,he
now
felt
that
even
a
lifetime
without
Amy
would
be
endurable
.
The
power
of
rejoicing
came
more
fully
at
church
,
and
the
service
entered
into
his
soul
as
it
never
had
done
before
.
It
had
never
been
such
happiness
,
though
repentance
and
mournful
feelings
were
ever
present
with
him
,
nor
was
his
'
Verena
'
absent
from
his
mind
.
He
walked
about
between
the
services
,
saw
the
poor
people
dining
in
their
holly-decked
houses
,
exchanging
Christmas
wishes
with
them
,
and
gave
his
old
,
beautiful
,
bright
smile
as
he
received
demonstrations
of
their
attachment
,
or
beheld
their
enjoyment
.
He
went
home
in
the
dark
,
allowed
Mrs.
Drew
to
have
her
own
way
,
and
serve
him
and
Bustle
with
a
dinner
sufficient
for
a
dozen
people
,
and
was
shut
up
for
the
solitary
Christmas
evening
which
he
had
so
much
dreaded
,
and
which
would
have
been
esteemed
a
misfortune
even
by
those
who
had
no
sad
thoughts
to
occupy
them
.
Yet
when
the
clock
struck
eleven
he
was
surprised
,
and
owned
that
it
had
been
more
than
not
being
unhappy
.
The
dark
fiends
of
remorse
and
despair
had
not
once
assaulted
him
,
yet
it
had
not
been
by
force
of
employment
that
they
had
been
averted
.
He
had
read
and
written
a
little
,
but
very
little
,
and
the
time
had
chiefly
been
spent
in
a
sort
of
day-dream
,
though
not
of
a
return
to
Hollywell
,
nor
of
what
Redclyffe
might
be
with
Amy
.
It
had
been
of
a
darkened
and
lonely
course
,
yet
,
in
another
sense
,
neither
dark
nor
lonely
,
of
a
cheerless
home
and
round
of
duties
,
with
a
true
home
beyond
;
and
still
it
had
been
a
happy
,
refreshing
dream
,
and
he
began
the
next
morning
with
the
fresh
,
brightened
spirit
of
a
man
who
felt
that
such
an
evening
was
sent
him
to
reinvigorate
his
energies
,
and
fit
him
for
the
immediate
duties
that
lay
before
him
.
On
the
breakfast-table
was
what
he
had
not
seen
for
a
long
time
—
a
letter
directed
to
him
.
It
was
from
Mr.
Ross
,
in
answer
to
his
question
about
Coombe
Prior
,
entering
readily
into
the
subject
,
and
advising
him
to
write
to
the
Bishop
,
altogether
with
a
tone
of
friendly
interest
which
,
especially
as
coming
from
one
so
near
Hollywell
,
was
a
great
pleasure
,
a
real
Christmas
treat
.
There
was
the
wonted
wish
of
the
season
—
a
happy
Christmas
—
which
he
took
gratefully
,
and
lastly
there
was
a
mention
that
Charles
Edmonstone
was
better
,
the
suffering
over
,
though
he
was
not
yet
allowed
to
move
.
It
was
a
new
light
that
Charles
's
silence
had
been
occasioned
by
illness
,
and
his
immediate
resolution
was
to
write
at
once
to
Mr.
Ross
to
beg
for
further
particulars
.
In
the
meantime
,
the
perception
that
there
had
been
no
estrangement
was
such
a
ray
as
can
hardly
be
imagined
without
knowing
the
despondency
it
had
enlivened
.
The
truth
was
,
perhaps
,
that
the
tone
of
mind
was
recovering
,
and
after
having
fixed
himself
in
his
resolution
to
endure
,
he
was
able
to
receive
comfort
and
refreshment
from
without
as
well
as
from
within
.
He
set
to
work
to
write
at
once
to
the
Bishop
,
as
Mr.
Ross
advised
.
He
said
he
could
not
bear
to
lose
time
,
and
therefore
wrote
at
once
.
He
should
be
of
age
on
the
28th
of
March
,
and
he
hoped
then
to
be
able
to
arrange
for
a
stipend
for
a
curate
,
if
the
Bishop
approved
,
and
would
kindly
enter
into
communication
on
the
appointment
with
Mr.
Halroyd
,
the
incumbent
.
After
considering
his
letter
a
little
while
,
and
wishing
he
was
sufficiently
intimate
with
Mr.
Ashford
to
ask
him
if
it
would
do
,
he
wrote
another
to
Mr.
Ross
,
to
inquire
after
Charles
;
then
he
worked
for
an
hour
at
mathematics
,
till
a
message
came
from
the
gamekeeper
to
ask
whether
he
would
go
out
shooting
,
whereat
Bustle
,
evidently
understanding
,
jumped
about
,
and
wagged
his
tail
so
imploringly
,
that
Guy
could
not
resist
;
so
he
threw
his
books
upon
the
top
of
the
great
pile
on
the
sofa
,
and
glad
that
at
least
he
could
gratify
dog
and
man
,
he
sent
word
that
he
should
be
ready
in
five
minutes
.
He
could
not
help
enjoying
the
ecstasy
of
all
the
dogs
,
and
,
indeed
,
he
was
surprised
to
find
himself
fully
alive
to
the
delight
of
forcing
his
way
through
a
furze-brake
,
hearing
the
ice
in
the
peaty
bogs
crackle
beneath
his
feet
,
getting
a
good
shot
,
bringing
down
his
bird
,
finding
snipes
,
and
diving
into
the
depths
of
the
long
,
winding
valleys
and
dingles
,
with
the
icicle-hung
banks
of
their
streamlets
.
He
came
home
through
the
village
at
about
half-past
three
o'clock
,
sending
the
keeper
to
leave
some
of
his
game
at
the
parsonage
,
while
he
went
himself
to
see
how
the
work
was
getting
on
at
the
school
.
Mr.
and
Mrs.
Ashford
and
the
boys
were
come
on
the
same
errand
,
in
spite
of
the
cloud
of
dust
rising
from
the
newly-demolished
lath-and-plaster
partition
.
The
boys
looked
with
longing
eyes
at
the
gun
in
his
hand
,
and
the
half-frozen
compound
of
black
and
red
mud
on
his
gaiters
;
but
they
were
shy
,
and
their
enmity
added
to
their
shyness
,
so
that
even
when
he
shook
hands
with
them
,
and
spoke
good-naturedly
,
they
did
not
get
beyond
a
monosyllable
.
Mr.
and
Mrs.
Ashford
,
feeling
some
compunction
for
having
left
him
to
his
solitude
so
long
,
asked
him
to
dinner
for
one
of
the
ensuing
days
,
with
some
idea
of
getting
some
one
to
meet
him
,
and
named
six
o'clock
.
'
Wont
that
put
you
out
?
Do
n't
you
always
dine
early
?
'
said
he
.
'
If
you
would
let
me
,
I
should
like
to
join
you
at
your
tea-time
.
'
'
If
you
will
endure
a
host
of
children
,
'
said
Mr.
Ashford
.
'
I
should
like
it
of
all
things
,
'
said
Guy
.
'
I
want
to
make
acquaintance
very
much
,
'
and
he
put
his
hand
on
Robert
's
shoulder
.
'
Besides
,
I
want
to
talk
to
you
about
the
singing
,
and
how
we
are
to
get
rid
of
that
fiddle
without
breaking
James
Robinson
's
heart
.
'
The
appointment
was
made
,
and
Guy
went
home
to
his
hasty
dinner
,
his
Greek
,
and
a
little
refreshing
return
afterwards
to
the
books
which
had
been
the
delight
of
younger
days
.
There
was
no
renewal
of
the
burthen
of
despair
that
had
so
long
haunted
his
evenings
.
Employments
thickened
on
his
hands
as
the
days
passed
on
.
There
was
further
correspondence
about
Coombe
Prior
and
the
curate
,
and
consultations
with
Markham
about
farmer
Todd
,
who
was
as
obstinate
and
troublesome
as
possible
.
Guy
made
Markham
come
to
Coombe
Prior
with
him
,
examine
and
calculate
about
the
cottages
,
and
fairly
take
up
the
subject
,
though
without
much
apparent
chance
of
coming
to
any
satisfactory
result
.
A
letter
came
from
Mr.
Ross
,
telling
him
even
more
than
he
had
ventured
to
hope
,
for
it
brought
a
message
from
Charles
himself
.
Charles
had
been
delighted
to
hear
of
him
,
and
had
begged
that
he
might
be
told
how
very
sorry
he
had
been
not
to
write
;
and
how
incapable
he
had
been
,
and
still
was
;
but
that
he
hoped
Guy
would
write
to
him
,
and
believe
him
in
the
same
mind
.
Mr.
Ross
added
an
account
of
Charles
's
illness
,
saying
the
suffering
had
been
more
severe
than
usual
,
and
had
totally
disabled
him
for
many
weeks
;
that
they
had
since
called
in
a
London
surgeon
,
who
had
given
him
hope
that
he
might
be
better
now
than
ever
before
,
but
had
prescribed
absolute
rest
for
at
least
six
weeks
longer
,
so
that
Charles
was
now
flat
on
his
back
all
day
,
beginning
to
be
able
to
be
amused
,
and
very
cheerful
and
patient
.
The
pleasure
of
entering
into
communication
with
Hollywell
again
,
and
knowing
that
Charles
at
least
would
be
glad
to
hear
from
him
,
was
so
exquisite
that
he
was
almost
surprised
,
considering
that
in
essentials
he
was
where
he
was
before
,
and
even
Charles
could
not
be
Amy
.
END
OF
VOL.
I
.
VOL.
II
.
CHAPTER
I
.
They
hadna
sailed
a
league
,
a
league
,
A
league
,
but
barely
three
,
When
the
lift
grew
dark
,
and
the
wind
grew
loud
,
And
gurly
grew
the
sea
.
Sir
Patrick
Spens
.
.
—
(
Old
Ballad
.
)
Guy
's
evening
with
the
Ashfords
threw
down
many
of
the
barriers
in
the
way
of
intimacy
.
He
soon
made
friends
with
the
children
,
beginning
with
the
two
years
old
baby
,
and
ending
with
gaining
even
the
shy
and
sturdy
Robin
,
who
could
not
hold
out
any
longer
,
when
it
appeared
that
Sir
Guy
could
tell
him
the
best
place
for
finding
sea-urchins
,
the
present
objects
of
his
affections
.
'
But
we
should
have
to
go
through
the
park
,
'
said
Edward
,
disconsolately
,
when
Guy
had
described
the
locality
.
'
Well
,
why
not
?
'
'
We
must
not
go
into
the
park
!
'
cried
the
children
,
in
chorus
.
'
Not
go
into
the
park
!
'
exclaimed
Guy
,
looking
at
Mrs.
Ashford
,
in
amazement
;
then
,
as
it
flashed
on
him
that
it
was
his
part
to
give
leave
,
he
added
,
—
'
I
did
not
know
I
was
such
a
dog
in
the
manger
.
I
thought
all
the
parish
walked
naturally
in
the
park
.
I
do
n't
know
what
else
it
is
good
for
.
If
Markham
will
lock
it
up
,
I
must
tell
him
to
give
you
a
key
.
'
The
boys
were
to
come
,
the
next
day
—
to
be
shown
the
way
to
the
bay
of
urchins
,
and
thenceforth
they
became
his
constant
followers
,
to
such
a
degree
,
that
their
parents
feared
they
were
very
troublesome
,
but
he
assured
them
to
the
contrary
,
and
no
mother
in
the
world
could
have
found
it
in
her
heart
to
keep
them
away
from
so
much
happiness
.
There
was
continually
a
rushing
home
with
a
joyous
outcry
,
—
'
Mamma
!
Sir
Guy
gave
me
a
ride
on
his
horse
!
'
'
Mamma
!
Sir
Guy
helped
us
to
the
top
of
that
great
rock
!
'
'
Oh
,
papa
!
Sir
Guy
says
we
may
come
out
shooting
with
him
to-morrow
,
if
you
will
let
us
!
'
'
Mamma
!
papa
!
look
!
Do
you
see
?
I
shot
this
rabbit
my
own
self
,
with
Sir
Guy
's
gun
!
'
'
Papa
!
papa
!
Sir
Guy
showed
us
his
boat
,
and
he
says
he
will
take
us
out
to
the
Shag
Rock
,
if
you
will
give
us
leave
!
'
This
was
beyond
what
papa
,
still
further
beyond
what
mamma
could
like
,
since
the
sea
was
often
very
rough
in
parts
near
the
Shag
;
there
were
a
good
many
sunken
rocks
,
and
boys
,
water
,
and
rocks
,
did
not
appear
by
any
means
a
safe
conjunction
,
so
Mrs.
Ashford
put
the
matter
off
for
the
present
by
the
unseasonableness
of
the
weather
,
and
Mr.
Ashford
asked
one
or
two
of
the
fishermen
how
far
they
thought
landing
on
the
Shag
a
prudent
attempt
.
They
did
not
profess
to
have
often
tried
,
they
always
avoided
those
rocks
;
but
it
could
hardly
be
very
dangerous
,
they
said
,
for
when
Sir
Guy
was
a
boy
,
he
used
to
be
about
there
for
ever
,
at
first
with
an
old
boatman
,
and
afterwards
alone
in
his
little
boat
.
They
had
often
wondered
he
was
trusted
there
,
but
if
any
one
knew
the
rocks
,
he
did
.
Still
,
Mrs.
Ashford
could
not
make
up
her
mind
to
like
the
idea
,
and
the
boys
came
to
Sir
Guy
in
a
state
of
great
discomposure
.
'
Never
mind
,
'
he
said
,
'
perhaps
we
shall
manage
it
in
the
summer
.
We
will
get
your
father
to
go
out
with
us
himself
,
and
,
in
the
meantime
,
who
likes
to
come
with
me
after
the
rabbits
in
Cliffstone
Copse
?
Farmer
Holt
will
thank
Robin
for
killing
a
dozen
or
so
,
for
he
makes
grievous
complaints
of
them
.
'
Guy
conducted
the
boys
out
of
sight
of
the
sea
,
and
,
to
console
them
,
gave
them
so
much
more
use
of
the
gun
than
usual
,
that
it
might
be
considered
as
a
wonder
that
he
escaped
being
shot
.
Yet
it
did
not
prevent
a
few
sighs
being
spent
on
the
boating
.
'
Ca
n't
you
forget
it
?
'
said
Guy
,
smiling
.
'
You
have
no
loss
,
after
all
,
for
we
are
likely
to
have
no
boating
weather
this
long
time
.
Hark
!
do
n't
you
hear
the
ground-swell
?
'
'
What
's
that
?
'
said
the
boys
,
standing
still
to
listen
to
the
distant
surge
,
like
a
continuous
low
moan
or
roar
,
far
,
far
away
,
though
there
was
no
wind
,
and
the
sea
was
calm
.
'
It
is
the
sound
that
comes
before
stormy
weather
,
'
said
Guy
;
'
it
is
as
if
the
sea
was
gathering
up
its
forces
for
the
tempest
.
'
'
But
what
?
—
how
?
Tell
me
what
it
really
is
,
'
said
Robin
.
'
I
suppose
it
is
the
wind
on
the
sea
before
it
has
reached
us
,
'
said
Guy
.
'
How
solemn
it
is
!
'
Too
solemn
for
the
boys
,
who
began
all
manner
of
antics
and
noises
,
by
way
of
silencing
the
impression
of
awfulness
.
Guy
laughed
,
and
joined
in
their
fun
;
but
as
soon
as
they
were
gone
home
,
he
stood
in
silence
for
a
long
time
,
listening
to
the
sound
,
and
recalling
the
mysterious
dreams
and
fancies
with
which
it
was
connected
in
his
boyhood
,
and
which
he
had
never
wished
thus
to
drive
away
.
The
storm
he
had
predicted
came
on
;
and
by
the
evening
of
the
following
day
,
sea
and
wind
were
thundering
,
in
their
might
,
against
the
foot
of
the
crags
.
Guy
looked
from
the
window
,
the
last
thing
at
night
,
and
saw
the
stars
twinkling
over
head
with
that
extreme
brilliancy
which
is
often
seen
in
the
intervals
of
fitful
storms
,
and
which
suggested
thoughts
that
sent
him
to
sleep
in
a
vague
,
soothing
dream
.
He
was
wakened
by
one
tremendous
continued
roar
of
sea
,
wind
,
and
thunder
combined
.
Such
was
the
darkness
,
that
he
could
not
see
the
form
of
the
window
,
till
a
sheet
of
pale
blue
lightning
brought
it
fully
out
for
the
moment
.
He
sat
up
,
and
listened
to
the
'
glorious
voice
'
that
followed
it
,
'
thought
what
an
awful
night
at
sea
,
and
remembered
when
he
used
to
fancy
it
would
be
the
height
of
felicity
to
have
a
shipwreck
at
Redclyffe
,
and
shocked
Mrs.
Bernard
by
inhuman
wishes
that
a
ship
would
only
come
and
be
wrecked
.
How
often
had
he
watched
,
through
sounds
like
these
,
for
a
minute
gun
!
nay
,
he
had
once
actually
called
up
poor
Arnaud
in
the
middle
of
the
night
for
an
imaginary
signal
.
Redclyffe
bay
was
a
very
dangerous
one
,
a
fine
place
for
a
wreck
,
with
its
precipitous
crags
,
its
single
safe
landing-place
,
and
the
great
Shag
Stone
on
the
eastern
side
,
with
a
whole
progeny
of
nearly
sunken
rocks
,
dreaded
in
rough
weather
by
the
fishermen
themselves
;
but
it
was
out
of
the
ordinary
track
of
vessels
,
and
there
were
only
a
few
traditions
of
terrible
wrecks
,
long
before
his
time
.
It
seemed
as
if
he
had
worked
up
his
fancy
again
,
for
the
sound
of
a
gun
was
for
a
moment
in
his
ear
.
It
was
lost
in
the
rush
of
hail
against
the
window
,
and
the
moaning
of
the
wind
round
the
old
house
;
but
presently
it
returned
,
too
surely
to
be
imaginary
.
He
sprang
to
the
window
,
and
the
broad
,
flickering
glare
of
lightning
revealed
the
black
cliff
and
pale
sea-line
;
then
all
was
dark
and
still
,
while
the
storm
was
holding
its
breath
for
the
thunder-burst
which
in
a
few
more
seconds
rolled
overhead
,
shaking
door
and
window
throughout
the
house
.
As
the
awful
sound
died
away
,
in
the
moment
's
lull
,
came
the
gun
again
.
He
threw
up
the
window
,
and
as
the
blast
of
wind
and
rain
swept
howling
into
the
room
,
it
brought
another
report
.
To
close
the
window
,
light
his
candle
,
throw
on
his
clothes
,
and
hasten
down
stairs
,
was
the
work
of
a
very
few
seconds
.
Luckily
,
the
key
of
the
boat-house
was
lying
on
the
table
in
the
hall
,
where
he
had
left
it
,
after
showing
the
boat
to
the
Ashford
boys
;
he
seized
it
,
caught
up
the
pocket-telescope
,
put
on
a
rough
coat
,
and
proceeded
to
undo
the
endless
fastenings
of
the
hall-door
,
a
very
patience-trying
occupation
;
and
when
completed
,
the
gusts
that
were
eddying
round
the
house
,
ready
to
force
their
way
in
everywhere
,
took
advantage
of
the
first
opening
to
blow
out
his
candle
.
However
,
they
had
in
one
way
done
good
service
,
for
the
shower
had
been
as
brief
as
it
was
violent
,
and
the
inky
cloud
was
drifting
away
furiously
towards
the
east
,
leaving
the
moon
visible
,
near
her
setting
,
and
allowing
her
white
cold
light
to
shine
forth
,
contrasting
with
the
distant
sheets
of
pale
lightning
,
growing
fainter
and
fainter
.
Guy
ran
across
the
court
,
round
to
the
west
side
of
the
house
,
and
struggled
up
the
slope
in
the
face
of
the
wind
,
which
almost
swept
him
down
again
,
and
when
at
length
he
had
gained
the
summit
,
came
rushing
against
him
with
such
force
that
he
could
hardly
stand
.
He
did
,
however
,
keep
his
ground
,
and
gazed
out
over
the
sea
.
The
swell
was
fearful
,
marked
by
the
silver
light
on
one
side
,
where
it
caught
the
moonbeams
,
and
the
black
shade
on
the
other
,
ever
alternating
,
so
that
the
eye
could
not
fix
on
them
for
a
moment
;
the
spray
leapt
high
in
its
whiteness
,
and
the
Shag
stood
up
hard
,
bold
,
and
black
.
The
waves
thundered
,
bursting
on
the
cliff
;
and
,
high
as
he
stood
,
the
spray
dashed
almost
blinding
in
his
face
,
while
the
wind
howled
round
him
,
as
if
gathering
its
might
for
the
very
purpose
of
wrenching
him
from
the
cliff
;
but
he
stood
firm
,
and
looked
out
again
,
to
discern
clearly
what
he
thought
he
had
seen
.
It
was
the
mast
of
a
vessel
,
seen
plainly
against
the
light
silvery
distance
of
sea
on
the
reef
west
of
the
Shag
.
It
was
in
a
slanting
direction
,
and
did
not
move
;
he
could
not
doubt
that
the
ship
had
struck
on
the
dangerous
rocks
at
the
entrance
of
the
bay
;
and
as
his
eyes
became
more
accustomed
to
the
unusual
light
,
and
made
out
what
objects
were
or
were
not
familiar
,
he
could
perceive
the
ship
herself
.
He
looked
with
the
glass
,
but
could
see
no
one
on
board
,
nor
were
any
boats
in
sight
;
but
observing
some
of
the
lesser
rocks
,
he
beheld
some
moving
figures
on
them
.
Help
!
—
instant
help
!
—
was
his
thought
;
and
he
looked
towards
the
Cove
.
Lights
were
in
the
cottage
windows
,
and
a
few
sounds
came
up
to
him
,
as
if
the
fishing
population
were
astir
.
He
hastened
to
the
side
of
the
cliff
,
which
was
partly
clothed
with
brushwood
.
There
was
a
descent
—
it
could
hardly
be
called
a
path
—
which
no
one
ventured
to
attempt
but
himself
and
a
few
of
the
boldest
birds'-nesting
boys
of
the
village
;
but
he
could
lose
no
time
,
and
scrambling
,
leaping
,
swinging
himself
by
the
branches
,
he
reached
the
foot
of
the
cliff
in
safety
,
and
in
five
minutes
more
was
on
the
little
quay
at
the
end
of
the
steep
street
of
the
Cove
.
The
quay
was
crowded
with
the
fisher-people
,
and
there
was
a
strange
confusion
of
voices
,
some
saying
all
was
lost
;
some
,
that
the
crew
had
got
to
the
rock
;
others
,
that
some
one
ought
to
put
off
and
help
them
;
others
,
that
a
boat
would
never
live
in
such
a
sea
,
and
an
old
telescope
was
in
great
requisition
.
Ben
Robinson
,
a
tall
,
hardy
young
man
,
of
five-and-twenty
,
wild
,
reckless
,
high-spirited
,
and
full
of
mischief
and
adventure
,
was
standing
on
a
pile
at
the
extreme
verge
above
the
foaming
water
,
daring
the
others
to
go
with
him
to
the
rescue
;
and
though
Jonas
Ledbury
,
a
feeble
old
man
,
was
declaring
,
in
a
piteous
tone
,
it
was
a
sin
and
a
shame
to
let
so
many
poor
creatures
be
lost
in
sight
,
without
one
man
stirring
to
help
them
,
yet
all
stood
irresolute
,
watching
the
white
breakers
dashing
on
the
Shag
,
and
the
high
waves
that
swelled
and
rolled
between
.
'
Do
you
know
where
the
crew
are
?
'
exclaimed
Guy
,
shouting
as
loud
as
he
could
,
for
the
noise
of
the
winds
and
waves
was
tremendous
.
'
There
,
sir
,
on
the
flat
black
stone
,
'
said
the
fortunate
possessor
of
the
telescope
.
'
Some
ten
or
eleven
of
them
,
I
fancy
,
all
huddled
together
.
'
'
Ay
,
ay
!
'
said
old
Ledbury
.
'
Poor
creatures
!
there
they
be
;
and
what
is
to
be
done
,
I
ca
n't
say
!
I
never
saw
a
boat
in
such
a
sea
,
since
the
night
poor
Jack
,
my
brother
,
was
lost
,
and
Will
Ray
with
him
.
'
'
I
see
them
,
'
said
Guy
,
who
had
in
the
meantime
looked
through
his
glass
.
'
How
soon
is
high
water
?
'
It
was
an
important
question
,
for
the
rocks
round
the
Shag
were
covered
before
full
tide
,
even
when
the
water
was
still
.
There
was
a
looking
up
at
the
moon
,
and
then
Guy
and
the
fishermen
simultaneously
exclaimed
,
that
it
would
be
in
three
hours
;
which
gave
scarcely
an
hour
to
spare
.
Without
another
word
,
Guy
sprang
from
the
quay
to
the
boat-house
,
unlocked
it
,
and
,
by
example
,
showed
that
the
largest
boat
was
to
be
brought
out
.
The
men
helped
him
vigorously
,
and
it
stood
on
the
narrow
,
pebbly
beach
,
the
only
safe
landing-place
in
the
whole
bay
;
he
threw
into
it
a
coil
of
rope
and
called
out
in
his
clear
,
commanding
voice
,
'
Five
to
go
with
me
!
'
Hanging
back
was
at
an
end
.
They
were
brave
men
,
who
had
wanted
nothing
but
a
leader
;
and
with
Sir
Guy
at
their
head
,
were
ready
for
anything
.
Not
five
,
but
five-and-twenty
,
were
at
his
command
;
and
even
in
the
hurry
of
the
moment
,
a
strong
,
affectionate
feeling
filled
his
eyes
with
tears
as
he
saw
these
poor
fellows
ready
to
trust
their
lives
in
his
hands
.
'
Thank
you
,
thank
you
!
'
he
exclaimed
.
'
Not
all
,
though
:
you
,
Ben
Robinson
,
Harry
Ray
,
Charles
Ray
,
Ben
Ledbury
,
Wat
Green
.
'
They
were
all
young
men
,
without
families
,
such
as
could
best
be
spared
;
and
,
each
as
his
name
was
called
,
answered
,
'
Here
,
Sir
Guy
!
'
and
came
forward
with
a
resolute
,
satisfied
air
.
'
It
would
be
best
to
have
a
second
boat
,
'
said
Guy
.
'
Mr
.
Brown
,
'
to
the
owner
of
the
telescope
,
'
will
you
lend
yours
?
'
tis
the
strongest
and
lightest
.
Thank
you
.
Martin
had
best
steer
it
,
he
knows
the
rocks
;
'
and
he
went
on
to
name
the
rest
of
the
crew
;
but
at
the
last
,
there
was
a
moment
's
pause
,
as
if
he
doubted
.
A
tall
,
athletic
young
fisherman
took
advantage
of
it
to
press
forward
.
'
Please
your
honour
,
Sir
Guy
,
may
not
I
go
?
'
'
Better
not
,
Jem
,
'
answered
Guy
.
'
Remember
,
'
in
a
lower
voice
,
'
your
mother
has
no
one
but
you
.
Here
!
'
he
called
,
cheerfully
,
'
Jack
Horn
,
you
pull
a
good
oar
!
Now
,
then
,
are
we
ready
?
'
'
All
ready
,
—
yes
,
sir
!
'
The
boat
was
launched
,
not
without
great
difficulty
,
in
the
face
of
such
a
sea
.
The
men
stoutly
took
their
oars
,
casting
a
look
forward
at
the
rocks
,
then
at
the
quay
,
and
on
the
face
of
their
young
steersman
.
Little
they
guessed
the
intense
emotion
that
swelled
in
his
breast
as
he
took
the
helm
,
to
save
life
or
to
lose
it
;
enjoying
the
enterprise
,
yet
with
the
thought
that
his
lot
might
be
early
death
;
glad
it
was
right
thus
to
venture
,
earnest
to
save
those
who
had
freely
trusted
to
him
,
and
rapidly
,
though
most
earnestly
,
recalling
his
own
repentance
.
All
this
was
in
his
mind
,
though
nothing
was
on
his
face
but
cheerful
resolution
.
Night
though
it
was
,
tidings
of
the
wreck
had
reached
the
upper
part
of
the
village
;
and
Mr.
Ashford
,
putting
his
head
out
of
his
window
to
learn
the
cause
of
the
sounds
in
the
street
,
was
informed
by
many
voices
that
a
ship
was
on
the
Shag
reef
,
and
that
all
were
lost
.
To
hasten
to
the
Cove
to
learn
the
truth
,
and
see
if
any
assistance
could
yet
be
afforded
,
was
his
instant
thought
;
and
he
had
not
taken
many
steps
before
he
was
overtaken
by
a
square
,
sturdy
figure
,
wrapped
in
an
immense
great
coat
.
'
So
,
Mr.
Markham
,
you
are
on
your
way
to
see
about
this
wreck
.
'
'
Why
,
ay
,
'
said
Markham
,
roughly
,
though
not
with
the
repellent
manner
usual
with
him
towards
Mr.
Ashford
,
'
I
must
be
there
,
or
that
boy
will
be
in
the
thickest
of
it
.
Wherever
is
mischief
,
there
is
he
.
I
only
wonder
he
has
not
broken
his
neck
long
ago
.
'
'
By
mischief
,
you
mean
danger
?
'
'
Yes
.
I
hope
he
has
not
heard
of
this
wreck
,
for
if
he
has
,
no
power
on
earth
would
keep
him
back
from
it
.
'
Comparing
the
reports
they
had
heard
,
the
clergyman
and
steward
walked
on
,
Markham
's
anxiety
actually
making
him
friendly
.
They
reached
the
top
of
the
steep
street
of
the
Cove
;
but
though
there
was
a
good
view
of
the
sea
from
thence
,
they
could
distinguish
nothing
,
for
another
cloud
was
rising
,
and
had
obscured
the
moon
.
They
were
soon
on
the
quay
,
now
still
more
crowded
,
and
heard
the
exclamations
of
those
who
were
striving
to
keep
their
eyes
on
the
boats
.
'
There
's
one
!
'
'
No
!
'
'
Yes
,
'
tis
!
'
'
That
's
Sir
Guy
's
!
'
'
Sir
Guy
!
'
exclaimed
Markham
.
'
You
do
n't
mean
he
is
gone
?
Then
I
am
too
late
!
What
could
you
be
thinking
of
,
you
old
fool
,
Jonas
,
to
let
that
boy
go
?
You
'll
never
see
him
again
,
I
can
tell
you
Mercy
!
Here
comes
another
squall
!
There
's
an
end
of
it
,
then
!
'
Markham
seemed
to
derive
some
relief
from
railing
at
the
fishermen
singly
and
collectively
,
while
Mr.
Ashford
tried
to
learn
the
real
facts
,
and
gather
opinions
as
to
the
chance
of
safety
.
The
old
fishermen
held
that
there
was
frightful
risk
,
though
the
attempt
was
far
from
hopeless
;
they
said
the
young
men
were
all
good
at
their
oars
,
Sir
Guy
knew
the
rocks
very
well
,
and
the
chief
fear
was
,
that
he
might
not
know
how
to
steer
in
such
a
sea
;
but
they
had
seen
that
,
though
daring
,
he
was
not
rash
.
They
listened
submissively
to
Mr.
Markham
,
but
communicated
in
an
under
tone
to
the
vicar
how
vain
it
would
have
been
to
attempt
to
restrain
Sir
Guy
.
'
Why
,
sir
,
'
said
old
James
Robinson
,
'
he
spoke
just
like
the
captain
of
a
man-of-war
;
and
for
all
Mr.
Markham
says
,
I
do
n't
believe
he
'd
have
been
able
to
gainsay
him
.
'
'
Your
son
is
gone
with
him
?
'
'
Ay
,
sir
;
and
I
would
not
say
one
word
to
stop
him
.
I
know
Sir
Guy
wo
n't
run
him
into
risk
for
nothing
;
and
I
hope
,
please
God
,
if
Ben
comes
back
safe
,
it
may
be
the
steadying
of
him
.
'
'
'
Twas
he
that
volunteered
to
go
,
before
Sir
Guy
came
,
they
say
?
'
'
Yes
,
sir
,
'
said
the
old
man
,
with
a
pleased
yet
melancholy
look
.
'
Ben
's
brave
enough
;
but
there
's
the
difference
.
He
'd
have
done
it
for
the
lark
,
and
to
dare
the
rest
;
but
Sir
Guy
does
it
with
thought
,
and
because
it
is
right
.
I
wish
it
may
be
the
steadying
of
Ben
!
'
The
shower
rushed
over
them
again
,
shorter
and
less
violent
than
the
former
one
,
but
driving
in
most
of
the
crowd
,
and
only
leaving
on
the
quay
the
vicar
,
the
steward
,
and
a
few
of
the
most
anxious
fishermen
.
They
could
see
nothing
;
for
the
dark
,
slanting
line
of
rain
swept
over
the
waves
,
joining
together
the
sea
and
thick
low
cloud
,
and
the
roaring
of
the
sea
and
moaning
of
the
wind
were
fearful
.
No
one
spoke
,
till
at
last
the
black
edges
of
the
Shag
loomed
clearer
,
the
moon
began
to
glance
through
the
skirts
of
the
cloud
,
and
the
heaving
and
tossing
of
the
sea
became
more
discernible
.
'
There
!
there
!
'
shouted
young
Jem
,
the
widow
's
son
.
'
The
boats
?
'
'
One
!
'
'
Where
?
Where
?
—
for
heaven
's
sake
!
That
's
nothing
!
'
cried
Markham
.
'
Yes
,
yes
!
I
see
both
,
'
said
Jem
.
'
The
glass
!
Where
's
Mr.
Brown
's
glass
?
'
Markham
was
trying
to
fix
his
own
,
but
neither
hand
nor
eye
were
steady
enough
;
he
muttered
,
—
'
Hang
the
glass
!
'
and
paced
up
and
down
in
uncontrollable
anxiety
.
Mr.
Ashford
turned
with
him
,
trying
to
speak
consolingly
,
and
entirely
liking
the
old
man
.
Markham
was
not
ungrateful
;
but
he
was
almost
in
despair
.
'
It
is
the
same
over
again
!
'
said
he
.
'
He
is
the
age
his
father
was
,
though
Mr.
Morville
never
was
such
as
he
—
never
,
—
how
should
he
?
He
is
the
last
of
them
—
the
best
—
he
would
have
been
—
he
was
.
Would
to
heaven
I
was
with
him
,
that
,
if
he
is
lost
,
we
might
all
go
together
.
'
'
There
,
sir
,
'
called
Jem
,
who
,
being
forbidden
to
do
anything
but
watch
,
did
so
carnestly
;
'
they
be
as
far
now
as
opposite
West
Cove
.
Do
n't
you
see
them
,
in
that
light
place
.
'
The
moon
had
by
this
time
gone
down
,
but
the
first
grey
light
of
dawn
was
begining
to
fall
on
the
tall
Shag
,
and
show
its
fissures
and
dark
shades
,
instead
of
leaving
it
one
hard
,
unbroken
mass.
Now
and
then
,
Jem
thought
he
saw
the
boats
;
but
never
so
distinctly
as
to
convince
the
watchers
that
they
had
not
been
swamped
among
the
huge
waves
that
tumbled
and
foamed
in
that
dangerous
tract
.
Mr.
Ashford
had
borrowed
Markham
's
telescope
,
and
was
looking
towards
the
rock
,
where
the
shipwrecked
crew
had
taken
refuge
.
'
There
is
some
one
out
of
the
boat
,
climbing
on
the
rocks
.
Can
you
make
him
out
,
Jem
?
'
'
I
see
,
I
see
,
'
said
Mr.
Brown
;
'
there
are
two
of
them
.
They
are
climbing
along
the
lee
side
of
the
long
ridge
of
rocks
.
'
'
Ay
,
ay
,
'
said
old
Ledbury
;
'
they
ca
n't
get
in
a
boat
close
to
the
flat
rocks
,
they
must
take
out
a
line
.
Bold
fellows
!
'
'
Where
are
the
boats
?
'
asked
Mr.
Ashford
.
'
I
can
tell
that
,
'
said
Ledbury
;
'
they
must
have
got
under
the
lee
of
the
lesser
Shag
.
There
's
a
ring
there
that
Sir
Guy
had
put
in
to
moor
his
boat
to
.
They
'll
be
made
fast
there
,
and
those
two
must
be
taking
the
rope
along
that
ledge
,
so
as
for
the
poor
fellows
on
the
rook
to
have
a
hold
of
,
as
they
creep
along
to
where
the
boats
are
.
'
'
Those
broken
rocks
!
'
said
Mr.
Ashford
.
'
Can
there
be
a
footing
,
and
in
such
a
sea
?
'
'
Can
you
give
a
guess
who
they
be
,
sir
?
'
asked
Robinson
,
earnestly
.
'
If
you
'd
only
let
Jem
have
a
look
,
maybe
he
could
guess
.
'
Markham
's
glass
was
at
his
service
.
'
Hollo
!
what
a
sea
!
I
see
them
now
.
That
's
Ben
,
going
last
—
I
know
his
red
cap.
And
the
first
—
why
,
'
tis
Sir
Guy
himself
!
'
'
Do
n't
be
such
a
fool
,
Jem
,
'
cried
Markham
,
angrily
.
'
Sir
Guy
knows
better
.
Give
me
the
glass
.
'
But
when
it
was
restored
,
Markham
went
on
spying
in
silence
,
while
Brown
,
keeping
fast
possession
of
his
own
telescope
,
communicated
his
observations
.
'
Ay
,
I
see
them
.
Where
are
they
?
He
's
climbing
now
.
There
's
a
breaker
just
there
,
will
was
them
off
,
as
sure
as
they
're
alive
!
I
do
n't
see
'
em
.
Yes
,
I
do
—
there
's
Redcap
!
There
's
something
stirring
on
the
rock
!
'
So
they
watched
till
,
after
an
interval
,
in
which
the
boats
disappeared
behind
the
rocks
,
they
were
seen
advancing
over
the
waters
again
—
one
—
yes
—
both
,
and
loaded
.
They
came
fast
,
they
were
in
sight
of
all
,
growing
larger
each
moment
,
mounting
on
the
crest
of
the
huge
rolling
waves
,
then
plunged
in
the
trough
so
long
as
to
seem
as
if
they
were
lost
,
then
rising
—
rising
high
as
mountains
.
Over
the
roaring
waters
came
at
length
the
sound
of
voices
,
a
cheer
,
pitched
in
a
different
key
from
the
thunder
of
wind
and
wave
;
they
almost
fancied
they
knew
the
voice
that
led
the
shout
.
Such
a
cheer
as
rose
in
answer
,
from
all
the
Redclyffe
villagers
,
densely
crowded
on
quay
,
and
beach
,
and
every
corner
of
standing
ground
.
The
sun
was
just
up
,
his
beams
gilded
the
crests
of
the
leaping
waves
,
and
the
spray
danced
up
,
white
and
gay
,
round
the
tall
rocks
,
whose
shadow
was
reflected
in
deep
green
,
broken
by
the
ever
moving
swell
.
The
Shag
and
its
attendant
rocks
,
and
the
broken
vessel
,
were
bathed
in
the
clear
morning
light
;
the
sky
was
of
a
beautiful
blue
,
with
magnificent
masses
of
dark
cloud
,
the
edges
,
where
touched
by
the
sun
beams
,
of
a
pearly
white
;
and
across
the
bay
,
tracing
behind
them
glittering
streams
of
light
,
came
up
the
two
boats
,
with
their
freight
of
rescued
lives
.
Martin
's
boat
was
the
first
to
touch
the
landing-place
.
'
All
saved
,
'
he
said
,
'
all
owing
to
him
,
'
pointing
back
to
Sir
Guy
.
There
was
no
time
for
questions
;
the
wan
,
drenched
sailors
had
to
be
helped
on
shore
,
and
the
boat
hauled
up
out
of
the
way
.
In
the
meantime
,
Guy
,
as
he
steered
in
past
the
quay
,
smiled
and
nodded
to
Mr.
Ashford
and
Markham
,
and
renewed
the
call
,
'
All
safe
!
'
Mr.
Ashford
thought
he
had
never
seen
anything
brighter
than
his
face
—
the
eyes
radiant
in
the
morning
sun
,
the
damp
hair
hanging
round
it
,
and
life
,
energy
,
and
promptitude
in
every
feature
and
movement
.
The
boat
came
in
,
the
sailors
were
assisted
out
,
partly
by
their
rescuers
,
partly
by
the
spectators
.
Guy
stood
up
,
and
,
with
one
foot
on
the
seat
,
supported
on
his
knee
and
against
his
arm
,
a
little
boy
,
round
whom
his
great
coat
was
wrapt
.
'
Here
,
Jem
!
'
he
shouted
,
to
his
rejected
volunteer
,
who
had
been
very
active
in
bringing
in
the
boat
,
'
here
's
something
for
you
to
do
.
This
poor
little
fellow
has
got
a
broken
arm
.
Will
you
ask
your
mother
to
take
him
in
?
She
's
the
best
nurse
in
the
parish
.
And
send
up
for
Mr.
Gregson
.
'
Jem
received
the
boy
as
tenderly
as
he
was
given
;
and
,
with
one
bound
,
Guy
was
by
the
side
of
his
two
friends
.
Mr.
Ashford
shook
hands
with
heartfelt
gratulation
,
Markham
exclaimed
,
—
'
There
,
Sir
Guy
,
after
the
old
fashion
!
Never
was
man
so
mad
in
this
world
!
I
've
done
talking
!
You
'll
never
be
content
till
you
have
got
your
death
.
As
if
no
one
could
do
anything
without
you
.
'
'
Was
it
you
who
carried
out
the
line
on
the
rock
?
'
said
Mr.
Ashford
.
'
Ben
Robinson
and
I
.
I
had
often
been
there
,
after
sea
anemones
and
weeds
,
and
I
had
a
rope
round
me
,
so
do
n't
be
angry
,
Markham
.
'
'
I
have
no
more
to
say
,
'
answered
Markham
,
almost
surly
.
'
I
might
as
well
talk
to
a
sea-gull
at
once
.
As
if
you
had
any
right
to
throw
away
your
life
!
'
'
I
enjoyed
it
too
much
to
have
anything
to
say
for
myself
,
'
said
Guy
;
'
besides
,
we
must
see
after
these
poor
men
.
There
were
two
or
three
nearly
drowned
.
Is
no
one
gone
for
Mr.
Gregson
?
'
Mr.
Gregson
,
the
doctor
,
was
already
present
,
and
no
one
who
had
any
authority
could
do
anything
but
attend
to
the
disposal
of
the
shipwrecked
crew
.
Mr.
Ashford
went
one
way
,
Markham
another
,
Guy
a
third
;
but
,
between
one
cottage
and
another
,
Mr.
Ashford
learnt
some
particulars
.
The
crew
had
been
found
on
a
flat
rock
,
and
the
fishermen
had
at
first
thought
all
their
perils
in
vain
,
for
it
was
impossible
to
bring
the
boats
up
,
on
account
of
the
rocks
,
which
ran
out
in
a
long
reef
.
Sir
Guy
,
who
knew
the
place
,
steered
to
the
sheltered
spot
where
he
had
been
used
to
make
fast
his
own
little
boat
,
and
undertook
to
make
his
way
from
thence
to
the
rock
where
the
crew
had
taken
refuge
,
carrying
a
rope
to
serve
as
a
kind
of
hand-rail
,
when
fastened
,
from
one
rock
to
the
other
.
Ben
insisted
on
sharing
his
peril
,
and
they
had
crept
along
the
slippery
,
broken
reefs
,
lashed
by
the
surge
,
for
such
a
distance
that
the
fishermen
shuddered
as
they
spoke
of
the
danger
of
being
torn
off
by
the
force
of
the
waves
,
and
dashed
against
the
rocks
.
Nothing
else
could
have
saved
the
crew
.
They
had
hardly
accomplished
the
passage
through
the
rising
tide
,
even
with
the
aid
of
the
rope
and
the
guidance
of
Sir
Guy
and
Ben
,
and
,
before
the
boats
had
gone
half
a
mile
on
their
return
,
the
surge
was
tumbling
furiously
over
the
stones
where
they
had
been
found
.
The
sailors
were
safely
disposed
of
,
in
bed
,
or
by
the
fireside
,
the
fishers
vying
in
services
to
them
.
Mr.
Ashford
went
to
the
cottage
of
Charity
Ledbury
,
Jem
's
mother
,
to
inquire
for
the
boy
with
the
broken
arm
.
As
he
entered
the
empty
kitchen
,
the
opposite
door
of
the
stairs
was
opened
,
and
Guy
appeared
,
stepping
softly
,
and
speaking
low
.
'
Poor
little
fellow
!
'
he
said
;
'
he
is
just
going
to
sleep
.
He
bore
it
famously
!
'
'
The
setting
his
arm
?
'
'
Yes
.
He
was
quite
sensible
,
and
very
patient
,
and
that
old
Charity
Ledbury
is
a
capital
old
woman
.
She
and
Jem
are
delighted
to
have
him
,
and
will
nurse
him
excellently
.
How
are
all
the
others
?
Has
that
poor
man
come
to
his
senses
?
'
'
Yes
.
I
saw
him
safe
in
bed
at
old
Robinson
's
.
The
captain
is
at
the
Browns
'
.
'
'
I
wonder
what
time
of
day
it
is
?
'
'
Past
eight
.
Ah
!
there
is
the
bell
beginning
.
I
was
thinking
of
going
to
tell
Master
Ray
we
are
not
too
much
excited
to
remember
church-going
this
morning
;
but
I
am
glad
he
has
found
it
out
only
ten
minutes
too
late
.
I
must
make
haste
.
Good
bye
!
'
'
May
not
I
come
too
,
or
am
I
too
strange
a
figure
?
'
said
Guy
,
looking
at
his
dress
,
thrown
on
in
haste
,
and
saturated
with
sea-water
.
'
May
you
?
'
said
Mr.
Ashford
,
smiling
.
'
Is
it
wise
,
with
all
your
wet
things
?
'
'
I
am
not
given
to
colds
,
'
answered
Guy
,
and
they
walked
on
quickly
for
some
minutes
;
after
which
he
said
,
in
a
low
voice
and
hurried
manner
,
—
'
would
you
make
some
mention
of
it
in
the
Thanksgiving
?
'
'
Of
course
I
will
,
'
said
Mr.
Ashford
,
with
much
emotion
.
'
The
danger
must
have
been
great
.
'
'
It
was
,
'
said
Guy
,
as
if
the
strong
feeling
would
show
itself
.
'
It
was
most
merciful
.
That
little
boat
felt
like
a
toy
at
the
will
of
the
winds
and
waves
,
till
one
recollected
who
held
the
storm
in
His
hand
.
'
He
spoke
very
simply
,
as
if
he
could
not
help
it
,
with
his
eye
fixed
on
the
clear
eastern
sky
,
and
with
a
tone
of
grave
awe
and
thankfulness
which
greatly
struck
Mr.
Ashford
,
from
the
complete
absence
of
self-consciousness
,
or
from
any
attempt
either
to
magnify
or
depreciate
his
sense
of
the
danger
.
'
You
thought
the
storm
a
more
dangerous
time
than
your
expedition
on
the
rock
?
'
'
It
was
not
.
The
fishermen
,
who
were
used
to
such
things
,
did
not
think
much
of
it
;
but
I
am
glad
to
have
been
out
on
such
a
night
,
if
only
for
the
magnificent
sensation
it
gives
to
realize
one
's
own
powerlessness
and
His
might
.
As
for
the
rock
,
there
was
something
to
do
to
look
to
one
's
footing
,
and
cling
on
;
no
time
to
think
.
'
'
It
was
a
desperate
thing
!
'
'
Not
so
bad
as
it
looked
.
One
step
at
a
time
is
all
one
wants
,
you
know
,
and
that
there
always
was
.
But
what
a
fine
fellow
Ben
Robinson
is
!
He
behaved
like
a
regular
hero
—
it
was
the
thorough
contempt
and
love
of
danger
one
reads
of
.
There
must
be
a
great
deal
of
good
in
him
,
if
one
only
knew
how
to
get
hold
of
it
.
'
'
Look
there
!
'
was
Mr.
Ashford
's
answer
,
as
he
turned
his
head
at
the
church
wicket
;
and
,
at
a
short
distance
behind
,
Guy
saw
Ben
himself
walking
up
the
path
,
with
his
thankful
,
happy
father
,
a
sight
that
had
not
been
seen
for
months
,
nay
,
for
years
.
'
Ay
,
'
he
said
,
'
such
a
night
as
this
,
and
such
a
good
old
man
as
the
father
,
could
not
fail
to
bring
out
all
the
good
in
a
man
.
'
'
Yes
,
'
thought
Mr.
Ashford
,
'
such
a
night
,
under
such
a
leader
!
The
sight
of
so
much
courage
based
on
that
foundation
is
what
may
best
touch
and
save
that
man
.
'
After
church
,
Guy
walked
fast
away
;
Mr.
Ashford
went
home
,
made
a
long
breakfast
,
having
the
whole
story
to
tell
,
and
was
off
to
the
scene
of
action
again
,
where
he
found
the
master
,
quite
restored
,
and
was
presently
joined
by
Markham
.
Of
Sir
Guy
,
there
was
no
news
,
except
that
Jem
Ledbury
said
he
had
looked
in
after
church
to
know
how
the
cabin-boy
was
going
on
,
and
the
master
,
understanding
that
he
had
been
the
leader
in
the
rescue
,
was
very
anxious
to
thank
him
,
and
walked
up
to
the
house
with
Markham
and
Mr.
Ashford
.
Markham
conducted
them
straight
to
the
library
,
the
door
of
which
was
open
.
He
crossed
the
room
,
smiled
,
and
made
a
sign
to
Mr.
Ashford
,
who
looked
in
some
surprise
and
amusement
.
It
has
been
already
said
that
the
room
was
so
spacious
that
the
inhabited
part
looked
like
a
little
encampment
by
the
fire
,
though
the
room
was
so
spacious
that
the
inhabited
part
looked
like
a
little
encampment
by
the
fire
,
though
the
round
table
was
large
,
and
the
green
leather
sofa
and
arm-chair
were
cumbrous
.
However
,
old
Sir
Guy
's
arm-chair
was
never
used
by
his
grandson
;
Markham
might
sit
there
,
and
Bustle
did
sometimes
,
but
Guy
always
used
one
of
the
unpretending
,
unluxurious
chairs
,
which
were
the
staple
of
the
room
.
This
,
however
,
was
vacant
,
and
on
the
table
before
it
stood
the
remains
of
breakfast
,
a
loaf
reduced
to
half
its
dimensions
,
an
empty
plate
and
coffee-cup
.
The
fire
was
burnt
down
to
a
single
log
,
and
on
the
sofa
,
on
all
the
various
books
with
which
it
was
strewed
,
lay
Guy
,
in
anything
but
a
comfortable
position
,
his
head
on
a
great
dictionary
,
fairly
overcome
with
sleep
;
his
very
thick
,
black
eyelashes
resting
on
his
fresh
,
bright
cheek
,
and
the
relaxation
of
the
grave
expression
of
his
features
making
him
look
even
younger
than
he
really
was
.
He
was
so
sound
asleep
that
it
was
not
till
some
movement
of
Markham
's
that
he
awoke
,
and
started
up
,
exclaiming
,
—
'
What
a
horrid
shame
!
I
am
very
sorry
!
'
'
Sorry
!
what
for
?
'
said
Markham
.
'
I
am
glad
,
at
any
rate
,
you
have
been
wise
enough
to
change
your
things
,
and
eat
some
breakfast
.
'
'
I
meant
to
have
done
so
much
,
'
said
Guy
;
'
but
sea-wind
makes
one
so
sleepy
!
'
Then
,
perceiving
the
captain
,
he
came
forward
,
hoping
he
was
quite
recovered
.
The
captain
stood
mystified
,
for
he
could
not
believe
this
slim
youth
could
be
the
Sir
Guy
of
whose
name
he
had
heard
so
much
,
and
,
after
answering
the
inquiry
,
he
began
,
—
'
If
I
could
have
the
honour
of
seeing
Sir
Guy
—
'
'
Well
?
'
said
Guy
.
'
I
beg
your
pardon
,
sir
!
'
said
the
captain
,
while
they
all
laught
;
'
I
did
not
guess
you
could
be
so
young
a
gentleman
.
I
am
sure
,
sir
,
'
tis
what
any
man
might
be
proud
of
having
done
,
and
—
I
never
saw
anything
like
it
!
'
he
added
,
with
a
fresh
start
,
'
and
it
will
do
you
honour
everywhere
.
All
our
lives
are
owing
to
you
,
sir
.
'
Guy
did
not
cut
him
short
,
though
very
glad
when
it
was
over
.
He
felt
he
should
not
,
in
the
captain
's
place
,
like
to
have
his
thanks
shortened
and
besides
,
if
ever
there
was
happiness
or
exultation
,
it
was
in
the
glistening
eyes
of
old
Markham
,
the
first
time
he
had
ever
been
able
to
be
justly
proud
of
one
of
the
family
,
whom
he
loved
with
so
much
faithfulness
and
devotion
.
CHAPTER
II
.
Is
there
a
word
,
or
jest
,
or
game
,
But
time
encrusteth
round
With
sad
associate
thoughts
the
same
?
Elizabeth
Barett
Browning
.
Among
the
persons
who
spent
a
forlorn
autumn
was
Mr.
Ross
,
though
his
troubles
were
not
quite
of
the
same
description
as
those
of
his
young
parishioners
.
He
missed
his
daughter
very
much
;
all
his
household
affairs
got
out
of
order
,
the
school-girls
were
naughty
,
and
neither
he
nor
Miss
Edmonstone
,
nor
the
mistress
,
could
discover
the
culprits
,
their
inquiries
producing
nothing
but
a
wild
confusion
of
mutual
accusations
,
where
the
truth
was
undistinguishable
.
The
cook
never
could
find
anything
to
make
broth
of
;
Mr.
Ross
never
could
lay
his
hands
on
the
books
he
wanted
for
himself
or
anybody
else
,
and
lastly
,
none
of
his
shirts
ever
had
their
buttons
on
.
Mary
,
meanwhile
,
had
to
remain
through
a
whole
course
of
measles
,
then
to
greet
the
arrival
of
a
new
nephew
,
and
to
attend
his
christening
;
but
she
had
made
a
vow
that
she
would
be
at
home
by
Christmas
,
and
she
kept
it
.
Mr.
Ross
had
the
satisfaction
of
fetching
her
home
from
the
station
the
day
before
Christmas
Eve
,
and
of
seeing
her
opposite
to
him
,
on
her
own
side
of
the
table
,
in
the
evening
,
putting
on
the
buttons
,
and
considering
it
an
especial
favour
and
kindness
,
for
which
to
be
for
ever
grateful
,
that
he
had
written
all
his
Christmas
sermons
beforehand
,
so
as
to
have
a
whole
evening
clear
for
her
.
He
was
never
a
great
letter-writer
,
and
Mary
had
a
great
deal
to
hear
,
for
all
that
had
come
to
her
were
the
main
facts
,
with
very
few
details
.
'
I
have
had
very
few
letters
even
from
Hollywell
,
'
said
she
.
'
I
suppose
it
is
on
account
of
Charles
's
illness
.
You
think
him
really
better
?
'
'
Yes
,
much
better
.
I
forgot
to
tell
you
,
you
are
wanted
for
their
Christmas
party
to-morrow
night
.
'
'
Oh
!
he
is
well
enough
for
them
not
to
put
it
off
!
Is
he
able
to
be
out
of
bed
?
'
'
No
,
he
lies
perfectly
flat
,
and
looks
very
thin
.
It
has
been
a
very
severe
illness
.
I
do
n't
think
I
ever
knew
him
suffer
so
much
,
but
,
at
the
same
time
,
I
never
knew
him
behave
so
well
,
or
show
so
much
patience
,
and
consideration
for
other
people
.
I
was
the
more
surprised
,
because
at
first
he
seemed
to
have
relapsed
into
all
the
ways
we
thought
he
had
shaken
off
;
he
was
so
irritable
and
fretful
,
that
poor
Mrs.
Edmonstone
looked
worn
out
;
but
it
seems
to
have
been
only
the
beginning
of
the
illness
;
it
was
very
different
after
he
was
laid
up
.
'
'
Has
he
had
you
to
see
him
?
'
'
Yes
,
he
asked
for
it
,
which
he
never
did
before
,
and
Amabel
reads
to
him
every
morning
.
There
is
certainly
much
more
that
is
satisfactory
about
those
young
Edmonstones
than
there
once
seemed
reason
to
expect
.
'
'
And
now
tell
me
about
Sir
Guy
.
What
is
the
matter
?
Why
does
he
not
come
home
this
winter
?
'
'
I
cannot
tell
you
the
rights
of
it
,
Mary
.
Mr.
Edmonstone
is
very
much
offended
about
something
he
is
reported
to
have
said
,
and
suspects
him
of
having
been
in
mischief
at
St.
Mildred
's
,
but
I
am
not
at
all
persuaded
that
it
is
not
one
of
Mr.
Edmonstone
's
affronts
.
'
'
Where
is
he
?
'
'
At
Redeclyffe
.
I
have
a
letter
from
him
which
I
am
going
to
answer
to-night
.
I
shall
tell
the
Edmonstones
about
it
,
for
I
cannot
believe
that
,
if
he
had
been
guilty
of
anything
very
wrong
,
his
mind
would
be
occupied
in
this
manner
;
'
and
he
gave
Mary
the
letter
.
'
Oh
,
no
!
'
exclaimed
Mary
,
as
she
read
;
'
I
am
sure
he
cannot
be
in
mischief
.
What
an
admirable
person
he
is
!
I
am
very
sorry
this
cloud
has
arisen
!
I
was
thinking
last
summer
how
happy
they
all
were
together
.
'
'
Either
this
or
Charles
's
illness
has
cast
a
gloom
on
the
whole
house
.
The
girls
are
both
grown
much
graver
.
'
'
Amy
graver
?
'
said
Mary
,
quickly
.
'
I
think
so
.
At
least
,
she
did
not
seem
to
cheer
up
as
I
should
have
expected
when
her
brother
grew
better
.
She
looks
as
if
she
had
been
nursing
him
too
closely
,
and
yet
I
see
her
walking
a
good
deal
.
'
'
Poor
little
Amy
!
'
said
Mary
,
and
she
asked
no
more
questions
,
but
was
anxious
to
make
her
own
observations
.
She
did
not
see
the
Edmonstones
till
the
next
evening
,
as
the
day
was
wet
,
and
she
only
received
a
little
note
,
telling
her
that
the
carriage
would
be
sent
to
fetch
her
and
Mr.
Ross
.
The
whole
of
the
family
,
except
Charles
,
were
in
the
drawing-room
,
but
Mary
looked
chiefly
at
Amy
.
She
was
in
white
,
with
holly
in
her
hair
,
and
did
not
look
sorrowful
;
but
she
was
paler
and
thinner
than
last
summer
,
and
though
she
spoke
,
smiled
,
and
laughed
when
she
ought
,
it
was
without
the
gay
,
childish
freedom
of
former
times
.
She
was
a
small
,
pale
,
quiet
girl
now
,
not
a
merry
,
caressing
kitten
.
Mary
recollected
what
she
had
been
in
the
wood
last
summer
,
and
was
sure
it
was
more
than
Charles
's
illness
that
had
altered
her
,
yet
still
Amy
had
not
Laura
's
harassed
look
.
Mary
had
not
much
talk
with
Amy
,
for
it
was
a
large
party
,
with
a
good
many
young
ladies
and
children
,
and
Amy
had
a
great
deal
of
work
in
the
way
of
amusing
them
.
She
had
a
wearied
look
,
and
was
evidently
exerting
herself
to
the
utmost
.
'
You
look
tired
,
'
said
Mary
,
kindly
.
'
No
,
it
is
only
stupidity
,
'
said
Amy
,
smiling
rather
sadly
.
'
We
ca
n't
be
entertaining
without
Charlie
.
'
'
It
has
