theyseemed
to
plead
his
cause
already
.
The
infant
lay
on
Agnes’
knees
,
now
showing
signs
of
intelligence
,
and
smiling
at
the
sound
of
her
sweet
well‐known
voice
;
whilst
Mary
clung
to
her
hand
,
which
she
kissed
repeatedly
.
Richard
looked
on
the
group
for
a
moment
,
and
then
spoke
in
an
earnest
and
serious
tone
which
his
anxiety
rendered
impressive
.
He
told
her
calmly
and
boldly
the
result
of
his
deliberations
.
They
had
mutually
agreed
that
,
happen
what
might
,
they
would
remain
together
.
In
one
manner
only
was
this
possible
—
she
must
consent
to
marry
him
.
The
violent
start
,
the
rush
of
warm
blood
to
her
very
forehead
,
the
wild
bewildered
glance
of
her
eyes
upon
his
face
—
for
all
this
Richard
was
fully
prepared
;
but
he
trembled
for
the
success
of
his
plan
,
when
he
saw
that
she
shrunk
from
his
side
where
she
had
placed
herself
so
confidingly
,
and
that
her
breast
seemed
heaving
with
some
strong
emotion
.
It
was
many
minutes
before
she
could
speak
;
and
when
at
last
her
words
came
,
seemingly
from
her
very
heart
,
with
a
heavy
sigh
,
they
were
but
these
:
—
“
Oh
,
Elizabeth
,
Elizabeth
!
”
It
was
the
voice
of
her
conscience
which
spoke
in
that
brief
exclamation
,
too
much
warped
and
deadened
by
indifference
and
false
sentiment
to
arouse
her
at
once
with
the
remembrance
of
the
immaculate
holiness
of
the
faith
to
which
she
was
pledged
;
it
seemed
,
with
a
sudden
instinct
,
to
raise
up
the
dead
before
her
as
a
barrier
between
herself
and
the
man
who
sought
to
make
her
his
wife
.
Yet
this
was
but
a
vague
and
weak
obstacle
wherewith
to
oppose
the
concentrated
strength
of
her
affection
for
all
those
dear
ones
round
her
.
Had
there
ever
been
in
her
soul
one
pure
and
firm
determination
to
follow
in
the
painful
steps
of
Him
,
who
for
her
sake
had
not
where
to
lay
His
head
,
how
willingly
would
she
have
abandoned
home
and
friends
,
and
all
earth’s
dearest
joys
,
rather
than
have
deviated
one
hair’s
breadth
from
the
line
of
severest
holiness
and
rectitude
!
But
she
had
never
known
any
such
solemn
and
blessed
delivering
up
of
self
at
the
foot
of
the
Cross
;
she
had
made
herself
at
all
times
so
much
the
slave
of
her
own
feelings
,
that
it
could
not
be
expected
that
they
should
fail
to
obtain
the
mastery
at
this
the
crisis
of
her
fate
.
It
is
needless
to
repeat
all
the
arguments
by
which
Richard
induced
her
to
give
him
a
favourable
answer
.
They
were
such
as
have
been
mentioned
already
,
and
for
a
mind
constituted
like
that
of
Agnes
Maynard
certainly
most
powerful
.
Her
French
education
had
tended
sadly
to
falsify
her
sense
of
right
and
wrong
;
and
many
things
seemed
to
her
pardonable
,
and
even
justifiable
,
that
would
have
shocked
a
mind
never
subjected
to
the
poisonous
influence
that
had
not
been
without
effect
on
hers
.
It
was
this
that
enabled
her
to
adopt
so
readily
the
shallow
sophistry
of
Richard
,
who
answered
her
,
when
she
attempted
feebly
to
urge
the
peculiar
connexion
which
already
existed
between
them
,
by
reminding
her
that
he
had
known
her
before
his
engagement
with
her
sister
,
she
would
not
have
scrupled
to
have
married
him
then
,
and
why
should
she
do
so
now
?
Their
connexion
was
but
in
name
.
Would
she
,
for
the
sake
of
a
name
—
a
shadow
,
sacrifice
his
happiness
and
her
own
—
the
life
of
those
dear
children
?
He
took
the
little
hands
of
his
innocent
Mary
and
folded
them
in
his
own
that
she
might
plead
for
him
,
and
Agnes
yielded
.
Richard
Clayton
effected
his
purpose
—
his
sister‐in‐law
agreed
to
become
his
wife
.
CHAPTER
VII
.
WHEN
the
matter
was
fairly
decided
,
Agnes
readily
consented
to
the
wish
of
her
future
husband
,
that
she
would
leave
all
the
minor
details
entirely
to
him
,
and
not
even
question
him
as
to
his
arrangements
till
they
could
be
put
into
execution
;
he
was
to
take
all
measures
requisite
with
Mr.
Hardman
and
Mr.
Clayton
;
on
her
he
enjoined
only
the
most
profound
secresy
.
During
the
interval
which
followed
,
Agnes
seemed
desirous
to
drive
the
whole
affair
from
her
thoughts
altogether
.
She
appeared
to
be
animated
with
a
forced
and
unnatural
gaiety
;
laughed
and
talked
far
more
than
usual
;
and
would
not
allow
the
children
to
quit
her
for
a
moment
.
Richard
occupied
himself
so
incessantly
with
the
necessary
and
somewhat
difficult
preparations
,
that
he
excluded
all
other
thoughts
;
but
the
truth
was
,
that
neither
of
them
was
so
calm
inwardly
as
they
sought
to
appear
to
one
another
.
Without
communicating
their
feelings
to
each
other
,
they
simul‐
taneously
avoided
the
church
,
for
they
could
not
endure
to
pass
the
grave
of
Elizabeth
.
No
answer
was
sent
to
Mr.
Hardman’s
letter
,
and
it
was
speedily
followed
by
another
full
of
the
most
bitter
indignation
against
Agnes
.
He
concluded
by
saying
,
that
if
she
did
not
appear
at
his
house
in
London
within
a
given
time
,
he
would
himself
come
in
search
of
her
to
B
—
.
“
We
shall
pass
him
on
the
road
,
”
said
Richard
scornfully
,
as
he
handed
the
letter
to
Agnes
;
“
we
must
be
married
in
London
.
”
“
Not
here
?
”
asked
Agnes
,
in
a
tremulous
voice
.
“
Here
!
”
replied
Richard
,
angrily
;
“
what
are
you
thinking
of
?
—
how
is
it
possible
?
do
you
suppose
my
father
,
or
Mr.
Lambert
,
would
ever
consent
?
”
Agnes
felt
a
cold
shiver
pass
through
her
frame
,
she
scarce
knew
why
,
but
she
made
no
answer
.
Richard
had
found
that
it
was
more
easy
to
decide
upon
such
a
step
than
to
put
it
in
execution
;
there
were
several
difficulties
to
be
overcome
.
He
had
to
investigate
into
the
state
of
the
law
respecting
marriages
of
this
nature
;
and
he
found
,
although
not
at
that
period
declared
null
and
void
,
as
they
have
since
been
by
the
passing
of
the
Act
to
that
effect
in
1835
,
they
were
even
then
voidable
,
and
capable
of
being
set
aside
altogether
.
This
could
only
be
done
,
however
,
if
an
action
was
brought
against
them
during
the
life‐time
of
both
parties
,
and
Richard’s
fears
were
quieted
at
once
when
he
discovered
that
it
was
so
,
as
he
did
not
conceive
it
possible
that
any
one
could
ever
find
it
his
interest
to
attempt
such
a
measure
.
Another
obstacle
seemed
to
him
more
serious
,
which
was
the
possibility
that
no
clergyman
would
consent
to
perform
the
ceremony
.
A
little
reflection
,
however
,
soon
overcame
this
difficulty
.
It
was
very
easy
to
go
to
London
,
where
the
parish
priest
of
some
populous
district
,
in
which
the
names
of
Richard
Clayton
and
Agnes
Maynard
were
quite
unknown
,
would
never
think
of
asking
if
any
peculiar
connexion
subsisted
between
them
.
Richard
wrote
to
a
lady
,
a
cousin
of
his
own
,
who
resided
in
London
,
whose
theory
it
was
,
that
all
duties
which
interfered
with
inclination
were
overmuch
righteousness
;
and
having
communicated
to
her
the
state
of
the
case
,
begged
of
her
to
receive
Agnes
into
her
house
during
the
three
weeks
which
must
be
given
to
the
publishing
of
the
banns
.
He
received
an
answer
complying
with
his
request
and
promising
secresy
.
He
then
told
his
father
that
he
was
going
to
take
Agnes
to
London
for
a
few
weeks
to
visit
a
friend
,
and
the
next
day
they
left
the
Mount
together
.
It
was
a
cold
gloomy
morning
on
which
they
commenced
their
journey
.
Agnes
was
deadly
pale
:
she
shivered
violently
,
and
averted
her
head
as
they
passed
the
churchyard
.
Richard
asked
,
with
considerable
irritation
,
what
was
the
reason
of
the
tears
that
filled
her
eyes
?
and
she
answered
,
that
she
grieved
to
leave
the
children
—
it
was
the
first
time
she
had
quitted
them
.
“
Well
,
now
you
will
be
with
them
always
after
this
;
so
pray
let
me
see
you
gay
and
happy
,
Agnes
.
You
could
not
have
seemed
more
dismal
,
if
I
had
been
taking
you
to
Mr.
Hardman’s
.
”
This
allusion
had
the
effect
he
desired
:
her
face
brightened
immediately
.
She
began
to
laugh
merrily
at
the
idea
that
her
guardian
was
probably
leaving
London
that
day
in
search
of
her
;
and
Richard
had
no
further
reason
to
complain
of
her
sadness
,
although
her
gaiety
was
somewhat
forced
.
During
the
three
weeks
which
followed
their
arrival
in
London
,
Richard
took
care
,
with
the
willing
assistance
of
his
cousin
,
that
Agnes
should
be
continually
occupied
with
some
amusement
,
which
left
her
no
time
for
thought
.
She
was
thankful
,
indeed
,
to
be
spared
all
reflection
;
for
,
in
spite
of
herself
,
there
was
a
vague
and
painful
feeling
which
she
could
not
define
,
that
haunted
her
at
all
times
when
Richard
alluded
to
their
marriage
.
Even
the
night
before
it
took
place
,
—
the
night
that
surely
,
in
all
similar
cases
,
should
be
devoted
to
most
earnest
prayer
for
grace
to
perform
the
solemn
vows
about
to
be
taken
,
—
was
spent
by
Agnes
Maynard
at
the
theatre
;
and
when
she
awoke
next
morning
,
tired
and
depressed
,
she
could
scarce
believe
that
this
was
indeed
her
wedding‐day
.
Her
wedding‐day
!
How
differently
had
she
pictured
it
to
herself
in
her
bright
visions
years
ago
!
How
often
had
she
fancied
herself
going
forth
an
honoured
bride
,
amid
warm
congratulations
and
friendly
wishes
,
to
become
a
happy
wife
in
face
of
all
the
world
!
If
ever
a
day
in
her
whole
life
was
to
be
bright
and
joyous
,
she
had
thought
it
should
be
this
,
when
,
by
a
most
holy
ordinance
,
she
was
to
receive
the
promise
of
unchanging
affection
from
one
who
was
to
be
her
protector
and
guide
even
to
her
life’s
end
;
and
to
herself
was
to
be
given
the
blessed
task
of
smoothing
for
him
the
rugged
path
of
life
,
and
devoting
herself
to
him
as
tender
friend
and
faithful
wife
.
And
now
the
day
was
come
;
but
how
could
she
feel
glad
or
thankful
for
it
,
when
she
was
going
forth
stealthily
—
as
if
about
to
do
some
evil
deed
—
to
unite
herself
to
one
whom
she
well
knew
many
would
say
ought
never
to
have
been
her
husband
!
Instead
of
rejoicings
and
festivities
to
celebrate
her
marriage
,
concealment
and
decep‐
tion
were
necessary
,
before
it
could
be
effected
at
all
.
The
numerous
friends
sympathising
in
her
happiness
were
to
be
replaced
by
two
witnesses
whose
services
were
remunerated
;
and
this
hour
,
so
momentous
and
agitating
for
her
,
must
be
met
alone
and
unsupported
.
There
was
a
heavy
weight
at
the
heart
of
Agnes
Maynard
,
as
she
looked
out
and
saw
the
one
single
carriage
that
stood
at
the
door
,
to
convey
herself
and
her
future
husband
to
the
church
.
Heaven
did
not
smile
upon
her
;
for
a
dull
,
heavy
rain
was
pouring
from
the
thick
black
clouds
;
and
she
remembered
,
with
the
painfully‐superstitious
feeling
which
at
times
assails
us
all
,
the
old
proverb
,
that
a
weeping
sky
forebodes
a
weeping
bride
.
Richard’s
cousin
accompanied
them
;
but
,
as
she
was
a
lady
profoundly
devoted
to
her
own
comfort
,
it
was
not
without
considerable
difficulty
that
he
could
induce
her
to
leave
the
house
in
such
weather
;
and
she
did
not
scruple
to
manifest
her
discontent
during
the
whole
of
their
cheerless
drive
,
shivering
and
complaining
of
the
cold
,
without
a
thought
for
poor
Agnes
,
who
sat
crouching
in
the
corner
,
pale
as
death
.
When
they
reached
the
church
,
the
lady
ensconced
herself
in
a
pew
,
and
,
desiring
them
to
call
her
when
they
were
ready
to
return
,
left
them
to
proceed
alone
towards
the
altar
.
Agnes
trembled
so
violently
,
that
she
could
scarcely
walk
;
and
Richard
rebuked
her
somewhat
harshly
,
for
being
,
as
he
said
,
absurdly
nervous
.
They
had
been
on
too
intimate
terms
during
their
former
intercourse
to
admit
of
his
treating
her
with
that
peculiar
homage
which
is
generally
offered
to
a
young
bride
at
such
an
hour
;
and
the
angry
words
that
at
another
time
would
have
affected
her
but
little
,
seemed
cruel
to
Agnes
,
as
she
ascended
the
altar‐steps
.
They
stood
side
by
side
:
the
clergyman
hurried
over
a
duty
which
the
cold
and
comfortless
aspect
of
all
around
rendered
by
no
means
pleasant
.
They
took
those
solemn
vows
whereby
two
human
beings
are
constituted
guardians
of
one
another’s
happiness
,
and
each
is
provided
with
a
friend
whom
neither
time
nor
change
,
sickness
nor
sorrow
,
shall
ever
alienate
;
and
at
that
moment
,
when
surely
no
other
thought
should
have
been
in
their
hearts
,
save
the
imploring
of
a
blessing
on
one
another’s
heads
,
—
the
blessing
which
henceforward
they
would
seek
to
embody
in
every
action
of
their
lives
,
—
why
was
it
that
before
the
eyes
of
Richard
Clayton
and
Agnes
Maynard
there
seemed
to
pass
the
form
of
Elizabeth
,
turning
away
from
them
the
wan
pale
face
,
as
she
turned
it
at
the
last
hour
when
they
would
have
given
her
their
farewell
kiss
?
The
ceremony
was
over
—
the
cold
,
unfelt
blessing
was
uttered
by
the
lips
of
the
stranger
,
who
had
never
seen
them
before
,
and
cared
never
to
see
them
again
—
and
it
was
not
without
an
involuntary
shudder
that
they
heard
themselves
pronounced
man
and
wife
in
the
very
same
words
which
when
spoken
for
Richard
and
Elizabeth
had
constituted
them
brother
and
sister
!
They
took
leave
of
their
cousin
at
the
door
of
the
church
,
and
proceeded
to
a
village
on
the
sea‐shore
,
where
they
remained
for
some
little
time
before
they
returned
to
the
Mount
to
take
up
their
residence
once
more
in
the
home
where
they
had
dwelt
together
under
the
plea
of
a
relationship
of
so
very
different
a
nature
.
CHAPTER
VIII
.
RICHARD
CLAYTON
had
written
to
announce
his
marriage
to
his
father
and
also
to
his
household
;
and
although
it
was
with
considerable
trepidation
that
he
awaited
a
meeting
with
the
former
,
it
never
occurred
to
him
to
anticipate
any
manifestation
of
feeling
on
the
part
of
those
who
formed
his
establishment
.
He
never
bestowed
a
thought
on
persons
in
that
inferior
station
,
and
certainly
did
not
imagine
them
to
be
capable
of
forming
an
opinion
on
such
a
matter
as
that
now
in
question
.
But
it
is
a
peculiarity
of
the
lower
classes
which
must
have
been
remarked
by
many
,
that
they
display
a
singular
delicacy
of
feeling
in
their
reverence
for
the
dead
.
They
seem
to
consider
it
a
holy
duty
to
be
most
scrupulous
in
all
things
pertaining
to
the
honour
of
those
helpless
ones
departed
.
And
though
Richard’s
servants
could
not
understand
how
far
Agnes
had
sinned
against
all
conventional
laws
by
remaining
in
the
house
,
not
of
her
brother‐in‐law
(
for
to
that
no
right‐minded
person
should
have
objected
)
,
but
of
a
man
whom
she
thought
it
possible
to
marry
,
they
could
yet
feel
the
instinctive
revolting
of
conscience
against
a
union
between
those
two
,
for
death
had
dissolved
the
tie
between
Richard
and
Elizabeth
in
one
sense
only
—
it
had
not
dissolved
the
relationship
which
that
tie
had
produced
—
Agnes
was
still
sister
to
her
who
mouldered
in
the
dust
—
Richard
was
still
one
flesh
with
her
—
the
fraternity
between
them
remained
unbroken
as
between
children
of
the
same
parents
;
the
humble
servants
felt
these
things
,
though
they
could
not
have
expressed
them
,
and
their
natural
indignation
and
repugnance
at
the
step
which
their
master
had
taken
were
fostered
to
the
uttermost
by
the
assiduous
efforts
of
Mrs.
Sharp
.
This
lady
,
under
pretence
of
visiting
the
little
Mary
,
had
come
to
the
Mount
every
day
since
the
departure
of
Richard
and
Agnes
,
in
order
to
glean
what
information
she
could
respecting
their
mysterious
journey
,
which
she
could
not
help
connecting
with
her
own
visit
to
Mr.
and
Mrs.
Hardman
,
and
the
letter
which
she
knew
they
had
written
in
consequence
.
She
was
herself
under
the
full
belief
that
Agnes
had
returned
to
her
guardian’s
protection
;
and
when
she
heard
of
their
marriage
,
she
was
,
to
do
her
justice
,
sincerely
and
deeply
shocked
.
In
fact
,
no
person
,
even
worldly
minded
and
unrefined
as
Mrs.
Sharp
was
,
could
fail
to
be
otherwise
on
first
hearing
of
a
union
of
that
description
,
unless
their
mind
had
received
a
bias
to
a
contrary
opinion
from
the
sophistical
arguments
of
those
who
fear
not
to
show
a
practical
contempt
of
God’s
laws
and
ordinances
;
and
it
seemed
to
her
a
very
horrible
thing
that
Richard
should
hold
in
such
light
esteem
the
sacred
tie
which
had
united
him
to
Elizabeth
,
that
he
thus
openly
set
at
nought
the
indissoluble
bonds
with
which
it
had
bound
him
as
brother
to
her
sister
.
Soon
,
however
,
when
the
first
feelings
of
astonishment
and
indignation
had
subsided
,
it
was
with
no
small
delight
that
Mrs.
Sharp
found
she
had
now
a
fair
and
most
legitimate
ground
for
inveighing
against
Agnes
in
the
strongest
terms
;
and
she
so
worked
on
the
minds
of
Richard’s
servants
,
already
sufficiently
excited
on
the
subject
,
that
they
received
the
newly‐married
couple
on
their
arrival
with
the
most
cold
and
sullen
looks
;
some
of
them
,
full
of
that
superstitious
dread
of
a
judgment
on
those
who
do
such
deeds
(
which
is
not
altogether
a
superstition
)
,
did
not
even
delay
an
hour
informing
their
master
that
they
would
not
remain
in
his
service
.
This
was
a
chilling
reception
for
the
unhonoured
bride
;
but
a
sharper
pang
awaited
her
.
Mary
had
been
left
entirely
to
the
care
of
the
servants
,
and
to
the
tender
mercies
of
Mrs.
Sharp
,
and
they
had
not
failed
to
fill
her
young
mind
with
many
painful
ideas
respecting
her
father
and
aunt
,
which
,
with
all
the
strength
and
power
of
early
impressions
,
were
destined
to
influence
her
feelings
towards
them
during
the
remainder
of
her
life
.
No
attempt
is
made
at
the
age
of
this
innocent
little
being
to
hide
what
passes
in
the
mind
,
and
they
received
their
first
bitter
lesson
as
to
the
manner
in
which
both
God
and
man
were
to
view
this
deed
,
from
the
pure
lips
of
the
child
they
loved
so
well
.
Richard
was
furiously
angry
,
Agnes
miserable
,
and
their
first
evening
at
home
was
a
very
sad
one
.
The
next
morning
,
Richard
wrote
a
note
to
Mr.
Clayton
,
requesting
to
know
when
he
could
see
him
.
It
was
not
without
a
pang
that
they
felt
such
a
measure
to
be
necessary
.
The
answer
was
delayed
some
hours
;
it
came
at
last
,
merely
a
verbal
message
,
naming
an
hour
on
the
following
day
,
when
Mr.
Clayton
would
receive
them
.
They
looked
forward
with
the
most
painful
anxiety
to
the
interview
.
The
profound
affection
which
both
felt
almost
equally
for
him
,
was
mingled
with
a
respect
amounting
to
awe
;
for
it
does
not
require
a
mind
of
a
high
order
to
feel
the
influence
of
superior
holiness
.
At
the
appointed
hour
they
walked
together
to
the
vicarage
.
They
had
to
cross
the
church‐
yard
,
which
was
separated
from
the
garden
only
by
an
invisible
fence
;
there
was
a
grave
laid
there
,
which
they
passed
with
hurried
steps
and
averted
head
;
the
church
stood
so
near
the
house
,
that
it
seemed
placed
almost
within
the
grounds
,
and
the
east
window
was
close
to
that
of
the
drawing‐room
.
It
was
impossible
at
the
vicarage
of
B
—
to
be
indifferent
to
the
proximity
of
that
holy
and
beautiful
house
,
with
its
quiet
grass‐grown
tombs
,
telling
of
the
body
sown
in
dishonour
and
weakness
,
and
its
cross
,
giving
a
hope
of
that
which
is
raised
in
glory
and
power
.
It
was
a
blessed
thing
when
some
earthly
sorrow
was
at
work
,
and
many
a
hidden
pang
smote
through
the
soul
,
to
be
able
at
once
to
lift
the
eyes
to
that
fair
church
and
think
of
the
sure
rest
that
remaineth
for
the
people
of
God
:
but
these
two
,
as
they
sat
waiting
in
the
drawing‐room
of
the
vicarage
,
turned
away
their
eyes
from
the
sight
.
It
was
some
time
before
Mr.
Clayton
appeared
.
Agnes
had
buried
her
face
in
her
hands
.
Richard
walked
moodily
to
and
fro
.
He
entered
at
last
.
Their
hearts
sunk
within
them
at
sight
of
him
who
for
their
sakes
had
spent
the
last
three
days
in
fasting
and
prayer
.
He
was
not
stern
,
but
grave
and
calm
;
his
face
had
the
traces
of
bitter
suffering
,
but
it
wore
also
an
expression
of
firm
determination
,
which
they
knew
resulted
from
the
triumph
of
duty
over
natural
affection
.
They
all
seemed
simultaneously
to
feel
that
the
customary
expressions
of
welcome
and
greeting
would
be
a
bitter
mockery
,
and
for
a
few
minutes
no
one
spoke
.
The
tears
which
Agnes
had
shed
abundantly
over
the
estrangement
of
the
little
Mary
were
dried
up
now
by
the
burning
blush
that
crimsoned
her
face
when
she
found
herself
standing
before
that
grey‐haired
old
man
,
who
had
so
struggled
after
a
rigid
and
unshrinking
holiness
,
that
his
life
and
thoughts
were
pure
as
those
of
an
innocent
child
.
Richard
seemed
endeavouring
to
conceal
his
fierce
uneasiness
,
his
restless
angry
suffering
.
Mr.
Clayton
looked
from
the
one
to
the
other
,
and
became
much
agitated
;
he
turned
to
the
window
to
hide
his
emotion
;
the
sight
probably
of
the
church
,
at
whose
altar
he
ministered
as
priest
,
restored
to
him
his
courage
and
his
strength
.
He
came
and
stood
before
them
severe
and
unmoved
.
“
It
is
best
we
should
understand
each
other
,
”
he
said
,
addressing
his
son
.
“
Richard
,
you
have
taken
a
step
which
you
were
perfectly
aware
could
only
meet
with
the
most
severe
and
unqualified
disapprobation
from
me
;
but
you
will
doubtless
say
that
you
have
long
since
cast
off
the
trammels
of
paternal
authority
—
that
you
are
no
longer
of
an
age
when
it
is
necessary
for
you
to
be
influenced
by
my
opinions
,
or
to
consult
my
wishes
—
that
we
stand
together
as
man
with
man
,
the
one
as
likely
to
be
right
in
his
ideas
as
the
other
,
each
holding
his
own
views
in
independence
,
acting
by
his
own
standard
of
right
and
wrong
.
Be
this
as
it
may
,
certain
it
is
that
you
stand
on
your
own
responsibility
so
far
as
regards
the
ordering
of
your
life
in
the
sight
of
God
.
I
have
not
the
power
,
because
I
am
your
earthly
father
,
of
compelling
you
to
serve
your
Father
which
is
in
heaven
.
As
your
parent
,
then
,
I
profess
no
authority
to
condemn
the
deed
which
you
have
done
;
but
on
far
higher
ground
I
do
most
solemnly
condemn
it
,
even
as
a
priest
of
the
Most
High
!
Let
me
set
aside
,
then
,
all
other
relationship
save
that
of
a
clergyman
and
his
parishioner
;
as
such
,
I
must
tell
you
plainly
,
that
the
union
you
have
contracted
is
contrary
to
the
will
of
God
,
to
the
authority
of
the
Church
,
and
to
the
law
of
the
land
;
it
is
unhallowed
,
it
must
be
unblest
.
Your
purpose
in
coming
here
to‐day
is
to
request
that
I
,
a
minister
of
Christ
,
will
sanction
the
marriage
of
a
man
with
a
woman
who
is
virtually
his
sister
.
You
are
aware
that
my
first
and
highest
duty
is
to
my
flock
;
I
am
set
before
them
not
as
a
teacher
only
,
but
as
an
example
,
in
humblest
imitation
of
Him
whose
servant
I
am
,
and
who
was
Teacher
and
Example
to
the
world
.
You
know
that
I
have
always
most
strongly
prohibited
amongst
them
such
marriages
as
that
which
you
have
contracted
.
I
have
turned
away
persons
so
connected
from
the
very
steps
of
the
altar
where
they
came
to
be
united
.
I
have
spoken
against
them
from
the
pulpit
.
I
have
admonished
my
people
on
the
subject
in
their
own
houses
.
I
have
openly
refused
to
sanction
parties
joined
in
such
unlawful
unions
,
even
though
already
married
when
they
came
into
my
parish
.
And
now
,
Richard
,
I
ask
it
of
yourself
,
—
do
you
think
it
possible
for
me
,
to
whom
is
committed
authority
in
the
Church
of
God
,
without
derogating
fearfully
from
my
holy
calling
,
to
countenance
the
man
who
has
made
such
a
marriage
,
although
that
man
is
my
son
?
”
“
You
need
not
have
said
all
this
,
to
prove
to
me
what
you
mean
to
do
,
”
exclaimed
Richard
,
taking
refuge
from
the
painful
feelings
that
oppressed
him
,
in
a
burst
of
anger
;
“
I
have
guessed
it
from
the
first
.
You
mean
that
you
will
cast
us
off
,
—
at
least
that
you
will
not
receive
us
,
or
come
to
visit
us
.
”
“
I
do
mean
it
,
”
said
Mr.
Clayton
,
calmly
,
though
sadly
;
“
since
by
no
other
means
can
I
prove
to
my
flock
how
profoundly
I
disapprove
of
your
act
,
now
,
alas
!
so
irrevocable
.
”
“
What
an
existence
!
“
said
Richard
,
rising
and
pacing
the
room
in
violent
agitation
;
”
father
and
son
living
within
a
few
hundred
yards
of
each
other
on
such
terms
as
these
!
You
will
bear
it
calmly
,
I
doubt
not
;
but
to
me
it
will
be
insupportable
.
”
“
Richard
,
”
said
Mr.
Clayton
,
his
voice
trembling
with
emotion
,
“
I
did
not
expect
that
you
would
do
me
justice
in
believing
with
what
bitter
anguish
to
myself
I
have
taken
this
resolution
respecting
you
;
but
I
have
at
least
an
opportunity
of
showing
you
that
,
however
rigidly
I
must
adhere
to
my
most
painful
duty
,
I
have
not
been
without
consideration
for
your
feelings
.
I
am
quite
aware
how
galling
it
would
be
to
you
to
have
your
residence
henceforward
so
near
to
mine
.
I
know
,
also
,
that
it
would
be
very
injurious
to
your
prospects
in
life
,
were
you
to
quit
this
place
,
on
many
accounts
.
I
have
,
therefore
,
determined
on
leaving
B
—
myself
,
at
the
same
time
openly
informing
my
flock
of
the
reason
which
induces
me
to
do
so
.
A
clergyman
with
whom
I
am
acquainted
,
in
Kent
,
has
long
been
desirous
of
holding
this
living
.
I
have
effected
an
exchange
with
him
:
in
a
week
he
comes
to
this
house
,
and
I
leave
it
for
ever
.
”
“
Impossible
—
it
cannot
be
!
”
exclaimed
Richard
and
Agnes
both
at
once
.
“
Oh
no
!
”
con‐
tinued
the
latter
,
horror‐stricken
at
finding
that
they
were
to
be
the
means
of
driving
the
old
man
from
his
sweet
and
peaceful
home
;
—
“
you
must
not
go
,
—
you
cannot
leave
a
place
you
have
loved
so
well
.
”
“
I
love
him
more
than
all
upon
this
earth
,
”
said
Mr.
Clayton
,
pointing
to
his
son
;
“
and
yet
I
leave
him
for
conscience
sake
.
Therefore
the
love
of
this
home
shall
not
detain
me
,
though
you
said
truly
that
it
has
been
very
dear
to
me
.
”
—
He
looked
towards
the
church
as
he
spoke
,
with
quivering
lips
,
and
then
continued
,
after
a
moment’s
silence
,
—
“
I
may
still
believe
and
hope
that
the
unnumbered
prayers
I
have
uttered
within
these
sacred
walls
for
him
have
not
all
been
said
in
vain
.
Thank
Heaven
,
I
need
not
scruple
to
come
to
you
,
were
you
in
sickness
or
in
sorrow
:
suffering
casts
down
all
barriers
for
the
servant
of
Him
who
in
all
our
afflictions
was
afflicted
.
Meantime
,
do
not
think
to
change
my
resolution
in
any
way
;
there
is
but
one
path
opened
for
me
in
this
,
as
in
all
other
earthly
trials
—
the
path
of
duty
—
and
that
alone
will
I
follow
.
”
Agnes
turned
away
,
weeping
bitterly
.
Richard
flung
himself
into
a
chair
,
and
hid
his
face
on
his
arm
.
There
was
a
painful
silence
for
a
few
minutes
,
till
Mr.
Clayton
spoke
again
.
“
I
have
yet
a
painful
task
to
perform
,
”
he
said
;
“
I
have
to
request
a
favour
of
you
both
,
which
you
can
only
grant
with
a
great
sacrifice
to
yourselves
,
but
which
I
might
,
perhaps
,
claim
as
a
right
.
”
“
We
will
refuse
you
nothing
,
”
said
Richard
,
in
a
voice
hoarse
from
agitation
;
“
you
may
ask
what
you
will
of
us
.
”
“
Oh
yes
,
”
exclaimed
Agnes
,
“
give
us
the
means
of
making
some
sacrifice
for
you
who
have
made
such
an
one
for
us
!
”
They
were
rewarded
for
these
words
by
the
look
of
tenderness
which
Mr.
Clayton
cast
upon
them
both
;
but
he
went
on
:
—
“
Mary
Clayton
is
my
god‐child
,
”
he
said
;
“
I
am
responsible
for
her
spiritual
welfare
,
and
,
as
her
grandfather
,
deeply
interested
also
in
her
temporal
concerns
.
Agnes
,
it
grieves
me
to
utter
so
painful
a
truth
,
but
I
am
compelled
to
tell
you
that
I
must
now
consider
you
as
wholly
unfit
to
have
the
charge
of
this
child
,
and
that
it
would
be
highly
injurious
to
her
interests
,
both
earthly
and
eternal
,
were
she
to
remain
with
you
.
Her
prospects
in
this
world
would
be
seriously
affected
by
it
.
It
is
perfectly
clear
to
me
that
you
have
never
either
of
you
viewed
the
matter
in
this
light
,
—
that
you
are
altogether
unaware
how
severely
your
conduct
will
be
denounced
in
society
.
Would
that
you
had
known
it
!
it
might
have
deterred
you
from
the
step
you
have
taken
;
—
but
at
least
this
innocent
child
must
not
suffer
.
You
,
Agnes
,
have
lived
for
two
years
in
the
house
of
the
man
whom
you
have
now
thought
fit
to
marry
;
you
could
only
do
so
,
—
you
only
obtained
my
sanction
for
so
doing
,
on
the
ground
that
he
was
your
brother
.
Had
you
continued
to
consider
him
as
such
,
not
the
faintest
breath
of
slander
could
have
reached
your
name
,
even
though
such
a
letter
as
that
of
Mr.
Hardman
compelled
you
to
leave
your
home
.
But
you
have
not
done
so
.
Since
you
have
now
married
him
,
it
is
impossible
that
you
can
ever
have
looked
upon
him
as
your
brother
,
—
at
least
so
must
the
world
conclude
.
If
you
cast
aside
the
relationship
,
they
must
do
so
also
,
—
nay
,
Heaven
forbid
it
should
now
be
supposed
to
exist
!
”
he
added
,
with
a
slight
shudder
,
as
his
eye
fell
on
Agnes’
wedding‐ring
.
“
I
leave
you
,
therefore
,
to
draw
your
own
conclusion
as
to
the
opinion
that
will
be
formed
of
your
conduct
,
in
residing
for
so
long
a
period
alone
with
the
person
to
whom
you
are
now
united
;
and
from
that
you
may
also
clearly
perceive
what
a
fatal
influence
it
might
have
on
Mary’s
whole
existence
,
that
she
should
be
educated
by
you
.
”
“
Do
you
really
mean
,
”
interrupted
Richard
,
“
that
our
marriage
will
be
so
strongly
disapproved
of
by
society
in
general
,
—
by
any
,
in
fact
,
excepting
,
perhaps
,
a
few
clergymen
like
yourself
?
”
“
I
fear
you
will
not
have
to
ask
me
that
question
a
month
or
two
hence
,
”
replied
Mr.
Clayton
.
“
I
feel
certain
you
will
have
but
too
many
palpable
proofs
of
the
truth
of
my
words
.
However
fearfully
corrupt
may
be
the
internal
machinery
of
society
,
they
yet
have
outwardly
a
code
of
laws
,
against
which
they
allow
none
to
rebel
with
impunity
.
”
It
was
evident
that
this
idea
was
as
new
as
it
was
bitter
to
Richard
.
He
saw
at
once
,
that
if
his
marriage
was
a
sin
against
the
world’s
rule
of
propriety
,
he
might
expect
to
be
visited
with
no
light
punishment
.
He
literally
groaned
as
he
thought
of
what
he
had
done
,
and
of
what
was
to
come
.
The
union
he
had
contracted
,
suddenly
appeared
before
him
in
the
light
of
an
irretrievable
mistake
.
Agnes
saw
what
was
passing
in
his
mind
;
and
no
words
can
describe
how
her
heart
died
within
her
.
“
And
now
,
”
said
Mr.
Clayton
,
“
I
have
shown
you
why
,
in
a
worldly
point
of
view
,
it
is
necessary
that
Mary
should
not
remain
with
you
.
I
have
myself
far
higher
motives
for
requiring
of
you
that
she
should
be
entrusted
to
my
own
care
.
I
dare
not
,
Agnes
,
consider
you
fit
,
at
least
at
present
,
to
guide
an
immortal
soul
in
that
most
difficult
and
painful
course
of
bitter
self‐denial
which
alone
can
bring
us
to
the
feet
of
the
Crucified
.
In
the
most
important
occasion
of
your
life
,
you
have
preferred
your
own
will
to
the
will
of
God
.
You
have
thrown
off
the
yoke
of
the
Saviour
,
who
bade
you
serve
Him
in
suffering
.
You
have
trampled
under
foot
the
cross
which
He
presented
before
you
,
in
the
heavy
trial
laid
upon
you
,
to
quit
all
most
dear
on
earth
,
rather
than
remain
with
them
by
means
of
an
unhallowed
alliance
.
You
will
say
you
did
not
know
that
the
course
you
took
was
so
wrong
;
—
how
wrong
it
was
,
I
believe
,
in
truth
,
you
did
not
dream
;
but
that
you
had
more
than
misgivings
on
the
subject
,
is
sufficiently
proved
by
the
fact
that
you
concealed
it
from
me
.
Had
you
felt
but
one
conscientious
earnest
desire
to
do
what
was
right
,
at
the
expense
of
any
amount
of
pain
to
yourself
;
you
would
have
consulted
Mr.
Lambert
,
or
myself
,
and
you
know
that
we
would
have
prohibited
your
doing
as
you
have
done
.
You
will
say
you
did
it
for
the
sake
of
Richard’s
children
,
but
I
ask
by
what
right
you
did
evil
that
good
might
come
?
How
did
you
dare
to
doubt
,
that
He
who
carries
the
lambs
in
his
bosom
would
have
cared
for
these
little
ones
?
But
I
spare
you
;
only
I
must
repeat
and
enforce
my
request
,
that
you
submit
to
a
separation
from
Mary
,
and
that
you
entrust
her
entirely
to
my
care
.
I
demand
this
sacrifice
of
you
.
My
sister
,
Mrs.
Harewood
,
has
consented
to
come
and
reside
with
me
in
order
to
take
charge
of
her
;
you
need
have
no
fear
for
the
dear
child’s
welfare
.
”
He
paused
waiting
for
a
reply
.
Richard
rose
instantly
.
“
Agnes
,
you
must
not
dream
of
hesitating
one
instant
;
he
shall
have
the
child
.
I
would
rather
never
see
her
again
,
than
that
my
innocent
daughter
should
suffer
by
any
imprudence
of
yours
—
or
mine
,
”
he
added
more
gently
,
as
he
saw
her
start
with
the
pang
his
words
had
caused
.
“
It
is
better
clearly
that
Mary
should
go
to
her
grandfather
,
”
continued
Richard
,
bitterly
;
“
we
have
had
a
specimen
these
last
two
days
as
to
the
manner
in
which
the
mind
of
a
child
may
be
worked
upon
;
I
have
no
doubt
that
in
a
very
little
time
we
should
find
the
sacrifice
far
less
severe
than
it
seems
to
us
at
present
;
her
health
is
besides
well
established
now
—
it
was
for
my
little
son
that
I
was
chiefly
desirous
to
secure
your
care
;
there
is
,
therefore
,
no
reason
why
I
should
scruple
to
give
my
free
and
full
consent
,
and
I
wish
that
the
matter
should
be
settled
at
once
.
”
And
it
was
so
decided
.
Agnes
offered
no
opposition
,
she
was
utterly
bewildered
and
overwhelmed
with
all
that
had
passed
,
she
did
not
even
remind
him
of
what
rose
so
painfully
to
her
own
mind
at
the
moment
,
that
by
giving
up
Mary
,
however
advisable
such
a
measure
might
be
,
they
were
rendering
altogether
null
the
one
potent
argument
which
had
principally
induced
them
to
marry
,
namely
,
the
absolute
necessity
of
the
children
being
left
to
her
care
!
She
said
nothing
of
this
,
although
it
proved
to
her
how
weak
and
sophistical
had
been
the
reasoning
with
which
they
had
quieted
their
consciences
,
for
she
felt
crushed
to
the
very
earth
with
the
painful
thoughts
that
were
crowding
on
her
.
The
whole
affair
had
been
shown
to
her
in
a
new
and
terrible
light
;
she
had
acted
thoughtlessly
,
recklessly
;
and
now
all
was
most
different
from
what
she
had
expected
,
her
heart
was
full
of
a
bitter
dread
for
the
consequences
,
enduring
even
to
her
life’s
end
,
of
the
deed
she
had
done
.
She
could
not
collect
her
ideas
,
or
bring
her
mind
thoroughly
to
understand
her
position
;
she
had
a
sort
of
feeling
as
though
she
had
been
hardly
dealt
with
;
she
had
always
anticipated
a
happy
and
an
honoured
life
as
a
kind
of
right
;
gay
and
beautiful
as
she
had
ever
been
,
she
had
looked
upon
admiration
and
affection
as
her
due
;
and
now
,
she
scarce
knew
how
,
she
found
herself
in
a
situation
where
it
would
seem
that
not
only
trial
,
but
disgrace
was
to
be
her
portion
.
Agnes
was
too
much
absorbed
with
a
miser‐
able
foreboding
of
future
suffering
to
herself
,
to
find
any
difficulty
in
submitting
to
her
husband’s
decision
that
Mary
should
be
taken
from
her
;
and
when
the
matter
was
thus
finally
arranged
,
Richard
Clayton
and
his
wife
left
the
Vicarage
to
enter
it
no
more
.
Mr.
Clayton
dismissed
them
with
one
parting
injunction
,
addressed
chiefly
to
Agnes
.
He
implored
them
if
sorrow
or
suffering
came
upon
them
,
more
especially
if
penitence
came
—
as
he
prayed
it
might
—
to
apply
at
once
to
Mr.
Lambert
,
and
to
open
their
griefs
to
him
;
doubtless
the
Curate
would
not
countenance
them
now
,
but
in
their
distress
he
would
be
a
valuable
and
faithful
friend
.
They
saw
that
the
old
man
murmured
a
blessing
as
they
passed
him
,
but
Richard
was
in
no
humour
to
feel
softened
by
it
:
he
drew
Agnes
almost
roughly
from
the
room
,
and
they
quitted
the
house
that
had
been
as
a
home
to
them
,
with
downcast
eyes
and
sorrowful
hearts
.
Agnes
Clayton
had
never
been
accustomed
,
as
we
have
said
before
,
to
control
her
feelings
.
She
did
not
remember
,
that
there
is
a
profound
selfishness
in
allowing
those
around
us
to
be
saddened
with
the
aspect
of
our
suffering
;
there
is
enough
of
sorrow
in
this
world
without
our
adding
to
it
by
constraining
others
to
feel
for
us
a
painful
sympathy
.
We
have
a
Friend
most
merciful
,
to
whom
we
may
pour
out
the
bitterness
of
our
soul
;
but
let
us
ever
walk
among
men
with
calm
face
and
serene
aspect
,
whatever
may
be
our
internal
anguish
,
lest
haply
we
cast
a
shadow
over
the
sunshine
which
He
hath
given
them
.
She
had
no
thought
for
this
;
as
soon
as
they
had
entered
their
own
house
,
she
went
and
flung
herself
upon
a
sofa
,
and
burst
into
a
passion
of
tears
.
It
could
not
be
an
agreeable
sight
for
Richard
to
see
her
there
;
her
face
disfigured
with
weeping
,
her
frame
convulsed
with
sobs
.
He
had
followed
her
into
the
room
,
in
the
hope
that
her
cheerful
voice
and
loving
eyes
might
have
dispelled
the
gloom
that
hung
upon
him
;
when
he
saw
how
she
thought
only
of
indulging
her
grief
he
turned
abruptly
and
went
out
.
Agnes
loved
him
well
and
truly
,
but
she
had
not
for
him
that
noble
affection
which
would
have
made
her
rather
die
of
her
inward
agony
than
let
him
suffer
by
it
.
Richard
took
a
long
walk
,
but
solitude
was
unsupportable
to
him
,
and
he
returned
towards
evening
,
trusting
to
find
his
house
restored
to
cheerfulness
and
comfort
.
Agnes
still
lay
in
the
same
position
;
her
tangled
hair
falling
over
her
face
stained
with
tears
,
and
for
the
time
devoid
of
beauty
.
The
room
was
dark
and
cold
,
the
whole
establishment
in
confusion
.
Richard
was
violent
in
temper
,
and
he
was
not
a
man
to
submit
easily
to
annoyance
or
vexation
.
He
walked
up
to
Agnes
,
and
taking
her
angrily
by
the
arm
,
he
forced
her
to
raise
herself
up
.
She
trembled
when
she
saw
the
expression
of
his
countenance
,
and
still
more
when
he
spoke
,
his
voice
was
so
stern
and
harsh
.
“
Agnes
,
”
he
said
,
“
let
me
beg
of
you
to
tell
me
once
for
all
,
whether
you
intend
to
render
my
life
insupportable
by
this
absurd
and
intolerable
conduct
?
Instead
of
the
gaiety
and
cheerfulness
which
made
you
attractive
to
me
formerly
,
do
you
mean
henceforward
to
regale
me
with
scenes
such
as
these
,
tears
and
ill
humour
,
discomfort
and
confusion
throughout
the
house
?
”
Agnes
felt
her
face
crimson
at
these
words
,
with
a
feeling
of
something
very
like
anger
.
“
Have
I
nothing
to
make
me
sorrowful
?
”
she
asked
,
reproachfully
.
“
Not
half
so
much
as
I
have
,
at
all
events
,
”
replied
Richard
;
“
but
that
is
not
the
question
.
I
wish
to
tell
you
most
plainly
that
I
will
not
submit
for
one
hour
to
have
a
dismal
companion
at
my
side
,
complaining
and
groaning
.
I
will
give
you
your
choice
.
You
have
your
room
,
where
you
may
go
and
weep
and
pine
as
much
as
you
please
,
but
there
you
must
stay
.
You
shall
either
appear
before
me
with
a
look
of
cheerfulness
at
all
times
on
your
face
,
or
else
you
shall
not
come
into
my
presence
at
all
.
In
the
one
case
,
I
shall
have
you
merry
and
bright
as
you
were
before
;
in
the
other
,
I
may
try
to
forget
your
existence
—
so
make
your
choice
.
”
Agnes
was
completely
subdued
.
She
fancied
that
Richard
was
cruel
to
her
,
but
still
he
was
her
husband
,
and
she
loved
him
.
It
was
a
mockery
to
say
that
he
gave
her
any
choice
;
she
had
no
alternative
;
she
could
not
go
and
shut
herself
up
from
him
;
she
must
submit
to
wear
ever
a
smile
as
gay
as
her
heart
was
sad
.
It
was
with
a
dreary
sense
of
desolation
that
she
thought
how
she
must
drive
back
all
her
feelings
within
her
own
breast
,
and
never
hope
for
the
sympathy
which
,
with
her
naturally
frank
disposition
,
she
would
so
earnestly
have
sought
;
but
her
womanly
powers
of
endurance
came
to
her
assistance
.
She
scarce
knew
with
what
a
strength
of
determination
she
at
that
moment
resolved
,
henceforward
,
to
bear
all
in
silence
.
She
was
driven
to
it
,
partly
by
pride
,
partly
by
a
helpless
feeling
of
submission
.
She
looked
up
,
she
dashed
the
tears
from
her
eyes
,
and
said
calmly
:
—
“
I
will
endeavour
to
please
you
;
you
need
not
be
afraid
;
I
will
look
sad
no
more
.
”
She
said
this
with
a
bitter
conviction
of
his
unkindness
—
with
a
sullen
morbid
feeling
rankling
at
her
heart
;
and
Richard
understood
,
readily
enough
,
what
was
passing
in
her
mind
,
but
from
that
hour
she
obeyed
him
so
implicitly
to
the
letter
,
that
it
was
impossible
for
him
to
find
fault
with
the
thoughts
which
he
could
only
guess
to
be
in
her
heart
;
and
,
as
a
natural
result
,
a
sort
of
indefinite
estrangement
rose
up
between
them
.
So
commenced
the
married
life
of
Elizabeth’s
husband
and
sister
.
CHAPTER
IX
.
MR.
CLAYTON
left
B
—
the
following
week
,
and
Mr.
Lambert
duly
communicated
to
all
the
parishioners
the
reasons
which
had
induced
him
so
to
do
.
The
event
made
a
most
powerful
impression
on
them
all
.
Their
Vicar
could
not
have
taken
any
step
which
could
have
brought
more
strongly
before
them
his
uncompromising
submission
to
the
call
of
duty
whenever
it
demanded
the
surrender
of
his
own
will
,
and
also
his
deep
disapprobation
of
that
act
of
his
son’s
which
he
was
compelled
thus
openly
to
reprobate
—
but
he
was
greatly
beloved
.
His
departure
was
bitterly
lamented
,
and
a
strong
feeling
against
Richard
and
Agnes
soon
pervaded
the
village
.
What
Mr.
Clayton
condemned
,
his
people
felt
must
be
very
wrong
,
and
the
marriage
was
loudly
spoken
against
by
all
.
Never
had
Mr.
Sharp
enjoyed
a
season
of
such
exquisite
repose
as
that
which
followed
the
departure
of
the
Vicar
from
B
—
.
This
event
would
alone
,
at
any
time
,
have
been
sufficient
to
have
engrossed
the
mind
of
his
energetic
wife
,
and
provided
her
with
a
fund
of
matter
whereon
to
exercise
her
conversational
powers
;
but
the
circumstances
attending
it
,
the
unlawful
marriage
,
and
the
indignation
which
was
felt
against
Richard
and
Agnes
,
were
indeed
to
her
sources
of
absorbing
delight
and
occupation
,
such
as
she
had
seldom
known
.
With
ineffable
satisfaction
her
husband
saw
her
sally
forth
every
morning
,
without
having
even
remembered
to
take
that
peculiar
cognizance
of
his
own
proceedings
for
the
day
,
which
often
inspired
him
with
a
wild
and
frantic
desire
to
embark
forthwith
for
New
Zealand
,
or
to
fly
and
endeavour
to
make
a
fortune
in
Kamtschatka
.
Mr.
Sharp
might
do
as
he
pleased
now
;
he
might
have
written
a
letter
every
day
to
his
client
without
her
looking
over
his
shoulder
,
and
he
might
have
drawn
up
ever
so
many
marriage
contracts
without
her
even
asking
who
the
parties
were
.
Mrs.
Sharp
was
far
too
busy
to
think
of
him
at
all
;
and
not
only
she
ceased
for
the
time
to
watch
over
his
affairs
,
but
she
resigned
all
thought
of
attending
to
his
comforts
.
This
was
,
however
,
one
of
the
conditions
of
his
unwonted
peace
to
which
that
greatly
persecuted
gentleman
was
too
happy
to
agree
,
and
no
one
interfered
with
the
excited
lady
in
the
pursuit
of
her
present
delightful
occupation
.
What
in
truth
could
be
more
charming
than
to
go
from
house
to
house
,
informing
every
one
that
,
after
the
most
reprehensible
conduct
of
Agnes
,
it
would
be
impossible
to
visit
her
,
or
to
acknowledge
her
acquaintance
?
Agnes
!
the
haughty
and
exclusive
person
,
who
had
refused
to
call
upon
her
!
Mrs.
Sharp
had
such
really
substantial
grounds
for
all
she
said
,
that
she
was
listened
to
with
more
attention
than
she
usually
met
with
.
There
was
one
painful
idea
,
which
had
long
been
floating
in
the
minds
of
those
acquainted
with
the
circumstances
,
which
Mrs.
Sharp
now
assisted
in
ripening
into
certainty
—
it
was
the
belief
that
Elizabeth’s
melancholy
death
had
been
occasioned
by
her
jealousy
of
her
husband
and
sister
.
Such
being
the
case
,
nothing
certainly
could
seem
more
revolting
than
the
whole
conduct
of
Agnes
and
Richard
;
and
even
the
most
charitable
of
their
neighhours
could
not
but
think
that
they
were
not
only
devoid
of
all
principle
,
but
heartless
and
indelicate
to
the
last
degree
,
in
thus
speedily
reaping
the
fruits
of
her
death
in
their
unblest
union
,
and
returning
,
without
remorse
or
fear
,
to
the
very
home
where
she
had
dwelt
whom
they
had
sent
to
her
grave
by
so
cruel
a
means
.
Mrs.
Sharp
loved
to
expatiate
on
these
points
with
a
warm
enthusiasm
,
but
she
found
that
her
eloquence
was
scarcely
required
to
heighten
the
universal
indignation
.
And
then
she
would
rush
out
to
waylay
Mr.
Lambert
at
every
corner
,
and
detain
him
for
a
whole
half
hour
,
while
she
condoled
with
him
on
having
so
much
to
do
since
Mr.
Clayton’s
departure
,
or
comforted
him
by
assuring
him
that
he
might
do
what
he
would
,
but
that
he
never
could
make
up
to
the
people
for
their
good
old
Vicar
.
He
was
far
too
young
,
so
it
was
no
fault
of
his
;
but
she
had
no
doubt
he
would
kill
himself
in
trying
,
for
he
looked
very
ill
,
and
she
did
not
think
he
had
long
to
live
;
but
if
he
did
die
,
they
would
at
least
know
at
whose
door
to
lay
his
death
.
It
was
Richard
Clayton
who
would
be
guilty
of
it
,
as
he
had
sent
away
his
father
,
besides
all
the
other
mischief
he
had
done
.
At
first
Richard
and
Agnes
were
scarcely
aware
of
the
universal
condemnation
of
their
union
.
They
had
become
more
cheerful
,
in
the
hope
that
their
father
had
exaggerated
the
extent
to
which
they
would
be
lowered
in
the
opinion
of
the
world
;
but
they
soon
found
that
he
had
spoken
but
too
truly
;
his
own
proceedings
with
regard
to
them
had
rendered
it
necessary
for
all
persons
of
any
weight
in
the
society
of
the
neighhourhood
to
adopt
a
marked
line
of
conduct
in
the
matter
;
and
their
decision
was
soon
made
.
They
were
by
birth
and
education
entitled
to
delicacy
of
feeling
;
and
Mr.
Clayton
had
not
been
for
so
many
years
their
pastor
without
instilling
into
their
minds
somewhat
of
his
purity
and
strictness
of
principle
.
They
determined
that
the
brother
and
sister‐in‐law
,
now
man
and
wife
,
were
not
to
be
visited
or
received
;
and
the
few
influenced
the
many
:
it
became
the
fashion
to
slight
them
as
it
had
been
the
fashion
to
court
them
,
and
they
were
cut
off
from
all
society
,
except
of
such
persons
as
they
did
not
care
to
associate
with
.
This
trial
,
which
to
some
minds
would
have
been
a
light
evil
,
was
to
them
a
most
serious
and
grievous
distress
;
it
galled
the
proud
spirit
of
Richard
;
it
wounded
the
morbid
sensibility
of
Agnes
;
it
deprived
them
both
of
the
excitement
and
amusement
,
without
which
they
felt
as
though
they
could
not
exist
.
Richard
became
irritable
and
fretful
;
his
wife
was
weighed
down
by
a
heavy
despondency
which
she
sought
to
hide
under
a
forced
unnatural
gaiety
.
After
a
time
Agnes
determined
to
enliven
her
dreary
hours
at
least
by
resuming
her
visits
in
the
village
.
Her
mind
had
been
so
much
preoccupied
for
some
time
past
that
she
had
neglected
her
poorer
friends
completely
;
but
she
had
always
been
beloved
and
respected
amongst
them
.
She
felt
that
now
,
humble
as
they
were
,
even
their
homage
and
attention
would
be
soothing
to
her
.
On
a
beautiful
mourning
in
the
early
spring
,
she
went
out
into
the
village
,
nothing
doubting
that
she
would
be
received
as
she
had
always
been
;
for
she
and
her
husband
had
never
thought
of
inquiring
into
the
opinion
of
their
humbler
neighbours
respecting
their
conduct
.
The
first
person
she
went
to
visit
,
was
old
Martha
Hyans
,
who
,
with
her
husband
,
were
parishioners
of
long
standing
in
the
village
of
B
—
.
This
good
old
couple
exhibited
in
their
lives
a
practical
refutation
of
the
saying
,
that
love
cannot
exist
in
a
cottage
,
more
especially
if
it
be
allied
to
poverty
.
The
little
hut
where
they
dwelt
had
been
decked
,
fifty
years
before
,
for
their
wedding‐day
;
and
the
love
that
bound
them
,
now
wrinkled
and
decrepit
as
they
were
,
was
fresh
and
pure
as
in
their
prime
of
youth
and
joy
.
They
had
gone
through
many
trials
together
in
that
narrow
space
,
but
never
had
an
unkind
word
passed
the
lips
of
either
.
Poor
Elizabeth
had
often
felt
that
she
might
have
learnt
a
valuable
lesson
from
old
Martha’s
patient
and
tried
affection
;
and
now
,
of
this
good
old
woman’s
many
trials
,
it
seemed
to
her
that
one
of
the
greatest
was
Mr.
Clayton’s
departure
.
He
had
baptized
her
children
,
and
laid
more
than
one
of
them
in
their
graves
.
She
had
verily
trusted
that
he
should
have
closed
her
eyes
also
.
But
he
was
gone
;
and
she
knew
perfectly
well
that
he
had
good
reasons
for
going
.
She
never
doubted
that
everything
he
did
was
right
at
all
times
;
but
in
this
instance
,
simple
and
humble
as
she
was
,
her
own
opinion
and
feelings
perfectly
coincided
with
his
.
Her
childlike
,
unbiassed
mind
revolted
against
the
union
of
Richard
and
his
wife’s
sister
.
Agnes
perceived
the
change
in
the
old
woman’s
feelings
towards
her
,
the
moment
she
entered
the
house
.
Martha
was
civil
;
but
she
manifested
not
the
slightest
pleasure
on
seeing
her
.
She
did
not
ask
her
advice
,
or
detail
her
grievances
,
and
positively
declined
accepting
various
little
comforts
which
Agnes
proposed
to
send
her
.
The
only
words
she
spoke
were
,
to
inquire
after
the
children
,
in
a
tone
dearly
full
of
profound
commiseration
for
the
little
ones
.
She
shook
her
head
when
Agnes
volunteered
the
information
that
Richard
was
well
,
as
though
she
thought
he
had
no
right
to
be
so
;
and
then
sat
sighing
and
lifting
up
her
eyes
in
the
most
eloquent
manner
.
Agnes
made
one
last
attempt
to
induce
her
to
speak
,
by
quoting
the
Litany
,
which
Martha
was
in
the
habit
of
repeating
from
beginning
to
end
,
for
the
edification
of
her
visitors
;
but
even
this
tempting
bait
had
no
allurements
to‐day
.
She
remained
unmoved
;
and
Agnes
angrily
left
the
house
,
with
the
determination
never
to
enter
it
again
.
She
could
not
,
however
,
yet
believe
it
possible
that
she
was
exiled
from
the
society
of
the
village
,
as
well
as
that
of
the
higher
classes
.
She
attributed
Martha’s
conduct
merely
to
her
peculiar
attachment
for
Mr.
Clayton
,
and
trusted
to
find
matters
very
different
in
the
other
cottages
where
she
was
going
.
Her
next
visit
was
to
Mrs.
Savage
,
the
hard‐featured
,
large‐handed
Mrs.
Savage
,
who
was
singularly
unfortunate
in
appearance
(
to
the
annoyance
of
all
lovers
of
the
picturesque
,
as
her
little
dwelling
was
beyond
measure
charming
and
romantic
)
,
and
who
appeared
for
the
last
twenty
years
to
have
been
engaged
in
the
care
of
a
huge
baby
,
who
never
grew
,
and
never
became
a
day
older
,
—
a
phenomenon
which
was
to
be
accounted
for
by
the
fact
that
she
was
constantly
supplied
with
a
succession
of
grandchildren
,
who
,
after
a
certain
troublesome
age
,
were
removed
,
to
be
replaced
with
another
just
entering
on
it
.
In
the
house
of
this
good
woman
poor
Agnes
fared
much
worse
than
with
Martha
.
Mrs.
Savage
did
not
scruple
to
tell
her
openly
all
she
thought
and
felt
,
and
all
that
was
thought
and
felt
by
her
neighbours
,
on
the
subject
of
Richard’s
second
marriage
;
and
Agnes
brought
the
visit
speedily
to
a
conclusion
,
by
hurrying
out
to
hide
the
indignant
tears
that
rose
to
her
eyes
as
she
listened
.
She
walked
along
the
road
towards
The
Mount
,
her
heart
swelling
within
her
,
and
as
she
passed
on
she
perceived
Thomas
,
the
clerk
and
schoolmaster
,
the
most
respectful
and
estimable
of
men
,
coming
towards
her
.
Instead
of
approaching
to
give
her
all
the
details
of
the
progress
of
her
class
or
of
the
choir
,
he
passed
on
the
other
side
with
merely
a
grave
salutation
