,Fleet
Street
,
and
Cheapside
;
and
their
special
instructions
were
to
practise
their
allurements
upon
elderly
men
,
whose
tastes
might
be
deemed
more
vitiated
and
eccentric
than
those
of
the
younger
loungers
of
the
great
thoroughfares
where
prostitution
most
thrives
.
A
favourite
scheme
of
the
old
woman
's
was
this
:
—
One
of
her
juvenile
emissaries
succeeded
,
we
will
suppose
,
in
alluring
to
the
den
in
Golden
Lane
an
elderly
man
whose
outward
respectability
denoted
a
well-filled
purse
,
and
ought
to
have
been
associated
with
better
morals
.
When
the
wickedness
was
consummated
,
and
the
elderly
gentleman
was
about
to
depart
,
the
old
hag
would
meet
him
and
the
young
girl
on
the
stairs
,
and
,
affecting
to
treat
the
latter
as
a
stranger
who
had
merely
used
her
house
as
a
common
place
of
such
resort
,
would
seem
stupefied
at
the
idea
"
of
so
youthful
a
creature
having
been
brought
to
her
abode
for
such
a
purpose
.
"
She
would
then
question
the
girl
concerning
her
age
;
and
the
reply
would
be
"
under
twelve
"
of
course
.
Thus
the
elderly
voluptuary
would
suddenly
find
himself
liable
to
punishment
for
a
misdemeanour
,
for
intriguing
with
a
girl
beneath
the
age
of
twelve
;
and
the
virtuous
indignation
of
the
old
hag
would
be
vented
in
assertions
that
though
she
kept
a
house
of
accommodation
for
grown-up
persons
,
she
abhorred
the
encouragement
of
juvenile
profligacy
.
The
result
would
be
that
the
hoary
old
sinner
found
himself
compelled
to
pay
a
considerable
sum
as
hush-money
.
We
might
occupy
many
pages
with
the
details
of
the
tricks
and
artifices
which
the
old
hag
taught
these
young
girls
.
And
of
a
surety
,
they
were
subjects
sufficiently
plastic
to
enable
her
to
model
them
to
all
her
infamous
purposes
.
Born
of
parents
who
never
took
the
trouble
to
inculcate
a
single
moral
lesson
,
even
if
they
knew
any
,
those
poor
creatures
had
actually
remained
ignorant
of
the
meaning
of
right
and
wrong
until
they
were
old
enough
to
take
an
interest
in
the
events
that
were
passing
around
them
.
Then
,
when
they
missed
some
lad
of
their
acquaintance
,
and
,
on
inquiry
,
learnt
that
he
had
been
sent
to
prison
for
taking
something
which
did
not
belong
to
him
,
they
began
to
understand
that
it
was
dangerous
to
do
such
an
act
—
but
it
did
not
strike
them
that
it
was
wrong
.
Again
,
if
by
accident
they
heard
that
another
boy
whom
they
knew
,
had
got
a
good
place
,
was
very
industrious
,
and
in
a
fair
way
to
prosper
,
they
would
perceive
some
utility
in
such
conduct
,
but
would
still
remain
unable
to
appreciate
its
rectitude
.
Most
of
the
girls
whom
the
old
hag
had
enlisted
in
her
service
,
had
been
born
and
reared
in
that
dirty
warren
which
constitutes
Golden
Lane
,
Upper
Whitecross
Street
,
Playhouse
Yard
,
Swan
Street
,
and
all
their
innumerable
courts
,
alleys
,
and
obscure
nooks
,
swarming
with
a
ragged
and
degraded
population
.
Sometimes
in
their
infancy
they
creeped
out
from
their
loathsome
burrows
,
and
even
ventured
into
Old
Street
,
Barbican
,
or
Beech
Street
.
But
those
excursions
were
not
frequent
.
During
their
childhood
they
rolled
half-naked
in
the
gutters
,
—
eating
the
turnip-parings
and
cabbage-stalks
which
were
tossed
out
into
the
street
with
other
offal
,
—
poking
about
in
the
kennels
to
find
lost
halfpence
,
—
or
even
plundering
the
cat's-meat-man
and
the
tripe-shop
for
the
means
of
satisfying
their
hunger
!
This
mode
of
life
was
but
little
varied
;
—
unless
,
indeed
,
it
were
by
the
more
agreeable
recreations
of
particular
days
in
the
year
.
Thus
,
for
instance
,
November
was
welcomed
as
the
time
for
making
a
Guy-Fawkes
,
and
carrying
it
round
in
procession
amidst
the
pestilential
mazes
of
the
warren
;
August
gave
them
"
oyster
day
,
"
to
be
signalised
by
the
building
of
shell-grottoes
,
which
were
an
excuse
for
importuning
passengers
for
alms
;
and
the
December
season
had
its
"
boxing-day
,
"
on
which
occasion
the
poor
ragged
creatures
would
be
seen
thronging
the
doors
of
the
oil-shops
to
beg
for
Christmas-candles
!
These
had
been
the
only
holidays
which
characterised
the
childhood
of
those
unfortunate
,
lost
,
degraded
girls
whose
lot
we
are
describing
.
Sunday
was
not
marked
by
cleanlier
apparel
,
nor
better
food
:
if
it
were
singled
out
at
all
from
the
other
days
of
the
week
,
the
distinguishing
sign
was
merely
the
extra
drunkenness
of
the
fathers
of
the
families
.
Good
Friday
brought
the
little
victims
no
hot-cross
buns
,
nor
Christmas
Day
its
festivities
,
nor
Shrove
Tuesday
its
pancakes
:
—
they
had
no
knowledge
of
holy
periods
nor
sacred
ceremonies
;
—
no
seasonable
luxury
reminded
them
of
the
anniversaries
of
the
birth
,
the
death
,
or
the
resurrection
of
a
Redeemer
.
No
—
in
physical
privations
and
moral
blindness
had
they
passed
their
infancy
:
—
and
thus
,
having
gone
through
a
complete
initiation
into
the
miseries
and
sufferings
of
life
,
they
were
prepared
at
the
age
of
ten
to
commence
an
apprenticeship
of
crime
.
And
the
old
hag
was
an
excellent
mistress
:
were
there
an
University
devoted
to
graduates
in
Wickedness
,
this
horrible
wretch
would
have
taken
first-class
Degrees
in
its
schools
.
Thus
,
be
it
understood
,
up
to
the
age
of
ten
or
eleven
,
when
those
poor
girls
were
transferred
by
their
unfeeling
parents
(
who
were
glad
to
get
rid
of
them
)
to
the
care
of
the
old
woman
,
they
had
scarcely
ever
been
out
of
the
warren
where
they
were
born
.
Now
a
new
world
,
as
it
were
,
dawned
upon
them
.
They
laid
aside
their
fetid
rags
,
and
put
on
garments
which
appeared
queenly
robes
in
their
eyes
.
They
were
sent
into
streets
lined
with
splendid
shops
,
and
beheld
gay
carriages
and
equipages
of
all
kinds
.
Hitherto
the
principal
gin-shop
in
their
rookery
had
appeared
the
most
gorgeous
palace
in
the
world
in
their
eyes
,
with
its
revolving
burners
,
its
fine
windows
,
and
its
meretriciously-dressed
bar-girls
:
—
now
they
could
feast
their
gaze
with
the
splendours
of
the
linen-drapers
'
and
jewellers
'
establishments
on
Ludgate
Hill
.
Their
existence
seemed
to
be
suddenly
invested
with
charms
that
they
had
never
before
dreamt
of
;
and
they
adored
the
old
hag
as
the
authoress
of
their
good
fortune
.
Thus
she
established
a
sovereign
dominion
over
her
poor
ignorant
victims
through
the
medium
of
their
mistaken
gratitude
;
and
when
she
told
them
to
sin
,
they
sinned
—
sinned
,
too
,
before
they
even
knew
the
meaning
of
virtue
!
Such
was
the
history
—
not
of
one
only
—
but
of
all
the
young
girls
whom
this
atrocious
old
hag
had
bought
from
their
parents
!
To
many
—
to
most
of
our
readers
,
the
details
of
this
description
may
seem
improbable
,
—
nay
,
impossible
.
The
picture
is
,
alas
!
too
true
.
Poor
fallen
children
!
the
world
scorns
you
—
society
contemns
you
—
the
unthinking
blame
you
.
But
,
just
heaven
!
are
ye
more
culpable
than
that
community
which
took
no
precaution
to
prevent
your
degradation
,
and
which
now
adopts
no
measures
to
reclaim
you
?
As
for
ourselves
,
we
declare
most
solemnly
that
we
believe
no
age
to
have
been
more
disgraced
than
the
present
one
,
and
no
country
more
culpable
than
our
own
.
In
this
age
of
Bibles
and
country
of
glorious
civilisation
,
—
in
this
epoch
of
missions
and
land
of
refinement
,
—
in
this
period
of
grand
political
reform
,
and
nation
of
ten
thousand
philanthropic
institutions
,
—
in
the
middle
of
the
nineteenth
century
,
and
with
all
the
advantages
of
profound
peace
,
—
and
,
what
is
worst
of
all
,
in
that
great
city
which
vaunts
itself
the
metropolis
of
the
civilised
world
,
there
are
thousands
of
young
children
whose
neglected
,
hopeless
,
and
miserable
condition
can
only
be
looked
upon
as
an
apprenticeship
calculated
to
fill
our
streets
with
prostitutes
of
finished
depravity
—
to
people
our
gaols
,
hulks
,
and
penal
colonies
with
villains
familiar
with
every
phase
of
crime
—
and
to
supply
our
scaffolds
with
victims
for
the
diversion
of
a
rude
and
ruthless
mob
!
It
was
nine
o'clock
in
the
evening
;
and
the
old
hag
was
seated
in
the
same
room
where
we
have
before
frequently
seen
her
.
She
was
,
however
,
surrounded
by
several
additional
comforts
.
She
no
longer
burnt
turf
in
her
grate
,
but
good
Wall
's
End
coals
.
She
no
longer
placed
her
feet
on
an
old
mat
,
but
on
a
thick
carpet
.
She
no
longer
bought
her
gin
by
the
quartern
or
half
pint
,
but
by
the
bottle
.
She
sweetened
her
tea
with
lump
sugar
,
instead
of
moist
;
and
in
the
place
of
a
stew
of
tripe
or
cow-heel
,
she
had
a
joint
cooked
at
the
bake-house
,
or
a
chicken
boiled
on
her
own
fire
.
Her
select
patrons
had
contributed
much
towards
this
improvement
in
her
circumstances
;
but
the
luxuries
in
which
she
could
now
indulge
,
were
provided
for
her
by
the
prostitution
of
her
young
victims
.
She
was
now
dozing
in
her
arm-chair
,
with
her
great
cat
upon
her
lap
;
but
even
in
the
midst
of
her
semi-slumber
,
her
ears
were
awake
to
the
least
motion
of
the
knocker
of
the
house-door
—
that
sound
which
was
the
indication
of
business
!
Thus
,
when
,
true
to
the
time
appointed
in
his
note
,
the
Resurrection
Man
arrived
at
the
house
,
not
many
moments
elapsed
ere
he
was
admitted
into
the
hag
's
parlour
.
"
So
you
have
discovered
the
address
of
Katherine
Wilmot
,
"
said
the
hag
.
"
Where
does
she
reside
?
"
"
No
matter
where
,
"
returned
the
Resurrection
Man
;
"
it
is
sufficient
that
I
can
communicate
with
her
,
or
bring
her
up
to
London
,
when
it
suits
me
.
I
have
come
now
to
have
a
full
understanding
with
you
on
the
subject
;
and
if
we
play
our
cards
well
,
we
may
obtain
a
round
sum
of
money
from
this
girl
—
that
is
,
supposing
she
is
really
the
child
of
the
Harriet
Wilmot
whom
you
knew
.
"
"
There
can
be
no
doubt
of
it
—
there
can
be
no
doubt
of
it
,
"
exclaimed
the
old
hag
,
rocking
herself
to
and
fro
.
"
She
is
the
daughter
of
that
Harriet
Wilmot
whom
I
knew
,
and
whose
image
sometimes
haunts
me
in
my
dreams
.
"
"
But
what
proofs
have
you
of
the
fact
?
"
demanded
the
Resurrection
Man
.
"
It
will
not
suit
me
to
take
any
more
trouble
in
the
matter
,
unless
I
know
for
certain
that
I
am
not
running
a
wild-goose
chase
.
"
"
I
shall
not
tell
you
how
I
came
to
know
Harriet
Wilmot
seventeen
years
ago
,
nor
any
thing
more
about
her
than
I
can
help
,
"
said
the
old
hag
resolutely
.
"
I
was
,
however
,
well
acquainted
with
her
—
I
knew
all
about
her
.
With
her
own
lips
she
told
me
her
history
.
She
was
for
some
time
engaged
to
be
married
to
a
young
man
—
young
at
that
period
—
at
Southampton
.
His
name
was
Smithers
.
Circumstances
separated
them
before
the
realisation
of
their
hopes
and
wishes
;
and
she
came
to
London
with
her
father
,
who
soon
afterwards
died
of
a
broken
heart
through
misfortunes
in
business
.
"
"
Broken
heart
!
"
exclaimed
the
Resurrection
Man
contemptuously
:
"
who
ever
died
of
a
broken
heart
?
But
never
mind
—
go
on
.
"
"
Harriet
was
alone
in
the
world
—
an
orphan
—
unprotected
—
and
without
friends
or
resources
,
"
continued
the
hag
.
"
She
was
accordingly
compelled
to
go
out
to
service
.
A
wealthy
gentleman
saw
her
,
and
fell
in
love
with
her
—
but
I
shall
not
tell
you
all
about
that
!
No
—
I
shall
not
tell
you
about
that
!
Harriet
's
was
a
strange
fate
—
a
sad
fate
;
and
I
do
not
like
to
think
of
the
part
I
acted
in
some
respects
towards
her
,
"
added
the
old
woman
,
shaking
her
head
,
as
if
it
were
in
regret
of
the
past
.
"
Go
on
,
"
said
the
Resurrection
Man
.
"
If
you
have
got
any
thing
unpleasant
in
your
memory
,
all
the
shakings
of
heads
in
the
world
wo
n't
drive
it
out
.
"
"
Alack
!
you
speak
the
truth
—
you
speak
the
truth
,
"
muttered
the
old
woman
.
"
It
was
the
blackest
deed
I
ever
committed
—
I
wish
it
had
never
occurred
:
it
troubles
me
very
often
;
and
when
I
cannot
sleep
at
night
,
I
am
constantly
thinking
of
Harriet
Wilmot
.
"
"
What
is
all
this
to
lead
to
?
"
demanded
Tidkins
,
impatiently
.
"
I
shall
not
trouble
you
with
many
more
of
my
reflections
,
"
said
the
hag
.
"
Harriet
became
a
mother
:
she
had
a
daughter
,
on
whom
she
bestowed
the
name
of
Katherine
.
Three
or
four
years
afterwards
I
lost
sight
of
her
,
and
never
beheld
her
more
.
From
that
time
all
traces
of
herself
and
her
child
were
gone
until
last
year
,
when
the
murder
of
Reginald
Tracy
's
housekeeper
placed
the
name
of
Katherine
Wilmot
before
the
public
.
That
name
immediately
struck
me
:
the
newspapers
said
she
was
sixteen
years
old
—
precisely
the
age
that
Harriet
's
daughter
must
have
been
.
Then
the
name
of
Smithers
was
mixed
up
in
the
proceedings
which
ensued
:
I
saw
it
all
—
Harriet
must
be
dead
,
and
Smithers
had
adopted
her
child
as
his
niece
!
But
,
to
convince
myself
still
further
,
I
went
to
the
Old
Bailey
—
I
saw
Katherine
in
the
dock
:
you
might
have
knocked
me
down
with
a
feather
,
so
strong
was
the
resemblance
between
the
young
girl
and
her
deceased
mother
!
I
came
home
—
I
was
very
ill
:
methought
I
had
seen
the
ghost
of
one
whom
I
had
deeply
,
deeply
injured
!
"
"
And
now
you
have
so
far
forgotten
your
remorse
that
you
are
desirous
to
turn
your
knowledge
of
Katherine
's
parentage
to
a
good
account
?
"
said
the
Resurrection
Man
,
with
a
sneering
laugh
.
"
But
how
do
you
know
that
she
is
not
well
informed
on
that
head
already
?
"
"
She
cannot
be
—
she
cannot
be
,
"
answered
the
old
hag
;
"
she
would
not
bear
the
name
of
Wilmot
if
she
was
.
Besides
,
I
have
since
ascertained
that
her
mother
died
when
she
was
only
four
years
old
;
and
therefore
Katherine
was
too
young
to
receive
any
revelation
from
her
parent
's
lips
.
No
—
no
:
I
have
good
reason
to
believe
that
Katherine
knows
nothing
of
her
paternal
origin
.
"
"
I
am
now
perfectly
satisfied
,
from
all
you
have
told
me
,
that
Katherine
Wilmot
is
the
daughter
of
the
Harriet
whom
you
knew
,
"
said
the
Resurrection
Man
;
"
and
as
you
seem
so
positive
that
she
is
unaware
of
many
important
particulars
concerning
her
birth
,
I
will
proceed
in
the
business
you
have
proposed
to
me
.
"
"
Where
is
she
living
?
"
inquired
the
old
woman
.
"
If
I
tell
you
that
,
"
said
Tidkins
,
"
what
guarantee
have
I
got
that
you
will
not
post
off
alone
to
her
,
extort
the
purchase-money
for
your
secrets
,
and
chouse
me
out
of
my
reglars
?
Look
you
—
I
have
been
at
the
trouble
and
expense
of
finding
her
out
—
which
you
never
could
have
done
—
and
I
must
go
halves
with
you
in
the
produce
of
the
affair
.
"
"
So
you
shall
—
so
you
may
,
"
returned
the
old
woman
.
"
But
I
will
not
speak
to
her
in
your
hearing
.
I
do
n't
know
how
it
is
that
I
have
a
strange
superstitious
awe
in
connexion
with
all
that
concerns
Harriet
Wilmot
's
memory
and
the
existence
of
her
child
.
I
cannot
help
the
feeling
—
I
cannot
help
it
.
"
"
By
Satan
,
"
exclaimed
the
Resurrection
Man
,
darting
a
furious
glance
upon
the
hag
,
"
you
are
either
a
drivelling
fool
,
or
you
are
deceiving
me
.
You
entertain
compunction
about
these
Wilmots
—
and
yet
you
purpose
to
obtain
money
from
the
girl
.
Now
is
this
consistent
?
Take
care
how
you
play
with
me
;
for
—
if
I
catch
you
out
in
any
of
your
tricks
—
I
will
hang
you
up
to
your
own
bedpost
as
readily
as
I
would
wring
the
neck
of
that
damned
old
cat
.
"
"
You
shall
see
whether
I
will
deceive
you
—
you
shall
see
,
"
cried
the
old
hag
,
with
some
degree
of
alarm
.
"
Arrange
the
business
as
you
will
,
so
long
as
I
may
have
speech
of
Katherine
without
being
overheard
;
but
you
shall
be
present
when
she
pays
me
for
the
secret
which
I
have
to
communicate
.
"
"
Let
that
be
the
understanding
,
and
I
am
agreeable
,
"
observed
the
Resurrection
Man
.
"
Will
it
suit
you
to
go
a
few
miles
out
of
town
with
me
to-morrow
.
"
"
Is
it
to
see
Katherine
?
"
inquired
the
hag
.
"
What
the
devil
else
do
you
think
I
want
your
company
for
?
"
cried
Tidkins
:
"
to
take
you
to
dine
at
Greenwich
or
Blackwall
—
eh
?
Not
quite
such
a
fool
as
that
!
However
,
to-morrow
morning
you
may
expect
me
at
seven
o'clock
—
—
"
"
It
is
not
light
at
that
hour
,
"
observed
the
hag
.
"
I
prefer
the
dusk
of
either
morning
or
evening
,
"
answered
the
Resurrection
Man
.
"
It
suits
me
better
—
because
I
have
a
few
enemies
in
London
.
But
,
as
I
was
saying
,
I
shall
call
for
you
at
seven
to-morrow
morning
;
a
friend
of
mine
—
one
Banks
of
Globe
Town
—
has
a
covered
spring-cart
and
a
capital
bit
of
horse-flesh
.
He
will
drive
us
to
where
we
have
to
go
,
in
no
time
.
So
do
n't
keep
us
waiting
—
as
the
vehicle
will
be
at
the
bottom
of
the
lane
by
a
quarter
to
seven
.
"
The
old
hag
promised
to
be
punctual
;
and
the
Resurrection
Man
took
his
departure
from
her
den
.
CHAPTER
CXCVII
.
ELLEN
AND
KATHERINE
.
Turn
we
now
to
the
farm-house
of
the
Bennets
near
Hounslow
—
the
residence
of
Katherine
Wilmot
.
The
morning
was
dry
and
beautiful
—
one
of
those
mornings
which
sometimes
cheer
us
towards
the
end
of
January
,
and
give
us
a
short
foretaste
of
the
approaching
spring
.
It
was
nine
o'clock
,
when
the
door
of
the
farm-house
opened
,
and
two
young
females
came
forth
to
enjoy
the
fresh
air
of
a
charming
day
.
These
were
Ellen
Monroe
—
(
for
by
her
maiden
name
must
we
continue
to
call
her
,
as
she
herself
maintained
it
for
the
present
)
—
and
Katherine
Wilmot
.
Never
had
Ellen
appeared
more
beautiful
;
nor
Katherine
more
sweetly
interesting
.
They
had
evidently
been
conversing
on
a
subject
which
gave
them
pleasure
;
and
they
were
both
intent
on
continuing
the
same
delightful
topic
during
their
walk
.
The
subject
of
that
discourse
had
inspired
Ellen
with
emotions
of
pride
,
as
well
as
of
joy
.
She
walked
with
a
dignity
and
yet
an
elegance
of
motion
which
denoted
the
vigour
of
that
vital
system
which
was
so
highly
developed
in
her
voluptuous
style
of
beauty
.
The
generous
and
noble
feelings
of
the
heart
shone
in
the
light
of
her
deep
blue
eyes
,
and
in
the
animation
of
that
countenance
where
the
fair
and
red
were
so
exquisitely
blended
.
They
were
indicated
,
too
,
by
the
expression
of
that
short
and
somewhat
haughty
upper
lip
which
belonged
to
the
classic
regularity
of
her
features
,
and
in
the
dilation
of
the
rose-tinted
nostrils
.
Ellen
was
a
finer
and
far
lovelier
creature
than
Katherine
;
—
but
the
latter
was
characterised
by
more
of
that
tender
sensibility
and
touching
interest
which
physiologists
deem
the
development
of
the
intellectual
system
.
The
eyes
were
intensely
expressive
;
and
over
her
features
a
soft
,
pale
,
and
modest
light
seemed
to
be
shed
.
Her
figure
was
delicate
and
slight
,
and
contrasted
strongly
with
that
luxuriant
expansion
which
constituted
the
fine
and
not
less
symmetrical
proportions
of
Ellen
.
"
I
shall
really
experience
deep
regret
to
leave
your
dwelling-place
,
dear
Katherine
,
"
observed
Ellen
,
as
they
entered
a
hard
and
dry
pathway
leading
through
the
fields
;
"
for
even
at
this
season
,
it
possesses
many
attractions
superior
to
the
vicinity
of
a
great
city
.
"
"
In
the
warmer
months
it
is
a
beautiful
spot
,
"
returned
Katherine
.
"
But
you
will
not
leave
me
to-day
?
Consider
—
you
have
only
been
here
a
few
hours
—
—
"
"
Since
yesterday
morning
,
"
exclaimed
Ellen
,
with
a
smile
;
"
and
in
that
time
we
have
formed
a
friendship
which
may
never
,
I
hope
,
be
interrupted
.
"
"
Oh
!
never
,
"
said
Katherine
warmly
.
"
It
was
so
kind
of
you
to
come
and
find
me
out
in
my
seclusion
—
so
considerate
to
make
me
acquainted
with
all
those
wonderful
events
which
have
occurred
to
my
benefactor
—
—
"
"
Nay
—
neither
kind
nor
considerate
,
"
again
interrupted
Ellen
.
"
Richard
's
letter
,
dated
from
the
city
of
Abrantani
on
the
10th
,
and
received
by
my
father
the
day
before
yesterday
,
enjoined
him
to
send
me
to
see
you
—
to
make
your
acquaintance
—
to
assure
myself
that
you
are
well
and
happy
—
and
to
communicate
to
you
tidings
which
Richard
feels
will
be
welcome
to
all
his
friends
.
"
"
Oh
!
welcome
indeed
!
"
exclaimed
Katherine
,
with
grateful
enthusiasm
.
"
How
much
do
I
owe
to
him
—
and
how
worthy
is
he
of
that
rank
which
has
rewarded
his
grand
deeds
!
Such
a
man
could
not
long
remain
a
humble
individual
:
his
great
talents
—
his
noble
heart
—
his
fine
qualities
were
certain
to
elevate
him
above
the
sphere
in
which
he
was
born
.
"
"
And
now
will
the
name
of
Markham
go
down
to
posterity
,
"
said
Ellen
,
proudly
:
"
and
the
glory
which
Richard
has
thrown
around
it
,
will
be
to
some
degree
shared
by
all
who
bear
it
.
Oh
!
this
was
prophesied
to
me
but
a
little
while
ago
;
—
and
yet
,
then
how
far
was
I
from
suspecting
that
the
realisation
of
the
prediction
was
so
near
at
hand
,
especially
too
,
as
that
prediction
was
not
uttered
with
any
reference
to
Richard
—
but
to
another
,
—
that
other
alluding
to
himself
!
"
Katherine
cast
a
glance
of
surprise
towards
her
companion
,
whose
last
words
were
unintelligible
to
her
;
and
Ellen
,
apparently
recollecting
herself
,
hastened
to
add
,
"
But
I
was
speaking
of
matters
which
are
yet
unknown
—
yet
strange
to
you
.
Think
no
more
of
my
observations
on
that
topic
.
There
are
times
when
the
soul
is
lost
and
bewildered
in
the
contemplation
of
the
world
's
strange
events
and
marvellous
vicissitudes
;
and
such
has
often
been
the
case
with
me
during
the
last
few
days
.
It
was
on
the
16th
of
January
that
we
received
the
letter
which
imparted
us
the
tidings
of
Richard
's
first
exploit
—
the
capture
of
Estella
.
Oh
!
how
sincerely
I
prayed
for
his
success
—
and
yet
I
trembled
for
him
!
My
father
,
too
,
had
some
misgivings
;
but
we
endeavoured
to
reassure
each
other
,
mutually
concealing
our
fears
.
Two
or
three
days
afterwards
we
received
the
news
of
his
triumphant
entry
into
Villabella
;
—
another
interval
of
a
few
days
,
and
we
had
a
letter
from
him
,
giving
us
a
brief
account
of
the
Battle
of
Piacere
.
Our
fears
were
almost
entirely
dissipated
by
the
tidings
of
this
glorious
achievement
;
and
if
any
doubts
yet
lingered
,
they
were
completely
dispelled
by
the
news
of
the
great
victory
of
Abrantani
.
Oh
!
how
well
has
he
earned
that
coronet
which
now
adorns
his
brow
!
—
how
well
does
that
proud
title
of
Marquis
become
the
great
,
the
generous
,
and
the
good
!
"
"
Would
that
his
struggles
were
over
,
and
that
the
civil
war
was
put
an
end
to
in
Castelcicala
!
"
exclaimed
Miss
Wilmot
—
for
the
news
of
the
great
victory
beneath
the
walls
of
Montoni
were
yet
unknown
in
England
.
"
I
have
no
fears
for
the
result
,
"
said
Ellen
:
"
a
conqueror
has
he
hitherto
been
—
and
a
conqueror
will
he
remain
!
Heaven
itself
prospers
him
in
this
undertaking
:
the
wise
dispensations
of
Providence
are
apparent
throughout
his
career
in
the
Grand
Duchy
.
Had
the
first
expedition
,
which
landed
at
Ossore
,
succeeded
,
there
were
great
chiefs
—
Grachia
and
Morosino
—
who
would
have
taken
the
lead
in
the
State
.
But
the
enterprise
failed
—
and
those
patriots
were
numbered
with
the
slain
.
The
idea
of
releasing
from
their
captivity
his
companions
in
that
fatal
affair
,
led
Richard
to
the
attack
of
Estella
.
He
succeeded
—
and
he
stood
alone
at
the
head
of
the
movement
.
There
was
not
a
chief
amongst
the
patriots
to
dispute
his
title
to
that
elevated
situation
.
"
"
Yes
—
the
finger
of
heaven
was
assuredly
visible
in
all
those
circumstances
which
led
to
my
benefactor
's
greatness
,
"
remarked
Katherine
.
"
Methinks
that
when
I
see
him
again
,
I
shall
be
strangely
embarrassed
in
his
presence
:
—
instead
of
addressing
him
by
the
familiar
name
of
Mr.
Markham
,
my
lips
must
tutor
themselves
to
breathe
the
formal
words
'
My
Lord
,
'
and
'
Your
Lordship
;
'
and
—
—
"
"
Oh
!
you
wrong
our
noble-hearted
friend
—
our
mutual
benefactor
,
"
interrupted
Ellen
.
"
Rank
and
distinction
—
wealth
and
glory
cannot
change
his
heart
:
he
will
only
esteem
them
as
the
elements
of
an
influence
and
of
a
power
to
do
much
good
.
"
The
young
ladies
paused
in
their
conversation
,
because
two
persons
were
approaching
along
the
pathway
.
A
man
muffled
in
a
large
cloak
,
and
with
a
countenance
of
cadaverous
repulsiveness
scowling
above
the
collar
,
advanced
first
;
and
behind
him
walked
a
female
whose
bowed
form
denoted
the
decrepitude
of
old
age
.
There
was
an
interval
of
perhaps
a
dozen
yards
between
them
;
for
the
woman
was
unable
to
keep
pace
with
the
more
impatient
progress
of
the
man
.
"
Is
this
the
way
,
young
ladies
,
to
Farmer
Bennet
's
?
"
demanded
the
foremost
individual
,
when
he
was
within
a
few
feet
of
Ellen
and
Katherine
.
"
It
is
,
"
replied
Kate
.
"
You
may
see
the
roof
appearing
from
the
other
side
of
yonder
eminence
.
Mr.
Bennet
is
not
,
however
,
within
at
this
moment
:
he
has
gone
to
a
neighbouring
village
on
business
,
and
will
not
return
till
two
o'clock
.
"
"
Then
you
know
Farmer
Bennet
?
"
exclaimed
the
Resurrection
Man
—
for
he
was
the
individual
who
had
addressed
the
young
ladies
.
But
before
Katherine
could
give
any
reply
,
an
exclamation
of
astonishment
broke
from
the
lips
of
Ellen
,
whose
eyes
had
just
recognised
the
countenance
of
the
old
hag
.
"
Well
,
Miss
—
do
I
have
the
pleasure
of
meeting
you
once
more
?
"
said
the
detestable
woman
,
with
a
leer
comprehensively
significant
in
allusion
to
the
past
:
then
,
as
her
eyes
wandered
from
Ellen
's
countenance
to
that
of
Katherine
,
she
suddenly
became
strangely
excited
,
and
exclaimed
,
"
Ah
!
Miss
Wilmot
!
"
"
Is
this
Miss
Wilmot
?
"
demanded
the
Resurrection
Man
,
with
an
impatient
glance
towards
Katherine
,
while
he
really
addressed
himself
to
the
old
hag
.
"
My
name
is
Wilmot
,
"
said
Kate
,
in
her
soft
and
somewhat
timid
tone
.
"
Was
it
for
me
that
your
visit
to
the
farm
was
intended
?
"
"
Neither
more
nor
less
,
Miss
,
"
answered
the
Resurrection
Man
.
"
This
person
,
"
he
continued
,
indicating
his
horrible
companion
,
"
has
something
important
to
say
to
you
.
"
"
Yes
—
and
we
must
speak
alone
,
too
,
"
said
the
hag
.
"
No
!
"
ejaculated
Ellen
,
hastily
and
firmly
;
"
that
may
not
be
.
I
am
Miss
Wilmot
's
friend
—
the
friend
,
too
,
of
one
in
whom
she
places
great
confidence
;
and
whatever
you
may
have
to
communicate
to
her
cannot
be
a
secret
in
respect
to
me
.
"
And
,
as
she
uttered
these
words
,
she
glanced
significantly
at
her
young
companion
.
"
Yes
,
"
said
Kate
,
who
understood
the
hint
conveyed
in
that
look
,
although
she
was
of
course
entirely
ignorant
of
the
motives
of
Ellen
's
precaution
:
"
yes
—
whatever
you
may
wish
to
communicate
to
me
must
be
told
in
the
presence
of
my
friend
.
"
"
But
the
business
is
a
most
delicate
one
,
"
cried
the
Resurrection
Man
.
"
Oh
!
I
have
no
doubt
of
that
,
"
exclaimed
Ellen
,
with
a
contemptuous
smile
which
the
hag
fully
comprehended
.
"
Do
you
know
this
young
lady
?
"
asked
the
Resurrection
Man
,
in
an
under
tone
,
of
the
old
woman
,
while
he
rapidly
indicated
Ellen
.
"
I
know
that
young
lady
well
,
"
said
the
hag
aloud
,
and
with
a
meaning
glance
:
"
I
know
you
well
,
—
do
I
not
,
Miss
Monroe
?
"
"
I
am
not
disposed
to
deny
the
fact
,
"
replied
Ellen
,
coolly
;
"
and
I
can
assure
you
that
my
disposition
is
as
resolute
and
determined
as
you
have
always
found
it
to
be
.
Therefore
,
if
you
have
aught
to
communicate
to
Miss
Wilmot
,
say
it
quickly
—
or
come
with
us
to
the
farm
,
where
you
will
be
more
at
your
ease
:
but
,
remember
,
I
do
not
quit
this
young
lady
while
you
are
with
her
.
"
"
You
will
repent
of
this
obstinacy
,
Miss
—
you
will
repent
of
this
obstinacy
,
"
muttered
the
hag
.
"
It
may
be
so
,
"
said
Ellen
:
"
nevertheless
,
menaces
will
not
deter
me
from
my
purpose
.
"
"
If
you
thwart
me
,
I
can
proclaim
matters
that
you
would
wish
unrevealed
,
"
retorted
the
hag
,
but
in
a
whisper
apart
to
Ellen
.
"
Act
as
you
please
,
"
exclaimed
this
young
lady
aloud
,
and
with
a
superb
glance
of
contemptuous
defiance
.
"
Your
impertinence
only
convinces
me
the
more
profoundly
of
the
prudence
of
my
resolution
to
remain
with
Miss
Wilmot
.
"
The
hag
made
no
reply
:
she
knew
not
how
to
act
.
Tidkins
was
not
,
however
,
equally
embarrassed
.
He
saw
that
Ellen
was
acquainted
with
the
old
woman
's
character
,
and
that
she
entertained
suspicions
of
a
nature
which
threatened
to
mar
the
object
of
his
visit
to
that
neighbourhood
.
"
Miss
Monroe
,
"
he
said
,
—
"
for
such
,
I
learn
,
is
your
name
,
—
I
beg
of
you
to
allow
my
companion
a
few
moments
'
conversation
with
your
young
friend
.
They
need
not
retire
a
dozen
yards
from
this
spot
;
and
your
eye
can
remain
upon
them
.
"
"
No
,
"
returned
Ellen
,
positively
:
"
your
companion
shall
have
no
private
conference
with
Miss
Wilmot
.
Miss
Wilmot
's
affairs
are
no
secret
to
me
;
—
she
has
voluntarily
made
me
acquainted
with
her
past
history
and
her
present
condition
—
and
she
cannot
now
wish
me
to
remain
a
stranger
to
the
object
of
your
visit
,
however
delicate
be
the
nature
of
that
business
.
"
"
I
am
desirous
that
Miss
Monroe
should
hear
your
communications
,
"
added
Kate
.
"
I
will
not
speak
to
Miss
Wilmot
in
the
presence
of
witnesses
,
"
said
the
old
hag
.
"
Then
we
have
nothing
farther
to
prevent
us
from
returning
to
the
farm
immediately
,
"
exclaimed
Ellen
;
and
,
taking
Katherine
's
arm
,
she
turned
away
with
a
haughty
inclination
of
her
head
.
"
Neither
need
we
remain
here
any
longer
,
Mr.
Tidkins
,
"
said
the
hag
.
"
Tidkins
!
"
repeated
Ellen
,
with
a
convulsive
shudder
—
for
the
name
reached
her
ear
as
she
was
leading
her
young
friend
homeward
:
—
"
Tidkins
!
"
she
murmured
,
the
blood
running
cold
in
her
veins
;
"
my
God
!
what
new
plot
can
now
be
contemplated
?
"
And
she
hurried
Katherine
along
the
path
,
as
if
a
wild
beast
were
behind
them
.
"
Do
you
know
those
people
?
"
asked
Miss
Wilmot
,
alarmed
by
her
companion
's
tone
and
manner
.
"
Unfortunately
,
"
replied
Ellen
,
in
a
low
voice
and
with
rapid
utterance
,
—
"
unfortunately
I
can
attest
that
the
woman
whom
we
have
just
met
,
is
the
vilest
of
the
vile
;
and
the
mention
of
that
man
's
name
has
revealed
to
me
the
presence
of
a
wretch
capable
of
every
atrocity
—
a
villain
whose
crimes
are
of
the
blackest
dye
—
an
assassin
whose
enmity
to
our
benefactor
Richard
is
as
furious
as
it
is
unwearied
.
Come
,
Katharine
—
come
:
hasten
your
steps
;
—
we
shall
not
be
in
safety
until
we
reach
the
farm
.
"
And
the
two
young
ladies
hurried
rapidly
along
the
path
towards
the
dwelling
,
every
now
and
then
casting
timid
glances
behind
them
.
But
the
Resurrection
Man
and
the
old
hag
had
not
thought
it
expedient
to
follow
.
CHAPTER
CXCVIII
.
A
GLOOMY
VISITOR
.
As
soon
as
the
two
young
ladies
had
reached
the
farm-house
,
Ellen
addressed
Katherine
with
alarming
seriousness
of
manner
.
"
My
dear
friend
,
"
she
said
,
"
some
plot
is
in
existence
against
your
peace
.
That
fearful-looking
man
and
that
horrible
old
woman
are
perfect
fiends
in
mortal
shape
.
"
"
But
what
cause
of
enmity
can
they
entertain
against
me
?
"
asked
Katharine
,
drawing
her
chair
close
to
Ellen
's
seat
with
that
sweet
confidence
which
a
younger
sister
would
have
been
expected
to
show
towards
an
elder
one
.
"
I
never
saw
them
before
in
my
life
,
to
my
knowledge
;
and
I
certainly
never
can
have
injured
them
.
"
"
You
are
rich
—
and
that
is
a
sufficient
motive
to
inspire
the
man
with
designs
against
you
:
you
are
pretty
—
and
that
is
a
sufficient
reason
for
inducing
the
woman
to
spread
her
nets
in
your
path
.
The
man
,
"
continued
Ellen
,
"
has
more
than
once
attempted
the
life
of
our
generous
benefactor
Richard
;
and
that
old
hag
,
Katherine
,
is
a
wretch
who
lives
upon
the
ruin
of
young
females
.
"
At
this
moment
Mrs.
Bennet
entered
the
room
;
and
,
observing
the
disturbed
countenances
of
Ellen
and
Katherine
,
she
felt
alarmed
.
Ellen
immediately
communicated
to
her
the
particulars
of
the
adventure
just
related
,
and
concluded
with
these
observations
:
—
"
The
person
of
the
man
was
previously
unknown
to
me
;
but
Mr.
Markham
had
made
me
familiar
with
his
name
.
Thus
,
when
I
heard
that
name
breathed
by
his
infamous
companion
,
I
recognised
in
him
the
monster
of
whose
crimes
my
benefactor
has
related
so
dread
a
history
.
As
for
the
woman
,
"
added
Ellen
,
after
a
moment
's
hesitation
,
"
she
has
been
pointed
out
to
me
as
one
of
those
vile
wretches
who
render
cities
and
great
towns
dangerous
to
young
females
.
Indeed
,
she
once
practised
her
arts
upon
me
:
—
hence
I
am
well
aware
of
her
true
character
.
"
Mrs.
Bennet
was
dreadfully
frightened
at
the
incident
which
had
occurred
;
but
,
like
Katherine
,
she
was
somewhat
at
a
loss
to
conceive
what
possible
object
the
two
bad
characters
whom
Ellen
so
bitterly
denounced
,
could
have
in
view
with
respect
to
her
young
charge
.
The
trio
were
still
conversing
upon
the
mysterious
occurrence
,
when
Farmer
Bennet
entered
the
room
.
Of
course
the
narrative
had
to
be
repeated
to
him
;
and
he
was
much
troubled
by
what
he
heard
.
The
dinner
was
served
up
;
but
none
of
those
who
sate
down
to
it
ate
with
any
appetite
.
A
vague
and
uncertain
consciousness
of
impending
danger
or
of
serious
annoyance
oppressed
them
all
.
The
table
was
cleared
;
and
Mrs.
Bennet
had
just
produced
a
bottle
of
excellent
home-made
wine
,
"
to
cheer
their
spirits
,
"
as
she
said
,
when
the
servant
entered
to
announce
that
a
person
desired
to
speak
to
Mr.
Bennet
.
The
farmer
ordered
the
individual
in
question
to
be
admitted
;
and
the
servant
,
having
disappeared
for
a
few
moments
,
returned
,
ushering
in
an
elderly
man
dressed
in
shabby
black
,
and
wearing
a
dingy
white
cravat
with
very
limp
ends
.
"
Your
servant
,
ma'am
—
your
most
obedient
,
young
ladies
,
"
said
he
:
then
,
starting
with
well-affected
surprise
,
he
ejaculated
,
"
Ah
!
if
my
eyes
does
n't
deceive
me
in
my
old
age
,
that
's
Miss
Kate
Wilmot
,
werily
and
truly
!
"
"
Mr.
Banks
!
"
said
Katherine
,
in
a
tone
expressive
of
both
surprise
and
aversion
;
for
she
remembered
that
the
undertaker
used
to
call
upon
Smithers
to
purchase
the
rope
by
means
of
which
criminals
had
been
executed
.
"
Yes
,
my
dear
—
my
name
is
,
as
you
say
,
Banks
—
Edward
Banks
,
of
Globe
Lane
,
London
—
Furnisher
of
Funerals
on
New
and
Economic
Principles
—
Good
Deal
Coffin
,
Eight
Shillings
and
Sixpence
—
Stout
Oak
,
Thirty-five
Shillings
—
Patent
Funeral
Carriage
,
One
Pound
Eleven
—
First
Rate
Carriage-Funeral
,
Mutes
and
Feathers
,
Four
Pound
Four
—
Catholic
Fittings
—
—
"
"
Really
,
sir
,
"
exclaimed
Mr.
Bennet
,
impatiently
,
"
this
is
not
a
very
pleasant
subject
for
conversation
;
and
if
you
have
come
upon
no
other
business
than
to
recite
your
Prospectus
—
—
"
"
A
thousand
apologies
,
sir
—
a
thousand
apologies
,
"
interrupted
Mr.
Banks
,
calmly
sinking
into
a
seat
.
"
But
whenever
I
see
a
few
or
a
many
mortal
wessels
gathered
together
,
I
always
think
that
the
day
must
come
when
they
'll
be
nothink
more
than
blessed
carkisses
and
then
,
Mr.
Bennet
,
"
added
the
undertaker
,
shaking
his
head
solemnly
,
and
applying
a
dirty
white
handkerchief
to
his
eyes
,
"
how
pleasant
to
the
wirtuous
feelings
must
it
be
to
know
where
to
get
the
funeral
done
on
the
newest
and
most
economic
principles
.
"
"
Katherine
,
do
you
know
this
person
?
"
inquired
the
farmer
,
irritated
by
the
intruder
's
pertinacity
in
his
gloomy
topic
.
"
I
have
seen
him
three
or
four
times
at
Mr.
Smithers
'
house
in
London
,
"
was
the
answer
;
"
but
Mr.
Banks
well
knows
that
I
never
exchanged
ten
words
with
him
in
my
life
.
"
"
Then
you
do
not
come
to
see
Miss
Wilmot
?
"
demanded
Mr.
Bennet
,
turning
towards
the
undertaker
.
"
No
,
sir
—
no
,
"
answered
Banks
,
heaving
a
deep
sigh
.
"
Did
you
not
perceive
,
sir
,
that
I
was
quite
took
at
a
non-plush
when
I
set
my
wenerable
eyes
on
the
blessed
countenance
of
that
charming
gal
?
But
pardon
me
,
sir
—
pardon
me
,
if
I
am
someot
long
in
coming
to
the
pint
:
—
it
is
,
however
,
my
natur
'
to
ramble
when
I
reflects
on
the
pomps
and
wanities
of
this
wicked
world
;
and
natur
'
is
natur
,
'
sir
,
after
all
—
is
it
not
,
ma'am
?
"
Here
he
turned
with
a
most
dolorous
expression
of
countenance
towards
Mrs.
Bennet
.
"
I
really
do
not
understand
you
,
sir
,
"
was
her
laconic
reply
:
—
nor
more
she
did
,
good
woman
!
for
it
was
not
even
probable
that
Mr.
Banks
quite
understood
himself
.
"
Now
,
sir
,
will
you
have
the
goodness
to
explain
the
nature
of
your
business
with
me
—
since
it
is
with
me
,
no
doubt
,
that
you
have
business
to
transact
?
"
said
the
farmer
,
in
a
tone
which
showed
how
disagreeable
the
undertaker
's
whining
nonsense
was
to
him
.
"
Something
tells
me
that
this
man
's
visit
bears
reference
to
our
adventure
of
the
morning
,
"
whispered
Ellen
to
Katherine
.
"
Do
not
offer
to
leave
the
room
:
let
us
hear
all
he
has
to
say
.
"
Katherine
replied
by
a
meaning
look
,
and
then
glanced
with
suspicious
timidity
towards
Banks
,
who
was
again
speaking
.
"
My
business
is
n't
to
be
explained
in
a
moment
,
sir
,
"
said
the
undertaker
;
"
and
I
must
beg
your
patience
for
a
little
while
.
"
"
Go
on
,
"
exclaimed
the
farmer
,
throwing
himself
back
in
his
seat
,
and
folding
his
arms
with
the
desperate
air
of
a
man
who
knew
that
he
could
only
get
rid
of
a
troublesome
visitor
by
allowing
him
to
tell
his
story
in
his
own
way
.
"
You
're
in
mourning
,
ma'am
,
I
see
,
"
observed
Mr.
Banks
,
turning
towards
Mrs.
Bennet
.
"
Ah
!
I
remember
—
that
wexatious
affair
of
the
Rector
of
Saint
David
's
.
Pray
,
ma'am
,
who
undertook
the
funeral
of
your
blessed
defunct
sister
?
"
"
Sir
!
"
exclaimed
Mrs.
Bennet
,
tears
starting
into
her
eyes
.
"
No
offence
,
ma'am
—
no
offence
.
Only
I
should
like
it
to
be
known
in
these
here
parts
that
Edward
Banks
—
of
Globe
Lane
,
London
,
undertakes
on
new
and
economic
principles
,
and
does
n't
mind
distances
.
S'pose
,
sir
,
"
continued
this
most
disagreeable
visitor
,
again
addressing
the
farmer
,
"
s'pose
you
come
to
me
some
fine
morning
and
says
,
'
Banks
,
'
says
you
,
'
my
dear
wife
has
just
become
a
blessed
defunct
—
—
'
"
"
This
is
too
much
!
"
ejaculated
Mr.
Bennet
,
starting
from
his
seat
.
"
Have
you
,
or
have
you
not
,
any
business
to
engage
my
attention
?
"
"
I
'm
coming
to
the
pint
—
I
'm
coming
to
the
pint
this
moment
,
"
said
Banks
.
"
Pray
sit
down
for
a
few
minutes
—
I
sha
n't
ingross
much
more
of
your
wallyable
time
;
for
time
really
is
wallyable
in
this
sublunary
speer
;
"
—
and
the
undertaker
shook
his
head
so
mournfully
that
worthy
Mrs.
Bennet
could
not
help
thinking
he
was
a
very
good
and
humane
,
though
somewhat
a
prosy
individual
.
"
When
we
look
around
us
,
and
behold
how
many
benighted
creeturs
lives
in
total
recklessness
for
the
futur
'
—
without
putting
by
in
an
old
stocking
or
any
where
else
a
single
penny
towards
buying
'
em
a
decent
coffin
—
it
's
enough
to
make
one
's
hair
stand
on
end
.
But
I
see
you
are
growing
impatient
,
sir
:
—
well
—
perhaps
my
feelings
does
carry
me
away
.
Still
I
do
n't
mean
no
harm
.
Howsomever
—
business
is
business
,
as
coffins
is
coffins
,
or
carkisses
is
carkisses
;
and
so
here
's
to
business
in
a
jiffy
.
"
With
these
words
Mr.
Banks
drew
from
his
capacious
coat-pocket
a
brown-paper
parcel
,
about
a
foot
long
,
three
inches
wide
,
and
as
many
deep
.
Then
he
began
,
with
most
provoking
deliberation
of
manner
,
to
unroll
the
numerous
folds
of
paper
in
which
the
precious
object
of
so
much
care
was
wrapped
;
and
,
while
he
thus
aroused
the
curiosity
of
his
spectators
to
the
utmost
,
he
continued
talking
in
a
more
lachrymose
style
than
ever
.
"
There
is
dooties
which
we
owe
to
heaven
—
and
there
is
dooties
which
we
owe
to
our
fellow-creeturs
.
To
heaven
,
ma'am
,
we
owes
a
obligation
of
wirtue
:
to
our
fellow-creeturs
we
owes
respect
and
decency
when
they
're
no
more
.
Wirtues
,
ma'am
,
is
like
the
white
nails
on
a
black-cloth
covered
coffin
:
the
more
there
is
of
'
em
,
the
stronger
is
the
coffin
,
and
the
better
it
looks
.
Wices
,
ma'am
,
is
like
the
knots
in
a
common
deal
coffin
:
the
more
there
is
of
'
em
,
the
veaker
is
the
coffin
,
and
the
wuss
it
looks
.
I
'm
now
a-going
to
show
you
,
ma'am
—
and
you
,
too
,
sir
—
and
you
also
,
young
ladies
—
a
object
of
the
deepest
interest
to
us
poor
mortal
wessels
.
I
've
wrapped
it
up
in
this
wise
,
'
cause
I
've
paytented
it
,
and
this
is
the
only
model
I
've
got
.
When
once
it
's
generally
known
,
the
whole
world
will
thank
me
for
the
inwention
;
and
posterity
will
remember
with
gratitude
the
name
of
Banks
of
Globe
Lane
—
Furnisher
of
Funerals
on
New
and
Economic
Principles
.
You
see
,
the
parcel
is
gettin
'
smaller
and
smaller
—
'
cause
the
blessed
object
was
as
well
wrapped
up
as
a
young
babby
.
However
—
here
's
the
last
fold
:
—
off
with
the
paper
—
and
there
's
the
concentrating
focus
of
all
interest
!
"
As
Mr.
Banks
wound
up
with
this
beautiful
peroration
,
he
disengaged
from
the
last
fold
of
paper
a
miniature
model
of
a
coffin
,
about
eight
inches
long
,
and
wide
and
deep
in
proportion
.
It
was
covered
with
black
silk
,
and
was
studded
with
innumerable
white
nails
.
But
as
he
placed
it
,
with
a
glance
of
almost
paternal
affection
,
upon
the
table
,
the
farmer
started
up
,
exclaiming
,
"
I
have
already
put
up
with
your
insolence
too
long
.
What
does
this
unwarrantable
intrusion
upon
my
privacy
mean
?
Speak
,
sir
:
have
you
any
thing
to
say
to
me
?
"
"
I
am
now
coming
to
the
pint
at
length
,
"
answered
the
undertaker
,
but
little
abashed
by
this
rebuff
.
"
In
one
word
,
"
he
continued
,
producing
a
small
memorandum-book
and
preparing
to
write
with
a
pencil
,
—
"
in
one
word
,
I
want
you
and
your
family
to
let
me
put
down
each
of
your
names
—
—
"
"
For
what
?
"
demanded
Bennet
,
impatiently
.
"
For
a
Paytent
Silk-covered
Silver-nailed
Indestructible
Wood-seasoned
Coffin
,
"
was
the
calm
reply
.
"
It
's
warranted
to
keep
as
good
as
new
till
you
want
it
.
"
Mr.
Bennet
fell
back
into
his
seat
,
completely
stupefied
by
this
extraordinary
announcement
;
—
Mrs
.
Bennet
cast
horrified
glances
at
the
undertaker
,
as
if
she
thought
he
was
mad
;
—
Ellen
cast
a
look
of
deep
indignation
on
the
individual
who
had
produced
this
excitement
;
—
and
Katherine
started
on
her
seat
,
exclaiming
,
"
What
have
you
done
,
Mr.
Banks
?
Mrs.
Bennet
is
fainting
!
"
This
was
really
the
case
—
such
an
effect
did
the
sudden
display
of
the
coffin
and
the
cool
demand
of
patronage
made
by
the
undertaker
,
produce
upon
one
whose
mind
had
not
yet
quite
recovered
from
the
severe
shock
occasioned
by
the
murder
of
her
sister
.
"
Water
,
Katherine
!
—
quick
!
"
exclaimed
the
farmer
,
hastening
towards
his
wife
.
Kate
instantly
hurried
from
the
room
to
fetch
water
;
while
Ellen
,
on
her
part
,
proffered
the
necessary
attentions
to
the
fainting
woman
.
Mr.
Banks
was
thus
for
a
moment
forgotten
;
and
this
was
exactly
the
condition
of
things
that
suited
his
purpose
.
Hastily
thrusting
the
model
coffin
into
his
pocket
,
he
seized
his
hat
and
hurried
from
the
parlour
,
closing
the
door
behind
him
.
In
the
passage
he
met
Kate
,
who
was
hastening
back
to
the
room
,
with
a
jug
of
water
in
her
hand
.
"
One
moment
—
only
one
moment
—
as
you
value
the
memory
of
your
deceased
mother
,
"
—
whispered
Banks
,
speaking
more
rapidly
and
with
less
whining
affectation
than
he
had
done
for
many
years
.
"
Take
this
note
—
read
it
in
private
—
its
contents
deeply
concern
you
and
your
blessed
defunct
parent
.
If
you
breathe
a
word
concerning
it
to
a
soul
you
will
for
ever
lose
the
opportunity
of
knowing
who
was
your
father
.
"
Banks
thrust
a
note
into
the
girl
's
hand
,
and
hastily
left
the
house
.
The
words
which
he
had
uttered
,
produced
—
as
might
naturally
be
supposed
—
so
strange
an
effect
upon
Katherine
,
—
that
sudden
allusion
to
her
mother
took
her
so
much
by
surprise
,
—
and
then
that
mysterious
mention
of
her
father
increased
her
bewilderment
to
such
an
extent
,
that
she
mechanically
grasped
the
note
with
a
mixture
of
awe
and
gratitude
,
and
,
prompted
by
the
same
impulses
,
thrust
it
into
the
bosom
of
her
dress
.
All
this
was
the
work
of
scarcely
a
quarter
of
a
minute
;
and
the
moment
she
had
thus
received
and
concealed
the
note
,
she
re-entered
the
parlour
,
where
the
aid
of
the
fresh
water
soon
brought
Mrs.
Bennet
to
herself
.
"
Where
is
that
scoundrel
?
"
cried
the
farmer
,
now
finding
leisure
to
think
of
the
cause
of
his
wife
's
sudden
indisposition
.
"
He
is
gone
,
"
returned
Katherine
.
Then
,
seating
herself
near
the
window
,
the
young
girl
fell
into
a
profound
reverie
.
"
Gone
!
"
ejaculated
Bennet
.
"
But
it
is
better
that
he
should
have
gone
—
or
I
might
be
tempted
to
do
him
a
mischief
.
"
"
That
man
came
hither
with
some
sinister
design
,
"
said
Ellen
.
"
From
the
first
moment
of
his
appearance
,
my
suspicions
associated
his
visit
with
the
adventure
of
the
morning
.
"
"
But
what
object
could
he
have
?
"
cried
the
farmer
.
"
He
seemed
only
anxious
to
intrude
himself
as
long
as
possible
.
"
"
Perhaps
he
was
waiting
for
an
opportunity
to
speak
to
Katherine
alone
,
"
observed
Ellen
.
"
He
certainly
appeared
to
be
talking
against
time
.
"
"
Yes
,
dear
friends
,
"
exclaimed
Katherine
,
rising
from
her
seat
,
and
advancing
towards
those
whom
she
thus
addressed
;
"
that
man
did
desire
to
speak
to
me
alone
—
and
he
succeeded
in
his
object
.
Pardon
me
if
for
a
few
moments
I
hesitated
whether
to
obey
his
solemn
injunction
of
silence
,
or
to
communicate
the
incident
to
you
who
wish
me
well
.
But
the
words
which
he
spoke
,
and
the
earnestness
of
his
manner
,
bewildered
me
.
It
however
only
required
a
short
interval
of
sober
reflection
to
teach
me
my
duty
.
"
Katherine
then
repeated
the
words
that
Banks
had
whispered
in
her
ears
,
and
produced
the
note
which
he
had
thrust
into
her
hand
.
"
You
have
acted
prudently
in
revealing
these
particulars
,
dear
Kate
,
"
said
Ellen
.
"
A
man
who
is
compelled
to
effect
his
purposes
by
such
low
devices
as
those
employed
by
him
who
has
just
left
us
,
cannot
mean
well
.
"
"
Let
us
hear
the
contents
of
the
letter
,
"
cried
Farmer
Bennet
:
"
we
may
then
,
perhaps
,
see
more
clearly
into
the
mystery
.
"
"
Read
it
,
Ellen
,
"
said
Kate
.
"
I
must
confess
to
a
profound
curiosity
to
become
acquainted
with
its
contents
.
"
Ellen
accordingly
opened
the
note
,
and
read
as
follows
:
—
"
Silence
and
secrecy
,
—
if
you
respect
the
memory
of
your
deceased
mother
!
Be
not
deluded
by
the
advice
of
Miss
Monroe
,
who
has
her
own
reasons
for
prejudicing
you
against
me
.
I
am
well
acquainted
with
all
the
particulars
of
your
birth
:
—
I
can
impart
facts
that
it
behoves
you
to
learn
.
You
will
bitterly
repent
any
distrust
in
this
matter
.
Have
you
no
inclination
to
hear
more
concerning
your
mother
's
history
than
you
can
possibly
now
know
?
would
you
not
go
far
,
and
sacrifice
much
,
to
glean
something
with
regard
to
your
father
?
This
evening
—
at
seven
precisely
—
I
shall
be
at
the
foot
of
the
hill
where
I
met
you
just
now
.
If
you
come
alone
,
you
will
learn
much
that
nearly
and
deeply
concerns
you
:
if
you
appear
accompanied
by
a
soul
,
my
lips
will
remain
sealed
.
"
THE
FEMALE
YOU
SAW
JUST
NOW
.
"
"
I
have
so
far
my
own
reasons
for
counselling
you
against
that
wicked
woman
,
"
said
Ellen
,
indignantly
,
"
inasmuch
as
I
would
save
you
from
danger
.
But
if
you
really
believe
that
there
can
be
any
thing
serious
in
this
promise
of
important
communications
,
I
should
advise
you
to
meet
that
female
—
for
precautions
can
be
adopted
to
protect
you
from
a
distance
.
"
Katherine
glanced
inquiringly
towards
the
farmer
.
"
I
see
that
you
are
anxious
to
meet
this
woman
,
Kate
,
"
said
he
,
after
a
pause
;
"
and
it
is
natural
.
She
promises
communications
on
subjects
that
cannot
be
otherwise
than
dear
to
you
.
Miss
Monroe
and
I
can
keep
watch
at
a
distance
;
and
on
the
slightest
elevation
of
voice
on
your
part
,
we
will
hasten
to
your
assistance
.
"
This
project
was
approved
of
even
by
the
timid
Mrs.
Bennet
;
and
Katherine
Wilmot
anxiously
awaited
the
coming
of
the
appointed
hour
.
CHAPTER
CXCIX
.
THE
ORPHAN
'S
FILIAL
LOVE
.
The
evening
was
calm
,
fresh
,
and
dry
:
the
heavens
were
covered
with
stars
;
and
objects
were
visible
at
a
considerable
distance
.
A
few
minutes
before
the
wished-for
hour
,
Katherine
,
Ellen
,
and
the
farmer
reached
the
hill
at
the
foot
of
which
was
the
place
of
appointment
.
Then
Kate
left
them
and
proceeded
alone
,
while
her
two
friends
hastened
by
a
circuitous
route
to
gain
a
clump
of
trees
which
would
enable
them
to
remain
concealed
within
a
distance
of
fifty
yards
of
the
spot
where
Kate
was
to
meet
the
old
woman
.
The
young
girl
pursued
her
way
—
her
heart
palpitating
with
varied
emotions
,
—
vague
alarm
,
exalted
hope
,
and
all
the
re-awakened
convictions
of
her
orphan
state
.
She
reached
the
foot
of
the
hill
,
and
in
a
few
minutes
beheld
a
human
form
emerging
,
as
it
were
,
from
the
obscurity
at
a
distance
—
the
dim
outline
gradually
defining
itself
into
a
positive
shape
,
and
at
length
showing
the
figure
of
the
old
woman
whom
she
had
seen
in
the
morning
.
"
You
have
done
well
to
obey
my
summons
,
Miss
,
"
said
the
hag
,
as
she
approached
the
timid
and
trembling
girl
.
"
But
let
me
look
well
on
your
countenance
—
let
me
be
satisfied
that
it
is
indeed
Katherine
Wilmot
.
"
Then
Kate
turned
towards
the
moon
,
and
parted
the
light
chesnut
hair
:
which
clustered
around
her
countenance
;
so
that
a
pure
flood
of
silvery
lustre
streamed
on
all
the
features
of
that
sweetly
interesting
face
—
a
sight
too
hallowed
for
the
foul-souled
harridan
to
gaze
upon
!
It
was
as
if
the
veil
of
the
Holy
of
Holies
,
in
the
Jewish
temple
,
were
lifted
before
some
being
fresh
from
the
grossest
pollutions
of
the
world
.
"
Yes
—
I
am
satisfied
!
"
murmured
the
hag
.
"
You
are
Katherine
Wilmot
—
the
Katherine
whom
I
saw
and
recognised
this
morning
.
I
feared
lest
your
artful
friend
,
Ellen
Monroe
,
less
timid
