altogether
produced
a
feeling
of
oppression
on
her
heart
that
very
nearly
overcame
her
.
"
Am
I
acting
rightly
in
thus
exposing
myself
?
"
was
the
question
that
her
startled
nerves
suggested
:
and
had
her
conscience
been
unable
to
answer
it
boldly
and
promptly
,
her
condition
would
have
been
really
pitiable
.
Happily
,
however
,
this
was
not
the
case
.
There
was
some
feminine
timidity
about
Mary
Brotherton
,
but
not
an
atom
of
false
shame
or
affectation
of
any
kind
.
"
Yes
!
—
I
am
right
!
"
was
the
answer
recorded
on
her
heart
of
hearts
,
"
and
shame
to
me
if
I
shrink
at
the
first
step
,
for
no
better
reason
than
because
the
dust
flies
,
and
a
vulgar
young
man
stares
me
in
the
face
.
"
From
that
moment
Mary
recoiled
no
more
;
and
a
little
resolute
meditation
on
her
object
,
and
of
the
strength
demanded
to
obtain
it
,
so
effectually
restored
her
usual
self-possession
,
that
she
looked
round
upon
her
fellow-travellers
with
as
little
embarrassment
as
if
she
had
been
used
to
travel
in
public
all
her
life
,
nodded
to
Mrs.
Tremlett
with
an
encouraging
smile
,
and
thought
how
very
silly
people
were
who
fancied
that
every
thing
unusual
must
of
necessity
be
terrible
.
"
Are
you
going
all
the
way
to
—
,
miss
?
"
said
a
goodnatured-looking
woman
who
sat
bodkin
between
the
smart
clerk
and
Mrs.
Tremlett
.
"
Yes
,
ma'am
,
I
am
,
"
replied
Mary
,
civilly
.
The
good-natured
woman
twisted
herself
round
to
reconnoitre
Mrs.
Tremlett
.
"
Your
mamma
,
I
suppose
,
my
dear
?
"
"
No
,
ma'am
—
the
lady
is
a
friend
!
"
"
Oh
!
I
ask
your
pardon
;
you
are
so
very
much
alike
made
me
say
it
.
"
Mary
bowed
—
Mrs.
Tremlett
smiled
.
The
goodnatured-looking
woman
persevered
in
the
same
train
of
pertinent
observation
,
sometimes
addressed
to
one
passenger
,
and
sometimes
to
another
,
so
as
to
prevent
the
party
from
sinking
into
total
silence
,
which
might
otherwise
,
perhaps
,
have
happened
.
But
Mary
bore
her
share
in
this
trifling
annoyance
with
perfect
good-humour
;
and
when
at
length
they
arrived
at
—
,
and
Mrs.
Tremlett
asked
her
in
rather
piteous
accents
,
the
moment
they
were
alone
together
,
whether
she
did
not
feel
dreadfully
worn
out
,
she
cheerfully
replied
,
"
Not
the
least
in
the
world
,
my
dear
friend
.
"
"
Thank
God
!
"
replied
the
old
woman
,
fervently
,
"
I
know
you
do
so
hate
to
be
bothered
,
Mary
,
that
I
was
afraid
that
old
fool
would
put
you
out
of
all
patience
.
"
"
Times
are
altered
with
me
now
,
nurse
Tremlett
,
"
replied
Mary
;
"
I
have
left
off
living
for
myself
,
and
I
feel
my
temper
improving
already
by
it
.
Now
,
then
,
ring
the
bell
,
and
give
your
orders
;
remember
,
nurse
,
you
are
the
great
lady
,
and
must
order
every
thing
.
"
Encouraged
by
this
cheerful
submission
to
circumstances
,
which
was
in
truth
somewhat
more
than
she
expected
,
Mrs.
Tremlett
began
to
think
that
Mary
might
indeed
prove
capable
of
carrying
through
the
scheme
,
the
first
sketch
of
which
had
appeared
so
wild
,
that
nothing
short
of
a
devotion
to
her
will
,
which
knew
no
bounds
,
could
have
surmounted
her
averseness
to
it
.
"
My
darling
child
!
"
cried
the
old
woman
,
looking
at
her
with
equal
admiration
and
delight
,
"
your
mind
is
as
strong
as
your
heart
is
tender
,
and
never
will
I
again
oppose
my
silly
ignorance
to
any
thing
you
wish
to
do
.
"
It
was
not
difficult
in
this
first
stage
of
their
expedition
to
follow
exactly
the
plan
that
had
been
laid
down
.
The
two
ladies
professed
themselves
to
be
travellers
,
anxious
to
see
all
objects
of
curiosity
,
and
particularly
the
factories
,
which
were
,
as
they
observed
,
so
famous
throughout
all
the
world
.
The
master
of
the
hotel
where
they
lodged
exerted
himself
with
utmost
civility
to
gratify
so
natural
a
desire
,
and
Mrs.
Tremlett
and
Mary
were
accordingly
promenaded
,
on
the
following
morning
,
through
one
of
the
largest
establishments
of
the
town
.
It
is
probable
,
from
the
drowsiness
of
the
public
mind
on
the
subject
,
that
many
travelling
strangers
who
are
in
like
manner
led
by
a
skilful
official
through
the
various
floors
of
a
factory
,
retire
from
the
spectacle
they
present
without
having
any
feeling
of
sympathy
excited
by
the
cursory
glance
they
have
thrown
over
the
silent
unobtrusive
little
beings
,
one
moment
of
whose
unchanging
existence
they
have
been
permitted
to
witness
.
It
is
the
vast
,
the
beautiful
,
the
elaborate
machinery
by
which
they
were
surrounded
that
called
forth
all
their
attention
,
and
all
their
wonder
.
The
uniform
ceaseless
movement
,
sublime
in
its
sturdy
strength
and
unrelenting
activity
,
drew
every
eye
,
and
rapt
the
observer
's
mind
in
boundless
admiration
of
the
marvellous
power
of
science
!
No
wonder
that
along
every
line
a
score
of
noiseless
children
toiled
,
unthought
of
,
after
the
admirable
machine
.
Strangers
do
not
visit
factories
to
look
at
them
;
it
is
the
triumphant
perfection
of
British
mechanism
which
they
come
to
see
,
it
is
of
that
they
speak
,
of
that
they
think
,
of
that
they
boast
when
they
leave
the
life-consuming
process
behind
them
.
The
more
delicate
,
and
(
alas
!
)
living
springs
by
which
the
Great
Artificer
has
given
movement
to
the
beings
made
in
his
own
image
,
are
not
worth
a
thought
the
while
.
The
scientific
speculator
sees
nothing
to
excite
his
intellectual
acumen
in
them
;
he
hardly
knows
that
they
are
there
,
but
gazes
with
enthusiasm
and
almost
reverence
on
the
myriads
of
whirling
spindles
amidst
which
they
breathe
their
groans
,
unheeded
,
and
unheard
.
But
it
was
not
thus
that
Mary
won
her
way
through
the
whirling
hissing
world
of
machinery
into
which
she
now
entered
for
the
first
time
in
her
life
.
The
hot
and
tainted
atmosphere
seemed
to
weigh
upon
her
spirits
,
as
well
as
upon
her
lungs
,
and
the
weary
aspect
of
the
Drakes
,
and
the
failing
joints
of
Edward
Armstrong
became
fearfully
intelligible
as
she
watched
the
children
(
and
she
watched
nothing
else
)
who
dragged
their
attenuated
limbs
along
.
Then
it
was
that
Mr.
Bell
's
tremendous
statement
of
the
number
of
suffering
beings
thus
employed
came
with
full
force
upon
her
mind
.
She
would
have
given
years
of
existence
at
that
moment
,
could
she
have
believed
it
false
.
Two
hundred
thousand
little
creatures
,
created
by
the
abounding
mercy
of
God
,
with
faculties
for
enjoyment
so
perfect
,
that
no
poverty
short
of
actual
starvation
can
check
their
joy
so
long
as
innocence
and
liberty
be
left
them
!
Two
hundred
thousand
little
creatures
,
for
whose
freedom
from
toil
during
their
tender
years
the
awful
voice
of
nature
has
gone
forth
,
to
be
snatched
away
,
living
and
feeling
,
from
the
pure
air
of
heaven
,
while
the
beautiful
process
is
going
on
by
which
their
delicate
fabric
gradually
strengthens
into
maturity
,
—
taken
for
ever
from
all
with
which
their
Maker
has
surrounded
them
for
the
purpose
of
completing
his
own
noblest
work
—
taken
and
lodged
amidst
stench
and
stunning
,
terrifying
tumult
,
—
driven
to
and
fro
,
till
their
little
limbs
bend
under
them
—
hour
after
hour
,
day
after
day
—
the
repose
of
a
moment
to
be
purchased
only
by
yielding
their
tender
bodies
to
the
fist
,
the
heel
,
or
the
strap
of
the
overlooker
!
All
this
rushed
together
upon
poor
Mary
's
heart
and
soul
,
and
,
turning
deadly
pale
,
she
seized
the
arm
of
her
friend
to
save
herself
from
falling
.
"
Terrible
hot
day
!
"
roared
their
conductor
,
in
the
hideous
scream
by
which
some
human
voices
can
battle
successfully
with
the
din
of
machinery
.
Fortunately
,
they
were
near
the
door
of
the
room
,
and
Mrs.
Tremlett
,
urging
her
steps
forward
,
now
brought
her
to
an
open
window
outside
it
.
The
fresh
air
,
so
carefully
excluded
within
,
[
4
]
soon
revived
her
:
the
colour
returned
to
her
lips
,
and
having
remained
silently
inhaling
the
breeze
for
another
minute
or
two
,
she
signified
her
wish
to
proceed
.
"
Not
now
,
Mary
!
Pray
,
not
now
!
"
said
the
frightened
Mrs.
Tremlett
.
"
Indeed
,
indeed
,
you
have
not
strength
for
it
!
"
Mary
gave
her
one
steady
look
,
and
the
opposition
ceased
;
for
it
said
as
plainly
as
look
could
speak
—
"
Is
it
thus
that
I
shall
find
Michael
Armstrong
?
"
"
For
a
moment
I
felt
the
heat
oppressive
,
"
said
Miss
Brotherton
,
in
a
voice
of
very
steady
composure
.
"
But
I
am
quite
sure
the
sensation
will
not
return
.
I
came
to
—
on
purpose
to
see
the
factories
,
my
dear
friend
,
and
,
indeed
,
you
must
not
disappoint
me
.
"
"
The
young
lady
's
right
,
"
replied
their
conductor
.
"
She
'll
never
see
the
like
of
our
mills
,
you
may
depend
upon
that
.
Why
all
the
machinery
in
the
known
world
put
all
together
wo
n't
equal
one
of
our
spinning-mills
.
There
is
nothing
in
creation
to
compare
to
it
;
and
I
do
n't
question
but
the
young
lady
heard
as
much
before
she
come
.
So
it
would
be
altogether
wrong
to
disappoint
her
of
the
sight
of
'
em
.
"
"
Thank
you
,
"
said
Mary
.
"
Are
we
to
go
up
stairs
now
?
"
"
Yes
,
if
you
please
,
miss.
We
have
got
seven
stories
,
here
,
and
,
thank
God
,
all
is
busy
just
now
,
one
as
the
other
,
from
the
bottom
to
the
top
.
"
On
entering
the
second
room
Mary
felt
,
as
she
expected
,
that
her
bodily
strength
was
quite
sufficient
to
sustain
her
.
She
had
not
habituated
herself
to
"
seek
the
sun
upon
the
upland
lawn
,
"
for
nothing
.
Few
girls
so
lapped
in
luxury
could
boast
of
equal
vigour
and
activity
.
The
first
aspect
of
the
system
(
the
horrors
of
which
had
been
so
clearly
explained
to
her
)
in
action
,
was
for
a
moment
overwhelming
—
but
it
was
past
—
the
terrible
"
premier
pas
"
could
not
come
again
,
and
far
from
shrinking
from
the
task
she
had
imposed
upon
herself
,
she
left
the
enormous
fabric
,
after
having
perseveringly
mounted
to
its
summit
,
with
the
satisfactory
conviction
that
she
should
not
fail
in
her
enterprise
either
from
want
of
strength
,
or
from
want
of
will
.
Good
Mrs.
Tremlett
,
however
,
still
felt
less
confident
upon
the
subject
,
and
no
sooner
found
herself
tête-à-tête
with
her
young
mistress
within
the
shelter
of
their
drawing-room
,
than
she
said
,
"
You
will
never
stand
it
,
Miss
Mary
!
—
feeling
about
it
all
as
you
do
—
the
sight
of
those
poor
ragged
,
sickly
little
souls
will
be
the
death
of
you
.
"
"
Then
so
let
me
die
,
dear
nurse
!
"
replied
Mary
.
"
If
I
have
not
vigour
enough
both
of
mind
and
body
to
be
in
some
degree
useful
,
I
should
hardly
think
it
worth
while
to
live
;
but
