hallsthan
among
the
great
manufacturers
themselves
,
especially
when
the
ladies
are
by
,
—
I
have
heard
that
a
great
many
of
the
learned
gentlemen
in
parliament
say
,
that
the
whole
system
is
a
blessing
to
the
country
.
"
"
Then
your
account
of
it
must
be
a
very
false
one
,
nurse
Tremlett
,
"
said
the
young
heiress
severely
.
"
I
only
speak
after
much
that
I
have
heard
,
and
a
little
that
I
have
seen
,
"
replied
the
old
woman
meekly
.
"
However
,
my
dear
,
dear
Miss
Brotherton
,
"
she
added
,
"
if
you
will
take
an
old
servant
's
advice
,
who
loves
you
very
dearly
,
you
will
just
make
up
your
mind
,
neither
to
talk
,
nor
to
think
any
more
upon
the
subject
.
I
am
quite
sure
that
it
will
give
you
no
pleasure
,
and
it
does
not
seem
possible
to
me
that
you
should
do
any
good
;
for
you
know
,
my
dear
,
that
you
have
nothing
at
all
to
do
with
any
of
the
factories
now
,
any
more
than
Lady
Clarissa
herself
.
Will
you
promise
to
take
my
advice
,
my
dear
child
,
and
think
no
more
about
it
?
"
"
On
the
contrary
,
Mrs.
Tremlett
,
"
replied
the
young
lady
;
"
I
am
perfectly
determined
that
for
some
time
to
come
I
will
think
of
nothing
else
.
"
Mary
Brotherton
kept
her
word
.
During
the
whole
time
that
the
Dowling
Lodge
theatricals
were
in
preparation
,
while
every
other
young
heart
in
the
neighbourhood
,
male
or
female
,
was
eagerly
anticipating
the
fête
,
hers
was
fixed
steadfast
and
immoveable
upon
the
mysterious
subject
that
had
seized
upon
it
.
That
man
was
born
to
labour
,
that
he
was
condemned
to
live
by
the
sweat
of
his
brow
,
she
knew
from
high
authority
;
and
though
under
the
social
compacts
which
civilization
has
led
to
,
some
portion
of
every
race
have
found
the
means
of
performing
the
allotted
task
vicariously
,
she
felt
not
called
upon
to
say
that
the
arrangement
was
a
bad
one
.
It
was
by
no
means
difficult
to
conceive
why
it
was
so
,
nor
why
of
necessity
it
ever
must
be
so
.
She
felt
,
as
all
must
do
,
who
reflect
on
the
subject
,
that
if
all
distinctions
were
by
some
accident
suddenly
removed
,
and
the
entire
organization
of
society
to
begin
de
novo
,
each
man
standing
precisely
on
the
same
level
as
his
neighbour
,
the
earth
would
not
complete
one
revolution
round
the
sun
,
ere
the
equality
would
be
violated
.
"
Strength
will
be
lord
of
imbecility
.
"
And
when
nature
made
one
man
more
active
,
more
intelligent
,
or
more
powerful
of
frame
than
another
,
she
made
the
law
in
which
originated
inequality
of
condition
.
That
,
as
time
rolled
on
,
and
mankind
became
bound
together
nation
by
nation
,
substituting
the
conventional
distinctions
of
civilized
society
for
those
derived
from
individual
strength
,
—
that
when
this
happened
,
occasional
anomalies
should
appear
in
the
arrangement
,
seemed
inevitable
,
and
of
necessity
to
be
ensured
.
That
it
was
inevitable
,
she
conceived
to
be
pretty
nearly
proved
by
the
fact
that
no
single
authentic
record
makes
mention
of
a
nation
in
which
hereditary
distinction
of
some
kind
or
other
did
not
exist
.
Nor
did
it
seem
desirable
that
when
the
prowess
,
the
wit
,
the
wisdom
,
or
the
toil
of
an
individual
had
endowed
him
with
wealth
beyond
his
fellows
,
he
should
be
denied
the
dear
privilege
of
endowing
withal
the
children
he
loved
,
instead
of
leaving
it
at
his
death
to
be
struggled
for
,
and
borne
away
by
the
most
crafty
or
the
most
strong
.
All
this
,
Mary
Brotherton
,
in
her
little
wisdom
of
twenty-two
years
and
a
half
,
could
without
difficulty
reason
upon
and
understand
.
But
that
among
those
whom
fate
or
fortune
had
doomed
to
labour
,
some
should
be
cherished
,
valued
,
honoured
by
the
masters
who
received
and
paid
their
industry
,
while
"
other
some
"
were
doomed
,
under
the
same
compact
of
labour
and
payment
,
to
the
scorn
,
avoidance
,
and
contempt
of
the
beings
whose
wealth
and
greatness
proceeded
from
their
toil
,
was
an
enigma
she
could
in
no
wise
comprehend
.
"
There
must
be
something
wrong
,
"
argued
the
young
girl
,
as
day
by
day
she
paced
her
gravel
walks
in
solitary
meditation
;
"
there
must
be
something
deeply
,
radically
wrong
in
a
system
that
leads
to
such
results
.
I
may
perhaps
be
silly
enough
to
look
with
something
approaching
envy
at
the
noble
who
traces
his
thirty
descents
unbroken
from
the
venerable
ancestor
,
whose
valour
won
in
a
hard-fought
field
the
distinction
he
still
bears
on
his
armorial
coat
,
yet
when
I
look
round
upon
what
the
industry
of
my
father
—
the
only
one
of
his
race
whose
name
I
ever
heard
—
when
I
contemplate
what
one
man
's
industry
can
bequeath
to
his
child
,
I
feel
that
there
is
no
very
substantial
cause
for
complaining
of
hereditary
inferiority
of
condition
.
Nay
,
were
I
one
of
the
peasants
of
whom
the
Lady
Clarissa
and
nurse
Tremlett
speak
,
I
can
well
enough
believe
that
I
might
live
and
die
contented
with
a
life
of
healthful
and
respected
toil
.
But
to
exist
in
the
condition
of
these
outcast
labourers
—
to
be
thrust
out
,
as
it
were
,
beyond
the
pale
that
surrounds
and
protects
society
—
to
live
like
the
wretch
,
smitten
by
the
witches
'
curse
,
'
a
man
forbid
,
'
must
be
hard
to
bear
.
Children
,
young
creatures
still
wearing
the
stamp
of
heaven
fresh
upon
their
brows
,
are
,
as
it
seems
,
amongst
these
wretched
ones
.
I
will
find
out
why
this
is
so
,
or
be
worried
to
death
by
Sir
Matthew
Dowling
and
his
fellow
great
ones
in
the
attempt
.
"
Towards
the
end
of
the
month
which
preceded
the
grand
display
expected
at
Dowling
Lodge
,
Mr.
Osmond
Norval
requested
permission
to
submit
his
composition
to
Miss
Brotherton
's
perusal
;
a
compliment
she
graciously
consented
to
receive
,
being
desirous
,
before
she
witnessed
its
performance
,
of
learning
all
she
could
respecting
Sir
Matthew
's
rather
mysterious
adoption
of
the
factory-boy
,
and
also
of
the
poor
child
's
equally
mysterious
sufferings
under
the
benevolent
process
that
was
performing
on
him
.
The
little
drama
,
therefore
,
which
for
obvious
classical
reasons
the
poet
denominated
"
A
Masque
,
"
reached
her
hands
enveloped
in
delicately-scented
paper
.
But
all
she
learned
thereby
was
,
that
Mr.
Norval
had
thought
proper
to
entitle
it
,
"
Gratitude
and
Goodness
,
"
or
,
"
The
Romance
of
Dowling
Lodge
,
"
and
to
prelude
it
by
a
sonnet
to
be
spoken
by
himself
as
prologue
,
in
which
a
modest
allusion
was
made
to
Milton
's
composition
of
Comus
for
the
use
of
the
Bridge-water
family
.
She
had
,
moreover
,
the
gratification
of
discovering
in
what
order
Sir
Matthew
,
Lady
Clarissa
,
the
poet
,
the
governess
,
most
of
the
young
Dowlings
,
and
little
Michael
himself
were
to
appear
upon
the
scene
,
and
then
she
returned
the
young
gentleman
's
MS.
with
a
very
honest
assurance
that
she
doubted
not
the
composition
would
most
satisfactorily
answer
every
purpose
for
which
it
was
intended
.
Absurd
as
the
whole
business
appeared
to
her
,
she
resolved
to
be
present
at
the
representation
;
and
having
perceived
,
in
her
study
of
the
exists
and
entrances
,
that
no
part
was
allotted
to
the
homely
Martha
,
she
determined
to
place
herself
near
her
during
the
performance
,
in
the
hope
of
eliciting
the
information
she
was
so
anxious
to
obtain
.
On
many
occasions
Miss
Brotherton
had
remarked
that
this
young
lady
either
kept
herself
,
or
was
kept
very
much
apart
from
the
rest
of
the
family
,
which
circumstance
had
been
quite
sufficient
to
propitiate
her
kindness
,
for
most
cordially
did
Mary
Brotherton
dislike
the
whole
Dowling
race
.
But
so
deep-seated
was
the
feeling
of
poor
Martha
herself
that
nobody
did
,
or
could
wish
,
to
converse
with
her
,
that
the
hand-shakings
and
smiles
of
the
heiress
had
never
suggested
to
her
the
idea
that
she
might
wish
to
be
better
acquainted
.
This
shyness
had
hitherto
effectually
kept
them
apart
;
but
no
sooner
did
Mary
perceive
that
the
neglected
girl
was
the
only
one
of
the
family
,
above
the
age
of
a
mere
baby
,
to
whom
no
part
in
Mr.
Norval
's
drama
was
allotted
,
than
she
resolved
to
profit
by
the
circumstance
,
and
,
if
possible
,
get
from
her
such
a
commentary
upon
the
piece
,
as
might
enable
her
to
comprehend
its
plot
and
underplot
.
Accordingly
,
when
the
great
night
of
representation
arrived
,
Miss
Brotherton
reached
the
Lodge
somewhat
before
the
hour
named
in
the
invitation
,
and
finding
,
as
she
expected
,
the
room
where
the
company
were
to
be
received
,
unoccupied
,
she
desired
one
of
the
liveried
attendants
to
send
Miss
Martha
Dowling
's
maid
to
her
.
A
female
servant
soon
appeared
.
"
Are
you
Miss
Martha
's
maid
?
"
said
the
young
lady
.
"
Oh
!
dear
no
,
ma'am
,
I
am
Miss
Dowling
's
and
Miss
Harriet
's
maid
.
Miss
Martha
never
wants
a
lady
's
maid
at
all
;
but
I
can
take
any
message
from
you
,
ma'am
,
that
you
may
please
to
send
.
"
Miss
Brotherton
took
one
of
her
own
cards
,
and
wrote
upon
it
with
a
pencil
—
"
Dear
Miss
Martha
,
if
you
are
not
going
to
act
in
the
play
,
will
you
have
the
kindness
to
come
to
me
.
"
This
note
the
soubrette
,
as
in
duty
bound
,
first
showed
to
her
own
young
ladies
.
"
Good
gracious
!
How
very
odd
!
What
can
Miss
Brotherton
have
to
say
to
Martha
?
Martha
!
of
all
people
in
the
world
.
She
is
not
ill
,
Crompton
,
is
she
?
"
said
Miss
Arabella
.
"
Oh
!
dear
no
,
ma'am
—
at
least
she
do
n't
look
so
.
She
seemed
in
a
great
hurry
,
however
,
for
me
to
take
the
card
.
"
"
Well
,
take
it
then
,
"
cried
Miss
Harriet
,
impatiently
,
"
and
make
haste
,
or
I
shall
never
get
my
ringlets
done
:
they
take
such
a
time
.
Do
give
her
the
card
,
Arabella
.
What
good
is
there
in
spelling
it
over
a
dozen
times
?
I
dare
say
she
only
wants
to
cross-question
her
about
Augustus
,
and
what
he
's
going
to
act
.
So
take
the
card
,
Crompton
,
and
run
with
it
to
Martha
as
fast
as
you
can
.
"
Crompton
and
the
card
found
Martha
sitting
still
undressed
in
the
obscure
little
room
allotted
to
her
in
the
children
's
wing
.
She
was
deep
in
the
pages
of
a
new
romance
,
and
being
,
if
possible
,
more
certain
than
usual
that
her
presence
would
not
be
wanted
,
had
made
up
her
mind
to
enjoy
herself
till
the
time
arrived
for
the
commencement
of
the
play
,
when
it
was
her
purpose
to
join
the
large
party
invited
,
in
their
progress
from
the
drawing-room
to
the
theatre
.
On
receiving
Miss
Brotherton
's
card
,
however
,
she
hastily
resumed
the
business
of
her
toilet
;
for
though
the
summons
was
as
unintelligible
to
her
as
to
her
sisters
,
she
felt
,
at
least
,
an
equal
desire
that
it
should
be
civilly
complied
with
.
It
never
took
long
to
make
poor
Martha
as
smart
as
she
ever
thought
it
necessary
to
be
,
and
in
a
very
few
minutes
she
joined
Miss
Brotherton
in
the
drawing-room
.
"
This
is
very
kind
of
you
,
Miss
Martha
.
I
hope
I
have
not
hurried
you
?
"
said
the
heiress
,
taking
her
hand
so
kindly
,
that
the
shy
girl
could
not
but
feel
encouraged
to
speak
to
her
with
rather
more
confidence
than
usual
.
"
Why
are
you
not
going
to
take
a
part
?
"
was
the
next
question
.
"
I
take
a
part
!
Oh
!
Miss
Brotherton
what
should
I
make
of
acting
?
"
said
Martha
,
laughing
and
blushing
,
in
reply
.
"
Nay
I
think
you
are
very
right
,
Martha
.
I
assure
you
nothing
could
have
persuaded
me
to
have
made
the
attempt
.
But
I
thought
that
if
you
did
not
play
,
you
would
perhaps
have
the
kindness
to
take
charge
of
me
,
and
let
me
sit
by
you
;
for
unless
I
have
somebody
to
tell
me
what
it
all
means
I
shall
be
horribly
puzzled
.
"
"
I
will
tell
you
every
thing
I
can
,
"
replied
Martha
,
good-humouredly
.
"
But
I
do
n't
think
I
understand
much
about
it
myself
.
"
"
What
sort
of
a
little
boy
is
it
that
your
papa
has
been
so
kind
to
?
Every
body
is
talking
about
it
,
and
Lady
Clarissa
says
there
is
something
quite
sublime
in
what
he
is
going
to
do
for
him
.
But
I
suppose
Sir
Matthew
must
have
remarked
some
qualities
particularly
amiable
and
good
in
the
child
,
or
he
would
not
distinguish
him
so
remarkably
from
all
others
of
the
same
class
.
"
"
You
have
heard
the
story
of
his
saving
Lady
Clarissa
Shrimpton
from
the
cow
that
was
going
to
toss
her
,
have
you
not
,
Miss
Brotherton
?
"
"
Yes
,
my
dear
,
I
heard
all
that
,
you
know
,
the
morning
I
was
here
;
—
though
,
by
the
by
,
you
were
not
in
the
room
,
I
remember
.
But
there
must
be
something
more
in
it
than
that
.
Do
tell
me
all
you
know
.
"
"
Indeed
I
do
n't
know
any
thing
more
,
"
said
Martha
.
"
What
sort
of
a
child
is
it
?
"
"
A
very
nice
little
fellow
indeed
,
and
I
think
if
I
had
been
papa
I
should
have
done
the
same
thing
myself
.
"
"
Really
!
Then
you
do
think
this
child
is
something
out
of
the
common
way
,
I
suppose
?
Pray
tell
me
,
dear
Martha
,
will
you
,
if
you
hear
much
about
the
people
that
work
in
the
factories
?
and
the
children
in
particular
?
"
"
No
,
indeed
,
Miss
Brotherton
,
I
know
nothing
in
the
world
about
them
;
except
that
I
sometimes
hear
papa
say
that
they
are
all
very
idle
and
ungrateful
,
"
replied
Martha
.
"
I
have
been
told
that
they
are
a
very
wretched
set
of
people
.
But
,
perhaps
,
they
cannot
help
it
,
Martha
?
"
returned
Mary
,
"
I
do
not
know
how
that
can
be
,
Miss
Brotherton
;
every
body
can
help
being
idle
,
and
every
body
can
help
being
ungrateful
,
I
should
think
.
"
"
But
it
seems
that
they
all
live
together
,
and
make
one
another
worse
;
and
,
in
that
case
,
the
children
are
very
much
to
be
pitied
;
for
,
poor
little
things
,
they
cannot
help
themselves
.
What
makes
you
think
this
little
boy
is
a
nice
child
?
Have
you
ever
talked
to
him
much
?
"
"
Yes
,
a
good
deal
;
but
papa
has
been
taking
him
about
to
a
great
many
houses
;
and
besides
,
he
has
been
occupied
very
much
in
learning
his
part
,
for
Duo
,
who
was
teaching
him
,
said
that
he
could
hardly
read
at
all
.
So
I
have
been
trying
to
help
him
,
and
he
is
very
quick
.
But
I
like
him
,
too
,
because
he
appears
so
fond
of
his
mother
and
brother
.
He
cares
for
nothing
that
can
be
given
him
,
unless
he
can
take
some
of
it
to
them
.
"
"
And
does
your
papa
let
him
do
so
?
"
"
Oh
!
yes
,
every
day
.
"
"
That
is
very
kind
.
Then
I
suppose
the
little
fellow
is
superlatively
happy
?
"
"
I
do
n't
know
,
"
replied
Martha
,
with
a
slight
shake
of
the
head
.
"
It
is
very
strange
if
he
be
not
,
"
observed
Miss
Brotherton
.
"
If
he
were
kept
from
his
mother
I
could
easily
understand
that
he
might
be
very
miserable
,
notwithstanding
the
great
good
luck
that
has
befallen
him
;
but
if
he
is
permitted
to
see
her
constantly
,
I
ca
n't
imagine
what
he
can
want
more
.
"
"
I
do
n't
know
,
"
again
replied
Martha
.
The
expected
guests
began
now
rapidly
to
assemble
,
and
refreshments
were
handed
round
previous
to
their
being
conducted
to
the
room
prepared
for
the
evening
's
amusement
.
"
Do
n't
forsake
me
,
dear
Martha
!
"
whispered
Miss
Brotherton
,
"
I
am
not
very
intimate
with
any
of
these
ladies
and
gentlemen
,
and
I
shall
not
enjoy
the
evening
's
amusement
,
unless
I
am
seated
next
you
.
"
Martha
felt
a
good
deal
surprised
at
the
compliment
,
but
readily
agreed
to
the
proposal
;
and
in
a
few
minutes
,
Lady
Dowling
,
who
was
any
thing
rather
than
pleased
by
the
whole
affair
,
gave
the
assembled
party
to
understand
that
the
time
fixed
for
their
entering
the
theatre
had
arrived
.
On
tiptoe
with
curiosity
,
and
eager
beyond
measure
,
to
see
what
Lady
Clarissa
Shrimpton
,
Mr.
Osmond
Norval
,
and
"
all
the
Dowlings
"
would
look
like
on
the
stage
,
the
numerous
company
almost
ran
over
one
another
in
the
vehement
zeal
with
which
they
prepared
to
obey
her
.
Of
course
no
expense
had
been
spared
in
fitting
up
the
apartment
allotted
to
the
purpose
,
in
form
and
style
as
like
as
might
be
to
a
theatre
;
and
,
thanks
to
the
taste
and
ingenuity
of
the
little
French
governess
,
the
thing
had
been
not
only
expensively
,
but
well
done
.
The
space
railed
in
for
the
orchestra
very
conveniently
divided
the
company
from
the
actors
;
and
,
when
the
curtain
drew
up
,
the
well-lighted
stage
exhibited
just
such
a
carpeted
,
draperied
,
mirrored
,
and
flower-adorned
arena
,
as
well-dressed
amateur
ladies
and
gentlemen
delighted
to
appear
in
.
The
very
sight
of
the
stage
elicited
a
shout
of
applause
;
and
when
Mr.
Osmond
Norval
,
habited
at
all
points
according
to
the
most
accredited
draped
portraits
of
Apollo
,
came
forth
from
behind
the
sky-blue
silken
hangings
which
formed
the
coulisses
,
all
the
ladies
began
clapping
till
their
little
palms
and
fingers
tingled
with
the
unwonted
exercise
.
The
young
poet
certainly
looked
very
handsome
;
and
not
the
less
so
because
he
knew
that
besides
Miss
Brotherton
's
eyes
,
which
he
was
certain
must
be
fixed
upon
him
(
though
he
could
not
distinguish
her
in
the
obscure
corner
in
which
she
had
chosen
to
place
herself
beside
Martha
)
,
those
of
Miss
Arabella
and
Miss
Harriet
Dowling
(
both
estimated
at
twenty
thousand
pounds
)
,
were
fixed
upon
him
too
.
Not
to
mention
the
speaking
orbs
of
Lady
Clarissa
Shrimpton
,
whose
nobility
,
he
had
little
doubt
,
might
be
won
to
smile
upon
and
endow
him
with
all
the
little
earthly
goods
she
had
,
could
he
make
up
his
mind
to
believe
that
he
could
do
no
better
.
All
this
flattered
,
excited
,
and
inspired
him
most
becomingly
;
and
as
he
stood
with
one
silken
leg
slightly
advanced
,
and
so
firmly
planted
as
to
require
only
the
toe
of
its
fellow
to
support
him
from
behind
,
with
a
lyre
suspended
round
his
neck
,
and
a
wreath
of
bay-leaves
mixing
with
the
dark
curls
upon
his
brow
,
at
least
two
dozen
young
ladies
in
the
manufacturing
interest
declared
to
their
secret
souls
that
they
never
could
hope
to
see
another
like
him
.
Having
first
recited
the
pretty
sonnet
before
mentioned
,
in
which
he
modestly
hinted
at
more
points
of
resemblance
than
one
between
himself
and
Milton
,
he
suddenly
changed
his
hand
,
and
having
,
as
he
expressed
it
to
Lady
Clarissa
,
"
gleaned
with
the
hand
of
a
master
,
"
he
spoke
the
following
lines
,
which
in
the
copies
printed
for
private
circulation
,
were
headed
"
SHAKSPERIAN
PROLOGUE
.
"
Open
your
ears
!
For
which
of
you
will
stop
The
seat
of
hearing
,
when
loud
rumour
speaks
?
I
,
from
the
orient
to
the
drooping
west
,
Making
the
wind
my
post-horse
,
will
unfold
The
act
performed
by
virtuous
Dowling
here
.
Oh
!
for
a
muse
of
fire
that
should
ascend
The
brightest
heaven
of
discription
!
Then
should
the
noble
Dowling
,
like
himself
Assume
the
form
of
mercy
;
and
,
at
his
heels
,
Leashed
in
like
hounds
,
should
famine
,
pain
,
and
labour
,
Crouch
,
all
subdued
!
"
+c
.
+c
.
The
applause
which
followed
this
lasted
so
long
,
that
the
performers
began
to
fear
there
would
not
be
time
enough
left
for
the
piece
.
But
by
degrees
the
tumult
subsided
,
Apollo
was
permitted
to
retire
,
and
the
business
of
the
scene
began
.
There
was
something
more
nearly
approaching
a
balance
of
power
at
Dowling
Lodge
than
is
often
to
be
found
in
the
domestic
arrangements
of
gentlemen
and
their
wives
—
for
,
though
it
may
be
a
very
doubtful
point
,
whether
man
or
wife
most
frequently
get
the
mastery
,
it
but
rarely
happens
that
the
matter
long
remains
unsettled
.
At
Dowling
Lodge
,
however
,
there
was
a
beautiful
alternation
of
power
,
which
the
measured
movement
of
the
engine
in
their
factories
,
first
sending
up
one
side
,
and
then
the
other
,
might
,
perhaps
,
have
suggested
.
If
matters
came
to
a
downright
quarrel
,
however
,
Sir
Matthew
was
sure
to
be
the
conqueror
;
for
her
ladyship
got
frightened
,
and
gave
in
:
but
when
any
differences
of
opinion
arose
on
points
of
no
great
importance
,
the
lady
's
murmurings
and
mutterings
were
equally
sure
to
be
victorious
,
and
Sir
Matthew
let
her
have
her
way
,
merely
because
,
like
the
organ-grinder
,
"
he
knew
the
wally
of
peace
and
quiet
.
"
On
the
subject
of
the
private
theatricals
,
there
was
,
most
decidedly
,
a
difference
of
opinion
between
the
heads
of
the
Dowling
family
,
and
some
rough
skirmishing
might
have
ensued
,
had
not
Mademoiselle
Beaujoie
hinted
to
her
good
friend
,
Sir
Matthew
,
that
if
they
could
introduce
a
scene
or
two
,
where
all
the
dear
little
children
could
be
shown
off
,
Lady
Dowling
's
objections
would
probably
give
way
.
The
experiment
was
made
,
and
answered
completely
;
on
condition
,
that
"
Gratitude
and
Goodness
"
should
open
and
close
with
scenes
in
which
the
whole
family
should
appear
in
fancy
dresses
,
and
be
grouped
by
the
dancing-master
in
the
most
graceful
attitudes
he
could
invent
,
Lady
Dowling
withdrew
her
opposition
.
As
soon
,
therefore
,
as
Apollo
had
retired
from
the
front
of
the
stage
,
no
less
than
sixteen
male
and
female
Dowlings
rushed
forth
from
the
silken
hangings
,
and
formed
themselves
,
after
some
little
confusion
,
into
a
tableau
,
declared
,
on
all
sides
,
to
be
of
unrivalled
beauty
.
Again
bravoes
and
clapping
of
hands
announced
the
delight
of
the
spectators
;
and
,
when
this
was
calmed
,
some
very
pompous
verses
gave
notice
that
this
display
of
youthful
grace
and
beauty
,
was
on
occasion
of
a
rustic
fête
,
in
which
the
dramatis
personæ
were
to
amuse
themselves
al
fresco
.
Then
entered
the
Lady
Clarissa
;
but
,
for
some
good
reason
or
other
,
it
had
been
decided
,
between
the
knight
and
herself
,
that
she
should
enter
alone
:
and
from
a
most
poetical
scream
of
terror
,
soon
uttered
by
her
ladyship
,
it
became
evident
that
a
dragon
,
or
a
cow
,
or
some
other
dreadful
animal
had
been
pursuing
her
.
Again
and
again
,
with
most
picturesque
effect
,
she
looked
behind
her
towards
the
blue
silk
coulisses
,
from
whence
she
had
issued
,
till
,
at
length
,
the
feelings
of
the
audience
were
worked
up
to
a
wonderful
pitch
,
by
her
ejaculating
—
"
It
comes
!
It
comes
!
"
This
was
little
Michael
's
cue
;
and
,
as
soon
as
the
words
were
spoken
,
he
entered
from
the
opposite
side
,
holding
a
ragged
cap
on
high
,
and
dressed
,
in
all
respects
,
precisely
as
he
had
been
on
the
memorable
night
of
Lady
Clarissa
's
vaccine
adventure
.
In
dumb
show
the
lady
indicated
the
direction
from
whence
the
dreaded
monster
would
approach
;
and
the
most
energetic
and
unsparing
action
of
the
limbs
and
person
secured
the
audience
,
as
well
as
her
deliverer
,
from
any
possible
mistake
on
the
subject
.
Michael
,
too
,
performed
his
part
with
great
spirit
,
exaggerating
,
as
he
had
been
commanded
,
by
every
possible
means
,
the
manævres
necessary
for
turning
the
front
of
a
cow
.
To
this
scene
,
too
,
the
audience
gave
loud
applause
,
and
in
the
midst
of
it
entered
Sir
Matthew
,
who
was
,
of
course
,
greeted
by
bravoes
,
"
long
drawn
out
,
"
till
the
ladies
and
gentlemen
having
nearly
deafened
one
another
,
ceased
at
last
,
and
listened
to
the
beautiful
explanation
which
followed
.
First
the
company
were
made
to
comprehend
that
the
danger
was
over
,
for
the
well-taught
Michael
turned
about
,
and
manfully
facing
the
audience
,
pronounced
distinctly
"
The
beast
is
gone
!
"
Then
Sir
Matthew
,
after
bowing
respectfully
to
the
lady
,
said
,
"
Permit
me
,
madam
,
to
express
my
joy
,
That
you
've
been
saved
by
this
good
little
boy
.
"
It
was
,
however
,
uttered
in
an
accent
of
such
temperate
and
measured
feeling
,
that
not
even
Lady
Dowling
saw
any
thing
very
particular
in
it
.
A
precaution
by
the
way
,
which
had
been
suggested
by
the
gentlemen
during
the
frequent
rehearsals
.
Lady
Clarissa
's
acting
then
became
animated
indeed
;
for
the
poet
,
following
her
instructions
,
had
composed
for
her
in
smooth
,
yet
startling
rhymes
,
about
thirty
lines
of
the
most
fervent
thanksgiving
,
in
which
,
now
laying
one
hand
on
the
head
of
the
ragged
child
,
now
clasping
both
together
in
the
eagerness
of
her
address
to
Sir
Matthew
,
and
now
gracefully
extending
both
arms
towards
the
audience
,
as
if
to
make
them
sharers
in
her
generous
emotions
,
she
produced
an
effect
more
easily
imagined
than
described
.
The
speech
which
followed
from
Sir
Matthew
was
very
noble
,
and
at
once
let
the
audience
into
all
the
secret
purposes
of
his
benevolent
heart
.
The
by-play
of
Michael
during
this
scene
had
been
prepared
for
by
his
benefactor
with
particular
care
,
but
somehow
or
other
the
boy
was
not
apt
in
catching
the
knight
's
idea
;
for
instead
of
the
tender
but
joyous
smile
with
which
he
had
been
instructed
to
look
up
into
the
face
of
his
munificent
patron
,
his
countenance
expressed
nothing
but
terror
.
"
That
little
fellow
does
not
look
happy
,
Martha
,
"
whispered
Miss
Brotherton
.
"
Oh
no
!
he
looks
very
frightened
,
"
replied
Martha
,
"
but
that
is
very
natural
,
is
it
not
,
considering
the
novelty
of
his
situation
?
"
"
I
do
n't
know
,
"
said
the
heiress
.
The
piece
went
on
to
exhibit
the
beautiful
manner
in
which
this
adoption
of
a
ragged
factory-boy
into
the
bosom
of
the
Dowling
family
had
been
hailed
by
all
of
them
as
an
especial
grace
from
heaven
,
on
account
of
the
opportunity
it
afforded
for
relieving
the
overflowing
generosity
of
their
hearts
.
Sir
Matthew
,
while
looking
round
upon
his
sixteen
full-dressed
offspring
,
who
were
now
again
skilfully
grouped
upon
the
stage
,
was
made
to
exclaim
with
clasped
hands
,
and
an
almost
sobbing
excess
of
emotion
,
"
The
widow
and
the
orphan
are
more
dear
,
To
their
young
hearts
,
than
million
pounds
a
year
!
"
Every
body
was
touched
,
and
again
the
applause
was
deafening
.
Then
came
a
very
striking
scene
indeed
.
Michael
appeared
superbly
dressed
,
and
on
each
side
of
him
was
a
middling-sized
Miss
Dowling
,
holding
lightly
and
gracefully
each
a
little
basket
,
from
under
the
covers
of
which
peeped
out
grapes
and
peaches
on
the
one
side
,
and
something
that
had
the
semblance
of
a
flask
of
wine
on
the
other
.
Then
spoke
the
fair-haired
Louisa
.
"
Dear
little
boy
,
this
basket
's
all
your
own
,
'
Tis
to
reward
the
courage
you
have
shown
.
"
And
then
Miss
Charlotte
.
"
So
is
this
too
,
my
pretty
little
boy
,
We
hope
'
twill
give
your
poor
old
mother
joy
.
"
And
when
Michael
,
having
received
a
basket
in
each
hand
,
appeared
preparing
to
depart
,
the
two
young
ladies
exclaimed
together
,
"
'
Tis
papa
sends
it
,
who
's
so
very
kind
,
How
to
do
good
,
is
all
he
seeks
to
find
!
"
Upon
this
,
Michael
turned
round
again
towards
the
audience
,
and
stood
stock
still
.
It
was
quite
evident
that
he
had
some
speech
to
make
which
he
had
apparently
forgotten
,
for
it
was
impossible
for
any
child
to
look
more
completely
distressed
and
at
a
loss
.
At
length
it
became
pretty
evident
that
,
in
lieu
of
all
other
performance
,
the
poor
boy
was
going
to
cry
;
and
some
ingenious
persons
doubted
whether
it
might
not
be
in
his
part
to
do
so
;
but
this
idea
was
speedily
removed
by
the
very
matter-of-fact
pokes
and
nudges
which
the
two
young
ladies
bestowed
upon
him
.
In
addition
to
this
it
seemed
as
if
the
little
fellow
caught
some
stimulating
sounds
from
the
coulisses
,
for
he
cast
more
than
one
furtive
glance
in
that
direction
,
and
at
length
,
with
what
was
evidently
a
great
effort
,
he
stammered
out
,
"
My
mother
's
dear
,
and
so
's
my
brother
too
,
But
dearer
still
are
your
papa
and
you
.
His
charity
's
so
great
,
his
heart
so
good
,
He
gives
the
naked
clothes
;
the
hungry
food
;
And
I
for
—
one
—
will
,
—
day
—
and
night
—
in
prayer
,
Ask
blessings
—
for
—
him
—
and
—
his
—
worth
declare
.
"
The
two
last
lines
were
so
completely
choked
by
the
tears
,
which
all
his
efforts
could
not
suffice
to
restrain
,
that
they
were
perfectly
unintelligible
to
the
audience
.
"
Is
all
that
vehemence
of
weeping
a
part
of
Mr.
Norval
's
composition
?
"
inquired
Miss
Brotherton
in
a
whisper
to
Martha
.
"
Upon
my
word
I
do
n't
know
:
but
I
should
think
not
,
"
was
the
reply
.
"
Martha
!
"
said
the
heiress
,
very
earnestly
,
"
that
child
is
suffering
from
an
agony
of
terror
.
"
"
I
should
hope
not
,
"
said
Martha
,
in
a
voice
that
somewhat
faltered
.
"
Do
you
know
any
thing
about
this
boy
?
"
pursued
Miss
Brotherton
,
continuing
her
whispering
.
"
Do
you
know
any
thing
about
the
mother
he
talks
of
?
"
"
Nothing
whatever
,
Miss
Brotherton
.
"
"
Do
you
feel
quite
satisfied
,
my
dear
,
that
this
romantic
adventure
has
been
,
or
will
be
,
advantageous
to
him
?
"
"
I
think
,
"
replied
Martha
,
"
that
one
can
hardly
doubt
his
being
better
off
here
than
in
the
poverty
of
his
mother
's
dwelling
.
You
saw
,
Miss
Brotherton
,
what
a
ragged
condition
the
clothes
were
in
which
he
had
worn
before
.
"
"
Decent
clothes
are
a
comfort
,
my
dear
Martha
,
there
can
be
no
doubt
of
it
;
but
compared
with
the
other
circumstances
which
influence
the
happiness
of
life
,
they
are
of
no
great
importance
.
Of
course
I
suppose
that
your
father
means
to
educate
him
.
Do
you
know
whether
he
can
read
his
bible
yet
?
"
"
I
know
that
he
could
not
,
"
replied
Martha
,
"
when
he
came
here
.
"
"
Poor
little
wretch
!
That
is
very
terrible
neglect
somewhere
.
What
sort
of
person
is
the
mother
?
"
"
By
Michael
's
account
,
"
replied
Martha
,
smiling
,
"
she
is
a
very
estimable
person
indeed
;
but
it
certainly
seems
that
she
has
not
taken
much
pains
with
his
education
,
poor
little
fellow
!
"
"
What
a
sad
thing
it
is
,
"
continued
Miss
Brotherton
,
"
that
we
all
of
us
know
so
little
of
the
poor
people
employed
in
the
factories
!
I
believe
they
are
said
to
be
exceedingly
well
paid
,
but
still
I
do
n't
think
it
is
quite
right
for
the
rich
people
in
a
neighbourhood
to
take
no
notice
whatever
of
the
poor
.
I
know
it
is
not
so
in
other
places
;
for
I
have
heard
my
schoolfellows
continually
talk
of
their
fathers
'
tenants
and
work-people
,
and
of
their
schools
,
and
their
clothing
societies
,
and
all
sorts
of
things
,
and
I
have
been
trying
to
do
a
little
good
just
at
home
with
the
families
of
some
of
the
work-people
about
the
place
.
But
I
have
just
now
got
my
head
strangely
full
of
these
factory
folks
.
I
wish
you
could
give
me
some
information
about
them
,
Martha
.
"
"
Indeed
,
my
dear
Miss
Brotherton
,
I
know
as
little
as
you
do
.
I
am
told
that
they
are
very
good-for-nothing
,
that
they
receive
enormous
sums
annually
in
wages
,
and
yet
that
they
are
never
contented
,
but
for
ever
complaining
,
just
because
they
have
work
to
do
for
what
they
get
,
and
yet
papa
says
that
it
is
the
very
prettiest
lightest
work
in
the
world
.
And
indeed
I
am
afraid
it
is
but
too
true
,
for
this
little
fellow
,
though
he
is
so
interesting
and
intelligent
that
it
is
impossible
to
help
liking
him
,
always
speaks
of
the
factory
as
if
he
hated
it
.
"
"
And
if
he
does
hate
it
,
Martha
,
why
,
if
you
question
him
should
he
conceal
it
?
"
"
But
I
never
have
questioned
him
about
that
;
I
should
not
think
it
right
to
do
so
.
Only
I
remember
his
making
me
laugh
,
just
after
he
came
here
,
by
saying
something
exceedingly
naïve
about
their
all
liking
wages
but
not
work
.
Now
,
though
I
am
not
very
deep
in
political
economy
,
it
is
impossible
not
to
see
that
poor
people
must
work
for
what
they
get
—
do
n't
you
think
so
?
"
"
Assuredly
,
and
rich
people
too
.
I
have
no
doubt
that
both
your
father
and
my
father
had
to
work
very
hard
for
the
fortunes
which
have
rewarded
their
industry
.
In
our
class
of
life
this
is
necessary
.
But
that
does
not
settle
the
question
that
is
working
in
my
head
at
present
,
and
which
,
to
tell
you
the
truth
,
will
not
let
me
sleep
by
night
nor
amuse
myself
by
day
.
How
comes
it
that
ALL
the
people
—
the
only
phrases
I
have
heard
upon
the
subject
were
very
comprehensive
—
how
comes
it
,
Martha
Dowling
,
that
ALL
the
people
,
young
and
old
,
who
work
in
the
factories
are
classed
as
ignorant
and
depraved
?
"
"
My
dear
Miss
Brotherton
,
how
is
it
possible
that
I
should
be
able
to
answer
you
?
"
"
Have
you
not
heard
the
same
statement
,
Martha
?
"
"
Oh
,
yes
!
very
often
.
I
know
mamma
says
that
nothing
in
the
world
should
induce
her
to
take
a
girl
who
had
worked
in
the
factories
into
the
house
,
even
in
the
very
lowest
situation
.
Oh
!
I
believe
they
are
very
bad
!
"
"
Very
bad
?
But
,
good
gracious
!
why
are
they
very
bad
?
What
is
the
cause
of
this
strange
degradation
of
one
peculiar
class
of
human
beings
?
It
surely
cannot
arise
from
the
nature
of
their
employment
;
for
if
it
did
,
of
course
the
clergy
of
the
neighbourhood
would
interfere
to
stop
it
.
It
is
quite
out
of
the
question
to
suppose
that
in
a
Christian
country
many
hundreds
—
nay
thousands
—
Mrs.
Tremlett
tells
me
there
are
many
thousands
employed
in
the
factories
—
it
is
impossible
to
suppose
,
is
it
not
,
that
any
labour
or
occupation
could
be
permitted
,
which
by
its
nature
,
and
of
necessity
,
tended
to
corrupt
the
morals
of
those
employed
in
it
?
There
must
be
some
other
cause
for
their
wickedness
,
if
wicked
they
are
.
"
"
Oh
!
they
are
very
wicked
,
I
am
quite
sure
of
that
;
for
I
have
heard
it
again
and
again
ever
since
I
was
born
,
and
you
know
I
have
not
been
away
like
you
,
Miss
Brotherton
,
always
in
London
.
I
have
never
lived
any
where
but
here
,
and
I
never
remember
the
time
when
I
did
not
hear
that
the
factory
people
were
the
very
wickedest
set
of
wretches
in
the
world
.
"
For
a
few
minutes
Miss
Brotherton
was
silent
,
and
even
seemed
to
have
restored
her
attention
to
the
silly
business
of
the
gaudy
stage
,
for
her
eyes
were
fixed
in
that
direction
;
but
she
presently
gave
evidence
that
wherever
her
eyes
had
been
,
her
thought
had
not
wandered
from
the
subject
to
which
she
appeared
so
earnestly
to
have
devoted
them
.
For
she
said
in
the
low
,
slow
,
even
tone
,
which
denotes
concentrated
feeling
—
"
If
this
be
so
,
Miss
Martha
Dowling
,
if
thousands
of
human
beings
in
a
Christian
country
are
stigmatized
as
wicked
,
because
their
destiny
has
placed
them
in
a
peculiar
employment
,
that
employment
ought
to
be
swept
for
ever
and
for
ever
from
the
land
,
though
the
wealth
that
flowed
from
it
outweighed
the
treasures
of
Mexico
.
"
Martha
Dowling
started
,
but
said
not
a
word
in
reply
;
there
was
something
in
the
manner
of
her
neighbour
which
awed
her
.
True
,
genuine
,
deep
feeling
,
is
always
sublime
,
be
it
manifested
by
such
a
young
girl
as
Mary
Brotherton
,
or
such
an
old
king
as
Lear
.
But
,
though
Martha
was
silent
,
her
companion
suffered
not
the
conversation
to
drop
;
and
presently
resumed
in
a
tone
of
less
exaltation
,
—
"
Do
you
think
,
my
dear
,
that
I
could
get
hold
of
your
little
Michael
some
day
,
so
that
I
might
have
a
little
conversation
with
him
?
"
"
Yes
,
certainly
,
Miss
Brotherton
,
"
replied
Martha
,
"
I
think
papa
would
be
quite
pleased
,
for
he
seems
to
like
nothing
better
than
seeing
every
body
take
notice
of
him
.
"
"
Do
you
think
your
father
loves
the
little
boy
,
Martha
?
"
"
I
am
sure
he
is
very
kind
to
him
,
"
replied
the
conscious
daughter
a
little
piqued
.
"
For
it
can
be
nothing
but
kindness
that
makes
him
take
the
child
into
the
house
,
and
feed
him
and
clothe
him
for
nothing
.
"
"
And
,
of
course
,
Martha
,
he
will
get
some
instruction
here
?
"
"
Oh
!
he
has
begun
to
read
the
bible
already
,
"
replied
the
kind-hearted
girl
,
eagerly
.
"
I
have
undertaken
that
business
myself
.
The
poor
little
fellow
seemed
to
suffer
so
,
when
he
was
learning
his
part
.
I
never
saw
a
child
appear
so
heartily
ashamed
of
any
thing
.
"
"
One
almost
wonders
at
that
too
;
brought
up
,
as
he
must
have
been
,
in
the
very
lap
of
ignorance
.
I
should
have
thought
,
after
all
I
have
heard
,
that
he
would
have
been
ashamed
of
nothing
.
However
,
I
should
like
to
talk
to
him
.
At
what
hour
do
you
give
him
his
reading
lesson
,
Martha
?
"
"
When
I
can
catch
him
,
"
replied
the
young
lady
,
laughing
.
You
have
no
idea
,
Miss
Brotherton
,
how
much
the
little
gentleman
is
engaged
.
Papa
has
taken
him
about
with
him
in
the
carriage
,
almost
every
where
,
and
such
quantities
of
people
have
been
to
see
him
!
"
"
And
does
he
seem
greatly
delighted
with
it
all
?
"
"
No
,
I
do
n't
think
he
does
.
He
seems
to
me
to
care
for
nothing
in
the
world
but
his
mother
,
and
a
little
crippled
brother
that
he
talks
of
.
"
"
That
does
not
look
as
if
he
were
thoroughly
confirmed
in
wickedness
as
yet
,
"
observed
the
heiress
.
"
No
,
indeed
!
It
is
his
affectionate
temper
that
has
made
me
take
to
him
;
for
I
do
believe
he
is
very
idle
,
and
hates
his
work
,
just
as
papa
says
they
all
do
,
"
answered
Martha
.
"
Does
he
visit
his
mother
every
day
?
"
"
He
either
goes
or
sends
to
her
,
I
believe
.
Papa
makes
a
great
point
of
something
very
nice
being
taken
down
to
Ashleigh
every
day
for
Michael
's
sick
mother
to
eat
;
and
the
child
always
carries
it
himself
,
when
papa
does
not
send
him
elsewhere
.
"
"
And
at
what
hour
does
he
generally
go
?
"
"
Always
after
luncheon
.
"
"
Do
n't
you
think
the
play
must
be
almost
come
to
an
end
,
Martha
?
"
said
Miss
Brotherton
,
after
looking
again
on
the
stage
for
a
few
minutes
,
and
yawning
rather
more
conspicuously
than
politeness
could
warrant
.
"
I
should
think
it
must
,
"
replied
Martha
,
catching
,
and
returning
the
yawn
.
There
was
,
however
,
a
good
deal
to
be
done
.
There
was
a
figure
dance
to
be
performed
,
and
a
trio
to
be
played
on
the
pianoforte
,
harp
,
and
violoncello
,
by
the
two
eldest
Miss
Dowlings
,
and
their
music-master
.
This
last
was
a
very
long
business
:
and
the
heiress
,
who
,
instead
of
having
been
instructed
to
endure
annoyances
patiently
,
had
been
rather
taught
never
to
endure
them
at
all
,
got
up
in
the
middle
of
it
,
and
telling
Martha
that
her
head
ached
too
much
to
permit
her
remaining
any
longer
,
made
her
way
out
of
the
room
,
which
she
effected
the
more
easily
from
having
taken
her
station
near
a
side
door
,
which
led
from
the
theatre
(
in
ordinary
phrase
,
the
school-room
)
into
the
private
apartments
of
Mademoiselle
Beaujoie
.
Martha
Dowling
,
of
course
,
followed
her
,
and
expressed
much
concern
for
her
malady
,
offering
all
the
specifics
usually
suggested
by
one
lady
to
another
,
under
such
circumstances
.
"
No
,
thank
you
,
"
was
the
reply
she
received
to
all
,
"
I
only
want
to
get
away
.
"
"
But
it
will
not
be
very
easy
to
do
so
,
this
way
,
"
replied
Martha
,
"
unless
you
will
condescend
to
go
through
the
passage
that
leads
from
the
offices
.
"
"
Never
fear
,
dear
Martha
,
"
returned
the
self-willed
young
lady
,
"
I
will
condescend
to
go
through
any
passage
that
will
lead
to
fresh
air
,
for
indeed
that
place
was
too
hot
!
"
The
room
they
first
entered
on
passing
through
the
door
,
was
one
dedicated
to
the
reception
of
globes
,
slates
,
guitars
,
dumb
bells
,
dictionaries
,
embroidering-frames
,
and
sundry
other
miscellanies
connected
with
an
enlarged
system
of
education
.
Beyond
this
was
the
bedchamber
of
Mademoiselle
,
which
again
led
to
an
apartment
opening
upon
that
part
of
the
school-room
now
occupied
as
the
stage
.
This
room
,
which
was
denominated
Mademoiselle
Beaujoie
's
parlour
,
was
now
converted
into
a
general
green-room
and
dressing-room
,
for
into
this
,
all
exits
from
the
stage
were
made
.
While
still
in
the
bedroom
,
Miss
Brotherton
,
and
her
more
than
half-frightened
companion
,
heard
voices
speaking
in
no
very
pleasant
accents
from
this
theatrical
retreat
,
and
the
angry
tones
of
Sir
Matthew
Dowling
himself
were
soon
unmistakably
audible
.
"
Let
us
go
back
,
pray
let
us
go
back
!
"
said
the
greatly
distressed
Martha
,
in
a
whisper
.
"
I
am
too
ill
,
my
dear
,
to
bear
that
room
again
,
"
rewhispered
Miss
Brotherton
.
"
Let
me
sit
down
here
for
a
few
minutes
,
and
I
shall
recover
myself
;
and
then
we
can
return
,
and
go
out
the
other
way
with
the
rest
of
the
company
.
"
It
was
impossible
to
argue
the
point
;
so
poor
Martha
submitted
,
though
cruelly
distressed
at
the
idea
of
her
father
's
private
violence
of
temper
being
listened
to
by
one
of
those
who
had
never
seen
Dowling
Lodge
,
or
its
inhabitants
,
excepting
in
full
dress
.
This
distress
was
by
no
means
lessened
when
some
very
audible
words
made
it
evident
that
Michael
Armstrong
was
the
object
of
the
angry
feelings
to
which
he
was
now
giving
vent
.
As
the
best
thing
to
be
done
under
the
circumstances
;
she
pointed
to
a
sofa
at
the
greatest
distance
from
the
imperfectly-closed
door
from
whence
the
sounds
issued
;
but
Miss
Brotherton
had
already
dropped
into
a
chair
so
near
this
door
of
communication
that
she
not
only
heard
,
but
saw
all
that
was
passing
in
that
part
of
the
green-room
which
Sir
Matthew
Dowling
occupied
.
That
this
was
the
last
place
in
which
a
gentlewoman
would
have
been
likely
to
place
herself
at
such
a
moment
,
is
most
certain
;
but
the
capricious
heiress
was
wont
to
exclaim
on
many
occasions
,
when
observance
and
restraint
were
irksome
to
her
,
"
I
am
not
a
gentlewoman
—
and
why
should
I
torment
myself
by
affecting
to
be
one
.
"
It
was
probably
by
some
such
reasoning
that
she
now
justified
to
herself
the
strong
measure
she
was
adopting
;
in
order
to
become
acquainted
with
what
was
passing
behind
the
scenes
respecting
Michael
Armstrong
.
Circumstances
were
favourable
to
the
object
;
for
Sir
Matthew
was
in
one
of
those
towering
fits
of
passion
,
to
which
his
family
and
dependants
knew
him
to
be
subject
,
though
the
majority
of
the
world
declared
him
to
be
an
extremely
good-natured
man
.
"
Blackguard
!
—
Vermin
!
—
Devil
's
imp
!
"
—
were
among
the
first
intelligible
words
which
reached
the
heiress
,
after
she
had
seated
herself
;
and
these
were
accompanied
by
cuffs
so
heavy
on
the
head
and
shoulders
of
Michael
,
that
it
required
a
very
powerful
effort
over
herself
to
prevent
her
darting
forward
to
seize
the
arm
that
gave
them
.
But
this
prudent
effort
was
dictated
and
sustained
by
a
stronger
feeling
than
curiosity
;
and
she
remained
perfectly
still
to
await
what
should
follow
.
Dr.
Crockley
,
who
,
though
not
among
the
corps
of
performers
,
had
been
permitted
to
be
useful
behind
the
scenes
in
a
variety
of
ways
,
and
among
the
rest
had
acted
as
prompter
,
stood
beside
the
trembling
child
,
and
it
was
to
his
friendly
ear
that
the
irritated
Sir
Matthew
addressed
himself
.
"
Will
you
believe
he
did
not
do
it
on
purpose
?
Will
you
believe
Crockley
,
that
there
was
any
thing
to
make
him
cry
then
?
Had
we
not
borne
with
all
his
beastly
stupidity
,
expressly
for
the
purpose
of
keeping
the
little
ungrateful
monster
in
good
humour
?
Had
n't
I
fed
him
,
and
crammed
him
,
as
you
bid
me
,
with
what
was
too
good
for
him
ever
to
have
reached
the
smell
of
?
Did
n't
I
cosset
his
lazy
beast
of
a
mother
with
such
niceties
as
the
dirty
beggar
never
heard
of
before
?
And
his
crook-shanked
rat
of
a
brother
,
too
,
have
n't
they
been
all
fed
at
my
cost
for
more
than
a
month
past
?
And
then
to
see
this
black-hearted
traitor
come
upon
the
stage
,
and
cry
before
all
the
company
as
if
his
heart
was
breaking
?
"
"
It
's
too
bad
to
bear
,
"
replied
Dr.
Crockley
,
"
and
if
he
was
to
be
flayed
alive
and
salted
,
it
would
not
be
half
what
he
deserved
.
"
"
Would
n't
the
best
thing
I
could
do
be
to
send
him
back
into
the
factory
to-morrow
morning
,
Doctor
?
"
demanded
Sir
Matthew
,
suddenly
quitting
his
hold
of
the
child
,
and
setting
his
square
arms
akimbo
.
"
By
the
living
God
!
I
am
sick
of
the
job
.
"
"
I
will
be
very
good
,
sir
,
if
you
will
,
"
said
the
boy
,
"
and
I
wo
n't
go
to
sleep
at
the
work
at
all
,
and
no
more
wo
n't
Edward
neither
,
if
you
will
but
please
to
let
me
go
back
again
.
"
"
You
see
how
much
he
dreads
the
factory
,
"
said
Sir
Matthew
,
with
a
grim
smile
.
"
But
,
"
nodding
his
head
,
and
winking
his
eye
familiarly
to
the
child
,
"
we
shall
see
,
my
pretty
dear
,
if
Mr.
Parsons
ca
n't
contrive
to
do
something
more
than
just
keep
you
awake
.
He
shall
go
back
,
Crockley
,
upon
my
soul
he
shall
.
It
is
the
only
way
to
prevent
his
driving
me
mad
.
I
loathe
the
very
sight
of
him
.
"
"
You
must
do
as
you
like
,
Sir
Matthew
,
"
replied
his
confidential
friend
,
"
but
it
will
be
the
most
d
—
d
foolish
thing
you
ever
contrived
in
your
life
,
if
you
do
.
I
tell
you
the
story
is
doing
wonders
every
where
;
and
now
,
because
a
stupid
brat
ca
n't
say
his
lesson
perfect
,
you
are
just
going
to
spoil
it
all
.
"
"
His
lesson
perfect
!
Confound
the
sly
vagabond
,
that
was
not
the
point
,
Crockley
.
It
was
not
the
lesson
that
choked
him
.
How
much
will
you
bet
me
that
if
I
get
fifty
lines
written
down
abusing
me
and
nothing
else
in
'
em
,
he
wo
n't
learn
them
off
as
glib
and
perfect
as
any
actor
on
the
stage
?
I
know
his
black
heart
,
and
he
shall
find
out
that
mine
is
not
made
of
pap
before
I
have
done
with
him
.
"
"
That
's
all
right
and
fair
enough
,
and
I
have
nothing
to
say
against
it
,
"
replied
the
friendly
physician
,
"
and
let
us
talk
it
all
over
quietly
together
to-morrow
morning
;
but
for
to-night
—
"
And
here
Dr.
Crockley
taking
his
friend
by
the
arm
led
him
to
the
door
which
opened
upon
the
stage
,
from
whence
issued
a
tintamarre
of
instruments
sufficient
to
cover
whatever
he
might
wish
to
say
,
not
only
from
the
ear
of
little
Michael
,
but
from
all
others
.
The
moment
selected
by
the
angry
knight
for
relieving
himself
of
the
wrath
which
burned
within
him
would
have
been
a
most
favourable
one
,
but
for
the
accidental
vicinity
of
Miss
Brotherton
.
While
the
whole
corps
of
performers
,
excepting
the
manufacturer
and
the
factory-boy
,
were
grouped
upon
the
stage
,
in
a
style
the
most
favourable
for
the
display
of
their
persons
and
dresses
,
the
trio
above
mentioned
augmented
,
by
way
of
finale
,
by
tambourines
and
triangles
,
went
steadily
on
in
a
crescendo
movement
that
ended
in
a
clamour
rendered
perfect
by
the
last
peal
of
applause
from
the
wellnigh
worn-out
audience
,
so
that
their
secret
conference
was
not
otherwise
likely
to
be
overheard
.
At
the
moment
after
Sir
Matthew
had
declared
his
intention
of
teaching
Michael
to
know
what
his
heart
was
made
of
,
and
just
as
he
was
himself
led
off
by
his
friend
Crockley
,
Miss
Brotherton
,
pressing
her
two
hands
strongly
upon
her
breast
,
involuntarily
pronounced
the
word
"
Monster
!
"
and
then
placing
her
hands
before
here
eyes
remained
lost
in
no
very
pleasing
revery
.
But
hardly
had
her
meditations
lasted
a
moment
,
ere
they
were
chased
by
hearing
the
sound
of
some
one
falling
near
her
,
and
looking
round
,
she
perceived
poor
Martha
stretched
insensible
upon
the
floor
.
Inexpressibly
shocked
at
remembering
,
which
she
did
by
no
slow
action
of
the
mind
,
the
suffering
to
which
her
own
unscrupulous
curiosity
had
exposed
the
unfortunate
girl
,
she
ran
to
her
with
eager
haste
,
and
with
much
repentant
tenderness
raised
her
head
and
did
all
her
small
experience
suggested
towards
restoring
her
.
The
comfortable
insensibility
did
not
last
long
;
and
Martha
,
who
with
restored
animation
immediately
recovered
her
recollection
,
and
in
whose
composition
no
affectation
of
any
kind
had
part
,
raised
herself
without
assistance
from
the
ground
,
and
silently
placed
herself
upon
a
sofa
.
"
Dear
excellent
Martha
!
"
exclaimed
Miss
Brotherton
,
with
much
true
feeling
,
"
fear
not
that
I
should
ever
repeat
what
I
have
so
accidentally
heard
;
and
let
not
your
good
and
dutiful
nature
suffer
thus
,
because
I
have
heard
it
.
We
have
all
our
faults
,
Martha
,
and
it
is
the
duty
of
each
to
pray
for
the
conversion
of
their
own
hearts
first
,
and
then
for
the
repentance
of
others
.
And
what
prayers
,
dear
girl
,
so
likely
to
be
heard
,
as
those
of
a
good
and
dutiful
child
?
Let
us
slip
back
to
our
places
,
Martha
.
This
clapping
of
hands
announces
,
as
I
take
it
,
the
conclusion
of
the
piece
.
"
Martha
,
though
wounded
to
the
very
soul
,
uttered
no
word
of
deprecation
or
complaint
;
but
there
was
an
unsophisticated
simplicity
of
character
about
her
which
made
her
decline
,
by
a
courtesy
that
had
a
little
of
the
stiffness
of
ceremony
in
it
,
the
offered
arm
of
Mary
,
and
stepping
forward
she
opened
the
door
by
which
they
had
left
the
theatre
,
till
the
heiress
had
passed
through
it
,
and
resumed
her
place
.
CHAPTER
XI
.
MISS
BROTHERTON
PUSHES
HER
INQUIRIES
FURTHER
—
A
WELL-ARRANGED
SCHEME
DISAGREEABLY
DEFEATED
—
A
VISIT
,
AND
ITS
CONSEQUENCES
.
Mary
Brotherton
certainly
did
not
return
home
that
night
with
any
doubts
on
her
mind
respecting
the
nature
of
Sir
Matthew
Dowling
's
benevolence
;
but
the
fever
of
spirits
which
had
seized
her
was
greatly
increased
by
the
information
she
had
gained
.
There
was
a
vast
deal
of
energy
and
strength
of
purpose
in
the
mind
of
Mary
Brotherton
,
but
hitherto
all
this
had
lain
latent
and
inert
.
The
sentiment
which
in
ninety-nine
cases
out
of
a
hundred
is
the
first
to
awaken
the
female
heart
to
strong
emotion
seemed
to
be
totally
powerless
to
her
.
She
had
never
yet
felt
the
slightest
approach
to
the
passion
of
love
;
nor
was
it
very
likely
she
should
,
for
one
among
her
many
peculiarities
of
character
was
the
persuasion
that
every
man
who
paid
her
attention
was
in
pursuit
of
her
fortune
,
an
idea
,
which
to
such
a
temper
as
hers
was
calculated
to
act
as
a
sevenfold
shield
against
all
amatory
attacks
upon
her
heart
.
Most
truly
therefore
,
up
to
this
time
,
had
she
continued
"
In
maiden
meditation
,
fancy
free
.
"
But
this
could
be
said
no
longer
;
neither
fancy
nor
any
other
faculty
could
be
termed
free
in
one
whose
thoughts
fixed
themselves
by
night
and
day
upon
one
single
subject
,
while
feeling
that
to
it
she
was
ready
to
sacrifice
every
thing
else
in
life
.
On
re-entering
her
house
on
the
memorable
night
of
the
Dowling
Lodge
theatricals
,
Miss
Brotherton
retired
to
her
apartment
without
even
the
intention
of
sleeping
.
She
laid
her
head
upon
her
pillow
deliberately
determined
not
to
close
her
eyes
in
sleep
till
she
had
made
up
her
mind
as
to
the
best
way
of
rescuing
the
pale
trembling
child
,
whose
voice
and
form
haunted
her
,
from
the
horrible
bondage
of
Sir
Matthew
Dowling
's
charity
.
The
question
was
not
altogether
an
easy
one
.
She
could
hardly
doubt
that
very
strong
indignation
would
follow
any
open
effort
on
her
part
to
interfere
with
a
child
publicly
held
up
as
the
favoured
object
of
Sir
Matthew
's
loudly-vaunted
benevolence
,
and
moreover
,
privately
marked
out
